第10章

\'Hope?\'

\'Yes,M.deRosny,hope,\'Irepliedmorecheerfully.\'Hehasworktodo.Heiselected,called,andchosen;theJoshuaofhispeople,asM.d\'Amoursrightlycalledhim.Godwillnottakehimyet.Youshallseehimandbeembracedbyhim,ashashappenedahundredtimes.Remember,sir,theKingofNavarreisstrong,hardy,andyoung,andnodoubtingoodhands.\'

\'Mornay\'s,\'M.deRosnycried,lookingupwithcontemptinhiseye.

Yetfromthatmomentherallied,spurred,Ithink,bythethoughtthattheKingofNavarre\'srecoverydependedunderGodonM.deMornay;whomhewaseverinclinedtoregardashisrival.HebegantomakeinstantpreparationsfordeparturefromRosny,andbademedosoalso,tellingme,somewhatcurtlyandwithoutexplanation,thathehadneedofme.ThedangerofsospeedyareturntotheSouth,wherethefullweightoftheVicomtedeTurenne\'svengeanceawaitedme,occurredtomestrongly;andI

ventured,thoughwithalittleshame,tomentionit.ButM.deRosny,aftergazingatmeamomentinapparentdoubt,puttheobjectionasidewithadegreeofpeevishnessunusualinhim,andcontinuedtopressonhisarrangementsasearnestlyasthoughtheydidnotincludeseparationfromawifeequallylovingandbeloved.

Havingfewthingstolooktomyself,Iwasatleisure,whenthehourofdeparturecame,toobserveboththecouragewithwhichMadamedeRosnysupportedhersorrow,\'forthesakeofFrance,\'

andtheunwontedtendernesswhichMademoiselledelaVire,liftedforonceaboveherself,lavishedonher.Iseemedtostand——

happilyinonelight,andyetthefeelingwasfraughtwithpain——

outsidetheirfamiliarrelations;yet,havingmademyadieuxasshortandformalaspossible,thatImightnotencroachonotherandmoresacredones,Ifoundatthelastmomentsomethinginwaitingforme.IwassurprisedasIrodeunderthegatewayalittleaheadoftheothers,bysomethingsmallandlightfallingonthesaddle-bowbeforeme.Catchingitbeforeitcouldslidetotheground,Isaw,withinfiniteastonishment,thatIheldinmyhandatinyvelvetbow.

Tolookupatthewindowoftheparlour,whichIhavesaidwasoverthearchway,wasmyfirstimpulse.Ididso,andmetmademoiselle\'seyesforasecond,andasecondonly.Thenextmomentshewasgone.M.deRosnyclatteredthroughthegateatmyheels,theservantsbehindhim.Andwewereontheroad.

CHAPTERXIV.

M.DERAMBOUILLET.

Forawhilewewerebutamelancholyparty.TheincidentIhavelastrelatedwhichseemedtoadmitofmoreexplanationsthanone——leftmeinastateofthegreatestperplexity;andthisprevailedwithmeforatime,andwasonlydissipatedatlengthbymyseeingmyownface,asitwere,inaglass.For,chancingpresentlytolookbehindme,IobservedthatSimonFleixwasriding,notwithstandinghisfinehatandfeatherandhisnewsword,inapostureandwithanairofdejectiondifficulttoexaggerate;whereonthereflectionthatmasterandmanhadthesameobjectintheirminds——nay,thethoughtthatpossiblyheboreinhisbosomaliketokentothatwhichlaywarminmine——

occurringtome,Irousedmyselfasfromsomedegradingdream,and,shakinguptheCid,canteredforwardtojoinRosny,who,innocheerfulmoodhimself,wasridingsteadilyforward,wrappedtohiseyesinhiscloak.

ThenewsoftheKingofNavarre\'sillnesshadfallenonhim,indeed,inthemidstofhissanguineschemingwiththeforceofathunderbolt.Hesawhimselfindangeroflosingatoncethemasterhelovedandthebrilliantfuturetowhichhelookedforward;andamidtheimminentcrashofhishopesandthedestructionofthesysteminwhichhelived,hehadscarcelytimetoregretthewifehewasleavingatRosnyorthequietfromwhichhewassosuddenlycalled.HisheartwasintheSouth,atLaGanache,byHenry\'scouch.Hismainideawastogettherequicklyatallrisks.ThenameoftheKingofNavarre\'sphysicianwasconstantlyonhislips.\'Dortomanisagoodman.

Ifanyonecallsavehim,Dortomanwill,\'washisperpetualcry.

Andwheneverhemetanyonewhohadtheleastappearanceofbearingnews,hewouldhavemestopandinterrogatehim,andbynomeansletthetravellergountilhehadgivenusthelastrumourfromBlois——thechannelthroughwhichallthenewsfromtheSouthreachedus.

Anincidentwhichoccurredattheinnthateveningcheeredhimsomewhat;themostpowerfulmindsbeingprone,Ihaveobserved,tosnatchatomensintimesofuncertainty.Anelderlyman,ofstrangeappearance,anddressedinanaffectedandbizarrefashion,wasseatedattablewhenwearrived.ThoughIenteredfirstinmyassumedcapacityofleaderoftheparty,heletmepassbeforehimwithoutcomment,butroseandsolemnlysalutedM.

deRosny,albeitthelatterwalkedbehindmeandwasmuchmoreplainlydressed.Rosnyreturnedhisgreetingandwouldhavepassedon;butthestranger,interposingwithastilllowerbow,invitedhimtotakehisseat,whichwasnearthefireandshelteredfromthedraught,atthesametimemakingasifhewouldhimselfremovetoanotherplace.

