D'Artagnan's apartment was not unoccupied, for the Comte dela Fere, seated in the recess of a window, awaited him."Well," said he to D'Artagnan, as he saw him enter.

"Well," said the latter, "M. de Wardes has done me the honorto pay me a visit, in company with some of his own friends,as well as of ours." In fact, behind the musketeer appearedDe Wardes and Manicamp followed by De Guiche and Buckingham,who looked surprised, not knowing what was expected of them.Raoul was accompanied by two or three gentlemen; and, as heentered, glanced round the room, and perceiving the count,he went and placed himself by his side. D'Artagnan receivedhis visitors with all the courtesy he was capable of; hepreserved his unmoved and unconcerned look. All the personspresent were men of distinction, occupying posts of honorand credit at the court. After he had apologized to each ofthem for any inconvenience he might have put them to, heturned towards De Wardes, who, in spite of his customaryself-command, could not prevent his face betraying somesurprise mingled with not a little uneasiness.

"Now, monsieur," said D'Artagnan, "since we are no longerwithin the precincts of the king's palace, and since we canspeak out without failing in respect to propriety, I willinform you why I have taken the liberty to request you tovisit me here, and why I have invited these gentlemen to bepresent at the same time. My friend, the Comte de la Fere,has acquainted me with the injurious reports you arespreading about myself. You have stated that you regard meas your mortal enemy, because I was, so you affirm, that ofyour father."

"Perfectly true, monsieur, I have said so," replied DeWardes, whose pallid face became slightly tinged with color.

"You accuse me, therefore, of a crime, or a fault, or ofsome mean and cowardly act. Have the goodness to state yourcharge against me in precise terms."

"In the presence of witnesses?"

"Most certainly in the presence of witnesses; and you see Ihave selected them as being experienced in affairs ofhonor."

"You do not appreciate my delicacy, monsieur. I have accusedyou, it is true; but I have kept the nature of theaccusation a perfect secret. I entered into no details; buthave rested satisfied by expressing my hatred in thepresence of those on whom a duty was almost imposed toacquaint you with it. You have not taken the discreetness Ihave shown into consideration, although you were interestedin remaining silent. I can hardly recognize your habitualprudence in that, M. d'Artagnan."

D'Artagnan, who was quietly biting the corner of hismustache, said, "I have already had the honor to beg you tostate the particulars of the grievances you say you haveagainst me."

"Aloud?"

"Certainly, aloud."

"In that case, I will speak."

"Speak, monsieur," said D'Artagnan, bowing; "we are alllistening to you."

"Well, monsieur, it is not a question of a personal injurytowards myself, but one towards my father."

"That you have already stated."

"Yes, but there are certain subjects which are onlyapproached with hesitation."

"If that hesitation, in your case, really does exist, Ientreat you to overcome it."

"Even if it refer to a disgraceful action?"

"Yes; in every and any case."

Those who were present at this scene had, at first, lookedat each other with a good deal of uneasiness. They werereassured, however, when they saw that D'Artagnan manifestedno emotion whatever.

De Wardes still maintained the same unbroken silence."Speak, monsieur," said the musketeer; "you see you arekeeping us waiting."

"Listen, then: - My father loved a lady of noble birth, andthis lady loved my father." D'Artagnan and Athos exchangedlooks. De Wardes continued: "M. d'Artagnan found someletters which indicated a rendezvous, substituted himself,under disguise, for the person who was expected, and tookadvantage of the darkness."

"That is perfectly true," said D'Artagnan.

A slight murmur was heard from those present. "Yes, I wasguilty of that dishonorable action. You should have added,monsieur, since you are so impartial, that, at the periodwhen the circumstance which you have just related, happened,I was not one-and-twenty years of age."

"Such an action is not the less shameful on that account,"said De Wardes; "and it is quite sufficient for a gentlemanto have attained the age of reason, to avoid committing anact of indelicacy."

A renewed murmur was heard, but this time of astonishment,and almost of doubt.

"It was a most shameful deception, I admit," saidD'Artagnan, "and I have not waited for M. de Wardes'sreproaches to reproach myself for it, and very bitterly,too. Age has, however, made me more reasonable, and aboveall, more upright; and this injury has been atoned for by along and lasting regret. But I appeal to you, gentlemen;this affair took place in 1626, at a period, happily foryourselves, known to you by tradition only, at a period whenlove was not over scrupulous, when consciences did notdistill, as in the present day, poison and bitterness. Wewere young soldiers, always fighting, or being attacked, ourswords always in our hands, or at least ready to be drawnfrom their sheaths. Death then always stared us in the face,war hardened us, and the cardinal pressed us sorely. I haverepented of it, and more than that - I still repent it, M.de Wardes."

"I can well understand that, monsieur, for the action itselfneeded repentance; but you were not the less the cause ofthat lady's disgrace. She, of whom you have been speaking,covered with shame, borne down by the affront you broughtupon her, fled, quitted France, and no one ever knew whatbecame of her."

