“To-morrow,” said he, “you will be avenged.”

She rang the bell. Kitty appeared.

“Go out this way,” said she, opening a small private door, “and come back at eleven o’clock; we will then finish our conversation. Kitty will conduct you to my chamber.”

The poor girl thought she should faint at hearing these words.

“Well, miss, what are you doing, standing there like a statue? Come, show the chevalier the way; and this evening at eleven o’clock—you understand!”

“It seems her appointments are all made for eleven o’clock,” thought D’Artagnan. “That’s a fixed habit.”

Milady held out her hand to him, and he kissed it tenderly.

“There, now,” said he, as he withdrew, scarcely heeding Kitty’s reproaches—“there, I must not play the fool. This woman is certainly very bad. I must be on my guard.”