D'Artagnan bowed
lower than before.

"I should have the regret to refuse what your gracious majesty would
offer me," said he; "a gentleman has but his word, and that word, as
I have had the honor to tell your majesty, is engaged to the king of
France."

"We shall say no more about it, then," said the king, turning
towards Athos, and leaving D'Artagnan plunged in the deepest pangs of
disappointment.

"Ah! I said so!" muttered the musketeer. "Words! words! Court holy
water! Kings have always a marvelous talent for offering us that which
they know we will not accept, and in appearing generous without risk. So
be it!--triple fool that I was to have hoped for a moment!"

During this time, Charles took the hand of Athos. "Comte," said he, "you
have been to me a second father; the services you have rendered to me
are above all price. I have, nevertheless, thought of a recompense. You
were created by my father a Knight of the Garter--that is an order which
all the kings of Europe cannot bear; by the queen regent, Knight of the
Holy Ghost--which is an order not less illustrious; I join to it that
of the Golden Fleece sent me by the king of France, to whom the king of
Spain, his father-in-law, gave two on the occasion of his marriage; but
in return, I have a service to ask of you."

"Sire," said Athos, with confusion, "the Golden Fleece for me! when
the king of France is the only person in my country who enjoys that
distinction?"

"I wish you to be in your country and all others the equal of all those
whom sovereigns have honored with their favor," said Charles, drawing
the chain from his neck; "and I am sure, comte, my father smiles on me
from his grave."

"It is unaccountably strange," said D'Artagnan to himself, whilst
his friend, on his knees, received the eminent order which the king
conferred on him--"it is almost incredible that I have always seen
showers of prosperity fall upon all who surrounded me, and that not a
drop ever reached me! If I were a jealous man, it would be enough to
make one tear one's hair, _parole d'honneur!_"

Athos rose from his knees, and Charles embraced him tenderly. "General!"
said he to Monk--then stopping, with a smile, "pardon me, duke, I mean.
No wonder if I make a mistake; the word duke is too short for me, I
always seek some title to lengthen it. I should wish to see you so near
my throne, that I might say to you, as to Louis XIV., my brother! Oh!
I have it; and you will almost be