Assuming that their friend would want to keep his<i>affaires de cœur</i>private, Athos and Porthos avoided even looking in D'Artagnan's direction as he spoke with his charming mistress.  Instead, they concentrated their attentions on their wine and their own conversation, speculating on whether they would have sufficient funds to have a decent dinner that evening.<br/><br/>"Ah, as to that..." Porthos was saying, "I can always dine with..."<br/><br/>"With..?" prompted Athos.<br/><br/>"Well, I have someone with whom I may dine," the big man concluded.<br/><br/>"That<i>is</i>merry news," said Athos cheerfully.  "As to myself, I believe I have... eight pistoles to my name."<br/><br/>"Well, and that is enough for a fine dinner," Porthos responded.<br/><br/>"Yes, for tonight."<br/><br/>Porthos' booming laugh cut across the conversations around them.  "I'faith, Athos!  Eat today!  For then, at least, you will remember not being hungry!"<br/><br/>Athos sipped his wine.  "Truly, my friend, you reason like a scholar."<br/><br/>"Do I now?" the big musketeer said, pleased.  "Like a scholar.  I like that."<br/><br/>"Perhaps," said a new voice.  "But you bray like a mule.  Pray, spare us more of your wit."<br/><br/>Slowly, the two friends both turned their heads.  The new voice belonged to a tall man with a long face, and a long black mustache, and eyes hard as flint.  He sat at the table to Porthos' right, which was also the table to Athos' left, and two of his friends sat with him.  All of them were dressed in the uniforms of the Red Guard of Cardinal Richelieu.  "May I ask your name," Porthos drawled, "for I fear that we have not yet been properly introduced."<br/><br/>"I, sir, am Florian d'Armisted," the man sneered, taking in the Musketeer's uniform.  "And I ask nothing better than that we should be properly introduced."<br/><br/>"But of course," Porthos agreed, amiably.  "I shall endeavor to provide satisfaction.  When shall we become acquainted?"<br/><br/>"Why, now.  If you are not otherwise engaged," offered D'Armisted.<br/><br/>"Monsieur," Athos interjected, "there are laws, and there are witnesses.  I beg you, as one who asks nothing more than to become acquainted with you as well, to choose a different time and place."<br/><br/>D'Armisted hesitated.  "Do you know the courtyard behind the Hotel du Gaubert?"<br/><br/>"But of course."<br/><br/>"Shall we become better acquainted there, in a half-hour's time?"<br/><br/>Athos made a gesture with his hands.  "Of course."  He eyed the table.  "And shall we bring a third?"<br/><br/>"By all means," D'Armisted proclaimed, rising.  "I should not have it said that the Red Guard took advantage."<br/><br/>Athos smiled, and Porthos laughed.  "Than bring six," Porthos boomed.  "For a musketeer is worth two of the Cardinal's yapping pups."