Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
"But," continued M. de Treville, fixing upon his compatriot a `
` look so piercing that it might be said he wished to read the `
` thoughts of his heart, "on account of my old companion, your `
` father, as I have said, I will do something for you, young man. `
` Our recruits from Bearn are not generally very rich, and I have `
` no reason to think matters have much changed in this respect `
` since I left the province. I dare say you have not brought too `
` large a stock of money with you?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan drew himself up with a proud air which plainly said, `
` "I ask alms of no man." `
` `
` "Oh, that's very well, young man," continued M. de Treville, `
` "that's all very well. I know these airs; I myself came to Paris `
` with four crowns in my purse, and would have fought with anyone `
` who dared to tell me I was not in a condition to purchase the `
` Louvre." `
` `
` D'Artagnan's bearing became still more imposing. Thanks to the `
` sale of his horse, he commenced his career with four more crowns `
` than M. de Treville possessed at the commencement of his. `
` `
` "You ought, I say, then, to husband the means you have, however `
` large the sum may be; but you ought also to endeavor to perfect `
` yourself in the exercises becoming a gentleman. I will write a `
` letter today to the Director of the Royal Academy, and tomorrow `
` he will admit you without any expense to yourself. Do not refuse `
` this little service. Our best-born and richest gentlemen `
` sometimes solicit it without being able to obtain it. You will `
` learn horsemanship, swordsmanship in all its branches, and `
` dancing. You will make some desirable acquaintances; and from `
` time to time you can call upon me, just to tell me how you are getting `
` on, and to say whether I can be of further service to you." `
` `
` D'Artagnan, stranger as he was to all the manners of a court, `
` could not but perceive a little coldness in this reception. `
` `
` "Alas, sir," said he, "I cannot but perceive how sadly I miss the `
` letter of introduction which my father gave me to present to `
` you." `
` `
` "I certainly am surprised," replied M. de Treville, "that you `
` should undertake so long a journey without that necessary `
` passport, the sole resource of us poor Bearnese." `
` `
` "I had one, sir, and, thank God, such as I could wish," cried `
` d'Artagnan; "but it was perfidiously stolen from me." `
` `
` He then related the adventure of Meung, described the unknown `
` gentleman with the greatest minuteness, and all with a warmth and `
` truthfulness that delighted M. de Treville. `
` `
` "This is all very strange," said M. de Treville, after meditating `
` a minute; "you mentioned my name, then, aloud?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir, I certainly committed that imprudence; but why should `
` I have done otherwise? A name like yours must be as a buckler to `
` me on my way. Judge if I should not put myself under its `
` protection." `
` `
` Flattery was at that period very current, and M. de Treville `
` loved incense as well as a king, or even a cardinal. He could `
` not refrain from a smile of visible satisfaction; but this smile `
` soon disappeared, and returning to the adventure of Meung, "Tell `
` me," continued he, "had not this gentlemen a slight scar on his `
` cheek?" `
` `
` "Yes, such a one as would be made by the grazing of a ball." `
` `
` "Was he not a fine-looking man?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Of lofty stature." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Of complexion and brown hair?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes, that is he; how is it, sir, that you are acquainted `
` with this man? If I ever find him again--and I will find him, I `
` swear, were it in hell!" `
` `
` "He was waiting for a woman," continued Treville. `
` `
` "He departed immediately after having conversed for a minute with `
` her whom he awaited." `
` `
` "You know not the subject of their conversation?" `
` `
` "He gave her a box, told her not to open it except in London." `
` `
` "Was this woman English?" `
` `
` "He called her Milady." `
` `
` "It is he; it must be he!" murmured Treville. "I believed him `
` still at Brussels." `
` `
` "Oh, sir, if you know who this man is," cried d'Artagnan, "tell `
` me who he is, and whence he is. I will then release you from all `
` your promises--even that of procuring my admission into the `
` Musketeers; for before everything, I wish to avenge myself." `
` `
` "Beware, young man!" cried Treville. "If you see him coming on `
` one side of the street, pass by on the other. Do not cast `
` yourself against such a rock; he would break you like glass." `
` `
` "That will not prevent me," replied d'Artagnan, "if ever I find `
` him." `
` `
` "In the meantime," said Treville, "seek him not--if I have a `
