ThefirstofthefriendsofFouquet'stoadvancewasP閘isson。？Hedidnotweep，buthistearswereonlyrestrainedthatthekingmightbetterhearhisvoiceandprayer。？Gourvillebithislipstocheckhistears，outofrespectfortheking。？LaFontaineburiedhisfaceinhishandkerchief，andtheonlysignsoflifehegaveweretheconvulsivemotionsofhisshoulders，raisedbyhissobs。
　　Thekingpreservedhisdignity。？Hiscountenancewasimpassible。？HeevenmaintainedthefrownwhichappearedwhenD'Artagnanannouncedhisenemies。？Hemadeagesturewhichsignified，"Speak;"andheremainedstanding，withhiseyesfixedsearchinglyonthesedespondingmen。？P閘issonbowedtotheground，andLaFontainekneltaspeopledoinchurches。？Thisdismalsilence，disturbedonlybysighsandgroans，begantoexciteintheking，notcompassion，butimpatience。
　　"MonsieurP閘isson，"saidhe，inasharp，drytone。？"MonsieurGourville，andyou，Monsieur—"andhedidnotnameLaFontaine，"Icannot，withoutsensibledispleasure，seeyoucometopleadforoneofthegreatestcriminalsitisthedutyofjusticetopunish。？Akingdoesnotallowhimselftosoftensaveatthetearsoftheinnocent，theremorseoftheguilty。？IhavenofaitheitherintheremorseofM。
　　Fouquetorthetearsofhisfriends，becausetheoneistaintedtotheveryheart，andtheothersoughttodreadoffendingmeinmyownpalace。？Forthesereasons，Ibegyou，MonsieurP閘isson，MonsieurGourville，andyou，Monsieur—，tosaynothingthatwillnotplainlyproclaimtherespectyouhaveformywill。"
　　"Sire，"
　　repliedP閘isson，tremblingatthesewords，"wearecometosaynothingtoyourmajestythatisnotthemostprofoundexpressionofthemostsincererespectandlovethatareduetoakingfromallhissubjects。？Yourmajesty'sjusticeisredoubtable;everyonemustyieldtothesentencesitpronounces。？Werespectfullybowbeforeit。？Farfromustheideaofcomingtodefendhimwhohashadthemisfortunetooffendyourmajesty。？Hewhohasincurredyourdispleasuremaybeafriendofours，butheisanenemytothestate。？Weabandonhim，butwithtears，totheseverityoftheking。"
　　"Besides，"
　　interruptedtheking，calmedbythatsupplicatingvoice，andthosepersuasivewords，"myparliamentwilldecide。？Idonotstrikewithoutfirsthavingweighedthecrime;myjusticedoesnotwieldtheswordwithoutemployingfirstapairofscales。"
　　"Thereforewehaveeveryconfidenceinthatimpartialityoftheking，andhopetomakeourfeeblevoicesheard，withtheconsentofyourmajesty，whenthehourfordefendinganaccusedfriendstrikes。"
　　"Inthatcase，messieurs，whatdoyouaskofme？"saidtheking，withhismostimposingair。
　　"Sire，"
　　continuedP閘isson，"theaccusedhasawifeandfamily。？Thelittlepropertyhehadwasscarcelysufficienttopayhisdebts，andMadameFouquet，sinceherhusband'scaptivity，isabandonedbyeverybody。？ThehandofyourmajestystrikeslikethehandofGod。？WhentheLordsendsthecurseofleprosyorpestilenceintoafamily，everyonefliesandshunstheabodeoftheleprousorplague—stricken。？Sometimes，butveryrarely，agenerousphysicianaloneventurestoapproachtheill—reputedthreshold，passesitwithcourage，andriskshislifetocombatdeath。？Heisthelastresourceofthedying，thechoseninstrumentofheavenlymercy。？Sire，wesupplicateyou，withclaspedhandsandbendedknees，asadivinityissupplicated！？MadameFouquethasnolongeranyfriends，nolongeranymeansofsupport;sheweepsinherdesertedhome，abandonedbyallthosewhobesiegeditsdoorsinthehourofprosperity;shehasneithercreditnorhopeleft。？Atleast，theunhappywretchuponwhomyourangerfallsreceivesfromyou，howeverculpablehemaybe，hisdailybreadthoughmoistenedbyhistears。？Asmuchafflicted，moredestitutethanherhusband，MadameFouquet—theladywhohadthehonortoreceiveyourmajestyathertable—
