impression of being unacquainted with the gentleman of whom
you are speaking.”
“I not acquainted with M. d’Artagnan? Can you tell me,
monsieur, who does not know him?”
“Those who do know him, monsieur,” replied Raoul with still
greater calmness and sternness of manner, “are in the habit
of saying, that if he is not as good a gentleman as the king
— which is not his fault — he is the equal of all the
kings of the earth in courage and loyalty. Such is my
opinion, monsieur, and I thank heaven I have known M.
d’Artagnan from my birth.”
De Wardes was about to reply, when De Guiche interrupted
him.
CHAPTER 82
The Portrait of Madame
The discussion was becoming full of bitterness. De Guiche
perfectly understood the whole matter for there was in
Bragelonne’s face a look instinctively hostile, while in
that of De Wardes there was something like a determination
to offend. Without inquiring into the different feelings
which actuated his two friends, De Guiche resolved to ward
off the blow which he felt was on the point of being dealt
by one of them, and perhaps by both. “Gentlemen,” he said,
“we must take our leave of each other, I must pay a visit to
Monsieur. You, De Wardes, will accompany me to the Louvre,
and you Raoul, will remain here master of the house; and as
all that is done here is under your advice, you will bestow
the last glance upon my preparations for departure.”
Raoul, with the air of one who neither seeks nor fears a
quarrel, bowed his head in token of assent, and seated
himself upon a bench in the sun. “That is well,” said De
Guiche, “remain where you are, Raoul, and tell them to show
you the two horses I have just purchased; you will give me
your opinion, for I only bought them on condition that you
ratified the purchase. By the by, I have to beg your pardon
for having omitted to inquire after the Comte de la Fere.”
While pronouncing these latter words, he closely observed De
Wardes, in order to perceive what effect the name of Raoul’s
father would produce upon him. “I thank you,” answered the
young man, “the count is very well.” A gleam of deep hatred
passed into De Wardes’ eyes. De Guiche, who appeared not to
notice the foreboding expression, went up to Raoul, and
grasping him by the hand, said, — “It is agreed, then,
Page 486
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
Bragelonne, is it not, that you will rejoin us in the
courtyard of the Palais-Royal?” He then signed to De Wardes
to follow him who had been engaged in balancing himself
first on one foot, then on the other. “We are going,” said
he, “come, M. Malicorne.” This name made Raoul start; for it
seemed that he had already heard it pronounced before, but
he could not remember on what occasion. While trying to
recall it half-dreamily, yet half-irritated at his
conversation with De Wardes, the three young men set out on
their way towards the Palais-Royal, where Monsieur was
residing. Malicorne learned two things; the first, that the
young men had something to say to each other, and the
second, that he ought not to walk in the same line with
them; and therefore he walked behind. “Are you mad?” said De
Guiche to his companion, as soon as they had left the Hotel
de Grammont; “you attack M. d’Artagnan, and that, too,
before Raoul.”
“Well,” said De Wardes, “what then?”
“What do you mean by `what then?'”
“Certainly, is there any prohibition against attacking M.
d’Artagnan?”
“But you know very well that M. d’Artagnan was one of those
celebrated and terrible four men who were called the
musketeers.”
“That they may be, but I do not perceive why, on that
account, I should be forbidden to hate M. d’Artagnan.”
“What cause has he given you?”
“Me! personally, none.”
“Why hate him, therefore?”
“Ask my dead father that question.”
“Really, my dear De Wardes, you surprise me. M. d’Artagnan
is not one to leave unsettled any enmity he may have to
arrange, without completely clearing his account. Your