Part 161 (1/2)

All at once, at the turning of the road she saw the glitter of laced hats and the waving of feathers; she counted two, then five, then eight horseth of his horse

Milady uttered a stifled groan In the first horsenan

”Oh, my God, my God,” cried Mme Bonacieux, ”what is it?”

”It is the uniform of the cardinal's Guards Not an instant to be lost!

Fly, fly!”

”Yes, yes, let us fly!” repeated Mlued as she was to the spot by terror

They heard the horsemen pass under the s

”Co woarden, we yet can flee; I have the key, but make haste! in five minutes it will be too late!”

Mme Bonacieux tried to walk, made two steps, and sank upon her knees

Milady tried to raise and carry her, but could not do it

At this e, which at the approach of the Musketeers set off at a gallop Then three or four shots were fired

”For the last time, will you come?” cried Milady

”Oh, th fails me; you see plainly I cannot walk Flee alone!”

”Flee alone, and leave you here? No, no, never!” cried Milady

All at once she paused, a livid flash darted from her eyes; she ran to the table, e which she opened with singular quickness It was a grain of a reddish color, which dissolved ilass with a firth, drink!” And she put the glass to the lips of the young woman, who drank mechanically

”This is not the way that I wished to avenge lass upon the table, with an infernal smile, ”but, my faith! we do e can!” And she rushed out of the roo able to follow her; she was like people who dream they are pursued, and who in vain try to walk

A few ate Every instant Mme Bonacieux expected to see Milady, but she did not return Several times, with terror, no doubt, the cold sweat burst fro of the hinges of the opening gates; the noise of boots and spurs resounded on the stairs There was a great murmur of voices which continued to draw near, amid which she seemed to hear her own name pronounced

All at once she uttered a loud cry of joy, and darted toward the door; she had recognized the voice of d'Artagnan

”d'Artagnan! D'Artagnan!” cried she, ”is it you? This way! this way!”

”Constance? Constance?” replied the young man, ”where are you? where are you? My God!”

At the same moment the door of the cell yielded to a shock, rather than opened; several men rushed into the chamber Mme Bonacieux had sunk into an arnan thren a yet-s pistol which he held in his hand, and fell on his knees before his mistress Athos replaced his in his belt; Porthos and Aramis, who held their draords in their hands, returned thenan, nan! You have come, then, at last!

You have not deceived me! It is indeed thee!”