第11章

\'Yes,Iknow,Iknow,\'thekingansweredfretfully.\'Ibelieveshedoes.Ibelievehedoeswishmewell.Buttherewillbeadevilofanoutcryamongmypeople.AndTurennegivesfairwordstoo.AndIdonotknow,\'hecontinued,fidgetingwithhiscupandball,\'thatitmightnotsuitmebettertoagreewithhim,yousee.\'

IsawM.deRosnydrawhimselfup.\'DareIspeakopenlytoyou,sire,\'hesaid,withlessrespectandmoreenergythanhehadhithertoused.\'AsIshouldtomymaster?\'

\'Ay,saywhatyoulike,\'Henryanswered.Buthespokesullenly,anditseemedtomethathelookedlesspleasantlyathiscompanion.

\'ThenIwillventuretoutterwhatisinyourMajesty\'smind,\'mypatronansweredsteadfastly.\'Youfear,sire,lest,havingacceptedmymaster\'sofferandconqueredyourenemies,youshouldnotbeeasilyridofhim.\'

Henrylookedrelieved.\'Doyoucallthatdiplomacy?\'hesaidwithasmile.\'However,whatifitbeso?Whatdoyousaytoit?MethinksIhaveheardanidletaleaboutahorsewhichwouldhuntastag;andforthepurposesetamanuponitsback.\'

\'ThisIsay,sire,first,\'Rosnyansweredveryearnestly.\'ThattheKingofNavarreispopularonlywithone-thirdofthekingdom,andisonlypowerfulwhenunitedwithyou.Secondly,sire,itishisinteresttosupporttheroyalpower,towhichheisheir.And,thirdly,itmustbemoretoyourMajesty\'shonourtoaccepthelpfromanearkinsmanthanfromanordinarysubject,andonewho,Istillmaintain,sire,hasnogooddesignsinhismind.\'

\'Theproof\'Henrysaidsharply.\'Givemethat!\'

\'Icangiveitinaweekfromthisday.\'

\'Itmustbenoidletale,mindyou,\'thekingcontinuedsuspiciously.

\'YoushallhaveTurenne\'sdesigns,sire,fromonewhohadthemfromhisownmouth.\'

Thekinglookedstartled,butafterapauseturnedandresumedhiswalk.\'Well,\'hesaid,\'ifyoudothat,Ionmypart——\'

TherestIlost,forthetwopassingtothefartherendofthegallery,cametoastandstillthere,balkingmycuriosityandRambouillet\'salso.Themarquis,indeed,begantobetrayhisimpatience,andthegreatclockimmediatelyoverourheadspresentlystrikingthehalf-hourafterten,hestartedandmadeasifhewouldhaveapproachedtheking.Hecheckedtheimpulse,however,butstillcontinuedtofidgetuneasily,losinghisreserveby-and-bysofarastowhispertomethathisMajestywouldbemissed.

Ihadbeen,uptothispoint,asilentandinactivespectatorofascenewhichappealedtomykeenestinterestsandarousedmymostardentcuriosity.Surprisefollowingsurprise,Ihadbeguntodoubtmyownidentity;solittlehadIexpectedtofindmyselffirstinthepresenceoftheMostChristianKing——andthatundercircumstancesasstrangeandbizarreascouldwellbeimagined——

andthenanauthorisedwitnessatanegotiationuponwhichthefutureofallthegreatlandofFrancestretchingforsomanyhundredleaguesoneverysideofus,depended.IsayIcouldscarcelybelieveinmyownidentity;orthatIwasthesameGastondeMarsacwhohadslunk,shabbyandout-at-elbows,aboutSt.Jeand\'Angely.Itastedthefirstsweetnessofsecretpower,whichmensayisthesweetestofallandthelastrelinquished;and,thehumofdistantvoicesandlaughterstillreachingmeatintervals,Ibegantounderstandwhywehadbeenadmittedwith,somuchprecaution,andtocomprehendthegratificationofM.deRosnywhenthepromiseofthisinterviewfirstpresentedtohimthehopeofeffectingsomuchforhismasterandforFrance.

NowIwastobedrawnintothewhirlpoolitself.Iwasstilltravellingbackoverthedifferentstagesoftheadventurewhichhadbroughtmetothispoint,whenIwasrudelyawakenedbyM.deRosnycallingmynameinaraisedvoice.Seeing,somewhatlate,thathewasbeckoningtometoapproach,Iwentforwardinaconfusedandhastyfashion;kneelingbeforethekingasIhadseenhimkneel,andthenrisingtogiveeartohisMajesty\'scommands.Albeit,havingexpectednothinglessthantobecalledupon,Iwasnotintheclearestmoodtoreceivethem.NorwasmybearingsuchasIcouldhavewishedittobe.

M.deRosnytellsmethatyoudesireacommissionatCourt,sir,\'

thekingsaidquickly.

\'I,sire?\'Istammered,scarcelyabletobelievemyears.IwassocompletelytakenabackthatIcouldsaynomore,andIstoppedtherewithmymouthopen.

