第15章

\'Madame,\'Iansweredpatiently——Iwasfullofpityforher,\'considerforamomentthewrongyourhusbanddidmeandhowsmallandinadequatewasthethingIdidtohiminreturn.\'

\'Tohim!\'sheejaculatedsofiercelythatIstarted.\'Itwastome——tomeyoudidit!WhathadIdonethatyoushouldexposemetotheridiculeofthosewhoknownopity,andtheangerofoneasmerciless?WhathadIdone,sir?\'

Ishookmyheadsorrowfully.\'Sofar,madame,\'Ianswered,\'I

allowIoweyoureparation,andIwillmakeitshoulditeverbeinmypower.Nay,Iwillsaymore,\'Icontinued,forthetoneinwhichshespokehadwrungmyheart.\'InonepointIstrainedthecaseagainstyourhusband.Tothebestofmybeliefheabductedtheladywhowasinmycharge,notfortheloveofher,butforpoliticalreasons,andastheagentofanother.\'

Shegasped.\'What?\'shecried.\'Saythatagain!\'

AsIcompliedshetoreoffhermaskandgazedintomyfacewithstrainingeyesandpartedlips.Isawthenhowmuchshewaschanged,eveninthesefewdays——howpaleandwornwerehercheeks,howdarkthecirclesroundhereyes.\'Willyousweartoit?\'shesaidatlast,speakingwithuncontrollableeagerness,whileshelaidahandwhichshookwithexcitementonmyarm.

Willyousweartoit,sir?\'

\'Itistrue,\'Iansweredsteadfastly.Imighthaveaddedthataftertheeventherhusbandhadsotreatedmademoiselleastoleadhertofeartheworst.ButIrefrained,feelingthatitwasnopartofmydutytocomebetweenhusbandandwife.

Sheclaspedherhands,andforamomentlookedpassionatelyupwards,asthoughsheweregivingthankstoHeaven;whilethefleshofhealthandlovelinesswhichIhadsomuchadmiredreturned,andilluminedherfaceinawonderfulmanner.Sheseemed,intruthandforthemoment,transformed.Herblueeyesfilledwithtears,herlipsmoved;norhaveIeverseenanythingbearsoneararesemblancetothosepicturesoftheVirginMarywhichRomansworshipasmadamedidthen.

Thechange,however,wasasevanescentasitwasadmirable.Inaninstantsheseemedtocollapse.Shestruckherhandstoherfaceandmoaned,andIsawtears,whichshevainlystrovetorestrain,droppingthroughherfingers.\'Toolate!\'shemurmured,inatoneofanguishwhichwrungmyheart.\'Alas,yourobbedmeofoneman,yougivemebackanother.Iknowhimnowforwhatheis.Ifhedidnotloveherthen,hedoesnow.Itistoolate!\'

SheseemedsomuchovercomethatIassistedhertoreachabenchwhichstoodagainstthewallafewpacesaway;nor,Iconfess,wasitwithoutdifficultyandmuchself-reproachthatIlimitedmyselftothoseprudentofficesonlywhichherstateandmydutyrequired.Toconsoleheronthesubjectofherhusbandwasimpossible;toignorehim,andsotoconsoleher,ataskwhichneithermydiscretionnormysenseofhonour,thoughsorelytried,permittedmetoundertake.

Shepresentlyrecoveredand,puttingonhermaskagain,saidhurriedlythatshehadstillawordtosaytome.\'Youhavetreatedmehonestly,\'shecontinued,\'and,thoughIhavenocausetodoanythingbuthateyou,Isayinreturn,looktoyourself!

Youescapedlastnight——Iknowall,foritwasmyvelvetknot——

whichIhadmadethinkingtosendittoyoutoprocurethismeeting——thatheusedasalure.Butheisnotyetattheendofhisresources.Looktoyourself,therefore.\'

IthoughtoftheappointmentIhadmadewithhimforthemorrow,butIconfinedmyselftothankingher,merelysaying,asIbowedoverthehandsheresignedtomeintokenoffarewell,\'Madame,I

amgrateful.Iamobligedtoyoubothforyourwarningandyourforgiveness.\'

\'Bendingherheadcoldlyshedrewawayherhand.Atthatmoment,asIliftedmyeyes,Isawsomethingwhichforaninstantrootedmetothespotwithastonishment.IntheentranceofthepassagewhichledtotheRueSt.Denystwopeoplewerestanding,watchingus.TheonewasSimonFleix,andtheother,amaskedwoman,atriflebelowthemiddleheight,andcladinariding-coat,wasMademoiselledelaVire!

Iknewherinamoment.ButthereliefIexperiencedonseeinghersafeandinBloiswasnotunmixedwithannoyancethatSimonFleixshouldhavebeensoimprudentastoparadeherunnecessarilyinthestreet.Ifeltsomethingofconfusionalsoonmyownaccount;forIcouldnottellhowlongsheandherescorthadbeenwatchingme.Andthesetwofeelingswereaugmentedwhen,afterturningtopayafinalsalutetoMadamedeBruhl,Ilookedagaintowardsthepassageanddiscoveredthatmademoiselleandhersquireweregone.

