第8章

"BonneFoi!FranceetBonneFoi!"ItseemedtomethatIbadnotspoken,thatIhadpliedsteelingrimmestsilence;andyetthecrystillrangandechoedintheroofasIloweredmypoint,andstoodlookinggrimlydownatthem.Fresnoy"sfacewasdisfiguredwithrageandchagrin.Theywerenowbuttwotoone,forMatthew,thoughhiswoundwasslight,wasdisabledbythebloodwhichrandownintohiseyesandblindedhim."FranceetBonneFoi!"

"BonneFoiandgoodsword!"criedavoicebehindme.Andlookingswiftlyround,Isawmademoiselle"sfacethrustthroughtheholeinthedoor.Hereyessparkledwithafiercelight,herlipswereredbeyondtheordinary,andherhair,loosenedandthrownintodisorderbyherexertions,fellinthickmassesaboutherwhitecheeks,andgavehertheaspectofawar-witch,suchastheytellofinmycountryofBrittany."Goodsword!"shecriedagain,andclappedherhands.

"Butbetterboard,mademoiselle!"Iansweredgaily.Likemostofthemenofmyprovince,Iamcommonlymelancholic,butIhavethehabitofgrowingwittyatsuchtimesasthese."Now,M.

Fresnoy,"Icontinued,"Iamwaitingyourconvenience.MustI

putonmycloaktokeepmyselfwarm?"

Heansweredbyacurse,andstoodlookingatmeirresolutely.

"Ifyouwillcomedown,"hesaid.

"SendyourmanawayandIwillcome,"Iansweredbriskly."Thereisspaceonthelanding,andamoderatelight.ButImustbequick.MademoiselleandIaredueelsewhere,andwearelatealready."

Stillhehesitated.Stillhelookedatthemanlyingathisfeet——whohadstretchedhimselfoutandpassed,quietlyenough,aminutebefore——andstooddubious,themostpitiablepictureofcowardiceandmalice——hebeingordinarilyastoutman——Ieversaw.Icalledhimpoltroonandwhite-feather,andwasconsideringwhetherIhadnotbettergodowntohim,seeingthatourtimemustbeup,andSimonwouldbequittinghispost,whenacrybehindmecausedmetoturn,andIsawthatmademoisellewasnolongerlookingthroughtheopeninginthedoor.

Alarmedonherbehalf,asIreflectedthattheremightbeotherdoorstotheroom,andthemenhaveotheraccomplicesinthehouse,Isprangtothedoortosee,buthadbaselytimetosendasingleglanceround-theinterior——whichshowedmeonlythattheroomwasstilloccupied——beforeFresnoy,takingadvantageofmymovementandofmybackbeingturned,dashedupthestairs,withhiscomradeathisheels,andsucceededinpinningmeintothenarrowpassagewhereIstood.

Ihadscarcelytime,indeed,toturnandputmyselfonguardbeforehethrustatme.Norwasthatall.Thesuperiorityinpositionnolongerlaywithme.Ifoundmyselffightingbetweenwallsclosetotheopeninginthedoor,throughwhichthelightfellathwartmyeyes,bafflingandperplexingme.Fresnoywasnotslowtoseetheaidthisgavehim,andpressedmehardanddesperately;sothatweplayedforafullminuteatclosequarters,thrustingandparrying,neitherofushavingroomtousetheedge,ortimetoutterwordorprayer.

Atthisgameweweresoevenlymatchedthatforatimetheendwashardtotell.Presently,however,therecameachange.Myopponent"shabitofwildlivingsuitedillwithaprolongedbout,andashisstrengthandbreathfailedandhebegantogivegroundIdiscernedIhadonlytowearhimouttohavehimatmymercy.

Hefeltthishimself,andevenbythatlightIsawthesweatspringingreatdropstohisforehead,sawtheterrorgrowinhiseyes.AlreadyIwascountinghimadeadmanandthevictorymine,whensomethinghashedbehindhisblade,andhiscomrade"sponiard,whizzingpasthisshoulder,struckmefairlyonthechin,staggeringmeandhurlingmebackdizzyandhalf-stunned,uncertainwhathadhappenedtome.

Spedaninchlowerit,wouldhavedoneitsworkandfinishedmine.Evenasitwas,myhandgoingupasIreeledbackgaveFresnoyanopening,ofwhichhewasnotslowtoavailhimself.

