第12章

Ibowedmyacknowledgments,andtookoccasionasIdidsotostepapaceaside,soastocommandaviewofMadamedeBruhl,aswellasherhusband.Hithertomadame,willingtobeaccountedapartinsoprettyaromance,andreadyenoughalso,unlessIwasmistaken,tocauseherhusbandalittlemildjealousy,hadlistenedtothestorywithacertainslydemureness.ButthisI

foresawwouldnotlastlong;andIfeltsomethinglikecompunctionasthemomentforstrikingtheblowapproached.ButIhadnownochoice."Thebestisyettocome,sire,"Iwenton,"asIthinkyouwillacknowledgeinamoment.Dromio,thoughhehaddiscoveredhismistress,wasstillinthedepthsofdespair.

Hewanderedroundandroundthehouse,seekingingressandfindingnone,untilatlength,sunsetapproaching,anddarknessredoublinghisfearsforthenymph,fortunetookpityonhim.Ashestoodinfrontofthehousehesawtheabductorcomeout,lightedbytwoservants.Judgeofhissurprise,sire,"I

continued,lookingroundandspeakingslowly,togivefulleffecttomywords,"whenherecognisedinhimnootherthanthehusbandoftheladywho,bypickingupandagaindroppingthevelvetknot,hadcontributedsomuchtothesuccessofhissearch!"

"Ha!thesehusbands!"criedtheking.Andslappinghiskneeinanecstasyathisownacuteness,helaughedinhisseattillherolledagain."Thesehusbands!DidInotsayso?"

ThewholeCourtgavewaytolikeapplause,andclapped.theirhandsaswell,sothatfewsavethosewhostoodnearesttooknoticeofMadamedeBruhl"sfaintcry,andstillfewerunderstoodwhysheroseupsuddenlyfromherstoolandstoodgazingatherhusbandwithburningcheeksandclenchedhands.Shetooknoheedofme,muchlessofthelaughingcrowdroundher,butlookedonlyathimwithhersoulinhereyes.He,afterutteringonehoarsecurse,seemedtohavenothoughtforanybutme.Tohavetheknowledgethathisownwifehadbaulkedhimbroughthometohiminthismockingfashion,tofindhowlittleathinghadtrippedhimthatday,tolearnhowblindlyhehadplayedintothehandsoffate,abovealltobeexposedatoncetohiswife"sresentmentandtheridiculeoftheCourt——forhecouldnotbesurethatI

shouldnotthenextmomentdisclosehisname——allsowroughtonhimthatforamomentIthoughthewouldstrikemeinthepresence.

Hisrage,indeed,didwhatIhadnotmeanttodo.Fortheking,catchingsightofhisface,andrememberingthatMadamedeBruhlhadelicitedthestory,screamedsuddenly,"Haro!"andpointedruthlesslyathimwithhisfinger.AfterthatIhadnoneedtospeak,thestoryleapingfromeyetoeye,andeveryeyesettlingonBruhl,whosoughtinvaintocomposehisfeatures.Madame,whosurpassedhim,aswomencommonlydosurpassmen,inself-

control,wasthe,firsttorecoverherself,andsittingdownasquicklyasshehadrisen,confrontedalikeherhusbandandherrivalswithapalesmile.

Foramomentcuriosityandexcitementkeptallbreathless,theeyealonebusy.Thenthekinglaughedmischievously."Come,M.

deBruhl,"hecried,"perhapsyouwillfinishthetaleforus?"

Andhethrewhimselfbackinhischair,asneeronhislips.

"OrwhynotMadamedeBruhl?"saidtheduchess,withherheadononesideandhereyesglitteringoverherfan."Madamewould,I

amsure,tellitsowell."

Butmadameonlyshookherhead,smilingalwaysthatforcedsmile.

ForBruhlhimself,glaringfromfacetofacelikeabullabouttocharge,Ihaveneverseenamanmoreoutofcountenance,ormorecompletelybroughttobay.Hisdiscomposure,exposedashewastotheridiculeofallpresent,wassuchthatthepresenceinwhichhestoodscarcelyhinderedhimfromsomeviolentattack;

andhiseyes,whichhadwanderedfrommeattheking"sword,presentlyreturningtomeagain,hesofarforgothimselfastoraisehishandfuriously,utteringatthesametimeasavageoath.

Thekingcriedoutangrily,"Haveacare,sir!"ButBruhlonlyheededthissofarastothrustasidethosewhostoodroundhimandpushhiswayhurriedlythroughthecircle.

"Arnidieu!"criedtheking,whenhewasgone."Thisisfineconduct!Ihavehalfamindtosendafterhimandhavehimputwherehishotbloodwouldcoolalittle.Or——"

Hestoppedabruptly,hiseyesrestingonme.TherelativepositionsofBruhlandmyselfastheagentsofRosnyandTurenneoccurredtohimforthefirsttime,Ithink,andsuggestedtheidea,perhaps,thatIhadlaidatrapforhim,andthathehadfallenintoit.Atanyratehisfacegrewdarkeranddarker,andatlast,"Anicekettleoffishthisisyouhavepreparedforus,sir!"hemuttered,gazingatmegloomily.

