ed Anne, giving that sweet
expression to her voice which she could do at will, "that in former days
the queen had once need of a young, brave and devoted cavalier--that she
found this cavalier--and that, although he might have thought that she
had forgotten him, she had kept a place for him in the depths of her
heart?"

"No, madame, I was ignorant of that," said the musketeer.

"So much the worse, sir," said Anne of Austria; "so much the worse, at
least for the queen, for to-day she has need of the same courage and the
same devotion."

"What!" exclaimed D'Artagnan, "does the queen, surrounded as she is by
such devoted servants, such wise counselors, men, in short, so great
by merit or position--does she deign to cast her eyes on an obscure
soldier?"

Anne understood this covert reproach and was more moved than irritated
by it. She had many a time felt humiliated by the self-sacrifice and
disinterestedness shown by the Gascon gentleman. She had allowed herself
to be exceeded in generosity.

"All that you tell me of those by whom I am surrounded, Monsieur
d'Artagnan, is doubtless true," said the queen, "but I have confidence
in you alone. I know that you belong to the cardinal, but belong to me
as well, and I will take upon myself the making of your fortune. Come,
will you do to-day what formerly the gentleman you do not know did for
the queen?"

"I will do everything your majesty commands," replied D'Artagnan.

The queen reflected for a moment and then, seeing the cautious demeanor
of the musketeer:

"Perhaps you like repose?" she said.

"I do not know, for I have never had it, madame."

"Have you any friends?"

"I had three, two of whom have left Paris, to go I know not where. One
alone is left to me, but he is one of those known, I believe, to the
cavalier of whom your majesty did me the honor to speak."

"Very good," said the queen; "you and your friend are worth an army."

"What am I to do, madame?"

"Return at five o'clock and I will tell you; but do not breathe to a
living soul, sir, the rendezvous which I give you."

"No, madame."

"Swear it upon the cross."

"Madame, I have never been false to my word; when I say I will not do a
thing, I mean it."

The queen, although astonished at this language, to which she was not
accustomed from her courtiers, argued from it a happy omen of the zeal
with which D'Artagnan would serve her in the accomplishment of her
project. It was one of the Gascon's