they should all assemble around some well spread table and
abandon themselves unreservedly to their own natural
character and manners — a freedom which had formerly
contributed so much to that good understanding between them
which gave them the name of the inseparables. For different
reasons this was an agreeable proposition to them all, and
it was therefore agreed that each should leave a very exact
address and that upon the request of any of the associates a
meeting should be convoked at a famous eating house in the
Rue de la Monnaie, of the sign of the Hermitage. The first
rendezvous was fixed for the following Wednesday, at eight
o’clock in the evening precisely.
On that day, in fact, the four friends arrived punctually at
the hour, each from his own abode or occupation. Porthos had
been trying a new horse; D’Artagnan was on guard at the
Louvre; Aramis had been to visit one of his penitents in the
neighborhood; and Athos, whose domicile was established in
the Rue Guenegaud, found himself close at hand. They were,
therefore, somewhat surprised to meet altogether at the door
of the Hermitage, Athos starting out from the Pont Neuf,
Porthos by the Rue de la Roule, D’Artagnan by the Rue des
Fosse Saint Germain l’Auxerrois, and Aramis by the Rue de
Bethisy.
The first words exchanged between the four friends, on
account of the ceremony which each of them mingled with
their demonstration, were somewhat forced and even the
repast began with a kind of stiffness. Athos perceived this
embarrassment, and by way of supplying an effectual remedy,
called for four bottles of champagne.
At this order, given in Athos’s habitually calm manner, the
face of the Gascon relaxed and Porthos’s brow grew smooth.
Aramis was astonished. He knew that Athos not only never
drank, but more, that he had a kind of repugnance to wine.
This astonishment was doubled when Aramis saw Athos fill a
bumper and toss it off with all his former enthusiasm. His
companions followed his example. In a very few minutes the
four bottles were empty and this excellent specific
succeeded in dissipating even the slightest cloud that might
have rested on their spirits. Now the four friends began to
speak loud, scarcely waiting till one had finished before
another began, and each assumed his favorite attitude on or
at the table. Soon — strange fact — Aramis undid two
buttons of his doublet, seeing which, Porthos unfastened his
entirely.
Battles, long journeys, blows given and received, sufficed
for the first themes of conversation, which turned upon the
silent struggles sustained against him who was now called
the great cardinal.
“Faith,” said Aramis, laughing, “we have praised the dead
enough, let us revile the living a little; I should like to
say something evil of Mazarin; is it permissible?”
“Go on, go on,” replied D’Artagnan, laughing heartily;
“relate your story and I will applaud it if it is a good
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one.”
“A great prince,” said Aramis, “with whom Mazarin sought an
alliance, was invited by him to send him a list of the
conditions on which he would do him the honor to negotiate
with him. The prince, who had a great repugnance to treat
with such an ill-bred fellow, made out a list, against the
grain, and sent it. In this list there were three conditions
which displeased Mazarin and he offered the prince ten
thousand crowns to renounce them.”
“Ah, ha, ha!” laughed the three friends, “not a bad bargain;
and there was no fear of being taken at his word; what did
the prince do then?”
“The prince immediately sent fifty thousand francs to
Mazarin, begging him never to write to him again, and
offered twenty thousand francs more, on condition that he
would never speak to him. What did Mazarin do?”
“Stormed!” suggested Athos.
“Beat the messenger!” cried Porthos.
“Accepted the money!” said D’Artagnan.
“You have guessed it,” answered Aramis; and they all laughed
so heartily that the host appeared in order to inquire
whether the gentlemen wanted anything; he thought they were
fighting.
At last their hilarity calmed down and:
“Faith!” exclaimed D’Artagnan to the two friends, “you may