Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
sometimes to see her uncle; and by chance was there yesterday at `
` the same time that I was, and it was my duty to offer to conduct `
` her to her carriage." `
` `
` "Ah! She has a carriage, then, this niece of the doctor?" `
` interrupted Porthos, one of whose faults was a great looseness of `
` tongue. "A nice acquaintance, my friend!" `
` `
` "Porthos," replied Aramis, "I have had the occasion to observe to `
` you more than once that you are very indiscreet; and that is `
` injurious to you among the women." `
` `
` "Gentlemen, gentlemen," cried d'Artagnan, who began to get a `
` glimpse of the result of the adventure, "the thing is serious. `
` Let us try not to jest, if we can. Go on Aramis, go on." `
` `
` "All at once, a tall, dark gentleman--just like yours, `
` d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "The same, perhaps," said he. `
` `
` "Possibly," continued Aramis, "came toward me, accompanied by `
` five or six men who followed about ten paces behind him; and in `
` the politest tone, 'Monsieur Duke,' said he to me, 'and you `
` madame,' continued he, addressing the lady on my arm--" `
` `
` "The doctor's niece?" `
` `
` "Hold your tongue, Porthos," said Athos; "you are insupportable." `
` `
` "'--will you enter this carriage, and that without offering the `
` least resistance, without making the least noise?'" `
` `
` "He took you for Buckingham!" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I believe so," replied Aramis. `
` `
` "But the lady?" asked Porthos. `
` `
` "He took her for the queen!" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Just so," replied Aramis. `
` `
` "The Gascon is the devil!" cried Athos; "nothing escapes him." `
` `
` "The fact is," said Porthos, "Aramis is of the same height, and `
` something of the shape of the duke; but it nevertheless appears `
` to me that the dress of a Musketeer--" `
` `
` "I wore an enormous cloak," said Aramis. `
` `
` "In the month of July? The devil!" said Porthos. "Is the doctor `
` afraid that you may be recognized?" `
` `
` "I can comprehend that the spy may have been deceived by the `
` person; but the face--" `
` `
` "I had a large hat," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Oh, good lord," cried Porthos, "what precautions for the study `
` of theology!" `
` `
` "Gentlemen, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "do not let us lose our `
` time in jesting. Let us separate, and let us seek the mercer's `
` wife--that is the key of the intrigue." `
` `
` "A woman of such inferior condition! Can you believe so?" said `
` Porthos, protruding his lips with contempt. `
` `
` "She is goddaughter to Laporte, the confidential valet of the `
` queen. Have I not told you so, gentlemen? Besides, it has `
` perhaps been her Majesty's calculation to seek on this occasion `
` for support so lowly. High heads expose themselves from afar, `
` and the cardinal is longsighted." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "in the first place make a bargain with the `
` mercer, and a good bargain." `
` `
` "That's useless," said d'Artagnan; "for I believe if he does not `
` pay us, we shall be well enough paid by another party." `
` `
` At this moment a sudden noise of footsteps was heard upon the `
` stairs; the door was thrown violently open, and the unfortunate `
` mercer rushed into the chamber in which the council was held. `
` `
` "Save me, gentlemen, for the love of heaven, save me!" cried he. `
` "There are four men come to arrest me. Save me! Save me!" `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis arose. `
` `
` "A moment," cried d'Artagnan, making them a sign to replace in `
` the scabbard their half-drawn swords. "It is not courage that is `
` needed; it is prudence." `
` `
` "And yet," cried Porthos, "we will not leave--" `
` `
` "You will leave d'Artagnan to act as he thinks proper," said `
` Athos. "He has, I repeat, the longest head of the four, and for `
` my part I declare that I will obey him. Do as you think best, `
` d'Artagnan." `
` `
` At this moment the four Guards appeared at the door of the `
` antechamber, but seeing four Musketeers standing, and their `
` swords by their sides, they hesitated about going farther. `
` `
` "Come in, gentlemen, come in," called d'Artagnan; "you are here `
` in my apartment, and we are all faithful servants of the king and `
` cardinal." `
` `
` "Then, gentlemen, you will not oppose our executing the orders we `
` have received?" asked one who appeared to be the leader of the `
` party. `
` `
` "On the contrary, gentlemen, we would assist you if it were `
` necessary." `
` `
` "What does he say?" grumbled Porthos. `
` `
` "You are a simpleton," said Athos. "Silence!" `
` `
` "But you promised me--" whispered the poor mercer. `
` `
` "We can only save you by being free ourselves," replied `
` d'Artagnan, in a rapid, low tone; "and if we appear inclined to `
` defend you, they will arrest us with you." `
` `
` "It seems, nevertheless--" `
` `
` "Come, gentlemen, come!" said d'Artagnan, aloud; "I have no `
` motive for defending Monsieur. I saw him today for the first `
` time, and he can tell you on what occasion; he came to demand the `
` rent of my lodging. Is that not true, Monsieur Bonacieux? `
