第4章

AssoonaswewereoutsidethetownIfellback,permittingFanchettetotakemyplace.Foranotherleague,alonganddrearyone,weploddedoninsilence,horsesandmenalikejadedandsullen,andthewomenscarcelyabletokeeptheirsaddlesforfatigue.Atlast,muchtomyrelief,seeingthatIbegantofearIhadtaxedmademoiselle"sstrengthtoofar,thelonglowbuildingsoftheinnatwhichIproposedtostaycameinsight,atthecrossingoftheroadandriver.Theplacelookedblankandcheerless,fortheduskwasthickening;butaswetrailedonebyoneintothecourtyardastreamoffirelightburstonusfromdoorsandwindows,andadozensoundsoflifeandcomfortgreetedourears.

Noticingthatmademoisellewasbenumbedandcrampedwithlongsitting,Iwouldhavehelpedhertodismount;butshefiercelyrejectedmyaid,andIhadtocontentmyselfwithrequestingthelandlordtoassignthebestaccommodationhehadtotheladyandherattendant,andsecureasmuchprivacyforthemaspossible.

Themanassentedverycivillyandsaidallshouldbedone;butI

noticedthathiseyeswanderedwhileItalked,andthatheseemedtohavesomethingonhismind.Whenhereturned,afterdisposingofthem,itcameout.

"Didyoueverhappentoseehim,sir?"heaskedwithasigh;yetwasthereasmugairofpleasuremingledwithhismelancholy.

"Seewhom?"Ianswered,staringathim,forneitherofushadmentionedanyone.

"TheDuke,sir."

Istaredagainbetweenwonderandsuspicion."TheDukeofNeversisnotinthispart,ishe?"Isaidslowly."IheardhewasontheBrittanyborder,awaytothewestward."

"MonDieu!"myhostexclaimed,raisinghishandsinastonishment."Youhavenotheard,sir?"

"Ihaveheardnothing,"Iansweredimpatiently.

"Youhavenotheard,sir,thatthemostpuissantandillustriouslordtheDukeofGuiseisdead?"

"M.deGuisedead?Itisnottrue!"Icriedastonished.

Henodded,however,severaltimeswithanairofgreatimportance,andseemedasifhewouldhavegoneontogivemesomeparticulars.But,remembering,asIfancied,thathespokeinthehearingofhalf-a-dozenguestswhosataboutthegreatfirebehindme,andhadbotheyesandearsopen,hecontentedhimselfwithshiftinghistoweltohisotherarmandaddingonly,"Yes,sir,deadasanynail.Thenewscamethroughhereyesterday,andmadeaprettystir.IthappenedatBloisthedaybutonebeforeChristmas,ifallbetrue."

Iwasthunderstruck.ThiswasnewswhichmightchangethefaceofFrance."Howdidithappen?"Iasked.

Myhostcoveredhismouthwithhishandandcoughed,and,privilytwitchingmysleeve,gavemetounderstandwithsomeshamefacednessthathecouldnotsaymoreinpublic.Iwasabouttomakesomeexcusetoretirewithhim,whenaharshvoice,addressedapparentlytome,causedmetoturnsharply.Ifoundatmyelbowatallthin-facedmonkinthehabitoftheJacobinorder.Hehadrisenfromhisseatbesidethefire,andseemedtobelabouringundergreatexcitement.

"Whoaskedhowithappened?"hecried,rollinghiseyesinakindoffrenzy,whilestillobservant,orIwasmuchmistaken,ofhislisteners.IsthereamaninFrancetowhomthetalehasnotbeentold?Isthere?"

"Iwillanswerforone,"Ireplied,regardinghimwithlittlefavour."Ihaveheardnothing."

"Thenyoushall!Listen!"heexclaimed,raisinghisrighthandandbrandishingitasthoughhedenouncedapersonthenpresent.

"Hearmyaccusation,madeinthenameofMotherChurchandthesaintsagainstthearchhypocrite,theperjurerandassassinsittinginhighplaces!HeshallbeAnathemaMaranatha,forhehasshedthebloodoftheholyandthepure,thechosenofHeaven!Heshallgodowntothepit,andthatsoon.Thebloodthathehasshedshallberequiredofhim,andthatbeforeheisoneyearolder."

"Tut-tut.Allthatsoundsveryfine,goodfather,"Isaid,waxingimpatient,andalittlescornful;forIsawthathewasoneofthosewanderingandoftencrazymonksinwhomtheLeaguefoundtheirmostusefulemissaries."ButIshouldprofitmorebyyourgentlewords,ifIknewwhomyouwerecursing."

"Themanofblood!"hecried;"throughwhomthelastbutnottheleastofGod"ssaintsandmartyrsenteredintogloryontheFridaybeforeChristmas."

Movedbysuchprofanity,andjudginghim,notwithstandingtheextravaganceofhiswordsandgestures,tobelessmadthanheseemed,andatleastasmuchknaveasfool,Ibadehimsternlyhavedonewithhiscursing,andproceedtohisstoryifhehadone.

Hegloweredatmeforamoment,asthoughheweremindedtolaunchhisspiritualweaponsatmyhead;butasIreturnedhisglarewithanunmovedeye——andmyfourrascals,whowereasimpatientasmyselftolearnthenews,andhadscarcemorereverenceforashavencrown,begantomurmur——hethoughtbetterofit,andcoolingassuddenlyashehadflamedup,lostnomoretimeinsatisfyingourcuriosity.

