第11章

"Yes,Iknow,Iknow,"thekingansweredfretfully."Ibelieveshedoes.Ibelievehedoeswishmewell.Buttherewillbeadevilofanoutcryamongmypeople.AndTurennegivesfairwordstoo.AndIdonotknow,"hecontinued,fidgetingwithhiscupandball,"thatitmightnotsuitmebettertoagreewithhim,yousee."

IsawM.deRosnydrawhimselfup."DareIspeakopenlytoyou,sire,"hesaid,withlessrespectandmoreenergythanhehadhithertoused."AsIshouldtomymaster?"

"Ay,saywhatyoulike,"Henryanswered.Buthespokesullenly,anditseemedtomethathelookedlesspleasantlyathiscompanion.

"ThenIwillventuretoutterwhatisinyourMajesty"smind,"mypatronansweredsteadfastly."Youfear,sire,lest,havingacceptedmymaster"sofferandconqueredyourenemies,youshouldnotbeeasilyridofhim."

Henrylookedrelieved."Doyoucallthatdiplomacy?"hesaidwithasmile."However,whatifitbeso?Whatdoyousaytoit?MethinksIhaveheardanidletaleaboutahorsewhichwouldhuntastag;andforthepurposesetamanuponitsback."

"ThisIsay,sire,first,"Rosnyansweredveryearnestly."ThattheKingofNavarreispopularonlywithone-thirdofthekingdom,andisonlypowerfulwhenunitedwithyou.Secondly,sire,itishisinteresttosupporttheroyalpower,towhichheisheir.And,thirdly,itmustbemoretoyourMajesty"shonourtoaccepthelpfromanearkinsmanthanfromanordinarysubject,andonewho,Istillmaintain,sire,hasnogooddesignsinhismind."

"Theproof"Henrysaidsharply."Givemethat!"

"Icangiveitinaweekfromthisday."

"Itmustbenoidletale,mindyou,"thekingcontinuedsuspiciously.

"YoushallhaveTurenne"sdesigns,sire,fromonewhohadthemfromhisownmouth."

Thekinglookedstartled,butafterapauseturnedandresumedhiswalk."Well,"hesaid,"ifyoudothat,Ionmypart——"

TherestIlost,forthetwopassingtothefartherendofthegallery,cametoastandstillthere,balkingmycuriosityandRambouillet"salso.Themarquis,indeed,begantobetrayhisimpatience,andthegreatclockimmediatelyoverourheadspresentlystrikingthehalf-hourafterten,hestartedandmadeasifhewouldhaveapproachedtheking.Hecheckedtheimpulse,however,butstillcontinuedtofidgetuneasily,losinghisreserveby-and-bysofarastowhispertomethathisMajestywouldbemissed.

Ihadbeen,uptothispoint,asilentandinactivespectatorofascenewhichappealedtomykeenestinterestsandarousedmymostardentcuriosity.Surprisefollowingsurprise,Ihadbeguntodoubtmyownidentity;solittlehadIexpectedtofindmyselffirstinthepresenceoftheMostChristianKing——andthatundercircumstancesasstrangeandbizarreascouldwellbeimagined——

andthenanauthorisedwitnessatanegotiationuponwhichthefutureofallthegreatlandofFrancestretchingforsomanyhundredleaguesoneverysideofus,depended.IsayIcouldscarcelybelieveinmyownidentity;orthatIwasthesameGastondeMarsacwhohadslunk,shabbyandout-at-elbows,aboutSt.Jeand"Angely.Itastedthefirstsweetnessofsecretpower,whichmensayisthesweetestofallandthelastrelinquished;and,thehumofdistantvoicesandlaughterstillreachingmeatintervals,Ibegantounderstandwhywehadbeenadmittedwith,somuchprecaution,andtocomprehendthegratificationofM.deRosnywhenthepromiseofthisinterviewfirstpresentedtohimthehopeofeffectingsomuchforhismasterandforFrance.

NowIwastobedrawnintothewhirlpoolitself.Iwasstilltravellingbackoverthedifferentstagesoftheadventurewhichhadbroughtmetothispoint,whenIwasrudelyawakenedbyM.deRosnycallingmynameinaraisedvoice.Seeing,somewhatlate,thathewasbeckoningtometoapproach,Iwentforwardinaconfusedandhastyfashion;kneelingbeforethekingasIhadseenhimkneel,andthenrisingtogiveeartohisMajesty"scommands.Albeit,havingexpectednothinglessthantobecalledupon,Iwasnotintheclearestmoodtoreceivethem.NorwasmybearingsuchasIcouldhavewishedittobe.

M.deRosnytellsmethatyoudesireacommissionatCourt,sir,"

thekingsaidquickly.

"I,sire?"Istammered,scarcelyabletobelievemyears.IwassocompletelytakenabackthatIcouldsaynomore,andIstoppedtherewithmymouthopen.

