She was still some hundred paces from the two men, and she was about passing before them. Lucan was preparing to leap to the other side of the bank, when the hand of Monsieur de Moras fell violently upon his arm and held him back--firmly.
They looked at each other. Lucan was amazed at the profound alteration that had suddenly contracted the count's features and sunken his eyes; he read at the same time in his fixed gaze an immense sorrow, but also an immovable resolve. He understood that there was no longer any secret between them. He yielded to that glance, which, so far as he was concerned--he felt sure of that--conveyed nothing but an expression of confidence and friendly supplication. He grasped his friend's hand within his own and remained motionless. The horse shot by within a few steps of them, his flanks white with foam, while Julia, beautiful, graceful, and charming still in that terrible moment, sat lightly upon the saddle.
Within a few feet of the edge of the cliff, the horse, scenting the danger, shied violently and wheeled around in a semi-circle. She led him back upon the plateau, and, urging him both with whip and voice, she started him again toward the yawning chasm.
Lucan felt Monsieur de Moras' nails cutting into his flesh. At last the horse was conquered; the ground gave way under his hind feet, which only met the vacant space. He fell backward; his fore legs pawed the air convulsively.
The next moment the plateau was empty. No sound had been heard. In that deep chasm the fall had been noiseless and death instantaneous.
Written originally by Dumas as a play, and now for the first time novelized and translated into English.
"A pretty love story in which the debonair cavalier falls victim to Cupid's wiles is one of the interesting threads running through the book."
"It is singular that this bit of romance has been suffered to remain hidden away for so long a time. D'Artagnan's manner of winning the hermit kingdom contains enough thrills to repay a careful reading. The story oozes adventure at every chapter."
"It is a strong tale brimful of incident from the moment when Cardinal Richelieu dispatches the redoubtable D'Artagnan on his king-making mission to Portugal."