D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 219: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER XXVII. TO THE RESCUE. “Then, you are more resolved than ever to carry out this high project?” asked the Frenchman. D’Artagnan tapped his sword-hilt, as if it had in it the sprite famed to inhabit such receptacles of favored fighting men. “As I live and love, I would tear down twenty thrones to uprear Don Juan one.” “Tam with you. But Juan is reserved. Do you think he is generous? Serve a great man and you will know what sorrow is!” “The old grandfather’s story! I serve Richelieu, a great man, and though this heart of mine has often dan- eled on the tenterhooks, I can take it off to give it away to this witching woman, none the worse for any repining. Besides, what is gallantry good for when a woman, a great one, calls for it?” “Donna Luisa? yes, she is grand! But these prin- cesses! There was a queen Q “The Queen of France——” “We did Anna of Austria a service or two, but she is a princess among ingrates!’’ “Anna thas had all her troubles fended off by the Pre— she has not wanted for a friend of our mettle—unfor- tunately for us! Gratitude is not like friendship, which increases with age!” “Well, I judge we cancel the debt by ousting her brother from his seat !” “We pluck away his Portuguese footstool,” said D’Ar- tagnan, grimly. “In order that he shall come down on the vulgar earth with such violence that he will drink standing toasts, only, for a while to come!” “Very well! I would drink standing if all wine were as good as this; but I regret the battlefield; it might be nearer home; so that I could run indoors for a . good din- ner before supping in Paradise.” Eomicbooks.co im