Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.41-67
d'Artagnan that he will go straight to La Rochelle." `
` `
` "I must place him in the hands of guards who will take him into camp." `
` `
` "We will be his guards, monsieur, upon our word as gentlemen; but `
` likewise, upon our word as gentlemen," added Athos, knitting his brow, `
` "Monsieur d'Artagnan shall not leave us." `
` `
` The Chevalier de Rochefort cast a glance backward, and saw that Porthos `
` and Aramis had placed themselves between him and the gate; he understood `
` that he was completely at the mercy of these four men. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said he, "if Monsieur d'Artagnan will surrender his sword `
` to me and join his word to yours, I shall be satisfied with your promise `
` to convey Monsieur d'Artagnan to the quarters of Monseigneur the `
` Cardinal." `
` `
` "You have my word, monsieur, and here is my sword." `
` `
` "This suits me the better," said Rochefort, "as I wish to continue my `
` journey." `
` `
` "If it is for the purpose of rejoining Milady," said Athos, coolly, "it `
` is useless; you will not find her." `
` `
` "What has become of her, then?" asked Rochefort, eagerly. `
` `
` "Return to camp and you shall know." `
` `
` Rochefort remained for a moment in thought; then, as they were only a `
` day's journey from Surgeres, whither the cardinal was to come to meet `
` the king, he resolved to follow the advice of Athos and go with them. `
` Besides, this return offered him the advantage of watching his prisoner. `
` `
` They resumed their route. `
` `
` On the morrow, at three o'clock in the afternoon, they arrived at `
` Surgeres. The cardinal there awaited Louis XIII. The minister and the `
` king exchanged numerous caresses, felicitating each other upon the `
` fortunate chance which had freed France from the inveterate enemy who `
` set all Europe against her. After which, the cardinal, who had been `
` informed that d'Artagnan was arrested and who was anxious to see him, `
` took leave of the king, inviting him to come the next day to view the `
` work already done upon the dyke. `
` `
` On returning in the evening to his quarters at the bridge of La Pierre, `
` the cardinal found, standing before the house he occupied, d'Artagnan, `
` without his sword, and the three Musketeers armed. `
` `
` This time, as he was well attended, he looked at them sternly, and made `
` a sign with his eye and hand for d'Artagnan to follow him. `
` `
` D'Artagnan obeyed. `
` `
` "We shall wait for you, d'Artagnan," said Athos, loud enough for the `
` cardinal to hear him. `
` `
` His Eminence bent his brow, stopped for an instant, and then kept on his `
` way without uttering a single word. `
` `
` D'Artagnan entered after the cardinal, and behind d'Artagnan the door `
` was guarded. `
` `
` His Eminence entered the chamber which served him as a study, and made a `
` sign to Rochefort to bring in the young Musketeer. `
` `
` Rochefort obeyed and retired. `
` `
` D'Artagnan remained alone in front of the cardinal; this was his second `
` interview with Richelieu, and he afterward confessed that he felt well `
` assured it would be his last. `
` `
` Richelieu remained standing, leaning against the mantelpiece; a table `
` was between him and d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Monsieur," said the cardinal, "you have been arrested by my orders." `
` `
` "So they tell me, monseigneur." `
` `
` "Do you know why?" `
` `
` "No, monseigneur, for the only thing for which I could be arrested is `
` still unknown to your Eminence." `
` `
` Richelieu looked steadfastly at the young man. `
` `
` "Holloa!" said he, "what does that mean?" `
` `
` "If Monseigneur will have the goodness to tell me, in the first place, `
` what crimes are imputed to me, I will then tell him the deeds I have `
` really done." `
` `
` "Crimes are imputed to you which had brought down far loftier heads than `
` yours, monsieur," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "What, monseigneur?" said d'Artagnan, with a calmness which astonished `
` the cardinal himself. `
` `
` "You are charged with having corresponded with the enemies of the `
` kingdom; you are charged with having surprised state secrets; you are `
` charged with having tried to thwart the plans of your general." `
` `
` "And who charges me with this, monseigneur?" said d'Artagnan, who had `
` no doubt the accusation came from Milady, "a woman branded by the `
` justice of the country; a woman who has espoused one man in France and `
` another in England; a woman who poisoned her second husband and who `
` attempted both to poison and assassinate me!" `
` `
` "What do you say, monsieur?" cried the cardinal, astonished; "and of `
` what woman are you speaking thus?" `
` `
` "Of Milady de Winter," replied d'Artagnan, "yes, of Milady de Winter, of `
` whose crimes your Eminence is doubtless ignorant, since you have honored `
` her with your confidence." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said the cardinal, "if Milady de Winter has committed the `
` crimes you lay to her charge, she shall be punished." `
` `
` "She has been punished, monseigneur." `
` `
` "And who has punished her?" `
` `
` "We." `
` `
` "She is in prison?" `
` `
` "She is dead." `
` `
` "Dead!" repeated the cardinal, who could not believe what he heard, `
` "dead! Did you not say she was dead?" `
