Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

i ait | - a « OEY HCE T ™, Pa ee a ee, ee ee tee 7 y ; . > > ee ae ne tae _ ry , 2 ~~ na 7 4 s “ . . ‘too 4 , ~ 4 a r ig e Pi iy .. “ee en A 3. x @ » 1. Oo" 4 Te. ee | . ae ag © J . a. aa ed : -, 4 4 - r i? *. aa ‘ < ¥ +? ' wee rt ; ' a A 4 ‘ 7 ‘ ww pars —, ; \ . oF ——-———— -. -- — —— ‘ er Se --—-~ - ee ee oe dering where he was: but, shortly, a ray of light, which penetrated into this chamber—a warm and perfumed air, which reached him—and the conversation of two or three women, in language at once respectful and elegant, in which the word majesty was frequently re- peated—clearly indicated to him that he was in a cabi- net adjacent to the queen’s apartment. The young man kept himself in the shade and lis- tened. The qneen ty he gay and happy, which seemed to astonish the ladies who surrounded her, who were necustomed to see her almost always full of care. The queen attributed this joyful feeling to the beauty | of the fete, and to the pleasure which she had experi- | enced in the ballet; and as it is not allowable to contra- | dict a queen, whether she smiles or weeps, every one | expatiated on the gallantry of these magistrates of the | good city of Paris. | Although d’Artagnan did not know the queen, he soon | distinguished her voice from those of the others—first, | by a slight foreign accent, and then by that tone of command usually characteristic of the speech of all sovy- ereigns. He heard her approach and retire from that open door, and ovce or twice saw the shadow of her person intercept the light. Suddenly, however, a hand and arm of an adorable fairness, were passed through the tapestry. D’Artagnan comprehended that this was his reward: he threw himself upon his knees, seized eee his lips npow it, andthen it was withdrawn, leaving in his hand what he soon re- cognized to be a ring. e door was immediate] y shut, and d’Artagnan was again left in complete darkness, He put the ring upon his finger, and once more wait- ed. It was evident that all was not yet ended. After the recompense of his loyalty, should come the recom- yense of his love. Bvsides, although the ballet had een danced, the entertainment was scarcely yet begun. ‘The supper was to take place at three, and the clock of St.John had ashort time before already struck two iby degrees nf this hand, respectfully By degrees, in fact, the sound of voices diminished tn the neighboring chamber, and the ladies were then heard to leaveit; after which, the door of the cabinet was opened, and Mudame Bonancieux sprang in, ‘* You come at last,’’ cried d’Artagnan, ‘* Silence,”’ said the young woman, putting her hand | upon his lips; ‘get out again the same way you came,” | ‘* But where and when shall 1 see you?” cried d’Ar- tagnan. ' A note, which tell you. Go! gol” And at these words she opened the door of the corr- dor, and Jushed d’Artagnan out of the cabinet. He obeyed likea child, without resistance or objec- | tion even, which proves that he was very positively in | love. you will find at your lodgings, will —— | CHAPTER XXIII. | THE APPOINTMENT. D’'ARTAGNAN ran the whole of the way home; and, | although it was three inthe morning, and he had to, pass through the worst parts of Paris, he met with no | obstruction. There is known to be a particular deity | for drunkards and lovers. He found the door in the passage open, ascended his | stairs, and knocked gently, in a way agreed upon be- | tween him and his servant, Planchet, whom he had sent back twe hours before, from the Hotel de Ville, to | wait for him, came and opened the door, ** Has any one brought me a letter?’’ eagerly inquired @’Artagnan. ‘* No one has bronght a letter,’’ said Planchet, ‘‘ but there is one which came of itself.”’ ** What do you mean, simpleton?” **T mean that when I came in, although I had the keys of your apartment in my pocket, and although this key had never been out of my possession, I found aletter on the green cover of the table in your bed- <chamber,”’ ** And where is that letter?” ** T leftit where it was, sir. Itis not natural for let- ters to enter gentlemen's rooms in this manner. If, in- | adieed, the window had been found open, I should say nothing; but it was hermetically closed. Take care, sir, for there is certainly some magic in it.” In the meantime, the young man had rushed into his | chamber, and opened the letter. It was expressed in | these terms: | ‘“Warm thanks are to be given and transmitted to you. You must be at St. Cloud this evening, at ten | o'clock, opposite the pavilion, which stands at the angle of M. d’ Kstrees’ house. ou 3” On reading the letter, d’Artagnan felt his heart dilat- ing aud contracting in that sweet spasm which is the | torture and delight of lovers. | It was the first note he had received—the first appoint- ‘ment that had been granted to hia. His heart, expand-_ | ing in the intoxication of his joy, felt as though it | j would faint at the threshold of that terrestrial paradise which is denominated love. ‘Well, sir,” said Planchet, who had seen his mas- | ter’s color come and go, ‘‘ was J not right, and is not this letter some wicked transaction?” “You are mistaken, Planchet; and the proof is, here ts a crown for youto drink my health.” ‘I thank you, sir, and will strictly follow your direc- | ‘tions; but it is not the less true, that letters which thus | ter closed houses——” x J ‘‘ Fall from heaven, my friend—fall from heaven! ‘‘Then you are satisfied, sir?’’ | ‘‘My dear Planchet, I am the happiest of men.’ | © And I may take advantage of your happiness, and | go to bed?” | as Yes, go.”’ j ‘‘ May all heaven's blessings fall upon you, sir; but it | $ not the less true, that this letter———” | And Plauchet retived, shaking his head with an air of | : | | nl | coursed | tagnan. THE THRE GUARDSMEN. doubt, which all the liberality of d’Artagnan had not been able entirely to efface. As soon as he was left alone, d’Artagnan read his note over and over again, and kissed, at least twenty times, these lines traced by the hand of his beautiful mistress. At length he retired to bed, and slept, and was visited by golden dreams. | At seven o'clock in the morning d’Artagnan arose, and called Planchet, who at the second summons opened the door, his countenance yet bearing traces of | his uneasiness on the previous evening. “*Planchet,’’ said he, ‘‘I am going out, probably for the whole day; you are therefore free till seven o'clock in the evening; but you must be ready at that hour, with two horses,”’ ‘Well!’ said Planchet, ‘tI suppose we are going to have ourskins bored again in a few places.”’ ‘* You will take your carbine and pistols,” ‘Well, then! did not I say so?’ exclaimed Planchet. “There, I was sure of it—that cursed letter!” ‘*But be easy now, simpleton; it is only a party of pleasure.” ** Yes, like that most delightful journey the other day, when it rained balls, and grew ealtrope, ‘“*If you are afraid, Planchet, I will go without you. Tlike Getter to travel alone than with trembling com- 1ions,”’ ) **Youinsult me, sir,’’ said Planchet. however, that you had seen me at work.” **Yes, but I supposed that yon expended all your courage on that one occasion,” ‘You shall see, at a fitting time, that some yet re- mains; only, Ll entreat you not to be too prodigal of it, if you wish it to lastlong.”’ **Do you think that you have got still sufficient to spend some this evening?” ‘*] hope so,”’ “ Well, then, Idepend upon you.” ‘** At the hour appointed I will be ready; but I thought there was only one horse in the stables at the hotel.”’ _ ‘* Perhaps there may be only one there at present; but, in the evening there will be four.” *Itseems as if!our journey was an expedition to provide fresh horses for ourselves.” ** Exactly so,’ said d’Artagnan; and giving Planchet a last warning gesture, off he went. M. Bonancieux was at his door, and d'Artagnan de- signed to pass by without speaking tothe worthy mer- cer; but the latter accosted him so soitly and kindly, that the tenant was obliged not only to bow in return, but also to enter into conversation with him. How, indeed, was it possible not to display some slight complaisance towards the husband of a woman who has just made an appointment with one at St. Cloud's, opposite the pavilion of M. d'Estrees, for that very evening? D’Artagnan approached him, therefore, with the most amiable manner that he was able to as- sume. The conversation naturally turned on the poor man’s imprisonment; and M. Bonancieux, not knowing that the young man had overheard his conversation with the man of Meung, related the persecutions of that monster, M. de Lassman, whom he styled throughout the whole of his narrative, the cardinal’s executioner, and dis- freely concerning the Bastile, the bolts, the dungeons, the air-holes, the grates, and instruments of torture, D*Artagnan listened with the most exemplary atten- tion; then, when he had ended:— ‘*And Madame Bonancieux,”’ said he; ‘‘ do you know who carried her off? for I do not fu rget that it is to that vexatious occurrence that I owe the happiness of your acquaintance.”’ “Ah!” answered M. Bonancienx, ‘‘they took good care not to tell me that: and “y wife, on her part, has solemnly sworn that she did not know. But you, your- self, continued Bonancieux, in atone of the most per- fect good-fellowship, ‘‘ what has become of you for the last few days? Ihave never seen either you or your friends; and it was not on the pavement of Paris, I should suppose, that you picked up all the dust which Planchet brushed off your boots last night.” ‘You are right, my dear Bonancieux; I and my friends have been making a short journey.”’ ‘“* Was it far from here?”’ ‘*Oh, lord, no! merely about forty league, Wo went to conduct M, Athos to the waters of Forges,where my friends are stopping.” ‘‘And you have come back, have yon?"’ resumed M. Bonancieux, with the most spiteful look possible. ‘A handsome youth like you cannot get long leave of absence from his mistress. And you were impatiently expected at Paris, were you not? ha!’’ ** Faith,”’ said the young man, laughing, ‘I confess it the more willingly,my dear M. Bonancieux, as I perceive that I can conceal nothing from you. Yes, ] was ex- pected, and most impatiently, I assure you.” A slight shade passed over Bonancieux’ countenance, but it was so slight that d’Artagnan did not perceive t “TIT thought, ‘* And you are to be rewarded for your diligence?’ continued the mercer, with a slight alteration of voice, which d'Artagnan did not perceive, any more than the momentary cloud which had passed over the face of the | worthy man. ‘IT hope youmay prove a true prophet!"’ exclaimed d’Artagnan, laughing. ‘*What I say to you,’ continued Bonancieux, ‘ is merely to learn whether you will return late.” ‘Why this question, my dear landlord?” asked d’Ar- “Is it because you intend to wait for me?” “No, it is because, ever since my imprisonment, and the robbery which was committed on me, I am fright- ened every time I hear a door opened, and particular! at night. By ourlady! I cannot help .t; I am no sol- dier, truly?’ ‘Well! do not be frightened if I enter at one, two or om o'clock in the m@rning, or even if I do not enter at all.’ i a tea PT ees Te as ee 22 fi A EN lm i eS Ai ayy So lt ce se Se BB eS a ee + Re a ll Tg a ‘ * ~~» z La , .* 7 an =e “a ° ’ _— “ er. [ ‘ ° * a “ : 5 ‘os ~ ~ » ae | +5 . im ces ; iy te aS re ay Pie yy Pint? (ee ~ mf ), co ee x° I, Ts, Se, roe ~} nn! > r. “= eo se a x i ~ a a hf S Se a) *. a. "a # ~ al .v L’ - ae ad * i. 2 . 4 = z a4 ir (is . ‘ ~ Se Pa ak "TAM w_ RY oo ns oat: al ag +, _% ws tet , * . “ ¢ ’ y ..-* : = - . i ’ Mu y® 4 Ss - ae f . ‘ a 7 replied d’Artagnan: ‘‘it comes from the queen.” ° : ‘From the queen!’ said M. de Treville. “Oh! oht , ae Truly, itis a complete royal jewel, which is wortha ae thousand pistoles, as fully as itisa single farthing. By — “q whom did the queen sendit to you?" **She handed it to me herself.” 5 ‘Where was that?” my) *‘In the cabinet adjoining the apartment where she am changed her dress.” fi * How? . ‘**In giving me her hand to kiss." ae ‘“* And you have kissed the queen's hand,” said M. de Ke Treville, looking at d'Artagnan, \~ Oe . ‘Her majesty did me the honor to grant me that — avor. mM ‘‘And in the presence of witnesses? Imprudentt © doubly imprudent !*’ | i * No, sir; no one saw her,’ replied d‘A an; and ed he related to M. de Treville how everything had oce 5 ““Oh! women, women!” cried the old soldier, “‘I re- ee. cognize them well by their romantic imaginations: . everything which is at all mysterious charms the Aine Then you saw the arm, and that was all? Youm ae meet the queen and not recognize her? She might meet By i you, and not know who you were.” oath ‘No; but thanks to this diamond—” replied the young ee man. . 2 4 Listen,” sald M. de Treville. ‘* Will you allow me ¥ to give you soe advice—some good advice—a friemd’s eit" | advice?” 