Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
Carmes-Deschaux, saying to himself, "Decidedly I can't draw back; `
` but at least, if I am killed, I shall be killed by a Musketeer." `
` `
` `
` `
` 5 THE KING'S MUSKETEERS AND THE CARDINAL'S GUARDS `
` `
` D'Artagnan was acquainted with nobody in Paris. He went `
` therefore to his appointment with Athos without a second, `
` determined to be satisfied with those his adversary should `
` choose. Besides, his intention was formed to make the brave `
` Musketeer all suitable apologies, but without meanness or `
` weakness, fearing that might result from this duel which `
` generally results from an affair of this kind, when a young and `
` vigorous man fights with an adversary who is wounded and `
` weakened--if conquered, he doubles the triumph of his antagonist; `
` if a conqueror, he is accused of foul play and want of courage. `
` `
` Now, we must have badly painted the character of our adventure `
` seeker, or our readers must have already perceived that `
` d'Artagnan was not an ordinary man; therefore, while repeating to `
` himself that his death was inevitable, he did not make up his `
` mind to die quietly, as one less courageous and less restrained `
` might have done in his place. He reflected upon the different `
` characters of men he had to fight with, and began to view his `
` situation more clearly. He hoped, by means of loyal excuses, to `
` make a friend of Athos, whose lordly air and austere bearing `
` pleased him much. He flattered himself he should be able to `
` frighten Porthos with the adventure of the baldric, which he `
` might, if not killed upon the spot, relate to everybody a recital `
` which, well managed, would cover Porthos with ridicule. As to `
` the astute Aramis, he did not entertain much dread of him; and `
` supposing he should be able to get so far, he determined to `
` dispatch him in good style or at least, by hitting him in the `
` face, as Caesar recommended his soldiers do to those of Pompey, `
` to damage forever the beauty of which he was so proud. `
` `
` In addition to this, d'Artagnan possessed that invincible stock `
` of resolution which the counsels of his father had implanted in `
` his heart: "Endure nothing from anyone but the king, the `
` cardinal, and Monsieur de Treville." He flew, then, rather than `
` walked, toward the convent of the Carmes Dechausses, or rather `
` Deschaux, as it was called at that period, a sort of building `
` without a window, surrounded by barren fields--an accessory to `
` the Preaux-Clercs, and which was generally employed as the place `
` for the duels of men who had no time to lose. `
` `
` When d'Artagnan arrived in sight of the bare spot of ground which `
` extended along the foot of the monastery, Athos had been waiting `
` about five minutes, and twelve o'clock was striking. He was, `
` then, as punctual as the Samaritan woman, and the most rigorous `
` casuist with regard to duels could have nothing to say. `
` `
` Athos, who still suffered grievously from his wound, though it `
` had been dressed anew by M. de Treville's surgeon, was seated on `
` a post and waiting for his adversary with hat in hand, his `
` feather even touching the ground. `
` `
` "Monsieur," said Athos, "I have engaged two of my friends as `
` seconds; but these two friends are not yet come, at which I am `
` astonished, as it is not at all their custom." `
` `
` "I have no seconds on my part, monsieur," said d'Artagnan; "for `
` having only arrived yesterday in Paris, I as yet know no one but `
` Monsieur de Treville, to whom I was recommended by my father, who `
` has the honor to be, in some degree, one of his friends." `
` `
` Athos reflected for an instant. "You know no one but Monsieur de `
` Treville?" he asked. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, I know only him." `
` `
` "Well, but then," continued Athos, speaking half to himself, "if `
` I kill you, I shall have the air of a boy-slayer." `
` `
` "Not too much so," replied d'Artagnan, with a bow that was not `
` deficient in dignity, "since you do me the honor to draw a sword `
` with me while suffering from a wound which is very inconvenient." `
` `
` "Very inconvenient, upon my word; and you hurt me devilishly, I `
` can tell you. But I will take the left hand--it is my custom in `
` such circumstances. Do not fancy that I do you a favor; I use `
` either hand easily. And it will be even a disadvantage to you; a `
` left-handed man is very troublesome to people who are not `
` prepared for it. I regret I did not inform you sooner of this `
` circumstance." `
` `
