第15章

"Madame,"Iansweredpatiently——Iwasfullofpityforher,"considerforamomentthewrongyourhusbanddidmeandhowsmallandinadequatewasthethingIdidtohiminreturn."

"Tohim!"sheejaculatedsofiercelythatIstarted."Itwastome——tomeyoudidit!WhathadIdonethatyoushouldexposemetotheridiculeofthosewhoknownopity,andtheangerofoneasmerciless?WhathadIdone,sir?"

Ishookmyheadsorrowfully."Sofar,madame,"Ianswered,"I

allowIoweyoureparation,andIwillmakeitshoulditeverbeinmypower.Nay,Iwillsaymore,"Icontinued,forthetoneinwhichshespokehadwrungmyheart."InonepointIstrainedthecaseagainstyourhusband.Tothebestofmybeliefheabductedtheladywhowasinmycharge,notfortheloveofher,butforpoliticalreasons,andastheagentofanother."

Shegasped."What?"shecried."Saythatagain!"

AsIcompliedshetoreoffhermaskandgazedintomyfacewithstrainingeyesandpartedlips.Isawthenhowmuchshewaschanged,eveninthesefewdays——howpaleandwornwerehercheeks,howdarkthecirclesroundhereyes."Willyousweartoit?"shesaidatlast,speakingwithuncontrollableeagerness,whileshelaidahandwhichshookwithexcitementonmyarm.

Willyousweartoit,sir?"

"Itistrue,"Iansweredsteadfastly.Imighthaveaddedthataftertheeventherhusbandhadsotreatedmademoiselleastoleadhertofeartheworst.ButIrefrained,feelingthatitwasnopartofmydutytocomebetweenhusbandandwife.

Sheclaspedherhands,andforamomentlookedpassionatelyupwards,asthoughsheweregivingthankstoHeaven;whilethefleshofhealthandlovelinesswhichIhadsomuchadmiredreturned,andilluminedherfaceinawonderfulmanner.Sheseemed,intruthandforthemoment,transformed.Herblueeyesfilledwithtears,herlipsmoved;norhaveIeverseenanythingbearsoneararesemblancetothosepicturesoftheVirginMarywhichRomansworshipasmadamedidthen.

Thechange,however,wasasevanescentasitwasadmirable.Inaninstantsheseemedtocollapse.Shestruckherhandstoherfaceandmoaned,andIsawtears,whichshevainlystrovetorestrain,droppingthroughherfingers."Toolate!"shemurmured,inatoneofanguishwhichwrungmyheart."Alas,yourobbedmeofoneman,yougivemebackanother.Iknowhimnowforwhatheis.Ifhedidnotloveherthen,hedoesnow.Itistoolate!"

SheseemedsomuchovercomethatIassistedhertoreachabenchwhichstoodagainstthewallafewpacesaway;nor,Iconfess,wasitwithoutdifficultyandmuchself-reproachthatIlimitedmyselftothoseprudentofficesonlywhichherstateandmydutyrequired.Toconsoleheronthesubjectofherhusbandwasimpossible;toignorehim,andsotoconsoleher,ataskwhichneithermydiscretionnormysenseofhonour,thoughsorelytried,permittedmetoundertake.

Shepresentlyrecoveredand,puttingonhermaskagain,saidhurriedlythatshehadstillawordtosaytome."Youhavetreatedmehonestly,"shecontinued,"and,thoughIhavenocausetodoanythingbuthateyou,Isayinreturn,looktoyourself!

Youescapedlastnight——Iknowall,foritwasmyvelvetknot——

whichIhadmadethinkingtosendittoyoutoprocurethismeeting——thatheusedasalure.Butheisnotyetattheendofhisresources.Looktoyourself,therefore."

IthoughtoftheappointmentIhadmadewithhimforthemorrow,butIconfinedmyselftothankingher,merelysaying,asIbowedoverthehandsheresignedtomeintokenoffarewell,"Madame,I

amgrateful.Iamobligedtoyoubothforyourwarningandyourforgiveness."

"Bendingherheadcoldlyshedrewawayherhand.Atthatmoment,asIliftedmyeyes,Isawsomethingwhichforaninstantrootedmetothespotwithastonishment.IntheentranceofthepassagewhichledtotheRueSt.Denystwopeoplewerestanding,watchingus.TheonewasSimonFleix,andtheother,amaskedwoman,atriflebelowthemiddleheight,andcladinariding-coat,wasMademoiselledelaVire!

Iknewherinamoment.ButthereliefIexperiencedonseeinghersafeandinBloiswasnotunmixedwithannoyancethatSimonFleixshouldhavebeensoimprudentastoparadeherunnecessarilyinthestreet.Ifeltsomethingofconfusionalsoonmyownaccount;forIcouldnottellhowlongsheandherescorthadbeenwatchingme.Andthesetwofeelingswereaugmentedwhen,afterturningtopayafinalsalutetoMadamedeBruhl,Ilookedagaintowardsthepassageanddiscoveredthatmademoiselleandhersquireweregone.

