第12章

Ibowedmyacknowledgments,andtookoccasionasIdidsotostepapaceaside,soastocommandaviewofMadamedeBruhl,aswellasherhusband.Hithertomadame,willingtobeaccountedapartinsoprettyaromance,andreadyenoughalso,unlessIwasmistaken,tocauseherhusbandalittlemildjealousy,hadlistenedtothestorywithacertainslydemureness.ButthisI

foresawwouldnotlastlong;andIfeltsomethinglikecompunctionasthemomentforstrikingtheblowapproached.ButIhadnownochoice.\'Thebestisyettocome,sire,\'Iwenton,\'asIthinkyouwillacknowledgeinamoment.Dromio,thoughhehaddiscoveredhismistress,wasstillinthedepthsofdespair.

Hewanderedroundandroundthehouse,seekingingressandfindingnone,untilatlength,sunsetapproaching,anddarknessredoublinghisfearsforthenymph,fortunetookpityonhim.Ashestoodinfrontofthehousehesawtheabductorcomeout,lightedbytwoservants.Judgeofhissurprise,sire,\'I

continued,lookingroundandspeakingslowly,togivefulleffecttomywords,\'whenherecognisedinhimnootherthanthehusbandoftheladywho,bypickingupandagaindroppingthevelvetknot,hadcontributedsomuchtothesuccessofhissearch!\'

\'Ha!thesehusbands!\'criedtheking.Andslappinghiskneeinanecstasyathisownacuteness,helaughedinhisseattillherolledagain.\'Thesehusbands!DidInotsayso?\'

ThewholeCourtgavewaytolikeapplause,andclapped.theirhandsaswell,sothatfewsavethosewhostoodnearesttooknoticeofMadamedeBruhl\'sfaintcry,andstillfewerunderstoodwhysheroseupsuddenlyfromherstoolandstoodgazingatherhusbandwithburningcheeksandclenchedhands.Shetooknoheedofme,muchlessofthelaughingcrowdroundher,butlookedonlyathimwithhersoulinhereyes.He,afterutteringonehoarsecurse,seemedtohavenothoughtforanybutme.Tohavetheknowledgethathisownwifehadbaulkedhimbroughthometohiminthismockingfashion,tofindhowlittleathinghadtrippedhimthatday,tolearnhowblindlyhehadplayedintothehandsoffate,abovealltobeexposedatoncetohiswife\'sresentmentandtheridiculeoftheCourt——forhecouldnotbesurethatI

shouldnotthenextmomentdisclosehisname——allsowroughtonhimthatforamomentIthoughthewouldstrikemeinthepresence.

Hisrage,indeed,didwhatIhadnotmeanttodo.Fortheking,catchingsightofhisface,andrememberingthatMadamedeBruhlhadelicitedthestory,screamedsuddenly,\'Haro!\'andpointedruthlesslyathimwithhisfinger.AfterthatIhadnoneedtospeak,thestoryleapingfromeyetoeye,andeveryeyesettlingonBruhl,whosoughtinvaintocomposehisfeatures.Madame,whosurpassedhim,aswomencommonlydosurpassmen,inself-

control,wasthe,firsttorecoverherself,andsittingdownasquicklyasshehadrisen,confrontedalikeherhusbandandherrivalswithapalesmile.

Foramomentcuriosityandexcitementkeptallbreathless,theeyealonebusy.Thenthekinglaughedmischievously.\'Come,M.

deBruhl,\'hecried,\'perhapsyouwillfinishthetaleforus?\'

Andhethrewhimselfbackinhischair,asneeronhislips.

\'OrwhynotMadamedeBruhl?\'saidtheduchess,withherheadononesideandhereyesglitteringoverherfan.\'Madamewould,I

amsure,tellitsowell.\'

Butmadameonlyshookherhead,smilingalwaysthatforcedsmile.

ForBruhlhimself,glaringfromfacetofacelikeabullabouttocharge,Ihaveneverseenamanmoreoutofcountenance,ormorecompletelybroughttobay.Hisdiscomposure,exposedashewastotheridiculeofallpresent,wassuchthatthepresenceinwhichhestoodscarcelyhinderedhimfromsomeviolentattack;

andhiseyes,whichhadwanderedfrommeattheking\'sword,presentlyreturningtomeagain,hesofarforgothimselfastoraisehishandfuriously,utteringatthesametimeasavageoath.

Thekingcriedoutangrily,\'Haveacare,sir!\'ButBruhlonlyheededthissofarastothrustasidethosewhostoodroundhimandpushhiswayhurriedlythroughthecircle.

\'Arnidieu!\'criedtheking,whenhewasgone.\'Thisisfineconduct!Ihavehalfamindtosendafterhimandhavehimputwherehishotbloodwouldcoolalittle.Or——\'

Hestoppedabruptly,hiseyesrestingonme.TherelativepositionsofBruhlandmyselfastheagentsofRosnyandTurenneoccurredtohimforthefirsttime,Ithink,andsuggestedtheidea,perhaps,thatIhadlaidatrapforhim,andthathehadfallenintoit.Atanyratehisfacegrewdarkeranddarker,andatlast,\'Anicekettleoffishthisisyouhavepreparedforus,sir!\'hemuttered,gazingatmegloomily.

