“The king has prohibited duelling, and, at that moment, I was an ambassador of the king.”
“Very well,” said Athos, “but all the greater reason I should see his majesty.”
“What do you intend to ask him?”
“Authority to draw my sword against the man who has inflicted this injury upon me.”
“If I did not act as I ought to have done, I beg you to forgive me.”
“Did I reproach you, Raoul?”
“Still, the permission you are going to ask from the king?”
“I will implore his majesty to sign your marriage-contract, but on one condition.”
“Are conditions necessary with me, monsieur? Command, and you shall be obeyed.”
“On one condition, I repeat,” continued Athos; “that you tell me the name of the man who spoke of your mother in that way.”