2 The Audience Many years before Monsieur de Treville had arrived in Paris from Gascony He had great plans and little money much like d’Artagnan Treville was poor but he was brave and smart and had become a friend and adviser of the king of France The king’s most trusted adviser was Cardinal Richelieu His power made him a dangerous rival for the king So the king and the cardinal looked for ways to best the other Each man secretly encouraged fighting between their personal guards The king placed Treville in charge of the King’s Musketeers and stressed the importance of loyalty and skill in these guards The 10
Musketeers were loud impulsive and joyfully violent It was into this group of rowdies that d’Artagnan stepped as he entered the courtyard of Treville’s house D’Artagnan stared around him wide eyed He watched dueling games and heard endless bragging He was especially surprised at the rude way the Musketeers talked about the cardinal D’Artagnan’s family admired both the king and the cardinal D’Artagnan was relieved when he was finally called to Treville’s quarters The older man greeted d’Artagnan politely Would you wait just a moment while I deal with some others Treville asked Of course d’Artagnan answered with a slight bow The captain of the Musketeers walked to the door and called out Athos Porthos Aramis Two of the Musketeers d’Artagnan had seen outside stepped in and stood with dignity The cardinal has complained of you to the king 11
Treville said He said you were caught behaving badly at an inn and the Cardinal’s Guards were forced to arrest you Then the captain scowled and looked around Where is Athos Sick Porthos boomed I think it is smallpox At his age More likely he was wounded before the three of you ran like rabbits Run We did not Aramis said They attacked us and wounded Athos but we fought and escaped Just then a pale shaky man strode in You called for me I did but it seems I was misinformed The King’s Musketeers are the bravest men in the world Treville said At that Athos collapsed Treville called for a doctor as Porthos and Aramis carried their friend from the room Finally quiet settled on the room again Treville offered to send d’Artagnan to a fine regiment to train for a place in the Musketeers 12
But I am ready now d’Artagnan insisted And you would know it if that wretched man had not stolen my letter for you D’Artagnan described his near duel and later robbery by the hawk-nosed nobleman I will deal him yet for his stealing Treville looked at d’Artagnan thoughtfully Was he pale with dark hair and a scar here Treville asked touching his temple You know him d’Artagnan exclaimed Where can I find him Stay away from him Treville warned He is a dangerous man So am I the young man muttered Treville shook his head in grim amusement as he wrote a letter of recommendation for d’Artagnan to become a cadet The young man stood gazing glumly out the window as he waited Just as Treville finished d’Artagnan bolted from the room yelling He won’t get away this time 13