"Stay," said the Comte de la Fere, stretching his handtowards De Wardes, with a peculiar smile upon his face, "youare mistaken; she was seen; and there are persons even nowpresent, who, having often heard her spoken of, will easilyrecognize her by the description I am about to give. She wasabout five-and-twenty years of age, slender in form, of apale complexion, and fair-haired; she was married inEngland."

"Married?" exclaimed De Wardes.

"So, you were not aware she was married? You see we are farbetter informed than yourself. Do you happen to know she wasusually styled `My Lady,' without the addition of any nameto that description?"

"Yes, I know that."

"Good Heavens!" murmured Buckingham.

"Very well, monsieur. That woman, who came from England,returned to England after having thrice attempted M.d'Artagnan's life. That was but just, you will say, since M.d'Artagnan had insulted her. But that which was not justwas, that, when in England, this woman, by her seductions,completely enslaved a young man in the service of Lord deWinter, by name Felton. You change color, my lord," saidAthos turning to the Duke of Buckingham, "and your eyeskindle with anger and sorrow. Let your Grace finish therecital, then, and tell M. de Wardes who this woman was whoplaced the knife in the hand of your father's murderer."

A cry escaped from the lips of all present. The young dukepassed his handkerchief across his forehead, which wascovered with perspiration. A dead silence ensued among thespectators.

"You see, M. de Wardes," said D'Artagnan, whom this recitalhad impressed more and more, as his own recollection revivedas Athos spoke, "you see that my crime did not cause thedestruction of any one's soul, and that the soul in questionmay fairly be considered to have been altogether lost beforemy regret. It is, however, an act of conscience on my part.Now this matter is settled, therefore, it remains for me toask with the greatest humility, your forgiveness for thisshameless action, as most certainly I should have asked itof your father, if he were still alive, and if I had met himafter my return to France, subsequent to the death of KingCharles I."

"That is too much, M. d'Artagnan," exclaimed many voices,with animation.

"No, gentlemen," said the captain. "And now, M. de Wardes, Ihope all is finished between us, and that you will have nofurther occasion to speak ill of me again. Do you considerit completely settled?"

De Wardes bowed, and muttered to himself inarticulately.

"I trust also," said D'Artagnan, approaching the young manclosely, "that you will no longer speak ill of any one, asit seems you have the unfortunate habit of doing; for a manso puritanically conscientious as you are, who can reproachan old soldier for a youthful freak five-and-thirty yearsafter it happened, will allow me to ask whether you whoadvocate such excessive purity of conscience, will undertakeon your side to do nothing contrary either to conscience orthe principle of honor. And now, listen attentively to whatI am going to say, M. de Wardes, in conclusion. Take carethat no tale, with which your name may be associated,reaches my ear."

"Monsieur," said De Wardes, "it is useless threatening to nopurpose."

"I have not yet finished, M. de Wardes, and you must listento me still further." The circle of listeners, full of eagercuriosity, drew closer. "You spoke just now of the honor ofa woman, and of the honor of your father. We were glad tohear you speak in that manner; for it is pleasing to thinkthat such a sentiment of delicacy and rectitude, and whichdid not exist, it seems, in our minds, lives in ourchildren; and it is delightful too, to see a young man, atan age when men from habit become the destroyers of thehonor of women, respect and defend it."

De Wardes bit his lips and clenched his hands, evidentlymuch disturbed to learn how this discourse, the commencementof which was announced in so threatening a manner, wouldterminate.

"How did it happen, then, that you allowed yourself to sayto M. de Bragelonne that he did not know who his motherwas?"

Raoul's eye flashed, as, darting forward, he exclaimed, - "Chevalier, this is a personal affair of my own!" At whichexclamation, a smile, full of malice, passed across DeWardes's face.

D'Artagnan put Raoul aside, saying, - "Do not interrupt me,young man." And looking at De Wardes in an authoritativemanner, he continued: - "I am now dealing with a matterwhich cannot be settled by means of the sword. I discuss itbefore men of honor, all of whom have more than once hadtheir swords in their hands in affairs of honor. I selectedthem expressly. These gentlemen well know that every secretfor which men fight ceases to be a secret. I again put myquestion to M. de Wardes. What was the subject ofconversation when you offended this young man, in offendinghis father and mother at the same time?"

"It seems to me," returned De Wardes, "that liberty ofspeech is allowed, when it is supported by every means whicha man of courage has at his disposal."

"Tell me what the means are by which a man of courage cansustain a slanderous expression."

"The sword."

"You fail, not only in logic, in your argument, but inreligion and honor. You expose the lives of many others,without referring to your own, which seems to be full ofhazard. Besides, fashions pass away, monsieur, and thefashion of duelling has passed away, without referring inany way to the edicts of his majesty which forbid it.Therefore, in order to be consistent with your ownchivalrous notions, you will at once apologize to M. deBragelonne; you will tell him how much you regret havingspoken so lightly, and that the nobility and purity of hisrace are inscribed, not in his heart alone, but still morein every action of his life. You will do and say this, M. deWardes, as I, an old officer, did and said just now to yourboy's mustache."

