the king."

D'Artagnan bowed and followed the queen. The young Louis was already
dressed, with the exception of his shoes and doublet; he had allowed
himself to be dressed, in great astonishment, overwhelming Laporte with
questions, who replied only in these words, "Sire, it is by the queen's
commands."

The bedclothes were thrown back, exposing the king's bed linen, which
was so worn that here and there holes could be seen. It was one of the
results of Mazarin's niggardliness.

The queen entered and D'Artagnan remained at the door. As soon as the
child perceived the queen he escaped from Laporte and ran to meet her.
Anne then motioned to D'Artagnan to approach, and he obeyed.

"My son," said Anne of Austria, pointing to the musketeer, calm,
standing uncovered, "here is Monsieur d'Artagnan, who is as brave as one
of those ancient heroes of whom you like so much to hear from my women.
Remember his name well and look at him well, that his face may not be
forgotten, for this evening he is going to render us a great service."

The young king looked at the officer with his large-formed eye, and
repeated:

"Monsieur d'Artagnan."

"That is it, my son."

The young king slowly raised his little hand and held it out to the
musketeer; the latter bent on his knee and kissed it.

"Monsieur d'Artagnan," repeated Louis; "very well, madame."

At this moment they were startled by a noise as if a tumult were
approaching.

"What is that?" exclaimed the queen.

"Oh, oh!" replied D'Artagnan, straining both at the same time his quick
ear and his intelligent glance, "it is the murmur of the populace in
revolution."

"We must fly," said the queen.

"Your majesty has given me the control of this business; we had better
wait and see what they want."

"Monsieur d'Artagnan!"

"I will answer for everything."

Nothing is so catching as confidence. The queen, full of energy and
courage, was quickly alive to these two virtues in others.

"Do as you like," she said, "I rely upon you."

"Will your majesty permit me to give orders in your name throughout this
business?"

"Command, sir."

"What do the people want this time?" demanded the king.

"We are about to ascertain, sire," replied D'Artagnan, as he rapidly
left the room.

The tumult continued to increase and seemed to surround the Palais Royal
entirely. Cries were heard from the interior, of which they could not
comprehend the sense. It was evident that there was cla