Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
off your boots yesterday from the pavement of Paris." `
` `
` "You are right, my dear Monsieur Bonacieux, my friends and I have `
` been on a little journey." `
` `
` "Far from here?" `
` `
` "Oh, Lord, no! About forty leagues only. We went to take `
` Monsieur Athos to the waters of Forges, where my friends still `
` remain." `
` `
` "And you have returned, have you not?" replied M. Bonacieux, `
` giving to his countenance a most sly air. "A handsome young `
` fellow like you does not obtain long leaves of absence from his `
` mistress; and we were impatiently waited for at Paris, were we `
` not?" `
` `
` "My faith!" said the young man, laughing, "I confess it, and so `
` much more the readily, my dear Bonacieux, as I see there is no `
` concealing anything from you. Yes, I was expected, and very `
` impatiently, I acknowledge." `
` `
` A slight shade passed over the brow of Bonacieux, but so slight `
` that d'Artagnan did not perceive it. `
` `
` "And we are going to be recompensed for our diligence?" continued `
` the mercer, with a trifling alteration in his voice--so trifling, `
` indeed, that d'Artagnan did not perceive it any more than he had `
` the momentary shade which, an instant before, had darkened the `
` countenance of the worthy man. `
` `
` "Ah, may you be a true prophet!" said d'Artagnan, laughing. `
` `
` "No; what I say," replied Bonacieux, "is only that I may know `
` whether I am delaying you." `
` `
` "Why that question, my dear host?" asked d'Artagnan. "Do you `
` intend to sit up for me?" `
` `
` "No; but since my arrest and the robbery that was committed in my `
` house, I am alarmed every time I hear a door open, particularly `
` in the night. What the deuce can you expect? I am no `
` swordsman." `
` `
` "Well, don't be alarmed if I return at one, two or three o'clock `
` in the morning; indeed, do not be alarmed if I do not come at `
` all." `
` `
` This time Bonacieux became so pale that d'Artagnan could not help `
` perceiving it, and asked him what was the matter. `
` `
` "Nothing," replied Bonacieux, "nothing. Since my misfortunes I `
` have been subject to faintnesses, which seize me all at once, and `
` I have just felt a cold shiver. Pay no attention to it; you have `
` nothing to occupy yourself with but being happy." `
` `
` "Then I have full occupation, for I am so." `
` `
` "Not yet; wait a little! This evening, you said." `
` `
` "Well, this evening will come, thank God! And perhaps you look `
` for it with as much impatience as I do; perhaps this evening `
` Madame Bonacieux will visit the conjugal domicile." `
` `
` "Madame Bonacieux is not at liberty this evening," replied the `
` husband, seriously; "she is detained at the Louvre this evening `
` by her duties." `
` `
` "So much the worse for you, my dear host, so much the worse! `
` When I am happy, I wish all the world to be so; but it appears `
` that is not possible." `
` `
` The young man departed, laughing at the joke, which he thought he `
` alone could comprehend. `
` `
` "Amuse yourself well!" replied Bonacieux, in a sepulchral tone. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan was too far off to hear him; and if he had heard `
` him in the disposition of mind he then enjoyed, he certainly `
` would not have remarked it. `
` `
` He took his way toward the hotel of M. de Treville; his visit of `
` the day before, it is to be remembered, had been very short and `
` very little explicative. `
` `
` He found Treville in a joyful mood. He had thought the king and `
` queen charming at the ball. It is true the cardinal had been `
` particularly ill-tempered. He had retired at one o'clock under `
` the pretense of being indisposed. As to their Majesties, they `
` did not return to the Louvre till six o'clock in the morning. `
` `
` "Now," said Treville, lowering his voice, and looking into every `
` corner of the apartment to see if they were alone, "now let us `
` talk about yourself, my young friend; for it is evident that your `
` happy return has something to do with the joy of the king, the `
` triumph of the queen, and the humiliation of his Eminence. You `
