Meantime, as we have said, despite the cries of hisconscience and the wise counsels of Athos, D'Artagnan becamehourly more in love with Milady. Thus he never failed topay his diurnal court to her; and the self-satisfied Gasconwas convinced that sooner or later she could not fail torespond.

One day, when he arrived with his head in the air, and aslight at heart as a man who awaits a shower of gold, hefound the SOUBRETTE under the gateway of the hotel; but thistime the pretty Kitty was not contented with touching him ashe passed, she took him gently by the hand.

"Good!" thought D'Artagnan, "She is charged with somemessage for me from her mistress; she is about to appointsome rendezvous of which she had not courage to speak." Andhe looked down at the pretty girl with the most triumphantair imaginable.

"I wish to say three words to you, Monsieur Chevalier,"stammered the SOUBRETTE.

"Speak, my child, speak," said D'Artagnan; "I listen."

"Here? Impossible! That which I have to say is too long,and above all, too secret."

"Well, what is to be done?"

"If Monsieur Chevalier would follow me?" said Kitty,timidly.

"Where you please, my dear child."

"Come, then."

And Kitty, who had not let go the hand of D'Artagnan, ledhim up a little dark, winding staircase, and after ascendingabout fifteen steps, opened a door.

"Come in here, Monsieur Chevalier," said she; "here we shallbe alone, and can talk."

"And whose room is this, my dear child?"

"It is mine, Monsieur Chevalier; it communicates with mymistress's by that door. But you need not fear. She willnot hear what we say; she never goes to bed beforemidnight,"

D'Artagnan cast a glance around him. The little apartmentwas charming for its taste and neatness; but in spite ofhimself, his eyes were directed to that door which Kittysaid led to Milady's chamber.

Kitty guessed what was passing in the mind of the young man,and heaved a deep sigh.

"You love my mistress, then, very dearly, MonsieurChevalier?" said she.

"Oh, more than I can say, Kitty! I am mad for her!"

Kitty breathed a second sigh.

"Alas, monsieur," said she, "that is too bad."

"What the devil do you see so bad in it?" said D'Artagnan.

"Because, monsieur," replied Kitty, "my mistress loves younot at all."

"HEIN!" said D'Artagnan, "can she have charged you to tellme so?"

"Oh, no, monsieur; but out of the regard I have for you, Ihave taken the resolution to tell you so."

"Much obliged, my dear Kitty; but for the intention only - forthe information, you must agree, is not likely to be at allagreeable."

"That is to say, you don't believe what I have told you; isit not so?"

"We have always some difficulty in believing such things, mypretty dear, were it only from self-love."

"Then you don't believe me?"

"I confess that unless you deign to give me some proof ofwhat you advance - "

"What do you think of this?"

Kitty drew a little note from her bosom.

"For me?" said Derogation, seizing the letter.

"No; for another."

"For another?"

"Yes."

"His name; his name!" cried D'Artagnan.

"Read the address."

"Monsieur El Comte de Wardes."

The remembrance of the scene at St. Germain presented itselfto the mind of the presumptuous Gascon. As quick asthought, he tore open the letter, in spite of the cry whichKitty uttered on seeing what he was going to do, or rather,what he was doing.

"Oh, good Lord, Monsieur Chevalier," said she, "what are youdoing?"

"I?" said D'Artagnan; "nothing," and he read,

"You have not answered my first note. Are you indisposed,or have you forgotten the glances you favored me with at theball of Mme. de Guise? You have an opportunity now, Count;do not allow it to escape."

D'Artagnan became very pale; he was wounded in his SELF-love: he thought that it was in his LOVE.

"Poor dear Monsieur D'Artagnan," said Kitty, in a voice fullof compassion, and pressing anew the young man's hand.

"You pity me, little one?" said D'Artagnan.

"Oh, yes, and with all my heart; for I know what it is to bein love."

"You know what it is to be in love?" said D'Artagnan,looking at her for the first time with much attention.

"Alas, yes."

"Well, then, instead of pitying me, you would do much betterto assist me in avenging myself on your mistress."

