第9章

Ashoutoflaughterwhichissuedatthatmomentfromtheotherroomseemedtoshowthatthequartetteweremakingmerryovermycompanion\'srequest.Isawhischeekredden,andlookedforanexplosionofangeronhispart;butinsteadhestoodamomentinthoughtinthemiddleofthefloor,andthen,muchtotheinnkeeper\'srelief,pushedastooltowardsme,andcalledforabottleofthebestwine.Hepleasantlybeggedleavetoeatalittleofmycheese,whichhesaidlookedbetterthantheLisieux,and,fillingmyglasswithwine,felltoasmerrilyasifhehadneverheardofthepartyintheotherroom.

Iwasmorethanalittlesurprised,Iremember;forIhadtakenhimtobeapassionateman,andnotonetositdownunderanaffront.StillIsaidnothing,andweconversedverywelltogether.Inoticed,however,thathestoppedspeakingmorethanonce,asthoughtolisten;butconceivingthathewasmerelyrevertingtothepartyintheotherroom,whogreweachmomentmoreuproarious,Isaidnothing,andwascompletelytakenbysurprisewhenheroseonasudden,and,goingtotheopenwindow,leanedout,shadinghiseyeswithhishand.

\'Whatisit?\'Isaid,preparingtofollowhim.

Heansweredbyaquietchuckle.\'Youshallsee,\'headdedthenextinstant.

Irose,andgoingtothewindowlookedoutoverhisshoulder.

Threemenwereapproachingtheinnonhorseback.Thefirst,agreatburly,dark-complexionedmanwithfierceblackeyesandafeatheredcap,hadpistolsinhisholstersandashortswordbyhisside.Theothertwo,withtheairofservants,werestoutfellows,wearinggreendoubletsandleatherbreeches.Allthreerodegoodhorses,whileafootmanledtwohoundsaftertheminaleash.Onseeingustheycanteredforward,theleaderwavinghisbonnet.

\'Halt,there!\'criedmycompanion,liftinguphisvoicewhentheywerewithinastone\'sthrowofus.\'Maignan!\'

\'Mylord?\'answeredheofthefeather,pullingupontheinstant.

\'Youwillfindsixhorsesintheshedthere,\'thestrangercriedinavoiceofcommand.\'Turnoutthefourtotheleftasyougoin.Giveeachacut,andsenditaboutitsbusiness!\'

Themanwheeledhishorsebeforethewordswerewelluttered,andcryingobsequiously\'thatitwasdone,\'flunghisreinstooneoftheotherridersanddisappearedintheshed,asiftheordergivenhimwerethemostcommonplaceoneintheworld.

Thepartyintheotherroom,however,bywhomallcouldbeheard,werenotslowtotakethealarm.Theybrokeintoashoutofremonstrance,andoneoftheirnumber,leapingfromthewindow,askedwithaveryfierceairwhatthedevilwemeant.Theothersthrustouttheirfaces,swollenandflushedwiththewinetheyhaddrunk,andwithmanyoathsbackeduphisquestion.Notfeelingmyselfcalledupontointerfere,Ipreparedtoseesomethingdiverting.

Mycompanion,whosecoolnesssurprisedme,hadalltheairofbeingaslittleconcernedasmyself.Heevenpersistedforatimeinignoringtheangrylawyer,and,turningadeafeartoallthethreatsandabusewithwhichtheothersassailedhim,continuedtolookcalmlyattheprospect.Seeingthis,andthatnothingcouldmovehim,themanwhohadjumpedthroughthewindow,andwhoseemedthemostenterprisingoftheparty,leftusatlastandrantowardsthestalls.Theaspectofthetwoserving-men,however,whorodeupgrinning,andmadeasiftheywouldridehimdown,determinedhimtoreturn;whichhedid,palewithfury,asthelastofthefourhorsesclatteredout,andafterapuzzledlookroundtrottedoffatitsleisureintotheforest.

Onthis,themangrewmoreviolent,asIhaveremarkedfrightenedmendo;sothatatlastthestrangercondescendedtonoticehim.

\'Mygoodsir,\'hesaidcoolly,lookingathimthroughthewindowasifhehadnotseenhimbefore,\'youannoyme.Whatisthematter?\'

Thefellowretortedwithavastamountofbluster,askingwhatthedevilwemeantbyturningouthishorses.

\'Onlytogiveyouandthegentlemenwithyoualittleexercise,\'

mycompanionanswered,withgrimhumour,andinaseveretonestrangeinonesoyoung——\'thanwhichnothingismorewholesomeafterafullmeal.That,andalessoningoodmanners.

Maignan,\'hecontinued,raisinghisvoice,\'ifthispersonhasanythingmoretosay,answerhim.Heisneareryourdegreethanmine.\'

Andleavingthemantoslinkawaylikeawhippeddog——forthemeanareeverthefirsttocringe——myfriendturnedfromthewindow.Meetingmyeyesashewentbacktohisseat,helaughed.