` Answer!" `
` `
` "That is the very truth," cried the mercer; "but Monsieur does `
` not tell you--" `
` `
` "Silence, with respect to me, silence, with respect to my `
` friends; silence about the queen, above all, or you will ruin `
` everybody without saving yourself! Come, come, gentlemen, remove `
` the fellow." And d'Artagnan pushed the half-stupefied mercer `
` among the Guards, saying to him, "You are a shabby old fellow, my `
` dear. You come to demand money of me--of a Musketeer! To prison `
` with him! Gentlemen, once more, take him to prison, and keep him `
` under key as long as possible; that will give me time to pay `
` him." `
` `
` The officers were full of thanks, and took away their prey. As `
` they were going down d'Artagnan laid his hand on the shoulder of `
` their leader. `
` `
` "May I not drink to your health, and you to mine?" said `
` d'Artagnan, filling two glasses with the Beaugency wine which he `
` had obtained from the liberality of M. Bonacieux. `
` `
` "That will do me great honor," said the leader of the posse, "and `
` I accept thankfully." `
` `
` "Then to yours, monsieur--what is your name?" `
` `
` "Boisrenard." `
` `
` "Monsieur Boisrenard." `
` `
` "To yours, my gentlemen! What is your name, in your turn, if you `
` please?" `
` `
` "d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "To yours, monsieur." `
` `
` "And above all others," cried d'Artagnan, as if carried away by `
` his enthusiasm, "to that of the king and the cardinal." `
` `
` The leader of the posse would perhaps have doubted the sincerity `
` of d'Artagnan if the wine had been bad; but the wine was good, `
` and he was convinced. `
` `
` "What diabolical villainy you have performed here," said Porthos, `
` when the officer had rejoined his companions and the four friends `
` found themselves alone. "Shame, shame, for four Musketeers to `
` allow an unfortunate fellow who cried for help to be arrested in `
` their midst! And a gentleman to hobnob with a bailiff!" `
` `
` "Porthos," said Aramis, "Athos has already told you that you are `
` a simpleton, and I am quite of his opinion. D'Artagnan, you are `
` a great man; and when you occupy Monsieur de Treville's place, I `
` will come and ask your influence to secure me an abbey." `
` `
` "Well, I am in a maze," said Porthos; "do YOU approve of what `
` d'Artagnan has done?" `
` `
` "PARBLEU! Indeed I do," said Athos; "I not only approve of what `
` he has done, but I congratulate him upon it." `
` `
` "And now, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, without stopping to `
` explain his conduct to Porthos, "All for one, one for all--that `
` is our motto, is it not?" `
` `
` "And yet--" said Porthos. `
` `
`
` the same time that I was, and it was my duty to offer to conduct `
` her to her carriage." `
` `
` "Ah! She has a carriage, then, this niece of the doctor?" `
` interrupted Porthos, one of whose faults was a great looseness of `
` tongue. "A nice acquaintance, my friend!" `
` `
` "Porthos," replied Aramis, "I have had the occasion to observe to `
` you more than once that you are very indiscreet; and that is `
` injurious to you among the women." `
` `
` "Gentlemen, gentlemen," cried d'Artagnan, who began to get a `
` glimpse of the result of the adventure, "the thing is serious. `
` Let us try not to jest, if we can. Go on Aramis, go on." `
` `
` "All at once, a tall, dark gentleman--just like yours, `
` d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "The same, perhaps," said he. `
` `
` "Possibly," continued Aramis, "came toward me, accompanied by `
` five or six men who followed about ten paces behind him; and in `
` the politest tone, 'Monsieur Duke,' said he to me, 'and you `
` madame,' continued he, addressing the lady on my arm--" `
` `
` "The doctor's niece?" `
` `
` "Hold your tongue, Porthos," said Athos; "you are insupportable." `
` `
` "'--will you enter this carriage, and that without offering the `
` least resistance, without making the least noise?'" `
` `
` "He took you for Buckingham!" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I believe so," replied Aramis. `
` `
` "But the lady?" asked Porthos. `
` `
` "He took her for the queen!" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Just so," replied Aramis. `
` `
` "The Gascon is the devil!" cried Athos; "nothing escapes him." `
` `
` "The fact is," said Porthos, "Aramis is of the same height, and `
` something of the shape of the duke; but it nevertheless appears `
` to me that the dress of a Musketeer--" `
` `
` "I wore an enormous cloak," said Aramis. `
` `
` "In the month of July? The devil!" said Porthos. "Is the doctor `
` afraid that you may be recognized?" `
` `
` "I can comprehend that the spy may have been deceived by the `
` person; but the face--" `
` `
` "I had a large hat," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Oh, good lord," cried Porthos, "what precautions for the study `
` of theology!" `
` `
` "Gentlemen, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, "do not let us lose our `
` time in jesting. Let us separate, and let us seek the mercer's `
` wife--that is the key of the intrigue." `
` `
` "A woman of such inferior condition! Can you believe so?" said `
` Porthos, protruding his lips with contempt. `
` `