Thesuddenchangeinhishumourtookevencourtiersbysurprise.

Facesamomentbeforebroadwithsmilesgrewlongagain.Thelessimportantpersonageslookeduncomfortablyatoneanother,andwithoneaccordfrownedonme."IfyourMajestywouldpleasetoheartheendofthestoryatanothertime?"Isuggestedhumbly,beginningtowishwithallmyheartthatIhadneversaidaword.

"Chut!"heanswered,rising,hisfacestillbetrayinghisperturbation,"Well,beitso.Forthepresentyoumaygo,sir.

Duchess,givemeZizi,andcometomycloset.Iwantyoutoseemypuppies.Retz,mygoodfriend,doyoucometoo.Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou.Gentlemen,youneednotwait.ItislikelyIshallbelate."

And,withtheutmostabruptness,hebrokeupthecircle.

CHAPTERXVII.

THEJACOBINMONK.

HadIneededanyreminderoftheuncertaintyofCourtfavour,oraninstancewhenceImightlearnthelessonofmodesty,andsostandinlessdangerofpresumingonmynewandprecariousprosperity,Ihaditinthisepisode,andinthedemeanourofthecompanyroundme.Onthecirclebreakingupinconfusion,I

foundmyselfthecentreofgeneralregard,butregardofsodubiousacharacter,thepersonswhowouldhavebeenthefirsttocomplimentmehadthekingretiredearlier,standingfarthestaloofnow,thatIfeltmyselfratherinsultedthanhonouredbyit.Oneortwo,indeed,ofthemorecautiousspiritsdidapproachme;butitwaswiththeairofmenprovidingagainstadangerparticularlyremote,theirhalf-heartedspeechesservingonlytofixtheminmymemoryasbelongingtoaclass,especiallyabhorrenttome——theclass,Imean,ofthosewhowouldrunatoncewiththehareandthehounds.

Iwasrejoicedtofindthatononeperson,andthattheonewhosedispositiontowardsmewas,nexttotheking"s,offirstimportance,thisepisodehadproducedadifferentimpression,Feeling,asImadeforthedoor,atouchonmyarm,IturnedtofindM.deRambouilletatmyelbow,regardingmewithaglanceofmingledesteemandamusement;infine,withaverydifferentlookfromthatwhichhadbeenmywelcomeearlierintheevening.I

wasdriventosupposethathewastoogreataman,ortoosureofhisfavourwiththeking,tobeswayedbythepettymotiveswhichactuatedtheCourtgenerally,forhelaidhishandfamiliarlyonmyshoulder,andwalkedonbesideme.

"Wellmyfriend,"hesaid,"youhavedistinguishedyourselffinely!IdonotknowthatIeverrememberaprettywomanmakingmorestirinoneevening.Butifyouarewiseyouwillnotgohomealoneto-night."

"Ihavemysword,M.leMarquis,"Ianswered,somewhatproudly.

"Whichwillavailyoulittleagainstaknifeintheback!"heretorteddrily."Whatattendancehaveyou?"

"Myequerry,SimonFleix,isonthestairs."

"Good,sofar,butnotenough,"hereplied,aswereachedtheheadofthestaircase."Youhadbettercomehomewithmenow,andtwoorthreeofmyfellowsshallgoontoyourlodgingwithyou.Doyouknow,myfriend,"hecontinued,lookingatmekeenly,"youareeitheraverycleveroraveryfoolishman?"

Imadeanswermodestly."Neithertheone,Ifear,northeother,Ihopesir,"Isaid.

"Well,youhavedoneaverypertinentthing,"hereplied,"forgoodorevil.Youhavelettheenemyknowwhathehastoexpect,andheisnotone,Iwarnyou,tobedespised.Butwhetheryouhavebeenverywiseorveryfoolishindeclaringopenwarremainstobeseen."

"Aweekwillshow,"Ianswered.

Heturnedandlookedatme."Youtakeitcoolly,"hesaid.

"Ihavebeenknockingabouttheworldforfortyyears,marquis,"

Irejoined.

HemutteredsomethingaboutRosnyhavingagoodeye,andthenstoppedtoadjusthiscloak.Wewerebythistimeinthestreet.

Makingmegohandinhandwithhim,herequestedtheothergentlementodrawtheirswords;andtheservantsbeinglikewisearmedandnumberinghalfascoreormore,withpikesandtorches,wemadeupaveryformidableparty,andcaused,Ithink,morealarmaswepassedthroughthestreetstoRambouillet"slodgingthanwehadanyreasontofeel.Notthatwehaditalltoourselves,fortheattendanceatCourtthateveningbeinglarge,andthecirclebreakingupasIhavedescribedmoreabruptlythanusual,thevicinityofthecastlewasinaferment,andthestreetsleadingfromitwerealivewiththelightsandlaughterofpartiessimilartoourown.

