id Aramis
in his most polite tone, and with his most graceful bow.

"'He told me that henceforward he would recruit his mousquetaires
from among the guards of Monsieur le Cardinal.'

"'Among the guards of Monsieur le Cardinal! And why so?' demanded
Porthos abruptly.

"'Because he finds that his own sour wine requires to be improved
by the admixture of some more generous liquor.'

"The two guardsmen coloured up to the eyes. D'Artagnan felt
uncertain whether he was standing on his head or his heels.

"'Yes,' continued Monsieur de Treville with increased vivacity,
'and his Majesty is right; for, by my honour, the mousquetaires
cut a sorry figure at the court! Monsieur le Cardinal was relating
yesterday at the King's card-table, in a tone of condolence that
displeased me no little, how those infernal mousquetaires, those
_sabreurs_ as he ironically called them, had forgotten themselves
over their bottle at a tavern in the Rue Ferou, and how a patrol
of his guards had found it necessary to arrest them. I thought he
was going to laugh in my face as he said the words, looking at me
all the time with his tiger-cat eyes. _Morbleu!_ you ought to know
something about it. You were amongst them; the cardinal named you.
Mousquetaires, indeed, who allow themselves to be arrested! But it
is my fault for not choosing my men better. What the devil
possessed you, Aramis, to ask me for a guardsman's uniform, when a
priest's surplice would have fitted you better? And you, Porthos,
what is the use of your wearing that magnificent embroidered
sword-belt, if the weapon it supports is of such small service to
you? And Athos, I do not see Athos. Where is he?'

"'Sir,' replied Aramis gravely, 'he is ill--very ill.'

"'Ill, say you? And of what disease?'

"'It is feared that it is the small-pox, sir,' replied Porthos,
who was desirous of putting in a word. 'It would be a great pity,
for it would assuredly spoil his appearance.'

"'The small-pox! A fine story indeed! The small-pox at his age!
Not so! But wounded, I suppose--killed perhaps. _Sangdieu!_
Messieurs les Mousquetaires, I insist upon your ceasing to
frequent taverns and places of bad repute. I will have no more
brawling and sword-playing in the public streets. I will not have
my regiment made a laughing-stock to the Cardinal's gu