Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
`
` "And you, you are a woman--a miserable woman, stupid and brutal. `
` You are afraid, are you? Well, if you do not go this very `
` instant, I will have you arrested by the queen's orders, and I `
` will have you placed in the Bastille which you dread so much." `
` `
` Bonacieux fell into a profound reflection. He weighed the two `
` angers in his brain--that of the cardinal and that of the queen; `
` that of the cardinal predominated enormously. `
` `
` "Have me arrested on the part of the queen," said he, "and I--I `
` will appeal to his Eminence." `
` `
` At once Mme. Bonacieux saw that she had gone too far, and she was `
` terrified at having communicated so much. She for a moment `
` contemplated with fright that stupid countenance, impressed with `
` the invincible resolution of a fool that is overcome by fear. `
` `
` "Well, be it so!" said she. "Perhaps, when all is considered, `
` you are right. In the long run, a man knows more about politics `
` than a woman, particularly such as, like you, Monsieur Bonacieux, `
` have conversed with the cardinal. And yet it is very hard," `
` added she, "that a man upon whose affection I thought I might `
` depend, treats me thus unkindly and will not comply with any of `
` my fancies." `
` `
` "That is because your fancies go too far," replied the triumphant `
` Bonacieux, "and I mistrust them." `
` `
` "Well, I will give it up, then," said the young woman, sighing. `
` "It is well as it is; say no more about it." `
` `
` "At least you should tell me what I should have to do in London," `
` replied Bonacieux, who remembered a little too late that `
` Rochefort had desired him to endeavor to obtain his wife's `
` secrets. `
` `
` "It is of no use for you to know anything about it," said the `
` young woman, whom an instinctive mistrust now impelled to draw `
` back. "It was about one of those purchases that interest women-- `
` a purchase by which much might have been gained." `
` `
` But the more the young woman excused herself, the more important `
` Bonacieux thought the secret which she declined to confide to `
` him. He resolved then to hasten immediately to the residence of `
` the Comte de Rochefort, and tell him that the queen was seeking `
` for a messenger to send to London. `
` `
` "Pardon me for quitting you, my dear Madame Bonacieux," said he; `
` "but, not knowing you would come to see me, I had made an `
` engagement with a friend. I shall soon return; and if you will `
` wait only a few minutes for me, as soon as I have concluded my `
` business with that friend, as it is growing late, I will come `
` back and reconduct you to the Louvre." `
` `
` "Thank you, monsieur, you are not brave enough to be of any use `
` to me whatever," replied Mme. Bonacieux. "I shall return very `
` safely to the Louvre all alone." `
` `
` "As you please, Madame Bonacieux," said the ex-mercer. "Shall I `
` see you again soon?" `
` `
` "Next week I hope my duties will afford me a little liberty, and `
` I will take advantage of it to come and put things in order here, `
` as they must necessarily be much deranged." `
` `
` "Very well; I shall expect you. You are not angry with me?" `
` `
` "Not the least in the world." `
` `
` "Till then, then?" `
` `
` "Till then." `
` `
` Bonacieux kissed his wife's hand, and set off at a quick pace. `
` `
` "Well," said Mme. Bonacieux, when her husband had shut the street `
` door and she found herself alone; "that imbecile lacked but one `
` thing to become a cardinalist. And I, who have answered for him `
` to the queen--I, who have promised my poor mistress--ah, my God, `
` my God! She will take me for one of those wretches with whom the `
` palace swarms and who are placed about her as spies! Ah, `
` Monsieur Bonacieux, I never did love you much, but now it is `
` worse than ever. I hate you, and on my word you shall pay for `
` this!" `
` `
` At the moment she spoke these words a rap on the ceiling made her `
` raise her head, and a voice which reached her through the ceiling `
` cried, "Dear Madame Bonacieux, open for me the little door on the `
` alley, and I will come down to you." `
` `
` `
` `
` 18 LOVER AND HUSBAND `
` `
` "Ah, Madame," said d'Artagnan, entering by the door which the `
` young woman opened for him, "allow me to tell you that you have a `
` bad sort of a husband." `
` `
` "You have, then, overheard our conversation?" asked Mme. `
` Bonacieux, eagerly, and looking at d'Artagnan with disquiet. `
` `
` "The whole." `
` `
` "But how, my God?" `
` `
` "By a mode of proceeding known to myself, and by which I likewise `
` overheard the more animated conversation which he had with the `
` cardinal's police." `
` `
` "And what did you understand by what we said?" `
` `
` "A thousand things. In the first place, that, unfortunately, `
` your husband is a simpleton and a fool; in the next place, you `
` are in trouble, of which I am very glad, as it gives me a `
` opportunity of placing myself at your service, and God knows I am `
` ready to throw myself into the fire for you; finally, that the `
` queen wants a brave, intelligent, devoted man to make a journey `
