Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
"Well, and then?" `
` `
` "He will ask you what you want, and you will answer by these two `
` words, 'Tours' and 'Bruxelles.' He will at once put himself at `
` your orders." `
` `
` "And what shall I command him?" `
` `
` "To go and fetch Monsieur Laporte, the queen's VALET DE CHAMBRE." `
` `
` "And when he shall have informed him, and Monsieur Laporte is `
` come?" `
` `
` "You will send him to me." `
` `
` "That is well; but where and how shall I see you again?" `
` `
` "Do you wish to see me again?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "Well, let that care be mine, and be at ease." `
` `
` "I depend upon your word." `
` `
` "You may." `
` `
` D'Artagnan bowed to Mme. Bonacieux, darting at her the most `
` loving glance that he could possibly concentrate upon her `
` charming little person; and while he descended the stairs, he `
` heard the door closed and double-locked. In two bounds he was at `
` the Louvre; as he entered the wicket of L'Echelle, ten o'clock `
` struck. All the events we have described had taken place within `
` a half hour. `
` `
` Everything fell out as Mme. Bonacieux prophesied. On hearing the `
` password, Germain bowed. In a few minutes, Laporte was at the `
` lodge; in two words d'Artagnan informed him where Mme. Bonacieux `
` was. Laporte assured himself, by having it twice repeated, of `
` the accurate address, and set off at a run. Hardly, however, had `
` he taken ten steps before he returned. `
` `
` "Young man," said he to d'Artagnan, "a suggestion." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "You may get into trouble by what has taken place." `
` `
` "You believe so?" `
` `
` "Yes. Have you any friend whose clock is too slow?" `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Go and call upon him, in order that he may give evidence of your `
` having been with him at half past nine. In a court of justice `
` that is called an alibi." `
` `
` D'Artagnan found his advice prudent. He took to his heels, and `
` was soon at M. de Treville's; but instead of going into the `
` saloon with the rest of the crowd, he asked to be introduced to `
` M. de Treville's office. As d'Artagnan so constantly frequented `
` the hotel, no difficulty was made in complying with his request, `
` and a servant went to inform M. de Treville that his young `
` compatriot, having something important to communicate, solicited a `
` private audience. Five minutes after, M. de Treville was asking `
` d'Artagnan what he could do to serve him, and what caused his `
` visit at so late an hour. `
` `
` "Pardon me, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, who had profited by the `
` moment he had been left alone to put back M. de Treville's clock `
` three-quarters of an hour, "but I thought, as it was yet only `
` twenty-five minutes past nine, it was not too late to wait upon `
` you." `
` `
` "Twenty-five minutes past nine!" cried M. de Treville, looking at `
` the clock; "why, that's impossible!" `
` `
` "Look, rather, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, "the clock shows it." `
` `
` "That's true," said M. de Treville; "I believed it later. But `
` what can I do for you?" `
` `
` Then d'Artagnan told M. de Treville a long history about the `
` queen. He expressed to him the fears he entertained with respect `
` to her Majesty; he related to him what he had heard of the `
` projects of the cardinal with regard to Buckingham, and all with `
` a tranquillity and candor of which M. de Treville was the more `
` the dupe, from having himself, as we have said, observed `
` something fresh between the cardinal, the king, and the queen. `
` `
` As ten o'clock was striking, d'Artagnan left M. de Treville, who `
` thanked him for his information, recommended him to have the `
` service of the king and queen always at heart, and returned to `
` the saloon; but at the foot of the stairs, d'Artagnan remembered `
` he had forgotten his cane. He consequently sprang up again, `
` re-entered the office, with a turn of his finger set the clock `
` right again, that it might not be perceived the next day that it `
` had been put wrong, and certain from that time that he had a `
` witness to prove his alibi, he ran downstairs and soon found `
` himself in the street. `
` `
` `
` `
` 11 IN WHICH THE PLOT THICKENS `
` `
` His visit to M. de Treville being paid, the pensive d'Artagnan `
` took the longest way homeward. `
` `
` On what was d'Artagnan thinking, that he strayed thus from his `
` path, gazing at the stars of heaven, and sometimes sighing, `
` sometimes smiling? `
` `
` He was thinking of Mme. Bonacieux. For an apprentice Musketeer `
` the young woman was almost an ideal of love. Pretty, mysterious, `
` initiated in almost all the secrets of the court, which reflected `
