Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader I: The Three Musketeers (Pure English Version)

Author: Alexandre Dumas
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The story is set against the historical backdrop of 17th-century France during the reign of 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 beloved 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 rides a lean yellow horse to Paris, carrying his father's letter of introduction, to meet Monsieur de Tréville, an old acquaintance of his father. Monsieur de Tréville 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 "factions make friends," after a scuffle, they become inseparable friends. Forging a common interest, they work together to defeat the Cardinal's men who are chasing them 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 conflicts. The King secretly 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 in England, asking him to come to France. The Duke still holds feelings for the Queen. The Queen presents a diamond sash to him as a token of remembrance. The Cardinal takes 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 approaches, the Queen becomes frantic. Fortunately, her trusted maid Bonnefoy offers a plan, asking D'Artagnan for help. D'Artagnan falls for Bonnefoy 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 many twists and turns, only D'Artagnan arrives on time to explain the matter to the Duke and retrieve the sash, saving the Queen from urgent peril and foiling the Cardinal's schemes. Enraged and humiliated, Richelieu orders his men to kidnap Bonnefoy, D'Artagnan's lover. D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers then engage in a fierce battle to rescue Bonnefoy from Richelieu's men. Later, Bonnefoy is brutally murdered by Milady de Winter (Athos' former wife), a ruthless subordinate of Richelieu. D'Artagnan and his companions capture Milady and deal with her accordingly. Upon learning that his trusted subordinate Milady has been killed—and that D'Artagnan is the mastermind—Richelieu orders his loyalist Rochefort to capture him. D'Artagnan remains composed and frankly explains the situation. Impressed by his courage, readiness to face death, wit, and youthful prowess, Richelieu not only spares him but instead promotes him to captain of the Musketeers. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis eventually return to their hometowns, marry noblewomen, or become monks, each finding their own place in life.