第10章

"Hope?"

"Yes,M.deRosny,hope,"Irepliedmorecheerfully."Hehasworktodo.Heiselected,called,andchosen;theJoshuaofhispeople,asM.d"Amoursrightlycalledhim.Godwillnottakehimyet.Youshallseehimandbeembracedbyhim,ashashappenedahundredtimes.Remember,sir,theKingofNavarreisstrong,hardy,andyoung,andnodoubtingoodhands."

"Mornay"s,"M.deRosnycried,lookingupwithcontemptinhiseye.

Yetfromthatmomentherallied,spurred,Ithink,bythethoughtthattheKingofNavarre"srecoverydependedunderGodonM.deMornay;whomhewaseverinclinedtoregardashisrival.HebegantomakeinstantpreparationsfordeparturefromRosny,andbademedosoalso,tellingme,somewhatcurtlyandwithoutexplanation,thathehadneedofme.ThedangerofsospeedyareturntotheSouth,wherethefullweightoftheVicomtedeTurenne"svengeanceawaitedme,occurredtomestrongly;andI

ventured,thoughwithalittleshame,tomentionit.ButM.deRosny,aftergazingatmeamomentinapparentdoubt,puttheobjectionasidewithadegreeofpeevishnessunusualinhim,andcontinuedtopressonhisarrangementsasearnestlyasthoughtheydidnotincludeseparationfromawifeequallylovingandbeloved.

Havingfewthingstolooktomyself,Iwasatleisure,whenthehourofdeparturecame,toobserveboththecouragewithwhichMadamedeRosnysupportedhersorrow,"forthesakeofFrance,"

andtheunwontedtendernesswhichMademoiselledelaVire,liftedforonceaboveherself,lavishedonher.Iseemedtostand——

happilyinonelight,andyetthefeelingwasfraughtwithpain——

outsidetheirfamiliarrelations;yet,havingmademyadieuxasshortandformalaspossible,thatImightnotencroachonotherandmoresacredones,Ifoundatthelastmomentsomethinginwaitingforme.IwassurprisedasIrodeunderthegatewayalittleaheadoftheothers,bysomethingsmallandlightfallingonthesaddle-bowbeforeme.Catchingitbeforeitcouldslidetotheground,Isaw,withinfiniteastonishment,thatIheldinmyhandatinyvelvetbow.

Tolookupatthewindowoftheparlour,whichIhavesaidwasoverthearchway,wasmyfirstimpulse.Ididso,andmetmademoiselle"seyesforasecond,andasecondonly.Thenextmomentshewasgone.M.deRosnyclatteredthroughthegateatmyheels,theservantsbehindhim.Andwewereontheroad.

CHAPTERXIV.

M.DERAMBOUILLET.

Forawhilewewerebutamelancholyparty.TheincidentIhavelastrelatedwhichseemedtoadmitofmoreexplanationsthanone——leftmeinastateofthegreatestperplexity;andthisprevailedwithmeforatime,andwasonlydissipatedatlengthbymyseeingmyownface,asitwere,inaglass.For,chancingpresentlytolookbehindme,IobservedthatSimonFleixwasriding,notwithstandinghisfinehatandfeatherandhisnewsword,inapostureandwithanairofdejectiondifficulttoexaggerate;whereonthereflectionthatmasterandmanhadthesameobjectintheirminds——nay,thethoughtthatpossiblyheboreinhisbosomaliketokentothatwhichlaywarminmine——

occurringtome,Irousedmyselfasfromsomedegradingdream,and,shakinguptheCid,canteredforwardtojoinRosny,who,innocheerfulmoodhimself,wasridingsteadilyforward,wrappedtohiseyesinhiscloak.

ThenewsoftheKingofNavarre"sillnesshadfallenonhim,indeed,inthemidstofhissanguineschemingwiththeforceofathunderbolt.Hesawhimselfindangeroflosingatoncethemasterhelovedandthebrilliantfuturetowhichhelookedforward;andamidtheimminentcrashofhishopesandthedestructionofthesysteminwhichhelived,hehadscarcelytimetoregretthewifehewasleavingatRosnyorthequietfromwhichhewassosuddenlycalled.HisheartwasintheSouth,atLaGanache,byHenry"scouch.Hismainideawastogettherequicklyatallrisks.ThenameoftheKingofNavarre"sphysicianwasconstantlyonhislips."Dortomanisagoodman.

Ifanyonecallsavehim,Dortomanwill,"washisperpetualcry.

Andwheneverhemetanyonewhohadtheleastappearanceofbearingnews,hewouldhavemestopandinterrogatehim,andbynomeansletthetravellergountilhehadgivenusthelastrumourfromBlois——thechannelthroughwhichallthenewsfromtheSouthreachedus.

