Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
of France with which I am unacquainted, and where I have never been `
` before?" `
` `
` "Oh," cried the novice, "as to friends, you would have them wherever you `
` want, you appear so good and are so beautiful!" `
` `
` "That does not prevent," replied Milady, softening her smile so as to `
` give it an angelic expression, "my being alone or being persecuted." `
` `
` "Hear me," said the novice; "we must trust in heaven. There always `
` comes a moment when the good you have done pleads your cause before God; `
` and see, perhaps it is a happiness for you, humble and powerless as I `
` am, that you have met with me, for if I leave this place, well-I have `
` powerful friends, who, after having exerted themselves on my account, `
` may also exert themselves for you." `
` `
` "Oh, when I said I was alone," said Milady, hoping to make the novice `
` talk by talking of herself, "it is not for want of friends in high `
` places; but these friends themselves tremble before the cardinal. The `
` queen herself does not dare to oppose the terrible minister. I have `
` proof that her Majesty, notwithstanding her excellent heart, has more `
` than once been obliged to abandon to the anger of his Eminence persons `
` who had served her." `
` `
` "Trust me, madame; the queen may appear to have abandoned those persons, `
` but we must not put faith in appearances. The more they are persecuted, `
` the more she thinks of them; and often, when they least expect it, they `
` have proof of a kind remembrance." `
` `
` "Alas!" said Milady, "I believe so; the queen is so good!" `
` `
` "Oh, you know her, then, that lovely and noble queen, that you speak of `
` her thus!" cried the novice, with enthusiasm. `
` `
` "That is to say," replied Milady, driven into her entrenchment, "that I `
` have not the honor of knowing her personally; but I know a great number `
` of her most intimate friends. I am acquainted with Monsieur de Putange; `
` I met Monsieur Dujart in England; I know Monsieur de Treville." `
` `
` "Monsieur de Treville!" exclaimed the novice, "do you know Monsieur de `
` Treville?" `
` `
` "Yes, perfectly well--intimately even." `
` `
` "The captain of the king's Musketeers?" `
` `
` "The captain of the king's Musketeers." `
` `
` "Why, then, only see!" cried the novice; "we shall soon be well `
` acquainted, almost friends. If you know Monsieur de Treville, you must `
` have visited him?" `
` `
` "Often!" said Milady, who, having entered this track, and perceiving `
` that falsehood succeeded, was determined to follow it to the end. `
` `
` "With him, then, you must have seen some of his Musketeers?" `
` `
` "All those he is in the habit of receiving!" replied Milady, for whom `
` this conversation began to have a real interest. `
` `
` "Name a few of those whom you know, and you will see if they are my `
` friends." `
` `
` "Well!" said Milady, embarrassed, "I know Monsieur de Louvigny, `
` Monsieur de Courtivron, Monsieur de Ferussac." `
` `
` The novice let her speak, then seeing that she paused, she said, "Don't `
` you know a gentleman named Athos?" `
` `
` Milady became as pale as the sheets in which she was lying, and mistress `
` as she was of herself, could not help uttering a cry, seizing the hand `
` of the novice, and devouring her with looks. `
` `
` "What is the matter? Good God!" asked the poor woman, "have I said `
` anything that has wounded you?" `
` `
` "No; but the name struck me, because I also have known that gentleman, `
` and it appeared strange to me to meet with a person who appears to know `
` him well." `
` `
` "Oh, yes, very well; not only him, but some of his friends, Messieurs `
` Porthos and Aramis!" `
` `
` "Indeed! you know them likewise? I know them," cried Milady, who began `
` to feel a chill penetrate her heart. `
` `
` "Well, if you know them, you know that they are good and free `
` companions. Why do you not apply to them, if you stand in need of `
` help?" `
` `
` "That is to say," stammered Milady, "I am not really very intimate with `
` any of them. I know them from having heard one of their friends, `
` Monsieur d'Artagnan, say a great deal about them." `
` `
` "You know Monsieur d'Artagnan!" cried the novice, in her turn seizing `
