第5章

\'Northoughtmuchaboutit?\'

\'Notagreatdeal,\'Ianswered.

\'SaintGris!\'heexclaimedinalowtone.\'Anddoyouneverthinkofhell-fire——ofthewormwhichdiethnot,andthefirewhichshallnotbequenched?Doyouneverthinkofthat,M.deMarsac?\'

\'No,myfriend,never!\'Ianswered,risingimpatiently;foratthathour,andinthatsilent,gloomyroomIfoundhisconversationdispiriting.\'IbelievewhatIwastaughttobelieve,andIstrivetohurtnoonebuttheenemy.Ithinklittle;andifIwereyouIwouldthinkless.Iwoulddosomething,man——fight,play,work,anythingbutthink!Ileavethattoclerks.\'

\'Iamaclerk,\'heanswered.

\'Apoorone,itseems,\'Iretorted,withalittlescorninmytone.\'Leaveit,man.Work!Fight!Dosomething!\'

\'Fight?\'hesaid,asiftheideawereanovelone.\'Fight?Butthere,Imightbekilled;andthenhell-fire,yousee!\'

\'Zounds,man!\'Icried,outofpatiencewithafollywhich,totellthetruth,thelampburninglow,andtherainpatteringontheroof,madetheskinofmybackfeelcoldandcreepy.\'Enoughofthis!Keepyourdoubtsandyourfiretoyourself!Andanswerme,\'Icontinued,sternly.\'HowcameMadamedeBonnesopoor?

Howdidshecomedowntothisplace?\'

Hesatdownonhisstool,theexcitementdyingquicklyoutofhisface.\'Shegaveawayallhermoney,\'hesaidslowlyandreluctantly.Itmaybeimaginedthatthisanswersurprisedme.

\'Gaveitaway?\'Iexclaimed.\'Towhom?Andwhen?\'

Hemoveduneasilyonhisseatandavoidedmyeye,hisalteredmannerfillingmewithsuspicionswhichtheinsightIhadjustobtainedintohischaracterdidnotaltogetherpreclude.Atlasthesaid,\'Ihadnothingtodowithit,ifyoumeanthat;nothing.

Onthecontrary,IhavedoneallIcouldtomakeituptoher.I

followedherhere.Iswearthatisso,M.deMarsac.\'

\'Youhavenottoldmeyettowhomshegaveit,\'Isaidsternly.

\'Shegaveit,\'hemuttered,\'toapriest.\'

\'Towhatpriest?\'

\'Idonotknowhisname.HeisaJacobin.\'

\'Andwhy?\'Iasked,gazingincredulouslyatthestudent.\'Whydidshegiveittohim?Come,come!haveacare.LetmehavenoneofyourSorbonneinventions!\'

Hehesitatedamoment,lookingatmetimidly,andthenseemedtomakeuphismindtotellme.\'Hefoundout——itwaswhenwelivedinParis,youunderstand,lastJune——thatshewasaHuguenot.ItwasaboutthetimetheyburnedtheFoucards,andhefrightenedherwiththat,andmadeherpayhimmoney,alittleatfirst,andthenmoreandmore,tokeephersecret.WhenthekingcametoBloisshefollowedhisMajesty,thinkingtobesaferhere;butthepriestcametoo,andgotmoremoney,andmore,untilhelefther——this.\'

\'This!\'Isaid.AndIsetmyteethtogether.

SimonFleixnodded,Ilookedroundthewretchedgarrettowhichmymotherhadbeenreduced,andpicturedthedaysandhoursoffearandsuspensethroughwhichshehadlived;throughwhichshemusthavelived,withthatcaitiff\'sthreathangingoverhergreyhead!I

thoughtofherbirthandherhumiliation;ofherfrailformandpatient,undyingloveforme;andsolemnly,andbeforeheaven,I

sworethatnighttopunishtheman.Myangerwastoogreatforwords,andfortearsIwastooold.IaskedSimonFleixnomorequestions,savewhenthepriestmightbelookedforagain——whichhecouldnottellme——andwhetherhewouldknowhimagain——towhichheanswered,\'Yes.\'But,wrappingmyselfinmycloak,I

laydownbythefireandponderedlongandsadly.

So,whileIhadbeenpinchingthere,mymotherhadbeenstarvinghere.Shehaddeceivedme,andIher.Thelampflickered,throwinguncertainshadowsasthedraughttossedthestrangewindow-curtaintoandfro.Theleakagefromtherooffelldropbydrop,andnowandagainthewindshookthecrazybuilding,asthoughitwouldliftitupbodilyandcarryitaway.

CHAPTERVIII.

ANEMPTYROOM.

Desiringtostartasearlyaspossible,thatwemightreachRosnyonthesecondevening,IrousedSimonFleixbeforeitwaslight,andlearningfromhimwherethehorseswerestabled,wentouttoattendtothem;preferringtodothismyself,thatImighthaveanopportunityofseekingoutatailor,andprovidingmyselfwithclothesbettersuitedtomyrankthanthosetowhichIhadbeenreducedoflate.IfoundthatIstillhadninetycrownsleftofthesumwhichtheKingofNavarrehadgivenme,andtwelveoftheseIlaidoutonadoubletofblackclothwithrussetpointsandribands,adarkcloaklinedwiththesamesobercolour,andanewcapandfeather.Thetradesmanwouldfainhaveprovidedmewithanewscabbardalso,seeingmyoldonewasworn-outattheheel;butthisIdeclined,havingafancytogowithmypointbareuntilIshouldhavepunishedthescoundrelwhohadmademymother\'sfailingdaysamiserytoher;abusinesswhich,theKingofNavarre\'soncedone,Ipromisedmyselftopursuewithenergyandatallcosts.

