Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
`
` The gentleman raised his eyes slowly from the nag to his `
` cavalier, as if he required some time to ascertain whether it `
` could be to him that such strange reproaches were addressed; `
` then, when he could not possibly entertain any doubt of the `
` matter, his eyebrows slightly bent, and with an accent of irony `
` and insolence impossible to be described, he replied to `
` d'Artagnan, "I was not speaking to you, sir." `
` `
` "But I am speaking to you!" replied the young man, additionally `
` exasperated with this mixture of insolence and good manners, of `
` politeness and scorn. `
` `
` The stranger looked at him again with a slight smile, and `
` retiring from the window, came out of the hostelry with a slow `
` step, and placed himself before the horse, within two paces of `
` d'Artagnan. His quiet manner and the ironical expression of his `
` countenance redoubled the mirth of the persons with whom he had `
` been talking, and who still remained at the window. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, seeing him approach, drew his sword a foot out of the `
` scabbard. `
` `
` "This horse is decidedly, or rather has been in his youth, a `
` buttercup," resumed the stranger, continuing the remarks he had `
` begun, and addressing himself to his auditors at the window, `
` without paying the least attention to the exasperation of `
` d'Artagnan, who, however placed himself between him and them. `
` "It is a color very well known in botany, but till the present `
` time very rare among horses." `
` `
` "There are people who laugh at the horse that would not dare to `
` laugh at the master," cried the young emulator of the furious `
` Treville. `
` `
` "I do not often laugh, sir," replied the stranger, "as you may `
` perceive by the expression of my countenance; but nevertheless I `
` retain the privilege of laughing when I please." `
` `
` "And I," cried d'Artagnan, "will allow no man to laugh when it `
` displeases me!" `
` `
` "Indeed, sir," continued the stranger, more calm than ever; `
` "well, that is perfectly right!" and turning on his heel, was `
` about to re-enter the hostelry by the front gate, beneath which `
` d'Artagnan on arriving had observed a saddled horse. `
` `
` But, d'Artagnan was not of a character to allow a man to escape `
` him thus who had the insolence to ridicule him. He drew his `
` sword entirely from the scabbard, and followed him, crying, `
` "Turn, turn, Master Joker, lest I strike you behind!" `
` `
` "Strike me!" said the other, turning on his heels, and surveying `
` the young man with as much astonishment as contempt. "Why, my `
` good fellow, you must be mad!" Then, in a suppressed tone, as if `
` speaking to himself, "This is annoying," continued he. "What a `
` godsend this would be for his Majesty, who is seeking everywhere `
` for brave fellows to recruit for his Musketeers!" `
` `
` He had scarcely finished, when d'Artagnan made such a furious `
` lunge at him that if he had not sprung nimbly backward, it is `
` probable he would have jested for the last time. The stranger, `
` then perceiving that the matter went beyond raillery, drew his `
` sword, saluted his adversary, and seriously placed himself on `
` guard. But at the same moment, his two auditors, accompanied by `
` the host, fell upon d'Artagnan with sticks, shovels and tongs. `
` This caused so rapid and complete a diversion from the attack `
` that d'Artagnan's adversary, while the latter turned round to `
` face this shower of blows, sheathed his sword with the same `
` precision, and instead of an actor, which he had nearly been, `
` became a spectator of the fight--a part in which he acquitted `
` himself with his usual impassiveness, muttering, nevertheless, "A `
` plague upon these Gascons! Replace him on his orange horse, and `
` let him begone!" `
` `
` "Not before I have killed you, poltroon!" cried d'Artagnan, `
` making the best face possible, and never retreating one step `
` before his three assailants, who continued to shower blows upon `
` him. `
` `
` "Another gasconade!" murmured the gentleman. "By my honor, these `
` Gascons are incorrigible! Keep up the dance, then, since he will `
` have it so. When he is tired, he will perhaps tell us that he `
` has had enough of it." `
` `
` But the stranger knew not the headstrong personage he had to do `
` with; d'Artagnan was not the man ever to cry for quarter. The `
` fight was therefore prolonged for some seconds; but at length `
` d'Artagnan dropped his sword, which was broken in two pieces by `
