A FAMILY AFFAIR

Athos had invented the phrase, family affair. A family

affair was not subject to the investigation of the cardinal;

a family affair concerned nobody. People might employ

themselves in a family affair before all the world.

Therefore Athos had invented the phrase, family affair.

Aramis had discovered the idea, the lackeys.

Porthos had discovered the means, the diamond.

D`Artagnan alone had discovered nothing--he, ordinarily the

most inventive of the four; but it must be also said that

the very name of Milady paralyzed him.

Ah! no, we were mistaken; he had discovered a purchaser for

his diamond.

The breakfast at M. de Treville`s was as gay and cheerful as

possible. D`Artagnan already wore his uniform--for being

nearly of the same size as Aramis, and as Aramis was so

liberally paid by the publisher who purchased his poem as to

allow him to buy everything double, he sold his friend a

complete outfit.

D`Artagnan would have been at the height of his wishes if he

had not constantly seen Milady like a dark cloud hovering in

the horizon.

After breakfast, it was agreed that they should meet again

in the evening at Athos`s lodging, and there finish their

plans.

D`Artagnan passed the day in exhibiting his Musketeer`s

uniform in every street of the camp.

In the evening, at the appointed hour, the four friends met.

There only remained three things to decide--what they

should write to Milady`s brother; what they should write to

the clever person at Tours; and which should be the lackeys

to carry the letters.

Everyone offered his own. Athos talked of the discretion of

Grimaud, who never spoke a word but when his master unlocked

his mouth. Porthos boasted of the strength of Mousqueton,

who was big enough to thrash four men of ordinary size.

Aramis, confiding in the address of Bazin, made a pompous

eulogium on his candidate. Finally, D`Artagnan had entire

faith in the bravery of Planchet, and reminded them of the

manner in which he had conducted himself in the ticklish

affair of Boulogne.

These four virtues disputed the prize for a length of time,

and gave birth to magnificent speeches which we do not

repeat here for fear they should be deemed too long.

"Unfortunately," said Athos, "he whom we send must possess

in himself alone the four qualities united."

"But where is such a lackey to be found?"

"Not to be found!" cried Athos. "I know it well, so take

Grimaud."

"Take Mousqueton."

"Take Bazin."

"Take Planchet. Planchet is brave and shrewd; they are two

qualities out of the four."

"Gentlemen," said Aramis, "the principal question is not to

know which of our four lackeys is the most discreet, the

most strong, the most clever, or the most brave; the

principal thing is to know which loves money the best."

"What Aramis says is very sensible," replied Athos; "we must

speculate upon the faults of people, and not upon their

virtues. Monsieur Abbe, you are a great moralist."

"Doubtless," said Aramis, "for we not only require to be

well served in order to succeed, but moreover, not to fail;

for in case of failure, heads are in question, not for our

lackeys--"

"Speak lower, Aramis," said Athos.

"That`s wise--not for the lackeys," resumed Aramis, "but for

the master--for the masters, we may say. Are our lackeys

sufficiently devoted to us to risk their lives for us? No."

"My faith," said D`Artagnan. "I would almost answer for

Planchet."

"Well, my dear friend, add to his natural devotedness a good

sum of money, and then, instead of answering for him once,

answer for him twice."

"Why, good God! you will be deceived just the same," said

Athos, who was an optimist when things were concerned, and a

pessimist when men were in question. "They will promise

everything for the sake of the money, and on the road fear

will prevent them from acting. Once taken, they will be

pressed; when pressed, they will confess everything. What

the devil! we are not children. To reach England"--Athos

lowered his voice--"all France, covered with spies and

creatures of the cardinal, must be crossed. A passport for

embarkation must be obtained; and the party must be

acquainted with English in order to ask the way to London.

Really, I think the thing very difficult."

"Not at all," cried D`Artagnan, who was anxious the matter

should be accomplished; "on the contrary, I think it very

easy. It would be, no doubt, parbleu, if we write to Lord

de Winter about affairs of vast importance, of the horrors

of the cardinal--"

"Speak lower!" said Athos.