Thechoiceofmyclothes,andafewalterationswhichitwasnecessarytomakeinthem,detainedmesometime,sothatitwaslaterthanIcouldhavewishedwhenIturnedmyfacetowardsthehouseagain,bentongettingmypartytohorseasspeedilyaspossible.Themorning,Iremember,wasbright,frosty,andcold;

thekennelsweredry,thestreetscomparativelyclean.Hereandtherearayofearlysunshine,dartingbetweentheoverhangingeaves,gavepromiseofglorioustravelling-weather.Butthefaces,Iremarkedinmywalk,didnotreflectthesurroundingcheerfulness.Moodylooksmetmeeverywhereandoneveryside;

andwhilecourieraftercouriergallopedbymeboundforthecastle,thetownsfolkstoodaloofisdoorwayslistlessandinactive,or,gatheringingroupsincorners,talkedwhatItooktobetreasonunderthebreath.Thequeen-motherstilllived,butOrleanshadrevolted,andSensandMans,ChartresandMelun.

Rouenwassaidtobewavering,Lyonsinarms,whileParishaddeposedherking,andcursedhimdailyfromahundredaltars.Infine,thegreatrebellionwhichfollowedthedeathofGuise,andlastedsomanyyears,wasalreadyinprogress;sothatonthisfirstdayofthenewyeartheking\'swritscarceranfartherthanhecouldsee,peeringanxiouslyoutfromthetowersabovemyhead.

Reachingthehouse,Iclimbedthelongstaircasehastily,abusingitsdarknessandfoulness,andplanningasIwenthowmymothermightmosteasilyandquicklybemovedtoabetterlodging.

Gainingthetopofthelastflight,Isawthatmademoiselle\'sdoorontheleftofthelandingwasopen,andconcludingfromthisthatshewasup,andreadytostart,Ienteredmymother\'sroomwithabriskstepandspiritsreinforcedbythecrispmorningair.

ButonthethresholdIstopped,andstoodsilentandamazed.AtfirstIthoughttheroomwasempty.Then,atasecondglance,I

sawthestudent.Hewasonhiskneesbesidethebedinthealcove,fromwhichthecurtainhadbeenpartiallydraggedaway.

Thecurtainbeforethewindowhadbeentorndownalso,andthecoldlightofday,pouringinontheunsightlybarenessoftheroom,struckachilltomyheart.Astoollayoverturnedbythefire,andaboveitagreycat,whichIhadnothithertonoticed,crouchedonabeamandeyedmewithstealthyfierceness.

Mademoisellewasnottobeseen,norwasFanchette,andSimonFleixdidnothearme.Hewasdoingsomethingatthebed——formymotheritseemed.

\'Whatisit,man?\'Icriedsoftly,advancingontiptoetothebedside.\'Wherearetheothers?\'

Thestudentlookedroundandsawme.Hisfacewaspaleandgloomy.Hiseyesburned,andyetthereweretearsinthem,andonhischeeks.Hedidnotspeak,butthechilliness,thebareness,theemptinessoftheroomspokeforhim,andmyheartsank.

Itookhimbytheshoulders.\'Findyourtongue,man!\'Isaidangrily.\'Wherearethey?\'

Herosefromhiskneesandstoodstaringatme.\'Theyaregone!\'

hesaidstupidly.

\'Gone?\'Iexclaimed.\'Impossible!When?Whither?\'

\'Halfanhourago.Whither——Idonotknow.\'

Confoundedandamazed,Iglaredathimbetweenfearandrage.

\'Youdonotknow?\'Icried.\'Theyaregone,andyoudonotknow?\'

Heturnedsuddenlyonmeandgrippedmyarm.\'No,Idonotknow!

Idonotknow!\'hecried,withacompletechangeofmannerandinatoneoffierceexcitement.\'Only,maythefiendgowiththem!ButIdoknowthis.Iknowthis,M.deMarsac,withwhomtheywent,thesefriendsofyours!Afopcame,adolt,afinespark,andgavethemfinewordsandfinespeechesandagoldtoken,and,heypresto!theywent,andforgotyou!\'

\'What!\'Icried,beginningtounderstand,andsnatchingfiercelyattheoneclueinhisspeech.\'Agoldtoken?Theyhavebeendecoyedawaythen!Thereisnotimetobelost.Imustfollow.\'

\'No,forthatisnotall!\'hereplied,interruptingmesternly,whilehisgrasponmyarmgrewtighterandhiseyesflashedastheylookedintomine.\'Youhavenotheardall.Theyhavegonewithonewhocalledyouanimpostor,andathief,andabeggar,andthattoyourmother\'sface——andkilledher!Killedherassurelyasifhehadtakenaswordtoher,M.deMarsac!Willyou,afterthat,leaveherforthem?\'

Hespokeplainly.Andyet,Godforgiveme,itwassometimebeforeIunderstoodhim:beforeItookinthemeaningofhiswords,orcouldtransfermythoughtsfromtheabsenttomymotherlyingonthebedbeforeme.WhenIdiddoso,andturnedtoher,andsawherstillfaceandthinhairstragglingoverthecoarsepillow,then,indeed,thesightovercameme.Ithoughtnomoreofothers——forIthoughtherdead;andwithagreatandbittercryIfellonmykneesbesideherandhidmyface.What,afterall,wasthisheadstronggirltome?Whatwereevenkingsandking\'scommissionstomebesideher——besidetheonehumanbeingwholovedmestill,theonebeingofmybloodandnameleft,theoneever-patient,ever-constantheartwhichforyearshadbeatenonlyforme?Forawhile,forafewmoments,Iwasworthyofher;forIforgotallothers.