"TherearefewthingsIcandenyM.deRosny,"Henrycontinued,speakingveryrapidly,"andIamtoldthatyouareagentlemanofbirthandability.Outofkindnesstohim,therefore,Igrantyouacommissiontoraisetwentymenformyservice.

Rambouillet,"hecontinued,raisinghisvoiceslightly,"youwillintroducethisgentlemantomepubliclyto-morrow,that;Imaycarryintoeffectmyintentiononhisbehalf.Youmaygonow,sir.Nothanks.AndM.deRosny,"headded,turningtomycompanionandspeakingwithenergy,"haveacareformysakethatyouarenotrecognisedasyougo.Rambouilletmustcontrivesomethingtoenableyoutoleavewithoutperil.Ishouldbedesolatedifanythinghappenedtoyou,myfriend,forIcouldnotprotectyou.IgiveyoumywordifMendozaorRetzfoundyouinBloisIcouldnotsaveyoufromthemunlessyourecanted."

"IwillnottroubleeitheryourMajestyormyconscience,"M.deRosnyreplied,bowinglow,"ifmywitscanhelpme."

"Well,thesaintskeepyou,"thekingansweredpiously,goingtowardsthedoorbywhichhehadentered;"foryourmasterandI

havebothneedofyou.Rambouillet,takecareofhimasyouloveme.Andcomeearlyinthemorningtomyclosetandtellmehowithasfaredwithhim."

Weallstoodbowingwhilehewithdrew,andonlyturnedtoretirewhenthedoorclosedbehindhim.BurningwithindignationandchagrinasIwasatfindingmyselfdisposedofinthewayIhavedescribed,andpitchforked,whetherIwouldorno,intoaserviceIneitherfanciednordesired,Istillmanagedforthepresenttorestrainmyself;and,permittingmycompanionstoprecedeme,followedinsilence,listeningsullenlytotheirjubilations.

ThemarquisseemedscarcelylesspleasedthanM.deRosny;andasthelatterevincedastrongdesiretolessenanyjealousytheformermightfeel,andagenerousinclinationtoattributetohimafullshareofthecreditgained,Iremainedtheonlypersondissatisfiedwiththeevening"sevents.Weretiredfromthechateauwiththesameprecautionswhichhadmarkedourentrance,andpartingwithM.deRambouilletatthedoorofourlodging——

notwithoutmanyprotestationsofesteemonhispartandofgratitudeonthatofM.deRosny——mountedtothefirst-floorinsinglefileandinsilence,whichIwasdeterminednottobethefirsttobreak.

DoubtlessM.deRosnyknewmythoughts,for,speedilydismissingMaignanandSimon,whowereinwaiting,heturnedtomewithoutpreface."Come,myfriend,"hesaid,layinghishandonmyshoulderandlookingmeinthefaceinawaywhichallbutdisarmedmeatonce,"donotletusmisunderstandoneanother.

Youthinkyouhavecausetobeangrywithme.Icannotsufferthat,fortheKingofNavarrehadnevergreaterneedofyourservicesthannow."

"Youhaveplayedmeanunworthytrick,sir,"Ianswered,thinkinghewouldcozenmewithfairspeeches.

"Tut,tut!"hereplied."Youdonotunderstand."

"Iunderstandwellenough,"Ianswered,withbitterness,"that,havingdonetheKingofNavarre"swork,hewouldnowberidofme."

"HaveInottoldyou,"M.deRosnyreplied,betrayingforthefirsttimesomeirritation,"thathehasgreaterneedofyourservicesthanever?Come,man,bereasonable,or,betterstill,listentome."Andturningfromme,hebegantowalkupanddowntheroom,hishandsbehindhim."theKingofFrance——Iwanttomakeitascleartoyouaspossible——"hesaid,"cannotmakeheadagainsttheLeaguewithouthelp,and,willy-nilly,mustlookforittotheHuguenotswhomhehassolongpersecuted.TheKingofNavarre,theiracknowledgedleader,hasofferedthathelp;andso,tospitemymaster,andpreventacombinationsohappyforFrance,hasM.deTurenne,whowouldfainraisethefactionhecommandstoeminence,andknowswellhowtomakehisprofitoutofthedissensionsofhiscountry.Areyouclearsofar,sir?"

Iassented.Iwasbecomingabsorbedinspiteofmyself.

"Verywell,"heresumed."Thisevening——neverdidanythingfalloutmorehappilythanRambouillet"smeetingwithme——heisagoodman!——Ihavebroughtthekingtothis:thatifproofoftheselfishnatureofTurenne"sdesignsbelaidbeforehimhewillhesitatenolonger.Thatproofexists.Afortnightagoitwashere;butitisnotherenow."

"Thatisunlucky!"Iexclaimed.Iwassomuchinterestedinhisstory,aswellasflatteredbytheconfidencehewasplacinginme,thatmyill-humourvanished.Iwentandstoodwithmyshoulderagainstthemantelpiece,andhe,passingtoandfrobetweenmeandthelight,continuedhistale.

