Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
you, and see nothing out of the way in giving you what you `
` demand with respect to so infamous a creature--the more so `
` as you tell me this d'Artagnan is a libertine, a duelist, `
` and a traitor." `
` `
` "An infamous scoundrel, monseigneur, a scoundrel!" `
` `
` "Give me paper, a quill, and some ink, then," said the `
` cardinal. `
` `
` "Here they are, monseigneur." `
` `
` There was a moment of silence, which proved that the `
` cardinal was employed in seeking the terms in which he `
` should write the note, or else in writing it. Athos, who `
` had not lost a word of the conversation, took his two `
` companions by the hand, and led them to the other end of the `
` room. `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "what do you want, and why do you not `
` let us listen to the end of the conversation?" `
` `
` "Hush!" said Athos, speaking in a low voice. "We have heard `
` all it was necessary we should hear; besides, I don't `
` prevent you from listening, but I must be gone." `
` `
` "You must be gone!" said Porthos; "and if the cardinal asks `
` for you, what answer can we make?" `
` `
` "You will not wait till he asks; you will speak first, and `
` tell him that I am gone on the lookout, because certain `
` expressions of our host have given me reason to think the `
` road is not safe. I will say two words about it to the `
` cardinal's esquire likewise. The rest concerns myself; `
` don't be uneasy about that." `
` `
` "Be prudent, Athos," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Be easy on that head," replied Athos; "you know I am cool `
` enough." `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis resumed their places by the stovepipe. `
` `
` As to Athos, he went out without any mystery, took his `
` horse, which was tied with those of his friends to the `
` fastenings of the shutters, in four words convinced the `
` attendant of the necessity of a vanguard for their return, `
` carefully examined the priming of his pistols, drew his `
` sword, and took, like a forlorn hope, the road to the camp. `
` `
` `
` `
` 45 A CONJUGAL SCENE `
` `
` As Athos had foreseen, it was not long before the cardinal `
` came down. He opened the door of the room in which the `
` Musketeers were, and found Porthos playing an earnest game `
` of dice with Aramis. He cast a rapid glance around the `
` room, and perceived that one of his men was missing. `
` `
` "What has become of Monseigneur Athos?" asked he. `
` `
` "Monseigneur," replied Porthos, "he has gone as a scout, on `
` account of some words of our host, which made him believe `
` the road was not safe." `
` `
` "And you, what have you done, Monsieur Porthos?" `
` `
` "I have won five pistoles of Aramis." `
` `
` "Well; now will you return with me?" `
` `
` "We are at your Eminence's orders." `
` `
` "To horse, then, gentlemen; for it is getting late." `
` `
` The attendant was at the door, holding the cardinal's horse `
` by the bridle. At a short distance a group of two men and `
` three horses appeared in the shade. These were the two men `
` who were to conduct Milady to the fort of the Point, and `
` superintend her embarkation. `
` `
` The attendant confirmed to the cardinal what the two `
` Musketeers had already said with respect to Athos. The `
` cardinal made an approving gesture, and retraced his route `
` with the same precautions he had used incoming. `
` `
` Let us leave him to follow the road to the camp protected by `
` his esquire and the two Musketeers, and return to Athos. `
` `
` For a hundred paces he maintained the speed at which he `
` started; but when out of sight he turned his horse to the `
` right, made a circuit, and came back within twenty paces of `
` a high hedge to watch the passage of the little troop. `
` Having recognized the laced hats of his companions and the `
` golden fringe of the cardinal's cloak, he waited till the `
` horsemen had turned the angle of the road, and having lost `
` sight of them, he returned at a gallop to the inn, which was `
` opened to him without hesitation. `
` `
` The host recognized him. `
` `
` "My officer," said Athos, "has forgotten to give a piece of `
` very important information to the lady, and has sent me back `
` to repair his forgetfulness." `
` `
` "Go up," said the host; "she is still in her chamber." `
` `
` Athos availed himself of the permission, ascended the stairs `
` with his lightest step, gained the landing, and through the `
` open door perceived Milady putting on her hat. `
` `
` He entered the chamber and closed the door behind him. At `
` the noise he made in pushing the bolt, Milady turned round. `
` `
` Athos was standing before the door, enveloped in his cloak, `
` with his hat pulled down over his eyes. On seeing this `
` figure, mute and immovable as a statue, Milady was `
` frightened. `
` `
` "Who are you, and what do you want?" cried she. `
` `
` "Humph," murmured Athos, "it is certainly she!" `
` `
` And letting fall his cloak and raising his hat, he advanced `
` toward Milady. `
` `
` "Do you know me, madame?" said he. `
` `
` Milady made one step forward, and then drew back as if she `
` had seen a serpent. `
` `
` "So far, well," said Athos, "I perceive you know me." `
` `
` "The Comte de la Fere!" murmured Milady, becoming `
` exceedingly pale, and drawing back till the wall prevented `
` her from going any farther. `
` `
` "Yes, Milady," replied Athos; "the Comte de la Fere in `
` person, who comes expressly from the other world to have the `
