Raoul, on betaking himself to De Guiche, found himconversing with De Wardes and Manicamp. De Wardes, since theaffair of the barricade, had treated Raoul as a stranger;they behaved as if they were not acquainted. As Raoulentered, De Guiche walked up to him; and Raoul, as hegrasped his friend's hand, glanced rapidly at his twocompanions, hoping to be able to read on their faces whatwas passing in their minds. De Wardes was cold andimpenetrable; Manicamp seemed absorbed in the contemplationof some trimming to his dress. De Guiche led Raoul to anadjoining cabinet, and made him sit down, saying, "How wellyou look!"

"That is singular," replied Raoul, "for I am far from beingin good spirits."

"It is your case, then, Raoul, as it is my own, - our loveaffairs do not progress."

"So much the better, count, as far as you are concerned; theworst news would be good news."

"In that case do not distress yourself, for, not only am Ivery unhappy, but, what is more, I see others about me whoare happy."

"Really, I do not understand you," replied Raoul; "explainyourself."

"You will soon learn. I have tried, but in vain, to overcomethe feeling you saw dawn in me, increase and take entirepossession of me. I have summoned all your advice and my ownstrength to my aid. I have well weighed the unfortunateaffair in which I have embarked; I have sounded its depths;that it is an abyss, I am aware, but it matters little, forI shall pursue my own course."

"This is madness, De Guiche! you cannot advance another stepwithout risking your own ruin to-day, perhaps your lifeto-morrow."

"Whatever may happen, I have done with reflections; listen."

"And you hope to succeed; you believe that Madame will loveyou?"

"Raoul, I believe nothing; I hope, because hope exists inman, and never abandons him till death."

"But, admitting that you obtain the happiness you covet,even then, you are more certainly lost than if you hadfailed in obtaining it."

"I beseech you, Raoul, not to interrupt me any more; youcould never convince me, for I tell you beforehand, I do notwish to be convinced; I have gone so far I cannot recede; Ihave suffered so much, death itself would be a boon. I nolonger love to madness, Raoul, I am being engulfed by awhirlpool of jealousy."

Raoul struck his hands together with an expressionresembling anger. "Well?" said he.

"Well or ill matters little. This is what I claim from you,my friend, my almost brother. During the last three daysMadame has been living in a perfect intoxication of gayety.On the first day, I dared not look at her; I hated her fornot being as unhappy as myself. The next day I could notbear her out of my sight; and she, Raoul - at least Ithought I remarked it - she looked at me, if not with pity,at least with gentleness. But between her looks and mine, ashadow intervened; another's smile invited hers. Beside herhorse another's always gallops, which is not mine; in herear another's caressing voice, not mine, unceasinglyvibrates. Raoul, for three days past my brain has been onfire; flame, not blood, courses through my veins. Thatshadow must be driven away, that smile must be quenched;that voice must be silenced."

"You wish Monsieur's death," exclaimed Raoul.

"No, no, I am not jealous of the husband; I am jealous ofthe lover."

"Of the lover?" said Raoul.

"Have you not observed it, you who were formerly sokeen-sighted?"

"Are you jealous of the Duke of Buckingham?"

"To the very death."

"Again jealous?"

"This time the affair will be easy to arrange between us; Ihave taken the initiative, and have sent him a letter."

"It was you, then, who wrote to him?"

"How do you know that?"

"I know it, because he told me so. Look at this;" and hehanded De Guiche the letter he had received nearly at thesame moment as his own. De Guiche read it eagerly, and said,"He is a brave man, and more than that, a gallant man."

"Most certainly the duke is a gallant man; I need not ask ifyou wrote to him in a similar style."

"He will show you my letter when you call on him on mybehalf."

"But that is almost out of the question."

"What is?"

"That I shall call on him for that purpose."

"Why so?"

"The duke consults me as you do."

"I suppose you will give me the preference! Listen to me,Raoul, I wish you to tell his Grace - it is a very simplematter - that to-day, to-morrow, the following day, or anyother day he may choose. I will meet him at Vincennes."

