.

Some of the men moved toward them.

"One moment, my lord," whispered Athos, and he said something in a low
voice.

"As you will," replied the duke. "I am too much indebted to you to
refuse your first request. Gentlemen," he said to his escort, "withdraw.
Monsieur d'Artagnan, Monsieur du Vallon, you are free."

The order was obeyed; D'Artagnan and Porthos then found themselves in
the centre of a large circle.

"Now, D'Herblay," said Athos, "dismount and come here."

Aramis dismounted and went to Porthos, whilst Athos approached
D'Artagnan.

All four once more together.

"Friends!" said Athos, "do you regret you have not shed our blood?"

"No," replied D'Artagnan; "I regret to see that we, hitherto united, are
opposed to each other. Ah! nothing will ever go well with us hereafter!"

"Oh, Heaven! No, all is over!" said Porthos.

"Well, be on our side now," resumed Aramis.

"Silence, D'Herblay!" cried Athos; "such proposals are not to be made to
gentlemen such as these. 'Tis a matter of conscience with them, as with
us."

"Meantime, here we are, enemies!" said Porthos. "Gramercy! who would
ever have thought it?"

D'Artagnan only sighed.

Athos looked at them both and took their hands in his.

"Gentlemen," he said, "this is a serious business and my heart bleeds as
if you had pierced it through and through. Yes, we are severed; there is
the great, the distressing truth! But we have not as yet declared war;
perhaps we shall have to make certain conditions, therefore a solemn
conference is indispensable."

"For my own part, I demand it," said Aramis.

"I accept it," interposed D'Artagnan, proudly.

Porthos bowed, as if in assent.

"Let us choose a place of rendezvous," continued Athos, "and in a last
interview arrange our mutual position and the conduct we are to maintain
toward each other."

"Good!" the other three exclaimed.

"Well, then, the place?"

"Will the Place Royale suit you?" asked D'Artagnan.

"In Paris?"

"Yes."

Athos and Aramis looked at each other.

"The Place Royale--be it so!" replied Athos.

"When?"

"To-morrow evening, if you like!"

"At what hour?"

"At ten in the evening, if that suits you; by that time we shall have
returned."

"Good."

"There," continued Athos, "either peace or war will be decided; honor,
at all events, will be maintained!"

"Alas!" murmured D'Artagnan, "our honor as soldiers is lost to us
forever!"

"D'Artagnan," said Athos, gravely