468 TEN YEARS LATER. "Yon are very fortunate to have so good a memory," said Aramis, smiling in his turn; "but are you not afraid that your coachman, finding we do not return, will suppose we have taken another road back, and that he will not fol- low the carriages belonging to the court?" "Oh, there is no fear of that," said Fouquet; "whenever I place my coachman and my carriage in any particular spot, nothing but an express order from the king could stir them; and, more than that, too, it seems that we are not the only ones who have come so far, for I hear footsteps and the sound of voices." As he spoke, Fouquet turned round, opened with his cane a mass of foliage which hid the path from his view. Aramis' glance as well as his own plunged at the same moment through the opening he had made. "A woman," said Aramis. "And a man," said Fouquet. "It is La Valliere and the king," they both exclaimed together. "Oh, oh!" said Aramis, "is his majesty aware of your cavern as well? I should not be astonished if he were, for he seems to be on very good terms with the nymphs of Fontainebleau." "It matters little," said Fouquet; "let us get there; if he is not aware of it we shall see what he will do; if he should know it, as it has two entrances, while he enters by one we can leave by the other." "Is it far?" asked Aramis, "for the rain is beginning to penetrate." "We are there now," said Fouquet, as he put aside a few branches, and an excavation of the rock could be observed, which had been entirely concealed by heath, ivy, and a thick covert of small shrubs. Fouquet led the way, followed by Aramis; but as the latter entered the grotto he turned around, saying: "Yes, they are now entering the wood; and see, they are bending their steps this way." "Very well; let us make room for them," said Fouquet, smiling and pulling Aramis by his cloak; "but I do not think the king knows of my grotto." "Yes," said Aramis, "they are looking about them, but it is only for a thicker tree." Aramis was not mistaken, the king's looks were directed upward, and not around him. He held La Valliere's arm within his own, and held her hand in his. La Valliere's