"Reflect, De Guiche."

"I thought I told you I have reflected."

"The duke is a stranger here; he is on a mission whichrenders his person inviolable.... Vincennes is close to theBastile."

"The consequences concern me."

"But the motive for this meeting? What motive do you wish meto assign?"

"Be perfectly easy on that score, he will not ask any. Theduke must be as sick of me as I am of him. I implore you,therefore, seek the duke, and if it is necessary to entreathim to accept my offer, I will do so."

"That is useless. The duke has already informed me that hewishes to speak to me. The duke is now playing cards withthe king. Let us both go there. I will draw him aside in thegallery: you will remain aloof. Two words will besufficient."

"That is well arranged. I will take De Wardes to keep me incountenance."

"Why not Manicamp? De Wardes can join us at any time; we canleave him here."

"Yes, that is true."

"He knows nothing?"

"Positively nothing. You continue still on an unfriendlyfooting, then?"

"Has he not told you anything?"

"Nothing."

"I do not like the man, and, as I never liked him, theresult is, that I am on no worse terms with him to-day thanI was yesterday."

"Let us go, then."

The four descended the stairs. De Guiche's carriage waswaiting at the door, and took them to the Palais-Royal. Asthey were going along, Raoul was engaged in devising hisscheme of action. The sole depositary of two secrets, he didnot despair of concluding some arrangement between the twoparties. He knew the influence he exercised over Buckingham,and the ascendency he had acquired over De Guiche, andaffairs did not look utterly hopeless. On their arrival inthe gallery, dazzling with the blaze of light, where themost beautiful and illustrious women of the court moved toand fro, like stars in their own atmosphere, Raoul could notprevent himself for a moment forgetting De Guiche in orderto seek out Louise, who, amidst her companions, like a dovecompletely fascinated, gazed long and fixedly upon the royalcircle, which glittered with jewels and gold. All itsmembers were standing, the king alone being seated. Raoulperceived Buckingham, who was standing a few places fromMonsieur, in a group of French and English, who wereadmiring his aristocratic carriage and the incomparablemagnificence of his costume. Some of the older courtiersremembered having seen his father, but their recollectionswere not prejudicial to the son.

Buckingham was conversing with Fouquet, who was talking withhim aloud about Belle-Isle. "I cannot speak to him atpresent," said Raoul.

"Wait, then, and choose your opportunity, but finisheverything speedily. I am on thorns."

"See, our deliverer approaches," said Raoul, perceivingD'Artagnan, who, magnificently dressed in his new uniform ofcaptain of the musketeers, had just made his entry in thegallery; and he advanced towards D'Artagnan.

"The Comte de la Fere has been looking for you, chevalier,"said Raoul.

"Yes," replied D'Artagnan, "I have just left him."

"I thought you would have passed a portion of the eveningtogether."

"We have arranged to meet again."

As he answered Raoul, his absent looks were directed on allsides, as if seeking some one in the crowd, or looking forsomething in the room. Suddenly his gaze became fixed, likethat of an eagle on its prey. Raoul followed the directionof his glance, and noticed that De Guiche and D'Artagnansaluted each other, but he could not distinguish at whom thecaptain's inquiring and haughty glance was aimed.

"Chevalier," said Raoul, "there is no one here but yourselfwho can render me a service."

"What is it, my dear vicomte?"

"It is simply to go and interrupt the Duke of Buckingham, towhom I wish to say two words, and, as the duke is conversingwith M. Fouquet, you understand that it would not do for meto throw myself into the middle of the conversation."

"Ah, ah, is M. Fouquet there?" inquired D'Artagnan.

"Do you not see him?"

"Yes, now I do. But do you think I have a greater right thanyou have?"

"You are a more important personage."

"Yes, you're right; I am captain of the musketeers; I havehad the post promised me so long, and have enjoyed it for sobrief a period, that I am always forgetting my dignity."

"You will do me this service, will you not?"

"M. Fouquet - the deuce!"

