Arriving in Paris, they learn from Treville that d'Artagnan has been admitted to the King's Musketeers, but no date has been set for the formal ceremony. They also learn that they must have their equipment ready in two weeks because they will be leaving for battle. At present, none of them has enough money to buy equipment, and they each need about 2000 livres each. Athos hopes that they can talk d'Artagnan into selling his diamond ring.
While pondering how to get some money, d'Artagnan notes that Porthos is curling his mustache; moments later, Porthos slips into a church. d'Artagnan follows him and watches as Porthos goes quietly up to a middle-aged woman (whom he intentionally ignores) and deliberately flirts with a beautiful and obviously wealthy lady at the front of the church. D'Artagnan recognizes the beautiful lady as Milady, the woman whom he saw at Meung. The middle-aged woman turns out to be Madame Coquenard, the mistress whom Porthos wrote to for money and who ignored his request. As d'Artagnan leaves, he notices that Madame Coquenard is pleading with Porthos for forgiveness. He is fairly sure that Porthos will get his musketeer supplies and a horse.