ImpatientasIwas,Iwouldnotseemtoleavemadamerudelyorwithoutfeeling,aftertheconsiderationshehadshownmeinherownsorrow;andaccordinglyIwaiteduncovereduntilshedisappearedwithinthe"LittleSisters."ThenIstartedeagerlytowardsmylodging,thinkingImightyetovertakemademoisellebeforesheentered.Iwasdestinedtomeet,however,withanotherthoughverypertinenthindrance.AsIpassedfromtheRueSt.DenysintothequietofmystreetIheardavoicecallingmyname,and,lookingback,sawM.deRambouillet"sequerry,amandeepinhisconfidence,runningafterme.Hebroughtamessagefromhismaster,whichhebeggedmetoconsiderofthefirstimportance.

"TheMarquiswouldnottrustittowriting,sir,"hecontinued,drawingmeasideintoacornerwherewewereconvenientlyretired,"buthemademelearnitbyheart."TellM.deMarsac,"

saidhe,"thatthatwhichhewasleftinBloistodomustbedonequickly,ornotatall.Thereissomethingafootintheothercamp,Iamnotsurewhat.Butnowisthetimetoknockinthenail.Iknowhiszeal,andIdependuponhim.""

AnhourbeforeIshouldhavelistenedtothismessagewithseriousdoubtsandmisgivings.Now,acquaintedwithmademoiselle"sarrival,IreturnedM.deRambouilletananswerinthesamestrain,andpartingcivillyfromBertram,whowasamanImuchesteemed,Ihastenedontomylodgings,exultinginthethoughtthatthehourandthewomanwerecomeatlast,andthatbeforethedawnofanotherdayImighthope,allbeingwell,toaccomplishwithhonourtomyselfandadvantagetoothersthecommissionwhichM.deRosnyhadentrustedtome.

Imustnotdenythat,mingledwiththis,wassomeexcitementattheprospectofseeingmademoiselleagain.IstrovetoconjureupbeforemeasImountedthestairstheexactexpressionofherfaceasIhadlastseenitbendingfromthewindowatRosny;totheendthatImighthavesomeguideformyfutureconduct,andmightbelesslikelytofallintothesnareofayounggirl"scoquetry.ButIcouldcomenow,asthen,tonosatisfactoryorsafeconclusion,andonlyfeltanewthevexationIhadexperiencedonlosingthevelvetknot,whichshehadgivenmeonthatoccasion.

IknockedatthedooroftheroomswhichIhadreservedforher,andwhichwereonthefloorbelowmyown;butIgotnoanswer.

SupposingthatSimonhadtakenherupstairs,Imountedquickly,notdoubtingIshouldfindherthere.JudgeofmysurpriseanddismaywhenIfoundthatroomalsoempty,saveforthelackeywhomM.deRambouillethadlentme!

"Wherearethey?"Iaskedtheman,speakingsharply,andstandingwithmyhandonthedoor.

"Theladyandherwoman,sir?"heanswered,comingforward.

"Yes,yes!"Icriedimpatiently,asuddenfearatmyheart.

ShewentoutimmediatelyafterherarrivalwithSimonFleix,sir,andhasnotyetreturned,"heanswered.

ThewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthbeforeIheardseveralpersonsenterthepassagebelowandbegintoascendthestairs.

Ididnot;doubtthatmademoiselleandtheladhadcomehomeanotherwayand,beensomehowdetained;andIturnedwithasighofrelieftoreceivethem.ButwhenthepersonswhosestepsI

hadheardappeared,theyprovedtobeonlyM.deRosny"sequerry,stout,burly,andbright-eyedasever,andtwoarmedservants.

CHAPTERXXII.

"LAFEMMEDISPOSE."

Themomenttheequerry"sfoottouchedtheuppermoststairI

advanceduponhim."Whereisyourmistress,man?"Isaid.

"WhereisMademoiselledelaVire?Bequick,tellmewhatyouhavedonewithher."

Hisfacefellamazingly."Whereisshe?"heanswered,falteringbetweensurpriseandalarmatmysuddenonslaught."Here,sheshouldbe.Ileftherherenotanhourago.MonDieu!Isshenotherenow?"

Hisalarmincreasedminetenfold."No!"Iretorted,"sheisnot!Sheisgone!Andyou——whatbusinesshadyou,inthefiend"sname,toleaveherhere,aloneandunprotected?Tellmethat!"

Heleanedagainstthebalustrade,makingnoattempttodefendhimself,andseemed,inhissuddenterror,anythingbutthebold,alertfellowwhohadascendedthestairstwominutesbefore."I

wasafool,"hegroaned."IsawyourmanSimonhere;andFanchette,whoisasgoodasaman,waswithhermistress.AndI

wenttostablethehorses.Ithoughtnoevil.Andnow——MyGod!"

headded,suddenlystraighteninghimself,whilehisface.grewhardandgrim,"Iamundone!Mymasterwillneverforgiveme!"

"Didyoucomestraighthere?"Isaid,consideringthat,afterall,hewasnomoreinfaultthanIhadbeenonaformeroccasion.

"WewentfirsttoM.deRosny"slodging,"heanswered,"wherewefoundyourmessagetellingustocomehere.Wecameonwithoutdismounting."

