A GENTLEMAN OF FRANCE

BEING THE MEMOIRS OF GASTON DE BONNE SIEUR DE MARSAC

By Stanley Weyman

Transcriber's Note:

In this Etext, text in italics has been written in capital letters. 

Many French words in the text have accents, etc. Which have beenomitted. 

CONTENTS. 

 CHAPTER I. THE SPORT OF FOOLS CHAPTER II. THE KING OF NAVARRE CHAPTER III. BOOT AND SADDLE CHAPTER IV. MADEMOISELLE DE LA VIRE CHAPTER V. THE ROAD TO BLOIS CHAPTER VI. MY MOTHER'S LODGING CHAPTER VII. SIMON FLEIX CHAPTER VIII. AN EMPTY ROOM CHAPTER IX. THE HOUSE IN THE RUELLE D'ARCY CHAPTER X. THE FIGHT ON THE STAIRS CHAPTER XI. THE MAN AT THE DOOR CHAPTER XII. MAXIMILIAN DE BETHUNE, BARON DE ROSNY CHAPTER XIII. AT ROSNY CHAPTER XIV. M. DE RAMBOUILLET CHAPTER XV. VILAIN HERODES CHAPTER XVI. IN THE KING'S CHAMBER CHAPTER XVII. THE JACOBIN MONK CHAPTER XVIII. THE OFFER OF THE LEAGUE CHAPTER XIX. MEN CALL IT CHANCE CHAPTER XX. THE KING'S FACE CHAPTER XXI. TWO WOMEN CHAPTER XXII. 'LA FEMME DISPOSE' CHAPTER XXIII. THE LAST VALOIS CHAPTER XXIV. A ROYAL PERIL CHAPTER XXV. TERMS OF SURRENDER CHAPTER XXVI. MEDITATIONS CHAPTER XXVII. TO ME, MY FRIENDS! CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CASTLE ON THE HILL CHAPTER XXIX. PESTILENCE AND FAMINE CHAPTER XXX. STRICKEN CHAPTER XXXI. UNDER THE GREENWOOD CHAPTER XXXII. A TAVERN BRAWL CHAPTER XXXIII. AT MEUDON CHAPTER XXXIV. ''TIS AN ILL WIND' CHAPTER XXXV. 'LE ROI EST MORT' CHAPTER XXXVI. 'VIVE LE ROI!'

A GENTLEMAN OF FRANCE. 

CHAPTER I. THE SPORT OF FOOLS. 

The death of the Prince of Conde, which occurred in the spring of 1588, by depriving me of my only patron, reduced me to such straits that thewinter of that year, which saw the King of Navarre come to spend hisChristmas at St. Jean d'Angely, saw also the nadir of my fortunes. I didnot know at this time--I may confess it to-day without shame--wither toturn for a gold crown or a new scabbard, and neither had nor discernedany hope of employment. The peace lately patched up at Blois between theKing of France and the League persuaded many of the Huguenots that theirfinal ruin was at hand; but it could not fill their exhausted treasuryor enable them to put fresh troops into the field. 

The death of the Prince had left the King of Navarre without a rivalin the affections of the Huguenots; the Vicomte de Turenne, whoseturbulent; ambition already began to make itself felt, and M. DeChatillon, ranking next to him. It was my ill-fortune, however, to beequally unknown to all three leaders, and as the month of December whichsaw me thus miserably straitened saw me reach the age of forty, which Iregard, differing in that from many, as the grand climacteric of aman's life, it will be believed that I had need of all the courage whichreligion and a campaigner's life could supply. 

I had been compelled some time before to sell all my horses except theblack Sardinian with the white spot on its forehead; and I now foundmyself obliged to part also with my valet de chambre and groom, whom Idismissed on the same day, paying them their wages with the last linksof gold chain left to me. It was not without grief and dismay that I sawmyself thus stripped of the appurtenances of a man of birth, and drivento groom my own horse under cover of night. But this was not the worst. My dress, which suffered inevitably from this menial employment, beganin no long time to bear witness to the change in my circumstances; sothat on the day of the King of Navarre's entrance into St. Jean I darednot face the crowd, always quick to remark the poverty of those abovethem, but was fain to keep within doors and wear out my patience in thegarret of the cutler's house in the Rue de la Coutellerie, which was allthe lodging I could now afford. 

Pardieu, 'tis a strange world! Strange that time seems to me; morestrange compared with this. My reflections on that day, I remember, wereof the most melancholy. Look at it how I would, I could not but see thatmy life's spring was over. The crows' feet were gathering about my eyes, and my moustachios, which seemed with each day of ill-fortune to standout more fiercely in proportion as my face grew leaner, were alreadygrey. I was out at elbows, with empty pockets, and a sword which peeredthrough the sheath. The meanest ruffler who, with broken feather andtarnished lace, swaggered at the heels of Turenne, was scarcely to bedistinguished from me. I had still, it is true, a rock and a few barrenacres in Brittany, the last remains of the family property; but thesmall small sums which the peasants could afford to pay were sentannually to Paris, to my mother, who had no other dower. And this Iwould not touch, being minded to die a gentleman, even if I could notlive in that estate. 

Small as were my expectations of success, since I had no one at theking's side to push my business, nor any friend at Court, I neverthelessdid all I could, in the only way that occurred to me. I drew up apetition, and lying in wait one day for M. Forget, the King of Navarre'ssecretary, placed it in his hand, begging him to lay it before thatprince. He took it, and promised to do so, smoothly, and with as muchlip-civility as I had a right to expect. But the careless manner inwhich he doubled up and thrust away the paper on which I had spent somuch labour, no less than the covert sneer of his valet, who ran afterme to get the customary present--and ran, as I still blush to remember, in vain--warned me to refrain from hope. 

In this, however, having little save hope left, I failed so signallyas to spend the next day and the day after in a fever of alternateconfidence and despair, the cold fit following the hot with perfectregularity. At length, on the morning of the third day--I remember itlacked but three of Christmas--I heard a step on the stairs. My landlordliving in his shop, and the two intervening floors being empty, I had nodoubt the message was for me, and went outside the door to receive it, my first glance at the messenger confirming me in my highest hopes, as well as in all I had ever heard of the generosity of the King ofNavarre. For by chance I knew the youth to be one of the royal pages; asaucy fellow who had a day or two before cried 'Old Clothes' after me inthe street. I was very far from resenting this now, however, nor didhe appear to recall it; so that I drew the happiest augury as to thecontents of the note he bore from the politeness with which he presentedit to me. 

I would not, however, run the risk of a mistake, and before holding outmy hand, I asked him directly and with formality if it was for me. 

He answered, with the utmost respect, that it was for the Sieur deMarsac, and for me if I were he. 

'There is an answer, perhaps?' I said, seeing that he lingered. 

'The King of Navarre, sir, ' he replied, with a low bow, 'will receiveyour answer in person, I believe. ' And with that, replacing the hatwhich he had doffed out of respect to me, he turned and went down thestairs. 

Returning to my room, and locking the door, I hastily opened themissive, which was sealed with a large seal, and wore every appearanceof importance. I found its contents to exceed all my expectations. TheKing of Navarre desired me to wait on him at noon on the following day, and the letter concluded with such expressions of kindness and goodwillas left me in no doubt of the Prince's intentions. I read it, I confess, with emotions of joy and gratitude which would better have become ayounger man, and then cheerfully sat down to spend the rest of theday in making such improvements in my dress as seemed possible. With athankful heart I concluded that I had now escaped from poverty, at anyrate from such poverty as is disgraceful to a gentleman; and consoledmyself for the meanness of the appearance I must make at Court with thereflection that a day or two would mend both habit and fortune. 

Accordingly, it was with a stout heart that I left my lodgings a fewminutes before noon next morning, and walked towards the castle. It wassome time since I had made so public an appearance in the streets, whichthe visit of the King of Navarre's Court; had filled with an unusualcrowd, and I could not help fancying as I passed that some of theloiterers eyed me with a covert smile; and, indeed, I was shabby enough. But finding that a frown more than sufficed to restore the gravity ofthese gentry, I set down the appearance to my own self-consciousness, and, stroking my moustachios, strode along boldly until I saw before me, and coming to meet me, the same page who had delivered the note. 

He stopped in front of me with an air of consequence, and making me alow bow--whereat I saw the bystanders stare, for he was as gay a youngspark as maid-of-honour could desire--he begged me to hasten, as theking awaited me in his closet. 

'He has asked for you twice, sir, ' he continued importantly, the featherof his cap almost sweeping the ground. 

'I think, ' I answered, quickening my steps, 'that the king's letter saysnoon, young sir. If I am late on such an occasion, he has indeed causeto complain of me. '

'Tut, tut!' he rejoined waving his hand with a dandified 'It is nomatter. One man may steal a horse when another may not look over thewall, you know. '

A man may be gray-haired, he may be sad-complexioned, and yet he mayretain some of the freshness of youth. On receiving this indication of afavour exceeding all expectation, I remember I felt the blood rise tomy face, and experienced the most lively gratitude. I wondered who hadspoken in my behalf, who had befriended me; and concluding at last thatmy part in the affair at Brouage had come to the king's ears, though Icould not conceive through whom, I passed through the castle gates withan air of confidence and elation which was not unnatural, I think, underthe circumstances. Thence, following my guide, I mounted the ramp andentered the courtyard. 

A number of grooms and valets were lounging here, some leading horsesto and fro, others exchanging jokes with the wenches who leaned fromthe windows, while their fellows again stamped up and down to keeptheir feet warm, or played ball against the wall in imitation of theirmasters. Such knaves are ever more insolent than their betters; butI remarked that they made way for me with respect, and with risingspirits, yet a little irony, I reminded myself as I mounted the stairsof the words, 'whom the king delighteth to honour!'

Reaching the head of the flight, where was a soldier on guard, the pageopened the door of the antechamber, and standing aside bade me enter. Idid so, and heard the door close behind me. 

For a moment I stood still, bashful and confused. It seemed to me thatthere were a hundred people in the room, and that half the eyes whichmet mine were women's, Though I was not altogether a stranger to suchstate as the Prince of Conde had maintained, this crowded anteroomfilled me with surprise, and even with a degree of awe, of which I wasthe next moment ashamed. True, the flutter of silk and gleam of jewelssurpassed anything I had then seen, for my fortunes had never led meto the king's Court; but an instant's reflection reminded me that myfathers had held their own in such scenes, and with a bow regulatedrather by this thought than by the shabbiness of my dress, I advancedamid a sudden silence. 

'M. De Marsac!' the page announced, in a tone which sounded a littleodd in my ears; so much so, that I turned quickly to look at him. He wasgone, however, and when I turned again the eyes which met mine werefull of smiles. A young girl who stood near me tittered. Put out ofcountenance by this, I looked round in embarrassment to find someone towhom I might apply. 

The room was long and narrow, panelled in chestnut, with a row ofwindows on the one hand, and two fireplaces, now heaped with glowinglogs, on the other. Between the fireplaces stood a rack of arms. Roundthe nearer hearth lounged a group of pages, the exact counterparts ofthe young blade who had brought me hither; and talking with these wereas many young gentlewomen. Two great hounds lay basking in the heat, and coiled between them, with her head on the back of the larger, was afigure so strange that at another time I should have doubted my eyes. Itwore the fool's motley and cap and bells, but a second glance showed methe features were a woman's. A torrent of black hair flowed loose abouther neck, her eyes shone with wild merriment, and her face, keen, thin, and hectic, glared at me from the dog's back. Beyond her, round thefarther fireplace, clustered more than a score of gallants and ladies, of whom one presently advanced to me. 

'Sir, ' he said politely--and I wished I could match his bow--'you wishedto see--?'

'The King of Navarre, ' I answered, doing my best. 

He turned to the group behind him, and said, in a peculiarly even, placid tone, 'He wishes to see the King of Navarre. ' Then in solemnsilence he bowed to me again and went back to his fellows. 

Upon the instant, and before I could make up my mind how to take this, asecond tripped forward, and saluting me, said, 'M. De Marsac, I think?'

'At your service, sir, ' I rejoined. In my eagerness to escape the gazeof all those eyes, and the tittering which was audible behind me, I tooka step forward to be in readiness to follow him. But he gave no sign. 'M. De Marsac to see the King of Navarre' was all he said, speaking asthe other had close to those behind. And with that he too wheeled roundand went back to the fire. 

I stared, a first faint suspicion of the truth aroused in my mind. Before I could act upon it, however--in such a situation it was noeasy task to decide how to act--a third advanced with the same measuredsteps. 'By appointment I think, sir?' he said, bowing lower than theothers. 

'Yes, ' I replied sharply, beginning to grow warm, 'by appointment atnoon. '

'M. De Marsac, ' he announced in a sing-song tone to those behind him, 'to see the King of Navarre by appointment at noon. ' And with a secondbow--while I grew scarlet with mortification he too wheeled gravelyround and returned to the fireplace. 

I saw another preparing to advance, but he came too late. Whether myface of anger and bewilderment was too much for them, or some amongthem lacked patience to see the end, a sudden uncontrollable shout oflaughter, in which all the room joined, cut short the farce. God knowsit hurt me: I winced, I looked this way and that, hoping here or thereto find sympathy and help. But it seemed to me that the place rangwith gibes, that every panel framed, however I turned myself, a cruel, sneering face. One behind me cried 'Old Clothes, ' and when I turnedthe other hearth whispered the taunt. It added a thousandfold to myembarrassment that there was in all a certain orderliness, so that whileno one moved, and none, while I looked at them, raised their voices, Iseemed the more singled out, and placed as a butt in the midst. 

One face amid the pyramid of countenances which hid the fartherfireplace so burned itself into my recollection in that miserablemoment, that I never thereafter forgot it; a small, delicate woman'sface, belonging to a young girl who stood boldly in front of hercompanions. It was a face full of pride, and, as I saw it then, ofscorn--scorn that scarcely deigned to laugh; while the girl's gracefulfigure, slight and maidenly, yet perfectly proportioned, seemed instinctwith the same feeling of contemptuous amusement. 

The play, which seemed long enough to me, might have lasted longer, seeing that no one there had pity on me, had I not, in my desperation, espied a door at the farther end of the room, and concluded, seeing noother, that it was the door of the king's bedchamber. The mortificationI was suffering was so great that I did not hesitate, but advanced withboldness towards it. On the instant there was a lull in the laughterround me, and half a dozen voices called on me to stop. 

'I have come to see the king, ' I answered, turning on them fiercely, forI was by this time in no mood for browbeating, 'and I will see him!'

'He is out hunting, ' cried all with one accord; and they signedimperiously to me to go back the way I had come. 

But having the king's appointment safe in my pouch, I thought I had goodreason to disbelieve them; and taking advantage of their surprise--forthey had not expected so bold a step on my part--I was at the doorbefore they could prevent me. I heard Mathurine, the fool, who hadsprung to her feet, cry 'Pardieu! he will take the Kingdom of Heavenby force!' and those were the last words I heard; for, as I lifted thelatch--there was no one on guard there--a sudden swift silence fell uponthe room behind me. 

I pushed the door gently open and went in. There were two men sittingin one of the windows, who turned and looked angrily towards me. For therest the room was empty. The king's walking-shoes lay by his chair, andbeside them the boot-hooks and jack. A dog before the fire got up slowlyand growled, and one of the men, rising from the trunk on which hehad been sitting, came towards me and asked me, with every sign ofirritation, what I wanted there, and who had given me leave to enter. 

I was beginning to explain, with some diffidence the stillness ofthe room sobering me--that I wished to see the king, when he who hadadvanced took me up sharply with, 'The king? the king? He is not here, man. He is hunting at St. Valery. Did they not tell you so outside?'

I thought I recognised the speaker, than whom I have seldom seen a manmore grave and thoughtful for his years, which were something less thanmine, more striking in presence, or more soberly dressed. And beingdesirous to evade his question, I asked him if I had not the honour toaddress M. Du Plessis Mornay; for that wise and courtly statesman, now apillar of Henry's counsels, it was. 

'The same, sir, ' he replied, abruptly, and without taking his eyes fromme. 'I am Mornay. What of that?'

'I am M. De Marsac, ' I explained. And there I stopped, supposing that, as he was in the king's confidence, this would make my errand clear tohim. 

But I was disappointed. 'Well, sir?' he said, and waited impatiently. 

So cold a reception, following such treatment as I had suffered outside, would have sufficed to have dashed my spirits utterly had I not feltthe king's letter in my pocket. Being pretty confident, however, that asingle glance at this would alter M. Du Mornay's bearing for the better, I hastened, looking on it as a kind of talisman, to draw it out andpresent it to him. 

He took it, and looked at it, and opened it, but with so cold andimmovable an aspect as made my heart sink more than all that had gonebefore. 'What is amiss?' I cried, unable to keep silence. ''Tis from theking, sir. '

'A king in motley!' he answered, his lip curling. 

The sense of his words did not at once strike home to me, and Imurmured, in great disorder, that the king had sent for me. 

'The king knows nothing of it, ' was his blunt answer, bluntly given. Andhe thrust the paper back into my hands. 'It is a trick, ' he continued, speaking with the same abruptness, 'for which you have doubtlessto thank some of those idle young rascals without. You had sent anapplication to the king, I suppose? Just so. No doubt they got hold ofit, and this is the result. They ought to be whipped. '

It was not possible for me to doubt any longer that what he said wastrue. I saw in a moment all my hopes vanish, all my plans flung to thewinds; and in the first shock of the discovery I could neither findvoice to answer him nor strength to withdraw. In a kind of vision Iseemed to see my own lean, haggard face looking at me as in a glass, and, reading despair in my eyes, could have pitied myself. 

My disorder was so great that M. Du Mornay observed it. Looking moreclosely at me, he two or three times muttered my name, and at last said, 'M. De Marsac? Ha! I remember. You were in the affair of Brouage, wereyou not?'

I nodded my head in token of assent, being unable at the moment tospeak, and so shaken that perforce I leaned against the wall, my headsunk on my breast. The memory of my age, my forty years, and my poverty, pressed hard upon me, filling me with despair and bitterness. I couldhave wept, but no tears came. 

M. Du Mornay, averting his eyes from me, took two or three short, impatient turns up and down the chamber when he addressed me again histone was full of respect, mingled with such petulance as one brave manmight feel, seeing another so hard pressed. 'M. De Marsac, ' he said, 'you have my sympathy. It is a shame that men who have served thecause should be reduced to such straits. Were it, possible for me, toincrease my own train at present, I should consider it an honour to haveyou with me. But I am hard put to it myself, and so are we all, and theKing of Navarre not least among us. He has lived for a month upon a woodwhich M. De Rosny has cut down. I will mention your name to him, but Ishould be cruel rather than kind were I not to warn you that nothing cancome of it. '

With that he offered me his hand, and, cheered as much by this markof consideration as by the kindness of his expressions, I rallied myspirits. True, I wanted comfort more substantial, but it was not to behad. I thanked him therefore as becomingly as I could, and seeing therewas no help for it, took my leave of him, and slowly and sorrowfullywithdrew from the room. 

Alas! to escape I had to face the outside world, for which his kindwords were an ill preparation. I had to run the gauntlet of theantechamber. The moment I appeared, or rather the moment the door closedbehind me, I was hailed with a shout of derision. While one cried, 'Way! way for the gentleman who has seen the king!' another hailed meuproariously as Governor of Guyenne, and a third requested a commissionin my regiment. 

I heard these taunts with a heart full almost to bursting. It seemed tome an unworthy thing that, merely by reason of my poverty, I should bederided by youths who had still all their battles before them; but tostop or reproach them would only, as I well knew, make matters worse, and, moreover, I was so sore stricken that I had little spirit lefteven to speak. Accordingly, I made my way through them with what speed Imight, my head bent, and my countenance heavy with shame and depression. In this way--I wonder there were not among them some generous enoughto pity me--I had nearly gained the door, and was beginning to breathe, when I found my path stopped by that particular young lady of the Courtwhom I have described above. Something had for the moment diverted herattention from me, and it required a word from her companions to appriseher of my near neighbourhood. She turned then, as one taken by surprise, and finding me so close to her that my feet all but touched her gown, she stepped quickly aside, and with a glance as cruel as her act, drewher skirts away from contact with me. 

The insult stung me, I know not why, more than all the gibes whichwere being flung at me from every side, and moved by a sudden impulse Istopped, and in the bitterness of my heart spoke to her. 'Mademoiselle, 'I said, bowing low--for, as I have stated, she was small, and morelike a fairy than a woman, though her face expressed both pride andself-will--'Mademoiselle, ' I said sternly, 'such as I am, I have foughtfor France! Some day you may learn that there are viler things in theworld--and have to bear them--than a poor gentleman!'

The words were scarcely out of my mouth before I repented of them, forMathurine, the fool, who was at my elbow, was quick to turn them intoridicule. Raising her hands above our heads, as in act to bless us, she cried out that Monsieur, having gained so rich an office, desireda bride to grace it; and this, bringing down upon us a coarse shoutof laughter and some coarser gibes, I saw the young girl's face flushhotly. 

The next moment a voice in the crowd cried roughly 'Out upon his weddingsuit!' and with that a sweetmeat struck me in the face. Another andanother followed, covering me with flour and comfits. This was the laststraw. For a moment, forgetting where I was, I turned upon them, redand furious, every hair in my moustachios bristling. The next, the fullsense of my impotence and of the folly of resentment prevailed with me, and, dropping my head upon my breast, I rushed from the room. 

I believe that the younger among them followed me, and that the cry of'Old Clothes!' pursued me even to the door of my lodgings in the Rue dela Coutellerie. But in the misery of the moment, and my strong desireto be within doors and alone, I barely noticed this, and am not certainwhether it was so or not. 

CHAPTER II. THE KING OF NAVARRE. 

I have already referred to the danger with which the alliance betweenHenry the Third and the League menaced us, an alliance whereof the news, it was said, had blanched the King of Navarre's moustache in a singlenight. Notwithstanding this, the Court had never shown itself morefrolicsome or more free from care than at the time of which I amspeaking; even the lack of money seemed for the moment forgotten. Oneamusement followed another, and though, without doubt, something wasdoing under the surface for the wiser of his foes held our prince inparticular dread when he seemed most deeply sunk in pleasure--to theoutward eye St. Jean d'Angely appeared to be given over to enjoymentfrom one end to the other. 

The stir and bustle of the Court reached me even in my garret, andcontributed to make that Christmas, which fell on a Sunday, a trialalmost beyond sufferance. All day long the rattle of hoofs on thepavement, and the laughter of riders bent on diversion, came up tome, making the hard stool seem harder, the bare walls more bare, andincreasing a hundredfold the solitary gloom in which I sat. For assunshine deepens the shadows which fall athwart it, and no silence islike that which follows the explosion of a mine, so sadness and povertyare never more intolerable than when hope and wealth rub elbows withthem. 

True, the great sermon which M. D'Amours preached in the market-houseon the morning of Christmas-day cheered me, as it cheered all the moresober spirits. I was present myself, sitting in an obscure corner ofthe building, and heard the famous prediction, which was so soon to befulfilled. 'Sire, ' said the preacher, turning to the King of Navarre, and referring, with the boldness that ever characterised that greatman and noble Christian, to the attempt, then being made to exclude theprince from the succession--'Sire, what God at your birth gave you mancannot take away. A little while, a little patience, and you shall causeus to preach beyond the Loire! With you for our Joshua we shall crossthe Jordan, and in the Promised Land the Church shall be set up. '

Words so brave, and so well adapted to encourage the Huguenots inthe crisis through which their affairs were then passing, charmed allhearers; save indeed, those--and they were few--who, being devoted tothe Vicomte de Turenne, disliked, though they could not controvert, thispublic acknowledgment of the King of Navarre, as the Huguenot leader. The pleasure of those present was evinced in a hundred ways, and to suchan extent that even I returned to my chamber soothed and exalted, andfound, in dreaming of the speedy triumph of the cause, some compensationfor my own ill-fortune. 

As the day wore on, however, and the evening brought no change, butpresented to me the same dreary prospect with which morning had mademe familiar, I confess without shame that my heart sank once more, particularly as I saw that I should be forced in a day or two to selleither my remaining horse or some part of my equipment as essential;a step which I could not contemplate without feelings of the utmostdespair. In this state of mind I was adding up by the light of asolitary candle the few coins I had left, when I heard footstepsascending the stairs. I made them out to be the steps of two persons, and was still lost in conjectures who they might be, when a hand knockedgently at my door. 

Fearing another trick, I did not at once open, the more so there wassomething stealthy and insinuating in the knock. Thereupon my visitorsheld a whispered consultation; then they knocked again. I asked loudlywho was there, but to this they did not choose to give any answer, while I, on my part, determined not to open until they did. The doorwas strong, and I smiled grimly at the thought that this time they wouldhave their trouble for their pains. 

To my surprise, however, they did not desist, and go away, as Iexpected, but continued to knock at intervals and whisper much betweentimes. More than once they called me softly by name and bade me open, but as they steadily refrained from saying who they were, I sat still. Occasionally I heard them laugh, but under their breath as it were;and persuaded by this that they were bent on a frolic, I might havepersisted in my silence until midnight, which was not more than twohours off, had not a slight sound, as of a rat gnawing behind thewainscot, drawn my attention to the door. Raising my candle and shadingmy eyes I espied something small and bright protruding beneath it, andsprang up, thinking they were about to prise it in. To my surprise, however, I could discover, on taking the candle to the threshold, nothing more threatening than a couple of gold livres, which had beenthrust through the crevice between the door and the floor. 

My astonishment may be conceived. I stood for full a minute staring atthe coins, the candle in my hand. Then, reflecting that the young sparksat the Court would be very unlikely to spend such a sum on a jest, Ihesitated no longer, but putting down the candle, drew the bolt of thedoor, purposing to confer with my visitors outside. In this, however, Iwas disappointed, for the moment the door was open they pushed forciblypast me and, entering the room pell-mell, bade me by signs to close thedoor again. 

I did so suspiciously, and without averting my eyes from my visitors. Great were my embarrassment and confusion, therefore, when, the doorbeing shut, they dropped their cloaks one after the other, and I sawbefore me M. Du Mornay and the well-known figure of the King of Navarre. 

They seemed so much diverted, looking at one another and laughing, thatfor a moment I thought some chance resemblance deceived me, and thathere were my jokers again. Hence while a man might count ten I stoodstaring; and the king was the first to speak. 'We have made no mistake, Du Mornay, have we?' he said, casting a laughing glance at me. 

'No, sire, ' Du Mornay answered. 'This is the Sieur de Marsac, thegentleman whom I mentioned to you. '

I hastened, confused, wondering, and with a hundred apologies, to pay myrespects to the king. He speedily cut me short, however, saying, with anair of much kindness, 'Of Marsac, in Brittany, I think, sir?'

'The same, sire, '

'Then you are of the family of Bonne?'

'I am the last survivor of that family, sire, ' I answered respectfully. 

'It has played its part, ' he rejoined, and therewith he took his seaton my stool with an easy grace which charmed me. 'Your motto is "BONNEFOI, " is it not? And Marsac, if I remember rightly, is not far fromRennes, on the Vilaine?'

I answered that it was, adding, with a full heart, that it grieved me tobe compelled to receive so great a prince in so poor a lodging. 

'Well, I confess, ' Du Mornay struck in, looking carelessly round him, 'you have a queer taste, M. De Marsac, in the arrangement of yourfurniture. You--'

'Mornay!' the king cried sharply. 

'Sire?'

'Chut! your elbow is in the candle. Beware of it!'

But I well understood him. If my heart had been full before, itoverflowed now. Poverty is not so shameful as the shifts to which itdrives men. I had been compelled some days before, in order to make asgood a show as possible--since it is the undoubted duty of a gentlemanto hide his nakedness from impertinent eyes, and especially from theeyes of the canaille, who are wont to judge from externals--to removesuch of my furniture and equipage as remained to that side of the room, which was visible from without when the door was open. This left thefarther side of the room vacant and bare. To anyone within doors theartifice was, of course, apparent, and I am bound to say that M. DeMornay's words brought the blood to my brow. 

I rejoiced, however a moment later that he had uttered them; for withoutthem I might never have known, or known so early, the kindness of heartand singular quickness of apprehension which ever distinguished theking, my master. So, in my heart, I began to call him from that hour. 

The King of Navarre was at this time thirty-five years old, his hairbrown, his complexion ruddy, his moustache, on one side at least, beginning to turn grey. His features, which Nature had cast in a harshand imperious mould, were relieved by a constant sparkle and animationsuch as I have never seen in any other man, but in him became ever moreconspicuous in gloomy and perilous times. Inured to danger from hisearliest youth, he had come to enjoy it as others a festival, hailingits advent with a reckless gaiety which astonished even brave men, andled others to think him the least prudent of mankind. Yet such he wasnot: nay, he was the opposite of this. Never did Marshal of Francemake more careful dispositions for a battle--albeit once in it he borehimself like any captain of horse--nor ever did Du Mornay himself sitdown to a conference with a more accurate knowledge of affairs. Hisprodigious wit and the affability of his manners, while they endearedhim to his servants, again and again blinded his adversaries; who, thinking that so much brilliance could arise only from a shallow nature, found when it was too late that they had been outwitted by him whomthey contemptuously styled the Prince of Bearn, a man a hundredfold moreastute than themselves, and master alike of pen and sword. 

Much of this, which all the world now knows, I learned afterwards. Atthe moment I could think of little save the king's kindness; to whichhe added by insisting that I should sit on the bed while we talked. 'Youwonder, M. De Marsac, ' he said, 'what brings me here, and why I havecome to you instead of sending for you? Still more, perhaps, why I havecome to you at night and with such precautions? I will tell you. Butfirst, that my coming may not fill you with false hopes, let me sayfrankly, that though I may relieve your present necessities, whether youfall into the plan I am going to mention, or not, I cannot take youinto my service; wherein, indeed, every post is doubly filled. Du Mornaymentioned your name to me, but in fairness to others I had to answerthat I could do nothing. '

I am bound to confess that this strange exordium dashed hopes which hadalready risen to a high pitch. Recovering myself as quickly as possible, however, I murmured that the honour of a visit from the King of Navarrewas sufficient happiness for me. 

'Nay, but that honour I must take from you' he replied, smiling; 'thoughI see that you would make an excellent courtier--far better than DuMornay here, who never in his life made so pretty a speech. For I mustlay my commands on you to keep this visit a secret, M. De Marsac. Shouldbut the slightest whisper of it get abroad, your usefulness, as far as Iam concerned, would be gone, and gone for good!'

So remarkable a statement filled me with wonder I could scarcelydisguise. It was with difficulty I found words to assure the king thathis commands should be faithfully obeyed. 

'Of that I am sure, ' he answered with the utmost kindness. 'Where I not, and sure, too, from what I am told of your gallantry when my cousin tookBrouage, that you are a man of deeds rather than words, I should not behere with the proposition I am going to lay before you. It is this. Ican give you no hope of public employment, M. De Marsac, but I can offeryou an adventure if adventures be to your taste--as dangerous and asthankless as any Amadis ever undertook. '

'As thankless, sire?' I stammered, doubting if I had heard aright, theexpression was so strange. 

'As thankless, ' he answered, his keen eyes seeming to read my soul. 'I am frank with you, you see, sir, ' he continued, carelessly. 'I cansuggest this adventure--it is for the good of the State--I can do nomore. The King of Navarre cannot appear in it, nor can he protect you. Succeed or fail in it, you stead alone. The only promise I make is, that if it ever be safe for me to acknowledge the act, I will reward thedoer. '

He paused, and for a few moments I stared at him in sheer amazement. What did he mean? Were he and the other real figures, or was I dreaming?

'Do you understand?' he asked at length, with a touch of impatience. 

'Yes, sire, I think I do, ' I murmured, very certain in truth and realitythat I did not. 

'What do you say, then--yes or no?' he rejoined. 'Will you undertake theadventure, or would you hear more before you make up your mind?'

I hesitated. Had I been a younger man by ten years I should doubtlesshave cried assent there and then, having been all my life ready enoughto embark on such enterprises as offered a chance of distinction. Butsomething in the strangeness of the king's preface, although I had it inmy heart to die for him, gave me check, and I answered, with an air ofgreat humility, 'You will think me but a poor courtier now, sire, yethe is a fool who jumps into a ditch without measuring the depth. I wouldfain, if I may say it without disrespect, hear all that you can tellme. '

'Then I fear, ' he answered quickly, 'if you would have more light on thematter, my friend, you must get another candle. '

I started, he spoke so abruptly; but perceiving that the candle hadindeed burned down to the socket, I rose, with many apologies, andfetched another from the cupboard. It did not occur to me at the moment, though it did later, that the king had purposely sought this opportunityof consulting with his companion. I merely remarked, when I returned tomy place on the bed, that they were sitting a little nearer one another, and that the king eyed me before he spoke--though he still swung onefoot carelessly in the air with close attention. 

'I speak to you, of course, sir, ' he presently went on, 'in confidence, believing you to be an honourable as well as a brave man. That which Iwish you to do is briefly, and in a word, to carry off a lady. Nay, 'he added quickly, with a laughing grimace, 'have no fear! She is nosweetheart of mine, nor should I go to my grave friend here did I needassistance of that kind. Henry of Bourbon, I pray God, will always beable to free his own lady-love. This is a State affair, and a matter ofquite another character, though we cannot at present entrust you withthe meaning of it. '

I bowed in silence, feeling somewhat chilled and perplexed, as who wouldnot, having such an invitation before him? I had anticipated an affairwith men only--a secret assault or a petard expedition. But seeing thebareness of my room, and the honour the king was doing me, I felt I hadno choice, and I answered, 'That being the case, sire, I am wholly atyour service. '

'That is well, ' he, answered briskly, though methought he looked at DuMornay reproachfully, as doubting his commendation of me. 'But willyou say the same, ' he continued, removing his eyes to me, and speakingslowly, as though he would try me, 'when I tell you that the lady tobe carried off is the ward of the Vicomte de Turenne, whose arm iswell-nigh as long as my own, and who would fain make it longer; whonever travels, as he told me yesterday, with less than fifty gentlemen, and has a thousand arquebusiers in his pay? Is the adventure still toyour liking, M. De Marsac, now that you know that?'

'It is more to my liking, sire, ' I answered stoutly. 

'Understand this too, ' he rejoined. 'It is essential that this lady, who is at present confined in the Vicomte's house at Chize, should bereleased; but it is equally essential that there should be no breachbetween the Vicomte and myself. Therefore the affair must be the workof an independent man, who has never been in my service, nor in any wayconnected with me. If captured, you pay the penalty without recourse tome. '

'I fully understand, sire, ' I answered. 

'Ventre Saint Gris!' he cried, breaking into a low laugh. I swear theman is more afraid of the lady than he is of the Vicomte! That is notthe way of most of our Court. '

Du Mornay, who had been sitting nursing his knee in silence, pursed uphis lips, though it was easy to see that he was well content with theking's approbation. He now intervened. 'With your permission, sire, ' hesaid, 'I will let this gentleman know the details. '

'Do, my friend, ' the king answered. 'And be short, for if we are heremuch longer I shall be missed, and in a twinkling the Court will havefound me a new mistress. '

He spoke in jest and with a laugh, but I saw Du Mornay start atthe words, as though they were little to his liking; and I learnedafterwards that the Court was really much exercised at this time withthe question who would be the next favourite, the king's passion forthe Countess de la Guiche being evidently on the wane, and that whichhe presently evinced for Madame de Guercheville being as yet a matter ofconjecture. 

Du Mornay took no overt notice of the king's words, however, butproceeded to give me my directions. 'Chize, which you know by name, ' hesaid, 'is six leagues from here. Mademoiselle de la Vire is confined inthe north-west room, on the first-floor, overlooking the park. More Icannot tell you, except that her woman's name is Fanchette, and that sheis to be trusted. The house is well guarded, and you will need four orfive men, There are plenty of cut-throats to be hired, only see, M. De Marsac, that they are such as you can manage, and that Mademoiselletakes no hurt among them. Have horses in waiting, and the moment; youhave released the lady ride north with her as fast as her strength willpermit. Indeed, you must not spare her, if Turenne be on your heels. Youshould be across the Loire in sixty hours after leaving Chize. '

'Across the Loire?' I exclaimed in astonishment. 

'Yes, sir, across the Loire, ' he replied, with some sternness. 'Yourtask, be good enough to understand, is to convoy Mademoiselle de la Virewith all speed to Blois. There, attracting as little notice as may be, you will inquire for the Baron de Rosny at the Bleeding Heart, in theRue de St. Denys. He will take charge of the lady, or direct you how todispose of her, and your task will then be accomplished. You follow me?'

'Perfectly, ' I answered, speaking in my turn with some dryness. 'ButMademoiselle I understand is young. What if she will not accompany me, astranger, entering her room at night, and by the window?'

'That has been thought of' was the answer. He turned to the King ofNavarre, who, after a moment's search, produced a small object from hispouch. This he gave to his companion, and the latter transferred it tome. I took it with curiosity. It was the half of a gold carolus, the broken edge of the coin being rough and jagged. 'Show that toMademoiselle, my friend, ' Du Mornay continued, 'and she will accompanyyou. She has the other half. '

'But be careful, ' Henry added eagerly, 'to make no mention, even to her, of the King of Navarre. You mark me, M. De Marsac! If you have at anytime occasion to speak of me, you may have the honour of calling me YOURFRIEND, and referring to me always in the same manner. '

This he said with so gracious an air that I was charmed, and thoughtmyself happy indeed to be addressed in this wise by a prince whose namewas already so glorious. Nor was my satisfaction diminished when hiscompanion drew out a bag containing, as he told me, three hundred crownsin gold, and placed it in my hands, bidding me defray therefrom the costof the journey. 'Be careful, however, ' he added earnestly, 'to avoid, inhiring your men, any appearance of wealth, lest the adventure seem tobe suggested by some outside person; instead of being dictated by thedesperate state of your own fortunes. Promise rather than give, so faras that will avail. And for what you must give, let each livre seem tobe the last in your pouch. '

Henry nodded assent. 'Excellent advice!' he muttered, rising anddrawing on his cloak, 'such as you ever give me, Mornay, and I as seldomtake--more's the pity! But, after all, of little avail without this. ' Helifted my sword from the table as he spoke, and weighed it in his hand. 'A pretty tool, ' he continued, turning suddenly and looking me veryclosely in the face. 'A very pretty tool. Were I in your place, M. DeMarsac, I would see that it hung loose in the scabbard. Ay, and more, man, use it!' he added, sinking his voice and sticking out his chin, while his grey eyes, looking ever closer into mine, seemed to grow coldand hard as steel. 'Use it to the last, for if you fall into Turenne'shands, God help you! I cannot!'

'If I am taken, sire, ' I answered, trembling, but not with fear, 'myfate be on my own head. '

I saw the king's eyes soften, at that, and his face change so swiftlythat I scarce knew him for the same man. He let the weapon drop witha clash on the table. 'Ventre Saint Gris!' he exclaimed with a strangethrill of yearning in his tone. 'I swear by God, I would I were in yourshoes, sir. To strike a blow or two with no care what came of it. Totake the road with a good horse and a good sword, and see what fortunewould send. To be rid of all this statecraft and protocolling, and neverto issue another declaration in this world, but just to be for once aGentleman of France, with all to win and nothing to lose save the loveof my lady! Ah! Mornay, would it not be sweet to leave all this fret andfume, and ride away to the green woods by Coarraze?'

'Certainly, if you prefer them to the Louvre, sire, ' Du Mornay answereddrily; while I stood, silent and amazed, before this strange man, whocould so suddenly change from grave to gay, and one moment spoke sosagely, and the next like any wild lad in his teens. 'Certainly, ' heanswered, 'if that be your choice, sire; and if you think that eventhere the Duke of Guise will leave you in peace. Turenne, I am sure, will be glad to hear of your decision. Doubtless he will be electedProtector of the Churches. Nay, sire, for shame!' Du Mornay continuedalmost with sternness. 'Would you leave France, which at odd times Ihave heard you say you loved, to shift for herself? Would you depriveher of the only man who does love her for her own sake?'

'Well, well, but she is such a fickle sweetheart, my friend, ' the kinganswered, laughing, the side glance of his eye on me. 'Never was one socoy or so hard to clip! And, besides, has not the Pope divorced us?'

'The Pope! A fig for the Pope!' Du Mornay rejoined with impatient heat. 'What has he to do with France? An impertinent meddler, and an Italianto boot! I would he and all the brood of them were sunk a hundredfathoms deep in the sea. But, meantime, I would send him a text todigest. '

'EXEMPLUM?' said the king. 

'Whom God has joined together let no man put asunder. '

'Amen! quoth Henry softly. 'And France is a fair and comely bride. '

After that he kept such a silence, falling as it seemed to me into abrown study, that he went away without so much as bidding me farewell, or being conscious, as far as I could tell, of my presence. Du Mornayexchanged a few words with me, to assure himself that I understood whatI had to do, and then, with many kind expressions, which I did not failto treasure up and con over in the times that were coming, hasteneddownstairs after his master. 

My joy when I found myself alone may be conceived. Yet was it noecstasy, but a sober exhilaration; such as stirred my pulses indeed, andbade me once more face the world with a firm eye and an assured brow, but was far from holding out before me a troubadour's palace or anydazzling prospect. The longer I dwelt on the interview, the more clearlyI saw the truth. As the glamour which Henry's presence and singularkindness had cast over me began to lose some of its power, I recognisedmore and more surely why he had come to me. It was not out of anyspecial favour for one whom he knew by report only, if at all byname; but because he had need of a man poor, and therefore reckless, middle-aged (of which comes discretion), obscure--therefore a safeinstrument; to crown all, a gentleman, seeing that both a secret and awomen were in question. 

Withal I wondered too. Looking from the bag of money on the table tothe broken coin in my hand, I scarcely knew which to admire more: theconfidence which entrusted the one to a man broken and beggared, or thecourage of the gentlewoman who should accompany me on the faith of theother. 

CHAPTER III. BOOT AND SADDLE. 

As was natural, I meditated deeply and far into the night on thedifficulties of the task, entrusted to me. I saw that it fell intotwo parts: the release of the lady, and her safe conduct to Blois, adistance of sixty leagues. The release I thought it probable I couldeffect single-handed, or with one companion only; but in the troubledcondition of the country at this time, more particularly on both sidesof the Loire, I scarcely saw how I could ensure a lady's safety on theroad northwards unless I had with me at least five swords. 

To get these together at a few hours' notice promised to be no easytask; although the presence of the Court of Navarre had filled St. Jeanwith a crowd of adventurers. Yet the king's command was urgent, andat some sacrifice, even at some risk, must be obeyed. Pressed by theseconsiderations, I could think of no better man to begin with thanFresnoy. 

His character was bad, and he had long forfeited such claim as he hadever possessed--I believe it was a misty one, on the distaff side--togentility. But the same cause which had rendered me destitute I meanthe death of the prince of Conde--had stripped him to the last rag; andthis, perhaps, inclining me to serve him, I was the more quick to seehis merits. I knew him already for a hardy, reckless man, very capableof striking a shrewd blow. I gave him credit for being trusty, as longas his duty jumped with his interest. 

Accordingly, as soon as it was light, having fed and groomed the Cid, which was always the first employment of my day, I set out in search ofFresnoy, and was presently lucky enough to find him taking his morningdraught outside the 'Three Pigeons, ' a little inn not far from the northgate. It was more than a fortnight since I had set eyes on him, and thelapse of time had worked so great a change for the worse in him that, forgetting my own shabbiness, I looked at him askance, as doubting thewisdom of enlisting one who bore so plainly the marks of poverty anddissipation. His great face--he was a large man--had suffered recentill-usage, and was swollen and discoloured, one eye being as good asclosed. He was unshaven, his hair was ill-kempt, his doublet unfastenedat the throat, and torn and stained besides. Despite the cold--for themorning was sharp and frosty, though free from wind--there were half adozen packmen drinking and squabbling before the inn, while the beaststhey drove quenched their thirst at the trough. But these men seemedwith one accord to leave him in possession of the bench at which he sat;nor did I wonder much at this when I saw the morose and savageglance which he shot at me as I approached. Whether he read my firstimpressions in my face, or for some other reason felt distaste for mycompany, I could not determine. But, undeterred by his behaviour, I satdown beside him and called for wine. 

He nodded sulkily in answer to my greeting, and cast a half-shamed, half-angry look at me out of the corners of his eyes. 'You need not lookat me as though I were a dog, ' he muttered presently. 'You are not sovery spruce yourself, my friend. But I suppose you have grown proudsince you got that fat appointment at Court!' And he laughed out loud, so that I confess I was in two minds whether I should not force the jestdown his ugly throat. 

However I restrained myself, though my cheeks burned. 'You have heardabout it, then, ' I said, striving to speak indifferently. 

'Who has not?' he said, laughing with his lips, though his eyes were farfrom merry. 'The Sieur de Marsac's appointment! Ha! ha! Why, man--'

'Enough of it now!' I exclaimed. And I dare say I writhed on my seat. 'As far as I am concerned the jest is a stale one, sir, and does notamuse me. '

'But it amuses me, ' he rejoined with a grin. 

'Let it be, nevertheless, ' I said; and I think he read a warning in myeyes. 'I have come to speak to you upon another matter. '

He did not refuse to listen, but threw one leg over the other, andlooking up at the inn-sign began to whistle in a rude, offensive manner. Still, having an object in view, I controlled myself and continued. 'Itis this, my friend: money is not very plentiful at present with eitherof us. '

Before I could say any more he turned on me savagely, and with a loudoath thrust his bloated face, flushed with passion, close to mine. 'Nowlook here, M. De Marsac!' he cried violently, 'once for all, it is nogood! I have not got the money, and I cannot pay it. I said a fortnightago, when you lent it, that you should have it this week. Well, 'slapping his hand on the bench, I have not got it, and it is no goodbeginning upon me. You cannot have it, and that is flat!'

'Damn the money!' I cried. 

'What?' he exclaimed, scarcely believing his ears. 

'Let the money be!' I repeated fiercely. 'Do you hear? I have not comeabout it, I am here to offer you work--good, well-paid work--if you willenlist with me and play me fair, Fresnoy. '

'Play fair!' he cried with an oath. 

'There, there, ' I said, 'I am willing to let bygones be bygones if youare. The point is, that I have an adventure on hand, and, wanting help, can pay you for it. '

He looked at me cunningly, His eye travelling over each rent and darnin my doublet. 'I will help you fast enough, ' he said at last. 'But Ishould like to see the money first. '

'You shall, ' I answered. 

'Then I am with you, my friend. Count on me till death!' he cried, rising and laying his hand in mine with a boisterous frankness which didnot deceive me into trusting him far. 'And now, whose is the affair, andwhat is it?'

'The affair is mine, ' I said coldly. 'It is to carry off a lady. '

He whistled and looked me over again, an impudent leer in his eyes. 'Alady?' he exclaimed. 'Umph! I could understand a young spark going infor such--but that's your affair. Who is it?'

'That is my affair, too, ' I answered coolly, disgusted by the man'svenality and meanness, and fully persuaded that I must trust him nofarther than the length of my sword. 'All I want you to do, M. Fresnoy, 'I continued stiffly, 'is to place yourself at my disposal and under myorders for ten days. I will find you a horse and pay you--the enterpriseis a hazardous one, and I take that into account--two gold crowns a day, and ten more if we succeed in reaching a place of safety. '

'Such a place as--'

'Never mind that, ' I replied. 'The question is, do you accept?'

He looked down sullenly, and I could see he was greatly angered by mydetermination to keep the matter to myself. 'Am I to know no more thanthat?' he asked, digging the point of his scabbard again and again intothe ground. 

'No more, ' I answered firmly. 'I am bent on a desperate attempt to mendmy fortunes before they fall as low as yours; and that is as much asI mean to tell living man. If you are loth to risk your life with youreyes shut, say so, and I will go to someone else. '

But he was not in a position, as I well knew, to refuse such an offer, and presently he accepted it with a fresh semblance of heartiness. Itold him I should want four troopers to escort us, and these he offeredto procure, saying that he knew just the knaves to suit me. I bade himhire two only, however, being too wise, to put myself altogether in hishands; and then, having given him money to buy himself a horse--I madeit a term that the men should bring their own--and named a rendezvousfor the first hour after noon, I parted from him and went rather sadlyaway. 

For I began to see that the king had not underrated the dangers of anenterprise on which none but desperate men and such as were down in theworld could be expected to embark. Seeing this, and also a thing whichfollowed clearly from it--that I should have as much to fear from myown company as from the enemy--I looked forward with little hope to ajourney during every day and every hour of which I must bear a growingweight of fear and responsibility. 

It was too late to turn back, however, and I went about my preparations, if with little cheerfulness, at least with steadfast purpose. I hadmy sword ground and my pistols put in order by the cutler over whom Ilodged, and who performed this last office for me with the same goodwillwhich had characterised, all his dealings with me. I sought out andhired a couple of stout fellows whom I believed to be indifferentlyhonest, but who possessed the advantage of having horses; and besidesbought two led horses myself for mademoiselle and her woman. Such otherequipments as were absolutely necessary I purchased, reducing my stockof money in this way to two hundred and ten crowns. How to dispose ofthis sum so that it might be safe and yet at my command was a questionwhich greatly exercised me. In the end I had recourse to my friendthe cutler, who suggested hiding a hundred crowns of it in my cap, anddeftly contrived a place for the purpose. This, the cap being lined withsteel, was a matter of no great difficulty. A second hundred I sewedup in the stuffing of my saddle, placing the remainder in my pouch forpresent necessities. 

A small rain was falling in the streets when, a little after noon, Istarted with my two knaves behind me and made for the north gate. Somany were moving this way and the other that we passed unnoticed, andmight have done so had we numbered six swords instead of three. When wereached the rendezvous, a mile beyond the gate, we found Fresnoy alreadythere, taking shelter in the lee of a big holly-tree. He had fourhorsemen with him, and on our appearance rode forward to meet us, cryingheartily, 'Welcome, M. Le Capitaine!'

'Welcome, certainly, ' I answered, pulling the Cid up sharply, andholding off from him. 'But who are these, M. Fresnoy?' and I pointedwith my riding-cane to his four companions. 

He tried to pass the matter off with a laugh. 'Oh! these?' he said. 'That is soon explained. The Evangelists would not be divided, so Ibrought them all--Matthew Mark, Luke, and John--thinking it likelyyou might fail to secure your men. And I will warrant them for four asgallant boys as you will ever find behind you!'

They were certainly four as arrant ruffians as I had ever seen beforeme, and I saw I must not hesitate. 'Two or none, M. Fresnoy, ' I saidfirmly. 'I gave you a commission for two, and two I will take--Matthewand Mark, or Luke and John, as you please. '

''Tis a pity to break the party, ' said he, scowling. 

'If that be all, ' I retorted, 'one of my men is called John. And we willdub the other Luke, if that will mend the matter. '

'The Prince of Conde, ' he muttered sullenly, 'employed these men. '

'The Prince of Conde employed some queer people sometimes, M. Fresnoy, 'I answered, looking him straight between the eyes, 'as we all must. Atruce to this, if you please. We will take Matthew and Mark. The othertwo be good enough to dismiss. '

He seemed to waver for a moment, as if he had a mind to disobey, butin the end, thinking better of it, he bade the men return; and as Icomplimented each of them with a piece of silver, they went off, aftersome swearing, in tolerably good humour. Thereon Fresnoy was for takingthe road at once, but having no mind to be followed, I gave the word towait until the two were out of sight. 

I think, as we sat our horses in the rain, the holly-bush not beinglarge enough to shelter us all, we were as sorry a band as ever set outto rescue a lady; nor was it without pain that I looked round and sawmyself reduced to command such people. There was scarcely one wholeunpatched garment among us, and three of my squires had but a spurapiece. To make up for this deficiency we mustered two black eyes, Fresnoy's included, and a broken nose. Matthew's nag lacked a tail, and, more remarkable still, its rider, as I presently discovered, wasstone-deaf; while Mark's sword was innocent of a scabbard, and hisbridle was plain rope. One thing, indeed, I observed with pleasure. Thetwo men who had come with me looked askance at the two who had come withFresnoy, and these returned the stare with interest. On this divisionand on the length of my sword I based all my hopes of safety and ofsomething more. On it I was about to stake, not my own life only--whichwas no great thing, seeing what my prospects were--but the life andhonour of a woman, young, helpless, and as yet unknown to me. 

Weighed down as I was by these considerations, I had to bear theadditional burden of hiding my fears and suspicions under a cheerfuldemeanour. I made a short speech to my following, who one and allresponded by swearing to stand by me to the death. I then gave the word, and we started, Fresnoy and I leading the way, Luke and John with theled horses following, and the other two bringing up the rear. 

The rain continuing to fall and the country in this part being drearyand monotonous, even in fair weather, I felt my spirits sink still loweras the day advanced. The responsibility I was going to incur assumedmore serious proportions each time I scanned my following; whileFresnoy, plying me with perpetual questions respecting my plans, was asuneasy a companion as my worst enemy could have wished me. 

'Come!' he grumbled presently, when we had covered four leagues orso, 'you have not told me yet, sieur, where we stay to-night. You aretravelling so slowly that--'

'I am saving the horses, ' I answered shortly. 'We shall do a long dayto-morrow. '

'Yours looks fit for a week of days, ' he sneered, with an evil look atmy Sardinian, which was, indeed, in better case than its master. 'It issleek enough, any way!'

'It is as good as it looks, ' I answered, a little nettled by his tone. 

'There is a better here, ' he responded. 

'I don't see it, ' I said. I had already eyed the nags all round, andassured myself that, ugly and blemished as they were, they were up totheir work. But I had discerned no special merit among them. I lookedthem over again now, and came to the same conclusion--that, except theled horses, which I had chosen with some care, there was nothing amongthem to vie with the Cid, either in speed or looks. I told Fresnoy so. 

'Would you like to try?' he said tauntingly. 

I laughed, adding, 'If you think I am going to tire our horses by racingthem, with such work as we have before us, you are mistaken, Fresnoy. Iam not a boy, you know. '

'There need be no question of racing, ' he answered more quietly. 'Youhave only to get on that rat-tailed bay of Matthew's to feel its pacesand say I am right. '

I looked at the bay, a bald-faced, fiddle-headed horse, and saw that, with no signs of breeding, it was still a big-boned animal with goodshoulders and powerful hips. I thought it possible Fresnoy might beright, and if so, and the bay's manners were tolerable, it might do formademoiselle better than the horse I had chosen. At any rate, if we hada fast horse among us, it was well to know the fact, so bidding Matthewchange with me, and be careful of the Cid, I mounted the bay, andsoon discovered that its paces were easy and promised speed, while itsmanners seemed as good as even a timid rider could desire. 

Our road at the time lay across a flat desolate heath, dotted here andthere with, thorn-bushes; the track being broken and stony, extendedmore than a score of yards in width, through travellers straying to thisside and that to escape the worst places. Fresnoy and I, in making thechange, had fallen slightly behind the other three, and were ridingabreast of Matthew on the Cid. 

'Well, ' he said, 'was I not right?'

'In part, ' I answered. 'The horse is better than its looks. '

'Like many others, ' he rejoined, a spark of resentment in his tone--'menas well as horses, M. De Marsac. But What do you say? Shall we canter ona little and overtake the others?'

Thinking it well to do so, I assented readily, and we started together. We had ridden, however, no more than a hundred yards, and I was onlybeginning to extend the bay, when Fresnoy, slightly drawing rein, turnedin his saddle and looked back. The next moment he cried, 'Hallo! what isthis? Those fellows are not following us, are they?'

I turned sharply to look. At that moment, without falter or warning, thebay horse went down under me as if shot dead, throwing me half a dozenyards over its head; and that so suddenly that I had no time to raise myarms, but, falling heavily on my head and shoulder, lost consciousness. 

I have had many falls, but no other to vie with that in utterunexpectedness. When I recovered my senses I found myself leaning, giddyand sick, against the bole of an old thorn-tree. Fresnoy and Matthewsupported me on either side, and asked me how I found myself; while theother three men, their forms black against the stormy evening sky, sattheir horses a few paces in front of me. I was too much dazed at firstto see more, and this only in a mechanical fashion; but gradually, mybrain grew clearer, and I advanced from wondering who the strangersround me were to recognising them, and finally to remembering what hadhappened to me. 

'Is the horse hurt?' I muttered as soon as I could speak. 

'Not a whit, ' Fresnoy answered, chuckling, or I was much mistaken. 'I amafraid you came off the worse of the two, captain. '

He exchanged a look with the men on horseback as he spoke, and in a dullfashion I fancied I saw them smile. One even laughed, and another turnedin his saddle as if to hide his face. I had a vague general sense thatthere was some joke on foot in which I had no part. But I was too muchshaken at the moment to be curious, and gratefully accepted the offer ofone, of the men to fetch me a little water. While he was away the reststood round me, the same look of ill-concealed drollery on their faces. Fresnoy alone talked, speaking volubly of the accident, pouring outexpressions of sympathy and cursing the road, the horse, and the wintrylight until the water came; when, much refreshed by the draught, Imanaged to climb to the Cid's saddle and plod slowly onwards with them. 

'A bad beginning, ' Fresnoy said presently, stealing a sly glance atme as we jogged along side by side, Chize half a league before us, anddarkness not far off. 

By this time, however, I was myself again, save for a little humming isthe head, and, shrugging my shoulders, I told him so. 'All's well thatends well, ' I added. 'Not that it was a pleasant fall, or that I wish tohave such another. '

'No, I should think not, ' he answered. His face was turned from me, butI fancied I heard him snigger. 

Something, which may have been a vague suspicion, led me a moment laterto put my hand into my pouch. Then I understood. I understood too well. The sharp surprise of the discovery was such that involuntarily I drovemy spurs into the Cid, and the horse sprang forward. 

'What is the matter?' Fresnoy asked. 

'The matter?' I echoed, my hand still at my belt, feeling--feelinghopelessly. 

'Yes, what is it?' he asked, a brazen smile on his rascally face. 

I looked at him, my brow as red as fire. 'Oh! nothing--nothing, ' I said. 'Let us trot on. '

In truth I had discovered that, taking advantage of my helplessness, thescoundrels had robbed me, while I lay insensible, of every gold crownin my purse! Nor was this all, or the worst, for I saw at once thatin doing so they had effected something which was a thousandfold moreominous and formidable--established against me that secret understandingwhich it was my especial aim to prevent, and on the absence of which Ihad been counting. Nay, I saw that for my very life I had only my friendthe cutler and my own prudence to thank, seeing that these rogues wouldcertainly have murdered me without scruple had they succeeded in findingthe bulk of my money. Baffled in this, while still persuaded that I hadother resources, they had stopped short of that villany--or this memoirhad never been written. They had kindly permitted me to live until amore favourable opportunity of enriching themselves at my expense shouldput them in possession of my last crown!

Though I was sufficiently master of myself to refrain from complaintswhich I felt must be useless, and from menaces which it has neverbeen my habit to utter unless I had also the power to put them intoexecution, it must not be imagined that I did not, as I rode on byFresnoy's side, feel my position acutely or see how absurd a figureI cut in my dual character of leader and dupe. Indeed, the reflectionthat, being in this perilous position, I was about to stake another'ssafety as well as my own, made me feel the need of a few minutes'thought so urgent that I determined to gain them, even at the riskof leaving my men at liberty to plot further mischief. Coming almostimmediately afterwards within sight, of the turrets of the Chateau ofChize, I told Fresnoy that we should lie the night at the village;and bade him take the men on and secure quarters at the inn. Attackedinstantly by suspicion and curiosity, he demurred stoutly to leaving me, and might have persisted in his refusal had I not pulled up, and clearlyshown him that I would have my own way in this case or come to an openbreach. He shrank, as I expected, from the latter alternative, and, bidding me a sullen adieu, trotted on with his troop. I waited untilthey were out of sight, and then, turning the Cid's head, crossed asmall brook which divided the road from the chase, and choosing aride which seemed to pierce the wood in the direction of the Chateau, proceeded down it, keeping a sharp look-out on either hand. 

It was then, my thoughts turning to the lady who was now so near, andwho, noble, rich, and a stranger, seemed, as I approached her, not theleast formidable of the embarrassments before me--it was then that Imade a discovery which sent a cold shiver through my frame, and ina moment swept all memory of my paltry ten crowns from my head. Ten crowns! Alas! I had lost that which was worth all my crowns puttogether--the broken coin which the King of Navarre had entrusted tome, and which formed my sole credential, my only means of persuadingMademoiselle de la Vire that I came from him. I had put it in my pouch, and of course, though the loss of it only came home to my mind now, ithad disappeared with the rest. 

I drew rein and sat for some time motionless, the image of despair. The wind which stirred the naked boughs overhead, and whirled thedead leaves in volleys past my feet, and died away at last among thewhispering bracken, met nowhere with wretchedness greater, I believe, than was mine at that moment. 

CHAPTER IV. MADEMOISELLE DE LA VIRE. 

My first desperate impulse on discovering the magnitude of my loss wasto ride after the knaves and demand the token at the sword's point. Thecertainty, however, of finding them united, and the difficulty of sayingwhich of the five possessed what I wanted, led me to reject this planas I grew cooler; and since I did not dream, even in this dilemma, ofabandoning the expedition the only alternative seemed to be to act asif I still had the broken coin, and essay what a frank explanation mighteffect when the time came. 

After some wretched, very wretched, moments of debate, I resolved toadopt this course; and, for the present, thinking I might gainsome knowledge of the surroundings while the light lasted, I pushedcautiously forward through the trees and came in less than five minuteswithin sight of a corner of the chateau, which I found to be a modernbuilding of the time of Henry II. , raised, like the houses of thattime, for pleasure rather than defence, and decorated with many handsomecasements and tourelles. Despite this, it wore, as I saw it, a grey anddesolate air, due in part to the loneliness of the situation and thelateness of the hour; and in part, I think, to the smallness of thehousehold maintained, for no one was visible on the terrace or at thewindows. The rain dripped from the trees, which on two sides pressed soclosely on the house as almost to darken the rooms, and everything Isaw encouraged me to hope that mademoiselle's wishes would second myentreaties, and incline her to lend a ready ear to my story. 

The appearance of the house, indeed, was a strong inducement to me toproceed, for it was impossible to believe that a young lady, a kinswomanof the gay and vivacious Turenne, and already introduced to thepleasures of the Court, would elect of her own free will to spend thewinter in so dreary a solitude. 

Taking advantage of the last moments of daylight, I rode cautiouslyround the house, and, keeping in the shadow of the trees, had nodifficulty in discovering at the north-east corner the balcony of whichI had been told. It was semi-circular in shape, with a stone balustrade, and hung some fifteen feet above a terraced walk which ran below it, andwas separated from the chase by a low sunk fence. 

I was surprised to observe that, notwithstanding the rain and thecoldness of the evening, the window which gave upon this balcony wasopen. Nor was this all. Luck was in store for me at last. I had notgazed at the window more than a minute, calculating its height and otherparticulars, when, to my great joy, a female figure, closely hooded, stepped out and stood looking up at the sky. I was too far off to beable to discern by that uncertain light whether this was Mademoiselle dela Vire or her woman; but the attitude was so clearly one of dejectionand despondency, that I felt sure it was either one or the other. Determined not to let the opportunity slip, I dismounted hastilyand, leaving the Cid loose, advanced on foot until I stood withinhalf-a-dozen paces of the window. 

At that point the watcher became aware of me. She started back, but didnot withdraw. Still peering down at me, she called softly to some oneinside the chamber, and immediately a second figure, taller and stouter, appeared. I had already doffed my cap, and I now, in a low voice, beggedto know if I had the honour of speaking to Mademoiselle de la Vire. Inthe growing darkness it was impossible to distinguish faces. 

'Hush!' the stouter figure muttered in a tone of warning. 'Speak lower. Who are you, and what do you here?'

'I am here, ' I answered respectfully, 'commissioned by a friend of thelady I have named, to convey her to a place of safety. '

'Mon dieu!' was the sharp answer. 'Now? It is impossible. '

'No, ' I murmured, 'not now, but to-night. The moon rises at half-pasttwo. My horses need rest and food. At three I will be below this windowwith the means of escape, if mademoiselle choose to use them. '

I felt that they were staring at me through the dusk, as though theywould read my breast. 'Your name, sir?' the shorter figure murmured atlast, after a pause which was full of suspense and excitement. 

'I do not think my name of much import at present, Mademoiselle, ' Ianswered, reluctant to proclaim myself a stranger. 'When--'

'Your name, your name, sir!' she repeated imperiously, and I heard herlittle heel rap upon the stone floor of the balcony. 

'Gaston de Marsac, ' I answered unwillingly. 

They both started, and cried out together. 'Impossible!' the lastspeaker exclaimed, amazement and anger in her tone, 'This is a jest, sir. This--'

What more she would have said I was left to guess, for at that momenther attendant I had no doubt now which was mademoiselle and whichFanchette--suddenly laid her hand on her mistress's mouth and pointedto the room behind them. A second's suspense, and with a wanting gesturethe two turned and disappeared through the window. 

I lost no time in regaining the shelter of the trees; and concluding, though I was far from satisfied with the interview, that I could donothing more now, but might rather, by loitering in the neighbourhood, awaken suspicion, I remounted and made for the highway and the village, where I found my men in noisy occupation of the inn, a poor place, withunglazed windows, and a fire in the middle of the earthen floor. My first care wets to stable the Cid in a shed at the back, where Iprovided for its wants as far as I could with the aid of a half-nakedboy, who seemed to be in hiding there. 

This done, I returned to the front of the house, having pretty well madeup my mind how I would set about the task before me. As I passed one ofthe windows, which was partially closed by a rude curtain made of oldsacks, I stopped to look in. Fresnoy and his four rascals were seatedon blocks of wood round the hearth, talking loudly and fiercely, andruffling it as if the fire and the room were their own. A pedlar, seated on his goods in one corner, was eyeing them with evident fearand suspicion; in another corner two children had taken refuge under adonkey, which some fowls had chosen as a roosting-pole. The innkeeper, asturdy fellow, with a great club in his fist, sat moodily at the foot ofa ladder which led to the loft above, while a slatternly woman, who wasgoing to and fro getting supper, seemed in equal terror of her guestsand her good man. 

Confirmed by what I saw, and assured that the villains were ripe for anymischief, and, if not checked, would speedily be beyond my control, Inoisily flung the door open and entered. Fresnoy looked up with a sneeras I did so, and one of the men laughed. The others became silent; butno one moved or greeted me. Without a moment's hesitation I stepped tothe nearest fellow and, with a sturdy kick, sent his log from under him. 'Rise, you rascal, when I enter!' I cried, giving vent to the angerI had long felt. 'And you, too!' and with a second kick I sent hisneighbour's stool flying also, and administered a couple of cuts withmy riding-cane across the man's shoulders. 'Have you no manners, sirrah?Across with you, and leave this side to your betters. '

The two rose, snarling and feeling for their weapons, and for a momentstood facing me, looking now at me and now askance at Fresnoy. But as hegave no sign, and their comrades only laughed, the men's courage failedthem at the pinch, and with a very poor grace they sneaked over to theother side of the fire and sat there, scowling. 

I seated myself beside their leader. 'This gentleman and I will eathere, ' I cried to the man at the foot of the ladder. 'Bid your wife layfor us, and of the best you have; and do you give those knaves theirprovender where the smell of their greasy jackets will not come betweenus and our victuals. '

The man came forward, glad enough, as I saw, to discover any one inauthority, and very civilly began to draw wine and place a board for us, while his wife filled our platters from the black pot which hung overthe fire. Fresnoy's face meanwhile wore the amused smile of one whocomprehended my motives, but felt sufficiently sure of his positionand influence with his followers to be indifferent to my proceedings. I presently showed him, however, that I had not yet done with him. Ourtable was laid in obedience to my orders at such a distance from themen that they could not overhear our talk, and by-and-by I leant over tohim. 

'M. Fresnoy, ' I said, 'you are in danger of forgetting one thing, Ifancy, which it behoves you to remember. '

'What?' he muttered, scarcely deigning to look up at me. 

'That you have to do with Gaston de Marsac, ' I answered quietly. 'Iam making, as I told you this morning, a last attempt to recruitmy fortunes, and I will let no man--no man, do you understand, M. Fresnoy?--thwart me and go harmless. '

'Who wishes to thwart you?' he asked impudently. 

'You, ' I answered unmoved, helping myself, as I spoke, from the roll ofblack bread which lay beside me. 'You robbed me this afternoon; I passedit over. You encouraged those men to be insolent; I passed it over. But let me tell you this. If you fail me to-night, on the honour of agentleman, M. Fresnoy, I will run you through as I would spit a lark. '

'Will you? But two can play at that game, ' he cried, rising nimbly fromhis stool. 'Still better six! Don't you think, M. De Marsac, you hadbetter have waited--?'

'I think you had better hear one word more, ' I answered coolly, keepingmy seat, 'before you appeal to your fellows there. '

'Well, ' he said, still standing, 'what is it?'

'Nay, ' I replied, after once more pointing to his stool in vain, 'if youprefer to take my orders standing, well and good. '

'Your orders?' he shrieked, growing suddenly excited. 

'Yes, my orders!' I retorted, rising as suddenly to my feet and hitchingforward my sword. 'My orders, sir, ' I repeated fiercely, 'or, if youdispute my right to command as well as to pay this party, let us decidethe question here and now--you and I, foot to foot, M. Fresnoy. '

The quarrel flashed up so suddenly, though I had been preparing it allalong, that no one moved. The woman indeed, fell back to her children, but the rest looked on open-mouthed. Had they stirred, or had a moment'shurly-burly heated his blood, I doubt not Fresnoy would have taken upmy challenge, for he did not lack hardihood. But as it was, face to facewith me in the silence, his courage failed him. He paused, glowering atme uncertainly, and did not speak. 

'Well, ' I said, 'don't you think that if I pay I ought to give orders, sir?'