` pleasure of paying you a visit. Sit down, madame, and let `
` us talk, as the cardinal said." `
` `
` Milady, under the influence of inexpressible terror, sat `
` down without uttering a word. `
` `
` "You certainly are a demon sent upon the earth!" said Athos. `
` "Your power is great, I know; but you also know that with `
` the help of God men have often conquered the most terrible `
` demons. You have once before thrown yourself in my path. I `
` thought I had crushed you, madame; but either I was deceived `
` or hell has resuscitated you!" `
` `
` Milady at these words, which recalled frightful `
` remembrances, hung down her head with a suppressed groan. `
` `
` "Yes, hell has resuscitated you," continued Athos. "Hell `
` has made you rich, hell has given you another name, hell has `
` almost made you another face; but it has neither effaced the `
` stains from your soul nor the brand from your body." `
` `
` Milady arose as if moved by a powerful spring, and her eyes `
` flashed lightning. Athos remained sitting. `
` `
` "You believed me to be dead, did you not, as I believed you `
` to be? And the name of Athos as well concealed the Comte de `
` la Fere, as the name Milady Clarik concealed Anne de Breuil. `
` Was it not so you were called when your honored brother `
` married us? Our position is truly a strange one," continued `
` Athos, laughing. "We have only lived up to the present time `
` because we believed each other dead, and because a `
` remembrance is less oppressive than a living creature, `
` though a remembrance is sometimes devouring." `
` `
` "But," said Milady, in a hollow, faint voice, "what brings `
` you back to me, and what do you want with me?" `
` `
` "I wish to tell you that though remaining invisible to your `
` eyes, I have not lost sight of you." `
` `
` "You know what I have done?" `
` `
` "I can relate to you, day by day, your actions from your `
` entrance to the service of the cardinal to this evening." `
` `
` A smile of incredulity passed over the pale lips of Milady. `
` `
` "Listen! It was you who cut off the two diamond studs from `
` the shoulder of the Duke of Buckingham; it was you had the `
` Madame Bonacieux carried off; it was you who, in love with `
` de Wardes and thinking to pass the night with him, opened `
` the door to Monsieur d'Artagnan; it was you who, believing `
` that de Wardes had deceived you, wished to have him killed `
` by his rival; it was you who, when this rival had discovered `
` your infamous secret, wished to have him killed in his turn `
` by two assassins, whom you sent in pursuit of him; it was `
` you who, finding the balls had missed their mark, sent `
` poisoned wine with a forged letter, to make your victim `
` believe that the wine came from his friends. In short, it `
` was you who have but now in this chamber, seated in this `
` chair I now fill, made an engagement with Cardinal Richelieu `
`
` demand with respect to so infamous a creature--the more so `
` as you tell me this d'Artagnan is a libertine, a duelist, `
` and a traitor." `
` `
` "An infamous scoundrel, monseigneur, a scoundrel!" `
` `
` "Give me paper, a quill, and some ink, then," said the `
` cardinal. `
` `
` "Here they are, monseigneur." `
` `
` There was a moment of silence, which proved that the `
` cardinal was employed in seeking the terms in which he `
` should write the note, or else in writing it. Athos, who `
` had not lost a word of the conversation, took his two `
` companions by the hand, and led them to the other end of the `
` room. `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "what do you want, and why do you not `
` let us listen to the end of the conversation?" `
` `
` "Hush!" said Athos, speaking in a low voice. "We have heard `
` all it was necessary we should hear; besides, I don't `
` prevent you from listening, but I must be gone." `
` `
` "You must be gone!" said Porthos; "and if the cardinal asks `
` for you, what answer can we make?" `
` `
` "You will not wait till he asks; you will speak first, and `
` tell him that I am gone on the lookout, because certain `
` expressions of our host have given me reason to think the `
` road is not safe. I will say two words about it to the `
` cardinal's esquire likewise. The rest concerns myself; `
` don't be uneasy about that." `
` `
` "Be prudent, Athos," said Aramis. `
` `
` "Be easy on that head," replied Athos; "you know I am cool `
` enough." `
` `
` Porthos and Aramis resumed their places by the stovepipe. `
` `
` As to Athos, he went out without any mystery, took his `
` horse, which was tied with those of his friends to the `
` fastenings of the shutters, in four words convinced the `
` attendant of the necessity of a vanguard for their return, `
` carefully examined the priming of his pistols, drew his `
` sword, and took, like a forlorn hope, the road to the camp. `
` `
` `
` `
` 45 A CONJUGAL SCENE `
` `
` As Athos had foreseen, it was not long before the cardinal `
` came down. He opened the door of the room in which the `
` Musketeers were, and found Porthos playing an earnest game `
` of dice with Aramis. He cast a rapid glance around the `
` room, and perceived that one of his men was missing. `
` `
` "What has become of Monseigneur Athos?" asked he. `
` `
` "Monseigneur," replied Porthos, "he has gone as a scout, on `
` account of some words of our host, which made him believe `
` the road was not safe." `
` `
` "And you, what have you done, Monsieur Porthos?" `
` `
` "I have won five pistoles of Aramis." `
` `
` "Well; now will you return with me?" `
` `
` "We are at your Eminence's orders." `
` `
