第4章

AssoonaswewereoutsidethetownIfellback,permittingFanchettetotakemyplace.Foranotherleague,alonganddrearyone,weploddedoninsilence,horsesandmenalikejadedandsullen,andthewomenscarcelyabletokeeptheirsaddlesforfatigue.Atlast,muchtomyrelief,seeingthatIbegantofearIhadtaxedmademoiselle\'sstrengthtoofar,thelonglowbuildingsoftheinnatwhichIproposedtostaycameinsight,atthecrossingoftheroadandriver.Theplacelookedblankandcheerless,fortheduskwasthickening;butaswetrailedonebyoneintothecourtyardastreamoffirelightburstonusfromdoorsandwindows,andadozensoundsoflifeandcomfortgreetedourears.

Noticingthatmademoisellewasbenumbedandcrampedwithlongsitting,Iwouldhavehelpedhertodismount;butshefiercelyrejectedmyaid,andIhadtocontentmyselfwithrequestingthelandlordtoassignthebestaccommodationhehadtotheladyandherattendant,andsecureasmuchprivacyforthemaspossible.

Themanassentedverycivillyandsaidallshouldbedone;butI

noticedthathiseyeswanderedwhileItalked,andthatheseemedtohavesomethingonhismind.Whenhereturned,afterdisposingofthem,itcameout.

\'Didyoueverhappentoseehim,sir?\'heaskedwithasigh;yetwasthereasmugairofpleasuremingledwithhismelancholy.

\'Seewhom?\'Ianswered,staringathim,forneitherofushadmentionedanyone.

\'TheDuke,sir.\'

Istaredagainbetweenwonderandsuspicion.\'TheDukeofNeversisnotinthispart,ishe?\'Isaidslowly.\'IheardhewasontheBrittanyborder,awaytothewestward.\'

\'MonDieu!\'myhostexclaimed,raisinghishandsinastonishment.\'Youhavenotheard,sir?\'

\'Ihaveheardnothing,\'Iansweredimpatiently.

\'Youhavenotheard,sir,thatthemostpuissantandillustriouslordtheDukeofGuiseisdead?\'

\'M.deGuisedead?Itisnottrue!\'Icriedastonished.

Henodded,however,severaltimeswithanairofgreatimportance,andseemedasifhewouldhavegoneontogivemesomeparticulars.But,remembering,asIfancied,thathespokeinthehearingofhalf-a-dozenguestswhosataboutthegreatfirebehindme,andhadbotheyesandearsopen,hecontentedhimselfwithshiftinghistoweltohisotherarmandaddingonly,\'Yes,sir,deadasanynail.Thenewscamethroughhereyesterday,andmadeaprettystir.IthappenedatBloisthedaybutonebeforeChristmas,ifallbetrue.\'

Iwasthunderstruck.ThiswasnewswhichmightchangethefaceofFrance.\'Howdidithappen?\'Iasked.

Myhostcoveredhismouthwithhishandandcoughed,and,privilytwitchingmysleeve,gavemetounderstandwithsomeshamefacednessthathecouldnotsaymoreinpublic.Iwasabouttomakesomeexcusetoretirewithhim,whenaharshvoice,addressedapparentlytome,causedmetoturnsharply.Ifoundatmyelbowatallthin-facedmonkinthehabitoftheJacobinorder.Hehadrisenfromhisseatbesidethefire,andseemedtobelabouringundergreatexcitement.

\'Whoaskedhowithappened?\'hecried,rollinghiseyesinakindoffrenzy,whilestillobservant,orIwasmuchmistaken,ofhislisteners.IsthereamaninFrancetowhomthetalehasnotbeentold?Isthere?\'

\'Iwillanswerforone,\'Ireplied,regardinghimwithlittlefavour.\'Ihaveheardnothing.\'

\'Thenyoushall!Listen!\'heexclaimed,raisinghisrighthandandbrandishingitasthoughhedenouncedapersonthenpresent.

\'Hearmyaccusation,madeinthenameofMotherChurchandthesaintsagainstthearchhypocrite,theperjurerandassassinsittinginhighplaces!HeshallbeAnathemaMaranatha,forhehasshedthebloodoftheholyandthepure,thechosenofHeaven!Heshallgodowntothepit,andthatsoon.Thebloodthathehasshedshallberequiredofhim,andthatbeforeheisoneyearolder.\'

\'Tut-tut.Allthatsoundsveryfine,goodfather,\'Isaid,waxingimpatient,andalittlescornful;forIsawthathewasoneofthosewanderingandoftencrazymonksinwhomtheLeaguefoundtheirmostusefulemissaries.\'ButIshouldprofitmorebyyourgentlewords,ifIknewwhomyouwerecursing.\'

\'Themanofblood!\'hecried;\'throughwhomthelastbutnottheleastofGod\'ssaintsandmartyrsenteredintogloryontheFridaybeforeChristmas.\'

Movedbysuchprofanity,andjudginghim,notwithstandingtheextravaganceofhiswordsandgestures,tobelessmadthanheseemed,andatleastasmuchknaveasfool,Ibadehimsternlyhavedonewithhiscursing,andproceedtohisstoryifhehadone.

Hegloweredatmeforamoment,asthoughheweremindedtolaunchhisspiritualweaponsatmyhead;butasIreturnedhisglarewithanunmovedeye——andmyfourrascals,whowereasimpatientasmyselftolearnthenews,andhadscarcemorereverenceforashavencrown,begantomurmur——hethoughtbetterofit,andcoolingassuddenlyashehadflamedup,lostnomoretimeinsatisfyingourcuriosity.

