I sent for Porthos to come to Vannes.

M.Fouquet, whose regard for me is very great, having learnt that Porthos and I were attached to each other by old ties of friendship, promised him increase of rank at the earliest promotion, and that is the whole secret." "I shall not abuse your confidence," said D'Artagnan.
"I am sure of that, my dear friend; no one has a finer sense of honor than yourself." "I flatter myself that you are right, Aramis." "And now"-- and here the prelate looked searchingly and scrutinizingly at his friend--"now let us talk of ourselves and for ourselves; 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 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! a 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.

stood no D'Artagnan," said the musketeer, very quietly.
"There are many stumbling-blocks round the king," said Aramis.
"Not for the king's feet." "Very likely not; still--" "One moment, Aramis; I observe that every one thinks of himself, and never of his poor prince; I will maintain myself 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 some day have no further need for you!" "On the contrary, I think his need of me will soon 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 France!" and D'Artagnan struck his sword, which clanked sullenly on the tesselated floor.
"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," mused D'Artagnan; "there is, indeed, something strangely serious stirring." "We must hasten the explosion," breathed the coming cardinal, "for D'Artagnan has discovered the existence of a plot.".