Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
"I say so, and I repeat it for the third time; that house is one `
` inhabited by my friend, and that friend is Aramis." `
` `
` "All this will be cleared up at a later period," murmured the `
` young woman; "no, monsieur, be silent." `
` `
` "If you could see my heart," said d'Artagnan, "you would there `
` read so much curiosity that you would pity me and so much love `
` that you would instantly satisfy my curiosity. We have nothing `
` to fear from those who love us." `
` `
` "You speak very suddenly of love, monsieur," said the young `
` woman, shaking her head. `
` `
` "That is because love has come suddenly upon me, and for the `
` first time; and because I am only twenty." `
` `
` The young woman looked at him furtively. `
` `
` "Listen; I am already upon the scent," resumed d'Artagnan. `
` "About three months ago I was near having a duel with Aramis `
` concerning a handkerchief resembling the one you showed to the `
` woman in his house--for a handkerchief marked in the same manner, `
` I am sure." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said the young woman, "you weary me very much, I `
` assure you, with your questions." `
` `
` "But you, madame, prudent as you are, think, if you were to be `
` arrested with that handkerchief, and that handkerchief were to be `
` seized, would you not be compromised?" `
` `
` "In what way? The initials are only mine--C. B., Constance `
` Bonacieux." `
` `
` "Or Camille de Bois-Tracy." `
` `
` "Silence, monsieur! Once again, silence! Ah, since the dangers `
` I incur on my own account cannot stop you, think of those you may `
` yourself run!" `
` `
` "Me?" `
` `
` "Yes; there is peril of imprisonment, risk of life in knowing `
` me." `
` `
` "Then I will not leave you." `
` `
` "Monsieur!" said the young woman, supplicating him and clasping `
` her hands together, "monsieur, in the name of heaven, by the `
` honor of a soldier, by the courtesy of a gentleman, depart! `
` There, there midnight sounds! That is the hour when I am `
` expected." `
` `
` "Madame," said the young man, bowing; "I can refuse nothing asked `
` of me thus. Be content; I will depart." `
` `
` "But you will not follow me; you will not watch me?" `
` `
` "I will return home instantly." `
` `
` "Ah, I was quite sure you were a good and brave young man," said `
` Mme. Bonacieux, holding out her hand to him, and placing the `
` other upon the knocker of a little door almost hidden in the `
` wall. `
` `
` D'Artagnan seized the hand held out to him, and kissed it `
` ardently. `
` `
` "Ah! I wish I had never seen you!" cried d'Artagnan, with that `
` ingenuous roughness which women often prefer to the affectations `
` of politeness, because it betrays the depths of the thought and `
` proves that feeling prevails over reason. `
` `
` "Well!" resumed Mme. Bonacieux, in a voice almost caressing, and `
` pressing the hand of d'Artagnan, who had not relinquished hers, `
` "well: I will not say as much as you do; what is lost for today `
` may not be lost forever. Who knows, when I shall be at liberty, `
` that I may not satisfy your curiosity?" `
` `
` "And will you make the same promise to my love?" cried `
` d'Artagnan, beside himself with joy. `
` `
` "Oh, as to that, I do not engage myself. That depends upon the `
` sentiments with which you may inspire me." `
` `
` "Then today, madame--" `
` `
` "Oh, today, I am no further than gratitude." `
` `
` "Ah! You are too charming," said d'Artagnan, sorrowfully; "and `
` you abuse my love." `
` `
` "No, I use your generosity, that's all. But be of good cheer; `
` with certain people, everything comes round." `
` `
` "Oh, you render me the happiest of men! Do not forget this `
` evening--do not forget that promise." `
` `
` "Be satisfied. In the proper time and place I will remember `
` everything. Now then, go, go, in the name of heaven! I was `
` expected at sharp midnight, and I am late." `
` `
` "By five minutes." `
` `
` "Yes; but in certain circumstances five minutes are five ages." `
` `
` "When one loves." `
` `
` "Well! And who told you I had no affair with a lover?" `
` `
` "It is a man, then, who expects you?" cried d'Artagnan. "A man!" `
` `
` "The discussion is going to begin again!" said Mme. Bonacieux, `
` with a half-smile which was not exempt from a tinge of `
` impatience. `
` `
` "No, no; I go, I depart! I believe in you, and I would have all `
` the merit of my devotion, even if that devotion were stupidity. `
` Adieu, madame, adieu!" `
` `
` And as if he only felt strength to detach himself by a violent `
` effort from the hand he held, he sprang away, running, while Mme. `
` Bonacieux knocked, as at the shutter, three light and regular `
` taps. When he had gained the angle of the street, he turned. `
` The door had been opened, and shut again; the mercer's pretty `
` wife had disappeared. `
` `
` D'Artagnan pursued his way. He had given his word not to watch `
` Mme. Bonacieux, and if his life had depended upon the spot to `
` which she was going or upon the person who should accompany her, `
` d'Artagnan would have returned home, since he had so promised. `
` Five minutes later he was in the Rue des Fossoyeurs. `
` `
