Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
terrible thrust at his adversary, but the latter parried it; and `
` while Jussac was recovering himself, glided like a serpent `
` beneath his blade, and passed his sword through his body. Jussac `
` fell like a dead mass. `
` `
` D'Artagnan then cast an anxious and rapid glance over the field `
` of battle. `
` `
` Aramis had killed one of his adversaries, but the other pressed `
` him warmly. Nevertheless, Aramis was in a good situation, and `
` able to defend himself. `
` `
` Bicarat and Porthos had just made counterhits. Porthos had `
` received a thrust through his arm, and Bicarat one through his `
` thigh. But neither of these two wounds was serious, and they `
` only fought more earnestly. `
` `
` Athos, wounded anew by Cahusac, became evidently paler, but did `
` not give way a foot. He only changed his sword hand, and fought `
` with his left hand. `
` `
` According to the laws of dueling at that period, d'Artagnan was `
` at liberty to assist whom he pleased. While he was endeavoring `
` to find out which of his companions stood in greatest need, he `
` caught a glance from Athos. The glance was of sublime eloquence. `
` Athos would have died rather than appeal for help; but he could `
` look, and with that look ask assistance. D'Artagnan interpreted `
` it; with a terrible bound he sprang to the side of Cahusac, `
` crying, "To me, Monsieur Guardsman; I will slay you!" `
` `
` Cahusac turned. It was time; for Athos, whose great courage `
` alone supported him, sank upon his knee. `
` `
` "S'blood!" cried he to d'Artagnan, "do not kill him, young man, I `
` beg of you. I have an old affair to settle with him when I am `
` cured and sound again. Disarm him only--make sure of his sword. `
` That's it! Very well done!" `
` `
` The exclamation was drawn from Athos by seeing the sword of `
` Cahusac fly twenty paces from him. D'Artagnan and Cahusac sprang `
` forward at the same instant, the one to recover, the other to `
` obtain, the sword; but d'Artagnan, being the more active, reached `
` it first and placed his foot upon it. `
` `
` Cahusac immediately ran to the Guardsman whom Aramis had killed, `
` seized his rapier, and returned toward d'Artagnan; but on his way `
` he met Athos, who during his relief which d'Artagnan had procured `
` him had recovered his breath, and who, for fear that d'Artagnan `
` would kill his enemy, wished to resume the fight. `
` `
` D'Artagnan perceived that it would be disobliging Athos not to `
` leave him alone; and in a few minutes Cahusac fell, with a sword `
` thrust through his throat. `
` `
` At the same instant Aramis placed his sword point on the breast `
` of his fallen enemy, and forced him to ask for mercy. `
` `
` There only then remained Porthos and Bicarat. Porthos made a `
` thousand flourishes, asking Bicarat what o'clock it could be, and `
` offering him his compliments upon his brother's having just `
` obtained a company in the regiment of Navarre; but, jest as he `
` might, he gained nothing. Bicarat was one of those iron men who `
` never fell dead. `
` `
` Nevertheless, it was necessary to finish. The watch might come `
` up and take all the combatants, wounded or not, royalists or `
` cardinalists. Athos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan surrounded Bicarat, `
` and required him to surrender. Though alone against all and with `
` a wound in his thigh, Bicarat wished to hold out; but Jussac, who `
` had risen upon his elbow, cried out to him to yield. Bicarat was `
` a Gascon, as d'Artagnan was; he turned a deaf ear, and contented `
` himself with laughing, and between two parries finding time to `
` point to a spot of earth with his sword, "Here," cried he, `
` parodying a verse of the Bible, "here will Bicarat die; for I `
` only am left, and they seek my life." `
` `
` "But there are four against you; leave off, I command you." `
` `
` "Ah, if you command me, that's another thing," said Bicarat. "As `
` you are my commander, it is my duty to obey." And springing `
` backward, he broke his sword across his knee to avoid the `
` necessity of surrendering it, threw the pieces over the convent `
` wall, and crossed him arms, whistling a cardinalist air. `
` `
` Bravery is always respected, even in an enemy. The Musketeers `
` saluted Bicarat with their swords, and returned them to their `
` sheaths. D'Artagnan did the same. Then, assisted by Bicarat, `
` the only one left standing, he bore Jussac, Cahusac, and one of `
` Aramis's adversaries who was only wounded, under the porch of the `
` convent. The fourth, as we have said, was dead. They then rang `
` the bell, and carrying away four swords out of five, they took `
` their road, intoxicated with joy, toward the hotel of M. de `
` Treville. `
` `
` They walked arm in arm, occupying the whole width of the street `
` and taking in every Musketeer they met, so that in the end it `
` became a triumphal march. The heart of d'Artagnan swam in `
` delirium; he marched between Athos and Porthos, pressing them `