"Mademoisellemayhavegoneback,andbethere,"Isaid."Itispossible.Doyoustayhereandkeepagoodlook-out,andIwillgoandsee.Letoneofyourmencomewithme."

Heutteredabriefassent;beingamanasreadytotakeastogiveorders,andthankfulnowforanysuggestionwhichheldoutahopeofmademoiselle"ssafety.Followedbytheservantheselected,Irandownthestairs,andinamomentwashurryingalongtheRueSt.Denys.Thedaywaswaning.Thenarrowstreetsandalleyswerealreadydark,buttheairofexcitementwhichI

hadnoticedinthemorningstillmarkedthetownsfolk,ofwhomagreatnumberwerestrollingabroad,orstandingindoorwaystalkingtotheirgossips.FeverishlyanxiousasIwas,I

remarkedthegloomwhichdweltonallfaces;butasIsetitdown.totheking"sapproachingdeparture,andbesideswasintentonseeingthatthosewesoughtdidnotbyanychancepassusinthecrowd,Ithoughtlittleofit.Fiveminutes"walkingbroughtustoM.deRosny"slodging.ThereIknockedatthedoor;impatiently,Iconfess,andwithlittlehopeofsuccess.

But,tomysurprise,barelyaninstantelapsedbeforethedooropened,andIsawbeforemeSimonFleix!

Discoveringwhoitwas,hecoweredback,withaterrifiedface,andretreatedtothewallwithhisarmraised.

"Youscoundrel!"Iexclaimed,restrainingmyselfwithdifficulty."TellmethismomentwhereMademoiselledelaVireis!Or,byHeaven,Ishallforgetwhatmymotherowedtoyou,anddoyouamischief!"

Foraninstantheglaredatmeviciously,withallhisteethexposed,asthoughhemeanttorefuse——andmore.Thenhethoughtbetterofit,and,raisinghishand,pointedsulkilyupwards.

"Gobeforemeandknockatthedoor,"Isaid,tappingthehiltofmydaggerwithmeaning.

Cowedbymymanner,heobeyed,andledthewaytotheroominwhichM.deRambouillethadsurprisedusonaformeroccasion.

Herehestoppedatthedoorandknockedgently;onwhichasharpvoiceinsidebadeusenter.Iraisedthelatchanddidso,closingthedoorbehindme.

Mademoiselle,stillwearingherriding-coat,satinachairbeforethehearth,onwhichanewlykindledfiresputteredandsmoked.Shehadherbacktome,anddidnotturnonmyentrance,butcontinuedtotoyinanabsentmannerwiththestringsofthemaskwhichlayinherlap.Fanchettestoodboltuprightbehindher,withherelbowssquaredandherhandsclasped;insuchanattitudethatIguessedthemaidhadbeenexpressingherstrongdissatisfactionwiththislatestwhimofhermistress,andparticularlywithmademoiselle"simprudenceinwantonlyexposingherself,withsoinadequateaguardasSimon,inaplacewhereshehadalreadysufferedsomuch.Iwasconfirmedinthisnotiononseeingthewoman"sharshcountenanceclearatsightofme;

thoughthechurlishnod,whichwasallthegreetingshebestowedonme,seemedtobetokenanythingbutfavourorgood-will.Shetouchedhermistressontheshoulder,however,andsaid,"M.deMarsacishere."

Mademoiselleturnedherheadandlookedatmelanguidly,withoutstirringinherchairorremovingthefootshe,waswarming.

"Goodevening,"shesaid.

Thegreetingseemedsobriefandsocommonplace,ignoring,asitdid,boththepainsandanxietytowhichshehadjustputmeandthegreatpurposeforwhichwewerehere——tosaynothingofthatambiguouspartingwhichshemustsurelyrememberaswellasI——

thatthewordsIhadprepareddiedonmylips,andIlookedatherinhonestconfusion.Allhersmallfacewaspaleexceptherlips.Herbrowwasdark,hereyeswerehardaswellasweary.

AndnotwordsonlyfailedmeasIlookedather,butanger;

havingmountedthestairshotfoottochide,Ifeltonasudden——despitemynewcloakandscabbard,myappointment,andthesameIhadmadeatCourt——thesameconsciousnessofage;andshabbinessandpovertywhichhadpossessedmeinherpresencefromthebeginning.Imuttered,"Goodevening,mademoiselle,"

andthatwasallIcouldsay——IwhohadfrightenedtheburlyMaignanafewminutesbefore!

Seeing,Ihavenodoubt,theeffectsheproducedonme,shemaintainedforsometimeanembarrassingsilence.Atlengthshesaid,frigidly,"PerhapsM.deMarsacwillsit,Fanchette.Placeachairforhim.Iamafraid,however,thatafterhissuccessesatCourthemayfindourreceptionsomewhatcold.Butweareonlyfromthecountry,"sheadded,lookingatmeaskance,withagleamofangerinhereyes.

Ithankedherhuskily,sayingthatIwouldnotsit,asIcouldnotstay."SimonFleix,"Icontinued,findingmyvoicewithdifficulty,"has,Iamafraid,causedyousometroublebybringingyoutothishouseinsteadoftellingyouthatIhadmadepreparationforyouatmylodgings."

