Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
`
` "You laugh, d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "No, I have left off laughing, now that you speak French." `
` `
` "What, those rich holsters, that velvet housing, that saddle `
` studded with silver-are they all for me?" `
` `
` "For you and nobody else, as the horse which paws the ground is `
` mine, and the other horse, which is caracoling, belongs to `
` Athos." `
` `
` "PESTE! They are three superb animals!" `
` `
` "I am glad they please you." `
` `
` "Why, it must have been the king who made you such a present." `
` `
` "Certainly it was not the cardinal; but don't trouble yourself `
` whence they come, think only that one of the three is your `
` property." `
` `
` "I choose that which the red-headed boy is leading." `
` `
` "It is yours!" `
` `
` "Good heaven! That is enough to drive away all my pains; I could `
` mount him with thirty balls in my body. On my soul, handsome `
` stirrups! HOLA, Bazin, come here this minute." `
` `
` Bazin appeared on the threshold, dull and spiritless. `
` `
` "That last order is useless," interrupted d'Artagnan; "there are `
` loaded pistols in your holsters." `
` `
` Bazin sighed. `
` `
` "Come, Monsieur Bazin, make yourself easy," said d'Artagnan; `
` "people of all conditions gain the kingdom of heaven." `
` `
` "Monsieur was already such a good theologian," said Bazin, almost `
` weeping; "he might have become a bishop, and perhaps a cardinal." `
` `
` "Well, but my poor Bazin, reflect a little. Of what use is it to `
` be a churchman, pray? You do not avoid going to war by that `
` means; you see, the cardinal is about to make the next campaign, `
` helm on head and partisan in hand. And Monsieur de Nogaret de la `
` Valette, what do you say of him? He is a cardinal likewise. Ask `
` his lackey how often he has had to prepare lint of him." `
` `
` "Alas!" sighed Bazin. "I know it, monsieur; everything is turned `
` topsy-turvy in the world nowadays." `
` `
` While this dialogue was going on, the two young men and the poor `
` lackey descended. `
` `
` "Hold my stirrup, Bazin," cried Aramis; and Aramis sprang into `
` the saddle with his usual grace and agility, but after a few `
` vaults and curvets of the noble animal his rider felt his pains `
` come on so insupportably that he turned pale and became unsteady `
` in his seat. D'Artagnan, who, foreseeing such an event, had kept `
` his eye on him, sprang toward him, caught him in his arms, and `
` assisted him to his chamber. `
` `
` "That's all right, my dear Aramis, take care of yourself," said `
` he; "I will go alone in search of Athos." `
` `
` "You are a man of brass," replied Aramis. `
` `
` "No, I have good luck, that is all. But how do you mean to pass `
` your time till I come back? No more theses, no more glosses upon `
` the fingers or upon benedictions, hey?" `
` `
` Aramis smiled. "I will make verses," said he. `
` `
` "Yes, I dare say; verses perfumed with the odor of the billet `
` from the attendant of Madame de Chevreuse. Teach Bazin prosody; `
` that will console him. As to the horse, ride him a little every `
` day, and that will accustom you to his maneuvers." `
` `
` "Oh, make yourself easy on that head," replied Aramis. "You will `
` find me ready to follow you." `
` `
` They took leave of each other, and in ten minutes, after having `
` commended his friend to the cares of the hostess and Bazin, `
` d'Artagnan was trotting along in the direction of Amiens. `
` `
` How was he going to find Athos? Should he find him at all? The `
` position in which he had left him was critical. He probably had `
` succumbed. This idea, while darkening his brow, drew several `
` sighs from him, and caused him to formulate to himself a few vows `
` of vengeance. Of all his friends, Athos was the eldest, and the `
` least resembling him in appearance, in his tastes and sympathies. `
` `
` Yet he entertained a marked preference for this gentleman. The `
` noble and distinguished air of Athos, those flashes of greatness `
` which from time to time broke out from the shade in which he `
` voluntarily kept himself, that unalterable equality of temper `
` which made him the most pleasant companion in the world, that `
` forced and cynical gaiety, that bravery which might have been `
` termed blind if it had not been the result of the rarest `
` coolness--such qualities attracted more than the esteem, more than `
` the friendship of d'Artagnan; they attracted his admiration. `
` `
` Indeed, when placed beside M. de Treville, the elegant and noble `
` courtier, Athos in his most cheerful days might advantageously `
` sustain a comparison. He was of middle height; but his person `
` was so admirably shaped and so well proportioned that more than `
` once in his struggles with Porthos he had overcome the giant `
` whose physical strength was proverbial among the Musketeers. His `
` head, with piercing eyes, a straight nose, a chin cut like that `
` of Brutus, had altogether an indefinable character of grandeur `
