The Three Musketeers (Translated by Richard Pevear) - Alexandre Dumas [246]
“I don’t understand, Milord,” she said, to gain time and make her adversary speak. “What are you trying to say? And is there some unknown meaning hidden in your words?”
“Oh, God, no!” said Lord de Winter, with apparent joviality. “You have the wish to see me, and you come to England. I learn of that wish, or rather I suspect that you feel it, and to spare you all the vexations of a nighttime arrival in port, and all the bother of the landing, I send one of my officers to meet you. I put a carriage at his disposal, and he brings you here to this castle, of which I am the governor, where I come every day, and where, in order to satisfy our mutual desire to see each other, I have prepared a room for you. What is there in all I’ve just said that is more astonishing than what you have said to me?”
“No, what I find astonishing is that you were informed of my arrival.”
“Yet that is the simplest of things, my dear sister. Didn’t you notice that the captain of your little vessel, on entering the roads, sent a little boat on ahead carrying his ship’s log and the register of his crew, in order to obtain entry into the port? I am the commandant of the port, the book was brought to me, and I recognized your name. My heart told me what your lips have just confided to me, that is, the purpose for which you exposed yourself to the dangers of a sea that is so perilous, or at least so trying, at the moment, and I sent my cutter to meet you. The rest you know.”
Milady realized that Lord de Winter was lying, and was all the more frightened by that.
“Brother,” she continued, “wasn’t it Milord Buckingham that I saw on the jetty as I arrived this evening?”
“Himself. Ah, I can understand that the sight of him struck you!” said Lord de Winter. “You come from a country where they must be much concerned with him, and I know that his preparations against France greatly preoccupy your friend the cardinal.”
“My friend the cardinal!” cried Milady, seeing that on this point as on the other Lord de Winter seemed thoroughly informed.
“Is he not your friend, then?” the baron went on casually. “Ah, excuse me, I thought he was! But we’ll come back to Milord the duke later. Let us not brush aside the sentimental turn the conversation had taken: you came, you say, to see me?”
“Yes.”
“Well, and I replied to you that you would be fully gratified and that we would see each other every day.”
“Must I remain here eternally?” asked Milady with a certain fright.
“Might you find yourself poorly housed, sister? Ask for whatever you find wanting, and I will hasten to supply you with it.”
“But I have neither my women nor my servants…”
“You shall have all that, Madame. Tell me on what footing your first husband set up your household; though I am only your brother-in-law, I will set it up on the same footing.”
“My first husband?” cried Milady, looking at Lord de Winter with alarm in her eyes.
“Yes, your French husband; I’m not speaking of my brother. Moreover, if you’ve forgotten, I could write to him, since he’s still alive, and he will send me all the particulars on the subject.”
Cold sweat broke out on Milady’s forehead.
“You’re joking,” she said in a hollow voice.
“Do I look it?” asked the baron, standing up and taking a step back.
“Or, rather, you are insulting me,” she went on, gripping the arms of the chair with her clenched hands and raising herself on her wrists.
“I, insult you?” Lord de Winter said with contempt. “Truly, Madame, do you believe that’s possible?”
“Truly, Monsieur,” said Milady, “you are either drunk or insane. Get out, and send me a woman.”
“Women are rather indiscreet, sister! May I not serve as your maid? In that way all our secrets will remain in the family.”
“Insolent man!” cried Milady, and, as if moved by a spring, she leaped at the baron, who awaited her impassively, though with one hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Ah, yes!” he said, “I know you’re in the habit