第3章

Takingadvantageofthelastmomentsofdaylight,Irodecautiouslyroundthehouse,and,keepingintheshadowofthetrees,hadnodifficultyindiscoveringatthenorth-eastcornerthebalconyofwhichIhadbeentold.Itwassemi-circularinshape,withastonebalustrade,andhungsomefifteenfeetaboveaterracedwalkwhichranbelowit,andwasseparatedfromthechasebyalowsunkfence.

Iwassurprisedtoobservethat,notwithstandingtherainandthecoldnessoftheevening,thewindowwhichgaveuponthisbalconywasopen.Norwasthisall.Luckwasinstoreformeatlast.

Ihadnotgazedatthewindowmorethanaminute,calculatingitsheightandotherparticulars,when,tomygreatjoy,afemalefigure,closelyhooded,steppedoutandstoodlookingupatthesky.IwastoofarofftobeabletodiscernbythatuncertainlightwhetherthiswasMademoiselledelaVireorherwoman;buttheattitudewassoclearlyoneofdejectionanddespondency,thatIfeltsureitwaseitheroneortheother.Determinednottolettheopportunityslip,Idismountedhastilyand,leavingtheCidloose,advancedonfootuntilIstoodwithinhalf-a-dozenpacesofthewindow.

Atthatpointthewatcherbecameawareofme.Shestartedback,butdidnotwithdraw.Stillpeeringdownatme,shecalledsoftlytosomeoneinsidethechamber,andimmediatelyasecondfigure,tallerandstouter,appeared.Ihadalreadydoffedmycap,andInow,inalowvoice,beggedtoknowifIhadthehonourofspeakingtoMademoiselledelaVire.Inthegrowingdarknessitwasimpossibletodistinguishfaces.

\'Hush!\'thestouterfiguremutteredinatoneofwarning.\'Speaklower.Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouhere?\'

\'Iamhere,\'Iansweredrespectfully,\'commissionedbyafriendoftheladyIhavenamed,toconveyhertoaplaceofsafety.\'

\'Mondieu!\'wasthesharpanswer.\'Now?Itisimpossible.\'

\'No,\'Imurmured,\'notnow,butto-night.Themoonrisesathalf-pasttwo.Myhorsesneedrestandfood.AtthreeIwillbebelowthiswindowwiththemeansofescape,ifmademoisellechoosetousethem.\'

Ifeltthattheywerestaringatmethroughthedusk,asthoughtheywouldreadmybreast.\'Yourname,sir?\'theshorterfiguremurmuredatlast,afterapausewhichwasfullofsuspenseandexcitement.

\'Idonotthinkmynameofmuchimportatpresent,Mademoiselle,\'

Ianswered,reluctanttoproclaimmyselfastranger.\'When——\'

\'Yourname,yourname,sir!\'sherepeatedimperiously,andI

heardherlittleheelrapuponthestonefloorofthebalcony.

\'GastondeMarsac,\'Iansweredunwillingly.

Theybothstarted,andcriedouttogether.\'Impossible!\'thelastspeakerexclaimed,amazementandangerinhertone,\'Thisisajest,sir.This——\'

WhatmoreshewouldhavesaidIwaslefttoguess,foratthatmomentherattendantIhadnodoubtnowwhichwasmademoiselleandwhichFanchette——suddenlylaidherhandonhermistress\'smouthandpointedtotheroombehindthem.Asecond\'ssuspense,andwithawantinggesturethetwoturnedanddisappearedthroughthewindow.

Ilostnotimeinregainingtheshelterofthetrees;andconcluding,thoughIwasfarfromsatisfiedwiththeinterview,thatIcoulddonothingmorenow,butmightrather,byloiteringintheneighbourhood,awakensuspicion,Iremountedandmadeforthehighwayandthevillage,whereIfoundmymeninnoisyoccupationoftheinn,apoorplace,withunglazedwindows,andafireinthemiddleoftheearthenfloor.MyfirstcarewetstostabletheCidinashedattheback,whereIprovidedforitswantsasfarasIcouldwiththeaidofahalf-nakedboy,whoseemedtobeinhidingthere.

Thisdone,Ireturnedtothefrontofthehouse,havingprettywellmadeupmymindhowIwouldsetaboutthetaskbeforeme.

AsIpassedoneofthewindows,whichwaspartiallyclosedbyarudecurtainmadeofoldsacks,Istoppedtolookin.Fresnoyandhisfourrascalswereseatedonblocksofwoodroundthehearth,talkingloudlyandfiercely,andrufflingitasifthefireandtheroomweretheirown.Apedlar,seatedonhisgoodsinonecorner,waseyeingthemwithevidentfearandsuspicion;

inanothercornertwochildrenhadtakenrefugeunderadonkey,whichsomefowlshadchosenasaroosting-pole.Theinnkeeper,asturdyfellow,withagreatclubinhisfist,satmoodilyatthefootofaladderwhichledtotheloftabove,whileaslatternlywoman,whowasgoingtoandfrogettingsupper,seemedinequalterrorofherguestsandhergoodman.

ConfirmedbywhatIsaw,andassuredthatthevillainswereripeforanymischief,and,ifnotchecked,wouldspeedilybebeyondmycontrol,Inoisilyflungthedooropenandentered.FresnoylookedupwithasneerasIdidso,andoneofthemenlaughed.

Theothersbecamesilent;butnoonemovedorgreetedme.

