第5章

"Northoughtmuchaboutit?"

"Notagreatdeal,"Ianswered.

"SaintGris!"heexclaimedinalowtone."Anddoyouneverthinkofhell-fire——ofthewormwhichdiethnot,andthefirewhichshallnotbequenched?Doyouneverthinkofthat,M.deMarsac?"

"No,myfriend,never!"Ianswered,risingimpatiently;foratthathour,andinthatsilent,gloomyroomIfoundhisconversationdispiriting."IbelievewhatIwastaughttobelieve,andIstrivetohurtnoonebuttheenemy.Ithinklittle;andifIwereyouIwouldthinkless.Iwoulddosomething,man——fight,play,work,anythingbutthink!Ileavethattoclerks."

"Iamaclerk,"heanswered.

"Apoorone,itseems,"Iretorted,withalittlescorninmytone."Leaveit,man.Work!Fight!Dosomething!"

"Fight?"hesaid,asiftheideawereanovelone."Fight?Butthere,Imightbekilled;andthenhell-fire,yousee!"

"Zounds,man!"Icried,outofpatiencewithafollywhich,totellthetruth,thelampburninglow,andtherainpatteringontheroof,madetheskinofmybackfeelcoldandcreepy."Enoughofthis!Keepyourdoubtsandyourfiretoyourself!Andanswerme,"Icontinued,sternly."HowcameMadamedeBonnesopoor?

Howdidshecomedowntothisplace?"

Hesatdownonhisstool,theexcitementdyingquicklyoutofhisface."Shegaveawayallhermoney,"hesaidslowlyandreluctantly.Itmaybeimaginedthatthisanswersurprisedme.

"Gaveitaway?"Iexclaimed."Towhom?Andwhen?"

Hemoveduneasilyonhisseatandavoidedmyeye,hisalteredmannerfillingmewithsuspicionswhichtheinsightIhadjustobtainedintohischaracterdidnotaltogetherpreclude.Atlasthesaid,"Ihadnothingtodowithit,ifyoumeanthat;nothing.

Onthecontrary,IhavedoneallIcouldtomakeituptoher.I

followedherhere.Iswearthatisso,M.deMarsac."

"Youhavenottoldmeyettowhomshegaveit,"Isaidsternly.

"Shegaveit,"hemuttered,"toapriest."

"Towhatpriest?"

"Idonotknowhisname.HeisaJacobin."

"Andwhy?"Iasked,gazingincredulouslyatthestudent."Whydidshegiveittohim?Come,come!haveacare.LetmehavenoneofyourSorbonneinventions!"

Hehesitatedamoment,lookingatmetimidly,andthenseemedtomakeuphismindtotellme."Hefoundout——itwaswhenwelivedinParis,youunderstand,lastJune——thatshewasaHuguenot.ItwasaboutthetimetheyburnedtheFoucards,andhefrightenedherwiththat,andmadeherpayhimmoney,alittleatfirst,andthenmoreandmore,tokeephersecret.WhenthekingcametoBloisshefollowedhisMajesty,thinkingtobesaferhere;butthepriestcametoo,andgotmoremoney,andmore,untilhelefther——this."

"This!"Isaid.AndIsetmyteethtogether.

SimonFleixnodded,Ilookedroundthewretchedgarrettowhichmymotherhadbeenreduced,andpicturedthedaysandhoursoffearandsuspensethroughwhichshehadlived;throughwhichshemusthavelived,withthatcaitiff"sthreathangingoverhergreyhead!I

thoughtofherbirthandherhumiliation;ofherfrailformandpatient,undyingloveforme;andsolemnly,andbeforeheaven,I

sworethatnighttopunishtheman.Myangerwastoogreatforwords,andfortearsIwastooold.IaskedSimonFleixnomorequestions,savewhenthepriestmightbelookedforagain——whichhecouldnottellme——andwhetherhewouldknowhimagain——towhichheanswered,"Yes."But,wrappingmyselfinmycloak,I

laydownbythefireandponderedlongandsadly.

So,whileIhadbeenpinchingthere,mymotherhadbeenstarvinghere.Shehaddeceivedme,andIher.Thelampflickered,throwinguncertainshadowsasthedraughttossedthestrangewindow-curtaintoandfro.Theleakagefromtherooffelldropbydrop,andnowandagainthewindshookthecrazybuilding,asthoughitwouldliftitupbodilyandcarryitaway.

CHAPTERVIII.

ANEMPTYROOM.

Desiringtostartasearlyaspossible,thatwemightreachRosnyonthesecondevening,IrousedSimonFleixbeforeitwaslight,andlearningfromhimwherethehorseswerestabled,wentouttoattendtothem;preferringtodothismyself,thatImighthaveanopportunityofseekingoutatailor,andprovidingmyselfwithclothesbettersuitedtomyrankthanthosetowhichIhadbeenreducedoflate.IfoundthatIstillhadninetycrownsleftofthesumwhichtheKingofNavarrehadgivenme,andtwelveoftheseIlaidoutonadoubletofblackclothwithrussetpointsandribands,adarkcloaklinedwiththesamesobercolour,andanewcapandfeather.Thetradesmanwouldfainhaveprovidedmewithanewscabbardalso,seeingmyoldonewasworn-outattheheel;butthisIdeclined,havingafancytogowithmypointbareuntilIshouldhavepunishedthescoundrelwhohadmademymother"sfailingdaysamiserytoher;abusinesswhich,theKingofNavarre"soncedone,Ipromisedmyselftopursuewithenergyandatallcosts.