\'TherearefewthingsIcandenyM.deRosny,\'Henrycontinued,speakingveryrapidly,\'andIamtoldthatyouareagentlemanofbirthandability.Outofkindnesstohim,therefore,Igrantyouacommissiontoraisetwentymenformyservice.

Rambouillet,\'hecontinued,raisinghisvoiceslightly,\'youwillintroducethisgentlemantomepubliclyto-morrow,that;Imaycarryintoeffectmyintentiononhisbehalf.Youmaygonow,sir.Nothanks.AndM.deRosny,\'headded,turningtomycompanionandspeakingwithenergy,\'haveacareformysakethatyouarenotrecognisedasyougo.Rambouilletmustcontrivesomethingtoenableyoutoleavewithoutperil.Ishouldbedesolatedifanythinghappenedtoyou,myfriend,forIcouldnotprotectyou.IgiveyoumywordifMendozaorRetzfoundyouinBloisIcouldnotsaveyoufromthemunlessyourecanted.\'

\'IwillnottroubleeitheryourMajestyormyconscience,\'M.deRosnyreplied,bowinglow,\'ifmywitscanhelpme.\'

\'Well,thesaintskeepyou,\'thekingansweredpiously,goingtowardsthedoorbywhichhehadentered;\'foryourmasterandI

havebothneedofyou.Rambouillet,takecareofhimasyouloveme.Andcomeearlyinthemorningtomyclosetandtellmehowithasfaredwithhim.\'

Weallstoodbowingwhilehewithdrew,andonlyturnedtoretirewhenthedoorclosedbehindhim.BurningwithindignationandchagrinasIwasatfindingmyselfdisposedofinthewayIhavedescribed,andpitchforked,whetherIwouldorno,intoaserviceIneitherfanciednordesired,Istillmanagedforthepresenttorestrainmyself;and,permittingmycompanionstoprecedeme,followedinsilence,listeningsullenlytotheirjubilations.

ThemarquisseemedscarcelylesspleasedthanM.deRosny;andasthelatterevincedastrongdesiretolessenanyjealousytheformermightfeel,andagenerousinclinationtoattributetohimafullshareofthecreditgained,Iremainedtheonlypersondissatisfiedwiththeevening\'sevents.Weretiredfromthechateauwiththesameprecautionswhichhadmarkedourentrance,andpartingwithM.deRambouilletatthedoorofourlodging——

notwithoutmanyprotestationsofesteemonhispartandofgratitudeonthatofM.deRosny——mountedtothefirst-floorinsinglefileandinsilence,whichIwasdeterminednottobethefirsttobreak.

DoubtlessM.deRosnyknewmythoughts,for,speedilydismissingMaignanandSimon,whowereinwaiting,heturnedtomewithoutpreface.\'Come,myfriend,\'hesaid,layinghishandonmyshoulderandlookingmeinthefaceinawaywhichallbutdisarmedmeatonce,\'donotletusmisunderstandoneanother.

Youthinkyouhavecausetobeangrywithme.Icannotsufferthat,fortheKingofNavarrehadnevergreaterneedofyourservicesthannow.\'

\'Youhaveplayedmeanunworthytrick,sir,\'Ianswered,thinkinghewouldcozenmewithfairspeeches.

\'Tut,tut!\'hereplied.\'Youdonotunderstand.\'

\'Iunderstandwellenough,\'Ianswered,withbitterness,\'that,havingdonetheKingofNavarre\'swork,hewouldnowberidofme.\'

\'HaveInottoldyou,\'M.deRosnyreplied,betrayingforthefirsttimesomeirritation,\'thathehasgreaterneedofyourservicesthanever?Come,man,bereasonable,or,betterstill,listentome.\'Andturningfromme,hebegantowalkupanddowntheroom,hishandsbehindhim."theKingofFrance——Iwanttomakeitascleartoyouaspossible——\'hesaid,\'cannotmakeheadagainsttheLeaguewithouthelp,and,willy-nilly,mustlookforittotheHuguenotswhomhehassolongpersecuted.TheKingofNavarre,theiracknowledgedleader,hasofferedthathelp;andso,tospitemymaster,andpreventacombinationsohappyforFrance,hasM.deTurenne,whowouldfainraisethefactionhecommandstoeminence,andknowswellhowtomakehisprofitoutofthedissensionsofhiscountry.Areyouclearsofar,sir?\'

Iassented.Iwasbecomingabsorbedinspiteofmyself.

\'Verywell,\'heresumed.\'Thisevening——neverdidanythingfalloutmorehappilythanRambouillet\'smeetingwithme——heisagoodman!——Ihavebroughtthekingtothis:thatifproofoftheselfishnatureofTurenne\'sdesignsbelaidbeforehimhewillhesitatenolonger.Thatproofexists.Afortnightagoitwashere;butitisnotherenow.\'

\'Thatisunlucky!\'Iexclaimed.Iwassomuchinterestedinhisstory,aswellasflatteredbytheconfidencehewasplacinginme,thatmyill-humourvanished.Iwentandstoodwithmyshoulderagainstthemantelpiece,andhe,passingtoandfrobetweenmeandthelight,continuedhistale.

