Chapter 5 Chapter Three Audience

M. de Treville was in a bad mood at the time, but when he saw the young man bowing to the ground, he returned it politely, and listened to his compliments with a smile.The young man's Béarn accent reminded him of his youth and his native land.This double memory will make anyone of any age smile.But almost at once he moved towards the anteroom, beckoning d'Artagnan as he did so, as if to ask permission to finish his conversation with others before speaking to him.He barked three times in succession, each louder than the last, in a tone that was difficult to describe between command and anger:

Athos!Porthos!Aramis! When the two musketeers we already knew heard the last two names, they quickly agreed, and immediately left the few people with them and walked towards the captain's office.As soon as they stepped over the threshold, the door closed behind them.Although not entirely composed, their demeanor was casual, full of dignity and obedience, which DArtagnan admired very much.In his eyes, they were nothing more than demigods, and their leader was Jupiter, the god of Mount Olympus who mastered thunder and lightning. After the two musketeers had entered the office and the door was closed behind them, the voices in the waiting room, which had stopped, buzzed again after the call just now, presumably having acquired new information about the conversation.Frowning, M. de Treville walked up and down the office two or three times in silence, passing Porthos and Aramis each time; they both stood upright, holding their breath, as if on review.Suddenly Treville stood before them, and, casting an angry glance at them from head to toe, exclaimed:

Do you know what the king said to me?This is just what happened last night.Do you know, gentlemen? I don't know, the two musketeers replied in a daze, I don't know, captain, we don't know anything. However, I hope the captain will give us a face and tell us.Aramis added politely, and at the same time bowed obediently. The king said that he was going to recruit musketeers from the cardinal's guard in the future. From the cardinal's guard!Why?Portos asked hastily. Because he felt that his barrel of low-quality wine should be mixed with some good wine to taste. The whites of the eyes of the two musketeers turned red.D'Artagnan was also stunned, wishing he could get under the ground.

Yes, it is true, Treville said more and more annoyed, it is true, His Majesty is right.For, to be honest, musketeers are a shame at court.Last night, when the cardinal played cards with the king, he said with a look of distress that disgusted me: those damned musketeers, those restless fellows, the way he said these words It is very heavy and full of sarcasm, which makes me even more disgusted with those lawless guys who stayed in a small hotel in Ferro Street the day before yesterday.As he said this he fixed me with his lynx eyes and one of my patrolling guards had to arrest the troublemakers.Speaking of which, he almost humiliated me to my face.damn it!Don't you know anything about this?Several musketeers have been arrested!You guys are also among them, no need to argue, someone recognized you, and the cardinal named you guys.cough!It's my fault, yes, it's my fault, because I have chosen all my men.Look at you, Aramis, why do you come begging me for a military uniform when you're supposed to be wearing a frock?And you, Porthos, you have a beautiful gold-embroidered shoulder strap, wouldn't it be nice to hang a straw sword?As for Athos.Why don't you see Athos!Where did he go?

Sir, said Aramis sadly, he is ill, very ill. You said he was sick, very sick?What disease? Smallpox, I'm afraid, sir.Porthos interrupted and replied, This is troublesome, and it will definitely be disfigured. Smallpox!You told me another glorious thing, Porthos!Smallpox at his age?No!May be wounded, may be killed alas!If only I had known what the hell!Gentlemen of the Musketeers, I will not allow you to go to those smoky places, nor to quarrel in the streets, nor to fight swords at the crossroads.In short, I cannot bear the jeers of the cardinal's guards that you invite.They were brave men, no troublemakers, very smart, never got to the point of being arrested, never got arrested and I'm sure they'd rather die than step back and run , slip away, dodge, this is the skill of the king's musketeers!

Porthos and Aramis trembled with rage.They would have strangled him if they had not felt that M. de Treville spoke to them out of a deep love for them.They kept stamping their feet, biting their teeth until their lips bled, and clutching the handles of their swords hard.We mentioned earlier that when the people outside the office heard the names of Athos, Porthos and Aramis, they could tell from Treville's tone that he was losing his temper.Ten curious people put their heads close to the tapestry at the door, their faces were pale with anger, and their ears were pressed against the door, so they didn't miss a word of the conversation in the office, and they repeated it to everyone in the waiting room Monsieur Treville cursed.After a while, from the office door to the gate facing the street, the entire Musketeer team was boiling.

