This maneuver was accompanied by a little tacit monologue.

"Ah! you want to humble me, do you ?--you, whom I have seen so young--you, whom I have saved as I would my own child,--you, whom I have served as I would a God--that is to say, for nothing.

Wait awhile! wait awhile! you shall see what a man can do who has suffered the air of the fire of the Huguenots, under the beard of monsieur le cardinal--the true cardinal." At this moment Louis turned round.
"Ah! are you there, Monsieur d'Artagnan ?" said he.
D'Artagnan saw the movement and imitated it.

"Yes, sire," said he.
"Very well; have the goodness to wait till I have cast this up." D'Artagnan made no reply; he only bowed.

"That is polite enough," thought he; "I have nothing to say." Louis made a violent dash with his pen, and threw it angrily away.
"Ah! go on, work yourself up!" thought the musketeer; "you will put me at my ease.