Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
furious that during eight days he absented himself from the `
` king's gaming table. This did not prevent the king from being as `
` complacent to him as possible whenever he met him, or from asking `
` in the kindest tone, "Well, Monsieur Cardinal, how fares it with `
` that poor Jussac and that poor Bernajoux of yours?" `
` `
` `
` `
` 7 THE INTERIOR OF "THE MUSKETEERS" `
` `
` When d'Artagnan was out of the Louvre, and consulted his friends `
` upon the use he had best make of his share of the forty pistoles, `
` Athos advised him to order a good repast at the Pomme-de-Pin, `
` Porthos to engage a lackey, and Aramis to provide himself with a `
` suitable mistress. `
` `
` The repast was carried into effect that very day, and the lackey `
` waited at table. The repast had been ordered by Athos, and the `
` lackey furnished by Porthos. He was a Picard, whom the glorious `
` Musketeer had picked up on the Bridge Tournelle, making rings and `
` plashing in the water. `
` `
` Porthos pretended that this occupation was proof of a reflective `
` and contemplative organization, and he had brought him away `
` without any other recommendation. The noble carriage of this `
` gentleman, for whom he believed himself to be engaged, had won `
` Planchet--that was the name of the Picard. He felt a slight `
` disappointment, however, when he saw that this place was already `
` taken by a compeer named Mousqueton, and when Porthos signified `
` to him that the state of his household, though great, would not `
` support two servants, and that he must enter into the service of `
` d'Artagnan. Nevertheless, when he waited at the dinner given my `
` his master, and saw him take out a handful of gold to pay for it, `
` he believed his fortune made, and returned thanks to heaven for `
` having thrown him into the service of such a Croesus. He `
` preserved this opinion even after the feast, with the remnants of `
` which he repaired his own long abstinence; but when in the `
` evening he made his master's bed, the chimeras of Planchet faded `
` away. The bed was the only one in the apartment, which consisted `
` of an antechamber and a bedroom. Planchet slept in the `
` antechamber upon a coverlet taken from the bed of d'Artagnan, and `
` which d'Artagnan from that time made shift to do without. `
` `
` Athos, on his part, had a valet whom he had trained in his `
` service in a thoroughly peculiar fashion, and who was named `
` Grimaud. He was very taciturn, this worthy signor. Be it `
` understood we are speaking of Athos. During the five or six `
` years that he had lived in the strictest intimacy with his `
` companions, Porthos and Aramis, they could remember having often `
` seen him smile, but had never heard him laugh. His words were `
` brief and expressive, conveying all that was meant, and no more; `
` no embellishments, no embroidery, no arabesques. His `
` conversation a matter of fact, without a single romance. `
` `
` Although Athos was scarcely thirty years old, and was of great `
` personal beauty and intelligence of mind, no one knew whether he `
` had ever had a mistress. He never spoke of women. He certainly `
` did not prevent others from speaking of them before him, although `
` it was easy to perceive that this kind of conversation, in which `
` he only mingled by bitter words and misanthropic remarks, was `
` very disagreeable to him. His reserve, his roughness, and his `
` silence made almost an old man of him. He had, then, in order `
` not to disturb his habits, accustomed Grimaud to obey him upon a `
` simple gesture or upon a simple movement of his lips. He never `
` spoke to him, except under the most extraordinary occasions. `
` `
` Sometimes, Grimaud, who feared his master as he did fire, while `
` entertaining a strong attachment to his person and a great `
` veneration for his talents, believed he perfectly understood what `
` he wanted, flew to execute the order received, and did precisely `
` the contrary. Athos then shrugged his shoulders, and, without `
` putting himself in a passion, thrashed Grimaud. On these days he `
` spoke a little. `
` `
` Porthos, as we have seen, had a character exactly opposite to `
` that of Athos. He not only talked much, but he talked loudly, `
` little caring, we must render him that justice, whether anybody `
` listened to him or not. He talked for the pleasure of talking `
` and for the pleasure of hearing himself talk. He spoke upon all `
