"Oh! Raoul would have been instructed to forward me mine, or to bring it with him on his return, if he returns."
"If nothing detains him longer in Paris," said D'Artagnan, with a glance firm and cutting as steel, and as painful (for it reopened the poor young fellow's wounds), "he will do well to follow you, Athos."
"There is nothing to keep me any longer in Paris," said Raoul.
"Then we will go immediately," replied Athos.
"And M. d'Artagnan?"
"Oh! as for me, I was only accompanying Athos as far as the barrier, and I return with Porthos."
"Very good," said the latter.
"Come, my son," added the comte, gently passing his arm round Raoul's neck to draw him into the carriage, and again embracing him. "Grimaud," continued the comte, "you will return quietly to Paris with your horse and M. de Valon's, for Raoul and I will mount here and give up the carriage to these two gentlemen to return to Paris in; and then, as soon as you arrive, you will take my clothes and letters and forward the whole to me at home."
"But," observed Raoul, who was anxious to make the comte converse, "when you return to Paris, there will not be a single thing there for you—which will be very inconvenient."
"I think it will be a very long time, Raoul, ere I return to Paris. The last sojourn we have made there has not been of a nature to encourage me to repeat it."