horse, stopped before the gate, and with a sonorous “hola!”
called the stable-boys who, with the gardeners, had formed a
circle round Blaisois, the historian-in-ordinary to the
household of the chateau. This “hola,” doubtless well known
to Master Blaisois, made him turn his head and exclaim —
“Monsieur d’Artagnan! run quickly, you chaps, and open the
gate.”
A swarm of eight brisk lads flew to the gate, which was
opened as if it had been made of feathers; and every one
loaded him with attentions, for they knew the welcome this
friend was accustomed to receive from their master; and for
such remarks the eye of the valet may always be depended
upon.
“Ah!” said M. d’Artagnan, with an agreeable smile, balancing
himself upon his stirrup to jump to the ground, “where is
that dear count?”
Page 102
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“Ah! how unfortunate you are, monsieur!” said Blaisois: “and
how unfortunate will monsieur le comte our master, think
himself when he hears of your coming! As ill luck will have
it, monsieur le comte left home two hours ago.”
D’Artagnan did not trouble himself about such trifles. “Very
good!” said he. “You always speak the best French in the
world; you shall give me a lesson in grammar and correct
language, whilst I wait the return of your master.”
“That is impossible, monsieur,” said Blaisois; “you would
have to wait too long.”
“Will he not come back to-day, then?”
“No, nor to-morrow, nor the day after to-morrow. Monsieur le
comte has gone on a journey.”
“A journey!” said D’Artagnan, surprised; “that’s a fable,
Master Blaisois.”
“Monsieur, it is no more than the truth. Monsieur has done
me the honor to give me the house in charge; and he added,
with his voice so full of authority and kindness — that is
all one to me: `You will say I have gone to Paris.'”
“Well!” cried D’Artagnan, “since he is gone towards Paris,
that is all I wanted to know! you should have told me so at
first, booby! He is then two hours in advance?”
“Yes, monsieur.”
“I shall soon overtake him. Is he alone?”
“No, monsieur.”
“Who is with him, then?”
“A gentleman whom I don’t know, an old man, and M. Grimaud.”
“Such a party cannot travel as fast as I can — I will
start.”
“Will monsieur listen to me an instant?” said Blaisois,
laying his hand gently on the reins of the horse.
“Yes, if you don’t favor me with fine speeches, and make
haste.”
“Well, then, monsieur, that word Paris appears to me to be
only an excuse.”
“Oh, oh!” said D’Artagnan, seriously, “an excuse, eh?”
“Yes, monsieur; and monsieur le comte is not going to Paris,
I will swear.”
“What makes you think so?”
“This — M. Grimaud always knows where our master is going;
and he had promised me that the first time he went to Paris,
he would take a little money for me to my wife.”
Page 103
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“What, have you a wife, then?”
“I had one — she was of this country; but monsieur thought
her a noisy scold, and I sent her to Paris; it is sometimes
inconvenient, but very agreeable at others.”
“I understand; but go on. You do not believe the count gone
to Paris?”
“No, monsieur; for then M. Grimaud would have broken his
word; he would have perjured himself, and that is
impossible.”
“That is impossible,” repeated D’Artagnan, quite in a study,
because he was quite convinced. “Well, my brave Blaisois,
many thanks to you.”
Blaisois bowed.
“Come, you know I am not curious — I have serious business
with your master. Could you not, by a little bit of a word
— you who speak so well — give me to understand — one
syllable, only — I will guess the rest.”
“Upon my word, monsieur, I cannot. I am quite ignorant where
monsieur le comte is gone. As to listening at doors, that is
contrary to my nature; and besides it is forbidden here.”
“My dear fellow,” said D’Artagnan, “this is a very bad
beginning for me. Never mind, you know when monsieur le
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