Andfromthatmoment，D'Artagnan，accommodatinghisactiontothepaceofthehorse，likeatruecentaur，gaveuphisthoughtstonothing—thatistosay，toeverything。？Heaskedhimselfwhythekinghadsentforhimback;whytheIronMaskhadthrownthesilverplateatthefeetofRaoul。？Astothefirstsubject，thereplywasnegative;heknewrightwellthattheking'scallinghimwasfromnecessity。？HestillfurtherknewthatLouisXIV。mustexperienceanimperiousdesireforaprivateconversationwithonewhomthepossessionofsuchasecretplacedonalevelwiththehighestpowersofthekingdom。？Butastosayingexactlywhattheking'swishwas，D'Artagnanfoundhimselfcompletelyataloss。？Themusketeerhadnodoubts，either，uponthereasonwhichhadurgedtheunfortunatePhilippetorevealhischaracterandbirth。？Philippe，buriedforeverbeneathamaskofsteel，exiledtoacountrywherethemenseemedlittlemorethanslavesoftheelements;Philippe，deprivedevenofthesocietyofD'Artagnan，whohadloadedhimwithhonorsanddelicateattentions，hadnothingmoretoseethanodiousspectersinthisworld，and，despairbeginningtodevourhim，hepouredhimselfforthincomplaints，inthebeliefthathisrevelationswouldraiseupsomeavengerforhim。？Themannerinwhichthemusketeerhadbeennearkillinghistwobestfriends，thedestinywhichhadsostrangelybroughtAthostoparticipateinthegreatstatesecret，thefarewellofRaoul，theobscurityofthefuturewhichthreatenedtoendinamelancholydeath;allthisthrewD'Artagnanincessantlybackonlamentablepredictionsandforebodings，whichtherapidityofhispacedidnotdissipate，asitusedformerlytodo。？D'ArtagnanpassedfromtheseconsiderationstotheremembranceoftheproscribedPorthosandAramis。？Hesawthemboth，fugitives，tracked，ruined—laboriousarchitectsoffortunestheyhadlost;andasthekingcalledforhismanofexecutioninhoursofvengeanceandmalice，D'Artagnantrembledattheveryideaofreceivingsomecommissionthatwouldmakehisverysoulbleed。？Sometimes，ascendinghills，whenthewindedhorsebreathedhardfromhisrednostrils，andheavedhisflanks，thecaptain，lefttomorefreedomofthought，reflectedontheprodigiousgeniusofAramis，ageniusofacumenandintrigue，amatchtowhichtheFrondeandthecivilwarhadproducedbuttwice。？Soldier，priest，diplomatist;gallant，avaricious，cunning;Aramishadnevertakenthegoodthingsofthislifeexceptasstepping—stonestorisetogiddierends。？Generousinspirit，ifnotloftyinheart，heneverdidillbutforthesakeofshiningevenyetmorebrilliantly。？Towardstheendofhiscareer，atthemomentofreachingthegoal，likethepatricianFuscus，hehadmadeafalsestepuponaplank，andhadfallenintothesea。？ButPorthos，good，harmlessPorthos！？ToseePorthoshungry，toseeMousquetonwithoutgoldlace，imprisoned，perhaps;toseePierrefonds，Bracieux，razedtotheverystones，dishonoredeventothetimber，—theseweresomanypoignantgriefsforD'Artagnan，andeverytimethatoneofthesegriefsstruckhim，heboundedlikeahorseatthestingofagadflybeneaththevaultsoffoliagewherehehassoughtshadyshelterfromtheburningsun。？Neverwasthemanofspiritsubjectedtoennui，ifhisbodywasexposedtofatigue;neverdidthemanofhealthybodyfailtofindlifelight，ifhehadsomethingtoengagehismind。？D'Artagnan，ridingfast，thinkingasconstantly，alightedfromhishorseinPairs，freshandtenderinhismusclesastheathletepreparingforthegymnasium。？