Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
that I will be sworn it shall arrive at its address, and woe be `
` to him who shall attempt to take it from me!" `
` `
` M. de Treville smiled at this flourish; and leaving his young man `
` compatriot in the embrasure of the window, where they had talked `
` together, he seated himself at a table in order to write the `
` promised letter of recommendation. While he was doing this, `
` d'Artagnan, having no better employment, amused himself with `
` beating a march upon the window and with looking at the `
` Musketeers, who went away, one after another, following them with `
` his eyes until they disappeared. `
` `
` M. de Treville, after having written the letter, sealed it, and `
` rising, approached the young man in order to give it to him. But `
` at the very moment when d'Artagnan stretched out his hand to `
` receive it, M. de Treville was highly astonished to see his `
` protege make a sudden spring, become crimson with passion, and `
` rush from the cabinet crying, "S'blood, he shall not escape me `
` this time!" `
` `
` "And who?" asked M. de Treville. `
` `
` "He, my thief!" replied d'Artagnan. "Ah, the traitor!" and he `
` disappeared. `
` `
` "The devil take the madman!" murmured M. de Treville, "unless," `
` added he, "this is a cunning mode of escaping, seeing that he had `
` failed in his purpose!" `
` `
` `
` `
` 4 THE SHOULDER OF ATHOS, THE BALDRIC OF PORTHOS AND THE `
` HANDKERCHIEF OF ARAMIS `
` `
` D'Artagnan, in a state of fury, crossed the antechamber at three `
` bounds, and was darting toward the stairs, which he reckoned upon `
` descending four at a time, when, in his heedless course, he ran `
` head foremost against a Musketeer who was coming out of one of M. `
` de Treville's private rooms, and striking his shoulder violently, `
` made him utter a cry, or rather a howl. `
` `
` "Excuse me," said d'Artagnan, endeavoring to resume his course, `
` "excuse me, but I am in a hurry." `
` `
` Scarcely had he descended the first stair, when a hand of iron `
` seized him by the belt and stopped him. `
` `
` "You are in a hurry?" said the Musketeer, as pale as a sheet. `
` "Under that pretense you run against me! You say. 'Excuse me,' `
` and you believe that is sufficient? Not at all my young man. Do `
` you fancy because you have heard Monsieur de Treville speak to us `
` a little cavalierly today that other people are to treat us as he `
` speaks to us? Undeceive yourself, comrade, you are not Monsieur `
` de Treville." `
` `
` "My faith!" replied d'Artagnan, recognizing Athos, who, after the `
` dressing performed by the doctor, was returning to his own `
` apartment. "I did not do it intentionally, and not doing it `
` intentionally, I said 'Excuse me.' It appears to me that this is `
` quite enough. I repeat to you, however, and this time on my word `
` of honor--I think perhaps too often--that I am in haste, great `
` haste. Leave your hold, then, I beg of you, and let me go where `
` my business calls me." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said Athos, letting him go, "you are not polite; it `
` is easy to perceive that you come from a distance." `
` `
` D'Artagnan had already strode down three or four stairs, but at `
` Athos's last remark he stopped short. `
` `
` "MORBLEU, monsieur!" said he, "however far I may come, it is not `
` you who can give me a lesson in good manners, I warn you." `
` `
` "Perhaps," said Athos. `
` `
` "Ah! If I were not in such haste, and if I were not running `
` after someone," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Monsieur Man-in-a-hurry, you can find me without running--ME, `
` you understand?" `
` `
` "And where, I pray you?" `
` `
` "Near the Carmes-Deschaux." `
` `
` "At what hour?" `
` `
` "About noon." `
` `
` "About noon? That will do; I will be there." `
` `
` "Endeavor not to make me wait; for at quarter past twelve I will `
` cut off your ears as you run." `
` `
` "Good!" cried d'Artagnan, "I will be there ten minutes before `
` twelve." And he set off running as if the devil possessed him, `
` hoping that he might yet find the stranger, whose slow pace could `
` not have carried him far. `
` `
` But at the street gate, Porthos was talking with the soldier on `
` guard. Between the two talkers there was just enough room for a `
` man to pass. D'Artagnan thought it would suffice for him, and he `
` sprang forward like a dart between them. But d'Artagnan had `
` reckoned without the wind. As he was about to pass, the wind `
