第2章

"thoughIseethatyouwouldmakeanexcellentcourtier——farbetterthanDuMornayhere,whoneverinhislifemadesoprettyaspeech.ForImustlaymycommandsonyoutokeepthisvisitasecret,M.deMarsac.Shouldbuttheslightestwhisperofitgetabroad,yourusefulness,asfarasIamconcerned,wouldbegone,andgoneforgood!"

SoremarkableastatementfilledmewithwonderIcouldscarcelydisguise.ItwaswithdifficultyIfoundwordstoassurethekingthathiscommandsshouldbefaithfullyobeyed.

"OfthatIamsure,"heansweredwiththeutmostkindness.

"WhereInot,andsure,too,fromwhatIamtoldofyourgallantrywhenmycousintookBrouage,thatyouareamanofdeedsratherthanwords,IshouldnotbeherewiththepropositionIamgoingtolaybeforeyou.Itisthis.Icangiveyounohopeofpublicemployment,M.deMarsac,butIcanofferyouanadventureifadventuresbetoyourtaste——asdangerousandasthanklessasanyAmadiseverundertook."

"Asthankless,sire?"Istammered,doubtingifIhadheardaright,theexpressionwassostrange.

"Asthankless,"heanswered,hiskeeneyesseemingtoreadmysoul."Iamfrankwithyou,yousee,sir,"hecontinued,carelessly."Icansuggestthisadventure——itisforthegoodoftheState——Icandonomore.TheKingofNavarrecannotappearinit,norcanheprotectyou.Succeedorfailinit,yousteadalone.TheonlypromiseImakeis,thatifiteverbesafeformetoacknowledgetheact,Iwillrewardthedoer."

Hepaused,andforafewmomentsIstaredathiminsheeramazement.Whatdidhemean?Wereheandtheotherrealfigures,orwasIdreaming?

"Doyouunderstand?"heaskedatlength,withatouchofimpatience.

"Yes,sire,IthinkIdo,"Imurmured,verycertainintruthandrealitythatIdidnot.

"Whatdoyousay,then——yesorno?"herejoined."Willyouundertaketheadventure,orwouldyouhearmorebeforeyoumakeupyourmind?"

Ihesitated.HadIbeenayoungermanbytenyearsIshoulddoubtlesshavecriedassentthereandthen,havingbeenallmylifereadyenoughtoembarkonsuchenterprisesasofferedachanceofdistinction.Butsomethinginthestrangenessoftheking"spreface,althoughIhaditinmyhearttodieforhim,gavemecheck,andIanswered,withanairofgreathumility,"Youwillthinkmebutapoorcourtiernow,sire,yetheisafoolwhojumpsintoaditchwithoutmeasuringthedepth.Iwouldfain,ifImaysayitwithoutdisrespect,hearallthatyoucantellme."

"ThenIfear,"heansweredquickly,"ifyouwouldhavemorelightonthematter,myfriend,youmustgetanothercandle."

Istarted,hespokesoabruptly;butperceivingthatthecandlehadindeedburneddowntothesocket,Irose,withmanyapologies,andfetchedanotherfromthecupboard.Itdidnotoccurtomeatthemoment,thoughitdidlater,thatthekinghadpurposelysoughtthisopportunityofconsultingwithhiscompanion.Imerelyremarked,whenIreturnedtomyplaceonthebed,thattheyweresittingalittleneareroneanother,andthatthekingeyedmebeforehespoke——thoughhestillswungonefootcarelesslyintheairwithcloseattention.

"Ispeaktoyou,ofcourse,sir,"hepresentlywenton,"inconfidence,believingyoutobeanhonourableaswellasabraveman.ThatwhichIwishyoutodoisbriefly,andinaword,tocarryoffalady.Nay,"headdedquickly,withalaughinggrimace,"havenofear!Sheisnosweetheartofmine,norshouldIgotomygravefriendheredidIneedassistanceofthatkind.

HenryofBourbon,IprayGod,willalwaysbeabletofreehisownlady-love.ThisisaStateaffair,andamatterofquiteanothercharacter,thoughwecannotatpresententrustyouwiththemeaningofit."

Ibowedinsilence,feelingsomewhatchilledandperplexed,aswhowouldnot,havingsuchaninvitationbeforehim?Ihadanticipatedanaffairwithmenonly——asecretassaultorapetardexpedition.Butseeingthebarenessofmyroom,andthehonourthekingwasdoingme,IfeltIhadnochoice,andIanswered,"Thatbeingthecase,sire,Iamwhollyatyourservice."

"Thatiswell,"he,answeredbriskly,thoughmethoughthelookedatDuMornayreproachfully,asdoubtinghiscommendationofme.

"Butwillyousaythesame,"hecontinued,removinghiseyestome,andspeakingslowly,asthoughhewouldtryme,"whenItellyouthattheladytobecarriedoffisthewardoftheVicomtedeTurenne,whosearmiswell-nighaslongasmyown,andwhowouldfainmakeitlonger;whonevertravels,ashetoldmeyesterday,withlessthanfiftygentlemen,andhasathousandarquebusiersinhispay?Istheadventurestilltoyourliking,M.deMarsac,nowthatyouknowthat?"

"Itismoretomyliking,sire,"Iansweredstoutly.

