第17章

"Precisely."

"Youwillremainonguard,"Iwenton,"untilto-morrowmorningifM.deBruhlremainshere;butwheneverheleavesyouwilltakeyourordersfromthepersonsinside,andfollowthemimplicitly."

"YourExcellency"smindmaybeeasy,"heanswered,handlinghisdagger.

Dismissinghimwithanod,IturnedwithasmiletoM.deBruhl,andsawthatbetweenrageatthisunexpectedcheckandchagrinattheinsultputuponhim,hisdiscomfiturewasascompleteasI

couldwish.AsforFresnoy,ifhehadseriouslyintendedtodisputeourpassage,hewasnolongerinthemoodfortheattempt.YetIdidnotlethismasteroffwithoutonemoreprick."Thatbeingsettled,M.deBruhl,"Isaidpleasantly,"I

maybidyougoodevening.YouwilldoubtlesshonourmeatChavernytomorrow.ButwewillfirstletMaignanlookunderthebridge!"

CHAPTERXXVI.

MEDITATIONS.

EitherthesmallrespectIhadpaidM.deBruhl,orthewordsI

hadletfallrespectingthepossibledisappearanceofM.

Villequier,hadhadsoadmirableaneffectontheProvost-

Marshal"smindthatfromthemomentofleavingmylodgingshetreatedmewiththeutmostcivility;permittingmeeventoretainmysword,andassigningmeasleeping-placeforthenightinhisownapartmentsatthegate-house.

Lateasitwas,Icouldnotallowsomuchpolitenesstopassunacknowledged.Ibeggedleave,therefore,todistributeasmallgratuityamonghisattendants,andrequestedhimtodomethehonourofdrinkingabottleofwinewithme.Thisbeingspeedilyprocured,atsuchanexpenseasisusualintheseplaces,whereprisonerspay,accordingastheyarerichorpoor,inpurseorperson,kept;ussittingforanhour,andfinallysentustoourpalletsperfectlysatisfiedwithoneanother.

Theeventsoftheday,however,andparticularlyonematter,onwhichIhavenotdweltatlength,provedaseffectualtopreventmysleepingasifIhadbeenplacedinthedampestcellbelowthecastle.SomuchhadbeencrowdedintoatimesoshortthatitseemedasifIhadhaduntilnownoopportunityofconsideringwhitherIwasbeinghurried,orwhatfortuneawaitedmeattheendofthisturmoil.FromthefirstappearanceofM.d"Ageninthemorning,withthestartlingnewsthattheProvost-Marshalwasseekingme,tomyfinalsurrenderandencounterwithBruhlonthestairs,thechainofeventshadrunoutsoswiftlythatIhadscarcelyhadtimeatanyparticularperiodtoconsiderhowI

stood,orthefullimportofthelatestcheckorvictory.NowthatIhadleisureIlivedthedayoveragain,and,recallingitsdangersanddisappointments,feltthankfulthatallhadendedsofairly.

IhadthemostperfectconfidenceinMaignan,anddidnotdoubtthatBruhlwouldsoonweary,ifhehadnotalreadywearied,ofaprofitlesssiege.Inanhouratmost——anditwasnotyetmidnight——thekingwouldbefreetogohome;andwiththatwouldend,asfarashewasconcerned,themissionwithwhichM.deRosnyhadhonouredme.ThetaskofcommunicatinghisMajesty"sdecisiontotheKingofNavarrewoulddoubtlessbeentrustedtoM.deRambouillet,orsomepersonofsimilarpositionandinfluence;andinthesamehandswouldrestthehonourandresponsibilityofthetreatywhich,asweallknownow,gaveafterabriefintervalandsomebloodshed,andonegreatprovidence,alastingpeacetoFrance.Butitmusteverbe——andIrecognisedthisthatnightwithaboundingheart,whichtoldofsomestoreofyouthyetunexhausted——amatteroflastingpridetomethatI,whosecareerbutnowseemedclosedinfailure,hadprovedthemeansofconferringsoespecialabenefitonmycountryandreligion.

Remembering,however,theKingofNavarre"swarningthatImustnotlooktohimforreward,Ifeltgreatlydoubtfulinwhatdirectionthescenewouldnextopentome;mymaindependencebeinguponM.deRosny"spromisethathewouldmakemyfortunehisowncare.TiredoftheCourtatBlois,andtheatmosphereofintrigueandtreacherywhichpervadedit,andwithwhichIhopedIhadnowdone,IwasstillatalosstoseehowIcouldrecrosstheLoireinfaceoftheVicomtedeTurenne"senmity.ImighthavetroubledmyselfmuchmorewithspeculatinguponthispointhadInotfound——incloseconnectionwithit——otherandmoreengrossingfoodforthoughtinthecapriciousbehaviourofMademoiselledelaVire.

TothatbehaviouritseemedtomethatInowheldtheclue.I

suspectedwithasmuchsurpriseaspleasurethatonlyoneconstructioncouldbeplaceduponit——aconstructionwhichhadstronglyoccurredtomeoncatchingsightofherfacewhensheintervenedbetweenmeandtheking.

TracingthematterbacktothemomentofourmeetingintheantechamberatSt.Jeand"Angely,IrememberedthejestwhichMathurinehadutteredatourjointexpense.Doubtlessithaddweltinmademoiselle"smind,andexcitingheranimosityagainstmehadpreparedhertotreatmewithcontumelywhen,contrarytoallprobability,wemetagain,andshefoundherselfplacedinamannerinmyhands.Ithadinspiredherharshwordsandharsherlooksonourjourneynorthwards,andcontributedwithhernativepridetothelowopinionIhadformedofherwhenI

contrastedherwithmyhonouredmother.

