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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 279 at Prostate Health
have done nothing for the last hour," said Raoul, "butsay the same thing." Then, turning towards the duke, hesaid, "I entreat you to be silent about this affair; I amashamed to have gone so far, but my anger carried me away,and I ask your forgiveness for it; -- forget it, too.""Dear viscount," said the duke, pressing within his own thevigorous and valiant hand of his companion, "allow me, onthe contrary, to remember it, and to look after your safety;that man is dangerous, -- he will kill you.""My father," replied Raoul, "lived for twenty years underthe menace of a much more formidable enemy, and he stilllives.""Your father had good friends, viscount.""Yes," sighed Raoul, "such friends indeed, that none are nowleft like them.""Do not say that, I beg, at the very moment I offer you myfriendship;" and Buckingham opened his arms to embraceRaoul, who delightedly received the proffered alliance. "Inmy family," added Buckingham, "you are aware, M. deBragelonne, wee die to save our friends.""I know it well, duke," replied Raoul.CHAPTER 88An Account of what the Chevalier de Lorraine thought of MadameNothing further interrupted the journey. Under a pretextthat was little remarked, M. de Wardes went forward inadvance of the others. He took Manicamp with him, for hisequable and dreamy disposition acted as a counterpoise tohis own. It is a subject of remark, that quarrelsome andrestless characters invariably seek the companionship ofgentle, timorous dispositions, as if the former sought, inthe contrast, a repose for their own ill-humor, and thelatter a protection for their weakness. Buckingham andBragelonne admitting De Guiche into their friendship, inconcert with him, sang the praises of the princess duringthe whole of the journey. Bragelonne had, however, insistedthat their three voices should be in concert, instead ofsinging in solo parts, as De Guiche and his rival seemed tohave acquired a dangerous habit of investigation. This styleof harmony pleased the queen-mother exceedingly, but it wasnot perhaps so agreeable to the young princess, who was anincarnation of coquetry, and who, without any fear as far asher own voice was concerned, sought opportunities of soperilously distinguishing herself. She possessed one ofthose fearless and incautious dispositions that findgratification in an excess of sensitiveness of feeling, andfor whom, also, danger has a certain fascination. And so herglances, her smiles, her toilette, an inexhaustible armoryof weapons of offense. were showered on the three young menwith overwhelming force; and, from her well-stored arsenalissued glances, kindly recognitions, and a thousand otherlittle charming attentions which were intended to strike atlong range the gentlemen who formed the escort, thetownspeople, the officers of the different cities she passedthrough, pages, populace, and servants; it was wholesaleslaughter, a general devastation. By the time Madame arrivedat Paris, she had reduced to slavery about a hundredthousand lovers: and brought in her train to Paris half adozen men who were almost mad about her, and two who were,indeed, literally out of their minds. Raoul was the onlyperson who divined the power of this womans attraction, andas his heart was already engaged, he arrived in the capitalfull of indifference and distrust. Occasionally during thejourney he conversed with the queen of England respectingthe power of fascination which Madame possessed, and themother, whom so many misfortunes and deceptions had taughtexperience, replied: "Henrietta was sure to be illustriousin one way or another, whether born in a palace or born inobscurity; for she is a woman of great imagination,capricious and self-willed." De Wardes and Manicamp, intheir self-assumed character of courtiers, had announced theprincesss arrival. The procession was met at Nanterre by abrilliant escort of cavaliers and carriages. It was Monsieurhimself, followed by the Chevalier de Lorraine and by hisfavorites, the latter being themselves followed by a portionof the kings military household, who had arrived to meethis affianced bride. At St. Germain, the princess and hermother had changed their heavy traveling carriage, somewhatimpaired by the journey, for a light, richly decoratedchariot drawn by six horses with white and gold harness.Seated in this open carriage, as though upon a throne, andbeneath a parasol of embroidered silk, fringed withfeathers, sat the young and lovely princess, on whosebeaming face were reflected the softened rose-tints whichsuited her delicate skin to perfection. Monsieur, onreaching the carriage, was struck by her beauty; he showedhis admiration in so marked a
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