Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
`
` "Oh, my God, my God!" murmured the queen, whose teeth chattered `
` with fright. `
` `
` "Well, those studs," continued Mme. Bonacieux, "we must have them `
` back again." `
` `
` "Yes, without doubt, it is necessary," cried the queen; "but how `
` am I to act? How can it be effected?" `
` `
` "Someone must be sent to the duke." `
` `
` "But who, who? In whom can I trust?" `
` `
` "Place confidence in me, madame; do me that honor, my queen, and `
` I will find a messenger." `
` `
` "But I must write." `
` `
` "Oh, yes; that is indispensable. Two words from the hand of your `
` Majesty and your private seal." `
` `
` "But these two words would bring about my condemnation, divorce, `
` exile!" `
` `
` "Yes, if they fell into infamous hands. But I will answer for `
` these two words being delivered to their address." `
` `
` "Oh, my God! I must then place my life, my honor, my reputation, `
` in your hands?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes, madame, you must; and I will save them all." `
` `
` "But how? Tell me at least the means." `
` `
` "My husband had been at liberty these two or three days. I have `
` not yet had time to see him again. He is a worthy, honest man `
` who entertains neither love nor hatred for anybody. He will do `
` anything I wish. He will set out upon receiving an order from `
` me, without knowing what he carries, and he will carry your `
` Majesty's letter, without even knowing it is from your Majesty, `
` to the address which is on it." `
` `
` The queen took the two hands of the young woman with a burst of `
` emotion, gazed at her as if to read her very heart, and seeing `
` nothing but sincerity in her beautiful eyes, embraced her `
` tenderly. `
` `
` "Do that," cried she, "and you will have saved my life, you will `
` have saved my honor!" `
` `
` "Do not exaggerate the service I have the happiness to render `
` your Majesty. I have nothing to save for your Majesty; you are `
` only the victim of perfidious plots." `
` `
` "That is true, that is true, my child," said the queen, "you are `
` right." `
` `
` "Give me then, that letter, madame; time presses." `
` `
` The queen ran to a little table, on which were ink, paper, and `
` pens. She wrote two lines, sealed the letter with her private `
` seal, and gave it to Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` "And now," said the queen, "we are forgetting one very necessary `
` thing." `
` `
` "What is that, madame?" `
` `
` "Money." `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux blushed. `
` `
` "Yes, that is true," said she, "and I will confess to your `
` Majesty that my husband--" `
` `
` "Your husband has none. Is that what you would say?" `
` `
` "He has some, but he is very avaricious; that is his fault. `
` Nevertheless, let not your Majesty be uneasy, we will find `
` means." `
` `
` "And I have none, either," said the queen. Those who have read `
` the MEMOIRS of Mme. de Motteville will not be astonished at this `
` reply. "But wait a minute." `
` `
` Anne of Austria ran to her jewel case. `
` `
` "Here," said she, "here is a ring of great value, as I have been `
` assured. It came from my brother, the King of Spain. It is `
` mine, and I am at liberty to dispose of it. Take this ring; `
` raise money with it, and let your husband set out." `
` `
` "In an hour you shall be obeyed." `
` `
` "You see the address," said the queen, speaking so low that Mme. `
` Bonacieux could hardly hear what she said, "To my Lord Duke of `
` Buckingham, London." `
` `
` "The letter shall be given to himself." `
` `
` "Generous girl!" cried Anne of Austria. `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux kissed the hands of the queen, concealed the paper `
` in the bosom of her dress, and disappeared with the lightness of `
` a bird. `
` `
` Ten minutes afterward she was at home. As she told the queen, `
` she had not seen her husband since his liberation; she was `
` ignorant of the change that had taken place in him with respect `
` to the cardinal--a change which had since been strengthened by `
` two or three visits from the Comte de Rochefort, who had become `
` the best friend of Bonacieux, and had persuaded him, without much `
` trouble, was putting his house in order, the furniture of which he `
` had found mostly broken and his closets nearly empty--justice not `
` being one of the three things which King Solomon names as leaving `
` no traces of their passage. As to the servant, she had run away at `
` the moment of her master's arrest. Terror had had such an effect `
` upon the poor girl that she had never ceased walking from Paris `
` till she reached Burgundy, her native place. `
` `
` The worthy mercer had, immediately upon re-entering his house, `
` informed his wife of his happy return, and his wife had replied `
` by congratulating him, and telling him that the first moment she `
` could steal from her duties should be devoted to paying him a `
` visit. `
` `
` This first moment had been delayed five days, which, under any `
` other circumstances, might have appeared rather long to M. `
` Bonacieux; but he had, in the visit he had made to the cardinal `
` and in the visits Rochefort had made him, ample subjects for `
` reflection, and as everybody knows, nothing makes time pass more `
` quickly than reflection. `
` `
` This was the more so because Bonacieux's reflections were all `
` rose-colored. Rochefort called him his friend, his dear `
` Bonacieux, and never ceased telling him that the cardinal had a `
` great respect for him. The mercer fancied himself already on the `
