Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
I will wait to pay you my next visit till you are in a better `
` humor.' `
` `
` "At these words he blew a whistle; the globe of fire which `
` lighted the room reascended and disappeared. I found myself `
` again in complete darkness. The same noise of a door opening and `
` shutting was repeated the instant afterward; the flaming globe `
` descended afresh, and I was completely alone. `
` `
` "This moment was frightful; if I had any doubts as to my `
` misfortune, these doubts had vanished in an overwhelming reality. `
` I was in the power of a man whom I not only detested, but `
` despised--of a man capable of anything, and who had already given `
` me a fatal proof of what he was able to do." `
` `
` "But who, then was this man?" asked Felton. `
` `
` "I passed the night on a chair, starting at the least noise, for `
` toward midnight the lamp went out, and I was again in darkness. `
` But the night passed away without any fresh attempt on the part `
` of my persecutor. Day came; the table had disappeared, only I `
` had still the knife in my hand. `
` `
` "This knife was my only hope. `
` `
` "I was worn out with fatigue. Sleeplessness inflamed my eyes; I `
` had not dared to sleep a single instant. The light of day `
` reassured me; I went and threw myself on the bed, without parting `
` with the emancipating knife, which I concealed under my pillow. `
` `
` "When I awoke, a fresh meal was served. `
` `
` "This time, in spite of my terrors, in spite of my agony, I began `
` to feel a devouring hunger. It was forty-eight hours since I had `
` taken any nourishment. I ate some bread and some fruit; then, `
` remembering the narcotic mixed with the water I had drunk, I `
` would not touch that which was placed on the table, but filled my `
` glass at a marble fountain fixed in the wall over my dressing `
` table. `
` `
` "And yet, notwithstanding these precautions, I remained for some `
` time in a terrible agitation of mind. But my fears were this `
` time ill-founded; I passed the day without experiencing anything `
` of the kind I dreaded. `
` `
` "I took the precaution to half empty the carafe, in order that my `
` suspicions might not be noticed. `
` `
` "The evening came on, and with it darkness; but however profound `
` was this darkness, my eyes began to accustom themselves to it. I `
` saw, amid the shadows, the table sink through the floor; a `
` quarter of an hour later it reappeared, bearing my supper. In an `
` instant, thanks to the lamp, my chamber was once more lighted. `
` `
` "I was determined to eat only such things as could not possibly `
` have anything soporific introduced into them. Two eggs and some `
` fruit composed my repast; then I drew another glass of water from `
` my protecting fountain, and drank it. `
` `
` "At the first swallow, it appeared to me not to have the same `
` taste as in the morning. Suspicion instantly seized me. I `
` paused, but I had already drunk half a glass. `
` `
` "I threw the rest away with horror, and waited, with the dew of `
` fear upon my brow. `
` `
` "No doubt some invisible witness had seen me draw the water from `
` that fountain, and had taken advantage of my confidence in it, `
` the better to assure my ruin, so coolly resolved upon, so cruelly `
` pursued. `
` `
` "Half an hour had not passed when the same symptoms began to `
` appear; but as I had only drunk half a glass of the water, I `
` contended longer, and instead of falling entirely asleep, I sank `
` into a state of drowsiness which left me a perception of what was `
` passing around me, while depriving me of the strength either to `
` defend myself or to fly. `
` `
` "I dragged myself toward the bed, to seek the only defense I had `
` left--my saving knife; but I could not reach the bolster. I sank `
` on my knees, my hands clasped round one of the bedposts; then I `
` felt that I was lost." `
` `
` Felton became frightfully pale, and a convulsive tremor crept `
` through his whole body. `
` `
` "And what was most frightful," continued Milady, her voice `
` altered, as if she still experienced the same agony as at that `
` awful minute, "was that at this time I retained a consciousness `
` of the danger that threatened me; was that my soul, if I may say `
` so, waked in my sleeping body; was that I saw, that I heard. It `
` is true that all was like a dream, but it was not the less `
` frightful. `
` `
` "I saw the lamp ascend, and leave me in darkness; then I heard `
` the well-known creaking of the door although I had heard that `
` door open but twice. `
` `
` "I felt instinctively that someone approached me; it is said that `
` the doomed wretch in the deserts of America thus feels the `
