第21章

claimthatthisisaprivatematterbetweenmyselfandM.deTurenne.\'

\'EvensoIthinkyouwillhaveyourhandsfull,\'heansweredgrimly.Atthesametimehestoppedbyagesturethosewhowouldhavecriedoutuponme,andlookedatmehimselfwithanalteredcountenance.\'DoIunderstandthatyouassertthattheladywentofherownaccord?\'heasked.

\'Shewentandhasreturned,sire,\'Ianswered.

\'Strange!\'heejaculated.\'Haveyoumarriedher?\'

\'No,sire,\'Ianswered.\'Idesireleavetodoso.\'

\'Mondieu!sheisM.deTurenne\'sward,\'herejoined,almostdumbfoundedbymyaudacity.

\'Idonotdespairofobtaininghisassent,sire,\'Isaidpatiently.

\'SAINTGRIS!themanismad!\'hecried,wheelinghishorseandfacinghistrainwithagestureoftheutmostwonder.\'ItisthestrangeststoryIeverheard.\'

\'Butsomewhatmoretothegentleman\'screditthanthelady\'s!\'

onesaidwithasmirkandasmile.

\'Alie!\'Icried,springingforwardontheinstantwithaboldnesswhichastonishedmyself.\'SheisaspureasyourHighness\'ssister!Iswearit.Thatmanliesinhisteeth,andIwillmaintainit.\'

\'Sir!\'theKingofNavarrecried,turningonmewiththeutmoststernness,\'youforgetyourselfinmypresence!Silence,andbewareanothertimehowyouletyourtonguerunonthoseaboveyou.Youhaveenoughtrouble,letmetellyou,onyourhandsalready.\'

\'Yetthemanlies!\'Ianswereddoggedly,rememberingCrillonandhisways.\'Andifhewilldomethehonourofsteppingasidewithme,Iwillconvincehimofit!\'

\'VENTRESAINTGRIS!\'Henryreplied,frowning,anddwellingoneachsyllableofhisfavouriteoath.\'Willyoubesilent,sir,andletmethink?OrmustIorderyourinstantarrest?\'

\'Surelythatatleast,sire,\'asuavevoiceinterjected.Andwiththatagentlemanpressedforwardfromtherest,andgainingaplace,of\'vantagebytheKing\'sside,shotatmealookofextrememalevolence.\'MylordofTurennewillexpectnolessatyourHighness\'shands,\'hecontinuedwarmly.\'Ibegyouwillgivetheorderonthespot,andholdthispersontoanswerforhismisdeeds.M.deTurennereturnsto-day.Heshouldbeherenow.Isayagain,sire,hewillexpectnolessthanthis.\'

Theking,gazingatmewithgloomyeyes,tuggedathismoustaches.Someonehadmotionedthecommonherdtostandbackoutofhearing;atthesametimethesuitehadmovedupoutofcuriosityandformedahalf-circle;inthemidstofwhichIstoodfrontingtheking,whohadLaNoueandthelastspeakeroneitherhand.Perplexityandannoyancestruggledforthemasteryinhisfaceashelookeddarklydownatme,histeethshowingthroughhisbeard.Profoundlyangeredbymyappearance,whichhehadtakenatfirsttobethepreludetodisclosureswhichmustdetachTurenneatatimewhenunionwasall-important,hehadnowceasedtofearforhimself;andperhapssawsomethingintheattitudeI

adoptedwhichappealedtohisnatureandsympathies.

\'Ifthegirlisreallyback,\'hesaidatlast,\'M.d\'Aremburg,I

do-notseeanyreasonwhyIshouldinterfere.Atpresent,atanyrate.\'

\'Ithink,sire,M.deTurennewillseereason,\'thegentlemananswereddrily.

Thekingcoloured.\'M.deTurenne,\'hebegan,\'Hasmademanysacrificesatyourrequest,sire,\'theothersaidwithmeaning.\'Andburiedsomewrongs,orfanciedwrongs,inconnectionwiththisverymatter.Thispersonhasoutragedhiminthegrossestmanner,andinM.leVicomte\'snameIask,nayI

pressuponyou,thathebeinstantlyarrested,andheldtoanswerforit.\'

\'Iamreadytoanswerforitnow!\'Iretorted,lookingfromfacetofaceforsympathy,andfindingnonesaveinM.delaNoue\'s,whoappearedtoregardmewithgraveapprobation.\'TotheVicomtedeTurenne,orthepersonhemayappointtorepresenthim.\'

\'Enough!\'Henrysaid,raisinghishandandspeakinginthetoneofauthorityheknewsowellhowtoadopt.\'Foryou,M.

d\'Aremburg,Ithankyou.Turenneishappyinhisfriend.But;

thisgentlemancametomeofhisownfreewillandIdonotthinkitconsistentwithmyhonourtodetainhimwithoutwarninggiven.

Igranthimanhourtoremovehimselffrommyneighbourhood.Ifhebefoundafterthattimehaselapsed,\'hecontinuedsolemnly,\'hisfatebeonhisownhead.Gentlemen,wearelatealready.

Letuson.\'

Ilookedathimashepronouncedthissentence,andstrovetofindwordsinwhichtomakeafinalappealtohim.Butnowordscame;andwhenhebademestandaside,Ididsomechanically,remainingwithmyheadbaredtothesunshinewhilethetrooprodeby.Somelookedbackatmewithcuriosity,asatamanofwhomtheyhadheardatale,andsomewithajeerontheirlips;afewwithdarklooksofmenace.Whentheywereallgone,andtheservantswhofollowedthemhaddisappearedalso,andIwaslefttotheinquisitiveglancesoftherabblewhostoodgapingafterthesight,IturnedandwenttotheCid,andloosedthehorsewithafeelingofbitterdisappointment.

