Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
`
` "One might think you really suspected us, monseigneur, and we `
` were undergoing a real interrogatory. If it be so, we trust your `
` Eminence will deign to explain yourself, and we should then at `
` least be acquainted with our real position." `
` `
` "And if it were an interrogatory!" replied the cardinal. "Others `
` besides you have undergone such, Monsieur Athos, and have replied `
` thereto." `
` `
` "Thus I have told your Eminence that you had but to question us, `
` and we are ready to reply." `
` `
` "What was that letter you were about to read, Monsieur Aramis, `
` and which you so promptly concealed?" `
` `
` "A woman's letter, monseigneur." `
` `
` "Ah, yes, I see," said the cardinal; "we must be discreet with `
` this sort of letters; but nevertheless, we may show them to a `
` confessor, and you know I have taken orders." `
` `
` "Monseigneur," said Athos, with a calmness the more terrible `
` because he risked his head in making this reply, "the letter is a `
` woman's letter, but it is neither signed Marion de Lorme, nor `
` Madame d'Aiguillon." `
` `
` The cardinal became as pale as death; lightning darted from his `
` eyes. He turned round as if to give an order to Cahusac and `
` Houdiniere. Athos saw the movement; he made a step toward the `
` muskets, upon which the other three friends had fixed their eyes, `
` like men ill-disposed to allow themselves to be taken. The `
` cardinalists were three; the Musketeers, lackeys included, were `
` seven. He judged that the match would be so much the less equal, `
` if Athos and his companions were really plotting; and by one of `
` those rapid turns which he always had at command, all his anger `
` faded away into a smile. `
` `
` "Well, well!" said he, "you are brave young men, proud in `
` daylight, faithful in darkness. We can find no fault with you `
` for watching over yourselves, when you watch so carefully over `
` others. Gentlemen, I have not forgotten the night in which you `
` served me as an escort to the Red Dovecot. If there were any `
` danger to be apprehended on the road I am going, I would request `
` you to accompany me; but as there is none, remain where you are, `
` finish your bottles, your game, and your letter. Adieu, `
` gentlemen!" `
` `
` And remounting his horse, which Cahusac led to him, he saluted `
` them with his hand, and rode away. `
` `
` The four young men, standing and motionless, followed him with `
` their eyes without speaking a single word until he had `
` disappeared. Then they looked at one another. `
` `
` The countenances of all gave evidence of terror, for `
` notwithstanding the friendly adieu of his Eminence, they plainly `
` perceived that the cardinal went away with rage in his heart. `
` `
` Athos alone smiled, with a self-possessed, disdainful smile. `
` `
` When the cardinal was out of hearing and sight, "That Grimaud `
` kept bad watch!" cried Porthos, who had a great inclination to `
` vent his ill-humor on somebody. `
` `
` Grimaud was about to reply to excuse himself. Athos lifted his `
` finger, and Grimaud was silent. `
` `
` "Would you have given up the letter, Aramis?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I," said Aramis, in his most flutelike tone, "I had made up my `
` mind. If he had insisted upon the letter being given up to him, `
` I would have presented the letter to him with one hand, and with `
` the other I would have run my sword through his body." `
` `
` "I expected as much," said Athos; "and that was why I threw `
` myself between you and him. Indeed, this man is very much to `
` blame for talking thus to other men; one would say he had never `
` had to do with any but women and children." `
` `
` "My dear Athos, I admire you, but nevertheless we were in the `
` wrong, after all." `
` `
` "How, in the wrong?" said Athos. "Whose, then, is the air we `
` breathe? Whose is the ocean upon which we look? Whose is the `
` sand upon which we were reclining? Whose is that letter of your `
` mistress? Do these belong to the cardinal? Upon my honor, this `
` man fancies the world belongs to him. There you stood, `
` stammering, stupefied, annihilated. One might have supposed the `
` Bastille appeared before you, and that the gigantic Medusa had `
` converted you into stone. Is being in love conspiring? You are `
` in love with a woman whom the cardinal has caused to be shut up, `
` and you wish to get her out of the hands of the cardinal. That's `
` a match you are playing with his Eminence; this letter is your `
` game. Why should you expose your game to your adversary? That `
` is never done. Let him find it out if he can! We can find out `
