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Books
The Three Musketeers
Twenty Years Later
The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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Twenty Years Later 46 at Prostate Health
francs a year, it
seems to me that a little coronet would do well on your
carriage, hey?"
"Yes indeed," said Porthos.
"Well, my dear friend, win it -- it is at the point of your
sword. We shall not interfere with each other -- your object
is a title; mine, money. If I can get enough to rebuild
Artagnan, which my ancestors, impoverished by the Crusades,
allowed to fall into ruins, and to buy thirty acres of land
about it, that is all I wish. I shall retire and die
tranquilly -- at home."
"For my part," said Porthos, "I desire to be made a baron."
"You shall be one."
"And have you not seen any of our other friends?"
"Yes, I have seen Aramis."
"And what does he wish? To be a bishop?"
"Aramis," answered DArtagnan, who did not wish to undeceive
Porthos, "Aramis, fancy, has become a monk and a Jesuit, and
lives like a bear. My offers did not arouse him, -- did not
even tempt him."
"So much the worse! He was a clever man. And Athos?"
"I have not yet seen him. Do you know where I shall find
him?"
"Near Blois. He is called Bragelonne. Only imagine, my dear
friend. Athos, who was of as high birth as the emperor and
who inherits one estate which gives him the title of comte,
what is he to do with all those dignities -- the Comte de la
Fere, Comte de Bragelonne?"
"And he has no children with all these titles?"
"Ah!" said Porthos, "I have heard that he had adopted a
young man who resembles him greatly."
"What, Athos? Our Athos, who was as virtuous as Scipio? Have
you seen him?
"No."
"Well, I shall see him to-morrow and tell him about you; but
Im afraid, entre nous, that his liking for wine has aged
and degraded him."
"Yes, he used to drink a great deal," replied Porthos.
"And then he was older than any of us," added DArtagnan.
"Some years only. His gravity made him look older than he
was."
"Well then, if we can get Athos, all will be well. If we
cannot, we will do without him. We two are worth a dozen."
"Yes," said Porthos, smiling at the remembrance of his
former exploits; "but we four, altogether, would be equal to
thirty-six, more especially as you say the work will not be
childs play. Will it last long?"
"Byr Lady! two or three years perhaps."
"So much the better," cried Porthos. "You have no idea, my
friend, how my bones ache since I came here. Sometimes on a
Sunday, I take a ride in the fields and on the property of
my neighbours, in order to pick up a nice little quarrel,
which I am really in want of, but nothing happens. Either
they respect or they fear me, which is more likely, but they
let me trample down the clover with my dogs, insult and
obstruct every one, and I come back still more weary and
low-spirited, thats all. At any rate, tell me: theres more
chance of fighting in Paris, is there not?"
"In that respect, my dear friend, its delightful. No more
edicts, no more of the cardinals guards, no more De
Jussacs, nor other bloodhounds. IGad! underneath a lamp in
an inn, anywhere, they ask `Are you one of the Fronde? They
unsheathe, and thats all that is said. The Duke de Guise
killed Monsieur de Coligny in the Place Royale and nothing
was said of it."
"Ah, things go on gaily, then," said Porthos.
"Besides which, in a short time," resumed DArtagnan, "We
shall have set battles, cannonades, conflagrations and there
will be great variety."
"Well, then, I decide."
"I have your word, then?"
"Yes, tis given. I shall fight heart and soul for Mazarin;
but ---- "
"But?"
"But he must make me a baron."
"Zounds!" said DArtagnan, "thats settled already; I will
be responsible for the barony."
On this promise being given, Porthos, who had never doubted
his friends assurance, turned back with him toward the
castle.
12
In which it is shown that if Porthos was discontented with
his Condition, Mousqueton was completely satisfied with his.
As they returned toward the castle, DArtagnan thought of
the miseries of poor human nature, always dissatisfied with
what it has, ever desirous of what it has not.
In the position of Porthos, DArtagnan would have been
perfectly happy; and to make Porthos contented there was
wanting -- what? five letters to put before his three names,
a tiny coronet to paint upon the panels of his carriage!
"I shall pass all my life," thought DArtagnan, "in seeking
for a man who is really contented with his
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