Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
`
` Porthos, without reply, retreated a second step. The `
` procurator's wife fancied she saw him in a brilliant cloud, `
` all surrounded by duchesses and marchionesses, who cast bags `
` of money at his feet. `
` `
` "Stop, in the name of heaven, Monsieur Porthos!" cried she. `
` "Stop, and let us talk." `
` `
` "Talking with you brings me misfortune," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But, tell me, what do you ask?" `
` `
` "Nothing; for that amounts to the same thing as if I asked `
` you for something." `
` `
` The procurator's wife hung upon the arm of Porthos, and in `
` the violence of her grief she cried out, "Monsieur Porthos, `
` I am ignorant of all such matters! How should I know what a `
` horse is? How should I know what horse furniture is?" `
` `
` "You should have left it to me, then, madame, who know what `
` they are; but you wished to be frugal, and consequently to `
` lend at usury." `
` `
` "It was wrong, Monsieur Porthos; but I will repair that `
` wrong, upon my word of honor." `
` `
` "How so?" asked the Musketeer. `
` `
` "Listen. This evening M. Coquenard is going to the house of `
` the Due de Chaulnes, who has sent for him. It is for a `
` consultation, which will last three hours at least. Come! `
` We shall be alone, and can make up our accounts." `
` `
` "In good time. Now you talk, my dear." `
` `
` "You pardon me?" `
` `
` "We shall see," said Porthos, majestically; and the two `
` separated saying, "Till this evening." `
` `
` "The devil!" thought Porthos, as he walked away, "it appears `
` I am getting nearer to Monsieur Coquenard's strongbox at `
` last." `
` `
` `
` `
` 35 A GASCON A MATCH FOR CUPID `
` `
` The evening so impatiently waited for by Porthos and by `
` d'Artagnan at last arrived. `
` `
` As was his custom, d'Artagnan presented himself at Milady's `
` at about nine o'clock. He found her in a charming humor. `
` Never had he been so well received. Our Gascon knew, by the `
` first glance of his eye, that his billet had been delivered, `
` and that this billet had had its effect. `
` `
` Kitty entered to bring some sherbet. Her mistress put on a `
` charming face, and smiled on her graciously; but alas! the `
` poor girl was so sad that she did not even notice Milady's `
` condescension. `
` `
` D'Artagnan looked at the two women, one after the other, and `
` was forced to acknowledge that in his opinion Dame Nature `
` had made a mistake in their formation. To the great lady `
` she had given a heart vile and venal; to the SOUBRETTE she `
` had given the heart of a duchess. `
` `
` At ten o'clock Milady began to appear restless. D'Artagnan `
` knew what she wanted. She looked at the clock, rose, `
` reseated herself, smiled at d'Artagnan with an air which `
` said, "You are very amiable, no doubt, but you would be `
` charming if you would only depart." `
` `
` D'Artagnan rose and took his hat; Milady gave him her hand `
` to kiss. The young man felt her press his hand, and `
` comprehended that this was a sentiment, not of coquetry, but `
` of gratitude because of his departure. `
` `
` "She loves him devilishly," he murmured. Then he went out. `
` `
` This time Kitty was nowhere waiting for him; neither in the `
` antechamber, nor in the corridor, nor beneath the great `
` door. It was necessary that d'Artagnan should find alone `
` the staircase and the little chamber. She heard him enter, `
` but she did not raise her head. The young man went to her `
` and took her hands; then she sobbed aloud. `
` `
` As d'Artagnan had presumed, on receiving his letter, Milady `
` in a delirium of joy had told her servant everything; and by `
` way of recompense for the manner in which she had this time `
` executed the commission, she had given Kitty a purse. `
` `
` Returning to her own room, Kitty had thrown the purse into a `
` corner, where it lay open, disgorging three or four gold `
` pieces on the carpet. The poor girl, under the caresses of `
` d'Artagnan, lifted her head. D'Artagnan himself was `
` frightened by the change in her countenance. She joined her `
` hands with a suppliant air, but without venturing to speak a `
` word. As little sensitive as was the heart of d'Artagnan, `
