第14章

MyvisitorwasnaturallysurprisedtofindthatIhadnothingparticulartosaytohim.Idarednottellhimwhatoccupiedmythoughts,andfortherestinventionfailedme.Buthisgaietyandthoseprettyaffectationsonwhichhespentaninfinityofpains,forthepurpose,apparently,ofhidingthesterlingworthofacharacterdeficientneitherincouragenorbackbone,wereunitedtomuchgoodnature.BelievingatlastthatIhadsentforhiminafitofthevapours,hedevotedhimselftoamusingmeandabusingBruhl——averyfavouritepastimewithhim.Andinthiswayhemadeoutacalloftwohours.

IhadnotlongtowaitforproofofSimon"swisdomintakingthisprecaution.Wethoughtitprudenttokeepwithindoorsafterourguest"sdeparture,andsopassedthenightinignorancewhetheranythinghadhappenedornot.ButaboutsevennextmorningoneoftheMarquis"sservants,despatchedbyM.d"Agen,burstinuponuswiththenews——whichwasnonewsfromthemomenthishurriedfootstepsoundedonthestairsthatFatherAntoinehadbeensetuponandkilledthepreviousevening!

Iheardthisconfirmationofmyhopeswithgravethankfulness;

Simonwithsomuchemotionthatwhenthemessengerwasgonehesatdownonastoolandbegantosobandtrembleasifhehadlosthismother,insteadofamortalfoe.Itookadvantageoftheoccasiontoreadhimasermonontheendofcrookedcourses;

norcouldImyselfrecallwithoutashuddertheman"slastwordstome;orthelawlessandevildesignsinwhichhehadrejoiced,whilestandingontheverybrinkofthepitwhichwastoswallowupbothhimandthemineverlastingdarkness.

Naturally,theuppermostfeelinginmymindwasrelief.Iwasfreeoncemore.Inallprobabilitythepriesthadkepthisknowledgetohimself,andwithouthimhisagentswouldbepowerless.Simon,itistrue,heardthatthetownwasmuchexcitedbytheevent;andthatmanyattributedittotheHuguenots.Butwedidnotsufferourselvestobedepressedbythis,norhadIanyforebodinguntilthesoundofasecondhurriedfootstepmountingthestairsreachedourears.

IknewthestepinamomentforM.d"Agen"s,andsomethingominousinitsringbroughtmetomyfeetbeforeheopenedthedoor.Significantaswashisfirsthastylookroundtheroom,herecoveredatsightofmeallhishabitualSANG-FROID.Hesalutedme,andspokecoolly,thoughrapidly.Buthepanted,andI

noticedinamomentthathehadlosthislisp.

"Iamhappyinfindingyou,"hesaid,closingthedoorcarefullybehindhim,"forIamthebearerofillnews,andthereisnotamomenttobelost.Thekinghassignedanorderforyourinstantconsignmenttoprison,M.deMarsac,and,oncethere,itisdifficulttosaywhatmaynothappen."

"Myconsignment?"Iexclaimed.Imaybepardonedifthenewsforamomentfoundmeunprepared.

"Yes,"herepliedquickly."ThekinghassigneditattheinstanceofMarshalRetz."

"Butforwhat?"Icriedinamazement.

"ThemurderofFatherAntoine.Youwillpardonme,"hecontinuedurgently,"butthisisnotimeforwords.TheProvost-Marshalisevennowonhiswaytoarrestyou.Youronlyhopeistoevadehim,andgainanaudienceoftheking.Ihavepersuadedmyuncletogowithyou,andheiswaitingathislodgings.Thereisnotamomenttobelost,however,ifyouwouldreachtheking"spresencebeforeyouarearrested."

"ButIaminnocent!"Icried.

"Iknowit,"M.d"Agenanswered,"andcanproveit.Butifyoucannotgetspeechofthekinginnocencewillavailyounothing.

Youhavepowerfulenemies.Comewithoutmoreado,M.deMarsac,Ipray,"headded.

Hismanner,evenmorethanhiswords,impressedmewithasenseofurgency;andpostponingforatimemyownjudgment,I

hurriedlythankedhimforhisfriendlyoffices.Snatchingupmysword,whichlayonachair,Ibucklediton;forSimon"sfingerstrembledsoviolentlyhecouldgivemenohelp.ThisdoneI

noddedtoM.d"Agentogofirst,andfollowedhimfromtheroom,Simonattendingusofhisownmotion.Itwouldbethenabouteleveno"clockintheforenoon.

Mycompanionrandownthestairswithoutceremony,andsoquicklyitwasallIcoulddotokeepupwithhim.Attheouterdoorhesignedmetostand,anddartinghimselfintothestreet,helookedanxiouslyinthedirectionoftheRueSt.Denys.

