Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
"This wound, my dear d'Artagnan, has been a warning to me from `
` heaven." `
` `
` "This wound? Bah, it is now nearly healed, and I am sure it is `
` not that which gives you the most pain." `
` `
` "What, then?" said Aramis, blushing. `
` `
` "You have one at heart, Aramis, one deeper and more painful--a `
` wound made by a woman." `
` `
` The eye of Aramis kindled in spite of himself. `
` `
` "Ah," said he, dissembling his emotion under a feigned `
` carelessness, "do not talk of such things, and suffer love pains? `
` VANITAS VANITATUM! According to your idea, then, my brain is `
` turned. And for whom-for some GRISETTE, some chambermaid with `
` whom I have trifled in some garrison? Fie!" `
` `
` "Pardon, my dear Aramis, but I thought you carried your eyes `
` higher." `
` `
` "Higher? And who am I, to nourish such ambition? A poor `
` Musketeer, a beggar, an unknown-who hates slavery, and finds `
` himself ill-placed in the world." `
` `
` "Aramis, Aramis!" cried d'Artagnan, looking at his friend with an `
` air of doubt. `
` `
` "Dust I am, and to dust I return. Life is full of humiliations `
` and sorrows," continued he, becoming still more melancholy; "all `
` the ties which attach him to life break in the hand of man, `
` particularly the golden ties. Oh, my dear d'Artagnan," resumed `
` Aramis, giving to his voice a slight tone of bitterness, "trust `
` me! Conceal your wounds when you have any; silence is the last `
` joy of the unhappy. Beware of giving anyone the clue to your `
` griefs; the curious suck our tears as flies suck the blood of a `
` wounded hart." `
` `
` "Alas, my dear Aramis," said d'Artagnan, in his turn heaving a `
` profound sigh, "that is my story you are relating!" `
` `
` "How?" `
` `
` "Yes; a woman whom I love, whom I adore, has just been torn from `
` me by force. I do not know where she is or whither they have `
` conducted her. She is perhaps a prisoner; she is perhaps dead!" `
` `
` "Yes, but you have at least this consolation, that you can say to `
` yourself she has not quit you voluntarily, that if you learn no `
` news of her, it is because all communication with you is `
` interdicted; while I--" `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Nothing," replied Aramis, "nothing." `
` `
` "So you renounce the world, then, forever; that is a settled `
` thing--a resolution registered!" `
` `
` "Forever! You are my friend today; tomorrow you will be no more `
` to me than a shadow, or rather, even, you will no longer exist. `
` As for the world, it is a sepulcher and nothing else." `
` `
` "The devil! All this is very sad which you tell me." `
` `
` "What will you? My vocation commands me; it carries me away." `
` `
` D'Artagnan smiled, but made no answer. `
` `
` Aramis continued, "And yet, while I do belong to the earth, I `
` wish to speak of you--of our friends." `
` `
` "And on my part," said d'Artagnan, "I wished to speak of you, but `
` I find you so completely detached from everything! To love you `
` cry, 'Fie! Friends are shadows! The world is a sepulcher!'" `
` `
` "Alas, you will find it so yourself," said Aramis, with a sigh. `
` `
` "Well, then, let us say no more about it," said d'Artagnan; "and `
` let us burn this letter, which, no doubt, announces to you some `
` fresh infidelity of your GRISETTE or your chambermaid." `
` `
` "What letter?" cried Aramis, eagerly. `
` `
` "A letter which was sent to your abode in your absence, and which `
` was given to me for you." `
` `
` "But from whom is that letter?" `
` `
` "Oh, from some heartbroken waiting woman, some desponding `
` GRISETTE; from Madame de Chevreuse's chambermaid, perhaps, who `
` was obliged to return to Tours with her mistress, and who, in `
` order to appear smart and attractive, stole some perfumed paper, `
` and sealed her letter with a duchess's coronet." `
` `
` "What do you say?" `
` `
` "Hold! I must have lost it," said the young man maliciously, `
` pretending to search for it. "But fortunately the world is a `