Thechoiceofmyclothes,andafewalterationswhichitwasnecessarytomakeinthem,detainedmesometime,sothatitwaslaterthanIcouldhavewishedwhenIturnedmyfacetowardsthehouseagain,bentongettingmypartytohorseasspeedilyaspossible.Themorning,Iremember,wasbright,frosty,andcold;

thekennelsweredry,thestreetscomparativelyclean.Hereandtherearayofearlysunshine,dartingbetweentheoverhangingeaves,gavepromiseofglorioustravelling-weather.Butthefaces,Iremarkedinmywalk,didnotreflectthesurroundingcheerfulness.Moodylooksmetmeeverywhereandoneveryside;

andwhilecourieraftercouriergallopedbymeboundforthecastle,thetownsfolkstoodaloofisdoorwayslistlessandinactive,or,gatheringingroupsincorners,talkedwhatItooktobetreasonunderthebreath.Thequeen-motherstilllived,butOrleanshadrevolted,andSensandMans,ChartresandMelun.

Rouenwassaidtobewavering,Lyonsinarms,whileParishaddeposedherking,andcursedhimdailyfromahundredaltars.Infine,thegreatrebellionwhichfollowedthedeathofGuise,andlastedsomanyyears,wasalreadyinprogress;sothatonthisfirstdayofthenewyeartheking"swritscarceranfartherthanhecouldsee,peeringanxiouslyoutfromthetowersabovemyhead.

Reachingthehouse,Iclimbedthelongstaircasehastily,abusingitsdarknessandfoulness,andplanningasIwenthowmymothermightmosteasilyandquicklybemovedtoabetterlodging.

Gainingthetopofthelastflight,Isawthatmademoiselle"sdoorontheleftofthelandingwasopen,andconcludingfromthisthatshewasup,andreadytostart,Ienteredmymother"sroomwithabriskstepandspiritsreinforcedbythecrispmorningair.

ButonthethresholdIstopped,andstoodsilentandamazed.AtfirstIthoughttheroomwasempty.Then,atasecondglance,I

sawthestudent.Hewasonhiskneesbesidethebedinthealcove,fromwhichthecurtainhadbeenpartiallydraggedaway.

Thecurtainbeforethewindowhadbeentorndownalso,andthecoldlightofday,pouringinontheunsightlybarenessoftheroom,struckachilltomyheart.Astoollayoverturnedbythefire,andaboveitagreycat,whichIhadnothithertonoticed,crouchedonabeamandeyedmewithstealthyfierceness.

Mademoisellewasnottobeseen,norwasFanchette,andSimonFleixdidnothearme.Hewasdoingsomethingatthebed——formymotheritseemed.

"Whatisit,man?"Icriedsoftly,advancingontiptoetothebedside."Wherearetheothers?"

Thestudentlookedroundandsawme.Hisfacewaspaleandgloomy.Hiseyesburned,andyetthereweretearsinthem,andonhischeeks.Hedidnotspeak,butthechilliness,thebareness,theemptinessoftheroomspokeforhim,andmyheartsank.

Itookhimbytheshoulders."Findyourtongue,man!"Isaidangrily."Wherearethey?"

Herosefromhiskneesandstoodstaringatme."Theyaregone!"

hesaidstupidly.

"Gone?"Iexclaimed."Impossible!When?Whither?"

"Halfanhourago.Whither——Idonotknow."

Confoundedandamazed,Iglaredathimbetweenfearandrage.

"Youdonotknow?"Icried."Theyaregone,andyoudonotknow?"

Heturnedsuddenlyonmeandgrippedmyarm."No,Idonotknow!

Idonotknow!"hecried,withacompletechangeofmannerandinatoneoffierceexcitement."Only,maythefiendgowiththem!ButIdoknowthis.Iknowthis,M.deMarsac,withwhomtheywent,thesefriendsofyours!Afopcame,adolt,afinespark,andgavethemfinewordsandfinespeechesandagoldtoken,and,heypresto!theywent,andforgotyou!"

"What!"Icried,beginningtounderstand,andsnatchingfiercelyattheoneclueinhisspeech."Agoldtoken?Theyhavebeendecoyedawaythen!Thereisnotimetobelost.Imustfollow."

"No,forthatisnotall!"hereplied,interruptingmesternly,whilehisgrasponmyarmgrewtighterandhiseyesflashedastheylookedintomine."Youhavenotheardall.Theyhavegonewithonewhocalledyouanimpostor,andathief,andabeggar,andthattoyourmother"sface——andkilledher!Killedherassurelyasifhehadtakenaswordtoher,M.deMarsac!Willyou,afterthat,leaveherforthem?"

