CONCLUSION
On the sixth of the following month the king, in compliance1 with the promise he had made the cardinal2 to return to La Rochelle, left his capital still in amazement3 at the news which began to spread itself of Buckingham's assassination4.
Although warned that the man she had loved so much was in great danger, the queen, when his death was announced to her, would not believe the fact, and even imprudently exclaimed, "it is false; he has just written to me!"
But the next day she was obliged to believe this fatal intelligence; Laporte, detained in England, as everyone else had been, by the orders of Charles I, arrived, and was the bearer of the duke's dying gift to the queen.
The joy of the king was lively. He did not even give himself the trouble to dissemble, and displayed it with affectation before the queen. Louis XIII, like very weak mind, was wanting in generosity5.
But the king soon again became dull and indisposed; his brow was not one of those that long remain clear. He felt that in returning to camp he should re-enter slavery; nevertheless, he did return.
The cardinal was for him the fascinating serpent, and himself the bird which flies from branch to branch without power to escape.
The return to La Rochelle, therefore, was profoundly dull. Our four friends, in particular, astonished their comrades; they traveled together, side by side, with sad eyes and heads lowered. Athos alone from time to time raised his expansive brow; a flash kindled6 in his eyes, and a bitter smile passed over his lips, then, like his comrades, he sank again into reverie.
As soon as the escort arrived in a city, when they had conducted the king to his quarters the four friends either retired7 to their own or to some secluded8 cabaret, where they neither drank nor played; they only conversed9 in a low voice, looking around attentively10 to see that no one overheard them.
One day, when the king had halted to fly the magpie11, and the four friends, according to their custom, instead of following the sport had stopped at a cabaret on the high road, a man coming from la Rochelle on horseback pulled up at the door to drink a glass of wine, and darted12 a searching glance into the room where the four Musketeers were sitting.
"Holloa, Monsieur d'Artagnan!" said he, "is not that you whom I see yonder?"
D'Artagnan raised his head and uttered a cry of joy. It was the man he called his phantom13; it was his stranger of Meung, of the Rue14 des Fossoyeurs and of Arras.
D'Artagnan drew his sword, and sprang toward the door.
But this time, instead of avoiding him the stranger jumped from his horse, and advanced to meet D'Artagnan.
"Ah, monsieur!" said the young man, "I meet you, then, at last! This time you shall not escape me!"
"Neither is it my intention, monsieur, for this time I was seeking you; in the name of the king, I arrest you."
"How! what do you say?" cried D'Artagnan.
"I say that you must surrender your sword to me, monsieur, and that without resistance. This concerns your head, I warn you."
"Who are you, then?" demanded D'Artagnan, lowering the point of his sword, but without yet surrendering it.
"I am the Chevalier de Rochefort," answered the other, "the equerry of Monsieur le Cardinal Richelieu, and I have orders to conduct you to his Eminence15."
"We are returning to his Eminence, monsieur the Chevalier," said Athos, advancing; "and you will please to accept the word of Monsieur d'Artagnan that he will go straight to La Rochelle."
"I must place him in the hands of guards who will take him into camp."
"We will be his guards, monsieur, upon our word as gentlemen; but likewise, upon our word as gentlemen," added Athos, knitting his brow, "Monsieur d'Artagnan shall not leave us."
The Chevalier de Rochefort cast a glance backward, and saw that Porthos and Aramis had placed themselves between him and the gate; he understood that he was completely at the mercy of these four men.
"Gentlemen," said he, "if Monsieur d'Artagnan will surrender his sword to me and join his word to yours, I shall be satisfied with your promise to convey Monsieur d'Artagnan to the quarters of Monseigneur the Cardinal."
"You have my word, monsieur, and here is my sword."
"This suits me the better," said Rochefort, "as I wish to continue my journey."
"If it is for the purpose of rejoining Milady," said Athos, coolly, "it is useless; you will not find her."
"What has become of her, then?" asked Rochefort, eagerly.
