Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
"For all my tears, my cares, `
` My exile, and my chains, `
` I have my youth, my prayers, `
` And God, who counts my pains." `
` `
` Her voice, of immense power and sublime expression, gave to the `
` rude, unpolished poetry of these psalms a magic and an effect `
` which the most exalted Puritans rarely found in the songs of `
` their brethren, and which they were forced to ornament with all `
` the resources of their imagination. Felton believed he heard the `
` singing of the angel who consoled the three Hebrews in the `
` furnace. `
` `
` Milady continued: `
` `
` "One day our doors will ope, `
` With God come our desire; `
` And if betrays that hope, `
` To death we can aspire." `
` `
` This verse, into which the terrible enchantress threw her whole `
` soul, completed the trouble which had seized the heart of the `
` young officer. He opened the door quickly; and Milady saw him `
` appear, pale as usual, but with his eye inflamed and almost wild. `
` `
` "Why do you sing thus, and with such a voice?" said he. `
` `
` "Your pardon, sir," said Milady, with mildness. "I forgot that `
` my songs are out of place in this castle. I have perhaps `
` offended you in your creed; but it was without wishing to do so, `
` I swear. Pardon me, then, a fault which is perhaps great, but `
` which certainly was involuntary." `
` `
` Milady was so beautiful at this moment, the religious ecstasy in `
` which she appeared to be plunged gave such an expression to her `
` countenance, that Felton was so dazzled that he fancied he beheld `
` the angel whom he had only just before heard. `
` `
` "Yes, yes," said he; "you disturb, you agitate the people who `
` live in the castle." `
` `
` The poor, senseless young man was not aware of the incoherence of `
` his words, while Milady was reading with her lynx's eyes the very `
` depths of his heart. `
` `
` "I will be silent, then," said Milady, casting down her eyes with `
` all the sweetness she could give to her voice, with all the `
` resignation she could impress upon her manner. `
` `
` "No, no, madame," said Felton, "only do not sing so loud, `
` particularly at night." `
` `
` And at these words Felton, feeling that he could not long `
` maintain his severity toward his prisoner, rushed out of the `
` room. `
` `
` "You have done right, Lieutenant," said the soldier. "Such songs `
` disturb the mind; and yet we become accustomed to them, her voice `
` is so beautiful." `
` `
` `
` `
` 54 CAPTIVITY: THE THIRD DAY `
` `
` Felton had fallen; but there was still another step to be taken. `
` He must be retained, or rather he must be left quite alone; and `
` Milady but obscurely perceived the means which could lead to this `
` result. `
` `
` Still more must be done. He must be made to speak, in order that `
` he might be spoken to--for Milady very well knew that her `
` greatest seduction was in her voice, which so skillfully ran over `
` the whole gamut of tones from human speech to language celestial. `
` `
` Yet in spite of all this seduction Milady might fail--for Felton `
` was forewarned, and that against the least chance. From that `
` moment she watched all his actions, all his words, from the `
` simplest glance of his eyes to his gestures--even to a breath `
` that could be interpreted as a sigh. In short, she studied `
` everything, as a skillful comedian does to whom a new part has `
` been assigned in a line to which he is not accustomed. `
` `
` Face to face with Lord de Winter her plan of conduct was more `
` easy. She had laid that down the preceding evening. To remain `
` silent and dignified in his presence; from time to time to `
` irritate him by affected disdain, by a contemptuous word; to `
` provoke him to threats and violence which would produce a `
` contrast with her own resignation--such was her plan. Felton `
` would see all; perhaps he would say nothing, but he would see. `
` `
` In the morning, Felton came as usual; but Milady allowed him to `
` preside over all the preparations for breakfast without `
` addressing a word to him. At the moment when he was about to `
` retire, she was cheered with a ray of hope, for she thought he `
` was about to speak; but his lips moved without any sound leaving `
` his mouth, and making a powerful effort to control himself, he `
` sent back to his heart the words that were about to escape from `
` his lips, and went out. Toward midday, Lord de Winter entered. `
` `
` It was a tolerably fine winter's day, and a ray of that pale `
` English sun which lights but does not warm came through the bars `