snort!The king's musketeers have been captured by the cardinal's guards!Trewell continued.He was as angry as his subordinates in his heart, he spoke every word, and each word stabbed the hearts of the audience like a dagger, hum!The six guards of His Excellency the Cardinal actually captured the six musketeers of His Majesty the King!hell!I made up my mind, and went to the Louvre, resigned as captain of the King's Musketeers, and went to the Cardinal's Guards to ask for a vice-captain.If he says no, I'm going to be a priest, goddamn it. At these words, the whispers outside the office turned to roars, and there was only cursing and invective, fuck it!Hell!Kill these bastards!endlessly.D'Artagnan really wanted to find a tapestry, ran behind and hid himself, and wished he could get under the table.

cough!Captain, Portos could no longer control himself, and said, in fact, we were six against six at that time, but we were plotted against, and before we could draw our swords, two brothers fell to the ground and died, Atuo Si was seriously injured and was useless.Athos You know, Captain.well!Twice he tried to get up, and twice he fell again.But we didn't surrender, no, we were dragged away.We escaped on the way.As for Athos, they thought him dead, and left him lying in the field without touching him, thinking it unnecessary to carry him away.This is how it happened.What the hell this time, Captain.Victory or defeat is standard issue.The great Pompey (Note: Pompey, the greatest statesman and one of the greatest generals in the late Roman Republic, was defeated by Caesar in Fasalo in 48 BC.) He also lost in the Battle of Fasalo Well; Francois I is no worse than others, it is said that he is also in Pavia Annihilated, François I captured.) ate a defeat.

I have the honor to report to you, said Aramis, that I slew a guard with his own sword, for mine broke in the first turn. You can say whatever you want, sir. I don't know these things, said Treville, softening his tone a little. The cardinal seems to be exaggerating. But be merciful, sir, begged Aramis boldly, seeing that the captain had died down, be merciful, and don't say that Athos is wounded, for the king would despair if word reached him.He was badly wounded through the shoulder and into the chest, I'm afraid At this moment, the door curtain was thrown back, and a noble, beautiful but very pale head protruded from between the sash.

Athos!The two musketeers cried out in unison. Athos!Monsieur de Treville also cried out. You have just sent me, sir, said Athos in a feeble but very calm voice, and my comrades in the regiment say you call me, and I will come to your orders.I'm here, sir. What's your order? The musketeer, fully dressed and girded as usual, entered the office with firm steps after these few words.Seeing him behave so bravely, Treville was deeply moved, and hastily went up to him, saying: I am saying to these two gentlemen that I forbid my musketeers to go out unnecessarily, for an upright man is very dear to a king.The King knew that his Musketeers were the most upright men in the world.Hold out your hand, Athos.

