第3章
Takingadvantageofthelastmomentsofdaylight,Irodecautiouslyroundthehouse,and,keepingintheshadowofthetrees,hadnodifficultyindiscoveringatthenorth-eastcornerthebalconyofwhichIhadbeentold.Itwassemi-circularinshape,withastonebalustrade,andhungsomefifteenfeetaboveaterracedwalkwhichranbelowit,andwasseparatedfromthechasebyalowsunkfence.
Iwassurprisedtoobservethat,notwithstandingtherainandthecoldnessoftheevening,thewindowwhichgaveuponthisbalconywasopen.Norwasthisall.Luckwasinstoreformeatlast.
Ihadnotgazedatthewindowmorethanaminute,calculatingitsheightandotherparticulars,when,tomygreatjoy,afemalefigure,closelyhooded,steppedoutandstoodlookingupatthesky.IwastoofarofftobeabletodiscernbythatuncertainlightwhetherthiswasMademoiselledelaVireorherwoman;buttheattitudewassoclearlyoneofdejectionanddespondency,thatIfeltsureitwaseitheroneortheother.Determinednottolettheopportunityslip,Idismountedhastilyand,leavingtheCidloose,advancedonfootuntilIstoodwithinhalf-a-dozenpacesofthewindow.
Atthatpointthewatcherbecameawareofme.Shestartedback,butdidnotwithdraw.Stillpeeringdownatme,shecalledsoftlytosomeoneinsidethechamber,andimmediatelyasecondfigure,tallerandstouter,appeared.Ihadalreadydoffedmycap,andInow,inalowvoice,beggedtoknowifIhadthehonourofspeakingtoMademoiselledelaVire.Inthegrowingdarknessitwasimpossibletodistinguishfaces.
"Hush!"thestouterfiguremutteredinatoneofwarning."Speaklower.Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouhere?"
"Iamhere,"Iansweredrespectfully,"commissionedbyafriendoftheladyIhavenamed,toconveyhertoaplaceofsafety."
"Mondieu!"wasthesharpanswer."Now?Itisimpossible."
"No,"Imurmured,"notnow,butto-night.Themoonrisesathalf-pasttwo.Myhorsesneedrestandfood.AtthreeIwillbebelowthiswindowwiththemeansofescape,ifmademoisellechoosetousethem."
Ifeltthattheywerestaringatmethroughthedusk,asthoughtheywouldreadmybreast."Yourname,sir?"theshorterfiguremurmuredatlast,afterapausewhichwasfullofsuspenseandexcitement.
"Idonotthinkmynameofmuchimportatpresent,Mademoiselle,"
Ianswered,reluctanttoproclaimmyselfastranger."When——"
"Yourname,yourname,sir!"sherepeatedimperiously,andI
heardherlittleheelrapuponthestonefloorofthebalcony.
"GastondeMarsac,"Iansweredunwillingly.
Theybothstarted,andcriedouttogether."Impossible!"thelastspeakerexclaimed,amazementandangerinhertone,"Thisisajest,sir.This——"
WhatmoreshewouldhavesaidIwaslefttoguess,foratthatmomentherattendantIhadnodoubtnowwhichwasmademoiselleandwhichFanchette——suddenlylaidherhandonhermistress"smouthandpointedtotheroombehindthem.Asecond"ssuspense,andwithawantinggesturethetwoturnedanddisappearedthroughthewindow.
Ilostnotimeinregainingtheshelterofthetrees;andconcluding,thoughIwasfarfromsatisfiedwiththeinterview,thatIcoulddonothingmorenow,butmightrather,byloiteringintheneighbourhood,awakensuspicion,Iremountedandmadeforthehighwayandthevillage,whereIfoundmymeninnoisyoccupationoftheinn,apoorplace,withunglazedwindows,andafireinthemiddleoftheearthenfloor.MyfirstcarewetstostabletheCidinashedattheback,whereIprovidedforitswantsasfarasIcouldwiththeaidofahalf-nakedboy,whoseemedtobeinhidingthere.
Thisdone,Ireturnedtothefrontofthehouse,havingprettywellmadeupmymindhowIwouldsetaboutthetaskbeforeme.
AsIpassedoneofthewindows,whichwaspartiallyclosedbyarudecurtainmadeofoldsacks,Istoppedtolookin.Fresnoyandhisfourrascalswereseatedonblocksofwoodroundthehearth,talkingloudlyandfiercely,andrufflingitasifthefireandtheroomweretheirown.Apedlar,seatedonhisgoodsinonecorner,waseyeingthemwithevidentfearandsuspicion;
inanothercornertwochildrenhadtakenrefugeunderadonkey,whichsomefowlshadchosenasaroosting-pole.Theinnkeeper,asturdyfellow,withagreatclubinhisfist,satmoodilyatthefootofaladderwhichledtotheloftabove,whileaslatternlywoman,whowasgoingtoandfrogettingsupper,seemedinequalterrorofherguestsandhergoodman.
ConfirmedbywhatIsaw,andassuredthatthevillainswereripeforanymischief,and,ifnotchecked,wouldspeedilybebeyondmycontrol,Inoisilyflungthedooropenandentered.FresnoylookedupwithasneerasIdidso,andoneofthemenlaughed.
Theothersbecamesilent;butnoonemovedorgreetedme.