Itwouldillbecomeme,however,tosetdowntheextravagantandoftenblasphemousharangueinwhich,stylingM.deGuisethemartyrofGod,hetoldthestorynowsofamiliar——thestoryofthatdarkwintrymorningatBlois,whentheking\'smessenger,knockingearlyattheduke\'sdoor,badehimhurry,forthekingwantedhim.Thestoryistriteenoughnow.WhenIhearditfirstintheinnontheClain,itwasallnewandallmarvellous.

Themonk,too,tellingthestoryasifhehadseentheeventswithhisowneyes,omittednothingwhichmightimpresshishearers.Hetoldushowthedukereceivedwarningafterwarning,andansweredintheveryantechamber,\'Hedarenot!\'Howhisblood,mysteriouslyadvisedofcomingdissolution,grewchill,andhiseye,woundedatChateauThierry,begantorun,sothathehadtosendforthehandkerchiefhehadforgottentobring.Hetoldus,even,howthedukedrewhisassassinsupanddownthechamber,howhecriedformercy,andhowhediedatlastatthefootoftheking\'sbed,andhowtheking,whohadneverdaredtofacehimliving,cameandspurnedhimdead!

Therewerepalefacesroundthefirewhenheceased,andbentbrowsandlipshardpressedtogether.ThenhestoodandcursedtheKingofFrance——cursinghimopenlybythenameofHenryofValois,athingIhadneverlookedtohearinFrance——thoughnoonesaid\'Amen,\'andallglancedovertheirshoulders,andourhostpatteredfromtheroomasifhehadseenaghost,itseemedtobenoman\'sdutytogainsayhim.

Formyself,IwasfullofthoughtswhichitwouldhavebeenunsafetoutterinthatcompanyorsoneartheLoire.Ilookedbacksixteenyears.WhobutHenryofGuisehadspurnedthecorpseofColigny?AndwhobutHenryofValoishadbackedhimintheact?WhobutHenryofGuisehaddrenchedPariswithblood,andwhobutHenryofValoishadriddenbyhisside?One23rdofthemonth——adaynevertobeerasedfromFrance\'sannals——hadpurchasedforhimatermofgreatness.Asecond23rdsawhim,paytheprice——sawhisashescastsecretlyandbynightnomanknowswhere!

Movedbysuchthoughts,andobservingthatthepriestwasgoingtheroundofthecompanycollectingmoneyformassesfortheduke\'ssoul,towhichobjectIcouldneithergivewithagoodconsciencenorrefusewithoutexcitingsuspicion,Islippedout;

andfindingamanofdecentappearancetalkingwiththelandlordinasmallroombesidethekitchen,Icalledforaflaskofthebestwine,andbymeansofthatintroductionobtainedmysupperintheircompany.

ThestrangerwasaNormanhorsedealer,returninghome,afterdisposingofhisstring.Heseemedtobeinalargewayofbusiness,andbeingofabluff,independentspirit,asmanyofthoseNormantownsmenare,wasinclinedatfirsttotreatmewithmorefamiliaritythanrespect;thefactofmynag,forwhichhewouldhavechaffered,excellingmycoatinquality,leadinghimtosetmedownasastewardorintendant.Thepursuitofhistrade,however,hadbroughthimintoconnectionwithallclassesofmenandhequicklyperceivedhismistake;andasheknewtheprovincesbetweentheSeineandLoiretoperfection,andmadeitpartofhisbusinesstoforeseethechancesofpeaceandwar,I

obtainedagreatamountofinformationfromhim,andindeedconceivednolittlelikingforhim.HebelievedthattheassassinationofM.deGuisewouldalienatesomuchofFrancefromthekingthathismajestywouldhavelittleleftsavethetownsontheLoire,andsomeotherplaceslyingwithineasyreachofhiscourtatBlois.

\'But,\'Isaid,\'thingsseemquietnow.Here,forinstance.\'

\'Itisthecalmbeforethestorm,\'heanswered.\'Thereisamonkinthere.Haveyouheardhim?\'

Inodded.

\'Heisonlyoneamongahundred——athousand,\'thehorsedealercontinued,lookingatmeandnoddingwithmeaning.Hewasabrown-hairedmanwithshrewdgreyeyes,suchasmanyNormanshave.\'Theywillgettheirwaytoo,youwillsee,\'hewenton.

\'Well,horseswillgoup,soIhavenocausetogrumble;but,ifIwereonmywaytoBloiswithwomenorgearofthatkind,I

shouldnotchoosethistimeforpickingposiesontheroad.I

shouldseetheinsideofthegatesassoonaspossible.\'

Ithoughttherewasmuchinwhathesaid;andwhenhewentontomaintainthatthekingwouldfindhimselfbetweenthehammerandtheanvil——betweentheLeagueholdingallthenorthandtheHuguenotsholdingallthesouth——andmustneedsintimecometotermswiththelatterseeingthattheformerwouldrestcontentwithnothingshortofhisdeposition,Ibegantoagreewithhimthatweshouldshortlyseegreatchangesandverystirringtimes.

\'Stilliftheydeposetheking,\'Isaid,\'theKingofNavarremustsucceedhim.HeistheheirofFrance.\'

\'Bah!\'mycompanionrepliedsomewhatcontemptuously.\'TheLeaguewillseetothat.Hegoeswiththeother.\'

\'Thenthekingsareinonecry,andyouareright,\'Isaidwithconviction.\'Theymustunite.\'

\'Sotheywill.Itisonlyaquestionoftime,\'hesaid.

