going to remain on the territory, since I am about setting
off for England. I have accumulated in my heart such a mass
of despair and rage, that I, too, like yourself, need to
revenge myself upon some one. I approve M. d’Artagnan’s
principles profoundly, but I am not bound to apply them to
you. I am an Englishman, and, in my turn, I propose to you
what you proposed to others to no purpose. Since you,
therefore, are so terribly incensed, take me as a remedy. In
thirty-four hours’ time I shall be at Calais. Come with me;
the journey will appear shorter if together, than if alone.
We will fight, when we get there, upon the sands which are
covered by the rising tide, and which form part of the
French territory during six hours of the day, but belong to
the territory of Heaven during the other six.”
“I accept willingly,” said De Wardes.
“I assure you,” said the duke, “that if you kill me, you
will be rendering me an infinite service.”
“I will do my utmost to make myself agreeable to you, duke,”
said De Wardes.
“It is agreed, then, that I carry you off with me?”
“I shall be at your commands. I needed some real danger and
some mortal risk to run, to tranquilize me.”
“In that case, I think you have met with what you are
looking for. Farewell, M. de Wardes; to-morrow morning, my
valet will tell you the exact hour of our departure; we can
travel together like two excellent friends. I generally
travel as fast as I can. Adieu.”
Buckingham saluted De Wardes, and returned towards the
king’s apartments; De Wardes, irritated beyond measure, left
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
the Palais-Royal, and hurried through the streets homeward
to the house where he lodged.
CHAPTER 96
Baisemeaux de Montlezun
After the austere lesson administered to De Wardes, Athos
and D’Artagnan together descended the staircase which led to
the courtyard of the Palais-Royal. “You perceive,” said
Athos to D’Artagnan, “that Raoul cannot, sooner or later,
avoid a duel with De Wardes, for De Wardes is as brave as he
is vicious and wicked.”
“I know such fellows well,” replied D’Artagnan; “I had an
affair with the father. I assure you that, although at that
time I had good muscles and a sort of brute courage — I
assure you that the father did me some mischief. But you
should have seen how I fought it out with him. Ah, Athos,
such encounters never take place in these times! I had a
hand which could never remain at rest, a hand like
quicksilver, — you knew its quality, for you have seen me
at work. My sword was no longer a piece of steel; it was a
serpent that assumed every form and every length, seeking
where it might thrust its head; in other words, where it
might fix its bite. I advanced half a dozen paces, then
three, and then, body to body, I pressed my antagonist
closely, then I darted back again ten paces. No human power
could resist that ferocious ardor. Well, De Wardes, the
father, with the bravery of his race, with his dogged
courage, occupied a good deal of my time; and my fingers, at
the end of the engagement, were, I well remember, tired
enough.”
“It is, then, as I said,” resumed Athos, “the son will
always be looking out for Raoul, and will end by meeting
him; and Raoul can easily be found when he is sought for.”
“Agreed; but Raoul calculates well; he bears no grudge
against De Wardes, — he has said so; he will wait until he
is provoked, and in that case his position is a good one.
The king will not be able to get out of temper about the
matter; besides we shall know how to pacify his majesty. But
why so full of these fears and anxieties? You don’t easily
get alarmed.”
“I will tell you what makes me anxious; Raoul is to see the
king to-morrow, when his majesty will inform him of his
wishes respecting a certain marriage. Raoul, loving as he
does, will get out of temper, and once in an angry mood, if