D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 213: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

200 A Waive. questioner, knowing his friend’s innocent vanity, smiled invitingly for more revelations. “Tt will serve; but I got it to show Madame du Vallon, when I return, how the Portuguese dress.” ‘All this to please the Lady of the Vallone? Then you will be keeping it packed up in lavender until you re- turn?” “No; clothes smoulder in disuse. I counted upon giv- ing it an airing after the battle that was to come off here! I am too old a campaigner to fight in good clothes.” The captain nodded in approval. “T see you agree, for, no offense! you seem to have had the bottom of the ragman’s bag!” “IT will own it,” replied the Gascon, “a threadbare doublet is the best breastplate against the free rovers of the king’s ‘way, since all sorts are without fear of the constables and archers.” ‘Are you afraid of your money, then? Has the new monarch already rewarded you for captaining his guards, if he has guards ?” ‘Juan is as bad a paymaster as Louis, so far! but I am looking forward to a finer pay.” “But why dress shabbily, if you have nothing to lose?” “Only my skin, Friend Porthos, only that; but I take it the inclosure is worth the envelope. A steed is none the ‘better for its trappings. But, tell me, after you re- plenish your cup and dip that crust in it—pshaw! you have eaten nothing!” Porthos sighed, ogling the sausage, certainly a moiety gone. ‘Il confess that, used to the saddle, a long walk de- stroys my appetite. That horse of yours has an extraor- dinary gait; only knowing camels by reading of them, I judge he is an excellent imitation of that jolting quad+ ruped. But the was up to my weight, which is rare in anything I have seen here as yet.” “Did he not kick P” “He tried, but I just settled down with all my weight, and he checked the impulse. I wish the watch who re- lieved me of him and gave me an order on the Treasurer of the Mint for forty pistoles—it is here for you—well, quit of him!” 2 m Eomichbooks.co i 4 ¥ |