Inthemorning,havingonlyonemanwithhim,and,asIguessed,aconsiderablesumofmoney,hevolunteeredtojoinourpartyasfarasBlois.Iassentedgladly,andhedidso,thisadditiontoournumbersriddingmeatonceofthegreaterpartofmyfears.

Ididnotexpectanyoppositiononthepartofmademoiselle,whowouldgaininconsequenceaswellasinsafety.Nordidsheofferany.Shewascontent,Ithink,towelcomeanyadditiontoourpartywhichwouldsaveherfromthenecessityofridinginthecompanyofmyoldcloak.

CHAPTERVI.

MYMOTHER\'SLODGING.

TravellingbywayofChatelheraultandTours,wereachedtheneighbourhoodofBloisalittleafternoononthethirddaywithoutmisadventureoranyintimationofpursuit.TheNormanprovedhimselfacheerfulcompanionontheroad,asIalreadyknewhimtobeamanofsenseandshrewdnesswhilehispresencerenderedthetaskofkeepingmymeninorderaneasyone.I

begantoconsidertheadventureaspracticallyachieved;andregardingMademoiselledelaVireasalreadyineffecttransferredtothecareofM.deRosny,IventuredtoturnmythoughtstothedevelopmentofmyownplansandthechoiceofahaveninwhichImightrestsecurefromthevengeanceofM.deTurenne.

ForthemomentIhadevadedhispursuit,and,assistedbytheconfusioncausedeverywherebythedeathofGuisehadsucceededinthwartinghisplansandaffrontinghisauthoritywithseemingease.ButIknewtoomuchofhispowerandhadheardtoomanyinstancesofhisfiercetemperandresolutewilltopresumeonshortimpunityortoexpectthefuturewithanythingbutdiffidenceanddismay.

TheexclamationsofmycompanionsoncomingwithinsightofBloisarousedmefromthesereflections.Ijoinedthem,andfullysharedtheiremotionasIgazedonthestatelytowerswhichhadwitnessedsomanyroyalfestivities,and,alas!oneroyaltragedy;whichhadshelteredLouistheWell-belovedandFrancistheGreat,andrungwiththelaughterofDianaofPoitiersandthesecondHenry.Theplayoffancywreathedthesombrebuildingwithahundredmemoriesgraveandgay.But,thoughtherichplainoftheLoirestillswelledupwardasofoldingentlehomageatthefeetofthegallanttown,theshadowofcrimeseemedtodarkenall,anddimeventhegloriesoftheroyalstandardwhichhungidlyintheair.

Wehadheardsomanyreportsofthefearandsuspicionwhichreignedinthecityandofthestrictsupervisionwhichwasexercisedoverallwhoentered——thekingdreadingarepetitionofthedayoftheBarricades——thatwehaltedatalittleinnamileshortofthegateandbrokeupourcompany.IpartedfrommyNormanfriendwithmutualexpressionsofesteem,andfrommyownmen,whomIhadpaidoffinthemorning,complimentingeachofthemwithahandsomepresent,withafeelingofreliefequallysincere.Ihoped——butthehopewasnotfatedtobegratified——thatImightneverseetheknavesagain.

ItwantedlessthananhourofsunsetwhenIrodeuptothegate,afewpacesinfrontofmademoiselleandherwoman;asifIhadreallybeentheintendantforwhomthehorse-dealerhadmistakenme.Wefoundtheguardhouselinedwithsoldiers,whoscannedusverynarrowlyasweapproached,andwhosesternfeaturesandorderedweaponsshowedthattheywerenotthereformereeffect.

Thefact,however,thatwecamefromTours,acitystillintheking\'shands,servedtoallaysuspicion,andwepassedwithoutaccident.

Onceinthestreets,andridinginsinglefilebetweenthehouses,tothewindowsofwhichthetownsfolkseemedtobeattractedbytheslightestcommotion,sofullofterrorwastheair,Iexperiencedamomentofhugerelief.ThiswasBlois——

Bloisatlast.WewerewithinafewscoreyardsoftheBleedingHeart.InafewminutesIshouldreceiveaquittance,andbefreetothinkonlyofmyself.

NorwasmypleasuremuchlessenedbythefactthatIwassosoontopartfromMademoiselledelaVire.Frankly,Iwasfarfromlikingher.Exposuretotheairofacourthadspoiled,itseemedtome,whatevergracesofdispositiontheyoungladyhadeverpossessed.Shestillmaintained,andhadmaintainedthroughoutthejourney,thecoldandsuspiciousattitudeassumedatstarting;norhadsheeverexpressedtheleastsolicitudeonmybehalf,ortheslightestsensethatwewereincurringdangerinherservice.Shehadnotscrupledconstantlytopreferherwhimstothecommonadvantage,andevensafety;whilehersenseofself-importancehadcometobesogreat,thatsheseemedtoholdherselfexemptfromthedutyofthankinganyhumancreature.

Icouldnotdenythatshewasbeautiful——indeed,Ioftenthought,whenwatchingher,ofthedaywhenIhadseenherintheKingofNavarre\'santechamberinallthegloryofhercharms.ButIfeltnonethelessthatIcouldturnmybackonher——leavingherinsafety——withoutregret;andbethankfulthatherpathwouldneveragaincrossmine.

WithsuchthoughtsinmybreastIturnedthecorneroftheRuedeSt.DenysandcameatonceupontheBleedingHeart,asmallbutdecent-lookinghostelrysituateneartheendofthestreetandoppositeachurch.Abluffgrey-hairedman,whowasstandinginthedoorway,cameforwardaswehalted,andlookingcuriouslyatmademoiselleaskedwhatIlacked;addingcivillythatthehousewasfullandtheyhadnosleepingroom,thelateeventshavingdrawnagreatassemblagetoBlois.

