'Madame,why are you not wearing the diamond studs?'the King demanded.
The Queen looked round,and saw the Cardinal.
'Sire,I was afraid they would be damaged in this crowd.I will send for them.'
While the Queen waited with her ladies in a side room,the Cardinal gave the King the box containing the two studs Milady de Winter had stolen from Buckingham.
'Ask the Queen where these two diamond studs have come from,'he suggested.
His triumph turned to rage when the Queen re-appeared,proudly wearing the set of diamond studs.All twelve were there!
'What does this mean?'the King asked,puzzled,pointing to the two the Cardinal had given him.The Cardinal thought quickly.
'I wished her Majesty to have them as a present.Not daring to offer them myself,I adopted this plan.'
'I must thank you,your Eminence,'said the Queen.Her smile showed she had understood the Cardinal's plot.'I am sure these two must have cost you as much as all the others cost the King.'
D'Artagnan had watched the Queen's triumph over the Cardinal.Apart from the King,the Cardinal and the Queen herself,he was the only one in the crowded ballroom who had understood what was happening.
Later,the Queen sent for him.She thanked him,and gave him a diamond ring.D'Artagnan put it on and returned to the gaiety of the Ball.He was will content.He was in favour with the King and Monsieur de Treville,and had helped his Queen when she friendship of three brave men,Athos,Porthos and Aramis.One day,he too would be a Musketeer,just like them.