\'Well,\'hesaid,\'whatdoyouthink?\'

\'Thattheassinthelion\'sskinisverywelltillitmeetsthelion,\'Ianswered.

Helaughedagain,andseemedpleased,asIdoubtnothewas.

\'Pooh,pooh!\'hesaid.\'Itpassedthetime,andIthinkIamquitswithmygentlemennow.ButImustberiding.Possiblyourroadsmaylieforawhileinthesamedirection,sir?\'Andhelookedatmeirresolutely.

IansweredcautiouslythatIwasgoingtothetownofRosny.

\'YouarenotfromParis?\'hecontinued,stilllookingatme.

\'No,\'Ianswered.\'Iamfromthesouth.\'

\'FromBlois,perhaps?\'

Inodded.

\'Ah!\'hesaid,makingnocomment,whichsomewhatsurprisedme,allmenatthistimedesiringnews,andlookingtoBloisforit.

\'IamridingtowardsRosnyalso.Letusbegoing.\'

ButInoticedthataswegottohorse,themanhecalledMaignanholdinghisstirrupwithmuchformality,heturnedandlookedatmemorethanoncewithanexpressioninhiseyewhichIcouldnotinterpret;sothat,beinginanenemy\'scountry,wherecuriositywasathingtobedeprecated,Ibegantofeelsomewhatuneasy.

However,ashepresentlygavewaytoafitoflaughter,andseemedtobedigestinghislatediversionattheinn,Ithoughtnomoreofit,findinghimexcellentcompanyandamanofsurprisinginformation.

NotwithstandingthismyspiritsbegantoflagasIapproachedRosny;andasonsuchoccasionsnothingismoretryingthanthewell-meantrallyingofacompanionignorantofourtrouble,I

feltratherreliefthanregretwhenhedrewreinatfourcross-

roadsamileorsoshortofthetown,and,announcingthathereourpathsseparated,tookacivilleaveofme,andwenthiswaywithhisservants.

Idismountedataninnattheextremityofthetown,and,stoppingonlytoarrangemydressanddrinkacupofwine,askedthewaytotheChateau,whichwassituate,Ilearned,nomorethanathirdofamileaway.Iwentthitheronfootbywayofanavenueoftreesleadinguptoadrawbridgeandgateway.Theformerwasdown,butthegateswereclosed,andalltheformalitiesofafortressintimeofwarwereobservedonmyadmission,thoughthegarrisonappearedtoconsistonlyoftwoorthreeserving-menandasmanyforesters.Ihadleisureaftersendinginmynametoobservethatthehousewasoldandpartlyruinous,butofgreatstrength,coveredinplaceswithivy,andcloselysurroundedbywoods.Astaid-lookingpagecamepresentlytome,andledmeupanarrowstaircasetoaparlourlightedbytwowindows,looking,oneintothecourtyard,theothertowardsthetown.Thereatallmanwaswaitingtoreceiveme,whoroseonmyentranceandcameforward.JudgeofmysurprisewhenI

recognisedmyacquaintanceoftheafternoon!\'M.deRosny?\'I

exclaimed,standingstillandlookingathiminconfusion.

\'Thesame,sir,\'heanswered,withaquietsmile.\'YoucomefromtheKingofNavarre,Ibelieve?andonanerrandtome.Youmayspeakopenly.Thekinghasnosecretsfromme.\'

Therewassomethinginthegravityofhisdemeanourashewaitedformetospeak:whichstronglyimpressedme;notwithstandingthathewastenyearsyoungerthanmyself,andIhadseenhimsolatelyinalightermood.Ifeltthathisreputationhadnotbeliedhim——thatherewasagreatman;andreflectingwithdespairontheinadequacyofthetaleIhadtotellhim,IpausedtoconsiderinwhattermsIshouldbegin.Hesoonputanendtothis,however.\'Come,sir,\'hesaidwithimpatience.\'Ihavetoldyouthatyoumayspeakout.Youshouldhavebeenherefourdaysago,asItakeit.Nowyouarehere,whereisthelady?\'

\'MademoiselledelaVire?\'Istammered,rathertogaintimethanwithanyotherobject.

\'Tut,tut!\'herejoined,frowning.\'Isthereanyotherladyinthequestion?Come,sir,speakout.Wherehaveyoulefther?

Thisisnoaffairofgallantry,\'hecontinued,theharshnessofhisdemeanourdisagreeablysurprisingme,\'thatyouneedbeataboutthebush.Thekingentrustedtoyoualady,who,Ihavenohesitationintellingyounow,wasinpossessionofcertainStatesecrets.ItisknownthatsheescapedsafelyfromChizeandarrivedsafelyatBlois.Whereisshe?\'

\'IwouldtoHeavenIknew,sir!\'Iexclaimedindespair,feelingthepainfulnessofmypositionincreasedahundredfoldbyhismanner.\'IwishtoGodIdid.\'

\'Whatisthis?\'hecriedinaraisedvoice.\'Youdonotknowwheresheis?Youjest,M.deMarsac.\'

\'Itwereasorryjest,\'Ianswered,summoninguparuefulsmile.

