* * * * *

Compare the first appearance of the great Gascon at the Hotel de
Troisville, or even his manner and attitude toward the King when he
sought to warn that monarch against forgetfulness of loyalty proved,
with the haughty insolence of indomitable spirit in which Bussy threw
back to Henry the shuttle of disfavor on the night of that remarkable
wedding of St. Luc with the piquant little page soubrette, Jeanne de
Brissac.

D'Artagnan's air to his King has its pathos. It seems to say: "I speak
bluntly, sire, knowing that my life is yours and yet feeling that it is
too obscure to provoke your vengeance." A very hard draught for a man of
fire and fearlessness to take without a gulp. But into Bussy's manner
toward his King there was this flash of lightning from Olympus: "My
life, sire, is yours, as my King, to take or leave; but not even you
may dare to think of taking the life of Bussy with the dust of least
reproach upon it. My life you may blow out; my honor you do not dare
approach to question!"

There are advantages in being a gentleman, which can not be denied. One
is that it commands credit in the King's presence as well as at the
tailor's.

It is interesting to compare both these attitudes with that of
"Athos," the Count de la Fere, toward the King. He was lacking in
the irresistibly fierce insolence of Bussy and in the abasement of
D'Artagnan; it was melancholy, patient, persistent and terrible in its
restrained calmness. How narrowly he just escaped true greatness. I