Fortunatelythecoastwasstillclear,andhebeckonedtometofollowhim.Ididsoandstartingtowalkintheoppositedirectionasfastaswecould,inlessthanaminutewehadputacornerbetweenusandthehouse.

Ourhopesofescapingunseen,however,werepromptlydashed.Thehouse,Ihavesaid,stoodinaquietby-street,whichwasboundedonthefarthersidebyagarden-wallbuttressedatintervals.Wehadscarcelygoneadozenpacesfrommydoorwhenamanslippedfromtheshelterofoneofthesebuttresses,andafterasingleglanceatus,setofftoruntowardstheRueSt.Denys.

M.d"Agenlookedbackandnodded."Theregoesthenews,"hesaid."Theywilltrytocutusoff,butIthinkwehavethestartofthem."

Imadenoreply,feelingthatIhadresignedmyselfentirelyintohishands.ButaswepassedthroughtheRuedeValois,inpartofwhichamarketwasheldatthishour,attractingaconsiderableconcourseofpeasantsandothers,IfanciedI

detectedsignsofunusualbustleandexcitement.Itseemedunlikelythatnewsofthepriest"smurdershouldaffectsomanypeopleandtosuchadegree,andIaskedM.d"Agenwhatitmeant.

"Thereisarumourabroad,"heanswered,withoutslackeningspeed,"thatthekingintendstomovesouthtoToursatonce."

Imutteredmysurpriseandsatisfaction."HewillcometotermswiththeHuguenotsthen?"Isaid.

"Itlookslikeit,"M.d"Agenrejoined."Retz"spartyareinanill-humouronthataccount,andwillwreakitonyouiftheygetachance.Onguard!"headdedabruptly."Herearetwoofthem!"

Ashespokeweemergedfromthecrowd,andIsaw,halfadozenpacesinfront;ofus,andcomingtomeetus,acoupleofCourtgallants,attendedbyasmanyservants.Theyespiedusatthesamemoment,andcameacrossthestreet,whichwastolerablywideatthatpart,withtheevidentintentionofstoppingus.

Simultaneously,however,wecrossedtotaketheirside,andsometthemfacetofaceinthemiddleoftheway.

"M.d"Agen,"theforemostexclaimed,speakinginahaughtytone,andwithadarksideglanceatme,"Iamsorrytoseeyouinsuchcompany!DoubtlessyouarenotawarethatthisgentlemanisthesubjectofanorderwhichhasevennowbeenissuedtotheProvost-Marshal."

"Andifso,sir?Whatofthat?"mycompanionlispedinhissilkiesttone.

"Whatofthat?"theothercried,frowning,andpushingslightlyforward.

"Precisely,"M.d"Agenrepeated,layinghishandonhishiltanddecliningtogiveback."IamnotawarethathisMajestyhasappointedyouProvost-Marshal,orthatyouhaveanywarrant,M.

Villequier,empoweringyoutostopgentlemeninthepublicstreets."

M.Villequierreddenedwithanger."Youareyoung,M.d"Agen,"

hesaid,hisvoicequivering,"orIwouldmakeyoupaydearlyforthat!"

"Myfriendisnotyoung,"M.d"Agenretorted,bowing."Heisagentlemanofbirth,M.Villequier;byrepute,asIlearnedyesterday,oneofthebestswordsmeninFrance,andnoGascon.

Ifyoufeelinclinedtoarresthim,doso,Ipray.AndIwillhavethehonourofengagingyourson."

Aswehadallbythistimeourhandsonourswords,thereneededbutablowtobringaboutoneofthosestreetbrawlswhichweremorecommonthenthannow.Anumberofmarket-people,drawntothespotbyourraisedvoices,hadgatheredround,andwerewaitingeagerlytoseewhatwouldhappen.ButVilleqier,asmycompanionperhapsknew,wasaGasconinheartaswellasbybirth,andseeingourdeterminedaspects,thoughtbetterofit.

Shrugginghisshoulderswithanaffectationofdisdainwhichimposedonnoone,hesignalledtohisservantstogoon,andhimselfstoodaside.

"Ithankyouforyourpoliteoffer,"hesaidwithanevilsmile,"andwillrememberit.Butasyousay,sir,IamnottheProvost-Marshal."