Andonthat,plungingdesperatelyintothestorywhichIhaveheresetdown,InarratedthedifficultiesunderwhichIhadraisedmyescort,themannerinwhichIcametoberobbedofthegoldtoken,howmademoisellewastrepanned,theluckychancebywhichIfoundheragain,andthefinaldisappointment.Helistened,butlistenedthroughoutwithnowordofsympathy——

ratherwithimpatience,whichgrewatlastintoderisiveincredulity.WhenIhaddoneheaskedmebluntlywhatIcalledmyself.

Scarcelyunderstandingwhathemeant,Irepeatedmyname.

Heanswered,rudelyandflatly,thatitwasimpossible.Idonotbelieveit,sir!\'herepeated,hisbrowdark.\'Youarenottheman.Youbringneithertheladynorthetoken,noranythingelsebywhichIcantestyourstory.Nay,sir,donotscowlatme,\'

hecontinuedsharply.\'IamthemouthpieceoftheKingofNavarre,towhomthismatterisofthehighestimportance.I

cannotbelievethatthemanwhomhewouldchoosewouldactso.

ThishouseyouprateofinBlois,forinstance,andtheroomwiththetwodoors?Whatwereyoudoingwhilemademoisellewasbeingremoved?\'

\'Iwasengagedwiththemenofthehouse,\'Ianswered,strivingtoswallowtheangerwhichallbutchokedme.\'IdidwhatI

could.Hadthedoorgivenway,allwouldhavebeenwell.\'

Helookedatmedarkly.\'Thatisfinetalking!\'hesaidwithasneer.Thenhedroppedhiseyesandseemedforatimetofallintoabrownstudy,whileIstoodbeforehim,confoundedbythisnewviewofthecase,furious,yetnotknowinghowtoventmyfury,cuttotheheartbyhisinsults,yetwithouthopeorprospectofredress.

\'Come\'hesaidharshly,aftertwoorthreeminutesofgloomyreflectiononhispartandburninghumiliationonmine,\'isthereanyoneherewhocanidentifyyou,orinanyotherwayconfirmyourstory,sir?UntilIknowhowthematterstandsIcandonothing.\'

Ishookmyheadinsullenshame.Imightprotestagainsthisbrutalityandthisjudgmentofme,buttowhatpurposewhileheshelteredhimselfbehindhismaster?

\'Stay!\'hesaidpresently,withanabruptgestureofremembrance.\'Ihadnearlyforgotten.IhavesomeherewhohavebeenlatelyattheKingofNavarre\'sCourtatSt.Jeand\'Angely.

IfyoustillmaintainthatyouaretheM.deMarsactowhomthiscommissionwasentrusted,youwilldoubtlesshavenoobjectiontoseeingthem?\'

OnthisIfeltmyselfplacedinamostcrueldilemma.ifI

refusedtosubmitmycasetotheproposedordeal,Istoodanimpostorconfessed.IfIconsentedtoseethesestrangers,itwasprobabletheywouldnotrecogniseme,andpossiblethattheymightdenymeintermscalculatedtomakemypositionevenworse,ifthatmightbe.Ihesitatedbut,Rosnystandinginexorablebeforemeawaitingananswer,Ifinallyconsented.

\'Good!\'hesaidcurtly.\'Thisway,ifyouplease.Theyarehere.Thelatchistricky.Nay,sir,itismyhouse.\'

Obeyingthesternmotionofhishand,Ipassedbeforehimintothenextroom,feelingmyselfmorehumiliatedthanIcantellbythisreferencetostrangers.ForamomentIcouldseenoone.

Thedaywaswaning,theroomIenteredwaslongandnarrow,andilluminatedonlybyaglowingfire.BesidesIwasmyself,perhaps,insomeembarrassment.Ibelievedthatmyconductorhadmadeamistake,orthathisguestshaddeparted,andIturnedtowardshimtoaskforanexplanation.Hemerelypointedonwards,however,andIadvanced;whereuponayoungandhandsomelady,whohadbeenseatedintheshadowofthegreatfireplace,rosesuddenly,asifstartled,andstoodlookingatme,theglowoftheburningwoodfallingononesideofherfaceandturningherhairtogold.

\'Well!\'M.deRosnysaid,inavoicewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears.\'Youdonotknowmadame,Ithink?\'

Isawthatshewasacompletestrangertome,andbowedtoherwithoutspeaking.Theladysalutedmeinturnceremoniouslyandinsilence.

