Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
`
` The young man pressed her to his heart. `
` `
` "But what is the matter with my hands!" asked Milady; "it seems `
` as if my wrists had been crushed in a vice." `
` `
` Milady held out her arms; her wrists were bruised. `
` `
` "Alas!" said Felton, looking at those beautiful hands, and `
` shaking his head sorrowfully. `
` `
` "Oh, it's nothing, nothing!" cried Milady. "I remember now." `
` `
` Milady looked around her, as if in search of something. `
` `
` "It is there," said Felton, touching the bag of money with his `
` foot. `
` `
` They drew near to the sloop. A sailor on watch hailed the boat; `
` the boat replied. `
` `
` "What vessel is that?" asked Milady. `
` `
` "The one I have hired for you." `
` `
` "Where will it take me?" `
` `
` "Where you please, after you have put me on shore at Portsmouth." `
` `
` "What are you going to do at Portsmouth?" asked Milady. `
` `
` "Accomplish the orders of Lord de Winter," said Felton, with a `
` gloomy smile. `
` `
` "What orders?" asked Milady. `
` `
` "You do not understand?" asked Felton. `
` `
` "No; explain yourself, I beg." `
` `
` "As he mistrusted me, he determined to guard you himself, and `
` sent me in his place to get Buckingham to sign the order for your `
` transportation." `
` `
` "But if he mistrusted you, how could he confide such an order to `
` you?" `
` `
` "How could I know what I was the bearer of?" `
` `
` "That's true! And you are going to Portsmouth?" `
` `
` "I have no time to lose. Tomorrow is the twenty-third, and `
` Buckingham sets sail tomorrow with his fleet." `
` `
` "He sets sail tomorrow! Where for?" `
` `
` "For La Rochelle." `
` `
` "He need not sail!" cried Milady, forgetting her usual presence `
` of mind. `
` `
` "Be satisfied," replied Felton; "he will not sail." `
` `
` Milady started with joy. She could read to the depths of the `
` heart of this young man; the death of Buckingham was written `
` there at full length. `
` `
` "Felton," cried she, "you are as great as Judas Maccabeus! If `
` you die, I will die with you; that is all I can say to you." `
` `
` "Silence!" cried Felton; "we are here." `
` `
` In fact, they touched the sloop. `
` `
` Felton mounted the ladder first, and gave his hand to Milady, `
` while the sailors supported her, for the sea was still much `
` agitated. `
` `
` An instant after they were on the deck. `
` `
` "Captain," said Felton, "this is person of whom I spoke to you, `
` and whom you must convey safe and sound to France." `
` `
` "For a thousand pistoles," said the captain. `
` `
` "I have paid you five hundred of them." `
` `
` "That's correct," said the captain. `
` `
` "And here are the other five hundred," replied Milady, placing `
` her hand upon the bag of gold. `
` `
` "No," said the captain, "I make but one bargain; and I have `
` agreed with this young man that the other five hundred shall not `
` be due to me till we arrive at Boulogne." `
` `
` "And shall we arrive there?" `
` `
` "Safe and sound, as true as my name's Jack Butler." `
` `
` "Well," said Milady, "if you keep your word, instead of five `
` hundred, I will give you a thousand pistoles." `
` `
` "Hurrah for you, then, my beautiful lady," cried the captain; `
` "and may God often send me such passengers as your Ladyship!" `
` `
` "Meanwhile," said Felton, "convey me to the little bay of--; you `
` know it was agreed you should put in there." `
` `
` The captain replied by ordering the necessary maneuvers, and `
` toward seven o'clock in the morning the little vessel cast anchor `
` in the bay that had been named. `
` `
` During this passage, Felton related everything to Milady--how, `
` instead of going to London, he had chartered the little vessel; `
` how he had returned; how he had scaled the wall by fastening `
` cramps in the interstices of the stones, as he ascended, to give `
` him foothold; and how, when he had reached the bars, he fastened `
` his ladder. Milady knew the rest. `
` `
` On her side, Milady tried to encourage Felton in his project; but `
` at the first words which issued from her mouth, she plainly saw `
` that the young fanatic stood more in need of being moderated than `
` urged. `
` `
` It was agreed that Milady should wait for Felton till ten `
` o'clock; if he did not return by ten o'clock she was to sail. `
` `
` In that case, and supposing he was at liberty, he was to rejoin `
` her in France, at the convent of the Carmelites at Bethune. `
` `
` `
` `
` 59 WHAT TOOK PLACE AT PORTSMOUTH AUGUST 23, 1628 `
` `
` Felton took leave of Milady as a brother about to go for a mere walk `
` takes leave of his sister, kissing her hand. `
` `
` His whole body appeared in its ordinary state of calmness, only an `
` unusual fire beamed from his eyes, like the effects of a fever; his brow `
` was more pale than it generally was; his teeth were clenched, and his `
` speech had a short dry accent which indicated that something dark was at `
` work within him. `
` `
` As long as he remained in the boat which conveyed him to land, he kept `
` his face toward Milady, who, standing on the deck, followed him with her `
` eyes. Both were free from the fear of pursuit; nobody ever came into `
` Milady's apartment before nine o'clock, and it would require three hours `
