.

The Portrait of Madame.
The discussion was becoming full of bitterness.

De Guiche perfectly understood the whole matter, for there was in Bragelonne's face a look instinctively hostile, while in that of De Wardes there was something like a determination to offend.

Without inquiring into the different feelings which actuated his two friends, De Guiche resolved to ward off the blow which he felt was on the point of being dealt by one of them, and perhaps by both.

"Gentlemen," he said, "we must take our leave of each other, I must pay a visit to Monsieur.