"Will you meet me at Paris, in order that I may know your determination ?" "I will have the honor of thanking you there, _mon prince_, for all your kindness," replied the comte.
"And be sure to bring the vicomte with you, whether he follows me or does not follow me," added the duke; "he has my word, and I only ask yours." Having thrown a little balm upon the wound of the paternal heart, he pulled the ear of Grimaud, whose eyes sparkled more than usual, and regained his escort in the parterre.

The horses, rested and refreshed, set off with spirit through the lovely night, and soon placed a considerable distance between their master and the chateau.
Athos and Bragelonne were again face to face.

Eleven o'clock was striking.

The father and son preserved a profound silence towards each other, where an intelligent observer would have expected cries and tears.

But these two men were of such a nature that all emotion following their final resolutions plunged itself so deep into their hearts that it was lost forever.