第20章

Igrew——shamethatIshouldsayit——tothinkmoreandmoreofthesethings;untilmademoiselle,readingthesigns,toldmeonedaythatwemustgo.\'Thoughneveragain,\'sheaddedwithasigh,\'shallwebesohappy.\'

\'Thenwhygo?\'Iaskedfoolishly.

\'Becauseyouareaman,\'sheansweredwithawisesmile,\'asI

wouldhaveyoube,andyouneedsomethingbesideslove.To-

morrowwewillgo.\'

\'Whither?\'Isaidinamazement.

\'TothecampbeforeParis,\'sheanswered.\'Wewillgobackinthelightofday——seeingthatwehavedonenothingofwhichtobeashamed——andthrowourselvesonthejusticeoftheKingofNavarre.YoushallplacemewithMadameCatherine,whowillnotrefusetoprotectme;andso,sweet,youwillhaveonlyyourselftothinkof.Come,sir,\'shecontinued,layingherlittlehandinmine,andlookingintomyeyes,\'youarenotafraid?\'

\'IammoreafraidthaneverIusedtobe,\'Isaidtrembling.

\'SoIwouldhaveit,\'shewhispered,hidingherfaceonmyshoulder.\'Neverthelesswewillgo.\'

Andgowedid.TheaudacityofsuchareturninthefaceofTurenne,whowasdoubtlessintheKingofNavarre\'ssuite,almosttookmybreathaway;nevertheless,Isawthatitpossessedoneadvantagewhichnoothercoursepromised——that,Imean,ofsettingusrightintheeyesoftheworld,andenablingmetomeetinastraightforwardmannersuchasmalignedus.AftersomeconsiderationIgavemyassent,merelyconditioningthatuntilwereachedtheCourtweshouldridemasked,andshunasfaraspossibleencountersbytheroad.

CHAPTERXXXII.

ATAVERNBRAWL.

Onthefollowingday,accordingly,westarted.Butthenewsofthetwokings\'successes,andparticularlythecertaintywhichthesehadbredinmanymindsthatnothingshortofamiraclecouldsaveParis,hadmovedsomanygentlementotaketheroadthatwefoundtheinnscrowdedbeyondexample,andwerefrequentlyforcedintomeetingswhichmadethetaskofconcealingouridentitymoredifficultandhazardousthanIhadexpected.

Sometimesshelterwasnottobeobtainedonanyterms,andthenwehadtolieinthefieldsorinanyconvenientshed.Moreover,thepassageofthearmyhadsweptthecountrysobarebothoffoodandforage,thatthesecommandedastonishingprices;andalongday\'sridemorethanoncebroughtustoourdestinationwithoutsecuringforustheamplemealwehadearned,andrequired.

Underthesecircumstances,itwaswithjoylittleshortoftransportthatIrecognisedthemarvellouschangewhichhadcomeovermymistress.Bearingallwithoutamurmur,orafrown,orsomuchasonecomplainingword,sheactedonnumberlessoccasionssoastoconvincemethatshespoketruly——albeitI

scarcelydaredtobelieveit——whenshesaidthatshehadbutonetroubleintheworld,andthatwastheprospectofourcomingseparation.

Formypart,anddespitesomegloomymoments,whenfearofthefutureovercameme,IrodeinParadiseridingbymymistress.Itwasherpresencewhichglorifiedalikethefirstfreshnessofthemorning,whenwestartedwithallthedaybeforeus,andthecoolnessofthelateevening,whenwerodehand-in-hand.NorcouldIbelievewithoutaneffortthatIwasthesameGastondeMarsacwhoshehadoncespurnedanddisdained.GodknowsIwasthankfulforherlove.Athousandtimes,thinkingofmygreyhairs,Iaskedherifshedidnotrepent;andathousandtimessheansweredNo,withsomuchhappinessinhereyesthatIwasfaintothankGodagainandbelieveher.

Notwithstandingtheinconvenienceofthepractice,wemadeitaruletowearourmaskswheneverweappearedinpublic;andthisrulemekeptmorestrictlyasweapproachedParis.Itexposedustosomecommentandmorecuriosity,butledtonoserioustroubleuntilwereachedEtampes,twelveleaguesfromthecapital;wherewefoundtheprincipalinnsonoisyandcrowded,andsomuchdisturbedbytheconstantcomingandgoingofcouriers,thatitrequirednoexperiencetopredicatetheneighbourhoodofthearmy.Thegreatcourtyardseemedtobechokedwithaconfusedmassofmenandhorses,throughwhichwemadeourwaywithdifficulty.Thewindowsofthehousewereallopen,andofferedusaviewoftablessurroundedbymeneatinganddrinkinghastily,asthemanneroftravellersis.Thegatewayandthestepsofthehousewerelinedwithtroopersandservantsandsturdyrogues;whoscannedallwhopassedinorout,andnotunfrequentlyfollowedthemwithribaldjestsandnicknames.

Songsandoaths,brawlingandlaughter,withtheneighingofhorsesandthehuzzasofthebeggars,whoshoutedwheneverafreshpartyarrived,roseaboveall,andincreasedthereluctancewithwhichIassistedmadameandmademoiselletodismount.

Simonwasnomatchforsuchanoccasionasthis;butthestalwartaspectofthethreemenwhomMaignanhadleftwithmecommandedrespect,andattendedbytwooftheseImadeawayfortheladies——notwithoutsomeoppositionandafewoaths——toenterthehouse.Thelandlord,whomwefoundcrushedintoacornerinside,andentirelyoverbornebythecrowdwhichhadinvadedhisdwelling,assuredmethathehadnotthesmallestgarrethecouldplaceatmydisposal;butIpresentlysucceededinfindingasmallroomatthetop,whichIpurchasedfromthefourmenwhohadtakenpossessionofit.Asitwasimpossibletogetanythingtoeatthere,Ileftamanonguard,andmyselfdescendedwithmadameandmademoiselletotheeating-room,alargechambersetwithlongboards,andfilledwitharoughandnoisycrew.Underarunningfireofobservationsweentered,andfoundwithdifficultythreeseatsinaninnercorneroftheroom.

