“Well,” said he, “they also have refused this commission!”
“Because, dear friend, no one is more worthy of it than yourself.”
And he took a pen, wrote D’Artagnan’s name on the commission, and returned it to him.
“I shall then no longer have any friends,” said the young man. “Alas! nothing more, only bitter recollections.”
And he let his head sink into his hands, while two tears rolled down his cheeks.
“You are young,” replied Athos, “and your bitter recollections have time to be changed into sweet memories.”