Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
`
` "Milady will tell you." `
` `
` "Ah, you do not love me!" cried Kitty, "and I am very `
` wretched." `
` `
` To this reproach there is always one response which deludes `
` women. D'Artagnan replied in such a manner that Kitty `
` remained in her great delusion. Although she cried freely `
` before deciding to transmit the letter to her mistress, she `
` did at last so decide, which was all d'Artagnan wished. `
` Finally he promised that he would leave her mistress's `
` presence at an early hour that evening, and that when he `
` left the mistress he would ascend with the maid. This `
` promise completed poor Kitty's consolation. `
` `
` `
` `
` 34 IN WHICH THE EQUIPMENT OF ARAMIS AND PORTHOS IS TREATED `
` OF `
` `
` Since the four friends had been each in search of his `
` equipments, there had been no fixed meeting between them. `
` They dined apart from one another, wherever they might `
` happen to be, or rather where they could. Duty likewise on `
` its part took a portion of that precious time which was `
` gliding away so rapidly--only they had agreed to meet once a `
` week, about one o'clock, at the residence of Athos, seeing `
` that he, in agreement with the vow he had formed, did not `
` pass over the threshold of his door. `
` `
` This day of reunion was the same day as that on which Kitty `
` came to find d'Artagnan. Soon as Kitty left him, d'Artagnan `
` directed his steps toward the Rue Ferou. `
` `
` He found Athos and Aramis philosophizing. Aramis had some `
` slight inclination to resume the cassock. Athos, according `
` to his system, neither encouraged nor dissuaded him. Athos `
` believed that everyone should be left to his own free will. `
` He never gave advice but when it was asked, and even then he `
` required to be asked twice. `
` `
` "People, in general," he said, "only ask advice not to `
` follow it; or if they do follow it, it is for the sake of `
` having someone to blame for having given it." `
` `
` Porthos arrived a minute after d'Artagnan. The four friends `
` were reunited. `
` `
` The four countenances expressed four different feelings: `
` that of Porthos, tranquillity; that of d'Artagnan, hope; `
` that of Aramis, uneasiness; that of Athos, carelessness. `
` `
` At the end of a moment's conversation, in which Porthos `
` hinted that a lady of elevated rank had condescended to `
` relieve him from his embarrassment, Mousqueton entered. He `
` came to request his master to return to his lodgings, where `
` his presence was urgent, as he piteously said. `
` `
` "Is it my equipment?" `
` `
` "Yes and no," replied Mousqueton. `
` `
` "Well, but can't you speak?" `
` `
` "Come, monsieur." `
` `
` Porthos rose, saluted his friends, and followed Mousqueton. `
` An instant after, Bazin made his appearance at the door. `
` `
` "What do you want with me, my friend?" said Aramis, with `
` that mildness of language which was observable in him every `
` time that his ideas were directed toward the Church. `
` `
` "A man wishes to see Monsieur at home," replied Bazin. `
` `
` "A man! What man?" `
` `
` "A mendicant." `
` `
` "Give him alms, Bazin, and bid him pray for a poor sinner." `
` `
` "This mendicant insists upon speaking to you, and pretends `
` that you will be very glad to see him." `
` `
` "Has he sent no particular message for me?" `
` `
` "Yes. If Monsieur Aramis hesitates to come," he said, "tell `
` him I am from Tours." `
` `
` "From Tours!" cried Aramis. "A thousand pardons, gentlemen; `
` but no doubt this man brings me the news I expected." And `
` rising also, he went off at a quick pace. There remained `
` Athos and d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I believe these fellows have managed their business. What `
` do you think, d'Artagnan?" said Athos. `
` `
` "I know that Porthos was in a fair way," replied d'Artagnan; `
` "and as to Aramis to tell you the truth, I have never been `
` seriously uneasy on his account. But you, my dear Athos-- `
` you, who so generously distributed the Englishman's `
