Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
the curiosity of sailors at Tyburn. I will be silent, but you `
` must endure your captivity quietly. In fifteen or twenty days I `
` shall set out for La Rochelle with the army; but on the eve of my `
` departure a vessel which I shall see depart will take you hence `
` and convey you to our colonies in the south. And be assured that `
` you shall be accompanied by one who will blow your brains out at `
` the first attempt you make to return to England or the `
` Continent." `
` `
` Milady listened with an attention that dilated her inflamed eyes. `
` `
` "Yes, at present," continued Lord de Winter, "you will remain in `
` this castle. The walls are thick, the doors strong, and the bars `
` solid; besides, your window opens immediately over the sea. The `
` men of my crew, who are devoted to me for life and death, mount `
` guard around this apartment, and watch all the passages that lead `
` to the courtyard. Even if you gained the yard, there would still `
` be three iron gates for you to pass. The order is positive. A `
` step, a gesture, a word, on your part, denoting an effort to `
` escape, and you are to be fired upon. If they kill you, English `
` justice will be under an obligation to me for having saved it `
` trouble. Ah! I see your features regain their calmness, your `
` countenance recovers its assurance. You are saying to yourself: `
` 'Fifteen days, twenty days? Bah! I have an inventive mind; `
` before that is expired some idea will occur to me. I have an `
` infernal spirit. I shall meet with a victim. Before fifteen `
` days are gone by I shall be away from here.' Ah, try it!" `
` `
` Milady, finding her thoughts betrayed, dug her nails into her `
` flesh to subdue every emotion that might give to her face any `
` expression except agony. `
` `
` Lord de Winter continued: "The officer who commands here in my `
` absence you have already seen, and therefore know him. He knows `
` how, as you must have observed, to obey an order--for you did `
` not, I am sure, come from Portsmouth hither without endeavoring `
` to make him speak. What do you say of him? Could a statue of `
` marble have been more impassive and more mute? You have already `
` tried the power of your seductions upon many men, and `
` unfortunately you have always succeeded; but I give you leave to `
` try them upon this one. PARDIEU! if you succeed with him, I `
` pronounce you the demon himself." `
` `
` He went toward the door and opened it hastily. `
` `
` "Call Mr. Felton," said he. "Wait a minute longer, and I will `
` introduce him to you." `
` `
` There followed between these two personages a strange silence, `
` during which the sound of a slow and regular step was heard `
` approaching. Shortly a human form appeared in the shade of the `
` corridor, and the young lieutenant, with whom we are already `
` acquainted, stopped at the threshold to receive the orders of the `
` baron. `
` `
` "Come in, my dear John," said Lord de Winter, "come in, and shut `
` the door." `
` `
` The young officer entered. `
` `
` "Now," said the baron, "look at this woman. She is young; she is `
` beautiful; she possesses all earthly seductions. Well, she is a `
` monster, who, at twenty-five years of age, has been guilty of as `
` many crimes as you could read of in a year in the archives of our `
` tribunals. Her voice prejudices her hearers in her favor; her `
` beauty serves as a bait to her victims; her body even pays what `
` she promises--I must do her that justice. She will try to seduce `
` you, perhaps she will try to kill you. I have extricated you `
` from misery, Felton; I have caused you to be named lieutenant; I `
` once saved your life, you know on what occasion. I am for you `
` not only a protector, but a friend; not only a benefactor, but a `
` father. This woman has come back again into England for the `
` purpose of conspiring against my life. I hold this serpent in my `
` hands. Well, I call you, and say to you: Friend Felton, John, `
` my child, guard me, and more particularly guard yourself, against `
` this woman. Swear, by your hopes of salvation, to keep her `
` safely for the chastisement she has merited. John Felton, I `
` trust your word! John Felton, I put faith in your loyalty!" `
` `
` "My Lord," said the young officer, summoning to his mild `
` countenance all the hatred he could find in his heart, "my Lord, `
` I swear all shall be done as you desire." `
` `
` Milady received this look like a resigned victim; it was `
` impossible to imagine a more submissive or a more mild expression `
` than that which prevailed on her beautiful countenance. Lord de `
` Winter himself could scarcely recognize the tigress who, a minute `
` before, prepared apparently for a fight. `
` `
` "She is not to leave this chamber, understand, John," continued `
` the baron. "She is to correspond with nobody; she is to speak to `
` no one but you--if you will do her the honor to address a word to `
` her." `
` `
` "That is sufficient, my Lord! I have sworn." `
` `
` "And now, madame, try to make your peace with God, for you are `
` judged by men!" `
` `
` Milady let her head sink, as if crushed by this sentence. Lord `
