Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

i. ‘ . ~ _ iam ~ . A ewe aan oul na nuded a ee ee oe) See - ree Hane a as e i7 A iv *, Nae fe ae al F- = bas - a “4 rn ay, = 1 agate : _ = = 7 : < o ¥ " ; z f ’ a (24 “ by ’ THE THREE GUARDSMEN, a» which the woman wore, was not very favorable} The novice let her go on, but, seeing her hesitate, “ Well, then, read !” said the unhappy young woman, to a coen tion of the sort. The abbees presented them to one another; and then, as her own duties demanded her attendance in the church, she left them alone together. The novice, see- ing that her ladyship was in bed, would have followed the abbess; but her ladyship detained her. “What, madam,” said she, “‘I have scarcely seen you, and you already wish to deprive me of your company, which I had hoped to enjoy during the time that I may remain here?’’ “No, madam,” replied the novice, “ but as you are fatigued, and was asleep, 1 feared that my visit had been badly timed.’’ “ Well!’ said her ladyship, “what should those who sleep desire? A pleasant awakening. That is just what you have given me; so let me enjoy it at my ease | ”’ And, taking her hand, she drew her to a chair near the bed. “My God!” said the novice, seating herwelf, “how unfortunate Iam. Here have I been in this house for six months, without even the shadow of an amuse- ment. You arrive: your presence would provide me with most charmihg company; and now, according to all probability, I shall immediately leave the convent.’’ oA !” said her ladyship, “are you going away so goon ?”’ “At least I hope so,’’ replied the novice, with an ex- pression of joy which she did not in the least attempt to Re. “I think I heard that you had suffered from the per- Secutions of the cardinal,” said her ladyship. “That is another ground of sympathy between us.”’ “What our good mother has told me is true then, and you are also one of the cardinal’s victims ?’’ “Hush!” said her ladyship; “ even here do not let us #peak thus of him. All my misfortunes have arisen from having spoken scarcely more than you have just said, before a woman whom I thought my friend, and who betrayed me. And are you, also, the victim of treach- ro | Ed : “No,” said the novice, “but of my devotion toa woman whom I loved, for whom I would have died, for whom I would die now.” * And who deserted you in your distress? I knew ehe did!” ‘‘T was unjust enough to believe so; but within the \ast two or three days I have had proof to the contrary, and I thank God for it; I should have deeply grieved we the conviction that she had forgotten me. But you, madam, you seem to be free, and to be able to escape, (f you had any inclination to do so.” *‘And where could I go, without friends, without woney, in a part of France which I do not know, where)’—— “Ohi! as to friends,” said the novice, “ you will find them wherever you please: you look so good, and you are so beantiful.”’ “That is no reason,” said her ladyship, softening her emile so as to wive it an angelical expression, “ why should not be forsaken and persecuted.” “Listen,” said the novice: “you heaven ; there always comes a moment when the good that we have done pleads for us before God's throne. Be- eides, it is perhaps a piece of good fortune for you, that, humble ahd powerless as I am, you should have met me here; for, if Ishould get away, I have some influ- ential friends, who, having exerted themselves for me, may also assist you.”’ “Ob! when I say that I was solitary and forsaken,’’ said her ladyship, hoping to make the novice speak more plainly by speaking herself: “it is not because I have not some lofty acquaintances also ; but these ac- quaintances all tremble before the cardinal. The queen herself does not defend me against this terrible minis- ter ; and I have proofs that her majesty, in spite of her excellent heart, has been more than once obliged to abandon, to his eminence’s rage, persons who had faith- fully served her.” “Believe me, madam, it may have appeared that the queen forsook her friends; but we must not believe the appearance: the more they are persecuted, the more she thinks of them; and, often at the very mo- ment when they suppose she is the least mindful of | | must trust in | ce, | “Alas!” said her ladyship, “I believeit ; the queen is 80 good |” “Oh! you know her, then—this beautiful and noble queen—since you speak of her thus !” exclaimed the novice, enthusiastically. “ That is to say,”’ replied her ladyship, rather forced back into her intrenchments, “I have not the honor of knowing her personally, but I know many of her most | Cruelty that was raging behind the ramparts of that un- | intimate friends. I know M. de Putange ; I know M. Dujart, in England, and I know M. de Treville.”’ “M.de Treville!"’ exclaimed the novice; “do you know M. de Treville ?” “Yes, very well indeed.” “The captain ot the king’s musketeers ?” “ Yes, the captain of the king’s musketeers ?” “Oh! then you will see presently that we must be acquaintances—almost friends. Treville, you must have been at his house ?’’ “Often,” said her Jadyship, who, having entered on | the past will be forgotten.” this path, and finding falsehood profitable, determined to pursue it to the end. _ “At his house you must have seen some of his mus- keteers ?”’ “ All of them whom he {s in the habit of receiving,” replied her ladyship, who began to take a real interest in the conversation. ‘‘Name some of those that you know.” said the no- vice, “and you will see that they are amongst my friends.”’ “Why,” said her ladyship, somewhat confused, “I know M. de Louvigny, M. de Courtivron, M. de Feru- Bac,’’ Se If you know M. de | Punishment draws near its end.. To-morrow, this very | | | | / would not have left her arms alive. them, they receive an evideuce of her kind remem- | abo to atifie her. she. emiled, in the excess of her pride and joy, and showing a letter to her ladyship. “The writing of Madame de Chevreuse,”” said her ladyship to herself. “Ah, I was quite sure that there said: “Do you not know a gentieman named Athos ?’’ Her ladyship became as pale as the sheets on which she was reclining, and, mistress as she was of her emo- tions, she could not help uttering a cry as she seized the hand of the novice and fastened her gaze upon her. “Ah! what is the matter with you? Oh, my God!” said the poor young woman, “ have I said anything to offend you ?’’ “No; but I was struck by the name, for T have been acquainted with this gentleman also, and it seemed —F that Ishould meet with any one who knew him well.’ “Oh, yes, very well, and his friends also, M. Porthos, and M. Aramis ?’’ “Really! AndI know them, too,” exclaimed her lady- ship, who felt a cold shudder penetrating to her heart. “Well, if you are acquainted with them, you ought to know that they are good and brave companions. bat do you not apply to them, if you want protec- on.” “ That is to say,”’ stammered her ladyship, ‘I am not very intimate with any one of them. I know them, eye heard them spoken of by one of their friends— 1 & an.’ “You know M, d’Artagnan ?” exclaimed the novice, in turn seizing her ladyship’s hand, and devouring her with her looks. Them temarking the strange expres- sion of her ladyship's countenance—“ Pardon me, Mad- ame: you know him, andin what character ?’’ ‘Why,’ repliedher ladyship, in some embarrassment, “in the character of a friend.” “You deceive me, madame,” said the novice; “ you have been his mistress.” 4 “It is you who have been so,’’ said her ladyship, in urn. “I—I?” said the novice. “Yes, you. Iknow you now: you are Madame Bonan- cieux.”’ The young woman drew herself back, overwhelmed with astonishment and terror. a Oh, do not deny it; but pray answer,” said her lady- ship. “Well, yes, madame; I love him,” said the novice. “ Are we rivals ?’”’ Her ladyship’s face was irradiated by a light so wild that, under any other circumstances, Madame Bonan. cieux would have fled from her in afiright; but she was not entirely absorbed by jealousy. “Come, tell me, madame,”’ said Madame Bonancieux, with an energy of which she would have been thought incapable, “ have you been his mistress ?’’ “Oh, nol” exclaimed her ladyship, in a tone which precluded any doubt of her truth; “never! never!” “I believe you,” said Madame Bonancieux; “ but why did you cry out so?’ “ What, do you not understand ?” said her ladyship, who had already recovered from her confusion, and had resumed all her presence of mind. “ How should I understand? I know nothing” “Do you not understand thaf M. d’Artagnan, being my friend, made me his confidant ?’”’ “ Really!”’ “ Do you not understand that Iam acquainted with everything that has taken place; your abduction from the little house at St. Germain, his derpair, that of his friends, and their researches ever since that time? resmow ie Rao cit ety me to be astonished on finding mysell, without being aware of it, by the side of you, of * _ whom we have so often talked sonttlhan= ct you, whom a i 7 ap *s Cormere. She Gepter. sal. a= Rn he loves with all the strength of his soul—of you, whom “en 2 mp Eg On the stairs; then the steps canis neArar; he made me love before I beheld you. Ah, dear Con- lad ; at vend ho pened, snd _s man.ap peste. m3 stance, I find you at last: at last Isee you !”’ la sy 4 te ae om e Cry Of Jo%~; this Bian, was the DORKS Her ladyship held out her arms towards Malame ve Hochefors, the evil spirit of his eminence. Bonancieux, who, convinced by what she had just heard, now saw in this woman, whom she had an instant be- fore regarded as a rival, only a sincere and a devoted friend. “ Oh, pardon me, pardon me !’’ said sbe, allowing her- self to sink upon her shoulder, “I love him so matin \” | the same instant, “isit you ?” These two women held each other for an instantthus| ““ Yes, it is me. . embraced. Certainly, if her ladyship’s strength had | “And you come from”—— demanded her lalyship. been but equal to her hatred, Madame Bonancieux| “ From la Rochelle. And you ?” But, not being | From England. ihe: a Buckingham”’—— “ Oh, dear little beauty !” said her ladyship, “ how | _ “18 dead, or dangerously wounded. As I was leaving, delighted I am to soe ail Let me look at yout” And. | without having obtained anything from him, a tanatie as she uttered these words, she did in fact devour her | 2@4 just assassinated him.” with hee looks. ‘ Yes, it is certainly you. Ah! atter | aoe ee ee oar gees — a for- wha o : ; : prey ee e, Cc muc e eminence, t he told me of you, I recognize you now: I recog Have you informed him of it?” : nize you perfectly well.”’ “y ba to tie fe Boul The poor young woman could not suspect the horrid you aoe 9”? Ce oe hea nee * His eminence, being uneasy, has sent me to look for you.” “T only arrived yesterday.” ‘And what have you been doing since ?” “T have not been wasting my time.’ “Oh, I do not suspect you.” ‘ oe you know whom I have met with hera?’”’ ‘é "ed “Guess.” “How can I?” “That young woman whom the queen took from | eagerly read these lines: “ My dear child, be ready. Our Sriend will soon see you, and he will only come to snatch you from the prison where it was necessary for your safety to con- ceal you. So prepare for your departure, and never despair of us. Our brave Gascon hasjust shown hifn- self as brave and as faithful as ever: tell him that there is much gratitude in acertain quarter for the warning which he gave.” “Yes, yes,” said her ladyship, “ the letter is very pre- cise. And do you know what this warning was ?’’ ‘No; I only suspect that he must have warned the queen of some new machination of the cardinal.” “ Yes, that is it unquestionably,” said her ladyship, returning the letter, and letting her head fall pensively on her breast. At that moment the gallop ofa horse was heard. “Oh!”’ exclaimed Madame Bonancieux, rushing to the window, “can this be he?” Her ladyship remained in her bed, petrified by the surprise. So many unexpected -things had suddenly happened to her, that, for the first time, her head failed her. “He! he!’’ muttered she, “and ifit should be?” And she continued in bed, with her eyes fixed on vacancy. “Alas! no,’ said Madame Bonancieux. “Itisa man whom I do not know. But he seems to be coming here. Yes, he is riding more slowly; he stops at the gate; he rings.’’ Her ladyship sprang out of bed. that it is not him ?” “Oh! yes, certain.” “ Perhaps you do not see him distinctly.” “Oh! should I see only the plume in his hat or the skirt of his cloak I should not fail to recognize him ?”’ Her ladyship was hurrying on her clothes. “No mat- | ter; the man is coming here you say ?”’ “Yes, he has come in.’’ “It must be either for you or for me.” “Oh, my God! now agitated you are!” “Yes; I confess that I have not your confidence; I dread everything from the cardinal.”’ “ You are quite sure coming.”’ The door opened and the abbess entered. “Did you come from Boulogne?’ demanded she of her ladyship. ‘Yes, madam,” replied the latter, endeavoring to re- sume her calmness. ‘Who wants me?” “A man, who will not give his name, but who comes from the cardinal.”’ “And who wants to speak to me?’ demanded hee ladyship. “He wants to speak with a lady who has just ar- rived from Boulogne ?” ‘Then show him in, madame, I beseech you.” “Oh, my God! my God!” said Madame Bonaucieux, “can it be any bad news?’ ’ “TI fear so,”’ “Tleave you with this stranger; but, as soon he is gone I will return, if you will allow me.” “Yes; I beseech you to do so.”’ The abbess and Madame Bonancieux left the room. Her ladyship remained alone, with her eyes fixed upon the . a CHAPTER LIX. TWO KINDS OF DEMONS, ———— ee But what bringe ruffed brow, or behind those eyes in which she only | read the interest of compassion, “ Then you know what I have suffered,” said Madame Bonancieux, “since he has told you what he himself endured. But to suffer for him is happiness.’ Her ladyship replied, mechanically, * Yes, it is happi- ness."’ But she was thinking of something different. “ And then,” continued Madame Bonancieux, “my evening perhaps, I shall see him once more; and then “ This evening? To-morrow?” exclaimed her lady- ship, aroused from her reverie by these words: “ what om you mean? Do you expect to hear anything about im ahd " tee a himself.”’ “ Himse "Artagnan here ?”’ “ Yes, himself.’’ ‘“ But it is impossible. He is at the siege of La Rochelle, with the cardinal; he will not return to Paris until after the town is taken.’”’ “ You think so; but is there anything impossible to my d’Artagnan, the noble and loyal gentleman ?”’ ‘ Oh, I cannot believe you.” ‘What! the mistress of young d’Artagnan !”’ cardinal could not discover.’”’ fit to pair with the other. Verily, the cardinal is a for- tunate man.” “Fancy my astonishment,” continued her ladyship, “ when I found myself face to face with this woman,” “ Does she know you ?” “ No.” ‘Then she looks upon you as a stranger 7” Her ladyship smiled. ‘‘T am her dearest friend.” « OOK) was some communications in that quarter.” And she “Hush!” said Madame Bonancieux; “some one ig “ An!” exclaimed both Rochefort and her ladyship at “Yes, Madame Banancieux, whose hiding-place the “ Well, then,”’ said Rochefort, “this is a chance quite ic é <€om