第16章

Withthelastwordhefellonhiskneesonthestepbeforethewindow,andburstintosuchanagonyofunmanlytearsandsobbingsasIhadneverdreamedoforimagined,andleastofallintheKingofFrance.Hardlyknowingwhethertobemoreashamedorterrified,Iturnedatallrisks,andstealthilyliftingthecurtain,creptoutwithinfinitecare;andhappilywithsomuchgoodfortuneastoescapedetection.Therewasspaceenoughbetweenthetwocurtainstoadmitmybodyandnomore;andhereI

stoodashortwhiletocollectmythoughts.Then,strikingmyscabbardagainstthewall,asthoughbyaccident,andcoughingloudlyatthesamemoment,Itwitchedthecurtainasidewithsomeviolenceandre-entered,thinkingthatbythesemeansIhadgivenhimwarningenough.

ButIhadnotreckonedonthedarknessinwhichtheroomlay,ortheexcitablestateinwhichIhadlefthim.Heheardme,indeed,butbeingabletoseeonlyatall,indistinctfigureapproachinghim,hetookfright,andfallingbackagainstthemoonlitwindow,asthoughhesawaghost,thrustouthishand,gaspingatthesametimetwowords,whichsoundedtomelike\'Ha!

Guise!\'

Thenextinstant,discerningthatIfellonmykneewhereI

stood,andcamenonearer,herecoveredhimself.withaneffort,whichhisbreathingmadeveryapparent,heaskedinanunsteadyvoicewhoitwas.

\'OneofyourMajesty\'smostfaithfulservants,\'Ianswered,remainingonmyknee,andaffectingtoseenothing.

Keepinghisfacetowardsme,hesidledtothelampandstrovetowithdrawtheshade.Buthisfingerstrembledsoviolentlythatitwassometimebeforehesucceeded,andsetfreethecheerfulbeams,which,suddenlyfillingtheroomwithradiance,disclosedtomywonderingeyes,insteadofdarknessandthecoldgleamofthemoon,aprofusionofriches,ofredstuffsandgemmedtriflesandgildedarmscrowdedtogetherinrecklessdisorder.Amonkeychainedinonecornerbegantogibberandmowatme.Acloakofstrangecut,stretchedonawoodenstand,deceivedmeforaninstantintothinkingthattherewasathirdpersonpresent;

whilethetable,heapedwithdollsandpowder-puff\'s,dog-collarsandsweet-meats,amask,awoman\'sslipper,apairofpistols,somepotions,ascourge,andanimmensequantityoflikelitter,hadasmelancholyanappearanceinmyeyesasthekinghimself,whosedisorderthelightdisclosedwithoutmercy.Histurbanwasawry,andbetrayedtheprematurebaldnessofhisscalp.Thepaintonhischeekswascrackedandstained,andhadsoiledthegloveshewore.Helookedfiftyyearsold;andinhisexcitementhehadtuggedhisswordtothefront,whenceitrefusedtobethrustback.

\'Whosentyouhere?\'heasked,whenhehadsofarrecoveredhissensesastorecogniseme,whichhedidwithgreatsurprise.

\'Iamhere,sire,\'Iansweredevasively,\'toplacemyselfatyourMajesty\'sservice.\'

\'Suchloyaltyisrare,\'heanswered,withabittersneer.\'Butstandup,sir.IsupposeImustbethankfulforsmallmercies,and,losingaMercoeur,begladtoreceiveaMarsac.\'

\'Byyourleave,sire,\'Irejoinedhardily,\'theexchangeisnotsoadverse.YourMajestymaymakeanotherdukewhenyouwill.

Buthonestmenarenotsoeasilycomeby.\'

\'So!so!\'heanswered,lookingatmewithafiercelightinhiseyes.\'Youremindmeinseason,Imaystillmakeandunmake!I

amstillKingofFrance?Thatissosirrah,isitnot?\'

\'Godforbidthatitshouldbeotherwise!\'Iansweredearnestly.

\'ItistolaybeforeyourMajestycertainmeansbywhichyoumaygivefullereffecttoyourwishesthatIamhere.TheKingofNavarredesiresonly,sire——\'

\'Tut,tut!\'heexclaimedimpatiently,andwithsomedispleasure,\'Iknowhiswillbetterthanyou,man.Butyousee,\'hecontinuedcunningly,forgettingmyinferiorpositionasquicklyashehadrememberedit,\'Turennepromiseswell,too.AndTurenne——itistruehemayplaytheLorrainer.ButifItrustHenryofNavarre,andheprovefalsetome——\'

Hedidnotcompletethesentence,butstrodetoandfroatimeortwo,hismind,whichhadanaturalinclinationtowardscrookedcourses,bentonsomeschemebywhichhemightplayofftheonepartyagainsttheother.Apparentlyhewasnotverysuccessfulinfindingone,however;orelsetheill-luckwithwhichhehadsupportedtheLeagueagainsttheHuguenotsrecurredtohismind.

Forhepresentlystopped,withasigh,andcamebacktothepoint.

\'IfIknewthatTurennewerelying,\'bemuttered,\'thenindeed.

ButRosnypromisedevidence,andhehassentmenone.\'

\'Itisathand,sire,\'Ianswered,myheartbeginningtobeat,\'YourMajestywillrememberthatM.deRosnyhonouredmewiththetaskofintroducingittoyou.\'

\'Tobesure,\'hereplied,awakingasfromadream,andlookingandspeakingeagerly.Mattersto-dayhavedriveneverythingoutofmyhead.Whereisyourwitness,man?Convinceme,andwewillactpromptly.WewillgivethemJarnacandMoncontouroveragain.Isheoutside?\'

\'Itisawoman,sire,\'Imadeanswer,dashedsomewhatbyhissuddenandfeverishalacrity.

\'Awoman,eh?Youhaveherhere?\'

\'No,sire,\'Ireplied,wonderingwhathewouldsaytomynextpieceofinformation.\'SheisinBlois,shehasarrived,butthetruthis——IhumblycraveyourMajesty\'sindulgence——sherefusestocomeorspeak.Icannotwellbringherherebyforce,andI

havesoughtyou,sire,forthepurposeoftakingyourcommandsinthematter.\'

Hestaredatmeintheutmostastonishment.

\'Issheyoung?\'heaskedafteralongpause.

\'Yes,sire,\'Ianswered.\'SheismaidofhonourtothePrincessofNavarre,andawardalsooftheVicomtedeTurenne.\'

\'Gad!thensheisworthhearing,thelittlerebel!\'hereplied.

