"Why have you hated him?"
"Because he is the brother of Coligny."
"Ah, true! he who presumed to be a rival of yours, for which he was severely punished; that ought to satisfy you."
"'Yes, but it does not; I am rancorous -- the only stigma that proves me to be a churchman. Do you understand? You understand that you are in no way obliged to go with me."
"Come, now," said Athos, "you are joking."
"In that case, my dear friend, if you are resolved to accompany me there is no time to lose; the drum beats; I observed cannon on the road; I saw the citizens in order of battle on the Place of the Hotel de Ville; certainly the fight will be in the direction of Charenton, as the Duc de Chatillon said."
"I supposed," said Athos, "that last night's conferences would modify those warlike arrangements."
"No doubt; but they will fight, none the less, if only to mask the conferences."
"Poor creatures!" said Athos, "who are going to be killed, in order that Monsieur de Bouillon may have his estate at Sedan restored to him, that the reversion of the admiralty may be given to the Duc de Beaufort, and that the coadjutor may be made a cardinal."
"Come, come, dear Athos, confess that you would not be so philosophical if your Raoul were to be involved in this affair."
"Perhaps you speak the truth, Aramis."
"Well, let us go, then, where the fighting is, for that is the most likely place to meet with D'Artagnan, Porthos, and possibly even Raoul. Stop, there are a fine body of citizens passing; quite attractive, by Jupiter! and their captain -- see! he has the true military style."
"What, ho!" said Grimaud.
"What?" asked Athos.
"Planchet, sir."
"Lieutenant yesterday," said Aramis, "captain to-day, colonel, doubtless, to-morrow; in a fortnight the fellow will be marshal of France."
"Question him about the fight," said Athos.
Planchet, prouder than ever of his new duties, deigned to explain to the two gentlemen that he was ordered to take up his position on the Place Royale with two hundred men, forming the rear of the army of Paris, and to march on Charenton when necessary.
"This day will be a warm one," said Planchet, in a warlike tone.
"No doubt," said Aramis, "but it is far from here to the enemy."
"Sir, the distance will be diminished," said a subordinate.
Aramis saluted, then turning toward Athos:
"I don't care to camp on the Place Royale with all these people," he said. "Shall we go forward? We shall see better what is going on."
"And then Monsieur de Chatillon will not come to the Place Royale to look for you. Come, then, my friend, we will go forward."
"Haven't you something to say to Monsieur de Flamarens on your own account?"
"My friend," said Athos, "I have made a resolution never to draw my sword save when it is absolutely necessary."
"And how long ago was that?"
"When I last drew my poniard."
"Ah! Good! another souvenir of Monsieur Mordaunt. Well, my friend, nothing now is lacking except that you should feel remorse for having killed that fellow."
"Hush!" said Athos, putting a finger on his lips, with the sad smile peculiar to him; "let us talk no more of Mordaunt -- it will bring bad luck." And Athos set forward toward Charenton, followed closely by Aramis.