"ItwasnotSimonFleix"sfault,"sherepliedcurtly."Iprefertheserooms.Theyaremoreconvenient."

"Theyare,perhaps,moreconvenient,"Irejoinedhumbly,"ButI

havetothinkofsafety,mademoiselle,asyouknow.AtmyhouseIhaveacompetentguard,andcananswerforyourbeingunmolested."

"Youcansendyourguardhere,"shesaidwitharoyalair.

"But,mademoiselle——"

"IsitnotenoughthatIhavesaidthatIprefertheserooms?"

sherepliedsharply,droppinghermaskonherlapandlookingroundatmeinundisguiseddispleasure."Areyoudeaf,sir?Letmetellyou,Iaminnomoodforargument.Iamtiredwithriding.Iprefertheserooms,andthatisenough!"

Nothingcouldexceedthedeterminationwithwhichshesaidthesewords,unlessitwerethemaliciouspleasureinthwartingmywisheswhichmadeitselfseenthroughtheveilofassumedindifference.Ifeltmyselfbroughtupwithavengeance,andinamannerthemostprovokingthatcouldbeconceived.Butoppositionsochildish,soutterlywanton,byexcitingmyindignation,hadpresentlytheeffectofbanishingthepeculiarbashfulnessIfeltinherpresence,andrecallingmetomyduty.

"Mademoiselle,"Isaidfirmly,lookingatherwithafixedcountenance,"pardonmeifIspeakplainly.Thisisnotimeforplayingwithstraws.Themenfromwhomyouescapedonceareasdeterminedandmoredesperatenow.Bythistimetheyprobablyknowofyourarrival.Do,then,asIask,Iprayandbeseechyou.OrthistimeImaylackthepower,thoughneverthewill,tosaveyou."

Whollyignoringmyappeal,shelookedintomyface——forbythistimeIhadadvancedtoherside——withawhimsicalsmile."YouarereallymuchimprovedinmannersinceIlastsawyou,"shesaid.

"Mademoiselle!"Ireplied,baffledandrepelled."Whatdoyoumean?"

"WhatIsay,"sheanswered,flippantly."Butitwastobeexpected."

"Forshame!"Icried,provokedalmostbeyondbearingbyherill-

timedraillery,"willyouneverbeseriousuntilyouhaveruinedusandyourself?Itellyouthishouseisnotsafeforyou!Itisnotsafeforme!Icannotbringmymentoit,forthereisnotroomforthem.Ifyouhaveanysparkofconsideration,ofgratitude,therefore——"

"Gratitude!"sheexclaimed,swinginghermaskslowlytoandfrobyaribbon,whileshelookedupatmeasthoughmyexcitementamusedher."Gratitude——"tisaveryprettyphrase,andmeansmuch;butitisforthosewhoserveusfaithfully,M.deMarsac,andnotforothers.Youreceivesomanyfavours,Iamtold,andaresosuccessfulatCourt,thatIshouldnotbejustifiedinmonopolisingyourservices."

"But,mademoiselle——"Isaidinalowtone.AndthereIstopped.

Idarednotproceed.

"Well,sir,"sheanswered,lookingupatsheafteramoment"ssilence,andceasingonasuddentoplaywithhertoy,"whatisit?"

"Youspokeoffavours,"Icontinued,withaneffort."Ineverreceivedbutonefromalady.ThatwasatRosny,andfromyourhand."

"Frommyhand?"sheanswered,withanairofcoldsurprise.

"Itwasso,mademoiselle."

"Youhavefallenintosomestrangemistake,sir,"shereplied,rousingherself,andlookingatmeindifferently"Inevergaveyouafavour."

Ibowedlow."Ifyousayyoudidnot,mademoiselle,thatisenough,"Ianswered.

"Nay,butdonotletmedoyouaninjustice,M.deMarsac,"sherejoined,speakingmorequicklyandinanalteredtone."IfyoucanshowmethefavourIgaveyou,Ishall,ofcourse,beconvinced.Seeingisbelieving,youknow,"sheadded,withalightnervouslaugh,andagestureofsomethinglikeshyness.

IfIhadnotsufficientlyregrettedmycarelessness,andlossofthebowatthetime,Ididsonow.Ilookedatherinsilence,andsawherface,thathadforamomentshownsignsoffeeling,almostofshame,growslowlyhardagain.

"Well,sir?"shesaidimpatiently."Theproofiseasy."

"Itwastakenfromme;Ibelieve,byM.deRosny,"Iansweredlamely,wonderingwhatill-luckhadledhertoputthequestionandpressittothispoint.

"Itwastakenfromyou!"sheexclaimed,risingandconfrontingmewiththeutmostsuddenness,whilehereyesflashed,andherlittlehandcrumpledthemaskbeyondfutureusefulness."Itwastakenfromyou,sir!"sherepeated,hervoiceandherwholeframetremblingwithangeranddisdain."ThenIthankyou,I

prefermyversion.Yoursisimpossible.Forletmetellyou,whenMademoiselledelaViredoesconferafavour,itwillbeonamanwiththepowerandthewit——andtheconstancy,tokeepit,evenfromM.deRosny!"