` of her prison. `
` `
` Milady was looking out at the window, and pretended not to hear `
` the door as it opened. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Lord de Winter, "after having played comedy, after `
` having played tragedy, we are now playing melancholy?" `
` `
` The prisoner made no reply. `
` `
` "Yes, yes," continued Lord de Winter, "I understand. You would `
` like very well to be at liberty on that beach! You would like `
` very well to be in a good ship dancing upon the waves of that `
` emerald-green sea; you would like very well, either on land or on `
` the ocean, to lay for me one of those nice little ambuscades you `
` are so skillful in planning. Patience, patience! In four days' `
` time the shore will be beneath your feet, the sea will be open to `
` you--more open than will perhaps be agreeable to you, for in four `
` days England will be relieved of you." `
` `
` Milady folded her hands, and raising her fine eyes toward heaven, `
` "Lord, Lord," said she, with an angelic meekness of gesture and `
` tone, "pardon this man, as I myself pardon him." `
` `
` "Yes, pray, accursed woman!" cried the baron; "your prayer is so `
` much the more generous from your being, I swear to you, in the `
` power of a man who will never pardon you!" and he went out. `
` `
` At the moment he went out a piercing glance darted through the `
` opening of the nearly closed door, and she perceived Felton, who `
` drew quickly to one side to prevent being seen by her. `
` `
` Then she threw herself upon her knees, and began to pray. `
` `
` "My God, my God!" said she, "thou knowest in what holy cause I `
` suffer; give me, then, strength to suffer." `
` `
` The door opened gently; the beautiful supplicant pretended not to `
` hear the noise, and in a voice broken by tears, she continued: `
` `
` "God of vengeance! God of goodness! wilt thou allow the `
` frightful projects of this man to be accomplished?" `
` `
` Then only she pretended to hear the sound of Felton's steps, and `
` rising quick as thought, she blushed, as if ashamed of being `
` surprised on her knees. `
` `
` "I do not like to disturb those who pray, madame," said Felton, `
` seriously; "do not disturb yourself on my account, I beseech `
` you." `
` `
` "How do you know I was praying, sir?" said Milady, in a voice `
` broken by sobs. "You were deceived, sir; I was not praying." `
` `
` "Do you think, then, madame," replied Felton, in the same serious `
` voice, but with a milder tone, "do you think I assume the right `
` of preventing a creature from prostrating herself before her `
` Creator? God forbid! Besides, repentance becomes the guilty; `
` whatever crimes they may have committed, for me the guilty are `
` sacred at the feet of God!" `
` `
` "Guilty? I?" said Milady, with a smile which might have disarmed `
` the angel of the last judgment. "Guilty? Oh, my God, thou `
` knowest whether I am guilty! Say I am condemned, sir, if you `
` please; but you know that God, who loves martyrs, sometimes `
` permits the innocent to be condemned." `
` `
` "Were you condemned, were you innocent, were you a martyr," `
` replied Felton, "the greater would be the necessity for prayer; `
` and I myself would aid you with my prayers." `
` `
` "Oh, you are a just man!" cried Milady, throwing herself at his `
` feet. "I can hold out no longer, for I fear I shall be wanting `
` in strength at the moment when I shall be forced to undergo the `
` struggle, and confess my faith. Listen, then, to the `
` supplication of a despairing woman. You are abused, sir; but `
` that is not the question. I only ask you one favor; and if you `
` grant it me, I will bless you in this world and in the next." `
` `
` "Speak to the master, madame," said Felton; "happily I am neither `
` charged with the power of pardoning nor punishing. It is upon `
` one higher placed than I am that God has laid this `
` responsibility." `
` `
` "To you--no, to you alone! Listen to me, rather than add to my `
` destruction, rather than add to my ignominy!" `
` `
` "If you have merited this shame, madame, if you have incurred `
` this ignominy, you must submit to it as an offering to God." `
` `
` "What do you say? Oh, you do not understand me! When I speak of `
` ignominy, you think I speak of some chastisement, of imprisonment `
` or death. Would to heaven! Of what consequence to me is `
` imprisonment or death?" `
` `
` "It is I who no longer understand you, madame," said Felton. `
` `
` "Or, rather, who pretend not to understand me, sir!" replied the `