TheplanwhichmademoisellehadproposedandIhadadoptedintheforestbySt.Gaultier——whenitseemedtousthatourlongabsenceandthegreateventsofwhichweheardmusthavechangedtheworldandopenedapathforourreturn——hadfailedutterly.

Thingswereastheyhadbeen;thestrongwerestillstrong,andfriendshipunderbondtofear.Plainlyweshouldhaveshewnourselveswiserhadwetakenthelowliercourse,and,obeyingthewarningsgivenus,waitedtheKingofNavarre\'spleasureorthetardyrecollectionofRosny.Ihadnotthenstood,asInowstood,ininstantjeopardy,norfeltthekeenpangsofaseparationwhichbadefairtobelasting.Shewassafe,andthatwasmuch;butI,afterlongserviceandbriefhappiness,mustgooutagainalone,withonlymemoriestocomfortme.

ItwasSimonFleix\'svoicewhichawakenedmefromthisunworthylethargy——asselfishasitwasuseless——and,recallingmetomyself,remindedmethatprecioustimewaspassingwhileIstoodinactive.Togetatmehehadforcedhiswaythroughthecuriouscrowd,andhisfacewasflushed.Hepluckedmebythesleeve,regardingthevarletsroundhimwithamixtureofangerandfear.

\'NomdeDieu!dotheytakeyouforarope-dancer?\'hemutteredinmyear.\'Mount,sir,andcome.Thereisnotamomenttobelost.\'

\'YouleftheratMadameCatherine\'s?\'Isaid.

\'Tobesure,\'heansweredimpatiently.\'Troublenotabouther.

Saveyourself,M.deMarsac.Thatisthethingtobedonenow.\'

Imountedmechanically,andfeltmycouragereturnasthehorsemovedunderme.Itrottedthroughthecrowd,andwithoutthoughttooktheroadbywhichwehadcome.Whenwehadriddenahundredyards,however,Ipulledup\'Anhourisashortstart,\'Isaidsullenly.\'Whither?\'

\'ToSt.Cloud,\'heansweredpromptly.\'TheprotectionoftheKingofFrancemayavailforadayortwo.Afterthat,therewillstillbetheLeague,ifParishavenotfallen.\'

Isawtherewasnothingelseforit,andassented,andwesetoff.ThedistancewhichseparatesMeudonfromSt.Cloudwemighthaveriddenunderthehour,butthedirectroadrunsacrosstheScholars\'Meadow,awideplainnorthofMeudon.Thislayexposedtotheenemy\'sfire,andwas,besides,thesceneofhourlyconflictsbetweenthehorseofbothparties,sothattocrossitwithoutanadequateforcewasimpossible.Driventomakeacircuit,wetooklongertoreachourdestination,yetdidsowithoutmishap;findingthelittletown,whenwecameinsightofit,givenuptoallthebustleandcommotionwhichproperlybelongtotheCourtandcamp.

Itwas,indeed,asfullasitcouldbe,forthesurrenderofParisbeingmomentarilyexpected,St.Cloudhadbecometherendezvousaswellofthefewwhohadlongfollowedaprincipleasofthemanywhowaituponsuccess.Thestreets,crowdedin,everypart,shonewithglancingcolours,withsteelandvelvet,thegarboffashionandtheplumesofwar.Longlinesofflagsobscuredtheeavesandbrokethesunshine,while,aboveall,thebellsofhalfadozenchurchesrangmerryanswertothedistantcrashofguns.EverywhereonflagandarchandstreamerIreadthemotto,\'ViveleRoi!\'——wordswritten,Godknewthen,andweknownow,inwhatamockeryofdoom!

CHAPTERXXXIV.

\'\'TISANILLWIND.\'

Wehadmadeourwayslowlyandwithmuchjostlingasfarastheprincipalstreet,findingthepressincreaseasweadvanced,whenIheard,asIturnedacorner,mynamecalled,and,lookingup,sawatawindowthefaceofwhichIwasinsearch.AfterthathalfaminutesufficedtobringM.d\'Agenflyingtomyside,whennothing,asIhadexpected,woulddobutImustdismount;whereI

wasandsharehislodging.Hemadenosecretofhisjoyandsurpriseatsightofme,butpausingonlytotellSimonwherethestablewas,haledmethroughthecrowdanduphisstairswithafervourandheartinesswhichbroughtthetearstomyeyes,andservedtoimpressthecompanywhomIfoundabovewithamorethansufficientsenseofmyimportance.

Seeinghimagaininthehighestfeatherandinthefullemploymentofallthoselittleartsandgraceswhichservedasafoiltohisrealworth,Itookitasagreathonourthathelaidthemasideforthenonce;andintroducedmetotheseatofhonourandmademeknowntohiscompanionswithaboyishdirectnessandasimplethoughtformycomfortwhichinfinitelypleasedme.Hebadehislandlord,withoutamoment\'sdelay,bringwineandmeatandeverythingwhichcouldrefreshatraveller,andwashimselfupanddownahundredtimesinaminute,callingtohisservantsforthisorthat,orrailingatthemfortheirfailuretobringmeascoreofthingsIdidnotneed.Ihastenedtomakemyexcusestothecompanyforinterruptingtheminthemidstoftheirtalk;andthesetheywerekindenoughtoacceptingoodpart.Atthesametime,readingclearlyinM.d\'Agen\'sexcitedfaceandshiningeyesthathelongedtobealonewithme,theytookthehint,andpresentlyleftustogether.

\'Well,\'hesaid,comingbackfromthedoor,towhichhehadconductedthem,\'whathaveyoutotellme,myfriend?Sheisnotwithyou?\'

\'SheiswithMademoiselledelaVireatMeudon,\'Ianswered,smiling.\'Andfortherest,sheiswellandinbetterspirits.\'

\'Shesentmesomemessage?heasked.

Ishookmyhead.\'ShedidnotknowIshouldseeyou,\'I

answered.