Withoutamoment"shesitationIsteppedtothenearestfellowand,withasturdykick,senthislogfromunderhim."Rise,yourascal,whenIenter!"Icried,givingventtotheangerIhadlongfelt."Andyou,too!"andwithasecondkickIsenthisneighbour"sstoolflyingalso,andadministeredacoupleofcutswithmyriding-caneacrosstheman"sshoulders."Haveyounomanners,sirrah?Acrosswithyou,andleavethissidetoyourbetters."
Thetworose,snarlingandfeelingfortheirweapons,andforamomentstoodfacingme,lookingnowatmeandnowaskanceatFresnoy.Butashegavenosign,andtheircomradesonlylaughed,themen"scouragefailedthematthepinch,andwithaverypoorgracetheysneakedovertotheothersideofthefireandsatthere,scowling.
Iseatedmyselfbesidetheirleader."ThisgentlemanandIwilleathere,"Icriedtothemanatthefootoftheladder."Bidyourwifelayforus,andofthebestyouhave;anddoyougivethoseknavestheirprovenderwherethesmelloftheirgreasyjacketswillnotcomebetweenusandourvictuals."
Themancameforward,gladenough,asIsaw,todiscoveranyoneinauthority,andverycivillybegantodrawwineandplaceaboardforus,whilehiswifefilledourplattersfromtheblackpotwhichhungoverthefire.Fresnoy"sfacemeanwhileworetheamusedsmileofonewhocomprehendedmymotives,butfeltsufficientlysureofhispositionandinfluencewithhisfollowerstobeindifferenttomyproceedings.Ipresentlyshowedhim,however,thatIhadnotyetdonewithhim.Ourtablewaslaidinobediencetomyordersatsuchadistancefromthementhattheycouldnotoverhearourtalk,andby-and-byIleantovertohim.
"M.Fresnoy,"Isaid,"youareindangerofforgettingonething,Ifancy,whichitbehovesyoutoremember."
"What?"hemuttered,scarcelydeigningtolookupatme.
"ThatyouhavetodowithGastondeMarsac,"Iansweredquietly.
"Iammaking,asItoldyouthismorning,alastattempttorecruitmyfortunes,andIwillletnoman——noman,doyouunderstand,M.Fresnoy?——thwartmeandgoharmless."
"Whowishestothwartyou?"heaskedimpudently.
"You,"Iansweredunmoved,helpingmyself,asIspoke,fromtherollofblackbreadwhichlaybesideme."Yourobbedmethisafternoon;Ipasseditover.Youencouragedthosementobeinsolent;Ipasseditover.Butletmetellyouthis.Ifyoufailmeto-night,onthehonourofagentleman,M.Fresnoy,I
willrunyouthroughasIwouldspitalark."
"Willyou?Buttwocanplayatthatgame,"hecried,risingnimblyfromhisstool."Stillbettersix!Don"tyouthink,M.
deMarsac,youhadbetterhavewaited——?"
"Ithinkyouhadbetterhearonewordmore,"Iansweredcoolly,keepingmyseat,"beforeyouappealtoyourfellowsthere."
"Well,"hesaid,stillstanding,"whatisit?"
"Nay,"Ireplied,afteroncemorepointingtohisstoolinvain,"ifyouprefertotakemyordersstanding,wellandgood."
"Yourorders?"heshrieked,growingsuddenlyexcited.
"Yes,myorders!"Iretorted,risingassuddenlytomyfeetandhitchingforwardmysword."Myorders,sir,"Irepeatedfiercely,"or,ifyoudisputemyrighttocommandaswellastopaythisparty,letusdecidethequestionhereandnow——youandI,foottofoot,M.Fresnoy."
Thequarrelflashedupsosuddenly,thoughIhadbeenpreparingitallalong,thatnoonemoved.Thewomanindeed,fellbacktoherchildren,buttherestlookedonopen-mouthed.Hadtheystirred,orhadamoment"shurly-burlyheatedhisblood,IdoubtnotFresnoywouldhavetakenupmychallenge,forhedidnotlackhardihood.Butasitwas,facetofacewithmeinthesilence,hiscouragefailedhim.Hepaused,gloweringatmeuncertainly,anddidnotspeak.
"Well,"Isaid,"don"tyouthinkthatifIpayIoughttogiveorders,sir?"
"Whowishestoopposeyourorders?"hemuttered,drinkingoffabumper,andsittingdownwithanairofimpudentbravado,assumedtohidehisdiscomfiture.
"Ifyoudon"t,nooneelsedoes,"Ianswered.Sothatissettled.Landlord,somemorewine."
Hewasverysulkywithmeforawhile,fingeringhisglassinsilenceandscowlingatthetable.Hehadenoughgentilitytofeelthehumiliationtowhichhehadexposedhimself,andasufficiencyofwittounderstandthatthatmoment"shesitationhadcosthimtheallegianceofhisfellow-ruffians.Ihastened,therefore,tosethimathiseasebyexplainingmyplansforthenight,andpresentlysucceededbeyondmyhopes;forwhenheheardwhotheladywaswhomIproposedtocarryoff,andthatshewaslyingthateveningattheChateaudeChize,hissurprisesweptawaythelasttraceofresentment.Hestaredatme,asatamaniac.
"MonDieu!"heexclaimed."Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing,Sieur?"
"Ithinkso,"Ianswered.
"Doyouknowtowhomthechateaubelongs?"
"TotheVicomtedeTurenne."
"AndthatMademoiselledelaVireishisrelation?"
"Yes,"Isaid.
"MonDieu!"heexclaimedagain.Andhelookedatmeopen-
mouthed.
"Whatisthematter?"Iasked,thoughIhadanuneasyconsciousnessthatIknew——thatIknewverywell.
"Man,hewillcrushyouasIcrushthishat!"heansweredingreatexcitement."Aseasily.Whodoyouthinkwillprotectyoufromhiminaprivatequarrelofthiskind?Navarre?France?
ourgoodman?Notoneofthem.Youhadbetterstealtheking"scrownjewels——heisweak;orGuise"slastplot——heisgenerousattimes,orNavarre"slastsweetheart——heisaseasyasanoldshoe.Youhadbetterhavetodowithallthesetogether,Itellyou,thantouchTurenne"sewe-lambs,unlessyouraimbetobebrokenonthewheel!MonDieu,yes!"
"Iammuchobligedtoyouforyouradvice,"Isaidstiffly,"butthedieiscast.Mymindismadeup.Ontheotherhand,ifyouareafraid,M.Fresnoy——"
"Iamafraid;verymuchafraid,"heansweredfrankly.
"Stillyournameneednotbebroughtintothematter,"Ireplied,"Iwilltaketheresponsibility.Iwillletthemknowmynamehereattheinn,where,doubtless,inquirieswillbemade."
"Tobesure,thatissomething,"heanswered.thoughtfully.
"Well,itisanuglybusiness,butIaminforit.Youwantmetogowithyoualittleaftertwo,doyou?andtheotherstobeinthesaddleatthree?Isthatit?"
Iassented,pleasedtofindhimsofaracquiescent;andinthisway,talkingthedetailsovermorethanonce,wesettledourcourse,arrangingtoflybywayofPoitiersandTours.OfcourseIdidnottellhimwhyIselectedBloisasourrefuge,norwhatwasmypurposethere;thoughhepressedmemorethanonceonthepoint,andgrewthoughtfulandsomewhatgloomywhenIcontinuallyevadedit.Alittleaftereightweretiredtothelofttosleep;
ourmenremainingbelowroundthefireandsnoringsomerrilyasalmosttoshakethecrazyoldbuilding.Thehostwaschargedtositupandcallusassoonasthemoonrose,but,asitturnedout,Imightaswellhavetakenthisofficeonmyself,forbetweenexcitementanddistrustIsleptlittle,andwaswideawakewhenIheardhisstepontheladderandknewitwastimetorise.
Iwasupinamoment,andFresnoywaslittlebehindme;sothat,losingnotimeintalk,weweremountedandontheroad,eachwithasparehorseathisknee,beforethemoonwaswellabovethetrees.OnceintheChasewefounditnecessarytoproceedonfoot,but,thedistancebeingshort,wepresentlyemergedwithoutmisadventureandstoodoppositetothechateau,theupperpartofwhichshonecoldandwhiteinthemoon"srays.
Therewassomethingsosolemnintheaspectoftheplace,thenightbeingfineandtheskywithoutacloud,thatIstoodforaminuteawedandimpressed,thesenseoftheresponsibilityIwasheretoacceptstronguponme.Inthatshortspaceoftimeallthedangersbeforeme,aswellthecommonrisksoftheroadasthevengeanceofTurenneandtheturbulenceofmyownmen,presentedthemselvestomymind,andmadealastappealtometoturnbackfromanenterprisesofoolhardy.Thebloodinaman"sveinsrunslowandslowatthathour,andminewaschilledbylackofsleepandthewintryair.Itneededtheremembranceofmysolitarycondition,ofmypastspentinstraitsandfailure,ofthegreyhairswhichsweptmycheek,oftheswordwhichIhadlongusedhonourably,ifwithlittleprofittomyself;itneededthethoughtofallthesethingstorestoremetocourageandmyself.
Ijudgedatalaterperiodthatmycompanionwasaffectedinsomewhatthesameway;for,asIstoopedtopresshomethepegswhichIhadbroughttotetherthehorses,helaidhishandonmyarm.Glancinguptoseewhathewanted,Iwasstruckbythewildlookinhisface(whichthemoonlightinvestedwithapeculiarmottledpallor),andparticularlyinhiseyes,whichglitteredlikeamadman"s.Hetriedtospeak,butseemedtofindadifficultyindoingso;andIhadtoquestionhimroughlybeforehefoundhistongue.Whenhedidspeak,itwasonlytoimploremeinanodd,excitedmannertogiveuptheexpeditionandreturn.
"What,now?"Isaid,surprised."Nowwearehere,Fresnoy?"
"Ay,giveitup!"hecried,shakingmealmostfiercelybythearm."Giveitup,man!Itwillendbadly,Itellyou!InGod"sname,giveitup,andgohomebeforeworsecomesofit."
"Whatevercomesofit,"Iansweredcoldly,shakinghisgraspfrommyarm,andwonderingmuchatthissuddenfitofcowardice,"Igoon.You,M.Fresnoy,maydoasyouplease!"
