Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
"Not I, unfortunately!" said Porthos. "This miserable strain `
` confines me to my bed; but Mousqueton forages, and brings in `
` provisions. Friend Mousqueton, you see that we have a `
` reinforcement, and we must have an increase of supplies." `
` `
` "Mousqueton," said d'Artagnan, "you must render me a service." `
` `
` "What, monsieur?" `
` `
` "You must give your recipe to Planchet. I may be besieged in my `
` turn, and I shall not be sorry for him to be able to let me enjoy `
` the same advantages with which you gratify your master." `
` `
` "Lord, monsieur! There is nothing more easy," said Mousqueton, `
` with a modest air. "One only needs to be sharp, that's all. I `
` was brought up in the country, and my father in his leisure time `
` was something of a poacher." `
` `
` "And what did he do the rest of his time?" `
` `
` "Monsieur, he carried on a trade which I have always thought `
` satisfactory." `
` `
` "Which?" `
` `
` "As it was a time of war between the Catholics and the Huguenots, `
` and as he saw the Catholics exterminate the Huguenots and the `
` Huguenots exterminate the Catholics--all in the name of `
` religion--he adopted a mixed belief which permitted him to be `
` sometimes Catholic, sometimes a Huguenot. Now, he was accustomed `
` to walk with his fowling piece on his shoulder, behind the hedges `
` which border the roads, and when he saw a Catholic coming alone, `
` the Protestant religion immediately prevailed in his mind. He `
` lowered his gun in the direction of the traveler; then, when he `
` was within ten paces of him, he commenced a conversation which `
` almost always ended by the traveler's abandoning his purse to `
` save his life. It goes without saying that when he saw a `
` Huguenot coming, he felt himself filled with such ardent Catholic `
` zeal that he could not understand how, a quarter of an hour `
` before, he had been able to have any doubts upon the superiority `
` of our holy religion. For my part, monsieur, I am Catholic--my `
` father, faithful to his principles, having made my elder brother `
` a Huguenot." `
` `
` "And what was the end of this worthy man?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Oh, of the most unfortunate kind, monsieur. One day he was `
` surprised in a lonely road between a Huguenot and a Catholic, `
` with both of whom he had before had business, and who both knew `
` him again; so they united against him and hanged him on a tree. `
` Then they came and boasted of their fine exploit in the cabaret `
` of the next village, where my brother and I were drinking." `
` `
` "And what did you do?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "We let them tell their story out," replied Mousqueton. "Then, `
` as in leaving the cabaret they took different directions, my `
` brother went and hid himself on the road of the Catholic, and I `
` on that of the Huguenot. Two hours after, all was over; we had `
` done the business of both, admiring the foresight of our poor `
` father, who had taken the precaution to bring each of us up in a `
` different religion." `
` `
` "Well, I must allow, as you say, your father was a very `
` intelligent fellow. And you say in his leisure moments the `
` worthy man was a poacher?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, and it was he who taught me to lay a snare and `
` ground a line. The consequence is that when I saw our laborers, `
` which did not at all suit two such delicate stomachs as ours, I `
` had recourse to a little of my old trade. While walking near the `
` wood of Monsieur le Prince, I laid a few snare in the runs; and `
` while reclining on the banks of his Highness's pieces of water, I `
` slipped a few lines into his fish ponds. So that now, thanks be `
` to God, we do not want, as Monsieur can testify, for partridges, `
` rabbits, carp or eels--all light, wholesome food, suitable for `
` the sick." `
` `
` "But the wine," said d'Artagnan, "who furnishes the wine? Your `
` host?" `
` `
` "That is to say, yes and no." `
` `
` "How yes and no?" `
` `
` "He furnishes it, it is true, but he does not know that he has `
` that honor." `
` `
` "Explain yourself, Mousqueton; your conversation is full of `
` instructive things." `
` `
` "That is it, monsieur. It has so chanced that I met with a `
` Spaniard in my peregrinations who had seen many countries, and `
` among them the New World." `
` `
` "What connection can the New World have with the bottles which `
` are on the commode and the wardrobe?" `
` `
` "Patience, monsieur, everything will come in its turn." `
` `
` "This Spaniard had in his service a lackey who had accompanied `
` him in his voyage to Mexico. This lackey was my compatriot; and `
` we became the more intimate from there being many resemblances of `
` character between us. We loved sporting of all kinds better than `
` anything; so that he related to me how in the plains of the `
` Pampas the natives hunt the tiger and the wild bull with simple `
