Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
`
` Besides, it came into the young man's mind that by remaining in `
` the environs of the spot on which this sad event had passed, he `
` would, perhaps, have some light thrown upon the mysterious `
` affair. At the sixth cabaret, then, as we said, d'Artagnan `
` stopped, asked for a bottle of wine of the best quality, and `
` placing himself in the darkest corner of the room, determined `
` thus to wait till daylight; but this time again his hopes were `
` disappointed, and although he listened with all his ears, he `
` heard nothing, amid the oaths, coarse jokes, and abuse which `
` passed between the laborers, servants, and carters who comprised `
` the honorable society of which he formed a part, which could put `
` him upon the least track of her who had been stolen from him. He `
` was compelled, then, after having swallowed the contents of his `
` bottle, to pass the time as well as to evade suspicion, to fall `
` into the easiest position in his corner and to sleep, whether `
` well or ill. D'Artagnan, be it remembered, was only twenty years `
` old, and at that age sleep has its imprescriptible rights which `
` it imperiously insists upon, even with the saddest hearts. `
` `
` Toward six o'clock d'Artagnan awoke with that uncomfortable `
` feeling which generally accompanies the break of day after a bad `
` night. He was not long in making his toilet. He examined `
` himself to see if advantage had been taken of his sleep, and `
` having found his diamond ring on his finger, his purse in his `
` pocket, and his pistols in his belt, he rose, paid for his `
` bottle, and went out to try if he could have any better luck in `
` his search after his lackey than he had had the night before. `
` The first thing he perceived through the damp gray mist was `
` honest Planchet, who, with the two horses in hand, awaited him at `
` the door of a little blind cabaret, before which d'Artagnan had `
` passed without even a suspicion of its existence. `
` `
` `
` `
` 25 PORTHOS `
` `
` Instead of returning directly home, d'Artagnan alighted at the `
` door of M. de Treville, and ran quickly up the stairs. This time `
` he had decided to relate all that had passed. M. de Treville `
` would doubtless give him good advice as to the whole affair. `
` Besides, as M. de Treville saw the queen almost daily, he might `
` be able to draw from her Majesty some intelligence of the poor `
` young woman, whom they were doubtless making pay very dearly for `
` her devotedness to her mistress. `
` `
` M. de Treville listened to the young man's account with a `
` seriousness which proved that he saw something else in this `
` adventure besides a love affair. When d'Artagnan had finished, `
` he said, "Hum! All this savors of his Eminence, a league off." `
` `
` "But what is to be done?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Nothing, absolutely nothing, at present, but quitting Paris, `
` as I told you, as soon as possible. I will see the queen; I will `
` relate to her the details of the disappearance of this poor `
` woman, of which she is no doubt ignorant. These details will `
` guide her on her part, and on your return, I shall perhaps have `
` some good news to tell you. Rely on me." `
` `
` D'Artagnan knew that, although a Gascon, M. de Treville was not `
` in the habit of making promises, and that when by chance he did `
` promise, he more than kept his word. He bowed to him, then, full `
` of gratitude for the past and for the future; and the worthy `
` captain, who on his side felt a lively interest in this young `
` man, so brave and so resolute, pressed his hand kindly, wishing `
` him a pleasant journey. `
` `
` Determined to put the advice of M. de Treville in practice `
` instantly, d'Artagnan directed his course toward the Rue des `
` Fossoyeurs, in order to superintend the packing of his valise. `
` On approaching the house, he perceived M. Bonacieux in morning `
` costume, standing at his threshold. All that the prudent `
` Planchet had said to him the preceding evening about the sinister `
` character of the old man recurred to the mind of d'Artagnan, who `
` looked at him with more attention than he had done before. In `
` fact, in addition to that yellow, sickly paleness which indicates `
` the insinuation of the bile in the blood, and which might, `
` besides, be accidental, d'Artagnan remarked something `
` perfidiously significant in the play of the wrinkled features of `
` his countenance. A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an `
` honest man does; a hypocrite does not shed the tears of a man of `
` good faith. All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the `
` mask may be, with a little attention we may always succeed in `
` distinguishing it from the true face. `
` `
` It appeared, then, to d'Artagnan that M. Bonacieux wore a mask, `
` and likewise that that mask was most disagreeable to look upon. `
