第17章

\'Precisely.\'

\'Youwillremainonguard,\'Iwenton,\'untilto-morrowmorningifM.deBruhlremainshere;butwheneverheleavesyouwilltakeyourordersfromthepersonsinside,andfollowthemimplicitly.\'

\'YourExcellency\'smindmaybeeasy,\'heanswered,handlinghisdagger.

Dismissinghimwithanod,IturnedwithasmiletoM.deBruhl,andsawthatbetweenrageatthisunexpectedcheckandchagrinattheinsultputuponhim,hisdiscomfiturewasascompleteasI

couldwish.AsforFresnoy,ifhehadseriouslyintendedtodisputeourpassage,hewasnolongerinthemoodfortheattempt.YetIdidnotlethismasteroffwithoutonemoreprick.\'Thatbeingsettled,M.deBruhl,\'Isaidpleasantly,\'I

maybidyougoodevening.YouwilldoubtlesshonourmeatChavernytomorrow.ButwewillfirstletMaignanlookunderthebridge!\'

CHAPTERXXVI.

MEDITATIONS.

EitherthesmallrespectIhadpaidM.deBruhl,orthewordsI

hadletfallrespectingthepossibledisappearanceofM.

Villequier,hadhadsoadmirableaneffectontheProvost-

Marshal\'smindthatfromthemomentofleavingmylodgingshetreatedmewiththeutmostcivility;permittingmeeventoretainmysword,andassigningmeasleeping-placeforthenightinhisownapartmentsatthegate-house.

Lateasitwas,Icouldnotallowsomuchpolitenesstopassunacknowledged.Ibeggedleave,therefore,todistributeasmallgratuityamonghisattendants,andrequestedhimtodomethehonourofdrinkingabottleofwinewithme.Thisbeingspeedilyprocured,atsuchanexpenseasisusualintheseplaces,whereprisonerspay,accordingastheyarerichorpoor,inpurseorperson,kept;ussittingforanhour,andfinallysentustoourpalletsperfectlysatisfiedwithoneanother.

Theeventsoftheday,however,andparticularlyonematter,onwhichIhavenotdweltatlength,provedaseffectualtopreventmysleepingasifIhadbeenplacedinthedampestcellbelowthecastle.SomuchhadbeencrowdedintoatimesoshortthatitseemedasifIhadhaduntilnownoopportunityofconsideringwhitherIwasbeinghurried,orwhatfortuneawaitedmeattheendofthisturmoil.FromthefirstappearanceofM.d\'Ageninthemorning,withthestartlingnewsthattheProvost-Marshalwasseekingme,tomyfinalsurrenderandencounterwithBruhlonthestairs,thechainofeventshadrunoutsoswiftlythatIhadscarcelyhadtimeatanyparticularperiodtoconsiderhowI

stood,orthefullimportofthelatestcheckorvictory.NowthatIhadleisureIlivedthedayoveragain,and,recallingitsdangersanddisappointments,feltthankfulthatallhadendedsofairly.

IhadthemostperfectconfidenceinMaignan,anddidnotdoubtthatBruhlwouldsoonweary,ifhehadnotalreadywearied,ofaprofitlesssiege.Inanhouratmost——anditwasnotyetmidnight——thekingwouldbefreetogohome;andwiththatwouldend,asfarashewasconcerned,themissionwithwhichM.deRosnyhadhonouredme.ThetaskofcommunicatinghisMajesty\'sdecisiontotheKingofNavarrewoulddoubtlessbeentrustedtoM.deRambouillet,orsomepersonofsimilarpositionandinfluence;andinthesamehandswouldrestthehonourandresponsibilityofthetreatywhich,asweallknownow,gaveafterabriefintervalandsomebloodshed,andonegreatprovidence,alastingpeacetoFrance.Butitmusteverbe——andIrecognisedthisthatnightwithaboundingheart,whichtoldofsomestoreofyouthyetunexhausted——amatteroflastingpridetomethatI,whosecareerbutnowseemedclosedinfailure,hadprovedthemeansofconferringsoespecialabenefitonmycountryandreligion.

Remembering,however,theKingofNavarre\'swarningthatImustnotlooktohimforreward,Ifeltgreatlydoubtfulinwhatdirectionthescenewouldnextopentome;mymaindependencebeinguponM.deRosny\'spromisethathewouldmakemyfortunehisowncare.TiredoftheCourtatBlois,andtheatmosphereofintrigueandtreacherywhichpervadedit,andwithwhichIhopedIhadnowdone,IwasstillatalosstoseehowIcouldrecrosstheLoireinfaceoftheVicomtedeTurenne\'senmity.ImighthavetroubledmyselfmuchmorewithspeculatinguponthispointhadInotfound——incloseconnectionwithit——otherandmoreengrossingfoodforthoughtinthecapriciousbehaviourofMademoiselledelaVire.

TothatbehaviouritseemedtomethatInowheldtheclue.I

suspectedwithasmuchsurpriseaspleasurethatonlyoneconstructioncouldbeplaceduponit——aconstructionwhichhadstronglyoccurredtomeoncatchingsightofherfacewhensheintervenedbetweenmeandtheking.

TracingthematterbacktothemomentofourmeetingintheantechamberatSt.Jeand\'Angely,IrememberedthejestwhichMathurinehadutteredatourjointexpense.Doubtlessithaddweltinmademoiselle\'smind,andexcitingheranimosityagainstmehadpreparedhertotreatmewithcontumelywhen,contrarytoallprobability,wemetagain,andshefoundherselfplacedinamannerinmyhands.Ithadinspiredherharshwordsandharsherlooksonourjourneynorthwards,andcontributedwithhernativepridetothelowopinionIhadformedofherwhenI

contrastedherwithmyhonouredmother.

