第20章

Igrew——shamethatIshouldsayit——tothinkmoreandmoreofthesethings;untilmademoiselle,readingthesigns,toldmeonedaythatwemustgo."Thoughneveragain,"sheaddedwithasigh,"shallwebesohappy."

"Thenwhygo?"Iaskedfoolishly.

"Becauseyouareaman,"sheansweredwithawisesmile,"asI

wouldhaveyoube,andyouneedsomethingbesideslove.To-

morrowwewillgo."

"Whither?"Isaidinamazement.

"TothecampbeforeParis,"sheanswered."Wewillgobackinthelightofday——seeingthatwehavedonenothingofwhichtobeashamed——andthrowourselvesonthejusticeoftheKingofNavarre.YoushallplacemewithMadameCatherine,whowillnotrefusetoprotectme;andso,sweet,youwillhaveonlyyourselftothinkof.Come,sir,"shecontinued,layingherlittlehandinmine,andlookingintomyeyes,"youarenotafraid?"

"IammoreafraidthaneverIusedtobe,"Isaidtrembling.

"SoIwouldhaveit,"shewhispered,hidingherfaceonmyshoulder."Neverthelesswewillgo."

Andgowedid.TheaudacityofsuchareturninthefaceofTurenne,whowasdoubtlessintheKingofNavarre"ssuite,almosttookmybreathaway;nevertheless,Isawthatitpossessedoneadvantagewhichnoothercoursepromised——that,Imean,ofsettingusrightintheeyesoftheworld,andenablingmetomeetinastraightforwardmannersuchasmalignedus.AftersomeconsiderationIgavemyassent,merelyconditioningthatuntilwereachedtheCourtweshouldridemasked,andshunasfaraspossibleencountersbytheroad.

CHAPTERXXXII.

ATAVERNBRAWL.

Onthefollowingday,accordingly,westarted.Butthenewsofthetwokings"successes,andparticularlythecertaintywhichthesehadbredinmanymindsthatnothingshortofamiraclecouldsaveParis,hadmovedsomanygentlementotaketheroadthatwefoundtheinnscrowdedbeyondexample,andwerefrequentlyforcedintomeetingswhichmadethetaskofconcealingouridentitymoredifficultandhazardousthanIhadexpected.

Sometimesshelterwasnottobeobtainedonanyterms,andthenwehadtolieinthefieldsorinanyconvenientshed.Moreover,thepassageofthearmyhadsweptthecountrysobarebothoffoodandforage,thatthesecommandedastonishingprices;andalongday"sridemorethanoncebroughtustoourdestinationwithoutsecuringforustheamplemealwehadearned,andrequired.

Underthesecircumstances,itwaswithjoylittleshortoftransportthatIrecognisedthemarvellouschangewhichhadcomeovermymistress.Bearingallwithoutamurmur,orafrown,orsomuchasonecomplainingword,sheactedonnumberlessoccasionssoastoconvincemethatshespoketruly——albeitI

scarcelydaredtobelieveit——whenshesaidthatshehadbutonetroubleintheworld,andthatwastheprospectofourcomingseparation.

Formypart,anddespitesomegloomymoments,whenfearofthefutureovercameme,IrodeinParadiseridingbymymistress.Itwasherpresencewhichglorifiedalikethefirstfreshnessofthemorning,whenwestartedwithallthedaybeforeus,andthecoolnessofthelateevening,whenwerodehand-in-hand.NorcouldIbelievewithoutaneffortthatIwasthesameGastondeMarsacwhoshehadoncespurnedanddisdained.GodknowsIwasthankfulforherlove.Athousandtimes,thinkingofmygreyhairs,Iaskedherifshedidnotrepent;andathousandtimessheansweredNo,withsomuchhappinessinhereyesthatIwasfaintothankGodagainandbelieveher.

Notwithstandingtheinconvenienceofthepractice,wemadeitaruletowearourmaskswheneverweappearedinpublic;andthisrulemekeptmorestrictlyasweapproachedParis.Itexposedustosomecommentandmorecuriosity,butledtonoserioustroubleuntilwereachedEtampes,twelveleaguesfromthecapital;wherewefoundtheprincipalinnsonoisyandcrowded,andsomuchdisturbedbytheconstantcomingandgoingofcouriers,thatitrequirednoexperiencetopredicatetheneighbourhoodofthearmy.Thegreatcourtyardseemedtobechokedwithaconfusedmassofmenandhorses,throughwhichwemadeourwaywithdifficulty.Thewindowsofthehousewereallopen,andofferedusaviewoftablessurroundedbymeneatinganddrinkinghastily,asthemanneroftravellersis.Thegatewayandthestepsofthehousewerelinedwithtroopersandservantsandsturdyrogues;whoscannedallwhopassedinorout,andnotunfrequentlyfollowedthemwithribaldjestsandnicknames.

Songsandoaths,brawlingandlaughter,withtheneighingofhorsesandthehuzzasofthebeggars,whoshoutedwheneverafreshpartyarrived,roseaboveall,andincreasedthereluctancewithwhichIassistedmadameandmademoiselletodismount.

Simonwasnomatchforsuchanoccasionasthis;butthestalwartaspectofthethreemenwhomMaignanhadleftwithmecommandedrespect,andattendedbytwooftheseImadeawayfortheladies——notwithoutsomeoppositionandafewoaths——toenterthehouse.Thelandlord,whomwefoundcrushedintoacornerinside,andentirelyoverbornebythecrowdwhichhadinvadedhisdwelling,assuredmethathehadnotthesmallestgarrethecouldplaceatmydisposal;butIpresentlysucceededinfindingasmallroomatthetop,whichIpurchasedfromthefourmenwhohadtakenpossessionofit.Asitwasimpossibletogetanythingtoeatthere,Ileftamanonguard,andmyselfdescendedwithmadameandmademoiselletotheeating-room,alargechambersetwithlongboards,andfilledwitharoughandnoisycrew.Underarunningfireofobservationsweentered,andfoundwithdifficultythreeseatsinaninnercorneroftheroom.

