The Three Musketeers (The Modern Library) - Alexandre Dumas [321]
Signed by my hand at the Camp of La Rochelle
Richelieu
Having read this document, the Cardinal sank into a profound reverie, paper in hand. D’Artagnan felt sure that His Eminence was meditating by what sort of punishment he should kill him.
“Well,” mused the young musketeer, who was excellently disposed to meet his end heroically, “he shall see how a gentleman goes to his death.”
Richelieu remained plunged in thought, rolling and unrolling the paper in his hands. At length he raised his head, fastened his eagle glance upon the other’s loyal, open, intelligent countenance, and on that countenance, furrowed by tears, read all the sufferings D’Artagnan had endured for the last month. For the third or fourth time the Cardinal reflected what a brilliant future lay before this youth of twenty-one and what resources his activity, courage and shrewdness might offer to a good master. Recalling too how the crimes, power and infernal genius of Milady had more than once terrified him, he felt a kind of secret joy at being relieved forever of so dangerous an accomplice. Slowly, the Cardinal tore up the paper which D’Artagnan had generously relinquished.
“This is the end!” D’Artagnan thought. And he bowed deeply to the Cardinal, as who might say: “Lord, Thy will be done!”
His Eminence moved over to his desk and without sitting down wrote a few lines on a parchment two-thirds of which were already filled and affixed his seal to it.
“This is the order for my execution,” D’Artagnan thought. “Monseigneur is sparing me the tedium of the Bastille or the protracted formalities of a trial. That is very gracious of him.”
“Here, Monsieur,” the Cardinal told him, “I have taken a carte blanche document from you, so I shall give you another. The name is wanting on this commission; you can write it in yourself.”
D’Artagnan took the paper hesitantly and looked it over; it was a Lieutenant’s commission in the Musketeers. He fell to one knee before His Eminence.
“Monseigneur, my life is yours,” he declared, “do with it henceforth what you will. But I do not deserve the favor you have bestowed upon me. I have three friends all of whom are worthier and more deserving—”
“You are a gallant lad, D’Artagnan,” the Cardinal interrupted, tapping him on the shoulder and savoring the pleasure of having at last overcome this rebellious nature. “Do with the commission what you will. But remember, though the bearer’s name is blank, it is to you I give it.”
“I shall never forget it, Your Eminence may be certain of that!”
The Cardinal turned and called in a loud voice: “Rochefort!” The Chevalier, who was doubtless close to the door, entered immediately.
“Rochefort,” said His Eminence, “here you see Monsieur d’Artagnan. I number him among my friends. Pray greet each other and behave yourselves if you hope to keep a head on your shoulders!”
Rochefort and D’Artagnan embraced each other somewhat coldly as the Cardinal stood over them, his vigilant eye observing all that occurred. But when they had left the room together:
“We shall meet again, Monsieur, shall we not?” Rochefort demanded.
“Whenever you please.”
“The opportunity will surely arise,” Rochefort asserted.
“Eh, what’s that?” asked the Cardinal, pushing the door ajar.
The two exchanged smiles, shook hands and saluted His Eminence. D’Artagnan sped down the stairs and rushed up to his friends.
“We were growing rather impatient,” Athos remarked.
“Well, here I am, friends, not only free as air but in high favor, too!”
“Tell us about it.”
“I will this evening,” D’Artagnan replied. “But for the moment let us separate.”
Accordingly that evening D’Artagnan sought out Athos whom he found well on the way to emptying a bottle of Spanish wine, an occupation which he accomplished religiously every night. D’Artagnan related what had passed between the Cardinal and himself and, drawing the commission from his pocket, said:
“Here, my dear Athos, this naturally belongs to you!”
Athos smiled—a proud, gracious smile—answering:
“My friend, for Athos this is too much; for the Comte de La Fère,