The Works of Alexandre Dumas 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 YTTTTT. MAID AND MISTRESS. Nevertheless, as we have already said—in spite of the cries of conscience, in spite of the sage counsels of Athos, and t... more »ender memories of Madame Bonancieux—D'Arta- gnan became each hour more deeply enamored of her ladyship; nor did he ever fail to offer her a daily homage, to which the presumptuous Gascon was convinced that she must sooner or later respond. As he arrived one evening, scenting the air like a man who was expecting a shower of gold, he met the waiting- maid at the carriage gate: but, on this occasion, the pretty Kitty was not contented with giving him a passing smile. She gently took his hand. " Good!" thought D'Artagnan: " she is intrusted with some message for me from her mistress—an appointment for some meeting, which my lady wanted courage to announce herself," and he looked at the charming girl with the most insinuating look he could assume. "I should be glad to say two words to you, sir," stammered the waiting-maid. " Speak! child. Speak!" said D'Artagnan. " I am listening." " Not here, sir: it is impossible. What I have to tell you would take up too long a time, and is, besides, a secret." " Well! but what is to be done, then ? " " If you would please to follow me, sir," said Kitty, timidly. " Wherever you please, my pretty child!" " Then, follow me." By the hand which she had continued to hold, Kitty then led D'Artagnan to a small, dark, winding staircase; and, after having made him ascend some fifteen steps, she opened a door. " Enter, sir; we shall be alone, and may converse here safely." " And whose room is this, then, my pretty child ?" inquired D'Artagnan. " It is mine, sir; It communicates with that of my mistress, through this door. But you may rely upon it that she will no...« less