"Awordaboutthisproof,"hesaid."ItcameintotheKingofNavarre"shandsbeforeitsfullvaluewasknowntous,forthatonlyaccruedtoitonM.deGuise"sdeath.Amonthagoit——thispieceofevidenceImean——wasatChize.AfortnightorsoagoitwashereinBlois.Itisnow,"M.deMarsac,"hecontinued,facingmesuddenlyashecameoppositeme,"inmyhouseatRosny."

Istarted."YoumeanMademoiselledelaVire?"Icried.

"ImeanMademoiselledelaVire!"heanswered,"who,somemonthortwoago,overheardM.deTurenne"splans,andcontrivedtocommunicatewiththeKingofNavarre.Beforethelattercouldarrangeaprivateinterview,however,M.deTurennegotwindofherdangerousknowledge,andsweptherofftoChize.Therestyouknow,M.deMarsac,ifanymanknowsit."

"Butwhatwillyoudo?"Iasked."SheisatRosny."

"Maignan,whomItrustimplicitly,asfarashislightsgo,willstarttofetchherto-morrow.AtthesamehourIstartsouthwards.You,M.deMarsac,willremainhereasmyagent,towatchovermyinterests,toreceiveMademoiselleonherarrival,tosecureforherasecretinterviewwiththeking,toguardherwhilesheremainshere.Doyouunderstand?"

DidIunderstand?Icouldnotfindwordsinwhichtothankhim.

Myremorseandgratitude,mysenseofthewrongIhaddonehim,andofthehonourhewasdoingme,weresuchthatIstoodmutebeforehimasIhadstoodbeforetheking."Youaccept,then?"

hesaid,smiling."Youdonotdeemtheadventurebeneathyou,myfriend?"

"Ideserveyourconfidencesolittle,sir,"Ianswered,strickentotheground,"thatIbegyoutospeak,whileIlisten.ByattendingexactlytoyourinstructionsImayproveworthyofthetrustreposedinme.Andonlyso."

Heembracedmeagainandagain,witha,kindnesswhichmovedmealmosttotears."Youareamanaftermyownheart,"hesaid,"andifGodwillsIwillmakeyourfortune.Nowlisten,myfriend.To-morrowatCourt,asastrangerandamanintroducedbyRambouillet,youwillbethecynosureofalleyes.Bearyourselfbravely.Paycourttothewomen,butattachyourselftonooneinparticular.KeepalooffromRetzandtheSpanishfaction,butbewareespeciallyofBruhl.Healonewillhaveyoursecret,andmaysuspectyourdesign.Mademoiselleshouldbehereinaweek;whilesheiswithyou,anduntilshehasseentheking,trustnoone,suspecteveryone,fearallthings.Considerthebattlewononlywhenthekingsays,"Iamsatisfied.""

Muchmorehetoldme,whichserveditspurposeandhasbeenforgotten.Finallyhehonouredmebybiddingmesharehispalletwithhim,thatwemighttalkwithoutrestraint,andthatifanythingoccurredtohiminthenighthemightcommunicateittome.

"ButwillnotBruhldenouncemeasaHuguenot?"Iaskedhim.

"Hewillnotdaretodoso,"M.deRosnyanswered,"bothasaHuguenothimself,andashismaster"srepresentative;and,further,becauseitwoulddispleasetheking.No,butwhateversecretharmonemancandoanother,thatyouhavetofear.

Maignan,whenhereturnswithmademoiselle,willleavetwomenwithyou;untiltheycomeIshouldborrowacoupleofstoutfellowsfromRambouillet.Donotgooutaloneafterdark,andbewareofdoorways,especiallyyourown."

Alittlelater,whenIthoughthimasleep,Iheardhimchuckle;

andrisingonmyelbowIaskedhimwhatitwas."Oh,itisyouraffair,"heanswered,stilllaughingsilently,sothatIfeltthemattressshakeunderhim."Idon"tenvyyouonepartofyourtask,myfriend."

"Whatisthat?"Isaidsuspiciously.

"Mademoiselle,"heanswered,stiflingwithdifficultyaburstoflaughter.Andafterthathewouldnotsayanotherword,bad,good,orindifferent,thoughIfeltthebedshakemorethanonce,andknewthathewasdigestinghispleasantry.

CHAPTERXVI.

INTHEKING"SCHAMBER.

M.deRosnyhadrisenfrommysideandstartedonhisjourneywhenIopenedmyeyesinthemorning,andawoketothememoryofthetaskwhichhadbeensostrangelyimposeduponme;andwhichmight,accordingastheeventsofthenextfortnightshapedthemselves,raisemetohighpositionorputanendtomycareer.

Hehadnotforgottentoleaveasouvenirbehindhim,forIfoundbesidemypillowahandsomesilver-mountedpistol,bearingtheletter"R."andacoronet;norhadImorethandiscoveredthisinstanceofhiskindnessbeforeSimonFleixcameintotellmethatM.deRosnyhadlefttwohundredcrownsinhishandsforme.

