arrested
at the same time, but whose arrest had been made without difficulty or
noise, was safe in the Castle of Vincennes.

Comminges was near the queen, who was questioning him upon the details
of his expedition, and every one was listening to his account, when
D'Artagnan and Porthos were perceived at the door, behind the cardinal.

"Ah, madame," said Comminges, hastening to D'Artagnan, "here is one who
can tell you better than myself, for he was my protector. Without him
I should probably at this moment be a dead fish in the nets at Saint
Cloud, for it was a question of nothing less than throwing me into the
river. Speak, D'Artagnan, speak."

D'Artagnan had been a hundred times in the same room with the queen
since he had become lieutenant of the musketeers, but her majesty had
never once spoken to him.

"Well, sir," at last said Anne of Austria, "you are silent, after
rendering such a service?"

"Madame," replied D'Artagnan, "I have nought to say, save that my life
is ever at your majesty's service, and that I shall only be happy the
day I lose it for you."

"I know that, sir; I have known that," said the queen, "a long time;
therefore I am delighted to be able thus publicly to mark my gratitude
and my esteem."

"Permit me, madame," said D'Artagnan, "to reserve a portion for my
friend; like myself" (he laid an emphasis on these words) "an ancient
musketeer of the company of Treville; he has done wonders."

"His name?" asked the queen.

"In the regiment," said D'Artagnan, "he is called Porthos" (the queen
started), "but his true name is the Chevalier du Vallon."

"De Bracieux de Pierrefonds," added Porthos.

"These names are too numerous for me to remember them all, and I will
content myself with the first," said the queen, graciously. Porthos
bowed. At this moment the coadjutor was announced; a cry of surprise ran
through the royal assemblage. Although the coadjutor had preached that
same morning it was well known that he leaned much to the side of the
Fronde; and Mazarin, in requesting the archbishop of Paris to make
his nephew preach, had evidently had the intention of administering to
Monsieur de Retz one of those Italian kicks he so much enjoyed giving.

The fact was, in leaving Notre Dame the coadjutor had learned the event
of the day. Although almost engaged to the leaders of the Fronde he had
not gone so far but that retreat was possible should the court offer him
the advantages for which he w