LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. 35 got under the counters, fearing that Porthos might have a taste for human flesh. "We shall only take a sort of snack here," said D'Ar- tagnan; "and when we get to Planchet's country-seat we shall have supper." "Ah ! ah ! so we are going to your country house, Plan- chet," said Porthos; "so much the better." "You overwhelm me, Monsieur le Baron." The "Monsieur le Baron" had a great effect upon the men, who detected a personage of the highest quality in an appetite of that kind. They had never heard that an ogre was ever called "Monsieur le Baron." "I will take a few biscuits to eat on the road," said Por- thos carelessly; and he emptied a whole jar of aniseed bis- cuits into the huge pocket of his doublet. "My shop is saved !" exclaimed Planchet. '^es, as the cheese was," said the foreman. "What cheese?" "That Dutch cheese, inside which a rat had made his way, and we only found the rind left." Planchet looked all round his shop, and observing the different articles which had escaped Porthos' teeth, he found the comparison somewhat exaggerated. The fore- man, who remarked what was passing in his master's mind, said : "Take care ; he is not gone j'et." "Have you any fruit here?" said Porthos, as he went upstairs to the entresol, where it had just been announced that some refreshment was prepared. "Alas !" thought the grocer, addressing a look at D'Ar- tagnan full of entreaty, which the latter half-understood. As soon as they had finished eating they set off. It was late when the three riders, who had left Paris about six in the evening, arrived at Fontainebleau. The journey had passed very agreeably. Porthos took a fancy to Planchet's society, because the latter was very respectful in his man- ners, and seemed delighted to talk to him about his meadows, his woods, and his rabbit-warrens. Porthos had all the taste and pride of a landed proprietor. When D'Ar- tagnan saw his two companions in earnest conversation, he took the opposite side of the road, and letting his bridle drop upon his horse's neck, separated himself from the whole world, as he had done from Porthos and Planchet. The moon shone softly through the foliage of the forest. The odors of the open countrv rose deliciously perfumed to