` tenderly. `
` `
` "If I am not yet a Musketeer," said he to his new friends, as he `
` passed through the gateway of M. de Treville's hotel, "at least I `
` have entered upon my apprenticeship, haven't I?" `
` `
` `
` `
` 6 HIS MAJESTY KING LOUIS XIII `
` `
` This affair made a great noise. M. de Treville scolded his `
` Musketeers in public, and congratulated them in private; but as `
` no time was to be lost in gaining the king, M. de Treville `
` hastened to report himself at the Louvre. It was already too `
` late. The king was closeted with the cardinal, and M. de `
` Treville was informed that the king was busy and could not `
` receive him at that moment. In the evening M. de Treville `
` attended the king's gaming table. The king was winning; and as `
` he was very avaricious, he was in an excellent humor. Perceiving `
` M. de Treville at a distance-- `
` `
` "Come here, Monsieur Captain," said he, "come here, that I may `
` growl at you. Do you know that his Eminence has been making `
` fresh complaints against your Musketeers, and that with so much `
` emotion, that this evening his Eminence is indisposed? Ah, these `
` Musketeers of yours are very devils--fellows to be hanged." `
` `
` "No, sire," replied Treville, who saw at the first glance how `
` things would go, "on the contrary, they are good creatures, as `
` meek as lambs, and have but one desire, I'll be their warranty. `
` And that is that their swords may never leave their scabbards but `
` in your majesty's service. But what are they to do? The Guards `
` of Monsieur the Cardinal are forever seeking quarrels with them, `
` and for the honor of the corps even, the poor young men are `
` obliged to defend themselves." `
` `
` "Listen to Monsieur de Treville," said the king; "listen to him! `
` Would not one say he was speaking of a religious community? In `
` truth, my dear Captain, I have a great mind to take away your `
` commission and give it to Mademoiselle de Chemerault, to whom I `
` promised an abbey. But don't fancy that I am going to take you `
` on your bare word. I am called Louis the Just, Monsieur de `
` Treville, and by and by, by and by we will see." `
` `
` "Ah, sire; it is because I confide in that justice that I shall `
` wait patiently and quietly the good pleasure of your Majesty." `
` `
` `
` "Wait, then, monsieur, wait," said the king; "I will not detain `
` you long." `
` `
` In fact, fortune changed; and as the king began to lose what he `
` had won, he was not sorry to find an excuse for playing `
` Charlemagne--if we may use a gaming phrase of whose origin we `
` confess our ignorance. The king therefore arose a minute after, `
` and putting the money which lay before him into his pocket, the `
` major part of which arose from his winnings, "La Vieuville," said `
` he, "take my place; I must speak to Monsieur de Treville on an `
` affair of importance. Ah, I had eighty louis before me; put down `
` the same sum, so that they who have lost may have nothing to `
` complain of. Justice before everything." `
` `
` Then turning toward M. de Treville and walking with him toward `
` the embrasure of a window, "Well, monsieur," continued he, "you `
` say it is his Eminence's Guards who have sought a quarrel with `
` your Musketeers?" `
` `
` "Yes, sire, as they always do." `
` `
` "And how did the thing happen? Let us see, for you know, my dear `
` Captain, a judge must hear both sides." `
` `
` "Good Lord! In the most simple and natural manner possible. `
` Three of my best soldiers, whom your Majesty knows by name, and `
` whose devotedness you have more than once appreciated, and who `
` have, I dare affirm to the king, his service much at heart--three `
` of my best soldiers, I say, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, had made `
` a party of pleasure with a young fellow from Gascony, whom I had `
` introduced to them the same morning. The party was to take place `
` at St. Germain, I believe, and they had appointed to meet at the `
` Carmes-Deschaux, when they were disturbed by de Jussac, Cahusac, `
` Bicarat, and two other Guardsmen, who certainly did not go there `
` in such a numerous company without some ill intention against the `
` edicts." `
` `
` "Ah, ah! You incline me to think so," said the king. "There is `
` no doubt they went thither to fight themselves." `
` `
` "I do not accuse them, sire; but I leave your Majesty to judge `
` what five armed men could possibly be going to do in such a `
` deserted place as the neighborhood of the Convent des Carmes." `
` `
` "Yes, you are right, Treville, you are right!" `
` `
` "Then, upon seeing my Musketeers they changed their minds, and `
` forgot their private hatred for partisan hatred; for your Majesty `
` cannot be ignorant that the Musketeers, who belong to the king `
` and nobody but the king, are the natural enemies of the `
` Guardsmen, who belong to the cardinal." `
` `
` "Yes, Treville, yes," said the king, in a melancholy tone; "and `
` it is very sad, believe me, to see thus two parties in France, `
