第1章

THESPORTOFFOOLS.

ThedeathofthePrinceofConde,whichoccurredinthespringof1588,bydeprivingmeofmyonlypatron,reducedmetosuchstraitsthatthewinterofthatyear,whichsawtheKingofNavarrecometospendhisChristmasatSt.Jeand"Angely,sawalsothenadirofmyfortunes.Ididnotknowatthistime——I

mayconfessitto-daywithoutshame——withertoturnforagoldcrownoranewscabbard,andneitherhadnordiscernedanyhopeofemployment.ThepeacelatelypatchedupatBloisbetweentheKingofFranceandtheLeaguepersuadedmanyoftheHuguenotsthattheirfinalruinwasathand;butitcouldnotfilltheirexhaustedtreasuryorenablethemtoputfreshtroopsintothefield.

ThedeathofthePrincehadlefttheKingofNavarrewithoutarivalintheaffectionsoftheHuguenots;theVicomtedeTurenne,whoseturbulent;ambitionalreadybegantomakeitselffelt,andM.deChatillon,rankingnexttohim.Itwasmyill-fortune,however,tobeequallyunknowntoallthreeleaders,andasthemonthofDecemberwhichsawmethusmiserablystraitenedsawmereachtheageofforty,whichIregard,differinginthatfrommany,asthegrandclimactericofaman"slife,itwillbebelievedthatIhadneedofallthecouragewhichreligionandacampaigner"slifecouldsupply.

IhadbeencompelledsometimebeforetosellallmyhorsesexcepttheblackSardinianwiththewhitespotonitsforehead;

andInowfoundmyselfobligedtopartalsowithmyvaletdechambreandgroom,whomIdismissedonthesameday,payingthemtheirwageswiththelastlinksofgoldchainlefttome.ItwasnotwithoutgriefanddismaythatIsawmyselfthusstrippedoftheappurtenancesofamanofbirth,anddriventogroommyownhorseundercoverofnight.Butthiswasnottheworst.Mydress,whichsufferedinevitablyfromthismenialemployment,beganinnolongtimetobearwitnesstothechangeinmycircumstances;sothatonthedayoftheKingofNavarre"sentranceintoSt.JeanIdarednotfacethecrowd,alwaysquicktoremarkthepovertyofthoseabovethem,butwasfaintokeepwithindoorsandwearoutmypatienceinthegarretofthecutler"shouseintheRuedelaCoutellerie,whichwasallthelodgingIcouldnowafford.

Pardieu,"tisastrangeworld!Strangethattimeseemstome;

morestrangecomparedwiththis.Myreflectionsonthatday,I

remember,wereofthemostmelancholy.LookatithowIwould,I

couldnotbutseethatmylife"sspringwasover.Thecrows"

feetweregatheringaboutmyeyes,andmymoustachios,whichseemedwitheachdayofill-fortunetostandoutmorefiercelyinproportionasmyfacegrewleaner,werealreadygrey.Iwasoutatelbows,withemptypockets,andaswordwhichpeeredthroughthesheath.Themeanestrufflerwho,withbrokenfeatherandtarnishedlace,swaggeredattheheelsofTurenne,wasscarcelytobedistinguishedfromme.Ihadstill,itistrue,arockandafewbarrenacresinBrittany,thelastremainsofthefamilyproperty;butthesmallsmallsumswhichthepeasantscouldaffordtopayweresentannuallytoParis,tomymother,whohadnootherdower.AndthisIwouldnottouch,beingmindedtodieagentleman,evenifIcouldnotliveinthatestate.

Smallasweremyexpectationsofsuccess,sinceIhadnooneattheking"ssidetopushmybusiness,noranyfriendatCourt,I

neverthelessdidallIcould,intheonlywaythatoccurredtome.Idrewupapetition,andlyinginwaitonedayforM.

Forget,theKingofNavarre"ssecretary,placeditinhishand,begginghimtolayitbeforethatprince.Hetookit,andpromisedtodoso,smoothly,andwithasmuchlip-civilityasI

hadarighttoexpect.ButthecarelessmannerinwhichhedoubledupandthrustawaythepaperonwhichIhadspentsomuchlabour,nolessthanthecovertsneerofhisvalet,whoranaftermetogetthecustomarypresent——andran,asIstillblushtoremember,invain——warnedmetorefrainfromhope.