'Who wishes to oppose your orders?' he muttered, drinking off a bumper, and sitting down with an air of impudent bravado, assumed to hide hisdiscomfiture. 

'If you don't, no one else does, ' I answered. So that is settled. Landlord, some more wine. '

He was very sulky with me for a while, fingering his glass in silenceand scowling at the table. He had enough gentility to feel thehumiliation to which he had exposed himself, and a sufficiency of wit tounderstand that that moment's hesitation had cost him the allegiance ofhis fellow-ruffians. I hastened, therefore, to set him at his ease byexplaining my plans for the night, and presently succeeded beyond myhopes; for when he heard who the lady was whom I proposed to carryoff, and that she was lying that evening at the Chateau de Chize, hissurprise swept away the last trace of resentment. He stared at me, as ata maniac. 

'Mon Dieu!' he exclaimed. 'Do you know what you are doing, Sieur?'

'I think so, ' I answered. 

'Do you know to whom the chateau belongs?'

'To the Vicomte de Turenne. '

'And that Mademoiselle de la Vire is his relation?'

'Yes, ' I said. 

'Mon Dieu!' he exclaimed again. And he looked at me open-mouthed. 

'What is the matter?' I asked, though I had an uneasy consciousness thatI knew--that I knew very well. 

'Man, he will crush you as I crush this hat!' he answered in greatexcitement. 'As easily. Who do you think will protect you from him in aprivate quarrel of this kind? Navarre? France? our good man? Not oneof them. You had better steal the king's crown jewels--he is weak;or Guise's last plot--he is generous at times, or Navarre's lastsweetheart--he is as easy as an old shoe. You had better have to do withall these together, I tell you, than touch Turenne's ewe-lambs, unlessyour aim be to be broken on the wheel! Mon Dieu, yes!'

'I am much obliged to you for your advice, ' I said stiffly, 'but the dieis cast. My mind is made up. On the other hand, if you are afraid, M. Fresnoy--'

'I am afraid; very much afraid, ' he answered frankly. 

'Still your name need not be brought into the matter, ' I replied, 'Iwill take the responsibility. I will let them know my name here at theinn, where, doubtless, inquiries will be made. '

'To be sure, that is something, ' he answered thoughtfully. 'Well, itis an ugly business, but I am in for it. You want me to go with you alittle after two, do you? and the others to be in the saddle at three?Is that it?'

I assented, pleased to find him so far acquiescent; and in thisway, talking the details over more than once, we settled our course, arranging to fly by way of Poitiers and Tours. Of course I did not tellhim why I selected Blois as our refuge, nor what was my purpose there;though he pressed me more than once on the point, and grew thoughtfuland somewhat gloomy when I continually evaded it. A little after eightwe retired to the loft to sleep; our men remaining below round the fireand snoring so merrily as almost to shake the crazy old building. Thehost was charged to sit up and call us as soon as the moon rose, but, as it turned out, I might as well have taken this office on myself, forbetween excitement and distrust I slept little, and was wide awake whenI heard his step on the ladder and knew it was time to rise. 

I was up in a moment, and Fresnoy was little behind me; so that, losingno time in talk, we were mounted and on the road, each with a sparehorse at his knee, before the moon was well above the trees. Once in theChase we found it necessary to proceed on foot, but, the distance beingshort, we presently emerged without misadventure and stood opposite tothe chateau, the upper part of which shone cold and white in the moon'srays. 

There was something so solemn in the aspect of the place, the nightbeing fine and the sky without a cloud, that I stood for a minute awedand impressed, the sense of the responsibility I was here to acceptstrong upon me. In that short space of time all the dangers before me, as well the common risks of the road as the vengeance of Turenne and theturbulence of my own men, presented themselves to my mind, and madea last appeal to me to turn back from an enterprise so foolhardy. Theblood in a man's veins runs low and slow at that hour, and mine waschilled by lack of sleep and the wintry air. It needed the remembranceof my solitary condition, of my past spent in straits and failure, ofthe grey hairs which swept my cheek, of the sword which I had long usedhonourably, if with little profit to myself; it needed the thought ofall these things to restore me to courage and myself. 

I judged at a later period that my companion was affected in somewhatthe same way; for, as I stooped to press home the pegs which I hadbrought to tether the horses, he laid his hand on my arm. Glancing up tosee what he wanted, I was struck by the wild look in his face (which themoonlight invested with a peculiar mottled pallor), and particularly inhis eyes, which glittered like a madman's. He tried to speak, but seemedto find a difficulty in doing so; and I had to question him roughlybefore he found his tongue. When he did speak, it was only to implore mein an odd, excited manner to give up the expedition and return. 

'What, now?' I said, surprised. 'Now we are here, Fresnoy?'

'Ay, give it up!' he cried, shaking me almost fiercely by the arm. 'Giveit up, man! It will end badly, I tell you! In God's name, give it up, and go home before worse comes of it. '

'Whatever comes of it, ' I answered coldly, shaking his grasp from myarm, and wondering much at this sudden fit of cowardice, 'I go on. You, M. Fresnoy, may do as you please!'

He started and drew back from me; but he did not reply, nor did he speakagain. When I presently went off to fetch a ladder, of the position ofwhich I had made a note during the afternoon, he accompanied me, andfollowed me back in the same dull silence to the walk below the balcony. I had looked more than once and eagerly at mademoiselle's window withoutany light or movement in that quarter rewarding my vigilance; but, undeterred by this, which might mean either that my plot was known, or that Mademoiselle de la Vire distrusted me, I set the ladder softlyagainst the balcony, which was in deep shadow, and paused only to giveFresnoy his last instructions. These were simply to stand on guardat the foot of the ladder and defend it in case of surprise; so that, whatever happened inside the chateau, my retreat by the window might notbe cut off. 

Then I went cautiously up the ladder, and, with my sheathed sword in myleft hand, stepped over the balustrade. Taking one pace forward, withfingers outstretched, I felt the leaded panes of the window and tappedsoftly. 

As softly the casement gave way, and I followed it. A hand which I couldsee but not feel was laid on mine. All was darkness in the room, andbefore me, but the hand guided me two paces forward, then by a suddenpressure bade me stand. I heard the sound of a curtain being drawnbehind me, and the next moment the cover of a rushlight was removed, anda feeble but sufficient light filled the chamber. 

I comprehended that the drawing of that curtain over the window had cutoff my retreat as effectually as if a door had been closed behind me. But distrust and suspicion gave way the next moment to the naturalembarrassment of the man who finds himself in a false position and knowshe can escape from it only by an awkward explanation. 

The room in which I found myself was long, narrow, and low in theceiling; and being hung with some dark stuff which swallowed up thelight, terminated funereally at the farther end in the still deepergloom of an alcove. Two or three huge chests, one bearing the remnantsof a meal, stood against the walls. The middle of the floor was coveredwith a strip of coarse matting, on which a small table, a chair andfoot-rest, and a couple of stools had place, with some smaller articleswhich lay scattered round a pair of half-filled saddle-bags. Theslighter and smaller of the two figures I had seen stood beside thetable, wearing a mask and riding cloak; and by her silent manner ofgazing at me, as well as by a cold, disdainful bearing, which neitherher mask nor cloak could hide, did more to chill and discomfit me thaneven my own knowledge that I had lost the pass-key which should haveadmitted me to her confidence. 

The stouter figure of the afternoon turned out to be a red-cheeked, sturdy woman of thirty, with bright black eyes and a manner which lostnothing of its fierce impatience when she came a little later to addressme. All my ideas of Fanchette were upset by the appearance of thiswoman, who, rustic in her speech and ways, seemed more like a duenna, than the waiting-maid of a court beauty, and better fitted to guard awayward damsel than to aid her in such an escapade as we had in hand. 

She stood slightly behind her mistress, her coarse red hand resting onthe back of the chair from which mademoiselle had apparently risen on myentrance. For a few seconds, which seemed minutes to me, we stood gazingat one another in silence, mademoiselle acknowledging my bow by a slightmovement of the head. Then, seeing that they waited for me to speak, Idid so. 

'Mademoiselle de la Vire?' I murmured doubtfully. 

She bent her head again; that was all. 

I strove to speak with confidence. 'You will pardon me, mademoiselle, 'I said, 'if I seem to be abrupt, but time is everything. The horses arestanding within a hundred yards of the house, and all the preparationsfor your flight are made. If we leave now, we can do so withoutopposition. The delay even of an hour may lead to discovery. '

For answer she laughed behind her mask-laughed coldly and ironically. 'You go too fast, sir, ' she said, her low clear voice matching the laughand rousing a feeling almost of anger in my heart. 'I do not know you;or, rather, I know nothing of you which should entitle you to interferein my affairs. You are too quick to presume, sir. You say you come froma friend. From whom?'

'From one whom I am proud to call by that title, ' I answered with whatpatience I might. 

'His name!'

I answered firmly that I could not give it. And I eyed her steadily as Idid so. 

This for the moment seemed to baffle and confuse her, but after a pauseshe continued: 'Where do you propose to take me, sir?'

'To Blois; to the lodging of a friend of my friend. '

'You speak bravely, ' she replied with a faint sneer. 'You have made somegreat friends lately it seems! But you bring me some letter, no doubt;at least some sign, some token, some warranty, that you are the personyou pretend to be, M. De Marsac?'

'The truth is, Mademoiselle, ' I stammered, 'I must explain. I shouldtell you--'

'Nay, sir, ' she cried impetuously, 'there is no need of telling. If youhave what I say, show it me! It is you who lose time. Let us have nomore words!'

I had used very few words, and, God knows, was not in the mind to usemany; but, being in the wrong, I had no answer to make except the truth, and that humbly. 'I had such a token as you mention, mademoiselle, ' Isaid, 'no farther back than this afternoon, in the shape of half a goldcoin, entrusted to me by my friend. But, to my shame I say it, it wasstolen from me a few hours back. '

'Stolen from you!' she exclaimed. 

'Yes, mademoiselle; and for that reason I cannot show it, ' I answered. 

'You cannot show it? And you dare to come to me without it!' she cried, speaking with a vehemence which fairly startled me, prepared as I wasfor reproaches. You come to me! You!' she continued. And with that, scarcely stopping to take breath, she loaded me with abuse; calling meimpertinent, a meddler, and a hundred other things, which I now blushto recall, and displaying in all a passion which even in her attendantwould have surprised me, but in one so slight and seemingly delicate, overwhelmed and confounded me. In fault as I was, I could not understandthe peculiar bitterness she displayed, or the contemptuous force of herlanguage, and I stared at her in silent wonder until, of her own accord, she supplied the key to her feelings. In a fresh outburst of rage shesnatched off her mask, and to my astonishment I saw before me theyoung maid of honour whom I had encountered in the King of Navarre'santechamber, and whom I had been so unfortunate as to expose to theraillery of Mathurine. 

'Who has paid you, sir, ' she continued, clenching her small hands andspeaking with tears of anger in her eyes, 'to make me the laughing-stockof the Court? It was bad enough when I thought you the proper agent ofthose to whom I have a right to look for aid! It was bad enough whenI thought myself forced, through their inconsiderate choice, todecide between an odious imprisonment and the ridicule to which yourintervention must expose me! But that you should have dared, of your ownnotion, to follow me, you, the butt of the Court--'

'Mademoiselle!' I cried. 

'A needy, out-at-elbows adventurer!' she persisted, triumphing in hercruelty. 'It exceeds all bearing! It is not to be suffered! It--'

'Nay, mademoiselle; you SHALL hear me!' I cried, with a sternness whichat last stopped her. 'Granted I am poor, I am still a gentleman; yes, mademoiselle, ' I continued, firmly, 'a gentleman, and the last of afamily which has spoken with yours on equal terms. And I claim to beheard. I swear that when I came here to-night I believed you to be aperfect stranger! I was unaware that I had ever seen you, unaware that Ihad ever met you before. '

'Then why did you come?' she said viciously. 

'I was engaged to come by those whom you have mentioned, and there, and there only am I in fault. They entrusted to me a token which I havelost. For that I crave your pardon. '

'You have need to, ' she answered bitterly, yet with a changedcountenance, or I was mistaken, 'if your story be true, sir. '

'Ay, that you have!' the woman beside her echoed. 

'Hoity toity, indeed! Here is a fuss about nothing. You call yourself agentleman, and wear such a doublet as--'

'Peace, Fanchette, ' mademoiselle said imperiously. And then for a momentshe stood silent, eyeing me intently, her lips trembling with excitementand two red spots burning in her cheeks. It was clear from her dressand other things that she had made up her mind to fly had the token beenforthcoming; and seeing this, and knowing how unwilling a young girlis to forgo her own way, I still had some hopes that she might notpersevere in her distrust and refusal. And so it turned out. 

Her manner had changed to one of quiet scorn when she next spoke. 'Youdefend yourself skilfully, sir, ' she said, drumming with her fingers onthe table and eyeing me steadfastly. 'But can you give me any reason forthe person you name making choice of such a messenger?'

'Yes, ' I answered, boldly. 'That he may not be suspected of conniving atyour escape. '

'Oh!' she cried, with a spark of her former passion. 'Then it is to beput about that Mademoiselle de la Vire had fled from Chize with M. DeMarsac, is it? I thought that!'

'Through the assistance of M. De Marsac, ' I retorted, correcting hercoldly. 'It is for you, mademoiselle, ' I continued, 'to weigh thatdisadvantage against the unpleasantness of remaining here. It onlyremains for me to ask you to decide quickly. Time presses, and I havestayed here too long already. '

The words had barely passed my lips when they received unwelcomeconfirmation in the shape of a distant sound--the noisy closing of adoor, which, clanging through the house at such an hour--I judged it tobe after three o'clock--could scarcely mean anything but mischief. This noise was followed immediately, even while we stood listening withraised fingers, by other sounds--a muffled cry, and the tramp of heavyfootsteps in a distant passage. Mademoiselle looked at me, and I at herwoman. 'The door!' I muttered. 'Is it locked?'

'And bolted!' Fanchette answered; 'and a great chest set against it. Letthem ramp; they will do no harm for a bit. '

'Then you have still time, mademoiselle, ' I whispered, retreating a stepand laying my hand on the curtain before the window. Perhaps I affectedgreater coolness than I felt. 'It is not too late. If you choose toremain, well and good. I cannot help it. If, on the other hand, youdecide to trust yourself to me, I swear, on the honour of a gentleman, to be worthy of the trust--to serve you truly and protect you to thelast! I can say no more. '

She trembled, looking from me to the door, on which some one had justbegun to knock loudly. That seemed to decide her. Her lips apart, hereyes full of excitement, she turned hastily to Fanchette. 

'Ay, go if you like, ' the woman answered doggedly, reading the meaningof her look. 'There cannot be a greater villain than the one we knowof. But once started, heaven help us, for if he overtakes us we'll paydearly for it!'

The girl did not speak herself, but it was enough. The noise at the doorincreased each second, and began to be mingled with angry appeals toFanchette to open, and with threats in case she delayed. I cut thematter short by snatching up one of the saddle-bags--the other we leftbehind--and flung back the curtain which covered the window. At the sametime the woman dashed out the light--a timely precaution--and throwingopen the casement I stepped on to the balcony, the others following meclosely. 

The moon had risen high, and flooding with light the small open spaceabout the house enabled me to see clearly all round the foot of theladder, to my surprise Fresnoy was not at his post, nor was he to beseen anywhere; but as, at the moment I observed this, an outcry away tomy left, at the rear of the chateau, came to my ears, and announcedthat the danger was no longer confined to the interior of the house, I concluded that he had gone that way to intercept the attack. Withoutmore, therefore, I began to descend as quickly as I could, my swordunder one arm and the bag under the other. 

I was half-way down, and mademoiselle was already stepping on to theladder to follow, when I heard footsteps below, and saw him run up, hissword in his hand. 

'Quick, Fresnoy!' I cried. 'To the horses and unfasten them! quick!'

I slid down the rest of the way, thinking he had gone to do my bidding. But my feet were scarcely on the ground when a tremendous blow in theside sent me staggering three paces from the ladder. The attack wasso sudden, so unexpected, that but for the sight of Fresnoy's scowlingface, wild with rage, at my shoulder, and the sound of his fiercebreathing as he strove to release his sword, which had passed through mysaddle-bag, I might never have known who struck the blow, or how narrowhad been my escape. 

Fortunately the knowledge did come to me in time, and before he freedhis blade; and it nerved my hand. To draw my-blade at such closequarters was impossible, but, dropping the bag which had saved my life, I dashed my hilt twice in his face with such violence that he fellbackwards and lay on the turf, a dark stain growing and spreading on hisupturned face. 

It was scarcely done before the women reached the foot of the ladder andstood beside me. 'Quick!' I cried to them, 'or they will be upon us. 'Seizing mademoiselle's hand, just as half-a-dozen men came running roundthe corner of the house, I jumped with her down the haha, and, urgingher to her utmost speed, dashed across the open ground which lay betweenus and the belt of trees. Once in the shelter of the latter, where ourmovements were hidden from view, I had still to free the horses andmount mademoiselle and her woman, and this in haste. But my companions'admirable coolness and presence of mind, and the objection which ourpursuers, who did not know our numbers, felt to leaving the open ground, enabled us to do all with, comparative ease. I sprang on the Cid (it hasalways been my habit to teach my horse to stand for me, nor do I knowany accomplishment more serviceable at a pinch), and giving Fresnoy'sgrey a cut over the flanks which despatched it ahead, led the way downthe ride by which I had gained the chateau in the afternoon. I knewit to be level and clear of trees, and the fact that we chose it mightthrow our pursuers off the track for a time, by leading them to think wehad taken the south road instead of that through the village. 

CHAPTER V. THE ROAD TO BLOIS. 

We gained the road without let or hindrance, whence a sharp burst in themoonlight soon brought us to the village. Through this we swept onto the inn, almost running over the four evangelists, whom we foundstanding at the door ready for the saddle. I bade them, in a quickperemptory tone, to get to horse, and was overjoyed to see them obeywithout demur or word of Fresnoy. In another minute, with a greatclatter of hoofs, we sprang clear of the hamlet, and were well on theroad to Melle, with Poitiers some thirteen leagues before us. I lookedback, and thought I discerned lights moving in the direction of thechateau; but the dawn was still two hours off, and the moonlight leftme in doubt whether these were real or the creatures of my own fearfulfancy. 

I remember, three years before this time, on the occasion of the famousretreat from Angers--when the Prince of Conde had involved his armybeyond the Loire, and saw himself, in the impossibility of recrossingthe river, compelled to take ship for England, leaving every one toshift for himself--I well remember on that occasion riding, alone andpistol in hand, through more than thirty miles of the enemy's countrywithout drawing rein. But my anxieties were then confined to the fourshoes of my horse. The dangers to which I was exposed at every ford andcross road were such as are inseparable from a campaign, and breed ingenerous hearts only a fierce pleasure, rarely to be otherwise enjoyed. And though I then rode warily, and where I could not carry terror, had all to fear myself, there was nothing secret or underhand in mybusiness. 

It was very different now. During the first few hours of our flight fromChize I experienced a painful excitement, an alarm, a feverish anxietyto get forward, which was new to me; which oppressed my spirits to thevery ground; which led me to take every sound borne to us on the windfor the sound of pursuit, transforming the clang of a hammer on theanvil into the ring of swords, and the voices of my own men into thoseof the pursuers. It was in vain mademoiselle rode with a free hand, andleaping such obstacles as lay in our way, gave promise of courage andendurance beyond my expectations. I could think of nothing but the threelong day's before us, with twenty-four hours to every day, and each hourfraught with a hundred chances of disaster and ruin. 

In fact, the longer I considered our position--and as we pounded along, now splashing through a founderous hollow, now stumbling as we woundover a stony shoulder, I had ample time to reflect upon it--the greaterseemed the difficulties before us. The loss of Fresnoy, while it freedme from some embarrassment, meant also the loss of a good sword, and wehad mustered only too few before. The country which lay between us andthe Loire, being the borderland between our party and the League, hadbeen laid desolate so often as to be abandoned to pillage and disorderof every kind. The peasants had flocked into the towns. Their placeshad been taken by bands of robbers and deserters from both parties, who haunted the ruined villages about Poitiers, and preyed upon all whodared to pass. To add to our perils, the royal army under the Duke ofNevers was reported to be moving slowly southward, not very far to theleft of our road; while a Huguenot expedition against Niort was also inprogress within a few leagues of us. 

With four staunch and trustworthy comrades at my back, I might havefaced even this situation with a smile and a light heart; but theknowledge that my four knaves might mutiny at any moment, or, worsestill, rid themselves of me and all restraint by a single treacherousblow such as Fresnoy had aimed at me, filled me with an ever-presentdread; which it taxed my utmost energies to hide from them, and which Istrove in vain to conceal from mademoiselle's keener vision. 

Whether it was this had an effect upon her, giving her a meaner opinionof me than that which I had for a while hoped she entertained, or thatshe began, now it was too late, to regret her flight and resent mypart in it, I scarcely know; but from daybreak onwards she assumed anattitude of cold suspicion towards me, which was only less unpleasantthan the scornful distance of her manner when she deigned, which wasseldom, to address me. 

Not once did she allow me to forget that I was in her eyes a needyadventurer, paid by her friends to escort her to a place of safety, butwithout any claim to the smallest privilege of intimacy or equality. When I would have adjusted her saddle, she bade her woman come and holdup her skirt, that my hands might not touch its hem even by accident. And when I would have brought wine to her at Melle, where we stayed fortwenty minutes, she called Fanchette to hand it to her. She rode forthe most part in her mask; and with her woman. One good effect only herpride and reserve had; they impressed our men with a strong sense ofher importance, and the danger to which any interference with her mightexpose them. 

The two men whom Fresnoy had enlisted I directed to ride a score ofpaces in advance. Luke and John I placed in the rear. In this mannerI thought to keep them somewhat apart. For myself, I proposed to rideabreast of mademoiselle, but she made it so clear that my neighbourhooddispleased her that I fell back, leaving her to ride with Fanchette; andcontented myself with plodding at their heels, and striving to attachthe later evangelists to my interests. 

We were so fortunate, despite my fears, as to find the road nearlydeserted--as, alas, was much of the country on either side--and to meetnone but small parties travelling along it; who were glad enough, seeingthe villainous looks of our outriders, to give us a wide berth, and bequit of us for the fright. We skirted Lusignan, shunning the streets, but passing near enough for me to point out to mademoiselle the site ofthe famous tower built, according to tradition, by the fairy Melusina, and rased thirteen years back by the Leaguers. She received myinformation so frigidly, however, that I offered no more, but fell backshrugging my shoulders, and rode in silence, until, some two hours afternoon, the city of Poitiers came into sight, lying within its circle ofwalls and towers on a low hill in the middle of a country clothed insummer with rich vineyards, but now brown and bare and cheerless to theeye. 

Fanchette turned and asked me abruptly if that were Poitiers. 

I answered that it was, but added that for certain reasons I proposednot to halt, but to lie at a village a league beyond the city, wherethere was a tolerable inn. 

'We shall do very well here, ' the woman answered rudely. 'Any way, mylady will go no farther. She is tired and cold, and wet besides, and hasgone far enough. '

'Still, ' I answered, nettled by the woman's familiarity, 'I thinkmademoiselle will change her mind when she hears my reasons for goingfarther. '

'Mademoiselle does not wish to hear them, sir, ' the lady repliedherself, and very sharply. 

'Nevertheless, I think you had better hear them, ' I persisted, turningto her respectfully. 'You see, mademoiselle--'

'I see only one thing, sir, ' she exclaimed, snatching off her mask anddisplaying a countenance beautiful indeed, but flushed for the momentwith anger and impatience, 'that, whatever betides, I stay at Poitiersto-night. '

'If it would content you to rest an hour?' I suggested gently. 

'It will not content me!' she rejoined with spirit. 'And let me tellyou, sir, ' she went on impetuously, 'once for all, that you take toomuch upon yourself. You are here to escort me, and to give orders tothese ragamuffins, for they are nothing better, with whom you havethought fit to disgrace our company; but not to give orders to me orto control my movements. Confine yourself for the future, sir, to yourduties, if you please. '

'I desire only to obey you, ' I answered, suppressing the angry feelingswhich rose in my breast, and speaking as coolly as lay in my power. 'But, as the first of my duties is to provide for your safety, I amdetermined to omit nothing which can conduce to that end. You have notconsidered that, if a party in pursuit of us reaches Poitiers to-night, search will be made for us in the city, and we shall be taken. If, onthe other hand, we are known to have passed through, the hunt may go nofarther; certainly will go no farther to-night. Therefore we must not, mademoiselle, ' I added firmly, 'lie in Poitiers to-night. '

'Sir, ' she exclaimed, looking at me, her face crimson with wonder andindignation, 'do you dare to--?'

'I dare do my duty, mademoiselle, ' I answered, plucking up a spirit, though my heart was sore. 'I am a man old enough to be your father, andwith little to lose, or I had not been here. I care nothing what youthink or what you say of me, provided I can do what I have undertakento do and place you safely in the hands of your friends. But enough, mademoiselle, we are at the gate. If you will permit me, I will ridethrough the streets beside you. We shall so attract less attention. '

Without waiting for a permission which she was very unlikely to give, I pushed my horse forward, and took my place beside her, signing toFanchette to fall back. The maid obeyed, speechless with indignation;while mademoiselle flashed a scathing glance at me and looked round inhelpless anger, as though it was in her mind to appeal against me evento the passers-by. But she thought better of it, and contenting herselfwith muttering the word 'Impertinent' put on her mask with fingers whichtrembled, I fancy, not a little. 

A small rain was falling and the afternoon was well advanced when weentered the town, but I noticed that, notwithstanding this, the streetspresented a busy and animated appearance, being full of knots of peopleengaged in earnest talk. A bell was tolling somewhere, and near thecathedral a crowd of no little size was standing, listening to a manwho seemed to be rending a placard or manifesto attached to the wall. Inanother place a soldier, wearing the crimson colours of the League, but splashed and stained as with recent travel, was holding forth toa breathless circle who seemed to hang upon his lips. A neighbouringcorner sheltered a handful of priests who whispered together with gloomyfaces. Many stared at us as we passed, and some would have spoken; but Irode steadily on, inviting no converse. Nevertheless at the north gate Igot a rare fright; for, though it wanted a full half-hour of sunset, the porter was in the act of closing it. Seeing us, he waited grumblinguntil we came up, and then muttered, in answer to my remonstrance, something about queer times and wilful people having their way. Itook little notice of what he said, however, being anxious only to getthrough the gate and leave as few traces of our passage as might be. 

As soon as we were outside the town I fell back, permitting Fanchette totake my place. For another league, a long and dreary one, we ploddedon in silence, horses and men alike jaded and sullen, and the womenscarcely able to keep their saddles for fatigue. At last, much to myrelief, seeing that I began to fear I had taxed mademoiselle's strengthtoo far, the long low buildings of the inn at which I proposed to staycame in sight, at the crossing of the road and river. The place lookedblank and cheerless, for the dusk was thickening; but as we trailed oneby one into the courtyard a stream of firelight burst on us from doorsand windows, and a dozen sounds of life and comfort greeted our ears. 

Noticing that mademoiselle was benumbed and cramped with long sitting, Iwould have helped her to dismount; but she fiercely rejected my aid, andI had to content myself with requesting the landlord to assign the bestaccommodation he had to the lady and her attendant, and secure as muchprivacy for them as possible. The man assented very civilly and said allshould be done; but I noticed that his eyes wandered while I talked, andthat he seemed to have something on his mind. When he returned, afterdisposing of them, it came out. 

'Did you ever happen to see him, sir?' he asked with a sigh; yet wasthere a smug air of pleasure mingled with his melancholy. 

'See whom?' I answered, staring at him, for neither of us had mentionedany one. 

'The Duke, sir. '

I stared again between wonder and suspicion. 'The Duke of Nevers is notin this part, is he?' I said slowly. 'I heard he was on the Brittanyborder, away to the westward. '

'Mon Dieu!' my host exclaimed, raising his hands in astonishment. 'Youhave not heard, sir?'

'I have heard nothing, ' I answered impatiently. 

'You have not heard, sir, that the most puissant and illustrious lordthe Duke of Guise is dead?'

'M. De Guise dead? It is not true!' I cried astonished. 

He nodded, however, several times with an air of great importance, andseemed as if he would have gone on to give me some particulars. But, remembering, as I fancied, that he spoke in the hearing of half-a-dozenguests who sat about the great fire behind me, and had both eyes andears open, he contented himself with shifting his towel to his other armand adding only, 'Yes, sir, dead as any nail. The news came through hereyesterday, and made a pretty stir. It happened at Blois the day but onebefore Christmas, if all be true. '

I was thunderstruck. This was news which might change the face ofFrance. 'How did it happen?' I asked. 

My host covered his mouth with his hand and coughed, and, privilytwitching my sleeve, gave me to understand with some shamefacednessthat he could not say more in public. I was about to make some excuse toretire with him, when a harsh voice, addressed apparently to me, causedme to turn sharply. I found at my elbow a tall thin-faced monk in thehabit of the Jacobin order. He had risen from his seat beside the fire, and seemed to be labouring under great excitement. 

'Who asked how it happened?' he cried, rolling his eyes in a kind offrenzy, while still observant, or I was much mistaken, of his listeners. Is there a man in France to whom the tale has not been told? Is there?'

'I will answer for one, ' I replied, regarding him with little favour. 'Ihave heard nothing. '

'Then you shall! Listen!' he exclaimed, raising his right hand andbrandishing it as though he denounced a person then present. 'Hear myaccusation, made in the name of Mother Church and the saints againstthe arch hypocrite, the perjurer and assassin sitting in high places! Heshall be Anathema Maranatha, for he has shed the blood of the holy andthe pure, the chosen of Heaven! He shall go down to the pit, and thatsoon. The blood that he has shed shall be required of him, and thatbefore he is one year older. '

'Tut-tut. All that sounds very fine, good father, ' I said, waxingimpatient, and a little scornful; for I saw that he was one of thosewandering and often crazy monks in whom the League found their mostuseful emissaries. 'But I should profit more by your gentle words, if Iknew whom you were cursing. '

'The man of blood!' he cried; 'through whom the last but not the leastof God's saints and martyrs entered into glory on the Friday beforeChristmas. '

Moved by such profanity, and judging him, notwithstanding theextravagance of his words and gestures, to be less mad than he seemed, and at least as much knave as fool, I bade him sternly have done withhis cursing, and proceed to his story if he had one. 

He glowered at me for a moment, as though he were minded to launchhis spiritual weapons at my head; but as I returned his glare with anunmoved eye--and my four rascals, who were as impatient as myself tolearn the news, and had scarce more reverence for a shaven crown, beganto murmur--he thought better of it, and cooling as suddenly as he hadflamed up, lost no more time in satisfying our curiosity. 

It would ill become me, however, to set down the extravagant and oftenblasphemous harangue in which, styling M. De Guise the martyr of God, hetold the story now so familiar--the story of that dark wintry morningat Blois, when the king's messenger, knocking early at the duke's door, bade him hurry, for the king wanted him. The story is trite enough now. When I heard it first in the inn on the Clain, it was all new and allmarvellous. 

The monk, too, telling the story as if he had seen the events with hisown eyes, omitted nothing which might impress his hearers. He told ushow the duke received warning after warning, and answered in the veryantechamber, 'He dare not!' How his blood, mysteriously advised ofcoming dissolution, grew chill, and his eye, wounded at Chateau Thierry, began to run, so that he had to send for the handkerchief he hadforgotten to bring. He told us, even, how the duke drew his assassins upand down the chamber, how he cried for mercy, and how he died at lastat the foot of the king's bed, and how the king, who had never dared toface him living, came and spurned him dead!

There were pale faces round the fire when he ceased, and bent browsand lips hard pressed together. Then he stood and cursed the King ofFrance--cursing him openly by the name of Henry of Valois, a thing Ihad never looked to hear in France--though no one said 'Amen, ' and allglanced over their shoulders, and our host pattered from the room as ifhe had seen a ghost, it seemed to be no man's duty to gainsay him. 

For myself, I was full of thoughts which it would have been unsafe toutter in that company or so near the Loire. I looked back sixteen years. Who but Henry of Guise had spurned the corpse of Coligny? And who butHenry of Valois had backed him in the act? Who but Henry of Guise haddrenched Paris with blood, and who but Henry of Valois had ridden byhis side? One 23rd of the month--a day never to be erased from France'sannals--had purchased for him a term of greatness. A second 23rd sawhim, pay the price--saw his ashes cast secretly and by night no manknows where!

Moved by such thoughts, and observing that the priest was going theround of the company collecting money for masses for the duke's soul, to which object I could neither give with a good conscience nor refusewithout exciting suspicion, I slipped out; and finding a man of decentappearance talking with the landlord in a small room beside the kitchen, I called for a flask of the best wine, and by means of that introductionobtained my supper in their company. 

The stranger was a Norman horsedealer, returning home, after disposingof his string. He seemed to be in a large way of business, and being ofa bluff, independent spirit, as many of those Norman townsmen are, wasinclined at first to treat me with more familiarity than respect; thefact of my nag, for which he would have chaffered, excelling my coatin quality, leading him to set me down as a steward or intendant. Thepursuit of his trade, however, had brought him into connection with allclasses of men and he quickly perceived his mistake; and as he knew theprovinces between the Seine and Loire to perfection, and made it part ofhis business to foresee the chances of peace and war, I obtained a greatamount of information from him, and indeed conceived no little likingfor him. He believed that the assassination of M. De Guise wouldalienate so much of France from the king that his majesty would havelittle left save the towns on the Loire, and some other places lyingwithin easy reach of his court at Blois. 

'But, ' I said, 'things seem quiet now. Here, for instance. '

'It is the calm before the storm, ' he answered. 'There is a monk inthere. Have you heard him?'

I nodded. 

'He is only one among a hundred--a thousand, ' the horsedealer continued, looking at me and nodding with meaning. He was a brown-haired man withshrewd grey eyes, such as many Normans have. 'They will get their waytoo, you will see, ' he went on. 'Well, horses will go up, so I have nocause to grumble; but, if I were on my way to Blois with women or gearof that kind, I should not choose this time for picking posies on theroad. I should see the inside of the gates as soon as possible. '

I thought there was much in what he said; and when he went on tomaintain that the king would find himself between the hammer and theanvil--between the League holding all the north and the Huguenotsholding all the south--and must needs in time come to terms with thelatter seeing that the former would rest content with nothing short ofhis deposition, I began to agree with him that we should shortly seegreat changes and very stirring times. 

'Still if they depose the king, ' I said, 'the King of Navarre mustsucceed him. He is the heir of France. '

'Bah!' my companion replied somewhat contemptuously. 'The League willsee to that. He goes with the other. '

'Then the kings are in one cry, and you are right, ' I said withconviction. 'They must unite. '

'So they will. It is only a question of time, ' he said. 

In the morning, having only one man with him, and, as I guessed, aconsiderable sum of money, he volunteered to join our party as far asBlois. I assented gladly, and he did so, this addition to our numbersridding me at once of the greater part of my fears. I did not expect anyopposition on the part of mademoiselle, who would gain in consequence aswell as in safety. Nor did she offer any. She was content, I think, to welcome any addition to our party which would save her from thenecessity of riding in the company of my old cloak. 

CHAPTER VI. MY MOTHER'S LODGING. 

Travelling by way of Chatelherault and Tours, we reached theneighbourhood of Blois a little after noon on the third day withoutmisadventure or any intimation of pursuit. The Norman proved himselfa cheerful companion on the road, as I already knew him to be a man ofsense and shrewdness while his presence rendered the task of keepingmy men in order an easy one. I began to consider the adventure aspractically achieved; and regarding Mademoiselle de la Vire as alreadyin effect transferred to the care of M. De Rosny, I ventured to turn mythoughts to the development of my own plans and the choice of a haven inwhich I might rest secure from the vengeance of M. De Turenne. 

For the moment I had evaded his pursuit, and, assisted by the confusioncaused everywhere by the death of Guise had succeeded in thwarting hisplans and affronting his authority with seeming ease. But I knew toomuch of his power and had heard too many instances of his fierce temperand resolute will to presume on short impunity or to expect the futurewith anything but diffidence and dismay. 

The exclamations of my companions on coming within sight of Bloisaroused me from these reflections. I joined them, and fully shared theiremotion as I gazed on the stately towers which had witnessed so manyroyal festivities, and, alas! one royal tragedy; which had shelteredLouis the Well-beloved and Francis the Great, and rung with the laughterof Diana of Poitiers and the second Henry. The play of fancy wreathedthe sombre building with a hundred memories grave and gay. But, thoughthe rich plain of the Loire still swelled upward as of old in gentlehomage at the feet of the gallant town, the shadow of crime seemed todarken all, and dim even the glories of the royal standard which hungidly in the air. 

We had heard so many reports of the fear and suspicion which reigned inthe city and of the strict supervision which was exercised over allwho entered--the king dreading a repetition of the day of theBarricades--that we halted at a little inn a mile short of the gateand broke up our company. I parted from my Norman friend with mutualexpressions of esteem, and from my own men, whom I had paid off in themorning, complimenting each of them with a handsome present, with afeeling of relief equally sincere. I hoped--but the hope was not fatedto be gratified--that I might never see the knaves again. 

It wanted less than an hour of sunset when I rode up to the gate, a fewpaces in front of mademoiselle and her woman; as if I had really beenthe intendant for whom the horse-dealer had mistaken me. We found theguardhouse lined with soldiers, who scanned us very narrowly as weapproached, and whose stern features and ordered weapons showed thatthey were not there for mere effect. The fact, however, that we camefrom Tours, a city still in the king's hands, served to allay suspicion, and we passed without accident. 

Once in the streets, and riding in single file between the houses, to the windows of which the townsfolk seemed to be attracted by theslightest commotion, so full of terror was the air, I experienced amoment of huge relief. This was Blois--Blois at last. We were within afew score yards of the Bleeding Heart. In a few minutes I should receivea quittance, and be free to think only of myself. 

Nor was my pleasure much lessened by the fact that I was so soon topart from Mademoiselle de la Vire. Frankly, I was far from liking her. Exposure to the air of a court had spoiled, it seemed to me, whatevergraces of disposition the young lady had ever possessed. She stillmaintained, and had maintained throughout the journey, the cold andsuspicious attitude assumed at starting; nor had she ever expressedthe least solicitude on my behalf, or the slightest sense that we wereincurring danger in her service. She had not scrupled constantly toprefer her whims to the common advantage, and even safety; while hersense of self-importance had come to be so great, that she seemed tohold herself exempt from the duty of thanking any human creature. Icould not deny that she was beautiful--indeed, I often thought, whenwatching her, of the day when I had seen her in the King of Navarre'santechamber in all the glory of her charms. But I felt none the lessthat I could turn my back on her--leaving her in safety--without regret;and be thankful that her path would never again cross mine. 

With such thoughts in my breast I turned the corner of the Rue deSt. Denys and came at once upon the Bleeding Heart, a small butdecent-looking hostelry situate near the end of the street and oppositea church. A bluff grey-haired man, who was standing in the doorway, cameforward as we halted, and looking curiously at mademoiselle asked what Ilacked; adding civilly that the house was full and they had no sleepingroom, the late events having drawn a great assemblage to Blois. 

'I want only an address, ' I answered, leaning from the saddle andspeaking in a low voice that I might not be overheard by the passers-by. 'The Baron de Rosny is in Blois, is he not?'

The man started at the name of the Huguenot leader, and looked round himnervously. But, seeing that no one was very near us, he answered: 'Hewas, sir; but he left town a week ago and more. 'There have been strangedoings here, and M. De Rosny thought that the climate suited him ill. '

He said this with so much meaning, as well as concern that he should notbe overheard, that, though I was taken aback and bitterly disappointed, I succeeded in restraining all exclamations and even show of feeling. After a pause of dismay, I asked whither M. De Rosny had gone. 

'To Rosny, ' was the answer. 

'And Rosny?'

'Is beyond Chartres, pretty well all the way to Mantes, ' the mananswered, stroking my horse's neck. 'Say thirty leagues. '

I turned my horse, and hurriedly communicated what he said tomademoiselle, who was waiting a few paces away. Unwelcome to me, thenews was still less welcome to her. Her chagrin and indignation knew nobounds. For a moment words failed her, but her flashing eyes said morethan her tongue as she cried to me: 'Well, sir, and what now? Is thisthe end of your fine promises? Where is your Rosny, if all be not alying invention of your own?'

Feeling that she had some excuse I suppressed my choler, and humblyrepeating that Rosny was at his house, two days farther on, and that Icould see nothing for it but to go to him, I asked the landlord where wecould find a lodging for the night. 

'Indeed, sir, that is more than I can say, ' he answered, lookingcuriously at us, and thinking, I doubt not, that with my shabby cloakand fine horse, and mademoiselle's mask and spattered riding-coat, we were an odd couple. 'There is not an inn which is not full to thegarrets--nay, and the stables; and, what is more, people are chary oftaking strangers in. These are strange times. They say, ' be continued ina lower tone, 'that the old queen is dying up there, and will not lastthe night. '

I nodded. 'We must go somewhere' I said. 

'I would help you if I could, ' he answered, shrugging his shoulders. 'But there it is! Blois is full from the tiles to the cellars. '

My horse shivered under me, and mademoiselle, whose patience was gone, cried harshly to me to do something. 'We cannot spend the night in thestreets, ' she said fiercely. 

I saw that she was worn out and scarcely mistress of herself. The lightwas falling, and with it some rain. The reek of the kennels and theclose air from the houses seemed to stifle us. The bell at the churchbehind us was jangling out vespers. A few people, attracted by thesight of our horses standing before the inn, had gathered round and werewatching us. 

Something I saw must be done, and done quickly. In despair, and seeingno other resort, I broached a proposal of which I had not hithertoeven dreamed. 'Mademoiselle, ' I said bluntly, 'I must take you to mymother's. '

'To your mother's, sir?' she cried, rousing herself. Her voice rang withhaughty surprise. 

'Yes, ' I replied brusquely; 'since, as you say, we cannot spend thenight in the streets, and I do not know where else I can dispose of you. From the last advices I had I believe her to have followed the courthither. My friend, ' I continued, turning to the landlord, 'do you knowby name a Madame de Bonne, who should be in Blois?'

'A Madame de Bonne!' he muttered, reflecting. 'I have heard the namelately. Wait a moment. ' Disappearing into the house, he returned almostimmediately, followed by a lanky pale-faced youth wearing a tatteredblack soutane. 'Yes, ' he said nodding, 'there is a worthy lady of thatname lodging in the next street, I am told. As it happens, this youngman lives in the same house, and will guide you, if you like. '

I assented, and, thanking him for his information, turned my horse andrequested the youth to lead the way. We had scarcely passed the cornerof the street, however, and entered one somewhat more narrow and lessfrequented, when mademoiselle, who was riding behind me, stopped andcalled to me. I drew rein, and, turning, asked what it was. 

'I am not coming, ' she said, her voice trembling slightly, but whetherwith alarm or anger I could not determine. 'I know nothing of you, andI--I demand to be taken to M. De Rosny. '

'If you cry that name aloud in the streets of Blois, mademoiselle, ' Iretorted, 'you are like enough to be taken whither you will not care togo! As for M. De Rosny, I have told you that he is not here. He has goneto his seat at Mantes. '

'Then take me to him!'

'At this hour of the night?' I said drily. 'It is two days' journey fromhere. '

'Then I will go to an inn, ' she replied sullenly. 

'You have heard that there is no room in the inns' I rejoined with whatpatience I could. 'And to go from inn to inn at this hour might lead usinto trouble. I can assure you that I am as much taken aback by M. DeRosny's absence as you are. For the present, we are close to my mother'slodging, and--'

'I know nothing of your mother!' she exclaimed passionately, her voiceraised. 'You have enticed me hither by false pretences, sir, and I willendure it no longer. I will--'

'What you will do, I do not know then, mademoiselle, ' I replied, quiteat my wits' end; for what with the rain and the darkness, the unknownstreets--in which our tarrying might at any moment collect a crowd--andthis stubborn girl's opposition, I knew not whither to turn. 'For mypart I can suggest nothing else. It does not become me to speak of mymother, ' I continued, 'or I might say that even Mademoiselle de la Vireneed not be ashamed to accept the hospitality of Madame de Bonne. Norare my mother's circumstances, ' I added proudly, 'though narrow, so meanas to deprive her of the privileges of her birth. '

My last words appeared to make some impression upon my companion. Sheturned and spoke to her woman, who replied in a low voice, tossing herhead the while and glaring at me in speechless indignation. Had therebeen anything else for it, they would doubtless have flouted my offerstill; but apparently Fanchette could suggest nothing, and presentlymademoiselle, with a sullen air, bade me lead on. 

Taking this for permission, the lanky youth in the black soutane, whohad remained at my bridle throughout the discussion, now listeningand now staring, nodded and resumed his way; and I followed. Afterproceeding a little more than fifty yards he stopped before amean-looking doorway, flanked by grated windows, and fronted by a loftywall which I took to be the back of some nobleman's garden. The streetat this point was unlighted, and little better than an alley; nor wasthe appearance of the house, which was narrow and ill-looking, thoughlofty, calculated, as far as I could make it out is the darkness, to allay mademoiselle's suspicions. Knowing, however, that people ofposition are often obliged in towns to lodge in poor houses, I thoughtnothing of this, and only strove to get mademoiselle dismounted asquickly as possible. The lad groped about and found two rings beside thedoor, and to these I tied up the horses. Then, bidding him lead the way, and begging mademoiselle to follow, I plunged into the darkness of thepassage and felt my way to the foot of the staircase, which was entirelyunlighted, and smelled close and unpleasant. 

'Which floor?' I asked my guide. 

'The fourth, ' he answered quietly. 

'Morbleu!' I muttered, as I began to ascend, my hand on the wall. 'Whatis the meaning of this?'

For I was perplexed. The revenues of Marsac, though small, should havekept; my mother, whom I had last seen in Paris before the Nemoursedict, in tolerable comfort--such modest comfort, at any rate, as couldscarcely be looked for in such a house as this--obscure, ill-tended, unlighted. To my perplexity was added, before I reached the top ofthe stairs, disquietude--disquietude on her account as well as onmademoiselle's. I felt that something was wrong, and would have givenmuch to recall the invitation I had pressed on the latter. 

What the young lady thought herself I could pretty well guess, as Ilistened to her hurried breathing at my shoulder. With every step Iexpected her to refuse to go farther. But, having once made up hermind, she followed me stubbornly, though the darkness was such thatinvoluntarily I loosened my dagger, and prepared to defend myself shouldthis turn out to be a trap. 

We reached the top, however, without accident. Our guide knocked softlyat a door and immediately opened it without waiting for an answer. Afeeble light shone out on the stair-head, and bending my head, for thelintel was low, I stepped into the room. 

I advanced two paces and stood looking about me in angry bewilderment. The bareness of extreme poverty marked everything on which my eyesrested. A cracked earthenware lamp smoked and sputtered on a stool inthe middle of the rotting floor. An old black cloak nailed to the wall, and flapping to and fro in the draught like some dead gallowsbird, hungin front of the unglazed window. A jar in a corner caught the drippingsfrom a hole in the roof. An iron pot and a second stool--the lattercasting a long shadow across the floor--stood beside the handful of woodashes, which smouldered on the hearth. And that was all the furniture Isaw, except a bed which filled the farther end of the long narrow room, and was curtained off so as to form a kind of miserable alcove. 

A glance sufficed to show me all this, and that the room was empty, or apparently empty. Yet I looked again and again, stupefied. At lastfinding my voice, I turned to the young man who had brought us hither, and with a fierce oath demanded of him what he meant. 

He shrank back behind the open door, and yet; answered with a kind ofsullen surprise that I had asked for Madame de Bonne's, and this was it. 

'Madame de Bonne's!' I muttered. 'This Madame de Bonne's!'

He nodded. 

'Of course it is! And you know it!' mademoiselle hissed in my ear, hervoice, as she interposed, hoarse with passion. 'Don't think that you candeceive us any longer. We know all! This, ' she continued, looking round, her cheeks scarlet, her eyes ablaze with scorn, 'is your mother's, is it! Your mother who has followed the court hither--whose means arenarrow, but not so small as to deprive her of the privileges of herrank! This is your mother's hospitality, is it? You are a cheat, sir!and a detected cheat! Let us begone! Let me go, sir, I say!'

Twice I had tried to stop the current of her words; but in vain. Nowwith anger which surpassed hers a hundredfold--for who, being a man, would hear himself misnamed before his mother?--I succeeded, 'Silence, mademoiselle!' I cried, my grasp on her wrist. 'Silence, I say! This ismy mother!'

And running forward to the bed, I fell on my knees beside it. A feeblehand had half withdrawn the curtain, and through the gap my mother'sstricken face looked out, a great fear stamped upon it. 

CHAPTER VII. SIMON FLEIX

For some minutes I forgot mademoiselle in paying those assiduousattentions to my mother which her state and my duty demanded; and whichI offered the more anxiously that I recognised, with a sinking heart, the changes which age and illness had made in her since my last visit. The shock of mademoiselle's words had thrown her into a syncope, fromwhich she did not recover for some time; and then rather through theassistance of our strange guide, who seemed well aware what to do, thanthrough my efforts. Anxious as I was to learn what had reduced herto such straits and such a place, this was not the time to satisfy mycuriosity, and I prepared myself instead for the task of effacing thepainful impression which mademoiselle's words had made on her mind. 

On first coming to herself she did not remember them, but, content tofind me by her side--for there is something so alchemic in a mother'slove that I doubt not my presence changed her garret to a palace--shespent herself in feeble caresses and broken words. Presently, however, her eye falling on mademoiselle and her maid, who remained standing bythe hearth, looking darkly at us from time to time, she recalled, firstthe shock which had prostrated her, and then its cause, and raisingherself on her elbow, looked about her wildly. 'Gaston!' she cried, clutching my hand with her thin fingers, 'what was it I heard? It was ofyou someone spoke--a woman! She called you--or did I dream it?--a cheat!You!'

'Madame, madame, ' I said, striving to speak carelessly, though thesight; of her grey hair, straggling and dishevelled, moved me strangely, 'was it; likely? Would anyone dare to use such expressions of me is yourpresence? You must indeed have dreamed it!'

The words, however, returning more and more vividly to her mind, shelooked at me very pitifully, and in great agitation laid her arm on myneck, as though she would shelter me with the puny strength which justenabled her to rise in bed. 'But someone, ' she muttered, her eyes on thestrangers, 'said it, Gaston? I heard it. What did it mean?'

'What you heard, madame, ' I answered, with an attempt at gaiety, thoughthe tears stood in my eyes, 'was, doubtless, mademoiselle here scoldingour guide from Tours, who demanded three times the proper POURBOIRE. Theimpudent rascal deserved all that was said to him, I assure you. '

'Was that it?' she murmured doubtfully. 

'That must have been what you heard, madame, ' I answered, as if I feltno doubt. 

She fell back with a sigh of relief, and a little colour came into herwan face. But her eyes still dwelt curiously, and with apprehension, onmademoiselle, who stood looking sullenly into the fire; and seeing thismy heart misgave me sorely that I had done a foolish thing in bringingthe girl there. I foresaw a hundred questions which would be asked, anda hundred complications which must ensue, and felt already the blush ofshame mounting to my cheek. 

'Who is that?' my mother asked softly. 'I am ill. She must excuse me. 'She pointed with her fragile finger to my companions. 

I rose, and still keeping her hand in mine, turned so as to face thehearth. 'This, madame, ' I answered formally, 'is Mademoiselle--, but hername I will commit to you later, and in private. Suffice it to say thatshe is a lady of rank, who has been committed to my charge by a highpersonage. '

'A high personage?' my mother repeated gently, glancing at me with asmile of gratification. 

'One of the highest, ' I said, 'Such a charge being a great honour to me, I felt that I could not better execute it madame, since we must lie inBlois one night, than by requesting your hospitality on her behalf. '

I dared mademoiselle as I spoke--I dared her with my eye to contradictor interrupt me. For answer, she looked at me once, inclining her head alittle, and gazing at us from under her long eyelashes. Then she turnedback to the fire, and her foot resumed its angry tapping on the floor. 

'I regret that I cannot receive her better, ' my mother answered feebly. 'I have had losses of late. I--but I will speak of that at another time. Mademoiselle doubtless knows, ' she continued with dignity, 'you and yourposition in the south too well to think ill of the momentary straits towhich she finds me reduced. '

I saw mademoiselle start, and I writhed under the glance of covertscorn, of amazed indignation, which she shot at me. But my mother gentlypatting my hand, I answered patiently, 'Mademoiselle will think onlywhat is kind, madame--of that I am assured. And lodgings are scarceto-night in Blois. '

'But tell me of yourself, Gaston, ' my mother cried eagerly; and I hadnot the heart, with her touch on my hand, her eyes on my face, to tearmyself away, much as I dreaded what was coming, and longed to end thescene. 'Tell me of yourself. You are still in favour with the king of--Iwill not name him here?'

'Still, madame, ' I answered, looking steadily at mademoiselle, though myface burned. 

'You are still--he consults you, Gaston?'

'Still, madame. '

My mother heaved a happy sigh, and sank lower in the bed. 'And youremployments?' she murmured, her voice trembling with gratification. 'They have not been reduced? You still retain them, Gaston?'

'Still, madame, ' I answered, the perspiration standing on my brow, myshame almost more than I could bear. 

'Twelve thousand livres a year, I think?'

'The same, madame. '

'And your establishment? How many do you keep now? Your valet, ofcourse? And lackeys--how many at present?' She glanced, with an eye ofpride, while she waited for my answer, first at the two silent figuresby the fire, then at the poverty-stricken room; as if the sight of itsbareness heightened for her the joy of my prosperity. 

She had no suspicion of my trouble, my misery, or that the last questionalmost filled the cup too full. Hitherto all had been easy, but thisseemed to choke me. I stammered and lost my voice. Mademoiselle, herhead bowed, was gazing into the fire. Fanchette was staring at me, herblack eyes round as saucers, her mouth half-open. 'Well, madame, 'I muttered at length, 'to tell you the truth, at present, you mustunderstand, I have been forced to--'

'What, Gaston?' Madame de Bonne half rose in bed. Her voice was sharpwith disappointment and apprehension; the grasp of her fingers on myhand grew closer. 

I could not resist that appeal. I flung away the last rag of shame. 'To reduce my establishment somewhat, ' I answered, looking a miserabledefiance at mademoiselle's averted figure. She had called me a liar anda cheat--here in the room! I must stand before her a liar and a cheatconfessed. 'I keep but three lackeys now, madame. '

Still it is creditable, ' my mother muttered thoughtfully, her eyesshining. 'Your dress, however, Gaston--only my eyes are weak--seems tome--'

'Tut, tut! It is but a disguise, ' I answered quickly. 

'I might have known that, ' she rejoined, sinking back with a smile anda sigh of content. 'But when I first saw you I was almost afraid thatsomething had happened to you. And I have been uneasy lately, ' shewent on, releasing my hand, and beginning to play with the coverlet, as though the remembrance troubled her. 'There was a man here a whileago--a friend of Simon Fleix there--who had been south to Pau and Nerac, and he said there was no M. De Marsac about the Court. '

'He probably knew less of the Court than the wine-tavern, ' I answeredwith a ghastly smile. 

'That was just what I told him, ' my mother responded quickly andeagerly. 'I warrant you I sent him away ill-satisfied. '

'Of course, ' I said; 'there will always be people of that kind. Butnow, if you will permit me, madame, I will make such arrangements formademoiselle as are necessary. '

Begging her accordingly to lie down and compose herself--for even soshort a conversation, following on the excitement of our arrival, had exhausted her to a painful degree--I took the youth, who had justreturned from stabling our horses, a little aside, and learning that helodged in a smaller chamber on the farther side of the landing, securedit for the use of mademoiselle and her woman. In spite of a certainexcitability which marked him at times, he seemed to be a quick, readyfellow, and he willingly undertook to go out, late as it was, andprocure some provisions and a few other things which were sadly needed, as well for my mother's comfort as for our own. I directed Fanchette toaid him in the preparation of the other chamber, and thus for a while Iwas left alone with mademoiselle. She had taken one of the stools, andsat cowering over the fire, the hood of her cloak drawn about her head;in such a manner that even when she looked at me, which she did fromtime to time, I saw little more than her eyes, bright with contemptuousanger. 

'So, sir, ' she presently began, speaking in a low voice, and turningslightly towards me, 'you practise lying even here?'

I felt so strongly the futility of denial or explanation that I shruggedmy shoulders and remained silent under the sneer. Two more days--twomore days would take us to Rosny, and my task would be done, andMademoiselle and I would part for good and all. What would it matterthen what she thought of me? What did it matter now?

For the first time in our intercourse my silence seemed to disconcertand displease her. 'Have you nothing to say for yourself?' she mutteredsharply, crushing a fragment of charcoal under her foot, and stoopingto peer at the ashes. 'Have you not another lie in your quiver, M. DeMarsac?' De Marsac!' And she repeated the title, with a scornful laugh, as if she put no faith in my claim to it. 

But I would answer nothing--nothing; and we remained silent untilFanchette, coming in to say that the chamber was ready, held the lightfor her mistress to pass out. I told the woman to come back and fetchmademoiselle's supper, and then, being left alone with my mother, whohad fallen asleep, with a smile on her thin, worn face, I began towonder what had happened to reduce her to such dire poverty. 

I feared to agitate her by referring to it; but later in the evening, when her curtains were drawn and Simon Fleix and I were left together, eyeing one another across the embers like dogs of different breeds--witha certain strangeness and suspicion--my thoughts recurred to thequestion; and determining first to learn something about my companion, whose pale, eager face and tattered, black dress gave him a certainindividuality, I asked him whether he had come from Paris with Madame deBonne. 

He nodded without speaking. 

I asked him if he had known her long. 

'Twelve months, ' he answered. 'I lodged on the fifth, madame on thesecond, floor of the same house in Paris. '

I leaned forward and plucked the hem of his black robe. 'What is this?'I said, with a little contempt. 'You are not a priest, man. '

'No, ' he answered, fingering the stuff himself, and gazing at me in acurious, vacant fashion. 'I am a student of the Sorbonne. '

I drew off from him with a muttered oath, wondering--while I looked athim with suspicious eyes--how he came to be here, and particularly howhe came to be in attendance on my mother, who had been educated fromchildhood in the Religion, and had professed it in private all her life. I could think of no one who, in old days, would have been less welcomein her house than a Sorbonnist, and began to fancy that here should liethe secret of her miserable condition. 

'You don't like, the Sorbonne?' he said, reading my thoughts; whichwere, indeed, plain enough. 

'No more than I love the devil!' I said bluntly. 

He leaned forward and, stretching out a thin, nervous hand, laid iton my knee. 'What if they are right, though?' he muttered, his voicehoarse. 'What if they are right, M. De Marsac?'

'Who right?' I asked roughly, drawing back afresh. 

'The Sorbonne. ' he repeated, his face red with excitement, his eyespeering uncannily into mine. 'Don't you see, ' he continued, pinchingmy knee in his earnestness, and thrusting his face nearer and nearerto mine, 'it all turns on that? It all turns on that--salvation ordamnation! Are they right? Are you right? You say yes to this, no tothat, you white-coats; and you say it lightly, but are you right? Areyou right? Mon Dieu!' he continued, drawing back abruptly and clawingthe air with impatience, 'I have read, read, read! I have listened tosermons, theses, disputations, and I know nothing. I know no more thanwhen I began. '

He sprang up and began to pace the floor, while I gazed at him with afeeling of pity. A very learned person once told me that the troubles ofthese times bred four kinds of men, who were much to be compassionated:fanatics on the one side or the other, who lost sight of all else in theintensity of their faith; men who, like Simon Fleix, sought desperatelyafter something to believe, and found it not; and lastly, scoffers, who, believing in nothing, looked on all religion as a mockery. 

He presently stopped walking--in his utmost excitement I remarked thathe never forgot my mother, but trod more lightly when he drew near thealcove--and spoke again. 'You are a Huguenot?' he said. 

'Yes, ' I replied. 

'So is she, ' he rejoined, pointing towards the bed. 'But do you feel nodoubts?'

'None, ' I said quietly. 

'Nor does she. ' he answered again, stopping opposite me. You made upyour mind--how?'

'I was born in the Religion, ' I said. 

'And you have never questioned it?'

'Never. '

'Nor thought much about it?'

'Not a great deal, ' I answered. 

'Saint Gris!' he exclaimed in a low tone. 'And do you never think ofhell-fire--of the worm which dieth not, and the fire which shall not bequenched? Do you never think of that, M. De Marsac?'

'No, my friend, never!' I answered, rising impatiently; for atthat hour, and in that silent, gloomy room I found his conversationdispiriting. 'I believe what I was taught to believe, and I strive tohurt no one but the enemy. I think little; and if I were you I wouldthink less. I would do something, man--fight, play, work, anything butthink! I leave that to clerks. '

'I am a clerk, ' he answered. 

'A poor one, it seems, ' I retorted, with a little scorn in my tone. 'Leave it, man. Work! Fight! Do something!'

'Fight?' he said, as if the idea were a novel one. 'Fight? But there, Imight be killed; and then hell-fire, you see!'

'Zounds, man!' I cried, out of patience with a folly which, to tell thetruth, the lamp burning low, and the rain pattering on the roof, madethe skin of my back feel cold and creepy. 'Enough of this! Keep yourdoubts and your fire to yourself! And answer me, ' I continued, sternly. 'How came Madame de Bonne so poor? How did she come down to this place?'

He sat down on his stool, the excitement dying quickly out of his face. 'She gave away all her money, ' he said slowly and reluctantly. It may beimagined that this answer surprised me. 'Gave it away?' I exclaimed. 'Towhom? And when?'

He moved uneasily on his seat and avoided my eye, his altered mannerfilling me with suspicions which the insight I had just obtained intohis character did not altogether preclude. At last he said, 'I hadnothing to do with it, if you mean that; nothing. On the contrary, Ihave done all I could to make it up to her. I followed her here. I swearthat is so, M. De Marsac. '

'You have not told me yet to whom she gave it, ' I said sternly. 

'She gave it, ' he muttered, 'to a priest. '

'To what priest?'

'I do not know his name. He is a Jacobin. '

'And why?' I asked, gazing incredulously at the student. 'Why didshe give it to him? Come, come! have a care. Let me have none of yourSorbonne inventions!'

He hesitated a moment, looking at me timidly, and then seemed to make uphis mind to tell me. 'He found out--it was when we lived in Paris, youunderstand, last June--that she was a Huguenot. It was about the timethey burned the Foucards, and he frightened her with that, and made herpay him money, a little at first, and then more and more, to keep hersecret. When the king came to Blois she followed his Majesty, thinkingto be safer here; but the priest came too, and got more money, and more, until he left her--this. '

'This!' I said. And I set my teeth together. 

Simon Fleix nodded. 

I looked round the wretched garret to which my mother had been reduced, and pictured the days and hours of fear and suspense through which shehad lived; through which she must have lived, with that caitiff's threathanging over her grey head! I thought of her birth and her humiliation;of her frail form and patient, undying love for me; and solemnly, andbefore heaven, I swore that night to punish the man. My anger was toogreat for words, and for tears I was too old. I asked Simon Fleix nomore questions, save when the priest might be looked for again--whichhe could not tell me--and whether he would know him again--to which heanswered, 'Yes. ' But, wrapping myself in my cloak, I lay down by thefire and pondered long and sadly. 

So, while I had been pinching there, my mother had been starving here. She had deceived me, and I her. The lamp flickered, throwing uncertainshadows as the draught tossed the strange window-curtain to and fro. The leakage from the roof fell drop by drop, and now and again the windshook the crazy building, as though it would lift it up bodily and carryit away. 

CHAPTER VIII. AN EMPTY ROOM. 

Desiring to start as early as possible, that we might reach Rosny on thesecond evening, I roused Simon Fleix before it was light, and learningfrom him where the horses were stabled, went out to attend to them;preferring to do this myself, that I might have an opportunity ofseeking out a tailor, and providing myself with clothes better suited tomy rank than those to which I had been reduced of late. I found that Istill had ninety crowns left of the sum which the King of Navarre hadgiven me, and twelve of these I laid out on a doublet of black clothwith russet points and ribands, a dark cloak lined with the samesober colour, and a new cap and feather. The tradesman would fain haveprovided me with a new scabbard also, seeing my old one was worn-out atthe heel; but this I declined, having a fancy to go with my point bareuntil I should have punished the scoundrel who had made my mother'sfailing days a misery to her; a business which, the King of Navarre'sonce done, I promised myself to pursue with energy and at all costs. 

The choice of my clothes, and a few alterations which it was necessaryto make in them, detained me some time, so that it was later than Icould have wished when I turned my face towards the house again, benton getting my party to horse as speedily as possible. The morning, I remember, was bright, frosty, and cold; the kennels were dry, thestreets comparatively clean. Here and there a ray of early sunshine, darting between the overhanging eaves, gave promise of glorioustravelling-weather. But the faces, I remarked in my walk, did notreflect the surrounding cheerfulness. Moody looks met me everywhere andon every side; and while courier after courier galloped by me bound forthe castle, the townsfolk stood aloof is doorways listless and inactive, or, gathering in groups in corners, talked what I took to be treasonunder the breath. The queen-mother still lived, but Orleans hadrevolted, and Sens and Mans, Chartres and Melun. Rouen was said to bewavering, Lyons in arms, while Paris had deposed her king, and cursedhim daily from a hundred altars. In fine, the great rebellion whichfollowed the death of Guise, and lasted so many years, was already inprogress; so that on this first day of the new year the king's writscarce ran farther than he could see, peering anxiously out from thetowers above my head. 

Reaching the house, I climbed the long staircase hastily, abusing itsdarkness and foulness, and planning as I went how my mother might mosteasily and quickly be moved to a better lodging. Gaining the top of thelast flight, I saw that mademoiselle's door on the left of the landingwas open, and concluding from this that she was up, and ready to start, I entered my mother's room with a brisk step and spirits reinforced bythe crisp morning air. 

But on the threshold I stopped, and stood silent and amazed. At first Ithought the room was empty. Then, at a second glance, I saw the student. He was on his knees beside the bed in the alcove, from which the curtainhad been partially dragged away. The curtain before the window had beentorn down also, and the cold light of day, pouring in on the unsightlybareness of the room, struck a chill to my heart. A stool lay overturnedby the fire, and above it a grey cat, which I had not hitherto noticed, crouched on a beam and eyed me with stealthy fierceness. Mademoisellewas not to be seen, nor was Fanchette, and Simon Fleix did not hear me. He was doing something at the bed--for my mother it seemed. 

'What is it, man?' I cried softly, advancing on tiptoe to the bedside. 'Where are the others?'

The student looked round and saw me. His face was pale and gloomy. Hiseyes burned, and yet there were tears in them, and on his cheeks. He didnot speak, but the chilliness, the bareness, the emptiness of the roomspoke for him, and my heart sank. 

I took him by the shoulders. 'Find your tongue, man!' I said angrily. 'Where are they?'

He rose from his knees and stood staring at me. 'They are gone!' he saidstupidly. 

'Gone?' I exclaimed. 'Impossible! When? Whither?'

'Half an hour ago. Whither--I do not know. '

Confounded and amazed, I glared at him between fear and rage. 'You donot know?' I cried. 'They are gone, and you do not know?'

He turned suddenly on me and gripped my arm. 'No, I do not know! I donot know!' he cried, with a complete change of manner and in a toneof fierce excitement. 'Only, may the fiend go with them! But I do knowthis. I know this, M. De Marsac, with whom they went, these friends ofyours! A fop came, a dolt, a fine spark, and gave them fine words andfine speeches and a gold token, and, hey presto! they went, and forgotyou!'

'What!' I cried, beginning to understand, and snatching fiercely at theone clue in his speech. 'A gold token? They have been decoyed away then!There is no time to be lost. I must follow. '

'No, for that is not all!' he replied, interrupting me sternly, whilehis grasp on my arm grew tighter and his eyes flashed as they lookedinto mine. 'You have not heard all. They have gone with one who calledyou an impostor, and a thief, and a beggar, and that to your mother'sface--and killed her! Killed her as surely as if he had taken a sword toher, M. De Marsac! Will you, after that, leave her for them?'

He spoke plainly. And yet, God forgive me, it was some time before Iunderstood him: before I took in the meaning of his words, or couldtransfer my thoughts from the absent to my mother lying on the bedbefore me. When I did do so, and turned to her, and saw her still faceand thin hair straggling over the coarse pillow, then, indeed, the sightovercame me. I thought no more of others--for I thought her dead; andwith a great and bitter cry I fell on my knees beside her and hid myface. What, after all, was this headstrong girl to me? What were evenkings and king's commissions to me beside her--beside the one humanbeing who loved me still, the one being of my blood and name left, theone ever-patient, ever-constant heart which for years had beaten onlyfor me? For a while, for a few moments, I was worthy of her; for Iforgot all others. 

Simon Fleix roused me at last from my stupor, making me understand thatshe was not dead, but in a deep swoon, the result of the shock she hadundergone. A leech, for whom he had despatched a neighbour, came in as Irose, and taking my place, presently restored her to consciousness. Buther extreme feebleness warned me not to hope for more than a temporaryrecovery; nor had I sat by her long before I discerned that this lastblow, following on so many fears and privations, had reached a vitalpart, and that she was even now dying. 

She lay for a while with her hand in mine and her eyes closed, but aboutnoon, the student, contriving to give her some broth, she revived, and, recognising me, lay for more than an hour gazing at me with unspeakablecontent and satisfaction. At the end of that time, and when I thoughtshe was past speaking, she signed to me to bend over her, and whisperedsomething, which at first I could not catch. Presently I made it out tobe, 'She is gone--The girl you brought?'

Much troubled, I answered yes, begging her not to think about thematter. I need not have feared, however, for when she spoke again shedid so without emotion, and rather as one seeing clearly somethingbefore her. 

