Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
was giving himself to the devil upon finding nothing. `
` `
` "That letter is not lost!" cried he. `
` `
` "What!" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "No, it has been stolen from you." `
` `
` "Stolen? By whom?" `
` `
` "By the gentleman who was here yesterday. He came down into the `
` kitchen, where your doublet was. He remained there some time `
` alone. I would lay a wager he has stolen it." `
` `
` "Do you think so?" answered d'Artagnan, but little convinced, as `
` he knew better than anyone else how entirely personal the value `
` of this letter was, and was nothing in it likely to tempt `
` cupidity. The fact was that none of his servants, none of the `
` travelers present, could have gained anything by being possessed `
` of this paper. `
` `
` "Do you say," resumed d'Artagnan, "that you suspect that `
` impertinent gentleman?" `
` `
` "I tell you I am sure of it," continued the host. "When I `
` informed him that your lordship was the protege of Monsieur de `
` Treville, and that you even had a letter for that illustrious `
` gentleman, he appeared to be very much disturbed, and asked me `
` where that letter was, and immediately came down into the `
` kitchen, where he knew your doublet was." `
` `
` "Then that's my thief," replied d'Artagnan. "I will complain to `
` Monsieur de Treville, and Monsieur de Treville will complain to `
` the king." He then drew two crowns majestically from his purse `
` and gave them to the host, who accompanied him, cap in hand, to `
` the gate, and remounted his yellow horse, which bore him without `
` any further accident to the gate of St. Antoine at Paris, where `
` his owner sold him for three crowns, which was a very good price, `
` considering that d'Artagnan had ridden him hard during the last `
` stage. Thus the dealer to whom d'Artagnan sold him for the nine `
` livres did not conceal from the young man that he only gave that `
` enormous sum for him on the account of the originality of his `
` color. `
` `
` Thus d'Artagnan entered Paris on foot, carrying his little packet `
` under his arm, and walked about till he found an apartment to be `
` let on terms suited to the scantiness of his means. This chamber `
` was a sort of garret, situated in the Rue des Fossoyeurs, near `
` the Luxembourg. `
` `
` As soon as the earnest money was paid, d'Artagnan took possession `
` of his lodging, and passed the remainder of the day in sewing `
` onto his doublet and hose some ornamental braiding which his `
` mother had taken off an almost-new doublet of the elder M. `
` d'Artagnan, and which she had given her son secretly. Next he `
` went to the Quai de Feraille to have a new blade put to his `
` sword, and then returned toward the Louvre, inquiring of the `
` first Musketeer he met for the situation of the hotel of M. de `
` Treville, which proved to be in the Rue du Vieux-Colombier; that `
` is to say, in the immediate vicinity of the chamber hired by `
` d'Artagnan--a circumstance which appeared to furnish a happy `
` augury for the success of his journey. `
` `
` After this, satisfied with the way in which he had conducted `
` himself at Meung, without remorse for the past, confident in the `
` present, and full of hope for the future, he retired to bed and `
` slept the sleep of the brave. `
` `
` This sleep, provincial as it was, brought him to nine o'clock in `
` the morning; at which hour he rose, in order to repair to the `
` residence of M. de Treville, the third personage in the kingdom, in the `
` paternal estimation. `
` `
` `
` `
` 2 THE ANTECHAMBER OF M. DE TREVILLE `
` `
` M. de Troisville, as his family was still called in Gascony, or `
` M. de Treville, as he has ended by styling himself in Paris, had `
` really commenced life as d'Artagnan now did; that is to say, `
` without a sou in his pocket, but with a fund of audacity, `
` shrewdness, and intelligence which makes the poorest Gascon `
` gentleman often derive more in his hope from the paternal `
` inheritance than the richest Perigordian or Berrichan gentleman `
` derives in reality from his. His insolent bravery, his still `
` more insolent success at a time when blows poured down like hail, `
` had borne him to the top of that difficult ladder called Court `
` Favor, which he had climbed four steps at a time. `
` `
` He was the friend of the king, who honored highly, as everyone `