Thekingdidnotexpecthimsosoon，andhadjustdepartedforthechasetowardsMeudon。？D'Artagnan，insteadofridingaftertheking，ashewouldformerlyhavedone，tookoffhisboots，hadabath，andwaitedtillhismajestyshouldreturndustyandtired。？Heoccupiedtheintervaloffivehoursintaking，aspeoplesay，theairofthehouse，andinarminghimselfagainstallillchances。？Helearnedthattheking，duringthelastfortnight，hadbeengloomy;thatthequeen—motherwasillandmuchdepressed;thatMonsieur，theking'sbrother，wasexhibitingadevotionalturn;thatMadamehadthevapors;andthatM。deGuichewasgonetooneofhisestates。？HelearnedthatM。Colbertwasradiant;thatM。Fouquetconsultedafreshphysicianeveryday，whostilldidnotcurehim，andthathisprincipalcomplaintwasonewhichphysiciansdonotusuallycure，unlesstheyarepoliticalphysicians。？Theking，D'Artagnanwastold，behavedinthekindestmannertoM。Fouquet，anddidnotallowhimtobeeveroutofhissight;butthesurintendant，touchedtotheheart，likeoneofthosefinetreesawormhaspunctured，wasdecliningdaily，inspiteoftheroyalsmile，thatsunofcourttrees。？D'ArtagnanlearnedthatMademoiselledelaValli鑢ehadbecomeindispensabletotheking;thattheking，duringhissportingexcursions，ifhedidnottakeherwithhim，wrotetoherfrequently，nolongerverses，but，whichwasmuchworse，prose，andthatwholepagesatatime。？Thus，asthepoliticalPleiadofthedaysaid，thefirstkingintheworldwasseendescendingfromhishorsewithanardorbeyondcompare，andonthecrownofhishatscrawlingbombasticphrases，whichM。deSaint—Aignan，aide—de—campinperpetuity，carriedtoLaValli鑢eattheriskoffounderinghishorses。？Duringthistime，deerandpheasantswerelefttothefreeenjoymentoftheirnature，huntedsolazilythat，itwassaid，theartofveneryrangreatriskofdegeneratingatthecourtofFrance。？D'ArtagnanthenthoughtofthewishesofpoorRaoul，ofthatdespondingletterdestinedforawomanwhopassedherlifeinhoping，andasD'Artagnanlovedtophilosophizealittleoccasionally，heresolvedtoprofitbytheabsenceofthekingtohaveaminute'stalkwithMademoiselledelaValli鑢e。？Thiswasaveryeasyaffair;whilethekingwashunting，LouisewaswalkingwithsomeotherladiesinoneofthegalleriesofthePalaisRoyal，exactlywherethecaptainofthemusketeershadsomeguardstoinspect。？D'Artagnandidnotdoubtthat，ifhecouldbutopentheconversationonRaoul，Louisemightgivehimgroundsforwritingaconsolatorylettertothepoorexile;andhope，oratleastconsolationforRaoul，inthestateofheartinwhichhehadlefthim，wasthesun，waslifetotwomen，whowereverydeartoourcaptain。？Hedirectedhiscourse，therefore，tothespotwhereheknewheshouldfindMademoiselledelaValli鑢e。？D'ArtagnanfoundLaValli鑢ethecenterofthecircle。？Inherapparentsolitude，theking'sfavoritereceived，likeaqueen，more，perhaps，thanthequeen，ahomageofwhichMadamehadbeensoproud，whenalltheking'slooksweredirectedtoherandcommandedthelooksofthecourtiers。？D'Artagnan，althoughnosquireofdames，received，nevertheless，civilitiesandattentionsfromtheladies;hewaspolite，asabravemanalwaysis，andhisterriblereputationhadconciliatedasmuchfriendshipamongthemenasadmirationamongthewomen。？Onseeinghimenter，therefore，theyimmediatelyaccostedhim;and，asisnotunfrequentlythecasewithfairladies，openedtheattackbyquestions。？"Wherehadhebeen？？Whathadbecomeofhimsolong？？Whyhadtheynotseenhimasusualmakehisfinehorsecurvetinsuchbeautifulstyle，tothedelightandastonishmentofthecuriousfromtheking'sbalcony？"