Iranmyeyeoverthecompany,andnoticedamongthem,besidesadozentravellingpartieslikeourown,specimensofallthoseclasseswhicharetobefoundintherearofanarmy.Thereweresomeofficersandmorehorse-dealers;halfadozenforage-agentsandafewpriests;withalargesprinklingofadventurers,braves,andled-captains,andhereandtheretwoorthreewhosedressandthedeferencepaidtothembytheirneighboursseemedtoindicateahigherrank.Conspicuousamongtheselastwereapartyoffourwhooccupiedasmalltablebythedoor.Anattempthadbeenmadetosecuresomedegreeofprivacyforthembyinterposingasettlebetweenthemandtheroom;andtheirattendants,whoseemedtobenumerous,didwhattheycouldtoaddtothisbyfillingthegapwiththeirpersons.Oneofthefour,amanofhandsomedressandbearing,whosatintheplaceofhonour,wasmasked,aswewere.ThegentlemanathisrighthandIcouldnotsee.Theothers,whomIcouldsee,werestrangerstome.

Sometimeelapsedbeforeourpeoplesucceededinprocuringusanyfood,andduringtheintervalwewereexposedtoanamountofcommentonthepartofthoserounduswhichIfoundverylittletomyliking.Therewerenothalfadozenwomenpresent,andthisandourmasksrenderedmycompanionsunpleasantlyconspicuous.Aware,however,oftheimportanceofavoidinganaltercationwhichmightpossiblydetainus,andwouldbecertaintoaddtoournotoriety,Iremainedquiet;andpresentlytheentranceofatall,dark-complexionedman,whocarriedhimselfwithapeculiarswagger,andseemedtobefamousforsomethingorother,divertedtheattentionofthecompanyfromus.

Thenew-comerwassomewhatofMaignan"sfigure.Heworeabackandbreastoveragreendoublet,andhadanorangefeatherinhiscapandanorange-linedcloakonhisshoulder.Onenteringhestoodamomentinthedoorway,lettinghisboldblackeyesroveroundtheroom,thewhilehetalkedinaloudbraggartfashiontohiscompanions.Therewasalackofbreedingintheman"sair,andsomethingoffensiveinhislook;whichInoticedproducedwhereveritrestedamomentarysilenceandconstraint.WhenhemovedfartherintotheroomIsawthatheworeaverylongsword,thepointofwhichtrailedafootbehindhim.

HechoseoutforhisfirstattentionsthepartyoffourwhomI

havementioned;goinguptothemandaccostingthemwitharufflingair,directedespeciallytothegentlemaninthemask.

Thelatterliftedhisheadhaughtilyonfindinghimselfaddressedbyastranger,butdidnotoffertoanswer.Someoneelsedid,however,forasuddenbellowlikethatofanenragedbullproceededfrombehindthesettle.Thewordswerelostinnoise,theunseenspeaker"sangerseemingsooverpoweringthathecouldnotarticulate;butthetoneandvoice,whichwereinsomewayfamiliartome,provedenoughforthebully,who,coveringhisretreatwithaprofoundbow,backedoutrapidly,mutteringwhatwasdoubtlessanapology.Cockinghishatmorefiercelytomakeupforthisrepulse,henextproceededtopatroltheroom,scowlingfromsidetosideashewent,withtheevidentintentionofpickingaquarrelwithsomeonelessformidable.

Byill-chancehiseyelit,asheturned,onourmasks.Hesaidsomethingtohiscompanions;andencouraged,nodoubt,bythepositionofourseatsattheboard,whichledhimtothinkuspeopleofsmallconsequence,hecametoastopoppositeus.

"What!moredukeshere?"hecriedscoffingly."Hallo,yousir!"hecontinuedtome,"willyounotunmaskanddrinkaglasswithme?"

Ithankedhimcivilly,butdeclined.

Hisinsolenteyeswerebusy,whileIspoke,withmadame"sfairhairandhandsomefigure,whichhermaskfailedtohide.

"Perhapstheladieswillhavebettertaste,sir,"hesaidrudely.

"Willtheynothonouruswithasightoftheirprettyfaces?"

KnowingtheimportanceofkeepingmytemperIputconstraintonmyself,andanswered,stillwithcivility,thattheyweregreatlyfatiguedandwereabouttoretire.

"Zounds!"hecried,"thatisnottobeborne.Ifwearetolosethemsosoon,themorereasonweshouldenjoytheirBEAUXYEUX

whilewecan.Ashortlifeandamerryone,sir.Thisisnotanunnery,nor,Idareswear,areyourfairfriendsnuns."

ThoughIlongedtochastisehimforthisinsult,Ifeigneddeafness,andwentonwithmymealasifIhadnotheardhim;andthetablebeingbetweenuspreventedhimgoingbeyondwords.

Afterhehadutteredoneortwocoarsejestsofasimilarcharacter,whichcostuslessasweweremasked,andouremotionscouldonlybeguessed,thecrowdaboutus,seeingItookthethingquietly,begantoapplaudhim;butmoreasitseemedtomeoutoffearthanlove.InthisopinionIwaspresentlyconfirmedonhearingfromSimonwhowhisperedtheinformationinmyearashehandedadish——thatthefellowwasanItaliancaptainintheking"spay,famousforhisskillwiththeswordandthemanyduelsinwhichhehaddisplayedit.