\'Butshe——shehasspokenofmelately?\'hecontinued,hisfacefalling.

\'Idonotthinkshehasnamedyournameforafortnight,\'I

answered,laughing.\'There\'sforyou!Why,man,\'Icontinued,adoptingadifferenttone,andlayingmyhandonhisshoulderinamannerwhichreassuredhimatleast;asmuchasmywords,\'areyousoyoungaloverastobeignorantthatawomansaysleastofthatofwhichshethinksmost?Pluckup,courage!UnlessIammistaken,youhavelittletobeafraidofexceptthepast.Onlyhavepatience.\'

\'Youthinkso?\'hesaidgratefully.

IassuredhimthatIhadnodoubtofit;andonthathefellintoareverie,andItowatchinghim.Alasforthelittlenessofournatures!Hehadreceivedmewithopenarms,yetatsightofthehappinesswhichtookpossessionofhishandsomefaceIgavewaytothepettiestfeelingwhichcanharbourinaman\'sbreast.I

lookedathimwitheyesofenvy,bitterlycomparingmylotwiththatwhichfatehadreservedforhim.Hehadfortune,goodlooks,andsuccessonhisside,greatrelations,andhighhopes;

Istoodininstantjeopardy,myfuturedark,andeverypathwhichpresenteditselfsohazardousthatIknewnotwhichtoadopt.Hewasyoung,andIpastmyprime;heinfavour,andIafugitive.

Tosuchreflectionsheputanendinawaywhichmademeblushformychurlishness.For,suddenlyawakingout,ofhispleasantdream,heaskedmeaboutmyselfandmyfortunes,inquiringeagerlyhowIcametobeinSt.Cloud,andlisteningtothestoryofmyadventureswithagenerousanxietywhichendearedhimtomemoreandmore.WhenIhaddone——andbythattimeSimonhadjoinedus,andwaswaitingatthelowerendoftheroom——hepronouncedthatImustseetheking.

\'Thereisnothingelseforit,\'hesaid.

\'Ihavecometoseehim,\'Ianswered.

\'Mondieu,yes!\'hecontinued,risingfromhisseatandlookingatmewithafaceofconcern.\'Nooneelsecanhelpyou.\'

Inodded.

\'Turennehasfourthousandmenhere.Youcandonothingagainstsomany?\'

\'Nothing,\'Isaid.\'Thequestionis,willthekingprotectme?\'

\'Itisheornoone,\'M.d\'Agenansweredwarmly.\'Youcannotseehimto-night:hehasaCouncil.To-morrowatdaybreakyoumay.

Youmustliehereto-night,andIwillsetmyfellowstowatch,andIthinkyouwillbesafe.Iwillawaynowandseeifmyunclewillhelp.Canyouthinkofanyoneelsewhowouldspeakforyou?\'

Iconsidered,andwasabouttoanswerinthenegative,whenSimon,whohadlistenedwithascaredface,suggestedM.deCrillon.

\'Yes,ifhewould,\'M.d\'Agenexclaimed,lookingattheladwithapprobation.\'Hehasweightwiththeking.\'

\'Ithinkhemight,\'Irepliedslowly.\'Ihadacuriousencounterwithhimlastnight.AndwiththatItoldM.d\'AgenoftheduelIfoughtattheinn.

\'Good!\'hesaid,hiseyessparkling.\'IwishIhadbeentheretosee.Atanyratewewilltryhim.Crillonfearsnoone,noteventheking.\'

Soitwassettled.ForthatnightIwastokeepcloseinmyfriend\'slodging,showingnotevenmynoseatthewindow.

Whenhehadgoneonhiserrand,andIfoundmyselfaloneintheroom,IamfaintoconfessthatIfellverylowinmyspirits.

M.d\'Agen\'stravellingequipmentlayabouttheapartment,butfailedtogiveanybutanuntidyairtoitsroomybareness.Thelightwasbeginningtowane,thesunwasgone.Outside,theringingofbellsandthedistantmutteringofguns,withthetumultofsoundswhichrosefromthecrowdedstreet,seemedtotellofjoyouslifeandfreedom,andallthehopesandambitionsfromwhichIwascutoff.

Havingnootheremployment,Iwatchedthestreet,andkeepingmyselfwellretiredfromthewindowsawknotsofgayriderspassthiswayandthatthroughthecrowd,theircorsletsshiningandtheirvoiceshigh.Monksandladies,acardinalandanambassador,passedundermyeyes——theseandanendlessprocessionoftownsmenandbeggars,soldiersandcourtiers,Gascons,NormansandPicards.NeverhadIseensuchasightorsomanypeoplegatheredtogether.ItseemedasifhalfParishadcomeouttomakesubmission,sothatwhilemygorgeroseagainstmyownimprisonment,thesightgraduallydivertedmymindfrommyprivatedistresses,bybiddingmefindcompensationfortheminthespeedyandglorioustriumphofthecause.

Evenwhenthelightfailedthepageantdidnotcease,but,torchesandlanthornsspringingintolife,turnednightintoday.

Fromeverysidecamesoundsofrevelryorstrife.Thecrowdcontinuedtoperambulatethestreetsuntilalatehour,withcriesof\'VIVELEROI!\'and\'VIVENAVARRE!\'whilenowandagainthepassageofagreatnoblewithhissuitecalledforthafreshoutburstofenthusiasm.Nothingseemedmorecertain,moreinevitable,moreclearlypredestinatedthanthattwenty-fourhoursmustseethefallofParis.

YetParisdidnotfall.

WhenM.d\'Agenreturnedalittlebeforemidnight,hefoundmestillsittinginthedarklookingfromthewindow.Iheardhimcallroughlyforlights,andapprisedbythesoundofhisvoicethatsomethingwaswrong,Irosetomeethim.Hestoodsilentawhile,twirlinghissmallmoustaches,andthenbrokeintoapassionatetirade,fromwhichIwasnotslowtogatherthatM.deRambouilletdeclinedtoserveme.

