“‘M. de la Fere has just left me; he is an insolent man.’
“‘An insolent man!’ I exclaimed, in such a tone that the king stopped suddenly short.
“‘Captain d’Artagnan,’ resumed the king, with his teeth clenched, ‘you will be good enough to listen to and hear me.’
“‘That is my duty, sire.’
“‘I have, out of consideration for M. de la Fere, wished to spare him—he is a man of whom I still retain some kind recollections—the discredit of being arrested in my palace. You will therefore take a carriage.’ At this I made a slight movement.
“‘If you object to arrest him yourself,’ continued the king, ‘send me my captain of the guards.’
“‘Sire,’ I replied, ‘there is no necessity for the captain of the guards, since I am on duty.’
“‘I should not like to annoy you,’ said the king, kindly, ‘for you have always served me well, Monsieur D’Artagnan.’
“‘You do not “annoy” me, sire,’ I replied; ‘I am on duty, that is all.’
“‘But,’ said the king, in astonishment, ‘I believe the comte is your friend?’