Mademoiselle,thoughshedidnotknowthis,borewithhisinsolencewithapatiencewhichastonishedme;whilemadameappearedunconsciousofit.Nevertheless,Iwasgladwhenheretiredandleftusinpeace.Iseizedthemomentofhisabsencetoescorttheladiesthroughtheroomandupstairstotheirapartment,thedoorofwhichIsawlockedandsecured.ThatdoneIbreathedmorefreely;andfeelingthankfulthatIhadbeenabletokeepmytemper,tooktheepisodetobeatanend.

ButinthisIwasmistaken,asIfoundwhenIreturnedtotheroominwhichwehadsupped,myintentionbeingtogothroughittothestables.IhadnottakentwopacesacrossthefloorbeforeIfoundmyroadblockedbytheItalian,andreadalikeinhiseyesandinthefacesofthecompany——ofwhommanyhastenedtoclimbthetablestoseewhatpassed——thatthemeetingwaspremeditated.Theman"sfacewasflushedwithwine;proudofhismanyvictories,heeyedmewithaboastfulcontemptmypatiencehadperhapsgivenhimtherighttofeel.

"Ha!wellmet,sir,"hesaid,sweepingthefloorwithhiscapinanexaggerationofrespect,"now,perhaps,yourhigh-mightinesswillcondescendtounmask?Thetableisnolongerbetweenus,norareyourfairfriendsheretoprotecttheirCHERAMI!"

"IfIstillrefuse,sir,"Isaidcivilly,waveringbetweenangerandprudence,andhopingstilltoavoidaquarrelwhichmightendangerusall,"begoodenoughtoattributeittoprivatemotives,andtonodesiretodisobligeyou."

"No,Idonotthinkyouwishtodisobligeme,"heanswered,laughingscornfully——andadozenvoicesechoedthegibe."Butforyourprivatemotives,thedeviltakethem!Isthatplainenough,sir?"

"Itisplainenoughtoshowmethatyouareanill-bredman!"I

answered,cholergettingthebetterofme."Letmepass,sir."

"Unmask!"heretorted,movingsoasstilltodetainme,"orshallIcallinthegroomstoperformtheofficeforyou?"

Seeingatlastthatallmyattemptstoevadethemanonlyfedhisvanity,andencouragedhimtofurtherexcesses,andthatthemotleycrowd,whofilledtheroomandalreadyformedacircleroundus,hadmadeuptheirmindstoseesport,Iwouldnolongerbalkthem;Icouldnolongerdoit,indeed,withhonour.I

lookedround,therefore,forsomeonewhomImightenlistasmysecond,butIsawnoonewithwhomIhadtheleastacquaintance.

Theroomwaslinedfromtabletoceilingwithmockingfacesandscornfuleyesallturnedtome.

Myopponentsawthelook,andmisreadit;beingmuchaccustomed,Iimagine,toaone-sidedbattle.Helaughedcontemptuously.

"No,myfriend,thereisnowayoutofit,"hesaid."Letmeseeyourprettyface,orfight."

"Sobeit,"Isaidquietly."IfIhavenootherchoice,Iwillfight."

"Inyourmask?"hecriedincredulously.

"Yes,"Isaidsternly,feelingeverynervetinglewithlong-

suppressedrage."IwillfightasIam.Offwithyourbackandbreast,ifyouareaman.AndIwillsodealwithyouthatifyouseeto-morrow"ssunyoushallneedamaskfortherestofyourdays!"

"Ho!ho!"heanswered,scowlingatmeinsurprise,"yousinginadifferentkeynow.ButIwillputatermtoit.Thereisspaceenoughbetweenthesetables,ifyoucanuseyourweapon;

andmuchmorethanyouwillneedto-morrow."

"To-morrowwillshow,"Iretorted.

Withoutmoreadoheunfastenedthebucklesofhisbreast-piece,andrelievinghimselfofit,steppedbackapace.Thoseofthebystanderswhooccupiedthepartoftheroomheindicated——aspaceboundedbyfourtables,andnotunfitforthepurpose,thoughsomewhatconfined——hastenedtogetoutofit,andseizeinsteaduponneighbouringpostsof"vantage.Theman"sreputationwassuch,andhisfamesogreat,thatonallsidesI

heardnaughtbutwagersofferedagainstmeatodds;butthiscircumstance,whichmighthaveflurriedayoungermanandnumbedhisarm,servedonlytosetmeonmakingthemostofsuchopeningsasthefellow"spresumptionandcertaintyofsuccesswouldbesuretoafford.

Thenewsofthechallengerunningthroughthehousehadbroughttogetherbythistimesomanypeopleastofilltheroomfromendtoend,andeventoobscurethelight,whichwasbeginningtowane.Atthelastmoment,whenwewereonthepointofengaging,aslightcommotionmarkedtheadmissiontothefrontofthreeorfourpersons,whoseconsequenceorattendantsgainedthemthisadvantage.IbelievedthemtobethepartyoffourIhavementioned,butatthetimeIcouldnotbecertain.

InthefewsecondsofwaitingwhilethiswentforwardIexaminedourrelativepositionswiththefullestintentionofkillingtheman——whoseglitteringeyesandfiercesmilefilledmewithaloathingwhichwasverynearlyhatred——ifIcould.Thelineofwindowslaytomyrightandhisleft.Theeveninglightfellacrossus,whiteningtherowoffacesonmyleft,butleavingthoseonmyrightinshadow.Itoccurredtomeontheinstantthatmymaskwasactuallyanadvantage,seeingthatitprotectedmysightfromtheside-light,andenabledmetowatchhiseyesandpointwithmoreconcentration.