` he was touched by this mute sorrow; but he held too `
` tenaciously to his projects, above all to this one, to `
` change the program which he had laid out in advance. He did `
` not therefore allow her any hope that he would flinch; only `
` he represented his action as one of simple vengeance. `
` `
` For the rest this vengeance was very easy; for Milady, `
` doubtless to conceal her blushes from her lover, had ordered `
` Kitty to extinguish all the lights in the apartment, and `
` even in the little chamber itself. Before daybreak M. de `
` Wardes must take his departure, still in obscurity. `
` `
` Presently they heard Milady retire to her room. D'Artagnan `
` slipped into the wardrobe. Hardly was he concealed when the `
` little bell sounded. Kitty went to her mistress, and did `
` not leave the door open; but the partition was so thin that `
` one could hear nearly all that passed between the two women. `
` `
` Milady seemed overcome with joy, and made Kitty repeat the `
` smallest details of the pretended interview of the soubrette `
` with de Wardes when he received the letter; how he had `
` responded; what was the expression of his face; if he seemed `
` very amorous. And to all these questions poor Kitty, forced `
` to put on a pleasant face, responded in a stifled voice `
` whose dolorous accent her mistress did not however remark, `
` solely because happiness is egotistical. `
` `
` Finally, as the hour for her interview with the count `
` approached, Milady had everything about her darkened, and `
` ordered Kitty to return to her own chamber, and introduce de `
` Wardes whenever he presented himself. `
` `
` Kitty's detention was not long. Hardly had d'Artagnan seen, `
` through a crevice in his closet, that the whole apartment `
` was in obscurity, than he slipped out of his concealment, at `
` the very moment when Kitty reclosed the door of communication. `
` `
` "What is that noise?" demanded Milady. `
` `
` "It is I," said d'Artagnan in a subdued voice, "I, the Comte `
` de Wardes." `
` `
` "Oh, my God, my God!" murmured Kitty, "he has not even `
` waited for the hour he himself named!" `
` `
` "Well," said Milady, in a trembling voice, "why do you not `
` enter? Count, Count," added she, "you know that I wait for `
` you." `
` `
` At this appeal d'Artagnan drew Kitty quietly away, and `
` slipped into the chamber. `
` `
` If rage or sorrow ever torture the heart, it is when a lover `
` receives under a name which is not his own protestations of `
` love addressed to his happy rival. D'Artagnan was in a `
` dolorous situation which he had not foreseen. Jealousy `
` gnawed his heart; and he suffered almost as much as poor `
` Kitty, who at that very moment was crying in the next `
` chamber. `
` `
` "Yes, Count," said Milady, in her softest voice, and `
` pressing his hand in her own, "I am happy in the love which `
` your looks and your words have expressed to me every time we `
` have met. I also--I love you. Oh, tomorrow, tomorrow, I `
` must have some pledge from you which will prove that you `
` think of me; and that you may not forget me, take this!" and `
` she slipped a ring from her finger onto d'Artagnan's. `
` d'Artagnan remembered having seen this ring on the finger of `
` Milady; it was a magnificent sapphire, encircled with `
` brilliants. `
` `
` The first movement of d'Artagnan was to return it, but `
` Milady added, "No, no! Keep that ring for love of me. `
` Besides, in accepting it," she added, in a voice full of `
` emotion, "you render me a much greater service than you `
` imagine." `
` `
` "This woman is full of mysteries," murmured d'Artagnan to `
` himself. At that instant he felt himself ready to reveal `
` all. He even opened his mouth to tell Milady who he was, `
` and with what a revengeful purpose he had come; but she `
` added, "Poor angel, whom that monster of a Gascon barely `
` failed to kill." `
` `
` The monster was himself. `
` `
` "Oh," continued Milady, "do your wounds still make you `
` suffer?" `
` `
` "Yes, much," said d'Artagnan, who did not well know how to `
` answer. `
` `
` "Be tranquil," murmured Milady; "I will avenge you--and `
` cruelly!" `
` `
` "PESTE!" said d'Artagnan to himself, "the moment for `
` confidences has not yet come." `
` `
` It took some time for d'Artagnan to resume this little `