Hespokeplainly.Andyet,Godforgiveme,itwassometimebeforeIunderstoodhim:beforeItookinthemeaningofhiswords,orcouldtransfermythoughtsfromtheabsenttomymotherlyingonthebedbeforeme.WhenIdiddoso,andturnedtoher,andsawherstillfaceandthinhairstragglingoverthecoarsepillow,then,indeed,thesightovercameme.Ithoughtnomoreofothers——forIthoughtherdead;andwithagreatandbittercryIfellonmykneesbesideherandhidmyface.What,afterall,wasthisheadstronggirltome?Whatwereevenkingsandking"scommissionstomebesideher——besidetheonehumanbeingwholovedmestill,theonebeingofmybloodandnameleft,theoneever-patient,ever-constantheartwhichforyearshadbeatenonlyforme?Forawhile,forafewmoments,Iwasworthyofher;forIforgotallothers.

SimonFleixrousedmeatlastfrommystupor,makingmeunderstandthatshewasnotdead,butinadeepswoon,theresultoftheshockshehadundergone.Aleech,forwhomhehaddespatchedaneighbour,cameinasIrose,andtakingmyplace,presentlyrestoredhertoconsciousness.Butherextremefeeblenesswarnedmenottohopeformorethanatemporaryrecovery;norhadIsatbyherlongbeforeIdiscernedthatthislastblow,followingonsomanyfearsandprivations,hadreachedavitalpart,andthatshewasevennowdying.

Shelayforawhilewithherhandinmineandhereyesclosed,butaboutnoon,thestudent,contrivingtogivehersomebroth,sherevived,and,recognisingme,layformorethananhourgazingatmewithunspeakablecontentandsatisfaction.Attheendofthattime,andwhenIthoughtshewaspastspeaking,shesignedtometobendoverher,andwhisperedsomething,whichatfirstIcouldnotcatch.PresentlyImadeitouttobe,"Sheisgone——Thegirlyoubrought?"

Muchtroubled,Iansweredyes,begginghernottothinkaboutthematter.Ineednothavefeared,however,forwhenshespokeagainshedidsowithoutemotion,andratherasoneseeingclearlysomethingbeforeher.

"Whenyoufindher,Gaston,"shemurmured,"donotbeangrywithher.Itwasnotherfault.She——hedeceivedher.See!"

Ifollowedthedirectionratherofhereyesthanherhand,andfoundbeneaththepillowalengthofgoldchain."Sheleftthat?"Imurmured,astrangetumultofemotionsinmybreast.

"Shelaiditthere,"mymotherwhispered."Andshewouldhavestoppedhimsayingwhathedid"——ashudderranthroughmymother"sframeattheremembranceoftheman"swords,thoughhereyesstillgazedintominewithfaithandconfidence——"shewouldhavestoppedhim,butshecouldnot,Gaston.Andthenhehurriedheraway."

"Heshowedheratoken,madame,didhenot?"Icouldnotformyliferepressthequestion,somuchseemedtoturnonthepoint.

"Abitofgold,"mymotherwhispered,smilingfaintly."Nowletmesleep."And,clingingalwaystomyhand,sheclosedhereyes.

ThestudentcamebacksoonafterwardswithsomecomfortsforwhichIhaddespatchedhim,andwesatbyheruntiltheeveningfell,andfarintothenight.Itwasarelieftometolearnfromtheleechthatshehadbeenailingforsometime,andthatinanycasetheendmusthavecomesoon.Shesufferednopainandfeltnofears,butmeetingmyeyeswheneversheopenedherown,orcameoutofthedrowsinesswhichpossessedher,thankedGod,Ithink,andwascontent.Asforme,Irememberthatroombecame,forthetime,theworld.ItsstillnessswallowedupallthetumultswhichfilledthecitiesofFrance,anditsoneinterestthecomingandgoingofafeeblebreath——eclipsedtheambitionsandhopesofalifetime.

BeforeitgrewlightSimonFleixstoleouttoattendtothehorses.Whenhereturnedhecametomeandwhisperedinmyearthathehadsomethingtotellme;andmymotherlyinginaquietsleepatthetime,Idisengagedmyhand,and,risingsoftly,wentwithhimtothehearth.

Insteadofspeaking,heheldhisfistbeforemeandsuddenlyunclosedthefingers."Doyouknowit?"hesaid,glancingatmeabruptly.

Itookwhatheheld,andlookingatit,nodded.Itwasaknotofvelvetofapeculiardarkredcolour,andhadformed,asIknewthemomentIseteyesonit,partofthefasteningofmademoiselle"smask."Wheredidyoufindit?"Imuttered,supposingthathehadpickedituponthestairs.

"Lookatit!"heansweredimpatiently."Youhavenotlooked."

Iturneditover,andthensawsomethingwhichhadescapedmeatfirst——thatthewiderpartofthevelvetwasdisfiguredbyafantasticstitching,doneveryroughlyandrudelywithathreadofwhitesilk.Thestitchesformedletters,theletterswords.

WithastartIread,"AMOI!"andsawinacorner,insmallerstitches,theinitials"C.d.l.V."

Ilookedeagerlyatthestudent."Wheredidyoufindthis?"I

said.

"Ipickeditupinthestreet,"heansweredquietly,"notthreehundredpacesfromhere."

Ithoughtamoment."Inthegutter,ornearthewall?"Iasked.

"Nearthewall,tobesure."

"Underawindow?"

"Precisely,"hesaid."Youmaybeeasy;Iamnotafool.I

markedtheplace,M.deMarsac,andshallnotforgetit."