` his!" `
` `
` "Well, that's all very sensible, Athos," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "In that case, let there be no more question of what's past, and `
` let Aramis resume the letter from his cousin where the cardinal `
` interrupted him." `
` `
` Aramis drew the letter from his pocket; the three friends `
` surrounded him, and the three lackeys grouped themselves again `
` near the wine jar. `
` `
` "You had only read a line or two," said d'Artagnan; "read the `
` letter again from the commencement." `
` `
` "Willingly," said Aramis. `
` `
` "My dear Cousin, I think I shall make up my mind to set out for `
` Bethune, where my sister has placed our little servant in the `
` convent of the Carmelites; this poor child is quite resigned, as `
` she knows she cannot live elsewhere without the salvation of her `
` soul being in danger. Nevertheless, if the affairs of our family `
` are arranged, as we hope they will be, I believe she will run the `
` risk of being damned, and will return to those she regrets, `
` particularly as she knows they are always thinking of her. `
` Meanwhile, she is not very wretched; what she most desires is a `
` letter from her intended. I know that such viands pass with `
` difficulty through convent gratings; but after all, as I have `
` given you proofs, my dear cousin, I am not unskilled in such `
` affairs, and I will take charge of the commission. My sister `
` thanks you for your good and eternal remembrance. She has `
` experienced much anxiety; but she is now at length a little `
` reassured, having sent her secretary away in order that nothing `
` may happen unexpectedly. `
` `
` "Adieu, my dear cousin. Tell us news of yourself as often as you `
` can; that is to say, as often as you can with safety. I embrace `
` you. `
` `
` "Marie Michon." `
` `
` "Oh, what do I not owe you, Aramis?" said d'Artagnan. "Dear `
` Constance! I have at length, then, intelligence of you. She `
` lives; she is in safety in a convent; she is at Bethune! Where `
` is Bethune, Athos?" `
` `
` "Why, upon the frontiers of Artois and of Flanders. The siege `
` once over, we shall be able to make a tour in that direction." `
` `
` "And that will not be long, it is to be hoped," said Porthos; `
` "for they have this morning hanged a spy who confessed that the `
` Rochellais were reduced to the leather of their shoes. Supposing `
` that after having eaten the leather they eat the soles, I cannot `
` see much that is left unless they eat one another." `
` `
` "Poor fools!" said Athos, emptying a glass of excellent Bordeaux `
` wine which, without having at that period the reputation it now `
` enjoys, merited it no less, "poor fools! As if the Catholic `
` religion was not the most advantageous and the most agreeable of `
` all religions! All the same," resumed he, after having clicked `
` his tongue against his palate, "they are brave fellows! But what `
` the devil are you about, Aramis?" continued Athos. "Why, you are `
` squeezing that letter into your pocket!" `
` `
` "Yes," said d'Artagnan, "Athos is right, it must be burned. And `
` yet if we burn it, who knows whether Monsieur Cardinal has not a `
` secret to interrogate ashes?" `
` `
` "He must have one," said Athos. `
` `
` "What will you do with the letter, then?" asked Porthos. `
` `
` "Come here, Grimaud," said Athos. Grimaud rose and obeyed. "As `
` a punishment for having spoken without permission, my friend, you `
` will please to eat this piece of paper; then to recompense you `
` for the service you will have rendered us, you shall afterward `
` drink this glass of wine. First, here is the letter. Eat `
` heartily." `
` `
` Grimaud smiled; and with his eyes fixed upon the glass which `
` Athos held in his hand, he ground the paper well between his `
` teeth and then swallowed it. `
` `
` "Bravo, Monsieur Grimaud!" said Athos; "and now take this. `
` That's well. We dispense with your saying grace." `
` `
` Grimaud silently swallowed the glass of Bordeaux wine; but his `
` eyes, raised toward heaven during this delicious occupation, `
` spoke a language which, though mute, was not the less expressive. `
` `
` "And now," said Athos, "unless Monsieur Cardinal should form the `
` ingenious idea of ripping up Grimaud, I think we may be pretty `
` much at our ease respecting the letter." `
` `
` Meantime, his Eminence continued his melancholy ride, murmuring `
` between his mustaches, "These four men must positively be mine." `
` `
` `
` `
` 52 CAPTIVITY: THE FIRST DAY `
` `
` Let us return to Milady, whom a glance thrown upon the coast of `
` France has made us lose sight of for an instant. `
` `
` We shall find her still in the despairing attitude in which we `