Iranmyeyeoverthecompany,andnoticedamongthem,besidesadozentravellingpartieslikeourown,specimensofallthoseclasseswhicharetobefoundintherearofanarmy.Thereweresomeofficersandmorehorse-dealers;halfadozenforage-agentsandafewpriests;withalargesprinklingofadventurers,braves,andled-captains,andhereandtheretwoorthreewhosedressandthedeferencepaidtothembytheirneighboursseemedtoindicateahigherrank.Conspicuousamongtheselastwereapartyoffourwhooccupiedasmalltablebythedoor.Anattempthadbeenmadetosecuresomedegreeofprivacyforthembyinterposingasettlebetweenthemandtheroom;andtheirattendants,whoseemedtobenumerous,didwhattheycouldtoaddtothisbyfillingthegapwiththeirpersons.Oneofthefour,amanofhandsomedressandbearing,whosatintheplaceofhonour,wasmasked,aswewere.ThegentlemanathisrighthandIcouldnotsee.Theothers,whomIcouldsee,werestrangerstome.

Sometimeelapsedbeforeourpeoplesucceededinprocuringusanyfood,andduringtheintervalwewereexposedtoanamountofcommentonthepartofthoserounduswhichIfoundverylittletomyliking.Therewerenothalfadozenwomenpresent,andthisandourmasksrenderedmycompanionsunpleasantlyconspicuous.Aware,however,oftheimportanceofavoidinganaltercationwhichmightpossiblydetainus,andwouldbecertaintoaddtoournotoriety,Iremainedquiet;andpresentlytheentranceofatall,dark-complexionedman,whocarriedhimselfwithapeculiarswagger,andseemedtobefamousforsomethingorother,divertedtheattentionofthecompanyfromus.

Thenew-comerwassomewhatofMaignan\'sfigure.Heworeabackandbreastoveragreendoublet,andhadanorangefeatherinhiscapandanorange-linedcloakonhisshoulder.Onenteringhestoodamomentinthedoorway,lettinghisboldblackeyesroveroundtheroom,thewhilehetalkedinaloudbraggartfashiontohiscompanions.Therewasalackofbreedingintheman\'sair,andsomethingoffensiveinhislook;whichInoticedproducedwhereveritrestedamomentarysilenceandconstraint.WhenhemovedfartherintotheroomIsawthatheworeaverylongsword,thepointofwhichtrailedafootbehindhim.

HechoseoutforhisfirstattentionsthepartyoffourwhomI

havementioned;goinguptothemandaccostingthemwitharufflingair,directedespeciallytothegentlemaninthemask.

Thelatterliftedhisheadhaughtilyonfindinghimselfaddressedbyastranger,butdidnotoffertoanswer.Someoneelsedid,however,forasuddenbellowlikethatofanenragedbullproceededfrombehindthesettle.Thewordswerelostinnoise,theunseenspeaker\'sangerseemingsooverpoweringthathecouldnotarticulate;butthetoneandvoice,whichwereinsomewayfamiliartome,provedenoughforthebully,who,coveringhisretreatwithaprofoundbow,backedoutrapidly,mutteringwhatwasdoubtlessanapology.Cockinghishatmorefiercelytomakeupforthisrepulse,henextproceededtopatroltheroom,scowlingfromsidetosideashewent,withtheevidentintentionofpickingaquarrelwithsomeonelessformidable.

Byill-chancehiseyelit,asheturned,onourmasks.Hesaidsomethingtohiscompanions;andencouraged,nodoubt,bythepositionofourseatsattheboard,whichledhimtothinkuspeopleofsmallconsequence,hecametoastopoppositeus.

\'What!moredukeshere?\'hecriedscoffingly.\'Hallo,yousir!\'hecontinuedtome,\'willyounotunmaskanddrinkaglasswithme?\'

Ithankedhimcivilly,butdeclined.

Hisinsolenteyeswerebusy,whileIspoke,withmadame\'sfairhairandhandsomefigure,whichhermaskfailedtohide.

\'Perhapstheladieswillhavebettertaste,sir,\'hesaidrudely.

\'Willtheynothonouruswithasightoftheirprettyfaces?\'

KnowingtheimportanceofkeepingmytemperIputconstraintonmyself,andanswered,stillwithcivility,thattheyweregreatlyfatiguedandwereabouttoretire.

\'Zounds!\'hecried,\'thatisnottobeborne.Ifwearetolosethemsosoon,themorereasonweshouldenjoytheirBEAUXYEUX

whilewecan.Ashortlifeandamerryone,sir.Thisisnotanunnery,nor,Idareswear,areyourfairfriendsnuns.\'

ThoughIlongedtochastisehimforthisinsult,Ifeigneddeafness,andwentonwithmymealasifIhadnotheardhim;andthetablebeingbetweenuspreventedhimgoingbeyondwords.

Afterhehadutteredoneortwocoarsejestsofasimilarcharacter,whichcostuslessasweweremasked,andouremotionscouldonlybeguessed,thecrowdaboutus,seeingItookthethingquietly,begantoapplaudhim;butmoreasitseemedtomeoutoffearthanlove.InthisopinionIwaspresentlyconfirmedonhearingfromSimonwhowhisperedtheinformationinmyearashehandedadish——thatthefellowwasanItaliancaptainintheking\'spay,famousforhisskillwiththeswordandthemanyduelsinwhichhehaddisplayedit.

