第9章

Ashoutoflaughterwhichissuedatthatmomentfromtheotherroomseemedtoshowthatthequartetteweremakingmerryovermycompanion"srequest.Isawhischeekredden,andlookedforanexplosionofangeronhispart;butinsteadhestoodamomentinthoughtinthemiddleofthefloor,andthen,muchtotheinnkeeper"srelief,pushedastooltowardsme,andcalledforabottleofthebestwine.Hepleasantlybeggedleavetoeatalittleofmycheese,whichhesaidlookedbetterthantheLisieux,and,fillingmyglasswithwine,felltoasmerrilyasifhehadneverheardofthepartyintheotherroom.

Iwasmorethanalittlesurprised,Iremember;forIhadtakenhimtobeapassionateman,andnotonetositdownunderanaffront.StillIsaidnothing,andweconversedverywelltogether.Inoticed,however,thathestoppedspeakingmorethanonce,asthoughtolisten;butconceivingthathewasmerelyrevertingtothepartyintheotherroom,whogreweachmomentmoreuproarious,Isaidnothing,andwascompletelytakenbysurprisewhenheroseonasudden,and,goingtotheopenwindow,leanedout,shadinghiseyeswithhishand.

"Whatisit?"Isaid,preparingtofollowhim.

Heansweredbyaquietchuckle."Youshallsee,"headdedthenextinstant.

Irose,andgoingtothewindowlookedoutoverhisshoulder.

Threemenwereapproachingtheinnonhorseback.Thefirst,agreatburly,dark-complexionedmanwithfierceblackeyesandafeatheredcap,hadpistolsinhisholstersandashortswordbyhisside.Theothertwo,withtheairofservants,werestoutfellows,wearinggreendoubletsandleatherbreeches.Allthreerodegoodhorses,whileafootmanledtwohoundsaftertheminaleash.Onseeingustheycanteredforward,theleaderwavinghisbonnet.

"Halt,there!"criedmycompanion,liftinguphisvoicewhentheywerewithinastone"sthrowofus."Maignan!"

"Mylord?"answeredheofthefeather,pullingupontheinstant.

"Youwillfindsixhorsesintheshedthere,"thestrangercriedinavoiceofcommand."Turnoutthefourtotheleftasyougoin.Giveeachacut,andsenditaboutitsbusiness!"

Themanwheeledhishorsebeforethewordswerewelluttered,andcryingobsequiously"thatitwasdone,"flunghisreinstooneoftheotherridersanddisappearedintheshed,asiftheordergivenhimwerethemostcommonplaceoneintheworld.

Thepartyintheotherroom,however,bywhomallcouldbeheard,werenotslowtotakethealarm.Theybrokeintoashoutofremonstrance,andoneoftheirnumber,leapingfromthewindow,askedwithaveryfierceairwhatthedevilwemeant.Theothersthrustouttheirfaces,swollenandflushedwiththewinetheyhaddrunk,andwithmanyoathsbackeduphisquestion.Notfeelingmyselfcalledupontointerfere,Ipreparedtoseesomethingdiverting.

Mycompanion,whosecoolnesssurprisedme,hadalltheairofbeingaslittleconcernedasmyself.Heevenpersistedforatimeinignoringtheangrylawyer,and,turningadeafeartoallthethreatsandabusewithwhichtheothersassailedhim,continuedtolookcalmlyattheprospect.Seeingthis,andthatnothingcouldmovehim,themanwhohadjumpedthroughthewindow,andwhoseemedthemostenterprisingoftheparty,leftusatlastandrantowardsthestalls.Theaspectofthetwoserving-men,however,whorodeupgrinning,andmadeasiftheywouldridehimdown,determinedhimtoreturn;whichhedid,palewithfury,asthelastofthefourhorsesclatteredout,andafterapuzzledlookroundtrottedoffatitsleisureintotheforest.

Onthis,themangrewmoreviolent,asIhaveremarkedfrightenedmendo;sothatatlastthestrangercondescendedtonoticehim.

"Mygoodsir,"hesaidcoolly,lookingathimthroughthewindowasifhehadnotseenhimbefore,"youannoyme.Whatisthematter?"

Thefellowretortedwithavastamountofbluster,askingwhatthedevilwemeantbyturningouthishorses.

"Onlytogiveyouandthegentlemenwithyoualittleexercise,"

mycompanionanswered,withgrimhumour,andinaseveretonestrangeinonesoyoung——"thanwhichnothingismorewholesomeafterafullmeal.That,andalessoningoodmanners.

Maignan,"hecontinued,raisinghisvoice,"ifthispersonhasanythingmoretosay,answerhim.Heisneareryourdegreethanmine."

Andleavingthemantoslinkawaylikeawhippeddog——forthemeanareeverthefirsttocringe——myfriendturnedfromthewindow.Meetingmyeyesashewentbacktohisseat,helaughed.