\'Iwantonlyanaddress,\'Ianswered,leaningfromthesaddleandspeakinginalowvoicethatImightnotbeoverheardbythepassers-by.\'TheBarondeRosnyisinBlois,ishenot?\'

ThemanstartedatthenameoftheHuguenotleader,andlookedroundhimnervously.But,seeingthatnoonewasverynearus,heanswered:\'Hewas,sir;buthelefttownaweekagoandmore.

\'Therehavebeenstrangedoingshere,andM.deRosnythoughtthattheclimatesuitedhimill.\'

Hesaidthiswithsomuchmeaning,aswellasconcernthatheshouldnotbeoverheard,that,thoughIwastakenabackandbitterlydisappointed,Isucceededinrestrainingallexclamationsandevenshowoffeeling.Afterapauseofdismay,IaskedwhitherM.deRosnyhadgone.

\'ToRosny,\'wastheanswer.

\'AndRosny?\'

\'IsbeyondChartres,prettywellallthewaytoMantes,\'themananswered,strokingmyhorse\'sneck.\'Saythirtyleagues.\'

Iturnedmyhorse,andhurriedlycommunicatedwhathesaidtomademoiselle,whowaswaitingafewpacesaway.Unwelcometome,thenewswasstilllesswelcometoher.Herchagrinandindignationknewnobounds.Foramomentwordsfailedher,butherflashingeyessaidmorethanhertongueasshecriedtome:

\'Well,sir,andwhatnow?Isthistheendofyourfinepromises?

WhereisyourRosny,ifallbenotalyinginventionofyourown?\'

FeelingthatshehadsomeexcuseIsuppressedmycholer,andhumblyrepeatingthatRosnywasathishouse,twodaysfartheron,andthatIcouldseenothingforitbuttogotohim,Iaskedthelandlordwherewecouldfindalodgingforthenight.

\'Indeed,sir,thatismorethanIcansay,\'heanswered,lookingcuriouslyatus,andthinking,Idoubtnot,thatwithmyshabbycloakandfinehorse,andmademoiselle\'smaskandspatteredriding-coat,wewereanoddcouple.\'Thereisnotaninnwhichisnotfulltothegarrets——nay,andthestables;and,whatismore,peoplearecharyoftakingstrangersin.Thesearestrangetimes.Theysay,\'becontinuedinalowertone,\'thattheoldqueenisdyingupthere,andwillnotlastthenight.\'

Inodded.\'Wemustgosomewhere\'Isaid.

\'IwouldhelpyouifIcould,\'heanswered,shrugginghisshoulders.\'Butthereitis!Bloisisfullfromthetilestothecellars.\'

Myhorseshiveredunderme,andmademoiselle,whosepatiencewasgone,criedharshlytometodosomething.\'Wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,\'shesaidfiercely.

Isawthatshewaswornoutandscarcelymistressofherself.

Thelightwasfalling,andwithitsomerain.Thereekofthekennelsandthecloseairfromthehousesseemedtostifleus.

Thebellatthechurchbehinduswasjanglingoutvespers.Afewpeople,attractedbythesightofourhorsesstandingbeforetheinn,hadgatheredroundandwerewatchingus.

SomethingIsawmustbedone,anddonequickly.Indespair,andseeingnootherresort,IbroachedaproposalofwhichIhadnothithertoevendreamed.\'Mademoiselle,\'Isaidbluntly,\'Imusttakeyoutomymother\'s.\'

\'Toyourmother\'s,sir?\'shecried,rousingherself.Hervoicerangwithhaughtysurprise.

\'Yes,\'Irepliedbrusquely;\'since,asyousay,wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,andIdonotknowwhereelseIcandisposeofyou.FromthelastadvicesIhadIbelievehertohavefollowedthecourthither.Myfriend,\'Icontinued,turningtothelandlord,\'doyouknowbynameaMadamedeBonne,whoshouldbeinBlois?\'

\'AMadamedeBonne!\'hemuttered,reflecting.\'Ihaveheardthenamelately.Waitamoment.\'Disappearingintothehouse,hereturnedalmostimmediately,followedbyalankypale-facedyouthwearingatatteredblacksoutane.\'Yes,\'hesaidnodding,\'thereisaworthyladyofthatnamelodginginthenextstreet,Iamtold.Asithappens,thisyoungmanlivesinthesamehouse,andwillguideyou,ifyoulike.\'

Iassented,and,thankinghimforhisinformation,turnedmyhorseandrequestedtheyouthtoleadtheway.Wehadscarcelypassedthecornerofthestreet,however,andenteredonesomewhatmorenarrowandlessfrequented,whenmademoiselle,whowasridingbehindme,stoppedandcalledtome.Idrewrein,and,turning,askedwhatitwas.

\'Iamnotcoming,\'shesaid,hervoicetremblingslightly,butwhetherwithalarmorangerIcouldnotdetermine.\'Iknownothingofyou,andI——IdemandtobetakentoM.deRosny.\'

\'IfyoucrythatnamealoudinthestreetsofBlois,mademoiselle,\'Iretorted,\'youarelikeenoughtobetakenwhitheryouwillnotcaretogo!AsforM.deRosny,Ihavetoldyouthatheisnothere.HehasgonetohisseatatMantes.\'

\'Thentakemetohim!\'

\'Atthishourofthenight?\'Isaiddrily.\'Itistwodays\'

journeyfromhere.\'

\'ThenIwillgotoaninn,\'sherepliedsullenly.

