Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
coming back to recommend courage to his lackey. `
` `
` "Be easy, monsieur," said Planchet; "you do not know me yet. I `
` am brave when I set about it. It is all in beginning. Besides, `
` I am a Picard." `
` `
` "Then it is understood," said d'Artagnan; "you would rather be `
` killed than desert your post?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur; and there is nothing I would not do to prove to `
` Monsieur that I am attached to him." `
` `
` "Good!" said d'Artagnan to himself. "It appears that the method `
` I have adopted with this boy is decidedly the best. I shall use `
` it again upon occasion." `
` `
` And with all the swiftness of his legs, already a little fatigued `
` however, with the perambulations of the day, d'Artagnan directed `
` his course toward M. de Treville's. `
` `
` M. de Treville was not at his hotel. His company was on guard at `
` the Louvre; he was at the Louvre with his company. `
` `
` It was necessary to reach M. de Treville; it was important that `
` he should be informed of what was passing. D'Artagnan resolved `
` to try and enter the Louvre. His costume of Guardsman in the `
` company of M. Dessessart ought to be his passport. `
` `
` He therefore went down the Rue des Petits Augustins, and came up `
` to the quay, in order to take the New Bridge. He had at first an `
` idea of crossing by the ferry; but on gaining the riverside, he `
` had mechanically put his hand into his pocket, and perceived that `
` he had not wherewithal to pay his passage. `
` `
` As he gained the top of the Rue Guenegaud, he saw two persons `
` coming out of the Rue Dauphine whose appearance very much struck `
` him. Of the two persons who composed this group, one was a man `
` and the other a woman. The woman had the outline of Mme. `
` Bonacieux; the man resembled Aramis so much as to be mistaken for `
` him. `
` `
` Besides, the woman wore that black mantle which d'Artagnan could `
` still see outlined on the shutter of the Rue de Vaugirard and on `
` the door of the Rue de la Harpe; still further, the man wore the `
` uniform of a Musketeer. `
` `
` The woman's hood was pulled down, and the man held a handkerchief `
` to his face. Both, as this double precaution indicated, had an `
` interest in not being recognized. `
` `
` They took the bridge. That was d'Artagnan's road, as he was `
` going to the Louvre. D'Artagnan followed them. `
` `
` He had not gone twenty steps before he became convinced that the `
` woman was really Mme. Bonacieux and that the man was Aramis. `
` `
` He felt at that instant all the suspicions of jealousy agitating `
` his heart. He felt himself doubly betrayed, by his friend and by `
` her whom he already loved like a mistress. Mme. Bonacieux had `
` declared to him, by all the gods, that she did not know Aramis; `
` and a quarter of an hour after having made this assertion, he `
` found her hanging on the arm of Aramis. `
` `
` D'Artagnan did not reflect that he had only known the mercer's `
` pretty wife for three hours; that she owed him nothing but a `
` little gratitude for having delivered her from the men in black, `
` who wished to carry her off, and that she had promised him `
` nothing. He considered himself an outraged, betrayed, and `
` ridiculed lover. Blood and anger mounted to his face; he was `
` resolved to unravel the mystery. `
` `
` The young man and young woman perceived they were watched, and `
` redoubled their speed. D'Artagnan determined upon his course. `
` He passed them, then returned so as to meet them exactly before `
` the Samaritaine. Which was illuminated by a lamp which threw its `
` light over all that part of the bridge. `
` `
` D'Artagnan stopped before them, and they stopped before him. `
` `
` "What do you want, monsieur?" demanded the Musketeer, recoiling a `
` step, and with a foreign accent, which proved to d'Artagnan that `
` he was deceived in one of his conjectures. `
` `
` "It is not Aramis!" cried he. `
` `
` "No, monsieur, it is not Aramis; and by your exclamation I `
` perceive you have mistaken me for another, and pardon you." `
` `
` "You pardon me?" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Yes," replied the stranger. "Allow me, then, to pass on, since `
` it is not with me you have anything to do." `
` `
` "You are right, monsieur, it is not with you that I have anything `
` to do; it is with Madame." `
` `
` "With Madame! You do not know her," replied the stranger. `
` `
` "You are deceived, monsieur; I know her very well." `
` `
` "Ah," said Mme. Bonacieux; in a tone of reproach, "ah, monsieur, `
` I had your promise as a soldier and your word as a gentleman. I `
` hoped to be able to rely upon that." `
` `
` "And I, madame!" said d'Artagnan, embarrassed; "you promised me--" `