Withoutamoment\'shesitationIsteppedtothenearestfellowand,withasturdykick,senthislogfromunderhim.\'Rise,yourascal,whenIenter!\'Icried,givingventtotheangerIhadlongfelt.\'Andyou,too!\'andwithasecondkickIsenthisneighbour\'sstoolflyingalso,andadministeredacoupleofcutswithmyriding-caneacrosstheman\'sshoulders.\'Haveyounomanners,sirrah?Acrosswithyou,andleavethissidetoyourbetters.\'

Thetworose,snarlingandfeelingfortheirweapons,andforamomentstoodfacingme,lookingnowatmeandnowaskanceatFresnoy.Butashegavenosign,andtheircomradesonlylaughed,themen\'scouragefailedthematthepinch,andwithaverypoorgracetheysneakedovertotheothersideofthefireandsatthere,scowling.

Iseatedmyselfbesidetheirleader.\'ThisgentlemanandIwilleathere,\'Icriedtothemanatthefootoftheladder.\'Bidyourwifelayforus,andofthebestyouhave;anddoyougivethoseknavestheirprovenderwherethesmelloftheirgreasyjacketswillnotcomebetweenusandourvictuals.\'

Themancameforward,gladenough,asIsaw,todiscoveranyoneinauthority,andverycivillybegantodrawwineandplaceaboardforus,whilehiswifefilledourplattersfromtheblackpotwhichhungoverthefire.Fresnoy\'sfacemeanwhileworetheamusedsmileofonewhocomprehendedmymotives,butfeltsufficientlysureofhispositionandinfluencewithhisfollowerstobeindifferenttomyproceedings.Ipresentlyshowedhim,however,thatIhadnotyetdonewithhim.Ourtablewaslaidinobediencetomyordersatsuchadistancefromthementhattheycouldnotoverhearourtalk,andby-and-byIleantovertohim.

\'M.Fresnoy,\'Isaid,\'youareindangerofforgettingonething,Ifancy,whichitbehovesyoutoremember.\'

\'What?\'hemuttered,scarcelydeigningtolookupatme.

\'ThatyouhavetodowithGastondeMarsac,\'Iansweredquietly.

\'Iammaking,asItoldyouthismorning,alastattempttorecruitmyfortunes,andIwillletnoman——noman,doyouunderstand,M.Fresnoy?——thwartmeandgoharmless.\'

\'Whowishestothwartyou?\'heaskedimpudently.

\'You,\'Iansweredunmoved,helpingmyself,asIspoke,fromtherollofblackbreadwhichlaybesideme.\'Yourobbedmethisafternoon;Ipasseditover.Youencouragedthosementobeinsolent;Ipasseditover.Butletmetellyouthis.Ifyoufailmeto-night,onthehonourofagentleman,M.Fresnoy,I

willrunyouthroughasIwouldspitalark.\'

\'Willyou?Buttwocanplayatthatgame,\'hecried,risingnimblyfromhisstool.\'Stillbettersix!Don\'tyouthink,M.

deMarsac,youhadbetterhavewaited——?\'

\'Ithinkyouhadbetterhearonewordmore,\'Iansweredcoolly,keepingmyseat,\'beforeyouappealtoyourfellowsthere.\'

\'Well,\'hesaid,stillstanding,\'whatisit?\'

\'Nay,\'Ireplied,afteroncemorepointingtohisstoolinvain,\'ifyouprefertotakemyordersstanding,wellandgood.\'

\'Yourorders?\'heshrieked,growingsuddenlyexcited.

\'Yes,myorders!\'Iretorted,risingassuddenlytomyfeetandhitchingforwardmysword.\'Myorders,sir,\'Irepeatedfiercely,\'or,ifyoudisputemyrighttocommandaswellastopaythisparty,letusdecidethequestionhereandnow——youandI,foottofoot,M.Fresnoy.\'

Thequarrelflashedupsosuddenly,thoughIhadbeenpreparingitallalong,thatnoonemoved.Thewomanindeed,fellbacktoherchildren,buttherestlookedonopen-mouthed.Hadtheystirred,orhadamoment\'shurly-burlyheatedhisblood,IdoubtnotFresnoywouldhavetakenupmychallenge,forhedidnotlackhardihood.Butasitwas,facetofacewithmeinthesilence,hiscouragefailedhim.Hepaused,gloweringatmeuncertainly,anddidnotspeak.

\'Well,\'Isaid,\'don\'tyouthinkthatifIpayIoughttogiveorders,sir?\'

\'Whowishestoopposeyourorders?\'hemuttered,drinkingoffabumper,andsittingdownwithanairofimpudentbravado,assumedtohidehisdiscomfiture.

\'Ifyoudon\'t,nooneelsedoes,\'Ianswered.Sothatissettled.Landlord,somemorewine.\'

Hewasverysulkywithmeforawhile,fingeringhisglassinsilenceandscowlingatthetable.Hehadenoughgentilitytofeelthehumiliationtowhichhehadexposedhimself,andasufficiencyofwittounderstandthatthatmoment\'shesitationhadcosthimtheallegianceofhisfellow-ruffians.Ihastened,therefore,tosethimathiseasebyexplainingmyplansforthenight,andpresentlysucceededbeyondmyhopes;forwhenheheardwhotheladywaswhomIproposedtocarryoff,andthatshewaslyingthateveningattheChateaudeChize,hissurprisesweptawaythelasttraceofresentment.Hestaredatme,asatamaniac.

\'MonDieu!\'heexclaimed.\'Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing,Sieur?\'

\'Ithinkso,\'Ianswered.