"Anymessagewithit?"Iaskedthelad.

"Onlythat;hehadtakenakeepsakeinexchange,"Simonanswered,openingthewindowashespoke.

InsomewonderIbegantosearch,butIcouldnotdiscoverthatanythingwasmissinguntilIcametoputonmydoublet,whenI

foundthattheknotofribbonwhichmademoisellehadflungtomeatmydeparturefromRosnywasgonefromtheinsideofthebreast,whereIhadpinneditforsafetywithalongthorn.ThediscoverythatM.deRosnyhadtakenthiswasdispleasingtomeonmorethanoneaccount.Inthefirstplace,whethermademoisellehadmerelywishedtoplagueme(aswasmostprobable)ornot,Iwaslothtoloseit,mydayforladies"

favoursbeingpastandgone;inthesecond,Imisdoubtedthemotivewhichhadledhimtopurloinit,andtormentedmyselfwiththinkingofthedifferentconstructionshemightputuponit,andthedisparagingviewofmytrustworthinesswhichitmightleadhimtotake.Iblamedmyselfmuchformycarelessnessinleavingitwhereachanceeyemightrestuponit;andmorewhen,questioningSimonfurther,IlearnedthatM.deRosnyhadadded,whilemountingatthedoor,"Tellyourmaster,safebind,safefind;andacarelesslovermakesaloosemistress."

IfeltmycheekburninamannerunbecomingmyyearswhileSimonwithsometouchofmalicerepeatedthis;andImadeavowonthespot,whichIkeptuntilIwastemptedtobreakit,tohavenomoretodowithsuchtrifles.Meanwhile,Ihadtomakethebestofit;andbriskingup,andbiddingSimon,whoseemeddepressedbythebaron"sdeparture,briskupalso,IsetaboutmypreparationsformakingsuchafigureatCourtasbecameme:

procuringablackvelvetsuit,andacapandfeathertomatch;

item,ajewelledclasptosecurethefeather;withayardortwooflaceandtwochangesoffinelinen.

SimonhadgrownsleekatRosny,andlosingsomethingofthewildnesswhichhadmarkedhim,presentedinthedressM.deRosnyhadgivenhimaverycreditableappearance;beingalso,Ifancy,theonlyequerryinBloiswhocouldwrite.AgroomIengagedontherecommendationofM.deRambouillet"smasterofthehorse;

andIgaveoutalsothatIrequiredacoupleofvalets.Itneededonlyanhourunderthebarber"shandsandasetofnewtrappingsfortheCidtoenablemetomakeafairshow,suchasmightbetakentoindicateamanoftenortwelvethousandlivresayear.

InthiswayIexpendedahundredandfifteencrowns.reflectingthatthiswasalargesum,andthatImustkeepsomemoneyforplay,Iwasgladtolearnthatinthecrowdedstateofthecityevenmenwithhighrankwereputtingupwithpoorlodging;I

determined,therefore,tocombineeconomywithaschemewhichI

hadinmyheadbytakingtheroomsinwhichmymotherdied,withoneroombelowthem.ThisIdid,hiringsuchfurnitureasI

needed,whichwasnotagreatdeal.ToSimonFleix,whoseassistanceinthesematterswasinvaluable,IpassedonmuchofM.deRosny"sadvice,biddinghimruffleitwiththebestinhisstation,andincitinghimtolabourformyadvancementbypromisingtomakehisfortunewhenevermyownshouldbeassured.

Ihoped,indeed,toderivenolittleadvantagefromthequicknessofwit;whichhadattractedM.deRosny"sattention;althoughI

didnotfailtotakeintoaccountatthesametimethattheladwaswaywardandfitful,proneatonetimetodepression,andatanothertogiddiness,andequallyuncertainineithermood.

M.deRambouilletbeingunabletoattendtheLEVEE,hadappointedmetowaituponhimatsixintheevening;atwhichhourI

presentedmyselfathislodgings,attendedbySimonFleix.I

foundhiminthemidstofhalfadozengentlemenwhosehabititwastoattendhimuponallpublicoccasions;andthesegallants,greetingmewiththesamecuriousandsuspiciousglanceswhichI

haveseenhoundsbestowonastrangedogintroducedintotheirkennel,IwasspeedilymadetofeelthatitisonethingtohavebusinessatCourt,andanothertobewellreceivedthere.

M.deRambouillet,somewhattomysurprise,didnothingtoremovethisimpression.Onallordinaryoccasionsamanofstiffandhaughtybearing,andthoroughlydisliking,thoughhecouldnotprevent,theintrusionofathirdpartyintoatransactionwhichpromisedaninfinityofcredit,hereceivedmesocoldlyandwithsomuchreserveasforthemomenttodashmyspiritsandthrowmebackonmyself.

