no matter.”
He opened a drawer and took out a purse.
“What do you say to a thousand crowns?”
D’Artagnan pouted out his lower lip in a most extraordinary
manner.
“I reply, my lord, ’tis but little, as certainly I shall not
go alone.”
“I suppose not. Monsieur du Vallon, that worthy gentleman,
for, with the exception of yourself, Monsieur d’Artagnan,
there’s not a man in France that I esteem and love so much
as him —- ”
“Then, my lord,” replied D’Artagnan, pointing to the purse
which Mazarin still held, “if you love and esteem him so
much, you — understand me?”
“Be it so! on his account I add two hundred crowns.”
“Scoundrel!” muttered D’Artagnan. “But on our return,” he
said aloud, “may we, that is, my friend and I, depend on
having, he his barony, and I my promotion?”
“On the honor of Mazarin.”
“I should like another sort of oath better,” said D’Artagnan
to himself; then aloud, “May I not offer my duty to her
majesty the queen?”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After
“Her majesty is asleep and you must set off directly,”
replied Mazarin; “go, pray, sir —- ”
“One word more, my lord; if there’s any fighting where I’m
going, must I fight?”
“You are to obey the commands of the personage to whom I
have addressed the inclosed letter.”
“‘Tis well,” said D’Artagnan, holding out his hand to
receive the money. “I offer my best respects and services to
you, my lord.”
D’Artagnan then, returning to the officer, said:
“Sir, have the kindness also to awaken Monsieur du Vallon
and to say ’tis by his eminence’s order, and that I shall
await him at the stables.”
The officer went off with an eagerness that showed the
Gascon that he had some personal interest in the matter.
Porthos was snoring most musically when some one touched him
on the shoulder.
“I come from the cardinal,” said the officer.
“Heigho!” said Porthos, opening his large eyes; “what have
you got to say?”
“That his eminence has ordered you to England and that
Monsieur d’Artagnan is waiting for you in the stables.”
Porthos sighed heavily, arose, took his hat, his pistols,
and his cloak, and departed, casting a look of regret upon
the couch where he had hoped to sleep so well.
No sooner had he turned his back than the officer laid
himself down in it, and he had scarcely crossed the
threshold before his successor, in his turn, was snoring
immoderately. It was very natural, he being the only person
in the whole assemblage, except the king, the queen, and the
Duke of Orleans, who slept gratuitously.
54
In which we hear Tidings of Aramis.
D’Artagnan went straight to the stables; day was just
dawning. He found his horse and that of Porthos fastened to
the manger, but to an empty manger. He took pity on these
poor animals and went to a corner of the stable, where he
saw a little straw, but in doing so he struck his foot
against a human body, which uttered a cry and arose on its
knees, rubbing its eyes. It was Mousqueton, who, having no
straw to lie upon, had helped himself to that of the horses.
“Mousqueton,” cried D’Artagnan, “let us be off! Let us set
off.”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After
Mousqueton, recognizing the voice of his master’s friend, got
up suddenly, and in doing so let fall some louis which he
had appropriated to himself illegally during the night.
“Ho! ho!” exclaimed D’Artagnan, picking up a louis and
displaying it; “here’s a louis that smells confoundedly of
straw.”
Mousqueton blushed so confusedly that the Gascon began to
laugh at him and said:
“Porthos would be angry, my dear Monsieur Mousqueton, but I
pardon you, only let us remember that this gold must serve
us as a joke, so be gay — come along.”
Mousqueton instantly assumed a jovial countenance, saddled
the horses quickly and mounted his own without making faces
over it.
Whilst this went on, Porthos arrived with a very cross look
on his face, and was astonished to find the lieutenant
resigned and Mousqueton almost merry.