Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
"To Mlle. Michon, seamstress, Tours." `
` `
` `
` The three friends looked at one another and laughed; they `
` were caught. `
` `
` "Now," said Aramis, "you will please to understand, `
` gentlemen, that Bazin alone can carry this letter to Tours. `
` My cousin knows nobody but Bazin, and places confidence in `
` nobody but him; any other person would fail. Besides, Bazin `
` is ambitious and learned; Bazin has read history, gentlemen, `
` he knows that Sixtus the Fifth became Pope after having kept `
` pigs. Well, as he means to enter the Church at the same `
` time as myself, he does not despair of becoming Pope in his `
` turn, or at least a cardinal. You can understand that a man `
` who has such views will never allow himself to be taken, or `
` if taken, will undergo martyrdom rather than speak." `
` `
` "Very well," said d'Artagnan, "I consent to Bazin with all `
` my heart, but grant me Planchet. Milady had him one day `
` turned out of doors, with sundry blows of a good stick to `
` accelerate his motions. Now, Planchet has an excellent `
` memory; and I will be bound that sooner than relinquish any `
` possible means of vengeance, he will allow himself to be `
` beaten to death. If your arrangements at Tours are your `
` arrangements, Aramis, those of London are mine. I request, `
` then, that Planchet may be chosen, more particularly as he `
` has already been to London with me, and knows how to speak `
` correctly: London, sir, if you please, and my master, Lord `
` d'Artagnan. With that you may be satisfied he can make his `
` way, both going and returning." `
` `
` "In that case," said Athos, "Planchet must receive seven `
` hundred livres for going, and seven hundred livres for `
` coming back; and Bazin, three hundred livres for going, and `
` three hundred livres for returning--that will reduce the sum `
` to five thousand livres. We will each take a thousand `
` livres to be employed as seems good, and we will leave a `
` fund of a thousand livres under the guardianship of Monsieur `
` Abbe here, for extraordinary occasions or common wants. `
` Will that do?" `
` `
` "My dear Athos," said Aramis, "you speak like Nestor, who `
` was, as everyone knows, the wisest among the Greeks." `
` `
` "Well, then," said Athos, "it is agreed. Planchet and Bazin `
` shall go. Everything considered, I am not sorry to retain `
` Grimaud; he is accustomed to my ways, and I am particular. `
` Yesterday's affair must have shaken him a little; his voyage `
` would upset him quite." `
` `
` Planchet was sent for, and instructions were given him. The `
` matter had been named to him by d'Artagnan, who in the first `
` place pointed out the money to him, then the glory, and then `
` the danger. `
` `
` "I will carry the letter in the lining of my coat," said `
` Planchet; "and if I am taken I will swallow it." `
` `
` "Well, but then you will not be able to fulfill your `
` commission," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "You will give me a copy this evening, which I shall know by `
` heart tomorrow." `
` `
` D'Artagnan looked at his friends, as if to say, "Well, what `
` did I tell you?" `
` `
` "Now," continued he, addressing Planchet, "you have eight `
` days to get an interview with Lord de Winter; you have eight `
` days to return--in all sixteen days. If, on the sixteenth `
` day after your departure, at eight o'clock in the evening `
` you are not here, no money--even if it be but five minutes `
` past eight." `
` `
` "Then, monsieur," said Planchet, "you must buy me a watch." `
` `
` "Take this," said Athos, with his usual careless generosity, `
` giving him his own, "and be a good lad. Remember, if you `
` talk, if you babble, if you get drunk, you risk your `
` master's head, who has so much confidence in your fidelity, `
` and who answers for you. But remember, also, that if by `
` your fault any evil happens to d'Artagnan, I will find you, `
` wherever you may be, for the purpose of ripping up your `
` belly." `
` `
` "Oh, monsieur!" said Planchet, humiliated by the suspicion, `
` and moreover, terrified at the calm air of the Musketeer. `
` `
` "And I," said Porthos, rolling his large eyes, "remember, I `
` will skin you alive." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" `
` `
` "And I," said Aramis, with his soft, melodius voice, `