` to go from the castle to London. `
` `
` Felton jumped onshore, climbed the little ascent which led to the top of `
` the cliff, saluted Milady a last time, and took his course toward the `
` city. `
` `
` At the end of a hundred paces, the ground began to decline, and he could `
` only see the mast of the sloop. `
` `
` He immediately ran in the direction of Portsmouth, which he saw at `
` nearly half a league before him, standing out in the haze of the `
` morning, with its houses and towers. `
` `
` Beyond Portsmouth the sea was covered with vessels whose masts, like a `
` forest of poplars despoiled by the winter, bent with each breath of the `
` wind. `
` `
` Felton, in his rapid walk, reviewed in his mind all the accusations `
` against the favorite of James I and Charles I, furnished by two years of `
` premature meditation and a long sojourn among the Puritans. `
` `
` When he compared the public crimes of this minister--startling crimes, `
` European crimes, if so we may say--with the private and unknown crimes `
` with which Milady had charged him, Felton found that the more culpable `
` of the two men which formed the character of Buckingham was the one of `
` whom the public knew not the life. This was because his love, so `
` strange, so new, and so ardent, made him view the infamous and imaginary `
` accusations of Milady de Winter as, through a magnifying glass, one `
` views as frightful monsters atoms in reality imperceptible by the side `
` of an ant. `
` `
` The rapidity of his walk heated his blood still more; the idea that he `
` left behind him, exposed to a frightful vengeance, the woman he loved, `
` or rather whom he adored as a saint, the emotion he had experienced, `
` present fatigue--all together exalted his mind above human feeling. `
` `
` He entered Portsmouth about eight o'clock in the morning. The whole `
` population was on foot; drums were beating in the streets and in the `
` port; the troops about to embark were marching toward the sea. `
` `
` Felton arrived at the palace of the Admiralty, covered with dust, and `
` streaming with perspiration. His countenance, usually so pale, was `
` purple with heat and passion. The sentinel wanted to repulse him; but `
` Felton called to the officer of the post, and drawing from his pocket `
` the letter of which he was the bearer, he said, "A pressing message from `
` Lord de Winter." `
` `
` At the name of Lord de Winter, who was known to be one of his Grace's `
` most intimate friends, the officer of the post gave orders to let Felton `
` pass, who, besides, wore the uniform of a naval officer. `
` `
` Felton darted into the palace. `
` `
`
` The young man pressed her to his heart. `
` `
` "But what is the matter with my hands!" asked Milady; "it seems `
` as if my wrists had been crushed in a vice." `
` `
` Milady held out her arms; her wrists were bruised. `
` `
` "Alas!" said Felton, looking at those beautiful hands, and `
` shaking his head sorrowfully. `
` `
` "Oh, it's nothing, nothing!" cried Milady. "I remember now." `
` `
` Milady looked around her, as if in search of something. `
` `
` "It is there," said Felton, touching the bag of money with his `
` foot. `
` `
` They drew near to the sloop. A sailor on watch hailed the boat; `
` the boat replied. `
` `
` "What vessel is that?" asked Milady. `
` `
` "The one I have hired for you." `
` `
` "Where will it take me?" `
` `
` "Where you please, after you have put me on shore at Portsmouth." `
` `
` "What are you going to do at Portsmouth?" asked Milady. `
` `
` "Accomplish the orders of Lord de Winter," said Felton, with a `
` gloomy smile. `
` `
` "What orders?" asked Milady. `
` `
` "You do not understand?" asked Felton. `
` `
` "No; explain yourself, I beg." `
` `
` "As he mistrusted me, he determined to guard you himself, and `
` sent me in his place to get Buckingham to sign the order for your `
` transportation." `
` `
` "But if he mistrusted you, how could he confide such an order to `
` you?" `
` `
` "How could I know what I was the bearer of?" `
` `
` "That's true! And you are going to Portsmouth?" `
` `
` "I have no time to lose. Tomorrow is the twenty-third, and `
` Buckingham sets sail tomorrow with his fleet." `
` `
` "He sets sail tomorrow! Where for?" `
` `
` "For La Rochelle." `
` `
` "He need not sail!" cried Milady, forgetting her usual presence `
` of mind. `
` `
` "Be satisfied," replied Felton; "he will not sail." `
` `
` Milady started with joy. She could read to the depths of the `
` heart of this young man; the death of Buckingham was written `
` there at full length. `
` `
` "Felton," cried she, "you are as great as Judas Maccabeus! If `
` you die, I will die with you; that is all I can say to you." `
` `
` "Silence!" cried Felton; "we are here." `
` `
` In fact, they touched the sloop. `
` `
` Felton mounted the ladder first, and gave his hand to Milady, `
` while the sailors supported her, for the sea was still much `
` agitated. `
` `
` An instant after they were on the deck. `
` `
` "Captain," said Felton, "this is person of whom I spoke to you, `
` and whom you must convey safe and sound to France." `
` `
` "For a thousand pistoles," said the captain. `
` `
` "I have paid you five hundred of them." `
` `
` "That's correct," said the captain. `