\'Doyouknowtowhomthechateaubelongs?\'

\'TotheVicomtedeTurenne.\'

\'AndthatMademoiselledelaVireishisrelation?\'

\'Yes,\'Isaid.

\'MonDieu!\'heexclaimedagain.Andhelookedatmeopen-

mouthed.

\'Whatisthematter?\'Iasked,thoughIhadanuneasyconsciousnessthatIknew——thatIknewverywell.

\'Man,hewillcrushyouasIcrushthishat!\'heansweredingreatexcitement.\'Aseasily.Whodoyouthinkwillprotectyoufromhiminaprivatequarrelofthiskind?Navarre?France?

ourgoodman?Notoneofthem.Youhadbetterstealtheking\'scrownjewels——heisweak;orGuise\'slastplot——heisgenerousattimes,orNavarre\'slastsweetheart——heisaseasyasanoldshoe.Youhadbetterhavetodowithallthesetogether,Itellyou,thantouchTurenne\'sewe-lambs,unlessyouraimbetobebrokenonthewheel!MonDieu,yes!\'

\'Iammuchobligedtoyouforyouradvice,\'Isaidstiffly,\'butthedieiscast.Mymindismadeup.Ontheotherhand,ifyouareafraid,M.Fresnoy——\'

\'Iamafraid;verymuchafraid,\'heansweredfrankly.

\'Stillyournameneednotbebroughtintothematter,\'Ireplied,\'Iwilltaketheresponsibility.Iwillletthemknowmynamehereattheinn,where,doubtless,inquirieswillbemade.\'

\'Tobesure,thatissomething,\'heanswered.thoughtfully.

\'Well,itisanuglybusiness,butIaminforit.Youwantmetogowithyoualittleaftertwo,doyou?andtheotherstobeinthesaddleatthree?Isthatit?\'

Iassented,pleasedtofindhimsofaracquiescent;andinthisway,talkingthedetailsovermorethanonce,wesettledourcourse,arrangingtoflybywayofPoitiersandTours.OfcourseIdidnottellhimwhyIselectedBloisasourrefuge,norwhatwasmypurposethere;thoughhepressedmemorethanonceonthepoint,andgrewthoughtfulandsomewhatgloomywhenIcontinuallyevadedit.Alittleaftereightweretiredtothelofttosleep;

ourmenremainingbelowroundthefireandsnoringsomerrilyasalmosttoshakethecrazyoldbuilding.Thehostwaschargedtositupandcallusassoonasthemoonrose,but,asitturnedout,Imightaswellhavetakenthisofficeonmyself,forbetweenexcitementanddistrustIsleptlittle,andwaswideawakewhenIheardhisstepontheladderandknewitwastimetorise.

Iwasupinamoment,andFresnoywaslittlebehindme;sothat,losingnotimeintalk,weweremountedandontheroad,eachwithasparehorseathisknee,beforethemoonwaswellabovethetrees.OnceintheChasewefounditnecessarytoproceedonfoot,but,thedistancebeingshort,wepresentlyemergedwithoutmisadventureandstoodoppositetothechateau,theupperpartofwhichshonecoldandwhiteinthemoon\'srays.

Therewassomethingsosolemnintheaspectoftheplace,thenightbeingfineandtheskywithoutacloud,thatIstoodforaminuteawedandimpressed,thesenseoftheresponsibilityIwasheretoacceptstronguponme.Inthatshortspaceoftimeallthedangersbeforeme,aswellthecommonrisksoftheroadasthevengeanceofTurenneandtheturbulenceofmyownmen,presentedthemselvestomymind,andmadealastappealtometoturnbackfromanenterprisesofoolhardy.Thebloodinaman\'sveinsrunslowandslowatthathour,andminewaschilledbylackofsleepandthewintryair.Itneededtheremembranceofmysolitarycondition,ofmypastspentinstraitsandfailure,ofthegreyhairswhichsweptmycheek,oftheswordwhichIhadlongusedhonourably,ifwithlittleprofittomyself;itneededthethoughtofallthesethingstorestoremetocourageandmyself.

Ijudgedatalaterperiodthatmycompanionwasaffectedinsomewhatthesameway;for,asIstoopedtopresshomethepegswhichIhadbroughttotetherthehorses,helaidhishandonmyarm.Glancinguptoseewhathewanted,Iwasstruckbythewildlookinhisface(whichthemoonlightinvestedwithapeculiarmottledpallor),andparticularlyinhiseyes,whichglitteredlikeamadman\'s.Hetriedtospeak,butseemedtofindadifficultyindoingso;andIhadtoquestionhimroughlybeforehefoundhistongue.Whenhedidspeak,itwasonlytoimploremeinanodd,excitedmannertogiveuptheexpeditionandreturn.

\'What,now?\'Isaid,surprised.\'Nowwearehere,Fresnoy?\'

\'Ay,giveitup!\'hecried,shakingmealmostfiercelybythearm.\'Giveitup,man!Itwillendbadly,Itellyou!InGod\'sname,giveitup,andgohomebeforeworsecomesofit.\'

\'Whatevercomesofit,\'Iansweredcoldly,shakinghisgraspfrommyarm,andwonderingmuchatthissuddenfitofcowardice,\'Igoon.You,M.Fresnoy,maydoasyouplease!\'

Hestartedanddrewbackfromme;buthedidnotreply,nordidhespeakagain.WhenIpresentlywentofftofetchaladder,ofthepositionofwhichIhadmadeanoteduringtheafternoon,heaccompaniedme,andfollowedmebackinthesamedullsilencetothewalkbelowthebalcony.Ihadlookedmorethanonceandeagerlyatmademoiselle\'swindowwithoutanylightormovementinthatquarterrewardingmyvigilance;but,undeterredbythis,whichmightmeaneitherthatmyplotwasknown,orthatMademoiselledelaViredistrustedme,Isettheladdersoftlyagainstthebalcony,whichwasindeepshadow,andpausedonlytogiveFresnoyhislastinstructions.Theseweresimplytostandonguardatthefootoftheladderanddefenditincaseofsurprise;sothat,whateverhappenedinsidethechateau,myretreatbythewindowmightnotbecutoff.