Hesprangforward,lungingatmefuriously,andwouldhaverunmethroughthereandthen,andendedthematter,badnothisfoot,asheadvanced,caughtinthestool,whichstilllayagainstthewall.Hestumbled,hispointmissedmyhipbyahair"sbreadth,andhehimselffellallhislengthonthefloor,hisrapierbreakingoffshortatthehilt.

Hisoneremainingbackerstayedtocastalookathim,andthatwasall.Themanfled,andIchasedhimasfarastheheadofthestairs;whereIlefthim,assuredbythespeedandagilityhedisplayedinclearingflightafterflightthatIhadnothingtofearfromhim.Fresnoylay,apparentlystunned,andcompletelyatmymercy.Istoodaninstantlookingdownathim,intwomindswhetherIshouldnotrunhimthrough.Butthememoryofolddays,whenhehadplayedhispartinmorehonourablefashionandshownacoarsegood-fellowshipinthefield,heldmyhand;

andflingingacurseathim,Iturnedinanxioushastetothedoor,thecentreofallthisbloodshedandcommotion.Thelightstillshonethroughthebreachinthepanel,butforsomeminutes——sinceFresnoy"srushupthestairs,indeed——Ihadheardnosoundfromthisquarter.Now,lookinginwithapprehensionswhichgrewwiththecontinuingsilence,Ilearnedthereason.

Theroomwasempty!

Suchadisappointmentinthemomentoftriumphwashardtobear.

Isawmyself,afteralldoneandwon,onthepointofbeingagainoutwitted,distanced,itmightbefooled.InfrantichasteandexcitementIsnatchedupthestoolbesideme,and,dashingittwiceagainstthelock,forceditatlasttoyield.Thedoorswungopen,andIrushedintotheroom,which,abandonedbythosewhohadsolatelyoccupiedit,presentednothingtodetainme.I

castasingleglanceround,sawthatitwassqualid,low-roofed,unfurnished,amereprison;thenswiftlycrossingthefloor,I

madeforadooratthefartherend,whichmyeyehadmarkedfromthefirst.Acandlestoodflaringandgutteringonastool,andasIpassedItookitup.

Somewhattomysurprisethedooryieldedtomytouch.Intremblinghaste——forwhatmightnotbefallthewomenwhileI

fumbledwithdoorsorwanderedinpassages?——Iflungitwide,andpassingthroughit,foundmyselfattheheadofanarrow,meanstaircase,leading,doubtless,totheservants"offices.Atthis,andseeingnohindrancebeforeme,Itookheartofgrace,reflectingthatmademoisellemighthaveescapedfromthehousethisway.Thoughitwouldnowbetoolatetoquitthecity,I

mightstillovertakeher,andallendwell.AccordinglyI

hurrieddownthestairs,shadingmycandleasIwentfromacolddraughtofairwhichmetme,andgrewstrongerasIdescended;

untilreachingthebottomatlast,Icameabruptlyuponanopendoor,andanold,wrinkled,shrivelledwoman.

Thehagscreamedatsightofme,andcroucheddownonthefloor;

anddoubtless,withmydrawnsword,andtheblooddrippingfrommychinandstainingallthefrontofmydoublet,Ilookedfierceanduncannyenough.ButIfeltitwasnotimeforsensibility——I

waspantingtobeaway——andIdemandedofhersternlywheretheywere.Sheseemedtohavelosthervoice——throughfear,perhaps——andforansweronlystaredatmestupidly;butonmyhandlingmyweaponwithsomereadinessshesofarrecoveredhersensesastouttertwoloudscreams,oneaftertheother,andpointtothedoorbesideher.Idoubtedher;andyetIthoughtinherterrorshemustbetellingthetruth,themoreasIsawnootherdoor.

InanycaseImustriskit,so,settingthecandledownonthestepbesideher,Ipassedout.

