CHAPTER XC.

IT IS SOMETIMES MORE DIFFICULT FOR A KING TO RETURN TO THE CAPITAL OF HIS KINGDOM THAN TO LEAVE IT. Whilst d'Artagnan and Porthos were engaged in conducting the Cardinal to Saint Germain, Athos and Aramis returned to Paris. Each had his own particular visit to make. Aramis rushed to the Hôtel de Ville, where Madame de Longueville was staying. The duchess had loudly lamented the announcement of peace. War had made her a queen; peace brought her abdication. She declared that she had never expected the treaty, and t…