Anincidentwhichoccurredattheinnthateveningcheeredhimsomewhat;themostpowerfulmindsbeingprone,Ihaveobserved,tosnatchatomensintimesofuncertainty.Anelderlyman,ofstrangeappearance,anddressedinanaffectedandbizarrefashion,wasseatedattablewhenwearrived.ThoughIenteredfirstinmyassumedcapacityofleaderoftheparty,heletmepassbeforehimwithoutcomment,butroseandsolemnlysalutedM.

deRosny,albeitthelatterwalkedbehindmeandwasmuchmoreplainlydressed.Rosnyreturnedhisgreetingandwouldhavepassedon;butthestranger,interposingwithastilllowerbow,invitedhimtotakehisseat,whichwasnearthefireandshelteredfromthedraught,atthesametimemakingasifhewouldhimselfremovetoanotherplace.

"Nay,"saidmycompanion,surprisedbysuchanexcessofcourtesy,"IdonotseewhyIshouldtakeyourplace,sir."

"Notmineonly,"theoldmanrejoined,lookingathimwithaparticularityandspeakingwithanemphasiswhichattractedourattention,"butthoseofmanyothers,whoIcanassureyouwillveryshortlyyieldthemuptoyou,whethertheywillornot."

M.deRosnyshruggedhisshouldersandpassedon,affectingtosupposetheoldmanwandered.Butprivatelyhethoughtmuchofhiswords,andmorewhenhelearnedthathewasanastrologerfromParis,whohadthename,atanyrateinthiscountry,ofhavingstudiedunderNostradamus.Andwhetherhedrewfreshhopesfromthis,orturnedhisattentionmoreparticularlyasweapproachedBloistopresentmatters,certainlyhegrewmorecheerful,andbeganagaintodiscussthefuture,asthoughassuredofhismaster"srecovery.

"YouhaveneverbeentotheKing"sCourt?"hesaidpresently,followingup,asIjudged,atrainofthoughtinhisownmind.

"AtBlois,Imean."

"No;nordoIfeelanxioustovisitit,"Ianswered."Totellyouthetruth,M.leBaron,"Icontinuedwithsomewarmth,"thesoonermearebeyondBlois,thebetterIshallbepleased.I

thinkwerunsomeriskthere,and,besides,Idonotfancyashambles.IdonotthinkIcouldseethekingwithoutthinkingoftheBartholomew,norhischamberwithoutthinkingofGuise."

"Tut,tut!"hesaid,"youhavekilledamanbeforenow."

"Many,"Ianswered.

"Dotheytroubleyou?"

"No,buttheywerekilledinfairfight,"Ireplied,"Thatmakesadifference."

"Toyou,"hesaiddrily."ButyouarenottheKingofFrance,yousee.Shouldyouevercomeacrosshim,"hecontinued,flickinghishorse"sears,afaintsmileonhislips,"Iwillgiveyouahint.TalktohimofthebattlesatJarnacandMoncontour,andpraiseyourConde"sfather!AsCondelostthefightand,hewonit,thecomplimentcomeshometohim.Themorehopelesslyamanhaslosthispowers,myfriend,themorefondlyheregardsthem,andthemorehighlyheprizesthevictorieshecallnolongergain."

"Ugh!"Imuttered.

"OfthetwopartiesatCourt,"Rosnycontinued,calmlyoverlookingmyill-humour,"trustD"AumontandBironandtheFrenchclique.TheyaretruetoFranceatanyrate.ButwhomsoeveryouseeconsortwiththetwoRetzs——theKingofSpain"sjackalsasmennamethem——avoidhimforaSpaniardandatraitor."

"ButtheRetzsareItalians,"Iobjectedpeevishly.

"Thesamething,"heansweredcurtly."Theycry,"ViveleRoi!"

butprivatelytheyarefortheLeague,orforSpain,orforwhatevermaymosthurtus;whoarebetterFrenchmenthanthemselves,andwhoseleaderwillsomeday,ifGodsparehislife,beKingofFrance."

"Well,thelessIhavetodowiththeoneortheotherofthem,saveatthesword"spoint,thebetterIshallbepleased,"I

rejoined.

Onthathelookedatmewithaqueersmile;aswashiswaywhenhehadmoreinhismindthanappeared.Andthis,andsomethingspecialinthetoneofhisconversation,aswell,perhaps,asmyowndoubtsaboutmyfutureandhisintentionsregardingme,gavemeanuneasyfeeling;whichlastedthroughtheday,andleftmeonlywhenmoreimmediateperilpresentlyrosetothreatenus.

Ithappenedinthisway.WehadreachedtheoutskirtsofBlois,andwerejustapproachingthegate,hopingtopassthroughitwithoutattractingattention,whentwotravellersrodeslowlyoutofalane,themouthofwhichwewerepassing.Theyeyeduscloselyastheyreinedintoletusgoby;andM.deRosny,whowasridingwithhishorse"sheadatmystirrup,whisperedmetopresson.BeforeIcouldcomply,however,thestrangerscanteredbyus,andturninginthesaddlewhenabreastofuslookedusintheface.Amomentlateroneofthemcriedloudly,"Itishe!"

andbothpulledtheirhorsesacrosstheroad,andwaitedforustocomeup.

