Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
distance. We depart from one place, and arrive at another, that `
` is all. Of the interval passed, nothing remains in the memory `
` but a vague mist in which a thousand confused images of trees, `
` mountains, and landscapes are lost. It was as a prey to this `
` hallucination that d'Artagnan traveled, at whatever pace his `
` horse pleased, the six or eight leagues that separated Chantilly `
` from Crevecoeur, without his being able to remember on his `
` arrival in the village any of the things he had passed or met `
` with on the road. `
` `
` There only his memory returned to him. He shook his head, `
` perceived the cabaret at which he had left Aramis, and putting `
` his horse to the trot, he shortly pulled up at the door. `
` `
` This time it was not a host but a hostess who received him. `
` d'Artagnan was a physiognomist. His eye took in at a glance the `
` plump, cheerful countenance of the mistress of the place, and he `
` at once perceived there was no occasion for dissembling with her, `
` or of fearing anything from one blessed with such a joyous `
` physiognomy. `
` `
` "My good dame," asked d'Artagnan, "can you tell me what has `
` become of one of my friends, whom we were obliged to leave here `
` about a dozen days ago?" `
` `
` "A handsome young man, three- or four-and-twenty years old, mild, `
` amiable, and well made?" `
` `
` "That is he--wounded in the shoulder." `
` `
` "Just so. Well, monsieur, he is still here." `
` `
` "Ah, PARDIEU! My dear dame," said d'Artagnan, springing from his `
` horse, and throwing the bridle to Planchet, "you restore me to `
` life; where is this dear Aramis? Let me embrace him, I am in a `
` hurry to see him again." `
` `
` "Pardon, monsieur, but I doubt whether he can see you at this `
` moment." `
` `
` "Why so? Has he a lady with him?" `
` `
` "Jesus! What do you mean by that? Poor lad! No, monsieur, he `
` has not a lady with him." `
` `
` "With whom is he, then?" `
` `
` "With the curate of Montdidier and the superior of the Jesuits of `
` Amiens." `
` `
` "Good heavens!" cried d'Artagnan, "is the poor fellow worse, `
` then?" `
` `
` "No, monsieur, quite the contrary; but after his illness grace `
` touched him, and he determined to take orders." `
` `
` "That's it!" said d'Artagnan, "I had forgotten that he was only a `
` Musketeer for a time." `
` `
` "Monsieur still insists upon seeing him?" `
` `
` "More than ever." `
` `
` "Well, monsieur has only to take the right-hand staircase in the `
` courtyard, and knock at Number Five on the second floor." `
` `
` D'Artagnan walked quickly in the direction indicated, and found `
` one of those exterior staircases that are still to be seen in the `
` yards of our old-fashioned taverns. But there was no getting at `
` the place of sojourn of the future abbe; the defiles of the `
` chamber of Aramis were as well guarded as the gardens of Armida. `
` Bazin was stationed in the corridor, and barred his passage with `
` the more intrepidity that, after many years of trial, Bazin found `
` himself near a result of which he had ever been ambitious. `
` `
` In fact, the dream of poor Bazin had always been to serve a `
` churchman; and he awaited with impatience the moment, always in `
` the future, when Aramis would throw aside the uniform and assume `
` the cassock. The daily-renewed promise of the young man that the `
` moment would not long be delayed, had alone kept him in the `
` service of a Musketeer--a service in which, he said, his soul was `
` in constant jeopardy. `
` `
` Bazin was then at the height of joy. In all probability, this `
` time his master would not retract. The union of physical pain `
` with moral uneasiness had produced the effect so long desired. `
` Aramis, suffering at once in body and mind, had at length fixed `
` his eyes and his thoughts upon religion, and he had considered as `
` a warning from heaven the double accident which had happened to `
` him; that is to say, the sudden disappearance of his mistress and `
` the wound in his shoulder. `
` `
` It may be easily understood that in the present disposition of `
` his master nothing could be more disagreeable to Bazin than the `
` arrival of d'Artagnan, which might cast his master back again `
` into that vortex of mundane affairs which had so long carried him `
` away. He resolved, then, to defend the door bravely; and as, `
` betrayed by the mistress of the inn, he could not say that Aramis `
` was absent, he endeavored to prove to the newcomer that it would `
` be the height of indiscretion to disturb his master in his pious `
` conference, which had commenced with the morning and would not, `