Mademoiselle,thoughshedidnotknowthis,borewithhisinsolencewithapatiencewhichastonishedme;whilemadameappearedunconsciousofit.Nevertheless,Iwasgladwhenheretiredandleftusinpeace.Iseizedthemomentofhisabsencetoescorttheladiesthroughtheroomandupstairstotheirapartment,thedoorofwhichIsawlockedandsecured.ThatdoneIbreathedmorefreely;andfeelingthankfulthatIhadbeenabletokeepmytemper,tooktheepisodetobeatanend.

ButinthisIwasmistaken,asIfoundwhenIreturnedtotheroominwhichwehadsupped,myintentionbeingtogothroughittothestables.IhadnottakentwopacesacrossthefloorbeforeIfoundmyroadblockedbytheItalian,andreadalikeinhiseyesandinthefacesofthecompany——ofwhommanyhastenedtoclimbthetablestoseewhatpassed——thatthemeetingwaspremeditated.Theman\'sfacewasflushedwithwine;proudofhismanyvictories,heeyedmewithaboastfulcontemptmypatiencehadperhapsgivenhimtherighttofeel.

\'Ha!wellmet,sir,\'hesaid,sweepingthefloorwithhiscapinanexaggerationofrespect,\'now,perhaps,yourhigh-mightinesswillcondescendtounmask?Thetableisnolongerbetweenus,norareyourfairfriendsheretoprotecttheirCHERAMI!\'

\'IfIstillrefuse,sir,\'Isaidcivilly,waveringbetweenangerandprudence,andhopingstilltoavoidaquarrelwhichmightendangerusall,\'begoodenoughtoattributeittoprivatemotives,andtonodesiretodisobligeyou.\'

\'No,Idonotthinkyouwishtodisobligeme,\'heanswered,laughingscornfully——andadozenvoicesechoedthegibe.\'Butforyourprivatemotives,thedeviltakethem!Isthatplainenough,sir?\'

\'Itisplainenoughtoshowmethatyouareanill-bredman!\'I

answered,cholergettingthebetterofme.\'Letmepass,sir.\'

\'Unmask!\'heretorted,movingsoasstilltodetainme,\'orshallIcallinthegroomstoperformtheofficeforyou?\'

Seeingatlastthatallmyattemptstoevadethemanonlyfedhisvanity,andencouragedhimtofurtherexcesses,andthatthemotleycrowd,whofilledtheroomandalreadyformedacircleroundus,hadmadeuptheirmindstoseesport,Iwouldnolongerbalkthem;Icouldnolongerdoit,indeed,withhonour.I

lookedround,therefore,forsomeonewhomImightenlistasmysecond,butIsawnoonewithwhomIhadtheleastacquaintance.

Theroomwaslinedfromtabletoceilingwithmockingfacesandscornfuleyesallturnedtome.

Myopponentsawthelook,andmisreadit;beingmuchaccustomed,Iimagine,toaone-sidedbattle.Helaughedcontemptuously.

\'No,myfriend,thereisnowayoutofit,\'hesaid.\'Letmeseeyourprettyface,orfight.\'

\'Sobeit,\'Isaidquietly.\'IfIhavenootherchoice,Iwillfight.\'

\'Inyourmask?\'hecriedincredulously.

\'Yes,\'Isaidsternly,feelingeverynervetinglewithlong-

suppressedrage.\'IwillfightasIam.Offwithyourbackandbreast,ifyouareaman.AndIwillsodealwithyouthatifyouseeto-morrow\'ssunyoushallneedamaskfortherestofyourdays!\'

\'Ho!ho!\'heanswered,scowlingatmeinsurprise,\'yousinginadifferentkeynow.ButIwillputatermtoit.Thereisspaceenoughbetweenthesetables,ifyoucanuseyourweapon;

andmuchmorethanyouwillneedto-morrow.\'

\'To-morrowwillshow,\'Iretorted.

Withoutmoreadoheunfastenedthebucklesofhisbreast-piece,andrelievinghimselfofit,steppedbackapace.Thoseofthebystanderswhooccupiedthepartoftheroomheindicated——aspaceboundedbyfourtables,andnotunfitforthepurpose,thoughsomewhatconfined——hastenedtogetoutofit,andseizeinsteaduponneighbouringpostsof\'vantage.Theman\'sreputationwassuch,andhisfamesogreat,thatonallsidesI

heardnaughtbutwagersofferedagainstmeatodds;butthiscircumstance,whichmighthaveflurriedayoungermanandnumbedhisarm,servedonlytosetmeonmakingthemostofsuchopeningsasthefellow\'spresumptionandcertaintyofsuccesswouldbesuretoafford.

Thenewsofthechallengerunningthroughthehousehadbroughttogetherbythistimesomanypeopleastofilltheroomfromendtoend,andeventoobscurethelight,whichwasbeginningtowane.Atthelastmoment,whenwewereonthepointofengaging,aslightcommotionmarkedtheadmissiontothefrontofthreeorfourpersons,whoseconsequenceorattendantsgainedthemthisadvantage.IbelievedthemtobethepartyoffourIhavementioned,butatthetimeIcouldnotbecertain.

InthefewsecondsofwaitingwhilethiswentforwardIexaminedourrelativepositionswiththefullestintentionofkillingtheman——whoseglitteringeyesandfiercesmilefilledmewithaloathingwhichwasverynearlyhatred——ifIcould.Thelineofwindowslaytomyrightandhisleft.Theeveninglightfellacrossus,whiteningtherowoffacesonmyleft,butleavingthoseonmyrightinshadow.Itoccurredtomeontheinstantthatmymaskwasactuallyanadvantage,seeingthatitprotectedmysightfromtheside-light,andenabledmetowatchhiseyesandpointwithmoreconcentration.