"Well,"hesaid,"whatdoyouthink?"

"Thattheassinthelion"sskinisverywelltillitmeetsthelion,"Ianswered.

Helaughedagain,andseemedpleased,asIdoubtnothewas.

"Pooh,pooh!"hesaid."Itpassedthetime,andIthinkIamquitswithmygentlemennow.ButImustberiding.Possiblyourroadsmaylieforawhileinthesamedirection,sir?"Andhelookedatmeirresolutely.

IansweredcautiouslythatIwasgoingtothetownofRosny.

"YouarenotfromParis?"hecontinued,stilllookingatme.

"No,"Ianswered."Iamfromthesouth."

"FromBlois,perhaps?"

Inodded.

"Ah!"hesaid,makingnocomment,whichsomewhatsurprisedme,allmenatthistimedesiringnews,andlookingtoBloisforit.

"IamridingtowardsRosnyalso.Letusbegoing."

ButInoticedthataswegottohorse,themanhecalledMaignanholdinghisstirrupwithmuchformality,heturnedandlookedatmemorethanoncewithanexpressioninhiseyewhichIcouldnotinterpret;sothat,beinginanenemy"scountry,wherecuriositywasathingtobedeprecated,Ibegantofeelsomewhatuneasy.

However,ashepresentlygavewaytoafitoflaughter,andseemedtobedigestinghislatediversionattheinn,Ithoughtnomoreofit,findinghimexcellentcompanyandamanofsurprisinginformation.

NotwithstandingthismyspiritsbegantoflagasIapproachedRosny;andasonsuchoccasionsnothingismoretryingthanthewell-meantrallyingofacompanionignorantofourtrouble,I

feltratherreliefthanregretwhenhedrewreinatfourcross-

roadsamileorsoshortofthetown,and,announcingthathereourpathsseparated,tookacivilleaveofme,andwenthiswaywithhisservants.

Idismountedataninnattheextremityofthetown,and,stoppingonlytoarrangemydressanddrinkacupofwine,askedthewaytotheChateau,whichwassituate,Ilearned,nomorethanathirdofamileaway.Iwentthitheronfootbywayofanavenueoftreesleadinguptoadrawbridgeandgateway.Theformerwasdown,butthegateswereclosed,andalltheformalitiesofafortressintimeofwarwereobservedonmyadmission,thoughthegarrisonappearedtoconsistonlyoftwoorthreeserving-menandasmanyforesters.Ihadleisureaftersendinginmynametoobservethatthehousewasoldandpartlyruinous,butofgreatstrength,coveredinplaceswithivy,andcloselysurroundedbywoods.Astaid-lookingpagecamepresentlytome,andledmeupanarrowstaircasetoaparlourlightedbytwowindows,looking,oneintothecourtyard,theothertowardsthetown.Thereatallmanwaswaitingtoreceiveme,whoroseonmyentranceandcameforward.JudgeofmysurprisewhenI

recognisedmyacquaintanceoftheafternoon!"M.deRosny?"I

exclaimed,standingstillandlookingathiminconfusion.

"Thesame,sir,"heanswered,withaquietsmile."YoucomefromtheKingofNavarre,Ibelieve?andonanerrandtome.Youmayspeakopenly.Thekinghasnosecretsfromme."

Therewassomethinginthegravityofhisdemeanourashewaitedformetospeak:whichstronglyimpressedme;notwithstandingthathewastenyearsyoungerthanmyself,andIhadseenhimsolatelyinalightermood.Ifeltthathisreputationhadnotbeliedhim——thatherewasagreatman;andreflectingwithdespairontheinadequacyofthetaleIhadtotellhim,IpausedtoconsiderinwhattermsIshouldbegin.Hesoonputanendtothis,however."Come,sir,"hesaidwithimpatience."Ihavetoldyouthatyoumayspeakout.Youshouldhavebeenherefourdaysago,asItakeit.Nowyouarehere,whereisthelady?"

"MademoiselledelaVire?"Istammered,rathertogaintimethanwithanyotherobject.

"Tut,tut!"herejoined,frowning."Isthereanyotherladyinthequestion?Come,sir,speakout.Wherehaveyoulefther?

Thisisnoaffairofgallantry,"hecontinued,theharshnessofhisdemeanourdisagreeablysurprisingme,"thatyouneedbeataboutthebush.Thekingentrustedtoyoualady,who,Ihavenohesitationintellingyounow,wasinpossessionofcertainStatesecrets.ItisknownthatsheescapedsafelyfromChizeandarrivedsafelyatBlois.Whereisshe?"

"IwouldtoHeavenIknew,sir!"Iexclaimedindespair,feelingthepainfulnessofmypositionincreasedahundredfoldbyhismanner."IwishtoGodIdid."