` as Bazin said, terminate before night. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan took very little heed of the eloquent discourse of `
` M. Bazin; and as he had no desire to support a polemic discussion `
` with his friend's valet, he simply moved him out of the way with `
` one hand, and with the other turned the handle of the door of `
` Number Five. The door opened, and d'Artagnan went into the `
` chamber. `
` `
` Aramis, in a black gown, his head enveloped in a sort of round `
` flat cap, not much unlike a CALOTTE, was seated before an oblong `
` table, covered with rolls of paper and enormous volumes in folio. `
` At his right hand was placed the superior of the Jesuits, and on `
` his left the curate of Montdidier. The curtains were half drawn, `
` and only admitted the mysterious light calculated for beatific `
` reveries. All the mundane objects that generally strike the eye `
` on entering the room of a young man, particularly when that young `
` man is a Musketeer, had disappeared as if by enchantment; and for `
` fear, no doubt, that the sight of them might bring his master `
` back to ideas of this world, Bazin had laid his hands upon sword, `
` pistols, plumed hat, and embroideries and laces of all kinds and `
` sorts. In their stead d'Artagnan thought he perceived in an `
` obscure corner a discipline cord suspended from a nail in the `
` wall. `
` `
` At the noise made by d'Artagnan in entering, Aramis lifted up his `
` head, and beheld his friend; but to the great astonishment of the `
` young man, the sight of him did not produce much effect upon the `
` Musketeer, so completely was his mind detached from the things of `
` this world. `
` `
` "Good day, dear d'Artagnan," said Aramis; "believe me, I am glad `
` to see you." `
` `
` "So am I delighted to see you," said d'Artagnan, "although I am `
` not yet sure that it is Aramis I am speaking to." `
` `
` "To himself, my friend, to himself! But what makes you doubt `
` it?" `
` `
` "I was afraid I had made a mistake in the chamber, and that I had `
` found my way into the apartment of some churchman. Then another `
` error seized me on seeing you in company with these gentlemen--I `
` was afraid you were dangerously ill." `
` `
` The two men in black, who guessed d'Artagnan's meaning, darted at `
` him a glance which might have been thought threatening; but `
` d'Artagnan took no heed of it. `
` `
` "I disturb you, perhaps, my dear Aramis," continued d'Artagnan, `
` "for by what I see, I am led to believe that you are confessing `
` to these gentlemen." `
` `
` Aramis colored imperceptibly. "You disturb me? Oh, quite the `
` contrary, dear friend, I swear; and as a proof of what I say, `
` permit me to declare I am rejoiced to see you safe and sound." `
` `
` "Ah, he'll come round," thought d'Artagnan; "that's not bad!" `
` `
` "This gentleman, who is my friend, has just escaped from a `
` serious danger," continued Aramis, with unction, pointing to `
` d'Artagnan with his hand, and addressing the two ecclesiastics. `
` `
` "Praise God, monsieur," replied they, bowing together. `
` `
` "I have not failed to do so, your Reverences," replied the young `
` man, returning their salutation. `
` `
` "You arrive in good time, dear d'Artagnan," said Aramis, "and by `
` taking part in our discussion may assist us with your `
` intelligence. Monsieur the Principal of Amiens, Monsieur the `
` Curate of Montdidier, and I are arguing certain theological `
` questions in which we have been much interested; I shall be `
` delighted to have your opinion." `
` `
` "The opinion of a swordsman can have very little weight," replied `
` d'Artagnan, who began to be uneasy at the turn things were `
` taking, "and you had better be satisfied, believe me, with the `
` knowledge of these gentlemen." `
` `
` The two men in black bowed in their turn. `
` `
` "On the contrary," replied Aramis, "your opinion will be very `
` valuable. The question is this: Monsieur the Principal thinks `
` that my thesis ought to be dogmatic and didactic." `
` `
` "Your thesis! Are you then making a thesis?" `
` `
` "Without doubt," replied the Jesuit. "In the examination which `
` precedes ordination, a thesis is always a requisite." `
` `
` "Ordination!" cried d'Artagnan, who could not believe what the `
` hostess and Bazin had successively told him; and he gazed, half `
` stupefied, upon the three persons before him. `
` `
` "Now," continued Aramis, taking the same graceful position in his `
` easy chair that he would have assumed in bed, and complacently `
` examining his hand, which was as white and plump as that of a `
` woman, and which he held in the air to cause the blood to `
