e an order in blank for M. Baisemeaux de
Montlezun, governor of the Bastile; and I shall say to the king: 'Sire,
a man has in a most cowardly way insulted M. de Bragelonne by insulting
his mother; I have written this man's name upon the lettre de cachet
which your majesty has been kind enough to give me, so that M. de Wardes
is in the Bastile for three years.'" And D'Artagnan drawing the order
signed by the king from his pocket, held it towards De Wardes.

Remarking that the young man was not quite convinced, and received
the warning as an idle threat, he shrugged his shoulders and walked
leisurely towards the table, upon which lay a writing-case and a pen,
the length of which would have terrified the topographical Porthos. De
Wardes then saw that nothing could well be more seriously intended than
the threat in question for the Bastile, even at that period, was already
held in dread. He advanced a step towards Raoul, and, in an almost
unintelligible voice, said,--"I offer my apologies in the terms which M.
d'Artagnan just now dictated, and which I am forced to make to you."

"One moment, monsieur," said the musketeer, with the greatest
tranquillity, "you mistake the terms of the apology. I did not say, 'and
which I am forced to make'; I said, 'and which my conscience induces me
to make.' This latter expression, believe me, is better than the former;
and it will be far preferable, since it will be the most truthful
expression of your own sentiments."

"I subscribe to it," said De Wardes; "but submit, gentlemen, that a
thrust of a sword through the body, as was the custom formerly, was far
better than tyranny like this."

"No, monsieur," replied Buckingham; "for the sword-thrust, when
received, was no indication that a particular person was right or wrong;
it only showed that he was more or less skillful in the use of the
weapon."

"Monsieur!" exclaimed De Wardes.

"There, now," interrupted D'Artagnan, "you are going to say something
very rude, and I am rendering you a service by stopping you in time."

"Is that all, monsieur?" inquired De Wardes.

"Absolutely everything," replied D'Artagnan, "and these gentlemen, as
well as myself, are quite satisfied with you."

"Believe me monsieur, that your reconciliations are not successful."

"In what way?"

"Because, as we are now about to separate. I would wager that M. de
Bragelonne and myself are greater enemies than ever."

"You are deceived, monsieur, as far as