` `
` "Take my arm, madame," said the stranger, "and let us continue `
` our way." `
` `
` D'Artagnan, however, stupefied, cast down, annihilated by all `
` that happened, stood, with crossed arms, before the Musketeer and `
` Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` The Musketeer advanced two steps, and pushed d'Artagnan aside `
` with his hand. D'Artagnan made a spring backward and drew his `
` sword. At the same time, and with the rapidity of lightning, the `
` stranger drew his. `
` `
` "In the name of heaven, my Lord!" cried Mme. Bonacieux, throwing `
` herself between the combatants and seizing the swords with her `
` hands. `
` `
` "My Lord!" cried d'Artagnan, enlightened by a sudden idea, "my `
` Lord! Pardon me, monsieur, but you are not--" `
` `
` "My Lord the Duke of Buckingham," said Mme. Bonacieux, in an `
` undertone; "and now you may ruin us all." `
` `
` "My Lord, Madame, I ask a hundred pardons! But I love her, my `
` Lord, and was jealous. You know what it is to love, my Lord. `
` Pardon me, and then tell me how I can risk my life to serve your `
` Grace?" `
` `
` "You are a brave young man," said Buckingham, holding out his `
` hand to d'Artagnan, who pressed it respectfully. "You offer me `
` your services; with the same frankness I accept them. Follow us `
` at a distance of twenty paces, as far as the Louvre, and if `
` anyone watches us, slay him!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan placed his naked sword under his arm, allowed the duke `
` and Mme. Bonacieux to take twenty steps ahead, and then followed `
` them, ready to execute the instructions of the noble and elegant `
` minister of Charles I. `
` `
` Fortunately, he had no opportunity to give the duke this proof of `
` his devotion, and the young woman and the handsome Musketeer `
` entered the Louvre by the wicket of the Echelle without any `
` interference. `
` `
` As for d'Artagnan, he immediately repaired to the cabaret of the `
` Pomme-de-Pin, where he found Porthos and Aramis awaiting him. `
` Without giving them any explanation of the alarm and `
` inconvenience he had caused them, he told them that he had `
` terminated the affair alone in which he had for a moment believed `
` he should need their assistance. `
` `
` Meanwhile, carried away as we are by our narrative, we must leave `
` our three friends to themselves, and follow the Duke of `
` Buckingham and his guide through the labyrinths of the Louvre. `
` `
` `
` `
` 12 GEORGE VILLIERS, DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux and the duke entered the Louvre without `
` difficulty. Mme. Bonacieux was known to belong to the queen; the `
` duke wore the uniform of the Musketeers of M. de Treville, who, `
` as we have said, were that evening on guard. Besides, Germain `
` was in the interests of the queen; and if anything should happen, `
` Mme. Bonacieux would be accused of having introduced her lover `
` into the Louvre, that was all. She took the risk upon herself. `
` Her reputation would be lost, it is true; but of what value in `
` the world was the reputation of the little wife of a mercer? `
` `
` Once within the interior of the court, the duke and the young `
` woman followed the wall for the space of about twenty-five steps. `
` This space passed, Mme. Bonacieux pushed a little servants' door, `
` open by day but generally closed at night. The door yielded. `
` Both entered, and found themselves in darkness; but Mme. `
` Bonacieux was acquainted with all the turnings and windings of `
` this part of the Louvre, appropriated for the people of the `
` household. She closed the door after her, took the duke by the `
` hand, and after a few experimental steps, grasped a balustrade, `
` put her foot upon the bottom step, and began to ascend the `
` staircase. The duke counted two stories. She then turned to the `
` right, followed the course of a long corridor, descended a `
` flight, went a few steps farther, introduced a key into a lock, `
` opened a door, and pushed the duke into an apartment lighted only `
` by a lamp, saying, "Remain here, my Lord Duke; someone will `
` come." She then went out by the same door, which she locked, so `
` that the duke found himself literally a prisoner. `
` `
` Nevertheless, isolated as he was, we must say that the Duke of `
` Buckingham did not experience an instant of fear. One of the `
` salient points of his character was the search for adventures and `
` a love of romance. Brave, rash, and enterprising, this was not `
` the first time he had risked his life in such attempts. He had `
` learned that the pretended message from Anne of Austria, upon the `
` faith of which he had come to Paris, was a snare; but instead of `
` regaining England, he had, abusing the position in which he had `