'When you find her, Gaston, ' she murmured, 'do not be angry with her. Itwas not her fault. She--he deceived her. See!'

I followed the direction rather of her eyes than her hand, and foundbeneath the pillow a length of gold chain. 'She left that?' I murmured, a strange tumult of emotions in my breast. 

'She laid it there, ' my mother whispered. 'And she would have stoppedhim saying what he did'--a shudder ran through my mother's frame at theremembrance of the man's words, though her eyes still gazed into minewith faith and confidence--'she would have stopped him, but she couldnot, Gaston. And then he hurried her away. '

'He showed her a token, madame, did he not?' I could not for my liferepress the question, so much seemed to turn on the point. 

'A bit of gold, ' my mother whispered, smiling faintly. 'Now let mesleep. ' And, clinging always to my hand, she closed her eyes. 

The student came back soon afterwards with some comforts for which I haddespatched him, and we sat by her until the evening fell, and far intothe night. It was a relief to me to learn from the leech that she hadbeen ailing for some time, and that in any case the end must havecome soon. She suffered no pain and felt no fears, but meeting myeyes whenever she opened her own, or came out of the drowsiness whichpossessed her, thanked God, I think, and was content. As for me, Iremember that room became, for the time, the world. Its stillnessswallowed up all the tumults which filled the cities of France, andits one interest the coming and going of a feeble breath--eclipsed theambitions and hopes of a lifetime. 

Before it grew light Simon Fleix stole out to attend to the horses. Whenhe returned he came to me and whispered in my ear that he had somethingto tell me; and my mother lying in a quiet sleep at the time, Idisengaged my hand, and, rising softly, went with him to the hearth. 

Instead of speaking, he held his fist before me and suddenly unclosedthe fingers. 'Do you know it?' he said, glancing at me abruptly. 

I took what he held, and looking at it, nodded. It was a knot of velvetof a peculiar dark red colour, and had formed, as I knew the moment Iset eyes on it, part of the fastening of mademoiselle's mask. 'Wheredid you find it?' I muttered, supposing that he had picked it up on thestairs. 

'Look at it!' he answered impatiently. 'You have not looked. '

I turned it over, and then saw something which had escaped me atfirst--that the wider part of the velvet was disfigured by a fantasticstitching, done very roughly and rudely with a thread of white silk. The stitches formed letters, the letters words. With a start I read, 'AMOI!' and saw in a corner, in smaller stitches, the initials 'C. D. L. V. '

I looked eagerly at the student. 'Where did you find this?' I said. 

'I picked it up in the street, ' he answered quietly, 'not three hundredpaces from here. '

I thought a moment. 'In the gutter, or near the wall?' I asked. 

'Near the wall, to be sure. '

'Under a window?'

'Precisely, ' he said. 'You may be easy; I am not a fool. I marked theplace, M. De Marsac, and shall not forget it. '

Even the sorrow and solicitude I felt on my mother's behalf--feelingswhich had seemed a minute before to secure me against all other cares oranxieties whatever--were not proof against this discovery. For I foundmyself placed in a strait so cruel I must suffer either way. On theone hand, I could not leave my mother; I were a heartless ingrate to dothat. On the other, I could not, without grievous pain, stand still andinactive while Mademoiselle de la Vire, whom I had sworn to protect, andwho was now suffering through my laches and mischance, appealed to mefor help. For I could not doubt that this was what the bow of velvetmeant; still less that it was intended for me, since few save myselfwould be likely to recognise it, and she would naturally expect me tomake some attempt at pursuit. 

And I could not think little of the sign. Remembering mademoiselle'sproud and fearless spirit, and the light in which she had alwaysregarded me, I augured the worst from it. I felt assured that noimaginary danger and no emergency save the last would have induced herto stoop so low; and this consideration, taken with the fear I feltthat she had fallen into the hands of Fresnoy, whom I believed to bethe person who had robbed me of the gold coin, filled me with a horribledoubt which way my duty lay. I was pulled, as it were, both ways. I feltmy honour engaged both to go and to stay, and while my hand went to myhilt, and my feet trembled to be gone, my eyes sought my mother, and myears listened for her gentle breathing. 

Perplexed and distracted, I looked at the student, and he at me. 'Yousaw the man who took her away, ' I muttered. Hitherto, in my absorptionon my mother's account, I had put few questions, and let the matter passas though it moved me little and concerned me less. 'What was he like?Was he a big, bloated man, Simon, with his head bandaged, or perhaps awound on his face?'

'The gentleman who went away with mademoiselle, do you mean?' he asked. 

'Yes, yes, gentleman if you like!'

'Not at all, ' the student answered. 'He was a tall young gallant, verygaily dressed, dark-haired, and with a rich complexion, I heard him tellher that he came from a friend of hers too high to be named in publicor in Blois. He added that he brought a token from him; and whenmademoiselle mentioned you--she had just entered madame's room with herwoman when he appeared--'

'He had watched me out, of course. '

'Just so. Well, when she mentioned you, he swore you were an adventurer, and a beggarly impostor, and what not, and bade her say whether shethought it likely that her friend would have entrusted such a mission tosuch a man. '

'And then she went with him?'

The student nodded. 

'Readily? Of her own free-will?'

'Certainly, ' he answered. 'It seemed so to me. She tried to prevent himspeaking before your mother, but that was all. '

On the impulse of the moment I took a step towards the door;recollecting my position, I turned back with a groan. Almost besidemyself, and longing for any vent for my feelings, I caught the lad bythe shoulder, where he stood on the hearth, and shook him to and fro. 

'Tell me, man, what am I to do?' I said between my teeth. 'Speak! think!invent something!'

But he shook his head. 

I let him go with a muttered oath, and sat down on a stool by the bedand took my head between my hands. At that very moment, however, reliefcame--came from an unexpected quarter. The door opened and the leechentered. He was a skilful man, and, though much employed about theCourt, a Huguenot--a fact which had emboldened Simon Fleix to apply tohim through the landlord of the 'Bleeding Heart, ' the secret rendezvousof the Religion in Blois. When he had made his examination he was forleaving, being a grave and silent man, and full of business, but at thedoor I stopped him. 

'Well, sir?' I said in a low tone, my hand on his cloak. 

'She has rallied, and may live three days, ' he answered quietly. 'Four, it may be, and as many more as God wills. '

Pressing two crowns into his hand, I begged him to call daily, which hepromised to do; and then he went. My mother was still dozing peacefully, and I turned to Simon Fleix, my doubts resolved and my mind made up. 

'Listen, ' I said, 'and answer me shortly. We cannot both leave; that iscertain. Yet I must go, and at once, to the place where you found thevelvet knot. Do you describe the spot exactly, so that I may find it, and make no mistake. '

He nodded, and after a moment's reflection answered, 'You know the Rue St. Denys, M. De Marsac? Well, go down it, keeping the"Bleeding Heart" on your left. Take the second turning on the same sideafter passing the inn. The third house from the corner, on the leftagain, consists of a gateway leading to the Hospital of the Holy Cross. Above the gateway are two windows in the lower story, and above themtwo more. The knot lay below the first window you come to. Do youunderstand?'

'Perfectly, ' I said. 'It is something to be a clerk, Simon. '

He looked at me thoughtfully, but added nothing; and I was busytightening my sword-hilt, and disposing my cloak about the lower partof my face. When I had arranged this to my satisfaction, I took outand counted over the sum of thirty-five crowns, which I gave to him, impressing on him the necessity of staying beside my mother should I notreturn; for though I proposed to reconnoitre only, and learn if possiblewhether mademoiselle was still in Blois, the future was uncertain, andwhereas I was known to my enemies, they were strangers to me. 

Having enjoined this duty upon him, I bade my mother a silent farewell, and, leaving the room, went slowly down the stairs, the picture of herworn and patient face going with me, and seeming, I remember, to hallowthe purpose I had in my mind. 

The clocks were striking the hour before noon as I stepped from thedoorway, and, standing a moment in the lane, looked this way and thatfor any sign of espionage. I could detect none, however. The lane wasdeserted; and feeling assured that any attempt to mislead my opponents, who probably knew Blois better than I did, must fail, I made none, butdeliberately took my way towards the 'Bleeding Heart, ' in the Rue St. Denys. The streets presented the same appearance of gloomy suspensewhich I had noticed on the previous day. The same groups stood about inthe same corners, the same suspicious glances met me in common withall other strangers who showed themselves; the same listless inactioncharacterised the townsfolk, the same anxious hurry those who came andwent with news. I saw that even here, under the walls of the palace, thebonds of law and order were strained almost to bursting, and judged thatif there ever was a time in France when right counted for little, andthe strong hand for much, it was this. Such a state of things was notunfavourable to my present design, and caring little for suspiciouslooks, I went resolutely on my way. 

I had no difficulty in finding the gateway of which Simon had spoken, or in identifying the window beneath which he had picked up the velvetknot. An alley opening almost opposite, I took advantage of this toexamine the house at my leisure, and remarked at once, that whereas thelower window was guarded only by strong shutters, now open, that in thestory above was heavily barred. Naturally I concentrated my attentionon the latter. The house, an old building of stone, seemed sufficientlyreputable, nor could I discern anything about it which would havearoused my distrust had the knot been found elsewhere. It bore the armsof a religious brotherhood, and had probably at one time formed theprincipal entrance to the hospital, which still stood behind it, but ithad now come, as I judged, to be used as a dwelling of the better class. Whether the two floors were separately inhabited or not I failed todecide. 

After watching it for some time without seeing anyone pass in or out, oranything occurring to enlighten me one way or the other, I resolved toventure in, the street being quiet and the house giving no sign of beingstrongly garrisoned. The entrance lay under the archway, through a dooron the right side. I judged from what I saw that the porter was probablyabsent, busying himself with his gossips in matters of State. 

And this proved to be the case, for when I had made the passage of thestreet with success, and slipped quietly in through the half-open door, I found only his staff and charcoal-pan there to represent him. A singlelook satisfied me on that point; forthwith, without hesitation, Iturned to the stairs and began to mount, assured that if I would effectanything single-handed I must trust to audacity and surprise rather thanto caution or forethought. 

The staircase was poorly lighted by loopholes looking towards the rear, but it was clean and well-kept. Silence, broken only by the sound of myfootsteps, prevailed throughout the house, and all seemed so regularand decent and orderly that the higher I rose the lower fell my hopesof success. Still, I held resolutely on until I reached the second floorand stood before a closed door. The moment had come to put all to thetouch. I listened for a few seconds but hearing nothing, cautiouslylifted the latch. Somewhat to my surprise the door yielded to my hand, and I entered. 

A high settle stood inside, interrupting my view of the room, whichseemed to be spacious and full of rich stuffs and furniture, but lowin the roof, and somewhat dimly lighted by two windows rather wide thanhigh. The warm glow of a fire shone on the woodwork of the ceiling, and as I softly closed the door a log on the hearth gave way, with acrackling of sparks, which pleasantly broke the luxurious silence. Thenext moment a low, sweet voice asked, 'Alphonse, is that you?'

I walked round the settle and came face to face with a beautiful womanreclining on a couch. On hearing the door open she had raised herself onher elbow. Now, seeing a stranger before her, she sprang up with a lowcry, and stood gazing at me, her face expressing both astonishment andanger. She was of middling height, her features regular though somewhatchildlike, her complexion singularly fair. A profusion of golden hairhung in disorder about her neck, and matched the deep blue of her eyes, wherein it seemed to me, there lurked more spirit and fire than thegeneral cast of her features led one to expect. 

After a moment's silence, during which she scanned me from head to footwith great haughtiness--and I her with curiosity and wonder--she spoke. 'Sir!' she said slowly, 'to what am I to attribute this--visit?'

For the moment I was so taken aback by her appearance and extraordinarybeauty, as well as by the absence of any sign of those I sought, that Icould not gather my thoughts to reply, but stood looking vaguely at her. I had expected, when I entered the room, something so different fromthis!

'Well, sir?' she said again, speaking sharply, and tapping her foot onthe floor. 

'This visit, madame?' I stammered. 

'Call it intrusion, sir, if you please!' she cried imperiously. 'Onlyexplain it, or begone. '

'I crave leave to do both, madame, ' I answered, collecting myself by aneffort. 'I ascended these stairs and opened your door in error--that isthe simple fact--hoping to find a friend of mine here. I was mistaken, it seems, and it only remains for me to withdraw, offering at the sametime the humblest apologies, ' And as I spoke I bowed low and prepared toretire. 

'One moment, sir!' she said quickly, and in an altered tone. 'You are, perhaps, a friend of M. De Bruhl--of my husband. In that case, if youdesire to leave any message I will--I shall be glad to deliver it. '

She looked so charming that, despite the tumult of my feelings, I couldnot but regard her with admiration. 'Alas! madame, I cannot pleadthat excuse, ' I answered. 'I regret that I have not the honour of hisacquaintance. '

She eyed me with some surprise. 'Yet still, sir, ' she answered, smilinga little, and toying with a gold brooch which clasped her habit, 'youmust have had some ground, some reason, for supposing you would find afriend here?'

'True, madame, ' I answered, 'but I was mistaken. '

I saw her colour suddenly. With a smile and a faint twinkle of the eyeshe said, 'It is not possible, sir, I suppose--you have not come here, I mean, out of any reason connected with a--a knot of velvet, forinstance?'

I started, and involuntarily advanced a step towards her. 'A knot ofvelvet!' I exclaimed, with emotion. 'Mon Dieu! Then I was not mistaken!I have come to the right house, and you--you know something of this!Madame, ' I continued impulsively, 'that knot of velvet? Tell me what itmeans, I implore you!'

She seemed alarmed by my violence, retreating a step or two, and lookingat me haughtily, yet with a kind of shame-facedness. 'Believe me, itmeans nothing, ' she said hurriedly. 'I beg you to understand that, sir. It was a foolish jest. '

'A jest?' I said. 'It fell from this window. '

'It was a jest, sir, ' she answered stubbornly. But I could see that, with all her pride, she was alarmed; her face was troubled, and therewere tears in her eyes. And this rendered me under the circumstancesonly the more persistent. 

'I have the velvet here, madame, ' I said. 'You must tell me more aboutit. '

She looked at me with a weightier impulse of anger than she had yetexhibited. 'I do not think you know to whom you are speaking, ' she said, breathing fast. 'Leave the room, sir, and at once! I have told you itwas a jest. If you are a gentleman you will believe me, and go. ' And shepointed to the door. 

But I held my ground, with an obstinate determination to pierce themystery. 'I am a gentleman, madame, ' I said, 'and yet I must know more. Until I know more I cannot go. '

'Oh, this is insufferable!' she cried, looking round as if for a way ofescape; but I was between her and the only door. 'This is unbearable!The knot was never intended for you, sir. And what is more, if M. DeBruhl comes and finds you here, you will repent it bitterly. '

I saw that she was at least as much concerned on her own account as onmine, and thought myself justified under the circumstances in takingadvantage of her fears. I deliberately laid my cap on the table whichstood beside me. 'I will go madame, ' I said, looking at her fixedly, 'when I know all that you know about this knot I hold, and not before. If you are unwilling to tell me, I must wait for M. De Bruhl, and askhim. '

She cried out 'Insolent!' and looked at me as if in her rage and dismayshe would gladly have killed me; being, I could see, a passionate woman. But I held my ground, and after a moment she spoke. 'What do you want toknow?' she said, frowning darkly. 

'This knot--how did it come to lie in the street below your window? Iwant to know that first. '

'I dropped it, ' she answered sullenly. 

'Why?' I said. 

'Because--' And then she stopped and looked at me, and then again lookeddown, her face crimson. 'Because, if you must know, ' she continuedhurriedly, tracing a pattern on the table with her finger, 'I saw itbore the words "A MOI. " I have been married only two months, and Ithought my husband might find it--and bring it to me. It was a sillyfancy. '

'But where did you get it?' I asked, and I stared at her in growingwonder and perplexity. For the more questions I put, the further, itseemed to me, I strayed from my object. 

'I picked it up in the Ruelle d'Arcy, ' she answered, tapping her footon the floor resentfully. 'It was the silly thing put it into my headto--to do what I did. And now, have you any more questions, sir?'

'One only, ' I said, seeing it all clearly enough. 'Will you tell me, please, exactly where you found it?'

'I have told you. In the Ruelle d'Arcy, ten paces from the Rue deValois. Now, sir, will you go?'

'One word, madame. Did--'

But she cried, 'Go, sir, go! go!' so violently, that after making onemore attempt to express my thanks, I thought it better to obey her. Ihad learned all she knew; I had solved the puzzle. But, solving it, I found myself no nearer to the end I had in view, no nearer tomademoiselle. I closed the door with a silent bow, and began to descendthe stairs, my mind full of anxious doubts and calculations. The velvetknot was the only clue I possessed, but was I right; in placing anydependence on it? I knew now that, wherever it had originally lain, ithad been removed once. If once, why not twice? why not three times?

CHAPTER IX. THE HOUSE IN THE RUELLE D'ARCY. 

I had not gone down half a dozen steps before I heard a man enter thestaircase from the street, and begin to ascend. It struck me at oncethat this might be M. De Bruhl; and I realised that I had not leftmadame's apartment a moment too soon. The last thing I desired, having so much on my hands, was to embroil myself with a stranger, andaccordingly I quickened my pace, hoping to meet him so near the footof the stairs as to leave him in doubt whether I had been visiting theupper or lower part of the house. The staircase was dark, however, andbeing familiar with it, he had the advantage over me. He came leaping uptwo steps at a time, and turning the angle abruptly, surprised me beforeI was clear of the upper flight. 

On seeing me, he stopped short and stared; thinking at first, I fancy, that he ought to recognise me. When he did not, he stood back a pace. 'Umph!' he said. 'Have you been--have you any message for me, sir?'

'No, ' I said, 'I have not. '

He frowned. 'I am M. De Bruhl, ' he said. 

'Indeed?' I muttered, not knowing what else to say. 

'You have been--'

'Up your stairs, sir? Yes. In error, ' I answered bluntly. 

He gave a kind of grunt at that, and stood aside, incredulous anddissatisfied, yet uncertain how to proceed. I met his black looks witha steady countenance, and passed by him, becoming aware, however, as Iwent on down the stairs that he had turned and was looking after me. Hewas a tall, handsome man, dark, and somewhat ruddy of complexion, andwas dressed in the extreme of Court fashion, in a suit of myrtle-greentrimmed with sable. He carried also a cloak lined with the same on hisarm. Beyond looking back when I reached the street, to see that he didnot follow me, I thought no more of him. But we were to meet again, andoften. Nay, had I then known all that was to be known I would have goneback and--But of that in another place. 

The Rue de Valois, to which a tradesman, who was peering cautiously outof his shop, directed me, proved to be one of the main streets ofthe city, narrow and dirty, and darkened by overhanging eaves andsignboards, but full of noise and bustle. One end of it opened on thePARVIS of the Cathedral; the other and quieter end appeared to abut onthe west gate of the town. Feeling the importance of avoiding notice inthe neighbourhood of the house I sought, I strolled into the open spacein front of the Cathedral, and accosting two men who stood talkingthere, learned that the Ruelle d'Arcy was the third lane on the rightof the Rue de Valois, and some little distance along it. Armed with thisinformation I left them, and with my head bent down, and my cloak drawnabout the lower part of my face, as if I felt the east wind, I proceededdown the street until I reached the opening of the lane. Without lookingup I turned briskly into it. 

When I had gone ten paces past the turning, however, I stopped and, gazing about me, began to take in my surroundings as fast as I could. The lane, which seemed little frequented, was eight or nine feet wide, unpaved, and full of ruts. The high blank wall of a garden rose on oneside of it, on the other the still higher wall of a house; and bothwere completely devoid of windows, a feature which I recognised with theutmost dismay. For it completely upset all my calculations. In vainI measured with my eye the ten paces I had come; in vain I looked up, looked this way and that. I was nonplussed. No window opened on the laneat that point, nor, indeed, throughout its length. For it was bounded tothe end, as far as I could see, by dead-walls as of gardens. 

Recognising, with a sinking heart, what this meant, I saw in a momentthat all the hopes I had raised on Simon Fleix's discovery werebaseless. Mademoiselle had dropped the velvet bow, no doubt, but notfrom a window. It was still a clue, but one so slight and vague as to bevirtually useless, proving only that she was in trouble and in need ofhelp; perhaps that she had passed through this lane on her way from oneplace of confinement to another. 

Thoroughly baffled and dispirited, I leant for awhile against the wall, brooding over the ill-luck which seemed to attend me in this, as inso many previous adventures. Nor was the low voice of conscience, suggesting that such failures arose from mismanagement rather thanfrom ill-luck, slow to make itself heard. I reflected that if I had notallowed myself to be robbed of the gold token, mademoiselle would havetrusted me; that if I had not brought her to so poor an abode as mymother's, she would not have been cajoled into following a stranger;finally, that if I had remained with her, and sent Simon to attend tothe horses in my place, no stranger would have gained access to her. 

But it has never been my way to accept defeat at the first offer, andthough I felt these self-reproaches to be well deserved, a moment'sreflection persuaded me that in the singular and especial providencewhich had brought the velvet knot safe to my hands I ought to findencouragement. Had Madame de Bruhl not picked it up it would havecontinued to lie in this by-path, through which neither I nor SimonFleix would have been likely to pass. Again, had madame not dropped itin her turn, we should have sought in vain for any, even the slightest, clue to Mademoiselle de la Vire's fate or position. 

Cheered afresh by this thought, I determined to walk to the end of thelane; and forthwith did so, looking sharply about me as I went, butmeeting no one. The bare upper branches of a tree rose here and thereabove the walls, which were pierced at intervals by low, strong doors. These doors I carefully examined, but without making any discovery;all were securely fastened, and many seemed to have been rarely opened. Emerging at last and without result on the inner side of the cityramparts, I turned, and moodily retraced my steps through the lane, proceeding more slowly as I drew near to the Rue de Valois. This time, being a little farther from the street, I made a discovery. 

The corner house, which had its front on the Rue Valois, presented, asI have said, a dead, windowless wall to the lane; but from my presentstandpoint I could see the upper part of the back of this house--thatpart of the back, I mean, which rose above the lower garden-wall thatabutted on it--and in this there were several windows. The whole of twoand a part of a third were within the range of my eyes; and suddenly inone of these I discovered something which made my heart beat high withhope and expectation. The window in question was heavily grated; thatwhich I saw was tied to one of the bars. It was a small knot of somewhite stuff--linen apparently--and it seemed a trifle to the eye; butit was looped, as far as I could see from a distance, after the samefashion as the scrap of velvet I had in my pouch. 

The conclusion was obvious, at the same time that it inspired me withthe liveliest admiration of mademoiselle's wit and resources. She wasconfined in that room; the odds were that she was behind those bars. Abow dropped thence would fall, the wind being favourable, into the lane, not ten, but twenty paces from the street. I ought to have been preparedfor a slight inaccuracy in a woman's estimate of distance. 

It may be imagined with what eagerness I now scanned the house, withwhat minuteness I sought for a weak place. The longer I looked, however, the less comfort I derived from my inspection. I saw before me a gloomystronghold of brick, four-square, and built in the old Italian manner, with battlements at the top, and a small machicolation, little more thana string-course, above each story; this serving at once to lessen themonotony of the dead-walls, and to add to the frowning weight of theupper part. The windows were few and small, and the house lookeddamp and mouldy; lichens clotted the bricks, and moss filled thestring-courses. A low door opening from the lane into the gardennaturally attracted my attention; but it proved to be of abnormalstrength, and bolted both at the top and bottom. 

Assured that nothing could be done on that side, and being unwilling toremain longer in the neighbourhood, lest I should attract attention, Ireturned to the street, and twice walked past the front of the house, seeing all I could with as little appearance of seeing anything as Icould compass. The front retreated somewhat from the line of the street, and was flanked on the farther side by stables. Only one chimney smoked, and that sparely. Three steps led up to imposing double doors, whichstood half open, and afforded a glimpse of a spacious hall and a statestaircase. Two men, apparently servants, lounged on the steps, eatingchestnuts, and jesting with one another; and above the door were threeshields blazoned in colours. I saw with satisfaction, as I passed thesecond time, that the middle coat was that of Turenne impaling one whichI could not read--which thoroughly satisfied me that the bow of velvethad not lied; so that, without more ado, I turned homewards, formulatingmy plans as I went. 

I found all as I had left it; and my mother still lying in ahalf-conscious state, I was spared the pain of making excuses for pastabsence, or explaining that which I designed. I communicated the planI had formed to Simon Fleix, who saw no difficulty in procuring arespectable person to stay with Madame de Bonne. But for some time hewould come no farther into the business. He listened, his mouth openand his eyes glittering, to my plan until I came to his share in it; andthen he fell into a violent fit of trembling. 

'You want me to fight, monsieur, ' he cried reproachfully, shaking allover like one in the palsy. 'You said so the other night. You want toget me killed! That's it. '

'Nonsense!' I answered sharply. 'I want you to hold the horses!'

He looked at me wildly, with a kind of resentment in his face, and yetas if he were fascinated. 

'You will drag me into it!' he persisted. 'You will!'

'I won't, ' I said. 

'You will! You will! And the end I know. I shall have no chance. I ama clerk, and not bred to fighting. You want to be the death of me!' hecried excitedly. 

'I don't want you to fight, ' I answered with some contempt. 'I wouldrather that you kept out of it for my mother's sake. I only want you tostay in the lane and hold the horses. You will run little more risk thanyou do sitting by the hearth here. '

And in the end I persuaded him to do what I wished; though still, whenever he thought of what was in front of him, he fell a-tremblingagain, and many times during the afternoon got up and walked to andfro between the window and the hearth, his face working and his handsclenched like those of a man in a fever. I put this down at first tosheer chicken-heartedness, and thought it augured ill for my enterprise;but presently remarking that he made no attempt to draw back, and thatthough the sweat stood on his brow he set about such preparations aswere necessary--remembering also how long and kindly, and without pay orguerdon, he had served my mother, I began to see that here was somethingphenomenal; a man strange and beyond the ordinary, of whom it wasimpossible to predicate what he would do when he came to be tried. 

For myself, I passed the afternoon in a state almost of apathy. Ithought it my duty to make this attempt to free mademoiselle, and tomake it at once, since it was impossible to say what harm might come ofdelay, were she in such hands as Fresnoy's; but I had so little hope ofsuccess that I regarded the enterprise as desperate. The certain lossof my mother, however, and the low ebb of my fortunes, with theever-present sense of failure, contributed to render me indifferent torisks; and even when we were on our way, through by-streets known toSimon, to the farther end of the Ruelle d'Arcy, and the red and frostysunset shone in our faces, and gilded for a moment the dull eaves andgrey towers above us, I felt no softening. Whatever the end, there wasbut one in the world whom I should regret, or who would regret me; andshe hung, herself, on the verge of eternity. 

So that I was able to give Simon Fleix his last directions with asmuch coolness as I ever felt in my life. I stationed him with the threehorses in the lane--which seemed as quiet and little frequented as inthe morning--near the end of it, and about a hundred paces or more fromthe house. 

'Turn their heads towards the ramparts, ' I said, wheeling them roundmyself, 'and then they will be ready to start. They are all quietenough. You can let the Cid loose. And now listen to me, Simon, ' Icontinued. 'Wait here until you see me return, or until you see you aregoing to be attacked. In the first case, stay for me, of course; in thesecond, save yourself as you please. Lastly, if neither event occursbefore half-past five--you will hear the convent-bell yonder ring atthe half-hour--begone, and take the horses; they are yours, And oneword more, ' I added hurriedly. 'If you can only get away with one horse, Simon, take the Cid. It is worth more than most men, and will not failyou at a pinch. '

As I turned away, I gave him one look to see if he understood. It wasnot without hesitation that after that look I left him. The lad'sface was flushed, he was breathing hard, his eyes seemed to be almoststarting from his head. He sat his horse shaking in every limb, and hadall the air of a man in a fit. I expected him to call me back; but hedid not, and reflecting that I must trust him, or give up the attempt, I went up the lane with my sword under my arm, and my cloak loose on myshoulders. I met a man driving a donkey laden with faggots. I saw no oneelse. It was already dusk between the walls, though light enough in theopen country; but that was in my favour, my only regret; being that asthe town gates closed shortly after half-past five, I could not defer myattempt until a still later hour. 

Pausing in the shadow of the house while a man might count ten, Iimpressed on my memory the position of the particular window which borethe knot; then I passed quickly into the street, which was still full ofmovement, and for a second, feeling myself safe from observation in thecrowd, I stood looking at the front of the house. The door was shut. Myheart sank when I saw this, for I had looked to find it still open. 

The feeling, however, that I could not wait, though time might presentmore than one opportunity, spurred me on. What I could do I must do now, at once. The sense that this was so being heavy upon me, I saw nothingfor it but to use the knocker and gain admission, by fraud if I could, and if not, by force. Accordingly I stepped briskly across the kennel, and made for the entrance. 

When I was within two paces of the steps, however, someone abruptlythrew the door open and stepped out. The man did not notice me, and Istood quickly aside, hoping that at the last minute my chance had come. Two men, who had apparently attended this first person downstairs, stoodrespectfully behind him, holding lights. He paused a moment on the stepsto adjust his cloak, and with more than a little surprise I recognisedmy acquaintance of the morning, M. De Bruhl. 

I had scarcely time to identify him before he walked down the stepsswinging his cane, brushed carelessly past me, and was gone. The twomen looked after him awhile, shading their lights from the wind, and onesaying something, the other laughed coarsely. The next moment they threwthe door to and went, as I saw by the passage of their light, into theroom on the left of the hall. 

Now was my time. I could have hoped for, prayed for, expected no betterfortune than this. The door had rebounded slightly from the jamb, andstood open an inch or more. In a second I pushed it from me gently, slidinto the hall, and closed it behind me. 

The door of the room on the left was wide open, and the light whichshone through the doorway--otherwise the hall was dark--as well as thevoices of the two men I had seen, warned me to be careful. I stood, scarcely daring to breathe, and looked about me. There was no mattingon the floor, no fire on the hearth. The hall felt cold, damp, anduninhabited. The state staircase rose in front of me, and presentlybifurcating, formed a gallery round the place. I looked up, and up, andfar above me, in the dim heights of the second floor, I espied a faintlight--perhaps, the reflection of a light. 

A movement in the room on my left warned me that I had no time to lose, if I meant to act. At any minute one of the men might come out anddiscover me. With the utmost care I started on my journey. I stoleacross the stone floor of the hall easily and quietly enough, but Ifound the real difficulty begin when I came to the stairs. They were ofwood, and creaked and groaned under me to such an extent that, with eachstep I trod, I expected the men to take the alarm. Fortunately all wentwell until I passed the first corner--I chose, of course, the left-handflight--then a board jumped under my foot with a crack which sounded inthe empty hall, and to my excited ears, as loud as a pistol-shot. I wasin two minds whether I should not on the instant make a rush for it, buthappily I stood still. One of the men came out and listened, and I heardthe other ask, with an oath, what it was. I leant against the wall, holding my breath. 

'Only that wench in one of her tantrums!' the man who had come outanswered, applying an epithet to her which I will not set down, butwhich I carried to his account in the event of our coming face to facepresently. 'She is quiet now. She may hammer and hammer, but--'

The rest I lost, as he passed through the doorway and went back to hisplace by the fire. But in one way his words were of advantage to me. I concluded that I need not be so very cautious now, seeing that theywould set down anything they heard to the same cause; and I sped on morequickly, I had just gained the second floor landing when a loud noisebelow--the opening of the street door and the heavy tread of feet in thehall--brought me to a temporary standstill. I looked cautiously over thebalustrade, and saw two men go across to the room on the left. Oneof them spoke as he entered, chiding the other knaves, I fancied, forleaving the door unbarred; and the tone, though not the words, echoingsullenly up the staircase, struck a familiar chord in my memory. Thevoice was Fresnoy's!

CHAPTER X. THE FIGHT ON THE STAIRS. 

The certainty, which this sound gave me, that I was in the right house, and that it held also the villain to whom I owed all my misfortunes--forwho but Fresnoy could have furnished the broken coin which had deceivedmademoiselle?--had a singularly inspiriting effect upon me. I felt everymuscle in my body grow on the instant; hard as steel, my eyes more keen, my ears sharper--all my senses more apt and vigorous. I stole off likea cat from the balustrade, over which I had been looking, and without asecond's delay began the search for mademoiselle's room; reflecting thatthough the garrison now amounted to four, I had no need to despair. If Icould release the prisoners without noise--which would be easy were thekey in the lock--we might hope to pass through the hall by a tour deforce of one kind or another. And a church-clock at this moment strikingFive, and reminding me that we had only half an hour in which to do alland reach the horses, I was the more inclined to risk something. 

The light which I had seen from below hung in a flat-bottomed lanternjust beyond the head of the stairs, and outside the entrance to oneof two passages which appeared to lead to the back part of the house. Suspecting that M. De Bruhl's business had lain with mademoiselle, Iguessed that the light had been placed for his convenience. With thisclue and the position of the window to guide me, I fixed on a door onthe right of this passage, and scarcely four paces from the head of thestairs. Before I made any sign, however, I knelt down and ascertainedthat there was a light in the room, and also that the key was not in thelock. 

So far satisfied, I scratched on the door with my finger-nails, at firstsoftly, then with greater force, and presently I heard someone in theroom rise. I felt sure that the person whoever it was had taken thealarm and was listening, and putting my lips to the keyhole I whisperedmademoiselle's name. 

A footstep crossed the room sharply, and I heard muttering just withinthe door. I thought I detected two voices. But I was impatient, and, getting no answer, whispered in the same manner as before, 'Mademoisellede la Vire, are you there?'

Still no answer. The muttering, too, had stopped, and all was still--inthe room, and in the silent house. I tried again. 'It is I, Gaston deMarsac, ' I said. 'Do you hear? I am come to release you. ' I spoke asloudly as I dared, but most of the sound seemed to come back on me andwander in suspicious murmurings down the staircase. 

This time, however, an exclamation of surprise rewarded me, and a voice, which I recognised at once as mademoiselle's, answered softly:

'What is it? Who is there?'

'Gaston de Marsac, ' I answered. 'Do you need my help?'

The very brevity of her reply; the joyful sob which accompanied it, and which I detected even through the door; the wild cry ofthankfulness--almost an oath--of her companion--all these assured meat once that I was welcome--welcome as I had never been before--and, soassuring me, braced me to the height of any occasion which might befall. 

'Can you open the door? I muttered. All the time I was on my knees, myattention divided between the inside of the room and the stray soundswhich now and then came up to me from the hall below. 'Have you thekey?'

'No; we are locked in, ' mademoiselle answered. 

I expected this. 'If the door is bolted inside, ' I whispered, 'unfastenit, if you please!'

They answered that it was not, so bidding them stand back a little fromit, I rose and set my shoulder against it. I hoped to be able to burstit in with only one crash, which by itself, a single sound, might notalarm the men downstairs. But my weight made no impression upon thelock, and the opposite wall being too far distant to allow me to get anypurchase for my feet, I presently desisted. The closeness of the doorto the jambs warned me that an attempt to prise it open would be equallyfutile; and for a moment I stood gazing in perplexity at the solidplanks, which bid fair to baffle me to the end. 

The position was, indeed, one of great difficulty, nor can I now thinkof any way out of it better or other than that which I adopted. Againstthe wall near the head of the stairs I had noticed, as I came up, astout wooden stool. I stole out and fetched this, and setting it againstthe opposite wall, endeavoured in this way to get sufficient purchasefor my feet. The lock still held; but, as I threw my whole weight on thedoor, the panel against which I leaned gave way and broke inwards witha loud, crashing sound, which echoed through the empty house, and mightalmost have been beard in the street outside. 

It reached the ears, at any rate, of the men sitting below, and I heardthem troop noisily out and stand in the hall, now talking loudly, andnow listening. A minute of breathless suspense followed--it seemed along minute; and then, to my relief, they tramped back again, and Iwas free to return to my task. Another thrust, directed a little lower, would, I hoped, do the business; but to make this the more certain Iknelt down and secured the stool firmly against the wall. As I roseafter settling it, something else, without sound or warning, rose also, taking me completely by surprise--a man's head above the top stair, which, as it happened, faced me. His eyes met mine, and I knew I wasdiscovered. 

He turned and bundled downstairs again with a scared face, going soquickly that I could not have caught him if I would, or had had the witto try. Of silence there was so longer need. In a few seconds the alarmwould be raised. I had small time for thought. Laying myself bodilyagainst the door, I heaved and pressed with all my strength; but whetherI was careless in my haste, or the cause was other, the lock did notgive. Instead the stool slipped, and I fell with a crash on the floor atthe very moment the alarm reached the men below. 

I remember that the crash of my unlucky fall seemed to release all theprisoned noises of the house. A faint scream within the room was buta prelude, lost the next moment in the roar of dismay, the clatter ofweapons, and volley of oaths and cries and curses which, rolling up frombelow, echoed hollowly about me, as the startled knaves rushed to theirweapons, and charged across the flags and up the staircase. I had spacefor one desperate effort. Picking myself up, I seized the stool by twoof its legs and dashed it twice against the door, driving in the panelI had before splintered. But that was all. The lock held, and I had notime for a third blow. The men were already halfway up the stairs. In abreath almost they would be upon me. I flung down the useless stool andsnatched up my sword, which lay unsheathed beside me. So far the matterhad gone against us, but it was time for a change of weapons now, andthe end was not yet. I sprang to the head of the stairs and stood there, my arm by my side and my point resting on the floor, in such an attitudeof preparedness as I could compass at the moment. 

For I had not been in the house all this time, as may well be supposed, without deciding what I would do in case of surprise, and exactly whereI could best stand on the defensive. The flat bottom of the lamp whichhung outside the passage threw a deep shadow on the spot immediatelybelow it, while the light fell brightly on the steps beyond. Standing inthe shadow I could reach the edge of the stairs with my point, and swingthe blade freely, without fear of the balustrade; and here I postedmyself with a certain grim satisfaction as Fresnoy, with his threecomrades behind him, came bounding up the last flight. 

They were four to one, but I laughed to see how, not abruptly, butshamefacedly and by degrees, they came to a stand halfway up the flight, and looked at me, measuring the steps and the advantage which the lightshining in their eyes gave me. Fresnoy's ugly face was rendered uglierby a great strip of plaister which marked the place where the hilt ofmy sword had struck him in our last encounter at Chize; and this and thehatred he bore to me gave a peculiar malevolence to his look. The deafman Matthew, whose savage stolidity had more than once excited my angeron our journey, came next to him, the two strangers whom I had seen inthe hall bringing up the rear. Of the four, these last seemed the mostanxious to come to blows, and had Fresnoy not barred the way with hishand we should have crossed swords without parley. 

'Halt, will you!' he cried, with an oath, thrusting one of them back. And then to me he said, 'So, so, my friend! It is you, is it?'

I looked at him in silence, with a scorn which knew no bounds, and didnot so much as honour him by raising my sword, though I watched himheedfully. 

'What are you doing here? he continued, with an attempt at bluster. 

Still I would not answer him, or move, but stood looking down at him. After a moment of this, he grew restive, his temper being churlish andimpatient at the best. Besides, I think he retained just so much of agentleman's feelings as enabled him to understand my contempt and smartunder it. He moved a step upward, his brow dark with passion. 

'You beggarly son of a scarecrow!' he broke out on a sudden, adding astring of foul imprecations, 'will you speak, or are you going to waitto be spitted where you stand? If we once begin, my bantam, we shall notstop until we have done your business! If you have anything to say, sayit, and--' But I omit the rest of his speech, which was foul beyond theordinary. 

Still I did not move or speak, but looked at him unwavering, though itpained me to think the women heard. He made a last attempt. ' Come, oldfriend, ' he said, swallowing his anger again, or pretending to do so, and speaking with a vile bonhomie which I knew to be treacherous, 'ifwe come to blows we shall give you no quarter. But one chance you shallhave, for the sake of old days when we followed Conde. Go! Take thechance, and go. We will let you pass, and that broken door shall be theworst of it. That is more, ' he added with a curse, 'than I would do forany other man in your place, M. De Marsac. '

A sudden movement and a low exclamation in the room behind me showedthat his words were heard there; and these sounds being followedimmediately by a noise as of riving wood, mingled with the quickbreathing of someone hard at work, I judged that the women were strivingwith the door--enlarging the opening it might be. I dared not lookround, however, to see what progress they made, nor did I answerFresnoy, save by the same silent contempt, but stood watching the menbefore me with the eye of a fencer about to engage. And I know nothingmore keen, more vigilant, more steadfast than that. 

It was well I did, for without signal or warning the group wavered amoment, as though retreating, and the next instant precipitated itselfupon me. Fortunately, only two could engage me at once, and Fresnoy, Inoticed, was not of the two who dashed forward up the steps. One of thestrangers forced himself to the front, and, taking the lead, pressed mebriskly, Matthew seconding him in appearance, while really watchingfor an opportunity of running in and stabbing me at close quarters, amanoeuvre I was not slow to detect. 

That first bout lasted half a minute only. A fierce exultant joy ranthrough me as the steel rang and grated, and I found that I had notmistaken the strength of wrist or position. The men were mine. Theyhampered one another on the stairs, and fought in fetters, being unableto advance or retreat, to lunge with freedom, or give back without fear. I apprehended greater danger from Matthew than from my actual opponent, and presently, watching my opportunity, disarmed the latter by a strongparade, and sweeping Matthew's sword aside by the same movement, slashedhim across the forehead; then, drawing back a step, gave my firstopponent the point. He fell in a heap on the floor, as good as dead, and Matthew, dropping his sword, staggered backwards and downwards intoFresnoy's arms. 

'Bonne Foi! France et Bonne Foi!' It seemed to me that I bad not spoken, that I had plied steel in grimmest silence; and yet the cry still rangand echoed in the roof as I lowered my point, and stood looking grimlydown at them. Fresnoy's face was disfigured with rage and chagrin. Theywere now but two to one, for Matthew, though his wound was slight, wasdisabled by the blood which ran down into his eyes and blinded him. 'France et Bonne Foi!'

'Bonne Foi and good sword!' cried a voice behind me. And looking swiftlyround, I saw mademoiselle's face thrust through the hole in the door. Her eyes sparkled with a fierce light, her lips were red beyond theordinary, and her hair, loosened and thrown into disorder by herexertions, fell in thick masses about her white cheeks, and gave her theaspect of a war-witch, such as they tell of in my country of Brittany. 'Good sword!' she cried again, and clapped her hands. 

'But better board, mademoiselle!' I answered gaily. Like most of themen of my province, I am commonly melancholic, but I have the habit ofgrowing witty at such times as these. 'Now, M. Fresnoy, ' I continued, 'I am waiting your convenience. Must I put on my cloak to keep myselfwarm?'

He answered by a curse, and stood looking at me irresolutely. 'If youwill come down, ' he said. 

'Send your man away and I will come, ' I answered briskly. 'Thereis space on the landing, and a moderate light. But I must be quick. Mademoiselle and I are due elsewhere, and we are late already. '

Still he hesitated. Still he looked at the man lying at his feet--whohad stretched himself out and passed, quietly enough, a minutebefore--and stood dubious, the most pitiable picture of cowardiceand malice--he being ordinarily a stout man--I ever saw. I called himpoltroon and white-feather, and was considering whether I had not bettergo down to him, seeing that our time must be up, and Simon would bequitting his post, when a cry behind me caused me to turn, and I sawthat mademoiselle was no longer looking through the opening in the door. 

Alarmed on her behalf, as I reflected that there might be other doors tothe room, and the men have other accomplices in the house, I sprang tothe door to see, but had basely time to send a single glance round-theinterior--which showed me only that the room was still occupied--beforeFresnoy, taking advantage of my movement and of my back being turned, dashed up the stairs, with his comrade at his heels, and succeeded inpinning me into the narrow passage where I stood. 

I had scarcely time, indeed, to turn and put myself on guard before hethrust at me. Nor was that all. The superiority in position no longerlay with me. I found myself fighting between walls close to the openingin the door, through which the light fell athwart my eyes, baffling andperplexing me. Fresnoy was not slow to see the aid this gave him, andpressed me hard and desperately; so that we played for a full minute atclose quarters, thrusting and parrying, neither of us having room to usethe edge, or time to utter word or prayer. 

At this game we were so evenly matched that for a time the end was hardto tell. Presently, however, there came a change. My opponent's habitof wild living suited ill with a prolonged bout, and as his strength andbreath failed and he began to give ground I discerned I had only to wearhim out to have him at my mercy. He felt this himself, and even by thatlight I saw the sweat spring in great drops to his forehead, saw theterror grow in his eyes. Already I was counting him a dead man and thevictory mine, when something hashed behind his blade, and his comrade'sponiard, whizzing past his shoulder, struck me fairly on the chin, staggering me and hurling me back dizzy and half-stunned, uncertain whathad happened to me. 

Sped an inch lower it, would have done its work and finished mine. Evenas it was, my hand going up as I reeled back gave Fresnoy an opening, ofwhich he was not slow to avail himself. He sprang forward, lunging at mefuriously, and would have run me through there and then, and ended thematter, bad not his foot, as he advanced, caught in the stool, whichstill lay against the wall. He stumbled, his point missed my hip by ahair's breadth, and he himself fell all his length on the floor, hisrapier breaking off short at the hilt. 

His one remaining backer stayed to cast a look at him, and that was all. The man fled, and I chased him as far as the head of the stairs; whereI left him, assured by the speed and agility he displayed in clearingflight after flight that I had nothing to fear from him. Fresnoy lay, apparently stunned, and completely at my mercy. I stood an instantlooking down at him, in two minds whether I should not run him through. But the memory of old days, when he had played his part in morehonourable fashion and shown a coarse good-fellowship in the field, heldmy hand; and flinging a curse at him, I turned in anxious haste to thedoor, the centre of all this bloodshed and commotion. The light stillshone through the breach in the panel, but for some minutes--sinceFresnoy's rush up the stairs, indeed--I had heard no sound fromthis quarter. Now, looking in with apprehensions which grew with thecontinuing silence, I learned the reason. The room was empty!

Such a disappointment in the moment of triumph was hard to bear. I sawmyself, after all done and won, on the point of being again outwitted, distanced, it might be fooled. In frantic haste and excitement Isnatched up the stool beside me, and, dashing it twice against the lock, forced it at last to yield. The door swung open, and I rushed into theroom, which, abandoned by those who had so lately occupied it, presentednothing to detain me. I cast a single glance round, saw that it wassqualid, low-roofed, unfurnished, a mere prison; then swiftly crossingthe floor, I made for a door at the farther end, which my eye had markedfrom the first. A candle stood flaring and guttering on a stool, and asI passed I took it up. 

Somewhat to my surprise the door yielded to my touch. In tremblinghaste--for what might not befall the women while I fumbled with doorsor wandered in passages?--I flung it wide, and passing through it, foundmyself at the head of a narrow, mean staircase, leading, doubtless, tothe servants' offices. At this, and seeing no hindrance before me, Itook heart of grace, reflecting that mademoiselle might have escapedfrom the house this way. Though it would now be too late to quit thecity, I might still overtake her, and all end well. Accordingly Ihurried down the stairs, shading my candle as I went from a cold draughtof air which met me, and grew stronger as I descended; until reachingthe bottom at last, I came abruptly upon an open door, and an old, wrinkled, shrivelled woman. 

The hag screamed at sight of me, and crouched down on the floor; anddoubtless, with my drawn sword, and the blood dripping from my chinand staining all the front of my doublet, I looked fierce and uncannyenough. But I felt it was no time for sensibility--I was panting to beaway--and I demanded of her sternly where they were. She seemed to havelost her voice--through fear, perhaps--and for answer only stared at mestupidly; but on my handling my weapon with some readiness she so farrecovered her senses as to utter two loud screams, one after the other, and point to the door beside her. I doubted her; and yet I thought inher terror she must be telling the truth, the more as I saw no otherdoor. In any case I must risk it, so, setting the candle down on thestep beside her, I passed out. 

For a moment the darkness was so intense that I felt my way with mysword before me, in absolute ignorance where I was or on what my footmight next rest. I was at the mercy of anyone who chanced to be lyingin wait for me; and I shivered as the cold damp wind struck my cheek andstirred my hair. But by-and-by, when I had taken two or three steps, myeyes grew accustomed to the gloom, and I made, out the naked boughs oftrees between myself and the sky, and guessed that I was in a garden. Myleft hand, touching a shrub, confirmed me in this belief, and in anothermoment I distinguished something like the outline of a path stretchingaway before me. Following it rapidly--as rapidly as I dared--I came toa corner, as it seemed to me, turned it blindly, and stopped short, peeping into a curtain of solid blackness which barred my path, andoverhead mingled confusedly with the dark shapes of trees. But this, too, after a brief hesitation, I made out to be a wall. Advancing toit with outstretched hands, I felt the woodwork of a door, and, gropingabout, lit presently on a loop of cord. I pulled at this, the dooryielded, and I went out. 

I found myself in a narrow, dark lane, and looking up and downdiscovered, what I might have guessed before, that it, was the Ruelled'Arcy. But mademoiselle? Fanchette? Simon? Where were they? No one wasto be seen, Tormented by doubts, I lifted up my voice and called on themin turn; first on mademoiselle, then on Simon Fleix. In vain; I got noanswer. High up above me I saw, as I stood back a little, lights movingin the house I had left; and the suspicion that, after all, the enemyhad foiled me grew upon me. Somehow they had decoyed mademoiselle toanother part of the house, and then the old woman had misled me!

I turned fiercely to the door, which I had left ajar, resolved tore-enter by the way I had come, and have an explanation whether or no. To my surprise--for I had not moved six paces from the door nor heardthe slightest sound--I found it not; only closed but bolted--bolted bothat top and bottom, as I discovered on trying it. 

I fell on that to kicking it furiously, desperately; partly in a tempestof rage and chagrin, partly in the hope that I might frighten the oldwoman, if it was she who had closed it, into opening it again. In vain, of course; and presently I saw this and desisted, and, still in a whirlof haste and excitement, set off running towards the place where I hadleft Simon Fleix and the horses. It was fully six o'clock as I judged;but some faint hope that I might find him there with mademoiselle andher woman still lingered in my mind. I reached the end of the lane, Iran to the very foot; of the ramparts, I looked right and left. In vain. The place was dark, silent, deserted. 

I called 'Simon! Simon! Simon Fleix!' but my only answer wasthe soughing of the wind in the eaves, and the slow tones of theconvent-bell striking Six. 

CHAPTER XI. THE MAN AT THE DOOR. 

There are some things, not shameful in themselves, which it shamesone to remember, and among these I count the succeeding hurry andperturbation of that night: the vain search, without hope or clue, towhich passion impelled me, and the stubborn persistence with whichI rushed frantically from place to place long after the soberness ofreason would have had me desist. There was not, it seems to me, lookingback now, one street or alley, lane or court, in Blois which I did notvisit again and again in my frantic wanderings; not a beggar skulkingon foot that night whom I did not hunt down and question; not a wretchedwoman sleeping in arch or doorway whom I did not see and scrutinise. Ireturned to my mother's lodging again and again, always fruitlessly. Irushed to the stables and rushed away again, or stood and listenedin the dark, empty stalls, wondering what had happened, and torturingmyself with suggestions of this or that. And everywhere, not only atthe North-gate, where I interrogated the porters and found that no partyresembling that which I sought had passed out, but on the PARVIS of theCathedral, where a guard was drawn up, and in the common streets, whereI burst in on one group and another with my queries, I ran the risk ofsuspicion and arrest, and all that might follow thereon. 

It was strange indeed that I escaped arrest. The wound in my chin stillbled at intervals, staining my doublet; and as I was without my cloak, which I had left in the house in the Rue Valois, I had nothing to covermy disordered dress. I was keenly, fiercely anxious. Stray passersmeeting me in the glare of a torch, or seeing me hurry by the greatbraziers which burned where four streets met, looked askance at me andgave me the wall; while men in authority cried to me to stay and answertheir questions. I ran from the one and the other with the same savageimpatience, disregarding everything in the feverish anxiety whichspurred me on and impelled me to a hundred imprudences, such as at myage I should have blushed to commit. Much of this feeling was due, nodoubt, to the glimpse I had had of mademoiselle, and the fiery words shehad spoken; more, I fancy, to chagrin and anger at the manner in whichthe cup of success had been dashed at the last moment from my lips. 

For four hours I wandered through the streets, now hot with purpose, now seeking aimlessly. It was ten o'clock when at length I gave up thesearch, and, worn out both in body and mind, climbed the stairs at mymother's lodgings and entered her room. An old woman sat by the fire, crooning softly to herself, while she stirred something in a black pot. My mother lay in the same heavy, deep sleep in which I had left her. Isat down opposite the nurse (who cried out at my appearance) and askedher dully for some food. When I had eaten it, sitting in a kind ofstupor the while, the result partly of my late exertions, and partly ofthe silence which prevailed round me, I bade the woman call me if anychange took place; and then going heavily across to the garret Simonhad occupied, I lay down on his pallet, and fell into a sound, dreamlesssleep. 

The next day and the next night I spent beside my mother, watching thelife ebb fast away, and thinking with grave sorrow of her past and myfuture. It pained me beyond measure to see her die thus, in a garret, without proper attendance or any but bare comforts; the existence whichhad once been bright and prosperous ending in penury and gloom, such asmy mother's love and hope and self-sacrifice little deserved. Her stategrieved me sharply on my own account too, seeing that I had formed noneof those familiar relations which men of my age have commonly formed, and which console them for the loss of parents and forbears; Nature soordering it, as I have taken note, that men look forward ratherthan backward, and find in the ties they form with the future fullcompensation for the parting strands behind them. I was alone, poverty-stricken, and in middle life, seeing nothing before me exceptdanger and hardship, and these unrelieved by hope or affection. Thislast adventure, too, despite all my efforts, had sunk me deeper in themire; by increasing my enemies and alienating from me some to whom Imight have turned at the worst. In one other respect also it had addedto my troubles not a little; for the image of mademoiselle wanderingalone and unguarded through the streets, or vainly calling on me forhelp, persisted in thrusting itself on my imagination when I leastwanted it, and came even between my mother's patient face and me. 

I was sitting beside Madame de Bonne a little after sunset on thesecond day, the woman who attended her being absent on an errand, whenI remarked that the lamp, which had been recently lit, and stood on astool in the middle of the room, was burning low and needed snuffing. I went to it softly, and while stooping over it, trying to improve thelight, heard a slow, heavy step ascending the stairs. The house wasquiet, and the sound attracted my full attention. I raised myself andstood listening, hoping that this might be the doctor, who had not beenthat day. 

The footsteps passed the landing below, but at the first stair ofthe next flight the person, whoever it was, stumbled, and made aconsiderable noise. At that, or it might be a moment later, the stepstill ascending, I heard a sudden rustling behind me, and, turningquickly with a start, saw my mother sitting up in bed. Her eyes wereopen, and she seemed fully conscious; which she had not been for days, nor indeed since the last conversation I have recorded. But her face, though it was now sensible, was pinched and white, and so drawn withmortal fear that I believed her dying, and sprang to her, unable toconstrue otherwise the pitiful look in her straining eyes. 

'Madame, ' I said, hastily passing my arm round her, and speaking with asmuch encouragement as I could infuse into my voice, 'take comfort. I amhere. Your son. '

'Hush!' she muttered in answer, laying her feeble hand on my wrist andcontinuing to look, not at me, but at the door. 'Listen, Gaston! Don'tyou hear? There it is again. Again!'

For a moment I thought her mind still wandered, and I shivered, havingno fondness for hearing such things. Then I saw she was listeningintently to the sound which had attracted my notice. The step hadreached the landing by this time. The visitor, whoever it was, pausedthere a moment, being in darkness, and uncertain, perhaps, of theposition of the door; but in a little while I heard him move forwardagain, my mother's fragile form, clasped as it was in my embrace, quivering with each step he took, as though his weight stirred thehouse. He tapped at the door. 

I had thought, while I listened and wondered, of more than one whom thismight be: the leech, Simon Fleix, Madame Bruhl, Fresnoy even. But as thetap came, and I felt my mother tremble in my arms, enlightenment camewith it, and I pondered no more, I knew as well as if she hail spokenand told me. There could be only one man whose presence had such powerto terrify her, only one whose mere step, sounding through the veil, could drag her back to consciousness and fear! And that was the man whohad beggared her, who had traded so long on her terrors. 

I moved a little, intending to cross the floor softly, that when heopened the door he might find me face to face with him; but she detectedthe movement, and, love giving her strength, she clung to my wrist sofiercely that I had not the heart, knowing how slender was her hold onlife and how near the brink she stood, to break from her. I constrainedmyself to stand still, though every muscle grew tense as a drawnbowstring, and I felt the strong rage rising in my throat and choking meas I waited for him to enter. 

A log on the hearth gave way with a dull sound startling in the silence. The man tapped again, and getting no answer, for neither of us spoke, pushed the door slowly open, uttering before he showed himself thewords, 'Dieu vous benisse!' in a voice so low and smooth I shuddered atthe sound. The next moment he came in and saw me, and, starting, stoodat gaze, his head thrust slightly forward, his shoulders bent, his handstill on the latch, amazement and frowning spite in turn distortinghis lean face. He had looked to find a weak, defenceless woman, whom hecould torture and rob at his will; he saw instead a strong man armed, whose righteous anger he must have been blind indeed had he failed toread. 

Strangest thing of all, we had met before! I knew him at once--he me. Hewas the same Jacobin monk whom I had seen at the inn on the Claine, andwho had told me the news of Guise's death!

I uttered an exclamation of surprise on making this discovery, and mymother, freed suddenly, as it seemed, from the spell of fear, which hadgiven her unnatural strength, sank back on the bed. Her grasp relaxed, and her breath came and went with so loud a rattle that I removed mygaze from him, and bent over her, full of concern and solicitude. Oureyes met. She tried to speak, and at last gasped, 'Not now, Gaston! Lethim--let him--'

Her lips framed the word 'go, ' but she could not give it sound. Iunderstood, however, and in impotent wrath I waved my hand to him tobegone. When I looked up he had already obeyed me. He had seized thefirst opportunity to escape. The door was closed, the lamp burnedsteadily, and we were alone. 

I gave her a little Armagnac, which stood beside the bed for such anoccasion, and she revived, and presently opened her eyes. But I saw atonce a great change in her. The look of fear had passed altogether fromher face, and one of sorrow, yet content, had taken its place. She laidher hand in mine, and looked up at me, being too weak, as I thought, to speak. But by-and-by, when the strong spirit had done its work, shesigned to me to lower my head to her mouth. 

'The King of Navarre, ' she murmured-you are sure, Gaston--he will retainyou is your--employments?'

Her pleading eyes were so close to mine, I felt no scruples such as somemight have felt, seeing her so near death; but I answered firmly andcheerfully, 'Madame, I am assured of it. There is no prince in Europe sotrustworthy or so good to his servants. '

She sighed with infinite content, and blessed him in a feeble whisper. 'And if you live, ' she went on, 'you will rebuild the old house, Gaston. The walls are sound yet. And the oak in the hall was not burned. Thereis a chest of linen at Gil's, and a chest with your father's goldlace--but that is pledged, ' she added dreamily. 'I forgot. '

'Madame, ' I answered solemnly, 'it shall be done--it shall be done asyou wish, if the power lie with me. '

She lay for some time after that murmuring prayers, her head supportedon my shoulder. I longed impatiently for the nurse to return, that Imight despatch her for the leech; not that I thought anything could bedone, but for my own comfort and greater satisfaction afterwards, andthat my mother might not die without some fitting attendance. The houseremained quiet, however, with that impressive quietness which sobers theheart at such times, and I could not do this. And about six o'clock mymother opened her eyes again. 

'This is not Marsac, ' she murmured abruptly, her eyes roving from theceiling to the wall at the foot of the bed. 

No, Madame, ' I answered, leaning over her, 'you are in Blois. But I amhere--Gaston, your son. '

She looked at me, a faint smile of pleasure stealing over her pinchedface. 'Twelve thousand livres a year, ' she whispered, rather to herselfthan to me, 'and an establishment, reduced a little, yet creditable, very creditable. ' For a moment she seemed to be dying in my arms, butagain opened her eyes quickly and looked me in the face. 'Gaston?' shesaid, suddenly and strangely. 'Who said Gaston? He is with the King--Ihave blessed him; and his days shall be long in the land!' Then, raisingherself in my arms with a last effort of strength, she cried loudly, 'Way there! Way for my son, the Sieur de Marsac!'

They were her last words. When I laid her down on the bed a momentlater, she was dead, and I was alone. 

Madame de Bonne, my mother, was seventy at the time of her death, havingsurvived my father eighteen years. She was Marie de Loche de Loheac, third daughter of Raoul, Sieur de Loheac, on the Vilaine, and by hergreat-grandmother, a daughter of Jean de Laval, was descended from theducal family of Rohan, a relationship which in after-times, and undergreatly altered circumstances, Henry Duke of Rohan condescended toacknowledge, honouring me with his friendship on more occasions thanone. Her death, which I have here recorded, took place on the fourthof January, the Queen-Mother of France, Catherine de Medicis, dying alittle after noon on the following day. 

In Blois, as in every other town, even Paris itself, the Huguenotspossessed at this time a powerful organisation; and with the aid of thesurgeon, who showed me much respect in my bereavement, and exercised inmy behalf all the influence which skilful and honest; men of his craftinvariably possess, I was able to arrange for my mother's burial in aprivate ground about a league beyond the walls and near the villageof Chaverny. At the time of her death I had only thirty crowns in goldremaining, Simon Fleix, to whose fate I could obtain no clue, havingcarried off thirty-five with the horses. The whole of this residue, however, with the exception of a handsome gratuity to the nurse and atrifle spent on my clothes, I expended on the funeral, desiring thatno stain should rest on my mother's birth or my affection. Accordingly, though the ceremony was of necessity private, and indeed secret, andthe mourners were few, it lacked nothing, I think, of the decency andpropriety which my mother loved; and which she preferred, I have oftenheard her say, to the vulgar show that is equally at the command of thenoble and the farmer of taxes. 

Until she was laid in her quiet resting-place I stood in constant fearof some interruption on the part either of Bruhl, whose connection withFresnoy and the abduction I did not doubt, or of the Jacobin monk. But none came; and nothing happening to enlighten me as to the fate ofMademoiselle de la Vire, I saw my duty clear before me. I disposed ofthe furniture of my mother's room, and indeed of everything whichwas saleable, and raised in this way enough money to buy myself a newcloak--without which I could not travel in the wintry weather--and tohire a horse. Sorry as the animal was, the dealer required security, andI had none to offer. It was only at the last moment, I bethought me ofthe fragment of gold chain which mademoiselle had left behind her, andwhich, as well as my mother's rings and vinaigrette, I had kept backfrom the sale. This I was forced to lodge with him. Having thus, withsome pain and more humiliation, provided means for the journey, I lostnot an hour in beginning it. On the eighth of January I set oat forRosny, to carry the news of my ill-success and of mademoiselle'sposition whither I had looked a week before to carry herself. 

CHAPTER XII. MAXIMILIAN DE BETHUNE, BARON DE ROSNY. 

I looked to make the journey to Rosny in two days. But the heaviness ofthe roads and the sorry condition of my hackney hindered me so greatlythat I lay the second night at Dreux, and, hearing the way was stillworse between that place and my destination, began to think that Ishould be fortunate if I reached Rosny by the following noon. Thecountry in this part seemed devoted to the League, the feelingincreasing in violence as I approached the Seine. I heard nothing saveabuse of the King of France and praise of the Guise princes, and hadmuch ado, keeping a still tongue and riding modestly, to pass withoutmolestation or inquiry. 

Drawing near to Rosny, on the third morning, through a low marshycountry covered with woods and alive with game of all kinds, I began tooccupy myself with thoughts of the reception I was likely to encounter;which, I conjectured, would be none of the most pleasant. The daringand vigour of the Baron de Rosny, who had at this time the reputation ofbeing in all parts of France at once, and the familiar terms on which hewas known to live with the King of Navarre, gave me small reason to hopethat he would listen with indulgence to such a tale as I had to tell. The nearer I came to the hour of telling it, indeed, the more improbableseemed some of its parts, and the more glaring my own carelessness inlosing the token, and in letting mademoiselle out of my sight in sucha place as Blois. I saw this so clearly now, and more clearly as themorning advanced, that I do not know that I ever anticipated anythingwith more fear than this explanation; which it yet seemed my duty tooffer with all reasonable speed. The morning was warm, I remember;cloudy, yet not dark; the air near at hand full of moisture and veryclear, with a circle of mist rising some way off, and filling the woodswith blue distances. The road was deep and foundrous, and as I wasobliged to leave it from time to time in order to pass the worst places, I presently began to fear that I had strayed into a by-road. Afteradvancing some distance, in doubt whether I should persevere or turnback, I was glad to see before me a small house placed at the junctionof several woodland paths. From the bush which hung over the door, and awater-trough which stood beside it, I judged the place to be an inn; anddetermining to get my horse fed before I went farther, I rode up to thedoor and rapped on it with my riding-switch. 

The position of the house was so remote that I was surprised to seethree or four heads thrust immediately out of a window. For a moment Ithought I should have done better to have passed by; but the landlordcoming out very civilly, and leading the way to a shed beside the house, I reflected that I had little to lose, and followed him. I found, as Iexpected, four horses tied up in the shed, the bits hanging round theirnecks and their girths loosed; while my surprise was not lessened by thearrival, before I had fastened up my own horse, of a sixth rider, who, seeing us by the shed, rode up to us, and saluted me as he dismounted. 

He was a tall, strong man in the prime of youth, wearing a plain, almostmean suit of dust-coloured leather, and carrying no weapons except ahunting-knife, which hung in a sheath at his girdle. He rode a powerfulsilver-roan horse, and was splashed to the top of his high untannedboots, as if he had come by the worst of paths, if by any. 

He cast a shrewd glance at the landlord as he led his horse into theshed; and I judged from his brown complexion and quick eyes that he hadseen much weather and lived an out-of-door life. 

He watched me somewhat curiously while I mixed the fodder for my horse;and when I went into the house and sat down in the first room I came to, to eat a little bread-and-cheese which I had in my pouch, he joinedme almost immediately. Apparently he could not stomach my poor fare, however, for after watching me for a time in silence, switching his bootwith his whip the while, he called the landlord, and asked him, in amasterful way, what fresh meat he had, and particularly if he had anylean collops, or a fowl. 

The fellow answered that there was nothing. His honour could have someLisieux cheese, he added, or some stewed lentils. 

'His honour does not want cheese, ' the stranger answered peevishly, 'norlentil porridge. And what is this I smell, my friend?' he continued, beginning suddenly to sniff with vigour. 'I swear I smell cooking. '

'It is the hind-quarter of a buck, which is cooking for the fourgentlemen of the Robe; with a collop or two to follow, ' the landlordexplained; and humbly excused himself on the ground that the gentlemenhad strictly engaged it for their own eating. 

'What? A whole quarter! AND a collop or two to follow!' the strangerretorted, smacking his lips. 'Who are they?'

'Two advocates and their clerks from the Parliament of Paris. They havebeen viewing a boundary near here, and are returning this afternoon, 'the landlord answered. 

'No reason why they should cause a famine!' ejaculated the stranger withenergy. 'Go to them and say a gentleman, who has ridden far, and fastedsince seven this morning, requests permission to sit at their table. Aquarter of venison and a collop or two among four!' he continued, in atone of extreme disgust, 'It is intolerable! And advocates! Why, at thatrate, the King of France should eat a whole buck, and rise hungry! Don'tyou agree with me, sir?' he continued, turning on me and putting thequestion abruptly. 

He was so comically and yet so seriously angry, and looked so closely atme as he spoke, that I hastened to say I agreed with him perfectly. 

'Yet you eat cheese, sir!' he retorted irritably. 

I saw that, not withstanding the simplicity of his dress, he was agentleman, and so, forbearing to take offence, I told him plainly thatmy purse being light I travelled rather as I could than as I would. 

'Is it so?' he answered hastily. 'Had I known that, I would have joinedyou in the cheese! After all, I would rather fast with a gentleman, thanfeast with a churl. But it is too late now. Seeing you mix the fodder, Ithought your pockets were full. '

'The nag is tired, and has done its best, ' I answered. 

He looked at me curiously, and as though he would say more. But thelandlord returning at that moment, he turned to him instead. 

'Well!' he said briskly. 'Is it all right?'

'I am sorry, your honour, ' the man answered, reluctantly, and with avery downcast air, 'but the gentlemen beg to be excused. '

'Zounds!' cried my companion roundly. 'They do, do they?'

'They say they have no more, sir, ' the landlord continued, faltering, 'than enough for themselves and a little dog they have with them. '

A shout of laughter which issued at that moment from the other roomseemed to show that the quartette were making merry over my companion'srequest. I saw his cheek redden, and looked for an explosion of anger onhis part; but instead he stood a moment in thought in the middle of thefloor, and then, much to the innkeeper's relief, pushed a stool towardsme, and called for a bottle of the best wine. He pleasantly beggedleave to eat a little of my cheese, which he said looked better than theLisieux, and, filling my glass with wine, fell to as merrily as if hehad never heard of the party in the other room. 

I was more than a little surprised, I remember; for I had taken him tobe a passionate man, and not one to sit down under an affront. Still Isaid nothing, and we conversed very well together. I noticed, however, that he stopped speaking more than once, as though to listen; butconceiving that he was merely reverting to the party in the other room, who grew each moment more uproarious, I said nothing, and was completelytaken by surprise when he rose on a sudden, and, going to the openwindow, leaned out, shading his eyes with his hand. 

'What is it?' I said, preparing to follow him. 

He answered by a quiet chuckle. 'You shall see, ' he added the nextinstant. 