"Whatisthis?"hecriedinaraisedvoice."Youdonotknowwheresheis?Youjest,M.deMarsac."

"Itwereasorryjest,"Ianswered,summoninguparuefulsmile.

Andonthat,plungingdesperatelyintothestorywhichIhaveheresetdown,InarratedthedifficultiesunderwhichIhadraisedmyescort,themannerinwhichIcametoberobbedofthegoldtoken,howmademoisellewastrepanned,theluckychancebywhichIfoundheragain,andthefinaldisappointment.Helistened,butlistenedthroughoutwithnowordofsympathy——

ratherwithimpatience,whichgrewatlastintoderisiveincredulity.WhenIhaddoneheaskedmebluntlywhatIcalledmyself.

Scarcelyunderstandingwhathemeant,Irepeatedmyname.

Heanswered,rudelyandflatly,thatitwasimpossible.Idonotbelieveit,sir!"herepeated,hisbrowdark."Youarenottheman.Youbringneithertheladynorthetoken,noranythingelsebywhichIcantestyourstory.Nay,sir,donotscowlatme,"

hecontinuedsharply."IamthemouthpieceoftheKingofNavarre,towhomthismatterisofthehighestimportance.I

cannotbelievethatthemanwhomhewouldchoosewouldactso.

ThishouseyouprateofinBlois,forinstance,andtheroomwiththetwodoors?Whatwereyoudoingwhilemademoisellewasbeingremoved?"

"Iwasengagedwiththemenofthehouse,"Ianswered,strivingtoswallowtheangerwhichallbutchokedme."IdidwhatI

could.Hadthedoorgivenway,allwouldhavebeenwell."

Helookedatmedarkly."Thatisfinetalking!"hesaidwithasneer.Thenhedroppedhiseyesandseemedforatimetofallintoabrownstudy,whileIstoodbeforehim,confoundedbythisnewviewofthecase,furious,yetnotknowinghowtoventmyfury,cuttotheheartbyhisinsults,yetwithouthopeorprospectofredress.

"Come"hesaidharshly,aftertwoorthreeminutesofgloomyreflectiononhispartandburninghumiliationonmine,"isthereanyoneherewhocanidentifyyou,orinanyotherwayconfirmyourstory,sir?UntilIknowhowthematterstandsIcandonothing."

Ishookmyheadinsullenshame.Imightprotestagainsthisbrutalityandthisjudgmentofme,buttowhatpurposewhileheshelteredhimselfbehindhismaster?

"Stay!"hesaidpresently,withanabruptgestureofremembrance."Ihadnearlyforgotten.IhavesomeherewhohavebeenlatelyattheKingofNavarre"sCourtatSt.Jeand"Angely.

IfyoustillmaintainthatyouaretheM.deMarsactowhomthiscommissionwasentrusted,youwilldoubtlesshavenoobjectiontoseeingthem?"

OnthisIfeltmyselfplacedinamostcrueldilemma.ifI

refusedtosubmitmycasetotheproposedordeal,Istoodanimpostorconfessed.IfIconsentedtoseethesestrangers,itwasprobabletheywouldnotrecogniseme,andpossiblethattheymightdenymeintermscalculatedtomakemypositionevenworse,ifthatmightbe.Ihesitatedbut,Rosnystandinginexorablebeforemeawaitingananswer,Ifinallyconsented.

"Good!"hesaidcurtly."Thisway,ifyouplease.Theyarehere.Thelatchistricky.Nay,sir,itismyhouse."

Obeyingthesternmotionofhishand,Ipassedbeforehimintothenextroom,feelingmyselfmorehumiliatedthanIcantellbythisreferencetostrangers.ForamomentIcouldseenoone.

Thedaywaswaning,theroomIenteredwaslongandnarrow,andilluminatedonlybyaglowingfire.BesidesIwasmyself,perhaps,insomeembarrassment.Ibelievedthatmyconductorhadmadeamistake,orthathisguestshaddeparted,andIturnedtowardshimtoaskforanexplanation.Hemerelypointedonwards,however,andIadvanced;whereuponayoungandhandsomelady,whohadbeenseatedintheshadowofthegreatfireplace,rosesuddenly,asifstartled,andstoodlookingatme,theglowoftheburningwoodfallingononesideofherfaceandturningherhairtogold.

"Well!"M.deRosnysaid,inavoicewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears."Youdonotknowmadame,Ithink?"

Isawthatshewasacompletestrangertome,andbowedtoherwithoutspeaking.Theladysalutedmeinturnceremoniouslyandinsilence.

"Istherenooneelseherewhoshouldknowyou?"M.deRosnycontinued,inatonealmostofpersiflage,andwiththesamechangeinhisvoicewhichhadstruckmebefore;butnowitwasmoremarked."Ifnot,M.deMarsac,Iamafraid——Butfirstlookround,lookround,sir;Iwouldnotjudgeanymanhastily."