\'Istherenooneelseherewhoshouldknowyou?\'M.deRosnycontinued,inatonealmostofpersiflage,andwiththesamechangeinhisvoicewhichhadstruckmebefore;butnowitwasmoremarked.\'Ifnot,M.deMarsac,Iamafraid——Butfirstlookround,lookround,sir;Iwouldnotjudgeanymanhastily.\'

HelaidhishandonmyshoulderashefinishedinamannersofamiliarandsoutterlyatvariancewithhisformerbearingthatIdoubtedifIheardorfeltaright.YetIlookedmechanicallyatthelady,andseeingthathereyesglistenedinthefirelight,andthatshegazedatmeverykindly,Iwonderedstillmore;

falling,indeed,intoaveryconfusionofamazement.Thiswasnotlessenedbutaugmentedahundredfoldwhen,turninginobediencetothepressureofdeRosny\'shand,Isawbesideme,asifshehadrisenfromthefloor,anotherlady——nootherthanMademoiselledelaVireherself!Shehadthatmomentsteppedoutoftheshadowofthegreatfireplace,whichhadhithertohiddenher,andstoodbeforemecurtseyingprettily,withthesamelookonherfaceandinhereyeswhichmadame\'swore.

\'Mademoiselle!\'Imuttered,unabletotakemyeyesfromher.

\'Maisoui,monsieur,mademoiselle,\'sheanswered,curtseyinglower,withtheairofachildratherthanawoman.

\'Here?\'Istammered,mymouthopen,myeyesstaring.

\'Here,sir——thankstothevalourofabraveman,\'sheanswered,speakinginavoicesolowIscarcelyheardher.Andthen,droppinghereyes,shesteppedbackintotheshadow,asifeithershehadsaidtoomuchalready,ordoubtedhercomposurewereshetosaymore.Shewassoradiantlydressed,shelookedinthefirelightmorelikeafairythanawoman,beingofsmallanddelicateproportions;andsheseemedinmyeyessodifferentaperson,particularlyinrespectofthesoftenedexpressionofherfeatures,fromtheMademoiselledelaVirewhomIhadknownandseenplungedinsloughsandbenttothesaddlewithfatigue,thatIdoubtedstillifIhadseenaright,andwasasfarfromenlightenmentasbefore.

ItwasM.deRosnyhimselfwhorelievedmefromtheembarrassmentIwassuffering.Heembracedmeinthemostkindandobligingmanner,andthismorethanonce;beggingmetopardonthedeceptionhehadpractiseduponme,andtowhichhehadbeenimpelledpartlybytheoddnatureofourintroductionattheinn,andpartlybyhisdesiretoenhancethejoyfulsurprisehehadinstoreforme.\'Come,\'hesaidpresently,drawingmetothewindow,\'letmeshowyousomemoreofyouroldfriends.\'

Ilookedout,andsawbelowmeinthecourtyardmythreehorsesdrawnupinarow,theCidbeingbestriddenbySimonFleix,who,seeingme,wavedatriumphantgreeting.Agroomstoodattheheadofeachhorse,andoneithersidewasamanwithatorch.

Mycompanionlaughedgleefully.\'ItwasMaignan\'sarrangement,\'

hesaid.\'Hehasaquainttasteinsuchthings.\'

AftergreetingSimonFleixahundredtimes,Iturnedbackintotheroom,and,myheartoverflowingwithgratitudeandwonder,I

beggedM.deRosnytoacquaintmewiththedetailsofmademoiselle\'sescape.

\'Itwasthemostsimplethingintheworld,\'hesaid,takingmebythehandandleadingmebacktothehearth.\'Whileyouwereengagedwiththerascals,theoldwomanwhodailybroughtmademoiselle\'sfoodgrewalarmedattheuproar,andcameintotheroomtolearnwhatitwas.Mademoiselle,unabletohelpyou,anduncertainofyoursuccess,thoughttheopportunitytoogoodtobelost.Sheforcedtheoldwomantoshowherandhermaidthewayoutthroughthegarden.Thisdone,theyrandownalane,asI

understand,andcameimmediatelyupontheladwiththehorses,whorecognisedthemandhelpedthemtomount.Theywaitedsomeminutesforyou,andthenrodeoff.\'

\'ButIinquiredatthegate,\'Isaid.

\'Atwhichgate?\'inquiredM.deRosny,smiling.

\'TheNorth-gate,ofcourse,\'Ianswered.

\'Justso,\'herejoinedwithanod.\'ButtheywentoutthroughtheWest-gateandmadeacircuit.Heisastrangelad,thatofyoursbelowthere.Hehasaheadonhisshoulder,M.deMarsac.