\'Nay,\'saidmycompanion,surprisedbysuchanexcessofcourtesy,\'IdonotseewhyIshouldtakeyourplace,sir.\'

\'Notmineonly,\'theoldmanrejoined,lookingathimwithaparticularityandspeakingwithanemphasiswhichattractedourattention,\'butthoseofmanyothers,whoIcanassureyouwillveryshortlyyieldthemuptoyou,whethertheywillornot.\'

M.deRosnyshruggedhisshouldersandpassedon,affectingtosupposetheoldmanwandered.Butprivatelyhethoughtmuchofhiswords,andmorewhenhelearnedthathewasanastrologerfromParis,whohadthename,atanyrateinthiscountry,ofhavingstudiedunderNostradamus.Andwhetherhedrewfreshhopesfromthis,orturnedhisattentionmoreparticularlyasweapproachedBloistopresentmatters,certainlyhegrewmorecheerful,andbeganagaintodiscussthefuture,asthoughassuredofhismaster\'srecovery.

\'YouhaveneverbeentotheKing\'sCourt?\'hesaidpresently,followingup,asIjudged,atrainofthoughtinhisownmind.

\'AtBlois,Imean.\'

\'No;nordoIfeelanxioustovisitit,\'Ianswered.\'Totellyouthetruth,M.leBaron,\'Icontinuedwithsomewarmth,\'thesoonermearebeyondBlois,thebetterIshallbepleased.I

thinkwerunsomeriskthere,and,besides,Idonotfancyashambles.IdonotthinkIcouldseethekingwithoutthinkingoftheBartholomew,norhischamberwithoutthinkingofGuise.\'

\'Tut,tut!\'hesaid,\'youhavekilledamanbeforenow.\'

\'Many,\'Ianswered.

\'Dotheytroubleyou?\'

\'No,buttheywerekilledinfairfight,\'Ireplied,\'Thatmakesadifference.\'

\'Toyou,\'hesaiddrily.\'ButyouarenottheKingofFrance,yousee.Shouldyouevercomeacrosshim,\'hecontinued,flickinghishorse\'sears,afaintsmileonhislips,\'Iwillgiveyouahint.TalktohimofthebattlesatJarnacandMoncontour,andpraiseyourConde\'sfather!AsCondelostthefightand,hewonit,thecomplimentcomeshometohim.Themorehopelesslyamanhaslosthispowers,myfriend,themorefondlyheregardsthem,andthemorehighlyheprizesthevictorieshecallnolongergain.\'

\'Ugh!\'Imuttered.

\'OfthetwopartiesatCourt,\'Rosnycontinued,calmlyoverlookingmyill-humour,\'trustD\'AumontandBironandtheFrenchclique.TheyaretruetoFranceatanyrate.ButwhomsoeveryouseeconsortwiththetwoRetzs——theKingofSpain\'sjackalsasmennamethem——avoidhimforaSpaniardandatraitor.\'

\'ButtheRetzsareItalians,\'Iobjectedpeevishly.

\'Thesamething,\'heansweredcurtly.\'Theycry,"ViveleRoi!"

butprivatelytheyarefortheLeague,orforSpain,orforwhatevermaymosthurtus;whoarebetterFrenchmenthanthemselves,andwhoseleaderwillsomeday,ifGodsparehislife,beKingofFrance.\'

\'Well,thelessIhavetodowiththeoneortheotherofthem,saveatthesword\'spoint,thebetterIshallbepleased,\'I

rejoined.

Onthathelookedatmewithaqueersmile;aswashiswaywhenhehadmoreinhismindthanappeared.Andthis,andsomethingspecialinthetoneofhisconversation,aswell,perhaps,asmyowndoubtsaboutmyfutureandhisintentionsregardingme,gavemeanuneasyfeeling;whichlastedthroughtheday,andleftmeonlywhenmoreimmediateperilpresentlyrosetothreatenus.

Ithappenedinthisway.WehadreachedtheoutskirtsofBlois,andwerejustapproachingthegate,hopingtopassthroughitwithoutattractingattention,whentwotravellersrodeslowlyoutofalane,themouthofwhichwewerepassing.Theyeyeduscloselyastheyreinedintoletusgoby;andM.deRosny,whowasridingwithhishorse\'sheadatmystirrup,whisperedmetopresson.BeforeIcouldcomply,however,thestrangerscanteredbyus,andturninginthesaddlewhenabreastofuslookedusintheface.Amomentlateroneofthemcriedloudly,\'Itishe!\'

andbothpulledtheirhorsesacrosstheroad,andwaitedforustocomeup.

AwarethatifM.deRosnywerediscoveredhewouldbehappyifheescapedwithimprisonment,thekingbeingtoojealousofhisCatholicreputationtoventuretoprotectaHuguenot,howeverillustrious,Isawthatthesituationwasdesperate;for,thoughwewerefivetotwo,theneighbourhoodofthecity——thegatebeingscarcelyabow-shotoff——renderedflightorresistanceequallyhopeless.Icouldthinkofnothingforitsavetoputaboldfaceonthematter,and,M.deRosnydoingthesame,weadvancedinthemostinnocentwaypossible.