　　Herepliedthathehadjustcomefromthelandoforanges。？Thissetalltheladieslaughing。？Thoseweretimesinwhicheverybodytraveled，butinwhich，notwithstanding，ajourneyofahundredleagueswasaproblemoftensolvedbydeath。
　　"Fromthelandoforanges？"criedMademoiselledeTonnay—Charente。？"FromSpain？"
　　"Eh！
　　eh！"saidthemusketeer。
　　"FromMalta？"echoedMontalais。
　　"Mafoi！？Youarecomingverynear，ladies。"
　　"Isitanisland？"askedLaValli鑢e。
　　"Mademoiselle，"
　　saidD'Artagnan;"Iwillnotgiveyouthetroubleofseekinganyfurther;
　　IcomefromthecountrywhereM。deBeaufortis，atthismoment，embarkingforAlgiers。"
　　"Haveyouseenthearmy？"askedseveralwarlikefairones。
　　"AsplainlyasIseeyou，"repliedD'Artagnan。
　　"Andthefleet？"
　　"Yes，Isaweverything。"
　　"Haveweanyofusanyfriendsthere？"saidMademoiselledeTonnay—Charente，coldly，butinamannertoattractattentiontoaquestionthatwasnotwithoutitscalculatedaim。
　　"Why，"
　　repliedD'Artagnan，"yes;therewereM。delaGuilloti鑢e，M。deManchy，M。deBragelonne—"
　　LaValli鑢ebecamepale。？"M。deBragelonne！"criedtheperfidiousAthena飐。？"Eh，what！—ishegonetothewars？—he！"
　　Montalaistrodonhertoe，butallinvain。
　　"Doyouknowwhatmyopinionis？"continuedshe，addressingD'Artagnan。
　　"No，mademoiselle;butIshouldlikeverymuchtoknowit。"
　　"Myopinionis，then，thatallthemenwhogotothiswararedesperate，despondingmen，whomlovehastreatedill;andwhogototryiftheycannotfindjet—complexionedwomenmorekindthanfaironeshavebeen。"
　　Someoftheladieslaughed;LaValli鑢ewasevidentlyconfused;Montalaiscoughedloudenoughtowakenthedead。
　　"Mademoiselle，"
　　interruptedD'Artagnan，"youareinerrorwhenyouspeakofblackwomenatGigelli;thewomentherehavenotjetfaces;itistruetheyarenotwhite—
　　theyareyellow。"
　　"Yellow！"
　　exclaimedthebevyoffairbeauties。
　　"Eh！donotdisparageit。？Ihaveneverseenafinercolortomatchwithblackeyesandacoralmouth。"
　　"SomuchthebetterforM。deBragelonne，"saidMademoiselledeTonnay—Charente，withpersistentmalice。？"Hewillmakeamendsforhisloss。？Poorfellow！"
　　Aprofoundsilencefollowedthesewords;andD'Artagnanhadtimetoobserveandreflectthatwomen—milddoves—treateachothermorecruellythantigers。？ButmakingLaValli鑢epaledidnotsatisfyAthena飐;shedeterminedtomakeherblushlikewise。？Resumingtheconversationwithoutpause，"Doyouknow，Louise，"saidshe，"thatthereisagreatsinonyourconscience？"
　　"Whatsin，mademoiselle？"stammeredtheunfortunategirl，lookingroundherforsupport，withoutfindingit。
　　"Eh！—
　　why，"continuedAthena飐，"thepooryoungmanwasaffiancedtoyou;
　　helovedyou;youcasthimoff。"
　　"Well，thatisarightwhicheveryhonestwomanhas，"saidMontalais，inanaffectedtone。？"Whenweknowwecannotconstitutethehappinessofaman，itismuchbettertocasthimoff。"
　　"Casthimoff！orrefusehim！—that'sallverywell，"saidAthena飐，"butthatisnotthesinMademoiselledelaValli鑢ehastoreproachherselfwith。？TheactualsinissendingpoorBragelonnetothewars;andtowarsinwhichdeathissoverylikelytobemetwith。"？Louisepressedherhandoverhericybrow。？"Andifhedies，"continuedherpitilesstormentor，"youwillhavekilledhim。？Thatisthesin。"
