Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

ot . Ae ae ae | Sl te get eng eet tee ene et alti a a a ine ¥, f.. “ » a : r pe r s \ 4 aod ore. oh it be the same this evening? Your very 5 ‘Lady pE Winter.” ‘* This is all yery plain,’’ said d'Artagnan, “ and I ex- ected this letter. y credit rises as that of the Count e Wardee falls, ~ * And will you go?” asked Kitty. “Listen, my desr child,"’ replied the Gascon, who sought to excuse himself in his own eyes for failing in his promise to Athos, ‘‘ You must see that it would be imprudent to refuse so pusitive aninvitation. Herlady- ship, on seeing that I kept away, would wonder at the cessation of my visits, and 4+ perhaps suspect some- thing. And whocan tell the limits of such a woman's vengeance?’ h, my God!" exclaimed Kitty, ‘‘ you know how to represent things in such a way that you are always right. But you will go and pay your court to her again; and if you sh ald, Happen to please her now, with your own face ind under your true name, it will be even far worse than before!"’ The poor girl guessed, by instinct, a part of what was about to occur. D’Artagnan comforted her as well as he was able, and romised her that he would remain insensible to her fad ship’s seductions. e sent her word, by way of answer, that he was as grateful as man could be for her ladyship’s kindness, and that he would not fail to wait upon her as she com- manded; but he did not venture to write to her, lest, to her experienced eyes, he should be unable so sufficiently to disguise his handwriting. At nine o'clock d’A an was at the Place Royale. It was obvious, that the servants, who were waiting in the antechamber, had already received their orders; for as soon as he had appeared, before he had even in- qnired if her ladyship was to be seen, one ofthem hastened to announce him, ““Show him in,’ said ‘‘my lady,”’ in a voice so piercing that he heard it in the ante-chamber. He was at once admitted. ** Not at home to anybody,”’ said her ladyship; ‘‘do you hear? Not to parpony D*Artagnan observed the lady with great curiosity. She was pale, and her eyes were heavy, either from weeping or from wantof sleep. The customary lights in the room had been designedly diminished in number; and yet the woman could not conceal the traces of the fever which had been consuming her for two days. D’Artagnan approached her with his usual gallantry; and she made a mighty effort to receive him, but never did a more agitated face belie a more enchanting smile. To d’Artagnan's questions respecting her health, she replied, ‘Bad, very bad.” | “Then,” saidd’Artagnan, “‘Iam indiscreet In com- | ing: you are unquestionably in wamt of a little quiet, | aud I will immediately retire.”’ “No,” said her ladyship, “remain, M. d’Artagnan. | Your pleasing company will, on the contrary, give me great relief.” “She has never been so cicrming before,” thought d’Artagnan, let me keep upon my guard.” Her ladyship assumed the most affectionate air pos- sible, and gave her,ut: ost charm to her conversation. At the same time tlat fever, which had for a moment left her returned, to restore the lustre to her eyes, the color to her cheeks, and the Carmine to herlips. D’Ar- again saw the Circc who ad already a him D va herenchantmentc. Her ladyship smiled, and d’Artagnan felt that he would dare perdition for that smilc. There was a moment, during which he experienced something like remorse for what he had plotted against her, Her ladyship became, by degrees, more communica- tive. She asked d'Artagnan whother his heart was oc- cupied b any love? . ae * gaid he, assuming the most sentimental man- ner that he was able, ‘‘ how can you be so cruel as to ask me such a gucstion—me, \/ho, °ver since] first saw yo ve only breathed and livec by you and for you?” The lady smiled most strangely. ** And so you love me?” said she. “Need I tell you so now, and have you never per- ceived it?*’ “*Yes, I have; but, you know, the prouder hearts are, the more difficult they are to w n.” ‘*Ah, no difficulties can ever daunt me,” replied d'Ar- tugnan: **my only fear is, of impossibilities.° ‘Nothing is impossible,’’ said the lady, *‘ to one who tuly lone. ‘* Nothing, madame ?"’ ‘* Nothing,” replied she. / “T’faith,” thought d’Artagnan, ‘ the tune is changed. Will the capricious creature chance to fall in love with me; and will she be disposed to give me another sap- p equal to that she gave me for de Wardes!" ‘¢ Come," resumed her ladyship, “‘let me hear what you would do to prowe the love you profess?" ‘Everything that you can ask, am ready to 0 y." ** Everything ?’’ * Yes, ioan thing!” exclaimed o ATERED, who knew beforehand that he did not risk much by such an en- gagement, ** Well, then, let us talk a little about it,” said she, drawing her chair nearer d'Artagnan, ‘*I am attentive, madam,” said the .atter. The lady paused fora moment, thoughtful and unde- cided; then, appearing to form her resolution, she a I have an enemy.” ‘You, madame!” cried d’Artagnan, feigning surprise. “My God! beautiful and good as you sry it possible!” "A mortal enemy!" “Indeed!” +*An enema who has so cruelly insulted me, thatthere counsels to impress on her —, that he should ’ forehand, in his own mind, Command; and I. | little complimentary to d’Artaguan. THE THREHB GUARDSMEN. ia lai + o> — ee eee ee is war to the death between us, Can I reekon upon you as anally?” D’Artagnen instantly perceived what the vindictive creature was aiming at. ‘** You can, madame,"’ said he emphatically. ‘“‘My arm and my life belong to you, as well as my love." ; ** Well, then,”’ said her ladyship, ‘‘since you are as generous as you are enamored—”" She hesitated. ** Well?’