Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
caught the sound of his master's voice calling his falcon. `
` `
` "Whom must I announce to my Lord Duke?" asked Patrick. `
` `
` "The young man who one evening sought a quarrel with him on the `
` Pont Neuf, opposite the Samaritaine." `
` `
` "A singular introduction!" `
` `
` "You will find that it is as good as another." `
` `
` Patrick galloped off, reached the duke, and announced to him in `
` the terms directed that a messenger awaited him. `
` `
` Buckingham at once remembered the circumstance, and suspecting `
` that something was going on in France of which it was necessary `
` he should be informed, he only took the time to inquire where the `
` messenger was, and recognizing from afar the uniform of the `
` Guards, he put his horse into a gallop, and rode straight up to `
` d'Artagnan. Patrick discreetly kept in the background. `
` `
` "No misfortune has happened to the queen?" cried Buckingham, the `
` instant he came up, throwing all his fear and love into the `
` question. `
` `
` "I believe not; nevertheless I believe she runs some great peril `
` from which your Grace alone can extricate her." `
` `
` "I!" cried Buckingham. "What is it? I should be too happy to be `
` of any service to her. Speak, speak!" `
` `
` "Take this letter," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "This letter! From whom comes this letter?" `
` `
` "From her Majesty, as I think." `
` `
` "From her Majesty!" said Buckingham, becoming so pale that `
` d'Artagnan feared he would faint as he broke the seal. `
` `
` "What is this rent?" said he, showing d'Artagnan a place where it `
` had been pierced through. `
` `
` "Ah," said d'Artagnan, "I did not see that; it was the sword of `
` the Comte de Wardes which made that hole, when he gave me a good `
` thrust in the breast." `
` `
` "You are wounded?" asked Buckingham, as he opened the letter. `
` `
` "Oh, nothing but a scratch," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Just heaven, what have I read?" cried the duke. "Patrick, `
` remain here, or rather join the king, wherever he may be, and `
` tell his Majesty that I humbly beg him to excuse me, but an `
` affair of the greatest importance recalls me to London. Come, `
` monsieur, come!" and both set off towards the capital at full `
` gallop. `
` `
` `
` `
` 21 THE COUNTESS DE WINTER `
` `
` As they rode along, the duke endeavored to draw from d'Artagnan, `
` not all that had happened, but what d'Artagnan himself knew. By `
` adding all that he heard from the mouth of the young man to his `
` own remembrances, he was enabled to form a pretty exact idea of a `
` position of the seriousness of which, for the rest, the queen's `
` letter, short but explicit, gave him the clue. But that which `
` astonished him most was that the cardinal, so deeply interested `
` in preventing this young man from setting his foot in England, `
` had not succeeded in arresting him on the road. It was then, `
` upon the manifestation of this astonishment, that d'Artagnan `
` related to him the precaution taken, and how, thanks to the `
` devotion of his three friends, whom he had left scattered and `
` bleeding on the road, he had succeeded in coming off with a `
` single sword thrust, which had pierced the queen's letter and for `
` which he had repaid M. de Wardes with such terrible coin. While `
` he was listening to this recital, delivered with the greatest `
` simplicity, the duke looked from time to time at the young man `
` with astonishment, as if he could not comprehend how so much `
` prudence, courage, and devotedness could be allied with a `
` countenance which indicated not more than twenty years. `
` `
` The horses went like the wind, and in a few minutes they were at `
` the gates of London. D'Artagnan imagined that on arriving in `
` town the duke would slacken his pace, but it was not so. He kept `
` on his way at the same rate, heedless about upsetting those whom `
` he met on the road. In fact, in crossing the city two or three `
` accidents of this kind happened; but Buckingham did not even turn `
` his head to see what became of those he had knocked down. `
` d'Artagnan followed him amid cries which strongly resembled `
` curses. `
` `
` On entering the court of his hotel, Buckingham sprang from his `
` horse, and without thinking what became of the animal, threw the `
` bridle on his neck, and sprang toward the vestibule. D'Artagnan `
` did the same, with a little more concern, however, for the noble `
` creatures, whose merits he fully appreciated; but he had the `
` satisfaction of seeing three or four grooms run from the kitchens `
` and the stables, and busy themselves with the steeds. `
