Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
`
` "Zounds, Lieutenant!" said he; "you are not unlucky in being `
` charged with such commissions, particularly if my Lord has `
` authorized you to look into her bed." `
` `
` Felton blushed. Under any other circumstances he would have `
` reprimanded the soldier for indulging in such pleasantry, but his `
` conscience murmured too loud for his mouth to dare speak. `
` `
` "If I call, come," said he. "If anyone comes, call me." `
` `
` "I will, Lieutenant," said the soldier. `
` `
` Felton entered Milady's apartment. Milady arose. `
` `
` "You are here!" said she. `
` `
` "I promised to come," said Felton, "and I have come." `
` `
` "You promised me something else." `
` `
` "What, my God!" said the young man, who in spite of his self- `
` command felt his knees tremble and the sweat start from his brow. `
` `
` "You promised to bring a knife, and to leave it with me after our `
` interview." `
` `
` "Say no more of that, madame," said Felton. "There is no `
` situation, however terrible it may be, which can authorize a `
` creature of God to inflict death upon himself. I have reflected, `
` and I cannot, must not be guilty of such a sin." `
` `
` "Ah, you have reflected!" said the prisoner, sitting down in her `
` armchair, with a smile of disdain; "and I also have reflected." `
` `
` "Upon what?" `
` `
` "That I can have nothing to say to a man who does not keep his `
` word." `
` `
` "Oh, my God!" murmured Felton. `
` `
` "You may retire," said Milady. "I will not talk." `
` `
` "Here is the knife," said Felton, drawing from his pocket the `
` weapon which he had brought, according to his promise, but which `
` he hesitated to give to his prisoner. `
` `
` "Let me see it," said Milady. `
` `
` "For what purpose?" `
` `
` "Upon my honor, I will instantly return it to you. You shall `
` place it on that table, and you may remain between it and me." `
` `
` Felton offered the weapon to Milady, who examined the temper of `
` it attentively, and who tried the point on the tip of her finger. `
` `
` "Well," said she, returning the knife to the young officer, "this `
` is fine and good steel. You are a faithful friend, Felton." `
` `
` Felton took back the weapon, and laid it upon the table, as he `
` had agreed with the prisoner. `
` `
` Milady followed him with her eyes, and made a gesture of `
` satisfaction. `
` `
` "Now," said she, "listen to me." `
` `
` The request was needless. The young officer stood upright before `
` her, awaiting her words as if to devour them. `
` `
` "Felton," said Milady, with a solemnity full of melancholy, `
` "imagine that your sister, the daughter of your father, speaks to `
` you. While yet young, unfortunately handsome, I was dragged into `
` a snare. I resisted. Ambushes and violences multiplied around `
` me, but I resisted. The religion I serve, the God I adore, were `
` blasphemed because I called upon that religion and that God, but `
` still I resisted. Then outrages were heaped upon me, and as my `
` soul was not subdued they wished to defile my body forever. `
` Finally--" `
` `
` Milady stopped, and a bitter smile passed over her lips. `
` `
` "Finally," said Felton, "finally, what did they do?" `
` `
` "At length, one evening my enemy resolved to paralyze the `
` resistance he could not conquer. One evening he mixed a powerful `
` narcotic with my water. Scarcely had I finished my repast, when `
` I felt myself sink by degrees into a strange torpor. Although I `
` was without mistrust, a vague fear seized me, and I tried to `
` struggle against sleepiness. I arose. I wished to run to the `
` window and call for help, but my legs refused their office. It `
` appeared as if the ceiling sank upon my head and crushed me with `
` its weight. I stretched out my arms. I tried to speak. I could `
` only utter inarticulate sounds, and irresistible faintness came `
` over me. I supported myself by a chair, feeling that I was about `
` to fall, but this support was soon insufficient on account of my `
` weak arms. I fell upon one knee, then upon both. I tried to `
` pray, but my tongue was frozen. God doubtless neither heard nor `
` saw me, and I sank upon the floor a prey to a slumber which `
` resembled death. `
` `
` "Of all that passed in that sleep, or the time which glided away `
` while it lasted, I have no remembrance. The only thing I `
` recollect is that I awoke in bed in a round chamber, the `
` furniture of which was sumptuous, and into which light only `
` penetrated by an opening in the ceiling. No door gave entrance `
` to the room. It might be called a magnificent prison. `
` `
` "It was a long time before I was able to make out what place I `
