Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/358

 "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