r his ride to Vannes. In spite
of the rapidity of his passage, what D'Artagnan endured of impatience
and anger during that short passage, the deck alone of the vessel, upon
which he stamped backwards and forwards for three hours, could testify.
He made but one bound from the quay whereon 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 the 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 from 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,