Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
"What, the mercer's wife of the Rue des Fossoyeurs? Has he `
` not already forgotten she ever existed? Fine vengeance `
` that, on my faith!" `
` `
` A cold sweat broke from d'Artagnan's brow. Why, this woman `
` was a monster! He resumed his listening, but unfortunately `
` the toilet was finished. `
` `
` "That will do," said Milady; "go into your own room, and `
` tomorrow endeavor again to get me an answer to the letter I `
` gave you." `
` `
` "For Monsieur de Wardes?" said Kitty. `
` `
` "To be sure; for Monsieur de Wardes." `
` `
` "Now, there is one," said Kitty, "who appears to me quite a `
` different sort of a man from that poor Monsieur d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "Go to bed, mademoiselle," said Milady; "I don't like `
` comments." `
` `
` D'Artagnan heard the door close; then the noise of two bolts `
` by which Milady fastened herself in. On her side, but as `
` softly as possible, Kitty turned the key of the lock, and `
` then d'Artagnan opened the closet door. `
` `
` "Oh, good Lord!" said Kitty, in a low voice, "what is the `
` matter with you? How pale you are!" `
` `
` "The abominable creature" murmured d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Silence, silence, begone!" said Kitty. "There is nothing `
` but a wainscot between my chamber and Milady's; every word `
` that is uttered in one can be heard in the other." `
` `
` "That's exactly the reason I won't go," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "What!" said Kitty, blushing. `
` `
` "Or, at least, I will go--later." `
` `
` He drew Kitty to him. She had the less motive to resist, `
` resistance would make so much noise. Therefore Kitty `
` surrendered. `
` `
` It was a movement of vengeance upon Milady. D'Artagnan `
` believed it right to say that vengeance is the pleasure of `
` the gods. With a little more heart, he might have been `
` contented with this new conquest; but the principal features `
` of his character were ambition and pride. It must, however, `
` be confessed in his justification that the first use he made `
` of his influence over Kitty was to try and find out what had `
` become of Mme. Bonacieux; but the poor girl swore upon the `
` crucifix to d'Artagnan that she was entirely ignorant on `
` that head, her mistress never admitting her into half her `
` secrets--only she believed she could say she was not dead. `
` `
` As to the cause which was near making Milady lose her credit `
` with the cardinal, Kitty knew nothing about it; but this `
` time d'Artagnan was better informed than she was. As he had `
` seen Milady on board a vessel at the moment he was leaving `
` England, he suspected that it was, almost without a doubt, `
` on account of the diamond studs. `
` `
` But what was clearest in all this was that the true hatred, `
` the profound hatred, the inveterate hatred of Milady, was `
` increased by his not having killed her brother-in-law. `
` `
` D'Artagnan came the next day to Milady's, and finding her in `
` a very ill-humor, had no doubt that it was lack of an answer `
` from M. de Wardes that provoked her thus. Kitty came in, `
` but Milady was very cross with her. The poor girl ventured `
` a glance at d'Artagnan which said, "See how I suffer on your `
` account!" `
` `
` Toward the end of the evening, however, the beautiful `
` lioness became milder; she smilingly listened to the soft `
` speeches of d'Artagnan, and even gave him her hand to kiss. `
` `
` D'Artagnan departed, scarcely knowing what to think, but as `
` he was a youth who did not easily lose his head, while `
` continuing to pay his court to Milady, he had framed a `
` little plan in his mind. `
` `
` He found Kitty at the gate, and, as on the preceding `
` evening, went up to her chamber. Kitty had been accused of `
` negligence and severely scolded. Milady could not at all `
` comprehend the silence of the Comte de Wardes, and she `
` ordered Kitty to come at nine o'clock in the morning to take `
` a third letter. `
` `
` D'Artagnan made Kitty promise to bring him that letter on `
` the following morning. The poor girl promised all her lover `
` desired; she was mad. `
` `
` Things passed as on the night before. D'Artagnan concealed `
` himself in his closet; Milady called, undressed, sent away `
` Kitty, and shut the door. As the night before, d'Artagnan `
` did not return home till five o'clock in the morning. `
` `
` At eleven o'clock Kitty came to him. She held in her hand a `
` fresh billet from Milady. This time the poor girl did not `
` even argue with d'Artagnan; she gave it to him at once. She `
` belonged body and soul to her handsome soldier. `
` `
` D'Artagnan opened the letter and read as follows: `
` `
` `
` This is the third time I have written to you to tell you `
` that I love you. Beware that I do not write to you a fourth `
` time to tell you that I detest you. `
` `
` If you repent of the manner in which you have acted toward `
` me, the young girl who brings you this will tell you how a `
` man of spirit may obtain his pardon. `
` `
` `
` d'Artagnan colored and grew pale several times in reading `
` this billet. `
` `
` "Oh, you love her still," said Kitty, who had not taken her `
` eyes off the young man's countenance for an instant. `
` `
` "No, Kitty, you are mistaken. I do not love her, but I will `
` avenge myself for her contempt." `
` `
` "Oh, yes, I know what sort of vengeance! You told me that!" `
` `