\'Well,\'Isaid,feelingfortheyoungman\'sdistressandembarrassment,\'perhapsheisright.\'

\'Hesaysthatwordrespectingyoucamethisevening,\'myfriendanswered,hischeeksredwithshame,\'andthattocountenanceyouafterthatwouldonlybetocourtcertainhumiliation.Ididnotlethimofftooeasily,Iassureyou,\'M.d\'Agencontinued,turningawaytoevademygaze;\'butIgotnosatisfaction.Hesaidyouhadhisgood-will,andthattohelpyouhewouldrisksomething,butthattodosounderthesecircumstanceswouldbeonlytoinjurehimself.\'

\'ThereisstillCrillon,\'Isaid,withasmuchcheerfulnessasI

couldassume.\'PrayHeavenhebethereearly!DidM.deRambouilletsayanythingelse?\'

\'Thatyouronlychancewastoflyasquicklyandsecretlyaspossible.\'

\'Hethought;mysituationdesperate,then?\'

Myfriendnodded;andscarcelylessdepressedonmyaccountthanashamedonhisown,evincedsomuchfeelingthatitwasallI

coulddotocomforthim;whichIsucceededindoingonlywhenI

divertedtheconversationtoMadamedeBruhl.Wepassedtheshortnighttogether,sharingthesameroomandthesamebed,andtalkingmorethanweslept——ofmadameandmademoiselle,thecastleonthehill,andthecampinthewoods,ofallolddaysinfine,butlittleofthefuture.SoonafterdawnSimon,wholayonapalletacrossthethreshold,rousedmefromafitfulsleepintowhichIhadjustfallen,andafewminuteslaterIstoodupdressedandarmed,readytotrythelastchancelefttome.

M.d\'Agenhaddressedstageforstagewithme,andIhadkeptsilence.Butwhenhetookuphiscap,andshowedclearlythathehaditinhismindtogowithme,Iwithstoodhim.\'No,Isaid,\'youcandomelittlegood,andmaydoyourselfmuchharm.\'

\'Youshallnotgowithoutonefriend,\'hecriedfiercely.

\'Tut,tut!\'Isaid.\'IshallhaveSimon.\'

ButSimon,whenIturnedtospeaktohim,wasgone.Fewmenareattheirbravestintheearlyhoursoftheday,anditdidnotsurprisemethatthelad\'scouragehadfailedhim.Thedefectiononlystrengthened,however,theresolutionIhadformedthatI

wouldnotinjureM.d\'Agen;thoughitwassometimebeforeI

couldpersuadehimthatIwasinearnest,andwouldgoaloneornotatall.Intheendhehadtocontenthimselfwithlendingmehisbackandbreast,whichIgladlyputon,thinkingitlikelyenoughthatImightbesetuponbeforeIreachedthecastle.Andthen,thetimebeingaboutseven,Ipartedfromhimwithmanyembracesandkindlywords,andwentintothestreetwithmyswordundermycloak.

Thetown,lateinrisingafteritsorgy,layverystillandquiet.Themorningwasgreyandwarm,withacloudysky.Theflags,whichhadmadesogay,ashowyesterday,hungclosetothepoles,orflappedidlyandfelldeadagain.Iwalkedslowlyalongbeneaththem,keepingasharplook-outoneveryside;buttherewerefewpersonsmovinginthestreets,andIreachedtheCastlegateswithoutmisadventure.Herewassomethingoflife;

abustleofofficersandsoldierspassinginandout,ofcourtierswhoseofficemadetheirpresencenecessary,ofbeggarswhohadflockedhitherinthenightforcompany.InthemiddleoftheseIrecognisedonasuddenandwithgreatsurpriseSimonFleixwalkingmyhorseupanddown.Onseeingmehehandedittoaboy,andcameuptospeaktomewitharedface,mutteringthatfourlegswerebetterthantwo.Ididnotsaymuchtohim,myheartbeingfullandmythoughtsoccupiedwiththepresencechamberandwhatIshouldsaythere;butInoddedkindlytohim,andhefellinbehindmeasthesentrieschallengedme.I

answeredthemthatIsoughtM.deCrillon,andsogettingby,fellintotherearofapartyofthreewhoseemedbentonthesameerrandasmyself.

OneofthesewasaJacobinmonk,whoseblackandwhiterobes,byremindingmeofFatherAntoine,sentachilltomyheart.Thesecond,whoseeyeIavoided,IknewtobeM.laGuesle,theking\'sSolicitor-General.Thethirdwasastrangertome.

EnabledbyM.laGuesle\'spresencetopassthemainguardswithoutchallenge,thepartyproceededthroughamazeofpassagesandcorridors,conversingtogetherinalowtone;whileI,keepingintheirtrainwithmyfacecunninglymuffled,gotasfarbythismeansastheante-chamber,whichIfoundalmostempty.

HereIinquiredoftheusherforM.deCrillon,andlearnedwiththeutmostconsternationthathewasnotpresent.

Thisblow,whichalmoststunnedme,openedmyeyestotheprecariousnatureofmyposition,whichonlytheearlyhourandsmallattendancerenderedpossibleforamoment.AtanyminuteI

mightberecognisedandquestioned,ormynameberequired;whiletheguardeddoorsofthechambershutmeoffaseffectuallyfromtheking\'sfaceandgraceasthoughIwereinParis,orahundredleaguesaway.Endeavouringtothebestofmypowertoconcealthechagrinandalarmwhichpossessedmeasthisconvictiontookholdofme,Iwalkedtothewindow;andtohidemyfacemorecompletelyandatthesametimegainamomenttocollectmythoughts,affectedtobeengagedinlookingthroughit.