` de Winter went out, making a sign to Felton, who followed him, `
` shutting the door after him. `
` `
` One instant after, the heavy step of a marine who served as `
` sentinel was heard in the corridor--his ax in his girdle and his `
` musket on his shoulder. `
` `
` Milady remained for some minutes in the same position, for she `
` thought they might perhaps be examining her through the keyhole; `
` she then slowly raised her head, which had resumed its formidable `
` expression of menace and defiance, ran to the door to listen, `
` looked out of her window, and returning to bury herself again in `
` her large armchair, she reflected. `
` `
` `
` `
` 51 OFFICER `
` `
` Meanwhile, the cardinal looked anxiously for news from England; `
` but no news arrived that was not annoying and threatening. `
` `
` Although La Rochelle was invested, however certain success might `
` appear--thanks to the precautions taken, and above all to the `
` dyke, which prevented the entrance of any vessel into the `
` besieged city--the blockade might last a long time yet. This was `
` a great affront to the king's army, and a great inconvenience to `
` the cardinal, who had no longer, it is true, to embroil Louis `
` XIII with Anne of Austria--for that affair was over--but he had `
` to adjust matters for M. de Bassompierre, who was embroiled with `
` the Duc d'Angouleme. `
` `
` As to Monsieur, who had begun the siege, he left to the cardinal `
` the task of finishing it. `
` `
` The city, notwithstanding the incredible perseverance of its `
` mayor, had attempted a sort of mutiny for a surrender; the mayor `
` had hanged the mutineers. This execution quieted the ill- `
` disposed, who resolved to allow themselves to die of hunger--this `
` death always appearing to them more slow and less sure than `
` strangulation. `
` `
` On their side, from time to time, the besiegers took the `
` messengers which the Rochellais sent to Buckingham, or the spies `
` which Buckingham sent to the Rochellais. In one case or the `
` other, the trial was soon over. The cardinal pronounced the `
` single word, "Hanged!" The king was invited to come and see the `
` hanging. He came languidly, placing himself in a good situation `
` to see all the details. This amused him sometimes a little, and `
` made him endure the siege with patience; but it did not prevent `
` his getting very tired, or from talking at every moment of `
` returning to Paris--so that if the messengers and the spies had `
` failed, his Eminence, notwithstanding all his inventiveness, `
` would have found himself much embarrassed. `
` `
` Nevertheless, time passed on, and the Rochellais did not `
` surrender. The last spy that was taken was the bearer of a `
` letter. This letter told Buckingham that the city was at an `
` extremity; but instead of adding, "If your succor does not arrive `
` within fifteen days, we will surrender," it added, quite simply, `
` "If your succor comes not within fifteen days, we shall all be `
` dead with hunger when it comes." `
` `
` The Rochellais, then, had no hope but in Buckingham. Buckingham `
` was their Messiah. It was evident that if they one day learned `
` positively that they must not count on Buckingham, their courage `
` would fail with their hope. `
` `
` The cardinal looked, then, with great impatience for the news `
` from England which would announce to him that Buckingham would `
` not come. `
` `
` The question of carrying the city by assault, though often `
` debated in the council of the king, had been always rejected. In `
` the first place, La Rochelle appeared impregnable. Then the `
` cardinal, whatever he said, very well knew that the horror of `
` bloodshed in this encounter, in which Frenchman would combat `
` against Frenchman, was a retrograde movement of sixty years `
` impressed upon his policy; and the cardinal was at that period `
` what we now call a man of progress. In fact, the sack of La `
` Rochelle, and the assassination of three of four thousand `
` Huguenots who allowed themselves to be killed, would resemble too `
` closely, in 1628, the massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572; and `
` then, above all this, this extreme measure, which was not at all `
` repugnant to the king, good Catholic as he was, always fell `
` before this argument of the besieging generals--La Rochelle is `
` impregnable except to famine. `
` `
` The cardinal could not drive from his mind the fear he `
` entertained of his terrible emissary--for he comprehended the `
` strange qualities of this woman, sometimes a serpent, sometimes a `
` lion. Had she betrayed him? Was she dead? He knew her well `
` enough in all cases to know that, whether acting for or against `
` him, as a friend or an enemy, she would not remain motionless `
` without great impediments; but whence did these impediments `
` arise? That was what he could not know. `
` `
` And yet he reckoned, and with reason, on Milady. He had divined `
` in the past of this woman terrible things which his red mantle `
` alone could cover; and he felt, from one cause or another, that `
` this woman was his own, as she could look to no other but himself `