` running nooses which they throw to a distance of twenty or thirty `
` paces the end of a cord with such nicety; but in face of the `
` proof I was obliged to acknowledge the truth of the recital. My `
` friend placed a bottle at the distance of thirty paces, and at `
` each cast he caught the neck of the bottle in his running noose. `
` I practiced this exercise, and as nature has endowed me with some `
` faculties, at this day I can throw the lasso with any man in the `
` world. Well, do you understand, monsieur? Our host has a well- `
` furnished cellar the key of which never leaves him; only this `
` cellar has a ventilating hole. Now through this ventilating `
` hole I throw my lasso, and as I now know in which part of the `
` cellar is the best wine, that's my point for sport. You see, `
` monsieur, what the New World has to do with the bottles which are `
` on the commode and the wardrobe. Now, will you taste our wine, `
` and without prejudice say what you think of it?" `
` `
` "Thank you, my friend, thank you; unfortunately, I have just `
` breakfasted." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "arrange the table, Mousqueton, and while `
` we breakfast, d'Artagnan will relate to us what has happened to `
` him during the ten days since he left us." `
` `
` "Willingly," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` While Porthos and Mousqueton were breakfasting, with the `
` appetites of convalescents and with that brotherly cordiality `
` which unites men in misfortune, d'Artagnan related how Aramis, `
` being wounded, was obliged to stop at Crevecoeur, how he had left `
` Athos fighting at Amiens with four men who accused him of being a `
` coiner, and how he, d'Artagnan, had been forced to run the Comtes `
` de Wardes through the body in order to reach England. `
` `
` But there the confidence of d'Artagnan stopped. He only added `
` that on his return from Great Britain he had brought back four `
` magnificent horses--one for himself, and one for each of his `
` companions; then he informed Porthos that the one intended for `
` him was already installed in the stable of the tavern. `
` `
` At this moment Planchet entered, to inform his master that the `
` horses were sufficiently refreshed and that it would be possible `
` to sleep at Clermont. `
` `
` As d'Artagnan was tolerably reassured with regard to Porthos, and `
` as he was anxious to obtain news of his two other friends, he `
` held out his hand to the wounded man, and told him he was about `
` to resume his route in order to continue his researches. For the `
` rest, as he reckoned upon returning by the same route in seven or `
` eight days, if Porthos were still at the Great St. Martin, he `
` would call for him on his way. `
` `
` Porthos replied that in all probability his sprain would not `
` permit him to depart yet awhile. Besides, it was necessary he `
` should stay at Chantilly to wait for the answer from his duchess. `
` `
` D'Artagnan wished that answer might be prompt and favorable; and `
` having again recommended Porthos to the care of Mousqueton, and `
` paid his bill to the host, he resumed his route with Planchet, `
` already relieved of one of his led horses. `
` `
` `
` `
` 26 ARAMIS AND HIS THESIS `
` `
` D'Artagnan had said nothing to Porthos of his wound or of his `
` procurator's wife. Our Bearnais was a prudent lad, however young `
` he might be. Consequently he had appeared to believe all that `
` the vainglorious Musketeer had told him, convinced that no `
` friendship will hold out against a surprised secret. Besides, we `
` feel always a sort of mental superiority over those whose lives `
` we know better than they suppose. In his projects of intrigue `
` for the future, and determined as he was to make his three `
` friends the instruments of his fortune, d'Artagnan was not sorry `
` at getting into his grasp beforehand the invisible strings by `
` which he reckoned upon moving them. `
` `
` And yet, as he journeyed along, a profound sadness weighed upon `
` his heart. He thought of that young and pretty Mme. Bonacieux `
` who was to have paid him the price of his devotedness; but let us `
` hasten to say that this sadness possessed the young man less from `
` the regret of the happiness he had missed, than from the fear he `
` entertained that some serious misfortune had befallen the poor `
` woman. For himself, he had no doubt she was a victim of the `
` cardinal's vengeance; and, and as was well known, the vengeance `
` of his Eminence was terrible. How he had found grace in the eyes `
` of the minister, he did not know; but without doubt M. de Cavois `
` would have revealed this to him if the captain of the Guards had `
` found him at home. `
` `
` Nothing makes time pass more quickly or more shortens a journey `
` than a thought which absorbs in itself all the faculties of the `
` organization of him who thinks. External existence then `
` resembles a sleep of which this thought is the dream. By its `
` influence, time has no longer measure, space has no longer `
