d association of musketeers was composed of four
persons.

"And your two other friends?" he asked.

Porthos opened his mouth, thinking it a good opportunity to put in a
word in his turn; D'Artagnan checked him by a glance from the corner of
his eye.

"They are prevented at this moment, but will join us later."

Mazarin coughed a little.

"And this gentleman, being disengaged, takes to the service willingly?"
he asked.

"Yes, my lord, and from pure devotion to the cause, for Monsieur de
Bracieux is rich."

"Rich!" said Mazarin, whom that single word always inspired with a great
respect.

"Fifty thousand francs a year," said Porthos.

These were the first words he had spoken.

"From pure zeal?" resumed Mazarin, with his artful smile; "from pure
zeal and devotion then?"

"My lord has, perhaps, no faith in those words?" said D'Artagnan.

"Have you, Monsieur le Gascon?" asked Mazarin, supporting his elbows on
his desk and his chin on his hands.

"I," replied the Gascon, "I believe in devotion as a word at one's
baptism, for instance, which naturally comes before one's proper name;
every one is naturally more or less devout, certainly; but there should
be at the end of one's devotion something to gain."

"And your friend, for instance; what does he expect to have at the end
of his devotion?"

"Well, my lord, my friend has three magnificent estates: that of
Vallon, at Corbeil; that of Bracieux, in the Soissonais; and that of
Pierrefonds, in the Valois. Now, my lord, he would like to have one of
his three estates erected into a barony."

"Only that?" said Mazarin, his eyes twinkling with joy on seeing that he
could pay for Porthos's devotion without opening his purse; "only that?
That can be managed."

"I shall be baron!" explained Porthos, stepping forward.

"I told you so," said D'Artagnan, checking him with his hand; "and now
his eminence confirms it."

"And you, Monsieur D'Artagnan, what do you want?"

"My lord," said D'Artagnan, "it is twenty years since Cardinal de
Richelieu made me lieutenant."

"Yes, and you would be gratified if Cardinal Mazarin should make you
captain."

D'Artagnan bowed.

"Well, that is not impossible. We will see, gentlemen, we will see. Now,
Monsieur de Vallon," said Mazarin, "what service do you prefer, in the
town or in the country?"

Porthos opened his mouth to reply.

"My lord," said D'Artagnan, "Monsieur de Vallon is like me, he prefers
service extraordinary