Chapter 38 Chapter 36: A Dream of Revenge

That evening, Milady ordered that d'Artagnan be invited in as soon as he arrived as usual.However he did not arrive. The next day, Kitty went to visit the young man again, and told him everything that had happened the day before: d'Artagnan smiled; Milady was jealous, it was his revenge on her. In the evening, more restless than the previous day, Milady repeated her orders concerning the reception of the Gascons; but, as in the previous evening, she waited in vain. It was another day, and Kitty came to d'Artagnan's house again; this time she was uncharacteristically, no longer as cheerful and alert as the previous two days, but sad and ugly.

D'Artagnan asked the poor girl what was on her mind; she took a letter from her pocket and handed it to him as an answer. The letter was written in Milady's own hand: only this time it was really addressed to d'Artagnan, and not to M. de Valdes. He opened the letter and read the following: It is very bad, my dear M. d'Artagnan, not to care for one's friends; and all the more so when he is about to leave them for a long time.My brother-in-law and I were waiting for you yesterday and the day before yesterday, but in vain.Tonight, is he still the same? Your gracious girlfriend, Mrs. Clarick.

This is obvious, said d'Artagnan, and I was expecting this letter.When Earl Walder's prestige declines, my reputation rises. Are you going?Katie asked. Listen, my sweet girl, said the Gascon; he was trying to find excuses in his mind for breaking his promise to Athos, you know, don't accept a Positive invitation, that is a misstep.Seeing that I do not go, Milady will not understand why I have repeatedly interrupted my visit, and she may secretly suspect. Who can predict how far such a headstrong woman's vengeance will go? oh!Oh, God!Katie said, you're so good, you always have a reason to put things right.But you still have to court her; and if you please her this time with your real name and face, it will be worse than the last time!

The poor girl instinctively anticipated a part of what was about to happen. D'Artagnan tried his best to keep her steady, and promised her that he would not be tempted by Milady's temptation. D'Artagnan sent the girl back to say that he was very grateful for the kindness of his lady, and that he would go to the appointment as ordered; but this time he dared not write to Milady, lest he should fail to imitate her handwriting sufficiently.How could a pair of eyes so disciplined as Milady's not give away. The clock struck nine, and D'Artagnan arrived at the Place Royale.Evidently, the servants waiting in the antechamber had already been on order, for as soon as dArtagnan appeared, and before he had even had time to ask Milady if Milady was coming, one of them ran to report.

Ask him to come in!Although Milady spoke concisely, his voice was so shrill that D'Artagnan could hear him clearly from the antechamber. He was led through the door. Anyone who comes says I'm not at home, said Milady, do you hear me, whoever! The servant goes out the door. D'Artagnan casts a curious glance at Milady: either from tears or from insomnia, she is pale and her eyes are tired.The usual lighting in the room was deliberately reduced; but even so, the young woman could not conceal the traces of the frenzy and excitement of two days of tossing her. DArtagnan approached her with his customary flair; and she made great efforts to receive her visitor, but her face, too frightened, could never harmonize a pleasant smile.

On hearing d'Artagnan speak of her health: not good!She replied, very bad! But in this case, said d'Artagnan, I venture to admit that you may need to rest, and I will take my leave. No, said Milady, on the contrary, please stay, M. d'Artagnan, I will be happy to have you in your amiable company. oh!oh!dArtagnan thought to himself, she has never been so charming to me, beware! Milady put on the most genial air she could, and made her speech as pleasing as possible.At the same moment, the same frenzy and excitement which had once deserted her came to brighten her eyes, color her cheeks, and ruddy her lips.D'Artagnan reunited with Gilquet (Note: Gilquet, a female magician in Homer's epic "Odyssey", who used magic to confuse people.) who had engulfed him with charming magic.He once thought that his extinguished, or only cooled down flames of love, now rekindled in his heart.Milady smiled, and d'Artagnan felt that just because of her smile, he should willingly go to hell.

For a moment he felt that something, a remorse as if in him, was resisting Milady. Gradually, Milady became emotionally explicit.She asked d'Artagnan if he had a mistress. well!"You are cruel enough to ask me such a question," said d'Artagnan, with the most sentimental appearance he could possibly have. Since I saw you, I have only thought of you, and loved you alone. ! Milady smiled mysteriously. So you love me?she asked. Need I say more, don't you notice it at all? The words are good; but, you know, the more proud the heart is, the harder it is to pick it off. oh!Difficulties do not frighten me, said d'Artagnan, only the impossible frightens me.

For true love, nothing is impossible.Milady said. Nothing is impossible, madam? No.Milady replied. hell!thought d'Artagnan, changing the tone.Is this capricious woman who has fallen in love with me on a whim, and who has given me a sapphire for Walder, to give me the same ring again? D'Artagnan hastily moved his chair towards Milady. Well, she said, what proof do you have that you love me? Do what you want me to do, you tell me, I will listen to you at any time. Do you listen to all? Listen all!exclaimed d'Artagnan; he knew long ago that he would not risk much by promising such a thing.

Well, let's talk, she said, leaning her armchair also towards d'Artagnan. I hear you, madam, said the latter. Milady pondered for a moment, as if hesitating; then she seemed to make up her mind: I have a hater, she said. You, madam!D'Artagnan exclaimed with feigned astonishment, "Is it possible, my God?"Beautiful and kind like you! enemy. Really? An enemy who has savagely insulted me, and he and I are fighting to the death.Can I count on you to help me? D'Artagnan immediately understood that this vengeful woman was finally going to sharpen her sword. You are omnipotent, Madame, d'Artagnan exaggerated, my arms, my life, like my love, are all yours.

