the bravest gentleman I know. I shall be delighted, as I owe him many personal obligations, to settle them with you, by crossing ray sword with yours."
At the same moment Buckingham drew his sword gracefully from its scabbard, saluted Raoul, and put himself on guard.
De Wardes advanced a step to meet him.
"Stay, gentlemen," said Raoul, advancing toward them and placing his own sword between the combatants, "the affair is hardly worth the trouble of blood being shed almost in the presence of the princess. Monsieur de Wardes speaks ill of Monsieur d'Artagnan, with whom he is not even acquainted."
"What, monsieur," said De Wardes, setting his teeth hard together, and resting the point of his sword on the toe of his boot, "do you assert that I do not know Monsieur d'Artagnan?"
"Certainly not; you do not know him," replied Raoul coldly, "and you are even not aware where he is to be found."
"Not know where he is?"
"Such must be the case, since you fix your quarrel with him upon strangers, instead of seeking Monsieur d'Artagnan where he is to be found."
De Wardes turned pale.
"Well, monsieur," continued Eaoul, "I will tell you where Monsieur d'Artagnan is; he is now in Paris; when on duty he is to be met with at the Louvre — when not so, in the Rue des Lombards. Monsieur d'Artagnan can be easily discovered at either of those two places. Having, therefore, as you assert, so many causes of complaint against him, you do not show your courage in not seeking him out, to afford him an opportunity of giving you that satisfaction you seem to ask of every one but of himself."
De Wardes passed his hand across his forehead, which was covered with perspiration.
"For shame. Monsieur de Wardes! so quarrelsome a disposition is hardly becoming after the publication of the edicts against duels. Pray think of that; the king will be incensed at our disobedience, particularly at such a time; and his majesty will be in the right."
"Mere excuses," murmured De Wardes; "mere pretexts."
"Really, my dear Monsieur de Wardes," resumed Raoul, "such remarks are the merest idle talk; you know very well that the Duke of Buckingham is a man of undoubted
