grove, cottage as it is called here. To this house are attached a hundred acres of land. Accept it as a souvenir."
"Oh my lord! ---- "
"Faith! you will be there in your own home, and that will be the place of refuge you spoke of just now."
"For me to be obliged to your lordship to such an extent! Really, your grace, I am ashamed."
"Not at all, not at all, monsieur," replied Monk, with an arch smile; "it is I who shall be obliged to you. And," pressing the hand of the musketeer, "I shall go and draw up the deed of gift," -- and he left the room.
D'Artagnan looked at him as he went out with something of a pensive and even an agitated air.
"After all," said he, "he is a brave man. It is only a sad reflection that it is from fear of me, and not affection that he acts thus. Well, I shall endeavor that affection may follow." Then, after an instant's deeper reflection, -- "Bah!" said he, "to what purpose? He is an Englishman." And he in his turn went out, a little confused after the combat.
"So," said he, "I am a land-owner! But how the devil am I to share the cottage with Planchet? Unless I give him the land, and I take the chateau, or that he takes the house and I -- nonsense! M. Monk will never allow me to share a house he has inhabited, with a grocer. He is too proud for that. Besides, why should I say anything about it to him? It was not with the money of the company I have acquired that property, it was with my mother-wit alone; it is all mine, then. So, now I will go and find Athos." And he directed his steps towards the dwelling of the Comte de la Fere
CHAPTER 37. How D'Artagnan regulated the "Assets" of the Company before