　　Louise，half—dead，caughtatthearmofthecaptainofthemusketeers，whosefacebetrayedunusualemotion。？"Youwishedtospeakwithme，Monsieurd'Artagnan，"saidshe，inavoicebrokenbyangerandpain。？"Whathadyoutosaytome？"
　　D'Artagnanmadeseveralstepsalongthegallery，holdingLouiseonhisarm;then，whentheywerefarenoughremovedfromtheothers—"WhatIhadtosaytoyou，mademoiselle，"repliedhe，"MademoiselledeTonnay—Charentehasjustexpressed;roughlyandunkindly，itistruebutstillinitsentirety。"
　　Sheutteredafaintcry;piercedtotheheartbythisnewwound，shewentherway，likeoneofthosepoorbirdswhich，struckuntodeath，seektheshadeofthethicketinwhichtodie。？Shedisappearedatonedoor，atthemomentthekingwasenteringbyanother。？Thefirstglanceofthekingwasdirectedtowardstheemptyseatofhismistress。？NotperceivingLaValli鑢e，afrowncameoverhisbrow;butassoonashesawD'Artagnan，whobowedtohim—"Ah！monsieur！"criedhe，"youhavebeendiligent！？Iammuchpleasedwithyou。"？Thiswasthesuperlativeexpressionofroyalsatisfaction。？Manymenwouldhavebeenreadytolaydowntheirlivesforsuchaspeechfromtheking。？Themaidsofhonorandthecourtiers，whohadformedarespectfulcircleroundthekingonhisentrance，drewback，onobservinghewishedtospeakprivatelywithhiscaptainofthemusketeers。？Thekingledthewayoutofthegallery，afterhavingagain，withhiseyes，soughteverywhereforLaValli鑢e，whoseabsencehecouldnotaccountfor。？Themomenttheywereoutofthereachofcuriousears，"Well！？Monsieurd'Artagnan，"saidhe，"theprisoner？"
　　"Isinhisprison，sire。"
　　"Whatdidhesayontheroad？"
　　"Nothing，sire。"
　　"Whatdidhedo？"
　　"Therewasamomentatwhichthefisherman—whotookmeinhisboattoSainte—Marguerite—revolted，anddidhisbesttokillme。？The—theprisonerdefendedmeinsteadofattemptingtofly。"
　　Thekingbecamepale。？"Enough！"saidhe;andD'Artagnanbowed。？Louiswalkedabouthiscabinetwithhastysteps。？"WereyouatAntibes，"saidhe，"whenMonsieurdeBeaufortcamethere？"
　　"No，sire;
　　Iwassettingoffwhenmonsieurleducarrived。"
　　"Ah！"
　　whichwasfollowedbyafreshsilence。？"Whomdidyouseethere？"
　　"Agreatmanypersons，"saidD'Artagnan，coolly。
　　Thekingperceivedhewasunwillingtospeak。？"I
　　havesentforyou，monsieurlecapitaine，todesireyoutogoandpreparemylodgingsatNantes。"
　　"AtNantes！"criedD'Artagnan。
　　"InBretagne。"
　　"Yes，sire，itisinBretagne。？WillyoumajestymakesolongajourneyastoNantes？"
　　"TheStatesareassembledthere，"repliedtheking。？"Ihavetwodemandstomakeofthem:Iwishtobethere。"
　　"WhenshallIsetout？"saidthecaptain。
　　"Thisevening—to—morrow—to—morrowevening;foryoumuststandinneedofrest。"
　　"Ihaverested，sire。"
　　"Thatiswell。？Thenbetweenthisandto—morrowevening，whenyouplease。"
　　D'Artagnanbowedasiftotakehisleave;but，perceivingthekingverymuchembarrassed，"Willyoumajesty，"saidhe，steppingtwopacesforward，"takethecourtwithyou？"
　　"CertainlyIshall。"
　　"Thenyoumajestywill，doubtless，wantthemusketeers？"？Andtheeyeofthekingsankbeneaththepenetratingglanceofthecaptain。
　　"Takeabrigadeofthem，"repliedLouis。
　　"Isthatall？？Hasyourmajestynootherorderstogiveme？"
　　"No—ah—
　　yes。"
　　"Iamallattention，sire。"
　　"AtthecastleofNantes，whichIhearisveryillarranged，youwilladoptthepracticeofplacingmusketeersatthedoorofeachoftheprincipaldignitariesIshalltakewithme。"