` "What matters it to you, Kitty? You know it is you alone `
` whom I love." `
` `
` "How can I know that?" `
` `
` "By the scorn I will throw upon her." `
` `
` D'Artagnan took a pen and wrote: `
` `
` `
` Madame, Until the present moment I could not believe that it `
` was to me your first two letters were addressed, so unworthy `
` did I feel myself of such an honor; besides, I was so `
` seriously indisposed that I could not in any case have `
` replied to them. `
` `
` But now I am forced to believe in the excess of your `
` kindness, since not only your letter but your servant `
` assures me that I have the good fortune to be beloved by `
` you. `
` `
` She has no occasion to teach me the way in which a man of `
` spirit may obtain his pardon. I will come and ask mine at `
` eleven o'clock this evening. `
` `
` To delay it a single day would be in my eyes now to commit a `
` fresh offense. `
` `
` From him whom you have rendered the happiest of men, `
` Comte de Wardes `
` `
` `
` This note was in the first place a forgery; it was likewise `
` an indelicacy. It was even, according to our present `
` manners, something like an infamous action; but at that `
` period people did not manage affairs as they do today. `
` Besides, d'Artagnan from her own admission knew Milady `
` culpable of treachery in matters more important, and could `
` entertain no respect for her. And yet, notwithstanding this `
` want of respect, he felt an uncontrollable passion for this `
` woman boiling in his veins--passion drunk with contempt; but `
` passion or thirst, as the reader pleases. `
` `
` D'Artagnan's plan was very simple. By Kitty's chamber he `
` could gain that of her mistress. He would take advantage of `
` the first moment of surprise, shame, and terror, to triumph `
` over her. He might fail, but something must be left to `
` chance. In eight days the campaign would open, and he would `
` be compelled to leave Paris; d'Artagnan had no time for a `
` prolonged love siege. `
` `
` "There," said the young man, handing Kitty the letter `
` sealed; "give that to Milady. It is the count's reply." `
` `
` Poor Kitty became as pale as death; she suspected what the `
` letter contained. `
` `
` "Listen, my dear girl," said d'Artagnan; "you cannot but `
` perceive that all this must end, some way or other. Milady `
` may discover that you gave the first billet to my lackey `
` instead of to the count's; that it is I who have opened the `
` others which ought to have been opened by de Wardes. Milady `
` will then turn you out of doors, and you know she is not the `
` woman to limit her vengeance." `
` `
` "Alas!" said Kitty, "for whom have I exposed myself to all that?" `
` `
` "For me, I well know, my sweet girl," said d'Artagnan. "But `
` I am grateful, I swear to you." `
` `
` "But what does this note contain?" `
` `
`
` not already forgotten she ever existed? Fine vengeance `
` that, on my faith!" `
` `
` A cold sweat broke from d'Artagnan's brow. Why, this woman `
` was a monster! He resumed his listening, but unfortunately `
` the toilet was finished. `
` `
` "That will do," said Milady; "go into your own room, and `
` tomorrow endeavor again to get me an answer to the letter I `
` gave you." `
` `
` "For Monsieur de Wardes?" said Kitty. `
` `
` "To be sure; for Monsieur de Wardes." `
` `
` "Now, there is one," said Kitty, "who appears to me quite a `
` different sort of a man from that poor Monsieur d'Artagnan." `
` `
` "Go to bed, mademoiselle," said Milady; "I don't like `
` comments." `
` `
` D'Artagnan heard the door close; then the noise of two bolts `
` by which Milady fastened herself in. On her side, but as `
` softly as possible, Kitty turned the key of the lock, and `
` then d'Artagnan opened the closet door. `
` `
` "Oh, good Lord!" said Kitty, in a low voice, "what is the `
` matter with you? How pale you are!" `
` `
` "The abominable creature" murmured d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Silence, silence, begone!" said Kitty. "There is nothing `
` but a wainscot between my chamber and Milady's; every word `
` that is uttered in one can be heard in the other." `
` `
` "That's exactly the reason I won't go," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "What!" said Kitty, blushing. `
` `
` "Or, at least, I will go--later." `
` `
` He drew Kitty to him. She had the less motive to resist, `
` resistance would make so much noise. Therefore Kitty `
` surrendered. `
` `
` It was a movement of vengeance upon Milady. D'Artagnan `
` believed it right to say that vengeance is the pleasure of `
` the gods. With a little more heart, he might have been `
` contented with this new conquest; but the principal features `
` of his character were ambition and pride. It must, however, `
` be confessed in his justification that the first use he made `
` of his influence over Kitty was to try and find out what had `
` become of Mme. Bonacieux; but the poor girl swore upon the `
` crucifix to d'Artagnan that she was entirely ignorant on `
` that head, her mistress never admitting her into half her `
` secrets--only she believed she could say she was not dead. `
` `
` As to the cause which was near making Milady lose her credit `
` with the cardinal, Kitty knew nothing about it; but this `
` time d'Artagnan was better informed than she was. As he had `
` seen Milady on board a vessel at the moment he was leaving `
` England, he suspected that it was, almost without a doubt, `
` on account of the diamond studs. `
` `
