The Three Musketeers (The Modern Library) - Alexandre Dumas [205]
“You are a brave man, Monsieur d’Artagnan, but you are also a cautious man, which is even better. I like men of heart—I mean courage, and men of head—I mean tact. But I must warn you that here, on the threshold of your career, you have powerful enemies. Be very careful, Monsieur, or they will destroy you!”
“Alas, Monseigneur, they can readily do so, for they are strong and well supported, whilst I stand alone!”
“True. But however lonely you may be, you have already accomplished a great deal and you will accomplish even more, I am sure. Still I feel you need guidance in the adventurous career you have undertaken, for if I am not mistaken you came to Paris with the lofty ambition of making your fortune?”
“I am young, Monseigneur, my age is that of extravagant optimism.”
“Extravagant optimism is pabulum for fools, Monsieur, and you are a man of intelligence. Tell me, what would you say to a commission as ensign in my guards and to a lieutenancy after the campaign?”
“Ah, Monseigneur—”
“You accept, do you not?”
D’Artagnan, deeply embarrassed, could but repeat:
“Ah, Monseigneur!”
“You refuse, then?”
“I serve in His Majesty’s Guards, Monseigneur, and I have no reason to be dissatisfied.”
“But it seems to me that my guards are also His Majesty’s Guards. Any one serving in a French corps serves the King.”
“Your Eminence misunderstood me.”
“You want an excuse to transfer, is that it? Well, here it is. I offer you promotion; the campaign is about to open; opportunity knocks at your door. So much for the outside world! For yourself personally, you are assured protection in high places.” The Cardinal cleared his throat. “You must realize, Monsieur d’Artagnan, that I have received serious complaints against you. It would seem that you do not devote your days and nights exclusively to His Majesty’s service.”
D’Artagnan blushed.
“Moreover—” the Cardinal placed his hand on a sheaf of papers, “I have here a complete file concerning you. But before reading it I wished to talk to you. I know you to be a man of character and determination. Under guidance your services might lead to the greatest advantages instead of precipitating your ruin. Think it over, young man, and make up your mind.”
“Your kindness overwhelms me, Monseigneur; Your Eminence’s magnanimity makes me seem mean as an earthworm. But since you permit me to speak frankly—”
D’Artagnan stopped short.
“Certainly; speak out—”
“Then I would presume to say that all my friends serve in either the Royal Musketeers or in the King’s Guards . . . that all my enemies, by an inconceivable quirk of fortune, are in the service of Your Eminence. . . . So that if I accepted your flattering offer, I would be ill regarded among the King’s forces and ill received among Your Eminence’s.”
The Cardinal smiled disdainfully.
“Are you so conceited as to believe my offer does not match your merits?” he asked.
“Monseigneur, you are a hundred times too kind to me. On the contrary, I do not think that I have so far done anything to be worthy of your favors. The siege of La Rochelle is about to open, Monseigneur. I shall be serving under the eyes of Your Eminence. If I am fortunate enough to perform some brilliant action there, I shall feel I have earned the protection with which Your Eminence honors me. All in its good time, Monseigneur. Hereafter perhaps I shall win the right of giving myself; today I would seem to be selling myself.”
The Cardinal glanced shrewdly at D’Artagnan with an expression of annoyance, tempered by a certain reluctant esteem.
“In other words you refuse to serve me, Monsieur.”
“Monseigneur—”
“Well, well, keep your freedom then, preserve your sympathies, cherish your hatreds—”
“Monseigneur—”
“I wish you no ill, Monsieur. Remember, though, that we are sufficiently hard put to it to defend and reward our friends; we owe nothing to our enemies. Let me give you a final word of advice: watch your behavior, Monsieur d’Artagnan! The moment I withdraw my protecting hand, I would not give a straw for your life