\'Awordaboutthisproof,\'hesaid.\'ItcameintotheKingofNavarre\'shandsbeforeitsfullvaluewasknowntous,forthatonlyaccruedtoitonM.deGuise\'sdeath.Amonthagoit——thispieceofevidenceImean——wasatChize.AfortnightorsoagoitwashereinBlois.Itisnow,\'M.deMarsac,\'hecontinued,facingmesuddenlyashecameoppositeme,\'inmyhouseatRosny.\'

Istarted.\'YoumeanMademoiselledelaVire?\'Icried.

\'ImeanMademoiselledelaVire!\'heanswered,\'who,somemonthortwoago,overheardM.deTurenne\'splans,andcontrivedtocommunicatewiththeKingofNavarre.Beforethelattercouldarrangeaprivateinterview,however,M.deTurennegotwindofherdangerousknowledge,andsweptherofftoChize.Therestyouknow,M.deMarsac,ifanymanknowsit.\'

\'Butwhatwillyoudo?\'Iasked.\'SheisatRosny.\'

\'Maignan,whomItrustimplicitly,asfarashislightsgo,willstarttofetchherto-morrow.AtthesamehourIstartsouthwards.You,M.deMarsac,willremainhereasmyagent,towatchovermyinterests,toreceiveMademoiselleonherarrival,tosecureforherasecretinterviewwiththeking,toguardherwhilesheremainshere.Doyouunderstand?\'

DidIunderstand?Icouldnotfindwordsinwhichtothankhim.

Myremorseandgratitude,mysenseofthewrongIhaddonehim,andofthehonourhewasdoingme,weresuchthatIstoodmutebeforehimasIhadstoodbeforetheking.\'Youaccept,then?\'

hesaid,smiling.\'Youdonotdeemtheadventurebeneathyou,myfriend?\'

\'Ideserveyourconfidencesolittle,sir,\'Ianswered,strickentotheground,\'thatIbegyoutospeak,whileIlisten.ByattendingexactlytoyourinstructionsImayproveworthyofthetrustreposedinme.Andonlyso.\'

Heembracedmeagainandagain,witha,kindnesswhichmovedmealmosttotears.\'Youareamanaftermyownheart,\'hesaid,\'andifGodwillsIwillmakeyourfortune.Nowlisten,myfriend.To-morrowatCourt,asastrangerandamanintroducedbyRambouillet,youwillbethecynosureofalleyes.Bearyourselfbravely.Paycourttothewomen,butattachyourselftonooneinparticular.KeepalooffromRetzandtheSpanishfaction,butbewareespeciallyofBruhl.Healonewillhaveyoursecret,andmaysuspectyourdesign.Mademoiselleshouldbehereinaweek;whilesheiswithyou,anduntilshehasseentheking,trustnoone,suspecteveryone,fearallthings.Considerthebattlewononlywhenthekingsays,"Iamsatisfied."\'

Muchmorehetoldme,whichserveditspurposeandhasbeenforgotten.Finallyhehonouredmebybiddingmesharehispalletwithhim,thatwemighttalkwithoutrestraint,andthatifanythingoccurredtohiminthenighthemightcommunicateittome.

\'ButwillnotBruhldenouncemeasaHuguenot?\'Iaskedhim.

\'Hewillnotdaretodoso,\'M.deRosnyanswered,\'bothasaHuguenothimself,andashismaster\'srepresentative;and,further,becauseitwoulddispleasetheking.No,butwhateversecretharmonemancandoanother,thatyouhavetofear.

Maignan,whenhereturnswithmademoiselle,willleavetwomenwithyou;untiltheycomeIshouldborrowacoupleofstoutfellowsfromRambouillet.Donotgooutaloneafterdark,andbewareofdoorways,especiallyyourown.\'

Alittlelater,whenIthoughthimasleep,Iheardhimchuckle;

andrisingonmyelbowIaskedhimwhatitwas.\'Oh,itisyouraffair,\'heanswered,stilllaughingsilently,sothatIfeltthemattressshakeunderhim.\'Idon\'tenvyyouonepartofyourtask,myfriend.\'

\'Whatisthat?\'Isaidsuspiciously.

\'Mademoiselle,\'heanswered,stiflingwithdifficultyaburstoflaughter.Andafterthathewouldnotsayanotherword,bad,good,orindifferent,thoughIfeltthebedshakemorethanonce,andknewthathewasdigestinghispleasantry.

CHAPTERXVI.

INTHEKING\'SCHAMBER.

M.deRosnyhadrisenfrommysideandstartedonhisjourneywhenIopenedmyeyesinthemorning,andawoketothememoryofthetaskwhichhadbeensostrangelyimposeduponme;andwhichmight,accordingastheeventsofthenextfortnightshapedthemselves,raisemetohighpositionorputanendtomycareer.

Hehadnotforgottentoleaveasouvenirbehindhim,forIfoundbesidemypillowahandsomesilver-mountedpistol,bearingtheletter\'R.\'andacoronet;norhadImorethandiscoveredthisinstanceofhiskindnessbeforeSimonFleixcameintotellmethatM.deRosnyhadlefttwohundredcrownsinhishandsforme.

