Ah, Ialways thought there was some secret
understanding in that quarter!
The abbess only crossed herself, without approving
ordisapproving. Then I must wait here, or in the neighborhood?
Prepare, then, for yourdeparture, and never despair
of us.
Oh, you know her, then, that lovely and noble
queen, that you speak ofher thus!
She hadsucceeded; dArtagnan was then in her
power!
A few moments passed; a great noise was heard at
the gate. Come and sit down close to me, said Milady. One of them preceded the rest
by double the length of hishorse. Perhaps Ishall stand in need of a back door for
retreat.
These two women held each other for an instant in a
close embrace.
No, I only suspect he has warned the queen against
some freshmachinations of the cardinal.
With him, then, you must have seen some of his
Musketeers?
Bonacieux tried to walk, made two steps, and sank
upon her knees. Then I must wait here, or in the neighborhood? And when can I see
this young lady, for whom I already feel so great asympathy?
It was a grain of a reddishcolor, which dissolved
immediately. I call to witnessthe God who hears us, that on the contrary I am a
fervent Catholic! And you have reason, for she is much to be pitied.
Milady remained alone, with her eyes fixed upon the
door.
The bell of the convent gate was sounded; Milady
was not mistaken.
And she put the glass to the lips ofthe young
woman, who drank mechanically. The principal thing for her, then, was, as we have
said, to keep Mme.
Friend, said dArtagnan, a half-pistole for that
paper!
Oh, you know her, then, that lovely and noble
queen, that you speak ofher thus! Bonacieux, pardon me for interrupting you; butwhat
do you advise me to do? Bonacieux; it is a man I dont know, although heseems to be
coming here.
Then you know what I have suffered, said
Mme.
Can you not understand that Monsieur dArtagnan,
being my friend, mighttake me into his confidence? These two women held each other
for an instant in a close embrace. Then you comprehend it would be only a question
of time, a sort ofrace, which should arrive first.
She was sent to me by someone of high rank, under
the name of Kitty. No, I only suspect he has warned the queen against some
freshmachinations of the cardinal.
She escaped the cruisers of both nations,
andarrived at Boulogne without accident. And she resumed her seat,as if plunged in
reflections entirely personal.
We will keep on the frontiers, forinstance; and at
the first alarm we can leave France.
But is there anything impossible for my
dArtagnan,the noble and loyal gentleman? Observe, it is probable that I may not be
able to remain here. One of them preceded the rest by double the length of hishorse.