第14章

MyvisitorwasnaturallysurprisedtofindthatIhadnothingparticulartosaytohim.Idarednottellhimwhatoccupiedmythoughts,andfortherestinventionfailedme.Buthisgaietyandthoseprettyaffectationsonwhichhespentaninfinityofpains,forthepurpose,apparently,ofhidingthesterlingworthofacharacterdeficientneitherincouragenorbackbone,wereunitedtomuchgoodnature.BelievingatlastthatIhadsentforhiminafitofthevapours,hedevotedhimselftoamusingmeandabusingBruhl——averyfavouritepastimewithhim.Andinthiswayhemadeoutacalloftwohours.

IhadnotlongtowaitforproofofSimon\'swisdomintakingthisprecaution.Wethoughtitprudenttokeepwithindoorsafterourguest\'sdeparture,andsopassedthenightinignorancewhetheranythinghadhappenedornot.ButaboutsevennextmorningoneoftheMarquis\'sservants,despatchedbyM.d\'Agen,burstinuponuswiththenews——whichwasnonewsfromthemomenthishurriedfootstepsoundedonthestairsthatFatherAntoinehadbeensetuponandkilledthepreviousevening!

Iheardthisconfirmationofmyhopeswithgravethankfulness;

Simonwithsomuchemotionthatwhenthemessengerwasgonehesatdownonastoolandbegantosobandtrembleasifhehadlosthismother,insteadofamortalfoe.Itookadvantageoftheoccasiontoreadhimasermonontheendofcrookedcourses;

norcouldImyselfrecallwithoutashuddertheman\'slastwordstome;orthelawlessandevildesignsinwhichhehadrejoiced,whilestandingontheverybrinkofthepitwhichwastoswallowupbothhimandthemineverlastingdarkness.

Naturally,theuppermostfeelinginmymindwasrelief.Iwasfreeoncemore.Inallprobabilitythepriesthadkepthisknowledgetohimself,andwithouthimhisagentswouldbepowerless.Simon,itistrue,heardthatthetownwasmuchexcitedbytheevent;andthatmanyattributedittotheHuguenots.Butwedidnotsufferourselvestobedepressedbythis,norhadIanyforebodinguntilthesoundofasecondhurriedfootstepmountingthestairsreachedourears.

IknewthestepinamomentforM.d\'Agen\'s,andsomethingominousinitsringbroughtmetomyfeetbeforeheopenedthedoor.Significantaswashisfirsthastylookroundtheroom,herecoveredatsightofmeallhishabitualSANG-FROID.Hesalutedme,andspokecoolly,thoughrapidly.Buthepanted,andI

noticedinamomentthathehadlosthislisp.

\'Iamhappyinfindingyou,\'hesaid,closingthedoorcarefullybehindhim,\'forIamthebearerofillnews,andthereisnotamomenttobelost.Thekinghassignedanorderforyourinstantconsignmenttoprison,M.deMarsac,and,oncethere,itisdifficulttosaywhatmaynothappen.\'

\'Myconsignment?\'Iexclaimed.Imaybepardonedifthenewsforamomentfoundmeunprepared.

\'Yes,\'herepliedquickly.\'ThekinghassigneditattheinstanceofMarshalRetz.\'

\'Butforwhat?\'Icriedinamazement.

\'ThemurderofFatherAntoine.Youwillpardonme,\'hecontinuedurgently,\'butthisisnotimeforwords.TheProvost-Marshalisevennowonhiswaytoarrestyou.Youronlyhopeistoevadehim,andgainanaudienceoftheking.Ihavepersuadedmyuncletogowithyou,andheiswaitingathislodgings.Thereisnotamomenttobelost,however,ifyouwouldreachtheking\'spresencebeforeyouarearrested.\'

\'ButIaminnocent!\'Icried.

\'Iknowit,\'M.d\'Agenanswered,\'andcanproveit.Butifyoucannotgetspeechofthekinginnocencewillavailyounothing.

Youhavepowerfulenemies.Comewithoutmoreado,M.deMarsac,Ipray,\'headded.

Hismanner,evenmorethanhiswords,impressedmewithasenseofurgency;andpostponingforatimemyownjudgment,I

hurriedlythankedhimforhisfriendlyoffices.Snatchingupmysword,whichlayonachair,Ibucklediton;forSimon\'sfingerstrembledsoviolentlyhecouldgivemenohelp.ThisdoneI

noddedtoM.d\'Agentogofirst,andfollowedhimfromtheroom,Simonattendingusofhisownmotion.Itwouldbethenabouteleveno\'clockintheforenoon.

Mycompanionrandownthestairswithoutceremony,andsoquicklyitwasallIcoulddotokeepupwithhim.Attheouterdoorhesignedmetostand,anddartinghimselfintothestreet,helookedanxiouslyinthedirectionoftheRueSt.Denys.