ForamomentthedarknesswassointensethatIfeltmywaywithmyswordbeforeme,inabsoluteignorancewhereIwasoronwhatmyfootmightnextrest.Iwasatthemercyofanyonewhochancedtobelyinginwaitforme;andIshiveredasthecolddampwindstruckmycheekandstirredmyhair.Butby-and-by,whenIhadtakentwoorthreesteps,myeyesgrewaccustomedtothegloom,andImade,outthenakedboughsoftreesbetweenmyselfandthesky,andguessedthatIwasinagarden.Mylefthand,touchingashrub,confirmedmeinthisbelief,andinanothermomentIdistinguishedsomethingliketheoutlineofapathstretchingawaybeforeme.Followingitrapidly——asrapidlyasIdared——Icametoacorner,asitseemedtome,turneditblindly,andstoppedshort,peepingintoacurtainofsolidblacknesswhichbarredmypath,andoverheadmingledconfusedlywiththedarkshapesoftrees.Butthis,too,afterabriefhesitation,Imadeouttobeawall.Advancingtoitwithoutstretchedhands,Ifeltthewoodworkofadoor,and,gropingabout,litpresentlyonaloopofcord.Ipulledatthis,thedooryielded,andIwentout.

Ifoundmyselfinanarrow,darklane,andlookingupanddowndiscovered,whatImighthaveguessedbefore,thatit,wastheRuelled"Arcy.Butmademoiselle?Fanchette?Simon?Wherewerethey?Noonewastobeseen,Tormentedbydoubts,Iliftedupmyvoiceandcalledontheminturn;firstonmademoiselle,thenonSimonFleix.Invain;Igotnoanswer.HighupabovemeIsaw,asIstoodbackalittle,lightsmovinginthehouseIhadleft;

andthesuspicionthat,afterall,theenemyhadfoiledmegrewuponme.Somehowtheyhaddecoyedmademoiselletoanotherpartofthehouse,andthentheoldwomanhadmisledme!

Iturnedfiercelytothedoor,whichIhadleftajar,resolvedtore-enterbythewayIhadcome,andhaveanexplanationwhetherorno.Tomysurprise——forIhadnotmovedsixpacesfromthedoornorheardtheslightestsound——Ifounditnot;onlyclosedbutbolted——boltedbothattopandbottom,asIdiscoveredontryingit.

Ifellonthattokickingitfuriously,desperately;partlyinatempestofrageandchagrin,partlyinthehopethatImightfrightentheoldwoman,ifitwasshewhohadclosedit,intoopeningitagain.Invain,ofcourse;andpresentlyIsawthisanddesisted,and,stillinawhirlofhasteandexcitement,setoffrunningtowardstheplacewhereIhadleftSimonFleixandthehorses.Itwasfullysixo"clockasIjudged;butsomefainthopethatImightfindhimtherewithmademoiselleandherwomanstilllingeredinmymind.Ireachedtheendofthelane,Irantotheveryfoot;oftheramparts,Ilookedrightandleft.Invain.Theplacewasdark,silent,deserted.

Icalled"Simon!Simon!SimonFleix!"butmyonlyanswerwasthesoughingofthewindintheeaves,andtheslowtonesoftheconvent-bellstrikingSix.

CHAPTERXI.

THEMANATTHEDOOR.

Therearesomethings,notshamefulinthemselves,whichitshamesonetoremember,andamongtheseIcountthesucceedinghurryandperturbationofthatnight:thevainsearch,withouthopeorclue,towhichpassionimpelledme,andthestubbornpersistencewithwhichIrushedfranticallyfromplacetoplacelongafterthesobernessofreasonwouldhavehadmedesist.

Therewasnot,itseemstome,lookingbacknow,onestreetoralley,laneorcourt,inBloiswhichIdidnotvisitagainandagaininmyfranticwanderings;notabeggarskulkingonfootthatnightwhomIdidnothuntdownandquestion;notawretchedwomansleepinginarchordoorwaywhomIdidnotseeandscrutinise.Ireturnedtomymother"slodgingagainandagain,alwaysfruitlessly.Irushedtothestablesandrushedawayagain,orstoodandlistenedinthedark,emptystalls,wonderingwhathadhappened,andtorturingmyselfwithsuggestionsofthisorthat.Andeverywhere,notonlyattheNorth-gate,whereI

interrogatedtheportersandfoundthatnopartyresemblingthatwhichIsoughthadpassedout,butonthePARVISoftheCathedral,whereaguardwasdrawnup,andinthecommonstreets,whereIburstinononegroupandanotherwithmyqueries,Irantheriskofsuspicionandarrest,andallthatmightfollowthereon.