　　MadameFouquet，thewifeoftheancientsuperintendentofyourmajesty'sfinances，MadameFouquethasnolongerbread。"
　　HerethemortalsilencewhichhadchainedthebreathofP閘isson'stwofriendswasbrokenbyanoutburstofsobs;andD'Artagnan，whosechestheavedathearingthishumbleprayer，turnedroundtowardstheangleofthecabinettobitehismustacheandconcealagroan。
　　Thekinghadpreservedhiseyedryandhiscountenancesevere;butthebloodhadmountedtohischeeks，andthefirmnessofhislookwasvisiblydiminished。
　　"Whatdoyouwish？"saidhe，inanagitatedvoice。
　　"Wecomehumblytoaskyourmajesty，"repliedP閘isson，uponwhomemotionwasfastgaining，"topermitus，withoutincurringthedispleasureofyourmajesty，tolendtoMadameFouquettwothousandpistolescollectedamongtheoldfriendsofherhusband，inorderthatthewidowmaynotstandinneedofthenecessariesoflife。"
　　Atthewordwidow，pronouncedbyP閘issonwhilstFouquetwasstillalive，thekingturnedverypale;—hispridedisappeared;
　　pityrosefromhishearttohislips;hecastasoftenedlookuponthemenwhokneltsobbingathisfeet。
　　"Godforbid，"saidhe，"thatIshouldconfoundtheinnocentwiththeguilty。？Theyknowmebutillwhodoubtmymercytowardstheweak。？Istrikenonebutthearrogant。？Do，messieurs，doallthatyourheartscounselyoutoassuagethegriefofMadameFouquet。？Go，messieurs—go！"
　　Thethreenowroseinsilencewithdryeyes。？Thetearshadbeenscorchedawaybycontactwiththeirburningcheeksandeyelids。？Theyhadnotthestrengthtoaddresstheirthankstotheking，whohimselfcutshorttheirsolemnreverencesbyentrenchinghimselfsuddenlybehindthefauteuil。
　　D'Artagnanremainedalonewiththeking。
　　"Well，"
　　saidhe，approachingtheyoungprince，whointerrogatedhimwithhislook。？"Well，mymaster！？Ifyouhadnotthedevicewhichbelongstoyoursun，IwouldrecommendyouonewhichM。ConrartmighttranslateintoeclecticLatin，'Calmwiththelowly;stormywiththestrong。'"
　　Thekingsmiled，andpassedintothenextapartment，afterhavingsaidtoD'Artagnan，"I
　　giveyoutheleaveofabsenceyoumustwanttoputtheaffairsofyourfriend，thelateM。duVallon，inorder。"
　　ChapterLV:
　　Porthos'sWill。
　　AtPierrefondseverythingwasinmourning。？Thecourtsweredeserted—thestablesclosed—theparterresneglected。？Inthebasins，thefountains，formerlysojubilantlyfreshandnoisy，hadstoppedofthemselves。？Alongtheroadsaroundthech鈚eaucameafewgravepersonagesmountedonmulesorcountrynags。？Thesewereruralneighbors，cur閟andbailiffsofadjacentestates。？Allthesepeopleenteredthech鈚eausilently，handedtheirhorsestoamelancholy—lookinggroom，anddirectedtheirsteps，conductedbyahuntsmaninblack，tothegreatdining—room，whereMousquetonreceivedthematthedoor。？Mousquetonhadbecomesothinintwodaysthathisclothesmoveduponhimlikeanill—fittingscabbardinwhichthesword—bladedancesateachmotion。？