` But what was clearest in all this was that the true hatred, `
` the profound hatred, the inveterate hatred of Milady, was `
` increased by his not having killed her brother-in-law. `
` `
` D'Artagnan came the next day to Milady's, and finding her in `
` a very ill-humor, had no doubt that it was lack of an answer `
` from M. de Wardes that provoked her thus. Kitty came in, `
` but Milady was very cross with her. The poor girl ventured `
` a glance at d'Artagnan which said, "See how I suffer on your `
` account!" `
` `
` Toward the end of the evening, however, the beautiful `
` lioness became milder; she smilingly listened to the soft `
` speeches of d'Artagnan, and even gave him her hand to kiss. `
` `
` D'Artagnan departed, scarcely knowing what to think, but as `
` he was a youth who did not easily lose his head, while `
` continuing to pay his court to Milady, he had framed a `
` little plan in his mind. `
` `
` He found Kitty at the gate, and, as on the preceding `
` evening, went up to her chamber. Kitty had been accused of `
` negligence and severely scolded. Milady could not at all `
` comprehend the silence of the Comte de Wardes, and she `
` ordered Kitty to come at nine o'clock in the morning to take `
` a third letter. `
` `
` D'Artagnan made Kitty promise to bring him that letter on `
` the following morning. The poor girl promised all her lover `
` desired; she was mad. `
` `
` Things passed as on the night before. D'Artagnan concealed `
` himself in his closet; Milady called, undressed, sent away `
` Kitty, and shut the door. As the night before, d'Artagnan `
` did not return home till five o'clock in the morning. `
` `
` At eleven o'clock Kitty came to him. She held in her hand a `
` fresh billet from Milady. This time the poor girl did not `
` even argue with d'Artagnan; she gave it to him at once. She `
` belonged body and soul to her handsome soldier. `
` `
` D'Artagnan opened the letter and read as follows: `
` `
` `
` This is the third time I have written to you to tell you `
` that I love you. Beware that I do not write to you a fourth `
` time to tell you that I detest you. `
` `
` If you repent of the manner in which you have acted toward `
` me, the young girl who brings you this will tell you how a `
` man of spirit may obtain his pardon. `
` `
` `
` d'Artagnan colored and grew pale several times in reading `
` this billet. `
` `
` "Oh, you love her still," said Kitty, who had not taken her `
` eyes off the young man's countenance for an instant. `
` `
` "No, Kitty, you are mistaken. I do not love her, but I will `
` avenge myself for her contempt." `
` `
` "Oh, yes, I know what sort of vengeance! You told me that!" `
` `
` "What matters it to you, Kitty? You know it is you alone `
` whom I love." `
` `
` "How can I know that?" `
` `
` "By the scorn I will throw upon her." `
` `
` D'Artagnan took a pen and wrote: `
` `
` `
` Madame, Until the present moment I could not believe that it `
` was to me your first two letters were addressed, so unworthy `
` did I feel myself of such an honor; besides, I was so `
` seriously indisposed that I could not in any case have `
` replied to them. `
` `
` But now I am forced to believe in the excess of your `
` kindness, since not only your letter but your servant `
` assures me that I have the good fortune to be beloved by `
` you. `
` `
` She has no occasion to teach me the way in which a man of `
` spirit may obtain his pardon. I will come and ask mine at `
` eleven o'clock this evening. `
` `
` To delay it a single day would be in my eyes now to commit a `
` fresh offense. `
` `
` From him whom you have rendered the happiest of men, `
` Comte de Wardes `
` `
` `
` This note was in the first place a forgery; it was likewise `
` an indelicacy. It was even, according to our present `
` manners, something like an infamous action; but at that `
` period people did not manage affairs as they do today. `
` Besides, d'Artagnan from her own admission knew Milady `
` culpable of treachery in matters more important, and could `
` entertain no respect for her. And yet, notwithstanding this `
` want of respect, he felt an uncontrollable passion for this `
` woman boiling in his veins--passion drunk with contempt; but `
` passion or thirst, as the reader pleases. `
` `
` D'Artagnan's plan was very simple. By Kitty's chamber he `
` could gain that of her mistress. He would take advantage of `
` the first moment of surprise, shame, and terror, to triumph `
` over her. He might fail, but something must be left to `
` chance. In eight days the campaign would open, and he would `
` be compelled to leave Paris; d'Artagnan had no time for a `
` prolonged love siege. `
` `
` "There," said the young man, handing Kitty the letter `
` sealed; "give that to Milady. It is the count's reply." `
` `
` Poor Kitty became as pale as death; she suspected what the `
` letter contained. `
` `
` "Listen, my dear girl," said d'Artagnan; "you cannot but `
` perceive that all this must end, some way or other. Milady `
` may discover that you gave the first billet to my lackey `
` instead of to the count's; that it is I who have opened the `
` others which ought to have been opened by de Wardes. Milady `
` will then turn you out of doors, and you know she is not the `
` woman to limit her vengeance." `
` `
` "Alas!" said Kitty, "for whom have I exposed myself to all that?" `
` `
` "For me, I well know, my sweet girl," said d'Artagnan. "But `
` I am grateful, I swear to you." `
` `
` "But what does this note contain?" `
` `
`