` right to advise you." `
` `
` All at once the captain stopped, as if struck by a sudden `
` suspicion. This great hatred which the young traveler manifested `
` so loudly for this man, who--a rather improbable thing--had `
` stolen his father's letter from him--was there not some perfidy `
` concealed under this hatred? Might not this young man be sent by `
` his Eminence? Might he not have come for the purpose of laying a `
` snare for him? This pretended d'Artagnan--was he not an emissary `
` of the cardinal, whom the cardinal sought to introduce into `
` Treville's house, to place near him, to win his confidence, and `
` afterward to ruin him as had been done in a thousand other `
` instances? He fixed his eyes upon d'Artagnan even more earnestly `
` than before. He was moderately reassured however, by the aspect `
` of that countenance, full of astute intelligence and affected `
` humility. "I know he is a Gascon," reflected he, "but he may be `
` one for the cardinal as well as for me. Let us try him." `
` `
` "My friend," said he, slowly, "I wish, as the son of an ancient `
` friend--for I consider this story of the lost letter perfectly `
` true--I wish, I say, in order to repair the coldness you may have `
` remarked in my reception of you, to discover to you the secrets `
` of our policy. The king and the cardinal are the best of `
` friends; their apparent bickerings are only feints to deceive `
` fools. I am not willing that a compatriot, a handsome cavalier, `
` a brave youth, quite fit to make his way, should become the dupe `
` of all these artifices and fall into the snare after the example `
` of so many others who have been ruined by it. Be assured that I `
` am devoted to both these all-powerful masters, and that my `
` earnest endeavors have no other aim than the service of the king, `
` and also the cardinal--one of the most illustrious geniuses that `
` France has ever produced. `
` `
` "Now, young man, regulate your conduct accordingly; and if you `
` entertain, whether from your family, your relations, or even from `
` your instincts, any of these enmities which we see constantly `
` breaking out against the cardinal, bid me adieu and let us `
` separate. I will aid you in many ways, but without attaching you `
` to my person. I hope that my frankness at least will make you my `
` friend; for you are the only young man to whom I have hitherto `
` spoken as I have done to you." `
` `
` Treville said to himself: "If the cardinal has set this young `
` fox upon me, he will certainly not have failed--he, who knows how `
` bitterly I execrate him--to tell his spy that the best means of `
` making his court to me is to rail at him. Therefore, in spite of `
` all my protestations, if it be as I suspect, my cunning gossip `
` will assure me that he holds his Eminence in horror." `
` `
` It, however, proved otherwise. D'Artagnan answered, with the `
` greatest simplicity: "I came to Paris with exactly such `
` intentions. My father advised me to stoop to nobody but the `
` king, the cardinal, and yourself--whom he considered the first `
` three personages in France." `
` `
` D'Artagnan added M. de Treville to the others, as may be `
` perceived; but he thought this addition would do no harm. `
` `
` "I have the greatest veneration for the cardinal," continued he, `
` "and the most profound respect for his actions. So much the `
` better for me, sir, if you speak to me, as you say, with `
` frankness--for then you will do me the honor to esteem the `
` resemblance of our opinions; but if you have entertained any `
` doubt, as naturally you may, I feel that I am ruining myself by `
` speaking the truth. But I still trust you will not esteem me the `
` less for it, and that is my object beyond all others." `
` `
` M. de Treville was surprised to the greatest degree. So much `
` penetration, so much frankness, created admiration, but did not `
` entirely remove his suspicions. The more this young man was `
` superior to others, the more he was to be dreaded if he meant to `
` deceive him; "You are an honest youth; but at the present moment `
` I can only do for you that which I just now offered. My hotel `
` will be always open to you. Hereafter, being able to ask for me `
` at all hours, and consequently to take advantage of all `
` opportunities, you will probably obtain that which you desire." `
` `
` "That is to say," replied d'Artagnan, "that you will wait until I `
` have proved myself worthy of it. Well, be assured," added he, `
` with the familiarity of a Gascon, "you shall not wait long." And `
` he bowed in order to retire, and as if he considered the future `
` in his own hands. `
` `
` "But wait a minute," said M. de Treville, stopping him. "I `
` promised you a letter for the director of the Academy. Are you `
` too proud to accept it, young gentleman?" `
` `
` "No, sir," said d'Artagnan; "and I will guard it so carefully `
