Malicorne learned two things; the first, that the young men had something to say to each other; and the second, that he ought not to walk in the same line with them; and therefore he walked behind.

"Are you mad ?" said De Guiche to his companion, as soon as they had left the Hotel de Grammont; "you attack M.d'Artagnan, and that, too, before Raoul." "Well," said De Wardes, "what then ?" "What do you mean by 'what then ?'" "Certainly, is there any prohibition against attacking M.d'Artagnan ?" "But you know very well that M.d'Artagnan was one of those celebrated and terrible four men who were called the musketeers." "That they may be; but I do not perceive why, on that account, I should be forbidden to hate M.d'Artagnan." "What cause has he given you ?" "Me! personally, none." "Why hate him, therefore ?" "Ask my dead father that question." "Really, my dear De Wardes, you surprise me.

M.d'Artagnan is not one to leave unsettled any _enmity_ he may have to arrange, without completely clearing his account.

Your father, I have heard, carried matters with a high hand.

Moreover, there are no enmities so bitter that they cannot be washed away by blood, by a good sword-thrust loyally given." "Listen to me, my dear De Guiche, this inveterate dislike existed between my father and M.d'Artagnan, and when I was quite a child, he acquainted me with the reason for it, and, as forming part of my inheritance, I regard it as a particular legacy bestowed upon me." "And does this hatred concern M.d'Artagnan alone ?" "As for that, M.d'Artagnan was so intimately associated with his three friends, that some portion of the full measure of my hatred falls to their lot, and that hatred is of such a nature, whenever the opportunity occurs, they shall have no occasion to complain of their allowance." De Guiche had kept his eyes fixed on De Wardes, and shuddered at the bitter manner in which the young man smiled.