EventhesorrowandsolicitudeIfeltonmymother"sbehalf——

feelingswhichhadseemedaminutebeforetosecuremeagainstallothercaresoranxietieswhatever——werenotproofagainstthisdiscovery.ForIfoundmyselfplacedinastraitsocruelI

mustsuffereitherway.Ontheonehand,Icouldnotleavemymother;Iwereaheartlessingratetodothat.Ontheother,I

couldnot,withoutgrievouspain,standstillandinactivewhileMademoiselledelaVire,whomIhadsworntoprotect,andwhowasnowsufferingthroughmylachesandmischance,appealedtomeforhelp.ForIcouldnotdoubtthatthiswaswhatthebowofvelvetmeant;stilllessthatitwasintendedforme,sincefewsavemyselfwouldbelikelytorecogniseit,andshewouldnaturallyexpectmetomakesomeattemptatpursuit.

AndIcouldnotthinklittleofthesign.Rememberingmademoiselle"sproudandfearlessspirit,andthelightinwhichshehadalwaysregardedme,Iauguredtheworstfromit.Ifeltassuredthatnoimaginarydangerandnoemergencysavethelastwouldhaveinducedhertostoopsolow;andthisconsideration,takenwiththefearIfeltthatshehadfallenintothehandsofFresnoy,whomIbelievedtobethepersonwhohadrobbedmeofthegoldcoin,filledmewithahorribledoubtwhichwaymydutylay.Iwaspulled,asitwere,bothways.Ifeltmyhonourengagedbothtogoandtostay,andwhilemyhandwenttomyhilt,andmyfeettrembledtobegone,myeyessoughtmymother,andmyearslistenedforhergentlebreathing.

Perplexedanddistracted,Ilookedatthestudent,andheatme.

"Yousawthemanwhotookheraway,"Imuttered.Hitherto,inmyabsorptiononmymother"saccount,Ihadputfewquestions,andletthematterpassasthoughitmovedmelittleandconcernedmeless."Whatwashelike?Washeabig,bloatedman,Simon,withhisheadbandaged,orperhapsawoundonhisface?"

"Thegentlemanwhowentawaywithmademoiselle,doyoumean?"heasked.

"Yes,yes,gentlemanifyoulike!"

"Notatall,"thestudentanswered."Hewasatallyounggallant,verygailydressed,dark-haired,andwitharichcomplexion,IheardhimtellherthathecamefromafriendofherstoohightobenamedinpublicorinBlois.Headdedthathebroughtatokenfromhim;andwhenmademoisellementionedyou——shehadjustenteredmadame"sroomwithherwomanwhenheappeared——"

"Hehadwatchedmeout,ofcourse."

"Justso.Well,whenshementionedyou,hesworeyouwereanadventurer,andabeggarlyimpostor,andwhatnot,andbadehersaywhethershethoughtitlikelythatherfriendwouldhaveentrustedsuchamissiontosuchaman."

"Andthenshewentwithhim?"

Thestudentnodded.

"Readily?Ofherownfree-will?"

"Certainly,"heanswered."Itseemedsotome.Shetriedtopreventhimspeakingbeforeyourmother,butthatwasall."

OntheimpulseofthemomentItookasteptowardsthedoor;

recollectingmyposition,Iturnedbackwithagroan.Almostbesidemyself,andlongingforanyventformyfeelings,Icaughttheladbytheshoulder,wherehestoodonthehearth,andshookhimtoandfro.

"Tellme,man,whatamItodo?"Isaidbetweenmyteeth.

"Speak!think!inventsomething!"

Butheshookhishead.

Ilethimgowithamutteredoath,andsatdownonastoolbythebedandtookmyheadbetweenmyhands.Atthatverymoment,however,reliefcame——camefromanunexpectedquarter.Thedooropenedandtheleechentered.Hewasaskilfulman,and,thoughmuchemployedabouttheCourt,aHuguenot——afactwhichhademboldenedSimonFleixtoapplytohimthroughthelandlordofthe"BleedingHeart,"thesecretrendezvousoftheReligioninBlois.Whenhehadmadehisexaminationhewasforleaving,beingagraveandsilentman,andfullofbusiness,butatthedoorIstoppedhim.

"Well,sir?"Isaidinalowtone,myhandonhiscloak.

"Shehasrallied,andmaylivethreedays,"heansweredquietly.

"Four,itmaybe,andasmanymoreasGodwills."

Pressingtwocrownsintohishand,Ibeggedhimtocalldaily,whichhepromisedtodo;andthenhewent.Mymotherwasstilldozingpeacefully,andIturnedtoSimonFleix,mydoubtsresolvedandmymindmadeup.

"Listen,"Isaid,"andanswermeshortly.Wecannotbothleave;

thatiscertain.YetImustgo,andatonce,totheplacewhereyoufoundthevelvetknot.Doyoudescribethespotexactly,sothatImayfindit,andmakenomistake."

Henodded,andafteramoment"sreflectionanswered,"YouknowtheRueSt.Denys,M.deMarsac?Well,godownit,keepingthe"BleedingHeart"onyourleft.Takethesecondturningonthesamesideafterpassingtheinn.Thethirdhousefromthecorner,ontheleftagain,consistsofagatewayleadingtotheHospitaloftheHolyCross.Abovethegatewayaretwowindowsinthelowerstory,andabovethemtwomore.Theknotlaybelowthefirstwindowyoucometo.Doyouunderstand?"

