The despair of Athos had given place to a concentrated grief which only rendered more lucid the brilliant mental faculties of that extraordinary man.

asked Felton, with an astonishment which in spite of the empire he held over himself he could not entirely conceal.

These words were pronounced with that imperturbable phlegm which distinguished Athos in the hour of danger, and with that excessive politeness which made of him at certain moments a king more majestic than kings by birth.

mounted on their battle steeds, enveloped in their war cloaks, with their hands upon their pistol butts,

Athos, like the spectre of vengeance, leaped into the room.

There was a moment of cold silence, during which everyone was affected according to his nature.

The watchword is, 'King and Re.'"

"I pardon you," said he, "the ill you have done me. I pardon you for my blasted future, my lost honor, my defiled love, and my salvation forever compromised by the despair into which you have cast me. Die in peace!"

"Haste! haste!" said Felton; "do you not see that each of your words burns me like molten lead?"