Well,twoleaguesoutsidethetowntheyhalted,scarcelyknowinghowtoproceed.Bygoodfortune,however,ahorse-dealerofmyacquaintancewasattheinn.HeknewMademoiselledelaVire,and,hearingwhithershewasbound,broughtherhitherwithoutletorhindrance.\'

\'WasheaNorman?\'Iasked,M.deRosnynodded,smilingatmeshrewdly.\'Yes,\'hesaid,\'hetoldmemuchaboutyou.Andnowletmeintroduceyoutomywife,MadamedeRosny.\'

Heledmeuptotheladywhohadrisenatmyentrance,andwhonowwelcomedmeaskindlyasshehadbeforelookedonme,payingmemanypleasantcompliments.Igazedatherwithinterest,havingheardmuchofherbeautyandofthestrangemannerinwhichM.deRosny,beingenamouredoftwoyoungladies,andchancinguponbothwhilelodgingindifferentapartmentsataninn,haddecidedwhichheshouldvisitandmakehiswife.Heappearedtoreadwhatwasinmymind,forasIbowedbeforeher,thankingherfortheobligingthingswhichshehaduttered,andwhichforeverboundmetoherservice,hegailypinchedherear,andsaid,\'Whenyouwantagoodwife,M.deMarsac,besureyouturntotheright.\'

Hespokeinjest,andhavinghisowncaseonlyinhismind.ButI,lookingmechanicallyinthedirectionheindicated,sawmademoisellestandingapaceortwotomyrightintheshadowofthegreatchimney-piece.Iknownotwhethershefrownedmoreorblushedmore;butthisforcertain,thatsheansweredmylookwithoneofsharpdispleasure,and,turningherbackonme,sweptquicklyfromtheroom,withnotraceinherbearingofthatlatetendernessandgratitudewhichIhadremarked.

CHAPTERXIII.

ATROSNY.

ThemorningbroughtonlyfreshproofsofthekindnesswhichM.deRosnyhadconceivedforme.AwakingearlyIfoundonastoolbesidemyclothes,apurseofgoldcontainingahundredcrowns;

andayouthpresentlyenteringtoaskmeifIlackedanything,I

hadatfirstsomedifficultyinrecognisingSimonFleix,sosprucelywastheladdressed,inamoderesemblingMaignan\'s.I

lookedatthestudentmorethanoncebeforeIaddressedhimbyhisname;andwasasmuchsurprisedbythestrangechangeI

observedinhimforitwasnotconfinedtohisclothes——asbyanythingwhichhadhappenedsinceIenteredthehouse.Irubbedmyeyes,andaskedhimwhathehaddonewithhissoutane.

\'Burnedit,M.deMarsac,\'heansweredbriefly.

Isawthathehadburnedmuch,metaphoricallyspeaking,besideshissoutane.Hewaslesspale,lesslank,lesswobegonethanformerly,andwentmorebriskly.Hehadlosttheairofcrack-

braineddisorderwhichhaddistinguishedhim,andwassmart,sedate,andstoopedless.Onlytheoddsparkleremainedinhiseyes,andborewitnesstothesamenervous,eagerspiritwithin.

\'Whatareyougoingtodo,then,Simon?\'Iasked,notingthesechangescuriously.

\'Iamasoldier,\'heanswered,\'andfollowM.deMarsac.\'

Ilaughed.\'Youhavechosenapoorservice,Iamafraid,\'I

said,beginningtorise;\'andone,too,Simon,inwhichitispossibleyoumaybekilled.Ithoughtthatwouldnotsuityou,\'

Icontinued,toseewhathewouldsay.Butheanswerednothing,andIlookedathimingreatsurprise.\'Youhavemadeupyourmind,then,atlast?\'Isaid.

\'Perfectly,\'heanswered.

\'Andsolvedallyourdoubts?\'

\'Ihavenodoubts.\'

\'YouareaHuguenot?\'

\'Thatistheonlytrueandpurereligion,\'herepliedgravely.

AndwithapparentsincerityanddevotionherepeatedBeza\'sConfessionofFaith.

Thisfilledmewithprofoundastonishment,butIsaidnomoreatthetime,thoughIhadmydoubts.IwaiteduntilIwasalonewithM.deRosny,andthenIunbosomedmyselfonthematter;

expressingmysurpriseatthesuddennessoftheconversion,andatsuchaman,asIhadfoundthestudenttobe,statinghisviewssofirmlyandsteadfastly,andwithsolittleexcitement.

ObservingthatM.deRosnysmiledbutanswerednothing,I

explainedmyselffarther.

\'Iamsurprised,\'Isaid,\'becauseIhavealwayshearditmaintainedthatclerklymen,becominglostinthemazesoftheology,seldomfindanysurefooting;thatnotoneinahundredreturnstohisoldfaith,orfindsgracetoacceptanewone.I

amspeakingonlyofsuch,ofcourse,asIbelievethisladtobe——eager,excitablebrains,learningmuch,andwithoutjudgmenttodigestwhattheylearn.\'

\'OfsuchIalsobelieveittobetrue,\'M.deRosnyanswered,stillsmiling.\'Butevenonthemalittleinfluence,appliedattherightmoment,hasmucheffect,M.deMarsac.\'

\'Iallowthat,\'Isaid.\'Butmymother,ofwhomIhavespokentoyou,sawmuchofthisyouth.Hisfidelitytoherwasbeyondpraise.Yetherfaith,thoughgroundedonarock,hadnoweightwithhim.\'

M.deRosnyshookhishead,stillsmiling.

