[ A Poem for Lisa ] [ Paris ] [ The Traveller ]
From Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.
"Comte de la Fère," he said in French, "are you there, and can I speak to you?"
That voice struck straight to Athos' heart, and pierced it like steel.
"Yes, your Majesty," he replied, in a trembling voice.
"O faithful friend, generous heart!" said the King, "I could not be saved. It was not to be. Now, hear me, I have spoken to men--I have spoken to God; I now speak last of all to you. For supporting a cause that I considered sacred, I have lost the throne of my fathers and diverted the heritage of my children. One million in gold remains, which I buried in the cellars of the castle in Newcastle, just before I left that town. You alone know that this money exists; make use of it, then, whenever you think it may be most useful to my eldest son. And now, Comte de la Fère, bid me adieu."
"Adieu, Majesty, saint, and martyr!" stammered Athos, frozen with horror.
There was then a moment's silence, during which Athos fancied that the King arose and changed his position.
Then, in a voice full and sonorous, so that not only could it be heard on the scaffold, but far beyond amid the throng:
"Remember!" said the King.He had scarcely finished the word before a terrible blow shook the flooring of the scaffold. The dust arose from the drapery, blinding Athos; but suddenly, as by a mechanical movement he raised his eyes and his head, a warm drop fell upon his forehead. Athos recoiled with a shudder of horror, and at that same moment the drops changed into a black cascade which poured down on the floor.
Athos fell on his knees, and stayed there as if deprived of his wits and utterly helpless. But he soon became aware, by the receding murmur, that the crowd was departing. He remained a minute or two longer, motionless and in silent despair. Then he regained his fortitude so far as to be able to dip the end of his handkerchief in the blood of the royal martyr. And, as the crowd was diminishing more and more, he descended, cut through the serge, slipped between two horses, mingled with the people, whose dress he wore, and was the first to reach the tavern.
On going up to his apartment and looking into a glass, he saw his forehead marked with a large red spot. He put his hand to it, drew it back smeared with the King's blood, and fainted away.