Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/62

52 TEN YEAES LATER. breaking through the horses and attendants, he cleared the way for himself toward the center oi the square, through the crowd, followed by the whole cavalcade. A large gate- way looking out upon a courtyard was open; Guiche entered the courtyard, and Brageloune, De Wardes, Manicamp, and three or four other gentlemen, followed him. A sort of council of war was held, and the means to be employed for saving the dignity of the embassy were deliberated upon. Bragelonne was of opinion that the right of priority should be respected, while De Wardes suggested that the town should be sacked. This latter proposition aj)peared to Manicamp rather rash, he proposing, instead, that they should first rest themselves. This was the wisest thing to do, but, unhappily, to follow his advice two things only were wanting, namely, a house and beds. De Guiche re- flected for awhile, and then said, aloud: "Let him who loves me follow me!" "The attendants also?" inquired a page who had ap- proached the group. "Every one," exclaimed the impetuous young man. "Manicamp, show us the way to the house destined for her- royal highness' residence." Without in any way divining the count's project his friends followed him, accompanied by a crowd of people, whose acclamations and delight seemed a happy omen for the success of the project with which they were yet unac- quainted. The wind was blowing loudly from the harbor, and moaning in fitful gusts. CHAPTEK IX. AT SEA. The following day was somewhat calmer, although the wind still continued to blow. The sun had, however, risen through a bank of reddened clouds, tingeiug with its crim- son rays the crests of the black waves. Watch was im- patiently kept from the different lookouts. Toward eleven o'clock in the morning a ship, with sails full set, was signaled as in view; two others followed at the distance of about half a knot. They approached like arrows shot from the bow of a skillful archer; and yet the sea ran so high that their speed was as nothing compared to the rolling of the billows in which the vessels were plunging first in one