\'Itisnotourmotherswhoconvertus,\'hesaid.

\'What!\'Icried,myeyesopened.\'Doyoumean——doyoumeanthatMademoisellehasdonethis?\'

\'Ifancyso,\'heanswered,nodding.\'Ithinkmyladycastherspelloverhimbytheway.TheladleftBloiswithher,ifwhatyousaybetrue,withoutfaithintheworld.HecametomyhandstwodayslaterthestoutestofHuguenots.Itisnothardtoreadthisriddle.\'

\'Such,conversionsareseldomlasting,\'Isaid.

Helookedatmequeerly;and,thesmilestillhoveringabouthislips,answered"Tush,man!Whysoserious?TheodoreBezahimselfcouldnotlookdryer.Theladisinearnest,andthereisnoharmdone.\'

And,Heavenknows,Iwasinnomoodtosuspectharm;norinclinedjustthentolookatthedarksideofthings.Itmaybeconceivedhowdelightfulitwastometobereceivedasanequalandhonouredguestbyaman,eventhenfamous,andnowsogrowninreputationastoovershadowallFrenchmensavehismaster;howpleasanttoenjoythecomfortsandamiabilitiesofhome,fromwhichIhadbeenlongestranged;topourmymother\'sstoryintoMadame\'searsandfindcomfortinhersympathy;tofeelmyself,infine,oncemoreagentlemanwithanacknowledgedplaceintheworld.Ourdayswespentinhunting,orexcursionsofsomekind,oureveningsinlongconversations,whichimpressedmewithanever-growingrespectformylord\'spowers.

ForthereseemedtobenoendeithertohisknowledgeofFrance,ortotheplansforitsdevelopment,whicheventhenfilledhisbrain,andhavesinceturnedwildernessesintofruitfullands,andsqualidtownsintogreatcities.Graveandformal,hecouldyetunbend;themostsagaciousofcounsellors,hewasasoldieralso,andlovedtheseclusioninwhichwelivedthemorethatitwasnotdevoidofdanger;theneighbouringtownsbeingdevotedtotheLeague,andthegeneraldisorderalonemakingitpossibleforhimtolieunsuspectedinhisownhouse.

Onethingonlyrenderedmyeaseandcomfortimperfect,andthatwastheattitudewhichMademoiselledelaVireassumedtowardsme.OfhergratitudeinthefirstblushofthethingIfeltnodoubt,fornotonlyhadshethankedmeveryprettily,thoughwithreserve,ontheeveningofmyarrival,butthewarmthofM.deRosny\'skindnessleftmenochoice,savetobelievethatshehadgivenhimanexaggeratedideaofmymeritsandservices.Iaskednomorethanthis.Suchgoodofficesleftmenothingtoexpectordesire;myageandill-fortuneplacingmeatsogreatadisadvantagethat,farfromdreamingoffriendshiporintimacywithher,Ididnotevenassumetheequalityinourdailyintercoursetowhichmybirth,takenbyitself,entitledme.

KnowingthatImustappearinhereyesold,poor,andill-

dressed,andsatisfied,withhavingassertedmyconductandhonour,Iwascarefulnottotrespassonhergratitude;andwhileforwardinsuchcourtesiesascouldnotwearyher,Iavoidedwithequalcareeveryappearanceofpursuingher,orinflictingmycompanyuponher.Iaddressedherformallyanduponformaltopicsonly,such,Imean,aswesharedwiththerestofourcompany;andIremindedmyselfoftenthatthoughwenowmetinthesamehouseandatthesametable,shewasstilltheMademoiselledelaVirewhohadborneherselfsoloftilyintheKingofNavarre\'sante-chamber.ThisIdid,notoutofpiqueorwoundedpride,whichInomore,Godknows,harbouredagainstherthanagainstabird;butthatImightnotinmynewprosperityforgetthelightinwhichsuchawoman,young,spoiled,andbeautiful,muststillregardme.

Keepingtothisinoffensiveposture,IwasthemorehurtwhenI

foundhergratitudefadewiththehour.Afterthefirsttwodays,duringwhichIremarkedthatshewasverysilent,seldomspeakingtomeorlookingatme,sheresumedmuchofheroldairofdisdain.ForthatIcaredlittle;butshepresentlywentfarther,andbegantorakeuptheincidentswhichhadhappenedatSt.Jeand\'Angely,andinwhichIhadtakenpart.Shecontinuallyadvertedtomypovertywhilethere,totheoddfigureIhadcut,andthemanyjestsherfriendshadmadeatmyexpense.

Sheseemedtotakeapleasurepositivelysavageinthese,gibingatmesometimessobitterlyastoshameandpainme,andbringthecolourtoMadamedeRosny\'scheeks.

