Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
"pray let that napkin be sent to me. I will have three `
` fleur-de-lis embroidered on it in gold, and will give it to `
` your company as a standard." `
` `
` "Monseigneur," said M. de Treville, "that will be unjust to `
` the Guardsmen. Monsieur d'Artagnan is not with me; he `
` serves under Monsieur Dessessart." `
` `
` "Well, then, take him," said the cardinal; "when four men `
` are so much attached to one another, it is only fair that `
` they should serve in the same company." `
` `
` That same evening M. de Treville announced this good news to `
` the three Musketeers and d'Artagnan, inviting all four to `
` breakfast with him next morning. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was beside himself with joy. We know that the `
` dream of his life had been to become a Musketeer. The three `
` friends were likewise greatly delighted. `
` `
` "My faith," said d'Artagnan to Athos, "you had a triumphant `
` idea! As you said, we have acquired glory, and were enabled `
` to carry on a conversation of the highest importance." `
` `
` "Which we can resume now without anybody suspecting us, for, `
` with the help of God, we shall henceforth pass for `
` cardinalists." `
` `
` That evening d'Artagnan went to present his respects to M. `
` Dessessart, and inform him of his promotion. `
` `
` M. Dessessart, who esteemed d'Artagnan, made him offers of `
` help, as this change would entail expenses for equipment. `
` `
` D'Artagnan refused; but thinking the opportunity a good one, he `
` begged him to have the diamond he put into his hand valued, `
` as he wished to turn it into money. `
` `
` The next day, M. Dessessart's valet came to d'Artagnan's `
` lodging, and gave him a bag containing seven thousand `
` livres. `
` `
` This was the price of the queen's diamond. `
` `
` `
` `
` 48 A FAMILY AFFAIR `
` `
` Athos had invented the phrase, family affair. A family `
` affair was not subject to the investigation of the cardinal; `
` a family affair concerned nobody. People might employ `
` themselves in a family affair before all the world. `
` Therefore Athos had invented the phrase, family affair. `
` `
` Aramis had discovered the idea, the lackeys. `
` `
` Porthos had discovered the means, the diamond. `
` `
` D'Artagnan alone had discovered nothing--he, ordinarily the `
` most inventive of the four; but it must be also said that `
` the very name of Milady paralyzed him. `
` `
` Ah! no, we were mistaken; he had discovered a purchaser for `
` his diamond. `
` `
` The breakfast at M. de Treville's was as gay and cheerful as `
` possible. D'Artagnan already wore his uniform--for being `
` nearly of the same size as Aramis, and as Aramis was so `
` liberally paid by the publisher who purchased his poem as to `
` allow him to buy everything double, he sold his friend a `
` complete outfit. `
` `
` D'Artagnan would have been at the height of his wishes if he `
` had not constantly seen Milady like a dark cloud hovering in `
` the horizon. `
` `
` After breakfast, it was agreed that they should meet again `
` in the evening at Athos's lodging, and there finish their `
` plans. `
` `
` D'Artagnan passed the day in exhibiting his Musketeer's `
` uniform in every street of the camp. `
` `
` In the evening, at the appointed hour, the four friends met. `
` There only remained three things to decide--what they `
` should write to Milady's brother; what they should write to `
` the clever person at Tours; and which should be the lackeys `
` to carry the letters. `
` `
` Everyone offered his own. Athos talked of the discretion of `
` Grimaud, who never spoke a word but when his master unlocked `
` his mouth. Porthos boasted of the strength of Mousqueton, `
` who was big enough to thrash four men of ordinary size. `
` Aramis, confiding in the address of Bazin, made a pompous `
` eulogium on his candidate. Finally, d'Artagnan had entire `
` faith in the bravery of Planchet, and reminded them of the `
` manner in which he had conducted himself in the ticklish `
` affair of Boulogne. `
` `
` These four virtues disputed the prize for a length of time, `
` and gave birth to magnificent speeches which we do not `
` repeat here for fear they should be deemed too long. `
` `
` "Unfortunately," said Athos, "he whom we send must possess `
` in himself alone the four qualities united." `
` `
` "But where is such a lackey to be found?" `
` `
` "Not to be found!" cried Athos. "I know it well, so take `
` Grimaud." `
` `
` "Take Mousqueton." `
` `
` "Take Bazin." `
` `
` "Take Planchet. Planchet is brave and shrewd; they are two `
` qualities out of the four." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Aramis, "the principal question is not to `
` know which of our four lackeys is the most discreet, the `
` most strong, the most clever, or the most brave; the `
` principal thing is to know which loves money the best." `
` `
` "What Aramis says is very sensible," replied Athos; "we must `
` speculate upon the faults of people, and not upon their `
` virtues. Monsieur Abbe, you are a great moralist." `
` `
` "Doubtless," said Aramis, "for we not only require to be `
` well served in order to succeed, but moreover, not to fail; `
` for in case of failure, heads are in question, not for our `
` lackeys--" `
` `
` "Speak lower, Aramis," said Athos. `
` `
` "That's wise--not for the lackeys," resumed Aramis, "but for `