` the blow of a stick. Another blow full upon his forehead at the `
` same moment brought him to the ground, covered with blood and `
` almost fainting. `
` `
` It was at this moment that people came flocking to the scene of `
` action from all sides. The host, fearful of consequences, with `
` the help of his servants carried the wounded man into the `
` kitchen, where some trifling attentions were bestowed upon him. `
` `
` As to the gentleman, he resumed his place at the window, and `
` surveyed the crowd with a certain impatience, evidently annoyed `
` by their remaining undispersed. `
` `
` "Well, how is it with this madman?" exclaimed he, turning round `
` as the noise of the door announced the entrance of the host, who `
` came in to inquire if he was unhurt. `
` `
` "Your excellency is safe and sound?" asked the host. `
` `
` "Oh, yes! Perfectly safe and sound, my good host; and I wish to `
` know what has become of our young man." `
` `
` "He is better," said the host, "he fainted quite away." `
` `
` "Indeed!" said the gentleman. `
` `
` "But before he fainted, he collected all his strength to `
` challenge you, and to defy you while challenging you." `
` `
` "Why, this fellow must be the devil in person!" cried the `
` stranger. `
` `
` "Oh, no, your Excellency, he is not the devil," replied the host, `
` with a grin of contempt; "for during his fainting we rummaged his `
` valise and found nothing but a clean shirt and eleven crowns-- `
` which however, did not prevent his saying, as he was fainting, `
` that if such a thing had happened in Paris, you should have cause `
` to repent of it at a later period." `
` `
` "Then," said the stranger coolly, "he must be some prince in `
` disguise." `
` `
` "I have told you this, good sir," resumed the host, "in order `
` that you may be on your guard." `
` `
` "Did he name no one in his passion?" `
` `
` "Yes; he struck his pocket and said, 'We shall see what Monsieur `
` de Treville will think of this insult offered to his protege.'" `
` `
` "Monsieur de Treville?" said the stranger, becoming attentive, `
` "he put his hand upon his pocket while pronouncing the name of `
` Monsieur de Treville? Now, my dear host, while your young man `
` was insensible, you did not fail, I am quite sure, to ascertain `
` what that pocket contained. What was there in it?" `
` `
` "A letter addressed to Monsieur de Treville, captain of the `
` Musketeers." `
` `
` "Indeed!" `
` `
` "Exactly as I have the honor to tell your Excellency." `
` `
` The host, who was not endowed with great perspicacity, did not `
` observe the expression which his words had given to the `
` physiognomy of the stranger. The latter rose from the front of `
` the window, upon the sill of which he had leaned with his elbow, `
` and knitted his brow like a man disquieted. `
` `
` "The devil!" murmured he, between his teeth. "Can Treville have `
` set this Gascon upon me? He is very young; but a sword thrust is `
` a sword thrust, whatever be the age of him who gives it, and a `
` youth is less to be suspected than an older man," and the `
` stranger fell into a reverie which lasted some minutes. "A weak `
` obstacle is sometimes sufficient to overthrow a great design. `
` `
` "Host," said he, "could you not contrive to get rid of this `
` frantic boy for me? In conscience, I cannot kill him; and yet," `
` added he, with a coldly menacing expression, "he annoys me. `
` Where is he?" `
` `
` "In my wife's chamber, on the first flight, where they are `
` dressing his wounds." `
` `
` "His things and his bag are with him? Has he taken off his `
` doublet?" `
` `
` "On the contrary, everything is in the kitchen. But if he annoys `
` you, this young fool--" `
` `
` "To be sure he does. He causes a disturbance in your hostelry, `
` which respectable people cannot put up with. Go; make out my `
` bill and notify my servant." `
` `
` "What, monsieur, will you leave us so soon?" `
` `
` "You know that very well, as I gave my order to saddle my horse. `
` Have they not obeyed me?" `
` `
` "It is done; as your Excellency may have observed, your horse is `
` in the great gateway, ready saddled for your departure." `
` `
` "That is well; do as I have directed you, then." `
` `
` "What the devil!" said the host to himself. "Can he be afraid of `
` this boy?" But an imperious glance from the stranger stopped him `
` short; he bowed humbly and retired. `
` `
` "It is not necessary for Milady* to be seen by this fellow," `
` continued the stranger. "She will soon pass; she is already `
` late. I had better get on horseback, and go and meet her. I `
