Alexandre Dumas: The Man in the Iron Mask

Chapter 52: M. de Gesvres's Round. (continued)

"March! People who are arrested are placed between the six first guards and the six last."

"But as I am not arresting you," said M. de Gesvres, "you will march behind, with me, if you please."

"Well," said D'Artagnan, "that is very polite, duke, and you are right in being so; for if ever I had had to make my rounds near your chambre-de-ville, I should have been courteous to you, I assure you, on the word of a gentleman! Now, one favor more; what does the king want with me?"

"Oh, the king is furious!"

"Very well! the king, who has thought it worth while to be angry, may take the trouble to grow calm again; that is all. I shan't die of that, I will swear."

"No, but - "

"But - I shall be sent to keep company with unfortunate M. Fouquet. Mordioux! That is a gallant man, a worthy man! We shall live very sociably together, I will be sworn."

"Here we are at our place of destination," said the duke. "Captain, for Heaven's sake be calm with the king!"

"Ah! ah! you are playing the brave man with me, duke!" said D'Artagnan, throwing one of his defiant glances over Gesvres. "I have been told that you are ambitious of uniting your guards with my musketeers. This strikes me as a splendid opportunity."

"I will take exceeding good care not to avail myself of it, captain."

"And why not, pray?"

"Oh, for many reasons - in the first place, for this: if I were to succeed you in the musketeers after having arrested you - "

"Ah! then you admit you have arrested me?"

"No, I don't."