ButIbegantothinkitpossiblethatthejesthadworkedinanotherwayaswell,bykeepingmebeforehermindandimpressinguponhertheidea——aftermyre-appearanceatChizemoreparticularly——thatourfateswereinsomewaylinked.Assumingthis,itwasnothardtounderstandhermanneratRosnywhen,apprisedthatIwasnoimpostor,andregrettingherformertreatmentofme,shestillrecoiledfromthefeelingswhichshebegantorecogniseinherownbreast.Fromthattime,andwiththisclue,Ihadnodifficultyintracinghermotives,alwayssupposingthatthissuspicion,uponwhichIdweltwithfeelingsofwonderanddelight,werewellfounded.

Middle-agedandgrizzled,withthebestofmylifebehindmeI

hadneverdaredtothinkofherinthiswaybefore.Poorandcomparativelyobscure,Ihadneverraisedmyeyestothewidepossessionssaidtobehers.EvennowIfeltmyselfdazzledandbewilderedbytheprospectsosuddenlyunveiled.Icouldscarcely,withoutvertigo,recallherasIhadlastseenher,withherhandwoundedinmydefence;nor,withoutemotionspainfulintheirintensity,fancymyselfrestoredtotheyouthofwhichIhadtakenleave,andtotherosyhopesandplanningswhichvisitmostmenonceonly,andtheninearlyyears.

HithertoIhaddeemedsuchthingsthelotofothers.

Daylightfoundme——andnowonder——stilldivertingmyselfwiththesecharmingspeculations;whichhadforme,beitremembered,alltheforceofnovelty.Thesunchancedtorisethatmorninginaclearsky,andbrilliantlyforthetimeofyear;andwordsfailmewhenIlookback,andtrytodescribehowdelicatelythissinglefactenhancedmypleasure!Isunnedmyselfinthebeams,whichpenetratedmybarredwindow;andtastingtheearlyfreshnesswithakeenandinsatiableappetite,IexperiencedtothefullthatpeculiaraspirationaftergoodnesswhichProvidenceallowssuchmomentstoawakeninusinyouth;butrarelywhentimeandthecamphavebluntedthesensibilities.

Ihadnotyetarrivedatthestageatwhichdifficultieshavetobereckonedup,andthechiefdrawbacktothetumultofjoyI

felttooktheshapeofregretthatmymothernolongerlivedtofeeltheemotionspropertothetime,andtoshareintheprosperitywhichshehadsooftenandsofondlyimagined.

Nevertheless,Ifeltmyselfdrawnclosertoher.Irecalledwiththemosttenderfeelings,andatgreaterleisurethanhadbeforebeenthecase,herlastdaysandwords,andparticularlytheappealshehadutteredonmademoiselle"sbehalf.AndIvowed,ifitwerepossible,topayavisittohergravebeforeleavingtheneighbourhood,thatImighttheredevoteafewmomentstothethoughtoftheaffectionwhichhadconsecratedallwomeninmyeyes.

Iwaspresentlyinterruptedinthesereflectionsbyacircumstancewhichprovedintheenddivertingenough,thoughfarfromreassuringatthefirstblush.Itbeganinadismalrattlingofchainsinthepassagebelowandonthestairsoutsidemyroom;whichwerepaved,liketherestofthebuilding,withstone.Iwaitedwithimpatienceandsomeuneasinesstoseewhatwouldcomeofthis;andmysurprisemaybeimaginedwhen,thedoorbeingunlocked,gaveentrancetoamaninwhomIrecognisedontheinstantdeafMathew——thevillainwhomIhadlastseenwithFresnoyinthehouseintheRueValois.Amazedatseeinghimhere,Isprangtomyfeetinfearofsometreachery,andforamomentapprehendedthattheProvost-MarshalhadbaselygivenmeovertoBruhl"scustody.Butasecondglanceinformingmethatthemanwasinirons——hencethenoiseIhadheard——Isatdownagaintoseewhatwouldhappen.

Itthenappeared,thathemerelybroughtmemybreakfast,andwasaprisonerinlessfortunatecircumstancesthanmyself;butashepretendednottorecogniseme,andplacedthethingsbeforemeinobduratesilence,andIhadnopowertomakehimhear,Ifailedtolearnhowhecametobeindurance.TheProvost-Marshal,however,camepresentlytovisitme,andbroughtmeintokenthatthegood-fellowshipoftheeveningstillexistedapouchoftheQueen"sherb;whichIacceptedforpoliteness"sakeratherthanfromanyvirtueIfoundinit.AndfromhimIlearnedhowtherascalcametobeinhischarge.

ItappearedthatFresnoy,havingnomindtobehamperedwithawoundedman,haddepositedhimonthenightofourMELEEatthedoorofahospitalattachedtoareligioushouseinthatpartofthetown.Thefathershadopenedtohim,butbeforetakinghiminput,accordingtotheircustom,certainquestions.Matthewhadbeenprimedwiththerightanswerstothesequestions,whichwerecommonlyaform;but,unhappilyforhim,theSuperiorbychanceormistakebeganwiththewrongone.

"YouarenotaHuguenot,myson?"hesaid.

"InGod"sname,Iam!"Matthewrepliedwithsimplicity,believinghewasaskedifhewasaCatholic.

"What?"thescandalisedPriorejaculated,crossinghimselfindoubt,"areyounotatruesonoftheChurch?"

"Never!"quothourdeaffriend——thinkingallwentwell.

"Aheretic!"criedthemonk.

"Amentothat!"repliedMatthewinnocently;neverdoubtingbutthathewasaskedthethirdquestion,whichwas,commonly,whetherheneededaid.

Naturallyafterthistherewasaveryprettycommotion,andMatthew,vainlyprotestingthathewasdeaf,washurriedofftotheProvost-Marshal"scustody.Askedhowhecommunicatedwithhim,theProvostansweredthathecouldnot,butthathislittlegodchild,agirlonlyeightyearsold,hadtakenastrangefancytotherogue,andwasneversohappyaswhentalkingtohimbymeansofsigns,ofwhichshehadinventedagreatnumber.I

thoughtthisstrangeatthetime,butIhadproofbeforethemorningwasoutthatitwastrueenough,andthatthetwowereseldomapart,thelittlechildgoverningthisgrimcut-throatwithunquestionedauthority.

