eak
that word in the cabinet of the king, and before an usher, would have
been to ruin himself gratuitously, and could save nobody. D'Artagnan
then contented himself with bowing to Fouquet and entered. At this
moment the king floated between the joy the last words of Fouquet had
given him, and his pleasure at the return of D'Artagnan. Without being a
courtier, D'Artagnan had a glance as sure and as rapid as if he had been
one. He read, on his entrance, devouring humiliation on the countenance
of Colbert. He even heard the king say these words to him;--

"Ah! Monsieur Colbert, you have then nine hundred thousand livres at
the intendance?" Colbert, suffocated, bowed, but made no reply. All
this scene entered into the mind of D'Artagnan, by the eyes and ears, at
once.

The first word of Louis to his musketeer, as if he wished it to contrast
with what he was saying at the moment, was a kind "good day." His second
was to send away Colbert. The latter left the king's cabinet, pallid and
tottering, whilst D'Artagnan twisted up the ends of his mustache.

"I love to see one of my servants in this disorder," said the king,
admiring the martial stains upon the clothes of his envoy.

"I thought, sire, my presence at the Louvre was sufficiently urgent to
excuse my presenting myself thus before you."

"You bring me great news, then, monsieur?"

"Sire, the thing is this, in two words: Belle-Isle is fortified,
admirably fortified; Belle-Isle has a double enciete, a citadel, two
detached forts; its ports contain three corsairs; and the side batteries
only await their cannon."

"I know all that, monsieur," replied the king.

"What! your majesty knows all that?" replied the musketeer, stupefied.

"I have the plan of the fortifications of Belle-Isle," said the king.

"Your majesty has the plan?"

"Here it is."

"It is really correct, sire: I saw a similar one on the spot."

D'Artagnan's brow became clouded.

"Ah! I understand all. Your majesty did not trust to me alone, but sent
some other person," said he in a reproachful tone.

"Of what importance is the manner, monsieur, in which I have learnt what
I know, so that I know it?"

"Sire, sire," said the musketeer, without seeking even to conceal his
dissatisfaction; "but I must be permitted to say to your majesty, that
it is not worth while to make me use such speed, to risk twenty
times the breaking of my neck, to salute me on my arrival with
such intelligence. Sire, wh