e thing is
impossible; Monsieur de Treville has forbidden it. Move on,
therefore; it is the best thing you can do.'

"This bantering exasperated Jussac. 'We will charge you,' said
he, 'if you disobey.'

"'They are five,' said Athos in a low voice, 'and we are but
three; we shall be beaten again, and we must die here; for I
swear not to reappear before the captain if conquered.'

"Athos, Porthos, and Aramis drew closer to each other. Jussac was
arranging his men in line. This single moment of delay was
sufficient for D'Artagnan to make up his mind; it was one of
those moments that decide a man's whole life. The choice was to
be made between King and Cardinal, and, once made, it must be
persevered in. If he fought, he disobeyed the law, risked his
head, and made an enemy of a minister more powerful than the king
himself. All these considerations passed like lightning through
the mind of the young Gascon; but, be it said to his honour, he
did not hesitate an instant. Turning towards Athos and his
friends.

"'Gentlemen,' said he, 'allow me to amend the words last spoken.
You said you were only three, but to my thinking we are four.'

"'But you are not one of us,' said Porthos.

"'True,' replied D'Artagnan, 'I have not the coat; but I have the
spirit. In my heart I am a mousquetaire--I feel it, and that
leads me on.'

"'You may retire, young man,' cried Jussac, who doubtless guessed
D'Artagnan's intentions by his gestures and the expression of his
face. 'You may retire, we permit it. Be-gone, then, and quickly.'

"D'Artagnan did not stir.

"'Decidedly you are a fine fellow,' said Athos, pressing the
young man's hand.

"But the three mousquetaires thought of D'Artagnan's youth, and
distrusted his inexperience.

"'We should only be three, of whom one wounded, and a child,'
said Athos; 'but they will say all the same, that there were four
of us.'

"'Gentlemen,' said D'Artagnan, 'only try me, and I swear by my
honour that if we are conquered I will not leave the ground
alive.'

"'What is your name, my brave fellow?' said Athos.

"'D'Artagnan, sir.'

"'Well, then, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan, forwards!'
cried Athos.

"'What do you decide to do?' cried Jussac.

"'We are going to h