Hestartedanddrewbackfromme;buthedidnotreply,nordidhespeakagain.WhenIpresentlywentofftofetchaladder,ofthepositionofwhichIhadmadeanoteduringtheafternoon,heaccompaniedme,andfollowedmebackinthesamedullsilencetothewalkbelowthebalcony.Ihadlookedmorethanonceandeagerlyatmademoiselle"swindowwithoutanylightormovementinthatquarterrewardingmyvigilance;but,undeterredbythis,whichmightmeaneitherthatmyplotwasknown,orthatMademoiselledelaViredistrustedme,Isettheladdersoftlyagainstthebalcony,whichwasindeepshadow,andpausedonlytogiveFresnoyhislastinstructions.Theseweresimplytostandonguardatthefootoftheladderanddefenditincaseofsurprise;sothat,whateverhappenedinsidethechateau,myretreatbythewindowmightnotbecutoff.
ThenIwentcautiouslyuptheladder,and,withmysheathedswordinmylefthand,steppedoverthebalustrade.Takingonepaceforward,withfingersoutstretched,Ifelttheleadedpanesofthewindowandtappedsoftly.
Assoftlythecasementgaveway,andIfollowedit.AhandwhichIcouldseebutnotfeelwaslaidonmine.Allwasdarknessintheroom,andbeforeme,butthehandguidedmetwopacesforward,thenbyasuddenpressurebademestand.Iheardthesoundofa,curtainbeingdrawnbehindme,andthenextmomentthecoverofarushlightwasremoved,andafeeblebutsufficientlightfilledthechamber.
Icomprehendedthatthedrawingofthatcurtainoverthewindowhadcutoffmyretreataseffectuallyasifadoorhadbeenclosedbehindme.Butdistrustandsuspiciongavewaythenextmomenttothenaturalembarrassmentofthemanwhofindshimselfinafalsepositionandknowshecanescapefromitonlybyanawkwardexplanation.
TheroominwhichIfoundmyselfwaslong,narrow,andlowintheceiling;andbeinghungwithsomedarkstuffwhichswallowedupthelight,terminatedfunereallyatthefartherendinthestilldeepergloomofanalcove.Twoorthreehugechests,onebearingtheremnantsofameal,stoodagainstthewalls.Themiddleofthefloorwascoveredwithastripofcoarsematting,onwhichasmalltable,achairandfoot-rest,andacoupleofstoolshadplace,withsomesmallerarticleswhichlayscatteredroundapairofhalf-filledsaddle-bags.TheslighterandsmallerofthetwofiguresIhadseenstoodbesidethetable,wearingamaskandridingcloak;andbyhersilentmannerofgazingatme,aswellasbyacold,disdainfulbearing,whichneitherhermasknorcloakcouldhide,didmoretochillanddiscomfitmethanevenmyownknowledgethatIhadlostthepass-keywhichshouldhaveadmittedmetoherconfidence.
Thestouterfigureoftheafternoonturnedouttobeared-
cheeked,sturdywomanofthirty,withbrightblackeyesandamannerwhichlostnothingofitsfierceimpatiencewhenshecamealittlelatertoaddressme.AllmyideasofFanchettewereupsetbytheappearanceofthiswoman,who,rusticinherspeechandways,seemedmorelikeaduenna,thanthewaiting-maidofacourtbeauty,andbetterfittedtoguardawaywarddamselthantoaidherinsuchanescapadeaswehadinhand.
Shestoodslightlybehindhermistress,hercoarseredhandrestingonthebackofthechairfromwhichmademoisellehadapparentlyrisenonmyentrance.Forafewseconds,whichseemedminutestome,westoodgazingatoneanotherinsilence,mademoiselleacknowledgingmybowbyaslightmovementofthehead.Then,seeingthattheywaitedformetospeak,Ididso.
"MademoiselledelaVire?"Imurmureddoubtfully.
Shebentherheadagain;thatwasall.
Istrovetospeakwithconfidence."Youwillpardonme,mademoiselle,"Isaid,"ifIseemtobeabrupt,buttimeiseverything.Thehorsesarestandingwithinahundredyardsofthehouse,andallthepreparationsforyourflightaremade.Ifweleavenow,wecandosowithoutopposition.Thedelayevenofanhourmayleadtodiscovery."
Foranswershelaughedbehindhermask-laughedcoldlyandironically."Yougotoofast,sir,"shesaid,herlowclearvoicematchingthelaughandrousingafeelingalmostofangerinmyheart."Idonotknowyou;or,rather,Iknownothingofyouwhichshouldentitleyoutointerfereinmyaffairs.Youaretooquicktopresume,sir.Yousayyoucomefromafriend.Fromwhom?"
"FromonewhomIamproudtocallbythattitle,"IansweredwithwhatpatienceImight.
"Hisname!"
IansweredfirmlythatIcouldnotgiveit.AndIeyedhersteadilyasIdidso.
Thisforthemomentseemedtobaffleandconfuseher,butafterapauseshecontinued:"Wheredoyouproposetotakeme,sir?"
"ToBlois;tothelodgingofafriendofmyfriend."
"Youspeakbravely,"sherepliedwithafaintsneer."Youhavemadesomegreatfriendslatelyitseems!Butyoubringmesomeletter,nodoubt;atleastsomesign,sometoken,somewarranty,thatyouarethepersonyoupretendtobe,M.deMarsac?"
"Thetruthis,Mademoiselle,"Istammered,"Imustexplain.I
shouldtellyou——"
"Nay,sir,"shecriedimpetuously,"thereisnoneedoftelling.
IfyouhavewhatIsay,showitme!Itisyouwholosetime.
Letushavenomorewords!"
Ihadusedveryfewwords,and,Godknows,wasnotinthemindtousemany;but,beinginthewrong,Ihadnoanswertomakeexceptthetruth,andthathumbly."Ihadsuchatokenasyoumention,mademoiselle,"Isaid,"nofartherbackthanthisafternoon,intheshapeofhalfagoldcoin,entrustedtomebymyfriend.