"--of intrigues and secrets of state," continued D`Artagnan,

complying with the recommendation. "there can be no doubt

we would all be broken on the wheel; but for God`s sake, do

not forget, as you yourself said, Athos, that we only write

to him concerning a family affair; that we only write to him

to entreat that as soon as Milady arrives in London he will

put it out of her power to injure us. I will write to him,

then, nearly in these terms."

"Let us see," said Athos, assuming in advance a critical

look.

"Monsieur and dear friend--"

"Ah, yes! Dear friend to an Englishman," interrupted Athos;

"well commenced! Bravo, D`Artagnan! Only with that word

you would be quartered instead of being broken on the

wheel."

"Well, perhaps. I will say, then, Monsieur, quite short."

"You may even say, My Lord," replied Athos, who stickled for

propriety.

"My Lord, do you remember the little goat pasture of the

Luxembourg?"

"Good, the Luxembourg! One might believe this is an

allusion to the queen-mother! That`s ingenious," said

Athos.

"Well, then, we will put simply, My Lord, do you remember a

certain little enclosure where your life was spared?"

"My dear D`Artagnan, you will never make anything but a very

bad secretary. Where your life was spared! For shame!

that`s unworthy. A man of spirit is not to be reminded of

such services. A benefit reproached is an offense

committed."

"The devil!" said D`Artagnan, "you are insupportable. If

the letter must be written under your censure, my faith, I

renounce the task."

"And you will do right. Handle the musket and the sword, my

dear fellow. You will come off splendidly at those two

exercises; but pass the pen over to Monsieur Abbe. That`s

his province."

"Ay, ay!" said Porthos; "pass the pen to Aramis, who writes

theses in Latin."

"Well, so be it," said D`Artagnan. "Draw up this note for

us, Aramis; but by our Holy Father the Pope, cut it short,

for I shall prune you in my turn, I warn you."

"I ask no better," said Aramis, with that ingenious air of

confidence which every poet has in himself; "but let me be

properly acquainted with the subject. I have heard here and

there that this sister-in-law was a hussy. I have obtained

proof of it by listening to her conversation with the

cardinal."

"Lower! sacre bleu!" said Athos.

"But," continued Aramis, "the details escape me."

"And me also," said Porthos.

D`Artagnan and Athos looked at each other for some time in

silence. At length Athos, after serious reflection and

becoming more pale than usual, made a sign of assent to

D`Artagnan, who by it understood he was at liberty to speak.

"Well, this is what you have to say," said D`Artagnan: "My

Lord, your sister-in-law is an infamous woman, who wished to

have you killed that she might inherit your wealth; but she

could not marry your brother, being already married in

France, and having been--" D`Artagnan stopped, as if

seeking for the word, and looked at Athos.

"Repudiated by her husband," said Athos.

"Because she had been branded," continued D`Artagnan.

"Bah!" cried Porthos. "Impossible! What do you say--that

she wanted to have her brother-in-law killed?"

"Yes."

"She was married?" asked Aramis.

"Yes."

"And her husband found out that she had a fleur-de-lis on

her shoulder?" cried Porthos.

"Yes."

These three yeses had been pronounced by Athos, each with a

sadder intonation.

"And who has seen this fleur-de-lis?" inquired Aramis.

"D`Artagnan and I. Or rather, to observe the chronological

order, I and D`Artagnan," replied Athos.

"And does the husband of this frightful creature still

live?" said Aramis.

"He still lives."

"Are you quite sure of it?"

"I am he."

There was a moment of cold silence, during which everyone

was affected according to his nature.

"This time," said Athos, first breaking the silence,

"D`Artagnan has given us an excellent program, and the

letter must be written at once."

"The devil! You are right, Athos," said Aramis; "and it is

a rather difficult matter. The chancellor himself would be

puzzled how to write such a letter, and yet the chancellor

draws up an official report very readily. Never mind! Be

silent, I will write."

Aramis accordingly took the quill, reflected for a few

moments, wrote eight or ten lines in a charming little

female hand, and then with a voice soft and slow, as if each

word had been scrupulously weighed, he read the following:

"My Lord, The person who writes these few lines had the

honor of crossing swords with you in the little enclosure of

the Rue d`Enfer. As you have several times since declared

yourself the friend of that person, he thinks it his duty to

respond to that friendship by sending you important

information. Twice you have nearly been the victim of a near relative, whom you believe to be your heir because you

are ignorant that before she contracted a marriage in

England she was already married in France. But the third

time, which is the present, you may succumb. Your relative

left La Rochelle for England during the night. Watch her

arrival, for she has great and terrible projects. If you

require to know positively what she is capable of, read her

past history on her left shoulder."