` `
` The duke walked so fast that d'Artagnan had some trouble in `
` keeping up with him. He passed through several apartments, of an `
` elegance of which even the greatest nobles of France had not even `
` an idea, and arrived at length in a bedchamber which was at once `
` a miracle of taste and of richness. In the alcove of this `
` chamber was a door concealed in the tapestry which the duke `
` opened with a little gold key which he wore suspended from his `
` neck by a chain of the same metal. With discretion d'Artagnan `
` remained behind; but at the moment when Buckingham crossed the `
` threshold, he turned round, and seeing the hesitation of the `
` young man, "Come in!" cried he, "and if you have the good fortune `
` to be admitted to her Majesty's presence, tell her what you have `
` seen." `
` `
` Encouraged by this invitation, d'Artagnan followed the duke, who `
` closed the door after them. The two found themselves in a small `
` chapel covered with a tapestry of Persian silk worked with gold, `
` and brilliantly lighted with a vast number of candles. Over a `
` species of altar, and beneath a canopy of blue velvet, surmounted `
` by white and red plumes, was a full-length portrait of Anne of `
` Austria, so perfect in its resemblance that d'Artagnan uttered a `
` cry of surprise on beholding it. One might believe the queen was `
` about to speak. On the altar, and beneath the portrait, was the `
` casket containing the diamond studs. `
` `
` The duke approached the altar, knelt as a priest might have done `
` before a crucifix, and opened the casket. "There," said he, `
` drawing from the casket a large bow of blue ribbon all sparkling `
` with diamonds, "there are the precious studs which I have taken `
` an oath should be buried with me. The queen gave them to me, the `
` queen requires them again. Her will be done, like that of God, `
` in all things." `
` `
` Then, he began to kiss, one after the other, those dear studs `
` with which he was about to part. All at once he uttered a `
` terrible cry. `
` `
` "What is the matter?" exclaimed d'Artagnan, anxiously; "what has `
` happened to you, my Lord?" `
` `
` "All is lost!" cried Buckingham, becoming as pale as a corpse; `
` "two of the studs are wanting, there are only ten." `
` `
` "Can you have lost them, my Lord, or do you think they have been `
` stolen?" `
` `
` "They have been stolen," replied the duke, "and it is the `
` cardinal who has dealt this blow. Hold; see! The ribbons which `
` held them have been cut with scissors." `
` `
` "If my Lord suspects they have been stolen, perhaps the person `
` who stole them still has them in his hands." `
` `
` "Wait, wait!" said the duke. "The only time I have worn these `
` studs was at a ball given by the king eight days ago at Windsor. `
` The Comtesse de Winter, with whom I had quarreled, became `
` reconciled to me at that ball. That reconciliation was nothing `
` but the vengeance of a jealous woman. I have never seen her from `
` that day. The woman is an agent of the cardinal." `
` `
` "He has agents, then, throughout the world?" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Oh, yes," said Buckingham, grating his teeth with rage. "Yes, `
` he is a terrible antagonist. But when is this ball to take `
` place?" `
` `
` "Monday next." `
` `
` "Monday next! Still five days before us. That's more time than `
` we want. Patrick!" cried the duke, opening the door of the `
` chapel, "Patrick!" His confidential valet appeared. `
` `
` "My jeweler and my secretary." `
` `
` The valet went out with a mute promptitude which showed him `
` accustomed to obey blindly and without reply. `
` `
` But although the jeweler had been mentioned first, it was the `
` secretary who first made his appearance. This was simply because `
` he lived in the hotel. He found Buckingham seated at a table in `
` his bedchamber, writing orders with his own hand. `
` `
` "Mr. Jackson," said he, "go instantly to the Lord Chancellor, and `
` tell him that I charge him with the execution of these orders. I `
` wish them to be promulgated immediately." `
` `
` "But, my Lord, if the Lord Chancellor interrogates me upon the `
` motives which may have led your Grace to adopt such an `
` extraordinary measure, what shall I reply?" `
` `
` "That such is my pleasure, and that I answer for my will to no `
` man." `
` `
` "Will that be the answer," replied the secretary, smiling, "which `
` he must transmit to his Majesty if, by chance, his Majesty should `
` have the curiosity to know why no vessel is to leave any of the `
` ports of Great Britain?" `
` `
` "You are right, Mr. Jackson," replied Buckingham. "He will say, `
