The next day the fetes took place, accompanied by all thepomp and animation that the resources of the town and thecheerful disposition of men's minds could supply. During thelast few hours spent in Havre, every preparation for thedeparture had been made. After Madame had taken leave of theEnglish fleet, and, once again, had saluted the country insaluting its flags, she entered her carriage, surrounded bya brilliant escort. De Guiche had hoped that the Duke ofBuckingham would accompany the admiral to England; butBuckingham succeeded in demonstrating to the queen thatthere would be great impropriety in allowing Madame toproceed to Paris almost unprotected. As soon as it had beensettled that Buckingham was to accompany Madame, the youngduke selected a corps of gentlemen and officers to form partof his own suite, so that it was almost an army that now setout towards Paris, scattering gold, and exciting theliveliest demonstrations as they passed through thedifferent towns and villages on the route. The weather wasvery fine. France is a beautiful country, especially alongthe route by which the procession passed. Spring cast itsflowers and its perfumed foliage on their path. Normandy,with its vast variety of vegetation, its blue skies andsilver rivers, displayed itself in all the loveliness of aparadise to the new sister of the king. Fetes and brilliantdisplays received them everywhere along the line of march.De Guiche and Buckingham forgot everything; De Guiche in hisanxiety to prevent any fresh attempts on the part of theduke, and Buckingham, in his desire to awaken in the heartof the princess a softer remembrance of the country to whichthe recollection of many happy days belonged. But, alas! thepoor duke could perceive that the image of that country socherished by himself became, from day to day, more and moreeffaced in Madame's mind, in exact proportion as heraffection for France became more deeply engraved on herheart. In fact, it was not difficult to perceive that hismost devoted attention awakened no acknowledgment, and thatthe grace with which he rode one of his most fiery horseswas thrown away, for it was only casually and by the merestaccident that the princess's eyes were turned towards him.In vain did he try, in order to fix upon himself one ofthose looks, which were thrown carelessly around, orbestowed elsewhere, to produce in the animal he rode itsgreatest display of strength, speed, temper and address; invain did he, by exciting his horse almost to madness, spurhim, at the risk of dashing himself in pieces against thetrees, or of rolling in the ditches, over the gates andbarriers which they passed, or down the steep declivities ofthe hills. Madame, whose attention had been aroused by thenoise, turned her head for a moment to observe the cause ofit, and then, slightly smiling, again entered intoconversation with her faithful guardians, Raoul and DeGuiche, who were quietly riding at her carriage doors.Buckingham felt himself a prey to all the tortures ofjealousy; an unknown, unheard of anguish glided through hisveins, and laid siege to his heart; and then, as if to showthat he knew the folly of his conduct, and that he wished tocorrect, by the humblest submission, his flights ofabsurdity, he mastered his horse, and compelled him, reekingwith sweat and flecked with foam, to champ his bit closebeside the carriage, amidst the crowd of courtiers.Occasionally he obtained a word from Madame as a recompense,and yet her speech seemed almost a reproach.

"That is well, my lord," she said, "now you are reasonable."

Or from Raoul, "Your Grace is killing your horse."

Buckingham listened patiently to Raoul's remarks, for heinstinctively felt, without having had any proof that suchwas the case, that Raoul checked the display of De Guiche'sfeelings, and that, had it not been for Raoul, some mad actor proceeding, either of the count, or of Buckinghamhimself, would have brought about an open rupture, or adisturbance - perhaps even exile itself. From the moment ofthat excited conversation the two young men had held infront of the tents at Havre, when Raoul made the dukeperceive the impropriety of his conduct, Buckingham felthimself attracted towards Raoul almost in spite of himself.He often entered into conversation with him, and it wasnearly always to talk to him either of his father or ofD'Artagnan, their mutual friend, in whose praise Buckinghamwas nearly as enthusiastic as Raoul. Raoul endeavored, asmuch as possible, to make the conversation turn upon thissubject in De Wardes's presence, who had, during the wholejourney, been exceedingly annoyed at the superior positiontaken by Bragelonne, and especially by his influence over DeGuiche. De Wardes had that keen and merciless penetrationmost evil natures possess; he had immediately remarked DeGuiche's melancholy, and divined the nature of his regardfor the princess. Instead, however, of treating the subjectwith the same reserve which Raoul practiced; instead ofregarding with that respect, which was their due, theobligations and duties of society, De Wardes resolutelyattacked in the count the ever-sounding chord of juvenileaudacity and pride. It happened one evening, during a haltat Nantes, that while De Guiche and De Wardes were leaningagainst a barrier, engaged in conversation, Buckingham andRaoul were also talking together as they walked up and down.Manicamp was engaged in devoted attendance on the princess,who already treated him without reserve, on account of hisversatile fancy, his frank courtesy of manner, andconciliatory disposition.

