"And now," replied D"Artagnan, "behold the sad spectacle that awaits us. This n.o.ble gentleman with his lofty glance, 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 command! Alas! we shall find him changed into a broken down old man, with garnet nose and eyes that s...o...b..r; we shall find him extended on some lawn, whence he will look at us with a languid eye and peradventure will not recognize us. G.o.d knows, Planchet, that I should fly from a sight so sad if I did not wish to show my respect for the ill.u.s.trious shadow of what was once the Comte de la Fere, whom we loved so much."
Planchet shook his head and said nothing. It was evident that he shared his master"s apprehensions.
"And then," resumed D"Artagnan, "to this decrepitude is probably added poverty, for he must have neglected 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 fancy myself there and that I see him staggering and hear him stammering," said Planchet, in a piteous tone, "but at all events we shall soon know the real state of things, for I imagine that those lofty walls, now turning ruby in the setting 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 Chambord."
At this moment one of those heavy wagons, 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 hors.e.m.e.n were following. A man carrying a long switch with a nail at the end of it, with which he urged on his slow team, was walking 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 might 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 name.
"Gentlemen," he said, "the wood that I am carting is his; I cut it in his copse and I am taking it to the chateau."
D"Artagnan 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 man to be thwarted; he, like Porthos, has obliged his peasantry to call him "my lord," and to dignify his pettifogging place by the name of chateau. He had a heavy hand--dear old Athos--after drinking."
D"Artagnan, after asking the man the right way, continued his route, agitated in spite of himself at the idea of seeing once more that singular man whom he had so truly loved and who had contributed so much by advice and example to his education as a gentleman. He checked by degrees 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 sycamores, was visible at the farther end of a group of trees, which spring had powdered with a snow of flowers.
On beholding this house, D"Artagnan, calm as he was in general, felt an unusual disturbance within his heart--so powerful during the whole course of life are the recollections of youth. He proceeded, nevertheless, and came opposite to an iron gate, ornamented in the taste of the period.
Through the gate was seen kitchen-gardens, carefully attended to, a s.p.a.cious courtyard, in which neighed several horses held by valets in various liveries, and a carriage, drawn by two horses of the country.
"We are mistaken," said D"Artagnan. "This cannot be the establishment of Athos. Good heavens! suppose he is dead and that this property now belongs to some one who bears his name. Alight, Planchet, and inquire, for I confess that I have scarcely courage so to do."
Planchet alighted.
"Thou must add," said D"Artagnan, "that a gentleman who is pa.s.sing by wishes to have the honor of paying his respects to the Comte de la Fere, and if thou art satisfied with what thou hearest, then mention my name!"
Planchet, leading his horse by the bridle, drew near to the gate and rang the bell, and immediately a servant-man with white hair and of erect stature, notwithstanding 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, who was not in livery.
"A n.o.bleman 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 Grimaud is absent from the chateau for the time being," 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 same Comte de la Fere whom we seek. Be good enough to open to me, for I wish to announce to monsieur le comte that my master, one of his friends, is here, and wishes to greet him."
"Why didn"t you say so?" said the servitor, opening the gate. "But where is your master?"
"He is following me."
The servitor opened the gate and walked before Planchet, who made a sign to D"Artagnan. The latter, his heart palpitating more than ever, entered the courtyard without dismounting.
Whilst Planchet was standing on the steps before the house he heard a voice say: "Well, where is this gentleman and why do they not bring him here?"
This voice, the sound of which reached D"Artagnan, reawakened in his heart a thousand sentiments, a thousand recollections that he had forgotten. 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, my lad," said Athos, appearing on the threshold.
"Oh, yes, monsieur le comte, you know me and I know you. I am Planchet--Planchet, whom you know well." 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 am, my friend, dear Athos!" cried D"Artagnan, in a faltering voice and almost staggering from agitation.
At these words a visible emotion was expressed on the beautiful countenance and calm features of Athos. He rushed toward D"Artagnan with eyes fixed upon him and clasped him in his arms. D"Artagnan, equally moved, pressed him also closely to him, whilst tears stood in his eyes. Athos then took him by the hand and led him into the drawing-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 most excellent, brave gentlemen that I have ever known."
D"Artagnan received the compliments of those who were present in his own way, and whilst the conversation became general he looked earnestly at Athos.
Strange! Athos was scarcely aged at all! His fine eyes, no longer surrounded by that dark line which nights of dissipation pencil too infallibly, seemed larger, more liquid than ever. His face, a little elongated, had gained in calm dignity what it had lost in feverish excitement. His hand, always wonderfully beautiful and strong, was set off by a ruffle of lace, like certain hands by t.i.tian and Vandyck. He was less stiff than formerly. His long, 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 magnificent teeth, which he had preserved white and sound, gave an indescribable charm to his smile.
Meanwhile the guests, seeing 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 name of Raoul was p.r.o.nounced, looked inquisitively at D"Artagnan, in order to see if any curiosity was painted on his face. But D"Artagnan was still in confusion and turned around almost mechanically when a fine young man of fifteen years of age, dressed simply, but in perfect taste, entered the room, raising, as he came, his hat, adorned with a long plume of scarlet feathers.
Nevertheless, D"Artagnan was struck by the appearance of this new personage. It seemed to explain to him the change in Athos; a resemblance between the boy and the man explained the mystery of this regenerated existence. He remained listening and gazing.
"Here you are, home again, Raoul," said the comte.
