Athos bowed and replied, “I should wish always to enjoy the happiness of being near your majesty.”
The tone, however, in which this reply was conveyed, evidently signified, “I should wish to be one of your majesty’s advisers, to save you the commission of faults.” The king felt it so, and determined in this man’s presence to preserve all the advantages which could be derived from his command over himself, as well as from his rank and position.
“I see you have something to say to me,” he said.
“Had it not been so, I should not have presumed to present myself before your majesty.”
“Speak quickly, I am anxious to satisfy you,” returned the king, seating himself.
“I am persuaded,” replied Athos, in a somewhat agitated tone of voice, “that your majesty will give me every satisfaction.”
“Ah!” said the king, with a certain haughtiness of manner, “you have come to lodge a complaint here, then?”
“It would be a complaint,” returned Athos, “only in the event of your majesty—but if you will deign to permit me, sire, I will begin the conversation from the very commencement.”
“Do so, I am listening.”
“Your majesty will remember that at the period of the Duke of Buckingham’s departure, I had the honor of an interview with you.”