Part 25 (1/2)
The day had begun to break when Athos arose and dressed hireater than usual, and by those traces which loss of sleep leaves on the face, that he ht without sleeping Contrary to the custo in his personal appearance so tardy and irresolute
He was occupied with the preparations for Raoul's departure and was seeking to gain time In the first place he himself furbished a sword, which he drew from its perfumed leather sheath; he exauarded and if the blade was firmly attached to the hilt Then he placed at the botto of louis, called Olivain, the lackey who had followed him from Blois, and made him pack the valise under his own eyes, watchful to see that everything should be put in which n
At length, after occupying about an hour in these preparations, he opened the door of the room in which the vicoh, penetrated into the roolected to close on the previous evening He was still sleeping, his head gracefully reposing on his ar over the youth in an attitude full of tenderhtest sluel watched over hiave himself up to the charms of his reverie in the proximity of youth, so pure, so fresh His own youth see with it all those savoury rehts Between the past and the present was an ineffable abyss But iht and travels safely through or over the seas where we have been almost shi+pwrecked, the darkness in which our illusions are lost, the precipice whence our happiness has been hurled and sed up He remembered that all the first part of his life had been eht with alarht assuanization as that of Raoul
In recalling all he had been through, he foresaw all that Raoul ht suffer; and the expression of the deep and tender compassion which throbbed in his heart was pictured in theman
At this moment Raoul awoke, without a cloud on his face without weariness or lassitude; his eyes were fixed on those of Athos and perhaps he comprehended all that passed in the heart of theas a lover awaits the awakening of his lance, in return, had all the tenderness of love
”You are there, sir?” he said, respectfully
”Yes, Raoul,” replied the count
”And you did not awaken me?”
”I wished to leave you still to enjoy soued froood you are!”
Athos s?” he inquired
”Perfectly well; quite rested, sir”
”You are still growing,” Athos continued, with that charrownyour pardon!” exclaimed Raoul, ashamed of so much attention; ”in an instant I shall be dressed”
Athos then called Olivain
”Everything,” said Olivain to Athos, ”has been done according to your directions; the horses are waiting”
”And I was asleep,” cried Raoul, ”whilst you, sir, you had the kindness to attend to all these details Truly, sir, you overwhelm me with benefits!”
”Therefore you love me a little, I hope,” replied Athos, in a tone of emotion
”Oh, sir! God kno ,” said Athos, appearing to look about hiht hide his emotion
”No, indeed, sir,” answered Raoul
The servant then approached Athos and said, hesitatingly: ”Monsieur le vicomte has no sword”
”'Tis well,” said Athos, ”I will take care of that”
They went downstairs, Raoul looking every now and then at the count to see if the moment of fareas at hand, but Athos was silent When they reached the steps Raoul saw three horses
”Oh, sir! then you are going with me?”
”I will accompany you a portion of the way,” said Athos
Joy shone in Raoul's eyes and he leaped lightly to his saddle
Athosin a low voice to the lackey, who, instead of following thehted at the count's co of this byplay
They set out, passing over the Pont Neuf; they pursued their way along the quay then called L'Abreuvoir Pepin, and went along by the walls of the Grand Chatelet They proceeded to the Rue Saint Denis
After passing through the Porte Saint Denis, Athos looked at Raoul's way of riding and observed: ”Take care, Raoul! I have already often told you of this; you reat defect in a rider See! your horse is tired already, he froths at the mouth, whilst mine looks as if he had only just left the stable You hold the bit too tight and so make his mouth hard, so that you will not be able to make him manoeuvre quickly The safety of a cavalier often depends on the prompt obedience of his horse In a week, re your manoeuvres for practice, but on a field of battle”
Then suddenly, in order not to give too uncomfortable an importance to this observation: ”See, Raoul!” he resu”
The young man stored in his mind the admonition whilst he admired the delicate tenderness hich it was bestowed
”I have re,” said Athos, ”which is, that in firing off your pistol you hold your arm too far outstretched This tension lessens the accuracy of the aim So in twelve times you thrice missed the mark”
”Which you, sir, struck twelve ti
”Because I bent my arm and rested my hand on my elbow--so; do you understand what I mean?”
”Yes, sir I have fired since in that manner and have been quite successful”
”What a cold wind!” resumed Athos; ”a wintry blast Apropos, if you fire--and you will do so, for you are recoeneral who is very fond of powder--rele combat, which often takes place in the cavalry, never to fire the first shot He who fires the first shot rarely hits hisdisarmed, before an armed foe; then, whilst he fires, make your horse rear; that manoeuvre has saved ratitude----”
”Eh!” cried Athos, ”are not those fellows poachers they have arrested yonder? They are Then another i, Raoul: should you be wounded in a battle, and fall frole yourself froiment has formed; otherwise, it may be driven back and you will be trampled to death by the horses At all events, should you be wounded, write to et soes of wounds, we old soldiers,” Athos added, s ate of the town, guarded by two sentinels
”Here coentle to join the army”
”How do you make that out?” inquired Athos
”By his e; he's the second to-day”
”Has a young , then?” asked Raoul