ly asked them, as he did every one indeed who came
to the door, where Aramis was. When he saw D'Artagnan return, and when
he perceived the bishop of Vannes behind him, he could hardly restrain
his delight; it was fully equal to his previous uneasiness. The mere
sight of Aramis was a complete compensation to the surintendant for the
unhappiness he had undergone in being arrested. The prelate was silent
and grave; D'Artagnan completely bewildered by such an accumulation of
events.

"Well, captain; so you have brought M. d'Herblay to me?"

"And something better still, monseigneur."

"What is that?"

"Liberty."

"I am free!"

"Yes; by the king's order."

Fouquet resumed his usual serenity, that he might interrogate Aramis
with his 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 you like, my friend," replied the bishop, in a calm voice.

"One thing only, then, and I shall be perfectly satisfied. How have you
managed 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."

"Ah! very good, tell me, then."

"Very well. You think that I have seen the king only twice, while the
fact is I have seen him more than a hundred times; only we have kept it
very secret, that is all." And without trying to remove the color which
at this revelation made D'Artagnan's face flush scarlet. Aramis turned
toward M. Fouquet, who was as much surprised as the musketeer.
"Monseigneur," he resumed, "the king desires me to inform you that he is
more than ever your friend, and that your beautiful fete, so generously
offered by you on his behalf, has touched him to the very heart."

And thereupon he saluted M. Fouquet with so much reverence of manner,
that the latter, incapable of understanding a man whose diplomacy was of
so prodigious a character, remained incapable of uttering a single
syllable, and equally incapable of thought or movement. D'Artagnan
fancied he perceived that these two men had something to say to each
other, and he was about to yield to that feeling of