Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the eighteenth chapter of The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

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Welcome to Byte At A Time Books, where we read you your favorite classics one Byte at a Time.

My name is Brie Carlyle and I love to read and wanted to share my passion with listeners like you.

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Wherever you listen to podcasts today, we will be continuing the Three Musketeers by Alexandra Dumas, 18 lover and husband Ahmadam said D'Artagnan, entering by the door which the young woman opened for him.

Allow me to tell you that you have a bad sort of a husband.

You have been overheard?

Our conversation?

Asked Madame Bonaciu eagerly, and looking at D'Artagnan with disquiet the whole.

But how, my God?

By a mode of proceeding known to myself, and by which I likewise overheard the more animated conversation which he had with the Cardinals police.

And what did you understand by what we said?

A thousand things in the first place, that unfortunately, your husband is a simpleton and a fool.

In the next place you are in trouble, of which I am very glad, as it gives me an opportunity of placing myself at your service.

And God knows I am ready to throw myself into the fire for you finally that the Queen wants a brave, intelligent, devoted man to make a journey to London for her.

I have at least two of the three qualities you stand in need of, and here I am.

Madame Ponziu made no reply, but her heart beat with joy, and secret hope shone in her eyes.

And what guarantee will you give me?

Asked she.

If I consent to confide this message to you, my love for you, speak command.

What is to be done?

My God, my God, murmured the young woman, ought I to confide such a secret to you?

Monsieur, you are almost a boy.

I see that you require someone to answer for me.

I admit that would reassure me greatly.

Do you know Athos No Porthos?

No Aramis, no.

Who are these gentlemen?

Three of the King's Musketeers.

Do you know Monsieur de Traville, their captain?

Oh, yes, him.

I know him not personally, but from having heard the Queen speak of him more than once.

As a brave and loyal gentleman, you do not fear lest he should betray you to the Cardinal?

Oh, no, certainly not.

Well, reveal your secret to him and ask him whether, however important, however valuable, however terrible it may be.

You may not confide it to me, but the secret is not mine, and I cannot reveal it in this manner.

You are about to confide it to Monsieur Bonuseu, said D'Artagnan, with chagrin as one confides a letter to the hollow of a tree, to the wing of a pigeon, to the collar of a dog.

And yet me.

You see plainly that I love you.

You say so.

I'm an honorable man.

You say so.

I am a Galliant fellow.

I believe it.

I am brave.

Oh, I am sure of that.

Then put me to the proof.

Madame Bonusiu looked at the young man, restrained for a minute by a last hesitation.

But there was such an ardour in his eyes, such persuasion in his voice, that she felt herself constrained to confide in him.

Besides, she found herself in circumstances where everything must be risked for the sake of everything.

The Queen might be as much injured by too much reticence as by too much confidence.

And let us admit it, the involuntary sentiment which she felt for her young protector decided her to speak.

Listen, said she, I yield to your protestations.

I yield to your assurances.

But I swear to you, before God, who hears us, that if you betray me and my enemies pardon me, I will kill myself while accusing you of my death.

And I swear to you before God, Madam, said D'Artagnan, that if I am taken while accomplishing the orders you give me, I will die sooner than do anything that may compromise anyone.

Then the young woman confided in him the terrible secret of which chance had already communicated to him apart in front of the Samaritine.

This was their mutual declaration of love.

D'artagnan was radiant with joy and pride.

The secret which he possessed this woman whom he loved, confidence and love, made him a giant.

I go, said he.

I go at once.

How?

You will go, said Madame Bonus.

And your Regiment, your captain.

By my soul, you had made me forget all that.

Dear Constance.

Yes, you are right.

A furlough is needful still another obstacle, murmured Madame Bonacio, sorrowfully.

As to that, cried D'Artagnan after a moment of reflection, I shall surmount it be assured.

How so?

I will go this very evening to Traville, whom I will request to ask this favor for me of his brother in law, Monsieur de Sarte.

But another thing.

What?

Asked D'Artagnan, seeing that Madame Bonaciu hesitated to continue.

You have perhaps no money.

Perhaps it's too much, said D'Artagnan, smiling.

Then, replied Madame Bonuso, opening a cupboard and taking from it the very bag which, a half hour before her husband had caressed so affectionately.

Take this bag, the Cardinals, cried D'Artagnan, breaking into a loud laugh.

He, having heard, as may be remembered, thanks to the broken boards, every syllable of the conversation between the Mercer and his wife the Cardinals, replied Madame Banasiu.

You see, it makes a very respectable appearance.

Pardu, cried D'Artagnan.

It will be a double amusing affair to save the Queen with the Cardinal's money.

You are an amiable and charming young man, said Madame Bonus.

Be assured you will not find Her Majesty ungrateful.

Oh, I am already grandly recompensed, cried D'Artagnan.

I love you.

You permit me to tell you that I do.

That is already more happiness than I dared to hope.

Silence, said Madame Bonuses, starting.

What?

Someone is talking in the streets.

It is the voice of my husband.

Yes, I recognize it.

D'artagnan ran to the door and pushed the Bolt.

He shall not come in before I am gone, said he.

And when I am gone, you can open to him.

But I ought to be gone too.

And the disappearance of his money, how am I to justify it if I am here?

You are right.

We must go out.

Go out?

How?

He will see us if we go out.

Then you must come up into my room.

Ah, said Madame Bonus.

Eu, you speak that in a tone that frightens me.

Madame Bonaciu pronounced these words with tears in her eyes.

D'artagnan saw those tears and, much disturbed, softened.

He threw himself at her feet.

With me, you will be as safe as in a temple.

I give you my word of a gentleman.

Let us go, said she.

I place full confidence in you, my friend.

D'artagnan drew back the Bolt with precaution and both light as shadows glided through the interior door into the passage, ascended the stairs as quietly as possible, and entered D'Artagnan's Chambers.

Once there for greater security, the young man barricaded the door.

They both approached the window and threw a slit in the shutter.

They saw upon a seal talking with a man in a cloak.

Outside of this man, D'Artagnan started and, half drawing his sword, sprang toward the door.

It was the man of Miung.

What are you going to do?

Cried Madame Bonus.

You will ruin us all.

But I have sworn to kill that man, said D'Artagnan.

Your life is devoted from this moment and does not belong to you.

In the name of the Queen, I forbid you to throw yourself into any peril which is foreign to that of your journey.

And do you command nothing in your own name?

In my name, said Madame Bonuseu with great emotion.

In my name, I beg you.

But listen.

They appear to be speaking of me.

D'artagnan drew near the window and leant his ear.

Monsieur Bonusieu had opened his door and, seeing the apartment, had returned to the man in the cloak whom he had left alone for an instant.

She is gone, said he.

She must have returned to the Louvre.

You are sure, replied the stranger, that she did not suspect the intentions with which you went out.

No, replied Bonusieux with a selfsufficient air.

She is too superficial.

A woman is the young Guardsman at home?

I do not think he is.

As you see, his shutter is closed, and you can see no light shine through the chinks in the shutters.

All the same, it is well to be certain.

How so?

By knocking at his door.

Go.

I will ask his servant, Bonus reentered the house passed through the same door that had afforded a passage for the two fugitives went up to D'Artagnan's door and knocked.

No one answered Porthos in order to make a greater display, had that evening borrowed planchet as to D'Artagnan, he took care not to give the least sign of existence.

The moment the hand of Bonaciu sounded on the door, the two young people felt their hearts bound within them.

There is nobody within, said Bonaciu.

Never mind.

Let us return to your apartment.

We shall be safer there than in the doorway.

Oh, my God, whispered Madame Bonaciu.

We shall hear no more.

On the contrary, said D'Artagnan, we shall hear better.

D'artagnan raised the three or four boards which made his Chamber another.

Ear of Dionysius spread a carpet on the floor, went upon his knees, and made a sign to Madame Bonacio to stoop as he did toward the opening.

You are sure there is nobody there?

Said the stranger.

I will answer for it, said Bonus to you.

And you think that your wife has returned to the Louvre without speaking to anyone but yourself?

I am sure of it.

That is an important point.

Do you understand that the news I brought you is of value?

The greatest, my dear Bonus, I don't conceal this from you.

Then the Cardinal will be pleased with me.

I have no doubt of it.

The great Cardinal.

Are you sure in her conversation with you that your wife mentioned no names?

I think not.

She did not name Madame de Chevrose, the Duke of Buckingham, or Madame de Vernet?

No, she only told me she wished to send me to London to serve the interests of an illustrious personage.

The traitor, murmured Madame Bonus.

Silence, said D'Artagnan, taking her hand, which, without thinking of it, she abandoned to him.

Never mind, continued the man in the cloak, you were a fool not to have pretended to accept the mission.

You would then be in present possession of the letter.

The state which is now threatened would be safe.

And you and I, while you, the Cardinal, would have given you letters of nobility.

Did he tell you so?

Yes, I know that he meant to afford you that agreeable surprise be satisfied, replied Bonus.

My wife adores me, and there is yet time, the ninny, murmured Madame Bonaciu.

Silence, said D'Artagnan, pressing her hand more closely.

How is there still time?

Asked the man in the cloak.

I go to the Louvre.

I ask for Madame Bonaciu.

I say that I have reflected.

I renew the affair.

I obtain the letter, and I run directly to the Cardinal.

We'll go quickly.

I will return soon to learn the result of your trip.

The stranger went out infamous, said Madame Bonuseu, addressing this epithet to her husband.

Silence, said D'Artagnan, pressing her hand still more warmly.

A terrible howling interrupted these reflections of D'Artagnan in Madame Bonaciu.

It was her husband who had discovered the disappearance of the money bag and was crying thieves.

Oh my God, cried Madame Bonaciu.

He will Rouse the whole quarter.

Bonaciu called a long time.

But as such, cries, on account of their frequency brought nobody in the Rue desserts.

And as lately, the Mercer's house had a bad name.

Finding that nobody came, he went out, continuing to call his voice being heard fainter and fainter as he went in the direction of the Rue Debak.

Now he is gone.

It is your turn to get out, said Madame Bonaciu.

Courage, my friend.

But above all, prudence and think what you owe to the Queen, to her and to you, cried D'Artagnan.

Be satisfied, beautiful Constance.

I shall become worthy of her gratitude, but shall I likewise return worthy of your love?

The young woman only replied by the beautiful glow which mounted to her cheeks.

A few seconds afterward, D'Artagnan also went out, enveloped in a large cloak which ill concealed the sheath of a long sword.

Madame Bonuseu followed him with her eyes.

With that long, fond look with which he had turned the angle of the street, she fell on her knees and clasping her hands.

Oh my God, cried she.

Protect the Queen.

Protect me.

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We are now part of the Byte Editime Books Productions Network.

If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelists to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite At A Time Books Behind the Story Tuesdays wherever you listen to podcasts again.