HelaidhishandonmyshoulderashefinishedinamannersofamiliarandsoutterlyatvariancewithhisformerbearingthatIdoubtedifIheardorfeltaright.YetIlookedmechanicallyatthelady,andseeingthathereyesglistenedinthefirelight,andthatshegazedatmeverykindly,Iwonderedstillmore;

falling,indeed,intoaveryconfusionofamazement.Thiswasnotlessenedbutaugmentedahundredfoldwhen,turninginobediencetothepressureofdeRosny"shand,Isawbesideme,asifshehadrisenfromthefloor,anotherlady——nootherthanMademoiselledelaVireherself!Shehadthatmomentsteppedoutoftheshadowofthegreatfireplace,whichhadhithertohiddenher,andstoodbeforemecurtseyingprettily,withthesamelookonherfaceandinhereyeswhichmadame"swore.

"Mademoiselle!"Imuttered,unabletotakemyeyesfromher.

"Maisoui,monsieur,mademoiselle,"sheanswered,curtseyinglower,withtheairofachildratherthanawoman.

"Here?"Istammered,mymouthopen,myeyesstaring.

"Here,sir——thankstothevalourofabraveman,"sheanswered,speakinginavoicesolowIscarcelyheardher.Andthen,droppinghereyes,shesteppedbackintotheshadow,asifeithershehadsaidtoomuchalready,ordoubtedhercomposurewereshetosaymore.Shewassoradiantlydressed,shelookedinthefirelightmorelikeafairythanawoman,beingofsmallanddelicateproportions;andsheseemedinmyeyessodifferentaperson,particularlyinrespectofthesoftenedexpressionofherfeatures,fromtheMademoiselledelaVirewhomIhadknownandseenplungedinsloughsandbenttothesaddlewithfatigue,thatIdoubtedstillifIhadseenaright,andwasasfarfromenlightenmentasbefore.

ItwasM.deRosnyhimselfwhorelievedmefromtheembarrassmentIwassuffering.Heembracedmeinthemostkindandobligingmanner,andthismorethanonce;beggingmetopardonthedeceptionhehadpractiseduponme,andtowhichhehadbeenimpelledpartlybytheoddnatureofourintroductionattheinn,andpartlybyhisdesiretoenhancethejoyfulsurprisehehadinstoreforme."Come,"hesaidpresently,drawingmetothewindow,"letmeshowyousomemoreofyouroldfriends."

Ilookedout,andsawbelowmeinthecourtyardmythreehorsesdrawnupinarow,theCidbeingbestriddenbySimonFleix,who,seeingme,wavedatriumphantgreeting.Agroomstoodattheheadofeachhorse,andoneithersidewasamanwithatorch.

Mycompanionlaughedgleefully."ItwasMaignan"sarrangement,"

hesaid."Hehasaquainttasteinsuchthings."

AftergreetingSimonFleixahundredtimes,Iturnedbackintotheroom,and,myheartoverflowingwithgratitudeandwonder,I

beggedM.deRosnytoacquaintmewiththedetailsofmademoiselle"sescape.

"Itwasthemostsimplethingintheworld,"hesaid,takingmebythehandandleadingmebacktothehearth."Whileyouwereengagedwiththerascals,theoldwomanwhodailybroughtmademoiselle"sfoodgrewalarmedattheuproar,andcameintotheroomtolearnwhatitwas.Mademoiselle,unabletohelpyou,anduncertainofyoursuccess,thoughttheopportunitytoogoodtobelost.Sheforcedtheoldwomantoshowherandhermaidthewayoutthroughthegarden.Thisdone,theyrandownalane,asI

understand,andcameimmediatelyupontheladwiththehorses,whorecognisedthemandhelpedthemtomount.Theywaitedsomeminutesforyou,andthenrodeoff."

"ButIinquiredatthegate,"Isaid.

"Atwhichgate?"inquiredM.deRosny,smiling.

"TheNorth-gate,ofcourse,"Ianswered.

"Justso,"herejoinedwithanod."ButtheywentoutthroughtheWest-gateandmadeacircuit.Heisastrangelad,thatofyoursbelowthere.Hehasaheadonhisshoulder,M.deMarsac.

Well,twoleaguesoutsidethetowntheyhalted,scarcelyknowinghowtoproceed.Bygoodfortune,however,ahorse-dealerofmyacquaintancewasattheinn.HeknewMademoiselledelaVire,and,hearingwhithershewasbound,broughtherhitherwithoutletorhindrance."

"WasheaNorman?"Iasked,M.deRosnynodded,smilingatmeshrewdly."Yes,"hesaid,"hetoldmemuchaboutyou.Andnowletmeintroduceyoutomywife,MadamedeRosny."