\'Youhaveheardthatthereisnoroomintheinns\'IrejoinedwithwhatpatienceIcould.\'Andtogofrominntoinnatthishourmightleadusintotrouble.IcanassureyouthatIamasmuchtakenabackbyM.deRosny\'sabsenceasyouare.Forthepresent,weareclosetomymother\'slodging,and——\'

\'Iknownothingofyourmother!\'sheexclaimedpassionately,hervoiceraised.\'Youhaveenticedmehitherbyfalsepretences,sir,andIwillendureitnolonger.Iwill——\'

\'Whatyouwilldo,Idonotknowthen,mademoiselle,\'Ireplied,quiteatmywits\'end;forwhatwiththerainandthedarkness,theunknownstreets——inwhichourtarryingmightatanymomentcollectacrowd——andthisstubborngirl\'sopposition,Iknewnotwhithertoturn.\'FormypartIcansuggestnothingelse.Itdoesnotbecomemetospeakofmymother,\'Icontinued,\'orI

mightsaythatevenMademoiselledelaVireneednotbeashamedtoacceptthehospitalityofMadamedeBonne.Noraremymother\'scircumstances,\'Iaddedproudly,\'thoughnarrow,someanastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherbirth.\'

Mylastwordsappearedtomakesomeimpressionuponmycompanion.

Sheturnedandspoketoherwoman,whorepliedinalowvoice,tossingherheadthewhileandglaringatmeinspeechlessindignation.Hadtherebeenanythingelseforit,theywoulddoubtlesshavefloutedmyofferstill;butapparentlyFanchettecouldsuggestnothing,andpresentlymademoiselle,withasullenair,bademeleadon.

Takingthisforpermission,thelankyyouthintheblacksoutane,whohadremainedatmybridlethroughoutthediscussion,nowlisteningandnowstaring,noddedandresumedhisway;andI

followed.Afterproceedingalittlemorethanfiftyyardshestoppedbeforeamean-lookingdoorway,flankedbygratedwindows,andfrontedbyaloftywallwhichItooktobethebackofsomenobleman\'sgarden.Thestreetatthispointwasunlighted,andlittlebetterthananalley;norwastheappearanceofthehouse,whichwasnarrowandill-looking,thoughlofty,calculated,asfarasIcouldmakeitoutisthedarkness,toallaymademoiselle\'ssuspicions.Knowing,however,thatpeopleofpositionareoftenobligedintownstolodgeinpoorhouses,I

thoughtnothingofthis,andonlystrovetogetmademoiselledismountedasquicklyaspossible.Theladgropedaboutandfoundtworingsbesidethedoor,andtotheseItiedupthehorses.Then,biddinghimleadtheway,andbeggingmademoiselletofollow,Iplungedintothedarknessofthepassageandfeltmywaytothefootofthestaircase,whichwasentirelyunlighted,andsmelledcloseandunpleasant.

\'Whichfloor?\'Iaskedmyguide.

\'Thefourth,\'heansweredquietly.

\'Morbleu!\'Imuttered,asIbegantoascend,myhandonthewall.\'Whatisthemeaningofthis?\'

ForIwasperplexed.TherevenuesofMarsac,thoughsmall,shouldhavekept;mymother,whomIhadlastseeninParisbeforetheNemoursedict,intolerablecomfort——suchmodestcomfort,atanyrate,ascouldscarcelybelookedforinsuchahouseasthis——obscure,ill-tended,unlighted.Tomyperplexitywasadded,beforeIreachedthetopofthestairs,disquietude——

disquietudeonheraccountaswellasonmademoiselle\'s.Ifeltthatsomethingwaswrong,andwouldhavegivenmuchtorecalltheinvitationIhadpressedonthelatter.

WhattheyoungladythoughtherselfIcouldprettywellguess,asIlistenedtoherhurriedbreathingatmyshoulder.WitheverystepIexpectedhertorefusetogofarther.But,havingoncemadeuphermind,shefollowedmestubbornly,thoughthedarknesswassuchthatinvoluntarilyIloosenedmydagger,andpreparedtodefendmyselfshouldthisturnouttobeatrap.

Wereachedthetop,however,withoutaccident.Ourguideknockedsoftlyatadoorandimmediatelyopeneditwithoutwaitingforananswer.Afeeblelightshoneoutonthestair-head,andbendingmyhead,forthelintelwaslow,Isteppedintotheroom.

Iadvancedtwopacesandstoodlookingaboutmeinangrybewilderment.Thebarenessofextremepovertymarkedeverythingonwhichmyeyesrested.Acrackedearthenwarelampsmokedandsputteredonastoolinthemiddleoftherottingfloor.Anoldblackcloaknailedtothewall,andflappingtoandfrointhedraughtlikesomedeadgallowsbird,hunginfrontoftheunglazedwindow.Ajarinacornercaughtthedrippingsfromaholeintheroof.Anironpotandasecondstool——thelattercastingalongshadowacrossthefloor——stoodbesidethehandfulofwoodashes,whichsmoulderedonthehearth.AndthatwasallthefurnitureIsaw,exceptabedwhichfilledthefartherendofthelongnarrowroom,andwascurtainedoffsoastoformakindofmiserablealcove.

Aglancesufficedtoshowmeallthis,andthattheroomwasempty,orapparentlyempty.YetIlookedagainandagain,stupefied.Atlastfindingmyvoice,Iturnedtotheyoungmanwhohadbroughtushither,andwithafierceoathdemandedofhimwhathemeant.