Inthis,however,havinglittlesavehopeleft,Ifailedsosignallyastospendthenextdayandthedayafterinafeverofalternateconfidenceanddespair,thecoldfitfollowingthehotwithperfectregularity.Atlength,onthemorningofthethirdday——IrememberitlackedbutthreeofChristmas——Iheardasteponthestairs.Mylandlordlivinginhisshop,andthetwointerveningfloorsbeingempty,Ihadnodoubtthemessagewasforme,andwentoutsidethedoortoreceiveit,myfirstglanceatthemessengerconfirmingmeinmyhighesthopes,aswellasinallIhadeverheardofthegenerosityoftheKingofNavarre.

ForbychanceIknewtheyouthtobeoneoftheroyalpages;asaucyfellowwhohadadayortwobeforecried"OldClothes"

aftermeinthestreet.Iwasveryfarfromresentingthisnow,however,nordidheappeartorecallit;sothatIdrewthehappiestauguryastothecontentsofthenoteheborefromthepolitenesswithwhichhepresentedittome.

Iwouldnot,however,runtheriskofamistake,andbeforeholdingoutmyhand,Iaskedhimdirectlyandwithformalityifitwasforme.

Heanswered,withtheutmostrespect,thatitwasfortheSieurdeMarsac,andformeifIwerehe.

"Thereisananswer,perhaps?"Isaid,seeingthathelingered.

"TheKingofNavarre,sir,"hereplied,withalowbow,"willreceiveyouranswerinperson,Ibelieve."Andwiththat,replacingthehatwhichhehaddoffedoutofrespecttome,heturnedandwentdownthestairs.

Returningtomyroom,andlockingthedoor,Ihastilyopenedthemissive,whichwassealedwithalargeseal,andworeeveryappearanceofimportance.Ifounditscontentstoexceedallmyexpectations.TheKingofNavarredesiredmetowaitonhimatnoononthefollowingday,andtheletterconcludedwithsuchexpressionsofkindnessandgoodwillasleftmeinnodoubtofthePrince"sintentions.Ireadit,Iconfess,withemotionsofjoyandgratitudewhichwouldbetterhavebecomeayoungerman,andthencheerfullysatdowntospendtherestofthedayinmakingsuchimprovementsinmydressasseemedpossible.WithathankfulheartIconcludedthatIhadnowescapedfrompoverty,atanyratefromsuchpovertyasisdisgracefultoagentleman;

andconsoledmyselfforthemeannessoftheappearanceImustmakeatCourtwiththereflectionthatadayortwowouldmendbothhabitandfortune.

Accordingly,itwaswithastoutheartthatIleftmylodgingsafewminutesbeforenoonnextmorning,andwalkedtowardsthecastle.ItwassometimesinceIhadmadesopublicanappearanceinthestreets,whichthevisitoftheKingofNavarre"sCourt;hadfilledwithanunusualcrowd,andIcouldnothelpfancyingasIpassedthatsomeoftheloitererseyedmewithacovertsmile;and,indeed,Iwasshabbyenough.Butfindingthatafrownmorethansufficedtorestorethegravityofthesegentry,Isetdowntheappearancetomyownself-

consciousness,and,strokingmymoustachios,strodealongboldlyuntilIsawbeforeme,andcomingtomeetme,thesamepagewhohaddeliveredthenote.

Hestoppedinfrontofmewithanairofconsequence,andmakingmealowbow——whereatIsawthebystandersstare,forhewasasgayayoungsparkasmaid-of-honourcoulddesire——hebeggedmetohasten,asthekingawaitedmeinhiscloset.

"Hehasaskedforyoutwice,sir,"hecontinuedimportantly,thefeatherofhiscapalmostsweepingtheground.

"Ithink,"Ianswered,quickeningmysteps,"thattheking"slettersaysnoon,youngsir.IfIamlateonsuchanoccasion,hehasindeedcausetocomplainofme."

"Tut,tut!"herejoinedwavinghishandwithadandified"Itisnomatter.Onemanmaystealahorsewhenanothermaynotlookoverthewall,youknow."

Amanmaybegray-haired,hemaybesad-complexioned,andyethemayretainsomeofthefreshnessofyouth.Onreceivingthisindicationofafavourexceedingallexpectation,IrememberI

feltthebloodrisetomyface,andexperiencedthemostlivelygratitude.Iwonderedwhohadspokeninmybehalf,whohadbefriendedme;andconcludingatlastthatmypartintheaffairatBrouagehadcometotheking"sears,thoughIcouldnotconceivethroughwhom,Ipassedthroughthecastlegateswithanairofconfidenceandelationwhichwasnotunnatural,Ithink,underthecircumstances.Thence,followingmyguide,Imountedtherampandenteredthecourtyard.