` knows, the memory of his father, Henry IV. The father of M. de `
` Treville had served him so faithfully in his wars against the `
` league that in default of money--a thing to which the Bearnais `
` was accustomed all his life, and who constantly paid his debts `
` with that of which he never stood in need of borrowing, that is `
` to say, with ready wit--in default of money, we repeat, he `
` authorized him, after the reduction of Paris, to assume for his `
` arms a golden lion passant upon gules, with the motto FIDELIS ET `
` FORTIS. This was a great matter in the way of honor, but very `
` little in the way of wealth; so that when the illustrious `
` companion of the great Henry died, the only inheritance he was `
` able to leave his son was his sword and his motto. Thanks to `
` this double gift and the spotless name that accompanied it, M. de `
` Treville was admitted into the household of the young prince `
` where he made such good use of his sword, and was so faithful to `
` his motto, that Louis XIII, one of the good blades of his `
` kingdom, was accustomed to say that if he had a friend who was `
` about to fight, he would advise him to choose as a second, `
` himself first, and Treville next--or even, perhaps, before `
` himself. `
` `
` Thus Louis XIII had a real liking for Treville--a royal liking, a `
` self-interested liking, it is true, but still a liking. At that `
` unhappy period it was an important consideration to be surrounded `
` by such men as Treville. Many might take for their device the `
` epithet STRONG, which formed the second part of his motto, but `
` very few gentlemen could lay claim to the FAITHFUL, which `
` constituted the first. Treville was one of these latter. His `
` was one of those rare organizations, endowed with an obedient `
` intelligence like that of the dog; with a blind valor, a quick `
` eye, and a prompt hand; to whom sight appeared only to be given `
` to see if the king were dissatisfied with anyone, and the hand to `
` strike this displeasing personage, whether a Besme, a Maurevers, `
` a Poltiot de Mere, or a Vitry. In short, up to this period `
` nothing had been wanting to Treville but opportunity; but he was `
` ever on the watch for it, and he faithfully promised himself that `
` he would not fail to seize it by its three hairs whenever it came `
` within reach of his hand. At last Louis XIII made Treville the `
` captain of his Musketeers, who were to Louis XIII in devotedness, `
` or rather in fanaticism, what his Ordinaries had been to Henry `
` III, and his Scotch Guard to Louis XI. `
` `
` On his part, the cardinal was not behind the king in this `
` respect. When he saw the formidable and chosen body with which `
` Louis XIII had surrounded himself, this second, or rather this `
` first king of France, became desirous that he, too, should have `
` his guard. He had his Musketeers therefore, as Louis XIII had `
` his, and these two powerful rivals vied with each other in `
` procuring, not only from all the provinces of France, but even `
` from all foreign states, the most celebrated swordsmen. It was `
` not uncommon for Richelieu and Louis XIII to dispute over their `
` evening game of chess upon the merits of their servants. Each `
` boasted the bearing and the courage of his own people. While `
` exclaiming loudly against duels and brawls, they excited them `
` secretly to quarrel, deriving an immoderate satisfaction or `
` genuine regret from the success or defeat of their own `
` combatants. We learn this from the memoirs of a man who was `
` concerned in some few of these defeats and in many of these `
` victories. `
` `
` Treville had grasped the weak side of his master; and it was to `
` this address that he owed the long and constant favor of a king `
` who has not left the reputation behind him of being very faithful `
` in his friendships. He paraded his Musketeers before the `
` Cardinal Armand Duplessis with an insolent air which made the `
` gray moustache of his Eminence curl with ire. Treville `
` understood admirably the war method of that period, in which he `
` who could not live at the expense of the enemy must live at the `
` expense of his compatriots. His soldiers formed a legion of `
` devil-may-care fellows, perfectly undisciplined toward all but `
` himself. `
` `
` Loose, half-drunk, imposing, the king's Musketeers, or rather M. `
` de Treville's, spread themselves about in the cabarets, in the `