Well, said Milady, since you are generous and affectionate She stopped talking. How about it?asked d'Artagnan. How about it?Milady was silent for a moment. From today on, please stop talking about the impossible. You make me so happy, said d'Artagnan, and hastily knelt down, passionately kissing the hands at his disposal. Take revenge on that wretch of Walder for me, said Milady, silently in her heart, but gnashing her teeth, and I'll get rid of you when it's done, you double fool, you're a warrior! You mocked me so presumptuously, you hypocritical and dangerous woman, you will fall obediently in my arms at once; dArtagnan also said to himself, in the future, I must laugh at you with that person, And that person is exactly the one you want to kill with my hands.

D'Artagnan raised his head. I'm ready.He said. You see what I mean, my dear M. d'Artagnan! As long as you wink, I can make a good guess. Well, just use your arm for me, isn't it already famous? Always follow orders. But I, said Milady, how shall I repay you for such services?I know the lovers, these people, if they don't have a plan, they won't do it. You know, I just want to wait for a sentence, said d'Artagnan, which is worth it to you and to me! As he spoke, he gently pulled her to his side. She barely resisted. A mercenary guy!She said with a slight smile. ah!d'Artagnan exclaimed; indeed, he was agitated by the fire which this woman's natural instinct had aroused in him, ah!My happiness is so unbelievable that I am always afraid that it will be like a dream, so I am eager to make it a reality. Well, you must be worthy of this so-called happiness. I am at your command, said d'Artagnan. really?asked Milady with a last ounce of doubt. Tell me the name of that wretch who can make your beautiful eyes turn red with tears! Who told you I cried?she asked. I seem to feel A woman like me doesn't cry, said Milady. That's even better!Please tell me what is the man's last name. Remember, his name is all my secrets. But I should know his name. Yes, should know, look how much I trust you. You make me so happy.What's his name? You know him. real? real. Is it a friend of mine?said d'Artagnan with feigned suspicion, so as to give the impression that he really did not know. If it was a friend of yours, would you be soft?asked Milady aloud.Her eyes burst into a menacing light. No, even if it is my brother, I will never be soft!roared d'Artagnan; he seemed to grow furious with excitement. Our Gascon went on without a hitch, because he knew what he was aiming for. I like your faithfulness, said Milady. well!Do you only like this on me?asked d'Artagnan. I love you too, she said, taking D'Artagnan's hand. This fiery tight grip made Dudney shudder, like the frenzy and excitement that had burned Milady, and spread through his whole body through this touch. You really love me, you!cried d'Artagnan, Oh!If so, it would drive me crazy. So he put his arms around Milady tightly.She kissed the lips that came together without hesitation, but she didn't take the initiative to attack. Milady's lips were cold: it seemed to d'Artagnan that he had just kissed a cold statue. Yet he was not intoxicated with joy by being touched by the flash of love; he almost believed in Milady's tenderness; he almost believed in Walder's crime.If Wald had been with him at this moment, he might have stabbed him. Milady is not about to let her chance pass by. His name called and she finally spoke. His name is Valdes, I know, exclaimed d'Artagnan. How do you know?asked Milady, clasping his hands, trying to look into his soul through his eyes. D'Artagnan felt himself at the mercy of others, and felt that he had made a mistake. Speak, Speak, Speak quickly!Milady asked closely, how do you know? How do I know?said d'Artagnan. yes. I got it from Walder, because yesterday in a drawing-room, where I was, he showed a ring and said he got it from you. Despicable fellow!Milady growled. Anyone can understand that this cursed adjective is in the arms of d'Artagnan. what to do?Milady continued. what to do!I must avenge you on that wretch.D'Artagnan pretended to be Lord Japheth of Armenia (Note: Noah's third son in "Holy Old"). Noah was drunk and naked in the tent, and he and his elder brother went backwards into the house to cover his naked father. clothes so as not to see his father’s naked body.) said with an air. Thank you, my faithful friend!Milady said loudly: When can I take revenge on me? Tomorrow, immediately, whenever you want. Milady was about to say aloud at once; but she thought otherwise, considering that such haste might be impolite to d'Artagnan. Besides, she still had many measures to formulate, and many ideas to confess to her protector, so as not to waste much time in confronting the count.And all of this was already guessed by d'Artagnan in one sentence. Tomorrow, he said, either I will avenge you, or I will die. No!You will avenge me, she said; and you will not die.That guy is a coward. He was a coward with women, but not with men.I do know something, me. But in the last match between you and him, I don't think you complained about luck. Luck is a high-class whore: yesterday, I was in love with you, and tomorrow I will betray you. Does that mean you are now hesitating? No, I don't hesitate, God forbid it; but is it fair that I risk possible death without leaving me with the slightest hope? Milady cast a glance at him, which meant to reply: Isn't that the one?Then please go on. Then, with another meaningful glance, she said: This is so fair.she said tenderly. oh!You are an angel, said the young man. So everything is agreed?she asked. Except what I ask, my dear! But what if I told you, you can trust my love? I don't have a second tomorrow to wait for. Be still; I hear my uncle's voice: there is no need for him to find you here. She rang the bell; Katie appeared at the door. This door, please," said Milady, pushing open a secret door, and come back at eleven o'clock, and we shall finish what we have to say; Katie will show you to my room. The poor girl felt like falling on her back when she heard these conversations. Hey, miss, you stand there like a wooden statue, what are you doing?Go, fetch the knight; fetch him to-night at eleven o'clock, you hear me! It seemed that her appointments were always at eleven o'clock, d'Artagnan thought to himself, it must be a habit. Milady held out her hand to him, and he kissed it affectionately. Oh, oh, let's not be fools, he said after retiring, and as if in answer to Katie's scolding, that woman is really a big villain, we have to be careful.