\'Youwillbethetwenty-thirdmanIhavekilled!\'hesaidboastfully,aswecrossedswordsandstoodaninstantonguard.

\'Takecare!\'Ianswered.\'Youhavetwenty-threeagainstyou!\'

Aswiftlungewashisonlyanswer.Iparriedit,andthrust,andwefelltowork.Wehadnotexchangedhalfadozenblows,however,beforeIsawthatIshouldneedalltheadvantagewhichmymaskandgreatercautiongaveme.Ihadmetmymatch,anditmightbesomethingmore;butthatforatimeitwasimpossibletotell.Hehadthelongerweapon,andIthelongerreach.Hepreferredthepoint,afterthenewItalianfashion,andItheblade.Hewassomewhatflushedwithwine,whilemyarmhadscarcelyrecoveredthestrengthofwhichillnesshaddeprivedme.

Ontheotherhand,excitedatthefirstbythecriesofhisbackers,heplayedratherwildly;whileIheldmyselfprepared,andkeepingupastrongguard,waitedcautiouslyforanyopeningormistakeonhispart.

Thecrowdroundus,whichhadhailedourfirstpasseswithnoisycriesofderisionandtriumph,fellsilentafterawhile,surprisedandtakenabackbytheirchampion\'sfailuretospitmeatthefirstonslaught.Myreluctancetoengagehadledthemtopredictashortfightandaneasyvictory.

Convincedofthecontrary,theybegantowatcheachstrokewithbatedbreath;ornowandagain,mutteringthenameofJarnac,brokeintobriefexclamationsasablowmoresavagethanusualdrewsparksfromourblades,andmadetheraftersringwiththeharshgrindingofsteelonsteel.

Thesurpriseofthecrowd,however,wasasmallthingcomparedwiththatofmyadversary.Impatience,disgust,rageanddoubtchasedoneanotherinturnacrosshisflushedfeatures.

Apprisedthathehadtodowithaswordsman,heputforthallhispower.Withspiteinhiseyeshelabouredblowonblow,hetriedoneformofattackafteranother,hefoundmeequal,ifbarelyequal,toall.Andthenatlasttherecameachange.Theperspirationgatheredonhisbrow,thesilencedisconcertedhim;

hefelthisstrengthfailingunderthestrain,andsuddenly,I

think,thepossibilityofdefeatanddeath,unthoughtofbefore,burstuponhim.Iheardhimgroan,andforamomenthefencedwildly.Thenheagainrecoveredhimself.ButnowIreadterrorinhiseyes,andknewthatthemomentofretributionwasathand.

Withhisbacktothetable,andmypointthreateninghisbreast,heknewatlastwhatthoseothershadfelt!

Hewouldfainhavestoppedtobreathe,butIwouldnotlethimthoughmyblowsalsoweregrowingfeeble,andmyguardweaker;

forIknewthatifIgavehimtimetorecoverhimselfhewouldhaverecoursetoothertricks,andmightout-manoeuvremeintheend.Asitwas,myblackunchangingmask,whichalwaysconfrontedhim,whichhidallemotionsandveiledevenfatigue,hadgrowntobefullofterrortohim——fullofblank,passionlessmenace.HecouldnottellhowIfared,orwhatIthought,orhowmystrengthstood.Superstitiousdreadwasonhim,andthreatened,tooverpowerhim.IgnorantwhoIwasorwhenceI

came,hefearedanddoubted,grapplingwithmonstroussuspicions,whichthefadinglightencouraged.Hisfacebrokeoutinblotches,hisbreathcameandwentingasps,hiseyesbegantoprotrude.Onceortwicetheyquittedmineforapartofasecondtostealadespairingglanceattherowsofonlookersthatrantorightandleftofus.Buthereadnopitythere.

Atlasttheendcame——moresuddenlythanIhadlookedforit,butIthinkhewasunnerved.Hishandlostitsgripofthehilt,andaparrywhichIdealtalittlemorebrisklythanusualsenttheweaponflyingamongthecrowd,asmuchtomyastonishmentastothatofthespectators.Avolleyofoathsandexclamationshailedtheevent;andforamomentIstoodatgaze,eyeinghimwatchfully.Heshrankback;thenhemadeforamomentasifhewouldflinghimselfuponmedaggerinhand.Butseeingmypointsteady,herecoiledasecondtime,hisfacedistortedwithrageandfear.

\'Go!\'Isaidsternly.\'Begone!Followyoursword!Butsparethenextmanyouconquer.\'

Hestaredatme,fingeringhisdaggerasifhedidnotunderstand,orasifinthebitternessofhisshameatbeingsodefeatedevenlifewereunwelcome.Iwasabouttorepeatmywordswhenaheavyhandfellonmyshoulder.

\'Fool!\'aharshgrowlingvoicemutteredinmyear.\'DoyouwanthimtoserveyouasAchonservedMatas?Thisisthewaytodealwithhim.\'

AndbeforeIknewwhospokeorwhattoexpectamanvaultedoverthetablebesideme.SeizingtheItalianbytheneckandwaist,heflunghimbodily——withoutpayingtheleastregardtohisdagger——intothecrowd.\'There!\'thenew-comercried,stretchinghisarmsasiftheefforthadrelievedhim,\'somuchforhim!Anddoyoubreatheyourself.Breatheyourself,myfriend,\'hecontinuedwithavain-gloriousairofgenerosity.

\'Whenyouarerestedandready,youandIwillhaveabout.Mondieu!whatathingitistoseeaman!Andbymyfaithyouareaman!\'

\'But,sir,\'Isaid,staringathimintheutmostbewilderment,\'wehavenoquarrel.\'

\'Quarrel?\'hecriedinhisloud,ringingvoice.\'Heavenforbid!

Whyshouldwe?Iloveaman,however,andwhenIseeoneIsaytohim,"IamCrillon!Fightme!"ButIseeyouarenotyetrested.Patience!Thereisnohurry.BerthondeCrillonisproudtowaityourconvenience.Inthemeantime,gentlemen,\'hecontinued,turningwithagrandairtothespectators,whoviewedthissuddenBOULEVERSEMENTwithunboundedsurprise,\'letusdowhatwecan.Takethewordfromme,andcryall,"VIVELEROI,ETVIVEL\'INCONNU!"\'

Likepeopleawakingfromadream——sogreatwastheirastonishmentthecompanycompliedandwiththeutmostheartiness.Whentheshoutdiedaway,someonecriedinturn,\'ViveCrillon!\'andthiswashonouredwithafervourwhichbroughtthetearstotheeyesofthatremarkableman,inwhombombastwassostrangelycombinedwiththefirmestandmostrecklesscourage.Hebowedagainandagain,turninghimselfaboutinthesmallspacebetweenthetables,whilehisfaceshonewithpleasureandenthusiasm.

MeanwhileIviewedhimwithperplexity.IcomprehendedthatitwashisvoiceIhadheardbehindthesettle;butIhadneitherthedesiretofighthimnorsogreatareserveofstrengthaftermyillnessastobeabletoenteronafreshcontestwithequanimity.Whenheturnedtome,therefore,andagainasked,\'Well,sir,areyouready?\'IcouldthinkofnobetteranswerthanthatIhadalreadymadetohim,\'But,sir,Ihavenoquarrelwithyou.\'

\'Tut,tut!\'heansweredquerulously,\'ifthatisall,letusengage.\'

\'Thatisnotall,however,\'Isaid,resolutelyputtingupmysword.\'IhavenotonlynoquarrelwithM.deCrillon,butI

receivedathishandswhenIlastsawhimaconsiderableservice.\'

\'Thennowisthetimetoreturnit,\'heanswered.briskly,andasifthatsettledthematter.

Icouldnotrefrainfromlaughing.\'Nay,butIhavestillanexcuse,\'Isaid.\'Iambarelyrecoveredfromanillness,andamweak.Evenso,Ishouldbelothtodeclineacombatwithsome;

butabettermanthanImaygivethewalltoM.deCrillonandsuffernodisgrace.\'

\'Oh,ifyouputitthatway——enoughsaid,\'heansweredinatoneofdisappointment.\'And,tobesure,thelightisalmostgone.

Thatisacomfort.Butyouwillnotrefusetodrinkacupofwinewithme?YourvoiceIremember,thoughIcannotsaywhoyouareorwhatserviceIdidyou.Forthefuture,however,countonme.Iloveamanwhoisbraveaswellasmodest,andknownobetterfriendthanastoutswordsman.\'

Iwasansweringhiminfittingterms——whiletheficklecrowd,whichafewminutesearlierhadbeenreadytotearme,viewedusfromadistancewithrespectfulhomage——whenthemaskedgentlemanwhohadbeforebeeninhiscompanydrewnearandsalutedmewithmuchstateliness.

\'Icongratulateyou,sir,\'hesaid,intheeasytoneofagreatmancondescending.\'Youusetheswordasfewuseit,andfightwithyourheadaswellasyourhands.Shouldyouneedafriendoremployment,youwillhonourmebyrememberingthatyouareknowntotheVicomtedeTurenne.\'

Ibowedlowtohidethestartwhichthementionofhisnamecausedme.ForhadItried,ay,andpossessedtoaidmeallthewitofM.deBrantome,Icouldhaveimaginednothingmorefantasticthanthismeeting;ormoreentertainingthanthatI,masked,shouldtalkwiththeVicomtedeTurennemasked,andhearinplaceofreproachesandthreatsofvengeanceacivilofferofprotection.ScarcelyknowingwhetherIshouldlaughortremble,orwhichshouldoccupymemore,thedivertingthingthathadhappenedortheperilwehadbarelyescaped,Imadeshifttoanswerhim,cravinghisindulgenceifIstillpreservedmyincognito.EvenwhileIspokeafreshfearassailedme:lestM.

deCrillon,recognisingmyvoiceorfigure,shouldcrymynameonthespot,andexplodeinamomentthemineonwhichwestood.

Thisrenderedmeextremelyimpatienttobegone.ButM.leVicomtehadstillsomethingtosay,andIcouldnotwithdrawmyselfwithoutrudeness.

\'Youaretravellingnorthlikeeveryoneelse?\'hesaid,gazingatmecuriously.\'MayIaskwhetheryouareforMeudon,wheretheKingofNavarrelies,orfortheCourtatSt.Cloud?\'

Imuttered,movingrestlesslyunderhiskeeneyes,thatIwasforMeudon.

\'Then,ifyoucaretotravelwithalargercompany,\'herejoined,bowingwithnegligentcourtesy,\'praycommandme.IamforMeudonalso,andshallleaveherethreehoursbeforenoon.\'

Fortunatelyhetookmyassenttohisgraciousinvitationforgranted,andturnedawaybeforeIhadwellbeguntothankhim.

