“But Mazarin is dead.”

“I know that well enough, parbleu! Only, at the period of his death, my resignation had been given in and accepted two months. Then, feeling myself free, I set off for Pierrefonds, to see my friend Porthos. I had heard talk of the happy division you had made of your time, and I wished, for a fortnight, to divide mine after your fashion.”

“My friend, you know that it is not for a fortnight my house is open to you; it is for a year — for ten years — for life.”

“Thank you, Porthos.”

“Ah! but perhaps you want money — do you?” said Porthos, making something like fifty louis chink in his pocket. “In that case, you know — ”