Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
passions were raised to a certain point, could not dissemble; "I `
` have learned some fine things concerning your Musketeers." `
` `
` "And I," said Treville, coldly, "I have some pretty things `
` to tell your Majesty concerning these gownsmen." `
` `
` "What?" said the king, with hauteur. `
` `
` "I have the honor to inform your Majesty," continued M. de `
` Treville, in the same tone, "that a party of PROCUREURS, `
` commissaries, and men of the police--very estimable people, but `
` very inveterate, as it appears, against the uniform--have taken `
` upon themselves to arrest in a house, to lead away through the `
` open street, and throw into the Fort l'Eveque, all upon an order `
` which they have refused to show me, one of my, or rather your `
` Musketeers, sire, of irreproachable conduct, of an almost `
` illustrious reputation, and whom your Majesty knows favorably, `
` Monsieur Athos." `
` `
` "Athos," said the king, mechanically; "yes, certainly I know that `
` name." `
` `
` "Let your Majesty remember," said Treville, "that Monsieur Athos `
` is the Musketeer who, in the annoying duel which you are `
` acquainted with, had the misfortune to wound Monsieur de Cahusac `
` so seriously. A PROPOS, monseigneur," continued Treville. `
` Addressing the cardinal, "Monsieur de Cahusac is quite recovered, `
` is he not?" `
` `
` "Thank you," said the cardinal, biting his lips with anger. `
` `
` "Athos, then, went to pay a visit to one of his friends absent at `
` the time," continued Treville, "to a young Bearnais, a cadet in `
` his Majesty's Guards, the company of Monsieur Dessessart, but `
` scarcely had he arrived at his friend's and taken up a book, `
` while waiting his return, when a mixed crowd of bailiffs and `
` soldiers came and laid siege to the house, broke open several `
` doors--" `
` `
` The cardinal made the king a sign, which signified, "That was on `
` account of the affair about which I spoke to you." `
` `
` "We all know that," interrupted the king; "for all that was done `
` for our service." `
` `
` "Then," said Treville, "it was also for your Majesty's service `
` that one of my Musketeers, who was innocent, has been seized, `
` that he has been placed between two guards like a malefactor, and `
` that this gallant man, who has ten times shed his blood in your `
` Majesty's service and is ready to shed it again, has been paraded `
` through the midst of an insolent populace?" `
` `
` "Bah!" said the king, who began to be shaken, "was it so `
` managed?" `
` `
` "Monsieur de Treville," said the cardinal, with the greatest `
` phlegm, "does not tell your Majesty that this innocent Musketeer, `
` this gallant man, had only an hour before attacked, sword in `
` hand, four commissaries of inquiry, who were delegated by myself `
` to examine into an affair of the highest importance." `
` `
` "I defy your Eminence to prove it," cried Treville, with his `
` Gascon freedom and military frankness; "for one hour before, `
` Monsieur Athos, who, I will confide it to your Majesty, is really `
` a man of the highest quality, did me the honor after having dined `
` with me to be conversing in the saloon of my hotel, with the Duc `
` de la Tremouille and the Comte de Chalus, who happened to be `
` there." `
` `
` The king looked at the cardinal. `
` `
` "A written examination attests it," said the cardinal, replying `
` aloud to the mute interrogation of his Majesty; "and the ill- `
` treated people have drawn up the following, which I have the `
` honor to present to your Majesty." `
` `
` "And is the written report of the gownsmen to be placed in `
` comparison with the word of honor of a swordsman?" replied `
` Treville haughtily. `
` `
` "Come, come, Treville, hold your tongue," said the king. `
` `
` "If his Eminence entertains any suspicion against one of my `
` Musketeers," said Treville, "the justice of Monsieur the Cardinal `
` is so well known that I demand an inquiry." `
` `
` "In the house in which the judicial inquiry was made," continued `
` the impassive cardinal, "there lodges, I believe, a young `
` Bearnais, a friend of the Musketeer." `
` `
` "Your Eminence means Monsieur d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "I mean a young man whom you patronize, Monsieur de Treville." `
` `
` "Yes, your Eminence, it is the same." `
` `