` public walks, and the public sports, shouting, twisting their `
` mustaches, clanking their swords, and taking great pleasure in `
` annoying the Guards of the cardinal whenever they could fall in `
` with them; then drawing in the open streets, as if it were the `
` best of all possible sports; sometimes killed, but sure in that `
` case to be both wept and avenged; often killing others, but then `
` certain of not rotting in prison, M. de Treville being there to `
` claim them. Thus M. de Treville was praised to the highest note `
` by these men, who adored him, and who, ruffians as they were, `
` trembled before him like scholars before their master, obedient `
` to his least word, and ready to sacrifice themselves to wash out `
` the smallest insult. `
` `
` M. de Treville employed this powerful weapon for the king, in the `
` first place, and the friends of the king--and then for himself `
` and his own friends. For the rest, in the memoirs of this `
` period, which has left so many memoirs, one does not find this `
` worthy gentleman blamed even by his enemies; and he had many such `
` among men of the pen as well as among men of the sword. In no `
` instance, let us say, was this worthy gentleman accused of `
` deriving personal advantage from the cooperation of his minions. `
` Endowed with a rare genius for intrigue which rendered him the `
` equal of the ablest intriguers, he remained an honest man. Still `
` further, in spite of sword thrusts which weaken, and painful `
` exercises which fatigue, he had become one of the most gallant `
` frequenters of revels, one of the most insinuating lady's men, `
` one of the softest whisperers of interesting nothings of his `
` day; the BONNES FORTUNES of de Treville were talked of as those `
` of M. de Bassompierre had been talked of twenty years before, and `
` that was not saying a little. The captain of the Musketeers was `
` therefore admired, feared, and loved; and this constitutes the `
` zenith of human fortune. `
` `
` Louis XIV absorbed all the smaller stars of his court in his own `
` vast radiance; but his father, a sun PLURIBUS IMPAR, left his `
` personal splendor to each of his favorites, his individual value `
` to each of his courtiers. In addition to the leeves of the king `
`
` `
` "That letter is not lost!" cried he. `
` `
` "What!" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "No, it has been stolen from you." `
` `
` "Stolen? By whom?" `
` `
` "By the gentleman who was here yesterday. He came down into the `
` kitchen, where your doublet was. He remained there some time `
` alone. I would lay a wager he has stolen it." `
` `
` "Do you think so?" answered d'Artagnan, but little convinced, as `
` he knew better than anyone else how entirely personal the value `
` of this letter was, and was nothing in it likely to tempt `
` cupidity. The fact was that none of his servants, none of the `
` travelers present, could have gained anything by being possessed `
` of this paper. `
` `
` "Do you say," resumed d'Artagnan, "that you suspect that `
` impertinent gentleman?" `
` `
` "I tell you I am sure of it," continued the host. "When I `
` informed him that your lordship was the protege of Monsieur de `
` Treville, and that you even had a letter for that illustrious `
` gentleman, he appeared to be very much disturbed, and asked me `
` where that letter was, and immediately came down into the `
` kitchen, where he knew your doublet was." `
` `
` "Then that's my thief," replied d'Artagnan. "I will complain to `
` Monsieur de Treville, and Monsieur de Treville will complain to `
` the king." He then drew two crowns majestically from his purse `
` and gave them to the host, who accompanied him, cap in hand, to `
` the gate, and remounted his yellow horse, which bore him without `
` any further accident to the gate of St. Antoine at Paris, where `
` his owner sold him for three crowns, which was a very good price, `
` considering that d'Artagnan had ridden him hard during the last `
` stage. Thus the dealer to whom d'Artagnan sold him for the nine `
` livres did not conceal from the young man that he only gave that `
` enormous sum for him on the account of the originality of his `
` color. `
` `
` Thus d'Artagnan entered Paris on foot, carrying his little packet `
` under his arm, and walked about till he found an apartment to be `
` let on terms suited to the scantiness of his means. This chamber `