\'Halt,there!\'criedoneofthestrangerssharply.\'Andletmetellyou,sir,youareknown.\'

\'WhatifIam?\'Iansweredimpatiently,stillpressingon.\'Areyouhighwaymen,thatyoustoptheway?\'

Thespeakerontheothersidelookedatmekeenly,butinamomentretorted,\'Enoughtrifling,sir!WhoYOUareIdonotknow.ButthepersonridingatyourreinisM.deRosny.HimI

doknow,andIwarnhimtostop.\'

Ithoughtthegamewaslost,buttomysurprisemycompanionansweredatonceandalmostinthesamewordsIhadused.\'Well,sir,andwhatofthat?\'hesaid.

\'Whatofthat?\'thestrangerexclaimed,spurringhishorsesoasstilltobartheway.\'Why,onlythis,thatyoumustbeamadmantoshowyourselfonthissideoftheLoire.\'

\'ItislongsinceIhaveseentheother,\'wasmycompanion\'sunmovedanswer.

\'YouareM.deRosny?Youdonotdenyit?\'themancriedinastonishment.

\'CertainlyIdonotdenyit,\'M.deRosnyansweredbluntly.\'Andmore,thedayhasbeen,sir,\'hecontinuedwithsuddenfire,\'whenfewathisMajesty\'sCourtwouldhavedaredtochopwordswithSolomondeBethune,muchlesstostophimonthehighwaywithinamileofthepalace.Buttimesarechangedwithme,sir,anditwouldseemwithothersalso,iftruemenrallyingtohisMajestyinhisneedaretobechallengedbyeverypasserontheroad.\'

\'What!AreyouSolomondeBethune?\'themancriedincredulously.Incredulously,buthiscountenancefell,andhisvoicewasfullofchagrinanddisappointment,\'Whoelse,sir?\'M.deRosnyrepliedhaughtily.\'Iam,and,asfarasIknow,IhaveasmuchrightonthissideoftheLoireasanyotherman.\'

\'Athousandpardons.\'

\'Ifyouarenotsatisfied——\'

\'Nay,M.deRosny,Iamperfectlysatisfied.\'

Thestrangerrepentedthiswithaverycrestfallenair,adding,\'Athousandpardons\';andfelltomakingotherapologies,doffinghishatwithgreatrespect.\'Itookyou,ifyouwillpardonmesayingso,foryourHuguenotbrother,M.Maximilian,\'heexplained.\'ThesayinggoesthatheisatRosny.\'

\'Icananswerforthatbeingfalse,\'M.deRosnyansweredperemptorily,\'forIhavejustcomefromthere,andIwillanswerforitheisnotwithintenleaguesoftheplace.Andnow,sir,aswedesiretoenterbeforethegatesshut,perhapsyouwillexcuseus.\'Withwhichhebowed,andIbowed,andtheybowed,andweseparated.Theygaveustheroad,whichM.deRosnytookwithagreatair,andwetrottedtothegate,andpassedthroughitwithoutmisadventure.

Thefirststreetweenteredwasawideone,andmycompaniontookadvantageofthistorideupabreastofme.\'Thatisthekindofadventureourlittleprinceisfondof,\'hemuttered.\'Butformypart,M.deMarsac,thesweatisrunningdownmyforehead.I

haveplayedthetrickmorethanoncebefore,formybrotherandI

areaslikeastwopeas.Andyetitwouldhavegoneillwithusifthefoolhadbeenoneofhisfriends.\'

\'All\'swellthatendswell,\'Iansweredinalowvoice,thinkingitanilltimeforcompliments.Asitwas,theremarkwasunfortunate,forM.deRosnywasstillintheactofreiningbackwhenMaignancalledouttoustosaywewerebeingfollowed.

Ilookedbehind,butcouldseenothingexceptgloomandrainandoverhangingeavesandafewfigurescoweringindoorways.Theservants,however,continuedtomaintainthatitwasso,andweheld,withoutactuallystopping,acouncilofwar.Ifdetected,wewerecaughtinatrap,withouthopeofescape;andforthemomentIamsureM.doRosnyregrettedthathehadchosenthisroutebyBlois——thathehadthrusthimself,inhishasteandhisdesiretotakewithhimthelatestnews,intoasnaresopatent.

Thecastle——huge,dark,andgrim——loomedbeforeusattheendofthestreetinwhichwewere,and,chilledasIwasmyselfbythesight,Icouldimaginehowmuchmoreappallingitmustappeartohim,thechosencounsellorofhismaster,andthesteadfastopponentofallwhichitrepresented.

Ourconsultationcametonothing,fornobettercoursesuggesteditselfthantogoaswehadintendedtothelodgingcommonlyusedbymycompanion.Wedidso,lookingbehindusoften,andsayingmorethanoncethatMaignanmustbemistaken.Assoonaswehaddismounted,however,andgonein,heshowedusfromthewindowamanloiteringnear;andthisconfirmationofouralarmsendingustoourexpedientsagain,whileMaignanremainedwatchinginaroomwithoutalight,IsuggestedthatImightpassmyselfoff,thoughtenyearsolder,formycompanion.

