Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/363

Rh '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 shall keep an open table; I desire that my captain of musketeers shall be a personage."

"And I," said D'Artagnan bluntly, "I do not like easily found money; I like money won. Your majesty gives me an idle trade, which the first-comer would perform for four thousand livres."

Louis XIV. began to laugh. "You are a true Gascon, Monsieur d'Artagnan; you will draw my heart's secret from me."

"Bah! has your majesty a secret, then?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Well, then, I accept the twenty thousand livres, for I will keep that secret, and discretion is above all price, in these times. Will your majesty speak now?"

"You will get booted, Monsieur d'Artagnan, and mount on horseback."

"Directly, sire?"

"Within two days."

"That is well, sire; for I have my affairs to settle before I set out; particularly if it is likely there should be any blows stirring."

"That may happen."

"We can receive them. But, sire, you have addressed yourself to the avarice, to the ambition; you have addressed yourself to the heart of Monsieur d'Artagnan, but you have forgotten one thing."

"What is that?"

"You have said nothing to his vanity; when shall I be a knight of the king's orders?" "Does that interest you?"

"Why, yes, sire. My friend Athos is quite covered with orders, and that dazzles me."

"You shall be a knight of my order a month after you have taken your commission of captain."

"Ah! ah!" said the officer thoughtfully, "after the expedition."

Precisely."

"Where is your majesty going to send me?"

"Are you acquainted with Bretagne?"

"No, sire."

"Have you any friends there?"