Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
D'Artagnan grew pale, and a convulsive trembling shook all `
` his limbs. `
` `
` "Thou alarmest me!" said Athos, who never used thee and thou `
` but upon very particular occasions, "what has happened?" `
` `
` "Look you, my friends!" cried d'Artagnan, "a horrible `
` suspicion crosses my mind! Can this be another vengeance of `
` that woman?" `
` `
` It was now Athos who turned pale. `
` `
` D'Artagnan rushed toward the refreshment room, the three `
` Musketeers and the two Guards following him. `
` `
` The first object that met the eyes of d'Artagnan on entering `
` the room was Brisemont, stretched upon the ground and `
` rolling in horrible convulsions. `
` `
` Planchet and Fourreau, as pale as death, were trying to give `
` him succor; but it was plain that all assistance was `
` useless--all the features of the dying man were distorted `
` with agony. `
` `
` "Ah!" cried he, on perceiving d'Artagnan, "ah! this is `
` frightful! You pretend to pardon me, and you poison me!" `
` `
` "I!" cried d'Artagnan. "I, wretch? What do you say?" `
` `
` "I say that it was you who gave me the wine; I say that it `
` was you who desired me to drink it. I say you wished to `
` avenge yourself on me, and I say that it is horrible!" `
` `
` "Do not think so, Brisemont," said d'Artagnan; "do not think `
` so. I swear to you, I protest--" `
` `
` "Oh, but God is above! God will punish you! My God, grant `
` that he may one day suffer what I suffer!" `
` `
` "Upon the Gospel," said d'Artagnan, throwing himself down by `
` the dying man, "I swear to you that the wine was poisoned `
` and that I was going to drink of it as you did." `
` `
` "I do not believe you," cried the soldier, and he expired `
` amid horrible tortures. `
` `
` "Frightful! frightful!" murmured Athos, while Porthos broke `
` the bottles and Aramis gave orders, a little too late, that `
` a confessor should be sent for. `
` `
` "Oh, my friends," said d'Artagnan, "you come once more to `
` save my life, not only mine but that of these gentlemen. `
` Gentlemen," continued he, addressing the Guardsmen, "I `
` request you will be silent with regard to this adventure. `
` Great personages may have had a hand in what you have seen, `
` and if talked about, the evil would only recoil upon us." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" stammered Planchet, more dead than alive, `
` "ah, monsieur, what an escape I have had!" `
` `
` "How, sirrah! you were going to drink my wine?" `
` `
` "To the health of the king, monsieur; I was going to drink a `
` small glass of it if Fourreau had not told me I was called." `
` `
` "Alas!" said Fourreau, whose teeth chattered with terror, `
` "I wanted to get him out of the way that I might drink myself." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, addressing the Guardsmen, "you `
` may easily comprehend that such a feast can only be very `
` dull after what has taken place; so accept my excuses, and `
` put off the party till another day, I beg of you." `
` `
` The two Guardsmen courteously accepted d'Artagnan's excuses, `
` and perceiving that the four friends desired to be alone, `
` retired. `
` `
` When the young Guardsman and the three Musketeers were `
` without witnesses, they looked at one another with an air `
` which plainly expressed that each of them perceived the `
` gravity of their situation. `
` `
` "In the first place," said Athos, "let us leave this `
` chamber; the dead are not agreeable company, particularly `
` when they have died a violent death." `
` `
` "Planchet," said d'Artagnan, "I commit the corpse of this `
` poor devil to your care. Let him be interred in holy `
` ground. He committed a crime, it is true; but he repented `
` of it." `
` `
` And the four friends quit the room, leaving to Planchet and `
` Fourreau the duty of paying mortuary honors to Brisemont. `
` `
` The host gave them another chamber, and served them with `
` fresh eggs and some water, which Athos went himself to draw `
` at the fountain. In a few words, Porthos and Aramis were `
` posted as to the situation. `
` `
` "Well," said d'Artagnan to Athos, "you see, my dear friend, `
` that this is war to the death." `
` `
` Athos shook his head. `
` `
` "Yes, yes," replied he, "I perceive that plainly; but do you `
` really believe it is she?" `
` `
` "I am sure of it." `
` `
` "Nevertheless, I confess I still doubt." `
` `
` "But the fleur-de-lis on her shoulder?" `
` `
` "She is some Englishwoman who has committed a crime in `
` France, and has been branded in consequence." `
` `
` "Athos, she is your wife, I tell you," repeated d'Artagnan; `
` "only reflect how much the two descriptions resemble each `
` other." `
` `
` "Yes; but I should think the other must be dead, I hanged `
` her so effectually." `
` `
` It was d'Artagnan who now shook his head in his turn. `
` `
` "But in either case, what is to be done?" said the young `
` man. `
` `
` "The fact is, one cannot remain thus, with a sword hanging `
` eternally over his head," said Athos. "We must extricate `