` descend, "now, as you have heard, d'Artagnan, Monsieur the `
`
` is all. Of the interval passed, nothing remains in the memory `
` but a vague mist in which a thousand confused images of trees, `
` mountains, and landscapes are lost. It was as a prey to this `
` hallucination that d'Artagnan traveled, at whatever pace his `
` horse pleased, the six or eight leagues that separated Chantilly `
` from Crevecoeur, without his being able to remember on his `
` arrival in the village any of the things he had passed or met `
` with on the road. `
` `
` There only his memory returned to him. He shook his head, `
` perceived the cabaret at which he had left Aramis, and putting `
` his horse to the trot, he shortly pulled up at the door. `
` `
` This time it was not a host but a hostess who received him. `
` d'Artagnan was a physiognomist. His eye took in at a glance the `
` plump, cheerful countenance of the mistress of the place, and he `
` at once perceived there was no occasion for dissembling with her, `
` or of fearing anything from one blessed with such a joyous `
` physiognomy. `
` `
` "My good dame," asked d'Artagnan, "can you tell me what has `
` become of one of my friends, whom we were obliged to leave here `
` about a dozen days ago?" `
` `
` "A handsome young man, three- or four-and-twenty years old, mild, `
` amiable, and well made?" `
` `
` "That is he--wounded in the shoulder." `
` `
` "Just so. Well, monsieur, he is still here." `
` `
` "Ah, PARDIEU! My dear dame," said d'Artagnan, springing from his `
` horse, and throwing the bridle to Planchet, "you restore me to `
` life; where is this dear Aramis? Let me embrace him, I am in a `
` hurry to see him again." `
` `
` "Pardon, monsieur, but I doubt whether he can see you at this `
` moment." `
` `
` "Why so? Has he a lady with him?" `
` `
` "Jesus! What do you mean by that? Poor lad! No, monsieur, he `
` has not a lady with him." `
` `
` "With whom is he, then?" `
` `
` "With the curate of Montdidier and the superior of the Jesuits of `
` Amiens." `
` `
` "Good heavens!" cried d'Artagnan, "is the poor fellow worse, `
` then?" `
` `
` "No, monsieur, quite the contrary; but after his illness grace `
` touched him, and he determined to take orders." `
` `
` "That's it!" said d'Artagnan, "I had forgotten that he was only a `
` Musketeer for a time." `
` `
` "Monsieur still insists upon seeing him?" `
` `
` "More than ever." `
` `
` "Well, monsieur has only to take the right-hand staircase in the `
` courtyard, and knock at Number Five on the second floor." `
` `
` D'Artagnan walked quickly in the direction indicated, and found `
` one of those exterior staircases that are still to be seen in the `
` yards of our old-fashioned taverns. But there was no getting at `
` the place of sojourn of the future abbe; the defiles of the `
` chamber of Aramis were as well guarded as the gardens of Armida. `
` Bazin was stationed in the corridor, and barred his passage with `
` the more intrepidity that, after many years of trial, Bazin found `
` himself near a result of which he had ever been ambitious. `
` `
` In fact, the dream of poor Bazin had always been to serve a `
` churchman; and he awaited with impatience the moment, always in `
` the future, when Aramis would throw aside the uniform and assume `
` the cassock. The daily-renewed promise of the young man that the `
` moment would not long be delayed, had alone kept him in the `
` service of a Musketeer--a service in which, he said, his soul was `
` in constant jeopardy. `
` `
` Bazin was then at the height of joy. In all probability, this `
` time his master would not retract. The union of physical pain `
` with moral uneasiness had produced the effect so long desired. `
` Aramis, suffering at once in body and mind, had at length fixed `
` his eyes and his thoughts upon religion, and he had considered as `
` a warning from heaven the double accident which had happened to `
` him; that is to say, the sudden disappearance of his mistress and `
` the wound in his shoulder. `
` `
` It may be easily understood that in the present disposition of `
` his master nothing could be more disagreeable to Bazin than the `
` arrival of d'Artagnan, which might cast his master back again `
` into that vortex of mundane affairs which had so long carried him `
` away. He resolved, then, to defend the door bravely; and as, `
` betrayed by the mistress of the inn, he could not say that Aramis `
` was absent, he endeavored to prove to the newcomer that it would `
` be the height of indiscretion to disturb his master in his pious `
` conference, which had commenced with the morning and would not, `