` such a charming gravity over her pleasing features, it might be `
` surmised that she was not wholly unmoved; and this is an `
` irresistible charm to novices in love. Moreover, d'Artagnan had `
` delivered her from the hands of the demons who wished to search `
` and ill treat her; and this important service had established `
` between them one of those sentiments of gratitude which so easily `
` assume a more tender character. `
` `
` D'Artagnan already fancied himself, so rapid is the flight of our `
` dreams upon the wings of imagination, accosted by a messenger `
` from the young woman, who brought him some billet appointing a `
` meeting, a gold chain, or a diamond. We have observed that young `
` cavaliers received presents from their king without shame. Let `
` us add that in these times of lax morality they had no more `
` delicacy with respect to the mistresses; and that the latter `
` almost always left them valuable and durable remembrances, as if `
` they essayed to conquer the fragility of their sentiments by the `
` solidity of their gifts. `
` `
` Without a blush, men made their way in the world by the means of `
` women blushing. Such as were only beautiful gave their beauty, `
` whence, without doubt, comes the proverb, "The most beautiful `
` girl in the world can only give what she has." Such as were rich `
` gave in addition a part of their money; and a vast number of `
` heroes of that gallant period may be cited who would neither have `
` won their spurs in the first place, nor their battles afterward, `
` without the purse, more or less furnished, which their mistress `
` fastened to the saddle bow. `
` `
` D'Artagnan owned nothing. Provincial diffidence, that slight `
` varnish, the ephemeral flower, that down of the peach, had `
` evaporated to the winds through the little orthodox counsels `
` which the three Musketeers gave their friend. D'Artagnan, `
` following the strange custom of the times, considered himself at `
` Paris as on a campaign, neither more nor less than if he had been `
` in Flanders--Spain yonder, woman here. In each there was an `
` enemy to contend with, and contributions to be levied. `
` `
` But, we must say, at the present moment d'Artagnan was ruled by `
` a feeling much more noble and disinterested. The mercer had `
` said that he was rich; the young man might easily guess that `
` with so weak a man as M. Bonacieux; and interest was almost `
` foreign to this commencement of love, which had been the `
` consequence of it. We say ALMOST, for the idea that a young, `
` handsome, kind, and witty woman is at the same time rich takes `
` nothing from the beginning of love, but on the contrary `
` strengthens it. `
` `
` There are in affluence a crowd of aristocratic cares and caprices `
` which are highly becoming to beauty. A fine and white stocking, `
` a silken robe, a lace kerchief, a pretty slipper on the foot, a `
` tasty ribbon on the head do not make an ugly woman pretty, but `
` they make a pretty woman beautiful, without reckoning the hands, `
` which gain by all this; the hands, among women particularly, to `
` be beautiful must be idle. `
` `
` Then d'Artagnan, as the reader, from whom we have not concealed `
` the state of his fortune, very well knows--d'Artagnan was not a `
` millionaire; he hoped to become one someday, but the time which `
` in his own mind he fixed upon for this happy change was still far `
` distant. In the meanwhile, how disheartening to see the woman `
` one loves long for those thousands of nothings which constitute a `
` woman's happiness, and be unable to give her those thousands of `
` nothings. At least, when the woman is rich and the lover is not, `
` that which he cannot offer she offers to herself; and although it `
` is generally with her husband's money that she procures herself `
` this indulgence, the gratitude for it seldom reverts to him. `
` `
` Then d'Artagnan, disposed to become the most tender of lovers, `
` was at the same time a very devoted friend, In the midst of his `
` amorous projects for the mercer's wife, he did not forget his `
` friends. The pretty Mme. Bonacieux was just the woman to walk `
` with in the Plain St. Denis or in the fair of St. Germain, in `
` company with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, to whom d'Artagnan had `
` often remarked this. Then one could enjoy charming little `
` dinners, where one touches on one side the hand of a friend, and `
` on the other the foot of a mistress. Besides, on pressing `
` occasions, in extreme difficulties, d'Artagnan would become the `
` preserver of his friends. `
` `
` And M. Bonacieux? whom d'Artagnan had pushed into the hands of `
` the officers, denying him aloud although he had promised in a `
` whisper to save him. We are compelled to admit to our readers `
` that d'Artagnan thought nothing about him in any way; or that if `
