"But sadly. I drink, as you see. I am scarcely arrived, and I have already levied a contribution of tisane upon Nantes."
"You should sleep first, monseigneur."
"Eh! corbleu! my dear Monsieur d'Artagnan, I should be very glad to sleep."
"Who hinders you?"
"Why, you, in the first place."
"I? Ah, monseigneur!"
"No doubt you do. Is it at Nantes as it was at Paris, do you not come in the king's name?"
"For Heaven's sake, monseigneur," replied the captain, "leave the king alone! The day on which I shall come on the part of the king, for the purpose you mean, take my word for it, I will not leave you long in doubt. You will see me place my hand on my sword, according to the ordonnance, and you will hear me say at once in my ceremonial voice, 'Monseigneur, in the name of the king, I arrest you!'"
"You promise me that frankness?" said the surintendant.
"Upon my honor! But we are not come to that, believe me."