“Because he is in love.”

“He!

he is quite a child!”

“And ‘tis a child he loves.”

Athos became thoughtful.

“You are right, duchess. This singular passion for a child of seven may some day make him very unhappy. There is to be war in Flanders. He shall go thither.”

“And at his return you will send him to me. I will arm him against love.”

“Alas, madame!” exclaimed Athos, “to-day love is like war — the breastplate is becoming useless.”

Raoul entered at this moment; he came to announce that