` he did think of him, it was only to say to himself that he was `
`
` `
` "He will ask you what you want, and you will answer by these two `
` words, 'Tours' and 'Bruxelles.' He will at once put himself at `
` your orders." `
` `
` "And what shall I command him?" `
` `
` "To go and fetch Monsieur Laporte, the queen's VALET DE CHAMBRE." `
` `
` "And when he shall have informed him, and Monsieur Laporte is `
` come?" `
` `
` "You will send him to me." `
` `
` "That is well; but where and how shall I see you again?" `
` `
` "Do you wish to see me again?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "Well, let that care be mine, and be at ease." `
` `
` "I depend upon your word." `
` `
` "You may." `
` `
` D'Artagnan bowed to Mme. Bonacieux, darting at her the most `
` loving glance that he could possibly concentrate upon her `
` charming little person; and while he descended the stairs, he `
` heard the door closed and double-locked. In two bounds he was at `
` the Louvre; as he entered the wicket of L'Echelle, ten o'clock `
` struck. All the events we have described had taken place within `
` a half hour. `
` `
` Everything fell out as Mme. Bonacieux prophesied. On hearing the `
` password, Germain bowed. In a few minutes, Laporte was at the `
` lodge; in two words d'Artagnan informed him where Mme. Bonacieux `
` was. Laporte assured himself, by having it twice repeated, of `
` the accurate address, and set off at a run. Hardly, however, had `
` he taken ten steps before he returned. `
` `
` "Young man," said he to d'Artagnan, "a suggestion." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "You may get into trouble by what has taken place." `
` `
` "You believe so?" `
` `
` "Yes. Have you any friend whose clock is too slow?" `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Go and call upon him, in order that he may give evidence of your `
` having been with him at half past nine. In a court of justice `
` that is called an alibi." `
` `
` D'Artagnan found his advice prudent. He took to his heels, and `
` was soon at M. de Treville's; but instead of going into the `
` saloon with the rest of the crowd, he asked to be introduced to `
` M. de Treville's office. As d'Artagnan so constantly frequented `
` the hotel, no difficulty was made in complying with his request, `
` and a servant went to inform M. de Treville that his young `
` compatriot, having something important to communicate, solicited a `
` private audience. Five minutes after, M. de Treville was asking `
` d'Artagnan what he could do to serve him, and what caused his `
` visit at so late an hour. `
` `
` "Pardon me, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, who had profited by the `
` moment he had been left alone to put back M. de Treville's clock `
` three-quarters of an hour, "but I thought, as it was yet only `
` twenty-five minutes past nine, it was not too late to wait upon `
` you." `
` `
` "Twenty-five minutes past nine!" cried M. de Treville, looking at `
` the clock; "why, that's impossible!" `
` `
` "Look, rather, monsieur," said d'Artagnan, "the clock shows it." `
` `
` "That's true," said M. de Treville; "I believed it later. But `
` what can I do for you?" `
` `
` Then d'Artagnan told M. de Treville a long history about the `
` queen. He expressed to him the fears he entertained with respect `
` to her Majesty; he related to him what he had heard of the `
` projects of the cardinal with regard to Buckingham, and all with `
` a tranquillity and candor of which M. de Treville was the more `
` the dupe, from having himself, as we have said, observed `
` something fresh between the cardinal, the king, and the queen. `
` `
` As ten o'clock was striking, d'Artagnan left M. de Treville, who `
` thanked him for his information, recommended him to have the `
` service of the king and queen always at heart, and returned to `
` the saloon; but at the foot of the stairs, d'Artagnan remembered `
` he had forgotten his cane. He consequently sprang up again, `
` re-entered the office, with a turn of his finger set the clock `
` right again, that it might not be perceived the next day that it `
` had been put wrong, and certain from that time that he had a `
` witness to prove his alibi, he ran downstairs and soon found `
` himself in the street. `
` `
` `
` `
` 11 IN WHICH THE PLOT THICKENS `
` `
` His visit to M. de Treville being paid, the pensive d'Artagnan `
` took the longest way homeward. `
` `
` On what was d'Artagnan thinking, that he strayed thus from his `
` path, gazing at the stars of heaven, and sometimes sighing, `
` sometimes smiling? `
` `
` He was thinking of Mme. Bonacieux. For an apprentice Musketeer `
` the young woman was almost an ideal of love. Pretty, mysterious, `
` initiated in almost all the secrets of the court, which reflected `
` such a charming gravity over her pleasing features, it might be `