　　"Oftheprincipal？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Forinstance，atthedoorofM。deLyonne？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"AndthatofM。Letellier？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"OfM。deBrienne？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andofmonsieurlesurintendant？"
　　"Withoutdoubt。"
　　"Verywell，sire。？Byto—morrowIshallhavesetout。"
　　"Oh，yes;
　　butonemoreword，Monsieurd'Artagnan。？AtNantesyouwillmeetwithM。leDucdeGesvres，captainoftheguards。？Besurethatyourmusketeersareplacedbeforehisguardsarrive。？Precedencealwaysbelongstothefirstcomer。"
　　"Yes，sire。"
　　"AndifM。
　　deGesvresshouldquestionyou？"
　　"Questionme，sire！？IsitlikelythatM。deGesvresshouldquestionme？"？Andthemusketeer，turningcavalierlyonhisheel，disappeared。？"ToNantes！"saidhetohimself，ashedescendedfromthestairs。？"Whydidhenotdaretosay，fromthencetoBelle—Isle？"
　　Ashereachedthegreatgates，oneofM。Brienne'sclerkscamerunningafterhim，exclaiming，"Monsieurd'Artagnan！？Ibegyourpardon—"
　　"Whatisthematter，MonsieurAriste？"
　　"Thekinghasdesiredmetogiveyouthisorder。"
　　"Uponyourcash—box？"askedthemusketeer。
　　"No，monsieur;onthatofM。Fouquet。"
　　D'Artagnanwassurprised，buthetooktheorder，whichwasintheking'sownwriting，andwasfortwohundredpistoles。？"What！"thoughthe，afterhavingpolitelythankedM。Brienne'sclerk，"M。Fouquetistopayforthejourney，then！？Mordioux！thatisabitofpureLouisXI。？WhywasnotthisorderonthechestofM。Colbert？？Hewouldhavepaiditwithsuchjoy。"？AndD'Artagnan，faithfultohisprincipleofneverlettinganorderatsightgetcold，wentstraighttothehouseofM。Fouquet，toreceivehistwohundredpistoles。
　　ChapterXXXV:
　　TheLastSupper。
　　Thesuperintendenthadnodoubtreceivedadviceoftheapproachingdeparture，forhewasgivingafarewelldinnertohisfriends。？Fromthebottomtothetopofthehouse，thehurryoftheservantsbearingdishes，andthediligenceoftheregistres，denotedanapproachingchangeinofficesandkitchen。？D'Artagnan，withhisorderinhishand，presentedhimselfattheoffices，whenhewastolditwastoolatetopaycash，thechestwasclosed。？Heonlyreplied:"Ontheking'sservice。"
　　Theclerk，alittleputoutbytheseriousairofthecaptain，replied，that"thatwasaveryrespectablereason，butthatthecustomsofthehousewererespectablelikewise;andthat，inconsequence，hebeggedthebearertocallagainnextday。"？D'ArtagnanaskedifhecouldnotseeM。Fouquet。？TheclerkrepliedthatM。lesurintendantdidnotinterferewithsuchdetails，andrudelyclosedtheouterdoorinthecaptain'sface。？Butthelatterhadforeseenthisstroke，andplacedhisbootbetweenthedoorandthedoor—case，sothatthelockdidnotcatch，andtheclerkwasstillnosetonosewithhisinterlocutor。？Thismadehimchangehistone，andsay，withterrifiedpoliteness，"IfmonsieurwishestospeaktoM。lesurintendant，hemustgototheante—chambers;thesearetheoffices，wheremonseigneurnevercomes。"
　　"Oh！
　　verywell！？Wherearethey？"
　　repliedD'Artagnan。
　　"Ontheothersideofthecourt，"saidtheclerk，delightedtobefree。？D'Artagnancrossedthecourt，andfellinwithacrowdofservants。
　　"Monseigneurseesnobodyatthishour，"hewasansweredbyafellowcarryingavermeildish，inwhichwerethreepheasantsandtwelvequails。