"Understandthistoo,"herejoined."Itisessentialthatthislady,whoisatpresentconfinedintheVicomte"shouseatChize,shouldbereleased;butitisequallyessentialthatthereshouldbenobreachbetweentheVicomteandmyself.Thereforetheaffairmustbetheworkofanindependentman,whohasneverbeeninmyservice,norinanywayconnectedwithme.Ifcaptured,youpaythepenaltywithoutrecoursetome."

"Ifullyunderstand,sire,"Ianswered.

"VentreSaintGris!"hecried,breakingintoalowlaugh.I

swearthemanismoreafraidoftheladythanheisoftheVicomte!ThatisnotthewayofmostofourCourt."

DuMornay,whohadbeensittingnursinghiskneeinsilence,purseduphislips,thoughitwaseasytoseethathewaswellcontentwiththeking"sapprobation.Henowintervened."Withyourpermission,sire,"hesaid,"Iwillletthisgentlemanknowthedetails."

"Do,myfriend,"thekinganswered."Andbeshort,forifweareheremuchlongerIshallbemissed,andinatwinklingtheCourtwillhavefoundmeanewmistress."

Hespokeinjestandwithalaugh,butIsawDuMornaystartatthewords,asthoughtheywerelittletohisliking;andI

learnedafterwardsthattheCourtwasreallymuchexercisedatthistimewiththequestionwhowouldbethenextfavourite,theking"spassionfortheCountessdelaGuichebeingevidentlyonthewane,andthatwhichhepresentlyevincedforMadamedeGuerchevillebeingasyetamatterofconjecture.

DuMornaytooknoovertnoticeoftheking"swords,however,butproceededtogivememydirections."Chize,whichyouknowbyname,"hesaid,"issixleaguesfromhere.MademoiselledelaVireisconfinedinthenorth-westroom,onthefirst-floor,overlookingthepark.MoreIcannottellyou,exceptthatherwoman"snameisFanchette,andthatsheistobetrusted.Thehouseiswellguarded,andyouwillneedfourorfivemen,Thereareplentyofcut-throatstobehired,onlysee,M.deMarsac,thattheyaresuchasyoucanmanage,andthatMademoiselletakesnohurtamongthem.Havehorsesinwaiting,andthemoment;youhavereleasedtheladyridenorthwithherasfastasherstrengthwillpermit.Indeed,youmustnotspareher,ifTurennebeonyourheels.YoushouldbeacrosstheLoireinsixtyhoursafterleavingChize."

"AcrosstheLoire?"Iexclaimedinastonishment.

"Yes,sir,acrosstheLoire,"hereplied,withsomesternness.

"Yourtask,begoodenoughtounderstand,istoconvoyMademoiselledelaVirewithallspeedtoBlois.There,attractingaslittlenoticeasmaybe,youwillinquirefortheBarondeRosnyattheBleedingHeart,intheRuedeSt.Denys.

Hewilltakechargeofthelady,ordirectyouhowtodisposeofher,andyourtaskwillthenbeaccomplished.Youfollowme?"

"Perfectly,"Ianswered,speakinginmyturnwithsomedryness.

"ButMademoiselleIunderstandisyoung.Whatifshewillnotaccompanyme,astranger,enteringherroomatnight,andbythewindow?"

"Thathasbeenthoughtof"wastheanswer.HeturnedtotheKingofNavarre,who,afteramoment"ssearch,producedasmallobjectfromhispouch.Thishegavetohiscompanion,andthelattertransferredittome.Itookitwithcuriosity.Itwasthehalfofagoldcarolus,thebrokenedgeofthecoinbeingroughandjagged."ShowthattoMademoiselle,myfriend,"DuMornaycontinued,"andshewillaccompanyyou.Shehastheotherhalf."

"Butbecareful,"Henryaddedeagerly,"tomakenomention,eventoher,oftheKingofNavarre.Youmarkme,M.deMarsac!Ifyouhaveatanytimeoccasiontospeakofme,youmayhavethehonourofcallingmeYOURFRIEND,andreferringtomealwaysinthesamemanner."

ThishesaidwithsograciousanairthatIwascharmed,andthoughtmyselfhappyindeedtobeaddressedinthiswisebyaprincewhosenamewasalreadysoglorious.Norwasmysatisfactiondiminishedwhenhiscompaniondrewoutabagcontaining,ashetoldme,threehundredcrownsingold,andplaceditinmyhands,biddingmedefraytherefromthecostofthejourney."Becareful,however,"headdedearnestly,"toavoid,inhiringyourmen,anyappearanceofwealth,lesttheadventureseemtobesuggestedbysomeoutsideperson;insteadofbeingdictatedbythedesperatestateofyourownfortunes.

Promiseratherthangive,sofarasthatwillavail.Andforwhatyoumustgive,leteachlivreseemtobethelastinyourpouch."