Tothetimewehadspenttogether,ontheotherhand,sheneverorrarelyreferred.Oneafternoon,however,aweekaftermyarrivalatRosny,Ifoundhersittingaloneintheparlour.I

hadnotknownshewasthere,andIwasforwithdrawingatoncewithabowandamutteredapology.Butshestoppedmewithanangrygesture.\'Idonotbite,\'shesaid,risingfromherstoolandmeetingmyeyes,aredspotineachcheek.\'Whydoyoulookatmelikethat?Doyouknow,M.deMarsac,thatIhavenopatiencewithyou.\'Andshestampedherfootonthefloor.

\'But,mademoiselle,\'Istammeredhumbly,wonderingwhatintheworldshemeant,\'whathaveIdone?\'

\'Done?\'sherepeatedangrily.\'Done?Itisnotwhatyouhavedone,itiswhatyouare.Ihavenopatiencewithyou.Whyareyousodull,sir?Whyareyousodowdy?Whydoyougoaboutwithyourdoubletawry,andyourhairlank?WhydoyouspeaktoMaignanasifhewereagentleman?Whydoyoulookalwayssolemnandpolite,andasifalltheworldwereapreche?Why?Why?

Why,Isay?\'

Shestoppedfromsheerlackofbreath,leavingmeasmuchastonishedaseverinmylife.Shelookedsobeautifulinherfuryandfiercenesstoo,thatIcouldonlystareatherandwonderdumblywhatitallmeant.

\'Well!\'shecriedimpatiently,afterbearingthisaslongasshecould,\'haveyounotawordtosayforyourself?Haveyounotongue?Haveyounowillofyourownatall,M.deMarsac?\'

\'But,mademoiselle,\'Ibegan,tryingtoexplain.

\'Chut!\'sheexclaimed,cuttingmeshortbeforeIcouldgetfarther,asthewayofwomenis.Andthensheadded,inachangedtone,andveryabruptly,\'Youhaveavelvetknotofmine,sir.Giveitme.\'

\'Itisinmyroom,\'Ianswered,astonishedbeyondmeasureatthissuddenchangeofsubject,andequallysuddendemand.

\'Thenfetchit,sir,ifyouplease,\'shereplied,hereyesflashingafresh.\'Fetchit.Fetchit,Isay!Ithasserveditsturn,andIprefertohaveit.Whoknowsbutthatsomedayyoumaybeshowingitforalove-knot?\'

\'Mademoiselle!\'Icried,hotly.AndIthinkthatforthemomentIwasasangryasshewas.

\'Still,Iprefertohaveit,\'sheansweredsullenly,castingdownhereyes.

Iwassomuchenraged,Iwentwithoutawordandfetchedit,and,bringingittoherwhereshestood,inthesameplace,putitintoherhands.Whenshesawitsomerecollection,Ifancy,ofthedaywhenshehadtracedthecryforhelponit,cametoherinheranger;forshetookitfrommewithallherbearingaltered.Shetrembled,andhelditforamomentinherhands,asifshedidnotknowwhattodowithit.Shewasthinking,doubtless,ofthehouseinBloisandtheperilshehadrunthere;

and,beingformypartquitewillingthatsheshouldthinkandfeelhowbadlyshehadacted,Istoodlookingather,sparinghernowhitofmyglance.

\'Thegoldchainyouleftonmymother\'spillow,\'Isaidcoldly,seeingshecontinuedsilent,\'Icannotreturntoyouatonce,forIhavepledgedit.ButIwilldosoassoonasIcan.\'

\'Youhavepledgedit?\'shemuttered,withhereyesaverted.

\'Yes,mademoiselle,toprocureahorsetobringmehere,\'I

replieddrily.\'However,it,shallberedeemed.Inreturn,thereissomethingItoowouldask.\'

\'What?\'shemurmured,recoveringherselfwithalleffort,andlookingatmewithsomethingofheroldprideanddefiance.

\'Thebrokencoinyouhave,\'Isaid.\'Thetoken,Imean.Itisofnousetoyou,foryourenemiesholdtheotherhalf.Itmightbeofservicetome.\'

\'How?\'sheaskedcurtly.

\'BecausesomedayImayfinditsfellow,mademoiselle,\'

\'Andthen?"shecried.Shelookedatme,herlipsparted,hereyesflashing.\'Whatthen,whenyouhavefounditsfellow,M.deMarsac?\'

Ishruggedmyshoulders.

\'Bah!\'sheexclaimed,clenchingherlittlehand,andstampingherfootonthefloorinapassionIcouldnotunderstand.\'Thatisyou!ThatisM.deMarsacallover.Yousaynothing,andmenthinknothingofyou.Yougowithyourhatinyourhand,andtheytreadonyou.Theyspeak,andyouaresilent!Why,ifI

coulduseaswordasyoucan,Iwouldkeepsilencebeforenoman,norletanymansavetheKingofFrancecockhishatinmypresence!Butyou!There!go,leaveme.Hereisyourcoin.