"And what sort of revenge would you take?"

"I would triumph over her, and supplant my rival."

"I will never help you in that, Monsieur Chevalier," saidKitty, warmly.

"And why not?" demanded D'Artagnan.

"For two reasons."

"What ones?"

"The first is that my mistress will never love you."

"How do you know that?"

"You have cut her to the heart."

"I? In what can I have offended her - I who ever since I haveknown her have lived at her feet like a slave? Speak, I begyou!"

"I will never confess that but to the man - who should read tothe bottom of my soul!"

D'Artagnan looked at Kitty for the second time. The younggirl had freshness and beauty which many duchesses wouldhave purchased with their coronets.

"Kitty," said he, "I will read to the bottom of your soulwhen-ever you like; don't let that disturb you." And he gaveher a kiss at which the poor girl became as red as a cherry.

"Oh, no," said Kitty, "it is not me you love! It is mymistress you love; you told me so just now."

"And does that hinder you from letting me know the secondreason?"

"The second reason, Monsieur the Chevalier," replied Kitty,emboldened by the kiss in the first place, and still furtherby the expression of the eyes of the young man, "is that inlove, everyone for herself!"

Then only D'Artagnan remembered the languishing glances ofKitty, her constantly meeting him in the antechamber, thecorridor, or on the stairs, those touches of the hand everytime she met him, and her deep sighs; but absorbed by hisdesire to please the great lady, he had disdained thesoubrette. He whose game is the eagle takes no heed of thesparrow.

But this time our Gascon saw at a glance all the advantageto be derived from the love which Kitty had just confessedso innocently, or so boldly: the interception of lettersaddressed to the Comte de Wardes, news on the spot, entranceat all hours into Kitty's chamber, which was contiguous toher mistress's. The perfidious deceiver was, as may plainlybe perceived, already sacrificing, in intention, the poorgirl in order to obtain Milady, willy-nilly.

"Well," said he to the young girl, "are you willing, my dearKitty, that I should give you a proof of that love which youdoubt?"

"What love?" asked the young girl.

"Of that which I am ready to feel toward you."

"And what is that proof?"

"Are you willing that I should this evening pass with youthe time I generally spend with your mistress?"

"Oh, yes," said Kitty, clapping her hands, "very willing."

"Well, then, come here, my dear," said D'Artagnan,establishing himself in an easy chair; "come, and let metell you that you are the prettiest SOUBRETTE I ever saw!"

And he did tell her so much, and so well, that the poorgirl, who asked nothing better than to believe him, didbelieve him. Nevertheless, to D'Artagnan's greatastonishment, the pretty Kitty defended herself resolutely.

Time passes quickly when it is passed in attacks anddefenses. Midnight sounded, and almost at the same time thebell was rung in Milady's chamber.

"Good God," cried Kitty, "there is my mistress calling me!Go; go directly!"

D'Artagnan rose, took his hat, as if it had been hisintention to obey, then, opening quickly the door of a largecloset instead of that leading to the staircase, he buriedhimself amid the robes and dressing gowns of Milady.

"What are you doing?" cried Kitty.

D'Artagnan, who had secured the key, shut himself up in thecloset without reply.

"Well," cried Milady, in a sharp voice. "Are you asleep,that you don't answer when I ring?"

And D'Artagnan heard the door of communication openedviolently.

"Here am I, Milady, here am I!" cried Kitty, springingforward to meet her mistress.

Both went into the bedroom, and as the door of communicationremained open, D'Artagnan could hear Milady for some timescolding her maid. She was at length appeased, and theconversation turned upon him while Kitty was assisting hermistress.

"Well," said Milady, "I have not seen our Gascon thisevening."

"What, Milady! has he not come?" said Kitty. "Can he beinconstant before being happy?"

"Oh, no; he must have been prevented by Monsieur de Trevilleor Monsieur Dessessart. I understand my game, Kitty; I havethis one safe."

"What will you do with him, madame?"

