"By my rank and by my name I swear that all except M.le Chevalier d'Herblay shall have their lives spared.

I am lieutenant of the king's frigate the 'Pomona,' and my name is Louis Constant de Pressigny." With a rapid gesture, Aramis--already bent over the side of the bark towards the sea--drew himself up, and with a flashing eye, and a smile upon his lips, "Throw out the ladder, messieurs," said he, as if the command had belonged to him.

He was obeyed.

When Aramis, seizing the rope ladder, walked straight up to the commander, with a firm step, looked at him earnestly, made a sign to him with his hand, a mysterious and unknown sign at sight of which the officer turned pale, trembled, and bowed his head, the sailors were profoundly astonished.

Without a word Aramis then raised his hand to the eyes of the commander and showed him the collet of a ring he wore on the ring-finger of his left hand.
And while making this sign Aramis, draped in cold and haughty majesty, had the air of an emperor giving his hand to be kissed.