ThenIwentcautiouslyuptheladder,and,withmysheathedswordinmylefthand,steppedoverthebalustrade.Takingonepaceforward,withfingersoutstretched,Ifelttheleadedpanesofthewindowandtappedsoftly.

Assoftlythecasementgaveway,andIfollowedit.AhandwhichIcouldseebutnotfeelwaslaidonmine.Allwasdarknessintheroom,andbeforeme,butthehandguidedmetwopacesforward,thenbyasuddenpressurebademestand.Iheardthesoundofa,curtainbeingdrawnbehindme,andthenextmomentthecoverofarushlightwasremoved,andafeeblebutsufficientlightfilledthechamber.

Icomprehendedthatthedrawingofthatcurtainoverthewindowhadcutoffmyretreataseffectuallyasifadoorhadbeenclosedbehindme.Butdistrustandsuspiciongavewaythenextmomenttothenaturalembarrassmentofthemanwhofindshimselfinafalsepositionandknowshecanescapefromitonlybyanawkwardexplanation.

TheroominwhichIfoundmyselfwaslong,narrow,andlowintheceiling;andbeinghungwithsomedarkstuffwhichswallowedupthelight,terminatedfunereallyatthefartherendinthestilldeepergloomofanalcove.Twoorthreehugechests,onebearingtheremnantsofameal,stoodagainstthewalls.Themiddleofthefloorwascoveredwithastripofcoarsematting,onwhichasmalltable,achairandfoot-rest,andacoupleofstoolshadplace,withsomesmallerarticleswhichlayscatteredroundapairofhalf-filledsaddle-bags.TheslighterandsmallerofthetwofiguresIhadseenstoodbesidethetable,wearingamaskandridingcloak;andbyhersilentmannerofgazingatme,aswellasbyacold,disdainfulbearing,whichneitherhermasknorcloakcouldhide,didmoretochillanddiscomfitmethanevenmyownknowledgethatIhadlostthepass-keywhichshouldhaveadmittedmetoherconfidence.

Thestouterfigureoftheafternoonturnedouttobeared-

cheeked,sturdywomanofthirty,withbrightblackeyesandamannerwhichlostnothingofitsfierceimpatiencewhenshecamealittlelatertoaddressme.AllmyideasofFanchettewereupsetbytheappearanceofthiswoman,who,rusticinherspeechandways,seemedmorelikeaduenna,thanthewaiting-maidofacourtbeauty,andbetterfittedtoguardawaywarddamselthantoaidherinsuchanescapadeaswehadinhand.

Shestoodslightlybehindhermistress,hercoarseredhandrestingonthebackofthechairfromwhichmademoisellehadapparentlyrisenonmyentrance.Forafewseconds,whichseemedminutestome,westoodgazingatoneanotherinsilence,mademoiselleacknowledgingmybowbyaslightmovementofthehead.Then,seeingthattheywaitedformetospeak,Ididso.

\'MademoiselledelaVire?\'Imurmureddoubtfully.

Shebentherheadagain;thatwasall.

Istrovetospeakwithconfidence.\'Youwillpardonme,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,\'ifIseemtobeabrupt,buttimeiseverything.Thehorsesarestandingwithinahundredyardsofthehouse,andallthepreparationsforyourflightaremade.Ifweleavenow,wecandosowithoutopposition.Thedelayevenofanhourmayleadtodiscovery.\'

Foranswershelaughedbehindhermask-laughedcoldlyandironically.\'Yougotoofast,sir,\'shesaid,herlowclearvoicematchingthelaughandrousingafeelingalmostofangerinmyheart.\'Idonotknowyou;or,rather,Iknownothingofyouwhichshouldentitleyoutointerfereinmyaffairs.Youaretooquicktopresume,sir.Yousayyoucomefromafriend.Fromwhom?\'

\'FromonewhomIamproudtocallbythattitle,\'IansweredwithwhatpatienceImight.

\'Hisname!\'

IansweredfirmlythatIcouldnotgiveit.AndIeyedhersteadilyasIdidso.

Thisforthemomentseemedtobaffleandconfuseher,butafterapauseshecontinued:\'Wheredoyouproposetotakeme,sir?\'

\'ToBlois;tothelodgingofafriendofmyfriend.\'

\'Youspeakbravely,\'sherepliedwithafaintsneer.\'Youhavemadesomegreatfriendslatelyitseems!Butyoubringmesomeletter,nodoubt;atleastsomesign,sometoken,somewarranty,thatyouarethepersonyoupretendtobe,M.deMarsac?\'

\'Thetruthis,Mademoiselle,\'Istammered,\'Imustexplain.I

shouldtellyou——\'

\'Nay,sir,\'shecriedimpetuously,\'thereisnoneedoftelling.

IfyouhavewhatIsay,showitme!Itisyouwholosetime.

