Page 97 - the-three-musketeers

succeeded in calming their friends, who contented them-
selves with hurling some paving stones against the gates;
but the gates were too strong. They soon tired of the sport.
Besides, those who must be considered the leaders of the
enterprise had quit the group and were making their way
toward the hotel of M. de Treville, who was waiting for
them, already informed of this fresh disturbance.
‘Quick to the Louvre,’ said he, ‘to the Louvre without los-
ing an instant, and let us endeavor to see the king before he
is prejudiced by the cardinal. We will describe the thing to
him as a consequence of the affair of yesterday, and the two
will pass off together.’
M. de Treville, accompanied by the four young fellows,
directed his course toward the Louvre; but to the great
astonishment of the captain of the Musketeers, he was in-
formed that the king had gone stag hunting in the forest of
St. Germain. M. de Treville required this intelligence to be
repeated to him twice, and each time his companions saw
his brow become darker.
‘Had his Majesty,’ asked he, ‘any intention of holding this
hunting party yesterday?’
‘No, your Excellency,’ replied the valet de chambre, ‘the
Master of the Hounds came this morning to inform him
that he had marked down a stag. At first the king answered
that he would not go; but he could not resist his love of sport,
and set out after dinner.’
‘And the king has seen the cardinal?’ asked M. de
Treville.
‘In all probability he has,’ replied the valet, ‘for I saw the

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