Part 15 (1/2)
”And now,” replied D'Artagnan, ”behold the sad spectacle that awaits us This noble gentlelance, this handsome cavalier, so brilliant in feats of arms that every one was surprised that he held in his hand a sword only instead of a baton of coed into a broken down old arnet nose and eyes that sobr; we shall find hiuid eye and peradventure will not recognize us God knows, Planchet, that I should fly froht so sad if I did not wish to show my respect for the illustrious shadoas once the Comte de la Fere, e loved soIt was evident that he shared his nan, ”to this decrepitude is probably added poverty, for he lected the little that he had, and the dirty scoundrel, Grimaud, more taciturn than ever and still more drunken than his master--stay, Planchet, it breaks my heart to merely think of it”
”I fancyand hear hi,” said Planchet, in a piteous tone, ”but at all events we shall soon know the real state of things, for I i sun, are the walls of Blois”
”Probably; and those steeples, pointed and sculptured, that we catch a glimpse of yonder, are similar to those that I have heard described at Chaons, drawn by bullocks, which carry the wood cut in the fine forests of the country to the ports of the Loire, came out of a byroad full of ruts and turned on that which the two horse switch with a nail at the end of it, hich he urged on his slow tea with the cart
”Ho! friend,” cried Planchet
”What's your pleasure, gentlemen?” replied the peasant, with a purity of accent peculiar to the people of that district and which ht have put to shame the cultured denizens of the Sorbonne and the Rue de l'Universite
”We are looking for the house of Monsieur de la Fere,” said D'Artagnan
The peasant took off his hat on hearing this revered na is his; I cut it in his copse and I anan determined not to question this man; he did not wish to hear from another what he had himself said to Planchet
”The chateau!” he said to himself, ”what chateau? Ah, I understand! Athos is not a ed his peasantry to call hi place by the name of chateau He had a heavy hand--dear old Athos--after drinking”
D'Artagnan, after asking the itated in spite of hiular man whom he had so truly loved and who had contributed so entlerees the speed of his horse and went on, his head drooping as if in deep thought
Soon, as the road turned, the Chateau de la Valliere appeared in view; then, a quarter of a mile beyond, a white house, encircled in sycaroup of trees, which spring had powdered with a snow of flowers
On beholding this house, D'Artagnan, caleneral, felt an unusual disturbance within his heart--so powerful during the whole course of life are the recollections of youth He proceeded, nevertheless, and caate, ornaate was seen kitchen-gardens, carefully attended to, a spacious courtyard, in which neighed several horses held by valets in various liveries, and a carriage, drawn by two horses of the country
”We are nan ”This cannot be the establishment of Athos Good heavens! suppose he is dead and that this property now belongs to soht, Planchet, and inquire, for I confess that I have scarcely courage so to do”
Planchet alighted
”Thouby wishes to have the honor of paying his respects to the Comte de la Fere, and if thou art satisfied hat thou hearest, thenhis horse by the bridle, drew near to the gate and rang the bell, and immediately a servant- his age, presented himself
”Does Monsieur le Comte de la Fere live here?” asked Planchet
”Yes, monsieur, it is here he lives,” the servant replied to Planchet, as not in livery
”A nobleman retired from service, is he not?”
”Yes”
”And who had a lackey named Grimaud?” persisted Planchet, who had prudently considered that he couldn't have too much information
”Monsieur Gri,” said the servitor, who, little used as he was to such inquiries, began to examine Planchet from head to foot
”Then,” cried Planchet joyously, ”I see well that it is the sah to open to me, for I wish to announce to monsieur le comte that reet hi the gate ”But where is yourate and walked before Planchet, who
Whilst Planchet was standing on the steps before the house he heard a voice say: ”Well, where is this gentle hinan, reawakened in his heart a thousand sentiotten He vaulted hastily from his horse, whilst Planchet, with a smile on his lips, advanced toward the master of the house
”But I know you,on the threshold
”Oh, yes, monsieur le comte, you know me and I know you I am Planchet--Planchet, whom you knoell” But the honest servant could say no more, so much was he overcome by this unexpected interview
”What, Planchet, is Monsieur d'Artagnan here?”
”Here I a voice and alitation
At these words a visible emotion was expressed on the beautiful countenance and calnan with eyes fixed upon hinan, equally moved, pressed him also closely to him, whilst tears stood in his eyes Athos then took hi-room, where there were several people Every one arose
”I present to you,” he said, ”Monsieur le Chevalier D'Artagnan, lieutenant of his majesty's musketeers, a devoted friend and one of the entlenan received the compliments of those ere present in his oay, and whilst the conversation becae! Athos was scarcely aged at all! His fine eyes, no longer surrounded by that dark line which nights of dissipation pencil too infallibly, seeated, had gained in calnity what it had lost in feverish excite, was set off by a ruffle of lace, like certain hands by titian and Vandyck He was less stiff than for, dark hair, softly powdered here and there with silver tendrils, fell elegantly over his shoulders in wavy curls; his voice was still youthful, as if belonging to a Hercules of twenty-five, and his ave an indescribable char that the two friends were longing to be alone, prepared to depart, when a noise of dogs barking resounded through the courtyard and many persons said at the same moment: ”Ah! 'tis Raoul, who is come home”
Athos, as the nanan, in order to see if any curiosity was painted on his face But D'Artagnan was still in confusion and turned around ale, dressed si, as he ca plunan was struck by the appearance of this new personage It seee in Athos; a resemblance between the boy and the enerated existence He reain, Raoul,” said the comte
”Yes, sir,” replied the youth, with deep respect, ”and I have perforave me”
”But what's the matter, Raoul?” said Athos, very anxiously ”You are pale and agitated”
”Sir,” replied the young man, ”it is on account of an accident which has happened to our little neighbor”
”To Mademoiselle de la Valliere?” asked Athos, quickly