Part 19 (1/2)
”Believe neur,” said the duke, ”that if I quit the court of France-”
”Because you are recalled; but, if you suppose the expression of ht possibly have any influence with the king, I will gladly volunteer to entreat his er”
”I aneur, by so ham; ”but I have received positive coed it at the risk of displeasing n It is only this very day that I recollected I ought to have set off four days ago”
”Indeed,” said Monsieur
”Yes; but,” added Buckingha his voice in such a manner that the princess could hear him,-”but I resemble that dweller in the East, who turned htful dream that he had had, but who one day awoke, if not completely cured, in some respects rational at least The court of France has its intoxicating properties, which are not unlike this dream, my lord; but at last I wake and leave it I shall be unable, therefore, to prolong hness has so kindly invited me to do”
”When do you leave?” inquired Philip, with an expression full of interest
”To-es have been ready for three days”
The Duc d'Orleans nify, ”Since you are deterha under a smile a contraction of his heart; and then Monsieur moved away in the same direction by which he had approached At the same moment, however, De Guiche advanced from the opposite direction Raoul feared that the iht possibly make the proposition himself, and hurried forth before him
”No, no, Raoul, all is useless now,” said Guiche, holding both his hands towards the duke, and leading hiive ive me back my letter”
”It is true,” said the duke, ”you cannot owe ivefriendshi+p is yours”
”There is certainly no reason why you should bear me any ill-will froain”
Raoul heard these words, and co that his presence was now useless between the young e, withdrew a few paces; a ht hi with the Chevalier de Lorraine respecting the departure of Buckinghaic retreat,” said De Wardes
”Why so?”
”Because the dear duke saves a sword-thrust by it” At which reply both laughed
Raoul, indignant, turned round frowningly, flushed with anger and his lip curling with disdain The Chevalier de Lorraine turned on his heel, but De Wardes remained and waited
”You will not break yourself of the habit,” said Raoul to De Wardes, ”of insulting the absent; yesterday it was M d'Artagnan, to-day it is the Duke of Buckingham”
”You know very well, monsieur,” returned De Wardes, ”that I sometimes insult those who are present”
De Wardes was close to Raoul, their shoulders met, their faces approached, as if to mutually inflaer It could be seen that the one was at the height of fury, the other at the end of his patience Suddenly a voice was heard behind the, ”I believe I heard my nanan, ith a s eye and a cheerful face, had just placed his hand on De Wardes's shoulder Raoul stepped back to make room for the musketeer De Wardes trembled fronan, still with the same smile, took the place which Raoul had abandoned to him
”Thank you, my dear Raoul,” he said ”M de Wardes, I wish to talk with you Do not leave us, Raoul; every one can hear what I have to say to M de Wardes” His slace became cold and sharp as a sword
”I am at your orders,tiht an opportunity of conversing with you; to-day is the first time I have found it The place is badly chosen, I adoodness to accompany me to allery”
”I follow you, monsieur,” said De Wardes
”Are you alone here?” said D'Artagnan
”No; I have M Manicamp and M de Guiche, two of nan; ”but two persons are not sufficient; you will be able to find a few others, I trust”
”Certainly,” said the young nan had in view ”As many as you please”
”Are they friends?”
”Yes, monsieur”
”Real friends?”
”No doubt of it”
”Very well, get a good supply, then Do you coha to sned to hih to recommend him to be patient, and then led the way to his apartments 2
Chapter XX Sword-Thrusts in the Water (concluded)
D'Artagnan's apartment was not unoccupied; for the Comte de la Fere, seated in the recess of a aited hinan, as he saw him enter
”Well,” said the latter, ”M de Wardes has done me the honor to pay me a visit, in company with some of his own friends, as well as of ours” In fact, behind the musketeer appeared De Wardes and Manicaha as expected of theentlelanced round the roo the count, he went and placed hinan received his visitors with all the courtesy he was capable of; he preserved his unmoved and unconcerned look All the persons present wereposts of honor and credit at the court After he had apologized to each of theht have put them to, he turned towards De Wardes, who, in spite of his custo soled with not a little uneasiness
”Now, er within the precincts of the king's palace, and since we can speak out without failing in respect to propriety, I will inform you why I have taken the liberty to request you to visit entlemen to be present at the same time My friend, the Comte de la Fere, has acquaintedabout ard me as your mortal enemy, because I was, so you affirm, that of your father”
”Perfectly true, monsieur, I have said so,” replied De Wardes, whose pallid face becaed with color
”You accuse me, therefore, of a crioodness to state your charge against me in precise terms”
”In the presence of witnesses?”
”Most certainly in the presence of witnesses; and you see I have selected the experienced in affairs of honor”
”You do not appreciate my delicacy, monsieur I have accused you, it is true; but I have kept the nature of the accusation a perfect secret I entered into no details; but have rested satisfied by expressing my hatred in the presence of those on whom a duty was almost imposed to acquaint you with it You have not taken the discreetness I have shown into consideration, although you were interested in renize your habitual prudence in that, M d'Artagnan”
D'Artagnan, as quietly biting the corner of hisyou to state the particulars of the grievances you say you have against me”
”Aloud?”
”Certainly, aloud”
”In that case, I will speak”