\'AwardOfTurenne\'sisshe?Ho!ho!Andnowshewillnotspeak?MycousinofNavarrenowwouldknowhowtobringhertohersenses,butIhaveeschewedthesevanities.Imightsendandhaveherbrought,itistrue;butaverylittlethingwouldcauseabarricadeto-night.\'

\'Andbesides,sire,\'Iventuredtoadd,\'sheisknowntoTurenne\'speoplehere,whohaveoncestolenheraway.WereshebroughttoyourMajestywithanydegreeofopenness,theywouldlearnit,andknowthatthegamewaslost.\'

\'Whichwouldnotsuitme,\'heanswered,noddingandlookingatmegloomily.\'TheymightanticipateourJarnac;anduntilwehavesettledmatterswithoneortheotherourpersonisnottoosecure.Youmustgoandfetchher.Sheisatyourlodging.Shemustbebrought,man.\'

\'Iwilldowhatyoucommand,sire,\'Ianswered.\'ButIamgreatlyafraidthatshewillnotcome.\'

Helosthistemperatthat.\'Thenwhy,inthedevil\'sname,haveyoutroubledmewiththematter?\'hecriedsavagely.\'Godknows——Idon\'t——whyRosnyemployedsuchamanandsuchawoman.

Hemighthaveseenfromthecutofyourcloak,sir,whichisfullsixmonthsbehindthefashion,thatyoucouldnotmanageawoman!

Waseversuchdamnablefollyheardofinthisworld?ButitisNavarre\'sloss,notmine.Itishisloss.AndIhopetoHeavenitmaybeyourstoo!\'headdedfiercely.

TherewassomuchinwhathesaidthatIbentbeforethestorm,andacceptedwithhumilityblamewhichwasasnaturalonhispartasitwasundeservedonmine.IndeedIcouldnotwonderathisMajesty\'sanger;norshouldIhavewonderedatitinagreaterman.Iknewthatbutforreasons,onwhichIdidnotwishtodwell,Ishouldhavesharedittothefull,andspokenquiteasstronglyofthecapricewhichruinedhopesandlivesforawhim.

Thekingcontinuedforsometimetosaytomeallthehardthingshecouldthinkof.Weariedatlastbymypatience,hepaused,andcriedangrily.\'Well,haveyounothing;tosayforyourself?

Canyousuggestnothing?\'

\'IdarenotmentiontoyourMajesty,\'Isaidhumbly,\'whatseemstometobetheonlyalternative.\'

\'YoumeanthatIshouldgotothewench!\'heanswered——forhedidnotlackquickness.\'"SENONVAELOTEROAMAHOMA,VAYA

MAHOMAALOTERO,"asMendozasays.Butthesaucyquean,toforcemetogotoher!Didmywifeguess——butthere,Iwillgo.ByGodIwillgo!\'headdedabruptlyandfiercely.\'IwilllivetoruinRetzyet!Whereisyourlodging?\'

Itoldhim,wonderingmuchatthisflashoftheoldspirit,whichtwentyyearsbeforehadwonhimareputationhislaterlifedidnothingtosustain.

\'Doyouknow,\'heasked,speakingwithsustainedenergyandclearness,\'thedoorbywhichM.deRosnyenteredtotalkwithme?Canyoufinditinthedark?\'

\'Yes,sire,\'Ianswered,myheartbeatinghigh.

\'Thenbeinwaitingtheretwohoursbeforemidnight,\'hereplied.

\'Bewellarmed,butalone.Ishallknowhowtomakethegirlspeak.Icantrustyou,Isuppose?\'headdedsuddenly,steppingnearertomeandlookingfixedlyintomyeyes.

\'IwillanswerforyourMajesty\'slifewithmyown,\'Ireplied,sinkingononeknee.

\'Ibelieveyou,sir,\'heansweredgravely,givingmehishandtokiss,andthenturningaway.\'Sobeit.Nowleaveme.Youhavebeenheretoolongalready.Notawordtoanyoneasyouvalueyourlife.\'

Imadefittinganswerandwasleavinghim;butwhenIhadmyheadalreadyonthecurtain,hecalledmeback.\'InHeaven\'snamegetanewcloak!\'hesaidpeevishly,eyeingmealloverwithhisfacepuckeredup.\'Getanewcloak,man,thefirstthinginthemorning.Itisworseseenfromthesidethanthefront.Itwouldruinthecleverestcourtierofthemall!\'

CHAPTERXXIV.

AROYALPERIL.

TheelationwithwhichIhadheardthekingannouncehisresolutionquicklydiminishedoncoolerreflection.ItstoodinparticularataverylowebbasIwaited,anhourlater,atthelittlenorthposternoftheCastle,and,coweringwithintheshelterofthearchtoescapethewind,debatedwhetherhisMajesty\'senergywouldsustainhimtothepointofaction,orwhetherhemightnot,inoneofthosefitsoftreacherousvacillationwhichhadagainandagainmarredhisplans,sendthosetokeeptheappointmentwhowouldgiveafinalaccountofme.ThelongerIconsideredhischaracterthemoredubiousI

grew.Thelonelinessofthesituation,thedarkness,theblackfront,unbrokenbyanyglimmeroflight,whichtheCastlepresentedonthisside,andtheunusualandgloomystillnesswhichlayuponthetown,allcontributedtoincreasemyuneasiness.ItwaswithapprehensionaswellasreliefthatI

caughtatlastthesoundoffootstepsonthestonestaircase,and,standingalittletooneside,sawastreakoflightappearatthefootofthedoor.

Onthelatterbeingpartiallyopenedavoicecriedmyname.I

advancedwithcautionandshowedmyself.Abriefconversationensuedbetweentwoorthreepersonswhostoodwithin;butintheend,amaskedfigure,whichIhadnodifficultyinidentifyingastheking,steppedbrisklyout.

\'Youarearmed?\'hesaid,pausingasecondoppositeme.

Iputbackmycloakandshowedhim,bythelightwhichstreamedfromthedoorway,thatIcarriedpistolsaswellasasword.

\'Good!\'heansweredbriefly;\'thenletusgo.Doyouwalkonmylefthand,myfriend.Itisadarknight,isitnot?\'

\'Verydark,sire,\'Isaid.

Hemadenoanswertothis,andwestarted,proceedingwithcautionuntilwehadcrossedthenarrowbridge,andthenwithgreaterfreedomandatabetterpace.TheslendernessoftheattendanceatCourtthatevening,andthecoldwind,whichswepteventhenarroweststreetsanddroveroisterersindoors,rendereditunlikelythatweshouldbestoppedormolestedbyanyexceptprofessedthieves;andfortheseIwasprepared.Thekingshowednoinclinationtotalk;andkeepingsilencemyselfoutofrespect,IhadtimetocalculatethechancesandtoconsiderwhetherhisMajestywouldsucceedwhereIhadfailed.

