"I was reflecting upon the rapidity with which the blessings of this world leave us.

My English horse, which has just disappeared amid a cloud of dust, has furnished me with a living image of the fragility of the things of the earth.

Life itself may be resolved into three words: ERAT, EST, FUIT." "Which means--" said d'Artagnan, who began to suspect the truth.
"Which means that I have just been duped-sixty louis for a horse which by the manner of his gait can do at least five leagues an hour." D'Artagnan and Athos laughed aloud.
"My dear d'Artagnan," said Aramis, "don't be too angry with me, I beg.

Necessity has no law; besides, I am the person punished, as that rascally horsedealer has robbed me of fifty louis, at least.

Ah, you fellows are good managers! You ride on our lackey's horses, and have your own gallant steeds led along carefully by hand, at short stages." At the same instant a market cart, which some minutes before had appeared upon the Amiens road, pulled up at the inn, and Planchet and Grimaud came out of it with the saddles on their heads.