"Well, now that will do wonderfully well," said Athos. "My

dear Aramis, you have the pen of a secretary of state. Lord

de Winter will now be upon his guard if the letter should

reach him; and even if it should fall into the hands of the

cardinal, we shall not be compromised. But as the lackey

who goes may make us believe he has been to London and may

stop at Chatellerault, let us give him only half the sum

promised him, with the letter, with an agreement that he

shall have the other half in exchange for the reply. Have

you the diamond?" continued Athos.

"I have what is still better. I have the price"; and

D`Artagnan threw the bag upon the table. At the sound of

the gold Aramis raised his eyes and Porthos started. As to

Athos, he remained unmoved.

"How much in that little bag?"

"Seven thousand livres, in louis of twelve francs."

"Seven thousand livres!" cried Porthos. "That poor little

diamond was worth seven thousand livres?"

"It appears so," said Athos, "since here they are. I don`t

suppose that our friend D`Artagnan has added any of his own

to the amount."

"But, gentlemen, in all this," said D`Artagnan, "we do not

think of the queen. Let us take some heed of the welfare of

her dear Buckingham. That is the least we owe her."

"That`s true," said Athos; "but that concerns Aramis."

"Well," replied the latter, blushing, "what must I say?"

"Oh, that`s simple enough!" replied Athos. "Write a second

letter for that clever personage who lives at Tours."

Aramis resumed his pen, reflected a little, and wrote the

following lines, which he immediately submitted to the

approbation of his friends.

"My dear cousin."

"Ah, ah!" said Athos. "This clever person is your relative,

then?"

"Cousin-german."

"Go on, to your cousin, then!"

Aramis continued:

"My dear Cousin, His Eminence, the cardinal, whom God

preserve for the happiness of France and the confusion of

the enemies of the kingdom, is on the point of putting an

end to the hectic rebellion of La Rochelle. It is probable

that the succor of the English fleet will never even arrive

in sight of the place. I will even venture to say that I am

certain M. de Buckingham will be prevented from setting out

by some great event. His Eminence is the most illustrious

politician of times past, of times present, and probably of

times to come. He would extinguish the sun if the sun

incommoded him. Give these happy tidings to your sister, my

dear cousin. I have dreamed that the unlucky Englishman was

dead. I cannot recollect whether it was by steel or by

poison; only of this I am sure, I have dreamed he was dead,

and you know my dreams never deceive me. Be assured, then,

of seeing me soon return."

"Capital!" cried Athos; "you are the king of poets, my dear

Aramis. You speak like the Apocalypse, and you are as true

as the Gospel. There is nothing now to do but to put the

address to this letter."

"That is easily done," said Aramis.

He folded the letter fancifully, and took up his pen and

wrote:

"To Mlle. Michon, seamstress, Tours."

The three friends looked at one another and laughed; they

were caught.

"Now," said Aramis, "you will please to understand,

gentlemen, that Bazin alone can carry this letter to Tours.

My cousin knows nobody but Bazin, and places confidence in

nobody but him; any other person would fail. Besides, Bazin

is ambitious and learned; Bazin has read history, gentlemen,

he knows that Sixtus the Fifth became Pope after having kept

pigs. Well, as he means to enter the Church at the same

time as myself, he does not despair of becoming Pope in his

turn, or at least a cardinal. You can understand that a man

who has such views will never allow himself to be taken, or

if taken, will undergo martyrdom rather than speak."

"Very well," said D`Artagnan, "I consent to Bazin with all

my heart, but grant me Planchet. Milady had him one day

turned out of doors, with sundry blows of a good stick to

accelerate his motions. Now, Planchet has an excellent

memory; and I will be bound that sooner than relinquish any

possible means of vengeance, he will allow himself to be

beaten to death. If your arrangements at Tours are your

arrangements, Aramis, those of London are mine. I request,

then, that Planchet may be chosen, more particularly as he

has already been to London with me, and knows how to speak

correctly: London, sir, if you please, and my master, Lord

d`Artagnan. With that you may be satisfied he can make his

way, both going and returning."

