Why I was here only ten or twelve days ago.

I was conducting some friends, Musketeers, one of whom, by the by, had a dispute with a stranger--a man who sought a quarrel with him, for I don't know what." "Exactly so," said the host; "I remember it perfectly.

It is not Monsieur Porthos that your Lordship means ?" "Yes, that is my companion's name.

My God, my dear host, tell me if anything has happened to him ?" "Your Lordship must have observed that he could not continue his journey." "Why, to be sure, he promised to rejoin us, and we have seen nothing of him." "He has done us the honor to remain here." "What, he had done you the honor to remain here ?" "Yes, monsieur, in this house; and we are even a little uneasy--" "On what account ?" "Of certain expenses he has contracted." "Well, but whatever expenses he may have incurred, I am sure he is in a condition to pay them." "Ah, monsieur, you infuse genuine balm into my blood.

We have made considerable advances; and this very morning the surgeon declared that if Monsieur Porthos did not pay him, he should look to me, as it was I who had sent for him." "Porthos is wounded, then ?" "I cannot tell you, monsieur." "What! You cannot tell me?
Surely you ought to be able to tell me better than any other person." "Yes; but in our situation we must not say all we know--particularly as we have been warned that our ears should answer for our tongues." "Well, can I see Porthos ?" "Certainly, monsieur.