so true, the king had nothing to
offer. On hearing D'Artagnan, Louis remembered the D'Artagnan of former
times; him who, at the Palais Royal, held himself concealed behind the
curtains of his bed, when the people of Paris, led on by Cardinal de
Retz, came to assure themselves of the presence of the king, the
D'Artagnan whom he saluted with his hand at the door of his carriage,
when repairing to Notre-Dame on his return to Paris; the soldier who had
quitted his service at Blois; the lieutenant whom he had recalled near
his person when the death of Mazarin restored him his power; the man he
had always found loyal, courageous, and devoted. Louis advanced toward
the door and called Colbert. Colbert had not left the corridor where the
secretaries were at work. Colbert appeared.

"Colbert, have you made a perquisition at the house of M. Fouquet?"

"Yes, sire."

"What has it produced?"

"M. de Roncherat, who was sent with your majesty's musketeers, has
remitted me some papers," replied Colbert.

"I will look at them. Give me your hand."

"My hand, sire!"

"Yes, that I may place it in that of M. d'Artagnan. In fact, M.
d'Artagnan," added he with a smile, turning toward the soldier, who, at
the sight of the clerk, had resumed his haughty attitude, "you do not
know this man; make his acquaintance." And he pointed to Colbert. "He
has been but a moderate servant in subaltern positions, but he will be a
great man if I raise him to the first rank."

"Sire!" stammered Colbert, confused with pleasure and fear.

"I have understood why," murmured D'Artagnan in the king's ear; "he was
jealous."

"Precisely, and his jealousy confined his wings."

"He will henceforth be a winged serpent," grumbled the musketeer, with a
remains of hatred against his recent adversary.

But Colbert, approaching him, offered to his eyes a physiognomy so
different from that which he had been accustomed to see him wear; he
appeared so good, so mild, so easy; his eyes took the expression of an
intelligence so noble, that D'Artagnan, a connoisseur in physiognomies,
was moved, and almost changed in his convictions. Colbert pressed his
hand.

"That which the king has just told you, monsieur, proves how well his
majesty is acquainted with men. The inveterate opposition I have
displayed, up to this day, against abuses and not against men, proves
that I had it in view to prepare for my king a great reign, for my
country a great blessing. I have many ide