Deeply as the heart of Athos was stirred at meeting his old comrade-in-arms, and sincere as his attachment was to D’Artagnan, the Count de la Fere would have nothing to do with any plan for helping Mazarin.

D’Artagnan returned alone to await Porthos in Paris.  The same night Athos and his son also left for Paris.

II.—­The Four Set Out for England

Queen Henrietta of England, daughter of Henry IV. of France and wife of King Charles I., was lodged in the Louvre, while her husband lost his crown in the civil war.  The queen had appealed to Mazarin either to send assistance to Charles I., or to receive him in France, and the cardinal had declined both propositions.  Then it was that an Englishman, Lord de Winter, who had come to Paris to get help, appealed to Athos, whom he had known twenty years earlier, to come to England and fight for the king.

Athos and Aramis at once responded, and waited on the queen, who received them in the large empty rooms—­left unfurnished by the avarice of the cardinal—­allotted to her in the Louvre.

“Gentlemen,” said the queen, “a few years ago I had around me knights, treasure, and armies.  To-day look around, and know that in order to accomplish a plan which is dearer to me than life I have only Lord de Winter, the friend of twenty years, and you, gentlemen, whom I see for the first time, and whom I know but as my countrymen.”

“It is enough,” said Athos, bowing low, “if the life of three men can purchase yours, madame.”

“I thank you, gentlemen.  But hear me.  My husband, King of England, is leading so wretched a life that death would be a welcome exchange for him.  He has asked for the hospitality of France, and it has been refused him.”

“What is to be done?” said Athos.  “I have the honour to inquire from your majesty what you desire Monsieur D’Herblay (as Aramis was named) and myself to do in your service.  We are ready.”

“I, madame,” said Aramis, “follow M. de la Fere wherever he leads, even to death, without demanding any reason; but when it concerns your majesty’s service, no one precedes me.”

“Well, then, gentlemen,” said the queen, “since it is thus, and since you are willing to devote yourselves to the service of a poor princess whom everybody has forsaken, this is what must be done for me.  The king is alone with a few gentlemen whom he may lose any day, and he is surrounded by the Scotch, whom he distrusts.  I ask much, too much, perhaps, for I have no title to ask it.  Go to England, join the king, be his friends, his bodyguard; be with him on the field of battle and in his house.  Gentlemen, in exchange I can only promise you my love; next to my husband and my children, and before everyone else, you will have my prayers and a sister’s love.”

“Madame,” said Athos, “when must we set out? we are ready!”

The queen, moved to tears, held out her hand, which they kissed, and then, after receiving letters for the king, they withdrew.