"Confess," said De Wardes, "that you are really ill and thatyour pedagogue of a friend has not succeeded in curing you."

"I do not understand you," said the count.

"And yet it is easy enough; you are dying of love."

"You are mad, De Wardes."

"Madness it would be, I admit, if Madame were reallyindifferent to your martyrdom; but she takes so much noticeof it, observes it to such an extent, that she compromisesherself, and I tremble lest, on our arrival at Paris, M. deBragelonne may not denounce both of you."

"For shame, De Wardes, again attacking De Bragelonne."

"Come, come, a truce to child's play," replied the count'sevil genius, in an undertone; "you know as well as I do whatI mean. Besides, you must have observed how the princess'sglance softens as she looks at you; - you can tell, by thevery inflection of her voice, what pleasure she takes inlistening to you, and can feel how thoroughly sheappreciates the verses you recite to her. You cannot deny,too, that every morning she tells you how indifferently sheslept the previous night."

"True, De Wardes, quite true; but what good is there in yourtelling me all that?"

"Is it not important to know the exact position of affairs?"

"No, no; not when I am a witness of things that are enoughto drive one mad."

"Stay, stay," said De Wardes; "look, she calls you, - doyou understand? Profit by the occasion, while your pedagogueis absent."

De Guiche could not resist; an invincible attraction drewhim towards the princess. De Wardes smiled as he saw himwithdraw.

"You are mistaken, monsieur," said Raoul, suddenly steppingacross the barrier against which the previous moment the twofriends had been leaning. "The pedagogue is here, and hasoverheard you."

De Wardes, at the sound of Raoul's voice, which herecognized without having occasion to look at him, half drewhis sword.

"Put up your sword," said Raoul, "you know perfectly wellthat, until our journey is at an end, every demonstration ofthat nature is useless. Why do you distill into the heart ofthe man you term your friend all the bitterness that infectsyour own? As regards myself, you wish to arouse a feeling ofdeep dislike against a man of honor - my father's friendand my own: and as for the count you wish him to love onewho is destined for your master. Really, monsieur, I shouldregard you as a coward, and a traitor too, if I did not,with greater justice, regard you as a madman."

"Monsieur," exclaimed De Wardes, exasperated, "I wasdeceived, I find, in terming you a pedagogue. The tone youassume, and the style which is peculiarly your own, is thatof a Jesuit, and not of a gentleman. Discontinue, I beg,whenever I am present, this style I complain of, and thetone also. I hate M. d'Artagnan because he was guilty of acowardly act towards my father."

"You lie, monsieur," said Raoul, coolly.

"You give me the lie, monsieur?" exclaimed De Wardes.

"Why not, if what you assert is untrue?"

"You give me the lie and will not draw your sword?"

"I have resolved, monsieur, not to kill you until Madameshall have been delivered safely into her husband's hands."

"Kill me! Believe me, monsieur, your schoolmaster's rod doesnot kill so easily."

"No," replied Raoul, sternly, "but M. d'Artagnan's swordkills; and, not only do I possess his sword, but he hashimself taught me how to use it: and with that sword, when abefitting time arrives, I will avenge his name - -a name youhave dishonored."

"Take care, monsieur," exclaimed De Wardes; "if you do notimmediately give me satisfaction, I will avail myself ofevery means to revenge myself."

"Indeed, monsieur," said Buckingham, suddenly, appearingupon the scene of action, "that is a threat which savors ofassassination, and therefore, ill becomes a gentleman."

"What did you say, my lord?" said De Wardes, turning roundtowards him.

"I said, monsieur, that the words you spoken are displeasingto my English ears."

"Very well, monsieur, if what you say is true," exclaimed DeWardes, thoroughly incensed, "I at least find in you one whowill not escape me. Understand my words as you like."

"I take them in the manner they cannot but be understood,"replied Buckingham, with that haughty tone whichcharacterized him. and which, even in ordinary conversation,gave a tone of defiance to everything he said; "M. deBragelonne is my friend, you insult M. de Bragelonne, andyou shall give me satisfaction for that insult."