`
` "One might think you really suspected us, monseigneur, and we `
` were undergoing a real interrogatory. If it be so, we trust your `
` Eminence will deign to explain yourself, and we should then at `
` least be acquainted with our real position." `
` `
` "And if it were an interrogatory!" replied the cardinal. "Others `
` besides you have undergone such, Monsieur Athos, and have replied `
` thereto." `
` `
` "Thus I have told your Eminence that you had but to question us, `
` and we are ready to reply." `
` `
` "What was that letter you were about to read, Monsieur Aramis, `
` and which you so promptly concealed?" `
` `
` "A woman's letter, monseigneur." `
` `
` "Ah, yes, I see," said the cardinal; "we must be discreet with `
` this sort of letters; but nevertheless, we may show them to a `
` confessor, and you know I have taken orders." `
` `
` "Monseigneur," said Athos, with a calmness the more terrible `
` because he risked his head in making this reply, "the letter is a `
` woman's letter, but it is neither signed Marion de Lorme, nor `
` Madame d'Aiguillon." `
` `
` The cardinal became as pale as death; lightning darted from his `
` eyes. He turned round as if to give an order to Cahusac and `
` Houdiniere. Athos saw the movement; he made a step toward the `
` muskets, upon which the other three friends had fixed their eyes, `
` like men ill-disposed to allow themselves to be taken. The `
` cardinalists were three; the Musketeers, lackeys included, were `
` seven. He judged that the match would be so much the less equal, `
` if Athos and his companions were really plotting; and by one of `
` those rapid turns which he always had at command, all his anger `
` faded away into a smile. `
` `
` "Well, well!" said he, "you are brave young men, proud in `
` daylight, faithful in darkness. We can find no fault with you `
` for watching over yourselves, when you watch so carefully over `
` others. Gentlemen, I have not forgotten the night in which you `
` served me as an escort to the Red Dovecot. If there were any `
` danger to be apprehended on the road I am going, I would request `
` you to accompany me; but as there is none, remain where you are, `
` finish your bottles, your game, and your letter. Adieu, `
` gentlemen!" `
` `
` And remounting his horse, which Cahusac led to him, he saluted `
` them with his hand, and rode away. `
` `
` The four young men, standing and motionless, followed him with `
` their eyes without speaking a single word until he had `
` disappeared. Then they looked at one another. `
` `
` The countenances of all gave evidence of terror, for `
` notwithstanding the friendly adieu of his Eminence, they plainly `
` perceived that the cardinal went away with rage in his heart. `
` `
` Athos alone smiled, with a self-possessed, disdainful smile. `
` `
` When the cardinal was out of hearing and sight, "That Grimaud `
` kept bad watch!" cried Porthos, who had a great inclination to `
` vent his ill-humor on somebody. `
` `
` Grimaud was about to reply to excuse himself. Athos lifted his `
` finger, and Grimaud was silent. `
` `
` "Would you have given up the letter, Aramis?" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "I," said Aramis, in his most flutelike tone, "I had made up my `
` mind. If he had insisted upon the letter being given up to him, `
` I would have presented the letter to him with one hand, and with `
` the other I would have run my sword through his body." `
` `
` "I expected as much," said Athos; "and that was why I threw `
` myself between you and him. Indeed, this man is very much to `
` blame for talking thus to other men; one would say he had never `
` had to do with any but women and children." `
` `
` "My dear Athos, I admire you, but nevertheless we were in the `
` wrong, after all." `
` `
` "How, in the wrong?" said Athos. "Whose, then, is the air we `
` breathe? Whose is the ocean upon which we look? Whose is the `
` sand upon which we were reclining? Whose is that letter of your `
` mistress? Do these belong to the cardinal? Upon my honor, this `
` man fancies the world belongs to him. There you stood, `
` stammering, stupefied, annihilated. One might have supposed the `
` Bastille appeared before you, and that the gigantic Medusa had `
` converted you into stone. Is being in love conspiring? You are `
` in love with a woman whom the cardinal has caused to be shut up, `
` and you wish to get her out of the hands of the cardinal. That's `
` a match you are playing with his Eminence; this letter is your `
` game. Why should you expose your game to your adversary? That `
` is never done. Let him find it out if he can! We can find out `
` his!" `
` `