` in that case, to the king that I am determined on war, and that `
`
` `
` "Whom must I announce to my Lord Duke?" asked Patrick. `
` `
` "The young man who one evening sought a quarrel with him on the `
` Pont Neuf, opposite the Samaritaine." `
` `
` "A singular introduction!" `
` `
` "You will find that it is as good as another." `
` `
` Patrick galloped off, reached the duke, and announced to him in `
` the terms directed that a messenger awaited him. `
` `
` Buckingham at once remembered the circumstance, and suspecting `
` that something was going on in France of which it was necessary `
` he should be informed, he only took the time to inquire where the `
` messenger was, and recognizing from afar the uniform of the `
` Guards, he put his horse into a gallop, and rode straight up to `
` d'Artagnan. Patrick discreetly kept in the background. `
` `
` "No misfortune has happened to the queen?" cried Buckingham, the `
` instant he came up, throwing all his fear and love into the `
` question. `
` `
` "I believe not; nevertheless I believe she runs some great peril `
` from which your Grace alone can extricate her." `
` `
` "I!" cried Buckingham. "What is it? I should be too happy to be `
` of any service to her. Speak, speak!" `
` `
` "Take this letter," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "This letter! From whom comes this letter?" `
` `
` "From her Majesty, as I think." `
` `
` "From her Majesty!" said Buckingham, becoming so pale that `
` d'Artagnan feared he would faint as he broke the seal. `
` `
` "What is this rent?" said he, showing d'Artagnan a place where it `
` had been pierced through. `
` `
` "Ah," said d'Artagnan, "I did not see that; it was the sword of `
` the Comte de Wardes which made that hole, when he gave me a good `
` thrust in the breast." `
` `
` "You are wounded?" asked Buckingham, as he opened the letter. `
` `
` "Oh, nothing but a scratch," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Just heaven, what have I read?" cried the duke. "Patrick, `
` remain here, or rather join the king, wherever he may be, and `
` tell his Majesty that I humbly beg him to excuse me, but an `
` affair of the greatest importance recalls me to London. Come, `
` monsieur, come!" and both set off towards the capital at full `
` gallop. `
` `
` `
` `
` 21 THE COUNTESS DE WINTER `
` `
` As they rode along, the duke endeavored to draw from d'Artagnan, `
` not all that had happened, but what d'Artagnan himself knew. By `
` adding all that he heard from the mouth of the young man to his `
` own remembrances, he was enabled to form a pretty exact idea of a `
` position of the seriousness of which, for the rest, the queen's `
` letter, short but explicit, gave him the clue. But that which `
` astonished him most was that the cardinal, so deeply interested `
` in preventing this young man from setting his foot in England, `
` had not succeeded in arresting him on the road. It was then, `
` upon the manifestation of this astonishment, that d'Artagnan `
` related to him the precaution taken, and how, thanks to the `
` devotion of his three friends, whom he had left scattered and `
` bleeding on the road, he had succeeded in coming off with a `
` single sword thrust, which had pierced the queen's letter and for `
` which he had repaid M. de Wardes with such terrible coin. While `
` he was listening to this recital, delivered with the greatest `
` simplicity, the duke looked from time to time at the young man `
` with astonishment, as if he could not comprehend how so much `
` prudence, courage, and devotedness could be allied with a `
` countenance which indicated not more than twenty years. `
` `
` The horses went like the wind, and in a few minutes they were at `
` the gates of London. D'Artagnan imagined that on arriving in `
` town the duke would slacken his pace, but it was not so. He kept `
` on his way at the same rate, heedless about upsetting those whom `
` he met on the road. In fact, in crossing the city two or three `
` accidents of this kind happened; but Buckingham did not even turn `
` his head to see what became of those he had knocked down. `
` d'Artagnan followed him amid cries which strongly resembled `
` curses. `
` `
` On entering the court of his hotel, Buckingham sprang from his `
` horse, and without thinking what became of the animal, threw the `
` bridle on his neck, and sprang toward the vestibule. D'Artagnan `
` did the same, with a little more concern, however, for the noble `
` creatures, whose merits he fully appreciated; but he had the `
` satisfaction of seeing three or four grooms run from the kitchens `
` and the stables, and busy themselves with the steeds. `
` `
` The duke walked so fast that d'Artagnan had some trouble in `