ButIbegantothinkitpossiblethatthejesthadworkedinanotherwayaswell,bykeepingmebeforehermindandimpressinguponhertheidea——aftermyre-appearanceatChizemoreparticularly——thatourfateswereinsomewaylinked.Assumingthis,itwasnothardtounderstandhermanneratRosnywhen,apprisedthatIwasnoimpostor,andregrettingherformertreatmentofme,shestillrecoiledfromthefeelingswhichshebegantorecogniseinherownbreast.Fromthattime,andwiththisclue,Ihadnodifficultyintracinghermotives,alwayssupposingthatthissuspicion,uponwhichIdweltwithfeelingsofwonderanddelight,werewellfounded.

Middle-agedandgrizzled,withthebestofmylifebehindmeI

hadneverdaredtothinkofherinthiswaybefore.Poorandcomparativelyobscure,Ihadneverraisedmyeyestothewidepossessionssaidtobehers.EvennowIfeltmyselfdazzledandbewilderedbytheprospectsosuddenlyunveiled.Icouldscarcely,withoutvertigo,recallherasIhadlastseenher,withherhandwoundedinmydefence;nor,withoutemotionspainfulintheirintensity,fancymyselfrestoredtotheyouthofwhichIhadtakenleave,andtotherosyhopesandplanningswhichvisitmostmenonceonly,andtheninearlyyears.

HithertoIhaddeemedsuchthingsthelotofothers.

Daylightfoundme——andnowonder——stilldivertingmyselfwiththesecharmingspeculations;whichhadforme,beitremembered,alltheforceofnovelty.Thesunchancedtorisethatmorninginaclearsky,andbrilliantlyforthetimeofyear;andwordsfailmewhenIlookback,andtrytodescribehowdelicatelythissinglefactenhancedmypleasure!Isunnedmyselfinthebeams,whichpenetratedmybarredwindow;andtastingtheearlyfreshnesswithakeenandinsatiableappetite,IexperiencedtothefullthatpeculiaraspirationaftergoodnesswhichProvidenceallowssuchmomentstoawakeninusinyouth;butrarelywhentimeandthecamphavebluntedthesensibilities.

Ihadnotyetarrivedatthestageatwhichdifficultieshavetobereckonedup,andthechiefdrawbacktothetumultofjoyI

felttooktheshapeofregretthatmymothernolongerlivedtofeeltheemotionspropertothetime,andtoshareintheprosperitywhichshehadsooftenandsofondlyimagined.

Nevertheless,Ifeltmyselfdrawnclosertoher.Irecalledwiththemosttenderfeelings,andatgreaterleisurethanhadbeforebeenthecase,herlastdaysandwords,andparticularlytheappealshehadutteredonmademoiselle\'sbehalf.AndIvowed,ifitwerepossible,topayavisittohergravebeforeleavingtheneighbourhood,thatImighttheredevoteafewmomentstothethoughtoftheaffectionwhichhadconsecratedallwomeninmyeyes.

Iwaspresentlyinterruptedinthesereflectionsbyacircumstancewhichprovedintheenddivertingenough,thoughfarfromreassuringatthefirstblush.Itbeganinadismalrattlingofchainsinthepassagebelowandonthestairsoutsidemyroom;whichwerepaved,liketherestofthebuilding,withstone.Iwaitedwithimpatienceandsomeuneasinesstoseewhatwouldcomeofthis;andmysurprisemaybeimaginedwhen,thedoorbeingunlocked,gaveentrancetoamaninwhomIrecognisedontheinstantdeafMathew——thevillainwhomIhadlastseenwithFresnoyinthehouseintheRueValois.Amazedatseeinghimhere,Isprangtomyfeetinfearofsometreachery,andforamomentapprehendedthattheProvost-MarshalhadbaselygivenmeovertoBruhl\'scustody.Butasecondglanceinformingmethatthemanwasinirons——hencethenoiseIhadheard——Isatdownagaintoseewhatwouldhappen.

Itthenappeared,thathemerelybroughtmemybreakfast,andwasaprisonerinlessfortunatecircumstancesthanmyself;butashepretendednottorecogniseme,andplacedthethingsbeforemeinobduratesilence,andIhadnopowertomakehimhear,Ifailedtolearnhowhecametobeindurance.TheProvost-Marshal,however,camepresentlytovisitme,andbroughtmeintokenthatthegood-fellowshipoftheeveningstillexistedapouchoftheQueen\'sherb;whichIacceptedforpoliteness\'sakeratherthanfromanyvirtueIfoundinit.AndfromhimIlearnedhowtherascalcametobeinhischarge.

ItappearedthatFresnoy,havingnomindtobehamperedwithawoundedman,haddepositedhimonthenightofourMELEEatthedoorofahospitalattachedtoareligioushouseinthatpartofthetown.Thefathershadopenedtohim,butbeforetakinghiminput,accordingtotheircustom,certainquestions.Matthewhadbeenprimedwiththerightanswerstothesequestions,whichwerecommonlyaform;but,unhappilyforhim,theSuperiorbychanceormistakebeganwiththewrongone.

\'YouarenotaHuguenot,myson?\'hesaid.

\'InGod\'sname,Iam!\'Matthewrepliedwithsimplicity,believinghewasaskedifhewasaCatholic.

\'What?\'thescandalisedPriorejaculated,crossinghimselfindoubt,\'areyounotatruesonoftheChurch?\'

\'Never!\'quothourdeaffriend——thinkingallwentwell.

\'Aheretic!\'criedthemonk.

\'Amentothat!\'repliedMatthewinnocently;neverdoubtingbutthathewasaskedthethirdquestion,whichwas,commonly,whetherheneededaid.

Naturallyafterthistherewasaveryprettycommotion,andMatthew,vainlyprotestingthathewasdeaf,washurriedofftotheProvost-Marshal\'scustody.Askedhowhecommunicatedwithhim,theProvostansweredthathecouldnot,butthathislittlegodchild,agirlonlyeightyearsold,hadtakenastrangefancytotherogue,andwasneversohappyaswhentalkingtohimbymeansofsigns,ofwhichshehadinventedagreatnumber.I

thoughtthisstrangeatthetime,butIhadproofbeforethemorningwasoutthatitwastrueenough,andthatthetwowereseldomapart,thelittlechildgoverningthisgrimcut-throatwithunquestionedauthority.