` and grace. His hands, of which he took little care, were the `
` despair of Aramis, who cultivated his with almond paste and `
` perfumed oil. The sound of his voice was at once penetrating and `
` melodious; and then, that which was inconceivable in Athos, who `
` was always retiring, was that delicate knowledge of the world and `
` of the usages of the most brilliant society--those manners of a `
` high degree which appeared, as if unconsciously to himself, in `
` his least actions. `
` `
` If a repast were on foot, Athos presided over it better than any `
` other, placing every guest exactly in the rank which his `
` ancestors had earned for him or that he had made for himself. If `
` a question in heraldry were started, Athos knew all the noble `
` families of the kingdom, their genealogy, their alliances, their `
` coats of arms, and the origin of them. Etiquette had no minutiae `
` unknown to him. He knew what were the rights of the great land `
` owners. He was profoundly versed in hunting and falconry, and `
` had one day when conversing on this great art astonished even `
` Louis XIII himself, who took a pride in being considered a past `
` master therein. `
` `
` Like all the great nobles of that period, Athos rode and fenced `
` to perfection. But still further, his education had been so `
` little neglected, even with respect to scholastic studies, so `
` rare at this time among gentlemen, that he smiled at the scraps `
` of Latin which Aramis sported and which Porthos pretended to `
` understand. Two or three times, even, to the great astonishment `
` of his friends, he had, when Aramis allowed some rudimental error `
` to escape him, replaced a verb in its right tense and a noun in `
` its case. Besides, his probity was irreproachable, in an age in `
` which soldiers compromised so easily with their religion and `
` their consciences, lovers with the rigorous delicacy of our era, `
` and the poor with God's Seventh Commandment. This Athos, then, `
` was a very extraordinary man. `
` `
` And yet this nature so distinguished, this creature so beautiful, `
` this essence so fine, was seen to turn insensibly toward material `
` life, as old men turn toward physical and moral imbecility. `
` Athos, in his hours of gloom--and these hours were frequent--was `
` extinguished as to the whole of the luminous portion of him, and `
` his brilliant side disappeared as into profound darkness. `
` `
` Then the demigod vanished; he remained scarcely a man. His head `
` hanging down, his eye dull, his speech slow and painful, Athos `
` would look for hours together at his bottle, his glass, or at `
` Grimaud, who, accustomed to obey him by signs, read in the faint `
` glance of his master his least desire, and satisfied it `
` immediately. If the four friends were assembled at one of these `
` moments, a word, thrown forth occasionally with a violent effort, `
` was the share Athos furnished to the conversation. In exchange `
` for his silence Athos drank enough for four, and without `
` appearing to be otherwise affected by wine than by a more marked `
` constriction of the brow and by a deeper sadness. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, whose inquiring disposition we are acquainted with, `
` had not--whatever interest he had in satisfying his curiosity on `
` this subject--been able to assign any cause for these fits of for `
` the periods of their recurrence. Athos never received any `
` letters; Athos never had concerns which all his friends did not `
` know. `
` `
` It could not be said that it was wine which produced this `
` sadness; for in truth he only drank to combat this sadness, which `
` wine however, as we have said, rendered still darker. This `
` excess of bilious humor could not be attributed to play; for `
` unlike Porthos, who accompanied the variations of chance with `
` songs or oaths, Athos when he won remained as unmoved as when he `
` lost. He had been known, in the circle of the Musketeers, to win `
` in one night three thousand pistoles; to lose them even to the `
` gold-embroidered belt for gala days, win all this again with the `
` addition of a hundred louis, without his beautiful eyebrow being `
` heightened or lowered half a line, without his hands losing their `
` pearly hue, without his conversation, which was cheerful that `
` evening, ceasing to be calm and agreeable. `
` `
` Neither was it, as with our neighbors, the English, an `
` atmospheric influence which darkened his countenance; for the `
` sadness generally became more intense toward the fine season of `
` the year. June and July were the terrible months with Athos. `
` `
` For the present he had no anxiety. He shrugged his shoulders `
` when people spoke of the future. His secret, then, was in the `
` past, as had often been vaguely said to d'Artagnan. `
` `
` This mysterious shade, spread over his whole person, rendered `
` still more interesting the man whose eyes or mouth, even in the `
` most complete intoxication, had never revealed anything, however `
` skillfully questions had been put to him. `