"In that case," said Athos, "Planchet must receive seven

hundred livres for going, and seven hundred livres for

coming back; and Bazin, three hundred livres for going, and

three hundred livres for returning--that will reduce the sum

to five thousand livres. We will each take a thousand

livres to be employed as seems good, and we will leave a

fund of a thousand livres under the guardianship of Monsieur

Abbe here, for extraordinary occasions or common wants.

Will that do?"

"My dear Athos," said Aramis, "you speak like Nestor, who

was, as everyone knows, the wisest among the Greeks."

"Well, then," said Athos, "it is agreed. Planchet and Bazin

shall go. Everything considered, I am not sorry to retain

Grimaud; he is accustomed to my ways, and I am particular.

Yesterday`s affair must have shaken him a little; his voyage

would upset him quite."

Planchet was sent for, and instructions were given him. The

matter had been named to him by D`Artagnan, who in the first

place pointed out the money to him, then the glory, and then

the danger.

"I will carry the letter in the lining of my coat," said

Planchet; "and if I am taken I will swallow it."

"Well, but then you will not be able to fulfill your

commission," said D`Artagnan.

"You will give me a copy this evening, which I shall know by

heart tomorrow."

D`Artagnan looked at his friends, as if to say, "Well, what

did I tell you?"

"Now," continued he, addressing Planchet, "you have eight

days to get an interview with Lord de Winter; you have eight

days to return--in all sixteen days. If, on the sixteenth

day after your departure, at eight o`clock in the evening

you are not here, no money--even if it be but five minutes

past eight."

"Then, monsieur," said Planchet, "you must buy me a watch."

"Take this," said Athos, with his usual careless generosity,

giving him his own, "and be a good lad. Remember, if you

talk, if you babble, if you get drunk, you risk your

master`s head, who has so much confidence in your fidelity,

and who answers for you. But remember, also, that if by

your fault any evil happens to D`Artagnan, I will find you,

wherever you may be, for the purpose of ripping up your

belly."

"Oh, monsieur!" said Planchet, humiliated by the suspicion,

and moreover, terrified at the calm air of the Musketeer.

"And I," said Porthos, rolling his large eyes, "remember, I

will skin you alive."

"Ah, monsieur!"

"And I," said Aramis, with his soft, melodius voice,

"remember that I will roast you at a slow fire, like a

savage."

"Ah, monsieur!"

Planchet began to weep. We will not venture to say whether

it was from terror created by the threats or from tenderness

at seeing four friends so closely united.

D`Artagnan took his hand. "See, Planchet," said he, "these

gentlemen only say this out of affection for me, but at

bottom they all like you."

"Ah, monsieur," said Planchet, "I will succeed or I will

consent to be cut in quarters; and if they do cut me in

quarters, be assured that not a morsel of me will speak."

It was decided that Planchet should set out the next day, at

eight o`clock in the morning, in order, as he had said, that

he might during the night learn the letter by heart. He

gained just twelve hours by this engagement; he was to be

back on the sixteenth day, by eight o`clock in the evening.

In the morning, as he was mounting his horse, D`Artagnan,

who felt at the bottom of his heart a partiality for the

duke, took Planchet aside.

"Listen," said he to him. "When you have given the letter

to Lord de Winter and he has read it, you will further say

to him: Watch over his Grace Lord Buckingham, for they wish

to assassinate him. But this, Planchet, is so serious and

important that I have not informed my friends that I would

entrust this secret to you; and for a captain`s commission I

would not write it."

"Be satisfied, monsieur," said Planchet, "you shall see if

confidence can be placed in me."

Mounted on an excellent horse, which he was to leave at the

end of twenty leagues in order to take the post, Planchet

set off at a gallop, his spirits a little depressed by the

triple promise made him by the Musketeers, but otherwise as

light-hearted as possible.

Bazin set out the next day for Tours, and was allowed eight

days for performing his commission.