Atthedoorofthemarquis"slodgingIpreparedtotakeleaveofhimwithmanyexpressionsofgratitude,buthewouldhavemeenterandsitdownwithhimtoalightrefection,whichitwashishabittotakebeforeretiring.Twoofhisgentlemensatdownwithus,andavalet,whowasinhisconfidence,waitingonus,wemadeverymerryoverthesceneinthepresence.IlearnedthatM.deBruhlwasfarfrompopularatCourt;butbeingknowntopossesssomekindofholdovertheking,andenjoyingbesidesagreatreputationforrecklessnessandskillwiththesword,hehadplayedahighpartforalengthoftime,andattachedtohimself,especiallysincethedeathofGuise,aconsiderablenumberoffollowers.

"Thetruthis,"oneofthemarquis"sgentlemen,whowasalittleheatedwithwine,observed,"thereisnothingatthismomentwhichaboldandunscrupulousmanmaynotwininFrance!"

"NoraboldandChristiangentlemanforFrance!"repliedM.deRambouilletwith,someasperity."Bytheway,"hecontinued,turningabruptlytotheservant,"whereisM.Francois?"

Thevaletansweredthathehadnotreturnedwithusfromthecastle.TheMarquisexpressedhimselfannoyedatthis,andI

gathered,firstly,thatthemissingmanwashisnearkinsman,and,secondly,thathewasalsotheyoungsparkwhohadbeensoforwardtoquarrelwithmeearlierintheevening.Determiningtoreferthematter,shoulditbecomepressing,toRambouilletforadjustment,Itookleaveofhim,andattendedbytwoofhisservants,whomhekindlytransferredtomyserviceforthepresent,Istartedtowardsmylodgingalittlebeforemidnight.

Themoonhadrisenwhilewewereatsupper,anditslight,whichwhitenedthegablesononesideofthestreet,diffusedaglimmerbelowsufficienttoenableustoavoidthekennel.Seeingthis,Ibadethemenputoutourtorch.Frosthadsetin,andakeenwindwasblowing,sothatweweregladtohurryonatagoodpace;andthestreetsbeingquitedesertedatthislatehour,orhauntedonlybythosewhohadcometodreadthetownmarshal,wemetnooneandsawnolights.Ifelltothinking,formypart,oftheeveningIhadspentsearchingBloisforMademoiselle,andofthedifferencebetweenthenandnow.NordidIfailwhileonthistracktoretraceitstillfarthertotheeveningofourarrivalatmymother"s;whence,asasource,suchkindlyandgentlethoughtswelledupinmymindaswerenatural,andtheunfailingaffectionofthatgraciouswomanrequired.These,takingtheplaceforthemomentoftheanxiouscalculationsandsternpurposeswhichhadoflateengrossedme,wereonlyoustedbysomethingwhich,happeningundermyeyes,broughtmeviolentlyandabruptlytomyself.

Thiswasthesuddenappearanceofthreemen,whoissuedonebyonefromanalleyascoreofyardsinfrontofus,andafterpausingasecondtolookbackthewaytheyhadcome,flittedoninsinglefilealongthestreet,disappearing,asfarasthedarknesspermittedmetojudge,roundasecondcorner.Ibynomeanslikedtheirappearance,and,asascreamandtheclashofarmsrangoutnextmomentfromthedirectioninwhichtheyhadgone,IcriedlustilytoSimonFleixtofollow,andranon,believingfromtherascals"movementsthattheywereafternogood,butthatrathersomehonestmanwasliketobesorebeset.

Onreachingthelanedownwhichtheyhadplunged,however,I

pausedamoment,consideringnotsomuchitsblack-ness,whichwasintense,theeavesnearlymeetingoverhead,asthesmallchanceIhadofdistinguishingbetweenattackersandattacked.

ButSimonandthemenovertakingme,andthesoundsofasharptusslestillcontinuing,Idecidedtoventure,andplungedintothealley,myleftarmwelladvanced,withtheskirtofmycloakthrownoverit,andmysworddrawnback.IshoutedasIran,thinkingthattheknavesmightdesistonhearingme;andthiswaswhathappened,forasIarrivedonthesceneofaction——thefartherendofthealley——twomentooktotheirheels,whileoftwowhoremained,onelayatlengthinthekennel,andanotherroseslowlyfromhisknees.

"Youarejustintime,sir,"thelattersaid,breathinghard,butspeakingwithaprecisenesswhichsoundedfamiliar."Iamobligedtoyou,sir,whoeveryouare.Thevillainshadgotmedown,andinafewminutesmorewouldhavemademymotherchildless.Bytheway,youhavenolight,haveyou?"hecontinued,lispinglikeawoman.

OneofM.deRambouillet"smen,whohadbythistimecomeup,criedoutthatitwasMonsieurFrancois.

