“My friend,” said he, slowly, “I wish, as the son of an ancient friend—­for I consider this story of the lost letter perfectly true—­I wish, I say, in order to repair the coldness you may have remarked in my reception of you, to discover to you the secrets of our policy.  The king and the cardinal are the best of friends; their apparent bickerings are only feints to deceive fools.  I am not willing that a compatriot, a handsome cavalier, a brave youth, quite fit to make his way, should become the dupe of all these artifices and fall into the snare after the example of so many others who have been ruined by it.  Be assured that I am devoted to both these all-powerful masters, and that my earnest endeavors have no other aim than the service of the king, and also the cardinal—­one of the most illustrious geniuses that France has ever produced.

“Now, young man, regulate your conduct accordingly; and if you entertain, whether from your family, your relations, or even from your instincts, any of these enmities which we see constantly breaking out against the cardinal, bid me adieu and let us separate.  I will aid you in many ways, but without attaching you to my person.  I hope that my frankness at least will make you my friend; for you are the only young man to whom I have hitherto spoken as I have done to you.”

Treville said to himself:  “If the cardinal has set this young fox upon me, he will certainly not have failed—­he, who knows how bitterly I execrate him—­to tell his spy that the best means of making his court to me is to rail at him.  Therefore, in spite of all my protestations, if it be as I suspect, my cunning gossip will assure me that he holds his Eminence in horror.”

It, however, proved otherwise.  D’Artagnan answered, with the greatest simplicity:  “I came to Paris with exactly such intentions.  My father advised me to stoop to nobody but the king, the cardinal, and yourself—­whom he considered the first three personages in France.”

D’Artagnan added M. de Treville to the others, as may be perceived; but he thought this addition would do no harm.

“I have the greatest veneration for the cardinal,” continued he, “and the most profound respect for his actions.  So much the better for me, sir, if you speak to me, as you say, with frankness—­for then you will do me the honor to esteem the resemblance of our opinions; but if you have entertained any doubt, as naturally you may, I feel that I am ruining myself by speaking the truth.  But I still trust you will not esteem me the less for it, and that is my object beyond all others.”

M. de Treville was surprised to the greatest degree.  So much penetration, so much frankness, created admiration, but did not entirely remove his suspicions.  The more this young man was superior to others, the more he was to be dreaded if he meant to deceive him; “You are an honest youth; but at the present moment I can only do for you that which I just now offered.  My hotel will be always open to you.  Hereafter, being able to ask for me at all hours, and consequently to take advantage of all opportunities, you will probably obtain that which you desire.”