Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
postscript: `
` `
` `
` P.S. You may behave politely to the bearer, who is a count `
` and a grandee of Spain! `
` `
` "Golden dreams!" cried Aramis. "Oh, beautiful life! Yes, we `
` are young; yes, we shall yet have happy days! My love, my `
` blood, my life! all, all, all, are thine, my adored `
` mistress!" `
` `
` And he kissed the letter with passion, without even `
` vouchsafing a look at the gold which sparkled on the table. `
` `
` Bazin scratched at the door, and as Aramis had no longer any `
` reason to exclude him, he bade him come in. `
` `
` Bazin was stupefied at the sight of the gold, and forgot `
` that he came to announce d'Artagnan, who, curious to know `
` who the mendicant could be, came to Aramis on leaving Athos. `
` `
` Now, as d'Artagnan used no ceremony with Aramis, seeing that `
` Bazin forgot to announce him, he announced himself. `
` `
` "The devil! my dear Aramis," said d'Artagnan, "if these are `
` the prunes that are sent to you from Tours, I beg you will `
` make my compliments to the gardener who gathers them." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, friend d'Artagnan," said Aramis, always `
` on his guard; "this is from my publisher, who has just sent `
` me the price of that poem in one-syllable verse which I `
` began yonder." `
` `
` "Ah, indeed," said d'Artagnan. "Well, your publisher is `
` very generous, my dear Aramis, that's all I can say." `
` `
` "How, monsieur?" cried Bazin, "a poem sell so dear as that! `
` It is incredible! Oh, monsieur, you can write as much as you `
` like; you may become equal to Monsieur de Voiture and `
` Monsieur de Benserade. I like that. A poet is as good as `
` an abbe. Ah! Monsieur Aramis, become a poet, I beg of you." `
` `
` "Bazin, my friend," said Aramis, "I believe you meddle with `
` my conversation." `
` `
` Bazin perceived he was wrong; he bowed and went out. `
` `
` "Ah!" said d'Artagnan with a smile, "you sell your `
` productions at their weight in gold. You are very `
` fortunate, my friend; but take care or you will lose that `
` letter which is peeping from your doublet, and which also `
` comes, no doubt, from your publisher." `
` `
` Aramis blushed to the eyes, crammed in the letter, and `
` re-buttoned his doublet. `
` `
` "My dear d'Artagnan," said he, "if you please, we will join `
` our friends; as I am rich, we will today begin to dine `
` together again, expecting that you will be rich in your `
` turn." `
` `
` "My faith!" said d'Artagnan, with great pleasure. "It is `
` long since we have had a good dinner; and I, for my part, `
` have a somewhat hazardous expedition for this evening, and `
` shall not be sorry, I confess, to fortify myself with a few `
` glasses of good old Burgundy." `
` `
` "Agreed, as to the old Burgundy; I have no objection to `
` that," said Aramis, from whom the letter and the gold had `
` removed, as by magic, his ideas of conversion. `
` `
` And having put three or four double pistoles into his pocket `
` to answer the needs of the moment, he placed the others in `
` the ebony box, inlaid with mother of pearl, in which was the `
` famous handkerchief which served him as a talisman. `
` `
` The two friends repaired to Athos's, and he, faithful to his `
` vow of not going out, took upon him to order dinner to be `
` brought to them. As he was perfectly acquainted with the `
` details of gastronomy, d'Artagnan and Aramis made no `
` objection to abandoning this important care to him. `
` `
` They went to find Porthos, and at the corner of the Rue Bac `
` met Mousqueton, who, with a most pitiable air, was driving `
` before him a mule and a horse. `
` `
` D'Artagnan uttered a cry of surprise, which was not quite `
` free from joy. `
` `
` "Ah, my yellow horse," cried he. "Aramis, look at that `
` horse!" `
` `
` "Oh, the frightful brute!" said Aramis. `
` `
` "Ah, my dear," replied d'Artagnan, "upon that very horse I `
` came to Paris." `
` `
` "What, does Monsieur know this horse?" said Mousqueton. `
` `
` "It is of an original color," said Aramis; "I never saw one `
` with such a hide in my life." `
` `
` "I can well believe it," replied d'Artagnan, "and that was `
` why I got three crowns for him. It must have been for his `
` hide, for, CERTES, the carcass is not worth eighteen livres. `
