476 TEN" YEARS LATER. peared, and the sound of the horses and carriages grew fainter in the distance, and when they were certain, in fact, that no one could see them, Aramis and Fouquet came out of their grotto, and both of them in silence passed slowly on toward the walk. Aramis looked most narrowly not only at the whole extent of the open space stretching out before and behind him, but even into the very depth of the wood. "Monsieur Fouquet," he said, when he had quite satisfied himself that they were alone, "we must get back, at any cost, the letter you wrote to La Valliere." "That will be easy enough," said Fouquet, "if my servant has not given it to her." "In any case, it must be done, do you understand?" "Yes; the king is in love with this girl, you mean?" "Exceedingly so; and what is worse, is that, on her side, the girl is personally attached to the king." "As much as to say that we must change our tactics, I suppose?" "Not a doubt of it; you have no time to lose. You must see La Valliere, and, without thinking any more of becom- ing her lover, which is out of the question, must declare yourself her dearest friend and her most humble servant." "I will do so," replied Fouquet, "and without the slight- est feeling of disinclination, for she seems a good-hearted girl." "Or a clever one," said Aramis; "but in that case the greater reason." Then he added, after a moment's pause, "If I am not mistaken, that girl will become the strongest passion of the king. Let us return to our carriage, and, as fast as possible, to the chateau." CHAPTER LXIIL TOBY. Two hours after the surintendant's carriage had set off by Aramis' directions, conveying them both toward Fon- tainebleau with the fleetness of the clouds which the last breath of the tempest was hurrying across the face of the heavens. La Valliere was closeted in her own apartment, with a simple muslin Avrapper round her, having just finished a slight repast, which was placed upon a small marble table. Suddenly the door was opened, and a servant entered to announce M. Fouquet, who had called to request