　　"Tellhim，"saidthecaptain，layingholdoftheservantbytheendofhisdish，"thatIamM。d'Artagnan，captainofhismajesty'smusketeers。"
　　Thefellowutteredacryofsurprise，anddisappeared;D'Artagnanfollowinghimslowly。？HearrivedjustintimetomeetM。P閘issonintheante—chamber:thelatter，alittlepale，camehastilyoutofthedining—roomtolearnwhatwasthematter。？D'Artagnansmiled。
　　"Thereisnothingunpleasant，MonsieurP閘isson;onlyalittleordertoreceivethemoneyfor。"
　　"Ah！"
　　saidFouquet'sfriend，breathingmorefreely;andhetookthecaptainbythehand，and，dragginghimbehindhim，ledhimintothedining—room，whereanumberoffriendssurroundedthesurintendant，placedinthecenter，andburiedinthecushionsofafauteuil。？TherewereassembledalltheEpicureanswhosolatelyatVauxhaddonethehonorsofthemansionofwitandmoneyinaidofM。Fouquet。？Joyousfriends，forthemostpartfaithful，theyhadnotfledtheirprotectorattheapproachofthestorm，and，inspiteofthethreateningheavens，inspiteofthetremblingearth，theyremainedthere，smiling，cheerful，asdevotedinmisfortuneastheyhadbeeninprosperity。？OntheleftofthesurintendantsatMadamedeBelli鑢e;onhisrightwasMadameFouquet;asifbravingthelawsoftheworld，andputtingallvulgarreasonsofproprietytosilence，thetwoprotectingangelsofthismanunitedtooffer，atthemomentofthecrisis，thesupportoftheirtwinedarms。？MadamedeBelli鑢ewaspale，trembling，andfullofrespectfulattentionsformadamelasurintendante，who，withonehandonherhusband's，waslookinganxiouslytowardsthedoorbywhichP閘issonhadgoneouttobringD'Artagnan。？Thecaptainenteredatfirstfullofcourtesy，andafterwardsofadmiration，when，withhisinfallibleglance，hehaddivinedaswellastakenintheexpressionofeveryface。？Fouquetraisedhimselfupinhischair。
　　"Pardonme，Monsieurd'Artagnan，"saidhe，"ifIdidnotmyselfreceiveyouwhencomingintheking'sname。"？Andhepronouncedthelastwordswithasortofmelancholyfirmness，whichfilledtheheartsofallhisfriendswithterror。
　　"Monseigneur，"
　　repliedD'Artagnan，"Ionlycometoyouintheking'snametodemandpaymentofanorderfortwohundredpistoles。"
　　ThecloudspassedfromeverybrowbutthatofFouquet，whichstillremainedovercast。
　　"Ah！
　　then，"saidhe，"perhapsyoualsoaresettingoutforNantes？"
　　"I
　　donotknowwhitherIamsettingout，monseigneur。"
　　"But，"
　　saidMadameFouquet，recoveredfromherfright，"youarenotgoingsosoon，monsieurlecapitaine，asnottodousthehonortotakeaseatwithus？"
　　"Madame，Ishouldesteemthatagreathonordoneme，butIamsopressedfortime，that，yousee，Ihavebeenobligedtopermitmyselftointerruptyourrepasttoprocurepaymentofmynote。"
　　"Thereplytowhichshallbegold，"saidFouquet，makingasigntohisintendant，whowentoutwiththeorderD'Artagnanhandedhim。
　　"Oh！"
　　saidthelatter，"Iwasnotuneasyaboutthepayment;thehouseisgood。"
　　A
　　painfulsmilepassedoverthepalefeaturesofFouquet。
　　"Areyouinpain？"askedMadamedeBelli鑢e。
　　"Doyoufeelyourattackcomingon？"askedMadameFouquet。
　　"Neither，thankyouboth，"saidFouquet。
　　"Yourattack？"saidD'Artagnan，inhisturn;"areyouunwell，monseigneur？"
　　"I
　　haveatertianfever，whichseizedmeafterthef阾eatVaux。"
　　"Caughtcoldinthegrottos，atnight，perhaps？"
　　"No，no;nothingbutagitation，thatwasall。"
