ear d'Artagnan,
MORBLEU! Let us drink while the wine is fresh! Let us drink heartily,
and while we do so, tell me a little of what is going on in the world
yonder."

27 THE WIFE OF ATHOS

"We have now to search for Athos," said d'Artagnan to the vivacious
Aramis, when he had informed him of all that had passed since their
departure from the capital, and an excellent dinner had made one of them
forget his thesis and the other his fatigue.

"Do you think, then, that any harm can have happened to him?"
asked Aramis. "Athos is so cool, so brave, and handles his sword so
skillfully."

"No doubt. Nobody has a higher opinion of the courage and skill of Athos
than I have; but I like better to hear my sword clang against lances
than against staves. I fear lest Athos should have been beaten down by
serving men. Those fellows strike hard, and don't leave off in a hurry.
This is why I wish to set out again as soon as possible."

"I will try to accompany you," said Aramis, "though I scarcely feel in
a condition to mount on horseback. Yesterday I undertook to employ
that cord which you see hanging against the wall, but pain prevented my
continuing the pious exercise."

"That's the first time I ever heard of anybody trying to cure gunshot
wounds with cat-o'-nine-tails; but you were ill, and illness renders the
head weak, therefore you may be excused."

"When do you mean to set out?"

"Tomorrow at daybreak. Sleep as soundly as you can tonight, and
tomorrow, if you can, we will take our departure together."

"Till tomorrow, then," said Aramis; "for iron-nerved as you are, you
must need repose."

The next morning, when d'Artagnan entered Aramis's chamber, he found him
at the window.

"What are you looking at?" asked d'Artagnan.

"My faith! I am admiring three magnificent horses which the stable boys
are leading about. It would be a pleasure worthy of a prince to travel
upon such horses."

"Well, my dear Aramis, you may enjoy that pleasure, for one of those
three horses is yours."

"Ah, bah! Which?"

"Whichever of the three you like, I have no preference."

"And the rich caparison, is that mine, too?"

"Without doubt."

"You laugh, d'Artagnan."

"No, I have left off laughing, now that you speak French."

"What, those rich holsters, that velvet housing, that saddle studded
with silver-are they all for me?"

"For you and nobody else, as the horse which paws the ground is mine,
and the other horse, which i