Itwouldillbecomeme,however,tosetdowntheextravagantandoftenblasphemousharangueinwhich,stylingM.deGuisethemartyrofGod,hetoldthestorynowsofamiliar——thestoryofthatdarkwintrymorningatBlois,whentheking"smessenger,knockingearlyattheduke"sdoor,badehimhurry,forthekingwantedhim.Thestoryistriteenoughnow.WhenIhearditfirstintheinnontheClain,itwasallnewandallmarvellous.

Themonk,too,tellingthestoryasifhehadseentheeventswithhisowneyes,omittednothingwhichmightimpresshishearers.Hetoldushowthedukereceivedwarningafterwarning,andansweredintheveryantechamber,"Hedarenot!"Howhisblood,mysteriouslyadvisedofcomingdissolution,grewchill,andhiseye,woundedatChateauThierry,begantorun,sothathehadtosendforthehandkerchiefhehadforgottentobring.Hetoldus,even,howthedukedrewhisassassinsupanddownthechamber,howhecriedformercy,andhowhediedatlastatthefootoftheking"sbed,andhowtheking,whohadneverdaredtofacehimliving,cameandspurnedhimdead!

Therewerepalefacesroundthefirewhenheceased,andbentbrowsandlipshardpressedtogether.ThenhestoodandcursedtheKingofFrance——cursinghimopenlybythenameofHenryofValois,athingIhadneverlookedtohearinFrance——thoughnoonesaid"Amen,"andallglancedovertheirshoulders,andourhostpatteredfromtheroomasifhehadseenaghost,itseemedtobenoman"sdutytogainsayhim.

Formyself,IwasfullofthoughtswhichitwouldhavebeenunsafetoutterinthatcompanyorsoneartheLoire.Ilookedbacksixteenyears.WhobutHenryofGuisehadspurnedthecorpseofColigny?AndwhobutHenryofValoishadbackedhimintheact?WhobutHenryofGuisehaddrenchedPariswithblood,andwhobutHenryofValoishadriddenbyhisside?One23rdofthemonth——adaynevertobeerasedfromFrance"sannals——hadpurchasedforhimatermofgreatness.Asecond23rdsawhim,paytheprice——sawhisashescastsecretlyandbynightnomanknowswhere!

Movedbysuchthoughts,andobservingthatthepriestwasgoingtheroundofthecompanycollectingmoneyformassesfortheduke"ssoul,towhichobjectIcouldneithergivewithagoodconsciencenorrefusewithoutexcitingsuspicion,Islippedout;

andfindingamanofdecentappearancetalkingwiththelandlordinasmallroombesidethekitchen,Icalledforaflaskofthebestwine,andbymeansofthatintroductionobtainedmysupperintheircompany.

ThestrangerwasaNormanhorsedealer,returninghome,afterdisposingofhisstring.Heseemedtobeinalargewayofbusiness,andbeingofabluff,independentspirit,asmanyofthoseNormantownsmenare,wasinclinedatfirsttotreatmewithmorefamiliaritythanrespect;thefactofmynag,forwhichhewouldhavechaffered,excellingmycoatinquality,leadinghimtosetmedownasastewardorintendant.Thepursuitofhistrade,however,hadbroughthimintoconnectionwithallclassesofmenandhequicklyperceivedhismistake;andasheknewtheprovincesbetweentheSeineandLoiretoperfection,andmadeitpartofhisbusinesstoforeseethechancesofpeaceandwar,I

obtainedagreatamountofinformationfromhim,andindeedconceivednolittlelikingforhim.HebelievedthattheassassinationofM.deGuisewouldalienatesomuchofFrancefromthekingthathismajestywouldhavelittleleftsavethetownsontheLoire,andsomeotherplaceslyingwithineasyreachofhiscourtatBlois.

"But,"Isaid,"thingsseemquietnow.Here,forinstance."

"Itisthecalmbeforethestorm,"heanswered."Thereisamonkinthere.Haveyouheardhim?"

Inodded.

"Heisonlyoneamongahundred——athousand,"thehorsedealercontinued,lookingatmeandnoddingwithmeaning.Hewasabrown-hairedmanwithshrewdgreyeyes,suchasmanyNormanshave."Theywillgettheirwaytoo,youwillsee,"hewenton.

"Well,horseswillgoup,soIhavenocausetogrumble;but,ifIwereonmywaytoBloiswithwomenorgearofthatkind,I

shouldnotchoosethistimeforpickingposiesontheroad.I

shouldseetheinsideofthegatesassoonaspossible."

Ithoughttherewasmuchinwhathesaid;andwhenhewentontomaintainthatthekingwouldfindhimselfbetweenthehammerandtheanvil——betweentheLeagueholdingallthenorthandtheHuguenotsholdingallthesouth——andmustneedsintimecometotermswiththelatterseeingthattheformerwouldrestcontentwithnothingshortofhisdeposition,Ibegantoagreewithhimthatweshouldshortlyseegreatchangesandverystirringtimes.

"Stilliftheydeposetheking,"Isaid,"theKingofNavarremustsucceedhim.HeistheheirofFrance."

"Bah!"mycompanionrepliedsomewhatcontemptuously."TheLeaguewillseetothat.Hegoeswiththeother."

"Thenthekingsareinonecry,andyouareright,"Isaidwithconviction."Theymustunite."

"Sotheywill.Itisonlyaquestionoftime,"hesaid.