I rose, and going to the window looked out over his shoulder. Threemen were approaching the inn on horseback. The first, a great burly, dark-complexioned man with fierce black eyes and a feathered cap, hadpistols in his holsters and a short sword by his side. The other two, with the air of servants, were stout fellows, wearing green doublets andleather breeches. All three rode good horses, while a footman led twohounds after them in a leash. On seeing us they cantered forward, theleader waving his bonnet. 

'Halt, there!' cried my companion, lifting up his voice when they werewithin a stone's throw of us. 'Maignan!'

'My lord?' answered he of the feather, pulling up on the instant. 

'You will find six horses in the shed there, ' the stranger cried in avoice of command. 'Turn out the four to the left as you go in. Give eacha cut, and send it about its business!'

The man wheeled his horse before the words were well uttered, and cryingobsequiously 'that it was done, ' flung his reins to one of the otherriders and disappeared in the shed, as if the order given him were themost commonplace one in the world. 

The party in the other room, however, by whom all could be heard, werenot slow to take the alarm. They broke into a shout of remonstrance, andone of their number, leaping from the window, asked with a very fierceair what the devil we meant. The others thrust out their faces, swollenand flushed with the wine they had drunk, and with many oaths backed uphis question. Not feeling myself called upon to interfere, I prepared tosee something diverting. 

My companion, whose coolness surprised me, had all the air of being aslittle concerned as myself. He even persisted for a time in ignoring theangry lawyer, and, turning a deaf ear to all the threats and abuse withwhich the others assailed him, continued to look calmly at the prospect. Seeing this, and that nothing could move him, the man who had jumpedthrough the window, and who seemed the most enterprising of the party, left us at last and ran towards the stalls. The aspect of the twoserving-men, however, who rode up grinning, and made as if they wouldride him down, determined him to return; which he did, pale with fury, as the last of the four horses clattered out, and after a puzzled lookround trotted off at its leisure into the forest. 

On this, the man grew more violent, as I have remarked frightened mendo; so that at last the stranger condescended to notice him. 

'My good sir, ' he said coolly, looking at him through the window as ifhe had not seen him before, 'you annoy me. What is the matter?'

The fellow retorted with a vast amount of bluster, asking what the devilwe meant by turning out his horses. 

'Only to give you and the gentlemen with you a little exercise, ' mycompanion answered, with grim humour, and in a severe tone strange inone so young--'than which nothing is more wholesome after a full meal. That, and a lesson in good manners. Maignan, ' he continued, raisinghis voice, 'if this person has anything more to say, answer him. He isnearer your degree than mine. '

And leaving the man to slink away like a whipped dog--for the mean areever the first to cringe--my friend turned from the window. Meeting myeyes as he went back to his seat, he laughed. 'Well, ' he said, 'what doyou think?'

'That the ass in the lion's skin is very well till it meets the lion, ' Ianswered. 

He laughed again, and seemed pleased, as I doubt not he was. 'Pooh, pooh!' he said. 'It passed the time, and I think I am quits with mygentlemen now. But I must be riding. Possibly our roads may lie for awhile in the same direction, sir?' And he looked at me irresolutely. 

I answered cautiously that I was going to the town of Rosny. 

'You are not from Paris?' he continued, still looking at me. 

'No, ' I answered. 'I am from the south. '

'From Blois, perhaps?'

I nodded. 

'Ah!' he said, making no comment, which somewhat surprised me, all menat this time desiring news, and looking to Blois for it. 'I am ridingtowards Rosny also. Let us be going. '

But I noticed that as we got to horse, the man he called Maignan holdinghis stirrup with much formality, he turned and looked at me more thanonce with an expression in his eye which I could not interpret; sothat, being in an enemy's country, where curiosity was a thing to bedeprecated, I began to feel somewhat uneasy. However, as he presentlygave way to a fit of laughter, and seemed to be digesting his latediversion at the inn, I thought no more of it, finding him excellentcompany and a man of surprising information. 

Notwithstanding this my spirits began to flag as I approached Rosny; andas on such occasions nothing is more trying than the well-meant rallyingof a companion ignorant of our trouble, I felt rather relief than regretwhen he drew rein at four cross-roads a mile or so short of the town, and, announcing that here our paths separated, took a civil leave of me, and went his way with his servants. 

I dismounted at an inn at the extremity of the town, and, stoppingonly to arrange my dress and drink a cup of wine, asked the way to theChateau, which was situate, I learned, no more than a third of a mileaway. I went thither on foot by way of an avenue of trees leading upto a drawbridge and gateway. The former was down, but the gates wereclosed, and all the formalities of a fortress in time of war wereobserved on my admission, though the garrison appeared to consist onlyof two or three serving-men and as many foresters. I had leisure aftersending in my name to observe that the house was old and partlyruinous, but of great strength, covered in places with ivy, and closelysurrounded by woods. A staid-looking page came presently to me, and ledme up a narrow staircase to a parlour lighted by two windows, looking, one into the courtyard, the other towards the town. There a tall man waswaiting to receive me, who rose on my entrance and came forward. Judgeof my surprise when I recognised my acquaintance of the afternoon! 'M. De Rosny?' I exclaimed, standing still and looking at him in confusion. 

'The same, sir, ' he answered, with a quiet smile. 'You come from theKing of Navarre, I believe? and on an errand to me. You may speakopenly. The king has no secrets from me. '

There was something in the gravity of his demeanour as he waited for meto speak: which strongly impressed me; notwithstanding that he was tenyears younger than myself, and I had seen him so lately in a lightermood. I felt that his reputation had not belied him--that here was agreat man; and reflecting with despair on the inadequacy of the tale Ihad to tell him, I paused to consider in what terms I should begin. Hesoon put an end to this, however. 'Come, sir, ' he said with impatience. 'I have told you that you may speak out. You should have been here fourdays ago, as I take it. Now you are here, where is the lady?'

'Mademoiselle de la Vire?' I stammered, rather to gain time than withany other object. 

'Tut, tut!' he rejoined, frowning. 'Is there any other lady in thequestion? Come, sir, speak out. Where have you left her? This is noaffair of gallantry, ' he continued, the harshness of his demeanourdisagreeably surprising me, 'that you need beat about the bush. The kingentrusted to you a lady, who, I have no hesitation in telling you now, was in possession of certain State secrets. It is known that she escapedsafely from Chize and arrived safely at Blois. Where is she?'

'I would to Heaven I knew, sir!' I exclaimed in despair, feeling thepainfulness of my position increased a hundred fold by his manner. 'Iwish to God I did. '

'What is this?' he cried in a raised voice. 'You do not know where sheis? You jest, M. De Marsac. '

'It were a sorry jest, ' I answered, summoning up a rueful smile. And onthat, plunging desperately into the story which I have here set down, Inarrated the difficulties under which I had raised my escort, the mannerin which I came to be robbed of the gold token, how mademoiselle wastrepanned, the lucky chance by which I found her again, and the finaldisappointment. He listened, but listened throughout with no word ofsympathy--rather with impatience, which grew at last into derisiveincredulity. When I had done he asked me bluntly what I called myself. 

Scarcely understanding what he meant, I repeated my name. 

He answered, rudely and flatly, that it was impossible. I do not believeit, sir!' he repeated, his brow dark. 'You are not the man. You bringneither the lady nor the token, nor anything else by which I can testyour story. Nay, sir, do not scowl at me, ' he continued sharply. 'I amthe mouthpiece of the King of Navarre, to whom this matter is of thehighest importance. I cannot believe that the man whom he would choosewould act so. This house you prate of in Blois, for instance, and theroom with the two doors? What were you doing while mademoiselle wasbeing removed?'

'I was engaged with the men of the house, ' I answered, striving toswallow the anger which all but choked me. 'I did what I could. Had thedoor given way, all would have been well. '

He looked at me darkly. 'That is fine talking!' he said with a sneer. Then he dropped his eyes and seemed for a time to fall into a brownstudy, while I stood before him, confounded by this new view of thecase, furious, yet not knowing how to vent my fury, cut to the heart byhis insults, yet without hope or prospect of redress. 

'Come' he said harshly, after two or three minutes of gloomy reflectionon his part and burning humiliation on mine, 'is there anyone here whocan identify you, or in any other way confirm your story, sir? Until Iknow how the matter stands I can do nothing. '

I shook my head in sullen shame. I might protest against his brutalityand this judgment of me, but to what purpose while he sheltered himselfbehind his master?

'Stay!' he said presently, with an abrupt gesture of remembrance. 'I hadnearly forgotten. I have some here who have been lately at the King ofNavarre's Court at St. Jean d'Angely. If you still maintain that youare the M. De Marsac to whom this commission was entrusted, you willdoubtless have no objection to seeing them?'

On this I felt myself placed in a most cruel dilemma if I refused tosubmit my case to the proposed ordeal, I stood an impostor confessed. If I consented to see these strangers, it was probable they would notrecognise me, and possible that they might deny me in terms calculatedto make my position even worse, if that might be. I hesitated but, Rosnystanding inexorable before me awaiting an answer, I finally consented. 

'Good!' he said curtly. 'This way, if you please. They are here. Thelatch is tricky. Nay, sir, it is my house. '

Obeying the stern motion of his hand, I passed before him into the nextroom, feeling myself more humiliated than I can tell by this referenceto strangers. For a moment I could see no one. The day was waning, theroom I entered was long and narrow, and illuminated only by a glowingfire. Besides I was myself, perhaps, in some embarrassment. I believedthat my conductor had made a mistake, or that his guests had departed, and I turned towards him to ask for an explanation. He merely pointedonwards, however, and I advanced; whereupon a young and handsome lady, who had been seated in the shadow of the great fireplace, rose suddenly, as if startled, and stood looking at me, the glow of the burning woodfalling on one side of her face and turning her hair to gold. 

'Well!' M. De Rosny said, in a voice which sounded a little odd in myears. 'You do not know madame, I think?'

I saw that she was a complete stranger to me, and bowed to her withoutspeaking. The lady saluted me in turn ceremoniously and in silence. 

'Is there no one else here who should know you?' M. De Rosny continued, in a tone almost of persiflage, and with the same change in his voicewhich had struck me before; but now it was more marked. 'If not, M. DeMarsac, I am afraid--But first look round, look round, sir; I would notjudge any man hastily. '

He laid his hand on my shoulder as he finished in a manner so familiarand so utterly at variance with his former bearing that I doubted if Iheard or felt aright. Yet I looked mechanically at the lady, and seeingthat her eyes glistened in the firelight, and that she gazed at me verykindly, I wondered still more; falling, indeed, into a very confusionof amazement. This was not lessened but augmented a hundredfold when, turning in obedience to the pressure of de Rosny's hand, I saw besideme, as if she had risen from the floor, another lady--no other thanMademoiselle de la Vire herself! She had that moment stepped out of theshadow of the great fireplace, which had hitherto hidden her, and stoodbefore me curtseying prettily, with the same look on her face and in hereyes which madame's wore. 

'Mademoiselle!' I muttered, unable to take my eyes from her. 

'Mais oui, monsieur, mademoiselle, ' she answered, curtseying lower, withthe air of a child rather than a woman. 

'Here?' I stammered, my mouth open, my eyes staring. 

'Here, sir--thanks to the valour of a brave man, ' she answered, speakingin a voice so low I scarcely heard her. And then, dropping her eyes, she stepped back into the shadow, as if either she had said too muchalready, or doubted her composure were she to say more. She was soradiantly dressed, she looked in the firelight more like a fairy thana woman, being of small and delicate proportions; and she seemed inmy eyes so different a person, particularly in respect of the softenedexpression of her features, from the Mademoiselle de la Vire whom I hadknown and seen plunged in sloughs and bent to the saddle with fatigue, that I doubted still if I had seen aright, and was as far fromenlightenment as before. 

It was M. De Rosny himself who relieved me from the embarrassment I wassuffering. He embraced me in the most kind and obliging manner, and thismore than once; begging me to pardon the deception he had practised uponme, and to which he had been impelled partly by the odd nature of ourintroduction at the inn, and partly by his desire to enhance the joyfulsurprise he had in store for me. 'Come, ' he said presently, drawing meto the window, 'let me show you some more of your old friends. '

I looked out, and saw below me in the courtyard my three horses drawn upin a row, the Cid being bestridden by Simon Fleix, who, seeing me, waveda triumphant greeting. A groom stood at the head of each horse, and oneither side was a man with a torch. My companion laughed gleefully. 'It was Maignan's arrangement, ' he said. 'He has a quaint taste in suchthings. '

After greeting Simon Fleix a hundred times, I turned back into the room, and, my heart overflowing with gratitude and wonder, I begged M. DeRosny to acquaint me with the details of mademoiselle's escape. 

'It was the most simple thing in the world, ' he said, taking me by thehand and leading me back to the hearth. 'While you were engaged withthe rascals, the old woman who daily brought mademoiselle's food grewalarmed at the uproar, and came into the room to learn what it was. Mademoiselle, unable to help you, and uncertain of your success, thoughtthe opportunity too good to be lost. She forced the old woman to showher and her maid the way out through the garden. This done, they randown a lane, as I understand, and came immediately upon the lad with thehorses, who recognised them and helped them to mount. They waited someminutes for you, and then rode off. '

'But I inquired at the gate, ' I said. 

'At which gate?' inquired M. De Rosny, smiling. 

'The North-gate, of course, ' I answered. 

'Just so, ' he rejoined with a nod. 'But they went out through theWest-gate and made a circuit. He is a strange lad, that of yours belowthere. He has a head on his shoulder, M. De Marsac. Well, two leaguesoutside the town they halted, scarcely knowing how to proceed. By goodfortune, however, a horse-dealer of my acquaintance was at the inn. He knew Mademoiselle de la Vire, and, hearing whither she was bound, brought her hither without let or hindrance. '

'Was he a Norman?' I asked, M. De Rosny nodded, smiling at me shrewdly. 'Yes, ' he said, 'he toldme much about you. And now let me introduce you to my wife, Madame deRosny. '

He led me up to the lady who had risen at my entrance, and who nowwelcomed me as kindly as she had before looked on me, paying me manypleasant compliments. I gazed at her with interest, having heard muchof her beauty and of the strange manner in which M. De Rosny, beingenamoured of two young ladies, and chancing upon both while lodging indifferent apartments at an inn, had decided which he should visit andmake his wife. He appeared to read what was in my mind, for as I bowedbefore her, thanking her for the obliging things which she had uttered, and which for ever bound me to her service, he gaily pinched her ear, and said, 'When you want a good wife, M. De Marsac, be sure you turn tothe right. '

He spoke in jest, and having his own case only in his mind. But I, looking mechanically in the direction he indicated, saw mademoisellestanding a pace or two to my right in the shadow of the greatchimney-piece. I know not whether she frowned more or blushed more;but this for certain, that she answered my look with one of sharpdispleasure, and, turning her back on me, swept quickly from the room, with no trace in her bearing of that late tenderness and gratitude whichI had remarked. 

CHAPTER XIII. AT ROSNY. 

The morning brought only fresh proofs of the kindness which M. DeRosny had conceived for me. Awaking early I found on a stool besidemy clothes, a purse of gold containing a hundred crowns; and a youthpresently entering to ask me if I lacked anything, I had at first somedifficulty in recognising Simon Fleix, so sprucely was the lad dressed, in a mode resembling Maignan's. I looked at the student more than oncebefore I addressed him by his name; and was as much surprised bythe strange change I observed in him for it was not confined to hisclothes--as by anything which had happened since I entered the house. Irubbed my eyes, and asked him what he had done with his soutane. 'Burnedit, M. De Marsac, ' he answered briefly. 

I saw that he had burned much, metaphorically speaking, besides hissoutane. He was less pale, less lank, less wobegone than formerly, andwent more briskly. He had lost the air of crack-brained disorder whichhad distinguished him, and was smart, sedate, and stooped less. Only theodd sparkle remained in his eyes, and bore witness to the same nervous, eager spirit within. 

'What are you going to do, then, Simon?' I asked, noting these changescuriously. 

'I am a soldier, ' he answered, 'and follow M. De Marsac. '

I laughed. 'You have chosen a poor service, I am afraid, ' I said, beginning to rise; 'and one, too, Simon, in which it is possible you maybe killed. I thought that would not suit you, ' I continued, to see whathe would say. But he answered nothing, and I looked at him in greatsurprise. 'You have made up your mind, then, at last?' I said. 

'Perfectly, ' he answered. 

'And solved all your doubts?'

'I have no doubts. '

'You are a Huguenot?'

'That is the only true and pure religion, ' he replied gravely. And withapparent sincerity and devotion he repeated Beza's Confession of Faith. 

This filled me with profound astonishment, but I said no more at thetime, though I had my doubts. I waited until I was alone with M. DeRosny, and then I unbosomed myself on the matter; expressing my surpriseat the suddenness of the conversion, and at such a man, as I had foundthe student to be, stating his views so firmly and steadfastly, and withso little excitement. Observing that M. De Rosny smiled but answerednothing, I explained myself farther. 

'I am surprised, ' I said, 'because I have always heard it maintainedthat clerkly men, becoming lost in the mazes of theology, seldom findany sure footing; that not one in a hundred returns to his old faith, orfinds grace to accept a new one. I am speaking only of such, of course, as I believe this lad to be--eager, excitable brains, learning much, andwithout judgment to digest what they learn. '

'Of such I also believe it to be true, ' M. De Rosny answered, stillsmiling. 'But even on them a little influence, applied at the rightmoment, has much effect, M. De Marsac. '

'I allow that, ' I said. 'But my mother, of whom I have spoken to you, saw much of this youth. His fidelity to her was beyond praise. Yet herfaith, though grounded on a rock, had no weight with him. '

M. De Rosny shook his head, still smiling. 

'It is not our mothers who convert us, ' he said. 

'What!' I cried, my eyes opened. 'Do you mean--do you mean thatMademoiselle has done this?'

'I fancy so, ' he answered, nodding. 'I think my lady cast her spell overhim by the way. The lad left Blois with her, if what you say be true, without faith in the world. He came to my hands two days later thestoutest of Huguenots. It is not hard to read this riddle. '

'Such, conversions are seldom lasting, ' I said. 

He looked at me queerly; and, the smile still hovering about his lips, answered 'Tush, man! Why so serious? Theodore Beza himself could notlook dryer. The lad is in earnest, and there is no harm done. '

And, Heaven knows, I was in no mood to suspect harm; nor inclinedjust then to look at the dark side of things. It may be conceived howdelightful it was to me to be received as an equal and honoured guest bya man, even then famous, and now so grown in reputation as to overshadowall Frenchmen save his master; how pleasant to enjoy the comforts andamiabilities of home, from which I had been long estranged; to pour mymother's story into Madame's ears and find comfort in her sympathy; tofeel myself, in fine, once more a gentleman with an acknowledged placein the world. Our days we spent in hunting, or excursions of somekind, our evenings in long conversations, which impressed me with anever-growing respect for my lord's powers. 

For there seemed to be no end either to his knowledge of France, or tothe plans for its development, which even then filled his brain, andhave since turned wildernesses into fruitful lands, and squalid townsinto great cities. Grave and formal, he could yet unbend; the mostsagacious of counsellors, he was a soldier also, and loved the seclusionin which we lived the more that it was not devoid of danger; theneighbouring towns being devoted to the League, and the general disorderalone making it possible for him to lie unsuspected in his own house. 

One thing only rendered my ease and comfort imperfect, and that wasthe attitude which Mademoiselle de la Vire assumed towards me. Of hergratitude in the first blush of the thing I felt no doubt, for not onlyhad she thanked me very prettily, though with reserve, on the evening ofmy arrival, but the warmth of M. De Rosny's kindness left me no choice, save to believe that she had given him an exaggerated idea of my meritsand services. I asked no more than this. Such good offices left menothing to expect or desire; my age and ill-fortune placing me at sogreat a disadvantage that, far from dreaming of friendship or intimacywith her, I did not even assume the equality in our daily intercourse towhich my birth, taken by itself, entitled me. Knowing that I must appearin her eyes old, poor, and ill-dressed, and satisfied, with havingasserted my conduct and honour, I was careful not to trespass on hergratitude; and while forward in such courtesies as could not wearyher, I avoided with equal care every appearance of pursuing her, orinflicting my company upon her. I addressed her formally and upon formaltopics only, such, I mean, as we shared with the rest of our company;and I reminded myself often that though we now met in the same houseand at the same table, she was still the Mademoiselle de la Vire who hadborne herself so loftily in the King of Navarre's ante-chamber. ThisI did, not out of pique or wounded pride, which I no more, God knows, harboured against her than against a bird; but that I might not in mynew prosperity forget the light in which such a woman, young, spoiled, and beautiful, must still regard me. 

Keeping to this inoffensive posture, I was the more hurt when I foundher gratitude fade with the hour. After the first two days, during whichI remarked that she was very silent, seldom speaking to me or looking atme, she resumed much of her old air of disdain. For that I cared little;but she presently went farther, and began to rake up the incidents whichhad happened at St. Jean d'Angely, and in which I had taken part. Shecontinually adverted to my poverty while there, to the odd figure I hadcut, and the many jests her friends had made at my expense. She seemedto take a pleasure positively savage in these, gibing at me sometimesso bitterly as to shame and pain me, and bring the colour to Madame deRosny's cheeks. 

To the time we had spent together, on the other hand, she never orrarely referred. One afternoon, however, a week after my arrival atRosny, I found her sitting alone in the parlour. I had not known shewas there, and I was for withdrawing at once with a bow and a mutteredapology. But she stopped me with an angry gesture. 'I do not bite, 'she said, rising from her stool and meeting my eyes, a red spot in eachcheek. 'Why do you look at me like that? Do you know, M. De Marsac, thatI have no patience with you. ' And she stamped her foot on the floor. 

'But, mademoiselle, ' I stammered humbly, wondering what in the world shemeant, 'what have I done?'

'Done?' she repeated angrily. 'Done? It is not what you have done, it iswhat you are. I have no patience with you. Why are you so dull, sir? Whyare you so dowdy? Why do you go about with your doublet awry, and yourhair lank? Why do you speak to Maignan as if he were a gentleman? Whydo you look always solemn and polite, and as if all the world were apreche? Why? Why? Why, I say?'

She stopped from sheer lack of breath, leaving me as much astonished asever in my life. She looked so beautiful in her fury and fierceness too, that I could only stare at her and wonder dumbly what it all meant. 

'Well!' she cried impatiently, after bearing this as long as she could, 'have you not a word to say for yourself? Have you no tongue? Have youno will of your own at all, M. De Marsac?'

'But, mademoiselle, ' I began, trying to explain. 

'Chut!' she exclaimed, cutting me short before I could get farther, asthe way of women is. And then she added, in a changed tone, and veryabruptly, 'You have a velvet knot of mine, sir. Give it me. '

'It is in my room, ' I answered, astonished beyond measure at this suddenchange of subject, and equally sudden demand. 

'Then fetch it, sir, if you please, ' she replied, her eyes flashingafresh. 'Fetch it. Fetch it, I say! It has served its turn, and I preferto have it. Who knows but that some day you may be showing it for alove-knot?'

'Mademoiselle!' I cried, hotly. And I think that for the moment I was asangry as she was. 

'Still, I prefer to have it, ' she answered sullenly, casting down hereyes. 

I was so much enraged, I went without a word and fetched it, and, bringing it to her where she stood, in the same place, put it into herhands. When she saw it some recollection, I fancy, of the day when shehad traced the cry for help on it, came to her in her anger; for shetook it from me with all her bearing altered. She trembled, and held itfor a moment in her hands, as if she did not know what to do with it. She was thinking, doubtless, of the house in Blois and the peril she hadrun there; and, being for my part quite willing that she should thinkand feel how badly she had acted, I stood looking at her, sparing her nowhit of my glance. 

'The gold chain you left on my mother's pillow, ' I said coldly, seeingshe continued silent, 'I cannot return to you at once, for I havepledged it. But I will do so as soon as I can. '

'You have pledged it?' she muttered, with her eyes averted. 

'Yes, mademoiselle, to procure a horse to bring me here, ' I replieddrily. 'However, it, shall be redeemed. In return, there is something Itoo would ask. '

'What?' she murmured, recovering herself with all effort, and looking atme with something of her old pride and defiance. 

'The broken coin you have, ' I said. 'The token, I mean. It is of no useto you, for your enemies hold the other half. It might be of service tome. '

'How?' she asked curtly. 

'Because some day I may find its fellow, mademoiselle, '

'And then?' she cried. She looked at me, her lips parted, her eyesflashing. 'What then, when you have found its fellow, M. De Marsac?'

I shrugged my shoulders. 

'Bah!' she exclaimed, clenching her little hand, and stamping her footon the floor in a passion I could not understand. 'That is you! That isM. De Marsac all over. You say nothing, and men think nothing of you. You go with your hat in your hand, and they tread on you. They speak, and you are silent! Why, if I could use a sword as you can, I would keepsilence before no man, nor let any man save the King of France cock hishat in my presence! But you! There! go, leave me. Here is your coin. Take it and go. Send me that lad of yours to keep me awake. At any ratehe has brains, he is young, he is a man, he has a soul, he can feel--ifhe were anything but a clerk. '

She waved me off in such a wind of passion as might have amused me inanother, but in her smacked so strongly of ingratitude as to pain menot a little. I went, however, and sent Simon to her; though I liked theerrand very ill, and no better when I saw the lad's face light up atthe mention of her name. But apparently she had not recovered her temperwhen he reached her, for he fared no better than I had done; coming awaypresently with the air of a whipped dog, as I saw from the yew-tree walkwhere I was strolling. 

Still, after that she made it a habit to talk to him more and more; and, Monsieur and Madame de Rosny being much taken up with one another, therewas no one to check her fancy or speak a word of advice. Knowing herpride, I had no fears for her; but it grieved me to think that the lad'shead should be turned. A dozen times I made up my mind to speak to heron his behalf; but for one thing it was not my business, and for anotherI soon discovered that she was aware of my displeasure, and valued itnot a jot. For venturing one morning, when she was in a pleasant humour, to hint that she treated those beneath her too inhumanly, and with anunkindness as little becoming noble blood as familiarity, she asked mescornfully if I did not think she treated Simon Fleix well enough. Towhich I had nothing to answer. 

I might here remark on the system of secret intelligence by means ofwhich M. De Rosny, even in this remote place, received news of all thatwas passing in France. But it is common fame. There was no coming orgoing of messengers, which would quickly have aroused suspicion in theneighbouring town, nor was it possible even for me to say exactly bywhat channels news came. But come it did, and at all hours of the day. In this way we heard of the danger of La Ganache and of the effortcontemplated by the King of Navarre for its relief. M. De Rosny notonly communicated these matters to me without reserve, but engagedmy affections by farther proofs of confidence such as might well haveflattered a man of greater importance. 

I have said that, as a rule, there was no coming or going of messengers. But one evening, returning from the chase with one of the keepers, whohad prayed my assistance in hunting down a crippled doe, I was surprisedto find a strange horse, which had evidently been ridden hard and far, standing smoking in the yard. Inquiring whose it was, I learned thata man believed by the grooms to be from Blois had just arrived and wascloseted with the baron. An event so far out of the ordinary course ofthings naturally aroused my wonder; but desiring to avoid any appearanceof curiosity, which, if indulged, is apt to become the most vulgar ofvices, I refrained from entering the house, and repaired instead to theyew-walk. I had scarcely, however, heated my blood, a little chilledwith riding, before the page came to me to fetch me to his master. 

I found M. De Rosny striding up and down his room, his manner sodisordered and his face disfigured by so much grief and horror that Istarted on seeing him. My heart sinking in a moment, I did not need tolook at Madame, who sat weeping silently in a chair, to assure myselfthat something dreadful had happened. The light was failing, and a lamphad been brought into the room. M. De Rosny pointed abruptly to asmall piece of paper which lay on the table beside it, and, obeying hisgesture, I took this up and read its contents, which consisted of lessthan a score of words. 

'He is ill and like to die, ' the message ran, 'twenty leagues south ofLa Ganache. Come at all costs. P. M. 

'Who?' I said stupidly--stupidly, for already I began to understand. Whois ill and like to die?'

M. De Rosny turned to me, and I saw that the tears were tricklingunbidden down his cheeks. 'There is but one HE for me, ' he cried. 'MayGod spare that one! May He spare him to France, which needs him, to theChurch, which hangs on him, and to me, who love him! Let him not fallin the hour of fruition. O Lord, let him not fall!' And he sank on toa stool, and remained in that posture with his face in his hands, hisbroad shoulders shaken with grief. 

'Come, sir, ' I said, after a pause sacred to sorrow and dismay; 'let meremind you that while there is life there is hope. '

'Hope?'

'Yes, M. De Rosny, hope, ' I replied more cheerfully. 'He has work todo. He is elected, called, and chosen; the Joshua of his people, as M. D'Amours rightly called him. God will not take him yet. You shall seehim and be embraced by him, as has happened a hundred times. Remember, sir, the King of Navarre is strong, hardy, and young, and no doubt ingood hands. '

'Mornay's, ' M. De Rosny cried, looking up with contempt in his eye. 

Yet from that moment he rallied, spurred, I think, by the thought thatthe King of Navarre's recovery depended under God on M. De Mornay; whomhe was ever inclined to regard as his rival. He began to make instantpreparations for departure from Rosny, and bade me do so also, tellingme, somewhat curtly and without explanation, that he had need of me. Thedanger of so speedy a return to the South, where the full weight of theVicomte de Turenne's vengeance awaited me, occurred to me strongly; andI ventured, though with a little shame, to mention it. But M. De Rosny, after gazing at me a moment in apparent doubt, put the objection asidewith a degree of peevishness unusual in him, and continued to press onhis arrangements as earnestly as though they did not include separationfrom a wife equally loving and beloved. 

Having few things to look to myself, I was at leisure, when the hour ofdeparture came, to observe both the courage with which Madame deRosny supported her sorrow, 'for the sake of France, ' and the unwontedtenderness which Mademoiselle de la Vire, lifted for once above herself, lavished on her. I seemed to stand--happily in one light, and yet thefeeling was fraught with pain--outside their familiar relations; yet, having made my adieux as short and formal as possible, that I mightnot encroach on other and more sacred ones, I found at the last momentsomething in waiting for me. I was surprised as I rode under the gatewaya little ahead of the others, by something small and light fallingon the saddle-bow before me. Catching it before it could slide to theground, I saw, with infinite astonishment, that I held in my hand a tinyvelvet bow. 

To look up at the window of the parlour, which I have said was over thearchway, was my first impulse. I did so, and met mademoiselle's eyes fora second, and a second only. The next moment she was gone. M. De Rosnyclattered through the gate at my heels, the servants behind him. And wewere on the road. 

CHAPTER XIV. M. DE RAMBOUILLET. 

For a while we were but a melancholy party. The incident I have lastrelated which seemed to admit of more explanations than one--left mein a state of the greatest perplexity; and this prevailed with me for atime, and was only dissipated at length by my seeing my own face, as itwere, in a glass. For, chancing presently to look behind me, I observedthat Simon Fleix was riding, notwithstanding his fine hat and featherand his new sword, in a posture and with an air of dejection difficultto exaggerate; whereon the reflection that master and man had the sameobject in their minds--nay, the thought that possibly he bore in hisbosom a like token to that which lay warm in mine--occurring to me, Iroused myself as from some degrading dream, and, shaking up the Cid, cantered forward to join Rosny, who, in no cheerful mood himself, wasriding steadily forward, wrapped to his eyes in his cloak. 

The news of the King of Navarre's illness had fallen on him, indeed, inthe midst of his sanguine scheming with the force of a thunderbolt. He saw himself in danger of losing at once the master he loved and thebrilliant future to which he looked forward; and amid the imminent crashof his hopes and the destruction of the system in which he lived, he hadscarcely time to regret the wife he was leaving at Rosny or the quietfrom which he was so suddenly called. His heart was in the South, at LaGanache, by Henry's couch. His main idea was to get there quickly at allrisks. The name of the King of Navarre's physician was constantly on hislips. 'Dortoman is a good man. If anyone call save him, Dortoman will, 'was his perpetual cry. And whenever he met anyone who had the leastappearance of bearing news, he would have me stop and interrogate him, and by no means let the traveller go until he had given us the lastrumour from Blois--the channel through which all the news from the Southreached us. 

An incident which occurred at the inn that evening cheered him somewhat;the most powerful minds being prone, I have observed, to snatch at omensin times of uncertainty. An elderly man, of strange appearance, anddressed in an affected and bizarre fashion, was seated at table when wearrived. Though I entered first in my assumed capacity of leader of theparty, he let me pass before him without comment, but rose and solemnlysaluted M. De Rosny, albeit the latter walked behind me and was muchmore plainly dressed. Rosny returned his greeting and would have passedon; but the stranger, interposing with a still lower bow, invited him totake his seat, which was near the fire and sheltered from the draught, at the same time making as if he would himself remove to another place. 

'Nay, ' said my companion, surprised by such an excess of courtesy, 'I donot see why I should take your place, sir. '

'Not mine only, ' the old man rejoined, looking at him with aparticularity and speaking with an emphasis which attracted ourattention, 'but those of many others, who I can assure you will veryshortly yield them up to you, whether they will or not. '

M. De Rosny shrugged his shoulders and passed on, affecting to supposethe old man wandered. But privately he thought much of his words, andmore when he learned that he was an astrologer from Paris, who had thename, at any rate in this country, of having studied under Nostradamus. And whether he drew fresh hopes from this, or turned his attention moreparticularly as we approached Blois to present matters, certainly hegrew more cheerful, and began again to discuss the future, as thoughassured of his master's recovery. 

'You have never been to the King's Court?' he said presently, followingup, as I judged, a train of thought in his own mind. 'At Blois, I mean. '

'No; nor do I feel anxious to visit it, ' I answered. 'To tell you thetruth, M. Le Baron, ' I continued with some warmth, 'the sooner me arebeyond Blois, the better I shall be pleased. I think we run some riskthere, and, besides, I do not fancy a shambles. I do not think I couldsee the king without thinking of the Bartholomew, nor his chamberwithout thinking of Guise. '

'Tut, tut!' he said, 'you have killed a man before now. '

'Many, ' I answered. 

'Do they trouble you?'

'No, but they were killed in fair fight, ' I replied, 'That makes adifference. '

'To you, ' he said drily. 'But you are not the King of France, you see. Should you ever come across him, ' he continued, flicking his horse'sears, a faint smile on his lips, 'I will give you a hint. Talk to him ofthe battles at Jarnac and Moncontour, and praise your Conde's father! AsConde lost the fight and, he won it, the compliment comes home to him. The more hopelessly a man has lost his powers, my friend, the morefondly he regards them, and the more highly he prizes the victories hecall no longer gain. '

'Ugh!' I muttered. 

'Of the two parties at Court, ' Rosny continued, calmly overlooking myill-humour, 'trust D'Aumont and Biron and the French clique. They aretrue to France at any rate. But whomsoever you see consort with the twoRetzs--the King of Spain's jackals as men name them--avoid him for aSpaniard and a traitor. '

'But the Retzs are Italians, ' I objected peevishly. 

'The same thing, ' he answered curtly. 'They cry, "Vive le Roi!" butprivately they are for the League, or for Spain, or for whatever maymost hurt us; who are better Frenchmen than themselves, and whose leaderwill some day, if God spare his life, be King of France. '

'Well, the less I have to do with the one or the other of them, save atthe sword's point, the better I shall be pleased, ' I rejoined. 

On that he looked at me with a queer smile; as was his way when he hadmore in his mind than appeared. And this, and something special in thetone of his conversation, as well, perhaps, as my own doubts about myfuture and his intentions regarding me, gave me an uneasy feeling;which lasted through the day, and left me only when more immediate perilpresently rose to threaten us. 

It happened in this way. We had reached the outskirts of Blois, and werejust approaching the gate, hoping to pass through it without attractingattention, when two travellers rode slowly out of a lane, the mouth ofwhich we were passing. They eyed us closely as they reined in to letus go by; and M. De Rosny, who was riding with his horse's head at mystirrup, whispered me to press on. Before I could comply, however, thestrangers cantered by us, and turning in the saddle when abreast of uslooked us in the face. A moment later one of them cried loudly, 'It ishe!' and both pulled their horses across the road, and waited for us tocome up. 

Aware that if M. De Rosny were discovered he would be happy if heescaped with imprisonment, the king being too jealous of his Catholicreputation to venture to protect a Huguenot, however illustrious, I sawthat the situation was desperate; for, though we were five to two, the neighbourhood of the city--the gate being scarcely a bow-shotoff--rendered flight or resistance equally hopeless. I could think ofnothing for it save to put a bold face on the matter, and, M. De Rosnydoing the same, we advanced in the most innocent way possible. 

'Halt, there!' cried one of the strangers sharply. 'And let me tell you, sir, you are known. '

'What if I am?' I answered impatiently, still pressing on. 'Are youhighwaymen, that you stop the way?'

The speaker on the other side looked at me keenly, but in a momentretorted, 'Enough trifling, sir! Who YOU are I do not know. But theperson riding at your rein is M. De Rosny. Him I do know, and I warn himto stop. '

I thought the game was lost, but to my surprise my companion answeredat once and almost in the same words I had used. 'Well, sir, and what ofthat?' he said. 

'What of that?' the stranger exclaimed, spurring his horse so as stillto bar the way. 'Why, only this, that you must be a madman to showyourself on this side of the Loire. '

'It is long since I have seen the other, ' was my companion's unmovedanswer. 

'You are M. De Rosny? You do not deny it?' the man cried inastonishment. 

'Certainly I do not deny it, ' M. De Rosny answered bluntly. 'And more, the day has been, sir, ' he continued with sudden fire, 'when few at hisMajesty's Court would have dared to chop words with Solomon de Bethune, much less to stop him on the highway within a mile of the palace. Buttimes are changed with me, sir, and it would seem with others also, iftrue men rallying to his Majesty in his need are to be challenged byevery passer on the road. '

'What! Are you Solomon de Bethune?' the man cried incredulously. Incredulously, but his countenance fell, and his voice was full ofchagrin and disappointment, 'Who else, sir?' M. De Rosny replied haughtily. 'I am, and, as far as Iknow, I have as much right on this side of the Loire as any other man. '

'A thousand pardons. '

'If you are not satisfied--'

'Nay, M. De Rosny, I am perfectly satisfied. '

The stranger repented this with a very crestfallen air, adding, 'Athousand pardons'; and fell to making other apologies, doffing his hatwith great respect. 'I took you, if you will pardon me saying so, foryour Huguenot brother, M. Maximilian, ' he explained. 'The saying goesthat he is at Rosny. '

'I can answer for that being false, ' M. De Rosny answered peremptorily, 'for I have just come from there, and I will answer for it he is notwithin ten leagues of the place. And now, sir, as we desire to enterbefore the gates shut, perhaps you will excuse us. ' With which he bowed, and I bowed, and they bowed, and we separated. They gave us the road, which M. De Rosny took with a great air, and we trotted to the gate, andpassed through it without misadventure. 

The first street we entered was a wide one, and my companion tookadvantage of this to ride up abreast of me. 'That is the kind ofadventure our little prince is fond of, ' he muttered. 'But for my part, M. De Marsac, the sweat is running down my forehead. I have played thetrick more than once before, for my brother and I are as like as twopeas. And yet it would have gone ill with us if the fool had been one ofhis friends. '

'All's well that ends well, ' I answered in a low voice, thinking it anill time for compliments. As it was, the remark was unfortunate, for M. De Rosny was still in the act of reining back when Maignan called out tous to say we were being followed. 

I looked behind, but could see nothing except gloom and rain andoverhanging eaves and a few figures cowering in doorways. The servants, however, continued to maintain that it was so, and we held, withoutactually stopping, a council of war. If detected, we were caught in atrap, without hope of escape; and for the moment I am sure M. Do Rosnyregretted that he had chosen this route by Blois--that he had thrusthimself, in his haste and his desire to take with him the latest news, into a snare so patent. The castle--huge, dark, and grim--loomed beforeus at the end of the street in which we were, and, chilled as I wasmyself by the sight, I could imagine how much more appalling it mustappear to him, the chosen counsellor of his master, and the steadfastopponent of all which it represented. 

Our consultation came to nothing, for no better course suggesteditself than to go as we had intended to the lodging commonly used by mycompanion. We did so, looking behind us often, and saying more than oncethat Maignan must be mistaken. As soon as we had dismounted, however, and gone in, he showed us from the window a man loitering near; andthis confirmation of our alarm sending us to our expedients again, whileMaignan remained watching in a room without a light, I suggested that Imight pass myself off, though ten years older, for my companion. 

'Alas!' he said, drumming with his fingers on the table 'there are toomany here who know me to make that possible. I thank you all the same. '

'Could you escape on foot? Or pass the wall anywhere, or slip throughthe gates early?' I suggested. 

'They might tell us at the Bleeding Heart, ' he answered. But I doubt it. I was a fool, sir, to put my neck into Mendoza's halter, and that is afact. But here is Maignan. What is it, man?' he continued eagerly. 

'The watcher is gone, my lord, ' the equerry answered. 

'And has left no one?'

'No one that I can see. '

We both went into the next room and looked from the windows. The manwas certainly not where we had seen him before. But the rain was fallingheavily, the eaves were dripping, the street was a dark cavern withonly here and there a spark of light, and the fellow might be lurkingelsewhere. Maignan, being questioned, however, believed he had gone offof set purpose. 

'Which may be read half a dozen ways, ' I remarked. 

'At any rate, we are fasting, ' M. De Rosny answered. Give me a full manin a fight. Let us sit down and eat. It is no good jumping in the dark, or meeting troubles half way. '

We were not through our meal, however, Simon Fleix waiting on us with apale face, when Maignan came in again from the dark room. 'My lord, ' hesaid quietly, 'three men have appeared. Two of them remain twenty pacesaway. The third has come to the door. ' As he spoke we heard a cautioussummons below, Maignan was for going down, but his master bade himstand. Let the woman of the house go, ' he said. 

I remarked and long remembered M. De Rosny's SANG-FROID on thisoccasion. His pistols he had already laid on a chair beside him throwinghis cloak over them; and now, while we waited, listening in breathlesssilence, I saw him hand a large slice of bread-and-meat to his equerry, who, standing behind his chair, began eating it with the same coolness. Simon Fleix, on the other hand, stood gazing at the door, trembling inevery limb, and with so much of excitement and surprise in his attitudethat I took the precaution of bidding him, in a low voice, do nothingwithout orders. At the same moment it occurred to me to extinguish twoof the four candles which had been lighted; and I did so, M. De Rosnynodding assent, just as the muttered conversation which was beingcarried on below ceased, and a man's tread sounded on the stairs. 

It was followed immediately by a knock on the outside of our door. Obeying my companion's look, I cried, 'Enter!'

A slender man of middle height, booted and wrapped up, with his facealmost entirely hidden by a fold of his cloak, came in quickly, andclosing the door behind him, advanced towards the table. 'Which is M. DeRosny?' he said. 

Rosny had carefully turned his face from the light, but at the soundof the other's voice he sprang up with a cry of relief. He was about tospeak, when the newcomer, raising his hand peremptorily, continued, 'Nonames, I beg. Yours, I suppose, is known here. Mine is not, nor do Idesire it should be. I want speech of you, that is all. '

'I am greatly honoured, ' M. De Rosny replied, gazing at him eagerly. 'Yet, who told you I was here?'

'I saw you pass under a lamp in the street, ' the stranger answered. 'Iknew your horse first, and you afterwards, and bade a groom follow you. Believe me, ' he added, with a gesture of the hand, 'you have nothing tofear from me. '

'I accept the assurance in the spirit in which it is offered, ' mycompanion answered with a graceful bow, 'and think myself fortunatein being recognised'--he paused a moment and then continued--'by aFrenchman and a man of honour. '

The stranger shrugged his shoulders. 'Your pardon, then, ' he said, 'if Iseem abrupt. My time is short. I want to do the best with it I can. Willyou favour me?'

I was for withdrawing, but M. De Rosny ordered Maignan to place lightsin the next room, and, apologising to me very graciously, retiredthither with the stranger, leaving me relieved indeed by these peacefulappearances, but full of wonder and conjectures who this might be, andwhat the visit portended. At one moment I was inclined to identifythe stranger with M. De Rosny's brother; at another with the Englishambassador; and then, again, a wild idea that he might be M. De Bruhloccurred to me. The two remained together about a quarter of an hour andthen came out, the stranger leading the way, and saluting me politelyas he passed through the room. At the door he turned to say, 'At nineo'clock, then?'

'At nine o'clock, ' M. De Rosny replied, holding the door open. 'You willexcuse me if I do not descend, Marquis?'

'Yes, go back, my friend, ' the stranger answered. And, lighted byMaignan, whose face on such occasions could assume the most stolid airin the world, he disappeared down the stairs, and I heard him go out. 

M. De Rosny turned to me, his eyes sparkling with joy, his face and mienfull of animation. 'The King of Navarre is better, ' he said. 'He is saidto be out of danger. What do you think of that, my friend?'

'That is the best news I have heard for many a day, ' I answered. And Ihastened to add, that France and the Religion had reason to thank Godfor His mercy. 

'Amen to that, ' my patron replied reverently. 'But that is not all--thatis not all. ' And he began to walk up and down the room humming the 118thPsalm a little above his breath--

 La voici l'heureuse journee Que Dieu a faite a plein desir; Par nous soit joie demenee, Et prenons en elle plaisir. 

He continued, indeed, to walk up and down the floor so long, and with sojoyful a countenance and demeanour, that I ventured, at last to remindhim of my presence, which he had clearly forgotten. 'Ha! to be sure, 'he said, stopping short and looking at me with the utmost good-humour. 'What time is it? Seven. Then until nine o'clock, my friend, I craveyour indulgence. In fine, until that time I must keep counsel. Come, I am hungry still. Let us sit down, and this time I hope we may not beinterrupted. Simon, set us on a fresh bottle. Ha! ha! VIVENT LE ROI ETLE ROI DE NAVARRE!' And again he fell to humming the same psalm--

 O Dieu eternel, je te prie, Je te prie, ton roi maintiens: O Dieu, je te prie et reprie, Sauve ton roi et l'entretiens!

doing so with a light in his eyes and a joyous emphasis, which impressedme the more in a man ordinarily so calm and self-contained. I saw thatsomething had occurred to gratify him beyond measure, and, believing hisstatement that this was not the good news from La Ganache only, I waitedwith the utmost interest and anxiety for the hour of nine, which hadno sooner struck than our former visitor appeared with the same air ofmystery and disguise which had attended him before. 

M. De Rosny, who had risen on hearing his step and had taken up hiscloak, paused with it half on and half off, to cry anxiously, 'All iswell, is it not?'

'Perfectly, ' the stranger replied, with a nod. 

'And my friend?'

Yes, on condition that you answer for his discretion and fidelity. ' Andthe stranger glanced involuntarily at me who stood uncertain whether tohold my ground or retire. 

'Good, ' M. De Rosny cried. Then he turned to me with a mingled airof dignity and kindness, and continued: 'This is the gentleman. M. DeMarsac, I am honoured with permission to present you to the Marquis deRambouillet, whose interest and protection I beg you to deserve, for heis a true Frenchman and a patriot whom I respect. '

M. De Rambouillet saluted me politely. 'Of a Brittany family, I think?'he said. 

I assented; and he replied with something complimentary. But afterwardshe continued to look at me in silence with a keenness and curiosity Idid not understand. At last, when M. De Rosny's impatience had reacheda high pitch, the marquis seemed impelled to add something. 'You quiteunderstand M. De Rosny?' he said. 'Without saying anything disparagingof M. De Marsac, who is, no doubt, a man of honour'--and he bowed to mevery low--'this is a delicate matter, and you will introduce no one intoit, I am sure, whom you cannot trust as yourself. '

'Precisely, ' M. De Rosny replied, speaking drily, yet with a grandair which fully matched his companion's. 'I am prepared to trust thisgentleman not only with my life but with my honour. '

'Nothing more remains to be said then, ' the marquis rejoined, bowingto me again. 'I am glad to have been the occasion of a declaration soflattering to you, sir. '

I returned his salute in silence, and obeying M. De Rosny's muttereddirection put on, my cloak and sword. M. De Rosny took up his pistols. 

'You will have no need of those, ' the Marquis said with a high glance. 

'Where we are going, no, ' my companion answered, calmly continuing todispose them about him. 'But the streets are dark and not too safe. '

M. De Rambouillet laughed. 'That is the worst of you Huguenots, ' hesaid. 'You never know when to lay suspicion aside. '

A hundred retorts sprang to my lips. I thought of the Bartholomew, ofthe French fury of Antwerp, of half a dozen things which make my bloodboil to this day. But M. De Rosny's answer was the finest of all. 'That is true, I am afraid, ' he said quietly. 'On the other hand, youCatholics--take the late M. De Guise for instance--have the habit oferring on the other side, I think, and sometimes trust too far. '

The marquis, without making any answer to this home-thrust, led the wayout, and we followed, being joined at the door of the house by a coupleof armed lackeys, who fell in behind us. We went on foot. The night wasdark, and the prospect out of doors was not cheering. The streets werewet and dirty, and notwithstanding all our care we fell continually intopitfalls or over unseen obstacles. Crossing the PARVIS of the cathedral, which I remembered, we plunged in silence into an obscure street nearthe river, and so narrow that the decrepit houses shut out almostall view of the sky. The gloom of our surroundings, no less than myignorance of the errand on which we were bound, filled me with anxietyand foreboding. My companions keeping strict silence, however, andtaking every precaution to avoid being recognised, I had no choice butto do likewise. 

I could think, and no more. I felt myself borne along by an irresistiblecurrent, whither and for what purpose I could not tell; an experience toan extent strange at my age the influence of the night and the weather. Twice we stood aside to let a party of roisterers go by, and theexcessive care M. De Rambouillet evinced on these occasions to avoidrecognition did not tend to reassure me or make me think more lightly ofthe unknown business on which I was bound. 

Reaching at last an open space, our leader bade us in a low voice becareful and follow him closely. We did so and crossed in this way and insingle file a narrow plank or wooden bridge; but whether water ran belowor a dry ditch only, I could not determine. My mind was taken up at themoment with the discovery which I had just made, that the dark building, looming huge and black before us with a single light twinkling here andthere at great heights, was the Castle of Blois. 

CHAPTER XV. VILAIN HERODES. 

All the distaste and misliking I had expressed earlier in the day forthe Court of Blois recurred with fresh force in the darkness and gloom;and though, booted and travel-stained as we were, I did not conceive itlikely that we should be obtruded on the circle about the king, I feltnone the less an oppressive desire to be through with our adventure, andaway from the ill-omened precincts in which I found myself. The darknessprevented me seeing the faces of my companions; but on M. De Rosny, whowas not quite free himself, I think, from the influences of the timeand place, twitching my sleeve to enforce vigilance, I noted that thelackeys had ceased to follow us, and that we three were beginningto ascend a rough staircase cut in the rock. I gathered, though thedarkness limited my view behind as well as in front to a few twinklinglights, that we were mounting the scarp from the moat; to the side wallof the castle; and I was not surprised when the marquis muttered to usto stop, and knocked softly on the wood of a door. 

M. De Rosny might have spared the touch he had laid on my sleeve, for bythis time I was fully and painfully sensible of the critical position inwhich we stood, and was very little likely to commit an indiscretion. Itrusted he had not done so already! No doubt--it flashed across me whilewe waited--he had taken care to safeguard himself. But how often, Ireflected, had all safeguards been set aside and all precautions eludedby those to whom he was committing himself! Guise had thought himselfsecure in this very building, which we were about to enter. Coligny hadreceived the most absolute of safe-conducts from those to whom wewere apparently bound. The end in either case had been the same--theconfidence of the one proving of no more avail than the wisdom of theother. What if the King of France thought to make his peace with hisCatholic subjects--offended by the murder of Guise--by a second murderof one as obnoxious to them as he was precious to their arch-enemy inthe South? Rosny was sagacious indeed; but then I reflected with suddenmisgiving that he was young, ambitious, and bold. 

The opening of the door interrupted without putting an end to thistrain of apprehension. A faint light shone out; so feebly as to illuminelittle more than the stairs at our feet. The marquis entered at once, M. De Rosny followed, I brought up the rear; and the door was closed by aman who stood behind it. We found ourselves crowded together at the footof a very narrow staircase, which the doorkeeper--a stolid pikeman in agrey uniform, with a small lanthorn swinging from the crosspiece ofhis halberd--signed to us to ascend. I said a word to him, but he onlystared in answer, and M. De Rambouillet, looking back and seeing what Iwas about, called to me that it was useless, as the man was a Swiss andspoke no French. 

This did not tend to reassure me; any more than did the chill roughnessof the wall which my hand touched as I groped upwards, or the smellof bats which invaded my nostrils and suggested that the staircase waslittle used and belonged to a part of the castle fitted for dark andsecret doings. 

We stumbled in the blackness up the steps, passing one door and then asecond before M. De Rambouillet whispered to us to stand, and knockedgently at a third. 

The secrecy, the darkness, and above all the strange arrangements madeto receive us, filled me with the wildest conjectures. But when thedoor opened and we passed one by one into a bare, unfurnished, draughtygallery, immediately, as I judged, under the tiles, the reality agreedwith no one of my anticipations. The place was a mere garret, without ahearth, without a single stool. Three windows, of which one was roughlyglazed, while the others were filled with oiled paper, were set in onewall; the others displaying the stones and mortar without disguise orornament. Beside the door through which we had entered stood a silentfigure in the grey uniform I had seen below, his lanthorn on the floorat his feet. A second door at the farther end of the gallery, whichwas full twenty paces long, was guarded in like manner. A couple oflanthorns stood in the middle of the floor, and that was all. 

Inside the door, M. De Rambouillet with his finger on his lip stoppedus, and we stood a little group of three a pace in front of the sentry, and with the empty room before us. I looked at M. De Rosny, but he waslooking at Rambouillet. The marquis had his back towards me, the sentrywas gazing into vacancy; so that baffled in my attempt to learn anythingfrom the looks of the other actors in the scene, I fell back on my ears. The rain dripped outside and the moaning wind rattled the casements; butmingled with these melancholy sounds--which gained force, as such thingsalways do, from the circumstances in which we were placed and our ownsilence--I fancied I caught the distant hum of voices and music andlaughter. And that, I know not why, brought M. De Guise again to mymind. 

The story of his death, as I had heard it from that accursed monk in theinn on the Claine, rose up in all its freshness, with all its details. I started when M. De Rambouillet coughed. I shivered when Rosny shiftedhis feet. The silence grew oppressive. Only the stolid men in greyseemed unmoved, unexpectant; so that I remember wondering whether it wastheir nightly duty to keep guard over an empty garret, the floor strewnwith scraps of mortar and ends of tiles. 

The interruption, when it came at last, came suddenly. The sentry at thefarther end of the gallery started and fell back a pace. Instantly thedoor beside him opened and a man came in, and closing it quickly behindhim, advanced up the room with an air of dignity, which even his strangeappearance and attire could not wholly destroy. 

He was of good stature and bearing, about forty years old as I judged, his wear a dress of violet velvet with black points cut in the extremeof the fashion. He carried a sword but no ruff, and had a cup and ballof ivory--a strange toy much in vogue among the idle--suspended from hiswrist by a ribbon. He was lean and somewhat narrow, but so far I foundlittle fault with him. It was only when my eye reached his face, andsaw it rouged like a woman's and surmounted by a little turban, that afeeling of scarcely understood disgust seized me, and I said to myself, 'This is the stuff of which kings' minions are made!'

To my surprise, however, M. De Rambouillet went to meet him with theutmost respect, sweeping the dirty floor with his bonnet, and bowingto the very ground. The newcomer acknowledged his salute with negligentkindness. Remarking pleasantly 'You have brought a friend, I think?' helooked towards us with a smile. 

'Yes, sire, he is here, ' the marquis answered, stepping aside a little. And with the word I understood that this was no minion, but the kinghimself: Henry, the Third of the name, and the last of the great Houseof Valois, which had ruled France by the grace of God for two centuriesand a half! I stared at him, and stared at him, scarcely believing whatI saw. For the first time in my life I was in the presence of the king!

Meanwhile M. De Rosny, to whom he was, of course, no marvel, had goneforward and knelt on one knee. The king raised him graciously, and withan action which, viewed apart from his woman's face and silly turban, seemed royal and fitting. 'This is good of you, Rosny, ' he said. 'But itis only what I expected of you. '

'Sire, ' my companion answered, 'your Majesty has no more devoted servantthan myself, unless it be the king my master. '

'By my faith, ' Henry answered with energy--'and if I am not a goodchurchman, whatever those rascally Parisians say, I am nothing--by myfaith, I think I believe you!'

'If your Majesty would believe me in that and in some other thingsalso, ' M. De Rosny answered, 'it would be very well for France. ' Thoughhe spoke courteously, he threw so much weight and independence intohis words that I thought of the old proverb, 'A good master, a boldservant. '

'Well, that is what we are here to see, ' the king replied. 'But onetells me one thing, ' he went on fretfully, 'and one another, and whicham I to believe?'

'I know nothing of others, sire, ' Rosny answered with the same spirit. 'But my master has every claim to be believed. His interest in theroyalty of France is second only to your Majesty's. He is also a kingand a kinsman, and it erks him to see rebels beard you, as has happenedof late. '

'Ay, but the chief of them?' Henry exclaimed, giving way to suddenexcitement and stamping furiously on the floor. 'He will trouble me nomore. Has my brother heard of THAT? Tell me, sir, has that news reachedhim?'

'He has heard it, sire. '

'And he approved? He approved, of course?'

'Beyond doubt the man was a traitor, ' M. De Rosny answered delicately. 'His life was forfeit, sire. Who can question it?'

'And he has paid the forfeit, ' the king rejoined, looking down atthe floor and immediately falling into a moodiness as sudden as hisexcitement. His lips moved. He muttered something inaudible, and beganto play absently with his cup and ball, his mind occupied apparentlywith a gloomy retrospect. 'M. De Guise, M. De Guise, ' he murmured atlast, with a sneer and an accent of hate which told of old humiliationslong remembered. 'Well, damn him, he is dead now. He is dead. But beingdead he yet troubles us. Is not that the verse, father? Ha!' with astart, 'I was forgetting. But that is the worst wrong he has done me, 'he continued, looking up and growing excited again. 'He has cut me offfrom Mother Church. There is hardly a priest comes near me now, andpresently they will excommunicate me. And, as I hope for salvation, theChurch has no more faithful son than me. '

I believe he was on the point, forgetting M. De Rosny's presence thereand his errand, of giving way to unmanly tears, when M. De Rambouillet, as if by accident, let the heel of his scabbard fall heavily on thefloor. The king started, and passing his hand once or twice across hisbrow, seemed to recover himself. 'Well, ' he said, 'no doubt we shallfind a way out of our difficulties. '

'If your Majesty, ' Rosny answered respectfully, 'would accept the aid mymaster proffers, I venture to think that they would vanish the quicker. '

'You think so, ' Henry rejoined. 'Well, give me your shoulder. Let uswalk a little. ' And, signing to Rambouillet to leave him, he began towalk up and down with M. De Rosny, talking familiarly with him in anundertone. 

Only such scraps of the conversation as fell from them when they turnedat my end of the gallery now reached me. Patching these together, however, I managed to understand somewhat. At one turn I heard the kingsay, 'But then Turenne offers--' At the next, 'Trust him? Well, I do notknow why I should not. He promises--' Then 'A Republic, Rosny? Thathis plan? Pooh! he dare not. He could not. France is a kingdom by theordinance of God in my family. '

I gathered from these and other chance words, which I have sinceforgotten, that M. De Rosny was pressing the king to accept the help ofthe King of Navarre, and warning him against the insidious offers of theVicomte de Turenne. The mention of a Republic, however, seemed to excitehis Majesty's wrath rather against Rosny for presuming to refer to sucha thing than against Turenne, to whom he refused to credit it. He pausednear my end of the promenade. 

'Prove it!' he said angrily. 'But can you prove it? Can you prove it?Mind you, I will take no hearsay evidence, sir. Now, there is Turenne'sagent here--you did not know, I dare say, that he had an agent here?'

'You refer, sire, to M. De Bruhl, ' Rosny answered, without hesitation. 'I know him, sire. '

'I think you are the devil, ' Henry answered, looking curiously at him. 'You seem to know most things. But mind you, my friend, he speaks mefairly, and I will not take this on hearsay even from your master. Though, ' he added after pausing a moment, 'I love him. '

'And he, your Majesty. He desires only to prove it. '

'Yes, I know, I know, ' the king answered fretfully. 'I believes he does. I believe he does wish me well. But there will be a devil of an outcryamong my people. And Turenne gives fair words too. And I do not know, 'he continued, fidgeting with his cup and ball, 'that it might not suitme better to agree with him, you see. '

I saw M. De Rosny draw himself up. 'Dare I speak openly to you, sire, 'he said, with less respect and more energy than he had hitherto used. 'As I should to my master?'

'Ay, say what you like, ' Henry answered. But he spoke sullenly, and itseemed to me that he looked less pleasantly at his companion. 

'Then I will venture to utter what is in your Majesty's mind, ' my patronanswered steadfastly. 'You fear, sire, lest, having accepted my master'soffer and conquered your enemies, you should not be easily rid of him. '

Henry looked relieved. 'Do you call that diplomacy?' he said with asmile. 'However, what if it be so? What do you say to it? Methinks Ihave heard an idle tale about a horse which would hunt a stag; and forthe purpose set a man upon its back. '

'This I say, sire, first, ' Rosny answered very earnestly. 'That the Kingof Navarre is popular only with one-third of the kingdom, and is onlypowerful when united with you. Secondly, sire, it is his interest tosupport the royal power, to which he is heir. And, thirdly, it must bemore to your Majesty's honour to accept help from a near kinsman thanfrom an ordinary subject, and one who, I still maintain, sire, has nogood designs in his mind. '

'The proof' Henry said sharply. 'Give me that!'

'I can give it in a week from this day. '

'It must be no idle tale, mind you, ' the king continued suspiciously. 

'You shall have Turenne's designs, sire, from one who had them from hisown mouth. '

The king looked startled, but after a pause turned and resumed his walk. 'Well, ' he said, 'if you do that, I on my part--'

The rest I lost, for the two passing to the farther end of the gallery, came to a standstill there, balking my curiosity and Rambouillet's also. The marquis, indeed, began to betray his impatience, and the great clockimmediately over our heads presently striking the half-hour after ten, he started and made as if he would have approached the king. He checkedthe impulse, however, but still continued to fidget uneasily, losing hisreserve by-and-by so far as to whisper to me that his Majesty would bemissed. 

I had been, up to this point, a silent and inactive spectator of ascene which appealed to my keenest interests and aroused my most ardentcuriosity. Surprise following surprise, I had begun to doubt my ownidentity; so little had I expected to find myself first in the presenceof the Most Christian King--and that under circumstances as strange andbizarre as could well be imagined--and then an authorised witness ata negotiation upon which the future of all the great land of Francestretching for so many hundred leagues on every side of us, depended. Isay I could scarcely believe in my own identity; or that I was the sameGaston de Marsac who had slunk, shabby and out-at-elbows, about St. Jeand'Angely. I tasted the first sweetness of secret power, which men say isthe sweetest of all and the last relinquished; and, the hum ofdistant voices and laughter still reaching me at intervals, I began tounderstand why we had been admitted with, so much precaution, and tocomprehend the gratification of M. De Rosny when the promise of thisinterview first presented to him the hope of effecting so much for hismaster and for France. 

Now I was to be drawn into the whirlpool itself. I was still travellingback over the different stages of the adventure which had brought me tothis point, when I was rudely awakened by M. De Rosny calling my namein a raised voice. Seeing, somewhat late, that he was beckoning to meto approach, I went forward in a confused and hasty fashion; kneelingbefore the king as I had seen him kneel, and then rising to give ear tohis Majesty's commands. Albeit, having expected nothing less than to becalled upon, I was not in the clearest mood to receive them. Nor was mybearing such as I could have wished it to be. 

M. De Rosny tells me that you desire a commission at Court, sir, ' theking said quickly. 

'I, sire?' I stammered, scarcely able to believe my ears. I was socompletely taken aback that I could say no more, and I stopped therewith my mouth open. 

'There are few things I can deny M. De Rosny, ' Henry continued, speakingvery rapidly, 'and I am told that you are a gentleman of birth andability. Out of kindness to him, therefore, I grant you a commission toraise twenty men for my service. Rambouillet, ' he continued, raisinghis voice slightly, 'you will introduce this gentleman to me publiclyto-morrow, that; I may carry into effect my intention on his behalf. Youmay go now, sir. No thanks. And M. De Rosny, ' he added, turning to mycompanion and speaking with energy, 'have a care for my sake that youare not recognised as you go. Rambouillet must contrive something toenable you to leave without peril. I should be desolated if anythinghappened to you, my friend, for I could not protect you. I give you myword if Mendoza or Retz found you in Blois I could not save you fromthem unless you recanted. '

'I will not trouble either your Majesty or my conscience, ' M. De Rosnyreplied, bowing low, 'if my wits can help me. '

'Well, the saints keep you, ' the king answered piously, going towardsthe door by which he had entered; 'for your master and I have both needof you. Rambouillet, take care of him as you love me. And come early inthe morning to my closet and tell me how it has fared with him. '

We all stood bowing while he withdrew, and only turned to retire whenthe door closed behind him. Burning with indignation and chagrin asI was at finding myself disposed of in the way I have described, andpitchforked, whether I would or no, into a service I neither fanciednor desired, I still managed for the present to restrain myself; and, permitting my companions to precede me, followed in silence, listeningsullenly to their jubilations. The marquis seemed scarcely less pleasedthan M. De Rosny; and as the latter evinced a strong desire to lessenany jealousy the former might feel, and a generous inclination toattribute to him a full share of the credit gained, I remained theonly person dissatisfied with the evening's events. We retired from thechateau with the same precautions which had marked our entrance, andparting with M. De Rambouillet at the door of our lodging--not withoutmany protestations of esteem on his part and of gratitude on that ofM. De Rosny--mounted to the first-floor in single file and in silence, which I was determined not to be the first to break. 

Doubtless M. De Rosny knew my thoughts, for, speedily dismissing Maignanand Simon, who were in waiting, he turned to me without preface. 'Come, my friend, ' he said, laying his hand on my shoulder and looking me inthe face in a way which all but disarmed me at once, 'do not let usmisunderstand one another. You think you have cause to be angry with me. I cannot suffer that, for the King of Navarre had never greater need ofyour services than now. '

'You have played me an unworthy trick, sir, 'I answered, thinking hewould cozen me with fair speeches. 

'Tut, tut!' he replied. 'You do not understand. '

'I understand well enough, ' I answered, with bitterness, 'that, havingdone the King of Navarre's work, he would now be rid of me. '

'Have I not told you, ' M. De Rosny replied, betraying for the first timesome irritation, 'that he has greater need of your services than ever?Come, man, be reasonable, or, better still, listen to me. ' And turningfrom me, he began to walk up and down the room, his hands behind him. 'the King of France--I want to make it as clear to you as possible--'he said, 'cannot make head against the League without help, and, willy-nilly, must look for it to the Huguenots whom he has so longpersecuted. The King of Navarre, their acknowledged leader, has offeredthat help; and so, to spite my master, and prevent a combination sohappy for France, has M. De Turenne, who would fain raise the faction hecommands to eminence, and knows well how to make his profit out of thedissensions of his country. Are you clear so far, sir?'

I assented. I was becoming absorbed in spite of myself. 

'Very well, ' he resumed. 'This evening--never did anything fall out morehappily than Rambouillet's meeting with me--he is a good man!--Ihave brought the king to this: that if proof of the selfish nature ofTurenne's designs be laid before him he will hesitate no longer. Thatproof exists. A fortnight ago it was here; but it is not here now. '

'That is unlucky!' I exclaimed. I was so much interested in his story, as well as flattered by the confidence he was placing in me, that myill-humour vanished. I went and stood with my shoulder against themantelpiece, and he, passing to and fro between me and the light, continued his tale. 

'A word about this proof, ' he said. 'It came into the King of Navarre'shands before its full value was known to us, for that only accrued toit on M. De Guise's death. A month ago it--this piece of evidence Imean--was at Chize. A fortnight or so ago it was here in Blois. Itis now, 'M. De Marsac, ' he continued, facing me suddenly as he cameopposite me, 'in my house at Rosny. '

I started. 'You mean Mademoiselle de la Vire?' I cried. 

'I mean Mademoiselle de la Vire!' he answered, 'who, some month or twoago, overheard M. De Turenne's plans, and contrived to communicatewith the King of Navarre. Before the latter could arrange a privateinterview, however, M. De Turenne got wind of her dangerous knowledge, and swept her off to Chize. The rest you know, M. De Marsac, if any manknows it. '

'But what will you do?' I asked. 'She is at Rosny. '

'Maignan, whom I trust implicitly, as far as his lights go, will startto fetch her to-morrow. At the same hour I start southwards. You, M. De Marsac, will remain here as my agent, to watch over my interests, to receive Mademoiselle on her arrival, to secure for her a secretinterview with the king, to guard her while she remains here. Do youunderstand?'

Did I understand? I could not find words in which to thank him. Myremorse and gratitude, my sense of the wrong I had done him, and of thehonour he was doing me, were such that I stood mute before him as I hadstood before the king. 'You accept, then?' he said, smiling. 'You do notdeem the adventure beneath you, my friend?'

'I deserve your confidence so little, sir, ' I answered, stricken to theground, 'that I beg you to speak, while I listen. By attending exactlyto your instructions I may prove worthy of the trust reposed in me. Andonly so. '

He embraced me again and again, with a kindness which moved me almostto tears. 'You are a man after my own heart, ' he said, 'and if God willsI will make your fortune. Now listen, my friend. To-morrow at Court, asa stranger and a man introduced by Rambouillet, you will be the cynosureof all eyes. Bear yourself bravely. Pay court to the women, but attachyourself to no one in particular. Keep aloof from Retz and the Spanishfaction, but beware especially of Bruhl. He alone will have your secret, and may suspect your design. Mademoiselle should be here in a week;while she is with you, and until she has seen the king, trust no one, suspect everyone, fear all things. Consider the battle won only when theking says, "I am satisfied. "'

Much more he told me, which served its purpose and has been forgotten. Finally he honoured me by bidding me share his pallet with him, that wemight talk without restraint, and that if anything occurred to him inthe night he might communicate it to me. 

