Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
`
` "Oh, ours is a theological quarrel," replied Aramis, making a `
` sign to d'Artagnan to keep secret the cause of their duel. `
` `
` Athos indeed saw a second smile on the lips of d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Athos. `
` `
` "Yes; a passage of St. Augustine, upon which we could not agree," `
` said the Gascon. `
` `
` "Decidedly, this is a clever fellow," murmured Athos. `
` `
` "And now you are assembled, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "permit `
` me to offer you my apologies." `
` `
` At this word APOLOGIES, a cloud passed over the brow of Athos, a `
` haughty smile curled the lip of Porthos, and a negative sign was `
` the reply of Aramis. `
` `
` "You do not understand me, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, throwing `
` up his head, the sharp and bold lines of which were at the moment `
` gilded by a bright ray of the sun. "I asked to be excused in `
` case I should not be able to discharge my debt to all three; for `
` Monsieur Athos has the right to kill me first, which must much diminish `
` the face-value of your bill, Monsieur Porthos, and render `
` yours almost null, Monsieur Aramis. And now, gentlemen, I `
` repeat, excuse me, but on that account only, and--on guard!" `
` `
` At these words, with the most gallant air possible, d'Artagnan `
` drew his sword. `
` `
` The blood had mounted to the head of d'Artagnan, and at that `
` moment he would have drawn his sword against all the Musketeers `
` in the kingdom as willingly as he now did against Athos, Porthos, `
` and Aramis. `
` `
` It was a quarter past midday. The sun was in its zenith, and the `
` spot chosen for the scene of the duel was exposed to its full `
` ardor. `
` `
` "It is very hot," said Athos, drawing his sword in its turn, "and `
` yet I cannot take off my doublet; for I just now felt my wound `
` begin to bleed again, and I should not like to annoy Monsieur `
` with the sight of blood which he has not drawn from me himself." `
` `
` "That is true, Monsieur," replied d'Artagnan, "and whether drawn `
` by myself or another, I assure you I shall always view with `
` regret the blood of so brave a gentleman. I will therefore fight `
` in my doublet, like yourself." `
` `
` "Come, come, enough of such compliments!" cried Porthos. `
` "Remember, we are waiting for our turns." `
` `
` "Speak for yourself when you are inclined to utter such `
` incongruities," interrupted Aramis. "For my part, I think what `
` they say is very well said, and quite worthy of two gentlemen." `
` `
` "When you please, monsieur," said Athos, putting himself on `
` guard. `
` `
` "I waited your orders," said d'Artagnan, crossing swords. `
` `
` But scarcely had the two rapiers clashed, when a company of the `
` Guards of his Eminence, commanded by M. de Jussac, turned the `
` corner of the convent. `
` `
` "The cardinal's Guards!" cried Aramis and Porthos at the same `
` time. "Sheathe your swords, gentlemen, sheathe your swords!" `
` `
` But it was too late. The two combatants had been seen in a `
` position which left no doubt of their intentions. `
` `
` "Halloo!" cried Jussac, advancing toward them and making a sign `
` to his men to do so likewise, "halloo, Musketeers? Fighting `
` here, are you? And the edicts? What is become of them?" `
` `
` "You are very generous, gentlemen of the Guards," said Athos, `
` full of rancor, for Jussac was one of the aggressors of the `
` preceding day. "If we were to see you fighting, I can assure you `
` that we would make no effort to prevent you. Leave us alone, `
` then, and you will enjoy a little amusement without cost to `
` yourselves." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Jussac, "it is with great regret that I `
` pronounce the thing impossible. Duty before everything. `
` Sheathe, then, if you please, and follow us." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said Aramis, parodying Jussac, "it would afford us `
` great pleasure to obey your polite invitation if it depended upon `
` ourselves; but unfortunately the thing is impossible--Monsieur de `
` Treville has forbidden it. Pass on your way, then; it is the `
` best thing to do." `
` `
` This raillery exasperated Jussac. "We will charge upon you, `
` then," said he, "if you disobey." `
