Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
"What! Will they dare to arrest a man in his Majesty's service?" `
` `
` "PARDIEU! They did not scruple much in the case of Athos. At `
` all events, young man, rely upon one who has been thirty years at `
` court. Do not lull yourself in security, or you will be lost; `
` but, on the contrary--and it is I who say it--see enemies in all `
` directions. If anyone seeks a quarrel with you, shun it, were it `
` with a child of ten years old. If you are attacked by day or by `
` night, fight, but retreat, without shame; if you cross a bridge, `
` feel every plank of it with your foot, lest one should give way `
` beneath you; if you pass before a house which is being built, `
` look up, for fear a stone should fall upon your head; if you stay `
` out late, be always followed by your lackey, and let your lackey `
` be armed--if, by the by, you can be sure of your lackey. `
` Mistrust everybody, your friend, your brother, your mistress-- `
` your mistress above all." `
` `
` D'Artagnan blushed. `
` `
` "My mistress above all," repeated he, mechanically; "and why her `
` rather than another?" `
` `
` "Because a mistress is one of the cardinal's favorite means; he `
` has not one that is more expeditious. A woman will sell you for `
` ten pistoles, witness Delilah. You are acquainted with the `
` Scriptures?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan thought of the appointment Mme. Bonacieux had made `
` with him for that very evening; but we are bound to say, to the `
` credit of our hero, that the bad opinion entertained by M. de `
` Treville of women in general, did not inspire him with the least `
` suspicion of his pretty hostess. `
` `
` "But, A PROPOS," resumed M. de Treville, "what has become of your `
` three companions?" `
` `
` "I was about to ask you if you had heard any news of them?" `
` `
` "None, monsieur." `
` `
` "Well, I left them on my road--Porthos at Chantilly, with a duel `
` on his hands; Aramis at Crevecoeur, with a ball in his shoulder; `
` and Athos at Amiens, detained by an accusation of coining." `
` `
` "See there, now!" said M. de Treville; "and how the devil did you `
` escape?" `
` `
` "By a miracle, monsieur, I must acknowledge, with a sword thrust `
` in my breast, and by nailing the Comte de Wardes on the byroad to `
` Calais, like a butterfly on a tapestry." `
` `
` "There again! De Wardes, one of the cardinal's men, a cousin of `
` Rochefort! Stop, my friend, I have an idea." `
` `
` "Speak, monsieur." `
` `
` "In your place, I would do one thing." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "While his Eminence was seeking for me in Paris, I would take, `
` without sound of drum or trumpet, the road to Picardy, and would `
` go and make some inquiries concerning my three companions. What `
` the devil! They merit richly that piece of attention on your `
` part." `
` `
` "The advice is good, monsieur, and tomorrow I will set out." `
` `
` "Tomorrow! Any why not this evening?" `
` `
` "This evening, monsieur, I am detained in Paris by indispensable `
` business." `
` `
` "Ah, young man, young man, some flirtation or other. Take care, `
` I repeat to you, take care. It is woman who has ruined us, still `
` ruins us, and will ruin us, as long as the world stands. Take my `
` advice and set out this evening." `
` `
` "Impossible, monsieur." `
` `
` "You have given your word, then?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur." `
` `
` "Ah, that's quite another thing; but promise me, if you should `
` not be killed tonight, that you will go tomorrow." `
` `
` "I promise it." `
` `
` "Do you need money?" `
` `
` "I have still fifty pistoles. That, I think, is as much as I `
` shall want." `
` `
` "But your companions?" `
` `
` "I don't think they can be in need of any. We left Paris, each `
` with seventy-five pistoles in his pocket." `
` `
` "Shall I see you again before your departure?" `
` `
` "I think not, monsieur, unless something new should happen." `
` `
` "Well, a pleasant journey." `
` `
` "Thanks, monsieur." `
` `
` D'Artagnan left M. de Treville, touched more than ever by his `
` paternal solicitude for his Musketeers. `
` `
` He called successively at the abodes of Athos, Porthos, and `
` Aramis. Neither of them had returned. Their lackeys likewise `
` were absent, and nothing had been heard of either the one or the `
` other. He would have inquired after them of their mistresses, `
` but he was neither acquainted with Porthos's nor Aramis's, and as `
` to Athos, he had none. `
` `
` As he passed the Hotel des Gardes, he took a glance in to the `
` stables. Three of the four horses had already arrived. `
` Planchet, all astonishment, was busy grooming them, and had `
` already finished two. `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," said Planchet, on perceiving d'Artagnan, "how `
` glad I am to see you." `
` `
` "Why so, Planchet?" asked the young man. `
` `
` "Do you place confidence in our landlord--Monsieur Bonacieux?" `
` `
