but belong to the territory of Heaven during the other six."
"I accept willingly," said De Wardes.
"I assure you," said the duke, "that if you kill me, you will be rendering me an infinite service."
"I will do my utmost to make myself agreeable to you, duke," said De Wardes.
"It is agreed, then, that I carry you off with me?"
"I shall be at your commands. I needed some real danger and some mortal risk to run, to tranquilize me."
"In that case, I think you have met with what you are looking for. Farewell, M. de Wardes; to-morrow morning, my valet will tell you the exact hour of our departure; we can travel together like two excellent friends. I generally travel as fast as I can. Adieu."
Buckingham saluted De Wardes, and returned towards the king's apartments; De Wardes, irritated beyond measure, left the Palais-Royal, and hurried through the streets homeward to the house where he lodged.
CHAPTER 95. Baisemeaux de Montlezun
After the austere lesson administered to De Wardes, Athos and D'Artagnan together descended the staircase which led to the courtyard of the Palais-Royal. "You perceive," said Athos to D'Artagnan, "that Raoul cannot, sooner or later, avoid a duel with De Wardes, for De Wardes is as brave as he is vicious and wicked."
"I know such fellows well," replied D'Artagnan; "I had an affair with the father. I assure you that, although at that time I had good muscles and a sort of brute courage -- I assure you that the father did me some mischief. But you should have seen how I fought it out with him. Ah, Athos, such encounters never take place in these times! I had a hand which