But,tomyshameIsayit,itwasstolenfrommeafewhoursback."
"Stolenfromyou!"sheexclaimed.
"Yes,mademoiselle;andforthatreasonIcannotshowit,"I
answered.
"Youcannotshowit?Andyoudaretocometomewithoutit!"
shecried,speakingwithavehemencewhichfairlystartledme,preparedasIwasforreproaches.Youcometome!You!"shecontinued.Andwiththat,scarcelystoppingtotakebreath,sheloadedmewithabuse;callingmeimpertinent,ameddler,andahundredotherthings,whichInowblushtorecall,anddisplayinginallapassionwhicheveninherattendantwouldhavesurprisedme,butinonesoslightandseeminglydelicate,overwhelmedandconfoundedme.InfaultasIwas,Icouldnotunderstandthepeculiarbitternessshedisplayed,orthecontemptuousforceofherlanguage,andIstaredatherinsilentwonderuntil,ofherownaccord,shesuppliedthekeytoherfeelings.Inafreshoutburstofrageshesnatchedoffhermask,andtomyastonishmentIsawbeforemetheyoungmaidofhonourwhomIhadencounteredintheKingofNavarre"santechamber,andwhomIhadbeensounfortunateastoexposetotherailleryofMathurine.
"Whohaspaidyou,sir,"shecontinued,clenchinghersmallhandsandspeakingwithtearsofangerinhereyes,"tomakemethelaughing-stockoftheCourt?ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtyoutheproperagentofthosetowhomIhavearighttolookforaid!ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtmyselfforced,throughtheirinconsideratechoice,todecidebetweenanodiousimprisonmentandtheridiculetowhichyourinterventionmustexposeme!Butthatyoushouldhavedared,ofyourownnotion,tofollowme,you,thebuttoftheCourt——"
"Mademoiselle!"Icried.
"Aneedy,out-at-elbowsadventurer!"shepersisted,triumphinginhercruelty."Itexceedsallbearing!Itisnottobesuffered!It——"
"Nay,mademoiselle;youSHALLhearme!"Icried,withasternnesswhichatlaststoppedher."GrantedIampoor,Iamstillagentleman;yes,mademoiselle,"Icontinued,firmly,"agentleman,andthelastofafamilywhichhasspokenwithyoursonequalterms.AndIclaimtobeheard.IswearthatwhenI
camehereto-nightIbelievedyoutobeaperfectstranger!I
wasunawarethatIhadeverseenyou,unawarethatIhadevermetyoubefore,"
"Thenwhydidyoucome?"shesaidviciously.
"Iwasengagedtocomebythosewhomyouhavementioned,andthere,andthereonlyamIinfault.TheyentrustedtomeatokenwhichIhavelost.ForthatIcraveyourpardon."
"Youhaveneedto,"sheansweredbitterly,yetwithachangedcountenance,orIwasmistaken,"ifyourstorybetrue,sir."
"Ay,thatyouhave!"thewomanbesideherechoed.
"Hoitytoity,indeed!Hereisafussaboutnothing.Youcallyourselfagentleman,andwearsuchadoubletas——"
"Peace,Fanchette"mademoisellesaidimperiously.Andthenforamomentshestoodsilent,eyeingmeintently,herlipstremblingwithexcitementandtworedspotsburninginhercheeks.Itwasclearfromherdressandotherthingsthatshehadmadeuphermindtoflyhadthetokenbeenforthcoming;andseeingthis,andknowinghowunwillingayounggirlistoforgoherownway,I
stillhadsomehopesthatshemightnotpersevereinherdistrustandrefusal.Andsoitturnedout.
Hermannerhadchangedtooneofquietscornwhenshenextspoke.
"Youdefendyourselfskilfully,sir,"shesaid,drummingwithherfingersonthetableandeyeingmesteadfastly."Butcanyougivemeanyreasonforthepersonyounamemakingchoiceofsuchamessenger?"
"Yes,"Ianswered,boldly."Thathemaynotbesuspectedofconnivingatyourescape."
"Oh!"shecried,withasparkofherformerpassion."ThenitistobeputaboutthatMademoiselledelaVirehadfledfromChizewithM.deMarsac,isit?Ithoughtthat!"
"ThroughtheassistanceofM.deMarsac,"Iretorted,correctinghercoldly."Itisforyou,mademoiselle,"Icontinued,"toweighthatdisadvantageagainsttheunpleasantnessofremaininghere.Itonlyremainsformetoaskyoutodecidequickly.Timepresses,andIhavestayedheretoolongalready."
Thewordshadbarelypassedmylipswhentheyreceivedunwelcomeconfirmationintheshapeofadistantsound——thenoisyclosingofadoor,which,clangingthroughthehouseatsuchanhour——I
judgedittobeafterthreeo"clock——couldscarcelymeananythingbutmischief.Thisnoisewasfollowedimmediately,evenwhilewestoodlisteningwithraisedfingers,byothersounds——amuffledcry,andthetrampofheavyfootstepsinadistantpassage.Mademoisellelookedatme,andIatherwoman."Thedoor!"Imuttered."Isitlocked?"
"Andbolted!"Fanchetteanswered;"andagreatchestsetagainstit.Letthemramp;theywilldonoharmforabit."
