My descendants, if I have any, will flatter themselves with the distinction which this arrest will confer, just as the members of the De Luynes family have done with regard to the estates of the poor Marechal d'Ancre.

But the thing is, how best to execute the king's directions in a proper manner.

Any man would know how to say to M.Fouquet, 'Your sword, monsieur.' But it is not every one who would be able to take care of M.Fouquet without others knowing anything about it.

How am I to manage, then, so that M.
le surintendant pass from the height of favor to the direst disgrace; that Vaux be turned into a dungeon for him; that after having been steeped to his lips, as it were, in all the perfumes and incense of Ahasuerus, he is transferred to the gallows of Haman; in other words, of Enguerrand de Marigny ?" And at this reflection, D'Artagnan's brow became clouded with perplexity.

The musketeer had certain scruples on the matter, it must be admitted.