` "You have truly, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, bowing again, "a `
` courtesy, for which, I assure you, I am very grateful." `
` `
` "You confuse me," replied Athos, with his gentlemanly air; "let `
` us talk of something else, if you please. Ah, s'blood, how you `
` have hurt me! My shoulder quite burns." `
` `
` "If you would permit me--" said d'Artagnan, with timidity. `
` `
` "What, monsieur?" `
` `
` "I have a miraculous balsam for wounds--a balsam given to me by `
` my mother and of which I have made a trial upon myself." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, I am sure that in less than three days this balsam would `
` cure you; and at the end of three days, when you would be cured-- `
` well, sir, it would still do me a great honor to be your man." `
` `
` D'Artagnan spoke these words with a simplicity that did honor to `
` his courtesy, without throwing the least doubt upon his courage. `
` `
` "PARDIEU, monsieur!" said Athos, "that's a proposition that `
` pleases me; not that I can accept it, but a league off it savors `
` of the gentleman. Thus spoke and acted the gallant knights of `
` the time of Charlemagne, in whom every cavalier ought to seek his `
` model. Unfortunately, we do not live in the times of the great `
` emperor, we live in the times of the cardinal; and three days `
` hence, however well the secret might be guarded, it would be `
` known, I say, that we were to fight, and our combat would be `
` prevented. I think these fellows will never come." `
` `
` "If you are in haste, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, with the same `
` simplicity with which a moment before he had proposed to him to `
` put off the duel for three days, "and if it be your will to `
` dispatch me at once, do not inconvenience yourself, I pray you." `
` `
` "There is another word which pleases me," cried Athos, with a `
` gracious nod to d'Artagnan. "That did not come from a man `
` without a heart. Monsieur, I love men of your kidney; and I `
` foresee plainly that if we don't kill each other, I shall `
` hereafter have much pleasure in your conversation. We will wait `
` for these gentlemen, so please you; I have plenty of time, and it `
` will be more correct. Ah, here is one of them, I believe." `
` `
` In fact, at the end of the Rue Vaugirard the gigantic Porthos `
` appeared. `
` `
` "What!" cried d'Artagnan, "is your first witness Monsieur `
` Porthos?" `
` `
` "Yes, that disturbs you?" `
` `
` "By no means." `
` `
` "And here is the second." `
` `
` D'Artagnan turned in the direction pointed to by Athos, and `
` perceived Aramis. `
` `
` "What!" cried he, in an accent of greater astonishment than `
` before, "your second witness is Monsieur Aramis?" `
` `
` "Doubtless! Are you not aware that we are never seen one without `
` the others, and that we are called among the Musketeers and the `
` Guards, at court and in the city, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, or `
` the Three Inseparables? And yet, as you come from Dax or Pau--" `
` `
` "From Tarbes," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "It is probable you are ignorant of this little fact," said `
` Athos. `
` `
` "My faith!" replied d'Artagnan, "you are well named, gentlemen; `
` and my adventure, if it should make any noise, will prove at `
` least that your union is not founded upon contrasts." `
` `
` In the meantime, Porthos had come up, waved his hand to Athos, `
` and then turning toward d'Artagnan, stood quite astonished. `
` `
` Let us say in passing that he had changed his baldric and `
` relinquished his cloak. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said he, "what does this mean?" `
` `
` "This is the gentleman I am going to fight with," said Athos, `
` pointing to d'Artagnan with his hand and saluting him with the `
` same gesture. `
` `
` "Why, it is with him I am also going to fight," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But not before one o'clock," replied d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "And I also am to fight with this gentleman," said Aramis, coming `
` in his turn onto the place. `
` `
` "But not until two o'clock," said d'Artagnan, with the same `
` calmness. `
` `
` "But what are you going to fight about, Athos?" asked Aramis. `
` `
` "Faith! I don't very well know. He hurt my shoulder. And you, `
` Porthos?" `
` `
` "Faith! I am going to fight--because I am going to fight," `
` answered Porthos, reddening. `
` `
` Athos, whose keen eye lost nothing, perceived a faintly sly smile `
` pass over the lips of the young Gascon as he replied, "We had a `
` short discussion upon dress." `
