"There is a tradition here," says Aramis. "The bride is not to be seen in her wedding dress before her wedding. But," he says, removing his hat, "As I am not a bride, and this is not a dress, and you, dear Athos, are not my groom, I suppose I may as well."

He smiles and hands over Athos' suit, laying his own over the chair to begin undoing the buttons of his shirt.