"It is a very expeditious way, at all events."
"'Good justice is prompt;' so my grandfather, Henry IV., used to say."
"In that case, your majesty will, perhaps, be good enough to sign my adversary's pardon, for he is now waiting for me at the Minimes, for the purpose of putting me out of my misery."
"His name, and a parchment!"
"There is a parchment upon your majesty's table; and as for his name—"
"Well, what is it?"
"The Vicomte de Bragelonne, sire."
"The Vicomte de Bragelonne!" exclaimed the king, changing from a fit of laughter, to the most profound stupor; and then, after a moment's silence, while he wiped his forehead, which was bedewed with perspiration, he again murmured, "Bragelonne!"
"No other than he, sire."