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Its true, though, said Porthos; and the proof is that I paidtwelve pistoles for
it.
Can Treville haveset this Gascon upon me? cried dArtagnan,
springingforward, in his turn, after the servant.
You know I hate moralizing,
except when it isdone by Athos. No; before a woman you would dare not fly, I
presume?
Do you say, resumed dArtagnan, that you suspect thatimpertinent
gentleman?
Exactly as I have the honor to tell your Excellency. Eachboasted the
bearing and the courage of his own people.
Ill circulate that saying, be
assured, my dear fellow. But an imperious glance from the stranger stopped
himshort; he bowed humbly and retired. This time there could be no doubt;
dArtagnan was reallyinsulted. Can Treville haveset this Gascon upon me? Only
till the queen has given an heir to the crown of France.
He who at the moment
occupied the upper step kept his adversariesmarvelously in check. Yes, a base
coward, murmured dArtagnan; but she--she was verybeautiful. Although he was a
perfect stranger in the court of M. cried the Gascon, who reckonedupon this
letter for making his way at court.
His Eminence, then, orders me-- said the
lady.
That is well; do as I have directed you, then.
Then, in a suppressed
tone, as ifspeaking to himself, This is annoying, continued he.
Arrived at the
staircase, it was still worse.
I have told you this, good sir, resumed the
host, in orderthat you may be on your guard. To return instantly to England,
and to inform him as soon as theduke leaves London. Oh, its only a temporary
postponement, replied Aramis; Ishall be one someday. *We are well aware that
this term, milady, is only properly usedwhen followed by a family name.
It was
at this moment that people came flocking to the scene ofaction from all
sides.
The wonder was increased, though the doubt continued to exist. What,
without chastising this insolent boy? But, after all, said he, lowering the
point of his spit, whereis this letter?
Can Treville haveset this Gascon upon
me?
de Bassompierre had been talked of twenty years before, andthat was not
saying a little. She wept abundantly; and--let us speak itto the praise of M.
replied the stranger, knitting his brow.
On the contrary, everything is in the
kitchen.
Milady, faltered dArtagnan, and fainted a second time.
Does the letter
contain anything valuable? DArtagnan, seeing him approach, drew his sword a
foot out of thescabbard. You know that very well, as I gave my order to saddle
my horse.
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