Hisface，composedofredandwhite，likethatoftheMadonnaofVandyke，wasfurrowedbytwosilverrivuletswhichhaddugtheirbedsinhischeeks，asfullformerlyastheyhadbecomeflabbysincehisgriefbegan。？Ateachfresharrival，Mousquetonfoundfreshtears，anditwaspitifultoseehimpresshisthroatwithhisfathandtokeepfromburstingintosobsandlamentations。？AllthesevisitswereforthepurposeofhearingthereadingofPorthos'swill，announcedforthatday，andatwhichallthecovetousfriendsofthedeadmanwereanxioustobepresent，ashehadleftnorelationsbehindhim。
　　Thevisitorstooktheirplacesastheyarrived，andthegreatroomhadjustbeenclosedwhentheclockstrucktwelve，thehourfixedforthereadingoftheimportantdocument。？Porthos'sprocureur—andthatwasnaturallythesuccessorofMasterCoquenard—commencedbyslowlyunfoldingthevastparchmentuponwhichthepowerfulhandofPorthoshadtracedhissovereignwill。？Thesealbroken—thespectaclesputon—thepreliminarycoughhavingsounded—everyoneprickeduphisears。？Mousquetonhadsquattedhimselfinacorner，thebettertoweepandthebettertohear。？Allatoncethefolding—doorsofthegreatroom，whichhadbeenshut，werethrownopenasifbymagic，andawarlikefigureappeareduponthethreshold，resplendentinthefulllightofthesun。？ThiswasD'Artagnan，whohadcomealonetothegate，andfindingnobodytoholdhisstirrup，hadtiedhishorsetotheknockerandannouncedhimself。？Thesplendorofdaylightinvadingtheroom，themurmurofallpresent，and，morethanall，theinstinctofthefaithfuldog，drewMousquetonfromhisreverie;heraisedhishead，recognizedtheoldfriendofhismaster，and，screamingwithgrief，heembracedhisknees，wateringthefloorwithhistears。？D'Artagnanraisedthepoorintendant，embracedhimasifhehadbeenabrother，and，havingnoblysalutedtheassembly，whoallbowedastheywhisperedtoeachotherhisname，hewentandtookhisseatattheextremityofthegreatcarvedoakhall，stillholdingbythehandpoorMousqueton，whowassuffocatingwithexcessofwoe，andsankuponthesteps。？Thentheprocureur，who，liketherest，wasconsiderablyagitated，commenced。
　　Porthos，afteraprofessionoffaithofthemostChristiancharacter，askedpardonofhisenemiesforalltheinjurieshemighthavedonethem。？Atthisparagraph，arayofinexpressiblepridebeamedfromtheeyesofD'Artagnan。
　　Herecalledtohismindtheoldsoldier;allthoseenemiesofPorthosbroughttoearthbyhisvalianthand;hereckonedupthenumbersofthem，andsaidtohimselfthatPorthoshadactedwisely，nottoenumeratehisenemiesortheinjuriesdonetothem，orthetaskwouldhavebeentoomuchforthereader。？Thencamethefollowingscheduleofhisextensivelands:
　　"I
　　possessatthispresenttime，bythegraceofGod—
　　"1。
　　ThedomainofPierrefonds，lands，woods，meadows，waters，andforests，surroundedbygoodwalls。
　　"2。
　　ThedomainofBracieux，ch鈚eaux，forests，plowedlands，formingthreefarms。
　　"3。
　　ThelittleestateDuVallon，sonamedbecauseitisinthevalley。"？（BravePorthos！）
　　"4。
　　FiftyfarmsinTouraine，amountingtofivehundredacres。
　　"5。
　　ThreemillsupontheCher，bringinginsixhundredlivreseach。
　　"6。
　　Threefish—poolsinBerry，producingtwohundredlivresayear。