Heledmeuptotheladywhohadrisenatmyentrance,andwhonowwelcomedmeaskindlyasshehadbeforelookedonme,payingmemanypleasantcompliments.Igazedatherwithinterest,havingheardmuchofherbeautyandofthestrangemannerinwhichM.deRosny,beingenamouredoftwoyoungladies,andchancinguponbothwhilelodgingindifferentapartmentsataninn,haddecidedwhichheshouldvisitandmakehiswife.Heappearedtoreadwhatwasinmymind,forasIbowedbeforeher,thankingherfortheobligingthingswhichshehaduttered,andwhichforeverboundmetoherservice,hegailypinchedherear,andsaid,"Whenyouwantagoodwife,M.deMarsac,besureyouturntotheright."

Hespokeinjest,andhavinghisowncaseonlyinhismind.ButI,lookingmechanicallyinthedirectionheindicated,sawmademoisellestandingapaceortwotomyrightintheshadowofthegreatchimney-piece.Iknownotwhethershefrownedmoreorblushedmore;butthisforcertain,thatsheansweredmylookwithoneofsharpdispleasure,and,turningherbackonme,sweptquicklyfromtheroom,withnotraceinherbearingofthatlatetendernessandgratitudewhichIhadremarked.

CHAPTERXIII.

ATROSNY.

ThemorningbroughtonlyfreshproofsofthekindnesswhichM.deRosnyhadconceivedforme.AwakingearlyIfoundonastoolbesidemyclothes,apurseofgoldcontainingahundredcrowns;

andayouthpresentlyenteringtoaskmeifIlackedanything,I

hadatfirstsomedifficultyinrecognisingSimonFleix,sosprucelywastheladdressed,inamoderesemblingMaignan"s.I

lookedatthestudentmorethanoncebeforeIaddressedhimbyhisname;andwasasmuchsurprisedbythestrangechangeI

observedinhimforitwasnotconfinedtohisclothes——asbyanythingwhichhadhappenedsinceIenteredthehouse.Irubbedmyeyes,andaskedhimwhathehaddonewithhissoutane.

"Burnedit,M.deMarsac,"heansweredbriefly.

Isawthathehadburnedmuch,metaphoricallyspeaking,besideshissoutane.Hewaslesspale,lesslank,lesswobegonethanformerly,andwentmorebriskly.Hehadlosttheairofcrack-

braineddisorderwhichhaddistinguishedhim,andwassmart,sedate,andstoopedless.Onlytheoddsparkleremainedinhiseyes,andborewitnesstothesamenervous,eagerspiritwithin.

"Whatareyougoingtodo,then,Simon?"Iasked,notingthesechangescuriously.

"Iamasoldier,"heanswered,"andfollowM.deMarsac."

Ilaughed."Youhavechosenapoorservice,Iamafraid,"I

said,beginningtorise;"andone,too,Simon,inwhichitispossibleyoumaybekilled.Ithoughtthatwouldnotsuityou,"

Icontinued,toseewhathewouldsay.Butheanswerednothing,andIlookedathimingreatsurprise."Youhavemadeupyourmind,then,atlast?"Isaid.

"Perfectly,"heanswered.

"Andsolvedallyourdoubts?"

"Ihavenodoubts."

"YouareaHuguenot?"

"Thatistheonlytrueandpurereligion,"herepliedgravely.

AndwithapparentsincerityanddevotionherepeatedBeza"sConfessionofFaith.

Thisfilledmewithprofoundastonishment,butIsaidnomoreatthetime,thoughIhadmydoubts.IwaiteduntilIwasalonewithM.deRosny,andthenIunbosomedmyselfonthematter;

expressingmysurpriseatthesuddennessoftheconversion,andatsuchaman,asIhadfoundthestudenttobe,statinghisviewssofirmlyandsteadfastly,andwithsolittleexcitement.

ObservingthatM.deRosnysmiledbutanswerednothing,I

explainedmyselffarther.

"Iamsurprised,"Isaid,"becauseIhavealwayshearditmaintainedthatclerklymen,becominglostinthemazesoftheology,seldomfindanysurefooting;thatnotoneinahundredreturnstohisoldfaith,orfindsgracetoacceptanewone.I

amspeakingonlyofsuch,ofcourse,asIbelievethisladtobe——eager,excitablebrains,learningmuch,andwithoutjudgmenttodigestwhattheylearn."

"OfsuchIalsobelieveittobetrue,"M.deRosnyanswered,stillsmiling."Butevenonthemalittleinfluence,appliedattherightmoment,hasmucheffect,M.deMarsac."

"Iallowthat,"Isaid."Butmymother,ofwhomIhavespokentoyou,sawmuchofthisyouth.Hisfidelitytoherwasbeyondpraise.Yetherfaith,thoughgroundedonarock,hadnoweightwithhim."