` approach of the serpent. `
` `
` "I wished to make an effort; I attempted to cry out. By an `
` incredible effort of will I even raised myself up, but only to `
` sink down again immediately, and to fall into the arms of my `
` persecutor." `
` `
` "Tell me who this man was!" cried the young officer. `
` `
` Milady saw at a single glance all the painful feelings she `
` inspired in Felton by dwelling on every detail of her recital; `
` but she would not spare him a single pang. The more profoundly `
` she wounded his heart, the more certainly he would avenge her. `
` She continued, then, as if she had not heard his exclamation, or `
` as if she thought the moment was not yet come to reply to it. `
` `
` "Only this time it was no longer an inert body, without feeling, `
` that the villain had to deal with. I have told you that without `
` being able to regain the complete exercise of my faculties, I `
` retained the sense of my danger. I struggled, then, with all my `
` strength, and doubtless opposed, weak as I was, a long `
` resistance, for I heard him cry out, 'These miserable Puritans! `
` I knew very well that they tired out their executioners, but I `
` did not believe them so strong against their lovers!' `
` `
` "Alas! this desperate resistance could not last long. I felt my `
` strength fail, and this time it was not my sleep that enabled the `
` coward to prevail, but my swoon." `
` `
` Felton listened without uttering any word or sound, except an `
` inward expression of agony. The sweat streamed down his marble `
` forehead, and his hand, under his coat, tore his breast. `
` `
` "My first impulse, on coming to myself, was to feel under my `
` pillow for the knife I had not been able to reach; if it had not `
` been useful for defense, it might at least serve for expiation. `
` `
` "But on taking this knife, Felton, a terrible idea occurred to `
` me. I have sworn to tell you all, and I will tell you all. I `
` have promised you the truth; I will tell it, were it to destroy `
` me." `
` `
` "The idea came into your mind to avenge yourself on this man, did `
` it not?" cried Felton. `
` `
` "Yes," said Milady. "The idea was not that of a Christian, I `
` knew; but without doubt, that eternal enemy of our souls, that `
` lion roaring constantly around us, breathed it into my mind. In `
` short, what shall I say to you, Felton?" continued Milady, in the `
` tone of a woman accusing herself of a crime. "This idea occurred `
` to me, and did not leave me; it is of this homicidal thought that `
` I now bear the punishment." `
` `
` "Continue, continue!" said Felton; "I am eager to see you attain `
` your vengeance!" `
` `
` "Oh, I resolved that it should take place as soon as possible. I `
` had no doubt he would return the following night. During the day `
` I had nothing to fear. `
` `
` "When the hour of breakfast came, therefore, I did not hesitate `
` to eat and drink. I had determined to make believe sup, but to `
` eat nothing. I was forced, then, to combat the fast of the `
` evening with the nourishment of the morning. `
` `
` "Only I concealed a glass of water, which remained after my `
` breakfast, thirst having been the chief of my sufferings when I `
` remained forty-eight hours without eating or drinking. `
` `
` "The day passed away without having any other influence on me `
` than to strengthen the resolution I had formed; only I took care `
` that my face should not betray the thoughts of my heart, for I `
` had no doubt I was watched. Several times, even, I felt a smile `
` on my lips. Felton, I dare not tell you at what idea I smiled; `
` you would hold me in horror--" `
` `
` "Go on! go on!" said Felton; "you see plainly that I listen, and `
` that I am anxious to know the end." `
` `
` "Evening came; the ordinary events took place. During the `
` darkness, as before, my supper was brought. Then the lamp was `
` lighted, and I sat down to table. I only ate some fruit. I `
` pretended to pour out water from the jug, but I only drank that `
` which I had saved in my glass. The substitution was made so `
` carefully that my spies, if I had any, could have no suspicion of `
` it. `
` `
` "After supper I exhibited the same marks of languor as on the `
` preceding evening; but this time, as I yielded to fatigue, or as `
` if I had become familiarized with danger, I dragged myself toward `
` my bed, let my robe fall, and lay down. `
` `
` "I found my knife where I had placed it, under my pillow, and `
` while feigning to sleep, my hand grasped the handle of it `
` convulsively. `
` `
` "Two hours passed away without anything fresh happening. Oh, my `
` God! who could have said so the evening before? I began to fear `
` that he would not come. `
` `