The four friends, during the period of these two absences,

had, as may well be supposed, the eye on the watch, the nose

to the wind, and the ear on the hark. Their days were

passed in endeavoring to catch all that was said, in

observing the proceeding of the cardinal, and in looking out

for all the couriers who arrived. More than once an

involuntary trembling seized them when called upon for some

unexpected service. They had, besides, to look constantly

to their own proper safety; Milday was a phantom which, when

it had once appeared to people, did not allow them to sleep

very quietly.

On the morning of the eighth day, Bazin, fresh as ever, and

smiling, according to custom, entered the cabaret of the

Parpaillot as the four friends were sitting down to

breakfast, saying, as had been agreed upon: "Monsieur

Aramis, the answer from your cousin."

The four friends exchanged a joyful glance; half of the work

was done. It is true, however, that it was the shorter and

easier part.

Aramis, blushing in spite of himself, took the letter, which

was in a large, coarse hand and not particular for its

orthography.

"Good God!" cried he, laughing, "I quite despair of my poor

Michon; she will never write like Monsieur de Voiture."

"What does you mean by boor Michon?" said the Swiss, who was

chatting with the four friends when the letter came.

"Oh, pardieu, less than nothing," said Aramis; "a charming

little seamstress, whom I love dearly and from whose hand I

requested a few lines as a sort of keepsake."

"The duvil!" said the Swiss, "if she is as great a lady as

her writing is large, you are a lucky fellow, gomrade!"

Aramis read the letter, and passed it to Athos.

"See what she writes to me, Athos," said he.

Athos cast a glance over the epistle, and to disperse all

the suspicions that might have been created, read aloud:

"My cousin, My sister and I are skillful in interpreting

dreams, and even entertain great fear of them; but of yours

it may be said, I hope, every dream is an illusion. Adieu!

Take care of yourself, and act so that we may from time to

time hear you spoken of.

"Marie Michon"

"And what dream does she mean?" asked the dragoon, who had

approached during the reading.

"Yez; what`s the dream?" said the Swiss.

"Well, pardieu!" said Aramis, "it was only this: I had a

dream, and I related it to her."

"Yez, yez," said the Swiss; "it`s simple enough to dell a

dream, but I neffer dream."

"You are very fortunate," said Athos, rising; "I wish I

could say as much!"

"Neffer," replied the Swiss, enchanted that a man like Athos

could envy him anything. "Neffer, neffer!"

D`Artagnan, seeing Athos rise, did likewise, took his arm,

and went out.

Porthos and Aramis remained behind to encounter the jokes of

the dragoon and the Swiss.

As to Bazin, he went and lay down on a truss of straw; and

as he had more imagination than the Swiss, he dreamed that

Aramis, having become pope, adorned his head with a

cardinal`s hat.

But, as we have said, Bazin had not, by his fortunate

return, removed more than a part of the uneasiness which

weighed upon the four friends. The days of expectation are

long, and D`Artagnan, in particular, would have wagered that

the days were forty-four hours. He forgot the necessary

slowness of navigation; he exaggerated to himself the power

of Milady. He credited this woman, who appeared to him the

equal of a demon, with agents as supernatural as herself; at

the least noise, he imagined himself about to be arrested,

and that Planchet was being brought back to be confronted

with himself and his friends. Still further, his confidence

in the worthy Picard, at one time so great, diminished day

by day. This anxiety became so great that it even extended

to Aramis and Porthos. Athos alone remained unmoved, as if

no danger hovered over him, and as if he breathed his

customary atmosphere.

On the sixteenth day, in particular, these signs were so

strong in D`Artagnan and his two friends that they could not

remain quiet in one place, and wandered about like ghosts on

the road by which Planchet was expected.

"Really," said Athos to them, "you are not men but children,

to let a woman terrify you so! And what does it amount to,

after all? To be imprisoned. Well, but we should be taken

out of prison; Madame Bonacieux was released. To be

decapitated? Why, every day in the trenches we go

cheerfully to expose ourselves to worse than that--for a

bullet may break a leg, and I am convinced a surgeon would

give us more pain in cutting off a thigh than an executioner

in cutting off a head. Wait quietly, then; in two hours, in

four, in six hours at latest, Planchet will be here. He

promised to be here, and I have very great faith in

Planchet, who appears to me to be a very good lad."

"But if he does not come?" said D`Artagnan.

