“Sire,” resumed Tréville, “as I told you, Monsieur d’Artagnan is little more than a boy; and as he has not the honor of being a Musketeer, he was dressed as a citizen. The Guards of the cardinal, perceiving his youth and that he did not belong to the corps, invited him to retire before they attacked.” “So you may plainly see, Tréville,” interrupted the king, “it was they who attacked?” “That is true, sire; there can be no more doubt on that head. They called upon him then to retire; but he answered that he was a Musketeer at heart, entirely devoted to your Majesty, and that therefore he would remain with Messieurs the Musketeers.” “Brave young man!” murmured the king. “Well, he did remain with them; and your Majesty has in him so firm a champion that it was he who gave Jussac the terrible sword thrust which has made the cardinal so angry.” “He who wounded Jussac!” cried the king, “he, a boy! Tréville, that’s impossible!” “It is as I have the honor to relate it to your Majesty.” “Jussac, one of the first swordsmen in the kingdom?” “Well, sire, for once he found his master.” “I will see this young man, Tréville—I will see him; and if anything can be done—well, we will make it our business.” “When will your Majesty deign to receive him?” “Tomorrow, at midday, Tréville.” “Shall I bring him alone?” “No, bring me all four together. I wish to thank them all at once. Devoted men are so rare, Tréville, by the back staircase. It is useless to let the cardinal know.” “Yes, sire.” “You understand, Tréville—an edict is still an edict, it is forbidden to fight, after all.” “But this encounter, sire, is quite out of the ordinary conditions of a duel. It is a brawl; and the proof is that there were five of the cardinal’s Guardsmen against my three Musketeers and Monsieur d’Artagnan.” “That is true,” said the king; “but never mind, Tréville, come still by the back staircase.” Tréville smiled; but as it was indeed something to have prevailed upon this child to rebel against his master, he saluted the king respectfully, and with this agreement, took leave of him. That evening the three Musketeers were informed of the honor accorded them. As they had long been acquainted with the king, they were not much excited; but D’Artagnan, with his Gascon imagination, saw in it his future fortune, and passed the night in golden dreams. By eight o’clock in the morning he was at the apartment of Athos. D’Artagnan found the Musketeer dressed and ready to go out. As the hour to wait upon the king was not till twelve, he had made a party with Porthos and Aramis to play a game at tennis in a tennis court situated near the stables of the Luxembourg. Athos invited D’Artagnan to follow them; and although ignorant of the game, which he had never played, he accepted, not knowing what to do with his time from nine o’clock in the morning, as it then scarcely was, till twelve.