` subjects except the sciences, alleging in this respect the `
` inveterate hatred he had borne to scholars from his childhood. `
` He had not so noble an air as Athos, and the commencement of `
` their intimacy often rendered him unjust toward that gentleman, `
` whom he endeavored to eclipse by his splendid dress. But with `
` his simple Musketeer's uniform and nothing but the manner in `
` which he threw back his head and advanced his foot, Athos `
` instantly took the place which was his due and consigned the `
` ostentatious Porthos to the second rank. Porthos consoled `
` himself by filling the antechamber of M. de Treville and the `
` guardroom of the Louvre with the accounts of his love scrapes, `
` after having passed from professional ladies to military ladies, `
` from the lawyer's dame to the baroness, there was question of `
` nothing less with Porthos than a foreign princess, who was `
` enormously fond of him. `
` `
` An old proverb says, "Like master, like man." Let us pass, then, `
` from the valet of Athos to the valet of Porthos, from Grimaud to `
` Mousqueton. `
` `
` Mousqueton was a Norman, whose pacific name of Boniface his `
` master had changed into the infinitely more sonorous name of `
` Mousqueton. He had entered the service of Porthos upon condition `
` that he should only be clothed and lodged, though in a handsome `
` manner; but he claimed two hours a day to himself, consecrated to `
` an employment which would provide for his other wants. Porthos `
` agreed to the bargain; the thing suited him wonderfully well. He `
` had doublets cut out of his old clothes and cast-off cloaks for `
` Mousqueton, and thanks to a very intelligent tailor, who made his `
` clothes look as good as new by turning them, and whose wife was `
` suspected of wishing to make Porthos descend from his `
` aristocratic habits, Mousqueton made a very good figure when `
` attending on his master. `
` `
` As for Aramis, of whom we believe we have sufficiently explained `
` the character--a character which, like that of his lackey was `
` called Bazin. Thanks to the hopes which his master entertained `
` of someday entering into orders, he was always clothed in black, `
` as became the servant of a churchman. He was a Berrichon, `
` thirty-five or forty years old, mild, peaceable, sleek, employing `
` the leisure his master left him in the perusal of pious works, `
` providing rigorously for two a dinner of few dishes, but `
` excellent. For the rest, he was dumb, blind, and deaf, and of `
` unimpeachable fidelity. `
` `
` And now that we are acquainted, superficially at least, with the `
` masters and the valets, let us pass on to the dwellings occupied `
` by each of them. `
` `
` Athos dwelt in the Rue Ferou, within two steps of the Luxembourg. `
` His apartment consisted of two small chambers, very nicely fitted `
` up, in a furnished house, the hostess of which, still young and `
` still really handsome, cast tender glances uselessly at him. `
` Some fragments of past splendor appeared here and there upon the `
` walls of this modest lodging; a sword, for example, richly `
` embossed, which belonged by its make to the times of Francis I, `
` the hilt of which alone, encrusted with precious stones, might be `
` worth two hundred pistoles, and which, nevertheless, in his `
` moments of greatest distress Athos had never pledged or offered `
` for sale. It had long been an object of ambition for Porthos. `
` Porthos would have given ten years of his life to possess this `
` sword. `
` `
` One day, when he had an appointment with a duchess, he endeavored `
` even to borrow it of Athos. Athos, without saying anything, `
` emptied his pockets, got together all his jewels, purses, `
` aiguillettes, and gold chains, and offered them all to Porthos; `
` but as to the sword, he said it was sealed to its place and `
` should never quit it until its master should himself quit his `
` lodgings. In addition to the sword, there was a portrait `
` representing a nobleman of the time of Henry III, dressed with `
` the greatest elegance, and who wore the Order of the Holy Ghost; `
` and this portrait had certain resemblances of lines with Athos, `
` certain family likenesses which indicated that this great noble, `
` a knight of the Order of the King, was his ancestor. `
` `
` Besides these, a casket of magnificent goldwork, with the same `
` arms as the sword and the portrait, formed a middle ornament to `
` the mantelpiece, and assorted badly with the rest of the `
` furniture. Athos always carried the key of this coffer about `
