Vingt ans après. English Page 9

  9. The Abbe D'Herblay.

  At the extremity of the village Planchet turned to the left in obedienceto the orders of Aramis, and stopped underneath the window which hadlight in it. Aramis alighted and clapped his hands three times.Immediately the window was opened and a ladder of rope was let down fromit.

  "My friend," said Aramis, "if you like to ascend I shall be delighted toreceive you."

  "Ah," said D'Artagnan, "is that the way you return to your apartment?"

  "After nine at night, pardieu!" said Aramis, "the rule of the convent isvery severe."

  "Pardon me, my dear friend," said D'Artagnan, "I think you said'pardieu!'"

  "Do you think so?" said Aramis, smiling; "it is possible. You have noidea, my dear fellow, how one acquires bad habits in these cursedconvents, or what evil ways all these men of the church have, with whomI am obliged to live. But will you not go up?"

  "Pass on before me, I beg of you."

  "As the late cardinal used to say to the late king, 'only to show youthe way, sire.'" And Aramis ascended the ladder quickly and reached thewindow in an instant.

  D'Artagnan followed, but less nimbly, showing plainly that this mode ofascent was not one to which he was accustomed.

  "I beg your pardon," said Aramis, noticing his awkwardness; "if I hadknown that I was to have the honor of your visit I should have procuredthe gardener's ladder; but for me alone this is good enough."

  "Sir," said Planchet when he saw D'Artagnan on the summit of the ladder,"this way is easy for Monsieur Aramis and even for you; in case ofnecessity I might also climb up, but my two horses cannot mount theladder."

  "Take them to yonder shed, my friend," said Aramis, pointing to a lowbuilding on the plain; "there you will find hay and straw for them; thencome back here and clap your hands three times, and we will give youwine and food. Marry, forsooth, people don't die of hunger here."

  And Aramis, drawing in the ladder, closed the window. D'Artagnan thenlooked around attentively.

  Never was there an apartment at the same time more warlike and moreelegant. At each corner were arranged trophies, presenting to viewswords of all sorts, and on the walls hung four great picturesrepresenting in their ordinary military costume the Cardinal deLorraine, the Cardinal de Richelieu, the Cardinal de la Valette, and theArchbishop of Bordeaux. Exteriorly, nothing in the room showed that itwas the habitation of an abbe. The hangings were of damask, the carpetsfrom Alencon, and the bed, especially, had more the look of a finelady's couch, with its trimmings of fine lace and its embroideredcounterpane, than that of a man who had made a vow that he wouldendeavor to gain Heaven by fasting and mortification.

  "You are examining my den," said Aramis. "Ah, my dear fellow, excuse me;I am lodged like a Chartreux. But what are you looking for?"

  "I am looking for the person who let down the ladder. I see no one andyet the ladder didn't come down of itself."

  "No, it is Bazin."

  "Ah! ah!" said D'Artagnan.

  "But," continued Aramis, "Bazin is a well trained servant, and seeingthat I was not alone he discreetly retired. Sit down, my dear friend,and let us talk." And Aramis pushed forward a large easy-chair, in whichD'Artagnan stretched himself out.

  "In the first place, you will sup with me, will you not?" asked Aramis.

  "Yes, if you really wish it," said D'Artagnan, "and even with greatpleasure, I confess; the journey has given me a devil of an appetite."

  "Ah, my poor friend!" said Aramis, "you will find meagre fare; you werenot expected."

  "Am I then threatened with the omelet of Crevecoeur?"

  "Oh, let us hope," said Aramis, "that with the help of God and of Bazinwe shall find something better than that in the larder of the worthyJesuit fathers. Bazin, my friend, come here."

  The door opened and Bazin entered; on perceiving the musketeer heuttered an exclamation that was almost a cry of despair.

  "My dear Bazin," said D'Artagnan, "I am delighted to see with whatwonderful composure you can tell a lie even in church!"

  "Sir," replied Bazin, "I have been taught by the good Jesuit fathersthat it is permitted to tell a falsehood when it is told in a goodcause."

  "So far well," said Aramis; "we are dying of hunger. Serve us up thebest supper you can, and especially give us some good wine."

  Bazin bowed low, sighed, and left the room.

  "Now we are alone, dear Aramis," said D'Artagnan, "tell me how the devilyou managed to alight upon the back of Planchet's horse."