'But will not Bruhl denounce me as a Huguenot?' I asked him. 

'He will not dare to do so, ' M. De Rosny answered, 'both as a Huguenothimself, and as his master's representative; and, further, because itwould displease the king. No, but whatever secret harm one man cando another, that you have to fear. Maignan, when he returns withmademoiselle, will leave two men with you; until they come I shouldborrow a couple of stout fellows from Rambouillet. Do not go out aloneafter dark, and beware of doorways, especially your own. '

A little later, when I thought him asleep, I heard him chuckle; andrising on my elbow I asked him what it was. 'Oh, it is your affair, 'he answered, still laughing silently, so that I felt the mattress shakeunder him. 'I don't envy you one part of your task, my friend. '

'What is that?' I said suspiciously. 

'Mademoiselle, ' he answered, stifling with difficulty a burst oflaughter. And after that he would not say another word, bad, good, orindifferent, though I felt the bed shake more than once, and knew thathe was digesting his pleasantry. 

CHAPTER XVI. IN THE KING'S CHAMBER. 

M. De Rosny had risen from my side and started on his journey when Iopened my eyes in the morning, and awoke to the memory of the task whichhad been so strangely imposed upon me; and which might, according asthe events of the next fortnight shaped themselves, raise me to highposition or put an end to my career. He had not forgotten to leavea souvenir behind him, for I found beside my pillow a handsomesilver-mounted pistol, bearing the letter 'R. ' and a coronet; nor hadI more than discovered this instance of his kindness before Simon Fleixcame in to tell me that M. De Rosny had left two hundred crowns in hishands for me. 

'Any message with it?' I asked the lad. 

'Only that; he had taken a keepsake in exchange, ' Simon answered, opening the window as he spoke. 

In some wonder I began to search, but I could not discover that anythingwas missing until I came to put on my doublet, when I found that theknot of ribbon which mademoiselle had flung to me at my departure fromRosny was gone from the inside of the breast, where I had pinned it forsafety with a long thorn. The discovery that M. De Rosny had taken thiswas displeasing to me on more than one account. In the first place, whether mademoiselle had merely wished to plague me (as was mostprobable) or not, I was loth to lose it, my day for ladies' favoursbeing past and gone; in the second, I misdoubted the motive whichhad led him to purloin it, and tormented myself with thinking of thedifferent constructions he might put upon it, and the disparaging viewof my trust worthiness which it might lead him to take. I blamed myselfmuch for my carelessness in leaving it where a chance eye might restupon it; and more when, questioning Simon further, I learned that M. De Rosny had added, while mounting at the door, 'Tell your master, safebind, safe find; and a careless lover makes a loose mistress. '

I felt my cheek burn in a manner unbecoming my years while Simon withsome touch of malice repeated this; and I made a vow on the spot, whichI kept until I was tempted to break it, to have no more to do with suchtrifles. Meanwhile, I had to make the best of it; and brisking up, andbidding Simon, who seemed depressed by the baron's departure, brisk upalso, I set about my preparations for making such a figure at Courtas became me: procuring a black velvet suit, and a cap and feather tomatch; item, a jewelled clasp to secure the feather; with a yard or twoof lace and two changes of fine linen. 

Simon had grown sleek at Rosny, and losing something of the wildnesswhich had marked him, presented in the dress M. De Rosny had given hima very creditable appearance; being also, I fancy, the only equerry inBlois who could write. A groom I engaged on the recommendation of M. DeRambouillet's master of the horse; and I gave out also that I required acouple of valets. It needed only an hour under the barber's hands and aset of new trappings for the Cid to enable me to make a fair show, suchas might be taken to indicate a man of ten or twelve thousand livres ayear. 

In this way I expended a hundred and fifteen crowns reflecting thatthis was a large sum, and that I must keep some money for play, I wasglad to learn that in the crowded state of the city even men with highrank were putting up with poor lodging; I determined, therefore, tocombine economy with a scheme which I had in my head by taking the roomsin which my mother died, with one room below them. This I did, hiringsuch furniture as I needed, which was not a great deal. To Simon Fleix, whose assistance in these matters was invaluable, I passed on much of M. De Rosny's advice, bidding him ruffle it with the best in his station, and inciting him to labour for my advancement by promising to make hisfortune whenever my own should be assured. I hoped, indeed, to deriveno little advantage from the quickness of wit; which had attracted M. DeRosny's attention; although I did not fail to take into account at thesame time that the lad was wayward and fitful, prone at one time todepression, and at another to giddiness, and equally uncertain in eithermood. 

M. De Rambouillet being unable to attend the LEVEE, had appointed me towait upon him at six in the evening; at which hour I presented myself athis lodgings, attended by Simon Fleix. I found him in the midst ofhalf a dozen gentlemen whose habit it was to attend him upon all publicoccasions; and these gallants, greeting me with the same curious andsuspicious glances which I have seen hounds bestow on a strange dogintroduced into their kennel, I was speedily made to feel that it is onething to have business at Court, and another to be well received there. 

M. De Rambouillet, somewhat to my surprise, did nothing to removethis impression. On all ordinary occasions a man of stiff and haughtybearing, and thoroughly disliking, though he could not prevent, theintrusion of a third party into a transaction which promised an infinityof credit, he received me so coldly and with so much reserve as for themoment to dash my spirits and throw me back on myself. 

During the journey to the castle, however, which we performed on foot, attended by half a dozen armed servants bearing torches, I had time torecall M. De Rosny's advice, and to bethink me of the intimacy whichthat great man had permitted me; with so much effect in the way ofheartening me, that as we crossed the courtyard of the castle Iadvanced myself, not without some murmuring on the part of others, toRambouillet's elbow, considering that as I was attached to him by theking's command, this was my proper place. I had no desire to quarrel, however, and persisted for some time in disregarding the nudges andmuttered words which were exchanged round me, and even the efforts whichwere made as we mounted the stairs to oust me from my position. Buta young gentleman, who showed himself very forward in these attempts, presently stumbling against me, I found it necessary to look at him. 

'Sir, ' he said, in a small and lisping voice, 'you trod on my toe. '

Though I had not done so, I begged his pardon very politely. But as hisonly acknowledgment of this courtesy consisted in an attempt to get hisknee in front of mine--we were mounting very slowly, the stairs beingcumbered with a multitude of servants, who stood on either hand--I didtread on his toe, with a force and directness which made him cry out. 

'What is the matter?' Rambouillet asked, looking back hastily. 

'Nothing, M. Le Marquis, ' I answered, pressing on steadfastly. 

'Sir, ' my young friend said again, in the same lisping voice, 'you trodon my toe. '

'I believe I did, sir, ' I answered. 

'You have not yet apologised, ' he murmured gently in my ear. 

'Nay, there you are wrong, ' I rejoined bluntly, 'for it is always myhabit to apologise first and tread afterwards. '

He smiled as at a pleasant joke; and I am bound to say that his bearingwas so admirable that if he had been my son I could have hugged him. 'Good!' he answered. 'No doubt your sword is as sharp as your wits, sir. I see, ' he continued, glancing naively at my old scabbard--hewas himself the very gem of a courtier, a slender youth with apink-and-white complexion, a dark line for a moustache, and a pearl-dropin his ear--'it is longing to be out. Perhaps you will take a turn inthe tennis-court to-morrow?'

'With pleasure, sir, ' I answered, 'if you have a father, or your elderbrother is grown up. '

What answer he would have made to this gibe I do not know, for at thatmoment we reached the door of the ante-chamber; and this being narrow, and a sentry in the grey uniform of the Swiss Guard compelling all toenter in single file, my young friend was forced to fall back, leavingme free to enter alone, and admire at my leisure a scene at oncebrilliant and sombre. 

The Court being in mourning for the Queen-mother, black predominatedin the dresses of those present, and set off very finely the gleamingjewels and gemmed sword-hilts which were worn by the more importantpersonages. The room was spacious and lofty, hung with arras, and lit bycandles burning in silver sconces; it rang as we entered with the shrillscreaming of a parrot, which was being teased by a group occupying thefarther of the two hearths. Near them play was going on at one table, and primero at a second. In a corner were three or four ladies, ina circle about a red-faced, plebeian-looking man, who was playing atforfeits with one of their number; while the middle of the roomseemed dominated by a middle-sized man with a peculiarly inflamed andpassionate countenance, who, seated on a table, was inveighing againstsomeone or something in the most violent terms, his language beinginterlarded with all kinds of strange and forcible oaths. Two or threegentlemen, who had the air of being his followers, stood about him, listening between submission and embarrassment; while beside the nearerfireplace, but at some distance from him, lounged a nobleman, veryrichly dressed, and wearing on his breast the Cross of the Holy Ghost;who seemed to be the object of his invective, but affecting to ignore itwas engaged in conversation with a companion. A bystander muttering thatCrillon had been drinking, I discovered with immense surprise that thedeclaimer on the table was that famous soldier; and I was still lookingat him in wonder--for I had been accustomed all my life to associatecourage with modesty--when, the door of the chamber suddenly opening, ageneral movement in that direction took place. Crillon, disregarding allprecedency, sprang from his table and hurried first to the threshold. The Baron de Biron, on the other hand--for the gentleman by the fire wasno other--waited, in apparent ignorance of the slight which was beingput upon him, until M. De Rambouillet came up; then he went forwardwith him. Keeping close to my patron's elbow, I entered the chamberimmediately behind him. 

Crillon had already seized upon the king, and, when we entered, wasstating his grievance is a voice not much lower than that which he hadused outside. M. De Biron, seeing this, parted from the marquis, and, going aside with his former companion, sat down on a trunk against thewall; while Rambouillet, followed by myself and three or four gentlemenof his train, advanced to the king, who was standing near the alcove. His Majesty seeing him, and thankful, I think, for the excuse, wavedCrillon off. 'Tut, tut! You told me all that this morning, ' he saidgood-naturedly. 'And here is Rambouillet, who has, I hope, somethingfresh to tell. Let him speak to me. Sanctus! Don't look at me as ifyou would run me through, man. Go and quarrel with someone of your ownsize. '

Crillon at this retired grumbling, and Henry, who had just risen fromprimero with the Duke of Nevers, nodded to Rambouillet. 'Well, myfriend, anything fresh?' he cried. He was more at his ease and lookedmore cheerful than at our former interview; yet still care and suspicionlurked about his peevish mouth, and in the hollows under his gloomyeyes. 'A new guest, a new face, or a new game--which have you brought?'

'In a sense, sire, a new face, ' the marquis answered, bowing, andstanding somewhat aside that I might have place. 

'Well, I cannot say much for the pretty baggage, ' quoth the kingquickly. And amid a general titter he extended his hand to me. 'I'llbe sworn, though, ' he continued, as I rose from my knee, 'that you wantsomething, my friend?'

'Nay, sire, ' I answered, holding up my head boldly--for Crillon'sbehaviour had been a further lesson to me--'I have, by your leave, theadvantage. For your Majesty has supplied me with a new jest. I see manynew faces round me, and I have need only of a new game. If your Majestywould be pleased to grant me--'

'There! Said I not so?' cried the king, raising his hand with a laugh. 'He does want something. But he seems not undeserving. What does hepray, Rambouillet?'

'A small command, ' M. De Rambouillet answered, readily playing hispart. 'And your Majesty would oblige me if you could grant the Sieur deMarsac's petition. I will answer for it he is a man of experience. '

'Chut! A small command?' Henry ejaculated, sitting down suddenly inapparent ill-humour. 'It is what everyone wants--when they do not wantbig ones. Still, I suppose, ' he continued, taking up a comfit-box, whichlay beside him, and opening it, 'if you do not get what you want for himyou will sulk like the rest, my friend. '

'Your Majesty has never had cause to complain of me, ' quoth the Marquis, forgetting his role, or too proud to play it. 

'Tut, tut, tut, tut! Take it, and trouble me no more, ' the kingrejoined. 'Will pay for twenty men do for him? Very well then. There, M. De Marsac, ' he continued, nodding at me and yawning, 'your requestis granted. You will find some other pretty baggages over there. Goto them. And now, Rambouillet, ' he went on, resuming his spirits as heturned to matters of more importance, 'here is a new sweetmeat Zamet hassent me. I have made Zizi sick with it. Will you try it? It is flavouredwith white mulberries. '

Thus dismissed, I fell back; and stood for a moment, at a loss whitherto turn, in the absence of either friends or acquaintances. His Majesty, it is true, had bidden me go to certain pretty baggages, meaning, apparently, five ladies who were seated at the farther end of the room, diverting themselves with as many cavaliers; but the compactness of thisparty, the beauty of the ladies, and the merry peals of laughter whichproceeded from them, telling of a wit and vivacity beyond the ordinary, sapped the resolution which had borne me well hitherto. I felt thatto attack such a phalanx, even with a king's good will, was beyond thedaring of a Crillon, and I looked round to see whether I could not amusemyself in some more modest fashion. 

The material was not lacking. Crillon, still mouthing out his anger, strode up and down in front of the trunk on which M. De Biron wasseated; but the latter was, or affected to be, asleep. 'Crillon is forever going into rages now, ' a courtier beside me whispered. 

'Yes, ' his fellow answered, with a shrug of the shoulder; 'it is a pitythere is no one to tame him. But he has such a long reach, morbleu!'

'It is not that so much as the fellow's fury, ' the first speakerrejoined under his breath. 'He fights like a mad thing; fencing is nouse against him. '

The other nodded. For a moment the wild idea of winning renown by tamingM. De Crillon occurred to me as I stood alone in the middle of thefloor; but it had not more than passed through my brain when I feltmy elbow touched, and turned to find the young gentleman whom I hadencountered on the stairs standing by my side. 

'Sir, ' he lisped, in the same small voice, 'I think you trod on my toe awhile ago?'

I stared at him, wondering what he meant by this absurd repetition. 'Well, sir, ' I answered drily, 'and if I did?'

'Perhaps, ' he said, stroking his chin with his jewelled fingers, 'pending our meeting to-morrow, you would allow me to consider it as akind of introduction?'

'If it please you, ' I answered, bowing stiffly, and wondering what hewould be at. 

'Thank you, ' he answered. 'It does please me, under the circumstances;for there is a lady here who desires a word with you. I took up herchallenge. Will you follow me?'

He bowed, and turned in his languid fashion. I, turning too, saw, withsecret dismay, that the five ladies, referred to above, were all nowgazing at me, as expecting my approach; and this with such sportiveglances as told only too certainly of some plot already in progress orsome trick to be presently played me. Yet I could not see that I had anychoice save to obey, and, following my leader with as much dignity as Icould compass, I presently found myself bowing before the lady who satnearest, and who seemed to be the leader of these nymphs. 

'Nay, sir, ' she said, eyeing me curiously, yet with a merry face, 'I donot need you; I do not look so high!'

Turning in confusion to the next, I was surprised to see before me thelady whose lodging I had invaded in my search for Mademoiselle de laVire--she, I mean, who, having picked up the velvet; knot, had droppedit so providentially where Simon Fleix found it. She looked at meblushing and laughing, and the young gentleman, who had done her errand, presenting me by name, she asked me, while the others listened, whetherI had found my mistress. 

Before I could answer, the lady to whom I had first addressed myselfinterposed. 'Stop, sir!' she cried. What is this--a tale, a jest, agame, or a forfeit?'

'An adventure, madam, ' I answered, bowing low. 

'Of gallantry, I'll be bound, ' she exclaimed. 'Fie, Madame de Bruhl, andyou but six months married!'

Madame de Bruhl protested, laughing, that she had no more to do with itthan Mercury. 'At the worst, ' she said, 'I carried the POULETS! But Ican assure you, duchess, this gentleman should be able to tell us a veryfine story, if he would. '

The duchess and all the other ladies clapping their hands at this, andcrying out that the story must and should be told, I found myself ina prodigious quandary; and one wherein my wits derived as littleassistance as possible from the bright eyes and saucy looks whichenvironed me. Moreover, the commotion attracting other listeners, Ifound my position, while I tried to extricate myself, growing eachmoment worse, so that I began to fear that as I had little imaginationI should perforce have to tell the truth. The mere thought of thisthrew me into a cold perspiration, lest I should let slip something ofconsequence, and prove myself unworthy of the trust which M. De Rosnyhad reposed in me. 

At the moment when, despairing of extricating myself, I was stoopingover Madame de Bruhl begging her to assist me, I heard, amid the babelof laughter and raillery which surrounded me--certain of the courtiershaving already formed hands in a circle and sworn I should not departwithout satisfying the ladies--a voice which struck a chord in mymemory. I turned to see who the speaker was, and encountered no otherthan M. De Bruhl himself; who, with a flushed and angry face, waslistening to the explanation which a friend was pouring into his ear. Standing at the moment with my knee on Madame de Bruhl's stool, andremembering very well the meeting on the stairs, I conceived in a flashthat the man was jealous; but whether he had yet heard my name, or hadany clew to link me with the person who had rescued Mademoiselle de laVire from his clutches, I could not tell. Nevertheless his presence ledmy thoughts into a new channel. The determination to punish him began totake form in my mind, and very quickly I regained my composure. Still Iwas for giving him one chance. Accordingly I stooped once more to Madamede Bruhl's ear, and begged her to spare me the embarrassment of tellingmy tale. But then, finding her pitiless, as I expected, and the rest ofthe company growing more and more insistent, I hardened my heart to gothrough with the fantastic notion which had occurred to me. 

Indicating by a gesture that I was prepared to obey, and the duchesscrying for a hearing, this was presently obtained, the sudden silenceadding the king himself to my audience. 'What is it?' he asked, comingup effusively, with a lap-dog in his arms. 'A new scandal, eh?'

'No, sire, a new tale-teller, ' the duchess answered pertly. 'If yourMajesty will sit, we shall hear him the sooner. '

He pinched her ear and sat down in the chair which a page presented. 'What! is it Rambouillet's GRISON again?' he said with some surprise. 'Well, fire away, man. But who brought you forward as a Rabelais?'

There was a general cry of 'Madame de Bruhl!' whereat that lady shookher fair hair, about her face, and cried out for someone to bring her amask. 

'Ha, I see!' said the king drily, looking pointedly at M. De Bruhl, whowas as black as thunder. 'But go on, man. '

The king's advent, by affording me a brief respite, had enabled me tocollect my thoughts, and, disregarding the ribald interruptions, whichat first were frequent, I began as follows: 'I am no Rabelais, sire, ' Isaid, 'but droll things happen to the most unlikely. Once upon a time itwas the fortune of a certain swain, whom I will call Dromio, to arrivein a town not a hundred miles from Blois, having in his company a nymphof great beauty, who had been entrusted to his care by her parents. Hehad not more than lodged her in his apartments, however, before shewas decoyed away by a trick, and borne off against her will by a younggallant, who had seen her and been smitten by her charms. Dromio, returning, and finding his mistress gone, gave way to the most poignantgrief. He ran up and down the city, seeking her in every place, andfilling all places with his lamentations; but for a time in vain, untilchance led him to a certain street, where, in an almost incrediblemanner, he found a clew to her by discovering underfoot a knot ofvelvet, bearing Phyllida's name wrought on it in delicate needlework, with the words, "A moi!"'

'Sanctus!' cried the king, amid a general murmur of surprise, 'thatis well devised! Proceed, sir. Go on like that, and we will make yourtwenty men twenty-five. '

'Dromio, ' I continued, 'at sight of this trifle experienced the mostdiverse emotions, for while he possessed in it a clew to his mistress'sfate, he had still to use it so as to discover the place whither she hadbeen hurried. It occurred to him at last to begin his search with thehouse before which the knot had lain. Ascending accordingly to thesecond-floor, he found there a fair lady reclining on a couch, whostarted up in affright at his appearance. He hastened to reassureher, and to explain the purpose of his coming, and learned after aconversation with which I will not trouble your Majesty, though itwas sufficiently diverting, that the lady had found the velvet knot inanother part of the town, and had herself dropped it again in front ofher own house. '

'Pourquoi?' the king asked, interrupting me. 

'The swain, sire, ' I answered, 'was too much taken up with his owntroubles to bear that in mind, even if he learned it. But this delicacydid not save him from misconception, for as he descended from the lady'sapartment he met her husband on the stairs. '

'Good!' the king exclaimed, rubbing his hands in glee. 'The husband!'And under cover of the gibe and the courtly laugh which followed it M. De Bruhl's start of surprise passed unnoticed save by me. 

'The husband, ' I resumed, 'seeing a stranger descending his staircase, was for stopping him and learning the reason of his presence; ButDromio, whose mind was with Phyllida, refused to stop, and, evading hisquestions, hurried to the part of the town where the lady had told himshe found the velvet knot. Here, sire, at the corner of a lane runningbetween garden-walls, he found a great house, barred and gloomy, andwell adapted to the abductor's purpose. Moreover, scanning it on everyside, he presently discovered, tied about the bars of an upper window, a knot of white linen, the very counterpart of that velvet one which hebore in his breast. Thus he knew that the nymph was imprisoned in thatroom!'

'I will make it twenty-five, as I am a good Churchman!' his Majestyexclaimed, dropping the little dog he was nursing into the duchess'slap, and taking out his comfit-box. 'Rambouillet, ' he added languidly, 'your friend is a treasure!'

I bowed my acknowledgments, and took occasion as I did so to step apace aside, so as to command a view of Madame de Bruhl, as well as herhusband. Hitherto madame, willing to be accounted a part in so prettya romance, and ready enough also, unless I was mistaken, to cause herhusband a little mild jealousy, had listened to the story with a certainsly demureness. But this I foresaw would not last long; and I feltsomething like compunction as the moment for striking the blowapproached. But I had now no choice. 'The best is yet to come, sire, ' Iwent on, 'as I think you will acknowledge in a moment. Dromio, thoughhe had discovered his mistress, was still in the depths of despair. Hewandered round and round the house, seeking ingress and finding none, until at length, sunset approaching, and darkness redoubling his fearsfor the nymph, fortune took pity on him. As he stood in front of thehouse he saw the abductor come out, lighted by two servants. Judge ofhis surprise, sire, ' I continued, looking round and speaking slowly, togive full effect to my words, 'when he recognised in him no other thanthe husband of the lady who, by picking up and again dropping the velvetknot, had contributed so much to the success of his search!'

'Ha! these husbands!' cried the king. And slapping his knee in anecstasy at his own acuteness, he laughed in his seat till he rolledagain. 'These husbands! Did I not say so?'

The whole Court gave way to like applause, and clapped their hands aswell, so that few save those who stood nearest took notice of Madame deBruhl's faint cry, and still fewer understood why she rose up suddenlyfrom her stool and stood gazing at her husband with burning cheeks andclenched hands. She took no heed of me, much less of the laughing crowdround her, but looked only at him with her soul in her eyes. He, afteruttering one hoarse curse, seemed to have no thought for any but me. Tohave the knowledge that his own wife had baulked him brought home to himin this mocking fashion, to find how little a thing had tripped him thatday, to learn how blindly he had played into the hands of fate, aboveall to be exposed at once to his wife's resentment and the ridicule ofthe Court--for he could not be sure that I should not the next momentdisclose his name--all so wrought on him that for a moment I thought hewould strike me in the presence. 

His rage, indeed, did what I had not meant to do. For the king, catchingsight of his face, and remembering that Madame de Bruhl had elicited thestory, screamed suddenly, 'Haro!' and pointed ruthlessly at him with hisfinger. After that I had no need to speak, the story leaping from eye toeye, and every eye settling on Bruhl, who sought in vain to compose hisfeatures. Madame, who surpassed him, as women commonly do surpass men, in self-control, was the first to recover herself, and sitting down asquickly as she had risen, confronted alike her husband and her rivalswith a pale smile. 

For a moment curiosity and excitement kept all breathless, the eyealone busy. Then the king laughed mischievously. 'Come, M. De Bruhl, ' hecried, 'perhaps you will finish the tale for us?' And he threw himselfback in his chair, a sneer on his lips. 

'Or why not Madame de Bruhl?' said the duchess, with her head on oneside and her eyes glittering over her fan. 'Madame would, I am sure, tell it so well. '

But madame only shook her head, smiling always that forced smile. ForBruhl himself, glaring from face to face like a bull about to charge, I have never seen a man more out of countenance, or more completelybrought to bay. His discomposure, exposed as he was to the ridiculeof all present, was such that the presence in which he stood scarcelyhindered him from some violent attack; and his eyes, which had wanderedfrom me at the king's word, presently returning to me again, he so farforgot himself as to raise his hand furiously, uttering at the same timea savage oath. 

The king cried out angrily, 'Have a care, sir!' But Bruhl only heededthis so far as to thrust aside those who stood round him and push hisway hurriedly through the circle. 

'Arnidieu!' cried the king, when he was gone. 'This is fine conduct! Ihave half a mind to send after him and have him put where his hot bloodwould cool a little. Or--'

He stopped abruptly, his eyes resting on me. The relative positions ofBruhl and myself as the agents of Rosny and Turenne occurred to him forthe first time, I think, and suggested the idea, perhaps, that I hadlaid a trap for him, and that he had fallen into it. At any rate hisface grew darker and darker, and at last, 'A nice kettle of fish this isyou have prepared for us, sir!' he muttered, gazing at me gloomily. 

The sudden change in his humour took even courtiers by surprise. Facesa moment before broad with smiles grew long again. The less importantpersonages looked uncomfortably at one another, and with one accordfrowned on me. 'If your Majesty would please to hear the end of thestory at another time?' I suggested humbly, beginning to wish with allmy heart that I had never said a word. 

'Chut!' he answered, rising, his face still betraying his perturbation, 'Well, be it so. For the present you may go, sir. Duchess, give meZizi, and come to my closet. I want you to see my puppies. Retz, my goodfriend, do you come too. I have something to say to you. Gentlemen, youneed not wait. It is likely I shall be late. '

And, with the utmost abruptness, he broke up the circle. 

CHAPTER XVII. THE JACOBIN MONK. 

Had I needed any reminder of the uncertainty of Court favour, or aninstance whence I might learn the lesson of modesty, and so stand inless danger of presuming on my new and precarious prosperity, I had itin this episode, and in the demeanour of the company round me. On thecircle breaking up in confusion, I found myself the centre of generalregard, but regard of so dubious a character, the persons who would havebeen the first to compliment me had the king retired earlier, standingfarthest aloof now, that I felt myself rather insulted than honoured byit. One or two, indeed, of the more cautious spirits did approach me;but it was with the air of men providing against a danger particularlyremote, their half-hearted speeches serving only to fix them in mymemory as belonging to a class, especially abhorrent to me--the class, Imean, of those who would run at once with the hare and the hounds. 

I was rejoiced to find that on one person, and that the one whosedisposition towards me was, next to the king's, of first importance, this episode had produced a different impression, Feeling, as I made forthe door, a touch on my arm, I turned to find M. De Rambouillet at myelbow, regarding me with a glance of mingled esteem and amusement; infine, with a very different look from that which had been my welcomeearlier in the evening. I was driven to suppose that he was too great aman, or too sure of his favour with the king, to be swayed by thepetty motives which actuated the Court generally, for he laid his handfamiliarly on my shoulder, and walked on beside me. 

'Well my friend, ' he said, ' you have distinguished yourself finely! Ido not know that I ever remember a pretty woman making more stir in oneevening. But if you are wise you will not go home alone to-night. '

'I have my sword, M. Le Marquis, ' I answered, somewhat proudly. 'Whichwill avail you little against a knife in the back!' he retorted drily. 'What attendance have you?'

'My equerry, Simon Fleix, is on the stairs. '

'Good, so far, but not enough, ' he replied, as we reached the head ofthe staircase. 'You had better come home with me now, and two or threeof my fellows shall go on to your lodging with you. Do you know, myfriend, ' he continued, looking at me keenly, 'you are either a veryclever or a very foolish man?'

I made answer modestly. 'Neither the one, I fear, nor the other, I hopesir, ' I said. 

'Well, you have done a very pertinent thing, ' he replied, 'for good orevil. You have let the enemy know what he has to expect, and he is notone, I warn you, to be despised. But whether you have been very wise orvery foolish in declaring open war remains to be seen. '

'A week will show, ' I answered. 

He turned and looked at me. 'You take it coolly, ' he said. 

'I have been knocking about the world for forty years, marquis, ' Irejoined. 

He muttered something about Rosny having a good eye, and then stopped toadjust his cloak. We were by this time in the street. Making me go handin hand with him, he requested the other gentlemen to draw their swords;and the servants being likewise armed and numbering half a score ormore, with pikes and torches, we made up a very formidable party, and caused, I think, more alarm as we passed through the streets toRambouillet's lodging than we had any reason to feel. Not that we had itall to ourselves, for the attendance at Court that evening being large, and the circle breaking up as I have described more abruptly than usual, the vicinity of the castle was in a ferment, and the streets leadingfrom it were alive with the lights and laughter of parties similar toour own. 

At the door of the marquis's lodging I prepared to take leave of himwith many expressions of gratitude, but he would have me enter andsit down with him to a light refection, which it was his habit to takebefore retiring. Two of his gentlemen sat down with us, and a valet, whowas in his confidence, waiting on us, we made very merry over the scenein the presence. I learned that M. De Bruhl was far from popular atCourt; but being known to possess some kind of hold over the king, andenjoying besides a great reputation for recklessness and skill with thesword, he had played a high part for a length of time, and attached tohimself, especially since the death of Guise, a considerable number offollowers. 

'The truth is, ' one of the marquis's gentlemen, who was a little heatedwith wine, observed, 'there is nothing at this moment which a bold andunscrupulous man may not win in France!'

'Nor a bold and Christian gentleman for France!' replied M. DeRambouillet with, some asperity. 'By the way, ' he continued, turningabruptly to the servant, 'where is M. Francois?'

The valet answered that he had not returned with us from the castle. TheMarquis expressed himself annoyed at this, and I gathered, firstly, thatthe missing man was his near kinsman, and, secondly, that he was alsothe young spark who had been so forward to quarrel with me earlier inthe evening. Determining to refer the matter, should it become pressing, to Rambouillet for adjustment, I took leave of him, and attended bytwo of his servants, whom he kindly transferred to my service for thepresent, I started towards my lodging a little before midnight. 

The moon had risen while we were at supper, and its light, whichwhitened the gables on one side of the street, diffused a glimmer belowsufficient to enable us to avoid the kennel. Seeing this, I bade themen put out our torch. Frost had set in, and a keen wind was blowing, so that we were glad to hurry on at a good pace; and the streets beingquite deserted at this late hour, or haunted only by those who had cometo dread the town marshal, we met no one and saw no lights. I fell tothinking, for my part, of the evening I had spent searching Blois forMademoiselle, and of the difference between then and now. Nor did I failwhile on this track to retrace it still farther to the evening of ourarrival at my mother's; whence, as a source, such kindly and gentlethoughts welled up in my mind as were natural, and the unfailingaffection of that gracious woman required. These, taking the place forthe moment of the anxious calculations and stern purposes which had oflate engrossed me, were only ousted by something which, happening undermy eyes, brought me violently and abruptly to myself. 

This was the sudden appearance of three men, who issued one by one froman alley a score of yards in front of us, and after pausing a secondto look back the way they had come, flitted on in single file alongthe street, disappearing, as far as the darkness permitted me to judge, round a second corner. I by no means liked their appearance, and, as ascream and the clash of arms rang out next moment from the direction inwhich they had gone, I cried lustily to Simon Fleix to follow, and ranon, believing from the rascals' movements that they were after no good, but that rather some honest man was like to be sore beset. 

On reaching the lane down which they had plunged, however, I paused amoment, considering not so much its black-ness, which was intense, the eaves nearly meeting overhead, as the small chance I had ofdistinguishing between attackers and attacked. But Simon and the menovertaking me, and the sounds of a sharp tussle still continuing, I decided to venture, and plunged into the alley, my left arm welladvanced, with the skirt of my cloak thrown over it, and my sword drawnback. I shouted as I ran, thinking that the knaves might desist onhearing me; and this was what happened, for as I arrived on the scene ofaction--the farther end of the alley--two men took to their heels, whileof two who remained, one lay at length in the kennel, and another roseslowly from his knees. 

'You are just in time, sir, ' the latter said, breathing hard, butspeaking with a preciseness which sounded familiar. 'I am obliged toyou, sir, whoever you are. The villains had got me down, and in a fewminutes more would have made my mother childless. By the way, you haveno light, have you?' he continued, lisping like a woman. 

One of M. De Rambouillet's men, who had by this time come up, cried outthat it was Monsieur Francois. 

'Yes, blockhead!' the young gentleman answered with the utmost coolness. 'But I asked for a light, not for my name. 

'I trust you are not hurt, sir?' I said, putting up my sword. 

'Scratched only, ' he answered, betraying no surprise on learning who itwas had come up so opportunely; as he no doubt did learn from my voice, for he continued with a bow, a slight price to pay for the knowledgethat M. De Marsac is as forward on the field as on the stairs. '

I bowed my acknowledgments. 

'This fellow, ' I said, 'is he much hurt?'

'Tut, tut! I thought I had saved the marshal all trouble, M. Francoisreplied. 'Is he not dead, Gil?'

The poor wretch made answer for himself, crying out piteously, and ina choking voice, for a priest to shrive him. At that moment SimonFleix returned with our torch, which he had lighted at the nearestcross-streets, where there was a brazier, and we saw by this light thatthe man was coughing up blood, and might live perhaps half an hour. 

'Mordieu! That comes of thrusting too high!' M. Francois muttered, regretfully. An inch lower, and there would have been none of thistrouble! I suppose somebody must fetch one. Gil, ' he continued, 'run, man, to the sacristy in the Rue St. Denys, and get a Father. Or--stay!Help to lift him under the lee of the wall there. The wind cuts like aknife here. '

The street being on the slope of the hill, the lower part of the housenearest us stood a few feet from the ground, on wooden piles, and thespace underneath it, being enclosed at the back and sides, was used as acart-house. The servants moved the dying man into this rude shelter, andI accompanied them, being unwilling to leave the young gentleman alone. Not wishing, however, to seem to interfere, I walked to the farther end, and sat down on the shaft of a cart, whence I idly admired the strangeaspect of the group I had left, as the glare of the torch brought nowone and now another into prominence, and sometimes shone on M. Francois'jewelled fingers toying with his tiny moustache, and sometimes on thewrithing features of the man at his feet. 

On a sudden, and before Gil had started on his errand, I saw there wasa priest among them. I had not seen him enter, nor had I any idea whencehe came. My first impression was only that here was a priest, and thathe was looking at me--not at the man craving his assistance on thefloor, or at those who stood round him, but at me, who sat away in theshadow beyond the ring of light!

This was surprising; but a second glance explained it, for then I sawthat he was the Jacobin monk who had haunted my mother's dying hours. And, amazed as much at this strange RENCONTRE as at the man's boldness, I sprang up and strode forwards, forgetting, in an impulse of righteousanger, the office he came to do. And this the more as his face, stillturned to me, seemed instinct to my eyes with triumphant malice. As Imoved towards him, however, with a fierce exclamation on my lips, hesuddenly dropped his eyes and knelt. Immediately M. Francois cried'Hush!' and the men turned to me with scandalised faces. I fell back. Yet even then, whispering on his knees by the dying man, the knave wasthinking, I felt sure, of me, glorying at once in his immunity and thepower it gave him to tantalise me without fear. 

I determined, whatever the result, to intercept him when all was over;and on the man dying a few minutes later, I walked resolutely to theopen side of the shed, thinking it likely he might try to slip away asmysteriously as he had come. He stood a moment speaking to M. Francois, however, and then, accompanied by him, advanced boldly to meet me, alean smile on his face. 

'Father Antoine, ' M. D'Agen said politely, ' tells me that he knowsyou, M. De Marsac, and desires to speak to you, MAL-A-PROPOS as is theoccasion. '

'And I to him, ' I answered, trembling with rage, and only restrainingby an effort the impulse which would have had me dash my hand in thepriest's pale, smirking face. 'I have waited long for this moment, ' Icontinued, eyeing him steadily, as M. Francois withdrew out of hearing, 'and had you tried to avoid me, I would have dragged you back, thoughall your tribe were here to protect you. '

His presence so maddened me that I scarcely knew what I said. I felt mybreath come quickly, I felt the blood surge to my head, and it waswith difficulty I restrained myself when he answered with well-affectedsanctity, 'Like mother, like son, I fear, sir. Huguenots both. '

I choked with rage. What!' I said, 'you dare to threaten me as youthreatened my mother? Fool! know that only to-day for the purpose ofdiscovering and punishing you I took the rooms in which my mother died. '

'I know it, ' he answered quietly. And then in a second, as by magic, healtered his demeanour completely, raising his head and looking me in theface. 'That, and so much besides, I know, ' he continued, giving me, tomy astonishment, frown for frown, 'that if you will listen to me for amoment, M. De Marsac, and listen quietly, I will convince you that thefolly is not on my side. '

Amazed at his new manner, in which there was none of the madness thathad marked him at our first meeting, but a strange air of authority, unlike anything I had associated with him before, I signed to him toproceed. 

'You think that I am in your power?' he said, smiling. 

'I think, ' I retorted swiftly, 'that, escaping me now, you will have atyour heels henceforth a worse enemy than even your own sins. '

'Just so, ' he answered, nodding. 'Well, I am going to show you thatthe reverse is the case; and that you are as completely in my hands, tospare or to break, as this straw. In the first place, you are here inBlois, a Huguenot!'

'Chut!' I exclaimed contemptuously, affecting a confidence I was farfrom feeling. 'A little while back that might have availed you. But weare in Blois, not Paris. It is not far to the Loire, and you have todeal with a man now, not with a woman. It is you who have cause totremble, not I. '

'You think to be protected, ' he answered with a sour smile, 'even onthis side of the Loire, I see. But one word to the Pope's Legate, or tothe Duke of Nevers, and you would see the inside of a dungeon, if notworse. For the king--'

'King or no king!' I answered, interrupting him with more assurance thanI felt, seeing that I remembered only too well Henry's remark that Rosnymust not look to him for protection, 'I fear you not a whit! And thatreminds me. I have heard you talk treason--rank, black treason, priest, as ever sent man to rope, and I will give you up. By heaven I will!' Icried, my rage increasing, as I discerned, more and more clearly, thedangerous hold he had over me. 'You have threatened me! One word, and Iwill send you to the gallows!'

'Sh!' he answered, indicating M. Francois by, a gesture of the hand. 'For your own sake, not mine. This is fine talking, but you have notyet heard all I know. Would you like to hear how you have spent the lastmonth? Two days after Christmas, M. De Marsac, you left Chize with ayoung lady--I can give you her name, if you please. Four days afterwardsyou reached Blois, and took her to your mother's lodging. Next morningshe left you for M. De Bruhl. Two days later you tracked her to a housein the Ruelle d'Arcy, and freed her, but lost her in the moment ofvictory. Then you stayed in Blois until your mother's death, going a dayor two later to M. De Rosny's house by Mantes, where mademoiselle stillis. Yesterday you arrived in Blois with M. De Rosny; you went to hislodging; you--'

'Proceed, I muttered, leaning forward. Under cover of my cloak I drew mydagger half-way from its sheath. 'Proceed, sir, I pray, ' I repeated withdry lips. 

'You slept there, ' he continued, holding his ground, but shudderingslightly, either from cold or because he perceived my movement and readmy design in my eyes. 

'This morning you remained here in attendance on M. De Rambouillet. '

For the moment I breathed freely again, perceiving that though he knewmuch, the one thing on which M. De Rosny's design turned had escapedhim. The secret interview with the king, which compromised alike Henryhimself and M. De Rambouillet, had apparently passed unnoticed andunsuspected. With a sigh of intense relief I slid back the dagger, whichI had fully made up my mind to use had he known all, and drew my cloakround me with a shrug of feigned indifference. I sweated to think whathe did know, but our interview with the king having escaped him, Ibreathed again. 

'Well, sir, ' I said curtly, 'I have listened. And now, what is thepurpose of all this?'

'My purpose?' he answered, his eyes glittering. 'To show you that youare in my power. You are the agent of M. De Rosny. I, the agent, howeverhumble, of the Holy Catholic League. Of your movements I know all. Whatdo you know of mine?'

'Knowledge, ' I made grim answer, 'is not everything, sir priest. '

'It is more than it was, ' he said, smiling his thin-lipped smile. 'It isgoing to be more than it is. And I know much--about you, M. De Marsac. '

'You know too much!' I retorted, feeling his covert threats close roundme like the folds of some great serpent. 'But you are imprudent, Ithink. Will you tell me what is to prevent me striking you through whereyou stand, and ridding myself at a blow of so much knowledge?'

'The presence of three men, M. De Marsac, ' he answered lightly, wavinghis hand towards M. Francois and the others, 'every one of whom wouldgive you up to justice. You forget that you are north of the Loire, and that priests are not to be massacred here with impunity, as in yourlawless south-country. However, enough. The night is cold, and M. D'Agengrows suspicious as well as impatient. We have, perhaps, spoken toolong already. Permit me--he bowed and drew back a step--'to resume thisdiscussion to-morrow. '

Despite his politeness and the hollow civility with which he thussought; to close the interview, the light of triumph which shone inhis eyes, as the glare of the torch fell athwart them, no less than theassured tone of his voice, told me clearly that he knew his power. He seemed, indeed, transformed: no longer a slinking, peaceful clerk, preying on a woman's fears, but a bold and crafty schemer, skilled andunscrupulous, possessed of hidden knowledge and hidden resources; thepersonification of evil intellect. For a moment, knowing all I knew, andparticularly the responsibilities which lay before me, and the interestscommitted to my hands, I quailed, confessing myself unequal to him. I forgot the righteous vengeance I owed him; I cried out helplesslyagainst the ill-fortune which had brought him across my path. I sawmyself enmeshed and fettered beyond hope of escape, and by an effortonly controlled the despair I felt. 

'To-morrow?' I muttered hoarsely. 'At what time?'

He shook his head with a cunning smile. 'A thousand thanks, but I willsettle that myself!' he answered. 'Au revoir!' and uttering a word ofleave-taking to M. Francois d'Agen, he blessed the two servants, andwent out into the night. 

CHAPTER XVIII. THE OFFER OF THE LEAGUE. 

When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evildream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and theservants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology formy discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold. I began to offer it;but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of aset phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble soplain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me. 

'No, ' I answered, turning from him impatiently; 'nothing, nothing, sir. Or tell me, ' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that;who has just left us?'

'Father Antoine, do you mean?'

'Ay, Father Antoine, Father Judas, call him what you like, ' I rejoinedbitterly. 

'Then if you leave the choice to me, ' M. Francois answered with gravepoliteness, 'I would rather call him something more pleasant, M. DeMarsac--James or John, let us say. For there is little said here whichdoes not come back to him. If walls have ears, the walls of Blois arein his pay. But I thought you knew him, ' he continued. 'He is secretary, confidant, chaplain, what you will, to Cardinal Retz, and one of thosewhom--in your ear--greater men court and more powerful men lean on. If Ihad to choose between them, I would rather cross M. De Crillon. '

'I am obliged to you, ' I muttered, checked as much by his manner as hiswords. 

'Not at all, ' he answered more lightly. 'Any information I have is atyour disposal. '

However, I saw the imprudence of venturing farther, and hastened totake leave of him, persuading him to allow one of M. De Rambouillet'sservants to accompany him home. He said that he should call on me in themorning; and forcing myself to answer him in a suitable manner, I sawhim depart one way, and myself, accompanied by Simon Fleix, went offanother. My feet were frozen with long standing--I think the corpse weleft was scarce colder--but my head was hot with feverish doubts andfears. The moon had sunk and the streets were dark. Our torch had burnedout, and we had no light. But where my followers saw only blackness andvacancy, I saw an evil smile and a lean visage fraught with menace andexultation. 

For the more closely I directed my mind to the position in which Istood, the graver it seemed. Pitted against Bruhl alone, amid strangesurroundings and in an atmosphere of Court intrigue, I had thought mytask sufficiently difficult and the disadvantages under which I labouredsufficiently serious before this interview. Conscious of a certainrustiness and a distaste for finesse, with resources so inferior toBruhl's that even M. De Rosny's liberality had not done much to make upthe difference, I had accepted the post offered me rather readily thansanguinely; with joy, seeing that it held out the hope of high reward, but with no certain expectation of success. Still, matched with a man ofviolent and headstrong character, I had seen no reason to despair; norany why I might not arrange the secret meeting between the king andmademoiselle with safety, and conduct to its end an intrigue simple andunsuspected, and requiring for its execution rather courage and cautionthan address or experience. 

Now, however, I found that Bruhl was not my only or my most dangerousantagonist. Another was in the field--or, to speak more correctly, waswaiting outside the arena, ready to snatch the prize when we should havedisabled one another, From a dream of Bruhl and myself as engaged ina competition for the king's favour, wherein neither could expose theother nor appeal even in the last resort to the joint-enemies of hisMajesty and ourselves, I awoke to a very different state of things; Iawoke to find those enemies the masters of the situation, possessed ofthe clue to our plans, and permitting them only as long as they seemedto threaten no serious peril to themselves. 

No discovery could be more mortifying or more fraught with terror. Theperspiration stood on my brow as I recalled the warning which M. DeRosny had uttered against Cardinal Retz, or noted down the variouspoints of knowledge which were in Father Antoine's possession. He knewevery event of the last month, with one exception, and could tell, Iverily believed, how many crowns I had in my pouch. Conceding this, andthe secret sources of information he must possess, what hope had I ofkeeping my future movements from him? Mademoiselle's arrival would beknown to him before she had well passed the gates; nor was it likely, or even possible, that I should again succeed in reaching the king'spresence untraced and unsuspected. In fine, I saw myself, equally withBruhl, a puppet in this man's hands, my goings out and my comings inwatched and reported to him, his mercy the only bar between myselfand destruction. At any moment I might be arrested as a Huguenot, theenterprise in which I was engaged ruined, and Mademoiselle de la Vireexposed to the violence of Bruhl or the equally dangerous intrigues ofthe League. 

Under these circumstances I fancied sleep impossible; but habit andweariness are strong persuaders, and when I reached my lodging I sleptlong and soundly, as became a man who had looked danger in the face morethan once. The morning light too brought an accession both of courageand hope. I reflected on the misery of my condition at St. Jeand'Angely, without friends or resources, and driven to herd with sucha man as Fresnoy. And telling myself that the gold crowns which M. DeRosny had lavished upon me were not for nothing, nor the more preciousfriendship with which he had honoured me a gift that called for noreturn, I rose with new spirit and a countenance which threw SimonFleix who had seen me lie down the picture of despair--into the utmostastonishment. 

'You have had good dreams, ' he said, eyeing me jealously and with adisturbed air. 

'I had a very evil one last night, ' I answered lightly, wondering alittle why he looked at me so, and why he seemed to resent my returnto hopefulness and courage. I might have followed this train of thoughtfurther with advantage, since I possessed a clue to his state of mind;but at that moment a summons at the door called him away to it, andhe presently ushered in M. D'Agen, who, saluting me with punctiliouspoliteness, had not said fifty words before he introduced the subjectof his toe--no longer, however, in a hostile spirit, but as thehappy medium which had led him to recognise the worth and sterlingqualities--so he was pleased to say--of his preserver. 

I was delighted to find him in this frame of mind, and told him franklythat the friendship with which his kinsman, M. De Rambouillet, honouredme would prevent me giving him satisfaction save in the last resort. He replied that the service I had done him was such as to render thisimmaterial, unless I had myself cause of offence; which I was forward todeny. 

We were paying one another compliments after this fashion, while Iregarded him with the interest which the middle-aged bestow on the youngand gallant in whom they see their own youth and hopes mirrored, whenthe door was again opened, and after a moment's pause admitted, equally, I think, to the disgust of M. Francois, and myself, the form of FatherAntoine. 

Seldom have two men more diverse stood, I believe, in a room together;seldom has any greater contrast been presented to a man's eyes than thatopened to mine on this occasion. On the one side the gay young spark, with his short cloak, his fine suit; of black-and-silver, his trimlimbs and jewelled hilt and chased comfit-box; on the other, the tall, stooping monk, lean-jawed and bright-eyed, whose gown hung about him incoarse, ungainly folds. And M. Francois' sentiment on first seeing theother was certainly dislike. Is spite of this, however, he bestowed agreeting on the new-comer which evidenced a secret awe, and in otherways showed so plain a desire to please, that I felt my fears of thepriest return in force. I reflected that the talents which in such agarb could win the respect of M. Francois d'Agen--a brilliant star amongthe younger courtiers, and one of a class much given to thinking scornof their fathers' roughness--must be both great and formidable; and, so considering, I received the monk with a distant courtesy which I hadonce little thought to extend to him. I put aside for the moment theprivate grudge I bore him with so much justice, and remembered only theburden which lay on me in my contest with him. 

I conjectured without difficulty that he chose to come at this time, when M. Francois was with me, out of a cunning regard to his own safety;and I was not surprised when M. Francois, beginning to make his adieux, Father Antoine begged him to wait below, adding that he had somethingof importance to communicate. He advanced his request in terms ofpoliteness bordering on humility; but I could clearly see that, inassenting to it, M. D'Agen bowed to a will stronger than his own, andwould, had he dared to follow his own bent, have given a very differentanswer. As it was he retired--nominally to give an order to hislackey--with a species of impatient self-restraint which it was notdifficult to construe. 

Left alone with me, and assured that we had no listeners, the monk wasnot slow in coming to the point. 

'You have thought over what I told you last night?' he said brusquely, dropping in a moment the suave manner which he had maintained in M. Francois's presence. 

I replied coldly that I had. 

'And you understand the position?' he continued quickly, looking at mefrom under his brows as he stood before me, with one clenched fist onthe table. 'Or shall I tell you more? Shall I tell you how poor anddespised you were some weeks ago, M. De Marsac--you who now go invelvet, and have three men at your back? Or whose gold it is has broughtyou here, and made you, this? Chut! Do not let us trifle. You are hereas the secret agent of the King of Navarre. It is my business to learnyour plans and his intentions, and I propose to do so. '

'Well?' I said. 

'I am prepared to buy them, ' he answered; and his eyes sparkled as hespoke, with a greed which set me yet more on my guard. 

'For whom?' I asked. Having made up my mind that I must use the sameweapons as my adversary, I reflected that to express indignation, suchas might become a young man new to the world, could, help me not a whit. 'For whom?' I repeated, seeing that he hesitated. 

'That is my business, ' he replied slowly. 

'You want to know too much and tell too little, ' I retorted, yawning. 

'And you are playing with me, ' he cried, looking at me suddenly, with sopiercing a gaze and so dark a countenance that I checked a shudder withdifficulty. 'So much the worse for you, so much the worse for you!' hecontinued fiercely. 'I am here to buy the information you hold, but ifyou will not sell, there is another way. At an hour's notice I can ruinyour plans, and send you to a dungeon! You are like a fish caught in anet not yet drawn. It thrusts its nose this way and that, and touchesthe mesh, but is slow to take the alarm until the net is drawn--and thenit is too late. So it is with you, and so it is, ' he added, fallinginto the ecstatic mood which marked him at times, and left me in doubtwhether he were all knave or in part enthusiast, 'with all those who setthemselves against St. Peter and his Church!'

'I have heard you say much the same of the King of France, ' I saidderisively. 

'You trust in him?' he retorted, his eyes gleaming. 'You have beenup there, and seen his crowded chamber, and counted his forty-fivegentlemen and his grey-coated Swiss? I tell you the splendour you sawwas a dream, and will vanish as a dream. The man's strength and hisglory shall go from him, and that soon. Have you no eyes to see thathe is beside the question? There are but two powers in France--the HolyUnion, which still prevails, and the accursed Huguenot; and between themis the battle. '

'Now you are telling me more, ' I said. 

He grew sober in a moment, looking at me with a vicious anger hard todescribe. 

'Tut tut, ' he said, showing his yellow teeth, 'the dead tell no tales. And for Henry of Valois, he so loves a monk that you might better accusehis mistress. But for you, I have only to cry "Ho! a Huguenot and aspy!" and though he loved you more than he loved Quelus or Maugiron, hedare not stretch out a finger to save you!'

I knew that he spoke the truth, and with difficulty maintained the airof indifference with which I had entered on the interview. 

'But what if I leave Blois?' I ventured, merely to see what he wouldsay. 

He laughed. 'You cannot, ' he answered. 'The net is round you, M. DeMarsac, and there are those at every gate who know you and have theirinstructions. I can destroy you, but I would fain have your information, and for that I will pay you five hundred crowns and let you go. '

'To fall into the hands of the King of Navarre?'

'He will disown you, in any case, ' he answered eagerly. 'He had thatin his mind, my friend, when he selected an agent so obscure. He willdisown you. Ah, mon Dieu! had I been an hour quicker I had caughtRosny--Rosny himself!'

'There is one thing lacking still, ' I replied. 'How am I to be surethat, when I have told you what I know, you will pay me the money or letme go?'

'I will swear to it!' he answered earnestly, deceived into thinking Iwas about to surrender. 'I will give you my oath, M. De Marsac!'

'I would as soon have your shoe-lace!' I exclaimed, the indignation Icould not entirely repress finding vent in that phrase. 'A Churchman'svow is worth a candle--or a candle and a half, is it?' I continuedironically. 'I must have some security a great deal more substantialthan that, father. '

'What?' he asked, looking at me gloomily. 

Seeing an opening, I cudgelled my brains to think of any conditionwhich, being fulfilled, might turn the table on him and place him in mypower. But his position was so strong, or my wits so weak, that nothingoccurred to me at the time, and I sat looking at, him, my mind graduallypassing from the possibility of escape to the actual danger in whichI stood, and which encompassed also Simon Fleix, and, in a degree, doubtless, M. De Rambouillet. In four or five days, too, Mademoiselle dela Vire would arrive. I wondered if I could send any warning to her;and then, again, I doubted the wisdom of interfering with M. De Rosny'splans, the more as Maignan, who had gone to fetch mademoiselle, was of akind to disregard any orders save his master's. 

'Well!' said the monk, impatiently recalling me to myself, 'whatsecurity do you want?'

'I am not quite sure at this moment, ' I made answer slowly. 'I am in adifficult position. I must have some time to consider. '

'And to rid yourself of me, if it be possible, ' he said with irony. 'Iquite understand. But I warn you that you are watched; and that whereveryou go and whatever you do, eyes which are mine are upon you. '

'I, too, understand, ' I said coolly. 

He stood awhile uncertain, regarding me with mingled doubt andmalevolence, tortured on the one hand by fear of losing the prize ifhe granted delay, on the other of failing as utterly if he exerted hispower and did not succeed in subduing my resolution. I watched him, too, and gauging his eagerness and the value of the stake for which he wasstriving by the strength of his emotions, drew small comfort from thesight. More than once it had occurred to me, and now it occurred to meagain, to extricate myself by a blow. But a natural reluctance to strikean unarmed man, however vile and knavish, and the belief that he hadnot trusted himself in my power without taking the fullest precautions, withheld me. When he grudgingly, and with many dark threats, proposed towait three days--and not an hour more--for my answer, I accepted; for Isaw no other alternative open. And on these terms, but not withoutsome short discussion, we parted, and I heard his stealthy footstep gosneaking down the stairs. 

CHAPTER XIX. MEN CALL IT CHANCE. 

If I were telling more than the truth, or had it in my mind to embellishmy adventures, I could, doubtless, by the exercise of a little ingenuitymake it appear that I owed my escape from Father Antoine's meshes tomy own craft; and tell, in fine, as pretty a story of plots andcounterplots as M. De Brantome has ever woven. Having no desire, however, to magnify myself and, at this time of day, scarcely anyreason, I am fain to confess that the reverse was the case; and thatwhile no man ever did less to free himself than I did, my adversaryretained his grasp to the end, and had surely, but for a strangeinterposition, effected my ruin. How relief came, and from what quarter, I might defy the most ingenious person, after reading my memoirs to thispoint, to say; and this not so much by reason of any subtle device, asbecause the hand of Providence was for once directly manifest. 

The three days of grace which the priest had granted I passed in anxiousbut futile search for some means of escape, every plan I conceived dyingstillborn, and not the least of my miseries lying in the fact that Icould discern no better course than still to sit and think, and seemeddoomed to perpetual inaction. M. De Rambouillet being a strict Catholic, though in all other respects a patriotic man, I knew better than to haverecourse to him; and the priest's influence over M. D'Agen I had myselfwitnessed. For similar reasons I rejected the idea of applying to theking; and this exhausting the list of those on whom I had any claim, Ifound myself thrown on my own resources, which seemed limited--my witsfailing me at this pinch--to my sword and Simon Fleix. 

Assured that I must break out of Blois if I would save not myself only, but others more precious because entrusted to my charge, I thought it nodisgrace to appeal to Simon; describing in a lively fashion the dangerwhich threatened us, and inciting the lad by every argument which Ithought likely to have weight with him to devise some way of escape. 

Now is the time, my friend, ' I said, 'to show your wits, and prove thatM. De Rosny, who said you had a cunning above the ordinary, was right. If your brain can ever save your head, now is the time! For I tell youplainly, if you cannot find some way to outmanoeuvre this villain beforeto-morrow, I am spent. You can judge for yourself what chance you willhave of going free. '

I paused at that, waiting for him to make some suggestion. To my chagrinhe remained silent, leaning his head on his hand, and studying thetable with his eyes in a sullen fashion; so that I began to regretthe condescension I had evinced in letting him be seated, and found itnecessary to remind him that he had taken service with me, and must domy bidding. 

'Well, ' he said morosely, and without looking up, 'I am ready to do it. But I do not like priests, and this one least of all. I know him, and Iwill not meddle with him. '

'You will not meddle with him?' I cried, almost beside myself withdismay. 

'No, I won't, ' he replied, retaining his listless attitude. 'I know him, and I am afraid of him. I am no match for him. '

'Then M. De Rosny was wrong, was he?' I said, giving way to my anger. 

'If it please you, ' he answered pertly. 

This was too much for me. My riding-switch lay handy, and I snatchedit up. Before he knew what I would be at, I fell upon him, and gave himsuch a sound wholesome drubbing as speedily brought him to his senses. When he cried for mercy--which he did not for a good space, being stillpossessed by the peevish devil which had ridden him ever since hisdeparture from Rosny--I put it to him again whether M. De Rosny was notright. When he at last admitted this, but not till then, I threw thewhip away and let him go, but did not cease to reproach him as hedeserved. 

'Did you think, ' I said, 'that I was going to be ruined because youwould not use your lazy brains? That I was going to sit still, and letyou sulk, while mademoiselle walked blindfold into the toils? Not atall, my friend!'

'Mademoiselle!' he exclaimed, looking at me with a sudden change ofcountenance, end ceasing to rub himself and scowl, as he had been doing. 'She is not here, and is in no danger. '

'She will be here to-morrow, or the next day, ' I said. 

You did not tell me that!' he replied, his eyes glittering. 'Does FatherAntoine know it?'

'He will know it the moment she enters the town, ' I answered. 

Noting the change which the introduction of mademoiselle's name into theaffair had wrought in him, I felt something like humiliation. But at themoment I had no choice; it was my business to use such instruments ascame to my hand, and not, mademoiselle's safety being at stake, to pickand choose too nicely. In a few minutes our positions were reversed. Thelad had grown as hot as I cold, as keenly excited as I critical. Whenhe presently came to a stand in front of me, I saw a strange likenessbetween his face and the priest's; nor was I astonished when hepresently made just such a proposal as I should have expected fromFather Antoine himself. 

'There is only one thing for it, ' he muttered, trembling all over. 'Hemust be got rid of!'

'Fine talking!' I said, contemptuously. 'If he were a soldier he mightbe brought to it. But he is a priest, my friend, and does not fight. '

'Fight? Who wants him to fight?' the lad answered, his face dark, hishands moving restlessly. 'It is the easier done. A blow in the back, andhe will trouble us no more. '

'Who is to strike it?' I asked drily. 

Simon trembled and hesitated; but presently, heaving a deep sigh, hesaid, 'I will. '

'It might not be difficult, ' I muttered, thinking it over. 

'It would be easy, ' he answered under his breath. His eyes shone, hislips were white, and his long dark hair hung wet over his forehead. 

I reflected, and the longer I did so the more feasible seemed thesuggestion. A single word, and I might sweep from my path the man whoseexistence threatened mine; who would not meet me fairly, but, workingagainst me darkly and treacherously, deserved no better treatment at myhands than that which a detected spy receives. He had wronged my mother;he would fain destroy my friends!

And, doubtless, I shall be blamed by some and ridiculed by more forindulging in scruples at such a time. But I have all my life long beenprejudiced against that form of underhand violence which I have heardold men contend came into fashion in our country in modern times, andwhich certainly seems to be alien from the French character. Withoutjudging others too harshly, or saying that the poniard is neverexcusable--for then might some wrongs done to women and the helplessgo without remedy--I have set my face against its use as unworthy of asoldier. At the time, moreover, of which I am now writing the extent towhich our enemies had lately resorted to it tended to fix this feelingwith peculiar firmness in my mind; and, but for the very desperatedilemma in which I stood at the moment--and not I alone--I do not thinkthat I should have entertained Simon's proposal for a minute. 

As it was, I presently answered him in a way which left him in no doubtof my sentiments. 'Simon, my friend, ' I said--and I remember I was alittle moved--'you have something still to learn, both as a soldier anda Huguenot. Neither the one nor the other strikes at the back. '

'But if he will not fight?' the lad retorted rebelliously. 'What then?'

It was so clear that our adversary gained an unfair advantage in thisway that I could not answer the question. I let it pass, therefore, andmerely repeating my former injunction, bade Simon think out another way. 

He promised reluctantly to do so, and, after spending some moments inthought, went out to learn whether the house was being watched. 

When he returned, his countenance wore so new an expression that I sawat once that something had happened. He did not meet my eye, however, and did not explain, but made as if he would go out again, withsomething of confusion in his manner. Before finally disappearing, however, he seemed to change his mind once more; for, marching up to mewhere I stood eyeing him with the utmost astonishment, he stopped beforeme, and suddenly drawing out his hand, thrust something into mine. 

'What is it, man?' I said mechanically. 

'Look!' he answered rudely, breaking silence for the first time. 'Youshould know. Why ask me? What have I to do with it?'

I looked then, and saw that he had given me a knot of velvet preciselysimilar is shape, size, and material to that well-remembered one whichhad aided me so opportunely in my search for mademoiselle. This differedfrom that a little in colour, but in nothing else, the fashion of thebow being the same, and one lappet hearing the initials 'C. D. L. V. , 'while the other had the words, 'A moi. ' I gazed at it in wonder. 'But, Simon, ' I said, 'what does it mean? Where did you get it?'

'Where should I get it?' he answered jealously. Then, seeming torecollect himself, he changed his tone. 'A woman gave it to me in thestreet, ' he said. 

I asked him what woman. 

'How should I know?' he answered, his eyes gleaming with anger. 'It wasa woman in a mask. '

'Was it Fanchette?' I said sternly. 

'It might have been. I do not know, ' he responded. 

I concluded at first that mademoiselle and her escort had arrived in theoutskirts of the city, and that Maignan had justified his reputationfor discretion by sending in to learn from me whether the way was clearbefore he entered. In this notion I was partly confirmed and partlyshaken by the accompanying message; which Simon, from whom every scrapof information had to be dragged as blood from a stone, presentlydelivered. 

'You are to meet the sender half an hour after sunset to-morrowevening, ' he said, 'on the Parvis at the north-east corner of thecathedral. '

'To-morrow evening?'

'Yes, when else?' the lad answered ungraciously. 'I said to-morrowevening. '

I thought this strange. I could understand why Maignan should prefer tokeep his charge outside the walls until he heard from me, but not whyhe should postpone a meeting so long. The message, too, seemedunnecessarily meagre, and I began to think Simon was still withholdingsomething. 

'Was that all?' I asked him. 

'Yes, all, ' he answered, 'except--'

'Except what?' I said sternly. 

'Except that the woman showed me the gold token Mademoiselle de laVire used to carry, ' he answered reluctantly, 'and said, if you wantedfurther assurance that would satisfy you. '

'Did you see the coin?' I cried eagerly. 

'To be sure, ' he answered. 

'Then, mon dieu!' I retorted, 'either you are deceiving me, or the womanyou saw deceived you. For mademoiselle has not got the token! I have ithere, in my possession! Now, do you still say you saw it, man?'

'I saw one like it, ' he answered, trembling, his face damp. 'That I willswear. And the woman told me what I have told you. And no more. '

'Then it is clear, ' I answered, 'that mademoiselle has nothing to dowith this, and is doubtless many a league away. This is one of M. DeBruhl's tricks. Fresnoy gave him the token he stole from me. And Itold him the story of the velvet knot myself. This is a trap; and hadI fallen into it, and gone to the Parvis to-morrow evening, I had neverkept another assignation, my lad. '

Simon looked thoughtful. Presently he said, with a crestfallen air, 'Youwere to go alone. The woman said that. '

Though I knew well why he had suppressed this item, I forbore to blamehim. 'What was the woman like?' I said. 

'She had very much of Franchette's figure, ' he answered. He could notgo beyond that. Blinded by the idea that the woman was mademoiselle'sattendant, and no one else, he had taken little heed of her, and couldnot even say for certain that she was not a man in woman's clothes. 

I thought the matter over and discussed it with him; and was heartilyminded to punish M. De Bruhl, if I could discover a way of turning histreacherous plot against himself. But the lack of any precise knowledgeof his plans prevented me stirring in the matter; the more as I felt nocertainty that I should be master of my actions when the time came. 

Strange to say the discovery of this movement on the part of Bruhl, whohad sedulously kept himself in the background since the scene in theking's presence, far from increasing my anxieties, had the effect ofadministering a fillip to my spirits; which the cold and unyieldingpressure of the Jacobin had reduced to a low point. Here was something Icould understand, resist, and guard against. The feeling that I hadonce more to do with a man of like aims and passions with myself quicklyrestored me to the use of my faculties; as I have heard that a swordsmanopposed to the powers of evil regains his vigour on finding himselfengaged with a mortal foe. Though I knew that the hours of grace werefast running to a close, and that on the morrow the priest would callfor an answer, I experienced that evening an unreasonable lightness andcheerfulness. I retired to rest with confidence, and slept is comfort, supported in part, perhaps, by the assurance that in that room where mymother died her persecutor could have no power to harm me. 

Upon Simon Fleix, on the other hand, the discovery that Bruhl wasmoving, and that consequently peril threatened us from a new quarter, had a different effect. He fell into a state of extreme excitement, andspent the evening and a great part of the night in walking restlesslyup and down the room, wrestling with the fears and anxieties which besetus, and now talking fast to himself, now biting his nails in an agonyof impatience. In vain I adjured him not to meet troubles halfway; or, pointing to the pallet which he occupied at the foot of my couch, badehim, if he could not devise a way of escape, at least to let the matterrest until morning. He had no power to obey, but, tortured by the vividanticipations which it was his nature to entertain, he continued toramble to and fro in a fever of the nerves, and had no sooner laindown than be was up again. Remembering, however, how well he had bornehimself on the night of mademoiselle's escape from Blois, I refrainedfrom calling him a coward; and contented myself instead with thereflection that nothing sits worse on a fighting-man than too muchknowledge--except, perhaps, a lively imagination. 

I thought it possible that mademoiselle might arrive next day beforeFather Antoine called to receive his answer. In this event I hoped tohave the support of Maignan's experience. But the party did not arrive. I had to rely on myself and my own resources, and, this being so, determined to refuse the priest's offer, but in all other things to beguided by circumstances. 

About noon he came, attended, as was his practice, by two friends, whom he left outside. He looked paler and more shadowy than before, Ithought, his hands thinner, and his cheeks more transparent. I coulddraw no good augury, however, from these, signs of frailty, for thebrightness of his eyes and the unusual elation of his manner toldplainly of a spirit assured of the mastery. He entered the room with anair of confidence, and addressed me in a tone of patronage which left mein no doubt of his intentions; the frankness with which he now laid barehis plans going far to prove that already he considered me no betterthan his tool. 

I did not at once undeceive him, but allowed him to proceed, and evento bring out the five hundred crowns which he had promised me, and thesight of which he doubtless supposed would clench the matter. 

Seeing this he became still less reticent, and spoke so largely that Ipresently felt myself impelled to ask him if he would answer a question. 

'That is as may be, M. De Marsac, ' he answered lightly. 'You may askit. '

'You hint at great schemes which you have in hand, father, ' I said. 'You speak of France and Spain and Navarre, and kings and Leagues andcardinals! You talk of secret strings, and would have me believe that ifI comply with your wishes I shall find you as powerful a patron as M. DeRosny. But--one moment, if you please, ' I continued hastily, seeing thathe was about to interrupt me with such eager assurances as I had alreadyheard; 'tell me this. With so many irons in the fire, why did youinterfere with one old gentlewoman--for the sake of a few crowns?'

'I will tell you even that, ' he answered, his face flushing at my tone. 'Have you ever heard of an elephant? Yes. Well, it has a trunk, youknow, with which it can either drag an oak from the earth or lifta groat from the ground. It is so with me. But again you ask, ' hecontinued with an airy grimace, 'why I wanted a few crowns. Enough thatI did. There are going to be two things in the world, and two only, M. De Marsac: brains and money. The former I have, and had: the latter Ineeded--and took. '

'Money and brains?' I said, looking at him thoughtfully. 

'Yes, ' he answered, his eyes sparkling, his thin nostrils beginning todilate. 'Give me these two, and I will rule France!'

'You will rule France?' I exclaimed, amazed beyond measure by hisaudacity. 'You, man?'