M.deRosnyshookhishead,stillsmiling.

"Itisnotourmotherswhoconvertus,"hesaid.

"What!"Icried,myeyesopened."Doyoumean——doyoumeanthatMademoisellehasdonethis?"

"Ifancyso,"heanswered,nodding."Ithinkmyladycastherspelloverhimbytheway.TheladleftBloiswithher,ifwhatyousaybetrue,withoutfaithintheworld.HecametomyhandstwodayslaterthestoutestofHuguenots.Itisnothardtoreadthisriddle."

"Such,conversionsareseldomlasting,"Isaid.

Helookedatmequeerly;and,thesmilestillhoveringabouthislips,answered"Tush,man!Whysoserious?TheodoreBezahimselfcouldnotlookdryer.Theladisinearnest,andthereisnoharmdone."

And,Heavenknows,Iwasinnomoodtosuspectharm;norinclinedjustthentolookatthedarksideofthings.Itmaybeconceivedhowdelightfulitwastometobereceivedasanequalandhonouredguestbyaman,eventhenfamous,andnowsogrowninreputationastoovershadowallFrenchmensavehismaster;howpleasanttoenjoythecomfortsandamiabilitiesofhome,fromwhichIhadbeenlongestranged;topourmymother"sstoryintoMadame"searsandfindcomfortinhersympathy;tofeelmyself,infine,oncemoreagentlemanwithanacknowledgedplaceintheworld.Ourdayswespentinhunting,orexcursionsofsomekind,oureveningsinlongconversations,whichimpressedmewithanever-growingrespectformylord"spowers.

ForthereseemedtobenoendeithertohisknowledgeofFrance,ortotheplansforitsdevelopment,whicheventhenfilledhisbrain,andhavesinceturnedwildernessesintofruitfullands,andsqualidtownsintogreatcities.Graveandformal,hecouldyetunbend;themostsagaciousofcounsellors,hewasasoldieralso,andlovedtheseclusioninwhichwelivedthemorethatitwasnotdevoidofdanger;theneighbouringtownsbeingdevotedtotheLeague,andthegeneraldisorderalonemakingitpossibleforhimtolieunsuspectedinhisownhouse.

Onethingonlyrenderedmyeaseandcomfortimperfect,andthatwastheattitudewhichMademoiselledelaVireassumedtowardsme.OfhergratitudeinthefirstblushofthethingIfeltnodoubt,fornotonlyhadshethankedmeveryprettily,thoughwithreserve,ontheeveningofmyarrival,butthewarmthofM.deRosny"skindnessleftmenochoice,savetobelievethatshehadgivenhimanexaggeratedideaofmymeritsandservices.Iaskednomorethanthis.Suchgoodofficesleftmenothingtoexpectordesire;myageandill-fortuneplacingmeatsogreatadisadvantagethat,farfromdreamingoffriendshiporintimacywithher,Ididnotevenassumetheequalityinourdailyintercoursetowhichmybirth,takenbyitself,entitledme.

KnowingthatImustappearinhereyesold,poor,andill-

dressed,andsatisfied,withhavingassertedmyconductandhonour,Iwascarefulnottotrespassonhergratitude;andwhileforwardinsuchcourtesiesascouldnotwearyher,Iavoidedwithequalcareeveryappearanceofpursuingher,orinflictingmycompanyuponher.Iaddressedherformallyanduponformaltopicsonly,such,Imean,aswesharedwiththerestofourcompany;andIremindedmyselfoftenthatthoughwenowmetinthesamehouseandatthesametable,shewasstilltheMademoiselledelaVirewhohadborneherselfsoloftilyintheKingofNavarre"sante-chamber.ThisIdid,notoutofpiqueorwoundedpride,whichInomore,Godknows,harbouredagainstherthanagainstabird;butthatImightnotinmynewprosperityforgetthelightinwhichsuchawoman,young,spoiled,andbeautiful,muststillregardme.

Keepingtothisinoffensiveposture,IwasthemorehurtwhenI

foundhergratitudefadewiththehour.Afterthefirsttwodays,duringwhichIremarkedthatshewasverysilent,seldomspeakingtomeorlookingatme,sheresumedmuchofheroldairofdisdain.ForthatIcaredlittle;butshepresentlywentfarther,andbegantorakeuptheincidentswhichhadhappenedatSt.Jeand"Angely,andinwhichIhadtakenpart.Shecontinuallyadvertedtomypovertywhilethere,totheoddfigureIhadcut,andthemanyjestsherfriendshadmadeatmyexpense.

Sheseemedtotakeapleasurepositivelysavageinthese,gibingatmesometimessobitterlyastoshameandpainme,andbringthecolourtoMadamedeRosny"scheeks.