  "I'faith!" answered Aramis, "as you see, from Heaven."

  "From Heaven," replied D'Artagnan, shaking his head; "you have no morethe appearance of coming from thence than you have of going there."

  "My friend," said Aramis, with a look of imbecility on his face whichD'Artagnan had never observed whilst he was in the musketeers, "if I didnot come from Heaven, at least I was leaving Paradise, which is almostthe same."

  "Here, then, is a puzzle for the learned," observed D'Artagnan, "untilnow they have never been able to agree as to the situation of Paradise;some place it on Mount Ararat, others between the rivers Tigris andEuphrates; it seems that they have been looking very far away for it,while it was actually very near. Paradise is at Noisy le Sec, upon thesite of the archbishop's chateau. People do not go out from it by thedoor, but by the window; one doesn't descend here by the marble steps ofa peristyle, but by the branches of a lime-tree; and the angel with aflaming sword who guards this elysium seems to have changed hiscelestial name of Gabriel into that of the more terrestrial one of thePrince de Marsillac."

  Aramis burst into a fit of laughter.

  "You were always a merry companion, my dear D'Artagnan," he said, "andyour witty Gascon fancy has not deserted you. Yes, there is something inwhat you say; nevertheless, do not believe that it is Madame deLongueville with whom I am in love."

  "A plague on't! I shall not do so. After having been so long in lovewith Madame de Chevreuse, you would hardly lay your heart at the feet ofher mortal enemy!"

  "Yes," replied Aramis, with an absent air; "yes, that poor duchess! Ionce loved her much, and to do her justice, she was very useful to us.Eventually she was obliged to leave France. He was a relentless enemy,that damned cardinal," continued Aramis, glancing at the portrait of theold minister. "He had even given orders to arrest her and would have cutoff her head had she not escaped with her waiting-maid--poor Kitty! Ihave heard that she met with a strange adventure in I don't know whatvillage, with I don't know what cure, of whom she asked hospitality andwho, having but one chamber, and taking her for a cavalier, offered toshare it with her. For she had a wonderful way of dressing as a man,that dear Marie; I know only one other woman who can do it as well. Sothey made this song about her: 'Laboissiere, dis moi.' You know it,don't you?"

  "No, sing it, please."

  Aramis immediately complied, and sang the song in a very lively manner.

  "Bravo!" cried D'Artagnan, "you sing charmingly, dear Aramis. I do notperceive that singing masses has spoiled your voice."

  "My dear D'Artagnan," replied Aramis, "you understand, when I was amusketeer I mounted guard as seldom as I could; now when I am an abbe Isay as few masses as I can. But to return to our duchess."

  "Which--the Duchess de Chevreuse or the Duchess de Longueville?"

  "Have I not already told you that there is nothing between me and theDuchess de Longueville? Little flirtations, perhaps, and that's all. No,I spoke of the Duchess de Chevreuse; did you see her after her returnfrom Brussels, after the king's death?"

  "Yes, she is still beautiful."

  "Yes," said Aramis, "I saw her also at that time. I gave her goodadvice, by which she did not profit. I ventured to tell her that Mazarinwas the lover of Anne of Austria. She wouldn't believe me, saying thatshe knew Anne of Austria, who was too proud to love such a worthlesscoxcomb. After that she plunged into the cabal headed by the Duke ofBeaufort; and the 'coxcomb' arrested De Beaufort and banished Madame deChevreuse."

  "You know," resumed D'Artagnan
, "that she has had leave to return toFrance?"

  "Yes she is come back and is going to commit some fresh folly oranother."

  "Oh, but this time perhaps she will follow your advice."

  "Oh, this time," returned Aramis, "I haven't seen her; she is muchchanged."

  "In that respect unlike you, my dear Aramis, for you are still the same;you have still your beautiful dark hair, still your elegant figure,still your feminine hands, which are admirably suited to a prelate."

  "Yes," replied Aramis, "I am extremely careful of my appearance. Do youknow that I am growing old? I am nearly thirty-seven."

  "Mind, Aramis"--D'Artagnan smiled as he spoke--"since we are togetheragain, let us agree on one point: what age shall we be in future?"

  "How?"

  "Formerly I was your junior by two or three years, and if I am notmistaken I am turned forty years old."

  "Indeed! Then 'tis I who am mistaken, for you have always been a goodchronologist. By your reckoning I must be forty-three at least. Thedevil I am! Don't let it out at the Hotel Rambouillet; it would ruinme," replied the abbe.

