Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/255

Rh "So that "

"So that nothing is altered in the arrangements of the day," said the chevalier.

"And is there a repetition of the ballet this evening?"

"Certainly."

"Are you sure?"

"Quite so," returned the chevalier.

At this moment of the conversation between the two young men Raoul entered, looking full of anxiety. As soon as the chevalier, who had a secret dislike for him, as for every other noble character, perceived him enter, he rose from his seat.

"What do you advise me to do, then?" inquired De Guiche of the chevalier.

"I advise you to go to sleep with perfect tranquillity, my dear comte."

"And my advice, De Guiche," said Eaoul, "is the very opposite."

"What is that?"

"To mount your horse and set off at once for one of your estates; on your arrival, follow the chevalier's advice, if you like; and, what is more, you can sleep there as long and as tranquilly as you please."

"What! set off!" exclaimed the chevalier, feigning surprise; "why should De Guiche set off?"

"Because, and you cannot be ignorant of it — you particularly so — because every one is talking about the scene which has passed between Monsieur and De Guiche." De Guiche turned pale.

"Not at all," replied the chevalier, "not at all, and you have been wrongly informed, Monsieur de Bragelonne."

"I have been perfectly well informed, on the contrary, monsieur," replied Raoul, "and the advice I give De Guiche is that of a friend."

During this discusssion De Guiche, somewhat shaken, looked alternately first at one and then at the other of his advisers. He inwardly felt that a game, important in all its consequences for the rest of his life, was being played at that moment.

"Is it not the fact," said the chevalier, putting the question to the comte himself, "is it not the fact, De Guiche, the scene was not so tempestuous as the Vicomte de Bragelonne seems to think, and who^ moreover, was not himself there?"

"Whether tempestuous or not," persisted Raoul, "it is