“Liberty.”
“I am free!”
“Yes; by the king’s order.”
Fouquet resumed his usual serenity, that he might interrogate Aramis with a look.
“Oh! yes, you can thank M. l’eveque de Vannes,” pursued D’Artagnan, “for it is indeed to him that you owe the change that has taken place in the king.”
“Oh!” said Fouquet, more humiliated at the service than grateful at its success.
“But you,” continued D’Artagnan, addressing Aramis—“you, who have become M. Fouquet’s protector and patron, can you not do something for me?”
“Anything in the wide world you like, my friend,” replied the bishop, in his calmest tones.
“One thing only, then, and I shall be perfectly satisfied. How on earth did you manage to become the favorite of the king, you who have never spoken to him more than twice in your life?”
“From a friend such as you are,” said Aramis, “I cannot conceal anything.”