AftertheProvostwasgoneIheardtheman"sfettersclankingagain.Thistimeheenteredtoremovemycupandplate,andsurprisedmebyspeakingtome.Maintaininghisformersullenness,andscarcelylookingatme,hesaidabruptly:"Youaregoingoutagain?"

Inoddedassent.

"Doyourememberabald-facedbayhorsethatfellwithyou?"hemuttered,keepinghisdoggedglanceonthefloor.

Inoddedagain.

"Iwanttosellthehorse,"hesaid."ThereisnotsuchanotherinBlois,no,norinParis!Touchitonthenearhipwiththewhipanditwillgodownasifshot.Atothertimesachildmightrideit.Itisinastable,thethirdfromtheThreePigeons,intheRuelleAmancy.Fresnoydoesnotknowwhereitis.Hesenttoaskyesterday,butIwouldnottellhim."

Somesparkofhumanfeelingwhichappearedinhislowering,brutalvisageashespokeofthehorseledmetodesirefurtherinformation.Fortunatelythelittlegirlappearedatthatmomentatthedoorinsearchofherplay-fellow;andthroughherI

learnedthattheman"smotiveforseekingtosellthehorsewasfearlestthedealerinwhosechargeitstoodshoulddisposeofittorepayhimselfforitskeep,andhe,Matthew,loseitwithoutreturn.

StillIdidnotunderstandwhyheappliedtome,butIwaswellpleasedwhenIlearnedthetruth.Baseastheknavewas,hehadanaffectionforthebay,whichhadbeenhisonlypropertyforsixyears.Havingthisinhismind,hehadconceivedtheideathatIshouldtreatitwell,andshouldnot,becausehewasinprisonandpowerless,cheathimoftheprice.

IntheendIagreedtobuythehorsefortencrowns,payingaswellwhatwasdueatthestable.Ihaditinmyheadtodosomethingalsofortheman,beingmovedtothispartlybyanideathattherewasgoodinhim,andpartlybytheconfidencehehadseenfittoplaceinme,whichseemedtodeservesomereturn.

Butanoisebelowstairsdivertedmyattention.Iheardmyselfnamed,andforthemomentforgotthematter.

CHAPTERXXVII.

TOME,MYFRIENDS!

Iwasimpatienttolearnwhohadcome,andwhatwastheirerrandwithme;andbeingstillinthatstateofexaltationinwhichweseemtohearandseemorethanatothertimes,Iremarkedapeculiarlaggingintheascendingfootsteps,andalackofbuoyancy,whichwasquicktocommunicateitselftomymind.A

vaguedreadfelluponmeasIstoodlistening.BeforethedooropenedIhadalreadyconceivedascoreofdisasters.IwonderedthatIhadnotinquiredearlierconcerningtheking"ssafety,andinfineIexperiencedinamomentthatcompletereactionofthespiritswhichistoofrequentlyconsequentuponanexcessiveflowofgaiety.

Iwasprepared,therefore,forheavylooks,butnotforthepersonswhoworethemnorthestrangebearingthelatterdisplayedonentering.MyvisitorsprovedtobeM.d"AgenandSimonFleix.Andsofarwell.Buttheformer,insteadofcomingforwardtogreetmewiththepunctiliouspolitenesswhichalwayscharacterisedhim,andwhichIhadthoughttobeproofagainsteverykindofsurpriseandperil,metmewithdowncasteyesandacountenancesogloomyastoaugmentmyfearsahundredfold;sinceitsuggestedallthosevagueandformidablepainswhichM.deRambouillethadhintedmightawaitmeinaprison.Ithoughtnothingmoreprobablethantheentranceafterthemofagaolerladenwithgyvesandhandcuffs;andsalutingM.Francoiswithafacewhich,dowhatIwould,fashioneditselfuponhis,Ihadscarcecomposuresufficienttoplacethepooraccommodationofmyroomathisdisposal.

Hethankedme;buthediditwithsomuchgloomandsolittlenaturalnessthatIgrewmoreimpatientwitheachlabouredsyllable.SimonFleixhadslunktothewindowandturnedhisbackonus.Neitherseemedtohaveanythingtosay.ButastateofsuspensewasonewhichIcouldleastenduretosuffer;andimpatientoftheconstraintwhichmyfriend"smannerwasfastimpartingtomine,Iaskedhimatonceandabruptlyifhisunclehadreturned.

"Herodeinaboutmidnight,"heanswered,tracingapatternonthefloorwiththepointofhisriding-switch.

Ifeltsomesurpriseonhearingthis,sinced"Agenwasstilldressedandarmedfortheroad,andwaswithoutallthoseprettinesseswhichcommonlymarkedhisattire.Butashevolunteerednofurtherinformation,anddidnotevenrefertotheplaceinwhichhefoundme,orquestionmeastotheadventureswhichhadlodgedmethere,Iletitpass,andaskedhimifhispartyhadovertakenthedeserters.

"Yes,"heanswered,"withnoresult."

"Andtheking?"

"M.deRambouilletiswithhimnow,"herejoined,stillbendingoverhistracing.

Thisanswerrelievedtheworstofmyanxieties,butthemannerofthespeakerwassodistraitandsomuchatvariancewiththestudiedINSOUCIANCEwhichheusually,affected,thatIonlygrewmorealarmed.IglancedatSimonFleix,buthekepthisfaceaverted,andIcouldgathernothingfromit;thoughIobservedthathe,too,wasdressedfortheroad,andworehisarms.I

listened,butIcouldhearnosoundswhichindicatedthattheProvost-Marshalwasapproaching.ThenonasuddenIthoughtofMademoiselledelaVire.CoulditbethatMaignanhadprovedunequaltohistask?