Inthemorning,havingonlyonemanwithhim,and,asIguessed,aconsiderablesumofmoney,hevolunteeredtojoinourpartyasfarasBlois.Iassentedgladly,andhedidso,thisadditiontoournumbersriddingmeatonceofthegreaterpartofmyfears.

Ididnotexpectanyoppositiononthepartofmademoiselle,whowouldgaininconsequenceaswellasinsafety.Nordidsheofferany.Shewascontent,Ithink,towelcomeanyadditiontoourpartywhichwouldsaveherfromthenecessityofridinginthecompanyofmyoldcloak.

CHAPTERVI.

MYMOTHER"SLODGING.

TravellingbywayofChatelheraultandTours,wereachedtheneighbourhoodofBloisalittleafternoononthethirddaywithoutmisadventureoranyintimationofpursuit.TheNormanprovedhimselfacheerfulcompanionontheroad,asIalreadyknewhimtobeamanofsenseandshrewdnesswhilehispresencerenderedthetaskofkeepingmymeninorderaneasyone.I

begantoconsidertheadventureaspracticallyachieved;andregardingMademoiselledelaVireasalreadyineffecttransferredtothecareofM.deRosny,IventuredtoturnmythoughtstothedevelopmentofmyownplansandthechoiceofahaveninwhichImightrestsecurefromthevengeanceofM.deTurenne.

ForthemomentIhadevadedhispursuit,and,assistedbytheconfusioncausedeverywherebythedeathofGuisehadsucceededinthwartinghisplansandaffrontinghisauthoritywithseemingease.ButIknewtoomuchofhispowerandhadheardtoomanyinstancesofhisfiercetemperandresolutewilltopresumeonshortimpunityortoexpectthefuturewithanythingbutdiffidenceanddismay.

TheexclamationsofmycompanionsoncomingwithinsightofBloisarousedmefromthesereflections.Ijoinedthem,andfullysharedtheiremotionasIgazedonthestatelytowerswhichhadwitnessedsomanyroyalfestivities,and,alas!oneroyaltragedy;whichhadshelteredLouistheWell-belovedandFrancistheGreat,andrungwiththelaughterofDianaofPoitiersandthesecondHenry.Theplayoffancywreathedthesombrebuildingwithahundredmemoriesgraveandgay.But,thoughtherichplainoftheLoirestillswelledupwardasofoldingentlehomageatthefeetofthegallanttown,theshadowofcrimeseemedtodarkenall,anddimeventhegloriesoftheroyalstandardwhichhungidlyintheair.

Wehadheardsomanyreportsofthefearandsuspicionwhichreignedinthecityandofthestrictsupervisionwhichwasexercisedoverallwhoentered——thekingdreadingarepetitionofthedayoftheBarricades——thatwehaltedatalittleinnamileshortofthegateandbrokeupourcompany.IpartedfrommyNormanfriendwithmutualexpressionsofesteem,andfrommyownmen,whomIhadpaidoffinthemorning,complimentingeachofthemwithahandsomepresent,withafeelingofreliefequallysincere.Ihoped——butthehopewasnotfatedtobegratified——thatImightneverseetheknavesagain.

ItwantedlessthananhourofsunsetwhenIrodeuptothegate,afewpacesinfrontofmademoiselleandherwoman;asifIhadreallybeentheintendantforwhomthehorse-dealerhadmistakenme.Wefoundtheguardhouselinedwithsoldiers,whoscannedusverynarrowlyasweapproached,andwhosesternfeaturesandorderedweaponsshowedthattheywerenotthereformereeffect.

Thefact,however,thatwecamefromTours,acitystillintheking"shands,servedtoallaysuspicion,andwepassedwithoutaccident.

Onceinthestreets,andridinginsinglefilebetweenthehouses,tothewindowsofwhichthetownsfolkseemedtobeattractedbytheslightestcommotion,sofullofterrorwastheair,Iexperiencedamomentofhugerelief.ThiswasBlois——

Bloisatlast.WewerewithinafewscoreyardsoftheBleedingHeart.InafewminutesIshouldreceiveaquittance,andbefreetothinkonlyofmyself.

NorwasmypleasuremuchlessenedbythefactthatIwassosoontopartfromMademoiselledelaVire.Frankly,Iwasfarfromlikingher.Exposuretotheairofacourthadspoiled,itseemedtome,whatevergracesofdispositiontheyoungladyhadeverpossessed.Shestillmaintained,andhadmaintainedthroughoutthejourney,thecoldandsuspiciousattitudeassumedatstarting;norhadsheeverexpressedtheleastsolicitudeonmybehalf,ortheslightestsensethatwewereincurringdangerinherservice.Shehadnotscrupledconstantlytopreferherwhimstothecommonadvantage,andevensafety;whilehersenseofself-importancehadcometobesogreat,thatsheseemedtoholdherselfexemptfromthedutyofthankinganyhumancreature.

Icouldnotdenythatshewasbeautiful——indeed,Ioftenthought,whenwatchingher,ofthedaywhenIhadseenherintheKingofNavarre"santechamberinallthegloryofhercharms.ButIfeltnonethelessthatIcouldturnmybackonher——leavingherinsafety——withoutregret;andbethankfulthatherpathwouldneveragaincrossmine.