` `
`
` "You laugh, d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "No, I have left off laughing, now that you speak French." `
` `
` "What, those rich holsters, that velvet housing, that saddle `
` studded with silver-are they all for me?" `
` `
` "For you and nobody else, as the horse which paws the ground is `
` mine, and the other horse, which is caracoling, belongs to `
` Athos." `
` `
` "PESTE! They are three superb animals!" `
` `
` "I am glad they please you." `
` `
` "Why, it must have been the king who made you such a present." `
` `
` "Certainly it was not the cardinal; but don't trouble yourself `
` whence they come, think only that one of the three is your `
` property." `
` `
` "I choose that which the red-headed boy is leading." `
` `
` "It is yours!" `
` `
` "Good heaven! That is enough to drive away all my pains; I could `
` mount him with thirty balls in my body. On my soul, handsome `
` stirrups! HOLA, Bazin, come here this minute." `
` `
` Bazin appeared on the threshold, dull and spiritless. `
` `
` "That last order is useless," interrupted d'Artagnan; "there are `
` loaded pistols in your holsters." `
` `
` Bazin sighed. `
` `
` "Come, Monsieur Bazin, make yourself easy," said d'Artagnan; `
` "people of all conditions gain the kingdom of heaven." `
` `
` "Monsieur was already such a good theologian," said Bazin, almost `
` weeping; "he might have become a bishop, and perhaps a cardinal." `
` `
` "Well, but my poor Bazin, reflect a little. Of what use is it to `
` be a churchman, pray? You do not avoid going to war by that `
` means; you see, the cardinal is about to make the next campaign, `
` helm on head and partisan in hand. And Monsieur de Nogaret de la `
` Valette, what do you say of him? He is a cardinal likewise. Ask `
` his lackey how often he has had to prepare lint of him." `
` `
` "Alas!" sighed Bazin. "I know it, monsieur; everything is turned `
` topsy-turvy in the world nowadays." `
` `
` While this dialogue was going on, the two young men and the poor `
` lackey descended. `
` `
` "Hold my stirrup, Bazin," cried Aramis; and Aramis sprang into `
` the saddle with his usual grace and agility, but after a few `
` vaults and curvets of the noble animal his rider felt his pains `
` come on so insupportably that he turned pale and became unsteady `
` in his seat. D'Artagnan, who, foreseeing such an event, had kept `
` his eye on him, sprang toward him, caught him in his arms, and `
` assisted him to his chamber. `
` `
` "That's all right, my dear Aramis, take care of yourself," said `
` he; "I will go alone in search of Athos." `
` `
` "You are a man of brass," replied Aramis. `
` `
` "No, I have good luck, that is all. But how do you mean to pass `
` your time till I come back? No more theses, no more glosses upon `
` the fingers or upon benedictions, hey?" `
` `
` Aramis smiled. "I will make verses," said he. `
` `
` "Yes, I dare say; verses perfumed with the odor of the billet `
` from the attendant of Madame de Chevreuse. Teach Bazin prosody; `
` that will console him. As to the horse, ride him a little every `
` day, and that will accustom you to his maneuvers." `
` `
` "Oh, make yourself easy on that head," replied Aramis. "You will `
` find me ready to follow you." `
` `
` They took leave of each other, and in ten minutes, after having `
` commended his friend to the cares of the hostess and Bazin, `
` d'Artagnan was trotting along in the direction of Amiens. `
` `
` How was he going to find Athos? Should he find him at all? The `
` position in which he had left him was critical. He probably had `
` succumbed. This idea, while darkening his brow, drew several `
` sighs from him, and caused him to formulate to himself a few vows `
` of vengeance. Of all his friends, Athos was the eldest, and the `
` least resembling him in appearance, in his tastes and sympathies. `
` `
` Yet he entertained a marked preference for this gentleman. The `
` noble and distinguished air of Athos, those flashes of greatness `
` which from time to time broke out from the shade in which he `
` voluntarily kept himself, that unalterable equality of temper `
` which made him the most pleasant companion in the world, that `
` forced and cynical gaiety, that bravery which might have been `
` termed blind if it had not been the result of the rarest `
` coolness--such qualities attracted more than the esteem, more than `
` the friendship of d'Artagnan; they attracted his admiration. `
` `
` Indeed, when placed beside M. de Treville, the elegant and noble `
` courtier, Athos in his most cheerful days might advantageously `
` sustain a comparison. He was of middle height; but his person `
` was so admirably shaped and so well proportioned that more than `
` once in his struggles with Porthos he had overcome the giant `
` whose physical strength was proverbial among the Musketeers. His `
` head, with piercing eyes, a straight nose, a chin cut like that `
` of Brutus, had altogether an indefinable character of grandeur `
` and grace. His hands, of which he took little care, were the `
