6a
THE THREE MUSKETEERS.
slight apprehensions ; for, supposing that he should survive to fight him, he entertained no doubt of his ability to make short work of him, or, at all events, by wounding him in the face (as Caesar recommended his men to do with Pompey's soldiers), to spoil for ever that beauty of which he was so vain. In fine, d'Artagnan now brought into action those principles of unconquerable and steady resolve which the counsels of his father had implanted in his heart counsels which, as we know, had instructed him to submit to nothing like indignity unless it proceeded from the king, the cardinal, or M. de Treville. Full of these ideas, he sped as if on wings towards the convent des Carmes Deschaux a building without windows, adjoining a chapel of ease of the Pre-auxClercs, and surrounded by dry meadows, which generally served as a rendezvous for those combatants who had no time to lose. As d'Artagnan came in sight of the small open space in front of the convent, it struck the hour of noon, and Athos had already been about five minutes on the ground. He was therefore as punctual as the Samaritan woman, and the most rigorous casuist in the laws of duelling could have found nothing to censure. Athos, who continued to suffer severely from his wound, although it had again been dressed by M. de Treville's surgeon, had seated himself on a large stone, where he awaited his adversary with that air of calmness and him. dignity which never forsook As d'Artagnan approached, he arose, and politely advanced some steps
—
—
whilst d'Artagnan, on his part, went meet him towards his antagonist bowing until his piume touched the ground. " Sir," said Athos, " I expected two of my friends who to
;
I are to act as my seconds, but they are not yet arrived. am surprised that they should be so late, as they are generally punctual '* I have no second, sir," said d'Artagnan ; " I only consequently I am unknown arrived in Paris yesterday to any one here except M. de Treville, to whom I was I
;