` two heads to royalty. But all this will come to an end, Treville, `
`
` while Jussac was recovering himself, glided like a serpent `
` beneath his blade, and passed his sword through his body. Jussac `
` fell like a dead mass. `
` `
` D'Artagnan then cast an anxious and rapid glance over the field `
` of battle. `
` `
` Aramis had killed one of his adversaries, but the other pressed `
` him warmly. Nevertheless, Aramis was in a good situation, and `
` able to defend himself. `
` `
` Bicarat and Porthos had just made counterhits. Porthos had `
` received a thrust through his arm, and Bicarat one through his `
` thigh. But neither of these two wounds was serious, and they `
` only fought more earnestly. `
` `
` Athos, wounded anew by Cahusac, became evidently paler, but did `
` not give way a foot. He only changed his sword hand, and fought `
` with his left hand. `
` `
` According to the laws of dueling at that period, d'Artagnan was `
` at liberty to assist whom he pleased. While he was endeavoring `
` to find out which of his companions stood in greatest need, he `
` caught a glance from Athos. The glance was of sublime eloquence. `
` Athos would have died rather than appeal for help; but he could `
` look, and with that look ask assistance. D'Artagnan interpreted `
` it; with a terrible bound he sprang to the side of Cahusac, `
` crying, "To me, Monsieur Guardsman; I will slay you!" `
` `
` Cahusac turned. It was time; for Athos, whose great courage `
` alone supported him, sank upon his knee. `
` `
` "S'blood!" cried he to d'Artagnan, "do not kill him, young man, I `
` beg of you. I have an old affair to settle with him when I am `
` cured and sound again. Disarm him only--make sure of his sword. `
` That's it! Very well done!" `
` `
` The exclamation was drawn from Athos by seeing the sword of `
` Cahusac fly twenty paces from him. D'Artagnan and Cahusac sprang `
` forward at the same instant, the one to recover, the other to `
` obtain, the sword; but d'Artagnan, being the more active, reached `
` it first and placed his foot upon it. `
` `
` Cahusac immediately ran to the Guardsman whom Aramis had killed, `
` seized his rapier, and returned toward d'Artagnan; but on his way `
` he met Athos, who during his relief which d'Artagnan had procured `
` him had recovered his breath, and who, for fear that d'Artagnan `
` would kill his enemy, wished to resume the fight. `
` `
` D'Artagnan perceived that it would be disobliging Athos not to `
` leave him alone; and in a few minutes Cahusac fell, with a sword `
` thrust through his throat. `
` `
` At the same instant Aramis placed his sword point on the breast `
` of his fallen enemy, and forced him to ask for mercy. `
` `
` There only then remained Porthos and Bicarat. Porthos made a `
` thousand flourishes, asking Bicarat what o'clock it could be, and `
` offering him his compliments upon his brother's having just `
` obtained a company in the regiment of Navarre; but, jest as he `
` might, he gained nothing. Bicarat was one of those iron men who `
` never fell dead. `
` `
` Nevertheless, it was necessary to finish. The watch might come `
` up and take all the combatants, wounded or not, royalists or `
` cardinalists. Athos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan surrounded Bicarat, `
` and required him to surrender. Though alone against all and with `
` a wound in his thigh, Bicarat wished to hold out; but Jussac, who `
` had risen upon his elbow, cried out to him to yield. Bicarat was `
` a Gascon, as d'Artagnan was; he turned a deaf ear, and contented `
` himself with laughing, and between two parries finding time to `
` point to a spot of earth with his sword, "Here," cried he, `
` parodying a verse of the Bible, "here will Bicarat die; for I `
` only am left, and they seek my life." `
` `
` "But there are four against you; leave off, I command you." `
` `
` "Ah, if you command me, that's another thing," said Bicarat. "As `
` you are my commander, it is my duty to obey." And springing `
` backward, he broke his sword across his knee to avoid the `
` necessity of surrendering it, threw the pieces over the convent `
` wall, and crossed him arms, whistling a cardinalist air. `
` `
` Bravery is always respected, even in an enemy. The Musketeers `
` saluted Bicarat with their swords, and returned them to their `
` sheaths. D'Artagnan did the same. Then, assisted by Bicarat, `
` the only one left standing, he bore Jussac, Cahusac, and one of `
` Aramis's adversaries who was only wounded, under the porch of the `
` convent. The fourth, as we have said, was dead. They then rang `
` the bell, and carrying away four swords out of five, they took `
` their road, intoxicated with joy, toward the hotel of M. de `
` Treville. `
` `
` They walked arm in arm, occupying the whole width of the street `
` and taking in every Musketeer they met, so that in the end it `
` became a triumphal march. The heart of d'Artagnan swam in `
` delirium; he marched between Athos and Porthos, pressing them `
` tenderly. `
` `
` "If I am not yet a Musketeer," said he to his new friends, as he `
