The discussion was becoming full of bitterness. De Guicheperfectly understood the whole matter for there was inBragelonne's face a look instinctively hostile, while inthat of De Wardes there was something like a determinationto offend. Without inquiring into the different feelingswhich actuated his two friends, De Guiche resolved to wardoff the blow which he felt was on the point of being dealtby one of them, and perhaps by both. "Gentlemen," he said,"we must take our leave of each other, I must pay a visit toMonsieur. You, De Wardes, will accompany me to the Louvre,and you Raoul, will remain here master of the house; and asall that is done here is under your advice, you will bestowthe last glance upon my preparations for departure."

Raoul, with the air of one who neither seeks nor fears aquarrel, bowed his head in token of assent, and seatedhimself upon a bench in the sun. "That is well," said DeGuiche, "remain where you are, Raoul, and tell them to showyou the two horses I have just purchased; you will give meyour opinion, for I only bought them on condition that youratified the purchase. By the by, I have to beg your pardonfor having omitted to inquire after the Comte de la Fere."While pronouncing these latter words, he closely observed DeWardes, in order to perceive what effect the name of Raoul'sfather would produce upon him. "I thank you," answered theyoung man, "the count is very well." A gleam of deep hatredpassed into De Wardes' eyes. De Guiche, who appeared not tonotice the foreboding expression, went up to Raoul, andgrasping him by the hand, said, - "It is agreed, then,Bragelonne, is it not, that you will rejoin us in thecourtyard of the Palais-Royal?" He then signed to De Wardesto follow him who had been engaged in balancing himselffirst on one foot, then on the other. "We are going," saidhe, "come, M. Malicorne." This name made Raoul start; for itseemed that he had already heard it pronounced before, buthe could not remember on what occasion. While trying torecall it half-dreamily, yet half-irritated at hisconversation with De Wardes, the three young men set out ontheir way towards the Palais-Royal, where Monsieur wasresiding. Malicorne learned two things; the first, that theyoung men had something to say to each other, and thesecond, that he ought not to walk in the same line withthem; and therefore he walked behind. "Are you mad?" said DeGuiche to his companion, as soon as they had left the Hotelde 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 thosecelebrated and terrible four men who were called themusketeers."

"That they may be, but I do not perceive why, on thataccount, 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'Artagnanis not one to leave unsettled any enmity he may have toarrange, without completely clearing his account. Yourfather, I have heard, on his side, carried matters with ahigh hand. Moreover there are no enmities so bitter thatthey cannot be washed away by blood, by a good sword-thrustloyally given."

"Listen to me, my dear De Guiche, this inveterate dislikeexisted between my father and M. d'Artagnan, and when I wasquite a child, he acquainted me with the reason for it, and,as forming part of my inheritance, I regard it as aparticular legacy bestowed upon me."

"And does his hatred concern M. d'Artagnan alone?"

"As for that, M. d'Artagnan was so intimately associatedwith his three friends, that some portion of the fullmeasure of my hatred falls to their lot, and that hatred isof such a nature, whenever the opportunity occurs, theyshall have no occasion to complain of their allowance."

De Guiche had kept his eyes fixed on De Wardes, andshuddered at the bitter manner in which the young mansmiled. Something like a presentiment flashed across hismind; he knew that the time had passed away for grands coupsentre gentilshommes; but that the feeling of hatredtreasured up in the mind, instead of being diffused abroad,was still hatred all the same; that a smile was sometimes asfull of meaning as a threat; and, in a word, that to thefathers who had hated with their hearts and fought withtheir arms, would now succeed the sons, who would indeedhate with their hearts, but would no longer combat theirenemies, save by means of intrigue or treachery. As,therefore, it certainly was not Raoul whom he could suspecteither of intrigue or treachery, it was on Raoul's accountthat De Guiche trembled. However, while these gloomyforebodings cast a shade of anxiety over De Guiche'scountenance, De Wardes had resumed the entire mastery overhimself.

"At all events," he observed, "I have no personal ill-willtowards M. de Bragelonne; I do not know him even."

"In any case," said De Guiche, with a certain amount ofseverity in his tone of voice, "do not forget onecircumstance, that Raoul is my most intimate friend;" aremark at which De Wardes bowed.