Istartedimpetuouslyfrommystoolundertheinfluenceoftheemotionwhichthisthoughtnaturallyaroused,andseizedM.

d"Agenbythearm."Whathashappened?"Iexclaimed."IsitBruhl?Didhebreakintomylodgingslastnight?What!"I

continued,staggeringbackasIreadtheconfirmationofmyfearsinhisface."Hedid?"

M.d"Agen,whohadrisenalso,pressedmyhandwithconvulsiveenergy.Gazingintomyface,heheldmeamomentthusembraced,Hismannerastrangemixtureoffiercenessandemotion."Alas,yes,"heanswered,"hedid,andtookawaythosewhomhefoundthere!Thosewhomhefoundthere,youunderstand!ButM.deRambouilletisonhiswayhere,andinafewminutesyouwillbefree.Wewillfollowtogether.Ifweovertakethem——well.Ifnot,itwillbetimetotalk."

Hebrokeoff,andIstoodlookingathim,stunnedbytheblow,yetinthemidstofmyownhorrorandsurpriseretainingsenseenoughtowonderatthegloomonhisbrowandthepassionwhichtrembledinhiswords.Whathadthistodowithhim?"ButBruhl?"Isaidatlast,recoveringmyselfwithaneffort——"howdidhegainaccesstotheroom?Ileftitguarded."

"Byaruse,whileMaignanandhismenwereaway,"wastheanswer.

"Onlythisladofyourswasthere.Bruhl"smenoverpoweredhim."

"WhichwayhasBruhlgone?"Imuttered,mythroatdry,myheartbeatingwildly.

Heshookhishead."Allweknowisthathepassedthroughthesouthgatewithelevenhorsemen,twowomen,andsixledhorses,atdaybreakthismorning,"heanswered."Maignancametomyunclewiththenews,andM.deRambouilletwentatonce,earlyasitwas,tothekingtoprocureyourrelease.Heshouldbeherenow."

Ilookedatthebarredwindow,themosthorriblefearsatmyheart;fromittoSimonFleix,whostoodbesideit,hisattitudeexpressingtheutmostdejection.Iwenttowardshim."Youhound!"Isaidinalowvoice,"howdidithappen?"

Tomysurprisehefellinamomentonhisknees,andraisedhisarmasthoughtowardoffablow."TheyimitatedMaignan"svoice,"hemutteredhoarsely."Weopened."

"Andyoudaretocomehereandtellme!"Icried,scarcelyrestrainingmypassion."You,towhomIentrustedher.You,whomIthoughtdevotedtoher.Youhavedestroyedher,man!"

Heroseassuddenlyashehadcowereddown.Histhin,nervousfaceunderwentastartlingchange;growingonasuddenhardandrigid,whilehiseyesbegantoglitterwithexcitement."I——I

havedestroyedher?Ay,mondieu!IHAVE,"hecried,speakingtomyface,andnolongerflinchingoravoidingmyeye."Youmaykillme,ifyoulike.Youdonotknowall.ItwasIwhostolethefavourshegaveyoufromyourdoublet,andthensaidM.deRosnyhadtakenit!ItwasIwhotoldheryouhadgivenitaway!

ItwasIwhobroughthertotheLittleSisters",thatshemightseeyouwithMadamedeBruhl!ItwasIwhodidall,anddestroyedher!Nowyouknow!Dowithmewhatyoulike!"

Heopenedhisarmsasthoughtoreceiveablow,whileIstoodbeforehimastoundedbeyondmeasurebyadisclosuresounexpected;fullofrighteouswrathandindignation,andyetuncertainwhatIoughttodo."DidyoualsoletBruhlintotheroomonpurpose?"Icriedatlast.

"I?"heexclaimed,withasuddenflashofrageinhiseyes."I

wouldhavediedfirst!"

IdonotknowhowImighthavetakenthisconfession;butatthemomenttherewasatramplingofhorsesoutside,andbeforeI

couldanswerhimIheardM.deRambouilletspeakinginhaughtytones,atthedoorbelow.TheProvost-Marshalwaswithhim,buthislowernoteswerelostintheringofbridlesandthestampingofimpatienthoofs.Ilookedtowardsthedoorofmyroom,whichstoodajar,andpresentlythetwoentered,theMarquislisteningwithanairofcontemptuousindifferencetotheapologieswhichtheother,whoattendedathiselbow,waspouringforth.M.deRambouillet"sfacereflectednoneofthegloomanddespondencywhichM.d"Agen"sexhibitedinsomarkedadegree.Heseemed,onthecontrary,fullofgaietyandgood-humour,and,comingforwardandseeingme,embracedmewiththeutmostkindnessandcondescension.

"Ha!myfriend,"hesaidcheerfully,"soIfindyouhereafterall!Butneverfear.Iamthismomentfromthekingwithanorderforyourrelease.HisMajestyhastoldmeall,makingmetherebyyourlastingfriendanddebtor.Asforthisgentleman,"

hecontinued,turningwithacoldsmiletotheProvost-Marshal,whoseemedtobetremblinginhisboots,"hemayexpectanimmediateorderalso.M.deVillequierhaswiselygonea-

hunting,andwillnotbebackforadayortwo."

RackedasIwasbysuspenseandanxiety,Icouldnotassailhimwithimmediatepetitions.Itbehovedmefirsttothankhimforhispromptintervention,andthisintermsaswarmasIcouldinvent.NorcouldIinjusticefailtocommendtheProvost;tohim,representingtheofficer"sconducttome,andlaudinghisability.Allthis,thoughmyheartwassickwiththoughtandfearanddisappointment,andeveryminuteseemedanage.

"Well,well,"theMarquissaidwithstatelygood-nature,"WewilllaytheblameonVillequierthen.Heisanoldfox,however,andtentoonehewillgoscot-free.Itisnotthefirsttimehehasplayedthistrick.ButIhavenotyetcometotheendofmycommission,"hecontinuedpleasantly."HisMajestysendsyouthis,M.deMarsac,andbademesaythathehadloadeditforyou."