` was in, or to take account of the details I describe. My mind `
` appeared to strive in vain to shake off the heavy darkness of the `
` sleep from which I could not rouse myself. I had vague `
` perceptions of space traversed, of the rolling of a carriage, of `
` a horrible dream in which my strength had become exhausted; but `
` all this was so dark and so indistinct in my mind that these `
` events seemed to belong to another life than mine, and yet mixed `
` with mine in fantastic duality. `
` `
` "At times the state into which I had fallen appeared so strange `
` that I believed myself dreaming. I arose trembling. My clothes `
` were near me on a chair; I neither remembered having undressed `
` myself nor going to bed. Then by degrees the reality broke upon `
` me, full of chaste terrors. I was no longer in the house where I `
` had dwelt. As well as I could judge by the light of the sun, the `
` day was already two-thirds gone. It was the evening before when `
` I had fallen asleep; my sleep, then, must have lasted twenty-four `
` hours! What had taken place during this long sleep? `
` `
` "I dressed myself as quickly as possible; my slow and stiff `
` motions all attested that the effects of the narcotic were not `
` yet entirely dissipated. The chamber was evidently furnished for `
` the reception of a woman; and the most finished coquette could `
` not have formed a wish, but on casting her eyes about the `
` apartment, she would have found that wish accomplished. `
` `
` "Certainly I was not the first captive that had been shut up in `
` this splendid prison; but you may easily comprehend, Felton, that `
` the more superb the prison, the greater was my terror. `
` `
` "Yes, it was a prison, for I tried in vain to get out of it. I `
` sounded all the walls, in the hopes of discovering a door, but `
` everywhere the walls returned a full and flat sound. `
` `
` "I made the tour of the room at least twenty times, in search of `
` an outlet of some kind; but there was none. I sank exhausted `
` with fatigue and terror into an armchair. `
` `
` "Meantime, night came on rapidly, and with night my terrors `
` increased. I did not know but I had better remain where I was `
` seated. It appeared that I was surrounded with unknown dangers `
` into which I was about to fall at every instant. Although I had `
` eaten nothing since the evening before, my fears prevented my `
` feeling hunger. `
` `
` "No noise from without by which I could measure the time reached `
` me; I only supposed it must be seven or eight o'clock in the `
` evening, for it was in the month of October and it was quite `
` dark. `
` `
` "All at once the noise of a door, turning on its hinges, made me `
` start. A globe of fire appeared above the glazed opening of the `
` ceiling, casting a strong light into my chamber; and I perceived `
` with terror that a man was standing within a few paces of me. `
` `
` "A table, with two covers, bearing a supper ready prepared, `
` stood, as if by magic, in the middle of the apartment. `
` `
` "That man was he who had pursued me during a whole year, who had `
` vowed my dishonor, and who, by the first words that issued from `
` his mouth, gave me to understand he had accomplished it the `
` preceding night." `
` `
` "Scoundrel!" murmured Felton. `
` `
` "Oh, yes, scoundrel!" cried Milady, seeing the interest which the `
` young officer, whose soul seemed to hang on her lips, took in `
` this strange recital. "Oh, yes, scoundrel! He believed, having `
` triumphed over me in my sleep, that all was completed. He came, `
` hoping that I would accept my shame, as my shame was consummated; `
` he came to offer his fortune in exchange for my love. `
` `
` "All that the heart of a woman could contain of haughty contempt `
` and disdainful words, I poured out upon this man. Doubtless he `
` was accustomed to such reproaches, for he listened to me calm and `
` smiling, with his arms crossed over his breast. Then, when he `
` thought I had said all, he advanced toward me; I sprang toward `
` the table, I seized a knife, I placed it to my breast. `
` `
` "Take one step more," said I, "and in addition to my dishonor, `
` you shall have my death to reproach yourself with." `
` `
` "There was, no doubt, in my look, my voice, my whole person, that `
` sincerity of gesture, of attitude, of accent, which carries `
` conviction to the most perverse minds, for he paused. `
` `
` "'Your death?' said he; 'oh, no, you are too charming a mistress `
` to allow me to consent to lose you thus, after I have had the `
` happiness to possess you only a single time. Adieu, my charmer; `
` I will wait to pay you my next visit till you are in a better `
