Ten Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part one

the stranger approach her, arose and came towards them.

“At least, sir,” said Buckingham, “you shall not wait for

the presentation you claim of me.”

Then turning toward the princess and bowing: “Madam,” said

the young man, “the king, your brother, desires me to have

the honor of presenting to your royal highness, Monsieur le

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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

Chevalier d’Artagnan.”

“In order that your royal highness may have, in case of

need, a firm support and a sure friend,” added Parry.

D’Artagnan bowed.

“You have still something to say, Parry,” replied Henrietta,

smiling upon D’Artagnan, while addressing the old servant.

“Yes, madam, the king desires you to preserve religiously in

your memory the name and merit of M. d’Artagnan, to whom his

majesty owes, he says, the recovery of his kingdom.”

Buckingham, the princess, and Rochester looked at each

other.

“That,” said D’Artagnan, “is another little secret, of

which, in all probability, I shall not boast to his

majesty’s son, as I have done to you with respect to the

diamond studs.”

“Madam,” said Buckingham, “monsieur has just, for the second

time, recalled to my memory an event which excites my

curiosity to such a degree, that I shall venture to ask your

permission to take him to one side for a moment, to converse

in private.”

“Do, my lord,” said the princess, “but restore to the

sister, as quickly as possible, this friend so devoted to

the brother.” And she took the arm of Rochester whilst

Buckingham took that of D’Artagnan.

“Oh! tell me, chevalier,” said Buckingham, “all that affair

of the diamonds, which nobody knows in England, not even the

son of him who was the hero of it.”

“My lord, one person alone had a right to relate all that

affair, as you call it, and that was your father; he thought

proper to be silent. I must beg you to allow me to be so

likewise.” And D’Artagnan bowed like a man upon whom it was

evident no entreaties could prevail.

“Since it is so, sir,” said Buckingham, “pardon my

indiscretion, I beg you; and if, at any time, I should go

into France —- ” and he turned round to take a last look

at the princess, who took but little notice of him, totally

occupied as she was, or appeared to be, with Rochester.

Buckingham sighed.

“Well?” said D’Artagnan.

“I was saying that if, any day, I were to go to France —-

“You will go, my lord,” said D’Artagnan. “I shall answer for

that.”

“And how so?”

“Oh, I have strange powers of prediction; if I do predict

anything I am seldom mistaken. If, then, you do come to

France?”

“Well, then, monsieur, you, of whom kings ask that valuable

friendship which restores crowns to them, I will venture to

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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

beg of you a little of that great interest you took in my

father.”

“My lord,” replied D’Artagnan, “believe me, I shall deem

myself highly honored if, in France, you remember having

seen me here. And now permit —- ”

Then, turning towards the princess: “Madam,” said he, “your

royal highness is a daughter of France; and in that quality

I hope to see you again in Paris. One of my happy days will

be that on which your royal highness shall give me any

command whatever, thus proving to me that you have not

forgotten the recommendations of your august brother.” And

he bowed respectfully to the young princess, who gave him

her hand to kiss with a right royal grace.

“Ah! madam,” said Buckingham, in a subdued voice, “what can

a man do to obtain a similar favor from your royal

highness?”

“Dame! my lord ” replied Henrietta, “ask Monsieur

d’Artagnan; he will tell you.”

CHAPTER 36

How D’Artagnan drew, as a Fairy would have done,

a Country-seat from a Deal Box

The king’s words regarding the wounded pride of Monk had not

inspired D’Artagnan with a small portion of apprehension.

The lieutenant had had, all his life, the great art of

choosing his enemies; and when he had found them implacable

and invincible, it was when he had not been able, under any

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