matters of such high importance. I added even more, for I
said, `Learn, my lord, that we gentlemen of France devote
ourselves to our sovereigns by sacrificing for them our
affections, as well as our fortunes and our lives; and
whenever it may chance to happen that the tempter suggests
one of those vile thoughts that set the heart on fire, we
extinguish the flame, even if it has to be done by shedding
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 man
of honor ought to act. In this manner, my dear Guiche,”
continued Raoul, “I addressed the Duke of Buckingham; and he
admitted I was right, and resigned himself unresistingly to
my arguments.”
De Guiche, who had hitherto sat leaning forward while Raoul
was speaking, drew himself up, his eyes glancing proudly; he
seized Raoul’s hand, his face, which had been as cold as
ice, seemed on fire. “And you spoke magnificently,” 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 mind and body; when you return tomorrow I shall no
longer 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,
tempered by a gentle breeze from the east. Upon the large
square in front of the hotel, the shadows of the tents,
intersected by the golden moonbeams, formed as it were a
huge mosaic of jet and yellow flagstones. Soon, however, the
entire town was wrapped in slumber; a feeble light still
glimmered in Madame’s apartment, which looked out upon the
square, and the soft rays from the expiring lamp seemed to
be the image of the calm sleep of a young girl, 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,
embracing with a glance the whole square, he noticed that,
after a few moments’ pause, the curtains of De Guiche’s tent
were agitated, and then drawn partially aside. Behind them
he could perceive the shadow of De Guiche, his eyes
glittering in the obscurity, fastened ardently upon the
princess’s sitting apartment, which was partially lighted by
the lamp in the inner room. The soft light which illumined
the windows was the count’s star. The fervent aspirations of
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his nature could be read in his eyes. Raoul, concealed in
the shadow, divined the many passionate thoughts that
established, between the tent of the young ambassador and
the balcony of the princess, a mysterious and magical bond
of sympathy — a bond created by thoughts imprinted with so
much strength and persistence of will, that they must have
caused happy and loving dreams to alight 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. The
window of one of the houses looking on the square was opened
too, the casement of the house where Buckingham resided. By
the aid of the rays of light 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