Letushavenomorewords!\'

Ihadusedveryfewwords,and,Godknows,wasnotinthemindtousemany;but,beinginthewrong,Ihadnoanswertomakeexceptthetruth,andthathumbly.\'Ihadsuchatokenasyoumention,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,\'nofartherbackthanthisafternoon,intheshapeofhalfagoldcoin,entrustedtomebymyfriend.

But,tomyshameIsayit,itwasstolenfrommeafewhoursback.\'

\'Stolenfromyou!\'sheexclaimed.

\'Yes,mademoiselle;andforthatreasonIcannotshowit,\'I

answered.

\'Youcannotshowit?Andyoudaretocometomewithoutit!\'

shecried,speakingwithavehemencewhichfairlystartledme,preparedasIwasforreproaches.Youcometome!You!\'shecontinued.Andwiththat,scarcelystoppingtotakebreath,sheloadedmewithabuse;callingmeimpertinent,ameddler,andahundredotherthings,whichInowblushtorecall,anddisplayinginallapassionwhicheveninherattendantwouldhavesurprisedme,butinonesoslightandseeminglydelicate,overwhelmedandconfoundedme.InfaultasIwas,Icouldnotunderstandthepeculiarbitternessshedisplayed,orthecontemptuousforceofherlanguage,andIstaredatherinsilentwonderuntil,ofherownaccord,shesuppliedthekeytoherfeelings.Inafreshoutburstofrageshesnatchedoffhermask,andtomyastonishmentIsawbeforemetheyoungmaidofhonourwhomIhadencounteredintheKingofNavarre\'santechamber,andwhomIhadbeensounfortunateastoexposetotherailleryofMathurine.

\'Whohaspaidyou,sir,\'shecontinued,clenchinghersmallhandsandspeakingwithtearsofangerinhereyes,\'tomakemethelaughing-stockoftheCourt?ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtyoutheproperagentofthosetowhomIhavearighttolookforaid!ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtmyselfforced,throughtheirinconsideratechoice,todecidebetweenanodiousimprisonmentandtheridiculetowhichyourinterventionmustexposeme!Butthatyoushouldhavedared,ofyourownnotion,tofollowme,you,thebuttoftheCourt——\'

\'Mademoiselle!\'Icried.

\'Aneedy,out-at-elbowsadventurer!\'shepersisted,triumphinginhercruelty.\'Itexceedsallbearing!Itisnottobesuffered!It——\'

\'Nay,mademoiselle;youSHALLhearme!\'Icried,withasternnesswhichatlaststoppedher.\'GrantedIampoor,Iamstillagentleman;yes,mademoiselle,\'Icontinued,firmly,\'agentleman,andthelastofafamilywhichhasspokenwithyoursonequalterms.AndIclaimtobeheard.IswearthatwhenI

camehereto-nightIbelievedyoutobeaperfectstranger!I

wasunawarethatIhadeverseenyou,unawarethatIhadevermetyoubefore,\'

\'Thenwhydidyoucome?\'shesaidviciously.

\'Iwasengagedtocomebythosewhomyouhavementioned,andthere,andthereonlyamIinfault.TheyentrustedtomeatokenwhichIhavelost.ForthatIcraveyourpardon.\'

\'Youhaveneedto,\'sheansweredbitterly,yetwithachangedcountenance,orIwasmistaken,\'ifyourstorybetrue,sir.\'

\'Ay,thatyouhave!\'thewomanbesideherechoed.

\'Hoitytoity,indeed!Hereisafussaboutnothing.Youcallyourselfagentleman,andwearsuchadoubletas——\'

\'Peace,Fanchette"mademoisellesaidimperiously.Andthenforamomentshestoodsilent,eyeingmeintently,herlipstremblingwithexcitementandtworedspotsburninginhercheeks.Itwasclearfromherdressandotherthingsthatshehadmadeuphermindtoflyhadthetokenbeenforthcoming;andseeingthis,andknowinghowunwillingayounggirlistoforgoherownway,I

stillhadsomehopesthatshemightnotpersevereinherdistrustandrefusal.Andsoitturnedout.

Hermannerhadchangedtooneofquietscornwhenshenextspoke.

\'Youdefendyourselfskilfully,sir,\'shesaid,drummingwithherfingersonthetableandeyeingmesteadfastly.\'Butcanyougivemeanyreasonforthepersonyounamemakingchoiceofsuchamessenger?\'

\'Yes,\'Ianswered,boldly.\'Thathemaynotbesuspectedofconnivingatyourescape.\'

\'Oh!\'shecried,withasparkofherformerpassion.\'ThenitistobeputaboutthatMademoiselledelaVirehadfledfromChizewithM.deMarsac,isit?Ithoughtthat!\'

\'ThroughtheassistanceofM.deMarsac,\'Iretorted,correctinghercoldly.\'Itisforyou,mademoiselle,\'Icontinued,\'toweighthatdisadvantageagainsttheunpleasantnessofremaininghere.Itonlyremainsformetoaskyoutodecidequickly.Timepresses,andIhavestayedheretoolongalready.\'

Thewordshadbarelypassedmylipswhentheyreceivedunwelcomeconfirmationintheshapeofadistantsound——thenoisyclosingofadoor,which,clangingthroughthehouseatsuchanhour——I

judgedittobeafterthreeo\'clock——couldscarcelymeananythingbutmischief.Thisnoisewasfollowedimmediately,evenwhilewestoodlisteningwithraisedfingers,byothersounds——amuffledcry,andthetrampofheavyfootstepsinadistantpassage.Mademoisellelookedatme,andIatherwoman.\'Thedoor!\'Imuttered.\'Isitlocked?\'

\'Andbolted!\'Fanchetteanswered;\'andagreatchestsetagainstit.Letthemramp;theywilldonoharmforabit.\'

\'Thenyouhavestilltime,mademoiselle,\'Iwhispered,retreatingastepandlayingmyhandonthecurtainbeforethewindow.