Thesuddenchangeinhishumourtookevencourtiersbysurprise.

Facesamomentbeforebroadwithsmilesgrewlongagain.Thelessimportantpersonageslookeduncomfortablyatoneanother,andwithoneaccordfrownedonme.\'IfyourMajestywouldpleasetoheartheendofthestoryatanothertime?\'Isuggestedhumbly,beginningtowishwithallmyheartthatIhadneversaidaword.

\'Chut!\'heanswered,rising,hisfacestillbetrayinghisperturbation,\'Well,beitso.Forthepresentyoumaygo,sir.

Duchess,givemeZizi,andcometomycloset.Iwantyoutoseemypuppies.Retz,mygoodfriend,doyoucometoo.Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou.Gentlemen,youneednotwait.ItislikelyIshallbelate.\'

And,withtheutmostabruptness,hebrokeupthecircle.

CHAPTERXVII.

THEJACOBINMONK.

HadIneededanyreminderoftheuncertaintyofCourtfavour,oraninstancewhenceImightlearnthelessonofmodesty,andsostandinlessdangerofpresumingonmynewandprecariousprosperity,Ihaditinthisepisode,andinthedemeanourofthecompanyroundme.Onthecirclebreakingupinconfusion,I

foundmyselfthecentreofgeneralregard,butregardofsodubiousacharacter,thepersonswhowouldhavebeenthefirsttocomplimentmehadthekingretiredearlier,standingfarthestaloofnow,thatIfeltmyselfratherinsultedthanhonouredbyit.Oneortwo,indeed,ofthemorecautiousspiritsdidapproachme;butitwaswiththeairofmenprovidingagainstadangerparticularlyremote,theirhalf-heartedspeechesservingonlytofixtheminmymemoryasbelongingtoaclass,especiallyabhorrenttome——theclass,Imean,ofthosewhowouldrunatoncewiththehareandthehounds.

Iwasrejoicedtofindthatononeperson,andthattheonewhosedispositiontowardsmewas,nexttotheking\'s,offirstimportance,thisepisodehadproducedadifferentimpression,Feeling,asImadeforthedoor,atouchonmyarm,IturnedtofindM.deRambouilletatmyelbow,regardingmewithaglanceofmingledesteemandamusement;infine,withaverydifferentlookfromthatwhichhadbeenmywelcomeearlierintheevening.I

wasdriventosupposethathewastoogreataman,ortoosureofhisfavourwiththeking,tobeswayedbythepettymotiveswhichactuatedtheCourtgenerally,forhelaidhishandfamiliarlyonmyshoulder,andwalkedonbesideme.

\'Wellmyfriend,\'hesaid,\'youhavedistinguishedyourselffinely!IdonotknowthatIeverrememberaprettywomanmakingmorestirinoneevening.Butifyouarewiseyouwillnotgohomealoneto-night.\'

\'Ihavemysword,M.leMarquis,\'Ianswered,somewhatproudly.

\'Whichwillavailyoulittleagainstaknifeintheback!\'heretorteddrily.\'Whatattendancehaveyou?\'

\'Myequerry,SimonFleix,isonthestairs.\'

\'Good,sofar,butnotenough,\'hereplied,aswereachedtheheadofthestaircase.\'Youhadbettercomehomewithmenow,andtwoorthreeofmyfellowsshallgoontoyourlodgingwithyou.Doyouknow,myfriend,\'hecontinued,lookingatmekeenly,\'youareeitheraverycleveroraveryfoolishman?\'

Imadeanswermodestly.\'Neithertheone,Ifear,northeother,Ihopesir,\'Isaid.

\'Well,youhavedoneaverypertinentthing,\'hereplied,\'forgoodorevil.Youhavelettheenemyknowwhathehastoexpect,andheisnotone,Iwarnyou,tobedespised.Butwhetheryouhavebeenverywiseorveryfoolishindeclaringopenwarremainstobeseen.\'

\'Aweekwillshow,\'Ianswered.

Heturnedandlookedatme.\'Youtakeitcoolly,\'hesaid.

\'Ihavebeenknockingabouttheworldforfortyyears,marquis,\'

Irejoined.

HemutteredsomethingaboutRosnyhavingagoodeye,andthenstoppedtoadjusthiscloak.Wewerebythistimeinthestreet.

Makingmegohandinhandwithhim,herequestedtheothergentlementodrawtheirswords;andtheservantsbeinglikewisearmedandnumberinghalfascoreormore,withpikesandtorches,wemadeupaveryformidableparty,andcaused,Ithink,morealarmaswepassedthroughthestreetstoRambouillet\'slodgingthanwehadanyreasontofeel.Notthatwehaditalltoourselves,fortheattendanceatCourtthateveningbeinglarge,andthecirclebreakingupasIhavedescribedmoreabruptlythanusual,thevicinityofthecastlewasinaferment,andthestreetsleadingfromitwerealivewiththelightsandlaughterofpartiessimilartoourown.