Fortunatelythecoastwasstillclear,andhebeckonedtometofollowhim.Ididsoandstartingtowalkintheoppositedirectionasfastaswecould,inlessthanaminutewehadputacornerbetweenusandthehouse.

Ourhopesofescapingunseen,however,werepromptlydashed.Thehouse,Ihavesaid,stoodinaquietby-street,whichwasboundedonthefarthersidebyagarden-wallbuttressedatintervals.Wehadscarcelygoneadozenpacesfrommydoorwhenamanslippedfromtheshelterofoneofthesebuttresses,andafterasingleglanceatus,setofftoruntowardstheRueSt.Denys.

M.d\'Agenlookedbackandnodded.\'Theregoesthenews,\'hesaid.\'Theywilltrytocutusoff,butIthinkwehavethestartofthem.\'

Imadenoreply,feelingthatIhadresignedmyselfentirelyintohishands.ButaswepassedthroughtheRuedeValois,inpartofwhichamarketwasheldatthishour,attractingaconsiderableconcourseofpeasantsandothers,IfanciedI

detectedsignsofunusualbustleandexcitement.Itseemedunlikelythatnewsofthepriest\'smurdershouldaffectsomanypeopleandtosuchadegree,andIaskedM.d\'Agenwhatitmeant.

\'Thereisarumourabroad,\'heanswered,withoutslackeningspeed,\'thatthekingintendstomovesouthtoToursatonce.\'

Imutteredmysurpriseandsatisfaction.\'HewillcometotermswiththeHuguenotsthen?\'Isaid.

\'Itlookslikeit,\'M.d\'Agenrejoined.\'Retz\'spartyareinanill-humouronthataccount,andwillwreakitonyouiftheygetachance.Onguard!\'headdedabruptly.\'Herearetwoofthem!\'

Ashespokeweemergedfromthecrowd,andIsaw,halfadozenpacesinfront;ofus,andcomingtomeetus,acoupleofCourtgallants,attendedbyasmanyservants.Theyespiedusatthesamemoment,andcameacrossthestreet,whichwastolerablywideatthatpart,withtheevidentintentionofstoppingus.

Simultaneously,however,wecrossedtotaketheirside,andsometthemfacetofaceinthemiddleoftheway.

\'M.d\'Agen,\'theforemostexclaimed,speakinginahaughtytone,andwithadarksideglanceatme,\'Iamsorrytoseeyouinsuchcompany!DoubtlessyouarenotawarethatthisgentlemanisthesubjectofanorderwhichhasevennowbeenissuedtotheProvost-Marshal.\'

\'Andifso,sir?Whatofthat?\'mycompanionlispedinhissilkiesttone.

\'Whatofthat?\'theothercried,frowning,andpushingslightlyforward.

\'Precisely,\'M.d\'Agenrepeated,layinghishandonhishiltanddecliningtogiveback.\'IamnotawarethathisMajestyhasappointedyouProvost-Marshal,orthatyouhaveanywarrant,M.

Villequier,empoweringyoutostopgentlemeninthepublicstreets.\'

M.Villequierreddenedwithanger.\'Youareyoung,M.d\'Agen,\'

hesaid,hisvoicequivering,\'orIwouldmakeyoupaydearlyforthat!\'

\'Myfriendisnotyoung,\'M.d\'Agenretorted,bowing.\'Heisagentlemanofbirth,M.Villequier;byrepute,asIlearnedyesterday,oneofthebestswordsmeninFrance,andnoGascon.

Ifyoufeelinclinedtoarresthim,doso,Ipray.AndIwillhavethehonourofengagingyourson.\'

Aswehadallbythistimeourhandsonourswords,thereneededbutablowtobringaboutoneofthosestreetbrawlswhichweremorecommonthenthannow.Anumberofmarket-people,drawntothespotbyourraisedvoices,hadgatheredround,andwerewaitingeagerlytoseewhatwouldhappen.ButVilleqier,asmycompanionperhapsknew,wasaGasconinheartaswellasbybirth,andseeingourdeterminedaspects,thoughtbetterofit.

Shrugginghisshoulderswithanaffectationofdisdainwhichimposedonnoone,hesignalledtohisservantstogoon,andhimselfstoodaside.

\'Ithankyouforyourpoliteoffer,\'hesaidwithanevilsmile,\'andwillrememberit.Butasyousay,sir,IamnottheProvost-Marshal.\'

Payinglittleheedtohiswords,webowed,passedhim,andhurriedon.Buttheperilwasnotover.NotonlyhadtheRENCONTREcostussomepreciousminutes,buttheGascon,afterlettingusproceedalittleway,followedus.Andwordbeingpassedbyhisservants,aswesupposed,thatoneofuswasthemurdererofFatherAntoine,therumourspreadthroughthecrowdlikewildfire,andinafewmomentswefoundourselvesattendedbyatroopofCANAILLEwho,hangingonourskirts,causedSimonFleixnolittleapprehension.NotwithstandingthecontemptwhichM.d\'Agen,whosebearingthroughoutwasadmirable,expressedforthem,wemighthavefounditnecessarytoturnandteachthemalessonhadwenotreachedM.deRambouillet\'sinthenickoftime;wherewefoundthedoorsurroundedbyhalfadozenarmedservants,atsightofwhomourpersecutorsfellbackwiththecowardicewhichisusuallyfoundinthatclass.

