[ He holds that gaze but slowly a smile flickers to life like an ember. ] Mademoiselle Starkov is an admirable woman. If she's seeing to it that you aren't even more foolish than usual then she has my utmost respect.

[ He says it like it's a joke but there's never been anything more true. Athos is pleased that he has friends outside of the Musketeers. It makes him feel marginally less panicked when they're separated. ]

An offer I can't deny, certainly. After you.