\'Anymessagewithit?\'Iaskedthelad.

\'Onlythat;hehadtakenakeepsakeinexchange,\'Simonanswered,openingthewindowashespoke.

InsomewonderIbegantosearch,butIcouldnotdiscoverthatanythingwasmissinguntilIcametoputonmydoublet,whenI

foundthattheknotofribbonwhichmademoisellehadflungtomeatmydeparturefromRosnywasgonefromtheinsideofthebreast,whereIhadpinneditforsafetywithalongthorn.ThediscoverythatM.deRosnyhadtakenthiswasdispleasingtomeonmorethanoneaccount.Inthefirstplace,whethermademoisellehadmerelywishedtoplagueme(aswasmostprobable)ornot,Iwaslothtoloseit,mydayforladies\'

favoursbeingpastandgone;inthesecond,Imisdoubtedthemotivewhichhadledhimtopurloinit,andtormentedmyselfwiththinkingofthedifferentconstructionshemightputuponit,andthedisparagingviewofmytrustworthinesswhichitmightleadhimtotake.Iblamedmyselfmuchformycarelessnessinleavingitwhereachanceeyemightrestuponit;andmorewhen,questioningSimonfurther,IlearnedthatM.deRosnyhadadded,whilemountingatthedoor,\'Tellyourmaster,safebind,safefind;andacarelesslovermakesaloosemistress.\'

IfeltmycheekburninamannerunbecomingmyyearswhileSimonwithsometouchofmalicerepeatedthis;andImadeavowonthespot,whichIkeptuntilIwastemptedtobreakit,tohavenomoretodowithsuchtrifles.Meanwhile,Ihadtomakethebestofit;andbriskingup,andbiddingSimon,whoseemeddepressedbythebaron\'sdeparture,briskupalso,IsetaboutmypreparationsformakingsuchafigureatCourtasbecameme:

procuringablackvelvetsuit,andacapandfeathertomatch;

item,ajewelledclasptosecurethefeather;withayardortwooflaceandtwochangesoffinelinen.

SimonhadgrownsleekatRosny,andlosingsomethingofthewildnesswhichhadmarkedhim,presentedinthedressM.deRosnyhadgivenhimaverycreditableappearance;beingalso,Ifancy,theonlyequerryinBloiswhocouldwrite.AgroomIengagedontherecommendationofM.deRambouillet\'smasterofthehorse;

andIgaveoutalsothatIrequiredacoupleofvalets.Itneededonlyanhourunderthebarber\'shandsandasetofnewtrappingsfortheCidtoenablemetomakeafairshow,suchasmightbetakentoindicateamanoftenortwelvethousandlivresayear.

InthiswayIexpendedahundredandfifteencrowns.reflectingthatthiswasalargesum,andthatImustkeepsomemoneyforplay,Iwasgladtolearnthatinthecrowdedstateofthecityevenmenwithhighrankwereputtingupwithpoorlodging;I

determined,therefore,tocombineeconomywithaschemewhichI

hadinmyheadbytakingtheroomsinwhichmymotherdied,withoneroombelowthem.ThisIdid,hiringsuchfurnitureasI

needed,whichwasnotagreatdeal.ToSimonFleix,whoseassistanceinthesematterswasinvaluable,IpassedonmuchofM.deRosny\'sadvice,biddinghimruffleitwiththebestinhisstation,andincitinghimtolabourformyadvancementbypromisingtomakehisfortunewhenevermyownshouldbeassured.

Ihoped,indeed,toderivenolittleadvantagefromthequicknessofwit;whichhadattractedM.deRosny\'sattention;althoughI

didnotfailtotakeintoaccountatthesametimethattheladwaswaywardandfitful,proneatonetimetodepression,andatanothertogiddiness,andequallyuncertainineithermood.

M.deRambouilletbeingunabletoattendtheLEVEE,hadappointedmetowaituponhimatsixintheevening;atwhichhourI

presentedmyselfathislodgings,attendedbySimonFleix.I

foundhiminthemidstofhalfadozengentlemenwhosehabititwastoattendhimuponallpublicoccasions;andthesegallants,greetingmewiththesamecuriousandsuspiciousglanceswhichI

haveseenhoundsbestowonastrangedogintroducedintotheirkennel,IwasspeedilymadetofeelthatitisonethingtohavebusinessatCourt,andanothertobewellreceivedthere.

M.deRambouillet,somewhattomysurprise,didnothingtoremovethisimpression.Onallordinaryoccasionsamanofstiffandhaughtybearing,andthoroughlydisliking,thoughhecouldnotprevent,theintrusionofathirdpartyintoatransactionwhichpromisedaninfinityofcredit,hereceivedmesocoldlyandwithsomuchreserveasforthemomenttodashmyspiritsandthrowmebackonmyself.