AwarethatifM.deRosnywerediscoveredhewouldbehappyifheescapedwithimprisonment,thekingbeingtoojealousofhisCatholicreputationtoventuretoprotectaHuguenot,howeverillustrious,Isawthatthesituationwasdesperate;for,thoughwewerefivetotwo,theneighbourhoodofthecity——thegatebeingscarcelyabow-shotoff——renderedflightorresistanceequallyhopeless.Icouldthinkofnothingforitsavetoputaboldfaceonthematter,and,M.deRosnydoingthesame,weadvancedinthemostinnocentwaypossible.

"Halt,there!"criedoneofthestrangerssharply."Andletmetellyou,sir,youareknown."

"WhatifIam?"Iansweredimpatiently,stillpressingon."Areyouhighwaymen,thatyoustoptheway?"

Thespeakerontheothersidelookedatmekeenly,butinamomentretorted,"Enoughtrifling,sir!WhoYOUareIdonotknow.ButthepersonridingatyourreinisM.deRosny.HimI

doknow,andIwarnhimtostop."

Ithoughtthegamewaslost,buttomysurprisemycompanionansweredatonceandalmostinthesamewordsIhadused."Well,sir,andwhatofthat?"hesaid.

"Whatofthat?"thestrangerexclaimed,spurringhishorsesoasstilltobartheway."Why,onlythis,thatyoumustbeamadmantoshowyourselfonthissideoftheLoire."

"ItislongsinceIhaveseentheother,"wasmycompanion"sunmovedanswer.

"YouareM.deRosny?Youdonotdenyit?"themancriedinastonishment.

"CertainlyIdonotdenyit,"M.deRosnyansweredbluntly."Andmore,thedayhasbeen,sir,"hecontinuedwithsuddenfire,"whenfewathisMajesty"sCourtwouldhavedaredtochopwordswithSolomondeBethune,muchlesstostophimonthehighwaywithinamileofthepalace.Buttimesarechangedwithme,sir,anditwouldseemwithothersalso,iftruemenrallyingtohisMajestyinhisneedaretobechallengedbyeverypasserontheroad."

"What!AreyouSolomondeBethune?"themancriedincredulously.Incredulously,buthiscountenancefell,andhisvoicewasfullofchagrinanddisappointment,"Whoelse,sir?"M.deRosnyrepliedhaughtily."Iam,and,asfarasIknow,IhaveasmuchrightonthissideoftheLoireasanyotherman."

"Athousandpardons."

"Ifyouarenotsatisfied——"

"Nay,M.deRosny,Iamperfectlysatisfied."

Thestrangerrepentedthiswithaverycrestfallenair,adding,"Athousandpardons";andfelltomakingotherapologies,doffinghishatwithgreatrespect."Itookyou,ifyouwillpardonmesayingso,foryourHuguenotbrother,M.Maximilian,"heexplained."ThesayinggoesthatheisatRosny."

"Icananswerforthatbeingfalse,"M.deRosnyansweredperemptorily,"forIhavejustcomefromthere,andIwillanswerforitheisnotwithintenleaguesoftheplace.Andnow,sir,aswedesiretoenterbeforethegatesshut,perhapsyouwillexcuseus."Withwhichhebowed,andIbowed,andtheybowed,andweseparated.Theygaveustheroad,whichM.deRosnytookwithagreatair,andwetrottedtothegate,andpassedthroughitwithoutmisadventure.

Thefirststreetweenteredwasawideone,andmycompaniontookadvantageofthistorideupabreastofme."Thatisthekindofadventureourlittleprinceisfondof,"hemuttered."Butformypart,M.deMarsac,thesweatisrunningdownmyforehead.I

haveplayedthetrickmorethanoncebefore,formybrotherandI

areaslikeastwopeas.Andyetitwouldhavegoneillwithusifthefoolhadbeenoneofhisfriends."

"All"swellthatendswell,"Iansweredinalowvoice,thinkingitanilltimeforcompliments.Asitwas,theremarkwasunfortunate,forM.deRosnywasstillintheactofreiningbackwhenMaignancalledouttoustosaywewerebeingfollowed.

Ilookedbehind,butcouldseenothingexceptgloomandrainandoverhangingeavesandafewfigurescoweringindoorways.Theservants,however,continuedtomaintainthatitwasso,andweheld,withoutactuallystopping,acouncilofwar.Ifdetected,wewerecaughtinatrap,withouthopeofescape;andforthemomentIamsureM.doRosnyregrettedthathehadchosenthisroutebyBlois——thathehadthrusthimself,inhishasteandhisdesiretotakewithhimthelatestnews,intoasnaresopatent.

Thecastle——huge,dark,andgrim——loomedbeforeusattheendofthestreetinwhichwewere,and,chilledasIwasmyselfbythesight,Icouldimaginehowmuchmoreappallingitmustappeartohim,thechosencounsellorofhismaster,andthesteadfastopponentofallwhichitrepresented.

Ourconsultationcametonothing,fornobettercoursesuggesteditselfthantogoaswehadintendedtothelodgingcommonlyusedbymycompanion.Wedidso,lookingbehindusoften,andsayingmorethanoncethatMaignanmustbemistaken.Assoonaswehaddismounted,however,andgonein,heshowedusfromthewindowamanloiteringnear;andthisconfirmationofouralarmsendingustoourexpedientsagain,whileMaignanremainedwatchinginaroomwithoutalight,IsuggestedthatImightpassmyselfoff,thoughtenyearsolder,formycompanion.

