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44 "Admirable."

"Well, then, this is the surprise we intend. Monsieur Lebrun here is a man who draws most exactly."

"Yes," said Percerin; "I have seen his pictures, and observed that the dresses were highly elaborated. That is why I at once agreed to make him a costume—whether to agree with those of the Epicureans, or an original one."

"My dear monsieur, we accept your offer, and shall presently avail ourselves of it; but just now. Monsieur Lebrun is not in want of the dresses you will make for him, but of those you are making for the king."

Percerin made a bound backward, which D'Artagnan—calmest and most appreciative of men—did not consider overdone; so many strange and startling aspects wore the proposal which Aramis had just hazarded.

"The king's dresses! Give the king's dresses to any moral whatever! Oh! for once, monseigneur, your grace is mad!" cried the poor tailor, in extremity.

"Help me now, D'Artagnan," said Aramis, more and more calm and smiling. "Help me now to persuade monsieur, for you understand, do you not?"

"Eh, eh! not exactly, I declare."

"What! you do not understand that Monsieur Fouquet wishes to afford the king the surprise of finding his portrait on his arrival at Vaux; and that the portrait, which will be a striking resemblance, ought to be dressed exactly as the king will be on the day it is shown?"

"Oh! yes, yes," said the musketeer, nearly convinced, so plausible was this reasoning. "Yes, my dear Aramis, you are right; it is a happy idea. I will wager it is one of your own, Aramis."

"Well, I don't know," replied the bishop; "either mine or Monsieur Fouquet's." Then, scanning Percerin, after noticing D'Artagnan's hesitation, "Well, Monsieur Percerin," he asked, "what do you say to this?"

"I say that"

"That you are, doubtless, free to refuse. I know well—and I by no means count upon compelling you, my dear monsieur. I will say more, I even understand all the delicacy you feel in taking up with Monsieur Fouquet's idea; you dread appearing to flatter the king. A noble spirit, Monsieur Percerin, a noble spirit!"

The tailor stammered.

"It would, indeed, be a very pretty compliment to pay the young prince," continued Aramis; "but as the surin-