"No, sire, I have marshes which are not salt, it is true, but which are
not the less valuable on that account."

The king had now arrived at the _entrements_, but without losing sight of
Porthos, who continued to play his part in the best manner.

"You have an excellent appetite, M. du Vallon," said the king, "and you
make an admirable guest at table."

"Ah! sire, if your majesty were ever to pay a visit to Pierrefonds, we
would both of us eat our lamb together; for your appetite is not an
indifferent one by any means."

D'Artagnan gave Porthos a kick under the table, which made Porthos color
up.

"At your majesty's present happy age," said Porthos, in order to repair
the mistake he had made, "I was in the musketeers, and nothing could ever
satisfy me then. Your majesty has an excellent appetite, as I have
already had the honor of mentioning, but you select what you eat with
quite too much refinement to be called for one moment a great eater."

The king seemed charmed at his guest's politeness.

"Will you try some of these creams?" he said to Porthos.

"Sire, you majesty treats me with far too much kindness to prevent me
speaking the whole truth."

"Pray do so, M. du Vallon."