"Alas!"hesaid,drummingwithhisfingersonthetable"therearetoomanyherewhoknowmetomakethatpossible.Ithankyouallthesame."

"Couldyouescapeonfoot?Orpassthewallanywhere,orslipthroughthegatesearly?"Isuggested.

"TheymighttellusattheBleedingHeart,"heanswered.ButI

doubtit.Iwasafool,sir,toputmyneckintoMendoza"shalter,andthatisafact.ButhereisMaignan.Whatisit,man?"hecontinuedeagerly.

"Thewatcherisgone,mylord,"theequerryanswered.

"Andhasleftnoone?"

"NoonethatIcansee."

Webothwentintothenextroomandlookedfromthewindows.Themanwascertainlynotwherewehadseenhimbefore.Buttherainwasfallingheavily,theeavesweredripping,thestreetwasadarkcavernwithonlyhereandthereasparkoflight,andthefellowmightbelurkingelsewhere.Maignan,beingquestioned,however,believedhehadgoneoffofsetpurpose.

"Whichmaybereadhalfadozenways,"Iremarked.

"Atanyrate,wearefasting,"M.deRosnyanswered.Givemeafullmaninafight.Letussitdownandeat.Itisnogoodjumpinginthedark,ormeetingtroubleshalfway."

Wewerenotthroughourmeal,however,SimonFleixwaitingonuswithapaleface,whenMaignancameinagainfromthedarkroom.

"Mylord,"hesaidquietly,"threemenhaveappeared.Twoofthemremaintwentypacesaway.Thethirdhascometothedoor."

Ashespokeweheardacautioussummonsbelow,Maignanwasforgoingdown,buthismasterbadehimstand.Letthewomanofthehousego,"hesaid.

IremarkedandlongrememberedM.deRosny"sSANG-FROIDonthisoccasion.Hispistolshehadalreadylaidonachairbesidehimthrowinghiscloakoverthem;andnow,whilewewaited,listeninginbreathlesssilence,Isawhimhandalargesliceofbread-and-

meattohisequerry,who,standingbehindhischair,beganeatingitwiththesamecoolness.SimonFleix,ontheotherhand,stoodgazingatthedoor,tremblingineverylimb,andwithsomuchofexcitementandsurpriseinhisattitudethatItooktheprecautionofbiddinghim,inalowvoice,donothingwithoutorders.Atthesamemomentitoccurredtometoextinguishtwoofthefourcandleswhichhadbeenlighted;andIdidso,M.deRosnynoddingassent,justasthemutteredconversationwhichwasbeingcarriedonbelowceased,andaman"streadsoundedonthestairs.

Itwasfollowedimmediatelybyaknockontheoutsideofourdoor.Obeyingmycompanion"slook,Icried,"Enter!"

Aslendermanofmiddleheight,bootedandwrappedup,withhisfacealmostentirelyhiddenbyafoldofhiscloak,cameinquickly,andclosingthedoorbehindhim,advancedtowardsthetable."WhichisM.deRosny?"hesaid.

Rosnyhadcarefullyturnedhisfacefromthelight,butatthesoundoftheother"svoicehesprangupwithacryofrelief.Hewasabouttospeak,whenthenewcomer,raisinghishandperemptorily,continued,"Nonames,Ibeg.Yours,Isuppose,isknownhere.Mineisnot,nordoIdesireitshouldbe.Iwantspeechofyou,thatisall."

"Iamgreatlyhonoured,"M.deRosnyreplied,gazingathimeagerly."Yet,whotoldyouIwashere?"

"Isawyoupassunderalampinthestreet,"thestrangeranswered."Iknewyourhorsefirst,andyouafterwards,andbadeagroomfollowyou.Believeme,"headded,withagestureofthehand,"youhavenothingtofearfromme."

"Iaccepttheassuranceinthespiritinwhichitisoffered,"mycompanionansweredwithagracefulbow,"andthinkmyselffortunateinbeingrecognised"——hepausedamomentandthencontinued——"byaFrenchmanandamanofhonour."

Thestrangershruggedhisshoulders."Yourpardon,then,"hesaid,"ifIseemabrupt.Mytimeisshort.IwanttodothebestwithitIcan.Willyoufavourme?"

Iwasforwithdrawing,butM.deRosnyorderedMaignantoplacelightsinthenextroom,and,apologisingtomeverygraciously,retiredthitherwiththestranger,leavingmerelievedindeedbythesepeacefulappearances,butfullofwonderandconjectureswhothismightbe,andwhatthevisitportended.AtonemomentI

wasinclinedtoidentifythestrangerwithM.deRosny"sbrother;

atanotherwiththeEnglishambassador;andthen,again,awildideathathemightbeM.deBruhloccurredtome.Thetworemainedtogetheraboutaquarterofanhourandthencameout,thestrangerleadingtheway,andsalutingmepolitelyashepassedthroughtheroom.Atthedoorheturnedtosay,"Atnineo"clock,then?"

"Atnineo"clock,"M.deRosnyreplied,holdingthedooropen.