Thiscalculation,whichwasnotinconsistentwiththekeenestwatchfulnessonmypartwheneverweturnedacornerorpassedthemouthofanalley,wasbroughttoanendbyoursafearrivalatthehouse.Brieflyapologisingtothekingforthemeannessanddarknessofthestaircase,Ibeggedleavetoprecedehim,andrapidlymounteduntilImetMaignan.Whisperingtohimthatallwaswell,Ididnotwaittohearhisanswer,but,biddinghimbeonthewatch,Iledthekingonwithasmuchdeferenceaswaspossibleuntilwestood.atthedoorofmademoiselle\'sapartment,whichIhaveelsewherestatedtoconsistofanouterandinnerroom.ThedoorwasopenedbySimonFleix,andhimI

promptlysentout.Then,standingasideanduncovering,Ibeggedthekingtoenter.

Hedidso,stillwearinghishatandmask,andIfollowedandsecuredthedoor.Alamphangingfromtheceilingdiffusedanimperfectlightthroughtheroom,whichwassmallerbutmorecomfortableinappearancethanthatwhichIrentedoverhead.I

observedthatFanchette,whoseharshcountenancelookedmoreforbiddingthanusual,occupiedastoolwhichshehadsetinastrangefashionagainsttheInnerdoor;butIthoughtnomoreofthisatthemoment,myattentionpassingquicklytomademoiselle,whosatcrouchingbeforethefire,envelopedinalargeoutdoorcloak,asifshefeltthecold.Herbackwastowardsus,andshewas,orpretendedtobe,stillignorantofourpresence.WithamutteredwordIpointedherouttotheking,andwenttowardsherwithhim.

\'Mademoiselle,Isaidinalowvoice,\'MademoiselledelaVire!

Ihavethehonour——\'

Shewouldnotturn,andIstopped.Clearlysheheard,butshebetrayedthatshedidsoonlybydrawinghercloakmorecloselyroundher.Primedbymyrespectfortheking,Itouchedherlightlyontileshoulder.\'Mademoiselle!\'Isaidimpatiently,\'youarenotawareofit,but——\'

SheshookherselffreefrommyhandwithsorudeagesturethatI

brokeoff,andstoodgazingfoolishlyather.Thekingsmiled,andnoddingtometostepbackapace,tookthetaskonhimself.

\'Mademoiselle,\'hesaidwithdignity,\'Iamnotaccustomed——\'

Hisvoicehadamagicaleffect.Beforehecouldaddanotherwordshesprangupasifshehadbeenstruck,andfacedus,acryofalarmonherlips.Simultaneouslywebothcriedouttoo,foritwasnotmademoiselleatall.Thewomanwhoconfrontedus,herhandonhermask,hereyesglitteringthroughtheslits,wasofatallerandfullerfigure.Westaredather.Thenalockofbrightgoldenhairwhichhadescapedfromthehoodofhercloakgaveustheclue.\'Madame!\'thekingcried.

\'MadamedeBruhl!\'Iechoed,myastonishmentgreaterthanhis.

Seeingherselfknown,shebeganwithtremblingfingerstoundothefasteningsofhermask;buttheking,whohadhithertodisplayedatrustfulnessIhadnotexpectedinhim,hadtakenalarmatsightofher,asatathingunlookedfor,andofwhichI

hadnotwarnedhim.\'Howisthis?\'hesaidharshly,drawingbackapacefromherandregardingmewithangeranddistrust.

\'Isthissomeprettyarrangementofyours,sir?AmIanintruderatanassignation,oristhisatrapwithM.deBruhlinthebackground?Answer,sirrah!\'hecontinued,workinghimselfrapidlyintoapassion.\'WhichamItounderstandisthecase?\'

\'Neither,sire,\'IansweredwithasmuchdignityasIcouldassume,utterlysurprisedandmystifiedasIwasbyMadame\'spresence.\'YourMajestywrongsMadamedeBruhlasmuchbytheonesuspicionasyouinjuremebytheother.Iamequallyinthedarkwithyou,sire,andaslittleexpectedtoseemadamehere.\'

\'Icame,sire,\'shesaidproudly,addressingherselftotheking,andignoringme,\'outofnolovetoM.deMarsac,butasanypersonbearingamessagetohimmightcome.Norcanyou,sire,\'

sheaddedwithspirit,\'feelhalfasmuchsurpriseatseeingmehere,asIatseeingyourMajesty.\'

\'Icanbelievethat,\'thekinganswereddrily.\'Iwouldyouhadnotseenme.\'

\'TheKingofFranceisseenonlywhenhechooses,\'shereplied,curtseyingtotheground.

\'Good,\'heanswered.\'Letitbeso,andyouwillobligetheKingofFrance,madame.Butenough,\'hecontinued,turningfromhertome;\'sincethisisnottheladyIcametosee,M.deMarsac,whereisshe?\'

\'Intheinnerroom,sire,Iopine,\'Isaid,advancingtoFanchettewithmoremisgivingatheartthanmymannerevinced.

\'Yourmistressishere,isshenot?\'Icontinued,addressingthewomansharply.

\'Ay,andwillnotcomeout,\'sherejoined,sturdilykeepingherplace.

\'Nonsense!\'Isaid.\'Tellher——\'

\'Youmaytellherwhatyouplease,\'shereplied,refusingtobudgeaninch.\'Shecanhear.\'

\'But,woman!\'Icriedimpatiently,\'youdonotunderstand.I

MUSTspeakwithher.Imustspeakwithheratonce!Onbusinessofthehighestimportance.\'

\'Asyouplease,\'shesaidrudely,stillkeepingherseat.\'I

havetoldyouyoucanspeak.\'

PerhapsIfeltasfoolishonthisoccasionaseverinmylife;

andsurelyneverwasmanplacedinamoreridiculousposition.

Afterovercomingnumberlessobstacles,andescapingasmanyperils,Ihadbroughtthekinghere,afeatbeyondmyhighesthopes——onlytobebaffledanddefeatedbyawaiting-woman!I

stoodirresolute;witlessandconfused;whilethekingwaitedhalfangryandhalfamused,andmadamekeptherplacebytheentrance,towhichshehadretreated.

Iwasdeliveredfrommydilemmabythecuriositywhichis,providentiallyperhaps,apartofwoman\'scharacter,andwhichledmademoiselletointerfereherself.Keenlyonthewatchinside,shehadheardpartofwhatpassedbetweenus,andbeenrenderedinquisitivebythesoundofastrangeman\'svoice,andbythedeferencewhichshecoulddiscernIpaidtothevisitor.

