by Alexandre Dumas

“ That was the reason why I left my Chateau du Vallon near Corbeil, and came to my estate, Bracieux. Poor Madame du Vallon! Her temper was uncertain, but she came at last to accustom herself to my little ways and understand my little wishes."
"So you are free now, and rich?"
"Alas!" groaned Porthos, "I am a widower and have forty thousand francs a year. ”

“ You can suppose, Porthos, that what I have to say relates to most important matters."
"Devil take them; let us walk in the park," answered Porthos, "for the sake of digestion."
"Egad," said D'Artagnan, "the park is like everything else and there are as many fish in your pond as rabbits in your warren; you are a happy man, my friend since you have not only retained your love of the chase, but acquired that of fishing."
"My friend," replied Porthos, "I leave fishing to Mousqueton, -- it is a vulgar pleasure, -- but I shoot sometimes ”

“ Porthos, in pronouncing these words, seemed to gulp down something.
"Madame du Vallon was of doubtful gentility. She had, in her first marriage -- I don't think, D'Artagnan, I am telling you anything new -- married a lawyer; they thought that `nauseous;' you can understand that's a word bad enough to make one kill thirty thousand men. I have killed two, which has made people hold their tongues, but has not made me their friend. So that I have no society; I live alone ”