"Youwillbethetwenty-thirdmanIhavekilled!"hesaidboastfully,aswecrossedswordsandstoodaninstantonguard.

"Takecare!"Ianswered."Youhavetwenty-threeagainstyou!"

Aswiftlungewashisonlyanswer.Iparriedit,andthrust,andwefelltowork.Wehadnotexchangedhalfadozenblows,however,beforeIsawthatIshouldneedalltheadvantagewhichmymaskandgreatercautiongaveme.Ihadmetmymatch,anditmightbesomethingmore;butthatforatimeitwasimpossibletotell.Hehadthelongerweapon,andIthelongerreach.Hepreferredthepoint,afterthenewItalianfashion,andItheblade.Hewassomewhatflushedwithwine,whilemyarmhadscarcelyrecoveredthestrengthofwhichillnesshaddeprivedme.

Ontheotherhand,excitedatthefirstbythecriesofhisbackers,heplayedratherwildly;whileIheldmyselfprepared,andkeepingupastrongguard,waitedcautiouslyforanyopeningormistakeonhispart.

Thecrowdroundus,whichhadhailedourfirstpasseswithnoisycriesofderisionandtriumph,fellsilentafterawhile,surprisedandtakenabackbytheirchampion"sfailuretospitmeatthefirstonslaught.Myreluctancetoengagehadledthemtopredictashortfightandaneasyvictory.

Convincedofthecontrary,theybegantowatcheachstrokewithbatedbreath;ornowandagain,mutteringthenameofJarnac,brokeintobriefexclamationsasablowmoresavagethanusualdrewsparksfromourblades,andmadetheraftersringwiththeharshgrindingofsteelonsteel.

Thesurpriseofthecrowd,however,wasasmallthingcomparedwiththatofmyadversary.Impatience,disgust,rageanddoubtchasedoneanotherinturnacrosshisflushedfeatures.

Apprisedthathehadtodowithaswordsman,heputforthallhispower.Withspiteinhiseyeshelabouredblowonblow,hetriedoneformofattackafteranother,hefoundmeequal,ifbarelyequal,toall.Andthenatlasttherecameachange.Theperspirationgatheredonhisbrow,thesilencedisconcertedhim;

hefelthisstrengthfailingunderthestrain,andsuddenly,I

think,thepossibilityofdefeatanddeath,unthoughtofbefore,burstuponhim.Iheardhimgroan,andforamomenthefencedwildly.Thenheagainrecoveredhimself.ButnowIreadterrorinhiseyes,andknewthatthemomentofretributionwasathand.

Withhisbacktothetable,andmypointthreateninghisbreast,heknewatlastwhatthoseothershadfelt!

Hewouldfainhavestoppedtobreathe,butIwouldnotlethimthoughmyblowsalsoweregrowingfeeble,andmyguardweaker;

forIknewthatifIgavehimtimetorecoverhimselfhewouldhaverecoursetoothertricks,andmightout-manoeuvremeintheend.Asitwas,myblackunchangingmask,whichalwaysconfrontedhim,whichhidallemotionsandveiledevenfatigue,hadgrowntobefullofterrortohim——fullofblank,passionlessmenace.HecouldnottellhowIfared,orwhatIthought,orhowmystrengthstood.Superstitiousdreadwasonhim,andthreatened,tooverpowerhim.IgnorantwhoIwasorwhenceI

came,hefearedanddoubted,grapplingwithmonstroussuspicions,whichthefadinglightencouraged.Hisfacebrokeoutinblotches,hisbreathcameandwentingasps,hiseyesbegantoprotrude.Onceortwicetheyquittedmineforapartofasecondtostealadespairingglanceattherowsofonlookersthatrantorightandleftofus.Buthereadnopitythere.

Atlasttheendcame——moresuddenlythanIhadlookedforit,butIthinkhewasunnerved.Hishandlostitsgripofthehilt,andaparrywhichIdealtalittlemorebrisklythanusualsenttheweaponflyingamongthecrowd,asmuchtomyastonishmentastothatofthespectators.Avolleyofoathsandexclamationshailedtheevent;andforamomentIstoodatgaze,eyeinghimwatchfully.Heshrankback;thenhemadeforamomentasifhewouldflinghimselfuponmedaggerinhand.Butseeingmypointsteady,herecoiledasecondtime,hisfacedistortedwithrageandfear.

"Go!"Isaidsternly."Begone!Followyoursword!Butsparethenextmanyouconquer."

Hestaredatme,fingeringhisdaggerasifhedidnotunderstand,orasifinthebitternessofhisshameatbeingsodefeatedevenlifewereunwelcome.Iwasabouttorepeatmywordswhenaheavyhandfellonmyshoulder.

"Fool!"aharshgrowlingvoicemutteredinmyear."DoyouwanthimtoserveyouasAchonservedMatas?Thisisthewaytodealwithhim."

AndbeforeIknewwhospokeorwhattoexpectamanvaultedoverthetablebesideme.SeizingtheItalianbytheneckandwaist,heflunghimbodily——withoutpayingtheleastregardtohisdagger——intothecrowd."There!"thenew-comercried,stretchinghisarmsasiftheefforthadrelievedhim,"somuchforhim!Anddoyoubreatheyourself.Breatheyourself,myfriend,"hecontinuedwithavain-gloriousairofgenerosity.