` distance. We depart from one place, and arrive at another, that `
`
` confines me to my bed; but Mousqueton forages, and brings in `
` provisions. Friend Mousqueton, you see that we have a `
` reinforcement, and we must have an increase of supplies." `
` `
` "Mousqueton," said d'Artagnan, "you must render me a service." `
` `
` "What, monsieur?" `
` `
` "You must give your recipe to Planchet. I may be besieged in my `
` turn, and I shall not be sorry for him to be able to let me enjoy `
` the same advantages with which you gratify your master." `
` `
` "Lord, monsieur! There is nothing more easy," said Mousqueton, `
` with a modest air. "One only needs to be sharp, that's all. I `
` was brought up in the country, and my father in his leisure time `
` was something of a poacher." `
` `
` "And what did he do the rest of his time?" `
` `
` "Monsieur, he carried on a trade which I have always thought `
` satisfactory." `
` `
` "Which?" `
` `
` "As it was a time of war between the Catholics and the Huguenots, `
` and as he saw the Catholics exterminate the Huguenots and the `
` Huguenots exterminate the Catholics--all in the name of `
` religion--he adopted a mixed belief which permitted him to be `
` sometimes Catholic, sometimes a Huguenot. Now, he was accustomed `
` to walk with his fowling piece on his shoulder, behind the hedges `
` which border the roads, and when he saw a Catholic coming alone, `
` the Protestant religion immediately prevailed in his mind. He `
` lowered his gun in the direction of the traveler; then, when he `
` was within ten paces of him, he commenced a conversation which `
` almost always ended by the traveler's abandoning his purse to `
` save his life. It goes without saying that when he saw a `
` Huguenot coming, he felt himself filled with such ardent Catholic `
` zeal that he could not understand how, a quarter of an hour `
` before, he had been able to have any doubts upon the superiority `
` of our holy religion. For my part, monsieur, I am Catholic--my `
` father, faithful to his principles, having made my elder brother `
` a Huguenot." `
` `
` "And what was the end of this worthy man?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Oh, of the most unfortunate kind, monsieur. One day he was `
` surprised in a lonely road between a Huguenot and a Catholic, `
` with both of whom he had before had business, and who both knew `
` him again; so they united against him and hanged him on a tree. `
` Then they came and boasted of their fine exploit in the cabaret `
` of the next village, where my brother and I were drinking." `
` `
` "And what did you do?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "We let them tell their story out," replied Mousqueton. "Then, `
` as in leaving the cabaret they took different directions, my `
` brother went and hid himself on the road of the Catholic, and I `
` on that of the Huguenot. Two hours after, all was over; we had `
` done the business of both, admiring the foresight of our poor `
` father, who had taken the precaution to bring each of us up in a `
` different religion." `
` `
` "Well, I must allow, as you say, your father was a very `
` intelligent fellow. And you say in his leisure moments the `
` worthy man was a poacher?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur, and it was he who taught me to lay a snare and `
` ground a line. The consequence is that when I saw our laborers, `
` which did not at all suit two such delicate stomachs as ours, I `
` had recourse to a little of my old trade. While walking near the `
` wood of Monsieur le Prince, I laid a few snare in the runs; and `
` while reclining on the banks of his Highness's pieces of water, I `
` slipped a few lines into his fish ponds. So that now, thanks be `
` to God, we do not want, as Monsieur can testify, for partridges, `
` rabbits, carp or eels--all light, wholesome food, suitable for `
` the sick." `
` `
` "But the wine," said d'Artagnan, "who furnishes the wine? Your `
` host?" `
` `
` "That is to say, yes and no." `
` `
` "How yes and no?" `
` `
` "He furnishes it, it is true, but he does not know that he has `
` that honor." `
` `
` "Explain yourself, Mousqueton; your conversation is full of `
` instructive things." `
` `
` "That is it, monsieur. It has so chanced that I met with a `
` Spaniard in my peregrinations who had seen many countries, and `
` among them the New World." `
` `
` "What connection can the New World have with the bottles which `
` are on the commode and the wardrobe?" `
` `
` "Patience, monsieur, everything will come in its turn." `
` `
` "This Spaniard had in his service a lackey who had accompanied `
` him in his voyage to Mexico. This lackey was my compatriot; and `
` we became the more intimate from there being many resemblances of `
` character between us. We loved sporting of all kinds better than `
` anything; so that he related to me how in the plains of the `
` Pampas the natives hunt the tiger and the wild bull with simple `
` running nooses which they throw to a distance of twenty or thirty `
