420 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. There was nothing to say in answer to statements made in such a tone; the king was astounded at such an obstinate and open resistance on the part of D'Artagnan. "At least, you had a reason. Monsieur d'Artagnan, for acting as you did?" said the king proudly. "I have always a reason for everything, sire."
- 'Your reason cannot be your friendship for the comte,
at all events — the only one that can be of any avail, the only one that could possibly excuse you — for 1 placed you per- fectly at yoijr ease in that respect." "Me, sire?" "Did I not give you the choice to arrest, or not to arrest. Monsieur le Comte de la Fere?" "Yes, sire, but " "But what?" exclaimed the king impatiently. "But you warned me, sire, that if I did not arrest him, your captain of the guards should do so." "Was I not considerate enough toward you, from the very moment I did not compel you to obey me?*' "To me, sire, you were; but not to my friend, for my friend would be arrested all the same, whether by myself or by the captain of the guards." "And this is your devotion, monsieur, a devotion which argues and reasons. You are no soldier, monsieur!" "I wait for your majesty to tell me what I am." "Well then — you are a Frondeur." "And since there is no longer any Fronde, sire, in that case " "But if what you say is true " "What I say is always true, sire." "What have you come to say to me, monsieur?" "I have come to say to your majesty 'Sire Monsieur de la Fere is in the Bastile.' " "That is not your fault, it would seem." "That is true, sire; but, at all events, he is there; and since he is there, it is important that your majesty should know it." "Ah! Monsieur d'Artagnan, so you set your king at defiance?" «<Sire " "Monsieur d'Artagnan, I warn you that you are abusing my patience." "On the contrary, sire." "What do you mean by *on the contrary?' *' "I have come to get myself arrested, too."