SimonFleixrousedmeatlastfrommystupor,makingmeunderstandthatshewasnotdead,butinadeepswoon,theresultoftheshockshehadundergone.Aleech,forwhomhehaddespatchedaneighbour,cameinasIrose,andtakingmyplace,presentlyrestoredhertoconsciousness.Butherextremefeeblenesswarnedmenottohopeformorethanatemporaryrecovery;norhadIsatbyherlongbeforeIdiscernedthatthislastblow,followingonsomanyfearsandprivations,hadreachedavitalpart,andthatshewasevennowdying.

Shelayforawhilewithherhandinmineandhereyesclosed,butaboutnoon,thestudent,contrivingtogivehersomebroth,sherevived,and,recognisingme,layformorethananhourgazingatmewithunspeakablecontentandsatisfaction.Attheendofthattime,andwhenIthoughtshewaspastspeaking,shesignedtometobendoverher,andwhisperedsomething,whichatfirstIcouldnotcatch.PresentlyImadeitouttobe,\'Sheisgone——Thegirlyoubrought?\'

Muchtroubled,Iansweredyes,begginghernottothinkaboutthematter.Ineednothavefeared,however,forwhenshespokeagainshedidsowithoutemotion,andratherasoneseeingclearlysomethingbeforeher.

\'Whenyoufindher,Gaston,\'shemurmured,\'donotbeangrywithher.Itwasnotherfault.She——hedeceivedher.See!\'

Ifollowedthedirectionratherofhereyesthanherhand,andfoundbeneaththepillowalengthofgoldchain.\'Sheleftthat?\'Imurmured,astrangetumultofemotionsinmybreast.

\'Shelaiditthere,\'mymotherwhispered.\'Andshewouldhavestoppedhimsayingwhathedid\'——ashudderranthroughmymother\'sframeattheremembranceoftheman\'swords,thoughhereyesstillgazedintominewithfaithandconfidence——\'shewouldhavestoppedhim,butshecouldnot,Gaston.Andthenhehurriedheraway.\'

\'Heshowedheratoken,madame,didhenot?\'Icouldnotformyliferepressthequestion,somuchseemedtoturnonthepoint.

\'Abitofgold,\'mymotherwhispered,smilingfaintly.\'Nowletmesleep.\'And,clingingalwaystomyhand,sheclosedhereyes.

ThestudentcamebacksoonafterwardswithsomecomfortsforwhichIhaddespatchedhim,andwesatbyheruntiltheeveningfell,andfarintothenight.Itwasarelieftometolearnfromtheleechthatshehadbeenailingforsometime,andthatinanycasetheendmusthavecomesoon.Shesufferednopainandfeltnofears,butmeetingmyeyeswheneversheopenedherown,orcameoutofthedrowsinesswhichpossessedher,thankedGod,Ithink,andwascontent.Asforme,Irememberthatroombecame,forthetime,theworld.ItsstillnessswallowedupallthetumultswhichfilledthecitiesofFrance,anditsoneinterestthecomingandgoingofafeeblebreath——eclipsedtheambitionsandhopesofalifetime.

BeforeitgrewlightSimonFleixstoleouttoattendtothehorses.Whenhereturnedhecametomeandwhisperedinmyearthathehadsomethingtotellme;andmymotherlyinginaquietsleepatthetime,Idisengagedmyhand,and,risingsoftly,wentwithhimtothehearth.

Insteadofspeaking,heheldhisfistbeforemeandsuddenlyunclosedthefingers.\'Doyouknowit?\'hesaid,glancingatmeabruptly.

Itookwhatheheld,andlookingatit,nodded.Itwasaknotofvelvetofapeculiardarkredcolour,andhadformed,asIknewthemomentIseteyesonit,partofthefasteningofmademoiselle\'smask.\'Wheredidyoufindit?\'Imuttered,supposingthathehadpickedituponthestairs.

\'Lookatit!\'heansweredimpatiently.\'Youhavenotlooked.\'

Iturneditover,andthensawsomethingwhichhadescapedmeatfirst——thatthewiderpartofthevelvetwasdisfiguredbyafantasticstitching,doneveryroughlyandrudelywithathreadofwhitesilk.Thestitchesformedletters,theletterswords.

WithastartIread,\'AMOI!\'andsawinacorner,insmallerstitches,theinitials\'C.d.l.V.\'

Ilookedeagerlyatthestudent.\'Wheredidyoufindthis?\'I

said.

\'Ipickeditupinthestreet,\'heansweredquietly,\'notthreehundredpacesfromhere.\'

Ithoughtamoment.\'Inthegutter,ornearthewall?\'Iasked.

