were deserted; it was plain the entire population was
assembled on one point. The blinds were closed, and the
breeze penetrated into the houses under the hangings, which
cast long, black shades between their places of issue and
the walls. Suddenly, at the turning of a street, chants
struck the ears of the newly arrived travelers. A crowd in
holiday garb appeared through the vapors of incense which
mounted to the heavens in blue fleeces, and clouds of
rose-leaves fluttered as high as the first stories. Above
all heads were to be seen the cross and banners, the sacred
symbols of religion. Then, beneath these crosses and
banners, as if protected by them, walked a whole world of
young girls clothed in white, crowned with corn-flowers. At
the two sides of the street, inclosing the cortege, marched
the guards of the garrison, carrying bouquets in the barrels
of their muskets and on the points of their lances. This was
the procession.
Whilst D’Artagnan and Porthos were looking on with critical
glances, which disguised an extreme impatience to get
forward, a magnificent dais approached preceded by a hundred
Jesuits and a hundred Dominicans, and escorted by two
archdeacons, a treasurer, a penitent and twelve canons. A
singer with a thundering voice — a man certainly picked out
from all the voices of France, as was the drum-major of the
imperial guard from all the giants of the empire — escorted
by four other chanters, who appeared to be there only to
serve him as an accompaniment, made the air resound, and the
windows of the houses vibrate. Under the dais appeared a
pale and noble countenance with black eyes, black hair
streaked with threads of white, a delicate, compressed
mouth, a prominent and angular chin. His head, full of
graceful majesty, was covered with the episcopal mitre, a
headdress which gave it, in addition to the character of
sovereignty, that of asceticism and evangelic meditation.
“Aramis!” cried the musketeer, involuntarily, as this lofty
countenance passed before him. The prelate started at the
sound of the voice. He raised his large black eyes, with
their long lashes, and turned them without hesitation
towards the spot whence the exclamation proceeded. At a
glance, he saw Porthos and D’Artagnan close to him. On his
part, D’Artagnan, thanks to the keenness of his sight, had
seen all, seized all. The full portrait of the prelate had
entered his memory, never to leave it. One thing had
particularly struck D’Artagnan. On perceiving him, Aramis
had colored, then he had concentrated under his eyelids the
fire of the look of the master, and the indefinable
affection of the friend. It was evident that Aramis had
asked himself this question: — “Why is D’Artagnan with
Porthos, and what does he want at Vannes?” Aramis
Page 414
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
comprehended all that was passing in the mind of D’Artagnan,
on turning his look upon him again, and seeing that he had
not lowered his eyes. He knew the acuteness and intelligence
of his friend, he feared to let him divine the secret of his
blush and his astonishment. He was still the same Aramis,
always having a secret to conceal. Therefore, to put an end
to his look of an inquisitor which it was necessary to get
rid of at all events, as, at any price, a general
extinguishes a battery which annoys him, Aramis stretched
forth his beautiful white hand, upon which sparkled the
amethyst of the pastoral ring; he cut the air with sign of
the cross, and poured out his benediction upon his two
friends. Perhaps thoughtful and absent, D’Artagnan, impious
in spite of himself, might not have bent beneath this holy
benediction; but Porthos saw his distraction, and laying his
friendly hand upon the back of his companion, he crushed him
down towards the earth. D’Artagnan was forced to give way;
indeed, he was little short of being flat on the ground. In
the meantime Aramis had passed. D’Artagnan, like Antaeus,
had only touched the ground, and he turned towards Porthos,
almost angry. But there was no mistaking the intention of
the brave Hercules; it was a feeling of religious propriety
that had influenced him. Besides, speech with Porthos,