Payinglittleheedtohiswords,webowed,passedhim,andhurriedon.Buttheperilwasnotover.NotonlyhadtheRENCONTREcostussomepreciousminutes,buttheGascon,afterlettingusproceedalittleway,followedus.Andwordbeingpassedbyhisservants,aswesupposed,thatoneofuswasthemurdererofFatherAntoine,therumourspreadthroughthecrowdlikewildfire,andinafewmomentswefoundourselvesattendedbyatroopofCANAILLEwho,hangingonourskirts,causedSimonFleixnolittleapprehension.NotwithstandingthecontemptwhichM.d"Agen,whosebearingthroughoutwasadmirable,expressedforthem,wemighthavefounditnecessarytoturnandteachthemalessonhadwenotreachedM.deRambouillet"sinthenickoftime;wherewefoundthedoorsurroundedbyhalfadozenarmedservants,atsightofwhomourpersecutorsfellbackwiththecowardicewhichisusuallyfoundinthatclass.

IfIhadbeentemptedoflatetothinkM.deRambouilletfickle,Ihadnoreasontocomplainnow;whetherhisattitudewasduetoM.d"Agen"srepresentations,ortothereflectionthatwithoutmetheplanshehadatheartmustmiscarry.Ifoundhimwaitingwithin,attendedbythreegentlemen,allcloakedandreadyfortheroad;whiletheairofpurpose,whichsatonhisbrowindicatedthathethoughtthecrisisnocommonone.Notamomentwaslost,eveninexplanations.Wavingmetothedooragain,andexchangingafewsentenceswithhisnephew,hegavethewordtostart,andweissuedfromthehouseinabody.Doubtlessthefactthatthosewhosoughttoruinmewerehispoliticalenemieshadsomeweightwithhim;forIsawhisfacehardenashiseyesmetthoseofM.deVillequier,whopassedslowlybeforethedooraswecameout.TheGascon,however,wasnotthemantointerferewithsolargeaparty,anddroppedback;whileM.deRambouillet,afterexchangingacoldsalutewithhim,ledthewaytowardstheCastleataroundpace.HisnephewandIwalkedoneoneithersideofhim,andtheothers,tothenumberoftenoreleven,pressedonbehindinacompactbody,ourcortegepresentingsodeterminedafrontthatthecrowd,whichhadremainedhangingaboutthedoor,fledeveryway.Evensomepeaceablefolkwhofoundthemselvesinourroadtooktheprecautionofslippingintodoorways,orstoodasidetogiveusthefullwidthofthestreet.

Iremarked——andIthinkitincreasedmyanxiety——thatourleaderwasdressedwithmorethanusualcareandrichness,but,unlikehisattendants,worenoarms.Hetookoccasion,aswehurriedalong,togivemeawordofadvice."M.deMarsac,"hesaid,lookingatmesuddenly,"mynephewhasgivenmetounderstandthatyouplaceyourselfentirelyinmyhands."

IrepliedthatIaskedfornobetterfortune,and,whatevertheevent,thankedhimfromthebottomofmyheart.

"BepleasedthentokeepsilenceuntilIbidyouspeak,"herepliedsharply,forhewasoneofthosewhomasuddenstresssoursandexacerbates."And,aboveall,noviolencewithoutmyorders.Weareabouttofightabattle,andacriticalone,butitmustbewonwithourheads.IfwecanwewillkeepyououtoftheProvost-Marshal"shands."

Andifnot?IrememberedthethreatsFatherAntoinehadused,andinamomentIlostsightofthestreetwithallitslightandlifeandmovement.Ifeltnolongerthewholesomestingingofthewind.Itastedinsteadafetidair,andsawroundmeanarrowcellandmaskedfigures,andinparticularaswarthymanisaleatherapronleaningoverabrazier,fromwhichcameluridflames.AndIwasbound.Iexperiencedthatutterhelplessnesswhichisthelasttestofcourage.Themancameforward,andthen——then,thankGod!thevisionpassedaway.AnexclamationtowhichM.d"Agengavevent,broughtmebacktothepresent,andtotheblessedknowledgethatthefightwasnotyetover.

Wewerewithinascoreofpaces,Ifound,oftheCastlegates;

butsowerealsoasecondparty,whohadjustdebouchedfromaside-street,andnowhurriedon,paceforpace,withus,withtheevidentintentionofforestallingus,Theraceendedinbothcompaniesreachingtheentranceatthesametime,withtheconsequenceofsomejostlingtakingplaceamongsttheservants.

ThismusthaveledtoblowsbutforthestrenuouscommandswhichM.deRambouillethadlaiduponhisfollowers.Ifoundmyselfinamomentconfrontedbyarowofscowlingfaces,whileadozenthreateninghandswerestretchedouttowardsme,andasmanyvoices,amongwhichIrecognisedFresnoy"s,criedouttumultuously,"Thatishe!Thatistheone!"

Anelderlymaninaquaintdresssteppedforward,apaperinhishand,and,backedashewasbyhalfadozenhalberdiers,wouldinamomenthavelaidhandsonmeifM.deRambouillethadnotintervenedwithanegligentairofauthority,whichsatonhimthemoregracefullyasheheldnothingbutariding-switchinhishands."Tut,tut!Whatisthis?"hesaidlightly."Iamnotwonttohavemypeopleinterferedwith,M.Provost,withoutmyleave.Youknowme,Isuppose?"