` sepulcher; the men, and consequently the women, are but shadows, `
` and love is a sentiment to which you cry, 'Fie! Fie!'" `
` `
` "d'Artagnan, d'Artagnan," cried Aramis, "you are killing me!" `
` `
` "Well, here it is at last!" said d'Artagnan, as he drew the `
` letter from his pocket. `
` `
` Aramis made a bound, seized the letter, read it, or rather `
` devoured it, his countenance radiant. `
` `
` "This same waiting maid seems to have an agreeable style," said `
` the messenger, carelessly. `
` `
` "Thanks, d'Artagnan, thanks!" cried Aramis, almost in a state of `
` delirium. "She was forced to return to Tours; she is not `
` faithless; she still loves me! Come, my friend, come, let me `
` embrace you. Happiness almost stifles me!" `
` `
` The two friends began to dance around the venerable St. `
` Chrysostom, kicking about famously the sheets of the thesis, `
` which had fallen on the floor. `
` `
` At that moment Bazin entered with the spinach and the omelet. `
` `
` "Be off, you wretch!" cried Aramis, throwing his skullcap in his `
` face. "Return whence you came; take back those horrible `
` vegetables, and that poor kickshaw! Order a larded hare, a fat `
` capon, mutton leg dressed with garlic, and four bottles of old `
` Burgundy." `
` `
` Bazin, who looked at his master, without comprehending the cause `
` of this change, in a melancholy manner, allowed the omelet to `
` slip into the spinach, and the spinach onto the floor. `
` `
` "Now this is the moment to consecrate your existence to the King `
` of kings," said d'Artagnan, "if you persist in offering him a `
` civility. NON INUTILE DESIDERIUM OBLATIONE." `
` `
` "Go to the devil with your Latin. Let us drink, my dear `
` d'Artagnan, MORBLEU! Let us drink while the wine is fresh! Let `
` us drink heartily, and while we do so, tell me a little of what `
` is going on in the world yonder." `
` `
` `
` `
` 27 THE WIFE OF ATHOS `
` `
` "We have now to search for Athos," said d'Artagnan to the `
` vivacious Aramis, when he had informed him of all that had passed `
` since their departure from the capital, and an excellent dinner `
` had made one of them forget his thesis and the other his fatigue. `
` `
` "Do you think, then, that any harm can have happened to him?" `
` asked Aramis. "Athos is so cool, so brave, and handles his sword `
` so skillfully." `
` `
` "No doubt. Nobody has a higher opinion of the courage and skill `
` of Athos than I have; but I like better to hear my sword clang `
` against lances than against staves. I fear lest Athos should `
` have been beaten down by serving men. Those fellows strike hard, `
` and don't leave off in a hurry. This is why I wish to set out `
` again as soon as possible." `
` `
` "I will try to accompany you," said Aramis, "though I scarcely `
` feel in a condition to mount on horseback. Yesterday I undertook `
` to employ that cord which you see hanging against the wall, but `
` pain prevented my continuing the pious exercise." `
` `
` "That's the first time I ever heard of anybody trying to cure `
` gunshot wounds with cat-o'-nine-tails; but you were ill, and `
` illness renders the head weak, therefore you may be excused." `
` `
` "When do you mean to set out?" `
` `
` "Tomorrow at daybreak. Sleep as soundly as you can tonight, and `
` tomorrow, if you can, we will take our departure together." `
` `
` "Till tomorrow, then," said Aramis; "for iron-nerved as you are, `
` you must need repose." `
` `
` The next morning, when d'Artagnan entered Aramis's chamber, he `
` found him at the window. `
` `
` "What are you looking at?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "My faith! I am admiring three magnificent horses which the `
` stable boys are leading about. It would be a pleasure worthy of `
` a prince to travel upon such horses." `
` `
` "Well, my dear Aramis, you may enjoy that pleasure, for one of `
` those three horses is yours." `
` `
` "Ah, bah! Which?" `
` `
` "Whichever of the three you like, I have no preference." `
` `