` "I? Not the least in the world." `
` `
` "Oh, you do quite right, monsieur." `
` `
` "But why this question?" `
` `
` "Because, while you were talking with him, I watched you without `
` listening to you; and, monsieur, his countenance changed color `
` two or three times!" `
` `
` "Bah!" `
` `
` "Preoccupied as Monsieur was with the letter he had received, he `
` did not observe that; but I, whom the strange fashion in which `
` that letter came into the house had placed on my guard--I did not `
` lose a movement of his features." `
` `
` "And you found it?" `
` `
` "Traitorous, monsieur." `
` `
` "Indeed!" `
` `
` "Still more; as soon as Monsieur had left and disappeared round `
` the corner of the street, Monsieur Bonacieux took his hat, shut `
` his door, and set off at a quick pace in an opposite direction." `
` `
` "It seems you are right, Planchet; all this appears to be a `
` little mysterious; and be assured that we will not pay him our `
` rent until the matter shall be categorically explained to us." `
` `
` "Monsieur jests, but Monsieur will see." `
` `
` "What would you have, Planchet? What must come is written." `
` `
` "Monsieur does not then renounce his excursion for this evening?" `
` `
` "Quite the contrary, Planchet; the more ill will I have toward `
` Monsieur Bonacieux, the more punctual I shall be in keeping the `
` appointment made by that letter which makes you so uneasy." `
` `
` "Then that is Monsieur's determination?" `
` `
` "Undeniably, my friend. At nine o'clock, then, be ready here at `
` the hotel, I will come and take you." `
` `
` Planchet seeing there was no longer any hope of making his master `
` renounce his project, heaved a profound sigh and set to work to `
` groom the third horse. `
` `
` As to d'Artagnan, being at bottom a prudent youth, instead of `
` returning home, went and dined with the Gascon priest, who, at `
` the time of the distress of the four friends, had given them a `
` breakfast of chocolate. `
` `
` `
` `
` 24 THE PAVILION `
` `
` At nine o'clock d'Artagnan was at the Hotel des Gardes; he found `
` Planchet all ready. The fourth horse had arrived. `
` `
` Planchet was armed with his musketoon and a pistol. D'Artagnan `
` had his sword and placed two pistols in his belt; then both `
` mounted and departed quietly. It was quite dark, and no one saw `
` them go out. Planchet took place behind his master, and kept at `
` a distance of ten paces from him. `
` `
` D'Artagnan crossed the quays, went out by the gate of La `
` Conference and followed the road, much more beautiful then than `
` it is now, which leads to St. Cloud. `
` `
`
` `
` "PARDIEU! They did not scruple much in the case of Athos. At `
` all events, young man, rely upon one who has been thirty years at `
` court. Do not lull yourself in security, or you will be lost; `
` but, on the contrary--and it is I who say it--see enemies in all `
` directions. If anyone seeks a quarrel with you, shun it, were it `
` with a child of ten years old. If you are attacked by day or by `
` night, fight, but retreat, without shame; if you cross a bridge, `
` feel every plank of it with your foot, lest one should give way `
` beneath you; if you pass before a house which is being built, `
` look up, for fear a stone should fall upon your head; if you stay `
` out late, be always followed by your lackey, and let your lackey `
` be armed--if, by the by, you can be sure of your lackey. `
` Mistrust everybody, your friend, your brother, your mistress-- `
` your mistress above all." `
` `
` D'Artagnan blushed. `
` `
` "My mistress above all," repeated he, mechanically; "and why her `
` rather than another?" `
` `
` "Because a mistress is one of the cardinal's favorite means; he `
` has not one that is more expeditious. A woman will sell you for `
` ten pistoles, witness Delilah. You are acquainted with the `
` Scriptures?" `
` `
` D'Artagnan thought of the appointment Mme. Bonacieux had made `
` with him for that very evening; but we are bound to say, to the `
` credit of our hero, that the bad opinion entertained by M. de `
` Treville of women in general, did not inspire him with the least `
` suspicion of his pretty hostess. `
` `
` "But, A PROPOS," resumed M. de Treville, "what has become of your `
` three companions?" `
` `
` "I was about to ask you if you had heard any news of them?" `
` `
` "None, monsieur." `
` `
` "Well, I left them on my road--Porthos at Chantilly, with a duel `
` on his hands; Aramis at Crevecoeur, with a ball in his shoulder; `
` and Athos at Amiens, detained by an accusation of coining." `
` `
` "See there, now!" said M. de Treville; "and how the devil did you `
` escape?" `
` `
` "By a miracle, monsieur, I must acknowledge, with a sword thrust `
` in my breast, and by nailing the Comte de Wardes on the byroad to `
` Calais, like a butterfly on a tapestry." `
` `
` "There again! De Wardes, one of the cardinal's men, a cousin of `
` Rochefort! Stop, my friend, I have an idea." `
` `
` "Speak, monsieur." `
` `