"Thenyouhavestilltime,mademoiselle,"Iwhispered,retreatingastepandlayingmyhandonthecurtainbeforethewindow.
PerhapsIaffectedgreatercoolnessthanIfelt."Itisnottoolate.Ifyouchoosetoremain,wellandgood.Icannothelpit.
If,ontheotherhand,youdecidetotrustyourselftome,I
swear,onthehonourofagentleman,tobeworthyofthetrust——
toserveyoutrulyandprotectyoutothelast!Icansaynomore."
Shetrembled,lookingfrommetothedoor,onwhichsomeonehadjustbeguntoknockloudly.Thatseemedtodecideher.Herlipsapart,hereyesfullofexcitement,sheturnedhastilytoFanchette.
"Ay,goifyoulike,"thewomananswereddoggedly,readingthemeaningofherlook."Therecannotbeagreatervillainthantheoneweknowof.Butoncestarted,heavenhelpus,forifheovertakesuswe"llpaydearlyforit!"
Thegirldidnotspeakherself,butitwasenough.Thenoiseatthedoorincreasedeachsecond,andbegantobemingledwithangryappealstoFanchettetoopen,andwiththreatsincaseshedelayed.Icutthemattershortbysnatchinguponeofthesaddle-bags——theotherweleftbehind——andflungbackthecurtainwhichcoveredthewindow.Atthesametimethewomandashedoutthelight——atimelyprecaution——andthrowingopenthecasementI
steppedontothebalcony,theothersfollowingmeclosely.
Themoonhadrisenhigh,andfloodingwithlightthesmallopenspaceaboutthehouseenabledmetoseeclearlyallroundthefootoftheladder,tomysurpriseFresnoywasnotathispost,norwashetobeseenanywhere;butas,atthemomentIobservedthis,anoutcryawaytomyleft,attherearofthechateau,cametomyears,andannouncedthatthedangerwasnolongerconfinedtotheinteriorofthehouse,Iconcludedthathehadgonethatwaytointercepttheattack.Withoutmore,therefore,IbegantodescendasquicklyasIcould,myswordunderonearmandthebagundertheother.
Iwashalf-waydown,andmademoisellewasalreadysteppingontotheladdertofollow,whenIheardfootstepsbelow,andsawhimrunup,hisswordinhishand.
"Quick,Fresnoy!"Icried."Tothehorsesandunfastenthem!
quick!"
Isliddowntherestoftheway,thinkinghehadgonetodomybidding.Butmyfeetwerescarcelyonthegroundwhenatremendousblowinthesidesentmestaggeringthreepacesfromtheladder.Theattackwassosudden,sounexpected,thatbutforthesightofFresnoy"sscowlingface,wildwithrage,atmyshoulder,andthesoundofhisfiercebreathingashestrovetoreleasehissword,whichhadpassedthroughmysaddle-bag,I
mightneverhaveknownwhostrucktheblow,orhownarrowhadbeenmyescape.
Fortunatelytheknowledgedidcometomeintime,andbeforehefreedhisblade;anditnervedmyhand.Todrawmy-bladeatsuchclosequarterswasimpossible,but,droppingthebagwhichhadsavedmylife,Idashedmyhilttwiceinhisfacewithsuchviolencethathefellbackwardsandlayontheturf,adarkstaingrowingandspreadingonhisupturnedface.
Itwasscarcelydonebeforethewomenreachedthefootoftheladderandstoodbesideme."Quick!"Icriedtothem,"ortheywillbeuponus."Seizingmademoiselle"shand,justashalf-a-
dozenmencamerunningroundthecornerofthehouse,Ijumpedwithherdownthehaha,and,urginghertoherutmostspeed,dashedacrosstheopengroundwhichlaybetweenusandthebeltoftrees.Onceintheshelterofthelatter,whereourmovementswerehiddenfromview,Ihadstilltofreethehorsesandmountmademoiselleandherwoman,andthisinhaste.Butmycompanions"admirablecoolnessandpresenceofmind,andtheobjectionwhichourpursuers,whodidnotknowournumbers,felttoleavingtheopenground,enabledustodoallwith,comparativeease.IsprangontheCid(ithasalwaysbeenmyhabittoteachmyhorsetostandforme,nordoIknowanyaccomplishmentmoreserviceableatapinch),andgivingFresnoy"sgreyacutovertheflankswhichdespatcheditahead,ledthewaydowntheridebywhichIhadgainedthechateauintheafternoon.
Iknewittobelevelandclearoftrees,andthefactthatwechoseitmightthrowourpursuersoffthetrackforatime,byleadingthemtothinkwehadtakenthesouthroadinsteadofthatthroughthevillage.
CHAPTERV.
THEROADTOBLOIS.
Wegainedtheroadwithoutletorhindrance,whenceasharpburstinthemoonlightsoonbroughtustothevillage.Throughthiswesweptontotheinn,almostrunningoverthefourevangelists,whomwefoundstandingatthedoorreadyforthesaddle.Ibadethem,inaquickperemptorytone,togettohorse,andwasoverjoyedtoseethemobeywithoutdemurorwordofFresnoy.Inanotherminute,withagreatclatterofhoofs,wesprangclearofthehamlet,andwerewellontheroadtoMelle,withPoitierssomethirteenleaguesbeforeus.Ilookedback,andthoughtI
discernedlightsmovinginthedirectionofthechateau;butthedawnwasstilltwohoursoff,andthemoonlightleftmeindoubtwhetherthesewererealorthecreaturesofmyownfearfulfancy.