IfIhadbeentemptedoflatetothinkM.deRambouilletfickle,Ihadnoreasontocomplainnow;whetherhisattitudewasduetoM.d\'Agen\'srepresentations,ortothereflectionthatwithoutmetheplanshehadatheartmustmiscarry.Ifoundhimwaitingwithin,attendedbythreegentlemen,allcloakedandreadyfortheroad;whiletheairofpurpose,whichsatonhisbrowindicatedthathethoughtthecrisisnocommonone.Notamomentwaslost,eveninexplanations.Wavingmetothedooragain,andexchangingafewsentenceswithhisnephew,hegavethewordtostart,andweissuedfromthehouseinabody.Doubtlessthefactthatthosewhosoughttoruinmewerehispoliticalenemieshadsomeweightwithhim;forIsawhisfacehardenashiseyesmetthoseofM.deVillequier,whopassedslowlybeforethedooraswecameout.TheGascon,however,wasnotthemantointerferewithsolargeaparty,anddroppedback;whileM.deRambouillet,afterexchangingacoldsalutewithhim,ledthewaytowardstheCastleataroundpace.HisnephewandIwalkedoneoneithersideofhim,andtheothers,tothenumberoftenoreleven,pressedonbehindinacompactbody,ourcortegepresentingsodeterminedafrontthatthecrowd,whichhadremainedhangingaboutthedoor,fledeveryway.Evensomepeaceablefolkwhofoundthemselvesinourroadtooktheprecautionofslippingintodoorways,orstoodasidetogiveusthefullwidthofthestreet.

Iremarked——andIthinkitincreasedmyanxiety——thatourleaderwasdressedwithmorethanusualcareandrichness,but,unlikehisattendants,worenoarms.Hetookoccasion,aswehurriedalong,togivemeawordofadvice.\'M.deMarsac,\'hesaid,lookingatmesuddenly,\'mynephewhasgivenmetounderstandthatyouplaceyourselfentirelyinmyhands.\'

IrepliedthatIaskedfornobetterfortune,and,whatevertheevent,thankedhimfromthebottomofmyheart.

\'BepleasedthentokeepsilenceuntilIbidyouspeak,\'herepliedsharply,forhewasoneofthosewhomasuddenstresssoursandexacerbates.\'And,aboveall,noviolencewithoutmyorders.Weareabouttofightabattle,andacriticalone,butitmustbewonwithourheads.IfwecanwewillkeepyououtoftheProvost-Marshal\'shands.\'

Andifnot?IrememberedthethreatsFatherAntoinehadused,andinamomentIlostsightofthestreetwithallitslightandlifeandmovement.Ifeltnolongerthewholesomestingingofthewind.Itastedinsteadafetidair,andsawroundmeanarrowcellandmaskedfigures,andinparticularaswarthymanisaleatherapronleaningoverabrazier,fromwhichcameluridflames.AndIwasbound.Iexperiencedthatutterhelplessnesswhichisthelasttestofcourage.Themancameforward,andthen——then,thankGod!thevisionpassedaway.AnexclamationtowhichM.d\'Agengavevent,broughtmebacktothepresent,andtotheblessedknowledgethatthefightwasnotyetover.

Wewerewithinascoreofpaces,Ifound,oftheCastlegates;

butsowerealsoasecondparty,whohadjustdebouchedfromaside-street,andnowhurriedon,paceforpace,withus,withtheevidentintentionofforestallingus,Theraceendedinbothcompaniesreachingtheentranceatthesametime,withtheconsequenceofsomejostlingtakingplaceamongsttheservants.

ThismusthaveledtoblowsbutforthestrenuouscommandswhichM.deRambouillethadlaiduponhisfollowers.Ifoundmyselfinamomentconfrontedbyarowofscowlingfaces,whileadozenthreateninghandswerestretchedouttowardsme,andasmanyvoices,amongwhichIrecognisedFresnoy\'s,criedouttumultuously,\'Thatishe!Thatistheone!\'

Anelderlymaninaquaintdresssteppedforward,apaperinhishand,and,backedashewasbyhalfadozenhalberdiers,wouldinamomenthavelaidhandsonmeifM.deRambouillethadnotintervenedwithanegligentairofauthority,whichsatonhimthemoregracefullyasheheldnothingbutariding-switchinhishands.\'Tut,tut!Whatisthis?\'hesaidlightly.\'Iamnotwonttohavemypeopleinterferedwith,M.Provost,withoutmyleave.Youknowme,Isuppose?\'