`
` Porthos, without reply, retreated a second step. The `
` procurator's wife fancied she saw him in a brilliant cloud, `
` all surrounded by duchesses and marchionesses, who cast bags `
` of money at his feet. `
` `
` "Stop, in the name of heaven, Monsieur Porthos!" cried she. `
` "Stop, and let us talk." `
` `
` "Talking with you brings me misfortune," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But, tell me, what do you ask?" `
` `
` "Nothing; for that amounts to the same thing as if I asked `
` you for something." `
` `
` The procurator's wife hung upon the arm of Porthos, and in `
` the violence of her grief she cried out, "Monsieur Porthos, `
` I am ignorant of all such matters! How should I know what a `
` horse is? How should I know what horse furniture is?" `
` `
` "You should have left it to me, then, madame, who know what `
` they are; but you wished to be frugal, and consequently to `
` lend at usury." `
` `
` "It was wrong, Monsieur Porthos; but I will repair that `
` wrong, upon my word of honor." `
` `
` "How so?" asked the Musketeer. `
` `
` "Listen. This evening M. Coquenard is going to the house of `
` the Due de Chaulnes, who has sent for him. It is for a `
` consultation, which will last three hours at least. Come! `
` We shall be alone, and can make up our accounts." `
` `
` "In good time. Now you talk, my dear." `
` `
` "You pardon me?" `
` `
` "We shall see," said Porthos, majestically; and the two `
` separated saying, "Till this evening." `
` `
` "The devil!" thought Porthos, as he walked away, "it appears `
` I am getting nearer to Monsieur Coquenard's strongbox at `
` last." `
` `
` `
` `
` 35 A GASCON A MATCH FOR CUPID `
` `
` The evening so impatiently waited for by Porthos and by `
` d'Artagnan at last arrived. `
` `
` As was his custom, d'Artagnan presented himself at Milady's `
` at about nine o'clock. He found her in a charming humor. `
` Never had he been so well received. Our Gascon knew, by the `
` first glance of his eye, that his billet had been delivered, `
` and that this billet had had its effect. `
` `
` Kitty entered to bring some sherbet. Her mistress put on a `
` charming face, and smiled on her graciously; but alas! the `
` poor girl was so sad that she did not even notice Milady's `
` condescension. `
` `
` D'Artagnan looked at the two women, one after the other, and `
` was forced to acknowledge that in his opinion Dame Nature `
` had made a mistake in their formation. To the great lady `
` she had given a heart vile and venal; to the SOUBRETTE she `
` had given the heart of a duchess. `
` `
` At ten o'clock Milady began to appear restless. D'Artagnan `
` knew what she wanted. She looked at the clock, rose, `
` reseated herself, smiled at d'Artagnan with an air which `
` said, "You are very amiable, no doubt, but you would be `
` charming if you would only depart." `
` `
` D'Artagnan rose and took his hat; Milady gave him her hand `
` to kiss. The young man felt her press his hand, and `
` comprehended that this was a sentiment, not of coquetry, but `
` of gratitude because of his departure. `
` `
` "She loves him devilishly," he murmured. Then he went out. `
` `
` This time Kitty was nowhere waiting for him; neither in the `
` antechamber, nor in the corridor, nor beneath the great `
` door. It was necessary that d'Artagnan should find alone `
` the staircase and the little chamber. She heard him enter, `
` but she did not raise her head. The young man went to her `
` and took her hands; then she sobbed aloud. `
` `
` As d'Artagnan had presumed, on receiving his letter, Milady `
` in a delirium of joy had told her servant everything; and by `
` way of recompense for the manner in which she had this time `
` executed the commission, she had given Kitty a purse. `
` `
` Returning to her own room, Kitty had thrown the purse into a `
` corner, where it lay open, disgorging three or four gold `
` pieces on the carpet. The poor girl, under the caresses of `
` d'Artagnan, lifted her head. D'Artagnan himself was `
` frightened by the change in her countenance. She joined her `
` hands with a suppliant air, but without venturing to speak a `
` word. As little sensitive as was the heart of d'Artagnan, `
` he was touched by this mute sorrow; but he held too `
