“I did not call it a country-seat, monsieur le baron,” replied Planchet, somewhat humiliated, “but a country-box.”
“Ah, ah! I understand. You are modest.”
“No, monsieur le baron, I speak the plain truth. I have rooms for a couple of friends, that’s all.”
“But in that case, whereabouts do your friends walk?”
“In the first place, they can walk about the king’s forest, which is very beautiful.”
“Yes, I know the forest is very fine,” said Porthos; “nearly as beautiful as my forest at Berry.”
Planchet opened his eyes very wide. “Have you a forest of the same kind as the forest at Fontainebleau, monsieur le baron?” he stammered out.
“Yes; I have two, indeed, but the one at Berry is my favorite.”
“Why so?” asked Planchet.
“Because I don’t know where it ends; and, also, because it is full of poachers.”