\'Perfectly,M.leMarquis,\'themanansweredwithdoggedrespect;

\'butthisisbytheking\'sspecialcommand.\'

\'Verygood,\'mypatronanswered,quietlyeyeingthefacesbehindtheProvost-Marshal,asifheweremakinganoteofthem;whichcausedsomeofthegentlemenmanifestuneasiness.\'Thatissoonseen,forweareevennowabouttoseekspeechwithhisMajesty.\'

\'Notthisgentleman,\'theProvost-Marshalansweredfirmly,raisinghishandagain.\'Icannotlethimpass.\'

\'Yes,thisgentlemantoo,byyourleave,\'theMarquisretorted,lightlyputtingthehandasidewithhiscane.

\'Sir,\'saidtheother,retreatingastep,andspeakingwithsomeheat,\'thisisnojestwithallrespect.Iholdtheking\'sownorder,anditmaynotberesisted.\'

Thenoblemantappedhissilvercomfit-boxandsmiled.\'Ishallbethelasttoresistit——ifyouhaveit,\'hesaidlanguidly.

\'Youmayreaditforyourself,\'theProvost-Marshalanswered,hispatienceexhausted.

M.deRambouillettooktheparchmentwiththeendsofhisfingers,glancedatit,andgaveitback.\'AsIthought,\'hesaid,\'amanifestforgery.\'

\'Aforgery!\'criedtheother,crimsonwithindignation.\'AndI

haditfromthehandsoftheking\'sownsecretary!\'Atthisthosebehindmurmured,some\'shame,\'andsomeonethingandsomeanother——allwithanairsothreateningthattheMarquis\'sgentlemenclosedupbehindhim,andM.d\'Agenlaughedrudely.

ButM.deRambouilletremainedunmoved.\'Youmayhavehaditfromwhomyouplease,sir,\'hesaid.\'Itisaforgery,andI

shallresistitsexecution.Ifyouchoosetoawaitmehere,I

willgiveyoumywordtorenderthisgentlemantoyouwithinanhour,shouldtheorderholdgood.Ifyouwillnotwait,Ishallcommandmyservantstocleartheway,andifillhappen,thentheresponsibilitywillliewithyou.\'

Hespokeinsoresoluteamanneritwasnotdifficulttoseethatsomethingmorewasatstakethanthearrestofasingleman.

Thiswasso;therealissuewaswhethertheking,withwhoseinstabilityitwasdifficulttocope,shouldfallbackintothehandsofhisoldadvisersornot.MyarrestwasamoveinthegameintendedasacounterblasttothevictorywhichM.deRambouillethadgainedwhenhepersuadedthekingtomovetoTours;acityintheneighbourhoodoftheHuguenots,andaplaceofarmswhenceunionwiththemwouldbeeasy.

TheProvost-Marshalcould,nodoubt,makeashrewdguessatthesethings.Heknewthattheorderhehadwouldbeheldvalidornotaccordingasonepartyortheothergainedthemastery;and,seeingM.deRambouillet\'sresolutedemeanour,hegaveway.

Rudelyinterruptedmorethanoncebyhisattendants,amongwhomweresomeofBruhl\'smen,hemutteredanungraciousassenttoourproposal;onwhich,andwithoutamoment\'sdelay,theMarquistookmebythearmandhurriedmeacrossthecourtyard.

Andsofar,well.Myheartbegantorise.But,fortheMarquis,aswemountedthestaircasetheanxietyhehaddissembledwhilewefacedtheProvost-Marshal,brokeoutinangrymutterings;fromwhichIgatheredthatthecrisiswasyettocome.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whenanusherroseonourappearanceintheantechamber,and,quicklycrossingthefloor,interposedbetweenusandthedoorofthechamber,informingtheMarquiswithalowobeisancethathisMajestywasengaged.

\'Hewillseeme,\'M.deRambouilletcried,lookinghaughtilyroundonthesneeringpagesandloungingcourtiers,whogrewcivilunderhiseye.

\'Ihaveparticularorders,sir,toadmitsoone,\'themananswered.

\'Tut,tut,theydonotapplytome,\'mycompanionretorted,nothingdaunted.\'Iknowthebusinessonwhichthekingisengaged,andIamheretoassisthim.\'Andraisinghishandhethrustthestartledofficialaside,andhardilypushedthedoorsofthechamberopen.

Theking,surroundedbyhalfadozenpersons,wasintheactofputtingonhisriding-boots.Onhearingus,heturnedhisheadwithastartledair,anddroppedinhisconfusiononeoftheivorycylindershewasusing;whilehisaspect,andthatofthepersonswhostoodroundhim,remindedmeirresistiblyofapartyofschoolboysdetectedinafault.

