Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
"Did he come to arrest me?" `
` `
` "I have no doubt that he did, monsieur, for all his wheedling `
` manner." `
` `
` "Was he so sweet, then?" `
` `
` "Indeed, he was all honey, monsieur." `
` `
` "Indeed!" `
` `
` "He came, he said, on the part of his Eminence, who wished you `
` well, and to beg you to follow him to the Palais-Royal."* `
` `
` *It was called the Palais-Cardinal before Richelieu gave it to `
` the King. `
` `
` "What did you answer him?" `
` `
` "That the thing was impossible, seeing that you were not at home, `
` as he could see." `
` `
` "Well, what did he say then?" `
` `
` "That you must not fail to call upon him in the course of the `
` day; and then he added in a low voice, 'Tell your master that his `
` Eminence is very well disposed toward him, and that his fortune `
` perhaps depends upon this interview.'" `
` `
` "The snare is rather MALADROIT for the cardinal," replied the `
` young man, smiling. `
` `
` "Oh, I saw the snare, and I answered you would be quite in `
` despair on your return. `
` `
` "'Where has he gone?' asked Monsieur de Cavois. `
` `
` "'To Troyes, in Champagne,' I answered. `
` `
` "'And when did he set out?' `
` `
` "'Yesterday evening.'" `
` `
` "Planchet, my friend," interrupted d'Artagnan, "you are really a `
` precious fellow." `
` `
` "You will understand, monsieur, I thought there would be still `
` time, if you wish, to see Monsieur de Cavois to contradict me by `
` saying you were not yet gone. The falsehood would then lie at my `
` door, and as I am not a gentleman, I may be allowed to lie." `
` `
` "Be of good heart, Planchet, you shall preserve your reputation `
` as a veracious man. In a quarter of an hour we set off." `
` `
` "That's the advice I was about to give Monsieur; and where are we `
` going, may I ask, without being too curious?" `
` `
` "PARDIEU! In the opposite direction to that which you said I was `
` gone. Besides, are you not as anxious to learn news of Grimaud, `
` Mousqueton, and Bazin as I am to know what has become of Athos, `
` Porthos, and Aramis?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said Planchet, "and I will go as soon as you `
` please. Indeed, I think provincial air will suit us much better `
` just now than the air of Paris. So then--" `
` `
` "So then, pack up our luggage, Planchet, and let us be off. On `
` my part, I will go out with my hands in my pockets, that nothing `
` may be suspected. You may join me at the Hotel des Gardes. By `
` the way, Planchet, I think you are right with respect to our `
` host, and that he is decidedly a frightfully low wretch." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur, you may take my word when I tell you anything. I `
` am a physiognomist, I assure you." `
` `
` D'Artagnan went out first, as had been agreed upon. Then, in `
` order that he might have nothing to reproach himself with, he `
` directed his steps, for the last time, toward the residences of `
` his three friends. No news had been received of them; only a `
` letter, all perfumed and of an elegant writing in small `
` characters, had come for Aramis. D'Artagnan took charge of it. `
` Ten minutes afterward Planchet joined him at the stables of the `
` Hotel des Gardes. D'Artagnan, in order that there might be no `
` time lost, had saddled his horse himself. `
` `
` "That's well," said he to Planchet, when the latter added the `
` portmanteau to the equipment. "Now saddle the other three `
` horses." `
` `
` "Do you think, then, monsieur, that we shall travel faster with `
` two horses apiece?" said Planchet, with his shrewd air. `
` `
` "No, Monsieur Jester," replied d'Artagnan; "but with our four `
` horses we may bring back our three friends, if we should have the `
` good fortune to find them living." `
` `
` "Which is a great chance," replied Planchet, "but we must not `
` despair of the mercy of God." `
` `
` "Amen!" said d'Artagnan, getting into his saddle. `
` `
` As they went from the Hotel des Gardes, they separated, leaving `
` the street at opposite ends, one having to quit Paris by the `
` Barriere de la Villette and the other by the Barriere Montmartre, `
` to meet again beyond St. Denis--a strategic maneuver which, `
` having been executed with equal punctuality, was crowned with the `
` most fortunate results. D'Artagnan and Planchet entered `
` Pierrefitte together. `
` `
` Planchet was more courageous, it must be admitted, by day than by `