Nothingwhichpassedintheroom,however,escapedme.Imarkedeverythingandeveryone,thoughallmythoughtwashowImightgettotheking.Thebarbercameoutofthechamberwithasilverbasin,andstoodamoment,andwentinagainwithanairofvastimportance.Theguardsyawned,andanofficerentered,lookedround,andretired.M.laGuesle,whohadgoneintothepresence,cameoutagainandstoodnearmetalkingwiththeJacobin,whosepalenervousfaceandhastymovementsremindedmesomehowofSimonFleix.Themonkheldaletterorpetitioninhishand,andappearedtobegettingitbyheart,forhislipsmovedcontinually.Thelightwhichfellonhisfacefromthe,windowshowedittobeofapeculiarsweatypallor,anddistortedbesides.Butsupposinghimtobedevoted,likemanyofhiskind,toanunwholesomelife,Ithoughtnothingofthis;thoughIlikedhimlittle,andwouldhaveshiftedmyplacebutfortheconvenienceofhisneighbourhood.

Presently,whileIwascudgellingmybrains,apersoncameoutandspoketoLaGuesle;whocalledinhisturntothemonk,andstartedhastilytowardsthedoor.TheJacobinfollowed.Thethirdpersonwhohadenteredintheircompanyhadhisattentiondirectedelsewhereatthemoment;andthoughLaGueslecalledtohim,tooknoheed.OntheinstantIgraspedthesituation.

Takingmycourageinmyhands,Icrossedthefloorbehindthemonk;who,hearingme,orfeelinghisrobecomeincontactwithme,presentlystartedandlookedroundsuspiciously,hisfacewearingascowlsoblackanduglythatIalmostrecoiledfromhim,dreamingforamomentthatIsawbeforemetheveryspiritofFatherAntoine.Butasthemansaidnothing,andthenextinstantavertedhisgaze,Ihardenedmyheartandpushedonbehindhim,andpassingtheusher,foundmyselfasbymagicinthepresencewhichhadseemedawhileagoasunattainablebymywitsasitwasnecessarytomysafety.

Itwasnotthissuccessalone,however,whichcausedmyhearttobeatmorehopefully.ThekingwasspeakingasIentered,andthegaytonesofhisvoiceseemedtopromiseafavourablereception.

HisMajestysathalf-dressedonastoolatthefartherendoftheapartment,surroundedbyfiveorsixnoblemen,whileasmanyattendants,amongwhomIhastenedtomingle,waitednearthedoor.

LaGueslemadeasifhewouldadvance,andthen,seeingtheking\'sattentionwasnotonhim,heldback.Butinamomentthekingsawhimandcalledtohim.\'Ha,Guesle!\'hesaidwithgood-temper,\'isityou?Isyourfriendwithyou?\'

TheSolicitorwentforwardwiththemonkathiselbow,andIhadleisuretoremarkthefavourablechangewhichhadtakenplaceintheking,whospokemorestronglyandseemedinbetterhealththanofold.Hisfacelookedlesscadaverousunderthepaint,hisformatriflelessemaciated.Thatwhichstruckmemorethananything,however,wastheimprovementinhisspirits.Hiseyessparkledfromtimetotime,andhelaughedcontinually,sothatI

couldscarcelybelievethathewasthesamemanwhomIhadseenoverwhelmedwithdespairandtorturedbyhisconscience.

LettinghisattentionslipfromLaGuesle,hebegantobandywordswiththenoblemanwhostoodnearesttohim;lookingupathimwitharoguisheye,andmakingbetsonthefallofParis.

\'Morbleu!\'Iheardhimcrygaily,\'Iwouldgiveathousandpoundstoseethe\'Montpensierthismorning!Shemaykeepherthirdcrownforherself.Or,PESTE!wemightputherinaconvent.Thatwouldbeafinevengeance!\'

\'Theveilforthetonsure,\'thenoblemansaidwithasmirk.

\'Ay.Whynot?Shewouldhavemadeamonkofme,\'thekingrejoinedsmartly.\'Shemustbereadytohangherselfwithhergartersthismorning,ifsheisnotdeadofspitealready.Or,stay,Ihadforgottenhergoldenscissors.Letheropenaveinwiththem.Well,whatdoesyourfriendwant,LaGuesle?\'

Ididnotheartheanswer,butitwasapparentlysatisfactory,forinaminuteallexcepttheJacobinfellback,leavingthemonkstandingbeforetheking;who,stretchingouthishand,tookfromhimaletter.TheJacobin,tremblingvisibly,seemedscarcelyabletosupportthehonourdonehim,andtheking,seeingthis,saidinavoiceaudibletoall,\'Standup,man.Youarewelcome.Iloveacowlassomelovealady\'shood.Andnow,whatisthis?\'

Hereadapartoftheletterandrose.Ashedidsothemonkleanedforwardasthoughtoreceivethepaperbackagain,andthensoswiftly,sosuddenly,withsounexpectedamovementthatnoonestirreduntilallwasover,struckthekinginthebodywithaknife!Asthebladeflashedandwashidden,andHisMajestywithadeepsobfellbackonthestool,then,andnottillthen,IknewthatIhadmissedaprovidentialchanceofearningpardonandprotection.ForhadIonlymarkedtheJacobinaswepassedthedoortogether,andreadhisevilfacearight,aword,oneword,haddoneformemorethanthepleadingofascoreofCrillons!

Toolateadozensprangforwardtotheking\'sassistance;butbeforetheyreachedhimhehadhimselfdrawntheknifefromthewoundandstrucktheassassinwithitonthehead.Whilesome,withcriesofgrief,rantosupportHenry,fromwhosebodythebloodwasalreadyflowingfast,othersseizedandstruckdownthewretchedmonk.AstheygatheredroundhimIsawhimraisehimselfforamomentonhiskneesandlookupward;thebloodwhichrandownhisface,nolessthanthemingledtriumphandhorrorofhisfeatures,impressedthesightonmyrecollection.

