Planchet, on his part, was burning to give explanations, which Athos avoided.

But, as certain tenacities are stronger than others, Athos was forced to hear Planchet recite his idyls of felicity, translated into a language more chaste than that of Longus.
So Planchet related how Truchen had charmed the years of his advancing age, and brought good luck to his business, as Ruth did to Boaz.
"You want nothing now, then, but heirs to your property." "If I had one he would have three hundred thousand livres," said Planchet.
"Humph! you must have one, then," said Athos, phlegmatically, "if only to prevent your little fortune being lost." This word _little fortune_ placed Planchet in his rank, like the voice of the sergeant when Planchet was but a _piqueur_ in the regiment of Piedmont, in which Rochefort had placed him.

Athos perceived that the grocer would marry Truchen, and, in spite of fate, establish a family.
This appeared the more evident to him when he learned that the young man to whom Planchet was selling the business was her cousin.

Having heard all that was necessary of the happy prospects of the retiring grocer, "What is M.d'Artagnan about ?" said he; "he is not at the Louvre." "Ah! monsieur le comte, Monsieur d'Artagnan has disappeared." "Disappeared!" said Athos, in surprise.
"Oh! monsieur, we know what that means." "But _I_ do not know." "Whenever M.d'Artagnan disappears it is always for some mission or some great affair." "Has he said anything to you about it ?" "Never." "You were acquainted with his departure for England formerly, were you not ?" "On account of the speculation." said Planchet, heedlessly.
"The speculation!" "I mean--" interrupted Planchet, quite confused.
"Well, well; neither your affairs nor those of your master are in question; the interest we take in him alone has induced me to apply to you.

Since the captain of the musketeers is not here, and as we cannot learn from you where we are likely to find M.d'Artagnan, we will take our leave of you.