ImpatientasIwas,Iwouldnotseemtoleavemadamerudelyorwithoutfeeling,aftertheconsiderationshehadshownmeinherownsorrow;andaccordinglyIwaiteduncovereduntilshedisappearedwithinthe\'LittleSisters.\'ThenIstartedeagerlytowardsmylodging,thinkingImightyetovertakemademoisellebeforesheentered.Iwasdestinedtomeet,however,withanotherthoughverypertinenthindrance.AsIpassedfromtheRueSt.DenysintothequietofmystreetIheardavoicecallingmyname,and,lookingback,sawM.deRambouillet\'sequerry,amandeepinhisconfidence,runningafterme.Hebroughtamessagefromhismaster,whichhebeggedmetoconsiderofthefirstimportance.

\'TheMarquiswouldnottrustittowriting,sir,\'hecontinued,drawingmeasideintoacornerwherewewereconvenientlyretired,\'buthemademelearnitbyheart."TellM.deMarsac,"

saidhe,"thatthatwhichhewasleftinBloistodomustbedonequickly,ornotatall.Thereissomethingafootintheothercamp,Iamnotsurewhat.Butnowisthetimetoknockinthenail.Iknowhiszeal,andIdependuponhim."\'

AnhourbeforeIshouldhavelistenedtothismessagewithseriousdoubtsandmisgivings.Now,acquaintedwithmademoiselle\'sarrival,IreturnedM.deRambouilletananswerinthesamestrain,andpartingcivillyfromBertram,whowasamanImuchesteemed,Ihastenedontomylodgings,exultinginthethoughtthatthehourandthewomanwerecomeatlast,andthatbeforethedawnofanotherdayImighthope,allbeingwell,toaccomplishwithhonourtomyselfandadvantagetoothersthecommissionwhichM.deRosnyhadentrustedtome.

Imustnotdenythat,mingledwiththis,wassomeexcitementattheprospectofseeingmademoiselleagain.IstrovetoconjureupbeforemeasImountedthestairstheexactexpressionofherfaceasIhadlastseenitbendingfromthewindowatRosny;totheendthatImighthavesomeguideformyfutureconduct,andmightbelesslikelytofallintothesnareofayounggirl\'scoquetry.ButIcouldcomenow,asthen,tonosatisfactoryorsafeconclusion,andonlyfeltanewthevexationIhadexperiencedonlosingthevelvetknot,whichshehadgivenmeonthatoccasion.

IknockedatthedooroftheroomswhichIhadreservedforher,andwhichwereonthefloorbelowmyown;butIgotnoanswer.

SupposingthatSimonhadtakenherupstairs,Imountedquickly,notdoubtingIshouldfindherthere.JudgeofmysurpriseanddismaywhenIfoundthatroomalsoempty,saveforthelackeywhomM.deRambouillethadlentme!

\'Wherearethey?\'Iaskedtheman,speakingsharply,andstandingwithmyhandonthedoor.

\'Theladyandherwoman,sir?\'heanswered,comingforward.

\'Yes,yes!\'Icriedimpatiently,asuddenfearatmyheart.

ShewentoutimmediatelyafterherarrivalwithSimonFleix,sir,andhasnotyetreturned,\'heanswered.

ThewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthbeforeIheardseveralpersonsenterthepassagebelowandbegintoascendthestairs.

Ididnot;doubtthatmademoiselleandtheladhadcomehomeanotherwayand,beensomehowdetained;andIturnedwithasighofrelieftoreceivethem.ButwhenthepersonswhosestepsI

hadheardappeared,theyprovedtobeonlyM.deRosny\'sequerry,stout,burly,andbright-eyedasever,andtwoarmedservants.

CHAPTERXXII.

\'LAFEMMEDISPOSE.\'

Themomenttheequerry\'sfoottouchedtheuppermoststairI

advanceduponhim.\'Whereisyourmistress,man?\'Isaid.

\'WhereisMademoiselledelaVire?Bequick,tellmewhatyouhavedonewithher.\'

Hisfacefellamazingly.\'Whereisshe?\'heanswered,falteringbetweensurpriseandalarmatmysuddenonslaught.\'Here,sheshouldbe.Ileftherherenotanhourago.MonDieu!Isshenotherenow?\'

Hisalarmincreasedminetenfold.\'No!\'Iretorted,\'sheisnot!Sheisgone!Andyou——whatbusinesshadyou,inthefiend\'sname,toleaveherhere,aloneandunprotected?Tellmethat!\'

Heleanedagainstthebalustrade,makingnoattempttodefendhimself,andseemed,inhissuddenterror,anythingbutthebold,alertfellowwhohadascendedthestairstwominutesbefore.\'I

wasafool,\'hegroaned.\'IsawyourmanSimonhere;andFanchette,whoisasgoodasaman,waswithhermistress.AndI

wenttostablethehorses.Ithoughtnoevil.Andnow——MyGod!\'

headded,suddenlystraighteninghimself,whilehisface.grewhardandgrim,\'Iamundone!Mymasterwillneverforgiveme!\'

\'Didyoucomestraighthere?\'Isaid,consideringthat,afterall,hewasnomoreinfaultthanIhadbeenonaformeroccasion.