Tothetimewehadspenttogether,ontheotherhand,sheneverorrarelyreferred.Oneafternoon,however,aweekaftermyarrivalatRosny,Ifoundhersittingaloneintheparlour.I

hadnotknownshewasthere,andIwasforwithdrawingatoncewithabowandamutteredapology.Butshestoppedmewithanangrygesture."Idonotbite,"shesaid,risingfromherstoolandmeetingmyeyes,aredspotineachcheek."Whydoyoulookatmelikethat?Doyouknow,M.deMarsac,thatIhavenopatiencewithyou."Andshestampedherfootonthefloor.

"But,mademoiselle,"Istammeredhumbly,wonderingwhatintheworldshemeant,"whathaveIdone?"

"Done?"sherepeatedangrily."Done?Itisnotwhatyouhavedone,itiswhatyouare.Ihavenopatiencewithyou.Whyareyousodull,sir?Whyareyousodowdy?Whydoyougoaboutwithyourdoubletawry,andyourhairlank?WhydoyouspeaktoMaignanasifhewereagentleman?Whydoyoulookalwayssolemnandpolite,andasifalltheworldwereapreche?Why?Why?

Why,Isay?"

Shestoppedfromsheerlackofbreath,leavingmeasmuchastonishedaseverinmylife.Shelookedsobeautifulinherfuryandfiercenesstoo,thatIcouldonlystareatherandwonderdumblywhatitallmeant.

"Well!"shecriedimpatiently,afterbearingthisaslongasshecould,"haveyounotawordtosayforyourself?Haveyounotongue?Haveyounowillofyourownatall,M.deMarsac?"

"But,mademoiselle,"Ibegan,tryingtoexplain.

"Chut!"sheexclaimed,cuttingmeshortbeforeIcouldgetfarther,asthewayofwomenis.Andthensheadded,inachangedtone,andveryabruptly,"Youhaveavelvetknotofmine,sir.Giveitme."

"Itisinmyroom,"Ianswered,astonishedbeyondmeasureatthissuddenchangeofsubject,andequallysuddendemand.

"Thenfetchit,sir,ifyouplease,"shereplied,hereyesflashingafresh."Fetchit.Fetchit,Isay!Ithasserveditsturn,andIprefertohaveit.Whoknowsbutthatsomedayyoumaybeshowingitforalove-knot?"

"Mademoiselle!"Icried,hotly.AndIthinkthatforthemomentIwasasangryasshewas.

"Still,Iprefertohaveit,"sheansweredsullenly,castingdownhereyes.

Iwassomuchenraged,Iwentwithoutawordandfetchedit,and,bringingittoherwhereshestood,inthesameplace,putitintoherhands.Whenshesawitsomerecollection,Ifancy,ofthedaywhenshehadtracedthecryforhelponit,cametoherinheranger;forshetookitfrommewithallherbearingaltered.Shetrembled,andhelditforamomentinherhands,asifshedidnotknowwhattodowithit.Shewasthinking,doubtless,ofthehouseinBloisandtheperilshehadrunthere;

and,beingformypartquitewillingthatsheshouldthinkandfeelhowbadlyshehadacted,Istoodlookingather,sparinghernowhitofmyglance.

"Thegoldchainyouleftonmymother"spillow,"Isaidcoldly,seeingshecontinuedsilent,"Icannotreturntoyouatonce,forIhavepledgedit.ButIwilldosoassoonasIcan."

"Youhavepledgedit?"shemuttered,withhereyesaverted.

"Yes,mademoiselle,toprocureahorsetobringmehere,"I

replieddrily."However,it,shallberedeemed.Inreturn,thereissomethingItoowouldask."

"What?"shemurmured,recoveringherselfwithalleffort,andlookingatmewithsomethingofheroldprideanddefiance.

"Thebrokencoinyouhave,"Isaid."Thetoken,Imean.Itisofnousetoyou,foryourenemiesholdtheotherhalf.Itmightbeofservicetome."

"How?"sheaskedcurtly.

"BecausesomedayImayfinditsfellow,mademoiselle,"

"Andthen?"shecried.Shelookedatme,herlipsparted,hereyesflashing."Whatthen,whenyouhavefounditsfellow,M.deMarsac?"

Ishruggedmyshoulders.

"Bah!"sheexclaimed,clenchingherlittlehand,andstampingherfootonthefloorinapassionIcouldnotunderstand."Thatisyou!ThatisM.deMarsacallover.Yousaynothing,andmenthinknothingofyou.Yougowithyourhatinyourhand,andtheytreadonyou.Theyspeak,andyouaresilent!Why,ifI

coulduseaswordasyoucan,Iwouldkeepsilencebeforenoman,norletanymansavetheKingofFrancecockhishatinmypresence!Butyou!There!go,leaveme.Hereisyourcoin.

