Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

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This coldness, on the only subject which {nterested | of her beautiful shoulders being unsovered, d’Artagnan, a her, frightened her ladyship, and her questions became | with inexpressible horror, perceived upon it the fleur- * ‘more pressing. de-lis—that indelible mark impressed by the d Then d@’A an, who had never seriously thought | hand of the executioner. at ~ Pe Of this impossible duel, endeavored to turn the conver-| ‘‘ Great God!" exclaimed he, letting fall the robe; Lt q yy sation, a found himself mnabile, “ea =o he remained mute, motionless, and rooted to his aoe er ys ep ® conference w n 6 iim piace. . . ig _ shehad Seal Arana beforehand, with her irresistible | But the lady felt herself denounced, even by d’ Artag- ie jag ty and ved von Rie Bs eo tatos’t nan's horror, Doubtless he had seen everything. The | Peet 4 Artagn en thought himself very clever inen- | youngman now knew her secret—that terrible secret, fh doe varing te perenede her to renounce, by forgiving de | of which the whole world was ignorant, except him! | ing Sen ardes, the furious projects she had formed. She turned, no longer like a furious woman, but like | j ___ Butat the first words that he uttered, her countenance | a wounded panther. ss assumed a most ogee mt, Spe amma **Ah, wretch!” said she, “ you have betrayed me - “Are you afraid, dear « a Ld Hecke! Artagnan?"’ cried she, in | like a coward; and, moreover, you have learned my asharp and mocking voice, that sounded strangely in | secret! You must die!" the young man's eurs. And she ran to an inlaid cabinet on her toilet table, _ “*Yoacunnotthink 80, my adored,” replied d’Artag- | opened it with a feverish, trembling hand, drew from it man: ‘but what if this poor Count ardes was less| a small dagger, with a golden hilt and a sherp and i -s t é bet 2d ‘ se ae i yi a rs . 2 ‘—) - yr: Ll A, Pei . . i $ aX culpable than youimagine?” slender blade, and returned with one bound to the side , “In any case,’’ said her ladyship, seriously, ‘he has | of d'Artagnan, who had remained upon his seat. ees me, and, from that moment, has deserved; Although the young man was, as we know, brave, he , A was frightened at that convulsed countenance, at those _ _ “Then he shall die, since you condemn him,” said | horribly dilated pupils, at those pale cheeks, and bleed- : q@artacnn, in @ tone so firm that it appeared to her | ing lips: he arose, and recoiled, as from the a h of y the nof an unconquerable devoted- | a serpent that had crawled towards him; and, inetinct- Seo ively putting his damp hand to his sword, he drew it She smiled on him once more. from the sheath. _* Yes, I am prepared,” continued d'Artagnan, with; But, without being at all dismayed at the sight of the ae a * fm. 4 ¥ it a ‘ ; ? DF — » hs fe Ps ee a - ~ ee ee er te > ge ° at ee Se —_— Me, Reape untary excitement; ‘‘ but, first, there la one} sword, her ladyship still advanced towards him to strike thing that I wonld fain be sure of.”’ him, and only stopped when she felt the sharp point | Wietgaret as ww hat?” inquired the lady. upon her bosom. - “That you love me!”’ . Then she attempted to seize the sword in her hande; ae our presence here ia a proof of it, I think,’ replied | but d’Artugnan always withheld it from her p, by _ ghe ne seme embarrassment. pointing it, without touching her, sometimes at her eyes Der A oO Xe AndI am yours, body and soul. Disposeof | and sometimes at her breast; whilst he still retreated, my arm!" endeavoring to find the door which opened into Kitty's 3 Thanka, my brave defender; and, even as I prove | room. _- my love by admitting you here, you will,in yourturn,| During all this time, her an yaeiip was rushing at him {etongy (PEC a | hr will you not?”’ in horrible transports of rage, and rouring in a fearful ee ly. But, if yon love me, as you say,” re- | manner. sumed d'Artagnan, “do you not fear anything onmy| Nevertheless, as thla was ending in a strong reeemb- ‘ @ecount!”” lance to a duel, d'Artagnan gradually recovered his ,. ** What canI fear?" coolness. . . ** T might be wounded dangerously—killed even. ** Well done! beautiful lady, well done!"’ said he: if? ; a nee said the lady’ “ you are so yaliant a| ‘‘ but, for God's sake, be calm, or I will draw a second dy n, and so skilful a swordsman.” fleur-de-lis on the other shoulder.”’ Pi, Then you would not prefer,” resumed d'Artagnan, ‘Wretch! wretch!" vociferated her ladyship. _ **a method which would equal y well revenge you, yet} But d’Artagnan, still seeking the door, maintained render combat uun a himself on the defensive. ras > | looked at the young man in silence, her| At thenoise thatthey made by overturning the furni- clear eyes an expreasion si vrly malevolent, ture—she to get at him, and he to get behind the furni- __-* Really,” said she, “I verily believe that you are | ture, outof t e way—Kitt opened the door. D'Artag- now hesi n.”’ nan, who had nevercea manceuvring to get near this _ 4“ No,I have no hesitation; but this poor de Wardes | door, was only three paces from it. ith one bound, _ awakens my compassion, now that you no longer love | therefore, he sprang out of the lady’s chamber into that Lm 5 nA sppcate to me that a man must be suffici- | of her — and, as quick as ugh caning. closed the door mt] pe nished by the loss of your love, without the in,and leaned against it with his weight, whilst eed of further chastisement.’ tty secured the bolts, “And who has told you that I ever loved him?”| Her ladyship then endeavored, with a force far beyond a aa oS oll ; b ‘ eer: « © " . i. © ne POD 4 1 # 7 ’ why ’ * « eee sked her ip. the strength of an ordinary woman, to break down the .. “* Atleast, I may believe, without any great ce that | barriers which confined herin her own room; but, find- 7= e Y replied the young man, gallantly, | ing this impossible, she stabbed the door with her dag- | that I am inte in the count." ger, sometimes penetrating the entire thickness of the ?’’ demanded the lady. ** And why?” ppd. Mech blow was accompanied by some horrible : recation. Quick, quick! Kitty,’ said d’Ar an, in a whisper, What alone know—— fia “gi Sh iat he has been far less culpable towards you | when the bolts were locked. ‘ Make haste to let me than migh " out of the hotel, or she will have me killed byjthe lackeys. _ _* Really!"’ said the lady, with an unevsy look. ‘‘ Ex-| Let us be quick, do you hear? for it is a matter of life _ plain yourself; for, upon my word, I cannot understand | and death. ‘7 What you mean. ‘ Kitty too well understood him. She drew him down | __And she looked at d'’Artagnan with eyes which were | the stairs in the darkness, And it was time. Her lady- 7 Sra y lighted up by a more baleful flame. ship ‘had van se! rung, and aroused the whole of her | _. “ Yes, I am aman of honor,” said d'Artagnan, deter-| establishment. The porter drew the cord at Kitty’s termined now to finish what he had begun; “and, | voice, at the very instant that his mistress screamed glace you have confessed your love for me, since lam | from the window—* Do not open!” fea qa sure of possessing it—for I possess it, do I not?”’ The young man fled, whilst she still menaced him _. *t Entirely! But go on. with an impotent gesture. At the same moment that _. “Well, then, I find myself quite transformed, and a| she lost sight of him, she fell senseless in her chamber. . confession forces itself from me.” . + “* A confession?" . ene TH “Tf I doubted your love, I would not venture on it; CHAPTER XXXVIII. but you do love me—do you not?” - Undoubtedly!” HOW, WITHOUT DISTURBING HIMSELF, ATHOS OBTAINED en, if through excess of love to youI had com- HIS EQUIPMENT. a fault, you would coves me?’ D'A n was 80 completely confounded that, with- Perhaps so. But this confession,"’ said she becom- | out con roy | what would become of Kitty, he ran —, whatis this confession?” through half of Paris, and did not stop till he found “ You had an interview with de Wardes, last Thnrs-| himself at Athos's door. The confusion of his mind, y, in un veny Chamber, had you not?" the terror which spurred him on, the cries of some of the ? No! it is not true,” the lady, In a tone go | patrol, who had pursued him, only made him the more & countenance so passionless, that, had | expeditious in his progress. He traversed the court, 4 not possessed such perfect certainty, he | mounted the two flights of stairs, and knocked asif he e doubted. would break down the door. not lie, my beauteous angel,” said d’Artagnan,| Grimaud opened it, with his eyes swollen by sleep; to smile; ‘* it is quite nseless.” and d’Artagnan rushed into the ante-chamber with such , * “What do you. mean? Speak, then, for you kill | violence as almost to overthrow him as he tara i. me! This time, at any rate, in spite of his habitual tacitur- “Oh! be at ease you are not culpable towards me, | nity, Grimaud found his tongue. At the sight of d’Ar- ips ie ud I have already forgiven. ou. tagnan’s naked eword, the fellow fancfed that he __ ** What next—what next? had to deal with some assassin. i rae Ye Wardes has nothing to boast of.” ‘Help, help! murder!” exclaimed he. | “eo ekaee How? You told me yourself that this ag et ‘Be gilent, you unlncky dog!" said the youn.e man: othes * DRS’ I myself have! The de Wardes of | “If am d’Artagnan, Do you not know me? Where is ‘Thursday, the d’Artagnan of to-day, are the same nme aah m 4d th inal Rhy on. ‘You M. d’Artagnan!"’ exclaim ¢ panic-stricken _ «The ant young man expected a surprise, mixed Grimaud. “Impossible!” * with | alittle storm, which would dissolve | *‘Grimaud!"’ said Athos, as he quietly eme from poet tears; but he strangely deceived himself, and his | his chamber in his dressing-gown; ‘‘ Grimand, I believe error was epparent. that you are permitting yourself to speqjr?