Herecoveredhimself,itistrue,almostimmediately;andturninghisbacktous?continuedtotalktothepersonsroundhimonsuchtriflingsubjectsascommonlyengagedhim.Hecarriedonthisconversationinaveryfreeway,studiouslyignoringourpresence;butitwasplainheremainedawareofit,andeventhathewasuneasyunderthecoldandseveregazewhichtheMarquis,whoseemedinnowiseaffrightedbyhisreception,bentuponhim.

I,formypart,hadnolongeranyconfidence.Nay,IcameneartoregrettingthatIhadperseveredinanattemptsouseless.

ThewarrantwhichawaitedmeatthegatesseemedlessformidablethanhisMajesty\'sgrowingdispleasure;whichIsawIwasincurringbyremainingwhereIwas.ItneedednottheinsolentglanceofMarshalRetz,wholoungedsmilingbytheking\'shand,orthelaughterofacoupleofpageswhostoodattheheadofthechamber,todeprivemeofmylasthope;whilesomethingswhichmighthavecheeredme——theuneasinessofsomeabouttheking,andthedisquietudewhichunderlayMarshalRetz\'smanner——escapedmynoticealtogether.

WhatIdidseeclearlywasthattheking\'sembarrassmentwasfastchangingtoanger.Thepaintwhichreddenedhischeekspreventedtinyalterationinhiscolourbeingvisible,buthisfrownandthenervousmannerinwhichhekepttakingoffandputtingonhisjewelledcapbetrayedhim.Atlength,signingtooneofhiscompanionstofollow,hemovedalittleasidetoawindow,whence,afterafewmoments,thegentlemancametous.

\'M.deRambouillet,\'hesaid,speakingcoldlyandformally,\'hisMajestyisdispleasedbythisgentleman\'spresence,andrequireshimtowithdrawforthwith.\'

\'HisMajesty\'swordislaw,\'mypatronanswered,bowinglow,andspeakinginaclearvoiceaudiblethroughout;thechamber,\'butthematterwhichbringsthisgentlemanhereisoftheutmostimportance,andtoucheshisMajesty\'sperson.\'

M.deRetzlaughedjeeringly.Theothercourtierslookedgrave.

Thekingshruggedhisshoulderswithapeevishgesture,butafteramoment\'shesitation,duringwhichhelookedfirstatRetzandthenatM.deRambouillet,hesignedtotheMarquistoapproach.

\'Whyhaveyoubroughthimhere?\'hemutteredsharply,lookingaskanceatme.\'Heshouldhavebeenbestowedaccordingtomyorders.\'

\'HehasinformationforyourMajesty\'sprivateear,\'Rambouilletanswered.AndhelookedsomeaninglyatthekingthatHenry,I

think,rememberedonasuddenhiscompactwithRosny,andmypartinit;forhestartedwiththeairofamansuddenlyawakened.

\'Topreventthatinformationreachingyou,sire,\'mypatroncontinued,\'hisenemieshavepractisedonyourMajesty\'swell-

knownsenseofjustice.\'

\'Oh,butstay,stay!\'thekingcried,hitchingforwardthescantycloakhewore,whichbarelycamedowntohiswaist.\'Themanhaskilledapriest!Hehaskilledapriest,man!\'

Herepeatedwithconfidence,asifhehadnowgotholdoftherightargument.

Thatisnotso,sire,cravingyourMajesty\'spardon,M.deRambouillet;repliedwiththeutmostcoolness.

\'Tut!Tut!Theevidenceisclear,\'thekingsaidpeevishly.

\'Astothat,sire,\'mycompanionrejoined,\'ifitisofthemurderofFatherAntoineheisaccused,Isayboldlythatthereisnone.\'

\'Thenthereyouaremistaken!\'thekinganswered.\'Ihearditwithmyownearsthismorning.\'

\'Willyoudeign,sire,totellmeitsnature?\'M.deRambouilletpersisted.

ButonthatMarshalRetzthoughtitnecessarytointervene.

\'NeedweturnhisMajesty\'schamberintoacourtofjustice?\'hesaidsmoothly.Hithertohehadnotspoken;trusting,perhaps,totheimpressionhehadalreadymadeupontheking.

M.deRambouillettooknonoticeofhim.

\'ButBruhl,\'saidtheking,\'yousee,Bruhlsays——\'

\'Bruhl!\'mycompanionreplied,withsomuchcontemptthatHenrystarted.\'SurelyyourMajestyhasnottakenhiswordagainstthisgentleman,ofallpeople?\'

Thusreminded,asecondtime,oftheinterestsentrustedtome,andoftheadvantagewhichBruhlwouldgainbymydisappearance,thekinglookedfirstconfused,andthenangry.Heventedhispassioninoneortwoprofaneoaths,withthechildishadditionthatwewereallasetoftraitors,andthathehadnoonewhomhecouldtrust.Butmycompanionhadtouchedtherightchordatlast;forwhenthekinggrewmorecomposed,hewavedasideMarshalRetz\'sprotestations,andsullenlybadeRambouilletsaywhathehadtosay.

\'Themonkwaskilled,sire,aboutsunset,\'heanswered.\'Nowmynephew,M.d\'Agen,iswithout,andwilltellyourMajestythathewaswiththisgentlemanathislodgingsfromaboutanhourbeforesunsetlasteveninguntilafullhourafter.Consequently,M.deMarsaccanhardlybetheassassin,andM.leMarechalmustlookelsewhereifhewantsvengeance.\'

\'Justice,sir,notvengeance.\'MarshalRetzsaidwithadarkglance.HiskeenItalianfacehidhistroublewell,butalittlepulseofpassionbeatinginhisolivecheekbetrayedthesecrettothosewhoknewhim.Hehadaharderparttoplaythanhisopponent;forwhileRambouillet\'shandswereclean,Retzknewhimselfatraitor,andliableatanymomenttodiscoveryandpunishment.

\'LetM.d\'Agenbecalled,\'Henrysaidcurtly.

\'AndifyourMajestypleases,\'Retzadded,\'M.deBruhlalso,Ifyoureallyintend,sire,thatis,toreopenamatterwhichI

thoughthadbeensettled.\'

Thekingnoddedobstinately,hisfacefurrowedwithill-temper.

Hekepthisshiftyeyes,whichseldommetthoseofthepersonheaddressed,onthefloor;andthisaccentuatedtheawkwardstoopingcarriagewhichwasnaturaltohim.Thereweresevenoreightdogsofexceedingsmallnessintheroom,andwhilewewaitedforthepersonswhohadbeensummoned,hekicked,nowoneandnowanotherofthebasketswhichheldthem,asifhefoundinthissomeventforhisill-humour.

Thewitnessespresentlyappeared,followedbyseveralpersons,amongwhomweretheDukesofNeversandMercoeur,whocametorideoutwiththeking,andM.deCrillon;sothatthechambergrewpassablyfull.ThetwodukesnoddedformallytotheMarquis,astheypassedhim,butenteredintoamutteredconversationwithRetz,whoappearedtobeurgingthemtopresshiscause.Theyseemedtodecline,however,shruggingtheirshortcloaksasifthematterweretooinsignificant.Crillononhispartcriedaudibly,andwithanoath,toknowwhatthematterwas;andbeinginformed,askedwhetherallthisfusswasbeingmadeaboutadamnedshavelingmonk.

Henry,whosetendernessforthecowlwaswellknown,dartedanangryglanceathim,butcontentedhimselfwithsayingsharplytoM.d\'Agen,\'Now,sir,whatdoyouknowaboutthematter?\'

\'Onemoment,sire,\'M.Rambouilletcried,interposingbeforeFrancoiscouldanswer.\'CravingyourMajesty\'spardon,youhaveheardM.deBruhl\'saccount.MayI,asafavourtomyself,begyou,sire,topermitusalsotohearit?\'

\'What?\'MarshalRetzexclaimedangrily,\'arewetobethejudges,then,orhisMajesty?Arnidieu!\'hecontinuedhotly,\'what,inthefiend\'sname,havewetodowithit?Iprotest\'foreHeaven——\'

\'Ay,sir,andwhatdoyouprotest?\'mychampionretorted,turningtohimwithsterndisdain.

\'Silence!\'criedthekingwhohadlistenedalmostbewildered.

\'Silence!ByGod,gentlemen,\'hecontinued,hiseyetravellingroundthecirclewithasparkleofroyalangerinitnotunworthyofhiscrown,\'youforgetyourselves.Iwillhavenoneofthisquarrellinginmypresenceoroutofit.IlostQuelusandMaugironthatway,andlossenough,andIwillhavenoneofit,I

say!M.deBruhl,\'headded,standingerect,andlookingforthemoment,withallhispaintandfrippery,aking,\'M.deBruhl,repeatyourstory.\'

ThefeelingswithwhichIlistenedtothiscontroversymaybeimagined.Devouredinturnbyhopeandfearasnowonesideandnowtheotherseemedlikelytoprevail,Iconfrontedatonemomentthegloomofthedungeon,andatanothertastedtheairoffreedom,whichhadneverseemedsosweetbefore.Strongasthesefeelingswere,however,theygavewaytocuriosityatthispoint;

whenIheardBruhlcalled,andsawhimcomeforwardattheking\'scommand.Knowingthismantobehimselfguilty,Imarvelledwithwhatfacehewouldpresenthimselfbeforeallthoseeyes,andfromwhatdepthsofimpudencehecoulddrawsuppliesinsuchanemergency.

