Yours decide me; I will present you to the king myself." "You ?" "Why not?
Do you think I have less credit at court than Aramis ?" "Oh, no!" "Do you think I have the slightest pretensions upon the fortifications at Belle-Isle ?" "Certainly not." "It is your own interest alone which would induce me to do it." "I don't doubt it in the least." "Well, I am the intimate friend of the king; and a proof of that is, that whenever there is anything disagreeable to tell him, it is I who have to do it." "But, dear D'Artagnan, if you present me--" "Well!" "Aramis will be angry." "With me ?" "No, with _me_." "Bah! whether he or I present you, since you are to be presented, what does it matter ?" "They were going to get me some clothes made." "Your own are splendid." "Oh! those I had ordered were far more beautiful." "Take care: the king likes simplicity." "In that case, I will be simple.

But what will M.Fouquet say, when he learns that I have left ?" "Are you a prisoner, then, on parole ?" "No, not quite that.

But I promised him I would not leave without letting him know." "Wait a minute, we shall return to that presently.

Have you anything to do here ?" "I, nothing: nothing of any importance, at least." "Unless, indeed, you are Aramis's representative for something of importance." "By no means." "What I tell you--pray, understand that--is out of interest for you.

I suppose, for instance, that you are commissioned to send messages and letters to him ?" "Ah! letters--yes.