` But how did this horse come into your bands, Mousqueton?" `
` `
` "Pray," said the lackey, "say nothing about it, monsieur; it `
` is a frightful trick of the husband of our duchess!" `
` `
` "How is that, Mousqueton?" `
` `
` "Why, we are looked upon with a rather favorable eye by a `
` lady of quality, the Duchesse de--but, your pardon; my master `
` has commanded me to be discreet. She had forced us to `
` accept a little souvenir, a magnificent Spanish GENET and an `
` Andalusian mule, which were beautiful to look upon. The `
` husband heard of the affair; on their way he confiscated the `
` two magnificent beasts which were being sent to us, and `
` substituted these horrible animals." `
` `
` "Which you are taking back to him?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Exactly!" replied Mousqueton. "You may well believe that we `
` will not accept such steeds as these in exchange for those `
` which had been promised to us." `
` `
` "No, PARDIEU; though I should like to have seen Porthos on `
` my yellow horse. That would give me an idea of how I looked `
` when I arrived in Paris. But don't let us hinder you, `
` Mousqueton; go and perform your master's orders. Is he at `
` home?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said Mousqueton, "but in a very ill humor. `
` Get up!" `
` `
` He continued his way toward the Quai des Grands Augustins, `
` while the two friends went to ring at the bell of the `
` unfortunate Porthos. He, having seen them crossing the `
` yard, took care not to answer, and they rang in vain. `
` `
` Meanwhile Mousqueton continued on his way, and crossing the `
` Pont Neuf, still driving the two sorry animals before him, `
` he reached the Rue aux Ours. Arrived there, he fastened, `
` according to the orders of his master, both horse and mule `
` to the knocker of the procurator's door; then, without `
` taking any thought for their future, he returned to Porthos, `
` and told him that his commission was completed. `
` `
` In a short time the two unfortunate beasts, who had not `
` eaten anything since the morning, made such a noise in `
` raising and letting fall the knocker that the procurator `
` ordered his errand boy to go and inquire in the neighborhood `
` to whom this horse and mule belonged. `
` `
` Mme. Coquenard recognized her present, and could not at `
` first comprehend this restitution; but the visit of Porthos `
` soon enlightened her. The anger which fired the eyes of the `
` Musketeer, in spite of his efforts to suppress it, terrified `
` his sensitive inamorata. In fact, Mousqueton had not `
` concealed from his master that he had met d'Artagnan and `
` Aramis, and that d'Artagnan in the yellow horse had `
` recognized the Bearnese pony upon which he had come to `
` Paris, and which he had sold for three crowns. `
` `
` Porthos went away after having appointed a meeting with the `
` procurator's wife in the cloister of St. Magloire. The `
` procurator, seeing he was going, invited him to dinner--an `
` invitation which the Musketeer refused with a majestic air. `
` `
` Mme. Coquenard repaired trembling to the cloister of St. `
` Magloire, for she guessed the reproaches that awaited her `
` there; but she was fascinated by the lofty airs of Porthos. `
` `
` All that which a man wounded in his self-love could let fall `
` in the shape of imprecations and reproaches upon the head of `
` a woman Porthos let fall upon the bowed head of the `
` procurator's wife. `
` `
` "Alas," said she, "I did all for the best! One of our `
` clients is a horsedealer; he owes money to the office, and `
` is backward in his pay. I took the mule and the horse for `
` what he owed us; he assured me that they were two noble `
` steeds." `
` `
` "Well, madame," said Porthos, "if he owed you more than five `
` crowns, your horsedealer is a thief." `
` `
` "There is no harm in trying to buy things cheap, Monsieur `
` Porthos," said the procurator's wife, seeking to excuse `
` herself. `
` `
` "No, madame; but they who so assiduously try to buy things `
` cheap ought to permit others to seek more generous friends." `
` And Porthos, turning on his heel, made a step to retire. `
` `
` "Monsieur Porthos! Monsieur Porthos!" cried the `
` procurator's wife. "I have been wrong; I see it. I ought `
` not to have driven a bargain when it was to equip a cavalier `