Before the musketeer who had just entered could react to this gesture of affection, Treville seized his right hand and shook it vigorously, and, incredible to say, he did not notice that, although Athos was trying to bear , still showed a painful expression, and his face became even paler. The door had been left ajar since Athos had entered, and the fact that he had been wounded, though secret, was known to all, caused a commotion.Hearing the captain's last words, there was a burst of applause in the waiting room, and two or three people impulsively stuck their heads through the curtain to look in.M. de Treville was probably about to yell aloud to put an end to this indecency, when he suddenly felt Athos's hand twitch in his own, and looking up, saw that he was on the verge of fainting.At this time, Athos tried his best to hold back the pain, but finally couldn't bear it anymore, and fell to the floor as if dead. Call the surgeon quickly!cried Treville, mine or the king's, whichever is best.Go call the surgeon!hell!My righteous Athos is dying. Hearing Treville's shout, everyone rushed into the office.It never occurred to Treville to close the door and prevent anyone from entering.Everyone eagerly surrounded the wounded.But such zeal is useless if the doctor to be called is not in the mansion.The doctor squeezed his way through the crowd to the side of Athos who had been in a coma.As the noise and the crowd prevented him, he demanded that the wounded musketeer be carried to the next room, saying that this was the first and most urgent matter.Treville immediately opened a door and led the way for Porthos and Aramis, who had picked up their companions.The doctor followed, and the door closed behind him again. Thus, Mr. Treville's office, a room that no one dared to enter without authorization, temporarily became an ancillary part of the waiting room. To hell with the cardinal and his guards. After a while, Porthos and Aramis returned, leaving only the doctor and M. de Treville with the wounded. At last M. Treville also returned.The wounded man regained consciousness, and the doctor said that the musketeer's condition should not worry his friends at all, and that his weakness was caused entirely by loss of blood. With a wave of M. de Treville's hand, everyone left the office except d'Artagnan.He did not forget that he had come to see M. de Treville, and, with the obstinacy of a Gascon, he remained where he was. It was only after everyone had gone out and the door was shut that M. de Treville turned around.Now it was left with him and the young man.What happened just now somewhat interrupted his train of thought.He asked the stubborn seeker why he had come.D'Artagnan gave his name, and Treville suddenly remembered everything about the present and the past, and understood the situation he was facing. Sorry, he smiled, sorry, dear fellow, I completely forgot about you.what else can we do!A captain is no different from a parent, and the responsibility on his body is heavier than that of ordinary parents.The warriors are big boys, but I must carry out the king's orders, especially the cardinal's orders D'Artagnan could not help smiling.Seeing his smile, Treville understood that he was not dealing with a foolish person, so he changed the subject and got to the point. I have a deep friendship with my father, and he said, what can I do for his beloved son?Please tell me quickly, my time is not at my disposal. Monsieur, said d'Artagnan, I have come here from Tarbes to ask you to reward me with a musketeer uniform for the sake of this friendship which you have not forgotten.But what I've seen in the two hours since I've been here makes me realize that this is an extraordinary privilege, and I worry about whether I qualify. It is indeed a privilege, young man, said Treville, but it is not so unattainable as you think, or as you seem to imagine.However, His Majesty anticipated this situation and made a decision, and I regret to have to tell you: To become a member of our musketeers, one must first go through some trials, fight several battles, and make great achievements , or have served for two years in an army whose conditions are not as good as ours. D'Artagnan bowed silently.Hearing that it was so difficult to be a musketeer, he was even more eager to wear the musketeer uniform. However, Treville stared sharply at his fellow countryman, as if he wanted to see through his heart. As I said just now, your father is an old friend of mine. For his sake, I would like to do something for you.We Bearn youths are generally not rich, and I don't think the situation has changed much since I left my hometown.The money you carry on your body is probably not very ample for you to live on. D'Artagnan raised his head proudly, as if to say that he was not begging for alms from anyone. Very well, young man, very well.Treville went on. I was familiar with this air.When I came to Paris I had only four crowns in my pocket, but I would fight anyone who said I couldn't afford the Louvre. D'Artagnan raised his head even higher.He started his career this time with eight crowns from the sale of horses, four crowns more than M. de Treville had done.In my opinion, no matter how much money you have on hand now, you should save it and not spend it.I will write to the principal of the Royal Academy today, and tomorrow he will admit you without charging you anything.Don't reject this little thing.Many of our sons of gentlemen with prominent families and wealthy families still wish for it.There you learned horsemanship, fencing, and dancing, and you came to see me now and then to tell me how you were doing and what help you needed from me. D'Artagnan was as yet ignorant of the ways in which people are treated in official circles, but he felt that he was received indifferently. well!Sir, he said, I now understand the importance of the letter of introduction my father asked me to give you. Yes, said Monsieur de Treville, I was just wondering why you had come so far without that essential thing, which is the only way we Bairns get in. I had it, sir, and, by God's grace, a very good letter of introduction, exclaimed d'Artagnan, but it was shamelessly stolen. So, he told the whole story of what happened in Moen Town, and carefully described the appearance and characteristics of the strange gentleman. He spoke impulsively and sincerely, which made Treville fascinated. That's a strange thing, Treville said thoughtfully, did you really mention my name aloud? Yes, sir.I may have been too imprudent in doing so.But what can be done?A name like yours is no different from my amulet along the way.Do you think I must constantly beg for its protection? Such flattery is well-timed.Treville, like kings and cardinals, liked to be