\'Alas!\'hesaid,drummingwithhisfingersonthetable\'therearetoomanyherewhoknowmetomakethatpossible.Ithankyouallthesame.\'

\'Couldyouescapeonfoot?Orpassthewallanywhere,orslipthroughthegatesearly?\'Isuggested.

\'TheymighttellusattheBleedingHeart,\'heanswered.ButI

doubtit.Iwasafool,sir,toputmyneckintoMendoza\'shalter,andthatisafact.ButhereisMaignan.Whatisit,man?\'hecontinuedeagerly.

\'Thewatcherisgone,mylord,\'theequerryanswered.

\'Andhasleftnoone?\'

\'NoonethatIcansee.\'

Webothwentintothenextroomandlookedfromthewindows.Themanwascertainlynotwherewehadseenhimbefore.Buttherainwasfallingheavily,theeavesweredripping,thestreetwasadarkcavernwithonlyhereandthereasparkoflight,andthefellowmightbelurkingelsewhere.Maignan,beingquestioned,however,believedhehadgoneoffofsetpurpose.

\'Whichmaybereadhalfadozenways,\'Iremarked.

\'Atanyrate,wearefasting,\'M.deRosnyanswered.Givemeafullmaninafight.Letussitdownandeat.Itisnogoodjumpinginthedark,ormeetingtroubleshalfway.\'

Wewerenotthroughourmeal,however,SimonFleixwaitingonuswithapaleface,whenMaignancameinagainfromthedarkroom.

\'Mylord,\'hesaidquietly,\'threemenhaveappeared.Twoofthemremaintwentypacesaway.Thethirdhascometothedoor.\'

Ashespokeweheardacautioussummonsbelow,Maignanwasforgoingdown,buthismasterbadehimstand.Letthewomanofthehousego,\'hesaid.

IremarkedandlongrememberedM.deRosny\'sSANG-FROIDonthisoccasion.Hispistolshehadalreadylaidonachairbesidehimthrowinghiscloakoverthem;andnow,whilewewaited,listeninginbreathlesssilence,Isawhimhandalargesliceofbread-and-

meattohisequerry,who,standingbehindhischair,beganeatingitwiththesamecoolness.SimonFleix,ontheotherhand,stoodgazingatthedoor,tremblingineverylimb,andwithsomuchofexcitementandsurpriseinhisattitudethatItooktheprecautionofbiddinghim,inalowvoice,donothingwithoutorders.Atthesamemomentitoccurredtometoextinguishtwoofthefourcandleswhichhadbeenlighted;andIdidso,M.deRosnynoddingassent,justasthemutteredconversationwhichwasbeingcarriedonbelowceased,andaman\'streadsoundedonthestairs.

Itwasfollowedimmediatelybyaknockontheoutsideofourdoor.Obeyingmycompanion\'slook,Icried,\'Enter!\'

Aslendermanofmiddleheight,bootedandwrappedup,withhisfacealmostentirelyhiddenbyafoldofhiscloak,cameinquickly,andclosingthedoorbehindhim,advancedtowardsthetable.\'WhichisM.deRosny?\'hesaid.

Rosnyhadcarefullyturnedhisfacefromthelight,butatthesoundoftheother\'svoicehesprangupwithacryofrelief.Hewasabouttospeak,whenthenewcomer,raisinghishandperemptorily,continued,\'Nonames,Ibeg.Yours,Isuppose,isknownhere.Mineisnot,nordoIdesireitshouldbe.Iwantspeechofyou,thatisall.\'

\'Iamgreatlyhonoured,\'M.deRosnyreplied,gazingathimeagerly.\'Yet,whotoldyouIwashere?\'

\'Isawyoupassunderalampinthestreet,\'thestrangeranswered.\'Iknewyourhorsefirst,andyouafterwards,andbadeagroomfollowyou.Believeme,\'headded,withagestureofthehand,\'youhavenothingtofearfromme.\'

\'Iaccepttheassuranceinthespiritinwhichitisoffered,\'mycompanionansweredwithagracefulbow,\'andthinkmyselffortunateinbeingrecognised\'——hepausedamomentandthencontinued——\'byaFrenchmanandamanofhonour.\'

Thestrangershruggedhisshoulders.\'Yourpardon,then,\'hesaid,\'ifIseemabrupt.Mytimeisshort.IwanttodothebestwithitIcan.Willyoufavourme?\'

Iwasforwithdrawing,butM.deRosnyorderedMaignantoplacelightsinthenextroom,and,apologisingtomeverygraciously,retiredthitherwiththestranger,leavingmerelievedindeedbythesepeacefulappearances,butfullofwonderandconjectureswhothismightbe,andwhatthevisitportended.AtonemomentI

wasinclinedtoidentifythestrangerwithM.deRosny\'sbrother;

atanotherwiththeEnglishambassador;andthen,again,awildideathathemightbeM.deBruhloccurredtome.Thetworemainedtogetheraboutaquarterofanhourandthencameout,thestrangerleadingtheway,andsalutingmepolitelyashepassedthroughtheroom.Atthedoorheturnedtosay,\'Atnineo\'clock,then?\'

\'Atnineo\'clock,\'M.deRosnyreplied,holdingthedooropen.