De Wardes cast a look upon De Bragelonne, who, faithful tothe character he had assumed, remained calm and unmoved,even after the duke's defiance.

"It would seem that I did not insult M. de Bragelonne, sinceM. de Bragelonne, who carries a sword by his side, does notconsider himself insulted."

"At all events you insult some one."

"Yes, I insulted M. d'Artagnan," resumed De Wardes, who hadobserved that this was the only means of stinging Raoul, soas to awaken his anger.

"That then," said Buckingham, "is another matter."

"Precisely so," said De Wardes, "it is the province of M.d'Artagnan's friends to defend him."

"I am entirely of your opinion," replied the duke, who hadregained all his indifference of manner; "if M. deBragelonne were offended, I could not reasonably be expectedto espouse his quarrel, since he is himself here; but whenyou say that it is a quarrel of M. d'Artagnan - - "

"You will of course leave me to deal with the matter," saidDe Wardes.

"Nay, on the contrary, for I draw my sword," saidBuckingham, unsheathing it as he spoke; "for if M.d'Artagnan injured your father, he rendered, or at least didall that he could to render, a great service to mine."

De Wardes was thunderstruck.

"M. d'Artagnan," continued Buckingham, "is the bravestgentleman I know. I shall be delighted, as I owe him manypersonal obligations, to settle them with you, by crossingmy sword with yours." At the same moment Buckingham drew hissword gracefully from its scabbard, saluted Raoul, and puthimself on guard.

De Wardes advanced a step to meet him.

"Stay, gentlemen," said Raoul, advancing towards them, andplacing his own drawn sword between the combatants, "theaffair is hardly worth the trouble of blood being shedalmost in the presence of the princess. M. de Wardes speaksill of M. d'Artagnan, with whom he is not even acquainted."

"What, monsieur," said De Wardes, setting his teeth hardtogether, and resting the point of his sword on the toe ofhis boot, "do you assert that I do not know M. d'Artagnan?"

"Certainly not; you do not know him," replied Raoul, coldly,"and you are even not aware where he is to he found."

"Not know where he is?"

"Such must be the case, since you fix your quarrel with himupon strangers, instead of seeking M. d'Artagnan where he isto be found." De Wardes turned pale. "Well, monsieur,"continued Raoul, "I will tell you where M. d'Artagnan is: heis now in Paris; when on duty he is to be met with at theLouvre, - when not on duty, in the Rue des Lombards. M.d'Artagnan can be easily discovered at either of those twoplaces. Having, therefore, as you assert, so many causes ofcomplaint against him, show your courage in seeking him out,and afford him an opportunity of giving you thatsatisfaction you seem to ask of every one but of himself."De Wardes passed his hand across his forehead, which wascovered with perspiration. "For shame, M. de Wardes! soquarrelsome a disposition is hardly becoming after thepublication of the edicts against duels. Pray think of that;the king will be incensed at our disobedience, particularlyat such a time, - and his majesty will be in the right."

"Excuses," murmured De Wardes; "mere pretexts."

"Really, M. De Wardes," resumed Raoul, "such remarks are theidlest bluster. You know very well that the Duke ofBuckingham is a man of undoubted courage, who has alreadyfought ten duels, and will probably fight eleven. His namealone is significant enough. As far as I am concerned, youare well aware that I can fight also. I fought at Sens, atBleneau, at the Dunes in front of the artillery, a hundredpaces in front of the line, while you - I say thisparenthetically - were a hundred paces behind it. True itis, that on that occasion there was far too great aconcourse of persons present for your courage to beobserved, and on that account, perhaps, you did not revealit; while here, it would be a display, and would exciteremark - you wish that others should talk about you, inwhat manner you do not care. Do not depend upon me, M. deWardes, to assist you in your designs, for I shall certainlynot afford you that pleasure."

"Sensibly observed," said Buckingham, putting up his sword,"and I ask your forgiveness, M. de Bragelonne, for havingallowed myself to yield to a first impulse."

De Wardes, however, on the contrary, perfectly furious,bounded forward and raised his sword, threateningly, againstRaoul, who had scarcely time to put himself in a posture ofdefense.

"Take care, monsieur," said Bragelonne, tranquilly, "or youwill put out one of my eyes."

"You will not fight, then?" said De Wardes.

