Part 11 (1/2)
”You spoke to hi
”In those very terard us,' I said, 'if you were to perceive ah, to entertain other than sentiments of the most perfect respect for a princess who is the destined wife of our master?'”
These words were so applicable to De Guiche that he turned pale, and, overcoitation, was barely able to stretch out one hand mechanically towards Raoul, as he covered his eyes and face with the other
”But,” continued Raoul, not interrupted by this movement of his friend, ”Heaven be praised, the French, who are pronounced to be thoughtless and indiscreet, reckless, even, are capable of bringing a calh importance I added even entlens by sacrificing them our affections, as well as our fortunes and our lives; and whenever it ests one of those vile thoughts that set the heart on fire, we extinguish the fla our blood for the purpose Thus it is that the honor of three is saved: our country's, our master's, and our own It is thus that we act, your Grace; it is thus that every ht to act' In this elonne, ”I addressed the Duke of Buckinghaned hiu forhile Raoul was speaking, drew hi proudly; he seized Raoul's hand, his face, which had been as cold as ice, seenificently,” he said, in a half-choked voice; ”you are indeed a friend, Raoul But now, I entreat you, leave me to myself”
”Do you wish it?”
”Yes; I need repose Many things have agitated me to-day, both in er be the same man”
”I leave you, then,” said Raoul, as he withdrew The count advanced a step towards his friend, and pressed him warmly in his arms But in this friendly pressure Raoul could detect the nervous agitation of a great internal conflict
The night was clear, starlit, and splendid; the tempest had passed away, and the sweet influences of the evening had restored life, peace and security everywhere A few fleecy clouds were floating in the heavens, and indicated from their appearance a continuance of beautiful weather, tee square in front of the hotel, the shadows of the tents, intersected by the golden e stones Soon, however, the entire torapped in slulimmered in Madame's apartment, which looked out upon the square, and the soft rays froe of the calirl, hardly yet sensible of life's anxieties, and in whom the flame of existence sinks placidly as sleep steals over the body
Bragelonne quitted the tent with the slow and measured step of a man curious to observe, but anxious not to be seen Sheltered behind the thick curtains of his own tent, elance the whole square, he noticed that, after a few itated, and then drawn partially aside Behind thelittering in the obscurity, fastened ardently upon the princess's sitting aparthted by the laht which illumined the as the count's star The fervent aspirations of his nature could be read in his eyes Raoul, concealed in the shadow, divined the hts that established, between the tent of the young ambassador and the balcony of the princess, a ical bond of syhts ith and persistence of will, that they ht upon the perfumed couch, which the count, with the eyes of his soul, devoured so eagerly
But De Guiche and Raoul were not the only watchers Theof one of the houses looking on the square was opened too, the casehaht which issued from this latter, the profile of the duke could be distinctly seen, as he indolently reclined upon the carved balcony with its velvet hangings; he also was breathing in the direction of the princess's apartment his prayers and the wild visions of his love
Raoul could not resist s of Madaed;” and then added, coht of Monsieur, ”and he is a husband well threatened too; it is a good thing for hih rank, that he has an arelonne watched for some time the conduct of the two lovers, listened to the loud and uncivil sluh he earing his blue and gold, instead of his violet suit
Then he turned towards the night breeze which bore towards hiale; and, after having laid in a due provision of melancholy, another nocturnal ard to his own love affair, that perhaps four or even a larger number of eyes, quite as ardent as those of De Guiche and Buckingha his own idol in the chateau at Blois ”And Madearrison,” said he to hi aloud
Chapter XII From Le Havre to Paris
The next day the fetes took place, accompanied by all the pomp and animation that the resources of the town and the cheerful disposition ofthe last few hours spent in Le Havre, every preparation for the departure had been lish fleet, and, once again, had saluted the country in saluting its flags, she entered her carriage, surrounded by a brilliant escort De Guiche had hoped that the Duke of Buckinghaha to the queen that there would be great i Madame to proceed to Paris, alha duke selected a corps of gentlemen and officers to form part of his own suite, so that it was alold, and exciting the liveliest deh the different towns and villages on the route The weather was very fine France is a beautiful country, especially along the route by which the procession passed Spring cast its flowers and its perfue on their path Noretation, its blue skies and silver rivers, displayed itself in all the loveliness of a paradise to the new sister of the king Fetes and brilliant displays received theha; De Guiche in his anxiety to prevent any fresh atteham, in his desire to awaken in the heart of the princess a softer remembrance of the country to which the recollection of ed But, alas! the poor duke could perceive that the ie of that country so cherished by himself became, from day to day, more and more effaced in Madame's mind, in exact proportion as her affection for France becaraved on her heart In fact, it