"Perfectly,"Isaid."Itissomethingtobeaclerk,Simon."

Helookedatmethoughtfully,butaddednothing;andIwasbusytighteningmysword-hilt,anddisposingmycloakaboutthelowerpartofmyface.WhenIhadarrangedthistomysatisfaction,I

tookoutandcountedoverthesumofthirty-fivecrowns,whichI

gavetohim,impressingonhimthenecessityofstayingbesidemymothershouldInotreturn;forthoughIproposedtoreconnoitreonly,andlearnifpossiblewhethermademoisellewasstillinBlois,thefuturewasuncertain,andwhereasIwasknowntomyenemies,theywerestrangerstome.

Havingenjoinedthisdutyuponhim,Ibademymotherasilentfarewell,and,leavingtheroom,wentslowlydownthestairs,thepictureofherwornandpatientfacegoingwithme,andseeming,Iremember,tohallowthepurposeIhadinmymind.

TheclockswerestrikingthehourbeforenoonasIsteppedfromthedoorway,and,standingamomentinthelane,lookedthiswayandthatforanysignofespionage.Icoulddetectnone,however.Thelanewasdeserted;andfeelingassuredthatanyattempttomisleadmyopponents,whoprobablyknewBloisbetterthanIdid,mustfail,Imadenone,butdeliberatelytookmywaytowardsthe"BleedingHeart,"intheRueSt.Denys.ThestreetspresentedthesameappearanceofgloomysuspensewhichIhadnoticedonthepreviousday.Thesamegroupsstoodaboutinthesamecorners,thesamesuspiciousglancesmetmeincommonwithallotherstrangerswhoshowedthemselves;thesamelistlessinactioncharacterisedthetownsfolk,thesameanxioushurrythosewhocameandwentwithnews.Isawthatevenhere,underthewallsofthepalace,thebondsoflawandorderwerestrainedalmosttobursting,andjudgedthatifthereeverwasatimeinFrancewhenrightcountedforlittle,andthestronghandformuch,itwasthis.Suchastateofthingswasnotunfavourabletomypresentdesign,andcaringlittleforsuspiciouslooks,I

wentresolutelyonmyway.

IhadnodifficultyinfindingthegatewayofwhichSimonhadspoken,orinidentifyingthewindowbeneathwhichhehadpickedupthevelvetknot.Analleyopeningalmostopposite,Itookadvantageofthistoexaminethehouseatmyleisure,andremarkedatonce,thatwhereasthelowerwindowwasguardedonlybystrongshutters,nowopen,thatinthestoryabovewasheavilybarred.NaturallyIconcentratedmyattentiononthelatter.

Thehouse,anoldbuildingofstone,seemedsufficientlyreputable,norcouldIdiscernanythingaboutitwhichwouldhavearousedmydistrusthadtheknotbeenfoundelsewhere.Itborethearmsofareligiousbrotherhood,andhadprobablyatonetimeformedtheprincipalentrancetothehospital,whichstillstoodbehindit,butithadnowcome,asIjudged,tobeusedasadwellingofthebetterclass.WhetherthetwofloorswereseparatelyinhabitedornotIfailedtodecide.

Afterwatchingitforsometimewithoutseeinganyonepassinorout,oranythingoccurringtoenlightenmeonewayortheother,Iresolvedtoventurein,thestreetbeingquietandthehousegivingnosignofbeingstronglygarrisoned.Theentrancelayunderthearchway,throughadoorontherightside.IjudgedfromwhatIsawthattheporterwasprobablyabsent,busyinghimselfwithhisgossipsinmattersofState.

Andthisprovedtobethecase,forwhenIhadmadethepassageofthestreetwithsuccess,andslippedquietlyinthroughthehalf-opendoor,Ifoundonlyhisstaffandcharcoal-pantheretorepresenthim.Asinglelooksatisfiedmeonthatpoint;

forthwith,withouthesitation,Iturnedtothestairsandbegantomount,assuredthatifIwouldeffectanythingsingle-handedI

musttrusttoaudacityandsurpriseratherthantocautionorforethought.

Thestaircasewaspoorlylightedbyloopholeslookingtowardstherear,butitwascleanandwell-kept.Silence,brokenonlybythesoundofmyfootsteps,prevailedthroughoutthehouse,andallseemedsoregularanddecentandorderlythatthehigherI

rosethelowerfellmyhopesofsuccess.Still,IheldresolutelyonuntilIreachedthesecondfloorandstoodbeforeacloseddoor.Themomenthadcometoputalltothetouch.I

listenedforafewsecondsbuthearingnothing,cautiouslyliftedthelatch.Somewhattomysurprisethedooryieldedtomyhand,andIentered.

Ahighsettlestoodinside,interruptingmyviewoftheroom,whichseemedtobespaciousandfullofrichstuffsandfurniture,butlowintheroof,andsomewhatdimlylightedbytwowindowsratherwidethanhigh.Thewarmglowofafireshoneonthewoodworkoftheceiling,andasIsoftlyclosedthedooralogonthehearthgaveway,withacracklingofsparks,whichpleasantlybroketheluxurioussilence.Thenextmomentalow,sweetvoiceasked,"Alphonse,isthatyou?"

