Ten Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part two

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.”

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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

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