Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

** Apropos, you'have probably one or two friends?” ‘*T have three, who will consider it an honor to play the same game as myself.”’ od *“'Three—capital! How well it happens,” said d’Ar- | tagnan; “it is precisely my number.”’ “And now who are you?’ demanded the English- man **iam M. d’Artagnan, a Gascon gentleman, serving | in the guards, in the company of M. des Esserts; and Hee who, pray, are you?”’ = “Tam ord de Winter, Baron of Sheffield.” “Well, then, [ am your humble servant, my lord,” said d’Artagnan, “although you have names which are rather hard to remember.” ‘ And pricking his horse, he put him to the gallop, and ! took the road to Paris, As he was accustomed to do under the like circum- rs stances, d’Artagnan went straight to Athos’s lodgings. f He found the musketeer stretched upon a large couch, come to him. He told Athos all that had occurred, omitting only the . They sent their servants instantly to look for Aramis and tion. ‘ Porthos drew his sword from his scabbard, and began a to lunge at the wall, drawing back from time to time, and capering about like a dancer, Aramis, who was working hard at his poem, shut himself up in Athos’s y closet, and begged that he might not be disturbed again my until if was the time to draw his sword. ‘f oe by a signal to Grimaud, demanded another | letter to M. de Wardes, di. Athos was quite enchanted when he heard he was a” going to fight an Englishman. We have said that it be was his dream. ) Ah ; orthos, and to let them know what was in agita- : D’ an arranged a little plan in his own mind, of which we shall hereafter see the execution; and which oe eo him an agreeable adventure, as might be seen | ae smiles which, from time to time, passed across his face, and lighted up its thoughtfulness. ENGLISH AND FRENCH, Ar the appointed time they proceeded, with their ye four servants, to an enclosure behind the Luxembourg, me Dt which was reserved for goats, Athos gave some money my A to the goat-herd to keep out of the way; and the vualets a were ordered to do duty as sentinels, " iene A silent troop soon came to the same field, and joined | ict CHAPTER XXXI. y Pea the musketeers, and then, according to the glish an custom, the introductions took place. rs 4. Tie Englishmen were all persons of the highest rank. The singular names of the three friends were, there- fore, not only a subject of surprise to them, but also of disqnuietude. ‘* After all,’ said Lord de Winter, when the three friends had been named, ‘ we know not who you are, and we will not fight with men bearing such names. ‘These names of yours are shepherd's names.” OU imiagine, my lord, they ave false names,” aaid Athos. > ae Wajch makes us more desirious of knowing your true ones.”’ said the Englishman. - “You have played against us without knowing them,” said Athos, *‘and, as a token of it you won out two Te * AZ * “" ‘ ’ a Pr ey gue a s . JR bm “It is trne; but then we only hazarded our pistoles. Now we peril our blood. One p ays W ith any body, but one only fights with one’s equals.” ** That is fair,” said Athos. He then took aside the Englishman with whom he was to fight, and told him his name in a low voice. Por- thos and Aramis, on their sides did the same. *Does that maniety Ay ?” asked Athos, of his adver- ‘Sary; “and do you find me sufliciently noble, to do me the favor to cross swords with me?” “Yes, sir,’ said the Englishman, bowing. " “Well, then, now will you allow me to say one thing to you ¥” coolly resumed Athos, * What is that?” said the Englishman. “It is, that you would have done well not to require - me to make myself known.” way aor” ** Because I am thonght to be dead. I have reasons for, desiring that it may not be known that I am alive; therefore, I shall be obliged to kill you, that my secret may not be divulged,” he Englishman looked at Athos, thinking the latter was jesting. But Athos was not jesting at al). “Gentlemen,” said he, addressing his companions, and their adversaries, ‘‘ are we all ready?” _“*Yes!’’ replied, with one voice, both English and French. ‘* Guard, then!’ said Athos. And, immediately, eight swords were glittering in the ES rays of the setting sun, and the combat began with a “3 fury which was natural enough between men who were ’ doubly enemies, Athos fenced with as much calmness and method as if he had been in a fencing-school. Porthos, cured no doubt of his over-confidence by his adyenture at Chantilly, played a game full of dexterity ‘wed prudence. Aramis, who had the third canto of his poem to finish, worked away like amaninah ; Athos was the first to kill his adversary. He had only : given him one wound, bat, as he had forewarned him, | Posy that one was mortal, for it passed directly through hls | - 2. oo oe pe » . Ah * —e —-<. “. ’ - “ * ” - - — Pa a : oad ' oe a , . 