Atthismoment,shecriedout,accordingly,toknowwhowasthere;andFanchette,seemingtotakethisasacommand,roseanddraggedherstoolaside,sayingpeevishlyandwithoutanyincreaseofrespect,\'There,Itoldyoushecouldhear.\'

\'Whoisit?\'mademoiselleaskedagain,inaraisedvoice.

Iwasabouttoanswerwhenthekingsignedtometostandback,and,advancinghimself,knockedgentlyonthedoor.\'Open,I

prayyou,mademoiselle,\'hesaidcourteously.

\'Whoisthere?\'shecriedagain,hervoicetrembling.

\'ItisI,theking,\'heansweredsoftly;butinthattoneofmajestywhichbelongsnottotheman,buttothedescendant,andseemstobetheoutcomeofcenturiesofcommand.

Sheutteredanexclamationandslowly,andwithseemingreluctance,turnedthekeyinthelock.Itgrated,andthedooropened.Icaughtaglimpseforaninstantofherpalefaceandbrighteyes,andthenhisMajesty,removinghishat,passedinandclosedthedoor;andIwithdrewtothefartherendoftheroom,wheremadamecontinuedtostandbytheentrance.

Ientertainedasuspicion,Iremember,andnotunnaturally,thatshehadcometomylodgingasherhusband\'sspy;butherfirstwordswhenIjoinedherdispelledthis.\'Quick!\'shesaidwithanimperiousgesture.\'Hearmeandletmego!Ihavewaitedlongenoughforyou,andsufferedenoughthroughyou.Asforthat,womaninthere,sheismad,andherservanttoo!Now,listentome.Youspoketomehonestlyto-day,andIhavecometorepayyou.Youhaveanappointmentwithmyhusbandto-morrowatChaverny.Isitnotso?\'sheaddedimpatiently.

Irepliedthatitwasso.

\'Youaretogowithonefriend,\'shewenton,tearingthegloveshehadtakenoff,tostripsinherexcitement,\'Heistomeetyouwithonealso?\'

\'Yes,\'Iassentedreluctantly,\'atthebridge,madame.\'

\'Thendonotgo,\'sherejoinedemphatically.\'ShameonmethatI

shouldbetraymyhusband;butitwereworsetosendaninnocentmantohisdeath.Hewillmeetyouwithoneswordonly,accordingtohischallenge,buttherewillbethoseunderthebridgewhowillmakecertainwork.There,Ihavebetrayedhimnow!\'shecontinuedbitterly.\'Itisdone.Letmego!\'

\'Nay,but,madame,\'Isaid,feelingmoreconcernedforher,onwhomfromthefirstmomentofmeetingherIhadbroughtnothingbutmisfortune,thansurprisedbythisnewtreacheryonhispart,\'willyounotrunsomeriskinreturningtohim?IstherenothingIcandoforyou——nostepIcantakeforyourprotection?\'

\'None!\'shesaidrepellentlyandalmostrudely,\'excepttospeedmygoing.\'

\'Butyouwillnotpassthroughthestreetsalone?\'

Shelaughedsobitterlymyheartachedforher.\'Theunhappyarealwayssafe,\'shesaid.

RememberinghowshortatimeitwassinceIhadsurprisedherinthefirsthappinessofweddedlove,IfeltforherallthepityitwasnaturalIshouldfeel.ButtheresponsibilityunderwhichhisMajesty\'spresenceandthechargeofmademoisellelaidmeforbademetoindulgeintheluxuryofevincingmygratitude.

GladlywouldIhaveescortedherbacktoherhome——evenifI

couldnotmakethathomeagainwhatithadbeen,orrestoreherhusbandtothepinnaclefromwhichIhaddashedhim——butIdarednotdothis.Iwasforcedtocontentmyselfwithless,andwasabouttooffertosendoneofmymenwithher,whenahurriedknockingattheouterdoorarrestedthewordsonmylips.

Signingtohertostandstill,Ilistened.Theknockingwasrepeated,andgreweachmomentmoreurgent.Therewasalittlegrille,stronglywired,intheupperpartofthedoor,andthisI

wasabouttoopeninordertolearnwhatwasamiss,whenSimon\'svoicereachedmefromthefarthersideimploringmetoopenthedoorquickly.Doubtingthelad\'sprudence,yetafraidtorefuselestIshouldlosesomewarninghehadtogive,Ipausedasecond,andthenundidthefastenings.Themomentthedoorgavewayhefellinbodily,cryingouttometobaritbehindhim.I

caughtaglimpsethroughthegapofaglareasoftorches,andsawbythislighthalfadozenflushedfacesintheactofrisingabovetheedgeofthelanding.Themenwhoownedthemraisedashoutoftriumphatsightofme,and,clearingtheupperstepsatabound,madearushforthedoor.Butinvain.Wehadjusttimetocloseitanddropthetwostoutbars.Inamoment,inasecond,thefierceoutcryfelltoadullroar;andsafeforthetime,wehadleisuretolookinoneanother\'sfacesandlearnthedifferentaspectsofalarm.Madamewaswhitetothelips,whileSimon\'seyesseemedstartingfromhishead,andheshookineverylimbwithterror.

Atfirst,onmyaskinghimwhatitmeant,hecouldnotspeak.

Butthatwouldnotdo,andIwasintheactofseizinghimbythecollartoforceananswerfromhimwhentheinnerdooropened,andthekingcameout,hisfacewearinganairofsomuchcheerfulnessasprovedbothhissatisfactionwithmademoiselle\'sstoryandhisignoranceofallwewereabout.Inawordhehadnotyettakentheleastalarm;butseeingSimoninmyhands,andmadameleaningagainstthewallbythedoorlikeonedeprivedoflife,hestoodandcriedoutinsurprisetoknowwhatitwas.

\'Ifearwearebesieged,sire,\'Ianswereddesperately,feelingmyanxietiesincreasedahundredfoldbyhisappearance——\'butbywhomIcannotsay.Thisladknows,however,\'Icontinued,givingSimon,aviciousshake,\'andheshallspeak.Now,trembler,\'I

saidtohim,\'tellyourtale?\'

\'TheProvost-Marshal!\'hestammered,terrifiedafreshbytheking\'spresence:forHenryhadremovedhismask.\'Iwasonguardbelow.Ihadcomeupafewstepstobeoutofthecold,whenIheardthementer.Therearearoundscoreofthem.\'

Icriedoutagreatoath,askinghimwhyhehadnotgoneupandwarnedMaignan,whowithhismenwasnowcutofffromusintheroomsabove.\'Youfool!\'Icontinued,almostbesidemyselfwithrage,\'ifyouhadnotcometothisdoortheywouldhavemountedtomyroomsandbesetthem!WhatisthisfollyabouttheProvost-Marshal?\'

\'Heisthere,\'Simonanswered,coweringawayfromme,hisfaceworking.