Henrynoddedassent."Excellentadvice!"hemuttered,risinganddrawingonhiscloak,"suchasyouevergiveme,Mornay,andIasseldomtake——more"sthepity!But,afterall,oflittleavailwithoutthis."Heliftedmyswordfromthetableashespoke,andweigheditinhishand."Aprettytool,"hecontinued,turningsuddenlyandlookingmeverycloselyintheface."Averyprettytool.WereIinyourplace,M.deMarsac,Iwouldseethatithunglooseinthescabbard.Ay,andmore,man,useit!"headded,sinkinghisvoiceandstickingouthischin,whilehisgreyeyes,lookingevercloserintomine,seemedtogrowcoldandhardassteel."Useittothelast,forifyoufallintoTurenne"shands,Godhelpyou!Icannot!"

"IfIamtaken,sire,"Ianswered,trembling,butnotwithfear,"myfatebeonmyownhead."

Isawtheking"seyessoften,atthat,andhisfacechangesoswiftlythatIscarceknewhimforthesameman.Helettheweapondropwithaclashonthetable."VentreSaintGris!"heexclaimedwithastrangethrillofyearninginhistone."I

swearbyGod,IwouldIwereinyourshoes,sir.Tostrikeablowortwowithnocarewhatcameofit.Totaketheroadwithagoodhorseandagoodsword,andseewhatfortunewouldsend.

Toberidofallthisstatecraftandprotocolling,andnevertoissueanotherdeclarationinthisworld,butjusttobeforonceaGentlemanofFrance,withalltowinandnothingtolosesavetheloveofmylady!Ah!Mornay,woulditnotbesweettoleaveallthisfretandfume,andrideawaytothegreenwoodsbyCoarraze?"

"Certainly,ifyoupreferthemtotheLouvre,sire,"DuMornayanswereddrily;whileIstood,silentandamazed,beforethisstrangeman,whocouldsosuddenlychangefromgravetogay,andonemomentspokesosagely,andthenextlikeanywildladinhisteens."Certainly,"heanswered,"ifthatbeyourchoice,sire;

andifyouthinkthateventheretheDukeofGuisewillleaveyouinpeace.Turenne,Iamsure,willbegladtohearofyourdecision.DoubtlesshewillbeelectedProtectoroftheChurches.Nay,sire,forshame!"DuMornaycontinuedalmostwithsternness."WouldyouleaveFrance,whichatoddtimesI

haveheardyousayyouloved,toshiftforherself?Wouldyoudepriveheroftheonlymanwhodoesloveherforherownsake?"

"Well,well,butsheissuchaficklesweetheart,myfriend,"thekinganswered,laughing,thesideglanceofhiseyeonme.

"Neverwasonesocoyorsohardtoclip!And,besides,hasnotthePopedivorcedus?"

"ThePope!AfigforthePope!"DuMornayrejoinedwithimpatientheat."WhathashetodowithFrance?Animpertinentmeddler,andanItaliantoboot!Iwouldheandallthebroodofthemweresunkahundredfathomsdeepinthesea.But,meantime,Iwouldsendhimatexttodigest."

"EXEMPLUM?"saidtheking.

"WhomGodhasjoinedtogetherletnomanputasunder."

"Amen!quothHenrysoftly."AndFranceisafairandcomelybride."

Afterthathekeptsuchasilence,fallingasitseemedtomeintoabrownstudy,thathewentawaywithoutsomuchasbiddingmefarewell,orbeingconscious,asfarasIcouldtell,ofmypresence.DuMornayexchangedafewwordswithme,toassurehimselfthatIunderstoodwhatIhadtodo,andthen,withmanykindexpressions,whichIdidnotfailtotreasureupandconoverinthetimesthatwerecoming,hasteneddownstairsafterhismaster.

MyjoywhenIfoundmyselfalonemaybeconceived.Yetwasitnoecstasy,butasoberexhilaration;suchasstirredmypulsesindeed,andbademeoncemorefacetheworldwithafirmeyeandanassuredbrow,butwasfarfromholdingoutbeforemeatroubadour"spalaceoranydazzlingprospect.ThelongerIdweltontheinterview,themoreclearlyIsawthetruth.AstheglamourwhichHenry"spresenceandsingularkindnesshadcastovermebegantolosesomeofitspower,Irecognisedmoreandmoresurelywhyhehadcometome.Itwasnotoutofanyspecialfavourforonewhomheknewbyreportonly,ifatallbyname;

butbecausehehadneedofamanpoor,andthereforereckless,middle-aged(ofwhichcomesdiscretion),obscure——thereforeasafeinstrument;tocrownall,agentleman,seeingthatbothasecretandawomenwereinquestion.

WithalIwonderedtoo.Lookingfromthebagofmoneyonthetabletothebrokencoininmyhand,Iscarcelyknewwhichtoadmiremore:theconfidencewhichentrustedtheonetoamanbrokenandbeggared,orthecourageofthegentlewomanwhoshouldaccompanymeonthefaithoftheother.

CHAPTERIII.

BOOTANDSADDLE.

Aswasnatural,Imeditateddeeplyandfarintothenightonthedifficultiesofthetask,entrustedtome.Isawthatitfellintotwoparts:thereleaseofthelady,andhersafeconducttoBlois,adistanceofsixtyleagues.ThereleaseIthoughtitprobableIcouldeffectsingle-handed,orwithonecompaniononly;butinthetroubledconditionofthecountryatthistime,moreparticularlyonbothsidesoftheLoire,IscarcelysawhowIcouldensurealady"ssafetyontheroadnorthwardsunlessI

hadwithmeatleastfiveswords.