` `
` "And you, Aramis?" asked Athos. `
` `
`
` but at least, if I am killed, I shall be killed by a Musketeer." `
` `
` `
` `
` 5 THE KING'S MUSKETEERS AND THE CARDINAL'S GUARDS `
` `
` D'Artagnan was acquainted with nobody in Paris. He went `
` therefore to his appointment with Athos without a second, `
` determined to be satisfied with those his adversary should `
` choose. Besides, his intention was formed to make the brave `
` Musketeer all suitable apologies, but without meanness or `
` weakness, fearing that might result from this duel which `
` generally results from an affair of this kind, when a young and `
` vigorous man fights with an adversary who is wounded and `
` weakened--if conquered, he doubles the triumph of his antagonist; `
` if a conqueror, he is accused of foul play and want of courage. `
` `
` Now, we must have badly painted the character of our adventure `
` seeker, or our readers must have already perceived that `
` d'Artagnan was not an ordinary man; therefore, while repeating to `
` himself that his death was inevitable, he did not make up his `
` mind to die quietly, as one less courageous and less restrained `
` might have done in his place. He reflected upon the different `
` characters of men he had to fight with, and began to view his `
` situation more clearly. He hoped, by means of loyal excuses, to `
` make a friend of Athos, whose lordly air and austere bearing `
` pleased him much. He flattered himself he should be able to `
` frighten Porthos with the adventure of the baldric, which he `
` might, if not killed upon the spot, relate to everybody a recital `
` which, well managed, would cover Porthos with ridicule. As to `
` the astute Aramis, he did not entertain much dread of him; and `
` supposing he should be able to get so far, he determined to `
` dispatch him in good style or at least, by hitting him in the `
` face, as Caesar recommended his soldiers do to those of Pompey, `
` to damage forever the beauty of which he was so proud. `
` `
` In addition to this, d'Artagnan possessed that invincible stock `
` of resolution which the counsels of his father had implanted in `
` his heart: "Endure nothing from anyone but the king, the `
` cardinal, and Monsieur de Treville." He flew, then, rather than `
` walked, toward the convent of the Carmes Dechausses, or rather `
` Deschaux, as it was called at that period, a sort of building `
` without a window, surrounded by barren fields--an accessory to `
` the Preaux-Clercs, and which was generally employed as the place `
` for the duels of men who had no time to lose. `
` `
` When d'Artagnan arrived in sight of the bare spot of ground which `
` extended along the foot of the monastery, Athos had been waiting `
` about five minutes, and twelve o'clock was striking. He was, `
` then, as punctual as the Samaritan woman, and the most rigorous `
` casuist with regard to duels could have nothing to say. `
` `
` Athos, who still suffered grievously from his wound, though it `
` had been dressed anew by M. de Treville's surgeon, was seated on `
` a post and waiting for his adversary with hat in hand, his `
` feather even touching the ground. `
` `
` "Monsieur," said Athos, "I have engaged two of my friends as `
` seconds; but these two friends are not yet come, at which I am `
` astonished, as it is not at all their custom." `
` `
` "I have no seconds on my part, monsieur," said d'Artagnan; "for `
` having only arrived yesterday in Paris, I as yet know no one but `
` Monsieur de Treville, to whom I was recommended by my father, who `
` has the honor to be, in some degree, one of his friends." `
` `
` Athos reflected for an instant. "You know no one but Monsieur de `
` Treville?" he asked. `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, I know only him." `
` `
` "Well, but then," continued Athos, speaking half to himself, "if `
` I kill you, I shall have the air of a boy-slayer." `
` `
` "Not too much so," replied d'Artagnan, with a bow that was not `
` deficient in dignity, "since you do me the honor to draw a sword `
` with me while suffering from a wound which is very inconvenient." `
` `
` "Very inconvenient, upon my word; and you hurt me devilishly, I `
` can tell you. But I will take the left hand--it is my custom in `
` such circumstances. Do not fancy that I do you a favor; I use `
` either hand easily. And it will be even a disadvantage to you; a `
` left-handed man is very troublesome to people who are not `
` prepared for it. I regret I did not inform you sooner of this `
` circumstance." `
` `
` "You have truly, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, bowing again, "a `
