Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
reconciles me with myself. He would not sell his horse; not for `
` a kingdom! I think I can see him now, mounted upon his superb `
` animal and seated in his handsome saddle. I am sure he will look `
` like the Great Mogul!" `
` `
` They made a halt for an hour to refresh their horses. Aramis `
` discharged his bill, placed Bazin in the cart with his comrades, `
` and they set forward to join Porthos. `
` `
` They found him up, less pale than when d'Artagnan left him after `
` his first visit, and seated at a table on which, though he was `
` alone, was spread enough for four persons. This dinner consisted `
` of meats nicely dressed, choice wines, and superb fruit. `
` `
` "Ah, PARDIEU!" said he, rising, "you come in the nick of time, `
` gentlemen. I was just beginning the soup, and you will dine with `
` me." `
` `
` "Oh, oh!" said d'Artagnan, "Mousqueton has not caught these `
` bottles with his lasso. Besides, here is a piquant FRICANDEAU `
` and a fillet of beef." `
` `
` "I am recruiting myself," said Porthos, "I am recruiting myself. `
` Nothing weakens a man more than these devilish strains. Did you `
` ever suffer from a strain, Athos?" `
` `
` "Never! Though I remember, in our affair of the Rue Ferou, I `
` received a sword wound which at the end of fifteen or eighteen `
` days produced the same effect." `
` `
` "But this dinner was not intended for you alone, Porthos?" said `
` Aramis. `
` `
` "No," said Porthos, "I expected some gentlemen of the `
` neighborhood, who have just sent me word they could not come. `
` You will take their places and I shall not lose by the exchange. `
` HOLA, Mousqueton, seats, and order double the bottles!" `
` `
` "Do you know what we are eating here?" said Athos, at the end of `
` ten minutes. `
` `
` "PARDIEU!" replied d'Artagnan, "for my part, I am eating veal `
` garnished with shrimps and vegetables." `
` `
` "And I some lamb chops," said Porthos. `
` `
` "And I a plain chicken," said Aramis. `
` `
` "You are all mistaken, gentlemen," answered Athos, gravely; "you `
` are eating horse." `
` `
` "Eating what?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Horse!" said Aramis, with a grimace of disgust. `
` `
` Porthos alone made no reply. `
` `
` "Yes, horse. Are we not eating a horse, Porthos? And perhaps `
` his saddle, therewith." `
` `
` "No, gentlemen, I have kept the harness," said Porthos. `
` `
` "My faith," said Aramis, "we are all alike. One would think we `
` had tipped the wink." `
` `
` "What could I do?" said Porthos. "This horse made my visitors `
` ashamed of theirs, and I don't like to humiliate people." `
` `
` "Then your duchess is still at the waters?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Still," replied Porthos. "And, my faith, the governor of the `
` province--one of the gentlemen I expected today--seemed to have `
` such a wish for him, that I gave him to him." `
` `
` "Gave him?" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "My God, yes, GAVE, that is the word," said Porthos; "for the `
` animal was worth at least a hundred and fifty louis, and the `
` stingy fellow would only give me eighty." `
` `
` "Without the saddle?" said Aramis. `
` `
` "Yes, without the saddle." `
` `
` "You will observe, gentlemen," said Athos, "that Porthos has made `
` the best bargain of any of us." `
` `
` And then commenced a roar of laughter in which they all joined, `
` to the astonishment of poor Porthos; but when he was informed of `
` the cause of their hilarity, he shared it vociferously according `
` to his custom. `
` `
` "There is one comfort, we are all in cash," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Well, for my part," said Athos, "I found Aramis's Spanish wine `
` so good that I sent on a hamper of sixty bottles of it in the `
` wagon with the lackeys. That has weakened my purse." `
` `
` "And I," said Aramis, "imagined that I had given almost my last `
` sou to the church of Montdidier and the Jesuits of Amiens, with `
` whom I had made engagements which I ought to have kept. I have `
` ordered Masses for myself, and for you, gentlemen, which will be `
` said, gentlemen, for which I have not the least doubt you will be `
` marvelously benefited." `
` `
` "And I," said Porthos, "do you think my strain cost me nothing?-- `
` without reckoning Mousqueton's wound, for which I had to have the `
` surgeon twice a day, and who charged me double on account of that `
` foolish Mousqueton having allowed himself a ball in a part which `
` people generally only show to an apothecary; so I advised him to `
` try never to get wounded there any more." `
` `
` "Ay, ay!" said Athos, exchanging a smile with d'Artagnan and `
` Aramis, "it is very clear you acted nobly with regard to the poor `
` lad; that is like a good master." `
` `
` "In short," said Porthos, "when all my expenses are paid, I shall `
` have, at most, thirty crowns left." `
` `
` "And I about ten pistoles," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Well, then it appears that we are the Croesuses of the society. `
