"What does it matter to me, after all," he continued, "if his only object is to overthrow M.
Colbert?
And what else can he be after ?" And D'Artagnan rubbed his forehead--that fertile land, whence the plowshare of his nails had turned up so many and such admirable ideas in his time.

He, at first, thought of talking the matter over with Colbert, but his friendship for Aramis, the oath of earlier days, bound him too strictly.

He revolted at the bare idea of such a thing, and, besides, he hated the financier too cordially.

Then, again, he wished to unburden his mind to the king; but yet the king would not be able to understand the suspicions which had not even a shadow of reality at their base.

He resolved to address himself to Aramis, direct, the first time he met him.