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The young men arrived under the balcony. "M. de Monsoreau," they cried, "do you intend to be present at our combat? if so, be quick, for we wish to arrive first." They waited, but no one answered. "Did you put up that ladder?" asked Antragues of a man who was examining the ground. "God forbid!" replied he. "Why so?" "Look up." "Blood!" cried Ribeirac.
"Bussy," cried the others, "we swear to kill them or die." "No mercy," said Antragues. "But we shall be but three." "True, but we have assassinated no one, and God will strengthen the innocent. Adieu, Bussy!" "Adieu, Bussy!" repeated the others; and they went out, pale but resolute, from that cursed house, around which a crowd had begun to collect.
At this instant Livarot, of whom no one was thinking, rose on his knees, hideous from the blood with which he was covered, and plunged his dagger between the shoulders of Maugiron, who fell, crying out, "Mon Dieu! I am killed!" Livarot fell back again, fainting. "M. de Quelus," said Antragues, "you are a brave man; yield I offer you your life." "And why yield?" "You are wounded, and I am not."
It is true, you are but twenty." "Sire," said Quelus, "on what day shall we meet MM. Bussy, Livarot, Antragues and Ribeirac?" "Never; I forbid it absolutely." "Sire, excuse us, the rendezvous was arranged before the dinner, words were said which cannot be retracted."
"Well, accept; I will be captain; Antragues and Livarot lieutenants; and Ribeirac ensign. Let us get up your company for you, and see if they dare to laugh at you then." "Ma foi! I believe you are right, Bussy; I will think of it." "Do so, monseigneur." "What were you reading so attentively when I came in?" "Oh! a letter, which interests you still more than me.
A river of blood flowed over the room; and the curtains were hanging in strips from sword cuts. "Oh! poor Remy!" cried Antragues, suddenly. "Dead!" "Yes." "But a regiment of troopers must have passed through the room," cried Livarot. Then, seeing the door of the corridor open, and traces of blood indicating that one or more of the combatants had also passed through there, he followed it.
His hand was soon bleeding in several places, and Antragues had also wounded him in the breast; but at each wound he repeated, "It is nothing." Livarot and Maugiron were still unwounded. Ribeirac and Schomberg recommenced; the former was pierced through the breast, and Schomberg was wounded in the neck.
These gentlemen shall see if we are men to profit by a misfortune which we deplore as much as themselves. Come, gentlemen," added the young mall, throwing his hat behind him, and raising his left hand, while he whirled his sword with the right, "God is our judge if we are assassins!" "Ah! I hated you before," cried Schomberg, "and now I execrate you!" "On your guard, gentlemen!" cried Antragues.
Livarot ran to aid Ribeirac to disengage himself from the grasp of his adversary, but was closely pursued by Maugiron, who cut open his head with a blow of his sword. Livarot let his sword drop, and fell on his knees; then Maugiron hastened to give him another wound, and he fell altogether. Quelus and Maugiron remained against Antragues. Quelus was bleeding, but from slight wounds.
"We must take care," said Antragues to Ribeirac, "each tear will be paid for by blood." Catherine now sat down on the foot of the bed. At a sign from Bussy everyone went away but himself. "Will you not go and look after my poor attendants, M. de Bussy? you who are at home here," said the queen. It was impossible not to go, so he replied, "I am happy to please your majesty," and he also retired.
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