` keeping up with him. He passed through several apartments, of an `
` elegance of which even the greatest nobles of France had not even `
` an idea, and arrived at length in a bedchamber which was at once `
` a miracle of taste and of richness. In the alcove of this `
` chamber was a door concealed in the tapestry which the duke `
` opened with a little gold key which he wore suspended from his `
` neck by a chain of the same metal. With discretion d'Artagnan `
` remained behind; but at the moment when Buckingham crossed the `
` threshold, he turned round, and seeing the hesitation of the `
` young man, "Come in!" cried he, "and if you have the good fortune `
` to be admitted to her Majesty's presence, tell her what you have `
` seen." `
` `
` Encouraged by this invitation, d'Artagnan followed the duke, who `
` closed the door after them. The two found themselves in a small `
` chapel covered with a tapestry of Persian silk worked with gold, `
` and brilliantly lighted with a vast number of candles. Over a `
` species of altar, and beneath a canopy of blue velvet, surmounted `
` by white and red plumes, was a full-length portrait of Anne of `
` Austria, so perfect in its resemblance that d'Artagnan uttered a `
` cry of surprise on beholding it. One might believe the queen was `
` about to speak. On the altar, and beneath the portrait, was the `
` casket containing the diamond studs. `
` `
` The duke approached the altar, knelt as a priest might have done `
` before a crucifix, and opened the casket. "There," said he, `
` drawing from the casket a large bow of blue ribbon all sparkling `
` with diamonds, "there are the precious studs which I have taken `
` an oath should be buried with me. The queen gave them to me, the `
` queen requires them again. Her will be done, like that of God, `
` in all things." `
` `
` Then, he began to kiss, one after the other, those dear studs `
` with which he was about to part. All at once he uttered a `
` terrible cry. `
` `
` "What is the matter?" exclaimed d'Artagnan, anxiously; "what has `
` happened to you, my Lord?" `
` `
` "All is lost!" cried Buckingham, becoming as pale as a corpse; `
` "two of the studs are wanting, there are only ten." `
` `
` "Can you have lost them, my Lord, or do you think they have been `
` stolen?" `
` `
` "They have been stolen," replied the duke, "and it is the `
` cardinal who has dealt this blow. Hold; see! The ribbons which `
` held them have been cut with scissors." `
` `
` "If my Lord suspects they have been stolen, perhaps the person `
` who stole them still has them in his hands." `
` `
` "Wait, wait!" said the duke. "The only time I have worn these `
` studs was at a ball given by the king eight days ago at Windsor. `
` The Comtesse de Winter, with whom I had quarreled, became `
` reconciled to me at that ball. That reconciliation was nothing `
` but the vengeance of a jealous woman. I have never seen her from `
` that day. The woman is an agent of the cardinal." `
` `
` "He has agents, then, throughout the world?" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Oh, yes," said Buckingham, grating his teeth with rage. "Yes, `
` he is a terrible antagonist. But when is this ball to take `
` place?" `
` `
` "Monday next." `
` `
` "Monday next! Still five days before us. That's more time than `
` we want. Patrick!" cried the duke, opening the door of the `
` chapel, "Patrick!" His confidential valet appeared. `
` `
` "My jeweler and my secretary." `
` `
` The valet went out with a mute promptitude which showed him `
` accustomed to obey blindly and without reply. `
` `
` But although the jeweler had been mentioned first, it was the `
` secretary who first made his appearance. This was simply because `
` he lived in the hotel. He found Buckingham seated at a table in `
` his bedchamber, writing orders with his own hand. `
` `
` "Mr. Jackson," said he, "go instantly to the Lord Chancellor, and `
` tell him that I charge him with the execution of these orders. I `
` wish them to be promulgated immediately." `
` `
` "But, my Lord, if the Lord Chancellor interrogates me upon the `
` motives which may have led your Grace to adopt such an `
` extraordinary measure, what shall I reply?" `
` `
` "That such is my pleasure, and that I answer for my will to no `
` man." `
` `
` "Will that be the answer," replied the secretary, smiling, "which `
` he must transmit to his Majesty if, by chance, his Majesty should `
` have the curiosity to know why no vessel is to leave any of the `
` ports of Great Britain?" `
` `
` "You are right, Mr. Jackson," replied Buckingham. "He will say, `
` in that case, to the king that I am determined on war, and that `
`