Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
`
` "Then run to the door, and open it yourself." `
` `
` Felton obeyed; this woman was now his whole thought, his whole `
` soul. `
` `
` He found himself face to face with a sergeant commanding a watch- `
` patrol. `
` `
` "Well, what is the matter?" asked the young lieutenant. `
` `
` "You told me to open the door if I heard anyone cry out," said `
` the soldier; "but you forgot to leave me the key. I heard you `
` cry out, without understanding what you said. I tried to open `
` the door, but it was locked inside; then I called the sergeant." `
` `
` "And here I am," said the sergeant. `
` `
` Felton, quite bewildered, almost mad, stood speechless. `
` `
` Milady plainly perceived that it was now her turn to take part in `
` the scene. She ran to the table, and seizing the knife which `
` Felton had laid down, exclaimed, "And by what right will you `
` prevent me from dying?" `
` `
` "Great God!" exclaimed Felton, on seeing the knife glitter in her `
` hand. `
` `
` At that moment a burst of ironical laughter resounded through the `
` corridor. The baron, attracted by the noise, in his chamber `
` gown, his sword under his arm, stood in the doorway. `
` `
` "Ah," said he, "here we are, at the last act of the tragedy. You `
` see, Felton, the drama has gone through all the phases I named; `
` but be easy, no blood will flow." `
` `
` Milady perceived that all was lost unless she gave Felton an `
` immediate and terrible proof of her courage. `
` `
` "You are mistaken, my Lord, blood will flow; and may that blood `
` fall back on those who cause it to flow!" `
` `
` Felton uttered a cry, and rushed toward her. He was too late; `
` Milady had stabbed herself. `
` `
` But the knife had fortunately, we ought to say skillfully, come `
` in contact with the steel busk, which at that period, like a `
` cuirass, defended the chests of women. It had glided down it, `
` tearing the robe, and had penetrated slantingly between the flesh `
` and the ribs. Milady's robe was not the less stained with blood `
` in a second. `
` `
` Milady fell down, and seemed to be in a swoon. `
` `
` Felton snatched away the knife. `
` `
` "See, my Lord," said he, in a deep, gloomy tone, "here is a woman `
` who was under my guard, and who has killed herself!" `
` `
` "Be at ease, Felton," said Lord de Winter. "She is not dead; `
` demons do not die so easily. Be tranquil, and go wait for me in `
` my chamber." `
` `
` "But, my Lord--" `
` `
` "Go, sir, I command you!" `
` `
` At this injunction from his superior, Felton obeyed; but in going `
` out, he put the knife into his bosom. `
` `
` As to Lord de Winter, he contented himself with calling the woman `
` who waited on Milady, and when she was come, he recommended the `
` prisoner, who was still fainting, to her care, and left them `
` alone. `
` `
` Meanwhile, all things considered and notwithstanding his `
` suspicions, as the wound might be serious, he immediately sent `
` off a mounted man to find a physician. `
` `
` `
` `
` 58 ESCAPE `
` `
` As Lord de Winter had thought, Milady's wound was not dangerous. `
` So soon as she was left alone with the woman whom the baron had `
` summoned to her assistance she opened her eyes. `
` `
` It was, however, necessary to affect weakness and pain--not a `
` very difficult task for so finished an actress as Milady. Thus `
` the poor woman was completely the dupe of the prisoner, whom, `
` notwithstanding her hints, she persisted in watching all night. `
` `
` But the presence of this woman did not prevent Milady from `
` thinking. `
` `
` There was no longer a doubt that Felton was convinced; Felton was `
` hers. If an angel appeared to that young man as an accuser of `
` Milady, he would take him, in the mental disposition in which he `
` now found himself, for a messenger sent by the devil. `
` `
` Milady smiled at this thought, for Felton was now her only hope-- `
` her only means of safety. `
` `
` But Lord de Winter might suspect him; Felton himself might now be `
` watched! `
` `
` Toward four o'clock in the morning the doctor arrived; but since `
` the time Milady stabbed herself, however short, the wound had `
` closed. The doctor could therefore measure neither the direction `