` to London for her. I have at least two of the three qualities `
` you stand in need of, and here I am." `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux made no reply; but her heart beat with joy and `
` secret hope shone in her eyes. `
` `
` "And what guarantee will you give me," asked she, "if I consent `
` to confide this message to you?" `
` `
` "My love for you. Speak! Command! What is to be done?" `
` `
` "My God, my God!" murmured the young woman, "ought I to confide `
` such a secret to you, monsieur? You are almost a boy." `
` `
` "I see that you require someone to answer for me?" `
` `
` "I admit that would reassure me greatly." `
` `
` "Do you know Athos?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Porthos?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Aramis?" `
` `
` "No. Who are these gentleman?" `
` `
` "Three of the king's Musketeers. Do you know Monsieur de `
` Treville, their captain?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, him! I know him; not personally, but from having heard `
` the queen speak of him more than once as a brave and loyal `
` gentleman." `
` `
` "You do not fear lest he should betray you to the cardinal?" `
` `
` "Oh, no, certainly not!" `
` `
` "Well, reveal your secret to him, and ask him whether, however `
` important, however valuable, however terrible it may be, you may `
` not confide it to me." `
` `
` "But this secret is not mine, and I cannot reveal it in this `
` manner." `
` `
` "You were about to confide it to Monsieur Bonacieux," said `
` d'Artagnan, with chagrin. `
` `
` "As one confides a letter to the hollow of a tree, to the wing of `
` a pigeon, to the collar of a dog." `
` `
` "And yet, me--you see plainly that I love you." `
` `
` "You say so." `
` `
` "I am an honorable man." `
` `
` "You say so." `
` `
` "I am a gallant fellow." `
` `
` "I believe it." `
` `
` "I am brave." `
` `
` "Oh, I am sure of that!" `
` `
` "Then, put me to the proof." `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux looked at the young man, restrained for a minute `
` by a last hesitation; but there was such an ardor in his eyes, `
` such persuasion in his voice, that she felt herself constrained `
` to confide in him. Besides, she found herself in circumstances `
` where everything must be risked for the sake of everything. The `
` queen might be as much injured by too much reticence as by too `
` much confidence; and--let us admit it--the involuntary sentiment `
` which she felt for her young protector decided her to speak. `
` `
` "Listen," said she; "I yield to your protestations, I yield to `
` your assurances. But I swear to you, before God who hears us, `
`
` "And you, you are a woman--a miserable woman, stupid and brutal. `
` You are afraid, are you? Well, if you do not go this very `
` instant, I will have you arrested by the queen's orders, and I `
` will have you placed in the Bastille which you dread so much." `
` `
` Bonacieux fell into a profound reflection. He weighed the two `
` angers in his brain--that of the cardinal and that of the queen; `
` that of the cardinal predominated enormously. `
` `
` "Have me arrested on the part of the queen," said he, "and I--I `
` will appeal to his Eminence." `
` `
` At once Mme. Bonacieux saw that she had gone too far, and she was `
` terrified at having communicated so much. She for a moment `
` contemplated with fright that stupid countenance, impressed with `
` the invincible resolution of a fool that is overcome by fear. `
` `
` "Well, be it so!" said she. "Perhaps, when all is considered, `
` you are right. In the long run, a man knows more about politics `
` than a woman, particularly such as, like you, Monsieur Bonacieux, `
` have conversed with the cardinal. And yet it is very hard," `
` added she, "that a man upon whose affection I thought I might `
` depend, treats me thus unkindly and will not comply with any of `
` my fancies." `
` `
` "That is because your fancies go too far," replied the triumphant `
` Bonacieux, "and I mistrust them." `
` `
` "Well, I will give it up, then," said the young woman, sighing. `
` "It is well as it is; say no more about it." `
` `
` "At least you should tell me what I should have to do in London," `
` replied Bonacieux, who remembered a little too late that `
` Rochefort had desired him to endeavor to obtain his wife's `
` secrets. `
` `
` "It is of no use for you to know anything about it," said the `
` young woman, whom an instinctive mistrust now impelled to draw `
` back. "It was about one of those purchases that interest women-- `
` a purchase by which much might have been gained." `
` `
` But the more the young woman excused herself, the more important `
` Bonacieux thought the secret which she declined to confide to `
` him. He resolved then to hasten immediately to the residence of `
` the Comte de Rochefort, and tell him that the queen was seeking `
` for a messenger to send to London. `
` `
` "Pardon me for quitting you, my dear Madame Bonacieux," said he; `
` "but, not knowing you would come to see me, I had made an `
` engagement with a friend. I shall soon return; and if you will `
` wait only a few minutes for me, as soon as I have concluded my `