` prisoner, with a smile of incredulity. `
` `
`
` My exile, and my chains, `
` I have my youth, my prayers, `
` And God, who counts my pains." `
` `
` Her voice, of immense power and sublime expression, gave to the `
` rude, unpolished poetry of these psalms a magic and an effect `
` which the most exalted Puritans rarely found in the songs of `
` their brethren, and which they were forced to ornament with all `
` the resources of their imagination. Felton believed he heard the `
` singing of the angel who consoled the three Hebrews in the `
` furnace. `
` `
` Milady continued: `
` `
` "One day our doors will ope, `
` With God come our desire; `
` And if betrays that hope, `
` To death we can aspire." `
` `
` This verse, into which the terrible enchantress threw her whole `
` soul, completed the trouble which had seized the heart of the `
` young officer. He opened the door quickly; and Milady saw him `
` appear, pale as usual, but with his eye inflamed and almost wild. `
` `
` "Why do you sing thus, and with such a voice?" said he. `
` `
` "Your pardon, sir," said Milady, with mildness. "I forgot that `
` my songs are out of place in this castle. I have perhaps `
` offended you in your creed; but it was without wishing to do so, `
` I swear. Pardon me, then, a fault which is perhaps great, but `
` which certainly was involuntary." `
` `
` Milady was so beautiful at this moment, the religious ecstasy in `
` which she appeared to be plunged gave such an expression to her `
` countenance, that Felton was so dazzled that he fancied he beheld `
` the angel whom he had only just before heard. `
` `
` "Yes, yes," said he; "you disturb, you agitate the people who `
` live in the castle." `
` `
` The poor, senseless young man was not aware of the incoherence of `
` his words, while Milady was reading with her lynx's eyes the very `
` depths of his heart. `
` `
` "I will be silent, then," said Milady, casting down her eyes with `
` all the sweetness she could give to her voice, with all the `
` resignation she could impress upon her manner. `
` `
` "No, no, madame," said Felton, "only do not sing so loud, `
` particularly at night." `
` `
` And at these words Felton, feeling that he could not long `
` maintain his severity toward his prisoner, rushed out of the `
` room. `
` `
` "You have done right, Lieutenant," said the soldier. "Such songs `
` disturb the mind; and yet we become accustomed to them, her voice `
` is so beautiful." `
` `
` `
` `
` 54 CAPTIVITY: THE THIRD DAY `
` `
` Felton had fallen; but there was still another step to be taken. `
` He must be retained, or rather he must be left quite alone; and `
` Milady but obscurely perceived the means which could lead to this `
` result. `
` `
` Still more must be done. He must be made to speak, in order that `
` he might be spoken to--for Milady very well knew that her `
` greatest seduction was in her voice, which so skillfully ran over `
` the whole gamut of tones from human speech to language celestial. `
` `
` Yet in spite of all this seduction Milady might fail--for Felton `
` was forewarned, and that against the least chance. From that `
` moment she watched all his actions, all his words, from the `
` simplest glance of his eyes to his gestures--even to a breath `
` that could be interpreted as a sigh. In short, she studied `
` everything, as a skillful comedian does to whom a new part has `
` been assigned in a line to which he is not accustomed. `
` `
` Face to face with Lord de Winter her plan of conduct was more `
` easy. She had laid that down the preceding evening. To remain `
` silent and dignified in his presence; from time to time to `
` irritate him by affected disdain, by a contemptuous word; to `
` provoke him to threats and violence which would produce a `
` contrast with her own resignation--such was her plan. Felton `
` would see all; perhaps he would say nothing, but he would see. `
` `
` In the morning, Felton came as usual; but Milady allowed him to `
` preside over all the preparations for breakfast without `
` addressing a word to him. At the moment when he was about to `
` retire, she was cheered with a ray of hope, for she thought he `
` was about to speak; but his lips moved without any sound leaving `
` his mouth, and making a powerful effort to control himself, he `
` sent back to his heart the words that were about to escape from `
` his lips, and went out. Toward midday, Lord de Winter entered. `
` `
` It was a tolerably fine winter's day, and a ray of that pale `
` English sun which lights but does not warm came through the bars `
` of her prison. `