Anumberofgroomsandvaletswerelounginghere,someleadinghorsestoandfro,othersexchangingjokeswiththewencheswholeanedfromthewindows,whiletheirfellowsagainstampedupanddowntokeeptheirfeetwarm,orplayedballagainstthewallinimitationoftheirmasters.Suchknavesareevermoreinsolentthantheirbetters;butIremarkedthattheymadewayformewithrespect,andwithrisingspirits,yetalittleirony,IremindedmyselfasImountedthestairsofthewords,"whomthekingdelightethtohonour!"

Reachingtheheadoftheflight,wherewasasoldieronguard,thepageopenedthedooroftheantechamber,andstandingasidebademeenter.Ididso,andheardthedoorclosebehindme.

ForamomentIstoodstill,bashfulandconfused.Itseemedtomethattherewereahundredpeopleintheroom,andthathalftheeyeswhichmetminewerewomen"s,ThoughIwasnotaltogetherastrangertosuchstateasthePrinceofCondehadmaintained,thiscrowdedanteroomfilledmewithsurprise,andevenwithadegreeofawe,ofwhichIwasthenextmomentashamed.True,theflutterofsilkandgleamofjewelssurpassedanythingIhadthenseen,formyfortuneshadneverledmetotheking"sCourt;butaninstant"sreflectionremindedmethatmyfathershadheldtheirowninsuchscenes,andwithabowregulatedratherbythisthoughtthanbytheshabbinessofmydress,Iadvancedamidasuddensilence.

"M.deMarsac!"thepageannounced,inatonewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears;somuchso,thatIturnedquicklytolookathim.Hewasgone,however,andwhenIturnedagaintheeyeswhichmetminewerefullofsmiles.Ayounggirlwhostoodnearmetittered.Putoutofcountenancebythis,IlookedroundinembarrassmenttofindsomeonetowhomImightapply.

Theroomwaslongandnarrow,panelledinchestnut,witharowofwindowsontheonehand,andtwofireplaces,nowheapedwithglowinglogs,ontheother.Betweenthefireplacesstoodarackofarms.Roundthenearerhearthloungedagroupofpages,theexactcounterpartsoftheyoungbladewhohadbroughtmehither;

andtalkingwiththesewereasmanyyounggentlewomen.Twogreathoundslaybaskingintheheat,andcoiledbetweenthem,withherheadonthebackofthelarger,wasafiguresostrangethatatanothertimeIshouldhavedoubtedmyeyes.Itworethefool"smotleyandcapandbells,butasecondglanceshowedmethefeatureswereawoman"s.Atorrentofblackhairflowedlooseaboutherneck,hereyesshonewithwildmerriment,andherface,keen,thin,andhectic,glaredatmefromthedog"sback.Beyondher,roundthefartherfireplace,clusteredmorethanascoreofgallantsandladies,ofwhomonepresentlyadvancedtome.

"Sir,"hesaidpolitely——andIwishedIcouldmatchhisbow——"youwishedtosee——?"

"TheKingofNavarre,"Ianswered,doingmybest.

Heturnedtothegroupbehindhim,andsaid,inapeculiarlyeven,placidtone,"HewishestoseetheKingofNavarre."Theninsolemnsilencehebowedtomeagainandwentbacktohisfellows.

Upontheinstant,andbeforeIcouldmakeupmymindhowtotakethis,asecondtrippedforward,andsalutingme,said,"M.deMarsac,Ithink?"

"Atyourservice,sir,"Irejoined.Inmyeagernesstoescapethegazeofallthoseeyes,andthetitteringwhichwasaudiblebehindme,Itookastepforwardtobeinreadinesstofollowhim.Buthegavenosign."M.deMarsactoseetheKingofNavarre"wasallhesaid,speakingastheotherhadclosetothosebehind.Andwiththathetoowheeledroundandwentback.

tothefire.

Istared,afirstfaintsuspicionofthetrutharousedinmymind.BeforeIcouldactuponit,however——insuchasituationitwasnoeasytasktodecidehowtoact——athirdadvancedwiththesamemeasuredsteps."ByappointmentIthink,sir?"hesaid,bowinglowerthantheothers.

"Yes,"Irepliedsharply,beginningtogrowwarm,"byappointmentatnoon."

"M.deMarsac,"heannouncedinasing-songtonetothosebehindhim,"toseetheKingofNavarrebyappointmentatnoon."Andwithasecondbow——whileIgrewscarletwithmortificationhetoowheeledgravelyroundandreturnedtothefireplace.

Isawanotherpreparingtoadvance,buthecametoolate.

Whethermyfaceofangerandbewildermentwastoomuchforthem,orsomeamongthemlackedpatiencetoseetheend,asuddenuncontrollableshoutoflaughter,inwhichalltheroomjoined,cutshortthefarce.Godknowsithurtme:Iwinced,Ilookedthiswayandthat,hopinghereortheretofindsympathyandhelp.Butitseemedtomethattheplacerangwithgibes,thateverypanelframed,howeverIturnedmyself,acruel,sneeringface.Onebehindmecried"OldClothes,"andwhenIturnedtheotherhearthwhisperedthetaunt.Itaddedathousandfoldtomyembarrassmentthattherewasinallacertainorderliness,sothatwhilenoonemoved,andnone,whileIlookedatthem,raisedtheirvoices,Iseemedthemoresingledout,andplacedasabuttinthemidst.

Onefaceamidthepyramidofcountenanceswhichhidthefartherfireplacesoburneditselfintomyrecollectioninthatmiserablemoment,thatIneverthereafterforgotit;asmall,delicatewoman"sface,belongingtoayounggirlwhostoodboldlyinfrontofhercompanions.Itwasafacefullofpride,and,asIsawitthen,ofscorn——scornthatscarcelydeignedtolaugh;whilethegirl"sgracefulfigure,slightandmaidenly,yetperfectlyproportioned,seemedinstinctwiththesamefeelingofcontemptuousamusement.

Theplay,whichseemedlongenoughtome,mighthavelastedlonger,seeingthatnoonetherehadpityonme,hadInot,inmydesperation,espiedadooratthefartherendoftheroom,andconcluded,seeingnoother,thatitwasthedooroftheking"sbedchamber.ThemortificationIwassufferingwassogreatthatIdidnothesitate,butadvancedwithboldnesstowardsit.Ontheinstanttherewasalullinthelaughterroundme,andhalfadozenvoicescalledonmetostop.

"Ihavecometoseetheking,"Ianswered,turningonthemfiercely,forIwasbythistimeinnomoodforbrowbeating,"andIwillseehim!"

"Heisouthunting,"criedallwithoneaccord;andtheysignedimperiouslytometogobackthewayIhadcome.

Buthavingtheking"sappointmentsafeinmypouch,IthoughtI

hadgoodreasontodisbelievethem;andtakingadvantageoftheirsurprise——fortheyhadnotexpectedsoboldasteponmypart——I

wasatthedoorbeforetheycouldpreventme.IheardMathurine,thefool,whohadsprungtoherfeet,cry"Pardieu!hewilltaketheKingdomofHeavenbyforce!"andthosewerethelastwordsI

heard;for,asIliftedthelatch——therewasnooneonguardthere——asuddenswiftsilencefellupontheroombehindme.

Ipushedthedoorgentlyopenandwentin.Thereweretwomensittinginoneofthewindows,whoturnedandlookedangrilytowardsme.Fortheresttheroomwasempty.Theking"swalking-shoeslaybyhischair,andbesidethemtheboot-hooksandjack.Adogbeforethefiregotupslowlyandgrowled,andoneofthemen,risingfromthetrunkonwhichhehadbeensitting,cametowardsmeandaskedme,witheverysignofirritation,whatIwantedthere,andwhohadgivenmeleavetoenter.

Iwasbeginningtoexplain,withsomediffidencethestillnessoftheroomsoberingme——thatIwishedtoseetheking,whenhewhohadadvancedtookmeupsharplywith,"Theking?theking?Heisnothere,man.HeishuntingatSt.Valery.Didtheynottellyousooutside?"

IthoughtIrecognisedthespeaker,thanwhomIhaveseldomseenamanmoregraveandthoughtfulforhisyears,whichweresomethinglessthanmine,morestrikinginpresence,ormoresoberlydressed.Andbeingdesiroustoevadehisquestion,I

askedhimifIhadnotthehonourtoaddressM.duPlessisMornay;forthatwiseandcourtlystatesman,nowapillarofHenry"scounsels,itwas.

"Thesame,sir,"hereplied,abruptly,andwithouttakinghiseyesfromme."IamMornay.Whatofthat?"

"IamM.deMarsac,"Iexplained.AndthereIstopped,supposingthat,ashewasintheking"sconfidence,thiswouldmakemyerrandcleartohim.

ButIwasdisappointed."Well,sir?"hesaid,andwaitedimpatiently.

Socoldareception,followingsuchtreatmentasIhadsufferedoutside,wouldhavesufficedtohavedashedmyspiritsutterlyhadInotfelttheking"sletterinmypocket.Beingprettyconfident,however,thatasingleglanceatthiswouldalterM.

duMornay"sbearingforthebetter,Ihastened,lookingonitasakindoftalisman,todrawitoutandpresentittohim.

Hetookit,andlookedatit,andopenedit,butwithsocoldandimmovableanaspectasmademyheartsinkmorethanallthathadgonebefore."Whatisamiss?"Icried,unabletokeepsilence.

""Tisfromtheking,sir."

"Akinginmotley!"heanswered,hislipcurling.

Thesenseofhiswordsdidnotatoncestrikehometome,andI

murmured,ingreatdisorder,thatthekinghadsentforme.

"Thekingknowsnothingofit,"washisbluntanswer,bluntlygiven.Andhethrustthepaperbackintomyhands."Itisatrick,"hecontinued,speakingwiththesameabruptness,"forwhichyouhavedoubtlesstothanksomeofthoseidleyoungrascalswithout.Youhadsentanapplicationtotheking,I

suppose?Justso.Nodoubttheygotholdofit,andthisistheresult.Theyoughttobewhipped."

Itwasnotpossibleformetodoubtanylongerthatwhathesaidwastrue.Isawinamomentallmyhopesvanish,allmyplansflungtothewinds;andinthefirstshockofthediscoveryI

couldneitherfindvoicetoanswerhimnorstrengthtowithdraw.

InakindofvisionIseemedtoseemyownlean,haggardfacelookingatmeasinaglass,and,readingdespairinmyeyes,couldhavepitiedmyself.

MydisorderwassogreatthatM.duMornayobservedit.Lookingmorecloselyatme,hetwoorthreetimesmutteredmyname,andatlastsaid,"M.deMarsac?Ha!Iremember.YouwereintheaffairofBrouage,wereyounot?"

Inoddedmyheadintokenofassent,beingunableatthemomenttospeak,andsoshakenthatperforceIleanedagainstthewall,myheadsunkonmybreast.Thememoryofmyage,myfortyyears,andmypoverty,pressedharduponme,fillingmewithdespairandbitterness.Icouldhavewept,butnotearscame.

M.duMornay,avertinghiseyesfromme,tooktwoorthreeshort,impatientturnsupanddownthechamber.Whenheaddressedmeagainhistonewasfullofrespect,mingledwithsuchpetulanceasonebravemanmightfeel,seeinganothersohardpressed."M.

deMarsac,"hesaid,"youhavemysympathy.Itisashamethatmenwhohaveservedthecauseshouldbereducedtosuch.

straits.Wereit,possibleforme,toincreasemyowntrainatpresent,Ishouldconsideritanhonourtohaveyouwithme.ButIamhardputtoitmyself,andsoareweall,andtheKingofNavarrenotleastamongus.HehaslivedforamonthuponawoodwhichM.deRosnyhascutdown.Iwillmentionyournametohim,butIshouldbecruelratherthankindwereInottowarnyouthatnothingcancomeofit."

Withthatheofferedmehishand,and,cheeredasmuchbythismarkofconsiderationasbythekindnessofhisexpressions,I

ralliedmyspirits.True,Iwantedcomfortmoresubstantial,butitwasnottobehad.IthankedhimthereforeasbecominglyasI

could,andseeingtherewasnohelpforit,tookmyleaveofhim,andslowlyandsorrowfullywithdrewfromtheroom.

Alas!toescapeIhadtofacetheoutsideworld,forwhichhiskindwordswereanillpreparation.Ihadtorunthegauntletoftheantechamber.ThemomentIappeared,orratherthemomentthedoorclosedbehindme,Iwashailedwithashoutofderision.

Whileonecried,"Way!wayforthegentlemanwhohasseentheking!"anotherhailedmeuproariouslyasGovernorofGuyenne,andathirdrequestedacommissioninmyregiment.

Iheardthesetauntswithaheartfullalmosttobursting.Itseemedtomeanunworthythingthat,merelybyreasonofmypoverty,Ishouldbederidedbyyouthswhohadstillalltheirbattlesbeforethem;buttostoporreproachthemwouldonly,asIwellknew,makemattersworse,and,moreover,IwassosorestrickenthatIhadlittlespiritlefteventospeak.

Accordingly,ImademywaythroughthemwithwhatspeedImight,myheadbent,andmycountenanceheavywithshameanddepression.

Inthisway——Iwondertherewerenotamongthemsomegenerousenoughtopityme——Ihadnearlygainedthedoor,andwasbeginningtobreathe,whenIfoundmypathstoppedbythatparticularyoungladyoftheCourtwhomIhavedescribedabove.

Somethinghadforthemomentdivertedherattentionfromme,anditrequiredawordfromhercompanionstoappriseherofmynearneighbourhood.Sheturnedthen,asonetakenbysurprise,andfindingmesoclosetoherthatmyfeetallbuttouchedhergown,shesteppedquicklyaside,andwithaglanceascruelasheract,drewherskirtsawayfromcontactwithme.

Theinsultstungme,Iknownotwhy,morethanallthegibeswhichwerebeingflungatmefromeveryside,andmovedbyasuddenimpulseIstopped,andinthebitternessofmyheartspoketoher."Mademoiselle,"Isaid,bowinglow——for,asIhavestated,shewassmall,andmorelikeafairythanawoman,thoughherfaceexpressedbothprideandself-will——"Mademoiselle,"I

saidsternly,"suchasIam,IhavefoughtforFrance!Somedayyoumaylearnthattherearevilerthingsintheworld——andhavetobearthem——thanapoorgentleman!"

ThewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouthbeforeIrepentedofthem,forMathurine,thefool,whowasatmyelbow,wasquicktoturnthemintoridicule.Raisingherhandsaboveourheads,asinacttoblessus,shecriedoutthatMonsieur,havinggainedsorichanoffice,desiredabridetograceit;andthis,bringingdownuponusacoarseshoutoflaughterandsomecoarsergibes,I

sawtheyounggirl"sfaceflushhotly.

Thenextmomentavoiceinthecrowdcriedroughly"Outuponhisweddingsuit!"andwiththatasweetmeatstruckmeintheface.

Anotherandanotherfollowed,coveringmewithflourandcomfits.

Thiswasthelaststraw.Foramoment,forgettingwhereIwas,I

turneduponthem,redandfurious,everyhairinmymoustachiosbristling.Thenext,thefullsenseofmyimpotenceandofthefollyofresentmentprevailedwithme,and,droppingmyheaduponmybreast,Irushedfromtheroom.

Ibelievethattheyoungeramongthemfollowedme,andthatthecryof"OldClothes!"pursuedmeeventothedoorofmylodgingsintheRuedelaCoutellerie.Butinthemiseryofthemoment,andmystrongdesiretobewithindoorsandalone,Ibarelynoticedthis,andamnotcertainwhetheritwassoornot.

CHAPTERII.

THEKINGOFNAVARRE.

IhavealreadyreferredtothedangerwithwhichthealliancebetweenHenrytheThirdandtheLeaguemenacedus,analliancewhereofthenews,itwassaid,hadblanchedtheKingofNavarre"smoustacheinasinglenight.Notwithstandingthis,theCourthadnevershownitselfmorefrolicsomeormorefreefromcarethanatthetimeofwhichIamspeaking;eventhelackofmoneyseemedforthemomentforgotten.Oneamusementfollowedanother,andthough,withoutdoubt,somethingwasdoingunderthesurfaceforthewiserofhisfoesheldourprinceinparticulardreadwhenheseemedmostdeeplysunkinpleasure——totheoutwardeyeSt.Jeand"Angelyappearedtobegivenovertoenjoymentfromoneendtotheother.

ThestirandbustleoftheCourtreachedmeeveninmygarret,andcontributedtomakethatChristmas,whichfellonaSunday,atrialalmostbeyondsufferance.Alldaylongtherattleofhoofsonthepavement,andthelaughterofridersbentondiversion,cameuptome,makingthehardstoolseemharder,thebarewallsmorebare,andincreasingahundredfoldthesolitarygloominwhichIsat.Forassunshinedeepenstheshadowswhichfallathwartit,andnosilenceislikethatwhichfollowstheexplosionofamine,sosadnessandpovertyarenevermoreintolerablethanwhenhopeandwealthrubelbowswiththem.

True,thegreatsermonwhichM.d"Amourspreachedinthemarket-

houseonthemorningofChristmas-daycheeredme,asitcheeredallthemoresoberspirits.Iwaspresentmyself,sittinginanobscurecornerofthebuilding,andheardthefamousprediction,whichwassosoontobefulfilled."Sire,"saidthepreacher,turningtotheKingofNavarre,andreferring,withtheboldnessthatevercharacterisedthatgreatmanandnobleChristian,totheattempt,thenbeingmadetoexcludetheprincefromthesuccession——"Sire,whatGodatyourbirthgaveyoumancannottakeaway.Alittlewhile,alittlepatience,andyoushallcauseustopreachbeyondtheLoire!WithyouforourJoshuaweshallcrosstheJordan,andinthePromisedLandtheChurchshallbesetup."