"And if I refuse?" inquired De Wardes.

"In that case the result will be - "

"That which you think you will prevent," said De Wardes,laughing; "the result will be that your conciliatory addresswill end in a violation of the king's prohibition."

"Not so," said the captain, "you are quite mistaken."

"What will be the result, then?"

"The result will be that I shall go to the king, with whom Iam on tolerably good terms, to whom I have been happy enoughto render certain services dating from a period when youwere not born, and who at my request, has just sent me anorder in blank for M. Baisemeaux de Montlezun, governor ofthe Bastile; and I shall say to the king: `Sire, a man hasin a most cowardly way insulted M. de Bragelonne byinsulting his mother; I have written this man's name uponthe lettre de cachet which your majesty has been kind enoughto give me, so that M. de Wardes is in the Bastile for threeyears.'" And D'Artagnan drawing the order signed by the kingfrom his pocket, held it towards De Wardes.

Remarking that the young man was not quite convinced, andreceived the warning as an idle threat, he shrugged hisshoulders and walked leisurely towards the table, upon whichlay a writing-case and a pen, the length of which would haveterrified the topographical Porthos. De Wardes then saw thatnothing could well be more seriously intended than thethreat in question for the Bastile, even at that period, wasalready held in dread. He advanced a step towards Raoul,and, in an almost unintelligible voice, said, - "I offer myapologies in the terms which M. d'Artagnan just nowdictated, and which I am forced to make to you."

"One moment, monsieur," said the musketeer, with thegreatest tranquillity, "you mistake the terms of theapology. I did not say, `and which I am forced to make'; Isaid, `and which my conscience induces me to make.' Thislatter expression, believe me, is better than the former;and it will be far preferable, since it will be the mosttruthful expression of your own sentiments."

"I subscribe to it," said De Wardes; "but submit, gentlemen,that a thrust of a sword through the body, as was the customformerly, was far better than tyranny like this."

"No, monsieur," replied Buckingham; "for the sword-thrust,when received, was no indication that a particular personwas right or wrong; it only showed that he was more or lessskillful in the use of the weapon."

"Monsieur!" exclaimed De Wardes.

"There, now," interrupted D'Artagnan, "you are going to saysomething very rude, and I am rendering you a service bystopping you in time."

"Is that all, monsieur?" inquired De Wardes.

"Absolutely everything," replied D'Artagnan, "and thesegentlemen, as well as myself, are quite satisfied with you."

"Believe me monsieur, that your reconciliations are notsuccessful."

"In what way?"

"Because, as we are now about to separate. I would wagerthat M. de Bragelonne and myself are greater enemies thanever."

"You are deceived, monsieur, as far as I am concerned,"returned Raoul; "for I do not retain the slightest animosityin my heart against you."

This last blow overwhelmed De Wardes. He cast his eyesaround him like a man bewildered. D'Artagnan saluted mostcourteously the gentlemen who had been present at theexplanation; and every one, on leaving the room, shook handswith him; but not one hand was held out towards De Wardes."Oh!" exclaimed the young man, abandoning himself to therage which consumed him, "can I not find some one on whom towreak my vengeance?"

"You can, monsieur, for I am here," whispered a voice fullof menace in his ear.

De Wardes turned round, and saw the Duke of Buckingham, who,having probably remained behind with that intention, hadjust approached him. "You, monsieur?" exclaimed De Wardes.

"Yes, I! I am no subject of the king of France; I am notgoing to remain on the territory, since I am about settingoff for England. I have accumulated in my heart such a massof despair and rage, that I, too, like yourself, need torevenge myself upon some one. I approve M. d'Artagnan'sprinciples profoundly, but I am not bound to apply them toyou. I am an Englishman, and, in my turn, I propose to youwhat you proposed to others to no purpose. Since you,therefore, are so terribly incensed, take me as a remedy. Inthirty-four hours' time I shall be at Calais. Come with me;the journey will appear shorter if together, than if alone.We will fight, when we get there, upon the sands which arecovered by the rising tide, and which form part of theFrench territory during six hours of the day, but belong tothe territory of Heaven during the other six."

"I accept willingly," said De Wardes.

"I assure you," said the duke, "that if you kill me, youwill be rendering me an infinite service."

"I will do my utmost to make myself agreeable to you, duke,"said De Wardes.

"It is agreed, then, that I carry you off with me?"

"I shall be at your commands. I needed some real danger andsome mortal risk to run, to tranquilize me."

"In that case, I think you have met with what you arelooking for. Farewell, M. de Wardes; to-morrow morning, myvalet will tell you the exact hour of our departure; we cantravel together like two excellent friends. I generallytravel as fast as I can. Adieu."

Buckingham saluted De Wardes, and returned towards theking's apartments; De Wardes, irritated beyond measure, leftthe Palais-Royal, and hurried through the streets homewardto the house where he lodged.