\'YouwillexcusemeifIdonotdescend,Marquis?\'

\'Yes,goback,myfriend,\'thestrangeranswered.And,lightedbyMaignan,whosefaceonsuchoccasionscouldassumethemoststolidairintheworld,hedisappeareddownthestairs,andI

heardhimgoout.

M.deRosnyturnedtome,hiseyessparklingwithjoy,hisfaceandmienfullofanimation.\'TheKingofNavarreisbetter,\'hesaid.\'Heissaidtobeoutofdanger.Whatdoyouthinkofthat,myfriend?\'

\'ThatisthebestnewsIhaveheardformanyaday,\'Ianswered.

AndIhastenedtoadd,thatFranceandtheReligionhadreasontothankGodforHismercy.

\'Amentothat,\'mypatronrepliedreverently.\'Butthatisnotall——thatisnotall.\'Andhebegantowalkupanddowntheroomhummingthe118thPsalmalittleabovehisbreath——

Lavoicil\'heureusejourneeQueDieuafaiteapleindesir;

Parnoussoitjoiedemenee,Etprenonsenelleplaisir.

Hecontinued,indeed,towalkupanddownthefloorsolong,andwithsojoyfulacountenanceanddemeanour,thatIventured,atlasttoremindhimofmypresence,whichhehadclearlyforgotten.\'Ha!tobesure,\'hesaid,stoppingshortandlookingatmewiththeutmostgood-humour.\'Whattimeisit?

Seven.Thenuntilnineo\'clock,myfriend,Icraveyourindulgence.Infine,untilthattimeImustkeepcounsel.Come,Iamhungrystill.Letussitdown,andthistimeIhopewemaynotbeinterrupted.Simon,setusonafreshbottle.Ha!ha!

VIVENTLEROIETLEROIDENAVARRE!\'Andagainhefelltohummingthesamepsalm——

ODieueternel,jeteprie,Jeteprie,tonroimaintiens:

ODieu,jeteprieetreprie,Sauvetonroietl\'entretiens!

doingsowithalightinhiseyesandajoyousemphasis,whichimpressedmethemoreinamanordinarilysocalmandself-

contained.Isawthatsomethinghadoccurredtogratifyhimbeyondmeasure,and,believinghisstatementthatthiswasnotthegoodnewsfromLaGanacheonly,Iwaitedwiththeutmostinterestandanxietyforthehourofnine,whichhadnosoonerstruckthanourformervisitorappearedwiththesameairofmysteryanddisguisewhichhadattendedhimbefore.

M.deRosny,whohadrisenonhearinghisstepandhadtakenuphiscloak,pausedwithithalfonandhalfoff,tocryanxiously,\'Alliswell,isitnot?\'

\'Perfectly,\'thestrangerreplied,withanod.

\'Andmyfriend?\'

Yes,onconditionthatyouanswerforhisdiscretionandfidelity.\'Andthestrangerglancedinvoluntarilyatmewhostooduncertainwhethertoholdmygroundorretire.

\'Good,\'M.deRosnycried.Thenheturnedtomewithamingledairofdignityandkindness,andcontinued:\'Thisisthegentleman.M.deMarsac,IamhonouredwithpermissiontopresentyoutotheMarquisdeRambouillet,whoseinterestandprotectionIbegyoutodeserve,forheisatrueFrenchmanandapatriotwhomIrespect.\'

M.deRambouilletsalutedmepolitely.\'OfaBrittanyfamily,I

think?\'hesaid.

Iassented;andherepliedwithsomethingcomplimentary.ButafterwardshecontinuedtolookatmeinsilencewithakeennessandcuriosityIdidnotunderstand.Atlast,whenM.deRosny\'simpatiencehadreachedahighpitch,themarquisseemedimpelledtoaddsomething.\'YouquiteunderstandM.deRosny?\'hesaid.

\'WithoutsayinganythingdisparagingofM.deMarsac,whois,nodoubt,amanofhonour\'——andhebowedtomeverylow——\'thisisadelicatematter,andyouwillintroducenooneintoit,Iamsure,whomyoucannottrustasyourself.\'

\'Precisely,\'M.deRosnyreplied,speakingdrily,yetwithagrandairwhichfullymatchedhiscompanion\'s.\'Iampreparedtotrustthisgentlemannotonlywithmylifebutwithmyhonour.\'

\'Nothingmoreremainstobesaidthen,\'themarquisrejoined,bowingtomeagain.\'Iamgladtohavebeentheoccasionofadeclarationsoflatteringtoyou,sir.\'

Ireturnedhissaluteinsilence,andobeyingM.deRosny\'smuttereddirectionputon,mycloakandsword.M.deRosnytookuphispistols.

\'Youwillhavenoneedofthose,\'theMarquissaidwithahighglance.