HedrewfromunderhiscloakashespokethepistolwhichIhadleftwiththeking,andwhichhappenedtobethesameM.deRosnyhadgivenme.Itookit,marvellingimpatientlyatthecarefulmannerinwhichhehandledit;butinamomentIunderstoodforI

founditloadedtothemuzzlewithgold-pieces,ofwhichtwoorthreefellandrolleduponthefloor.Muchmovedbythissubstantialmarkoftheking"sgratitude,Iwasneverthelessforpocketingtheminhaste;buttheMarquis,tosatisfyalittlecuriosityonhispart,wouldhavemecountthem,andbroughtthetaletoalittleovertwothousandlivres,withoutcountingaringsetwithpreciousstoneswhichIfoundamongthem.ThishandsomepresentdivertedmythoughtsfromSimonFleix,butcouldnotrelievetheanxietyIfeltonmademoiselle"saccount.ThethoughtofherpositionsotorturedmethatM.deRambouilletbegantoperceivemystateofmind,andhastenedtoassuremethatbeforegoingtotheCourthehadalreadyissuedorderscalculatedtoassistme.

"Youdesiretofollowthislady,Iunderstand?"hesaid."Whatwiththekingwhoisenragedbeyondtheordinarybythisoutrage,andFrancoisthere,whoseemedbesidehimselfwhenbeheardthenews,Ihavenotgotanyveryclearideaoftheposition."

"Shewasentrustedtomeby——byone,sir,wellknowntoyou,"I

answeredhoarsely."Myhonourisengagedtohimandtoher.IfIfollowonmyfeetandalone,Imustfollow.IfIcannotsaveher,Icanatleastpunishthevillainswhohavewrongedher."

"Buttheman"swifeiswiththem,"hesaidinsomewonder.

"Thatgoesfornothing,"Ianswered.

HesawthestrongemotionunderwhichIlaboured,andwhichscarcelysufferedmetoanswerhimwithpatience;andhelookedatmecuriously,butnotunkindly."Thesooneryouareoff,thebetterthen,"hesaid,nodding."Igatheredasmuch.ThemanMaignanwillhavehisfellowsatthesouthgateanhourbeforenoon,Iunderstand.Francoishastwolackeys,andheiswildtogo.Withyourselfandtheladthereyouwillmusternineswords.

Iwilllendyoutwo.Icansparenomore,forwemayhaveanEMEUTEatanymoment.Youwilltaketheroad,therefore,eleveninall,andshouldovertakethemsometimeto-nightifyourhorsesareincondition."

Ithankedhimwarmly,withoutregardinghiskindlystatementthatmyconductonthepreviousdayhadlaidhimunderlastingobligationstome.Wewentdowntogether,andhetransferredtwoofhisfellowstomethereandthen,biddingthemchangetheirhorsesforfreshonesandmeetmeatthesouthgate.Hesentalsoamantomystable——SimonFleixhavingdisappearedintheconfusion——fortheCid,andwasintheactofinquiringwhetherI

neededanythingelse,whenawomanslippedthroughtheknotofhorsemenwhosurroundedusaswestoodinthedoorwayofthehouse,and,throwingherselfuponme,graspedmebythearm.ItwasFanchette.Herharshfeaturesweredistortedwithgrief,hercheeksweremottledwiththeviolentweepinginwhichsuchpersonsventtheirsorrow.Herhairhunginlongwispsonherneck.Herdresswastornanddraggled,andtherewasagreatbruiseoverhereye.Shehadtheairofonefranticwithdespairandmisery.

Shecaughtmebythecloak,andshookmesothatIstaggered."I

havefoundyouatlast!"shecriedjoyfully."Youwilltakemewithyou!Youwilltakemetoher!"

Thoughherwordstriedmycomposure,andmyheartwentouttoher,Istrovetoanswerheraccordingtothesenseofthematter.

"Itisimpossible,Isaidsternly."Thisisamanserrand.Weshallhavetoridedayandnight,mygoodwoman."

"ButIwillridedayandnighttoo!"sherepliedpassionately,flingingthehairfromhereyes,andlookingwildlyfrommetoM.

Rambouillet."WhatwouldInotdoforher?Iamasstrongasaman,andstronger.Takeme,takeme,Isay,andwhenImeetthatvillainIwilltearhimlimbforlimb!"

Ishuddered,listeningtoher;butrememberingthat,beingcountrybred,shewasreallyasstrongasshesaid,andthatlikelyenoughsomeadvantagemightaccruetousfromherperfectfidelityanddevotiontohermistress,Igaveareluctantconsent.IsentoneofM.deRambouillet"smentothestablewherethedeafman"sbaywasstanding,biddinghimpaywhateverwasduetothedealer,andbringthehorsetothesouthgate;myintentionbeingtomountoneofmymenonit,andfurnishthewomanwithalesstrickysteed.

Thebrisknessoftheseandthelikepreparations,whichevenforoneofmyageandinmystateofanxietywerenotdevoid,ofpleasure,preventedmythoughtsdwellingonthefuture.ContenttohaveM.Francois"assistancewithoutfollowinguptookeenlythetrainofideaswhichhisreadinesssuggested,IwassatisfiedalsotomakeuseofSimonwithoutcallinghimtoinstantaccountforhistreachery.Thebustleofthestreets,whichtheconfirmationoftheking"sspeedydeparturehadfilledwithsurly,murmuringcrowds,tendedstillfurthertokeepmyfearsatbay;whilethecontrastbetweenmypresentcircumstances,asI

rodethroughthemwell-appointedandwell-attended,withtheMarquisbymyside,andthepoorappearanceIhadexhibitedonmyfirstarrivalinBlois,couldnotfailtoinspiremewithhopethatImightsurmountthisdanger,also,andintheeventfindMademoisellesafeanduninjured.ItookleaveofM.deRambouilletwithmanyexpressionsofesteemonbothsides,andafewminutesbeforeelevenreachedtherendezvousoutsidethesouthgate.

M.d"AgenandMaignanadvancedtomeetme,theformerstillpresentinganexteriorsosternandgravethatIwonderedtoseehim,andcouldscarcelybelievehewasthesamegaysparkwhoseelegantaffectationshadmorethanoncecausedmetosmile.Hesalutedmeinsilence;Maignanwithasheepishair,whichill-

concealedthesavagetemperdefeathadrousedinhim.Countingmymen,Ifoundwemusteredtenonly,buttheequerryexplainedthathehaddespatchedarideraheadtomakeinquiriesandleavewordforusatconvenientpoints;totheendthatwemightfollowthetrailwithasfewdelaysaspossible.HighlycommendingMaignanforhisforethoughtinthis,Igavethewordtostart,andcrossingtheriverbytheSt.GervaisBridge,wetooktheroadforSellesatasmarttrot.

Theweatherhadchangedmuchinthelasttwenty-fourhours.Thesunshonebrightly,withawarmwestwind,andthecountryalreadyshowedsignsoftheearlyspringwhichmarkedthatyear.

If,thefirsthurryofdepartureover,Ihadnowleisuretofeelthegnawingofanxietyandthetorturesinflictedbyanimaginationwhich,faroutstrippingus,rodewiththosewhomwepursuedandsharedtheirperils,Ifoundtwosourcesofcomfortstillopentome.Nomanwhohasseenservicecanlookonalittlebandofwell-appointedhorsemenwithoutpleasure.I

reviewedthestalwartformsandsternfaceswhichmovedbesidemeandcomparingtheirdecentorderandsoundequipmentswiththescurvyfoulnessofthemenwhohadriddennorthwithme,thankedGod,and,ceasedtowonderattheindignationwhichMatthewandhisfellowshadarousedinmademoiselle"smind.Myothersourceofsatisfaction,theregularbeatofhoofsandringofbridlescontinuallyaugmented.EverysteptookusfartherfromBlois——

fartherfromtheclosetownandreekingstreetsandtheCourt;

which,ifitnolongerseemedtomeashambles,befouledbyonegreatdeedofblood——experiencehadremovedthatimpression——

retainedanappearanceinfinitelymeanandmiserableinmyeyes.

Ihatedandloatheditsintriguesanditsjealousies,thefollywhichtrifledinaclosetwhilerebellionmasteredFrance,andthepettinesswhichrecognisednowisdomsavethatofbalancingpartyandparty.IthankedGodthatmyworktherewasdone,andcouldhavewelcomedanyotheroccasionthatforcedmetoturnmybackonit,andsentmeatlargeoverthepureheaths,throughthewoods,andunderthewideheaven,speckledwithmovingclouds.

Butsuchspringsofcomfortsoonrandry.M.d"Agen"sgloomyrageandthefierygleaminMaignan"seyewouldhaveremindedme,hadIbeeninanydangerofforgettingtheerrandonwhichwewerebound,andtheneed,exceedingallotherneeds,whichcompelledustolosenomomentthatmightbeused.Thosewhomwefollowedhadfivehours"start.Thethoughtofwhatmight;

happeninthosefivehourstothetwohelplesswomenwhomIhadsworntoprotectburneditselfintomymind;sothattorefrainfromputtingspurstomyhorseandridingrecklesslyforwardtaxedattimesallmyself-control.Thehorsesseemedtocrawl.

Themenrisingandfallinglistlesslyintheirsaddlesmaddenedme.ThoughIcouldnothopetocomeuponanytraceofourquarryformanyhours,perhapsfordays,Iscannedthelong,flatheathsunceasingly,searchedeverymarshybottombeforewedescendedintoit,andpantedforthemomentwhenthenextlowridgeshouldexposetoourviewafreshtrackofwoodandwaste.Therosyvisionsofthepastnight,andthosefanciesinparticularwhichhadmadethedawnmemorable,recurredtome,ashisdeedsinthebody(somensay)toahopelessdrowningwretch.IgrewtothinkofnothingbutBruhlandrevenge.EventheabsurdcarewithwhichSimonavoidedtheneighbourhoodofFanchette,ridinganywheresolongashemightrideatadistancefromtheangrywoman"stongueandhand——whichprovokedmanyalaughfromthemen,andcametobethejokeofthecompany——failedtodrawasmilefromme.

WepassedthroughContres,fourleaguesfromBlois,anhourafternoon,andthreehourslatercrossedtheCheratSelles,wherewestayedawhiletobaitourhorses.Herewehadnewsofthepartybeforeus,andhenceforthhadlittledoubtthatBruhlwasmakingfortheLimousin;adistrictinwhichhemightrestsecureundertheprotectionofTurenne,andsafelydefyaliketheKingofFranceandtheKingofNavarre.Thegreaterthenecessity,itwasplain,forspeed;buttheroadsinthatneighbourhood,andforwardasfarasValancy,provedheavyand,foundrous,anditwasallwecoulddotoreachLevrouxwithjadedhorsesthreehoursaftersunset.TheprobabilitythatBruhlwouldlieatChateauroux,fiveleaguesfartheron——forIcouldnotconceivethatunderthecircumstanceshewouldsparethewomen——wouldhaveledmetopushforwardhaditbeenpossible;butthedarknessandthedifficultyoffindingaguidewhowouldventuredeterredmefromthehopelessattempt,andwestayedthenightwherewewere.

Herewefirstheardoftheplague;whichwassaidtoberavagingChateaurouxandallthecountryfarthersouth.Thelandlordoftheinnwouldhaveregaleduswithmanystoriesofit,andparticularlyoftheswiftnesswithwhichmenandevencattlesuccumbedtoitsattacks.Butwehadotherthingstothinkof,andbetweenanxietyandwearinesshadcleanforgottenthematterwhenwerosenextmorning.

Westartedshortlyafterdaybreak,andforthreeleaguespressedonattolerablespeed.Then,fornoreasonstated,ourguidegaveustheslipaswepassedthroughawood,andwasseennomore.Welosttheroad,andhadtoretraceoursteps.Westrayedintoaslough,andextractedourselveswithdifficulty.

ThemanwhowasridingthebayIhadpurchasedforgotthesecretwhichIhadimpartedtohim,andgotanuglyfall.Infine,afterallthesemishapsitwantedlittleofnoon,andlesstoexhaustourpatience,whenatlengthwecameinsightofChateauroux.

Beforeenteringthetownwehadstillanadventure;forwecameataturnintheroadonasceneassurprisingasitwasatfirstinexplicable.Alittlenorthofthetown,inacoppiceofboxfacingthesouthandwest,wehappedsuddenlyonarudeencampment,consistingofadozenhutsandbooths,setbackfromtheroadandformed,someofbranchesofevergreentreeslaid.

clumsilytogether,andsomeofsackingstretchedoverpoles.A

numberofmenandwomenofdecentappearancelayontheshortgrassbeforethebooths,idlysunningthemselves;ormovedabout,cookingandtendingfires,whileascoreofchildrenracedtoandfrowithnoisyshoutsandlaughter.Theappearanceofourpartyonthescenecausedaninstantpanic.Thewomenandchildrenfledscreamingintothewood,spreadingthesoundofbreakingbranchesfartherandfartherastheyretreated;whilethemen,amiserablepale-facedset,drewtogether,andseeminghalf-

inclinedtoflyalso,regardeduswithglancesoffearandsuspicion.

Remarkingthattheirappearanceanddresswerenotthoseofvagrants,whiletheboothsseemedtoindicatelittleskillorexperienceinthebuilders,Ibademycompanionshalt,andadvancedalone.

"Whatisthemeaningofthis,mymen?"Isaid,addressingthefirstgroupIreached."Youseemtohavecomea-Mayingbeforethetime.Whenceareyou?"

"FromChateauroux,"theforemostansweredsullenly.Hisdress,nowIsawhimnearer,seemedtobethatofarespectabletownsman.

"Why?"Ireplied."Haveyounohomes?"

"Ay,wehavehomes,"heansweredwiththesamebrevity.

"Thenwhy,inGod"sname,areyouhere?"Iretorted,markingthegloomyairanddowncastfacesofthegroup."Haveyoubeenharried?"

"Ay,harriedbythePlague!"heansweredbitterly."Doyoumeantosayyouhavenotheard?InChateaurouxthereisonemandeadinthree.Takemyadvice,sir——youareabravecompany——turn,andgohomeagain."

"Isitasbadasthat?"Iexclaimed.Ihadforgottenthelandlord"sgossip,andtheexplanationstruckmewiththeforceofsurprise.

"Ay,isit!Doyouseethebluehaze?"hecontinued,pointingwithasuddengesturetothelowergroundbeforeus,overwhichalightpallofsummeryvapourhungstillandmotionless."Doyouseeit?Well,underthatthereisdeath!YoumayfindfoodinChateauroux,andstallsforyourhorses,andamantotakemoney;

fortherearestillmenthere.ButcrosstheIndre,andyouwillseesightsworsethanabattle-fieldaweekold!Youwillfindnolivingsoulinhouseorstableorchurch,butcorpsesplenty.

Thelandiscursed!cursedforheresy,somesay!Halfaredead,andhalfarefledtothewoods!Andifyoudonotdieoftheplague,youwillstarve."

"Godforbid!"Imuttered,thinkingwithashudderofthosebeforeus.Thisledmetoaskhimifapartyresemblingoursinnumber,andincludingtwowomen,hadpassedthatway.Heanswered,Yes,aftersunsettheeveningbefore;thattheirhorseswerestumblingwithfatigueandthemenswearinginpureweariness.Hebelievedthattheyhadnotenteredthetown,buthadmadearudeencampmenthalfamilebeyondit;andhadagainbrokenthisup,andriddensouthwardstwoorthreehoursbeforeourarrival.

"Thenwemayovertakethemto-day?"Isaid.

"Byyourleave,sir,"heanswered,withgravemeaning."Ithinkyouaremorelikelytomeetthem."

Shruggingmyshoulders,Ithankedhimshortlyandlefthim;thefullimportanceofpreventingmymenhearingwhatIhadheard——

lestthepanicwhichpossessedthesetownspeopleshouldseizeonthemalso——beingalreadyinmymind.Neverthelessthethoughtcametoolate,foronturningmyhorseIfoundoneoftheforemost,along,solemn-facedman,hadalreadyfoundhiswaytoMaignan"sstirrup;wherehewasdilatingsoeloquentlyupontheenemywhichawaitedussouthwardsthatthecountenancesofhalfthetrooperswereaslongashisown,andIsawnothingforitbuttointerrupthisorationbyasmartapplicationofmyswitchtohisshoulders.Havingthusstoppedhim,andratedhimbacktohisfellows,Igavethewordtomarch.Themenobeyedmechanically,weswungintoacanter,andforamomentthedangerwasover.

ButIknewthatitwouldrecuragainandagain.Stealthilymarkingthefacesroundme,andlisteningtothewhisperedtalkwhichwenton,Isawtheterrorspreadfromonetoanother.