"Perfectly,M.leMarquis,"themanansweredwithdoggedrespect;

"butthisisbytheking"sspecialcommand."

"Verygood,"mypatronanswered,quietlyeyeingthefacesbehindtheProvost-Marshal,asifheweremakinganoteofthem;whichcausedsomeofthegentlemenmanifestuneasiness."Thatissoonseen,forweareevennowabouttoseekspeechwithhisMajesty."

"Notthisgentleman,"theProvost-Marshalansweredfirmly,raisinghishandagain."Icannotlethimpass."

"Yes,thisgentlemantoo,byyourleave,"theMarquisretorted,lightlyputtingthehandasidewithhiscane.

"Sir,"saidtheother,retreatingastep,andspeakingwithsomeheat,"thisisnojestwithallrespect.Iholdtheking"sownorder,anditmaynotberesisted."

Thenoblemantappedhissilvercomfit-boxandsmiled."Ishallbethelasttoresistit——ifyouhaveit,"hesaidlanguidly.

"Youmayreaditforyourself,"theProvost-Marshalanswered,hispatienceexhausted.

M.deRambouillettooktheparchmentwiththeendsofhisfingers,glancedatit,andgaveitback."AsIthought,"hesaid,"amanifestforgery."

"Aforgery!"criedtheother,crimsonwithindignation."AndI

haditfromthehandsoftheking"sownsecretary!"Atthisthosebehindmurmured,some"shame,"andsomeonethingandsomeanother——allwithanairsothreateningthattheMarquis"sgentlemenclosedupbehindhim,andM.d"Agenlaughedrudely.

ButM.deRambouilletremainedunmoved."Youmayhavehaditfromwhomyouplease,sir,"hesaid."Itisaforgery,andI

shallresistitsexecution.Ifyouchoosetoawaitmehere,I

willgiveyoumywordtorenderthisgentlemantoyouwithinanhour,shouldtheorderholdgood.Ifyouwillnotwait,Ishallcommandmyservantstocleartheway,andifillhappen,thentheresponsibilitywillliewithyou."

Hespokeinsoresoluteamanneritwasnotdifficulttoseethatsomethingmorewasatstakethanthearrestofasingleman.

Thiswasso;therealissuewaswhethertheking,withwhoseinstabilityitwasdifficulttocope,shouldfallbackintothehandsofhisoldadvisersornot.MyarrestwasamoveinthegameintendedasacounterblasttothevictorywhichM.deRambouillethadgainedwhenhepersuadedthekingtomovetoTours;acityintheneighbourhoodoftheHuguenots,andaplaceofarmswhenceunionwiththemwouldbeeasy.

TheProvost-Marshalcould,nodoubt,makeashrewdguessatthesethings.Heknewthattheorderhehadwouldbeheldvalidornotaccordingasonepartyortheothergainedthemastery;and,seeingM.deRambouillet"sresolutedemeanour,hegaveway.

Rudelyinterruptedmorethanoncebyhisattendants,amongwhomweresomeofBruhl"smen,hemutteredanungraciousassenttoourproposal;onwhich,andwithoutamoment"sdelay,theMarquistookmebythearmandhurriedmeacrossthecourtyard.

Andsofar,well.Myheartbegantorise.But,fortheMarquis,aswemountedthestaircasetheanxietyhehaddissembledwhilewefacedtheProvost-Marshal,brokeoutinangrymutterings;fromwhichIgatheredthatthecrisiswasyettocome.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whenanusherroseonourappearanceintheantechamber,and,quicklycrossingthefloor,interposedbetweenusandthedoorofthechamber,informingtheMarquiswithalowobeisancethathisMajestywasengaged.

"Hewillseeme,"M.deRambouilletcried,lookinghaughtilyroundonthesneeringpagesandloungingcourtiers,whogrewcivilunderhiseye.

"Ihaveparticularorders,sir,toadmitsoone,"themananswered.

"Tut,tut,theydonotapplytome,"mycompanionretorted,nothingdaunted."Iknowthebusinessonwhichthekingisengaged,andIamheretoassisthim."Andraisinghishandhethrustthestartledofficialaside,andhardilypushedthedoorsofthechamberopen.

Theking,surroundedbyhalfadozenpersons,wasintheactofputtingonhisriding-boots.Onhearingus,heturnedhisheadwithastartledair,anddroppedinhisconfusiononeoftheivorycylindershewasusing;whilehisaspect,andthatofthepersonswhostoodroundhim,remindedmeirresistiblyofapartyofschoolboysdetectedinafault.