"Whenyouarerestedandready,youandIwillhaveabout.Mondieu!whatathingitistoseeaman!Andbymyfaithyouareaman!"

"But,sir,"Isaid,staringathimintheutmostbewilderment,"wehavenoquarrel."

"Quarrel?"hecriedinhisloud,ringingvoice."Heavenforbid!

Whyshouldwe?Iloveaman,however,andwhenIseeoneIsaytohim,"IamCrillon!Fightme!"ButIseeyouarenotyetrested.Patience!Thereisnohurry.BerthondeCrillonisproudtowaityourconvenience.Inthemeantime,gentlemen,"hecontinued,turningwithagrandairtothespectators,whoviewedthissuddenBOULEVERSEMENTwithunboundedsurprise,"letusdowhatwecan.Takethewordfromme,andcryall,"VIVELEROI,ETVIVEL"INCONNU!""

Likepeopleawakingfromadream——sogreatwastheirastonishmentthecompanycompliedandwiththeutmostheartiness.Whentheshoutdiedaway,someonecriedinturn,"ViveCrillon!"andthiswashonouredwithafervourwhichbroughtthetearstotheeyesofthatremarkableman,inwhombombastwassostrangelycombinedwiththefirmestandmostrecklesscourage.Hebowedagainandagain,turninghimselfaboutinthesmallspacebetweenthetables,whilehisfaceshonewithpleasureandenthusiasm.

MeanwhileIviewedhimwithperplexity.IcomprehendedthatitwashisvoiceIhadheardbehindthesettle;butIhadneitherthedesiretofighthimnorsogreatareserveofstrengthaftermyillnessastobeabletoenteronafreshcontestwithequanimity.Whenheturnedtome,therefore,andagainasked,"Well,sir,areyouready?"IcouldthinkofnobetteranswerthanthatIhadalreadymadetohim,"But,sir,Ihavenoquarrelwithyou."

"Tut,tut!"heansweredquerulously,"ifthatisall,letusengage."

"Thatisnotall,however,"Isaid,resolutelyputtingupmysword."IhavenotonlynoquarrelwithM.deCrillon,butI

receivedathishandswhenIlastsawhimaconsiderableservice."

"Thennowisthetimetoreturnit,"heanswered.briskly,andasifthatsettledthematter.

Icouldnotrefrainfromlaughing."Nay,butIhavestillanexcuse,"Isaid."Iambarelyrecoveredfromanillness,andamweak.Evenso,Ishouldbelothtodeclineacombatwithsome;

butabettermanthanImaygivethewalltoM.deCrillonandsuffernodisgrace."

"Oh,ifyouputitthatway——enoughsaid,"heansweredinatoneofdisappointment."And,tobesure,thelightisalmostgone.

Thatisacomfort.Butyouwillnotrefusetodrinkacupofwinewithme?YourvoiceIremember,thoughIcannotsaywhoyouareorwhatserviceIdidyou.Forthefuture,however,countonme.Iloveamanwhoisbraveaswellasmodest,andknownobetterfriendthanastoutswordsman."

Iwasansweringhiminfittingterms——whiletheficklecrowd,whichafewminutesearlierhadbeenreadytotearme,viewedusfromadistancewithrespectfulhomage——whenthemaskedgentlemanwhohadbeforebeeninhiscompanydrewnearandsalutedmewithmuchstateliness.

"Icongratulateyou,sir,"hesaid,intheeasytoneofagreatmancondescending."Youusetheswordasfewuseit,andfightwithyourheadaswellasyourhands.Shouldyouneedafriendoremployment,youwillhonourmebyrememberingthatyouareknowntotheVicomtedeTurenne."

Ibowedlowtohidethestartwhichthementionofhisnamecausedme.ForhadItried,ay,andpossessedtoaidmeallthewitofM.deBrantome,Icouldhaveimaginednothingmorefantasticthanthismeeting;ormoreentertainingthanthatI,masked,shouldtalkwiththeVicomtedeTurennemasked,andhearinplaceofreproachesandthreatsofvengeanceacivilofferofprotection.ScarcelyknowingwhetherIshouldlaughortremble,orwhichshouldoccupymemore,thedivertingthingthathadhappenedortheperilwehadbarelyescaped,Imadeshifttoanswerhim,cravinghisindulgenceifIstillpreservedmyincognito.EvenwhileIspokeafreshfearassailedme:lestM.

deCrillon,recognisingmyvoiceorfigure,shouldcrymynameonthespot,andexplodeinamomentthemineonwhichwestood.

Thisrenderedmeextremelyimpatienttobegone.ButM.leVicomtehadstillsomethingtosay,andIcouldnotwithdrawmyselfwithoutrudeness.

"Youaretravellingnorthlikeeveryoneelse?"hesaid,gazingatmecuriously."MayIaskwhetheryouareforMeudon,wheretheKingofNavarrelies,orfortheCourtatSt.Cloud?"

Imuttered,movingrestlesslyunderhiskeeneyes,thatIwasforMeudon.

"Then,ifyoucaretotravelwithalargercompany,"herejoined,bowingwithnegligentcourtesy,"praycommandme.IamforMeudonalso,andshallleaveherethreehoursbeforenoon."

Fortunatelyhetookmyassenttohisgraciousinvitationforgranted,andturnedawaybeforeIhadwellbeguntothankhim.