"YouwillexcusemeifIdonotdescend,Marquis?"

"Yes,goback,myfriend,"thestrangeranswered.And,lightedbyMaignan,whosefaceonsuchoccasionscouldassumethemoststolidairintheworld,hedisappeareddownthestairs,andI

heardhimgoout.

M.deRosnyturnedtome,hiseyessparklingwithjoy,hisfaceandmienfullofanimation."TheKingofNavarreisbetter,"hesaid."Heissaidtobeoutofdanger.Whatdoyouthinkofthat,myfriend?"

"ThatisthebestnewsIhaveheardformanyaday,"Ianswered.

AndIhastenedtoadd,thatFranceandtheReligionhadreasontothankGodforHismercy.

"Amentothat,"mypatronrepliedreverently."Butthatisnotall——thatisnotall."Andhebegantowalkupanddowntheroomhummingthe118thPsalmalittleabovehisbreath——

Lavoicil"heureusejourneeQueDieuafaiteapleindesir;

Parnoussoitjoiedemenee,Etprenonsenelleplaisir.

Hecontinued,indeed,towalkupanddownthefloorsolong,andwithsojoyfulacountenanceanddemeanour,thatIventured,atlasttoremindhimofmypresence,whichhehadclearlyforgotten."Ha!tobesure,"hesaid,stoppingshortandlookingatmewiththeutmostgood-humour."Whattimeisit?

Seven.Thenuntilnineo"clock,myfriend,Icraveyourindulgence.Infine,untilthattimeImustkeepcounsel.Come,Iamhungrystill.Letussitdown,andthistimeIhopewemaynotbeinterrupted.Simon,setusonafreshbottle.Ha!ha!

VIVENTLEROIETLEROIDENAVARRE!"Andagainhefelltohummingthesamepsalm——

ODieueternel,jeteprie,Jeteprie,tonroimaintiens:

ODieu,jeteprieetreprie,Sauvetonroietl"entretiens!

doingsowithalightinhiseyesandajoyousemphasis,whichimpressedmethemoreinamanordinarilysocalmandself-

contained.Isawthatsomethinghadoccurredtogratifyhimbeyondmeasure,and,believinghisstatementthatthiswasnotthegoodnewsfromLaGanacheonly,Iwaitedwiththeutmostinterestandanxietyforthehourofnine,whichhadnosoonerstruckthanourformervisitorappearedwiththesameairofmysteryanddisguisewhichhadattendedhimbefore.

M.deRosny,whohadrisenonhearinghisstepandhadtakenuphiscloak,pausedwithithalfonandhalfoff,tocryanxiously,"Alliswell,isitnot?"

"Perfectly,"thestrangerreplied,withanod.

"Andmyfriend?"

Yes,onconditionthatyouanswerforhisdiscretionandfidelity."Andthestrangerglancedinvoluntarilyatmewhostooduncertainwhethertoholdmygroundorretire.

"Good,"M.deRosnycried.Thenheturnedtomewithamingledairofdignityandkindness,andcontinued:"Thisisthegentleman.M.deMarsac,IamhonouredwithpermissiontopresentyoutotheMarquisdeRambouillet,whoseinterestandprotectionIbegyoutodeserve,forheisatrueFrenchmanandapatriotwhomIrespect."

M.deRambouilletsalutedmepolitely."OfaBrittanyfamily,I

think?"hesaid.

Iassented;andherepliedwithsomethingcomplimentary.ButafterwardshecontinuedtolookatmeinsilencewithakeennessandcuriosityIdidnotunderstand.Atlast,whenM.deRosny"simpatiencehadreachedahighpitch,themarquisseemedimpelledtoaddsomething."YouquiteunderstandM.deRosny?"hesaid.

"WithoutsayinganythingdisparagingofM.deMarsac,whois,nodoubt,amanofhonour"——andhebowedtomeverylow——"thisisadelicatematter,andyouwillintroducenooneintoit,Iamsure,whomyoucannottrustasyourself."

"Precisely,"M.deRosnyreplied,speakingdrily,yetwithagrandairwhichfullymatchedhiscompanion"s."Iampreparedtotrustthisgentlemannotonlywithmylifebutwithmyhonour."

"Nothingmoreremainstobesaidthen,"themarquisrejoined,bowingtomeagain."Iamgladtohavebeentheoccasionofadeclarationsoflatteringtoyou,sir."

Ireturnedhissaluteinsilence,andobeyingM.deRosny"smuttereddirectionputon,mycloakandsword.M.deRosnytookuphispistols.

"Youwillhavenoneedofthose,"theMarquissaidwithahighglance.

"Wherewearegoing,no,"mycompanionanswered,calmlycontinuingtodisposethemabouthim."Butthestreetsaredarkandnottoosafe."

M.deRambouilletlaughed."ThatistheworstofyouHuguenots,"

hesaid."Youneverknowwhentolaysuspicionaside."

Ahundredretortssprangtomylips.IthoughtoftheBartholomew,oftheFrenchfuryofAntwerp,ofhalfadozenthingswhichmakemybloodboiltothisday.ButM.deRosny"sanswerwasthefinestofall."Thatistrue,Iamafraid,"hesaidquietly."Ontheotherhand,youCatholics——takethelateM.deGuiseforinstance——havethehabitoferringontheotherside,Ithink,andsometimestrusttoofar."