FromCrillonIfounditmoredifficulttoescape.Heappearedtohaveconceivedagreatfancyforme,andfeltalso,Iimagine,somecuriosityastomyidentity.ButIdideventhisatlast,and,evadingtheobsequiousofferswhichweremademeonallsides,escapedtothestables,whereIsoughtouttheCid\'sstall,andlyingdowninthestrawbesidehim,begantoreviewthepast,andplanthefuture.Undercoverofthedarknesssleepsooncametome;mylastwakingthoughtsbeingdividedbetweenthankfulnessformyescapeandasteadypurposetoreachMeudonbeforetheVicomte,sothatImightmakegoodmytaleinhisabsence.ForthatseemedtobemyonlychanceofevadingthedangersIhadchosentoencounter.

CHAPTERXXXIII.

ATMEUDON.

MakingsoearlyastartfromEtampesthattheinn,whichhadcontinuedinanuproartilllongaftermidnight,laysunkinsleepwhenwerodeoutoftheyard,wereachedMeudonaboutnoonnextday.IshouldbetediouswereItodetailwhatthoughtsmymistressandIhadduringthatday\'sjourney——thelast,itmightbe,whichweshouldtaketogether;orwhatassuranceswegaveoneanother,orhowoftenwe,repentedtheimpatiencewhichhadimpelledustoputalltothetouch.Madame,withkindlyforethought,detachedherselffromus,androdethegreaterpartofthedistancewithFanchette;buttheopportunitiesshegaveuswentforlittle;for,tobeplain,theseparationwedreadedseemedtoovershadowusalready.Weutteredfewwords,throughthosefewweretothepurpose,butridinghand-in-hand,withfullhearts,andeyeswhichseldomquittedoneanother,lookedforwardtoMeudonanditsperilswithsuchgloomyforebodingsasourloveandmyprecariouspositionsuggested.

Longbeforewereachedthetown,orcouldseemoreofitthantheChateau,overwhichtheLiliesofFranceandthebroadwhitebanneroftheBourbonsfloatedincompany,wefoundourselvessweptintothewhirlpoolwhichsurroundsanarmy.Crowdsstoodatallthecross-roads,wagonsandsumpter-mulesencumberedthebridges;eachmomentahorsemanpassedusatagallop,oratroopofdisorderlyrogues,soldiersonlyinname,reeled,shoutingandsinging,alongtheroad.Hereandthere,forawarningtothelattersort,aman,dangledonarudegallows;underwhichsportsmenreturningfromthechaseandladieswhohadbeenforanairingrodelaughingontheirway.

Amidthemultitudeenteringthetownwepassedunnoticed.A

littlewaywithinthewallswehaltedtoinquirewherethePrincessofNavarrehadherlodging.Hearingthatsheoccupiedahouseinthetown,whileherbrotherhadhisquartersintheChateau,andtheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,Istayedmypartyinaby-road,ahundredpacesfartheron,and,springingfromtheCid,wenttomymistress\'sknee.

\'Mademoiselle,\'Isaidformally,andsoloudlythatallmymenmighthear,\'thetimeiscome.Idarenotgofartherwithyou.

Ibegyou,therefore,tobearmewitnessthatasItookyousoI

havebroughtyouback,andbothwithyourgood-will.Ibegthatyouwillgivemethisquittance,foritmayserveme.\'

Shebowedherheadandlaidherunglovedhandonmine,whichI

hadplacedon,thepommelofhersaddle.\'Sir,\'sheansweredinabrokenvoice,\'Iwillnotgiveyouthisquittance,noranyquittancefrommewhileIlive.\'Withthatshetookoffhermaskbeforethemall,andIsawthetearsrunningdownherwhiteface.

\'MayGodprotectyou,M.deMarsac,\'shecontinued,stoopinguntilherfacealmosttouchedmine,\'andbringyoutothethingyoudesire.Ifnot,sir,andyoupaytoodearlyforwhatyouhavedoneforme,Iwillliveamaidenallmydays.And,ifIdonot,thesemenmayshameme!\'

Myheartwastoofullforwords,butItooktheglovesheheldouttome,andkissedherhandwithmykneebent.ThenIwaved——

forIcouldnotspeak——tomadametoproceed;andwithSimonFleixandMaignan\'smentoguardthemtheywentontheirway.

Mademoiselle\'swhitefacelookedbacktomeuntilabendintheroadhidthem,andIsawthemnomore.

Iturnedwhenallweregone,andgoingheavilytowheremySardstoodwithhisheaddrooping,Iclimbedtothesaddle,androdeatafoot-pacetowardstheChateau.Thewaywasshortandeasy,forthenextturningshowedmetheopengatewayandacrowdaboutit.Avastnumberofpeoplewereenteringandleaving,whileothersrestedintheshadeofthewall,andadozengroomsledhorsesupanddown.Thesunshinefellhotlyontheroadandthecourtyard,andflashedbackbythecuirassesofthemenonguard,seizedtheeyeanddazzleditwithgleamsofinfinitebrightness.

Iwasadvancingalone,gazingatallthiswithaspeciesofdullindifferencewhichmaskedforthemomentthesuspenseIfeltatheart,whenaman,comingonfootalongthestreet,crossedquicklytomeandlookedmeintheface.

Ireturnedhislook,andseeinghewasastrangertome,wasforpassingonwithoutpausing.Buthewheeledbesidemeandutteredmynameinalowvoice.

IcheckedtheCidandlookeddownathim.\'Yes,\'Isaidmechanically,\'IamM.deMarsac.ButIdonotknowyou.\'

\'NeverthelessIhavebeenwatchingforyouforthreedays,\'hereplied.\'M.deRosnyreceivedyourmessage.Thisisforyou.\'

Hehandedmeascrapofpaper.\'Fromwhom?\'Iasked.

\'Maignan,\'heansweredbriefly.Andwiththat,andastealthylookround,heleftme,andwentthewayhehadbeengoingbefore.

