This maneuver, familiar to diplomatists and women, resembles much the advantage of the guard which, according to their skill or habit, combatants endeavor to take on the ground at a duel.

D'Artagnan was not the dupe of this maneuver; but he did not appear to perceive it.

He felt himself caught; but, precisely because he was caught he felt himself on the road to discovery, and it little imported to him, old condottiere as he was, to be beaten in appearance, provided he drew from his pretended defeat the advantages of victory.

Aramis began the conversation.
"Ah! dear friend! my good D'Artagnan," said he, "what an excellent chance!" "It is a chance, my reverend companion," said D'Artagnan, "that I will call friendship.

I seek you, as I always have sought you, when I had any grand enterprise to propose to you, or some hours of liberty to give you." "Ah! indeed," said Aramis, without explosion, "you have been seeking me ?" "Eh! yes, he has been seeking you, Aramis," said Porthos, "and the proof is that he has unharbored me at Belle-Isle.