"Not at this moment, but this I promise to do; immediatelyon our arrival at Paris I will conduct you to M. d'Artagnan,to whom you shall detail all the causes of complaint youhave against him. M. d'Artagnan will solicit the king'spermission to measure swords with you. The king will yieldhis consent, and when you shall have received thesword-thrust in due course, you will consider, in a calmerframe of mind, the precepts of the Gospel, which enjoinforgetfulness of injuries."

"Ah!" exclaimed De Wardes, furious at this imperturbablecoolness, "one can clearly see you are half a bastard, M. deBragelonne."

Raoul became as pale as death; his eyes flashed lightning,causing De Wardes involuntarily to fall back. Buckingham,also, who had perceived their expression, threw himselfbetween the two adversaries, whom he had expected to seeprecipitate themselves on each other. De Wardes had reservedthis injury for the last; he clasped his sword firmly in hishand, and awaited the encounter. "You are right, monsieur,"said Raoul, mastering his emotion, "I am only acquaintedwith my father's name, but I know too well that the Comte dela Fere is too upright and honorable a man to allow me tofear for a single moment that there is, as you insinuate,any stain upon my birth. My ignorance, therefore, of mymother's name is a misfortune for me, and not a reproach.You are deficient in loyalty of conduct; you are wanting incourtesy, in reproaching me with misfortune. It matterslittle, however, the insult has been given, and I considermyself insulted accordingly. It is quite understood, then,that after you shall have received satisfaction from M.d'Artagnan, you will settle your quarrel with me."

"I admire your prudence, monsieur," replied De Wardes with abitter smile; "a little while ago you promised me asword-thrust from M. d'Artagnan, and now, after I shall havereceived his, you offer me one from yourself."

"Do not disturb yourself," replied Raoul, with concentratedanger, "in all affairs of that nature, M. d'Artagnan isexceedingly skillful, and I will beg him as a favor to treatyou as he did your father; in other words, to spare yourlife at least, so as to leave me the pleasure, after yourrecovery, of killing you outright; for you have the heart ofa viper, M. de Wardes, and in very truth, too manyprecautions cannot be taken against you."

"I shall take my precautions against you," said De Wardes,"be assured of it."

"Allow me, monsieur," said Buckingham, "to translate yourremark by a piece of advice I am about to give M. deBragelonne; M. de Bragelonne, wear a cuirass."

De Wardes clenched his hands. "Ah!" said he, "you twogentlemen intend to wait until you have taken thatprecaution before you measure your swords against mine."

"Very well, monsieur," said Raoul, "since you positivelywill have it so, let us settle the affair now." And drawinghis sword he advanced towards De Wardes.

"What are you going to do?" said Buckingham.

"Be easy," said Raoul, "it will not be very long."

De Wardes placed himself on his guard; their swords crossed.De Wardes flew upon Raoul with such impetuosity, that at thefirst clashing of the steel blades Buckingham clearly sawthat Raoul was only trifling with his adversary. Buckinghamstepped aside, and watched the combat. Raoul was as calm asif he were handling a foil, instead of a sword; havingretreated a step, he parried three or four fierce thrustswhich De Wardes made at him, caught the sword of the latterwithin his own, and sent it flying twenty paces the otherside of the barrier. Then as De Wardes stood disarmed andastounded at his defeat Raoul sheathed his sword, seized himby the collar and the waist-band, and hurled his adversaryto the other end of the barrier, trembling, and mad withrage.

"We shall meet again," murmured De Wardes, rising from theground and picking up his sword.

"I have done nothing for the last hour," said Raoul, "butsay the same thing." Then, turning towards the duke, hesaid, "I entreat you to be silent about this affair; I amashamed to have gone so far, but my anger carried me away,and I ask your forgiveness for it; - forget it, too."

"Dear viscount," said the duke, pressing within his own thevigorous and valiant hand of his companion, "allow me, onthe contrary, to remember it, and to look after your safety;that man is dangerous, - he will kill you."

"My father," replied Raoul, "lived for twenty years underthe menace of a much more formidable enemy, and he stilllives."

"Your father had good friends, viscount."

"Yes," sighed Raoul, "such friends indeed, that none are nowleft like them."

"Do not say that, I beg, at the very moment I offer you myfriendship;" and Buckingham opened his arms to embraceRaoul, who delightedly received the proffered alliance. "Inmy family," added Buckingham, "you are aware, M. deBragelonne, wee die to save our friends."

"I know it well, duke," replied Raoul.