FromCrillonIfounditmoredifficulttoescape.Heappearedtohaveconceivedagreatfancyforme,andfeltalso,Iimagine,somecuriosityastomyidentity.ButIdideventhisatlast,and,evadingtheobsequiousofferswhichweremademeonallsides,escapedtothestables,whereIsoughtouttheCid"sstall,andlyingdowninthestrawbesidehim,begantoreviewthepast,andplanthefuture.Undercoverofthedarknesssleepsooncametome;mylastwakingthoughtsbeingdividedbetweenthankfulnessformyescapeandasteadypurposetoreachMeudonbeforetheVicomte,sothatImightmakegoodmytaleinhisabsence.ForthatseemedtobemyonlychanceofevadingthedangersIhadchosentoencounter.

CHAPTERXXXIII.

ATMEUDON.

MakingsoearlyastartfromEtampesthattheinn,whichhadcontinuedinanuproartilllongaftermidnight,laysunkinsleepwhenwerodeoutoftheyard,wereachedMeudonaboutnoonnextday.IshouldbetediouswereItodetailwhatthoughtsmymistressandIhadduringthatday"sjourney——thelast,itmightbe,whichweshouldtaketogether;orwhatassuranceswegaveoneanother,orhowoftenwe,repentedtheimpatiencewhichhadimpelledustoputalltothetouch.Madame,withkindlyforethought,detachedherselffromus,androdethegreaterpartofthedistancewithFanchette;buttheopportunitiesshegaveuswentforlittle;for,tobeplain,theseparationwedreadedseemedtoovershadowusalready.Weutteredfewwords,throughthosefewweretothepurpose,butridinghand-in-hand,withfullhearts,andeyeswhichseldomquittedoneanother,lookedforwardtoMeudonanditsperilswithsuchgloomyforebodingsasourloveandmyprecariouspositionsuggested.

Longbeforewereachedthetown,orcouldseemoreofitthantheChateau,overwhichtheLiliesofFranceandthebroadwhitebanneroftheBourbonsfloatedincompany,wefoundourselvessweptintothewhirlpoolwhichsurroundsanarmy.Crowdsstoodatallthecross-roads,wagonsandsumpter-mulesencumberedthebridges;eachmomentahorsemanpassedusatagallop,oratroopofdisorderlyrogues,soldiersonlyinname,reeled,shoutingandsinging,alongtheroad.Hereandthere,forawarningtothelattersort,aman,dangledonarudegallows;underwhichsportsmenreturningfromthechaseandladieswhohadbeenforanairingrodelaughingontheirway.

Amidthemultitudeenteringthetownwepassedunnoticed.A

littlewaywithinthewallswehaltedtoinquirewherethePrincessofNavarrehadherlodging.Hearingthatsheoccupiedahouseinthetown,whileherbrotherhadhisquartersintheChateau,andtheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,Istayedmypartyinaby-road,ahundredpacesfartheron,and,springingfromtheCid,wenttomymistress"sknee.

"Mademoiselle,"Isaidformally,andsoloudlythatallmymenmighthear,"thetimeiscome.Idarenotgofartherwithyou.

Ibegyou,therefore,tobearmewitnessthatasItookyousoI

havebroughtyouback,andbothwithyourgood-will.Ibegthatyouwillgivemethisquittance,foritmayserveme."

Shebowedherheadandlaidherunglovedhandonmine,whichI

hadplacedon,thepommelofhersaddle."Sir,"sheansweredinabrokenvoice,"Iwillnotgiveyouthisquittance,noranyquittancefrommewhileIlive."Withthatshetookoffhermaskbeforethemall,andIsawthetearsrunningdownherwhiteface.

"MayGodprotectyou,M.deMarsac,"shecontinued,stoopinguntilherfacealmosttouchedmine,"andbringyoutothethingyoudesire.Ifnot,sir,andyoupaytoodearlyforwhatyouhavedoneforme,Iwillliveamaidenallmydays.And,ifIdonot,thesemenmayshameme!"

Myheartwastoofullforwords,butItooktheglovesheheldouttome,andkissedherhandwithmykneebent.ThenIwaved——

forIcouldnotspeak——tomadametoproceed;andwithSimonFleixandMaignan"smentoguardthemtheywentontheirway.

Mademoiselle"swhitefacelookedbacktomeuntilabendintheroadhidthem,andIsawthemnomore.

Iturnedwhenallweregone,andgoingheavilytowheremySardstoodwithhisheaddrooping,Iclimbedtothesaddle,androdeatafoot-pacetowardstheChateau.Thewaywasshortandeasy,forthenextturningshowedmetheopengatewayandacrowdaboutit.Avastnumberofpeoplewereenteringandleaving,whileothersrestedintheshadeofthewall,andadozengroomsledhorsesupanddown.Thesunshinefellhotlyontheroadandthecourtyard,andflashedbackbythecuirassesofthemenonguard,seizedtheeyeanddazzleditwithgleamsofinfinitebrightness.

Iwasadvancingalone,gazingatallthiswithaspeciesofdullindifferencewhichmaskedforthemomentthesuspenseIfeltatheart,whenaman,comingonfootalongthestreet,crossedquicklytomeandlookedmeintheface.

Ireturnedhislook,andseeinghewasastrangertome,wasforpassingonwithoutpausing.Buthewheeledbesidemeandutteredmynameinalowvoice.

IcheckedtheCidandlookeddownathim."Yes,"Isaidmechanically,"IamM.deMarsac.ButIdonotknowyou."

"NeverthelessIhavebeenwatchingforyouforthreedays,"hereplied."M.deRosnyreceivedyourmessage.Thisisforyou."

Hehandedmeascrapofpaper."Fromwhom?"Iasked.

"Maignan,"heansweredbriefly.Andwiththat,andastealthylookround,heleftme,andwentthewayhehadbeengoingbefore.