` night. His natural prudence, however, never forsook him for a `
` single instant. He had forgotten not one of the incidents of the `
` first journey, and he looked upon everybody he met on the road as `
` an enemy. It followed that his hat was forever in his hand, `
` which procured him some severe reprimands from d'Artagnan, who `
` feared that his excess of politeness would lead people to think `
` he was the lackey of a man of no consequence. `
` `
` Nevertheless, whether the passengers were really touched by the `
` urbanity of Planchet or whether this time nobody was posted on `
` the young man's road, our two travelers arrived at Chantilly `
` without any accident, and alighted at the tavern of Great St. `
` Martin, the same at which they had stopped on their first `
` journey. `
` `
` The host, on seeing a young man followed by a lackey with two `
` extra horses, advanced respectfully to the door. Now, as they `
` had already traveled eleven leagues, d'Artagnan thought it time `
` to stop, whether Porthos were or were not in the inn. Perhaps it `
` would not be prudent to ask at once what had become of the `
` Musketeer. The result of these reflections was that d'Artagnan, `
` without asking information of any kind, alighted, commended the `
` horses to the care of his lackey, entered a small room destined `
` to receive those who wished to be alone, and desired the host to `
` bring him a bottle of his best wine and as good a breakfast as `
` possible--a desire which further corroborated the high opinion `
` the innkeeper had formed of the traveler at first sight. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was therefore served with miraculous celerity. The `
` regiment of the Guards was recruited among the first gentlemen of `
` the kingdom; and d'Artagnan, followed by a lackey, and traveling `
` with four magnificent horses, despite the simplicity of his `
` uniform, could not fail to make a sensation. The host desired `
` himself to serve him; which d'Artagnan perceiving, ordered two `
` glasses to be brought, and commenced the following conversation. `
` `
` "My faith, my good host," said d'Artagnan, filling the two `
` glasses, "I asked for a bottle of your best wine, and if you have `
` deceived me, you will be punished in what you have sinned; for `
` seeing that I hate drinking my myself, you shall drink with me. `
` Take your glass, then, and let us drink. But what shall we drink `
` to, so as to avoid wounding any susceptibility? Let us drink to `
` the prosperity of your establishment." `
` `
` "Your Lordship does me much honor," said the host, "and I thank `
` you sincerely for your kind wish." `
` `
` "But don't mistake," said d'Artagnan, "there is more selfishness `
` in my toast than perhaps you may think--for it is only in `
` prosperous establishments that one is well received. In hotels `
` that do not flourish, everything is in confusion, and the `
` traveler is a victim to the embarrassments of his host. Now, I `
` travel a great deal, particularly on this road, and I wish to see `
` all innkeepers making a fortune." `
` `
` "It seems to me," said the host, "that this is not the first time `
` I have had the honor of seeing Monsieur." `
` `
` "Bah, I have passed perhaps ten times through Chantilly, and out `
` of the ten times I have stopped three or four times at your house `
` at least. Why I was here only ten or twelve days ago. I was `
` conducting some friends, Musketeers, one of whom, by the by, had `
` a dispute with a stranger--a man who sought a quarrel with him, `
` for I don't know what." `
` `
` "Exactly so," said the host; "I remember it perfectly. It is not `
` Monsieur Porthos that your Lordship means?" `
` `
` "Yes, that is my companion's name. My God, my dear host, tell me `
` if anything has happened to him?" `
` `
` "Your Lordship must have observed that he could not continue his `
` journey." `
` `
` "Why, to be sure, he promised to rejoin us, and we have seen `
` nothing of him." `
` `
` "He has done us the honor to remain here." `
` `
` "What, he had done you the honor to remain here?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, in this house; and we are even a little uneasy--" `
` `
` "On what account?" `
` `
` "Of certain expenses he has contracted." `
` `
` "Well, but whatever expenses he may have incurred, I am sure he `
` is in a condition to pay them." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur, you infuse genuine balm into my blood. We have `