WithsuchthoughtsinmybreastIturnedthecorneroftheRuedeSt.DenysandcameatonceupontheBleedingHeart,asmallbutdecent-lookinghostelrysituateneartheendofthestreetandoppositeachurch.Abluffgrey-hairedman,whowasstandinginthedoorway,cameforwardaswehalted,andlookingcuriouslyatmademoiselleaskedwhatIlacked;addingcivillythatthehousewasfullandtheyhadnosleepingroom,thelateeventshavingdrawnagreatassemblagetoBlois.

"Iwantonlyanaddress,"Ianswered,leaningfromthesaddleandspeakinginalowvoicethatImightnotbeoverheardbythepassers-by."TheBarondeRosnyisinBlois,ishenot?"

ThemanstartedatthenameoftheHuguenotleader,andlookedroundhimnervously.But,seeingthatnoonewasverynearus,heanswered:"Hewas,sir;buthelefttownaweekagoandmore.

"Therehavebeenstrangedoingshere,andM.deRosnythoughtthattheclimatesuitedhimill."

Hesaidthiswithsomuchmeaning,aswellasconcernthatheshouldnotbeoverheard,that,thoughIwastakenabackandbitterlydisappointed,Isucceededinrestrainingallexclamationsandevenshowoffeeling.Afterapauseofdismay,IaskedwhitherM.deRosnyhadgone.

"ToRosny,"wastheanswer.

"AndRosny?"

"IsbeyondChartres,prettywellallthewaytoMantes,"themananswered,strokingmyhorse"sneck."Saythirtyleagues."

Iturnedmyhorse,andhurriedlycommunicatedwhathesaidtomademoiselle,whowaswaitingafewpacesaway.Unwelcometome,thenewswasstilllesswelcometoher.Herchagrinandindignationknewnobounds.Foramomentwordsfailedher,butherflashingeyessaidmorethanhertongueasshecriedtome:

"Well,sir,andwhatnow?Isthistheendofyourfinepromises?

WhereisyourRosny,ifallbenotalyinginventionofyourown?"

FeelingthatshehadsomeexcuseIsuppressedmycholer,andhumblyrepeatingthatRosnywasathishouse,twodaysfartheron,andthatIcouldseenothingforitbuttogotohim,Iaskedthelandlordwherewecouldfindalodgingforthenight.

"Indeed,sir,thatismorethanIcansay,"heanswered,lookingcuriouslyatus,andthinking,Idoubtnot,thatwithmyshabbycloakandfinehorse,andmademoiselle"smaskandspatteredriding-coat,wewereanoddcouple."Thereisnotaninnwhichisnotfulltothegarrets——nay,andthestables;and,whatismore,peoplearecharyoftakingstrangersin.Thesearestrangetimes.Theysay,"becontinuedinalowertone,"thattheoldqueenisdyingupthere,andwillnotlastthenight."

Inodded."Wemustgosomewhere"Isaid.

"IwouldhelpyouifIcould,"heanswered,shrugginghisshoulders."Butthereitis!Bloisisfullfromthetilestothecellars."

Myhorseshiveredunderme,andmademoiselle,whosepatiencewasgone,criedharshlytometodosomething."Wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,"shesaidfiercely.

Isawthatshewaswornoutandscarcelymistressofherself.

Thelightwasfalling,andwithitsomerain.Thereekofthekennelsandthecloseairfromthehousesseemedtostifleus.

Thebellatthechurchbehinduswasjanglingoutvespers.Afewpeople,attractedbythesightofourhorsesstandingbeforetheinn,hadgatheredroundandwerewatchingus.

SomethingIsawmustbedone,anddonequickly.Indespair,andseeingnootherresort,IbroachedaproposalofwhichIhadnothithertoevendreamed."Mademoiselle,"Isaidbluntly,"Imusttakeyoutomymother"s."

"Toyourmother"s,sir?"shecried,rousingherself.Hervoicerangwithhaughtysurprise.

"Yes,"Irepliedbrusquely;"since,asyousay,wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,andIdonotknowwhereelseIcandisposeofyou.FromthelastadvicesIhadIbelievehertohavefollowedthecourthither.Myfriend,"Icontinued,turningtothelandlord,"doyouknowbynameaMadamedeBonne,whoshouldbeinBlois?"

"AMadamedeBonne!"hemuttered,reflecting."Ihaveheardthenamelately.Waitamoment."Disappearingintothehouse,hereturnedalmostimmediately,followedbyalankypale-facedyouthwearingatatteredblacksoutane."Yes,"hesaidnodding,"thereisaworthyladyofthatnamelodginginthenextstreet,Iamtold.Asithappens,thisyoungmanlivesinthesamehouse,andwillguideyou,ifyoulike."

Iassented,and,thankinghimforhisinformation,turnedmyhorseandrequestedtheyouthtoleadtheway.Wehadscarcelypassedthecornerofthestreet,however,andenteredonesomewhatmorenarrowandlessfrequented,whenmademoiselle,whowasridingbehindme,stoppedandcalledtome.Idrewrein,and,turning,askedwhatitwas.

"Iamnotcoming,"shesaid,hervoicetremblingslightly,butwhetherwithalarmorangerIcouldnotdetermine."Iknownothingofyou,andI——IdemandtobetakentoM.deRosny."

"IfyoucrythatnamealoudinthestreetsofBlois,mademoiselle,"Iretorted,"youarelikeenoughtobetakenwhitheryouwillnotcaretogo!AsforM.deRosny,Ihavetoldyouthatheisnothere.HehasgonetohisseatatMantes."

