parodying a verse of the Bible, "here will Bicarat die; for I
only am left, and they seek my life."

"But there are four against you; leave off, I command you."

"Ah, if you command me, that's another thing," said Bicarat. "As
you are my commander, it is my duty to obey." And springing
backward, he broke his sword across his knee to avoid the
necessity of surrendering it, threw the pieces over the convent
wall, and crossed him arms, whistling a cardinalist air.

Bravery is always respected, even in an enemy. The Musketeers
saluted Bicarat with their swords, and returned them to their
sheaths. D'Artagnan did the same. Then, assisted by Bicarat,
the only one left standing, he bore Jussac, Cahusac, and one of
Aramis's adversaries who was only wounded, under the porch of the
convent. The fourth, as we have said, was dead. They then rang
the bell, and carrying away four swords out of five, they took
their road, intoxicated with joy, toward the hotel of M. de
Treville.

They walked arm in arm, occupying the whole width of the street
and taking in every Musketeer they met, so that in the end it
became a triumphal march. The heart of d'Artagnan swam in
delirium; he marched between Athos and Porthos, pressing them
tenderly.

"If I am not yet a Musketeer," said he to his new friends, as he
passed through the gateway of M. de Treville's hotel, "at least I
have entered upon my apprenticeship, haven't I?"