` must look out for yourself." `
` `
` "What have I to fear," replied d'Artagnan, "as long as I shall `
` have the luck to enjoy the favor of their Majesties?" `
` `
` "Everything, believe me. The cardinal is not the man to forget a `
` mystification until he has settled account with the mystifier; `
` and the mystifier appears to me to have the air of being a `
` certain young Gascon of my acquaintance." `
` `
` "Do you believe that the cardinal is as well posted as yourself, `
` and knows that I have been to London?" `
` `
` "The devil! You have been to London! Was it from London you `
` brought that beautiful diamond that glitters on your finger? `
` Beware, my dear d'Artagnan! A present from an enemy is not a `
` good thing. Are there not some Latin verses upon that subject? `
` Stop!" `
` `
` "Yes, doubtless," replied d'Artagnan, who had never been able to `
` cram the first rudiments of that language into his head, and who `
` had by his ignorance driven his master to despair, "yes, `
` doubtless there is one." `
` `
` "There certainly is one," said M. de Treville, who had a tincture `
` of literature, "and Monsieur de Benserade was quoting it to me `
` the other day. Stop a minute--ah, this is it: 'Timeo Danaos et `
` dona ferentes,' which means, 'Beware of the enemy who makes you `
` presents." `
` `
` "This diamond does not come from an enemy, monsieur," replied `
` d'Artagnan, "it comes from the queen." `
` `
` "From the queen! Oh, oh!" said M. de Treville. "Why, it is `
` indeed a true royal jewel, which is worth a thousand pistoles if `
` it is worth a denier. By whom did the queen send you this `
` jewel?" `
` `
` "She gave it to me herself." `
` `
` "Where?" `
` `
` "In the room adjoining the chamber in which she changed her `
` toilet." `
` `
` "How?" `
` `
` "Giving me her hand to kiss." `
` `
` "You have kissed the queen's hand?" said M. de Treville, looking `
` earnestly at d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Her Majesty did me the honor to grant me that favor." `
` `
` "And that in the presence of witnesses! Imprudent, thrice `
` imprudent!" `
` `
` "No, monsieur, be satisfied; nobody saw her," replied d'Artagnan, `
` and he related to M. de Treville how the affair came to pass. `
` `
` "Oh, the women, the women!" cried the old soldier. "I know them `
` by their romantic imagination. Everything that savors of mystery `
` charms them. So you have seen the arm, that was all. You would `
` meet the queen, and she would not know who you are?" `
` `
` "No; but thanks to this diamond," replied the young man. `
` `
` "Listen," said M. de Treville; "shall I give you counsel, good `
` counsel, the counsel of a friend?" `
` `
` "You will do me honor, monsieur," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Well, then, off to the nearest goldsmith's, and sell that `
` diamond for the highest price you can get from him. However much `
` of a Jew he may be, he will give you at least eight hundred `
` pistoles. Pistoles have no name, young man, and that ring has a `
` terrible one, which may betray him who wears it." `
` `
` "Sell this ring, a ring which comes from my sovereign? Never!" `
` said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Then, at least turn the gem inside, you silly fellow; for `
` everybody must be aware that a cadet from Gascony does not find `
` such stones in his mother's jewel case." `
` `
` "You think, then, I have something to dread?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I mean to say, young man, that he who sleeps over a mine the `
` match of which is already lighted, may consider himself in safety `
` in comparison with you." `
` `
` "The devil!" said d'Artagnan, whom the positive tone of M. de `
` Treville began to disquiet, "the devil! What must I do?" `
` `
` "Above all things be always on your guard. The cardinal has a `
` tenacious memory and a long arm; you may depend upon it, he will `
` repay you by some ill turn." `
` `
` "But of what sort?" `
` `
` "Eh! How can I tell? Has he not all the tricks of a demon at `
` his command? The least that can be expected is that you will be `
` arrested." `
` `
