Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
chair I now fill, made an engagement with Cardinal Richelieu `
` to cause the Duke of Buckingham to be assassinated, in `
` exchange for the promise he has made you to allow you to `
` assassinate d'Artagnan." `
` `
` Milady was livid. `
` `
` "You must be Satan!" cried she. `
` `
` "Perhaps," said Athos; "But at all events listen well to `
` this. Assassinate the Duke of Buckingham, or cause him to `
` be assassinated--I care very little about that! I don't `
` know him. Besides, he is an Englishman. But do not touch `
` with the tip of your finger a single hair of d'Artagnan, who `
` is a faithful friend whom I love and defend, or I swear to `
` you by the head of my father the crime which you shall have `
` endeavored to commit, or shall have committed, shall be the `
` last." `
` `
` "Monsieur d'Artagnan has cruelly insulted me," said Milady, `
` in a hollow tone; "Monsieur d'Artagnan shall die!" `
` `
` "Indeed! Is it possible to insult you, madame?" said Athos, `
` laughing; "he has insulted you, and he shall die!" `
` `
` "He shall die!" replied Milady; "she first, and he `
` afterward." `
` `
` Athos was seized with a kind of vertigo. The sight of this `
` creature, who had nothing of the woman about her, recalled `
` awful remembrances. He thought how one day, in a less `
` dangerous situation than the one in which he was now placed, `
` he had already endeavored to sacrifice her to his honor. `
` His desire for blood returned, burning his brain and `
` pervading his frame like a raging fever; he arose in his `
` turn, reached his hand to his belt, drew forth a pistol, and `
` cocked it. `
` `
` Milady, pale as a corpse, endeavored to cry out; but her `
` swollen tongue could utter no more than a hoarse sound which `
` had nothing human in it and resembled the rattle of a wild `
` beast. Motionless against the dark tapestry, with her hair `
` in disorder, she appeared like a horrid image of terror. `
` `
` Athos slowly raised his pistol, stretched out his arm so `
` that the weapon almost touched Milady's forehead, and then, `
` in a voice the more terrible from having the supreme `
` calmness of a fixed resolution, "Madame," said he, "you will `
` this instant deliver to me the paper the cardinal signed; or `
` upon my soul, I will blow your brains out." `
` `
` With another man, Milady might have preserved some doubt; `
` but she knew Athos. Nevertheless, she remained motionless. `
` `
` "You have one second to decide," said he. `
` `
` Milady saw by the contraction of his countenance that the `
` trigger was about to be pulled; she reached her hand quickly `
` to her bosom, drew out a paper, and held it toward Athos. `
` `
` "Take it," said she, "and be accursed!" `
` `
` Athos took the paper, returned the pistol to his belt, `
` approached the lamp to be assured that it was the paper, `
` unfolded it, and read: `
` `
` `
` Dec. 3, 1627 `
` `
` It is by my order and for the good of the state that the `
` bearer of this has done what he has done. `
` `
` Richelieu `
` `
` `
` "And now," said Athos, resuming his cloak and putting on his `
` hat, "now that I have drawn your teeth, viper, bite if you `
` can." `
` `
` And he left the chamber without once looking behind him. `
` `
` At the door he found the two men and the spare horse which `
` they held. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said he, "Monseigneur's order is, you know, to `
` conduct that woman, without losing time, to the fort of the `
` Point, and never to leave her till she is on board." `
` `
` As these words agreed wholly with the order they had `
` received, they bowed their heads in sign of assent. `
` `
` With regard to Athos, he leaped lightly into the saddle and `
` set out at full gallop; only instead of following the road, `
` he went across the fields, urging his horse to the utmost `
` and stopping occasionally to listen. `
` `
` In one of those halts he heard the steps of several horses `
` on the road. He had no doubt it was the cardinal and his `
` escort. He immediately made a new point in advance, rubbed `
` his horse down with some heath and leaves of trees, and `
` placed himself across the road, about two hundred paces from `
` the camp. `
` `
` "Who goes there?" cried he, as soon as he perceived the `
` horsemen. `
` `
` "That is our brave Musketeer, I think," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "Yes, monseigneur," said Porthos, "it is he." `
` `
` "Monsieur Athos," said Richelieu, "receive my thanks for the `
` good guard you have kept. Gentlemen, we are arrived; take `
` the gate on the left. The watchword is, 'King and Re.'" `
` `
` Saying these words, the cardinal saluted the three friends `
` with an inclination of his head, and took the right hand, `
` followed by his attendant--for that night he himself slept `
` in the camp. `
` `
` "Well!" said Porthos and Aramis together, as soon as the `
` cardinal was out of hearing, "well, he signed the paper she `
` required!" `
` `
` "I know it," said Athos, coolly, "since here it is." `
` `
` And the three friends did not exchange another word till `
` they reached their quarters, except to give the watchword to `
` the sentinels. Only they sent Mousqueton to tell Planchet `
` that his master was requested, the instant that he left the `
` trenches, to come to the quarters of the Musketeers. `