` him; but he one day opened it before Porthos, and Porthos was `
` convinced that this coffer contained nothing but letters and `
` papers--love letters and family papers, no doubt. `
` `
` Porthos lived in an apartment, large in size and of very `
` sumptuous appearance, in the Rue du Vieux-Colombier. Every time `
` he passed with a friend before his windows, at one of which `
` Mousqueton was sure to be placed in full livery, Porthos raised `
` his head and his hand, and said, "That is my abode!" But he was `
` never to be found at home; he never invited anybody to go up with `
` him, and no one could form an idea of what his sumptuous `
` apartment contained in the shape of real riches. `
` `
` As to Aramis, he dwelt in a little lodging composed of a boudoir, `
` an eating room, and a bedroom, which room, situated, as the `
` others were, on the ground floor, looked out upon a little fresh `
` green garden, shady and impenetrable to the eyes of his `
` neighbors. `
` `
` With regard to d'Artagnan, we know how he was lodged, and we have `
` already made acquaintance with his lackey, Master Planchet. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, who was by nature very curious--as people generally `
` are who possess the genius of intrigue--did all he could to make `
` out who Athos, Porthos, and Aramis really were (for under these `
` pseudonyms each of these young men concealed his family name)-- `
` Athos in particular, who, a league away, savored of nobility. He `
` addressed himself then to Porthos to gain information respecting `
` Athos and Aramis, and to Aramis in order to learn something of `
` Porthos. `
` `
` Unfortunately Porthos knew nothing of the life of his silent `
` companion but what revealed itself. It was said Athos had met `
` with great crosses in love, and that a frightful treachery had `
` forever poisoned the life of this gallant man. What could this `
` treachery be? All the world was ignorant of it. `
` `
` As to Porthos, except his real name (as was the case with those `
` of his two comrades), his life was very easily known. Vain and `
` indiscreet, it was as easy to see through him as through a `
` crystal. The only thing to mislead the investigator would have `
` been belief in all the good things he said of himself. `
`
` king's gaming table. This did not prevent the king from being as `
` complacent to him as possible whenever he met him, or from asking `
` in the kindest tone, "Well, Monsieur Cardinal, how fares it with `
` that poor Jussac and that poor Bernajoux of yours?" `
` `
` `
` `
` 7 THE INTERIOR OF "THE MUSKETEERS" `
` `
` When d'Artagnan was out of the Louvre, and consulted his friends `
` upon the use he had best make of his share of the forty pistoles, `
` Athos advised him to order a good repast at the Pomme-de-Pin, `
` Porthos to engage a lackey, and Aramis to provide himself with a `
` suitable mistress. `
` `
` The repast was carried into effect that very day, and the lackey `
` waited at table. The repast had been ordered by Athos, and the `
` lackey furnished by Porthos. He was a Picard, whom the glorious `
` Musketeer had picked up on the Bridge Tournelle, making rings and `
` plashing in the water. `
` `
` Porthos pretended that this occupation was proof of a reflective `
` and contemplative organization, and he had brought him away `
` without any other recommendation. The noble carriage of this `
` gentleman, for whom he believed himself to be engaged, had won `
` Planchet--that was the name of the Picard. He felt a slight `
` disappointment, however, when he saw that this place was already `
` taken by a compeer named Mousqueton, and when Porthos signified `
` to him that the state of his household, though great, would not `
` support two servants, and that he must enter into the service of `
` d'Artagnan. Nevertheless, when he waited at the dinner given my `
` his master, and saw him take out a handful of gold to pay for it, `
` he believed his fortune made, and returned thanks to heaven for `
` having thrown him into the service of such a Croesus. He `
` preserved this opinion even after the feast, with the remnants of `
` which he repaired his own long abstinence; but when in the `
` evening he made his master's bed, the chimeras of Planchet faded `
` away. The bed was the only one in the apartment, which consisted `
` of an antechamber and a bedroom. Planchet slept in the `
` antechamber upon a coverlet taken from the bed of d'Artagnan, and `
