“It is a good country?”

“Excellent, my friend,” replied the count, without making him observe that Le Mans was in the same directions as La Touraine, and that by waiting two days, at most, he might travel with a friend. But D’Artagnan, more embarrassed than the count, dug, at every explanation, deeper into the mud, into which he sank by degrees. “I shall set out to-morrow at daybreak,” said he at last. “Till that time, will you come with me, Raoul?”

“Yes, monsieur le chevalier,” said the young man, “if monsieur le comte does not want me.”

“No, Raoul; I am to have an audience to-day of Monsieur, the king’s brother; that is all I have to do.”