Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

i con. As for the worthy mercer, .ve will return to him by-and-by. D’Artagnan, while meditating on his future lovo, and conversing with the night, and smiling on the stars, proceeded along the rue de Cherche Midi, or Chasse Midi, as it was then cailed. Being in Aramis’s neighborhood, he thought he might as well pay him a visit, to xplain why he had sent Planchct with the invitation to come immediately to the mousetrap. If Planchet had found Aramis at home, ho had probably hastened to the rue des Fossoycurs, and, finding nobody thero but his other two friends, pcr- haps, they would a!l have been in ignorancoof #hat the summons meant, This dilemna needed somo ex- planation; or, at least, so said d’Artaguan aloud. But, in his innor soul, he thought that this call would give him an opportunity of talking of the pretty Madame Bonancieux, wi. 1 \vhom his mind, if not his heart, was already quite occupied. Lt is not in regard to a first love that we must look for diz- eretion. The joy with which this first passion is at- tended is so exuberant, that if must overfiow, or it would suffocate us. For the last two hour. Paris had been dark and nearly deserted. Eleven o’clock was striking from all the clocks of the faubourg St. Germain; the weather was very mild, and d’Artagnan was passing down a small strect situated on the ground where the rue d’Assas now stands, where the air was redolent of odors which were borno on the wind aloug tho rue de Vaugiraud, from gardens that the evening dews and the gentlo gales refreshed, Afar off though deadened by substantial shutters, was 2° “| the revelry of the wine-shops which wore seatte d over the plain. Having reachcd the end of tuis street, d’Artagnan turned to the left. Te house where Aramis lived was situated between the rue Cassetto and the rue Servandoni. D’Artagnan had already passed 2 the rue Cassette and could just perceive the door of his friend’s house, embosomed amidst sycamores and clematis, when he saw something like a shadow which came out of the rue Servandoni. This something was enveloped ina cloak, and d’Artagnan at first thought that it was a man; but from the smallness of its size, the irreso- lution of its manner, and its impeded step, he soon become ponvinced that it must bea woman. And moreover, this woman, as though she was uncertain of the house she sought for, lifted up hereyes to ex- amine, stopped, turned back, and then retraced her steps again. D*Artagnan was confunded. “Suppose I should go and proffer my services!” thought he. ‘ By her manner it is evident that she is youug, and perhaps she is pretty. Oh, yes! But then a woman who runs about the streets at this hour seldom goes out except to meet her lover. Plague! if I should interrupt an appointment, it would be but a bad kind kind of introduction.”’ But the young wonian still came forward, counting the windows and the houses. This was not indeed a long or difficuk operation. There were but three hoteis in that part of the street, and but two windows looking upon the thoroughfare, of which one was that of a pavilion, parallel to that of Aramis, and the other that of Aramis himself. “ By Jove!” said D’Artagnan, to himself, as he sud- denly remembered the theologian’s niece, * By Jove! it would be droll if this wandering dove is looking for my friend’s house, But, upon my soul, it seems very iike it, Ah, my dear Aramis! for this once I will be satistied about it.” Making himself as small as possible, D’Artagan concealed himself in the most obscure part of the strect, near a block of stone at the bottom of a re- cess, The young woman continued to advance, for be- sides the lightness of her step which had betrayed her, a slight, small cough also denoted a gentle voice. D’Artagnan concluded that this cough was a signal. Nevertheless, whether this cough had been answer- ed by some corresponding signal, which had enced the uncertainties of her nocturnal search, or whether, without any such external aid, she perceived that she had found her journey’s end, the lady advanced reso- lutely, and knocked three times, at equal intervals, ane with a bent finger, on the shutter of Aramis’s win- ow, “ Itis really at Aramis’s house,’’ said D’Artagnan, in a low voice. *‘ Ah, Mr. Hypocrite? 1 catch you study- ing theelogy!"’ Seareely had three blows been struck, before the inner casement opened, and a light appeared. **Ah—ah!”’ said the listener—not at the door, but the window—" Ah—ah! the visit was expected. Come, the shutter will be opened presently, and the lady will get in by e. Good!” But, to his great astonishment, the shutter contin- ued closed; and, what was more, the light, which had flashed for a moment, disappeared, and ail be- came dark again. raga thought this could not last, and con- tinued to watch with all his eyes and ears. He was right; in a few seconds two knocks were heard from the inside; and, when the young woman answered by one knock, the shutter opened. It may be judged whether d’Artagnan did not look and listen eagerly. Unfortunately; the light had been removed into some other room; but the eyes of the mers» man were accustomed to the darkness. Besides, it is said that the eyes of Gascons, like those of cats, have the faculty of seeing at ni ht. D’Artagnan was able, therefore, to see the youn woman take from her pocket something white, whic she unfolded quickly, amd which took the form of a pocket-handkerchief, and she then drew the attention of the person she addressed to the corner of the ob ject she unfolded. This reminded d’Artagnan of the handkerchief he gad found at the feet of Madame Bonancieux, which THE THREE GUARDSMEN. also had recalled to his recollection the one he had seen under’ ~feetof Aramis. What the .uce, then, could this handkerchief mean? Situated -. he was, d’Artagnan could not see the countenan.: of Aramis—we say Aramis, because the young man had no doubt that it was his friend who was confabulating from the inside \ ‘th the lady on the outside, His curiosity, therefore, overcame his prudence; and profiting by the earnest attention which the sight of the handkerchief excited in the two persons whom we have described, he left his place of con- 2scalment; and, quickly as lightning, yet with noise- ‘oss step, placed himself near a corner of the wall, “rom which his eye could completely overlook the in- sido of Aramis’s apartment. On reaching this spot, he was scarcely able to re- strain an oxclamation of surprise, It was not Aramis who was conferring with the midnight visitor, but a woman. D’Artagnan could just discern enough to recognize tho form of her clothes, but not to distinguish her features, At that moment the woman inthe room drewa handkerchief from her own pocket, and exchanged it for the one which had been shown toher. A few words were then exchanged between them, the shut- ter was closed, and the woman in the street returned, and, lowering the hood of her cloak, passed within four paces of d'Artagnan. But her precauticn had been taken too late; he had already recognized Madame Bonancieux. Madame Bonancieux! The suspicion had already crossed his mind when he saw her take the handker- chief from her pocket; but what probability was there that Madame Bonancieux, who had sent for M. de la Porte, in order that he might conduct her to the Louvre, should be running about the streets of Paris at half-past eleven at night, at the hazard of being carried off a second time? It must unquestionably be on some important af- fair; and what wasin an affair of importance to a woman of twenty-five, but love? But was it on her own account, or that of some other person, that she exposed herself to this risk? This was the inward doubt of the young man, whom the demon of jealousy was now tormenting, as though he had been an acknowledged lover. To satisfy him- self as to whero Madame Bonancieux was going, there was, in fact, one very simple ‘way, which was to follow her. So simple, indeed, did this course ap- pear that d’Artagnan adopted it naturally, and as it were by instinct. But, at the sight of the young man who moved from the wall, lito a statuo from its niche, and at the sound of hissteps behind her, Madame Bonancieux uttered a faint seream and ficd. D’Artagnan ran afte cer. It was no great difficul- ty for him to catch a woman encumbered by a large cloak. He overtook her, im fact, before sho had gone a third of the length of the street into which she had entered, The poor woman was exhausted, not by fatigue, but terror; and when d’Artagnan put his hand upon her shoulder, she sunk upon one knee, exclaiming, in a suffocated voice: “Kill me if you choose, but you shall learn noth- ng.” D’Artaguan raised her up, b placing his arm around her waist, but, perceiving by her weight that she was upon the point of fainting, he hastened to en- courage her by protestations of devotion. These ex- ressions were of po avail to Madame Bonancieux, or they may easily be made with the most mischiev- ous intentions in the world: but the voice was =the thing. The young woman thought that she recogn ed that voice: she opened ker eyes, threw one glance upon the man who had so frightened her, and, seein that it was d’Artagnan, gave utterance to a cry o oO “God be y. “Oh! it is you—it is you,” said she. thanked!" * Yes, it is I,’ said d’Artagnan, *‘ whom God has sent to watch over you,”’ ‘** And was it with this intent that you followed me,”’ asked the young woman, with a smile full of coquet- ry; for all her fears had vanished, and her love of raillery had resumed its acendancy, on the instant that she recognized a friend in him she had dreaded as a foe. **No,” replied d'Artagnan. “No,’’ I confess that it is chance which puts me on your track. Isaw a woman knocking at the window of one of my friends.”’ ‘‘One of your friends!"" interrupted Madame Bon- ancieux, ‘* Yes, certainly! Aramis is one of my best friends.”’ ‘Aramis! who is he?’’ “Come, now, do you pretend to tell me that you do not know Aramis?” ‘It is the first time that I ever heard the name,”’ ‘* Then it is the first time that you have visited this house?” ** Yes, indeed!” , ; ** And you did not know that it was inhabited by a youn man oy ‘ By a musketeer?”’ ‘By no means.” ‘Then it was not him that you came to look for?” ** Most assuredly not! Besides, you must have plain- ly seen that the person whom I talked to was a wo- man,” “I know nothing about that.” ‘Why, she lodges at his house.”’ ‘**] have nothing to do with that.”’ “But who is she?” “Oh! that is not my secret.” “My dear Madame Bonancieux, you are very 15 charming, but you are at the same time the most mysterious creature.”’ “Do I lose anything by that?” ‘‘No; you are, on the contrary, quite enchanting!" ‘“*‘ As that is the case, give me your arm.” “With great pleasure; what then?” ‘*Now take care of me.” ‘** Where to?” ‘“Where Iam going,” ‘‘But where may that be?” “You will see, since you will leave me at the door.” ‘* May I wait for you there?” ‘* That would be useless.” ‘Then you will return alone?” ‘* Perhaps so—perhaps not.” “Dut the person who will accompany you after- ward—will it be a man or a woman?’ ‘IT do not know yet.” ‘* But I will find it out.” ** And how soY” **]T will wait to see you come out.”’ ‘In that case, adieu!”’ ‘But, why so?” **T do not want you!” ‘But you claimed my protection.” ‘*T claimed the assistance of a gentleman, and not the vigilance of a spy.” “The expression is a little harsh.” ‘How would you call those who follow people in spite of their unwillingness?’ ‘“*Indiscreet!”’ ‘The term is too mild!” ‘Come, madame, I see one must just do as you please.”’ _ Why deprive yourself of the merit of doing it at once?” ‘ “Is there none in my repentance?’ “Bat do you sincerely repent?’ “| don’t know that myself. But I do know thatI promise to do just what you wish, if you let me ac- company you where you are going.” “And you will leave me afterwards?” 4s Yes.” ‘* Without watching my coming out?” ‘* Certainly.” ‘*On your word of honor?” **On the word of a gentleman.” “Then take ny arm, and let us go on.”’ D’Artagnan ofiered his arm, which Madame Bonancieux, half ae and half Pee roagg | - cepted, and they reached the top of the rue de la Harpe; but the young woman appeared to hesitate there, as she had done before at the rue Vaugirard. Nevertheless, by certain marks, she appeared to re- cognize a door which she approached. ** Now, sir,” said she, ‘‘it is here that my business calls me. Lreturna thousand thanks for your good company, which has saved me from all the dangers to which I should have been exposed alone; but the — time has now come for you to keep your word. You must leave meé here.”’ _ “And shall you be exposed to no danger in return- ing?” ' **IT shall only have to fear robbers.” ** Is that nothing?” ‘** What could they take from me? I have nota farthing in my possession.” ‘You forgot that beautiful embroidered handker- chief, with the arms on it,”’ “Which?” ‘** That which I found at your feet, and replaced in P your pocket. “Hold your tongue! hold your unlucky tongue! would you ruin me?’ ** You see now that there is still some danger, since one word makes you tremble, and you confess that if this word was heard you would be ruined, me, now, madame,”’ continued d’Artagnan, seizing her hand: “be more generous, put some confidence in me; have you not read in my eyes that my heart is. full of sympathy and devotion?” * Yes,” said Madame Bonancieux; ‘‘and do but ask me for my own secrets, and I will trust you with an all; but those of others are of a different na- ure.”’ : ‘ Very well!”’ replied d’Artagnan, ‘‘then I will find them out. Since those secrets have an influence on your life, it 1s necessary that they should become mine also,”’ *Shun them above all things!’ exclaimed the young woman, in a tone of seriousn which made d’Artagnan shudderinvoluntarily. ‘ Oh, do not in- terfere with anything that concerns me, do not to aid me in any of my undertakings: avoid them, [ beseech you, in the name of the interest that you feel for me, andin the name of the service which you rendered tome, and which I shall never forget w life lasts! Let me advise you rather to think of me no more; let on & existence be obliterated from your mind; let me be as though you had never chanced to see me.”’ ‘*‘Would you like Aramis to do the'same, madame?” asked d’Artagnan, angrily. “This makes the second or third time that you have mentioned that name, sir, although I have al- ready told you that I do not know him.” — ‘You do not know the man at whose window-shut-, ters you went to knock? Come, madame, you must thik me credulous indeed!” ‘Confess that it is to keep me talking here, that you have invented this tale, and created this per-! son. ‘9 . “T invent nothing, madame; I create nothing. I am telling the exact truth.” ‘‘And you say that one of your friends lives in that as gt d t t it for the thi ‘Tsay it, and I repea or the third time—that ponee is inhabited by a friend of mine, and that friend is Aramis.” eom (E| 000) ’ (El) . ” . . . . — a — —— ———— ee Oe ee -_ > + SS , t ’ ” ea \y { 1