"Yes,blockhead!"theyounggentlemanansweredwiththeutmostcoolness."ButIaskedforalight,notformyname.

"Itrustyouarenothurt,sir?"Isaid,puttingupmysword.

"Scratchedonly,"heanswered,betrayingnosurpriseonlearningwhoitwashadcomeupsoopportunely;ashenodoubtdidlearnfrommyvoice,forhecontinuedwithabow,aslightpricetopayfortheknowledgethatM.deMarsacisasforwardonthefieldasonthestairs."

Ibowedmyacknowledgments.

"Thisfellow,"Isaid,"ishemuchhurt?"

"Tut,tut!IthoughtIhadsavedthemarshalalltrouble,M.

Francoisreplied."Ishenotdead,Gil?"

Thepoorwretchmadeanswerforhimself,cryingoutpiteously,andinachokingvoice,forapriesttoshrivehim.AtthatmomentSimonFleixreturnedwithourtorch,whichhehadlightedatthenearestcross-streets,wheretherewasabrazier,andwesawbythislightthatthemanwascoughingupblood,andmightliveperhapshalfanhour.

"Mordieu!Thatcomesofthrustingtoohigh!"M.Francoismuttered,regretfully.Aninchlower,andtherewouldhavebeennoneofthistrouble!Isupposesomebodymustfetchone.Gil,"

hecontinued,"run,man,tothesacristyintheRueSt.Denys,andgetaFather.Or——stay!Helptolifthimundertheleeofthewallthere.Thewindcutslikeaknifehere."

Thestreetbeingontheslopeofthehill,thelowerpartofthehousenearestusstoodafewfeetfromtheground,onwoodenpiles,andthespaceunderneathit,beingenclosedatthebackandsides,wasusedasacart-house.Theservantsmovedthedyingmanintothisrudeshelter,andIaccompaniedthem,beingunwillingtoleavetheyounggentlemanalone.Notwishing,however,toseemtointerfere,Iwalkedtothefartherend,andsatdownontheshaftofacart,whenceIidlyadmiredthestrangeaspectofthegroupIhadleft,astheglareofthetorchbroughtnowoneandnowanotherintoprominence,andsometimesshoneonM.Francois"jewelledfingerstoyingwithhistinymoustache,andsometimesonthewrithingfeaturesofthemanathisfeet.

Onasudden,andbeforeGilhadstartedonhiserrand,Isawtherewasapriestamongthem.Ihadnotseenhimenter,norhadIanyideawhencehecame.Myfirstimpressionwasonlythatherewasapriest,andthathewaslookingatme——notatthemancravinghisassistanceonthefloor,oratthosewhostoodroundhim,butatme,whosatawayintheshadowbeyondtheringoflight!

Thiswassurprising;butasecondglanceexplainedit,forthenI

sawthathewastheJacobinmonkwhohadhauntedmymother"sdyinghours.And,amazedasmuchatthisstrangeRENCONTREasattheman"sboldness,Isprangupandstrodeforwards,forgetting,inanimpulseofrighteousanger,theofficehecametodo.Andthisthemoreashisface,stillturnedtome,seemedinstincttomyeyeswithtriumphantmalice.AsImovedtowardshim,however,withafierceexclamationonmylips,hesuddenlydroppedhiseyesandknelt.ImmediatelyM.Francoiscried"Hush!"andthementurnedtomewithscandalisedfaces.Ifellback.Yeteventhen,whisperingonhiskneesbythedyingman,theknavewasthinking,Ifeltsure,ofme,gloryingatonceinhisimmunityandthepoweritgavehimtotantalisemewithoutfear.

Idetermined,whatevertheresult,tointercepthimwhenallwasover;andonthemandyingafewminuteslater,Iwalkedresolutelytotheopensideoftheshed,thinkingitlikelyhemighttrytoslipawayasmysteriouslyashehadcome.HestoodamomentspeakingtoM.Francois,however,andthen,accompaniedbyhim,advancedboldlytomeetme,aleansmileonhisface.

"FatherAntoine,"M.d"Agensaidpolitely,"tellsmethatheknowsyou,M.deMarsac,anddesirestospeaktoyou,MAL-A-

PROPOSasistheoccasion."

"AndItohim,"Ianswered,tremblingwithrage,andonlyrestrainingbyanefforttheimpulsewhichwouldhavehadmedashmyhandinthepriest"spale,smirkingface."Ihavewaitedlongforthismoment,"Icontinued,eyeinghimsteadily,asM.

Francoiswithdrewoutofhearing,"andhadyoutriedtoavoidme,Iwouldhavedraggedyouback,thoughallyourtribewereheretoprotectyou."

HispresencesomaddenedmethatIscarcelyknewwhatIsaid.I

feltmybreathcomequickly,Ifeltthebloodsurgetomyhead,anditwaswithdifficultyIrestrainedmyselfwhenheansweredwithwell-affectedsanctity,"Likemother,likeson,Ifear,sir.

Huguenotsboth."

