He flattered himself he should be able to frighten Porthos with the adventure of the baldric, which he might, if not killed upon the spot, relate to everybody a recital which, well managed, would cover Porthos with ridicule.
Il espérait, grâce aux excuses loyales qu'il lui réservait, se faire un ami d'Athos, dont l'air grand seigneur et la mine austère lui agréaient fort.