\'Wherewearegoing,no,\'mycompanionanswered,calmlycontinuingtodisposethemabouthim.\'Butthestreetsaredarkandnottoosafe.\'

M.deRambouilletlaughed.\'ThatistheworstofyouHuguenots,\'

hesaid.\'Youneverknowwhentolaysuspicionaside.\'

Ahundredretortssprangtomylips.IthoughtoftheBartholomew,oftheFrenchfuryofAntwerp,ofhalfadozenthingswhichmakemybloodboiltothisday.ButM.deRosny\'sanswerwasthefinestofall.\'Thatistrue,Iamafraid,\'hesaidquietly.\'Ontheotherhand,youCatholics——takethelateM.deGuiseforinstance——havethehabitoferringontheotherside,Ithink,andsometimestrusttoofar.\'

Themarquis,withoutmakinganyanswertothishome-thrust,ledthewayout,andwefollowed,beingjoinedatthedoorofthehousebyacoupleofarmedlackeys,whofellinbehindus.Wewentonfoot.Thenightwasdark,andtheprospectoutofdoorswasnotcheering.Thestreetswerewetanddirty,andnotwithstandingallourcarewefellcontinuallyintopitfallsoroverunseenobstacles.CrossingthePARVISofthecathedral,whichIremembered,weplungedinsilenceintoanobscurestreetneartheriver,andsonarrowthatthedecrepithousesshutoutalmostallviewofthesky.Thegloomofoursurroundings,nolessthanmyignoranceoftheerrandonwhichwewerebound,filledmewithanxietyandforeboding.Mycompanionskeepingstrictsilence,however,andtakingeveryprecautiontoavoidbeingrecognised,Ihadnochoicebuttodolikewise.

Icouldthink,andnomore.Ifeltmyselfbornealongbyanirresistiblecurrent,whitherandforwhatpurposeIcouldnottell;anexperiencetoanextentstrangeatmyagetheinfluenceofthenightandtheweather.Twicewestoodasidetoletapartyofroisterersgoby,andtheexcessivecareM.deRambouilletevincedontheseoccasionstoavoidrecognitiondidnottendtoreassuremeormakemethinkmorelightlyoftheunknownbusinessonwhichIwasbound.

Reachingatlastanopenspace,ourleaderbadeusinalowvoicebecarefulandfollowhimclosely.Wedidsoandcrossedinthiswayandinsinglefileanarrowplankorwoodenbridge;butwhetherwaterranbeloworadryditchonly,Icouldnotdetermine.MymindwastakenupatthemomentwiththediscoverywhichIhadjustmade,thatthedarkbuilding,loominghugeandblackbeforeuswithasinglelighttwinklinghereandthereatgreatheights,wastheCastleofBlois.

CHAPTERXV.

VILAINHERODES.

AllthedistasteandmislikingIhadexpressedearlierinthedayfortheCourtofBloisrecurredwithfreshforceinthedarknessandgloom;andthough,bootedandtravel-stainedaswewere,I

didnotconceiveitlikelythatweshouldbeobtrudedonthecircleabouttheking,Ifeltnonethelessanoppressivedesiretobethroughwithouradventure,andawayfromtheill-omenedprecinctsinwhichIfoundmyself.Thedarknesspreventedmeseeingthefacesofmycompanions;butonM.deRosny,whowasnotquitefreehimself,Ithink,fromtheinfluencesofthetimeandplace,twitchingmysleevetoenforcevigilance,Inotedthatthelackeyshadceasedtofollowus,andthatwethreewerebeginningtoascendaroughstaircasecutintherock.I

gathered,thoughthedarknesslimitedmyviewbehindaswellasinfronttoafewtwinklinglights,thatweweremountingthescarpfromthemoat;tothesidewallofthecastle;andIwasnotsurprisedwhenthemarquismutteredtoustostop,andknockedsoftlyonthewoodofadoor.

M.deRosnymighthavesparedthetouchhehadlaidonmysleeve,forbythistimeIwasfullyandpainfullysensibleofthecriticalpositioninwhichwestood,andwasverylittlelikelytocommitanindiscretion.Itrustedhehadnotdonesoalready!

Nodoubt——itflashedacrossmewhilewewaited——hehadtakencaretosafeguardhimself.Buthowoften,Ireflected,hadallsafeguardsbeensetasideandallprecautionseludedbythosetowhomhewascommittinghimself!Guisehadthoughthimselfsecureinthisverybuilding,whichwewereabouttoenter.Colignyhadreceivedthemostabsoluteofsafe-conductsfromthosetowhomwewereapparentlybound.Theendineithercasehadbeenthesame——theconfidenceoftheoneprovingofnomoreavailthanthewisdomoftheother.WhatiftheKingofFrancethoughttomakehispeacewithhisCatholicsubjects——offendedbythemurderofGuise——byasecondmurderofoneasobnoxioustothemashewasprecioustotheirarch-enemyintheSouth?Rosnywassagaciousindeed;butthenIreflectedwithsuddenmisgivingthathewasyoung,ambitious,andbold.

Theopeningofthedoorinterruptedwithoutputtinganendtothistrainofapprehension.Afaintlightshoneout;sofeeblyastoilluminelittlemorethanthestairsatourfeet.Themarquisenteredatonce,M.deRosnyfollowed,Ibroughtuptherear;andthedoorwasclosedbyamanwhostoodbehindit.Wefoundourselvescrowdedtogetheratthefootofaverynarrowstaircase,whichthedoorkeeper——astolidpikemaninagreyuniform,withasmalllanthornswingingfromthecrosspieceofhishalberd——signedtoustoascend.Isaidawordtohim,butheonlystaredinanswer,andM.deRambouillet,lookingbackandseeingwhatIwasabout,calledtomethatitwasuseless,asthemanwasaSwissandspokenoFrench.