Ichokedwithrage.What!"Isaid,"youdaretothreatenmeasyouthreatenedmymother?Fool!knowthatonlyto-dayforthepurposeofdiscoveringandpunishingyouItooktheroomsinwhichmymotherdied."

"Iknowit,"heansweredquietly.Andtheninasecond,asbymagic,healteredhisdemeanourcompletely,raisinghisheadandlookingmeintheface."That,andsomuchbesides,Iknow,"hecontinued,givingme,tomyastonishment,frownforfrown,"thatifyouwilllistentomeforamoment,M.deMarsac,andlistenquietly,Iwillconvinceyouthatthefollyisnotonmyside."

Amazedathisnewmanner,inwhichtherewasnoneofthemadnessthathadmarkedhimatourfirstmeeting,butastrangeairofauthority,unlikeanythingIhadassociatedwithhimbefore,I

signedtohimtoproceed.

"YouthinkthatIaminyourpower?"hesaid,smiling.

"Ithink,"Iretortedswiftly,"that,escapingmenow,youwillhaveatyourheelshenceforthaworseenemythanevenyourownsins."

"Justso,"heanswered,nodding."Well,Iamgoingtoshowyouthatthereverseisthecase;andthatyouareascompletelyinmyhands,tospareortobreak,asthisstraw.Inthefirstplace,youarehereinBlois,aHuguenot!"

"Chut!"Iexclaimedcontemptuously,affectingaconfidenceIwasfarfromfeeling."Alittlewhilebackthatmighthaveavailedyou.ButweareinBlois,notParis.ItisnotfartotheLoire,andyouhavetodealwithamannow,notwithawoman.Itisyouwhohavecausetotremble,notI."

"Youthinktobeprotected,"heansweredwithasoursmile,"evenonthissideoftheLoire,Isee.ButonewordtothePope"sLegate,ortotheDukeofNevers,andyouwouldseetheinsideofadungeon,ifnotworse.Fortheking——"

"Kingornoking!"Ianswered,interruptinghimwithmoreassurancethanIfelt,seeingthatIrememberedonlytoowellHenry"sremarkthatRosnymustnotlooktohimforprotection,"I

fearyounotawhit!Andthatremindsme.Ihaveheardyoutalktreason——rank,blacktreason,priest,aseversentmantorope,andIwillgiveyouup.ByheavenIwill!"Icried,myrageincreasing,asIdiscerned,moreandmoreclearly,thedangerousholdhehadoverme."Youhavethreatenedme!Oneword,andI

willsendyoutothegallows!"

"Sh!"heanswered,indicatingM.Francoisby,agestureofthehand."Foryourownsake,notmine.Thisisfinetalking,butyouhavenotyetheardallIknow.Wouldyouliketohearhowyouhavespentthelastmonth?TwodaysafterChristmas,M.deMarsac,youleftChizewithayounglady——Icangiveyouhername,ifyouplease.FourdaysafterwardsyoureachedBlois,andtookhertoyourmother"slodging.NextmorningsheleftyouforM.deBruhl.TwodayslateryoutrackedhertoahouseintheRuelled"Arcy,andfreedher,butlostherinthemomentofvictory.ThenyoustayedinBloisuntilyourmother"sdeath,goingadayortwolatertoM.deRosny"shousebyMantes,wheremademoisellestillis.YesterdayyouarrivedinBloiswithM.deRosny;youwenttohislodging;you——"

"Proceed,Imuttered,leaningforward.UndercoverofmycloakI

drewmydaggerhalf-wayfromitssheath."Proceed,sir,Ipray,"

Irepeatedwithdrylips.

"Yousleptthere,"hecontinued,holdinghisground,butshudderingslightly,eitherfromcoldorbecauseheperceivedmymovementandreadmydesigninmyeyes.

"ThismorningyouremainedhereinattendanceonM.deRambouillet."

ForthemomentIbreathedfreelyagain,perceivingthatthoughheknewmuch,theonethingonwhichM.deRosny"sdesignturnedhadescapedhim.Thesecretinterviewwiththeking,whichcompromisedalikeHenryhimselfandM.deRambouillet,hadapparentlypassedunnoticedandunsuspected.WithasighofintensereliefIslidbackthedagger,whichIhadfullymadeupmymindtousehadheknownall,anddrewmycloakroundmewithashrugoffeignedindifference.Isweatedtothinkwhathedidknow,butourinterviewwiththekinghavingescapedhim,I

breathedagain.

"Well,sir,"Isaidcurtly,"Ihavelistened.Andnow,whatisthepurposeofallthis?"

"Mypurpose?"heanswered,hiseyesglittering."Toshowyouthatyouareinmypower.YouaretheagentofM.deRosny.I,theagent,howeverhumble,oftheHolyCatholicLeague.OfyourmovementsIknowall.Whatdoyouknowofmine?"

"Knowledge,"Imadegrimanswer,"isnoteverything,sirpriest."

