"Pardon me, sire; it was for myself."
"And did you succeed?"
"Like the captains of the fifteenth century, coups dt main and adventures."
"What do you call succeeding — a fortune?"
"A hundred thousand crowns, sire, which I possess — that is, in one week the triple of all I ever had in money in fifty years."
"It is a handsome sum. But you are ambitious, I believe?"
"I! sire? The quarter of it would be a treasure; and I swear to you I have no thought of augmenting it."
"What! do you contemplate remaining idle?"
"Yes sire."
"To quit the sword?"
"That is done."
"Impossible, Monsieur d'Artagnan!" said Louis firmly.
"But, sire "
"Well?"
"What for?"
"Because I will that you shall not!" said the young prince, in a voice so stern and imperious that D'Artagnan evinced surprise and even uneasiness.
"Will your majesty allow me one word of reply?" said he.
"Speak."
"I formed that resolution when I was poor and destitute."
"So be it. Go on."
"Now, when by my industry I have acquired a comfortable means of subsistence, would your majesty despoil me of my liberty? Your majesty would condemn me to the least, when I have gained the most."
"Who gave you permission, monsieur, to fathom my designs, or to reckon with me?" replied Louis, in a voice almost angry; "who told you what I shall do or what you will yourself do?"
"Sire," said the musketeer quietly, "as far as I see, freedom is not the order of the conversation, as it was on the day we came to an explanation at Blois."
"No, monsieur; everything is changed."
"I make your majesty my sincere compliments upon that, but "
"But you don't believe it?"
"I am not a great statesman, and yet I have my eye upon affairs; it seldom fails; now. I do not see exactly as your majesty does, sire. The reign of Mazarin is over, but that of the financiers is begun. They have the money; your
