Page 661 - the-three-musketeers

46 THE BASTION

SAINT-GERVAIS

On arriving at the lodgings of his three friends,
d’Artagnan found them assembled in the same chamber.
Athos was meditating; Porthos was twisting his mustache;
Aramis was saying his prayers in a charming little Book of
Hours, bound in blue velvet.
‘Pardieu, gentlemen,’ said he. ‘I hope what you have to
tell me is worth the trouble, or else, I warn you, I will not
pardon you for making me come here instead of getting
a little rest after a night spent in taking and dismantling
a bastion. Ah, why were you not there, gentlemen? It was
warm work.’
‘We were in a place where it was not very cold,’ replied
Porthos, giving his mustache a twist which was peculiar to
him.
‘Hush!’ said Athos.
‘Oh, oh!’ said d’Artagnan, comprehending the slight
frown of the Musketeer. ‘It appears there is something fresh
aboard.’
‘Aramis,’ said Athos, ‘you went to breakfast the day be-
fore yesterday at the inn of the Parpaillot, I believe?’
‘Yes.’
‘How did you fare?’

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