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Rh and at first I concluded you were not in possession of your senses, but I have since surmised the real character of your madness."

"Monsieur!" exclaimed Buckingham.

"One moment more, for I have yet another word to add. I trust I am the only one of my companions who has guessed it."

"Are you aware, monsieur," said Buckingham, trembling with mingled feelings of anger and uneasiness, "are you aware that you are holding a language toward me which requires to be checked?"

"Weigh your words well, my lord," said Raoul haughtily; "my nature is not such that its vivacities need checking; while you, on the contrary, are descended from a race whose passions are suspected by all true Frenchmen; I repeat, therefore, for the second time, be careful."

"Careful of what, may I ask? Do you presume to threaten me?"

"I am the son of the Comte de la Fere, my lord, and I never threaten, because I strike first. Therefore, understand me well, the threat that I hold out to you is this "

Buckingham clinched his hands, but Raoul continued, as though he had not observed the movement.

"At the very first word, beyond the respect and deference due to her royal highness, which you permit yourself to use toward her — Be patient, my lord, for I am perfectly so."

"You?"

"Undoubtedly. So long as madame remained on English territory, I held my peace; but from the very moment she stepped on French ground, and now that we have received her in the name of the prince, I warn you that at the first mark of disrespect which you, in your insane attachment, shall exhibit toward the royal house of France, I shall have one of two courses to follow: either I declare, in the presence of every one, the madness with which you are now affected, and I get you ignominiously dismissed to England; or, if you prefer it, I will run my dagger through your throat in the presence of all here. This second alternative seems to me the least disagreeable, and I think I shall hold to it."

Buckingham had become paler than the lace collar around his neck.

"Monsieur de Bragelonne," he said, "is it, indeed, a gentleman who is speaking to me?"