TEN TEAES LATER. 41 pay a visit to Monsieur. You, De Wardes, will accompany me to the Louvre, and you, Eaoul, will remain here master of the house; and as all that is done here is under your ad- vice, you will bestow the last glance upon my preparations for departure." Eaoul, with the air of one who neither seeks nor fears a quarrel, bowed his head in token of assent, and seated him- self upon a bench in the sun. "That is well," said De Guiche, "remain where you are, Eaoul, and tell them to show you the two horses I have just purchased; you will give me your opinion, for I only bought them on condition that you ratified the purchase. By the bye, I have to beg your pardon for having omitted to inquire after the Comte de la Fere." While pronouncing these latter words, he closely observed De Wardes, in order to perceive what effect the name of Eaoul's father would produce upon him. "I thank you," answered the young man, "the count is very well." A gleam of deep hatred passed into De Wardes' eyes. ' De Guiche, who apj)eared not to notice the forebod- ing expression, went up to Eaoul, and grasping him by the hand, said: "It is agreed, then, Bragelonne, that you will rejoin us in the courtyard of the Palais Eoyal?" He then signed to De Wardes to follow him, who had been engaged in balancing himself first on one foot, then on the other. "We are go- ing," said he; "come. Monsieur Malicorne." This name made Eaoul start; for it seemed that he had already heard it pronounced before, but he could not remember on what occasion. AVhile trying fo do so, half-dreamily, yet half- irritated at his conversation with De Wardes, the three young men were on their way toward the Palais Eoyal, where Monsieur was residing, Malicorne learned "tw® things; the first, that the young men had something to say to one another; and the second, that he ought not to walk in the same line with them; and therefore he walked be- hind. "Are you mad?" said De Guiche to his companion, as soon as they had left the Hotel Grammont; "you attack Monsieur d'Artagnan, and that, too, before Eaoul," "Well," said De Wardes, "what then?" "What do you mean by 'what then?' " "Certainly, is there any prohibition against attacking Monsieur d'Artagnan?" "But you know very well that Monsieur d'Artagnan was one of those celebrated and terrible four men who were called the musketeers."