` "To horse, then, gentlemen; for it is getting late." `
` `
` The attendant was at the door, holding the cardinal's horse `
` by the bridle. At a short distance a group of two men and `
` three horses appeared in the shade. These were the two men `
` who were to conduct Milady to the fort of the Point, and `
` superintend her embarkation. `
` `
` The attendant confirmed to the cardinal what the two `
` Musketeers had already said with respect to Athos. The `
` cardinal made an approving gesture, and retraced his route `
` with the same precautions he had used incoming. `
` `
` Let us leave him to follow the road to the camp protected by `
` his esquire and the two Musketeers, and return to Athos. `
` `
` For a hundred paces he maintained the speed at which he `
` started; but when out of sight he turned his horse to the `
` right, made a circuit, and came back within twenty paces of `
` a high hedge to watch the passage of the little troop. `
` Having recognized the laced hats of his companions and the `
` golden fringe of the cardinal's cloak, he waited till the `
` horsemen had turned the angle of the road, and having lost `
` sight of them, he returned at a gallop to the inn, which was `
` opened to him without hesitation. `
` `
` The host recognized him. `
` `
` "My officer," said Athos, "has forgotten to give a piece of `
` very important information to the lady, and has sent me back `
` to repair his forgetfulness." `
` `
` "Go up," said the host; "she is still in her chamber." `
` `
` Athos availed himself of the permission, ascended the stairs `
` with his lightest step, gained the landing, and through the `
` open door perceived Milady putting on her hat. `
` `
` He entered the chamber and closed the door behind him. At `
` the noise he made in pushing the bolt, Milady turned round. `
` `
` Athos was standing before the door, enveloped in his cloak, `
` with his hat pulled down over his eyes. On seeing this `
` figure, mute and immovable as a statue, Milady was `
` frightened. `
` `
` "Who are you, and what do you want?" cried she. `
` `
` "Humph," murmured Athos, "it is certainly she!" `
` `
` And letting fall his cloak and raising his hat, he advanced `
` toward Milady. `
` `
` "Do you know me, madame?" said he. `
` `
` Milady made one step forward, and then drew back as if she `
` had seen a serpent. `
` `
` "So far, well," said Athos, "I perceive you know me." `
` `
` "The Comte de la Fere!" murmured Milady, becoming `
` exceedingly pale, and drawing back till the wall prevented `
` her from going any farther. `
` `
` "Yes, Milady," replied Athos; "the Comte de la Fere in `
` person, who comes expressly from the other world to have the `
` pleasure of paying you a visit. Sit down, madame, and let `
` us talk, as the cardinal said." `
` `
` Milady, under the influence of inexpressible terror, sat `
` down without uttering a word. `
` `
` "You certainly are a demon sent upon the earth!" said Athos. `
` "Your power is great, I know; but you also know that with `
` the help of God men have often conquered the most terrible `
` demons. You have once before thrown yourself in my path. I `
` thought I had crushed you, madame; but either I was deceived `
` or hell has resuscitated you!" `
` `
` Milady at these words, which recalled frightful `
` remembrances, hung down her head with a suppressed groan. `
` `
` "Yes, hell has resuscitated you," continued Athos. "Hell `
` has made you rich, hell has given you another name, hell has `
` almost made you another face; but it has neither effaced the `
` stains from your soul nor the brand from your body." `
` `
` Milady arose as if moved by a powerful spring, and her eyes `
` flashed lightning. Athos remained sitting. `
` `
` "You believed me to be dead, did you not, as I believed you `
` to be? And the name of Athos as well concealed the Comte de `
` la Fere, as the name Milady Clarik concealed Anne de Breuil. `
` Was it not so you were called when your honored brother `
` married us? Our position is truly a strange one," continued `
` Athos, laughing. "We have only lived up to the present time `
` because we believed each other dead, and because a `
` remembrance is less oppressive than a living creature, `
` though a remembrance is sometimes devouring." `
` `
` "But," said Milady, in a hollow, faint voice, "what brings `
` you back to me, and what do you want with me?" `
` `
` "I wish to tell you that though remaining invisible to your `
` eyes, I have not lost sight of you." `
` `
` "You know what I have done?" `
` `
` "I can relate to you, day by day, your actions from your `
` entrance to the service of the cardinal to this evening." `
` `
` A smile of incredulity passed over the pale lips of Milady. `
` `
` "Listen! It was you who cut off the two diamond studs from `
` the shoulder of the Duke of Buckingham; it was you had the `
` Madame Bonacieux carried off; it was you who, in love with `
` de Wardes and thinking to pass the night with him, opened `
` the door to Monsieur d'Artagnan; it was you who, believing `
` that de Wardes had deceived you, wished to have him killed `
` by his rival; it was you who, when this rival had discovered `
` your infamous secret, wished to have him killed in his turn `
` by two assassins, whom you sent in pursuit of him; it was `
` you who, finding the balls had missed their mark, sent `
` poisoned wine with a forged letter, to make your victim `
` believe that the wine came from his friends. In short, it `
` was you who have but now in this chamber, seated in this `
` chair I now fill, made an engagement with Cardinal Richelieu `
`