` that I will be sworn it shall arrive at its address, and woe be `
`
` look so piercing that it might be said he wished to read the `
` thoughts of his heart, "on account of my old companion, your `
` father, as I have said, I will do something for you, young man. `
` Our recruits from Bearn are not generally very rich, and I have `
` no reason to think matters have much changed in this respect `
` since I left the province. I dare say you have not brought too `
` large a stock of money with you?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan drew himself up with a proud air which plainly said, `
` "I ask alms of no man." `
` `
` "Oh, that's very well, young man," continued M. de Treville, `
` "that's all very well. I know these airs; I myself came to Paris `
` with four crowns in my purse, and would have fought with anyone `
` who dared to tell me I was not in a condition to purchase the `
` Louvre." `
` `
` D'Artagnan's bearing became still more imposing. Thanks to the `
` sale of his horse, he commenced his career with four more crowns `
` than M. de Treville possessed at the commencement of his. `
` `
` "You ought, I say, then, to husband the means you have, however `
` large the sum may be; but you ought also to endeavor to perfect `
` yourself in the exercises becoming a gentleman. I will write a `
` letter today to the Director of the Royal Academy, and tomorrow `
` he will admit you without any expense to yourself. Do not refuse `
` this little service. Our best-born and richest gentlemen `
` sometimes solicit it without being able to obtain it. You will `
` learn horsemanship, swordsmanship in all its branches, and `
` dancing. You will make some desirable acquaintances; and from `
` time to time you can call upon me, just to tell me how you are getting `
` on, and to say whether I can be of further service to you." `
` `
` D'Artagnan, stranger as he was to all the manners of a court, `
` could not but perceive a little coldness in this reception. `
` `
` "Alas, sir," said he, "I cannot but perceive how sadly I miss the `
` letter of introduction which my father gave me to present to `
` you." `
` `
` "I certainly am surprised," replied M. de Treville, "that you `
` should undertake so long a journey without that necessary `
` passport, the sole resource of us poor Bearnese." `
` `
` "I had one, sir, and, thank God, such as I could wish," cried `
` d'Artagnan; "but it was perfidiously stolen from me." `
` `
` He then related the adventure of Meung, described the unknown `
` gentleman with the greatest minuteness, and all with a warmth and `
` truthfulness that delighted M. de Treville. `
` `
` "This is all very strange," said M. de Treville, after meditating `
` a minute; "you mentioned my name, then, aloud?" `
` `
` "Yes, sir, I certainly committed that imprudence; but why should `
` I have done otherwise? A name like yours must be as a buckler to `
` me on my way. Judge if I should not put myself under its `
` protection." `
` `
` Flattery was at that period very current, and M. de Treville `
` loved incense as well as a king, or even a cardinal. He could `
` not refrain from a smile of visible satisfaction; but this smile `
` soon disappeared, and returning to the adventure of Meung, "Tell `
` me," continued he, "had not this gentlemen a slight scar on his `
` cheek?" `
` `
` "Yes, such a one as would be made by the grazing of a ball." `
` `
` "Was he not a fine-looking man?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Of lofty stature." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Of complexion and brown hair?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes, that is he; how is it, sir, that you are acquainted `
` with this man? If I ever find him again--and I will find him, I `
` swear, were it in hell!" `
` `
` "He was waiting for a woman," continued Treville. `
` `
` "He departed immediately after having conversed for a minute with `
` her whom he awaited." `
` `
` "You know not the subject of their conversation?" `
` `
` "He gave her a box, told her not to open it except in London." `
` `
` "Was this woman English?" `
` `
` "He called her Milady." `
` `
` "It is he; it must be he!" murmured Treville. "I believed him `
` still at Brussels." `
` `
` "Oh, sir, if you know who this man is," cried d'Artagnan, "tell `
` me who he is, and whence he is. I will then release you from all `
` your promises--even that of procuring my admission into the `
` Musketeers; for before everything, I wish to avenge myself." `
` `
` "Beware, young man!" cried Treville. "If you see him coming on `
` one side of the street, pass by on the other. Do not cast `
` yourself against such a rock; he would break you like glass." `
` `
` "That will not prevent me," replied d'Artagnan, "if ever I find `
` him." `
` `
` "In the meantime," said Treville, "seek him not--if I have a `
` right to advise you." `
` `
