"You really have some distrust, then?" said Porthos.
"Of Aramis, yes, since he has become an abbe. You can't imagine, my dear fellow, the sort of man he is. He sees us on the road which leads him to a bishopric, and perhaps will not be sorry to get us out of his way."
"Ah, as regards Aramis, that is another thing," said Porthos, "and it wouldn't surprise me at all."
"Perhaps Monsieur de Beaufort will try, in his turn, to lay hands on us."
"Nonsense! He had us in his power and he let us go. Besides we can be on our guard; let us take arms, let Planchet post himself behind us with his carbine."
"Planchet is a Frondeur," answered D'Artagnan.
"Devil take these civil wars! one can no more now reckon on one's friends than on one's footmen," said Porthos. "Ah! if Musqueton were here! there's a fellow who will never desert me!"
"So long as you are rich! Ah! my friend! 'tis not civil war that disunites us. It is that we are each of us twenty years older; it is that the honest emotions of youth have given place to suggestions of interest, whispers of ambition, counsels of selfishness. Yes, you are right; let us go, Porthos, but let us go well armed; were we not to keep the rendezvous, they would declare we were afraid. Halloo!
Planchet! here! saddle our horses, take your carbine."
"Whom are we going to attack, sir?"
"No one; a mere matter of precaution," answered the Gascon.
"You know, sir, that they wished to murder that good councillor, Broussel, the father of the people?"
"Really, did they?" said D'Artagnan.
"Yes, but he has been avenged. He was carried home in the arms of the people. His house has been full ever since. He has received visits from the coadjutor, from Madame de Longueville, and the Prince de Conti; Madame de Chevreuse and Madame de Vendome have left their names at his door. And now, whenever he wishes ---- "
"Well, whenever he wishes?"
Planchet began to sing:
"Un vent de fronde S'est leve ce matin;
Je crois qu'il gronde Contre le Mazarin.
Un vent de fronde S'est leve ce matin."
"It doesn't surprise me," said D'Artagnan, in a low tone to Porthos, "that Mazarin would have been much better satisfied had I crushed the life out of his councillor."
"You understand, then, monsieur," resumed Planchet, "that if it were for some enterprise like that undertaken against Monsieur Broussel that you should ask me to take my carbine ---- "
"No, don't be alarmed; but where did you get all these details?"
"From a good source, sir; I heard it from Friquet."
"From Friquet? I know that name ---- "
"A son of Monsieur de Broussel's servant, and a lad that, I promise you, in a revolt will not give away his share to the dogs."
"Is he not a singing boy at Notre Dame?" asked D'Artagnan.
"Yes, that is the very boy; he's patronized by Bazin."
"Ah, yes, I know."
"Of what importance is this little reptile to you?" asked Porthos.
"Gad!" replied D'Artagnan; "he has already given me good information and he may do the same again."
Whilst all this was going on, Athos and Aramis were entering Paris by the Faubourg St. Antoine. They had taken some refreshment on the road and hastened on, that they might not fail at the appointed place. Bazin was their only attendant, for Grimaud had stayed behind to take care of Musqueton. As they were passing onward, Athos proposed that they should lay aside their arms and military costume, and assume a dress more suited to the city.
"Oh, no, dear count!" cried Aramis, "is it not a warlike encounter that we are going to?"
"What do you mean, Aramis?"
"That the Place Royale is the termination to the main road to Vendomois, and nothing else."
"What! our friends?"
"Are become our most dangerous enemies, Athos. Let us be on our guard."
"Oh! my dear D'Herblay!"
"Who can say whether D'Artagnan may not have betrayed us to the cardinal? who can tell whether Mazarin may not take advantage of this rendezvous to seize us?"
"What! Aramis, you think that D'Artagnan, that Porthos, would lend their hands to such an infamy?"
"Among friends, my dear Athos, no, you are right; but among enemies it would be only a stratagem."
Athos crossed his arms and bowed his noble head.