` `
` "Three times she attempted to kill me, and I pardoned her; but she `
` murdered the woman I loved. Then my friends and I took her, tried her, `
` and condemned her." `
` `
` D'Artagnan then related the poisoning of Mme. Bonacieux in the convent `
` of the Carmelites at Bethune, the trial in the isolated house, and the `
` execution on the banks of the Lys. `
` `
` A shudder crept through the body of the cardinal, who did not shudder `
` readily. `
` `
` But all at once, as if undergoing the influence of an unspoken thought, `
` the countenance of the cardinal, till then gloomy, cleared up by `
` degrees, and recovered perfect serenity. `
` `
` "So," said the cardinal, in a tone that contrasted strongly with the `
` severity of his words, "you have constituted yourselves judges, without `
` remembering that they who punish without license to punish are `
` assassins?" `
` `
` "Monseigneur, I swear to you that I never for an instant had the `
` intention of defending my head against you. I willingly submit to any `
` punishment your Eminence may please to inflict upon me. I do not hold `
` life dear enough to be afraid of death." `
` `
` "Yes, I know you are a man of a stout heart, monsieur," said the `
` cardinal, with a voice almost affectionate; "I can therefore tell you `
` beforehand you shall be tried, and even condemned." `
` `
` "Another might reply to your Eminence that he had his pardon in his `
` pocket. I content myself with saying: Command, monseigneur; I am `
` ready." `
` `
` "Your pardon?" said Richelieu, surprised. `
` `
` "Yes, monseigneur," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "And signed by whom--by the king?" And the cardinal pronounced these `
` words with a singular expression of contempt. `
` `
` "No, by your Eminence." `
` `
` "By me? You are insane, monsieur." `
` `
` "Monseigneur will doubtless recognize his own handwriting." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan presented to the cardinal the precious piece of paper `
` which Athos had forced from Milady, and which he had given to d'Artagnan `
` to serve him as a safeguard. `
` `
` His Eminence took the paper, and read in a slow voice, dwelling upon `
` every syllable: `
` `
` `
` "Dec. 3, 1627 `
` `
` "It is by my order and for the good of the state that the bearer of this `
` has done what he has done. `
` `
` "RICHELIEU" `
` `
` `
` The cardinal, after having read these two lines, sank into a profound `
` reverie; but he did not return the paper to d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "He is meditating by what sort of punishment he shall cause me to die," `
` said the Gascon to himself. "Well, my faith! he shall see how a `
` gentleman can die." `
` `
` The young Musketeer was in excellent disposition to die heroically. `
`
` `
` "I must place him in the hands of guards who will take him into camp." `
` `
` "We will be his guards, monsieur, upon our word as gentlemen; but `
` likewise, upon our word as gentlemen," added Athos, knitting his brow, `
` "Monsieur d'Artagnan shall not leave us." `
` `
` The Chevalier de Rochefort cast a glance backward, and saw that Porthos `
` and Aramis had placed themselves between him and the gate; he understood `
` that he was completely at the mercy of these four men. `
` `
` "Gentlemen," said he, "if Monsieur d'Artagnan will surrender his sword `
` to me and join his word to yours, I shall be satisfied with your promise `
` to convey Monsieur d'Artagnan to the quarters of Monseigneur the `
` Cardinal." `
` `
` "You have my word, monsieur, and here is my sword." `
` `
` "This suits me the better," said Rochefort, "as I wish to continue my `
` journey." `
` `
` "If it is for the purpose of rejoining Milady," said Athos, coolly, "it `
` is useless; you will not find her." `
` `
` "What has become of her, then?" asked Rochefort, eagerly. `
` `
` "Return to camp and you shall know." `
` `
` Rochefort remained for a moment in thought; then, as they were only a `
` day's journey from Surgeres, whither the cardinal was to come to meet `
` the king, he resolved to follow the advice of Athos and go with them. `
` Besides, this return offered him the advantage of watching his prisoner. `
` `
` They resumed their route. `
` `
` On the morrow, at three o'clock in the afternoon, they arrived at `
` Surgeres. The cardinal there awaited Louis XIII. The minister and the `
` king exchanged numerous caresses, felicitating each other upon the `
` fortunate chance which had freed France from the inveterate enemy who `
` set all Europe against her. After which, the cardinal, who had been `
` informed that d'Artagnan was arrested and who was anxious to see him, `
` took leave of the king, inviting him to come the next day to view the `
` work already done upon the dyke. `
` `
` On returning in the evening to his quarters at the bridge of La Pierre, `
` the cardinal found, standing before the house he occupied, d'Artagnan, `
` without his sword, and the three Musketeers armed. `
` `
` This time, as he was well attended, he looked at them sternly, and made `
` a sign with his eye and hand for d'Artagnan to follow him. `
` `
` D'Artagnan obeyed. `
` `
` "We shall wait for you, d'Artagnan," said Athos, loud enough for the `
` cardinal to hear him. `
` `
` His Eminence bent his brow, stopped for an instant, and then kept on his `
` way without uttering a single word. `
` `