　　"Astomypersonalormovableproperty，socalledbecauseitcanbemoved，asissowellexplainedbymylearnedfriendthebishopofVannes—"？（D'Artagnanshudderedatthedismalremembranceattachedtothatname）—theprocureurcontinuedimperturbably—
　　"theyconsist—"
　　"1。
　　IngoodswhichIcannotdetailhereforwantofroom，andwhichfurnishallmych鈚eauxorhouses，butofwhichthelistisdrawnupbymyintendant。"
　　EveryoneturnedhiseyestowardsMousqueton，whowasstilllostingrief。
　　"2。
　　Intwentyhorsesforsaddleanddraught，whichIhaveparticularlyatmych鈚eauofPierrefonds，andwhicharecalled—Bayard，Roland，Charlemagne，P閜in，Dunois，LaHire，Ogier，Samson，Milo，Nimrod，Urganda，Armida，Flastrade，Dalilah，Rebecca，Yolande，Finette，Grisette，Lisette，andMusette。
　　"3。
　　Insixtydogs，formingsixpacks，dividedasfollows:thefirst，forthestag;
　　thesecond，forthewolf;thethird，forthewildboar;thefourth，forthehare;andthetwoothers，forsettersandprotection。
　　"4。
　　Inarmsforwarandthechasecontainedinmygalleryofarms。
　　"5。
　　MywinesofAnjou，selectedforAthos，wholikedthemformerly;mywinesofBurgundy，Champagne，Bordeaux，andSpain，stockingeightcellarsandtwelvevaults，inmyvarioushouses。
　　"6。
　　Mypicturesandstatues，whicharesaidtobeofgreatvalue，andwhicharesufficientlynumeroustofatiguethesight。
　　"7。
　　Mylibrary，consistingofsixthousandvolumes，quitenew，andhaveneverbeenopened。
　　"8。
　　Mysilverplate，whichisperhapsalittleworn，butwhichoughttoweighfromathousandtotwelvehundredpounds，forIhadgreattroubleinliftingthecofferthatcontaineditandcouldnotcarryitmorethansixtimesroundmychamber。
　　"9。
　　Alltheseobjects，inadditiontothetableandhouselinen，aredividedintheresidencesIlikedthebest。"
　　Herethereaderstoppedtotakebreath。？Everyonesighed，coughed，andredoubledhisattention。？Theprocureurresumed:
　　"I
　　havelivedwithouthavinganychildren，anditisprobableInevershallhaveany，whichtomeisacuttinggrief。？AndyetIammistaken，forIhaveason，incommonwithmyotherfriends;thatis，M。RaoulAugusteJulesdeBragelonne，thetruesonofM。leComtedelaF鑢e。
　　"ThisyoungnoblemanappearstomeextremelyworthytosucceedthevaliantgentlemanofwhomIamthefriendandveryhumbleservant。"
　　Hereasharpsoundinterruptedthereader。？ItwasD'Artagnan'ssword，which，slippingfromhisbaldric，hadfallenonthesonorousflooring。？Everyoneturnedhiseyesthatway，andsawthatalargetearhadrolledfromthethicklidofD'Artagnan，half—waydowntohisaquilinenose，theluminousedgeofwhichshonelikealittlecrescentmoon。
　　"Thisiswhy，"continuedtheprocureur，"Ihaveleftallmyproperty，movable，orimmovable，comprisedintheaboveenumerations，toM。leVicomteRaoulAugusteJulesdeBragelonne，sonofM。leComtedelaF鑢e，toconsolehimforthegriefheseemstosuffer，andenablehimtoaddmorelustertohisalreadygloriousname。"
　　A
　　vaguemurmurranthroughtheauditory。？Theprocureurcontinued，secondedbytheflashingeyeofD'Artagnan，which，glancingovertheassembly，quicklyrestoredtheinterruptedsilence:
　　"OnconditionthatM。leVicomtedeBragelonnedogivetoM。leChevalierd'Artagnan，captainoftheking'smusketeers，whateverthesaidChevalierd'Artagnanmaydemandofmyproperty。？OnconditionthatM。leVicomtedeBragelonnedopayagoodpensiontoM。leChevalierd'Herblay，myfriend，ifheshouldneeditinexile。？IleavetomyintendantMousquetonallofmyclothes，ofcity，war，orchase，tothenumberofforty—sevensuits，intheassurancethathewillwearthemtilltheyarewornout，fortheloveofandinremembranceofhismaster。？Moreover，I