` should like, however, to know what this letter addressed to `
`
` The gentleman raised his eyes slowly from the nag to his `
` cavalier, as if he required some time to ascertain whether it `
` could be to him that such strange reproaches were addressed; `
` then, when he could not possibly entertain any doubt of the `
` matter, his eyebrows slightly bent, and with an accent of irony `
` and insolence impossible to be described, he replied to `
` d'Artagnan, "I was not speaking to you, sir." `
` `
` "But I am speaking to you!" replied the young man, additionally `
` exasperated with this mixture of insolence and good manners, of `
` politeness and scorn. `
` `
` The stranger looked at him again with a slight smile, and `
` retiring from the window, came out of the hostelry with a slow `
` step, and placed himself before the horse, within two paces of `
` d'Artagnan. His quiet manner and the ironical expression of his `
` countenance redoubled the mirth of the persons with whom he had `
` been talking, and who still remained at the window. `
` `
` D'Artagnan, seeing him approach, drew his sword a foot out of the `
` scabbard. `
` `
` "This horse is decidedly, or rather has been in his youth, a `
` buttercup," resumed the stranger, continuing the remarks he had `
` begun, and addressing himself to his auditors at the window, `
` without paying the least attention to the exasperation of `
` d'Artagnan, who, however placed himself between him and them. `
` "It is a color very well known in botany, but till the present `
` time very rare among horses." `
` `
` "There are people who laugh at the horse that would not dare to `
` laugh at the master," cried the young emulator of the furious `
` Treville. `
` `
` "I do not often laugh, sir," replied the stranger, "as you may `
` perceive by the expression of my countenance; but nevertheless I `
` retain the privilege of laughing when I please." `
` `
` "And I," cried d'Artagnan, "will allow no man to laugh when it `
` displeases me!" `
` `
` "Indeed, sir," continued the stranger, more calm than ever; `
` "well, that is perfectly right!" and turning on his heel, was `
` about to re-enter the hostelry by the front gate, beneath which `
` d'Artagnan on arriving had observed a saddled horse. `
` `
` But, d'Artagnan was not of a character to allow a man to escape `
` him thus who had the insolence to ridicule him. He drew his `
` sword entirely from the scabbard, and followed him, crying, `
` "Turn, turn, Master Joker, lest I strike you behind!" `
` `
` "Strike me!" said the other, turning on his heels, and surveying `
` the young man with as much astonishment as contempt. "Why, my `
` good fellow, you must be mad!" Then, in a suppressed tone, as if `
` speaking to himself, "This is annoying," continued he. "What a `
` godsend this would be for his Majesty, who is seeking everywhere `
` for brave fellows to recruit for his Musketeers!" `
` `
` He had scarcely finished, when d'Artagnan made such a furious `
` lunge at him that if he had not sprung nimbly backward, it is `
` probable he would have jested for the last time. The stranger, `
` then perceiving that the matter went beyond raillery, drew his `
` sword, saluted his adversary, and seriously placed himself on `
` guard. But at the same moment, his two auditors, accompanied by `
` the host, fell upon d'Artagnan with sticks, shovels and tongs. `
` This caused so rapid and complete a diversion from the attack `
` that d'Artagnan's adversary, while the latter turned round to `
` face this shower of blows, sheathed his sword with the same `
` precision, and instead of an actor, which he had nearly been, `
` became a spectator of the fight--a part in which he acquitted `
` himself with his usual impassiveness, muttering, nevertheless, "A `
` plague upon these Gascons! Replace him on his orange horse, and `
` let him begone!" `
` `
` "Not before I have killed you, poltroon!" cried d'Artagnan, `
` making the best face possible, and never retreating one step `
` before his three assailants, who continued to shower blows upon `
` him. `
` `
` "Another gasconade!" murmured the gentleman. "By my honor, these `
` Gascons are incorrigible! Keep up the dance, then, since he will `
` have it so. When he is tired, he will perhaps tell us that he `
` has had enough of it." `
` `
` But the stranger knew not the headstrong personage he had to do `
` with; d'Artagnan was not the man ever to cry for quarter. The `
` fight was therefore prolonged for some seconds; but at length `
` d'Artagnan dropped his sword, which was broken in two pieces by `
` the blow of a stick. Another blow full upon his forehead at the `
