Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
for a support superior to the danger which threatened her. `
` `
` He resolved, then, to carry on the war alone, and to look for no `
` success foreign to himself, but as we look for a fortunate `
` chance. He continued to press the raising of the famous dyke `
` which was to starve La Rochelle. Meanwhile, he cast his eyes `
` over that unfortunate city, which contained so much deep misery `
` and so many heroic virtues, and recalling the saying of Louis XI, `
` his political predecessor, as he himself was the predecessor of `
` Robespierre, he repeated this maxim of Tristan's gossip: "Divide `
` in order to reign." `
` `
` Henry IV, when besieging Paris, had loaves and provisions thrown `
` over the walls. The cardinal had little notes thrown over in `
` which he represented to the Rochellais how unjust, selfish, and `
` barbarous was the conduct of their leaders. These leaders had `
` corn in abundance, and would not let them partake of it; they `
` adopted as a maxim--for they, too, had maxims--that it was of `
` very little consequence that women, children, and old men should `
` die, so long as the men who were to defend the walls remained `
` strong and healthy. Up to that time, whether from devotedness or `
` from want of power to act against it, this maxim, without being `
` generally adopted, nevertheless passed from theory into practice; `
` but the notes did it injury. The notes reminded the men that the `
` children, women, and old men whom they allowed to die were their `
` sons, their wives, and their fathers, and that it would be more `
` just for everyone to be reduced to the common misery, in order `
` that equal conditions should give birth to unanimous resolutions. `
` `
` These notes had all the effect that he who wrote them could `
` expect, in that they induced a great number of the inhabitants to `
` open private negotiations with the royal army. `
` `
` But at the moment when the cardinal saw his means already `
` bearing fruit, and applauded himself for having put it in action, an `
` inhabitant of La Rochelle who had contrived to pass the royal `
` lines--God knows how, such was the watchfulness of Bassompierre, `
` Schomberg, and the Duc d'Angouleme, themselves watched over by `
` the cardinal--an inhabitant of La Rochelle, we say, entered the `
` city, coming from Portsmouth, and saying that he had seen a `
` magnificent fleet ready to sail within eight days. Still `
` further, Buckingham announced to the mayor that at length the `
` great league was about to declare itself against France, and that `
` the kingdom would be at once invaded by the English, Imperial, `
` and Spanish armies. This letter was read publicly in all parts `
` of the city. Copies were put up at the corners of the streets; `
` and even they who had begun to open negotiations interrupted `
` them, being resolved to await the succor so pompously announced. `
` `
` This unexpected circumstance brought back Richelieu's former `
` anxiety, and forced him in spite of himself once more to turn his `
` eyes to the other side of the sea. `
` `
` During this time, exempt from the anxiety of its only and true `
` chief, the royal army led a joyous life, neither provisions nor `
` money being wanting in the camp. All the corps rivaled one `
` another in audacity and gaiety. To take spies and hang them, to `
` make hazardous expeditions upon the dyke or the sea, to imagine `
` wild plans, and to execute them coolly--such were the pastimes `
` which made the army find these days short which were not only so `
` long to the Rochellais, a prey to famine and anxiety, but even to `
` the cardinal, who blockaded them so closely. `
` `
` Sometimes when the cardinal, always on horseback, like the lowest `
` GENDARME of the army, cast a pensive glance over those works, so `
` slowly keeping pace with his wishes, which the engineers, brought `
` from all the corners of France, were executing under his orders, `
` if he met a Musketeer of the company of Treville, he drew near `
` and looked at him in a peculiar manner, and not recognizing in `
` him one of our four companions, he turned his penetrating look `
` and profound thoughts in another direction. `
` `
` One day when oppressed with a mortal weariness of mind, without `
` hope in the negotiations with the city, without news from `
` England, the cardinal went out, without any other aim than to be `
` out of doors, and accompanied only by Cahusac and La Houdiniere, `
` strolled along the beach. Mingling the immensity of his dreams `
` with the immensity of the ocean, he came, his horse going at a `
` foot's pace, to a hill from the top of which he perceived behind `
` a hedge, reclining on the sand and catching in its passage one of `
` those rays of the sun so rare at this period of the year, seven `
` men surrounded by empty bottles. Four of these men were our `
` Musketeers, preparing to listen to a letter one of them had just `
` received. This letter was so important that it made them forsake `
` their cards and their dice on the drumhead. `
` `
` The other three were occupied in opening an enormous flagon of `
` Collicure wine; these were the lackeys of these gentlemen. `
` `
` The cardinal was, as we have said, in very low spirits; and `