` ourselves from this position." `
` `
` "But how?" `
` `
` "Listen! You must try to see her, and have an explanation `
` with her. Say to her: 'Peace or war! My word as a `
` gentleman never to say anything of you, never to do anything `
` against you; on your side, a solemn oath to remain neutral `
` with respect to me. If not, I will apply to the chancellor, `
` I will apply to the king, I will apply to the hangman, I `
` will move the courts against you, I will denounce you as `
` branded, I will bring you to trial; and if you are `
` acquitted, well, by the faith of a gentleman, I will kill `
` you at the corner of some wall, as I would a mad dog.'" `
` `
` "I like the means well enough," said d'Artagnan, "but where `
` and how to meet with her?" `
` `
` "Time, dear friend, time brings round opportunity; `
` opportunity is the martingale of man. The more we have `
` ventured the more we gain, when we know how to wait." `
` `
` "Yes; but to wait surrounded by assassins and poisoners." `
` `
` "Bah!" said Athos. "God has preserved us hitherto, God will `
` preserve us still." `
` `
` "Yes, we. Besides, we are men; and everything considered, `
` it is our lot to risk our lives; but she," asked he, in an `
` undertone. `
` `
` "What she?" asked Athos. `
` `
` "Constance." `
` `
` "Madame Bonacieux! Ah, that's true!" said Athos. "My poor `
` friend, I had forgotten you were in love." `
` `
` "Well, but," said Aramis, "have you not learned by the `
` letter you found on the wretched corpse that she is in a `
` convent? One may be very comfortable in a convent; and as `
` soon as the siege of La Rochelle is terminated, I promise `
` you on my part--" `
` `
` "Good," cried Athos, "good! Yes, my dear Aramis, we all `
` know that your views have a religious tendency." `
` `
` "I am only temporarily a Musketeer," said Aramis, humbly. `
` `
` "It is some time since we heard from his mistress," said `
` Athos, in a low voice. "But take no notice; we know all `
` about that." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "it appears to me that the means are `
` very simple." `
` `
` "What?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "You say she is in a convent?" replied Porthos. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Very well. As soon as the siege is over, we'll carry her `
` off from that convent." `
` `
` "But we must first learn what convent she is in." `
` `
` "That's true," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But I think I have it," said Athos. "Don't you say, dear `
` d'Artagnan, that it is the queen who has made choice of the `
`
` his limbs. `
` `
` "Thou alarmest me!" said Athos, who never used thee and thou `
` but upon very particular occasions, "what has happened?" `
` `
` "Look you, my friends!" cried d'Artagnan, "a horrible `
` suspicion crosses my mind! Can this be another vengeance of `
` that woman?" `
` `
` It was now Athos who turned pale. `
` `
` D'Artagnan rushed toward the refreshment room, the three `
` Musketeers and the two Guards following him. `
` `
` The first object that met the eyes of d'Artagnan on entering `
` the room was Brisemont, stretched upon the ground and `
` rolling in horrible convulsions. `
` `
` Planchet and Fourreau, as pale as death, were trying to give `
` him succor; but it was plain that all assistance was `
` useless--all the features of the dying man were distorted `
` with agony. `
` `
` "Ah!" cried he, on perceiving d'Artagnan, "ah! this is `
` frightful! You pretend to pardon me, and you poison me!" `
` `
` "I!" cried d'Artagnan. "I, wretch? What do you say?" `
` `
` "I say that it was you who gave me the wine; I say that it `
` was you who desired me to drink it. I say you wished to `
` avenge yourself on me, and I say that it is horrible!" `
` `
` "Do not think so, Brisemont," said d'Artagnan; "do not think `
` so. I swear to you, I protest--" `
` `
` "Oh, but God is above! God will punish you! My God, grant `
` that he may one day suffer what I suffer!" `
` `
` "Upon the Gospel," said d'Artagnan, throwing himself down by `
` the dying man, "I swear to you that the wine was poisoned `
` and that I was going to drink of it as you did." `
` `
` "I do not believe you," cried the soldier, and he expired `
` amid horrible tortures. `
` `
` "Frightful! frightful!" murmured Athos, while Porthos broke `
` the bottles and Aramis gave orders, a little too late, that `
` a confessor should be sent for. `
` `
` "Oh, my friends," said d'Artagnan, "you come once more to `
` save my life, not only mine but that of these gentlemen. `
` Gentlemen," continued he, addressing the Guardsmen, "I `
` request you will be silent with regard to this adventure. `
` Great personages may have had a hand in what you have seen, `
` and if talked about, the evil would only recoil upon us." `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur!" stammered Planchet, more dead than alive, `
` "ah, monsieur, what an escape I have had!" `
` `
` "How, sirrah! you were going to drink my wine?" `
` `
` "To the health of the king, monsieur; I was going to drink a `
