"Dumas, Alexandre - The Man In The Iron Mask" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dumas Alexandre)

occurred to me that you know the Spanish language."
"Every Frenchman who has been actively engaged in the Fronde knows
Spanish."
"You have lived in Flanders?"
"Three years."
"And have stayed at Madrid?"
"Fifteen months."
"You are in a position, then, to become a naturalized Spaniard
when you like."
"Really?" said Aramis, with a frankness which deceived the duchess.
"Undoubtedly. Two years' residence and an acquaintance with the
language are indispensable. You have had three years and a half,-
fifteen months more than is necessary."
"What are you driving at, my dear lady?"
"At this,- I am on good terms with the King of Spain."
"And I am not on bad terms," thought Aramis to himself.
"Do you wish me to ask the King," continued the duchess, "to
confer the succession to the Franciscan's office upon you?"
"Oh, Duchess!"
"You have it already, perhaps?" she said.
"No, upon my honor."
"Very well, then, I can render you that service."
"Why did you not render the same service to M. de Laicques, Duchess?
He is a very talented man, and one whom you love."
"Yes, no doubt; but that is not to be considered. At all events,
putting Laicques aside, answer me, will you have it?"
"No, I thank you, Duchess."
She paused. "He is nominated," she thought; and then resumed
aloud, "If you refuse me in this manner, it is not very encouraging
for me to ask anything of you."
"Oh, ask, pray ask!"
"Ask! I cannot do so if you have not the power to grant what I
want."
"However limited my power and ability, ask all the same."
"I need a sum of money to restore Dampierre."
"Ah!" replied Aramis, coldly, "money? Well, Duchess, how much
would you require?"
"Oh, a tolerably round sum!"
"So much the worse,- you know I am not rich."
"No, you are not; but the order is. And if you had been the
general-"
"You know I am not the general."
"In that case you have a friend who must be very wealthy,- M.
Fouquet."
"M. Fouquet! He is more than half ruined, Madame."
"So it is said, but I would not believe it."
"Why, Duchess?"
"Because I have, or rather Laicques has, certain letters in his
possession from Cardinal Mazarin, which establish the existence of
very strange accounts."