the stranger approach her, arose and came towards them.
“At least, sir,” said Buckingham, “you shall not wait for
the presentation you claim of me.”
Then turning toward the princess and bowing: “Madam,” said
the young man, “the king, your brother, desires me to have
the honor of presenting to your royal highness, Monsieur le
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
Chevalier d’Artagnan.”
“In order that your royal highness may have, in case of
need, a firm support and a sure friend,” added Parry.
D’Artagnan bowed.
“You have still something to say, Parry,” replied Henrietta,
smiling upon D’Artagnan, while addressing the old servant.
“Yes, madam, the king desires you to preserve religiously in
your memory the name and merit of M. d’Artagnan, to whom his
majesty owes, he says, the recovery of his kingdom.”
Buckingham, the princess, and Rochester looked at each
other.
“That,” said D’Artagnan, “is another little secret, of
which, in all probability, I shall not boast to his
majesty’s son, as I have done to you with respect to the
diamond studs.”
“Madam,” said Buckingham, “monsieur has just, for the second
time, recalled to my memory an event which excites my
curiosity to such a degree, that I shall venture to ask your
permission to take him to one side for a moment, to converse
in private.”
“Do, my lord,” said the princess, “but restore to the
sister, as quickly as possible, this friend so devoted to
the brother.” And she took the arm of Rochester whilst
Buckingham took that of D’Artagnan.
“Oh! tell me, chevalier,” said Buckingham, “all that affair
of the diamonds, which nobody knows in England, not even the
son of him who was the hero of it.”
“My lord, one person alone had a right to relate all that
affair, as you call it, and that was your father; he thought
proper to be silent. I must beg you to allow me to be so
likewise.” And D’Artagnan bowed like a man upon whom it was
evident no entreaties could prevail.
“Since it is so, sir,” said Buckingham, “pardon my
indiscretion, I beg you; and if, at any time, I should go
into France —- ” and he turned round to take a last look
at the princess, who took but little notice of him, totally
occupied as she was, or appeared to be, with Rochester.
Buckingham sighed.
“Well?” said D’Artagnan.
“I was saying that if, any day, I were to go to France —-
”
“You will go, my lord,” said D’Artagnan. “I shall answer for
that.”
“And how so?”
“Oh, I have strange powers of prediction; if I do predict
anything I am seldom mistaken. If, then, you do come to
France?”
“Well, then, monsieur, you, of whom kings ask that valuable
friendship which restores crowns to them, I will venture to
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
beg of you a little of that great interest you took in my
father.”
“My lord,” replied D’Artagnan, “believe me, I shall deem
myself highly honored if, in France, you remember having
seen me here. And now permit —- ”
Then, turning towards the princess: “Madam,” said he, “your
royal highness is a daughter of France; and in that quality
I hope to see you again in Paris. One of my happy days will
be that on which your royal highness shall give me any
command whatever, thus proving to me that you have not
forgotten the recommendations of your august brother.” And
he bowed respectfully to the young princess, who gave him
her hand to kiss with a right royal grace.
“Ah! madam,” said Buckingham, in a subdued voice, “what can
a man do to obtain a similar favor from your royal
highness?”
“Dame! my lord ” replied Henrietta, “ask Monsieur
d’Artagnan; he will tell you.”
CHAPTER 36
How D’Artagnan drew, as a Fairy would have done,
a Country-seat from a Deal Box
The king’s words regarding the wounded pride of Monk had not
inspired D’Artagnan with a small portion of apprehension.
The lieutenant had had, all his life, the great art of
choosing his enemies; and when he had found them implacable
and invincible, it was when he had not been able, under any
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