　　bequeathtoM。leVicomtedeBragelonnemyoldservantandfaithfulfriendMousqueton，alreadynamed，providingthatthesaidvicomteshallsoactthatMousquetonshalldeclare，whendying，hehasneverceasedtobehappy。"
　　Onhearingthesewords，Mousquetonbowed，paleandtrembling;hisshouldersshookconvulsively;hiscountenance，compressedbyafrightfulgrief，appearedfrombetweenhisicyhands，andthespectatorssawhimstaggerandhesitate，asif，thoughwishingtoleavethehall，hedidnotknowtheway。
　　"Mousqueton，mygoodfriend，"saidD'Artagnan，"goandmakeyourpreparations。？IwilltakeyouwithmetoAthos'shouse，whitherIshallgoonleavingPierrefonds。"
　　Mousquetonmadenoreply。？Hescarcelybreathed，asifeverythinginthathallwouldfromthattimebeforeign。？Heopenedthedoor，andslowlydisappeared。
　　Theprocureurfinishedhisreading，afterwhichthegreaterpartofthosewhohadcometohearthelastwillofPorthosdispersedbydegrees，manydisappointed，butallpenetratedwithrespect。？AsforD'Artagnan，thusleftalone，afterhavingreceivedtheformalcomplimentsoftheprocureur，hewaslostinadmirationofthewisdomofthetestator，whohadsojudiciouslybestowedhiswealthuponthemostnecessitousandthemostworthy，withadelicacythatneithernoblemannorcourtiercouldhavedisplayedmorekindly。？WhenPorthosenjoinedRaouldeBragelonnetogiveD'Artagnanallthathewouldask，heknewwell，ourworthyPorthos，thatD'Artagnanwouldaskortakenothing;andincasehediddemandanything，nonebuthimselfcouldsaywhat。？PorthosleftapensiontoAramis，who，ifheshouldbeinclinedtoasktoomuch，wascheckedbytheexampleofD'Artagnan;andthatwordexile，thrownoutbythetestator，withoutapparentintention，wasitnotthemildest，mostexquisitecriticismuponthatconductofAramiswhichhadbroughtaboutthedeathofPorthos？？ButtherewasnomentionofAthosinthetestamentofthedead。？Couldthelatterforamomentsupposethatthesonwouldnotofferthebestparttothefather？？TheroughmindofPorthoshadfathomedallthesecauses，seizedalltheseshadesmoreclearlythanlaw，betterthancustom，withmoreproprietythantaste。
　　"Porthoshadindeedaheart，"saidD'Artagnantohimselfwithasigh。？Ashemadethisreflection，hefanciedhehardagroanintheroomabovehim;andhethoughtimmediatelyofpoorMousqueton，whomhefeltitwasapleasingdutytodivertfromhisgrief。？Forthispurposeheleftthehallhastilytoseektheworthyintendant，ashehadnotreturned。？Heascendedthestaircaseleadingtothefirststory，andperceived，inPorthos'sownchamber，aheapofclothesofallcolorsandmaterials，uponwhichMousquetonhadlaidhimselfdownafterheapingthemallonthefloortogether。？Itwasthelegacyofthefaithfulfriend。？Thoseclothesweretrulyhisown;theyhadbeengiventohim;thehandofMousquetonwasstretchedovertheserelics，whichhewaskissingwithhislips，withallhisface，andcoveredwithhisbody。？D'Artagnanapproachedtoconsolethepoorfellow。
　　"MyGod！"saidhe，"hedoesnotstir—hehasfainted！"
　　ButD'Artagnanwasmistaken。？Mousquetonwasdead！？Dead，likethedogwho，havinglosthismaster，crawlsbacktodieuponhiscloak。
　　ChapterLVI:
