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CHAPTER V. WHERE, PROBABLY, MOLIÈRE FORMED HIS FIRST IDEA OP THE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME.

D'ARTAGNAN found Porthos in the adjoining chamber; but no longer an irritated Porthos, or a disappointed Porthos, but Porthos radiant, blooming, fascinating, and chatting with Molière, who was looking upon him with a species of idolatry and as a man would who had not only never seen anything better, but not even ever anything so good. Aramis went straight up to Porthos and offered him his delicate white hand, which lost itself in the gigantic hand of his old friend—an operation which Aramis never hazarded without a certain uneasiness. But the friendly pressure having been performed not too painfully for him, the bishop of Vannes passed over to Molière.

"Well, monsieur," said he, "will you come with me to St. Mandé?"

"I will go anywhere you like, monseigneur," answered Molière."

"To St. Mandé!" cried Porthos, surprised at seeing the proud bishop of Vannes fraternizing with a journeyman tailor. "What, Aramis, are you going to take this gentleman to St. Mandé?"

"Yes," said Aramis, smiling, "our work is pressing."

"And, besides, my dear Porthos," continued D'Artagnan, "Monsieur Molière is not altogether what he seems."

"In what way?" asked Porthos.

"Why, this gentleman is one of Monsieur Percerin's chief clerks, and is expected at St. Mandé to try on the dresses which Monsieur Fouquet has ordered for the Epicureans."

"'Tis precisely so," said Molière.

"Yes, monsieur."

"Come, then, my dear Monsieur Molière," said Aramis, "that is, if you have done with Monsieur du Vallon?"

"We have finished," replied Porthos.

"And you are satisfied?" asked D'Artagnan.

"Completely so," replied Porthos.

Molière took his leave of Porthos with much ceremony, and grasped the hand which the captain of the musketeers furtively offered him.

"Pray, monsieur," concluded Porthos mincingly, "above all, be exact."