Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers: Chapter 48
100 Days of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers June 1 - August 31, 2024
100 Days of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers
June 1 - August 31, 2024
All for One and One for All: "The Three Musketeers" at 180
August 2
Chapter 48
20 chapters to go!!! Some longer than others!!! I might try to post two comments a day from now on - please continue reading at your own pace - but I must hurry up - the carefree days of summer are coming to an end - I have to prepare for the fall semester AND the Dostoevsky tutorial!!!
And now the four musketeers AND the four conspirators are attempting how to outwit the Cardinal himself!!! It’s a “family matter,” according to Athos…
“Athos had found the term: "a family matter." A family matter was not subject to the cardinal's investigation; a family matter was nobody's concern; one could be occupied with a family matter in front of all the world.
And so, Athos had found the term: a family matter.”
But how to begin a letter to Lord Buckingham, prime minister of England - with whom France is at war?!?!?!
"'Dear Sir and Good Friend ..."?!?!?!
No that won’t do… How about Milord…
"Milord, your sister-in-law is a villain, who wanted to have you killed in order to take your inheritance. But she could not marry your brother, having already married in France, and having been ...'"
D'Artagnan paused, as if searching for the right word, and looked at Athos.
"Driven out by her husband," said Athos.
"Because she had been branded," d'Artagnan continued.”
Aramis drafts a masterful letter worthy of the secretary of state!!! AND is compared to a gospel writer!!!
“Perfect!" cried Athos. "You are the king of poets, my dear Aramis, you speak like the Apocalypse and are as true as the Gospels. It only remains for you to address the letter."
Bazin, the servant of Aramis, is entrusted with the “cousin” letter:
“My cousin knows only Bazin and trusts only him. Anyone else would thwart the affair. Besides, Bazin is ambitious and learned; Bazin has read history, gentlemen; he knows that Sixtus the Fifth became pope after tending pigs. Well, and as he counts on placing himself in the Church at the same time I do, he does not despair of becoming pope in his turn, or at least cardinal. You understand that a man with such aims won't let himself be caught, or, if he is caught, will endure martyrdom rather than talk."
The eloquence of Athos is compared to Nestor - the wise leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War!!!
Planchet is dispatched to England since he has been there before and knows how to keep a secret - or swallow it if need be!!!
And now let the wait game commence…
“The four friends, for the whole duration of these two absences, as is quite understandable, kept their eyes peeled, their noses to the wind, and their ears pricked up more than ever.”
After a couple of witty scenes with Swiss soldiers, the servants finally reappear!!! Planchet brings the most Spartan of answers:
“It contained half a line, in a very British hand and of a very Spartan brevity:
Thank you, be easy.”
And with all the musketeers headed to sleep - finally - so must we!!!
"Very well," said d'Artagnan, "let's go to bed. Sleep well,
Planchet!"
"By heaven, Monsieur, it will be the first time in sixteen days!"
"For me, too!" said d'Artagnan.
"For me, too!" repeated Porthos.
"For me, too!" repeated Aramis.
"Well, to tell you the truth-for me, too!" said Athos.
Maurice Leloir (1853-1940) illustrations for Les Trois Mousquetaires d'Alexandre Dumas, Paris, Calmann-Lévy, 1894, Athos with a bottle and a glass…