"Are you not on good terms with him?"

"It is rather he who may not be on good terms with me;however, since it must be done some day or another - - "

"Stay; I think he is looking at you; or is it likely that itmight be - - "

"No, no, don't deceive yourself, it is indeed me for whomthis honor is intended."

"The opportunity is a good one, then?"

"Do you think so?"

"Pray go."

"Well, I will."

De Guiche had not removed his eyes from Raoul, who made asign to him that all was arranged. D'Artagnan walkedstraight up to the group, and civilly saluted M. Fouquet aswell as the others.

"Good evening, M. d'Artagnan; we were speaking ofBelle-Isle," said Fouquet, with that usage of society, andthat perfect knowledge of the language of looks, whichrequire half a lifetime thoroughly to acquire, and whichsome persons, notwithstanding all their study, never attain.

"Of Belle-Isle-en-Mer! Ah!" said D'Artagnan. "It belongs toyou, I believe, M. Fouquet?"

"M. Fouquet has just told me that he had presented it to theking," said Buckingham.

"Do you know Belle-Isle, chevalier?" inquired Fouquet.

"I have only been there once," replied D'Artagnan, withreadiness and good-humor.

"Did you remain there long?"

"Scarcely a day."

"Did you see much of it while you were there?"

"All that could be seen in a day."

"A great deal can be seen with observation as keen asyours," said Fouquet; at which D'Artagnan bowed.

During this Raoul made a sign to Buckingham. "M. Fouquet,"said Buckingham, "I leave the captain with you, he is morelearned than I am in bastions, scarps, and counter-scarps,and I will join one of my friends, who has just beckonedme." Saying this, Buckingham disengaged himself from thegroup, and advanced towards Raoul, stopping for a moment atthe table where the queen-mother, the young queen, and theking were playing together.

"Now, Raoul," said De Guiche, "there he is; be firm andquick."

Buckingham, having made some complimentary remark to Madame,continued his way towards Raoul, who advanced to meet him,while De Guiche remained in his place, though he followedhim with his eyes. The maneuver was so arranged that theyoung men met in an open space which was left vacant,between the group of players and the gallery, where theywalked, stopping now and then for the purpose of saying afew words to some of the graver courtiers who were walkingthere. At the moment when the two lines were about to unite,they were broken by a third. It was Monsieur who advancedtoward the Duke of Buckingham. Monsieur had his mostengaging smile on his red and perfumed lips.

"My dear duke," said he, with the most affectionatepoliteness; "is it really true what I have just been told?"

Buckingham turned round, he had not noticed Monsieurapproach; but had merely heard his voice. He started inspite of his command over himself, and a slight palloroverspread his face. "Monseigneur," he asked, "what has beentold you that surprises you so much?"

"That which throws me into despair, and will, in truth, be areal cause of mourning for the whole court."

"Your highness is very kind, for I perceive that you alludeto my departure."

"Precisely."

Guiche had overheard the conversation from where he wasstanding, and started in his turn. "His departure," hemurmured. "What does he say?"

Philip continued with the same gracious air, "I can easilyconceive, monsieur, why the king of Great Britain recallsyou; we all know that King Charles II.; who appreciates truegentlemen, cannot dispense with you. But it cannot besupposed we can let you go without great regret; and I begyou to receive the expression of my own."

"Believe me, monseigneur," said the duke, "that if I quitthe court of France - - "

"Because you are recalled; but, if you suppose theexpression of my own wish on the subject might possibly haveany influence with the king, I will gladly volunteer toentreat his majesty Charles II. to leave you with us alittle while longer."

"I am overwhelmed, monseigneur, by so much kindness,"replied Buckingham, "but I have received positive commands.My residence in France was limited; I have prolonged it atthe risk of displeasing my gracious sovereign. It is onlythis very day that I recollected I ought to have set offfour days ago."

"Indeed," said Monsieur.

