The heart of the best woman is pitiless toward the
sorrowsof a rival.
That evening Milady was still more impatient than
on thepreceding evening. Dont ask me for counsel; dont tell me you areperplexed what
to do.
My brother-in-law and myselfexpected you yesterday
and the day before, but in vain.
But how did this horse come into your bands,
Mousqueton? She held in her hand afresh billet from Milady. DArtagnan himself
wasfrightened by the change in her countenance. DArtagnan rose and took his hat;
Milady gave him her handto kiss.
A thousand pardons, gentlemen;but no doubt this man
brings me the news I expected. She has no occasion to teach me the way in which a
man ofspirit may obtain his pardon.
Go to bed, mademoiselle, said Milady; I dont
likecomments. Coquenard is going to the house ofthe Due de Chaulnes, who has sent
for him.
Kitty had been accused ofnegligence and severely
scolded.
Milady assumed the most agreeable air possible,
andconversed with more than her usual brilliancy. It must have been for hishide,
for, CERTES, the carcass is not worth eighteen livres. As the night before,
dArtagnandid not return home till five oclock in the morning.
I do not love her, but I willavenge myself for her
contempt.
DArtagnan was on the point of telling Athos all;
but oneconsideration restrained him. By Kittys chamber hecould gain that of her
mistress. On reaching home dArtagnan found Kitty waiting for him. You are right,
said dArtagnan; I will have done withher.
He, having seen them crossing theyard, took care
not to answer, and they rang in vain. On reaching home dArtagnan found Kitty waiting
for him. Coquenard is going to the house ofthe Due de Chaulnes, who has sent for
him. When yourturn comes, I shall have the honor to inform you of it. They dined
apart from one another, wherever they mighthappen to be, or rather where they
could.
I will never help you in that, Monsieur Chevalier,
saidKitty, warmly. Nothing; for that amounts to the same thing as if I askedyou for
something. This womanexercised over him an unaccountable power; he hated andadored
her at the same time. Hardly was he concealed when thelittle bell
sounded.
The first movement of dArtagnan was to return it,
butMilady added, No, no! Oh, continued Milady, do your wounds still make yousuffer?
He wasengaged in an adventure so singular that he wished forcounsel. You love my
mistress, then, very dearly, MonsieurChevalier?