"Thank you," said D'Artagnan -- "perform exploits, accomplish revolutions, endeavor to engrave your name in stone or bronze with strong swords! there is something more rebellious, more hard, more forgetful than iron, bronze, or stone, and that is, the brain of a lodging-house keeper who has grown rich in the trade, -- he does not know me! Well, Ishould have known him, though."
Athos, smiling at his friend's philosophy, unsealed his letter.
"Ah!" said he, "a letter from Parry."
"Oh! oh!" said D'Artagnan; "read it, my friend, read it! No doubt it contains news."Athos shook his head, and read:
Monsieur le Comte.-- The king has experienced much regret at not seeing you to-day beside him, at his entrance.His majesty commands me to say so, and to recall him to your memory.His majesty will expect you this evening, at the palace of St.James, between nine and ten o'clock.
"I am, respectfully, monsieur le comte, your honor's very humble and very obedient servant, -- Parry.""You see, my dear D'Artagnan," said Athos, "we must not despair of the hearts of kings.""Not despair! you are right to say so!" replied D'Artagnan.
"Oh! my dear, very dear friend," resumed Athos, whom the almost imperceptible bitterness of D'Artagnan had not escaped."Pardon me! can I have unintentionally wounded my best comrade?""You are mad, Athos, and to prove it, I shall conduct you to the palace; to the very gate, I mean; the walk will do me good.""You shall go in with me, my friend; I will speak to his majesty.""No, no!" replied D'Artagnan, with true pride, free from all mixture; "if there is anything worse than begging yourself, it is making others beg for you.Come, let us go, my friend, the walk will be charming; on the way I shall show you the house of M.Monk, who has detained me with him.A beautiful house, by my faith.Being a general in England is better than being a marechal in France, please to know."Athos allowed himself to be led along, quite saddened by D'Artagnan's forced attempts at gayety.The whole city was in a state of joy; the two friends were jostled at every moment by enthusiasts who required them, in their intoxication, to cry out, "Long live good King Charles!"D'Artagnan replied by a grunt, and Athos by a smile.They arrived thus in front of Monk's house, before which, as we have said, they had to pass on their way to St.James's.
Athos and D'Artagnan said but little on the road, for the simple reason that they would have had so many things to talk about if they had spoken.Athos thought that by speaking he should evince satisfaction, and that might wound D'Artagnan.The latter feared that in speaking he should allow some little bitterness to steal into his words which would render his company unpleasant to his friend.It was a singular emulation of silence between contentment and ill-humor.D'Artagnan gave way first to that itching at the tip of his tongue which he so habitually experienced.