` "Do you not suspect this young man of having given bad counsel?" `
` `
` "To Athos, to a man double his age?" interrupted Treville. "No, `
` monseigneur. Besides, d'Artagnan passed the evening with me." `
` `
` "Well," said the cardinal, "everybody seems to have passed the `
` evening with you." `
` `
` "Does your Eminence doubt my word?" said Treville, with a brow `
` flushed with anger. `
` `
` "No, God forbid," said the cardinal; "only, at what hour was he with you?" `
` `
` "Oh, as to that I can speak positively, your Eminence; for as he `
` came in I remarked that it was but half past nine by the clock, `
` although I had believed it to be later." `
` `
` "At what hour did he leave your hotel?" `
` `
` "At half past ten--an hour after the event." `
` `
` "Well," replied the cardinal, who could not for an instant `
` suspect the loyalty of Treville, and who felt that the victory `
` was escaping him, "well, but Athos WAS taken in the house in the `
` Rue des Fossoyeurs." `
` `
` "Is one friend forbidden to visit another, or a Musketeer of my `
` company to fraternize with a Guard of Dessessart's company?" `
` `
` "Yes, when the house where he fraternizes is suspected." `
` `
` "That house is suspected, Treville," said the king; "perhaps you `
` did not know it?" `
` `
` "Indeed, sire, I did not. The house may be suspected; but I deny `
` that it is so in the part of it inhabited my Monsieur d'Artagnan, `
` for I can affirm, sire, if I can believe what he says, that there `
` does not exist a more devoted servant of your Majesty, or a more `
` profound admirer of Monsieur the Cardinal." `
` `
` "Was it not this d'Artagnan who wounded Jussac one day, in that `
` unfortunate encounter which took place near the Convent of the `
` Carmes-Dechausses?" asked the king, looking at the cardinal, who `
` colored with vexation. `
` `
` "And the next day, Bernajoux. Yes, sire, yes, it is the same; and `
` your Majesty has a good memory." `
` `
` "Come, how shall we decide?" said the king. `
` `
` "That concerns your Majesty more than me," said the cardinal. "I `
` should affirm the culpability." `
` `
` "And I deny it," said Treville. "But his Majesty has judges, and `
` these judges will decide." `
` `
` "That is best," said the king. "Send the case before the judges; `
` it is their business to judge, and they shall judge." `
` `
` "Only," replied Treville, "it is a sad thing that in the `
` unfortunate times in which we live, the purest life, the most `
` incontestable virtue, cannot exempt a man from infamy and `
` persecution. The army, I will answer for it, will be but little `
` pleased at being exposed to rigorous treatment on account of `
` police affairs." `
` `
` The expression was imprudent; but M. de Treville launched it with `
` knowledge of his cause. He was desirous of an explosion, because `
` in that case the mine throws forth fire, and fire enlightens. `
` `
` "Police affairs!" cried the king, taking up Treville's words, `
` "police affairs! And what do you know about them, Monsieur? `
` Meddle with your Musketeers, and do not annoy me in this way. It `
` appears, according to your account, that if by mischance a `
` Musketeer is arrested, France is in danger. What a noise about a `
` Musketeer! I would arrest ten of them, VENTREBLEU, a hundred, `
` even, all the company, and I would not allow a whisper." `
` `
` "From the moment they are suspected by your Majesty," said `
` Treville, "the Musketeers are guilty; therefore, you see me `
` prepared to surrender my sword--for after having accused my `
` soldiers, there can be no doubt that Monsieur the Cardinal will `
` end by accusing me. It is best to constitute myself at once a `
` prisoner with Athos, who is already arrested, and with `
` d'Artagnan, who most probably will be." `
` `
` "Gascon-headed man, will you have done?" said the king. `
` `
` "Sire," replied Treville, without lowering his voice in the `
` least, "either order my Musketeer to be restored to me, or let `
` him be tried." `
` `
` "He shall be tried," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "Well, so much the better; for in that case I shall demand of his `
` Majesty permission to plead for him." `
` `
` The king feared an outbreak. `
` `
` "If his Eminence," said he, "did not have personal motives--" `
` `
` The cardinal saw what the king was about to say and interrupted `
` him: `
` `
