Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/366

354 "Sire, it was not I who ever forgot it. At what hour tomorrow shall I take my leave of your majesty?"

"Where do you lodge?"

I must henceforward lodge at the Louvre.

That must not be now; keep your lodgings in the city; I will pay for them. As to your departure, it must take place at night; you must set out without being seen by any one, or, if you are seen, it must not be known that you belong to me. A close mouth, monsieur."

"Your majesty spoils all you have said by that single word."

"I asked you where you lodged, for I cannot always send to Monsieur le Comte de la Fere to seek you."

"I lodge with Monsieur Planchet, a grocer, Rue des Lombards, at the sign of the Pilon d'Or."

"Go out but little, show yourself still less, and await my orders."

"And yet, sire, I must go for the money."

"That is true; but, when going to the surintendance, where so many people are constantly going, you must mingle with the crowd."

"I want the notes, sire, for the money."

"Here they are."

The king signed them, and D'Artagnan looked on, to assure himself of the regularity.

"That is money," said he, "and money is either read or counted.

"Adieu, Monsieur d'Artagnan," added the king. "I think you have perfectly understood me."

"I! I understood that your majesty sends me to Belle Isle-en-Mer, that is all."

"To learn?"

"To learn how Monsieur Fouquet's works are going on: that is all."

"Very well; I admit you may be taken."

"And I do not admit it," replied the Gascon boldly.

"I admit that you may be killed," continued the king.

"That is not probable, sire."

"In the first case, you must not speak; in the second, there must be no paper found upon you to speak."

D'Artagnan shrugged his shoulders without ceremony, and took leave of the king, saying to himself:

"The English shower continues—let us remain under the spout."