　　TheOldAgeofAthos。
　　Whiletheseaffairswereseparatingforeverthefourmusketeers，formerlyboundtogetherinamannerthatseemedindissoluble，Athos，leftaloneafterthedepartureofRaoul，begantopayhistributetothatforetasteofdeathwhichiscalledtheabsenceofthosewelove。？BackinhishouseatBlois，nolongerhavingevenGrimaudtoreceiveapoorsmileashepassedthroughtheparterre，Athosdailyfeltthedeclineofvigorofanaturewhichforsolongatimehadseemedimpregnable。？Age，whichhadbeenkeptbackbythepresenceofthebelovedobject，arrivedwiththatcort鑗eofpainsandinconveniences，whichgrowsbygeometricalaccretion。？Athoshadnolongerhissontoinducehimtowalkfirmly，withheaderect，asagoodexample;hehadnolonger，inthosebrillianteyesoftheyoungman，anever—ardentfocusatwhichtokindleanewthefireofhislooks。？Andthen，mustitbesaid，thatnature，exquisiteintendernessandreserve，nolongerfindinganythingtounderstanditsfeelings，gaveitselfuptogriefwithallthewarmthofcommonnatureswhentheyyieldtojoy。？TheComtedelaF鑢e，whohadremainedayoungmantohissixty—secondyear;thewarriorwhohadpreservedhisstrengthinspiteoffatigue;hisfreshnessofmindinspiteofmisfortune，hismildserenityofsoulandbodyinspiteofMilady，inspiteofMazarin，inspiteofLaValli鑢e;Athoshadbecomeanoldmaninaweek，fromthemomentatwhichhelostthecomfortofhislateryouth。？Stillhandsome，thoughbent，noble，butsad，hesought，sincehissolitude，thedeepergladeswheresunshinescarcelypenetrated。？Hediscontinuedallthemightyexerciseshehadenjoyedthroughlife，whenRaoulwasnolongerwithhim。？Theservants，accustomedtoseehimstirringwiththedawnatallseasons，wereastonishedtohearseveno'clockstrikebeforetheirmasterquittedhisbed。？Athosremainedinbedwithabookunderhispillow—buthedidnotsleep，neitherdidheread。？Remaininginbedthathemightnolongerhavetocarryhisbody，heallowedhissoulandspirittowanderfromtheirenvelopeandreturntohisson，ortoGod。
　　Transcriber'snote:Insomeeditions，"inspiteofMilady"reads"inspiteofmalady。"
　　—JB
　　Hispeopleweresometimesterrifiedtoseehim，forhourstogether，absorbedinsilentreverie，muteandinsensible;henolongerheardthetimidstepoftheservantwhocametothedoorofhischambertowatchthesleepingorwakingofhismaster。？Itoftenoccurredthatheforgotthedayhadhalfpassedaway，thatthehoursforthetwofirstmealsweregoneby。？Thenhewasawakened。？Herose，descendedtohisshadywalk，thencameoutalittleintothesun，asthoughtopartakeofitswarmthforaminuteinmemoryofhisabsentchild。？Andthenthedismalmonotonouswalkrecommenced，until，exhausted，heregainedthechamberandhisbed，hisdomicilebychoice。？Forseveraldaysthecomtedidnotspeakasingleword。？Herefusedtoreceivethevisitsthatwerepaidhim，andduringthenighthewasseentorelighthislampandpasslonghoursinwriting，orexaminingparchments。