ItwasstrangeindeedthatIescapedarrest.Thewoundinmychinstillbledatintervals,stainingmydoublet;andasIwaswithoutmycloak,whichIhadleftinthehouseintheRueValois,Ihadnothingtocovermydisordereddress.Iwaskeenly,fiercelyanxious.Straypassersmeetingmeintheglareofatorch,orseeingmehurrybythegreatbrazierswhichburnedwherefourstreetsmet,lookedaskanceatmeandgavemethewall;whilemeninauthoritycriedtometostayandanswertheirquestions.Iranfromtheoneandtheotherwiththesamesavageimpatience,disregardingeverythinginthefeverishanxietywhichspurredmeonandimpelledmetoahundredimprudences,suchasatmyageIshouldhaveblushedtocommit.Muchofthisfeelingwasdue,nodoubt,totheglimpseIhadhadofmademoiselle,andthefierywordsshehadspoken;more,Ifancy,tochagrinandangeratthemannerinwhichthecupofsuccesshadbeendashedatthelastmomentfrommylips.

ForfourhoursIwanderedthroughthestreets,nowhotwithpurpose,nowseekingaimlessly.Itwasteno"clockwhenatlengthIgaveupthesearch,and,wornoutbothinbodyandmind,climbedthestairsatmymother"slodgingsandenteredherroom.

Anoldwomansatbythefire,crooningsoftlytoherself,whileshestirredsomethinginablackpot.Mymotherlayinthesameheavy,deepsleepinwhichIhadlefther.Isatdownoppositethenurse(whocriedoutatmyappearance)andaskedherdullyforsomefood.WhenIhadeatenit,sittinginakindofstuporthewhile,theresultpartlyofmylateexertions,andpartlyofthesilencewhichprevailedroundme,Ibadethewomancallmeifanychangetookplace;andthengoingheavilyacrosstothegarretSimonhadoccupied,Ilaydownonhispallet,andfellintoasound,dreamlesssleep.

ThenextdayandthenextnightIspentbesidemymother,watchingthelifeebbfastaway,andthinkingwithgravesorrowofherpastandmyfuture.Itpainedmebeyondmeasuretoseeherdiethus,inagarret,withoutproperattendanceoranybutbarecomforts;theexistencewhichhadoncebeenbrightandprosperousendinginpenuryandgloom,suchasmymother"sloveandhopeandself-sacrificelittledeserved.Herstategrievedmesharplyonmyownaccounttoo,seeingthatIhadformednoneofthosefamiliarrelationswhichmenofmyagehavecommonlyformed,andwhichconsolethemforthelossofparentsandforbears;Naturesoorderingit,asIhavetakennote,thatmenlookforwardratherthanbackward,andfindinthetiestheyformwiththefuturefullcompensationforthepartingstrandsbehindthem.Iwasalone,poverty-stricken,andinmiddlelife,seeingnothingbeforemeexceptdangerandhardship,andtheseunrelievedbyhopeoraffection.Thislastadventure,too,despiteallmyefforts,hadsunkmedeeperinthemire;byincreasingmyenemiesandalienatingfrommesometowhomImighthaveturnedattheworst.Inoneotherrespectalsoithadaddedtomytroublesnotalittle;fortheimageofmademoisellewanderingaloneandunguardedthroughthestreets,orvainlycallingonmeforhelp,persistedinthrustingitselfonmyimaginationwhenIleastwantedit,andcameevenbetweenmymother"spatientfaceandme.

IwassittingbesideMadamedeBonnealittleaftersunsetonthesecondday,thewomanwhoattendedherbeingabsentonanerrand,whenIremarkedthatthelamp,whichhadbeenrecentlylit,andstoodonastoolinthemiddleoftheroom,wasburninglowandneededsnuffing.Iwenttoitsoftly,andwhilestoopingoverit,tryingtoimprovethelight,heardaslow,heavystepascendingthestairs.Thehousewasquiet,andthesoundattractedmyfullattention.Iraisedmyselfandstoodlistening,hopingthatthismightbethedoctor,whohadnotbeenthatday.

Thefootstepspassedthelandingbelow,butatthefirststairofthenextflighttheperson,whoeveritwas,stumbled,andmadeaconsiderablenoise.Atthat,oritmightbeamomentlater,thestepstillascending,Iheardasuddenrustlingbehindme,and,turningquicklywithastart,sawmymothersittingupinbed.

Hereyeswereopen,andsheseemedfullyconscious;whichshehadnotbeenfordays,norindeedsincethelastconversationIhaverecorded.Butherface,thoughitwasnowsensible,waspinchedandwhite,andsodrawnwithmortalfearthatIbelievedherdying,andsprangtoher,unabletoconstrueotherwisethepitifullookinherstrainingeyes.

