lasped him in his arms. D'Artagnan, equally
moved, pressed him also closely to him, whilst tears stood in his eyes.
Athos then took him by the hand and led him into the drawing-room, where
there were several people. Every one arose.

"I present to you," he said, "Monsieur le Chevalier D'Artagnan,
lieutenant of his majesty's musketeers, a devoted friend and one of the
most excellent, brave gentlemen that I have ever known."

D'Artagnan received the compliments of those who were present in his own
way, and whilst the conversation became general he looked earnestly at
Athos.

Strange! Athos was scarcely aged at all! His fine eyes, no longer
surrounded by that dark line which nights of dissipation pencil too
infallibly, seemed larger, more liquid than ever. His face, a little
elongated, had gained in calm dignity what it had lost in feverish
excitement. His hand, always wonderfully beautiful and strong, was set
off by a ruffle of lace, like certain hands by Titian and Vandyck. He
was less stiff than formerly. His long, dark hair, softly powdered here
and there with silver tendrils, fell elegantly over his shoulders in
wavy curls; his voice was still youthful, as if belonging to a Hercules
of twenty-five, and his magnificent teeth, which he had preserved white
and sound, gave an indescribable charm to his smile.

Meanwhile the guests, seeing that the two friends were longing to
be alone, prepared to depart, when a noise of dogs barking resounded
through the courtyard and many persons said at the same moment:

"Ah! 'tis Raoul, who is come home."

Athos, as the name of Raoul was pronounced, looked inquisitively at
D'Artagnan, in order to see if any curiosity was painted on his
face. But D'Artagnan was still in confusion and turned around almost
mechanically when a fine young man of fifteen years of age, dressed
simply, but in perfect taste, entered the room, raising, as he came, his
hat, adorned with a long plume of scarlet feathers.

Nevertheless, D'Artagnan was struck by the appearance of this
new personage. It seemed to explain to him the change in Athos; a
resemblance between the boy and the man explained the mystery of this
regenerated existence. He remained listening and gazing.

"Here you are, home again, Raoul," said the comte.

"Yes, sir," replied the youth, with deep respect, "and I have performed
the commission that you gave me."

"But what's the matter, Raoul?" said Athos, very anxiously. "You are
pale