.

Of the Embarrassment of Riches.
D'Artagnan lost no time, and as soon as the thing was suitable and opportune, he paid a visit to the lord treasurer of his majesty.

He had then the satisfaction to exchange a piece of paper, covered with very ugly writing, for a prodigious number of crowns, recently stamped with the _effigies_ of his very gracious majesty Charles II.
D'Artagnan easily controlled himself: and yet, on this occasion, he could not help evincing a joy which the reader will perhaps comprehend, if he deigns to have some indulgence for a man who, since his birth, had never seen so many pieces and rolls of pieces juxta-placed in an order truly agreeable to the eye.

The treasurer placed all the rolls in bags, and closed each bag with a stamp sealed with the arms of England, a favor which treasurers do not grant to everybody.

Then, impassible, and just as polite as he ought to be towards a man honored with the friendship of the king, he said to D'Artagnan: "Take away your money, sir." _Your money!_ These words made a thousand chords vibrate in the heart of D'Artagnan, which he had never felt before.