` "At length I saw the lamp rise softly, and disappear in the `
`
` humor.' `
` `
` "At these words he blew a whistle; the globe of fire which `
` lighted the room reascended and disappeared. I found myself `
` again in complete darkness. The same noise of a door opening and `
` shutting was repeated the instant afterward; the flaming globe `
` descended afresh, and I was completely alone. `
` `
` "This moment was frightful; if I had any doubts as to my `
` misfortune, these doubts had vanished in an overwhelming reality. `
` I was in the power of a man whom I not only detested, but `
` despised--of a man capable of anything, and who had already given `
` me a fatal proof of what he was able to do." `
` `
` "But who, then was this man?" asked Felton. `
` `
` "I passed the night on a chair, starting at the least noise, for `
` toward midnight the lamp went out, and I was again in darkness. `
` But the night passed away without any fresh attempt on the part `
` of my persecutor. Day came; the table had disappeared, only I `
` had still the knife in my hand. `
` `
` "This knife was my only hope. `
` `
` "I was worn out with fatigue. Sleeplessness inflamed my eyes; I `
` had not dared to sleep a single instant. The light of day `
` reassured me; I went and threw myself on the bed, without parting `
` with the emancipating knife, which I concealed under my pillow. `
` `
` "When I awoke, a fresh meal was served. `
` `
` "This time, in spite of my terrors, in spite of my agony, I began `
` to feel a devouring hunger. It was forty-eight hours since I had `
` taken any nourishment. I ate some bread and some fruit; then, `
` remembering the narcotic mixed with the water I had drunk, I `
` would not touch that which was placed on the table, but filled my `
` glass at a marble fountain fixed in the wall over my dressing `
` table. `
` `
` "And yet, notwithstanding these precautions, I remained for some `
` time in a terrible agitation of mind. But my fears were this `
` time ill-founded; I passed the day without experiencing anything `
` of the kind I dreaded. `
` `
` "I took the precaution to half empty the carafe, in order that my `
` suspicions might not be noticed. `
` `
` "The evening came on, and with it darkness; but however profound `
` was this darkness, my eyes began to accustom themselves to it. I `
` saw, amid the shadows, the table sink through the floor; a `
` quarter of an hour later it reappeared, bearing my supper. In an `
` instant, thanks to the lamp, my chamber was once more lighted. `
` `
` "I was determined to eat only such things as could not possibly `
` have anything soporific introduced into them. Two eggs and some `
` fruit composed my repast; then I drew another glass of water from `
` my protecting fountain, and drank it. `
` `
` "At the first swallow, it appeared to me not to have the same `
` taste as in the morning. Suspicion instantly seized me. I `
` paused, but I had already drunk half a glass. `
` `
` "I threw the rest away with horror, and waited, with the dew of `
` fear upon my brow. `
` `
` "No doubt some invisible witness had seen me draw the water from `
` that fountain, and had taken advantage of my confidence in it, `
` the better to assure my ruin, so coolly resolved upon, so cruelly `
` pursued. `
` `
` "Half an hour had not passed when the same symptoms began to `
` appear; but as I had only drunk half a glass of the water, I `
` contended longer, and instead of falling entirely asleep, I sank `
` into a state of drowsiness which left me a perception of what was `
` passing around me, while depriving me of the strength either to `
` defend myself or to fly. `
` `
` "I dragged myself toward the bed, to seek the only defense I had `
` left--my saving knife; but I could not reach the bolster. I sank `
` on my knees, my hands clasped round one of the bedposts; then I `
` felt that I was lost." `
` `
` Felton became frightfully pale, and a convulsive tremor crept `
` through his whole body. `
` `
` "And what was most frightful," continued Milady, her voice `
` altered, as if she still experienced the same agony as at that `
` awful minute, "was that at this time I retained a consciousness `
` of the danger that threatened me; was that my soul, if I may say `
` so, waked in my sleeping body; was that I saw, that I heard. It `
` is true that all was like a dream, but it was not the less `
` frightful. `
` `
` "I saw the lamp ascend, and leave me in darkness; then I heard `
` the well-known creaking of the door although I had heard that `
` door open but twice. `
` `
` "I felt instinctively that someone approached me; it is said that `
` the doomed wretch in the deserts of America thus feels the `
` approach of the serpent. `
` `
