Will you become one of M.Fouquet's friends?
Do not interrupt me until you know what that means." "Well, I am listening." "Will you become a marechal of France, peer, duke, and the possessor of a duchy, with a revenue of a million of francs ?" "But, my friend," replied D'Artagnan, "what must one do to get all that ?" "Belong to M.Fouquet." "But I already belong to the king." "Not exclusively, I suppose ?" "Oh! D'Artagnan cannot be divided." "You have, I presume, ambitions, as noble hearts like yours have ?" "Yes, certainly I have." "Well ?" "Well, I wish to be a marechal; the king will make me marechal, duke, peer--the king will make me all that." Aramis fixed a searching look upon D'Artagnan.
"Is not the king master ?" said D'Artagnan.
"No one disputes it; but Louis XIII.

was master also." "Oh, my dear friend, between Richelieu and Louis XIII.

there was no D'Artagnan," said the musketeer, very quietly.
"There are many stumbling-blocks round the king," said Aramis.
"Not for the king." "Very likely not; still--" "One moment, Aramis; I observe that every one thinks of himself, and never of this poor young prince; I will maintain myself in maintaining him." "And if you meet with ingratitude ?" "The weak alone are afraid of that." "You are quite certain of yourself ?" "I think so." "Still, the king may have no further need of you!" "On the contrary, I think his need of me will be greater than ever; and hearken, my dear fellow, if it became necessary to arrest a new Conde, who would do it?
This--this alone in all France!" and D'Artagnan struck his sword.
"You are right," said Aramis, turning very pale; and then he rose and pressed D'Artagnan's hand.
"That is the last summons for supper," said the captain of the musketeers; "will you excuse me ?" Aramis threw his arm round the musketeer's neck, and said, "A friend like you is the brightest jewel in the royal crown." And they immediately separated.
"I was right," thought D'Artagnan, "there is something on foot." "We must make haste with the explosion," said Aramis, "for D'Artagnan has discovered the plot.".