“That only makes the honor you have constructed for yourself all the more valuable,” Athos murmurs, gaze settling unblinkingly on Porthos once again. “I know you are not an innocent man, Porthos. But you have proven yourself to be a good one. To me, to Aramis, to Captain Treville, and to anyone else who would care to pay attention."

He closes his eyes briefly, trying not to allow himself to think that Anne might have come to a better fate, too, if she had been given a chance. "And that is what makes you different."