Thenextinstantthreeswordswereplungedintohisbreast,andhiswrithingbody,pluckedupfromtheflooramidatransportofcurses,wasforcedheadlongthroughthecasementandflungdowntomakesportforthegroomsandscullionswhostoodbelow.

Asceneofindescribableconfusionfollowed,somecryingthatthekingwasdead,whileotherscalledforadoctor,andsomebynameforDortoman.Iexpectedtoseethedoorsclosedandallwithinsecured,thatifthemanhadconfederatestheymightbetaken.

Buttherewasnoonetogivetheorder.Instead,manywhohadneithertheENTREEnoranybusinessinthechamberforcedtheirwayin,andbytheircriesandpressurerenderedthehub-bubandtumultahundredtimesworse.Inthemidstofthis,whileI

stoodstunnedanddumbfounded,myownrisksandconcernsforgotten,Ifeltmysleevefuriouslyplucked,and,lookinground,foundSimonatmyelbow.Thelad\'sfacewascrimson,hiseyesseemed,startingfromhishead.

\'Come,\'hemuttered,seizingmyarm.\'Come!\'Andwithoutfurtherceremonyorexplanationhedraggedmetowardsthedoor,whilehisfaceandmannerevincedasmuchheatandimpatienceasifhehadbeenhimselftheassassin.\'Come,thereisnotamomenttobelost,\'hepanted,continuinghisexertionswithouttheleastintermission.

\'Whither?\'Isaid,inamazement,asIreluctantlypermittedhimtoforcemealongthepassageandthroughthegapingcrowdonthestairs.\'Whither,man?\'

\'Mountandride!\'wastheanswerhehissedinmyear.\'RideforyourlifetotheKingofNavarre——totheKingofFranceitmaybe!Rideasyouhaveneverriddenbefore,andtellhimthenews,andbidhimlooktohimself!Bethefirst,and,Heavenhelpingus,Turennemaydohisworst!\'

IfelteverynerveinmybodytingleasIawoketohismeaning.

WithoutawordIlefthisarm,andflungmyselfintothecrowdwhichfilledthelowerpassagetosuffocation.AsIstruggledfiercelywiththemSimonaidedmebycrying\'Adoctor!adoctor!

makewaythere!\'andthisinducedmanytogiveplacetomeundertheideathatIwasanaccreditedmessenger.EventuallyI

succeededinforcingmywaythroughandreachingthecourtyard;

being,asitturnedout,thefirstpersontoissuefromtheChateau.Adozenpeoplesprangtowardsmewithanxiouseyesandquestionsontheirlips;butIranpastthemand,catchingtheCid,whichwasfortunatelyathand,bytherein,boundedintothesaddle.

AsIturnedthehorsetothegateIheardSimoncryafterme.

\'TheScholars\'Meadow!Gothatway!\'andthenIheardnomore.

Iwasoutoftheyardandgallopingbare-headeddownthepitchedstreet,whilewomensnatchedtheirinfantsupandranaside,andmencamestartledtothedoors,cryingthattheLeaguewasuponus.Asthegoodhorseflunguphisheadandboundedforward,hurlingthegravelbehindhimwithhoofswhichslidandclatteredonthepavement,asthewindbegantowhistlebyme,andIseizedthereinsinashortergrip,Ifeltmyheartboundwithexultation.Iexperiencedsuchablessedreliefandelationastheprisonerlongfetteredandconfinedfeelswhenrestoredtotheairofheaven.

Downonestreetandthroughanarrowlanewethundered,untilabrokengatewaystoppedwithfascines——throughwhichtheCidblunderedandstumbled——broughtusataboundintotheScholars\'

Meadowjustasthetardysunbrokethroughthecloudsandfloodedthelow,wideplainwithbrightness.HalfaleagueinfrontofusthetowersofMeudonrosetoviewonahill.Inthedistance,totheleft,laythewallsofParis,andnearer,onthesameside,adozenfortsandbatteries;whilehereandthere,inthatquarter,ashiningclumpofspearsoradensemassofinfantrybetrayedtheenemy\'spresence.

Iheedednoneofthesethings,however,noranythingexceptthetowersofMeudon,settingtheCid\'sheadstraightfortheseandridingonatthetopofhisspeed.Swiftlyditchanddykecameintoviewbeforeusandflashedawaybeneathus.Menlyinginpitsroseupandaimedatus;orranwithcriestointerceptus.

Acannon-shotfiredfromthefortbyIssytoreuptheearthtooneside;aknotoflancersspedfromtheshelterofanearthworkinthesamequarter,andracedusforhalfamile,withfranticshoutsandthreatsofvengeance.Butallsucheffortswerevanity.TheCid,firedbythissuddencalluponhisspeed,andfeelinghimselfloosed——rarestofevents——todohisbest,shookthefoamfromhisbit,andopeninghisblood-rednostrilstothewind,crouchedlowerandlower;untilhislongneck,stretchedoutbeforehim,seemed,astheswardsweptby,likethepointofanarrowspeedingresistlesstoitsaim.

Godknows,astheairrushedbymeandthesunshoneinmyface,Icriedaloudlikeaboy,andthoughIsatstillandstirredneitherhandnorfoot,lestIshouldbreakthegoodSard\'sstride,IprayedwildlythatthehorsewhichIhadgroomedwithmyownhandsandfedwithmylastcrownmightholdonunfalteringtotheend.ForIdreamedthatthefateofanationrodeinmysaddle;andmindfulalikeofSimon\'swords,\'Bidhimlooktohimself,\'andofmyownnotionthattheLeaguewouldnotbesofoolishastoremoveoneenemytoexaltanother,Ithoughtnothingmorelikelythanthat,withallmyfury,Ishouldarrivetoolate,andfindtheKingofNavarreasIhadlefttheKingofFrance.