` "Pardon me," said he; "but the instant your Majesty considers me `
`
` have learned some fine things concerning your Musketeers." `
` `
` "And I," said Treville, coldly, "I have some pretty things `
` to tell your Majesty concerning these gownsmen." `
` `
` "What?" said the king, with hauteur. `
` `
` "I have the honor to inform your Majesty," continued M. de `
` Treville, in the same tone, "that a party of PROCUREURS, `
` commissaries, and men of the police--very estimable people, but `
` very inveterate, as it appears, against the uniform--have taken `
` upon themselves to arrest in a house, to lead away through the `
` open street, and throw into the Fort l'Eveque, all upon an order `
` which they have refused to show me, one of my, or rather your `
` Musketeers, sire, of irreproachable conduct, of an almost `
` illustrious reputation, and whom your Majesty knows favorably, `
` Monsieur Athos." `
` `
` "Athos," said the king, mechanically; "yes, certainly I know that `
` name." `
` `
` "Let your Majesty remember," said Treville, "that Monsieur Athos `
` is the Musketeer who, in the annoying duel which you are `
` acquainted with, had the misfortune to wound Monsieur de Cahusac `
` so seriously. A PROPOS, monseigneur," continued Treville. `
` Addressing the cardinal, "Monsieur de Cahusac is quite recovered, `
` is he not?" `
` `
` "Thank you," said the cardinal, biting his lips with anger. `
` `
` "Athos, then, went to pay a visit to one of his friends absent at `
` the time," continued Treville, "to a young Bearnais, a cadet in `
` his Majesty's Guards, the company of Monsieur Dessessart, but `
` scarcely had he arrived at his friend's and taken up a book, `
` while waiting his return, when a mixed crowd of bailiffs and `
` soldiers came and laid siege to the house, broke open several `
` doors--" `
` `
` The cardinal made the king a sign, which signified, "That was on `
` account of the affair about which I spoke to you." `
` `
` "We all know that," interrupted the king; "for all that was done `
` for our service." `
` `
` "Then," said Treville, "it was also for your Majesty's service `
` that one of my Musketeers, who was innocent, has been seized, `
` that he has been placed between two guards like a malefactor, and `
` that this gallant man, who has ten times shed his blood in your `
` Majesty's service and is ready to shed it again, has been paraded `
` through the midst of an insolent populace?" `
` `
` "Bah!" said the king, who began to be shaken, "was it so `
` managed?" `
` `
` "Monsieur de Treville," said the cardinal, with the greatest `
` phlegm, "does not tell your Majesty that this innocent Musketeer, `
` this gallant man, had only an hour before attacked, sword in `
` hand, four commissaries of inquiry, who were delegated by myself `
` to examine into an affair of the highest importance." `
` `
` "I defy your Eminence to prove it," cried Treville, with his `
` Gascon freedom and military frankness; "for one hour before, `
` Monsieur Athos, who, I will confide it to your Majesty, is really `
` a man of the highest quality, did me the honor after having dined `
` with me to be conversing in the saloon of my hotel, with the Duc `
` de la Tremouille and the Comte de Chalus, who happened to be `
` there." `
` `
` The king looked at the cardinal. `
` `
` "A written examination attests it," said the cardinal, replying `
` aloud to the mute interrogation of his Majesty; "and the ill- `
` treated people have drawn up the following, which I have the `
` honor to present to your Majesty." `
` `
` "And is the written report of the gownsmen to be placed in `
` comparison with the word of honor of a swordsman?" replied `
` Treville haughtily. `
` `
` "Come, come, Treville, hold your tongue," said the king. `
` `
` "If his Eminence entertains any suspicion against one of my `
` Musketeers," said Treville, "the justice of Monsieur the Cardinal `
` is so well known that I demand an inquiry." `
` `
` "In the house in which the judicial inquiry was made," continued `
` the impassive cardinal, "there lodges, I believe, a young `
` Bearnais, a friend of the Musketeer." `
` `
` "Your Eminence means Monsieur d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "I mean a young man whom you patronize, Monsieur de Treville." `
` `
` "Yes, your Eminence, it is the same." `
` `
` "Do you not suspect this young man of having given bad counsel?" `
