Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
`
` "Well, then, I am your servant, Monsieur Baron," said `
` d'Artagnan, "though you have names rather difficult to `
` recollect." And touching his horse with the spur, he `
` cantered back to Paris. As he was accustomed to do in all `
` cases of any consequence, d'Artagnan went straight to the `
` residence of Athos. `
` `
` He found Athos reclining upon a large sofa, where he was `
` waiting, as he said, for his outfit to come and find him. `
` He related to Athos all that had passed, except the letter `
` to M. de Wardes. `
` `
` Athos was delighted to find he was going to fight an `
` Englishman. We might say that was his dream. `
` `
` They immediately sent their lackeys for Porthos and Aramis, `
` and on their arrival made them acquainted with the `
` situation. `
` `
` Porthos drew his sword from the scabbard, and made passes at `
` the wall, springing back from time to time, and making `
` contortions like a dancer. `
` `
` Aramis, who was constantly at work at his poem, shut himself `
` up in Athos's closet, and begged not to be disturbed before `
` the moment of drawing swords. `
` `
` Athos, by signs, desired Grimaud to bring another bottle of `
` wine. `
` `
` D'Artagnan employed himself in arranging a little plan, of `
` which we shall hereafter see the execution, and which `
` promised him some agreeable adventure, as might be seen by `
` the smiles which from time to time passed over his `
` countenance, whose thoughtfulness they animated. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` 31 ENGLISH AND FRENCH `
` `
` The hour having come, they went with their four lackeys to a `
` spot behind the Luxembourg given up to the feeding of goats. `
` Athos threw a piece of money to the goatkeeper to withdraw. `
` The lackeys were ordered to act as sentinels. `
` `
` A silent party soon drew near to the same enclosure, `
` entered, and joined the Musketeers. Then, according to `
` foreign custom, the presentations took place. `
` `
` The Englishmen were all men of rank; consequently the odd `
` names of their adversaries were for them not only a matter `
` of surprise, but of annoyance. `
` `
` "But after all," said Lord de Winter, when the three friends `
` had been named, "we do not know who you are. We cannot `
` fight with such names; they are names of shepherds." `
` `
` "Therefore your lordship may suppose they are only assumed `
` names," said Athos. `
` `
` "Which only gives us a greater desire to know the real `
` ones," replied the Englishman. `
` `
` "You played very willingly with us without knowing our `
` names," said Athos, "by the same token that you won our `
` horses." `
` `
` "That is true, but we then only risked our pistoles; this `
` time we risk our blood. One plays with anybody; but one `
` fights only with equals." `
` `
` "And that is but just," said Athos, and he took aside the `
` one of the four Englishmen with whom he was to fight, and `
` communicated his name in a low voice. `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis did the same. `
` `
` "Does that satisfy you?" said Athos to his adversary. "Do `
` you find me of sufficient rank to do me the honor of `
` crossing swords with me?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said the Englishman, bowing. `
` `
` "Well! now shall I tell you something?" added Athos, coolly. `
` `
` "What?" replied the Englishman. `
` `
` "Why, that is that you would have acted much more wisely if `
` you had not required me to make myself known." `
` `
` "Why so?" `
` `
` "Because I am believed to be dead, and have reasons for `
` wishing nobody to know I am living; so that I shall be `
` obliged to kill you to prevent my secret from roaming over `
` the fields." `
` `
` The Englishman looked at Athos, believing that he jested, `
` but Athos did not jest the least in the world. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Athos, addressing at the same time his `
` companions and their adversaries, "are we ready?" `
` `
` "Yes!" answered the Englishmen and the Frenchmen, as with `
` one voice. `
` `
` "On guard, then!" cried Athos. `
` `
` Immediately eight swords glittered in the rays of the `
` setting sun, and the combat began with an animosity very `
` natural between men twice enemies. `
` `
` Athos fenced with as much calmness and method as if he had `
` been practicing in a fencing school. `
` `
` Porthos, abated, no doubt, of his too-great confidence by `
` his adventure of Chantilly, played with skill and prudence. `
` Aramis, who had the third canto of his poem to finish, `
` behaved like a man in haste. `
` `
` Athos killed his adversary first. He hit him but once, but `
` as he had foretold, that hit was a mortal one; the sword `
` pierced his heart. `
` `
` Second, Porthos stretched his upon the grass with a wound `
` through his thigh, As the Englishman, without making any `
` further resistance, then surrendered his sword, Porthos took `
` him up in his arms and bore him to his carriage. `
` `
` Aramis pushed his so vigorously that after going back fifty `
` paces, the man ended by fairly taking to his heels, and `
` disappeared amid the hooting of the lackeys. `
` `