` was a sort of garret, situated in the Rue des Fossoyeurs, near `
` the Luxembourg. `
` `
` As soon as the earnest money was paid, d'Artagnan took possession `
` of his lodging, and passed the remainder of the day in sewing `
` onto his doublet and hose some ornamental braiding which his `
` mother had taken off an almost-new doublet of the elder M. `
` d'Artagnan, and which she had given her son secretly. Next he `
` went to the Quai de Feraille to have a new blade put to his `
` sword, and then returned toward the Louvre, inquiring of the `
` first Musketeer he met for the situation of the hotel of M. de `
` Treville, which proved to be in the Rue du Vieux-Colombier; that `
` is to say, in the immediate vicinity of the chamber hired by `
` d'Artagnan--a circumstance which appeared to furnish a happy `
` augury for the success of his journey. `
` `
` After this, satisfied with the way in which he had conducted `
` himself at Meung, without remorse for the past, confident in the `
` present, and full of hope for the future, he retired to bed and `
` slept the sleep of the brave. `
` `
` This sleep, provincial as it was, brought him to nine o'clock in `
` the morning; at which hour he rose, in order to repair to the `
` residence of M. de Treville, the third personage in the kingdom, in the `
` paternal estimation. `
` `
` `
` `
` 2 THE ANTECHAMBER OF M. DE TREVILLE `
` `
` M. de Troisville, as his family was still called in Gascony, or `
` M. de Treville, as he has ended by styling himself in Paris, had `
` really commenced life as d'Artagnan now did; that is to say, `
` without a sou in his pocket, but with a fund of audacity, `
` shrewdness, and intelligence which makes the poorest Gascon `
` gentleman often derive more in his hope from the paternal `
` inheritance than the richest Perigordian or Berrichan gentleman `
` derives in reality from his. His insolent bravery, his still `
` more insolent success at a time when blows poured down like hail, `
` had borne him to the top of that difficult ladder called Court `
` Favor, which he had climbed four steps at a time. `
` `
` He was the friend of the king, who honored highly, as everyone `
` knows, the memory of his father, Henry IV. The father of M. de `
` Treville had served him so faithfully in his wars against the `
` league that in default of money--a thing to which the Bearnais `
` was accustomed all his life, and who constantly paid his debts `
` with that of which he never stood in need of borrowing, that is `
` to say, with ready wit--in default of money, we repeat, he `
` authorized him, after the reduction of Paris, to assume for his `
` arms a golden lion passant upon gules, with the motto FIDELIS ET `
` FORTIS. This was a great matter in the way of honor, but very `
` little in the way of wealth; so that when the illustrious `
` companion of the great Henry died, the only inheritance he was `
` able to leave his son was his sword and his motto. Thanks to `
` this double gift and the spotless name that accompanied it, M. de `
` Treville was admitted into the household of the young prince `
` where he made such good use of his sword, and was so faithful to `
` his motto, that Louis XIII, one of the good blades of his `
` kingdom, was accustomed to say that if he had a friend who was `
` about to fight, he would advise him to choose as a second, `
` himself first, and Treville next--or even, perhaps, before `
` himself. `
` `
` Thus Louis XIII had a real liking for Treville--a royal liking, a `
` self-interested liking, it is true, but still a liking. At that `
` unhappy period it was an important consideration to be surrounded `
` by such men as Treville. Many might take for their device the `
` epithet STRONG, which formed the second part of his motto, but `
` very few gentlemen could lay claim to the FAITHFUL, which `
` constituted the first. Treville was one of these latter. His `
` was one of those rare organizations, endowed with an obedient `
` intelligence like that of the dog; with a blind valor, a quick `
` eye, and a prompt hand; to whom sight appeared only to be given `
` to see if the king were dissatisfied with anyone, and the hand to `
` strike this displeasing personage, whether a Besme, a Maurevers, `
` a Poltiot de Mere, or a Vitry. In short, up to this period `
` nothing had been wanting to Treville but opportunity; but he was `
` ever on the watch for it, and he faithfully promised himself that `