Heshrankbackbehindtheopendoor,andyet;answeredwithakindofsullensurprisethatIhadaskedforMadamedeBonne\'s,andthiswasit.

\'MadamedeBonne\'s!\'Imuttered.\'ThisMadamedeBonne\'s!\'

Henodded.

\'Ofcourseitis!Andyouknowit!\'mademoisellehissedinmyear,hervoice,assheinterposed,hoarsewithpassion.\'Don\'tthinkthatyoucandeceiveusanylonger.Weknowall!This,\'

shecontinued,lookinground,hercheeksscarlet,hereyesablazewithscorn,\'isyourmother\'s,isit!Yourmotherwhohasfollowedthecourthither——whosemeansarenarrow,butnotsosmallastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherrank!Thisisyourmother\'shospitality,isit?Youareacheat,sir!andadetectedcheat!Letusbegone!Letmego,sir,Isay!\'

TwiceIhadtriedtostopthecurrentofherwords;butinvain.

Nowwithangerwhichsurpassedhersahundredfold——forwho,beingaman,wouldhearhimselfmisnamedbeforehismother?——I

succeeded,\'Silence,mademoiselle!\'Icried,mygrasponherwrist.\'Silence,Isay!Thisismymother!\'

Andrunningforwardtothebed,Ifellonmykneesbesideit.A

feeblehandhadhalfwithdrawnthecurtain,andthroughthegapmymother\'sstrickenfacelookedout,agreatfearstampeduponit.

CHAPTERVII.

SIMONFLEIX.

ForsomeminutesIforgotmademoiselleinpayingthoseassiduousattentionstomymotherwhichherstateandmydutydemanded;andwhichIofferedthemoreanxiouslythatIrecognised,withasinkingheart,thechangeswhichageandillnesshadmadeinhersincemylastvisit.Theshockofmademoiselle\'swordshadthrownherintoasyncope,fromwhichshedidnotrecoverforsometime;andthenratherthroughtheassistanceofourstrangeguide,whoseemedwellawarewhattodo,thanthroughmyefforts.

AnxiousasIwastolearnwhathadreducedhertosuchstraitsandsuchaplace,thiswasnotthetimetosatisfymycuriosity,andIpreparedmyselfinsteadforthetaskofeffacingthepainfulimpressionwhichmademoiselle\'swordshadmadeonhermind.

Onfirstcomingtoherselfshedidnotrememberthem,but,contenttofindmebyherside——forthereissomethingsoalchemicinamother\'slovethatIdoubtnotmypresencechangedhergarrettoapalace——shespentherselfinfeeblecaressesandbrokenwords.Presently,however,hereyefallingonmademoiselleandhermaid,whoremainedstandingbythehearth,lookingdarklyatusfromtimetotime,sherecalled,firsttheshockwhichhadprostratedher,andthenitscause,andraisingherselfonherelbow,lookedaboutherwildly.\'Gaston!\'shecried,clutchingmyhandwithherthinfingers,\'whatwasitI

heard?Itwasofyousomeonespoke——awoman!Shecalledyou——ordidIdreamit?——acheat!You!\'

\'Madame,madame,\'Isaid,strivingtospeakcarelessly,thoughthesight;ofhergreyhair,stragglinganddishevelled,movedmestrangely,\'wasit;likely?Wouldanyonedaretousesuchexpressionsofmeisyourpresence?Youmustindeedhavedreamedit!\'

Thewords,however,returningmoreandmorevividlytohermind,shelookedatmeverypitifully,andingreatagitationlaidherarmonmyneck,asthoughshewouldsheltermewiththepunystrengthwhichjustenabledhertoriseinbed.\'Butsomeone,\'

shemuttered,hereyesonthestrangers,\'saidit,Gaston?I

heardit.Whatdiditmean?\'

\'Whatyouheard,madame,\'Ianswered,withanattemptatgaiety,thoughthetearsstoodinmyeyes,\'was,doubtless,mademoiselleherescoldingourguidefromTours,whodemandedthreetimestheproperPOURBOIRE.Theimpudentrascaldeservedallthatwassaidtohim,Iassureyou.\'

\'Wasthatit?\'shemurmureddoubtfully.

\'Thatmusthavebeenwhatyouheard,madame,\'Ianswered,asifI

feltnodoubt.

Shefellbackwithasighofrelief,andalittlecolourcameintoherwanface.Buthereyesstilldweltcuriously,andwithapprehension,onmademoiselle,whostoodlookingsullenlyintothefire;andseeingthismyheartmisgavemesorelythatIhaddoneafoolishthinginbringingthegirlthere.Iforesawahundredquestionswhichwouldbeasked,andahundredcomplicationswhichmustensue,andfeltalreadytheblushofshamemountingtomycheek.

\'Whoisthat?\'mymotheraskedsoftly.\'Iamill.Shemustexcuseme.\'Shepointedwithherfragilefingertomycompanions.

Irose,andstillkeepingherhandinmine,turnedsoastofacethehearth.\'This,madame,\'Iansweredformally,\'isMademoiselle——,buthernameIwillcommittoyoulater,andinprivate.Sufficeittosaythatsheisaladyofrank,whohasbeencommittedtomychargebyahighpersonage.\'

\'Ahighpersonage?\'mymotherrepeatedgently,glancingatmewithasmileofgratification.