Takeitandgo.Sendmethatladofyourstokeepmeawake.Atanyratehehasbrains,heisyoung,heisaman,hehasasoul,hecanfeel——ifhewereanythingbutaclerk."

Shewavedmeoffinsuchawindofpassionasmighthaveamusedmeinanother,butinhersmackedsostronglyofingratitudeastopainmenotalittle.Iwent,however,andsentSimontoher;

thoughIlikedtheerrandveryill,andnobetterwhenIsawthelad"sfacelightupatthementionofhername.Butapparentlyshehadnotrecoveredhertemperwhenhereachedher,forhefarednobetterthanIhaddone;comingawaypresentlywiththeairofawhippeddog,asIsawfromtheyew-treewalkwhereIwasstrolling.

Still,afterthatshemadeitahabittotalktohimmoreandmore;and,MonsieurandMadamedeRosnybeingmuchtakenupwithoneanother,therewasnoonetocheckherfancyorspeakawordofadvice.Knowingherpride,Ihadnofearsforher;butitgrievedmetothinkthatthelad"sheadshouldbeturned.A

dozentimesImadeupmymindtospeaktoheronhisbehalf;butforonethingitwasnotmybusiness,andforanotherIsoondiscoveredthatshewasawareofmydispleasure,andvalueditnotajot.Forventuringonemorning,whenshewasinapleasanthumour,tohintthatshetreatedthosebeneathhertooinhumanly,andwithanunkindnessaslittlebecomingnoblebloodasfamiliarity,sheaskedmescornfullyifIdidnotthinkshetreatedSimonFleixwellenough.TowhichIhadnothingtoanswer.

ImighthereremarkonthesystemofsecretintelligencebymeansofwhichM.deRosny,eveninthisremoteplace,receivednewsofallthatwaspassinginFrance.Butitiscommonfame.Therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers,whichwouldquicklyhavearousedsuspicionintheneighbouringtown,norwasitpossibleevenformetosayexactlybywhatchannelsnewscame.Butcomeitdid,andatallhoursoftheday.InthiswayweheardofthedangerofLaGanacheandoftheeffortcontemplatedbytheKingofNavarreforitsrelief.M.deRosnynotonlycommunicatedthesematterstomewithoutreserve,butengagedmyaffectionsbyfartherproofsofconfidencesuchasmightwellhaveflatteredamanofgreaterimportance.

Ihavesaidthat,asarule,therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers.Butoneevening,returningfromthechasewithoneofthekeepers,whohadprayedmyassistanceinhuntingdownacrippleddoe,Iwassurprisedtofindastrangehorse,whichhadevidentlybeenriddenhardandfar,standingsmokingintheyard.

Inquiringwhoseitwas,IlearnedthatamanbelievedbythegroomstobefromBloishadjustarrivedandwasclosetedwiththebaron.Aneventsofaroutoftheordinarycourseofthingsnaturallyarousedmywonder;butdesiringtoavoidanyappearanceofcuriosity,which,ifindulged,isapttobecomethemostvulgarofvices,Irefrainedfromenteringthehouse,andrepairedinsteadtotheyew-walk.Ihadscarcely,however,heatedmyblood,alittlechilledwithriding,beforethepagecametometofetchmetohismaster.

IfoundM.deRosnystridingupanddownhisroom,hismannersodisorderedandhisfacedisfiguredbysomuchgriefandhorrorthatIstartedonseeinghim.Myheartsinkinginamoment,I

didnotneedtolookatMadame,whosatweepingsilentlyinachair,toassuremyselfthatsomethingdreadfulhadhappened.

Thelightwasfailing,andalamphadbeenbroughtintotheroom.

M.deRosnypointedabruptlytoasmallpieceofpaperwhichlayonthetablebesideit,and,obeyinghisgesture,Itookthisupandreaditscontents,whichconsistedoflessthanascoreofwords.

"Heisillandliketodie,"themessageran,"twentyleaguessouthofLaGanache.Comeatallcosts.P.M.

"Who?"Isaidstupidly——stupidly,foralreadyIbegantounderstand.Whoisillandliketodie?"

M.deRosnyturnedtome,andIsawthatthetearsweretricklingunbiddendownhischeeks."ThereisbutoneHEforme,"hecried."MayGodsparethatone!MayHesparehimtoFrance,whichneedshim,totheChurch,whichhangsonhim,andtome,wholovehim!Lethimnotfallinthehouroffruition.OLord,lethimnotfall!"Andhesankontoastool,andremainedinthatposturewithhisfaceinhishands,hisbroadshouldersshakenwithgrief.

"Come,sir,"Isaid,afterapausesacredtosorrowanddismay;

"letmeremindyouthatwhilethereislifethereishope."