Well, then, an instinct tells me that you have some concealed project on foot." "I--a project ?" "I am convinced of it." "What nonsense!" "I am not only sure of it, but I would even swear it." "Indeed, D'Artagnan, you cause me the greatest pain.

Is it likely, if I have any project in hand that I ought to keep secret from you, I should tell you about it?
If I had one that I could and ought to have revealed, should I not have long ago divulged it ?" "No, Aramis, no.

There are certain projects which are never revealed until the favorable opportunity arrives." "In that case, my dear fellow," returned the bishop, laughing, "the only thing now is, that the 'opportunity' has not yet arrived." D'Artagnan shook his head with a sorrowful expression.

"Oh, friendship, friendship!" he said, "what an idle word you are! Here is a man who, if I were but to ask it, would suffer himself to be cut in pieces for my sake." "You are right," said Aramis, nobly.
"And this man, who would shed every drop of blood in his veins for me, will not open up before me the least corner in his heart.

Friendship, I repeat, is nothing but an unsubstantial shadow--a lure, like everything else in this bright, dazzling world." "It is not thus you should speak of _our_ friendship," replied the bishop, in a firm, assured voice; "for ours is not of the same nature as those of which you have been speaking." "Look at us, Aramis; three out of the old 'four.' You are deceiving me; I suspect you; and Porthos is fast asleep.