“She gave it to me herself.”
“Where?”
“In the room adjoining the chamber in which she changed her toilet.”
“How?”
“Giving me her hand to kiss.”
“You have kissed the queen’s hand?” said M. de Tréville, looking earnestly at d’Artagnan.
“Her Majesty did me the honor to grant me that favor.”
“And that in the presence of witnesses! Imprudent, thrice imprudent!”
“No, Monsieur, be satisfied; nobody saw her,” replied d’Artagnan, and he related to M. de Tréville how the affair came to pass.
“Oh, the women, the women!” cried the old soldier. “I know them by their romantic imagination. Everything that savors of mystery charms them. So you have seen the arm, that was all. You would meet the queen, and she would not know who you are?”
“No; but thanks to this diamond,” replied the young man.
“Listen,” said M. de Tréville; “shall I give you counsel, good counsel, the counsel of a friend?”
“You will do me honor, Monsieur,” said d’Artagnan.