\'Nearthewall,tobesure.\'

\'Underawindow?\'

\'Precisely,\'hesaid.\'Youmaybeeasy;Iamnotafool.I

markedtheplace,M.deMarsac,andshallnotforgetit.\'

EventhesorrowandsolicitudeIfeltonmymother\'sbehalf——

feelingswhichhadseemedaminutebeforetosecuremeagainstallothercaresoranxietieswhatever——werenotproofagainstthisdiscovery.ForIfoundmyselfplacedinastraitsocruelI

mustsuffereitherway.Ontheonehand,Icouldnotleavemymother;Iwereaheartlessingratetodothat.Ontheother,I

couldnot,withoutgrievouspain,standstillandinactivewhileMademoiselledelaVire,whomIhadsworntoprotect,andwhowasnowsufferingthroughmylachesandmischance,appealedtomeforhelp.ForIcouldnotdoubtthatthiswaswhatthebowofvelvetmeant;stilllessthatitwasintendedforme,sincefewsavemyselfwouldbelikelytorecogniseit,andshewouldnaturallyexpectmetomakesomeattemptatpursuit.

AndIcouldnotthinklittleofthesign.Rememberingmademoiselle\'sproudandfearlessspirit,andthelightinwhichshehadalwaysregardedme,Iauguredtheworstfromit.Ifeltassuredthatnoimaginarydangerandnoemergencysavethelastwouldhaveinducedhertostoopsolow;andthisconsideration,takenwiththefearIfeltthatshehadfallenintothehandsofFresnoy,whomIbelievedtobethepersonwhohadrobbedmeofthegoldcoin,filledmewithahorribledoubtwhichwaymydutylay.Iwaspulled,asitwere,bothways.Ifeltmyhonourengagedbothtogoandtostay,andwhilemyhandwenttomyhilt,andmyfeettrembledtobegone,myeyessoughtmymother,andmyearslistenedforhergentlebreathing.

Perplexedanddistracted,Ilookedatthestudent,andheatme.

\'Yousawthemanwhotookheraway,\'Imuttered.Hitherto,inmyabsorptiononmymother\'saccount,Ihadputfewquestions,andletthematterpassasthoughitmovedmelittleandconcernedmeless.\'Whatwashelike?Washeabig,bloatedman,Simon,withhisheadbandaged,orperhapsawoundonhisface?\'

\'Thegentlemanwhowentawaywithmademoiselle,doyoumean?\'heasked.

\'Yes,yes,gentlemanifyoulike!\'

\'Notatall,\'thestudentanswered.\'Hewasatallyounggallant,verygailydressed,dark-haired,andwitharichcomplexion,IheardhimtellherthathecamefromafriendofherstoohightobenamedinpublicorinBlois.Headdedthathebroughtatokenfromhim;andwhenmademoisellementionedyou——shehadjustenteredmadame\'sroomwithherwomanwhenheappeared——\'

\'Hehadwatchedmeout,ofcourse.\'

\'Justso.Well,whenshementionedyou,hesworeyouwereanadventurer,andabeggarlyimpostor,andwhatnot,andbadehersaywhethershethoughtitlikelythatherfriendwouldhaveentrustedsuchamissiontosuchaman.\'

\'Andthenshewentwithhim?\'

Thestudentnodded.

\'Readily?Ofherownfree-will?\'

\'Certainly,\'heanswered.\'Itseemedsotome.Shetriedtopreventhimspeakingbeforeyourmother,butthatwasall.\'

OntheimpulseofthemomentItookasteptowardsthedoor;

recollectingmyposition,Iturnedbackwithagroan.Almostbesidemyself,andlongingforanyventformyfeelings,Icaughttheladbytheshoulder,wherehestoodonthehearth,andshookhimtoandfro.

\'Tellme,man,whatamItodo?\'Isaidbetweenmyteeth.

\'Speak!think!inventsomething!\'

Butheshookhishead.

Ilethimgowithamutteredoath,andsatdownonastoolbythebedandtookmyheadbetweenmyhands.Atthatverymoment,however,reliefcame——camefromanunexpectedquarter.Thedooropenedandtheleechentered.Hewasaskilfulman,and,thoughmuchemployedabouttheCourt,aHuguenot——afactwhichhademboldenedSimonFleixtoapplytohimthroughthelandlordofthe\'BleedingHeart,\'thesecretrendezvousoftheReligioninBlois.Whenhehadmadehisexaminationhewasforleaving,beingagraveandsilentman,andfullofbusiness,butatthedoorIstoppedhim.

\'Well,sir?\'Isaidinalowtone,myhandonhiscloak.

\'Shehasrallied,andmaylivethreedays,\'heansweredquietly.

\'Four,itmaybe,andasmanymoreasGodwills.\'

Pressingtwocrownsintohishand,Ibeggedhimtocalldaily,whichhepromisedtodo;andthenhewent.Mymotherwasstilldozingpeacefully,andIturnedtoSimonFleix,mydoubtsresolvedandmymindmadeup.

