After having worn myself out upon this earth of which you speak, I have preserved but two religions: that of life, friendship, my duty as a father--that of eternity, love, and respect for God.

Now, I have within me the revelation that if God should decree that my friend or my son should render up his last sigh in my presence--oh! no, I cannot even tell you, D'Artagnan!" "Speak, speak, tell me!" "I am strong against everything, except against the death of those I love.

For that only there is no remedy.

He who dies, gains; he who sees others die, loses.

No, this is it--to know that I should no more meet on earth him whom I now behold with joy; to know that there would nowhere be a D'Artagnan any more, nowhere again be a Raoul, oh! I am old, look you, I have no longer courage; I pray God to spare me in my weakness; but if he struck me so plainly and in that fashion, I should curse him.
A Christian gentleman ought not to curse his God, D'Artagnan; it is enough to once have cursed a king!" "Humph!" sighed D'Artagnan, a little confused by this violent tempest of grief.
"Let me speak to him, Athos.