r d'Artagnan," said Aramis; "believe me, I am glad to see
you."

"So am I delighted to see you," said d'Artagnan, "although I am not yet
sure that it is Aramis I am speaking to."

"To himself, my friend, to himself! But what makes you doubt it?"

"I was afraid I had made a mistake in the chamber, and that I had found
my way into the apartment of some churchman. Then another error seized
me on seeing you in company with these gentlemen--I was afraid you were
dangerously ill."

The two men in black, who guessed d'Artagnan's meaning, darted at him a
glance which might have been thought threatening; but d'Artagnan took no
heed of it.

"I disturb you, perhaps, my dear Aramis," continued d'Artagnan, "for
by what I see, I am led to believe that you are confessing to these
gentlemen."

Aramis colored imperceptibly. "You disturb me? Oh, quite the contrary,
dear friend, I swear; and as a proof of what I say, permit me to declare
I am rejoiced to see you safe and sound."

"Ah, he'll come round," thought d'Artagnan; "that's not bad!"

"This gentleman, who is my friend, has just escaped from a serious
danger," continued Aramis, with unction, pointing to d'Artagnan with his
hand, and addressing the two ecclesiastics.

"Praise God, monsieur," replied they, bowing together.

"I have not failed to do so, your Reverences," replied the young man,
returning their salutation.

"You arrive in good time, dear d'Artagnan," said Aramis, "and by taking
part in our discussion may assist us with your intelligence. Monsieur
the Principal of Amiens, Monsieur the Curate of Montdidier, and I
are arguing certain theological questions in which we have been much
interested; I shall be delighted to have your opinion."

"The opinion of a swordsman can have very little weight," replied
d'Artagnan, who began to be uneasy at the turn things were taking, "and
you had better be satisfied, believe me, with the knowledge of these
gentlemen."

The two men in black bowed in their turn.

"On the contrary," replied Aramis, "your opinion will be very valuable.
The question is this: Monsieur the Principal thinks that my thesis ought
to be dogmatic and didactic."

"Your thesis! Are you then making a thesis?"

"Without doubt," replied the Jesuit. "In the examination which precedes
ordination, a thesis is always a requisite."

"Ordination!" cried d'Artagnan, who could not believe what the hostess
and Bazin had successively told him; and he gazed, hal