` "In your place, I would do one thing." `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "While his Eminence was seeking for me in Paris, I would take, `
` without sound of drum or trumpet, the road to Picardy, and would `
` go and make some inquiries concerning my three companions. What `
` the devil! They merit richly that piece of attention on your `
` part." `
` `
` "The advice is good, monsieur, and tomorrow I will set out." `
` `
` "Tomorrow! Any why not this evening?" `
` `
` "This evening, monsieur, I am detained in Paris by indispensable `
` business." `
` `
` "Ah, young man, young man, some flirtation or other. Take care, `
` I repeat to you, take care. It is woman who has ruined us, still `
` ruins us, and will ruin us, as long as the world stands. Take my `
` advice and set out this evening." `
` `
` "Impossible, monsieur." `
` `
` "You have given your word, then?" `
` `
` "Yes, monsieur." `
` `
` "Ah, that's quite another thing; but promise me, if you should `
` not be killed tonight, that you will go tomorrow." `
` `
` "I promise it." `
` `
` "Do you need money?" `
` `
` "I have still fifty pistoles. That, I think, is as much as I `
` shall want." `
` `
` "But your companions?" `
` `
` "I don't think they can be in need of any. We left Paris, each `
` with seventy-five pistoles in his pocket." `
` `
` "Shall I see you again before your departure?" `
` `
` "I think not, monsieur, unless something new should happen." `
` `
` "Well, a pleasant journey." `
` `
` "Thanks, monsieur." `
` `
` D'Artagnan left M. de Treville, touched more than ever by his `
` paternal solicitude for his Musketeers. `
` `
` He called successively at the abodes of Athos, Porthos, and `
` Aramis. Neither of them had returned. Their lackeys likewise `
` were absent, and nothing had been heard of either the one or the `
` other. He would have inquired after them of their mistresses, `
` but he was neither acquainted with Porthos's nor Aramis's, and as `
` to Athos, he had none. `
` `
` As he passed the Hotel des Gardes, he took a glance in to the `
` stables. Three of the four horses had already arrived. `
` Planchet, all astonishment, was busy grooming them, and had `
` already finished two. `
` `
` "Ah, monsieur," said Planchet, on perceiving d'Artagnan, "how `
` glad I am to see you." `
` `
` "Why so, Planchet?" asked the young man. `
` `
` "Do you place confidence in our landlord--Monsieur Bonacieux?" `
` `
` "I? Not the least in the world." `
` `
` "Oh, you do quite right, monsieur." `
` `
` "But why this question?" `
` `
` "Because, while you were talking with him, I watched you without `
` listening to you; and, monsieur, his countenance changed color `
` two or three times!" `
` `
` "Bah!" `
` `
` "Preoccupied as Monsieur was with the letter he had received, he `
` did not observe that; but I, whom the strange fashion in which `
` that letter came into the house had placed on my guard--I did not `
` lose a movement of his features." `
` `
` "And you found it?" `
` `
` "Traitorous, monsieur." `
` `
` "Indeed!" `
` `
` "Still more; as soon as Monsieur had left and disappeared round `
` the corner of the street, Monsieur Bonacieux took his hat, shut `
` his door, and set off at a quick pace in an opposite direction." `
` `
` "It seems you are right, Planchet; all this appears to be a `
` little mysterious; and be assured that we will not pay him our `
` rent until the matter shall be categorically explained to us." `
` `
` "Monsieur jests, but Monsieur will see." `
` `
` "What would you have, Planchet? What must come is written." `
` `
` "Monsieur does not then renounce his excursion for this evening?" `
` `
` "Quite the contrary, Planchet; the more ill will I have toward `
` Monsieur Bonacieux, the more punctual I shall be in keeping the `
` appointment made by that letter which makes you so uneasy." `
` `
` "Then that is Monsieur's determination?" `
` `
` "Undeniably, my friend. At nine o'clock, then, be ready here at `
` the hotel, I will come and take you." `
` `
` Planchet seeing there was no longer any hope of making his master `
` renounce his project, heaved a profound sigh and set to work to `
` groom the third horse. `
` `
` As to d'Artagnan, being at bottom a prudent youth, instead of `
` returning home, went and dined with the Gascon priest, who, at `
` the time of the distress of the four friends, had given them a `
` breakfast of chocolate. `
` `
` `
` `
` 24 THE PAVILION `
` `
` At nine o'clock d'Artagnan was at the Hotel des Gardes; he found `
` Planchet all ready. The fourth horse had arrived. `
` `
` Planchet was armed with his musketoon and a pistol. D'Artagnan `
` had his sword and placed two pistols in his belt; then both `
` mounted and departed quietly. It was quite dark, and no one saw `
` them go out. Planchet took place behind his master, and kept at `
` a distance of ten paces from him. `
` `
` D'Artagnan crossed the quays, went out by the gate of La `
` Conference and followed the road, much more beautiful then than `
` it is now, which leads to St. Cloud. `
` `
`