Thisdidnottendtoreassureme;anymorethandidthechillroughnessofthewallwhichmyhandtouchedasIgropedupwards,orthesmellofbatswhichinvadedmynostrilsandsuggestedthatthestaircasewaslittleusedandbelongedtoapartofthecastlefittedfordarkandsecretdoings.

Westumbledintheblacknessupthesteps,passingonedoorandthenasecondbeforeM.deRambouilletwhisperedtoustostand,andknockedgentlyatathird.

Thesecrecy,thedarkness,andaboveallthestrangearrangementsmadetoreceiveus,filledmewiththewildestconjectures.Butwhenthedooropenedandwepassedonebyoneintoabare,unfurnished,draughtygallery,immediately,asIjudged,underthetiles,therealityagreedwithnooneofmyanticipations.

Theplacewasameregarret,withoutahearth,withoutasinglestool.Threewindows,ofwhichonewasroughlyglazed,whiletheotherswerefilledwithoiledpaper,weresetinonewall;theothersdisplayingthestonesandmortarwithoutdisguiseorornament.BesidethedoorthroughwhichwehadenteredstoodasilentfigureinthegreyuniformIhadseenbelow,hislanthornonthefloorathisfeet.Aseconddooratthefartherendofthegallery,whichwasfulltwentypaceslong,wasguardedinlikemanner.Acoupleoflanthornsstoodinthemiddleofthefloor,andthatwasall.

Insidethedoor,M.deRambouilletwithhisfingeronhislipstoppedus,andwestoodalittlegroupofthreeapaceinfrontofthesentry,andwiththeemptyroombeforeus.IlookedatM.

deRosny,buthewaslookingatRambouillet.Themarquishadhisbacktowardsme,thesentrywasgazingintovacancy;sothatbaffledinmyattempttolearnanythingfromthelooksoftheotheractorsinthescene,Ifellbackonmyears.Theraindrippedoutsideandthemoaningwindrattledthecasements;butmingledwiththesemelancholysounds——whichgainedforce,assuchthingsalwaysdo,fromthecircumstancesinwhichwewereplacedandourownsilence——IfanciedIcaughtthedistanthumofvoicesandmusicandlaughter.Andthat,Iknownotwhy,broughtM.deGuiseagaintomymind.

Thestoryofhisdeath,asIhadhearditfromthataccursedmonkintheinnontheClaine,roseupinallitsfreshness,withallitsdetails.IstartedwhenM.deRambouilletcoughed.I

shiveredwhenRosnyshiftedhisfeet.Thesilencegrewoppressive.Onlythestolidmeningreyseemedunmoved,unexpectant;sothatIrememberwonderingwhetheritwastheirnightlydutytokeepguardoveranemptygarret,thefloorstrewnwithscrapsofmortarandendsoftiles.

Theinterruption,whenitcameatlast,camesuddenly.Thesentryatthefartherendofthegallerystartedandfellbackapace.Instantlythedoorbesidehimopenedandamancamein,andclosingitquicklybehindhim,advanceduptheroomwithanairofdignity,whichevenhisstrangeappearanceandattirecouldnotwhollydestroy.

Hewasofgoodstatureandbearing,aboutfortyyearsoldasI

judged,hiswearadressofvioletvelvetwithblackpointscutintheextremeofthefashion.Hecarriedaswordbutnoruff,andhadacupandballofivory——astrangetoymuchinvogueamongtheidle——suspendedfromhiswristbyaribbon.Hewasleanandsomewhatnarrow,butsofarIfoundlittlefaultwithhim.Itwasonlywhenmyeyereachedhisface,andsawitrougedlikeawoman\'sandsurmountedbyalittleturban,thatafeelingofscarcelyunderstooddisgustseizedme,andIsaidtomyself,\'Thisisthestuffofwhichkings\'minionsaremade!\'

Tomysurprise,however,M.deRambouilletwenttomeethimwiththeutmostrespect,sweepingthedirtyfloorwithhisbonnet,andbowingtotheveryground.Thenewcomeracknowledgedhissalutewithnegligentkindness.Remarkingpleasantly\'Youhavebroughtafriend,Ithink?\'helookedtowardsuswithasmile.

\'Yes,sire,heishere,\'themarquisanswered,steppingasidealittle.AndwiththewordIunderstoodthatthiswasnominion,butthekinghimself:Henry,theThirdofthename,andthelastofthegreatHouseofValois,whichhadruledFrancebythegraceofGodfortwocenturiesandahalf!Istaredathim,andstaredathim,scarcelybelievingwhatIsaw.ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwasinthepresenceoftheking!