Ithoughthewaslying,andhadmerelyfanciedthisinhisfright.Buttheassailantsatthismomentbegantohailblowsonthedoor,callingonustoopen,andusingsuchvolleysofthreatsaspenetratedeventhethicknessoftheoak;drivingthebloodfromthewomen\'scheeks,andarrestingtheking\'sstepinamannerwhichdidnotescapeme.AmongtheircriesIcouldplainlydistinguishthewords,\'Intheking\'sname!\'whichboreoutSimon\'sstatement.

AtthemomentIdrewcomfortfromthis;forifwehadmerelytodealwiththelawwehadthatonoursidewhichwasaboveit.

AndIspeedilymadeupmymindwhattodo.\'Ithinktheladspeaksthetruth,sire,\'Isaidcoolly.\'ThisisonlyyourMajesty\'sProvost-Marshal.Theworsttobefeared,therefore,isthathemaylearnyourpresenceherebeforeyouwouldhaveitknown.Itshouldnotbeamatterofgreatdifficulty,however,tobindhimtosilence,andifyouwillpleasetomask,Iwillopenthegrilleandspeakwithhim.\'

Theking,whohadtakenhisstandinthemiddleoftheroom,andseemeddazedandconfusedbythesuddennessofthealarmandtheuproar,assentedwithabriefword.AccordinglyIwaspreparingtoopenthegrillewhenMadamedeBruhlseizedmyarm,andforciblypushedmebackfromit.

\'Whatwouldyoudo?\'shecried,herfacefullofterror.\'Doyounothear?Heisthere.\'

\'Whoisthere?\'Isaid,startledmorebyhermannerthanherwords.

\'Who?\'sheanswered;\'whoshouldbethere?Myhusband!Ihearhisvoice,Itellyou!Hehastrackedmehere!Hehasfoundme,andwillkillme!\'

\'Godforbid!\'Isaid,doubtingifshehadreallyheardhisvoice.Tomakesure,IaskedSimonifhehadseenhim;andmyheartsankwhenIheardfromhimtoothatBruhlwasoftheparty.

ForthefirsttimeIbecamefullysensibleofthedangerwhichthreatenedus.Forthefirsttime,lookingroundtheill-litroomonthewomen\'sterrifiedfaces,andtheking\'smaskedfigureinstinctwithill-repressednervousness,Irecognisedhowhopelesslywewereenmeshed.FortunehadservedBruhlsowellthat,whetherheknewitornot,hehadusalltrapped——alikethekingwhomhedesiredtocompromise,andhiswifewhomhehated,mademoisellewhohadonceescapedhim,andmewhohadtwicethwartedhim.ItwaslittletobewonderedatifmycouragesankasIlookedfromonetoanother,andlistenedtotheominouscreakingofthedoor,asthestoutpanelscomplainedundertheblowsraineduponthem.Formyfirstduty,andthatwhichtookthePASofallothers,wastotheking——tosavehimharmless.

How,then,wasItobeanswerableformademoiselle,howprotectMadamedeBruhl?——how,inaword,redeemallthosepledgesinwhichmyhonourwasconcerned?

ItwasthethoughtoftheProvost-Marshalwhichatthismomentralliedmyfailingspirits.IrememberedthatuntilthemysteryofhispresencehereinalliancewithBruhlwasexplainedtherewasnoneedtodespair;andturningbrisklytothekingIbeggedhimtofavourmebystandingwiththewomeninacornerwhichwasnotvisiblefromthedoor.Hecompliedmechanically,andinamannerwhichIdidnotlike;butlackingtimetoweightrifles,I

turnedtothegrilleandopeneditwithoutmoreado.

Theappearanceofmyfaceatthetrapwasgreetedwithasavagecryofrecognition,whichsubsidedasquicklyintosilence.Itwasfollowedbyamomentarypushingtoandfroamongthecrowdoutside,whichinitsturnendedintheProvost-Marshalcomingtothefront.\'Intheking\'sname!\'hesaidfussily.

\'Whatisit?\'Ireplied,eyeingrathertheflushed,eagerfaceswhichscowledoverhisshouldersthanhimself.Thelightoftwolinks,bornebysomeoftheparty,shoneruddilyontheheadsofthehalberds,and,flaringupfromtimetotime,filledalltheplacewithwavering,smokylight.\'Whatdoyouwant?\'I

continued,\'rousingmylodgingatthistimeofnight?\'

\'Iholdawarrantforyourarrest,\'herepliedbluntly.

\'Resistancewillbevain.IfyoudonotsurrenderIshallsendforaramtobreakinthedoor.\'

\'Whereisyourorder?\'Isaidsharply.\'Theoneyouheldthismorningwascancelledbythekinghimself.\'

\'Suspendedonly,\'heanswered.\'Suspendedonly.Itwasgivenouttomeagainthiseveningforinstantexecution.AndIamhereinpursuanceofit,andcallonyoutosurrender.\'

\'Whodeliveredittoyou?\'Iretorted.

\'M.deVillequier,\'heansweredreadily.\'Andhereitis.Now,come,sir,\'hecontinued,\'youareonlymakingmattersworse.

Opentous.\'

\'BeforeIdoso,\'Isaiddrily,\'IshouldliketoknowwhatpartinthepageantmyfriendM.deBruhl,whomIseeonthestairsyonder,proposestoplay.AndthereismyoldfriendFresnoy,\'I

added.\'AndIseeoneortwootherswhomIknow,M.Provost.

BeforeIsurrenderImustknowamongotherthingswhatM.deBruhl\'sbusinessishere.\'

\'Itisthebusinessofeveryloyalmantoexecutetheking\'swarrant,\'theProvostansweredevasively.\'Itisyourstosurrender,andminetolodgeyouintheCastle.\'ButIamlothtohaveadisturbance.Iwillgiveyouuntilthattorchgoesout,ifyoulike,tomakeupyourmind.Attheendofthattime,ifyoudonotsurrender,Ishallbatterdownthedoor.\'

\'Youwillgivethetorchfairplay?\'Isaid,notingitscondition.

Heassented;andthankinghimsternlyforthisindulgence,I

closedthegrille.

CHAPTERXXV.

TERMSOFSURRENDER.

Istillhadmyhandonthetrapwhenatouchontheshouldercausedmetoturn,andinamomentapprisedmeoftheimminenceofanewperil;aperilofsuchakindthat,summoningallmyresolution,Icouldscarcelyhopetocopewithit.Henrywasatmyelbow.Hehadtakenofhismask,andasingleglanceathiscountenancewarnedmethatthathadhappenedofwhichIhadalreadyfeltsomefear.Theglitterofintenseexcitementshoneinhiseyes.Hisface,darkly-flushedandwetwithsweat,betrayedovermasteringemotion,whilehisteeth,tightclenchedintheefforttorestrainthefitoftremblingwhichpossessedhim,showedbetweenhislipslikethoseofacorpse.Thenoveltyofthedangerwhichmenacedhim,theabsenceofhisgentlemen,andofallthefamiliarfacesandsurroundingswithoutwhichhenevermoved,thehour,themeanhouse,andhisisolationamongstrangers,hadprovedtoomuchfornerveslongweakenedbyhiscourseofliving,andforacourage,provedindeedinthefield,butunequaltoasuddenstress.Thoughhestillstrovetopreservehisdignity,itwasalarminglyplaintomyeyesthathewasonthepointoflosing,ifhehadnotalreadylost,allself-

command.

\'Open!\'hemutteredbetweenhisteeth,pointingimpatientlytothetrapwiththehandwithwhichhehadalreadytouchedme.

\'Open,Isay,sir!\'

Istaredathim,startledandconfounded.\'ButyourMajesty,\'I

venturedtostammer,\'forgetsthatIhavenotyet——\'

\'Open,Isay!\'herepeatedpassionately.\'Doyouhearme,sir?

Idesirethatthisdoorbeopened.\'Hisleanhandshookaswiththepalsy,sothatthegemsonittwinkledinthelightandrattledashespoke.

Ilookedhelplesslyfromhimtothewomenandbackagain,seeinginaflashall.thedangerswhichmightfollowfromthediscoveryofhispresencethere——dangerswhichIhadnotbeforeformulatedtomyself,butwhichseemedinamomenttorangethemselveswiththeutmostclearnessbeforemyeyes.AtthesametimeIsawwhatseemedtometobeawayofescape;andemboldenedbytheoneandtheother,Ikeptmyhandonthetrapandstrovetoparleywithhim.

\'Nay,but,sire,\'Isaidhurriedly,yetstillwithasmuchdeferenceasIcouldcommand,\'IbegyoutopermitmefirsttorepeatwhatIhaveseen.M.deBruhliswithout,andIcountedsixmenwhomIbelievetobehisfollowing.Theyareruffiansripeforanycrime;andIimploreyourMajestyrathertosubmittoashortimprisonment——\'

Ipausedstruckdumbonthatword,confoundedbythepassionwhichlightenedintheking\'sface.Myill-chosenexpressionhadindeedappliedthesparktohiswrath.Predisposedtosuspicionbyahundredtreacheries,heforgottheperilsoutsideintheoneideawhichontheinstantpossessedhismind;thatIwouldconfinehisperson,andhadbroughthimhitherfornootherpurpose.Heglaredroundhimwitheyesfullofrageandfear,andhistremblinglipsbreathedratherthanspoketheword\'Imprison?\'

Unluckily,atriflingoccurrenceaddedatthismomenttohisdisorder,andconverteditintofrenzy.Someoneoutsidefellheavilyagainstthedoor;this,causingmadametoutteralowshriek,seemedtoshatterthelastremnantoftheking\'sself-

control.Stampinghisfootonthefloor,hecriedtomewiththeutmostwildnesstoopenthedoor——bywhichIhadhithertokeptmyplace.

But,wronglyorrightly,Iwasstilldeterminedtoputoffopeningit;andIraisedmyhandswiththeintentionofmakingalastappealtohim.Hemisreadthegesture,andretreatingastep,withthegreatestsuddennesswhippedouthissword,andinamomenthadthepointatmybreast,andhiswristdrawnbacktothrust.

Ithasalwaysbeenmybeliefthathewouldnothavedealttheblow,butthatthemeretouchofthehilt,awakingthecouragewhichheundoubtedlypossessed,andwhichdidnotdeserthiminhislastmoments,wouldhaverecalledhimtohimself.Buttheopportunitywasnotgivenhim,forwhilethebladeyetquivered,andIstoodmotionless,controllingmyselfbyaneffort,mykneehalfbentandmyeyesonhis,MademoiselledelaViresprangforwardathisback,andwithaloudscreamclutchedhiselbow.

Theking,surprised,andignorantwhoheldhim,flunguphispointwildly,andstrikingthelampabovehisheadwithhisblade,shattereditinaninstant,bringingdownthepotterywithacrashandreducingtheroomtodarkness;whilethescreamsofthewomen,andtheknowledgethatwehadamadmanamongus,peopled,theblacknesswithahundredhorrors.

Fearingaboveallformademoiselle,ImademywayassoonasI

couldrecovermywitstotheembersofthefire,andregardlessoftheking\'ssword,whichIhadavagueideawasdartingaboutinthedarkness,Isearchedforandfoundahalf-burntstick,whichIblewintoablaze.Withthis,stillkeepingmybacktotheroom,IcontrivedtolightataperthatIhadnoticedstandingbythehearth;andthen,andthenonly,IturnedtoseewhatIhadtoconfront.

MademoiselledelaVirestoodinacorner,half-fierce,half-

terrified,andwhollyflushed.Shehadherhandwrappedupina\'kerchiefalreadystainedwithblood;andfromthisIgatheredthatthekinginhisfrenzyhadwoundedherslightly.Standingbeforehermistress,withherhairbristling,likeawild-cat\'sfur,andherarmsakimbo,wasFanchette,herharshfaceandsquareforminstinctwithfuryanddefiance.MadamedeBruhlandSimoncoweredagainstthewallnotfarfromthem;andinachair,intowhichhehadapparentlyjustthrownhimself,sattheking,huddledupandcollapsed,thepointofhisswordtrailingonthegroundbesidehim,andhisnervelesshandscarceretainingforcetogripthepommel.

InamomentImadeupmymindwhattodo,andgoingtohiminsilence,Ilaidmypistols,sword,anddaggeronastoolbyhisside.ThenIknelt.

\'Thedoor,sire,\'Isaid,\'isthere.ItisforyourMajestytoopenitwhenyouplease.Here,too,sire,aremyweapons.Iamyourprisoner,theProvost-Marshalisoutside,andyoucanataworddelivermetohim.OnlyonethingIbeg,sire,\'Icontinuedearnestly,\'thatyourMajestywilltreat;asadelusiontheideathatImeditatedforamomentdisrespectorviolencetoyourperson.\'

Helookedatmedully,hisfacepale,hiseyesfish-like.