AftertheProvostwasgoneIheardtheman\'sfettersclankingagain.Thistimeheenteredtoremovemycupandplate,andsurprisedmebyspeakingtome.Maintaininghisformersullenness,andscarcelylookingatme,hesaidabruptly:\'Youaregoingoutagain?\'

Inoddedassent.

\'Doyourememberabald-facedbayhorsethatfellwithyou?\'hemuttered,keepinghisdoggedglanceonthefloor.

Inoddedagain.

\'Iwanttosellthehorse,\'hesaid.\'ThereisnotsuchanotherinBlois,no,norinParis!Touchitonthenearhipwiththewhipanditwillgodownasifshot.Atothertimesachildmightrideit.Itisinastable,thethirdfromtheThreePigeons,intheRuelleAmancy.Fresnoydoesnotknowwhereitis.Hesenttoaskyesterday,butIwouldnottellhim.\'

Somesparkofhumanfeelingwhichappearedinhislowering,brutalvisageashespokeofthehorseledmetodesirefurtherinformation.Fortunatelythelittlegirlappearedatthatmomentatthedoorinsearchofherplay-fellow;andthroughherI

learnedthattheman\'smotiveforseekingtosellthehorsewasfearlestthedealerinwhosechargeitstoodshoulddisposeofittorepayhimselfforitskeep,andhe,Matthew,loseitwithoutreturn.

StillIdidnotunderstandwhyheappliedtome,butIwaswellpleasedwhenIlearnedthetruth.Baseastheknavewas,hehadanaffectionforthebay,whichhadbeenhisonlypropertyforsixyears.Havingthisinhismind,hehadconceivedtheideathatIshouldtreatitwell,andshouldnot,becausehewasinprisonandpowerless,cheathimoftheprice.

IntheendIagreedtobuythehorsefortencrowns,payingaswellwhatwasdueatthestable.Ihaditinmyheadtodosomethingalsofortheman,beingmovedtothispartlybyanideathattherewasgoodinhim,andpartlybytheconfidencehehadseenfittoplaceinme,whichseemedtodeservesomereturn.

Butanoisebelowstairsdivertedmyattention.Iheardmyselfnamed,andforthemomentforgotthematter.

CHAPTERXXVII.

TOME,MYFRIENDS!

Iwasimpatienttolearnwhohadcome,andwhatwastheirerrandwithme;andbeingstillinthatstateofexaltationinwhichweseemtohearandseemorethanatothertimes,Iremarkedapeculiarlaggingintheascendingfootsteps,andalackofbuoyancy,whichwasquicktocommunicateitselftomymind.A

vaguedreadfelluponmeasIstoodlistening.BeforethedooropenedIhadalreadyconceivedascoreofdisasters.IwonderedthatIhadnotinquiredearlierconcerningtheking\'ssafety,andinfineIexperiencedinamomentthatcompletereactionofthespiritswhichistoofrequentlyconsequentuponanexcessiveflowofgaiety.

Iwasprepared,therefore,forheavylooks,butnotforthepersonswhoworethemnorthestrangebearingthelatterdisplayedonentering.MyvisitorsprovedtobeM.d\'AgenandSimonFleix.Andsofarwell.Buttheformer,insteadofcomingforwardtogreetmewiththepunctiliouspolitenesswhichalwayscharacterisedhim,andwhichIhadthoughttobeproofagainsteverykindofsurpriseandperil,metmewithdowncasteyesandacountenancesogloomyastoaugmentmyfearsahundredfold;sinceitsuggestedallthosevagueandformidablepainswhichM.deRambouillethadhintedmightawaitmeinaprison.Ithoughtnothingmoreprobablethantheentranceafterthemofagaolerladenwithgyvesandhandcuffs;andsalutingM.Francoiswithafacewhich,dowhatIwould,fashioneditselfuponhis,Ihadscarcecomposuresufficienttoplacethepooraccommodationofmyroomathisdisposal.

Hethankedme;buthediditwithsomuchgloomandsolittlenaturalnessthatIgrewmoreimpatientwitheachlabouredsyllable.SimonFleixhadslunktothewindowandturnedhisbackonus.Neitherseemedtohaveanythingtosay.ButastateofsuspensewasonewhichIcouldleastenduretosuffer;andimpatientoftheconstraintwhichmyfriend\'smannerwasfastimpartingtomine,Iaskedhimatonceandabruptlyifhisunclehadreturned.

\'Herodeinaboutmidnight,\'heanswered,tracingapatternonthefloorwiththepointofhisriding-switch.

Ifeltsomesurpriseonhearingthis,sinced\'Agenwasstilldressedandarmedfortheroad,andwaswithoutallthoseprettinesseswhichcommonlymarkedhisattire.Butashevolunteerednofurtherinformation,anddidnotevenrefertotheplaceinwhichhefoundme,orquestionmeastotheadventureswhichhadlodgedmethere,Iletitpass,andaskedhimifhispartyhadovertakenthedeserters.

\'Yes,\'heanswered,\'withnoresult.\'

\'Andtheking?\'

\'M.deRambouilletiswithhimnow,\'herejoined,stillbendingoverhistracing.

Thisanswerrelievedtheworstofmyanxieties,butthemannerofthespeakerwassodistraitandsomuchatvariancewiththestudiedINSOUCIANCEwhichheusually,affected,thatIonlygrewmorealarmed.IglancedatSimonFleix,buthekepthisfaceaverted,andIcouldgathernothingfromit;thoughIobservedthathe,too,wasdressedfortheroad,andworehisarms.I

listened,butIcouldhearnosoundswhichindicatedthattheProvost-Marshalwasapproaching.ThenonasuddenIthoughtofMademoiselledelaVire.CoulditbethatMaignanhadprovedunequaltohistask?