　　"Thetoomuchheartyoudisplayedinyourreceptionoftheking，"saidLaFontaine，quietly，withoutsuspicionthathewasutteringasacrilege。
　　"Wecannotdevotetoomuchhearttothereceptionofourking，"saidFouquet，mildly，tohispoet。
　　"Monsieurmeanttosaythetoogreatardor，"interruptedD'Artagnan，withperfectfranknessandmuchamenity。？"Thefactis，monseigneur，thathospitalitywasneverpracticedasatVaux。"
　　MadameFouquetpermittedhercountenancetoshowclearlythatifFouquethadconductedhimselfwelltowardstheking，thekinghadhardlydonetheliketotheminister。？ButD'Artagnanknewtheterriblesecret。？HealonewithFouquetknewit;thosetwomenhadnot，theonethecouragetocomplain，theothertherighttoaccuse。？Thecaptain，towhomthetwohundredpistoleswerebrought，wasabouttotakehisleave，whenFouquet，rising，tookaglassofwine，andorderedonetobegiventoD'Artagnan。
　　"Monsieur，"
　　saidhe，"tothehealthoftheking，whatevermayhappen。"
　　"Andtoyourhealth，monseigneur，whatevermayhappen，"saidD'Artagnan。
　　Hebowed，withthesewordsofevilomen，toallthecompany，whoroseassoonastheyheardthesoundofhisspursandbootsatthebottomofthestairs。
　　"I，foramoment，thoughtitwasIandnotmymoneyhewanted，"saidFouquet，endeavoringtolaugh。
　　"You！"
　　criedhisfriends;"andwhatfor，inthenameofHeaven！"
　　"Oh！
　　donotdeceiveyourselves，mydearbrothersinEpicurus，"saidthesuperintendent;"Idonotwishtomakeacomparisonbetweenthemosthumblesinnerontheearth，andtheGodweadore，butremember，hegaveonedaytohisfriendsarepastwhichiscalledtheLastSupper，andwhichwasnothingbutafarewelldinner，likethatwhichwearemakingatthismoment。"
　　A
　　painfulcryofdenialarosefromallpartsofthetable。？"Shutthedoors，"saidFouquet，andtheservantsdisappeared。？"Myfriends，"continuedFouquet，loweringhisvoice，"whatwasI
　　formerly？？WhatamInow？？Consultamongyourselvesandreply。？Amanlikemesinkswhenhedoesnotcontinuetorise。？Whatshallwesay，then，whenhereallysinks？？Ihavenomoremoney，nomorecredit;Ihavenolongeranythingbutpowerfulenemies，andpowerlessfriends。"
　　"Quick！"
　　criedP閘isson。？"Sinceyouexplainyourselfwithsuchfrankness，itisourdutytobefrank，likewise。？Yes，youareruined—yes，youarehasteningtoyourruin—stop。？And，inthefirstplace，whatmoneyhaveweleft？"
　　"Sevenhundredthousandlivres，"saidtheintendant。
　　"Bread，"
　　murmuredMadameFouquet。
　　"Relays，"
　　saidP閘isson，"relays，andfly！"
　　"Whither？"
　　"ToSwitzerland—toSavoy—butfly！"
　　"Ifmonseigneurflies，"saidMadameBelli鑢e，"itwillbesaidthathewasguilty—wasafraid。"
　　"Morethanthat，itwillbesaidthatIhavecarriedawaytwentymillionswithme。"
　　"Wewilldrawupmemoirstojustifyyou，"saidLaFontaine。？"Fly！"
　　"I
　　willremain，"saidFouquet。？"And，besides，doesnoteverythingserveme？"
　　"YouhaveBelle—Isle，"criedtheAbb？Fouquet。
　　"AndIamnaturallygoingthere，whengoingtoNantes，"repliedthesuperintendent。？"Patience，then，patience！"
　　"BeforearrivingatNantes，whatadistance！"saidMadameFouquet。
　　"Yes，Iknowthatwell，"repliedFouquet。？"Butwhatistobedonethere？？ThekingsummonsmetotheStates。？Iknowwellitisforthepurposeofruiningme;buttorefusetogowouldbetoevinceuneasiness。"
　　"Well，Ihavediscoveredthemeansofreconcilingeverything，"criedP閘isson。？"YouaregoingtosetoutforNantes。"
　　Fouquetlookedathimwithanairofsurprise。