` "What! Will they dare to arrest a man in his Majesty's service?" `
`
` `
` "You are right, my dear Monsieur Bonacieux, my friends and I have `
` been on a little journey." `
` `
` "Far from here?" `
` `
` "Oh, Lord, no! About forty leagues only. We went to take `
` Monsieur Athos to the waters of Forges, where my friends still `
` remain." `
` `
` "And you have returned, have you not?" replied M. Bonacieux, `
` giving to his countenance a most sly air. "A handsome young `
` fellow like you does not obtain long leaves of absence from his `
` mistress; and we were impatiently waited for at Paris, were we `
` not?" `
` `
` "My faith!" said the young man, laughing, "I confess it, and so `
` much more the readily, my dear Bonacieux, as I see there is no `
` concealing anything from you. Yes, I was expected, and very `
` impatiently, I acknowledge." `
` `
` A slight shade passed over the brow of Bonacieux, but so slight `
` that d'Artagnan did not perceive it. `
` `
` "And we are going to be recompensed for our diligence?" continued `
` the mercer, with a trifling alteration in his voice--so trifling, `
` indeed, that d'Artagnan did not perceive it any more than he had `
` the momentary shade which, an instant before, had darkened the `
` countenance of the worthy man. `
` `
` "Ah, may you be a true prophet!" said d'Artagnan, laughing. `
` `
` "No; what I say," replied Bonacieux, "is only that I may know `
` whether I am delaying you." `
` `
` "Why that question, my dear host?" asked d'Artagnan. "Do you `
` intend to sit up for me?" `
` `
` "No; but since my arrest and the robbery that was committed in my `
` house, I am alarmed every time I hear a door open, particularly `
` in the night. What the deuce can you expect? I am no `
` swordsman." `
` `
` "Well, don't be alarmed if I return at one, two or three o'clock `
` in the morning; indeed, do not be alarmed if I do not come at `
` all." `
` `
` This time Bonacieux became so pale that d'Artagnan could not help `
` perceiving it, and asked him what was the matter. `
` `
` "Nothing," replied Bonacieux, "nothing. Since my misfortunes I `
` have been subject to faintnesses, which seize me all at once, and `
` I have just felt a cold shiver. Pay no attention to it; you have `
` nothing to occupy yourself with but being happy." `
` `
` "Then I have full occupation, for I am so." `
` `
` "Not yet; wait a little! This evening, you said." `
` `
` "Well, this evening will come, thank God! And perhaps you look `
` for it with as much impatience as I do; perhaps this evening `
` Madame Bonacieux will visit the conjugal domicile." `
` `
` "Madame Bonacieux is not at liberty this evening," replied the `
` husband, seriously; "she is detained at the Louvre this evening `
` by her duties." `
` `
` "So much the worse for you, my dear host, so much the worse! `
` When I am happy, I wish all the world to be so; but it appears `
` that is not possible." `
` `
` The young man departed, laughing at the joke, which he thought he `
` alone could comprehend. `
` `
` "Amuse yourself well!" replied Bonacieux, in a sepulchral tone. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan was too far off to hear him; and if he had heard `
` him in the disposition of mind he then enjoyed, he certainly `
` would not have remarked it. `
` `
` He took his way toward the hotel of M. de Treville; his visit of `
` the day before, it is to be remembered, had been very short and `
` very little explicative. `
` `
` He found Treville in a joyful mood. He had thought the king and `
` queen charming at the ball. It is true the cardinal had been `
` particularly ill-tempered. He had retired at one o'clock under `
` the pretense of being indisposed. As to their Majesties, they `
` did not return to the Louvre till six o'clock in the morning. `
` `
` "Now," said Treville, lowering his voice, and looking into every `
` corner of the apartment to see if they were alone, "now let us `
` talk about yourself, my young friend; for it is evident that your `
` happy return has something to do with the joy of the king, the `
` triumph of the queen, and the humiliation of his Eminence. You `
` must look out for yourself." `
` `