` he would not fail to seize it by its three hairs whenever it came `
` within reach of his hand. At last Louis XIII made Treville the `
` captain of his Musketeers, who were to Louis XIII in devotedness, `
` or rather in fanaticism, what his Ordinaries had been to Henry `
` III, and his Scotch Guard to Louis XI. `
` `
` On his part, the cardinal was not behind the king in this `
` respect. When he saw the formidable and chosen body with which `
` Louis XIII had surrounded himself, this second, or rather this `
` first king of France, became desirous that he, too, should have `
` his guard. He had his Musketeers therefore, as Louis XIII had `
` his, and these two powerful rivals vied with each other in `
` procuring, not only from all the provinces of France, but even `
` from all foreign states, the most celebrated swordsmen. It was `
` not uncommon for Richelieu and Louis XIII to dispute over their `
` evening game of chess upon the merits of their servants. Each `
` boasted the bearing and the courage of his own people. While `
` exclaiming loudly against duels and brawls, they excited them `
` secretly to quarrel, deriving an immoderate satisfaction or `
` genuine regret from the success or defeat of their own `
` combatants. We learn this from the memoirs of a man who was `
` concerned in some few of these defeats and in many of these `
` victories. `
` `
` Treville had grasped the weak side of his master; and it was to `
` this address that he owed the long and constant favor of a king `
` who has not left the reputation behind him of being very faithful `
` in his friendships. He paraded his Musketeers before the `
` Cardinal Armand Duplessis with an insolent air which made the `
` gray moustache of his Eminence curl with ire. Treville `
` understood admirably the war method of that period, in which he `
` who could not live at the expense of the enemy must live at the `
` expense of his compatriots. His soldiers formed a legion of `
` devil-may-care fellows, perfectly undisciplined toward all but `
` himself. `
` `
` Loose, half-drunk, imposing, the king's Musketeers, or rather M. `
` de Treville's, spread themselves about in the cabarets, in the `
` public walks, and the public sports, shouting, twisting their `
` mustaches, clanking their swords, and taking great pleasure in `
` annoying the Guards of the cardinal whenever they could fall in `
` with them; then drawing in the open streets, as if it were the `
` best of all possible sports; sometimes killed, but sure in that `
` case to be both wept and avenged; often killing others, but then `
` certain of not rotting in prison, M. de Treville being there to `
` claim them. Thus M. de Treville was praised to the highest note `
` by these men, who adored him, and who, ruffians as they were, `
` trembled before him like scholars before their master, obedient `
` to his least word, and ready to sacrifice themselves to wash out `
` the smallest insult. `
` `
` M. de Treville employed this powerful weapon for the king, in the `
` first place, and the friends of the king--and then for himself `
` and his own friends. For the rest, in the memoirs of this `
` period, which has left so many memoirs, one does not find this `
` worthy gentleman blamed even by his enemies; and he had many such `
` among men of the pen as well as among men of the sword. In no `
` instance, let us say, was this worthy gentleman accused of `
` deriving personal advantage from the cooperation of his minions. `
` Endowed with a rare genius for intrigue which rendered him the `
` equal of the ablest intriguers, he remained an honest man. Still `
` further, in spite of sword thrusts which weaken, and painful `
` exercises which fatigue, he had become one of the most gallant `
` frequenters of revels, one of the most insinuating lady's men, `
` one of the softest whisperers of interesting nothings of his `
` day; the BONNES FORTUNES of de Treville were talked of as those `
` of M. de Bassompierre had been talked of twenty years before, and `
` that was not saying a little. The captain of the Musketeers was `
` therefore admired, feared, and loved; and this constitutes the `
` zenith of human fortune. `
` `
` Louis XIV absorbed all the smaller stars of his court in his own `
` vast radiance; but his father, a sun PLURIBUS IMPAR, left his `
` personal splendor to each of his favorites, his individual value `
` to each of his courtiers. In addition to the leeves of the king `
`