ad not seen for a year. The shrewd Planchet had
acquired a slight protuberance in front, but his countenance was not
puffed. His keen eye still played with facility in its deep-sunk orbit;
and fat, which levels all the characteristic saliences of the human
face, had not yet touched either his high cheek-bones, the sign of
cunning and cupidity, or his pointed chin, the sign of acuteness and
perseverance. Planchet reigned with as much majesty in his dining-room
as in his shop. He set before his master a frugal, but perfectly
Parisian repast: roast meat, cooked at the baker's, with vegetables,
salad, and a dessert borrowed from the shop itself. D'Artagnan was
pleased that the grocer had drawn from behind the fagots a bottle of
that Anjou wine which during all his life had been D'Artagnan's favorite
wine.

"Formerly, monsieur," said Planchet, with a smile full of bonhomie, "it
was I who drank your wine; now you do me the honor to drink mine."

"And, thank God, friend Planchet, I shall drink it for a long time to
come, I hope; for at present I am free."

"Free? You have leave of absence, monsieur?"

"Unlimited."

"You are leaving the service?" said Planchet, stupefied.

"Yes, I am resting."

"And the king?" cried Planchet, who could not suppose it possible that
the king could do without the services of such a man as D'Artagnan.

"The king will try his fortune elsewhere. But we have supped well, you
are disposed to enjoy yourself; you invite me to confide in you. Open
your ears, then."

"They are open." And Planchet, with a laugh more frank than cunning,
opened a bottle of white wine.

"Leave me my reason, at least."

"Oh, as to you losing your head--you, monsieur!"

"Now my head is my own, and I mean to take better care of it than ever.
In the first place we shall talk business. How fares our money-box?"

"Wonderfully well, monsieur. The twenty thousand livres I had of you are
still employed in my trade, in which they bring me nine per cent. I give
you seven, so I gain two by you."

"And you are still satisfied?"

"Delighted. Have you brought me any more?"

"Better than that. But do you want any?"

"Oh! not at all. Every one is willing to trust me now. I am extending my
business."

"That was your intention."

"I play the banker a little. I buy goods of my needy brethren; I lend
money to those who are not ready for their payments."

"Without usury?"

"Oh! monsieur, in the course of the last week I