` `
` "There are five of them," said Athos, half aloud, "and we are but `
` three; we shall be beaten again, and must die on the spot, for, `
` on my part, I declare I will never appear again before the `
` captain as a conquered man." `
` `
` Athos, Porthos, and Aramis instantly drew near one another, while `
` Jussac drew up his soldiers. `
` `
` This short interval was sufficient to determine d'Artagnan on the `
` part he was to take. It was one of those events which decide the `
` life of a man; it was a choice between the king and the `
` cardinal--the choice made, it must be persisted in. To fight, `
` that was to disobey the law, that was to risk his head, that was `
` to make at one blow an enemy of a minister more powerful than the `
` king himself. All this young man perceived, and yet, to his `
` praise we speak it, he did not hesitate a second. Turning `
` towards Athos and his friends, "Gentlemen," said he, "allow me to `
` correct your words, if you please. You said you were but three, `
` but it appears to me we are four." `
` `
` "But you are not one of us," said Porthos. `
` `
` "That's true," replied d'Artagnan; "I have not the uniform, but I `
` have the spirit. My heart is that of a Musketeer; I feel it, `
` monsieur, and that impels me on." `
` `
` "Withdraw, young man," cried Jussac, who doubtless, by his `
` gestures and the expression of his countenance, had guessed `
` d'Artagnan's design. "You may retire; we consent to that. Save `
` your skin; begone quickly." `
` `
` D'Artagnan did not budge. `
` `
` "Decidedly, you are a brave fellow," said Athos, pressing the `
` young man's hand. `
` `
` "Come, come, choose your part," replied Jussac. `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos to Aramis, "we must do something." `
` `
` "Monsieur is full of generosity," said Athos. `
` `
` But all three reflected upon the youth of d'Artagnan, and dreaded `
` his inexperience. `
` `
` "We should only be three, one of whom is wounded, with the `
` addition of a boy," resumed Athos; "and yet it will not be the `
` less said we were four men." `
` `
` "Yes, but to yield!" said Porthos. `
` `
` "That IS difficult," replied Athos. `
` `
` D'Artagnan comprehended their irresolution. `
` `
` "Try me, gentlemen," said he, "and I swear to you by my honor `
` that I will not go hence if we are conquered." `
` `
` "What is your name, my brave fellow?" said Athos. `
` `
` "d'Artagnan, monsieur." `
` `
` "Well, then, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan, forward!" `
` cried Athos. `
` `
` "Come, gentlemen, have you decided?" cried Jussac for the third `
` time. `
` `
` "It is done, gentlemen," said Athos. `
` `
` "And what is your choice?" asked Jussac. `
` `
` "We are about to have the honor of charging you," replied Aramis, `
` lifting his hat with one hand and drawing his sword with the `
` other. `
` `
` "Ah! You resist, do you?" cried Jussac. `
` `
` "S'blood; does that astonish you?" `
` `
` And the nine combatants rushed upon each other with a fury which `
` however did not exclude a certain degree of method. `
` `
` Athos fixed upon a certain Cahusac, a favorite of the cardinal's. `
` Porthos had Bicarat, and Aramis found himself opposed to two `
` adversaries. As to d'Artagnan, he sprang toward Jussac himself. `
` `
` The heart of the young Gascon beat as if it would burst through `
` his side--not from fear, God he thanked, he had not the shade of `
` it, but with emulation; he fought like a furious tiger, turning `
` ten times round his adversary, and changing his ground and his `
` guard twenty times. Jussac was, as was then said, a fine blade, `
` and had had much practice; nevertheless it required all his skill `
` to defend himself against an adversary who, active and energetic, `
` departed every instant from received rules, attacking him on all `
` sides at once, and yet parrying like a man who had the greatest `
` respect for his own epidermis. `
` `
` This contest at length exhausted Jussac's patience. Furious at `
` being held in check by one whom he had considered a boy, he `
` became warm and began to make mistakes. D'Artagnan, who though `
` wanting in practice had a sound theory, redoubled his agility. `
` Jussac, anxious to put an end to this, springing forward, aimed a `
` terrible thrust at his adversary, but the latter parried it; and `