\'Sanctus,man!\'hemuttered,\'whydidyouraiseyourhand?\'

\'OnlytoimploreyourMajestytopauseamoment,\'Ianswered,watchingtheintelligencereturnslowlytohisface.\'IfyouwilldeigntolistenIcanexplaininhalfadozenwords,sire.

M.deBruhl\'smenaresixorseven,theProvosthaseightornine;buttheformerarethewilderblades,andifM.deBruhlfindyourMajestyinmylodging,andinferhisowndefeat,hewillbecapableofanydesperatestroke.Yourpersonwouldhardlybesafeinhiscompanythroughthestreets.Andthereisanotherconsideration,\'Iwenton,observingwithjoythatthekinglistened,andwasgraduallyregaininghiscomposure.\'Thatis,thesecrecyyoudesiredtopreserve,sire,untilthismattershouldbewelladvanced.M.deRosnylaidthestrictestinjunctionsonmeinthatrespect,fearinganEMEUTEinBloisshouldyourMajesty\'splansbecomeknown.\'

\'Youspeakfairly,\'thekingansweredwithreturningenergy,thoughheavoidedlookingatthewomen.\'Bruhlislikelyenoughtoraiseone.ButhowamItogetout,sir?\'hecontinued,querulously.\'Icannotremainhere.Ishallbemissed,man!I

amnotahedge-captain,neithersoughtnorwanted!\'

\'IfyourMajestywouldtrustme?\'Isaidslowlyandwithhesitation.

\'Trustyou!\'heretortedpeevishly,holdinguphishandsandgazingintentlyathisnails,oftheshapeandwhitenessofwhichhewasprouderthananywoman.\'HaveInottrustedyou?IfIhadnottrustedyou,shouldIhavebeenhere?ButthatyouwereaHuguenot——Godforgivemeforsayingit!——IwouldhaveseenyouinhellbeforeIwouldhavecomeherewithyou!\'

IconfesstohavingheardthistestimonytotheReligionwithapridewhichmademeforgetforamomenttheimmediatecircumstances——theperilinwhichwestood,thegloomyroomdarklylightedbyasinglecandle,thescaredfacesinthebackground,eventheking\'shuddledfigure,inwhichdejectionandpridestruggledforexpression.Foramomentonly;thenI

hastenedtoreply,sayingthatIdoubtednotIcouldstillextricatehisMajestywithoutdiscovery.

\'InHeaven\'snamedoit,then!\'heansweredsharply.\'Dowhatyoulike,man!Onlygetmebackintothecastle,anditshallnotbeaHuguenotwillenticemeoutagain.Iamoveroldfortheseadventures!\'

Afreshattackonthedoortakingplaceashesaidthisinducedmetolosenotimeinexplainingmyplan,whichhewasgoodenoughtoapprove,afteragainupbraidingmeforbringinghimintosuchadilemma.Fearinglestthedoorshouldgivewayprematurely,notwithstandingthebarsIhadprovidedforit,andgoadedonbyMadamedeBruhl\'sface,whichevincedtheutmostterror,ItookthecandleandattendedhisMajestyintotheinnerroom;whereIplacedmypistolsbesidehim,butsilentlyresumedmyswordanddagger.Ithenreturnedforthewomen,andindicatingbysignsthattheyweretoenter,heldthedooropenforthem.

Mademoiselle,whosebandagedhandIcouldnotregardwithoutemotion,thoughtheking\'spresenceandtherespectIowedhimforbademetouttersomuchasaword,advancedreadilyuntilshereachedthedoorwayabreastofme.There,however,lookingback,andseeingMadamedeBruhlfollowingher,shestoppedshort,anddartingahaughtyglanceatme,muttered,\'And——thatlady?Arewetobeshutuptogether,sir?\'

\'Mademoiselle,\'Iansweredquicklyinthelowtoneshehadusedherself,\'haveIeveraskedanythingdishonourableofyou?\'

Sheseemedbyaslightmovementoftheheadtoanswerinthenegative.

\'NordoInow,\'Irepliedwithearnestness.\'IentrusttoyourcarealadywhohasriskedgreatperilforUS;andtherestI

leavetoyou.\'

Shelookedmeverykeenlyinthefaceforasecond,andthen,withoutanswering,shepassedon,MadameandFanchettefollowingherinthatorder.IclosedthedoorandturnedtoSimon;whobymydirectionhadblowntheembersofthefireintoablazesoastopartiallyilluminetheroom,inwhichonlyheandInowremained.Theladseemedafraidtomeetmyeye,andowingtothesceneatwhichhehadjustassisted,ortotheonslaughtonthedoor,whichgreweachmomentmorefurious,betrayedgreaterrestlessnessthanIhadlatelyobservedinhim.Ididnotdoubthisfidelity,however,orhisdevotiontomademoiselle;andtheordersIhadtogivehimweresimpleenough.

\'Thisiswhatyouhavegottodo,\'Isaid,myhandalreadyonthebars.\'ThemomentIamoutsidesecurethisdoor.Afterthat,opentonooneexceptMaignan.Whenheapplies,lethiminwithcaution,andbidhim,ashelovesM.deRosny,takehismenassoonasthecoastisclear,andguardtheKingofFrancetothecastle.Chargehimtobebraveandwary,forhislifewillanswerfortheking\'s.\'

TwiceIrepeatedthis;thenfearinglesttheProvost-Marshalshouldmakegoodhiswordandapplyaramtothedoor,Iopenedthetrap.Adozenangryvoiceshailedmyappearance,andthiswithsomuchviolenceandimpatiencethatitwassometimebeforeIcouldgetahearing;theknavesthreateningmeifIwouldnotinstantlyopen,andpersistingthatIshoulddosowithoutmorewords.Theirleaderatlengthquietedthem,butitwasplainthathispatiencetoowaswornout.\'Doyousurrenderordoyounot?\'hesaid.\'Iamnotgoingtostayoutofmybedallnightforyou!\'

\'Iwarnyou,\'Ianswered,\'thattheorderyouhavetherehasbeencancelledbytheking!\'

\'Thatisnotmybusiness,\'herejoinedhardily.

\'No,butitwillbewhenthekingsendsforyouto-morrowmorning,\'Iretorted;atwhichhelookedsomewhatmoved.

\'However,Iwillsurrendertoyouontwoconditions,\'I

continued,keenlyobservingthecoarsefacesofhisfollowing.