InthisstrenuoushasteIcoveredamileasamilehasseldombeencoveredbefore;andIwasgrowingundertheinfluenceofthebreezewhichwhippedmytemplessomewhatmorecoolandhopeful,whenIsawonasuddenrightbeforeme,andbetweenmeandMeudon,ahandfulofmenengagedinaMELEE.Therewereredandwhitejacketsinit——leaguersandHuguenots——andtheredcoatsseemedtobehavingtheworstofit.Still,whileIwatched,theycameoffinorder,andunfortunatelyinsuchawayandatsuchaspeedthatIsawtheymustmeetmefacetofacewhetherI

triedtoavoidtheencounterornot.Ihadbarelytimetotakeinthedangeranditsnearness,anddiscernbeyondbothpartiesthemain-guardoftheHuguenots,enlivenedbyascoreofpennons,whentheLeaguerswereuponme.

IsupposetheyknewthatnofriendwouldrideforMeudonatthatpace,fortheydashedatmesixabreastwithashoutoftriumph;

andbeforeIcouldcountascorewemet.TheCidwasstillrunningstrongly,andIhadnotthoughttostayhim,sothatI

hadnotimetousemypistols.MyswordIhadout,butthesundazzledmeandthemenworecorslets,andImadebutpoorplaywithit;thoughIstruckoutsavagely,aswecrashedtogether,inmyrageatthissuddencrossingofmyhopeswhenallseemeddoneandgained.TheCidfacedthembravely——IheardthedistanthuzzaoftheHuguenots——andIputasideonepointwhichthreatenedmythroat.Butthesunwasinmyeyesandsomethingstruckmeonthehead.Anothersecond,andablowinthebreastforcedmefairlyfromthesaddle.GrippingfuriouslyattheairIwentdown,stunnedanddizzy,mylastthoughtasIstruckthegroundbeingofmademoiselle,andthelittlebrookwiththestepping-stones.

CHAPTERXXXV.

\'LEROIESTMORT!\'

ItwasM.d\'Agen\'sbreastpiecesavedmylifebywardingoffthepointofthevarlet\'ssword,sothattheworstinjuryIgotwasthelossofmybreathforfiveminutes,withaswimmingintheheadandakindofsyncope.Thesebeingpast,Ifoundmyselfonmybackontheground,withaman\'skneeonmybreastandadozenhorsemenstandingroundme.Theskyreeleddizzilybeforemyeyesandthemen\'sfiguresloomedgigantic;yetIhadsenseenoughtoknowwhathadhappenedtome,andthatmattersmightwellbeworse.

Resigningmyselftotheprospectofcaptivity,Ipreparedtoaskforquarter;whichIdidnotdoubtIshouldreceive,sincetheyhadtakenmeinanopenskirmish,andhonestly,andinthedaylight.Butthemanwhosekneealreadyincommodedmesufficiently,seeingmeabouttospeak,squeezedmeonasuddensofiercely,biddingmeatthesametimeinagruffwhisperbesilent,thatIthoughtIcouldnotdobetterthanobey.

AccordinglyIlaystill,andasinadream,formybrainwasstillclouded,heardsomeonesay,\'Dead!Ishe?Ihopedwehadcomeintime.Well,hedeservedabetterfate.Whoishe,Rosny?\'

\'Doyouknowhim,Maignan?\'saidavoicewhichsoundedstrangelyfamiliar.

Themanwhoknelt;uponmeanswered,\'No,mylord.Heisastrangertome.HehasthelookofaNorman.\'

\'Likeenough!\'repliedahigh-pitchedvoiceIhadnotheardbefore.\'Forherodeagoodhorse.Givemeahundredlikeit,andahundredmentorideasstraight,andIwouldnotenvytheKingofFrance.\'

\'MuchlesshispoorcousinofNavarre,\'thefirstspeakerrejoinedinalaughingtone,\'withoutawholeshirttohisbackoradoubletthatisdecentlynew.Come,Turenne,acknowledgethatyouarenotsobadlyoffafterall!\'

Atthatwordthecloudwhichhaddarkenedmyfacultiessweptonasuddenaside.IsawthatthemenintowhosehandsIhadfallenworewhitefavours,theirleaderawhiteplume;andcomprehendedwithoutmorethattheKingofNavarrehadcometomyrescue,andbeatenofftheLeaguerswhohaddismountedme.Atthesamemomenttheremembranceofallthathadgonebefore,andespeciallyofthesceneIhadwitnessedintheking\'schamber,rusheduponmymindwithsuchoverwhelmingforcethatIfellintoafuryofimpatienceatthethoughtofthetimeIhadwasted;andrisingupsuddenlyIthrewoffMaignanwithallmyforce,cryingoutthatIwasalive——thatIwasalive,andhadnews.

Theequerrydidhisbesttorestrainme,cursingmeunderhisbreathforafool,andalmost;squeezingthelifeoutofme.Butinvain,fortheKingofNavarre,ridingnearer,sawmestruggling.\'Hallo!hallo!\'tisastrangedeadman,\'hecried,interposing.\'Whatisthemeaningofthis?Lethimgo!Doyouhear,sirrah?Lethimgo!\'

Theequerryobeyedandstoodbacksullenly,andIstaggeredtomyfeet,andlookedroundwitheyeswhichstillswamandwatered.

Ontheinstantacryofrecognitiongreetedme,withahundredexclamationsofastonishment.WhileIheardmynameutteredoneverysideinadozendifferenttones,IremarkedthatM.deRosny,uponwhommyeyesfirstfell,alonestoodsilent,regardingmewithafaceofsorrowfulsurprise.

\'Byheavens,sir,Iknewnothingofthis!\'IheardtheKingofNavarredeclare,addressinghimselftotheVicomtedeTurenne.

\'Themanisherebynoconnivanceofmine.Interrogatehimyourself,ifyouwill.OrIwill.Speak,sir,\'hecontinued,turningtomewithhiscountenancehardandforbidding.\'Youheardmeyesterday,whatIpromisedyou?Why,inGod\'sname,areyouhereto-day?\'

Itriedtoanswer,butMaignanhadsohandledmethatIhadnotbreathenough,andstoodpanting.