` How much have you left of your hundred pistoles, d'Artagnan?" `
` `
` "Of my hundred pistoles? Why, in the first place I gave you `
` fifty." `
` `
` "You think so?" `
` `
` "PARDIEU!" `
` `
` "Ah, that is true. I recollect." `
` `
` "Then I paid the host six." `
` `
` "What a brute of a host! Why did you give him six pistoles?" `
` `
` "You told me to give them to him." `
` `
` "It is true; I am too good-natured. In brief, how much remains?" `
` `
` "Twenty-five pistoles," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "And I," said Athos, taking some small change from his pocket, `
` I--" `
` `
` "You? Nothing!" `
` `
` "My faith! So little that it is not worth reckoning with the `
` general stock." `
` `
` "Now, then, let us calculate how much we posses in all." `
` `
` "Porthos?" `
` `
` "Thirty crowns." `
` `
` "Aramis?" `
` `
` "Ten pistoles." `
` `
` "And you, d'Artagnan?" `
` `
` "Twenty-five." `
` `
` "That makes in all?" said Athos. `
` `
` "Four hundred and seventy-five livres," said d'Artagnan, who `
` reckoned like Archimedes. `
` `
` "On our arrival in Paris, we shall still have four hundred, `
` besides the harnesses," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But our troop horses?" said Aramis. `
` `
` "Well, of the four horses of our lackeys we will make two for the `
` masters, for which we will draw lots. With the four hundred `
` livres we will make the half of one for one of the unmounted, and `
` then we will give the turnings out of our pockets to d'Artagnan, `
` who has a steady hand, and will go and play in the first gaming `
` house we come to. There!" `
` `
` "Let us dine, then," said Porthos; "it is getting cold." `
` `
` The friends, at ease with regard to the future, did honor to the `
` repast, the remains of which were abandoned to Mousqueton, Bazin, `
` Planchet, and Grimaud. `
` `
` On arriving in Paris, d'Artagnan found a letter from M. de `
` Treville, which informed him that, at his request, the king had `
` promised that he should enter the company of the Musketeers. `
` `
` As this was the height of d'Artagnan's worldly ambition--apart, `
` be it well understood, from his desire of finding Mme. `
` Bonacieux--he ran, full of joy, to seek his comrades, whom he had `
` left only half an hour before, but whom he found very sad and `
` deeply preoccupied. They were assembled in council at the `
` residence of Athos, which always indicated an event of some `
` gravity. M. de Treville had intimated to them his Majesty's `
` fixed intention to open the campaign on the first of May, and `
` they must immediately prepare their outfits. `
`
` a kingdom! I think I can see him now, mounted upon his superb `
` animal and seated in his handsome saddle. I am sure he will look `
` like the Great Mogul!" `
` `
` They made a halt for an hour to refresh their horses. Aramis `
` discharged his bill, placed Bazin in the cart with his comrades, `
` and they set forward to join Porthos. `
` `
` They found him up, less pale than when d'Artagnan left him after `
` his first visit, and seated at a table on which, though he was `
` alone, was spread enough for four persons. This dinner consisted `
` of meats nicely dressed, choice wines, and superb fruit. `
` `
` "Ah, PARDIEU!" said he, rising, "you come in the nick of time, `
` gentlemen. I was just beginning the soup, and you will dine with `
` me." `
` `
` "Oh, oh!" said d'Artagnan, "Mousqueton has not caught these `
` bottles with his lasso. Besides, here is a piquant FRICANDEAU `
` and a fillet of beef." `
` `
` "I am recruiting myself," said Porthos, "I am recruiting myself. `
` Nothing weakens a man more than these devilish strains. Did you `
` ever suffer from a strain, Athos?" `
` `
` "Never! Though I remember, in our affair of the Rue Ferou, I `
` received a sword wound which at the end of fifteen or eighteen `
` days produced the same effect." `
` `
` "But this dinner was not intended for you alone, Porthos?" said `
` Aramis. `
` `
` "No," said Porthos, "I expected some gentlemen of the `
` neighborhood, who have just sent me word they could not come. `
` You will take their places and I shall not lose by the exchange. `
` HOLA, Mousqueton, seats, and order double the bottles!" `
` `
` "Do you know what we are eating here?" said Athos, at the end of `
` ten minutes. `
` `
` "PARDIEU!" replied d'Artagnan, "for my part, I am eating veal `
` garnished with shrimps and vegetables." `
` `
` "And I some lamb chops," said Porthos. `
` `
` "And I a plain chicken," said Aramis. `
` `
` "You are all mistaken, gentlemen," answered Athos, gravely; "you `
` are eating horse." `
` `
` "Eating what?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Horse!" said Aramis, with a grimace of disgust. `
` `
` Porthos alone made no reply. `
` `
` "Yes, horse. Are we not eating a horse, Porthos? And perhaps `
` his saddle, therewith." `
` `
` "No, gentlemen, I have kept the harness," said Porthos. `
` `
` "My faith," said Aramis, "we are all alike. One would think we `
` had tipped the wink." `
` `
` "What could I do?" said Porthos. "This horse made my visitors `