Duringthejourneytothecastle,however,whichweperformedonfoot,attendedbyhalfadozenarmedservantsbearingtorches,I

hadtimetorecallM.deRosny\'sadvice,andtobethinkmeoftheintimacywhichthatgreatmanhadpermittedme;withsomucheffectinthewayofhearteningme,thataswecrossedthecourtyardofthecastleIadvancedmyself,notwithoutsomemurmuringonthepartofothers,toRambouillet\'selbow,consideringthatasIwasattachedtohimbytheking\'scommand,thiswasmyproperplace.Ihadnodesiretoquarrel,however,andpersistedforsometimeindisregardingthenudgesandmutteredwordswhichwereexchangedroundme,andeventheeffortswhichweremadeaswemountedthestairstooustmefrommyposition.Butayounggentleman,whoshowedhimselfveryforwardintheseattempts,presentlystumblingagainstme,I

founditnecessarytolookathim.

\'Sir,\'hesaid,inasmallandlispingvoice,\'youtrodonmytoe.\'

ThoughIhadnotdoneso,Ibeggedhispardonverypolitely.Butashisonlyacknowledgmentofthiscourtesyconsistedinanattempttogethiskneeinfrontofmine——weweremountingveryslowly,thestairsbeingcumberedwithamultitudeofservants,whostoodoneitherhand——Ididtreadonhistoe,withaforceanddirectnesswhichmadehimcryout.

\'Whatisthematter?\'Rambouilletasked,lookingbackhastily.

\'Nothing,M.leMarquis,\'Ianswered,pressingonsteadfastly.

\'Sir,\'myyoungfriendsaidagain,inthesamelispingvoice,\'youtrodonmytoe.\'

\'IbelieveIdid,sir,\'Ianswered.

\'Youhavenotyetapologised,\'hemurmuredgentlyinmyear.

\'Nay,thereyouarewrong,\'Irejoinedbluntly,\'foritisalwaysmyhabittoapologisefirstandtreadafterwards.\'

Hesmiledasatapleasantjoke;andIamboundtosaythathisbearingwassoadmirablethatifhehadbeenmysonIcouldhavehuggedhim.\'Good!\'heanswered.\'Nodoubtyourswordisassharpasyourwits,sir.Isee,\'hecontinued,glancingnaivelyatmyoldscabbard——hewashimselftheverygemofacourtier,aslenderyouthwithapink-and-whitecomplexion,adarklineforamoustache,andapearl-dropinhisear——\'itislongingtobeout.

Perhapsyouwilltakeaturninthetennis-courtto-morrow?\'

\'Withpleasure,sir,\'Ianswered,\'ifyouhaveafather,oryourelderbrotherisgrownup.\'

WhatanswerhewouldhavemadetothisgibeIdonotknow,foratthatmomentwereachedthedooroftheante-chamber;andthisbeingnarrow,andasentryinthegreyuniformoftheSwissGuardcompellingalltoenterinsinglefile,myyoungfriendwasforcedtofallback,leavingmefreetoenteralone,andadmireatmyleisureasceneatoncebrilliantandsombre.

TheCourtbeinginmourningfortheQueen-mother,blackpredominatedinthedressesofthosepresent,andsetoffveryfinelythegleamingjewelsandgemmedsword-hiltswhichwerewornbythemoreimportantpersonages.Theroomwasspaciousandlofty,hungwitharras,andlitbycandlesburninginsilversconces;itrangasweenteredwiththeshrillscreamingofaparrot,whichwasbeingteasedbyagroupoccupyingthefartherofthetwohearths.Nearthemplaywasgoingonatonetable,andprimeroatasecond.Inacornerwerethreeorfourladies,inacircleaboutared-faced,plebeian-lookingman,whowasplayingatforfeitswithoneoftheirnumber;whilethemiddleoftheroomseemeddominatedbyamiddle-sizedmanwithapeculiarlyinflamedandpassionatecountenance,who,seatedonatable,wasinveighingagainstsomeoneorsomethinginthemostviolentterms,hislanguagebeinginterlardedwithallkindsofstrangeandforcibleoaths.Twoorthreegentlemen,whohadtheairofbeinghisfollowers,stoodabouthim,listeningbetweensubmissionandembarrassment;whilebesidethenearerfireplace,butatsomedistancefromhim,loungedanobleman,veryrichlydressed,andwearingonhisbreasttheCrossoftheHolyGhost;

whoseemedtobetheobjectofhisinvective,butaffectingtoignoreitwasengagedinconversationwithacompanion.A

bystandermutteringthatCrillonhadbeendrinking,Idiscoveredwithimmensesurprisethatthedeclaimeronthetablewasthatfamoussoldier;andIwasstilllookingathiminwonder——forI

hadbeenaccustomedallmylifetoassociatecouragewithmodesty——when,thedoorofthechambersuddenlyopening,ageneralmovementinthatdirectiontookplace.Crillon,disregardingallprecedency,sprangfromhistableandhurriedfirsttothethreshold.TheBarondeBiron,ontheotherhand——

forthegentlemanbythefirewasnoother——waited,inapparentignoranceoftheslightwhichwasbeingputuponhim,untilM.deRambouilletcameup;thenhewentforwardwithhim.Keepingclosetomypatron\'selbow,Ienteredthechamberimmediatelybehindhim.

