Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
"In French, EN AVANT. It is the password. He will give you a `
` horse all saddled, and will point out to you the road you ought `
` to take. You will find, in the same way, four relays on your `
` route. If you will give at each of these relays your address in `
` Paris, the four horses will follow you thither. You already know `
` two of them, and you appeared to appreciate them like a judge. `
` They were those we rode on; and you may rely upon me for the `
` others not being inferior to them. These horses are equipped for `
` the field. However proud you may be, you will not refuse to `
` accept one of them, and to request your three companions to `
` accept the others--that is, in order to make war against us. `
` Besides, the end justified the means, as you Frenchmen say, does `
` it not?" `
` `
` "Yes, my Lord, I accept them," said d'Artagnan; "and if it please `
` God, we will make a good use of your presents." `
` `
` "Well, now, your hand, young man. Perhaps we shall soon meet on `
` the field of battle; but in the meantime we shall part good `
` friends, I hope." `
` `
` "Yes, my Lord; but with the hope of soon becoming enemies." `
` `
` "Be satisfied; I promise you that." `
` `
` "I depend upon your word, my Lord." `
` `
` D'Artagnan bowed to the duke, and made his way as quickly as `
` possible to the riverside. Opposite the Tower of London he found `
` the vessel that had been named to him, delivered his letter to `
` the captain, who after having it examined by the governor of the `
` port made immediate preparations to sail. `
` `
` Fifty vessels were waiting to set out. Passing alongside one of `
` them, d'Artagnan fancied he perceived on board it the woman of `
` Meung--the same whom the unknown gentleman had called Milady, and `
` whom d'Artagnan had thought so handsome; but thanks to the `
` current of the stream and a fair wind, his vessel passed so `
` quickly that he had little more than a glimpse of her. `
` `
` The next day about nine o'clock in the morning, he landed at St. `
` Valery. D'Artagnan went instantly in search of the inn, and `
` easily discovered it by the riotous noise which resounded from `
` it. War between England and France was talked of as near and `
` certain, and the jolly sailors were having a carousal. `
` `
` D'Artagnan made his way through the crowd, advanced toward the `
` host, and pronounced the word "Forward!" The host instantly made `
` him a sign to follow, went out with him by a door which opened `
` into a yard, led him to the stable, where a saddled horse awaited `
` him, and asked him if he stood in need of anything else. `
` `
` "I want to know the route I am to follow," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Go from hence to Blangy, and from Blangy to Neufchatel. At `
` Neufchatel, go to the tavern of the Golden Harrow, give the `
` password to the landlord, and you will find, as you have here, a `
` horse ready saddled." `
` `
` "Have I anything to pay?" demanded d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Everything is paid," replied the host, "and liberally. Begone, `
` and may God guide you!" `
` `
` "Amen!" cried the young man, and set off at full gallop. `
` `
` Four hours later he was in Neufchatel. He strictly followed the `
` instructions he had received. At Neufchatel, as at St. Valery, `
` he found a horse quite ready and awaiting him. He was about to `
` remove the pistols from the saddle he had quit to the one he was `
` about to fill, but he found the holsters furnished with similar `
` pistols. `
` `
` "Your address at Paris?" `
` `
` "Hotel of the Guards, company of Dessessart." `
` `
` "Enough," replied the questioner. `
` `
` "Which route must I take?" demanded d'Artagnan, in his turn. `
` `
` "That of Rouen; but you will leave the city on your right. You `
` must stop at the little village of Eccuis, in which there is but `
` one tavern--the Shield of France. Don't condemn it from `
` appearances; you will find a horse in the stables quite as good `
` as this." `
` `
` "The same password?" `
` `
` "Exactly." `
` `
` "Adieu, master!" `
` `
` "A good journey, gentlemen! Do you want anything?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan shook his head, and set off at full speed. At Eccuis, `
` the same scene was repeated. He found as provident a host and a `
` fresh horse. He left his address as he had done before, and set `
` off again at the same pace for Pontoise. At Pontoise he changed `
` his horse for the last time, and at nine o'clock galloped into `
` the yard of Treville's hotel. He had made nearly sixty leagues `
` in little more than twelve hours. `
` `
` M. de Treville received him as if he had seen him that same `