The conversation terminated there, although De Guiche triedhis utmost to draw out his secret from him; but, doubtless,De Wardes had determined to say nothing further, and heremained impenetrable. De Guiche therefore promised himselfa more satisfactory result with Raoul. In the meantime theyhad reached the Palais-Royal, which was surrounded by acrowd of lookers-on. The household belonging to Monsieurawaited his command to mount their horses, in order to formpart of the escort of the ambassadors, to whom had beenintrusted the care of bringing the young princess to Paris.The brilliant display of horses, arms, and rich liveries,afforded some compensation in those times, thanks to thekindly feelings of the people, and to the traditions of deepdevotion to their sovereigns, for the enormous expensescharged upon the taxes. Mazarin had said: "Let them sing,provided they pay;" while Louis XIV.'s remark was, "Let themlook." Sight had replaced the voice; the people could stilllook, but they were no longer allowed to sing. De Guicheleft De Wardes and Malicorne at the bottom of the grandstaircase, while he himself, who shared the favor and goodgraces of Monsieur with the Chevalier de Lorraine, whoalways smiled at him most affectionately, though he couldnot endure him, went straight to the prince's apartments,whom he found engaged in admiring himself in the glass, androuging his face. In a corner of the cabinet, the Chevalierde Lorraine was extended full length upon some cushions,having just had his long hair curled, with which he wasplaying in the same manner a woman would have done. Theprince turned round as the count entered, and perceiving whoit was, said:

"Ah! is that you, Guiche, come here and tell me the truth."

"You know, my lord, it is one of my defects to speak thetruth."

"You will hardly believe, De Guiche, how that wickedchevalier has annoyed me."

The chevalier shrugged his shoulders.

"Why, he pretends," continued the prince, "that MademoiselleHenrietta is better looking as a woman than I am as a man."

"Do not forget, my lord," said De Guiche, frowning slightly,"you require me to speak the truth?"

"Certainly," said the prince, tremblingly.

"Well, and I shall tell it you."

"Do not be in a hurry, Guiche," exclaimed the prince, "youhave plenty of time; look at me attentively, and try torecollect Madame. Besides, her portrait is here. Look atit." And he held out to him a miniature of the finestpossible execution. De Guiche took it, and looked at it fora long time attentively.

"Upon my honor, my lord, this is indeed a most lovely face."

"But look at me, count, look at me," said the princeendeavoring to direct upon himself the attention of thecount, who was completely absorbed in contemplation of theportrait.

"It is wonderful," murmured Guiche.

"Really one would almost imagine you had never seen theyoung lady before."

"It is true, my lord, I have seen her, but it was five yearsago; there is a great difference between a child twelveyears old and a girl of seventeen."

"Well, what is your opinion?"

"My opinion is that the portrait must be flattering, mylord."

"Of that," said the prince triumphantly, "there can be nodoubt, but let us suppose that it is not, what would youropinion be?"

"My lord, that your highness is exceedingly happy to have socharming a bride."

"Very well, that is your opinion of her, but of me?"

"My opinion, my lord, is that you are too handsome for aman."

The Chevalier de Lorraine burst out laughing. The princeunderstood how severe towards himself this opinion of theComte de Guiche was, and he looked somewhat displeased,saying, "My friends are not over indulgent." De Guichelooked at the portrait again, and, after lengthenedcontemplation, returned it with apparent unwillingness,saying, "Most decidedly, my lord, I should rather prefer tolook ten times at your highness, than to look at Madame onceagain." It seemed as if the chevalier had detected somemystery in these words, which were incomprehensible to theprince, for he exclaimed: "Very well, get married yourself."Monsieur continued painting himself, and when he hadfinished, looked at the portrait again once more, turned toadmire himself in the glass, and smiled, and no doubt wassatisfied with the comparison. "You are very kind to havecome," he said to Guiche, "I feared you would leave withoutbidding me adieu."

"Your highness knows me too well to believe me capable of sogreat a disrespect."

"Besides, I suppose you have something to ask from me beforeleaving Paris?"

"Your highness has indeed guessed correctly, for I have arequest to make."

"Very good, what is it?"