` nothing when he was in that state of mind increased his `
` depression so much as gaiety in others. Besides, he had another `
` strange fancy, which was always to believe that the causes of his `
` sadness created the gaiety of others. Making a sign to La `
` Houdiniere and Cahusac to stop, he alighted from his horse, and `
` went toward these suspected merry companions, hoping, by means of `
` the sand which deadened the sound of his steps and of the hedge `
` which concealed his approach, to catch some words of this `
` conversation which appeared so interesting. At ten paces from `
` the hedge he recognized the talkative Gascon; and as he had `
` already perceived that these men were Musketeers, he did not `
` doubt that the three others were those called the Inseparables; `
` that is to say, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. `
` `
` It may be supposed that his desire to hear the conversation was `
` augmented by this discovery. His eyes took a strange expression, `
` and with the step of a tiger-cat he advanced toward the hedge; `
` but he had not been able to catch more than a few vague syllables `
` without any positive sense, when a sonorous and short cry made `
` him start, and attracted the attention of the Musketeers. `
` `
` "Officer!" cried Grimaud. `
` `
` "You are speaking, you scoundrel!" said Athos, rising upon his `
` elbow, and transfixing Grimaud with his flaming look. `
` `
` Grimaud therefore added nothing to his speech, but contented `
` himself with pointing his index finger in the direction of the `
` hedge, announcing by this gesture the cardinal and his escort. `
` `
` With a single bound the Musketeers were on their feet, and `
` saluted with respect. `
` `
` The cardinal seemed furious. `
` `
` "It appears that Messieurs the Musketeers keep guard," said he. `
` "Are the English expected by land, or do the Musketeers consider `
` themselves superior officers?" `
` `
` "Monseigneur," replied Athos, for amid the general fright he `
` alone had preserved the noble calmness and coolness that never `
` forsook him, "Monseigneur, the Musketeers, when they are not on `
` duty, or when their duty is over, drink and play at dice, and `
` they are certainly superior officers to their lackeys." `
` `
` "Lackeys?" grumbled the cardinal. "Lackeys who have the order to `
` warn their masters when anyone passes are not lackeys, they are `
` sentinels." `
` `
` "Your Eminence may perceive that if we had not taken this `
` precaution, we should have been exposed to allowing you to pass `
` without presenting you our respects or offering you our thanks `
` for the favor you have done us in uniting us. D'Artagnan," `
` continued Athos, "you, who but lately were so anxious for such an `
` opportunity for expressing your gratitude to Monseigneur, here it `
` is; avail yourself of it." `
` `
` These words were pronounced with that imperturbable phlegm which `
` distinguished Athos in the hour of danger, and with that `
` excessive politeness which made of him at certain moments a king `
` more majestic than kings by birth. `
` `
` D'Artagnan came forward and stammered out a few words of `
` gratitude which soon expired under the gloomy looks of the `
` cardinal. `
` `
` "It does not signify, gentlemen," continued the cardinal, without `
` appearing to be in the least swerved from his first intention by `
` the diversion which Athos had started, "it does not signify, `
` gentlemen. I do not like to have simple soldiers, because they `
` have the advantage of serving in a privileged corps, thus to play `
` the great lords; discipline is the same for them as for everybody `
` else." `
` `
` Athos allowed the cardinal to finish his sentence completely, and `
` bowed in sign of assent. Then he resumed in his turn: `
` "Discipline, Monseigneur, has, I hope, in no way been forgotten `
` by us. We are not on duty, and we believed that not being on `
` duty we were at liberty to dispose of our time as we pleased. If `
` we are so fortunate as to have some particular duty to perform `
` for your Eminence, we are ready to obey you. Your Eminence may `
` perceive," continued Athos, knitting his brow, for this sort of `
` investigation began to annoy him, "that we have not come out `
` without our arms." `
` `
` And he showed the cardinal, with his finger, the four muskets `
` piled near the drum, on which were the cards and dice. `
` `
` "Your Eminence may believe," added d'Artagnan, "that we would `
` have come to meet you, if we could have supposed it was `
` Monseigneur coming toward us with so few attendants." `
` `
` The cardinal bit his mustache, and even his lips a little. `
` `
` "Do you know what you look like, all together, as you are armed `
` and guarded by your lackeys?" said the cardinal. "You look like `
` four conspirators." `
` `
` "Oh, as to that, Monseigneur, it is true," said Athos; "we do `
` conspire, as your Eminence might have seen the other morning. `
` Only we conspire against the Rochellais." `
` `
` "Ah, you gentlemen of policy!" replied the cardinal, knitting his `
` brow in his turn, "the secret of many unknown things might `
` perhaps be found in your brains, if we could read them as you `
` read that letter which you concealed as soon as you saw me `
` coming." `
` `
` The color mounted to the face of Athos, and he made a step toward `