` high road to honors and fortune. `
` `
` On her side Mme. Bonacieux had also reflected; but, it must be `
` admitted, upon something widely different from ambition. In `
` spite of herself her thoughts constantly reverted to that `
` handsome young man who was so brave and appeared to be so much in `
` love. Married at eighteen to M. Bonacieux, having always lived `
` among her husband's friends--people little capable of inspiring `
` any sentiment whatever in a young woman whose heart was above her `
` position--Mme. Bonacieux had remained insensible to vulgar `
` seductions; but at this period the title of gentleman had great `
` influence with the citizen class, and d'Artagnan was a gentleman. `
` Besides, he wore the uniform of the Guards, which next to that of `
` the Musketeers was most admired by the ladies. He was, we `
` repeat, handsome, young, and bold; he spoke of love like a man `
` who did love and was anxious to be loved in return. There was `
` certainly enough in all this to turn a head only twenty-three `
` years old, and Mme. Bonacieux had just attained that happy period `
` of life. `
` `
` The couple, then, although they had not seen each other for eight `
` days, and during that time serious events had taken place in `
` which both were concerned, accosted each other with a degree of `
` preoccupation. Nevertheless, Bonacieux manifested real joy, and `
` advanced toward his wife with open arms. Madame Bonacieux `
` presented her cheek to him. `
` `
` "Let us talk a little," said she. `
` `
` "How!" said Bonacieux, astonished. `
` `
` "Yes, I have something of the highest importance to tell you." `
` `
` "True," said he, "and I have some questions sufficiently serious `
` to put to you. Describe to me your abduction, I pray you." `
` `
` "Oh, that's of no consequence just now," said Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` "And what does it concern, then--my captivity?" `
` `
` "I heard of it the day it happened; but as you were not guilty of `
` any crime, as you were not guilty of any intrigue, as you, in `
` short, knew nothing that could compromise yourself or anybody `
` else, I attached no more importance to that event than it `
` merited." `
` `
` "You speak very much at your ease, madame," said Bonacieux, hurt `
` at the little interest his wife showed in him. "Do you know that `
` I was plunged during a day and night in a dungeon of the `
` Bastille?" `
` `
` "Oh, a day and night soon pass away. Let us return to the object `
` that brings me here." `
` `
` "What, that which brings you home to me? Is it not the desire of `
` seeing a husband again from whom you have been separated for a `
` week?" asked the mercer, piqued to the quick. `
` `
` "Yes, that first, and other things afterward." `
` `
` "Speak." `
` `
` "It is a thing of the highest interest, and upon which our future `
`
` "Oh, my God, my God!" murmured the queen, whose teeth chattered `
` with fright. `
` `
` "Well, those studs," continued Mme. Bonacieux, "we must have them `
` back again." `
` `
` "Yes, without doubt, it is necessary," cried the queen; "but how `
` am I to act? How can it be effected?" `
` `
` "Someone must be sent to the duke." `
` `
` "But who, who? In whom can I trust?" `
` `
` "Place confidence in me, madame; do me that honor, my queen, and `
` I will find a messenger." `
` `
` "But I must write." `
` `
` "Oh, yes; that is indispensable. Two words from the hand of your `
` Majesty and your private seal." `
` `
` "But these two words would bring about my condemnation, divorce, `
` exile!" `
` `
` "Yes, if they fell into infamous hands. But I will answer for `
` these two words being delivered to their address." `
` `
` "Oh, my God! I must then place my life, my honor, my reputation, `
` in your hands?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes, madame, you must; and I will save them all." `
` `
` "But how? Tell me at least the means." `
` `
` "My husband had been at liberty these two or three days. I have `
` not yet had time to see him again. He is a worthy, honest man `
` who entertains neither love nor hatred for anybody. He will do `
` anything I wish. He will set out upon receiving an order from `
` me, without knowing what he carries, and he will carry your `
` Majesty's letter, without even knowing it is from your Majesty, `
` to the address which is on it." `
` `
` The queen took the two hands of the young woman with a burst of `
` emotion, gazed at her as if to read her very heart, and seeing `
` nothing but sincerity in her beautiful eyes, embraced her `
` tenderly. `
` `
` "Do that," cried she, "and you will have saved my life, you will `
` have saved my honor!" `
` `
` "Do not exaggerate the service I have the happiness to render `
` your Majesty. I have nothing to save for your Majesty; you are `
` only the victim of perfidious plots." `
` `
` "That is true, that is true, my child," said the queen, "you are `
` right." `
` `
` "Give me then, that letter, madame; time presses." `
` `
` The queen ran to a little table, on which were ink, paper, and `
` pens. She wrote two lines, sealed the letter with her private `
` seal, and gave it to Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` "And now," said the queen, "we are forgetting one very necessary `
` thing." `
` `
` "What is that, madame?" `
` `
` "Money." `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux blushed. `
` `
` "Yes, that is true," said she, "and I will confess to your `
` Majesty that my husband--" `
` `
` "Your husband has none. Is that what you would say?" `
` `
` "He has some, but he is very avaricious; that is his fault. `
