“Then, my lord,” replied D’Artagnan, pointing to the purse which Mazarin still held, “if you love and esteem him so much, you—understand me?”
“Be it so! on his account I add two hundred crowns.”
“Scoundrel!” muttered D’Artagnan. “But on our return,” he said aloud, “may we, that is, my friend and I, depend on having, he his barony, and I my promotion?”
“On the honor of Mazarin.”
“I should like another sort of oath better,” said D’Artagnan to himself; then aloud, “May I not offer my duty to her majesty the queen?”
“Her majesty is asleep and you must set off directly,” replied Mazarin; “go, pray, sir——”
“One word more, my lord; if there’s any fighting where I’m going, must I fight?”
“You are to obey the commands of the personage to whom I have addressed the inclosed letter.”
“’Tis well,” said D’Artagnan, holding out his hand to receive the money. “I offer my best respects and services to you, my lord.”
D’Artagnan then, returning to the officer, said: