"Alexandre Dumas. Twenty Years After." - читать интересную книгу автора

"That is impossible; but I will tell you a true story, my lord."
"Pray do so, I delight in stories," cried the cardinal.
"Listen, then," returned Rochefort, as he spoke endeavoring to read in
that subtle countenance the cardinal's motive. "Once upon a time there
lived a queen-a powerful monarch-who reigned over one of the greatest
kingdoms of the universe; and a minister; and this minister wished much to
injure the queen, whom once he had loved too well. (Do not try, my lord,
you cannot guess who it is; all this happened long before you came into the
country where this queen reigned.) There came to the court an ambassador so
brave, so magnificent, so elegant, that every woman lost her heart to him;
and the queen had even the indiscretion to give him certain ornaments so
rare that they could never be replaced by any like them.
"As these ornaments were given by the king the minister persuaded his
majesty to insist upon the queen's appearing in them as part of her jewels
at a ball which was soon to take place. There is no occasion to tell you,
my lord, that the minister knew for a fact that these ornaments had sailed
away with the ambassador, who was far away, beyond seas. This illustrious
queen had fallen low as the least of her subjects-fallen from her high
estate."
"Indeed!"
"Well, my lord, four men resolved to save her. These four men were not
princes, neither were they dukes, neither were they men in power; they were
not even rich. They were four honest soldiers, each with a good heart, a
good arm and a sword at the service of those who wanted it. They set out.
The minister knew of their departure and had planted people on the road to
prevent them ever reaching their destination. Three of them were
overwhelmed and disabled by numerous assailants; one of them alone arrived
at the port, having either killed or wounded those who wished to stop him.
He crossed the sea and brought back the set of ornaments to the great
queen, who was able to wear them on her shoulder on the appointed day; and
this very nearly ruined the minister. What do you think of that exploit, my
lord?"
"It is magnificent!" said Mazarin, thoughtfully.
"Well, I know of ten such men."
Mazarin made no reply; he reflected.
Five or six minutes elapsed.
"You have nothing more to ask of me, my lord?" said Rochefort.
"Yes. And you say that Monsieur d'Artagnan was one of those four men?"
"He led the enterprise."
"And who were the others?"
"I leave it to Monsieur d'Artagnan to name them, my lord. They were
his friends and not mine. He alone would have any influence with them; I do
not even know them under their true names."
"You suspect me, Monsieur de Rochefort; I want him and you and all to
aid me."
"Begin with me, my lord; for after five or six years of imprisonment
it is natural to feel some curiosity as to one's destination."
"You, my dear Monsieur de Rochefort, shall have the post of
confidence; you shall go to Vincennes, where Monsieur de Beaufort is
confined; you will guard him well for me. Well, what is the matter?"