"What will I do with him? Be easy, Kitty, there issomething between that man and me that he is quite ignorantof: he nearly made me lose my credit with his Eminence. Oh,I will be revenged!"

"I believed that Madame loved him."

"I love him? I detest him! An idiot, who held the life ofLord de Winter in his bands and did not kill him, by which Imissed three hundred thousand livres' income."

"That's true," said Kitty; "your son was the only heir ofhis uncle, and until his majority you would have had theenjoyment of his fortune."

D'Artagnan shuddered to the marrow at hearing this suavecreature reproach him, with that sharp voice which she tooksuch pains to conceal in conversation, for not having killeda man whom he had seen load her with kindnesses.

"For all this," continued Milady, "I should long ago haverevenged myself on him if, and I don't know why, thecardinal had not requested me to conciliate him."

"Oh, yes; but Madame has not conciliated that little womanhe was so fond of."

"What, the mercer's wife of the Rue des Fossoyeurs? Has henot already forgotten she ever existed? Fine vengeancethat, on my faith!"

A cold sweat broke from D'Artagnan's brow. Why, this womanwas a monster! He resumed his listening, but unfortunatelythe toilet was finished.

"That will do," said Milady; "go into your own room, andtomorrow endeavor again to get me an answer to the letter Igave you."

"For Monsieur de Wardes?" said Kitty.

"To be sure; for Monsieur de Wardes."

"Now, there is one," said Kitty, "who appears to me quite adifferent sort of a man from that poor Monsieur D'Artagnan."

"Go to bed, mademoiselle," said Milady; "I don't likecomments."

D'Artagnan heard the door close; then the noise of two boltsby which Milady fastened herself in. On her side, but assoftly as possible, Kitty turned the key of the lock, andthen D'Artagnan opened the closet door.

"Oh, good Lord!" said Kitty, in a low voice, "what is thematter with you? How pale you are!"

"The abominable creature" murmured D'Artagnan.

"Silence, silence, begone!" said Kitty. "There is nothingbut a wainscot between my chamber and Milady's; every wordthat is uttered in one can be heard in the other."

"That's exactly the reason I won't go," said D'Artagnan.

"What!" said Kitty, blushing.

"Or, at least, I will go - later."

He drew Kitty to him. She had the less motive to resist,resistance would make so much noise. Therefore Kittysurrendered.

It was a movement of vengeance upon Milady. D'Artagnanbelieved it right to say that vengeance is the pleasure ofthe gods. With a little more heart, he might have beencontented with this new conquest; but the principal featuresof his character were ambition and pride. It must, however,be confessed in his justification that the first use he madeof his influence over Kitty was to try and find out what hadbecome of Mme. Bonacieux; but the poor girl swore upon thecrucifix to D'Artagnan that she was entirely ignorant onthat head, her mistress never admitting her into half hersecrets - only she believed she could say she was not dead.

As to the cause which was near making Milady lose her creditwith the cardinal, Kitty knew nothing about it; but thistime D'Artagnan was better informed than she was. As he hadseen Milady on board a vessel at the moment he was leavingEngland, he suspected that it was, almost without a doubt,on account of the diamond studs.

But what was clearest in all this was that the true hatred,the profound hatred, the inveterate hatred of Milady, wasincreased by his not having killed her brother-in-law.

D'Artagnan came the next day to Milady's, and finding her ina very ill-humor, had no doubt that it was lack of an answerfrom M. de Wardes that provoked her thus. Kitty came in,but Milady was very cross with her. The poor girl ventureda glance at D'Artagnan which said, "See how I suffer on youraccount!"

Toward the end of the evening, however, the beautifullioness became milder; she smilingly listened to the softspeeches of D'Artagnan, and even gave him her hand to kiss.

D'Artagnan departed, scarcely knowing what to think, but ashe was a youth who did not easily lose his head, whilecontinuing to pay his court to Milady, he had framed alittle plan in his mind.

