Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
will do my best. On guard!" `
` `
` "But," said he whom d'Artagnan thus provoked, "it appears to me `
` that this place is badly chosen, and that we should be better `
` behind the Abbey St. Germain or in the Pre-aux-Clercs." `
` `
` "What you say is full of sense," replied d'Artagnan; "but `
` unfortunately I have very little time to spare, having an `
` appointment at twelve precisely. On guard, then, monsieur, on `
` guard!" `
` `
` Bernajoux was not a man to have such a compliment paid to him `
` twice. In an instant his sword glittered in his hand, and he `
` sprang upon his adversary, whom, thanks to his great `
` youthfulness, he hoped to intimidate. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan had on the preceding day served his `
` apprenticeship. Fresh sharpened by his victory, full of hopes of `
` future favor, he was resolved not to recoil a step. So the two `
` swords were crossed close to the hilts, and as d'Artagnan stood `
` firm, it was his adversary who made the retreating step; but `
` d'Artagnan seized the moment at which, in this movement, the `
` sword of Bernajoux deviated from the line. He freed his weapon, `
` made a lunge, and touched his adversary on the shoulder. `
` d'Artagnan immediately made a step backward and raised his sword; `
` but Bernajoux cried out that it was nothing, and rushing blindly `
` upon him, absolutely spitted himself upon d'Artagnan's sword. `
` As, however, he did not fall, as he did not declare himself `
` conquered, but only broke away toward the hotel of M. de la `
` Tremouille, in whose service he had a relative, d'Artagnan was `
` ignorant of the seriousness of the last wound his adversary had `
` received, and pressing him warmly, without doubt would soon have `
` completed his work with a third blow, when the noise which arose `
` from the street being heard in the tennis court, two of the `
` friends of the Guardsman, who had seen him go out after `
` exchanging some words with d'Artagnan, rushed, sword in hand, `
` from the court, and fell upon the conqueror. But Athos, Porthos, `
` and Aramis quickly appeared in their turn, and the moment the two `
` Guardsmen attacked their young companion, drove them back. `
` Bernajoux now fell, and as the Guardsmen were only two against `
` four, they began to cry, "To the rescue! The Hotel de la `
` Tremouille!" At these cries, all who were in the hotel rushed `
` out and fell upon the four companions, who on their side cried `
` aloud, "To the rescue, Musketeers!" `
` `
` This cry was generally heeded; for the Musketeers were known to `
` be enemies of the cardinal, and were beloved on account of the `
` hatred they bore to his Eminence. Thus the soldiers of other `
` companies than those which belonged to the Red Duke, as Aramis `
` had called him, often took part with the king's Musketeers in `
` these quarrels. Of three Guardsmen of the company of M. `
` Dessessart who were passing, two came to the assistance of the `
` four companions, while the other ran toward the hotel of M. de `
` Treville, crying, "To the rescue, Musketeers! To the rescue!" `
` As usual, this hotel was full of soldiers of this company, who `
` hastened to the succor of their comrades. The MELEE became `
` general, but strength was on the side of the Musketeers. The `
` cardinal's Guards and M. de la Tremouille's people retreated into `
` the hotel, the doors of which they closed just in time to prevent `
` their enemies from entering with them. As to the wounded man, he `
` had been taken in at once, and, as we have said, in a very bad `
` state. `
` `
` Excitement was at its height among the Musketeers and their `
` allies, and they even began to deliberate whether they should not `
` set fire to the hotel to punish the insolence of M. de la `
` Tremouille's domestics in daring to make a SORTIE upon the king's `
` Musketeers. The proposition had been made, and received with `
` enthusiasm, when fortunately eleven o'clock struck. D'Artagnan `
` and his companions remembered their audience, and as they would `
` very much have regretted that such an opportunity should be lost, `
` they succeeded in calming their friends, who contented themselves `
` with hurling some paving stones against the gates; but the gates `
` were too strong. They soon tired of the sport. Besides, those `
` who must be considered the leaders of the enterprise had quit the `
` group and were making their way toward the hotel of M. de `
` Treville, who was waiting for them, already informed of this `
` fresh disturbance. `
` `
` "Quick to the Louvre," said he, "to the Louvre without losing an `
` instant, and let us endeavor to see the king before he is `
` prejudiced by the cardinal. We will describe the thing to him as `
` a consequence of the affair of yesterday, and the two will pass `
` off together." `
` `
` M. de Treville, accompanied by the four young fellows, directed `
` his course toward the Louvre; but to the great astonishment of `
` the captain of the Musketeers, he was informed that the king had `