Istartedimpetuouslyfrommystoolundertheinfluenceoftheemotionwhichthisthoughtnaturallyaroused,andseizedM.

d\'Agenbythearm.\'Whathashappened?\'Iexclaimed.\'IsitBruhl?Didhebreakintomylodgingslastnight?What!\'I

continued,staggeringbackasIreadtheconfirmationofmyfearsinhisface.\'Hedid?\'

M.d\'Agen,whohadrisenalso,pressedmyhandwithconvulsiveenergy.Gazingintomyface,heheldmeamomentthusembraced,Hismannerastrangemixtureoffiercenessandemotion.\'Alas,yes,\'heanswered,\'hedid,andtookawaythosewhomhefoundthere!Thosewhomhefoundthere,youunderstand!ButM.deRambouilletisonhiswayhere,andinafewminutesyouwillbefree.Wewillfollowtogether.Ifweovertakethem——well.Ifnot,itwillbetimetotalk.\'

Hebrokeoff,andIstoodlookingathim,stunnedbytheblow,yetinthemidstofmyownhorrorandsurpriseretainingsenseenoughtowonderatthegloomonhisbrowandthepassionwhichtrembledinhiswords.Whathadthistodowithhim?\'ButBruhl?\'Isaidatlast,recoveringmyselfwithaneffort——\'howdidhegainaccesstotheroom?Ileftitguarded.\'

\'Byaruse,whileMaignanandhismenwereaway,\'wastheanswer.

\'Onlythisladofyourswasthere.Bruhl\'smenoverpoweredhim.\'

\'WhichwayhasBruhlgone?\'Imuttered,mythroatdry,myheartbeatingwildly.

Heshookhishead.\'Allweknowisthathepassedthroughthesouthgatewithelevenhorsemen,twowomen,andsixledhorses,atdaybreakthismorning,\'heanswered.\'Maignancametomyunclewiththenews,andM.deRambouilletwentatonce,earlyasitwas,tothekingtoprocureyourrelease.Heshouldbeherenow.\'

Ilookedatthebarredwindow,themosthorriblefearsatmyheart;fromittoSimonFleix,whostoodbesideit,hisattitudeexpressingtheutmostdejection.Iwenttowardshim.\'Youhound!\'Isaidinalowvoice,\'howdidithappen?\'

Tomysurprisehefellinamomentonhisknees,andraisedhisarmasthoughtowardoffablow.\'TheyimitatedMaignan\'svoice,\'hemutteredhoarsely.\'Weopened.\'

\'Andyoudaretocomehereandtellme!\'Icried,scarcelyrestrainingmypassion.\'You,towhomIentrustedher.You,whomIthoughtdevotedtoher.Youhavedestroyedher,man!\'

Heroseassuddenlyashehadcowereddown.Histhin,nervousfaceunderwentastartlingchange;growingonasuddenhardandrigid,whilehiseyesbegantoglitterwithexcitement.\'I——I

havedestroyedher?Ay,mondieu!IHAVE,\'hecried,speakingtomyface,andnolongerflinchingoravoidingmyeye.\'Youmaykillme,ifyoulike.Youdonotknowall.ItwasIwhostolethefavourshegaveyoufromyourdoublet,andthensaidM.deRosnyhadtakenit!ItwasIwhotoldheryouhadgivenitaway!

ItwasIwhobroughthertotheLittleSisters\',thatshemightseeyouwithMadamedeBruhl!ItwasIwhodidall,anddestroyedher!Nowyouknow!Dowithmewhatyoulike!\'

Heopenedhisarmsasthoughtoreceiveablow,whileIstoodbeforehimastoundedbeyondmeasurebyadisclosuresounexpected;fullofrighteouswrathandindignation,andyetuncertainwhatIoughttodo.\'DidyoualsoletBruhlintotheroomonpurpose?\'Icriedatlast.

\'I?\'heexclaimed,withasuddenflashofrageinhiseyes.\'I

wouldhavediedfirst!\'

IdonotknowhowImighthavetakenthisconfession;butatthemomenttherewasatramplingofhorsesoutside,andbeforeI

couldanswerhimIheardM.deRambouilletspeakinginhaughtytones,atthedoorbelow.TheProvost-Marshalwaswithhim,buthislowernoteswerelostintheringofbridlesandthestampingofimpatienthoofs.Ilookedtowardsthedoorofmyroom,whichstoodajar,andpresentlythetwoentered,theMarquislisteningwithanairofcontemptuousindifferencetotheapologieswhichtheother,whoattendedathiselbow,waspouringforth.M.deRambouillet\'sfacereflectednoneofthegloomanddespondencywhichM.d\'Agen\'sexhibitedinsomarkedadegree.Heseemed,onthecontrary,fullofgaietyandgood-humour,and,comingforwardandseeingme,embracedmewiththeutmostkindnessandcondescension.

\'Ha!myfriend,\'hesaidcheerfully,\'soIfindyouhereafterall!Butneverfear.Iamthismomentfromthekingwithanorderforyourrelease.HisMajestyhastoldmeall,makingmetherebyyourlastingfriendanddebtor.Asforthisgentleman,\'

hecontinued,turningwithacoldsmiletotheProvost-Marshal,whoseemedtobetremblinginhisboots,\'hemayexpectanimmediateorderalso.M.deVillequierhaswiselygonea-

hunting,andwillnotbebackforadayortwo.\'

RackedasIwasbysuspenseandanxiety,Icouldnotassailhimwithimmediatepetitions.Itbehovedmefirsttothankhimforhispromptintervention,andthisintermsaswarmasIcouldinvent.NorcouldIinjusticefailtocommendtheProvost;tohim,representingtheofficer\'sconducttome,andlaudinghisability.Allthis,thoughmyheartwassickwiththoughtandfearanddisappointment,andeveryminuteseemedanage.

