and determined to be more obliging in future, stooped and
picked up the handkerchief--much to the vexation of Aramis, who denied
all claim to the delicate piece of cambric.

D'Artagnan not taking the rebukes of Aramis in good part, they fixed two
o'clock as the hour of meeting.

The two young men bowed and separated, Aramis going up the street which
led to the Luxembourg, whilst D'Artagnan, finding that it was near noon,
took the road to the Carmes-Deschaux, saying to himself, "Decidedly I
can't draw back; but at least if I am killed, I shall be killed by a
musketeer."

Knowing nobody in Paris, D'Artagnan went to his appointment without a
second.

It was just striking twelve when he arrived on the ground, and Athos,
still suffering from his old wound on the shoulder, was already waiting
for his adversary.

Athos explained with all politeness that his seconds had not yet
arrived.

"If you are in great haste, monsieur," said D'Artagnan, "and if it be
your will to despatch me at once, do not inconvenience yourself. I am
ready. But if you would wait three days till your shoulder is healed, I
have a miraculous balsam given me by my mother, and I am sure this
balsam will cure your wound. At the end of three days it would still do
me a great honour to be your man."

"That is well said," said Athos, "and it pleases me. Thus spoke the
gallant knights of Charlemagne. Monsieur, I love men of your stamp, and
I can tell that if we don't kill each other, I shall enjoy your society.
But here comes my seconds."

"What!" cried D'Artagnan as Porthos and Aramis appeared. "Are these
gentlemen your seconds?"

"Yes," replied Athos. "Are you not aware that we are never seen one
without the others, and that we are called the three inseparables?"

"What does this mean?" said Porthos, who had now come up and stood
astonished.

"This is the gentleman I am to fight with," said Athos, pointing to
D'Artagnan and saluting him.

"Why I am also going to fight with him," said Porthos.

"But not before one o'clock," replied D'Artagnan.

"Well, and I also am going to fight with that gentleman," said Aramis.

"But not till two o'clock," said D'Artagnan calmly.

"And now you are all assembled, gentleman, permit me to offer you my
excuses."

At this word "excuses" a cloud passed over the brow of Athos, a haughty
smile curled the lip of Porthos, and a negative sign was the reply of
Aramis.

"You do not understand me, gentleman," said