` courtesy, for which, I assure you, I am very grateful." `
` `
` "You confuse me," replied Athos, with his gentlemanly air; "let `
` us talk of something else, if you please. Ah, s'blood, how you `
` have hurt me! My shoulder quite burns." `
` `
` "If you would permit me--" said d'Artagnan, with timidity. `
` `
` "What, monsieur?" `
` `
` "I have a miraculous balsam for wounds--a balsam given to me by `
` my mother and of which I have made a trial upon myself." `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Well, I am sure that in less than three days this balsam would `
` cure you; and at the end of three days, when you would be cured-- `
` well, sir, it would still do me a great honor to be your man." `
` `
` D'Artagnan spoke these words with a simplicity that did honor to `
` his courtesy, without throwing the least doubt upon his courage. `
` `
` "PARDIEU, monsieur!" said Athos, "that's a proposition that `
` pleases me; not that I can accept it, but a league off it savors `
` of the gentleman. Thus spoke and acted the gallant knights of `
` the time of Charlemagne, in whom every cavalier ought to seek his `
` model. Unfortunately, we do not live in the times of the great `
` emperor, we live in the times of the cardinal; and three days `
` hence, however well the secret might be guarded, it would be `
` known, I say, that we were to fight, and our combat would be `
` prevented. I think these fellows will never come." `
` `
` "If you are in haste, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, with the same `
` simplicity with which a moment before he had proposed to him to `
` put off the duel for three days, "and if it be your will to `
` dispatch me at once, do not inconvenience yourself, I pray you." `
` `
` "There is another word which pleases me," cried Athos, with a `
` gracious nod to d'Artagnan. "That did not come from a man `
` without a heart. Monsieur, I love men of your kidney; and I `
` foresee plainly that if we don't kill each other, I shall `
` hereafter have much pleasure in your conversation. We will wait `
` for these gentlemen, so please you; I have plenty of time, and it `
` will be more correct. Ah, here is one of them, I believe." `
` `
` In fact, at the end of the Rue Vaugirard the gigantic Porthos `
` appeared. `
` `
` "What!" cried d'Artagnan, "is your first witness Monsieur `
` Porthos?" `
` `
` "Yes, that disturbs you?" `
` `
` "By no means." `
` `
` "And here is the second." `
` `
` D'Artagnan turned in the direction pointed to by Athos, and `
` perceived Aramis. `
` `
` "What!" cried he, in an accent of greater astonishment than `
` before, "your second witness is Monsieur Aramis?" `
` `
` "Doubtless! Are you not aware that we are never seen one without `
` the others, and that we are called among the Musketeers and the `
` Guards, at court and in the city, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, or `
` the Three Inseparables? And yet, as you come from Dax or Pau--" `
` `
` "From Tarbes," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "It is probable you are ignorant of this little fact," said `
` Athos. `
` `
` "My faith!" replied d'Artagnan, "you are well named, gentlemen; `
` and my adventure, if it should make any noise, will prove at `
` least that your union is not founded upon contrasts." `
` `
` In the meantime, Porthos had come up, waved his hand to Athos, `
` and then turning toward d'Artagnan, stood quite astonished. `
` `
` Let us say in passing that he had changed his baldric and `
` relinquished his cloak. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said he, "what does this mean?" `
` `
` "This is the gentleman I am going to fight with," said Athos, `
` pointing to d'Artagnan with his hand and saluting him with the `
` same gesture. `
` `
` "Why, it is with him I am also going to fight," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But not before one o'clock," replied d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "And I also am to fight with this gentleman," said Aramis, coming `
` in his turn onto the place. `
` `
` "But not until two o'clock," said d'Artagnan, with the same `
` calmness. `
` `
` "But what are you going to fight about, Athos?" asked Aramis. `
` `
` "Faith! I don't very well know. He hurt my shoulder. And you, `
` Porthos?" `
` `
` "Faith! I am going to fight--because I am going to fight," `
` answered Porthos, reddening. `
` `
` Athos, whose keen eye lost nothing, perceived a faintly sly smile `
` pass over the lips of the young Gascon as he replied, "We had a `
` short discussion upon dress." `
` `
` "And you, Aramis?" asked Athos. `
` `
`