"That is true," murmured D'Artagnan, biting his mustache.
"You did not flatter me when I was in distress," added Louis.
"But," said D'Artagnan, raising his head nobly, "if I did not flatter your majesty when poor, neither did I betray you. I have shed my blood for nothing; I have watched like a dog at a door, knowing full well that neither bread nor bone would be thrown to me. I, although poor likewise, asked nothing of your majesty but the discharge you speak of."
"I know you are a brave man, but I was a young man, and you ought to have had some indulgence for me. What had you to reproach the king with?--that he left King Charles II. without assistance?--let us say further--that he did not marry Mademoiselle de Mancini?" When saying these words, the king fixed upon the musketeer a searching look.
"Ah! ah!" thought the latter, "he is doing far more than remembering, he divines. The devil!"
"Your sentence," continued Louis, "fell upon the king and fell upon the man. But, Monsieur d'Artagnan, that weakness, for you considered it a weakness?"--D'Artagnan made no reply--"you reproached me also with regard to monsieur, the defunct cardinal. Now, monsieur le cardinal, did he not bring me up, did he not support me?--elevating himself and supporting himself at the same time, I admit; but the benefit was discharged. As an ingrate or an egotist, would you, then, have better loved or served me?"
"Sire!"
"We will say no more about it, monsieur; it would only create in you too many regrets, and me too much pain."
D'Artagnan was not convinced. The young king, in adopting a tone of hauteur with him, did not forward his purpose.
"You have since reflected?" resumed Louis.
"Upon what, sire?" asked D'Artagnan, politely.
"Why, upon all that I have said to you, monsieur."
"Yes, sire, no doubt--"
"And you have only waited for an opportunity of retracting your words?"
"Sire!"
"You hesitate, it seems."
"I do not understand what your majesty did me the honor to say to me."
Louis's brow became cloudy.
"Have the goodness to excuse me, sire; my understanding is particularly thick; things do not penetrate it without difficulty; but it is true, once they get in, they remain there."
"Yes, yes; you appear to have a memory."
"Almost as good a one as your majesty's."