She wrung her hands together as she looked at me.
“M. de Brancas, you said to me just now that you would have me think kindly of you.”
“With all my heart.”
“Would you have me believe it?”
“I would do anything to prove it,” I cried.
“Then go.” I looked into her eyes, which were flaming with excitement, caught her hand and kissed it. It nestled in mine for a moment.
“Adieu, mademoiselle,” I said, and was off under the trees. The sounds grew louder as I approached, and it was evident that the whole palace had been aroused. Windows were thrown open, soldiers were pouring out of a room in the left wing, and near the edge of the garden five or six men had a single man surrounded. At a glance I saw the latter to be Richelieu. He had placed his back against a tree and was fencing coolly. Even as I ran I saw one of his assailants totter and fall. I kept on without a sound, reached the group, and ran a man through before they perceived they were attacked in the rear. They gave back a pace.
“Come, monsieur,” I cried, “there will be others here in a moment.”
“Ah, gentlemen,” said Richelieu, saluting with his sword in careless disregard of the thrusts aimed at him, “believe me, were there only yourselves we should not think of leaving until our argument had reached a conclusion, but as it is, I regret that we must go.” And then he added to me, in a lower tone, “Retreat towards the horses. If we can reach them we are safe.”
I heard hurrying feet from the direction of the palace and did not doubt that we should be overwhelmed unless we reached the horses quickly. Richelieu had disabled another of our opponents, so that there were only three, and these drew off and followed us more warily. I saw others hastening towards us under the trees, but we had not far to go, and soon reached the horses.