"Ah!" said Aramis, "it is a labor that you have deprived me of, D'Artagnan;" and he pressed the musketeer's hand in a significant manner, at the same moment as that of Athos.
"What!" said the latter, in astonishment, "the king sets me at liberty!"
"Read, my dear friend," returned D'Artagnan.
Athos took the order and read it. "It is quite true," he said.
"Are you sorry for it?" asked D'Artagnan.
"Oh, no, on the contrary; I wish the king no harm; and the greatest evil or misfortune that any one can wish kings, is that they should commit an act of injustice. But you have had a difficult and painful task, I know. Tell me, have you not, D'Artagnan?"
"I? not at all," said the musketeer, laughing; "the king does everything I wish him to do."
Aramis looked fixedly at D'Artagnan, and saw that he was not speaking the truth. But Baisemeaux had eyes for nothing but D'Artagnan, so great was his admiration for a man who seemed to make the king do all he wished. "And does the king exile Athos?" inquired Aramis.
"No, not precisely; the king did not explain himself upon that subject," replied D'Artagnan; "but I think the comte could not well do better, unless, indeed, he wishes particularly to thank the king—"
"No, indeed," replied Athos, smiling.