"Yes, sir," replied the youth, with deep respect, "and I have performed the commission that you gave 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.
"What is it?" cried many persons present.
"She was walking with her nurse Marceline, in the place where the woodmen cut the wood, when, pa.s.sing on horseback, I stopped. She saw me also and in trying to jump from the end of a pile of wood on which she had mounted, the poor child fell and was not able to rise again. I fear that she has badly sprained her ankle."
"Oh, heavens!" cried Athos. "And her mother, Madame de Saint-Remy, have they yet told her of it?"
"No, sir, Madame de Saint-Remy is at Blois with the d.u.c.h.ess of Orleans. I am afraid that what was first done was unskillful, if not worse than useless. I am come, sir, to ask your advice."
"Send directly to Blois, Raoul; or, rather, take horse and ride immediately yourself."
Raoul bowed.
"But where is Louise?" asked the comte.
"I have brought her here, sir, and I have deposited her in charge of Charlotte, who, till better advice comes, has bathed the foot in cold well-water."
The guests now all took leave of Athos, excepting the old Duc de Barbe, who, as an old friend of the family of La Valliere, went to see little Louise and offered to take her to Blois in his carriage.
"You are right, sir," said Athos. "She will be the sooner with her mother. As for you, Raoul, I am sure it is your fault, some giddiness or folly."
"No, sir, I a.s.sure you," muttered Raoul, "it is not."
"Oh, no, no, I declare it is not!" cried the young girl, while Raoul turned pale at the idea of his being perhaps the cause of her disaster.
"Nevertheless, Raoul, you must go to Blois and you must make your excuses and mine to Madame de Saint-Remy."
The youth looked pleased. He again took in his strong arms the little girl, whose pretty golden head and smiling face rested on his shoulder, and placed her gently in the carriage; then jumping on his horse with the elegance of a first-rate esquire, after bowing to Athos and D"Artagnan, he went off close by the door of the carriage, on somebody inside of which his eyes were riveted.
14. The Castle of Bragelonne.
Whilst this scene was going on, D"Artagnan remained with open mouth and a confused gaze. Everything had turned out so differently from what he expected that he was stupefied with wonder.
Athos, who had been observing him and guessing his thoughts, took his arm and led him into the garden.
"Whilst supper is being prepared," he said, smiling, "you will not, my friend, be sorry to have the mystery which so puzzles you cleared up."
"True, monsieur le comte," replied D"Artagnan, who felt that by degrees Athos was resuming that great influence which aristocracy had over him.
Athos smiled.
"First and foremost, dear D"Artagnan, we have no t.i.tle such as count here. When I call you "chevalier," it is in presenting you to my guests, that they may know who you are. But to you, D"Artagnan, I am, I hope, still dear Athos, your comrade, your friend. Do you intend to stand on ceremony because you are less attached to me than you were?"
"Oh! G.o.d forbid!"
"Then let us be as we used to be; let us be open with each other. You are surprised at what you see here?"
"Extremely."
"But above all things, I am a marvel to you?"
"I confess it."
"I am still young, am I not? Should you not have known me again, in spite of my eight-and-forty years of age?"
"On the contrary, I do not find you the same person at all."
"I understand," cried Athos, with a gentle blush. "Everything, D"Artagnan, even folly, has its limit."
"Then your means, it appears, are improved; you have a capital house--your own, I presume? You have a park, and horses, servants."
Athos smiled.
"Yes, I inherited this little property when I quitted the army, as I told you. The park is twenty acres--twenty, comprising kitchen-gardens and a common. I have two horses,--I do not count my servant"s bobtailed nag. My sporting dogs consist of two pointers, two harriers and two setters. But then all this extravagance is not for myself," added Athos, laughing.
"Yes, I see, for the young man Raoul," said D"Artagnan.
"You guess aright, my friend; this youth is an orphan, deserted by his mother, who left him in the house of a poor country priest. I have brought him up. It is Raoul who has worked in me the change you see; I was dried up like a miserable tree, isolated, attached to nothing on earth; it was only a deep affection that could make me take root again and drag me back to life. This child has caused me to recover what I had lost. I had no longer any wish to live for myself, I have lived for him. I have corrected the vices that I had; I have a.s.sumed the virtues that I had not. Precept something, but example more. I may be mistaken, but I believe that Raoul will be as accomplished a gentleman as our degenerate age could display."
The remembrance of Milady recurred to D"Artagnan.
"And you are happy?" he said to his friend.
"As happy as it is allowed to one of G.o.d"s creatures to be on this earth; but say out all you think, D"Artagnan, for you have not yet done so."
"You are too bad, Athos; one can hide nothing from you," answered D"Artagnan. "I wished to ask you if you ever feel any emotions of terror resembling----"
"Remorse! I finish your phrase. Yes and no. I do not feel remorse, because that woman, I profoundly hold, deserved her punishment. Had she one redeeming trait? I doubt it. I do not feel remorse, because had we allowed her to live she would have persisted in her work of destruction. But I do not mean, my friend that we were right in what we did. Perhaps all blood demands some expiation. Hers had been accomplished; it remains, possibly, for us to accomplish ours."
"I have sometimes thought as you do, Athos."
"She had a son, that unhappy woman?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever heard of him?"
"Never."
"He must be about twenty-three years of age," said Athos, in a low tone. "I often think of that young man, D"Artagnan."
"Strange! for I had forgotten him," said the lieutenant.
Athos smiled; the smile was melancholy.