Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/76

66 "I know an authority, monsieur, which I trust will be such as you wish for," said Buckingham, placing his hand on his sword.

At this moment, and as the goddess of Discord, inflaming all minds, was about to direct their swords against each other, Raoul gently placed his hand on Buckingham's shoulder.

"One word, my lord," he said.

"My right, my right, first of all!" exclaimed the fiery young man.

"It is precisely upon that point I wish to have the honor of addressing a word to you."

"Very well, monsieur; but let your remarks be brief."

"One question is all I ask; you can hardly expect me to be briefer."

"Speak, monsieur; I am listening."

"Are you, or is the Duke of Orleans, going to marry the granddaughter of Henry IV.?"

"What do you mean?" exclaimed Buckingham, retreat- ing a few steps, quite bewildered.

"Have the goodness to answer me," persisted Raoul tranquilly.

"Do you mean to ridicule me, monsieur?" inquired Buckingham.

"Your question is a sufficient answer for me. You ad- mit, then, that it is not you who are going to marry the princess?"

"Y"ou know it perfectly well, monsieur, I should imagine."

"I beg your pardon, but your conduct has been such as to leave it not altogether certain."

"Proceed, monsieur; what do you mean to convey?"

Raoul approached the duke.

"Are you aware, my lord," he said, lowering his voice, "that your extravagances very much resemble the excesses of Jealousy? These jealous fits, with respect to any woman, are not becoming in one who is neither her lover nor her husband; and I am sure you will admit that my remark ap- plies with still greater force when the lady in question is a princess of royal blood."

"Monsieur," exclaimed Buckingham, "do you mean to insult Madame Henrietta?"

"Be careful, my lord," replied Bragelonne coldly, "for it is you who insult her. A little while since, when on board the admiral's ship, you wearied the queen and exhausted the admiral's patience. I was observing, my lord;