` nor the depth of it; he only satisfied himself by Milady's pulse `
` that the case was not serious. `
` `
` In the morning Milady, under the pretext that she had not slept `
` well in the night and wanted rest, sent away the woman who `
` attended her. `
` `
` She had one hope, which was that Felton would appear at the `
` breakfast hour; but Felton did not come. `
` `
` Were her fears realized? Was Felton, suspected by the baron, `
` about to fail her at the decisive moment? She had only one day `
` left. Lord de Winter had announced her embarkation for the `
` twenty-third, and it was now the morning of the twenty-second. `
` `
` Nevertheless she still waited patiently till the hour for dinner. `
` `
` Although she had eaten nothing in the morning, the dinner was `
` brought in at its usual time. Milady then perceived, with `
` terror, that the uniform of the soldiers who guarded her was `
` changed. `
` `
` Then she ventured to ask what had become of Felton. `
` `
` She was told that he had left the castle an hour before on `
` horseback. She inquired if the baron was still at the castle. `
` The soldier replied that he was, and that he had given orders to `
` be informed if the prisoner wished to speak to him. `
` `
` Milady replied that she was too weak at present, and that her `
` only desire was to be left alone. `
` `
` The soldier went out, leaving the dinner served. `
` `
` Felton was sent away. The marines were removed. Felton was then `
` mistrusted. `
` `
` This was the last blow to the prisoner. `
` `
` Left alone, she arose. The bed, which she had kept from prudence `
` and that they might believe her seriously wounded, burned her `
` like a bed of fire. She cast a glance at the door; the baron had `
` had a plank nailed over the grating. He no doubt feared that by `
` this opening she might still by some diabolical means corrupt her `
` guards. `
` `
` Milady smiled with joy. She was free now to give way to her `
` transports without being observed. She traversed her chamber `
` with the excitement of a furious maniac or of a tigress shut up `
` in an iron cage. CERTES, if the knife had been left in her `
` power, she would now have thought, not of killing herself, but of `
` killing the baron. `
` `
` At six o'clock Lord de Winter came in. He was armed at all `
` points. This man, in whom Milady till that time had only seen a `
` very simple gentleman, had become an admirable jailer. He `
` appeared to foresee all, to divine all, to anticipate all. `
` `
` A single look at Milady apprised him of all that was passing in `
` her mind. `
` `
` "Ay!" said he, "I see; but you shall not kill me today. You `
` have no longer a weapon; and besides, I am on my guard. You had `
` begun to pervert my poor Felton. He was yielding to your `
` infernal influence; but I will save him. He will never see you `
` again; all is over. Get your clothes together. Tomorrow you `
` will go. I had fixed the embarkation for the twenty-fourth; but `
` I have reflected that the more promptly the affair takes place `
` the more sure it will be. Tomorrow, by twelve o'clock, I shall `
` have the order for your exile, signed, BUCKINGHAM. If you `
` speak a single word to anyone before going aboard ship, my `
` sergeant will blow your brains out. He has orders to do so. If `
` when on the ship you speak a single word to anyone before the `
` captain permits you, the captain will have you thrown into the `
` sea. That is agreed upon. `
` `
` "AU REVOIR; then; that is all I have to say today. Tomorrow I `
` will see you again, to take my leave." With these words the `
` baron went out. Milady had listened to all this menacing tirade `
` with a smile of disdain on her lips, but rage in her heart. `
` `
` Supper was served. Milady felt that she stood in need of all her `
` strength. She did not know what might take place during this `
` night which approached so menacingly--for large masses of cloud `
` rolled over the face of the sky, and distant lightning announced `
` a storm. `
` `
` The storm broke about ten o'clock. Milady felt a consolation in `
` seeing nature partake of the disorder of her heart. The thunder `
` growled in the air like the passion and anger in her thoughts. `
` It appeared to her that the blast as it swept along disheveled `
` her brow, as it bowed the branches of the trees and bore away `
