Zounds! Monsieur the Comte de la Fere, whose family is allied to the Montmorency and the Rohan, is easily the equal of Monsieur de Mazarin."
"No matter," said D'Artagnan, in his most wheedling tone.
"On reflection, my dear Du Vallon, it is a great honor for the Comte de la Fere, and gives good reason to hope. In fact, it seems to me so great an honor for a prisoner that I think Monsieur de Comminges must be mistaken."
"What? I am mistaken?"
"Monsieur de Mazarin will not come to visit the Comte de la Fere, but the Comte de la Fere will be sent for to visit him."
"No, no, no," said Comminges, who made a point of having the facts appear exactly as they were, "I clearly understood what the cardinal said to me. He will come and visit the Comte de la Fere."
D'Artagnan tried to gather from the expression of his eyes whether Porthos understood the importance of that visit, but Porthos did not even look toward him.
"It is, then, the cardinal's custom to walk in his orangery?" asked D'Artagnan.
"Every evening he shuts himself in there. That, it seems, is where he meditates on state affairs."
"In that case," said D'Artagnan, "I begin to believe that Monsieur de la Fere will receive the visit of his eminence; he will, of course, have an escort."
"Yes -- two soldiers."
"And will he talk thus of affairs in presence of two strangers?"
"The soldiers are Swiss, who understand only German.
Besides, according to all probability they will wait at the door."
D'Artagnan made a violent effort over himself to keep his face from being too expressive.
"Let the cardinal take care of going alone to visit the Comte de la Fere," said D'Artagnan; "for the count must be furious."
Comminges began to laugh. "Oh, oh! why, really, one would say that you four were anthropaphagi! The count is an affable man; besides, be is unarmed; at the first word from his eminence the two soldiers about him would run to his assistance."
"Two soldiers," said D'Artagnan, seeming to remember something, "two soldiers, yes; that, then, is why I hear two men called every evening and see them walking sometimes for half an hour, under my window."
"That is it; they are waiting for the cardinal, or rather for Bernouin, who comes to call them when the cardinal goes out."
"Fine-looking men, upon my word!" said D'Artagnan.
"They belong to the regiment that was at Lens, which the prince assigned to the cardinal."
"Ah, monsieur," said D'Artagnan, as if to sum up in a word all that conversation, "if only his eminence would relent and grant to Monsieur de la Fere our liberty."
"I wish it with all my heart," said Comminges.
"Then, if he should forget that visit, you would find no inconvenience in reminding him of it?"
"Not at all."
"Ah, that gives me more confidence."
This skillful turn of the conversation would have seemed a sublime manoeuvre to any one who could have read the Gascon's soul.
"Now," said D'Artagnan, "I've one last favor to ask of you, Monsieur de Comminges."
"At your service, sir."
"You will see the count again?"
"To-morrow morning."
"Will you remember us to him and ask him to solicit for me the same favor that he will have obtained?"
"You want the cardinal to come here?"
"No; I know my place and am not so presumptuous. Let his eminence do me the honor to give me a hearing; that is all I want."
"Oh!" muttered Porthos, shaking his head, "never should I have thought this of him! How misfortune humbles a man!"
"I promise you it shall be done," answered De Comminges.
"Tell the count that I am well; that you found me sad, but resigned."
"I am pleased, sir, to hear that."
"And the same, also, for Monsieur du Vallon ---- "
"Not for me," cried Porthos; "I am not by any means resigned."
"But you will be resigned, my friend."
"Never!"
"He will become so, monsieur; I know him better than he knows himself. Be silent, dear Du Vallon, and resign yourself."
"Adieu, gentlemen," said De Comminges; "sleep well!"
"We will try."
De Comminges went away, D'Artagnan remaining apparently in the same attitude of humble resignation; but scarcely had he departed when he turned and clasped Porthos in his arms with an expression not to be doubted.
"Oh!" cried Porthos; "what's the matter now? Have you gone mad, my dear friend?"
"What is the matter?" returned D'Artagnan; "we are saved!"
"I don't see that at all," answered Porthos. "I think we are all taken prisoners, except Aramis, and that our chances of getting out are lessened since one more of us is caught in Mazarin's mousetrap."
"Which is far too strong for two of us, but not strong enough for three of us," returned D'Artagnan.
"I don't understand," said Porthos.
"Never mind; let's sit down to table and take something to strengthen us for the night."
"What are we to do, then, to-night?"
"To travel -- perhaps."
"But ---- "
"Sit down, dear friend, to table. When one is eating, ideas flow easily. After supper, when they are perfected, I will communicate my plans to you."
So Porthos sat down to table without another word and ate with an appetite that did honor to the confidence that was ever inspired in him by D'Artagnan's inventive imagination.