Themarquis,withoutmakinganyanswertothishome-thrust,ledthewayout,andwefollowed,beingjoinedatthedoorofthehousebyacoupleofarmedlackeys,whofellinbehindus.Wewentonfoot.Thenightwasdark,andtheprospectoutofdoorswasnotcheering.Thestreetswerewetanddirty,andnotwithstandingallourcarewefellcontinuallyintopitfallsoroverunseenobstacles.CrossingthePARVISofthecathedral,whichIremembered,weplungedinsilenceintoanobscurestreetneartheriver,andsonarrowthatthedecrepithousesshutoutalmostallviewofthesky.Thegloomofoursurroundings,nolessthanmyignoranceoftheerrandonwhichwewerebound,filledmewithanxietyandforeboding.Mycompanionskeepingstrictsilence,however,andtakingeveryprecautiontoavoidbeingrecognised,Ihadnochoicebuttodolikewise.

Icouldthink,andnomore.Ifeltmyselfbornealongbyanirresistiblecurrent,whitherandforwhatpurposeIcouldnottell;anexperiencetoanextentstrangeatmyagetheinfluenceofthenightandtheweather.Twicewestoodasidetoletapartyofroisterersgoby,andtheexcessivecareM.deRambouilletevincedontheseoccasionstoavoidrecognitiondidnottendtoreassuremeormakemethinkmorelightlyoftheunknownbusinessonwhichIwasbound.

Reachingatlastanopenspace,ourleaderbadeusinalowvoicebecarefulandfollowhimclosely.Wedidsoandcrossedinthiswayandinsinglefileanarrowplankorwoodenbridge;butwhetherwaterranbeloworadryditchonly,Icouldnotdetermine.MymindwastakenupatthemomentwiththediscoverywhichIhadjustmade,thatthedarkbuilding,loominghugeandblackbeforeuswithasinglelighttwinklinghereandthereatgreatheights,wastheCastleofBlois.

CHAPTERXV.

VILAINHERODES.

AllthedistasteandmislikingIhadexpressedearlierinthedayfortheCourtofBloisrecurredwithfreshforceinthedarknessandgloom;andthough,bootedandtravel-stainedaswewere,I

didnotconceiveitlikelythatweshouldbeobtrudedonthecircleabouttheking,Ifeltnonethelessanoppressivedesiretobethroughwithouradventure,andawayfromtheill-omenedprecinctsinwhichIfoundmyself.Thedarknesspreventedmeseeingthefacesofmycompanions;butonM.deRosny,whowasnotquitefreehimself,Ithink,fromtheinfluencesofthetimeandplace,twitchingmysleevetoenforcevigilance,Inotedthatthelackeyshadceasedtofollowus,andthatwethreewerebeginningtoascendaroughstaircasecutintherock.I

gathered,thoughthedarknesslimitedmyviewbehindaswellasinfronttoafewtwinklinglights,thatweweremountingthescarpfromthemoat;tothesidewallofthecastle;andIwasnotsurprisedwhenthemarquismutteredtoustostop,andknockedsoftlyonthewoodofadoor.

M.deRosnymighthavesparedthetouchhehadlaidonmysleeve,forbythistimeIwasfullyandpainfullysensibleofthecriticalpositioninwhichwestood,andwasverylittlelikelytocommitanindiscretion.Itrustedhehadnotdonesoalready!

Nodoubt——itflashedacrossmewhilewewaited——hehadtakencaretosafeguardhimself.Buthowoften,Ireflected,hadallsafeguardsbeensetasideandallprecautionseludedbythosetowhomhewascommittinghimself!Guisehadthoughthimselfsecureinthisverybuilding,whichwewereabouttoenter.Colignyhadreceivedthemostabsoluteofsafe-conductsfromthosetowhomwewereapparentlybound.Theendineithercasehadbeenthesame——theconfidenceoftheoneprovingofnomoreavailthanthewisdomoftheother.WhatiftheKingofFrancethoughttomakehispeacewithhisCatholicsubjects——offendedbythemurderofGuise——byasecondmurderofoneasobnoxioustothemashewasprecioustotheirarch-enemyintheSouth?Rosnywassagaciousindeed;butthenIreflectedwithsuddenmisgivingthathewasyoung,ambitious,andbold.

Theopeningofthedoorinterruptedwithoutputtinganendtothistrainofapprehension.Afaintlightshoneout;sofeeblyastoilluminelittlemorethanthestairsatourfeet.Themarquisenteredatonce,M.deRosnyfollowed,Ibroughtuptherear;andthedoorwasclosedbyamanwhostoodbehindit.Wefoundourselvescrowdedtogetheratthefootofaverynarrowstaircase,whichthedoorkeeper——astolidpikemaninagreyuniform,withasmalllanthornswingingfromthecrosspieceofhishalberd——signedtoustoascend.Isaidawordtohim,butheonlystaredinanswer,andM.deRambouillet,lookingbackandseeingwhatIwasabout,calledtomethatitwasuseless,asthemanwasaSwissandspokenoFrench.