"Return to camp and you shall know."
Rochefort remained for a moment in thought; then, as they were only a day's journey from Surgeres, whither the cardinal was to come to meet the king, he resolved to follow the advice of Athos and go with them. Besides, this return offered him the advantage of watching his prisoner.
They resumed their route.
On the morrow, at three o'clock in the afternoon, they arrived at Surgeres. The cardinal there awaited Louis XIII. The minister and the king exchanged numerous caresses16, felicitating each other upon the fortunate chance which had freed France from the inveterate17 enemy who set all Europe against her. After which, the cardinal, who had been informed that D'Artagnan was arrested and who was anxious to see him, took leave of the king, inviting18 him to come the next day to view the work already done upon the dyke19.
On returning in the evening to his quarters at the bridge of La Pierre, the cardinal found, standing20 before the house he occupied, D'Artagnan, without his sword, and the three Musketeers armed.
This time, as he was well attended, he looked at them sternly, and made a sign with his eye and hand for D'Artagnan to follow him.
D'Artagnan obeyed.
"We shall wait for you, D'Artagnan," said Athos, loud enough for the cardinal to hear him.
His Eminence bent21 his brow, stopped for an instant, and then kept on his way without uttering a single word.
D'Artagnan entered after the cardinal, and behind D'Artagnan the door was guarded.
His Eminence entered the chamber22 which served him as a study, and made a sign to Rochefort to bring in the young Musketeer.
Rochefort obeyed and retired.
D'Artagnan remained alone in front of the cardinal; this was his second interview with Richelieu, and he afterward23 confessed that he felt well assured it would be his last.
Richelieu remained standing, leaning against the mantelpiece; a table was between him and D'Artagnan.
"Monsieur," said the cardinal, "you have been arrested by my orders."
"So they tell me, monseigneur."
"Do you know why?"
"No, monseigneur, for the only thing for which I could be arrested is still unknown to your Eminence."
Richelieu looked steadfastly24 at the young man.
"Holloa!" said he, "what does that mean?"
"If Monseigneur will have the goodness to tell me, in the first place, what crimes are imputed25 to me, I will then tell him the deeds I have really done."
"Crimes are imputed to you which had brought down far loftier heads than yours, monsieur," said the cardinal.
"What, monseigneur?" said D'Artagnan, with a calmness which astonished the cardinal himself.
"You are charged with having corresponded with the enemies of the kingdom; you are charged with having surprised state secrets; you are charged with having tried to thwart26 the plans of your general."
"And who charges me with this, monseigneur?" said D'Artagnan, who had no doubt the accusation27 came from Milady, "a woman branded by the justice of the country; a woman who has espoused28 one man in France and another in England; a woman who poisoned her second husband and who attempted both to poison and assassinate29 me!"
"What do you say, monsieur?" cried the cardinal, astonished; "and of what woman are you speaking thus?"
"Of Milady de Winter," replied D'Artagnan, "yes, of Milady de Winter, of whose crimes your Eminence is doubtless ignorant, since you have honored her with your confidence."
"Monsieur," said the cardinal, "if Milady de Winter has committed the crimes you lay to her charge, she shall be punished."
"She has been punished, monseigneur."
"And who has punished her?"
"We."
"She is in prison?"
"She is dead."
"Dead!" repeated the cardinal, who could not believe what he heard, "dead! Did you not say she was dead?"
"Three times she attempted to kill me, and I pardoned her; but she murdered the woman I loved. Then my friends and I took her, tried her, and condemned30 her."
D'Artagnan then related the poisoning of Mme. Bonacieux in the convent of the Carmelites at Bethune, the trial in the isolated31 house, and the execution on the banks of the Lys.
A shudder32 crept through the body of the cardinal, who did not shudder readily.
But all at once, as if undergoing the influence of an unspoken thought, the countenance33 of the cardinal, till then gloomy, cleared up by degrees, and recovered perfect serenity34.
