Anne was tormented but she was pacing. She knew Celeste and D'Artagnan would be there soon. But what would Celeste be able to do now? What would D'Artagnan say? Anne stopped. What would D'Artagnan say?
There was a knock at her door and she turned.
The old nun opened the door and let D'Artagnan and Celeste in. Then she left them alone. The two musketeers where dressed in their uniforms and had their hats in their hands.
D'Artagnan came forward and took Anne's hands. He looked deep in her eyes.
Celeste stood behind him.
"There were two. Not one. But two," said D'Artagnan.
"I couldn't tell you," whispered Anne. "You had enough to carry."
"I wanted to tell you, D'Artagnan," said Celeste. "I wanted to tell Aramis. I wanted him to understand."
D'Artagnan looked at her. "You knew?"
Celeste nodded. "Anne told me. And a week later, Aramis told me about Phillippe. I was torn. And then at that meeting…when they questioned your loyalty to him, I wanted to tell them so badly. They would have understood, if you had just told them!"
D'Artagnan turned back to Anne. "I want you to know that I love you, Anne. I want you to remember that and go on. As strong as you are now. No matter what happens." Then he kissed her. At last he let her go.
Celeste was already standing by the door.
D'Artagnan moved toward her. But he stopped and looked at Anne one more time.
There here tears in her eyes. "D'Artagnan…?"
The look he gave her was full of love. But then he turned back and left the room.
"What are you gong to do?" asked Celeste.
"First," said D'Artagnan. "You are going to go and meet Aramis, Athos and Porthos where you designated."
Celeste stopped. "What…"
D'Artagnan raised his hand. "I know you played a part in this. A large part. Now, here's what you must do…"
Phillippe's head was covered with a burlap bag as he was dragged through the twisting stairways of the Bastille.
Suddenly, he was tossed in a cell and the hood was removed.
A blacksmith moved into his line of vision. In his hands was a new iron mask.
Phillippe's eyes filled with fresh horror. "No! please! No!"
The guard held him still as the blacksmith paced the mask over his face and sealed it with a small padlock. There was only one kept to the padlock and it was a golden key that one of the guards slid onto a fine golden chain. They gave the chain to Andre.