"Thentakemetohim!"

"Atthishourofthenight?"Isaiddrily."Itistwodays"

journeyfromhere."

"ThenIwillgotoaninn,"sherepliedsullenly.

"Youhaveheardthatthereisnoroomintheinns"IrejoinedwithwhatpatienceIcould."Andtogofrominntoinnatthishourmightleadusintotrouble.IcanassureyouthatIamasmuchtakenabackbyM.deRosny"sabsenceasyouare.Forthepresent,weareclosetomymother"slodging,and——"

"Iknownothingofyourmother!"sheexclaimedpassionately,hervoiceraised."Youhaveenticedmehitherbyfalsepretences,sir,andIwillendureitnolonger.Iwill——"

"Whatyouwilldo,Idonotknowthen,mademoiselle,"Ireplied,quiteatmywits"end;forwhatwiththerainandthedarkness,theunknownstreets——inwhichourtarryingmightatanymomentcollectacrowd——andthisstubborngirl"sopposition,Iknewnotwhithertoturn."FormypartIcansuggestnothingelse.Itdoesnotbecomemetospeakofmymother,"Icontinued,"orI

mightsaythatevenMademoiselledelaVireneednotbeashamedtoacceptthehospitalityofMadamedeBonne.Noraremymother"scircumstances,"Iaddedproudly,"thoughnarrow,someanastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherbirth."

Mylastwordsappearedtomakesomeimpressionuponmycompanion.

Sheturnedandspoketoherwoman,whorepliedinalowvoice,tossingherheadthewhileandglaringatmeinspeechlessindignation.Hadtherebeenanythingelseforit,theywoulddoubtlesshavefloutedmyofferstill;butapparentlyFanchettecouldsuggestnothing,andpresentlymademoiselle,withasullenair,bademeleadon.

Takingthisforpermission,thelankyyouthintheblacksoutane,whohadremainedatmybridlethroughoutthediscussion,nowlisteningandnowstaring,noddedandresumedhisway;andI

followed.Afterproceedingalittlemorethanfiftyyardshestoppedbeforeamean-lookingdoorway,flankedbygratedwindows,andfrontedbyaloftywallwhichItooktobethebackofsomenobleman"sgarden.Thestreetatthispointwasunlighted,andlittlebetterthananalley;norwastheappearanceofthehouse,whichwasnarrowandill-looking,thoughlofty,calculated,asfarasIcouldmakeitoutisthedarkness,toallaymademoiselle"ssuspicions.Knowing,however,thatpeopleofpositionareoftenobligedintownstolodgeinpoorhouses,I

thoughtnothingofthis,andonlystrovetogetmademoiselledismountedasquicklyaspossible.Theladgropedaboutandfoundtworingsbesidethedoor,andtotheseItiedupthehorses.Then,biddinghimleadtheway,andbeggingmademoiselletofollow,Iplungedintothedarknessofthepassageandfeltmywaytothefootofthestaircase,whichwasentirelyunlighted,andsmelledcloseandunpleasant.

"Whichfloor?"Iaskedmyguide.

"Thefourth,"heansweredquietly.

"Morbleu!"Imuttered,asIbegantoascend,myhandonthewall."Whatisthemeaningofthis?"

ForIwasperplexed.TherevenuesofMarsac,thoughsmall,shouldhavekept;mymother,whomIhadlastseeninParisbeforetheNemoursedict,intolerablecomfort——suchmodestcomfort,atanyrate,ascouldscarcelybelookedforinsuchahouseasthis——obscure,ill-tended,unlighted.Tomyperplexitywasadded,beforeIreachedthetopofthestairs,disquietude——

disquietudeonheraccountaswellasonmademoiselle"s.Ifeltthatsomethingwaswrong,andwouldhavegivenmuchtorecalltheinvitationIhadpressedonthelatter.

WhattheyoungladythoughtherselfIcouldprettywellguess,asIlistenedtoherhurriedbreathingatmyshoulder.WitheverystepIexpectedhertorefusetogofarther.But,havingoncemadeuphermind,shefollowedmestubbornly,thoughthedarknesswassuchthatinvoluntarilyIloosenedmydagger,andpreparedtodefendmyselfshouldthisturnouttobeatrap.

Wereachedthetop,however,withoutaccident.Ourguideknockedsoftlyatadoorandimmediatelyopeneditwithoutwaitingforananswer.Afeeblelightshoneoutonthestair-head,andbendingmyhead,forthelintelwaslow,Isteppedintotheroom.

Iadvancedtwopacesandstoodlookingaboutmeinangrybewilderment.Thebarenessofextremepovertymarkedeverythingonwhichmyeyesrested.Acrackedearthenwarelampsmokedandsputteredonastoolinthemiddleoftherottingfloor.Anoldblackcloaknailedtothewall,andflappingtoandfrointhedraughtlikesomedeadgallowsbird,hunginfrontoftheunglazedwindow.Ajarinacornercaughtthedrippingsfromaholeintheroof.Anironpotandasecondstool——thelattercastingalongshadowacrossthefloor——stoodbesidethehandfulofwoodashes,whichsmoulderedonthehearth.AndthatwasallthefurnitureIsaw,exceptabedwhichfilledthefartherendofthelongnarrowroom,andwascurtainedoffsoastoformakindofmiserablealcove.