\'Listen,\'Isaid,\'andanswermeshortly.Wecannotbothleave;

thatiscertain.YetImustgo,andatonce,totheplacewhereyoufoundthevelvetknot.Doyoudescribethespotexactly,sothatImayfindit,andmakenomistake.\'

Henodded,andafteramoment\'sreflectionanswered,\'YouknowtheRueSt.Denys,M.deMarsac?Well,godownit,keepingthe"BleedingHeart"onyourleft.Takethesecondturningonthesamesideafterpassingtheinn.Thethirdhousefromthecorner,ontheleftagain,consistsofagatewayleadingtotheHospitaloftheHolyCross.Abovethegatewayaretwowindowsinthelowerstory,andabovethemtwomore.Theknotlaybelowthefirstwindowyoucometo.Doyouunderstand?\'

\'Perfectly,\'Isaid.\'Itissomethingtobeaclerk,Simon.\'

Helookedatmethoughtfully,butaddednothing;andIwasbusytighteningmysword-hilt,anddisposingmycloakaboutthelowerpartofmyface.WhenIhadarrangedthistomysatisfaction,I

tookoutandcountedoverthesumofthirty-fivecrowns,whichI

gavetohim,impressingonhimthenecessityofstayingbesidemymothershouldInotreturn;forthoughIproposedtoreconnoitreonly,andlearnifpossiblewhethermademoisellewasstillinBlois,thefuturewasuncertain,andwhereasIwasknowntomyenemies,theywerestrangerstome.

Havingenjoinedthisdutyuponhim,Ibademymotherasilentfarewell,and,leavingtheroom,wentslowlydownthestairs,thepictureofherwornandpatientfacegoingwithme,andseeming,Iremember,tohallowthepurposeIhadinmymind.

TheclockswerestrikingthehourbeforenoonasIsteppedfromthedoorway,and,standingamomentinthelane,lookedthiswayandthatforanysignofespionage.Icoulddetectnone,however.Thelanewasdeserted;andfeelingassuredthatanyattempttomisleadmyopponents,whoprobablyknewBloisbetterthanIdid,mustfail,Imadenone,butdeliberatelytookmywaytowardsthe\'BleedingHeart,\'intheRueSt.Denys.ThestreetspresentedthesameappearanceofgloomysuspensewhichIhadnoticedonthepreviousday.Thesamegroupsstoodaboutinthesamecorners,thesamesuspiciousglancesmetmeincommonwithallotherstrangerswhoshowedthemselves;thesamelistlessinactioncharacterisedthetownsfolk,thesameanxioushurrythosewhocameandwentwithnews.Isawthatevenhere,underthewallsofthepalace,thebondsoflawandorderwerestrainedalmosttobursting,andjudgedthatifthereeverwasatimeinFrancewhenrightcountedforlittle,andthestronghandformuch,itwasthis.Suchastateofthingswasnotunfavourabletomypresentdesign,andcaringlittleforsuspiciouslooks,I

wentresolutelyonmyway.

IhadnodifficultyinfindingthegatewayofwhichSimonhadspoken,orinidentifyingthewindowbeneathwhichhehadpickedupthevelvetknot.Analleyopeningalmostopposite,Itookadvantageofthistoexaminethehouseatmyleisure,andremarkedatonce,thatwhereasthelowerwindowwasguardedonlybystrongshutters,nowopen,thatinthestoryabovewasheavilybarred.NaturallyIconcentratedmyattentiononthelatter.

Thehouse,anoldbuildingofstone,seemedsufficientlyreputable,norcouldIdiscernanythingaboutitwhichwouldhavearousedmydistrusthadtheknotbeenfoundelsewhere.Itborethearmsofareligiousbrotherhood,andhadprobablyatonetimeformedtheprincipalentrancetothehospital,whichstillstoodbehindit,butithadnowcome,asIjudged,tobeusedasadwellingofthebetterclass.WhetherthetwofloorswereseparatelyinhabitedornotIfailedtodecide.

Afterwatchingitforsometimewithoutseeinganyonepassinorout,oranythingoccurringtoenlightenmeonewayortheother,Iresolvedtoventurein,thestreetbeingquietandthehousegivingnosignofbeingstronglygarrisoned.Theentrancelayunderthearchway,throughadoorontherightside.IjudgedfromwhatIsawthattheporterwasprobablyabsent,busyinghimselfwithhisgossipsinmattersofState.

Andthisprovedtobethecase,forwhenIhadmadethepassageofthestreetwithsuccess,andslippedquietlyinthroughthehalf-opendoor,Ifoundonlyhisstaffandcharcoal-pantheretorepresenthim.Asinglelooksatisfiedmeonthatpoint;

forthwith,withouthesitation,Iturnedtothestairsandbegantomount,assuredthatifIwouldeffectanythingsingle-handedI

musttrusttoaudacityandsurpriseratherthantocautionorforethought.

Thestaircasewaspoorlylightedbyloopholeslookingtowardstherear,butitwascleanandwell-kept.Silence,brokenonlybythesoundofmyfootsteps,prevailedthroughoutthehouse,andallseemedsoregularanddecentandorderlythatthehigherI

rosethelowerfellmyhopesofsuccess.Still,IheldresolutelyonuntilIreachedthesecondfloorandstoodbeforeacloseddoor.Themomenthadcometoputalltothetouch.I

listenedforafewsecondsbuthearingnothing,cautiouslyliftedthelatch.Somewhattomysurprisethedooryieldedtomyhand,andIentered.

Ahighsettlestoodinside,interruptingmyviewoftheroom,whichseemedtobespaciousandfullofrichstuffsandfurniture,butlowintheroof,andsomewhatdimlylightedbytwowindowsratherwidethanhigh.Thewarmglowofafireshoneonthewoodworkoftheceiling,andasIsoftlyclosedthedooralogonthehearthgaveway,withacracklingofsparks,whichpleasantlybroketheluxurioussilence.Thenextmomentalow,sweetvoiceasked,\'Alphonse,isthatyou?\'

Iwalkedroundthesettleandcamefacetofacewithabeautifulwomanrecliningonacouch.Onhearingthedooropenshehadraisedherselfonherelbow.Now,seeingastrangerbeforeher,shesprangupwithalowcry,andstoodgazingatme,herfaceexpressingbothastonishmentandanger.Shewasofmiddlingheight,herfeaturesregularthoughsomewhatchildlike,hercomplexionsingularlyfair.Aprofusionofgoldenhairhungindisorderaboutherneck,andmatchedthedeepblueofhereyes,whereinitseemedtome,therelurkedmorespiritandfirethanthegeneralcastofherfeaturesledonetoexpect.

