Sword-thrusts in the Water.
Raoul, on betaking himself to De Guiche, found him conversing with De Wardes and Manicamp.De Wardes, since the affair of the barricade, had treated Raoul as a stranger;they behaved as if they were not acquainted.As Raoul entered, De Guiche walked up to him; and Raoul, as he grasped his friend's hand, glanced rapidly at his two companions, hoping to be able to read on their faces what was passing in their minds.De Wardes was cold and impenetrable; Manicamp seemed absorbed in the contemplation of some trimming to his dress.De Guiche led Raoul to an adjoining cabinet, and made him sit down, saying, "How well you look!""That is singular," replied Raoul, "for I am far from being in good spirits.""It is your case, then, Raoul, as it is my own, -- our love affairs do not progress.""So much the better, count, as far as you are concerned; the worst 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 who are happy.""Really, I do not understand you," replied Raoul; "explain yourself.""You will soon learn.I have tried, but in vain, to overcome the feeling you saw dawn in me, increase and take entire possession of me.I have summoned all your advice and my own strength to my aid.I have well weighed the unfortunate affair in which I have embarked; I have sounded its depths;that it is an abyss, I am aware, but it matters little, for I shall pursue my own course.""This is madness, De Guiche! you cannot advance another step without risking your own ruin to-day, perhaps your life to-morrow.""Whatever may happen, I have done with reflections; listen.""And you hope to succeed; you believe that Madame will love you?""Raoul, I believe nothing; I hope, because hope exists in man, 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 had failed in obtaining it.""I beseech you, Raoul, not to interrupt me any more; you could never convince me, for I tell you beforehand, I do not wish to be convinced; I have gone so far I cannot recede; Ihave suffered so much, death itself would be a boon.I no longer love to madness, Raoul, I am being engulfed by a whirlpool of jealousy."Raoul struck his hands together with an expression resembling 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 days Madame has been living in a perfect intoxication of gayety.
On the first day, I dared not look at her; I hated her for not being as unhappy as myself.The next day I could not bear 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, a shadow intervened; another's smile invited hers.Beside her horse another's always gallops, which is not mine; in her ear another's caressing voice, not mine, unceasingly vibrates.Raoul, for three days past my brain has been on fire; flame, not blood, courses through my veins.That shadow 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 of the lover.""Of the lover?" said Raoul.
"Have you not observed it, you who were formerly so keen-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 he handed De Guiche the letter he had received nearly at the same 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 if you wrote to him in a similar style.""He will show you my letter when you call on him on my behalf.""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 ****** matter -- that to-day, to-morrow, the following day, or any other 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 which renders his person inviolable....Vincennes is close to the Bastile.""The consequences concern me."
"But the motive for this meeting? What motive do you wish me to assign?""Be perfectly easy on that score, he will not ask any.The duke must be as sick of me as I am of him.I implore you, therefore, seek the duke, and if it is necessary to entreat him to accept my offer, I will do so.""That is useless.The duke has already informed me that he wishes to speak to me.The duke is now playing cards with the king.Let us both go there.I will draw him aside in the gallery: you will remain aloof.Two words will be sufficient.""That is well arranged.I will take De Wardes to keep me in countenance.""Why not Manicamp? De Wardes can join us at any time; we can leave him here.""Yes, that is true."
"He knows nothing?"
"Positively nothing.You continue still on an unfriendly footing, then?""Has he not told you anything?"
"Nothing."
"I do not like the man, and, as I never liked him, the result is, that I am on no worse terms with him to-day than I was yesterday.""Let us go, then."