` "And the rich caparison, is that mine, too?" `
` `
` "Without doubt." `
` `
`
` heaven." `
` `
` "This wound? Bah, it is now nearly healed, and I am sure it is `
` not that which gives you the most pain." `
` `
` "What, then?" said Aramis, blushing. `
` `
` "You have one at heart, Aramis, one deeper and more painful--a `
` wound made by a woman." `
` `
` The eye of Aramis kindled in spite of himself. `
` `
` "Ah," said he, dissembling his emotion under a feigned `
` carelessness, "do not talk of such things, and suffer love pains? `
` VANITAS VANITATUM! According to your idea, then, my brain is `
` turned. And for whom-for some GRISETTE, some chambermaid with `
` whom I have trifled in some garrison? Fie!" `
` `
` "Pardon, my dear Aramis, but I thought you carried your eyes `
` higher." `
` `
` "Higher? And who am I, to nourish such ambition? A poor `
` Musketeer, a beggar, an unknown-who hates slavery, and finds `
` himself ill-placed in the world." `
` `
` "Aramis, Aramis!" cried d'Artagnan, looking at his friend with an `
` air of doubt. `
` `
` "Dust I am, and to dust I return. Life is full of humiliations `
` and sorrows," continued he, becoming still more melancholy; "all `
` the ties which attach him to life break in the hand of man, `
` particularly the golden ties. Oh, my dear d'Artagnan," resumed `
` Aramis, giving to his voice a slight tone of bitterness, "trust `
` me! Conceal your wounds when you have any; silence is the last `
` joy of the unhappy. Beware of giving anyone the clue to your `
` griefs; the curious suck our tears as flies suck the blood of a `
` wounded hart." `
` `
` "Alas, my dear Aramis," said d'Artagnan, in his turn heaving a `
` profound sigh, "that is my story you are relating!" `
` `
` "How?" `
` `
` "Yes; a woman whom I love, whom I adore, has just been torn from `
` me by force. I do not know where she is or whither they have `
` conducted her. She is perhaps a prisoner; she is perhaps dead!" `
` `
` "Yes, but you have at least this consolation, that you can say to `
` yourself she has not quit you voluntarily, that if you learn no `
` news of her, it is because all communication with you is `
` interdicted; while I--" `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "Nothing," replied Aramis, "nothing." `
` `
` "So you renounce the world, then, forever; that is a settled `
` thing--a resolution registered!" `
` `
` "Forever! You are my friend today; tomorrow you will be no more `
` to me than a shadow, or rather, even, you will no longer exist. `
` As for the world, it is a sepulcher and nothing else." `
` `
` "The devil! All this is very sad which you tell me." `
` `
` "What will you? My vocation commands me; it carries me away." `
` `
` D'Artagnan smiled, but made no answer. `
` `
` Aramis continued, "And yet, while I do belong to the earth, I `
` wish to speak of you--of our friends." `
` `
` "And on my part," said d'Artagnan, "I wished to speak of you, but `
` I find you so completely detached from everything! To love you `
` cry, 'Fie! Friends are shadows! The world is a sepulcher!'" `
` `
` "Alas, you will find it so yourself," said Aramis, with a sigh. `
` `
` "Well, then, let us say no more about it," said d'Artagnan; "and `
` let us burn this letter, which, no doubt, announces to you some `
` fresh infidelity of your GRISETTE or your chambermaid." `
` `
` "What letter?" cried Aramis, eagerly. `
` `
` "A letter which was sent to your abode in your absence, and which `
` was given to me for you." `
` `
` "But from whom is that letter?" `
` `
` "Oh, from some heartbroken waiting woman, some desponding `
` GRISETTE; from Madame de Chevreuse's chambermaid, perhaps, who `
` was obliged to return to Tours with her mistress, and who, in `
` order to appear smart and attractive, stole some perfumed paper, `
` and sealed her letter with a duchess's coronet." `
` `
` "What do you say?" `
` `
` "Hold! I must have lost it," said the young man maliciously, `
` pretending to search for it. "But fortunately the world is a `
` sepulcher; the men, and consequently the women, are but shadows, `
