Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
`
` The queen remained for a short time to receive the compliments of `
` the city dignitaries and to reply to the salutations of the `
` ladies. All at once the king appeared with the cardinal at one `
` of the doors of the hall. The cardinal was speaking to him in a `
` low voice, and the king was very pale. `
` `
` The king made his way through the crowd without a mask, and the `
` ribbons of his doublet scarcely tied. He went straight to the `
` queen, and in an altered voice said, "Why, madame, have you not `
` thought proper to wear your diamond studs, when you know it would `
` give me so much gratification?" `
` `
` The queen cast a glance around her, and saw the cardinal behind, `
` with a diabolical smile on his countenance. `
` `
` "Sire," replied the queen, with a faltering voice, "because, in `
` the midst of such a crowd as this, I feared some accident might `
` happen to them." `
` `
` "And you were wrong, madame. If I made you that present it was `
` that you might adorn yourself therewith. I tell you that you `
` were wrong." `
` `
` The voice of the king was tremulous with anger. Everybody looked `
` and listened with astonishment, comprehending nothing of what `
` passed. `
` `
` "Sire," said the queen, "I can send for them to the Louvre, where `
` they are, and thus your Majesty's wishes will be complied with." `
` `
` "Do so, madame, do so, and that at once; for within an hour the `
` ballet will commence." `
` `
` The queen bent in token of submission, and followed the ladies `
` who were to conduct her to her room. On his part the king `
` returned to his apartment. `
` `
` There was a moment of trouble and confusion in the assembly. `
` Everybody had remarked that something had passed between the king `
` and queen; but both of them had spoken so low that everybody, out `
` of respect, withdrew several steps, so that nobody had heard `
` anything. The violins began to sound with all their might, but `
` nobody listened to them. `
` `
` The king came out first from his room. He was in a most elegant `
` hunting costume; and Monsieur and the other nobles were dressed `
` like him. This was the costume that best became the king. So `
` dressed, he really appeared the first gentleman of his kingdom. `
` `
` The cardinal drew near to the king, and placed in his hand a `
` small casket. The king opened it, and found in it two diamond `
` studs. `
` `
` "What does this mean?" demanded he of the cardinal. `
` `
` "Nothing," replied the latter; "only, if the queen has the studs, `
` which I very much doubt, count them, sire, and if you only find `
` ten, ask her Majesty who can have stolen from her the two studs `
` that are here." `
` `
` The king looked at the cardinal as if to interrogate him; but he `
` had not time to address any question to him--a cry of admiration `
` burst from every mouth. If the king appeared to be the first `
` gentleman of his kingdom, the queen was without doubt the most `
` beautiful woman in France. `
` `
` It is true that the habit of a huntress became her admirably. `
` She wore a beaver hat with blue feathers, a surtout of gray-pearl `
` velvet, fastened with diamond clasps, and a petticoat of blue `
` satin, embroidered with silver. On her left shoulder sparkled `
` the diamond studs, on a bow of the same color as the plumes and `
` the petticoat. `
` `
` The king trembled with joy and the cardinal with vexation; `
` although, distant as they were from the queen, they could not `
` count the studs. The queen had them. The only question was, had `
` she ten or twelve? `
` `
` At that moment the violins sounded the signal for the ballet. `
` The king advanced toward Madame the President, with whom he was `
` to dance, and his Highness Monsieur with the queen. They took `
` their places, and the ballet began. `
` `
` The king danced facing the queen, and every time he passed by `
` her, he devoured with his eyes those studs of which he could not `
` ascertain the number. A cold sweat covered the brow of the `
` cardinal. `
` `
` The ballet lasted an hour, and had sixteen ENTREES. The ballet `
` ended amid the applause of the whole assemblage, and everyone `
` reconducted his lady to her place; but the king took advantage of `
` the privilege he had of leaving his lady, to advance eagerly `
` toward the queen. `
` `
` "I thank you, madame," said he, "for the deference you have shown `
` to my wishes, but I think you want two of the studs, and I bring `
` them back to you." `
` `
` With these words he held out to the queen the two studs the `
` cardinal had given him. `
` `
` "How, sire?" cried the young queen, affecting surprise, "you are `
` giving me, then, two more: I shall have fourteen." `
` `
` In fact the king counted them, and the twelve studs were all on `
` her Majesty's shoulder. `
` `
` The king called the cardinal. `
` `
` "What does this mean, Monsieur Cardinal?" asked the king in a `
` severe tone. `
` `