` been placed, declared to the queen that he would not depart `
`
` `
` "Be easy, monsieur," said Planchet; "you do not know me yet. I `
` am brave when I set about it. It is all in beginning. Besides, `
` I am a Picard." `
` `
` "Then it is understood," said d'Artagnan; "you would rather be `
` killed than desert your post?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur; and there is nothing I would not do to prove to `
` Monsieur that I am attached to him." `
` `
` "Good!" said d'Artagnan to himself. "It appears that the method `
` I have adopted with this boy is decidedly the best. I shall use `
` it again upon occasion." `
` `
` And with all the swiftness of his legs, already a little fatigued `
` however, with the perambulations of the day, d'Artagnan directed `
` his course toward M. de Treville's. `
` `
` M. de Treville was not at his hotel. His company was on guard at `
` the Louvre; he was at the Louvre with his company. `
` `
` It was necessary to reach M. de Treville; it was important that `
` he should be informed of what was passing. D'Artagnan resolved `
` to try and enter the Louvre. His costume of Guardsman in the `
` company of M. Dessessart ought to be his passport. `
` `
` He therefore went down the Rue des Petits Augustins, and came up `
` to the quay, in order to take the New Bridge. He had at first an `
` idea of crossing by the ferry; but on gaining the riverside, he `
` had mechanically put his hand into his pocket, and perceived that `
` he had not wherewithal to pay his passage. `
` `
` As he gained the top of the Rue Guenegaud, he saw two persons `
` coming out of the Rue Dauphine whose appearance very much struck `
` him. Of the two persons who composed this group, one was a man `
` and the other a woman. The woman had the outline of Mme. `
` Bonacieux; the man resembled Aramis so much as to be mistaken for `
` him. `
` `
` Besides, the woman wore that black mantle which d'Artagnan could `
` still see outlined on the shutter of the Rue de Vaugirard and on `
` the door of the Rue de la Harpe; still further, the man wore the `
` uniform of a Musketeer. `
` `
` The woman's hood was pulled down, and the man held a handkerchief `
` to his face. Both, as this double precaution indicated, had an `
` interest in not being recognized. `
` `
` They took the bridge. That was d'Artagnan's road, as he was `
` going to the Louvre. D'Artagnan followed them. `
` `
` He had not gone twenty steps before he became convinced that the `
` woman was really Mme. Bonacieux and that the man was Aramis. `
` `
` He felt at that instant all the suspicions of jealousy agitating `
` his heart. He felt himself doubly betrayed, by his friend and by `
` her whom he already loved like a mistress. Mme. Bonacieux had `
` declared to him, by all the gods, that she did not know Aramis; `
` and a quarter of an hour after having made this assertion, he `
` found her hanging on the arm of Aramis. `
` `
` D'Artagnan did not reflect that he had only known the mercer's `
` pretty wife for three hours; that she owed him nothing but a `
` little gratitude for having delivered her from the men in black, `
` who wished to carry her off, and that she had promised him `
` nothing. He considered himself an outraged, betrayed, and `
` ridiculed lover. Blood and anger mounted to his face; he was `
` resolved to unravel the mystery. `
` `
` The young man and young woman perceived they were watched, and `
` redoubled their speed. D'Artagnan determined upon his course. `
` He passed them, then returned so as to meet them exactly before `
` the Samaritaine. Which was illuminated by a lamp which threw its `
` light over all that part of the bridge. `
` `
` D'Artagnan stopped before them, and they stopped before him. `
` `
` "What do you want, monsieur?" demanded the Musketeer, recoiling a `
` step, and with a foreign accent, which proved to d'Artagnan that `
` he was deceived in one of his conjectures. `
` `
` "It is not Aramis!" cried he. `
` `
` "No, monsieur, it is not Aramis; and by your exclamation I `
` perceive you have mistaken me for another, and pardon you." `
` `
` "You pardon me?" cried d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Yes," replied the stranger. "Allow me, then, to pass on, since `
` it is not with me you have anything to do." `
` `
` "You are right, monsieur, it is not with you that I have anything `
` to do; it is with Madame." `
` `
` "With Madame! You do not know her," replied the stranger. `
` `
` "You are deceived, monsieur; I know her very well." `
` `
` "Ah," said Mme. Bonacieux; in a tone of reproach, "ah, monsieur, `
` I had your promise as a soldier and your word as a gentleman. I `
` hoped to be able to rely upon that." `
` `
` "And I, madame!" said d'Artagnan, embarrassed; "you promised me--" `
` `
` "Take my arm, madame," said the stranger, "and let us continue `
