Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
a sign that the table should be carried out of the room, it `
` having been brought in ready spread. `
` `
` Felton remained behind; he held a book in his hand. `
` `
` Milady, reclining in an armchair near the chimney, beautiful, `
` pale, and resigned, looked like a holy virgin awaiting martyrdom. `
` `
` Felton approached her, and said, "Lord de Winter, who is a `
` Catholic, like yourself, madame, thinking that the deprivation of `
` the rites and ceremonies of your church might be painful to you, `
` has consented that you should read every day the ordinary of your `
` Mass; and here is a book which contains the ritual." `
` `
` At the manner in which Felton laid the book upon the little table `
` near which Milady was sitting, at the tone in which he pronounced `
` the two words, YOUR MASS, at the disdainful smile with which he `
` accompanied them, Milady raised her head, and looked more `
` attentively at the officer. `
` `
` By that plain arrangement of the hair, by that costume of extreme `
` simplicity, by the brow polished like marble and as hard and `
` impenetrable, she recognized one of those gloomy Puritans she had `
` so often met, not only in the court of King James, but in that of `
` the King of France, where, in spite of the remembrance of the St. `
` Bartholomew, they sometimes came to seek refuge. `
` `
` She then had one of those sudden inspirations which only people `
` of genius receive in great crises, in supreme moments which are `
` to decide their fortunes or their lives. `
` `
` Those two words, YOUR MASS, and a simple glance cast upon `
` Felton, revealed to her all the importance of the reply she was `
` about to make; but with that rapidity of intelligence which was `
` peculiar to her, this reply, ready arranged, presented itself to `
` her lips: `
` `
` "I?" said she, with an accent of disdain in unison with that `
` which she had remarked in the voice of the young officer, "I, `
` sir? MY MASS? Lord de Winter, the corrupted Catholic, knows `
` very well that I am not of his religion, and this is a snare he `
` wishes to lay for me!" `
` `
` "And of what religion are you, then, madame?" asked Felton, with `
` an astonishment which in spite of the empire he held over himself `
` he could not entirely conceal. `
` `
` "I will tell it," cried Milady, with a feigned exultation, "on `
` the day when I shall have suffered sufficiently for my faith." `
` `
` The look of Felton revealed to Milady the full extent of the `
` space she had opened for herself by this single word. `
` `
` The young officer, however, remained mute and motionless; his `
` look alone had spoken. `
` `
` "I am in the hands of my enemies," continued she, with that tone `
` of enthusiasm which she knew was familiar to the Puritans. `
` "Well, let my God save me, or let me perish for my God! That is `
` the reply I beg you to make to Lord de Winter. And as to this `
` book," added she, pointing to the manual with her finger but `
` without touching it, as if she must be contaminated by it, "you `
` may carry it back and make use of it yourself, for doubtless you `
` are doubly the accomplice of Lord de Winter--the accomplice in `
` his persecutions, the accomplice in his heresies." `
` `
` Felton made no reply, took the book with the same appearance of `
` repugnance which he had before manifested, and retired pensively. `
` `
` Lord de Winter came toward five o'clock in the evening. Milady `
` had had time, during the whole day, to trace her plan of conduct. `
` She received him like a woman who had already recovered all her `
` advantages. `
` `
` "It appears," said the baron, seating himself in the armchair `
` opposite that occupied by Milady, and stretching out his legs `
` carelessly upon the hearth, "it appears we have made a little `
` apostasy!" `
` `
` "What do you mean, sir!" `
` `
` "I mean to say that since we last met you have changed your `
` religion. You have not by chance married a Protestant for a `
` third husband, have you?" `
` `
` "Explain yourself, my Lord," replied the prisoner, with majesty; `
` "for though I hear your words, I declare I do not understand `
` them." `
` `
` "Then you have no religion at all; I like that best," replied `
` Lord de Winter, laughing. `
` `
` "Certainly that is most in accord with your own principles," `
` replied Milady, frigidly. `
` `
` "Oh, I confess it is all the same to me." `
` `
` "Oh, you need not avow this religious indifference, my Lord; your `
` debaucheries and crimes would vouch for it." `
` `
