It was a movement of vengeance upon Milady.  D’Artagnan believed it right to say that vengeance is the pleasure of the gods.  With a little more heart, he might have been contented with this new conquest; but the principal features of his character were ambition and pride.  It must, however, be confessed in his justification that the first use he made of his influence over Kitty was to try and find out what had become of Mme. Bonacieux; but the poor girl swore upon the crucifix to d’Artagnan that she was entirely ignorant on that head, her mistress never admitting her into half her secrets—­only she believed she could say she was not dead.

As to the cause which was near making Milady lose her credit with the cardinal, Kitty knew nothing about it; but this time d’Artagnan was better informed than she was.  As he had seen Milady on board a vessel at the moment he was leaving England, he suspected that it was, almost without a doubt, on account of the diamond studs.

But what was clearest in all this was that the true hatred, the profound hatred, the inveterate hatred of Milady, was increased by his not having killed her brother-in-law.

D’Artagnan came the next day to Milady’s, and finding her in a very ill-humor, had no doubt that it was lack of an answer from M. de Wardes that provoked her thus.  Kitty came in, but Milady was very cross with her.  The poor girl ventured a glance at d’Artagnan which said, “See how I suffer on your account!”

Toward the end of the evening, however, the beautiful lioness became milder; she smilingly listened to the soft speeches of d’Artagnan, and even gave him her hand to kiss.

D’Artagnan departed, scarcely knowing what to think, but as he was a youth who did not easily lose his head, while continuing to pay his court to Milady, he had framed a little plan in his mind.

He found Kitty at the gate, and, as on the preceding evening, went up to her chamber.  Kitty had been accused of negligence and severely scolded.  Milady could not at all comprehend the silence of the Comte de Wardes, and she ordered Kitty to come at nine o’clock in the morning to take a third letter.

D’Artagnan made Kitty promise to bring him that letter on the following morning.  The poor girl promised all her lover desired; she was mad.

Things passed as on the night before.  D’Artagnan concealed himself in his closet; Milady called, undressed, sent away Kitty, and shut the door.  As the night before, d’Artagnan did not return home till five o’clock in the morning.

At eleven o’clock Kitty came to him.  She held in her hand a fresh billet from Milady.  This time the poor girl did not even argue with d’Artagnan; she gave it to him at once.  She belonged body and soul to her handsome soldier.

D’Artagnan opened the letter and read as follows: 

This is the third time I have written to you to tell you that I love you.  Beware that I do not write to you a fourth time to tell you that I detest you.