\'First,thatyouletmekeepmyarmsuntilwereachthegate-

house,Igivingyoumyparoletocomewithyouquietly.Thatisnumberone.\'

\'Well,\'theProvost-Marshalsaidmorecivilly,\'Ihavenoobjectiontothat.\'

\'Secondly,thatyoudonotallowyourmentobreakintomylodgings.Iwillcomeoutquietly,andsoanend.Yourorderdoesnotdirectyoutosackmygoods.\'

\'Tut,tut!\'hereplied;\'Iwant,youtocomeout.Idonotwanttogoin.\'

\'Thendrawyourmenbacktothestairs,\'Isaid.\'Andifyoukeeptermswithme,Iwillupholdyouto-morrow,Foryourorderswillcertainlybringyouintotrouble.M.deRetz,whoprocureditthismorning,isaway,youknow.M.deVillequiermaybegoneto-morrow.Butdependuponit,M.deRambouilletwillbehere!\'

Theremarkwaswelltimedandtothepoint.ItstartledthemanasmuchasIhadhopeditwould.Withoutraisinganyobjectionheorderedhismentofallbackandguardthestairs;andIonmysidebegantoundothefasteningsofthedoor.

Thematterwasnottobesoeasilyconcluded,however;forBruhl\'srascals,inobedience,nodoubt,toasigngivenbytheirleader,whostoodwithFresnoyontheupperflightofstairs,refusedtowithdraw;andevenhustledtheProvost-Marshal\'smenwhenthelatterwouldhaveobeyedtheorder.Theofficer,alreadyheatedbydelay,repliedbylayingabouthimwithhisstaff,andinatwinklingthereseemedtobeeveryprospectofaveryprettyMELEE,theendofwhichitwasimpossibletoforesee.

Reflecting,however,thatifBruhl\'smenroutedtheiropponentsourpositionmightbemadeworseratherthanbetter,Ididnotactonmyfirstimpulse,whichwastoseethematteroutwhereI

was.Instead,Iseizedtheopportunitytoletmyselfout,whileSimonfastenedthedoorbehindme.TheProvost-MarshalwasengagedatthemomentinawordydisputewithFresnoy;whosevillainouscountenance,scarredbythewoundwhichIhadgivenhimatChize,andflushedwithpassion,lookeditsworstbythelightofthesingletorchwhichremained.Inonerespectthevillainhadprofitedbyhispresentpatronage,forhewasdeckedoutinastyleoftawdrymagnificence.ButIhavealwaysremarkedthisaboutdress,thatwhileashabbyexteriordoesnotentirelyobscureagentleman,theextremeoffashionispowerlesstogildaknave.

SeeingmeonasuddenattheProvost\'selbow,herecoiledwithachangeofcountenancesoludicrousthatthatofficerwashimselfstartled,andonlyheldhisgroundonmysalutinghimcivillyanddeclaringmyselfhisprisonerIaddedawarningthatheshouldlooktothetorchwhichremained;seeingthatifitfailedwewerebothliketohaveourthroatscutintheconfusion.

Hetookthehintpromptly,andcallingthelink-mantohissidepreparedtodescend,biddingFresnoyandhismen,whoremainedclumpedattheheadofthestairs,makewayforuswithoutado.

Theyseemedmuchinclined,however,todisputeourpassage,andreplyingtohisinvectiveswithroughtaunts,displayedsohostileademeanourthattheProvost,betweenregardforhisownimportanceandrespectforBruhl,appearedforamomentatalosswhattodo;andseemedratherrelievedthanannoyedwhenIbeggedleavetosayawordtoM.deBruhl.

\'Ifyoucanbringhismentoreason,\'herepliedtestily,\'speakyourfilltohim!\'

Steppingtothefootoftheupperflight,onwhichBruhlretainedhisposition,Isalutedhimformally.Hereturnedmygreetingwithasurly,watchfullookonly,anddrawinghiscloakmoretightlyroundhimaffectedtogazedownatmewithdisdain;whichillconcealed,however,boththetriumphhefeltandthehopesofvengeanceheentertained.Iwasespeciallyanxioustolearnwhetherhehadtrackedhiswifehither,orwasmerelyhereinpursuanceofhisgeneralschemesagainstme,andtothisend.I

askedhimwithasmuchironyasIcouldcompasstowhatIwastoattributehispresence.\'IamafraidIcannotstaytoofferyouhospitality,\'Icontinued;\'butforthatyouhaveonlyyourfriendM.Villequiertothank!\'

\'Iamgreatlyobligedtoyou,\'heansweredwithadevilishsmile,\'butdonotletthataffectyou.WhenyouaregoneIproposetohelpmyself,myfriend,towhatevertakesmytaste.\'

\'Doyou?\'Iretortedcoolly——notthatIwasunaffectedbythethreatandthevillainoushintwhichunderlaythewords,butthat,fullyexpectingthem,Iwasreadywithmyanswer.\'Wewillseeaboutthat.\'AndtherewithIraisedmyfingerstomylips,and,whistlingshrilly,cried\'Maignan!Maignan!\'inaclearvoice.

Ihadnoneedtocrythenameathirdtime,forbeforetheProvost-Marshalcoulddomorethanstartatthisunexpectedaction,thelandingaboveusrangunderaheavytread,andthemanIcalled,descendingthestairsswiftly,appearedonasuddenwithinarm\'slengthofM.deBruhl;who,turningwithanoath,sawhim,andinvoluntarilyrecoiled.AtalltimesMaignan\'shardyandconfidentbearingwasofakindtoimpressthestrong;

butonthisoccasiontherewasanaddeddashofrecklessnessinhismannerwhichwasnotwithoutitseffectonthespectators.

AshestoodtheresmilingdarklyoverBruhl\'shead,whilehishandtoyedcarelesslywithhisdagger,andthetorchshoneruddilyonhisburlyfigure,hewassoclearlyanantagonistinathousandthat,hadIsoughtthroughBlois,ImightnothavefoundhisfellowforstrengthandSANG-FROID.Helethisblackeyesrovefromonetotheother,buttookheedofmeonly,salutingmewitheffusionandatouchoftheGasconwhichwasinplacehere,ifever.

IknewhowM.deRosnydealtwithhim,andfollowedthepatternasfarasIcould.\'Maignan!\'Isaidcurtly,\'Ihavetakenalodgingforto-nightelsewhere.ThenIamgoneyouwillcalloutyourmenandwatchthisdoor.Ifanyonetriestoforceanentranceyouwilldoyourduty.\'

\'Youmayconsideritdone,\'hereplied.

\'EvenifthepersonbeM.deBruhlhere,\'Icontinued.