PerhapsIaffectedgreatercoolnessthanIfelt.\'Itisnottoolate.Ifyouchoosetoremain,wellandgood.Icannothelpit.

If,ontheotherhand,youdecidetotrustyourselftome,I

swear,onthehonourofagentleman,tobeworthyofthetrust——

toserveyoutrulyandprotectyoutothelast!Icansaynomore.\'

Shetrembled,lookingfrommetothedoor,onwhichsomeonehadjustbeguntoknockloudly.Thatseemedtodecideher.Herlipsapart,hereyesfullofexcitement,sheturnedhastilytoFanchette.

\'Ay,goifyoulike,\'thewomananswereddoggedly,readingthemeaningofherlook.\'Therecannotbeagreatervillainthantheoneweknowof.Butoncestarted,heavenhelpus,forifheovertakesuswe\'llpaydearlyforit!\'

Thegirldidnotspeakherself,butitwasenough.Thenoiseatthedoorincreasedeachsecond,andbegantobemingledwithangryappealstoFanchettetoopen,andwiththreatsincaseshedelayed.Icutthemattershortbysnatchinguponeofthesaddle-bags——theotherweleftbehind——andflungbackthecurtainwhichcoveredthewindow.Atthesametimethewomandashedoutthelight——atimelyprecaution——andthrowingopenthecasementI

steppedontothebalcony,theothersfollowingmeclosely.

Themoonhadrisenhigh,andfloodingwithlightthesmallopenspaceaboutthehouseenabledmetoseeclearlyallroundthefootoftheladder,tomysurpriseFresnoywasnotathispost,norwashetobeseenanywhere;butas,atthemomentIobservedthis,anoutcryawaytomyleft,attherearofthechateau,cametomyears,andannouncedthatthedangerwasnolongerconfinedtotheinteriorofthehouse,Iconcludedthathehadgonethatwaytointercepttheattack.Withoutmore,therefore,IbegantodescendasquicklyasIcould,myswordunderonearmandthebagundertheother.

Iwashalf-waydown,andmademoisellewasalreadysteppingontotheladdertofollow,whenIheardfootstepsbelow,andsawhimrunup,hisswordinhishand.

\'Quick,Fresnoy!\'Icried.\'Tothehorsesandunfastenthem!

quick!\'

Isliddowntherestoftheway,thinkinghehadgonetodomybidding.Butmyfeetwerescarcelyonthegroundwhenatremendousblowinthesidesentmestaggeringthreepacesfromtheladder.Theattackwassosudden,sounexpected,thatbutforthesightofFresnoy\'sscowlingface,wildwithrage,atmyshoulder,andthesoundofhisfiercebreathingashestrovetoreleasehissword,whichhadpassedthroughmysaddle-bag,I

mightneverhaveknownwhostrucktheblow,orhownarrowhadbeenmyescape.

Fortunatelytheknowledgedidcometomeintime,andbeforehefreedhisblade;anditnervedmyhand.Todrawmy-bladeatsuchclosequarterswasimpossible,but,droppingthebagwhichhadsavedmylife,Idashedmyhilttwiceinhisfacewithsuchviolencethathefellbackwardsandlayontheturf,adarkstaingrowingandspreadingonhisupturnedface.

Itwasscarcelydonebeforethewomenreachedthefootoftheladderandstoodbesideme.\'Quick!\'Icriedtothem,\'ortheywillbeuponus.\'Seizingmademoiselle\'shand,justashalf-a-

dozenmencamerunningroundthecornerofthehouse,Ijumpedwithherdownthehaha,and,urginghertoherutmostspeed,dashedacrosstheopengroundwhichlaybetweenusandthebeltoftrees.Onceintheshelterofthelatter,whereourmovementswerehiddenfromview,Ihadstilltofreethehorsesandmountmademoiselleandherwoman,andthisinhaste.Butmycompanions\'admirablecoolnessandpresenceofmind,andtheobjectionwhichourpursuers,whodidnotknowournumbers,felttoleavingtheopenground,enabledustodoallwith,comparativeease.IsprangontheCid(ithasalwaysbeenmyhabittoteachmyhorsetostandforme,nordoIknowanyaccomplishmentmoreserviceableatapinch),andgivingFresnoy\'sgreyacutovertheflankswhichdespatcheditahead,ledthewaydowntheridebywhichIhadgainedthechateauintheafternoon.

Iknewittobelevelandclearoftrees,andthefactthatwechoseitmightthrowourpursuersoffthetrackforatime,byleadingthemtothinkwehadtakenthesouthroadinsteadofthatthroughthevillage.

CHAPTERV.

THEROADTOBLOIS.

Wegainedtheroadwithoutletorhindrance,whenceasharpburstinthemoonlightsoonbroughtustothevillage.Throughthiswesweptontotheinn,almostrunningoverthefourevangelists,whomwefoundstandingatthedoorreadyforthesaddle.Ibadethem,inaquickperemptorytone,togettohorse,andwasoverjoyedtoseethemobeywithoutdemurorwordofFresnoy.Inanotherminute,withagreatclatterofhoofs,wesprangclearofthehamlet,andwerewellontheroadtoMelle,withPoitierssomethirteenleaguesbeforeus.Ilookedback,andthoughtI

discernedlightsmovinginthedirectionofthechateau;butthedawnwasstilltwohoursoff,andthemoonlightleftmeindoubtwhetherthesewererealorthecreaturesofmyownfearfulfancy.