` surmised that she was not wholly unmoved; and this is an `
` irresistible charm to novices in love. Moreover, d'Artagnan had `
` delivered her from the hands of the demons who wished to search `
` and ill treat her; and this important service had established `
` between them one of those sentiments of gratitude which so easily `
` assume a more tender character. `
` `
` D'Artagnan already fancied himself, so rapid is the flight of our `
` dreams upon the wings of imagination, accosted by a messenger `
` from the young woman, who brought him some billet appointing a `
` meeting, a gold chain, or a diamond. We have observed that young `
` cavaliers received presents from their king without shame. Let `
` us add that in these times of lax morality they had no more `
` delicacy with respect to the mistresses; and that the latter `
` almost always left them valuable and durable remembrances, as if `
` they essayed to conquer the fragility of their sentiments by the `
` solidity of their gifts. `
` `
` Without a blush, men made their way in the world by the means of `
` women blushing. Such as were only beautiful gave their beauty, `
` whence, without doubt, comes the proverb, "The most beautiful `
` girl in the world can only give what she has." Such as were rich `
` gave in addition a part of their money; and a vast number of `
` heroes of that gallant period may be cited who would neither have `
` won their spurs in the first place, nor their battles afterward, `
` without the purse, more or less furnished, which their mistress `
` fastened to the saddle bow. `
` `
` D'Artagnan owned nothing. Provincial diffidence, that slight `
` varnish, the ephemeral flower, that down of the peach, had `
` evaporated to the winds through the little orthodox counsels `
` which the three Musketeers gave their friend. D'Artagnan, `
` following the strange custom of the times, considered himself at `
` Paris as on a campaign, neither more nor less than if he had been `
` in Flanders--Spain yonder, woman here. In each there was an `
` enemy to contend with, and contributions to be levied. `
` `
` But, we must say, at the present moment d'Artagnan was ruled by `
` a feeling much more noble and disinterested. The mercer had `
` said that he was rich; the young man might easily guess that `
` with so weak a man as M. Bonacieux; and interest was almost `
` foreign to this commencement of love, which had been the `
` consequence of it. We say ALMOST, for the idea that a young, `
` handsome, kind, and witty woman is at the same time rich takes `
` nothing from the beginning of love, but on the contrary `
` strengthens it. `
` `
` There are in affluence a crowd of aristocratic cares and caprices `
` which are highly becoming to beauty. A fine and white stocking, `
` a silken robe, a lace kerchief, a pretty slipper on the foot, a `
` tasty ribbon on the head do not make an ugly woman pretty, but `
` they make a pretty woman beautiful, without reckoning the hands, `
` which gain by all this; the hands, among women particularly, to `
` be beautiful must be idle. `
` `
` Then d'Artagnan, as the reader, from whom we have not concealed `
` the state of his fortune, very well knows--d'Artagnan was not a `
` millionaire; he hoped to become one someday, but the time which `
` in his own mind he fixed upon for this happy change was still far `
` distant. In the meanwhile, how disheartening to see the woman `
` one loves long for those thousands of nothings which constitute a `
` woman's happiness, and be unable to give her those thousands of `
` nothings. At least, when the woman is rich and the lover is not, `
` that which he cannot offer she offers to herself; and although it `
` is generally with her husband's money that she procures herself `
` this indulgence, the gratitude for it seldom reverts to him. `
` `
` Then d'Artagnan, disposed to become the most tender of lovers, `
` was at the same time a very devoted friend, In the midst of his `
` amorous projects for the mercer's wife, he did not forget his `
` friends. The pretty Mme. Bonacieux was just the woman to walk `
` with in the Plain St. Denis or in the fair of St. Germain, in `
` company with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, to whom d'Artagnan had `
` often remarked this. Then one could enjoy charming little `
` dinners, where one touches on one side the hand of a friend, and `
` on the other the foot of a mistress. Besides, on pressing `
` occasions, in extreme difficulties, d'Artagnan would become the `
` preserver of his friends. `
` `
` And M. Bonacieux? whom d'Artagnan had pushed into the hands of `
` the officers, denying him aloud although he had promised in a `
` whisper to save him. We are compelled to admit to our readers `
` that d'Artagnan thought nothing about him in any way; or that if `
` he did think of him, it was only to say to himself that he was `
`