` "remember that I will roast you at a slow fire, like a `
` savage." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" `
` `
` Planchet began to weep. We will not venture to say whether `
` it was from terror created by the threats or from tenderness `
` at seeing four friends so closely united. `
` `
` D'Artagnan took his hand. "See, Planchet," said he, "these `
` gentlemen only say this out of affection for me, but at `
` bottom they all like you." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," said Planchet, "I will succeed or I will `
` consent to be cut in quarters; and if they do cut me in `
` quarters, be assured that not a morsel of me will speak." `
` `
` It was decided that Planchet should set out the next day, at `
` eight o'clock in the morning, in order, as he had said, that `
` he might during the night learn the letter by heart. He `
` gained just twelve hours by this engagement; he was to be `
` back on the sixteenth day, by eight o'clock in the evening. `
` `
` In the morning, as he was mounting his horse, d'Artagnan, `
` who felt at the bottom of his heart a partiality for the `
` duke, took Planchet aside. `
` `
` "Listen," said he to him. "When you have given the letter `
` to Lord de Winter and he has read it, you will further say `
` to him: Watch over his Grace Lord Buckingham, for they wish `
` to assassinate him. But this, Planchet, is so serious and `
` important that I have not informed my friends that I would `
` entrust this secret to you; and for a captain's commission I `
` would not write it." `
` `
` "Be satisfied, monsieur," said Planchet, "you shall see if `
` confidence can be placed in me." `
` `
` Mounted on an excellent horse, which he was to leave at the `
` end of twenty leagues in order to take the post, Planchet `
` set off at a gallop, his spirits a little depressed by the `
` triple promise made him by the Musketeers, but otherwise as `
` light-hearted as possible. `
` `
` Bazin set out the next day for Tours, and was allowed eight `
` days for performing his commission. `
` `
` The four friends, during the period of these two absences, `
` had, as may well be supposed, the eye on the watch, the nose `
` to the wind, and the ear on the hark. Their days were `
` passed in endeavoring to catch all that was said, in `
` observing the proceeding of the cardinal, and in looking out `
` for all the couriers who arrived. More than once an `
` involuntary trembling seized them when called upon for some `
` unexpected service. They had, besides, to look constantly `
` to their own proper safety; Milady was a phantom which, when `
` it had once appeared to people, did not allow them to sleep `
` very quietly. `
` `
` On the morning of the eighth day, Bazin, fresh as ever, and `
` smiling, according to custom, entered the cabaret of the `
` Parpaillot as the four friends were sitting down to `
` breakfast, saying, as had been agreed upon: "Monsieur `
` Aramis, the answer from your cousin." `
` `
` The four friends exchanged a joyful glance; half of the work `
` was done. It is true, however, that it was the shorter and `
` easier part. `
` `
` Aramis, blushing in spite of himself, took the letter, which `
` was in a large, coarse hand and not particular for its `
` orthography. `
` `
` "Good God!" cried he, laughing, "I quite despair of my poor `
` Michon; she will never write like Monsieur de Voiture." `
` `
` "What does you mean by boor Michon?" said the Swiss, who was `
` chatting with the four friends when the letter came. `
` `
` "Oh, pardieu, less than nothing," said Aramis; "a charming `
` little seamstress, whom I love dearly and from whose hand I `
` requested a few lines as a sort of keepsake." `
` `
` "The duvil!" said the Swiss, "if she is as great a lady as `
` her writing is large, you are a lucky fellow, gomrade!" `
` `
` Aramis read the letter, and passed it to Athos. `
` `
` "See what she writes to me, Athos," said he. `
` `
` Athos cast a glance over the epistle, and to disperse all `
` the suspicions that might have been created, read aloud: `
` `
` `
` "My cousin, My sister and I are skillful in interpreting `
` dreams, and even entertain great fear of them; but of yours `
` it may be said, I hope, every dream is an illusion. Adieu! `
` Take care of yourself, and act so that we may from time to `
` time hear you spoken of. `
` `
` "Marie Michon" `
` `
` `
` "And what dream does she mean?" asked the dragoon, who had `
