Furious after leaving M. de TrĂ©ville, d'Artagnan rushes down the stairs and accidentally collides headfirst into the wounded musketeer Athos. DâArtagnan attempts to excuse himself by citing his extreme haste, but Athos takes offense at his poor manners and perceived rudeness. The confrontation escalates, prompting Athos to challenge the young Gascon to a duel at noon near the Carmes-Deschaux. Resuming his frantic pursuit of an elusive stranger, d'Artagnan attempts to squeeze past Porthos at the street exit. A sudden gust of wind entangles him in Porthosâs long cloak. While struggling to free himself, d'Artagnan discovers that Porthos's magnificent, seemingly gold-plated shoulder belt is actually cheap leather on the back. To hide this vanity, Porthos wears his cloak constantly. Embarrassed by the exposure, Porthos reacts with fury. D'Artagnan exacerbates the insult by mocking the musketeerâs vanity, resulting in Porthos challenging him to a second duel at one o'clock behind the Luxembourg. Losing all trace of the stranger, d'Artagnan reflects on his precarious situation. Realizing he has scheduled two potentially fatal duels with legendary musketeers before noon, he resolves to behave with utmost courtesy if he survives. Seeing Aramis nearby conversing with some guards, d'Artagnan approaches to demonstrate his newfound politeness. When Aramis accidentally drops a lady's embroidered handkerchief and steps on it to hide it, d'Artagnan tries to be helpful by retrieving it. This well-intentioned gesture publicly compromises Aramis regarding a secret affair with Madame de Bois-Tracy. Despite Aramis's attempts to deny ownership, the guards tease him relentlessly. Once the guards depart, Aramis angrily confronts d'Artagnan for his indiscretion. Tempers flare, and when d'Artagnan accuses Aramis of lying and mocks his ecclesiastical ambitions, Aramis challenges him to a third duel. To avoid the Cardinal's spies, Aramis schedules their meeting for two o'clock at M. de TrĂ©ville's hotel, where they will choose a secluded location. Accepting his fate, d'Artagnan heads to his first appointment with Athos, finding solace only in the fact that if he dies, it will be at the hands of a musketeer.