appy years of former times mount
into his brain and intoxicate him. "During these two hours I will
go," said the musketeer, "and take my quarter's rent of the
Image-de-Notre-Dame. That will be pleasant. Three hundred and
seventy-five livres. Mordioux! but that is astonishing! If the poor man
who has but one livre in his pocket, found a livre and twelve deniers,
that would be justice, that would be excellent; but never does such a
godsend fall to the lot of the poor man. The rich man, on the contrary,
makes himself revenues with his money, which he does not even touch.
Here are three hundred and seventy-five livres which fall to me from
heaven. I will go then to the Image-de-Notre-Dame, and drink a glass of
Spanish wine with my tenant, which he cannot fail to offer me. But order
must be observed, Monsieur d'Artagnan, order must be observed! Let us
organize our time, then, and distribute the employment of it! Art. 1st,
Athos; Art. 2d, the Image-de-Notre-Dame; Art. 3d, M. Fouquet, Art.
4th, M. Colbert; Art. 5th, supper; Art. 6th, clothes, boots, horse,
portmanteau; Art. 7th and last, sleep."

In consequence of this arrangement, D'Artagnan went straight to the
Comte de la Fere, to whom modestly and ingenuously he related a part of
his fortunate adventures. Athos had not been without uneasiness on the
subject of D'Artagnan's visit to the king; but few words sufficed for
an explanation of that. Athos divined that Louis had charged D'Artagnan
with some important mission, and did not even make an effort to draw the
secret from him. He only recommended him to take care of himself, and
offered discreetly to accompany him if that were desirable.

"But, my dear friend," said D'Artagnan, "I am going nowhere."

"What! you come and bid me adieu, and are going nowhere?"

"Oh! yes, yes," replied D'Artagnan, coloring a little, "I am going to
make an acquisition."

"That is quite another thing. Then I change my formula. Instead of 'Do
not get yourself killed,' I will say,--'Do not get yourself robbed.'"

"My friend, I will inform you if I set eyes on any property that pleases
me, and shall expect you will favor me with your opinion."

"Yes, yes," said Athos, too delicate to permit himself even the
consolation of a smile. Raoul imitated the paternal reserve. But
D'Artagnan thought it would appear too mysterious to leave his friends
under a pretense, without even telling them the route he was about to
take.

"I have chosen Le Mans,