` pistoles, which were our legitimate property--what do you `
` mean to do?" `
` `
` "I am satisfied with having killed that fellow, my boy, `
` seeing that it is blessed bread to kill an Englishman; but `
` if I had pocketed his pistoles, they would have weighed me `
` down like a remorse. `
` `
` "Go to, my dear Athos; you have truly inconceivable ideas." `
` `
` "Let it pass. What do you think of Monsieur de Treville `
` telling me, when he did me the honor to call upon me `
` yesterday, that you associated with the suspected English, `
` whom the cardinal protects?" `
` `
` "That is to say, I visit an Englishwoman--the one I named." `
` `
` "Oh, ay! the fair woman on whose account I gave you advice, `
` which naturally you took care not to adopt." `
` `
` "I gave you my reasons." `
` `
` "Yes; you look there for your outfit, I think you said." `
` `
` "Not at all. I have acquired certain knowledge that that `
` woman was concerned in the abduction of Madame Bonacieux." `
` `
` "Yes, I understand now: to find one woman, you court `
` another. It is the longest road, but certainly the most `
` amusing." `
` `
` D'Artagnan was on the point of telling Athos all; but one `
` consideration restrained him. Athos was a gentleman, `
` punctilious in points of honor; and there were in the plan `
` which our lover had devised for Milady, he was sure, certain `
` things that would not obtain the assent of this Puritan. He `
` was therefore silent; and as Athos was the least inquisitive `
` of any man on earth, d'Artagnan's confidence stopped there. `
` We will therefore leave the two friends, who had nothing `
` important to say to each other, and follow Aramis. `
` `
` Upon being informed that the person who wanted to speak to `
` him came from Tours, we have seen with what rapidity the `
` young man followed, or rather went before, Bazin; he ran `
` without stopping from the Rue Ferou to the Rue de Vaugirard. `
` On entering he found a man of short stature and intelligent `
` eyes, but covered with rags. `
` `
` "You have asked for me?" said the Musketeer. `
` `
` "I wish to speak with Monsieur Aramis. Is that your name, `
` monsieur?" `
` `
` "My very own. You have brought me something?" `
` `
` "Yes, if you show me a certain embroidered handkerchief." `
` `
` "Here it is," said Aramis, taking a small key from his `
` breast and opening a little ebony box inlaid with mother of `
` pearl, "here it is. Look." `
` `
` "That is right," replied the mendicant; "dismiss your lackey." `
` `
` In fact, Bazin, curious to know what the mendicant could `
` want with his master, kept pace with him as well as he `
` could, and arrived almost at the same time he did; but his `
` quickness was not of much use to him. At the hint from the `
` mendicant his master made him a sign to retire, and he was `
` obliged to obey. `
` `
` Bazin gone, the mendicant cast a rapid glance around him in `
` order to be sure that nobody could either see or hear him, `
` and opening his ragged vest, badly held together by a `
` leather strap, he began to rip the upper part of his `
` doublet, from which he drew a letter. `
` `
` Aramis uttered a cry of joy at the sight of the seal, kissed `
` the superscription with an almost religious respect, and `
` opened the epistle, which contained what follows: `
` `
` `
` "My Friend, it is the will of fate that we should be still `
` for some time separated; but the delightful days of youth `
` are not lost beyond return. Perform your duty in camp; I `
` will do mine elsewhere. Accept that which the bearer brings `
` you; make the campaign like a handsome true gentleman, and `
` think of me, who kisses tenderly your black eyes. `
` `
` "Adieu; or rather, AU REVOIR." `
` `
` `
` The mendicant continued to rip his garments; and drew from `
` amid his rags a hundred and fifty Spanish double pistoles, `
` which he laid down on the table; then he opened the door, `
` bowed, and went out before the young man, stupefied by his `
` letter, had ventured to address a word to him. `
` `
` Aramis then reperused the letter, and perceived a `
