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The Three Musketeers
Twenty Years Later
The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Three Musketeers 24 at Prostate Health
to you the best
place and time."
The two young men bowed and separated, Aramis ascending the
street which led to the Luxembourg, while dArtagnan, perceiving
the appointed hour was approaching, took the road to the
Carmes-Deschaux, saying to himself, "Decidedly I cant draw back;
but at least, if I am killed, I shall be killed by a Musketeer."
5 THE KINGS MUSKETEERS AND THE CARDINALS GUARDS
DArtagnan was acquainted with nobody in Paris. He went
therefore to his appointment with Athos without a second,
determined to be satisfied with those his adversary should
choose. Besides, his intention was formed to make the brave
Musketeer all suitable apologies, but without meanness or
weakness, fearing that might result from this duel which
generally results from an affair of this kind, when a young and
vigorous man fights with an adversary who is wounded and
weakened--if conquered, he doubles the triumph of his antagonist;
if a conqueror, he is accused of foul play and want of courage.
Now, we must have badly painted the character of our adventure
seeker, or our readers must have already perceived that
dArtagnan was not an ordinary man; therefore, while repeating to
himself that his death was inevitable, he did not make up his
mind to die quietly, as one less courageous and less restrained
might have done in his place. He reflected upon the different
characters of men he had to fight with, and began to view his
situation more clearly. He hoped, by means of loyal excuses, to
make a friend of Athos, whose lordly air and austere bearing
pleased him much. He flattered himself he should be able to
frighten Porthos with the adventure of the baldric, which he
might, if not killed upon the spot, relate to everybody a recital
which, well managed, would cover Porthos with ridicule. As to
the astute Aramis, he did not entertain much dread of him; and
supposing he should be able to get so far, he determined to
dispatch him in good style or at least, by hitting him in the
face, as Caesar recommended his soldiers do to those of Pompey,
to damage forever the beauty of which he was so proud.
In addition to this, dArtagnan possessed that invincible stock
of resolution which the counsels of his father had implanted in
his heart: "Endure nothing from anyone but the king, the
cardinal, and Monsieur de Treville." He flew, then, rather than
walked, toward the convent of the Carmes Dechausses, or rather
Deschaux, as it was called at that period, a sort of building
without a window, surrounded by barren fields--an accessory to
the Preaux-Clercs, and which was generally employed as the place
for the duels of men who had no time to lose.
When dArtagnan arrived in sight of the bare spot of ground which
extended along the foot of the monastery, Athos had been waiting
about five minutes, and twelve oclock was striking. He was,
then, as punctual as the Samaritan woman, and the most rigorous
casuist with regard to duels could have nothing to say.
Athos, who still suffered grievously from his wound, though it
had been dressed anew by M. de Trevilles surgeon, was seated on
a post and waiting for his adversary with hat in hand, his
feather even touching the ground.
"Monsieur," said Athos, "I have engaged two of my friends as
seconds; but these two friends are not yet come, at which I am
astonished, as it is not at all their custom."
"I have no seconds on my part, monsieur," said dArtagnan; "for
having only arrived yesterday in Paris, I as yet know no one but
Monsieur de Treville, to whom I was recommended by my father, who
has the honor to be, in some degree, one of his friends."
Athos reflected for an instant. "You know no one but Monsieur de
Treville?" he asked.
"Yes, monsieur, I know only him."
"Well, but then," continued Athos, speaking half to himself, "if
I kill you, I shall have the air of a boy-slayer."
"Not too much so," replied dArtagnan, with a bow that was not
deficient in dignity, "since you do me the honor to draw a sword
with me while suffering from a wound which is very inconvenient."
"Very inconvenient, upon my word; and you hurt me devilishly, I
can tell you. But I will take the left hand--it is my custom in
such circumstances. Do not fancy that I do you a favor; I use
either hand easily. And it will be even a disadvantage to
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