With the Duke of Buckingham he fared still worse, for the duke was purchasing horses after horses, diamonds upon diamonds.

He monopolized every embroiderer, jeweler, and tailor that Paris could boast of.

Between De Guiche and himself a vigorous contest ensued, invariably a courteous one, in which, in order to insure success, the duke was ready to spend a million; while the Marechal de Gramont had only allowed his son sixty thousand francs.
So Buckingham laughed and spent his money.

Guiche groaned in despair, and would have shown it more violently, had it not been for the advice De Bragelonne gave him.
"A million!" repeated De Guiche daily; "I must submit.

Why will not the marechal advance me a portion of my patrimony ?" "Because you would throw it away," said Raoul.
"What can that matter to him?
If I am to die of it, I shall die of it, and then I shall need nothing further." "But what need is there to die ?" said Raoul.
"I do not wish to be conquered in elegance by an Englishman." "My dear count," said Manicamp, "elegance is not a costly commodity, it is only a very difficult accomplishment." "Yes, but difficult things cost a good deal of money, and I have only got sixty thousand francs." "A very embarrassing state of things, truly," said De Wardes; "even if you spent as much as Buckingham, there is only nine hundred and forty thousand francs difference." "Where am I to find them ?" "Get into debt." "I am in debt already." "A greater reason for getting further." Advice like this resulted in De Guiche becoming excited to such an extent that he committed extravagances where Buckingham only incurred expenses.