` same moment brought him to the ground, covered with blood and `
` almost fainting. `
` `
` It was at this moment that people came flocking to the scene of `
` action from all sides. The host, fearful of consequences, with `
` the help of his servants carried the wounded man into the `
` kitchen, where some trifling attentions were bestowed upon him. `
` `
` As to the gentleman, he resumed his place at the window, and `
` surveyed the crowd with a certain impatience, evidently annoyed `
` by their remaining undispersed. `
` `
` "Well, how is it with this madman?" exclaimed he, turning round `
` as the noise of the door announced the entrance of the host, who `
` came in to inquire if he was unhurt. `
` `
` "Your excellency is safe and sound?" asked the host. `
` `
` "Oh, yes! Perfectly safe and sound, my good host; and I wish to `
` know what has become of our young man." `
` `
` "He is better," said the host, "he fainted quite away." `
` `
` "Indeed!" said the gentleman. `
` `
` "But before he fainted, he collected all his strength to `
` challenge you, and to defy you while challenging you." `
` `
` "Why, this fellow must be the devil in person!" cried the `
` stranger. `
` `
` "Oh, no, your Excellency, he is not the devil," replied the host, `
` with a grin of contempt; "for during his fainting we rummaged his `
` valise and found nothing but a clean shirt and eleven crowns-- `
` which however, did not prevent his saying, as he was fainting, `
` that if such a thing had happened in Paris, you should have cause `
` to repent of it at a later period." `
` `
` "Then," said the stranger coolly, "he must be some prince in `
` disguise." `
` `
` "I have told you this, good sir," resumed the host, "in order `
` that you may be on your guard." `
` `
` "Did he name no one in his passion?" `
` `
` "Yes; he struck his pocket and said, 'We shall see what Monsieur `
` de Treville will think of this insult offered to his protege.'" `
` `
` "Monsieur de Treville?" said the stranger, becoming attentive, `
` "he put his hand upon his pocket while pronouncing the name of `
` Monsieur de Treville? Now, my dear host, while your young man `
` was insensible, you did not fail, I am quite sure, to ascertain `
` what that pocket contained. What was there in it?" `
` `
` "A letter addressed to Monsieur de Treville, captain of the `
` Musketeers." `
` `
` "Indeed!" `
` `
` "Exactly as I have the honor to tell your Excellency." `
` `
` The host, who was not endowed with great perspicacity, did not `
` observe the expression which his words had given to the `
` physiognomy of the stranger. The latter rose from the front of `
` the window, upon the sill of which he had leaned with his elbow, `
` and knitted his brow like a man disquieted. `
` `
` "The devil!" murmured he, between his teeth. "Can Treville have `
` set this Gascon upon me? He is very young; but a sword thrust is `
` a sword thrust, whatever be the age of him who gives it, and a `
` youth is less to be suspected than an older man," and the `
` stranger fell into a reverie which lasted some minutes. "A weak `
` obstacle is sometimes sufficient to overthrow a great design. `
` `
` "Host," said he, "could you not contrive to get rid of this `
` frantic boy for me? In conscience, I cannot kill him; and yet," `
` added he, with a coldly menacing expression, "he annoys me. `
` Where is he?" `
` `
` "In my wife's chamber, on the first flight, where they are `
` dressing his wounds." `
` `
` "His things and his bag are with him? Has he taken off his `
` doublet?" `
` `
` "On the contrary, everything is in the kitchen. But if he annoys `
` you, this young fool--" `
` `
` "To be sure he does. He causes a disturbance in your hostelry, `
` which respectable people cannot put up with. Go; make out my `
` bill and notify my servant." `
` `
` "What, monsieur, will you leave us so soon?" `
` `
` "You know that very well, as I gave my order to saddle my horse. `
` Have they not obeyed me?" `
` `
` "It is done; as your Excellency may have observed, your horse is `
` in the great gateway, ready saddled for your departure." `
` `
` "That is well; do as I have directed you, then." `
` `
` "What the devil!" said the host to himself. "Can he be afraid of `
` this boy?" But an imperious glance from the stranger stopped him `
` short; he bowed humbly and retired. `
` `
` "It is not necessary for Milady* to be seen by this fellow," `
` continued the stranger. "She will soon pass; she is already `
` late. I had better get on horseback, and go and meet her. I `
` should like, however, to know what this letter addressed to `
`