` which d'Artagnan from that time made shift to do without. `
` `
` Athos, on his part, had a valet whom he had trained in his `
` service in a thoroughly peculiar fashion, and who was named `
` Grimaud. He was very taciturn, this worthy signor. Be it `
` understood we are speaking of Athos. During the five or six `
` years that he had lived in the strictest intimacy with his `
` companions, Porthos and Aramis, they could remember having often `
` seen him smile, but had never heard him laugh. His words were `
` brief and expressive, conveying all that was meant, and no more; `
` no embellishments, no embroidery, no arabesques. His `
` conversation a matter of fact, without a single romance. `
` `
` Although Athos was scarcely thirty years old, and was of great `
` personal beauty and intelligence of mind, no one knew whether he `
` had ever had a mistress. He never spoke of women. He certainly `
` did not prevent others from speaking of them before him, although `
` it was easy to perceive that this kind of conversation, in which `
` he only mingled by bitter words and misanthropic remarks, was `
` very disagreeable to him. His reserve, his roughness, and his `
` silence made almost an old man of him. He had, then, in order `
` not to disturb his habits, accustomed Grimaud to obey him upon a `
` simple gesture or upon a simple movement of his lips. He never `
` spoke to him, except under the most extraordinary occasions. `
` `
` Sometimes, Grimaud, who feared his master as he did fire, while `
` entertaining a strong attachment to his person and a great `
` veneration for his talents, believed he perfectly understood what `
` he wanted, flew to execute the order received, and did precisely `
` the contrary. Athos then shrugged his shoulders, and, without `
` putting himself in a passion, thrashed Grimaud. On these days he `
` spoke a little. `
` `
` Porthos, as we have seen, had a character exactly opposite to `
` that of Athos. He not only talked much, but he talked loudly, `
` little caring, we must render him that justice, whether anybody `
` listened to him or not. He talked for the pleasure of talking `
` and for the pleasure of hearing himself talk. He spoke upon all `
` subjects except the sciences, alleging in this respect the `
` inveterate hatred he had borne to scholars from his childhood. `
` He had not so noble an air as Athos, and the commencement of `
` their intimacy often rendered him unjust toward that gentleman, `
` whom he endeavored to eclipse by his splendid dress. But with `
` his simple Musketeer's uniform and nothing but the manner in `
` which he threw back his head and advanced his foot, Athos `
` instantly took the place which was his due and consigned the `
` ostentatious Porthos to the second rank. Porthos consoled `
` himself by filling the antechamber of M. de Treville and the `
` guardroom of the Louvre with the accounts of his love scrapes, `
` after having passed from professional ladies to military ladies, `
` from the lawyer's dame to the baroness, there was question of `
` nothing less with Porthos than a foreign princess, who was `
` enormously fond of him. `
` `
` An old proverb says, "Like master, like man." Let us pass, then, `
` from the valet of Athos to the valet of Porthos, from Grimaud to `
` Mousqueton. `
` `
` Mousqueton was a Norman, whose pacific name of Boniface his `
` master had changed into the infinitely more sonorous name of `
` Mousqueton. He had entered the service of Porthos upon condition `
` that he should only be clothed and lodged, though in a handsome `
` manner; but he claimed two hours a day to himself, consecrated to `
` an employment which would provide for his other wants. Porthos `
` agreed to the bargain; the thing suited him wonderfully well. He `
` had doublets cut out of his old clothes and cast-off cloaks for `
` Mousqueton, and thanks to a very intelligent tailor, who made his `
` clothes look as good as new by turning them, and whose wife was `
` suspected of wishing to make Porthos descend from his `
` aristocratic habits, Mousqueton made a very good figure when `
` attending on his master. `
` `
` As for Aramis, of whom we believe we have sufficiently explained `
` the character--a character which, like that of his lackey was `
` called Bazin. Thanks to the hopes which his master entertained `
` of someday entering into orders, he was always clothed in black, `
` as became the servant of a churchman. He was a Berrichon, `
` thirty-five or forty years old, mild, peaceable, sleek, employing `