Togetthesetogetheratafewhours"noticepromisedtobenoeasytask;althoughthepresenceoftheCourtofNavarrehadfilledSt.Jeanwithacrowdofadventurers.Yettheking"scommandwasurgent,andatsomesacrifice,evenatsomerisk,mustbeobeyed.Pressedbytheseconsiderations,IcouldthinkofnobettermantobeginwiththanFresnoy.

Hischaracterwasbad,andhehadlongforfeitedsuchclaimashehadeverpossessed——Ibelieveitwasamistyone,onthedistaffside——togentility.ButthesamecausewhichhadrenderedmedestituteImeanthedeathoftheprinceofConde——hadstrippedhimtothelastrag;andthis,perhaps,incliningmetoservehim,Iwasthemorequicktoseehismerits.Iknewhimalreadyforahardy,recklessman,verycapableofstrikingashrewdblow.Igavehimcreditforbeingtrusty,aslongashisdutyjumpedwithhisinterest.

Accordingly,assoonasitwaslight,havingfedandgroomedtheCid,whichwasalwaysthefirstemploymentofmyday,IsetoutinsearchofFresnoy,andwaspresentlyluckyenoughtofindhimtakinghismorningdraughtoutsidethe"ThreePigeons,"alittleinnnotfarfromthenorthgate.ItwasmorethanafortnightsinceIhadseteyesonhim,andthelapseoftimehadworkedsogreatachangefortheworseinhimthat,forgettingmyownshabbiness,Ilookedathimaskance,asdoubtingthewisdomofenlistingonewhoboresoplainlythemarksofpovertyanddissipation.Hisgreatface——hewasalargeman——hadsufferedrecentill-usage,andwasswollenanddiscoloured,oneeyebeingasgoodasclosed.Hewasunshaven,hishairwasill-kempt,hisdoubletunfastenedatthethroat,andtornandstainedbesides.

Despitethecold——forthemorningwassharpandfrosty,thoughfreefromwind——therewerehalfadozenpackmendrinkingandsquabblingbeforetheinn,whilethebeaststheydrovequenchedtheirthirstatthetrough.Butthesemenseemedwithoneaccordtoleavehiminpossessionofthebenchatwhichhesat;nordidIwondermuchatthiswhenIsawthemoroseandsavageglancewhichheshotatmeasIapproached.Whetherhereadmyfirstimpressionsinmyface,orforsomeotherreasonfeltdistasteformycompany,Icouldnotdetermine.But,undeterredbyhisbehaviour,Isatdownbesidehimandcalledforwine.

Henoddedsulkilyinanswertomygreeting,andcastahalf-

shamed,half-angrylookatmeoutofthecornersofhiseyes.

"YouneednotlookatmeasthoughIwereadog,"hemutteredpresently."Youarenotsoveryspruceyourself,myfriend.ButIsupposeyouhavegrownproudsinceyougotthatfatappointmentatCourt!"Andhelaughedoutloud,sothatIconfessIwasintwomindswhetherIshouldnotforcethejestdownhisuglythroat.

HoweverIrestrainedmyself,thoughmycheeksburned."Youhaveheardaboutit,then,"Isaid,strivingtospeakindifferently.

"Whohasnot?"hesaid,laughingwithhislips,thoughhiseyeswerefarfrommerry."TheSieurdeMarsac"sappointment!Ha!

ha!Why,man——"

"Enoughofitnow!"Iexclaimed.AndIdaresayIwrithedonmyseat."AsfarasIamconcernedthejestisastaleone,sir,anddoesnotamuseme."

"Butitamusesme,"herejoinedwithagrin.

"Letitbe,nevertheless,"Isaid;andIthinkhereadawarninginmyeyes."Ihavecometospeaktoyouuponanothermatter."

Hedidnotrefusetolisten,butthrewonelegovertheother,andlookingupattheinn-signbegantowhistleinarude,offensivemanner.Still,havinganobjectinview,Icontrolledmyselfandcontinued."Itisthis,myfriend:moneyisnotveryplentifulatpresentwitheitherofus."

BeforeIcouldsayanymoreheturnedonmesavagely,andwithaloudoaththrusthisbloatedface,flushedwithpassion,closetomine."Nowlookhere,M.deMarsac!"hecriedviolently,"onceforall,itisnogood!Ihavenotgotthemoney,andIcannotpayit.Isaidafortnightago,whenyoulentit,thatyoushouldhaveitthisweek.Well,"slappinghishandonthebench,Ihavenotgotit,anditisnogoodbeginninguponme.Youcannothaveit,andthatisflat!"

"Damnthemoney!"Icried.

"What?"heexclaimed,scarcelybelievinghisears.

"Letthemoneybe!"Irepeatedfiercely."Doyouhear?Ihavenotcomeaboutit,Iamheretoofferyouwork——good,well-paidwork——ifyouwillenlistwithmeandplaymefair,Fresnoy."

"Playfair!"hecriedwithanoath.

"There,there,"Isaid,"Iamwillingtoletbygonesbebygonesifyouare.Thepointis,thatIhaveanadventureonhand,and,wantinghelp,canpayyouforit."

