General Lambert does not inspire me with so much confidence
as you do."

"Be it so, monsieur. I shall assist you in recovering your
money, if, however, it can still be there; for that is far
from likely. Since 1648 twelve years have rolled away, and
many events have taken place." Monk dwelt upon this point to
see if the French gentleman would seize the evasions that
were open to him, but Athos did not hesitate.

"I assure you, my lord," he said firmly, "that my conviction
is, that the two barrels have neither changed place nor
master." This reply had removed one suspicion from the mind
of Monk, but it had suggested another. Without doubt this
Frenchman was some emissary sent to entice into error the
protector of the parliament; the gold was nothing but a
lure; and by the help of this lure they thought to excite
the cupidity of the general. This gold might not exist. It
was Monk's business, then, to seize the Frenchman in the act
of falsehood and trick, and to draw from the false step
itself in which his enemies wished to entrap him, a triumph
for his renown. When Monk was determined how to act, --

"Monsieur," said he to Athos, "without doubt you will do me
the honor to share my supper this evening?"

"Yes, my lord," replied Athos, bowing, "for you do me an
honor of which I feel myself worthy, by the inclination
which drew me towards you."