"Madame,"Isaid,hastilypassingmyarmroundher,andspeakingwithasmuchencouragementasIcouldinfuseintomyvoice,"takecomfort.Iamhere.Yourson."

"Hush!"shemutteredinanswer,layingherfeeblehandonmywristandcontinuingtolook,notatme,butatthedoor.

"Listen,Gaston!Don"tyouhear?Thereitisagain.Again!"

ForamomentIthoughthermindstillwandered,andIshivered,havingnofondnessforhearingsuchthings.ThenIsawshewaslisteningintentlytothesoundwhichhadattractedmynotice.

Thestephadreachedthelandingbythistime.Thevisitor,whoeveritwas,pausedthereamoment,beingindarkness,anduncertain,perhaps,ofthepositionofthedoor;butinalittlewhileIheardhimmoveforwardagain,mymother"sfragileform,claspedasitwasinmyembrace,quiveringwitheachstephetook,asthoughhisweightstirredthehouse.Hetappedatthedoor.

Ihadthought,whileIlistenedandwondered,ofmorethanonewhomthismightbe:theleech,SimonFleix,MadameBruhl,Fresnoyeven.Butasthetapcame,andIfeltmymothertrembleinmyarms,enlightenmentcamewithit,andIponderednomore,I

knewaswellasifshehailspokenandtoldme.Therecouldbeonlyonemanwhosepresencehadsuchpowertoterrifyher,onlyonewhosemerestep,soundingthroughtheveil,coulddragherbacktoconsciousnessandfear!Andthatwasthemanwhohadbeggaredher,whohadtradedsolongonherterrors.

Imovedalittle,intendingtocrossthefloorsoftly,thatwhenheopenedthedoorhemightfindmefacetofacewithhim;butshedetectedthemovement,and,lovegivingherstrength,sheclungtomywristsofiercelythatIhadnottheheart,knowinghowslenderwasherholdonlifeandhownearthebrinkshestood,tobreakfromher.Iconstrainedmyselftostandstill,thougheverymusclegrewtenseasadrawnbowstring,andIfeltthestrongragerisinginmythroatandchokingmeasIwaitedforhimtoenter.

Alogonthehearthgavewaywithadullsoundstartlinginthesilence.Themantappedagain,andgettingnoanswer,forneitherofusspoke,pushedthedoorslowlyopen,utteringbeforeheshowedhimselfthewords,"Dieuvousbenisse!"inavoicesolowandsmoothIshudderedatthesound.Thenextmomenthecameinandsawme,and,starting,stoodatgaze,hisheadthrustslightlyforward,hisshouldersbent,hishandstillonthelatch,amazementandfrowningspiteinturndistortinghisleanface.Hehadlookedtofindaweak,defencelesswoman,whomhecouldtortureandrobathiswill;hesawinsteadastrongmanarmed,whoserighteousangerhemusthavebeenblindindeedhadhefailedtoread.

Strangestthingofall,wehadmetbefore!Iknewhimatonce——

heme.HewasthesameJacobinmonkwhomIhadseenattheinnontheClaine,andwhohadtoldmethenewsofGuise"sdeath!

Iutteredanexclamationofsurpriseonmakingthisdiscovery,andmymother,freedsuddenly,asitseemed,fromthespelloffear,whichhadgivenherunnaturalstrength,sankbackonthebed.Hergrasprelaxed,andherbreathcameandwentwithsoloudarattlethatIremovedmygazefromhim,andbentoverher,fullofconcernandsolicitude.Oureyesmet.Shetriedtospeak,andatlastgasped,"Notnow,Gaston!Lethim——lethim——"

Herlipsframedtheword"go,"butshecouldnotgiveitsound.

Iunderstood,however,andinimpotentwrathIwavedmyhandtohimtobegone.WhenIlookeduphehadalreadyobeyedme.Hehadseizedthefirstopportunitytoescape.Thedoorwasclosed,thelampburnedsteadily,andwewerealone.

IgaveheralittleArmagnac,whichstoodbesidethebedforsuchanoccasion,andsherevived,andpresentlyopenedhereyes.ButIsawatonceagreatchangeinher.Thelookoffearhadpassedaltogetherfromherface,andoneofsorrow,yetcontent,hadtakenitsplace.Shelaidherhandinmine,andlookedupatme,beingtooweak,asIthought,tospeak.Butby-and-by,whenthestrongspirithaddoneitswork,shesignedtometolowermyheadtohermouth.