`
` `
` "I have no doubt that he did, monsieur, for all his wheedling `
` manner." `
` `
` "Was he so sweet, then?" `
` `
` "Indeed, he was all honey, monsieur." `
` `
` "Indeed!" `
` `
` "He came, he said, on the part of his Eminence, who wished you `
` well, and to beg you to follow him to the Palais-Royal."* `
` `
` *It was called the Palais-Cardinal before Richelieu gave it to `
` the King. `
` `
` "What did you answer him?" `
` `
` "That the thing was impossible, seeing that you were not at home, `
` as he could see." `
` `
` "Well, what did he say then?" `
` `
` "That you must not fail to call upon him in the course of the `
` day; and then he added in a low voice, 'Tell your master that his `
` Eminence is very well disposed toward him, and that his fortune `
` perhaps depends upon this interview.'" `
` `
` "The snare is rather MALADROIT for the cardinal," replied the `
` young man, smiling. `
` `
` "Oh, I saw the snare, and I answered you would be quite in `
` despair on your return. `
` `
` "'Where has he gone?' asked Monsieur de Cavois. `
` `
` "'To Troyes, in Champagne,' I answered. `
` `
` "'And when did he set out?' `
` `
` "'Yesterday evening.'" `
` `
` "Planchet, my friend," interrupted d'Artagnan, "you are really a `
` precious fellow." `
` `
` "You will understand, monsieur, I thought there would be still `
` time, if you wish, to see Monsieur de Cavois to contradict me by `
` saying you were not yet gone. The falsehood would then lie at my `
` door, and as I am not a gentleman, I may be allowed to lie." `
` `
` "Be of good heart, Planchet, you shall preserve your reputation `
` as a veracious man. In a quarter of an hour we set off." `
` `
` "That's the advice I was about to give Monsieur; and where are we `
` going, may I ask, without being too curious?" `
` `
` "PARDIEU! In the opposite direction to that which you said I was `
` gone. Besides, are you not as anxious to learn news of Grimaud, `
` Mousqueton, and Bazin as I am to know what has become of Athos, `
` Porthos, and Aramis?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said Planchet, "and I will go as soon as you `
` please. Indeed, I think provincial air will suit us much better `
` just now than the air of Paris. So then--" `
` `
` "So then, pack up our luggage, Planchet, and let us be off. On `
` my part, I will go out with my hands in my pockets, that nothing `
` may be suspected. You may join me at the Hotel des Gardes. By `
` the way, Planchet, I think you are right with respect to our `
` host, and that he is decidedly a frightfully low wretch." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur, you may take my word when I tell you anything. I `
` am a physiognomist, I assure you." `
` `
` D'Artagnan went out first, as had been agreed upon. Then, in `
` order that he might have nothing to reproach himself with, he `
` directed his steps, for the last time, toward the residences of `
` his three friends. No news had been received of them; only a `
` letter, all perfumed and of an elegant writing in small `
` characters, had come for Aramis. D'Artagnan took charge of it. `
` Ten minutes afterward Planchet joined him at the stables of the `
` Hotel des Gardes. D'Artagnan, in order that there might be no `
` time lost, had saddled his horse himself. `
` `
` "That's well," said he to Planchet, when the latter added the `
` portmanteau to the equipment. "Now saddle the other three `
` horses." `
` `
` "Do you think, then, monsieur, that we shall travel faster with `
` two horses apiece?" said Planchet, with his shrewd air. `
` `
` "No, Monsieur Jester," replied d'Artagnan; "but with our four `
` horses we may bring back our three friends, if we should have the `
` good fortune to find them living." `
` `
` "Which is a great chance," replied Planchet, "but we must not `
` despair of the mercy of God." `
` `
` "Amen!" said d'Artagnan, getting into his saddle. `
` `
` As they went from the Hotel des Gardes, they separated, leaving `
` the street at opposite ends, one having to quit Paris by the `
` Barriere de la Villette and the other by the Barriere Montmartre, `
` to meet again beyond St. Denis--a strategic maneuver which, `
` having been executed with equal punctuality, was crowned with the `
` most fortunate results. D'Artagnan and Planchet entered `
` Pierrefitte together. `
` `
` Planchet was more courageous, it must be admitted, by day than by `