` our way." `
` `
` D'Artagnan, however, stupefied, cast down, annihilated by all `
` that happened, stood, with crossed arms, before the Musketeer and `
` Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` The Musketeer advanced two steps, and pushed d'Artagnan aside `
` with his hand. D'Artagnan made a spring backward and drew his `
` sword. At the same time, and with the rapidity of lightning, the `
` stranger drew his. `
` `
` "In the name of heaven, my Lord!" cried Mme. Bonacieux, throwing `
` herself between the combatants and seizing the swords with her `
` hands. `
` `
` "My Lord!" cried d'Artagnan, enlightened by a sudden idea, "my `
` Lord! Pardon me, monsieur, but you are not--" `
` `
` "My Lord the Duke of Buckingham," said Mme. Bonacieux, in an `
` undertone; "and now you may ruin us all." `
` `
` "My Lord, Madame, I ask a hundred pardons! But I love her, my `
` Lord, and was jealous. You know what it is to love, my Lord. `
` Pardon me, and then tell me how I can risk my life to serve your `
` Grace?" `
` `
` "You are a brave young man," said Buckingham, holding out his `
` hand to d'Artagnan, who pressed it respectfully. "You offer me `
` your services; with the same frankness I accept them. Follow us `
` at a distance of twenty paces, as far as the Louvre, and if `
` anyone watches us, slay him!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan placed his naked sword under his arm, allowed the duke `
` and Mme. Bonacieux to take twenty steps ahead, and then followed `
` them, ready to execute the instructions of the noble and elegant `
` minister of Charles I. `
` `
` Fortunately, he had no opportunity to give the duke this proof of `
` his devotion, and the young woman and the handsome Musketeer `
` entered the Louvre by the wicket of the Echelle without any `
` interference. `
` `
` As for d'Artagnan, he immediately repaired to the cabaret of the `
` Pomme-de-Pin, where he found Porthos and Aramis awaiting him. `
` Without giving them any explanation of the alarm and `
` inconvenience he had caused them, he told them that he had `
` terminated the affair alone in which he had for a moment believed `
` he should need their assistance. `
` `
` Meanwhile, carried away as we are by our narrative, we must leave `
` our three friends to themselves, and follow the Duke of `
` Buckingham and his guide through the labyrinths of the Louvre. `
` `
` `
` `
` 12 GEORGE VILLIERS, DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux and the duke entered the Louvre without `
` difficulty. Mme. Bonacieux was known to belong to the queen; the `
` duke wore the uniform of the Musketeers of M. de Treville, who, `
` as we have said, were that evening on guard. Besides, Germain `
` was in the interests of the queen; and if anything should happen, `
` Mme. Bonacieux would be accused of having introduced her lover `
` into the Louvre, that was all. She took the risk upon herself. `
` Her reputation would be lost, it is true; but of what value in `
` the world was the reputation of the little wife of a mercer? `
` `
` Once within the interior of the court, the duke and the young `
` woman followed the wall for the space of about twenty-five steps. `
` This space passed, Mme. Bonacieux pushed a little servants' door, `
` open by day but generally closed at night. The door yielded. `
` Both entered, and found themselves in darkness; but Mme. `
` Bonacieux was acquainted with all the turnings and windings of `
` this part of the Louvre, appropriated for the people of the `
` household. She closed the door after her, took the duke by the `
` hand, and after a few experimental steps, grasped a balustrade, `
` put her foot upon the bottom step, and began to ascend the `
` staircase. The duke counted two stories. She then turned to the `
` right, followed the course of a long corridor, descended a `
` flight, went a few steps farther, introduced a key into a lock, `
` opened a door, and pushed the duke into an apartment lighted only `
` by a lamp, saying, "Remain here, my Lord Duke; someone will `
` come." She then went out by the same door, which she locked, so `
` that the duke found himself literally a prisoner. `
` `
` Nevertheless, isolated as he was, we must say that the Duke of `
` Buckingham did not experience an instant of fear. One of the `
` salient points of his character was the search for adventures and `
` a love of romance. Brave, rash, and enterprising, this was not `
` the first time he had risked his life in such attempts. He had `
` learned that the pretended message from Anne of Austria, upon the `
` faith of which he had come to Paris, was a snare; but instead of `
` regaining England, he had, abusing the position in which he had `
` been placed, declared to the queen that he would not depart `
`