'Yes, I, ' he answered, with abominable coolness. 'I, priest, monk, Churchman, clerk. You look surprised, but mark you, sir, there is achange going on. Our time is coming, and yours is going. What hampersour lord the king and shuts him up in Blois, while rebellions stalkthrough France? Lack of men? No; but lack of money. Who can get themoney for him--you the soldier, or I the clerk? A thousand times, I!Therefore, my time is coming, and before you die you will see a priestrule France. '

'God forbid it should be you, ' I answered scornfully. 

'As you please, ' he answered, shrugging his shoulders, and assuming ina breath a mask of humility which sat as ill on his monstrous conceitas ever nun's veil on a trooper. 'Yet it may even be I; by the favour ofthe Holy Catholic Church, whose humble minister I am. '

I sprang up with a great oath at that, having no stomach for more of thestrange transformations, in which this man delighted, and whereof thelast had ever the air of being the most hateful. 'You villain!' I cried, twisting my moustaches, a habit I have when enraged. 'And so you wouldmake me a stepping-stone to your greatness. You would bribe me--asoldier and a gentleman. Go, before I do you a mischief. That is allI have to say to you. Go! You have your answer. I will tell younothing--not a jot or a tittle. Begone from my room!'

He fell back a step in his surprise, and stood against the table bitinghis nails and scowling at me, fear and chagrin contending with half adozen devils for the possession of his face. 'So you have been deceivingme, ' he said slowly, and at last. 

'I have let you deceive yourself' I answered, looking at him with scorn, but with little of the fear with which he had for a while inspired me. 'Begone, and do your worst. '

'You know what you are doing, ' he said. 'I have that will hang you, M. De Marsac--or worse. '

'Go!' I cried. 

'You have thought of your friends, ' he continued mockingly. 

'Go!' I said. 

'Of Mademoiselle de la Vire, if by any chance she fall into my hands?It will not be hanging for her. You remember the two Foucauds?'--and helaughed. 

The vile threat, which I knew he had used to my mother, so worked uponme that I strode forward unable to control myself longer. In anothermoment I had certainly taken him by the throat and squeezed the life outof his miserable carcase, had not Providence in its goodness intervenedto save me. The door, on which he had already laid his hand in terror, opened suddenly. It admitted Simon, who, closing it; behind him, stoodlooking from one to the other of us in nervous doubt; divided betweenthat respect for the priest which a training at the Sorbonne hadinstilled into him, and the rage which despair arouses in the weakest. 

His presence, while it checked me in my purpose, seemed to give FatherAntoine courage, for the priest stood his ground, and even turned to mea second time, his face dark with spite and disappointment. 'Good, ' hesaid hoarsely. 'Destroy yourself if you will! I advise you to baryour door, for in an hour the guards will be here to fetch you to thequestion. '

Simon cried out at the threat, so that I turned and looked at the lad. His knees were shaking, his hair stood on end. 

The priest saw his terror and his own opportunity. 'Ay, in an hour, ' hecontinued slowly, looking at him with cruel eyes. 'In an hour, lad! Youmust be fond of pain to court it, and out of humour with life to throwit away. Or stay, ' he continued abruptly, after considering Simon'snarrowly for a moment, and doubtless deducing from it a last hope, 'Iwill be merciful. I will give you one more chance. '

'And yourself?' I said with a sneer. 

'As you please, ' he answered, declining to be diverted from thetrembling lad, whom his gaze seemed to fascinate. 'I will give you untilhalf an hour after sunset this evening to reconsider the matter. If youmake up your minds to accept my terms, meet me then. I leave to-nightfor Paris, and I will give you until the last moment. But, ' he continuedgrimly, 'if you do not meet me, or, meeting me, remain obstinate--God doso to me, and more also, if you see the sun rise thrice. '

Some impulse, I know not what, seeing that I had no thought of acceptinghis terms or meeting him, led me to ask briefly, 'Where?'

'On the Parvis of the Cathedral, ' he answered after a moment'scalculation. 'At the north-east corner, half an hour after sunset. It isa quiet spot. '

Simon uttered a stifled exclamation. And then for a moment there wassilence in the room, while the lad breathed hard and irregularly, and Istood rooted to the spot, looking so long and so strangely at the priestthat Father Antoine laid his hand again on the door and glanced uneasilybehind him. Nor was he content until he had hit on, as he fancied, thecause of my strange regard. 

'Ha!' he said, his thin lip curling in conceit at his astuteness, 'Iunderstand you think to kill me to-night? Let me tell you, this house iswatched. If you leave here to meet me with any companion--unless it beM. D'Agen, whom I can trust, I shall be warned, and be gone before youreach the rendezvous. And gone, mind you, ' he added, with a grim smile, 'to sign your death-warrant. '

He went out with that, closing the door behind him; and we heard hisstep go softly down the staircase. I gazed at Simon, and he at me, withall the astonishment and awe which it was natural we should feel inpresence of so remarkable a coincidence. 

For by a marvel the priest had named the same spot and the same time asthe sender of the velvet knot!

'He will go, ' Simon said, his face flushed and his voice trembling, 'andthey will go. '

'And in the dark they will not know him, ' I muttered. 'He is about myheight. They will take him for me!'

'And kill him!' Simon cried hysterically. 'They will kill him! He goesto his death, monsieur. It is the finger of God. '

CHAPTER XX. THE KING'S FACE. 

It seemed so necessary to bring home the crime to Bruhl should thepriest really perish in the trap laid for me, that I came near tofalling into one of those mistakes to which men of action are prone. Formy first impulse was to follow the priest to the Parvis, closely enough, if possible, to detect the assassins in the act, and with sufficientforce, if I could muster it, to arrest them. The credit of dissuadingme from this course lies with Simon, who pointed out its dangers inso convincing a manner that I was brought with little difficulty torelinquish it. 

Instead, acting on his advice, I sent him to M. D'Agen's lodging, to begthat young gentleman to call upon me before evening. After searchingthe lodging and other places in vain, Simon found M. D'Agen in thetennis-court at the Castle, and, inventing a crafty excuse, brought himto my lodging a full hour before the time. 

My visitor was naturally surprised to find that I had nothing particularto say to him. I dared not tell him what occupied my thoughts, andfor the rest invention failed me. But his gaiety and those prettyaffectations on which he spent an infinity of pains, for the purpose, apparently, of hiding the sterling worth of a character deficientneither in courage nor backbone, were united to much good nature. Believing at last that I had sent for him in a fit of the vapours, he devoted himself to amusing me and abusing Bruhl--a very favouritepastime with him. And in this way he made out a call of two hours. 

I had not long to wait for proof of Simon's wisdom in taking thisprecaution. We thought it prudent to keep within doors after our guest'sdeparture, and so passed the night in ignorance whether anything hadhappened or not. But about seven next morning one of the Marquis'sservants, despatched by M. D'Agen, burst in upon us with the news--whichwas no news from the moment his hurried footstep sounded on the stairsthat Father Antoine had been set upon and killed the previous evening!

I heard this confirmation of my hopes with grave thankfulness; Simonwith so much emotion that when the messenger was gone he sat down on astool and began to sob and tremble as if he had lost his mother, insteadof a mortal foe. I took advantage of the occasion to read him a sermonon the end of crooked courses; nor could I myself recall without ashudder the man's last words to me; or the lawless and evil designs inwhich he had rejoiced, while standing on the very brink of the pit whichwas to swallow up both him and them in everlasting darkness. 

Naturally, the uppermost feeling in my mind was relief. I was free oncemore. In all probability the priest had kept his knowledge to himself, and without him his agents would be powerless. Simon, it is true, heardthat the town was much excited by the event; and that many attributedit to the Huguenots. But we did not suffer ourselves to be depressedby this, nor had I any foreboding until the sound of a second hurriedfootstep mounting the stairs reached our ears. 

I knew the step in a moment for M. D'Agen's, and something ominous inits ring brought me to my feet before he opened the door. Significant aswas his first hasty look round the room, he recovered at sight of meall his habitual SANG-FROID. He saluted me, and spoke coolly, thoughrapidly. But he panted, and I noticed in a moment that he had lost hislisp. 

'I am happy in finding you, ' he said, closing the door carefully behindhim, 'for I am the bearer of ill news, and there is not a moment tobe lost. The king has signed an order for your instant consignment toprison, M. De Marsac, and, once there, it is difficult to say what maynot happen. '

'My consignment?' I exclaimed. I may be pardoned if the news for amoment found me unprepared. 

'Yes, ' he replied quickly. 'The king has signed it at the instance ofMarshal Retz. '

'But for what?' I cried in amazement. 

'The murder of Father Antoine. You will pardon me, ' he continuedurgently, 'but this is no time for words. The Provost-Marshal is evennow on his way to arrest you. Your only hope is to evade him, and gainan audience of the king. I have persuaded my uncle to go with you, and he is waiting at his lodgings. There is not a moment to belost, however, if you would reach the king's presence before you arearrested. '

'But I am innocent!' I cried. 

'I know it, ' M. D'Agen answered, 'and can prove it. But if you cannotget speech of the king innocence will avail you nothing. You havepowerful enemies. Come without more ado, M. De Marsac, I pray, ' headded. 

His manner, even more than his words, impressed me with a sense ofurgency; and postponing for a time my own judgment, I hurriedly thankedhim for his friendly offices. Snatching up my sword, which lay on achair, I buckled it on; for Simon's fingers trembled so violently hecould give me no help. This done I nodded to M. D'Agen to go first, andfollowed him from the room, Simon attending us of his own motion. Itwould be then about eleven o'clock in the forenoon. 

My companion ran down the stairs without ceremony, and so quickly it wasall I could do to keep up with him. At the outer door he signed me tostand, and darting himself into the street, he looked anxiously in thedirection of the Rue St. Denys. Fortunately the coast was still clear, and he beckoned to me to follow him. I did so and starting to walk inthe opposite direction as fast as we could, in less than a minute we hadput a corner between us and the house. 

Our hopes of escaping unseen, however, were promptly dashed. The house, I have said, stood in a quiet by-street, which was bounded on thefarther side by a garden-wall buttressed at intervals. We had scarcelygone a dozen paces from my door when a man slipped from the shelter ofone of these buttresses, and after a single glance at us, set off to runtowards the Rue St. Denys. 

M. D'Agen looked back and nodded. 'There goes the news, ' he said. 'Theywill try to cut us off, but I think we have the start of them. '

I made no reply, feeling that I had resigned myself entirely into hishands. But as we passed through the Rue de Valois, in part of which amarket was held at this hour, attracting a considerable concourse ofpeasants and others, I fancied I detected signs of unusual bustle andexcitement. It seemed unlikely that news of the priest's murder shouldaffect so many people and to such a degree, and I asked M. D'Agen whatit meant. 

'There is a rumour abroad, ' he answered, without slackening speed, 'thatthe king intends to move south to Tours at once. '

I muttered my surprise and satisfaction. 'He will come to terms with theHuguenots then?' I said. 

'It looks like it, ' M. D'Agen rejoined. 'Retz's party are in anill-humour on that account, and will wreak it on you if they get achance. On guard!' he added abruptly. 'Here are two of them!'

As he spoke we emerged from the crowd, and I saw, half a dozen pacesin front; of us, and coming to meet us, a couple of Court gallants, attended by as many servants. They espied us at the same moment, andcame across the street, which was tolerably wide at that part, with theevident intention of stopping us. Simultaneously, however, we crossed totake their side, and so met them face to face in the middle of the way. 

'M. D'Agen, ' the foremost exclaimed, speaking in a haughty tone, andwith a dark side glance at me, 'I am sorry to see you in such company!Doubtless you are not aware that this gentleman is the subject of anorder which has even now been issued to the Provost-Marshal. '

'And if so, sir? What of that?' my companion lisped in his silkiesttone. 

'What of that?' the other cried, frowning, and pushing slightly forward. 

'Precisely, ' M. D'Agen repeated, laying his hand on his hilt anddeclining to give back. 'I am not aware that his Majesty has appointedyou Provost-Marshal, or that you have any warrant, M. Villequier, empowering you to stop gentlemen in the public streets. '

M. Villequier reddened with anger. 'You are young, M. D'Agen, ' he said, his voice quivering, 'or I would make you pay dearly for that!'

'My friend is not young, ' M. D'Agen retorted, bowing. 'He is a gentlemanof birth, M. Villequier; by repute, as I learned yesterday, one of thebest swordsmen in France, and no Gascon. If you feel inclined to arresthim, do so, I pray. And I will have the honour of engaging your son. '

As we had all by this time our hands on our swords, there needed but ablow to bring about one of those street brawls which were more commonthen than now. A number of market-people, drawn to the spot by ourraised voices, had gathered round, and were waiting eagerly to see whatwould happen. But Villeqier, as my companion perhaps knew, was a Gasconin heart as well as by birth, and seeing our determined aspects, thoughtbetter of it. Shrugging his shoulders with an affectation of disdainwhich imposed on no one, he signalled to his servants to go on, andhimself stood aside. 

'I thank you for your polite offer, ' he said with an evil smile, 'andwill remember it. But as you say, sir, I am not the Provost-Marshal. '

Paying little heed to his words, we bowed, passed him, and hurried on. But the peril was not over. Not only had the RENCONTRE cost us someprecious minutes, but the Gascon, after letting us proceed a little way, followed us. And word being passed by his servants, as we supposed, thatone of us was the murderer of Father Antoine, the rumour spread throughthe crowd like wildfire, and in a few moments we found ourselvesattended by a troop of CANAILLE who, hanging on our skirts, caused SimonFleix no little apprehension. Notwithstanding the contempt which M. D'Agen, whose bearing throughout was admirable, expressed for them, wemight have found it necessary to turn and teach them a lesson had we notreached M. De Rambouillet's in the nick of time; where we found thedoor surrounded by half a dozen armed servants, at sight of whom ourpersecutors fell back with the cowardice which is usually found in thatclass. 

If I had been tempted of late to think M. De Rambouillet fickle, I hadno reason to complain now; whether his attitude was due to M. D'Agen'srepresentations, or to the reflection that without me the plans he hadat heart must miscarry. I found him waiting within, attended by threegentlemen, all cloaked and ready for the road; while the air of purpose, which sat on his brow indicated that he thought the crisis no commonone. Not a moment was lost, even in explanations. Waving me to the dooragain, and exchanging a few sentences with his nephew, he gave the wordto start, and we issued from the house in a body. Doubtless the factthat those who sought to ruin me were his political enemies had someweight with him; for I saw his face harden as his eyes met those of M. De Villequier, who passed slowly before the door as we came out. TheGascon, however, was not the man to interfere with so large a party, anddropped back; while M. De Rambouillet, after exchanging a cold salutewith him, led the way towards the Castle at a round pace. His nephew andI walked one on either side of him, and the others, to the number of tenor eleven, pressed on behind in a compact body, our cortege presentingso determined a front that the crowd, which had remained hanging aboutthe door, fled every way. Even some peaceable folk who found themselvesin our road took the precaution of slipping into doorways, or stoodaside to give us the full width of the street. 

I remarked--and I think it increased my anxiety--that our leaderwas dressed with more than usual care and richness, but, unlike hisattendants, wore no arms. He took occasion, as we hurried along, to giveme a word of advice. 'M. De Marsac, ' he said, looking at me suddenly, 'my nephew has given me to understand that you place yourself entirelyin my hands. '

I replied that I asked for no better fortune, and, whatever the event, thanked him from the bottom of my heart. 

'Be pleased then to keep silence until I bid you speak, ' he repliedsharply, for he was one of those whom a sudden stress sours andexacerbates. 'And, above all, no violence without my orders. We areabout to fight a battle, and a critical one, but it must be won with ourheads. If we can we will keep you out of the Provost-Marshal's hands. '

And if not? I remembered the threats Father Antoine had used, and ina moment I lost sight of the street with all its light and life andmovement. I felt no longer the wholesome stinging of the wind. I tastedinstead a fetid air, and saw round me a narrow cell and masked figures, and in particular a swarthy man is a leather apron leaning over abrazier, from which came lurid flames. And I was bound. I experiencedthat utter helplessness which is the last test of courage. The mancame forward, and then--then, thank God! the vision passed away. An exclamation to which M. D'Agen gave vent, brought me back to thepresent, and to the blessed knowledge that the fight was not yet over. 

We were within a score of paces, I found, of the Castle gates; but sowere also a second party, who had just debouched from a side-street, andnow hurried on, pace for pace, with us, with the evident intention offorestalling us, The race ended in both companies reaching the entranceat the same time, with the consequence of some jostling taking placeamongst the servants. This must have led to blows but for the strenuouscommands which M. De Rambouillet had laid upon his followers. I foundmyself in a moment confronted by a row of scowling faces, while a dozenthreatening hands were stretched out towards me, and as many voices, among which I recognised Fresnoy's, cried out tumultuously, 'That is he!That is the one!'

An elderly man in a quaint dress stepped forward, a paper in his hand, and, backed as he was by half a dozen halberdiers, would in a momenthave laid hands on me if M. De Rambouillet had not intervened with anegligent air of authority, which sat on him the more gracefully as heheld nothing but a riding-switch in his hands. 'Tut, tut! What is this?'he said lightly. 'I am not wont to have my people interfered with, M. Provost, without my leave. You know me, I suppose?'

'Perfectly, M. Le Marquis, ' the man answered with dogged respect; 'butthis is by the king's special command. '

'Very good, ' my patron answered, quietly eyeing the faces behind theProvost-Marshal, as if he were making a note of them; which caused someof the gentlemen manifest uneasiness. 'That is soon seen, for we areeven now about to seek speech with his Majesty. '

'Not this gentleman, ' the Provost-Marshal answered firmly, raising hishand again. 'I cannot let him pass. '

'Yes, this gentleman too, by your leave, ' the Marquis retorted, lightlyputting the hand aside with his cane. 

'Sir, ' said the other, retreating a step, and speaking with some heat, 'this is no jest with all respect. I hold the king's own order, and itmay not be resisted. '

The nobleman tapped his silver comfit-box and smiled. 'I shall be thelast to resist it--if you have it, ' he said languidly. 

'You may read it for yourself, ' the Provost-Marshal answered, hispatience exhausted. 

M. De Rambouillet took the parchment with the ends of his fingers, glanced at it, and gave it back. 'As I thought, ' he said, 'a manifestforgery. '

'A forgery!' cried the other, crimson with indignation. 'And I hadit from the hands of the king's own secretary!' At this those behindmurmured, some 'shame, ' and some one thing and some another--all withan air so threatening that the Marquis's gentlemen closed up behind him, and M. D'Agen laughed rudely. 

But M. De Rambouillet remained unmoved. 'You may have had it from whomyou please, sir, ' he said. 'It is a forgery, and I shall resist itsexecution. If you choose to await me here, I will give you my word torender this gentleman to you within an hour, should the order hold good. If you will not wait, I shall command my servants to clear the way, andif ill happen, then the responsibility will lie with you. '

He spoke in so resolute a manner it was not difficult to see thatsomething more was at stake than the arrest of a single man. This wasso; the real issue was whether the king, with whose instability it wasdifficult to cope, should fall back into the hands of his old advisersor not. My arrest was a move in the game intended as a counterblast tothe victory which M. De Rambouillet had gained when he persuaded theking to move to Tours; a city in the neighbourhood of the Huguenots, anda place of arms whence union with them would be easy. 

The Provost-Marshal could, no doubt, make a shrewd guess at thesethings. He knew that the order he had would be held valid or notaccording as one party or the other gained the mastery; and, seeing M. De Rambouillet's resolute demeanour, he gave way. Rudely interruptedmore than once by his attendants, among whom were some of Bruhl's men, he muttered an ungracious assent to our proposal; on which, and withouta moment's delay, the Marquis took me by the arm and hurried me acrossthe courtyard. 

And so far, well. My heart began to rise. But, for the Marquis, as wemounted the staircase the anxiety he had dissembled while we faced theProvost-Marshal, broke out in angry mutterings; from which I gatheredthat the crisis was yet to come. I was not surprised, therefore, when anusher rose on our appearance in the antechamber, and, quickly crossingthe floor, interposed between us and the door of the chamber, informingthe Marquis with a low obeisance that his Majesty was engaged. 

'He will see me, ' M. De Rambouillet cried, looking haughtily round onthe sneering pages and lounging courtiers, who grew civil under his eye. 

'I have particular orders, sir, to admit so one, ' the man answered. 

'Tut, tut, they do not apply to me, ' my companion retorted, nothingdaunted. 'I know the business on which the king is engaged, and Iam here to assist him. ' And raising his hand he thrust the startledofficial aside, and hardily pushed the doors of the chamber open. 

The king, surrounded by half a dozen persons, was in the act of puttingon his riding-boots. On hearing us, he turned his head with a startledair, and dropped in his confusion one of the ivory cylinders he wasusing; while his aspect, and that of the persons who stood round him, reminded me irresistibly of a party of schoolboys detected in a fault. 

He recovered himself, it is true, almost immediately; and turning hisback to us? continued to talk to the persons round him on such triflingsubjects as commonly engaged him. He carried on this conversation ina very free way, studiously ignoring our presence; but it was plain heremained aware of it, and even that he was uneasy under the cold andsevere gaze which the Marquis, who seemed in nowise affrighted by hisreception, bent upon him. 

I, for my part, had no longer any confidence. Nay, I came near toregretting that I had persevered in an attempt so useless. The warrantwhich awaited me at the gates seemed less formidable than his Majesty'sgrowing displeasure; which I saw I was incurring by remaining whereI was. It needed not the insolent glance of Marshal Retz, who loungedsmiling by the king's hand, or the laughter of a couple of pages whostood at the head of the chamber, to deprive me of my last hope; whilesome things which might have cheered me--the uneasiness of someabout the king, and the disquietude which underlay Marshal Retz'smanner--escaped my notice altogether. 

What I did see clearly was that the king's embarrassment was fastchanging to anger. The paint which reddened his cheeks prevented tinyalteration in his colour being visible, but his frown and the nervousmanner in which he kept taking off and putting on his jewelled capbetrayed him. At length, signing to one of his companions to follow, he moved a little aside to a window, whence, after a few moments, thegentleman came to us. 

'M. De Rambouillet, ' he said, speaking coldly and formally, 'his Majestyis displeased by this gentleman's presence, and requires him to withdrawforthwith. '

'His Majesty's word is law, ' my patron answered, bowing low, andspeaking in a clear voice audible throughout; the chamber, 'but thematter which brings this gentleman here is of the utmost importance, andtouches his Majesty's person. '

M. De Retz laughed jeeringly. The other courtiers looked grave. Theking shrugged his shoulders with a peevish gesture, but after a moment'shesitation, during which he looked first at Retz and then at M. DeRambouillet, he signed to the Marquis to approach. 

'Why have you brought him here?' he muttered sharply, looking askance atme. 'He should have been bestowed according to my orders. '

'He has information for your Majesty's private ear, ' Rambouilletanswered. And he looked so meaningly at the king that Henry, I think, remembered on a sudden his compact with Rosny, and my part in it; forhe started with the air of a man suddenly awakened. 'To prevent thatinformation reaching you, sire, ' my patron continued, 'his enemies havepractised on your Majesty's well-known sense of justice. '

'Oh, but stay, stay!' the king cried, hitching forward the scanty cloakhe wore, which barely came down to his waist. 'The man has killed apriest! He has killed a priest, man!'

He repeated with confidence, as if he had now got hold of the rightargument. 

That is not so, sire, craving your Majesty's pardon, M. De Rambouillet;replied with the utmost coolness. 

'Tut! Tut! The evidence is clear, ' the king said peevishly. 

'As to that, sire, ' my companion rejoined, 'if it is of the murder ofFather Antoine he is accused, I say boldly that there is none. '

'Then there you are mistaken!' the king answered. 'I heard it with myown ears this morning. '

'Will you deign, sire, to tell me its nature?' M. De Rambouilletpersisted. 

But on that Marshal Retz thought it necessary to intervene. 'Need weturn his Majesty's chamber into a court of justice?' he said smoothly. Hitherto he had not spoken; trusting, perhaps, to the impression he hadalready made upon the king. 

M. De Rambouillet took no notice of him. 

'But Bruhl, ' said the king, 'you see, Bruhl says--'

'Bruhl!' my companion replied, with so much contempt that Henry started. 'Surely your Majesty has not taken his word against this gentleman, ofall people?'

Thus reminded, a second time, of the interests entrusted to me, andof the advantage which Bruhl would gain by my disappearance, the kinglooked first confused, and then angry. He vented his passion in one ortwo profane oaths, with the childish addition that we were all a set oftraitors, and that he had no one whom he could trust. But my companionhad touched the right chord at last; for when the king grew morecomposed, he waved aside Marshal Retz's protestations, and sullenly badeRambouillet say what he had to say. 

'The monk was killed, sire, about sunset, ' he answered. 'Now my nephew, M. D'Agen, is without, and will tell your Majesty that he was with thisgentleman at his lodgings from about an hour before sunset last eveninguntil a full hour after. Consequently, M. De Marsac can hardly be theassassin, and M. Le Marechal must look elsewhere if he wants vengeance. '

'Justice, sir, not vengeance. ' Marshal Retz said with a dark glance. Hiskeen Italian face hid his trouble well, but a little pulse of passionbeating in his olive cheek betrayed the secret to those who knew him. He had a harder part to play than his opponent; for while Rambouillet'shands were clean, Retz knew himself a traitor, and liable at any momentto discovery and punishment. 

'Let M. D'Agen be called, ' Henry said curtly. 

'And if your Majesty pleases, ' Retz added, 'M. De Bruhl also, If youreally intend, sire, that is, to reopen a matter which I thought hadbeen settled. '

The king nodded obstinately, his face furrowed with ill-temper. He kepthis shifty eyes, which seldom met those of the person he addressed, onthe floor; and this accentuated the awkward stooping carriage which wasnatural to him. There were seven or eight dogs of exceeding smallness inthe room, and while we waited for the persons who had been summoned, hekicked, now one and now another of the baskets which held them, as if hefound in this some vent for his ill-humour. 

The witnesses presently appeared, followed by several persons, amongwhom were the Dukes of Nevers and Mercoeur, who came to ride out withthe king, and M. De Crillon; so that the chamber grew passably full. The two dukes nodded formally to the Marquis, as they passed him, butentered into a muttered conversation with Retz, who appeared to beurging them to press his cause. They seemed to decline, however, shrugging their short cloaks as if the matter were too insignificant. Crillon on his part cried audibly, and with an oath, to know what thematter was; and being informed, asked whether all this fuss was beingmade about a damned shaveling monk. 

Henry, whose tenderness for the cowl was well known, darted an angryglance at him, but contented himself with saying sharply to M. D'Agen, 'Now, sir, what do you know about the matter?'

'One moment, sire, ' M. Rambouillet cried, interposing before Francoiscould answer. 'Craving your Majesty's pardon, you have heard M. DeBruhl's account. May I, as a favour to myself, beg you, sire, to permitus also to hear it?'

'What?' Marshal Retz exclaimed angrily, 'are we to be the judges, then, or his Majesty? Arnidieu!' he continued hotly, 'what, in the fiend'sname, have we to do with it? I protest 'fore Heaven--'

'Ay, sir, and what do you protest?' my champion retorted, turning to himwith stern disdain. 

'Silence!' cried the king who had listened almost bewildered. 'Silence!By God, gentlemen, ' he continued, his eye travelling round the circlewith a sparkle of royal anger in it not unworthy of his crown, 'youforget yourselves. I will have none of this quarrelling in my presenceor out of it. I lost Quelus and Maugiron that way, and loss enough, andI will have none of it, I say! M. De Bruhl, ' he added, standing erect, and looking for the moment, with all his paint and frippery, a king, 'M. De Bruhl, repeat your story. '

The feelings with which I listened to this controversy may be imagined. Devoured in turn by hope and fear as now one side and now the otherseemed likely to prevail, I confronted at one moment the gloom of thedungeon, and at another tasted the air of freedom, which had neverseemed so sweet before. Strong as these feelings were, however, theygave way to curiosity at this point; when I heard Bruhl called, and sawhim come forward at the king's command. Knowing this man to be himselfguilty, I marvelled with what face he would present himself before allthose eyes, and from what depths of impudence he could draw supplies insuch an emergency. 

I need not have troubled myself, however, for he was fully equal to theoccasion. His high colour and piercing black eyes met the gaze of friendand foe alike without flinching. Dressed well and elegantly, he worehis raven hair curled in the mode, and looked alike gay, handsome, andimperturbable. If there was a suspicion of coarseness about his bulkierfigure, as he stood beside M. D'Agen, who was the courtier perfectand point devise, it went to the scale of sincerity, seeing that mennaturally associate truth with strength. 

'I know no more than this, sire, ' he said easily; 'that, happening tocross the Parvis at the moment of the murder, I heard Father Antoinescream. He uttered four words only, in the tone of a man in mortalperil. They were'--and here the speaker looked for an instant atme--'Ha! Marsac! A moi!'

'Indeed!' M. De Rambouillet said, after looking to the king forpermission. 'And that was all? You saw nothing?'

Bruhl shook his head. 'It was too dark, ' he said. 

'And heard no more?'

'No. '

'Do I understand, then, ' the Marquis continued slowly, 'that M. DeMarsac is arrested because the priest--God rest his soul!--cried to himfor help?'

'For help?' M. De Retz exclaimed fiercely. 

'For help?' said the king, surprised. And at that the most; ludicrouschange fell upon the faces of all. The king looked puzzled, the Dukeof Nevers smiled, the Duke of Mercoeur laughed aloud. Crillon criedboisterously, 'Good hit!' and the majority, who wished no better than todivine the winning party, grinned broadly, whether they would or no. 

To Marshal Retz, however, and Bruhl, that which to everyone else seemedan amusing retort had a totally different aspect; while the formerturned yellow with chagrin and came near to choking, the latter lookedas chapfallen and startled as if his guilt; had been that moment broughthome to him. Assured by the tone of the monk's voice--which must, indeed, have thundered in his ears--that my name was uttered indenunciation by one who thought me his assailant, he had chosen to tellthe truth without reflecting that words, so plain to him, might; bear adifferent construction when repeated. 

'Certainly the words seem ambiguous, ' Henry muttered. 

'But it was Marsac killed him, ' Retz cried in a rage. 

'It is for some evidence of that we are waiting, ' my champion answeredsuavely. 

The Marshal looked helplessly at Nevers and Mercoeur, who commonly tookpart with him; but apparently those noblemen had not been primedfor this occasion. They merely shook their heads and smiled. In themomentary silence which followed, while all looked curiously at Bruhl, who could not conceal his mortification, M. D'Agen stepped forward. 

'If your Majesty will permit me, ' he said, a malicious simper crossinghis handsome face--I had often remarked his extreme dislike for Bruhlwithout understanding it--'I think I can furnish some evidence moreto the point than that; to which M. De Bruhl has with so much fairnessrestricted himself. ' He then went on to state that he had had the honourof being in my company at the time of the murder; and he added, besides, so many details as to exculpate me to the satisfaction of any candidperson. 

The king nodded. 'That settles the matter, ' he said, with a sigh ofrelief. 'You think so, Mercoeur, do you not? Precisely. Villequier, seethat the order respecting M. De Marsac is cancelled. '

M. De Retz could not control his wrath on hearing this direction given. 'At this rate, ' he cried recklessly, 'we shall have few priests lefthere! We have got a bad name at Blois, as it is!'

For a moment all in the circle held their breath, while the king's eyesflashed fire at this daring allusion to the murder of the Duke de Guise, and his brother the Cardinal. But it was Henry's misfortune to be everindulgent in the wrong place, and severe when severity was either unjustor impolitic. He recovered himself with an effort, and revenged himselfonly by omitting to invite the Marshal, who was now trembling in hisshoes, to join his riding-party. 

The circle broke up amid some excitement. I stood on one side with M. D'Agen, while the king and his immediate following passed out, and, greatly embarrassed as I was by the civil congratulating of many whowould have seen me hang with equal goodwill, I was sharp enough to seethat something was brewing between Bruhl and Marshal Retz, who stoodback conversing in low tones. I was not surprised, therefore, whenthe former made his way towards me through the press which filled theantechamber, and with a lowering brow requested a word with me. 

'Certainly, ' I said, watching him narrowly, for I knew him to be bothtreacherous and a bully. 'Speak on, sir. '

'You have balked me once and again, ' he rejoined, in a voice which shooka little, as did the fingers with which he stroked his waxed moustache. 'There is no need of words between us. I, with one sword besides, willto-morrow at noon keep the bridge at Chaverny, a league from here. Itis an open country. Possibly your pleasure may lead you to ride that waywith a friend?'

'You may depend upon me, sir, ' I answered, bowing low, and feelingthankful that the matter was at length to be brought to a fair and openarbitration. 'I will be there--and in person. For my deputy last night, 'I added, searching his face with a steadfast eye, 'seems to have beensomewhat unlucky. '

CHAPTER XXI. TWO WOMEN. 

Out of compliment, and to show my gratitude, I attended M. DeRambouillet home to his lodging, and found him as much pleased withhimself, and consequently with me, as I was with him. For the time, indeed, I came near to loving him; and, certainly, he was a man of highand patriotic feeling, and of skill and conduct to match. But he lackedthat touch of nature and that power of sympathising with others whichgave to such men as M. De Rosny and the king, my master, their peculiarcharm; though after what I have related of him in the last chapter itdoes not lie in my mouth to speak ill of him. And, indeed, he was a goodman. 

When I at last reached my lodging, I found a surprise awaiting me in theshape of a note which had just arrived no one knew how. If the mannerof its delivery was mysterious, however, its contents were brief andsufficiently explicit; for it; ran thus: 'SIR, BY MEETING ME THREE HOURSAFTER NOON IN THE SQUARE BEFORE THE HOUSE OF THE LITTLE SISTERS YOUWILL DO A SERVICE AT ONCE TO YOURSELF AND TO THE UNDERSIGNED, MARIE DEBRUHL. '

That was all, written in a feminine character, yet it was enough toperplex me. Simon, who had manifested the liveliest joy at my escape, would have had me treat it as I had treated the invitation to the Parvisof the Cathedral; ignore it altogether I mean. But I was of a differentmind, and this for three reasons, among others: that the request wasstraightforward, the time early, and the place sufficiently public to bean unlikely theatre for violence, though well fitted for an interviewto which the world at large was not invited. Then, too, the square laylittle more than a bowshot from my lodging, though on the farther sideof the Rue St. Denys. 

Besides, I could conceive many grounds which Madame de Bruhl might havefor seeing me; of which some touched me nearly. I disregarded Simon'swarnings, therefore, and repaired at the time appointed to the place--aclean, paved square a little off the Rue St. Denys, and entered fromthe latter by a narrow passage. It was a spot pleasantly convenientfor meditation, but overlooked on one side by the House of the LittleSisters; in which, as I guessed afterwards, madame must have awaited me, for the square when I entered it was empty, yet in a moment, though noone came in from the street, she stood beside me. She wore a mask andlong cloak. The beautiful hair and perfect complexion, which had filledme with so much admiration at our first meeting in her house, werehidden, but I saw enough of her figure and carriage to be sure that itwas Madame de Bruhl and no other. 

She began by addressing me in a tone of bitterness, for which I was notaltogether unprepared. 

'Well, sir, ' she exclaimed, her voice trembling with anger, 'you aresatisfied, I hope, with your work?'

I expected this and had my answer ready. 'I am not aware, Madame, ' Isaid, 'that I have cause to reproach myself. But, however that may be, Itrust you have summoned me for some better purpose than to chide me foranother's fault; though it was my voice which brought it to light. '

'Why did you shame me publicly?' she retorted, thrusting herhandkerchief to her lips and withdrawing it again with a passionategesture. 

'Madame, ' I answered patiently--I was full of pity for her, 'considerfor a moment the wrong your husband did me and how small and inadequatewas the thing I did to him in return. '

'To him!' she ejaculated so fiercely that I started. 'It was to me--tome you did it! What had I done that you should expose me to the ridiculeof those who know no pity, and the anger of one as merciless? What had Idone, sir?'

I shook my head sorrowfully. 'So far, madame, ' I answered, 'I allow Iowe you reparation, and I will make it should it ever be in my power. Nay, I will say more, ' I continued, for the tone in which she spoke hadwrung my heart. 'In one point I strained the case against your husband. To the best of my belief he abducted the lady who was in my charge, not for the love of her, but for political reasons, and as the agent ofanother. '

She gasped. 'What?' she cried. 'Say that again!'

As I complied she tore off her mask and gazed into my face withstraining eyes and parted lips. I saw then how much she was changed, even in these few days--how pale and worn were her cheeks, how darkthe circles round her eyes. 'Will you swear to it?' she said at last, speaking with uncontrollable eagerness, while she laid a hand whichshook with excitement on my arm. Will you swear to it, sir?'

'It is true, ' I answered steadfastly. I might have added that after theevent her husband had so treated mademoiselle as to lead her to fear theworst. But I refrained, feeling that it was no part of my duty to comebetween husband and wife. 

She clasped her hands, and for a moment looked passionately upwards, asthough she were giving thanks to Heaven; while the flesh of health andloveliness which I had so much admired returned, and illumined herface in a wonderful manner. She seemed, in truth and for the moment, transformed. Her blue eyes filled with tears, her lips moved; nor haveI ever seen anything bear so near a resemblance to those pictures of theVirgin Mary which Romans worship as madame did then. 

The change, however, was as evanescent as it was admirable. In aninstant she seemed to collapse. She struck her hands to her face andmoaned, and I saw tears, which she vainly strove to restrain, droppingthrough her fingers. 'Too late!' she murmured, in a tone of anguishwhich wrung my heart. 'Alas, you robbed me of one man, you give me backanother. I know him now for what he is. If he did not love her then, hedoes now. It is too late!'

She seemed so much overcome that I assisted her to reach a bench whichstood against the wall a few paces away; nor, I confess, was it withoutdifficulty and much self-reproach that I limited myself to those prudentoffices only which her state and my duty required. To console her on thesubject of her husband was impossible; to ignore him, and so to consoleher, a task which neither my discretion nor my sense of honour, thoughsorely tried, permitted me to undertake. 

She presently recovered and, putting on her mask again, said hurriedlythat she had still a word to say to me. 'You have treated me honestly, 'she continued, 'and, though I have no cause to do anything but hate you, I say in return, look to yourself! You escaped last night--I know all, for it was my velvet knot--which I had made thinking to send it to youto procure this meeting--that he used as a lure. But he is not yet atthe end of his resources. Look to yourself, therefore. '

I thought of the appointment I had made with him for the morrow, but Iconfined myself to thanking her, merely saying, as I bowed over the handshe resigned to me in token of farewell, 'Madame, I am grateful. I amobliged to you both for your warning and your forgiveness. '

'Bending her head coldly she drew away her hand. At that moment, as Ilifted my eyes, I saw something which for an instant rooted me to thespot with astonishment. In the entrance of the passage which led to theRue St. Denys two people were standing, watching us. The one was SimonFleix, and the other, a masked woman, a trifle below the middle height, and clad in a riding-coat, was Mademoiselle de la Vire!

I knew her in a moment. But the relief I experienced on seeing her safeand in Blois was not unmixed with annoyance that Simon Fleix should havebeen so imprudent as to parade her unnecessarily in the street. I feltsomething of confusion also on my own account; for I could not tell howlong she and her escort had been watching me. And these two feelingswere augmented when, after turning to pay a final salute to Madamede Bruhl, I looked again towards the passage and discovered thatmademoiselle and her squire were gone. 

Impatient as I was, I would not seem to leave madame rudely or withoutfeeling, after the consideration she had shown me in her own sorrow; andaccordingly I waited uncovered until she disappeared within the 'LittleSisters. ' Then I started eagerly towards my lodging, thinking I mightyet overtake mademoiselle before she entered. I was destined to meet, however, with another though very pertinent hindrance. As I passed fromthe Rue St. Denys into the quiet of my street I heard a voice calling myname, and, looking back, saw M. De Rambouillet's equerry, a man deep inhis confidence, running after me. He brought a message from his master, which he begged me to consider of the first importance. 

'The Marquis would not trust it to writing, sir, ' he continued, drawingme aside into a corner where we were conveniently retired, 'but he mademe learn it by heart. "Tell M. De Marsac, " said he, "that that which hewas left in Blois to do must be done quickly, or not at all. There issomething afoot in the other camp, I am not sure what. But now is thetime to knock in the nail. I know his zeal, and I depend upon him. "'

An hour before I should have listened to this message with seriousdoubts and misgivings. Now, acquainted with mademoiselle's arrival, Ireturned M. De Rambouillet an answer in the same strain, and partingcivilly from Bertram, who was a man I much esteemed, I hastened on to mylodgings, exulting in the thought that the hour and the woman were comeat last, and that before the dawn of another day I might hope, all beingwell, to accomplish with honour to myself and advantage to others thecommission which M. De Rosny had entrusted to me. 

I must not deny that, mingled with this, was some excitement at theprospect of seeing mademoiselle again. I strove to conjure up before meas I mounted the stairs the exact expression of her face as I had lastseen it bending from the window at Rosny; to the end that I might havesome guide for my future conduct, and might be less likely to fall intothe snare of a young girl's coquetry. But I could come now, as then, tono satisfactory or safe conclusion, and only felt anew the vexation Ihad experienced on losing the velvet knot, which she had given me onthat occasion. 

I knocked at the door of the rooms which I had reserved for her, andwhich were on the floor below my own; but I got no answer. Supposingthat Simon had taken her upstairs, I mounted quickly, not doubting Ishould find her there. Judge of my surprise and dismay when I found thatroom also empty, save for the lackey whom M. De Rambouillet had lent me!

'Where are they?' I asked the man, speaking sharply, and standing withmy hand on the door. 

'The lady and her woman, sir?' he answered, coming forward. 

'Yes, yes!' I cried impatiently, a sudden fear at my heart. 

She went out immediately after her arrival with Simon Fleix, sir, andhas not yet returned, ' he answered. 

The words were scarcely out of his mouth before I heard several personsenter the passage below and begin to ascend the stairs. I did not;doubt that mademoiselle and the lad had come home another way and, beensomehow detained; and I turned with a sigh of relief to receive them. But when the persons whose steps I had heard appeared, they proved to beonly M. De Rosny's equerry, stout, burly, and bright-eyed as ever, andtwo armed servants. 

CHAPTER XXII. 'LA FEMME DISPOSE. '

The moment the equerry's foot touched the uppermost stair I advancedupon him. 'Where is your mistress, man?' I said. 'Where is Mademoisellede la Vire? Be quick, tell me what you have done with her. '

His face fell amazingly. 'Where is she?' he answered, faltering betweensurprise and alarm at my sudden onslaught. 'Here, she should be. I lefther here not an hour ago. Mon Dieu! Is she not here now?'

His alarm increased mine tenfold. 'No!' I retorted, 'she is not! She isgone! And you--what business had you, in the fiend's name, to leave herhere, alone and unprotected? Tell me that!'

He leaned against the balustrade, making no attempt to defend himself, and seemed, in his sudden terror, anything but the bold, alert fellowwho had ascended the stairs two minutes before. 'I was a fool, ' hegroaned. 'I saw your man Simon here; and Fanchette, who is as good as aman, was with her mistress. And I went to stable the horses. I thoughtno evil. And now--My God!' he added, suddenly straightening himself, while his face grew hard and grim, 'I am undone! My master will neverforgive me!'

'Did you come straight here?' I said, considering that, after all, hewas no more in fault than I had been on a former occasion. 

'We went first to M. De Rosny's lodging, ' he answered, 'where we foundyour message telling us to come here. We came on without dismounting. '

'Mademoiselle may have gone back, and be there, ' I said. 'It ispossible. Do you stay here and keep a good look-out, and I will go andsee. Let one of your men come with me. '

He uttered a brief assent; being a man as ready to take as to giveorders, and thankful now for any suggestion which held out a hope ofmademoiselle's safety. Followed by the servant he selected, I ran downthe stairs, and in a moment was hurrying along the Rue St. Denys. Theday was waning. The narrow streets and alleys were already dark, but theair of excitement which I had noticed in the morning still marked thetownsfolk, of whom a great number were strolling abroad, or standingin doorways talking to their gossips. Feverishly anxious as I was, Iremarked the gloom which dwelt on all faces; but as I set it down tothe king's approaching departure, and besides was intent on seeing thatthose we sought did not by any chance pass us in the crowd, I thoughtlittle of it. Five minutes' walking brought us to M. De Rosny's lodging. There I knocked at the door; impatiently, I confess, and with littlehope of success. But, to my surprise, barely an instant elapsed beforethe door opened, and I saw before me Simon Fleix!

Discovering who it was, he cowered back, with a terrified face, andretreated to the wall with his arm raised. 

'You scoundrel!' I exclaimed, restraining myself with difficulty. 'Tellme this moment where Mademoiselle de la Vire is! Or, by Heaven, I shallforget what my mother owed to you, and do you a mischief!'

For an instant he glared at me viciously, with all his teeth exposed, asthough he meant to refuse--and more. Then he thought better of it, and, raising his hand, pointed sulkily upwards. 

'Go before me and knock at the door, ' I said, tapping the hilt of mydagger with meaning. 

Cowed by my manner, he obeyed, and led the way to the room in which M. De Rambouillet had surprised us on a former occasion. Here he stoppedat the door and knocked gently; on which a sharp voice inside bade usenter. I raised the latch and did so, closing the door behind me. 

Mademoiselle, still wearing her riding-coat, sat in a chair before thehearth, on which a newly kindled fire sputtered and smoked. She had herback to me, and did not turn on my entrance, but continued to toy inan absent manner with the strings of the mask which lay in her lap. Fanchette stood bolt upright behind her, with her elbows squared andher hands clasped; in such an attitude that I guessed the maid hadbeen expressing her strong dissatisfaction with this latest whim of hermistress, and particularly with mademoiselle's imprudence in wantonlyexposing herself, with so inadequate a guard as Simon, in a place whereshe had already suffered so much. I was confirmed in this notion onseeing the woman's harsh countenance clear at sight of me; though thechurlish nod, which was all the greeting she bestowed on me, seemed tobetoken anything but favour or good-will. She touched her mistress onthe shoulder, however, and said, 'M. De Marsac is here. '

Mademoiselle turned her head and looked at me languidly, withoutstirring in her chair or removing the foot she, was warming. 'Goodevening, ' she said. 

The greeting seemed so brief and so commonplace, ignoring, as it did, both the pains and anxiety to which she had just put me and the greatpurpose for which we were here--to say nothing of that ambiguous partingwhich she must surely remember as well as I--that the words I hadprepared died on my lips, and I looked at her in honest confusion. Allher small face was pale except her lips. Her brow was dark, her eyeswere hard as well as weary. And not words only failed me as I looked ather, but anger; having mounted the stairs hot foot to chide, I felt on asudden--despite my new cloak and scabbard, my appointment, and the sameI had made at Court--the same consciousness of age; and shabbiness andpoverty which had possessed me in her presence from the beginning. Imuttered, 'Good evening, mademoiselle, ' and that was all I could say--Iwho had frightened the burly Maignan a few minutes before!

Seeing, I have no doubt, the effect she produced on me, she maintainedfor some time an embarrassing silence. At length she said, frigidly, 'Perhaps M. De Marsac will sit, Fanchette. Place a chair for him. Iam afraid, however, that after his successes at Court he may find ourreception somewhat cold. But we are only from the country, ' she added, looking at me askance, with a gleam of anger in her eyes. 

I thanked her huskily, saying that I would not sit, as I could not stay. 'Simon Fleix, ' I continued, finding my voice with difficulty, 'has, I amafraid, caused you some trouble by bringing you to this house instead oftelling you that I had made preparation for you at my lodgings. '

'It was not Simon Fleix's fault, ' she replied curtly. 'I prefer theserooms. They are more convenient. '

'They are, perhaps, more convenient, ' I rejoined humbly, 'But I haveto think of safety, mademoiselle, as you know. At my house I have acompetent guard, and can answer for your being unmolested. '

'You can send your guard here, ' she said with a royal air. 

'But, mademoiselle--'

'Is it not enough that I have said that I prefer these rooms?' shereplied sharply, dropping her mask on her lap and looking round at me inundisguised displeasure. 'Are you deaf, sir? Let me tell you, I am inno mood for argument. I am tired with riding. I prefer these rooms, andthat is enough!'

Nothing could exceed the determination with which she said these words, unless it were the malicious pleasure in thwarting my wishes which madeitself seen through the veil of assumed indifference. I felt myselfbrought up with a vengeance, and in a manner the most provoking thatcould be conceived. But opposition so childish, so utterly wanton, by exciting my indignation, had presently the effect of banishing thepeculiar bashfulness I felt in her presence, and recalling me to myduty. 

'Mademoiselle, ' I said firmly, looking at her with a fixed countenance, 'pardon me if I speak plainly. This is no time for playing with straws. The men from whom you escaped once are as determined and more desperatenow. By this time they probably know of your arrival. Do, then, as Iask, I pray and beseech you. Or this time I may lack the power, thoughnever the will, to save you. '

Wholly ignoring my appeal, she looked into my face--for by this time Ihad advanced to her side--with a whimsical smile. 'You are really muchimproved in manner since I last saw you, ' she said. 

'Mademoiselle!' I replied, baffled and repelled. 'What do you mean?'

'What I say, ' she answered, flippantly. 'But it was to be expected. '

'For shame!' I cried, provoked almost beyond bearing by her ill-timedraillery, 'will you never be serious until you have ruined us andyourself? I tell you this house is not safe for you! It is not safe forme! I cannot bring my men to it, for there is not room for them. If youhave any spark of consideration, of gratitude, therefore--'

'Gratitude!' she exclaimed, swinging her mask slowly to and fro by aribbon, while she looked up at me as though my excitement amused her. 'Gratitude--'tis a very pretty phrase, and means much; but it is forthose who serve us faithfully, M. De Marsac, and not for others. Youreceive so many favours, I am told, and are so successful at Court, thatI should not be justified in monopolising your services. '

'But, mademoiselle--' I said in a low tone. And there I stopped. I darednot proceed. 

'Well, sir, ' she answered, looking up at she after a moment's silence, and ceasing on a sudden to play with her toy, 'what is it?'

'You spoke of favours, ' I continued, with an effort. 'I never receivedbut one from a lady. That was at Rosny, and from your hand. '

'From my hand?' she answered, with an air of cold surprise. 

'It was so, mademoiselle. '

'You have fallen into some strange mistake, sir, ' she replied, rousingherself, and looking at me indifferently 'I never gave you a favour. '

I bowed low. 'If you say you did not, mademoiselle, that is enough, ' Ianswered. 

'Nay, but do not let me do you an injustice, M. De Marsac, ' sherejoined, speaking more quickly and in an altered tone. 'If you can showme the favour I gave you, I shall, of course, be convinced. Seeingis believing, you know, ' she added, with a light nervous laugh, and agesture of something like shyness. 

If I had not sufficiently regretted my carelessness, and loss of the bowat the time, I did so now. I looked at her in silence, and saw her face, that had for a moment shown signs of feeling, almost of shame, growslowly hard again. 

'Well, sir?' she said impatiently. 'The proof is easy. '

'It was taken from me; I believe, by M. De Rosny, ' I answered lamely, wondering what ill-luck had led her to put the question and press it tothis point. 

'It was taken from you!' she exclaimed, rising and confronting me withthe utmost suddenness, while her eyes flashed, and her little handcrumpled the mask beyond future usefulness. 'It was taken from you, sir!' she repeated, her voice and her whole frame trembling withanger and disdain. 'Then I thank you, I prefer my version. Yours isimpossible. For let me tell you, when Mademoiselle de la Vire doesconfer a favour, it will be on a man with the power and the wit--and theconstancy, to keep it, even from M. De Rosny!'

Her scorn hurt, though it did not anger me. I felt it to be in a measuredeserved, and raged against myself rather than against her. But awarethrough all of the supreme importance of placing her in safety, Isubjected my immediate feelings to the exigencies of the moment andstooped to an argument which would, I thought, have weight thoughprivate pleading failed. 

'Putting myself aside, mademoiselle, ' I said, with more formality than Ihad yet used, 'there is one consideration which must weigh with you. Theking--'

'The king!' she cried, interrupting me violently, her face hot withpassion and her whole person instinct with stubborn self-will. 'I shallnot see the king!'

'You will not see the king?' I repeated in amazement. 

'No, I will not!' she answered, in a whirl of anger, scorn, andimpetuosity. 'There! I will not! I have been made a toy and a tool longenough, M. De Marsac, ' she continued, 'and I will serve others' ends nomore. I have made up my mind. Do not talk to me; you will do no good, sir. I would to Heaven, ' she added bitterly, 'I had stayed at Chize andnever seen this place!'

'But, mademoiselle, ' I said, 'you have not thought--'

'Thought!' she exclaimed, shutting her small white teeth so viciouslyI all but recoiled. 'I have thought enough. I am sick of thought. I amgoing to act now. I will be a puppet no longer. You may take me to thecastle by force if you will; but you cannot make me speak. '

I looked at her in the utmost dismay, and astonishment; being unable atfirst to believe that a woman who had gone through so much, had run somany risks, and ridden so many miles for a purpose, would, when allwas done and the hour come, decline to carry out her plan. I couldnot believe it, I say, at first; and I tried arguments, and entreatieswithout stint, thinking that she only asked to be entreated or coaxed. 

But I found prayers and even threats breath wasted upon her; and beyondthese I would not go. I know I have been blamed by some and ridiculed byothers for not pushing the matter farther; but those who have stood faceto face with a woman of spirit--a woman whose very frailty and weaknessfought for her--will better understand the difficulties with which I hadto contend and the manner in which conviction was at last borne in onmy mind. I had never before confronted stubbornness of this kind. Asmademoiselle said again and again, I might force her to Court, but Icould not make her speak. 

When I had tried every means of persuasion, and still found no way ofovercoming her resolution the while Fanchette looked on with a face ofwood, neither aiding me nor taking part against me--I lost, I confess, in the chagrin of the moment that sense of duty which had hithertoanimated me; and though my relation to mademoiselle should have made meas careful as ever of her safety, even in her own despite, I left herat last in anger and went out without saying another word about removingher--a thing which was still in my power. I believe a very briefreflection would have recalled me to myself and my duty; but theopportunity was not given me, for I had scarcely reached the head of thestairs before Fanchette came after me, and called to me in a whisper tostop. 

She held a taper in her hand, and this she raised to my face, smiling atthe disorder which she doubtless read there. 'Do you say that this houseis not safe?' she asked abruptly, lowering the light as she spoke. 

'You have tried a house in Blois before?' I replied with the samebluntness. 'You should know as well as I, woman. '

'She must be taken from here, then, ' she answered, nodding her head, cunningly. 'I can persuade her. Do you send for your people, and be herein half an hour. It may take me that time to wheedle her. But I shall doit. '

'Then listen, ' I said eagerly, seizing the opportunity and her sleeveand drawing her farther from the door. 'If you can persuade her to that, you can persuade to all I wish. Listen, my friend, ' I continued, sinkingmy voice still lower. 'If she will see the king for only ten minutes, and tell him what she knows, I will give you--'

'What?' the woman asked suddenly and harshly, drawing at the same timeher sleeve from my hand. 

'Fifty crowns, ' I replied, naming in my desperation a sum which wouldseem a fortune to a person in her position. 'Fifty crowns down, themoment the interview is over. '

'And for that you would have me sell her!' the woman cried with a rudeintensity of passion which struck me like a blow. 'For shame! Forshame, man! You persuaded her to leave her home and her friends, and thecountry where she was known; and now you would have me sell her! Shameon you! Go!' she added scornfully. 'Go this instant and get your men. The king, say you? The king! I tell you I would not have her finger acheto save all your kings!'

She flounced away with that, and I retired crestfallen; wondering muchat the fidelity which Providence, doubtless for the well-being of thegentle, possibly for the good of all, has implanted in the humble. Finding Simon, to whom I had scarce patience to speak, waiting on thestairs below, I despatched him to Maignan, to bid him come to me withhis men. Meanwhile I watched the house myself until their arrival, and then, going up, found that Fanchette had been as good as her word. Mademoiselle, with a sullen mien, and a red spot on either cheek, consented to descend, and, preceded by a couple of links, which Maignanhad thoughtfully provided, was escorted safely to my lodgings; where Ibestowed her in the rooms below my own, which I had designed for her. 

At the door she turned and bowed to me, her face on fire. 

'So far, sir, you have got your way, ' she said, breathing quickly. 'Donot flatter yourself, however, that you will get it farther--even bybribing my woman!'

CHAPTER XXIII. THE LAST VALOIS. 

I stood for a few moments on the stairs, wondering what I should do inan emergency to which the Marquis's message of the afternoon attached sopressing a character. Had it not been for that I might have waited untilmorning, and felt tolerably certain of finding mademoiselle in a morereasonable mood then. But as it was I dared not wait. I dared not riskthe delay, and I came quickly to the conclusion that the only courseopen to me was to go at once to M. De Rambouillet and tell him franklyhow the matter stood. 

Maignan had posted one of his men at the open doorway leading into thestreet, and fixed his own quarters on the landing at the top, whence hecould overlook an intruder without being seen himself. Satisfied withthe arrangement, I left Rambouillet's man to reinforce him, and tookwith me Simon Fleix, of whose conduct in regard to mademoiselle Ientertained the gravest doubts. 

The night, I found on reaching the street, was cold, the sky where itwas visible between the eaves being bright with stars. A sharp wind wasblowing, too, compelling us to wrap our cloaks round us and hurry onat a pace which agreed well with the excitement of my thoughts. Assuredthat had mademoiselle been complaisant I might have seen my missionaccomplished within the hour, it was impossible I should not feelimpatient with one who, to gratify a whim, played with the secrets of akingdom as if they were counters, and risked in passing ill-humour theresults of weeks of preparation. And I was impatient, and with her. Butmy resentment fell so far short of the occasion that I wondered uneasilyat my own easiness, and felt more annoyed with myself for failing to beproperly annoyed with her, than inclined to lay the blame where it wasdue. It was in vain I told myself contemptuously that she was a womanand that women were not accountable. I felt that the real secret andmotive of my indulgence lay, not in this, but in the suspicion, whichher reference to the favour given me on my departure from Rosny hadconverted almost into a certainty, that I was myself the cause of hersudden ill-humour. 

I might have followed this train of thought farther, and to verypertinent conclusions. But on reaching M. De Rambouillet's lodging Iwas diverted from it by the abnormally quiet aspect of the house, on thesteps of which half a dozen servants might commonly be seen lounging. Now the doors were closed, no lights shone through the windows, and thehall sounded empty and desolate when I knocked. Not a lackey hurried toreceive me even then; but the slipshod tread of the old porter, as hecame with a lantern to open, alone broke the silence. I waited eagerlywondering what all this could mean; and when the man at last opened, and, recognising my face, begged my pardon if he had kept me waiting Iasked him impatiently what was the matter. 

'And where is the Marquis?' I added, stepping inside to be out of thewind, and loosening my cloak. 

'Have you not heard, sir?' the man asked, holding up his lantern to myface. He was an old, wizened, lean fellow. 'It is a break-up, sir, I amafraid, this time. '

'A break-up?' I rejoined, peevishly. 'Speak out, man! What is thematter? I hate mysteries. '

You have not heard the news, sir? That the Duke of Mercoeur and MarshalRetz, with all their people, left Blois this afternoon?'

'No?' I answered, somewhat startled. 'Whither are they gone?'

'To Paris, it is said, sir, --to join the League. '

'But do you mean that they have deserted the king?' I asked. 

'For certain, sir!' he answered. 

'Not the Duke of Mercoeur?' I exclaimed. 'Why, man, he is the king'sbrother-in-law. He owes everything to him. '

'Well, he is gone, sir, ' the old man answered positively. 'The news wasbrought to M. Le Marquis about four o'clock, or a little after. He gothis people together, and started after them to try and persuade them toreturn. Or, so it is said. '

As quickly as I could, I reviewed the situation in my mind. If thisstrange news were true, and men like Mercoeur, who had every reason tostand by the king, as well as men like Retz, who had long been suspectedof disaffection, were abandoning the Court, the danger must be comingclose indeed. The king must feel his throne already tottering, and beeager to grasp at any means of supporting it. Under such circumstancesit seemed to be my paramount duty to reach him; to gain his ear ifpossible, and at all risks; that I and not Bruhl, Navarre not Turenne, might profit by the first impulse of self-preservation. 

Bidding the porter shut his door and keep close, I hurried to theCastle, and was presently more than confirmed in my resolution. Forto my surprise I found the Court in much the same state as M. DeRambouillet's house. There were double guards indeed at the gates, wholet me pass after scrutinising me narrowly; but the courtyard, whichshould have been at this hour ablaze with torches and crowded withlackeys and grooms, was a dark wilderness, in which half a dozen linkstrembled mournfully. Passing through the doors I found things within inthe same state: the hall ill lit and desolate; the staircase mannedonly by a few whispering groups, who scanned me as I passed; theante-chambers almost empty, or occupied by the grey uniforms of theSwitzer guards. Where I had looked, to see courtiers assembling to meettheir sovereign and assure him of their fidelity, I found only gloomyfaces, watchful eyes, and mouths ominously closed. An air of constraintand foreboding rested on all. A single footstep sounded hollowly. Thelong corridors, which had so lately rung with laughter and the rattleof dice, seemed already devoted to the silence, and desolation whichawaited them when the Court should depart. Where any spoke I caught thename of Guise; and I could have fancied that his mighty shadow lay uponthe place and cursed it. 

Entering the chamber, I found matters little better there. His Majestywas not present, nor were any of the Court ladies; but half a dozengentlemen, among whom I recognised Revol, one of the King's secretaries, stood near the alcove. They looked up on my entrance, as thoughexpecting news, and then, seeing who it was, looked away againimpatiently. The Duke of Nevers was walking moodily to and fro beforeone of the windows, his hands clasped behind his back: while Biron andCrillon, reconciled by the common peril, talked loudly on the hearth. Ihesitated a moment, uncertain how to proceed, for I was not yet; so oldat Court as to feel at home there. But, at last making up my mind, Iwalked boldly up to Crillon and requested his good offices to procure mean immediate audience of the king. 

'An audience? Do you mean you want to see him alone?' he said, raisinghis eyebrows and looking whimsically at Biron. 

'That is my petition, M. De Crillon, ' I answered firmly, though my heartsank. 'I am here on M. De Rambouillet's business, and I need to see hisMajesty forthwith. '

'Well, that is straightforward, ' he replied, clapping me on theshoulder. 'And you shall see him. In coming to Crillon you have cometo the right man. Revol, ' he continued, turning to the secretary, 'thisgentleman bears a message from M. De Rambouillet to the king. Take himto the closet without delay, my friend, and announce him. I will beanswerable for him. '

But the secretary shrugged his shoulders up to his ears. 'It is quiteimpossible, M. De Crillon, ' he said gravely. 'Quite impossible atpresent. '

'Impossible! Chut! I do not know the word, ' Crillon retorted rudely. 'Come, take him at once, and blame me if ill comes of it. Do you hear?'

'But his Majesty--'

'Well?'

'Is at his devotions, ' the secretary said stiffly. 

'His Majesty's devotions be hanged!' Crillon rejoined--so loudly thatthere was a general titter, and M. De Nevers laughed grimly. 'Do youhear?' the Avennais continued, his face growing redder and his voicehigher, 'or must I pull your ears, my friend? Take this gentleman to thecloset, I say, and if his Majesty be angry, tell him it was by my order. I tell you he comes from Rambouillet. '

I do not know whether it was the threat, or the mention of M. DeRambouillet's name, which convinced the secretary. But at any rate, after a moment's hesitation, he acquiesced. 

He nodded sullenly to me to follow him, and led the way to a curtainwhich masked the door of the closet. I followed him across the chamber, after muttering a hasty word of acknowledgment to Crillon; and I had asnearly as possible reached the door when the bustle of some one enteringthe chamber caught my ear. I had just time to turn and see that thiswas Bruhl, just time to intercept the dark look of chagrin and surprisewhich he fixed on me, and then Revol, holding up the curtain, signed tome to enter. 

I expected to pass at once into the presence of the king, and had myreverence ready. Instead, I found myself to my surprise in a smallchamber, or rather passage, curtained at both ends, and occupied by acouple of guardsmen--members, doubtless, of the Band of the Forty-Fivewho rose at my entrance and looked at me dubiously. Their guard-room, dimly illumined by a lamp of red glass, seemed to me, in spite of itscurtains and velvet bench, and the thick tapestry which kept out everybreath of wholesome air, the most sombre I could imagine. And the mostill-omened. But I had no time to make any long observation; for Revol, passing me brusquely, raised the curtain at the other end, and, with hisfinger on his lip, bade me by signs to enter. 

I did so as silently, the heavy scent of perfumes striking me in theface as I raised a second curtain, and stopped short a pace beyondit; partly in reverence--because kings love their subjects best at adistance--and partly in surprise. For the room, or rather that portionof it in which I stood, was in darkness; only the farther end beingillumined by a cold pale flood of moonlight, which, passing througha high, straight window, lay in a silvery sheet on the floor. For aninstant I thought I was alone; then I saw, resting against this window, with a hand on either mullion, a tall figure, having something strangeabout the head. This peculiarity presently resolved itself into theturban in which I had once before seen his Majesty. The king--for he itwas--was talking to himself. He had not heard me enter, and having hisback to me remained unconscious of my presence. 

I paused in doubt, afraid to advance, anxious to withdraw; yet uncertainwhether I could move again unheard. At this moment while I stoodhesitating, he raised his voice, and his words, reaching my ears, riveted my attention, so strange and eerie were both they and his tone. 'They say there is ill-luck in thirteen, ' he muttered. 'ThirteenValois and last!' He paused to laugh a wicked, mirthless laugh. 'Ay, --Thirteenth! And it is thirteen years since I entered Paris, acrowned King! There were Quelus and Maugiron and St. Megrin and I--andhe, I remember. Ah, those days, those nights! I would sell my soul tolive them again; had I not sold it long ago in the living them once! Wewere young then, and rich, and I was king; and Quelus was an Apollo! Hedied calling on me to save him. And Maugiron died, blaspheming God andthe saints. And St. Megrin, he had thirty-four wounds. And he--he isdead too, curse him! They are all dead, all dead, and it is all over! MyGod! it is all over, it is all over, it is all over!'

He repeated the last four words more than a dozen times, rocking himselfto and fro by his hold on the mullions. I trembled as I listened, partlythrough fear on my own account should I be discovered, and partlyby reason of the horror of despair and remorse--no, not remorse, regret--which spoke in his monotonous voice. I guessed that some impulsehad led him to draw the curtain from the window and shade the lamp;and that then, as he looked down on the moonlit country, the contrastbetween it and the vicious, heated atmosphere, heavy with intrigue andworse, in which he had spent his strength, had forced itself upon hismind. For he presently went on. 

'France! There it lies! And what will they do with it? Will they cut itup into pieces, as it was before old Louis XI? Will Mercoeur--curse him!be the most Christian Duke of Brittany? And Mayenne, by the grace ofGod, Prince of Paris and the Upper Seine? Or will the little Prince ofBearn beat them, and be Henry IV. , King of France and Navarre, Protectorof the Churches? Curse him too! He is thirty-six. He is my age. But heis young and strong, and has all before him. While I--I--oh, my God, have mercy on me! Have mercy on me, O God in Heaven!'

With the last word he fell on his knees on the step before the window, and burst into such an agony of unmanly tears and sobbings as I hadnever dreamed of or imagined, and least of all in the King of France. Hardly knowing whether to be more ashamed or terrified, I turned at allrisks, and stealthily lifting the curtain, crept out with infinite care;and happily with so much good fortune as to escape detection. There wasspace enough between the two curtains to admit my body and no more; andhere I stood a short while to collect my thoughts. Then, striking myscabbard against the wall, as though by accident, and coughing loudlyat the same moment, I twitched the curtain aside with some violence andre-entered, thinking that by these means I had given him warning enough. 

But I had not reckoned on the darkness in which the room lay, or theexcitable state in which I had left him. He heard me, indeed, but beingable to see only a tall, indistinct figure approaching him, he tookfright, and falling back against the moonlit window, as though he sawa ghost, thrust out his hand, gasping at the same time two words, whichsounded to me like 'Ha! Guise!'

The next instant, discerning that I fell on my knee where I stood, and came no nearer, he recovered himself with an effort, which hisbreathing made very apparent, he asked in an unsteady voice who it was. 

'One of your Majesty's most faithful servants, ' I answered, remaining onmy knee, and affecting to see nothing. 

Keeping his face towards me, he sidled to the lamp and strove towithdraw the shade. But his fingers trembled so violently that it wassome time before he succeeded, and set free the cheerful beams, which, suddenly filling the room with radiance, disclosed to my wonderingeyes, instead of darkness and the cold gleam of the moon, a profusionof riches, of red stuffs and gemmed trifles and gilded arms crowdedtogether in reckless disorder. A monkey chained in one corner beganto gibber and mow at me. A cloak of strange cut, stretched on a woodenstand, deceived me for an instant into thinking that there was a thirdperson present; while the table, heaped with dolls and powder-puff's, dog-collars and sweet-meats, a mask, a woman's slipper, a pair ofpistols, some potions, a scourge, and an immense quantity of likelitter, had as melancholy an appearance in my eyes as the king himself, whose disorder the light disclosed without mercy. His turban was awry, and betrayed the premature baldness of his scalp. The paint on hischeeks was cracked and stained, and had soiled the gloves he wore. Helooked fifty years old; and in his excitement he had tugged his sword tothe front, whence it refused to be thrust back. 

'Who sent you here?' he asked, when he had so far recovered his sensesas to recognise me, which he did with great surprise. 

