The Three Musketeers (Translated by Richard Pevear) - Alexandre Dumas [101]
The young man’s heart was overflowing with joy. An occasion in which there was both glory to be achieved and money to be made had presented itself to him, and, as a first encouragement, had just brought him close to a woman he adored. Chance had thus done more for him, almost from the first stroke, than he would have dared ask of Providence.
M. de Tréville was in his reception room with his usual court of gentlemen. D’Artagnan, who was known as a familiar of the house, went straight to his office and had him notified that he was waiting for him on an important matter.
D’Artagnan had hardly been there five minutes when M. de Tréville came in. At first glance, and by the joy that was visible on his face, the worthy captain understood that something new was indeed afoot.
All the way there, d’Artagnan had asked himself if he should confide in M. de Tréville, or if he should only ask him to grant him carte blanche for a secret affair. But M. de Tréville had always been so perfect for him, he was so firmly devoted to the king and the queen, he so heartily hated the cardinal, that the young man decided to tell him everything.
“You asked for me, my young friend?” said M. de Tréville.
“Yes, Monsieur,” said d’Artagnan, “and you will forgive me, I hope, for disturbing you, when you know what an important matter is involved.”
“Tell me, then, I’m listening.”
“It is a question of nothing less,” said d’Artagnan, lowering his voice, “than the queen’s honor and perhaps even her life.”
“What’s that you say?” asked M. de Tréville, looking around him to be sure they were alone, and returning his questioning gaze to d’Artagnan.
“I say, Monsieur, that chance has made me master of a secret…”
“Which I hope you will keep, young man, at the cost of your life.”
“But which I must confide to you, Monsieur, for you alone can help me in the mission I have just received from Her Majesty.”
“Is this secret yours?”
“No, Monsieur, it is the queen’s.”
“Are you authorized by Her Majesty to confide it to me?”
“No, Monsieur, on the contrary, I’ve been enjoined to the most profound secrecy.”
“And why, then, are you about to betray it to me?”
“Because, as I told you, without you I can do nothing, and I’m afraid you will refuse me the grace I’ve come to ask of you if you don’t know to what end I am asking it.”
“Keep your secret, young man, and tell me what you want.”
“I want you to obtain a two-week leave for me from M. des Essarts.”
“Starting when?”
“This very night.”
“You’re leaving Paris?”
“I am going on a mission.”
“Can you tell me where to?”
“To London.
“Is anyone interested in having you not reach your goal?”
“The cardinal, I believe, would give anything in the world to keep me from succeeding.”
“And you’re going alone?”
“I’m going alone.”
“In that case, you won’t get beyond Bondy.82 It is I who tell you so, Tréville’s word of honor.”
“Why not?”
“You’ll be killed.”
“I’ll have died in the line of duty.”
“But your mission will not be accomplished.”
“That’s true,” said d’Artagnan.
“Believe me,” Tréville went on, “in undertakings of this sort, it takes four for one to succeed.”
“Ah, you’re right, Monsieur!” said d’Artagnan. “But you’re acquainted with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and you know whether I may have use of them.”
“Without telling them the secret that I did not want to know?”
“We’ve sworn blind trust and unfailing devotion to each other once and for all. Besides, you can tell them that you have every confidence in me, and they’ll be no more incredulous than you are.”
“I can send each of them a two-week leave, that is all: to Athos, who is still suffering from his wound, to take the waters at Forges;83 to Porthos and Aramis, in order to follow their friend, whom they do not want to abandon in such a painful condition. The order for their leave will be proof that I authorize their journey.”
“Thank you, Monsieur, you are good a hundred times over.”
“Go and find them at once,