Atthedoorofthemarquis\'slodgingIpreparedtotakeleaveofhimwithmanyexpressionsofgratitude,buthewouldhavemeenterandsitdownwithhimtoalightrefection,whichitwashishabittotakebeforeretiring.Twoofhisgentlemensatdownwithus,andavalet,whowasinhisconfidence,waitingonus,wemadeverymerryoverthesceneinthepresence.IlearnedthatM.deBruhlwasfarfrompopularatCourt;butbeingknowntopossesssomekindofholdovertheking,andenjoyingbesidesagreatreputationforrecklessnessandskillwiththesword,hehadplayedahighpartforalengthoftime,andattachedtohimself,especiallysincethedeathofGuise,aconsiderablenumberoffollowers.

\'Thetruthis,\'oneofthemarquis\'sgentlemen,whowasalittleheatedwithwine,observed,\'thereisnothingatthismomentwhichaboldandunscrupulousmanmaynotwininFrance!\'

\'NoraboldandChristiangentlemanforFrance!\'repliedM.deRambouilletwith,someasperity.\'Bytheway,\'hecontinued,turningabruptlytotheservant,\'whereisM.Francois?\'

Thevaletansweredthathehadnotreturnedwithusfromthecastle.TheMarquisexpressedhimselfannoyedatthis,andI

gathered,firstly,thatthemissingmanwashisnearkinsman,and,secondly,thathewasalsotheyoungsparkwhohadbeensoforwardtoquarrelwithmeearlierintheevening.Determiningtoreferthematter,shoulditbecomepressing,toRambouilletforadjustment,Itookleaveofhim,andattendedbytwoofhisservants,whomhekindlytransferredtomyserviceforthepresent,Istartedtowardsmylodgingalittlebeforemidnight.

Themoonhadrisenwhilewewereatsupper,anditslight,whichwhitenedthegablesononesideofthestreet,diffusedaglimmerbelowsufficienttoenableustoavoidthekennel.Seeingthis,Ibadethemenputoutourtorch.Frosthadsetin,andakeenwindwasblowing,sothatweweregladtohurryonatagoodpace;andthestreetsbeingquitedesertedatthislatehour,orhauntedonlybythosewhohadcometodreadthetownmarshal,wemetnooneandsawnolights.Ifelltothinking,formypart,oftheeveningIhadspentsearchingBloisforMademoiselle,andofthedifferencebetweenthenandnow.NordidIfailwhileonthistracktoretraceitstillfarthertotheeveningofourarrivalatmymother\'s;whence,asasource,suchkindlyandgentlethoughtswelledupinmymindaswerenatural,andtheunfailingaffectionofthatgraciouswomanrequired.These,takingtheplaceforthemomentoftheanxiouscalculationsandsternpurposeswhichhadoflateengrossedme,wereonlyoustedbysomethingwhich,happeningundermyeyes,broughtmeviolentlyandabruptlytomyself.

Thiswasthesuddenappearanceofthreemen,whoissuedonebyonefromanalleyascoreofyardsinfrontofus,andafterpausingasecondtolookbackthewaytheyhadcome,flittedoninsinglefilealongthestreet,disappearing,asfarasthedarknesspermittedmetojudge,roundasecondcorner.Ibynomeanslikedtheirappearance,and,asascreamandtheclashofarmsrangoutnextmomentfromthedirectioninwhichtheyhadgone,IcriedlustilytoSimonFleixtofollow,andranon,believingfromtherascals\'movementsthattheywereafternogood,butthatrathersomehonestmanwasliketobesorebeset.

Onreachingthelanedownwhichtheyhadplunged,however,I

pausedamoment,consideringnotsomuchitsblack-ness,whichwasintense,theeavesnearlymeetingoverhead,asthesmallchanceIhadofdistinguishingbetweenattackersandattacked.

ButSimonandthemenovertakingme,andthesoundsofasharptusslestillcontinuing,Idecidedtoventure,andplungedintothealley,myleftarmwelladvanced,withtheskirtofmycloakthrownoverit,andmysworddrawnback.IshoutedasIran,thinkingthattheknavesmightdesistonhearingme;andthiswaswhathappened,forasIarrivedonthesceneofaction——thefartherendofthealley——twomentooktotheirheels,whileoftwowhoremained,onelayatlengthinthekennel,andanotherroseslowlyfromhisknees.

\'Youarejustintime,sir,\'thelattersaid,breathinghard,butspeakingwithaprecisenesswhichsoundedfamiliar.\'Iamobligedtoyou,sir,whoeveryouare.Thevillainshadgotmedown,andinafewminutesmorewouldhavemademymotherchildless.Bytheway,youhavenolight,haveyou?\'hecontinued,lispinglikeawoman.

OneofM.deRambouillet\'smen,whohadbythistimecomeup,criedoutthatitwasMonsieurFrancois.

\'Yes,blockhead!\'theyounggentlemanansweredwiththeutmostcoolness.\'ButIaskedforalight,notformyname.

