n
he landed to the episcopal palace. He thought to terrify Aramis by the
promptitude of his return; he wished to reproach him with his duplicity,
and yet with reserve; but with sufficient spirit, nevertheless, to make
him feel all the consequences of it, and force from him a part of his
secret. He hoped, in short--thanks to that heat of expression which is
to _secrets_ what the charge with the bayonet is to redoubts--to bring
the mysterious Aramis to some manifestation or other. But he found,
in the vestibule of the palace, the _valet de chambre_, who closed his
passage, while smiling upon him with a stupid air.

"Monseigneur?" cried D'Artagnan, endeavoring to put him aside with his
hand. Moved for an instant the valet resumed his station.

"Monseigneur?" said he.

"Yes, to be sure; do you not know me, _imbecile?_"

"Yes; you are the Chevalier d'Artagnan."

"Then let me pass."

"It is of no use."

"Why of no use?"

"Because His Greatness is not at home."

"What! His Greatness is not at home? where is he, then?"

"Gone."

"Gone?"

"Yes."

"Whither?"

"I don't know; but perhaps he tells monsieur le chevalier."

"And how? where? in what fashion?"

"In this letter, which he gave me for monsieur le chevalier." And the
_valet de chambre_ drew a letter form his pocket.

"Give it me, then, you rascal," said D'Artagnan, snatching it from his
hand. "Oh, yes," continued he, at the first line, "yes, I understand;"
and he read:--

"Dear Friend,--An affair of the most urgent nature calls me to a distant
parish of my diocese. I hoped to see you again before I set out; but I
lose that hope in thinking that you are going, no doubt, to remain two
or three days at Belle-Isle, with our dear Porthos. Amuse yourself as
well as you can; but do not attempt to hold out against him at table.
This is a counsel I might have given even to Athos, in his most
brilliant and best days. Adieu, dear friend; believe that I regret
greatly not having better, and for a longer time, profited by your
excellent company."

_"Mordioux!_" cried D'Artagnan. "I am tricked. Ah! blockhead, brute,
triple fool that I am! But those laugh best who laugh last. Oh, duped,
duped like a monkey, cheated with an empty nutshell!" And with a hearty
blow bestowed upon the nose of the smirking _valet de chambre_, he made
all haste out of the episcopal palace. Furet, however good a trotter,
was not equal to present circumstances. D'Artagnan therefore took