\'WewentfirsttoM.deRosny\'slodging,\'heanswered,\'wherewefoundyourmessagetellingustocomehere.Wecameonwithoutdismounting.\'

\'Mademoisellemayhavegoneback,andbethere,\'Isaid.\'Itispossible.Doyoustayhereandkeepagoodlook-out,andIwillgoandsee.Letoneofyourmencomewithme.\'

Heutteredabriefassent;beingamanasreadytotakeastogiveorders,andthankfulnowforanysuggestionwhichheldoutahopeofmademoiselle\'ssafety.Followedbytheservantheselected,Irandownthestairs,andinamomentwashurryingalongtheRueSt.Denys.Thedaywaswaning.Thenarrowstreetsandalleyswerealreadydark,buttheairofexcitementwhichI

hadnoticedinthemorningstillmarkedthetownsfolk,ofwhomagreatnumberwerestrollingabroad,orstandingindoorwaystalkingtotheirgossips.FeverishlyanxiousasIwas,I

remarkedthegloomwhichdweltonallfaces;butasIsetitdown.totheking\'sapproachingdeparture,andbesideswasintentonseeingthatthosewesoughtdidnotbyanychancepassusinthecrowd,Ithoughtlittleofit.Fiveminutes\'walkingbroughtustoM.deRosny\'slodging.ThereIknockedatthedoor;impatiently,Iconfess,andwithlittlehopeofsuccess.

But,tomysurprise,barelyaninstantelapsedbeforethedooropened,andIsawbeforemeSimonFleix!

Discoveringwhoitwas,hecoweredback,withaterrifiedface,andretreatedtothewallwithhisarmraised.

\'Youscoundrel!\'Iexclaimed,restrainingmyselfwithdifficulty.\'TellmethismomentwhereMademoiselledelaVireis!Or,byHeaven,Ishallforgetwhatmymotherowedtoyou,anddoyouamischief!\'

Foraninstantheglaredatmeviciously,withallhisteethexposed,asthoughhemeanttorefuse——andmore.Thenhethoughtbetterofit,and,raisinghishand,pointedsulkilyupwards.

\'Gobeforemeandknockatthedoor,\'Isaid,tappingthehiltofmydaggerwithmeaning.

Cowedbymymanner,heobeyed,andledthewaytotheroominwhichM.deRambouillethadsurprisedusonaformeroccasion.

Herehestoppedatthedoorandknockedgently;onwhichasharpvoiceinsidebadeusenter.Iraisedthelatchanddidso,closingthedoorbehindme.

Mademoiselle,stillwearingherriding-coat,satinachairbeforethehearth,onwhichanewlykindledfiresputteredandsmoked.Shehadherbacktome,anddidnotturnonmyentrance,butcontinuedtotoyinanabsentmannerwiththestringsofthemaskwhichlayinherlap.Fanchettestoodboltuprightbehindher,withherelbowssquaredandherhandsclasped;insuchanattitudethatIguessedthemaidhadbeenexpressingherstrongdissatisfactionwiththislatestwhimofhermistress,andparticularlywithmademoiselle\'simprudenceinwantonlyexposingherself,withsoinadequateaguardasSimon,inaplacewhereshehadalreadysufferedsomuch.Iwasconfirmedinthisnotiononseeingthewoman\'sharshcountenanceclearatsightofme;

thoughthechurlishnod,whichwasallthegreetingshebestowedonme,seemedtobetokenanythingbutfavourorgood-will.Shetouchedhermistressontheshoulder,however,andsaid,\'M.deMarsacishere.\'

Mademoiselleturnedherheadandlookedatmelanguidly,withoutstirringinherchairorremovingthefootshe,waswarming.

\'Goodevening,\'shesaid.

Thegreetingseemedsobriefandsocommonplace,ignoring,asitdid,boththepainsandanxietytowhichshehadjustputmeandthegreatpurposeforwhichwewerehere——tosaynothingofthatambiguouspartingwhichshemustsurelyrememberaswellasI——

thatthewordsIhadprepareddiedonmylips,andIlookedatherinhonestconfusion.Allhersmallfacewaspaleexceptherlips.Herbrowwasdark,hereyeswerehardaswellasweary.

AndnotwordsonlyfailedmeasIlookedather,butanger;

havingmountedthestairshotfoottochide,Ifeltonasudden——despitemynewcloakandscabbard,myappointment,andthesameIhadmadeatCourt——thesameconsciousnessofage;andshabbinessandpovertywhichhadpossessedmeinherpresencefromthebeginning.Imuttered,\'Goodevening,mademoiselle,\'

andthatwasallIcouldsay——IwhohadfrightenedtheburlyMaignanafewminutesbefore!

Seeing,Ihavenodoubt,theeffectsheproducedonme,shemaintainedforsometimeanembarrassingsilence.Atlengthshesaid,frigidly,\'PerhapsM.deMarsacwillsit,Fanchette.Placeachairforhim.Iamafraid,however,thatafterhissuccessesatCourthemayfindourreceptionsomewhatcold.Butweareonlyfromthecountry,\'sheadded,lookingatmeaskance,withagleamofangerinhereyes.

