political illusion, and neglect the chances of its being carried into execution; in other words, the reality itself, is it possible?”

“My friend,” said Aramis, emphasizing the word with a kind of disdainful familiarity, “what does Heaven do in order to substitute one king for another?”

“Heaven!” exclaimed Fouquet — ”Heaven gives directions to its agent, who seizes upon the doomed victim, hurries him away, and seats the triumphant rival on the empty throne. But you forget that this agent is called death.

Oh! Monsieur d’Herblay, in Heaven’s name, tell me if you have had the idea — ”

“There is no question of that, monseigneur; you are going beyond the object in view. Who spoke of Louis XIV.’s