Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
other soldier, and the perils they had encountered. This `
` recital was for him the occasion of veritable triumph. The `
` whole army talked of this expedition for a day, and Monsieur `
` paid him his compliments upon it. Besides this, as every `
` great action bears its recompense with it, the brave exploit `
` of d'Artagnan resulted in the restoration of the tranquility `
` he had lost. In fact, d'Artagnan believed that he might be `
` tranquil, as one of his two enemies was killed and the other `
` devoted to his interests. `
` `
` This tranquillity proved one thing--that d'Artagnan did not `
` yet know Milady. `
` `
` `
` `
` 42 THE ANJOU WINE `
` `
` After the most disheartening news of the king's health, a `
` report of his convalescence began to prevail in the camp; `
` and as he was very anxious to be in person at the siege, it `
` was said that as soon as he could mount a horse he would set `
` forward. `
` `
` Meantime, Monsieur, who knew that from one day to the other `
` he might expect to be removed from his command by the Duc `
` d'Angouleme, by Bassompierre, or by Schomberg, who were all `
` eager for his post, did but little, lost his days in `
` wavering, and did not dare to attempt any great enterprise `
` to drive the English from the Isle of Re, where they still `
` besieged the citadel St. Martin and the fort of La Pree, as `
` on their side the French were besieging La Rochelle. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, as we have said, had become more tranquil, as `
` always happens after a past danger, particularly when the `
` danger seems to have vanished. He only felt one uneasiness, `
` and that was at not hearing any tidings from his friends. `
` `
` But one morning at the commencement of the month of November `
` everything was explained to him by this letter, dated from `
` Villeroy: `
` `
` `
` M. d'Artagnan, `
` `
` MM. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, after having `
` had an entertainment at my house and enjoying themselves `
` very much, created such a disturbance that the provost of `
` the castle, a rigid man, has ordered them to be confined for `
` some days; but I accomplish the order they have given me by `
` forwarding to you a dozen bottles of my Anjou wine, with `
` which they are much pleased. They are desirous that you `
` should drink to their health in their favorite wine. I have `
` done this, and am, monsieur, with great respect, `
` `
` Your very humble and obedient servant, `
` `
` Godeau, Purveyor of the Musketeers `
` `
` `
` "That's all well!" cried d'Artagnan. "They think of me in `
` their pleasures, as I thought of them in my troubles. Well, `
` I will certainly drink to their health with all my heart, `
` but I will not drink alone." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan went among those Guardsmen with whom he had `
` formed greater intimacy than with the others, to invite them `
` to enjoy with him this present of delicious Anjou wine which `
` had been sent him from Villeroy. `
` `
` One of the two Guardsmen was engaged that evening, and `
` another the next, so the meeting was fixed for the day after `
` that. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, on his return, sent the twelve bottles of wine `
` to the refreshment room of the Guards, with strict orders `
` that great care should be taken of it; and then, on the day `
` appointed, as the dinner was fixed for midday d'Artagnan `
` sent Planchet at nine in the morning to assist in preparing `
` everything for the entertainment. `
` `
` Planchet, very proud of being raised to the dignity of `
` landlord, thought he would make all ready, like an `
` intelligent man; and with this view called in the assistance `
` of the lackey of one of his master's guests, named Fourreau, `
` and the false soldier who had tried to kill d'Artagnan and `
` who, belonging to no corps, had entered into the service of `
` d'Artagnan, or rather of Planchet, after d'Artagnan had `
` saved his life. `
` `
` The hour of the banquet being come, the two guards arrived, `
` took their places, and the dishes were arranged on the `
` table. Planchet waited, towel on arm; Fourreau uncorked the `
` bottles; and Brisemont, which was the name of the `
` convalescent, poured the wine, which was a little shaken by `
` its journey, carefully into decanters. Of this wine, the `
` first bottle being a little thick at the bottom, Brisemont `
` poured the lees into a glass, and d'Artagnan desired him to `
` drink it, for the poor devil had not yet recovered his `
` strength. `
` `
` The guests having eaten the soup, were about to lift the `
` first glass of wine to their lips, when all at once the `
` cannon sounded from Fort Louis and Fort Neuf. The `
` Guardsmen, imagining this to be caused by some unexpected `
` attack, either of the besieged or the English, sprang to `
` their swords. D'Artagnan, not less forward than they, did `
` likewise, and all ran out, in order to repair to their `
` posts. `
` `
` But scarcely were they out of the room before they were made `
` aware of the cause of this noise. Cries of "Live the king! `
` Live the cardinal!" resounded on every side, and the drums `
` were beaten in all directions. `
` `
` In short, the king, impatient, as has been said, had come by `
` forced marches, and had that moment arrived with all his `