` "She is goddaughter to Laporte, the confidential valet of the `
` queen. Have I not told you so, gentlemen? Besides, it has `
` perhaps been her Majesty's calculation to seek on this occasion `
` for support so lowly. High heads expose themselves from afar, `
` and the cardinal is longsighted." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "in the first place make a bargain with the `
` mercer, and a good bargain." `
` `
` "That's useless," said d'Artagnan; "for I believe if he does not `
` pay us, we shall be well enough paid by another party." `
` `
` At this moment a sudden noise of footsteps was heard upon the `
` stairs; the door was thrown violently open, and the unfortunate `
` mercer rushed into the chamber in which the council was held. `
` `
` "Save me, gentlemen, for the love of heaven, save me!" cried he. `
` "There are four men come to arrest me. Save me! Save me!" `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis arose. `
` `
` "A moment," cried d'Artagnan, making them a sign to replace in `
` the scabbard their half-drawn swords. "It is not courage that is `
` needed; it is prudence." `
` `
` "And yet," cried Porthos, "we will not leave--" `
` `
` "You will leave d'Artagnan to act as he thinks proper," said `
` Athos. "He has, I repeat, the longest head of the four, and for `
` my part I declare that I will obey him. Do as you think best, `
` d'Artagnan." `
` `
` At this moment the four Guards appeared at the door of the `
` antechamber, but seeing four Musketeers standing, and their `
` swords by their sides, they hesitated about going farther. `
` `
` "Come in, gentlemen, come in," called d'Artagnan; "you are here `
` in my apartment, and we are all faithful servants of the king and `
` cardinal." `
` `
` "Then, gentlemen, you will not oppose our executing the orders we `
` have received?" asked one who appeared to be the leader of the `
` party. `
` `
` "On the contrary, gentlemen, we would assist you if it were `
` necessary." `
` `
` "What does he say?" grumbled Porthos. `
` `
` "You are a simpleton," said Athos. "Silence!" `
` `
` "But you promised me--" whispered the poor mercer. `
` `
` "We can only save you by being free ourselves," replied `
` d'Artagnan, in a rapid, low tone; "and if we appear inclined to `
` defend you, they will arrest us with you." `
` `
` "It seems, nevertheless--" `
` `
` "Come, gentlemen, come!" said d'Artagnan, aloud; "I have no `
` motive for defending Monsieur. I saw him today for the first `
` time, and he can tell you on what occasion; he came to demand the `
` rent of my lodging. Is that not true, Monsieur Bonacieux? `
` Answer!" `
` `
` "That is the very truth," cried the mercer; "but Monsieur does `
` not tell you--" `
` `
` "Silence, with respect to me, silence, with respect to my `
` friends; silence about the queen, above all, or you will ruin `
` everybody without saving yourself! Come, come, gentlemen, remove `
` the fellow." And d'Artagnan pushed the half-stupefied mercer `
` among the Guards, saying to him, "You are a shabby old fellow, my `
` dear. You come to demand money of me--of a Musketeer! To prison `
` with him! Gentlemen, once more, take him to prison, and keep him `
` under key as long as possible; that will give me time to pay `
` him." `
` `
` The officers were full of thanks, and took away their prey. As `
` they were going down d'Artagnan laid his hand on the shoulder of `
` their leader. `
` `
` "May I not drink to your health, and you to mine?" said `
` d'Artagnan, filling two glasses with the Beaugency wine which he `
` had obtained from the liberality of M. Bonacieux. `
` `
` "That will do me great honor," said the leader of the posse, "and `
` I accept thankfully." `
` `
` "Then to yours, monsieur--what is your name?" `
` `
` "Boisrenard." `
` `
` "Monsieur Boisrenard." `
` `
` "To yours, my gentlemen! What is your name, in your turn, if you `
` please?" `
` `
` "d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "To yours, monsieur." `
` `
` "And above all others," cried d'Artagnan, as if carried away by `
` his enthusiasm, "to that of the king and the cardinal." `
` `
` The leader of the posse would perhaps have doubted the sincerity `
` of d'Artagnan if the wine had been bad; but the wine was good, `
` and he was convinced. `
` `
` "What diabolical villainy you have performed here," said Porthos, `
` when the officer had rejoined his companions and the four friends `
` found themselves alone. "Shame, shame, for four Musketeers to `
` allow an unfortunate fellow who cried for help to be arrested in `
` their midst! And a gentleman to hobnob with a bailiff!" `
` `
` "Porthos," said Aramis, "Athos has already told you that you are `
` a simpleton, and I am quite of his opinion. D'Artagnan, you are `
` a great man; and when you occupy Monsieur de Treville's place, I `
` will come and ask your influence to secure me an abbey." `
` `
` "Well, I am in a maze," said Porthos; "do YOU approve of what `
` d'Artagnan has done?" `
` `
` "PARBLEU! Indeed I do," said Athos; "I not only approve of what `
` he has done, but I congratulate him upon it." `
` `
` "And now, gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, without stopping to `
` explain his conduct to Porthos, "All for one, one for all--that `
` is our motto, is it not?" `
` `
` "And yet--" said Porthos. `
` `
`