My friend Athos is quite covered with orders, and that dazzles me." "You shall be a knight of my order a month after you have taken your commission of captain." "Ah! ah!" said the officer, thoughtfully, "after the expedition." "Precisely." "Where is your majesty going to send me ?" "Are you acquainted with Bretagne ?" "No, sire." "Have you any friends there ?" "In Bretagne?
No, _ma foi!_" "So much the better.

Do you know anything about fortifications ?" "I believe I do, sire," said D'Artagnan, smiling.
"That is to say you can readily distinguish a fortress from a simple fortification, such as is allowed to _chatelains_ or vassals ?" "I distinguish a fort from a rampart as I distinguish a cuirass from a raised pie-crust, sire.

Is that sufficient ?" "Yes, monsieur.

You will set out, then." "For Bretagne ?" "Yes." "Alone ?" "Absolutely alone.

That is to say, you must not even take a lackey with you." "May I ask your majesty for what reason ?" "Because, monsieur, it will be necessary to disguise yourself sometimes, as the servant of a good family.