Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 190 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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* PGR ar __ “— © THR THREE GUARDSMEN. Xow, it was certain that Madame Bonancieux would follow er without distrust; and let her be but once concealed with ner at Armentieres, it would be easy to make her believe that d’Artagnan had néver visited Bethune. In a fortnight, at Rochefort would return. During that time she would meditate on what she must do to avenge herself on the four friends. She should not be impatient: for she should have the sweetest occupation that events can ever give to a woman of her character—a hearty vengeance to perfect! Whilst thus meditating, she cast her eyes around her, and mapped out in her mind the topography of the garden. Her ladyship was like a wood general, who forsees at the same time beth victery and defeat, and who is quite ready, aecord- ing to the chances of the battle, either to advance or to re- treat. At the expiration of an hour, she heard a soft voice calling her. It was Madame Bonancieux. The good abbess had con- sen to everything, and, to begin, they were just about to sup together. On enteridg the court, they heard the sound ef a carriage, which was stopping at the gate. Her ladyship listened. ** Do you hear?"’ said she. “Yes; the relling of a carriag “It is that which my brother sends for us.” “Oh! mip, Oe 179 “Come, have courage !’’ “There was a ring at the convent gate, mistaken. me GO up into your room,’’ said she to Madame Bonancieux; ‘vou must have some trinkets that you would like to earry with ” “Lhave his Jettera,”’ replied she. “Well! go for them, and come to me in my room: we will sup hastily; for, as we shall perhaps have to travel a part of the night; we must recruit our strength.” “Great God!” said Madame Bonancieux, placing her hands upon her heart; ‘I am choking—I cannot walk.” “Courage; come, take courage. Think that in a quarter of an hour you will be safe, and think that what you are about ’ ,? Her ladyship was to do is done for his sake.’ “Oh, yes, all, all for him! You have restored my courage by that single word. Go; I will rejoin you.”’ Her ladyship went hastily up to ber own room, were she found Rochefort’s valet, and gave him his instructions. He was to wait for her at the gate: if, by chance, the musketeers should arrive, he was to go off ata gallop, make the circuit of the convent, and wait for her at a little village, which was situated on the other side of the wood. In that case, her ladyship would walk through the garden, and reach the vil- on foot: we have already said that her ladyship was per- fectly well acquainted with this part of France. If the mus- keteers should not make their appearance, everything would be conducted as had been previously arranged. Madame Bonancieux was to get into the carriage, on pretense of wish. ‘jng her, once more, adieu, and she would then escape with her. ' Madame Bonancieux came in; and to remove all suspicion if she had any, her ladyship repeated to the valet, in her pre- sence, the latter part of his instructions. Mer ladyship then made some inquiries about the carriage; it was a chaise, drawn by three horses, and driven by a postilion. The valet Was to proceed it as a ceurier. Her ladyship was altogether wrong in fearing that suspicion troubled Madame Bonancieux, The poor young woman was too pure herself to suspect another of so black a perfidy. Be- sides, the name of Lady de Winter, which she had heard mentioned by the abbess, was entirely unknown to her; and she had not imagined that a woman had performed so large and fatal a partin bringing about the misfortunes of her life. _** You see,’ said her ladyship, when the valet had left the room, “that everything is ready. The abbess has not the slightest suspicion, and fully believes that I am sent for by the eardinal. The man has gone out to give his final orders: eat something, however little; drink a thimbleful of wine; and let us be off.”’ “Yes,” said Madame Bonancieux, mechanitally, “ yes, let us go.”’ Her ladyship made her a sign to sit down, poured out for her a small glass of Spanish wine and helped her to a part of the breast of a chicken. “There,” said she, ‘‘everything is maga here is the night coming on ; at daybreak we shall have reached our re- treat, and no one will suspect where we are. Come, have cou », and take something.” M e Bonancieux ate two or three mouthfuls, mechani- cally, and just put her lips to the wine. **Come, come,"’ said her ladyship, lifting her ewn glass towards her mouth, “do as I do." But at the moment she was about to drink, her hand was suddenly arrested. Her ears caught the distant sound of an approaching gallop on the road, and then, almost at the same instant, she seemed to hear the neighing of the horses. This sound destroyed her exultation, as the uproar of a storm awakens us from a delightful dream. She grew pale, andran to the window ; whilst Madame Bonancieux, who had got up, trembled so as to be obliged to support herself by a chair for fear of falling. Nothing has become yet yet vis'ble, but the galloping was more distinctly heard. “Oh, my God!” said Madame Bonaancieux, ‘ what can that nolse be?’ “That of our friends or our enemies,” said her ladyship, with a terrible calmness. ‘“ Remain where you are, and I will go and ascertain.” Madame Bonancicux remained standing, mute, motionless, and pale asastatue. The sound became more audible. The horses ceuld not be more than ahundred and fifty yards off, but were not yet visible on account of a turning In the road, Still the noise was now so distinct, that the number o the horses might have been counted by the cla*tering of their iron hoofs. : Her ladyship gazed with the most Intense attention: there was just if ht enough to recognize those who were approach- Ing. Suddenly, at the turn of the road, she saw the glitter of lazed hats, and the waving of feathers; she counted two, San five, then eight horsemen. One of them was two lengths in advance of his companions, Her ladyship cave utterance toaroar, In the foremost rider she recognized d’Artagnan. “Oh, my God, my God!’ exclaimed Madame Bonancieux, “what is ihe matter!”’ “It ifthe uniform of the cardinal’s guards; there isnot a moment to be lost,”? exclaimed her ladyship. ‘Let us fy! jet us fly!’ ~ 2on, | New let us fly,’ repeated Madame Bonancieux, but without the power of moving one step, rooted as she was to her place by terror, The horsemen were heard passing under her window, “Come along: come along!’: said her ladyship, endeavor. ing to drag the young woman by the arm, ‘ Thanks to the garden, W@ may yet escape, for Ihave got the key. But let us make haste: In less than five minutes it will be too late.’ Madame Bonancieux attempted to walk, but, after taking two steps, she fell upon her knees, Her ladyship attempted to lift her up and carry her, but she found herself unable, At this moment they heard the wheels of the carriage, which, on the appearance of the mns- keteers, went off at a gallop, and then three or four shots re- sounded, : Ht For the last time will you come?” exclaimed her lady- sh “Oh, my God, my God! you see that my strength is all gone; you see that I cannot walk. Fly, and save yourself,” “Fly alene? Leave you here? No, no—never!” exclaimed her ladyship. yet a livid lightning flashed from her eyes: she ran | to the table, and poured into Madame Bonancieux’s glass the | ‘= * i --— stranger with astonishment, and all thought that they knew m , ‘‘Gentlemen,” said the newcomer, “ you, like myself, are seeking a woman, who,” added he wisn a terrible smile, ‘* must have been present here—for I see a dead body “ The three friends remained gpeechleas; but the voice, as contents of the hollow part of a ring, which she opened with | well as the countenance, recalled to their recollection some singular dexterity. It was a red particle which was lramedi- ately dissolved, Then, taking the glass, with a hand that did not tremble— “ Drink,” said she, hastily; ‘‘this wine will give you strength—drink!”’ She put the glass to the lips of the young woman, who | drank mechanically. “Ah! it was not thus that I wished to avenge myself,” said her ladyship, putting the glass upon the table, with a hellish sinile, ** but, faith, we must do the best we can,” and she rushed out of the room, Madame Bonancieux saw her escape without beins able to follow her, She was like those who dream that they are pur- sued, yet feel a perfect inability to move. A few minutes elapsed, and then a frightful noise was heard at the gate, At every instant Madame Bonancieux expected to see the ap- pearance of her ladyship, but she did not return. Many times—trom terror, no doubt—the cold drops stood upon ber burning brow. At length she heard the rotting of the grated doors, which were being opened; the noise of boota and spurs resounded on the stairs, and there was a loud murmur of many ap- tee ge voices, in the midst of which she fancied that she veard her own name mentioned. Suddenly she uttered a loud seream of joy, and rushed towards the door—she had recognized the voice of d'Artagnan, _ )’Artagnan | d*’Artagnan!’’ she exclaimed, “is it you? Here, here!” **Constance! Constance!” replied the young man. “ My God! where are you!”’ At the same moment the door of the cell was burst in, rather than opened. Many men rushed into the room. Madame Bonancieux had fallen on a chair, without the power of motion. D’Artagnan cast away a still smoking pistol, which he held in his hand, and fell upon his knees be- fore his mistress. Athos replaced lis pistol in his belt, and Porthos and Aramis returned the swords, which they had drawn, into their sheaths. “Oh! d’Artagnan, my beloved Attagnan! you come at last! You did not deceive me—it is really you!” “Yes, yes, Constance; we are at Jast united!” “Oh! she told me, in vain, that you would never come. I always Secretly hoped. I did not wish to fly. Oh, how wisely Il have chosen! how happy Iam!" At the word she, Athos, who had quietly sat down, sud- denly arose. She? Whois she?” demanded d’Artagnan., “Why, my companion—she who, through friendship for me, wished to withdraw me from my perseeutors; she who, taking you for the eardinal’s eae hae just fled,”’ “Your companion |” exclaimed d’Artagnan, becoming paler than the white vail of lis mistress; “of what com- panion are you talking?” “Of her whose yh Oe was at the door—of a woman who called herself your friend, d’Artagnan—of a woman to whom you confided everything about us.”” “Her name?” exclaimed d’Artagnan, ‘‘do you know her name?’’ “Yes, Ido; they mentioned it before me. Wait—but it is very strange—oh, my God! my head becomes confused—I cannot see anything ’’—— “Come here, my friends, come here!—her hands are icy!” exclaimed d’Artagnan—*‘she is very ill, Great God! she is losing her senses!” Whilst Porthos was calling for help with all the power of his lungs, Aramis ran for a glass of water, but he stopped on be- holding the fearful alteration in the countenance of Ath who was standing before the table, with his hair on en and his features frozen with terror, looking into one of the . and seeming to be a prey to the ,most horrible suspicion, **Oh!” said Athos; “ol, no, it Is impossible! Such a crime would never be permitted by the Almichty!”’ e: some water! some water!” cried d'Artagnan; “ some water!’ “Oh, poor woman! poor woman!’’ murmured Athos, ina faltering voice. Madame Bonancieux opened her eyes once more, at the earesses of Bema nny ‘* She is recovering her senses!” exgjaimed the young man. **Oh, my God, my God, I thank thee!’ ‘*Madame,”’ said Athos, ‘tin the name of heaven, to whom does this empty glass belong?”’ **To me, sir,” replied the young woman, in a dying voice. * But who poured out the wine which it contained?” ** She did.’ ** But who is she ?”’ ** Ah, remember now,” said Madame Bonancieux—* Lady de Winter.” The four friends uttered one wnanimous cry, but the voice of Athos overpowered all the others. At the same moment Madame Bonancieux became livid; a deadly agony assailed her, and she fell panting into the arms of Porthos and Aramia, D’Artagnan grasped the hands of Athos In indescribable anguish, ‘Ah!’ said he, ‘what do you believe ””—— His voice was choked by sobs, “I believe the worst,” replied Athos, biting his lips until they bled, **DArtagnan!” exclaimed Madame Bonancieux, “ where are you! n't leave me—you see that I am soon'to die!” D’Artagnan let go the hands of Athos, which he had pressed convulsively, and ran to her. Her countenance, before so beautiful, was now entirely distorted; her glassy eyes no longer saw; a convulsive shuddering agitated her’ whole frame, and ley drops were streaming from her brow, ‘In the name of heaven, run—Aramis—Porthos—and ob- tain some assistance!” ** All is useless,”’ said Athos; “all is useless, To the poison which ske pours there is no antidote.” ** Yes, yee—heip!’? murmured Madame Bonancleux. Then collecting all her strength, she took the hand of the young man between her two hands, looked at him for an instant as if her whole soul was in that last look, and with a sobbing cry she pressed her lips upon his. **Constance! Constance!” exclaimed d'Artagnan, One sigh came from her lips, breathing over those of d’Ar- pry ee and that sigh was the passage of her loving soul to eternity. D'Artagnan held only a lifeless body in her arms. He uttered a ery, and fell beside his mistress, aa pale and mo- tionless as herself. Porthos wept; Aramis raised his hand to heaven; Athos crossed himself, At that moment aman appeared at the door, almost as pale as those who were in the room, He looked around him, and saw Madame Bonancieux dead, and d’Artagnan sense. leas, He entered just at the moment of that stupor was suc- ceeds great catastrophes, ‘J was not mistaken,” said he; “ that is M. d’Artagnan; and you are , his three friends, Messieurs Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. They whose names had been pronounced, looked at the LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL CL CL CL CC EL LC TC itt a lama teat EE CC te mm a e- — ee = one they had previously seen, although they couid mot recol- lect under what circumstances, **Gentlemen,’’ continued the stranger, “ since you will not recognize a man whose life you have probably tice saved, I must needa give my name. I am Lord de Winter, the brother-in-law of that woman.”’ The three friends uttered an exclamation of surprise. Athos arose, and offered him his hand. “Welcome, my lord,” said he; ** you are one of us."’ ‘Tl jeft Portsmouth five hours after,’ said Lord de Winter; **reached Boulogne three hours after her; I only missed her by twenty minutes at St. Omer; but at St. Lilliers I lost all trace of her. I wandered about at chance, ome | every- body, when I saw = pass ata gallop. I recognized M. d’Ar- tagnan, and called out to eet but you did not answer me. I attempted to keep up with you, but my horse was too tired to go at the same pace as yours did; and yet, in spite of al) your haste, it seems that you have arrived late.” “The proof is before you,” said Athos, pointing to Madame Bonancieux, whe was lying dead, and to d’Artagnan, whom Porthos and Aramis were endeavoring to restore to life. ** Are they both dead?’’ demanded de Winter, coldly. , i pO. happily,” replied Athos; “‘d’Artagnan has only ainted. **Ah! so much the better,” said Lord de Winter. In fact, at that moment, d’Art an opened his eyes. He tore himself frem the arms of Porthos and Aramis, and threw himself like a madman on the body of his mistress. Athos arose, walked towards his friend with a slow and solemn step, embraced him tendériy, and then, whilst aa roke out in sobs, said to him, in his noble and persuasive tones: ‘*My friend, be aman! Women weep for the dead—men avenge them!” “*Oh, yes, yes!”’ cried d’Artagnan, “‘if it be to avenge her, I am ready to follow you.” Athos took advantage of this momenta the hope of vengeance had given to his unfortunate friend, to make a sign to Porthos and Aramis to go for the abbess. The two friends met her in the cerridor, already much confounded and disturbed by so many events. She called some of the sisters, who, contrary to their conventual habits, found them- selves in the presence of five men. ‘Madame,’ said Athos, putting his arm under that of d’Artagnan, ‘‘we leave to your pious care the body of this unfortunate woman. She was an angel upon earth, before she became a saintin heaven. Treat her as if she had been one & your sisters; we willreturn some day to pray for her SOUL, pAeEen hid his face against Athos’s breast, and sobbed violently. ** Weep,” said Athos; “‘ weep, heart full of love, and youth and life. Alas! would thatI could weep as you do!” And he led his friend away; affectionately as a father, consolingly as * priest, and firmly, as a man who had himself endured much, All five, followed by their servants leading their horses, then went towards the town of Bethune, of which the sub- os ee, within sight; and they stopped at the first hotel they found. ** But,” asked d’Artagnan, “ are we not going to follow that woman?” one by,’ said Athos; “*I have some preparations to make. ** She will escape,” said the young man; “she will escape, Athos, and it will be our fault.” **T will answer for her,” said Athos. D’Artagnan had such perfect confidence in his friend’s word, that he bowed his head, and entered the hotel without inaking the least so Porthos and Aramis looked at each other, at a loss to erstand the meaning of Athos. Lord de Winter thought that he enly sought to soothe the grief of : an. *“*Now, gentlemen,” said Athos, when he had ascertained that there were five unoccupied chambers in the hotel, ‘let each of us retire to his room, D’Artagnan ought to be alone to weep, and you to sleep, I take charge of everything; make yourselves perfectly easy.” ‘It appears to me, however,” said Lord de Winter, “ that if any measures are to be taken against the countess, the business is mine, seeing that she is my sister-in-law,”’ ** And,” said Athos, “ she is my wife!’’ DA started, for he was satisfied that Athos was sure of his revenge, since he revealed such a secret. Porthos und Aramis looked at one another in consternation; and Lord de Winter thought that Athos had gone mad. ‘Retire, then,” said 2 gon and leave me to act. You see that, in m eonact’y of husband, this affair belongs to me. Only Partamnan, if you have not lost it, give me that paper which fell from the man’s hat, and on which the name of a vane is written,” “Ah!” cried d’Artagnan, “I understand; that name is written by her hand ’’—— ** You see” said Athos, ‘‘ that there is a God In heaven.” CHAPTER LXI. THE MAN IN THE RED CLOAK. THE despair of Athos had given place toa concentrated grief, which made the brilliant qualities of the man — more lucid. Entirely engrossed by one thought—that of promise he had made, and of the responsibility he had un- dertaken—he was the last to retire into his chamber, where he Poguested the landlord to ving him a map of the province ; and, then, he bent himself over it, examined the lines on it, and, ascertaining that four different roads led from Bethune to Armentieres, he ordered the valets to be called. Planchet, Grimaud, Mousqueton and Bazin entered, and re- ceived the clear, precise and serious directions of Athos. At break of day, the next morning, they were to set off, and pro- ceed to Armentieres, each by a different road, Planchet, the most intelligent of the four, was to follow that which had been taken by the carriage at which the three friends had fired and which was attended, as may be remembered, by the servant of Count Rochefort. ’ Athos entrusted the valets with this duty, first, because since these men had been in his service or that of his friends he had perceived in each of them some different and use quality; and, next, because servants awaken less suspicion in the minds of the peasants than their masters, and excite more sympathy in the minds of those whom they address, And, lastly, her ladyship knew the masters, whilst she did not know the servants, who,