Because I am ambitious ?--my career is almost at an end.

Because I love the court?
No.

I will remain here because I have been accustomed for thirty years to go and take the orderly word of the king, and to have said to me 'Good evening, D'Artagnan,' with a smile I did not beg for.

That smile I will beg for! Are you content, sire ?" And D'Artagnan bowed his silver head, upon which the smiling king placed his white hand with pride.
"Thanks, my old servant, my faithful friend," said he.

"As, reckoning from this day, I have no longer any enemies in France, it remains with me to send you to a foreign field to gather your marshal's baton.