`
` "Zounds, Lieutenant!" said he; "you are not unlucky in being `
` charged with such commissions, particularly if my Lord has `
` authorized you to look into her bed." `
` `
` Felton blushed. Under any other circumstances he would have `
` reprimanded the soldier for indulging in such pleasantry, but his `
` conscience murmured too loud for his mouth to dare speak. `
` `
` "If I call, come," said he. "If anyone comes, call me." `
` `
` "I will, Lieutenant," said the soldier. `
` `
` Felton entered Milady's apartment. Milady arose. `
` `
` "You are here!" said she. `
` `
` "I promised to come," said Felton, "and I have come." `
` `
` "You promised me something else." `
` `
` "What, my God!" said the young man, who in spite of his self- `
` command felt his knees tremble and the sweat start from his brow. `
` `
` "You promised to bring a knife, and to leave it with me after our `
` interview." `
` `
` "Say no more of that, madame," said Felton. "There is no `
` situation, however terrible it may be, which can authorize a `
` creature of God to inflict death upon himself. I have reflected, `
` and I cannot, must not be guilty of such a sin." `
` `
` "Ah, you have reflected!" said the prisoner, sitting down in her `
` armchair, with a smile of disdain; "and I also have reflected." `
` `
` "Upon what?" `
` `
` "That I can have nothing to say to a man who does not keep his `
` word." `
` `
` "Oh, my God!" murmured Felton. `
` `
` "You may retire," said Milady. "I will not talk." `
` `
` "Here is the knife," said Felton, drawing from his pocket the `
` weapon which he had brought, according to his promise, but which `
` he hesitated to give to his prisoner. `
` `
` "Let me see it," said Milady. `
` `
` "For what purpose?" `
` `
` "Upon my honor, I will instantly return it to you. You shall `
` place it on that table, and you may remain between it and me." `
` `
` Felton offered the weapon to Milady, who examined the temper of `
` it attentively, and who tried the point on the tip of her finger. `
` `
` "Well," said she, returning the knife to the young officer, "this `
` is fine and good steel. You are a faithful friend, Felton." `
` `
` Felton took back the weapon, and laid it upon the table, as he `
` had agreed with the prisoner. `
` `
` Milady followed him with her eyes, and made a gesture of `
` satisfaction. `
` `
` "Now," said she, "listen to me." `
` `
` The request was needless. The young officer stood upright before `
` her, awaiting her words as if to devour them. `
` `
` "Felton," said Milady, with a solemnity full of melancholy, `
` "imagine that your sister, the daughter of your father, speaks to `
` you. While yet young, unfortunately handsome, I was dragged into `
` a snare. I resisted. Ambushes and violences multiplied around `
` me, but I resisted. The religion I serve, the God I adore, were `
` blasphemed because I called upon that religion and that God, but `
` still I resisted. Then outrages were heaped upon me, and as my `
` soul was not subdued they wished to defile my body forever. `
` Finally--" `
` `
` Milady stopped, and a bitter smile passed over her lips. `
` `
` "Finally," said Felton, "finally, what did they do?" `
` `
` "At length, one evening my enemy resolved to paralyze the `
` resistance he could not conquer. One evening he mixed a powerful `
` narcotic with my water. Scarcely had I finished my repast, when `
` I felt myself sink by degrees into a strange torpor. Although I `
` was without mistrust, a vague fear seized me, and I tried to `
` struggle against sleepiness. I arose. I wished to run to the `
` window and call for help, but my legs refused their office. It `
` appeared as if the ceiling sank upon my head and crushed me with `
` its weight. I stretched out my arms. I tried to speak. I could `
` only utter inarticulate sounds, and irresistible faintness came `
` over me. I supported myself by a chair, feeling that I was about `
` to fall, but this support was soon insufficient on account of my `
` weak arms. I fell upon one knee, then upon both. I tried to `
` pray, but my tongue was frozen. God doubtless neither heard nor `
` saw me, and I sank upon the floor a prey to a slumber which `
` resembled death. `
` `
` "Of all that passed in that sleep, or the time which glided away `
` while it lasted, I have no remembrance. The only thing I `
` recollect is that I awoke in bed in a round chamber, the `
` furniture of which was sumptuous, and into which light only `
` penetrated by an opening in the ceiling. No door gave entrance `
` to the room. It might be called a magnificent prison. `
` `
` "It was a long time before I was able to make out what place I `
