A hundred and fifty thousand livres! Oh, it is incredible! But, comte, tell me a reason for it ?" "Patience, monseigneur, I beg of you.

Here comes M.le Duc d'Anjou, talking with the Chevalier de Lorraine; I should not be surprised if they spared us the trouble of being indiscreet.

Listen to them." In fact the chevalier said to the prince in a low voice, "My lord, it is not natural for M.Mazarin to give you so much money.

Take care! you will let some of the pieces fall, my lord.

What design has the cardinal upon you to make him so generous ?" "As I said," whispered Athos in the prince's ear; "that, perhaps, is the best reply to your question." "Tell me, my lord," repeated the chevalier impatiently, as he was calculating, by weighing them in his pocket, the quota of the sum which had fallen to his share by rebound.
"My dear chevalier, a wedding present." "How a wedding present ?" "Eh! yes, I am going to be married," replied the Duc d'Anjou, without perceiving, at the moment, he was passing the prince and Athos, who both bowed respectfully.
The chevalier darted at the young duke a glance so strange, and so malicious, that the Comte de la Fere quite started on beholding it.
"You! you to be married!" repeated he; "oh! that's impossible.