` despair of Aramis, who cultivated his with almond paste and `
` perfumed oil. The sound of his voice was at once penetrating and `
` melodious; and then, that which was inconceivable in Athos, who `
` was always retiring, was that delicate knowledge of the world and `
` of the usages of the most brilliant society--those manners of a `
` high degree which appeared, as if unconsciously to himself, in `
` his least actions. `
` `
` If a repast were on foot, Athos presided over it better than any `
` other, placing every guest exactly in the rank which his `
` ancestors had earned for him or that he had made for himself. If `
` a question in heraldry were started, Athos knew all the noble `
` families of the kingdom, their genealogy, their alliances, their `
` coats of arms, and the origin of them. Etiquette had no minutiae `
` unknown to him. He knew what were the rights of the great land `
` owners. He was profoundly versed in hunting and falconry, and `
` had one day when conversing on this great art astonished even `
` Louis XIII himself, who took a pride in being considered a past `
` master therein. `
` `
` Like all the great nobles of that period, Athos rode and fenced `
` to perfection. But still further, his education had been so `
` little neglected, even with respect to scholastic studies, so `
` rare at this time among gentlemen, that he smiled at the scraps `
` of Latin which Aramis sported and which Porthos pretended to `
` understand. Two or three times, even, to the great astonishment `
` of his friends, he had, when Aramis allowed some rudimental error `
` to escape him, replaced a verb in its right tense and a noun in `
` its case. Besides, his probity was irreproachable, in an age in `
` which soldiers compromised so easily with their religion and `
` their consciences, lovers with the rigorous delicacy of our era, `
` and the poor with God's Seventh Commandment. This Athos, then, `
` was a very extraordinary man. `
` `
` And yet this nature so distinguished, this creature so beautiful, `
` this essence so fine, was seen to turn insensibly toward material `
` life, as old men turn toward physical and moral imbecility. `
` Athos, in his hours of gloom--and these hours were frequent--was `
` extinguished as to the whole of the luminous portion of him, and `
` his brilliant side disappeared as into profound darkness. `
` `
` Then the demigod vanished; he remained scarcely a man. His head `
` hanging down, his eye dull, his speech slow and painful, Athos `
` would look for hours together at his bottle, his glass, or at `
` Grimaud, who, accustomed to obey him by signs, read in the faint `
` glance of his master his least desire, and satisfied it `
` immediately. If the four friends were assembled at one of these `
` moments, a word, thrown forth occasionally with a violent effort, `
` was the share Athos furnished to the conversation. In exchange `
` for his silence Athos drank enough for four, and without `
` appearing to be otherwise affected by wine than by a more marked `
` constriction of the brow and by a deeper sadness. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, whose inquiring disposition we are acquainted with, `
` had not--whatever interest he had in satisfying his curiosity on `
` this subject--been able to assign any cause for these fits of for `
` the periods of their recurrence. Athos never received any `
` letters; Athos never had concerns which all his friends did not `
` know. `
` `
` It could not be said that it was wine which produced this `
` sadness; for in truth he only drank to combat this sadness, which `
` wine however, as we have said, rendered still darker. This `
` excess of bilious humor could not be attributed to play; for `
` unlike Porthos, who accompanied the variations of chance with `
` songs or oaths, Athos when he won remained as unmoved as when he `
` lost. He had been known, in the circle of the Musketeers, to win `
` in one night three thousand pistoles; to lose them even to the `
` gold-embroidered belt for gala days, win all this again with the `
` addition of a hundred louis, without his beautiful eyebrow being `
` heightened or lowered half a line, without his hands losing their `
` pearly hue, without his conversation, which was cheerful that `
` evening, ceasing to be calm and agreeable. `
` `
` Neither was it, as with our neighbors, the English, an `
` atmospheric influence which darkened his countenance; for the `
` sadness generally became more intense toward the fine season of `
` the year. June and July were the terrible months with Athos. `
` `
` For the present he had no anxiety. He shrugged his shoulders `
` when people spoke of the future. His secret, then, was in the `
` past, as had often been vaguely said to d'Artagnan. `
` `
` This mysterious shade, spread over his whole person, rendered `
` still more interesting the man whose eyes or mouth, even in the `
` most complete intoxication, had never revealed anything, however `
` skillfully questions had been put to him. `
` `
`