` business with that friend, as it is growing late, I will come `
` back and reconduct you to the Louvre." `
` `
` "Thank you, monsieur, you are not brave enough to be of any use `
` to me whatever," replied Mme. Bonacieux. "I shall return very `
` safely to the Louvre all alone." `
` `
` "As you please, Madame Bonacieux," said the ex-mercer. "Shall I `
` see you again soon?" `
` `
` "Next week I hope my duties will afford me a little liberty, and `
` I will take advantage of it to come and put things in order here, `
` as they must necessarily be much deranged." `
` `
` "Very well; I shall expect you. You are not angry with me?" `
` `
` "Not the least in the world." `
` `
` "Till then, then?" `
` `
` "Till then." `
` `
` Bonacieux kissed his wife's hand, and set off at a quick pace. `
` `
` "Well," said Mme. Bonacieux, when her husband had shut the street `
` door and she found herself alone; "that imbecile lacked but one `
` thing to become a cardinalist. And I, who have answered for him `
` to the queen--I, who have promised my poor mistress--ah, my God, `
` my God! She will take me for one of those wretches with whom the `
` palace swarms and who are placed about her as spies! Ah, `
` Monsieur Bonacieux, I never did love you much, but now it is `
` worse than ever. I hate you, and on my word you shall pay for `
` this!" `
` `
` At the moment she spoke these words a rap on the ceiling made her `
` raise her head, and a voice which reached her through the ceiling `
` cried, "Dear Madame Bonacieux, open for me the little door on the `
` alley, and I will come down to you." `
` `
` `
` `
` 18 LOVER AND HUSBAND `
` `
` "Ah, Madame," said d'Artagnan, entering by the door which the `
` young woman opened for him, "allow me to tell you that you have a `
` bad sort of a husband." `
` `
` "You have, then, overheard our conversation?" asked Mme. `
` Bonacieux, eagerly, and looking at d'Artagnan with disquiet. `
` `
` "The whole." `
` `
` "But how, my God?" `
` `
` "By a mode of proceeding known to myself, and by which I likewise `
` overheard the more animated conversation which he had with the `
` cardinal's police." `
` `
` "And what did you understand by what we said?" `
` `
` "A thousand things. In the first place, that, unfortunately, `
` your husband is a simpleton and a fool; in the next place, you `
` are in trouble, of which I am very glad, as it gives me a `
` opportunity of placing myself at your service, and God knows I am `
` ready to throw myself into the fire for you; finally, that the `
` queen wants a brave, intelligent, devoted man to make a journey `
` to London for her. I have at least two of the three qualities `
` you stand in need of, and here I am." `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux made no reply; but her heart beat with joy and `
` secret hope shone in her eyes. `
` `
` "And what guarantee will you give me," asked she, "if I consent `
` to confide this message to you?" `
` `
` "My love for you. Speak! Command! What is to be done?" `
` `
` "My God, my God!" murmured the young woman, "ought I to confide `
` such a secret to you, monsieur? You are almost a boy." `
` `
` "I see that you require someone to answer for me?" `
` `
` "I admit that would reassure me greatly." `
` `
` "Do you know Athos?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Porthos?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "Aramis?" `
` `
` "No. Who are these gentleman?" `
` `
` "Three of the king's Musketeers. Do you know Monsieur de `
` Treville, their captain?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, him! I know him; not personally, but from having heard `
` the queen speak of him more than once as a brave and loyal `
` gentleman." `
` `
` "You do not fear lest he should betray you to the cardinal?" `
` `
` "Oh, no, certainly not!" `
` `
` "Well, reveal your secret to him, and ask him whether, however `
` important, however valuable, however terrible it may be, you may `
` not confide it to me." `
` `
` "But this secret is not mine, and I cannot reveal it in this `
` manner." `
` `
` "You were about to confide it to Monsieur Bonacieux," said `
` d'Artagnan, with chagrin. `
` `
` "As one confides a letter to the hollow of a tree, to the wing of `
` a pigeon, to the collar of a dog." `
` `
` "And yet, me--you see plainly that I love you." `
` `
` "You say so." `
` `
` "I am an honorable man." `
` `
` "You say so." `
` `
` "I am a gallant fellow." `
` `
` "I believe it." `
` `
` "I am brave." `
` `
` "Oh, I am sure of that!" `
` `
` "Then, put me to the proof." `
` `
` Mme. Bonacieux looked at the young man, restrained for a minute `
` by a last hesitation; but there was such an ardor in his eyes, `
` such persuasion in his voice, that she felt herself constrained `
` to confide in him. Besides, she found herself in circumstances `
` where everything must be risked for the sake of everything. The `
` queen might be as much injured by too much reticence as by too `
` much confidence; and--let us admit it--the involuntary sentiment `
` which she felt for her young protector decided her to speak. `
` `
` "Listen," said she; "I yield to your protestations, I yield to `
` your assurances. But I swear to you, before God who hears us, `
`