` approached during the reading. `
` `
`
` `
` `
` The three friends looked at one another and laughed; they `
` were caught. `
` `
` "Now," said Aramis, "you will please to understand, `
` gentlemen, that Bazin alone can carry this letter to Tours. `
` My cousin knows nobody but Bazin, and places confidence in `
` nobody but him; any other person would fail. Besides, Bazin `
` is ambitious and learned; Bazin has read history, gentlemen, `
` he knows that Sixtus the Fifth became Pope after having kept `
` pigs. Well, as he means to enter the Church at the same `
` time as myself, he does not despair of becoming Pope in his `
` turn, or at least a cardinal. You can understand that a man `
` who has such views will never allow himself to be taken, or `
` if taken, will undergo martyrdom rather than speak." `
` `
` "Very well," said d'Artagnan, "I consent to Bazin with all `
` my heart, but grant me Planchet. Milady had him one day `
` turned out of doors, with sundry blows of a good stick to `
` accelerate his motions. Now, Planchet has an excellent `
` memory; and I will be bound that sooner than relinquish any `
` possible means of vengeance, he will allow himself to be `
` beaten to death. If your arrangements at Tours are your `
` arrangements, Aramis, those of London are mine. I request, `
` then, that Planchet may be chosen, more particularly as he `
` has already been to London with me, and knows how to speak `
` correctly: London, sir, if you please, and my master, Lord `
` d'Artagnan. With that you may be satisfied he can make his `
` way, both going and returning." `
` `
` "In that case," said Athos, "Planchet must receive seven `
` hundred livres for going, and seven hundred livres for `
` coming back; and Bazin, three hundred livres for going, and `
` three hundred livres for returning--that will reduce the sum `
` to five thousand livres. We will each take a thousand `
` livres to be employed as seems good, and we will leave a `
` fund of a thousand livres under the guardianship of Monsieur `
` Abbe here, for extraordinary occasions or common wants. `
` Will that do?" `
` `
` "My dear Athos," said Aramis, "you speak like Nestor, who `
` was, as everyone knows, the wisest among the Greeks." `
` `
` "Well, then," said Athos, "it is agreed. Planchet and Bazin `
` shall go. Everything considered, I am not sorry to retain `
` Grimaud; he is accustomed to my ways, and I am particular. `
` Yesterday's affair must have shaken him a little; his voyage `
` would upset him quite." `
` `
` Planchet was sent for, and instructions were given him. The `
` matter had been named to him by d'Artagnan, who in the first `
` place pointed out the money to him, then the glory, and then `
` the danger. `
` `
` "I will carry the letter in the lining of my coat," said `
` Planchet; "and if I am taken I will swallow it." `
` `
` "Well, but then you will not be able to fulfill your `
` commission," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "You will give me a copy this evening, which I shall know by `
` heart tomorrow." `
` `
` D'Artagnan looked at his friends, as if to say, "Well, what `
` did I tell you?" `
` `
` "Now," continued he, addressing Planchet, "you have eight `
` days to get an interview with Lord de Winter; you have eight `
` days to return--in all sixteen days. If, on the sixteenth `
` day after your departure, at eight o'clock in the evening `
` you are not here, no money--even if it be but five minutes `
` past eight." `
` `
` "Then, monsieur," said Planchet, "you must buy me a watch." `
` `
` "Take this," said Athos, with his usual careless generosity, `
` giving him his own, "and be a good lad. Remember, if you `
` talk, if you babble, if you get drunk, you risk your `
` master's head, who has so much confidence in your fidelity, `
` and who answers for you. But remember, also, that if by `
` your fault any evil happens to d'Artagnan, I will find you, `
` wherever you may be, for the purpose of ripping up your `
` belly." `
` `
` "Oh, monsieur!" said Planchet, humiliated by the suspicion, `
` and moreover, terrified at the calm air of the Musketeer. `
` `
` "And I," said Porthos, rolling his large eyes, "remember, I `
` will skin you alive." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" `
` `
` "And I," said Aramis, with his soft, melodius voice, `
` "remember that I will roast you at a slow fire, like a `