Afteramoment\'ssilence,duringwhichshescannedmefromheadtofootwithgreathaughtiness——andIherwithcuriosityandwonder——shespoke.\'Sir!\'shesaidslowly,\'towhatamItoattributethis——visit?\'

ForthemomentIwassotakenabackbyherappearanceandextraordinarybeauty,aswellasbytheabsenceofanysignofthoseIsought,thatIcouldnotgathermythoughtstoreply,butstoodlookingvaguelyather.Ihadexpected,whenIenteredtheroom,somethingsodifferentfromthis!

\'Well,sir?\'shesaidagain,speakingsharply,andtappingherfootonthefloor.

\'Thisvisit,madame?\'Istammered.

\'Callitintrusion,sir,ifyouplease!\'shecriedimperiously.

\'Onlyexplainit,orbegone.\'

\'Icraveleavetodoboth,madame,\'Ianswered,collectingmyselfbyaneffort.\'Iascendedthesestairsandopenedyourdoorinerror——thatisthesimplefact——hopingtofindafriendofminehere.Iwasmistaken,itseems,anditonlyremainsformetowithdraw,offeringatthesametimethehumblestapologies,\'AndasIspokeIbowedlowandpreparedtoretire.

\'Onemoment,sir!\'shesaidquickly,andinanalteredtone.

\'Youare,perhaps,afriendofM.deBruhl——ofmyhusband.Inthatcase,ifyoudesiretoleaveanymessageIwill——Ishallbegladtodeliverit.\'

Shelookedsocharmingthat,despitethetumultofmyfeelings,I

couldnotbutregardherwithadmiration.\'Alas!madame,I

cannotpleadthatexcuse,\'Ianswered.\'IregretthatIhavenotthehonourofhisacquaintance.\'

Sheeyedmewithsomesurprise.\'Yetstill,sir,\'sheanswered,smilingalittle,andtoyingwithagoldbroochwhichclaspedherhabit,\'youmusthavehadsomeground,somereason,forsupposingyouwouldfindafriendhere?\'

\'True,madame,\'Ianswered,\'butIwasmistaken.\'

Isawhercoloursuddenly.Withasmileandafainttwinkleoftheeyeshesaid,\'Itisnotpossible,sir,Isuppose——youhavenotcomehere,Imean,outofanyreasonconnectedwitha——aknotofvelvet,forinstance?\'

Istarted,andinvoluntarilyadvancedasteptowardsher.\'A

knotofvelvet!\'Iexclaimed,withemotion.\'MonDieu!ThenI

wasnotmistaken!Ihavecometotherighthouse,andyou——youknowsomethingofthis!Madame,\'Icontinuedimpulsively,\'thatknotofvelvet?Tellmewhatitmeans,Iimploreyou!\'

Sheseemedalarmedbymyviolence,retreatingasteportwo,andlookingatmehaughtily,yetwithakindofshame-facedness.

\'Believeme,itmeansnothing,\'shesaidhurriedly.\'Ibegyoutounderstandthat,sir.Itwasafoolishjest.\'

\'Ajest?\'Isaid.\'Itfellfromthiswindow.\'

\'Itwasajest,sir,\'sheansweredstubbornly.ButIcouldseethat,withallherpride,shewasalarmed;herfacewastroubled,andthereweretearsinhereyes.Andthisrenderedmeunderthecircumstancesonlythemorepersistent.

\'Ihavethevelvethere,madame,\'Isaid.\'Youmusttellmemoreaboutit.\'

Shelookedatmewithaweightierimpulseofangerthanshehadyetexhibited.\'Idonotthinkyouknowtowhomyouarespeaking,\'shesaid,breathingfast.\'Leavetheroom,sir,andatonce!Ihavetoldyouitwasajest.Ifyouareagentlemanyouwillbelieveme,andgo.\'Andshepointedtothedoor.

ButIheldmyground,withanobstinatedeterminationtopiercethemystery.\'Iamagentleman,madame,\'Isaid,\'andyetImustknowmore.UntilIknowmoreIcannotgo.\'

\'Oh,thisisinsufferable!\'shecried,lookingroundasifforawayofescape;butIwasbetweenherandtheonlydoor.\'Thisisunbearable!Theknotwasneverintendedforyou,sir.Andwhatismore,ifM.deBruhlcomesandfindsyouhere,youwillrepentitbitterly.\'

Isawthatshewasatleastasmuchconcernedonherownaccountasonmine,andthoughtmyselfjustifiedunderthecircumstancesintakingadvantageofherfears.Ideliberatelylaidmycaponthetablewhichstoodbesideme.\'Iwillgomadame,\'Isaid,lookingatherfixedly,\'whenIknowallthatyouknowaboutthisknotIhold,andnotbefore.Ifyouareunwillingtotellme,I

mustwaitforM.deBruhl,andaskhim.\'

Shecriedout\'Insolent!\'andlookedatmeasifinherrageanddismayshewouldgladlyhavekilledme;being,Icouldsee,apassionatewoman.ButIheldmyground,andafteramomentshespoke.\'Whatdoyouwanttoknow?\'shesaid,frowningdarkly.

