“Be off, you wretch!” cried Aramis, throwing his skullcap in his face. “Return whence you came; take back those horrible vegetables, and that poor kickshaw! Order a larded hare, a fat capon, mutton leg dressed with garlic, and four bottles of old Burgundy.” Bazin, who looked at his master, without comprehending the cause of this change, in a melancholy manner, allowed the omelet to slip into the spinach, and the spinach onto the floor. “Now this is the moment to consecrate your existence to the King of kings,” said D’Artagnan, “if you persist in offering him a civility. _Non inutile desiderium oblatione_.” “Go to the devil with your Latin. Let us drink, my dear D’Artagnan, _morbleu!_ Let us drink while the wine is fresh! Let us drink heartily, and while we do so, tell me a little of what is going on in the world yonder.” Chapter XXVII. THE WIFE OF ATHOS We have now to search for Athos,” said D’Artagnan to the vivacious Aramis, when he had informed him of all that had passed since their departure from the capital, and an excellent dinner had made one of them forget his thesis and the other his fatigue. “Do you think, then, that any harm can have happened to him?” asked Aramis. “Athos is so cool, so brave, and handles his sword so skillfully.” “No doubt. Nobody has a higher opinion of the courage and skill of Athos than I have; but I like better to hear my sword clang against lances than against staves. I fear lest Athos should have been beaten down by serving men. Those fellows strike hard, and don’t leave off in a hurry. This is why I wish to set out again as soon as possible.” “I will try to accompany you,” said Aramis, “though I scarcely feel in a condition to mount on horseback. Yesterday I undertook to employ that cord which you see hanging against the wall, but pain prevented my continuing the pious exercise.” “That’s the first time I ever heard of anybody trying to cure gunshot wounds with cat-o’-nine-tails; but you were ill, and illness renders the head weak, therefore you may be excused.” “When do you mean to set out?” “Tomorrow at daybreak. Sleep as soundly as you can tonight, and tomorrow, if you can, we will take our departure together.” “Till tomorrow, then,” said Aramis; “for iron-nerved as you are, you must need repose.” The next morning, when D’Artagnan entered Aramis’s chamber, he found him at the window. “What are you looking at?” asked D’Artagnan. “My faith! I am admiring three magnificent horses which the stable boys are leading about. It would be a pleasure worthy of a prince to travel upon such horses.” “Well, my dear Aramis, you may enjoy that pleasure, for one of those three horses is yours.” “Ah, bah! Which?” “Whichever of the three you like, I have no preference.” “And the rich caparison, is that mine, too?” “Without doubt.” “You laugh, D’Artagnan.” “No, I have left off laughing, now that you speak French.”