`
` "Then run to the door, and open it yourself." `
` `
` Felton obeyed; this woman was now his whole thought, his whole `
` soul. `
` `
` He found himself face to face with a sergeant commanding a watch- `
` patrol. `
` `
` "Well, what is the matter?" asked the young lieutenant. `
` `
` "You told me to open the door if I heard anyone cry out," said `
` the soldier; "but you forgot to leave me the key. I heard you `
` cry out, without understanding what you said. I tried to open `
` the door, but it was locked inside; then I called the sergeant." `
` `
` "And here I am," said the sergeant. `
` `
` Felton, quite bewildered, almost mad, stood speechless. `
` `
` Milady plainly perceived that it was now her turn to take part in `
` the scene. She ran to the table, and seizing the knife which `
` Felton had laid down, exclaimed, "And by what right will you `
` prevent me from dying?" `
` `
` "Great God!" exclaimed Felton, on seeing the knife glitter in her `
` hand. `
` `
` At that moment a burst of ironical laughter resounded through the `
` corridor. The baron, attracted by the noise, in his chamber `
` gown, his sword under his arm, stood in the doorway. `
` `
` "Ah," said he, "here we are, at the last act of the tragedy. You `
` see, Felton, the drama has gone through all the phases I named; `
` but be easy, no blood will flow." `
` `
` Milady perceived that all was lost unless she gave Felton an `
` immediate and terrible proof of her courage. `
` `
` "You are mistaken, my Lord, blood will flow; and may that blood `
` fall back on those who cause it to flow!" `
` `
` Felton uttered a cry, and rushed toward her. He was too late; `
` Milady had stabbed herself. `
` `
` But the knife had fortunately, we ought to say skillfully, come `
` in contact with the steel busk, which at that period, like a `
` cuirass, defended the chests of women. It had glided down it, `
` tearing the robe, and had penetrated slantingly between the flesh `
` and the ribs. Milady's robe was not the less stained with blood `
` in a second. `
` `
` Milady fell down, and seemed to be in a swoon. `
` `
` Felton snatched away the knife. `
` `
` "See, my Lord," said he, in a deep, gloomy tone, "here is a woman `
` who was under my guard, and who has killed herself!" `
` `
` "Be at ease, Felton," said Lord de Winter. "She is not dead; `
` demons do not die so easily. Be tranquil, and go wait for me in `
` my chamber." `
` `
` "But, my Lord--" `
` `
` "Go, sir, I command you!" `
` `
` At this injunction from his superior, Felton obeyed; but in going `
` out, he put the knife into his bosom. `
` `
` As to Lord de Winter, he contented himself with calling the woman `
` who waited on Milady, and when she was come, he recommended the `
` prisoner, who was still fainting, to her care, and left them `
` alone. `
` `
` Meanwhile, all things considered and notwithstanding his `
` suspicions, as the wound might be serious, he immediately sent `
` off a mounted man to find a physician. `
` `
` `
` `
` 58 ESCAPE `
` `
` As Lord de Winter had thought, Milady's wound was not dangerous. `
` So soon as she was left alone with the woman whom the baron had `
` summoned to her assistance she opened her eyes. `
` `
` It was, however, necessary to affect weakness and pain--not a `
` very difficult task for so finished an actress as Milady. Thus `
` the poor woman was completely the dupe of the prisoner, whom, `
` notwithstanding her hints, she persisted in watching all night. `
` `
` But the presence of this woman did not prevent Milady from `
` thinking. `
` `
` There was no longer a doubt that Felton was convinced; Felton was `
` hers. If an angel appeared to that young man as an accuser of `
` Milady, he would take him, in the mental disposition in which he `
` now found himself, for a messenger sent by the devil. `
` `
` Milady smiled at this thought, for Felton was now her only hope-- `
` her only means of safety. `
` `
` But Lord de Winter might suspect him; Felton himself might now be `
` watched! `
` `
` Toward four o'clock in the morning the doctor arrived; but since `
` the time Milady stabbed herself, however short, the wound had `
` closed. The doctor could therefore measure neither the direction `
` nor the depth of it; he only satisfied himself by Milady's pulse `
