Chapter 5

Chapter V
Where, Probably, Moliere Formed His First Idea of the “Bourgeois Gentilhomme”
D’Artagnan found Porthos in the adjoining chamber; but no longer an irritated Porthos, or a disappointed Porthos, but Porthos radiant, blooming, fascinating, and chatting with Moliere, who was looking upon him with a species of idolatry, and as a man would who had not only never seen anything better, but not even ever anything so good. Aramis went straight up to Porthos and offered him his delicate hand, which lost itself in the gigantic hand of his old friend,- an operation which Aramis never hazarded without a certain uneasiness. But the friendly pressure having been performed not too painfully for him, the Bishop of Vannes passed over to Moliere.

“Well, Monsieur,” said he, “will you come with me to St. Mandé?”

“I will go anywhere you like, Monseigneur,” answered Moliere.

“To St. Mandé!” cried Porthos, surprised at seeing the proud Bishop of Vannes fraternizing with a journeyman tailor. “What! Aramis, are you going to take this gentleman to St. Mandé?”

“Yes,” said Aramis, smiling; “our work is pressing.”

“Besides, my dear Porthos,” continued d’Artagnan, “M. Moliere is not altogether what he seems.”

“In what way?” asked Porthos.

“Why, this gentleman is one of M. Percerin’s chief clerks, and he is expected at St. Mandé to try on the dresses which M. Fouquet has ordered for the Epicureans.”

“‘Tis precisely so,” said Moliere; “yes, Monsieur.”

“Come, then, my dear M. Moliere,” said Aramis; “that is, if you have done with M. du Vallon?”

“We have finished,” replied Porthos.

“And you are satisfied?” asked d’Artagnan.

“Completely so,” replied Porthos.

Moliere took his leave of Porthos with much ceremony, and grasped the hand which the captain of the Musketeers furtively offered him.

“Pray, Monsieur,” concluded Porthos, mincingly, “above all, be exact.”

“You will have your dress after tomorrow, Monsieur the Baron,” answered Moliere; and he left with Aramis.

D’Artagnan, taking Porthos’s arm, inquired, “What has this tailor done for you, my dear Porthos, that you are so pleased with him?”

“What has he done for me, my friend,- done for me!” cried Porthos, enthusiastically.

“Yes, I ask you, what has he done for you?”

“My friend, he has done that which no tailor ever yet accomplished,- he has taken my measure without touching