` In consequence of this feeling of repugnance, he was about to `
` pass without speaking to him, but, as he had done the day before, `
` M. Bonacieux accosted him. `
` `
` "Well, young man," said he, "we appear to pass rather gay nights! `
` Seven o'clock in the morning! PESTE! You seem to reverse `
` ordinary customs, and come home at the hour when other people are `
` going out." `
` `
` "No one can reproach you for anything of the kind, Monsieur `
` Bonacieux," said the young man; "you are a model for regular `
` people. It is true that when a man possesses a young and pretty `
` wife, he has no need to seek happiness elsewhere. Happiness `
` comes to meet him, does it not, Monsieur Bonacieux?" `
` `
` Bonacieux became as pale as death, and grinned a ghastly smile. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Bonacieux, "you are a jocular companion! But `
` where the devil were you gladding last night, my young master? `
` It does not appear to be very clean in the crossroads." `
` `
` D'Artagnan glanced down at his boots, all covered with mud; but `
` that same glance fell upon the shoes and stockings of the mercer, `
` and it might have been said they had been dipped in the same mud `
` heap. Both were stained with splashes of mud of the same `
` appearance. `
` `
` Then a sudden idea crossed the mind of d'Artagnan. That little `
` stout man, short and elderly, that sort of lackey, dressed in `
` dark clothes, treated without ceremony by the men wearing swords `
` who composed the escort, was Bonacieux himself. The husband had `
` presided at the abduction of his wife. `
` `
` A terrible inclination seized d'Artagnan to grasp the mercer by `
` the throat and strangle him; but, as we have said, he was a very `
` prudent youth, and he restrained himself. However, the `
` revolution which appeared upon his countenance was so visible `
` that Bonacieux was terrified at it, and he endeavored to draw `
` back a step or two; but as he was standing before the half of the `
` door which was shut, the obstacle compelled him to keep his `
` place. `
` `
` "Ah, but you are joking, my worthy man!" said d'Artagnan. It `
` appears to me that if my boots need a sponge, your stockings and `
` shoes stand in equal need of a brush. May you not have been `
` philandering a little also, Monsieur Bonacieux? Oh, the devil! `
` That's unpardonable in a man of your age, and who besides, has `
` such a pretty wife as yours." `
` `
` "Oh, Lord! no," said Bonacieux, "but yesterday I went to St. `
` Mande to make some inquiries after a servant, as I cannot `
` possibly do without one; and the roads were so bad that I brought `
` back all this mud, which I have not yet had time to remove." `
` `
` The place named by Bonacieux as that which had been the object of `
` his journey was a fresh proof in support of the suspicions `
` d'Artagnan had conceived. Bonacieux had named Mande because `
` Mande was in an exactly opposite direction from St. Cloud. This `
` probability afforded him his first consolation. If Bonacieux `
` knew where his wife was, one might, by extreme means, force the `
` mercer to open his teeth and let his secret escape. The `
` question, then, was how to change this probability into a `
` certainty. `
` `
` "Pardon, my dear Monsieur Bonacieux, if I don't stand upon `
` ceremony," said d'Artagnan, "but nothing makes one so thirsty as `
` want of sleep. I am parched with thirst. Allow me to take a `
` glass of water in your apartment; you know that is never refused `
` among neighbors." `
` `
` Without waiting for the permission of his host, d'Artagnan went `
` quickly into the house, and cast a rapid glance at the bed. It `
` had not been used. Bonacieux had not been abed. He had only `
` been back an hour or two; he had accompanied his wife to the `
` place of her confinement, or else at least to the first relay. `
` `
` "Thanks, Monsieur Bonacieux," said d'Artagnan, emptying his `
` glass, "that is all I wanted of you. I will now go up into my `
` apartment. I will make Planchet brush my boots; and when he has `
` done, I will, if you like, send him to you to brush your shoes." `
` `
` He left the mercer quite astonished at his singular farewell, and `
` asking himself if he had not been a little inconsiderate. `
` `
` At the top of the stairs he found Planchet in a great fright. `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" cried Planchet, as soon as he perceived his `
` master, "here is more trouble. I thought you would never come `
` in." `
` `
` "What's the matter now, Planchet?" demanded d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Oh! I give you a hundred, I give you a thousand times to guess, `
` monsieur, the visit I received in your absence." `
` `
` "When?" `
` `
` "About half an hour ago, while you were at Monsieur de `
` Treville's." `
` `
` "Who has been here? Come, speak." `
` `
` "Monsieur de Cavois." `
` `
` "Monsieur de Cavois?" `
` `
` "In person." `
` `
` "The captain of the cardinal's Guards?" `
` `
` "Himself." `
` `