Iwalkedroundthesettleandcamefacetofacewithabeautifulwomanrecliningonacouch.Onhearingthedooropenshehadraisedherselfonherelbow.Now,seeingastrangerbeforeher,shesprangupwithalowcry,andstoodgazingatme,herfaceexpressingbothastonishmentandanger.Shewasofmiddlingheight,herfeaturesregularthoughsomewhatchildlike,hercomplexionsingularlyfair.Aprofusionofgoldenhairhungindisorderaboutherneck,andmatchedthedeepblueofhereyes,whereinitseemedtome,therelurkedmorespiritandfirethanthegeneralcastofherfeaturesledonetoexpect.

Afteramoment"ssilence,duringwhichshescannedmefromheadtofootwithgreathaughtiness——andIherwithcuriosityandwonder——shespoke."Sir!"shesaidslowly,"towhatamItoattributethis——visit?"

ForthemomentIwassotakenabackbyherappearanceandextraordinarybeauty,aswellasbytheabsenceofanysignofthoseIsought,thatIcouldnotgathermythoughtstoreply,butstoodlookingvaguelyather.Ihadexpected,whenIenteredtheroom,somethingsodifferentfromthis!

"Well,sir?"shesaidagain,speakingsharply,andtappingherfootonthefloor.

"Thisvisit,madame?"Istammered.

"Callitintrusion,sir,ifyouplease!"shecriedimperiously.

"Onlyexplainit,orbegone."

"Icraveleavetodoboth,madame,"Ianswered,collectingmyselfbyaneffort."Iascendedthesestairsandopenedyourdoorinerror——thatisthesimplefact——hopingtofindafriendofminehere.Iwasmistaken,itseems,anditonlyremainsformetowithdraw,offeringatthesametimethehumblestapologies,"AndasIspokeIbowedlowandpreparedtoretire.

"Onemoment,sir!"shesaidquickly,andinanalteredtone.

"Youare,perhaps,afriendofM.deBruhl——ofmyhusband.Inthatcase,ifyoudesiretoleaveanymessageIwill——Ishallbegladtodeliverit."

Shelookedsocharmingthat,despitethetumultofmyfeelings,I

couldnotbutregardherwithadmiration."Alas!madame,I

cannotpleadthatexcuse,"Ianswered."IregretthatIhavenotthehonourofhisacquaintance."

Sheeyedmewithsomesurprise."Yetstill,sir,"sheanswered,smilingalittle,andtoyingwithagoldbroochwhichclaspedherhabit,"youmusthavehadsomeground,somereason,forsupposingyouwouldfindafriendhere?"

"True,madame,"Ianswered,"butIwasmistaken."

Isawhercoloursuddenly.Withasmileandafainttwinkleoftheeyeshesaid,"Itisnotpossible,sir,Isuppose——youhavenotcomehere,Imean,outofanyreasonconnectedwitha——aknotofvelvet,forinstance?"

Istarted,andinvoluntarilyadvancedasteptowardsher."A

knotofvelvet!"Iexclaimed,withemotion."MonDieu!ThenI

wasnotmistaken!Ihavecometotherighthouse,andyou——youknowsomethingofthis!Madame,"Icontinuedimpulsively,"thatknotofvelvet?Tellmewhatitmeans,Iimploreyou!"

Sheseemedalarmedbymyviolence,retreatingasteportwo,andlookingatmehaughtily,yetwithakindofshame-facedness.

"Believeme,itmeansnothing,"shesaidhurriedly."Ibegyoutounderstandthat,sir.Itwasafoolishjest."

"Ajest?"Isaid."Itfellfromthiswindow."

"Itwasajest,sir,"sheansweredstubbornly.ButIcouldseethat,withallherpride,shewasalarmed;herfacewastroubled,andthereweretearsinhereyes.Andthisrenderedmeunderthecircumstancesonlythemorepersistent.

"Ihavethevelvethere,madame,"Isaid."Youmusttellmemoreaboutit."

Shelookedatmewithaweightierimpulseofangerthanshehadyetexhibited."Idonotthinkyouknowtowhomyouarespeaking,"shesaid,breathingfast."Leavetheroom,sir,andatonce!Ihavetoldyouitwasajest.Ifyouareagentlemanyouwillbelieveme,andgo."Andshepointedtothedoor.

ButIheldmyground,withanobstinatedeterminationtopiercethemystery."Iamagentleman,madame,"Isaid,"andyetImustknowmore.UntilIknowmoreIcannotgo."

"Oh,thisisinsufferable!"shecried,lookingroundasifforawayofescape;butIwasbetweenherandtheonlydoor."Thisisunbearable!Theknotwasneverintendedforyou,sir.Andwhatismore,ifM.deBruhlcomesandfindsyouhere,youwillrepentitbitterly."

Isawthatshewasatleastasmuchconcernedonherownaccountasonmine,andthoughtmyselfjustifiedunderthecircumstancesintakingadvantageofherfears.Ideliberatelylaidmycaponthetablewhichstoodbesideme."Iwillgomadame,"Isaid,lookingatherfixedly,"whenIknowallthatyouknowaboutthisknotIhold,andnotbefore.Ifyouareunwillingtotellme,I

mustwaitforM.deBruhl,andaskhim."

Shecriedout"Insolent!"andlookedatmeasifinherrageanddismayshewouldgladlyhavekilledme;being,Icouldsee,apassionatewoman.ButIheldmyground,andafteramomentshespoke."Whatdoyouwanttoknow?"shesaid,frowningdarkly.