` household and a reinforcement of ten thousand troops. His `
` Musketeers proceeded and followed him. D'Artagnan, placed `
` in line with his company, saluted with an expressive gesture `
` his three friends, whose eyes soon discovered him, and M. de `
` Treville, who detected him at once. `
` `
` The ceremony of reception over, the four friends were soon `
` in one another's arms. `
` `
` "Pardieu!" cried d'Artagnan, "you could not have arrived in `
` better time; the dinner cannot have had time to get cold! `
` Can it, gentlemen?" added the young man, turning to the two `
` Guards, whom he introduced to his friends. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Porthos, "it appears we are feasting!" `
` `
` "I hope," said Aramis, "there are no women at your dinner." `
` `
` "Is there any drinkable wine in your tavern?" asked Athos. `
` `
` "Well, pardieu! there is yours, my dear friend," replied `
` d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Our wine!" said Athos, astonished. `
` `
` "Yes, that you sent me." `
` `
` "We sent you wine?" `
` `
` "You know very well--the wine from the hills of Anjou." `
` `
` "Yes, I know what brand you are talking about." `
` `
` "The wine you prefer." `
` `
` "Well, in the absence of champagne and chambertin, you must `
` content yourselves with that." `
` `
` "And so, connoisseurs in wine as we are, we have sent you `
` some Anjou wine?" said Porthos. `
` `
` "Not exactly, it is the wine that was sent by your order." `
` `
` "On our account?" said the three Musketeers. `
` `
` "Did you send this wine, Aramis?" said Athos. `
` `
` "No; and you, Porthos?" `
` `
` "No; and you, Athos?" `
` `
` "No!" `
` `
` "If it was not you, it was your purveyor," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Our purveyor!" `
` `
` "Yes, your purveyor, Godeau--the purveyor of the `
` Musketeers." `
` `
` "My faith! never mind where it comes from," said Porthos, `
` "let us taste it, and if it is good, let us drink it." `
` `
` "No," said Athos; "don't let us drink wine which comes from `
` an unknown source." `
` `
` "You are right, Athos," said d'Artagnan. "Did none of you `
` charge your purveyor, Godeau, to send me some wine?" `
` `
` "No! And yet you say he has sent you some as from us?" `
` `
` "Here is his letter," said d'Artagnan, and he presented the `
` note to his comrades. `
` `
` "This is not his writing!" said Athos. "I am acquainted `
` with it; before we left Villeroy I settled the accounts of `
` the regiment." `
` `
` "A false letter altogether," said Porthos, "we have not been `
` disciplined." `
` `
` "d'Artagnan," said Aramis, in a reproachful tone, "how could `
` you believe that we had made a disturbance?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan grew pale, and a convulsive trembling shook all `
`
` recital was for him the occasion of veritable triumph. The `
` whole army talked of this expedition for a day, and Monsieur `
` paid him his compliments upon it. Besides this, as every `
` great action bears its recompense with it, the brave exploit `
` of d'Artagnan resulted in the restoration of the tranquility `
` he had lost. In fact, d'Artagnan believed that he might be `
` tranquil, as one of his two enemies was killed and the other `
` devoted to his interests. `
` `
` This tranquillity proved one thing--that d'Artagnan did not `
` yet know Milady. `
` `
` `
` `
` 42 THE ANJOU WINE `
` `
` After the most disheartening news of the king's health, a `
` report of his convalescence began to prevail in the camp; `
` and as he was very anxious to be in person at the siege, it `
` was said that as soon as he could mount a horse he would set `
` forward. `
` `
` Meantime, Monsieur, who knew that from one day to the other `
` he might expect to be removed from his command by the Duc `
` d'Angouleme, by Bassompierre, or by Schomberg, who were all `
` eager for his post, did but little, lost his days in `
` wavering, and did not dare to attempt any great enterprise `
` to drive the English from the Isle of Re, where they still `
` besieged the citadel St. Martin and the fort of La Pree, as `
` on their side the French were besieging La Rochelle. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, as we have said, had become more tranquil, as `
` always happens after a past danger, particularly when the `
` danger seems to have vanished. He only felt one uneasiness, `
` and that was at not hearing any tidings from his friends. `
` `
` But one morning at the commencement of the month of November `
` everything was explained to him by this letter, dated from `
` Villeroy: `
` `
` `
` M. d'Artagnan, `
` `
` MM. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, after having `
` had an entertainment at my house and enjoying themselves `
` very much, created such a disturbance that the provost of `
` the castle, a rigid man, has ordered them to be confined for `
` some days; but I accomplish the order they have given me by `
` forwarding to you a dozen bottles of my Anjou wine, with `
` which they are much pleased. They are desirous that you `
` should drink to their health in their favorite wine. I have `
` done this, and am, monsieur, with great respect, `
` `
` Your very humble and obedient servant, `
` `
` Godeau, Purveyor of the Musketeers `
` `
` `
` "That's all well!" cried d'Artagnan. "They think of me in `
` their pleasures, as I thought of them in my troubles. Well, `
` I will certainly drink to their health with all my heart, `
