Chapter 26 - Page 2

de Greve. She stopped
from time to time, placed her hand upon her heart, leaned against a wall
until she could breathe freely again, and then continued on her course
more rapidly than before. On reaching the Place de Greve La Valliere
suddenly came upon a group of three drunken men, reeling and staggering
along, who were just leaving a boat which they had made fast to the quay;
the boat was freighted with wines, and it was apparent that they had done
ample justice to the merchandise. They were celebrating their convivial
exploits in three different keys, when suddenly, as they reached the end
of the railing leading down to the quay, they found an obstacle in their
path, in the shape of this young girl. La Valliere stopped; while they,
on their part, at the appearance of the young girl dressed in court
costume, also halted, and seizing each other by the hand, they surrounded
La Valliere, singing, -

"Oh! all ye weary wights, who mope alone,
Come drink, and sing and laugh, round Venus' throne."

La Valliere at once understood that the men were insulting her, and
wished to prevent her passing; she tried to do so several times, but her
efforts were useless. Her limbs failed her; she felt she was on the
point of falling, and uttered a cry of terror. At the same moment the
circle which surrounded her was suddenly broken through in a most
violent manner. One of her insulters was knocked to the left, another
fell rolling over and over to the right, close to the water's edge, while
the third could hardly keep his feet. An officer of the musketeers stood
face to face with the young girl, with threatening brow and hand raised
to carry out his threat. The drunken fellows, at sight of the uniform,
made their escape with what speed their staggering limbs could lend them,
all the more eagerly for the proof of strength which the wearer of the
uniform had just afforded them.

"Is it possible," exclaimed the musketeer, "that it can be Mademoiselle
de la Valliere?"

La Valliere, bewildered by what had just happened, and confounded by
hearing her name pronounced, looked up and recognized D'Artagnan. "Oh,
M. d'Artagnan! it is indeed I;" and at the same moment she seized his
arm. "You will protect me, will you not?" she added, in a tone of
entreaty.

"Most certainly I will protect you; but, in Heaven's name, where are you
going at this hour?"

"I am going to Chaillot."

"You are going to Chaillot by way of La Rapee! why, mademoiselle, you are
turning your back upon it."

"In that case, monsieur, be kind enough to put me in the right way, and
to go with me a short distance."

"Most willingly."

"But how does it happen that I have found you here? By what merciful