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28 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. "what a fancy the king has for good teeth. Yours decide me; I will present you to the king myself." "You?" "Why not? Do you think I have less credit at court than Aramis?" "Oh, no!" "Do you think that I have the slightest pretension upon the fortifications at Belle-Isle?" "Certainly not." "It is your own interest alone which would induce me to do it." "I don't doubt it in the least." "Well, I am the intimate friend of the king; and a proof of that is, that whenever there is anything disagreeable to tell him, it is I who have to do it." "But, dear D'Artaguan, if you present me " "Well?" "Aramis will be angry." "With me?" "No, with me." "Bah! whether he or I present you, since you are to be presented, what does it matter?" "They were going to get me some clothes made." "Your own are splendid." "Oh! those I had ordered were far more beautiful." "Take care; the king likes simplicity." "In that case, I will be simple. But what will Monsieur Fouquet say when he learns that I have left?" "Are you a prisoner, then, on parole?" "No, not quite that. But I promised him I would not leave without letting him know." "Wait a minute; we shall return to that presently. Have you anything to do here?" "I, nothing; nothing of any importance, at least." "Unless, indeed, you are Aramis' representative for something of importance." "By no means." "What I tell you — pray understand that — is out of in- terest for you. I suppose, for instance, that you are com- missioned to send messages and letters to him?" "Ah! letters — ^yes. I send certain letters to him." "Where?" "To Pontainebleau." "Have you any letters, then?" <'But "