Athos fixed upon Monk a proud and resolute look.

"My lord," said he, "with this million, which others would
perhaps employ in negotiating, I would advise the king to
raise two regiments, to enter Scotland, which you have just
pacified: to give to the people the franchises which the
revolution promised them, and in which it has not, in all
cases, kept its word. I should advise him to command in
person this little army, which would, believe me, increase,
and to die, standard in hand, and sword in its sheath,
saying, `Englishmen! I am the third king of my race you have
killed; beware of the justice of God!'"

Monk hung down his head, and mused for an instant. "If he
succeeded," said he, "which is very improbable, but not
impossible -- for everything is possible in this world --
what would you advise him to do?"

"To think that by the will of God he lost his crown but by
the good will of men he recovered it."

An ironical smile passed over the lips of Monk.

"Unfortunately, monsieur," said he, "kings do not know how
to follow good advice."

"Ah, my lord, Charles II. is not a king," replied Athos,
smiling in his turn, but with a very different expression
from Monk.