` postscript: `
`
` "Milady will tell you." `
` `
` "Ah, you do not love me!" cried Kitty, "and I am very `
` wretched." `
` `
` To this reproach there is always one response which deludes `
` women. D'Artagnan replied in such a manner that Kitty `
` remained in her great delusion. Although she cried freely `
` before deciding to transmit the letter to her mistress, she `
` did at last so decide, which was all d'Artagnan wished. `
` Finally he promised that he would leave her mistress's `
` presence at an early hour that evening, and that when he `
` left the mistress he would ascend with the maid. This `
` promise completed poor Kitty's consolation. `
` `
` `
` `
` 34 IN WHICH THE EQUIPMENT OF ARAMIS AND PORTHOS IS TREATED `
` OF `
` `
` Since the four friends had been each in search of his `
` equipments, there had been no fixed meeting between them. `
` They dined apart from one another, wherever they might `
` happen to be, or rather where they could. Duty likewise on `
` its part took a portion of that precious time which was `
` gliding away so rapidly--only they had agreed to meet once a `
` week, about one o'clock, at the residence of Athos, seeing `
` that he, in agreement with the vow he had formed, did not `
` pass over the threshold of his door. `
` `
` This day of reunion was the same day as that on which Kitty `
` came to find d'Artagnan. Soon as Kitty left him, d'Artagnan `
` directed his steps toward the Rue Ferou. `
` `
` He found Athos and Aramis philosophizing. Aramis had some `
` slight inclination to resume the cassock. Athos, according `
` to his system, neither encouraged nor dissuaded him. Athos `
` believed that everyone should be left to his own free will. `
` He never gave advice but when it was asked, and even then he `
` required to be asked twice. `
` `
` "People, in general," he said, "only ask advice not to `
` follow it; or if they do follow it, it is for the sake of `
` having someone to blame for having given it." `
` `
` Porthos arrived a minute after d'Artagnan. The four friends `
` were reunited. `
` `
` The four countenances expressed four different feelings: `
` that of Porthos, tranquillity; that of d'Artagnan, hope; `
` that of Aramis, uneasiness; that of Athos, carelessness. `
` `
` At the end of a moment's conversation, in which Porthos `
` hinted that a lady of elevated rank had condescended to `
` relieve him from his embarrassment, Mousqueton entered. He `
` came to request his master to return to his lodgings, where `
` his presence was urgent, as he piteously said. `
` `
` "Is it my equipment?" `
` `
` "Yes and no," replied Mousqueton. `
` `
` "Well, but can't you speak?" `
` `
` "Come, monsieur." `
` `
` Porthos rose, saluted his friends, and followed Mousqueton. `
` An instant after, Bazin made his appearance at the door. `
` `
` "What do you want with me, my friend?" said Aramis, with `
` that mildness of language which was observable in him every `
` time that his ideas were directed toward the Church. `
` `
` "A man wishes to see Monsieur at home," replied Bazin. `
` `
` "A man! What man?" `
` `
` "A mendicant." `
` `
` "Give him alms, Bazin, and bid him pray for a poor sinner." `
` `
` "This mendicant insists upon speaking to you, and pretends `
` that you will be very glad to see him." `
` `
` "Has he sent no particular message for me?" `
` `
` "Yes. If Monsieur Aramis hesitates to come," he said, "tell `
` him I am from Tours." `
` `
` "From Tours!" cried Aramis. "A thousand pardons, gentlemen; `
` but no doubt this man brings me the news I expected." And `
` rising also, he went off at a quick pace. There remained `
` Athos and d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I believe these fellows have managed their business. What `
` do you think, d'Artagnan?" said Athos. `
` `
` "I know that Porthos was in a fair way," replied d'Artagnan; `
` "and as to Aramis to tell you the truth, I have never been `
` seriously uneasy on his account. But you, my dear Athos-- `
` you, who so generously distributed the Englishman's `
