You employed your means, force and cunning: there is nothing to be said against that: I ought to have been on guard." "Ah! yes; I know, my lord, and I expected nothing less from your partiality; so that if it were only the abduction in itself, _Mordioux!_ that would be nothing; but there are--" "What ?" "The circumstances of that abduction." "What circumstances ?" "Oh! you know very well what I mean, my lord." "No, curse me if I do." "There is--in truth, it is difficult to speak it." "There is ?" "Well, there is that devil of a box!" Monk colored visibly.

"Well, I have forgotten it." "Deal box," continued D'Artagnan, "with holes for the nose and mouth.
In truth, my lord, all the rest was well; but the box, the box! that was really a coarse joke." Monk fidgeted about in his chair.

"And, notwithstanding my having done that," resumed D'Artagnan, "I, a soldier of fortune, it was quite simple, because by the side of that action, a little inconsiderate I admit, which I committed, but which the gravity of the case may excuse, I am circumspect and reserved." "Oh!" said Monk, "believe me, I know you well, Monsieur d'Artagnan, and I appreciate you." D'Artagnan never took his eyes off Monk; studying all which passed in the mind of the general, as he prosecuted _his idea_.

"But it does not concern me," resumed he.
"Well, then, who does it concern ?" said Monk, who began to grow a little impatient.
"It relates to the king, who will never restrain his tongue." "Well! and suppose he should say all he knows ?" said Monk, with a degree of hesitation.
"My lord," replied D'Artagnan, "do not dissemble, I implore you, with a man who speaks so frankly as I do.

You have a right to feel your susceptibility excited, however benignant it may be.