` the master--for the masters, we may say. Are our lackeys `
` sufficiently devoted to us to risk their lives for us? No." `
` `
` "My faith," said d'Artagnan. "I would almost answer for `
` Planchet." `
` `
` "Well, my dear friend, add to his natural devotedness a good `
` sum of money, and then, instead of answering for him once, `
` answer for him twice." `
` `
` "Why, good God! you will be deceived just the same," said `
` Athos, who was an optimist when things were concerned, and a `
` pessimist when men were in question. "They will promise `
` everything for the sake of the money, and on the road fear `
` will prevent them from acting. Once taken, they will be `
` pressed; when pressed, they will confess everything. What `
` the devil! we are not children. To reach England"--Athos `
` lowered his voice--"all France, covered with spies and `
` creatures of the cardinal, must be crossed. A passport for `
` embarkation must be obtained; and the party must be `
` acquainted with English in order to ask the way to London. `
` Really, I think the thing very difficult." `
` `
` "Not at all," cried d'Artagnan, who was anxious the matter `
` should be accomplished; "on the contrary, I think it very `
` easy. It would be, no doubt, parbleu, if we write to Lord `
` de Winter about affairs of vast importance, of the horrors `
` of the cardinal--" `
` `
` "Speak lower!" said Athos. `
` `
` "--of intrigues and secrets of state," continued d'Artagnan, `
` complying with the recommendation. "There can be no doubt `
` we would all be broken on the wheel; but for God's sake, do `
` not forget, as you yourself said, Athos, that we only write `
` to him concerning a family affair; that we only write to him `
` to entreat that as soon as Milady arrives in London he will `
` put it out of her power to injure us. I will write to him, `
` then, nearly in these terms." `
` `
` "Let us see," said Athos, assuming in advance a critical `
` look. `
` `
` "Monsieur and dear friend--" `
` `
` "Ah, yes! Dear friend to an Englishman," interrupted Athos; `
` "well commenced! Bravo, d'Artagnan! Only with that word `
` you would be quartered instead of being broken on the `
` wheel." `
` `
` "Well, perhaps. I will say, then, Monsieur, quite short." `
` `
` "You may even say, My Lord," replied Athos, who stickled for `
` propriety. `
` `
` "My Lord, do you remember the little goat pasture of the `
` Luxembourg?" `
` `
` "Good, the Luxembourg! One might believe this is an `
` allusion to the queen-mother! That's ingenious," said `
` Athos. `
` `
` "Well, then, we will put simply, My Lord, do you remember a `
` certain little enclosure where your life was spared?" `
` `
` "My dear d'Artagnan, you will never make anything but a very `
`
` fleur-de-lis embroidered on it in gold, and will give it to `
` your company as a standard." `
` `
` "Monseigneur," said M. de Treville, "that will be unjust to `
` the Guardsmen. Monsieur d'Artagnan is not with me; he `
` serves under Monsieur Dessessart." `
` `
` "Well, then, take him," said the cardinal; "when four men `
` are so much attached to one another, it is only fair that `
` they should serve in the same company." `
` `
` That same evening M. de Treville announced this good news to `
` the three Musketeers and d'Artagnan, inviting all four to `
` breakfast with him next morning. `
` `
` D'Artagnan was beside himself with joy. We know that the `
` dream of his life had been to become a Musketeer. The three `
` friends were likewise greatly delighted. `
` `
` "My faith," said d'Artagnan to Athos, "you had a triumphant `
` idea! As you said, we have acquired glory, and were enabled `
` to carry on a conversation of the highest importance." `
` `
` "Which we can resume now without anybody suspecting us, for, `
` with the help of God, we shall henceforth pass for `
` cardinalists." `
` `
` That evening d'Artagnan went to present his respects to M. `
` Dessessart, and inform him of his promotion. `
` `
` M. Dessessart, who esteemed d'Artagnan, made him offers of `
` help, as this change would entail expenses for equipment. `
` `
` D'Artagnan refused; but thinking the opportunity a good one, he `
` begged him to have the diamond he put into his hand valued, `
` as he wished to turn it into money. `
` `
` The next day, M. Dessessart's valet came to d'Artagnan's `
` lodging, and gave him a bag containing seven thousand `
` livres. `
` `
` This was the price of the queen's diamond. `
` `
` `
` `
` 48 A FAMILY AFFAIR `
` `
` Athos had invented the phrase, family affair. A family `
` affair was not subject to the investigation of the cardinal; `
` a family affair concerned nobody. People might employ `
` themselves in a family affair before all the world. `
` Therefore Athos had invented the phrase, family affair. `
` `
` Aramis had discovered the idea, the lackeys. `
` `
` Porthos had discovered the means, the diamond. `
` `
` D'Artagnan alone had discovered nothing--he, ordinarily the `
` most inventive of the four; but it must be also said that `
` the very name of Milady paralyzed him. `
` `
` Ah! no, we were mistaken; he had discovered a purchaser for `
` his diamond. `
` `
` The breakfast at M. de Treville's was as gay and cheerful as `
` possible. D'Artagnan already wore his uniform--for being `
` nearly of the same size as Aramis, and as Aramis was so `
` liberally paid by the publisher who purchased his poem as to `
