It was in such a manner that our fathers, who so well knew what good living was, used to eat; while we," added his majesty, "can do nothing but trifle with our food." And as he spoke he took the breast of a chicken, with ham, while Porthos attacked a dish of partridges and land-rails.

The cup-bearer filled his majesty's glass.

"Give M.de Valon some of my wine," said the king.
This was one of the greatest honors of the royal table.

D'Artagnan pressed his friend's knee.
"If you could only manage to swallow the half of that boar's head I see yonder," said he to Porthos, "I shall believe you will be a duke and peer within the next twelvemonth." "Presently," said Porthos, phlegmatically; "I shall come to it by-and-by." In fact it was not long before it came to the boar's turn, for the king seemed to take a pleasure in urging on his guest.

He did not pass any of the dishes to Porthos until he had tasted them himself, and he accordingly took some of the boar's head.