"Monsieur d'Artagnan, the safety of my honor, and, perhaps, of my life, is at stake. You would not deceive me?"
"I?—and to what end? Are you threatened? Only there really is an order with respect to carriages and boats—"
"'An order?'"
"Yes; but it cannot concern you—a simple measure of police."
"What is it, captain—what is it?"
"To forbid all horses or boats to leave Nantes, without a pass, signed by the king."
"Great God! but—"
D'Artagnan began to laugh. "All that is not to be put into execution before the arrival of the king at Nantes. So that you see plainly, monseigneur, the order in no wise concerns you."
Fouquet became thoughtful, and D'Artagnan feigned not to observe his preoccupation—"It is evident, by my thus confiding to you the orders which have been given to me, that I am friendly toward you, and that I endeavor to prove to you, that none of them are directed against you."
"Without doubt!—without doubt!" said Fouquet, still absent.