\'Well,well,\'theMarquissaidwithstatelygood-nature,\'WewilllaytheblameonVillequierthen.Heisanoldfox,however,andtentoonehewillgoscot-free.Itisnotthefirsttimehehasplayedthistrick.ButIhavenotyetcometotheendofmycommission,\'hecontinuedpleasantly.\'HisMajestysendsyouthis,M.deMarsac,andbademesaythathehadloadeditforyou.\'

HedrewfromunderhiscloakashespokethepistolwhichIhadleftwiththeking,andwhichhappenedtobethesameM.deRosnyhadgivenme.Itookit,marvellingimpatientlyatthecarefulmannerinwhichhehandledit;butinamomentIunderstoodforI

founditloadedtothemuzzlewithgold-pieces,ofwhichtwoorthreefellandrolleduponthefloor.Muchmovedbythissubstantialmarkoftheking\'sgratitude,Iwasneverthelessforpocketingtheminhaste;buttheMarquis,tosatisfyalittlecuriosityonhispart,wouldhavemecountthem,andbroughtthetaletoalittleovertwothousandlivres,withoutcountingaringsetwithpreciousstoneswhichIfoundamongthem.ThishandsomepresentdivertedmythoughtsfromSimonFleix,butcouldnotrelievetheanxietyIfeltonmademoiselle\'saccount.ThethoughtofherpositionsotorturedmethatM.deRambouilletbegantoperceivemystateofmind,andhastenedtoassuremethatbeforegoingtotheCourthehadalreadyissuedorderscalculatedtoassistme.

\'Youdesiretofollowthislady,Iunderstand?\'hesaid.\'Whatwiththekingwhoisenragedbeyondtheordinarybythisoutrage,andFrancoisthere,whoseemedbesidehimselfwhenbeheardthenews,Ihavenotgotanyveryclearideaoftheposition.\'

\'Shewasentrustedtomeby——byone,sir,wellknowntoyou,\'I

answeredhoarsely.\'Myhonourisengagedtohimandtoher.IfIfollowonmyfeetandalone,Imustfollow.IfIcannotsaveher,Icanatleastpunishthevillainswhohavewrongedher.\'

\'Buttheman\'swifeiswiththem,\'hesaidinsomewonder.

\'Thatgoesfornothing,\'Ianswered.

HesawthestrongemotionunderwhichIlaboured,andwhichscarcelysufferedmetoanswerhimwithpatience;andhelookedatmecuriously,butnotunkindly.\'Thesooneryouareoff,thebetterthen,\'hesaid,nodding.\'Igatheredasmuch.ThemanMaignanwillhavehisfellowsatthesouthgateanhourbeforenoon,Iunderstand.Francoishastwolackeys,andheiswildtogo.Withyourselfandtheladthereyouwillmusternineswords.

Iwilllendyoutwo.Icansparenomore,forwemayhaveanEMEUTEatanymoment.Youwilltaketheroad,therefore,eleveninall,andshouldovertakethemsometimeto-nightifyourhorsesareincondition.\'

Ithankedhimwarmly,withoutregardinghiskindlystatementthatmyconductonthepreviousdayhadlaidhimunderlastingobligationstome.Wewentdowntogether,andhetransferredtwoofhisfellowstomethereandthen,biddingthemchangetheirhorsesforfreshonesandmeetmeatthesouthgate.Hesentalsoamantomystable——SimonFleixhavingdisappearedintheconfusion——fortheCid,andwasintheactofinquiringwhetherI

neededanythingelse,whenawomanslippedthroughtheknotofhorsemenwhosurroundedusaswestoodinthedoorwayofthehouse,and,throwingherselfuponme,graspedmebythearm.ItwasFanchette.Herharshfeaturesweredistortedwithgrief,hercheeksweremottledwiththeviolentweepinginwhichsuchpersonsventtheirsorrow.Herhairhunginlongwispsonherneck.Herdresswastornanddraggled,andtherewasagreatbruiseoverhereye.Shehadtheairofonefranticwithdespairandmisery.

Shecaughtmebythecloak,andshookmesothatIstaggered.\'I

havefoundyouatlast!\'shecriedjoyfully.\'Youwilltakemewithyou!Youwilltakemetoher!\'

Thoughherwordstriedmycomposure,andmyheartwentouttoher,Istrovetoanswerheraccordingtothesenseofthematter.

\'Itisimpossible,Isaidsternly.\'Thisisamanserrand.Weshallhavetoridedayandnight,mygoodwoman.\'

\'ButIwillridedayandnighttoo!\'sherepliedpassionately,flingingthehairfromhereyes,andlookingwildlyfrommetoM.

Rambouillet.\'WhatwouldInotdoforher?Iamasstrongasaman,andstronger.Takeme,takeme,Isay,andwhenImeetthatvillainIwilltearhimlimbforlimb!\'

Ishuddered,listeningtoher;butrememberingthat,beingcountrybred,shewasreallyasstrongasshesaid,andthatlikelyenoughsomeadvantagemightaccruetousfromherperfectfidelityanddevotiontohermistress,Igaveareluctantconsent.IsentoneofM.deRambouillet\'smentothestablewherethedeafman\'sbaywasstanding,biddinghimpaywhateverwasduetothedealer,andbringthehorsetothesouthgate;myintentionbeingtomountoneofmymenonit,andfurnishthewomanwithalesstrickysteed.

Thebrisknessoftheseandthelikepreparations,whichevenforoneofmyageandinmystateofanxietywerenotdevoid,ofpleasure,preventedmythoughtsdwellingonthefuture.ContenttohaveM.Francois\'assistancewithoutfollowinguptookeenlythetrainofideaswhichhisreadinesssuggested,IwassatisfiedalsotomakeuseofSimonwithoutcallinghimtoinstantaccountforhistreachery.Thebustleofthestreets,whichtheconfirmationoftheking\'sspeedydeparturehadfilledwithsurly,murmuringcrowds,tendedstillfurthertokeepmyfearsatbay;whilethecontrastbetweenmypresentcircumstances,asI

rodethroughthemwell-appointedandwell-attended,withtheMarquisbymyside,andthepoorappearanceIhadexhibitedonmyfirstarrivalinBlois,couldnotfailtoinspiremewithhopethatImightsurmountthisdanger,also,andintheeventfindMademoisellesafeanduninjured.ItookleaveofM.deRambouilletwithmanyexpressionsofesteemonbothsides,andafewminutesbeforeelevenreachedtherendezvousoutsidethesouthgate.

