Three Musketeers Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader I

Author: Mao Ronggui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The story is set against the historical backdrop of 17th-century France during the reign of King Louis XIII. It narrates the adventures of the protagonist, D'Artagnan, and the Three Musketeers as they undertake a royal mission to seek peace with neighboring England. It is a well-known and widely loved tale of chivalrous heroes. D'Artagnan is a typical young, ambitious nobleman from 17th-century France. Born into a declining aristocratic family in Gascony, he comes to Paris on a yellow, lean horse, carrying his father's letter of introduction, to seek out his father's old acquaintance, Monsieur Tréville, who is the captain of the King's personal guard, the Musketeers. D'Artagnan runs to the Musketeers' barracks to find him but inadvertently offends the three Musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—through his lack of manners. True to the saying "you don't know a person until you fight them," after a scuffle, they become inseparable friends. Forging a common interest, they work together to defeat the guards of the Cardinal and thus become close companions. To protect the interests of the King and Queen, D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers face numerous hardships. At the time, King Louis XIII, Queen Anne, and Cardinal Richelieu shared power, vying for control and rife with conflict. The King privately praises D'Artagnan for several times defeating the Cardinal's men, while the Cardinal harbors resentment. Richelieu feigns sending a letter to Queen Anne's former lover, the Duke of Buckingham, urging him to come to France. The Duke still holds feelings for the Queen. The Queen presents him with a diamond sash as a token of remembrance. The Cardinal seizes this opportunity to sow discord, suggesting the King organize a court ball and propose that the Queen wear the diamond sash given to her by the King. As the ball's date draws near, the Queen becomes frantic. Fortunately, her trusted maid, Bonne Chance, devises a plan and asks D'Artagnan for help. D'Artagnan falls for Bonne Chance at first sight and readily agrees. To unravel Richelieu's plot, D'Artagnan and the other three Musketeers travel to England to demand the diamond sash from the Duke of Buckingham. After numerous twists and turns, only D'Artagnan arrives on time to explain the situation to the Duke and retrieve the sash in time, saving the Queen from a dire predicament and foiling the Cardinal's schemes. Enraged and humiliated, Richelieu orders the abduction of D'Artagnan's beloved, Bonne Chance. D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers then engage in a fierce battle to rescue her from Richelieu's men. Later, Bonne Chance is brutally murdered by Milady, the ruthless former wife of Athos and a loyalist of Richelieu. D'Artagnan and his companions capture Milady and bring her to justice. Richelieu, meeting his match, remains composed and frankly explains the situation. Impressed by D'Artagnan's courage, willingness to face death, intelligence, and youthful prowess, Richelieu not only spares him but also promotes him to captain of the Musketeers. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis each find their own paths—returning to the story, marrying noblewomen, or becoming monks—each with their own destinies.