"It is not with this establishment I concern myself, M. le Comte. The rats have robbed me of more here than they will ever rob me of again."
"What do you mean?"
"Why, you may have observed, monsieur, my inventory is being taken."
"Are you leaving trade, then?"
"Eh! mon Dieu! yes. I have disposed of my business to one of my young men."
"Bah! you are rich, then. I suppose."
"Monsieur, I have taken a dislike to the city; I don't know whether it is because I am growing old, and, as M. d'Artagnan one day said, when we grow old we more often think of the things of our youth; but for some time past I have felt myself attracted toward the country and gardening; I was a countryman formerly." And Planchet marked this confession with a little rather pretentious laugh for a man making profession of humility.
Athos made a gesture of approval, and then added: "You are going to buy an estate then?"
"I have bought one, monsieur."
"Ah! that is still better."