` `
` Milady, as Athos had foreseen, on finding the two men that `
` awaited her, made no difficulty in following them. She had `
` had for an instant an inclination to be reconducted to the `
` cardinal, and relate everything to him; but a revelation on `
` her part would bring about a revelation on the part of `
` Athos. She might say that Athos had hanged her; but then `
` Athos would tell that she was branded. She thought it was `
` best to preserve silence, to discreetly set off to `
` accomplish her difficult mission with her usual skill; and `
` then, all things being accomplished to the satisfaction of `
` the cardinal, to come to him and claim her vengeance. `
` `
` In consequence, after having traveled all night, at seven `
` o'clock she was at the fort of the Point; at eight o'clock `
` she had embarked; and at nine, the vessel, which with `
` letters of marque from the cardinal was supposed to be `
` sailing for Bayonne, raised anchor, and steered its course `
` toward England. `
` `
` `
` `
` 46 THE BASTION SAINT-GERVAIS `
` `
` On arriving at the lodgings of his three friends, d'Artagnan `
` found them assembled in the same chamber. Athos was `
` meditating; Porthos was twisting his mustache; Aramis was `
` saying his prayers in a charming little Book of Hours, bound `
` in blue velvet. `
` `
` "Pardieu, gentlemen," said he. "I hope what you have to `
` tell me is worth the trouble, or else, I warn you, I will `
` not pardon you for making me come here instead of getting a `
` little rest after a night spent in taking and dismantling a `
` bastion. Ah, why were you not there, gentlemen? It was `
` warm work." `
` `
` "We were in a place where it was not very cold," replied `
` Porthos, giving his mustache a twist which was peculiar to `
` him. `
` `
` "Hush!" said Athos. `
` `
` "Oh, oh!" said d'Artagnan, comprehending the slight frown of `
` the Musketeer. "It appears there is something fresh `
` aboard." `
` `
` "Aramis," said Athos, "you went to breakfast the day before `
` yesterday at the inn of the Parpaillot, I believe?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "How did you fare?" `
` `
` "For my part, I ate but little. The day before yesterday `
` was a fish day, and they had nothing but meat." `
` `
` "What," said Athos, "no fish at a seaport?" `
` `
` "They say," said Aramis, resuming his pious reading, "that `
` the dyke which the cardinal is making drives them all out `
` into the open sea." `
` `
` "But that is not quite what I mean to ask you, Aramis," `
` replied Athos. "I want to know if you were left alone, and `
` nobody interrupted you." `
` `
` "Why, I think there were not many intruders. Yes, Athos, I `
` know what you mean: we shall do very well at the `
` Parpaillot." `
` `
`
` to cause the Duke of Buckingham to be assassinated, in `
` exchange for the promise he has made you to allow you to `
` assassinate d'Artagnan." `
` `
` Milady was livid. `
` `
` "You must be Satan!" cried she. `
` `
` "Perhaps," said Athos; "But at all events listen well to `
` this. Assassinate the Duke of Buckingham, or cause him to `
` be assassinated--I care very little about that! I don't `
` know him. Besides, he is an Englishman. But do not touch `
` with the tip of your finger a single hair of d'Artagnan, who `
` is a faithful friend whom I love and defend, or I swear to `
` you by the head of my father the crime which you shall have `
` endeavored to commit, or shall have committed, shall be the `
` last." `
` `
` "Monsieur d'Artagnan has cruelly insulted me," said Milady, `
` in a hollow tone; "Monsieur d'Artagnan shall die!" `
` `
` "Indeed! Is it possible to insult you, madame?" said Athos, `
` laughing; "he has insulted you, and he shall die!" `
` `
` "He shall die!" replied Milady; "she first, and he `
` afterward." `
` `
` Athos was seized with a kind of vertigo. The sight of this `
` creature, who had nothing of the woman about her, recalled `
` awful remembrances. He thought how one day, in a less `
` dangerous situation than the one in which he was now placed, `
` he had already endeavored to sacrifice her to his honor. `
` His desire for blood returned, burning his brain and `
` pervading his frame like a raging fever; he arose in his `
` turn, reached his hand to his belt, drew forth a pistol, and `
` cocked it. `
` `
` Milady, pale as a corpse, endeavored to cry out; but her `
` swollen tongue could utter no more than a hoarse sound which `
` had nothing human in it and resembled the rattle of a wild `
` beast. Motionless against the dark tapestry, with her hair `
` in disorder, she appeared like a horrid image of terror. `
` `
` Athos slowly raised his pistol, stretched out his arm so `
` that the weapon almost touched Milady's forehead, and then, `
` in a voice the more terrible from having the supreme `
` calmness of a fixed resolution, "Madame," said he, "you will `
` this instant deliver to me the paper the cardinal signed; or `
` upon my soul, I will blow your brains out." `
` `
` With another man, Milady might have preserved some doubt; `
` but she knew Athos. Nevertheless, she remained motionless. `
` `
` "You have one second to decide," said he. `
` `
` Milady saw by the contraction of his countenance that the `
` trigger was about to be pulled; she reached her hand quickly `
` to her bosom, drew out a paper, and held it toward Athos. `
` `
` "Take it," said she, "and be accursed!" `
