Marie Michon was
a very aristocratic person; like her sister the queen, she had been
accustomed to pleasing perfumes and fine linen; she resolved, therefore,
to seek hospitality of the priest."

Athos paused.

"Oh, continue!" said the duchess. "I have told you that I am prepared
for anything."

"The two travelers knocked at the door. It was late; the priest, who had
gone to bed, cried out to them to come in. They entered, for the door
was not locked--there is much confidence among villagers. A lamp burned
in the chamber occupied by the priest. Marie Michon, who made the most
charming cavalier in the world, pushed open the door, put her head in
and asked for hospitality. 'Willingly, my young cavalier,' said the
priest, 'if you will be content with the remains of my supper and with
half my chamber.'

"The two travelers consulted for a moment. The priest heard a burst of
laughter and then the master, or rather, the mistress, replied: 'Thank
you, monsieur le cure, I accept.' 'Sup, then, and make as little noise
as possible,' said the priest, 'for I, too, have been on the go all day
and shall not be sorry to sleep to-night.'"

Madame de Chevreuse evidently went from surprise to astonishment, and
from astonishment to stupefaction. Her face, as she looked at Athos, had
taken on an expression that cannot be described. It could be seen that
she had wished to speak, but she had remained silent through fear of
losing one of her companion's words.

"What happened then?" she asked.

"Then?" said Athos. "Ah, I have come now to what is most difficult."

"Speak, speak! One can say anything to me. Besides, it doesn't concern
me; it relates to Mademoiselle Marie Michon."

"Ah, that is true," said Athos. "Well, then, Marie Michon had supper
with her follower, and then, in accordance with the permission given
her, she entered the chamber of her host, Kitty meanwhile taking
possession of an armchair in the room first entered, where they had
taken their supper."

"Really, monsieur," said Madame de Chevreuse, "unless you are the devil
in person I don't know how you could become acquainted with all these
details."

"A charming woman was that Marie Michon," resumed Athos, "one of those
wild creatures who are constantly conceiving the strangest ideas. Now,
thinking that her host was a priest, that coquette took it into her head
that it would be a happy souvenir for her old age, among the many happy
souvenirs she already possessed,