"Would it be better to remain here," said Athos, "and take a turn in the Bastile or the dungeon of Vincennes for having favored the escape of Monsieur de Beaufort? I'faith, Aramis, believe me, there is little left to regret. We avoid imprisonment and we play the part of heroes; the choice is easy."
"It is true; but in everything, friend, one must always return to the same question -- a stupid one, I admit, but very necessary -- have you any money?"
"Something like a hundred pistoles, that my farmer sent to me the day before I left Bragelonne; but out of that sum I ought to leave fifty for Raoul -- a young man must live respectably. I have then about fifty pistoles. And you?"
"As for me, I am quite sure that after turning out all my pockets and emptying my drawers I shall not find ten louis at home. Fortunately Lord de Winter is rich."
"Lord de Winter is ruined for the moment; Oliver Cromwell has annexed his income resources."
"Now is the time when Baron Porthos would be useful."
"Now it is that I regret D'Artagnan."
"Let us entice them away."
"This secret, Aramis, does not belong to us; take my advice, then, and let no one into our confidence. And moreover, in taking such a step we should appear to be doubtful of ourselves. Let us regret their absence to ourselves for our own sakes, but not speak of it."
"You are right; but what are you going to do until this evening? I have two things to postpone."
"And what are they?"
"First, a thrust with the coadjutor, whom I met last night at Madame de Rambouillet's and whom I found particular in his remarks respecting me."
"Oh, fie -- a quarrel between priests, a duel between allies!"
"What can I do, friend? he is a bully and so am I; his cassock is a burden to him and I imagine I have had enough of mine; in fact, there is so much resemblance between us that I sometimes believe he is Aramis and I am the coadjutor. This kind of life fatigues and oppresses me; besides, he is a turbulent fellow, who will ruin our party.
I am convinced that if I gave him a box on the ear, such as I gave this morning to the little citizen who splashed me, it would change the appearance of things."
"And I, my dear Aramis," quietly replied Athos, "I think it would only change Monsieur de Retz's appearance. Take my advice, leave things just as they are; besides, you are neither of you now your own masters; he belongs to the Fronde and you to the queen of England. So, if the second matter which you regret being unable to attend to is not more important than the first ---- "
"Oh! that is of the first importance."
"Attend to it, then, at once."
"Unfortunately, it is a thing that I can't perform at any time I choose. It was arranged for the evening and no other time will serve."
"I understand," said Athos smiling, "midnight."
"About that time."
"But, my dear fellow, those are things that bear postponement and you must put it off, especially with so good an excuse to give on your return ---- "
"Yes, if I return."
"If you do not return, how does it concern you? Be reasonable. Come, you are no longer twenty years old."
"To my great regret, mordieu! Ah, if I were but twenty years old!"
"Yes," said Athos, "doubtless you would commit great follies! But now we must part. I have one or two visits to make and a letter yet to write. Call for me at eight o'clock or shall I wait supper for you at seven?"
"That will do very well," said Aramis. "I have twenty visits to make and as many letters to write."
They then separated. Athos went to pay a visit to Madame de Vendome, left his name at Madame de Chevreuse's and wrote the following letter to D'Artagnan:
"Dear Friend, -- I am about to set off with Aramis on important business. I wished to make my adieux to you, but time does not permit. Remember that I write to you now to repeat how much affection for you I still cherish.
"Raoul is gone to Blois and is ignorant of my departure; watch over him in my absence as much as you possibly can; and if by chance you receive no news of me three months hence, tell him to open a packet which he will find addressed to him in my bronze casket at Blois, of which I send you now the key.
"Embrace Porthos from Aramis and myself. Adieu, perhaps farewell."
At the hour agreed upon Aramis arrived; he was dressed as an officer and had the old sword at his side which he had drawn so often and which he was more than ever ready to draw.
"By-the-bye," he said, "I think that we are decidedly wrong to depart thus, without leaving a line for Porthos and D'Artagnan."
"The thing is done, dear friend," said Athos; "I foresaw that and have embraced them both from you and myself."
"You are a wonderful man, my dear count," said Aramis; "you think of everything."