Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
"My dear d'Artagnan, you will never make anything but a very `
` bad secretary. Where your life was spared! For shame! `
` that's unworthy. A man of spirit is not to be reminded of `
` such services. A benefit reproached is an offense `
` committed." `
` `
` "The devil!" said d'Artagnan, "you are insupportable. If `
` the letter must be written under your censure, my faith, I `
` renounce the task." `
` `
` "And you will do right. Handle the musket and the sword, my `
` dear fellow. You will come off splendidly at those two `
` exercises; but pass the pen over to Monsieur Abbe. That's `
` his province." `
` `
` "Ay, ay!" said Porthos; "pass the pen to Aramis, who writes `
` theses in Latin." `
` `
` "Well, so be it," said d'Artagnan. "Draw up this note for `
` us, Aramis; but by our Holy Father the Pope, cut it short, `
` for I shall prune you in my turn, I warn you." `
` `
` "I ask no better," said Aramis, with that ingenious air of `
` confidence which every poet has in himself; "but let me be `
` properly acquainted with the subject. I have heard here and `
` there that this sister-in-law was a hussy. I have obtained `
` proof of it by listening to her conversation with the `
` cardinal." `
` `
` "Lower! SACRE BLEU!" said Athos. `
` `
` "But," continued Aramis, "the details escape me." `
` `
` "And me also," said Porthos. `
` `
` D'Artagnan and Athos looked at each other for some time in `
` silence. At length Athos, after serious reflection and `
` becoming more pale than usual, made a sign of assent to `
` d'Artagnan, who by it understood he was at liberty to speak. `
` `
` "Well, this is what you have to say," said d'Artagnan: "My `
` Lord, your sister-in-law is an infamous woman, who wished to `
` have you killed that she might inherit your wealth; but she `
` could not marry your brother, being already married in `
` France, and having been--" d'Artagnan stopped, as if `
` seeking for the word, and looked at Athos. `
` `
` "Repudiated by her husband," said Athos. `
` `
` "Because she had been branded," continued d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Bah!" cried Porthos. "Impossible! What do you say--that `
` she wanted to have her brother-in-law killed?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "She was married?" asked Aramis. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And her husband found out that she had a fleur-de-lis on `
` her shoulder?" cried Porthos. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` These three yeses had been pronounced by Athos, each with a `
` sadder intonation. `
` `
` "And who has seen this fleur-de-lis?" inquired Aramis. `
` `
` "d'Artagnan and I. Or rather, to observe the chronological `
` order, I and d'Artagnan," replied Athos. `
` `
` "And does the husband of this frightful creature still `
` live?" said Aramis. `
` `
` "He still lives." `
` `
` "Are you quite sure of it?" `
` `
` "I am he." `
` `
` There was a moment of cold silence, during which everyone `
` was affected according to his nature. `
` `
` "This time," said Athos, first breaking the silence, `
` "d'Artagnan has given us an excellent program, and the `
` letter must be written at once." `
` `
` "The devil! You are right, Athos," said Aramis; "and it is `
` a rather difficult matter. The chancellor himself would be `
` puzzled how to write such a letter, and yet the chancellor `
` draws up an official report very readily. Never mind! Be `
` silent, I will write." `
` `
` Aramis accordingly took the quill, reflected for a few `
` moments, wrote eight or ten lines in a charming little `
` female hand, and then with a voice soft and slow, as if each `
` word had been scrupulously weighed, he read the following: `
` `
` `
` "My Lord, The person who writes these few lines had the `
` honor of crossing swords with you in the little enclosure of `
` the Rue d'Enfer. As you have several times since declared `
` yourself the friend of that person, he thinks it his duty to `
` respond to that friendship by sending you important `
` information. Twice you have nearly been the victim of a near relative, `
` whom you believe to be your heir because you `
` are ignorant that before she contracted a marriage in `
` England she was already married in France. But the third `
` time, which is the present, you may succumb. Your relative `
` left La Rochelle for England during the night. Watch her `
` arrival, for she has great and terrible projects. If you `
` require to know positively what she is capable of, read her `
` past history on her left shoulder." `
` `
` `
` "Well, now that will do wonderfully well," said Athos. "My `
` dear Aramis, you have the pen of a secretary of state. Lord `
` de Winter will now be upon his guard if the letter should `
` reach him; and even if it should fall into the hands of the `
` cardinal, we shall not be compromised. But as the lackey `
` who goes may make us believe he has been to London and may `
` stop at Chatellerault, let us give him only half the sum `
` promised him, with the letter, with an agreement that he `
` shall have the other half in exchange for the reply. Have `
` you the diamond?" continued Athos. `
` `
` "I have what is still better. I have the price"; and `