` "Did he come to arrest me?" `
`
` Besides, it came into the young man's mind that by remaining in `
` the environs of the spot on which this sad event had passed, he `
` would, perhaps, have some light thrown upon the mysterious `
` affair. At the sixth cabaret, then, as we said, d'Artagnan `
` stopped, asked for a bottle of wine of the best quality, and `
` placing himself in the darkest corner of the room, determined `
` thus to wait till daylight; but this time again his hopes were `
` disappointed, and although he listened with all his ears, he `
` heard nothing, amid the oaths, coarse jokes, and abuse which `
` passed between the laborers, servants, and carters who comprised `
` the honorable society of which he formed a part, which could put `
` him upon the least track of her who had been stolen from him. He `
` was compelled, then, after having swallowed the contents of his `
` bottle, to pass the time as well as to evade suspicion, to fall `
` into the easiest position in his corner and to sleep, whether `
` well or ill. D'Artagnan, be it remembered, was only twenty years `
` old, and at that age sleep has its imprescriptible rights which `
` it imperiously insists upon, even with the saddest hearts. `
` `
` Toward six o'clock d'Artagnan awoke with that uncomfortable `
` feeling which generally accompanies the break of day after a bad `
` night. He was not long in making his toilet. He examined `
` himself to see if advantage had been taken of his sleep, and `
` having found his diamond ring on his finger, his purse in his `
` pocket, and his pistols in his belt, he rose, paid for his `
` bottle, and went out to try if he could have any better luck in `
` his search after his lackey than he had had the night before. `
` The first thing he perceived through the damp gray mist was `
` honest Planchet, who, with the two horses in hand, awaited him at `
` the door of a little blind cabaret, before which d'Artagnan had `
` passed without even a suspicion of its existence. `
` `
` `
` `
` 25 PORTHOS `
` `
` Instead of returning directly home, d'Artagnan alighted at the `
` door of M. de Treville, and ran quickly up the stairs. This time `
` he had decided to relate all that had passed. M. de Treville `
` would doubtless give him good advice as to the whole affair. `
` Besides, as M. de Treville saw the queen almost daily, he might `
` be able to draw from her Majesty some intelligence of the poor `
` young woman, whom they were doubtless making pay very dearly for `
` her devotedness to her mistress. `
` `
` M. de Treville listened to the young man's account with a `
` seriousness which proved that he saw something else in this `
` adventure besides a love affair. When d'Artagnan had finished, `
` he said, "Hum! All this savors of his Eminence, a league off." `
` `
` "But what is to be done?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Nothing, absolutely nothing, at present, but quitting Paris, `
` as I told you, as soon as possible. I will see the queen; I will `
` relate to her the details of the disappearance of this poor `
` woman, of which she is no doubt ignorant. These details will `
` guide her on her part, and on your return, I shall perhaps have `
` some good news to tell you. Rely on me." `
` `
` D'Artagnan knew that, although a Gascon, M. de Treville was not `
` in the habit of making promises, and that when by chance he did `
` promise, he more than kept his word. He bowed to him, then, full `
` of gratitude for the past and for the future; and the worthy `
` captain, who on his side felt a lively interest in this young `
` man, so brave and so resolute, pressed his hand kindly, wishing `
` him a pleasant journey. `
` `
` Determined to put the advice of M. de Treville in practice `
` instantly, d'Artagnan directed his course toward the Rue des `
` Fossoyeurs, in order to superintend the packing of his valise. `
` On approaching the house, he perceived M. Bonacieux in morning `
` costume, standing at his threshold. All that the prudent `
` Planchet had said to him the preceding evening about the sinister `
` character of the old man recurred to the mind of d'Artagnan, who `
` looked at him with more attention than he had done before. In `
` fact, in addition to that yellow, sickly paleness which indicates `
` the insinuation of the bile in the blood, and which might, `
` besides, be accidental, d'Artagnan remarked something `
` perfidiously significant in the play of the wrinkled features of `
` his countenance. A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an `
` honest man does; a hypocrite does not shed the tears of a man of `
` good faith. All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the `
` mask may be, with a little attention we may always succeed in `
` distinguishing it from the true face. `
` `
` It appeared, then, to d'Artagnan that M. Bonacieux wore a mask, `
` and likewise that that mask was most disagreeable to look upon. `
` In consequence of this feeling of repugnance, he was about to `