'I am here, sire, ' I answered evasively, 'to place myself at yourMajesty's service. '

'Such loyalty is rare, ' he answered, with a bitter sneer. 'But standup, sir. I suppose I must be thankful for small mercies, and, losing aMercoeur, be glad to receive a Marsac. '

'By your leave, sire, ' I rejoined hardily, 'the exchange is not soadverse. Your Majesty may make another duke when you will. But honestmen are not so easily come by. '

'So! so!' he answered, looking at me with a fierce light in his eyes. 'You remind me in season, I may still make and unmake! I am still Kingof France? That is so sirrah, is it not?'

'God forbid that it should be otherwise!' I answered earnestly. 'It isto lay before your Majesty certain means by which you may give fullereffect to your wishes that I am here. The King of Navarre desires only, sire--'

'Tut, tut!' he exclaimed impatiently, and with some displeasure, 'I knowhis will better than you, man. But you see, ' he continued cunningly, forgetting my inferior position as quickly as he had remembered it, 'Turenne promises well, too. And Turenne--it is true he may play theLorrainer. But if I trust Henry of Navarre, and he prove false to me--'

He did not complete the sentence, but strode to and fro a time or two, his mind, which had a natural inclination towards crooked courses, benton some scheme by which he might play off the one party against theother. Apparently he was not very successful in finding one, however;or else the ill-luck with which he had supported the League against theHuguenots recurred to his mind. For he presently stopped, with a sigh, and came back to the point. 

'If I knew that Turenne were lying, ' be muttered, 'then indeed--. ButRosny promised evidence, and he has sent me none. '

'It is at hand, sire, ' I answered, my heart beginning to beat, 'YourMajesty will remember that M. De Rosny honoured me with the task ofintroducing it to you. '

'To be sure, ' he replied, awaking as from a dream, and looking andspeaking eagerly. Matters to-day have driven everything out of my head. Where is your witness, man? Convince me, and we will act promptly. Wewill give them Jarnac and Moncontour over again. Is he outside?'

'It is a woman, sire, ' I made answer, dashed somewhat by his sudden andfeverish alacrity. 

'A woman, eh? You have her here?'

'No, sire, ' I replied, wondering what he would say to my next pieceof information. 'She is in Blois, she has arrived, but the truth is--Ihumbly crave your Majesty's indulgence--she refuses to come or speak. I cannot well bring her here by force, and I have sought you, sire, forthe purpose of taking your commands in the matter. '

He stared at me in the utmost astonishment. 

'Is she young?' he asked after a long pause. 

'Yes, sire, ' I answered. 'She is maid of honour to the Princess ofNavarre, and a ward also of the Vicomte de Turenne. '

'Gad! then she is worth hearing, the little rebel!' he replied. 'A wardOf Turenne's is she? Ho! ho! And now she will not speak? My cousinof Navarre now would know how to bring her to her senses, but I haveeschewed these vanities. I might send and have her brought, it is true;but a very little thing would cause a barricade to-night. '

'And besides, sire, ' I ventured to add, 'she is known to Turenne'speople here, who have once stolen her away. Were she brought to yourMajesty with any degree of openness, they would learn it, and know thatthe game was lost. '

'Which would not suit me, ' he answered, nodding and looking at megloomily. 'They might anticipate our Jarnac; and until we have settledmatters with one or the other our person is not too secure. You must goand fetch her. She is at your lodging. She must be brought, man. '

'I will do what you command, sire, ' I answered. 'But I am greatly afraidthat she will not come. '

He lost his temper at that. 'Then why, in the devil's name, haveyou troubled me with the matter?' he cried savagely. 'God knows--Idon't--why Rosny employed such a man and such a woman. He might haveseen from the cut of your cloak, sir, which is full six months behindthe fashion, that you could not manage a woman! Was ever such damnablefolly heard of in this world? But it is Navarre's loss, not mine. It ishis loss. And I hope to Heaven it may be yours too!' he added fiercely. 

There was so much in what he said that I bent before the storm, andaccepted with humility blame which was as natural on his part as it wasundeserved on mine. Indeed I could not wonder at his Majesty's anger;nor should I have wondered at it in a greater man. I knew that but forreasons, on which I did not wish to dwell, I should have shared it tothe full, and spoken quite as strongly of the caprice which ruined hopesand lives for a whim. 

The king continued for some time to say to me all the hard things hecould think of. Wearied at last by my patience, he paused, and criedangrily. 'Well, have you nothing; to say for yourself? Can you suggestnothing?'

'I dare not mention to your Majesty, ' I said humbly, 'what seems to meto be the only alternative. '

'You mean that I should go to the wench!' he answered--for he did notlack quickness. '"SE NON VA EL OTERO A MAHOMA, VAYA MAHOMA AL OTERO, " asMendoza says. But the saucy quean, to force me to go to her! Did my wifeguess--but there, I will go. By God I will go!' he added abruptly andfiercely. 'I will live to ruin Retz yet! Where is your lodging?'

I told him, wondering much at this flash of the old spirit, which twentyyears before had won him a reputation his later life did nothing tosustain. 

'Do you know, ' he asked, speaking with sustained energy and clearness, 'the door by which M. De Rosny entered to talk with me? Can you find itin the dark?'

'Yes, sire, ' I answered, my heart beating high. 

'Then be in waiting there two hours before midnight, ' he replied. 'Bewell armed, but alone. I shall know how to make the girl speak. I cantrust you, I suppose?' he added suddenly, stepping nearer to me andlooking fixedly into my eyes. 

'I will answer for your Majesty's life with my own, ' I replied, sinkingon one knee. 

'I believe you, sir, ' he answered gravely, giving me his hand to kiss, and then turning away. 'So be it. Now leave me. You have been here toolong already. Not a word to any one as you value your life. '

I made fitting answer and was leaving him; but when I had my headalready on the curtain, he called me back. 'In Heaven's name get a newcloak!' he said peevishly, eyeing me all over with his face puckered up. 'Get a new cloak, man, the first thing in the morning. It is worse seenfrom the side than the front. It would ruin the cleverest courtier ofthem all!'

CHAPTER XXIV. A ROYAL PERIL. 

The elation with which I had heard the king announce his resolutionquickly diminished on cooler reflection. It stood in particular at avery low ebb as I waited, an hour later, at the little north postern ofthe Castle, and, cowering within the shelter of the arch to escape thewind, debated whether his Majesty's energy would sustain him to thepoint of action, or whether he might not, in one of those fits oftreacherous vacillation which had again and again marred his plans, sendthose to keep the appointment who would give a final account of me. The longer I considered his character the more dubious I grew. Theloneliness of the situation, the darkness, the black front, unbroken byany glimmer of light, which the Castle presented on this side, and theunusual and gloomy stillness which lay upon the town, all contributed toincrease my uneasiness. It was with apprehension as well as relief thatI caught at last the sound of footsteps on the stone staircase, and, standing a little to one side, saw a streak of light appear at the footof the door. 

On the latter being partially opened a voice cried my name. I advancedwith caution and showed myself. A brief conversation ensued betweentwo or three persons who stood within; but in the end, a masked figure, which I had no difficulty in identifying as the king, stepped brisklyout. 

'You are armed?' he said, pausing a second opposite me. 

I put back my cloak and showed him, by the light which streamed from thedoorway, that I carried pistols as well as a sword. 

'Good!' he answered briefly; 'then let us go. Do you walk on my lefthand, my friend. It is a dark night, is it not?'

'Very dark, sire, ' I said. 

He made no answer to this, and we started, proceeding with caution untilwe had crossed the narrow bridge, and then with greater freedom and ata better pace. The slenderness of the attendance at Court that evening, and the cold wind, which swept even the narrowest streets and droveroisterers indoors, rendered it unlikely that we should be stopped ormolested by any except professed thieves; and for these I was prepared. The king showed no inclination to talk; and keeping silence myself outof respect, I had time to calculate the chances and to consider whetherhis Majesty would succeed where I had failed. 

This calculation, which was not inconsistent with the keenestwatchfulness on my part whenever we turned a corner or passed the mouthof an alley, was brought to an end by our safe arrival at the house. Briefly apologising to the king for the meanness and darkness of thestaircase, I begged leave to precede him, and rapidly mounted until Imet Maignan. Whispering to him that all was well, I did not wait to hearhis answer, but, bidding him be on the watch, I led the king on withas much deference as was possible until we stood at the door ofmademoiselle's apartment, which I have elsewhere stated to consist ofan outer and inner room. The door was opened by Simon Fleix, and himI promptly sent out. Then, standing aside and uncovering, I begged theking to enter. 

He did so, still wearing his hat and mask, and I followed and securedthe door. A lamp hanging from the ceiling diffused an imperfect lightthrough the room, which was smaller but more comfortable in appearancethan that which I rented overhead. I observed that Fanchette, whoseharsh countenance looked more forbidding than usual, occupied a stoolwhich she had set in a strange fashion against the Inner door; but Ithought no more of this at the moment, my attention passing quickly tomademoiselle, who sat crouching before the fire, enveloped in a largeoutdoor cloak, as if she felt the cold. Her back was towards us, and shewas, or pretended to be, still ignorant of our presence. With a mutteredword I pointed her out to the king, and went towards her with him. 

'Mademoiselle, I said in a low voice, 'Mademoiselle de la Vire! I havethe honour--'

She would not turn, and I stopped. Clearly she heard, but she betrayedthat she did so only by drawing her cloak more closely round her. Primedby my respect for the king, I touched her lightly on the shoulder. 'Mademoiselle!' I said impatiently, 'you are not aware of it, but--'

She shook herself free from my hand with so rude a gesture that I brokeoff, and stood gazing foolishly at her. The king smiled, and noddingto me to step back a pace, took the task on himself. 'Mademoiselle, ' hesaid with dignity, 'I am not accustomed--'

His voice had a magical effect. Before he could add another word shesprang up as if she had been struck, and faced us, a cry of alarm on herlips. Simultaneously we both cried out too, for it was not mademoiselleat all. The woman who confronted us, her hand on her mask, her eyesglittering through the slits, was of a taller and fuller figure. Westared at her. Then a lock of bright golden hair which had escaped fromthe hood of her cloak gave us the clue. 'Madame!' the king cried. 

'Madame de Bruhl!' I echoed, my astonishment greater than his. 

Seeing herself known, she began with trembling fingers to undo thefastenings of her mask; but the king, who had hitherto displayed atrustfulness I had not expected in him, had taken alarm at sight of her, as at a thing unlooked for, and of which I had not warned him. 'How isthis?' he said harshly, drawing back a pace from her and regarding mewith anger and distrust. 'Is this some pretty arrangement of yours, sir?Am I an intruder at an assignation, or is this a trap with M. De Bruhlin the background? Answer, sirrah!' he continued, working himselfrapidly into a passion. 'Which am I to understand is the case?'

'Neither, sire, ' I answered with as much dignity as I could assume, utterly surprised and mystified as I was by Madame's presence. 'YourMajesty wrongs Madame de Bruhl as much by the one suspicion as youinjure me by the other. I am equally in the dark with you, sire, and aslittle expected to see madame here. '

'I came, sire, ' she said proudly, addressing herself to the king, andignoring me, 'out of no love to M. De Marsac, but as any person bearinga message to him might come. Nor can you, sire, ' she added with spirit, 'feel half as much surprise at seeing me here, as I at seeing yourMajesty. '

'I can believe that, ' the king answered drily. 'I would you had not seenme. '

'The King of France is seen only when he chooses, ' she replied, curtseying to the ground. 

'Good, ' he answered. 'Let it be so, and you will oblige the King ofFrance, madame. But enough, ' he continued, turning from her to me;'since this is not the lady I came to see, M. De Marsac, where is she?'

'In the inner room, sire, I opine, ' I said, advancing to Fanchette withmore misgiving at heart than my manner evinced. 'Your mistress is here, is she not?' I continued, addressing the woman sharply. 

'Ay, and will not come out, ' she rejoined, sturdily keeping her place. 

'Nonsense!' I said. 'Tell her--'

'You may tell her what you please, ' she replied, refusing to budge aninch. 'She can hear. '

'But, woman!' I cried impatiently, 'you do not understand. I MUST speakwith her. I must speak with her at once! On business of the highestimportance. '

'As you please, ' she said rudely, still keeping her seat. 'I have toldyou you can speak. '

Perhaps I felt as foolish on this occasion as ever in my life; andsurely never was man placed in a more ridiculous position. Afterovercoming numberless obstacles, and escaping as many perils, I hadbrought the king here, a feat beyond my highest hopes--only to bebaffled and defeated by a waiting-woman! I stood irresolute; witless andconfused; while the king waited half angry and half amused, and madamekept her place by the entrance, to which she had retreated. 

I was delivered from my dilemma by the curiosity which is, providentially perhaps, a part of woman's character, and which ledmademoiselle to interfere herself. Keenly on the watch inside, she hadheard part of what passed between us, and been rendered inquisitive bythe sound of a strange man's voice, and by the deference which shecould discern I paid to the visitor. At this moment, she cried out, accordingly, to know who was there; and Fanchette, seeming to take thisas a command, rose and dragged her stool aside, saying peevishly andwithout any increase of respect, 'There, I told you she could hear. '

'Who is it?' mademoiselle asked again, in a raised voice. 

I was about to answer when the king signed to me to stand back, and, advancing himself, knocked gently on the door. 'Open, I pray you, mademoiselle, ' he said courteously. 

'Who is there?' she cried again, her voice trembling. 

'It is I, the king, ' he answered softly; but in that tone of majestywhich belongs not to the man, but to the descendant, and seems to be theoutcome of centuries of command. 

She uttered an exclamation and slowly, and with seeming reluctance, turned the key in the lock. It grated, and the door opened. I caught aglimpse for an instant of her pale face and bright eyes, and then hisMajesty, removing his hat, passed in and closed the door; and I withdrewto the farther end of the room, where madame continued to stand by theentrance. 

I entertained a suspicion, I remember, and not unnaturally, that shehad come to my lodging as her husband's spy; but her first words when Ijoined her dispelled this. 'Quick!' she said with an imperious gesture. 'Hear me and let me go! I have waited long enough for you, and sufferedenough through you. As for that, woman in there, she is mad, and herservant too! Now, listen to me. You spoke to me honestly to-day, andI have come to repay you. You have an appointment with my husbandto-morrow at Chaverny. Is it not so?' she added impatiently. 

I replied that it was so. 

'You are to go with one friend, ' she went on, tearing the glove shehad taken off, to strips in her excitement, 'He is to meet you with onealso?'

'Yes, ' I assented reluctantly, 'at the bridge, madame. '

'Then do not go, ' she rejoined emphatically. 'Shame on me that I shouldbetray my husband; but it were worse to send an innocent man to hisdeath. He will meet you with one sword only, according to his challenge, but there will be those under the bridge who will make certain work. There, I have betrayed him now!' she continued bitterly. 'It is done. Let me go!'

'Nay, but, madame, ' I said, feeling more concerned for her, on whom fromthe first moment of meeting her I had brought nothing but misfortune, than surprised by this new treachery on his part, 'will you not run somerisk in returning to him? Is there nothing I can do for you--no step Ican take for your protection?'

'None!' she said repellently and almost rudely, 'except to speed mygoing. '

'But you will not pass through the streets alone?'

She laughed so bitterly my heart ached for her. 'The unhappy are alwayssafe, ' she said. 

Remembering how short a time it was since I had surprised her in thefirst happiness of wedded love, I felt for her all the pity it wasnatural I should feel. But the responsibility under which his Majesty'spresence and the charge of mademoiselle laid me forbade me to indulgein the luxury of evincing my gratitude. Gladly would I have escorted herback to her home--even if I could not make that home again what it hadbeen, or restore her husband to the pinnacle from which I had dashedhim--but I dared not do this. I was forced to content myself with less, and was about to offer to send one of my men with her, when a hurriedknocking at the outer door arrested the words on my lips. 

Signing to her to stand still, I listened. The knocking was repeated, and grew each moment more urgent. There was a little grille, stronglywired, in the upper part of the door, and this I was about to open inorder to learn what was amiss, when Simon's voice reached me from thefarther side imploring me to open the door quickly. Doubting the lad'sprudence, yet afraid to refuse lest I should lose some warning he had togive, I paused a second, and then undid the fastenings. The moment thedoor gave way he fell in bodily, crying out to me to bar it behind him. I caught a glimpse through the gap of a glare as of torches, and sawby this light half a dozen flushed faces in the act of rising above theedge of the landing. The men who owned them raised a shout of triumph atsight of me, and, clearing the upper steps at a bound, made a rush forthe door. But in vain. We had just time to close it and drop the twostout bars. In a moment, in a second, the fierce outcry fell to a dullroar; and safe for the time, we had leisure to look in one another'sfaces and learn the different aspects of alarm. Madame was white to thelips, while Simon's eyes seemed starting from his head, and he shook inevery limb with terror. 

At first, on my asking him what it meant, he could not speak. But thatwould not do, and I was in the act of seizing him by the collar to forcean answer from him when the inner door opened, and the king came out, his face wearing an air of so much cheerfulness as proved both hissatisfaction with mademoiselle's story and his ignorance of all we wereabout. In a word he had not yet taken the least alarm; but seeing Simonin my hands, and madame leaning against the wall by the door like onedeprived of life, he stood and cried out in surprise to know what itwas. 

'I fear we are besieged, sire, ' I answered desperately, feeling myanxieties increased a hundredfold by his appearance--'but by whom Icannot say. This lad knows, however, ' I continued, giving Simon, avicious shake, 'and he shall speak. Now, trembler, ' I said to him, 'tellyour tale?'

'The Provost-Marshal!' he stammered, terrified afresh by the king'spresence: for Henry had removed his mask. 'I was on guard below. I hadcome up a few steps to be out of the cold, when I heard them enter. There are a round score of them. '

I cried out a great oath, asking him why he had not gone up and warnedMaignan, who with his men was now cut off from us in the rooms above. 'You fool!' I continued, almost beside myself with rage, 'if you had notcome to this door they would have mounted to my rooms and beset them!What is this folly about the Provost-Marshal?'

'He is there, ' Simon answered, cowering away from me, his face working. 

I thought he was lying, and had merely fancied this in his fright. Butthe assailants at this moment began to hail blows on the door, callingon us to open, and using such volleys of threats as penetrated even thethickness of the oak; driving the blood from the women's cheeks, andarresting the king's step in a manner which did not escape me. Amongtheir cries I could plainly distinguish the words, 'In the king's name!'which bore out Simon's statement. 

At the moment I drew comfort from this; for if we had merely to dealwith the law we had that on our side which was above it. And I speedilymade up my mind what to do. 'I think the lad speaks the truth, sire, ' Isaid coolly. 'This is only your Majesty's Provost-Marshal. The worst tobe feared, therefore, is that he may learn your presence here beforeyou would have it known. It should not be a matter of great difficulty, however, to bind him to silence, and if you will please to mask, I willopen the grille and speak with him. '

The king, who had taken his stand in the middle of the room, and seemeddazed and confused by the suddenness of the alarm and the uproar, assented with a brief word. Accordingly I was preparing to open thegrille when Madame de Bruhl seized my arm, and forcibly pushed me backfrom it. 

'What would you do?' she cried, her face full of terror. 'Do you nothear? He is there. '

'Who is there?' I said, startled more by her manner than her words. 

'Who?' she answered; 'who should be there? My husband! I hear his voice, I tell you! He has tracked me here! He has found me, and will kill me!'

'God forbid!' I said, doubting if she had really heard his voice. Tomake sure, I asked Simon if he had seen him; and my heart sank when Iheard from him too that Bruhl was of the party. For the first time Ibecame fully sensible of the danger which threatened us. For the firsttime, looking round the ill-lit room on the women's terrified faces, and the king's masked figure instinct with ill-repressed nervousness, Irecognised how hopelessly we were enmeshed. Fortune had served Bruhl sowell that, whether he knew it or not, he had us all trapped--alikethe king whom he desired to compromise, and his wife whom he hated, mademoiselle who had once escaped him, and me who had twice thwartedhim. It was little to be wondered at if my courage sank as I looked fromone to another, and listened to the ominous creaking of the door, as thestout panels complained under the blows rained upon them. For my firstduty, and that which took the PAS of all others, was to the king--tosave him harmless. How, then, was I to be answerable for mademoiselle, how protect Madame de Bruhl?--how, in a word, redeem all those pledgesin which my honour was concerned?

It was the thought of the Provost-Marshal which at this moment ralliedmy failing spirits. I remembered that until the mystery of his presencehere in alliance with Bruhl was explained there was no need to despair;and turning briskly to the king I begged him to favour me by standingwith the women in a corner which was not visible from the door. Hecomplied mechanically, and in a manner which I did not like; but lackingtime to weigh trifles, I turned to the grille and opened it without moreado. 

The appearance of my face at the trap was greeted with a savage cry ofrecognition, which subsided as quickly into silence. It was followedby a momentary pushing to and fro among the crowd outside, which in itsturn ended in the Provost-Marshal coming to the front. 'In the king'sname!' he said fussily. 

'What is it?' I replied, eyeing rather the flushed, eager faces whichscowled over his shoulders than himself. The light of two links, borneby some of the party, shone ruddily on the heads of the halberds, and, flaring up from time to time, filled all the place with wavering, smokylight. 'What do you want?' I continued, 'rousing my lodging at this timeof night?'

'I hold a warrant for your arrest, ' he replied bluntly. 'Resistance willbe vain. If you do not surrender I shall send for a ram to break in thedoor. '

'Where is your order?' I said sharply. 'The one you held this morningwas cancelled by the king himself. '

'Suspended only, ' he answered. 'Suspended only. It was given out to meagain this evening for instant execution. And I am here in pursuance ofit, and call on you to surrender. '

'Who delivered it to you?' I retorted. 

'M. De Villequier, ' he answered readily. 'And here it is. Now, come, sir, ' he continued, 'you are only making matters worse. Open to us. '

'Before I do so, ' I said drily, 'I should like to know what part in thepageant my friend M. De Bruhl, whom I see on the stairs yonder, proposesto play. And there is my old friend Fresnoy, ' I added. 'And I see one ortwo others whom I know, M. Provost. Before I surrender I must know amongother things what M. De Bruhl's business is here. '

'It is the business of every loyal man to execute the king's warrant, 'the Provost answered evasively. 'It is yours to surrender, and mine tolodge you in the Castle. 'But I am loth to have a disturbance. I willgive you until that torch goes out, if you like, to make up your mind. At the end of that time, if you do not surrender, I shall batter downthe door. '

'You will give the torch fair play?' I said, noting its condition. 

He assented; and thanking him sternly for this indulgence, I closed thegrille. 

CHAPTER XXV. TERMS OF SURRENDER. 

I still had my hand on the trap when a touch on the shoulder caused meto turn, and in a moment apprised me of the imminence of a new peril; aperil of such a kind that, summoning all my resolution, I could scarcelyhope to cope with it. Henry was at my elbow. He had taken of his mask, and a single glance at his countenance warned me that that had happenedof which I had already felt some fear. The glitter of intense excitementshone in his eyes. His face, darkly-flushed and wet with sweat, betrayedovermastering emotion, while his teeth, tight clenched in the effort torestrain the fit of trembling which possessed him, showed between hislips like those of a corpse. The novelty of the danger which menacedhim, the absence of his gentlemen, and of all the familiar faces andsurroundings without which he never moved, the hour, the mean house, and his isolation among strangers, had proved too much for nerves longweakened by his course of living, and for a courage, proved indeed inthe field, but unequal to a sudden stress. Though he still strove topreserve his dignity, it was alarmingly plain to my eyes that he was onthe point of losing, if he had not already lost, all self-command. 

'Open!' he muttered between his teeth, pointing impatiently to the trapwith the hand with which he had already touched me. 'Open, I say, sir!'

I stared at him, startled and confounded. 'But your Majesty, ' I venturedto stammer, 'forgets that I have not yet--'

'Open, I say!' he repeated passionately. 'Do you hear me, sir? I desirethat this door be opened. ' His lean hand shook as with the palsy, sothat the gems on it twinkled in the light and rattled as he spoke. 

I looked helplessly from him to the women and back again, seeing ina flash all the dangers which might follow from the discovery of hispresence there--dangers which I had not before formulated to myself, butwhich seemed in a moment to range themselves with the utmost clearnessbefore my eyes. At the same time I saw what seemed to me to be a way ofescape; and emboldened by the one and the other, I kept my hand on thetrap and strove to parley with him. 

'Nay, but, sire, ' I said hurriedly, yet still with as much deferenceas I could command, 'I beg you to permit me first to repeat what I haveseen. M. De Bruhl is without, and I counted six men whom I believe to behis following. They are ruffians ripe for any crime; and I implore yourMajesty rather to submit to a short imprisonment--'

I paused struck dumb on that word, confounded by the passion whichlightened in the king's face. My ill-chosen expression had indeedapplied the spark to his wrath. Predisposed to suspicion by a hundredtreacheries, he forgot the perils outside in the one idea which on theinstant possessed his mind; that I would confine his person, and hadbrought him hither for no other purpose. He glared round him with eyesfull of rage and fear, and his trembling lips breathed rather than spokethe word 'Imprison?'

Unluckily, a trifling occurrence added at this moment to his disorder, and converted it into frenzy. Someone outside fell heavily against thedoor; this, causing madame to utter a low shriek, seemed to shatter thelast remnant of the king's self-control. Stamping his foot on the floor, he cried to me with the utmost wildness to open the door--by which I hadhitherto kept my place. 

But, wrongly or rightly, I was still determined to put off opening it;and I raised my hands with the intention of making a last appeal tohim. He misread the gesture, and retreating a step, with the greatestsuddenness whipped out his sword, and in a moment had the point at mybreast, and his wrist drawn back to thrust. 

It has always been my belief that he would not have dealt the blow, but that the mere touch of the hilt, awaking the courage which heundoubtedly possessed, and which did not desert him in his last moments, would have recalled him to himself. But the opportunity was notgiven him, for while the blade yet quivered, and I stood motionless, controlling myself by an effort, my knee half bent and my eyes on his, Mademoiselle de la Vire sprang forward at his back, and with a loudscream clutched his elbow. The king, surprised, and ignorant who heldhim, flung up his point wildly, and striking the lamp above his headwith his blade, shattered it in an instant, bringing down the potterywith a crash and reducing the room to darkness; while the screams ofthe women, and the knowledge that we had a madman among us, peopled, theblackness with a hundred horrors. 

Fearing above all for mademoiselle, I made my way as soon as I couldrecover my wits to the embers of the fire, and regardless of the king'ssword, which I had a vague idea was darting about in the darkness, Isearched for and found a half-burnt stick, which I blew into a blaze. With this, still keeping my back to the room, I contrived to light ataper that I had noticed standing by the hearth; and then, and thenonly, I turned to see what I had to confront. 

Mademoiselle de la Vire stood in a corner, half-fierce, half-terrified, and wholly flushed. She had her hand wrapped up in a 'kerchief alreadystained with blood; and from this I gathered that the king in his frenzyhad wounded her slightly. Standing before her mistress, with her hairbristling, like a wild-cat's fur, and her arms akimbo, was Fanchette, her harsh face and square form instinct with fury and defiance. Madamede Bruhl and Simon cowered against the wall not far from them; and in achair, into which he had apparently just thrown himself, sat the king, huddled up and collapsed, the point of his sword trailing on the groundbeside him, and his nerveless hand scarce retaining force to grip thepommel. 

In a moment I made up my mind what to do, and going to him in silence, Ilaid my pistols, sword, and dagger on a stool by his side. Then I knelt. 

'The door, sire, ' I said, 'is there. It is for your Majesty to open itwhen you please. Here, too, sire, are my weapons. I am your prisoner, the Provost-Marshal is outside, and you can at a word deliver me to him. Only one thing I beg, sire, ' I continued earnestly, 'that your Majestywill treat; as a delusion the idea that I meditated for a momentdisrespect or violence to your person. '

He looked at me dully, his face pale, his eyes fish-like. 'Sanctus, man!' he muttered, 'why did you raise your hand?'

'Only to implore your Majesty to pause a moment, ' I answered, watchingthe intelligence return slowly to his face. 'If you will deign to listenI can explain in half a dozen words, sire. M. De Bruhl's men are sixor seven, the Provost has eight or nine; but the former are the wilderblades, and if M. De Bruhl find your Majesty in my lodging, and inferhis own defeat, he will be capable of any desperate stroke. Your personwould hardly be safe in his company through the streets. And there isanother consideration, ' I went on, observing with joy that the kinglistened, and was gradually regaining his composure. 'That is, thesecrecy you desired to preserve, sire, until this matter should bewell advanced. M. De Rosny laid the strictest injunctions on me in thatrespect, fearing an EMEUTE in Blois should your Majesty's plans becomeknown. '

'You speak fairly, ' the king answered with returning energy, though heavoided looking at the women. 'Bruhl is likely enough to raise one. Buthow am I to get out, sir?' he continued, querulously. 'I cannot remainhere. I shall be missed, man! I am not a hedge-captain, neither soughtnor wanted!'

'If your Majesty would trust me?' I said slowly and with hesitation. 

'Trust you!' he retorted peevishly, holding up his hands and gazingintently at his nails, of the shape and whiteness of which he wasprouder than any woman. 'Have I not trusted you? If I had not trustedyou, should I have been here? But that you were a Huguenot--God forgiveme for saying it!--I would have seen you in hell before I would havecome here with you!'

I confess to having heard this testimony to the Religion with a pridewhich made me forget for a moment the immediate circumstances--the perilin which we stood, the gloomy room darkly lighted by a single candle, the scared faces in the background, even the king's huddled figure, inwhich dejection and pride struggled for expression. For a moment only;then I hastened to reply, saying that I doubted not I could stillextricate his Majesty without discovery. 

'In Heaven's name do it, then!' he answered sharply. 'Do what you like, man! Only get me back into the castle, and it shall not be a Huguenotwill entice me out again. I am over old for these adventures!'

A fresh attack on the door taking place as he said this induced me tolose no time in explaining my plan, which he was good enough to approve, after again upbraiding me for bringing him into such a dilemma. Fearinglest the door should give way prematurely, notwithstanding the barsI had provided for it, and goaded on by Madame de Bruhl's face, whichevinced the utmost terror, I took the candle and attended his Majestyinto the inner room; where I placed my pistols beside him, but silentlyresumed my sword and dagger. I then returned for the women, andindicating by signs that they were to enter, held the door open forthem. 

Mademoiselle, whose bandaged hand I could not regard without emotion, though the king's presence and the respect I owed him forbade me toutter so much as a word, advanced readily until she reached the doorwayabreast of me. There, however, looking back, and seeing Madame de Bruhlfollowing her, she stopped short, and darting a haughty glance at me, muttered, 'And--that lady? Are we to be shut up together, sir?'

'Mademoiselle, ' I answered quickly in the low tone she had used herself, 'have I ever asked anything dishonourable of you?'

She seemed by a slight movement of the head to answer in the negative. 

'Nor do I now, ' I replied with earnestness. 'I entrust to your care alady who has risked great peril for US; and the rest I leave to you. '

She looked me very keenly in the face for a second, and then, withoutanswering, she passed on, Madame and Fanchette following her in thatorder. I closed the door and turned to Simon; who by my direction hadblown the embers of the fire into a blaze so as to partially illuminethe room, in which only he and I now remained. The lad seemed afraid tomeet my eye, and owing to the scene at which he had just assisted, or tothe onslaught on the door, which grew each moment more furious, betrayedgreater restlessness than I had lately observed in him. I did not doubthis fidelity, however, or his devotion to mademoiselle; and the orders Ihad to give him were simple enough. 

'This is what you have got to do, ' I said, my hand already on the bars. 'The moment I am outside secure this door. After that, open to no oneexcept Maignan. When he applies, let him in with caution, and bid him, as he loves M. De Rosny, take his men as soon as the coast is clear, andguard the King of France to the castle. Charge him to be brave and wary, for his life will answer for the king's. '

Twice I repeated this; then fearing lest the Provost-Marshal should makegood his word and apply a ram to the door, I opened the trap. A dozenangry voices hailed my appearance, and this with so much violence andimpatience that it was some time before I could get a hearing; theknaves threatening me if I would not instantly open, and persisting thatI should do so without more words. Their leader at length quieted them, but it was plain that his patience too was worn out. 'Do you surrenderor do you not?' he said. 'I am not going to stay out of my bed all nightfor you!'

'I warn you, ' I answered, 'that the order you have there has beencancelled by the king!'

'That is not my business, ' he rejoined hardily. 

'No, but it will be when the king sends for you to-morrow morning, ' Iretorted; at which he looked somewhat moved. 'However, I will surrenderto you on two conditions, ' I continued, keenly observing the coarsefaces of his following. 'First, that you let me keep my arms until wereach the gate-house, I giving you my parole to come with you quietly. That is number one. '

'Well, ' the Provost-Marshal said more civilly, 'I have no objection tothat. '

'Secondly, that you do not allow your men to break into my lodgings. Iwill come out quietly, and so an end. Your order does not direct you tosack my goods. '

'Tut, tut!' he replied; 'I want, you to come out. I do not want to goin. '

'Then draw your men back to the stairs, ' I said. 'And if you keep termswith me, I will uphold you to-morrow, For your orders will certainlybring you into trouble. M. De Retz, who procured it this morning, isaway, you know. M. De Villequier may be gone to-morrow. But depend uponit, M. De Rambouillet will be here!'

The remark was well timed and to the point. It startled the man as muchas I had hoped it would. Without raising any objection he ordered hismen to fall back and guard the stairs; and I on my side began to undothe fastenings of the door. 

The matter was not to be so easily concluded, however; for Bruhl'srascals, in obedience, no doubt, to a sign given by their leader, whostood with Fresnoy on the upper flight of stairs, refused to withdraw;and even hustled the Provost-Marshal's men when the latter would haveobeyed the order. The officer, already heated by delay, replied bylaying about him with his staff, and in a twinkling there seemed tobe every prospect of a very pretty MELEE, the end of which it wasimpossible to foresee. 

Reflecting, however, that if Bruhl's men routed their opponents ourposition might be made worse rather than better, I did not act on myfirst impulse, which was to see the matter out where I was. Instead, Iseized the opportunity to let myself out, while Simon fastened the doorbehind me. The Provost-Marshal was engaged at the moment in a wordydispute with Fresnoy; whose villainous countenance, scarred by the woundwhich I had given him at Chize, and flushed with passion, looked itsworst by the light of the single torch which remained. In one respectthe villain had profited by his present patronage, for he was decked outin a style of tawdry magnificence. But I have always remarked thisabout dress, that while a shabby exterior does not entirely obscure agentleman, the extreme of fashion is powerless to gild a knave. 

Seeing me on a sudden at the Provost's elbow, he recoiled with a changeof countenance so ludicrous that that officer was himself startled, andonly held his ground on my saluting him civilly and declaring myselfhis prisoner I added a warning that he should look to the torch whichremained; seeing that if it failed we were both like to have our throatscut in the confusion. 

He took the hint promptly, and calling the link-man to his side preparedto descend, bidding Fresnoy and his men, who remained clumped at thehead of the stairs, make way for us without ado. They seemed muchinclined, however, to dispute our passage, and replying to hisinvectives with rough taunts, displayed so hostile a demeanour that theProvost, between regard for his own importance and respect for Bruhl, appeared for a moment at a loss what to do; and seemed rather relievedthan annoyed when I begged leave to say a word to M. De Bruhl. 

'If you can bring his men to reason, ' he replied testily, 'speak yourfill to him!'

Stepping to the foot of the upper flight, on which Bruhl retained hisposition, I saluted him formally. He returned my greeting with asurly, watchful look only, and drawing his cloak more tightly round himaffected to gaze down at me with disdain; which ill concealed, however, both the triumph he felt and the hopes of vengeance he entertained. Iwas especially anxious to learn whether he had tracked his wife hither, or was merely here in pursuance of his general schemes against me, andto this end. I asked him with as much irony as I could compass to whatI was to attribute his presence. 'I am afraid I cannot stay to offer youhospitality, ' I continued; 'but for that you have only your friend M. Villequier to thank!'

'I am greatly obliged to you, ' he answered with a devilish smile, 'butdo not let that affect you. When you are gone I propose to help myself, my friend, to whatever takes my taste. '

'Do you?' I retorted coolly--not that I was unaffected by the threat andthe villainous hint which underlay the words, but that, fully expectingthem, I was ready with my answer. 'We will see about that. ' Andtherewith I raised my fingers to my lips, and, whistling shrilly, cried'Maignan! Maignan!' in a clear voice. 

I had no need to cry the name a third time, for before theProvost-Marshal could do more than start at this unexpected action, the landing above us rang under a heavy tread, and the man I called, descending the stairs swiftly, appeared on a sudden within arm's lengthof M. De Bruhl; who, turning with an oath, saw him, and involuntarilyrecoiled. At all times Maignan's hardy and confident bearing was of akind to impress the strong; but on this occasion there was an added dashof recklessness in his manner which was not without its effect on thespectators. As he stood there smiling darkly over Bruhl's head, whilehis hand toyed carelessly with his dagger, and the torch shone ruddilyon his burly figure, he was so clearly an antagonist in a thousandthat, had I sought through Blois, I might not have found his fellowfor strength and SANG-FROID. He let his black eyes rove from one to theother, but took heed of me only, saluting me with effusion and a touchof the Gascon which was in place here, if ever. 

I knew how M. De Rosny dealt with him, and followed the pattern asfar as I could. 'Maignan!' I said curtly, 'I have taken a lodging forto-night elsewhere. Then I am gone you will call out your men and watchthis door. If anyone tries to force an entrance you will do your duty. '

'You may consider it done, ' he replied. 

'Even if the person be M. De Bruhl here, ' I continued. 

'Precisely. '

'You will remain on guard, ' I went on, 'until to-morrow morning if M. De Bruhl remains here; but whenever he leaves you will take your ordersfrom the persons inside, and follow them implicitly. '

'Your Excellency's mind may be easy, ' he answered, handling his dagger. 

Dismissing him with a nod, I turned with a smile to M. De Bruhl, and sawthat between rage at this unexpected check and chagrin at the insultput upon him, his discomfiture was as complete as I could wish. As forFresnoy, if he had seriously intended to dispute our passage, he wasno longer in the mood for the attempt. Yet I did not let his masteroff without one more prick. 'That being settled, M. De Bruhl, ' I saidpleasantly, 'I may bid you good evening. You will doubtless honour me atChaverny tomorrow. But we will first let Maignan look under the bridge!'

CHAPTER XXVI. MEDITATIONS. 

Either the small respect I had paid M. De Bruhl, or the words I had letfall respecting the possible disappearance of M. Villequier, had had soadmirable an effect on the Provost-Marshal's mind that from themoment of leaving my lodgings he treated me with the utmost civility;permitting me even to retain my sword, and assigning me a sleeping-placefor the night in his own apartments at the gate-house. 

Late as it was, I could not allow so much politeness to passunacknowledged. I begged leave, therefore, to distribute a smallgratuity among his attendants, and requested him to do me the honour ofdrinking a bottle of wine with me. This being speedily procured, at suchan expense as is usual in these places, where prisoners pay, accordingas they are rich or poor, in purse or person, kept; us sitting for anhour, and finally sent us to our pallets perfectly satisfied with oneanother. 

The events of the day, however, and particularly one matter, on which Ihave not dwelt at length, proved as effectual to prevent my sleeping asif I had been placed in the dampest cell below the castle. So much hadbeen crowded into a time so short that it seemed as if I had had untilnow no opportunity of considering whither I was being hurried, or whatfortune awaited me at the end of this turmoil. From the firstappearance of M. D'Agen in the morning, with the startling news that theProvost-Marshal was seeking me, to my final surrender and encounter withBruhl on the stairs, the chain of events had run out so swiftly that Ihad scarcely had time at any particular period to consider how I stood, or the full import of the latest check or victory. Now that I hadleisure I lived the day over again, and, recalling its dangers anddisappointments, felt thankful that all had ended so fairly. 

I had the most perfect confidence in Maignan, and did not doubt thatBruhl would soon weary, if he had not already wearied, of a profitlesssiege. In an hour at most--and it was not yet midnight--the king wouldbe free to go home; and with that would end, as far as he was concerned, the mission with which M. De Rosny had honoured me. The task ofcommunicating his Majesty's decision to the King of Navarre woulddoubtless be entrusted to M. De Rambouillet, or some person of similarposition and influence; and in the same hands would rest the honour andresponsibility of the treaty which, as we all know now, gave after abrief interval and some bloodshed, and one great providence, a lastingpeace to France. But it must ever be--and I recognised this thatnight with a bounding heart, which told of some store of youth yetunexhausted--a matter of lasting pride to me that I, whose career butnow seemed closed in failure, had proved the means of conferring soespecial a benefit on my country and religion. 

Remembering, however, the King of Navarre's warning that I must not lookto him for reward, I felt greatly doubtful in what direction the scenewould next open to me; my main dependence being upon M. De Rosny'spromise that he would make my fortune his own care. Tired of the Courtat Blois, and the atmosphere of intrigue and treachery which pervadedit, and with which I hoped I had now done, I was still at a loss tosee how I could recross the Loire in face of the Vicomte de Turenne'senmity. I might have troubled myself much more with speculating uponthis point had I not found--in close connection with it--other and moreengrossing food for thought in the capricious behaviour of Mademoisellede la Vire. 

To that behaviour it seemed to me that I now held the clue. I suspectedwith as much surprise as pleasure that only one construction could beplaced upon it--a construction which had strongly occurred to me oncatching sight of her face when she intervened between me and the king. 

Tracing the matter back to the moment of our meeting in the antechamberat St. Jean d'Angely, I remembered the jest which Mathurine had utteredat our joint expense. Doubtless it had dwelt in mademoiselle's mind, and exciting her animosity against me had prepared her to treat me withcontumely when, contrary to all probability, we met again, and she foundherself placed in a manner in my hands. It had inspired her harsh wordsand harsher looks on our journey northwards, and contributed with hernative pride to the low opinion I had formed of her when I contrastedher with my honoured mother. 

But I began to think it possible that the jest had worked in anotherway as well, by keeping me before her mind and impressing upon her theidea--after my re-appearance at Chize more particularly--that our fateswere in some way linked. Assuming this, it was not hard to understandher manner at Rosny when, apprised that I was no impostor, andregretting her former treatment of me, she still recoiled from thefeelings which she began to recognise in her own breast. From that time, and with this clue, I had no difficulty in tracing her motives, alwayssupposing that this suspicion, upon which I dwelt with feelings ofwonder and delight, were well founded. 

Middle-aged and grizzled, with the best of my life behind me I hadnever dared to think of her in this way before. Poor and comparativelyobscure, I had never raised my eyes to the wide possessions said to behers. Even now I felt myself dazzled and bewildered by the prospect sosuddenly unveiled. I could scarcely, without vertigo, recall her as Ihad last seen her, with her hand wounded in my defence; nor, withoutemotions painful in their intensity, fancy myself restored to the youthof which I had taken leave, and to the rosy hopes and plannings whichvisit most men once only, and then in early years. Hitherto I had deemedsuch things the lot of others. 

Daylight found me--and no wonder--still diverting myself with thesecharming speculations; which had for me, be it remembered, all the forceof novelty. The sun chanced to rise that morning in a clear sky, andbrilliantly for the time of year; and words fail me when I lookback, and try to describe how delicately this single fact enhancedmy pleasure! I sunned myself in the beams, which penetrated my barredwindow; and tasting the early freshness with a keen and insatiableappetite, I experienced to the full that peculiar aspiration aftergoodness which Providence allows such moments to awaken in us in youth;but rarely when time and the camp have blunted the sensibilities. 

I had not yet arrived at the stage at which difficulties have to bereckoned up, and the chief drawback to the tumult of joy I felt tookthe shape of regret that my mother no longer lived to feel the emotionsproper to the time, and to share in the prosperity which she had sooften and so fondly imagined. Nevertheless, I felt myself drawn closerto her. I recalled with the most tender feelings, and at greater leisurethan had before been the case, her last days and words, and particularlythe appeal she had uttered on mademoiselle's behalf. And I vowed, ifit were possible, to pay a visit to her grave before leaving theneighbourhood, that I might there devote a few moments to the thought ofthe affection which had consecrated all women in my eyes. 

I was presently interrupted in these reflections by a circumstance whichproved in the end diverting enough, though far from reassuring at thefirst blush. It began in a dismal rattling of chains in the passagebelow and on the stairs outside my room; which were paved, like therest of the building, with stone. I waited with impatience and someuneasiness to see what would come of this; and my surprise may beimagined when, the door being unlocked, gave entrance to a man in whom Irecognised on the instant deaf Mathew--the villain whom I had last seenwith Fresnoy in the house in the Rue Valois. Amazed at seeing himhere, I sprang to my feet in fear of some treachery, and for a momentapprehended that the Provost-Marshal had basely given me over toBruhl's custody. But a second glance informing me that the man was inirons--hence the noise I had heard--I sat down again to see what wouldhappen. 

It then appeared, that he merely brought me my breakfast, and wasa prisoner in less fortunate circumstances than myself; but as hepretended not to recognise me, and placed the things before me inobdurate silence, and I had no power to make him hear, I failed tolearn how he came to be in durance. The Provost-Marshal, however, camepresently to visit me, and brought me in token that the good-fellowshipof the evening still existed a pouch of the Queen's herb; which Iaccepted for politeness' sake rather than from any virtue I found in it. And from him I learned how the rascal came to be in his charge. 

It appeared that Fresnoy, having no mind to be hampered with a woundedman, had deposited him on the night of our MELEE at the door of ahospital attached to a religious house in that part of the town. Thefathers had opened to him, but before taking him in put, according totheir custom, certain questions. Matthew had been primed with the rightanswers to these questions, which were commonly a form; but, unhappilyfor him, the Superior by chance or mistake began with the wrong one. 

'You are not a Huguenot, my son?' he said. 

'In God's name, I am!' Matthew replied with simplicity, believing he wasasked if he was a Catholic. 

'What?' the scandalised Prior ejaculated, crossing himself in doubt, 'are you not a true son of the Church?'

'Never!' quoth our deaf friend--thinking all went well. 

'A heretic!' cried the monk. 

'Amen to that!' replied Matthew innocently; never doubting but that hewas asked the third question, which was, commonly, whether he neededaid. 

Naturally after this there was a very pretty commotion, andMatthew, vainly protesting that he was deaf, was hurried off to theProvost-Marshal's custody. Asked how he communicated with him, theProvost answered that he could not, but that his little godchild, a girlonly eight years old, had taken a strange fancy to the rogue, and wasnever so happy as when talking to him by means of signs, of which shehad invented a great number. I thought this strange at the time, but Ihad proof before the morning was out that it was true enough, andthat the two were seldom apart, the little child governing this grimcut-throat with unquestioned authority. 

After the Provost was gone I heard the man's fetters clanking again. This time he entered to remove my cup and plate, and surprised me byspeaking to me. Maintaining his former sullenness, and scarcely lookingat me, he said abruptly: 'You are going out again?'

I nodded assent. 

'Do you remember a bald-faced bay horse that fell with you?' hemuttered, keeping his dogged glance on the floor. 

I nodded again. 

'I want to sell the horse, ' he said. 'There is not such another inBlois, no, nor in Paris! Touch it on the near hip with the whip and itwill go down as if shot. At other times a child might ride it. It isin a stable, the third from the Three Pigeons, in the Ruelle Amancy. Fresnoy does not know where it is. He sent to ask yesterday, but I wouldnot tell him. '

Some spark of human feeling which appeared in his lowering, brutalvisage as he spoke of the horse led me to desire further information. Fortunately the little girl appeared at that moment at the door insearch of her play-fellow; and through her I learned that the man'smotive for seeking to sell the horse was fear lest the dealer in whosecharge it stood should dispose of it to repay himself for its keep, andhe, Matthew, lose it without return. 

Still I did not understand why he applied to me, but I was well pleasedwhen I learned the truth. Base as the knave was, he had an affection forthe bay, which had been his only property for six years. Having thisin his mind, he had conceived the idea that I should treat it well, andshould not, because he was in prison and powerless, cheat him of theprice. 

In the end I agreed to buy the horse for ten crowns, paying as well whatwas due at the stable. I had it in my head to do something also for theman, being moved to this partly by an idea that there was good in him, and partly by the confidence he had seen fit to place in me, whichseemed to deserve some return. But a noise below stairs diverted myattention. I heard myself named, and for the moment forgot the matter. 

CHAPTER XXVII. TO ME, MY FRIENDS!

I was impatient to learn who had come, and what was their errand withme; and being still in that state of exaltation in which we seem to hearand see more than at other times, I remarked a peculiar lagging inthe ascending footsteps, and a lack of buoyancy, which was quick tocommunicate itself to my mind. A vague dread fell upon me as I stoodlistening. Before the door opened I had already conceived a score ofdisasters. I wondered that I had not inquired earlier concerning theking's safety, and in fine I experienced in a moment that completereaction of the spirits which is too frequently consequent upon anexcessive flow of gaiety. 

I was prepared, therefore, for heavy looks, but not for the persons whowore them nor the strange bearing the latter displayed on entering. Myvisitors proved to be M. D'Agen and Simon Fleix. And so far well. Butthe former, instead of coming forward to greet me with the punctiliouspoliteness which always characterised him, and which I had thought tobe proof against every kind of surprise and peril, met me with downcasteyes and a countenance so gloomy as to augment my fears a hundredfold;since it suggested all those vague and formidable pains which M. DeRambouillet had hinted might await me in a prison. I thought nothingmore probable than the entrance after them of a gaoler laden with gyvesand handcuffs; and saluting M. Francois with a face which, do what Iwould, fashioned itself upon his, I had scarce composure sufficient toplace the poor accommodation of my room at his disposal. 

He thanked me; but he did it with so much gloom and so littlenaturalness that I grew more impatient with each laboured syllable. Simon Fleix had slunk to the window and turned his back on us. Neitherseemed to have anything to say. But a state of suspense was one which Icould least endure to suffer; and impatient of the constraint whichmy friend's manner was fast imparting to mine, I asked him at once andabruptly if his uncle had returned. 

'He rode in about midnight, ' he answered, tracing a pattern on the floorwith the point of his riding-switch. 

I felt some surprise on hearing this, since d'Agen was still dressedand armed for the road, and was without all those prettinesseswhich commonly marked his attire. But as he volunteered no furtherinformation, and did not even refer to the place in which he found me, or question me as to the adventures which had lodged me there, I let itpass, and asked him if his party had overtaken the deserters. 

'Yes, ' he answered, 'with no result. '

'And the king?'

'M. De Rambouillet is with him now, ' he rejoined, still bending over histracing. 

This answer relieved the worst of my anxieties, but the manner ofthe speaker was so distrait and so much at variance with the studiedINSOUCIANCE which he usually, affected, that I only grew more alarmed. Iglanced at Simon Fleix, but he kept his face averted, and I could gathernothing from it; though I observed that he, too, was dressed for theroad, and wore his arms. I listened, but I could hear no sounds whichindicated that the Provost-Marshal was approaching. Then on a sudden Ithought of Mademoiselle de la Vire. Could it be that Maignan had provedunequal to his task?

I started impetuously from my stool under the influence of the emotionwhich this thought naturally aroused, and seized M. D'Agen by the arm. 'What has happened?' I exclaimed. 'Is it Bruhl? Did he break into mylodgings last night? What!' I continued, staggering back as I read theconfirmation of my fears in his face. 'He did?'

M. D'Agen, who had risen also, pressed my hand with convulsive energy. Gazing into my face, he held me a moment thus embraced, His manner astrange mixture of fierceness and emotion. 'Alas, yes, ' he answered, 'hedid, and took away those whom he found there! Those whom he found there, you understand! But M. De Rambouillet is on his way here, and in afew minutes you will be free. We will follow together. If we overtakethem--well. If not, it will be time to talk. '

He broke off, and I stood looking at him, stunned by the blow, yet inthe midst of my own horror and surprise retaining sense enough to wonderat the gloom on his brow and the passion which trembled in his words. What had this to do with him? 'But Bruhl?' I said at last, recoveringmyself with an effort--'how did he gain access to the room? I left itguarded. '

'By a ruse, while Maignan and his men were away, ' was the answer. 'Onlythis lad of yours was there. Bruhl's men overpowered him. '

'Which way has Bruhl gone?' I muttered, my throat dry, my heart beatingwildly. 

He shook his head. 'All we know is that he passed through the south gatewith eleven horsemen, two women, and six led horses, at daybreak thismorning, ' he answered. 'Maignan came to my uncle with the news, and M. De Rambouillet went at once, early as it was, to the king to procureyour release. He should be here now. '

I looked at the barred window, the most horrible fears at my heart;from it to Simon Fleix, who stood beside it, his attitude expressingthe utmost dejection. I went towards him. 'You hound!' I said in a lowvoice, 'how did it happen?'

To my surprise he fell in a moment on his knees, and raised his arm asthough to ward off a blow. 'They imitated Maignan's voice, ' he mutteredhoarsely. 'We opened. '

'And you dare to come here and tell me!' I cried, scarcely restrainingmy passion. 'You, to whom I entrusted her. You, whom I thought devotedto her. You have destroyed her, man!'

He rose as suddenly as he had cowered down. His thin, nervous faceunderwent a startling change; growing on a sudden hard and rigid, whilehis eyes began to glitter with excitement. 'I--I have destroyed her?Ay, mon dieu! I HAVE, ' he cried, speaking to my face, and no longerflinching or avoiding my eye. 'You may kill me, if you like. You do notknow all. It was I who stole the favour she gave you from your doublet, and then said M. De Rosny had taken it! It was I who told her you hadgiven it away! It was I who brought her to the Little Sisters', that shemight see you with Madame de Bruhl! It was I who did all, and destroyedher! Now you know! Do with me what you like!'

He opened his arms as though to receive a blow, while I stood beforehim astounded beyond measure by a disclosure so unexpected; full ofrighteous wrath and indignation, and yet uncertain what I ought to do. 'Did you also let Bruhl into the room on purpose?' I cried at last. 

'I?' he exclaimed, with a sudden flash of rage in his eyes. 'I wouldhave died first!'

I do not know how I might have taken this confession; but at the momentthere was a trampling of horses outside, and before I could answer himI heard M. De Rambouillet speaking in haughty tones, at the door below. The Provost-Marshal was with him, but his lower notes were lost in thering of bridles and the stamping of impatient hoofs. I looked towardsthe door of my room, which stood ajar, and presently the two entered, the Marquis listening with an air of contemptuous indifference to theapologies which the other, who attended at his elbow, was pouring forth. M. De Rambouillet's face reflected none of the gloom and despondencywhich M. D'Agen's exhibited in so marked a degree. He seemed, on thecontrary, full of gaiety and good-humour, and, coming forward and seeingme, embraced me with the utmost kindness and condescension. 

'Ha! my friend, ' he said cheerfully, 'so I find you here after all!But never fear. I am this moment from the king with an order for yourrelease. His Majesty has told me all, making me thereby your lastingfriend and debtor. As for this gentleman, ' he continued, turning witha cold smile to the Provost-Marshal, who seemed to be trembling in hisboots, 'he may expect an immediate order also. M. De Villequier haswisely gone a-hunting, and will not be back for a day or two. '

Racked as I was by suspense and anxiety, I could not assail him withimmediate petitions. It behoved me first to thank him for his promptintervention, and this in terms as warm as I could invent. Nor couldI in justice fail to commend the Provost; to him, representing theofficer's conduct to me, and lauding his ability. All this, thoughmy heart was sick with thought and fear and disappointment, and everyminute seemed an age. 

'Well, well, ' the Marquis said with stately good-nature, 'We will laythe blame on Villequier then. He is an old fox, however, and ten to onehe will go scot-free. It is not the first time he has played this trick. But I have not yet come to the end of my commission, ' he continuedpleasantly. 'His Majesty sends you this, M. De Marsac, and bade me saythat he had loaded it for you. '

He drew from under his cloak as he spoke the pistol which I had leftwith the king, and which happened to be the same M. De Rosny had givenme. I took it, marvelling impatiently at the careful manner in which hehandled it; but in a moment I understood for I found it loaded to themuzzle with gold-pieces, of which two or three fell and rolled upon thefloor. Much moved by this substantial mark of the king's gratitude, I was nevertheless for pocketing them in haste; but the Marquis, tosatisfy a little curiosity on his part, would have me count them, andbrought the tale to a little over two thousand livres, without countinga ring set with precious stones which I found among them. This handsomepresent diverted my thoughts from Simon Fleix, but could not relieve theanxiety I felt on mademoiselle's account. The thought of her position sotortured me that M. De Rambouillet began to perceive my state of mind, and hastened to assure me that before going to the Court he had alreadyissued orders calculated to assist me. 

'You desire to follow this lady, I understand?' he said. 'What with theking who is enraged beyond the ordinary by this outrage, and Francoisthere, who seemed beside himself when he heard the news, I have not gotany very clear idea of the position. '

'She was entrusted to me by--by one, sir, well known to you, ' I answeredhoarsely. 'My honour is engaged to him and to her. If I follow on myfeet and alone, I must follow. If I cannot save her, I can at leastpunish the villains who have wronged her. '

'But the man's wife is with them, ' he said in some wonder. 

'That goes for nothing, ' I answered. 

He saw the strong emotion under which I laboured, and which scarcelysuffered me to answer him with patience; and he looked at me curiously, but not unkindly. 'The sooner you are off, the better then, ' he said, nodding. 'I gathered as much. The man Maignan will have his fellowsat the south gate an hour before noon, I understand. Francois has twolackeys, and he is wild to go. With yourself and the lad there you willmuster nine swords. I will lend you two. I can spare no more, for we mayhave an EMEUTE at any moment. You will take the road, therefore, elevenin all, and should overtake them some time to-night if your horses arein condition. '

I thanked him warmly, without regarding his kindly statement that myconduct on the previous day had laid him under lasting obligations tome. We went down together, and he transferred two of his fellows to methere and then, bidding them change their horses for fresh ones andmeet me at the south gate. He sent also a man to my stable--Simon Fleixhaving disappeared in the confusion--for the Cid, and was in the act ofinquiring whether I needed anything else, when a woman slipped throughthe knot of horsemen who surrounded us as we stood in the doorway ofthe house, and, throwing herself upon me, grasped me by the arm. It wasFanchette. Her harsh features were distorted with grief, her cheekswere mottled with the violent weeping in which such persons vent theirsorrow. Her hair hung in long wisps on her neck. Her dress was torn anddraggled, and there was a great bruise over her eye. She had the air ofone frantic with despair and misery. 

She caught me by the cloak, and shook me so that I staggered. 'I havefound you at last!' she cried joyfully. 'You will take me with you! Youwill take me to her!'

Though her words tried my composure, and my heart went out to her, I strove to answer her according to the sense of the matter. 'It isimpossible, I said sternly. 'This is a man's errand. We shall have toride day and night, my good woman. '

'But I will ride day and night too!' she replied passionately, flingingthe hair from her eyes, and looking wildly from me to M. Rambouillet. 'What would I not do for her? I am as strong as a man, and stronger. Take me, take me, I say, and when I meet that villain I will tear himlimb for limb!'

I shuddered, listening to her; but remembering that, being countrybred, she was really as strong as she said, and that likely enough someadvantage might accrue to us from her perfect fidelity and devotionto her mistress, I gave a reluctant consent. I sent one of M. DeRambouillet's men to the stable where the deaf man's bay was standing, bidding him pay whatever was due to the dealer, and bring the horse tothe south gate; my intention being to mount one of my men on it, andfurnish the woman with a less tricky steed. 

The briskness of these and the like preparations, which even for oneof my age and in my state of anxiety were not devoid, of pleasure, prevented my thoughts dwelling on the future. Content to have M. Francois' assistance without following up too keenly the train of ideaswhich his readiness suggested, I was satisfied also to make use of Simonwithout calling him to instant account for his treachery. The bustle ofthe streets, which the confirmation of the king's speedy departure hadfilled with surly, murmuring crowds, tended still further to keep myfears at bay; while the contrast between my present circumstances, as Irode through them well-appointed and well-attended, with the Marquis bymy side, and the poor appearance I had exhibited on my first arrival inBlois, could not fail to inspire me with hope that I might surmount thisdanger, also, and in the event find Mademoiselle safe and uninjured. Itook leave of M. De Rambouillet with many expressions of esteem on bothsides, and a few minutes before eleven reached the rendezvous outsidethe south gate. 

M. D'Agen and Maignan advanced to meet me, the former still presentingan exterior so stern and grave that I wondered to see him, and couldscarcely believe he was the same gay spark whose elegant affectationshad more than once caused me to smile. He saluted me in silence; Maignanwith a sheepish air, which ill-concealed the savage temper defeat hadroused in him. Counting my men, I found we mustered ten only, but theequerry explained that he had despatched a rider ahead to make inquiriesand leave word for us at convenient points; to the end that we mightfollow the trail with as few delays as possible. Highly commendingMaignan for his forethought in this, I gave the word to start, andcrossing the river by the St. Gervais Bridge, we took the road forSelles at a smart trot. 

The weather had changed much in the last twenty-four hours. The sunshone brightly, with a warm west wind, and the country already showedsigns of the early spring which marked that year. If, the first hurry ofdeparture over, I had now leisure to feel the gnawing of anxiety and thetortures inflicted by an imagination which, far outstripping us, rodewith those whom we pursued and shared their perils, I found two sourcesof comfort still open to me. No man who has seen service can look on alittle band of well-appointed horsemen without pleasure. I reviewed thestalwart forms and stern faces which moved beside me and comparing theirdecent order and sound equipments with the scurvy foulness of the menwho had ridden north with me, thanked God, and, ceased to wonder at theindignation which Matthew and his fellows had aroused in mademoiselle'smind. My other source of satisfaction, the regular beat of hoofs andring of bridles continually augmented. Every step took us farther fromBlois--farther from the close town and reeking streets and the Court;which, if it no longer seemed to me a shambles, befouled by one greatdeed of blood--experience had removed that impression--retained anappearance infinitely mean and miserable in my eyes. I hated and loathedits intrigues and its jealousies, the folly which trifled in a closetwhile rebellion mastered France, and the pettiness which recognised nowisdom save that of balancing party and party. I thanked God that mywork there was done, and could have welcomed any other occasion thatforced me to turn my back on it, and sent me at large over the pureheaths, through the woods, and under the wide heaven, speckled withmoving clouds. 

But such springs of comfort soon ran dry. M. D'Agen's gloomy rage andthe fiery gleam in Maignan's eye would have reminded me, had I beenin any danger of forgetting the errand on which we were bound, and theneed, exceeding all other needs, which compelled us to lose no momentthat might be used. Those whom we followed had five hours' start. Thethought of what might; happen in those five hours to the two helplesswomen whom I had sworn to protect burned itself into my mind; so thatto refrain from putting spurs to my horse and riding recklessly forwardtaxed at times all my self-control. The horses seemed to crawl. The menrising and falling listlessly in their saddles maddened me. Though Icould not hope to come upon any trace of our quarry for many hours, perhaps for days, I scanned the long, flat heaths unceasingly, searchedevery marshy bottom before we descended into it, and panted for themoment when the next low ridge should expose to our view a fresh trackof wood and waste. The rosy visions of the past night, and those fanciesin particular which had made the dawn memorable, recurred to me, as hisdeeds in the body (so men say) to a hopeless drowning wretch. I grew tothink of nothing but Bruhl and revenge. Even the absurd care with whichSimon avoided the neighbourhood of Fanchette, riding anywhere so longas he might ride at a distance from the angry woman's tongue andhand--which provoked many a laugh from the men, and came to be the jokeof the company--failed to draw a smile from me. 

We passed through Contres, four leagues from Blois, an hour after noon, and three hours later crossed the Cher at Selles, where we stayedawhile to bait our horses. Here we had news of the party before us, andhenceforth had little doubt that Bruhl was making for the Limousin; adistrict in which he might rest secure under the protection of Turenne, and safely defy alike the King of France and the King of Navarre. Thegreater the necessity, it was plain, for speed; but the roads inthat neighbourhood, and forward as far as Valancy, proved heavy and, foundrous, and it was all we could do to reach Levroux with jadedhorses three hours after sunset. The probability that Bruhl would lieat Chateauroux, five leagues farther on--for I could not conceive thatunder the circumstances he would spare the women--would have led me topush forward had it been possible; but the darkness and the difficultyof finding a guide who would venture deterred me from the hopelessattempt, and we stayed the night where we were. 

Here we first heard of the plague; which was said to be ravagingChateauroux and all the country farther south. The landlord of the innwould have regaled us with many stories of it, and particularly of theswiftness with which men and even cattle succumbed to its attacks. Butwe had other things to think of, and between anxiety and weariness hadclean forgotten the matter when we rose next morning. 

We started shortly after daybreak, and for three leagues pressed on attolerable speed. Then, for no reason stated, our guide gave us the slipas we passed through a wood, and was seen no more. We lost the road, and had to retrace our steps. We strayed into a slough, and extractedourselves with difficulty. The man who was riding the bay I hadpurchased forgot the secret which I had imparted to him, and got an uglyfall. In fine, after all these mishaps it wanted little of noon, and less to exhaust our patience, when at length we came in sight ofChateauroux. 

Before entering the town we had still an adventure; for we came ata turn in the road on a scene as surprising as it was at firstinexplicable. A little north of the town, in a coppice of box facing thesouth and west, we happed suddenly on a rude encampment, consisting ofa dozen huts and booths, set back from the road and formed, some ofbranches of evergreen trees laid clumsily together, and some of sackingstretched over poles. A number of men and women of decent appearance layon the short grass before the booths, idly sunning themselves; or movedabout, cooking and tending fires, while a score of children raced to andfro with noisy shouts and laughter. The appearance of our party on thescene caused an instant panic. The women and children fled screaminginto the wood, spreading the sound of breaking branches farther andfarther as they retreated; while the men, a miserable pale-faced set, drew together, and seeming half-inclined to fly also, regarded us withglances of fear and suspicion. 

Remarking that their appearance and dress were not those of vagrants, while the booths seemed to indicate little skill or experience in thebuilders, I bade my companions halt, and advanced alone. 

'What is the meaning of this, my men?' I said, addressing the firstgroup I reached. 'You seem to have come a-Maying before the time. Whenceare you?'

'From Chateauroux, ' the foremost answered sullenly. His dress, now I sawhim nearer, seemed to be that of a respectable townsman. 

'Why?' I replied. 'Have you no homes?'

'Ay, we have homes, ' he answered with the same brevity. 

'Then why, in God's name, are you here?' I retorted, marking the gloomyair and downcast faces of the group. 'Have you been harried?'

'Ay, harried by the Plague!' he answered bitterly. 'Do you mean to sayyou have not heard? In Chateauroux there is one man dead in three. Takemy advice, sir--you are a brave company--turn, and go home again. '

'Is it as bad as that?' I exclaimed. I had forgotten the landlord'sgossip, and the explanation struck me with the force of surprise. 

'Ay, is it! Do you see the blue haze?' he continued, pointing with asudden gesture to the lower ground before us, over which a light pallof summery vapour hung still and motionless. 'Do you see it? Well, underthat there is death! You may find food in Chateauroux, and stalls foryour horses, and a man to take money; for there are still men there. But cross the Indre, and you will see sights worse than a battle-field aweek old! You will find no living soul in house or stable or church, butcorpses plenty. The land is cursed! cursed for heresy, some say! Halfare dead, and half are fled to the woods! And if you do not die of theplague, you will starve. '

'God forbid!' I muttered, thinking with a shudder of those beforeus. This led me to ask him if a party resembling ours in number, andincluding two women, had passed that way. He answered, Yes, after sunsetthe evening before; that their horses were stumbling with fatigueand the men swearing in pure weariness. He believed that they had notentered the town, but had made a rude encampment half a mile beyond it;and had again broken this up, and ridden southwards two or three hoursbefore our arrival. 

'Then we may overtake them to-day?' I said. 

'By your leave, sir, ' he answered, with grave meaning. 'I think you aremore likely to meet them. '

Shrugging my shoulders, I thanked him shortly and left him; the fullimportance of preventing my men hearing what I had heard--lest thepanic which possessed these townspeople should seize on them also--beingalready in my mind. Nevertheless the thought came too late, for onturning my horse I found one of the foremost, a long, solemn-faced man, had already found his way to Maignan's stirrup; where he was dilatingso eloquently upon the enemy which awaited us southwards that thecountenances of half the troopers were as long as his own, and I sawnothing for it but to interrupt his oration by a smart application of myswitch to his shoulders. Having thus stopped him, and rated him back tohis fellows, I gave the word to march. The men obeyed mechanically, weswung into a canter, and for a moment the danger was over. 

But I knew that it would recur again and again. Stealthily marking thefaces round me, and listening to the whispered talk which went on, I sawthe terror spread from one to another. Voices which earlier in the dayhad been raised in song and jest grew silent. Great reckless fellows ofMaignan's following, who had an oath and a blow for all comers, andto whom the deepest ford seemed to be child's play, rode with droopingheads and knitted brows; or scanned with ill-concealed anxiety thestrange haze before us, through which the roofs of the town, and hereand there a low hill or line of poplars, rose to plainer view. Maignanhimself, the stoutest of the stout, looked grave, and had lost hisswaggering air. Only three persons preserved their SANG-FROID entire. Ofthese, M. D'Agen rode as if he had heard nothing, and Simon Fleix as ifhe feared nothing; while Fanchette, gazing eagerly forward, saw, it wasplain, only one object in the mist, and that was her Mistress's face. 

'We found the gates of the town open, and this, which proved to be theherald of stranger sights, daunted the hearts of my men more than themost hostile reception. As we entered, our horses' hoofs, clatteringloudly on the pavement, awoke a hundred echoes in the empty houses toright and left. The main street, flooded with sunshine, which made itsdesolation seem a hundred times more formidable, stretched away beforeus, bare and empty; or haunted only by a few slinking dogs, and prowlingwretches, who fled, affrighted at the unaccustomed sounds, or stood andeyed us listlessly as me passed. A bell tolled; in the distance we heardthe wailing of women. The silent ways, the black cross which markedevery second door, the frightful faces which once or twice looked outfrom upper windows and blasted our sight, infected my men with terror soprofound and so ungovernable that at last discipline was forgotten;and one shoving his horse before another in narrow places, there wasa scuffle to be first. One, and then a second, began to trot. The trotgrew into a shuffling canter. The gates of the inn lay open, nay seemedto invite us to enter; but no one turned or halted. Moved by a singleimpulse we pushed breathlessly on and on, until the open country wasreached, and we who had entered the streets in silent awe, swept out andover the bridge as if the fiend were at our heels. 