` "This means, sire," replied the cardinal, "that I was desirous of `
` presenting her Majesty with these two studs, and that not daring `
` to offer them myself, I adopted this means of inducing her to `
` accept them." `
` `
` "And I am the more grateful to your Eminence," replied Anne of `
` Austria, with a smile that proved she was not the dupe of this `
` ingenious gallantry, "from being certain that these two studs `
` alone have cost you as much as all the others cost his Majesty." `
` `
` Then saluting the king and the cardinal, the queen resumed her `
` way to the chamber in which she had dressed, and where she was to `
` take off her costume. `
` `
` The attention which we have been obliged to give, during the `
` commencement of the chapter, to the illustrious personages we `
` have introduced into it, has diverted us for an instant from him `
` to whom Anne of Austria owed the extraordinary triumph she had `
` obtained over the cardinal; and who, confounded, unknown, lost in `
` the crowd gathered at one of the doors, looked on at this scene, `
` comprehensible only to four persons--the king, the queen, his `
` Eminence, and himself. `
` `
` The queen had just regained her chamber, and d'Artagnan was about `
` to retire, when he felt his shoulder lightly touched. He turned `
` and saw a young woman, who made him a sign to follow her. The `
` face of this young woman was covered with a black velvet mask; `
` but notwithstanding this precaution, which was in fact taken `
` rather against others than against him, he at once recognized his `
` usual guide, the light and intelligent Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` On the evening before, they had scarcely seen each other for a `
` moment at the apartment of the Swiss guard, Germain, whither `
` d'Artagnan had sent for her. The haste which the young woman was `
` in to convey to the queen the excellent news of the happy return `
` of her messenger prevented the two lovers from exchanging more `
` than a few words. D'Artagnan therefore followed Mme. Bonacieux `
` moved by a double sentiment--love and curiosity. All the way, `
` and in proportion as the corridors became more deserted, `
` d'Artagnan wished to stop the young woman, seize her and gaze `
` upon her, were it only for a minute; but quick as a bird she `
` glided between his hands, and when he wished to speak to her, her `
` finger placed upon her mouth, with a little imperative gesture `
` full of grace, reminded him that he was under the command of a `
` power which he must blindly obey, and which forbade him even to `
` make the slightest complaint. At length, after winding about for `
` a minute or two, Mme. Bonacieux opened the door of a closet, `
` which was entirely dark, and led d'Artagnan into it. There she `
` made a fresh sign of silence, and opened a second door concealed `
` by tapestry. The opening of this door disclosed a brilliant `
` light, and she disappeared. `
` `
` D'Artagnan remained for a moment motionless, asking himself where `
` he could be; but soon a ray of light which penetrated through the `
` chamber, together with the warm and perfumed air which reached `
` him from the same aperture, the conversation of two of three `
` ladies in language at once respectful and refined, and the word `
` "Majesty" several times repeated, indicated clearly that he was `
` in a closet attached to the queen's apartment. The young man `
` waited in comparative darkness and listened. `
` `
` The queen appeared cheerful and happy, which seemed to astonish `
` the persons who surrounded her and who were accustomed to see her `
` almost always sad and full of care. The queen attributed this `
` joyous feeling to the beauty of the fete, to the pleasure she had `
` experienced in the ballet; and as it is not permissible to `
` contradict a queen, whether she smile or weep, everybody `
` expatiated on the gallantry of the aldermen of the city of Paris. `
` `
` Although d'Artagnan did not at all know the queen, he soon `
` distinguished her voice from the others, at first by a slightly `
` foreign accent, and next by that tone of domination naturally `
` impressed upon all royal words. He heard her approach and `
` withdraw from the partially open door; and twice or three times `
` he even saw the shadow of a person intercept the light. `
` `
` At length a hand and an arm, surpassingly beautiful in their form `
` and whiteness, glided through the tapestry. D'Artagnan at once `
` comprehended that this was his recompense. He cast himself on `
` his knees, seized the hand, and touched it respectfully with his `
` lips. Then the hand was withdrawn, leaving in his an object `
` which he perceived to be a ring. The door immediately closed, `
` and d'Artagnan found himself again in complete obscurity. `
` `
` D'Artagnan placed the ring on his finger, and again waited; it `
` was evident that all was not yet over. After the reward of his `
` devotion, that of his love was to come. Besides, although the `
` ballet was danced, the evening had scarcely begun. Supper was to `