` night. His natural prudence, however, never forsook him for a `
` single instant. He had forgotten not one of the incidents of the `
` first journey, and he looked upon everybody he met on the road as `
` an enemy. It followed that his hat was forever in his hand, `
` which procured him some severe reprimands from d'Artagnan, who `
` feared that his excess of politeness would lead people to think `
` he was the lackey of a man of no consequence. `
` `
` Nevertheless, whether the passengers were really touched by the `
` urbanity of Planchet or whether this time nobody was posted on `
` the young man's road, our two travelers arrived at Chantilly `
` without any accident, and alighted at the tavern of Great St. `
` Martin, the same at which they had stopped on their first `
` journey. `
` `
` The host, on seeing a young man followed by a lackey with two `
` extra horses, advanced respectfully to the door. Now, as they `
` had already traveled eleven leagues, d'Artagnan thought it time `
` to stop, whether Porthos were or were not in the inn. Perhaps it `
` would not be prudent to ask at once what had become of the `
` Musketeer. The result of these reflections was that d'Artagnan, `
` without asking information of any kind, alighted, commended the `
` horses to the care of his lackey, entered a small room destined `
` to receive those who wished to be alone, and desired the host to `
` bring him a bottle of his best wine and as good a breakfast as `
` possible--a desire which further corroborated the high opinion `
` the innkeeper had formed of the traveler at first sight. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was therefore served with miraculous celerity. The `
` regiment of the Guards was recruited among the first gentlemen of `
` the kingdom; and d'Artagnan, followed by a lackey, and traveling `
` with four magnificent horses, despite the simplicity of his `
` uniform, could not fail to make a sensation. The host desired `
` himself to serve him; which d'Artagnan perceiving, ordered two `
` glasses to be brought, and commenced the following conversation. `
` `
` "My faith, my good host," said d'Artagnan, filling the two `
` glasses, "I asked for a bottle of your best wine, and if you have `
` deceived me, you will be punished in what you have sinned; for `
` seeing that I hate drinking my myself, you shall drink with me. `
` Take your glass, then, and let us drink. But what shall we drink `
` to, so as to avoid wounding any susceptibility? Let us drink to `
` the prosperity of your establishment." `
` `
` "Your Lordship does me much honor," said the host, "and I thank `
` you sincerely for your kind wish." `
` `
` "But don't mistake," said d'Artagnan, "there is more selfishness `
` in my toast than perhaps you may think--for it is only in `
` prosperous establishments that one is well received. In hotels `
` that do not flourish, everything is in confusion, and the `
` traveler is a victim to the embarrassments of his host. Now, I `
` travel a great deal, particularly on this road, and I wish to see `
` all innkeepers making a fortune." `
` `
` "It seems to me," said the host, "that this is not the first time `
` I have had the honor of seeing Monsieur." `
` `
` "Bah, I have passed perhaps ten times through Chantilly, and out `
` of the ten times I have stopped three or four times at your house `
` at least. Why I was here only ten or twelve days ago. I was `
` conducting some friends, Musketeers, one of whom, by the by, had `
` a dispute with a stranger--a man who sought a quarrel with him, `
` for I don't know what." `
` `
` "Exactly so," said the host; "I remember it perfectly. It is not `
` Monsieur Porthos that your Lordship means?" `
` `
` "Yes, that is my companion's name. My God, my dear host, tell me `
` if anything has happened to him?" `
` `
` "Your Lordship must have observed that he could not continue his `
` journey." `
` `
` "Why, to be sure, he promised to rejoin us, and we have seen `
` nothing of him." `
` `
` "He has done us the honor to remain here." `
` `
` "What, he had done you the honor to remain here?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, in this house; and we are even a little uneasy--" `
` `
` "On what account?" `
` `
` "Of certain expenses he has contracted." `
` `
` "Well, but whatever expenses he may have incurred, I am sure he `
` is in a condition to pay them." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur, you infuse genuine balm into my blood. We have `
`