` and love is a sentiment to which you cry, 'Fie! Fie!'" `
` `
` "d'Artagnan, d'Artagnan," cried Aramis, "you are killing me!" `
` `
` "Well, here it is at last!" said d'Artagnan, as he drew the `
` letter from his pocket. `
` `
` Aramis made a bound, seized the letter, read it, or rather `
` devoured it, his countenance radiant. `
` `
` "This same waiting maid seems to have an agreeable style," said `
` the messenger, carelessly. `
` `
` "Thanks, d'Artagnan, thanks!" cried Aramis, almost in a state of `
` delirium. "She was forced to return to Tours; she is not `
` faithless; she still loves me! Come, my friend, come, let me `
` embrace you. Happiness almost stifles me!" `
` `
` The two friends began to dance around the venerable St. `
` Chrysostom, kicking about famously the sheets of the thesis, `
` which had fallen on the floor. `
` `
` At that moment Bazin entered with the spinach and the omelet. `
` `
` "Be off, you wretch!" cried Aramis, throwing his skullcap in his `
` face. "Return whence you came; take back those horrible `
` vegetables, and that poor kickshaw! Order a larded hare, a fat `
` capon, mutton leg dressed with garlic, and four bottles of old `
` Burgundy." `
` `
` Bazin, who looked at his master, without comprehending the cause `
` of this change, in a melancholy manner, allowed the omelet to `
` slip into the spinach, and the spinach onto the floor. `
` `
` "Now this is the moment to consecrate your existence to the King `
` of kings," said d'Artagnan, "if you persist in offering him a `
` civility. NON INUTILE DESIDERIUM OBLATIONE." `
` `
` "Go to the devil with your Latin. Let us drink, my dear `
` d'Artagnan, MORBLEU! Let us drink while the wine is fresh! Let `
` us drink heartily, and while we do so, tell me a little of what `
` is going on in the world yonder." `
` `
` `
` `
` 27 THE WIFE OF ATHOS `
` `
` "We have now to search for Athos," said d'Artagnan to the `
` vivacious Aramis, when he had informed him of all that had passed `
` since their departure from the capital, and an excellent dinner `
` had made one of them forget his thesis and the other his fatigue. `
` `
` "Do you think, then, that any harm can have happened to him?" `
` asked Aramis. "Athos is so cool, so brave, and handles his sword `
` so skillfully." `
` `
` "No doubt. Nobody has a higher opinion of the courage and skill `
` of Athos than I have; but I like better to hear my sword clang `
` against lances than against staves. I fear lest Athos should `
` have been beaten down by serving men. Those fellows strike hard, `
` and don't leave off in a hurry. This is why I wish to set out `
` again as soon as possible." `
` `
` "I will try to accompany you," said Aramis, "though I scarcely `
` feel in a condition to mount on horseback. Yesterday I undertook `
` to employ that cord which you see hanging against the wall, but `
` pain prevented my continuing the pious exercise." `
` `
` "That's the first time I ever heard of anybody trying to cure `
` gunshot wounds with cat-o'-nine-tails; but you were ill, and `
` illness renders the head weak, therefore you may be excused." `
` `
` "When do you mean to set out?" `
` `
` "Tomorrow at daybreak. Sleep as soundly as you can tonight, and `
` tomorrow, if you can, we will take our departure together." `
` `
` "Till tomorrow, then," said Aramis; "for iron-nerved as you are, `
` you must need repose." `
` `
` The next morning, when d'Artagnan entered Aramis's chamber, he `
` found him at the window. `
` `
` "What are you looking at?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "My faith! I am admiring three magnificent horses which the `
` stable boys are leading about. It would be a pleasure worthy of `
` a prince to travel upon such horses." `
` `
` "Well, my dear Aramis, you may enjoy that pleasure, for one of `
` those three horses is yours." `
` `
` "Ah, bah! Which?" `
` `
` "Whichever of the three you like, I have no preference." `
` `
` "And the rich caparison, is that mine, too?" `
` `
` "Without doubt." `
` `
`