Herecoveredhimself,itistrue,almostimmediately;andturninghisbacktous?continuedtotalktothepersonsroundhimonsuchtriflingsubjectsascommonlyengagedhim.Hecarriedonthisconversationinaveryfreeway,studiouslyignoringourpresence;butitwasplainheremainedawareofit,andeventhathewasuneasyunderthecoldandseveregazewhichtheMarquis,whoseemedinnowiseaffrightedbyhisreception,bentuponhim.

I,formypart,hadnolongeranyconfidence.Nay,IcameneartoregrettingthatIhadperseveredinanattemptsouseless.

ThewarrantwhichawaitedmeatthegatesseemedlessformidablethanhisMajesty"sgrowingdispleasure;whichIsawIwasincurringbyremainingwhereIwas.ItneedednottheinsolentglanceofMarshalRetz,wholoungedsmilingbytheking"shand,orthelaughterofacoupleofpageswhostoodattheheadofthechamber,todeprivemeofmylasthope;whilesomethingswhichmighthavecheeredme——theuneasinessofsomeabouttheking,andthedisquietudewhichunderlayMarshalRetz"smanner——escapedmynoticealtogether.

WhatIdidseeclearlywasthattheking"sembarrassmentwasfastchangingtoanger.Thepaintwhichreddenedhischeekspreventedtinyalterationinhiscolourbeingvisible,buthisfrownandthenervousmannerinwhichhekepttakingoffandputtingonhisjewelledcapbetrayedhim.Atlength,signingtooneofhiscompanionstofollow,hemovedalittleasidetoawindow,whence,afterafewmoments,thegentlemancametous.

"M.deRambouillet,"hesaid,speakingcoldlyandformally,"hisMajestyisdispleasedbythisgentleman"spresence,andrequireshimtowithdrawforthwith."

"HisMajesty"swordislaw,"mypatronanswered,bowinglow,andspeakinginaclearvoiceaudiblethroughout;thechamber,"butthematterwhichbringsthisgentlemanhereisoftheutmostimportance,andtoucheshisMajesty"sperson."

M.deRetzlaughedjeeringly.Theothercourtierslookedgrave.

Thekingshruggedhisshoulderswithapeevishgesture,butafteramoment"shesitation,duringwhichhelookedfirstatRetzandthenatM.deRambouillet,hesignedtotheMarquistoapproach.

"Whyhaveyoubroughthimhere?"hemutteredsharply,lookingaskanceatme."Heshouldhavebeenbestowedaccordingtomyorders."

"HehasinformationforyourMajesty"sprivateear,"Rambouilletanswered.AndhelookedsomeaninglyatthekingthatHenry,I

think,rememberedonasuddenhiscompactwithRosny,andmypartinit;forhestartedwiththeairofamansuddenlyawakened.

"Topreventthatinformationreachingyou,sire,"mypatroncontinued,"hisenemieshavepractisedonyourMajesty"swell-

knownsenseofjustice."

"Oh,butstay,stay!"thekingcried,hitchingforwardthescantycloakhewore,whichbarelycamedowntohiswaist."Themanhaskilledapriest!Hehaskilledapriest,man!"

Herepeatedwithconfidence,asifhehadnowgotholdoftherightargument.

Thatisnotso,sire,cravingyourMajesty"spardon,M.deRambouillet;repliedwiththeutmostcoolness.

"Tut!Tut!Theevidenceisclear,"thekingsaidpeevishly.

"Astothat,sire,"mycompanionrejoined,"ifitisofthemurderofFatherAntoineheisaccused,Isayboldlythatthereisnone."

"Thenthereyouaremistaken!"thekinganswered."Ihearditwithmyownearsthismorning."

"Willyoudeign,sire,totellmeitsnature?"M.deRambouilletpersisted.

ButonthatMarshalRetzthoughtitnecessarytointervene.

"NeedweturnhisMajesty"schamberintoacourtofjustice?"hesaidsmoothly.Hithertohehadnotspoken;trusting,perhaps,totheimpressionhehadalreadymadeupontheking.

M.deRambouillettooknonoticeofhim.

"ButBruhl,"saidtheking,"yousee,Bruhlsays——"

"Bruhl!"mycompanionreplied,withsomuchcontemptthatHenrystarted."SurelyyourMajestyhasnottakenhiswordagainstthisgentleman,ofallpeople?"

Thusreminded,asecondtime,oftheinterestsentrustedtome,andoftheadvantagewhichBruhlwouldgainbymydisappearance,thekinglookedfirstconfused,andthenangry.Heventedhispassioninoneortwoprofaneoaths,withthechildishadditionthatwewereallasetoftraitors,andthathehadnoonewhomhecouldtrust.Butmycompanionhadtouchedtherightchordatlast;forwhenthekinggrewmorecomposed,hewavedasideMarshalRetz"sprotestations,andsullenlybadeRambouilletsaywhathehadtosay.