MeanwhileM.deRosny,towhomhewas,ofcourse,nomarvel,hadgoneforwardandkneltononeknee.Thekingraisedhimgraciously,andwithanactionwhich,viewedapartfromhiswoman\'sfaceandsillyturban,seemedroyalandfitting.\'Thisisgoodofyou,Rosny,\'hesaid.\'ButitisonlywhatIexpectedofyou.\'

\'Sire,\'mycompanionanswered,\'yourMajestyhasnomoredevotedservantthanmyself,unlessitbethekingmymaster.\'

\'Bymyfaith,\'Henryansweredwithenergy——\'andifIamnotagoodchurchman,whateverthoserascallyParisianssay,Iamnothing——bymyfaith,IthinkIbelieveyou!\'

\'IfyourMajestywouldbelievemeinthatandinsomeotherthingsalso,\'M.deRosnyanswered,\'itwouldbeverywellforFrance.\'Thoughhespokecourteously,hethrewsomuchweightandindependenceintohiswordsthatIthoughtoftheoldproverb,\'Agoodmaster,aboldservant.\'

\'Well,thatiswhatweareheretosee,\'thekingreplied.\'Butonetellsmeonething,\'hewentonfretfully,\'andoneanother,andwhichamItobelieve?\'

\'Iknownothingofothers,sire,\'Rosnyansweredwiththesamespirit.\'Butmymasterhaseveryclaimtobebelieved.HisinterestintheroyaltyofFranceissecondonlytoyourMajesty\'s.Heisalsoakingandakinsman,anditerkshimtoseerebelsbeardyou,ashashappenedoflate.\'

\'Ay,butthechiefofthem?\'Henryexclaimed,givingwaytosuddenexcitementandstampingfuriouslyonthefloor.\'Hewilltroublemenomore.HasmybrotherheardofTHAT?Tellme,sir,hasthatnewsreachedhim?\'

\'Hehasheardit,sire.\'

\'Andheapproved?Heapproved,ofcourse?\'

\'Beyonddoubtthemanwasatraitor,\'M.deRosnyanswereddelicately.\'Hislifewasforfeit,sire.Whocanquestionit?\'

\'Andhehaspaidtheforfeit,\'thekingrejoined,lookingdownatthefloorandimmediatelyfallingintoamoodinessassuddenashisexcitement.Hislipsmoved.Hemutteredsomethinginaudible,andbegantoplayabsentlywithhiscupandball,hismindoccupiedapparentlywithagloomyretrospect.\'M.deGuise,M.deGuise,\'hemurmuredatlast,withasneerandanaccentofhatewhichtoldofoldhumiliationslongremembered.\'Well,damnhim,heisdeadnow.Heisdead.Butbeingdeadheyettroublesus.Isnotthattheverse,father?Ha!\'withastart,\'Iwasforgetting.Butthatistheworstwronghehasdoneme,\'hecontinued,lookingupandgrowingexcitedagain.\'HehascutmeofffromMotherChurch.Thereishardlyapriestcomesnearmenow,andpresentlytheywillexcommunicateme.And,asIhopeforsalvation,theChurchhasnomorefaithfulsonthanme.\'

Ibelievehewasonthepoint,forgettingM.deRosny\'spresencethereandhiserrand,ofgivingwaytounmanlytears,whenM.deRambouillet,asifbyaccident,lettheheelofhisscabbardfallheavilyonthefloor.Thekingstarted,andpassinghishandonceortwiceacrosshisbrow,seemedtorecoverhimself.

\'Well,\'hesaid,\'nodoubtweshallfindawayoutofourdifficulties.\'

\'IfyourMajesty,\'Rosnyansweredrespectfully,\'wouldaccepttheaidmymasterproffers,Iventuretothinkthattheywouldvanishthequicker.\'

\'Youthinkso,\'Henryrejoined.\'Well,givemeyourshoulder.

Letuswalkalittle.\'And,signingtoRambouillettoleavehim,hebegantowalkupanddownwithM.deRosny,talkingfamiliarlywithhiminanundertone.

Onlysuchscrapsoftheconversationasfellfromthemwhentheyturnedatmyendofthegallerynowreachedme.Patchingthesetogether,however,Imanagedtounderstandsomewhat.AtoneturnIheardthekingsay,\'ButthenTurenneoffers——\'Atthenext,\'Trusthim?Well,IdonotknowwhyIshouldnot.Hepromises——\'Then\'ARepublic,Rosny?Thathisplan?Pooh!hedarenot.

Hecouldnot.FranceisakingdombytheordinanceofGodinmyfamily.\'

Igatheredfromtheseandotherchancewords,whichIhavesinceforgotten,thatM.deRosnywaspressingthekingtoacceptthehelpoftheKingofNavarre,andwarninghimagainsttheinsidiousoffersoftheVicomtedeTurenne.ThementionofaRepublic,however,seemedtoexcitehisMajesty\'swrathratheragainstRosnyforpresumingtorefertosuchathingthanagainstTurenne,towhomherefusedtocreditit.Hepausednearmyendofthepromenade.

\'Proveit!\'hesaidangrily.\'Butcanyouproveit?Canyouproveit?Mindyou,Iwilltakenohearsayevidence,sir.Now,thereisTurenne\'sagenthere——youdidnotknow,Idaresay,thathehadanagenthere?\'

\'Yourefer,sire,toM.deBruhl,\'Rosnyanswered,withouthesitation.\'Iknowhim,sire.\'

\'Ithinkyouarethedevil,\'Henryanswered,lookingcuriouslyathim.\'Youseemtoknowmostthings.Butmindyou,myfriend,hespeaksmefairly,andIwillnottakethisonhearsayevenfromyourmaster.Though,\'headdedafterpausingamoment,\'Ilovehim.\'

\'Andhe,yourMajesty.Hedesiresonlytoproveit.\'