Ineednothavetroubledmyself,however,forhewasfullyequaltotheoccasion.Hishighcolourandpiercingblackeyesmetthegazeoffriendandfoealikewithoutflinching.Dressedwellandelegantly,heworehisravenhaircurledinthemode,andlookedalikegay,handsome,andimperturbable.Iftherewasasuspicionofcoarsenessabouthisbulkierfigure,ashestoodbesideM.

d\'Agen,whowasthecourtierperfectandpointdevise,itwenttothescaleofsincerity,seeingthatmennaturallyassociatetruthwithstrength.

\'Iknownomorethanthis,sire,\'hesaideasily;\'that,happeningtocrosstheParvisatthemomentofthemurder,I

heardFatherAntoinescream.Heutteredfourwordsonly,inthetoneofamaninmortalperil.Theywere\'——andherethespeakerlookedforaninstantatme——\'Ha!Marsac!Amoi!\'

\'Indeed!\'M.deRambouilletsaid,afterlookingtothekingforpermission.\'Andthatwasall?Yousawnothing?\'

Bruhlshookhishead.\'Itwastoodark,\'hesaid.

\'Andheardnomore?\'

\'No.\'

\'DoIunderstand,then,\'theMarquiscontinuedslowly,\'thatM.

deMarsacisarrestedbecausethepriest——Godresthissoul!——

criedtohimforhelp?\'

\'Forhelp?\'M.deRetzexclaimedfiercely.

\'Forhelp?\'saidtheking,surprised.Andatthatthemost;

ludicrouschangefelluponthefacesofall.Thekinglookedpuzzled,theDukeofNeverssmiled,theDukeofMercoeurlaughedaloud.Crilloncriedboisterously,\'Goodhit!\'andthemajority,whowishednobetterthantodivinethewinningparty,grinnedbroadly,whethertheywouldorno.

ToMarshalRetz,however,andBruhl,thatwhichtoeveryoneelseseemedanamusingretorthadatotallydifferentaspect;whiletheformerturnedyellowwithchagrinandcameneartochoking,thelatterlookedaschapfallenandstartledasifhisguilt;hadbeenthatmomentbroughthometohim.Assuredbythetoneofthemonk\'svoice——whichmust,indeed,havethunderedinhisears——

thatmynamewasutteredindenunciationbyonewhothoughtmehisassailant,hehadchosentotellthetruthwithoutreflectingthatwords,soplaintohim,might;bearadifferentconstructionwhenrepeated.

\'Certainlythewordsseemambiguous,\'Henrymuttered.

\'ButitwasMarsackilledhim,\'Retzcriedinarage.

\'Itisforsomeevidenceofthatwearewaiting,\'mychampionansweredsuavely.

TheMarshallookedhelplesslyatNeversandMercoeur,whocommonlytookpartwithhim;butapparentlythosenoblemenhadnotbeenprimedforthisoccasion.Theymerelyshooktheirheadsandsmiled.Inthemomentarysilencewhichfollowed,whilealllookedcuriouslyatBruhl,whocouldnotconcealhismortification,M.d\'Agensteppedforward.

\'IfyourMajestywillpermitme,\'hesaid,amalicioussimpercrossinghishandsomeface——IhadoftenremarkedhisextremedislikeforBruhlwithoutunderstandingit——\'IthinkIcanfurnishsomeevidencemoretothepointthanthat;towhichM.deBruhlhaswithsomuchfairnessrestrictedhimself.\'Hethenwentontostatethathehadhadthehonourofbeinginmycompanyatthetimeofthemurder;andheadded,besides,somanydetailsastoexculpatemetothesatisfactionofanycandidperson.

Thekingnodded.\'Thatsettlesthematter,\'hesaid,withasighofrelief.\'Youthinkso,Mercoeur,doyounot?Precisely.

Villequier,seethattheorderrespectingM.deMarsaciscancelled.\'

M.deRetzcouldnotcontrolhiswrathonhearingthisdirectiongiven.\'Atthisrate,\'hecriedrecklessly,\'weshallhavefewpriestslefthere!WehavegotabadnameatBlois,asitis!\'

Foramomentallinthecircleheldtheirbreath,whiletheking\'seyesflashedfireatthisdaringallusiontothemurderoftheDukedeGuise,andhisbrothertheCardinal.ButitwasHenry\'smisfortunetobeeverindulgentinthewrongplace,andseverewhenseveritywaseitherunjustorimpolitic.Herecoveredhimselfwithaneffort,andrevengedhimselfonlybyomittingtoinvitetheMarshal,whowasnowtremblinginhisshoes,tojoinhisriding-party.

Thecirclebrokeupamidsomeexcitement.IstoodononesidewithM.d\'Agen,whilethekingandhisimmediatefollowingpassedout,and,greatlyembarrassedasIwasbythecivilcongratulatingofmanywhowouldhaveseenmehangwithequalgoodwill,IwassharpenoughtoseethatsomethingwasbrewingbetweenBruhlandMarshalRetz,whostoodbackconversinginlowtones.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whentheformermadehiswaytowardsmethroughthepresswhichfilledtheantechamber,andwithaloweringbrowrequestedawordwithme.