` the hands of Milady and devouring her with her eyes. `
` `
` Then remarking the strange expression of Milady's countenance, she said, `
` "Pardon me, madame; you know him by what title?" `
` `
` "Why," replied Milady, embarrassed, "why, by the title of friend." `
` `
` "You deceive me, madame," said the novice; "you have been his mistress!" `
` `
` "It is you who have been his mistress, madame!" cried Milady, in her `
` turn. `
` `
` "I?" said the novice. `
` `
` "Yes, you! I know you now. You are Madame Bonacieux!" `
` `
` The young woman drew back, filled with surprise and terror. `
` `
` "Oh, do not deny it! Answer!" continued Milady. `
` `
` "Well, yes, madame," said the novice, "Are we rivals?" `
` `
` The countenance of Milady was illumined by so savage a joy that under `
` any other circumstances Mme. Bonacieux would have fled in terror; but `
` she was absorbed by jealousy. `
` `
` "Speak, madame!" resumed Mme. Bonacieux, with an energy of which she `
` might not have been believed capable. "Have you been, or are you, his `
` mistress?" `
` `
` "Oh, no!" cried Milady, with an accent that admitted no doubt of her `
` truth. "Never, never!" `
` `
` "I believe you," said Mme. Bonacieux; "but why, then, did you cry out `
` so?" `
` `
` "Do you not understand?" said Milady, who had already overcome her `
` agitation and recovered all her presence of mind. `
` `
` "How can I understand? I know nothing." `
` `
` "Can you not understand that Monsieur d'Artagnan, being my friend, might `
` take me into his confidence?" `
` `
` "Truly?" `
` `
` "Do you not perceive that I know all--your abduction from the little `
` house at St. Germain, his despair, that of his friends, and their `
` useless inquiries up to this moment? How could I help being astonished `
` when, without having the least expectation of such a thing, I meet you `
` face to face--you, of whom we have so often spoken together, you whom he `
` loves with all his soul, you whom he had taught me to love before I had `
` seen you! Ah, dear Constance, I have found you, then; I see you at `
` last!" `
` `
` And Milady stretched out her arms to Mme. Bonacieux, who, convinced by `
` what she had just said, saw nothing in this woman whom an instant before `
` she had believed her rival but a sincere and devoted friend. `
` `
` "Oh, pardon me, pardon me!" cried she, sinking upon the shoulders of `
` Milady. "Pardon me, I love him so much!" `
` `
` These two women held each other for an instant in a close embrace. `
` Certainly, if Milady's strength had been equal to her hatred, Mme. `
` Bonacieux would never have left that embrace alive. But not being able `
` to stifle her, she smiled upon her. `
` `
` "Oh, you beautiful, good little creature!" said Milady. "How delighted `
` I am to have found you! Let me look at you!" and while saying these `
` words, she absolutely devoured her by her looks. "Oh, yes it is you `
` indeed! From what he has told me, I know you now. I recognize you `
` perfectly." `
` `
` The poor young woman could not possibly suspect what frightful cruelty `
` was behind the rampart of that pure brow, behind those brilliant eyes in `
` which she read nothing but interest and compassion. `
` `
` "Then you know what I have suffered," said Mme. Bonacieux, "since he `
` has told you what he has suffered; but to suffer for him is happiness." `
` `
` Milady replied mechanically, "Yes, that is happiness." She was thinking `
` of something else. `
` `
` "And then," continued Mme. Bonacieux, "my punishment is drawing to a `
` close. Tomorrow, this evening, perhaps, I shall see him again; and then `
` the past will no longer exist." `
` `
` "This evening?" asked Milady, roused from her reverie by these words. `
` "What do you mean? Do you expect news from him?" `
` `
` "I expect himself." `
` `
` "Himself? D'Artagnan here?" `
` `
` "Himself!" `
` `
` "But that's impossible! He is at the siege of La Rochelle with the `
` cardinal. He will not return till after the taking of the city." `
` `
` "Ah, you fancy so! But is there anything impossible for my d'Artagnan, `
` the noble and loyal gentleman?" `
` `
` "Oh, I cannot believe you!" `
` `
` "Well, read, then!" said the unhappy young woman, in the excess of her `