` `
` "And here are the other five hundred," replied Milady, placing `
` her hand upon the bag of gold. `
` `
` "No," said the captain, "I make but one bargain; and I have `
` agreed with this young man that the other five hundred shall not `
` be due to me till we arrive at Boulogne." `
` `
` "And shall we arrive there?" `
` `
` "Safe and sound, as true as my name's Jack Butler." `
` `
` "Well," said Milady, "if you keep your word, instead of five `
` hundred, I will give you a thousand pistoles." `
` `
` "Hurrah for you, then, my beautiful lady," cried the captain; `
` "and may God often send me such passengers as your Ladyship!" `
` `
` "Meanwhile," said Felton, "convey me to the little bay of--; you `
` know it was agreed you should put in there." `
` `
` The captain replied by ordering the necessary maneuvers, and `
` toward seven o'clock in the morning the little vessel cast anchor `
` in the bay that had been named. `
` `
` During this passage, Felton related everything to Milady--how, `
` instead of going to London, he had chartered the little vessel; `
` how he had returned; how he had scaled the wall by fastening `
` cramps in the interstices of the stones, as he ascended, to give `
` him foothold; and how, when he had reached the bars, he fastened `
` his ladder. Milady knew the rest. `
` `
` On her side, Milady tried to encourage Felton in his project; but `
` at the first words which issued from her mouth, she plainly saw `
` that the young fanatic stood more in need of being moderated than `
` urged. `
` `
` It was agreed that Milady should wait for Felton till ten `
` o'clock; if he did not return by ten o'clock she was to sail. `
` `
` In that case, and supposing he was at liberty, he was to rejoin `
` her in France, at the convent of the Carmelites at Bethune. `
` `
` `
` `
` 59 WHAT TOOK PLACE AT PORTSMOUTH AUGUST 23, 1628 `
` `
` Felton took leave of Milady as a brother about to go for a mere walk `
` takes leave of his sister, kissing her hand. `
` `
` His whole body appeared in its ordinary state of calmness, only an `
` unusual fire beamed from his eyes, like the effects of a fever; his brow `
` was more pale than it generally was; his teeth were clenched, and his `
` speech had a short dry accent which indicated that something dark was at `
` work within him. `
` `
` As long as he remained in the boat which conveyed him to land, he kept `
` his face toward Milady, who, standing on the deck, followed him with her `
` eyes. Both were free from the fear of pursuit; nobody ever came into `
` Milady's apartment before nine o'clock, and it would require three hours `
` to go from the castle to London. `
` `
` Felton jumped onshore, climbed the little ascent which led to the top of `
` the cliff, saluted Milady a last time, and took his course toward the `
` city. `
` `
` At the end of a hundred paces, the ground began to decline, and he could `
` only see the mast of the sloop. `
` `
` He immediately ran in the direction of Portsmouth, which he saw at `
` nearly half a league before him, standing out in the haze of the `
` morning, with its houses and towers. `
` `
` Beyond Portsmouth the sea was covered with vessels whose masts, like a `
` forest of poplars despoiled by the winter, bent with each breath of the `
` wind. `
` `
` Felton, in his rapid walk, reviewed in his mind all the accusations `
` against the favorite of James I and Charles I, furnished by two years of `
` premature meditation and a long sojourn among the Puritans. `
` `
` When he compared the public crimes of this minister--startling crimes, `
` European crimes, if so we may say--with the private and unknown crimes `
` with which Milady had charged him, Felton found that the more culpable `
` of the two men which formed the character of Buckingham was the one of `
` whom the public knew not the life. This was because his love, so `
` strange, so new, and so ardent, made him view the infamous and imaginary `
` accusations of Milady de Winter as, through a magnifying glass, one `
` views as frightful monsters atoms in reality imperceptible by the side `
` of an ant. `
` `
` The rapidity of his walk heated his blood still more; the idea that he `
` left behind him, exposed to a frightful vengeance, the woman he loved, `
` or rather whom he adored as a saint, the emotion he had experienced, `
` present fatigue--all together exalted his mind above human feeling. `
` `
` He entered Portsmouth about eight o'clock in the morning. The whole `
` population was on foot; drums were beating in the streets and in the `
` port; the troops about to embark were marching toward the sea. `
` `
` Felton arrived at the palace of the Admiralty, covered with dust, and `
` streaming with perspiration. His countenance, usually so pale, was `
` purple with heat and passion. The sentinel wanted to repulse him; but `
` Felton called to the officer of the post, and drawing from his pocket `
` the letter of which he was the bearer, he said, "A pressing message from `
` Lord de Winter." `
` `
` At the name of Lord de Winter, who was known to be one of his Grace's `
` most intimate friends, the officer of the post gave orders to let Felton `
` pass, who, besides, wore the uniform of a naval officer. `
` `
` Felton darted into the palace. `
` `
`