Thisdidnottendtoreassureme;anymorethandidthechillroughnessofthewallwhichmyhandtouchedasIgropedupwards,orthesmellofbatswhichinvadedmynostrilsandsuggestedthatthestaircasewaslittleusedandbelongedtoapartofthecastlefittedfordarkandsecretdoings.

Westumbledintheblacknessupthesteps,passingonedoorandthenasecondbeforeM.deRambouilletwhisperedtoustostand,andknockedgentlyatathird.

Thesecrecy,thedarkness,andaboveallthestrangearrangementsmadetoreceiveus,filledmewiththewildestconjectures.Butwhenthedooropenedandwepassedonebyoneintoabare,unfurnished,draughtygallery,immediately,asIjudged,underthetiles,therealityagreedwithnooneofmyanticipations.

Theplacewasameregarret,withoutahearth,withoutasinglestool.Threewindows,ofwhichonewasroughlyglazed,whiletheotherswerefilledwithoiledpaper,weresetinonewall;theothersdisplayingthestonesandmortarwithoutdisguiseorornament.BesidethedoorthroughwhichwehadenteredstoodasilentfigureinthegreyuniformIhadseenbelow,hislanthornonthefloorathisfeet.Aseconddooratthefartherendofthegallery,whichwasfulltwentypaceslong,wasguardedinlikemanner.Acoupleoflanthornsstoodinthemiddleofthefloor,andthatwasall.

Insidethedoor,M.deRambouilletwithhisfingeronhislipstoppedus,andwestoodalittlegroupofthreeapaceinfrontofthesentry,andwiththeemptyroombeforeus.IlookedatM.

deRosny,buthewaslookingatRambouillet.Themarquishadhisbacktowardsme,thesentrywasgazingintovacancy;sothatbaffledinmyattempttolearnanythingfromthelooksoftheotheractorsinthescene,Ifellbackonmyears.Theraindrippedoutsideandthemoaningwindrattledthecasements;butmingledwiththesemelancholysounds——whichgainedforce,assuchthingsalwaysdo,fromthecircumstancesinwhichwewereplacedandourownsilence——IfanciedIcaughtthedistanthumofvoicesandmusicandlaughter.Andthat,Iknownotwhy,broughtM.deGuiseagaintomymind.

Thestoryofhisdeath,asIhadhearditfromthataccursedmonkintheinnontheClaine,roseupinallitsfreshness,withallitsdetails.IstartedwhenM.deRambouilletcoughed.I

shiveredwhenRosnyshiftedhisfeet.Thesilencegrewoppressive.Onlythestolidmeningreyseemedunmoved,unexpectant;sothatIrememberwonderingwhetheritwastheirnightlydutytokeepguardoveranemptygarret,thefloorstrewnwithscrapsofmortarandendsoftiles.

Theinterruption,whenitcameatlast,camesuddenly.Thesentryatthefartherendofthegallerystartedandfellbackapace.Instantlythedoorbesidehimopenedandamancamein,andclosingitquicklybehindhim,advanceduptheroomwithanairofdignity,whichevenhisstrangeappearanceandattirecouldnotwhollydestroy.

Hewasofgoodstatureandbearing,aboutfortyyearsoldasI

judged,hiswearadressofvioletvelvetwithblackpointscutintheextremeofthefashion.Hecarriedaswordbutnoruff,andhadacupandballofivory——astrangetoymuchinvogueamongtheidle——suspendedfromhiswristbyaribbon.Hewasleanandsomewhatnarrow,butsofarIfoundlittlefaultwithhim.Itwasonlywhenmyeyereachedhisface,andsawitrougedlikeawoman"sandsurmountedbyalittleturban,thatafeelingofscarcelyunderstooddisgustseizedme,andIsaidtomyself,"Thisisthestuffofwhichkings"minionsaremade!"

Tomysurprise,however,M.deRambouilletwenttomeethimwiththeutmostrespect,sweepingthedirtyfloorwithhisbonnet,andbowingtotheveryground.Thenewcomeracknowledgedhissalutewithnegligentkindness.Remarkingpleasantly"Youhavebroughtafriend,Ithink?"helookedtowardsuswithasmile.

"Yes,sire,heishere,"themarquisanswered,steppingasidealittle.AndwiththewordIunderstoodthatthiswasnominion,butthekinghimself:Henry,theThirdofthename,andthelastofthegreatHouseofValois,whichhadruledFrancebythegraceofGodfortwocenturiesandahalf!Istaredathim,andstaredathim,scarcelybelievingwhatIsaw.ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwasinthepresenceoftheking!

MeanwhileM.deRosny,towhomhewas,ofcourse,nomarvel,hadgoneforwardandkneltononeknee.Thekingraisedhimgraciously,andwithanactionwhich,viewedapartfromhiswoman"sfaceandsillyturban,seemedroyalandfitting."Thisisgoodofyou,Rosny,"hesaid."ButitisonlywhatIexpectedofyou."