"Thisknot——howdiditcometolieinthestreetbelowyourwindow?Iwanttoknowthatfirst."

"Idroppedit,"sheansweredsullenly.

"Why?"Isaid.

"Because——"Andthenshestoppedandlookedatme,andthenagainlookeddown,herfacecrimson."Because,ifyoumustknow,"shecontinuedhurriedly,tracingapatternonthetablewithherfinger,"Isawitborethewords"AMOI."Ihavebeenmarriedonlytwomonths,andIthoughtmyhusbandmightfindit——andbringittome.Itwasasillyfancy."

"Butwheredidyougetit?"Iasked,andIstaredatheringrowingwonderandperplexity.ForthemorequestionsIput,thefurther,itseemedtome,Istrayedfrommyobject.

"IpickeditupintheRuelled"Arcy,"sheanswered,tappingherfootonthefloorresentfully."Itwasthesillythingputitintomyheadto——todowhatIdid.Andnow,haveyouanymorequestions,sir?"

"Oneonly,"Isaid,seeingitallclearlyenough."Willyoutellme,please,exactlywhereyoufoundit?"

"Ihavetoldyou.IntheRuelled"Arcy,tenpacesfromtheRuedeValois.Now,sir,willyougo?"

"Oneword,madame.Did——"

Butshecried,"Go,sir,go!go!"soviolently,thataftermakingonemoreattempttoexpressmythanks,Ithoughtitbettertoobeyher.Ihadlearnedallsheknew;Ihadsolvedthepuzzle.But,solvingit,IfoundmyselfnonearertotheendI

hadinview,nonearertomademoiselle.Iclosedthedoorwithasilentbow,andbegantodescendthestairs,mymindfullofanxiousdoubtsandcalculations.ThevelvetknotwastheonlyclueIpossessed,butwasIright;inplacinganydependenceonit?Iknewnowthat,whereverithadoriginallylain,ithadbeenremovedonce.Ifonce,whynottwice?whynotthreetimes?

CHAPTERIX.

THEHOUSEINTHERUELLED"ARCY.

IhadnotgonedownhalfadozenstepsbeforeIheardamanenterthestaircasefromthestreet,andbegintoascend.ItstruckmeatoncethatthismightbeM.deBruhl;andIrealisedthatIhadnotleftmadame"sapartmentamomenttoosoon.ThelastthingI

desired,havingsomuchonmyhands,wastoembroilmyselfwithastranger,andaccordinglyIquickenedmypace,hopingtomeethimsonearthefootofthestairsastoleavehimindoubtwhetherI

hadbeenvisitingtheupperorlowerpartofthehouse.Thestaircasewasdark,however,andbeingfamiliarwithit,hehadtheadvantageoverme.Hecameleapinguptwostepsatatime,andturningtheangleabruptly,surprisedmebeforeIwasclearoftheupperflight.

Onseeingme,hestoppedshortandstared;thinkingatfirst,I

fancy,thatheoughttorecogniseme.Whenhedidnot,hestoodbackapace."Umph!"hesaid."Haveyoubeen——haveyouanymessageforme,sir?"

"No,"Isaid,"Ihavenot."

Hefrowned."IamM.deBruhl,"hesaid.

"Indeed?"Imuttered,notknowingwhatelsetosay.

"Youhavebeen——"

"Upyourstairs,sir?Yes.Inerror,"Iansweredbluntly.

Hegaveakindofgruntatthat,andstoodaside,incredulousanddissatisfied,yetuncertainhowtoproceed.Imethisblacklookswithasteadycountenance,andpassedbyhim,becomingaware,however,asIwentondownthestairsthathehadturnedandwaslookingafterme.Hewasatall,handsomeman,dark,andsomewhatruddyofcomplexion,andwasdressedintheextremeofCourtfashion,inasuitofmyrtle-greentrimmedwithsable.Hecarriedalsoacloaklinedwiththesameonhisarm.BeyondlookingbackwhenIreachedthestreet,toseethathedidnotfollowme,Ithoughtnomoreofhim.Butweweretomeetagain,andoften.Nay,hadIthenknownallthatwastobeknownI

wouldhavegonebackand——Butofthatinanotherplace.

TheRuedeValois,towhichatradesman,whowaspeeringcautiouslyoutofhisshop,directedme,provedtobeoneofthemainstreetsofthecity,narrowanddirty,anddarkenedbyoverhangingeavesandsignboards,butfullofnoiseandbustle.

OneendofitopenedonthePARVISoftheCathedral;theotherandquieterendappearedtoabutonthewestgateofthetown.

FeelingtheimportanceofavoidingnoticeintheneighbourhoodofthehouseIsought,IstrolledintotheopenspaceinfrontoftheCathedral,andaccostingtwomenwhostoodtalkingthere,learnedthattheRuelled"ArcywasthethirdlaneontherightoftheRuedeValois,andsomelittledistancealongit.ArmedwiththisinformationIleftthem,andwithmyheadbentdown,andmycloakdrawnaboutthelowerpartofmyface,asifIfelttheeastwind,IproceededdownthestreetuntilIreachedtheopeningofthelane.WithoutlookingupIturnedbrisklyintoit.

