superfluous, he followed d’Artagnan, wondering to himself how this young guardsman should know so well who the lady was to whom he had given hospitality, and that he should know better than himself what had become of her.
Only as they went out Aramis placed his hand upon the arm of d’Artagnan, and looking at him earnestly, “You have not spoken of this lady?” said he.
“To nobody in the world.”
“Not even to Athos or Porthos?”
“I have not breathed a syllable to them.”
“Good enough!”
Tranquil on this important point, Aramis continued his way with d’Artagnan, and both soon arrived at Athos’s dwelling. They found him holding his leave of absence in one hand, and M. de Tréville’s note in the other.
“Can you explain to me what signify this leave of absence and this letter, which I have just received?” said the astonished Athos.
My dear Athos —I wish, as your health absolutely requires it, that you should rest for a fortnight. Go, then, and take the waters of Forges, or any that may be more agreeable to you, and recuperate yourself as quickly as possible.
“Well, this leave of absence and that letter mean that you must follow me, Athos.”
“To the waters of Forges?”