"Itismorethanitwas,"hesaid,smilinghisthin-lippedsmile.

"Itisgoingtobemorethanitis.AndIknowmuch——aboutyou,M.deMarsac."

"Youknowtoomuch!"Iretorted,feelinghiscovertthreatscloseroundmelikethefoldsofsomegreatserpent."Butyouareimprudent,Ithink.Willyoutellmewhatistopreventmestrikingyouthroughwhereyoustand,andriddingmyselfatablowofsomuchknowledge?"

"Thepresenceofthreemen,M.deMarsac,"heansweredlightly,wavinghishandtowardsM.Francoisandtheothers,"everyoneofwhomwouldgiveyouuptojustice.YouforgetthatyouarenorthoftheLoire,andthatpriestsarenottobemassacredherewithimpunity,asinyourlawlesssouth-country.However,enough.

Thenightiscold,andM.d"Agengrowssuspiciousaswellasimpatient.Wehave,perhaps,spokentoolongalready.Permitme——hebowedanddrewbackastep——"toresumethisdiscussionto-

morrow."

Despitehispolitenessandthehollowcivilitywithwhichhethussought;toclosetheinterview,thelightoftriumphwhichshoneinhiseyes,astheglareofthetorchfellathwartthem,nolessthantheassuredtoneofhisvoice,toldmeclearlythatheknewhispower.Heseemed,indeed,transformed:nolongeraslinking,peacefulclerk,preyingonawoman"sfears,butaboldandcraftyschemer,skilledandunscrupulous,possessedofhiddenknowledgeandhiddenresources;thepersonificationofevilintellect.Foramoment,knowingallIknew,andparticularlytheresponsibilitieswhichlaybeforeme,andtheinterestscommittedtomyhands,Iquailed,confessingmyselfunequaltohim.IforgottherighteousvengeanceIowedhim;Icriedouthelplesslyagainsttheill-fortunewhichhadbroughthimacrossmypath.Isawmyselfenmeshedandfetteredbeyondhopeofescape,andbyaneffortonlycontrolledthedespairIfelt.

"To-morrow?"Imutteredhoarsely."Atwhattime?"

Heshookhisheadwithacunningsmile."Athousandthanks,butIwillsettlethatmyself!"heanswered."Aurevoir!"andutteringawordofleave-takingtoM.Francoisd"Agen,heblessedthetwoservants,andwentoutintothenight.

CHAPTERXVIII.

THEOFFEROFTHELEAGUE.

Whenthelastsoundofhisfootstepsdiedaway,Iawokeasfromanevildream,andbecomingconsciousofthepresenceofM.

Francoisandtheservants,recollectedmechanicallythatIowedtheformeranapologyformydiscourtesyinkeepinghimstandinginthecold.Ibegantoofferit;butmydistressandconfusionofmindweresuchthatinthemiddleofasetphraseIbrokeoff,andstoodlookingfixedlyathim,mytroublesoplainthatheaskedmecivillyifanythingailedme.

"No,"Ianswered,turningfromhimimpatiently;"nothing,nothing,sir.Ortellme,"Icontinued,withanabruptchangeofmind,"whoisthat;whohasjustleftus?"

"FatherAntoine,doyoumean?"

"Ay,FatherAntoine,FatherJudas,callhimwhatyoulike,"I

rejoinedbitterly.

"Thenifyouleavethechoicetome,"M.Francoisansweredwithgravepoliteness,"Iwouldrathercallhimsomethingmorepleasant,M.deMarsac——JamesorJohn,letussay.Forthereislittlesaidherewhichdoesnotcomebacktohim.Ifwallshaveears,thewallsofBloisareinhispay.ButIthoughtyouknewhim,"hecontinued."Heissecretary,confidant,chaplain,whatyouwill,toCardinalRetz,andoneofthosewhom——inyourear——

greatermencourtandmorepowerfulmenleanon.IfIhadtochoosebetweenthem,IwouldrathercrossM.deCrillon."

"Iamobligedtoyou,"Imuttered,checkedasmuchbyhismannerashiswords.

"Notatall,"heansweredmorelightly."AnyinformationIhaveisatyourdisposal."

However,Isawtheimprudenceofventuringfarther,andhastenedtotakeleaveofhim,persuadinghimtoallowoneofM.deRambouillet"sservantstoaccompanyhimhome.Hesaidthatheshouldcallonmeinthemorning;andforcingmyselftoanswerhiminasuitablemanner,Isawhimdepartoneway,andmyself,accompaniedbySimonFleix,wentoffanother.Myfeetwerefrozenwithlongstanding——Ithinkthecorpseweleftwasscarcecolder——butmyheadwashotwithfeverishdoubtsandfears.Themoonhadsunkandthestreetsweredark.Ourtorchhadburnedout,andwehadnolight.Butwheremyfollowerssawonlyblacknessandvacancy,Isawanevilsmileandaleanvisagefraughtwithmenaceandexultation.