` "Poor Athos!" said he; "he will never guess what all this means. `
` He will have fallen asleep waiting for me, or else he will have `
` returned home, where he will have learned that a woman had been `
` there. A woman with Athos! After all," continued d'Artagnan, `
` "there was certainly one with Aramis. All this is very strange; `
` and I am curious to know how it will end." `
` `
` "Badly, monsieur, badly!" replied a voice which the young man `
` recognized as that of Planchet; for, soliloquizing aloud, as very `
` preoccupied people do, he had entered the alley, at the end of `
` which were the stairs which led to his chamber. `
` `
` "How badly? What do you mean by that, you idiot?" asked `
` d'Artagnan. "What has happened?" `
` `
` "All sorts of misfortunes." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "In the first place, Monsieur Athos is arrested." `
` `
` "Arrested! Athos arrested! What for?" `
` `
` "He was found in your lodging; they took him for you." `
` `
` "And by whom was he arrested?" `
` `
` "By Guards brought by the men in black whom you put to flight." `
` `
` "Why did he not tell them his name? Why did he not tell them he `
` knew nothing about this affair?" `
` `
` "He took care not to do so, monsieur; on the contrary, he came up `
` to me and said, 'It is your master that needs his liberty at this `
` moment and not I, since he knows everything and I know nothing. `
` They will believe he is arrested, and that will give him time; in `
` three days I will tell them who I am, and they cannot fail to let `
` me go.'" `
` `
` "Bravo, Athos! Noble heart!" murmured d'Artagnan. "I know him `
` well there! And what did the officers do?" `
` `
` "Four conveyed him away, I don't know where--to the Bastille or `
` Fort l'Eveque. Two remained with the men in black, who rummaged `
` every place and took all the papers. The last two mounted guard `
` at the door during this examination; then, when all was over, `
` they went away, leaving the house empty and exposed." `
` `
` "And Porthos and Aramis?" `
` `
` "I could not find them; they did not come." `
` `
` "But they may come any moment, for you left word that I awaited `
` them?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur." `
` `
` "Well, don't budge, then; if they come, tell them what has `
` happened. Let them wait for me at the Pomme-de-Pin. Here it `
` would be dangerous; the house may be watched. I will run to `
` Monsieur de Treville to tell them all this, and will meet them `
` there." `
` `
` "Very well, monsieur," said Planchet. `
` `
` "But you will remain; you are not afraid?" said d'Artagnan, `
` coming back to recommend courage to his lackey. `
`
` inhabited by my friend, and that friend is Aramis." `
` `
` "All this will be cleared up at a later period," murmured the `
` young woman; "no, monsieur, be silent." `
` `
` "If you could see my heart," said d'Artagnan, "you would there `
` read so much curiosity that you would pity me and so much love `
` that you would instantly satisfy my curiosity. We have nothing `
` to fear from those who love us." `
` `
` "You speak very suddenly of love, monsieur," said the young `
` woman, shaking her head. `
` `
` "That is because love has come suddenly upon me, and for the `
` first time; and because I am only twenty." `
` `
` The young woman looked at him furtively. `
` `
` "Listen; I am already upon the scent," resumed d'Artagnan. `
` "About three months ago I was near having a duel with Aramis `
` concerning a handkerchief resembling the one you showed to the `
` woman in his house--for a handkerchief marked in the same manner, `
` I am sure." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said the young woman, "you weary me very much, I `
` assure you, with your questions." `
` `
` "But you, madame, prudent as you are, think, if you were to be `
` arrested with that handkerchief, and that handkerchief were to be `
` seized, would you not be compromised?" `
` `
` "In what way? The initials are only mine--C. B., Constance `
` Bonacieux." `
` `
` "Or Camille de Bois-Tracy." `
` `
` "Silence, monsieur! Once again, silence! Ah, since the dangers `
` I incur on my own account cannot stop you, think of those you may `
` yourself run!" `
` `
` "Me?" `
` `
` "Yes; there is peril of imprisonment, risk of life in knowing `
` me." `
` `
` "Then I will not leave you." `
` `
` "Monsieur!" said the young woman, supplicating him and clasping `
` her hands together, "monsieur, in the name of heaven, by the `
` honor of a soldier, by the courtesy of a gentleman, depart! `
` There, there midnight sounds! That is the hour when I am `
` expected." `
` `
` "Madame," said the young man, bowing; "I can refuse nothing asked `
` of me thus. Be content; I will depart." `
` `
` "But you will not follow me; you will not watch me?" `
` `
` "I will return home instantly." `
` `
` "Ah, I was quite sure you were a good and brave young man," said `
` Mme. Bonacieux, holding out her hand to him, and placing the `
` other upon the knocker of a little door almost hidden in the `
` wall. `
` `
` D'Artagnan seized the hand held out to him, and kissed it `
` ardently. `
` `
` "Ah! I wish I had never seen you!" cried d'Artagnan, with that `