` like you." `
` `
`
` `
` `
` P.S. You may behave politely to the bearer, who is a count `
` and a grandee of Spain! `
` `
` "Golden dreams!" cried Aramis. "Oh, beautiful life! Yes, we `
` are young; yes, we shall yet have happy days! My love, my `
` blood, my life! all, all, all, are thine, my adored `
` mistress!" `
` `
` And he kissed the letter with passion, without even `
` vouchsafing a look at the gold which sparkled on the table. `
` `
` Bazin scratched at the door, and as Aramis had no longer any `
` reason to exclude him, he bade him come in. `
` `
` Bazin was stupefied at the sight of the gold, and forgot `
` that he came to announce d'Artagnan, who, curious to know `
` who the mendicant could be, came to Aramis on leaving Athos. `
` `
` Now, as d'Artagnan used no ceremony with Aramis, seeing that `
` Bazin forgot to announce him, he announced himself. `
` `
` "The devil! my dear Aramis," said d'Artagnan, "if these are `
` the prunes that are sent to you from Tours, I beg you will `
` make my compliments to the gardener who gathers them." `
` `
` "You are mistaken, friend d'Artagnan," said Aramis, always `
` on his guard; "this is from my publisher, who has just sent `
` me the price of that poem in one-syllable verse which I `
` began yonder." `
` `
` "Ah, indeed," said d'Artagnan. "Well, your publisher is `
` very generous, my dear Aramis, that's all I can say." `
` `
` "How, monsieur?" cried Bazin, "a poem sell so dear as that! `
` It is incredible! Oh, monsieur, you can write as much as you `
` like; you may become equal to Monsieur de Voiture and `
` Monsieur de Benserade. I like that. A poet is as good as `
` an abbe. Ah! Monsieur Aramis, become a poet, I beg of you." `
` `
` "Bazin, my friend," said Aramis, "I believe you meddle with `
` my conversation." `
` `
` Bazin perceived he was wrong; he bowed and went out. `
` `
` "Ah!" said d'Artagnan with a smile, "you sell your `
` productions at their weight in gold. You are very `
` fortunate, my friend; but take care or you will lose that `
` letter which is peeping from your doublet, and which also `
` comes, no doubt, from your publisher." `
` `
` Aramis blushed to the eyes, crammed in the letter, and `
` re-buttoned his doublet. `
` `
` "My dear d'Artagnan," said he, "if you please, we will join `
` our friends; as I am rich, we will today begin to dine `
` together again, expecting that you will be rich in your `
` turn." `
` `
` "My faith!" said d'Artagnan, with great pleasure. "It is `
` long since we have had a good dinner; and I, for my part, `
` have a somewhat hazardous expedition for this evening, and `
` shall not be sorry, I confess, to fortify myself with a few `
` glasses of good old Burgundy." `
` `
` "Agreed, as to the old Burgundy; I have no objection to `
` that," said Aramis, from whom the letter and the gold had `
` removed, as by magic, his ideas of conversion. `
` `
` And having put three or four double pistoles into his pocket `
` to answer the needs of the moment, he placed the others in `
` the ebony box, inlaid with mother of pearl, in which was the `
` famous handkerchief which served him as a talisman. `
` `
` The two friends repaired to Athos's, and he, faithful to his `
` vow of not going out, took upon him to order dinner to be `
` brought to them. As he was perfectly acquainted with the `
` details of gastronomy, d'Artagnan and Aramis made no `
` objection to abandoning this important care to him. `
` `
` They went to find Porthos, and at the corner of the Rue Bac `
` met Mousqueton, who, with a most pitiable air, was driving `
` before him a mule and a horse. `
` `
` D'Artagnan uttered a cry of surprise, which was not quite `
` free from joy. `
` `
` "Ah, my yellow horse," cried he. "Aramis, look at that `
` horse!" `
` `
` "Oh, the frightful brute!" said Aramis. `
` `
` "Ah, my dear," replied d'Artagnan, "upon that very horse I `
` came to Paris." `
` `
` "What, does Monsieur know this horse?" said Mousqueton. `
` `
` "It is of an original color," said Aramis; "I never saw one `
` with such a hide in my life." `
` `
` "I can well believe it," replied d'Artagnan, "and that was `
` why I got three crowns for him. It must have been for his `
` hide, for, CERTES, the carcass is not worth eighteen livres. `
` But how did this horse come into your bands, Mousqueton?" `