` gone stag hunting in the forest of St. Germain. M. de Treville `
` required this intelligence to be repeated to him twice, and each `
` time his companions saw his brow become darker. `
` `
` "Had his Majesty," asked he, "any intention of holding this `
` hunting party yesterday?" `
` `
` "No, your Excellency," replied the valet de chambre, "the Master `
` of the Hounds came this morning to inform him that he had marked `
` down a stag. At first the king answered that he would not go; `
` but he could not resist his love of sport, and set out after `
` dinner." `
` `
` "And the king has seen the cardinal?" asked M. de Treville. `
` `
` "In all probability he has," replied the valet, "for I saw the `
` horses harnessed to his Eminence's carriage this morning, and `
` when I asked where he was going, they told me, 'To St. Germain.'" `
` `
` "He is beforehand with us," said M. de Treville. "Gentlemen, I `
` will see the king this evening; but as to you, I do not advise `
` you to risk doing so." `
` `
` This advice was too reasonable, and moreover came from a man who `
` knew the king too well, to allow the four young men to dispute `
` it. M. de Treville recommended everyone to return home and wait `
` for news. `
` `
` On entering his hotel, M. de Treville thought it best to be first `
` in making the complaint. He sent one of his servants to M. de la `
` Tremouille with a letter in which he begged of him to eject the `
` cardinal's Guardsmen from his house, and to reprimand his people `
` for their audacity in making SORTIE against the king's `
` Musketeers. But M. de la Tremouille--already prejudiced by his `
` esquire, whose relative, as we already know, Bernajoux was-- `
` replied that it was neither for M. de Treville nor the Musketeers `
` to complain, but, on the contrary, for him, whose people the `
` Musketeers had assaulted and whose hotel they had endeavored to `
` burn. Now, as the debate between these two nobles might last a `
` long time, each becoming, naturally, more firm in his own `
` opinion, M. de Treville thought of an expedient which might `
` terminate it quietly. This was to go himself to M. de la `
` Tremouille. `
` `
` He repaired, therefore, immediately to his hotel, and caused `
` himself to be announced. `
` `
` The two nobles saluted each other politely, for if no friendship `
` existed between them, there was at least esteem. Both were men `
` of courage and honor; and as M. de la Tremouille--a Protestant, `
` and seeing the king seldom--was of no party, he did not, in `
` general, carry any bias into his social relations. This time, `
` however, his address, although polite, was cooler than usual. `
` `
` "Monsieur," said M. de Treville, "we fancy that we have each `
` cause to complain of the other, and I am come to endeavor to `
` clear up this affair." `
` `
` "I have no objection," replied M. de la Tremouille, "but I warn `
` you that I am well informed, and all the fault is with your `
` Musketeers." `
` `
` "You are too just and reasonable a man, monsieur!" said Treville, `
` "not to accept the proposal I am about to make to you." `
` `
` "Make it, monsieur, I listen." `
` `
` "How is Monsieur Bernajoux, your esquire's relative?" `
` `
` "Why, monsieur, very ill indeed! In addition to the sword thrust `
` in his arm, which is not dangerous, he has received another right `
` through his lungs, of which the doctor says bad things." `
` `
` "But has the wounded man retained his senses?" `
` `
` "Perfectly." `
` `
` "Does he talk?" `
` `
` "With difficulty, but he can speak." `
` `
` "Well, monsieur, let us go to him. Let us adjure him, in the `
` name of the God before whom he must perhaps appear, to speak the `
` truth. I will take him for judge in his own cause, monsieur, and `
` will believe what he will say." `
` `
` M. de la Tremouille reflected for an instant; then as it was `
` difficult to suggest a more reasonable proposal, he agreed to it. `
` `
` Both descended to the chamber in which the wounded man lay. The `
` latter, on seeing these two noble lords who came to visit him, `
` endeavored to raise himself up in his bed; but he was too weak, `
` and exhausted by the effort, he fell back again almost senseless. `
` `
` M. de la Tremouille approached him, and made him inhale some `
` salts, which recalled him to life. Then M. de Treville, `
` unwilling that it should be thought that he had influenced the `
` wounded man, requested M. de la Tremouille to interrogate him `
` himself. `
` `
` That happened which M. de Treville had foreseen. Placed between `
` life and death, as Bernajoux was, he had no idea for a moment of `
` concealing the truth; and he described to the two nobles the `
` affair exactly as it had passed. `
` `
` This was all that M. de Treville wanted. He wished Bernajoux a `
` speedy convalescence, took leave of M. de la Tremouille, returned `
` to his hotel, and immediately sent word to the four friends that `
` he awaited their company at dinner. `
` `
` M. de Treville entertained good company, wholly anticardinalist, `
` though. It may easily be understood, therefore, that the `
