Ten Years Later: The Man in The Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas Chapter 41 Page 13

perhaps worse, to the humiliation of one who wished to rob him of his liberty.

In proportion as the tale advanced, the king became agitated, devouring the narrator’s words, and drumming with his finger-nails upon the table.

“It results from all this, sire, in my eyes, at least, that the man who conducts himself thus is a gallant man, and cannot be an enemy to the king. That is my opinion, and I repeat it to your majesty. I know what the king will say to me, and I bow to it, — reasons of state. So be it! To my ears that sounds highly respectable. But I am a soldier, and I have received my orders, my orders are executed — very unwillingly on my part, it is true, but they are executed. I say no more.”

“Where is M.