"TheKingofNavarre,"shemurmured-youaresure,Gaston——hewillretainyouisyour——employments?"

Herpleadingeyesweresoclosetomine,Ifeltnoscruplessuchassomemighthavefelt,seeinghersoneardeath;butI

answeredfirmlyandcheerfully,"Madame,Iamassuredofit.

ThereisnoprinceinEuropesotrustworthyorsogoodtohisservants."

Shesighedwithinfinitecontent,andblessedhiminafeeblewhisper."Andifyoulive,"shewenton,"youwillrebuildtheoldhouse,Gaston.Thewallsaresoundyet.Andtheoakinthehallwasnotburned.ThereisachestoflinenatGil"s,andachestwithyourfather"sgoldlace——butthatispledged,"sheaddeddreamily."Iforgot."

"Madame,"Iansweredsolemnly,"itshallbedone——itshallbedoneasyouwish,ifthepowerliewithme."

Shelayforsometimeafterthatmurmuringprayers,herheadsupportedonmyshoulder.Ilongedimpatientlyforthenursetoreturn,thatImightdespatchherfortheleech;notthatI

thoughtanythingcouldbedone,butformyowncomfortandgreatersatisfactionafterwards,andthatmymothermightnotdiewithoutsomefittingattendance.Thehouseremainedquiet,however,withthatimpressivequietnesswhichsoberstheheartatsuchtimes,andIcouldnotdothis.Andaboutsixo"clockmymotheropenedhereyesagain.

"ThisisnotMarsac,"shemurmuredabruptly,hereyesrovingfromtheceilingtothewallatthefootofthebed.

No,Madame,"Ianswered,leaningoverher,"youareinBlois.

ButIamhere——Gaston,yourson."

Shelookedatme,afaintsmileofpleasurestealingoverherpinchedface."Twelvethousandlivresayear,"shewhispered,rathertoherselfthantome,"andanestablishment,reducedalittle,yetcreditable,verycreditable."Foramomentsheseemedtobedyinginmyarms,butagainopenedhereyesquicklyandlookedmeintheface."Gaston?"shesaid,suddenlyandstrangely."WhosaidGaston?HeiswiththeKing——Ihaveblessedhim;andhisdaysshallbelongintheland!"Then,raisingherselfinmyarmswithalasteffortofstrength,shecriedloudly,"Waythere!Wayformyson,theSieurdeMarsac!"

Theywereherlastwords.WhenIlaidherdownonthebedamomentlater,shewasdead,andIwasalone.

MadamedeBonne,mymother,wasseventyatthetimeofherdeath,havingsurvivedmyfathereighteenyears.ShewasMariedeLochedeLoheac,thirddaughterofRaoul,SieurdeLoheac,ontheVilaine,andbyhergreat-grandmother,adaughterofJeandeLaval,wasdescendedfromtheducalfamilyofRohan,arelationshipwhichinafter-times,andundergreatlyalteredcircumstances,HenryDukeofRohancondescendedtoacknowledge,honouringmewithhisfriendshiponmoreoccasionsthanone.Herdeath,whichIhavehererecorded,tookplaceonthefourthofJanuary,theQueen-MotherofFrance,CatherinedeMedicis,dyingalittleafternoononthefollowingday.

InBlois,asineveryothertown,evenParisitself,theHuguenotspossessedatthistimeapowerfulorganisation;andwiththeaidofthesurgeon,whoshowedmemuchrespectinmybereavement,andexercisedinmybehalfalltheinfluencewhichskilfulandhonest;menofhiscraftinvariablypossess,Iwasabletoarrangeformymother"sburialinaprivategroundaboutaleaguebeyondthewallsandnearthevillageofChaverny.AtthetimeofherdeathIhadonlythirtycrownsingoldremaining,SimonFleix,towhosefateIcouldobtainnoclue,havingcarriedoffthirty-fivewiththehorses.Thewholeofthisresidue,however,withtheexceptionofahandsomegratuitytothenurseandatriflespentonmyclothes,Iexpendedonthefuneral,desiringthatnostainshouldrestonmymother"sbirthormyaffection.Accordingly,thoughtheceremonywasofnecessityprivate,andindeedsecret,andthemournerswerefew,itlackednothing,Ithink,ofthedecencyandproprietywhichmymotherloved;andwhichshepreferred,Ihaveoftenheardhersay,tothevulgarshowthatisequallyatthecommandofthenobleandthefarmeroftaxes.

