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 fusal to him; for he is one of my acquaintances, and is a man whom, in our present circumstances, it would be better to have as a friend than an enemy."

"Answer him as you please," said Fouquet.

"Eh! good Lord!" said the abbe, still full of malice, like an egotistical man; "tell him there is no money, particularly for musketeers." '

But scarcely had the abbe uttered this imprudent speech, when the partly open door was thrown back, and D'Artagnan appeared.

"Eh! Monsieur Fouquet," said he, "I was well aware there was no money for musketeers here. Therefore I did not come to obtain any, but to have it refused. That being done, receive my thanks. I give you a good-day, and will go and seek it at Monsieur Colbert's." And he went out, after making an easy bow.

"Gourville," said Fouquet, "run after that man and bring him back." Gourville obeyed, and overtook D'Ar- tagnan on the stairs. D'Artagnan, hearing steps behind him, turned round and perceived Gourville. "Mordioua! my dear monsieur," said he, "these are sad lessons which you gentlemen of finance teach us; i come to Monsieur Fouquet to receive a sum accorded by his majesty, and I am received like a mendicant who comes to ask charity, or like a thief who comes to steal a piece of plate."

"But you pronounced the name of Monsieur Colbert, my dear Monsieur d'Artagnan; you said you were going to Monsieur Colbert's?"

"I certainly am going there, were it only to ask satisfac-tion of the people who try to burn houses, crying 'Vive Colbert!'"

Gourville pricked up his ears. "Oh, oh!" said he, "you allude to what has just happened at the Greve?"

"Yes, certainly."

"And in what did that which has taken place concern you?"

"What! do you ask me whether it concerns me, or does not concern me, if Monsieur Colbert pleases to make a funeral pile of my house?"

"So, your house! — was it your house they wanted to burn?"

"Pardieul was it!"

"Is the cabaret of the Image de Notre Dame vours, then?"

"It has been this week."