Herscornhurt,thoughitdidnotangerme.Ifeltittobeinameasuredeserved,andragedagainstmyselfratherthanagainsther.Butawarethroughallofthesupremeimportanceofplacingherinsafety,Isubjectedmyimmediatefeelingstotheexigenciesofthemomentandstoopedtoanargumentwhichwould,Ithought,haveweightthoughprivatepleadingfailed.

"Puttingmyselfaside,mademoiselle,"Isaid,withmoreformalitythanIhadyetused,"thereisoneconsiderationwhichmustweighwithyou.Theking——"

"Theking!"shecried,interruptingmeviolently,herfacehotwithpassionandherwholepersoninstinctwithstubbornself-

will."Ishallnotseetheking!"

"Youwillnotseetheking?"Irepeatedinamazement.

"No,Iwillnot!"sheanswered,inawhirlofanger,scorn,andimpetuosity."There!Iwillnot!Ihavebeenmadeatoyandatoollongenough,M.deMarsac,"shecontinued,"andIwillserveothers"endsnomore.Ihavemadeupmymind.Donottalktome;youwilldonogood,sir.IwouldtoHeaven,"sheaddedbitterly,"IhadstayedatChizeandneverseenthisplace!"

"But,mademoiselle,"Isaid,"youhavenotthought——"

"Thought!"sheexclaimed,shuttinghersmallwhiteteethsoviciouslyIallbutrecoiled."Ihavethoughtenough.Iamsickofthought.Iamgoingtoactnow.Iwillbeapuppetnolonger.Youmaytakemetothecastlebyforceifyouwill;butyoucannotmakemespeak."

Ilookedatherintheutmostdismay,andastonishment;beingunableatfirsttobelievethatawomanwhohadgonethroughsomuch,hadrunsomanyrisks,andriddensomanymilesforapurpose,would,whenallwasdoneandthehourcome,declinetocarryoutherplan.Icouldnotbelieveit,Isay,atfirst;andItriedarguments,andentreatieswithoutstint,thinkingthatsheonlyaskedtobeentreatedorcoaxed.

ButIfoundprayersandeventhreatsbreathwasteduponher;andbeyondtheseIwouldnotgo.IknowIhavebeenblamedbysomeandridiculedbyothersfornotpushingthematterfarther;butthosewhohavestoodfacetofacewithawomanofspirit——awomanwhoseveryfrailtyandweaknessfoughtforher——willbetterunderstandthedifficultieswithwhichIhadtocontendandthemannerinwhichconvictionwasatlastborneinonmymind.I

hadneverbeforeconfrontedstubbornnessofthiskind.Asmademoisellesaidagainandagain,ImightforcehertoCourt,butIcouldnotmakeherspeak.

WhenIhadtriedeverymeansofpersuasion,andstillfoundnowayofovercomingherresolutionthewhileFanchettelookedonwithafaceofwood,neitheraidingmenortakingpartagainstme——Ilost,Iconfess,inthechagrinofthemomentthatsenseofdutywhichhadhithertoanimatedme;andthoughmyrelationtomademoiselleshouldhavemademeascarefulaseverofhersafety,eveninherowndespite,Ileftheratlastinangerandwentoutwithoutsayinganotherwordaboutremovingher——athingwhichwasstillinmypower.Ibelieveaverybriefreflectionwouldhaverecalledmetomyselfandmyduty;buttheopportunitywasnotgivenme,forIhadscarcelyreachedtheheadofthestairsbeforeFanchettecameafterme,andcalledtomeinawhispertostop.

Sheheldataperinherhand,andthissheraisedtomyface,smilingatthedisorderwhichshedoubtlessreadthere."Doyousaythatthishouseisnotsafe?"sheaskedabruptly,loweringthelightasshespoke.

"YouhavetriedahouseinBloisbefore?"Irepliedwiththesamebluntness."YoushouldknowaswellasI,woman."

"Shemustbetakenfromhere,then,"sheanswered,noddingherhead,cunningly."Icanpersuadeher.Doyousendforyourpeople,andbehereinhalfanhour.Itmaytakemethattimetowheedleher.ButIshalldoit."

"Thenlisten,"Isaideagerly,seizingtheopportunityandhersleeveanddrawingherfartherfromthedoor."Ifyoucanpersuadehertothat,youcanpersuadetoallIwish.Listen,myfriend,"Icontinued,sinkingmyvoicestilllower."Ifshewillseethekingforonlytenminutes,andtellhimwhatsheknows,I

willgiveyou——"

"What?"thewomanaskedsuddenlyandharshly,drawingatthesametimehersleevefrommyhand.

"Fiftycrowns,"Ireplied,naminginmydesperationasumwhichwouldseemafortunetoapersoninherposition."Fiftycrownsdown,themomenttheinterviewisover."