The Chevalier de Lorraine immediately displayed the greatestattention, for he regarded every favor conferred uponanother as a robbery committed against himself. And, asGuiche hesitated, the prince said: "If it be money, nothingcould be more fortunate, for I am in funds; thesuperintendent of the finances has sent me 500,000pistoles."

"I thank your highness; but it is not an affair of money."

"What is it, then? Tell me."

"The appointment of a maid of honor."

"Oh! oh! Guiche, what a protector you have become of youngladies," said the prince, "you never speak of any one elsenow!"

The Chevalier de Lorraine smiled, for he knew very well thatnothing displeased the prince more than to show any interestin ladies. "My lord," said the comte, "it is not I who amdirectly interested in the lady of whom I have just spoken;I am acting on behalf of one of my friends."

"Ah! that is different; what is the name of the young ladyin whom your friend is interested?"

"Mlle. de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere; she is alreadymaid of honor to the dowager princess."

"Why, she is lame," said the Chevalier de Lorraine,stretching himself on his cushions.

"Lame," repeated the prince, "and Madame to have herconstantly before her eyes? Most certainly not; it may bedangerous for her when in an interesting condition."

The Chevalier de Lorraine burst out laughing.

"Chevalier," said Guiche, "your conduct is ungenerous; whileI am soliciting a favor, you do me all the mischief youcan."

"Forgive me, comte," said the Chevalier de Lorraine,somewhat uneasy at the tone in which Guiche had made hisremark, "but I had no intention of doing so, and I begin tobelieve that I have mistaken one young lady for another."

"There is no doubt of it, monsieur; and I do not hesitate todeclare that such is the case."

"Do you attach much importance to it, Guiche?" inquired theprince.

"I do, my lord."

"Well, you shall have it, but ask me for no moreappointments, for there are none to give away."

"Ah!" exclaimed the chevalier, "midday already, that is thehour fixed for the departure."

"You dismiss me, monsieur?" inquired Guiche.

"Really, count, you treat me very ill to-day," replied thechevalier.

"For heaven's sake, count, for heaven's sake, chevalier,"said Monsieur, "do you not see how you are distressing me?"

"Your highness's signature?" said Guiche.

"Take a blank appointment from that drawer, and give it tome." Guiche handed the prince the document indicated, and atthe same time presented him with a pen already dipped inink; whereupon the prince signed. "Here," he said, returninghim the appointment, "but I give it on one condition."

"Name it."

"That you make friends with the chevalier."

"Willingly," said Guiche. And he held out his hand to thechevalier with an indifference amounting to contempt.

"Adieu, count," said the chevalier, without seeming in anyway to have noticed the count's slight; "adieu, and bring usback a princess who will not talk with her own portrait toomuch."

"Yes, set off and lose no time. By the by, who accompanyyou?"

"Bragelonne and De Wardes."

"Both excellent and fearless companions."

"Too fearless," said the chevalier; "endeavor to bring themboth back, count."

"A bad heart, bad!" murmured De Guiche; "he scents mischiefeverywhere, and sooner than anything else." And taking leaveof the prince, he quitted the apartment. As soon as hereached the vestibule, he waved in the air the paper whichthe prince had signed. Malicorne hurried forward, andreceived it, trembling with delight. When, however, he heldit in his hand Guiche observed that he still awaitedsomething further.

"Patience, monsieur," he said; "the Chevalier de Lorrainewas there, and I feared an utter failure if I asked too muchat once. Wait until I return. Adieu."

"Adieu, monsieur le comte; a thousand thanks," saidMalicorne.

"Send Manicamp to me. By the way, monsieur, is it true thatMlle. de la Valliere is lame?" As he said this a horse drewup behind him, and on turning round he noticed thatBragelonne, who had just at that moment entered thecourtyard, turned suddenly pale. The poor lover had heardthe remark, which, however, was not the case with Malicorne,for he was already beyond the reach of the count's voice.

"Why is Louise's name spoken of here?" said Raoul tohimself; "oh! let not De Wardes, who stands smiling yonder,even say a word about her in my presence."

"Now, gentlemen," exclaimed the Comte de Guiche, "prepare tostart."

At this moment the prince, who had completed his toilette,appeared at the window, and was immediately saluted by theacclamations of all who composed the escort, and ten minutesafterwards, banners, scarfs, and feathers were flutteringand waving in the air, as the cavalcade galloped away.