` blew out Porthos's long cloak, and d'Artagnan rushed straight `
` into the middle of it. Without doubt, Porthos had reasons for `
` not abandoning this part of his vestments, for instead of `
` quitting his hold on the flap in his hand, he pulled it toward `
` him, so that d'Artagnan rolled himself up in the velvet by a `
` movement of rotation explained by the persistency of Porthos. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, hearing the Musketeer swear, wished to escape from `
` the cloak, which blinded him, and sought to find his way from `
` under the folds of it. He was particularly anxious to avoid `
` marring the freshness of the magnificent baldric we are `
` acquainted with; but on timidly opening his eyes, he found `
` himself with his nose fixed between the two shoulders of `
` Porthos--that is to say, exactly upon the baldric. `
` `
` Alas, like most things in this world which have nothing in their `
` favor but appearances, the baldric was glittering with gold in `
` the front, but was nothing but simple buff behind. Vainglorious `
` as he was, Porthos could not afford to have a baldric wholly of `
` gold, but had at least half. One could comprehend the necessity `
` of the cold and the urgency of the cloak. `
` `
` "Bless me!" cried Porthos, making strong efforts to disembarrass `
` himself of d'Artagnan, who was wriggling about his back; "you `
` must be mad to run against people in this manner." `
` `
` "Excuse me," said d'Artagnan, reappearing under the shoulder of `
` the giant, "but I am in such haste--I was running after someone `
` and--" `
` `
` "And do you always forget your eyes when you run?" asked Porthos. `
` `
` "No," replied d'Artagnan, piqued, "and thanks to my eyes, I can `
` see what other people cannot see." `
` `
` Whether Porthos understood him or did not understand him, giving `
` way to his anger, "Monsieur," said he, "you stand a chance of `
` getting chastised if you rub Musketeers in this fashion." `
` `
` "Chastised, Monsieur!" said d'Artagnan, "the expression is `
` strong." `
` `
` "It is one that becomes a man accustomed to look his enemies in `
` the face." `
` `
` "Ah, PARDIEU! I know full well that you don't turn your back to `
` yours." `
` `
` And the young man, delighted with his joke, went away laughing `
` loudly. `
` `
` Porthos foamed with rage, and made a movement to rush after `
` d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Presently, presently," cried the latter, "when you haven't your `
` cloak on." `
` `
` "At one o'clock, then, behind the Luxembourg." `
` `
` "Very well, at one o'clock, then," replied d'Artagnan, turning `
` the angle of the street. `
` `
` But neither in the street he had passed through, nor in the one `
` which his eager glance pervaded, could he see anyone; however `
` slowly the stranger had walked, he was gone on his way, or `
` perhaps had entered some house. D'Artagnan inquired of everyone `
` he met with, went down to the ferry, came up again by the Rue de `
` Seine, and the Red Cross; but nothing, absolutely nothing! This `
` chase was, however, advantageous to him in one sense, for in `
` proportion as the perspiration broke from his forehead, his heart `
` began to cool. `
` `
` He began to reflect upon the events that had passed; they were `
` numerous and inauspicious. It was scarcely eleven o'clock in the `
` morning, and yet this morning had already brought him into `
` disgrace with M. de Treville, who could not fail to think the `
` manner in which d'Artagnan had left him a little cavalier. `
` `
` Besides this, he had drawn upon himself two good duels with two `
` men, each capable of killing three d'Artagnans--with two `
` Musketeers, in short, with two of those beings whom he esteemed `
` so greatly that he placed them in his mind and heart above all `
` other men. `
` `
` The outlook was sad. Sure of being killed by Athos, it may `
` easily be understood that the young man was not very uneasy about `
` Porthos. As hope, however, is the last thing extinguished in the `
` heart of man, he finished by hoping that he might survive, even `
` though with terrible wounds, in both these duels; and in case of `
` surviving, he made the following reprehensions upon his own `
` conduct: `
` `
` "What a madcap I was, and what a stupid fellow I am! That brave `
` and unfortunate Athos was wounded on that very shoulder against `
` which I must run head foremost, like a ram. The only thing that `
` astonishes me is that he did not strike me dead at once. He had `