` "What, you talk of debaucheries, Madame Messalina, Lady Macbeth! `
` Either I misunderstand you or you are very shameless!" `
` `
` "You only speak thus because you are overheard," coolly replied `
` Milady; "and you wish to interest your jailers and your hangmen `
` against me." `
` `
` "My jailers and my hangmen! Heyday, madame! you are taking a `
` poetical tone, and the comedy of yesterday turns to a tragedy `
` this evening. As to the rest, in eight days you will be where `
` you ought to be, and my task will be completed." `
` `
` "Infamous task! impious task!" cried Milady, with the exultation `
` of a victim who provokes his judge. `
` `
` "My word," said de Winter, rising, "I think the hussy is going `
` mad! Come, come, calm yourself, Madame Puritan, or I'll remove `
` you to a dungeon. It's my Spanish wine that has got into your `
` head, is it not? But never mind; that sort of intoxication is `
` not dangerous, and will have no bad effects." `
` `
` And Lord de Winter retired swearing, which at that period was a `
` very knightly habit. `
` `
` Felton was indeed behind the door, and had not lost one word of `
` this scene. Milady had guessed aright. `
` `
` "Yes, go, go!" said she to her brother; "the effects ARE drawing `
` near, on the contrary; but you, weak fool, will not see them `
` until it is too late to shun them." `
` `
` Silence was re-established. Two hours passed away. Milady's `
` supper was brought in, and she was found deeply engaged in saying `
` her prayers aloud--prayers which she had learned of an old `
` servant of her second husband, a most austere Puritan. She `
` appeared to be in ecstasy, and did not pay the least attention to `
` what was going on around her. Felton made a sign that she should `
` not be disturbed; and when all was arranged, he went out quietly `
` with the soldiers. `
` `
` Milady knew she might be watched, so she continued her prayers to `
` the end; and it appeared to her that the soldier who was on duty `
` at her door did not march with the same step, and seemed to `
` listen. For the moment she wished nothing better. She arose, `
` came to the table, ate but little, and drank only water. `
` `
` An hour after, her table was cleared; but Milady remarked that `
` this time Felton did not accompany the soldiers. He feared, `
` then, to see her too often. `
` `
` She turned toward the wall to smile--for there was in this smile `
` such an expression of triumph that this smile alone would have `
` betrayed her. `
` `
` She allowed, therefore, half an hour to pass away; and as at that `
` moment all was silence in the old castle, as nothing was heard `
` but the eternal murmur of the waves--that immense breaking of the `
` ocean--with her pure, harmonious, and powerful voice, she began `
` the first couplet of the psalm then in great favor with the `
` Puritans: `
` `
` `
` "Thou leavest thy servants, Lord, `
` To see if they be strong; `
` But soon thou dost afford `
` Thy hand to lead them on." `
` `
` `
` These verses were not excellent--very far from it; but as it is `
` well known, the Puritans did not pique themselves upon their `
` poetry. `
` `
` While singing, Milady listened. The soldier on guard at her door `
` stopped, as if he had been changed into stone. Milady was then `
` able to judge of the effect she had produced. `
` `
` Then she continued her singing with inexpressible fervor and `
` feeling. It appeared to her that the sounds spread to a distance `
` beneath the vaulted roofs, and carried with them a magic charm to `
` soften the hearts of her jailers. It however likewise appeared `
` that the soldier on duty--a zealous Catholic, no doubt--shook off `
` the charm, for through the door he called: "Hold your tongue, `
` madame! Your song is as dismal as a 'De profundis'; and if `
` besides the pleasure of being in garrison here, we must hear such `
` things as these, no mortal can hold out." `
` `
` "Silence!" then exclaimed another stern voice which Milady `
` recognized as that of Felton. "What are you meddling with, `
` stupid? Did anybody order you to prevent that woman from `
` singing? No. You were told to guard her--to fire at her if she `
` attempted to fly. Guard her! If she flies, kill her; but don't `
` exceed your orders." `
` `
` An expression of unspeakable joy lightened the countenance of `
` Milady; but this expression was fleeting as the reflection of `
` lightning. Without appearing to have heard the dialogue, of `
` which she had not lost a word, she began again, giving to her `
` voice all the charm, all the power, all the seduction the demon `