` paces the end of a cord with such nicety; but in face of the `
` proof I was obliged to acknowledge the truth of the recital. My `
` friend placed a bottle at the distance of thirty paces, and at `
` each cast he caught the neck of the bottle in his running noose. `
` I practiced this exercise, and as nature has endowed me with some `
` faculties, at this day I can throw the lasso with any man in the `
` world. Well, do you understand, monsieur? Our host has a well- `
` furnished cellar the key of which never leaves him; only this `
` cellar has a ventilating hole. Now through this ventilating `
` hole I throw my lasso, and as I now know in which part of the `
` cellar is the best wine, that's my point for sport. You see, `
` monsieur, what the New World has to do with the bottles which are `
` on the commode and the wardrobe. Now, will you taste our wine, `
` and without prejudice say what you think of it?" `
` `
` "Thank you, my friend, thank you; unfortunately, I have just `
` breakfasted." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "arrange the table, Mousqueton, and while `
` we breakfast, d'Artagnan will relate to us what has happened to `
` him during the ten days since he left us." `
` `
` "Willingly," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` While Porthos and Mousqueton were breakfasting, with the `
` appetites of convalescents and with that brotherly cordiality `
` which unites men in misfortune, d'Artagnan related how Aramis, `
` being wounded, was obliged to stop at Crevecoeur, how he had left `
` Athos fighting at Amiens with four men who accused him of being a `
` coiner, and how he, d'Artagnan, had been forced to run the Comtes `
` de Wardes through the body in order to reach England. `
` `
` But there the confidence of d'Artagnan stopped. He only added `
` that on his return from Great Britain he had brought back four `
` magnificent horses--one for himself, and one for each of his `
` companions; then he informed Porthos that the one intended for `
` him was already installed in the stable of the tavern. `
` `
` At this moment Planchet entered, to inform his master that the `
` horses were sufficiently refreshed and that it would be possible `
` to sleep at Clermont. `
` `
` As d'Artagnan was tolerably reassured with regard to Porthos, and `
` as he was anxious to obtain news of his two other friends, he `
` held out his hand to the wounded man, and told him he was about `
` to resume his route in order to continue his researches. For the `
` rest, as he reckoned upon returning by the same route in seven or `
` eight days, if Porthos were still at the Great St. Martin, he `
` would call for him on his way. `
` `
` Porthos replied that in all probability his sprain would not `
` permit him to depart yet awhile. Besides, it was necessary he `
` should stay at Chantilly to wait for the answer from his duchess. `
` `
` D'Artagnan wished that answer might be prompt and favorable; and `
` having again recommended Porthos to the care of Mousqueton, and `
` paid his bill to the host, he resumed his route with Planchet, `
` already relieved of one of his led horses. `
` `
` `
` `
` 26 ARAMIS AND HIS THESIS `
` `
` D'Artagnan had said nothing to Porthos of his wound or of his `
` procurator's wife. Our Bearnais was a prudent lad, however young `
` he might be. Consequently he had appeared to believe all that `
` the vainglorious Musketeer had told him, convinced that no `
` friendship will hold out against a surprised secret. Besides, we `
` feel always a sort of mental superiority over those whose lives `
` we know better than they suppose. In his projects of intrigue `
` for the future, and determined as he was to make his three `
` friends the instruments of his fortune, d'Artagnan was not sorry `
` at getting into his grasp beforehand the invisible strings by `
` which he reckoned upon moving them. `
` `
` And yet, as he journeyed along, a profound sadness weighed upon `
` his heart. He thought of that young and pretty Mme. Bonacieux `
` who was to have paid him the price of his devotedness; but let us `
` hasten to say that this sadness possessed the young man less from `
` the regret of the happiness he had missed, than from the fear he `
` entertained that some serious misfortune had befallen the poor `
` woman. For himself, he had no doubt she was a victim of the `
` cardinal's vengeance; and, and as was well known, the vengeance `
` of his Eminence was terrible. How he had found grace in the eyes `
` of the minister, he did not know; but without doubt M. de Cavois `
` would have revealed this to him if the captain of the Guards had `
` found him at home. `
` `
` Nothing makes time pass more quickly or more shortens a journey `
` than a thought which absorbs in itself all the faculties of the `
` organization of him who thinks. External existence then `
` resembles a sleep of which this thought is the dream. By its `
` influence, time has no longer measure, space has no longer `
` distance. We depart from one place, and arrive at another, that `
`