` "What have I to fear," replied d'Artagnan, "as long as I shall `
` have the luck to enjoy the favor of their Majesties?" `
` `
` "Everything, believe me. The cardinal is not the man to forget a `
` mystification until he has settled account with the mystifier; `
` and the mystifier appears to me to have the air of being a `
` certain young Gascon of my acquaintance." `
` `
` "Do you believe that the cardinal is as well posted as yourself, `
` and knows that I have been to London?" `
` `
` "The devil! You have been to London! Was it from London you `
` brought that beautiful diamond that glitters on your finger? `
` Beware, my dear d'Artagnan! A present from an enemy is not a `
` good thing. Are there not some Latin verses upon that subject? `
` Stop!" `
` `
` "Yes, doubtless," replied d'Artagnan, who had never been able to `
` cram the first rudiments of that language into his head, and who `
` had by his ignorance driven his master to despair, "yes, `
` doubtless there is one." `
` `
` "There certainly is one," said M. de Treville, who had a tincture `
` of literature, "and Monsieur de Benserade was quoting it to me `
` the other day. Stop a minute--ah, this is it: 'Timeo Danaos et `
` dona ferentes,' which means, 'Beware of the enemy who makes you `
` presents." `
` `
` "This diamond does not come from an enemy, monsieur," replied `
` d'Artagnan, "it comes from the queen." `
` `
` "From the queen! Oh, oh!" said M. de Treville. "Why, it is `
` indeed a true royal jewel, which is worth a thousand pistoles if `
` it is worth a denier. By whom did the queen send you this `
` jewel?" `
` `
` "She gave it to me herself." `
` `
` "Where?" `
` `
` "In the room adjoining the chamber in which she changed her `
` toilet." `
` `
` "How?" `
` `
` "Giving me her hand to kiss." `
` `
` "You have kissed the queen's hand?" said M. de Treville, looking `
` earnestly at d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Her Majesty did me the honor to grant me that favor." `
` `
` "And that in the presence of witnesses! Imprudent, thrice `
` imprudent!" `
` `
` "No, monsieur, be satisfied; nobody saw her," replied d'Artagnan, `
` and he related to M. de Treville how the affair came to pass. `
` `
` "Oh, the women, the women!" cried the old soldier. "I know them `
` by their romantic imagination. Everything that savors of mystery `
` charms them. So you have seen the arm, that was all. You would `
` meet the queen, and she would not know who you are?" `
` `
` "No; but thanks to this diamond," replied the young man. `
` `
` "Listen," said M. de Treville; "shall I give you counsel, good `
` counsel, the counsel of a friend?" `
` `
` "You will do me honor, monsieur," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Well, then, off to the nearest goldsmith's, and sell that `
` diamond for the highest price you can get from him. However much `
` of a Jew he may be, he will give you at least eight hundred `
` pistoles. Pistoles have no name, young man, and that ring has a `
` terrible one, which may betray him who wears it." `
` `
` "Sell this ring, a ring which comes from my sovereign? Never!" `
` said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Then, at least turn the gem inside, you silly fellow; for `
` everybody must be aware that a cadet from Gascony does not find `
` such stones in his mother's jewel case." `
` `
` "You think, then, I have something to dread?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I mean to say, young man, that he who sleeps over a mine the `
` match of which is already lighted, may consider himself in safety `
` in comparison with you." `
` `
` "The devil!" said d'Artagnan, whom the positive tone of M. de `
` Treville began to disquiet, "the devil! What must I do?" `
` `
` "Above all things be always on your guard. The cardinal has a `
` tenacious memory and a long arm; you may depend upon it, he will `
` repay you by some ill turn." `
` `
` "But of what sort?" `
` `
` "Eh! How can I tell? Has he not all the tricks of a demon at `
` his command? The least that can be expected is that you will be `
` arrested." `
` `
` "What! Will they dare to arrest a man in his Majesty's service?" `
`