Untilshewaslaidinherquietresting-placeIstoodinconstantfearofsomeinterruptionontheparteitherofBruhl,whoseconnectionwithFresnoyandtheabductionIdidnotdoubt,oroftheJacobinmonk.Butnonecame;andnothinghappeningtoenlightenmeastothefateofMademoiselledelaVire,Isawmydutyclearbeforeme.Idisposedofthefurnitureofmymother"sroom,andindeedofeverythingwhichwassaleable,andraisedinthiswayenoughmoneytobuymyselfanewcloak——withoutwhichI

couldnottravelinthewintryweather——andtohireahorse.

Sorryastheanimalwas,thedealerrequiredsecurity,andIhadnonetooffer.Itwasonlyatthelastmoment,Ibethoughtmeofthefragmentofgoldchainwhichmademoisellehadleftbehindher,andwhich,aswellasmymother"sringsandvinaigrette,I

hadkeptbackfromthesale.ThisIwasforcedtolodgewithhim.Havingthus,withsomepainandmorehumiliation,providedmeansforthejourney,Ilostnotanhourinbeginningit.OntheeighthofJanuaryIsetoatforRosny,tocarrythenewsofmyill-successandofmademoiselle"spositionwhitherIhadlookedaweekbeforetocarryherself.

CHAPTERXII.

MAXIMILIANDEBETHUNE,BARONDEROSNY.

IlookedtomakethejourneytoRosnyintwodays.ButtheheavinessoftheroadsandthesorryconditionofmyhackneyhinderedmesogreatlythatIlaythesecondnightatDreux,and,hearingthewaywasstillworsebetweenthatplaceandmydestination,begantothinkthatIshouldbefortunateifI

reachedRosnybythefollowingnoon.ThecountryinthispartseemeddevotedtotheLeague,thefeelingincreasinginviolenceasIapproachedtheSeine.IheardnothingsaveabuseoftheKingofFranceandpraiseoftheGuiseprinces,andhadmuchado,keepingastilltongueandridingmodestly,topasswithoutmolestationorinquiry.

DrawingneartoRosny,onthethirdmorning,throughalowmarshycountrycoveredwithwoodsandalivewithgameofallkinds,I

begantooccupymyselfwiththoughtsofthereceptionIwaslikelytoencounter;which,Iconjectured,wouldbenoneofthemostpleasant.ThedaringandvigouroftheBarondeRosny,whohadatthistimethereputationofbeinginallpartsofFranceatonce,andthefamiliartermsonwhichhewasknowntolivewiththeKingofNavarre,gavemesmallreasontohopethathewouldlistenwithindulgencetosuchataleasIhadtotell.

ThenearerIcametothehouroftellingit,indeed,themoreimprobableseemedsomeofitsparts,andthemoreglaringmyowncarelessnessinlosingthetoken,andinlettingmademoiselleoutofmysightinsuchaplaceasBlois.Isawthissoclearlynow,andmoreclearlyasthemorningadvanced,thatIdonotknowthatIeveranticipatedanythingwithmorefearthanthisexplanation;

whichityetseemedmydutytoofferwithallreasonablespeed.

Themorningwaswarm,Iremember;cloudy,yetnotdark;theairnearathandfullofmoistureandveryclear,withacircleofmistrisingsomewayoff,andfillingthewoodswithbluedistances.Theroadwasdeepandfoundrous,andasIwasobligedtoleaveitfromtimetotimeinordertopasstheworstplaces,IpresentlybegantofearthatIhadstrayedintoaby-road.

Afteradvancingsomedistance,indoubtwhetherIshouldpersevereorturnback,Iwasgladtoseebeforemeasmallhouseplacedatthejunctionofseveralwoodlandpaths.Fromthebushwhichhungoverthedoor,andawater-troughwhichstoodbesideit,Ijudgedtheplacetobeaninn;anddeterminingtogetmyhorsefedbeforeIwentfarther,Irodeuptothedoorandrappedonitwithmyriding-switch.