` good cause to do so; the pain I gave him must have been `
`
` to him who shall attempt to take it from me!" `
` `
` M. de Treville smiled at this flourish; and leaving his young man `
` compatriot in the embrasure of the window, where they had talked `
` together, he seated himself at a table in order to write the `
` promised letter of recommendation. While he was doing this, `
` d'Artagnan, having no better employment, amused himself with `
` beating a march upon the window and with looking at the `
` Musketeers, who went away, one after another, following them with `
` his eyes until they disappeared. `
` `
` M. de Treville, after having written the letter, sealed it, and `
` rising, approached the young man in order to give it to him. But `
` at the very moment when d'Artagnan stretched out his hand to `
` receive it, M. de Treville was highly astonished to see his `
` protege make a sudden spring, become crimson with passion, and `
` rush from the cabinet crying, "S'blood, he shall not escape me `
` this time!" `
` `
` "And who?" asked M. de Treville. `
` `
` "He, my thief!" replied d'Artagnan. "Ah, the traitor!" and he `
` disappeared. `
` `
` "The devil take the madman!" murmured M. de Treville, "unless," `
` added he, "this is a cunning mode of escaping, seeing that he had `
` failed in his purpose!" `
` `
` `
` `
` 4 THE SHOULDER OF ATHOS, THE BALDRIC OF PORTHOS AND THE `
` HANDKERCHIEF OF ARAMIS `
` `
` D'Artagnan, in a state of fury, crossed the antechamber at three `
` bounds, and was darting toward the stairs, which he reckoned upon `
` descending four at a time, when, in his heedless course, he ran `
` head foremost against a Musketeer who was coming out of one of M. `
` de Treville's private rooms, and striking his shoulder violently, `
` made him utter a cry, or rather a howl. `
` `
` "Excuse me," said d'Artagnan, endeavoring to resume his course, `
` "excuse me, but I am in a hurry." `
` `
` Scarcely had he descended the first stair, when a hand of iron `
` seized him by the belt and stopped him. `
` `
` "You are in a hurry?" said the Musketeer, as pale as a sheet. `
` "Under that pretense you run against me! You say. 'Excuse me,' `
` and you believe that is sufficient? Not at all my young man. Do `
` you fancy because you have heard Monsieur de Treville speak to us `
` a little cavalierly today that other people are to treat us as he `
` speaks to us? Undeceive yourself, comrade, you are not Monsieur `
` de Treville." `
` `
` "My faith!" replied d'Artagnan, recognizing Athos, who, after the `
` dressing performed by the doctor, was returning to his own `
` apartment. "I did not do it intentionally, and not doing it `
` intentionally, I said 'Excuse me.' It appears to me that this is `
` quite enough. I repeat to you, however, and this time on my word `
` of honor--I think perhaps too often--that I am in haste, great `
` haste. Leave your hold, then, I beg of you, and let me go where `
` my business calls me." `
` `
` "Monsieur," said Athos, letting him go, "you are not polite; it `
` is easy to perceive that you come from a distance." `
` `
` D'Artagnan had already strode down three or four stairs, but at `
` Athos's last remark he stopped short. `
` `
` "MORBLEU, monsieur!" said he, "however far I may come, it is not `
` you who can give me a lesson in good manners, I warn you." `
` `
` "Perhaps," said Athos. `
` `
` "Ah! If I were not in such haste, and if I were not running `
` after someone," said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Monsieur Man-in-a-hurry, you can find me without running--ME, `
` you understand?" `
` `
` "And where, I pray you?" `
` `
` "Near the Carmes-Deschaux." `
` `
` "At what hour?" `
` `
` "About noon." `
` `
` "About noon? That will do; I will be there." `
` `
` "Endeavor not to make me wait; for at quarter past twelve I will `
` cut off your ears as you run." `
` `
` "Good!" cried d'Artagnan, "I will be there ten minutes before `
` twelve." And he set off running as if the devil possessed him, `
` hoping that he might yet find the stranger, whose slow pace could `
` not have carried him far. `
` `
` But at the street gate, Porthos was talking with the soldier on `
` guard. Between the two talkers there was just enough room for a `
` man to pass. D'Artagnan thought it would suffice for him, and he `
` sprang forward like a dart between them. But d'Artagnan had `
` reckoned without the wind. As he was about to pass, the wind `
` blew out Porthos's long cloak, and d'Artagnan rushed straight `
