THE THREE MUSKETEERS.
332
" Faith, I am admiring those three magnificent horses is a princely which the stable-boys are holding it pleasure to travel on such animals." " Well, then, my dear Aramis, you will give yourself that pleasure, for one of those horses belongs to you." " Nonsense and which? " " Whichever you like, for I have no preference." " And the rich caparison which covers him is that, :
!
—
also,
mine?"
" Certainly." " You are laughing at me, d'Artagnan." " I have left off laughing since you began to speak
French again."
"And
are those gilded holsters, that velvet housing,
and that saddle, studded with silver, mine ? " " Yours Just as that horse which steps so proudly and that other one, which caracoles so bravely, is mine !
;
is
for Athos." " I'faith, they are
"
I
am
" Is
present
it
superb animals." glad that they suit your taste." the king, then, who has
made you
this
" ?
You may be quite sure that it was not the cardinal but do not disturb yourself as to whence they came, only be satisfied that one of them is your own." " I choose the one that the red-haired valet is holding." " Well chosen." " Thank God " cried Aramis, " this drives away the last remnant of my pain. I would mount such a horse with thirty bullets in my body. Ah upon my soul, what Hallo Bazin, come here this instant." superb stirrups. Bazin appeared, silent and melancholy, at the door. " Polish up my swonl, smarten my hat, brush my cloak, and load my pistols " said Aramis. " The last order is unnecessary," said d'Artagnan, " for there are loaded pistols in your holsters." Bazin sighed deeply. " Come, Bazin, Master console yourself," said :
-
!
!
!
!