`
` The queen remained for a short time to receive the compliments of `
` the city dignitaries and to reply to the salutations of the `
` ladies. All at once the king appeared with the cardinal at one `
` of the doors of the hall. The cardinal was speaking to him in a `
` low voice, and the king was very pale. `
` `
` The king made his way through the crowd without a mask, and the `
` ribbons of his doublet scarcely tied. He went straight to the `
` queen, and in an altered voice said, "Why, madame, have you not `
` thought proper to wear your diamond studs, when you know it would `
` give me so much gratification?" `
` `
` The queen cast a glance around her, and saw the cardinal behind, `
` with a diabolical smile on his countenance. `
` `
` "Sire," replied the queen, with a faltering voice, "because, in `
` the midst of such a crowd as this, I feared some accident might `
` happen to them." `
` `
` "And you were wrong, madame. If I made you that present it was `
` that you might adorn yourself therewith. I tell you that you `
` were wrong." `
` `
` The voice of the king was tremulous with anger. Everybody looked `
` and listened with astonishment, comprehending nothing of what `
` passed. `
` `
` "Sire," said the queen, "I can send for them to the Louvre, where `
` they are, and thus your Majesty's wishes will be complied with." `
` `
` "Do so, madame, do so, and that at once; for within an hour the `
` ballet will commence." `
` `
` The queen bent in token of submission, and followed the ladies `
` who were to conduct her to her room. On his part the king `
` returned to his apartment. `
` `
` There was a moment of trouble and confusion in the assembly. `
` Everybody had remarked that something had passed between the king `
` and queen; but both of them had spoken so low that everybody, out `
` of respect, withdrew several steps, so that nobody had heard `
` anything. The violins began to sound with all their might, but `
` nobody listened to them. `
` `
` The king came out first from his room. He was in a most elegant `
` hunting costume; and Monsieur and the other nobles were dressed `
` like him. This was the costume that best became the king. So `
` dressed, he really appeared the first gentleman of his kingdom. `
` `
` The cardinal drew near to the king, and placed in his hand a `
` small casket. The king opened it, and found in it two diamond `
` studs. `
` `
` "What does this mean?" demanded he of the cardinal. `
` `
` "Nothing," replied the latter; "only, if the queen has the studs, `
` which I very much doubt, count them, sire, and if you only find `
` ten, ask her Majesty who can have stolen from her the two studs `
` that are here." `
` `
` The king looked at the cardinal as if to interrogate him; but he `
` had not time to address any question to him--a cry of admiration `
` burst from every mouth. If the king appeared to be the first `
` gentleman of his kingdom, the queen was without doubt the most `
` beautiful woman in France. `
` `
` It is true that the habit of a huntress became her admirably. `
` She wore a beaver hat with blue feathers, a surtout of gray-pearl `
` velvet, fastened with diamond clasps, and a petticoat of blue `
` satin, embroidered with silver. On her left shoulder sparkled `
` the diamond studs, on a bow of the same color as the plumes and `
` the petticoat. `
` `
` The king trembled with joy and the cardinal with vexation; `
` although, distant as they were from the queen, they could not `
` count the studs. The queen had them. The only question was, had `
` she ten or twelve? `
` `
` At that moment the violins sounded the signal for the ballet. `
` The king advanced toward Madame the President, with whom he was `
` to dance, and his Highness Monsieur with the queen. They took `
` their places, and the ballet began. `
` `
` The king danced facing the queen, and every time he passed by `
` her, he devoured with his eyes those studs of which he could not `
` ascertain the number. A cold sweat covered the brow of the `
` cardinal. `
` `
` The ballet lasted an hour, and had sixteen ENTREES. The ballet `
` ended amid the applause of the whole assemblage, and everyone `
` reconducted his lady to her place; but the king took advantage of `
` the privilege he had of leaving his lady, to advance eagerly `
` toward the queen. `
` `
` "I thank you, madame," said he, "for the deference you have shown `
` to my wishes, but I think you want two of the studs, and I bring `
` them back to you." `
` `
` With these words he held out to the queen the two studs the `
` cardinal had given him. `
` `
` "How, sire?" cried the young queen, affecting surprise, "you are `
` giving me, then, two more: I shall have fourteen." `
` `
` In fact the king counted them, and the twelve studs were all on `
` her Majesty's shoulder. `
` `
` The king called the cardinal. `
` `
` "What does this mean, Monsieur Cardinal?" asked the king in a `
` severe tone. `
` `
` "This means, sire," replied the cardinal, "that I was desirous of `