Voiceswhichearlierinthedayhadbeenraisedinsongandjestgrewsilent.GreatrecklessfellowsofMaignan"sfollowing,whohadanoathandablowforallcomers,andtowhomthedeepestfordseemedtobechild"splay,rodewithdroopingheadsandknittedbrows;orscannedwithill-concealedanxietythestrangehazebeforeus,throughwhichtheroofsofthetown,andhereandtherealowhillorlineofpoplars,rosetoplainerview.Maignanhimself,thestoutestofthestout,lookedgrave,andhadlosthisswaggeringair.OnlythreepersonspreservedtheirSANG-FROIDentire.Ofthese,M.d"Agenrodeasifhehadheardnothing,andSimonFleixasifhefearednothing;whileFanchette,gazingeagerlyforward,saw,itwasplain,onlyoneobjectinthemist,andthatwasherMistress"sface.

"Wefoundthegatesofthetownopen,andthis,whichprovedtobetheheraldofstrangersights,dauntedtheheartsofmymenmorethanthemosthostilereception.Asweentered,ourhorses"

hoofs,clatteringloudlyonthepavement,awokeahundredechoesintheemptyhousestorightandleft.Themainstreet,floodedwithsunshine,whichmadeitsdesolationseemahundredtimesmoreformidable,stretchedawaybeforeus,bareandempty;orhauntedonlybyafewslinkingdogs,andprowlingwretches,whofled,affrightedattheunaccustomedsounds,orstoodandeyeduslistlesslyasmepassed.Abelltolled;inthedistanceweheardthewailingofwomen.Thesilentways,theblackcrosswhichmarkedeveryseconddoor,thefrightfulfaceswhichonceortwicelookedoutfromupperwindowsandblastedoursight,infectedmymenwithterrorsoprofoundandsoungovernablethatatlastdisciplinewasforgotten;andoneshovinghishorsebeforeanotherinnarrowplaces,therewasascuffletobefirst.One,andthenasecond,begantotrot.Thetrotgrewintoashufflingcanter.Thegatesoftheinnlayopen,nayseemedtoinviteustoenter;butnooneturnedorhalted.Movedbyasingleimpulsewepushedbreathlesslyonandon,untiltheopencountrywasreached,andwewhohadenteredthestreetsinsilentawe,sweptoutandoverthebridgeasifthefiendwereatourheels.

ThatIsharedinthisflightcausesmenoshameevennow,formymenwereatthetimeungovernable,asthebest-trainedtroopsarewhenseizedbysuchpanics;and,moreover,Icouldhavedonenogoodbyremaininginthetown,wherethestrengthofthecontagionwasprobablygreaterandtheinnlarderliketobeasbare,asthehillside.Fewtownsarewithoutahostelryoutsidethegatesfortheconvenienceofknightsoftheroadorthosewhowouldavoidthedues,andChateaurouxprovednoexceptiontothisrule.Ashorthalf-milefromthewallswedrewreinbeforeasecondencampmentraisedaboutawaysidehouse.Itscarcelyneededthesoundofmusicmingledwithbrawlingvoicestoinformusthatthewilderspiritsofthetownhadtakenrefugehere,andwereseekingtodrowninriotanddebauchery,asIhaveseenhappeninabesiegedplace,theremembranceoftheenemywhichstalkedabroadinthesunshine.Oursuddenappearance,whileitputastoptothemimicryofmirth,broughtoutascoreofmenandwomenineverystageofdrunkennessanddishevelment,ofwhomsome,withhiccoughsandloosegestures,criedtoustojointhem,whileotherssworehorridlyatbeingrecalledtothepresent,which,withthefuture,theywereendeavouringtoforget.

Icursedtheminreturnforapackofcravenwretches,andthreateningtoridedownthosewhoobstructedus,orderedmymenforward;haltingeventuallyaquarterofamilefartheron,whereawoodofgroundlingoakswhichstillworelastyear"sleavesaffordedfairshelter.Afraidtoleavemymenmyself,lestsomeshouldstraytotheinnandothersdesertaltogether,IrequestedM.d"AgentoreturnthitherwithMaignanandSimon,andbringuswhatforageandfoodwerequired.Thishedidwithperfectsuccess,thoughnotuntilafterascuffle,inwhichMaignanshowedhimselfamatchforahundred.Wewateredthehorsesataneighbouringbrook,andassigningtwohourstorestandrefreshment——agreatpartofwhichM.d"AgenandIspentwalkingupanddowninmoodysilence,eachimmersedinhisownthoughts——

wepresentlytooktheroadagainwithrenewedspirits.

Butapanicisnoteasilyshakenoff,norisanyfearsodifficulttocombatanddefeatasthefearoftheinvisible.Theterrorswhichfoodanddrinkhadforatimethrustoutpresentlyreturnedwithsevenfoldforce.Menlookeduneasilyinoneanother"sfaces,andfromthemtothehazewhichveiledalldistantobjects.Theymutteredoftheheat,whichwassudden,strange,andabnormalatthattimeoftheyear.Andby-and-bytheyhadotherthingstospeakof.Wemetaman,whoranbesideusandbeggedofus,cryingoutinadreadfulvoicethathiswifeandfourchildrenlayunburiedinthehouse.Alittlefartheron,besideawell,thecorpseofawomanwithachildatherbreastlaypoisoningthewater;shehadcrawledtoittoappeaseherthirst,anddiedofthedraught.Lastofall,in,abeech-

woodnearLotierwecameuponaladylivinginhercoach,withoneortwopanic-strickenwomenforheronlyattendants.HerhusbandwasinParis,shetoldme;halfherservantsweredead,theresthadfled.Stillsheretainedinaremarkabledegreebothcourageandcourtesy,andacceptingwithfortitudemyreasonsandexcusesforperforceleavingherinsuchaplight,gavemeaclearaccountofBruhlandhisparty,whohadpassedhersome,hoursbefore.Thepictureofthisladygazingafteruswithperfectgood-breeding,aswerodeawayatspeed,followedbythelamentationsofherwomen,remainswithmetothisday;

fillingmymindatoncewithadmirationandmelancholy.For,asIlearnedlater,shefellilloftheplaguewhereweleftherinthebeech-wood,anddiedinanightwithbothherservants.