and De Bouillon; but, sir, supposing that the conference is broken off — are you going to try to take Charenton?”

“Such are my orders.”

“Sir, since you command the cavalry — — ”

“Pardon me, I am commander-in-chief.”

“So much the better.

You must know all your officers — I mean those more distinguished.”

“Why, yes, very nearly.”

“Will you then kindly tell me if you have in your command the Chevalier d’Artagnan, lieutenant in the musketeers?”

“No, sir, he is not with us; he left Paris more than six weeks ago and is believed to have gone on a mission to England.”