"Andforthatyouwouldhavemesellher!"thewomancriedwitharudeintensityofpassionwhichstruckmelikeablow."Forshame!Forshame,man!Youpersuadedhertoleaveherhomeandherfriends,andthecountrywhereshewasknown;andnowyouwouldhavemesellher!Shameonyou!Go!"sheaddedscornfully."Gothisinstantandgetyourmen.Theking,sayyou?Theking!ItellyouIwouldnothaveherfingerachetosaveallyourkings!"

Sheflouncedawaywiththat,andIretiredcrestfallen;wonderingmuchatthefidelitywhichProvidence,doubtlessforthewell-

beingofthegentle,possiblyforthegoodofall,hasimplantedinthehumble.FindingSimon,towhomIhadscarcepatiencetospeak,waitingonthestairsbelow,IdespatchedhimtoMaignan,tobidhimcometomewithhismen.MeanwhileIwatchedthehousemyselfuntiltheirarrival,andthen,goingup,foundthatFanchettehadbeenasgoodasherword.Mademoiselle,withasullenmien,andaredspotoneithercheek,consentedtodescend,and,precededbyacoupleoflinks,whichMaignanhadthoughtfullyprovided,wasescortedsafelytomylodgings;whereIbestowedherintheroomsbelowmyown,whichIhaddesignedforher.

Atthedoorsheturnedandbowedtome,herfaceonfire.

"Sofar,sir,youhavegotyourway,"shesaid,breathingquickly."Donotflatteryourself,however,thatyouwillgetitfarther——evenbybribingmywoman!"

CHAPTERXXIII.

THELASTVALOIS.

Istoodforafewmomentsonthestairs,wonderingwhatIshoulddoinanemergencytowhichtheMarquis"smessageoftheafternoonattachedsopressingacharacter.HaditnotbeenforthatImighthavewaiteduntilmorning,andfelttolerablycertainoffindingmademoiselleinamorereasonablemoodthen.

ButasitwasIdarednotwait.Idarednotriskthedelay,andIcamequicklytotheconclusionthattheonlycourseopentomewastogoatoncetoM.deRambouilletandtellhimfranklyhowthematterstood.

Maignanhadpostedoneofhismenattheopendoorwayleadingintothestreet,andfixedhisownquartersonthelandingatthetop,whencehecouldoverlookanintruderwithoutbeingseenhimself.Satisfiedwiththearrangement,IleftRambouillet"smantoreinforcehim,andtookwithmeSimonFleix,ofwhoseconductinregardtomademoiselleIentertainedthegravestdoubts.

Thenight,Ifoundonreachingthestreet,wascold,theskywhereitwasvisiblebetweentheeavesbeingbrightwithstars.

Asharpwindwasblowing,too,compellingustowrapourcloaksroundusandhurryonatapacewhichagreedwellwiththeexcitementofmythoughts.AssuredthathadmademoisellebeencomplaisantImighthaveseenmymissionaccomplishedwithinthehour,itwasimpossibleIshouldnotfeelimpatientwithonewho,togratifyawhim,playedwiththesecretsofakingdomasiftheywerecounters,andriskedinpassingill-humourtheresultsofweeksofpreparation.AndIwasimpatient,andwithher.ButmyresentmentfellsofarshortoftheoccasionthatIwondereduneasilyatmyowneasiness,andfeltmoreannoyedwithmyselfforfailingtobeproperlyannoyedwithher,thaninclinedtolaytheblamewhereitwasdue.ItwasinvainItoldmyselfcontemptuouslythatshewasawomanandthatwomenwerenotaccountable.Ifeltthattherealsecretandmotiveofmyindulgencelay,notinthis,butinthesuspicion,whichherreferencetothefavourgivenmeonmydeparturefromRosnyhadconvertedalmostintoacertainty,thatIwasmyselfthecauseofhersuddenill-humour.

Imighthavefollowedthistrainofthoughtfarther,andtoverypertinentconclusions.ButonreachingM.deRambouillet"slodgingIwasdivertedfromitbytheabnormallyquietaspectofthehouse,onthestepsofwhichhalfadozenservantsmightcommonlybeseenlounging.Nowthedoorswereclosed,nolightsshonethroughthewindows,andthehallsoundedemptyanddesolatewhenIknocked.Notalackeyhurriedtoreceivemeeventhen;buttheslipshodtreadoftheoldporter,ashecamewithalanterntoopen,alonebrokethesilence.Iwaitedeagerlywonderingwhatallthiscouldmean;andwhenthemanatlastopened,and,recognisingmyface,beggedmypardonifhehadkeptmewaitingIaskedhimimpatientlywhatwasthematter.

"AndwhereistheMarquis?"Iadded,steppinginsidetobeoutofthewind,andlooseningmycloak.

"Haveyounotheard,sir?"themanasked,holdinguphislanterntomyface.Hewasanold,wizened,leanfellow."Itisabreak-up,sir,Iamafraid,thistime."

"Abreak-up?"Irejoined,peevishly."Speakout,man!Whatisthematter?Ihatemysteries."

Youhavenotheardthenews,sir?ThattheDukeofMercoeurandMarshalRetz,withalltheirpeople,leftBloisthisafternoon?"

