“We have arranged to meet again.”
As he answered Raoul, his absent looks were directed on all sides, as if seeking some one in the crowd, or looking for something in the room. Suddenly his gaze became fixed, like that of an eagle on its prey. Raoul followed the direction of his glance, and noticed that De Guiche and D’Artagnan saluted each other, but he could not distinguish at whom the captain’s inquiring and haughty glance was aimed.
“Chevalier,” said Raoul, “there is no one here but yourself who can render me a service.”
“What is it, my dear vicomte?”
“It is simply to go and interrupt the Duke of Buckingham, to whom I wish to say two words, and, as the duke is conversing with M. Fouquet, you understand that it would not do for me to throw myself into the middle of the conversation.”
“Ah, ah, is M. Fouquet there?” inquired D’Artagnan.
“Do you not see him?”
“Yes, now I do. But do you think I have a greater right than you have?”
“You are a more important personage.”
“Yes, you’re right; I am captain of the musketeers; I have had the post promised me so long, and have enjoyed it for so brief a period, that I am always forgetting my dignity.”