  "Don't be afraid," said D'Artagnan. "I never go there."

  "Why, what in the world," cried Aramis, "is that animal Bazin doing?Bazin! Hurry up there, you rascal; we are mad with hunger and thirst!"

  Bazin entered at that moment carrying a bottle in each hand.

  "At last," said Aramis, "we are ready, are we?"

  "Yes, monsieur, quite ready," said Bazin; "but it took me some time tobring up all the----"

  "Because you always think you have on your shoulders your beadle's robe,and spend all your time reading your breviary. But I give you warningthat if in polishing your chapel utensils you forget how to brighten upmy sword, I will make a great fire of your blessed images and will seethat you are roasted on it."

  Bazin, scandalized, made a sign of the cross with the bottle in hishand. D'Artagnan, more surprised than ever at the tone and manners ofthe Abbe d'Herblay, which contrasted so strongly with those of theMusketeer Aramis, remained staring with wide-open eyes at the face ofhis friend.

  Bazin quickly covered the table with a damask cloth and arranged upon itso many things, gilded, perfumed, appetizing, that D'Artagnan was quiteovercome.

  "But you expected some one then?" asked the officer.

  "Oh," said Aramis, "I always try to be prepared; and then I knew youwere seeking me."

  "From whom?"

  "From Master Bazin, to be sure; he took you for the devil, my dearfellow, and hastened to warn me of the danger that threatened my soul ifI should meet again a companion so wicked as an officer of musketeers."

  "Oh, monsieur!" said Bazin, clasping his hands supplicatingly.

  "Come, no hypocrisy! you know that I don't like it. You will do muchbetter to open the window and let down some bread, a chicken and abottle of wine to your friend Planchet, who has been this last hourkilling himself clapping his hands."

  Planchet, in fact, had bedded and fed his horses, and then coming backunder the window had repeated two or three times the signal agreed upon.

  Bazin obeyed, fastened to the end of a cord the three articlesdesignated and let them down to Planchet, who then went satisfied to hisshed.

  "Now to supper," said Aramis.

  The two friends sat down and Aramis began to cut up fowls, partridgesand hams with admirable skill.

  "The deuce!" cried D'Artagnan; "do you live in this way always?"

  "Yes, pretty well. The coadjutor has given me dispensations from fastingon the jours maigres, on account of my health; then I have engaged as mycook the cook who lived with Lafollone--you know the man I mean?--thefriend of the cardinal, and the famous epicure whose grace after dinnerused to be, 'Good Lord, do me the favor to cause me to digest what Ihave eaten.'"

  "Nevertheless he died of indigestion, in spite of his grace," saidD'Artagnan.

  "What can you expect?" replied Aramis, in a tone of resignation. "Everyman that's born must fulfil his destiny."

  "If it be not an indelicate question," resumed D'Artagnan, "have yougrown rich?"

  "Oh, Heaven! no. I make about twelve thousand francs a year, withoutcounting a little benefice of a thousand crowns the prince gave me."

  "And how do you make your twelve thousand francs? By your poems?"

  "No, I have given up poetry, except now and then to write a drinkingsong, some gay sonnet or some innocent epigram; I compose sermons, myfriend."

  "What! sermons? Do you preach them?"

  "No; I sell them to those of my cloth who wish to become great orators."

  "Ah, indeed! and you have not been tempted by the hopes of reputationyourself?"

  "I should, my dear D'Artagnan, have been so, but nature said 'No.' WhenI am in the pulpit, if by chance a pretty woman looks at me, I look ather again: if she smiles, I smile too. Then I speak at random; insteadof preaching about the torments of hell I talk of the joys of Paradise.An event took place in the Church of St. Louis au Marais. A gentlemanlaughed in my face. I stopped short to tell him that he was a fool; thecongregation went out to get stones to stone me with, but whilst theywere away I found means to conciliate the priests who were present, sothat my foe was pelted instead of me. 'Tis true that he came the nextmorning to my house, thinking that he had to do with an abbe--like allother abbes."

  "And what was the end of the affair?"

  "We met in the Place Royale--Egad! you know about it."

  "Was I not your second?" cried D'Artagnan.

  "You were; you know how I settled the matter."

  "Did he die?"

  "I don't know. But, at all events, I gave him absolution in articulomortis. 'Tis enough to kill the body, without killing the soul."