` morning; only, when pressing his hand a little more warmly than `
` usual, he informed him that the company of Dessessart was on duty `
` at the Louvre, and that he might repair at once to his post. `
` `
` `
` `
` 22 THE BALLET OF LA MERLAISON `
` `
` On the morrow, nothing was talked of in Paris but the ball which `
` the aldermen of the city were to give to the king and queen, and `
` in which their Majesties were to dance the famous La Merlaison-- `
` the favorite ballet of the king. `
` `
` Eight days had been occupied in preparations at the Hotel de `
` Ville for this important evening. The city carpenters had `
` erected scaffolds upon which the invited ladies were to be `
` placed; the city grocer had ornamented the chambers with two `
` hundred FLAMBEAUX of white wax, a piece of luxury unheard of at `
` that period; and twenty violins were ordered, and the price for `
` them fixed at double the usual rate, upon condition, said the `
` report, that they should be played all night. `
` `
` At ten o'clock in the morning the Sieur de la Coste, ensign in `
` the king's Guards, followed by two officers and several archers `
` of that body, came to the city registrar, named Clement, and `
` demanded of him all the keys of the rooms and offices of the `
` hotel. These keys were given up to him instantly. Each of them `
` had ticket attached to it, by which it might be recognized; and `
` from that moment the Sieur de la Coste was charged with the care `
` of all the doors and all the avenues. `
` `
` At eleven o'clock came in his turn Duhallier, captain of the `
` Guards, bringing with him fifty archers, who were distributed `
` immediately through the Hotel de Ville, at the doors assigned `
` them. `
` `
` At three o'clock came two companies of the Guards, one French, `
` the other Swiss. The company of French guards was composed of `
` half of M. Duhallier's men and half of M. Dessessart's men. `
` `
` At six in the evening the guests began to come. As fast as they `
` entered, they were placed in the grand saloon, on the platforms `
` prepared for them. `
` `
` At nine o'clock Madame la Premiere Presidente arrived. As next `
` to the queen, she was the most considerable personage of the `
` fete, she was received by the city officials, and placed in a box `
` opposite to that which the queen was to occupy. `
` `
` At ten o'clock, the king's collation, consisting of preserves and `
` other delicacies, was prepared in the little room on the side of `
` the church of St. Jean, in front of the silver buffet of the `
` city, which was guarded by four archers. `
` `
` At midnight great cries and loud acclamations were heard. It was `
` the king, who was passing through the streets which led from the `
` Louvre to the Hotel de Ville, and which were all illuminated with `
` colored lanterns. `
` `
` Immediately the aldermen, clothed in their cloth robes and `
` preceded by six sergeants, each holding a FLAMBEAU in his hand, `
` went to attend upon the king, whom they met on the steps, where `
` the provost of the merchants made him the speech of welcome--a `
` compliment to which his Majesty replied with an apology for `
` coming so late, laying the blame upon the cardinal, who had `
` detained him till eleven o'clock, talking of affairs of state. `
` `
` His Majesty, in full dress, was accompanied by his royal `
` Highness, M. le Comte de Soissons, by the Grand Prior, by the Duc `
` de Longueville, by the Duc d'Euboeuf, by the Comte d'Harcourt, by `
` the Comte de la Roche-Guyon, by M. de Liancourt, by M. de `
` Baradas, by the Comte de Cramail, and by the Chevalier de `
` Souveray. Everybody noticed that the king looked dull and `
` preoccupied. `
` `
` A private room had been prepared for the king and another for `
` Monsieur. In each of these closets were placed masquerade `
` dresses. The same had been done for the queen and Madame the `
` President. The nobles and ladies of their Majesties' suites were `
` to dress, two by two, in chambers prepared for the purpose. `
` Before entering his closet the king desired to be informed the `
` moment the cardinal arrived. `
` `
` Half an hour after the entrance of the king, fresh acclamations `
` were heard; these announced the arrival of the queen. The `
` aldermen did as they had done before, and preceded by their `
` sergeants, advanced to receive their illustrious guest. The `
` queen entered the great hall; and it was remarked that, like the `
` king, she looked dull and even weary. `
` `
` At the moment she entered, the curtain of a small gallery which `
` to that time had been closed, was drawn, and the pale face of the `
` cardinal appeared, he being dressed as a Spanish cavalier. His `
` eyes were fixed upon those of the queen, and a smile of terrible `