` but I will not drink alone." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan went among those Guardsmen with whom he had `
` formed greater intimacy than with the others, to invite them `
` to enjoy with him this present of delicious Anjou wine which `
` had been sent him from Villeroy. `
` `
` One of the two Guardsmen was engaged that evening, and `
` another the next, so the meeting was fixed for the day after `
` that. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, on his return, sent the twelve bottles of wine `
` to the refreshment room of the Guards, with strict orders `
` that great care should be taken of it; and then, on the day `
` appointed, as the dinner was fixed for midday d'Artagnan `
` sent Planchet at nine in the morning to assist in preparing `
` everything for the entertainment. `
` `
` Planchet, very proud of being raised to the dignity of `
` landlord, thought he would make all ready, like an `
` intelligent man; and with this view called in the assistance `
` of the lackey of one of his master's guests, named Fourreau, `
` and the false soldier who had tried to kill d'Artagnan and `
` who, belonging to no corps, had entered into the service of `
` d'Artagnan, or rather of Planchet, after d'Artagnan had `
` saved his life. `
` `
` The hour of the banquet being come, the two guards arrived, `
` took their places, and the dishes were arranged on the `
` table. Planchet waited, towel on arm; Fourreau uncorked the `
` bottles; and Brisemont, which was the name of the `
` convalescent, poured the wine, which was a little shaken by `
` its journey, carefully into decanters. Of this wine, the `
` first bottle being a little thick at the bottom, Brisemont `
` poured the lees into a glass, and d'Artagnan desired him to `
` drink it, for the poor devil had not yet recovered his `
` strength. `
` `
` The guests having eaten the soup, were about to lift the `
` first glass of wine to their lips, when all at once the `
` cannon sounded from Fort Louis and Fort Neuf. The `
` Guardsmen, imagining this to be caused by some unexpected `
` attack, either of the besieged or the English, sprang to `
` their swords. D'Artagnan, not less forward than they, did `
` likewise, and all ran out, in order to repair to their `
` posts. `
` `
` But scarcely were they out of the room before they were made `
` aware of the cause of this noise. Cries of "Live the king! `
` Live the cardinal!" resounded on every side, and the drums `
` were beaten in all directions. `
` `
` In short, the king, impatient, as has been said, had come by `
` forced marches, and had that moment arrived with all his `
` household and a reinforcement of ten thousand troops. His `
` Musketeers proceeded and followed him. D'Artagnan, placed `
` in line with his company, saluted with an expressive gesture `
` his three friends, whose eyes soon discovered him, and M. de `
` Treville, who detected him at once. `
` `
` The ceremony of reception over, the four friends were soon `
` in one another's arms. `
` `
` "Pardieu!" cried d'Artagnan, "you could not have arrived in `
` better time; the dinner cannot have had time to get cold! `
` Can it, gentlemen?" added the young man, turning to the two `
` Guards, whom he introduced to his friends. `
` `
` "Ah, ah!" said Porthos, "it appears we are feasting!" `
` `
` "I hope," said Aramis, "there are no women at your dinner." `
` `
` "Is there any drinkable wine in your tavern?" asked Athos. `
` `
` "Well, pardieu! there is yours, my dear friend," replied `
` d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Our wine!" said Athos, astonished. `
` `
` "Yes, that you sent me." `
` `
` "We sent you wine?" `
` `
` "You know very well--the wine from the hills of Anjou." `
` `
` "Yes, I know what brand you are talking about." `
` `
` "The wine you prefer." `
` `
` "Well, in the absence of champagne and chambertin, you must `
` content yourselves with that." `
` `
` "And so, connoisseurs in wine as we are, we have sent you `
` some Anjou wine?" said Porthos. `
` `
` "Not exactly, it is the wine that was sent by your order." `
` `
` "On our account?" said the three Musketeers. `
` `
` "Did you send this wine, Aramis?" said Athos. `
` `
` "No; and you, Porthos?" `
` `
` "No; and you, Athos?" `
` `
` "No!" `
` `
` "If it was not you, it was your purveyor," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Our purveyor!" `
` `
` "Yes, your purveyor, Godeau--the purveyor of the `
` Musketeers." `
` `
` "My faith! never mind where it comes from," said Porthos, `
` "let us taste it, and if it is good, let us drink it." `
` `
` "No," said Athos; "don't let us drink wine which comes from `
` an unknown source." `
` `
` "You are right, Athos," said d'Artagnan. "Did none of you `
` charge your purveyor, Godeau, to send me some wine?" `
` `
` "No! And yet you say he has sent you some as from us?" `
` `
` "Here is his letter," said d'Artagnan, and he presented the `
` note to his comrades. `
` `
` "This is not his writing!" said Athos. "I am acquainted `
` with it; before we left Villeroy I settled the accounts of `
` the regiment." `
` `
` "A false letter altogether," said Porthos, "we have not been `
` disciplined." `
` `
` "d'Artagnan," said Aramis, in a reproachful tone, "how could `
` you believe that we had made a disturbance?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan grew pale, and a convulsive trembling shook all `
`