Crillonhadalreadyseizedupontheking,and,whenweentered,wasstatinghisgrievanceisavoicenotmuchlowerthanthatwhichhehadusedoutside.M.deBiron,seeingthis,partedfromthemarquis,and,goingasidewithhisformercompanion,satdownonatrunkagainstthewall;whileRambouillet,followedbymyselfandthreeorfourgentlemenofhistrain,advancedtotheking,whowasstandingnearthealcove.HisMajestyseeinghim,andthankful,Ithink,fortheexcuse,wavedCrillonoff.\'Tut,tut!Youtoldmeallthatthismorning,\'hesaidgood-naturedly.

\'AndhereisRambouillet,whohas,Ihope,somethingfreshtotell.Lethimspeaktome.Sanctus!Don\'tlookatmeasifyouwouldrunmethrough,man.Goandquarrelwithsomeoneofyourownsize.\'

Crillonatthisretiredgrumbling,andHenry,whohadjustrisenfromprimerowiththeDukeofNevers,noddedtoRambouillet.

\'Well,myfriend,anythingfresh?\'hecried.Hewasmoreathiseaseandlookedmorecheerfulthanatourformerinterview;yetstillcareandsuspicionlurkedabouthispeevishmouth,andinthehollowsunderhisgloomyeyes.\'Anewguest,anewface,oranewgame——whichhaveyoubrought?\'

\'Inasense,sire,anewface,\'themarquisanswered,bowing,andstandingsomewhatasidethatImighthaveplace.

\'Well,Icannotsaymuchfortheprettybaggage,\'quoththekingquickly.Andamidageneraltitterheextendedhishandtome.

\'I\'llbesworn,though,\'hecontinued,asIrosefrommyknee,\'thatyouwantsomething,myfriend?\'

\'Nay,sire,\'Ianswered,holdingupmyheadboldly——forCrillon\'sbehaviourhadbeenafurtherlessontome——\'Ihave,byyourleave,theadvantage.ForyourMajestyhassuppliedmewithanewjest.Iseemanynewfacesroundme,andIhaveneedonlyofanewgame.IfyourMajestywouldbepleasedtograntme——\'

\'There!SaidInotso?\'criedtheking,raisinghishandwithalaugh.\'Hedoeswantsomething.Butheseemsnotundeserving.

Whatdoeshepray,Rambouillet?\'

\'Asmallcommand,\'M.deRambouilletanswered,readilyplayinghispart.\'AndyourMajestywouldobligemeifyoucouldgranttheSieurdeMarsac\'spetition.Iwillanswerforitheisamanofexperience.\'

\'Chut!Asmallcommand?\'Henryejaculated,sittingdownsuddenlyinapparentill-humour.\'Itiswhateveryonewants——

whentheydonotwantbigones.Still,Isuppose,\'hecontinued,takingupacomfit-box,whichlaybesidehim,andopeningit,\'ifyoudonotgetwhatyouwantforhimyouwillsulkliketherest,myfriend.\'

\'YourMajestyhasneverhadcausetocomplainofme,\'quoththeMarquis,forgettinghisrole,ortooproudtoplayit.

\'Tut,tut,tut,tut!Takeit,andtroublemenomore,\'thekingrejoined.\'Willpayfortwentymendoforhim?Verywellthen.

There,M.deMarsac,\'hecontinued,noddingatmeandyawning,\'yourrequestisgranted.Youwillfindsomeotherprettybaggagesoverthere.Gotothem.Andnow,Rambouillet,\'hewenton,resuminghisspiritsasheturnedtomattersofmoreimportance,\'hereisanewsweetmeatZamethassentme.IhavemadeZizisickwithit.Willyoutryit?Itisflavouredwithwhitemulberries.\'

Thusdismissed,Ifellback;andstoodforamoment,atalosswhithertoturn,intheabsenceofeitherfriendsoracquaintances.HisMajesty,itistrue,hadbiddenmegotocertainprettybaggages,meaning,apparently,fiveladieswhowereseatedatthefartherendoftheroom,divertingthemselveswithasmanycavaliers;butthecompactnessofthisparty,thebeautyoftheladies,andthemerrypealsoflaughterwhichproceededfromthem,tellingofawitandvivacitybeyondtheordinary,sappedtheresolutionwhichhadbornemewellhitherto.

Ifeltthattoattacksuchaphalanx,evenwithaking\'sgoodwill,wasbeyondthedaringofaCrillon,andIlookedroundtoseewhetherIcouldnotamusemyselfinsomemoremodestfashion.

Thematerialwasnotlacking.Crillon,stillmouthingouthisanger,strodeupanddowninfrontofthetrunkonwhichM.deBironwasseated;butthelatterwas,oraffectedtobe,asleep.

\'Crillonisforevergoingintoragesnow,\'acourtierbesidemewhispered.