` pride and joy, presenting a letter to Milady. `
`
` before?" `
` `
` "Oh," cried the novice, "as to friends, you would have them wherever you `
` want, you appear so good and are so beautiful!" `
` `
` "That does not prevent," replied Milady, softening her smile so as to `
` give it an angelic expression, "my being alone or being persecuted." `
` `
` "Hear me," said the novice; "we must trust in heaven. There always `
` comes a moment when the good you have done pleads your cause before God; `
` and see, perhaps it is a happiness for you, humble and powerless as I `
` am, that you have met with me, for if I leave this place, well-I have `
` powerful friends, who, after having exerted themselves on my account, `
` may also exert themselves for you." `
` `
` "Oh, when I said I was alone," said Milady, hoping to make the novice `
` talk by talking of herself, "it is not for want of friends in high `
` places; but these friends themselves tremble before the cardinal. The `
` queen herself does not dare to oppose the terrible minister. I have `
` proof that her Majesty, notwithstanding her excellent heart, has more `
` than once been obliged to abandon to the anger of his Eminence persons `
` who had served her." `
` `
` "Trust me, madame; the queen may appear to have abandoned those persons, `
` but we must not put faith in appearances. The more they are persecuted, `
` the more she thinks of them; and often, when they least expect it, they `
` have proof of a kind remembrance." `
` `
` "Alas!" said Milady, "I believe so; the queen is so good!" `
` `
` "Oh, you know her, then, that lovely and noble queen, that you speak of `
` her thus!" cried the novice, with enthusiasm. `
` `
` "That is to say," replied Milady, driven into her entrenchment, "that I `
` have not the honor of knowing her personally; but I know a great number `
` of her most intimate friends. I am acquainted with Monsieur de Putange; `
` I met Monsieur Dujart in England; I know Monsieur de Treville." `
` `
` "Monsieur de Treville!" exclaimed the novice, "do you know Monsieur de `
` Treville?" `
` `
` "Yes, perfectly well--intimately even." `
` `
` "The captain of the king's Musketeers?" `
` `
` "The captain of the king's Musketeers." `
` `
` "Why, then, only see!" cried the novice; "we shall soon be well `
` acquainted, almost friends. If you know Monsieur de Treville, you must `
` have visited him?" `
` `
` "Often!" said Milady, who, having entered this track, and perceiving `
` that falsehood succeeded, was determined to follow it to the end. `
` `
` "With him, then, you must have seen some of his Musketeers?" `
` `
` "All those he is in the habit of receiving!" replied Milady, for whom `
` this conversation began to have a real interest. `
` `
` "Name a few of those whom you know, and you will see if they are my `
` friends." `
` `
` "Well!" said Milady, embarrassed, "I know Monsieur de Louvigny, `
` Monsieur de Courtivron, Monsieur de Ferussac." `
` `
` The novice let her speak, then seeing that she paused, she said, "Don't `
` you know a gentleman named Athos?" `
` `
` Milady became as pale as the sheets in which she was lying, and mistress `
` as she was of herself, could not help uttering a cry, seizing the hand `
` of the novice, and devouring her with looks. `
` `
` "What is the matter? Good God!" asked the poor woman, "have I said `
` anything that has wounded you?" `
` `
` "No; but the name struck me, because I also have known that gentleman, `
` and it appeared strange to me to meet with a person who appears to know `
` him well." `
` `
` "Oh, yes, very well; not only him, but some of his friends, Messieurs `
` Porthos and Aramis!" `
` `
` "Indeed! you know them likewise? I know them," cried Milady, who began `
` to feel a chill penetrate her heart. `
` `
` "Well, if you know them, you know that they are good and free `
` companions. Why do you not apply to them, if you stand in need of `
` help?" `
` `
` "That is to say," stammered Milady, "I am not really very intimate with `
` any of them. I know them from having heard one of their friends, `
` Monsieur d'Artagnan, say a great deal about them." `
` `
` "You know Monsieur d'Artagnan!" cried the novice, in her turn seizing `
` the hands of Milady and devouring her with her eyes. `
