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Books
The Three Musketeers
Twenty Years Later
The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Three Musketeers 299 at Prostate Health
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 accomplice.
Richelieu slowly tore the paper which dArtagnan had generously
relinquished.
"I am lost!" said dArtagnan 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
affixed his seal.
"That is my condemnation," thought dArtagnan; "he will spare me the
ENNUI of the Bastille, or the tediousness of a trial. Thats 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."
DArtagnan took the paper hesitatingly and cast his eyes over it; it was
a lieutenants commission in the Musketeers.
DArtagnan fell at the feet of the cardinal.
"Monseigneur," said he, "my life is yours; henceforth dispose of it.
But this favor which you bestow upon me I do not merit. I have three
friends who are more meritorious and more worthy--"
"You are a brave youth, dArtagnan," interrupted the cardinal, tapping
him familiarly on the shoulder, charmed at having vanquished this
rebellious 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 dArtagnan. "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 dArtagnan. 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 dArtagnan coolly greeted each other with their lips; but
the cardinal was there, observing them with his vigilant eye.
They left the chamber at the same time.
"We shall meet again, shall we not, monsieur?"
"When you please," said dArtagnan.
"An opportunity will come," replied Rochefort.
"Hey?" said the cardinal, opening the door.
The two men smiled at each other, shook hands, and saluted his Eminence.
"We were beginning to grow impatient," said Athos.
"Here I am, my friends," replied dArtagnan; "not only free, but in
favor."
"Tell us about it."
"This evening; but for the moment, let us separate."
Accordingly, that same evening dArtagnan 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 accomplished every night.
DArtagnan 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 expressive 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. Alas! you have
purchased it dearly enough."
DArtagnan left Athoss chamber and went to that of Porthos. He found
him clothed in a magnificent dress covered with splendid embroidery,
admiring himself before a glass.
"Ah, ah! is that you, dear friend?" exclaimed Porthos. "How do you
think these garments fit me?"
"Wonderfully," said dArtagnan; but I come to offer you a dress which
will become you still better."
"What?" asked Porthos.
"That of a lieutenant of Musketeers."
DArtagnan 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 dArtagnan,
to the great astonishment 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
defunct holding out its arms to me, I shall marry the widow. Look here!
I was trying on my wedding suit. Keep the lieutenancy, 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
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