  Bazin made a despairing sign which meant that while perhaps he approvedthe moral he altogether disapproved the tone in which it was uttered.

  "Bazin, my friend," said Aramis, "you don't seem to be aware that I cansee you in that mirror, and you forget that once for all I haveforbidden all signs of approbation or disapprobation. You will do me thefavor to bring us some Spanish wine and then to withdraw. Besides, myfriend D'Artagnan has something to say to me privately, have you not,D'Artagnan?"

  D'Artagnan nodded his head and Bazin retired, after placing on the tablethe Spanish wine.

  The two friends, left alone, remained silent, face to face. Aramisseemed to await a comfortable digestion; D'Artagnan, to be preparing hisexordium. Each of them, when the other was not looking, hazarded a slyglance. It was Aramis who broke the silence.

  "What are you thinking of, D'Artagnan?" he began.

  "I was thinking, my dear old friend, that when you were a musketeer youturned your thoughts incessantly to the church, and now that you are anabbe you are perpetually longing to be once more a musketeer."

  "'Tis true; man, as you know," said Aramis, "is a strange animal, madeup of contradictions. Since I became an abbe I dream of nothing butbattles."

  "That is apparent in your surroundings; you have rapiers here of everyform and to suit the most exacting taste. Do you still fence well?"

  "I--I fence as well as you did in the old time--better still, perhaps; Ido nothing else all day."

  "And with whom?"

  "With an excellent master-at-arms that we have here."

  "What! here?"

  "Yes, here, in this convent, my dear fellow. There is everything in aJesuit convent."

  "Then you would have killed Monsieur de Marsillac if he had come aloneto attack you, instead of at the head of twenty men?"

  "Undoubtedly," said Aramis, "and even at the head of his twenty men, ifI could have drawn without being recognized."

  "God pardon me!" said D'Artagnan to himself, "I believe he has becomemore Gascon than I am!" Then aloud: "Well, my dear Aramis, do you ask mewhy I came to seek you?"

  "No, I have not asked you that," said Aramis, with his subtle manner;"but I have expected you to tell me."

  "Well, I sought you for the single purpose of offering you a chance tok
ill Monsieur de Marsillac whenever you please, prince though he is."

  "Hold on! wait!" said Aramis; "that is an idea!"

  "Of which I invite you to take advantage, my friend. Let us see; withyour thousand crowns from the abbey and the twelve thousand francs youmake by selling sermons, are you rich? Answer frankly."

  "I? I am as poor as Job, and were you to search my pockets and my boxesI don't believe you would find a hundred pistoles."

  "Peste! a hundred pistoles!" said D'Artagnan to himself; "he calls thatbeing as poor as Job! If I had them I should think myself as rich asCroesus." Then aloud: "Are you ambitious?"

  "As Enceladus."

  "Well, my friend, I bring you the means of becoming rich, powerful, andfree to do whatever you wish."

  The shadow of a cloud passed over Aramis's face as quickly as that whichin August passes over the field of grain; but quick as it was, it didnot escape D'Artagnan's observation.

  "Speak on," said Aramis.

  "One question first. Do you take any interest in politics?"

  A gleam of light shone in Aramis's eyes, as brief as the shadow that hadpassed over his face, but not so brief but that it was seen byD'Artagnan.

  "No," Aramis replied.

  "Then proposals from any quarter will be agreeable to you, since for themoment you have no master but God?"

  "It is possible."

  "Have you, my dear Aramis, thought sometimes of those happy, happy,happy days of youth we passed laughing, drinking, and fighting eachother for play?"

  "Certainly, and more than once regretted them; it was indeed a glorioustime."

  "Well, those splendidly wild days may chance to come again; I amcommissioned to find out my companions and I began by you, who were thevery soul of our society."

  Aramis bowed, rather with respect than pleasure at the compliment.

  "To meddle in politics," he exclaimed, in a languid voice, leaning backin his easy-chair. "Ah! dear D'Artagnan! see how regularly I live andhow easy I am here. We have experienced the ingratitude of 'the great,'as you well know."

  "'Tis true," replied D'Artagnan. "Yet the great sometimes repent oftheir ingratitude."

  "In that case it would be quite another thing. Come! let's be mercifulto every sinner! Besides, you are right in another respect, which is inthinking that if we were to meddle in politics there could not be abetter time than the present."

