love me, and for which, equally, I care no longer if you
love me as I love you.”
“This is too much,” exclaimed Fouquet. “I yield, I yield,
even were it only to consecrate so much devotion. I accept
the dowry.”
“And take the woman with it.” said the: marquise, throwing
herself into his arms.
CHAPTER 104
Le Terrain de Dieu
During the progress of these events Buckingham and De Wardes
traveled in excellent companionship, and made the journey
from Paris to Calais in undisturbed harmony together.
Buckingham had hurried his departure, so that the greater
part of his adieux were very hastily made. His visit to
Monsieur and Madame, to the young queen, and to the
queen-dowager, had been paid collectively — a precaution on
the part of the queen-mother which saved him the distress of
any private conversation with Monsieur, and also the danger
of seeing Madame again. The carriages containing the luggage
had already been sent on beforehand, and in the evening he
set off in his traveling carriage with his attendants.
De Wardes, irritated at finding himself dragged away in so
abrupt a manner by this Englishman, had sought in his subtle
mind for some means of escaping from his fetters; but no one
having rendered him any assistance in this respect, he was
absolutely obliged, therefore, to submit to the burden of
his own evil thoughts and caustic spirit.
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
Such of his friends in whom he had been able to confide,
had, in their character of wits, rallied him upon the duke’s
superiority. Others, less brilliant, but more sensible, had
reminded him of the king’s orders prohibiting dueling.
Others, again, and they the larger number, who, in virtue of
charity, or national vanity, might have rendered him
assistance, did not care to run the risk of incurring
disgrace, and would, at the best, have informed the
ministers of a departure which might end in a massacre on a
small scale. The result was, that, after having fully
deliberated upon the matter, De Wardes packed up his
luggage, took a couple of horses, and, followed only by one
servant, made his way towards the barrier, where
Buckingham’s carriage was to await him.
The duke received his adversary as he would have done an
intimate acquaintance, made room beside him on the same seat
with himself, offered him refreshments, and spread over his
knees the sable cloak that had been thrown on the front
seat. They then conversed of the court, without alluding to
Madame; of Monsieur, without speaking of domestic affairs;
of the king, without speaking of his brother’s wife; of the
queen-mother, without alluding to her daughter-in-law; of
the king of England, without alluding to his sister-in-law;
of the state of the affections of either of the travelers,
without pronouncing any name that might be dangerous. In
this way the journey, which was performed by short stages,
was most agreeable, and Buckingham, almost a Frenchman from
wit and education, was delighted at having so admirably
selected his traveling companion. Elegant repasts were
served, of which they partook but lightly; trials of horses
made in the beautiful meadows that skirted the road;
coursing indulged in, for Buckingham had his greyhounds with
him; and in such ways did they pass away the pleasant time.
The duke somewhat resembled the beautiful river Seine, which
folds France a thousand times in its loving embrace, before
deciding upon joining its waters with the ocean. In quitting
France, it was her recently adopted daughter he had brought
to Paris whom he chiefly regretted; his every thought was a
remembrance of her — his every memory a regret. Therefore,
whenever, now and then, despite his command over himself, he
was lost in thought, De Wardes left him entirely to his
musings. This delicacy might have touched Buckingham, and
changed his feelings towards De Wardes, if the latter, while
preserving silence, had shown a glance less full of malice,
and a smile less false. Instinctive dislikes, however, are
relentless; nothing appeases them; a few ashes may
sometimes, apparently, extinguish them; but beneath those
ashes the smothered embers rage more furiously. Having
exhausted every means of amusement the route offered, they