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I speak to you in French, said dArtagnan; be kindenough, then, to reply to me
in the same language.
Notwithstandingall his inquiries respecting Mme. said
Athos, shrugging hisshoulders; and he made a sign to Grimaud to bring
anotherbottle.
Porthos had seen neither the footman nor the carriage, but
withthe eye of a jealous woman, Mme.
my dear Athos, you view things on the dark
side,methinks. When he hadfinished, he went to a table upon which was a salver
withSpanish wine and glasses.
said Athos, shrugging hisshoulders; and he made a
sign to Grimaud to bring anotherbottle.
He therefore drew nearto the table and
took the second glass.
Athos was delighted to find he was going to fight
anEnglishman. To all the simple things which escaped ourGascon, Milady replied
with a smile of kindness. You areMadames brother, I learn--be it so; but
fortunately you arenot mine.
In the daytime nobody was seen there but
mendicantsdevouring their crusts, and children at play. They might have been
supposed to be followingtracks, so observant were they wherever they went.
answered the Englishmen and the Frenchmen, as withone voice. For you, monsieur,
said Planchet, presenting the billet tothe young man. You can restore it to his
family, said dArtagnan. Porthos went before her, and instead of a finger,
dippedhis whole hand in.
We have still fifteen days before us, said he to his
friends.
It is the custom in war, said dArtagnan, why should itnot be the
custom in a duel?
Yes, monsieur, said the Englishman, bowing.
I do not go on
because itpleases me to stop here.
Athos, by signs, desired Grimaud to bring
another bottle ofwine.
Aramis, who had the third canto of his poem to
finish,behaved like a man in haste.
So little that it is not worth reckoning
with thegeneral stock.
DArtagnan picked it up and offered it to Lord
deWinter.
We have still fifteen days before us, said he to his friends.
But, as
we havesaid, dArtagnan paid no attention to this persistence ofpoor Kitty. I am
only curious tounravel the mystery to which she is attached. DArtagnan, still
unperceived, supportedhimself against the other side. Madame, you are deceived,
said Porthos; she is simplya duchess. He filled two glasses, and by asign
invited dArtagnan to drink.
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