Iremember,threeyearsbeforethistime,ontheoccasionofthefamousretreatfromAngers——whenthePrinceofCondehadinvolvedhisarmybeyondtheLoire,andsawhimself,intheimpossibilityofrecrossingtheriver,compelledtotakeshipforEngland,leavingeveryonetoshiftforhimself——Iwellrememberonthatoccasionriding,aloneandpistolinhand,throughmorethanthirtymilesoftheenemy\'scountrywithoutdrawingrein.Butmyanxietieswerethenconfinedtothefourshoesofmyhorse.ThedangerstowhichIwasexposedateveryfordandcrossroadweresuchasareinseparablefromacampaign,andbreedingenerousheartsonlyafiercepleasure,rarelytobeotherwiseenjoyed.

AndthoughIthenrodewarily,andwhereIcouldnotcarryterror,hadalltofearmyself,therewasnothingsecretorunderhandinmybusiness.

Itwasverydifferentnow.DuringthefirstfewhoursofourflightfromChizeIexperiencedapainfulexcitement,analarm,afeverishanxietytogetforward,whichwasnewtome;whichoppressedmyspiritstotheveryground;whichledmetotakeeverysoundbornetousonthewindforthesoundofpursuit,transformingtheclangofahammerontheanvilintotheringofswords,andthevoicesofmyownmenintothoseofthepursuers.

Itwasinvainmademoisellerodewithafreehand,andleapingsuchobstaclesaslayinourway,gavepromiseofcourageandendurancebeyondmyexpectations.Icouldthinkofnothingbutthethreelongday\'sbeforeus,withtwenty-fourhourstoeveryday,andeachhourfraughtwithahundredchancesofdisasterandruin.

Infact,thelongerIconsideredourposition——andaswepoundedalong,nowsplashingthroughafounderoushollow,nowstumblingaswewoundoverastonyshoulder,Ihadampletimetoreflectuponit——thegreaterseemedthedifficultiesbeforeus.ThelossofFresnoy,whileitfreedmefromsomeembarrassment,meantalsothelossofagoodsword,andwehadmusteredonlytoofewbefore.ThecountrywhichlaybetweenusandtheLoire,beingtheborderlandbetweenourpartyandtheLeague,hadbeenlaiddesolatesooftenastobeabandonedtopillageanddisorderofeverykind.Thepeasantshadflockedintothetowns.Theirplaceshadbeentakenbybandsofrobbersanddesertersfrombothparties,whohauntedtheruinedvillagesaboutPoitiers,andpreyeduponallwhodaredtopass.Toaddtoourperils,theroyalarmyundertheDukeofNeverswasreportedtobemovingslowlysouthward,notveryfartotheleftofourroad;whileaHuguenotexpeditionagainstNiortwasalsoinprogresswithinafewleaguesofus.

Withfourstaunchandtrustworthycomradesatmyback,Imighthavefacedeventhissituationwithasmileandalightheart;

buttheknowledgethatmyfourknavesmightmutinyatanymoment,or,worsestill,ridthemselvesofmeandallrestraintbyasingletreacherousblowsuchasFresnoyhadaimedatme,filledmewithanever-presentdread;whichittaxedmyutmostenergiestohidefromthem,andwhichIstroveinvaintoconcealfrommademoiselle\'skeenervision.

Whetheritwasthishadaneffectuponher,givingherameaneropinionofmethanthatwhichIhadforawhilehopedsheentertained,orthatshebegan,nowitwastoolate,toregretherflightandresentmypartinit,Iscarcelyknow;butfromdaybreakonwardssheassumedanattitudeofcoldsuspiciontowardsme,whichwasonlylessunpleasantthanthescornfuldistanceofhermannerwhenshedeigned,whichwasseldom,toaddressme.

NotoncedidsheallowmetoforgetthatIwasinhereyesaneedyadventurer,paidbyherfriendstoescorthertoaplaceofsafety,butwithoutanyclaimtothesmallestprivilegeofintimacyorequality.WhenIwouldhaveadjustedhersaddle,shebadeherwomancomeandholdupherskirt,thatmyhandsmightnottouchitshemevenbyaccident.AndwhenIwouldhavebroughtwinetoheratMelle,wherewestayedfortwentyminutes,shecalledFanchettetohandittoher.Sherodeforthemostpartinhermask;andwithherwoman.Onegoodeffectonlyherprideandreservehad;theyimpressedourmenwithastrongsenseofherimportance,andthedangertowhichanyinterferencewithhermightexposethem.

ThetwomenwhomFresnoyhadenlistedIdirectedtorideascoreofpacesinadvance.LukeandJohnIplacedintherear.InthismannerIthoughttokeepthemsomewhatapart.Formyself,I

proposedtorideabreastofmademoiselle,butshemadeitsoclearthatmyneighbourhooddispleasedherthatIfellback,leavinghertoridewithFanchette;andcontentedmyselfwithploddingattheirheels,andstrivingtoattachthelaterevangeliststomyinterests.