` `
` Then remarking the strange expression of Milady's countenance, she said, `
` "Pardon me, madame; you know him by what title?" `
` `
` "Why," replied Milady, embarrassed, "why, by the title of friend." `
` `
` "You deceive me, madame," said the novice; "you have been his mistress!" `
` `
` "It is you who have been his mistress, madame!" cried Milady, in her `
` turn. `
` `
` "I?" said the novice. `
` `
` "Yes, you! I know you now. You are Madame Bonacieux!" `
` `
` The young woman drew back, filled with surprise and terror. `
` `
` "Oh, do not deny it! Answer!" continued Milady. `
` `
` "Well, yes, madame," said the novice, "Are we rivals?" `
` `
` The countenance of Milady was illumined by so savage a joy that under `
` any other circumstances Mme. Bonacieux would have fled in terror; but `
` she was absorbed by jealousy. `
` `
` "Speak, madame!" resumed Mme. Bonacieux, with an energy of which she `
` might not have been believed capable. "Have you been, or are you, his `
` mistress?" `
` `
` "Oh, no!" cried Milady, with an accent that admitted no doubt of her `
` truth. "Never, never!" `
` `
` "I believe you," said Mme. Bonacieux; "but why, then, did you cry out `
` so?" `
` `
` "Do you not understand?" said Milady, who had already overcome her `
` agitation and recovered all her presence of mind. `
` `
` "How can I understand? I know nothing." `
` `
` "Can you not understand that Monsieur d'Artagnan, being my friend, might `
` take me into his confidence?" `
` `
` "Truly?" `
` `
` "Do you not perceive that I know all--your abduction from the little `
` house at St. Germain, his despair, that of his friends, and their `
` useless inquiries up to this moment? How could I help being astonished `
` when, without having the least expectation of such a thing, I meet you `
` face to face--you, of whom we have so often spoken together, you whom he `
` loves with all his soul, you whom he had taught me to love before I had `
` seen you! Ah, dear Constance, I have found you, then; I see you at `
` last!" `
` `
` And Milady stretched out her arms to Mme. Bonacieux, who, convinced by `
` what she had just said, saw nothing in this woman whom an instant before `
` she had believed her rival but a sincere and devoted friend. `
` `
` "Oh, pardon me, pardon me!" cried she, sinking upon the shoulders of `
` Milady. "Pardon me, I love him so much!" `
` `
` These two women held each other for an instant in a close embrace. `
` Certainly, if Milady's strength had been equal to her hatred, Mme. `
` Bonacieux would never have left that embrace alive. But not being able `
` to stifle her, she smiled upon her. `
` `
` "Oh, you beautiful, good little creature!" said Milady. "How delighted `
` I am to have found you! Let me look at you!" and while saying these `
` words, she absolutely devoured her by her looks. "Oh, yes it is you `
` indeed! From what he has told me, I know you now. I recognize you `
` perfectly." `
` `
` The poor young woman could not possibly suspect what frightful cruelty `
` was behind the rampart of that pure brow, behind those brilliant eyes in `
` which she read nothing but interest and compassion. `
` `
` "Then you know what I have suffered," said Mme. Bonacieux, "since he `
` has told you what he has suffered; but to suffer for him is happiness." `
` `
` Milady replied mechanically, "Yes, that is happiness." She was thinking `
` of something else. `
` `
` "And then," continued Mme. Bonacieux, "my punishment is drawing to a `
` close. Tomorrow, this evening, perhaps, I shall see him again; and then `
` the past will no longer exist." `
` `
` "This evening?" asked Milady, roused from her reverie by these words. `
` "What do you mean? Do you expect news from him?" `
` `
` "I expect himself." `
` `
` "Himself? D'Artagnan here?" `
` `
` "Himself!" `
` `
` "But that's impossible! He is at the siege of La Rochelle with the `
` cardinal. He will not return till after the taking of the city." `
` `
` "Ah, you fancy so! But is there anything impossible for my d'Artagnan, `
` the noble and loyal gentleman?" `
` `
` "Oh, I cannot believe you!" `
` `
` "Well, read, then!" said the unhappy young woman, in the excess of her `
` pride and joy, presenting a letter to Milady. `
`