The Three Musketeers (The Modern Library) - Alexandre Dumas [276]
“The scoundrel!” Felton shuddered. “Oh, what infamy!” The officer frowned, his eyes seemed to hang on her lips. Milady, her eyes downcast, nevertheless noted the interest her Puritan took in this bizarre recital.
“What baser infamy can you imagine, Felton?” she asked helplessly. “This man believed that by triumphing over me in my sleep, he had settled everything satisfactorily . . . he came, trusting that I would accept my disgrace . . . he was prepared to offer his fortune in exchange for my love. . . .
“All the contempt and scorn that can rise in the heart of a virtuous woman I poured upon that man. I dare say he was accustomed to reproaches of the sort. He listened to me calmly, smiling, his arms crossed; then, thinking I had had my say, he stepped forward. I sprang toward the table, seized a knife and placed its point against my breast.”
“And then, Madame?” Felton asked impatiently.
And then, Milady explained, she told her seducer that if he took one step more he would have her death on his conscience as well as her dishonor. Apparently something in her looks, her voice and her whole attitude must have reflected that sincerity of gesture, of pose and of accent which carries conviction to even the most perverse souls. The man did not move. But he did speak, banteringly, his lips curled. Her death, he told her, was not what he wished. She was far too desirable a mistress for him to lose her thus after the joys of possessing her only one night. Bowing, he bade his “lovely beauty” farewell and promised to visit her again when she was in a better humor. Having spoken, he blew on a silver whistle. The globe of fire which lighted the room reascended and disappeared and she was again plunged into the dark. Again she heard the noise of a door opening and closing; again the flaming globe descended and again Milady was left completely alone. It was a desperate moment for her. Any doubts she might have entertained about her misfortune had now been scattered by an overwhelming reality. She was in the clutches of a man she not only hated but despised; her captor had already gone to fatal lengths to betray his corruption, but had he reached the limits of his wickedness?
“Who was the man?” Felton interrupted.
“I spent the night sitting bolt upright on a chair,” Milady went on, ignoring his question. “At about midnight, the lamp went out and I was in darkness once more. Vague sounds reached my ears; I started up at the merest echo. Fortunately night passed without any further attempt on the part of my persecutor. Day broke: the table had disappeared and I sat there, knife in hand. In that knife lay my only hope!
“I was worn out with fatigue, my eyes burned from lack of sleep, I had not dared relax for an instant. The light of day reassured me; I flung myself on my bed, fully clothed, and hid the knife under my pillow.
“When I awoke I found a table in the middle of the room, freshly set and covered with viands. Despite my suspicions and my worries, I felt ravenous, for I had touched no food in forty-eight hours. So I ate some bread and fruit; then, remembering the drugged water that had brought about my downfall, I was careful not to pour any water from the carafe that stood on the table. Instead I filled my glass at a marble fountain fastened into the wall over my dressing-table.
“Cautious though I had been, I remained anxious. This time, however, my fears were groundless. I passed the day without experiencing anything of the symptoms I dreaded.
“I had taken care to empty out half the carafe so that my suspicions might escape notice. Evening came on and with it the darkness to which my eyes were gradually becoming accustomed. Amid the shadows, I discerned the table sinking through the floor. A quarter of an hour later, it reappeared with my supper, and a moment thereafter the same lamp appeared, lighting up my room. I was determined to eat only such foods as could not be mixed with a soporific. My meal consisted of two eggs and some fruit; I drew some water from my blessed fountain and began to drink. But the