? demanded D’Artagnan. ‘** Well,’ resumed her ladyship, after a moment’s pean, ‘“* cease, from this day, to speak of impossibili- es.”’ ‘Do not overwhelm me with ay happiness!" ex- claimed d’Artagnan, throwing himself on his knees, and covering with kisses the hauds which she abandoned to m, “ Yes!’ thonght the lady, “avenge me on that wretch, de Wardes. and I shall easily get rid of you afterwards—double fool ! living sword-blade!" **Yes!"’ thought d'Artagnan also, on his side, “ tell me that you love me, after having so audaciously de- ceived me; and then, dangerous and hypocritical woman: Iwill laugh at you, with him whom you wish to punish by ay hand.” Raising his head, d'Artagnan said, ‘‘I am ready.” “You understand me, then, dear d’Artagnan ?"’ said her ladyship. ‘**I can read your every look.” “Then you will, for me, employ that arm which has already gained such great renown?" ‘* Yes, instantly.” ** And how,” said her ladyship, ‘‘shall I ever repay a service so important?” ** Your love is the only recompense that I desire—the ae | one that would be worthy of either you or me,"’ rep ied d’Artagnan. ‘Interested creature !"said she, smiling. “Ah!” exclaimed d’Artagnan, carried’ away for an instant by the passion which this woman had the power of exciting in his heart—‘‘ah, your love appears to me improbable, and, fearful of seeing it vanish like a dream, Iam impatient to receiye from your own lips the assur- ance of its reality.” ** Do you already merit such an avyowal?” **T am at your command,” replied d’Artagnan. * Are you quite determined? said she, with a lingering doubt. ‘* Name the wretch who beautiful eyes?” ** And who has told you that I have wept?"’ exclaimed she. ‘*T imagined so.”’ ‘“Women of my character never weep,"’ replied her ladyship. “So much the better. But tell me his name?” ‘* Remember that his name is all my secret.”’ “Yet I must know it?” “Yes, you must. See what confidence I place in you.”’ ‘* You overpower me with joy! What is his name?” ** You know him,” ‘* Indeed!” sa Yes. 9 “It is not one of my friends?” said he, feigning hesi- tation, as an evidence of his ignorance, ‘* And if it was one of your friends—would you hesi- tate?’ said her ladyship, whilst a threatening fash was rec irg in her eyes, “Not if it was my brother!” exclaimed d'Artagnan, asif carried away by enthusiasm. Our Gascon advanced without danger, for he knew where he was going. “T love your devotedness,” said the lady. ‘‘ Alas! do you love only thatin mey’’ said d'Artag- nan, es will you that another time,” replied she, taking his has drawn tears from your And this pressure made “fag, fo tremble, as though the fever which her ladyship endured had also infected m. “You willlove me some day—you!"’ exclaimed he. Oh! if that should come to pass, the bliss will deprive me of reason!"’ D’Artagnan was, in fact, intoxicated with {oy; and in his temporary delirium, he almost believed in the ten- derness of her ladyship, and in the crime of de Wardes. If the latter had been at that moment near him, he would have slain him. The lady seized the opportunity. ‘* He is called,’’ she uttered, in her turn— “De Wardes—I know it!" interrupted d’Artagnan, ‘And how do you know it?” asked she, seizing his _ two hands and looking into his eyes, as if striving to read his very soul. D’Artagnan felt that he had allowed himself to be de- luded into a fault, “Tell me, tell me, then!” know it?” 2 ay do I know it?"’ replied d'Artagnan, sé res!*’ “I know it, because yesteneay, in a ae Sa ers where I was, de Wardes displayed a ring which he said you gave him,”’ “The wretch!"’ exclaimed her ladyship. It will easily be understood that this epithet resounded in the very depths of d'Artagnan’s heart. “Well,” continued she, “Well, I will avenge a’A an, giving himse Armen “Thanks, my brave friend!" exclaimed the lady. ‘** Ar | when skal! ] be avenged?” * To-morrow—immediately—whenever mand |’’ Her ladyship was about to exclaim—'' immediately!" but she reflected that such precipitation would be but She had, more- over, a thousand precautions to take, and a thousand she exclaimed, how do you ‘ou on this—wretch!"’ said if the airs of Don Japhet of you com- that it was only by suicide he could kill de Wardes by | such a machination: and, above al be forever lost toher. This last thought of love avoid all explanations with the count in the presenee of — witnesses, “To-morrow,”’ resumed d’Artagnan, “ you ‘shall he revenged, or I shal] be no more.” “No,” said ehe, “‘ you revenge me, and, you will not die. I know something in reference to that"? oe ** What do you know?” ie “Why, it seems to me that, in your former ‘contest with him, you had no reason to complain of fortune.” ‘* Fortune is a fickle jade: to-day, favorable; she may betray me to-morrow.”’ | “Does this mean, that you hesitate now?" | “No, I do not hesitate : God forbid! But—"’, . | ‘Silence!’ interrupted she; ‘“‘I hear my brother; itis 4 | unnecessary that he should find you here." | She rang the bell, and Kitty entered. ik | ‘Go through this door,” said she to ee ag oe she opened a small secret door, “and return at.eleven _ o'clock, when we can end this conversation... Kitty will __ conduct you to me.” i As the poor girl heard these few words, the felt as if = | she would sink into the earth. § | ae - b ‘ . ‘“Well, what are you about mademoiselie, that stand there as motionless as astatue? Come ( | gentleman out!—Remember, at eleven to-night." Phe. appears that all your appointments are for eleven ~~ Acne! thought d’Artagnan: “it is an established — abit.”’ . + The lady gave him her hand, which he kissed with © et Well,” thought he. ashe weut away, sdaseely ae | “Well,” thought he, as he went away a” ing to the reproaches of Kitty, “‘ well, T must not & fool of myself : unquestionably this woman is an abom- inable wretch ; I must be on my guard!” CHAPTER XXXVI. THE LADY'S SECRET. D'Artagnan had gone out of the hotel, instead once ascending to Kitty’s room, there to wait for hour of his appointment with her ladyship. Me had two reasons for adopting this course: the first was, that _ by this means, he avoided the recriminations and en- treaties of the girl; and the second was, that he wished “w possible to penetrate the == What seemed to him most certain, was, that he was exposing himself to love her ladyship like a [ [3 whilst she, on the other hand, did not love him the least — in the world, and never would. At one time he consid- __ v1 ered, that the best thing to do wonld be to return more 4 and write a long letter to her ladyship, in which he wou Bos whom she thought herself but—with confess, that, as far as he was concerned, he ved; the a conviction that she would etill detest him, and would that aes a Fi a coolly to reflect on, and, if secret thought of the lady. d de Wardes were the same individual, and, sonsequtiity: et regard him only as a vile instrument of vengeance, ae she could break when it had served her turn —the + aseies 7 ing toavenge himself returned into hisheart. Helonged — to rule over the woman who had trifled with andins a, him; and wounded him also, in his sincere and pure — iA love, by becoming an accomplice in the abduction ef — Madame Bonancieux. oye, He went five or six times around the Place Royale, | 7 | i } ‘ a ho * 4 » agitated by all these conflicting emotions, and returning _ every ten paces to regard the light which was still ee through the blinds of her ladys It a manifest that she was not, on “ eager haste to return into herchamber. eh t length it strnck eleven. This sound ot pte irresolution from DD’ an’s heart. He recall ay detail of the interview which he had with her lad ot and, by one of those revulsions so common in si} J cases, he entered the house with his heart be: and his head on fire, and rushed into Kitty’croom,. = = The poor girl, pale as death, and Gueaviang in overy . limb, would have kept d’A an back; but her it dh tress, with her ear on the watch, had heard the noise he 5 | “te apartment. is occasion, in such | & ’ - ; had made in entering, and opened the door. ae “Come,” said ing Po “ ye | D'Artagnan was no longer sane, He felt himself « “sig tangled in one of those fantastic int so-wiiee Wace indreams. He advanced towards her ladyship, attracted by the magnetic power which the loadstone exercises over steel. | ee The door was closed behind them. | tl Kitty, in her tarn, rushed forwards to the door, . ea) , and offended pride—all the pas- sions, in a word, which rule the heart of an enamored — | woman—impelled her toaconfession. But be herself ruined, if she confesse oe nagnan would himself Jealousy, and fury _ urged her to the crowning sacrifice. 7! ond ‘Aitagnan, upon his ride, had surrendered ~ entirely to the inspiration of vanity. It was notnowa rival who was loved in his person; it was himself appa- rently, to whom the love was given. A secret voice, —~ from the depths of his own heart, truly tol€@himthathe | was ony a weenon, which wee caressed untilit hadin- — flicted death ; but pride, and self-love, and folly, silenc- . ~ A 7, SS - ed this voice, and stifled this murmur; and , ; Gascon, with the degree of confidence which we know | him to possess, compared himself with de Wardes, . Mi , inquired why, all things being considered, he should 7§ anks to the influence 0 se thougl.ts ndy- > ee ceased to be a woman of wicked dispositions, who had for a moment terrified him: she became a ch ming | being, wind promised to experience herself the love that Pi | she excited. uts ters | Nevertheless, the lady, who had not the sa motives © | as d’Artagnan for forgetfulness, ‘quickly drow hie m “| his contemplations, and recalled him to the: OF; DY their interview. She inquired whether the measu ee | whick were to bring about a meeting with de'Wardes, on the next day, were all definitely determined on, be- | ,OO