He whose game is the eagle takes no heed of the sparrow. The perfidious deceiver was, as may plainly be perceived, already sacrificing, in intention, the poor girl in order to obtain Milady, willy-nilly. Of that which I am ready to feel toward you. And he did tell her so much, and so well, that the poor girl, who asked nothing better than to believe him, did believe him. Nevertheless, to D'Artagnan's great astonishment, the pretty Kitty defended herself resolutely.
Time passes quickly when it is passed in attacks and defenses.
Midnight sounded, and almost at the same time the bell was rung in Milady's chamber. D'Artagnan rose, took his hat, as if it had been his intention to obey, then, opening quickly the door of a large closet instead of that leading to the staircase, he buried himself amid the robes and dressing gowns of Milady. D'Artagnan, who had secured the key, shut himself up in the closet without reply. And D'Artagnan heard the door of communication opened violently. Both went into the bedroom, and as the door of communication remained open, D'Artagnan could hear Milady for some time scolding her maid.