` `
` "Pray," said the lackey, "say nothing about it, monsieur; it `
` is a frightful trick of the husband of our duchess!" `
` `
` "How is that, Mousqueton?" `
` `
` "Why, we are looked upon with a rather favorable eye by a `
` lady of quality, the Duchesse de--but, your pardon; my master `
` has commanded me to be discreet. She had forced us to `
` accept a little souvenir, a magnificent Spanish GENET and an `
` Andalusian mule, which were beautiful to look upon. The `
` husband heard of the affair; on their way he confiscated the `
` two magnificent beasts which were being sent to us, and `
` substituted these horrible animals." `
` `
` "Which you are taking back to him?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Exactly!" replied Mousqueton. "You may well believe that we `
` will not accept such steeds as these in exchange for those `
` which had been promised to us." `
` `
` "No, PARDIEU; though I should like to have seen Porthos on `
` my yellow horse. That would give me an idea of how I looked `
` when I arrived in Paris. But don't let us hinder you, `
` Mousqueton; go and perform your master's orders. Is he at `
` home?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur," said Mousqueton, "but in a very ill humor. `
` Get up!" `
` `
` He continued his way toward the Quai des Grands Augustins, `
` while the two friends went to ring at the bell of the `
` unfortunate Porthos. He, having seen them crossing the `
` yard, took care not to answer, and they rang in vain. `
` `
` Meanwhile Mousqueton continued on his way, and crossing the `
` Pont Neuf, still driving the two sorry animals before him, `
` he reached the Rue aux Ours. Arrived there, he fastened, `
` according to the orders of his master, both horse and mule `
` to the knocker of the procurator's door; then, without `
` taking any thought for their future, he returned to Porthos, `
` and told him that his commission was completed. `
` `
` In a short time the two unfortunate beasts, who had not `
` eaten anything since the morning, made such a noise in `
` raising and letting fall the knocker that the procurator `
` ordered his errand boy to go and inquire in the neighborhood `
` to whom this horse and mule belonged. `
` `
` Mme. Coquenard recognized her present, and could not at `
` first comprehend this restitution; but the visit of Porthos `
` soon enlightened her. The anger which fired the eyes of the `
` Musketeer, in spite of his efforts to suppress it, terrified `
` his sensitive inamorata. In fact, Mousqueton had not `
` concealed from his master that he had met d'Artagnan and `
` Aramis, and that d'Artagnan in the yellow horse had `
` recognized the Bearnese pony upon which he had come to `
` Paris, and which he had sold for three crowns. `
` `
` Porthos went away after having appointed a meeting with the `
` procurator's wife in the cloister of St. Magloire. The `
` procurator, seeing he was going, invited him to dinner--an `
` invitation which the Musketeer refused with a majestic air. `
` `
` Mme. Coquenard repaired trembling to the cloister of St. `
` Magloire, for she guessed the reproaches that awaited her `
` there; but she was fascinated by the lofty airs of Porthos. `
` `
` All that which a man wounded in his self-love could let fall `
` in the shape of imprecations and reproaches upon the head of `
` a woman Porthos let fall upon the bowed head of the `
` procurator's wife. `
` `
` "Alas," said she, "I did all for the best! One of our `
` clients is a horsedealer; he owes money to the office, and `
` is backward in his pay. I took the mule and the horse for `
` what he owed us; he assured me that they were two noble `
` steeds." `
` `
` "Well, madame," said Porthos, "if he owed you more than five `
` crowns, your horsedealer is a thief." `
` `
` "There is no harm in trying to buy things cheap, Monsieur `
` Porthos," said the procurator's wife, seeking to excuse `
` herself. `
` `
` "No, madame; but they who so assiduously try to buy things `
` cheap ought to permit others to seek more generous friends." `
` And Porthos, turning on his heel, made a step to retire. `
` `
` "Monsieur Porthos! Monsieur Porthos!" cried the `
` procurator's wife. "I have been wrong; I see it. I ought `
` not to have driven a bargain when it was to equip a cavalier `
` like you." `
` `
`