“We were speaking of canals and marshes in which people are drowned.”
“Well!”
“Well; if they are drowned, it is for want of a boat, a plank, or a stick.”
“Of a stick [baton], however short it may be,” said d’Artagnan.
“Exactly,” said Colbert; “and therefore I never heard of an instance of a marshal of France being drowned.”
D’Artagnan became pale with joy, and in not a very firm voice, he said, “People would be very proud of me in my country, if I were a marshal of France; but a man must have commanded an expedition as chief to obtain the baton.”
“Monsieur,” said Colbert, “here is in this pocket-book, which you will study, a plan of a campaign; you are to carry it into execution next spring with a body of troops which the King puts under your orders.”
D’Artagnan took the book tremblingly and his fingers meeting with those of Colbert, the minister pressed the hand of the musketeer loyally. “Monsieur,” said he, “we had both a revenge to take, one over the other. I have begun; it is now your turn!”
“I will do you justice, Monsieur,” replied d’Artagnan, “and implore you to tell the King that the first opportunity that shall offer, he may depend upon a victory or seeing me dead.”
“Then I will have the fleurs-de-lis for your marshal’s baton prepared immediately,” said Colbert.
On the morrow of this day, Aramis, who was setting out for Madrid to negotiate the neutrality of Spain, came to embrace d’Artagnan at his hotel.
“Let us love each other for four,” said d’Artagnan; “we are now but two.”
“And you will perhaps never see me again, dear d’Artagnan,” said Aramis; “if you knew how I have loved you! I am old, I am extinguished, I am dead.”
“My friend,” said d’Artagnan, “you will live longer than I shall. Diplomacy commands you to live; but, for my part, honor condemns me to die.”
“Bah! such men as we are, Monsieur the Marshal,” said Aramis, “only die satiated with joy or glory.”
“Ah!” replied d’Artagnan, with a melancholy smile, “I assure you, Monsieur the Duke, I feel very little appetite for either.”
They once more embraced, and two hours later they were separated.
The Death of d’Artagnan
CONTRARY to what generally happens, whether in politics or morals, each kept his promise and did honor to his engagements.
The King recalled M. de Guiche and banished M. le Chevalier de Lorraine, so that Monsieur became ill in consequence. Madame set out for London, where she applied herself so earnestly to make her brother, Charles II, have a taste for the political counsels of Mademoiselle de Keroualle, that the alliance between England and France was signed, and the English vessels, ballasted by a few millions of French gold, made a terrible campaign against the fleets of the United Provinces. Charles II had promised Mademoiselle de Keroualle a little gratitude for her good counsels; he made her Duchess of Portsmouth. Colbert had promised the King vessels, munitions, and victories. He kept this word, as is well known. In fine, Aramis, upon whose promises there was least dependence to be placed, wrote Colbert the following letter on the subject of the negotiations which he had undertaken at Madrid:-
“MONSIEUR COLBERT: I have the honor to send to you the R. P. d’Oliva, General ad interim of the Society of Jesus, my provisional successor. The reverend father will explain to you, M. Colbert, that I reserve to myself the direction of all the affairs of the Order which concern France and Spain; but that I am not willing to retain the title of general which would throw too much light upon the course of the negotiations with which his Catholic Majesty wishes to intrust me. I shall resume that title by the command of his Majesty when the labors I have undertaken in concert with you, for the great glory of God and his Church, shall be brought to a good end. The R. P. d’Oliva will inform you likewise, Monsieur, of the consent which his Catholic Majesty gives to the signature of a treaty which assures the neutrality of Spain in the event of a war between France and the United Provinces. This consent will be valid, even if England, instead of being active, should satisfy herself with remaining neutral. As to Portugal, of which you and I have spoken, Monsieur, I can assure you it will contribute with all its resources to assist the most Christian King in his war. I beg you, M. Colbert, to preserve to me your friendship, as also to believe in my profound attachment, and to lay my respect at the feet of his most Christian Majesty.