Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/468

Rh 456 THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELOXNE. rally produced another sign from Porthos. Thi? was so im- perative he was obliged to obey. As he approached: "Come, hither," said Porthos. "You only landed yester- day, and you have begun your tricks already." "How so, Monsieur le Baron?" asked Jupenet, trembling. "Your press was groaning all night, monsieur," said Porthos, "and you prevented my sleeping, come de boettf!" "Monsieur — "objected Jupenet timidly. "You have nothing yet to print; therefore, you have no occasion to set your press going. What did you print last night?" "Monsieur, a light poem of my own composition." "Light! no, no, monsieur; the press groaned pitifully with it. Let that not happen again. Do you understand?" "No, monsieur." "You promise me?" "I do, monsieur." "Very well; this time I pardon you. Adieu." "Well, now we have combed that fellow's head, let us breakfast." "Yes," replied D'Artagnan; "let us breakfast." "Only," said Porthos, I beg you to observe, my friend, that we have only two hours for our repast." "What would you have? We will try to make enough of it. But why have you only two hours?" "Because it is high tide at one o'clock, and, with the tide, I am going to Vannes. But, as I shall return to- morrow, my dear friend, you can stay here; you shall be master; I have a good cook and a good cellar." "No," interrupted D'Artagnan, "better than that." "What?" "You are going to Vannes, you say?" "To a certainty." "To see Aramis?" "Yes." 1 "Well, I came from Paris on purpose to see Aramis." "That is true." "I will go with you, then." "Do; that's the thing." "Only, I ought to have seen Aramis first, and you after. But man proposes, and God disposes. I have begun with you, and will finish with Aramis." "Very well." "And in how many hours can you go from hence t;' Vannes?"