Aglancesufficedtoshowmeallthis,andthattheroomwasempty,orapparentlyempty.YetIlookedagainandagain,stupefied.Atlastfindingmyvoice,Iturnedtotheyoungmanwhohadbroughtushither,andwithafierceoathdemandedofhimwhathemeant.

Heshrankbackbehindtheopendoor,andyet;answeredwithakindofsullensurprisethatIhadaskedforMadamedeBonne"s,andthiswasit.

"MadamedeBonne"s!"Imuttered."ThisMadamedeBonne"s!"

Henodded.

"Ofcourseitis!Andyouknowit!"mademoisellehissedinmyear,hervoice,assheinterposed,hoarsewithpassion."Don"tthinkthatyoucandeceiveusanylonger.Weknowall!This,"

shecontinued,lookinground,hercheeksscarlet,hereyesablazewithscorn,"isyourmother"s,isit!Yourmotherwhohasfollowedthecourthither——whosemeansarenarrow,butnotsosmallastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherrank!Thisisyourmother"shospitality,isit?Youareacheat,sir!andadetectedcheat!Letusbegone!Letmego,sir,Isay!"

TwiceIhadtriedtostopthecurrentofherwords;butinvain.

Nowwithangerwhichsurpassedhersahundredfold——forwho,beingaman,wouldhearhimselfmisnamedbeforehismother?——I

succeeded,"Silence,mademoiselle!"Icried,mygrasponherwrist."Silence,Isay!Thisismymother!"

Andrunningforwardtothebed,Ifellonmykneesbesideit.A

feeblehandhadhalfwithdrawnthecurtain,andthroughthegapmymother"sstrickenfacelookedout,agreatfearstampeduponit.

CHAPTERVII.

SIMONFLEIX.

ForsomeminutesIforgotmademoiselleinpayingthoseassiduousattentionstomymotherwhichherstateandmydutydemanded;andwhichIofferedthemoreanxiouslythatIrecognised,withasinkingheart,thechangeswhichageandillnesshadmadeinhersincemylastvisit.Theshockofmademoiselle"swordshadthrownherintoasyncope,fromwhichshedidnotrecoverforsometime;andthenratherthroughtheassistanceofourstrangeguide,whoseemedwellawarewhattodo,thanthroughmyefforts.

AnxiousasIwastolearnwhathadreducedhertosuchstraitsandsuchaplace,thiswasnotthetimetosatisfymycuriosity,andIpreparedmyselfinsteadforthetaskofeffacingthepainfulimpressionwhichmademoiselle"swordshadmadeonhermind.

Onfirstcomingtoherselfshedidnotrememberthem,but,contenttofindmebyherside——forthereissomethingsoalchemicinamother"slovethatIdoubtnotmypresencechangedhergarrettoapalace——shespentherselfinfeeblecaressesandbrokenwords.Presently,however,hereyefallingonmademoiselleandhermaid,whoremainedstandingbythehearth,lookingdarklyatusfromtimetotime,sherecalled,firsttheshockwhichhadprostratedher,andthenitscause,andraisingherselfonherelbow,lookedaboutherwildly."Gaston!"shecried,clutchingmyhandwithherthinfingers,"whatwasitI

heard?Itwasofyousomeonespoke——awoman!Shecalledyou——ordidIdreamit?——acheat!You!"

"Madame,madame,"Isaid,strivingtospeakcarelessly,thoughthesight;ofhergreyhair,stragglinganddishevelled,movedmestrangely,"wasit;likely?Wouldanyonedaretousesuchexpressionsofmeisyourpresence?Youmustindeedhavedreamedit!"

Thewords,however,returningmoreandmorevividlytohermind,shelookedatmeverypitifully,andingreatagitationlaidherarmonmyneck,asthoughshewouldsheltermewiththepunystrengthwhichjustenabledhertoriseinbed."Butsomeone,"

shemuttered,hereyesonthestrangers,"saidit,Gaston?I

heardit.Whatdiditmean?"

"Whatyouheard,madame,"Ianswered,withanattemptatgaiety,thoughthetearsstoodinmyeyes,"was,doubtless,mademoiselleherescoldingourguidefromTours,whodemandedthreetimestheproperPOURBOIRE.Theimpudentrascaldeservedallthatwassaidtohim,Iassureyou."

"Wasthatit?"shemurmureddoubtfully.

"Thatmusthavebeenwhatyouheard,madame,"Ianswered,asifI

feltnodoubt.

Shefellbackwithasighofrelief,andalittlecolourcameintoherwanface.Buthereyesstilldweltcuriously,andwithapprehension,onmademoiselle,whostoodlookingsullenlyintothefire;andseeingthismyheartmisgavemesorelythatIhaddoneafoolishthinginbringingthegirlthere.Iforesawahundredquestionswhichwouldbeasked,andahundredcomplicationswhichmustensue,andfeltalreadytheblushofshamemountingtomycheek.

"Whoisthat?"mymotheraskedsoftly."Iamill.Shemustexcuseme."Shepointedwithherfragilefingertomycompanions.

Irose,andstillkeepingherhandinmine,turnedsoastofacethehearth."This,madame,"Iansweredformally,"isMademoiselle——,buthernameIwillcommittoyoulater,andinprivate.Sufficeittosaythatsheisaladyofrank,whohasbeencommittedtomychargebyahighpersonage."

"Ahighpersonage?"mymotherrepeatedgently,glancingatmewithasmileofgratification.