\'Itrustyouarenothurt,sir?\'Isaid,puttingupmysword.

\'Scratchedonly,\'heanswered,betrayingnosurpriseonlearningwhoitwashadcomeupsoopportunely;ashenodoubtdidlearnfrommyvoice,forhecontinuedwithabow,aslightpricetopayfortheknowledgethatM.deMarsacisasforwardonthefieldasonthestairs.\'

Ibowedmyacknowledgments.

\'Thisfellow,\'Isaid,\'ishemuchhurt?\'

\'Tut,tut!IthoughtIhadsavedthemarshalalltrouble,M.

Francoisreplied.\'Ishenotdead,Gil?\'

Thepoorwretchmadeanswerforhimself,cryingoutpiteously,andinachokingvoice,forapriesttoshrivehim.AtthatmomentSimonFleixreturnedwithourtorch,whichhehadlightedatthenearestcross-streets,wheretherewasabrazier,andwesawbythislightthatthemanwascoughingupblood,andmightliveperhapshalfanhour.

\'Mordieu!Thatcomesofthrustingtoohigh!\'M.Francoismuttered,regretfully.Aninchlower,andtherewouldhavebeennoneofthistrouble!Isupposesomebodymustfetchone.Gil,\'

hecontinued,\'run,man,tothesacristyintheRueSt.Denys,andgetaFather.Or——stay!Helptolifthimundertheleeofthewallthere.Thewindcutslikeaknifehere.\'

Thestreetbeingontheslopeofthehill,thelowerpartofthehousenearestusstoodafewfeetfromtheground,onwoodenpiles,andthespaceunderneathit,beingenclosedatthebackandsides,wasusedasacart-house.Theservantsmovedthedyingmanintothisrudeshelter,andIaccompaniedthem,beingunwillingtoleavetheyounggentlemanalone.Notwishing,however,toseemtointerfere,Iwalkedtothefartherend,andsatdownontheshaftofacart,whenceIidlyadmiredthestrangeaspectofthegroupIhadleft,astheglareofthetorchbroughtnowoneandnowanotherintoprominence,andsometimesshoneonM.Francois\'jewelledfingerstoyingwithhistinymoustache,andsometimesonthewrithingfeaturesofthemanathisfeet.

Onasudden,andbeforeGilhadstartedonhiserrand,Isawtherewasapriestamongthem.Ihadnotseenhimenter,norhadIanyideawhencehecame.Myfirstimpressionwasonlythatherewasapriest,andthathewaslookingatme——notatthemancravinghisassistanceonthefloor,oratthosewhostoodroundhim,butatme,whosatawayintheshadowbeyondtheringoflight!

Thiswassurprising;butasecondglanceexplainedit,forthenI

sawthathewastheJacobinmonkwhohadhauntedmymother\'sdyinghours.And,amazedasmuchatthisstrangeRENCONTREasattheman\'sboldness,Isprangupandstrodeforwards,forgetting,inanimpulseofrighteousanger,theofficehecametodo.Andthisthemoreashisface,stillturnedtome,seemedinstincttomyeyeswithtriumphantmalice.AsImovedtowardshim,however,withafierceexclamationonmylips,hesuddenlydroppedhiseyesandknelt.ImmediatelyM.Francoiscried\'Hush!\'andthementurnedtomewithscandalisedfaces.Ifellback.Yeteventhen,whisperingonhiskneesbythedyingman,theknavewasthinking,Ifeltsure,ofme,gloryingatonceinhisimmunityandthepoweritgavehimtotantalisemewithoutfear.

Idetermined,whatevertheresult,tointercepthimwhenallwasover;andonthemandyingafewminuteslater,Iwalkedresolutelytotheopensideoftheshed,thinkingitlikelyhemighttrytoslipawayasmysteriouslyashehadcome.HestoodamomentspeakingtoM.Francois,however,andthen,accompaniedbyhim,advancedboldlytomeetme,aleansmileonhisface.

\'FatherAntoine,\'M.d\'Agensaidpolitely,\'tellsmethatheknowsyou,M.deMarsac,anddesirestospeaktoyou,MAL-A-

PROPOSasistheoccasion.\'

\'AndItohim,\'Ianswered,tremblingwithrage,andonlyrestrainingbyanefforttheimpulsewhichwouldhavehadmedashmyhandinthepriest\'spale,smirkingface.\'Ihavewaitedlongforthismoment,\'Icontinued,eyeinghimsteadily,asM.

Francoiswithdrewoutofhearing,\'andhadyoutriedtoavoidme,Iwouldhavedraggedyouback,thoughallyourtribewereheretoprotectyou.\'

HispresencesomaddenedmethatIscarcelyknewwhatIsaid.I

feltmybreathcomequickly,Ifeltthebloodsurgetomyhead,anditwaswithdifficultyIrestrainedmyselfwhenheansweredwithwell-affectedsanctity,\'Likemother,likeson,Ifear,sir.