"No?"Ianswered,somewhatstartled."Whitheraretheygone?"

"ToParis,itissaid,sir,——tojointheLeague."

"Butdoyoumeanthattheyhavedesertedtheking?"Iasked.

"Forcertain,sir!"heanswered.

"NottheDukeofMercoeur?"Iexclaimed."Why,man,heistheking"sbrother-in-law.Heoweseverythingtohim."

"Well,heisgone,sir,"theoldmanansweredpositively."ThenewswasbroughttoM.leMarquisaboutfouro"clock,oralittleafter.Hegothispeopletogether,andstartedafterthemtotryandpersuadethemtoreturn.Or,soitissaid."

AsquicklyasIcould,Ireviewedthesituationinmymind.Ifthisstrangenewsweretrue,andmenlikeMercoeur,whohadeveryreasontostandbytheking,aswellasmenlikeRetz,whohadlongbeensuspectedofdisaffection,wereabandoningtheCourt,thedangermustbecomingcloseindeed.Thekingmustfeelhisthronealreadytottering,andbeeagertograspatanymeansofsupportingit.Undersuchcircumstancesitseemedtobemyparamountdutytoreachhim;togainhisearifpossible,andatallrisks;thatIandnotBruhl,NavarrenotTurenne,mightprofitbythefirstimpulseofself-preservation.

Biddingtheportershuthisdoorandkeepclose,IhurriedtotheCastle,andwaspresentlymorethanconfirmedinmyresolution.

FortomysurpriseIfoundtheCourtinmuchthesamestateasM.

deRambouillet"shouse.Thereweredoubleguardsindeedatthegates,wholetmepassafterscrutinisingmenarrowly;butthecourtyard,whichshouldhavebeenatthishourablazewithtorchesandcrowdedwithlackeysandgrooms,wasadarkwilderness,inwhichhalfadozenlinkstrembledmournfully.

PassingthroughthedoorsIfoundthingswithininthesamestate:thehallilllitanddesolate;thestaircasemannedonlybyafewwhisperinggroups,whoscannedmeasIpassed;theante-

chambersalmostempty,oroccupiedbythegreyuniformsoftheSwitzerguards.WhereIhadlooked,toseecourtiersassemblingtomeettheirsovereignandassurehimoftheirfidelity,Ifoundonlygloomyfaces,watchfuleyes,andmouthsominouslyclosed.

Anairofconstraintandforebodingrestedonall.Asinglefootstepsoundedhollowly.Thelongcorridors,whichhadsolatelyrungwithlaughterandtherattleofdice,seemedalreadydevotedtothesilence,anddesolationwhichawaitedthemwhentheCourtshoulddepart.WhereanyspokeIcaughtthenameofGuise;andIcouldhavefanciedthathismightyshadowlayupontheplaceandcursedit.

Enteringthechamber,Ifoundmatterslittlebetterthere.HisMajestywasnotpresent,norwereanyoftheCourtladies;buthalfadozengentlemen,amongwhomIrecognisedRevol,oneoftheKing"ssecretaries,stoodnearthealcove.Theylookeduponmyentrance,asthoughexpectingnews,andthen,seeingwhoitwas,lookedawayagainimpatiently.TheDukeofNeverswaswalkingmoodilytoandfrobeforeoneofthewindows,hishandsclaspedbehindhisback:whileBironandCrillon,reconciledbythecommonperil,talkedloudlyonthehearth.Ihesitatedamoment,uncertainhowtoproceed,forIwasnotyet;sooldatCourtastofeelathomethere.But,atlastmakingupmymind,IwalkedboldlyuptoCrillonandrequestedhisgoodofficestoprocuremeanimmediateaudienceoftheking.

"Anaudience?Doyoumeanyouwanttoseehimalone?"hesaid,raisinghiseyebrowsandlookingwhimsicallyatBiron.

"Thatismypetition,M.deCrillon,"Iansweredfirmly,thoughmyheartsank."IamhereonM.deRambouillet"sbusiness,andI

needtoseehisMajestyforthwith,"

"Well,thatisstraightforward,"hereplied,clappingmeontheshoulder."Andyoushallseehim.IncomingtoCrillonyouhavecometotherightman.Revol,"hecontinued,turningtothesecretary,"thisgentlemanbearsamessagefromM.deRambouillettotheking.Takehimtotheclosetwithoutdelay,myfriend,andannouncehim.Iwillbeanswerableforhim."

Butthesecretaryshruggedhisshouldersuptohisears."Itisquiteimpossible,M.deCrillon,"hesaidgravely."Quiteimpossibleatpresent."

"Impossible!Chut!Idonotknowtheword,"Crillonretortedrudely."Come,takehimatonce,andblamemeifillcomesofit.Doyouhear?"

"ButhisMajesty——"

"Well?"

"Isathisdevotions,"thesecretarysaidstiffly.

"HisMajesty"sdevotionsbehanged!"Crillonrejoined——soloudlythattherewasageneraltitter,andM.deNeverslaughedgrimly.