was not difficult to perceive that his erace hich he rode one of his most fiery horses was throay, for it was only casually and by the merest accident that the princess's eyes were turned towards him In vain did he try, in order to fix upon himself one of those looks, which were thrown carelessly around, or bestowed elsewhere, to produce in the anith, speed, te his horse al hi in the ditches, over the gates and barriers which they passed, or down the steep declivities of the hills Madame, whose attention had been aroused by the noise, turned her head for a , again entered into conversation with her faithful guardians, Raoul and De Guiche, ere quietly riding at her carriage doors Buckingham felt himself a prey to all the tortures of jealousy; an unknown, unheard of anguish glided through his veins, and laid siege to his heart; and then, as if to show that he knew the folly of his conduct, and that he wished to correct, by the huhts of absurdity, hewith sweat and flecked with foae, amidst the crowd of courtiers Occasionally he obtained a word from Madame as a recompense, and yet her speech seemed almost a reproach
”That is well, my lord,” she said, ”now you are reasonable”
Or froham listened patiently to Raoul's re had any proof that such was the case, that Raoul checked the display of De Guiche's feelings, and that, had it not been for Raoul, sohaht about an open rupture, or a disturbance-perhaps even exile itself Fro men had held in front of the tents at Le Havre, when Raoul ham felt himself attracted towards Raoul almost in spite of himself He often entered into conversation with him, and it was nearly always to talk to hinan, their ham was nearly as enthusiastic as Raoul Raoul endeavored, as much as possible, to make the conversation turn upon this subject in De Wardes's presence, who had, during the whole journey, been exceedingly annoyed at the superior position taken by Bragelonne, and especially by his influence over De Guiche De Wardes had that keen and merciless penetration most evil natures possess; he had immediately remarked De Guiche's ard for the princess Instead, however, of treating the subject with the sa with that respect, which was their due, the obligations and duties of society, De Wardes resolutely attacked in the count the ever-sounding chord of juvenile audacity and pride It happened one evening, during a halt at Mantes, that while De Guiche and De Wardes were leaning against a barrier, engaged in conversation, Buckinghaether as they walked up and down Manicaed in devoted attendance on the princess, who already treated him without reserve, on account of his versatile fancy, his frank courtesy of manner, and conciliatory disposition
”Confess,” said De Wardes, ”that you are really ill, and that your pedagogue of a friend has not succeeded in curing you”
”I do not understand you,” said the count
”And yet it is easy enough; you are dying of love”
”You are mad, De Wardes”
”Madness it would be, I admit, if Madame were really indifferent to your martyrdom; but she takes so much notice of it, observes it to such an extent, that she compromises herself, and I treelonne ain attacking De Bragelonne”
”Coenius, in an undertone; ”you knoell as I do what I lance softens as she looks at you;-you can tell, by the very inflection of her voice, what pleasure she takes in listening to you, and can feel how thoroughly she appreciates the verses you recite to her You cannot deny, too, that everyshe tells you how indifferently she slept the previous night”
”True, De Wardes, quite true; but what good is there in your telling me all that?”
”Is it not important to know the exact position of affairs?”
”No, no; not when I ah to drive one mad”
”Stay, stay,” said De Wardes; ”look, she calls you,-do you understand? Profit by the occasion, while your pedagogue is absent”
De Guiche could not resist; an invincible attraction drew him towards the princess De Wardes smiled as he saw him withdraw
”You areacross the barrier against which the previous ue is here, and has overheard you”
De Wardes, at the sound of Raoul's voice, which he recognized without having occasion to look at him, half drew his sword
”Put up your sword,” said Raoul; ”you know perfectly well that, until our journey is at an end, every demonstration of that nature is useless Why do you distill into the heart of the man you terards ainst a man of honor-my father's friend and my own; and as for the count you wish him to love one who is destined for your ard you as a coward, and a traitor too, if I did not, with greater justice, regard you as a madman”
”Monsieur,” exclaimed De Wardes, exasperated, ”I was deceived, I find, in terue The tone you assume, and the style which is peculiarly your own, is that of a Jesuit, and not of a gentle, whenever I am present, this style I conan, because he was guilty of a cowardly act towards my father”
”You lie, ive me the lie, monsieur?” exclaimed De Wardes
”Why not, if what you assert is untrue?”
”You give me the lie, and will not draw your sword?”
”I have resolved, monsieur, not to kill you until Madame shall have been delivered safely into her husband's hands”
”Kill me! Believe me, monsieur, your schoolmaster's rod does not kill so easily”
”No,” replied Raoul, sternly, ”but M d'Artagnan's sword kills; and, not only do I possess his sword, but he has hihttie his name-a name you have dishonored”
”Take care, ive e ha upon the scene of action, ”that is a threat which savors of assassination, and therefore, ill becoentleman”
”What did you say,round towards him