\'Oneofthehighest,\'Isaid,\'Suchachargebeingagreathonourtome,IfeltthatIcouldnotbetterexecuteitmadame,sincewemustlieinBloisonenight,thanbyrequestingyourhospitalityonherbehalf.\'

IdaredmademoiselleasIspoke——Idaredherwithmyeyetocontradictorinterruptme.Foranswer,shelookedatmeonce,incliningherheadalittle,andgazingatusfromunderherlongeyelashes.Thensheturnedbacktothefire,andherfootresumeditsangrytappingonthefloor.

\'IregretthatIcannotreceiveherbetter,\'mymotheransweredfeebly.\'Ihavehadlossesoflate.I——butIwillspeakofthatatanothertime.Mademoiselledoubtlessknows,\'shecontinuedwithdignity,\'youandyourpositioninthesouthtoowelltothinkillofthemomentarystraitstowhichshefindsmereduced.\'

Isawmademoisellestart,andIwrithedundertheglanceofcovertscorn,ofamazedindignation,whichsheshotatme.Butmymothergentlypattingmyhand,Iansweredpatiently,\'Mademoisellewillthinkonlywhatiskind,madame——ofthatIamassured.Andlodgingsarescarceto-nightinBlois.\'

\'Buttellmeofyourself,Gaston,\'mymothercriedeagerly;andI

hadnottheheart,withhertouchonmyhand,hereyesonmyface,totearmyselfaway,muchasIdreadedwhatwascoming,andlongedtoendthescene.\'Tellmeofyourself.Youarestillinfavourwiththekingof——Iwillnotnamehimhere?\'

\'Still,madame,\'Ianswered,lookingsteadilyatmademoiselle,thoughmyfaceburned.

\'Youarestill——heconsultsyou,Gaston?\'

\'Still,madame.\'

Mymotherheavedahappysigh,andsanklowerinthebed.\'Andyouremployments?\'shemurmured,hervoicetremblingwithgratification.\'Theyhavenotbeenreduced?Youstillretainthem,Gaston?\'

\'Still,madame,\'Ianswered,theperspirationstandingonmybrow,myshamealmostmorethanIcouldbear.

\'Twelvethousandlivresayear,Ithink?\'

\'Thesame,madame.\'

\'Andyourestablishment?Howmanydoyoukeepnow?Yourvalet,ofcourse?Andlackeys——howmanyatpresent?\'Sheglanced,withaneyeofpride,whileshewaitedformyanswer,firstatthetwosilentfiguresbythefire,thenatthepoverty-strickenroom;asifthesightofitsbarenessheightenedforherthejoyofmyprosperity.

Shehadnosuspicionofmytrouble,mymisery,orthatthelastquestionalmostfilledthecuptoofull.Hithertoallhadbeeneasy,butthisseemedtochokeme.Istammeredandlostmyvoice.Mademoiselle,herheadbowed,wasgazingintothefire.

Fanchettewasstaringatme,herblackeyesroundassaucers,hermouthhalf-open.\'Well,madame,\'Imutteredatlength,\'totellyouthetruth,atpresent,youmustunderstand,Ihavebeenforcedto——\'

\'What,Gaston?\'MadamedeBonnehalfroseinbed.Hervoicewassharpwithdisappointmentandapprehension;thegraspofherfingersonmyhandgrewcloser.

Icouldnotresistthatappeal.Iflungawaythelastragofshame.\'Toreducemyestablishmentsomewhat,\'Ianswered,lookingamiserabledefianceatmademoiselle\'savertedfigure.

Shehadcalledmealiarandacheat——hereintheroom!Imuststandbeforeheraliarandacheatconfessed.\'Ikeepbutthreelackeysnow,madame.\'

Stillitiscreditable,\'mymothermutteredthoughtfully,hereyesshining.\'Yourdress,however,Gaston——onlymyeyesareweak——seemstome——\'

\'Tut,tut!Itisbutadisguise,\'Iansweredquickly.

\'Imighthaveknownthat,\'sherejoined,sinkingbackwithasmileandasighofcontent.\'ButwhenIfirstsawyouIwasalmostafraidthatsomethinghadhappenedtoyou.AndIhavebeenuneasylately,\'shewenton,releasingmyhand,andbeginningtoplaywiththecoverlet,asthoughtheremembrancetroubledher.\'Therewasamanhereawhileago——afriendofSimonFleixthere——whohadbeensouthtoPauandNerac,andhesaidtherewasnoM.deMarsacabouttheCourt.\'

\'HeprobablyknewlessoftheCourtthanthewine-tavern,\'I

answeredwithaghastlysmile.

\'ThatwasjustwhatItoldhim,\'mymotherrespondedquicklyandeagerly.\'IwarrantyouIsenthimawayill-satisfied.\'

\'Ofcourse,\'Isaid;\'therewillalwaysbepeopleofthatkind.

Butnow,ifyouwillpermitme,madame,Iwillmakesucharrangementsformademoiselleasarenecessary.\'

Beggingheraccordinglytoliedownandcomposeherself——forevensoshortaconversation,followingontheexcitementofourarrival,hadexhaustedhertoapainfuldegree——Itooktheyouth,whohadjustreturnedfromstablingourhorses,alittleaside,andlearningthathelodgedinasmallerchamberonthefarthersideofthelanding,secureditfortheuseofmademoiselleandherwoman.Inspiteofacertainexcitabilitywhichmarkedhimattimes,heseemedtobeaquick,readyfellow,andhewillinglyundertooktogoout,lateasitwas,andprocuresomeprovisionsandafewotherthingswhichweresadlyneeded,aswellformymother\'scomfortasforourown.IdirectedFanchettetoaidhiminthepreparationoftheotherchamber,andthusforawhileI

wasleftalonewithmademoiselle.Shehadtakenoneofthestools,andsatcoweringoverthefire,thehoodofhercloakdrawnaboutherhead;insuchamannerthatevenwhenshelookedatme,whichshedidfromtimetotime,Isawlittlemorethanhereyes,brightwithcontemptuousanger.

