you are surprised; that is natural, and I expected it. Answer me,
come! or I shall think you have no longer that rapidity of judgment I
have so much admired in you."

"It is certain, sire, that twenty thousand livres a year make a handsome
sum; but----"

"No buts! Yes or no, is it an honorable indemnity?"

"Oh! very certainly."

"You will be satisfied with it? That is well. It will be better to
reckon the extra expenses separately; you can arrange that with Colbert.
Now let us pass to something more important."

"But, sire, I told your majesty----"

"That you wanted rest, I know you did: only I replied that I would not
allow it--I am master, I suppose?"

"Yes, sire."

"That is well. You were formerly in the way of becoming captain of the
musketeers?"

"Yes, sire."

"Well, here is your commission signed. I place it in this drawer. The
day on which you shall return from a certain expedition which I have to
confide to you, on that day you may yourself take the commission from
the drawer." D'Artagnan still hesitated, and hung down his head. "Come,
monsieur," said the king, "one would believe, to look at you, that
you did not know that at the court of the most Christian king, the
captain-general of the musketeers takes precedence of the marechals of
France."

"Sire, I know he does.

"Then, am I to think you do put no faith in my word?"

"Oh! sire, never--never dream of such a thing."

"I have wished to prove to you, that you, so good a servant, had lost a
good master; am I anything like the master that will suit you?"

"I begin to think you are, sire."

"Then, monsieur, you will resume your functions. Your company is quite
disorganized since your departure and the men go about drinking and
rioting in the cabarets where they fight, in spite of my edicts,
and those of my father. You will reorganize the service as soon as
possible."

"Yes, sire."

"You will not again quit my person."

"Very well, sire."

"You will march with me to the army, you will encamp round my tent."

"Then, sire," said D'Artagnan, "if it is only to impose upon me a
service like that, your majesty need not give me twenty thousand livres
a year. I shall not earn them."

"I desire that you shall keep open house; I desire that you should keep
a liberal table; I desire that my captain of musketeers should be a
personage."

"And I," said D'Artagnan, bluntly; "I do not like easily found money;
I like money won! Your majesty gives