“Yes, Madame. Your royal highness, however, has no other advice or caution to give me, except that of not betraying you?”
“None.”
“I am about, therefore, to beg your royal highness to allow me to remain here for one moment.”
“Without me?”
“Oh! no, Madame. It matters very little; for what I have to do can be done in your presence. I only ask one moment to write a line to some one.”
“It is dangerous, Monsieur de Bragelonne. Take care.”
“No one can possibly know that your royal highness has done me the honor to conduct me here. Besides, I shall sign the letter I am going to write.”
“Do as you please, then.”
Raoul drew out his tablet, and wrote rapidly on one of the leaves the following words:
“MONSIEUR LE COMTE,—Do not be surprised to find this paper signed by me; the friend I shall very shortly send to call on you will have the honor to explain the object of my visit.