` Nevertheless, let not your Majesty be uneasy, we will find `
` means." `
` `
` "And I have none, either," said the queen. Those who have read `
` the MEMOIRS of Mme. de Motteville will not be astonished at this `
` reply. "But wait a minute." `
` `
` Anne of Austria ran to her jewel case. `
` `
` "Here," said she, "here is a ring of great value, as I have been `
` assured. It came from my brother, the King of Spain. It is `
` mine, and I am at liberty to dispose of it. Take this ring; `
` raise money with it, and let your husband set out." `
` `
` "In an hour you shall be obeyed." `
` `
` "You see the address," said the queen, speaking so low that Mme. `
` Bonacieux could hardly hear what she said, "To my Lord Duke of `
` Buckingham, London." `
` `
` "The letter shall be given to himself." `
` `
` "Generous girl!" cried Anne of Austria. `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux kissed the hands of the queen, concealed the paper `
` in the bosom of her dress, and disappeared with the lightness of `
` a bird. `
` `
` Ten minutes afterward she was at home. As she told the queen, `
` she had not seen her husband since his liberation; she was `
` ignorant of the change that had taken place in him with respect `
` to the cardinal--a change which had since been strengthened by `
` two or three visits from the Comte de Rochefort, who had become `
` the best friend of Bonacieux, and had persuaded him, without much `
` trouble, was putting his house in order, the furniture of which he `
` had found mostly broken and his closets nearly empty--justice not `
` being one of the three things which King Solomon names as leaving `
` no traces of their passage. As to the servant, she had run away at `
` the moment of her master's arrest. Terror had had such an effect `
` upon the poor girl that she had never ceased walking from Paris `
` till she reached Burgundy, her native place. `
` `
` The worthy mercer had, immediately upon re-entering his house, `
` informed his wife of his happy return, and his wife had replied `
` by congratulating him, and telling him that the first moment she `
` could steal from her duties should be devoted to paying him a `
` visit. `
` `
` This first moment had been delayed five days, which, under any `
` other circumstances, might have appeared rather long to M. `
` Bonacieux; but he had, in the visit he had made to the cardinal `
` and in the visits Rochefort had made him, ample subjects for `
` reflection, and as everybody knows, nothing makes time pass more `
` quickly than reflection. `
` `
` This was the more so because Bonacieux's reflections were all `
` rose-colored. Rochefort called him his friend, his dear `
` Bonacieux, and never ceased telling him that the cardinal had a `
` great respect for him. The mercer fancied himself already on the `
` high road to honors and fortune. `
` `
` On her side Mme. Bonacieux had also reflected; but, it must be `
` admitted, upon something widely different from ambition. In `
` spite of herself her thoughts constantly reverted to that `
` handsome young man who was so brave and appeared to be so much in `
` love. Married at eighteen to M. Bonacieux, having always lived `
` among her husband's friends--people little capable of inspiring `
` any sentiment whatever in a young woman whose heart was above her `
` position--Mme. Bonacieux had remained insensible to vulgar `
` seductions; but at this period the title of gentleman had great `
` influence with the citizen class, and d'Artagnan was a gentleman. `
` Besides, he wore the uniform of the Guards, which next to that of `
` the Musketeers was most admired by the ladies. He was, we `
` repeat, handsome, young, and bold; he spoke of love like a man `
` who did love and was anxious to be loved in return. There was `
` certainly enough in all this to turn a head only twenty-three `
` years old, and Mme. Bonacieux had just attained that happy period `
` of life. `
` `
` The couple, then, although they had not seen each other for eight `
` days, and during that time serious events had taken place in `
` which both were concerned, accosted each other with a degree of `
` preoccupation. Nevertheless, Bonacieux manifested real joy, and `
` advanced toward his wife with open arms. Madame Bonacieux `
` presented her cheek to him. `
` `
` "Let us talk a little," said she. `
` `
` "How!" said Bonacieux, astonished. `
` `
` "Yes, I have something of the highest importance to tell you." `
` `
` "True," said he, "and I have some questions sufficiently serious `
` to put to you. Describe to me your abduction, I pray you." `
` `
` "Oh, that's of no consequence just now," said Mme. Bonacieux. `
` `
` "And what does it concern, then--my captivity?" `
` `
` "I heard of it the day it happened; but as you were not guilty of `
` any crime, as you were not guilty of any intrigue, as you, in `
` short, knew nothing that could compromise yourself or anybody `
` else, I attached no more importance to that event than it `
` merited." `
` `
` "You speak very much at your ease, madame," said Bonacieux, hurt `
` at the little interest his wife showed in him. "Do you know that `
` I was plunged during a day and night in a dungeon of the `
` Bastille?" `
` `
` "Oh, a day and night soon pass away. Let us return to the object `
` that brings me here." `
` `
` "What, that which brings you home to me? Is it not the desire of `
` seeing a husband again from whom you have been separated for a `
` week?" asked the mercer, piqued to the quick. `
` `
` "Yes, that first, and other things afterward." `
` `
` "Speak." `
` `
` "It is a thing of the highest interest, and upon which our future `
`