"He is an exceptional man.

He does not love you; so much is very possible; but, _mordioux!_ the squirrel can guard himself against the adder with very little trouble." "Do you know that you are speaking to me quite as a friend ?" replied Fouquet; "and that, upon my life! I have never met with a man of your intelligence, and heart ?" "You are pleased to say so," replied D'Artagnan.

"Why did you wait till to-day to pay me such a compliment ?" "Blind that we are!" murmured Fouquet.
"Your voice is getting hoarse," said D'Artagnan; "drink, monseigneur, drink!" And he offered him a cup of _tisane_, with the most friendly cordiality; Fouquet took it, and thanked him by a gentle smile.

"Such things only happen to me," said the musketeer.

"I have passed ten years under your very beard, while you were rolling about tons of gold.