worshipped.He couldn't help but smile visibly with satisfaction.But he quickly restrained his smile, and the conversation turned from himself to the incident in Moen Town: Say, he went on, does the gentleman have a little scar on his temple? Yes, like a bullet wound. Is he a person with a good complexion? Yes. Is it tall? good. Is it fair skin and brown hair? Yes, yes, that's right.How do you know this man, sir?ah!If I can find him I will find him, I swear, even in hell He is waiting for a woman?Treville asked again. He at least talked to the woman he was waiting for before leaving. Do you know what they talked about? He handed the woman a box, saying that it contained his instructions, and told him not to open it until London. That woman is British? Her name is Milady. It's him!Treville murmured, it is he!I thought he was still in Brussels! ah!Monsieur, if you know who this man is, cried d'Artagnan, tell me his name and his whereabouts, and I will ask you no more, not even the Musketeer. Dang, because I want revenge first. Don't do that, young man.Treville quickly stopped him and said, On the contrary, if you see him coming from this side on the street, you should go from the other side, and never touch such a stubborn rock, it will smash you like an egg. It won't scare me, said d'Artagnan, if I meet him again For the time being, continued Treville, don't go to him if you want me to advise you. Treville suddenly became suspicious and stopped talking.It was not very credible that the young wanderer so loudly expressed his hatred of the man who had stolen the letter from his father.So, does this hatred contain some evil intentions?Was this young man sent by His Excellency the Cardinal to set him a trap?Is this man who calls himself d'Artagnan an agent that the Cardinal managed to place in his team, to place him around to gain his confidence, and then to frame him, as has been done so many times. ?For the second time he fixed his gaze on d'Artagnan, his eyes sharper than the first.It was not very reassuring to see this clever, witty, and affectedly humble face. Yes, he was a Gascon.Still, he thought, even if he was a Gascon, he might be on the Cardinal's side or on my side.Well, put him to the test. Friend, he said slowly, I would like to treat you as the son of an old friend of mine, because I believe it is true that you have lost your letter.You have noticed that at first I gave you a cold reception, and to make up for it, I now want to disclose our political secrets to you.The king and the cardinal are best friends.The superficial feud between them was nothing but a deceit to the foolish.I don't want one of my countrymen, a handsome knight, a good boy, to be deluded by these appearances, and to fall into the trap, as so many fools have been duped.You know, I am utterly loyal to both of these supreme masters.All my great deeds have been in the service of the king and the cardinal; and the cardinal is the most eminent genius that ever came out of France.Now, young man, please reflect on this, if you have some kind of hostile conception against the cardinal, because of family or relatives, or even instinct, as we often see gentlemen show. Then you say goodbye to me, and we part ways.I will still help you when I get a chance in the future, but keep you from contacting me personally.Nevertheless, I hope my frankness will make you my friend, for I have hitherto said this only to you among young people. Treville thought to himself: If the little fox had been sent by the cardinal, the cardinal would have told him that the best way to court me was to speak ill of him, for he knew I hated him.So, in spite of my statement, this sly fellow must tell me how he hates the bishop. However, the situation was completely contrary to Treville's expectations, and D'Artagnan said very simply: It was with the same desire, sir, that I came to Paris.My father told me to be loyal to the king, the cardinal, and you. He thinks you three are the three greatest men in France. The reader must have noticed that d'Artagnan added M. de Treville after the king and the cardinal.He thought it would do no harm. I have the utmost admiration for the Cardinal, he continued, deeply admiring his actions.You can speak to me so frankly, sir, as you have just said, that I could not be better off.I am honored that you and I see the same thing.If it's only natural that you mistrust me, then I've ruined myself by telling the truth.Then count me as unlucky, don't let me think that you will still respect me, this is the most important thing in the world to me. Treville was amazed.D'Artagnan spoke so thoroughly and so frankly that he could not help admiring him.However, the suspicion in his heart was not completely dispelled: the more advanced this young man was than other young people, the more terrifying it would be if he was wrong.However, he took d'Artagnan by the hand, and said to him: You are an honest lad.But for the time being, I can only give you the help I promised just now.In the future, you can take advantage of every opportunity and ask me at any time to get what you want. That is to say, Monsieur, continued D'Artagnan, you must wait until I have obtained sufficient qualifications.Well, rest assured, he added, with typical Gascon casualness, you won't be waiting long. He bowed to leave, as if Treville didn't need to worry about anything else. But wait a moment, Treville called to him, and I promised to write for you to the rector of the Royal Academy.Do you disdain, my young gentleman? How can it be, sir.D'Artagnan replied, I assure you that this letter will never be lost like the previous one, and I will put it carefully and give it to the recipient.Anyone who tried to steal it would be in trouble. M. de Treville smiled at these boastful words.He had been standing at the window talking with the young man, but at this moment he left the young man there, went and sat down at a table, and began to write the letter of introduction he had promised to write.D'Artagnan had nothing to do, tapping a march with his fingers on the panes of the window, watching the musketeers go away in twos and threes, watching them until they disappeared around the corner of the street. M. de Treville finished the letter, sealed it, and went up to the young man to hand it to him.Just as d'Artagnan held out his hand to receive the letter, Treville was astonished to see his protégé jump up suddenly, flushed with anger, and rush out of the office, exclaiming: ah!Damn guy!This time he couldn't escape. who?Treville asked. The pickpocket who stole my letter!D'Artagnan replied, hum!Bad stuff! He disappeared. What a crazy guy!Treville murmured, and then whispered: Did he see that his purpose had failed, and came up with such a clever way to escape?