Takeitandgo.Sendmethatladofyourstokeepmeawake.Atanyratehehasbrains,heisyoung,heisaman,hehasasoul,hecanfeel——ifhewereanythingbutaclerk.\'

Shewavedmeoffinsuchawindofpassionasmighthaveamusedmeinanother,butinhersmackedsostronglyofingratitudeastopainmenotalittle.Iwent,however,andsentSimontoher;

thoughIlikedtheerrandveryill,andnobetterwhenIsawthelad\'sfacelightupatthementionofhername.Butapparentlyshehadnotrecoveredhertemperwhenhereachedher,forhefarednobetterthanIhaddone;comingawaypresentlywiththeairofawhippeddog,asIsawfromtheyew-treewalkwhereIwasstrolling.

Still,afterthatshemadeitahabittotalktohimmoreandmore;and,MonsieurandMadamedeRosnybeingmuchtakenupwithoneanother,therewasnoonetocheckherfancyorspeakawordofadvice.Knowingherpride,Ihadnofearsforher;butitgrievedmetothinkthatthelad\'sheadshouldbeturned.A

dozentimesImadeupmymindtospeaktoheronhisbehalf;butforonethingitwasnotmybusiness,andforanotherIsoondiscoveredthatshewasawareofmydispleasure,andvalueditnotajot.Forventuringonemorning,whenshewasinapleasanthumour,tohintthatshetreatedthosebeneathhertooinhumanly,andwithanunkindnessaslittlebecomingnoblebloodasfamiliarity,sheaskedmescornfullyifIdidnotthinkshetreatedSimonFleixwellenough.TowhichIhadnothingtoanswer.

ImighthereremarkonthesystemofsecretintelligencebymeansofwhichM.deRosny,eveninthisremoteplace,receivednewsofallthatwaspassinginFrance.Butitiscommonfame.Therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers,whichwouldquicklyhavearousedsuspicionintheneighbouringtown,norwasitpossibleevenformetosayexactlybywhatchannelsnewscame.Butcomeitdid,andatallhoursoftheday.InthiswayweheardofthedangerofLaGanacheandoftheeffortcontemplatedbytheKingofNavarreforitsrelief.M.deRosnynotonlycommunicatedthesematterstomewithoutreserve,butengagedmyaffectionsbyfartherproofsofconfidencesuchasmightwellhaveflatteredamanofgreaterimportance.

Ihavesaidthat,asarule,therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers.Butoneevening,returningfromthechasewithoneofthekeepers,whohadprayedmyassistanceinhuntingdownacrippleddoe,Iwassurprisedtofindastrangehorse,whichhadevidentlybeenriddenhardandfar,standingsmokingintheyard.

Inquiringwhoseitwas,IlearnedthatamanbelievedbythegroomstobefromBloishadjustarrivedandwasclosetedwiththebaron.Aneventsofaroutoftheordinarycourseofthingsnaturallyarousedmywonder;butdesiringtoavoidanyappearanceofcuriosity,which,ifindulged,isapttobecomethemostvulgarofvices,Irefrainedfromenteringthehouse,andrepairedinsteadtotheyew-walk.Ihadscarcely,however,heatedmyblood,alittlechilledwithriding,beforethepagecametometofetchmetohismaster.

IfoundM.deRosnystridingupanddownhisroom,hismannersodisorderedandhisfacedisfiguredbysomuchgriefandhorrorthatIstartedonseeinghim.Myheartsinkinginamoment,I

didnotneedtolookatMadame,whosatweepingsilentlyinachair,toassuremyselfthatsomethingdreadfulhadhappened.

Thelightwasfailing,andalamphadbeenbroughtintotheroom.

M.deRosnypointedabruptlytoasmallpieceofpaperwhichlayonthetablebesideit,and,obeyinghisgesture,Itookthisupandreaditscontents,whichconsistedoflessthanascoreofwords.

\'Heisillandliketodie,\'themessageran,\'twentyleaguessouthofLaGanache.Comeatallcosts.P.M.

\'Who?\'Isaidstupidly——stupidly,foralreadyIbegantounderstand.Whoisillandliketodie?\'

M.deRosnyturnedtome,andIsawthatthetearsweretricklingunbiddendownhischeeks.\'ThereisbutoneHEforme,\'hecried.\'MayGodsparethatone!MayHesparehimtoFrance,whichneedshim,totheChurch,whichhangsonhim,andtome,wholovehim!Lethimnotfallinthehouroffruition.OLord,lethimnotfall!\'Andhesankontoastool,andremainedinthatposturewithhisfaceinhishands,hisbroadshouldersshakenwithgrief.

\'Come,sir,\'Isaid,afterapausesacredtosorrowanddismay;

\'letmeremindyouthatwhilethereislifethereishope.\'