` D'Artagnan entered after the cardinal, and behind d'Artagnan the door `
` was guarded. `
` `
` His Eminence entered the chamber which served him as a study, and made a `
` sign to Rochefort to bring in the young Musketeer. `
` `
` Rochefort obeyed and retired. `
` `
` D'Artagnan remained alone in front of the cardinal; this was his second `
` interview with Richelieu, and he afterward confessed that he felt well `
` assured it would be his last. `
` `
` Richelieu remained standing, leaning against the mantelpiece; a table `
` was between him and d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Monsieur," said the cardinal, "you have been arrested by my orders." `
` `
` "So they tell me, monseigneur." `
` `
` "Do you know why?" `
` `
` "No, monseigneur, for the only thing for which I could be arrested is `
` still unknown to your Eminence." `
` `
` Richelieu looked steadfastly at the young man. `
` `
` "Holloa!" said he, "what does that mean?" `
` `
` "If Monseigneur will have the goodness to tell me, in the first place, `
` what crimes are imputed to me, I will then tell him the deeds I have `
` really done." `
` `
` "Crimes are imputed to you which had brought down far loftier heads than `
` yours, monsieur," said the cardinal. `
` `
` "What, monseigneur?" said d'Artagnan, with a calmness which astonished `
` the cardinal himself. `
` `
` "You are charged with having corresponded with the enemies of the `
` kingdom; you are charged with having surprised state secrets; you are `
` charged with having tried to thwart the plans of your general." `
` `
` "And who charges me with this, monseigneur?" said d'Artagnan, who had `
` no doubt the accusation came from Milady, "a woman branded by the `
` justice of the country; a woman who has espoused one man in France and `
` another in England; a woman who poisoned her second husband and who `
` attempted both to poison and assassinate me!" `
` `
` "What do you say, monsieur?" cried the cardinal, astonished; "and of `
` what woman are you speaking thus?" `
` `
` "Of Milady de Winter," replied d'Artagnan, "yes, of Milady de Winter, of `
` whose crimes your Eminence is doubtless ignorant, since you have honored `
` her with your confidence." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said the cardinal, "if Milady de Winter has committed the `
` crimes you lay to her charge, she shall be punished." `
` `
` "She has been punished, monseigneur." `
` `
` "And who has punished her?" `
` `
` "We." `
` `
` "She is in prison?" `
` `
` "She is dead." `
` `
` "Dead!" repeated the cardinal, who could not believe what he heard, `
` "dead! Did you not say she was dead?" `
` `
` "Three times she attempted to kill me, and I pardoned her; but she `
` murdered the woman I loved. Then my friends and I took her, tried her, `
` and condemned her." `
` `
` D'Artagnan then related the poisoning of Mme. Bonacieux in the convent `
` of the Carmelites at Bethune, the trial in the isolated house, and the `
` execution on the banks of the Lys. `
` `
` A shudder crept through the body of the cardinal, who did not shudder `
` readily. `
` `
` But all at once, as if undergoing the influence of an unspoken thought, `
` the countenance of the cardinal, till then gloomy, cleared up by `
` degrees, and recovered perfect serenity. `
` `
` "So," said the cardinal, in a tone that contrasted strongly with the `
` severity of his words, "you have constituted yourselves judges, without `
` remembering that they who punish without license to punish are `
` assassins?" `
` `
` "Monseigneur, I swear to you that I never for an instant had the `
` intention of defending my head against you. I willingly submit to any `
` punishment your Eminence may please to inflict upon me. I do not hold `
` life dear enough to be afraid of death." `
` `
` "Yes, I know you are a man of a stout heart, monsieur," said the `
` cardinal, with a voice almost affectionate; "I can therefore tell you `
` beforehand you shall be tried, and even condemned." `
` `
` "Another might reply to your Eminence that he had his pardon in his `
` pocket. I content myself with saying: Command, monseigneur; I am `
` ready." `
` `
` "Your pardon?" said Richelieu, surprised. `
` `
` "Yes, monseigneur," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "And signed by whom--by the king?" And the cardinal pronounced these `
` words with a singular expression of contempt. `
` `
` "No, by your Eminence." `
` `
` "By me? You are insane, monsieur." `
` `
` "Monseigneur will doubtless recognize his own handwriting." `
` `
` And d'Artagnan presented to the cardinal the precious piece of paper `
` which Athos had forced from Milady, and which he had given to d'Artagnan `
` to serve him as a safeguard. `
` `
` His Eminence took the paper, and read in a slow voice, dwelling upon `
` every syllable: `
` `
` `
` "Dec. 3, 1627 `
` `
` "It is by my order and for the good of the state that the bearer of this `
` has done what he has done. `
` `
` "RICHELIEU" `
` `
` `
` The cardinal, after having read these two lines, sank into a profound `
` reverie; but he did not return the paper to d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "He is meditating by what sort of punishment he shall cause me to die," `
` said the Gascon to himself. "Well, my faith! he shall see how a `
` gentleman can die." `
` `
` The young Musketeer was in excellent disposition to die heroically. `
`