\'Yes,\'hisfellowanswered,withashrugoftheshoulder;\'itisapitythereisnoonetotamehim.Buthehassuchalongreach,morbleu!\'

\'Itisnotthatsomuchasthefellow\'sfury,\'thefirstspeakerrejoinedunderhisbreath.\'Hefightslikeamadthing;fencingisnouseagainsthim.\'

Theothernodded.ForamomentthewildideaofwinningrenownbytamingM.deCrillonoccurredtomeasIstoodaloneinthemiddleofthefloor;butithadnotmorethanpassedthroughmybrainwhenIfeltmyelbowtouched,andturnedtofindtheyounggentlemanwhomIhadencounteredonthestairsstandingbymyside.

\'Sir,\'helisped,inthesamesmallvoice,\'Ithinkyoutrodonmytoeawhileago?\'

Istaredathim,wonderingwhathemeantbythisabsurdrepetition.\'Well,sir,\'Ianswereddrily,\'andifIdid?\'

\'Perhaps,\'hesaid,strokinghischinwithhisjewelledfingers,\'pendingourmeetingto-morrow,youwouldallowmetoconsideritasakindofintroduction?\'

\'Ifitpleaseyou,\'Ianswered,bowingstiffly,andwonderingwhathewouldbeat.

\'Thankyou,\'heanswered.\'Itdoespleaseme,underthecircumstances;forthereisaladyherewhodesiresawordwithyou.Itookupherchallenge.Willyoufollowme?\'

Hebowed,andturnedinhislanguidfashion.I,turningtoo,saw,withsecretdismay,thatthefiveladies,referredtoabove,wereallnowgazingatme,asexpectingmyapproach;andthiswithsuchsportiveglancesastoldonlytoocertainlyofsomeplotalreadyinprogressorsometricktobepresentlyplayedme.

YetIcouldnotseethatIhadanychoicesavetoobey,and,followingmyleaderwithasmuchdignityasIcouldcompass,I

presentlyfoundmyselfbowingbeforetheladywhosatnearest,andwhoseemedtobetheleaderofthesenymphs.

\'Nay,sir,\'shesaid,eyeingmecuriously,yetwithamerryface,\'Idonotneedyou;Idonotlooksohigh!\'

Turninginconfusiontothenext,IwassurprisedtoseebeforemetheladywhoselodgingIhadinvadedinmysearchforMademoiselledelaVire——she,Imean,who,havingpickedupthevelvet;knot,haddroppeditsoprovidentiallywhereSimonFleixfoundit.Shelookedatmeblushingandlaughing,andtheyounggentleman,whohaddonehererrand,presentingmebyname,sheaskedme,whiletheotherslistened,whetherIhadfoundmymistress.

BeforeIcouldanswer,theladytowhomIhadfirstaddressedmyselfinterposed.\'Stop,sir!\'shecried.Whatisthis——atale,ajest,agame,oraforfeit?\'

\'Anadventure,madam,\'Ianswered,bowinglow.

\'Ofgallantry,I\'llbebound,\'sheexclaimed.\'Fie,MadamedeBruhl,andyoubutsixmonthsmarried!\'

MadamedeBruhlprotested,laughing,thatshehadnomoretodowithitthanMercury.\'Attheworst,\'shesaid,\'IcarriedthePOULETS!ButIcanassureyou,duchess,thisgentlemanshouldbeabletotellusaveryfinestory,ifhewould.\'

Theduchessandalltheotherladiesclappingtheirhandsatthis,andcryingoutthatthestorymustandshouldbetold,I

foundmyselfinaprodigiousquandary;andonewhereinmywitsderivedaslittleassistanceaspossiblefromthebrighteyesandsaucylookswhichenvironedme.Moreover,thecommotionattractingotherlisteners,Ifoundmyposition,whileItriedtoextricatemyself,growingeachmomentworse,sothatIbegantofearthatasIhadlittleimaginationIshouldperforcehavetotellthetruth.Themerethoughtofthisthrewmeintoacoldperspiration,lestIshouldletslipsomethingofconsequence,andprovemyselfunworthyofthetrustwhichM.deRosnyhadreposedinme.

Atthemomentwhen,despairingofextricatingmyself,IwasstoopingoverMadamedeBruhlbegginghertoassistme,Iheard,amidthebabeloflaughterandraillerywhichsurroundedme——

certainofthecourtiershavingalreadyformedhandsinacircleandswornIshouldnotdepartwithoutsatisfyingtheladies——avoicewhichstruckachordinmymemory.Iturnedtoseewhothespeakerwas,andencounterednootherthanM.deBruhlhimself;

who,withaflushedandangryface,waslisteningtotheexplanationwhichafriendwaspouringintohisear.StandingatthemomentwithmykneeonMadamedeBruhl\'sstool,andrememberingverywellthemeetingonthestairs,Iconceivedinaflashthatthemanwasjealous;butwhetherhehadyetheardmyname,orhadanyclewtolinkmewiththepersonwhohadrescuedMademoiselledelaVirefromhisclutches,Icouldnottell.

Neverthelesshispresenceledmythoughtsintoanewchannel.

Thedeterminationtopunishhimbegantotakeforminmymind,andveryquicklyIregainedmycomposure.StillIwasforgivinghimonechance.AccordinglyIstoopedoncemoretoMadamedeBruhl\'sear,andbeggedhertosparemetheembarrassmentoftellingmytale.Butthen,findingherpitiless,asIexpected,andtherestofthecompanygrowingmoreandmoreinsistent,I

hardenedmyhearttogothroughwiththefantasticnotionwhichhadoccurredtome.