` joy passed over his lips; the queen did not wear her diamond `
` studs. `
` `
`
` horse all saddled, and will point out to you the road you ought `
` to take. You will find, in the same way, four relays on your `
` route. If you will give at each of these relays your address in `
` Paris, the four horses will follow you thither. You already know `
` two of them, and you appeared to appreciate them like a judge. `
` They were those we rode on; and you may rely upon me for the `
` others not being inferior to them. These horses are equipped for `
` the field. However proud you may be, you will not refuse to `
` accept one of them, and to request your three companions to `
` accept the others--that is, in order to make war against us. `
` Besides, the end justified the means, as you Frenchmen say, does `
` it not?" `
` `
` "Yes, my Lord, I accept them," said d'Artagnan; "and if it please `
` God, we will make a good use of your presents." `
` `
` "Well, now, your hand, young man. Perhaps we shall soon meet on `
` the field of battle; but in the meantime we shall part good `
` friends, I hope." `
` `
` "Yes, my Lord; but with the hope of soon becoming enemies." `
` `
` "Be satisfied; I promise you that." `
` `
` "I depend upon your word, my Lord." `
` `
` D'Artagnan bowed to the duke, and made his way as quickly as `
` possible to the riverside. Opposite the Tower of London he found `
` the vessel that had been named to him, delivered his letter to `
` the captain, who after having it examined by the governor of the `
` port made immediate preparations to sail. `
` `
` Fifty vessels were waiting to set out. Passing alongside one of `
` them, d'Artagnan fancied he perceived on board it the woman of `
` Meung--the same whom the unknown gentleman had called Milady, and `
` whom d'Artagnan had thought so handsome; but thanks to the `
` current of the stream and a fair wind, his vessel passed so `
` quickly that he had little more than a glimpse of her. `
` `
` The next day about nine o'clock in the morning, he landed at St. `
` Valery. D'Artagnan went instantly in search of the inn, and `
` easily discovered it by the riotous noise which resounded from `
` it. War between England and France was talked of as near and `
` certain, and the jolly sailors were having a carousal. `
` `
` D'Artagnan made his way through the crowd, advanced toward the `
` host, and pronounced the word "Forward!" The host instantly made `
` him a sign to follow, went out with him by a door which opened `
` into a yard, led him to the stable, where a saddled horse awaited `
` him, and asked him if he stood in need of anything else. `
` `
` "I want to know the route I am to follow," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Go from hence to Blangy, and from Blangy to Neufchatel. At `
` Neufchatel, go to the tavern of the Golden Harrow, give the `
` password to the landlord, and you will find, as you have here, a `
` horse ready saddled." `
` `
` "Have I anything to pay?" demanded d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Everything is paid," replied the host, "and liberally. Begone, `
` and may God guide you!" `
` `
` "Amen!" cried the young man, and set off at full gallop. `
` `
` Four hours later he was in Neufchatel. He strictly followed the `
` instructions he had received. At Neufchatel, as at St. Valery, `
` he found a horse quite ready and awaiting him. He was about to `
` remove the pistols from the saddle he had quit to the one he was `
` about to fill, but he found the holsters furnished with similar `
` pistols. `
` `
` "Your address at Paris?" `
` `
` "Hotel of the Guards, company of Dessessart." `
` `
` "Enough," replied the questioner. `
` `
` "Which route must I take?" demanded d'Artagnan, in his turn. `
` `
` "That of Rouen; but you will leave the city on your right. You `
` must stop at the little village of Eccuis, in which there is but `
` one tavern--the Shield of France. Don't condemn it from `
` appearances; you will find a horse in the stables quite as good `
` as this." `
` `
` "The same password?" `
` `
` "Exactly." `
` `
` "Adieu, master!" `
` `
` "A good journey, gentlemen! Do you want anything?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan shook his head, and set off at full speed. At Eccuis, `
` the same scene was repeated. He found as provident a host and a `
` fresh horse. He left his address as he had done before, and set `
` off again at the same pace for Pontoise. At Pontoise he changed `
` his horse for the last time, and at nine o'clock galloped into `
` the yard of Treville's hotel. He had made nearly sixty leagues `
` in little more than twelve hours. `
` `
` M. de Treville received him as if he had seen him that same `
` morning; only, when pressing his hand a little more warmly than `