"Yes, but," added Buckingham, raising his voice in such amanner that the princess could hear him, - "but I resemblethat dweller in the East, who turned mad, and remained sofor several days, owing to a delightful dream that he hadhad, but who one day awoke, if not completely cured, in somerespects rational at least. The court of France has itsintoxicating properties, which are not unlike this dream, mylord; but at last I wake and leave it. I shall be unable,therefore, to prolong my residence, as your highness has sokindly invited me to do."

"When do you leave?" inquired Philip, with an expressionfull of interest.

"To-morrow, monseigneur. My carriages have been ready forthree days."

The Duc d'Orleans made a movement of the head, which seemedto signify, "Since you are determined, duke, there isnothing to be said." Buckingham returned the gesture,concealing under a smile a contraction of his heart; andthen Monsieur moved away in the same direction by which hehad approached. At the same moment, however, De Guicheadvanced from the opposite direction. Raoul feared that theimpatient young man might possibly make the propositionhimself, and hurried forward before him.

"No, no, Raoul, all is useless now," said Guiche, holdingboth his hands toward the duke, and leading him behind acolumn. "Forgive me, duke, for what I wrote to you, I wasmad; give me back my letter."

"It is true," said the duke, "you cannot owe me a grudge anylonger now."

"Forgive me, duke; my friendship, my lasting friendship isyours."

"There is certainly no reason why you should bear me anyill-will from the moment I leave her never to see heragain."

Raoul heard these words, and comprehending that his presencewas now useless between the two young men, who had now onlyfriendly words to exchange, withdrew a few paces; a movementwhich brought him closer to De Wardes, who was conversingwith the Chevalier de Lorraine respecting the departure ofBuckingham. "A strategic retreat," said De Wardes.

"Why so?"

"Because the dear duke saves a sword-thrust by it." At whichreply both laughed.

Raoul, indignant, turned round frowningly, flushed withanger and his lip curling with disdain. The Chevalier deLorraine turned on his heel, but De Wardes remained andwaited.

"You will not break yourself of the habit," said Raoul to DeWardes, "of insulting the absent; yesterday it was M.d'Artagnan, to-day it is the Duke of Buckingham."

"You know very well, monsieur," returned De Wardes, "that Isometimes insult those who are present."

De Wardes was close to Raoul, their shoulders met, theirfaces approached, as if to mutually inflame each other bythe fire of their looks and of their anger. It could be seenthat the one was at the height of fury, the other at the endof his patience. Suddenly a voice was heard behind them fullof grace and courtesy saying, "I believe I heard my namepronounced."

They turned round and saw D'Artagnan, who, with a smilingeye and a cheerful face, had just placed his hand on DeWardes's shoulder. Raoul stepped back to make room for themusketeer. De Wardes trembled from head to foot, turnedpale, but did not move. D'Artagnan, still with the samesmile, took the place which Raoul abandoned to him.

"Thank you, my dear Raoul," he said. "M. de Wardes, I wishto talk with you. Do not leave us Raoul; every one can hearwhat I have to say to M. de Wardes." His smile immediatelyfaded away, and his glance became cold and sharp as a sword.

"I am at your orders, monsieur," said De Wardes.

"For a very long time," resumed D'Artagnan, "I have soughtan opportunity of conversing with you; to-day is the firsttime I have found it. The place is badly chosen, I admit,but you will perhaps have the goodness to accompany me to myapartments, which are on the staircase at the end of thisgallery."

"I follow you, monsieur," said De Wardes.

"Are you alone here?" said D'Artagnan.

"No; I have M. Manicamp and M. de Guiche, two of myfriends."

"That's well," said D'Artagnan; "but two persons are notsufficient; you will be able to find a few others, I trust."

"Certainly," said the young man, who did not know whatobject D'Artagnan had in view. "As many as you please."

"Are they friends?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Real friends?"

"No doubt of it."

"Very well, get a good supply, then. Do you come, too,Raoul; bring M. de Guiche and the Duke of Buckingham."

"What a disturbance," replied De Wardes, attempting tosmile. The captain slightly signed to him with his hand, asthough to recommend him to be patient, and then led the wayto his apartments.