"Oneofthehighest,"Isaid,"Suchachargebeingagreathonourtome,IfeltthatIcouldnotbetterexecuteitmadame,sincewemustlieinBloisonenight,thanbyrequestingyourhospitalityonherbehalf."

IdaredmademoiselleasIspoke——Idaredherwithmyeyetocontradictorinterruptme.Foranswer,shelookedatmeonce,incliningherheadalittle,andgazingatusfromunderherlongeyelashes.Thensheturnedbacktothefire,andherfootresumeditsangrytappingonthefloor.

"IregretthatIcannotreceiveherbetter,"mymotheransweredfeebly."Ihavehadlossesoflate.I——butIwillspeakofthatatanothertime.Mademoiselledoubtlessknows,"shecontinuedwithdignity,"youandyourpositioninthesouthtoowelltothinkillofthemomentarystraitstowhichshefindsmereduced."

Isawmademoisellestart,andIwrithedundertheglanceofcovertscorn,ofamazedindignation,whichsheshotatme.Butmymothergentlypattingmyhand,Iansweredpatiently,"Mademoisellewillthinkonlywhatiskind,madame——ofthatIamassured.Andlodgingsarescarceto-nightinBlois."

"Buttellmeofyourself,Gaston,"mymothercriedeagerly;andI

hadnottheheart,withhertouchonmyhand,hereyesonmyface,totearmyselfaway,muchasIdreadedwhatwascoming,andlongedtoendthescene."Tellmeofyourself.Youarestillinfavourwiththekingof——Iwillnotnamehimhere?"

"Still,madame,"Ianswered,lookingsteadilyatmademoiselle,thoughmyfaceburned.

"Youarestill——heconsultsyou,Gaston?"

"Still,madame."

Mymotherheavedahappysigh,andsanklowerinthebed."Andyouremployments?"shemurmured,hervoicetremblingwithgratification."Theyhavenotbeenreduced?Youstillretainthem,Gaston?"

"Still,madame,"Ianswered,theperspirationstandingonmybrow,myshamealmostmorethanIcouldbear.

"Twelvethousandlivresayear,Ithink?"

"Thesame,madame."

"Andyourestablishment?Howmanydoyoukeepnow?Yourvalet,ofcourse?Andlackeys——howmanyatpresent?"Sheglanced,withaneyeofpride,whileshewaitedformyanswer,firstatthetwosilentfiguresbythefire,thenatthepoverty-strickenroom;asifthesightofitsbarenessheightenedforherthejoyofmyprosperity.

Shehadnosuspicionofmytrouble,mymisery,orthatthelastquestionalmostfilledthecuptoofull.Hithertoallhadbeeneasy,butthisseemedtochokeme.Istammeredandlostmyvoice.Mademoiselle,herheadbowed,wasgazingintothefire.

Fanchettewasstaringatme,herblackeyesroundassaucers,hermouthhalf-open."Well,madame,"Imutteredatlength,"totellyouthetruth,atpresent,youmustunderstand,Ihavebeenforcedto——"

"What,Gaston?"MadamedeBonnehalfroseinbed.Hervoicewassharpwithdisappointmentandapprehension;thegraspofherfingersonmyhandgrewcloser.

Icouldnotresistthatappeal.Iflungawaythelastragofshame."Toreducemyestablishmentsomewhat,"Ianswered,lookingamiserabledefianceatmademoiselle"savertedfigure.

Shehadcalledmealiarandacheat——hereintheroom!Imuststandbeforeheraliarandacheatconfessed."Ikeepbutthreelackeysnow,madame."

Stillitiscreditable,"mymothermutteredthoughtfully,hereyesshining."Yourdress,however,Gaston——onlymyeyesareweak——seemstome——"

"Tut,tut!Itisbutadisguise,"Iansweredquickly.

"Imighthaveknownthat,"sherejoined,sinkingbackwithasmileandasighofcontent."ButwhenIfirstsawyouIwasalmostafraidthatsomethinghadhappenedtoyou.AndIhavebeenuneasylately,"shewenton,releasingmyhand,andbeginningtoplaywiththecoverlet,asthoughtheremembrancetroubledher."Therewasamanhereawhileago——afriendofSimonFleixthere——whohadbeensouthtoPauandNerac,andhesaidtherewasnoM.deMarsacabouttheCourt."

"HeprobablyknewlessoftheCourtthanthewine-tavern,"I

answeredwithaghastlysmile.

"ThatwasjustwhatItoldhim,"mymotherrespondedquicklyandeagerly."IwarrantyouIsenthimawayill-satisfied."

"Ofcourse,"Isaid;"therewillalwaysbepeopleofthatkind.

Butnow,ifyouwillpermitme,madame,Iwillmakesucharrangementsformademoiselleasarenecessary."

Beggingheraccordinglytoliedownandcomposeherself——forevensoshortaconversation,followingontheexcitementofourarrival,hadexhaustedhertoapainfuldegree——Itooktheyouth,whohadjustreturnedfromstablingourhorses,alittleaside,andlearningthathelodgedinasmallerchamberonthefarthersideofthelanding,secureditfortheuseofmademoiselleandherwoman.Inspiteofacertainexcitabilitywhichmarkedhimattimes,heseemedtobeaquick,readyfellow,andhewillinglyundertooktogoout,lateasitwas,andprocuresomeprovisionsandafewotherthingswhichweresadlyneeded,aswellformymother"scomfortasforourown.IdirectedFanchettetoaidhiminthepreparationoftheotherchamber,andthusforawhileI

wasleftalonewithmademoiselle.Shehadtakenoneofthestools,andsatcoweringoverthefire,thehoodofhercloakdrawnaboutherhead;insuchamannerthatevenwhenshelookedatme,whichshedidfromtimetotime,Isawlittlemorethanhereyes,brightwithcontemptuousanger.

