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THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELOXHE. 345 dinal, 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 me or served me?" "Sire!" "We will say no more about it, monsieur; it would only create 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 retract- ing your words?" "Sire!" "You hesitate, it seems." "I do not understand what your majesty did me the honor to say to me." Louis' brow became cloudy. "Have the goodness to excuse me, sire; my understand- ing is particularly thick; things do not penetrate it without difficulty; but it is true, when once they get in they remain there." "Yes, yes; you appear to have a memory." "Almost as good a one as your majesty's." "Then give me quickly one solution. My time is valua- ble. What have you been doing since your discharge?" "Making my fortune, sire." "The expression is rude, Monsieur d'Artagnan." "Your majesty takes it in bad part, certainly. I enter- tain nothing but the profoundest respect for the king; and if I have been impolite, which might be excused by my long sojourn in camps and barracks, your majesty is too much above me to be offended at a word innocently escaped from a soldier." "In fact, I know that you have performed a brilliant action in England, monsieur. I only regret that you have broken your promise." "I!" cried D'Artagnan. "Doubtless. You engaged your word not to serve any other prince on quitting my service. Now, it was for King Charles II. that you undertook the marvelous carrying off of Monsieur Monk."