Part 33 (1/2)
28 The Place Royale
They proceeded silently to the centre of the Place, but as at this very ed froht be observed if they reained the shade of the lientlen fronan sat down, the two others stood in front of them
After a few minutes of silent embarrassment, Athos spoke
”Gentlemen,” he said, ”our presence here is the best proof of former friendshi+p; not one of us has failed the others at this rendezvous; not one has, therefore, to reproach hinan; ”instead ofcompliments to each other, let us explain our conduct to each other, likeainst me or Monsieur d'Herblay? If so, speak out,” answered Athos
”I have,” replied D'Artagnan ”When I saw you at your chateau at Bragelonne, I made certain proposals to you which you perfectly understood; instead of answering me as a friend, you played with me as a child; the friendshi+p, therefore, that you boast of was not broken yesterday by the shock of swords, but by your dissinan!” said Athos, reproachfully
”You asked for candor and you have it You ask what I have against you; I tell you And I have the same sincerity to show you, if you wish, Monsieur d'Herblay; I acted in a similar way to you and you also deceived s,” said Ara me to make to me certain proposals, but did youmore Very hat did I say to you? that Mazarin was contemptible and that I wouldn't serve Mazarin But that is all Did I tell you that I wouldn't serve any other? On the contrary, I gave you to understand, I think, that I adhered to the princes We even joked very pleasantly, if I re charged by the cardinal with my arrest Were you a party man? There is no doubt of that Well, why should not we, too, belong to a party? You had your secret and we had ours; we didn't exchange them So much the better; it proves that we kno to keep our secrets”
”I do not reproach you, nan; ”'tis only because Monsieur de la Fere has spoken of friendshi+p that I question your conduct”
”And what do you find in it that is worthy of blahtily
The blood nan, who arose, and replied: ”I consider it worthy conduct of a pupil of Jesuits”
On seeing D'Artagnan rise, Porthos rose also; these fourat the sa aspect, opposite to each other
Upon hearing D'Artagnan's reply, Aramis seemed about to draw his sword, when Athos prevented hiht, still infuriated by yesterday's adventure I believed your heart noble enough to enable a friendshi+p of twenty years to overcome an affront of a quarter of an hour Coainst me? Say it then; if I arave and harmonious tones of that beloved voice seemed to have still its ancient influence, whilst that of Aramis, which had become harsh and tuneless in his moments of ill-humor, irritated him He answered therefore: ”I think,to coentle to tell me when I was in his convent At that time I was not concerned in the adventure, in the course of which you have so successfully estopped me! However, because I was prudent you must not take me for a fool If I had wished to widen the breach between those whom Monsieur d'Herblay chooses to receive with a rope ladder and those whom he receives with a wooden ladder, I could have spoken out”
”What are youthat D'Artagnan had acted as a spy on hiueville
”I never meddle save hat concerns me, and I kno to make believe that I haven't seen what does not concernthat number I place musketeers who are abbes and abbes who are entleman who's of the same opinion as myself”
Porthos, who had not spoken one word, answered esture
He said ”yes” and he put his hand on his sword
Aranan bent forward, ready either to attack or to stand on his defense
Athos at that moment extended his hand with the air of supreme command which characterized him alone, drew out his sword and the scabbard at the same time, broke the blade in the sheath on his knee and threw the pieces to his right Then turning to Aramis: ”Aramis,” he said, ”break your sword”
Aramis hesitated
”It entle voice, he added ”I wish it”
Then Aramis, paler than before, but subdued by these words, snapped the serpent blade between his hands, and then folding his ars nan did not draw his sword; Porthos put his back into the sheath
”Never!” exclaiht hand to Heaven, ”never! I swear before God, who seeth us, and who, in the darkness of this night heareth us, never shall er, nor ether, we loved, we hated together; we shed, we ether, and too probably, I may still add, that there may be yet a bond between us closer even than that of friendshi+p; perhaps there may be the bond of crie and slay a huht to cut off froh apparently fitter for hell than for this life D'Artagnan, I have always loved you as my son; Porthos, we slept six years side by side; Aramis is your brother as well as mine, and Aramis has once loved you, as I love you now and as I have ever loved you What can Cardinal Mazarin be to us, to four men who compelled such a man as Richelieu to act as we pleased? What is such or such a prince to us, who fixed the diadenan, I ask your pardon for having yesterday crossed swords with you; Aramis does the same to Porthos; now hate me if you can; but for my own part, I shall ever, even if you do hate me, retain esteem and friendshi+p for you I repeat my words, Aramis, and then, if you desire it, and if they desire it, let us separate forever froh momentary silence, which was broken by Aralance, but in a voice still treer bear aniret that I ever crossed swords with you, Porthos; I swear not only that it shall never again be pointed at your breast, but that in the bottohtest hostile sentiment; now, Athos, come”
Athos was about to retire
”Oh! no! no! do not go away!” exclainan, impelled by one of those irresistible impulses which showed the nobility of his nature, the native brightness of his character; ”I swear that I would give the last drop of ment of my limbs to preserve the friendshi+p of such a friend as you, Athos--of such a man as you, Aramis” And he threw himself into the ar him in his ar, but I'ainst you, I think I should allow h, for I never loved any one but you in the orld;” and honest Porthos burst into tears as he embraced Athos
”My friends,” said Athos, ”this is what I expected from such hearts as yours Yes, I have said it and I now repeat it: our destinies are irrevocably united, althoughpursue divergent roads I respect your convictions, and whilst we fight for opposite sides, let us res, will pass away like mountain torrents; civil war, like a forest flame; but e shall remain; I have a presentinan, ”let us still be musketeers, and let us retain as our battle-standard that fareat cardinal had three fleurs-de-lis embroidered”
”Be it so,” cried Aramis ”Cardinalists or Frondeurs, what ain as capital seconds in a duel, devoted friends in business, merry companions in our ancient pleasures”
”And whenever,” added Athos, ”we meet in battle, at this word, 'Place Royale!' let us put our swords into our left hands and shake hands with the right, even in the very lust and ly,” said Porthos
”And are the first of nan ”You excel us all”
Athos smiled with ineffable pleasure
”'Tis then all settled Gentlead!” said D'Artagnan, ”by Heaven! yes”
”We should be so on this occasion, if only to be faithful to our oath,” said Aramis
”Ah, I'm ready to do what you will,” cried Porthos; ”even to swear by Mahomet Devil take me if I've ever been so happy as at this moment”
And he wiped his eyes, still moist
”Has not one of you a cross?” asked Athos
Aramis smiled and drew fro around his neck by a chain of pearls ”Here is one,” he said
”Well,” resunificent material, is still a cross; swear to be united in spite of everything, and forever, and may this oath bind us to each other, and even, also, our descendants! Does this oath satisfy you?”
”Yes,” said they all, with one accord
”Ah, traitor!”in his ear, ”you have made us swear on the crucifix of a Frondeuse”