Iremember,threeyearsbeforethistime,ontheoccasionofthefamousretreatfromAngers——whenthePrinceofCondehadinvolvedhisarmybeyondtheLoire,andsawhimself,intheimpossibilityofrecrossingtheriver,compelledtotakeshipforEngland,leavingeveryonetoshiftforhimself——Iwellrememberonthatoccasionriding,aloneandpistolinhand,throughmorethanthirtymilesoftheenemy"scountrywithoutdrawingrein.Butmyanxietieswerethenconfinedtothefourshoesofmyhorse.ThedangerstowhichIwasexposedateveryfordandcrossroadweresuchasareinseparablefromacampaign,andbreedingenerousheartsonlyafiercepleasure,rarelytobeotherwiseenjoyed.
AndthoughIthenrodewarily,andwhereIcouldnotcarryterror,hadalltofearmyself,therewasnothingsecretorunderhandinmybusiness.
Itwasverydifferentnow.DuringthefirstfewhoursofourflightfromChizeIexperiencedapainfulexcitement,analarm,afeverishanxietytogetforward,whichwasnewtome;whichoppressedmyspiritstotheveryground;whichledmetotakeeverysoundbornetousonthewindforthesoundofpursuit,transformingtheclangofahammerontheanvilintotheringofswords,andthevoicesofmyownmenintothoseofthepursuers.
Itwasinvainmademoisellerodewithafreehand,andleapingsuchobstaclesaslayinourway,gavepromiseofcourageandendurancebeyondmyexpectations.Icouldthinkofnothingbutthethreelongday"sbeforeus,withtwenty-fourhourstoeveryday,andeachhourfraughtwithahundredchancesofdisasterandruin.
Infact,thelongerIconsideredourposition——andaswepoundedalong,nowsplashingthroughafounderoushollow,nowstumblingaswewoundoverastonyshoulder,Ihadampletimetoreflectuponit——thegreaterseemedthedifficultiesbeforeus.ThelossofFresnoy,whileitfreedmefromsomeembarrassment,meantalsothelossofagoodsword,andwehadmusteredonlytoofewbefore.ThecountrywhichlaybetweenusandtheLoire,beingtheborderlandbetweenourpartyandtheLeague,hadbeenlaiddesolatesooftenastobeabandonedtopillageanddisorderofeverykind.Thepeasantshadflockedintothetowns.Theirplaceshadbeentakenbybandsofrobbersanddesertersfrombothparties,whohauntedtheruinedvillagesaboutPoitiers,andpreyeduponallwhodaredtopass.Toaddtoourperils,theroyalarmyundertheDukeofNeverswasreportedtobemovingslowlysouthward,notveryfartotheleftofourroad;whileaHuguenotexpeditionagainstNiortwasalsoinprogresswithinafewleaguesofus.
Withfourstaunchandtrustworthycomradesatmyback,Imighthavefacedeventhissituationwithasmileandalightheart;
buttheknowledgethatmyfourknavesmightmutinyatanymoment,or,worsestill,ridthemselvesofmeandallrestraintbyasingletreacherousblowsuchasFresnoyhadaimedatme,filledmewithanever-presentdread;whichittaxedmyutmostenergiestohidefromthem,andwhichIstroveinvaintoconcealfrommademoiselle"skeenervision.
Whetheritwasthishadaneffectuponher,givingherameaneropinionofmethanthatwhichIhadforawhilehopedsheentertained,orthatshebegan,nowitwastoolate,toregretherflightandresentmypartinit,Iscarcelyknow;butfromdaybreakonwardssheassumedanattitudeofcoldsuspiciontowardsme,whichwasonlylessunpleasantthanthescornfuldistanceofhermannerwhenshedeigned,whichwasseldom,toaddressme.
NotoncedidsheallowmetoforgetthatIwasinhereyesaneedyadventurer,paidbyherfriendstoescorthertoaplaceofsafety,butwithoutanyclaimtothesmallestprivilegeofintimacyorequality.WhenIwouldhaveadjustedhersaddle,shebadeherwomancomeandholdupherskirt,thatmyhandsmightnottouchitshemevenbyaccident.AndwhenIwouldhavebroughtwinetoheratMelle,wherewestayedfortwentyminutes,shecalledFanchettetohandittoher.Sherodeforthemostpartinhermask;andwithherwoman.Onegoodeffectonlyherprideandreservehad;theyimpressedourmenwithastrongsenseofherimportance,andthedangertowhichanyinterferencewithhermightexposethem.
ThetwomenwhomFresnoyhadenlistedIdirectedtorideascoreofpacesinadvance.LukeandJohnIplacedintherear.InthismannerIthoughttokeepthemsomewhatapart.Formyself,I
proposedtorideabreastofmademoiselle,butshemadeitsoclearthatmyneighbourhooddispleasedherthatIfellback,leavinghertoridewithFanchette;andcontentedmyselfwithploddingattheirheels,andstrivingtoattachthelaterevangeliststomyinterests.