` As to d'Artagnan, he fought purely and simply on the `
` defensive; and when he saw his adversary pretty well `
` fatigued, with a vigorous side thrust sent his sword flying. `
` The baron, finding himself disarmed, took two or three steps `
` back, but in this movement his foot slipped and he fell `
` backward. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was over him at a bound, and said to the `
` Englishman, pointing his sword to his throat, "I could kill `
` you, my Lord, you are completely in my hands; but I spare `
` your life for the sake of your sister." `
` `
` D'Artagnan was at the height of joy; he had realized the `
` plan he had imagined beforehand, whose picturing had `
` produced the smiles we noted upon his face. `
` `
` The Englishman, delighted at having to do with a gentleman `
` of such a kind disposition, pressed d'Artagnan in his arms, `
` and paid a thousand compliments to the three Musketeers, and `
` as Porthos's adversary was already installed in the `
` carriage, and as Aramis's had taken to his heels, they had `
` nothing to think about but the dead. `
` `
` As Porthos and Aramis were undressing him, in the hope of `
` finding his wound not mortal, a large purse dropped from his `
` clothes. d'Artagnan picked it up and offered it to Lord de `
` Winter. `
` `
` "What the devil would you have me do with that?" said the `
` Englishman. `
` `
` "You can restore it to his family," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "His family will care much about such a trifle as that! His `
` family will inherit fifteen thousand louis a year from him. `
` Keep the purse for your lackeys." `
` `
` D'Artagnan put the purse into his pocket. `
` `
` "And now, my young friend, for you will permit me, I hope, `
` to give you that name," said Lord de Winter, "on this very `
` evening, if agreeable to you, I will present you to my `
` sister, Milady Clarik, for I am desirous that she should `
` take you into her good graces; and as she is not in bad odor `
` at court, she may perhaps on some future day speak a word `
` that will not prove useless to you." `
` `
` D'Artagnan blushed with pleasure, and bowed a sign of `
` assent. `
` `
` At this time Athos came up to d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "What do you mean to do with that purse?" whispered he. `
` `
` "Why, I meant to pass it over to you, my dear Athos." `
` `
` "Me! why to me?" `
` `
` "Why, you killed him! They are the spoils of victory." `
` `
` "I, the heir of an enemy!" said Athos; "for whom, then, do `
` you take me?" `
` `
` "It is the custom in war," said d'Artagnan, "why should it `
` not be the custom in a duel?" `
` `
`
` "Well, then, I am your servant, Monsieur Baron," said `
` d'Artagnan, "though you have names rather difficult to `
` recollect." And touching his horse with the spur, he `
` cantered back to Paris. As he was accustomed to do in all `
` cases of any consequence, d'Artagnan went straight to the `
` residence of Athos. `
` `
` He found Athos reclining upon a large sofa, where he was `
` waiting, as he said, for his outfit to come and find him. `
` He related to Athos all that had passed, except the letter `
` to M. de Wardes. `
` `
` Athos was delighted to find he was going to fight an `
` Englishman. We might say that was his dream. `
` `
` They immediately sent their lackeys for Porthos and Aramis, `
` and on their arrival made them acquainted with the `
` situation. `
` `
` Porthos drew his sword from the scabbard, and made passes at `
` the wall, springing back from time to time, and making `
` contortions like a dancer. `
` `
` Aramis, who was constantly at work at his poem, shut himself `
` up in Athos's closet, and begged not to be disturbed before `
` the moment of drawing swords. `
` `
` Athos, by signs, desired Grimaud to bring another bottle of `
` wine. `
` `
` D'Artagnan employed himself in arranging a little plan, of `
` which we shall hereafter see the execution, and which `
` promised him some agreeable adventure, as might be seen by `
` the smiles which from time to time passed over his `
` countenance, whose thoughtfulness they animated. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` 31 ENGLISH AND FRENCH `
` `
` The hour having come, they went with their four lackeys to a `
` spot behind the Luxembourg given up to the feeding of goats. `
` Athos threw a piece of money to the goatkeeper to withdraw. `
` The lackeys were ordered to act as sentinels. `
` `
` A silent party soon drew near to the same enclosure, `
` entered, and joined the Musketeers. Then, according to `
` foreign custom, the presentations took place. `
` `
` The Englishmen were all men of rank; consequently the odd `
` names of their adversaries were for them not only a matter `
` of surprise, but of annoyance. `
` `
` "But after all," said Lord de Winter, when the three friends `
` had been named, "we do not know who you are. We cannot `
` fight with such names; they are names of shepherds." `
` `
` "Therefore your lordship may suppose they are only assumed `
` names," said Athos. `
` `
` "Which only gives us a greater desire to know the real `
` ones," replied the Englishman. `
` `
` "You played very willingly with us without knowing our `
