I will even confess, that when I put my hat upon my head, clapping it on my head with that graceful energy which we gentlemen of the sword possess, if my fist was not very gently applied, I experienced the most painful sensations." "I quite believe you, Porthos." "Therefore, my friend," said the giant, "M.

Fouquet decided, seeing how slightly-built the house was, to give me another lodging, and so they brought me here." "It is the private park, I think, is it not ?" "Yes." "Where the rendezvous are made: that park, indeed, which is so celebrated in some of those mysterious stories about the surintendant." "I don't know; I have had no rendezvous or heard mysterious stories myself, but they have authorized me to exercise my muscles, and I take advantage of the permission by rooting up some of the trees." "What for ?" "To keep my hand in, and also to take some bird's-nests; I find that more convenient than climbing up the trees." "You are as pastoral as Tircis, my dear Porthos." "Yes, I like the small eggs; I like them very much better than larger ones.

You have no idea how delicate an omelette is, if made of four or five hundred eggs of linnets, chaffinches, starlings, blackbirds and thrushes." "But five hundred eggs is perfectly monstrous!" "A salad-bowl will hold them easily enough," said Porthos.
D'Artagnan looked at Porthos admiringly for full five minutes, as if he had seen him for the first time, while Porthos spread himself out joyously and proudly.

They remained in this state several minutes, Porthos smiling, and D'Artagnan looking at him.

D'Artagnan was evidently trying to give the conversation a new turn.