Helookedatmecunningly,Hiseyetravellingovereachrentanddarninmydoublet."Iwillhelpyoufastenough,"hesaidatlast."ButIshouldliketoseethemoneyfirst."

"Youshall,"Ianswered.

"ThenIamwithyou,myfriend.Countonmetilldeath!"hecried,risingandlayinghishandinminewithaboisterousfranknesswhichdidnotdeceivemeintotrustinghimfar."Andnow,whoseistheaffair,andwhatisit?"

"Theaffairismine,"Isaidcoldly."Itistocarryoffalady."

Hewhistledandlookedmeoveragain,animpudentleerinhiseyes."Alady?"heexclaimed."Umph!Icouldunderstandayoungsparkgoinginforsuch——butthat"syouraffair.Whoisit?"

"Thatismyaffair,too,"Iansweredcoolly,disgustedbytheman"svenalityandmeanness,andfullypersuadedthatImusttrusthimnofartherthanthelengthofmysword."AllIwantyoutodo,M.Fresnoy,"Icontinuedstiffly,"istoplaceyourselfatmydisposalandundermyordersfortendays.Iwillfindyouahorseandpayyou——theenterpriseisahazardousone,andItakethatintoaccount——twogoldcrownsaday,andtenmoreifwesucceedinreachingaplaceofsafety."

"Suchaplaceas——"

"Nevermindthat,"Ireplied."Thequestionis,doyouaccept?"

Helookeddownsullenly,andIcouldseehewasgreatlyangeredbymydeterminationtokeepthemattertomyself."AmItoknownomorethanthat?"heasked,diggingthepointofhisscabbardagainandagainintotheground.

"Nomore,"Iansweredfirmly."Iambentonadesperateattempttomendmyfortunesbeforetheyfallaslowasyours;andthatisasmuchasImeantotelllivingman.Ifyouarelothtoriskyourlifewithyoureyesshut,sayso,andIwillgotosomeoneelse."

Buthewasnotinaposition,asIwellknew,torefusesuchanoffer,andpresentlyheaccepteditwithafreshsemblanceofheartiness.ItoldhimIshouldwantfourtrooperstoescortus,andtheseheofferedtoprocure,sayingthatheknewjusttheknavestosuitme.Ibadehimhiretwoonly,however,beingtoowise,toputmyselfaltogetherinhishands;andthen,havinggivenhimmoneytobuyhimselfahorse——Imadeitatermthatthemenshouldbringtheirown——andnamedarendezvousforthefirsthourafternoon,Ipartedfromhimandwentrathersadlyaway.

ForIbegantoseethatthekinghadnotunderratedthedangersofanenterpriseonwhichnonebutdesperatemenandsuchasweredownintheworldcouldbeexpectedtoembark.Seeingthis,andalsoathingwhichfollowedclearlyfromit——thatIshouldhaveasmuchtofearfrommyowncompanyasfromtheenemy——IlookedforwardwithlittlehopetoajourneyduringeverydayandeveryhourofwhichImustbearagrowingweightoffearandresponsibility.

Itwastoolatetoturnback,however,andIwentaboutmypreparations,ifwithlittlecheerfulness,atleastwithsteadfastpurpose.IhadmyswordgroundandmypistolsputinorderbythecutleroverwhomIlodged,andwhoperformedthislastofficeformewiththesamegoodwillwhichhadcharacterised,allhisdealingswithme.IsoughtoutandhiredacoupleofstoutfellowswhomIbelievedtobeindifferentlyhonest,butwhopossessedtheadvantageofhavinghorses;andbesidesboughttwoledhorsesmyselfformademoiselleandherwoman.SuchotherequipmentsaswereabsolutelynecessaryI

purchased,reducingmystockofmoneyinthiswaytotwohundredandtencrowns.Howtodisposeofthissumsothatitmightbesafeandyetatmycommandwasaquestionwhichgreatlyexercisedme.IntheendIhadrecoursetomyfriendthecutler,whosuggestedhidingahundredcrownsofitinmycap,anddeftlycontrivedaplaceforthepurpose.This,thecapbeinglinedwithsteel,wasamatterofnogreatdifficulty.AsecondhundredIsewedupinthestuffingofmysaddle,placingtheremainderinmypouchforpresentnecessities.

Asmallrainwasfallinginthestreetswhen,alittleafternoon,Istartedwithmytwoknavesbehindmeandmadeforthenorthgate.Somanyweremovingthiswayandtheotherthatwepassedunnoticed,andmighthavedonesohadwenumberedsixswordsinsteadofthree.Whenwereachedtherendezvous,amilebeyondthegate,wefoundFresnoyalreadythere,takingshelterintheleeofabigholly-tree.Hehadfourhorsemenwithhim,andonourappearancerodeforwardtomeetus,cryingheartily,"Welcome,M.leCapitaine!"

"Welcome,certainly,"Ianswered,pullingtheCidupsharply,andholdingofffromhim."Butwhoarethese,M.Fresnoy?"andI

pointedwithmyriding-canetohisfourcompanions.

Hetriedtopassthematteroffwithalaugh."Oh!these?"hesaid."Thatissoonexplained.TheEvangelistswouldnotbedivided,soIbroughtthemall——MatthewMark,Luke,andJohn——

thinkingitlikelyyoumightfailtosecureyourmen.AndIwillwarrantthemforfourasgallantboysasyouwilleverfindbehindyou!"