M.d\'AgenandMaignanadvancedtomeetme,theformerstillpresentinganexteriorsosternandgravethatIwonderedtoseehim,andcouldscarcelybelievehewasthesamegaysparkwhoseelegantaffectationshadmorethanoncecausedmetosmile.Hesalutedmeinsilence;Maignanwithasheepishair,whichill-

concealedthesavagetemperdefeathadrousedinhim.Countingmymen,Ifoundwemusteredtenonly,buttheequerryexplainedthathehaddespatchedarideraheadtomakeinquiriesandleavewordforusatconvenientpoints;totheendthatwemightfollowthetrailwithasfewdelaysaspossible.HighlycommendingMaignanforhisforethoughtinthis,Igavethewordtostart,andcrossingtheriverbytheSt.GervaisBridge,wetooktheroadforSellesatasmarttrot.

Theweatherhadchangedmuchinthelasttwenty-fourhours.Thesunshonebrightly,withawarmwestwind,andthecountryalreadyshowedsignsoftheearlyspringwhichmarkedthatyear.

If,thefirsthurryofdepartureover,Ihadnowleisuretofeelthegnawingofanxietyandthetorturesinflictedbyanimaginationwhich,faroutstrippingus,rodewiththosewhomwepursuedandsharedtheirperils,Ifoundtwosourcesofcomfortstillopentome.Nomanwhohasseenservicecanlookonalittlebandofwell-appointedhorsemenwithoutpleasure.I

reviewedthestalwartformsandsternfaceswhichmovedbesidemeandcomparingtheirdecentorderandsoundequipmentswiththescurvyfoulnessofthemenwhohadriddennorthwithme,thankedGod,and,ceasedtowonderattheindignationwhichMatthewandhisfellowshadarousedinmademoiselle\'smind.Myothersourceofsatisfaction,theregularbeatofhoofsandringofbridlescontinuallyaugmented.EverysteptookusfartherfromBlois——

fartherfromtheclosetownandreekingstreetsandtheCourt;

which,ifitnolongerseemedtomeashambles,befouledbyonegreatdeedofblood——experiencehadremovedthatimpression——

retainedanappearanceinfinitelymeanandmiserableinmyeyes.

Ihatedandloatheditsintriguesanditsjealousies,thefollywhichtrifledinaclosetwhilerebellionmasteredFrance,andthepettinesswhichrecognisednowisdomsavethatofbalancingpartyandparty.IthankedGodthatmyworktherewasdone,andcouldhavewelcomedanyotheroccasionthatforcedmetoturnmybackonit,andsentmeatlargeoverthepureheaths,throughthewoods,andunderthewideheaven,speckledwithmovingclouds.

Butsuchspringsofcomfortsoonrandry.M.d\'Agen\'sgloomyrageandthefierygleaminMaignan\'seyewouldhaveremindedme,hadIbeeninanydangerofforgettingtheerrandonwhichwewerebound,andtheneed,exceedingallotherneeds,whichcompelledustolosenomomentthatmightbeused.Thosewhomwefollowedhadfivehours\'start.Thethoughtofwhatmight;

happeninthosefivehourstothetwohelplesswomenwhomIhadsworntoprotectburneditselfintomymind;sothattorefrainfromputtingspurstomyhorseandridingrecklesslyforwardtaxedattimesallmyself-control.Thehorsesseemedtocrawl.

Themenrisingandfallinglistlesslyintheirsaddlesmaddenedme.ThoughIcouldnothopetocomeuponanytraceofourquarryformanyhours,perhapsfordays,Iscannedthelong,flatheathsunceasingly,searchedeverymarshybottombeforewedescendedintoit,andpantedforthemomentwhenthenextlowridgeshouldexposetoourviewafreshtrackofwoodandwaste.Therosyvisionsofthepastnight,andthosefanciesinparticularwhichhadmadethedawnmemorable,recurredtome,ashisdeedsinthebody(somensay)toahopelessdrowningwretch.IgrewtothinkofnothingbutBruhlandrevenge.EventheabsurdcarewithwhichSimonavoidedtheneighbourhoodofFanchette,ridinganywheresolongashemightrideatadistancefromtheangrywoman\'stongueandhand——whichprovokedmanyalaughfromthemen,andcametobethejokeofthecompany——failedtodrawasmilefromme.

WepassedthroughContres,fourleaguesfromBlois,anhourafternoon,andthreehourslatercrossedtheCheratSelles,wherewestayedawhiletobaitourhorses.Herewehadnewsofthepartybeforeus,andhenceforthhadlittledoubtthatBruhlwasmakingfortheLimousin;adistrictinwhichhemightrestsecureundertheprotectionofTurenne,andsafelydefyaliketheKingofFranceandtheKingofNavarre.Thegreaterthenecessity,itwasplain,forspeed;buttheroadsinthatneighbourhood,andforwardasfarasValancy,provedheavyand,foundrous,anditwasallwecoulddotoreachLevrouxwithjadedhorsesthreehoursaftersunset.TheprobabilitythatBruhlwouldlieatChateauroux,fiveleaguesfartheron——forIcouldnotconceivethatunderthecircumstanceshewouldsparethewomen——wouldhaveledmetopushforwardhaditbeenpossible;butthedarknessandthedifficultyoffindingaguidewhowouldventuredeterredmefromthehopelessattempt,andwestayedthenightwherewewere.

Herewefirstheardoftheplague;whichwassaidtoberavagingChateaurouxandallthecountryfarthersouth.Thelandlordoftheinnwouldhaveregaleduswithmanystoriesofit,andparticularlyoftheswiftnesswithwhichmenandevencattlesuccumbedtoitsattacks.Butwehadotherthingstothinkof,andbetweenanxietyandwearinesshadcleanforgottenthematterwhenwerosenextmorning.