` pistoles, which were our legitimate property--what do you `
` mean to do?" `
` `
` "I am satisfied with having killed that fellow, my boy, `
` seeing that it is blessed bread to kill an Englishman; but `
` if I had pocketed his pistoles, they would have weighed me `
` down like a remorse. `
` `
` "Go to, my dear Athos; you have truly inconceivable ideas." `
` `
` "Let it pass. What do you think of Monsieur de Treville `
` telling me, when he did me the honor to call upon me `
` yesterday, that you associated with the suspected English, `
` whom the cardinal protects?" `
` `
` "That is to say, I visit an Englishwoman--the one I named." `
` `
` "Oh, ay! the fair woman on whose account I gave you advice, `
` which naturally you took care not to adopt." `
` `
` "I gave you my reasons." `
` `
` "Yes; you look there for your outfit, I think you said." `
` `
` "Not at all. I have acquired certain knowledge that that `
` woman was concerned in the abduction of Madame Bonacieux." `
` `
` "Yes, I understand now: to find one woman, you court `
` another. It is the longest road, but certainly the most `
` amusing." `
` `
` D'Artagnan was on the point of telling Athos all; but one `
` consideration restrained him. Athos was a gentleman, `
` punctilious in points of honor; and there were in the plan `
` which our lover had devised for Milady, he was sure, certain `
` things that would not obtain the assent of this Puritan. He `
` was therefore silent; and as Athos was the least inquisitive `
` of any man on earth, d'Artagnan's confidence stopped there. `
` We will therefore leave the two friends, who had nothing `
` important to say to each other, and follow Aramis. `
` `
` Upon being informed that the person who wanted to speak to `
` him came from Tours, we have seen with what rapidity the `
` young man followed, or rather went before, Bazin; he ran `
` without stopping from the Rue Ferou to the Rue de Vaugirard. `
` On entering he found a man of short stature and intelligent `
` eyes, but covered with rags. `
` `
` "You have asked for me?" said the Musketeer. `
` `
` "I wish to speak with Monsieur Aramis. Is that your name, `
` monsieur?" `
` `
` "My very own. You have brought me something?" `
` `
` "Yes, if you show me a certain embroidered handkerchief." `
` `
` "Here it is," said Aramis, taking a small key from his `
` breast and opening a little ebony box inlaid with mother of `
` pearl, "here it is. Look." `
` `
` "That is right," replied the mendicant; "dismiss your lackey." `
` `
` In fact, Bazin, curious to know what the mendicant could `
` want with his master, kept pace with him as well as he `
` could, and arrived almost at the same time he did; but his `
` quickness was not of much use to him. At the hint from the `
` mendicant his master made him a sign to retire, and he was `
` obliged to obey. `
` `
` Bazin gone, the mendicant cast a rapid glance around him in `
` order to be sure that nobody could either see or hear him, `
` and opening his ragged vest, badly held together by a `
` leather strap, he began to rip the upper part of his `
` doublet, from which he drew a letter. `
` `
` Aramis uttered a cry of joy at the sight of the seal, kissed `
` the superscription with an almost religious respect, and `
` opened the epistle, which contained what follows: `
` `
` `
` "My Friend, it is the will of fate that we should be still `
` for some time separated; but the delightful days of youth `
` are not lost beyond return. Perform your duty in camp; I `
` will do mine elsewhere. Accept that which the bearer brings `
` you; make the campaign like a handsome true gentleman, and `
` think of me, who kisses tenderly your black eyes. `
` `
` "Adieu; or rather, AU REVOIR." `
` `
` `
` The mendicant continued to rip his garments; and drew from `
` amid his rags a hundred and fifty Spanish double pistoles, `
` which he laid down on the table; then he opened the door, `
` bowed, and went out before the young man, stupefied by his `
` letter, had ventured to address a word to him. `
` `
` Aramis then reperused the letter, and perceived a `
` postscript: `
`