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The Works of Alexandre Dumas / [with Introductions by J. Walker McSpadden]
The Works of Alexandre Dumas / - with Introductions by J. Walker McSpadden Author:Alexandre Dumas Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER II. THE MEETING. As soon as Lafare, Fargy, and Ravanne saw their adversaries coming down the woodland path, they walked to meet them. Arrived at te... more »n paces from each other, all took off their hats and bowed with that elegant politeness which was a characteristic of the aristocracy of the eighteenth century. They then advanced some steps bareheaded smiling so pleasantly that to the eye of a passer-by, ignorant of the cause of their reunion, they would have appeared like bosom friends. " Gentlemen," said the Chevalier d'Harmental, to whom the first word by right belonged, " I hope that neither you nor we have been followed ; but it is getting late, and we might be disturbed here. I think it would be wise in us to find a more retired spot, where we shall be more at ease to transact the little business which we have in hand." " I know one which will suit you," said Ravanne, " a hundred yards from here — a true cover." " Come, let us follow the child," said the captain ; " innocence leads to safety." Ravanne turned round and examined our friend with the yellow ribbons from head to foot " If you are not previously engaged, my strapping friend," said he, in a bantering tone, " I claim the preference." " "Wait a moment, Ravanne," interrupted Lafare ; " I have some explanations to give to Monsieur d'Harmental." " Monsieur Lafare," replied the chevalier, " your courage is so well known that the explanations you offer me are a proof of delicacy for which I thank you; but these explanations would only delay us uselessly, and we have no time to lose." " Bravo !" cried Ravanne, " that is what I call speaking, chevalier. As soon as we have cut each other's throats, I hope you will grant me your friendship. I have heard you much spoken of in good quarters, and...« less