You know my motto: '_Quo non ascendam ?_' I have risen so high that nothing is left me but to descend from my elevation.

I cannot believe in the progress of a success already more than human." Aramis smiled as he fixed his kind and penetrating glance upon him.
"If I were aware of the cause of your happiness," he said, "I should probably fear for your grace; but you regard me in the light of a true friend; I mean, you turn to me in misfortune, nothing more.

Even that is an immense and precious boon, I know; but the truth is, I have a just right to beg you to confide in me, from time to time, any fortunate circumstances that befall you, in which I should rejoice, you know, more than if they had befallen myself." "My dear prelate," said Fouquet, laughing, "my secrets are of too profane a character to confide them to a bishop, however great a worldling he may be." "Bah! in confession." "Oh! I should blush too much if you were my confessor." And Fouquet began to sigh.

Aramis again looked at him without further betrayal of his thoughts than a placid smile.
"Well," he said, "discretion is a great virtue." "Silence," said Fouquet; "yonder venomous reptile has recognized us, and is crawling this way." "Colbert ?" "Yes; leave me, D'Herblay; I do not wish that fellow to see you with me, or he will take an aversion to _you_." Aramis pressed his hand, saying, "What need have I of his friendship, while you are here ?" "Yes, but I may not always be here," replied Fouquet, dejectedly.
"On that day, then, if that day should ever dawn," said Aramis, tranquilly, "we will think over a means of dispensing with the friendship, or of braving the dislike of M.Colbert.But tell me, my dear Fouquet, instead of conversing with this reptile, as you did him the honor of styling him, a conversation the need for which I do not perceive, why do you not pay a visit, if not to the king, at least to Madame ?" "To Madame," said the superintendent, his mind occupied by his _souvenirs_.

"Yes, certainly, to Madame." "You remember," continued Aramis, "that we have been told that Madame stands high in favor during the last two or three days.