"Confound you!" cried Porthos, struggling in his turn, "have you gone mad, that you tumble over people like this?"
"Excuse me," answered D'Artagnan, "but I am in a great hurry. I am pursuing some one, and—"
"And I suppose that on such occasions you leave your eyes behind you?" asked Porthos.
"No," replied D'Artagnan, rather nettled; "and thanks to my eyes, I often see things that other people don't."
Possibly Porthos might have understood this allusion, but in any case he did not attempt to control his anger, and said sharply:
"Monsieur, we shall have to give you a lesson if you take to tumbling against the musketeers like this!"
"A lesson, monsieur!" replied D'Artagnan; "that is rather a severe expression."
"It is the expression of a man who is always accustomed to look his enemies in the face."
"Oh, if that is all, there is no fear of your turning your back on anybody," and enchanted at his own wit, the young man walked away in fits of laughter.
Porthos foamed with rage, and rushed after D'Artagnan.