` ingenuous roughness which women often prefer to the affectations `
` of politeness, because it betrays the depths of the thought and `
` proves that feeling prevails over reason. `
` `
` "Well!" resumed Mme. Bonacieux, in a voice almost caressing, and `
` pressing the hand of d'Artagnan, who had not relinquished hers, `
` "well: I will not say as much as you do; what is lost for today `
` may not be lost forever. Who knows, when I shall be at liberty, `
` that I may not satisfy your curiosity?" `
` `
` "And will you make the same promise to my love?" cried `
` d'Artagnan, beside himself with joy. `
` `
` "Oh, as to that, I do not engage myself. That depends upon the `
` sentiments with which you may inspire me." `
` `
` "Then today, madame--" `
` `
` "Oh, today, I am no further than gratitude." `
` `
` "Ah! You are too charming," said d'Artagnan, sorrowfully; "and `
` you abuse my love." `
` `
` "No, I use your generosity, that's all. But be of good cheer; `
` with certain people, everything comes round." `
` `
` "Oh, you render me the happiest of men! Do not forget this `
` evening--do not forget that promise." `
` `
` "Be satisfied. In the proper time and place I will remember `
` everything. Now then, go, go, in the name of heaven! I was `
` expected at sharp midnight, and I am late." `
` `
` "By five minutes." `
` `
` "Yes; but in certain circumstances five minutes are five ages." `
` `
` "When one loves." `
` `
` "Well! And who told you I had no affair with a lover?" `
` `
` "It is a man, then, who expects you?" cried d'Artagnan. "A man!" `
` `
` "The discussion is going to begin again!" said Mme. Bonacieux, `
` with a half-smile which was not exempt from a tinge of `
` impatience. `
` `
` "No, no; I go, I depart! I believe in you, and I would have all `
` the merit of my devotion, even if that devotion were stupidity. `
` Adieu, madame, adieu!" `
` `
` And as if he only felt strength to detach himself by a violent `
` effort from the hand he held, he sprang away, running, while Mme. `
` Bonacieux knocked, as at the shutter, three light and regular `
` taps. When he had gained the angle of the street, he turned. `
` The door had been opened, and shut again; the mercer's pretty `
` wife had disappeared. `
` `
` D'Artagnan pursued his way. He had given his word not to watch `
` Mme. Bonacieux, and if his life had depended upon the spot to `
` which she was going or upon the person who should accompany her, `
` d'Artagnan would have returned home, since he had so promised. `
` Five minutes later he was in the Rue des Fossoyeurs. `
` `
` "Poor Athos!" said he; "he will never guess what all this means. `
` He will have fallen asleep waiting for me, or else he will have `
` returned home, where he will have learned that a woman had been `
` there. A woman with Athos! After all," continued d'Artagnan, `
` "there was certainly one with Aramis. All this is very strange; `
` and I am curious to know how it will end." `
` `
` "Badly, monsieur, badly!" replied a voice which the young man `
` recognized as that of Planchet; for, soliloquizing aloud, as very `
` preoccupied people do, he had entered the alley, at the end of `
` which were the stairs which led to his chamber. `
` `
` "How badly? What do you mean by that, you idiot?" asked `
` d'Artagnan. "What has happened?" `
` `
` "All sorts of misfortunes." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "In the first place, Monsieur Athos is arrested." `
` `
` "Arrested! Athos arrested! What for?" `
` `
` "He was found in your lodging; they took him for you." `
` `
` "And by whom was he arrested?" `
` `
` "By Guards brought by the men in black whom you put to flight." `
` `
` "Why did he not tell them his name? Why did he not tell them he `
` knew nothing about this affair?" `
` `
` "He took care not to do so, monsieur; on the contrary, he came up `
` to me and said, 'It is your master that needs his liberty at this `
` moment and not I, since he knows everything and I know nothing. `
` They will believe he is arrested, and that will give him time; in `
` three days I will tell them who I am, and they cannot fail to let `
` me go.'" `
` `
` "Bravo, Athos! Noble heart!" murmured d'Artagnan. "I know him `
` well there! And what did the officers do?" `
` `
` "Four conveyed him away, I don't know where--to the Bastille or `
` Fort l'Eveque. Two remained with the men in black, who rummaged `
` every place and took all the papers. The last two mounted guard `
` at the door during this examination; then, when all was over, `
` they went away, leaving the house empty and exposed." `
` `
` "And Porthos and Aramis?" `
` `
` "I could not find them; they did not come." `
` `
` "But they may come any moment, for you left word that I awaited `
` them?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur." `
` `
` "Well, don't budge, then; if they come, tell them what has `
` happened. Let them wait for me at the Pomme-de-Pin. Here it `
` would be dangerous; the house may be watched. I will run to `
` Monsieur de Treville to tell them all this, and will meet them `
` there." `
` `
` "Very well, monsieur," said Planchet. `
` `
` "But you will remain; you are not afraid?" said d'Artagnan, `
` coming back to recommend courage to his lackey. `
`