Duringthejourneytothecastle,however,whichweperformedonfoot,attendedbyhalfadozenarmedservantsbearingtorches,I

hadtimetorecallM.deRosny"sadvice,andtobethinkmeoftheintimacywhichthatgreatmanhadpermittedme;withsomucheffectinthewayofhearteningme,thataswecrossedthecourtyardofthecastleIadvancedmyself,notwithoutsomemurmuringonthepartofothers,toRambouillet"selbow,consideringthatasIwasattachedtohimbytheking"scommand,thiswasmyproperplace.Ihadnodesiretoquarrel,however,andpersistedforsometimeindisregardingthenudgesandmutteredwordswhichwereexchangedroundme,andeventheeffortswhichweremadeaswemountedthestairstooustmefrommyposition.Butayounggentleman,whoshowedhimselfveryforwardintheseattempts,presentlystumblingagainstme,I

founditnecessarytolookathim.

"Sir,"hesaid,inasmallandlispingvoice,"youtrodonmytoe."

ThoughIhadnotdoneso,Ibeggedhispardonverypolitely.Butashisonlyacknowledgmentofthiscourtesyconsistedinanattempttogethiskneeinfrontofmine——weweremountingveryslowly,thestairsbeingcumberedwithamultitudeofservants,whostoodoneitherhand——Ididtreadonhistoe,withaforceanddirectnesswhichmadehimcryout.

"Whatisthematter?"Rambouilletasked,lookingbackhastily.

"Nothing,M.leMarquis,"Ianswered,pressingonsteadfastly.

"Sir,"myyoungfriendsaidagain,inthesamelispingvoice,"youtrodonmytoe."

"IbelieveIdid,sir,"Ianswered.

"Youhavenotyetapologised,"hemurmuredgentlyinmyear.

"Nay,thereyouarewrong,"Irejoinedbluntly,"foritisalwaysmyhabittoapologisefirstandtreadafterwards."

Hesmiledasatapleasantjoke;andIamboundtosaythathisbearingwassoadmirablethatifhehadbeenmysonIcouldhavehuggedhim."Good!"heanswered."Nodoubtyourswordisassharpasyourwits,sir.Isee,"hecontinued,glancingnaivelyatmyoldscabbard——hewashimselftheverygemofacourtier,aslenderyouthwithapink-and-whitecomplexion,adarklineforamoustache,andapearl-dropinhisear——"itislongingtobeout.

Perhapsyouwilltakeaturninthetennis-courtto-morrow?"

"Withpleasure,sir,"Ianswered,"ifyouhaveafather,oryourelderbrotherisgrownup."

WhatanswerhewouldhavemadetothisgibeIdonotknow,foratthatmomentwereachedthedooroftheante-chamber;andthisbeingnarrow,andasentryinthegreyuniformoftheSwissGuardcompellingalltoenterinsinglefile,myyoungfriendwasforcedtofallback,leavingmefreetoenteralone,andadmireatmyleisureasceneatoncebrilliantandsombre.

TheCourtbeinginmourningfortheQueen-mother,blackpredominatedinthedressesofthosepresent,andsetoffveryfinelythegleamingjewelsandgemmedsword-hiltswhichwerewornbythemoreimportantpersonages.Theroomwasspaciousandlofty,hungwitharras,andlitbycandlesburninginsilversconces;itrangasweenteredwiththeshrillscreamingofaparrot,whichwasbeingteasedbyagroupoccupyingthefartherofthetwohearths.Nearthemplaywasgoingonatonetable,andprimeroatasecond.Inacornerwerethreeorfourladies,inacircleaboutared-faced,plebeian-lookingman,whowasplayingatforfeitswithoneoftheirnumber;whilethemiddleoftheroomseemeddominatedbyamiddle-sizedmanwithapeculiarlyinflamedandpassionatecountenance,who,seatedonatable,wasinveighingagainstsomeoneorsomethinginthemostviolentterms,hislanguagebeinginterlardedwithallkindsofstrangeandforcibleoaths.Twoorthreegentlemen,whohadtheairofbeinghisfollowers,stoodabouthim,listeningbetweensubmissionandembarrassment;whilebesidethenearerfireplace,butatsomedistancefromhim,loungedanobleman,veryrichlydressed,andwearingonhisbreasttheCrossoftheHolyGhost;

whoseemedtobetheobjectofhisinvective,butaffectingtoignoreitwasengagedinconversationwithacompanion.A

bystandermutteringthatCrillonhadbeendrinking,Idiscoveredwithimmensesurprisethatthedeclaimeronthetablewasthatfamoussoldier;andIwasstilllookingathiminwonder——forI

hadbeenaccustomedallmylifetoassociatecouragewithmodesty——when,thedoorofthechambersuddenlyopening,ageneralmovementinthatdirectiontookplace.Crillon,disregardingallprecedency,sprangfromhistableandhurriedfirsttothethreshold.TheBarondeBiron,ontheotherhand——

forthegentlemanbythefirewasnoother——waited,inapparentignoranceoftheslightwhichwasbeingputuponhim,untilM.deRambouilletcameup;thenhewentforwardwithhim.Keepingclosetomypatron"selbow,Ienteredthechamberimmediatelybehindhim.