` as Bazin said, terminate before night. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan took very little heed of the eloquent discourse of `
` M. Bazin; and as he had no desire to support a polemic discussion `
` with his friend's valet, he simply moved him out of the way with `
` one hand, and with the other turned the handle of the door of `
` Number Five. The door opened, and d'Artagnan went into the `
` chamber. `
` `
` Aramis, in a black gown, his head enveloped in a sort of round `
` flat cap, not much unlike a CALOTTE, was seated before an oblong `
` table, covered with rolls of paper and enormous volumes in folio. `
` At his right hand was placed the superior of the Jesuits, and on `
` his left the curate of Montdidier. The curtains were half drawn, `
` and only admitted the mysterious light calculated for beatific `
` reveries. All the mundane objects that generally strike the eye `
` on entering the room of a young man, particularly when that young `
` man is a Musketeer, had disappeared as if by enchantment; and for `
` fear, no doubt, that the sight of them might bring his master `
` back to ideas of this world, Bazin had laid his hands upon sword, `
` pistols, plumed hat, and embroideries and laces of all kinds and `
` sorts. In their stead d'Artagnan thought he perceived in an `
` obscure corner a discipline cord suspended from a nail in the `
` wall. `
` `
` At the noise made by d'Artagnan in entering, Aramis lifted up his `
` head, and beheld his friend; but to the great astonishment of the `
` young man, the sight of him did not produce much effect upon the `
` Musketeer, so completely was his mind detached from the things of `
` this world. `
` `
` "Good day, dear d'Artagnan," said Aramis; "believe me, I am glad `
` to see you." `
` `
` "So am I delighted to see you," said d'Artagnan, "although I am `
` not yet sure that it is Aramis I am speaking to." `
` `
` "To himself, my friend, to himself! But what makes you doubt `
` it?" `
` `
` "I was afraid I had made a mistake in the chamber, and that I had `
` found my way into the apartment of some churchman. Then another `
` error seized me on seeing you in company with these gentlemen--I `
` was afraid you were dangerously ill." `
` `
` The two men in black, who guessed d'Artagnan's meaning, darted at `
` him a glance which might have been thought threatening; but `
` d'Artagnan took no heed of it. `
` `
` "I disturb you, perhaps, my dear Aramis," continued d'Artagnan, `
` "for by what I see, I am led to believe that you are confessing `
` to these gentlemen." `
` `
` Aramis colored imperceptibly. "You disturb me? Oh, quite the `
` contrary, dear friend, I swear; and as a proof of what I say, `
` permit me to declare I am rejoiced to see you safe and sound." `
` `
` "Ah, he'll come round," thought d'Artagnan; "that's not bad!" `
` `
` "This gentleman, who is my friend, has just escaped from a `
` serious danger," continued Aramis, with unction, pointing to `
` d'Artagnan with his hand, and addressing the two ecclesiastics. `
` `
` "Praise God, monsieur," replied they, bowing together. `
` `
` "I have not failed to do so, your Reverences," replied the young `
` man, returning their salutation. `
` `
` "You arrive in good time, dear d'Artagnan," said Aramis, "and by `
` taking part in our discussion may assist us with your `
` intelligence. Monsieur the Principal of Amiens, Monsieur the `
` Curate of Montdidier, and I are arguing certain theological `
` questions in which we have been much interested; I shall be `
` delighted to have your opinion." `
` `
` "The opinion of a swordsman can have very little weight," replied `
` d'Artagnan, who began to be uneasy at the turn things were `
` taking, "and you had better be satisfied, believe me, with the `
` knowledge of these gentlemen." `
` `
` The two men in black bowed in their turn. `
` `
` "On the contrary," replied Aramis, "your opinion will be very `
` valuable. The question is this: Monsieur the Principal thinks `
` that my thesis ought to be dogmatic and didactic." `
` `
` "Your thesis! Are you then making a thesis?" `
` `
` "Without doubt," replied the Jesuit. "In the examination which `
` precedes ordination, a thesis is always a requisite." `
` `
` "Ordination!" cried d'Artagnan, who could not believe what the `
` hostess and Bazin had successively told him; and he gazed, half `
` stupefied, upon the three persons before him. `
` `
` "Now," continued Aramis, taking the same graceful position in his `
` easy chair that he would have assumed in bed, and complacently `
` examining his hand, which was as white and plump as that of a `
` woman, and which he held in the air to cause the blood to `
` descend, "now, as you have heard, d'Artagnan, Monsieur the `
`