But at the first word the young woman started, and exclaimed in a sharp, bantering tone, whibsp;sounded strangely in the darkness, "Are you afraid, dear Monsieur d''Artagnan?"
"You ot think so, dear love!" replied d''Artagnan; "but now, suppo this poor te de Wardes were less guilty than you think him?"
"At all events," said Milady, riously, "he has deceived me, and from the moment he deceived me, he merited death."
"He shall die, then, sinbsp;you n him!" said d''Artagnan, in so firm a tone that it appeared to Milady an undoubted proof of devotion. This reassured her.
We ot say how long the night emed to Milady, but d''Artagnan believed it to be hardly two hours before the daylight peeped through the window blinds, and invaded the chamber with its paleness. Seeing d''Artagnan about to leave her, Milady recalled his promi to avenge her on the te de Wardes.
"I am quite ready," said d''Artagnan; "but in the first plabsp;I should like to be certain of one thing."
"And what is that?" asked Milady.
"That is, whether you really love me?"
"I have given you proof of that, it ems to me."
"And I am yours, body and soul!"
"Thanks, my brave lover; but as you are satisfied of my love, you must, in your turn, satisfy me of yours. Is it not so?"
"Certainly; but if you love me as mubsp;as you say," replied d''Artagnan, "do you not eain a little fear on my at?"
"What have I to fear?"
"Why, that I may be dangerously wounded--killed even."
"Impossible!" cried Milady, "you are subsp;a valiant man, and subsp;an expert swordsman."
"You would not, then, prefer a method," resumed d''Artagnan, "whibsp;would equally avenge you while rendering the bat uless?"
Milady looked at her lover in silenbsp;The pale light of the first rays of day gave to her clear eyes a strangely frightful expression.
"Really," said she, "I believe you now begin to hesitate."
"No, I do not hesitate; but I really pity this poor te de Wardes, sinbsp;you have cead to love him. I think that a man must be so verely punished by the loss of your love that he stands in need of no other chastiment."