Huguenotsboth.\'

Ichokedwithrage.What!\'Isaid,\'youdaretothreatenmeasyouthreatenedmymother?Fool!knowthatonlyto-dayforthepurposeofdiscoveringandpunishingyouItooktheroomsinwhichmymotherdied.\'

\'Iknowit,\'heansweredquietly.Andtheninasecond,asbymagic,healteredhisdemeanourcompletely,raisinghisheadandlookingmeintheface.\'That,andsomuchbesides,Iknow,\'hecontinued,givingme,tomyastonishment,frownforfrown,\'thatifyouwilllistentomeforamoment,M.deMarsac,andlistenquietly,Iwillconvinceyouthatthefollyisnotonmyside.\'

Amazedathisnewmanner,inwhichtherewasnoneofthemadnessthathadmarkedhimatourfirstmeeting,butastrangeairofauthority,unlikeanythingIhadassociatedwithhimbefore,I

signedtohimtoproceed.

\'YouthinkthatIaminyourpower?\'hesaid,smiling.

\'Ithink,\'Iretortedswiftly,\'that,escapingmenow,youwillhaveatyourheelshenceforthaworseenemythanevenyourownsins.\'

\'Justso,\'heanswered,nodding.\'Well,Iamgoingtoshowyouthatthereverseisthecase;andthatyouareascompletelyinmyhands,tospareortobreak,asthisstraw.Inthefirstplace,youarehereinBlois,aHuguenot!\'

\'Chut!\'Iexclaimedcontemptuously,affectingaconfidenceIwasfarfromfeeling.\'Alittlewhilebackthatmighthaveavailedyou.ButweareinBlois,notParis.ItisnotfartotheLoire,andyouhavetodealwithamannow,notwithawoman.Itisyouwhohavecausetotremble,notI.\'

\'Youthinktobeprotected,\'heansweredwithasoursmile,\'evenonthissideoftheLoire,Isee.ButonewordtothePope\'sLegate,ortotheDukeofNevers,andyouwouldseetheinsideofadungeon,ifnotworse.Fortheking——\'

\'Kingornoking!\'Ianswered,interruptinghimwithmoreassurancethanIfelt,seeingthatIrememberedonlytoowellHenry\'sremarkthatRosnymustnotlooktohimforprotection,\'I

fearyounotawhit!Andthatremindsme.Ihaveheardyoutalktreason——rank,blacktreason,priest,aseversentmantorope,andIwillgiveyouup.ByheavenIwill!\'Icried,myrageincreasing,asIdiscerned,moreandmoreclearly,thedangerousholdhehadoverme.\'Youhavethreatenedme!Oneword,andI

willsendyoutothegallows!\'

\'Sh!\'heanswered,indicatingM.Francoisby,agestureofthehand.\'Foryourownsake,notmine.Thisisfinetalking,butyouhavenotyetheardallIknow.Wouldyouliketohearhowyouhavespentthelastmonth?TwodaysafterChristmas,M.deMarsac,youleftChizewithayounglady——Icangiveyouhername,ifyouplease.FourdaysafterwardsyoureachedBlois,andtookhertoyourmother\'slodging.NextmorningsheleftyouforM.deBruhl.TwodayslateryoutrackedhertoahouseintheRuelled\'Arcy,andfreedher,butlostherinthemomentofvictory.ThenyoustayedinBloisuntilyourmother\'sdeath,goingadayortwolatertoM.deRosny\'shousebyMantes,wheremademoisellestillis.YesterdayyouarrivedinBloiswithM.deRosny;youwenttohislodging;you——\'

\'Proceed,Imuttered,leaningforward.UndercoverofmycloakI

drewmydaggerhalf-wayfromitssheath.\'Proceed,sir,Ipray,\'

Irepeatedwithdrylips.

\'Yousleptthere,\'hecontinued,holdinghisground,butshudderingslightly,eitherfromcoldorbecauseheperceivedmymovementandreadmydesigninmyeyes.

\'ThismorningyouremainedhereinattendanceonM.deRambouillet.\'

ForthemomentIbreathedfreelyagain,perceivingthatthoughheknewmuch,theonethingonwhichM.deRosny\'sdesignturnedhadescapedhim.Thesecretinterviewwiththeking,whichcompromisedalikeHenryhimselfandM.deRambouillet,hadapparentlypassedunnoticedandunsuspected.WithasighofintensereliefIslidbackthedagger,whichIhadfullymadeupmymindtousehadheknownall,anddrewmycloakroundmewithashrugoffeignedindifference.Isweatedtothinkwhathedidknow,butourinterviewwiththekinghavingescapedhim,I

breathedagain.

\'Well,sir,\'Isaidcurtly,\'Ihavelistened.Andnow,whatisthepurposeofallthis?\'

\'Mypurpose?\'heanswered,hiseyesglittering.\'Toshowyouthatyouareinmypower.YouaretheagentofM.deRosny.I,theagent,howeverhumble,oftheHolyCatholicLeague.OfyourmovementsIknowall.Whatdoyouknowofmine?\'

\'Knowledge,\'Imadegrimanswer,\'isnoteverything,sirpriest.\'

\'Itismorethanitwas,\'hesaid,smilinghisthin-lippedsmile.