  "How can you know that? You who never interest yourself in politics?"

  "Ah! without caring about them myself, I live among those who are muchoccupied in them. Poet as I am, I am intimate with Sarazin, who isdevoted to the Prince de Conti, and with Monsieur de Bois-Robert, who,since the death of Cardinal Richelieu, is of all parties or any party;so that political discussions have not altogether been uninteresting tome."

  "I have no doubt of it," said D'Artagnan.

  "Now, my dear friend, look upon all I tell you as merely the statementof a monk--of a man who resembles an echo--repeating simply what hehears. I understand that Mazarin is at this very moment extremely uneasyas to the state of affairs; that his orders are not respected like thoseof our former bugbear, the deceased cardinal, whose portrait as you seehangs yonder--for whatever may be thought of him, it must be allowedthat Richelieu was great."

  "I will not contradict you there," said D'Artagnan.

  "My first impressions were favorable to the minister; I said to myselfthat a minister is never loved, but that with the genius this one wassaid to have he would eventually triumph over his enemies and would makehimself feared, which in my opinion is much more to be desired than tobe loved----"

  D'Artagnan made a sign with his head which indicated that he entirelyapproved that doubtful maxim.

  "This, then," continued Aramis, "was my first opinion; but as I am veryignorant in matters of this kind and as the humility which I professobliges me not to rest on my own judgment, but to ask the opinion ofothers, I have inquired--Eh!--my friend----"

  Aramis paused.

  "Well? what?" asked his friend.

  "Well, I must mortify myself. I must confess that I was mistaken.Monsieur de Mazarin is not a man of genius, as I thought, he is a man ofno origin--once a servant of Cardinal Bentivoglio, and he got on byintrigue. He is an upstart, a man of no name, who will only be the toolof a party in France. He will amass wealth, he will injure the king'srevenue and pay to himself the pensions which Richelieu paid to others.He is neither a gentleman in manner nor in feeling, but a sort ofbuffoon, a punchinello, a pantaloon. Do you know him? I do not."

  "Hem!" said D'Artagnan, "there is some truth in what you say."

  "Ah! it fills me with pride to find that, thanks to a common sort ofpenetration with which I am endowed, I am approved by a man like you,fresh from the court."

  "But you speak of him, not of his party, his resources."

  "It is true--the queen is for him."

  "Something in his favor."

  "But he will never have the king."

  "A mere child."

  "A child who will be of age in four years. Then he has neither theparliament nor the people with him--they represent the wealth of thecountry; nor the nobles nor the princes, who are the military power ofFrance."

  D'Artagnan scratched his ear. He was forced to confess to himself thatthis reasoning was not only comprehensive, but just.

  "You see, my poor friend, that I am sometimes bereft of my ordinarythoughtfulness; perhaps I am wrong in speaking thus to you, who haveevidently a leaning to Mazarin."

  "I!" cried D'Artagnan, "not in the least."

  "You spoke of a mission."

  "Did I? I was wrong then, no, I said what you say--there is a crisis athand. Well! let's fly the feather before the wind; let us join with thatside to which the wind will carry it and resume our adventurous life. Wewere once four valiant knights--four hearts fondly united; let us uniteagain, not our hearts, which have never been severed, but our courageand our fortunes. Here's a good opportunity for getting something betterthan a diamond."

  "You are right, D'Artagnan; I held a similar project, but as I had notnor ever shall have your fruitful, vigorous imagination, the idea wassuggested to me. Every one nowadays wants auxiliaries; propositions havebeen made to me and I confess to you frankly that the coadjutor has mademe speak out."

  "Monsieur de Gondy! the cardinal's enemy?"

  "No; the king's friend," said Aramis; "the king's friend, youunderstand. Well, it is a question of serving the king, the gentleman'sduty."

  "But the king is with Mazarin."

  "He is, but not willingly; in appearance, not heart; and that is exactlythe snare the king's enemies are preparing for the poor child."

  "Ah! but this is, indeed, civil war which you propose to me, dearAramis."

  "War for the king."

  "Yet the king will be at the head of the army on Mazarin's side."

  "But his heart will be in the army commanded by the Duc de Beaufort."

  "Monsieur de Beaufort? He is at Vincennes."

  "Did I say Monsieur de Beaufort? Monsieur de Beaufort or another.Monsieur de Beaufort or Monsieur le Prince."