2 OY “Well, then, go to the first jeweler’s you can find, and sell this diamond for what he will give you for it. soe However New aJew he may be, you will get at least 1 is eight hundred pistoles, The pistoles have no name Ae young man; but this ring has a terrible one, which © | might destroy him who wears it.” ‘ ‘Sell this ring—a ring given me by my sovereign? Lets Never!"’ | es “Then turn the stone within, poor simpleton; for |every one. knows that a Gascon youth does not find oe such gems in his mother's jewel case. ti nN) ‘ ane ies ee ee — ee ee Bonancieux became so pale this time that d’Artagnan — not but observe it, and asked bim what was the matter. “Nothing,” replied Bonancieux, ‘nothing. Only, r since my misfortunes, 1 am subject to these feelings, by which seize me on a sudden, and make me shudder. Don’t trouble yourself aboutthat —you who have enough to occupy you in your approaching happiness.” hy et : - : ” os . > = * , > + oe es . 2s ~<a ‘ : ns ~. * ij we shed ee oe 7 ‘*O, Iam occupied in being happy now.” Not yet; wait a little: you said that it should be to- y “ Well! the night will come, thank God! and perhaps . an you may also ~* it as impatiently as me. Perha 3, em this evening, adame Bonancieux intends to visit is the conjugal home.” | ‘Madame Bonancieux is not disengaged this eve- ning,’’ gravely replied Bonancieux; ‘‘ she is detained at the Louvre, by her official duty.” ; ‘*So much the worse for you, my dear landlord: so much the worse. When I am happy myself, I should like all the world to be so too; but that appears to be impossible.”’ nd the fey man went off, langhing londly at the , joke, which he alone, as he im ined. could understand. “Laugh as you like,” said es = es —— , ie — , »< - “4 * a a ese ah . onancieux, in a sepul- | chral tone. | But d’Artagnan was already too far off to hear him; - and, if he had heard, in the disposition of mind in which a he then was, he would not have heeded him, eS He went towards the hotel of M. de Treville; his visit Wee | of the evening before having been, as it may be remem-. yy bered, very short, and ba? ittle explanatory. He found M. de Treville in the heartiest poy The king and queen had been most ious to him at the ball, The cardinal, it is true, had been very un ous, At one o'clock in the morning, he had retired, under Fe ty retense of indisposition. As to their majesties, they ) ae d not returned to the Lonvre till six in the morning. . an) ‘‘ Now,” said M. de Treville, lowering his voice i and looking cautiously around the room to be sure that they were alone: ‘now, my young frieud. let ustalk of _ yourself; for it is evident that your eafe return has somethiug to do with the king's joy, the_ queen's Ol triumph, and his eminence’s humiliation. Youmust = take care of yourself.” a5 lad ‘‘What have I to fear,’ answered d'Artagnan, ‘so long as I haye the good fortune to enjoy their majes- ties’ favor?” ae ‘Everything, believe me. The cardinal igs not the . ee man to forget being made a fool of, atleast until he has ey settled accounts with the person who has made afool % of him: and that person seems to me to be a certain — " youth of my acquaintance." ** Do you believe that the cardinal has got so far as ou have, and knows that I am the individual who has n to London?” Mapond my a - « ¢ lad “The devil! you have been to London! from London that you bring that beautiful which glitters on your finger? Take care, d’Artagnan: the present of an enemy is not a 4 ai hire J thing. Is not there a certain Latin verse upon it? | Ps oa Listen?” | | Me ‘* Yes, undoubtedly,”’ said d’Artagnan, who had never yeh been able to knock the first rule of the rudiments into were ill his head, and who had driven his preceptor to despair by his orance: “‘yes, undoubtedly, there must be — i - one,”’ > 7 ee ** Yes.”’ said M. de Treville, who had a small amount ~— of learning, ‘‘ there is one certainly, and M. Benserade wes noting 1¢ to me the other day; wait a moment. ere it is:— * Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes,’ which means, ‘distrust the enemy who, makes you presents.’”’ . **This diamond does not come from an enemy, sir,” **' You will do me honor, sir,” replied d'Artagnan., "<7 © —. ‘ -y 44 (E 900