Ithankedherhuskily,sayingthatIwouldnotsit,asIcouldnotstay.\'SimonFleix,\'Icontinued,findingmyvoicewithdifficulty,\'has,Iamafraid,causedyousometroublebybringingyoutothishouseinsteadoftellingyouthatIhadmadepreparationforyouatmylodgings.\'

\'ItwasnotSimonFleix\'sfault,\'sherepliedcurtly.\'Iprefertheserooms.Theyaremoreconvenient.\'

\'Theyare,perhaps,moreconvenient,\'Irejoinedhumbly,\'ButI

havetothinkofsafety,mademoiselle,asyouknow.AtmyhouseIhaveacompetentguard,andcananswerforyourbeingunmolested.\'

\'Youcansendyourguardhere,\'shesaidwitharoyalair.

\'But,mademoiselle——\'

\'IsitnotenoughthatIhavesaidthatIprefertheserooms?\'

sherepliedsharply,droppinghermaskonherlapandlookingroundatmeinundisguiseddispleasure.\'Areyoudeaf,sir?Letmetellyou,Iaminnomoodforargument.Iamtiredwithriding.Iprefertheserooms,andthatisenough!\'

Nothingcouldexceedthedeterminationwithwhichshesaidthesewords,unlessitwerethemaliciouspleasureinthwartingmywisheswhichmadeitselfseenthroughtheveilofassumedindifference.Ifeltmyselfbroughtupwithavengeance,andinamannerthemostprovokingthatcouldbeconceived.Butoppositionsochildish,soutterlywanton,byexcitingmyindignation,hadpresentlytheeffectofbanishingthepeculiarbashfulnessIfeltinherpresence,andrecallingmetomyduty.

\'Mademoiselle,\'Isaidfirmly,lookingatherwithafixedcountenance,\'pardonmeifIspeakplainly.Thisisnotimeforplayingwithstraws.Themenfromwhomyouescapedonceareasdeterminedandmoredesperatenow.Bythistimetheyprobablyknowofyourarrival.Do,then,asIask,Iprayandbeseechyou.OrthistimeImaylackthepower,thoughneverthewill,tosaveyou.\'

Whollyignoringmyappeal,shelookedintomyface——forbythistimeIhadadvancedtoherside——withawhimsicalsmile.\'YouarereallymuchimprovedinmannersinceIlastsawyou,\'shesaid.

\'Mademoiselle!\'Ireplied,baffledandrepelled.\'Whatdoyoumean?\'

\'WhatIsay,\'sheanswered,flippantly.\'Butitwastobeexpected.\'

\'Forshame!\'Icried,provokedalmostbeyondbearingbyherill-

timedraillery,\'willyouneverbeseriousuntilyouhaveruinedusandyourself?Itellyouthishouseisnotsafeforyou!Itisnotsafeforme!Icannotbringmymentoit,forthereisnotroomforthem.Ifyouhaveanysparkofconsideration,ofgratitude,therefore——\'

\'Gratitude!\'sheexclaimed,swinginghermaskslowlytoandfrobyaribbon,whileshelookedupatmeasthoughmyexcitementamusedher.\'Gratitude——\'tisaveryprettyphrase,andmeansmuch;butitisforthosewhoserveusfaithfully,M.deMarsac,andnotforothers.Youreceivesomanyfavours,Iamtold,andaresosuccessfulatCourt,thatIshouldnotbejustifiedinmonopolisingyourservices.\'

\'But,mademoiselle——\'Isaidinalowtone.AndthereIstopped.

Idarednotproceed.

\'Well,sir,\'sheanswered,lookingupatsheafteramoment\'ssilence,andceasingonasuddentoplaywithhertoy,\'whatisit?\'

\'Youspokeoffavours,\'Icontinued,withaneffort.\'Ineverreceivedbutonefromalady.ThatwasatRosny,andfromyourhand.\'

\'Frommyhand?\'sheanswered,withanairofcoldsurprise.

\'Itwasso,mademoiselle.\'

\'Youhavefallenintosomestrangemistake,sir,\'shereplied,rousingherself,andlookingatmeindifferently\'Inevergaveyouafavour.\'

Ibowedlow.\'Ifyousayyoudidnot,mademoiselle,thatisenough,\'Ianswered.

\'Nay,butdonotletmedoyouaninjustice,M.deMarsac,\'sherejoined,speakingmorequicklyandinanalteredtone.\'IfyoucanshowmethefavourIgaveyou,Ishall,ofcourse,beconvinced.Seeingisbelieving,youknow,\'sheadded,withalightnervouslaugh,andagestureofsomethinglikeshyness.

IfIhadnotsufficientlyregrettedmycarelessness,andlossofthebowatthetime,Ididsonow.Ilookedatherinsilence,andsawherface,thathadforamomentshownsignsoffeeling,almostofshame,growslowlyhardagain.

\'Well,sir?\'shesaidimpatiently.\'Theproofiseasy.\'

\'Itwastakenfromme;Ibelieve,byM.deRosny,\'Iansweredlamely,wonderingwhatill-luckhadledhertoputthequestionandpressittothispoint.

\'Itwastakenfromyou!\'sheexclaimed,risingandconfrontingmewiththeutmostsuddenness,whilehereyesflashed,andherlittlehandcrumpledthemaskbeyondfutureusefulness.\'Itwastakenfromyou,sir!\'sherepeated,hervoiceandherwholeframetremblingwithangeranddisdain.\'ThenIthankyou,I

prefermyversion.Yoursisimpossible.Forletmetellyou,whenMademoiselledelaViredoesconferafavour,itwillbeonamanwiththepowerandthewit——andtheconstancy,tokeepit,evenfromM.deRosny!\'

Herscornhurt,thoughitdidnotangerme.Ifeltittobeinameasuredeserved,andragedagainstmyselfratherthanagainsther.Butawarethroughallofthesupremeimportanceofplacingherinsafety,Isubjectedmyimmediatefeelingstotheexigenciesofthemomentandstoopedtoanargumentwhichwould,Ithought,haveweightthoughprivatepleadingfailed.

\'Puttingmyselfaside,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,withmoreformalitythanIhadyetused,\'thereisoneconsiderationwhichmustweighwithyou.Theking——\'

\'Theking!\'shecried,interruptingmeviolently,herfacehotwithpassionandherwholepersoninstinctwithstubbornself-

will.\'Ishallnotseetheking!\'

\'Youwillnotseetheking?\'Irepeatedinamazement.

\'No,Iwillnot!\'sheanswered,inawhirlofanger,scorn,andimpetuosity.\'There!Iwillnot!Ihavebeenmadeatoyandatoollongenough,M.deMarsac,\'shecontinued,\'andIwillserveothers\'endsnomore.Ihavemadeupmymind.Donottalktome;youwilldonogood,sir.IwouldtoHeaven,\'sheaddedbitterly,\'IhadstayedatChizeandneverseenthisplace!\'

\'But,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,\'youhavenotthought——\'

\'Thought!\'sheexclaimed,shuttinghersmallwhiteteethsoviciouslyIallbutrecoiled.\'Ihavethoughtenough.Iamsickofthought.Iamgoingtoactnow.Iwillbeapuppetnolonger.Youmaytakemetothecastlebyforceifyouwill;butyoucannotmakemespeak.\'

Ilookedatherintheutmostdismay,andastonishment;beingunableatfirsttobelievethatawomanwhohadgonethroughsomuch,hadrunsomanyrisks,andriddensomanymilesforapurpose,would,whenallwasdoneandthehourcome,declinetocarryoutherplan.Icouldnotbelieveit,Isay,atfirst;andItriedarguments,andentreatieswithoutstint,thinkingthatsheonlyaskedtobeentreatedorcoaxed.

ButIfoundprayersandeventhreatsbreathwasteduponher;andbeyondtheseIwouldnotgo.IknowIhavebeenblamedbysomeandridiculedbyothersfornotpushingthematterfarther;butthosewhohavestoodfacetofacewithawomanofspirit——awomanwhoseveryfrailtyandweaknessfoughtforher——willbetterunderstandthedifficultieswithwhichIhadtocontendandthemannerinwhichconvictionwasatlastborneinonmymind.I

hadneverbeforeconfrontedstubbornnessofthiskind.Asmademoisellesaidagainandagain,ImightforcehertoCourt,butIcouldnotmakeherspeak.

WhenIhadtriedeverymeansofpersuasion,andstillfoundnowayofovercomingherresolutionthewhileFanchettelookedonwithafaceofwood,neitheraidingmenortakingpartagainstme——Ilost,Iconfess,inthechagrinofthemomentthatsenseofdutywhichhadhithertoanimatedme;andthoughmyrelationtomademoiselleshouldhavemademeascarefulaseverofhersafety,eveninherowndespite,Ileftheratlastinangerandwentoutwithoutsayinganotherwordaboutremovingher——athingwhichwasstillinmypower.Ibelieveaverybriefreflectionwouldhaverecalledmetomyselfandmyduty;buttheopportunitywasnotgivenme,forIhadscarcelyreachedtheheadofthestairsbeforeFanchettecameafterme,andcalledtomeinawhispertostop.

Sheheldataperinherhand,andthissheraisedtomyface,smilingatthedisorderwhichshedoubtlessreadthere.\'Doyousaythatthishouseisnotsafe?\'sheaskedabruptly,loweringthelightasshespoke.

\'YouhavetriedahouseinBloisbefore?\'Irepliedwiththesamebluntness.\'YoushouldknowaswellasI,woman.\'

\'Shemustbetakenfromhere,then,\'sheanswered,noddingherhead,cunningly.\'Icanpersuadeher.Doyousendforyourpeople,andbehereinhalfanhour.Itmaytakemethattimetowheedleher.ButIshalldoit.\'

\'Thenlisten,\'Isaideagerly,seizingtheopportunityandhersleeveanddrawingherfartherfromthedoor.\'Ifyoucanpersuadehertothat,youcanpersuadetoallIwish.Listen,myfriend,\'Icontinued,sinkingmyvoicestilllower.\'Ifshewillseethekingforonlytenminutes,andtellhimwhatsheknows,I

willgiveyou——\'

\'What?\'thewomanaskedsuddenlyandharshly,drawingatthesametimehersleevefrommyhand.

