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Although Athos was scarcely thirty years old, and was of great
personal beauty and intelligence of mind, no one knew whether he
had ever had a mistress. He never spoke of women. He certainly
did not prevent others from speaking of them before him, although
it was easy to perceive that this kind of conversation, in which
he only mingled by bitter words and misanthropic remarks, was
very disagreeable to him. His reserve, his roughness, and his
silence made almost an old man of him. He had, then, in order
not to disturb his habits, accustomed Grimaud to obey him upon a
simple gesture or upon a simple movement of his lips. He never
spoke to him, except under the most extraordinary occasions.
Sometimes, Grimaud, who feared his master as he did fire, while
entertaining a strong attachment to his person and a great
veneration for his talents, believed he perfectly understood what
he wanted, flew to execute the order received, and did precisely
the contrary. Athos then shrugged his shoulders, and, without
putting himself in a passion, thrashed Grimaud. On these days he
spoke a little.
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Quoique Athos eût à peine trente ans et fût d’une grande beauté de
corps et d’esprit, personne ne lui connaissait de maîtresse. Jamais il ne
parlait de femmes. Seulement il n’empêchait pas qu’on en parlât devant
lui, quoiqu’il fût facile de voir que ce genre de conversation, auquel il ne
se mêlait que par des mots amers et des aperçus misanthropiques, lui était
parfaitement désagréable. Sa réserve, sa sauvagerie et son mutisme en
faisaient presque un vieillard ; il avait donc, pour ne point déroger à
ses habitudes, habitué Grimaud à lui obéir sur un simple geste ou sur un
simple mouvement des lèvres. Il ne lui parlait que dans des circonstances
suprêmes. Quelquefois Grimaud, qui craignait son maître comme le feu, tout en
ayant pour sa personne un grand attachement et pour son génie une grande
vénération, croyait avoir parfaitement compris ce qu’il désirait,
s’élançait pour exécuter l’ordre reçu, et faisait précisément le
contraire. Alors Athos haussait les épaules, et, sans se mettre en colère,
rossait Grimaud. Ces jours-là, il parlait un peu.
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