* _ Pale and terrible, her ladyship raised herself up, and|{ “ Ah! sir. it is because—” , shing away d’Artagnan, who was near her, by a “Silence!” * up ¥ 4 a seas .* * e* ® ut ate vf JNUARL Fa Do ee! nes Bey : - so we gl Fo a oe <a fe mf.“ Grimand then contented himself with pointing te d@’Artagnan with bis finger. Athos, p ic as he was, burst ont intoa fit ef langhter, w was occasioned by d’Artagnan’s wild ance. Do not langh, my friend,” exclaimed d’Artagnan: “‘in the name of heaven, do not laugh! for, upon my soul, [assure you there is nothing to laugh at.” He uttered these words with so much solemnity, and with such undissembled horror, that Athos imme ly seized his hands, saying— ‘*Are you wounded, my friend? You are very pale,” **No; but something ve tome. Are you alone, A **Good! good!” And d’ an hurried into Athos’s chamber. ’ gaid the latter, “is the king ed the cardinal? You are alto- gether upset. Come, speak, for I am dying with ‘Art n, redible—un Athos. ‘Well, speak now dead? Have you kill anxiety.’ **Athos,”’ replied d something a y inc n Well "th A or received a bulletin his heart. ‘*But are you quite sure,’ dead? 7 that the other is really ** The other/*"* murmured Athos, ,” said continued d’A wards Athos's ear, and whi branded with a fleur-de-lis upon hers ‘*Ah!"" exclaimed the musketeer, as if he had spering, One an could scarcely hear it. Amiens?" Athos groaned, an “This one,” said twenty-six to twenty-e * Fair?” said Athos. “Yea “With clear blue eyes, of an uncommon brightness, ‘‘prepare to hear patalleled.” “her }. - houldert f continued d'Artagnan, in a voice so faint, © of whom you told me, one day, at ee head fell upon his hands. rtagnan, ‘‘is awomanof from ight years of age.” and with black eyelashes and eyebrows?” “vou.” “Tall, and well made? Had she also lost a tooth, oe eye-tooth, on the left side? *4 eR se | “The fleur-de-lis is small, of a red color, and as if somewhat effaced by the layers of paste which applied to it.” “ Yo. ** And yet you sa “She is called Frenchwoman: Lord de law.”’ y that thi my **T must see her, d’A ‘*Take care, Athos, take care. You wished to kill her: she is a woman who would willingly pay you back, and is not likely to fail.”’ ‘* She dare not say anything—it would be denouncing herself.”’ ‘She is equal to anything. furiousy"’ ‘** No,” said Athos. ‘* A tigress! a panther! that Ihave drawn down upon us both a terrible venge- DD’ n then recounted everything,—the lady’s maddened raze, and her menaces of death “You are quite right; and, upon my sonl; I would sell my life for a hair,”’ said Athos. ever, we leave Paris the day after to-morrow, and, "? ‘* Happily 8 woman is , but she may yet be a inter is only her brother-in- eh?” Did you ever see her Ah, my dear Athos, I fear ably shall go to la Rochelle. Once off—” ‘She will pursue you to the endof the world, Athos, should she recognise you. Let her, then, vent her hatred on me alone.”’ ‘“* Ah, my friend, what does it signify kill me?’’ said Athos. “Do you forani that I am at all anxious to live?” ‘‘There is some horrible mystery under Athos. I am certain that this woman is ane of cur- ourself. If the cardinal dinal’s spies.” ‘In that case, take care of does not greatly admire you for that London affair, he hates you thoroughly; but as he has, in fact, no to lenwad openly against you, and yet must ify bring his revenge, take care of yourself. nstatit suppose you go out, do not go alone; if you eat, use every precaution; dis trust everything, even your own shadow.” ** Happily,” said d’A once in the army, I hope t fear."’ “*In the meantime,’ said Athos, ‘‘ I renounce my plan of seclusion, and I will ‘Eo everywhere with you. You must return to the rue company you.”’ **Be it 80, my dear Athos; but first, let me return to you this ring, which I received from sapphire is yours. Did you not tell me thatit wasa it family jewel?’’ ‘Yes: my father gave two thousand pounds for it, as f he formerly told me; it was a part of the marriage resent that he made my mother. It is magnificent. “* we only need to man- age till to-morrow evenin without accident, for, when t we shall only have men to es Fossoyeurs, and woman ry terrible has just happencd a O8 > ‘**Zounds! who would you expect to be with me, at this time of night?” how- prob- | this, will ac- . This My mother gave it to me; and, instead of guarding it as asacred relic, madman that I was! I gave it to that . wretch." ‘Well, take back your ring; for I understand that through that wretch’s ted, d’Artagnan on Can borrow a thousand that sum you will be well off; and then, with the first money he obtain, you can redeem stains, since it will have you must prize it. “Ttakeit, afterit has hands? Never! the ring is pollu ‘* Then sell 37 Yai y crowns on it. i it, cleansed of its ancien through the hands of nsurers.”’ Athos smiled. ‘You area charming companion, m nan,’ said he; ‘ your eternal gaiety revives the soul of assed dear d'Artag- DOO is 5 : -, \ a *