D’Artagnan visits Porthos at his estate since he realizes the two have not seen one another in a couple of weeks. Porthos is uncharacteristically unhappy, as he has received an invitation to a fete at Vaux, but none of his clothes fit him correctly. Porthos has long felt embarrassed at being measured by a tailor, so he had his servant Mouston be measured in his place. The only problem with this is that Mouston is shorter and a little fatter than Porthos, so all of the new suits he ordered are too big in the body and too short in the leg. D’Artagnan persuades Porthos to come with him to the king’s tailor so he can be dressed for the big party.

D’Artagnan and Porthos visit the king’s tailor, Percerin. Percerin is an older man who has dressed kings for years, just like his father did before him. Percerin also famously prevented Italian tailors from flooding the market with Florentine designs, and one Italian noble, Concino Concini, wore one of Percerin’s doublets on his execution. Upon arriving at Percerin’s house, D’Artagnan and Porthos gain entry by claiming to be there on the king’s orders.