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Rh LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. 87 "No, no," said D'Artagnan, whom these words had drawn out of his reverie, and who entered into the conver- sation with that readiness and rapidity which distinguished every operation of his mind and body. "It was not D'Ar- tagnan who entered into the grocery business, but Planchet who entered into a political affair with me." "Yes," said Planchet, with mingled pride and satisfac- tion, "we transacted a little business which brought me in one hundred thousand francs, and Monsieur d'Artagnan two hundred thousand francs," "Oh! oh!" said Porthos, with admiration. "So that. Monsieur le Baron," continued the grocer, "I again beg you to be kind enough to call me Planchet, as you used to do; and to speak to me as familiarly as in old times. You cannot possibly imagine the pleasure that it would give me." "If that be the case, my dear Planchet, I will do so, cer- tainly," replied Porthos. And as he was quite close to Planchet, he raised his hand, as if to strike him on the shoulder, in token of friendly cordiality; but a fortunate movement of the horse made him miss his aim, so that his hand fell on the crupper of Plan chefs horse, instead; which made the animal's legs almost give way. D'Artagnan burst out laughing, as he said, "Take care, Planchet, for if Porthos begins to like you so much he will caress you, and if he caresses you, he will knock you as flat as a pancake. Porthos is still as strong as ever, you know.'* "Oh!'* said Planchet, "Mousqueton is not dead, and yet Monsieur le Baron is very fond of him." "Certainly," said Porthos, with a sigh which made all the three horses rei.r; "and I was only saying, this very morning, to D'Artagnan, how much I regretted him. But tell me, Planchet?" "Thank you. Monsieur le Baron, thank you." "Good lad, good lad! How many acres of park have you got?" "Of park?" "Yes; we will reckon up the meadows presently, and the woods afterward." "Whereabouts, monsieur?" "At your chateau." "Oh, Monsieur le Baron; I have neither chdteau, nor park, nor meadows, nor woods." "What have you got, then?" inquired Porthos, "and why do you call it a country-seat?"