"Well, if he does not come, it will be because he has been

delayed, that`s all. He may have fallen from his horse, he

may have cut a caper from the deck; he may have traveled so

fast against the wind as to have brought on a violent

catarrh. Eh, gentlemen, let us reckon upon accidents! Life

is a chaplet of little miseries which the philosopher counts

with a smile. Be philosophers, as I am, gentlemen; sit down

at the table and let us drink. Nothing makes the future

look so bright as surveying it through a glass of

chambertin."

"That`s all very well," replied D`Artagnan; "but I am tired

of fearing when I open a fresh bottle that the wine may come

from the cellar of Milady."

"You are very fastidious," said Athos; "such a beautiful

woman!"

"A woman of mark!" said Porthos, with his loud laugh.

Athos started, passed his hand over his brow to remove the

drops of perspiration that burst forth, and rose in his turn

with a nervous movement he could not repress.

The day, however, passed away; and the evening came on

slowly, but finally it came. The bars were filled with

drinkers. Athos, who had pocketed his share of the diamond,

seldom quit the Parpaillot. He had found in M. de Busigny,

who, by the by, had given them a magnificent dinner, a

partner worthy of his company. They were playing together,

as usual, when seven o`clock sounded; the patrol was heard

passing to double the posts. At half past seven the retreat

was sounded.

"We are lost," said D`Artagnan, in the ear of Athos.

"You mean to say we have lost," said Athos, quietly, drawing

four pistoles from his pocket and throwing them upon the

table. "Come, gentlemen," said he, "they are beating the

tattoo. Let us to bed!"

And Athos went out of the Parpaillot, followed by

D`Artagnan. Aramis came behind, giving his arm to Porthos.

Aramis mumbled verses to himself, and Porthos from time to

time pulled a hair or two from his mustache, in sign of

despair.

But all at once a shadow appeared in the darkness the

outline of which was familiar to D`Artagnan, and a well-

known voice said, "Monsieur, I have brought your cloak; it

is chilly this evening."

"Planchet!" cried D`Artagnan, beside himself with joy.

"Planchet!" repeated Aramis and Porthos.

"Well, yes, Planchet, to be sure," said Athos, "what is

there so astonishing in that? He promised to be back by

eight o`clock, and eight is striking. Bravo, Planchet, you

are a lad of your word, and if ever you leave your master, I

will promise you a place in my service."

"Oh, no, never," said Planchet, "I will never leave Monsieur

d`Artagnan."

At the same time D`Artagnan felt that Planchet slipped a

note into his hand.

D`Artagnan felt a strong inclination to embrace Planchet as

he had embraced him on his departure; but he feared lest

this mark of affection, bestowed upon his lackey in the open

street, might appear extraordinary to passers-by, and he

restrained himself.

"I have the note," said he to Athos and to his friends.

"That`s well," said Athos, "let us go home and read it."

The note burned the hand of D`Artagnan. He wished to hasten

their steps; but Athos took his arm and passed it under his

own, and the young man was forced to regulate his pace by

that of his friend.

At length they reached the tent, lit a lamp, and while

Planchet stood at the entrance that the four friends might

not be surprised, D`Artagnan, with a trembling hand, broke

the seal and opened the so anxiously expected letter.

It contained half a line, in a hand perfectly British, and

with a conciseness as perfectly Spartan:

Thank you; be easy.

D`Artagnan translated this for the others.

Athos took the letter from the hands of D`Artagnan,

approached the lamp, set fire to the paper, and did not let

go till it was reduced to a cinder.

Then, calling Planchet, he said, "Now, my lad, you may claim

your seven hundred livres, but you did not run much risk

with such a note as that."

"I am not to blame for having tried every means to compress

it," said Planchet.

"Well!" cried D`Artagnan, "tell us all about it."

"Dame, that`s a long job, monsieur."

"You are right, Planchet," said Athos; "besides, the tattoo

has been sounded, and we should be observed if we kept a

light burning much longer than the others."

"So be it," said D`Artagnan. "Go to bed, Planchet, and

sleep soundly."

"My faith, monsieur! that will be the first time I have done

so for sixteen days."

"And me, too!" said D`Artagnan.

"And me, too!" said Porthos.

"And me, too!" said Aramis.

"Well, if you will have the truth, and me, too!" said Athos.

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 593