　　AthoswroteoneoftheseletterstoVannes，anothertoFontainebleau;theyremainedwithoutanswers。？Weknowwhy:AramishadquittedFrance，andD'ArtagnanwastravelingfromNantestoParis，fromParistoPierrefonds。？Hisvaletdechambreobservedthatheshortenedhiswalkeverydaybyseveralturns。？Thegreatalleyoflimessoonbecametoolongforfeetthatusedtotraverseitformerlyahundredtimesaday。？Thecomtewalkedfeeblyasfarasthemiddletrees，seatedhimselfuponamossybankthatslopedtowardsasidewalk，andtherewaitedthereturnofhisstrength，orratherthereturnofnight。？Veryshortlyahundredstepsexhaustedhim。？AtlengthAthosrefusedtoriseatall;hedeclinedallnourishment，andhisterrifiedpeople，althoughhedidnotcomplain，althoughheworeasmileuponhislips，althoughhecontinuedtospeakwithhissweetvoice—hispeoplewenttoBloisinsearchoftheancientphysicianofthelateMonsieur，andbroughthimtotheComtedelaF鑢einsuchafashionthathecouldseethecomtewithoutbeinghimselfseen。？Forthispurpose，theyplacedhiminaclosetadjoiningthechamberofthepatient，andimploredhimnottoshowhimself，forfearofdispleasingtheirmaster，whohadnotaskedforaphysician。？Thedoctorobeyed。？Athoswasasortofmodelforthegentlemenofthecountry;theBlaisoisboastedofpossessingthissacredrelicofFrenchglory。？Athoswasagreatseigneurcomparedwithsuchnoblesasthekingimprovisedbytouchingwithhisartificialsceptertheparched—uptrunksoftheheraldictreesoftheprovince。
　　PeoplerespectedAthos，wesay，andtheylovedhim。？Thephysiciancouldnotbeartoseehispeopleweep，toseeflockroundhimthepoorofthecanton，towhomAthoshadsooftengivenlifeandconsolationbyhiskindwordsandhischarities。？Heexamined，therefore，fromthedepthsofhishiding—place，thenatureofthatmysteriousmaladywhichbentandagedmoremortallyeverydayamanbutlatelysofulloflifeandadesiretolive。？HeremarkeduponthecheeksofAthosthehectichueoffever，whichfeedsuponitself;slowfever，pitiless，borninafoldoftheheart，shelteringitselfbehindthatrampart，growingfromthesufferingitengenders，atoncecauseandeffectofaperiloussituation。？Thecomtespoketonobody;hedidnoteventalktohimself。？Histhoughtfearednoise;itapproachedtothatdegreeofover—excitementwhichbordersuponecstasy。？Manthusabsorbed，thoughhedoesnotyetbelongtoGod，alreadyappertainsnolongertotheearth。？Thedoctorremainedforseveralhoursstudyingthispainfulstruggleofthewillagainstsuperiorpower;hewasterrifiedatseeingthoseeyesalwaysfixed，everdirectedonsomeinvisibleobject;wasterrifiedatthemonotonousbeatingofthatheartfromwhichneverasigharosetovarythemelancholystate;foroftenpainbecomesthehopeofthephysician。？Halfadaypassedawaythus。？Thedoctorformedhisresolutionlikeabraveman;heissuedsuddenlyfromhisplaceofretreat，andwentstraightuptoAthos，whobeheldhimwithoutevincingmoresurprisethanifhehadunderstoodnothingoftheapparition。
　　"Monsieurlecomte，Icraveyourpardon，"saidthedoctor，cominguptothepatientwithopenarms;"butIhaveareproachtomakeyou—youshallhearme。"？AndheseatedhimselfbythepillowofAthos，whohadgreattroubleinrousinghimselffromhispreoccupation。
　　"Whatisthematter，doctor？"askedthecomte，afterasilence。
　　"Thematteris，youareill，monsieur，andhavehadnoadvice。"
　　"I！
　　ill！"saidAthos，smiling。
　　"Fever，consumption，weakness，decay，monsieurlecomte！"
　　"Weakness！"
　　repliedAthos;"isitpossible？？I
　　donotgetup。"
　　"Come，come！monsieurlecomte，nosubterfuges;youareagoodChristian？"
　　"I
　　hopeso，"saidAthos。
　　"Isityourwishtokillyourself？"
　　"Never，doctor。"
　　"Well！
　　monsieur，youareinafairwayofdoingso。？Thustoremainissuicide。？Getwell！monsieurlecomte，getwell！"
