D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

226 A Talk Over Sword Blades. sword of mine or pike of my peasants be borne against France, whose true knights I can appreciate.” He turned away, smoothing his wounded arm to lull the pangs. “Gracious! you have done a pretty thing, D’Artag- - nan,’ whispered the other musketeer, “you are arming him against our side.” “Wait! this war dog may not snap at the cake.’? “True, he may not accept us. You gave him an ugly stab—blood rarely cements friendship.” “My gentlemen,” said Don Jorge, holding the mort- gage with his sound hand, “you appear embarrassed. Ho, I have it, you believe that your favor will be the less fn received now than a day ago, had you met me then?” “Frankly, I have a little doubt that way,” replied D’Artagnan, “‘on account of the post scriptum I added to it ” indicating the bandaged arm. “You mistake a Portuguese gentleman,” said the count, proudly. ‘This afterpart does not alter the main play. Not as a codicil a will. Here, as in Madrid, in town or out on my own manor, I am your obliged ser- vant. Since you are strangers here, you and your amia- ble friend, allow me to exercise my rights and select your lodgings ‘4 | “The garrison have evacuated the fort; perhaps we shall thave quarters in the casemates,’ mutered Porthos, dubiously. “Hush! Whereabouts?” asked the captain of the colonel. “My mansion; that stands to reason.” “Never!” said the Frenchman too warmly not to be pretended. ‘Never, on my life!’ echoed Porthos, still in a daze. “Hold! do you think I am to rank lower than you in civility ?”’ “Oh, since it is a contest of civility now, and I owe you your revenge,’ said the Gascon melting, with that gayety always animating him when he had played his game to the winning point, “I surrender.” “TI surrender with my friend,” added the other. “Luckily, I do not live far from here,” said the count. (EOMANE NOVO KS q(E00)