"So," said the cardinal, in a tone that contrasted strongly with the severity of his words, "you have constituted yourselves judges, without remembering that they who punish without license35 to punish are assassins?"
"Monseigneur, I swear to you that I never for an instant had the intention of defending my head against you. I willingly submit to any punishment your Eminence may please to inflict36 upon me. I do not hold life dear enough to be afraid of death."
"Yes, I know you are a man of a stout37 heart, monsieur," said the cardinal, with a voice almost affectionate; "I can therefore tell you beforehand you shall be tried, and even condemned."
"Another might reply to your Eminence that he had his pardon in his pocket. I content myself with saying: Command, monseigneur; I am ready."
"Your pardon?" said Richelieu, surprised.
"Yes, monseigneur," said D'Artagnan.
"And signed by whom--by the king?" And the cardinal pronounced these words with a singular expression of contempt.
"No, by your Eminence."
"By me? You are insane, monsieur."
"Monseigneur will doubtless recognize his own handwriting."
And D'Artagnan presented to the cardinal the precious piece of paper which Athos had forced from Milady, and which he had given to D'Artagnan to serve him as a safeguard.
His Eminence took the paper, and read in a slow voice, dwelling38 upon every syllable39:
"Dec. 3, 1627 "It is by my order and for the good of the state that the bearer of this has done what he has done.
"RICHELIEU"
The cardinal, after having read these two lines, sank into a profound reverie; but he did not return the paper to D'Artagnan.
"He is meditating40 by what sort of punishment he shall cause me to die," said the Gascon to himself. "Well, my faith! he shall see how a gentleman can die."
The young Musketeer was in excellent disposition41 to die heroically.
Richelieu still continued thinking, rolling and unrolling the paper in his hands.
At length he raised his head, fixed42 his eagle look upon that loyal, open, and intelligent countenance, read upon that face, furrowed43 with tears, all the sufferings its possessor had endured in the course of a month, and reflected for the third or fourth time how much there was in that youth of twenty-one years before him, and what resources his activity, his courage, and his shrewdness might offer to a good master. On the other side, the crimes, the power, and the infernal genius of Milady had more than once terrified him. He felt something like a secret joy at being forever relieved of this dangerous accomplice44.
Richelieu slowly tore the paper which D'Artagnan had generously relinquished45.
"I am lost!" said D'Artagnan to himself. And he bowed profoundly before the cardinal, like a man who says, "Lord, Thy will be done!"
The cardinal approached the table, and without sitting down, wrote a few lines upon a parchment of which two-thirds were already filled, and affixed46 his seal.
"That is my condemnation," thought D'Artagnan; "he will spare me the ENNUI47 of the Bastille, or the tediousness of a trial. That's very kind of him."
"Here, monsieur," said the cardinal to the young man. "I have taken from you one CARTE BLANCHE to give you another. The name is wanting in this commission; you can write it yourself."
D'Artagnan took the paper hesitatingly and cast his eyes over it; it was a lieutenant48's commission in the Musketeers.
D'Artagnan fell at the feet of the cardinal.
"Monseigneur," said he, "my life is yours; henceforth dispose of it. But this favor which you bestow49 upon me I do not merit. I have three friends who are more meritorious50 and more worthy51--"
"You are a brave youth, D'Artagnan," interrupted the cardinal, tapping him familiarly on the shoulder, charmed at having vanquished52 this rebellious53 nature. "Do with this commission what you will; only remember, though the name be blank, it is to you I give it."
"I shall never forget it," replied D'Artagnan. "Your Eminence may be certain of that."
The cardinal turned and said in a loud voice, "Rochefort!" The chevalier, who no doubt was near the door, entered immediately.
"Rochefort," said the cardinal, "you see Monsieur d'Artagnan. I receive him among the number of my friends. Greet each other, then; and be wise if you wish to preserve your heads."
Rochefort and D'Artagnan coolly greeted each other with their lips; but the cardinal was there, observing them with his vigilant54 eye.