` small glass of it if Fourreau had not told me I was called." `
` `
` "Alas!" said Fourreau, whose teeth chattered with terror, `
` "I wanted to get him out of the way that I might drink myself." `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said d'Artagnan, addressing the Guardsmen, "you `
` may easily comprehend that such a feast can only be very `
` dull after what has taken place; so accept my excuses, and `
` put off the party till another day, I beg of you." `
` `
` The two Guardsmen courteously accepted d'Artagnan's excuses, `
` and perceiving that the four friends desired to be alone, `
` retired. `
` `
` When the young Guardsman and the three Musketeers were `
` without witnesses, they looked at one another with an air `
` which plainly expressed that each of them perceived the `
` gravity of their situation. `
` `
` "In the first place," said Athos, "let us leave this `
` chamber; the dead are not agreeable company, particularly `
` when they have died a violent death." `
` `
` "Planchet," said d'Artagnan, "I commit the corpse of this `
` poor devil to your care. Let him be interred in holy `
` ground. He committed a crime, it is true; but he repented `
` of it." `
` `
` And the four friends quit the room, leaving to Planchet and `
` Fourreau the duty of paying mortuary honors to Brisemont. `
` `
` The host gave them another chamber, and served them with `
` fresh eggs and some water, which Athos went himself to draw `
` at the fountain. In a few words, Porthos and Aramis were `
` posted as to the situation. `
` `
` "Well," said d'Artagnan to Athos, "you see, my dear friend, `
` that this is war to the death." `
` `
` Athos shook his head. `
` `
` "Yes, yes," replied he, "I perceive that plainly; but do you `
` really believe it is she?" `
` `
` "I am sure of it." `
` `
` "Nevertheless, I confess I still doubt." `
` `
` "But the fleur-de-lis on her shoulder?" `
` `
` "She is some Englishwoman who has committed a crime in `
` France, and has been branded in consequence." `
` `
` "Athos, she is your wife, I tell you," repeated d'Artagnan; `
` "only reflect how much the two descriptions resemble each `
` other." `
` `
` "Yes; but I should think the other must be dead, I hanged `
` her so effectually." `
` `
` It was d'Artagnan who now shook his head in his turn. `
` `
` "But in either case, what is to be done?" said the young `
` man. `
` `
` "The fact is, one cannot remain thus, with a sword hanging `
` eternally over his head," said Athos. "We must extricate `
` ourselves from this position." `
` `
` "But how?" `
` `
` "Listen! You must try to see her, and have an explanation `
` with her. Say to her: 'Peace or war! My word as a `
` gentleman never to say anything of you, never to do anything `
` against you; on your side, a solemn oath to remain neutral `
` with respect to me. If not, I will apply to the chancellor, `
` I will apply to the king, I will apply to the hangman, I `
` will move the courts against you, I will denounce you as `
` branded, I will bring you to trial; and if you are `
` acquitted, well, by the faith of a gentleman, I will kill `
` you at the corner of some wall, as I would a mad dog.'" `
` `
` "I like the means well enough," said d'Artagnan, "but where `
` and how to meet with her?" `
` `
` "Time, dear friend, time brings round opportunity; `
` opportunity is the martingale of man. The more we have `
` ventured the more we gain, when we know how to wait." `
` `
` "Yes; but to wait surrounded by assassins and poisoners." `
` `
` "Bah!" said Athos. "God has preserved us hitherto, God will `
` preserve us still." `
` `
` "Yes, we. Besides, we are men; and everything considered, `
` it is our lot to risk our lives; but she," asked he, in an `
` undertone. `
` `
` "What she?" asked Athos. `
` `
` "Constance." `
` `
` "Madame Bonacieux! Ah, that's true!" said Athos. "My poor `
` friend, I had forgotten you were in love." `
` `
` "Well, but," said Aramis, "have you not learned by the `
` letter you found on the wretched corpse that she is in a `
` convent? One may be very comfortable in a convent; and as `
` soon as the siege of La Rochelle is terminated, I promise `
` you on my part--" `
` `
` "Good," cried Athos, "good! Yes, my dear Aramis, we all `
` know that your views have a religious tendency." `
` `
` "I am only temporarily a Musketeer," said Aramis, humbly. `
` `
` "It is some time since we heard from his mistress," said `
` Athos, in a low voice. "But take no notice; we know all `
` about that." `
` `
` "Well," said Porthos, "it appears to me that the means are `
` very simple." `
` `
` "What?" asked d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "You say she is in a convent?" replied Porthos. `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Very well. As soon as the siege is over, we'll carry her `
` off from that convent." `
` `
` "But we must first learn what convent she is in." `
` `
` "That's true," said Porthos. `
` `
` "But I think I have it," said Athos. "Don't you say, dear `
` d'Artagnan, that it is the queen who has made choice of the `
`