` All at once the captain stopped, as if struck by a sudden `
` suspicion. This great hatred which the young traveler manifested `
` so loudly for this man, who--a rather improbable thing--had `
` stolen his father's letter from him--was there not some perfidy `
` concealed under this hatred? Might not this young man be sent by `
` his Eminence? Might he not have come for the purpose of laying a `
` snare for him? This pretended d'Artagnan--was he not an emissary `
` of the cardinal, whom the cardinal sought to introduce into `
` Treville's house, to place near him, to win his confidence, and `
` afterward to ruin him as had been done in a thousand other `
` instances? He fixed his eyes upon d'Artagnan even more earnestly `
` than before. He was moderately reassured however, by the aspect `
` of that countenance, full of astute intelligence and affected `
` humility. "I know he is a Gascon," reflected he, "but he may be `
` one for the cardinal as well as for me. Let us try him." `
` `
` "My friend," said he, slowly, "I wish, as the son of an ancient `
` friend--for I consider this story of the lost letter perfectly `
` true--I wish, I say, in order to repair the coldness you may have `
` remarked in my reception of you, to discover to you the secrets `
` of our policy. The king and the cardinal are the best of `
` friends; their apparent bickerings are only feints to deceive `
` fools. I am not willing that a compatriot, a handsome cavalier, `
` a brave youth, quite fit to make his way, should become the dupe `
` of all these artifices and fall into the snare after the example `
` of so many others who have been ruined by it. Be assured that I `
` am devoted to both these all-powerful masters, and that my `
` earnest endeavors have no other aim than the service of the king, `
` and also the cardinal--one of the most illustrious geniuses that `
` France has ever produced. `
` `
` "Now, young man, regulate your conduct accordingly; and if you `
` entertain, whether from your family, your relations, or even from `
` your instincts, any of these enmities which we see constantly `
` breaking out against the cardinal, bid me adieu and let us `
` separate. I will aid you in many ways, but without attaching you `
` to my person. I hope that my frankness at least will make you my `
` friend; for you are the only young man to whom I have hitherto `
` spoken as I have done to you." `
` `
` Treville said to himself: "If the cardinal has set this young `
` fox upon me, he will certainly not have failed--he, who knows how `
` bitterly I execrate him--to tell his spy that the best means of `
` making his court to me is to rail at him. Therefore, in spite of `
` all my protestations, if it be as I suspect, my cunning gossip `
` will assure me that he holds his Eminence in horror." `
` `
` It, however, proved otherwise. D'Artagnan answered, with the `
` greatest simplicity: "I came to Paris with exactly such `
` intentions. My father advised me to stoop to nobody but the `
` king, the cardinal, and yourself--whom he considered the first `
` three personages in France." `
` `
` D'Artagnan added M. de Treville to the others, as may be `
` perceived; but he thought this addition would do no harm. `
` `
` "I have the greatest veneration for the cardinal," continued he, `
` "and the most profound respect for his actions. So much the `
` better for me, sir, if you speak to me, as you say, with `
` frankness--for then you will do me the honor to esteem the `
` resemblance of our opinions; but if you have entertained any `
` doubt, as naturally you may, I feel that I am ruining myself by `
` speaking the truth. But I still trust you will not esteem me the `
` less for it, and that is my object beyond all others." `
` `
` M. de Treville was surprised to the greatest degree. So much `
` penetration, so much frankness, created admiration, but did not `
` entirely remove his suspicions. The more this young man was `
` superior to others, the more he was to be dreaded if he meant to `
` deceive him; "You are an honest youth; but at the present moment `
` I can only do for you that which I just now offered. My hotel `
` will be always open to you. Hereafter, being able to ask for me `
` at all hours, and consequently to take advantage of all `
` opportunities, you will probably obtain that which you desire." `
` `
` "That is to say," replied d'Artagnan, "that you will wait until I `
` have proved myself worthy of it. Well, be assured," added he, `
` with the familiarity of a Gascon, "you shall not wait long." And `
` he bowed in order to retire, and as if he considered the future `
` in his own hands. `
` `
` "But wait a minute," said M. de Treville, stopping him. "I `
` promised you a letter for the director of the Academy. Are you `
` too proud to accept it, young gentleman?" `
` `
` "No, sir," said d'Artagnan; "and I will guard it so carefully `
` that I will be sworn it shall arrive at its address, and woe be `
`