to espouse his quarrel, since he is himself here; but when
you say that it is a quarrel of M. d’Artagnan —- ”
“You will of course leave me to deal with the matter,” said
De Wardes.
“Nay, on the contrary, for I draw my sword,” said
Buckingham, unsheathing it as he spoke; “for if M.
d’Artagnan injured your father, he rendered, or at least did
all that he could to render, a great service to mine.”
De Wardes was thunderstruck.
“M. d’Artagnan,” continued Buckingham, “is the bravest
gentleman I know. I shall be delighted, as I owe him many
personal obligations, to settle them with you, by crossing
my sword with yours.” At the same moment Buckingham drew his
sword gracefully from its scabbard, saluted Raoul, and put
himself on guard.
De Wardes advanced a step to meet him.
“Stay, gentlemen,” said Raoul, advancing towards them, and
placing his own drawn sword between the combatants, “the
affair is hardly worth the trouble of blood being shed
almost in the presence of the princess. M. de Wardes speaks
ill of M. d’Artagnan, with whom he is not even acquainted.”
Page 518
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“What, monsieur,” said De Wardes, setting his teeth hard
together, and resting the point of his sword on the toe of
his boot, “do you assert that I do not know M. d’Artagnan?”
“Certainly not; you do not know him,” replied Raoul, coldly,
“and you are even not aware where he is to he found.”
“Not know where he is?”
“Such must be the case, since you fix your quarrel with him
upon strangers, instead of seeking M. d’Artagnan where he is
to be found.” De Wardes turned pale. “Well, monsieur,”
continued Raoul, “I will tell you where M. d’Artagnan is: he
is now in Paris; when on duty he is to be met with at the
Louvre, — when not on duty, in the Rue des Lombards. M.
d’Artagnan can be easily discovered at either of those two
places. Having, therefore, as you assert, so many causes of
complaint against him, show your courage in seeking him out,
and afford him an opportunity of giving you that
satisfaction you seem to ask of every one but of himself.”
De Wardes passed his hand across his forehead, which was
covered with perspiration. “For shame, M. de Wardes! so
quarrelsome a disposition is hardly becoming after the
publication of the edicts against duels. Pray think of that;
the king will be incensed at our disobedience, particularly
at such a time, — and his majesty will be in the right.”
“Excuses,” murmured De Wardes; “mere pretexts.”
“Really, M. De Wardes,” resumed Raoul, “such remarks are the
idlest bluster. You know very well that the Duke of
Buckingham is a man of undoubted courage, who has already
fought ten duels, and will probably fight eleven. His name
alone is significant enough. As far as I am concerned, you
are well aware that I can fight also. I fought at Sens, at
Bleneau, at the Dunes in front of the artillery, a hundred
paces in front of the line, while you — I say this
parenthetically — were a hundred paces behind it. True it
is, that on that occasion there was far too great a
concourse of persons present for your courage to be
observed, and on that account, perhaps, you did not reveal
it; while here, it would be a display, and would excite
remark — you wish that others should talk about you, in
what manner you do not care. Do not depend upon me, M. de
Wardes, to assist you in your designs, for I shall certainly
not afford you that pleasure.”
“Sensibly observed,” said Buckingham, putting up his sword,
“and I ask your forgiveness, M. de Bragelonne, for having
allowed myself to yield to a first impulse.”
De Wardes, however, on the contrary, perfectly furious,
bounded forward and raised his sword, threateningly, against
Raoul, who had scarcely time to put himself in a posture of
defense.
“Take care, monsieur,” said Bragelonne, tranquilly, “or you
will put out one of my eyes.”
“You will not fight, then?” said De Wardes.
“Not at this moment, but this I promise to do; immediately