\'Fiftycrowns,\'Ireplied,naminginmydesperationasumwhichwouldseemafortunetoapersoninherposition.\'Fiftycrownsdown,themomenttheinterviewisover.\'

\'Andforthatyouwouldhavemesellher!\'thewomancriedwitharudeintensityofpassionwhichstruckmelikeablow.\'Forshame!Forshame,man!Youpersuadedhertoleaveherhomeandherfriends,andthecountrywhereshewasknown;andnowyouwouldhavemesellher!Shameonyou!Go!\'sheaddedscornfully.\'Gothisinstantandgetyourmen.Theking,sayyou?Theking!ItellyouIwouldnothaveherfingerachetosaveallyourkings!\'

Sheflouncedawaywiththat,andIretiredcrestfallen;wonderingmuchatthefidelitywhichProvidence,doubtlessforthewell-

beingofthegentle,possiblyforthegoodofall,hasimplantedinthehumble.FindingSimon,towhomIhadscarcepatiencetospeak,waitingonthestairsbelow,IdespatchedhimtoMaignan,tobidhimcometomewithhismen.MeanwhileIwatchedthehousemyselfuntiltheirarrival,andthen,goingup,foundthatFanchettehadbeenasgoodasherword.Mademoiselle,withasullenmien,andaredspotoneithercheek,consentedtodescend,and,precededbyacoupleoflinks,whichMaignanhadthoughtfullyprovided,wasescortedsafelytomylodgings;whereIbestowedherintheroomsbelowmyown,whichIhaddesignedforher.

Atthedoorsheturnedandbowedtome,herfaceonfire.

\'Sofar,sir,youhavegotyourway,\'shesaid,breathingquickly.\'Donotflatteryourself,however,thatyouwillgetitfarther——evenbybribingmywoman!\'

CHAPTERXXIII.

THELASTVALOIS.

Istoodforafewmomentsonthestairs,wonderingwhatIshoulddoinanemergencytowhichtheMarquis\'smessageoftheafternoonattachedsopressingacharacter.HaditnotbeenforthatImighthavewaiteduntilmorning,andfelttolerablycertainoffindingmademoiselleinamorereasonablemoodthen.

ButasitwasIdarednotwait.Idarednotriskthedelay,andIcamequicklytotheconclusionthattheonlycourseopentomewastogoatoncetoM.deRambouilletandtellhimfranklyhowthematterstood.

Maignanhadpostedoneofhismenattheopendoorwayleadingintothestreet,andfixedhisownquartersonthelandingatthetop,whencehecouldoverlookanintruderwithoutbeingseenhimself.Satisfiedwiththearrangement,IleftRambouillet\'smantoreinforcehim,andtookwithmeSimonFleix,ofwhoseconductinregardtomademoiselleIentertainedthegravestdoubts.

Thenight,Ifoundonreachingthestreet,wascold,theskywhereitwasvisiblebetweentheeavesbeingbrightwithstars.

Asharpwindwasblowing,too,compellingustowrapourcloaksroundusandhurryonatapacewhichagreedwellwiththeexcitementofmythoughts.AssuredthathadmademoisellebeencomplaisantImighthaveseenmymissionaccomplishedwithinthehour,itwasimpossibleIshouldnotfeelimpatientwithonewho,togratifyawhim,playedwiththesecretsofakingdomasiftheywerecounters,andriskedinpassingill-humourtheresultsofweeksofpreparation.AndIwasimpatient,andwithher.ButmyresentmentfellsofarshortoftheoccasionthatIwondereduneasilyatmyowneasiness,andfeltmoreannoyedwithmyselfforfailingtobeproperlyannoyedwithher,thaninclinedtolaytheblamewhereitwasdue.ItwasinvainItoldmyselfcontemptuouslythatshewasawomanandthatwomenwerenotaccountable.Ifeltthattherealsecretandmotiveofmyindulgencelay,notinthis,butinthesuspicion,whichherreferencetothefavourgivenmeonmydeparturefromRosnyhadconvertedalmostintoacertainty,thatIwasmyselfthecauseofhersuddenill-humour.

Imighthavefollowedthistrainofthoughtfarther,andtoverypertinentconclusions.ButonreachingM.deRambouillet\'slodgingIwasdivertedfromitbytheabnormallyquietaspectofthehouse,onthestepsofwhichhalfadozenservantsmightcommonlybeseenlounging.Nowthedoorswereclosed,nolightsshonethroughthewindows,andthehallsoundedemptyanddesolatewhenIknocked.Notalackeyhurriedtoreceivemeeventhen;buttheslipshodtreadoftheoldporter,ashecamewithalanterntoopen,alonebrokethesilence.Iwaitedeagerlywonderingwhatallthiscouldmean;andwhenthemanatlastopened,and,recognisingmyface,beggedmypardonifhehadkeptmewaitingIaskedhimimpatientlywhatwasthematter.

\'AndwhereistheMarquis?\'Iadded,steppinginsidetobeoutofthewind,andlooseningmycloak.

\'Haveyounotheard,sir?\'themanasked,holdinguphislanterntomyface.Hewasanold,wizened,leanfellow.\'Itisabreak-up,sir,Iamafraid,thistime.\'

\'Abreak-up?\'Irejoined,peevishly.\'Speakout,man!Whatisthematter?Ihatemysteries.\'

Youhavenotheardthenews,sir?ThattheDukeofMercoeurandMarshalRetz,withalltheirpeople,leftBloisthisafternoon?\'

\'No?\'Ianswered,somewhatstartled.\'Whitheraretheygone?\'

\'ToParis,itissaid,sir,——tojointheLeague.\'

\'Butdoyoumeanthattheyhavedesertedtheking?\'Iasked.