Itoreopenthenote,andknowingthatMaignancouldnotwrite,wasnotsurprisedtofindthatitlackedanysignature.Thebrevityofitscontentsviedwiththecurtnessofitsbearer.

"InHeaven"snamegobackandwait,"itran."Yourenemyishere,andthosewhowishyouwellarepowerless."

Awarningsoexplicit,anddeliveredundersuchcircumstances,mighthavebeenexpectedtomakemepauseeventhen.ButIreadthemessagewiththesamedullindifference,thesamedoggedresolvewithwhichthesightofthecrowdedgatewaybeforemehadinspiredme.IhadnotcomesofarandbaffledTurennebyanhourtofailinmypurposeatthelast;norgivensuchpledgestoanothertoprovefalsetomyself.Moreover,thedistantrattleofmusketry,whichwenttoshowthataskirmishwastakingplaceonthefarthersideoftheCastle,seemedaninvitationtometoproceed;fornow,ifever,myswordmightearnprotectionandapardon.OnlyinregardtoM.deRosny,fromwhomIhadnodoubtthatthemessagecame,Iresolvedtoactwithprudence;neithermakinganyappealtohiminpublicnormentioninghisnametoothersinprivate.

TheCidhadbornemebythistimeintothemiddleofthethrongaboutthegateway,who,wonderingtoseeastrangerofmyappearancearrivewithoutattendants,eyedmewithamixtureofcivilityandforwardness.IrecognisedmorethanonemanwhomI

hadseenabouttheCourtatSt.Jeand"Angelysixmonthsbefore;

butsogreatisthedisguisingpowerofhandsomeclothesandequipmentsthatnoneoftheseknewme.Ibeckonedtothenearest,andaskedhimiftheKingofNavarrewasintheChateau.

"HehasgonetoseetheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,"themananswered,withsomethingofwonderthatanyoneshouldbeignorantofsoimportantafact."Heisexpectedhereinanhour."

Ithankedhim,andcalculatingthatIshouldstillhavetimeandtosparebeforethearrivalofM.deTurenne,Idismounted,andtakingthereinovermyarm,begantowalkupanddownintheshadeofthewall.Meanwhiletheloiterersincreasedinnumbersastheminutespassed.Menofbetterstandingrodeup,and,leavingtheirhorsesinchargeoftheirlackeys,wentintotheChateau.Officersinshiningcorslets,orwithbootsandscabbardsdulledwithdust,arrivedandclatteredinthroughthegates.Amessengergallopedupwithletters,andwasinstantlysurroundedbyacuriousthrongofquestioners;wholefthimonlytogatheraboutthenextcomers,aknotoftownsfolk,whosedowncastvisagesandglancesofapprehensionseemedtobetokennopleasantoreasymission.

Watchingmanyoftheseenteranddisappear,whileonlythehumblersortremainedtoswellthecrowdatthegate,Ibegantoexperiencethediscomfortandimpatiencewhicharethelotofthemanwhofindshimselfplacedinafalseposition.IforesawwithclearnesstheinjuryIwasabouttodomycausebypresentingmyselftothekingamongthecommonherd;andyetIhadnochoicesavetodothis,forIdarednotruntheriskofentering,lestI

shouldberequiredtogivemyname,andfailtoseetheKingofNavarreatall.

AsitwasIcameveryneartobeingfoiledinthisway;forI

presentlyrecognised,andwasrecognisedinturn,byagentlemanwhorodeuptothegatesand,throwinghisreinstoagroom,dismountedwithanairofimmensegravity.ThiswasM.Forget,theking"ssecretary,andthepersontowhomIhadonaformeroccasionpresentedapetition.Helookedatmewitheyesofprofoundastonishment,andsalutingmestifflyfromadistance,seemedintwomindswhetherheshouldpassinorspeaktome.Onsecondthoughts,however,hecametowardsme,andagainsalutedmewithapeculiarlydryandaustereaspect.

"Ibelieve,sir,IamspeakingtoM.deMarsac?"hesaidinalowvoice,butnotimpolitely.

Irepliedintheaffirmative.

"Andthat,Iconclude,isyourhorse?"hecontinued,raisinghiscane,andpointingtotheCid,whichIhadfastenedtoahookinthewall.

Irepliedagainintheaffirmative.

"Thentakeawordofadvice,"heanswered,screwinguphisfeatures,andspeakinginadrysortofway."Getuponitsbackwithoutaninstant"sdelay,andputasmanyleaguesbetweenyourselfandMeudonashorseandmanmay."

"Iamobligedtoyou,"Isaid,thoughIwasgreatlystartledbyhiswords."AndwhatifIdonottakeyouradvice?"

Heshruggedhisshoulders."Inthatcaselooktoyourself!"heretorted."Butyouwilllookinvain!"

Heturnedonhisheel,ashespoke,andinamomentwasgone.I

watchedhimentertheChateau,andintheuncertaintywhichpossessedmewhetherhewasnotgone——aftersalvinghisconsciencebygivingmewarning——toordermyinstantarrest,I

felt,andIdoubtnotIlooked,asillateaseforthetimebeingasthegroupoftremblingtownsfolkwhostoodnearme.

Reflectingthatheshouldknowhismaster"smind,IrecalledwithdepressingclearnesstherepeatedwarningstheKingofNavarrehadgivenmethatImustnotlooktohimforrewardorprotection.IbethoughtmethatIwashereagainsthisexpressorders:presumingonthoseveryserviceswhichhehadgivenmenoticeheshouldrepudiate.IrememberedthatRosnyhadalwaysbeeninthesametale.AndinfineIbegantoseethatmademoiselleandIhadtogetherdecidedonastepwhichIshouldneverhavepresumedtotakeonmyownmotion.

IhadbarelyarrivedatthisconclusionwhenthetramplingofhoofsandasuddenclosinginofthecrowdroundthegateannouncedtheKingofNavarre"sapproach.WithasickheartI

drewnearer,feelingthatthecrisiswasathand;andinamomenthecameinsight,ridingbesideanelderlyman,plainlydressedandmounted,withwhomhewascarryingonanearnestconversation.Atrainofnoblesandgentlemen,whosemartialairandequipmentsmadeupfortheabsenceofthegewgawsandglitter,towhichmyeyeshadbecomeaccustomedatBlois,followedcloseonhisheels.Henryhimselfworeasuitofwhitevelvet,frayedinplacesandsoiledbyhisarmour;buthisquickeyeandeager,almostfierce,countenancecouldnotfailtowinandkeeptheattentionoftheleastobservant.Hekeptglancingfromsidetosideashecameon;andthatwithsocheerfulanairandacarriagesofullatonceofdignityandgood-humourthatnoonecouldlookonhimandfailtoseethatherewasaleaderandaprinceofmen,temperateinvictoryandunsurpassedindefeat.

Thecrowdraisingacryof"VIVENAVARRE!"ashedrewnear,hebowed,withasparkleinhiseye.Butwhenafewbythegatecried"VIVENTLESROIS!"hehelduphishandforsilence,andsaidinaloud,clearvoice,"Notthat,myfriends.ThereisbutonekinginFrance.Letussayinstead,"ViveleRoi!""

Thespokesmanofthelittlegroupoftownsfolk,who,Ilearned,werefromArcueil,andhadcometocomplainoftheexcessivenumberoftroopsquartereduponthem,tookadvantageofthepausetoapproachhim.Henryreceivedtheoldmanwithakindlylook,andbentfromhissaddletohearwhathehadtosay.WhiletheyweretalkingIpressedforward,theemotionIfeltonmyownaccountheightenedbymyrecognitionofthemanwhorodebytheKingofNavarre——whowasnootherthanM.delaNoue.NoHuguenotworthyofthenamecouldlookontheveteranwhohaddoneandsufferedmoreforthecausethananylivingmanwithoutcatchingsomethingofhissternenthusiasm;andthesight,whileitshamedme,whoamomentbeforehadbeeninclinedtoprefermysafetytotheassistanceIowedmycountry,gavemecouragetosteptotheking"srein,sothatIheardhislastwordstothemenofArcueil.

"Patience,myfriends,"hesaidkindly."Theburdenisheavy,butthejourneyisashortone.TheSeineisours;thecircleiscomplete.InaweekParismustsurrender.Theking,mycousin,willenter,andyouwillberidofus.ForFrance"ssakeoneweek,myfriends."

Themenfellbackwithlowobeisances,charmedbyhisgood-

nature,andHenry,lookingup,sawmebeforehim.Intheinstanthisjawfell.Hisbrow,suddenlycontractingaboveeyes,whichflashedwithsurpriseanddispleasure,alteredinamomentthewholeaspectofhisface;whichgrewdarkandsternasnight.

Hisfirstimpulsewastopassbyme;butseeingthatIheldmyground,hehesitated,socompletelychagrinedbymyappearancethathedidnotknowhowtoact,orinwhatwaytodealwithme.

Iseizedtheoccasion,andbendingmykneewithasmuchrespectasIhadeverusedtotheKingofFrance,beggedtobringmyselftohisnotice,andtocravehisprotectionandfavour.

"Thisisnotimetotroubleme,sir,"heretorted,eyeingmewithanangryside-glance."Idonotknowyou.Youareunknowntome,sir.YoumustgotoM.deRosny."

"Itwouldbeuselesssire,"Ianswered,indesperatepersistence.

"ThenIcandonothingforyou,"herejoinedpeevishly."Standononeside,sir."

ButIwasdesperate.IknewthatIhadriskedallontheevent,andmustestablishmyfootingbeforeM.deTurenne"sreturn,orruntheriskofcertainrecognitionandvengeance.Icriedout,caringnothingwhoheard,thatIwasM.deMarsac,thatIhadcomebacktomeetwhatevermyenemiescouldallegeagainstme.

"VENTRESAINTGRIS!"Henryexclaimed,startinginhissaddlewithwell-feignedsurprise."Areyouthatman?"

"Iam,sire,"Ianswered.

"Thenyoumustbemad!"heretorted,appealingtothosebehindhim."Stark,staringmadtoshowyourfacehere!"VENTRESAINT

GRIS!Arewetohavealltheravishersandplunderersinthecountrycometous?"

"Iamneithertheonenortheother!"Ianswered,lookingwithindignationfromhimtothegapingtrainbehindhim.

"ThatyouwillhavetosettlewithM.deTurenne!"heretorted,frowningdownatmewithhiswholefaceturnedgloomyandfierce.

"Iknowyouwell,sir,now.ComplainthasbeenmadethatyouabductedaladyfromhisCastleofChizesometimeback."

"Thelady,sire,isnowinchargeofthePrincessofNavarre."

"Sheis?"heexclaimed,quitetakenaback.

"Andifshehasaughtofcomplaintagainstme,"Icontinuedwithpride,"IwillsubmittowhateverpunishmentyouorderorM.deTurennedemands.Butifshehasnocomplainttomake,andvowsthatsheaccompaniedmeofherownfree-willandaccord,andhassufferedneitherwrongnordispleasureatmyhands,then,sire,I