\'YourHighness\'sclemencyinthismatter,\'M.deTurennesaid,withasneer,\'hasbeensogreathetrustedtoitscontinuance.

Anddoubtlesshethoughttofindyoualone.IfearIamintheway.\'

Iknewhimbyhisfigureandhisgrandair,whichinanyothercompanywouldhavemarkedhimformaster;andforgettingtheimpatiencewhichamomentbeforehadconsumedme——doubtlessIwasstilllight-headed——Iansweredhim.\'YetIhadoncethepromiseofyourlordship\'sprotection,\'Igasped.

\'Myprotection,sir?\'heexclaimed,hiseyesgleamingangrily.

\'Evenso,\'Ianswered.\'AttheinnatEtampes,whereM.deCrillonwouldhavefoughtme.\'

Hewasvisiblytakenaback.\'Areyouthatman?\'hecried.

\'Iam.ButIamnotheretoprateofmyself,\'Ireplied.Andwiththat——theremembranceofmyneglectederrandflashingonmeagain——IstaggeredtotheKingofNavarre\'sside,and,fallingonmyknees,seizedhisstirrup.\'Sire,Ibringyounews!greatnews!dreadfulnews!\'Icried,clingingtoit.\'HisMajestywasbutaquarterofanhouragostabbedinthebodyinhischamberbyavillainmonk.Andisdying,or,itmaybe,dead.\'

\'Dead?TheKing!\'Turennecriedwithanoath.\'Impossible!\'

VaguelyIheardotherscrying,somethis,somethat,assurpriseandconsternation,oranger,orincredulitymovedthem.ButI

didnotanswerthem,forHenry,remainingsilent,heldmespellboundandawedbythe,marvellouschangewhichIsawfallonhisface.Hiseyesbecameonasuddensuffusedwithblood,andseemedtoretreatunderhisheavybrows;hischeeksturnedofabrick-redcolour;hishalf-openlipsshowedhisteethgleamingthroughhisbeard;whilehisgreatnose,whichseemedtocurveandcurveuntilitwell-nighmethischin,gavetohismobilecountenanceanaspectasstrangeasitwasterrifying.Withalheutteredforatimenoword,thoughIsawhishand,griptheriding-whipheheldinaconvulsivegrasp,asthoughhisthoughtwere\'\'Tismine!Mine!Wrestitawaywhodares!\'

\'Bethinkyou,sir,\'hesaidatlast,fixinghispiercingeyesonme,andspeakinginaharsh,lowtone,likethegrowlingofagreatdog,\'thisisnojesting-time.Norwillyousaveyourskinbyaruse.Tellme,onyourperil,isthisatrick?\'

\'Heavenforbid,sire!\'Iansweredwithpassion.\'Iwasinthechamber,andsawit;withmyowneyes.Imountedontheinstant,androdehitherbytheshortestroutetowarnyourHighnesstolooktoyourself.Monksaremany,andtheHolyUnionisnotapttostophalf-way.\'

Isawhebelievedme,forhisfacerelaxed.Hisbreathseemedtocomeandgoagain,andforthetenthpartofasecondhiseyessoughtM.deRosny\'s.Thenhelookedatmeagain.

\'Ithankyou,sir,hesaid,bowinggravelyandcourteously,\'foryourcareforme——notforyourtidings,whichareofthesorriest.Godgrantmygoodcousinandkingmaybehurtonly.

Nowtellusexactly——forthesegentlemenareequallyinterestedwithmyself——hadasurgeonseenhim?\'

Irepliedinthenegative,butaddedthatthewoundwasinthegroin,andbledmuch,\'Yousaidafewminutesago,"dyingoralreadydead!"\'theKingofNavarrerejoined.\'Why?\'

\'HisMajesty\'sfacewassunken,\'Istammered.

Henodded.\'Youmaybemistaken,\'hesaid.\'Ipraythatyouare.ButherecomesMornay.Hemayknowmore.\'

InamomentIwasabandoned,evenbyM.deTurenne,sogreatwastheanxietywhichpossessedalltolearnthetruth.Maignanalone,underpretenceofadjustingastirrup,remainedbesideme,andentreatedmeinalowvoicetobegone.\'Takethishorse,M.

deMarsac,ifyouwill,\'heurged,\'andridebackthewayyoucame.Youhavedonewhatyoucametodo.Goback,andbethankful.\'

\'Chut!\'Isaid,\'thereisnodanger.\'

\'Youwillsee,\'hereplieddarkly,\'ifyoustayhere.Come,come,takemyadviceandthehorse,\'hepersisted,\'andbegone!

Believeme,itwillbeforthebest.\'

Ilaughedoutrightathisearnestnessandhisfaceofperplexity.

\'IseeyouhaveM.deRosny\'sorderstogetridofme,\'Isaid.

\'ButIamnotgoing,myfriend.Hemustfindsomeotherwayoutofhisembarrassment,forhereIstay.\'

\'Well,yourbloodbeonyourownhead,\'Maignanretorted,swinginghimselfintothesaddlewithagloomyface.\'Ihavedonemybesttosaveyou!\'

\'Andyourmaster!\'Ianswered,laughing.

ForflightwasthelastthingIhadinmymind.IhadriddenthisridewithaclearperceptionthattheonethingIneededwasafootingatCourt.BythespecialkindnessofProvidenceIhadnowgainedthis;andIwasnotthemantoresignitbecauseitprovedtobescantyandperilous.ItwassomethingthatIhadspokentothegreatVicomtefacetofaceandnotbeenconsumed,thatIhadgivenhimlookforlookandstillsurvived,thatIhadputinpracticeCrillon\'slessonsandcometonoharm.