Wordssobrave,andsowelladaptedtoencouragetheHuguenotsinthecrisisthroughwhichtheiraffairswerethenpassing,charmedallhearers;saveindeed,those——andtheywerefew——who,beingdevotedtotheVicomtedeTurenne,disliked,thoughtheycouldnotcontrovert,thispublicacknowledgmentoftheKingofNavarre,astheHuguenotleader.Thepleasureofthosepresentwasevincedinahundredways,andtosuchanextentthatevenI

returnedtomychambersoothedandexalted,andfound,indreamingofthespeedytriumphofthecause,somecompensationformyownill-fortune.

Asthedayworeon,however,andtheeveningbroughtnochange,butpresentedtomethesamedrearyprospectwithwhichmorninghadmademefamiliar,Iconfesswithoutshamethatmyheartsankoncemore,particularlyasIsawthatIshouldbeforcedinadayortwotoselleithermyremaininghorseorsomepartofmyequipmentasessential;astepwhichIcouldnotcontemplatewithoutfeelingsoftheutmostdespair.InthisstateofmindI

wasaddingupbythelightofasolitarycandlethefewcoinsI

hadleft,whenIheardfootstepsascendingthestairs.Imadethemouttobethestepsoftwopersons,andwasstilllostinconjectureswhotheymightbe,whenahandknockedgentlyatmydoor.

Fearinganothertrick,Ididnotatonceopen,themoresotherewassomethingstealthyandinsinuatingintheknock.Thereuponmyvisitorsheldawhisperedconsultation;thentheyknockedagain.Iaskedloudlywhowasthere,buttothistheydidnotchoosetogiveanyanswer,whileI,onmypart,determinednottoopenuntiltheydid.Thedoorwasstrong,andIsmiledgrimlyatthethoughtthatthistimetheywouldhavetheirtroublefortheirpains.

Tomysurprise,however,theydidnotdesist,andgoaway,asI

expected,butcontinuedtoknockatintervalsandwhispermuchbetweentimes.Morethanoncetheycalledmesoftlybynameandbademeopen,butastheysteadilyrefrainedfromsayingwhotheywere,Isatstill.OccasionallyIheardthemlaugh,butundertheirbreathasitwere;andpersuadedbythisthattheywerebentonafrolic,Imighthavepersistedinmysilenceuntilmidnight,whichwasnotmorethantwohoursoff,hadnotaslightsound,asofaratgnawingbehindthewainscot,drawnmyattentiontothedoor.RaisingmycandleandshadingmyeyesI

espiedsomethingsmallandbrightprotrudingbeneathit,andsprangup,thinkingtheywereabouttopriseitin.Tomysurprise,however,Icoulddiscover,ontakingthecandletothethreshold,nothingmorethreateningthanacoupleofgoldlivres,whichhadbeenthrustthroughthecrevicebetweenthedoorandthefloor.

Myastonishmentmaybeconceived.Istoodforfullaminutestaringatthecoins,thecandleinmyhand.Then,reflectingthattheyoungsparksattheCourtwouldbeveryunlikelytospendsuchasumonajest,Ihesitatednolonger,butputtingdownthecandle,drewtheboltofthedoor,purposingtoconferwithmyvisitorsoutside.Inthis,however,Iwasdisappointed,forthemomentthedoorwasopentheypushedforciblypastmeand,enteringtheroompell-mell,bademebysignstoclosethedooragain.

Ididsosuspiciously,andwithoutavertingmyeyesfrommyvisitors.Greatweremyembarrassmentandconfusion,therefore,when,thedoorbeingshut,theydroppedtheircloaksoneaftertheother,andIsawbeforemeM.duMornayandthewell-knownfigureoftheKingofNavarre.

Theyseemedsomuchdiverted,lookingatoneanotherandlaughing,thatforamomentIthoughtsomechanceresemblancedeceivedme,andthathereweremyjokersagain.HencewhileamanmightcounttenIstoodstaring;andthekingwasthefirsttospeak."Wehavemadenomistake,DuMornay,havewe?"hesaid,castingalaughingglanceatme.

"No,sire,"DuMornayanswered."ThisistheSieurdeMarsac,thegentlemanwhomImentionedtoyou."

Ihastened,confused,wondering,andwithahundredapologies,topaymyrespectstotheking.Hespeedilycutmeshort,however,saying,withanairofmuchkindness,"OfMarsac,inBrittany,I

think,sir?"

"Thesame,sire,"

"ThenyouareofthefamilyofBonne?"

