"That is true, sire; but at all events he is there; and since he is there, it is important that your majesty should know it."
"Ah! Monsieur d'Artagnan, so you set your king at defiance."
"Sire—"
"Monsieur d'Artagnan! I warn you that you are abusing my patience."
"On the contrary, sire."
"What do you mean by 'on the contrary'?"
"I have come to get myself arrested too."
"To get yourself arrested—you!"
"Of course. My friend will get wearied to death in the Bastille by himself; and I have come to propose to your majesty to permit me to bear him company; if your majesty will but give the word, I will arrest myself; I shall not need the captain of the guards for that, I assure you."
The king darted toward the table and seized hold of a pen to write the order for D'Artagnan's imprisonment. "Pay attention, monsieur, that this is forever," cried the king in a tone of stern menace.