4 e i, = x *o ot @ b> os . St ~ bts a - ~~ & ; heart. / | . Porthos next stretched his opponent on the grass; ‘ | having pierced his thigh. Then, as the Mogiishman had | given up his sword, Porthos took him in his arm, and | : be me im to his carriage. h Aramis pushed his so Ugexonely that, after having = @riven him back fifty paces, he ended b disabling him. fe | » ford Artagnan, he had simply and purely played a DYE + eg as J where he was waiting, as he said, for his equipment to | THE THREE GUARDSMEN. defensive game. Then, when he saw that his adversary was quite weary, he had by a vigorous thurst, disarmed him. The baron, finding himself without a sword, re- treated two or three steps; but, his foot slipping as he stepped away, he fell upon his back. With one bound d’Artagnan was upon him, and, pointing his sword at his throat. **T could kill you, sir,” said he to the Englishman, ‘but I give you life from love to your sister.” | D'Artagnan was overwhelmed with joy; he had ac- | softness of which contrasted strangely with the symp- complished the plan he had designed, and the develop- ment of which brightened nis face, as we have said, | |“ for you have this day acquired an eternal claim upon with smiles. ‘the Englishman, enchanted at having to deal with so complete a gentleman, pressed d’Artagnan in his arms, ‘and caressed the three musketeers a thonsand times, _And then, Porthos’s adversary was already installed in _ the carriage, and Aramis’s had fairly run away, they had | only to attend to Athos’s victim. As Porthos and Aramis undressed him, in the hope that this wound was not mortal, a heavy purse fell from his belt. D°Artagnan picked it up, and presented it to Lord de Winter, : | “Ah! and what the deuce am I to do with that?” said | the Englishman, ‘* You will restore it to his family,’ said d’Artagnan. ** His family will care but little about thistrifle. They will inherit an income of fifteen thousand louis. Keep this purse for your yalets,”’ During this scene Athos came up to d’Artagnan. “Yes,” said he, “‘let us give this purse, not to our own, but to the English servants.” Athos took the purse, and threw it to the coachman. ‘* For you and your comrades,”’ cried he. This loftiness of spirit, in a man without a penny, struck even Porthos himself; and this French gener- osity, being told by Lord de Winter to his frien s, had a great effect everywhere, except with Messrs. Grimand, Planchet, Mousqueton, and Bazin. “And now, my young friend—for I hope you will permit me to call you by that name,” said Lord de Win- ter, ‘* I will, if you wish, present you this evening to my sister, for I wish her a ab to take you into her favor; and, as she is not entirely without influence at court, perhaps a word from her may be useful to you ‘hereafter. D’ Artagnan glowed with delight, and gave an assent- ng PO. 8s Lord de Winter left d'Artagnan, he gave him his sister's address, She lived *t No. 6, in the Place Royale, which was at that time the fashionable part of the town. He also engaged to call for him to present him, and d’Artagnan made an appointment, for eight o’clock, at Athos’s chambers. , This presentation to “My Lady” oecupied all the thoughts of our young Gascon. He recalled the sin- gular manner in which this woman had before then crossed his path; and, although convinced that she was but one of the cardinal’s tools, he ‘et felt aimself irresistibly attached towards er by a sentiment that was inexplicable. His only fear was that she might recognize himas the man whom she had seen at Meung and at Dover. Then she would also know that he wasafriend of M, de Treville, and, bare 6 Gen A was heart and soul devoted to tie king; and this would involve a loss of some of his advantages over her, since, as soon as she knew him as well as he knew her, the game between them would be equal. As for her incipient intrigue with M. de Wardes, our self. complacent gentleman thought but little of that, al- tHongh the count was young, rich, handsome, and high in favor with the cardinal, Itis somethingto be twenty years of age, and, moreover, a native of ‘Tarbes, D’Artagnan began by dressing himself out in a flaming style at home; and he then went to Athos, and, according to his custom, told him everything. Athos listened to his projects, then shook his head, and recom- mended prudence in a tone almost of bitterness. “What!” said he, “you have just lost a woman whom you thought good, charming, perfect, and now you are running after another.” D'Artagnan felt the justice of the reproach. “I love Madame Bonancieux,” said he, ** with my heart; but I love ‘My Lady’ with my head; and, by going to her house, I hope to enlighten myself as to the character she plays at court.” ‘Read! the character she plays is not difficult to gness, after all that you have told me. She is some emissary of the cardinal’s, a woman who will draw you into atrap, where you will right easily leave your head.” “The plague! My dear Athos, you seem to me to look at things on the dark side.” ‘* My dear fellow, I distrust women—what would you have? I have paid for it—and particularly fair women. This lady is fair, did you not say?” ‘*She has the finest light hair that was ever seen.” ‘* Ah! my poor d’Artagnan!”’ said Athos, ** Listen; 1 wish to enlightem myself; and then, when | I have learnt what I want to know, I will leave her.” ‘* Enlighten yourself, then!” said Athos, coldly. Lord de Winter arrived at the appointed time; but Athos, who was warned beforehand, went into the inner room. His lordship, therefore found d’Artagnan alone, and, as it was near eight o’clock, they set out at once. An elegant carriage wasin waiting at the door, and, as two excellent horses were harnessed to it, they were aimost immediately at the Place Royale. Her ladyship received d’Artagnan graciously. Her house was furnished with remarkable splendor; and although the English generally, frightened away by the war, Were quitting, or were about to quit France, she proved, by the new outlays which she had ig made, that the public measure which drove away the English had no influence on her, ‘You see,”’ said Lord de Winter, as he presented d’Artagnan to his sister, “a young gentleman who had my life in