` ashamed of theirs, and I don't like to humiliate people." `
` `
` "Then your duchess is still at the waters?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Still," replied Porthos. "And, my faith, the governor of the `
` province--one of the gentlemen I expected today--seemed to have `
` such a wish for him, that I gave him to him." `
` `
` "Gave him?" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "My God, yes, GAVE, that is the word," said Porthos; "for the `
` animal was worth at least a hundred and fifty louis, and the `
` stingy fellow would only give me eighty." `
` `
` "Without the saddle?" said Aramis. `
` `
` "Yes, without the saddle." `
` `
` "You will observe, gentlemen," said Athos, "that Porthos has made `
` the best bargain of any of us." `
` `
` And then commenced a roar of laughter in which they all joined, `
` to the astonishment of poor Porthos; but when he was informed of `
` the cause of their hilarity, he shared it vociferously according `
` to his custom. `
` `
` "There is one comfort, we are all in cash," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Well, for my part," said Athos, "I found Aramis's Spanish wine `
` so good that I sent on a hamper of sixty bottles of it in the `
` wagon with the lackeys. That has weakened my purse." `
` `
` "And I," said Aramis, "imagined that I had given almost my last `
` sou to the church of Montdidier and the Jesuits of Amiens, with `
` whom I had made engagements which I ought to have kept. I have `
` ordered Masses for myself, and for you, gentlemen, which will be `
` said, gentlemen, for which I have not the least doubt you will be `
` marvelously benefited." `
` `
` "And I," said Porthos, "do you think my strain cost me nothing?-- `
` without reckoning Mousqueton's wound, for which I had to have the `
` surgeon twice a day, and who charged me double on account of that `
` foolish Mousqueton having allowed himself a ball in a part which `
` people generally only show to an apothecary; so I advised him to `
` try never to get wounded there any more." `
` `
` "Ay, ay!" said Athos, exchanging a smile with d'Artagnan and `
` Aramis, "it is very clear you acted nobly with regard to the poor `
` lad; that is like a good master." `
` `
` "In short," said Porthos, "when all my expenses are paid, I shall `
` have, at most, thirty crowns left." `
` `
` "And I about ten pistoles," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Well, then it appears that we are the Croesuses of the society. `
` How much have you left of your hundred pistoles, d'Artagnan?" `
` `
` "Of my hundred pistoles? Why, in the first place I gave you `
` fifty." `
` `
` "You think so?" `
` `
` "PARDIEU!" `
` `
` "Ah, that is true. I recollect." `
` `
` "Then I paid the host six." `
` `
` "What a brute of a host! Why did you give him six pistoles?" `
` `
` "You told me to give them to him." `
` `
` "It is true; I am too good-natured. In brief, how much remains?" `
` `
` "Twenty-five pistoles," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "And I," said Athos, taking some small change from his pocket, `
` I--" `
` `
` "You? Nothing!" `
` `
` "My faith! So little that it is not worth reckoning with the `
` general stock." `
` `
` "Now, then, let us calculate how much we posses in all." `
` `
` "Porthos?" `
` `
` "Thirty crowns." `
` `
` "Aramis?" `
` `
` "Ten pistoles." `
` `
` "And you, d'Artagnan?" `
` `
` "Twenty-five." `
` `
` "That makes in all?" said Athos. `
` `
` "Four hundred and seventy-five livres," said d'Artagnan, who `
` reckoned like Archimedes. `
` `
` "On our arrival in Paris, we shall still have four hundred, `
` besides the harnesses," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But our troop horses?" said Aramis. `
` `
` "Well, of the four horses of our lackeys we will make two for the `
` masters, for which we will draw lots. With the four hundred `
` livres we will make the half of one for one of the unmounted, and `
` then we will give the turnings out of our pockets to d'Artagnan, `
` who has a steady hand, and will go and play in the first gaming `
` house we come to. There!" `
` `
` "Let us dine, then," said Porthos; "it is getting cold." `
` `
` The friends, at ease with regard to the future, did honor to the `
` repast, the remains of which were abandoned to Mousqueton, Bazin, `
` Planchet, and Grimaud. `
` `
` On arriving in Paris, d'Artagnan found a letter from M. de `
` Treville, which informed him that, at his request, the king had `
` promised that he should enter the company of the Musketeers. `
` `
` As this was the height of d'Artagnan's worldly ambition--apart, `
` be it well understood, from his desire of finding Mme. `
` Bonacieux--he ran, full of joy, to seek his comrades, whom he had `
` left only half an hour before, but whom he found very sad and `
` deeply preoccupied. They were assembled in council at the `
` residence of Athos, which always indicated an event of some `
` gravity. M. de Treville had intimated to them his Majesty's `
` fixed intention to open the campaign on the first of May, and `
` they must immediately prepare their outfits. `
`