\'Itisgoingtobemorethanitis.AndIknowmuch——aboutyou,M.deMarsac.\'

\'Youknowtoomuch!\'Iretorted,feelinghiscovertthreatscloseroundmelikethefoldsofsomegreatserpent.\'Butyouareimprudent,Ithink.Willyoutellmewhatistopreventmestrikingyouthroughwhereyoustand,andriddingmyselfatablowofsomuchknowledge?\'

\'Thepresenceofthreemen,M.deMarsac,\'heansweredlightly,wavinghishandtowardsM.Francoisandtheothers,\'everyoneofwhomwouldgiveyouuptojustice.YouforgetthatyouarenorthoftheLoire,andthatpriestsarenottobemassacredherewithimpunity,asinyourlawlesssouth-country.However,enough.

Thenightiscold,andM.d\'Agengrowssuspiciousaswellasimpatient.Wehave,perhaps,spokentoolongalready.Permitme——hebowedanddrewbackastep——\'toresumethisdiscussionto-

morrow.\'

Despitehispolitenessandthehollowcivilitywithwhichhethussought;toclosetheinterview,thelightoftriumphwhichshoneinhiseyes,astheglareofthetorchfellathwartthem,nolessthantheassuredtoneofhisvoice,toldmeclearlythatheknewhispower.Heseemed,indeed,transformed:nolongeraslinking,peacefulclerk,preyingonawoman\'sfears,butaboldandcraftyschemer,skilledandunscrupulous,possessedofhiddenknowledgeandhiddenresources;thepersonificationofevilintellect.Foramoment,knowingallIknew,andparticularlytheresponsibilitieswhichlaybeforeme,andtheinterestscommittedtomyhands,Iquailed,confessingmyselfunequaltohim.IforgottherighteousvengeanceIowedhim;Icriedouthelplesslyagainsttheill-fortunewhichhadbroughthimacrossmypath.Isawmyselfenmeshedandfetteredbeyondhopeofescape,andbyaneffortonlycontrolledthedespairIfelt.

\'To-morrow?\'Imutteredhoarsely.\'Atwhattime?\'

Heshookhisheadwithacunningsmile.\'Athousandthanks,butIwillsettlethatmyself!\'heanswered.\'Aurevoir!\'andutteringawordofleave-takingtoM.Francoisd\'Agen,heblessedthetwoservants,andwentoutintothenight.

CHAPTERXVIII.

THEOFFEROFTHELEAGUE.

Whenthelastsoundofhisfootstepsdiedaway,Iawokeasfromanevildream,andbecomingconsciousofthepresenceofM.

Francoisandtheservants,recollectedmechanicallythatIowedtheformeranapologyformydiscourtesyinkeepinghimstandinginthecold.Ibegantoofferit;butmydistressandconfusionofmindweresuchthatinthemiddleofasetphraseIbrokeoff,andstoodlookingfixedlyathim,mytroublesoplainthatheaskedmecivillyifanythingailedme.

\'No,\'Ianswered,turningfromhimimpatiently;\'nothing,nothing,sir.Ortellme,\'Icontinued,withanabruptchangeofmind,\'whoisthat;whohasjustleftus?\'

\'FatherAntoine,doyoumean?\'

\'Ay,FatherAntoine,FatherJudas,callhimwhatyoulike,\'I

rejoinedbitterly.

\'Thenifyouleavethechoicetome,\'M.Francoisansweredwithgravepoliteness,\'Iwouldrathercallhimsomethingmorepleasant,M.deMarsac——JamesorJohn,letussay.Forthereislittlesaidherewhichdoesnotcomebacktohim.Ifwallshaveears,thewallsofBloisareinhispay.ButIthoughtyouknewhim,\'hecontinued.\'Heissecretary,confidant,chaplain,whatyouwill,toCardinalRetz,andoneofthosewhom——inyourear——

greatermencourtandmorepowerfulmenleanon.IfIhadtochoosebetweenthem,IwouldrathercrossM.deCrillon.\'

\'Iamobligedtoyou,\'Imuttered,checkedasmuchbyhismannerashiswords.

\'Notatall,\'heansweredmorelightly.\'AnyinformationIhaveisatyourdisposal.\'

However,Isawtheimprudenceofventuringfarther,andhastenedtotakeleaveofhim,persuadinghimtoallowoneofM.deRambouillet\'sservantstoaccompanyhimhome.Hesaidthatheshouldcallonmeinthemorning;andforcingmyselftoanswerhiminasuitablemanner,Isawhimdepartoneway,andmyself,accompaniedbySimonFleix,wentoffanother.Myfeetwerefrozenwithlongstanding——Ithinkthecorpseweleftwasscarcecolder——butmyheadwashotwithfeverishdoubtsandfears.Themoonhadsunkandthestreetsweredark.Ourtorchhadburnedout,andwehadnolight.Butwheremyfollowerssawonlyblacknessandvacancy,Isawanevilsmileandaleanvisagefraughtwithmenaceandexultation.

