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50 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. chet pressed D'Artagnan's hand, and ran toward the arbor. We must do Porthos the justice to say that he did not move as they approached, and, very likely, he did not think he was doing any harm. Nor indeed did Triichen move either, which rather put Plan chet out; but he, too, had been so accustomed to see fashionable people in his shop that he found no difficulty in putting a good countenance on what was disagreeable to him. Planchet seized Porthos by the arm, and proposed to go and look at the horses, but Porthos pretended that he was tired. Planchet then suggested that the Baron du Vallon should taste some noyeau of his own manufacture, which was not to be equaled anywhere; an offer which the baron immediately accepted; and, in this way, Planchet managed to engage his enemy's attention during the whole of the day, by dint of sacrificing his cellar in preference to his amour propre. Two hours afterward D'Artagnan returned. "Everything is arranged," he said. "I saw his majesty at the very moment he was setting o£E for the chase; the king expects us this evening." "The king expects me!" cried Porthos, drawing himself up. It is a sad thing to have to confess, but a man's heart is like a restless billow; for, from that very moment, Por- thos ceased to look at Mme. Triichen in that touching man- ner which had so softened her heart. Planchet encouraged these ambitious leanings in the best way he could. He talked over, or rather, gave exaggerated accounts of all the splendors of the last reign, its battles, sieges, and grand court ceremonies. He spoke of the luxurious display which the English made; the prizes which the three brave com- panions had won, and how D'Artagnan, who at the begin- ning had been the humblest of the three, had finished by becoming the head. He fired Porthos with a generous feel- ing of enthusiasm by reminding him of his early youth now {)assed away; he boasted as much as he could of the moral ife this great lord had led, and how religiously he respected the ties of friendship; he was eloquent, and skillful in hia choice of subjects. He delighted Porthos, frightened Triichen, and made D'Artagnan think. At six o'clock the musketeer ordered the horses to be brought around, and told Porthos to get ready. He thanked Planchet for his kind hospitality, whispered a few words about a post he succeeded in obtaining for him at court, which immediately raised Planchet in Triichen's estimation, where the poor grocer — so good, so generous, so devoted — had become much