danger the queen was to send her a prayer-book bound in
green velvet.”
“That is true, monsieur, you are well informed.”
“One morning the green book was brought to her by the Prince
de Marsillac. There was no time to lose. Happily Marie and a
follower of hers named Kitty could disguise themselves
admirably in men’s clothes. The prince procured for Marie
Michon the dress of a cavalier and for Kitty that of a
lackey; he sent them two excellent horses, and the fugitives
went out hastily from Tours, shaping their course toward
Spain, trembling at the least noise, following unfrequented
roads, and asking for hospitality when they found themselves
where there was no inn.”
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“Why, really, it was all exactly as you say!” cried Madame
de Chevreuse, clapping her hands. “It would indeed be
strange if —- ” she checked herself.
“If I should follow the two fugitives to the end of their
journey?” said Athos. “No, madame, I will not thus waste
your time. We will accompany them only to a little village
in Limousin, lying between Tulle and Angouleme — a little
village called Roche-l’Abeille.”
Madame de Chevreuse uttered a cry of surprise, and looked at
Athos with an expression of astonishment that made the old
musketeer smile.
“Wait, madame,” continued Athos, “what remains for me to
tell you is even more strange than what I have narrated.”
“Monsieur,” said Madame de Chevreuse, “I believe you are a
sorcerer; I am prepared for anything. But really — No
matter, go on.”
“The journey of that day had been long and wearing; it was a
cold day, the eleventh of October, there was no inn or
chateau in the village and the homes of the peasants were
poor and unattractive. Marie Michon was a very aristocratic
person; like her sister the queen, she had been accustomed
to pleasing perfumes and fine linen; she resolved,
therefore, to seek hospitality of the priest.”
Athos paused.
“Oh, continue!” said the duchess. “I have told you that I am
prepared for anything.”
“The two travelers knocked at the door. It was late; the
priest, who had gone to bed, cried out to them to come in.
They entered, for the door was not locked — there is much
confidence among villagers. A lamp burned in the chamber
occupied by the priest. Marie Michon, who made the most
charming cavalier in the world, pushed open the door, put
her head in and asked for hospitality. `Willingly, my young
cavalier,’ said the priest, `if you will be content with the
remains of my supper and with half my chamber.’
“The two travelers consulted for a moment. The priest heard
a burst of laughter and then the master, or rather, the
mistress, replied: `Thank you, monsieur le cure, I accept.’
`Sup, then, and make as little noise as possible,’ said the
priest, `for I, too, have been on the go all day and shall
not be sorry to sleep to-night.'”
Madame de Chevreuse evidently went from surprise to
astonishment, and from astonishment to stupefaction. Her
face, as she looked at Athos, had taken on an expression
that cannot be described. It could be seen that she had
wished to speak, but she had remained silent through fear of
losing one of her companion’s words.
“What happened then?” she asked.
“Then?” said Athos. “Ah, I have come now to what is most
difficult.”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After
“Speak, speak! One can say anything to me. Besides, it
doesn’t concern me; it relates to Mademoiselle Marie
Michon.”
“Ah, that is true,” said Athos. “Well, then, Marie Michon
had supper with her follower, and then, in accordance with
the permission given her, she entered the chamber of her
host, Kitty meanwhile taking possession of an armchair in
the room first entered, where they had taken their supper.”
“Really, monsieur,” said Madame de Chevreuse, “unless you
are the devil in person I don’t know how you could become
acquainted with all these details.”
“A charming woman was that Marie Michon,” resumed Athos,
“one of those wild creatures who are constantly conceiving
the strangest ideas. Now, thinking that her host was a