Monk hung down his head, and mused for an instant. “If he succeeded,” said he, “which is very improbable, but not impossible—for everything is possible in this world—what would you advise him to do?”
“To think that by the will of God he lost his crown but by the good will of men he recovered it.”
An ironical smile passed over the lips of Monk.
“Unfortunately, monsieur,” said he, “kings do not know how to follow good advice.”
“Ah, my lord, Charles II. is not a king,” replied Athos, smiling in his turn, but with a very different expression from Monk.
“Let us terminate this, monsieur le comte,—that is your desire, is it not?”
Athos bowed.
“I shall give orders to have these two casks transported whither you please. Where are you lodging, monsieur?”
“In a little hamlet at the mouth of the river, your honor.”
“Oh, I know the hamlet; it consists of five or six houses, does it not?”