TheywerecertainlyfourasarrantruffiansasIhadeverseenbeforeme,andIsawImustnothesitate."Twoornone,M.

Fresnoy,"Isaidfirmly."Igaveyouacommissionfortwo,andtwoIwilltake——MatthewandMark,orLukeandJohn,asyouplease."

""Tisapitytobreaktheparty,"saidhe,scowling.

"Ifthatbeall,"Iretorted,"oneofmymeniscalledJohn.AndwewilldubtheotherLuke,ifthatwillmendthematter."

"ThePrinceofConde,"hemutteredsullenly,"employedthesemen."

"ThePrinceofCondeemployedsomequeerpeoplesometimes,M.

Fresnoy,"Ianswered,lookinghimstraightbetweentheeyes,"asweallmust.Atrucetothis,ifyouplease.WewilltakeMatthewandMark.Theothertwobegoodenoughtodismiss."

Heseemedtowaverforamoment,asifhehadamindtodisobey,butintheend,thinkingbetterofit,hebadethemenreturn;

andasIcomplimentedeachofthemwithapieceofsilver,theywentoff,aftersomeswearing,intolerablygoodhumour.ThereonFresnoywasfortakingtheroadatonce,buthavingnomindtobefollowed,Igavethewordtowaituntilthetwowereoutofsight.

Ithink,aswesatourhorsesintherain,theholly-bushnotbeinglargeenoughtoshelterusall,wewereassorryabandaseversetouttorescuealady;norwasitwithoutpainthatI

lookedroundandsawmyselfreducedtocommandsuchpeople.

Therewasscarcelyonewholeunpatchedgarmentamongus,andthreeofmysquireshadbutaspurapiece.Tomakeupforthisdeficiencywemusteredtwoblackeyes,Fresnoy"sincluded,andabrokennose.Matthew"snaglackedatail,and,moreremarkablestill,itsrider,asIpresentlydiscovered,wasstone-deaf;

whileMark"sswordwasinnocentofascabbard,andhisbridlewasplainrope.Onething,indeed,Iobservedwithpleasure.ThetwomenwhohadcomewithmelookedaskanceatthetwowhohadcomewithFresnoy,andthesereturnedthestarewithinterest.

OnthisdivisionandonthelengthofmyswordIbasedallmyhopesofsafetyandofsomethingmore.OnitIwasabouttostake,notmyownlifeonly——whichwasnogreatthing,seeingwhatmyprospectswere——butthelifeandhonourofawoman,young,helpless,andasyetunknowntome.

WeigheddownasIwasbytheseconsiderations,Ihadtobeartheadditionalburdenofhidingmyfearsandsuspicionsunderacheerfuldemeanour.Imadeashortspeechtomyfollowing,whooneandallrespondedbyswearingtostandbymetothedeath.I

thengavetheword,andwestarted,FresnoyandIleadingtheway,LukeandJohnwiththeledhorsesfollowing,andtheothertwobringinguptherear.

Theraincontinuingtofallandthecountryinthispartbeingdrearyandmonotonous,eveninfairweather,Ifeltmyspiritssinkstilllowerasthedayadvanced.TheresponsibilityIwasgoingtoincurassumedmoreseriousproportionseachtimeI

scannedmyfollowing;whileFresnoy,plyingmewithperpetualquestionsrespectingmyplans,wasasuneasyacompanionasmyworstenemycouldhavewishedme.

"Come!"hegrumbledpresently,whenwehadcoveredfourleaguesorso,"youhavenottoldmeyet,sieur,wherewestayto-night.

Youaretravellingsoslowlythat——"

"Iamsavingthehorses,"Iansweredshortly."Weshalldoalongdayto-morrow."

"Yourslooksfitforaweekofdays,"hesneered,withanevillookatmySardinian,whichwas,indeed,inbettercasethanitsmaster."Itissleekenough,anyway!"

"Itisasgoodasitlooks,"Ianswered,alittlenettledbyhistone.

"Thereisabetterhere,"heresponded.

"Idon"tseeit,"Isaid.Ihadalreadyeyedthenagsallround,andassuredmyselfthat,uglyandblemishedastheywere,theywereuptotheirwork.ButIhaddiscernednospecialmeritamongthem.Ilookedthemoveragainnow,andcametothesameconclusion——that,excepttheledhorses,whichIhadchosenwithsomecare,therewasnothingamongthemtoviewiththeCid,eitherinspeedorlooks.ItoldFresnoyso.

"Wouldyouliketotry?"hesaidtauntingly.

Ilaughed,adding,"IfyouthinkIamgoingtotireourhorsesbyracingthem,withsuchworkaswehavebeforeus,youaremistaken,Fresnoy.Iamnotaboy,youknow."

"Thereneedbenoquestionofracing,"heansweredmorequietly.

"Youhaveonlytogetonthatrat-tailedbayofMatthew"stofeelitspacesandsayIamright."

