I was yesterday.”
“Let us go, then.”
The four descended the stairs. De Guiche’s carriage was
waiting at the door, and took them to the Palais-Royal. As
they were going along, Raoul was engaged in devising his
scheme of action. The sole depositary of two secrets, he did
not despair of concluding some arrangement between the two
parties. He knew the influence he exercised over Buckingham,
and the ascendency he had acquired over De Guiche, and
affairs did not look utterly hopeless. On their arrival in
the gallery, dazzling with the blaze of light, where the
most beautiful and illustrious women of the court moved to
and fro, like stars in their own atmosphere, Raoul could not
prevent himself for a moment forgetting De Guiche in order
to seek out Louise, who, amidst her companions, like a dove
completely fascinated, gazed long and fixedly upon the royal
circle, which glittered with jewels and gold. All its
members were standing, the king alone being seated. Raoul
perceived Buckingham, who was standing a few places from
Monsieur, in a group of French and English, who were
admiring his aristocratic carriage and the incomparable
magnificence of his costume. Some of the older courtiers
remembered having seen his father, but their recollections
were not prejudicial to the son.
Buckingham was conversing with Fouquet, who was talking with
him aloud about Belle-Isle. “I cannot speak to him at
present,” said Raoul.
“Wait, then, and choose your opportunity, but finish
everything speedily. I am on thorns.”
“See, our deliverer approaches,” said Raoul, perceiving
D’Artagnan, who, magnificently dressed in his new uniform of
captain of the musketeers, had just made his entry in the
gallery; and he advanced towards D’Artagnan.
“The Comte de la Fere has been looking for you, chevalier,”
said Raoul.
“Yes,” replied D’Artagnan, “I have just left him.”
Page 563
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“I thought you would have passed a portion of the evening
together.”
“We have arranged to meet again.”
As he answered Raoul, his absent looks were directed on all
sides, as if seeking some one in the crowd, or looking for
something in the room. Suddenly his gaze became fixed, like
that of an eagle on its prey. Raoul followed the direction
of his glance, and noticed that De Guiche and D’Artagnan
saluted each other, but he could not distinguish at whom the
captain’s inquiring and haughty glance was aimed.
“Chevalier,” said Raoul, “there is no one here but yourself
who can render me a service.”
“What is it, my dear vicomte?”
“It is simply to go and interrupt the Duke of Buckingham, to
whom I wish to say two words, and, as the duke is conversing
with M. Fouquet, you understand that it would not do for me
to throw myself into the middle of the conversation.”
“Ah, ah, is M. Fouquet there?” inquired D’Artagnan.
“Do you not see him?”
“Yes, now I do. But do you think I have a greater right than
you have?”
“You are a more important personage.”
“Yes, you’re right; I am captain of the musketeers; I have
had the post promised me so long, and have enjoyed it for so
brief a period, that I am always forgetting my dignity.”
“You will do me this service, will you not?”
“M. Fouquet — the deuce!”
“Are you not on good terms with him?”
“It is rather he who may not be on good terms with me;
however, since it must be done some day or another —- ”
“Stay; I think he is looking at you; or is it likely that it
might be —- ”
“No, no, don’t deceive yourself, it is indeed me for whom
this honor is intended.”
“The opportunity is a good one, then?”
“Do you think so?”
“Pray go.”
“Well, I will.”
De Guiche had not removed his eyes from Raoul, who made a
sign to him that all was arranged. D’Artagnan walked
straight up to the group, and civilly saluted M. Fouquet as
well as the others.
Page 564
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“Good evening, M. d’Artagnan; we were speaking of
Belle-Isle,” said Fouquet, with that usage of society, and
that perfect knowledge of the language of looks, which