ForthemorecloselyIdirectedmymindtothepositioninwhichIstood,thegraveritseemed.PittedagainstBruhlalone,amidstrangesurroundingsandinanatmosphereofCourtintrigue,I

hadthoughtmytasksufficientlydifficultandthedisadvantagesunderwhichIlabouredsufficientlyseriousbeforethisinterview.Consciousofacertainrustinessandadistasteforfinesse,withresourcessoinferiortoBruhl\'sthatevenM.deRosny\'sliberalityhadnotdonemuchtomakeupthedifference,I

hadacceptedthepostofferedmeratherreadilythansanguinely;

withjoy,seeingthatitheldoutthehopeofhighreward,butwithnocertainexpectationofsuccess.Still,matchedwithamanofviolentandheadstrongcharacter,Ihadseennoreasontodespair;noranywhyImightnotarrangethesecretmeetingbetweenthekingandmademoisellewithsafety,andconducttoitsendanintriguesimpleandunsuspected,andrequiringforitsexecutionrathercourageandcautionthanaddressorexperience.

Now,however,IfoundthatBruhlwasnotmyonlyormymostdangerousantagonist.Anotherwasinthefield——or,tospeakmorecorrectly,waswaitingoutsidethearena,readytosnatchtheprizewhenweshouldhavedisabledoneanother,FromadreamofBruhlandmyselfasengagedinacompetitionfortheking\'sfavour,whereinneithercouldexposetheothernorappealeveninthelastresorttothejoint-enemiesofhisMajestyandourselves,Iawoketoaverydifferentstateofthings;Iawoketofindthoseenemiesthemastersofthesituation,possessedofthecluetoourplans,andpermittingthemonlyaslongastheyseemedtothreatennoseriousperiltothemselves.

Nodiscoverycouldbemoremortifyingormorefraughtwithterror.TheperspirationstoodonmybrowasIrecalledthewarningwhichM.deRosnyhadutteredagainstCardinalRetz,ornoteddownthevariouspointsofknowledgewhichwereinFatherAntoine\'spossession.Hekneweveryeventofthelastmonth,withoneexception,andcouldtell,Iverilybelieved,howmanycrownsIhadinmypouch.Concedingthis,andthesecretsourcesofinformationhemustpossess,whathopehadIofkeepingmyfuturemovementsfromhim?Mademoiselle\'sarrivalwouldbeknowntohimbeforeshehadwellpassedthegates;norwasitlikely,orevenpossible,thatIshouldagainsucceedinreachingtheking\'spresenceuntracedandunsuspected.Infine,Isawmyself,equallywithBruhl,apuppetinthisman\'shands,mygoingsoutandmycomingsinwatchedandreportedtohim,hismercytheonlybarbetweenmyselfanddestruction.AtanymomentImightbearrestedasaHuguenot,theenterpriseinwhichIwasengagedruined,andMademoiselledelaVireexposedtotheviolenceofBruhlortheequallydangerousintriguesoftheLeague.

UnderthesecircumstancesIfanciedsleepimpossible;buthabitandwearinessarestrongpersuaders,andwhenIreachedmylodgingIsleptlongandsoundly,asbecameamanwhohadlookeddangerinthefacemorethanonce.Themorninglighttoobroughtanaccessionbothofcourageandhope.IreflectedonthemiseryofmyconditionatSt.Jeand\'Angely,withoutfriendsorresources,anddriventoherdwithsuchamanasFresnoy.AndtellingmyselfthatthegoldcrownswhichM.deRosnyhadlavisheduponmewerenotfornothing,northemorepreciousfriendshipwithwhichhehadhonouredmeagiftthatcalledfornoreturn,IrosewithnewspiritandacountenancewhichthrewSimonFleixwhohadseenmeliedownthepictureofdespair——

intotheutmostastonishment.

\'Youhavehadgooddreams,\'hesaid,eyeingmejealouslyandwithadisturbedair.

\'Ihadaveryevilonelastnight,\'Iansweredlightly,wonderingalittlewhyhelookedatmeso,andwhyheseemedtoresentmyreturntohopefulnessandcourage.Imighthavefollowedthistrainofthoughtfurtherwithadvantage,sinceIpossessedacluetohisstateofmind;butatthatmomentasummonsatthedoorcalledhimawaytoit,andhepresentlyusheredinM.d\'Agen,who,salutingmewithpunctiliouspoliteness,hadnotsaidfiftywordsbeforeheintroducedthesubjectofhistoe——nolonger,however,inahostilespirit,butasthehappymediumwhichhadledhimtorecognisetheworthandsterlingqualities——sohewaspleasedtosay——ofhispreserver.

Iwasdelightedtofindhiminthisframeofmind,andtoldhimfranklythatthefriendshipwithwhichhiskinsman,M.deRambouillet,honouredmewouldpreventmegivinghimsatisfactionsaveinthelastresort.HerepliedthattheserviceIhaddonehimwassuchastorenderthisimmaterial,unlessIhadmyselfcauseofoffence;whichIwasforwardtodeny.