"Iamthelastsurvivorofthatfamily,sire,"Iansweredrespectfully.

"Ithasplayeditspart,"herejoined.andtherewithhetookhisseatonmystoolwithaneasygracewhichcharmedme."Yourmottois"BONNEFOI,"isitnot?AndMarsac,ifIrememberrightly,isnotfarfromRennes,ontheVilaine?"

Iansweredthatitwas,adding,withafullheart,thatitgrievedmetobecompelledtoreceivesogreataprinceinsopooralodging.

"Well,Iconfess,"DuMornaystruckin,lookingcarelesslyroundhim,"youhaveaqueertaste,M.deMarsac,inthearrangementofyourfurniture.You——"

"Mornay!"thekingcriedsharply.

"Sire?"

"Chut!yourelbowisinthecandle.Bewareofit!"

ButIwellunderstoodhim.Ifmyhearthadbeenfullbefore,itoverflowednow.Povertyisnotsoshamefulastheshiftstowhichitdrivesmen.Ihadbeencompelledsomedaysbefore,inordertomakeasgoodashowaspossible——sinceitistheundoubteddutyofagentlemantohidehisnakednessfromimpertinenteyes,andespeciallyfromtheeyesofthecanaille,whoarewonttojudgefromexternals——toremovesuchofmyfurnitureandequipageasremainedtothatsideoftheroom,whichwasvisiblefromwithoutwhenthedoorwasopen.Thisleftthefarthersideoftheroomvacantandbare.Toanyonewithindoorstheartificewas,ofcourse,apparent,andIamboundtosaythatM.deMornay"swordsbroughtthebloodtomybrow.

Irejoiced,howeveramomentlaterthathehadutteredthem;forwithoutthemImightneverhaveknown,orknownsoearly,thekindnessofheartandsingularquicknessofapprehensionwhicheverdistinguishedtheking,mymaster.So,inmyheart,Ibegantocallhimfromthathour.

TheKingofNavarrewasatthistimethirty-fiveyearsold,hishairbrown,hiscomplexionruddy,hismoustache,ononesideatleast,beginningtoturngrey.Hisfeatures,whichNaturehadcastinaharshandimperiousmould,wererelievedbyaconstantsparkleandanimationsuchasIhaveneverseeninanyotherman,butinhimbecameevermoreconspicuousingloomyandperiloustimes.Inuredtodangerfromhisearliestyouth,hehadcometoenjoyitasothersafestival,hailingitsadventwitharecklessgaietywhichastonishedevenbravemen,andledotherstothinkhimtheleastprudentofmankind.Yetsuchhewasnot:nay,hewastheoppositeofthis.NeverdidMarshalofFrancemakemorecarefuldispositionsforabattle——albeitonceinitheborehimselflikeanycaptainofhorse——noreverdidDuMornayhimselfsitdowntoaconferencewithamoreaccurateknowledgeofaffairs.Hisprodigiouswitandtheaffabilityofhismanners,whiletheyendearedhimtohisservants,againandagainblindedhisadversaries;who,thinkingthatsomuchbrilliancecouldariseonlyfromashallownature,foundwhenitwastoolatethattheyhadbeenoutwittedbyhimwhomtheycontemptuouslystyledthePrinceofBearn,amanahundredfoldmoreastutethanthemselves,andmasteralikeofpenandsword.

Muchofthis,whichalltheworldnowknows,Ilearnedafterwards.AtthemomentIcouldthinkoflittlesavetheking"skindness;towhichheaddedbyinsistingthatIshouldsitonthebedwhilewetalked."Youwonder,M.deMarsac,"hesaid,"whatbringsmehere,andwhyIhavecometoyouinsteadofsendingforyou?Stillmore,perhaps,whyIhavecometoyouatnightandwithsuchprecautions?Iwilltellyou.Butfirst,thatmycomingmaynotfillyouwithfalsehopes,letmesayfrankly,thatthoughImayrelieveyourpresentnecessities,whetheryoufallintotheplanIamgoingtomention,ornot,I

cannottakeyouintomyservice;wherein,indeed,everypostisdoublyfilled.DuMornaymentionedyournametome,butinfairnesstoothersIhadtoanswerthatIcoulddonothing."

Iamboundtoconfessthatthisstrangeexordiumdashedhopeswhichhadalreadyrisentoahighpitch.Recoveringmyselfasquicklyaspossible,however,ImurmuredthatthehonourofavisitfromtheKingofNavarrewassufficienthappinessforme.

"Nay,butthathonourImusttakefromyou"hereplied,smiling;