` was in, or to take account of the details I describe. My mind `
` appeared to strive in vain to shake off the heavy darkness of the `
` sleep from which I could not rouse myself. I had vague `
` perceptions of space traversed, of the rolling of a carriage, of `
` a horrible dream in which my strength had become exhausted; but `
` all this was so dark and so indistinct in my mind that these `
` events seemed to belong to another life than mine, and yet mixed `
` with mine in fantastic duality. `
` `
` "At times the state into which I had fallen appeared so strange `
` that I believed myself dreaming. I arose trembling. My clothes `
` were near me on a chair; I neither remembered having undressed `
` myself nor going to bed. Then by degrees the reality broke upon `
` me, full of chaste terrors. I was no longer in the house where I `
` had dwelt. As well as I could judge by the light of the sun, the `
` day was already two-thirds gone. It was the evening before when `
` I had fallen asleep; my sleep, then, must have lasted twenty-four `
` hours! What had taken place during this long sleep? `
` `
` "I dressed myself as quickly as possible; my slow and stiff `
` motions all attested that the effects of the narcotic were not `
` yet entirely dissipated. The chamber was evidently furnished for `
` the reception of a woman; and the most finished coquette could `
` not have formed a wish, but on casting her eyes about the `
` apartment, she would have found that wish accomplished. `
` `
` "Certainly I was not the first captive that had been shut up in `
` this splendid prison; but you may easily comprehend, Felton, that `
` the more superb the prison, the greater was my terror. `
` `
` "Yes, it was a prison, for I tried in vain to get out of it. I `
` sounded all the walls, in the hopes of discovering a door, but `
` everywhere the walls returned a full and flat sound. `
` `
` "I made the tour of the room at least twenty times, in search of `
` an outlet of some kind; but there was none. I sank exhausted `
` with fatigue and terror into an armchair. `
` `
` "Meantime, night came on rapidly, and with night my terrors `
` increased. I did not know but I had better remain where I was `
` seated. It appeared that I was surrounded with unknown dangers `
` into which I was about to fall at every instant. Although I had `
` eaten nothing since the evening before, my fears prevented my `
` feeling hunger. `
` `
` "No noise from without by which I could measure the time reached `
` me; I only supposed it must be seven or eight o'clock in the `
` evening, for it was in the month of October and it was quite `
` dark. `
` `
` "All at once the noise of a door, turning on its hinges, made me `
` start. A globe of fire appeared above the glazed opening of the `
` ceiling, casting a strong light into my chamber; and I perceived `
` with terror that a man was standing within a few paces of me. `
` `
` "A table, with two covers, bearing a supper ready prepared, `
` stood, as if by magic, in the middle of the apartment. `
` `
` "That man was he who had pursued me during a whole year, who had `
` vowed my dishonor, and who, by the first words that issued from `
` his mouth, gave me to understand he had accomplished it the `
` preceding night." `
` `
` "Scoundrel!" murmured Felton. `
` `
` "Oh, yes, scoundrel!" cried Milady, seeing the interest which the `
` young officer, whose soul seemed to hang on her lips, took in `
` this strange recital. "Oh, yes, scoundrel! He believed, having `
` triumphed over me in my sleep, that all was completed. He came, `
` hoping that I would accept my shame, as my shame was consummated; `
` he came to offer his fortune in exchange for my love. `
` `
` "All that the heart of a woman could contain of haughty contempt `
` and disdainful words, I poured out upon this man. Doubtless he `
` was accustomed to such reproaches, for he listened to me calm and `
` smiling, with his arms crossed over his breast. Then, when he `
` thought I had said all, he advanced toward me; I sprang toward `
` the table, I seized a knife, I placed it to my breast. `
` `
` "Take one step more," said I, "and in addition to my dishonor, `
` you shall have my death to reproach yourself with." `
` `
` "There was, no doubt, in my look, my voice, my whole person, that `
` sincerity of gesture, of attitude, of accent, which carries `
` conviction to the most perverse minds, for he paused. `
` `
` "'Your death?' said he; 'oh, no, you are too charming a mistress `
` to allow me to consent to lose you thus, after I have had the `
` happiness to possess you only a single time. Adieu, my charmer; `
` I will wait to pay you my next visit till you are in a better `
`