"Themonkwaskilled,sire,aboutsunset,"heanswered."Nowmynephew,M.d"Agen,iswithout,andwilltellyourMajestythathewaswiththisgentlemanathislodgingsfromaboutanhourbeforesunsetlasteveninguntilafullhourafter.Consequently,M.deMarsaccanhardlybetheassassin,andM.leMarechalmustlookelsewhereifhewantsvengeance."

"Justice,sir,notvengeance."MarshalRetzsaidwithadarkglance.HiskeenItalianfacehidhistroublewell,butalittlepulseofpassionbeatinginhisolivecheekbetrayedthesecrettothosewhoknewhim.Hehadaharderparttoplaythanhisopponent;forwhileRambouillet"shandswereclean,Retzknewhimselfatraitor,andliableatanymomenttodiscoveryandpunishment.

"LetM.d"Agenbecalled,"Henrysaidcurtly.

"AndifyourMajestypleases,"Retzadded,"M.deBruhlalso,Ifyoureallyintend,sire,thatis,toreopenamatterwhichI

thoughthadbeensettled."

Thekingnoddedobstinately,hisfacefurrowedwithill-temper.

Hekepthisshiftyeyes,whichseldommetthoseofthepersonheaddressed,onthefloor;andthisaccentuatedtheawkwardstoopingcarriagewhichwasnaturaltohim.Thereweresevenoreightdogsofexceedingsmallnessintheroom,andwhilewewaitedforthepersonswhohadbeensummoned,hekicked,nowoneandnowanotherofthebasketswhichheldthem,asifhefoundinthissomeventforhisill-humour.

Thewitnessespresentlyappeared,followedbyseveralpersons,amongwhomweretheDukesofNeversandMercoeur,whocametorideoutwiththeking,andM.deCrillon;sothatthechambergrewpassablyfull.ThetwodukesnoddedformallytotheMarquis,astheypassedhim,butenteredintoamutteredconversationwithRetz,whoappearedtobeurgingthemtopresshiscause.Theyseemedtodecline,however,shruggingtheirshortcloaksasifthematterweretooinsignificant.Crillononhispartcriedaudibly,andwithanoath,toknowwhatthematterwas;andbeinginformed,askedwhetherallthisfusswasbeingmadeaboutadamnedshavelingmonk.

Henry,whosetendernessforthecowlwaswellknown,dartedanangryglanceathim,butcontentedhimselfwithsayingsharplytoM.d"Agen,"Now,sir,whatdoyouknowaboutthematter?"

"Onemoment,sire,"M.Rambouilletcried,interposingbeforeFrancoiscouldanswer."CravingyourMajesty"spardon,youhaveheardM.deBruhl"saccount.MayI,asafavourtomyself,begyou,sire,topermitusalsotohearit?"

"What?"MarshalRetzexclaimedangrily,"arewetobethejudges,then,orhisMajesty?Arnidieu!"hecontinuedhotly,"what,inthefiend"sname,havewetodowithit?Iprotest"foreHeaven——"

"Ay,sir,andwhatdoyouprotest?"mychampionretorted,turningtohimwithsterndisdain.

"Silence!"criedthekingwhohadlistenedalmostbewildered.

"Silence!ByGod,gentlemen,"hecontinued,hiseyetravellingroundthecirclewithasparkleofroyalangerinitnotunworthyofhiscrown,"youforgetyourselves.Iwillhavenoneofthisquarrellinginmypresenceoroutofit.IlostQuelusandMaugironthatway,andlossenough,andIwillhavenoneofit,I

say!M.deBruhl,"headded,standingerect,andlookingforthemoment,withallhispaintandfrippery,aking,"M.deBruhl,repeatyourstory."

ThefeelingswithwhichIlistenedtothiscontroversymaybeimagined.Devouredinturnbyhopeandfearasnowonesideandnowtheotherseemedlikelytoprevail,Iconfrontedatonemomentthegloomofthedungeon,andatanothertastedtheairoffreedom,whichhadneverseemedsosweetbefore.Strongasthesefeelingswere,however,theygavewaytocuriosityatthispoint;

whenIheardBruhlcalled,andsawhimcomeforwardattheking"scommand.Knowingthismantobehimselfguilty,Imarvelledwithwhatfacehewouldpresenthimselfbeforeallthoseeyes,andfromwhatdepthsofimpudencehecoulddrawsuppliesinsuchanemergency.