Itoreopenthenote,andknowingthatMaignancouldnotwrite,wasnotsurprisedtofindthatitlackedanysignature.Thebrevityofitscontentsviedwiththecurtnessofitsbearer.

\'InHeaven\'snamegobackandwait,\'itran.\'Yourenemyishere,andthosewhowishyouwellarepowerless.\'

Awarningsoexplicit,anddeliveredundersuchcircumstances,mighthavebeenexpectedtomakemepauseeventhen.ButIreadthemessagewiththesamedullindifference,thesamedoggedresolvewithwhichthesightofthecrowdedgatewaybeforemehadinspiredme.IhadnotcomesofarandbaffledTurennebyanhourtofailinmypurposeatthelast;norgivensuchpledgestoanothertoprovefalsetomyself.Moreover,thedistantrattleofmusketry,whichwenttoshowthataskirmishwastakingplaceonthefarthersideoftheCastle,seemedaninvitationtometoproceed;fornow,ifever,myswordmightearnprotectionandapardon.OnlyinregardtoM.deRosny,fromwhomIhadnodoubtthatthemessagecame,Iresolvedtoactwithprudence;neithermakinganyappealtohiminpublicnormentioninghisnametoothersinprivate.

TheCidhadbornemebythistimeintothemiddleofthethrongaboutthegateway,who,wonderingtoseeastrangerofmyappearancearrivewithoutattendants,eyedmewithamixtureofcivilityandforwardness.IrecognisedmorethanonemanwhomI

hadseenabouttheCourtatSt.Jeand\'Angelysixmonthsbefore;

butsogreatisthedisguisingpowerofhandsomeclothesandequipmentsthatnoneoftheseknewme.Ibeckonedtothenearest,andaskedhimiftheKingofNavarrewasintheChateau.

\'HehasgonetoseetheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,\'themananswered,withsomethingofwonderthatanyoneshouldbeignorantofsoimportantafact.\'Heisexpectedhereinanhour.\'

Ithankedhim,andcalculatingthatIshouldstillhavetimeandtosparebeforethearrivalofM.deTurenne,Idismounted,andtakingthereinovermyarm,begantowalkupanddownintheshadeofthewall.Meanwhiletheloiterersincreasedinnumbersastheminutespassed.Menofbetterstandingrodeup,and,leavingtheirhorsesinchargeoftheirlackeys,wentintotheChateau.Officersinshiningcorslets,orwithbootsandscabbardsdulledwithdust,arrivedandclatteredinthroughthegates.Amessengergallopedupwithletters,andwasinstantlysurroundedbyacuriousthrongofquestioners;wholefthimonlytogatheraboutthenextcomers,aknotoftownsfolk,whosedowncastvisagesandglancesofapprehensionseemedtobetokennopleasantoreasymission.

Watchingmanyoftheseenteranddisappear,whileonlythehumblersortremainedtoswellthecrowdatthegate,Ibegantoexperiencethediscomfortandimpatiencewhicharethelotofthemanwhofindshimselfplacedinafalseposition.IforesawwithclearnesstheinjuryIwasabouttodomycausebypresentingmyselftothekingamongthecommonherd;andyetIhadnochoicesavetodothis,forIdarednotruntheriskofentering,lestI

shouldberequiredtogivemyname,andfailtoseetheKingofNavarreatall.

AsitwasIcameveryneartobeingfoiledinthisway;forI

presentlyrecognised,andwasrecognisedinturn,byagentlemanwhorodeuptothegatesand,throwinghisreinstoagroom,dismountedwithanairofimmensegravity.ThiswasM.Forget,theking\'ssecretary,andthepersontowhomIhadonaformeroccasionpresentedapetition.Helookedatmewitheyesofprofoundastonishment,andsalutingmestifflyfromadistance,seemedintwomindswhetherheshouldpassinorspeaktome.Onsecondthoughts,however,hecametowardsme,andagainsalutedmewithapeculiarlydryandaustereaspect.

\'Ibelieve,sir,IamspeakingtoM.deMarsac?\'hesaidinalowvoice,butnotimpolitely.

Irepliedintheaffirmative.

\'Andthat,Iconclude,isyourhorse?\'hecontinued,raisinghiscane,andpointingtotheCid,whichIhadfastenedtoahookinthewall.

Irepliedagainintheaffirmative.

\'Thentakeawordofadvice,\'heanswered,screwinguphisfeatures,andspeakinginadrysortofway.\'Getuponitsbackwithoutaninstant\'sdelay,andputasmanyleaguesbetweenyourselfandMeudonashorseandmanmay.\'

\'Iamobligedtoyou,\'Isaid,thoughIwasgreatlystartledbyhiswords.\'AndwhatifIdonottakeyouradvice?\'

Heshruggedhisshoulders.\'Inthatcaselooktoyourself!\'heretorted.\'Butyouwilllookinvain!\'

Heturnedonhisheel,ashespoke,andinamomentwasgone.I

watchedhimentertheChateau,andintheuncertaintywhichpossessedmewhetherhewasnotgone——aftersalvinghisconsciencebygivingmewarning——toordermyinstantarrest,I

felt,andIdoubtnotIlooked,asillateaseforthetimebeingasthegroupoftremblingtownsfolkwhostoodnearme.

Reflectingthatheshouldknowhismaster\'smind,IrecalledwithdepressingclearnesstherepeatedwarningstheKingofNavarrehadgivenmethatImustnotlooktohimforrewardorprotection.IbethoughtmethatIwashereagainsthisexpressorders:presumingonthoseveryserviceswhichhehadgivenmenoticeheshouldrepudiate.IrememberedthatRosnyhadalwaysbeeninthesametale.AndinfineIbegantoseethatmademoiselleandIhadtogetherdecidedonastepwhichIshouldneverhavepresumedtotakeonmyownmotion.

IhadbarelyarrivedatthisconclusionwhenthetramplingofhoofsandasuddenclosinginofthecrowdroundthegateannouncedtheKingofNavarre\'sapproach.WithasickheartI

drewnearer,feelingthatthecrisiswasathand;andinamomenthecameinsight,ridingbesideanelderlyman,plainlydressedandmounted,withwhomhewascarryingonanearnestconversation.Atrainofnoblesandgentlemen,whosemartialairandequipmentsmadeupfortheabsenceofthegewgawsandglitter,towhichmyeyeshadbecomeaccustomedatBlois,followedcloseonhisheels.Henryhimselfworeasuitofwhitevelvet,frayedinplacesandsoiledbyhisarmour;buthisquickeyeandeager,almostfierce,countenancecouldnotfailtowinandkeeptheattentionoftheleastobservant.Hekeptglancingfromsidetosideashecameon;andthatwithsocheerfulanairandacarriagesofullatonceofdignityandgood-humourthatnoonecouldlookonhimandfailtoseethatherewasaleaderandaprinceofmen,temperateinvictoryandunsurpassedindefeat.

Thecrowdraisingacryof\'VIVENAVARRE!\'ashedrewnear,hebowed,withasparkleinhiseye.Butwhenafewbythegatecried\'VIVENTLESROIS!\'hehelduphishandforsilence,andsaidinaloud,clearvoice,\'Notthat,myfriends.ThereisbutonekinginFrance.Letussayinstead,"ViveleRoi!"\'

Thespokesmanofthelittlegroupoftownsfolk,who,Ilearned,werefromArcueil,andhadcometocomplainoftheexcessivenumberoftroopsquartereduponthem,tookadvantageofthepausetoapproachhim.Henryreceivedtheoldmanwithakindlylook,andbentfromhissaddletohearwhathehadtosay.WhiletheyweretalkingIpressedforward,theemotionIfeltonmyownaccountheightenedbymyrecognitionofthemanwhorodebytheKingofNavarre——whowasnootherthanM.delaNoue.NoHuguenotworthyofthenamecouldlookontheveteranwhohaddoneandsufferedmoreforthecausethananylivingmanwithoutcatchingsomethingofhissternenthusiasm;andthesight,whileitshamedme,whoamomentbeforehadbeeninclinedtoprefermysafetytotheassistanceIowedmycountry,gavemecouragetosteptotheking\'srein,sothatIheardhislastwordstothemenofArcueil.

\'Patience,myfriends,\'hesaidkindly.\'Theburdenisheavy,butthejourneyisashortone.TheSeineisours;thecircleiscomplete.InaweekParismustsurrender.Theking,mycousin,willenter,andyouwillberidofus.ForFrance\'ssakeoneweek,myfriends.\'

Themenfellbackwithlowobeisances,charmedbyhisgood-

nature,andHenry,lookingup,sawmebeforehim.Intheinstanthisjawfell.Hisbrow,suddenlycontractingaboveeyes,whichflashedwithsurpriseanddispleasure,alteredinamomentthewholeaspectofhisface;whichgrewdarkandsternasnight.

Hisfirstimpulsewastopassbyme;butseeingthatIheldmyground,hehesitated,socompletelychagrinedbymyappearancethathedidnotknowhowtoact,orinwhatwaytodealwithme.

Iseizedtheoccasion,andbendingmykneewithasmuchrespectasIhadeverusedtotheKingofFrance,beggedtobringmyselftohisnotice,andtocravehisprotectionandfavour.

\'Thisisnotimetotroubleme,sir,\'heretorted,eyeingmewithanangryside-glance.\'Idonotknowyou.Youareunknowntome,sir.YoumustgotoM.deRosny.\'

\'Itwouldbeuselesssire,\'Ianswered,indesperatepersistence.

\'ThenIcandonothingforyou,\'herejoinedpeevishly.\'Standononeside,sir.\'

ButIwasdesperate.IknewthatIhadriskedallontheevent,andmustestablishmyfootingbeforeM.deTurenne\'sreturn,orruntheriskofcertainrecognitionandvengeance.Icriedout,caringnothingwhoheard,thatIwasM.deMarsac,thatIhadcomebacktomeetwhatevermyenemiescouldallegeagainstme.

\'VENTRESAINTGRIS!\'Henryexclaimed,startinginhissaddlewithwell-feignedsurprise.\'Areyouthatman?\'

\'Iam,sire,\'Ianswered.

\'Thenyoumustbemad!\'heretorted,appealingtothosebehindhim.\'Stark,staringmadtoshowyourfacehere!\'VENTRESAINT

GRIS!Arewetohavealltheravishersandplunderersinthecountrycometous?\'

\'Iamneithertheonenortheother!\'Ianswered,lookingwithindignationfromhimtothegapingtrainbehindhim.

\'ThatyouwillhavetosettlewithM.deTurenne!\'heretorted,frowningdownatmewithhiswholefaceturnedgloomyandfierce.

\'Iknowyouwell,sir,now.ComplainthasbeenmadethatyouabductedaladyfromhisCastleofChizesometimeback.\'

\'Thelady,sire,isnowinchargeofthePrincessofNavarre.\'

\'Sheis?\'heexclaimed,quitetakenaback.

\'Andifshehasaughtofcomplaintagainstme,\'Icontinuedwithpride,\'IwillsubmittowhateverpunishmentyouorderorM.deTurennedemands.Butifshehasnocomplainttomake,andvowsthatsheaccompaniedmeofherownfree-willandaccord,andhassufferedneitherwrongnordispleasureatmyhands,then,sire,I