Westartedshortlyafterdaybreak,andforthreeleaguespressedonattolerablespeed.Then,fornoreasonstated,ourguidegaveustheslipaswepassedthroughawood,andwasseennomore.Welosttheroad,andhadtoretraceoursteps.Westrayedintoaslough,andextractedourselveswithdifficulty.

ThemanwhowasridingthebayIhadpurchasedforgotthesecretwhichIhadimpartedtohim,andgotanuglyfall.Infine,afterallthesemishapsitwantedlittleofnoon,andlesstoexhaustourpatience,whenatlengthwecameinsightofChateauroux.

Beforeenteringthetownwehadstillanadventure;forwecameataturnintheroadonasceneassurprisingasitwasatfirstinexplicable.Alittlenorthofthetown,inacoppiceofboxfacingthesouthandwest,wehappedsuddenlyonarudeencampment,consistingofadozenhutsandbooths,setbackfromtheroadandformed,someofbranchesofevergreentreeslaid.

clumsilytogether,andsomeofsackingstretchedoverpoles.A

numberofmenandwomenofdecentappearancelayontheshortgrassbeforethebooths,idlysunningthemselves;ormovedabout,cookingandtendingfires,whileascoreofchildrenracedtoandfrowithnoisyshoutsandlaughter.Theappearanceofourpartyonthescenecausedaninstantpanic.Thewomenandchildrenfledscreamingintothewood,spreadingthesoundofbreakingbranchesfartherandfartherastheyretreated;whilethemen,amiserablepale-facedset,drewtogether,andseeminghalf-

inclinedtoflyalso,regardeduswithglancesoffearandsuspicion.

Remarkingthattheirappearanceanddresswerenotthoseofvagrants,whiletheboothsseemedtoindicatelittleskillorexperienceinthebuilders,Ibademycompanionshalt,andadvancedalone.

\'Whatisthemeaningofthis,mymen?\'Isaid,addressingthefirstgroupIreached.\'Youseemtohavecomea-Mayingbeforethetime.Whenceareyou?\'

\'FromChateauroux,\'theforemostansweredsullenly.Hisdress,nowIsawhimnearer,seemedtobethatofarespectabletownsman.

\'Why?\'Ireplied.\'Haveyounohomes?\'

\'Ay,wehavehomes,\'heansweredwiththesamebrevity.

\'Thenwhy,inGod\'sname,areyouhere?\'Iretorted,markingthegloomyairanddowncastfacesofthegroup.\'Haveyoubeenharried?\'

\'Ay,harriedbythePlague!\'heansweredbitterly.\'Doyoumeantosayyouhavenotheard?InChateaurouxthereisonemandeadinthree.Takemyadvice,sir——youareabravecompany——turn,andgohomeagain.\'

\'Isitasbadasthat?\'Iexclaimed.Ihadforgottenthelandlord\'sgossip,andtheexplanationstruckmewiththeforceofsurprise.

\'Ay,isit!Doyouseethebluehaze?\'hecontinued,pointingwithasuddengesturetothelowergroundbeforeus,overwhichalightpallofsummeryvapourhungstillandmotionless.\'Doyouseeit?Well,underthatthereisdeath!YoumayfindfoodinChateauroux,andstallsforyourhorses,andamantotakemoney;

fortherearestillmenthere.ButcrosstheIndre,andyouwillseesightsworsethanabattle-fieldaweekold!Youwillfindnolivingsoulinhouseorstableorchurch,butcorpsesplenty.

Thelandiscursed!cursedforheresy,somesay!Halfaredead,andhalfarefledtothewoods!Andifyoudonotdieoftheplague,youwillstarve.\'

\'Godforbid!\'Imuttered,thinkingwithashudderofthosebeforeus.Thisledmetoaskhimifapartyresemblingoursinnumber,andincludingtwowomen,hadpassedthatway.Heanswered,Yes,aftersunsettheeveningbefore;thattheirhorseswerestumblingwithfatigueandthemenswearinginpureweariness.Hebelievedthattheyhadnotenteredthetown,buthadmadearudeencampmenthalfamilebeyondit;andhadagainbrokenthisup,andriddensouthwardstwoorthreehoursbeforeourarrival.

\'Thenwemayovertakethemto-day?\'Isaid.

\'Byyourleave,sir,\'heanswered,withgravemeaning.\'Ithinkyouaremorelikelytomeetthem.\'

Shruggingmyshoulders,Ithankedhimshortlyandlefthim;thefullimportanceofpreventingmymenhearingwhatIhadheard——

lestthepanicwhichpossessedthesetownspeopleshouldseizeonthemalso——beingalreadyinmymind.Neverthelessthethoughtcametoolate,foronturningmyhorseIfoundoneoftheforemost,along,solemn-facedman,hadalreadyfoundhiswaytoMaignan\'sstirrup;wherehewasdilatingsoeloquentlyupontheenemywhichawaitedussouthwardsthatthecountenancesofhalfthetrooperswereaslongashisown,andIsawnothingforitbuttointerrupthisorationbyasmartapplicationofmyswitchtohisshoulders.Havingthusstoppedhim,andratedhimbacktohisfellows,Igavethewordtomarch.Themenobeyedmechanically,weswungintoacanter,andforamomentthedangerwasover.

ButIknewthatitwouldrecuragainandagain.Stealthilymarkingthefacesroundme,andlisteningtothewhisperedtalkwhichwenton,Isawtheterrorspreadfromonetoanother.