\'So,sir,\'shepresentlybegan,speakinginalowvoice,andturningslightlytowardsme,\'youpractiselyingevenhere?\'

IfeltsostronglythefutilityofdenialorexplanationthatI

shruggedmyshouldersandremainedsilentunderthesneer.Twomoredays——twomoredayswouldtakeustoRosny,andmytaskwouldbedone,andMademoiselleandIwouldpartforgoodandall.Whatwoulditmatterthenwhatshethoughtofme?Whatdiditmatternow?

Forthefirsttimeinourintercoursemysilenceseemedtodisconcertanddispleaseher.\'Haveyounothingtosayforyourself?\'shemutteredsharply,crushingafragmentofcharcoalunderherfoot,andstoopingtopeerattheashes.\'Haveyounotanotherlieinyourquiver,M.deMarsac?\'DeMarsac!\'Andsherepeatedthetitle,withascornfullaugh,asifsheputnofaithinmyclaimtoit.

ButIwouldanswernothing——nothing;andweremainedsilentuntilFanchette,comingintosaythatthechamberwasready,heldthelightforhermistresstopassout.Itoldthewomantocomebackandfetchmademoiselle\'ssupper,andthen,beingleftalonewithmymother,whohadfallenasleep,withasmileonherthin,wornface,Ibegantowonderwhathadhappenedtoreducehertosuchdirepoverty.

Ifearedtoagitateherbyreferringtoit;butlaterintheevening,whenhercurtainsweredrawnandSimonFleixandIwerelefttogether,eyeingoneanotheracrosstheemberslikedogsofdifferentbreeds——withacertainstrangenessandsuspicion——mythoughtsrecurredtothequestion;anddeterminingfirsttolearnsomethingaboutmycompanion,whosepale,eagerfaceandtattered,blackdressgavehimacertainindividuality,IaskedhimwhetherhehadcomefromPariswithMadamedeBonne.

Henoddedwithoutspeaking.

Iaskedhimifhehadknownherlong.

\'Twelvemonths,\'heanswered.\'Ilodgedonthefifth,madameonthesecond,floorofthesamehouseinParis.\'

Ileanedforwardandpluckedthehemofhisblackrobe.\'Whatisthis?\'Isaid,withalittlecontempt.\'Youarenotapriest,man.\'

\'No,\'heanswered,fingeringthestuffhimself,andgazingatmeinacurious,vacantfashion.\'IamastudentoftheSorbonne.\'

Idrewofffromhimwithamutteredoath,wondering——whileI

lookedathimwithsuspiciouseyes——howhecametobehere,andparticularlyhowhecametobeinattendanceonmymother,whohadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodintheReligion,andhadprofesseditinprivateallherlife.Icouldthinkofnoonewho,inolddays,wouldhavebeenlesswelcomeinherhousethanaSorbonnist,andbegantofancythathereshouldliethesecretofhermiserablecondition.

\'Youdon\'tlike,theSorbonne?\'hesaid,readingmythoughts;

whichwere,indeed,plainenough.

\'NomorethanIlovethedevil!\'Isaidbluntly.

Heleanedforwardand,stretchingoutathin,nervoushand,laiditonmyknee.\'Whatiftheyareright,though?\'hemuttered,hisvoicehoarse.\'Whatiftheyareright,M.deMarsac?\'

\'Whoright?\'Iaskedroughly,drawingbackafresh.

\'TheSorbonne.\'herepeated,hisfaceredwithexcitement,hiseyespeeringuncannilyintomine.\'Don\'tyousee,\'hecontinued,pinchingmykneeinhisearnestness,andthrustinghisfacenearerandnearertomine,\'itallturnsonthat?Itallturnsonthat——salvationordamnation!Aretheyright?Areyouright?

Yousayyestothis,notothat,youwhite-coats;andyousayitlightly,butareyouright?Areyouright?MonDieu!\'hecontinued,drawingbackabruptlyandclawingtheairwithimpatience,\'Ihaveread,read,read!Ihavelistenedtosermons,theses,disputations,andIknownothing.IknownomorethanwhenIbegan.\'

Hesprangupandbegantopacethefloor,whileIgazedathimwithafeelingofpity.Averylearnedpersononcetoldmethatthetroublesofthesetimesbredfourkindsofmen,whoweremuchtobecompassionated:fanaticsontheonesideortheother,wholostsightofallelseintheintensityoftheirfaith;menwho,likeSimonFleix,soughtdesperatelyaftersomethingtobelieve,andfounditnot;andlastly,scoffers,who,believinginnothing,lookedonallreligionasamockery.

Hepresentlystoppedwalking——inhisutmostexcitementIremarkedthatheneverforgotmymother,buttrodmorelightlywhenhedrewnearthealcove——andspokeagain.\'YouareaHuguenot?\'hesaid.

\'Yes,\'Ireplied.

\'Soisshe,\'herejoined,pointingtowardsthebed.\'Butdoyoufeelnodoubts?\'

\'None,\'Isaidquietly.

\'Nordoesshe.\'heansweredagain,stoppingoppositeme.Youmadeupyourmind——how?\'

\'IwasbornintheReligion,\'Isaid.

\'Andyouhaveneverquestionedit?\'

\'Never.\'