Crillonhadalreadyseizedupontheking,and,whenweentered,wasstatinghisgrievanceisavoicenotmuchlowerthanthatwhichhehadusedoutside.M.deBiron,seeingthis,partedfromthemarquis,and,goingasidewithhisformercompanion,satdownonatrunkagainstthewall;whileRambouillet,followedbymyselfandthreeorfourgentlemenofhistrain,advancedtotheking,whowasstandingnearthealcove.HisMajestyseeinghim,andthankful,Ithink,fortheexcuse,wavedCrillonoff."Tut,tut!Youtoldmeallthatthismorning,"hesaidgood-naturedly.

"AndhereisRambouillet,whohas,Ihope,somethingfreshtotell.Lethimspeaktome.Sanctus!Don"tlookatmeasifyouwouldrunmethrough,man.Goandquarrelwithsomeoneofyourownsize."

Crillonatthisretiredgrumbling,andHenry,whohadjustrisenfromprimerowiththeDukeofNevers,noddedtoRambouillet.

"Well,myfriend,anythingfresh?"hecried.Hewasmoreathiseaseandlookedmorecheerfulthanatourformerinterview;yetstillcareandsuspicionlurkedabouthispeevishmouth,andinthehollowsunderhisgloomyeyes."Anewguest,anewface,oranewgame——whichhaveyoubrought?"

"Inasense,sire,anewface,"themarquisanswered,bowing,andstandingsomewhatasidethatImighthaveplace.

"Well,Icannotsaymuchfortheprettybaggage,"quoththekingquickly.Andamidageneraltitterheextendedhishandtome.

"I"llbesworn,though,"hecontinued,asIrosefrommyknee,"thatyouwantsomething,myfriend?"

"Nay,sire,"Ianswered,holdingupmyheadboldly——forCrillon"sbehaviourhadbeenafurtherlessontome——"Ihave,byyourleave,theadvantage.ForyourMajestyhassuppliedmewithanewjest.Iseemanynewfacesroundme,andIhaveneedonlyofanewgame.IfyourMajestywouldbepleasedtograntme——"

"There!SaidInotso?"criedtheking,raisinghishandwithalaugh."Hedoeswantsomething.Butheseemsnotundeserving.

Whatdoeshepray,Rambouillet?"

"Asmallcommand,"M.deRambouilletanswered,readilyplayinghispart."AndyourMajestywouldobligemeifyoucouldgranttheSieurdeMarsac"spetition.Iwillanswerforitheisamanofexperience."

"Chut!Asmallcommand?"Henryejaculated,sittingdownsuddenlyinapparentill-humour."Itiswhateveryonewants——

whentheydonotwantbigones.Still,Isuppose,"hecontinued,takingupacomfit-box,whichlaybesidehim,andopeningit,"ifyoudonotgetwhatyouwantforhimyouwillsulkliketherest,myfriend."

"YourMajestyhasneverhadcausetocomplainofme,"quoththeMarquis,forgettinghisrole,ortooproudtoplayit.

"Tut,tut,tut,tut!Takeit,andtroublemenomore,"thekingrejoined."Willpayfortwentymendoforhim?Verywellthen.

There,M.deMarsac,"hecontinued,noddingatmeandyawning,"yourrequestisgranted.Youwillfindsomeotherprettybaggagesoverthere.Gotothem.Andnow,Rambouillet,"hewenton,resuminghisspiritsasheturnedtomattersofmoreimportance,"hereisanewsweetmeatZamethassentme.IhavemadeZizisickwithit.Willyoutryit?Itisflavouredwithwhitemulberries."

Thusdismissed,Ifellback;andstoodforamoment,atalosswhithertoturn,intheabsenceofeitherfriendsoracquaintances.HisMajesty,itistrue,hadbiddenmegotocertainprettybaggages,meaning,apparently,fiveladieswhowereseatedatthefartherendoftheroom,divertingthemselveswithasmanycavaliers;butthecompactnessofthisparty,thebeautyoftheladies,andthemerrypealsoflaughterwhichproceededfromthem,tellingofawitandvivacitybeyondtheordinary,sappedtheresolutionwhichhadbornemewellhitherto.

Ifeltthattoattacksuchaphalanx,evenwithaking"sgoodwill,wasbeyondthedaringofaCrillon,andIlookedroundtoseewhetherIcouldnotamusemyselfinsomemoremodestfashion.

Thematerialwasnotlacking.Crillon,stillmouthingouthisanger,strodeupanddowninfrontofthetrunkonwhichM.deBironwasseated;butthelatterwas,oraffectedtobe,asleep.

"Crillonisforevergoingintoragesnow,"acourtierbesidemewhispered.

"Yes,"hisfellowanswered,withashrugoftheshoulder;"itisapitythereisnoonetotamehim.Buthehassuchalongreach,morbleu!"

"Itisnotthatsomuchasthefellow"sfury,"thefirstspeakerrejoinedunderhisbreath."Hefightslikeamadthing;fencingisnouseagainsthim."