"Sire,"mycompanionanswered,"yourMajestyhasnomoredevotedservantthanmyself,unlessitbethekingmymaster."

"Bymyfaith,"Henryansweredwithenergy——"andifIamnotagoodchurchman,whateverthoserascallyParisianssay,Iamnothing——bymyfaith,IthinkIbelieveyou!"

"IfyourMajestywouldbelievemeinthatandinsomeotherthingsalso,"M.deRosnyanswered,"itwouldbeverywellforFrance."Thoughhespokecourteously,hethrewsomuchweightandindependenceintohiswordsthatIthoughtoftheoldproverb,"Agoodmaster,aboldservant."

"Well,thatiswhatweareheretosee,"thekingreplied."Butonetellsmeonething,"hewentonfretfully,"andoneanother,andwhichamItobelieve?"

"Iknownothingofothers,sire,"Rosnyansweredwiththesamespirit."Butmymasterhaseveryclaimtobebelieved.HisinterestintheroyaltyofFranceissecondonlytoyourMajesty"s.Heisalsoakingandakinsman,anditerkshimtoseerebelsbeardyou,ashashappenedoflate."

"Ay,butthechiefofthem?"Henryexclaimed,givingwaytosuddenexcitementandstampingfuriouslyonthefloor."Hewilltroublemenomore.HasmybrotherheardofTHAT?Tellme,sir,hasthatnewsreachedhim?"

"Hehasheardit,sire."

"Andheapproved?Heapproved,ofcourse?"

"Beyonddoubtthemanwasatraitor,"M.deRosnyanswereddelicately."Hislifewasforfeit,sire.Whocanquestionit?"

"Andhehaspaidtheforfeit,"thekingrejoined,lookingdownatthefloorandimmediatelyfallingintoamoodinessassuddenashisexcitement.Hislipsmoved.Hemutteredsomethinginaudible,andbegantoplayabsentlywithhiscupandball,hismindoccupiedapparentlywithagloomyretrospect."M.deGuise,M.deGuise,"hemurmuredatlast,withasneerandanaccentofhatewhichtoldofoldhumiliationslongremembered."Well,damnhim,heisdeadnow.Heisdead.Butbeingdeadheyettroublesus.Isnotthattheverse,father?Ha!"withastart,"Iwasforgetting.Butthatistheworstwronghehasdoneme,"hecontinued,lookingupandgrowingexcitedagain."HehascutmeofffromMotherChurch.Thereishardlyapriestcomesnearmenow,andpresentlytheywillexcommunicateme.And,asIhopeforsalvation,theChurchhasnomorefaithfulsonthanme."

Ibelievehewasonthepoint,forgettingM.deRosny"spresencethereandhiserrand,ofgivingwaytounmanlytears,whenM.deRambouillet,asifbyaccident,lettheheelofhisscabbardfallheavilyonthefloor.Thekingstarted,andpassinghishandonceortwiceacrosshisbrow,seemedtorecoverhimself.

"Well,"hesaid,"nodoubtweshallfindawayoutofourdifficulties."

"IfyourMajesty,"Rosnyansweredrespectfully,"wouldaccepttheaidmymasterproffers,Iventuretothinkthattheywouldvanishthequicker."

"Youthinkso,"Henryrejoined."Well,givemeyourshoulder.

Letuswalkalittle."And,signingtoRambouillettoleavehim,hebegantowalkupanddownwithM.deRosny,talkingfamiliarlywithhiminanundertone.

Onlysuchscrapsoftheconversationasfellfromthemwhentheyturnedatmyendofthegallerynowreachedme.Patchingthesetogether,however,Imanagedtounderstandsomewhat.AtoneturnIheardthekingsay,"ButthenTurenneoffers——"Atthenext,"Trusthim?Well,IdonotknowwhyIshouldnot.Hepromises——"Then"ARepublic,Rosny?Thathisplan?Pooh!hedarenot.

Hecouldnot.FranceisakingdombytheordinanceofGodinmyfamily."

Igatheredfromtheseandotherchancewords,whichIhavesinceforgotten,thatM.deRosnywaspressingthekingtoacceptthehelpoftheKingofNavarre,andwarninghimagainsttheinsidiousoffersoftheVicomtedeTurenne.ThementionofaRepublic,however,seemedtoexcitehisMajesty"swrathratheragainstRosnyforpresumingtorefertosuchathingthanagainstTurenne,towhomherefusedtocreditit.Hepausednearmyendofthepromenade.

"Proveit!"hesaidangrily."Butcanyouproveit?Canyouproveit?Mindyou,Iwilltakenohearsayevidence,sir.Now,thereisTurenne"sagenthere——youdidnotknow,Idaresay,thathehadanagenthere?"

"Yourefer,sire,toM.deBruhl,"Rosnyanswered,withouthesitation."Iknowhim,sire."

"Ithinkyouarethedevil,"Henryanswered,lookingcuriouslyathim."Youseemtoknowmostthings.Butmindyou,myfriend,hespeaksmefairly,andIwillnottakethisonhearsayevenfromyourmaster.Though,"headdedafterpausingamoment,"Ilovehim."

"Andhe,yourMajesty.Hedesiresonlytoproveit."