"It may be counterfeit," said Athos. "Between six and seven o'clock the
road of Chaillot is quite deserted; you might as well go and ride in the
forest of Bondy."

"But suppose we all go," said d'Artagnan; "what the devil! They won't
devour us all four, four lackeys, horses, arms, and all!"

"And besides, it will be a chance for displaying our new equipments,"
said Porthos.

"But if it is a woman who writes," said Aramis, "and that woman desires
not to be seen, remember, you compromise her, d'Artagnan; which is not
the part of a gentleman."

"We will remain in the background," said Porthos, "and he will advance
alone."

"Yes; but a pistol shot is easily fired from a carriage which goes at a
gallop."

"Bah!" said d'Artagnan, "they will miss me; if they fire we will ride
after the carriage, and exterminate those who may be in it. They must be
enemies."

"He is right," said Porthos; "battle. Besides, we must try our own
arms."

"Bah, let us enjoy that pleasure," said Aramis, with his mild and
careless manner.

"As you please," said Athos.

"Gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "it is half past four, and we have
scarcely time to be on the road of Chaillot by six."

"Besides, if we go out too late, nobody will see us," said Porthos, "and
that will be a pity. Let us get ready, gentlemen."

"But this second letter," said Athos, "you forget that; it appears to
me, however, that the seal denotes that it deserves to be opened. For
my part, I declare, d'Artagnan, I think it of much more consequence than
the little piece of waste paper you have so cunningly slipped into your
bosom."

D'Artagnan blushed.

"Well," said he, "let us see, gentlemen, what are his Eminence's
commands," and d'Artagnan unsealed the letter and read,

"M. d'Artagnan, of the king's Guards, company Dessessart, is expected at
the Palais-Cardinal this evening, at eight o'clock.

"La Houdiniere, CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS"

"The devil!" said Athos; "here's a rendezvous much more serious than the
other."

"I will go to the second after attending the first," said d'Artagnan.
"One is for seven o'clock, and the other for eight; there will be time
for both."

"Hum! I would not go at all," said Aramis. "A gallant knight cannot
decline a rendezvous with a lady; but a prudent gentleman may excuse
himself from not waiting on his Eminence, particularly when he has
reason to believe he is not invited to make his compliments."

"I am of Aramis's opinion