I, D'Artagnan, have seen him begging assistance of Mazarin, who is a miser, and the aid of Louis, who is a child, and it appeared to me, who am acquainted with such things, that in the intelligent eye of the fallen king, in the nobility of his whole person, a nobility apparent above all his miseries, I could discern the stuff of a man and the heart of a king." Planchet tacitly approved of all this; but it did not at all, in his eyes at least, throw any light upon D'Artagnan's idea.

The latter continued: "This, then, is the reasoning which I made with myself.
Listen attentively, Planchet, for we are coming to the conclusion." "I am listening." "Kings are not so thickly sown upon the earth, that people can find them whenever they want them.

Now, this king without a kingdom is, in my opinion, a grain of seed which will blossom in some season or other, provided a skillful, discreet, and vigorous hand sow it duly and truly, selecting soil, sky, and time." Planchet still approved by a nod of his head, which showed that he did not perfectly comprehend all that was said.
"'Poor little seed of a king,' said I to myself, and really I was affected, Planchet, which leads me to think I am entering upon a foolish business.

And that is why I wished to consult you, my friend." Planchet colored with pleasure and pride.
"'Poor little seed of a king! I will pick you up and cast you into good ground.'" "Good God!" said Planchet, looking earnestly at his old master, as if in doubt as to the state of his reason.
"Well, what is it ?" said D'Artagnan; "who hurts you ?" "Me! nothing, monsieur." "You said, 'Good God!'" "Did I ?" "I am sure you did.

Can you already understand ?" "I confess, M.d'Artagnan, that I am afraid----" "To understand ?" "Yes." "To understand that I wish to replace upon his throne this King Charles II., who has no throne?
Is that it ?" Planchet made a prodigious bound in his chair.