　　"Ofwhat？？Findthediseasefirst。？Formypart，Ineverknewmyselfbetter;
　　neverdidtheskyappearmorebluetome;neverdidItakemorecareofmyflowers。"
　　"Youhaveahiddengrief。"
　　"Concealed！—notatall;theabsenceofmyson，doctor;thatismymalady，andIdonotconcealit。"
　　"Monsieurlecomte，yoursonlives，heisstrong，hehasallthefuturebeforehim—thefutureofmenofmerit，ofhisrace;liveforhim—"
　　"ButIdolive，doctor;oh！besatisfiedofthat，"addedhe，withamelancholysmile;"foraslongasRaoullives，itwillbeplainlyknown，foraslongashelives，Ishalllive。"
　　"Whatdoyousay？"
　　"A
　　verysimplething。？Atthismoment，doctor，Ileavelifesuspendedwithinme。？Aforgetful，dissipated，indifferentlifewouldbebeyondmystrength，nowIhavenolongerRaoulwithme。？Youdonotaskthelamptoburnwhenthematchhasnotillumedtheflame;donotaskmetoliveamidstnoiseandmerriment。？Ivegetate，Ipreparemyself，Iwait。？Look，doctor;rememberthosesoldierswehavesooftenseentogetherattheports，wheretheywerewaitingtoembark;lyingdown，indifferent，halfononeelement，halfontheother;theywereneitherattheplacewheretheseawasgoingtocarrythem，norattheplacetheearthwasgoingtolosethem;baggageprepared，mindsonthestretch，armsstacked—theywaited。？Irepeatit，thewordistheonewhichpaintsmypresentlife。？Lyingdownlikethesoldiers，myearonthestretchforthereportthatmayreachme，Iwishtobereadytosetoutatthefirstsummons。？Whowillmakemethatsummons？lifeordeath？？GodorRaoul？？Mybaggageispacked，mysoulisprepared，Iawaitthesignal—Iwait，doctor，I
　　wait！"
　　Thedoctorknewthetemperofthatmind;heappreciatedthestrengthofthatbody;
　　hereflectedforthemoment，toldhimselfthatwordswereuseless，remediesabsurd，andleftthech鈚eau，exhortingAthos'sservantsnottoquithimforamoment。
　　Thedoctorbeinggone，Athosevincedneitherangernorvexationathavingbeendisturbed。？Hedidnotevendesirethatalllettersthatcameshouldbebroughttohimdirectly。？Heknewverywellthateverydistractionwhichshouldarisewouldbeajoy，ahope，whichhisservantswouldhavepaidwiththeirbloodtoprocurehim。？Sleephadbecomerare。？Byintensethinking，Athosforgothimself，forafewhoursatmost，inareveriemostprofound，moreobscurethanotherpeoplewouldhavecalledadream。？Themomentaryreposewhichthisforgetfulnessthusgavethebody，stillfurtherfatiguedthesoul，forAthoslivedadoublelifeduringthesewanderingsofhisunderstanding。？Onenight，hedreamtthatRaoulwasdressinghimselfinatent，togouponanexpeditioncommandedbyM。deBeaufortinperson。？Theyoungmanwassad;heclaspedhiscuirassslowly，andslowlyhegirdedonhissword。
　　"Whatisthematter？"askedhisfather，tenderly。
　　"WhatafflictsmeisthedeathofPorthos，eversodearafriend，"repliedRaoul。？"Isufferherethegriefyousoonwillfeelathome。"
　　AndthevisiondisappearedwiththeslumberofAthos。？Atdaybreakoneofhisservantsenteredhismaster'sapartment，andgavehimaletterwhichcamefromSpain。
　　"ThewritingofAramis，"thoughtthecomte;andheread。
　　"Porthosisdead！"criedhe，afterthefirstlines。？"Oh！？Raoul，Raoul！
　　thanks！thoukeepestthypromise，thouwarnestme！"
　　AndAthos，seizedwithamortalsweat，faintedinhisbed，withoutanyothercausethanweakness。