` for a support superior to the danger which threatened her. `
`
` must endure your captivity quietly. In fifteen or twenty days I `
` shall set out for La Rochelle with the army; but on the eve of my `
` departure a vessel which I shall see depart will take you hence `
` and convey you to our colonies in the south. And be assured that `
` you shall be accompanied by one who will blow your brains out at `
` the first attempt you make to return to England or the `
` Continent." `
` `
` Milady listened with an attention that dilated her inflamed eyes. `
` `
` "Yes, at present," continued Lord de Winter, "you will remain in `
` this castle. The walls are thick, the doors strong, and the bars `
` solid; besides, your window opens immediately over the sea. The `
` men of my crew, who are devoted to me for life and death, mount `
` guard around this apartment, and watch all the passages that lead `
` to the courtyard. Even if you gained the yard, there would still `
` be three iron gates for you to pass. The order is positive. A `
` step, a gesture, a word, on your part, denoting an effort to `
` escape, and you are to be fired upon. If they kill you, English `
` justice will be under an obligation to me for having saved it `
` trouble. Ah! I see your features regain their calmness, your `
` countenance recovers its assurance. You are saying to yourself: `
` 'Fifteen days, twenty days? Bah! I have an inventive mind; `
` before that is expired some idea will occur to me. I have an `
` infernal spirit. I shall meet with a victim. Before fifteen `
` days are gone by I shall be away from here.' Ah, try it!" `
` `
` Milady, finding her thoughts betrayed, dug her nails into her `
` flesh to subdue every emotion that might give to her face any `
` expression except agony. `
` `
` Lord de Winter continued: "The officer who commands here in my `
` absence you have already seen, and therefore know him. He knows `
` how, as you must have observed, to obey an order--for you did `
` not, I am sure, come from Portsmouth hither without endeavoring `
` to make him speak. What do you say of him? Could a statue of `
` marble have been more impassive and more mute? You have already `
` tried the power of your seductions upon many men, and `
` unfortunately you have always succeeded; but I give you leave to `
` try them upon this one. PARDIEU! if you succeed with him, I `
` pronounce you the demon himself." `
` `
` He went toward the door and opened it hastily. `
` `
` "Call Mr. Felton," said he. "Wait a minute longer, and I will `
` introduce him to you." `
` `
` There followed between these two personages a strange silence, `
` during which the sound of a slow and regular step was heard `
` approaching. Shortly a human form appeared in the shade of the `
` corridor, and the young lieutenant, with whom we are already `
` acquainted, stopped at the threshold to receive the orders of the `
` baron. `
` `
` "Come in, my dear John," said Lord de Winter, "come in, and shut `
` the door." `
` `
` The young officer entered. `
` `
` "Now," said the baron, "look at this woman. She is young; she is `
` beautiful; she possesses all earthly seductions. Well, she is a `
` monster, who, at twenty-five years of age, has been guilty of as `
` many crimes as you could read of in a year in the archives of our `
` tribunals. Her voice prejudices her hearers in her favor; her `
` beauty serves as a bait to her victims; her body even pays what `
` she promises--I must do her that justice. She will try to seduce `
` you, perhaps she will try to kill you. I have extricated you `
` from misery, Felton; I have caused you to be named lieutenant; I `
` once saved your life, you know on what occasion. I am for you `
` not only a protector, but a friend; not only a benefactor, but a `
` father. This woman has come back again into England for the `
` purpose of conspiring against my life. I hold this serpent in my `
` hands. Well, I call you, and say to you: Friend Felton, John, `
` my child, guard me, and more particularly guard yourself, against `
` this woman. Swear, by your hopes of salvation, to keep her `
` safely for the chastisement she has merited. John Felton, I `
` trust your word! John Felton, I put faith in your loyalty!" `
` `
` "My Lord," said the young officer, summoning to his mild `
` countenance all the hatred he could find in his heart, "my Lord, `
` I swear all shall be done as you desire." `
` `
` Milady received this look like a resigned victim; it was `
` impossible to imagine a more submissive or a more mild expression `
` than that which prevailed on her beautiful countenance. Lord de `
` Winter himself could scarcely recognize the tigress who, a minute `
` before, prepared apparently for a fight. `
` `
` "She is not to leave this chamber, understand, John," continued `
` the baron. "She is to correspond with nobody; she is to speak to `
` no one but you--if you will do her the honor to address a word to `
` her." `
` `
` "That is sufficient, my Lord! I have sworn." `
` `
` "And now, madame, try to make your peace with God, for you are `
` judged by men!" `
` `
` Milady let her head sink, as if crushed by this sentence. Lord `
` de Winter went out, making a sign to Felton, who followed him, `
