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d'Artagnan," said Athos, with a maniacal burst of laughter,"guess what she had
on her shoulder. Coquenard therefore entered the office from the houseat the
same moment her guest entered from the stairs, andthe appearance of the worthy
lady relieved him from anawkward embarrassment.
""Athos, you make me tremble!"
cried d'Artagnan. Then, according toforeign custom, the presentations took
place.
Athos was delighted to find he was going to fight anEnglishman. Athos
did not leave his chamber; he made up his mind not to takea single step to
equip himself. Miladyis fair, you say?""She has the most beautiful light hair
imaginable!""Ah, my poor d'Artagnan!" said Athos.
""Besides," said Athos,
waiting till d'Artagnan, who went to thankMonsieur de Treville, had shut the
door, "besides, there is thatbeautiful ring which beams from the finger of our
friend. The baron, finding himself disarmed, took two or three stepsback, but
in this movement his foot slipped and he fellbackward.
"Well! now shall I tell
you something?" added Athos, coolly. Now jumponto your horse, and let us
overtake the carriage.
""But where is Athos now?" cried d'Artagnan. I will
read you the firstcanto. To come in the capacity of a cousin, and seat himself
everyday at a good table; to smooth the yellow, wrinkled brow ofthe old
procurator; to pluck the clerks a little by teachingthem BASSETTE, PASSE-DIX,
and LANSQUENET, in their utmostnicety, and winning from them, by way of fee for
the lessonhe would give them in an hour, their savings of a month--allthis was
enormously delightful to Porthos.
I am sure he will looklike the Great
Mogul!"They made a halt for an hour to refresh their horses. A worthy man,
who had pretended to be a curate for thepurpose of getting his mistress
married, and securing her aposition. ""In short," said Porthos, "when all my
expenses are paid, I shallhave, at most, thirty crowns left.
""Pretty figures
we shall cut on ponies while Aramis and Porthoscaracole on their steeds.
There
happened to be a sermon, which made the church very full ofpeople. She lived
in the Place Royale--then thefashionable quarter--at Number 6, and he undertook
to calland take d'Artagnan with him in order to introduce him.
He saw her get
into her carriage, and heard her order thecoachman to drive to St. Then the
lamentations of the host and hostess pierced the vaultof the cellar. "Why, I
meant to pass it over to you, my dear Athos.
""Yes.
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