` passed through the gateway of M. de Treville's hotel, "at least I `
` have entered upon my apprenticeship, haven't I?" `
` `
` `
` `
` 6 HIS MAJESTY KING LOUIS XIII `
` `
` This affair made a great noise. M. de Treville scolded his `
` Musketeers in public, and congratulated them in private; but as `
` no time was to be lost in gaining the king, M. de Treville `
` hastened to report himself at the Louvre. It was already too `
` late. The king was closeted with the cardinal, and M. de `
` Treville was informed that the king was busy and could not `
` receive him at that moment. In the evening M. de Treville `
` attended the king's gaming table. The king was winning; and as `
` he was very avaricious, he was in an excellent humor. Perceiving `
` M. de Treville at a distance-- `
` `
` "Come here, Monsieur Captain," said he, "come here, that I may `
` growl at you. Do you know that his Eminence has been making `
` fresh complaints against your Musketeers, and that with so much `
` emotion, that this evening his Eminence is indisposed? Ah, these `
` Musketeers of yours are very devils--fellows to be hanged." `
` `
` "No, sire," replied Treville, who saw at the first glance how `
` things would go, "on the contrary, they are good creatures, as `
` meek as lambs, and have but one desire, I'll be their warranty. `
` And that is that their swords may never leave their scabbards but `
` in your majesty's service. But what are they to do? The Guards `
` of Monsieur the Cardinal are forever seeking quarrels with them, `
` and for the honor of the corps even, the poor young men are `
` obliged to defend themselves." `
` `
` "Listen to Monsieur de Treville," said the king; "listen to him! `
` Would not one say he was speaking of a religious community? In `
` truth, my dear Captain, I have a great mind to take away your `
` commission and give it to Mademoiselle de Chemerault, to whom I `
` promised an abbey. But don't fancy that I am going to take you `
` on your bare word. I am called Louis the Just, Monsieur de `
` Treville, and by and by, by and by we will see." `
` `
` "Ah, sire; it is because I confide in that justice that I shall `
` wait patiently and quietly the good pleasure of your Majesty." `
` `
` `
` "Wait, then, monsieur, wait," said the king; "I will not detain `
` you long." `
` `
` In fact, fortune changed; and as the king began to lose what he `
` had won, he was not sorry to find an excuse for playing `
` Charlemagne--if we may use a gaming phrase of whose origin we `
` confess our ignorance. The king therefore arose a minute after, `
` and putting the money which lay before him into his pocket, the `
` major part of which arose from his winnings, "La Vieuville," said `
` he, "take my place; I must speak to Monsieur de Treville on an `
` affair of importance. Ah, I had eighty louis before me; put down `
` the same sum, so that they who have lost may have nothing to `
` complain of. Justice before everything." `
` `
` Then turning toward M. de Treville and walking with him toward `
` the embrasure of a window, "Well, monsieur," continued he, "you `
` say it is his Eminence's Guards who have sought a quarrel with `
` your Musketeers?" `
` `
` "Yes, sire, as they always do." `
` `
` "And how did the thing happen? Let us see, for you know, my dear `
` Captain, a judge must hear both sides." `
` `
` "Good Lord! In the most simple and natural manner possible. `
` Three of my best soldiers, whom your Majesty knows by name, and `
` whose devotedness you have more than once appreciated, and who `
` have, I dare affirm to the king, his service much at heart--three `
` of my best soldiers, I say, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, had made `
` a party of pleasure with a young fellow from Gascony, whom I had `
` introduced to them the same morning. The party was to take place `
` at St. Germain, I believe, and they had appointed to meet at the `
` Carmes-Deschaux, when they were disturbed by de Jussac, Cahusac, `
` Bicarat, and two other Guardsmen, who certainly did not go there `
` in such a numerous company without some ill intention against the `
` edicts." `
` `
` "Ah, ah! You incline me to think so," said the king. "There is `
` no doubt they went thither to fight themselves." `
` `
` "I do not accuse them, sire; but I leave your Majesty to judge `
` what five armed men could possibly be going to do in such a `
` deserted place as the neighborhood of the Convent des Carmes." `
` `
` "Yes, you are right, Treville, you are right!" `
` `
` "Then, upon seeing my Musketeers they changed their minds, and `
` forgot their private hatred for partisan hatred; for your Majesty `
` cannot be ignorant that the Musketeers, who belong to the king `
` and nobody but the king, are the natural enemies of the `
` Guardsmen, who belong to the cardinal." `
` `
` "Yes, Treville, yes," said the king, in a melancholy tone; "and `
` it is very sad, believe me, to see thus two parties in France, `
` two heads to royalty. But all this will come to an end, Treville, `
`