"Doyouhear?"theAvennaiscontinued,hisfacegrowingredderandhisvoicehigher,"ormustIpullyourears,myfriend?Takethisgentlemantothecloset,Isay,andifhisMajestybeangry,tellhimitwasbymyorder.ItellyouhecomesfromRambouillet."

Idonotknowwhetheritwasthethreat,orthementionofM.deRambouillet"sname,whichconvincedthesecretary.Butatanyrate,afteramoment"shesitation,heacquiesced.

Henoddedsullenlytometofollowhim,andledthewaytoacurtainwhichmaskedthedoorofthecloset.Ifollowedhimacrossthechamber,aftermutteringahastywordofacknowledgmenttoCrillon;andIhadasnearlyaspossiblereachedthedoorwhenthebustleofsomeoneenteringthechambercaughtmyear.IhadjusttimetoturnandseethatthiswasBruhl,justtimetointerceptthedarklookofchagrinandsurprisewhichhefixedonme,andthenRevol,holdingupthecurtain,signedtometoenter.

Iexpectedtopassatonceintothepresenceoftheking,andhadmyreverenceready.Instead,Ifoundmyselftomysurpriseinasmallchamber,orratherpassage,curtainedatbothends,andoccupiedbyacoupleofguardsmen——members,doubtless,oftheBandoftheForty-Fivewhoroseatmyentranceandlookedatmedubiously.Theirguard-room,dimlyilluminedbyalampofredglass,seemedtome,inspiteofitscurtainsandvelvetbench,andthethicktapestrywhichkeptouteverybreathofwholesomeair,themostsombreIcouldimagine.Andthemostill-omened.

ButIhadnotimetomakeanylongobservation;forRevol,passingmebrusquely,raisedthecurtainattheotherend,and,withhisfingeronhislip,bademebysignstoenter.

Ididsoassilently,theheavyscentofperfumesstrikingmeinthefaceasIraisedasecondcurtain,andstoppedshortapacebeyondit;partlyinreverence——becausekingslovetheirsubjectsbestatadistance——andpartlyinsurprise.Fortheroom,orratherthatportionofitinwhichIstood,wasindarkness;onlythefartherendbeingilluminedbyacoldpalefloodofmoonlight,which,passingthroughahigh,straightwindow,layinasilverysheetonthefloor.ForaninstantIthoughtIwasalone;thenIsaw,restingagainstthiswindow,withahandoneithermullion,atallfigure,havingsomethingstrangeaboutthehead.ThispeculiaritypresentlyresolveditselfintotheturbaninwhichIhadoncebeforeseenhisMajesty.Theking——forheitwas——wastalkingtohimself.Hehadnotheardmeenter,andhavinghisbacktomeremainedunconsciousofmypresence.

Ipausedindoubt,afraidtoadvance,anxioustowithdraw;yetuncertainwhetherIcouldmoveagainunheard.AtthismomentwhileIstoodhesitating,heraisedhisvoice,andhiswords,reachingmyears,rivetedmyattention,sostrangeandeeriewereboththeyandhistone."Theysaythereisill-luckinthirteen,"hemuttered."ThirteenValoisandlast!"Hepausedtolaughawicked,mirthlesslaugh."Ay,——Thirteenth!AnditisthirteenyearssinceIenteredParis,acrownedKing!TherewereQuelusandMaugironandSt.MegrinandI——andhe,Iremember.

Ah,thosedays,thosenights!Iwouldsellmysoultolivethemagain;hadInotsolditlongagointhelivingthemonce!Wewereyoungthen,andrich,andIwasking;andQueluswasanApollo!Hediedcallingonmetosavehim.AndMaugirondied,blasphemingGodandthesaints.AndSt.Megrin,hehadthirty-

fourwounds.Andhe——heisdeadtoo,cursehim!Theyarealldead,alldead,anditisallover!MyGod!itisallover,itisallover,itisallover!"

Herepeatedthelastfourwordsmorethanadozentimes,rockinghimselftoandfrobyhisholdonthemullions.ItrembledasI

listened,partlythroughfearonmyownaccountshouldIbediscovered,andpartlybyreasonofthehorrorofdespairandremorse——no,notremorse,regret——whichspokeinhismonotonousvoice.Iguessedthatsomeimpulsehadledhimtodrawthecurtainfromthewindowandshadethelamp;andthatthen,ashelookeddownonthemoonlitcountry,thecontrastbetweenitandthevicious,heatedatmosphere,heavywithintrigueandworse,inwhichhehadspenthisstrength,hadforceditselfuponhismind.

Forhepresentlywenton.

"France!Thereitlies!Andwhatwilltheydowithit?Willtheycutitupintopieces,asitwasbeforeoldLouisXI?WillMercoeur——cursehim!bethemostChristianDukeofBrittany?

AndMayenne,bythegraceofGod,PrinceofParisandtheUpperSeine?OrwillthelittlePrinceofBearnbeatthem,andbeHenryIV.,KingofFranceandNavarre,ProtectoroftheChurches?

Cursehimtoo!Heisthirty-six.Heismyage.Butheisyoungandstrong,andhasallbeforehim.WhileI——I——oh,myGod,havemercyonme!Havemercyonme,OGodinHeaven!"