` `
` Athos took the paper, returned the pistol to his belt, `
` approached the lamp to be assured that it was the paper, `
` unfolded it, and read: `
` `
` `
` Dec. 3, 1627 `
` `
` It is by my order and for the good of the state that the `
` bearer of this has done what he has done. `
` `
` Richelieu `
` `
` `
` "And now," said Athos, resuming his cloak and putting on his `
` hat, "now that I have drawn your teeth, viper, bite if you `
` can." `
` `
` And he left the chamber without once looking behind him. `
` `
` At the door he found the two men and the spare horse which `
` they held. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said he, "Monseigneur's order is, you know, to `
` conduct that woman, without losing time, to the fort of the `
` Point, and never to leave her till she is on board." `
` `
` As these words agreed wholly with the order they had `
` received, they bowed their heads in sign of assent. `
` `
` With regard to Athos, he leaped lightly into the saddle and `
` set out at full gallop; only instead of following the road, `
` he went across the fields, urging his horse to the utmost `
` and stopping occasionally to listen. `
` `
` In one of those halts he heard the steps of several horses `
` on the road. He had no doubt it was the cardinal and his `
` escort. He immediately made a new point in advance, rubbed `
` his horse down with some heath and leaves of trees, and `
` placed himself across the road, about two hundred paces from `
` the camp. `
` `
` "Who goes there?" cried he, as soon as he perceived the `
` horsemen. `
` `
` "That is our brave Musketeer, I think," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "Yes, monseigneur," said Porthos, "it is he." `
` `
` "Monsieur Athos," said Richelieu, "receive my thanks for the `
` good guard you have kept. Gentlemen, we are arrived; take `
` the gate on the left. The watchword is, 'King and Re.'" `
` `
` Saying these words, the cardinal saluted the three friends `
` with an inclination of his head, and took the right hand, `
` followed by his attendant--for that night he himself slept `
` in the camp. `
` `
` "Well!" said Porthos and Aramis together, as soon as the `
` cardinal was out of hearing, "well, he signed the paper she `
` required!" `
` `
` "I know it," said Athos, coolly, "since here it is." `
` `
` And the three friends did not exchange another word till `
` they reached their quarters, except to give the watchword to `
` the sentinels. Only they sent Mousqueton to tell Planchet `
` that his master was requested, the instant that he left the `
` trenches, to come to the quarters of the Musketeers. `
` `
` Milady, as Athos had foreseen, on finding the two men that `
` awaited her, made no difficulty in following them. She had `
` had for an instant an inclination to be reconducted to the `
` cardinal, and relate everything to him; but a revelation on `
` her part would bring about a revelation on the part of `
` Athos. She might say that Athos had hanged her; but then `
` Athos would tell that she was branded. She thought it was `
` best to preserve silence, to discreetly set off to `
` accomplish her difficult mission with her usual skill; and `
` then, all things being accomplished to the satisfaction of `
` the cardinal, to come to him and claim her vengeance. `
` `
` In consequence, after having traveled all night, at seven `
` o'clock she was at the fort of the Point; at eight o'clock `
` she had embarked; and at nine, the vessel, which with `
` letters of marque from the cardinal was supposed to be `
` sailing for Bayonne, raised anchor, and steered its course `
` toward England. `
` `
` `
` `
` 46 THE BASTION SAINT-GERVAIS `
` `
` On arriving at the lodgings of his three friends, d'Artagnan `
` found them assembled in the same chamber. Athos was `
` meditating; Porthos was twisting his mustache; Aramis was `
` saying his prayers in a charming little Book of Hours, bound `
` in blue velvet. `
` `
` "Pardieu, gentlemen," said he. "I hope what you have to `
` tell me is worth the trouble, or else, I warn you, I will `
` not pardon you for making me come here instead of getting a `
` little rest after a night spent in taking and dismantling a `
` bastion. Ah, why were you not there, gentlemen? It was `
` warm work." `
` `
` "We were in a place where it was not very cold," replied `
` Porthos, giving his mustache a twist which was peculiar to `
` him. `
` `
` "Hush!" said Athos. `
` `
` "Oh, oh!" said d'Artagnan, comprehending the slight frown of `
` the Musketeer. "It appears there is something fresh `
` aboard." `
` `
` "Aramis," said Athos, "you went to breakfast the day before `
` yesterday at the inn of the Parpaillot, I believe?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "How did you fare?" `
` `
` "For my part, I ate but little. The day before yesterday `
` was a fish day, and they had nothing but meat." `
` `
` "What," said Athos, "no fish at a seaport?" `
` `
` "They say," said Aramis, resuming his pious reading, "that `
` the dyke which the cardinal is making drives them all out `
` into the open sea." `
` `
` "But that is not quite what I mean to ask you, Aramis," `
` replied Athos. "I want to know if you were left alone, and `
` nobody interrupted you." `
` `
` "Why, I think there were not many intruders. Yes, Athos, I `
` know what you mean: we shall do very well at the `
` Parpaillot." `
` `
`