“Crimes are imputed to you which had brought down far loftier heads than yours, monsieur,” said the cardinal.

“What, monseigneur?” said d’Artagnan, with a calmness which astonished the cardinal himself.

“You are charged with having corresponded with the enemies of the kingdom; you are charged with having surprised state secrets; you are charged with having tried to thwart the plans of your general.”

“And who charges me with this, monseigneur?” said d’Artagnan, who had no doubt the accusation came from Milady, “a woman branded by the justice of the country; a woman who has espoused one man in France and another in England; a woman who poisoned her second husband and who attempted both to poison and assassinate me!”