`
` "Oh, ours is a theological quarrel," replied Aramis, making a `
` sign to d'Artagnan to keep secret the cause of their duel. `
` `
` Athos indeed saw a second smile on the lips of d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Indeed?" said Athos. `
` `
` "Yes; a passage of St. Augustine, upon which we could not agree," `
` said the Gascon. `
` `
` "Decidedly, this is a clever fellow," murmured Athos. `
` `
` "And now you are assembled, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "permit `
` me to offer you my apologies." `
` `
` At this word APOLOGIES, a cloud passed over the brow of Athos, a `
` haughty smile curled the lip of Porthos, and a negative sign was `
` the reply of Aramis. `
` `
` "You do not understand me, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, throwing `
` up his head, the sharp and bold lines of which were at the moment `
` gilded by a bright ray of the sun. "I asked to be excused in `
` case I should not be able to discharge my debt to all three; for `
` Monsieur Athos has the right to kill me first, which must much diminish `
` the face-value of your bill, Monsieur Porthos, and render `
` yours almost null, Monsieur Aramis. And now, gentlemen, I `
` repeat, excuse me, but on that account only, and--on guard!" `
` `
` At these words, with the most gallant air possible, d'Artagnan `
` drew his sword. `
` `
` The blood had mounted to the head of d'Artagnan, and at that `
` moment he would have drawn his sword against all the Musketeers `
` in the kingdom as willingly as he now did against Athos, Porthos, `
` and Aramis. `
` `
` It was a quarter past midday. The sun was in its zenith, and the `
` spot chosen for the scene of the duel was exposed to its full `
` ardor. `
` `
` "It is very hot," said Athos, drawing his sword in its turn, "and `
` yet I cannot take off my doublet; for I just now felt my wound `
` begin to bleed again, and I should not like to annoy Monsieur `
` with the sight of blood which he has not drawn from me himself." `
` `
` "That is true, Monsieur," replied d'Artagnan, "and whether drawn `
` by myself or another, I assure you I shall always view with `
` regret the blood of so brave a gentleman. I will therefore fight `
` in my doublet, like yourself." `
` `
` "Come, come, enough of such compliments!" cried Porthos. `
` "Remember, we are waiting for our turns." `
` `
` "Speak for yourself when you are inclined to utter such `
` incongruities," interrupted Aramis. "For my part, I think what `
` they say is very well said, and quite worthy of two gentlemen." `
` `
` "When you please, monsieur," said Athos, putting himself on `
` guard. `
` `
` "I waited your orders," said d'Artagnan, crossing swords. `
` `
` But scarcely had the two rapiers clashed, when a company of the `
` Guards of his Eminence, commanded by M. de Jussac, turned the `
` corner of the convent. `
` `
` "The cardinal's Guards!" cried Aramis and Porthos at the same `
` time. "Sheathe your swords, gentlemen, sheathe your swords!" `
` `
` But it was too late. The two combatants had been seen in a `
` position which left no doubt of their intentions. `
` `
` "Halloo!" cried Jussac, advancing toward them and making a sign `
` to his men to do so likewise, "halloo, Musketeers? Fighting `
` here, are you? And the edicts? What is become of them?" `
` `
` "You are very generous, gentlemen of the Guards," said Athos, `
` full of rancor, for Jussac was one of the aggressors of the `
` preceding day. "If we were to see you fighting, I can assure you `
` that we would make no effort to prevent you. Leave us alone, `
` then, and you will enjoy a little amusement without cost to `
` yourselves." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Jussac, "it is with great regret that I `
` pronounce the thing impossible. Duty before everything. `
` Sheathe, then, if you please, and follow us." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said Aramis, parodying Jussac, "it would afford us `
` great pleasure to obey your polite invitation if it depended upon `
` ourselves; but unfortunately the thing is impossible--Monsieur de `
` Treville has forbidden it. Pass on your way, then; it is the `
` best thing to do." `
` `
` This raillery exasperated Jussac. "We will charge upon you, `
` then," said he, "if you disobey." `
` `
