D’Artagnan took a pen and wrote: Madame, Until the present moment I could not believe that it was to me your first two letters were addressed, so unworthy did I feel myself of such an honor; besides, I was so seriously indisposed that I could not in any case have replied to them.
«Madame, jusqu'ici j'avais douté que ce fût bien à moi que vos deux premiers billets eussent été adressés, tant je me croyais indigne d'un pareil honneur; d'ailleurs j'étais si souffrant, que j'eusse en tout cas hésité à y répondre.