` conversation during the whole of dinner turned upon the two `
`
` `
` "But," said he whom d'Artagnan thus provoked, "it appears to me `
` that this place is badly chosen, and that we should be better `
` behind the Abbey St. Germain or in the Pre-aux-Clercs." `
` `
` "What you say is full of sense," replied d'Artagnan; "but `
` unfortunately I have very little time to spare, having an `
` appointment at twelve precisely. On guard, then, monsieur, on `
` guard!" `
` `
` Bernajoux was not a man to have such a compliment paid to him `
` twice. In an instant his sword glittered in his hand, and he `
` sprang upon his adversary, whom, thanks to his great `
` youthfulness, he hoped to intimidate. `
` `
` But d'Artagnan had on the preceding day served his `
` apprenticeship. Fresh sharpened by his victory, full of hopes of `
` future favor, he was resolved not to recoil a step. So the two `
` swords were crossed close to the hilts, and as d'Artagnan stood `
` firm, it was his adversary who made the retreating step; but `
` d'Artagnan seized the moment at which, in this movement, the `
` sword of Bernajoux deviated from the line. He freed his weapon, `
` made a lunge, and touched his adversary on the shoulder. `
` d'Artagnan immediately made a step backward and raised his sword; `
` but Bernajoux cried out that it was nothing, and rushing blindly `
` upon him, absolutely spitted himself upon d'Artagnan's sword. `
` As, however, he did not fall, as he did not declare himself `
` conquered, but only broke away toward the hotel of M. de la `
` Tremouille, in whose service he had a relative, d'Artagnan was `
` ignorant of the seriousness of the last wound his adversary had `
` received, and pressing him warmly, without doubt would soon have `
` completed his work with a third blow, when the noise which arose `
` from the street being heard in the tennis court, two of the `
` friends of the Guardsman, who had seen him go out after `
` exchanging some words with d'Artagnan, rushed, sword in hand, `
` from the court, and fell upon the conqueror. But Athos, Porthos, `
` and Aramis quickly appeared in their turn, and the moment the two `
` Guardsmen attacked their young companion, drove them back. `
` Bernajoux now fell, and as the Guardsmen were only two against `
` four, they began to cry, "To the rescue! The Hotel de la `
` Tremouille!" At these cries, all who were in the hotel rushed `
` out and fell upon the four companions, who on their side cried `
` aloud, "To the rescue, Musketeers!" `
` `
` This cry was generally heeded; for the Musketeers were known to `
` be enemies of the cardinal, and were beloved on account of the `
` hatred they bore to his Eminence. Thus the soldiers of other `
` companies than those which belonged to the Red Duke, as Aramis `
` had called him, often took part with the king's Musketeers in `
` these quarrels. Of three Guardsmen of the company of M. `
` Dessessart who were passing, two came to the assistance of the `
` four companions, while the other ran toward the hotel of M. de `
` Treville, crying, "To the rescue, Musketeers! To the rescue!" `
` As usual, this hotel was full of soldiers of this company, who `
` hastened to the succor of their comrades. The MELEE became `
` general, but strength was on the side of the Musketeers. The `
` cardinal's Guards and M. de la Tremouille's people retreated into `
` the hotel, the doors of which they closed just in time to prevent `
` their enemies from entering with them. As to the wounded man, he `
` had been taken in at once, and, as we have said, in a very bad `
` state. `
` `
` Excitement was at its height among the Musketeers and their `
` allies, and they even began to deliberate whether they should not `
` set fire to the hotel to punish the insolence of M. de la `
` Tremouille's domestics in daring to make a SORTIE upon the king's `
` Musketeers. The proposition had been made, and received with `
` enthusiasm, when fortunately eleven o'clock struck. D'Artagnan `
` and his companions remembered their audience, and as they would `
` very much have regretted that such an opportunity should be lost, `
` they succeeded in calming their friends, who contented themselves `
` with hurling some paving stones against the gates; but the gates `
` were too strong. They soon tired of the sport. Besides, those `
` who must be considered the leaders of the enterprise had quit the `
` group and were making their way toward the hotel of M. de `
` Treville, who was waiting for them, already informed of this `
` fresh disturbance. `
` `
` "Quick to the Louvre," said he, "to the Louvre without losing an `
` instant, and let us endeavor to see the king before he is `
` prejudiced by the cardinal. We will describe the thing to him as `
` a consequence of the affair of yesterday, and the two will pass `
` off together." `
` `
` M. de Treville, accompanied by the four young fellows, directed `
` his course toward the Louvre; but to the great astonishment of `
` the captain of the Musketeers, he was informed that the king had `
` gone stag hunting in the forest of St. Germain. M. de Treville `