Theothernodded.ForamomentthewildideaofwinningrenownbytamingM.deCrillonoccurredtomeasIstoodaloneinthemiddleofthefloor;butithadnotmorethanpassedthroughmybrainwhenIfeltmyelbowtouched,andturnedtofindtheyounggentlemanwhomIhadencounteredonthestairsstandingbymyside.

"Sir,"helisped,inthesamesmallvoice,"Ithinkyoutrodonmytoeawhileago?"

Istaredathim,wonderingwhathemeantbythisabsurdrepetition."Well,sir,"Ianswereddrily,"andifIdid?"

"Perhaps,"hesaid,strokinghischinwithhisjewelledfingers,"pendingourmeetingto-morrow,youwouldallowmetoconsideritasakindofintroduction?"

"Ifitpleaseyou,"Ianswered,bowingstiffly,andwonderingwhathewouldbeat.

"Thankyou,"heanswered."Itdoespleaseme,underthecircumstances;forthereisaladyherewhodesiresawordwithyou.Itookupherchallenge.Willyoufollowme?"

Hebowed,andturnedinhislanguidfashion.I,turningtoo,saw,withsecretdismay,thatthefiveladies,referredtoabove,wereallnowgazingatme,asexpectingmyapproach;andthiswithsuchsportiveglancesastoldonlytoocertainlyofsomeplotalreadyinprogressorsometricktobepresentlyplayedme.

YetIcouldnotseethatIhadanychoicesavetoobey,and,followingmyleaderwithasmuchdignityasIcouldcompass,I

presentlyfoundmyselfbowingbeforetheladywhosatnearest,andwhoseemedtobetheleaderofthesenymphs.

"Nay,sir,"shesaid,eyeingmecuriously,yetwithamerryface,"Idonotneedyou;Idonotlooksohigh!"

Turninginconfusiontothenext,IwassurprisedtoseebeforemetheladywhoselodgingIhadinvadedinmysearchforMademoiselledelaVire——she,Imean,who,havingpickedupthevelvet;knot,haddroppeditsoprovidentiallywhereSimonFleixfoundit.Shelookedatmeblushingandlaughing,andtheyounggentleman,whohaddonehererrand,presentingmebyname,sheaskedme,whiletheotherslistened,whetherIhadfoundmymistress.

BeforeIcouldanswer,theladytowhomIhadfirstaddressedmyselfinterposed."Stop,sir!"shecried.Whatisthis——atale,ajest,agame,oraforfeit?"

"Anadventure,madam,"Ianswered,bowinglow.

"Ofgallantry,I"llbebound,"sheexclaimed."Fie,MadamedeBruhl,andyoubutsixmonthsmarried!"

MadamedeBruhlprotested,laughing,thatshehadnomoretodowithitthanMercury."Attheworst,"shesaid,"IcarriedthePOULETS!ButIcanassureyou,duchess,thisgentlemanshouldbeabletotellusaveryfinestory,ifhewould."

Theduchessandalltheotherladiesclappingtheirhandsatthis,andcryingoutthatthestorymustandshouldbetold,I

foundmyselfinaprodigiousquandary;andonewhereinmywitsderivedaslittleassistanceaspossiblefromthebrighteyesandsaucylookswhichenvironedme.Moreover,thecommotionattractingotherlisteners,Ifoundmyposition,whileItriedtoextricatemyself,growingeachmomentworse,sothatIbegantofearthatasIhadlittleimaginationIshouldperforcehavetotellthetruth.Themerethoughtofthisthrewmeintoacoldperspiration,lestIshouldletslipsomethingofconsequence,andprovemyselfunworthyofthetrustwhichM.deRosnyhadreposedinme.

Atthemomentwhen,despairingofextricatingmyself,IwasstoopingoverMadamedeBruhlbegginghertoassistme,Iheard,amidthebabeloflaughterandraillerywhichsurroundedme——

certainofthecourtiershavingalreadyformedhandsinacircleandswornIshouldnotdepartwithoutsatisfyingtheladies——avoicewhichstruckachordinmymemory.Iturnedtoseewhothespeakerwas,andencounterednootherthanM.deBruhlhimself;

who,withaflushedandangryface,waslisteningtotheexplanationwhichafriendwaspouringintohisear.StandingatthemomentwithmykneeonMadamedeBruhl"sstool,andrememberingverywellthemeetingonthestairs,Iconceivedinaflashthatthemanwasjealous;butwhetherhehadyetheardmyname,orhadanyclewtolinkmewiththepersonwhohadrescuedMademoiselledelaVirefromhisclutches,Icouldnottell.

Neverthelesshispresenceledmythoughtsintoanewchannel.

Thedeterminationtopunishhimbegantotakeforminmymind,andveryquicklyIregainedmycomposure.StillIwasforgivinghimonechance.AccordinglyIstoopedoncemoretoMadamedeBruhl"sear,andbeggedhertosparemetheembarrassmentoftellingmytale.Butthen,findingherpitiless,asIexpected,andtherestofthecompanygrowingmoreandmoreinsistent,I

hardenedmyhearttogothroughwiththefantasticnotionwhichhadoccurredtome.