` the leisure his master left him in the perusal of pious works, `
` providing rigorously for two a dinner of few dishes, but `
` excellent. For the rest, he was dumb, blind, and deaf, and of `
` unimpeachable fidelity. `
` `
` And now that we are acquainted, superficially at least, with the `
` masters and the valets, let us pass on to the dwellings occupied `
` by each of them. `
` `
` Athos dwelt in the Rue Ferou, within two steps of the Luxembourg. `
` His apartment consisted of two small chambers, very nicely fitted `
` up, in a furnished house, the hostess of which, still young and `
` still really handsome, cast tender glances uselessly at him. `
` Some fragments of past splendor appeared here and there upon the `
` walls of this modest lodging; a sword, for example, richly `
` embossed, which belonged by its make to the times of Francis I, `
` the hilt of which alone, encrusted with precious stones, might be `
` worth two hundred pistoles, and which, nevertheless, in his `
` moments of greatest distress Athos had never pledged or offered `
` for sale. It had long been an object of ambition for Porthos. `
` Porthos would have given ten years of his life to possess this `
` sword. `
` `
` One day, when he had an appointment with a duchess, he endeavored `
` even to borrow it of Athos. Athos, without saying anything, `
` emptied his pockets, got together all his jewels, purses, `
` aiguillettes, and gold chains, and offered them all to Porthos; `
` but as to the sword, he said it was sealed to its place and `
` should never quit it until its master should himself quit his `
` lodgings. In addition to the sword, there was a portrait `
` representing a nobleman of the time of Henry III, dressed with `
` the greatest elegance, and who wore the Order of the Holy Ghost; `
` and this portrait had certain resemblances of lines with Athos, `
` certain family likenesses which indicated that this great noble, `
` a knight of the Order of the King, was his ancestor. `
` `
` Besides these, a casket of magnificent goldwork, with the same `
` arms as the sword and the portrait, formed a middle ornament to `
` the mantelpiece, and assorted badly with the rest of the `
` furniture. Athos always carried the key of this coffer about `
` him; but he one day opened it before Porthos, and Porthos was `
` convinced that this coffer contained nothing but letters and `
` papers--love letters and family papers, no doubt. `
` `
` Porthos lived in an apartment, large in size and of very `
` sumptuous appearance, in the Rue du Vieux-Colombier. Every time `
` he passed with a friend before his windows, at one of which `
` Mousqueton was sure to be placed in full livery, Porthos raised `
` his head and his hand, and said, "That is my abode!" But he was `
` never to be found at home; he never invited anybody to go up with `
` him, and no one could form an idea of what his sumptuous `
` apartment contained in the shape of real riches. `
` `
` As to Aramis, he dwelt in a little lodging composed of a boudoir, `
` an eating room, and a bedroom, which room, situated, as the `
` others were, on the ground floor, looked out upon a little fresh `
` green garden, shady and impenetrable to the eyes of his `
` neighbors. `
` `
` With regard to d'Artagnan, we know how he was lodged, and we have `
` already made acquaintance with his lackey, Master Planchet. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, who was by nature very curious--as people generally `
` are who possess the genius of intrigue--did all he could to make `
` out who Athos, Porthos, and Aramis really were (for under these `
` pseudonyms each of these young men concealed his family name)-- `
` Athos in particular, who, a league away, savored of nobility. He `
` addressed himself then to Porthos to gain information respecting `
` Athos and Aramis, and to Aramis in order to learn something of `
` Porthos. `
` `
` Unfortunately Porthos knew nothing of the life of his silent `
` companion but what revealed itself. It was said Athos had met `
` with great crosses in love, and that a frightful treachery had `
` forever poisoned the life of this gallant man. What could this `
` treachery be? All the world was ignorant of it. `
` `
` As to Porthos, except his real name (as was the case with those `
` of his two comrades), his life was very easily known. Vain and `
` indiscreet, it was as easy to see through him as through a `
` crystal. The only thing to mislead the investigator would have `
` been belief in all the good things he said of himself. `
`