Raoul sprang towards the comte, but the latter had already overcome his emotion, and turned to the lights with a serene and impassible countenance.

"Well, come," said the duke, "let us see! Shall he go, or shall he not?
If he goes, comte, he shall be my aide-de-camp, my son." "Monseigneur!" cried Raoul, bending his knee.
"Monseigneur!" cried Athos, taking the hand of the duke; "Raoul shall do just as he likes." "Oh! no, monsieur, just as you like," interrupted the young man.
"_Par la corbleu!_" said the prince in his turn, "it is neither the comte nor the vicomte that shall have his way, it is I.I will take him away.

The marine offers a superb fortune, my friend." Raoul smiled again so sadly, that this time Athos felt his heart penetrated by it, and replied to him by a severe look.

Raoul comprehended it all; he recovered his calmness, and was so guarded, that not another word escaped him.

The duke at length rose, on observing the advanced hour, and said, with animation, "I am in great haste, but if I am told I have lost time in talking with a friend, I will reply I have gained--on the balance--a most excellent recruit." "Pardon me, monsieur le duc," interrupted Raoul, "do not tell the king so, for it is not the king I wish to serve." "Eh! my friend, whom, then, will you serve?
The times are past when you might have said, 'I belong to M.de Beaufort.' No, nowadays, we all belong to the king, great or small.