ForthemorecloselyIdirectedmymindtothepositioninwhichIstood,thegraveritseemed.PittedagainstBruhlalone,amidstrangesurroundingsandinanatmosphereofCourtintrigue,I

hadthoughtmytasksufficientlydifficultandthedisadvantagesunderwhichIlabouredsufficientlyseriousbeforethisinterview.Consciousofacertainrustinessandadistasteforfinesse,withresourcessoinferiortoBruhl"sthatevenM.deRosny"sliberalityhadnotdonemuchtomakeupthedifference,I

hadacceptedthepostofferedmeratherreadilythansanguinely;

withjoy,seeingthatitheldoutthehopeofhighreward,butwithnocertainexpectationofsuccess.Still,matchedwithamanofviolentandheadstrongcharacter,Ihadseennoreasontodespair;noranywhyImightnotarrangethesecretmeetingbetweenthekingandmademoisellewithsafety,andconducttoitsendanintriguesimpleandunsuspected,andrequiringforitsexecutionrathercourageandcautionthanaddressorexperience.

Now,however,IfoundthatBruhlwasnotmyonlyormymostdangerousantagonist.Anotherwasinthefield——or,tospeakmorecorrectly,waswaitingoutsidethearena,readytosnatchtheprizewhenweshouldhavedisabledoneanother,FromadreamofBruhlandmyselfasengagedinacompetitionfortheking"sfavour,whereinneithercouldexposetheothernorappealeveninthelastresorttothejoint-enemiesofhisMajestyandourselves,Iawoketoaverydifferentstateofthings;Iawoketofindthoseenemiesthemastersofthesituation,possessedofthecluetoourplans,andpermittingthemonlyaslongastheyseemedtothreatennoseriousperiltothemselves.

Nodiscoverycouldbemoremortifyingormorefraughtwithterror.TheperspirationstoodonmybrowasIrecalledthewarningwhichM.deRosnyhadutteredagainstCardinalRetz,ornoteddownthevariouspointsofknowledgewhichwereinFatherAntoine"spossession.Hekneweveryeventofthelastmonth,withoneexception,andcouldtell,Iverilybelieved,howmanycrownsIhadinmypouch.Concedingthis,andthesecretsourcesofinformationhemustpossess,whathopehadIofkeepingmyfuturemovementsfromhim?Mademoiselle"sarrivalwouldbeknowntohimbeforeshehadwellpassedthegates;norwasitlikely,orevenpossible,thatIshouldagainsucceedinreachingtheking"spresenceuntracedandunsuspected.Infine,Isawmyself,equallywithBruhl,apuppetinthisman"shands,mygoingsoutandmycomingsinwatchedandreportedtohim,hismercytheonlybarbetweenmyselfanddestruction.AtanymomentImightbearrestedasaHuguenot,theenterpriseinwhichIwasengagedruined,andMademoiselledelaVireexposedtotheviolenceofBruhlortheequallydangerousintriguesoftheLeague.

UnderthesecircumstancesIfanciedsleepimpossible;buthabitandwearinessarestrongpersuaders,andwhenIreachedmylodgingIsleptlongandsoundly,asbecameamanwhohadlookeddangerinthefacemorethanonce.Themorninglighttoobroughtanaccessionbothofcourageandhope.IreflectedonthemiseryofmyconditionatSt.Jeand"Angely,withoutfriendsorresources,anddriventoherdwithsuchamanasFresnoy.AndtellingmyselfthatthegoldcrownswhichM.deRosnyhadlavisheduponmewerenotfornothing,northemorepreciousfriendshipwithwhichhehadhonouredmeagiftthatcalledfornoreturn,IrosewithnewspiritandacountenancewhichthrewSimonFleixwhohadseenmeliedownthepictureofdespair——

intotheutmostastonishment.

"Youhavehadgooddreams,"hesaid,eyeingmejealouslyandwithadisturbedair.

"Ihadaveryevilonelastnight,"Iansweredlightly,wonderingalittlewhyhelookedatmeso,andwhyheseemedtoresentmyreturntohopefulnessandcourage.Imighthavefollowedthistrainofthoughtfurtherwithadvantage,sinceIpossessedacluetohisstateofmind;butatthatmomentasummonsatthedoorcalledhimawaytoit,andhepresentlyusheredinM.d"Agen,who,salutingmewithpunctiliouspoliteness,hadnotsaidfiftywordsbeforeheintroducedthesubjectofhistoe——nolonger,however,inahostilespirit,butasthehappymediumwhichhadledhimtorecognisetheworthandsterlingqualities——sohewaspleasedtosay——ofhispreserver.

Iwasdelightedtofindhiminthisframeofmind,andtoldhimfranklythatthefriendshipwithwhichhiskinsman,M.deRambouillet,honouredmewouldpreventmegivinghimsatisfactionsaveinthelastresort.HerepliedthattheserviceIhaddonehimwassuchastorenderthisimmaterial,unlessIhadmyselfcauseofoffence;whichIwasforwardtodeny.