They left the chamber at the same time.
"We shall meet again, shall we not, monsieur?"
"When you please," said D'Artagnan.
"An opportunity will come," replied Rochefort.
"Hey?" said the cardinal, opening the door.
The two men smiled at each other, shook hands, and saluted55 his Eminence.
"We were beginning to grow impatient," said Athos.
"Here I am, my friends," replied D'Artagnan; "not only free, but in favor."
"Tell us about it."
"This evening; but for the moment, let us separate."
Accordingly, that same evening D'Artagnan repaired to the quarters of Athos, whom he found in a fair way to empty a bottle of Spanish wine--an occupation which he religiously accomplished56 every night.
D'Artagnan related what had taken place between the cardinal and himself, and drawing the commission from his pocket, said, "Here, my dear Athos, this naturally belongs to you."
Athos smiled with one of his sweet and expressive57 smiles.
"Friend," said he, "for Athos this is too much; for the Comte de la Fere it is too little. Keep the commission; it is yours. Alas58! you have purchased it dearly enough."
D'Artagnan left Athos's chamber and went to that of Porthos. He found him clothed in a magnificent dress covered with splendid embroidery59, admiring himself before a glass.
"Ah, ah! is that you, dear friend?" exclaimed Porthos. "How do you think these garments fit me?"
"Wonderfully," said D'Artagnan; but I come to offer you a dress which will become you still better."
"What?" asked Porthos.
"That of a lieutenant of Musketeers."
D'Artagnan related to Porthos the substance of his interview with the cardinal, and said, taking the commission from his pocket, "Here, my friend, write your name upon it and become my chief."
Porthos cast his eyes over the commission and returned it to D'Artagnan, to the great astonishment60 of the young man.
"Yes," said he, "yes, that would flatter me very much; but I should not have time enough to enjoy the distinction. During our expedition to Bethune the husband of my duchess died; so, my dear, the coffer of the defunct61 holding out its arms to me, I shall marry the widow. Look here! I was trying on my wedding suit. Keep the lieutenancy62, my dear, keep it."
The young man then entered the apartment of Aramis. He found him kneeling before a PRIEDIEU with his head leaning on an open prayer book.
He described to him his interview with the cardinal, and said, for the third time drawing his commission from his pocket, "You, our friend, our intelligence, our invisible protector, accept this commission. You have merited it more than any of us by your wisdom and your counsels, always followed by such happy results."
"Alas, dear friend!" said Aramis, "our late adventures have disgusted me with military life. This time my determination is irrevocably taken. After the siege I shall enter the house of the Lazarists. Keep the commission, D'Artagnan; the profession of arms suits you. You will be a brave and adventurous63 captain."
D'Artagnan, his eye moist with gratitude64 though beaming with joy, went back to Athos, whom he found still at table contemplating65 the charms of his last glass of Malaga by the light of his lamp.
"Well," said he, "they likewise have refused me."
"That, dear friend, is because nobody is more worthy than yourself."
He took a quill66, wrote the name of D'Artagnan in the commission, and returned it to him.
"I shall then have no more friends," said the young man. "Alas! nothing but bitter recollections."
And he let his head sink upon his hands, while two large tears rolled down his cheeks.
"You are young," replied Athos; "and your bitter recollections have time to change themselves into sweet remembrances."
收听单词发音 |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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magpie
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| n.喜欢收藏物品的人，喜鹊，饶舌者 | |
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darted
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phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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dyke
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| n.堤，水坝，排水沟 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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imputed
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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espoused
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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assassinate
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| vt.暗杀，行刺，中伤 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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ennui
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| n.怠倦，无聊 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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meritorious
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| adj.值得赞赏的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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defunct
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| adj.死亡的；已倒闭的 | |
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62
lieutenancy
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| n.中尉之职，代理官员 | |
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63
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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64
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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65
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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66
quill
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| n.羽毛管；v.给（织物或衣服）作皱褶 | |
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