\'Thisknot——howdiditcometolieinthestreetbelowyourwindow?Iwanttoknowthatfirst.\'

\'Idroppedit,\'sheansweredsullenly.

\'Why?\'Isaid.

\'Because——\'Andthenshestoppedandlookedatme,andthenagainlookeddown,herfacecrimson.\'Because,ifyoumustknow,\'shecontinuedhurriedly,tracingapatternonthetablewithherfinger,\'Isawitborethewords"AMOI."Ihavebeenmarriedonlytwomonths,andIthoughtmyhusbandmightfindit——andbringittome.Itwasasillyfancy.\'

\'Butwheredidyougetit?\'Iasked,andIstaredatheringrowingwonderandperplexity.ForthemorequestionsIput,thefurther,itseemedtome,Istrayedfrommyobject.

\'IpickeditupintheRuelled\'Arcy,\'sheanswered,tappingherfootonthefloorresentfully.\'Itwasthesillythingputitintomyheadto——todowhatIdid.Andnow,haveyouanymorequestions,sir?\'

\'Oneonly,\'Isaid,seeingitallclearlyenough.\'Willyoutellme,please,exactlywhereyoufoundit?\'

\'Ihavetoldyou.IntheRuelled\'Arcy,tenpacesfromtheRuedeValois.Now,sir,willyougo?\'

\'Oneword,madame.Did——\'

Butshecried,\'Go,sir,go!go!\'soviolently,thataftermakingonemoreattempttoexpressmythanks,Ithoughtitbettertoobeyher.Ihadlearnedallsheknew;Ihadsolvedthepuzzle.But,solvingit,IfoundmyselfnonearertotheendI

hadinview,nonearertomademoiselle.Iclosedthedoorwithasilentbow,andbegantodescendthestairs,mymindfullofanxiousdoubtsandcalculations.ThevelvetknotwastheonlyclueIpossessed,butwasIright;inplacinganydependenceonit?Iknewnowthat,whereverithadoriginallylain,ithadbeenremovedonce.Ifonce,whynottwice?whynotthreetimes?

CHAPTERIX.

THEHOUSEINTHERUELLED\'ARCY.

IhadnotgonedownhalfadozenstepsbeforeIheardamanenterthestaircasefromthestreet,andbegintoascend.ItstruckmeatoncethatthismightbeM.deBruhl;andIrealisedthatIhadnotleftmadame\'sapartmentamomenttoosoon.ThelastthingI

desired,havingsomuchonmyhands,wastoembroilmyselfwithastranger,andaccordinglyIquickenedmypace,hopingtomeethimsonearthefootofthestairsastoleavehimindoubtwhetherI

hadbeenvisitingtheupperorlowerpartofthehouse.Thestaircasewasdark,however,andbeingfamiliarwithit,hehadtheadvantageoverme.Hecameleapinguptwostepsatatime,andturningtheangleabruptly,surprisedmebeforeIwasclearoftheupperflight.

Onseeingme,hestoppedshortandstared;thinkingatfirst,I

fancy,thatheoughttorecogniseme.Whenhedidnot,hestoodbackapace.\'Umph!\'hesaid.\'Haveyoubeen——haveyouanymessageforme,sir?\'

\'No,\'Isaid,\'Ihavenot.\'

Hefrowned.\'IamM.deBruhl,\'hesaid.

\'Indeed?\'Imuttered,notknowingwhatelsetosay.

\'Youhavebeen——\'

\'Upyourstairs,sir?Yes.Inerror,\'Iansweredbluntly.

Hegaveakindofgruntatthat,andstoodaside,incredulousanddissatisfied,yetuncertainhowtoproceed.Imethisblacklookswithasteadycountenance,andpassedbyhim,becomingaware,however,asIwentondownthestairsthathehadturnedandwaslookingafterme.Hewasatall,handsomeman,dark,andsomewhatruddyofcomplexion,andwasdressedintheextremeofCourtfashion,inasuitofmyrtle-greentrimmedwithsable.Hecarriedalsoacloaklinedwiththesameonhisarm.BeyondlookingbackwhenIreachedthestreet,toseethathedidnotfollowme,Ithoughtnomoreofhim.Butweweretomeetagain,andoften.Nay,hadIthenknownallthatwastobeknownI

wouldhavegonebackand——Butofthatinanotherplace.

TheRuedeValois,towhichatradesman,whowaspeeringcautiouslyoutofhisshop,directedme,provedtobeoneofthemainstreetsofthecity,narrowanddirty,anddarkenedbyoverhangingeavesandsignboards,butfullofnoiseandbustle.

OneendofitopenedonthePARVISoftheCathedral;theotherandquieterendappearedtoabutonthewestgateofthetown.

FeelingtheimportanceofavoidingnoticeintheneighbourhoodofthehouseIsought,IstrolledintotheopenspaceinfrontoftheCathedral,andaccostingtwomenwhostoodtalkingthere,learnedthattheRuelled\'ArcywasthethirdlaneontherightoftheRuedeValois,andsomelittledistancealongit.ArmedwiththisinformationIleftthem,andwithmyheadbentdown,andmycloakdrawnaboutthelowerpartofmyface,asifIfelttheeastwind,IproceededdownthestreetuntilIreachedtheopeningofthelane.WithoutlookingupIturnedbrisklyintoit.

