The proposition had been made, and received
withenthusiasm, when fortunately eleven oclock struck. Let us adjure him, in thename
of the God before whom he must perhaps appear, to speak thetruth.
A PROPOS ofthe cardinal, Monsieur de Treville, I am
vexed with you! I maycontinue to rely upon it, may I not?
Tell him all this for me, for these are things
which aking cannot say for himself.
The MELEE becamegeneral, but strength was on the
side of the Musketeers.
At his announcement dArtagnan felt himself tremble
to the verymarrow of his bones. Had his Majesty, asked he, any intention of holding
thishunting party yesterday?
No, sire, but I say that he deceives
himself.
After having well beatenhim, he forbade him to
leave his service without his permission.
This time,however, his address, although polite,
was cooler than usual. He freed his weapon,made a lunge, and touched his adversary
on the shoulder. I enjoy beforehand the face the cardinal willmake. Have you not
enjoyed the pleasuresof the chase today?
It is nearly eightoclock, and at nine I expect a
visit.
Let us pass, then,from the valet of Athos to the
valet of Porthos, from Grimaud toMousqueton. Never mind; be content, Iwill do my
best. Well, then, Monsieur Bernajoux, said dArtagnan, tranquilly, Iwill wait for you
at the door. Athos then shrugged his shoulders, and, withoutputting himself in a
passion, thrashed Grimaud. I maycontinue to rely upon it, may I not?
Fresh sharpened by his victory, full of hopes
offuture favor, he was resolved not to recoil a step. At his announcement dArtagnan
felt himself tremble to the verymarrow of his bones. At this epoch, the ideas of
pride which are in fashion in ourdays did not prevail. He was very taciturn, this
worthy signor.
An instantafter, the Guardsman descended in his
turn.
It had long been an object of ambition for
Porthos.
The king had not yet returned from
hunting.
As to the wounded man, hehad been taken in at once,
and, as we have said, in a very badstate.
After me it will all be over, and people will hunt
withgins, snares, and traps. Never mind; be content, Iwill do my best.
But thatsquite enough, gentlemen; please to
understand, thats enough.
Seven of his EminencesGuards placed HORS DE COMBAT
by you four in two days!
And now let us see, young man,with your hand upon
your conscience, how did all this come topass? Let us adjure him, in thename of the
God before whom he must perhaps appear, to speak thetruth.
But thatsquite enough, gentlemen; please to
understand, thats enough. They are below, sire, and with your permission La Chesnaye
willbid them come up.