60 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE.

'*Only," said the latter, "it would have been more simple to have taken me aside, and said to me, 'My dear D'Artag- nan, we are fortifying Belle-Isle, and intend to offer it to the king. Tell us frankly for whom you are acting. Are you a friend of Monsieur Colbert, or of Monsieur Fouquet?* Perhaps I should not have answered you, but you would have added — 'Are you my friend?' I should have said

• Yes.' "

Aramis hung down his head. "In this way," continued D'Artagnan, "you would have paralyzed my movements, and I should have gone to the king and said, 'Sire, Monsieur Fouquet is fortifying Belle- Isle, and exceedingly well, too; but here is a note, which the governor of Belle-Isle gave me for your majesty;' or, 'Monsieur Fouquet is about to wait upon your majesty to explain his intentions with regard to it.' I should not have been placed in an absurd position; you would have enjoyed the surprise you wished for, and we should not have had any occasion to look askance at -each other when we met." "While, on the contrary," replied Aramis, "you have acted altogether as one friendly to Monsieur Colbert. And you really are a friend of his, I suppose?" "Certainly not, indeed!" exclaimed the captain. "Mon- sieur Colbert is a mean fellow, and I hate him as I used to hate Mazarin, but without fearing him." "Well, then," said Aramis, "I love Monsieur Fouquet, and his interests are mine. You know my position. I have no property or means whatever. Monsieur Fouquet gave me several livings, a bishopric as well; Monsieur Fouquet has served and obliged me like the generous-hearted man he is, and I know the world suflBciently well to appreciate a kindness when I meet with it. Monsieur Fouquet has won my regard, and I have devoted myself to his service." "You couldn't do better. You will find him a very good master." Aramis bit his lips, and then said, "The best a man could possibly have." He then paused for a minute, D'Artagnan taking good care not to interrupt him. "I suppose you know how Porthos got mixed up in all this?" "No," said D'Artagnan; "I am curious, of course, but I never question a friend when he wishes to keep his real secret from me." "Well, then, I will tell you." "It is hardly worth the trouble, if the confidence is to bind me in any way."