his hands, but would not misuse his advan- tage, although we were doubly enemies, since it was I who insulted him, and I am, also, an Englishman, LT ' ee eT Thank him, therefore, madame, on my behalf, if you have any good-will for me.” The lady slightly frowned: an almost imperceptible cloud passed over her brow; and then a smile so singula. appeared upon her lips, that the young man, who saw this triple change, almost shuddered. Her brother obseryed none of it; for he had turned aside to play with the lady’s favorite monkey, who had pulled him by the doublet. b ‘* Welcome, sir,” said the lady, in a voice the singular toms of ill-humor which d’Artagnan had just observed; my gratitude.” The Englishman then turned towards them, and re- lated all the circumstances of the combat. Her ladyship listened with the greatest ‘attention; yet ft was easy to see, that, in spite of her endeavors to conceal her emo- tion, the account was not ugreeable to her. The blood mounted to her face, and her little foot trembled be- neuth her dress. Lord de Winter perceived nothing of this, for, as soon as he had ended, he went toa table on which there was a salver, witha bottle of Spanish wine upon it, and filling two glasses, he invited d’Artagnan to drink. D’Artagnan knew that it was disp'easing to an Eng- lishman to decline his toast. He went, therefore, tothe table, and took the second glass. But he had not lost sight of the lady, and, by the aid of a mirror, he was witness to a change which took place in her counten- ance. Now that she thought she was unobserved, her features assumed an expression, which almost amounted to that of ferocity. She tore her handkerchief to pieces with her teeth. The pretty waiting-maid, whom d’Artagnan had noticed, then entered. She spoke a few words in Eng- lish to Lord de Winter, who immediately be ged d’Ar- tagnan’s permission to withdraw, excusing himself on account of the urgency of the business that called him away, and commissioning his sister to obtain his pardon. D’Artagnan shook hands with Lord de Winter, and returned towards her ladyship. The countenance of this woman had, with a surprising power of change, re- sumed its pleasing expression: but some red stains upon her handkerchief proved that she had bitten her lips until they bled. Those lips were magnificent: they looked like coral. The conversation now became animated. Her lady- ship appeared entirely recovered. She explained that Lvurd de Winter was her brother-in-law, and not her brother. She had married a younger son of the family, and was left a widow, withason. This child was the sole heir of Lord de Winter, if his lordship did not marry. All this discovered to d’Artagnan a veil which concealed something, but he could not yet distinguish ang beneath that veil. fter a half-hour’s conversation, d’Artagnan was quite convinced that her ladyship was his own countrywomen: ehe spoke French with a purity and elegance that left no room for doubt in that respect. D’Artagnan uttered abundant gallantries and protes tations of devotion; and, at all these fooleries that es- caped from him, the lady smiled most sweetly. The hour for departure came at last, and d’Artagnan took leave of her ladyship, and quitted her drawiag-room, the mappiest of men. n the staircase he met the pretty waiting-maid, who, having touched him gently in passing, blushed to the very eyes, and be his pardon, in a voice so sweet, that the forgiveness was at once conferred, D' Artagnan returned the next day, and received a still more favorable reception. Lord de Winter Was not pre- sent; and it was her ladyship herself, on this occasion, who did the honors of the evening. - She seemed to take a great interest in him; inquiring who he was, and who who were his friends; and whether he had not some- times thought of attaching himself to the cardinal’s service, D’Artagnan, who, as we know, was very prudent for a youth of twenty, then remembered his suspicious con- cerning her ladyship. He uttered a fine eulogium on the cardinal, saying that heshculd not have failed to enter his eminence’s — had he chanced to know M. de Cavois, instead of knowing M. de Treville. The ee" changed the conversation without the slightest affectation; and, with the utmost apparent in- differen. e of manner, ask him whether he had ever been in England. He replied that he had once been sent over by M. de Treville, to oy O29 for a supply of horses, and had even brought back four as asample. In the course of this conversation, her ladyship bit her lips three or four times; she had to deal with a youth who played a pretty close game. D’Artagnan withdrew at the same hour as on the pre vious visit. In the corridor, he again met the pretty Kitty, for that was the Abigail's name. The latter looked at him with an expression of mysterious in- terest. But d'Artagnan was so engrossed by the mis- tress, that he observed nothing but what referred-to her. He returned to her ladyship’s, on the next day, and the next again; and on each occasion, my lady gave hirh amore flatiering welcome. Every evening, too—either in the antechamber, in the corridor, or on the staircase—he was sure to meet the pretty maid. But, as we have already said, d’Artagnan paid no at- — to this strange perseverance On Whe part of peor Kitty, CHAPTER XXXIL AN ATTORNEY'S DINNER. Tx duel, in which Porthos had played sucha brik liant part, had not made him forget the dinner to which the attorney's wife had invited him. The next therefore, at about one o'clock, having reseived Eboo a SN iat Ret x