the cardinal, and your opinions will be held ever sacred by me. But do
you happen to belong to him?"

"Monsieur d'Artagnan," replied Athos, "is in the service; he is a
soldier and obeys all constitutional authority. Monsieur d'Artagnan is
not rich and has need of his position as lieutenant to enable him to
live. Millionaires like yourself, my lord, are rare in France."

"Alas!" said De Winter, "I am at this moment as poor as he is, if not
poorer. But to return to our subject."

"Well, then, you wish to know if I am of Mazarin's party? No. Pardon my
frankness, too, my lord."

"I am obliged to you, count, for this pleasing intelligence! You make
me young and happy again by it. Ah! so you are not a Mazarinist?
Delightful! Indeed, you could not belong to him. But pardon me, are you
free? I mean to ask if you are married?"

"Ah! as to that, no," replied Athos, laughing.

"Because that young man, so handsome, so elegant, so polished----"

"Is a child I have adopted and who does not even know who was his
father."

"Very well; you are always the same, Athos, great and generous. Are you
still friends with Monsieur Porthos and Monsieur Aramis?"

"Add Monsieur d'Artagnan, my lord. We still remain four friends devoted
to each other; but when it becomes a question of serving the cardinal
or of fighting him, of being Mazarinists or Frondists, then we are only
two."

"Is Monsieur Aramis with D'Artagnan?" asked Lord de Winter.

"No," said Athos; "Monsieur Aramis does me the honor to share my
opinions."

"Could you put me in communication with your witty and agreeable friend?
Is he much changed?"

"He has become an abbe, that is all."

"You alarm me; his profession must have made him renounce any great
undertakings."

"On the contrary," said Athos, smiling, "he has never been so much a
musketeer as since he became an abbe, and you will find him a veritable
soldier."

"Could you engage to bring him to me to-morrow morning at ten o'clock,
on the Pont du Louvre?"

"Oh, oh!" exclaimed Athos, smiling, "you have a duel in prospect."

"Yes, count, and a splendid duel, too; a duel in which I hope you will
take your part."

"Where are we to go, my lord?"

"To Her Majesty the Queen of England, who has desired me to present you
to her."

"This is an enigma," said Athos, "but it matters not; since you know the
solution of it I ask no further. Will your lordship do me the honor to
sup with me?"

"Thanks, count, no," r