WhenIhadgonetenpacespasttheturning,however,Istoppedand,gazingaboutme,begantotakeinmysurroundingsasfastasIcould.Thelane,whichseemedlittlefrequented,waseightorninefeetwide,unpaved,andfullofruts.Thehighblankwallofagardenroseononesideofit,ontheotherthestillhigherwallofahouse;andbothwerecompletelydevoidofwindows,afeaturewhichIrecognisedwiththeutmostdismay.Foritcompletelyupsetallmycalculations.InvainImeasuredwithmyeyethetenpacesIhadcome;invainIlookedup,lookedthiswayandthat.Iwasnonplussed.Nowindowopenedonthelaneatthatpoint,nor,indeed,throughoutitslength.Foritwasboundedtotheend,asfarasIcouldsee,bydead-wallsasofgardens.

Recognising,withasinkingheart,whatthismeant,IsawinamomentthatallthehopesIhadraisedonSimonFleix\'sdiscoverywerebaseless.Mademoisellehaddroppedthevelvetbow,nodoubt,butnotfromawindow.Itwasstillaclue,butonesoslightandvagueastobevirtuallyuseless,provingonlythatshewasintroubleandinneedofhelp;perhapsthatshehadpassedthroughthislaneonherwayfromoneplaceofconfinementtoanother.

Thoroughlybaffledanddispirited,Ileantforawhileagainstthewall,broodingovertheill-luckwhichseemedtoattendmeinthis,asinsomanypreviousadventures.Norwasthelowvoiceofconscience,suggestingthatsuchfailuresarosefrommismanagementratherthanfromill-luck,slowtomakeitselfheard.IreflectedthatifIhadnotallowedmyselftoberobbedofthegoldtoken,mademoisellewouldhavetrustedme;thatifI

hadnotbroughthertosopooranabodeasmymother\'s,shewouldnothavebeencajoledintofollowingastranger;finally,thatifIhadremainedwithher,andsentSimontoattendtothehorsesinmyplace,nostrangerwouldhavegainedaccesstoher.

Butithasneverbeenmywaytoacceptdefeatatthefirstoffer,andthoughIfelttheseself-reproachestobewelldeserved,amoment\'sreflectionpersuadedmethatinthesingularandespecialprovidencewhichhadbroughtthevelvetknotsafetomyhandsIoughttofindencouragement.HadMadamedeBruhlnotpickeditupitwouldhavecontinuedtolieinthisby-path,throughwhichneitherInorSimonFleixwouldhavebeenlikelytopass.Again,hadmadamenotdroppeditinherturn,weshouldhavesoughtinvainforany,eventheslightest,cluetoMademoiselledelaVire\'sfateorposition.

Cheeredafreshbythisthought,Ideterminedtowalktotheendofthelane;andforthwithdidso,lookingsharplyaboutmeasI

went,butmeetingnoone.Thebareupperbranchesofatreerosehereandthereabovethewalls,whichwerepiercedatintervalsbylow,strongdoors.ThesedoorsIcarefullyexamined,butwithoutmakinganydiscovery;allweresecurelyfastened,andmanyseemedtohavebeenrarelyopened.Emergingatlastandwithoutresultontheinnersideofthecityramparts,Iturned,andmoodilyretracedmystepsthroughthelane,proceedingmoreslowlyasIdrewneartotheRuedeValois.Thistime,beingalittlefartherfromthestreet,Imadeadiscovery.

Thecornerhouse,whichhaditsfrontontheRueValois,presented,asIhavesaid,adead,windowlesswalltothelane;

butfrommypresentstandpointIcouldseetheupperpartofthebackofthishouse——thatpartoftheback,Imean,whichroseabovethelowergarden-wallthatabuttedonit——andinthistherewereseveralwindows.Thewholeoftwoandapartofathirdwerewithintherangeofmyeyes;andsuddenlyinoneoftheseI

discoveredsomethingwhichmademyheartbeathighwithhopeandexpectation.Thewindowinquestionwasheavilygrated;thatwhichIsawwastiedtooneofthebars.Itwasasmallknotofsomewhitestuff——linenapparently——anditseemedatrifletotheeye;butitwaslooped,asfarasIcouldseefromadistance,afterthesamefashionasthescrapofvelvetIhadinmypouch.

Theconclusionwasobvious,atthesametimethatitinspiredmewiththeliveliestadmirationofmademoiselle\'switandresources.Shewasconfinedinthatroom;theoddswerethatshewasbehindthosebars.Abowdroppedthencewouldfall,thewindbeingfavourable,intothelane,notten,buttwentypacesfromthestreet.Ioughttohavebeenpreparedforaslightinaccuracyinawoman\'sestimateofdistance.

ItmaybeimaginedwithwhateagernessInowscannedthehouse,withwhatminutenessIsoughtforaweakplace.ThelongerI

looked,however,thelesscomfortIderivedfrommyinspection.

Isawbeforemeagloomystrongholdofbrick,four-square,andbuiltintheoldItalianmanner,withbattlementsatthetop,andasmallmachicolation,littlemorethanastring-course,aboveeachstory;thisservingatoncetolessenthemonotonyofthedead-walls,andtoaddtothefrowningweightoftheupperpart.

Thewindowswerefewandsmall,andthehouselookeddampandmouldy;lichensclottedthebricks,andmossfilledthestring-