Let us stop, Monsieur, I conjure you! replied the faithful servant; how pale you are becoming!
That will not prevent my pursuing my route, now I have once started, replied the count; and he gave his horse his head again. But suddenly the animal, instead of obeying the thought of his master, stopped. A movement of which Athos was unconscious had checked the bit.
Something, said Athos, wills that I should go no farther. Support me, added he, stretching out his arms; quick! come closer! I feel all my muscles relax, and I shall fall from my horse.
The valet had seen the movement made by his master at the moment he received the order. He went up to him quickly, and received the count in his arms; and as they were still sufficiently near the house for the servants, who had remained at the