Ilookedatthebay,abald-faced,fiddle-headedhorse,andsawthat,withnosignsofbreeding,itwasstillabig-bonedanimalwithgoodshouldersandpowerfulhips.IthoughtitpossibleFresnoymightberight,andifso,andthebay"smannersweretolerable,itmightdoformademoisellebetterthanthehorseI

hadchosen.Atanyrate,ifwehadafasthorseamongus,itwaswelltoknowthefact,sobiddingMatthewchangewithme,andbecarefuloftheCid,Imountedthebay,andsoondiscoveredthatitspaceswereeasyandpromisedspeed,whileitsmannersseemedasgoodasevenatimidridercoulddesire.

Ourroadatthetimelayacrossaflatdesolateheath,dottedhereandtherewith,thorn-bushes;thetrackbeingbrokenandstony,extendedmorethanascoreofyardsinwidth,throughtravellersstrayingtothissideandthattoescapetheworstplaces.FresnoyandI,inmakingthechange,hadfallenslightlybehindtheotherthree,andwereridingabreastofMatthewontheCid.

"Well,"hesaid,"wasInotright?"

"Inpart,"Ianswered."Thehorseisbetterthanitslooks."

"Likemanyothers,"herejoined,asparkofresentmentinhistone——"menaswellashorses,M.deMarsac.ButWhatdoyousay?

Shallwecanteronalittleandovertaketheothers?"

Thinkingitwelltodoso,Iassentedreadily,andwestartedtogether.Wehadridden,however,nomorethanahundredyards,andIwasonlybeginningtoextendthebay,whenFresnoy,slightlydrawingrein,turnedinhissaddleandlookedback.Thenextmomenthecried,"Hallo!whatisthis?Thosefellowsarenotfollowingus,arethey?"

Iturnedsharplytolook.Atthatmoment,withoutfalterorwarning,thebayhorsewentdownundermeasifshotdead,throwingmehalfadozenyardsoveritshead;andthatsosuddenlythatIhadnotimetoraisemyarms,but,fallingheavilyonmyheadandshoulder,lostconsciousness.

Ihavehadmanyfalls,butnoothertoviewiththatinutterunexpectedness.WhenIrecoveredmysensesIfoundmyselfleaning,giddyandsick,againsttheboleofanoldthorn-tree.

FresnoyandMatthewsupportedmeoneitherside,andaskedmehowIfoundmyself;whiletheotherthreemen,theirformsblackagainstthestormyeveningsky,sattheirhorsesafewpacesinfrontofme.Iwastoomuchdazedatfirsttoseemore,andthisonlyinamechanicalfashion;butgradually,mybraingrewclearer,andIadvancedfromwonderingwhothestrangersroundmeweretorecognisingthem,andfinallytorememberingwhathadhappenedtome.

"Isthehorsehurt?"ImutteredassoonasIcouldspeak.

"Notawhit,"Fresnoyanswered,chuckling,orIwasmuchmistaken."Iamafraidyoucameofftheworseofthetwo,captain."

Heexchangedalookwiththemenonhorsebackashespoke,andinadullfashionIfanciedIsawthemsmile.Oneevenlaughed,andanotherturnedinhissaddleasiftohidehisface.IhadavaguegeneralsensethattherewassomejokeonfootinwhichI

hadnopart.ButIwastoomuchshakenatthemomenttobecurious,andgratefullyacceptedtheofferofone,ofthementofetchmealittlewater.Whilehewasawaythereststoodroundme,thesamelookofill-concealeddrolleryontheirfaces.

Fresnoyalonetalked,speakingvolublyoftheaccident,pouringoutexpressionsofsympathyandcursingtheroad,thehorse,andthewintrylightuntilthewatercame;when,muchrefreshedbythedraught,ImanagedtoclimbtotheCid"ssaddleandplodslowlyonwardswiththem.

"Abadbeginning,"Fresnoysaidpresently,stealingaslyglanceatmeaswejoggedalongsidebyside,Chizehalfaleaguebeforeus,anddarknessnotfaroff.

Bythistime,however,Iwasmyselfagain,saveforalittlehummingisthehead,and,shruggingmyshoulders,Itoldhimso.

"All"swellthatendswell,"Iadded."Notthatitwasapleasantfall,orthatIwishtohavesuchanother."

"No,Ishouldthinknot,"heanswered.Hisfacewasturnedfromme,butIfanciedIheardhimsnigger.

Something,whichmayhavebeenavaguesuspicion,ledmeamomentlatertoputmyhandintomypouch.ThenIunderstood.I

understoodtoowell.ThesharpsurpriseofthediscoverywassuchthatinvoluntarilyIdrovemyspursintotheCid,andthehorsesprangforward.

"Whatisthematter?"Fresnoyasked.

"Thematter?"Iechoed,myhandstillatmybelt,feeling——feelinghopelessly.

"Yes,whatisit?"heasked,abrazensmileonhisrascallyface.

Ilookedathim,mybrowasredasfire."Oh!nothing——nothing,"Isaid."Letustroton."

IntruthIhaddiscoveredthat,takingadvantageofmyhelplessness,thescoundrelshadrobbedme,whileIlayinsensible,ofeverygoldcrowninmypurse!Norwasthisall,ortheworst,forIsawatoncethatindoingsotheyhadeffectedsomethingwhichwasathousandfoldmoreominousandformidable——establishedagainstmethatsecretunderstandingwhichitwasmyespecialaimtoprevent,andontheabsenceofwhichIhadbeencounting.Nay,IsawthatformyverylifeI

hadonlymyfriendthecutlerandmyownprudencetothank,seeingthattheserogueswouldcertainlyhavemurderedmewithoutscruplehadtheysucceededinfindingthebulkofmymoney.