Wewerepayingoneanothercomplimentsafterthisfashion,whileIregardedhimwiththeinterestwhichthemiddle-agedbestowontheyoungandgallantinwhomtheyseetheirownyouthandhopesmirrored,whenthedoorwasagainopened,andafteramoment\'spauseadmitted,equally,Ithink,tothedisgustofM.Francois,andmyself,theformofFatherAntoine.

Seldomhavetwomenmorediversestood,Ibelieve,inaroomtogether;seldomhasanygreatercontrastbeenpresentedtoaman\'seyesthanthatopenedtomineonthisoccasion.Ontheonesidethegayyoungspark,withhisshortcloak,hisfinesuit;ofblack-and-silver,histrimlimbsandjewelledhiltandchasedcomfit-box;ontheother,thetall,stoopingmonk,lean-jawedandbright-eyed,whosegownhungabouthimincoarse,ungainlyfolds.

AndM.Francois\'sentimentonfirstseeingtheotherwascertainlydislike.Isspiteofthis,however,hebestowedagreetingonthenew-comerwhichevidencedasecretawe,andinotherwaysshowedsoplainadesiretoplease,thatIfeltmyfearsofthepriestreturninforce.IreflectedthatthetalentswhichinsuchagarbcouldwintherespectofM.Francoisd\'Agen——abrilliantstaramongtheyoungercourtiers,andoneofaclassmuchgiventothinkingscornoftheirfathers\'roughness——mustbebothgreatandformidable;and,soconsidering,I

receivedthemonkwithadistantcourtesywhichIhadoncelittlethoughttoextendtohim.IputasideforthemomenttheprivategrudgeIborehimwithsomuchjustice,andrememberedonlytheburdenwhichlayonmeinmycontestwithhim.

Iconjecturedwithoutdifficultythathechosetocomeatthistime,whenM.Francoiswaswithme,outofacunningregardtohisownsafety;andIwasnotsurprisedwhenM.Francois,beginningtomakehisadieux,FatherAntoinebeggedhimtowaitbelow,addingthathehadsomethingofimportancetocommunicate.

Headvancedhisrequestintermsofpolitenessborderingonhumility;butIcouldclearlyseethat,inassentingtoit,M.

d\'Agenbowedtoawillstrongerthanhisown,andwould,hadhedaredtofollowhisownbent,havegivenaverydifferentanswer.

Asitwasheretired——nominallytogiveanordertohislackey——

withaspeciesofimpatientself-restraintwhichitwasnotdifficulttoconstrue.

Leftalonewithme,andassuredthatwehadnolisteners,themonkwasnotslowincomingtothepoint.

\'YouhavethoughtoverwhatItoldyoulastnight?\'hesaidbrusquely,droppinginamomentthesuavemannerwhichhehadmaintainedinM.Francois\'spresence.

IrepliedcoldlythatIhad.

\'Andyouunderstandtheposition?\'hecontinuedquickly,lookingatmefromunderhisbrowsashestoodbeforeme,withoneclenchedfistonthetable.\'OrshallItellyoumore?ShallI

tellyouhowpooranddespisedyouweresomeweeksago,M.deMarsac——youwhonowgoinvelvet,andhavethreemenatyourback?Orwhosegolditishasbroughtyouhere,andmadeyou,this?Chut!Donotletustrifle.YouarehereasthesecretagentoftheKingofNavarre.Itismybusinesstolearnyourplansandhisintentions,andIproposetodoso.\'

\'Well?\'Isaid.

\'Iampreparedtobuythem,\'heanswered;andhiseyessparkledashespoke,withagreedwhichsetmeyetmoreonmyguard.

\'Forwhom?\'Iasked.HavingmadeupmymindthatImustusethesameweaponsasmyadversary,Ireflectedthattoexpressindignation,suchasmightbecomeayoungmannewtotheworld,could,helpmenotawhit.\'Forwhom?\'Irepeated,seeingthathehesitated.

\'Thatismybusiness,\'herepliedslowly.

\'Youwanttoknowtoomuchandtelltoolittle,\'Iretorted,yawning.

\'Andyouareplayingwithme,\'hecried,lookingatmesuddenly,withsopiercingagazeandsodarkacountenancethatIcheckedashudderwithdifficulty.\'Somuchtheworseforyou,somuchtheworseforyou!\'hecontinuedfiercely.\'Iamheretobuytheinformationyouhold,butifyouwillnotsell,thereisanotherway.Atanhour\'snoticeIcanruinyourplans,andsendyoutoadungeon!Youarelikeafishcaughtinanetnotyetdrawn.Itthrustsitsnosethiswayandthat,andtouchesthemesh,butisslowtotakethealarmuntilthenetisdrawn——andthenitistoolate.Soitiswithyou,andsoitis,\'headded,fallingintotheecstaticmoodwhichmarkedhimattimes,andleftmeindoubtwhetherhewereallknaveorinpartenthusiast,\'withallthosewhosetthemselvesagainstSt.PeterandhisChurch!\'