` "There are five of them," said Athos, half aloud, "and we are but `
` three; we shall be beaten again, and must die on the spot, for, `
` on my part, I declare I will never appear again before the `
` captain as a conquered man." `
` `
` Athos, Porthos, and Aramis instantly drew near one another, while `
` Jussac drew up his soldiers. `
` `
` This short interval was sufficient to determine d'Artagnan on the `
` part he was to take. It was one of those events which decide the `
` life of a man; it was a choice between the king and the `
` cardinal--the choice made, it must be persisted in. To fight, `
` that was to disobey the law, that was to risk his head, that was `
` to make at one blow an enemy of a minister more powerful than the `
` king himself. All this young man perceived, and yet, to his `
` praise we speak it, he did not hesitate a second. Turning `
` towards Athos and his friends, "Gentlemen," said he, "allow me to `
` correct your words, if you please. You said you were but three, `
` but it appears to me we are four." `
` `
` "But you are not one of us," said Porthos. `
` `
` "That's true," replied d'Artagnan; "I have not the uniform, but I `
` have the spirit. My heart is that of a Musketeer; I feel it, `
` monsieur, and that impels me on." `
` `
` "Withdraw, young man," cried Jussac, who doubtless, by his `
` gestures and the expression of his countenance, had guessed `
` d'Artagnan's design. "You may retire; we consent to that. Save `
` your skin; begone quickly." `
` `
` D'Artagnan did not budge. `
` `
` "Decidedly, you are a brave fellow," said Athos, pressing the `
` young man's hand. `
` `
` "Come, come, choose your part," replied Jussac. `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos to Aramis, "we must do something." `
` `
` "Monsieur is full of generosity," said Athos. `
` `
` But all three reflected upon the youth of d'Artagnan, and dreaded `
` his inexperience. `
` `
` "We should only be three, one of whom is wounded, with the `
` addition of a boy," resumed Athos; "and yet it will not be the `
` less said we were four men." `
` `
` "Yes, but to yield!" said Porthos. `
` `
` "That IS difficult," replied Athos. `
` `
` D'Artagnan comprehended their irresolution. `
` `
` "Try me, gentlemen," said he, "and I swear to you by my honor `
` that I will not go hence if we are conquered." `
` `
` "What is your name, my brave fellow?" said Athos. `
` `
` "d'Artagnan, monsieur." `
` `
` "Well, then, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan, forward!" `
` cried Athos. `
` `
` "Come, gentlemen, have you decided?" cried Jussac for the third `
` time. `
` `
` "It is done, gentlemen," said Athos. `
` `
` "And what is your choice?" asked Jussac. `
` `
` "We are about to have the honor of charging you," replied Aramis, `
` lifting his hat with one hand and drawing his sword with the `
` other. `
` `
` "Ah! You resist, do you?" cried Jussac. `
` `
` "S'blood; does that astonish you?" `
` `
` And the nine combatants rushed upon each other with a fury which `
` however did not exclude a certain degree of method. `
` `
` Athos fixed upon a certain Cahusac, a favorite of the cardinal's. `
` Porthos had Bicarat, and Aramis found himself opposed to two `
` adversaries. As to d'Artagnan, he sprang toward Jussac himself. `
` `
` The heart of the young Gascon beat as if it would burst through `
` his side--not from fear, God he thanked, he had not the shade of `
` it, but with emulation; he fought like a furious tiger, turning `
` ten times round his adversary, and changing his ground and his `
` guard twenty times. Jussac was, as was then said, a fine blade, `
` and had had much practice; nevertheless it required all his skill `
` to defend himself against an adversary who, active and energetic, `
` departed every instant from received rules, attacking him on all `
` sides at once, and yet parrying like a man who had the greatest `
` respect for his own epidermis. `
` `
` This contest at length exhausted Jussac's patience. Furious at `
` being held in check by one whom he had considered a boy, he `
` became warm and began to make mistakes. D'Artagnan, who though `
` wanting in practice had a sound theory, redoubled his agility. `
` Jussac, anxious to put an end to this, springing forward, aimed a `
` terrible thrust at his adversary, but the latter parried it; and `
`