` shutting the door after him. `
` `
` One instant after, the heavy step of a marine who served as `
` sentinel was heard in the corridor--his ax in his girdle and his `
` musket on his shoulder. `
` `
` Milady remained for some minutes in the same position, for she `
` thought they might perhaps be examining her through the keyhole; `
` she then slowly raised her head, which had resumed its formidable `
` expression of menace and defiance, ran to the door to listen, `
` looked out of her window, and returning to bury herself again in `
` her large armchair, she reflected. `
` `
` `
` `
` 51 OFFICER `
` `
` Meanwhile, the cardinal looked anxiously for news from England; `
` but no news arrived that was not annoying and threatening. `
` `
` Although La Rochelle was invested, however certain success might `
` appear--thanks to the precautions taken, and above all to the `
` dyke, which prevented the entrance of any vessel into the `
` besieged city--the blockade might last a long time yet. This was `
` a great affront to the king's army, and a great inconvenience to `
` the cardinal, who had no longer, it is true, to embroil Louis `
` XIII with Anne of Austria--for that affair was over--but he had `
` to adjust matters for M. de Bassompierre, who was embroiled with `
` the Duc d'Angouleme. `
` `
` As to Monsieur, who had begun the siege, he left to the cardinal `
` the task of finishing it. `
` `
` The city, notwithstanding the incredible perseverance of its `
` mayor, had attempted a sort of mutiny for a surrender; the mayor `
` had hanged the mutineers. This execution quieted the ill- `
` disposed, who resolved to allow themselves to die of hunger--this `
` death always appearing to them more slow and less sure than `
` strangulation. `
` `
` On their side, from time to time, the besiegers took the `
` messengers which the Rochellais sent to Buckingham, or the spies `
` which Buckingham sent to the Rochellais. In one case or the `
` other, the trial was soon over. The cardinal pronounced the `
` single word, "Hanged!" The king was invited to come and see the `
` hanging. He came languidly, placing himself in a good situation `
` to see all the details. This amused him sometimes a little, and `
` made him endure the siege with patience; but it did not prevent `
` his getting very tired, or from talking at every moment of `
` returning to Paris--so that if the messengers and the spies had `
` failed, his Eminence, notwithstanding all his inventiveness, `
` would have found himself much embarrassed. `
` `
` Nevertheless, time passed on, and the Rochellais did not `
` surrender. The last spy that was taken was the bearer of a `
` letter. This letter told Buckingham that the city was at an `
` extremity; but instead of adding, "If your succor does not arrive `
` within fifteen days, we will surrender," it added, quite simply, `
` "If your succor comes not within fifteen days, we shall all be `
` dead with hunger when it comes." `
` `
` The Rochellais, then, had no hope but in Buckingham. Buckingham `
` was their Messiah. It was evident that if they one day learned `
` positively that they must not count on Buckingham, their courage `
` would fail with their hope. `
` `
` The cardinal looked, then, with great impatience for the news `
` from England which would announce to him that Buckingham would `
` not come. `
` `
` The question of carrying the city by assault, though often `
` debated in the council of the king, had been always rejected. In `
` the first place, La Rochelle appeared impregnable. Then the `
` cardinal, whatever he said, very well knew that the horror of `
` bloodshed in this encounter, in which Frenchman would combat `
` against Frenchman, was a retrograde movement of sixty years `
` impressed upon his policy; and the cardinal was at that period `
` what we now call a man of progress. In fact, the sack of La `
` Rochelle, and the assassination of three of four thousand `
` Huguenots who allowed themselves to be killed, would resemble too `
` closely, in 1628, the massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572; and `
` then, above all this, this extreme measure, which was not at all `
` repugnant to the king, good Catholic as he was, always fell `
` before this argument of the besieging generals--La Rochelle is `
` impregnable except to famine. `
` `
` The cardinal could not drive from his mind the fear he `
` entertained of his terrible emissary--for he comprehended the `
` strange qualities of this woman, sometimes a serpent, sometimes a `
` lion. Had she betrayed him? Was she dead? He knew her well `
` enough in all cases to know that, whether acting for or against `
` him, as a friend or an enemy, she would not remain motionless `
` without great impediments; but whence did these impediments `
` arise? That was what he could not know. `
` `
` And yet he reckoned, and with reason, on Milady. He had divined `
` in the past of this woman terrible things which his red mantle `
` alone could cover; and he felt, from one cause or another, that `
` this woman was his own, as she could look to no other but himself `
` for a support superior to the danger which threatened her. `
`