Ineednothavetroubledmyself,however,forhewasfullyequaltotheoccasion.Hishighcolourandpiercingblackeyesmetthegazeoffriendandfoealikewithoutflinching.Dressedwellandelegantly,heworehisravenhaircurledinthemode,andlookedalikegay,handsome,andimperturbable.Iftherewasasuspicionofcoarsenessabouthisbulkierfigure,ashestoodbesideM.

d"Agen,whowasthecourtierperfectandpointdevise,itwenttothescaleofsincerity,seeingthatmennaturallyassociatetruthwithstrength.

"Iknownomorethanthis,sire,"hesaideasily;"that,happeningtocrosstheParvisatthemomentofthemurder,I

heardFatherAntoinescream.Heutteredfourwordsonly,inthetoneofamaninmortalperil.Theywere"——andherethespeakerlookedforaninstantatme——"Ha!Marsac!Amoi!"

"Indeed!"M.deRambouilletsaid,afterlookingtothekingforpermission."Andthatwasall?Yousawnothing?"

Bruhlshookhishead."Itwastoodark,"hesaid.

"Andheardnomore?"

"No."

"DoIunderstand,then,"theMarquiscontinuedslowly,"thatM.

deMarsacisarrestedbecausethepriest——Godresthissoul!——

criedtohimforhelp?"

"Forhelp?"M.deRetzexclaimedfiercely.

"Forhelp?"saidtheking,surprised.Andatthatthemost;

ludicrouschangefelluponthefacesofall.Thekinglookedpuzzled,theDukeofNeverssmiled,theDukeofMercoeurlaughedaloud.Crilloncriedboisterously,"Goodhit!"andthemajority,whowishednobetterthantodivinethewinningparty,grinnedbroadly,whethertheywouldorno.

ToMarshalRetz,however,andBruhl,thatwhichtoeveryoneelseseemedanamusingretorthadatotallydifferentaspect;whiletheformerturnedyellowwithchagrinandcameneartochoking,thelatterlookedaschapfallenandstartledasifhisguilt;hadbeenthatmomentbroughthometohim.Assuredbythetoneofthemonk"svoice——whichmust,indeed,havethunderedinhisears——

thatmynamewasutteredindenunciationbyonewhothoughtmehisassailant,hehadchosentotellthetruthwithoutreflectingthatwords,soplaintohim,might;bearadifferentconstructionwhenrepeated.

"Certainlythewordsseemambiguous,"Henrymuttered.

"ButitwasMarsackilledhim,"Retzcriedinarage.

"Itisforsomeevidenceofthatwearewaiting,"mychampionansweredsuavely.

TheMarshallookedhelplesslyatNeversandMercoeur,whocommonlytookpartwithhim;butapparentlythosenoblemenhadnotbeenprimedforthisoccasion.Theymerelyshooktheirheadsandsmiled.Inthemomentarysilencewhichfollowed,whilealllookedcuriouslyatBruhl,whocouldnotconcealhismortification,M.d"Agensteppedforward.

"IfyourMajestywillpermitme,"hesaid,amalicioussimpercrossinghishandsomeface——IhadoftenremarkedhisextremedislikeforBruhlwithoutunderstandingit——"IthinkIcanfurnishsomeevidencemoretothepointthanthat;towhichM.deBruhlhaswithsomuchfairnessrestrictedhimself."Hethenwentontostatethathehadhadthehonourofbeinginmycompanyatthetimeofthemurder;andheadded,besides,somanydetailsastoexculpatemetothesatisfactionofanycandidperson.

Thekingnodded."Thatsettlesthematter,"hesaid,withasighofrelief."Youthinkso,Mercoeur,doyounot?Precisely.

Villequier,seethattheorderrespectingM.deMarsaciscancelled."

M.deRetzcouldnotcontrolhiswrathonhearingthisdirectiongiven."Atthisrate,"hecriedrecklessly,"weshallhavefewpriestslefthere!WehavegotabadnameatBlois,asitis!"

Foramomentallinthecircleheldtheirbreath,whiletheking"seyesflashedfireatthisdaringallusiontothemurderoftheDukedeGuise,andhisbrothertheCardinal.ButitwasHenry"smisfortunetobeeverindulgentinthewrongplace,andseverewhenseveritywaseitherunjustorimpolitic.Herecoveredhimselfwithaneffort,andrevengedhimselfonlybyomittingtoinvitetheMarshal,whowasnowtremblinginhisshoes,tojoinhisriding-party.

Thecirclebrokeupamidsomeexcitement.IstoodononesidewithM.d"Agen,whilethekingandhisimmediatefollowingpassedout,and,greatlyembarrassedasIwasbythecivilcongratulatingofmanywhowouldhaveseenmehangwithequalgoodwill,IwassharpenoughtoseethatsomethingwasbrewingbetweenBruhlandMarshalRetz,whostoodbackconversinginlowtones.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whentheformermadehiswaytowardsmethroughthepresswhichfilledtheantechamber,andwithaloweringbrowrequestedawordwithme.