` required this intelligence to be repeated to him twice, and each `
` time his companions saw his brow become darker. `
` `
` "Had his Majesty," asked he, "any intention of holding this `
` hunting party yesterday?" `
` `
` "No, your Excellency," replied the valet de chambre, "the Master `
` of the Hounds came this morning to inform him that he had marked `
` down a stag. At first the king answered that he would not go; `
` but he could not resist his love of sport, and set out after `
` dinner." `
` `
` "And the king has seen the cardinal?" asked M. de Treville. `
` `
` "In all probability he has," replied the valet, "for I saw the `
` horses harnessed to his Eminence's carriage this morning, and `
` when I asked where he was going, they told me, 'To St. Germain.'" `
` `
` "He is beforehand with us," said M. de Treville. "Gentlemen, I `
` will see the king this evening; but as to you, I do not advise `
` you to risk doing so." `
` `
` This advice was too reasonable, and moreover came from a man who `
` knew the king too well, to allow the four young men to dispute `
` it. M. de Treville recommended everyone to return home and wait `
` for news. `
` `
` On entering his hotel, M. de Treville thought it best to be first `
` in making the complaint. He sent one of his servants to M. de la `
` Tremouille with a letter in which he begged of him to eject the `
` cardinal's Guardsmen from his house, and to reprimand his people `
` for their audacity in making SORTIE against the king's `
` Musketeers. But M. de la Tremouille--already prejudiced by his `
` esquire, whose relative, as we already know, Bernajoux was-- `
` replied that it was neither for M. de Treville nor the Musketeers `
` to complain, but, on the contrary, for him, whose people the `
` Musketeers had assaulted and whose hotel they had endeavored to `
` burn. Now, as the debate between these two nobles might last a `
` long time, each becoming, naturally, more firm in his own `
` opinion, M. de Treville thought of an expedient which might `
` terminate it quietly. This was to go himself to M. de la `
` Tremouille. `
` `
` He repaired, therefore, immediately to his hotel, and caused `
` himself to be announced. `
` `
` The two nobles saluted each other politely, for if no friendship `
` existed between them, there was at least esteem. Both were men `
` of courage and honor; and as M. de la Tremouille--a Protestant, `
` and seeing the king seldom--was of no party, he did not, in `
` general, carry any bias into his social relations. This time, `
` however, his address, although polite, was cooler than usual. `
` `
` "Monsieur," said M. de Treville, "we fancy that we have each `
` cause to complain of the other, and I am come to endeavor to `
` clear up this affair." `
` `
` "I have no objection," replied M. de la Tremouille, "but I warn `
` you that I am well informed, and all the fault is with your `
` Musketeers." `
` `
` "You are too just and reasonable a man, monsieur!" said Treville, `
` "not to accept the proposal I am about to make to you." `
` `
` "Make it, monsieur, I listen." `
` `
` "How is Monsieur Bernajoux, your esquire's relative?" `
` `
` "Why, monsieur, very ill indeed! In addition to the sword thrust `
` in his arm, which is not dangerous, he has received another right `
` through his lungs, of which the doctor says bad things." `
` `
` "But has the wounded man retained his senses?" `
` `
` "Perfectly." `
` `
` "Does he talk?" `
` `
` "With difficulty, but he can speak." `
` `
` "Well, monsieur, let us go to him. Let us adjure him, in the `
` name of the God before whom he must perhaps appear, to speak the `
` truth. I will take him for judge in his own cause, monsieur, and `
` will believe what he will say." `
` `
` M. de la Tremouille reflected for an instant; then as it was `
` difficult to suggest a more reasonable proposal, he agreed to it. `
` `
` Both descended to the chamber in which the wounded man lay. The `
` latter, on seeing these two noble lords who came to visit him, `
` endeavored to raise himself up in his bed; but he was too weak, `
` and exhausted by the effort, he fell back again almost senseless. `
` `
` M. de la Tremouille approached him, and made him inhale some `
` salts, which recalled him to life. Then M. de Treville, `
` unwilling that it should be thought that he had influenced the `
` wounded man, requested M. de la Tremouille to interrogate him `
` himself. `
` `
` That happened which M. de Treville had foreseen. Placed between `
` life and death, as Bernajoux was, he had no idea for a moment of `
` concealing the truth; and he described to the two nobles the `
` affair exactly as it had passed. `
` `
` This was all that M. de Treville wanted. He wished Bernajoux a `
` speedy convalescence, took leave of M. de la Tremouille, returned `
` to his hotel, and immediately sent word to the four friends that `
` he awaited their company at dinner. `
` `
` M. de Treville entertained good company, wholly anticardinalist, `
` though. It may easily be understood, therefore, that the `
` conversation during the whole of dinner turned upon the two `
`