Ten Years Later: The Vicomte of Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas Chapter 8 Page 22

his duty, and not by his pleasure. If he had been brought thither by his pleasure — if he had been a courtier instead of a soldier, as pleasure must always be paid for at the same price — he would have held his hat in his hand.

That which proved still better that this officer was upon duty, and was accomplishing a task to which he was accustomed, was, that he watched, with folded arms, remarkable indifference, and supreme apathy, the joys and ennuis of this fete. Above all, he appeared, like a philosopher, and all old soldiers are philosophers, — he appeared above all to comprehend the ennuis infinitely better than the joys; but in the one he took his part, knowing very well how to do without the other.

Now, he was leaning, as we have said, against the carved door-frame