` his Eminence. `
` `
`
` `
` He resolved, then, to carry on the war alone, and to look for no `
` success foreign to himself, but as we look for a fortunate `
` chance. He continued to press the raising of the famous dyke `
` which was to starve La Rochelle. Meanwhile, he cast his eyes `
` over that unfortunate city, which contained so much deep misery `
` and so many heroic virtues, and recalling the saying of Louis XI, `
` his political predecessor, as he himself was the predecessor of `
` Robespierre, he repeated this maxim of Tristan's gossip: "Divide `
` in order to reign." `
` `
` Henry IV, when besieging Paris, had loaves and provisions thrown `
` over the walls. The cardinal had little notes thrown over in `
` which he represented to the Rochellais how unjust, selfish, and `
` barbarous was the conduct of their leaders. These leaders had `
` corn in abundance, and would not let them partake of it; they `
` adopted as a maxim--for they, too, had maxims--that it was of `
` very little consequence that women, children, and old men should `
` die, so long as the men who were to defend the walls remained `
` strong and healthy. Up to that time, whether from devotedness or `
` from want of power to act against it, this maxim, without being `
` generally adopted, nevertheless passed from theory into practice; `
` but the notes did it injury. The notes reminded the men that the `
` children, women, and old men whom they allowed to die were their `
` sons, their wives, and their fathers, and that it would be more `
` just for everyone to be reduced to the common misery, in order `
` that equal conditions should give birth to unanimous resolutions. `
` `
` These notes had all the effect that he who wrote them could `
` expect, in that they induced a great number of the inhabitants to `
` open private negotiations with the royal army. `
` `
` But at the moment when the cardinal saw his means already `
` bearing fruit, and applauded himself for having put it in action, an `
` inhabitant of La Rochelle who had contrived to pass the royal `
` lines--God knows how, such was the watchfulness of Bassompierre, `
` Schomberg, and the Duc d'Angouleme, themselves watched over by `
` the cardinal--an inhabitant of La Rochelle, we say, entered the `
` city, coming from Portsmouth, and saying that he had seen a `
` magnificent fleet ready to sail within eight days. Still `
` further, Buckingham announced to the mayor that at length the `
` great league was about to declare itself against France, and that `
` the kingdom would be at once invaded by the English, Imperial, `
` and Spanish armies. This letter was read publicly in all parts `
` of the city. Copies were put up at the corners of the streets; `
` and even they who had begun to open negotiations interrupted `
` them, being resolved to await the succor so pompously announced. `
` `
` This unexpected circumstance brought back Richelieu's former `
` anxiety, and forced him in spite of himself once more to turn his `
` eyes to the other side of the sea. `
` `
` During this time, exempt from the anxiety of its only and true `
` chief, the royal army led a joyous life, neither provisions nor `
` money being wanting in the camp. All the corps rivaled one `
` another in audacity and gaiety. To take spies and hang them, to `
` make hazardous expeditions upon the dyke or the sea, to imagine `
` wild plans, and to execute them coolly--such were the pastimes `
` which made the army find these days short which were not only so `
` long to the Rochellais, a prey to famine and anxiety, but even to `
` the cardinal, who blockaded them so closely. `
` `
` Sometimes when the cardinal, always on horseback, like the lowest `
` GENDARME of the army, cast a pensive glance over those works, so `
` slowly keeping pace with his wishes, which the engineers, brought `
` from all the corners of France, were executing under his orders, `
` if he met a Musketeer of the company of Treville, he drew near `
` and looked at him in a peculiar manner, and not recognizing in `
` him one of our four companions, he turned his penetrating look `
` and profound thoughts in another direction. `
` `
` One day when oppressed with a mortal weariness of mind, without `
` hope in the negotiations with the city, without news from `
` England, the cardinal went out, without any other aim than to be `
` out of doors, and accompanied only by Cahusac and La Houdiniere, `
` strolled along the beach. Mingling the immensity of his dreams `
` with the immensity of the ocean, he came, his horse going at a `
` foot's pace, to a hill from the top of which he perceived behind `
` a hedge, reclining on the sand and catching in its passage one of `
` those rays of the sun so rare at this period of the year, seven `
` men surrounded by empty bottles. Four of these men were our `
` Musketeers, preparing to listen to a letter one of them had just `
` received. This letter was so important that it made them forsake `
` their cards and their dice on the drumhead. `
` `
` The other three were occupied in opening an enormous flagon of `
` Collicure wine; these were the lackeys of these gentlemen. `
` `
` The cardinal was, as we have said, in very low spirits; and `
` nothing when he was in that state of mind increased his `
