majesty wanted the day King Charles II. came to Blois. The
two states would not have been embroiled to-day; for I must
say, that there also I see another stumbling-block.”
“Well, in the first place,” replied Louis, “you are unjust,
monsieur; for, if Providence had made me able to give my
brother the million that day, you would not have quitted my
service, and, consequently, you would not have made your
fortune, as you told me just now you have done. But, in
addition to this, I have had another piece of good fortune;
and my difference with Great Britain need not alarm you.”
A valet de chambre interrupted the king by announcing M.
Lyonne. “Come in, monsieur,” said the king; “you are
punctual; that is like a good servant. Let us see your
letter to my brother Charles II.”
D’Artagnan pricked up his ears. “A moment, monsieur,” said
Louis, carelessly to the Gascon, “I must expedite to London
my consent to the marriage of my brother, M. le Duc d’Anjou,
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with the Princess Henrietta Stuart.”
“He is knocking me about, it seems,” murmured D’Artagnan,
whilst the king signed the letter, and dismissed M. de
Lyonne, “but, ma foi! the more he knocks me about in this
manner, the better I like it.”
The king followed M. de Lyonne with his eyes, till the door
was closed behind him; he even made three steps, as if he
would follow the minister, but, after these three steps,
stopping, pausing, and coming back to the musketeer, —
“Now, monsieur,” said he, “let us hasten to terminate our
affair. You told me the other day, at Blois, that you were
not rich?”
“But I am now, sire.”
“Yes, but that does not concern me; you have your own money,
not mine; that does not enter into my account.”
“I do not well understand what your majesty means.”
“Then, instead of leaving you to draw out words, speak,
spontaneously. Should you be satisfied with twenty thousand
livres a year as a fixed income?”
“But, sire,” said D’Artagnan, opening his eyes to the
utmost.
“Would you be satisfied with four horses furnished and kept,
and with a supplement of funds such as you might require,
according to occasions and needs, or would you prefer a
fixed sum which would be, for example, forty thousand
livres? Answer.”
“Sire, your majesty —- ”
“Yes, you are surprised; that is natural, and I expected it.
Answer me, come! or I shall think you have no longer that
rapidity of judgment I have so much admired in you.”
“It is certain, sire, that twenty thousand livres a year
make a handsome sum; but —- ”
“No buts! Yes or no, is it an honorable indemnity?”
“Oh! very certainly.”
“You will be satisfied with it? That is well. It will be
better to reckon the extra expenses separately; you can
arrange that with Colbert. Now let us pass to something more
important.”
“But, sire, I told your majesty —- ”
“That you wanted rest, I know you did: only I replied that I
would not allow it — I am master, I suppose?”
“Yes, sire.”
“That is well. You were formerly in the way of becoming
captain of the musketeers?”
“Yes, sire.”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“Well, here is your commission signed. I place it in this
drawer. The day on which you shall return from a certain
expedition which I have to confide to you, on that day you
may yourself take the commission from the drawer.”
D’Artagnan still hesitated, and hung down his head. “Come,
monsieur,” said the king, “one would believe, to look at
you, that you did not know that at the court of the most
Christian king, the captain-general of the musketeers takes
precedence of the marechals of France.”
“Sire, I know he does.
“Then, am I to think you do put no faith in my word?”
“Oh! sire, never — never dream of such a thing.”
“I have wished to prove to you, that you, so good a servant,
had lost a good master; am I anything like the master that
will suit you?”