` usual, he informed him that the company of Dessessart was on duty `
` at the Louvre, and that he might repair at once to his post. `
` `
` `
` `
` 22 THE BALLET OF LA MERLAISON `
` `
` On the morrow, nothing was talked of in Paris but the ball which `
` the aldermen of the city were to give to the king and queen, and `
` in which their Majesties were to dance the famous La Merlaison-- `
` the favorite ballet of the king. `
` `
` Eight days had been occupied in preparations at the Hotel de `
` Ville for this important evening. The city carpenters had `
` erected scaffolds upon which the invited ladies were to be `
` placed; the city grocer had ornamented the chambers with two `
` hundred FLAMBEAUX of white wax, a piece of luxury unheard of at `
` that period; and twenty violins were ordered, and the price for `
` them fixed at double the usual rate, upon condition, said the `
` report, that they should be played all night. `
` `
` At ten o'clock in the morning the Sieur de la Coste, ensign in `
` the king's Guards, followed by two officers and several archers `
` of that body, came to the city registrar, named Clement, and `
` demanded of him all the keys of the rooms and offices of the `
` hotel. These keys were given up to him instantly. Each of them `
` had ticket attached to it, by which it might be recognized; and `
` from that moment the Sieur de la Coste was charged with the care `
` of all the doors and all the avenues. `
` `
` At eleven o'clock came in his turn Duhallier, captain of the `
` Guards, bringing with him fifty archers, who were distributed `
` immediately through the Hotel de Ville, at the doors assigned `
` them. `
` `
` At three o'clock came two companies of the Guards, one French, `
` the other Swiss. The company of French guards was composed of `
` half of M. Duhallier's men and half of M. Dessessart's men. `
` `
` At six in the evening the guests began to come. As fast as they `
` entered, they were placed in the grand saloon, on the platforms `
` prepared for them. `
` `
` At nine o'clock Madame la Premiere Presidente arrived. As next `
` to the queen, she was the most considerable personage of the `
` fete, she was received by the city officials, and placed in a box `
` opposite to that which the queen was to occupy. `
` `
` At ten o'clock, the king's collation, consisting of preserves and `
` other delicacies, was prepared in the little room on the side of `
` the church of St. Jean, in front of the silver buffet of the `
` city, which was guarded by four archers. `
` `
` At midnight great cries and loud acclamations were heard. It was `
` the king, who was passing through the streets which led from the `
` Louvre to the Hotel de Ville, and which were all illuminated with `
` colored lanterns. `
` `
` Immediately the aldermen, clothed in their cloth robes and `
` preceded by six sergeants, each holding a FLAMBEAU in his hand, `
` went to attend upon the king, whom they met on the steps, where `
` the provost of the merchants made him the speech of welcome--a `
` compliment to which his Majesty replied with an apology for `
` coming so late, laying the blame upon the cardinal, who had `
` detained him till eleven o'clock, talking of affairs of state. `
` `
` His Majesty, in full dress, was accompanied by his royal `
` Highness, M. le Comte de Soissons, by the Grand Prior, by the Duc `
` de Longueville, by the Duc d'Euboeuf, by the Comte d'Harcourt, by `
` the Comte de la Roche-Guyon, by M. de Liancourt, by M. de `
` Baradas, by the Comte de Cramail, and by the Chevalier de `
` Souveray. Everybody noticed that the king looked dull and `
` preoccupied. `
` `
` A private room had been prepared for the king and another for `
` Monsieur. In each of these closets were placed masquerade `
` dresses. The same had been done for the queen and Madame the `
` President. The nobles and ladies of their Majesties' suites were `
` to dress, two by two, in chambers prepared for the purpose. `
` Before entering his closet the king desired to be informed the `
` moment the cardinal arrived. `
` `
` Half an hour after the entrance of the king, fresh acclamations `
` were heard; these announced the arrival of the queen. The `
` aldermen did as they had done before, and preceded by their `
` sergeants, advanced to receive their illustrious guest. The `
` queen entered the great hall; and it was remarked that, like the `
` king, she looked dull and even weary. `
` `
` At the moment she entered, the curtain of a small gallery which `
` to that time had been closed, was drawn, and the pale face of the `
` cardinal appeared, he being dressed as a Spanish cavalier. His `
` eyes were fixed upon those of the queen, and a smile of terrible `
` joy passed over his lips; the queen did not wear her diamond `
` studs. `
` `
`