` depression so much as gaiety in others. Besides, he had another `
` strange fancy, which was always to believe that the causes of his `
` sadness created the gaiety of others. Making a sign to La `
` Houdiniere and Cahusac to stop, he alighted from his horse, and `
` went toward these suspected merry companions, hoping, by means of `
` the sand which deadened the sound of his steps and of the hedge `
` which concealed his approach, to catch some words of this `
` conversation which appeared so interesting. At ten paces from `
` the hedge he recognized the talkative Gascon; and as he had `
` already perceived that these men were Musketeers, he did not `
` doubt that the three others were those called the Inseparables; `
` that is to say, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. `
` `
` It may be supposed that his desire to hear the conversation was `
` augmented by this discovery. His eyes took a strange expression, `
` and with the step of a tiger-cat he advanced toward the hedge; `
` but he had not been able to catch more than a few vague syllables `
` without any positive sense, when a sonorous and short cry made `
` him start, and attracted the attention of the Musketeers. `
` `
` "Officer!" cried Grimaud. `
` `
` "You are speaking, you scoundrel!" said Athos, rising upon his `
` elbow, and transfixing Grimaud with his flaming look. `
` `
` Grimaud therefore added nothing to his speech, but contented `
` himself with pointing his index finger in the direction of the `
` hedge, announcing by this gesture the cardinal and his escort. `
` `
` With a single bound the Musketeers were on their feet, and `
` saluted with respect. `
` `
` The cardinal seemed furious. `
` `
` "It appears that Messieurs the Musketeers keep guard," said he. `
` "Are the English expected by land, or do the Musketeers consider `
` themselves superior officers?" `
` `
` "Monseigneur," replied Athos, for amid the general fright he `
` alone had preserved the noble calmness and coolness that never `
` forsook him, "Monseigneur, the Musketeers, when they are not on `
` duty, or when their duty is over, drink and play at dice, and `
` they are certainly superior officers to their lackeys." `
` `
` "Lackeys?" grumbled the cardinal. "Lackeys who have the order to `
` warn their masters when anyone passes are not lackeys, they are `
` sentinels." `
` `
` "Your Eminence may perceive that if we had not taken this `
` precaution, we should have been exposed to allowing you to pass `
` without presenting you our respects or offering you our thanks `
` for the favor you have done us in uniting us. D'Artagnan," `
` continued Athos, "you, who but lately were so anxious for such an `
` opportunity for expressing your gratitude to Monseigneur, here it `
` is; avail yourself of it." `
` `
` These words were pronounced with that imperturbable phlegm which `
` distinguished Athos in the hour of danger, and with that `
` excessive politeness which made of him at certain moments a king `
` more majestic than kings by birth. `
` `
` D'Artagnan came forward and stammered out a few words of `
` gratitude which soon expired under the gloomy looks of the `
` cardinal. `
` `
` "It does not signify, gentlemen," continued the cardinal, without `
` appearing to be in the least swerved from his first intention by `
` the diversion which Athos had started, "it does not signify, `
` gentlemen. I do not like to have simple soldiers, because they `
` have the advantage of serving in a privileged corps, thus to play `
` the great lords; discipline is the same for them as for everybody `
` else." `
` `
` Athos allowed the cardinal to finish his sentence completely, and `
` bowed in sign of assent. Then he resumed in his turn: `
` "Discipline, Monseigneur, has, I hope, in no way been forgotten `
` by us. We are not on duty, and we believed that not being on `
` duty we were at liberty to dispose of our time as we pleased. If `
` we are so fortunate as to have some particular duty to perform `
` for your Eminence, we are ready to obey you. Your Eminence may `
` perceive," continued Athos, knitting his brow, for this sort of `
` investigation began to annoy him, "that we have not come out `
` without our arms." `
` `
` And he showed the cardinal, with his finger, the four muskets `
` piled near the drum, on which were the cards and dice. `
` `
` "Your Eminence may believe," added d'Artagnan, "that we would `
` have come to meet you, if we could have supposed it was `
` Monseigneur coming toward us with so few attendants." `
` `
` The cardinal bit his mustache, and even his lips a little. `
` `
` "Do you know what you look like, all together, as you are armed `
` and guarded by your lackeys?" said the cardinal. "You look like `
` four conspirators." `
` `
` "Oh, as to that, Monseigneur, it is true," said Athos; "we do `
` conspire, as your Eminence might have seen the other morning. `
` Only we conspire against the Rochellais." `
` `
` "Ah, you gentlemen of policy!" replied the cardinal, knitting his `
` brow in his turn, "the secret of many unknown things might `
` perhaps be found in your brains, if we could read them as you `
` read that letter which you concealed as soon as you saw me `
` coming." `
` `
` The color mounted to the face of Athos, and he made a step toward `
` his Eminence. `
` `
`