You will all the better comprehend what I am going to say to you now." "Speak, Monsieur d'Artagnan, speak," replied the officer.
"These gentlemen we have just seen, and against whom you have orders, are my friends." "I know they are, monsieur." "You can understand whether or not I ought to act towards them as your instructions prescribe." "I understand your reserve." "Very well; permit me, then, to converse with them without a witness." "Monsieur d'Artagnan, if I yield to your request, if I do that which you beg me, I break my word; but if I do not do it, I disoblige you.

I prefer the one dilemma to the other.

Converse with your friends, and do not despise me, monsieur, for doing this for _your_ sake, whom I esteem and honor; do not despise me for committing for you, and you alone, an unworthy act." D'Artagnan, much agitated, threw his arm round the neck of the young man, and then went up to his friends.

The officer, enveloped in his cloak, sat down on the damp, weed-covered steps.
"Well!" said D'Artagnan to his friends, "such is my position, judge for yourselves." All three embraced as in the glorious days of their youth.
"What is the meaning of all these preparations ?" said Porthos.
"You ought to have a suspicion of what they signify," said D'Artagnan.
"Not any, I assure you, my dear captain; for, in fact, I have done nothing, no more has Aramis," the worthy baron hastened to say.
D'Artagnan darted a reproachful look at the prelate, which penetrated that hardened heart.
"Dear Porthos!" cried the bishop of Vannes.
"You see what is being done against you," said D'Artagnan; "interception of all boats coming to or going from Belle-Isle.

Your means of transport seized.