  "But Monsieur le Prince is to set out for the army; he is entirelydevoted to the cardinal."

  "Oh oh!" said Aramis, "there are questions between them at this verymoment. And besides, if it is not the prince, then Monsieur deGondy----"

  "But Monsieur de Gondy is to be made a cardinal; they are soliciting thehat for him."

  "And are there no cardinals that can fight? Come now, recall the fourcardinals that at the head of armies have equalled Monsieur de Guebriantand Monsieur de Gassion."

  "But a humpbacked general!

  "Under the cuirass the hump will not be seen. Besides, remember thatAlexander was lame and Hannibal had but one eye."

  "Do you see any great advantage in adhering to this party?" askedD'Artagnan.

  "I foresee in it the aid of powerful princes."

  "With the enmity of the government."

  "Counteracted by parlia
ment and insurrections."

  "That may be done if they can separate the king from his mother."

  "That may be done," said Aramis.

  "Never!" cried D'Artagnan. "You, Aramis, know Anne of Austria betterthan I do. Do you think she will ever forget that her son is hersafeguard, her shield, the pledge for her dignity, for her fortune andher life? Should she forsake Mazarin she must join her son and go overto the princes' side; but you know better than I do that there arecertain reasons why she can never abandon Mazarin."

  "Perhaps you are right," said Aramis, thoughtfully; "therefore I shallnot pledge myself."

  "To them or to us, do you mean, Aramis?"

  "To no one. I am a priest," resumed Aramis. "What have I to do withpolitics? I am not obliged to read any breviary. I have a jolly littlecircle of witty abbes and pretty women; everything goes on smoothly, socertainly, dear friend, I shall not meddle in politics."

  "Well, listen, my dear Aramis," said D'Artagnan; "your philosophyconvinces me, on my honor. I don't know what devil of an insect stung meand made me ambitious. I have a post by which I live; at the death ofMonsieur de Treville, who is old, I may be a captain, which is a verysnug berth for a once penniless Gascon. Instead of running afteradventures I shall accept an invitation from Porthos; I shall go andshoot on his estate. You know he has estates--Porthos?"

  "I should think so, indeed. Ten leagues of wood, of marsh land andvalleys; he is lord of the hill and the plain and is now carrying on asuit for his feudal rights against the Bishop of Noyon!"

  "Good," said D'Artagnan to himself. "That's what I wanted to know.Porthos is in Picardy."

  Then aloud:

  "And he has taken his ancient name of Vallon?"

  "To which he adds that of Bracieux, an estate which has been a barony,by my troth."

  "So that Porthos will be a baron."

  "I don't doubt it. The 'Baroness Porthos' will sound particularlycharming."

  And the two friends began to laugh.

  "So," D'Artagnan resumed, "you will not become a partisan of Mazarin's?"

  "Nor you of the Prince de Conde?"

  "No, let us belong to no party, but remain friends; let us be neitherCardinalists nor Frondists."

  "Adieu, then." And D'Artagnan poured out a glass of wine.

  "To old times," he said.

  "Yes," returned Aramis. "Unhappily, those times are past."

  "Nonsense! They will return," said D'Artagnan. "At all events, if youwant me, remember the Rue Tiquetonne, Hotel de la Chevrette."

  "And I shall be at the convent of Jesuits; from six in the morning toeight at night come by the door. From eight in the evening until six inthe morning come in by the window."

  "Adieu, dear friend."

  "Oh, I can't let you go so! I will go with you." And he took his swordand cloak.

  "He wants to be sure that I go away," said D'Artagnan to himself.

  Aramis whistled for Bazin, but Bazin was asleep in the ante-chamber, andAramis was obliged to shake him by the ear to awake him.

  Bazin stretched his arms, rubbed his eyes, and tried to go to sleepagain.

  "Come, come, sleepy head; quick, the ladder!"

  "But," said Bazin, yawning portentously, "the ladder is still at thewindow."

  "The other one, the gardener's. Didn't you see that Monsieur d'Artagnanmounted with difficulty? It will be even more difficult to descend."

  D'Artagnan was about to assure Aramis that he could descend easily, whenan idea came into his head which silenced him.

  Bazin uttered a profound sigh and went out to look for the ladder.Presently a good, solid, wooden ladder was placed against the window.

  "Now then," said D'Artagnan, "this is something like; this is a means ofcommunication. A woman could go up a ladder like that."

