Wardes, as I, an old officer, did and said just now to your
boy’s mustache.”
“And if I refuse?” inquired De Wardes.
“In that case the result will be — ”
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“That which you think you will prevent,” said De Wardes,
laughing; “the result will be that your conciliatory address
will end in a violation of the king’s prohibition.”
“Not so,” said the captain, “you are quite mistaken.”
“What will be the result, then?”
“The result will be that I shall go to the king, with whom I
am on tolerably good terms, to whom I have been happy enough
to render certain services dating from a period when you
were not born, and who at my request, has just sent me an
order in blank for M. Baisemeaux de Montlezun, governor of
the Bastile; and I shall say to the king: `Sire, a man has
in a most cowardly way insulted M. de Bragelonne by
insulting his mother; I have written this man’s name upon
the lettre de cachet which your majesty has been kind enough
to give me, so that M. de Wardes is in the Bastile for three
years.'” And D’Artagnan drawing the order signed by the king
from his pocket, held it towards De Wardes.
Remarking that the young man was not quite convinced, and
received the warning as an idle threat, he shrugged his
shoulders and walked leisurely towards the table, upon which
lay a writing-case and a pen, the length of which would have
terrified the topographical Porthos. De Wardes then saw that
nothing could well be more seriously intended than the
threat in question for the Bastile, even at that period, was
already held in dread. He advanced a step towards Raoul,
and, in an almost unintelligible voice, said, — “I offer my
apologies in the terms which M. d’Artagnan just now
dictated, and which I am forced to make to you.”
“One moment, monsieur,” said the musketeer, with the
greatest tranquillity, “you mistake the terms of the
apology. I did not say, `and which I am forced to make’; I
said, `and which my conscience induces me to make.’ This
latter expression, believe me, is better than the former;
and it will be far preferable, since it will be the most
truthful expression of your own sentiments.”
“I subscribe to it,” said De Wardes; “but submit, gentlemen,
that a thrust of a sword through the body, as was the custom
formerly, was far better than tyranny like this.”
“No, monsieur,” replied Buckingham; “for the sword-thrust,
when received, was no indication that a particular person
was right or wrong; it only showed that he was more or less
skillful in the use of the weapon.”
“Monsieur!” exclaimed De Wardes.
“There, now,” interrupted D’Artagnan, “you are going to say
something very rude, and I am rendering you a service by
stopping you in time.”
“Is that all, monsieur?” inquired De Wardes.
“Absolutely everything,” replied D’Artagnan, “and these
gentlemen, as well as myself, are quite satisfied with you.”
“Believe me monsieur, that your reconciliations are not
successful.”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“In what way?”
“Because, as we are now about to separate. I would wager
that M. de Bragelonne and myself are greater enemies than
ever.”
“You are deceived, monsieur, as far as I am concerned,”
returned Raoul; “for I do not retain the slightest animosity
in my heart against you.”
This last blow overwhelmed De Wardes. He cast his eyes
around him like a man bewildered. D’Artagnan saluted most
courteously the gentlemen who had been present at the
explanation; and every one, on leaving the room, shook hands
with him; but not one hand was held out towards De Wardes.
“Oh!” exclaimed the young man, abandoning himself to the
rage which consumed him, “can I not find some one on whom to
wreak my vengeance?”
“You can, monsieur, for I am here,” whispered a voice full
of menace in his ear.
De Wardes turned round, and saw the Duke of Buckingham, who,
having probably remained behind with that intention, had
just approached him. “You, monsieur?” exclaimed De Wardes.
“Yes, I! I am no subject of the king of France; I am not