Voiceswhichearlierinthedayhadbeenraisedinsongandjestgrewsilent.GreatrecklessfellowsofMaignan\'sfollowing,whohadanoathandablowforallcomers,andtowhomthedeepestfordseemedtobechild\'splay,rodewithdroopingheadsandknittedbrows;orscannedwithill-concealedanxietythestrangehazebeforeus,throughwhichtheroofsofthetown,andhereandtherealowhillorlineofpoplars,rosetoplainerview.Maignanhimself,thestoutestofthestout,lookedgrave,andhadlosthisswaggeringair.OnlythreepersonspreservedtheirSANG-FROIDentire.Ofthese,M.d\'Agenrodeasifhehadheardnothing,andSimonFleixasifhefearednothing;whileFanchette,gazingeagerlyforward,saw,itwasplain,onlyoneobjectinthemist,andthatwasherMistress\'sface.

\'Wefoundthegatesofthetownopen,andthis,whichprovedtobetheheraldofstrangersights,dauntedtheheartsofmymenmorethanthemosthostilereception.Asweentered,ourhorses\'

hoofs,clatteringloudlyonthepavement,awokeahundredechoesintheemptyhousestorightandleft.Themainstreet,floodedwithsunshine,whichmadeitsdesolationseemahundredtimesmoreformidable,stretchedawaybeforeus,bareandempty;orhauntedonlybyafewslinkingdogs,andprowlingwretches,whofled,affrightedattheunaccustomedsounds,orstoodandeyeduslistlesslyasmepassed.Abelltolled;inthedistanceweheardthewailingofwomen.Thesilentways,theblackcrosswhichmarkedeveryseconddoor,thefrightfulfaceswhichonceortwicelookedoutfromupperwindowsandblastedoursight,infectedmymenwithterrorsoprofoundandsoungovernablethatatlastdisciplinewasforgotten;andoneshovinghishorsebeforeanotherinnarrowplaces,therewasascuffletobefirst.One,andthenasecond,begantotrot.Thetrotgrewintoashufflingcanter.Thegatesoftheinnlayopen,nayseemedtoinviteustoenter;butnooneturnedorhalted.Movedbyasingleimpulsewepushedbreathlesslyonandon,untiltheopencountrywasreached,andwewhohadenteredthestreetsinsilentawe,sweptoutandoverthebridgeasifthefiendwereatourheels.

ThatIsharedinthisflightcausesmenoshameevennow,formymenwereatthetimeungovernable,asthebest-trainedtroopsarewhenseizedbysuchpanics;and,moreover,Icouldhavedonenogoodbyremaininginthetown,wherethestrengthofthecontagionwasprobablygreaterandtheinnlarderliketobeasbare,asthehillside.Fewtownsarewithoutahostelryoutsidethegatesfortheconvenienceofknightsoftheroadorthosewhowouldavoidthedues,andChateaurouxprovednoexceptiontothisrule.Ashorthalf-milefromthewallswedrewreinbeforeasecondencampmentraisedaboutawaysidehouse.Itscarcelyneededthesoundofmusicmingledwithbrawlingvoicestoinformusthatthewilderspiritsofthetownhadtakenrefugehere,andwereseekingtodrowninriotanddebauchery,asIhaveseenhappeninabesiegedplace,theremembranceoftheenemywhichstalkedabroadinthesunshine.Oursuddenappearance,whileitputastoptothemimicryofmirth,broughtoutascoreofmenandwomenineverystageofdrunkennessanddishevelment,ofwhomsome,withhiccoughsandloosegestures,criedtoustojointhem,whileotherssworehorridlyatbeingrecalledtothepresent,which,withthefuture,theywereendeavouringtoforget.

Icursedtheminreturnforapackofcravenwretches,andthreateningtoridedownthosewhoobstructedus,orderedmymenforward;haltingeventuallyaquarterofamilefartheron,whereawoodofgroundlingoakswhichstillworelastyear\'sleavesaffordedfairshelter.Afraidtoleavemymenmyself,lestsomeshouldstraytotheinnandothersdesertaltogether,IrequestedM.d\'AgentoreturnthitherwithMaignanandSimon,andbringuswhatforageandfoodwerequired.Thishedidwithperfectsuccess,thoughnotuntilafterascuffle,inwhichMaignanshowedhimselfamatchforahundred.Wewateredthehorsesataneighbouringbrook,andassigningtwohourstorestandrefreshment——agreatpartofwhichM.d\'AgenandIspentwalkingupanddowninmoodysilence,eachimmersedinhisownthoughts——

wepresentlytooktheroadagainwithrenewedspirits.

Butapanicisnoteasilyshakenoff,norisanyfearsodifficulttocombatanddefeatasthefearoftheinvisible.Theterrorswhichfoodanddrinkhadforatimethrustoutpresentlyreturnedwithsevenfoldforce.Menlookeduneasilyinoneanother\'sfaces,andfromthemtothehazewhichveiledalldistantobjects.Theymutteredoftheheat,whichwassudden,strange,andabnormalatthattimeoftheyear.Andby-and-bytheyhadotherthingstospeakof.Wemetaman,whoranbesideusandbeggedofus,cryingoutinadreadfulvoicethathiswifeandfourchildrenlayunburiedinthehouse.Alittlefartheron,besideawell,thecorpseofawomanwithachildatherbreastlaypoisoningthewater;shehadcrawledtoittoappeaseherthirst,anddiedofthedraught.Lastofall,in,abeech-

woodnearLotierwecameuponaladylivinginhercoach,withoneortwopanic-strickenwomenforheronlyattendants.HerhusbandwasinParis,shetoldme;halfherservantsweredead,theresthadfled.Stillsheretainedinaremarkabledegreebothcourageandcourtesy,andacceptingwithfortitudemyreasonsandexcusesforperforceleavingherinsuchaplight,gavemeaclearaccountofBruhlandhisparty,whohadpassedhersome,hoursbefore.Thepictureofthisladygazingafteruswithperfectgood-breeding,aswerodeawayatspeed,followedbythelamentationsofherwomen,remainswithmetothisday;

fillingmymindatoncewithadmirationandmelancholy.For,asIlearnedlater,shefellilloftheplaguewhereweleftherinthebeech-wood,anddiedinanightwithbothherservants.