D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 165: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

154 Thin Threads, but Strong. before long,” pleasantly said the duchess to her hus- band as, with renewed appetite, he finished his hearty meal with a rustic ‘‘milkpot,” that is a kind of custard without eggs. “Let us come to an understanding in the between-whiles.”’ ‘About what?” “This plot K “T thought that all cut-and-dried, though not hung up! We are of accord are we not, toa title? For you conspired for me, ay! and did so before I harbored the intention.” | “How could that be when you were born for the Portuguese throne? How be it, I am plotting against myself!” | Braganza shook his head, not seeing the reasoning. In fact, although this woman probably understood him to the uttermost, he never yet had fathomed one to whom he might owe a throne. “You look forward with rapture to your ascension to the separate throne?” “Not exactly rapture! It is joy of a kind. It is a thorny seat. Portugal is badly situated for a peaceful monarch—between the deep sea and Spain. I shall be likened to the man on the cliff edge, with Satan walk- ing on his landward side!” “Dear Juan, when you are seated at the fountain’s mouth, disposing of offices, posts, places, honors, rib- bons, stars—with this foreign loan trying to fill the sieves of the court Danaides, the favorites, all will ab- sorb your time, business and leisure, save your wife.” “Absurd, my dear!” he replied, reproachfully. “Tt is a queen’s destiny! they are married for policy and reasons of State! It is glorious for pride, but wearing on ‘the heart! I am proud—the Gonzagas have that weakness—but I have a heart. I accept your fate—you I shall never blame! Not only have I wifely affection i Spontaneously he uttered a “Heaven bless you!” “But above all, devotion of a true friend is mine.”’ ie know that, and I thank the Giver of Good for it all! GEomichbooks:co