Weweresofortunate,despitemyfears,astofindtheroadnearlydeserted——as,alas,wasmuchofthecountryoneitherside——andtomeetnonebutsmallpartiestravellingalongit;whoweregladenough,seeingthevillainouslooksofouroutriders,togiveusawideberth,andbequitofusforthefright.WeskirtedLusignan,shunningthestreets,butpassingnearenoughformetopointouttomademoisellethesiteofthefamoustowerbuilt,accordingtotradition,bythefairyMelusina,andrasedthirteenyearsbackbytheLeaguers.Shereceivedmyinformationsofrigidly,however,thatIofferednomore,butfellbackshruggingmyshoulders,androdeinsilence,until,sometwohoursafternoon,thecityofPoitierscameintosight,lyingwithinitscircleofwallsandtowersonalowhillinthemiddleofacountryclothedinsummerwithrichvineyards,butnowbrownandbareandcheerlesstotheeye.
FanchetteturnedandaskedmeabruptlyifthatwerePoitiers.
Iansweredthatitwas,butaddedthatforcertainreasonsI
proposednottohalt,buttolieatavillagealeaguebeyondthecity,wheretherewasatolerableinn.
"Weshalldoverywellhere,"thewomanansweredrudely."Anyway,myladywillgonofarther.Sheistiredandcold,andwetbesides,andhasgonefarenough."
"Still,"Ianswered,nettledbythewoman"sfamiliarity,"Ithinkmademoisellewillchangehermindwhenshehearsmyreasonsforgoingfarther."
"Mademoiselledoesnotwishtohearthem,sir,"theladyrepliedherself,andverysharply.
"Nevertheless,Ithinkyouhadbetterhearthem,"Ipersisted,turningtoherrespectfully."Yousee,mademoiselle——"
"Iseeonlyonething,sir,"sheexclaimed,snatchingoffhermaskanddisplayingacountenancebeautifulindeed,butflushedforthemomentwithangerandimpatience,"that,whateverbetides,IstayatPoitiersto-night."
"Ifitwouldcontentyoutorestanhour?"Isuggestedgently.
"Itwillnotcontentme!"sherejoinedwithspirit."Andletmetellyou,sir,"shewentonimpetuously,"onceforall,thatyoutaketoomuchuponyourself.Youareheretoescortme,andtogiveorderstotheseragamuffins,fortheyarenothingbetter,withwhomyouhavethoughtfittodisgraceourcompany;butnottogiveorderstomeortocontrolmymovements.Confineyourselfforthefuture,sir,toyourduties,ifyouplease."
"Idesireonlytoobeyyou,"Ianswered,suppressingtheangryfeelingswhichroseinmybreast,andspeakingascoollyaslayinmypower."But,asthefirstofmydutiesistoprovideforyoursafety,Iamdeterminedtoomitnothingwhichcanconducetothatend.Youhavenotconsideredthat,ifapartyinpursuitofusreachesPoitiersto-night,searchwillbemadeforusinthecity,andweshallbetaken.If,ontheotherhand,weareknowntohavepassedthrough,thehuntmaygonofarther;certainlywillgonofartherto-night.Thereforewemustnot,mademoiselle,"Iaddedfirmly,"lieinPoitiersto-night."
"Sir,"sheexclaimed,lookingatme,herfacecrimsonwithwonderandindignation,"doyoudareto——?"
"Idaredomyduty,mademoiselle,"Ianswered,pluckingupaspirit,thoughmyheartwassore."Iamamanoldenoughtobeyourfather,andwithlittletolose,orIhadnotbeenhere.I
carenothingwhatyouthinkorwhatyousayofme,providedIcandowhatIhaveundertakentodoandplaceyousafelyinthehandsofyourfriends.Butenough,mademoiselle,weareatthegate.
Ifyouwillpermitme,Iwillridethroughthestreetsbesideyou.Weshallsoattractlessattention."
Withoutwaitingforapermissionwhichshewasveryunlikelytogive,Ipushedmyhorseforward,andtookmyplacebesideher,signingtoFanchettetofallback.Themaidobeyed,speechlesswithindignation;whilemademoiselleflashedascathingglanceatmeandlookedroundinhelplessanger,asthoughitwasinhermindtoappealagainstmeeventothepassers-by.Butshethoughtbetterofit,andcontentingherselfwithmutteringtheword"Impertinent"putonhermaskwithfingerswhichtrembled,I
fancy,notalittle.
Asmallrainwasfallingandtheafternoonwaswelladvancedwhenweenteredthetown,butInoticedthat,notwithstandingthis,thestreetspresentedabusyandanimatedappearance,beingfullofknotsofpeopleengagedinearnesttalk.Abellwastollingsomewhere,andnearthecathedralacrowdofnolittlesizewasstanding,listeningtoamanwhoseemedtoberendingaplacardormanifestoattachedtothewall.Inanotherplaceasoldier,wearingthecrimsoncoloursoftheLeague,butsplashedandstainedaswithrecenttravel,washoldingforthtoabreathlesscirclewhoseemedtohanguponhislips.Aneighbouringcornershelteredahandfulofpriestswhowhisperedtogetherwithgloomyfaces.Manystaredatusaswepassed,andsomewouldhavespoken;butIrodesteadilyon,invitingnoconverse.
NeverthelessatthenorthgateIgotararefright;for,thoughitwantedafullhalf-hourofsunset,theporterwasintheactofclosingit.Seeingus,hewaitedgrumblinguntilwecameup,andthenmuttered,inanswertomyremonstrance,somethingaboutqueertimesandwilfulpeoplehavingtheirway.Itooklittlenoticeofwhathesaid,however,beinganxiousonlytogetthroughthegateandleaveasfewtracesofourpassageasmightbe.