` allow him to buy everything double, he sold his friend a `
` complete outfit. `
` `
` D'Artagnan would have been at the height of his wishes if he `
` had not constantly seen Milady like a dark cloud hovering in `
` the horizon. `
` `
` After breakfast, it was agreed that they should meet again `
` in the evening at Athos's lodging, and there finish their `
` plans. `
` `
` D'Artagnan passed the day in exhibiting his Musketeer's `
` uniform in every street of the camp. `
` `
` In the evening, at the appointed hour, the four friends met. `
` There only remained three things to decide--what they `
` should write to Milady's brother; what they should write to `
` the clever person at Tours; and which should be the lackeys `
` to carry the letters. `
` `
` Everyone offered his own. Athos talked of the discretion of `
` Grimaud, who never spoke a word but when his master unlocked `
` his mouth. Porthos boasted of the strength of Mousqueton, `
` who was big enough to thrash four men of ordinary size. `
` Aramis, confiding in the address of Bazin, made a pompous `
` eulogium on his candidate. Finally, d'Artagnan had entire `
` faith in the bravery of Planchet, and reminded them of the `
` manner in which he had conducted himself in the ticklish `
` affair of Boulogne. `
` `
` These four virtues disputed the prize for a length of time, `
` and gave birth to magnificent speeches which we do not `
` repeat here for fear they should be deemed too long. `
` `
` "Unfortunately," said Athos, "he whom we send must possess `
` in himself alone the four qualities united." `
` `
` "But where is such a lackey to be found?" `
` `
` "Not to be found!" cried Athos. "I know it well, so take `
` Grimaud." `
` `
` "Take Mousqueton." `
` `
` "Take Bazin." `
` `
` "Take Planchet. Planchet is brave and shrewd; they are two `
` qualities out of the four." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said Aramis, "the principal question is not to `
` know which of our four lackeys is the most discreet, the `
` most strong, the most clever, or the most brave; the `
` principal thing is to know which loves money the best." `
` `
` "What Aramis says is very sensible," replied Athos; "we must `
` speculate upon the faults of people, and not upon their `
` virtues. Monsieur Abbe, you are a great moralist." `
` `
` "Doubtless," said Aramis, "for we not only require to be `
` well served in order to succeed, but moreover, not to fail; `
` for in case of failure, heads are in question, not for our `
` lackeys--" `
` `
` "Speak lower, Aramis," said Athos. `
` `
` "That's wise--not for the lackeys," resumed Aramis, "but for `
` the master--for the masters, we may say. Are our lackeys `
` sufficiently devoted to us to risk their lives for us? No." `
` `
` "My faith," said d'Artagnan. "I would almost answer for `
` Planchet." `
` `
` "Well, my dear friend, add to his natural devotedness a good `
` sum of money, and then, instead of answering for him once, `
` answer for him twice." `
` `
` "Why, good God! you will be deceived just the same," said `
` Athos, who was an optimist when things were concerned, and a `
` pessimist when men were in question. "They will promise `
` everything for the sake of the money, and on the road fear `
` will prevent them from acting. Once taken, they will be `
` pressed; when pressed, they will confess everything. What `
` the devil! we are not children. To reach England"--Athos `
` lowered his voice--"all France, covered with spies and `
` creatures of the cardinal, must be crossed. A passport for `
` embarkation must be obtained; and the party must be `
` acquainted with English in order to ask the way to London. `
` Really, I think the thing very difficult." `
` `
` "Not at all," cried d'Artagnan, who was anxious the matter `
` should be accomplished; "on the contrary, I think it very `
` easy. It would be, no doubt, parbleu, if we write to Lord `
` de Winter about affairs of vast importance, of the horrors `
` of the cardinal--" `
` `
` "Speak lower!" said Athos. `
` `
` "--of intrigues and secrets of state," continued d'Artagnan, `
` complying with the recommendation. "There can be no doubt `
` we would all be broken on the wheel; but for God's sake, do `
` not forget, as you yourself said, Athos, that we only write `
` to him concerning a family affair; that we only write to him `
` to entreat that as soon as Milady arrives in London he will `
` put it out of her power to injure us. I will write to him, `
` then, nearly in these terms." `
` `
` "Let us see," said Athos, assuming in advance a critical `
` look. `
` `
` "Monsieur and dear friend--" `
` `
` "Ah, yes! Dear friend to an Englishman," interrupted Athos; `
` "well commenced! Bravo, d'Artagnan! Only with that word `
` you would be quartered instead of being broken on the `
` wheel." `
` `
` "Well, perhaps. I will say, then, Monsieur, quite short." `
` `
` "You may even say, My Lord," replied Athos, who stickled for `
` propriety. `
` `
` "My Lord, do you remember the little goat pasture of the `
` Luxembourg?" `
` `
` "Good, the Luxembourg! One might believe this is an `
` allusion to the queen-mother! That's ingenious," said `
` Athos. `
` `
` "Well, then, we will put simply, My Lord, do you remember a `
` certain little enclosure where your life was spared?" `
` `
` "My dear d'Artagnan, you will never make anything but a very `
`