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"All you have in gold."
"I have five hundred pistoles, or thereabouts."
"I have as much. With a thousand pistoles one may face everything. Empty your pockets."
"There."
"Right. And you go--"
"In an hour--time to eat a morsel, during which I shall send for a post horse."
"Capital! Adieu, Chevalier."
"Adieu, Countess."
"Commend me to the cardinal."
"Commend me to Satan."
Milady and Rochefort exchanged a smile and separated. An hour afterward Rochefort set out at a grand gallop; five hours after that he passed through Arras.
Our readers already know how he was recognized by d'Artagnan, and how that recognition by inspiring fear in the four Musketeers had given fresh activity to their journey.
63 THE DROP OF WATER
Rochefort had scarcely departed when Mme. Bonacieux re-entered. She found Milady with a smiling countenance.
"Well," said the young woman, "what you dreaded has happened. This evening, or tomorrow, the cardinal will send someone to take you away."
"Who told you that, my dear?" asked Milady.
"I heard it from the mouth of the messenger himself."
"Come and sit down close to me," said Milady.
"Here I am."