\'Forcertain,sir!\'heanswered.

\'NottheDukeofMercoeur?\'Iexclaimed.\'Why,man,heistheking\'sbrother-in-law.Heoweseverythingtohim.\'

\'Well,heisgone,sir,\'theoldmanansweredpositively.\'ThenewswasbroughttoM.leMarquisaboutfouro\'clock,oralittleafter.Hegothispeopletogether,andstartedafterthemtotryandpersuadethemtoreturn.Or,soitissaid.\'

AsquicklyasIcould,Ireviewedthesituationinmymind.Ifthisstrangenewsweretrue,andmenlikeMercoeur,whohadeveryreasontostandbytheking,aswellasmenlikeRetz,whohadlongbeensuspectedofdisaffection,wereabandoningtheCourt,thedangermustbecomingcloseindeed.Thekingmustfeelhisthronealreadytottering,andbeeagertograspatanymeansofsupportingit.Undersuchcircumstancesitseemedtobemyparamountdutytoreachhim;togainhisearifpossible,andatallrisks;thatIandnotBruhl,NavarrenotTurenne,mightprofitbythefirstimpulseofself-preservation.

Biddingtheportershuthisdoorandkeepclose,IhurriedtotheCastle,andwaspresentlymorethanconfirmedinmyresolution.

FortomysurpriseIfoundtheCourtinmuchthesamestateasM.

deRambouillet\'shouse.Thereweredoubleguardsindeedatthegates,wholetmepassafterscrutinisingmenarrowly;butthecourtyard,whichshouldhavebeenatthishourablazewithtorchesandcrowdedwithlackeysandgrooms,wasadarkwilderness,inwhichhalfadozenlinkstrembledmournfully.

PassingthroughthedoorsIfoundthingswithininthesamestate:thehallilllitanddesolate;thestaircasemannedonlybyafewwhisperinggroups,whoscannedmeasIpassed;theante-

chambersalmostempty,oroccupiedbythegreyuniformsoftheSwitzerguards.WhereIhadlooked,toseecourtiersassemblingtomeettheirsovereignandassurehimoftheirfidelity,Ifoundonlygloomyfaces,watchfuleyes,andmouthsominouslyclosed.

Anairofconstraintandforebodingrestedonall.Asinglefootstepsoundedhollowly.Thelongcorridors,whichhadsolatelyrungwithlaughterandtherattleofdice,seemedalreadydevotedtothesilence,anddesolationwhichawaitedthemwhentheCourtshoulddepart.WhereanyspokeIcaughtthenameofGuise;andIcouldhavefanciedthathismightyshadowlayupontheplaceandcursedit.

Enteringthechamber,Ifoundmatterslittlebetterthere.HisMajestywasnotpresent,norwereanyoftheCourtladies;buthalfadozengentlemen,amongwhomIrecognisedRevol,oneoftheKing\'ssecretaries,stoodnearthealcove.Theylookeduponmyentrance,asthoughexpectingnews,andthen,seeingwhoitwas,lookedawayagainimpatiently.TheDukeofNeverswaswalkingmoodilytoandfrobeforeoneofthewindows,hishandsclaspedbehindhisback:whileBironandCrillon,reconciledbythecommonperil,talkedloudlyonthehearth.Ihesitatedamoment,uncertainhowtoproceed,forIwasnotyet;sooldatCourtastofeelathomethere.But,atlastmakingupmymind,IwalkedboldlyuptoCrillonandrequestedhisgoodofficestoprocuremeanimmediateaudienceoftheking.

\'Anaudience?Doyoumeanyouwanttoseehimalone?\'hesaid,raisinghiseyebrowsandlookingwhimsicallyatBiron.

\'Thatismypetition,M.deCrillon,\'Iansweredfirmly,thoughmyheartsank.\'IamhereonM.deRambouillet\'sbusiness,andI

needtoseehisMajestyforthwith,\'

\'Well,thatisstraightforward,\'hereplied,clappingmeontheshoulder.\'Andyoushallseehim.IncomingtoCrillonyouhavecometotherightman.Revol,\'hecontinued,turningtothesecretary,\'thisgentlemanbearsamessagefromM.deRambouillettotheking.Takehimtotheclosetwithoutdelay,myfriend,andannouncehim.Iwillbeanswerableforhim.\'

Butthesecretaryshruggedhisshouldersuptohisears.\'Itisquiteimpossible,M.deCrillon,\'hesaidgravely.\'Quiteimpossibleatpresent.\'

\'Impossible!Chut!Idonotknowtheword,\'Crillonretortedrudely.\'Come,takehimatonce,andblamemeifillcomesofit.Doyouhear?\'

\'ButhisMajesty——\'

\'Well?\'

\'Isathisdevotions,\'thesecretarysaidstiffly.

\'HisMajesty\'sdevotionsbehanged!\'Crillonrejoined——soloudlythattherewasageneraltitter,andM.deNeverslaughedgrimly.