` `
` "To Athos, to a man double his age?" interrupted Treville. "No, `
` monseigneur. Besides, d'Artagnan passed the evening with me." `
` `
` "Well," said the cardinal, "everybody seems to have passed the `
` evening with you." `
` `
` "Does your Eminence doubt my word?" said Treville, with a brow `
` flushed with anger. `
` `
` "No, God forbid," said the cardinal; "only, at what hour was he with you?" `
` `
` "Oh, as to that I can speak positively, your Eminence; for as he `
` came in I remarked that it was but half past nine by the clock, `
` although I had believed it to be later." `
` `
` "At what hour did he leave your hotel?" `
` `
` "At half past ten--an hour after the event." `
` `
` "Well," replied the cardinal, who could not for an instant `
` suspect the loyalty of Treville, and who felt that the victory `
` was escaping him, "well, but Athos WAS taken in the house in the `
` Rue des Fossoyeurs." `
` `
` "Is one friend forbidden to visit another, or a Musketeer of my `
` company to fraternize with a Guard of Dessessart's company?" `
` `
` "Yes, when the house where he fraternizes is suspected." `
` `
` "That house is suspected, Treville," said the king; "perhaps you `
` did not know it?" `
` `
` "Indeed, sire, I did not. The house may be suspected; but I deny `
` that it is so in the part of it inhabited my Monsieur d'Artagnan, `
` for I can affirm, sire, if I can believe what he says, that there `
` does not exist a more devoted servant of your Majesty, or a more `
` profound admirer of Monsieur the Cardinal." `
` `
` "Was it not this d'Artagnan who wounded Jussac one day, in that `
` unfortunate encounter which took place near the Convent of the `
` Carmes-Dechausses?" asked the king, looking at the cardinal, who `
` colored with vexation. `
` `
` "And the next day, Bernajoux. Yes, sire, yes, it is the same; and `
` your Majesty has a good memory." `
` `
` "Come, how shall we decide?" said the king. `
` `
` "That concerns your Majesty more than me," said the cardinal. "I `
` should affirm the culpability." `
` `
` "And I deny it," said Treville. "But his Majesty has judges, and `
` these judges will decide." `
` `
` "That is best," said the king. "Send the case before the judges; `
` it is their business to judge, and they shall judge." `
` `
` "Only," replied Treville, "it is a sad thing that in the `
` unfortunate times in which we live, the purest life, the most `
` incontestable virtue, cannot exempt a man from infamy and `
` persecution. The army, I will answer for it, will be but little `
` pleased at being exposed to rigorous treatment on account of `
` police affairs." `
` `
` The expression was imprudent; but M. de Treville launched it with `
` knowledge of his cause. He was desirous of an explosion, because `
` in that case the mine throws forth fire, and fire enlightens. `
` `
` "Police affairs!" cried the king, taking up Treville's words, `
` "police affairs! And what do you know about them, Monsieur? `
` Meddle with your Musketeers, and do not annoy me in this way. It `
` appears, according to your account, that if by mischance a `
` Musketeer is arrested, France is in danger. What a noise about a `
` Musketeer! I would arrest ten of them, VENTREBLEU, a hundred, `
` even, all the company, and I would not allow a whisper." `
` `
` "From the moment they are suspected by your Majesty," said `
` Treville, "the Musketeers are guilty; therefore, you see me `
` prepared to surrender my sword--for after having accused my `
` soldiers, there can be no doubt that Monsieur the Cardinal will `
` end by accusing me. It is best to constitute myself at once a `
` prisoner with Athos, who is already arrested, and with `
` d'Artagnan, who most probably will be." `
` `
` "Gascon-headed man, will you have done?" said the king. `
` `
` "Sire," replied Treville, without lowering his voice in the `
` least, "either order my Musketeer to be restored to me, or let `
` him be tried." `
` `
` "He shall be tried," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "Well, so much the better; for in that case I shall demand of his `
` Majesty permission to plead for him." `
` `
` The king feared an outbreak. `
` `
` "If his Eminence," said he, "did not have personal motives--" `
` `
` The cardinal saw what the king was about to say and interrupted `
` him: `
` `
` "Pardon me," said he; "but the instant your Majesty considers me `
`