  Aramis's searching look seemed to seek his friend's thought even at thebottom of his heart, but D'Artagnan sustained the inquisition with anair of admirable simplicity. Besides, at that moment he put his foot onthe first step of the ladder and began his descent. In a moment he wason the ground. Bazin remained at the window.

  "Stay there," said Aramis; "I shall return immediately."

  The two friends went toward the shed. At their approach Planchet cameout leading the two horses.

  "That is good to see," said Aramis. "There is a servant active andvigilant, not like that lazy fellow Bazin, who is no longer good foranything since he became connected with the church. Follow us, Planchet;we shall continue our conversation to the end of the village."

  They traversed the width of the village, talking of indifferent things,then as they reached the last houses:

  "Go, then, dear friend," said Aramis, "follow your own career. Fortunelavishes her smiles upon you; do not let her flee from your embrace. Asfor me, I remain in my humility and indolence. Adieu!"

  "Thus 'tis quite decided," said D'Artagnan, "that what I have to offerto you does not tempt you?"

  "On the contrary, it would tempt me were I any other man," rejoinedAramis; "but I repeat, I am made up of contradictions. What I hateto-day I adore to-morrow, and vice versa. You see that I cannot, likeyou, for instance, settle on any fixed plan."

  "Thou liest, subtile one," said D'Artagnan to himself. "Thou alone, onthe contrary, knowest how to choose thy object and to gain itstealthily."

  The friends embraced. They descended into the plain by the ladder.Planchet met them hard by the shed. D'Artagnan jumped into the saddle,then the old companions in arms again shook hands. D'Artagnan andPlanchet spurred their steeds and took the road to Paris.

  But after he had gone about two hundred steps D'Artagnan stopped short,alighted, threw the bridle of his horse over the arm of Planchet andtook the pistols from his saddle-bow to fasten them to his girdle.

  "What's the matter?" asked Planchet.

  "This is the matter: be he ever so cunning he shall never say I was hisdupe. Stand here, don't stir, turn your back to the road and wait forme."

  Having thus spoken, D'Artagnan cleared the ditch by the roadside andcrossed the plain so as to wind around the village. He had observedbetween the house that Madame de Longueville inhabited and the conventof the Jesuits, an open space surrounded by a hedge.

  The moon had now risen and he could see well enough to retrace his road.

  He reached the hedge and hid himself behind it; in passing by the housewhere the scene which we have related took place, he remarked that thewindow was again lighted up and he was convinced that Aramis had not yetreturned to his own apartment and that when he did it would not bealone.

  In truth, in a few minutes he heard steps approaching and low whispers.

  Close to the hedge the steps stopped.

  D'Artagnan knelt down near the thickest part of the hedge.

  Two men, to the astonishment of D'Artagnan, appeared shortly; soon,however, his surprise vanished, for he heard the murmurs of a soft,harmonious voice; one of these two men was a woman disguised as acavalier.

  "Calm yourself, dear Rene," said the soft voice, "the same thing willnever happen again. I have discovered a sort of subterranean passagewhich runs beneath the street and we shall only have to raise one of themarble slabs before the door to open you an entrance and an outlet."

  "Oh!" answered another voice, which D'Artagnan instantly recognized asthat of Aramis. "I swear to you, princess, that if your reputation didnot depend on precautions and if my life alone were jeopardized----"

  "Yes, yes! I know you are as brave and venturesome as any man in theworld, but you do not belong to me alone; you belong to all our party.Be prudent! sensible!"

  "I always obey, madame, when I am commanded by so gentle a voice."

  He kissed her hand tenderly.

  "Ah!" exclaimed the cavalier with a soft voice.

  "What's the matter?" asked Aramis.

  "Do you not see that the wind has blown off my hat?"

  Aramis rushed after the fugitive hat. D'Artagnan took advantage of thecircumstance to find a place in the hedge not so
thick, where his glancecould penetrate to the supposed cavalier. At that instant, the moon,inquisitive, perhaps, like D'Artagnan, came from behind a cloud and byher light D'Artagnan recognized the large blue eyes, the golden hair andthe classic head of the Duchess de Longueville.

  Aramis returned, laughing, one hat on his head and the other in hishand; and he and his companion resumed their walk toward the convent.

  "Good!" said D'Artagnan, rising and brushing his knees; "now I havethee--thou art a Frondeur and the lover of Madame de Longueville."