Baffledinthis,whilestillpersuadedthatIhadotherresources,theyhadstoppedshortofthatvillany——orthismemoirhadneverbeenwritten.Theyhadkindlypermittedmetoliveuntilamorefavourableopportunityofenrichingthemselvesatmyexpenseshouldputtheminpossessionofmylastcrown!

ThoughIwassufficientlymasterofmyselftorefrainfromcomplaintswhichIfeltmustbeuseless,andfrommenaceswhichithasneverbeenmyhabittoutterunlessIhadalsothepowertoputthemintoexecution,itmustnotbeimaginedthatIdidnot,asIrodeonbyFresnoy"sside,feelmypositionacutelyorseehowabsurdafigureIcutinmydualcharacterofleaderanddupe.Indeed,thereflectionthat,beinginthisperilousposition,Iwasabouttostakeanother"ssafetyaswellasmyown,mademefeeltheneedofafewminutes"thoughtsourgentthatIdeterminedtogainthem,evenattheriskofleavingmymenatlibertytoplotfurthermischief.Comingalmostimmediatelyafterwardswithinsight,oftheturretsoftheChateauofChize,ItoldFresnoythatweshouldliethenightatthevillage;andbadehimtakethemenonandsecurequartersattheinn.Attackedinstantlybysuspicionandcuriosity,hedemurredstoutlytoleavingme,andmighthavepersistedinhisrefusalhadInotpulledup,andclearlyshownhimthatIwouldhavemyownwayinthiscaseorcometoanopenbreach.Heshrank,asIexpected,fromthelatteralternative,and,biddingmeasullenadieu,trottedonwithhistroop.Iwaiteduntiltheywereoutofsight,andthen,turningtheCid"shead,crossedasmallbrookwhichdividedtheroadfromthechase,andchoosingaridewhichseemedtopiercethewoodinthedirectionoftheChateau,proceededdownit,keepingasharplook-outoneitherhand.

Itwasthen,mythoughtsturningtotheladywhowasnowsonear,andwho,noble,rich,andastranger,seemed,asIapproachedher,nottheleastformidableoftheembarrassmentsbeforeme——itwasthenthatImadeadiscoverywhichsentacoldshiverthroughmyframe,andinamomentsweptallmemoryofmypaltrytencrownsfrommyhead.Tencrowns!Alas!Ihadlostthatwhichwasworthallmycrownsputtogether——thebrokencoinwhichtheKingofNavarrehadentrustedtome,andwhichformedmysolecredential,myonlymeansofpersuadingMademoiselledelaVirethatIcamefromhim.Ihadputitinmypouch,andofcourse,thoughthelossofitonlycamehometomymindnow,ithaddisappearedwiththerest.

Idrewreinandsatforsometimemotionless,theimageofdespair.Thewindwhichstirredthenakedboughsoverhead,andwhirledthedeadleavesinvolleyspastmyfeet,anddiedawayatlastamongthewhisperingbracken,metnowherewithwretchednessgreater,Ibelieve,thanwasmineatthatmoment.

CHAPTERIV.

MADEMOISELLEDELAVIRE.

Myfirstdesperateimpulseondiscoveringthemagnitudeofmylosswastorideaftertheknavesanddemandthetokenatthesword"spoint.Thecertainty,however,offindingthemunited,andthedifficultyofsayingwhichofthefivepossessedwhatI

wanted,ledmetorejectthisplanasIgrewcooler;andsinceI

didnotdream,eveninthisdilemma,ofabandoningtheexpeditiontheonlyalternativeseemedtobetoactasifIstillhadthebrokencoin,andessaywhatafrankexplanationmighteffectwhenthetimecame.

Aftersomewretched,verywretched,momentsofdebate,Iresolvedtoadoptthiscourse;and,forthepresent,thinkingImightgainsomeknowledgeofthesurroundingswhilethelightlasted,I

pushedcautiouslyforwardthroughthetreesandcameinlessthanfiveminuteswithinsightofacornerofthechateau,whichI

foundtobeamodernbuildingofthetimeofHenryII.,raised,likethehousesofthattime,forpleasureratherthandefence,anddecoratedwithmanyhandsomecasementsandtourelles.

Despitethis,itwore,asIsawit,agreyanddesolateair,dueinparttothelonelinessofthesituationandthelatenessofthehour;andinpart,Ithink,tothesmallnessofthehouseholdmaintained,fornoonewasvisibleontheterraceoratthewindows.Theraindrippedfromthetrees,whichontwosidespressedsocloselyonthehouseasalmosttodarkentherooms,andeverythingIsawencouragedmetohopethatmademoiselle"swisheswouldsecondmyentreaties,andinclinehertolendareadyeartomystory.

Theappearanceofthehouse,indeed,wasastronginducementtometoproceed,foritwasimpossibletobelievethatayounglady,akinswomanofthegayandvivaciousTurenne,andalreadyintroducedtothepleasuresoftheCourt,wouldelectofherownfreewilltospendthewinterinsodrearyasolitude.