` "Well, that's all very sensible, Athos," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "In that case, let there be no more question of what's past, and `
` let Aramis resume the letter from his cousin where the cardinal `
` interrupted him." `
` `
` Aramis drew the letter from his pocket; the three friends `
` surrounded him, and the three lackeys grouped themselves again `
` near the wine jar. `
` `
` "You had only read a line or two," said d'Artagnan; "read the `
` letter again from the commencement." `
` `
` "Willingly," said Aramis. `
` `
` "My dear Cousin, I think I shall make up my mind to set out for `
` Bethune, where my sister has placed our little servant in the `
` convent of the Carmelites; this poor child is quite resigned, as `
` she knows she cannot live elsewhere without the salvation of her `
` soul being in danger. Nevertheless, if the affairs of our family `
` are arranged, as we hope they will be, I believe she will run the `
` risk of being damned, and will return to those she regrets, `
` particularly as she knows they are always thinking of her. `
` Meanwhile, she is not very wretched; what she most desires is a `
` letter from her intended. I know that such viands pass with `
` difficulty through convent gratings; but after all, as I have `
` given you proofs, my dear cousin, I am not unskilled in such `
` affairs, and I will take charge of the commission. My sister `
` thanks you for your good and eternal remembrance. She has `
` experienced much anxiety; but she is now at length a little `
` reassured, having sent her secretary away in order that nothing `
` may happen unexpectedly. `
` `
` "Adieu, my dear cousin. Tell us news of yourself as often as you `
` can; that is to say, as often as you can with safety. I embrace `
` you. `
` `
` "Marie Michon." `
` `
` "Oh, what do I not owe you, Aramis?" said d'Artagnan. "Dear `
` Constance! I have at length, then, intelligence of you. She `
` lives; she is in safety in a convent; she is at Bethune! Where `
` is Bethune, Athos?" `
` `
` "Why, upon the frontiers of Artois and of Flanders. The siege `
` once over, we shall be able to make a tour in that direction." `
` `
` "And that will not be long, it is to be hoped," said Porthos; `
` "for they have this morning hanged a spy who confessed that the `
` Rochellais were reduced to the leather of their shoes. Supposing `
` that after having eaten the leather they eat the soles, I cannot `
` see much that is left unless they eat one another." `
` `
` "Poor fools!" said Athos, emptying a glass of excellent Bordeaux `
` wine which, without having at that period the reputation it now `
` enjoys, merited it no less, "poor fools! As if the Catholic `
` religion was not the most advantageous and the most agreeable of `
` all religions! All the same," resumed he, after having clicked `
` his tongue against his palate, "they are brave fellows! But what `
` the devil are you about, Aramis?" continued Athos. "Why, you are `
` squeezing that letter into your pocket!" `
` `
` "Yes," said d'Artagnan, "Athos is right, it must be burned. And `
` yet if we burn it, who knows whether Monsieur Cardinal has not a `
` secret to interrogate ashes?" `
` `
` "He must have one," said Athos. `
` `
` "What will you do with the letter, then?" asked Porthos. `
` `
` "Come here, Grimaud," said Athos. Grimaud rose and obeyed. "As `
` a punishment for having spoken without permission, my friend, you `
` will please to eat this piece of paper; then to recompense you `
` for the service you will have rendered us, you shall afterward `
` drink this glass of wine. First, here is the letter. Eat `
` heartily." `
` `
` Grimaud smiled; and with his eyes fixed upon the glass which `
` Athos held in his hand, he ground the paper well between his `
` teeth and then swallowed it. `
` `
` "Bravo, Monsieur Grimaud!" said Athos; "and now take this. `
` That's well. We dispense with your saying grace." `
` `
` Grimaud silently swallowed the glass of Bordeaux wine; but his `
` eyes, raised toward heaven during this delicious occupation, `
` spoke a language which, though mute, was not the less expressive. `
` `
` "And now," said Athos, "unless Monsieur Cardinal should form the `
` ingenious idea of ripping up Grimaud, I think we may be pretty `
` much at our ease respecting the letter." `
` `
` Meantime, his Eminence continued his melancholy ride, murmuring `
` between his mustaches, "These four men must positively be mine." `
` `
` `
` `
` 52 CAPTIVITY: THE FIRST DAY `
` `
` Let us return to Milady, whom a glance thrown upon the coast of `
` France has made us lose sight of for an instant. `
` `
` We shall find her still in the despairing attitude in which we `
`