d leave a very exact address and that upon the request
of any of the associates a meeting should be convoked at a famous eating
house in the Rue de la Monnaie, of the sign of the Hermitage. The first
rendezvous was fixed for the following Wednesday, at eight o'clock in
the evening precisely.

On that day, in fact, the four friends arrived punctually at the hour,
each from his own abode or occupation. Porthos had been trying a new
horse; D'Artagnan was on guard at the Louvre; Aramis had been to visit
one of his penitents in the neighborhood; and Athos, whose domicile
was established in the Rue Guenegaud, found himself close at hand. They
were, therefore, somewhat surprised to meet altogether at the door of
the Hermitage, Athos starting out from the Pont Neuf, Porthos by the Rue
de la Roule, D'Artagnan by the Rue des Fosse Saint Germain l'Auxerrois,
and Aramis by the Rue de Bethisy.

The first words exchanged between the four friends, on account of the
ceremony which each of them mingled with their demonstration, were
somewhat forced and even the repast began with a kind of stiffness.
Athos perceived this embarrassment, and by way of supplying an effectual
remedy, called for four bottles of champagne.

At this order, given in Athos's habitually calm manner, the face of the
Gascon relaxed and Porthos's brow grew smooth. Aramis was astonished.
He knew that Athos not only never drank, but more, that he had a kind of
repugnance to wine. This astonishment was doubled when Aramis saw
Athos fill a bumper and toss it off with all his former enthusiasm. His
companions followed his example. In a very few minutes the four bottles
were empty and this excellent specific succeeded in dissipating even the
slightest cloud that might have rested on their spirits. Now the four
friends began to speak loud, scarcely waiting till one had finished
before another began, and each assumed his favorite attitude on or at
the table. Soon--strange fact--Aramis undid two buttons of his doublet,
seeing which, Porthos unfastened his entirely.

Battles, long journeys, blows given and received, sufficed for the first
themes of conversation, which turned upon the silent struggles sustained
against him who was now called the great cardinal.

"Faith," said Aramis, laughing, "we have praised the dead enough, let
us revile the living a little; I should like to say something evil of
Mazarin; is it permissible?"

"Go on, go on," replied D'Artagnan, laughin