` into the middle of it. Without doubt, Porthos had reasons for `
` not abandoning this part of his vestments, for instead of `
` quitting his hold on the flap in his hand, he pulled it toward `
` him, so that d'Artagnan rolled himself up in the velvet by a `
` movement of rotation explained by the persistency of Porthos. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, hearing the Musketeer swear, wished to escape from `
` the cloak, which blinded him, and sought to find his way from `
` under the folds of it. He was particularly anxious to avoid `
` marring the freshness of the magnificent baldric we are `
` acquainted with; but on timidly opening his eyes, he found `
` himself with his nose fixed between the two shoulders of `
` Porthos--that is to say, exactly upon the baldric. `
` `
` Alas, like most things in this world which have nothing in their `
` favor but appearances, the baldric was glittering with gold in `
` the front, but was nothing but simple buff behind. Vainglorious `
` as he was, Porthos could not afford to have a baldric wholly of `
` gold, but had at least half. One could comprehend the necessity `
` of the cold and the urgency of the cloak. `
` `
` "Bless me!" cried Porthos, making strong efforts to disembarrass `
` himself of d'Artagnan, who was wriggling about his back; "you `
` must be mad to run against people in this manner." `
` `
` "Excuse me," said d'Artagnan, reappearing under the shoulder of `
` the giant, "but I am in such haste--I was running after someone `
` and--" `
` `
` "And do you always forget your eyes when you run?" asked Porthos. `
` `
` "No," replied d'Artagnan, piqued, "and thanks to my eyes, I can `
` see what other people cannot see." `
` `
` Whether Porthos understood him or did not understand him, giving `
` way to his anger, "Monsieur," said he, "you stand a chance of `
` getting chastised if you rub Musketeers in this fashion." `
` `
` "Chastised, Monsieur!" said d'Artagnan, "the expression is `
` strong." `
` `
` "It is one that becomes a man accustomed to look his enemies in `
` the face." `
` `
` "Ah, PARDIEU! I know full well that you don't turn your back to `
` yours." `
` `
` And the young man, delighted with his joke, went away laughing `
` loudly. `
` `
` Porthos foamed with rage, and made a movement to rush after `
` d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Presently, presently," cried the latter, "when you haven't your `
` cloak on." `
` `
` "At one o'clock, then, behind the Luxembourg." `
` `
` "Very well, at one o'clock, then," replied d'Artagnan, turning `
` the angle of the street. `
` `
` But neither in the street he had passed through, nor in the one `
` which his eager glance pervaded, could he see anyone; however `
` slowly the stranger had walked, he was gone on his way, or `
` perhaps had entered some house. D'Artagnan inquired of everyone `
` he met with, went down to the ferry, came up again by the Rue de `
` Seine, and the Red Cross; but nothing, absolutely nothing! This `
` chase was, however, advantageous to him in one sense, for in `
` proportion as the perspiration broke from his forehead, his heart `
` began to cool. `
` `
` He began to reflect upon the events that had passed; they were `
` numerous and inauspicious. It was scarcely eleven o'clock in the `
` morning, and yet this morning had already brought him into `
` disgrace with M. de Treville, who could not fail to think the `
` manner in which d'Artagnan had left him a little cavalier. `
` `
` Besides this, he had drawn upon himself two good duels with two `
` men, each capable of killing three d'Artagnans--with two `
` Musketeers, in short, with two of those beings whom he esteemed `
` so greatly that he placed them in his mind and heart above all `
` other men. `
` `
` The outlook was sad. Sure of being killed by Athos, it may `
` easily be understood that the young man was not very uneasy about `
` Porthos. As hope, however, is the last thing extinguished in the `
` heart of man, he finished by hoping that he might survive, even `
` though with terrible wounds, in both these duels; and in case of `
` surviving, he made the following reprehensions upon his own `
` conduct: `
` `
` "What a madcap I was, and what a stupid fellow I am! That brave `
` and unfortunate Athos was wounded on that very shoulder against `
` which I must run head foremost, like a ram. The only thing that `
` astonishes me is that he did not strike me dead at once. He had `
` good cause to do so; the pain I gave him must have been `
`