"Certainly,"Isaid,watchinghimnarrowly,forIknewhimtobebothtreacherousandabully."Speakon,sir."

"Youhavebalkedmeonceandagain,"herejoined,inavoicewhichshookalittle,asdidthefingerswithwhichhestrokedhiswaxedmoustache."Thereisnoneedofwordsbetweenus.I,withoneswordbesides,willto-morrowatnoonkeepthebridgeatChaverny,aleaguefromhere.Itisanopencountry.Possiblyyourpleasuremayleadyoutoridethatwaywithafriend?"

"Youmaydependuponme,sir,"Ianswered,bowinglow,andfeelingthankfulthatthematterwasatlengthtobebroughttoafairandopenarbitration."Iwillbethere——andinperson.Formydeputylastnight,"Iadded,searchinghisfacewithasteadfasteye,"seemstohavebeensomewhatunlucky."

CHAPTERXXI.

TWOWOMEN.

Outofcompliment,andtoshowmygratitude,IattendedM.deRambouillethometohislodging,andfoundhimasmuchpleasedwithhimself,andconsequentlywithme,asIwaswithhim.Forthetime,indeed,Icameneartolovinghim;and,certainly,hewasamanofhighandpatrioticfeeling,andofskillandconducttomatch.ButhelackedthattouchofnatureandthatpowerofsympathisingwithotherswhichgavetosuchmenasM.deRosnyandtheking,mymaster,theirpeculiarcharm;thoughafterwhatIhaverelatedofhiminthelastchapteritdoesnotlieinmymouthtospeakillofhim.And,indeed,hewasagoodman.

WhenIatlastreachedmylodging,Ifoundasurpriseawaitingmeintheshapeofanotewhichhadjustarrivednooneknewhow.

Ifthemannerofitsdeliverywasmysterious,however,itscontentswerebriefandsufficientlyexplicit;forit;ranthus:

"SIR,BYMEETINGMETHREEHOURSAFTERNOONINTHESQUAREBEFORE

THEHOUSEOFTHELITTLESISTERSYOUWILLDOASERVICEATONCETO

YOURSELFANDTOTHEUNDERSIGNED,MARIEDEBRUHL."

Thatwasall,writteninafemininecharacter,yetitwasenoughtoperplexme.Simon,whohadmanifestedtheliveliestjoyatmyescape,wouldhavehadmetreatitasIhadtreatedtheinvitationtotheParvisoftheCathedral;ignoreitaltogetherI

mean.ButIwasofadifferentmind,andthisforthreereasons,amongothers:thattherequestwasstraightforward,thetimeearly,andtheplacesufficientlypublictobeanunlikelytheatreforviolence,thoughwellfittedforaninterviewtowhichtheworldatlargewasnotinvited.Then,too,thesquarelaylittlemorethanabowshotfrommylodging,thoughonthefarthersideoftheRueSt.Denys.

Besides,IcouldconceivemanygroundswhichMadamedeBruhlmighthaveforseeingme;ofwhichsometouchedmenearly.I

disregardedSimon"swarnings,therefore,andrepairedatthetimeappointedtotheplace——aclean,pavedsquarealittleofftheRueSt.Denys,andenteredfromthelatterbyanarrowpassage.

Itwasaspotpleasantlyconvenientformeditation,butoverlookedononesidebytheHouseoftheLittleSisters;inwhich,asIguessedafterwards,madamemusthaveawaitedme,forthesquarewhenIentereditwasempty,yetinamoment,thoughnoonecameinfromthestreet,shestoodbesideme.Sheworeamaskandlongcloak.Thebeautifulhairandperfectcomplexion,whichhadfilledmewithsomuchadmirationatourfirstmeetinginherhouse,werehidden,butIsawenoughofherfigureandcarriagetobesurethatitwasMadamedeBruhlandnoother.

Shebeganbyaddressingmeinatoneofbitterness,forwhichI

wasnotaltogetherunprepared.

"Well,sir,"sheexclaimed,hervoicetremblingwithanger,"youaresatisfied,Ihope,withyourwork?"

Iexpectedthisandhadmyanswerready."Iamnotaware,Madame,"Isaid,"thatIhavecausetoreproachmyself.But,howeverthatmaybe,Itrustyouhavesummonedmeforsomebetterpurposethantochidemeforanother"sfault;thoughitwasmyvoicewhichbroughtittolight."

"Whydidyoushamemepublicly?"sheretorted,thrustingherhandkerchieftoherlipsandwithdrawingitagainwithapassionategesture.