and from behind you, I would not give an obolus for your
life."

"I will try to do so, monseigneur," replied the Gascon, with a noble
confidence.

"Remember at a later period and at a certain moment, if any mischance
should happen to you," said Richelieu, significantly, "that it was I
who came to seek you, and that I did all in my power to prevent this
misfortune befalling you."

"I shall entertain, whatever may happen," said d'Artagnan, placing
his hand upon his breast and bowing, "an eternal gratitude toward your
Eminence for that which you now do for me."

"Well, let it be, then, as you have said, Monsieur d'Artagnan; we shall
see each other again after the campaign. I will have my eye upon you,
for I shall be there," replied the cardinal, pointing with his finger to
a magnificent suit of armor he was to wear, "and on our return, well--we
will settle our account!"

"Young man," said Richelieu, "if I shall be able to say to you at
another time what I have said to you today, I promise you to do so."

This last expression of Richelieu's conveyed a terrible doubt; it
alarmed d'Artagnan more than a menace would have done, for it was a
warning. The cardinal, then, was seeking to preserve him from some
misfortune which threatened him. He opened his mouth to reply, but with
a haughty gesture the cardinal dismissed him.

D'Artagnan went out, but at the door his heart almost failed him, and he
felt inclined to return. Then the noble and severe countenance of Athos
crossed his mind; if he made the compact with the cardinal which he
required, Athos would no more give him his hand--Athos would renounce
him.

It was this fear that restrained him, so powerful is the influence of a
truly great character on all that surrounds it.

D'Artagnan descended by the staircase at which he had entered, and found
Athos and the four Musketeers waiting his appearance, and beginning to
grow uneasy. With a word, d'Artagnan reassured them; and Planchet ran to
inform the other sentinels that it was useless to keep guard longer, as
his master had come out safe from the Palais-Cardinal.

Returned home with Athos, Aramis and Porthos inquired eagerly the cause
of the strange interview; but d'Artagnan confined himself to telling
them that M. de Richelieu had sent for him to propose to him to enter
into his guards with the rank of ensign, and that he had refused.

"And you were right," cried Aramis and Porthos, with one voice.

Athos fell in