and
remember his name, for he is about to render us a great service."

Louis XIV. gazed at D'Artagnan with his large proud eyes; then, slowly
lifting his little hand, he held it out to the officer, who bent his
knee and kissed it.

"Monsieur D'Artagnan," repeated the young king. "It is well, madam; I
shall remember it."

At this moment a loud murmuring noise was heard approaching the
palace.

"Ha!" said D'Artagnan, straining his ears to distinguish the
sound--"The people are rising."

"We must fly instantly," said the queen.

"Madam," said D'Artagran, "you have deigned to give me the direction
of this night's proceedings. Let your majesty remain and learn what
the people want. I will answer for every thing."

Nothing is more easily communicated than confidence. The queen,
herself courageous and energetic, appreciated in the highest degree
those two virtues in others.

"Do as you please," said she. "I trust entirely to you."

"Does your majesty authorize me to give orders in your name?"

"I do, sir."

D'Artagnan hurried from the room. The tumult was increasing; the mob
seemed to surround the Palais Royal. On all sides were heard seditious
cries and clamours. Presently M. de Comminges, who was on guard that
night at the Palais Royal, craved admittance to the queen's presence.
He had about two hundred men in the court-yard and stables, and he
placed them at her majesty's disposal.

"What do the people want?" said Anne of Austria to D'Artagnan, who
just then re-appeared.

"A report has been spread, madam, that your majesty has left the
Palais Royal, taking the king with you. The mob demand a proof of the
contrary, or threaten to demolish the palace."

"Oh! this time it is too bad," said the queen. "I will soon show them
that I am not gone."

D'Artagnan saw by the expression of Anne's face, that she was about to
give some violent order. He hastened to interfere.

"Madam," said he, in a low voice, "have you still confidence in me?"

"Entire confidence, sir," was the reply.

"Then let your majesty send away M. de Comminges, and order him to
shut himself up with his men in the guard-room and stables. The people
wish to see the king, and the people must see him."

"See him! But how? On the balcony?"

"No, madam; here, in his bed, sleeping."

The queen reflected a moment, and smiled. There as a degree of
duplicity in the course proposed that chimed in with her humour.

"Let it be as you will," said s