“A difficult commission, my lord,” replied D’Artagnan, resuming his serious manner. “But,” said Mazarin, “you did not make so many difficulties with regard to the king and queen.” “The king and the queen are my king and queen,” replied the musketeer, “my life is theirs and I must give it for them. If they ask it what have I to say?” “That is true,” murmured Mazarin, in a low tone, “but as thy life is not mine I suppose I must buy it, must I not?” and sighing deeply he began to turn the hoop of his ring outside again. D’Artagnan smiled. These two men met at one point and that was, cunning; had they been actuated equally by courage, the one would have done great things for the other. “But, also,” said Mazarin, “you must understand that if I ask this service from you it is with the intention of being grateful.” “Is it still only an intention, your eminence?” asked D’Artagnan. “Stay,” said Mazarin, drawing the ring from his finger, “my dear D’Artagnan, there is a diamond which belonged to you formerly, it is but just it should return to you; take it, I pray.” D’Artagnan spared Mazarin the trouble of insisting, and after looking to see if the stone was the same and assuring himself of the purity of its water, he took it and passed it on his finger with indescribable pleasure. “I valued it much,” said Mazarin, giving a last look at it; “nevertheless, I give it to you with great pleasure.” “And I, my lord,” said D’Artagnan, “accept it as it is given. Come, let us speak of your little affairs. You wish to leave before everybody and at what hour?” “At ten o’clock.” “And the queen, at what time is it her wish to start?” “At midnight.” “Then it is possible. I can get you out of Paris and leave you beyond the _barrière_, and can return for her.” “Capital; but how will you get me out of Paris?” “Oh! as to that, you must leave it to me.” “I give you absolute power, therefore; take as large an escort as you like.” D’Artagnan shook his head. “It seems to me, however,” said Mazarin, “the safest method.” “Yes, for you, my lord, but not for the queen; you must leave it to me and give me the entire direction of the undertaking.” “Nevertheless——” “Or find some one else,” continued D’Artagnan, turning his back. “Oh!” muttered Mazarin, “I do believe he is going off with the diamond! M. d’Artagnan, my dear M. d’Artagnan,” he called out in a coaxing voice, “will you answer for everything?” “I will answer for _nothing_. I will do my best.” “Well, then, let us go—I must trust to you.” “It is very fortunate,” said D’Artagnan to himself. “You will be here at half-past nine.” “And I shall find your eminence ready?” “Certainly, quite ready.” “Well, then, it is a settled thing; and now, my lord, will you obtain for me an audience with the queen?” “For what purpose?” “I wish to receive her majesty’s commands from her own lips.” “She desired me to give them to you.” “She may have forgotten something.” “You really wish to see her?”