ThepositionofthehousewassoremotethatIwassurprisedtoseethreeorfourheadsthrustimmediatelyoutofawindow.ForamomentIthoughtIshouldhavedonebettertohavepassedby;

butthelandlordcomingoutverycivilly,andleadingthewaytoashedbesidethehouse,IreflectedthatIhadlittletolose,andfollowedhim.Ifound,asIexpected,fourhorsestiedupintheshed,thebitshangingroundtheirnecksandtheirgirthsloosed;whilemysurprisewasnotlessenedbythearrival,beforeIhadfastenedupmyownhorse,ofasixthrider,who,seeingusbytheshed,rodeuptous,andsalutedmeashedismounted.

Hewasatall,strongmanintheprimeofyouth,wearingaplain,almostmeansuitofdust-colouredleather,andcarryingnoweaponsexceptahunting-knife,whichhunginasheathathisgirdle.Herodeapowerfulsilver-roanhorse,andwassplashedtothetopofhishighuntannedboots,asifhehadcomebytheworstofpaths,ifbyany.

Hecastashrewdglanceatthelandlordasheledhishorseintotheshed;andIjudgedfromhisbrowncomplexionandquickeyesthathehadseenmuchweatherandlivedanout-of-doorlife.

HewatchedmesomewhatcuriouslywhileImixedthefodderformyhorse;andwhenIwentintothehouseandsatdowninthefirstroomIcameto,toeatalittlebread-and-cheesewhichIhadinmypouch,hejoinedmealmostimmediately.Apparentlyhecouldnotstomachmypoorfare,however,forafterwatchingmeforatimeinsilence,switchinghisbootwithhiswhipthewhile,hecalledthelandlord,andaskedhim,inamasterfulway,whatfreshmeathehad,andparticularlyifhehadanyleancollops,orafowl.

Thefellowansweredthattherewasnothing.HishonourcouldhavesomeLisieuxcheese,headded,orsomestewedlentils.

"Hishonourdoesnotwantcheese,"thestrangeransweredpeevishly,"norlentilporridge.AndwhatisthisIsmell,myfriend?"hecontinued,beginningsuddenlytosniffwithvigour.

"IswearIsmellcooking."

"Itisthehind-quarterofabuck,whichiscookingforthefourgentlemenoftheRobe;withacolloportwotofollow,"thelandlordexplained;andhumblyexcusedhimselfonthegroundthatthegentlemenhadstrictlyengageditfortheirowneating.

"What?Awholequarter!ANDacolloportwotofollow!"thestrangerretorted,smackinghislips."Whoarethey?"

"TwoadvocatesandtheirclerksfromtheParliamentofParis.

Theyhavebeenviewingaboundarynearhere,andarereturningthisafternoon,"thelandlordanswered.

"Noreasonwhytheyshouldcauseafamine!"ejaculatedthestrangerwithenergy."Gotothemandsayagentleman,whohasriddenfar,andfastedsinceseventhismorning,requestspermissiontositattheirtable.Aquarterofvenisonandacolloportwoamongfour!"hecontinued,inatoneofextremedisgust,"Itisintolerable!Andadvocates!Why,atthatrate,theKingofFranceshouldeatawholebuck,andrisehungry!

Don"tyouagreewithme,sir?"hecontinued,turningonmeandputtingthequestionabruptly.

Hewassocomicallyandyetsoseriouslyangry,andlookedsocloselyatmeashespoke,thatIhastenedtosayIagreedwithhimperfectly.

"Yetyoueatcheese,sir!"heretortedirritably.

Isawthat,notwithstandingthesimplicityofhisdress,hewasagentleman,andso,forbearingtotakeoffence,ItoldhimplainlythatmypursebeinglightItravelledratherasIcouldthanasIwould.

"Isitso?"heansweredhastily."HadIknownthat,Iwouldhavejoinedyouinthecheese!Afterall,Iwouldratherfastwithagentleman,thanfeastwithachurl.Butitistoolatenow.Seeingyoumixthefodder,Ithoughtyourpocketswerefull."

"Thenagistired,andhasdoneitsbest,"Ianswered.

Helookedatmecuriously,andasthoughhewouldsaymore.

Butthelandlordreturningatthatmoment,heturnedtohiminstead.

"Well!"hesaidbriskly."Isitallright?"

"Iamsorry,yourhonour,"themananswered,reluctantly,andwithaverydowncastair,"butthegentlemenbegtobeexcused."

"Zounds!"criedmycompanionroundly."Theydo,dothey?"

"Theysaytheyhavenomore,sir,"thelandlordcontinued,faltering,"thanenoughforthemselvesandalittledogtheyhavewiththem."