` names," said Athos, "by the same token that you won our `
` horses." `
` `
` "That is true, but we then only risked our pistoles; this `
` time we risk our blood. One plays with anybody; but one `
` fights only with equals." `
` `
` "And that is but just," said Athos, and he took aside the `
` one of the four Englishmen with whom he was to fight, and `
` communicated his name in a low voice. `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis did the same. `
` `
` "Does that satisfy you?" said Athos to his adversary. "Do `
` you find me of sufficient rank to do me the honor of `
` crossing swords with me?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said the Englishman, bowing. `
` `
` "Well! now shall I tell you something?" added Athos, coolly. `
` `
` "What?" replied the Englishman. `
` `
` "Why, that is that you would have acted much more wisely if `
` you had not required me to make myself known." `
` `
` "Why so?" `
` `
` "Because I am believed to be dead, and have reasons for `
` wishing nobody to know I am living; so that I shall be `
` obliged to kill you to prevent my secret from roaming over `
` the fields." `
` `
` The Englishman looked at Athos, believing that he jested, `
` but Athos did not jest the least in the world. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Athos, addressing at the same time his `
` companions and their adversaries, "are we ready?" `
` `
` "Yes!" answered the Englishmen and the Frenchmen, as with `
` one voice. `
` `
` "On guard, then!" cried Athos. `
` `
` Immediately eight swords glittered in the rays of the `
` setting sun, and the combat began with an animosity very `
` natural between men twice enemies. `
` `
` Athos fenced with as much calmness and method as if he had `
` been practicing in a fencing school. `
` `
` Porthos, abated, no doubt, of his too-great confidence by `
` his adventure of Chantilly, played with skill and prudence. `
` Aramis, who had the third canto of his poem to finish, `
` behaved like a man in haste. `
` `
` Athos killed his adversary first. He hit him but once, but `
` as he had foretold, that hit was a mortal one; the sword `
` pierced his heart. `
` `
` Second, Porthos stretched his upon the grass with a wound `
` through his thigh, As the Englishman, without making any `
` further resistance, then surrendered his sword, Porthos took `
` him up in his arms and bore him to his carriage. `
` `
` Aramis pushed his so vigorously that after going back fifty `
` paces, the man ended by fairly taking to his heels, and `
` disappeared amid the hooting of the lackeys. `
` `
` As to d'Artagnan, he fought purely and simply on the `
` defensive; and when he saw his adversary pretty well `
` fatigued, with a vigorous side thrust sent his sword flying. `
` The baron, finding himself disarmed, took two or three steps `
` back, but in this movement his foot slipped and he fell `
` backward. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was over him at a bound, and said to the `
` Englishman, pointing his sword to his throat, "I could kill `
` you, my Lord, you are completely in my hands; but I spare `
` your life for the sake of your sister." `
` `
` D'Artagnan was at the height of joy; he had realized the `
` plan he had imagined beforehand, whose picturing had `
` produced the smiles we noted upon his face. `
` `
` The Englishman, delighted at having to do with a gentleman `
` of such a kind disposition, pressed d'Artagnan in his arms, `
` and paid a thousand compliments to the three Musketeers, and `
` as Porthos's adversary was already installed in the `
` carriage, and as Aramis's had taken to his heels, they had `
` nothing to think about but the dead. `
` `
` As Porthos and Aramis were undressing him, in the hope of `
` finding his wound not mortal, a large purse dropped from his `
` clothes. d'Artagnan picked it up and offered it to Lord de `
` Winter. `
` `
` "What the devil would you have me do with that?" said the `
` Englishman. `
` `
` "You can restore it to his family," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "His family will care much about such a trifle as that! His `
` family will inherit fifteen thousand louis a year from him. `
` Keep the purse for your lackeys." `
` `
` D'Artagnan put the purse into his pocket. `
` `
` "And now, my young friend, for you will permit me, I hope, `
` to give you that name," said Lord de Winter, "on this very `
` evening, if agreeable to you, I will present you to my `
` sister, Milady Clarik, for I am desirous that she should `
` take you into her good graces; and as she is not in bad odor `
` at court, she may perhaps on some future day speak a word `
` that will not prove useless to you." `
` `
` D'Artagnan blushed with pleasure, and bowed a sign of `
` assent. `
` `
` At this time Athos came up to d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "What do you mean to do with that purse?" whispered he. `
` `
` "Why, I meant to pass it over to you, my dear Athos." `
` `
` "Me! why to me?" `
` `
` "Why, you killed him! They are the spoils of victory." `
` `
` "I, the heir of an enemy!" said Athos; "for whom, then, do `
` you take me?" `
` `
` "It is the custom in war," said d'Artagnan, "why should it `
` not be the custom in a duel?" `
` `
`