“Yes,” continued the queen, “I think myself as much honored to have received you this evening as if you had been a prince, and I wish to know your name.” “Yes,” thought Planchet, “to treat me as a prince. No, thank you.” D’Artagnan trembled lest Planchet, seduced, like the crow in the fable, should tell his name, and that the queen, knowing his name, would discover that Planchet had belonged to him. “Madame,” replied Planchet, respectfully, “I am called Dulaurier, at your service.” “Thank you, Monsieur Dulaurier,” said the queen; “and what is your business?” “Madame, I am a clothier in the Rue Bourdonnais.” “That is all I wished to know,” said the queen. “Much obliged to you, Monsieur Dulaurier. You will hear again from me.” “Come, come,” thought D’Artagnan, emerging from behind the curtain, “decidedly Monsieur Planchet is no fool; it is evident he has been brought up in a good school.” The different actors in this strange scene remained facing one another, without uttering a single word; the queen standing near the door, D’Artagnan half out of his hiding place, the king raised on his elbow, ready to fall down on his bed again at the slightest sound that would indicate the return of the multitude, but instead of approaching, the noise became more and more distant and very soon it died entirely away. The queen breathed more freely. D’Artagnan wiped his damp forehead and the king slid off his bed, saying, “Let us go.” At this moment Laporte reappeared. “Well?” asked the queen “Well, madame,” replied the valet, “I followed them as far as the gates. They announced to all their comrades that they had seen the king and that the queen had spoken to them; and, in fact, they went away quite proud and happy.” “Oh, the miserable wretches!” murmured the queen, “they shall pay dearly for their boldness, and it is I who promise this.” Then turning to D’Artagnan, she said: “Sir, you have given me this evening the best advice I have ever received. Continue, and say what we must do now.” “Monsieur Laporte,” said D’Artagnan, “finish dressing his majesty.” “We may go, then?” asked the queen. “Whenever your majesty pleases. You have only to descend by the private stairs and you will find me at the door.” “Go, sir,” said the queen; “I will follow you.” D’Artagnan went down and found the carriage at its post and the musketeer on the box. D’Artagnan took out the parcel which he had desired Bernouin to place under the seat. It may be remembered that it was the hat and cloak belonging to Monsieur de Gondy’s coachman. He placed the cloak on his shoulders and the hat on his head, whilst the musketeer got off the box.