` d'Artagnan threw the bag upon the table. At the sound of `
` the gold Aramis raised his eyes and Porthos started. As to `
` Athos, he remained unmoved. `
` `
` "How much in that little bag?" `
` `
` "Seven thousand livres, in louis of twelve francs." `
` `
` "Seven thousand livres!" cried Porthos. "That poor little `
` diamond was worth seven thousand livres?" `
` `
` "It appears so," said Athos, "since here they are. I don't `
` suppose that our friend d'Artagnan has added any of his own `
` to the amount." `
` `
` "But, gentlemen, in all this," said d'Artagnan, "we do not `
` think of the queen. Let us take some heed of the welfare of `
` her dear Buckingham. That is the least we owe her." `
` `
` "That's true," said Athos; "but that concerns Aramis." `
` `
` "Well," replied the latter, blushing, "what must I say?" `
` `
` "Oh, that's simple enough!" replied Athos. "Write a second `
` letter for that clever personage who lives at Tours." `
` `
` Aramis resumed his pen, reflected a little, and wrote the `
` following lines, which he immediately submitted to the `
` approbation of his friends. `
` `
` "My dear cousin." `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Athos. "This clever person is your relative, `
` then?" `
` `
` "Cousin-german." `
` `
` "Go on, to your cousin, then!" `
` `
` Aramis continued: `
` `
` `
` "My dear Cousin, His Eminence, the cardinal, whom God `
` preserve for the happiness of France and the confusion of `
` the enemies of the kingdom, is on the point of putting an `
` end to the hectic rebellion of La Rochelle. It is probable `
` that the succor of the English fleet will never even arrive `
` in sight of the place. I will even venture to say that I am `
` certain M. de Buckingham will be prevented from setting out `
` by some great event. His Eminence is the most illustrious `
` politician of times past, of times present, and probably of `
` times to come. He would extinguish the sun if the sun `
` incommoded him. Give these happy tidings to your sister, my `
` dear cousin. I have dreamed that the unlucky Englishman was `
` dead. I cannot recollect whether it was by steel or by `
` poison; only of this I am sure, I have dreamed he was dead, `
` and you know my dreams never deceive me. Be assured, then, `
` of seeing me soon return." `
` `
` `
` "Capital!" cried Athos; "you are the king of poets, my dear `
` Aramis. You speak like the Apocalypse, and you are as true `
` as the Gospel. There is nothing now to do but to put the `
` address to this letter." `
` `
` "That is easily done," said Aramis. `
` `
` He folded the letter fancifully, and took up his pen and `
` wrote: `
` `
` `
` "To Mlle. Michon, seamstress, Tours." `
`
` bad secretary. Where your life was spared! For shame! `
` that's unworthy. A man of spirit is not to be reminded of `
` such services. A benefit reproached is an offense `
` committed." `
` `
` "The devil!" said d'Artagnan, "you are insupportable. If `
` the letter must be written under your censure, my faith, I `
` renounce the task." `
` `
` "And you will do right. Handle the musket and the sword, my `
` dear fellow. You will come off splendidly at those two `
` exercises; but pass the pen over to Monsieur Abbe. That's `
` his province." `
` `
` "Ay, ay!" said Porthos; "pass the pen to Aramis, who writes `
` theses in Latin." `
` `
` "Well, so be it," said d'Artagnan. "Draw up this note for `
` us, Aramis; but by our Holy Father the Pope, cut it short, `
` for I shall prune you in my turn, I warn you." `
` `
` "I ask no better," said Aramis, with that ingenious air of `
` confidence which every poet has in himself; "but let me be `
` properly acquainted with the subject. I have heard here and `
` there that this sister-in-law was a hussy. I have obtained `
` proof of it by listening to her conversation with the `
` cardinal." `
` `
` "Lower! SACRE BLEU!" said Athos. `
` `
` "But," continued Aramis, "the details escape me." `
` `
` "And me also," said Porthos. `
` `
` D'Artagnan and Athos looked at each other for some time in `
` silence. At length Athos, after serious reflection and `
` becoming more pale than usual, made a sign of assent to `
` d'Artagnan, who by it understood he was at liberty to speak. `
` `
` "Well, this is what you have to say," said d'Artagnan: "My `
` Lord, your sister-in-law is an infamous woman, who wished to `
` have you killed that she might inherit your wealth; but she `
` could not marry your brother, being already married in `
` France, and having been--" d'Artagnan stopped, as if `
` seeking for the word, and looked at Athos. `
` `
` "Repudiated by her husband," said Athos. `
` `
` "Because she had been branded," continued d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Bah!" cried Porthos. "Impossible! What do you say--that `
` she wanted to have her brother-in-law killed?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "She was married?" asked Aramis. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And her husband found out that she had a fleur-de-lis on `
` her shoulder?" cried Porthos. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` These three yeses had been pronounced by Athos, each with a `
` sadder intonation. `
` `
` "And who has seen this fleur-de-lis?" inquired Aramis. `
` `