He found Kitty at the gate, and, as on the precedingevening, went up to her chamber. Kitty had been accused ofnegligence and severely scolded. Milady could not at allcomprehend the silence of the Comte de Wardes, and sheordered Kitty to come at nine o'clock in the morning to takea third letter.

D'Artagnan made Kitty promise to bring him that letter onthe following morning. The poor girl promised all her loverdesired; she was mad.

Things passed as on the night before. D'Artagnan concealedhimself in his closet; Milady called, undressed, sent awayKitty, and shut the door. As the night before, D'Artagnandid not return home till five o'clock in the morning.

At eleven o'clock Kitty came to him. She held in her hand afresh billet from Milady. This time the poor girl did noteven argue with D'Artagnan; she gave it to him at once. Shebelonged body and soul to her handsome soldier.

D'Artagnan opened the letter and read as follows:

This is the third time I have written to you to tell youthat I love you. Beware that I do not write to you a fourthtime to tell you that I detest you.

If you repent of the manner in which you have acted towardme, the young girl who brings you this will tell you how aman of spirit may obtain his pardon.

D'Artagnan colored and grew pale several times in readingthis billet.

"Oh, you love her still," said Kitty, who had not taken hereyes off the young man's countenance for an instant.

"No, Kitty, you are mistaken. I do not love her, but I willavenge myself for her contempt."

"Oh, yes, I know what sort of vengeance! You told me that!"

"What matters it to you, Kitty? You know it is you alonewhom I love."

"How can I know that?"

"By the scorn I will throw upon her."

D'Artagnan took a pen and wrote:

Madame, Until the present moment I could not believe that itwas to me your first two letters were addressed, so unworthydid I feel myself of such an honor; besides, I was soseriously indisposed that I could not in any case havereplied to them.

But now I am forced to believe in the excess of yourkindness, since not only your letter but your servantassures me that I have the good fortune to be beloved byyou.

She has no occasion to teach me the way in which a man ofspirit may obtain his pardon. I will come and ask mine ateleven o'clock this evening.

To delay it a single day would be in my eyes now to commit afresh offense.

>From him whom you have rendered the happiest of men,Comte de Wardes

This note was in the first place a forgery; it was likewisean indelicacy. It was even, according to our presentmanners, something like an infamous action; but at thatperiod people did not manage affairs as they do today.Besides, D'Artagnan from her own admission knew Miladyculpable of treachery in matters more important, and couldentertain no respect for her. And yet, notwithstanding thiswant of respect, he felt an uncontrollable passion for thiswoman boiling in his veins - passion drunk with contempt; butpassion or thirst, as the reader pleases.

D'Artagnan's plan was very simple. By Kitty's chamber hecould gain that of her mistress. He would take advantage ofthe first moment of surprise, shame, and terror, to triumphover her. He might fail, but something must be left tochance. In eight days the campaign would open, and he wouldbe compelled to leave Paris; D'Artagnan had no time for aprolonged love siege.

"There," said the young man, handing Kitty the lettersealed; "give that to Milady. It is the count's reply."

Poor Kitty became as pale as death; she suspected what theletter contained.

"Listen, my dear girl," said D'Artagnan; "you cannot butperceive that all this must end, some way or other. Miladymay discover that you gave the first billet to my lackeyinstead of to the count's; that it is I who have opened theothers which ought to have been opened by De Wardes. Miladywill then turn you out of doors, and you know she is not thewoman to limit her vengeance. "Alas!" said Kitty, "for whomhave I exposed myself to all that?"

"For me, I well know, my sweet girl," said D'Artagnan. "ButI am grateful, I swear to you."

"But what does this note contain?"

"Milady will tell you."

"Ah, you do not love me!" cried Kitty, "and I am verywretched."

To this reproach there is always one response which deludeswomen. D'Artagnan replied in such a manner that Kittyremained in her great delusion. Although she cried freelybefore deciding to transmit the letter to her mistress, shedid at last so decide, which was all D'Artagnan wished.Finally he promised that he would leave her mistress'spresence at an early hour that evening, and that when heleft the mistress he would ascend with the maid. Thispromise completed poor Kitty's consolation.