Wewerepayingoneanothercomplimentsafterthisfashion,whileIregardedhimwiththeinterestwhichthemiddle-agedbestowontheyoungandgallantinwhomtheyseetheirownyouthandhopesmirrored,whenthedoorwasagainopened,andafteramoment"spauseadmitted,equally,Ithink,tothedisgustofM.Francois,andmyself,theformofFatherAntoine.

Seldomhavetwomenmorediversestood,Ibelieve,inaroomtogether;seldomhasanygreatercontrastbeenpresentedtoaman"seyesthanthatopenedtomineonthisoccasion.Ontheonesidethegayyoungspark,withhisshortcloak,hisfinesuit;ofblack-and-silver,histrimlimbsandjewelledhiltandchasedcomfit-box;ontheother,thetall,stoopingmonk,lean-jawedandbright-eyed,whosegownhungabouthimincoarse,ungainlyfolds.

AndM.Francois"sentimentonfirstseeingtheotherwascertainlydislike.Isspiteofthis,however,hebestowedagreetingonthenew-comerwhichevidencedasecretawe,andinotherwaysshowedsoplainadesiretoplease,thatIfeltmyfearsofthepriestreturninforce.IreflectedthatthetalentswhichinsuchagarbcouldwintherespectofM.Francoisd"Agen——abrilliantstaramongtheyoungercourtiers,andoneofaclassmuchgiventothinkingscornoftheirfathers"roughness——mustbebothgreatandformidable;and,soconsidering,I

receivedthemonkwithadistantcourtesywhichIhadoncelittlethoughttoextendtohim.IputasideforthemomenttheprivategrudgeIborehimwithsomuchjustice,andrememberedonlytheburdenwhichlayonmeinmycontestwithhim.

Iconjecturedwithoutdifficultythathechosetocomeatthistime,whenM.Francoiswaswithme,outofacunningregardtohisownsafety;andIwasnotsurprisedwhenM.Francois,beginningtomakehisadieux,FatherAntoinebeggedhimtowaitbelow,addingthathehadsomethingofimportancetocommunicate.

Headvancedhisrequestintermsofpolitenessborderingonhumility;butIcouldclearlyseethat,inassentingtoit,M.

d"Agenbowedtoawillstrongerthanhisown,andwould,hadhedaredtofollowhisownbent,havegivenaverydifferentanswer.

Asitwasheretired——nominallytogiveanordertohislackey——

withaspeciesofimpatientself-restraintwhichitwasnotdifficulttoconstrue.

Leftalonewithme,andassuredthatwehadnolisteners,themonkwasnotslowincomingtothepoint.

"YouhavethoughtoverwhatItoldyoulastnight?"hesaidbrusquely,droppinginamomentthesuavemannerwhichhehadmaintainedinM.Francois"spresence.

IrepliedcoldlythatIhad.

"Andyouunderstandtheposition?"hecontinuedquickly,lookingatmefromunderhisbrowsashestoodbeforeme,withoneclenchedfistonthetable."OrshallItellyoumore?ShallI

tellyouhowpooranddespisedyouweresomeweeksago,M.deMarsac——youwhonowgoinvelvet,andhavethreemenatyourback?Orwhosegolditishasbroughtyouhere,andmadeyou,this?Chut!Donotletustrifle.YouarehereasthesecretagentoftheKingofNavarre.Itismybusinesstolearnyourplansandhisintentions,andIproposetodoso."

"Well?"Isaid.

"Iampreparedtobuythem,"heanswered;andhiseyessparkledashespoke,withagreedwhichsetmeyetmoreonmyguard.

"Forwhom?"Iasked.HavingmadeupmymindthatImustusethesameweaponsasmyadversary,Ireflectedthattoexpressindignation,suchasmightbecomeayoungmannewtotheworld,could,helpmenotawhit."Forwhom?"Irepeated,seeingthathehesitated.

"Thatismybusiness,"herepliedslowly.

"Youwanttoknowtoomuchandtelltoolittle,"Iretorted,yawning.

"Andyouareplayingwithme,"hecried,lookingatmesuddenly,withsopiercingagazeandsodarkacountenancethatIcheckedashudderwithdifficulty."Somuchtheworseforyou,somuchtheworseforyou!"hecontinuedfiercely."Iamheretobuytheinformationyouhold,butifyouwillnotsell,thereisanotherway.Atanhour"snoticeIcanruinyourplans,andsendyoutoadungeon!Youarelikeafishcaughtinanetnotyetdrawn.Itthrustsitsnosethiswayandthat,andtouchesthemesh,butisslowtotakethealarmuntilthenetisdrawn——andthenitistoolate.Soitiswithyou,andsoitis,"headded,fallingintotheecstaticmoodwhichmarkedhimattimes,andleftmeindoubtwhetherhewereallknaveorinpartenthusiast,"withallthosewhosetthemselvesagainstSt.PeterandhisChurch!"