THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK. 431 of the suspended sentence. The king appeared at a dis- tance, surrounded by ladies and horsemen. All the troop advanced in beautiful order, at a foot's pace, the horns of various sorts animating the dogs and the horses. It was a movement, a noise, a mirage of light, of which nothing now can give an idea, unless it be the fictitious splendor or false majesty of a theatrical spectacle. D'Artagnan, with an eye a little weakened, distinguished behind the group three carriages. The first was intended for the queen; it was empty. D'Artagnan, who did not ^ee Mile, de la Valliere by the king's side, on looking about for her saw her in the second carriage. She was alone with two of her women, who seemed as dull as their mistress. On the left hand of the king, upon a high-spirited horse, restrained by a bold and skillful hand, shone a lady of the most dazzling beauty. The king smiled upon her, and she smiled upon the king. Loud laughter followed every word she spoke. I must know that woman, thought the musketeer; *%ho can she be?" And he stooped toward his friend, the falconer, to whom he addressed the question he had put to himself. The fal- coner was about to reply, when the king, perceiving D'Ar- tagnan:
- ^Ah, comte!" said he, *^you are returned, then! Why
have I not seen you?" ^^Sire," replied the captain, '^because your majesty was asleep when I arrived, and not awake when I resumed my duties this morning." '^Still the same,'^ said Louis, in a loud voice, denoting satisfaction. "Take some rest, comte; I command you to do so. You will dine with me to-day." A murmur of admiration surrounded D'Artagnan like an immense caress. Every one was eager to salute him. Din- ing with the king was an honor his majesty was not so prodigal of as Henry IV. had been. The king passed a few steps in advance, and D'Artagnan found himself in the midst of a fresh group, among whom shone Colbert. "Good-day, Monsieur d'Artagnan," said the minister, with affable politeness; "have you had a pleasant journey?" "Yes, monsieur," said D'Artagnan, bowing to the neck of his horse. "I heard the king invite you to his table for this even- ing," continued the minister; "you will meet an old friend there."
"An old friend of mine?" asked D'Artagnan, plunging