` had bestowed upon it: `
` `
` "For all my tears, my cares, `
`
` having been brought in ready spread. `
` `
` Felton remained behind; he held a book in his hand. `
` `
` Milady, reclining in an armchair near the chimney, beautiful, `
` pale, and resigned, looked like a holy virgin awaiting martyrdom. `
` `
` Felton approached her, and said, "Lord de Winter, who is a `
` Catholic, like yourself, madame, thinking that the deprivation of `
` the rites and ceremonies of your church might be painful to you, `
` has consented that you should read every day the ordinary of your `
` Mass; and here is a book which contains the ritual." `
` `
` At the manner in which Felton laid the book upon the little table `
` near which Milady was sitting, at the tone in which he pronounced `
` the two words, YOUR MASS, at the disdainful smile with which he `
` accompanied them, Milady raised her head, and looked more `
` attentively at the officer. `
` `
` By that plain arrangement of the hair, by that costume of extreme `
` simplicity, by the brow polished like marble and as hard and `
` impenetrable, she recognized one of those gloomy Puritans she had `
` so often met, not only in the court of King James, but in that of `
` the King of France, where, in spite of the remembrance of the St. `
` Bartholomew, they sometimes came to seek refuge. `
` `
` She then had one of those sudden inspirations which only people `
` of genius receive in great crises, in supreme moments which are `
` to decide their fortunes or their lives. `
` `
` Those two words, YOUR MASS, and a simple glance cast upon `
` Felton, revealed to her all the importance of the reply she was `
` about to make; but with that rapidity of intelligence which was `
` peculiar to her, this reply, ready arranged, presented itself to `
` her lips: `
` `
` "I?" said she, with an accent of disdain in unison with that `
` which she had remarked in the voice of the young officer, "I, `
` sir? MY MASS? Lord de Winter, the corrupted Catholic, knows `
` very well that I am not of his religion, and this is a snare he `
` wishes to lay for me!" `
` `
` "And of what religion are you, then, madame?" asked Felton, with `
` an astonishment which in spite of the empire he held over himself `
` he could not entirely conceal. `
` `
` "I will tell it," cried Milady, with a feigned exultation, "on `
` the day when I shall have suffered sufficiently for my faith." `
` `
` The look of Felton revealed to Milady the full extent of the `
` space she had opened for herself by this single word. `
` `
` The young officer, however, remained mute and motionless; his `
` look alone had spoken. `
` `
` "I am in the hands of my enemies," continued she, with that tone `
` of enthusiasm which she knew was familiar to the Puritans. `
` "Well, let my God save me, or let me perish for my God! That is `
` the reply I beg you to make to Lord de Winter. And as to this `
` book," added she, pointing to the manual with her finger but `
` without touching it, as if she must be contaminated by it, "you `
` may carry it back and make use of it yourself, for doubtless you `
` are doubly the accomplice of Lord de Winter--the accomplice in `
` his persecutions, the accomplice in his heresies." `
` `
` Felton made no reply, took the book with the same appearance of `
` repugnance which he had before manifested, and retired pensively. `
` `
` Lord de Winter came toward five o'clock in the evening. Milady `
` had had time, during the whole day, to trace her plan of conduct. `
` She received him like a woman who had already recovered all her `
` advantages. `
` `
` "It appears," said the baron, seating himself in the armchair `
` opposite that occupied by Milady, and stretching out his legs `
` carelessly upon the hearth, "it appears we have made a little `
` apostasy!" `
` `
` "What do you mean, sir!" `
` `
` "I mean to say that since we last met you have changed your `
` religion. You have not by chance married a Protestant for a `
` third husband, have you?" `
` `
` "Explain yourself, my Lord," replied the prisoner, with majesty; `
` "for though I hear your words, I declare I do not understand `
` them." `
` `
` "Then you have no religion at all; I like that best," replied `
` Lord de Winter, laughing. `
` `
` "Certainly that is most in accord with your own principles," `
` replied Milady, frigidly. `
` `
` "Oh, I confess it is all the same to me." `
` `
` "Oh, you need not avow this religious indifference, my Lord; your `
` debaucheries and crimes would vouch for it." `
` `
` "What, you talk of debaucheries, Madame Messalina, Lady Macbeth! `