"So,sir,"shepresentlybegan,speakinginalowvoice,andturningslightlytowardsme,"youpractiselyingevenhere?"

IfeltsostronglythefutilityofdenialorexplanationthatI

shruggedmyshouldersandremainedsilentunderthesneer.Twomoredays——twomoredayswouldtakeustoRosny,andmytaskwouldbedone,andMademoiselleandIwouldpartforgoodandall.Whatwoulditmatterthenwhatshethoughtofme?Whatdiditmatternow?

Forthefirsttimeinourintercoursemysilenceseemedtodisconcertanddispleaseher."Haveyounothingtosayforyourself?"shemutteredsharply,crushingafragmentofcharcoalunderherfoot,andstoopingtopeerattheashes."Haveyounotanotherlieinyourquiver,M.deMarsac?"DeMarsac!"Andsherepeatedthetitle,withascornfullaugh,asifsheputnofaithinmyclaimtoit.

ButIwouldanswernothing——nothing;andweremainedsilentuntilFanchette,comingintosaythatthechamberwasready,heldthelightforhermistresstopassout.Itoldthewomantocomebackandfetchmademoiselle"ssupper,andthen,beingleftalonewithmymother,whohadfallenasleep,withasmileonherthin,wornface,Ibegantowonderwhathadhappenedtoreducehertosuchdirepoverty.

Ifearedtoagitateherbyreferringtoit;butlaterintheevening,whenhercurtainsweredrawnandSimonFleixandIwerelefttogether,eyeingoneanotheracrosstheemberslikedogsofdifferentbreeds——withacertainstrangenessandsuspicion——mythoughtsrecurredtothequestion;anddeterminingfirsttolearnsomethingaboutmycompanion,whosepale,eagerfaceandtattered,blackdressgavehimacertainindividuality,IaskedhimwhetherhehadcomefromPariswithMadamedeBonne.

Henoddedwithoutspeaking.

Iaskedhimifhehadknownherlong.

"Twelvemonths,"heanswered."Ilodgedonthefifth,madameonthesecond,floorofthesamehouseinParis."

Ileanedforwardandpluckedthehemofhisblackrobe."Whatisthis?"Isaid,withalittlecontempt."Youarenotapriest,man."

"No,"heanswered,fingeringthestuffhimself,andgazingatmeinacurious,vacantfashion."IamastudentoftheSorbonne."

Idrewofffromhimwithamutteredoath,wondering——whileI

lookedathimwithsuspiciouseyes——howhecametobehere,andparticularlyhowhecametobeinattendanceonmymother,whohadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodintheReligion,andhadprofesseditinprivateallherlife.Icouldthinkofnoonewho,inolddays,wouldhavebeenlesswelcomeinherhousethanaSorbonnist,andbegantofancythathereshouldliethesecretofhermiserablecondition.

"Youdon"tlike,theSorbonne?"hesaid,readingmythoughts;

whichwere,indeed,plainenough.

"NomorethanIlovethedevil!"Isaidbluntly.

Heleanedforwardand,stretchingoutathin,nervoushand,laiditonmyknee."Whatiftheyareright,though?"hemuttered,hisvoicehoarse."Whatiftheyareright,M.deMarsac?"

"Whoright?"Iaskedroughly,drawingbackafresh.

"TheSorbonne."herepeated,hisfaceredwithexcitement,hiseyespeeringuncannilyintomine."Don"tyousee,"hecontinued,pinchingmykneeinhisearnestness,andthrustinghisfacenearerandnearertomine,"itallturnsonthat?Itallturnsonthat——salvationordamnation!Aretheyright?Areyouright?

Yousayyestothis,notothat,youwhite-coats;andyousayitlightly,butareyouright?Areyouright?MonDieu!"hecontinued,drawingbackabruptlyandclawingtheairwithimpatience,"Ihaveread,read,read!Ihavelistenedtosermons,theses,disputations,andIknownothing.IknownomorethanwhenIbegan."

Hesprangupandbegantopacethefloor,whileIgazedathimwithafeelingofpity.Averylearnedpersononcetoldmethatthetroublesofthesetimesbredfourkindsofmen,whoweremuchtobecompassionated:fanaticsontheonesideortheother,wholostsightofallelseintheintensityoftheirfaith;menwho,likeSimonFleix,soughtdesperatelyaftersomethingtobelieve,andfounditnot;andlastly,scoffers,who,believinginnothing,lookedonallreligionasamockery.

Hepresentlystoppedwalking——inhisutmostexcitementIremarkedthatheneverforgotmymother,buttrodmorelightlywhenhedrewnearthealcove——andspokeagain."YouareaHuguenot?"hesaid.

"Yes,"Ireplied.

"Soisshe,"herejoined,pointingtowardsthebed."Butdoyoufeelnodoubts?"

"None,"Isaidquietly.

"Nordoesshe."heansweredagain,stoppingoppositeme.Youmadeupyourmind——how?"

"IwasbornintheReligion,"Isaid.

"Andyouhaveneverquestionedit?"

"Never."