` savage." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" `
` `
` Planchet began to weep. We will not venture to say whether `
` it was from terror created by the threats or from tenderness `
` at seeing four friends so closely united. `
` `
` D'Artagnan took his hand. "See, Planchet," said he, "these `
` gentlemen only say this out of affection for me, but at `
` bottom they all like you." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," said Planchet, "I will succeed or I will `
` consent to be cut in quarters; and if they do cut me in `
` quarters, be assured that not a morsel of me will speak." `
` `
` It was decided that Planchet should set out the next day, at `
` eight o'clock in the morning, in order, as he had said, that `
` he might during the night learn the letter by heart. He `
` gained just twelve hours by this engagement; he was to be `
` back on the sixteenth day, by eight o'clock in the evening. `
` `
` In the morning, as he was mounting his horse, d'Artagnan, `
` who felt at the bottom of his heart a partiality for the `
` duke, took Planchet aside. `
` `
` "Listen," said he to him. "When you have given the letter `
` to Lord de Winter and he has read it, you will further say `
` to him: Watch over his Grace Lord Buckingham, for they wish `
` to assassinate him. But this, Planchet, is so serious and `
` important that I have not informed my friends that I would `
` entrust this secret to you; and for a captain's commission I `
` would not write it." `
` `
` "Be satisfied, monsieur," said Planchet, "you shall see if `
` confidence can be placed in me." `
` `
` Mounted on an excellent horse, which he was to leave at the `
` end of twenty leagues in order to take the post, Planchet `
` set off at a gallop, his spirits a little depressed by the `
` triple promise made him by the Musketeers, but otherwise as `
` light-hearted as possible. `
` `
` Bazin set out the next day for Tours, and was allowed eight `
` days for performing his commission. `
` `
` The four friends, during the period of these two absences, `
` had, as may well be supposed, the eye on the watch, the nose `
` to the wind, and the ear on the hark. Their days were `
` passed in endeavoring to catch all that was said, in `
` observing the proceeding of the cardinal, and in looking out `
` for all the couriers who arrived. More than once an `
` involuntary trembling seized them when called upon for some `
` unexpected service. They had, besides, to look constantly `
` to their own proper safety; Milady was a phantom which, when `
` it had once appeared to people, did not allow them to sleep `
` very quietly. `
` `
` On the morning of the eighth day, Bazin, fresh as ever, and `
` smiling, according to custom, entered the cabaret of the `
` Parpaillot as the four friends were sitting down to `
` breakfast, saying, as had been agreed upon: "Monsieur `
` Aramis, the answer from your cousin." `
` `
` The four friends exchanged a joyful glance; half of the work `
` was done. It is true, however, that it was the shorter and `
` easier part. `
` `
` Aramis, blushing in spite of himself, took the letter, which `
` was in a large, coarse hand and not particular for its `
` orthography. `
` `
` "Good God!" cried he, laughing, "I quite despair of my poor `
` Michon; she will never write like Monsieur de Voiture." `
` `
` "What does you mean by boor Michon?" said the Swiss, who was `
` chatting with the four friends when the letter came. `
` `
` "Oh, pardieu, less than nothing," said Aramis; "a charming `
` little seamstress, whom I love dearly and from whose hand I `
` requested a few lines as a sort of keepsake." `
` `
` "The duvil!" said the Swiss, "if she is as great a lady as `
` her writing is large, you are a lucky fellow, gomrade!" `
` `
` Aramis read the letter, and passed it to Athos. `
` `
` "See what she writes to me, Athos," said he. `
` `
` Athos cast a glance over the epistle, and to disperse all `
` the suspicions that might have been created, read aloud: `
` `
` `
` "My cousin, My sister and I are skillful in interpreting `
` dreams, and even entertain great fear of them; but of yours `
` it may be said, I hope, every dream is an illusion. Adieu! `
` Take care of yourself, and act so that we may from time to `
` time hear you spoken of. `
` `
` "Marie Michon" `
` `
` `
` "And what dream does she mean?" asked the dragoon, who had `
` approached during the reading. `
` `
`