` `
` Milady was looking out at the window, and pretended not to hear `
` the door as it opened. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Lord de Winter, "after having played comedy, after `
` having played tragedy, we are now playing melancholy?" `
` `
` The prisoner made no reply. `
` `
` "Yes, yes," continued Lord de Winter, "I understand. You would `
` like very well to be at liberty on that beach! You would like `
` very well to be in a good ship dancing upon the waves of that `
` emerald-green sea; you would like very well, either on land or on `
` the ocean, to lay for me one of those nice little ambuscades you `
` are so skillful in planning. Patience, patience! In four days' `
` time the shore will be beneath your feet, the sea will be open to `
` you--more open than will perhaps be agreeable to you, for in four `
` days England will be relieved of you." `
` `
` Milady folded her hands, and raising her fine eyes toward heaven, `
` "Lord, Lord," said she, with an angelic meekness of gesture and `
` tone, "pardon this man, as I myself pardon him." `
` `
` "Yes, pray, accursed woman!" cried the baron; "your prayer is so `
` much the more generous from your being, I swear to you, in the `
` power of a man who will never pardon you!" and he went out. `
` `
` At the moment he went out a piercing glance darted through the `
` opening of the nearly closed door, and she perceived Felton, who `
` drew quickly to one side to prevent being seen by her. `
` `
` Then she threw herself upon her knees, and began to pray. `
` `
` "My God, my God!" said she, "thou knowest in what holy cause I `
` suffer; give me, then, strength to suffer." `
` `
` The door opened gently; the beautiful supplicant pretended not to `
` hear the noise, and in a voice broken by tears, she continued: `
` `
` "God of vengeance! God of goodness! wilt thou allow the `
` frightful projects of this man to be accomplished?" `
` `
` Then only she pretended to hear the sound of Felton's steps, and `
` rising quick as thought, she blushed, as if ashamed of being `
` surprised on her knees. `
` `
` "I do not like to disturb those who pray, madame," said Felton, `
` seriously; "do not disturb yourself on my account, I beseech `
` you." `
` `
` "How do you know I was praying, sir?" said Milady, in a voice `
` broken by sobs. "You were deceived, sir; I was not praying." `
` `
` "Do you think, then, madame," replied Felton, in the same serious `
` voice, but with a milder tone, "do you think I assume the right `
` of preventing a creature from prostrating herself before her `
` Creator? God forbid! Besides, repentance becomes the guilty; `
` whatever crimes they may have committed, for me the guilty are `
` sacred at the feet of God!" `
` `
` "Guilty? I?" said Milady, with a smile which might have disarmed `
` the angel of the last judgment. "Guilty? Oh, my God, thou `
` knowest whether I am guilty! Say I am condemned, sir, if you `
` please; but you know that God, who loves martyrs, sometimes `
` permits the innocent to be condemned." `
` `
` "Were you condemned, were you innocent, were you a martyr," `
` replied Felton, "the greater would be the necessity for prayer; `
` and I myself would aid you with my prayers." `
` `
` "Oh, you are a just man!" cried Milady, throwing herself at his `
` feet. "I can hold out no longer, for I fear I shall be wanting `
` in strength at the moment when I shall be forced to undergo the `
` struggle, and confess my faith. Listen, then, to the `
` supplication of a despairing woman. You are abused, sir; but `
` that is not the question. I only ask you one favor; and if you `
` grant it me, I will bless you in this world and in the next." `
` `
` "Speak to the master, madame," said Felton; "happily I am neither `
` charged with the power of pardoning nor punishing. It is upon `
` one higher placed than I am that God has laid this `
` responsibility." `
` `
` "To you--no, to you alone! Listen to me, rather than add to my `
` destruction, rather than add to my ignominy!" `
` `
` "If you have merited this shame, madame, if you have incurred `
` this ignominy, you must submit to it as an offering to God." `
` `
` "What do you say? Oh, you do not understand me! When I speak of `
` ignominy, you think I speak of some chastisement, of imprisonment `
` or death. Would to heaven! Of what consequence to me is `
` imprisonment or death?" `
` `
` "It is I who no longer understand you, madame," said Felton. `
` `
` "Or, rather, who pretend not to understand me, sir!" replied the `
` prisoner, with a smile of incredulity. `
` `
`