Weweresofortunate,despitemyfears,astofindtheroadnearlydeserted——as,alas,wasmuchofthecountryoneitherside——andtomeetnonebutsmallpartiestravellingalongit;whoweregladenough,seeingthevillainouslooksofouroutriders,togiveusawideberth,andbequitofusforthefright.WeskirtedLusignan,shunningthestreets,butpassingnearenoughformetopointouttomademoisellethesiteofthefamoustowerbuilt,accordingtotradition,bythefairyMelusina,andrasedthirteenyearsbackbytheLeaguers.Shereceivedmyinformationsofrigidly,however,thatIofferednomore,butfellbackshruggingmyshoulders,androdeinsilence,until,sometwohoursafternoon,thecityofPoitierscameintosight,lyingwithinitscircleofwallsandtowersonalowhillinthemiddleofacountryclothedinsummerwithrichvineyards,butnowbrownandbareandcheerlesstotheeye.

FanchetteturnedandaskedmeabruptlyifthatwerePoitiers.

Iansweredthatitwas,butaddedthatforcertainreasonsI

proposednottohalt,buttolieatavillagealeaguebeyondthecity,wheretherewasatolerableinn.

\'Weshalldoverywellhere,\'thewomanansweredrudely.\'Anyway,myladywillgonofarther.Sheistiredandcold,andwetbesides,andhasgonefarenough.\'

\'Still,\'Ianswered,nettledbythewoman\'sfamiliarity,\'Ithinkmademoisellewillchangehermindwhenshehearsmyreasonsforgoingfarther.\'

\'Mademoiselledoesnotwishtohearthem,sir,\'theladyrepliedherself,andverysharply.

\'Nevertheless,Ithinkyouhadbetterhearthem,\'Ipersisted,turningtoherrespectfully.\'Yousee,mademoiselle——\'

\'Iseeonlyonething,sir,\'sheexclaimed,snatchingoffhermaskanddisplayingacountenancebeautifulindeed,butflushedforthemomentwithangerandimpatience,\'that,whateverbetides,IstayatPoitiersto-night.\'

\'Ifitwouldcontentyoutorestanhour?\'Isuggestedgently.

\'Itwillnotcontentme!\'sherejoinedwithspirit.\'Andletmetellyou,sir,\'shewentonimpetuously,\'onceforall,thatyoutaketoomuchuponyourself.Youareheretoescortme,andtogiveorderstotheseragamuffins,fortheyarenothingbetter,withwhomyouhavethoughtfittodisgraceourcompany;butnottogiveorderstomeortocontrolmymovements.Confineyourselfforthefuture,sir,toyourduties,ifyouplease.\'

\'Idesireonlytoobeyyou,\'Ianswered,suppressingtheangryfeelingswhichroseinmybreast,andspeakingascoollyaslayinmypower.\'But,asthefirstofmydutiesistoprovideforyoursafety,Iamdeterminedtoomitnothingwhichcanconducetothatend.Youhavenotconsideredthat,ifapartyinpursuitofusreachesPoitiersto-night,searchwillbemadeforusinthecity,andweshallbetaken.If,ontheotherhand,weareknowntohavepassedthrough,thehuntmaygonofarther;certainlywillgonofartherto-night.Thereforewemustnot,mademoiselle,\'Iaddedfirmly,\'lieinPoitiersto-night.\'

\'Sir,\'sheexclaimed,lookingatme,herfacecrimsonwithwonderandindignation,\'doyoudareto——?\'

\'Idaredomyduty,mademoiselle,\'Ianswered,pluckingupaspirit,thoughmyheartwassore.\'Iamamanoldenoughtobeyourfather,andwithlittletolose,orIhadnotbeenhere.I

carenothingwhatyouthinkorwhatyousayofme,providedIcandowhatIhaveundertakentodoandplaceyousafelyinthehandsofyourfriends.Butenough,mademoiselle,weareatthegate.

Ifyouwillpermitme,Iwillridethroughthestreetsbesideyou.Weshallsoattractlessattention.\'

Withoutwaitingforapermissionwhichshewasveryunlikelytogive,Ipushedmyhorseforward,andtookmyplacebesideher,signingtoFanchettetofallback.Themaidobeyed,speechlesswithindignation;whilemademoiselleflashedascathingglanceatmeandlookedroundinhelplessanger,asthoughitwasinhermindtoappealagainstmeeventothepassers-by.Butshethoughtbetterofit,andcontentingherselfwithmutteringtheword\'Impertinent\'putonhermaskwithfingerswhichtrembled,I

fancy,notalittle.

Asmallrainwasfallingandtheafternoonwaswelladvancedwhenweenteredthetown,butInoticedthat,notwithstandingthis,thestreetspresentedabusyandanimatedappearance,beingfullofknotsofpeopleengagedinearnesttalk.Abellwastollingsomewhere,andnearthecathedralacrowdofnolittlesizewasstanding,listeningtoamanwhoseemedtoberendingaplacardormanifestoattachedtothewall.Inanotherplaceasoldier,wearingthecrimsoncoloursoftheLeague,butsplashedandstainedaswithrecenttravel,washoldingforthtoabreathlesscirclewhoseemedtohanguponhislips.Aneighbouringcornershelteredahandfulofpriestswhowhisperedtogetherwithgloomyfaces.Manystaredatusaswepassed,andsomewouldhavespoken;butIrodesteadilyon,invitingnoconverse.

NeverthelessatthenorthgateIgotararefright;for,thoughitwantedafullhalf-hourofsunset,theporterwasintheactofclosingit.Seeingus,hewaitedgrumblinguntilwecameup,andthenmuttered,inanswertomyremonstrance,somethingaboutqueertimesandwilfulpeoplehavingtheirway.Itooklittlenoticeofwhathesaid,however,beinganxiousonlytogetthroughthegateandleaveasfewtracesofourpassageasmightbe.