been given. He decided, therefore, to tell a falsehood, - a
circumstance, moreover, which did not seriously affect his peace of mind,
when he saw that beyond the falsehood the safety of the state itself, or
even purely and simply his own individual personal interest, might be at
stake. He moreover added to the declarations he had already made, that
the soldier sent to M. du Vallon was his own messenger, and that the only
object that letter had in view was to announce his intended arrival.
From that moment, no one opposed D'Artagnan's entrance any further, and
he entered accordingly. A valet wished to accompany him, but he answered
that it was useless to take that trouble on his account, inasmuch as he
knew perfectly well where M. du Vallon was. There was nothing, of
course, to say to a man so thoroughly and completely informed on all
points, and D'Artagnan was permitted, therefore, to do as he liked. The
terraces, the magnificent apartments, the gardens, were all reviewed and
narrowly inspected by the musketeer. He walked for a quarter of an hour
in this more than royal residence, which included as many wonders as
articles of furniture, and as many servants as there were columns and
doors. "Decidedly," he said to himself, "this mansion has no other
limits than the pillars of the habitable world. Is it probable Porthos
has taken it into his head to go back to Pierrefonds without even leaving
M. Fouquet's house?" He finally reached a remote part of the chateau
inclosed by a stone wall, which was covered with a profusion of thick
plants, luxuriant in blossoms as large and solid as fruit. At equal
distances on the top of this wall were placed various statues in timid or
mysterious attitudes. These were vestals hidden beneath the long Greek
peplum, with its thick, sinuous folds; agile nymphs, covered with their
marble veils, and guarding the palace with their fugitive glances. A
statue of Hermes, with his finger on his lips; one of Iris, with extended
wings; another of Night, sprinkled all over with poppies, dominated the
gardens and outbuildings, which could be seen through the trees. All