\'Doyouhear?\'theAvennaiscontinued,hisfacegrowingredderandhisvoicehigher,\'ormustIpullyourears,myfriend?Takethisgentlemantothecloset,Isay,andifhisMajestybeangry,tellhimitwasbymyorder.ItellyouhecomesfromRambouillet.\'

Idonotknowwhetheritwasthethreat,orthementionofM.deRambouillet\'sname,whichconvincedthesecretary.Butatanyrate,afteramoment\'shesitation,heacquiesced.

Henoddedsullenlytometofollowhim,andledthewaytoacurtainwhichmaskedthedoorofthecloset.Ifollowedhimacrossthechamber,aftermutteringahastywordofacknowledgmenttoCrillon;andIhadasnearlyaspossiblereachedthedoorwhenthebustleofsomeoneenteringthechambercaughtmyear.IhadjusttimetoturnandseethatthiswasBruhl,justtimetointerceptthedarklookofchagrinandsurprisewhichhefixedonme,andthenRevol,holdingupthecurtain,signedtometoenter.

Iexpectedtopassatonceintothepresenceoftheking,andhadmyreverenceready.Instead,Ifoundmyselftomysurpriseinasmallchamber,orratherpassage,curtainedatbothends,andoccupiedbyacoupleofguardsmen——members,doubtless,oftheBandoftheForty-Fivewhoroseatmyentranceandlookedatmedubiously.Theirguard-room,dimlyilluminedbyalampofredglass,seemedtome,inspiteofitscurtainsandvelvetbench,andthethicktapestrywhichkeptouteverybreathofwholesomeair,themostsombreIcouldimagine.Andthemostill-omened.

ButIhadnotimetomakeanylongobservation;forRevol,passingmebrusquely,raisedthecurtainattheotherend,and,withhisfingeronhislip,bademebysignstoenter.

Ididsoassilently,theheavyscentofperfumesstrikingmeinthefaceasIraisedasecondcurtain,andstoppedshortapacebeyondit;partlyinreverence——becausekingslovetheirsubjectsbestatadistance——andpartlyinsurprise.Fortheroom,orratherthatportionofitinwhichIstood,wasindarkness;onlythefartherendbeingilluminedbyacoldpalefloodofmoonlight,which,passingthroughahigh,straightwindow,layinasilverysheetonthefloor.ForaninstantIthoughtIwasalone;thenIsaw,restingagainstthiswindow,withahandoneithermullion,atallfigure,havingsomethingstrangeaboutthehead.ThispeculiaritypresentlyresolveditselfintotheturbaninwhichIhadoncebeforeseenhisMajesty.Theking——forheitwas——wastalkingtohimself.Hehadnotheardmeenter,andhavinghisbacktomeremainedunconsciousofmypresence.

Ipausedindoubt,afraidtoadvance,anxioustowithdraw;yetuncertainwhetherIcouldmoveagainunheard.AtthismomentwhileIstoodhesitating,heraisedhisvoice,andhiswords,reachingmyears,rivetedmyattention,sostrangeandeeriewereboththeyandhistone.\'Theysaythereisill-luckinthirteen,\'hemuttered.\'ThirteenValoisandlast!\'Hepausedtolaughawicked,mirthlesslaugh.\'Ay,——Thirteenth!AnditisthirteenyearssinceIenteredParis,acrownedKing!TherewereQuelusandMaugironandSt.MegrinandI——andhe,Iremember.

Ah,thosedays,thosenights!Iwouldsellmysoultolivethemagain;hadInotsolditlongagointhelivingthemonce!Wewereyoungthen,andrich,andIwasking;andQueluswasanApollo!Hediedcallingonmetosavehim.AndMaugirondied,blasphemingGodandthesaints.AndSt.Megrin,hehadthirty-

fourwounds.Andhe——heisdeadtoo,cursehim!Theyarealldead,alldead,anditisallover!MyGod!itisallover,itisallover,itisallover!\'

Herepeatedthelastfourwordsmorethanadozentimes,rockinghimselftoandfrobyhisholdonthemullions.ItrembledasI

listened,partlythroughfearonmyownaccountshouldIbediscovered,andpartlybyreasonofthehorrorofdespairandremorse——no,notremorse,regret——whichspokeinhismonotonousvoice.Iguessedthatsomeimpulsehadledhimtodrawthecurtainfromthewindowandshadethelamp;andthatthen,ashelookeddownonthemoonlitcountry,thecontrastbetweenitandthevicious,heatedatmosphere,heavywithintrigueandworse,inwhichhehadspenthisstrength,hadforceditselfuponhismind.

Forhepresentlywenton.

\'France!Thereitlies!Andwhatwilltheydowithit?Willtheycutitupintopieces,asitwasbeforeoldLouisXI?WillMercoeur——cursehim!bethemostChristianDukeofBrittany?

AndMayenne,bythegraceofGod,PrinceofParisandtheUpperSeine?OrwillthelittlePrinceofBearnbeatthem,andbeHenryIV.,KingofFranceandNavarre,ProtectoroftheChurches?

Cursehimtoo!Heisthirty-six.Heismyage.Butheisyoungandstrong,andhasallbeforehim.WhileI——I——oh,myGod,havemercyonme!Havemercyonme,OGodinHeaven!\'