WhenIhadgonetenpacespasttheturning,however,Istoppedand,gazingaboutme,begantotakeinmysurroundingsasfastasIcould.Thelane,whichseemedlittlefrequented,waseightorninefeetwide,unpaved,andfullofruts.Thehighblankwallofagardenroseononesideofit,ontheotherthestillhigherwallofahouse;andbothwerecompletelydevoidofwindows,afeaturewhichIrecognisedwiththeutmostdismay.Foritcompletelyupsetallmycalculations.InvainImeasuredwithmyeyethetenpacesIhadcome;invainIlookedup,lookedthiswayandthat.Iwasnonplussed.Nowindowopenedonthelaneatthatpoint,nor,indeed,throughoutitslength.Foritwasboundedtotheend,asfarasIcouldsee,bydead-wallsasofgardens.

Recognising,withasinkingheart,whatthismeant,IsawinamomentthatallthehopesIhadraisedonSimonFleix"sdiscoverywerebaseless.Mademoisellehaddroppedthevelvetbow,nodoubt,butnotfromawindow.Itwasstillaclue,butonesoslightandvagueastobevirtuallyuseless,provingonlythatshewasintroubleandinneedofhelp;perhapsthatshehadpassedthroughthislaneonherwayfromoneplaceofconfinementtoanother.

Thoroughlybaffledanddispirited,Ileantforawhileagainstthewall,broodingovertheill-luckwhichseemedtoattendmeinthis,asinsomanypreviousadventures.Norwasthelowvoiceofconscience,suggestingthatsuchfailuresarosefrommismanagementratherthanfromill-luck,slowtomakeitselfheard.IreflectedthatifIhadnotallowedmyselftoberobbedofthegoldtoken,mademoisellewouldhavetrustedme;thatifI

hadnotbroughthertosopooranabodeasmymother"s,shewouldnothavebeencajoledintofollowingastranger;finally,thatifIhadremainedwithher,andsentSimontoattendtothehorsesinmyplace,nostrangerwouldhavegainedaccesstoher.

Butithasneverbeenmywaytoacceptdefeatatthefirstoffer,andthoughIfelttheseself-reproachestobewelldeserved,amoment"sreflectionpersuadedmethatinthesingularandespecialprovidencewhichhadbroughtthevelvetknotsafetomyhandsIoughttofindencouragement.HadMadamedeBruhlnotpickeditupitwouldhavecontinuedtolieinthisby-path,throughwhichneitherInorSimonFleixwouldhavebeenlikelytopass.Again,hadmadamenotdroppeditinherturn,weshouldhavesoughtinvainforany,eventheslightest,cluetoMademoiselledelaVire"sfateorposition.

Cheeredafreshbythisthought,Ideterminedtowalktotheendofthelane;andforthwithdidso,lookingsharplyaboutmeasI

went,butmeetingnoone.Thebareupperbranchesofatreerosehereandthereabovethewalls,whichwerepiercedatintervalsbylow,strongdoors.ThesedoorsIcarefullyexamined,butwithoutmakinganydiscovery;allweresecurelyfastened,andmanyseemedtohavebeenrarelyopened.Emergingatlastandwithoutresultontheinnersideofthecityramparts,Iturned,andmoodilyretracedmystepsthroughthelane,proceedingmoreslowlyasIdrewneartotheRuedeValois.Thistime,beingalittlefartherfromthestreet,Imadeadiscovery.

Thecornerhouse,whichhaditsfrontontheRueValois,presented,asIhavesaid,adead,windowlesswalltothelane;

butfrommypresentstandpointIcouldseetheupperpartofthebackofthishouse——thatpartoftheback,Imean,whichroseabovethelowergarden-wallthatabuttedonit——andinthistherewereseveralwindows.Thewholeoftwoandapartofathirdwerewithintherangeofmyeyes;andsuddenlyinoneoftheseI

discoveredsomethingwhichmademyheartbeathighwithhopeandexpectation.Thewindowinquestionwasheavilygrated;thatwhichIsawwastiedtooneofthebars.Itwasasmallknotofsomewhitestuff——linenapparently——anditseemedatrifletotheeye;butitwaslooped,asfarasIcouldseefromadistance,afterthesamefashionasthescrapofvelvetIhadinmypouch.

Theconclusionwasobvious,atthesametimethatitinspiredmewiththeliveliestadmirationofmademoiselle"switandresources.Shewasconfinedinthatroom;theoddswerethatshewasbehindthosebars.Abowdroppedthencewouldfall,thewindbeingfavourable,intothelane,notten,buttwentypacesfromthestreet.Ioughttohavebeenpreparedforaslightinaccuracyinawoman"sestimateofdistance.

ItmaybeimaginedwithwhateagernessInowscannedthehouse,withwhatminutenessIsoughtforaweakplace.ThelongerI

looked,however,thelesscomfortIderivedfrommyinspection.

Isawbeforemeagloomystrongholdofbrick,four-square,andbuiltintheoldItalianmanner,withbattlementsatthetop,andasmallmachicolation,littlemorethanastring-course,aboveeachstory;thisservingatoncetolessenthemonotonyofthedead-walls,andtoaddtothefrowningweightoftheupperpart.

Thewindowswerefewandsmall,andthehouselookeddampandmouldy;lichensclottedthebricks,andmossfilledthestring-