IndicatingbyagesturethatIwaspreparedtoobey,andtheduchesscryingforahearing,thiswaspresentlyobtained,thesuddensilenceaddingthekinghimselftomyaudience.\'Whatisit?\'heasked,comingupeffusively,withalap-doginhisarms.

\'Anewscandal,eh?\'

\'No,sire,anewtale-teller,\'theduchessansweredpertly.\'IfyourMajestywillsit,weshallhearhimthesooner.\'

Hepinchedherearandsatdowninthechairwhichapagepresented.\'What!isitRambouillet\'sGRISONagain?\'hesaidwithsomesurprise.\'Well,fireaway,man.ButwhobroughtyouforwardasaRabelais?\'

Therewasageneralcryof\'MadamedeBruhl!\'whereatthatladyshookherfairhair,aboutherface,andcriedoutforsomeonetobringheramask.

\'Ha,Isee!\'saidthekingdrily,lookingpointedlyatM.deBruhl,whowasasblackasthunder.\'Butgoon,man.\'

Theking\'sadvent,byaffordingmeabriefrespite,hadenabledmetocollectmythoughts,and,disregardingtheribaldinterruptions,whichatfirstwerefrequent,Ibeganasfollows:

\'IamnoRabelais,sire,\'Isaid,\'butdrollthingshappentothemostunlikely.Onceuponatimeitwasthefortuneofacertainswain,whomIwillcallDromio,toarriveinatownnotahundredmilesfromBlois,havinginhiscompanyanymphofgreatbeauty,whohadbeenentrustedtohiscarebyherparents.Hehadnotmorethanlodgedherinhisapartments,however,beforeshewasdecoyedawaybyatrick,andborneoffagainstherwillbyayounggallant,whohadseenherandbeensmittenbyhercharms.

Dromio,returning,andfindinghismistressgone,gavewaytothemostpoignantgrief.Heranupanddownthecity,seekingherineveryplace,andfillingallplaceswithhislamentations;butforatimeinvain,untilchanceledhimtoacertainstreet,where,inanalmostincrediblemanner,hefoundaclewtoherbydiscoveringunderfootaknotofvelvet,bearingPhyllida\'snamewroughtonitindelicateneedlework,withthewords,"Amoi!"\'

\'Sanctus!\'criedtheking,amidageneralmurmurofsurprise,\'thatiswelldevised!Proceed,sir.Goonlikethat,andwewillmakeyourtwentymentwenty-five.\'

\'Dromio,\'Icontinued,\'atsightofthistrifleexperiencedthemostdiverseemotions,forwhilehepossessedinitaclewtohismistress\'sfate,hehadstilltouseitsoastodiscovertheplacewhithershehadbeenhurried.Itoccurredtohimatlasttobeginhissearchwiththehousebeforewhichtheknothadlain.Ascendingaccordinglytothesecond-floor,hefoundthereafairladyrecliningonacouch,whostartedupinaffrightathisappearance.Hehastenedtoreassureher,andtoexplainthepurposeofhiscoming,andlearnedafteraconversationwithwhichIwillnottroubleyourMajesty,thoughitwassufficientlydiverting,thattheladyhadfoundthevelvetknotinanotherpartofthetown,andhadherselfdroppeditagaininfrontofherownhouse.\'

\'Pourquoi?\'thekingasked,interruptingme.

\'Theswain,sire,\'Ianswered,\'wastoomuchtakenupwithhisowntroublestobearthatinmind,evenifhelearnedit.Butthisdelicacydidnotsavehimfrommisconception,forashedescendedfromthelady\'sapartmenthemetherhusbandonthestairs.\'

\'Good!\'thekingexclaimed,rubbinghishandsinglee.\'Thehusband!\'AndundercoverofthegibeandthecourtlylaughwhichfolloweditM.deBruhl\'sstartofsurprisepassedunnoticedsavebyme.

\'Thehusband,\'Iresumed,\'seeingastrangerdescendinghisstaircase,wasforstoppinghimandlearningthereasonofhispresence;ButDromio,whosemindwaswithPhyllida,refusedtostop,and,evadinghisquestions,hurriedtothepartofthetownwheretheladyhadtoldhimshefoundthevelvetknot.Here,sire,atthecornerofalanerunningbetweengarden-walls,hefoundagreathouse,barredandgloomy,andwelladaptedtotheabductor\'spurpose.Moreover,scanningitoneveryside,hepresentlydiscovered,tiedaboutthebarsofanupperwindow,aknotofwhitelinen,theverycounterpartofthatvelvetonewhichheboreinhisbreast.Thusheknewthatthenymphwasimprisonedinthatroom!\'

\'Iwillmakeittwenty-five,asIamagoodChurchman!\'hisMajestyexclaimed,droppingthelittledoghewasnursingintotheduchess\'slap,andtakingouthiscomfit-box.\'Rambouillet,\'

headdedlanguidly,\'yourfriendisatreasure!\'