You are devoted and noble
young gentlemen, but your only weakness is your excessive modesty.
From this moment I make you all Marshals and Dukes, with the
exception of Aramis."
"And me, sire?" said Aramis.
"You shall be an Archbishop!"
The four friends looked up and then rushed into each other's arms.
The King embraced Louise de la Valliere, by way of keeping them
company. A pause ensued. At last Athos spoke:--
"Swear, my children, that, next to yourselves, you will respect--
the King of France; and remember that 'Forty years after' we will
meet again."
THE DWELLER OF THE THRESHOLD.
BY SIR ED--D L--TT--N B--LW--R.
BOOK I.
THE PROMPTINGS OF THE IDEAL.
It was noon. Sir Edward had stepped from his brougham and was
proceeding on foot down the Strand. He was dressed with his usual
faultless taste, but in alighting from his vehicle his foot had
slipped, and a small round disk of conglomerated soil, which
instantly appeared on his high arched instep, marred the harmonious
glitter of his boots. Sir Edward was fastidious. Casting his eyes
around, at a little distance he perceived the stand of a youthful
bootblack. Thither he sauntered, and carelessly placing his foot
on the low stool, he waited the application of the polisher's art.
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