三剑客4

第4 章
THE SHOULDER OF ATHOS,
THE BALDRIC OF PORTHOS AND THE HANDKERCHIEF OF ARAMIS

D'Artagnan, in a state of fury, crossed the antechamber at three bounds, and was
darting toward the stairs, which he reckoned upon descending four at a time, when,
in his heedless course, he ran head foremost against a Musketeer who was coming out
of one of M. de Treville's private rooms, and striking his shoulder violently, made
him utter a cry, or rather a howl.

"Excuse me," said D'Artagnan, endeavoring to resume his course, "excuse me, but
I am in a hurry."

Scarcely had he descended the first stair, when a hand of iron seized him by the
belt and stopped him.

"You are in a hurry?" said the Musketeer, as pale as a sheet. "Under that pretense
you run against me! You say. 'Excuse me,' and you believe that is sufficient? Not
at all my young man. Do you fancy because you have heard Monsieur de Treville speak
to us a little cavalierly today that other people are to treat us as he speaks to
us? Undeceive yourself, comrade, you are not Monsieur de Treville."

"My faith!" replied D'Artagnan, recognizing Athos, who, after the dressing
performed by the doctor, was returning to his own apartment. "I did not do it
intentionally, and not doing it intentionally, I said 'Excuse me.' It appears to me
that this is quite enough. I repeat to you, however, and this time on my word of
honor--I think perhaps too often--that I am in haste, great haste. Leave your hold,
then, I beg of you, and let me go where my business calls me."

"Monsieur," said Athos, letting him go, "you are not polite; it is easy to perceive
that you come from a distance."

D'Artagnan had already strode down three or four stairs, but at Athos's last
remark he stopped short.

"MORBLE U, monsieur!" said he, "however far I may come, it is not you who can give
me a lesson in good manners, I warn you."

"Perhaps," said Athos.

"Ah! If I were not in such haste, and if I were not running after someone," said
D'Artagnan.