` "d'Artagnan and I. Or rather, to observe the chronological `
` order, I and d'Artagnan," replied Athos. `
` `
` "And does the husband of this frightful creature still `
` live?" said Aramis. `
` `
` "He still lives." `
` `
` "Are you quite sure of it?" `
` `
` "I am he." `
` `
` There was a moment of cold silence, during which everyone `
` was affected according to his nature. `
` `
` "This time," said Athos, first breaking the silence, `
` "d'Artagnan has given us an excellent program, and the `
` letter must be written at once." `
` `
` "The devil! You are right, Athos," said Aramis; "and it is `
` a rather difficult matter. The chancellor himself would be `
` puzzled how to write such a letter, and yet the chancellor `
` draws up an official report very readily. Never mind! Be `
` silent, I will write." `
` `
` Aramis accordingly took the quill, reflected for a few `
` moments, wrote eight or ten lines in a charming little `
` female hand, and then with a voice soft and slow, as if each `
` word had been scrupulously weighed, he read the following: `
` `
` `
` "My Lord, The person who writes these few lines had the `
` honor of crossing swords with you in the little enclosure of `
` the Rue d'Enfer. As you have several times since declared `
` yourself the friend of that person, he thinks it his duty to `
` respond to that friendship by sending you important `
` information. Twice you have nearly been the victim of a near relative, `
` whom you believe to be your heir because you `
` are ignorant that before she contracted a marriage in `
` England she was already married in France. But the third `
` time, which is the present, you may succumb. Your relative `
` left La Rochelle for England during the night. Watch her `
` arrival, for she has great and terrible projects. If you `
` require to know positively what she is capable of, read her `
` past history on her left shoulder." `
` `
` `
` "Well, now that will do wonderfully well," said Athos. "My `
` dear Aramis, you have the pen of a secretary of state. Lord `
` de Winter will now be upon his guard if the letter should `
` reach him; and even if it should fall into the hands of the `
` cardinal, we shall not be compromised. But as the lackey `
` who goes may make us believe he has been to London and may `
` stop at Chatellerault, let us give him only half the sum `
` promised him, with the letter, with an agreement that he `
` shall have the other half in exchange for the reply. Have `
` you the diamond?" continued Athos. `
` `
` "I have what is still better. I have the price"; and `
` d'Artagnan threw the bag upon the table. At the sound of `
` the gold Aramis raised his eyes and Porthos started. As to `
` Athos, he remained unmoved. `
` `
` "How much in that little bag?" `
` `
` "Seven thousand livres, in louis of twelve francs." `
` `
` "Seven thousand livres!" cried Porthos. "That poor little `
` diamond was worth seven thousand livres?" `
` `
` "It appears so," said Athos, "since here they are. I don't `
` suppose that our friend d'Artagnan has added any of his own `
` to the amount." `
` `
` "But, gentlemen, in all this," said d'Artagnan, "we do not `
` think of the queen. Let us take some heed of the welfare of `
` her dear Buckingham. That is the least we owe her." `
` `
` "That's true," said Athos; "but that concerns Aramis." `
` `
` "Well," replied the latter, blushing, "what must I say?" `
` `
` "Oh, that's simple enough!" replied Athos. "Write a second `
` letter for that clever personage who lives at Tours." `
` `
` Aramis resumed his pen, reflected a little, and wrote the `
` following lines, which he immediately submitted to the `
` approbation of his friends. `
` `
` "My dear cousin." `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Athos. "This clever person is your relative, `
` then?" `
` `
` "Cousin-german." `
` `
` "Go on, to your cousin, then!" `
` `
` Aramis continued: `
` `
` `
` "My dear Cousin, His Eminence, the cardinal, whom God `
` preserve for the happiness of France and the confusion of `
` the enemies of the kingdom, is on the point of putting an `
` end to the hectic rebellion of La Rochelle. It is probable `
` that the succor of the English fleet will never even arrive `
` in sight of the place. I will even venture to say that I am `
` certain M. de Buckingham will be prevented from setting out `
` by some great event. His Eminence is the most illustrious `
` politician of times past, of times present, and probably of `
` times to come. He would extinguish the sun if the sun `
` incommoded him. Give these happy tidings to your sister, my `
` dear cousin. I have dreamed that the unlucky Englishman was `
` dead. I cannot recollect whether it was by steel or by `
` poison; only of this I am sure, I have dreamed he was dead, `
` and you know my dreams never deceive me. Be assured, then, `
` of seeing me soon return." `
` `
` `
` "Capital!" cried Athos; "you are the king of poets, my dear `
` Aramis. You speak like the Apocalypse, and you are as true `
` as the Gospel. There is nothing now to do but to put the `
` address to this letter." `
` `
` "That is easily done," said Aramis. `
` `
` He folded the letter fancifully, and took up his pen and `
` wrote: `
` `
` `
` "To Mlle. Michon, seamstress, Tours." `
`