elf
little. It was the second time he had been compelled to bend before real
superiority of heart, much more powerful than splendor of mind. He
replied by a mute and energetic pressure to the kind endearment of his
friend.

"Now," said Porthos, "that we have come to an explanation, now that I am
perfectly aware of our situation with respect to Louis XIV., I think, my
friend, it is time to make me comprehend the political intrigue of which
we are the victims--for I plainly see there is a political intrigue at
the bottom of all this."

"D'Artagnan, my good Porthos, D'Artagnan is coming, and will detail it
to you in all its circumstances; but excuse me, I am deeply grieved, I
am bowed down by pain, and I have need of all my presence of mind, of
all my reflection, to extricate you from the false step in which I have
so imprudently involved you; but nothing can be more clear, nothing more
plain, than your position, henceforth. The king Louis XIV. has no longer
now but one enemy: that enemy is myself, myself alone. I have made you a
prisoner, you have followed me, to-day I liberate you, you fly back to
your prince. You can perceive, Porthos, there is not a single difficulty
in all this."

"Do you think so?" said Porthos.

"I am quite sure of it."

"Then why," said the admirable good sense of Porthos, "then why, if we
are in such an easy position, why, my friend, do we prepare cannon,
muskets, and engines of all sorts? It seems to me it would be much more
simple to say to Captain D'Artagnan: 'My dear friend, we have been
mistaken; that error is to be repaired; open the door to us, let us
pass through, and good day!'"

"Ah! that!" said Aramis, shaking his head.

"Why do you say 'that'? Do you not approve of my plan, my friend?"

"I see a difficulty in it."

"What is it?"

"The hypothesis that D'Artagnan may come with orders which will oblige
us to defend ourselves."

"What! defend ourselves against D'Artagnan? Folly! Against the good
D'Artagnan!"

Aramis once more replied by shaking his head.

"Porthos," at length said he, "if I have had the matches lighted, and
the guns pointed, if I have had the signal of alarm sounded, if I have
called every man to his post upon the ramparts, those good ramparts of
Belle-Isle which you have so well fortified, it is for something. Wait
to judge; or rather, no, do not wait--"

"What can I do?"

"If I knew, my friend, I would have told you."

"But there is one thing much