IndicatingbyagesturethatIwaspreparedtoobey,andtheduchesscryingforahearing,thiswaspresentlyobtained,thesuddensilenceaddingthekinghimselftomyaudience."Whatisit?"heasked,comingupeffusively,withalap-doginhisarms.

"Anewscandal,eh?"

"No,sire,anewtale-teller,"theduchessansweredpertly."IfyourMajestywillsit,weshallhearhimthesooner."

Hepinchedherearandsatdowninthechairwhichapagepresented."What!isitRambouillet"sGRISONagain?"hesaidwithsomesurprise."Well,fireaway,man.ButwhobroughtyouforwardasaRabelais?"

Therewasageneralcryof"MadamedeBruhl!"whereatthatladyshookherfairhair,aboutherface,andcriedoutforsomeonetobringheramask.

"Ha,Isee!"saidthekingdrily,lookingpointedlyatM.deBruhl,whowasasblackasthunder."Butgoon,man."

Theking"sadvent,byaffordingmeabriefrespite,hadenabledmetocollectmythoughts,and,disregardingtheribaldinterruptions,whichatfirstwerefrequent,Ibeganasfollows:

"IamnoRabelais,sire,"Isaid,"butdrollthingshappentothemostunlikely.Onceuponatimeitwasthefortuneofacertainswain,whomIwillcallDromio,toarriveinatownnotahundredmilesfromBlois,havinginhiscompanyanymphofgreatbeauty,whohadbeenentrustedtohiscarebyherparents.Hehadnotmorethanlodgedherinhisapartments,however,beforeshewasdecoyedawaybyatrick,andborneoffagainstherwillbyayounggallant,whohadseenherandbeensmittenbyhercharms.

Dromio,returning,andfindinghismistressgone,gavewaytothemostpoignantgrief.Heranupanddownthecity,seekingherineveryplace,andfillingallplaceswithhislamentations;butforatimeinvain,untilchanceledhimtoacertainstreet,where,inanalmostincrediblemanner,hefoundaclewtoherbydiscoveringunderfootaknotofvelvet,bearingPhyllida"snamewroughtonitindelicateneedlework,withthewords,"Amoi!""

"Sanctus!"criedtheking,amidageneralmurmurofsurprise,"thatiswelldevised!Proceed,sir.Goonlikethat,andwewillmakeyourtwentymentwenty-five."

"Dromio,"Icontinued,"atsightofthistrifleexperiencedthemostdiverseemotions,forwhilehepossessedinitaclewtohismistress"sfate,hehadstilltouseitsoastodiscovertheplacewhithershehadbeenhurried.Itoccurredtohimatlasttobeginhissearchwiththehousebeforewhichtheknothadlain.Ascendingaccordinglytothesecond-floor,hefoundthereafairladyrecliningonacouch,whostartedupinaffrightathisappearance.Hehastenedtoreassureher,andtoexplainthepurposeofhiscoming,andlearnedafteraconversationwithwhichIwillnottroubleyourMajesty,thoughitwassufficientlydiverting,thattheladyhadfoundthevelvetknotinanotherpartofthetown,andhadherselfdroppeditagaininfrontofherownhouse."

"Pourquoi?"thekingasked,interruptingme.

"Theswain,sire,"Ianswered,"wastoomuchtakenupwithhisowntroublestobearthatinmind,evenifhelearnedit.Butthisdelicacydidnotsavehimfrommisconception,forashedescendedfromthelady"sapartmenthemetherhusbandonthestairs."

"Good!"thekingexclaimed,rubbinghishandsinglee."Thehusband!"AndundercoverofthegibeandthecourtlylaughwhichfolloweditM.deBruhl"sstartofsurprisepassedunnoticedsavebyme.

"Thehusband,"Iresumed,"seeingastrangerdescendinghisstaircase,wasforstoppinghimandlearningthereasonofhispresence;ButDromio,whosemindwaswithPhyllida,refusedtostop,and,evadinghisquestions,hurriedtothepartofthetownwheretheladyhadtoldhimshefoundthevelvetknot.Here,sire,atthecornerofalanerunningbetweengarden-walls,hefoundagreathouse,barredandgloomy,andwelladaptedtotheabductor"spurpose.Moreover,scanningitoneveryside,hepresentlydiscovered,tiedaboutthebarsofanupperwindow,aknotofwhitelinen,theverycounterpartofthatvelvetonewhichheboreinhisbreast.Thusheknewthatthenymphwasimprisonedinthatroom!"

"Iwillmakeittwenty-five,asIamagoodChurchman!"hisMajestyexclaimed,droppingthelittledoghewasnursingintotheduchess"slap,andtakingouthiscomfit-box."Rambouillet,"

headdedlanguidly,"yourfriendisatreasure!"