46 LOUISE DE LA TALLIERE. "Oh, it is only a burial of a very poor description," said Planchet disdainfully; '*the oflBciating priest, the beadle, and one chorister boy, nothing more. You observe, messieurs, that the defunct lady or gentleman could not have been of very high rank." "No; no one seems to be following the coffin."
- 'Yes," said Porthos; '*I see a man."
"You are right; a man wrapped up in a cloak," said D'Artagnan. "It's not worth looking at," said Planchet. "I find it interesting," said D'Artagnan, leaning on the window. "Come, come, you are beginning to take a fancy to the place already," said Planchet delightedly; "it is exactly my own case. I was so melancholy at first that I could do nothing but make the sign of the cross all day, and the chants were like nails being driven into my head; but now, the chants lull me to sleep, and no bird I have ever seen or heard can sing better than those which are to be met with in this cemetery." "Well," said Porthos, "this is beginning to get a little dull for me, and I prefer going downstairs." Planchet with one bound was beside his guest, to whom he offered his hand to lead him into the garden. "What!" said Porthos to D'Artagnan, as he turned round, "are you going to remain here?" "Yes; 1 shall join you presently." "Well, Monsieur d'Artagnan is right, after all," said Planchet; "are they beginning to bury yet?" "Not yet." "Ah! yes, the grave-digger is waiting until the cords are fastened round the bier. But, see, a woman has just en- tered the cemetery at the other end." "Yes, yes, my dear Planchet," said D'Artagnan quickly, "leave me, leave me. I feel I am beginning already to be much comforted by my meditations, so do not interrupt me." Planchet left, and D'Artagnan remained, devouring with his eager gaze from behind the half-closed blinds what was taking place just before him. The two bearers of the corpse had unfastened the straps by which they had carried the litter, and were letting their burden glide gently into the open grave. At a few paces distant, the man with the cloak wrapped round him, the only spectator of this melan- choly scene, was leaning with his back against a large