` tenaciously to his projects, above all to this one, to `
` change the program which he had laid out in advance. He did `
` not therefore allow her any hope that he would flinch; only `
` he represented his action as one of simple vengeance. `
` `
` For the rest this vengeance was very easy; for Milady, `
` doubtless to conceal her blushes from her lover, had ordered `
` Kitty to extinguish all the lights in the apartment, and `
` even in the little chamber itself. Before daybreak M. de `
` Wardes must take his departure, still in obscurity. `
` `
` Presently they heard Milady retire to her room. D'Artagnan `
` slipped into the wardrobe. Hardly was he concealed when the `
` little bell sounded. Kitty went to her mistress, and did `
` not leave the door open; but the partition was so thin that `
` one could hear nearly all that passed between the two women. `
` `
` Milady seemed overcome with joy, and made Kitty repeat the `
` smallest details of the pretended interview of the soubrette `
` with de Wardes when he received the letter; how he had `
` responded; what was the expression of his face; if he seemed `
` very amorous. And to all these questions poor Kitty, forced `
` to put on a pleasant face, responded in a stifled voice `
` whose dolorous accent her mistress did not however remark, `
` solely because happiness is egotistical. `
` `
` Finally, as the hour for her interview with the count `
` approached, Milady had everything about her darkened, and `
` ordered Kitty to return to her own chamber, and introduce de `
` Wardes whenever he presented himself. `
` `
` Kitty's detention was not long. Hardly had d'Artagnan seen, `
` through a crevice in his closet, that the whole apartment `
` was in obscurity, than he slipped out of his concealment, at `
` the very moment when Kitty reclosed the door of communication. `
` `
` "What is that noise?" demanded Milady. `
` `
` "It is I," said d'Artagnan in a subdued voice, "I, the Comte `
` de Wardes." `
` `
` "Oh, my God, my God!" murmured Kitty, "he has not even `
` waited for the hour he himself named!" `
` `
` "Well," said Milady, in a trembling voice, "why do you not `
` enter? Count, Count," added she, "you know that I wait for `
` you." `
` `
` At this appeal d'Artagnan drew Kitty quietly away, and `
` slipped into the chamber. `
` `
` If rage or sorrow ever torture the heart, it is when a lover `
` receives under a name which is not his own protestations of `
` love addressed to his happy rival. D'Artagnan was in a `
` dolorous situation which he had not foreseen. Jealousy `
` gnawed his heart; and he suffered almost as much as poor `
` Kitty, who at that very moment was crying in the next `
` chamber. `
` `
` "Yes, Count," said Milady, in her softest voice, and `
` pressing his hand in her own, "I am happy in the love which `
` your looks and your words have expressed to me every time we `
` have met. I also--I love you. Oh, tomorrow, tomorrow, I `
` must have some pledge from you which will prove that you `
` think of me; and that you may not forget me, take this!" and `
` she slipped a ring from her finger onto d'Artagnan's. `
` d'Artagnan remembered having seen this ring on the finger of `
` Milady; it was a magnificent sapphire, encircled with `
` brilliants. `
` `
` The first movement of d'Artagnan was to return it, but `
` Milady added, "No, no! Keep that ring for love of me. `
` Besides, in accepting it," she added, in a voice full of `
` emotion, "you render me a much greater service than you `
` imagine." `
` `
` "This woman is full of mysteries," murmured d'Artagnan to `
` himself. At that instant he felt himself ready to reveal `
` all. He even opened his mouth to tell Milady who he was, `
` and with what a revengeful purpose he had come; but she `
` added, "Poor angel, whom that monster of a Gascon barely `
` failed to kill." `
` `
` The monster was himself. `
` `
` "Oh," continued Milady, "do your wounds still make you `
` suffer?" `
` `
` "Yes, much," said d'Artagnan, who did not well know how to `
` answer. `
` `
` "Be tranquil," murmured Milady; "I will avenge you--and `
` cruelly!" `
` `
` "PESTE!" said d'Artagnan to himself, "the moment for `
` confidences has not yet come." `
` `
` It took some time for d'Artagnan to resume this little `
`