` pass without speaking to him, but, as he had done the day before, `
` M. Bonacieux accosted him. `
` `
` "Well, young man," said he, "we appear to pass rather gay nights! `
` Seven o'clock in the morning! PESTE! You seem to reverse `
` ordinary customs, and come home at the hour when other people are `
` going out." `
` `
` "No one can reproach you for anything of the kind, Monsieur `
` Bonacieux," said the young man; "you are a model for regular `
` people. It is true that when a man possesses a young and pretty `
` wife, he has no need to seek happiness elsewhere. Happiness `
` comes to meet him, does it not, Monsieur Bonacieux?" `
` `
` Bonacieux became as pale as death, and grinned a ghastly smile. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Bonacieux, "you are a jocular companion! But `
` where the devil were you gladding last night, my young master? `
` It does not appear to be very clean in the crossroads." `
` `
` D'Artagnan glanced down at his boots, all covered with mud; but `
` that same glance fell upon the shoes and stockings of the mercer, `
` and it might have been said they had been dipped in the same mud `
` heap. Both were stained with splashes of mud of the same `
` appearance. `
` `
` Then a sudden idea crossed the mind of d'Artagnan. That little `
` stout man, short and elderly, that sort of lackey, dressed in `
` dark clothes, treated without ceremony by the men wearing swords `
` who composed the escort, was Bonacieux himself. The husband had `
` presided at the abduction of his wife. `
` `
` A terrible inclination seized d'Artagnan to grasp the mercer by `
` the throat and strangle him; but, as we have said, he was a very `
` prudent youth, and he restrained himself. However, the `
` revolution which appeared upon his countenance was so visible `
` that Bonacieux was terrified at it, and he endeavored to draw `
` back a step or two; but as he was standing before the half of the `
` door which was shut, the obstacle compelled him to keep his `
` place. `
` `
` "Ah, but you are joking, my worthy man!" said d'Artagnan. It `
` appears to me that if my boots need a sponge, your stockings and `
` shoes stand in equal need of a brush. May you not have been `
` philandering a little also, Monsieur Bonacieux? Oh, the devil! `
` That's unpardonable in a man of your age, and who besides, has `
` such a pretty wife as yours." `
` `
` "Oh, Lord! no," said Bonacieux, "but yesterday I went to St. `
` Mande to make some inquiries after a servant, as I cannot `
` possibly do without one; and the roads were so bad that I brought `
` back all this mud, which I have not yet had time to remove." `
` `
` The place named by Bonacieux as that which had been the object of `
` his journey was a fresh proof in support of the suspicions `
` d'Artagnan had conceived. Bonacieux had named Mande because `
` Mande was in an exactly opposite direction from St. Cloud. This `
` probability afforded him his first consolation. If Bonacieux `
` knew where his wife was, one might, by extreme means, force the `
` mercer to open his teeth and let his secret escape. The `
` question, then, was how to change this probability into a `
` certainty. `
` `
` "Pardon, my dear Monsieur Bonacieux, if I don't stand upon `
` ceremony," said d'Artagnan, "but nothing makes one so thirsty as `
` want of sleep. I am parched with thirst. Allow me to take a `
` glass of water in your apartment; you know that is never refused `
` among neighbors." `
` `
` Without waiting for the permission of his host, d'Artagnan went `
` quickly into the house, and cast a rapid glance at the bed. It `
` had not been used. Bonacieux had not been abed. He had only `
` been back an hour or two; he had accompanied his wife to the `
` place of her confinement, or else at least to the first relay. `
` `
` "Thanks, Monsieur Bonacieux," said d'Artagnan, emptying his `
` glass, "that is all I wanted of you. I will now go up into my `
` apartment. I will make Planchet brush my boots; and when he has `
` done, I will, if you like, send him to you to brush your shoes." `
` `
` He left the mercer quite astonished at his singular farewell, and `
` asking himself if he had not been a little inconsiderate. `
` `
` At the top of the stairs he found Planchet in a great fright. `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" cried Planchet, as soon as he perceived his `
` master, "here is more trouble. I thought you would never come `
` in." `
` `
` "What's the matter now, Planchet?" demanded d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Oh! I give you a hundred, I give you a thousand times to guess, `
` monsieur, the visit I received in your absence." `
` `
` "When?" `
` `
` "About half an hour ago, while you were at Monsieur de `
` Treville's." `
` `
` "Who has been here? Come, speak." `
` `
` "Monsieur de Cavois." `
` `
` "Monsieur de Cavois?" `
` `
` "In person." `
` `
` "The captain of the cardinal's Guards?" `
` `
` "Himself." `
` `
` "Did he come to arrest me?" `
`