\'Certainly,\'Isaid,watchinghimnarrowly,forIknewhimtobebothtreacherousandabully.\'Speakon,sir.\'

\'Youhavebalkedmeonceandagain,\'herejoined,inavoicewhichshookalittle,asdidthefingerswithwhichhestrokedhiswaxedmoustache.\'Thereisnoneedofwordsbetweenus.I,withoneswordbesides,willto-morrowatnoonkeepthebridgeatChaverny,aleaguefromhere.Itisanopencountry.Possiblyyourpleasuremayleadyoutoridethatwaywithafriend?\'

\'Youmaydependuponme,sir,\'Ianswered,bowinglow,andfeelingthankfulthatthematterwasatlengthtobebroughttoafairandopenarbitration.\'Iwillbethere——andinperson.Formydeputylastnight,\'Iadded,searchinghisfacewithasteadfasteye,\'seemstohavebeensomewhatunlucky.\'

CHAPTERXXI.

TWOWOMEN.

Outofcompliment,andtoshowmygratitude,IattendedM.deRambouillethometohislodging,andfoundhimasmuchpleasedwithhimself,andconsequentlywithme,asIwaswithhim.Forthetime,indeed,Icameneartolovinghim;and,certainly,hewasamanofhighandpatrioticfeeling,andofskillandconducttomatch.ButhelackedthattouchofnatureandthatpowerofsympathisingwithotherswhichgavetosuchmenasM.deRosnyandtheking,mymaster,theirpeculiarcharm;thoughafterwhatIhaverelatedofhiminthelastchapteritdoesnotlieinmymouthtospeakillofhim.And,indeed,hewasagoodman.

WhenIatlastreachedmylodging,Ifoundasurpriseawaitingmeintheshapeofanotewhichhadjustarrivednooneknewhow.

Ifthemannerofitsdeliverywasmysterious,however,itscontentswerebriefandsufficientlyexplicit;forit;ranthus:

\'SIR,BYMEETINGMETHREEHOURSAFTERNOONINTHESQUAREBEFORE

THEHOUSEOFTHELITTLESISTERSYOUWILLDOASERVICEATONCETO

YOURSELFANDTOTHEUNDERSIGNED,MARIEDEBRUHL.\'

Thatwasall,writteninafemininecharacter,yetitwasenoughtoperplexme.Simon,whohadmanifestedtheliveliestjoyatmyescape,wouldhavehadmetreatitasIhadtreatedtheinvitationtotheParvisoftheCathedral;ignoreitaltogetherI

mean.ButIwasofadifferentmind,andthisforthreereasons,amongothers:thattherequestwasstraightforward,thetimeearly,andtheplacesufficientlypublictobeanunlikelytheatreforviolence,thoughwellfittedforaninterviewtowhichtheworldatlargewasnotinvited.Then,too,thesquarelaylittlemorethanabowshotfrommylodging,thoughonthefarthersideoftheRueSt.Denys.

Besides,IcouldconceivemanygroundswhichMadamedeBruhlmighthaveforseeingme;ofwhichsometouchedmenearly.I

disregardedSimon\'swarnings,therefore,andrepairedatthetimeappointedtotheplace——aclean,pavedsquarealittleofftheRueSt.Denys,andenteredfromthelatterbyanarrowpassage.

Itwasaspotpleasantlyconvenientformeditation,butoverlookedononesidebytheHouseoftheLittleSisters;inwhich,asIguessedafterwards,madamemusthaveawaitedme,forthesquarewhenIentereditwasempty,yetinamoment,thoughnoonecameinfromthestreet,shestoodbesideme.Sheworeamaskandlongcloak.Thebeautifulhairandperfectcomplexion,whichhadfilledmewithsomuchadmirationatourfirstmeetinginherhouse,werehidden,butIsawenoughofherfigureandcarriagetobesurethatitwasMadamedeBruhlandnoother.

Shebeganbyaddressingmeinatoneofbitterness,forwhichI

wasnotaltogetherunprepared.

\'Well,sir,\'sheexclaimed,hervoicetremblingwithanger,\'youaresatisfied,Ihope,withyourwork?\'

Iexpectedthisandhadmyanswerready.\'Iamnotaware,Madame,\'Isaid,\'thatIhavecausetoreproachmyself.But,howeverthatmaybe,Itrustyouhavesummonedmeforsomebetterpurposethantochidemeforanother\'sfault;thoughitwasmyvoicewhichbroughtittolight.\'

\'Whydidyoushamemepublicly?\'sheretorted,thrustingherhandkerchieftoherlipsandwithdrawingitagainwithapassionategesture.