` presenting her Majesty with these two studs, and that not daring `
` to offer them myself, I adopted this means of inducing her to `
` accept them." `
` `
` "And I am the more grateful to your Eminence," replied Anne of `
` Austria, with a smile that proved she was not the dupe of this `
` ingenious gallantry, "from being certain that these two studs `
` alone have cost you as much as all the others cost his Majesty." `
` `
` Then saluting the king and the cardinal, the queen resumed her `
` way to the chamber in which she had dressed, and where she was to `
` take off her costume. `
` `
` The attention which we have been obliged to give, during the `
` commencement of the chapter, to the illustrious personages we `
` have introduced into it, has diverted us for an instant from him `
` to whom Anne of Austria owed the extraordinary triumph she had `
` obtained over the cardinal; and who, confounded, unknown, lost in `
` the crowd gathered at one of the doors, looked on at this scene, `
` comprehensible only to four persons--the king, the queen, his `
` Eminence, and himself. `
` `
` The queen had just regained her chamber, and d'Artagnan was about `
` to retire, when he felt his shoulder lightly touched. He turned `
` and saw a young woman, who made him a sign to follow her. The `
` face of this young woman was covered with a black velvet mask; `
` but notwithstanding this precaution, which was in fact taken `
` rather against others than against him, he at once recognized his `
` usual guide, the light and intelligent Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` On the evening before, they had scarcely seen each other for a `
` moment at the apartment of the Swiss guard, Germain, whither `
` d'Artagnan had sent for her. The haste which the young woman was `
` in to convey to the queen the excellent news of the happy return `
` of her messenger prevented the two lovers from exchanging more `
` than a few words. D'Artagnan therefore followed Mme. Bonacieux `
` moved by a double sentiment--love and curiosity. All the way, `
` and in proportion as the corridors became more deserted, `
` d'Artagnan wished to stop the young woman, seize her and gaze `
` upon her, were it only for a minute; but quick as a bird she `
` glided between his hands, and when he wished to speak to her, her `
` finger placed upon her mouth, with a little imperative gesture `
` full of grace, reminded him that he was under the command of a `
` power which he must blindly obey, and which forbade him even to `
` make the slightest complaint. At length, after winding about for `
` a minute or two, Mme. Bonacieux opened the door of a closet, `
` which was entirely dark, and led d'Artagnan into it. There she `
` made a fresh sign of silence, and opened a second door concealed `
` by tapestry. The opening of this door disclosed a brilliant `
` light, and she disappeared. `
` `
` D'Artagnan remained for a moment motionless, asking himself where `
` he could be; but soon a ray of light which penetrated through the `
` chamber, together with the warm and perfumed air which reached `
` him from the same aperture, the conversation of two of three `
` ladies in language at once respectful and refined, and the word `
` "Majesty" several times repeated, indicated clearly that he was `
` in a closet attached to the queen's apartment. The young man `
` waited in comparative darkness and listened. `
` `
` The queen appeared cheerful and happy, which seemed to astonish `
` the persons who surrounded her and who were accustomed to see her `
` almost always sad and full of care. The queen attributed this `
` joyous feeling to the beauty of the fete, to the pleasure she had `
` experienced in the ballet; and as it is not permissible to `
` contradict a queen, whether she smile or weep, everybody `
` expatiated on the gallantry of the aldermen of the city of Paris. `
` `
` Although d'Artagnan did not at all know the queen, he soon `
` distinguished her voice from the others, at first by a slightly `
` foreign accent, and next by that tone of domination naturally `
` impressed upon all royal words. He heard her approach and `
` withdraw from the partially open door; and twice or three times `
` he even saw the shadow of a person intercept the light. `
` `
` At length a hand and an arm, surpassingly beautiful in their form `
` and whiteness, glided through the tapestry. D'Artagnan at once `
` comprehended that this was his recompense. He cast himself on `
` his knees, seized the hand, and touched it respectfully with his `
` lips. Then the hand was withdrawn, leaving in his an object `
` which he perceived to be a ring. The door immediately closed, `
` and d'Artagnan found himself again in complete obscurity. `
` `
` D'Artagnan placed the ring on his finger, and again waited; it `
` was evident that all was not yet over. After the reward of his `
` devotion, that of his love was to come. Besides, although the `
` ballet was danced, the evening had scarcely begun. Supper was to `
`