` Either I misunderstand you or you are very shameless!" `
` `
` "You only speak thus because you are overheard," coolly replied `
` Milady; "and you wish to interest your jailers and your hangmen `
` against me." `
` `
` "My jailers and my hangmen! Heyday, madame! you are taking a `
` poetical tone, and the comedy of yesterday turns to a tragedy `
` this evening. As to the rest, in eight days you will be where `
` you ought to be, and my task will be completed." `
` `
` "Infamous task! impious task!" cried Milady, with the exultation `
` of a victim who provokes his judge. `
` `
` "My word," said de Winter, rising, "I think the hussy is going `
` mad! Come, come, calm yourself, Madame Puritan, or I'll remove `
` you to a dungeon. It's my Spanish wine that has got into your `
` head, is it not? But never mind; that sort of intoxication is `
` not dangerous, and will have no bad effects." `
` `
` And Lord de Winter retired swearing, which at that period was a `
` very knightly habit. `
` `
` Felton was indeed behind the door, and had not lost one word of `
` this scene. Milady had guessed aright. `
` `
` "Yes, go, go!" said she to her brother; "the effects ARE drawing `
` near, on the contrary; but you, weak fool, will not see them `
` until it is too late to shun them." `
` `
` Silence was re-established. Two hours passed away. Milady's `
` supper was brought in, and she was found deeply engaged in saying `
` her prayers aloud--prayers which she had learned of an old `
` servant of her second husband, a most austere Puritan. She `
` appeared to be in ecstasy, and did not pay the least attention to `
` what was going on around her. Felton made a sign that she should `
` not be disturbed; and when all was arranged, he went out quietly `
` with the soldiers. `
` `
` Milady knew she might be watched, so she continued her prayers to `
` the end; and it appeared to her that the soldier who was on duty `
` at her door did not march with the same step, and seemed to `
` listen. For the moment she wished nothing better. She arose, `
` came to the table, ate but little, and drank only water. `
` `
` An hour after, her table was cleared; but Milady remarked that `
` this time Felton did not accompany the soldiers. He feared, `
` then, to see her too often. `
` `
` She turned toward the wall to smile--for there was in this smile `
` such an expression of triumph that this smile alone would have `
` betrayed her. `
` `
` She allowed, therefore, half an hour to pass away; and as at that `
` moment all was silence in the old castle, as nothing was heard `
` but the eternal murmur of the waves--that immense breaking of the `
` ocean--with her pure, harmonious, and powerful voice, she began `
` the first couplet of the psalm then in great favor with the `
` Puritans: `
` `
` `
` "Thou leavest thy servants, Lord, `
` To see if they be strong; `
` But soon thou dost afford `
` Thy hand to lead them on." `
` `
` `
` These verses were not excellent--very far from it; but as it is `
` well known, the Puritans did not pique themselves upon their `
` poetry. `
` `
` While singing, Milady listened. The soldier on guard at her door `
` stopped, as if he had been changed into stone. Milady was then `
` able to judge of the effect she had produced. `
` `
` Then she continued her singing with inexpressible fervor and `
` feeling. It appeared to her that the sounds spread to a distance `
` beneath the vaulted roofs, and carried with them a magic charm to `
` soften the hearts of her jailers. It however likewise appeared `
` that the soldier on duty--a zealous Catholic, no doubt--shook off `
` the charm, for through the door he called: "Hold your tongue, `
` madame! Your song is as dismal as a 'De profundis'; and if `
` besides the pleasure of being in garrison here, we must hear such `
` things as these, no mortal can hold out." `
` `
` "Silence!" then exclaimed another stern voice which Milady `
` recognized as that of Felton. "What are you meddling with, `
` stupid? Did anybody order you to prevent that woman from `
` singing? No. You were told to guard her--to fire at her if she `
` attempted to fly. Guard her! If she flies, kill her; but don't `
` exceed your orders." `
` `
` An expression of unspeakable joy lightened the countenance of `
` Milady; but this expression was fleeting as the reflection of `
` lightning. Without appearing to have heard the dialogue, of `
` which she had not lost a word, she began again, giving to her `
` voice all the charm, all the power, all the seduction the demon `
` had bestowed upon it: `
` `
` "For all my tears, my cares, `
`