` "I wished to make an effort; I attempted to cry out. By an `
` incredible effort of will I even raised myself up, but only to `
` sink down again immediately, and to fall into the arms of my `
` persecutor." `
` `
` "Tell me who this man was!" cried the young officer. `
` `
` Milady saw at a single glance all the painful feelings she `
` inspired in Felton by dwelling on every detail of her recital; `
` but she would not spare him a single pang. The more profoundly `
` she wounded his heart, the more certainly he would avenge her. `
` She continued, then, as if she had not heard his exclamation, or `
` as if she thought the moment was not yet come to reply to it. `
` `
` "Only this time it was no longer an inert body, without feeling, `
` that the villain had to deal with. I have told you that without `
` being able to regain the complete exercise of my faculties, I `
` retained the sense of my danger. I struggled, then, with all my `
` strength, and doubtless opposed, weak as I was, a long `
` resistance, for I heard him cry out, 'These miserable Puritans! `
` I knew very well that they tired out their executioners, but I `
` did not believe them so strong against their lovers!' `
` `
` "Alas! this desperate resistance could not last long. I felt my `
` strength fail, and this time it was not my sleep that enabled the `
` coward to prevail, but my swoon." `
` `
` Felton listened without uttering any word or sound, except an `
` inward expression of agony. The sweat streamed down his marble `
` forehead, and his hand, under his coat, tore his breast. `
` `
` "My first impulse, on coming to myself, was to feel under my `
` pillow for the knife I had not been able to reach; if it had not `
` been useful for defense, it might at least serve for expiation. `
` `
` "But on taking this knife, Felton, a terrible idea occurred to `
` me. I have sworn to tell you all, and I will tell you all. I `
` have promised you the truth; I will tell it, were it to destroy `
` me." `
` `
` "The idea came into your mind to avenge yourself on this man, did `
` it not?" cried Felton. `
` `
` "Yes," said Milady. "The idea was not that of a Christian, I `
` knew; but without doubt, that eternal enemy of our souls, that `
` lion roaring constantly around us, breathed it into my mind. In `
` short, what shall I say to you, Felton?" continued Milady, in the `
` tone of a woman accusing herself of a crime. "This idea occurred `
` to me, and did not leave me; it is of this homicidal thought that `
` I now bear the punishment." `
` `
` "Continue, continue!" said Felton; "I am eager to see you attain `
` your vengeance!" `
` `
` "Oh, I resolved that it should take place as soon as possible. I `
` had no doubt he would return the following night. During the day `
` I had nothing to fear. `
` `
` "When the hour of breakfast came, therefore, I did not hesitate `
` to eat and drink. I had determined to make believe sup, but to `
` eat nothing. I was forced, then, to combat the fast of the `
` evening with the nourishment of the morning. `
` `
` "Only I concealed a glass of water, which remained after my `
` breakfast, thirst having been the chief of my sufferings when I `
` remained forty-eight hours without eating or drinking. `
` `
` "The day passed away without having any other influence on me `
` than to strengthen the resolution I had formed; only I took care `
` that my face should not betray the thoughts of my heart, for I `
` had no doubt I was watched. Several times, even, I felt a smile `
` on my lips. Felton, I dare not tell you at what idea I smiled; `
` you would hold me in horror--" `
` `
` "Go on! go on!" said Felton; "you see plainly that I listen, and `
` that I am anxious to know the end." `
` `
` "Evening came; the ordinary events took place. During the `
` darkness, as before, my supper was brought. Then the lamp was `
` lighted, and I sat down to table. I only ate some fruit. I `
` pretended to pour out water from the jug, but I only drank that `
` which I had saved in my glass. The substitution was made so `
` carefully that my spies, if I had any, could have no suspicion of `
` it. `
` `
` "After supper I exhibited the same marks of languor as on the `
` preceding evening; but this time, as I yielded to fatigue, or as `
` if I had become familiarized with danger, I dragged myself toward `
` my bed, let my robe fall, and lay down. `
` `
` "I found my knife where I had placed it, under my pillow, and `
` while feigning to sleep, my hand grasped the handle of it `
` convulsively. `
` `
` "Two hours passed away without anything fresh happening. Oh, my `
` God! who could have said so the evening before? I began to fear `
` that he would not come. `
` `
` "At length I saw the lamp rise softly, and disappear in the `
`