` that the case was not serious. `
` `
` In the morning Milady, under the pretext that she had not slept `
` well in the night and wanted rest, sent away the woman who `
` attended her. `
` `
` She had one hope, which was that Felton would appear at the `
` breakfast hour; but Felton did not come. `
` `
` Were her fears realized? Was Felton, suspected by the baron, `
` about to fail her at the decisive moment? She had only one day `
` left. Lord de Winter had announced her embarkation for the `
` twenty-third, and it was now the morning of the twenty-second. `
` `
` Nevertheless she still waited patiently till the hour for dinner. `
` `
` Although she had eaten nothing in the morning, the dinner was `
` brought in at its usual time. Milady then perceived, with `
` terror, that the uniform of the soldiers who guarded her was `
` changed. `
` `
` Then she ventured to ask what had become of Felton. `
` `
` She was told that he had left the castle an hour before on `
` horseback. She inquired if the baron was still at the castle. `
` The soldier replied that he was, and that he had given orders to `
` be informed if the prisoner wished to speak to him. `
` `
` Milady replied that she was too weak at present, and that her `
` only desire was to be left alone. `
` `
` The soldier went out, leaving the dinner served. `
` `
` Felton was sent away. The marines were removed. Felton was then `
` mistrusted. `
` `
` This was the last blow to the prisoner. `
` `
` Left alone, she arose. The bed, which she had kept from prudence `
` and that they might believe her seriously wounded, burned her `
` like a bed of fire. She cast a glance at the door; the baron had `
` had a plank nailed over the grating. He no doubt feared that by `
` this opening she might still by some diabolical means corrupt her `
` guards. `
` `
` Milady smiled with joy. She was free now to give way to her `
` transports without being observed. She traversed her chamber `
` with the excitement of a furious maniac or of a tigress shut up `
` in an iron cage. CERTES, if the knife had been left in her `
` power, she would now have thought, not of killing herself, but of `
` killing the baron. `
` `
` At six o'clock Lord de Winter came in. He was armed at all `
` points. This man, in whom Milady till that time had only seen a `
` very simple gentleman, had become an admirable jailer. He `
` appeared to foresee all, to divine all, to anticipate all. `
` `
` A single look at Milady apprised him of all that was passing in `
` her mind. `
` `
` "Ay!" said he, "I see; but you shall not kill me today. You `
` have no longer a weapon; and besides, I am on my guard. You had `
` begun to pervert my poor Felton. He was yielding to your `
` infernal influence; but I will save him. He will never see you `
` again; all is over. Get your clothes together. Tomorrow you `
` will go. I had fixed the embarkation for the twenty-fourth; but `
` I have reflected that the more promptly the affair takes place `
` the more sure it will be. Tomorrow, by twelve o'clock, I shall `
` have the order for your exile, signed, BUCKINGHAM. If you `
` speak a single word to anyone before going aboard ship, my `
` sergeant will blow your brains out. He has orders to do so. If `
` when on the ship you speak a single word to anyone before the `
` captain permits you, the captain will have you thrown into the `
` sea. That is agreed upon. `
` `
` "AU REVOIR; then; that is all I have to say today. Tomorrow I `
` will see you again, to take my leave." With these words the `
` baron went out. Milady had listened to all this menacing tirade `
` with a smile of disdain on her lips, but rage in her heart. `
` `
` Supper was served. Milady felt that she stood in need of all her `
` strength. She did not know what might take place during this `
` night which approached so menacingly--for large masses of cloud `
` rolled over the face of the sky, and distant lightning announced `
` a storm. `
` `
` The storm broke about ten o'clock. Milady felt a consolation in `
` seeing nature partake of the disorder of her heart. The thunder `
` growled in the air like the passion and anger in her thoughts. `
` It appeared to her that the blast as it swept along disheveled `
` her brow, as it bowed the branches of the trees and bore away `
`