D’Artagnan went out first, as had been agreed upon. Then, in order that he might have nothing to reproach himself with, he directed his steps, for the last time, toward the residences of his three friends. No news had been received of them; only a letter, all perfumed and of an elegant writing in small characters, had come for Aramis.
D'Artagnan a megbeszélés szerint előre ment, azután, hogy egészen megnyugtassa lelkiismeretét, utoljára még végigjárta mindhárom jó barátja lakását; hírüket sem hallotta senki, csupán Aramis kapott egy illatos levélkét, finom vonású, apróbetűs írással.