The next morning, Athos maintains that everything he told d'Artagnan the night before was only the ramblings of a drunken musketeer; there was no truth to any of it. He also confesses that when he got up that morning, he was somewhat muddle-headed and gambled away his magnificent horse. d'Artagnan is deeply disappointed. Then Athos reveals that he also gambled away d'Artagnan's horse as well. d'Artagnan believes that Athos has lost his mind. Then Athos further confesses that he gambled — and lost — the silver harnesses, saddles, and other elegant trappings.
D'Artagnan is speechless. Then comes the bitterest blow of all: Athos says that he gambled away d'Artagnan's diamond ring, the one which the queen gave him. D'Artagnan can only exclaim "My God" in total disbelief. Athos then says that he gambled for his servant, Grimaud — and won back the diamond ring, Then, using the ring, he won back the harnesses. And then he quit. Now they have harnesses but no horses.
Athos convinces d'Artagnan that he should try a toss of the dice that he should at least try to win back his horse, or 100 pistoles. When d'Artagnan wins, Athos talks him into accepting the 100 pistoles, rather than the horse, because he will need the money to continue his search for Constance Bonacieux. D'Artagnan agrees, and they set off on their servants' old horses to meet Aramis.
Aramis confesses to his friends that he sold his magnificent English horse to pay for some masses that he had earlier contracted for, and now he has only the harness left. When they meet Porthos, he asks them to sit down to a magnificent and extravagant meal. Shortly thereafter, Athos asks them to identify what they are eating, and after one of them names an elegant dish, he tells them that they are all eating, as it were, "horse." He realizes that Porthos had to sell his horse in order to pay his debts and eat well. "But," Porthos explains, I saved the harness."
