Now, to take them home fresh, it would not be prudent to make them travel more than seven or eight leagues a day." "Where is Grimaud ?" "He arrived yesterday morning with Raoul's appointments; and I have left him to sleep." "That is, never to come back again," D'Artagnan suffered to escape him.
"Till we meet again, then, dear Athos--and if you are diligent, I shall embrace you the sooner." So saying, he put his foot in the stirrup, which Raoul held.
"Farewell!" said the young man, embracing him.
"Farewell!" said D'Artagnan, as he got into his saddle.
His horse made a movement which divided the cavalier from his friends.
This scene had taken place in front of the house chosen by Athos, near the gates of Antibes, whither D'Artagnan, after his supper, had ordered his horses to be brought.

The road began to branch off there, white and undulating in the vapors of the night.

The horse eagerly respired the salt, sharp perfume of the marshes.

D'Artagnan put him to a trot; and Athos and Raoul sadly turned towards the house.

All at once they heard the rapid approach of a horse's steps, and first believed it to be one of those singular repercussions which deceive the ear at every turn in a road.