That I shared in this flight causes me no shame even now, for my menwere at the time ungovernable, as the best-trained troops are whenseized by such panics; and, moreover, I could have done no good byremaining in the town, where the strength of the contagion was probablygreater and the inn larder like to be as bare, as the hillside. Fewtowns are without a hostelry outside the gates for the convenience ofknights of the road or those who would avoid the dues, and Chateaurouxproved no exception to this rule. A short half-mile from the walls wedrew rein before a second encampment raised about a wayside house. It scarcely needed the sound of music mingled with brawling voices toinform us that the wilder spirits of the town had taken refuge here, andwere seeking to drown in riot and debauchery, as I have seen happen in abesieged place, the remembrance of the enemy which stalked abroad in thesunshine. Our sudden appearance, while it put a stop to the mimicryof mirth, brought out a score of men and women in every stage ofdrunkenness and dishevelment, of whom some, with hiccoughs and loosegestures, cried to us to join them, while others swore horridly at beingrecalled to the present, which, with the future, they were endeavouringto forget. 

I cursed them in return for a pack of craven wretches, and threateningto ride down those who obstructed us, ordered my men forward; haltingeventually a quarter of a mile farther on, where a wood of groundlingoaks which still wore last year's leaves afforded fair shelter. Afraidto leave my men myself, lest some should stray to the inn and othersdesert altogether, I requested M. D'Agen to return thither with Maignanand Simon, and bring us what forage and food we required. This he didwith perfect success, though not until after a scuffle, in whichMaignan showed himself a match for a hundred. We watered the horses ata neighbouring brook, and assigning two hours to rest and refreshment--agreat part of which M. D'Agen and I spent walking up and down in moodysilence, each immersed in his own thoughts--we presently took the roadagain with renewed spirits. 

But a panic is not easily shaken off, nor is any fear so difficult tocombat and defeat as the fear of the invisible. The terrors which foodand drink had for a time thrust out presently returned with sevenfoldforce. Men looked uneasily in one another's faces, and from them to thehaze which veiled all distant objects. They muttered of the heat, which was sudden, strange, and abnormal at that time of the year. Andby-and-by they had other things to speak of. We met a man, who ranbeside us and begged of us, crying out in a dreadful voice that his wifeand four children lay unburied in the house. A little farther on, besidea well, the corpse of a woman with a child at her breast lay poisoningthe water; she had crawled to it to appease her thirst, and died of thedraught. Last of all, in, a beech-wood near Lotier we came upon a ladyliving in her coach, with one or two panic-stricken women for her onlyattendants. Her husband was in Paris, she told me; half her servantswere dead, the rest had fled. Still she retained in a remarkable degreeboth courage and courtesy, and accepting with fortitude my reasonsand excuses for perforce leaving her in such a plight, gave me a clearaccount of Bruhl and his party, who had passed her some, hours before. The picture of this lady gazing after us with perfect good-breeding, as we rode away at speed, followed by the lamentations of her women, remains with me to this day; filling my mind at once with admiration andmelancholy. For, as I learned later, she fell ill of the plague where weleft her in the beech-wood, and died in a night with both her servants. 

The intelligence we had from her inspired us to push forward, sparingneither spur nor horseflesh, in the hope that we might overtake Bruhlbefore night should expose his captives to fresh hardships and dangers. But the pitch to which the dismal sights and sounds I have mentioned, and a hundred like them, had raised the fears of my following did muchto balk my endeavours. For a while, indeed, under the influence ofmomentary excitement, they spurred their horses to the gallop, as iftheir minds were made up to face the worst; but presently they checkedthem despite all my efforts, and, lagging slowly and more slowly, seemedto lose all spirit and energy. The desolation which met our eyes onevery side, no less than the death-like stillness which prevailed, eventhe birds, as it seemed to us, being silent, chilled the most recklessto the heart. Maignan's face lost its colour, his voice its ring. As forthe rest, starting at a sound and wincing if a leather galled them, they glanced backwards twice for once they looked forwards, and heldthemselves ready to take to their heels and be gone at the least alarm. 

Noting these signs, and doubting if I could trust even Maignan, Ithought it prudent to change my place, and falling to the rear, rodethere with a grim face and a pistol ready to my hand. It was not theleast of my annoyances that M. D'Agen appeared to be ignorant of anycause for apprehension save such as lay before us, and riding on in thesame gloomy fit which had possessed him from the moment of starting, neither sought my opinion nor gave his own, but seemed to have undergoneso complete and mysterious a change that I could think of one thing onlythat could have power to effect so marvellous a transformation. I felthis presence a trial rather than a help, and reviewing the course of ourshort friendship, which a day or two before had been so great a delightto me--as the friendship of a young man commonly is to one growingold--I puzzled myself with much wondering whether there could be rivalrybetween us. 

Sunset, which was welcome to my company, since it removed the haze, which they regarded with superstitious dread, found us still ploddingthrough a country of low ridges and shallow valleys, both clothed inoak-woods. Its short brightness died away, and with it my last hope ofsurprising Bruhl before I slept. Darkness fell upon us as we wendedour way slowly down a steep hillside where the path was so narrow anddifficult as to permit only one to descend at a time. A stream of somesize, if we might judge from the noise it made, poured through theravine below us, and presently, at the point where we believed thecrossing to be, we espied a solitary light shining in the blackness. To proceed farther was impossible, for the ground grew more and moreprecipitous; and, seeing this, I bade Maignan dismount, and leaving uswhere we were, go for a guide to the house from which the light issued. 

He obeyed, and plunging into the night, which in that pit; between thehills was of an inky darkness, presently returned with a peasant and alanthorn. I was about to bid the man guide us to the ford, or to somelevel ground where we could picket the horses, when Maignan gleefullycried out that he had news. I asked what news. 

'Speak up, MANANT!' he said, holding up his lanthorn so that the lightfell on the man's haggard face and unkempt hair. 'Tell his Excellencywhat you have told me, or I will skin you alive, little man!'

'Your other party came to the ford an hour before sunset, ' the peasantanswered, staring dully at us. 'I saw them coming, and hid myself. Theyquarrelled by the ford. Some were for crossing, and some not. '

'They had ladies with them?' M. D'Agen said suddenly. 

'Ay, two, your Excellency, ' the clown answered, 'riding like men. In theend they did not cross for fear of the plague, but turned up the river, and rode westwards towards St. Gaultier. '

'St. Gaultier!' I said, 'Where is that? Where does the road to it go tobesides?'

But the peasant's knowledge was confined to his own neighbourhood. Heknew no world beyond St. Gaultier, and could not answer my question. Iwas about to bid him show us the way down, when Maignan cried out thathe knew more. 

'What?' I asked. 

'Arnidieu! he heard them say where they were going to spend the night!'

'Ha!' I cried. 'Where?'

'In an old ruined castle two leagues from this, and between here and St. Gaultier, ' the equerry answered, forgetting in his triumph both plagueand panic. 'What do you say to that, your Excellency? It is so, sirrah, is it not?' he continued, turning to the peasant. 'Speak, MasterJacques, or I will roast you before a slow fire!'

But I did not wait to hear the answer. Leaping to the ground, I took theCid's rein on my arm, and cried impatiently to the man to lead us down. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CASTLE ON THE HILL. 

The certainty that Bruhl and his captives were not far off, and thelikelihood that we might be engaged within the hour, expelled from theminds of even the most timorous among us the vapourish fears which hadbefore haunted them. In the hurried scramble which presently landed uson the bank of the stream, men who had ridden for hours in sulkysilence found their voices, and from cursing their horses' blunders soonadvanced to swearing and singing after the fashion of their kind. Thischange, by relieving me of a great fear, left me at leisure to considerour position, and estimate more clearly than I might have done theadvantages of hastening, or postponing, an attack. We numbered eleven;the enemy, to the best of my belief, twelve. Of this slight superiorityI should have reeked little in the daytime; nor, perhaps, countingMaignan as two, have allowed that it existed. But the result of anight attack is more difficult to forecast; and I had also to take intoaccount the perils to which the two ladies would be exposed, between thedarkness and tumult, in the event of the issue remaining for a time indoubt. 

These considerations, and particularly the last, weighed so powerfullywith me, that before I reached the bottom of the gorge I had decided topostpone the attack until morning. The answers to some questions whichI put to the inhabitant of the house by the ford as soon as I reachedlevel ground only confirmed me in this resolution. The road Bruhl hadtaken ran for a distance by the riverside, and along the bottom ofthe gorge; and, difficult by day, was reported to be impracticable forhorses by night. The castle he had mentioned lay full two leagues away, and on the farther edge of a tract of rough woodland. Finally, I doubtedwhether, in the absence of any other reason for delay, I could havemarched my men, weary as they were, to the place before daybreak. 

When I came to announce this decision, however, and to inquire whataccommodation the peasant could afford us, I found myself in trouble. Fanchette, mademoiselle's woman, suddenly confronted me, her facescarlet with rage. Thrusting herself forward into the circle of lightcast by the lanthorn, she assailed me with a virulence and fiercenesswhich said more for her devotion to her mistress than her respect forme. Her wild gesticulations, her threats, and the appeals which shemade now to me, and now to the men who stood in a circle round us, theirfaces in shadow, discomfited as much as they surprised me. 

'What!' she cried violently, 'you call yourself a gentleman, and liehere and let my mistress be murdered, or worse, within a league of you!Two leagues? A groat for your two leagues! I would walk them barefoot, if that would shame you. And you, you call yourselves men, and sufferit! It is God's truth you are a set of cravens and sluggards. Give me asmany women, and I would--'

'Peace, woman!' Maignan said in his deep voice. 'You had your way andcame with us, and you will obey orders as well as another! Be off, andsee to the victuals before worse happen to you!'

'Ay, see to the victuals!' she retorted. 'See to the victuals, forsooth!That is all you think of--to lie warm and eat your fill! A set ofdastardly, drinking, droning guzzlers you are! You are!' she retorted, her voice rising to a shriek. 'May the plague take you!'

'Silence!' Maignan growled fiercely, 'or have a care to yourself! For acopper-piece I would send you to cool your heels in the water below--forthat last word! Begone, do you hear, ' he continued, seizing her by theshoulder and thrusting her towards the house, 'or worse may happen toyou. We are rough customers, as you will find if you do not lock up yourtongue!'

I heard her go wailing into the darkness; and Heaven knows it was notwithout compunction I forced myself to remain inactive in the face of adevotion which seemed so much greater than mine. The men fell away oneby one to look to their horses and choose sleeping-quarters for thenight; and presently M. D'Agen and I were left alone standing beside thelanthorn, which the man had hung on a bush before his door. The brawlingof the water as it poured between the banks, a score of paces from us, and the black darkness which hid everything beyond the little ringof light in which we stood--so that for all we could see we were in apit--had the air of isolating us from all the world. 

I looked at the young man, who had not once lisped that day; and Iplainly read in his attitude his disapproval of my caution. Though hedeclined to meet my eye, he stood with his arms folded and his headthrown back, making no attempt to disguise the scorn and ill-temperwhich his face expressed. Hurt by the woman's taunts, and possiblyshaken in my opinion, I grew restive under his silence, and unwiselygave way to my feelings. 

'You do not appear to approve of my decision, M. D'Agen?' I said. 

'It is yours to command, sir, ' he answered proudly. 

There are truisms which have more power to annoy than the veriestreproaches. I should have borne in mind the suspense and anxiety he wassuffering, and which had so changed him that I scarcely knew him forthe gay young spark on whose toe I had trodden. I should have rememberedthat he was young and I old, and that it behoved me to be patient. Buton my side also there was anxiety, and responsibility as well; and, above all, a rankling soreness, to which I refrain from giving the nameof jealousy, though it came as near to that feeling as the differencein our ages and personal advantages (whereof the balance was all on hisside) would permit. This, no doubt, it was which impelled me to continuethe argument. 

'You would go on?' I said persistently. 

'It is idle to say what I would do, ' he answered with a flash of anger. 

'I asked for your opinion, sir, ' I rejoined stiffly. 

'To what purpose?' he retorted, stroking his small moustache haughtily, 'We look at the thing from opposite points. You, are going about yourbusiness, which appears to be the rescuing of ladies who are--may Iventure to say it? so unfortunate as to entrust themselves to yourcharge. I, M. De Marsac, am more deeply interested. More deeplyinterested, ' he repeated lamely. 'I--in a word, I am prepared, sir, todo what others only talk of--and if I cannot follow otherwise, wouldfollow on my feet!'

'Whom?' I asked curtly, stung by this repetition of my own words. 

He laughed harshly and bitterly. 'Why explain? or why quarrel?'he replied cynically. 'God knows, if I could afford to quarrel withyou, I should have done so fifty hours ago. But I need your help; and, needing it, I am prepared to do that which must seem to a person of yourcalm passions and perfect judgment alike futile and incredible--pay thefull price for it. '

'The full price for it!' I muttered, understanding nothing, except thatI did not understand. 

'Ay, the full price for it!' he repeated. And as he spoke he looked atme with an expression of rage so fierce that I recoiled a step. Thatseemed to restore him in some degree to himself, for without giving mean opportunity of answering he turned hastily from me, and, stridingaway, was in a moment lost in the darkness. 

He left me amazed beyond measure. I stood repeating his phrase about'the full price' a hundred times over, but still found it and hispassion inexplicable. To cut the matter short, I could come to no otherconclusion than that he desired to insult me, and aware of my povertyand the equivocal position in which I stood towards mademoiselle, chosehis words accordingly. This seemed a thing unworthy of one of whom Ihad before thought highly; but calmer reflection enabling me to seesomething of youthful bombast in the tirade he had delivered, I smileda little sadly, and determined to think no more of the matter for thepresent, but to persist firmly in that which seemed to me to be theright course. 

Having settled this, I was about to enter the house, when Maignanstopped me, telling me that the plague had killed five people in it, letting only the man we had seen; who had, indeed, been seized, butrecovered. This ghastly news had scared my company to such a degree thatthey had gone as far from the house as the level ground permitted, andthere lighted a fire, round which they were going to pass the night. Fanchette had taken up her quarters in the stable, and the equerryannounced that he had kept a shed full of sweet, hay for M. D'Agen andmyself. I assented to this arrangement, and after supping off soup andblack bread, which was all we could procure, bade the peasant rouse ustwo hours before sunrise; and so, being too weary and old in service toremain awake thinking, I fell asleep, and slept; soundly till a littleafter four. 

My first business on rising was to see that the men before mounting madea meal, for it is ill work fighting empty. I went round also and sawthat all had their arms, and that such as carried pistols had themloaded and primed. Francois did not put in an appearance until this workwas done, and then showed a very pale and gloomy countenance. I took noheed of him, however, and with the first streak of daylight we startedin single file and at a snail's pace up the valley, the peasant, whom Iplaced in Maignan's charge, going before to guide us, and M. D'Agen andI riding in the rear. By the time the sun rose and warmed our chilledand shivering frames we were over the worst of the ground, and were ableto advance at some speed along a track cut through a dense forest ofoak-trees. 

Though we had now risen out of the valley, the close-set trunks and theundergrowth round them prevented our seeing in any direction. For a mileor more we rode on blindly, and presently started on finding ourselveson the brow of a hill, looking down into a valley, the nearer end ofwhich was clothed in woods, while the farther widened into green slopingpastures. From the midst of these a hill or mount rose sharply up, until it ended in walls of grey stone scarce to be distinguished at thatdistance from the native rock on which they stood. 

'See!' cried our guide. 'There is the castle!'

Bidding the men dismount in haste, that the chance of our being seen bythe enemy--which was not great--might be farther lessened, I began toinspect the position at leisure; my first feeling while doing so beingone of thankfulness that I had not attempted a night attack, whichmust inevitably have miscarried, possibly with loss to ourselves, andcertainly with the result of informing the enemy of our presence. Thecastle, of which we had a tolerable view, was long and narrow in shape, consisting of two towers connected by walls, The nearer tower, throughwhich lay the entrance, was roofless, and in every way seemed to be moreruinous than the inner one, which appeared to be perfect in both itsstories. This defect notwithstanding, the place was so strong that myheart sank lower the longer I looked; and a glance at Maignan's faceassured me that his experience was also at fault. For M. D'Agen, Iclearly saw, when I turned to him, that he had never until this momentrealised what we had to expect, but, regarding our pursuit in the lightof a hunting-party, had looked to see it end in like easy fashion. Hisblank, surprised face, as he stood eyeing the stout grey walls, said asmuch as this. 

'Arnidieu!' Maignan muttered, 'give me ten men, and I would hold itagainst a hundred!'

'Tut, man, There is more than one way to Rome!' I answered oracularly, though I was far from feeling as confident as I seemed. 'Come, let usdescend and view this nut a little nearer. '

We began to trail downwards in silence, and as the path let us for awhile, out of sight of the castle, we were able to proceed with lesscaution. We had nearly reached without adventure the father skirts ofthe wood, between which and the ruin lay an interval of open ground, when we came suddenly, at the edge of a little clearing, on an old hag;who was so intent; upon tying up faggots that she did not see us untilMaignan's hand was on her shoulder. When she did, she screamed out, andescaping from him with an activity wonderful in a woman of her age, ranwith great swiftness to the side of an old man who lay at the foot of atree half a bowshot off; and whom we had not before seen. Snatching upan axe, she put herself in a posture of defence before him with gesturesand in a manner as touching in the eyes of some among us as they wereludicrous in those of others; who cried to Maignan that he had met hismatch at last, with other gibes of the kind that pass current in camps. 

I called to him to let her be, and went forward myself to the old man, who lay on a rude bed of leaves, and seemed unable to rise. Appealingto me with a face of agony not to hurt his wife, he bade her again andagain lay down her axe; but she would not do this until I had assuredher that we meant him no harm, and that my men should molest neither theone nor the other. 

'We only want to know this, ' I said, speaking slowly, in fear lest mylanguage should be little more intelligible to them than their PATOIS tome. 'There are a dozen horsemen in the old castle there, are there not?'

The man stilled his wife, who continued to chatter and mow at us, andanswered eagerly that there were; adding, with a trembling oath, thatthe robbers had beaten him, robbed him of his small store of meal, andwhen he would have protested, thrown him out, breaking his leg. 

'Then how came you here?' I said. 

'She brought me on her back, ' he answered feebly. 

Doubtless there were men in my train who would have done all that theseothers had done; but hearing the simple story told, they stamped andswore great oaths of indignation; and one, the roughest of the party, took out some black bread and gave it to the woman, whom under othercircumstances he would not have hesitated to rob. Maignan, who knewall arts appertaining to war, examined the man's leg and made a kind ofcradle for it, while I questioned the woman. 

'They are there still?' I said. 'I saw their horses tethered under thewalls. '

'Yes, God requite them!' she answered, trembling violently. 

'Tell me about the castle, my good woman, ' I said. 'How many roads intoit are there?'

'Only one. '

'Through the nearer tower?'

She said yes, and finding that she understood me, and was less dull ofintellect than her wretched appearance led me to expect, I put a seriesof questions to her which it would be tedious to detail. Suffice itthat I learned that it was impossible to enter or leave the ruin exceptthrough the nearer tower; that a rickety temporary gate barred theentrance, and that from this tower, which was a mere shell of fourwalls, a narrow square-headed doorway without a door led into the court, beyond which rose the habitable tower of two stories. 

'Do you know if they intend to stay there?' I asked

'Oh, ay, they bade me bring them faggots for their fire this morning, and I should have a handful of my own meal back, ' she answered bitterly;and fell thereon into a passion of impotent rage, shaking both herclenched hands in the direction of the castle, and screaming frenziedmaledictions in her cracked and quavering voice. 

I pondered awhile over what she had said; liking very little the thoughtof that narrow square-headed doorway through which we must pass beforewe could effect anything. And the gate, too, troubled me. It might notbe a strong one, but we had neither powder, nor guns, nor any siegeimplements, and could not pull down stone walls with our naked hands. Byseizing the horses we could indeed cut off Bruhl's retreat; but he mightstill escape in the night; and in any case our pains would only increasethe women's hardships while adding fuel to his rage. We must have someother plan. 

The sun was high by this time; the edge of the wood scarcely a hundredpaces from us. By advancing a few yards through the trees I could seethe horses feeding peacefully at the foot of the sunny slope, and evenfollow with my eyes the faint track which zigzagged up the hill tothe closed gate. No one appeared--doubtless they were sleeping offthe fatigue of the journey--and I drew no inspiration thence; but asI turned to consult Maignan my eye lit on the faggots, and I saw in aflash that here was a chance of putting into practice a stratagem as oldas the hills, yet ever fresh, and not seldom successful. 

It was no time for over-refinement. My knaves were beginning to strayforward out of curiosity, and at any moment one of our horses, scentingthose of the enemy, might neigh and give the alarm. Hastily callingM. D'Agen and Maignan to me, I laid my plan before them, and satisfiedmyself that it had their approval; the fact that I had reserved aspecial part for the former serving to thaw the reserve which hadsucceeded to his outbreak of the night before. After some debate Maignanpersuaded me that the old woman had not sufficient nerve to play thepart I proposed for her, and named Fanchette; who being called intocouncil, did not belie the opinion we had formed of her courage. Ina few moments our preparations were complete: I had donned the oldcharcoal-burner's outer rags, Fanchette had assumed those of the woman, while M. D'Agen, who was for a time at a loss, and betrayed less tastefor this part of the plan than for any other, ended by putting on thejerkin and hose of the man who had served us as guide. 

When all was ready I commended the troop to Maignan's discretion, charging him in the event of anything happening to us to continue themost persistent efforts for mademoiselle's release, and on no accountto abandon her. Having received his promise to this effect, and beingsatisfied that he would keep it, we took up each of us a great faggot, which being borne on the head and shoulders served to hide the featuresvery effectually; and thus disguised we boldly left the shelter of thetrees. Fanchette and I went first, tottering in a most natural fashionunder the weight of our burdens, while M. D'Agen followed a hundredyards behind. I had given Maignan orders to make a dash for the gate themoment he saw the last named start to run. 

The perfect stillness of the valley, the clearness of the air, and theabsence of any sign of life in the castle before us--which might havebeen that of the Sleeping Princess, so fairy-like it looked against thesky--with the suspense and excitement in our own breasts, which thesepeculiarities seemed to increase a hundred-fold, made the time thatfollowed one of the strangest in my experience. It was nearly teno'clock, and the warm sunshine flooding everything about us renderedthe ascent, laden as we were, laborious in the extreme. The crisp, short turf, which had scarcely got its spring growth, was slippery andtreacherous. We dared not hasten, for we knew not what eyes were uponus, and we dared as little after we had gone half-way--lay our faggotsdown, lest the action should disclose too much of our features. 

When we had reached a point within a hundred paces of the gate, whichstill remained obstinately closed, we stood to breathe ourselves, andbalancing my bundle on my head, I turned to make sure that all was rightbehind us. I found that M. D'Agen, intent on keeping his distance, had chosen the same moment for rest, and was sitting in a very naturalmanner on his faggot, mopping his face with the sleeve of his jerkin. I scanned the brown leafless wood, in which we had left Maignan and ourmen; but I could detect no glitter among the trees nor any appearancelikely to betray us. Satisfied on these points, I muttered a fewwords of encouragement to Fanchette, whose face was streaming withperspiration; and together we turned and addressed ourselves to ourtask, fatigue--for we had had no practice in carrying burdens on thehead--enabling us to counterfeit the decrepitude of age almost to thelife. 

The same silence prevailing as we drew nearer inspired me with not a fewdoubts and misgivings. Even the bleat of a sheep would have been welcomein the midst of a stillness which seemed ominous. But no sheep bleated, no voice hailed us. The gate, ill-hung and full of fissures, remainedclosed. Step by step we staggered up to it, and at length reached it. Afraid to speak lest my accent should betray me, I struck the forepartof my faggot against it and waited: doubting whether our whole stratagemhad not been perceived from the beginning, and a pistol-shot might notbe the retort. 

Nothing of the kind happened, however. The sound of the blow, whichechoed dully through the building, died away, and the old silenceresumed its sway. We knocked again, but fully two minutes elapsed beforea grumbling voice, as of a man aroused from sleep, was heard drawingnear, and footsteps came slowly and heavily to the gate. Probably thefellow inspected us through a loophole, for he paused a moment, and myheart sank; but the next, seeing nothing suspicious, he unbarred thegate with a querulous oath, and, pushing it open, bade us enter and bequick about it. 

I stumbled forward into the cool, dark shadow, and the woman followedme, while the man, stepping out with a yawn, stood in the entrance, stretching himself in the sunshine. The roofless tower, which smelleddank and unwholesome, was empty, or cumbered only with rubbish and heapsof stones; but looking through the inner door I saw in the courtyard asmouldering fire and half a dozen men in the act of rousing themselvesfrom sleep. I stood a second balancing my faggot, as if in doubt whereto lay it down; and then assuring myself by a swift glance that the manwho had let us in still had his back towards us, I dropped it across theinner doorway, Fanchette, as she had been instructed, plumped hers uponit, and at the same moment I sprang to the door, and taking the manthere by surprise, dealt him a violent blow between the shoulders, whichsent him headlong down the slope. 

A cry behind me, followed by an oath of alarm, told me that the actionwas observed and that now was the pinch. In a second I was back at thefaggots, and drawing a pistol from under my blouse was in time to meetthe rush of the nearest man, who, comprehending all, sprang up, and madefor me, with his sheathed sword. I shot him in the chest as he clearedthe faggots--which, standing nearly as high as a man's waist, formed atolerable obstacle--and he pitched forward at my feet. 

This balked his companions, who drew back; but unfortunately it wasnecessary for me to stoop to get my sword, which was hidden in thefaggot I had carried. The foremost of the rascals took advantage ofthis. Rushing at me with a long knife, he failed to stab me--for Icaught his wrist--but he succeeded in bringing me to the ground. Ithought I was undone. I looked to have the others swarm over upon us;and so it would doubtless have happened had not Fanchette, with rarecourage, dealt the first who followed a lusty blow on the body with agreat stick she snatched up. The man collapsed on the faggots, and thishampered the rest. The check was enough. It enabled M. D'Agen to comeup, who, dashing in through the gate, shot down the first he saw beforehim, and running at the doorway with his sword with incredible fury andthe courage which I had always known him to possess, cleared it in atwinkling. The man with whom I was engaged on the ground, seeing whathad happened, wrested himself free with the strength of despair, anddashing through the outer door, narrowly escaped being ridden down by myfollowers as they swept up to the gate at a gallop, and dismounted amida whirlwind of cries. 

In a moment they thronged in on us pell-mell, and as soon as I could laymy hand on my sword I led them through the doorway with a cheer, hopingto be able to enter the farther tower with the enemy. But the latter hadtaken the alarm too early and too thoroughly. The court was empty. Wewere barely in time to see the last man dart up a flight of outsidestairs, which led to the first story, and disappear, closing a heavydoor behind him. I rushed to the foot of the steps and would haveascended also, hoping against hope to find the door unsecured; but ashot which was fired through a loop hole and narrowly missed my head, and another which brought down one of my men, made me pause. Discerningall the advantage to be on Bruhl's side, since he could shoot us downfrom his cover, I cried a retreat; the issue of the matter leavingus masters of the entrance-tower, while they retained the inner andstronger tower, the narrow court between the two being neutral groundunsafe for either party. 

Two of their men had fled outwards and were gone, and two lay dead;while the loss on our side was confined to the man who was shot, andFanchette, who had received a blow on the head in the MELEE, and wasfound, when we retreated, lying sick and dazed against the wall. 

It surprised me much, when I came to think upon it, that I had seennothing of Bruhl, though the skirmish had lasted two or three minutesfrom the first outcry, and been attended by an abundance of noise. OfFresnoy, too, I now remembered that I had caught a glimpse only. Thesetwo facts seemed so strange that I was beginning to augur the worst, though I scarcely know why, when my spirits were marvellously raised andmy fears relieved by a thing which Maignan, who was the first to noticeit, pointed out to me. This was the appearance at an upper window of awhite 'kerchief, which was waved several times towards us. The windowwas little more than an arrow-slit, and so narrow and high besidesthat it was impossible to see who gave the signal; but my experience ofmademoiselle's coolness and resource left me in no doubt on the point. With high hopes and a lighter heart than I had worn for some time Ibestirred myself to take every precaution, and began by bidding Maignanselect two men and ride round the hill, to make sure that the enemy hadno way of retreat open to him. 

CHAPTER XXIX. PESTILENCE AND FAMINE. 

While Maignan was away about this business I despatched two men to catchour horses, which were running loose in the valley, and to remove thoseof Bruhl's party to a safe distance from the castle. I also blocked upthe lower part of the door leading into the courtyard, and named fourmen to remain under arms beside it, that we might not be taken bysurprise; an event of which I had the less fear, however, since theenemy were now reduced to eight swords, and could only escape, as wecould only enter, through this doorway. I was still busied with thesearrangements when M. D'Agen joined me, and I broke off to compliment himon his courage, acknowledging in particular the service he had done mepersonally. The heat of the conflict had melted the young man's reserve, and flushed his face with pride; but as he listened to me he graduallyfroze again, and when I ended he regarded me with the same coldhostility. 

'I am obliged to you, ' he said, bowing. 'But may I ask what next, M. DeMarsac?'

'We have no choice, ' I answered. 'We can only starve them out. '

'But the ladies?' he said, starting slightly. 'What of them?'

'They will suffer less than the men, ' I replied. 'Trust me, the latterwill not bear starving long. '

He seemed surprised, but I explained that with our small numbers wecould not hope to storm the tower, and might think ourselves fortunatethat we now had the enemy cooped up where he could not escape, and musteventually surrender. 

'Ay, but in the meantime how will you ensure the women againstviolence?' he asked, with an air which showed he was far from satisfied. 

'I will see to that when Maignan comes back, ' I answered prettyconfidently. 

The equerry appeared in a moment with the assurance that egress from thefarther side of the tower was impossible. I bade him nevertheless keepa horseman moving round the hill, that we might have intelligence ofany attempt. The order was scarcely given when a man--one of those I hadleft on guard at the door of the courtyard--came to tell me that Fresnoydesired to speak with me on behalf of M. De Bruhl. 

'Where is he?' I asked. 

'At the inner door with a flag of truce, ' was the answer. 

'Tell him, then, ' I said, without offering to move, 'that I willcommunicate with no one except his leader, M. De Bruhl. And add this, my friend, ' I continued. 'Say it aloud that if the ladies whom he hasin charge are injured by so much as a hair, I will hang every man withinthese walls, from M. De Bruhl to the youngest lackey. ' And I added asolemn oath to that effect. 

The man nodded, and went on his errand, while I and M. D'Agen, withMaignan, remained standing outside the gate, looking idly over thevalley and the brown woods through which we had ridden in the earlymorning. My eyes rested chiefly on the latter, Maignan's as it proved onthe former. Doubtless we all had our own thoughts. Certainly I had, and for a while, in my satisfaction at the result of the attack andthe manner in which we had Bruhl confined, I did not remark the gravitywhich was gradually overspreading the equerry's countenance. When I didI took the alarm, and asked him sharply what was the matter. 'I don'tlike that, your Excellency, ' he answered, pointing into the valley. 

I looked anxiously, and looked, and saw nothing. 

'What?' I said in astonishment. 

'The blue mist, ' he muttered, with a shiver. 'I have been watching itthis half-hour, your Excellency. It is rising fast. '

I cried out on him for a maudlin fool, and M. D'Agen swore impatiently;but for all that, and despite the contempt I strove to exhibit, I felta sudden chill at my heart as I recognised in the valley below the sameblue haze which had attended us through yesterday's ride, and left usonly at nightfall. Involuntarily we both fell to watching it as itrose slowly and more slowly, first enveloping the lower woods, and thenspreading itself abroad in the sunshine. It is hard to witness a boldman's terror and remain unaffected by it; and I confess I trembled. Here, in the moment of our seeming success, was something which I hadnot taken into account, something against which I could not guard eithermyself or others!

'See!' Maignan whispered hoarsely, pointing again with his linger. 'Itis the Angel of Death, your Excellency! Where he kills by ones and twos, he is invisible. But when he slays by hundreds and by thousands, men seethe shadow of his wings!'

'Chut, fool!' I retorted with, anger, which was secretly proportioned tothe impression his weird saying made on me. 'You have been in battles!Did you ever see him there? or at a sack? A truce to this folly, ' Icontinued. 'And do you go and inquire what food we have with us. It maybe necessary to send for some. '

I watched him go doggedly off, and knowing the stout nature of the manand his devotion to his master, I had no fear that he would fail us; butthere were others, almost as necessary to us, in whom I could not placethe same confidence. And these had also taken the alarm. When I turned Ifound groups of pale-faced men, standing by twos and threes at my back;who, pointing and muttering and telling one another what Maignan hadtold us, looked where we had looked. As one spoke and another listened, I saw the old panic revive in their eyes. Men who an hour or two beforehad crossed the court under fire with the utmost resolution, and daredinstant death without a thought, grew pale, and looking from this sideof the valley to that; with faltering eyes, seemed to be seeking, likehunted animals, a place of refuge. Fear, once aroused, hung is theair. Men talked in whispers of the abnormal heat, and, gazing at thecloudless sky, fled from the sunshine to the shadow; or, looking overthe expanse of woods, longed to be under cover and away from this loftyeyrie, which to their morbid eyes seemed a target for all the shafts ofdeath. 

'I was not slow to perceive the peril with which these fears andapprehensions, which rapidly became general, threatened my plans. Istrove to keep the men employed, and to occupy their thoughts as far aspossible with the enemy and his proceedings; but I soon found that evenhere a danger lurked; for Maignan, coming to me by-and-by with agrave face, told me that one of Bruhl's men had ventured out, and wasparleying with the guard on our side of the court. I went at once andbroke the matter off, threatening to shoot the fellow if he was notunder cover before I counted ten. But the scared, sultry faces he leftbehind him told me that the mischief was done, and I could think of nobetter remedy for it than to give M. D'Agen a hint, and station him atthe outer gate with his pistols ready. 

The question of provisions, too, threatened to become a serious one; Idared not leave to procure them myself, nor could I trust any of mymen with the mission. In fact the besiegers were rapidly becoming thebesieged. Intent on the rising haze and their own terrors, they forgotall else. Vigilance and caution were thrown to the winds. The stillnessof the valley, its isolation, the distant woods that encircled us andhung quivering in the heated air, all added to the panic. Despite allmy efforts and threats, the men gradually left their posts, and gettingtogether in little parties at the gate, worked themselves up to such apitch of dread that by two hours after noon they were fit for any folly;and at the mere cry of 'plague!' would have rushed to their horses andridden in every direction. 

It was plain that I could depend for useful service on myself and threeothers only--of whom, to his credit be it said, Simon Fleix was one. Seeing this, I was immensely relieved when I presently heard thatFresnoy was again seeking to speak with me. I was no longer, it will bebelieved, for standing on formalities; but glad to waive in silence thepunctilio on which I had before insisted, and anxious to afford him noopportunity of marking the slackness which prevailed among my men, Ihastened to meet him at the door of the courtyard where Maignan haddetained him. 

I might have spared my pains, however. I had no more than saluted himand exchanged the merest preliminaries before I saw that he was in astate of panic far exceeding that of my following. His coarse face, which had never been prepossessing, was mottled and bedabbled withsweat; his bloodshot eyes, when they met mine, wore the fierce yetterrified expression of an animal caught in a trap. Though his firstword was an oath, sworn for the purpose of raising his courage, thebully's bluster was gone. He spoke in a low voice, and his hands shook;and for a penny-piece I saw he would have bolted past me and taken hischance in open flight. 

I judged from his first words, uttered, as I have said, with an oath, that he was aware of his state. 'M. De Marsac, ' he said, whining like acur, 'you know me, to be a man of courage. '

I needed nothing after this to assure me that he meditated something ofthe basest; and I took care how I answered him. 'I have known you stiffenough upon occasions, ' I replied drily. 'And then, again, I have knownyou not so stiff, M. Fresnoy. '

'Only when you were in question, ' he muttered with another oath. 'Butflesh and blood cannot stand this. You could not yourself. Betweenhim and them I am fairly worn out. Give me good terms--good terms, youunderstand, M. De Marsac?' he whispered eagerly, sinking his voice stilllower, 'and you shall have all you want. '

'Your lives, and liberty to go where you please, ' I answered coldly. 'The two ladies to be first given up to me uninjured. Those are theterms. '

'But for me?' he said anxiously. 

'For you? The same as the others, ' I retorted. 'Or I will make adistinction for old acquaintance sake, M. Fresnoy; and if the ladieshave aught to complain of, I will hang you first. '

He tried to bluster and hold out for a sum of money, or at least forhis horse to be given up to him. But I had made up my mind to reward myfollowers with a present of a horse apiece; and I was besides well awarethat this was only an afterthought on his part, and that he had fullydecided to yield. I stood fast, therefore. The result justified myfirmness, for he presently agreed to surrender on those terms. 

'Ay, but M. De Bruhl?' I said, desiring to learn clearly whether he hadauthority to treat for all. 'What of him?'

He looked at me impatiently. 'Come and see!' he said, with an uglysneer. 

'No, no, my friend, ' I answered, shaking my head warily. 'That is notaccording to rule. You are the surrendering party, and it is for you totrust us. Bring out the ladies, that I may have speech with them, andthen I will draw off my men. '

'Nom de Dieu!' he cried hoarsely, with so much fear and rage in his facethat I recoiled from him. 'That is just what I cannot do. '

'You cannot?' I rejoined with a sudden thrill of horror. 'Why not? whynot, man?' And in the excitement of the moment, conceiving the idea thatthe worst had happened to the women, I pushed him back with so much furythat he laid his hand on his sword. 

'Confound you!' he stuttered, 'stand back! It is not that, I tell you!Mademoiselle is safe and sound, and madame, if she had her senses, wouldbe sound too. It is not our fault if she is not. But I have not got thekey of the rooms. It is in Bruhl's pocket, I tell you!'

'Oh!' I made answer drily. 'And Bruhl?'

'Hush, man, ' Fresnoy replied, wiping the perspiration from his brow, andbringing his pallid, ugly face, near to mine, 'he has got the plague!'

I stared at him for a moment in silence; which he was the first tobreak. 'Hush!' he muttered again, laying a trembling hand on my arm, 'if the men knew it--and not seeing him they are beginning to suspectit--they would rise on us. The devil himself could not keep them here. Between him and them I am on a razor's edge. Madame is with him, andthe door is locked. Mademoiselle is in a room upstairs, and the dooris locked. And he has the keys. What can I do? What can I do, man?' hecried, his voice hoarse with terror and dismay. 

'Get the keys, ' I said instinctively. 

'What?' From him?' he muttered, with an irrepressible shudder, whichshook his bloated cheeks. 'God forbid I should see him! It takesstout men infallibly. I should be dead by night! By God, I should!' hecontinued, whining. 'Now you are not stout, M. De Marsac. If you willcome with me I will draw off the men from that part; and you may go inand get the key from him. '

His terror, which surpassed all feeling, and satisfied me without doubtthat he was in earnest, was so intense that it could not fail to infectme. I felt my face, as I looked into his, grow to the same hue. Itrembled as he did and grew sick. For if there is a word which blanchesthe soldier's cheek and tries his heart more than another, it is thename of the disease which travels in the hot noonday, and, tainting thestrongest as he rides in his pride, leaves him in a few hours a poormass of corruption. The stoutest and the most reckless fear it; norcould I, more than another, boast myself indifferent to it, or think ofits presence without shrinking. But the respect in which a man of birthholds himself saves him from the unreasoning fear which masters thevulgar; and in a moment I recovered myself, and made up my mind what itbehoved me to do. 

'Wait awhile, ' I said sternly, 'and I will come with you. '

He waited accordingly, though with manifest impatience, while I sentfor M. D'Agen, and communicated to him what I was about to do. I did notthink it necessary to enter into details, or to mention Bruhl's state, for some of the men were well in hearing. I observed that the younggentleman received my directions with a gloomy and dissatisfied air. ButI had become by this time so used to his moods, and found myself somuch mistaken in his character, that I scarcely gave the matter a secondthought. I crossed the court with Fresnoy, and in a moment had mountedthe outside staircase and passed through the heavy doorway. 

The moment I entered, I was forced to do Fresnoy the justice ofadmitting that he had not come to me before he was obliged. The threemen who were on guard inside tossed down their weapons at sight of me, while a fourth, who was posted at a neighbouring window, hailed me witha cry of relief. From the moment I crossed the threshold the defence waspractically at an end. I might, had I chosen or found it consistent withhonour, have called in my following and secured the entrance. Withoutpausing, however, I passed on to the foot of a gloomy stone staircasewinding up between walls of rough masonry; and here Fresnoy stood on oneside and stopped. He pointed upwards with a pale face and muttered, 'Thedoor on the left. '

Leaving him there watching me as I went upwards, I mounted slowly to thelanding, and by the light of an arrow-slit which dimly lit the ruinousplace found the door he had described, and tried it with my hand. Itwas locked, but I heard someone moan in the room, and a step crossedthe floor, as if he or another came to the door and listened. I knocked, hearing my heart beat in the silence. At last a voice quite strange tome cried, 'Who is it?'

'A friend, ' I muttered, striving to dull my voice that they might nothear me below. 

'A friend!' the bitter answer came. 'Go! You have made a mistake! Wehave no friends. '

'It is I, M. De Marsac, ' I rejoined, knocking more imperatively. 'Iwould see M. De Bruhl. I must see him. '

The person inside, at whose identity I could now make a guess, uttereda low exclamation, and still seemed to hesitate. But on my repeating mydemand I heard a rusty bolt withdrawn, and Madame de Bruhl, opening thedoor a few inches, showed her face in the gap. 'What do you want?' shemurmured jealously. 

Prepared as I was to see her, I was shocked by the change in herappearance, a change which even that imperfect light failed to hide. Herblue eyes had grown larger and harder, and there were dark marks underthem. Her face, once so brilliant, was grey and pinched; her hair hadlost its golden lustre. 'What do you want?' she repeated, eyeing mefiercely. 

'To see him, ' I answered. 

'You know?' she muttered. 'You know that he--'

I nodded. 

And you still want to come in? My God! Swear you will not hurt him?'

'Heaven forbid!' I said; and on that she held the door open that I mightenter. But I was not half-way across the room before she had passed me, and was again between me and the wretched makeshift pallet. Nay, whenI stood and looked down at him, as he moaned and rolled in senselessagony, with livid face and distorted features (which the cold grey lightof that miserable room rendered doubly appalling), she hung over him andfenced him from me: so that looking on him and her, and remembering howhe had treated her, and why he came to be in this place, I felt unmanlytears rise to my eyes. The room was still a prison, a prison with brokenmortar covering the floor and loopholes for windows; but the captive washeld by other chains than those of force. When she might have gone free, her woman's love surviving all that he had done to kill it, chainedher to his side with fetters which old wrongs and present danger werepowerless to break. 

It was impossible that I could view a scene so strange without feelingsof admiration as well as pity; or without forgetting for a while, inmy respect for Madame de Bruhl's devotion, the risk which had seemed sogreat to me on the stairs. I had come simply for a purpose of my own, and with no thought of aiding him who lay here. But so great, as Ihave noticed on other occasions, is the power of a noble example, that, before I knew it, I found myself wondering what I could do to help thisman, and how I could relieve madame, in the discharge of offices whichher husband had as little right to expect at her hands as at mine. Atthe mere sound of the word Plague I knew she would be deserted in thiswilderness by all, or nearly all; a reflection which suggested to methat I should first remove mademoiselle to a distance, and then considerwhat help I could afford here. 

I was about to tell her the purpose with which I had come when aparoxysm more than ordinarily violent, and induced perhaps by theexcitement of my presence--though he seemed beside himself--seized him, and threatened to tax her powers to the utmost. I could not look on andsee her spend herself in vain; and almost before I knew what I was doingI had laid my hands on him and after a brief struggle thrust him backexhausted on the couch. 

She looked at me so strangely after that that in the half-light whichthe loopholes afforded I tried in vain to read her meaning. 'Why did youcome?' she cried at length, breathing quickly. 'You, of all men? Why didyou come? He was no friend of yours, Heaven knows!'

'No, madame, nor I of his, ' I answered bitterly, with a sudden revulsionof feeling. 

'Then why are you here?' she retorted. 

'I could not send one of my men, ' I answered. 'And I want the key of theroom above. '

At the mention of that the room above--she flinched as if I had struckher, and looked as strangely at Bruhl as she had before looked at me. Nodoubt the reference to Mademoiselle de la Vire recalled to her mindher husband's wild passion for the girl, which for the moment she hadforgotten. Nevertheless she did not speak, though her face turned verypale. She stooped over the couch, such as it was, and searching hisclothes, presently stood up, and held out the key to me. 'Take it, andlet her out, ' she said with a forced smile. 'Take it up yourself, and doit. You have done so much for her it is right that you should do this. '

I took the key, thanking her with more haste than thought, and turnedtowards the door, intending to go straight up to the floor above andrelease mademoiselle. My hand was already on the door, which madame, Ifound, had left ajar in the excitement of my entrance, when I heard herstep behind me. The next instant she touched me on the shoulder. 'Youfool!' she exclaimed, her eyes flashing, 'would you kill her?' Would yougo from him to her, and take the plague to her? God forgive me, it wasin my mind to send you. And men are such puppets you would have gone!'

I trembled with horror, as much at my stupidity as at her craft. For shewas right: in another moment I should have gone, and comprehension andremorse would have come too late. As it was, in my longing at onceto reproach her for her wickedness and to thank her for her timelyrepentance, I found no words; but I turned away in silence and went outwith a full heart. 

CHAPTER XXX. STRICKEN. 

Outside the door, standing in the dimness of the landing, I found M. D'Agen. At any other time I should have been the first to ask him why hehad left the post which I had assigned to him. But at the moment I wasoff my balance, and his presence suggested nothing more than that herewas the very person who could best execute my wishes. I held out the keyto him at arms length, and bade him release Mademoiselle de la Vire, whowas in the room above, and escort her out of the castle. 'Do not lether linger here, ' I continued urgently. 'Take her to the place where wefound the wood-cutters. You need fear no resistance. '

'But Bruhl?' he said, as he took the key mechanically from me. 

'He is out of the question, ' I answered in a low voice. 'We have donewith him. He has the plague. '

He uttered a sharp exclamation. 'What of madame, then?' he muttered. 

'She is with him, ' I said. 

He cried out suddenly at that, sucking in his breath, as I have knownmen do in pain. And but that I drew back he would have laid his hand onmy sleeve. 'With him?' he stammered. 'How is that?'

'Why, man, where else should she be?' I answered, forgetting that thesight of those two together had at first surprised me also, as well asmoved me. 'Or who else should be with him? He is her husband. '

He stared at me for a moment at that, and then he turned slowly awayand began to go up; while I looked after him, gradually thinking out theclue to his conduct. Could it be that it was not mademoiselle attractedhim, but Madame de Bruhl?

And with that hint I understood it all. I saw in a moment; theconclusion to which he had come on hearing of the presence of madamein my room. In my room at night! The change had dated from that time;instead of a careless, light-spirited youth he had become in a momenta morose and restive churl, as difficult to manage as an unbroken colt. Quite clearly I saw now the meaning of the change; why he had shrunkfrom me, and why all intercourse between us had been so difficult; andso constrained. 

I laughed to think how he had deceived himself, and how nearly I hadcome to deceiving myself also. And what more I might have thought Ido not know, for my meditations were cut short at this point by a loudoutcry below, which, beginning in one or two sharp cries of alarm andwarning, culminated quickly in a roar of anger and dismay. 

Fancying I recognised Maignan's voice, I ran down the stairs, seekinga loophole whence I could command the scene; but finding none, andbecoming more and more alarmed, I descended to the court, which Ifound, to my great surprise, as empty and silent as an old battle-field. Neither on the enemy's side nor on ours was a single man to be seen. With growing dismay I sprang across the court and darted through theouter tower, only to find that and the gateway equally unguarded. Norwas it until I had passed through the latter, and stood on the brow ofthe slope, which we had had to clamber with so much toil, that I learnedwhat was amiss. 

Far below me a string of men, bounding and running at speed, streameddown the hill towards the horses. Some were shouting, some runningsilently, with their elbows at their sides and their scabbards leapingagainst their calves. The horses stood tethered in a ring near the edgeof the wood, and by some oversight had been left unguarded. The foremostrunner I made out to be Fresnoy; but a number of his men were closeupon him, and then after an interval came Maignan, waving his blade andemitting frantic threats with every stride. Comprehending at oncethat Fresnoy and his following, rendered desperate by panic and theprospective loss of their horses, had taken advantage of my absence andgiven Maignan the slip, I saw I could do nothing save watch the resultof the struggle. 

This was not long delayed. Maignan's threats, which seemed to me merewaste of breath, were not without effect on those he followed. Thereis nothing which demoralises men like flight. Troopers who have stoodcharge after charge while victory was possible will fly like sheep, andlike sheep allow themselves to be butchered, when they have once turnedthe back. So it was here. Many of Fresnoy's men were stout fellows, but having started to run they had no stomach for fighting. Their fearscaused Maignan to appear near, while the horses seemed distant; and oneafter another they turned aside and made like rabbits for the wood. Only Fresnoy, who had taken care to have the start of all, kept on, and, reaching the horses, cut the rope which tethered the nearest, andvaulted nimbly on its back. Safely seated there, he tried to frightenthe others into breaking loose; but not succeeding at the first attempt, and seeing Maignan, breathing vengeance, coming up with him, he startedhis horse, a bright bay, and rode off laughing along the edge of thewood. 

Fully content with the result--for our carelessness might have costus very dearly--I was about to turn away when I saw that Maignan hadmounted and was preparing to follow. I stayed accordingly to see theend, and from my elevated position enjoyed a first-rate view of the racewhich ensued. Both were heavy weights, and at first Maignan gained noground. But when a couple of hundred yards had been covered Fresnoy hadthe ill-luck to blunder into some heavy ground, and this enabling hispursuer, who had time to avoid it, to get within two-score paces of him, the race became as exciting as I could wish. Slowly and surely Maignan, who had chosen the Cid, reduced the distance between them to a score ofpaces--to fifteen--to ten. Then Fresnoy, becoming alarmed, began to lookover his shoulder and ride in earnest. He had no whip, and I saw himraise his sheathed sword, and strike his beast on the flank. It sprangforward, and appeared for a few strides to be holding its own. Again herepeated the blow but this time with a different result. While his handwas still in the air, his horse stumbled, as it seemed to me, made adesperate effort to recover itself, fell headlong and rolled over andover. 

Something in the fashion of the fall, which reminded me of the mishap Ihad suffered on the way to Chize led me to look more particularly at thehorse as it rose trembling to its feet, and stood with drooping head. Sure enough, a careful glance enabled me, even at that distance, toidentify it as Matthew's bay--the trick-horse. Shading my eyes, andgazing on the scene with increased interest, I saw Maignan, who haddismounted, stoop over something on the ground, and again after aninterval stand upright. 

But Fresnoy did not rise. Nor was it without awe that, guessing what hadhappened to him, I remembered how he had used this very horse to befoolme; how heartlessly he had abandoned Matthew, its owner; and by whatmarvellous haps--which men call chances--Providence had brought it tothis place, and put it in his heart to choose it out of a score whichstood ready to his hand!

I was right. The man's neck was broken. He was quite dead. Maignanpassed the word to one, and he to another, and so it reached me on thehill. It did not fail to awaken memories both grave and wholesome. I thought of St. Jean d'Angely, of Chize, of the house in the Ruelled'Arcy; then in the midst of these reflections I heard voices, andturned to find mademoiselle, with M. D'Agen behind me. 

Her hand was still bandaged, and her dress, which she had not changedsince leaving Blois, was torn and stained with mud. Her hair was indisorder; she walked with a limp. Fatigue and apprehension had stolenthe colour from her cheeks, and in a word she looked, when I turned, sowan and miserable that for a moment I feared the plague had seized her. 

The instant, however, that she caught sight of me a wave of colourinvaded, not her cheeks only, but her brow and neck. From her hairto the collar of her gown she was all crimson. For a second she stoodgazing at me, and then, as I saluted her, she sprang forward. Had I notstepped back she would have taken my hands. 

My heart so overflowed with joy at this sight, that in the certainty herblush gave me I was fain to toy with my happiness. All jealousy of M. D'Agen was forgotten; only I thought it well not to alarm her by tellingher what I knew of the Bruhls. 'Mademoiselle, ' I said earnestly, bowing, but retreating from her, 'I thank God for your escape. One of yourenemies lies helpless here, and another is dead yonder. '

'It is not of my enemies I am thinking, ' she answered quickly, 'but ofGod, of whom you rightly remind me; and then of my friends. '

'Nevertheless, ' I answered as quickly, 'I beg you will not stay to thankthem now, but go down to the wood with M. D'Agen, who will do all thatmay be possible to make you comfortable. '

'And you, sir?' she said, with a charming air of confusion. 

'I must stay here, ' I answered, 'for a while. '

'Why?' she asked with a slight frown. 

I did not know how to tell her, and I began lamely. 'Someone must stopwith madame, ' I said without thought. 

'Madame?' she exclaimed. 'Does she require assistance? I will stop. '

'God forbid!' I cried. 

I do not know how she understood the words, but her face, which had beenfull of softness, grew hard. She moved quickly towards me; but, mindfulof the danger I carried about me, I drew farther back. 'No nearer, mademoiselle, ' I murmured, 'if you please. '

She looked puzzled, and finally angry, turning away with a sarcasticbow. 'So be it, then, sir, ' she said proudly, 'if you desire it. M. D'Agen, if you are not afraid of me, will you lead me down?'

I stood and watched them go down the hill, comforting myself with thereflection that to-morrow, or the next day, or within a few days atmost, all would be well. Scanning her figure as she moved, I fanciedthat she went with less spirit as the space increased between us. And Ipleased myself with the notion. A few days, a few hours, I thought, andall would be well. The sunset which blazed in the west was no more thana faint reflection of the glow which for a few minutes pervaded my mind, long accustomed to cold prospects and the chill of neglect. 

A term was put to these pleasant imaginings by the arrival of Maignan;who, panting from the ascent of the hill, informed me with a shamefacedair that the tale of horses was complete, but that four of our men weremissing, and had doubtless gone off with the fugitives. These provedto be M. D'Agen's two lackeys and the two varlets M. De Rambouillet hadlent us. There remained besides Simon Fleix only Maignan's three menfrom Rosny; but the state in which our affairs now stood enabled us tomake light of this. I informed the equerry--who visibly paled at thenews--that M. De Bruhl lay ill of the plague, and like to die; and Ibade him form a camp in the wood below, and, sending for food tothe house where we had slept the night before, make mademoiselle ascomfortable as circumstances permitted. 

He listened with surprise, and when I had done asked with concern what Iintended to do myself. 

'Someone must remain with Madam de Bruhl, ' I answered. 'I have alreadybeen to the bedside to procure the key of mademoiselle's room, and I runno farther risk. All I ask is that you will remain in the neighbourhood, and furnish us with supplies should it be necessary. '

He looked at me with emotion, which, strongly in conflict with his fearsas it was, touched me not a little. 'But morbleu! M. De Marsac, ' hesaid, 'you will take the plague and die. '

'If God wills, ' I answered, very lugubriously I confess, for pale looksin one commonly so fearless could not but depress me. 'But if not, Ishall escape. Any way, my friend, ' I continued, 'I owe you a quittance. Simon Fleix has an inkhorn and paper. Bid him bring them to this stoneand leave them, and I will write that Maignan, the equerry of the Baronde Rosny, served me to the end as a brave soldier and an honest friend. 'What, MON AMI?' I continued, for I saw that he was overcome by this, which was, indeed, a happy thought of mine. 'Why not? It is true, andwill acquit you with the Baron. Do it, and go. Advise M. D'Agen, and beto him what you have been to me. '

He swore two or three great oaths, such as men of his kind use to hidean excess of feeling, and after some further remonstrance went away tocarry out my orders; leaving me to stand on the brow in a strange kindof solitude, and watch horses and men withdraw to the wood, until thewhole valley seemed left to me and stillness and the grey evening. Fora time I stood in thought. Then reminding myself, for a fillip to myspirits, that I had been far more alone when I walked the streets of St. Jean friendless and threadbare (than I was now), I turned, and swingingmy scabbard against my boots for company, stumbled through the dark, silent courtyard, and mounted as cheerfully as I could to madame's room. 

To detail all that passed during the next five days would be tediousand in indifferent taste, seeing that I am writing this memoir for theperusal of men of honour; for though I consider the offices which thewhole can perform for the sick to be worthy of the attention of everyman, however well born, who proposes to see service, they seem to bemore honourable in the doing than the telling. One episode, however, which marked those days filled me then, as it does now, with the mostlively pleasure; and that was the unexpected devotion displayed by SimonFleix, who, coming to me, refused to leave, and showed himself at thispinch to be possessed of such sterling qualities that I freely forgavehim the deceit he had formerly practised on me. The fits of moodysilence into which he still fell at times and an occasional irascibilityseemed to show that he had not altogether conquered his insane fancy;but the mere fact that; he had come to me in a situation of hazard, andvoluntarily removed himself from mademoiselle's neighbourhood, gave megood hope for the future. 

M. De Bruhl died early on the morning of the second day, and Simon andI buried him at noon. He was a man of courage and address, lacking onlyprinciples. In spite of madame's grief and prostration, which were asgreat as though she had lost the best husband in the world, we removedbefore night to a separate camp in the woods; and left with the utmostrelief the grey ruin on the hill, in which, it seemed to me, we hadlived an age. In our new bivouac, where, game being abundant, and theweather warm, we lacked no comfort, except the society of our friends, we remained four days longer. On the fifth morning we met the others ofour company by appointment on the north road, and commenced the returnjourney. 

Thankful that we had escaped contagion, we nevertheless still proposedto observe for a time such precautions in regard to the others as seemednecessary; riding in the rear and having no communication with them, though they showed by signs the pleasure they felt at seeing us. Fromthe frequency with which mademoiselle turned and looked behind her, I judged she had overcome her pique at my strange conduct; which theothers should by this time have explained to her. Content, therefore, with the present, and full of confidence in the future, I rode along ina rare state of satisfaction; at one moment planning what I would do, and at another reviewing what I had done. 

The brightness and softness of the day, and the beauty of the woods, which in some places, I remember, were bursting into leaf, contributedmuch to establish me in this frame of mind. The hateful mist, whichhad so greatly depressed us, had disappeared; leaving the face of thecountry visible in all the brilliance of early spring. The men who rodebefore us, cheered by the happy omen, laughed and talked as they rode, or tried the paces of their horses, where the trees grew sparsely; andtheir jests and laughter coming pleasantly to our ears as we followed, warmed even madame's sad face to a semblance of happiness. 

I was riding along in this state of contentment when a feeling offatigue, which the distance we had come did not seem to justify, led meto spur the Cid into a brisker pace. The sensation of lassitude stillcontinued, however, and indeed grew worse; so that I wondered idlywhether I had over-eaten myself at my last meal. Then the thing passedfor awhile from my mind, which the descent of a steep hill sufficientlyoccupied. 

But a few minutes later, happening to turn in the saddle, I experienceda strange and sudden dizziness; so excessive as to force me to grasp thecantle, and cling to it, while trees and hills appeared to dance roundme. A quick, hot pain in the side followed, almost before I recoveredthe power of thought; and this increased so rapidly, and was from thefirst so definite, that, with a dreadful apprehension already formedin my mind, I thrust my hand inside my clothes, and found that swellingwhich is the most sure and deadly symptom of the plague. 

The horror of that moment--in which I saw all those things on thepossession of which I had just been congratulating myself, passhopelessly from me, leaving me in dreadful gloom--I will not attempt todescribe in this place. Let it suffice that the world lost in a momentits joyousness, the sunshine its warmth. The greenness and beauty roundme, which an instant before had filled me with pleasure, seemed on asudden no more than a grim and cruel jest at my expense, and I an atomperishing unmarked and unnoticed. Yes, an atom, a mote; the bitternessof that feeling I well remember. Then, in no long time--being asoldier--I recovered my coolness, and, retaining the power to think, decided what it behoved me to do. 

CHAPTER XXXI. UNDER THE GREENWOOD. 

To escape from my companions on some pretext, which should enable me toensure their safety without arousing their fears, was the one thoughtwhich possessed me on the subsidence of my first alarm. Probably itanswered to that instinct in animals which bids them get away alone whenwounded or attacked by disease; and with me it had the fuller play asthe pain prevailed rather by paroxysms, than in permanence, and, comingand going, allowed intervals of ease, in which I was able to thinkclearly and consecutively, and even to sit firmly in the saddle. 

The moment one of these intervals enabled me to control myself, I usedit to think where I might go without danger to others; and at once andnaturally my thoughts turned to the last place we had passed; whichhappened to be the house in the gorge where we had received news ofBruhl's divergence from the road. The man who lived there alone had hadthe plague; therefore he did not fear it. The place itself was solitary, and I could reach it, riding slowly, in half an hour. On the instantand without more delay I determined on this course. I would return, and, committing myself to the fellow's good offices, bid him deny me toothers, and especially to my friends--should they seek me. 

Aware that I bad no time to lose if I would put this plan into executionbefore the pains returned to sap my courage, I drew bridle at once, and muttered some excuse to madame; if I remember rightly, that I haddropped my gauntlet. Whatever the pretext--and my dread was great lestshe should observe any strangeness in my manner--it passed with her; byreason, chiefly, I think, of the grief which monopolised her. She let mego, and before anyone else could mark or miss me I was a hundred yardsaway on the back-track, and already sheltered from observation by a turnin the road. 

The excitement of my evasion supported me for a while after leaving her;and then for another while, a paroxysm of pain deprived me of the powerof thought. But when this last was over, leaving me weak and shaken, yetclear in my mind, the most miserable sadness and depression that can beconceived came upon me; and, accompanying me through the wood, filledits avenues (which doubtless were fair enough to others' eyes) with theblackness of despair. I saw but the charnel-house, and that everywhere. It was not only that the horrors of the first discovery returned upon meand almost unmanned me; nor only that regrets and memories, pictures ofthe past and plans for the future, crowded thick upon my mind, so thatI could have wept at the thought of all ending here. But in my weaknessmademoiselle's face shone where the wood was darkest, and, tempting andprovoking me to return--were it only to tell her that, grim and dull asI seemed, I loved her--tried me with a subtle temptation almost beyondmy strength to resist. All that was mean in me rose in arms, all thatwas selfish clamoured to know why I must die in the ditch while othersrode in the sunshine; why I must go to the pit, while others loved andlived!

And so hard was I pressed that I think I should have given way had theride been longer or my horse less smooth and nimble. But in the midst ofmy misery, which bodily pain was beginning to augment to such a degreethat I could scarcely see, and had to ride gripping the saddle with bothhands, I reached the mill. My horse stopped of its own accord. The manwe had seen before came out. I had I just strength left to tell him whatwas the matter, and what I wanted and then a fresh attack came on, withsickness, and overcome by vertigo I fell to the ground. 

I have but an indistinct idea what happened after that; until I foundmyself inside the house, clinging to the man's arm. He pointed to abox-bed in one corner of the room (which was, or seemed to my sick eyes, gloomy and darksome in the extreme), and would have had me lie down init. But something inside me revolted against the bed, and despite theforce he used, I broke away, and threw myself on a heap of straw which Isaw in another corner. 

'Is not the bed good enough for you?' he grumbled. 

I strove to tell him it was not that. 

'It should be good enough to die on, ' he continued brutally. 'There'sfive have died on that bed, I'd have you know! My wife one, and my sonanother, and my daughter another; and then my son again, and a daughteragain. Five! Ay, five in that bed!'

Brooding in the gloom of the chimney-corner, where he was busied about ablack pot, he continued to mutter and glance at me askance; but after awhile I swooned away with pain. 

When I opened my eyes again the room was darker. The man still sat whereI had last seen him, but a noise, the same, perhaps, which had rousedme, drew him as I looked to the unglazed window. A voice outside, thetones of which I seemed to know, inquired if he had seen me; and socarried away was I by the excitement of the moment that I rose on myelbow to hear the answer. But the man was staunch. I heard him deny allknowledge of me, and presently the sound of retreating hoofs and theecho of voices dying in the distance assured me I was left. 

Then, at that instant, a doubt of the man on whose compassion I hadthrown myself entered my mind. Plague-stricken, hopeless as I was, itchilled me to the very heart; staying in a moment the feeble tears I wasabout to shed, and curing even the vertigo, which forced me to clutch atthe straw on which I lay. Whether the thought arose from a sickly senseof my own impotence, or was based on the fellow's morose air and thestealthy glances he continued to cast at me, I am as unable to say as Iam to decide whether it was well-founded, or the fruit of my own fancy. Possibly the gloom of the room and the man's surly words inclined meto suspicion; possibly his secret thoughts portrayed themselves in hishang-dog visage. Afterwards it appeared that he had stripped me, whileI lay, of everything of value; but he may have done this in the beliefthat I should die. 

All I know is that I knew nothing certain, because the fear died almostas soon as it was born. The man had scarcely seated himself again, or Iconceived the thought, when a second alarm outside caused him to springto his feet. Scowling and muttering as he went, he hurried to thewindow. But before he reached it the door was dashed violently open, andSimon Fleix stood in the entrance. 

There came in with him so blessed a rush of light and life as in amoment dispelled the horror of the room, and stripped me at one and thesame time of fear and manhood. For whether I would or no, at sight ofthe familiar face, which I had fled so lately, I burst into tears; and, stretching out my hands to him, as a frightened child might have done, called on him by name. I suppose the plague was by this time so plainlywritten on my face that all who looked might read; for he stood at gaze, staring at me, and was still so standing when a hand put him aside anda slighter, smaller figure, pale-faced and hooded, stood for a momentbetween me and the sunshine. It was mademoiselle!

That, I thank God, restored me to myself, or I had been for ever shamed. I cried to them with all the voice I had left to take her away; andcalling out frantically again and again that I had the plague and shewould die, I bade the man close the door. Nay, regaining something ofstrength in my fear for her, I rose up, half-dressed as I was, and wouldhave fled into some corner to avoid her, still calling out to them totake her away, to take her away--if a fresh paroxysm had not seized me, so that I fell blind and helpless where I was. 

For a time after that I knew nothing; until someone held water to mylips, and I drank greedily, and presently awoke to the fact that theentrance was dark with faces and figures all gazing at me as I lay. ButI could not see her; and I had sense enough to know and be thankful thatshe was no longer among them. I would fain have bidden Maignan to begonetoo, for I read the consternation in his face. But I could not musterstrength or voice for the purpose, and when I turned my head to seewho held me--ah me! it comes back to me still in dreams--it wasmademoiselle's hair that swept my forehead and her hand that ministeredto me; while tears she did not try to hide or wipe away fell on my hotcheek. I could have pushed her away even then, for she was slight andsmall; but the pains came upon me, and with a sob choking my voice Ilost all knowledge. 

I am told that I lay for more than a month between life and death, now burning with fever and now in the cold fit; and that but for thetendance which never failed nor faltered, nor could have been outdonehad my malady been the least infectious in the world. I must have dieda hundred times, as hundreds round me did die week by week in that year. From the first they took me out of the house (where I think I shouldhave perished quickly, so impregnated was it with the plague poison) andlaid me under a screen of boughs in the forest, with a vast quantity ofcloaks and horse-cloths cunningly disposed to windward. Here I ran somerisk from cold and exposure and the fall of heavy dews; but, on theother hand, had all the airs of heaven to clear away the humours andexpel the fever from my brain. 

Hence it was that when the first feeble beginnings of consciousnessawoke in me again, they and the light stole in on me through greenleaves, and overhanging boughs, and the freshness and verdure of thespring woods. The sunshine which reached my watery eyes was softened byits passage through great trees, which grew and expanded as I gazedup into them, until each became a verdant world, with all a world'sdiversity of life. Grown tired of this, I had still long avenuesof shade, carpeted with flowers, to peer into; or a little woodedbottom--where the ground fell away on one side--that blazed and burnedwith redthorn. Ay, and hence it was that the first sounds I heard, whenthe fever left me at last, and I knew morning from evening, and man fromwoman, were the songs of birds calling to their mates. 

Mademoiselle and Madame de Bruhl, with Fanchette and Simon Fleix, layall this time in such shelter as could be raised for them where I lay;M. Francois and three stout fellows, whom Maignan left to guard usliving in a hut within hail. Maignan himself, after seeing out a week ofmy illness, had perforce returned to his master, and no news had sincebeen received from him. Thanks to the timely move into the woods, noother of the party fell ill, and by the time I was able to stand andspeak the ravages of the disease had so greatly decreased that fear wasat an end. 

I should waste words were I to try to describe how the peace andquietude of the life we led in the forest during the time of my recoverysank into my heart; which had known, save by my mother's bedside, littleof such joys. To awake in the morning to sweet sounds and scents, to eatwith reviving appetite and feel the slow growth of strength, to lie allday in shade or sunshine as it pleased me, and hear women's voices andtinkling laughter, to have no thought of the world and no knowledgeof it, so that we might have been, for anything we saw, in anothersphere--these things might have sufficed for happiness without thatwhich added to each and every one of them a sweeter and deeper and morelasting joy. Of which next. 

I had not begun to take notice long before I saw that M. Francois andmadame had come to an understanding; such an one, at least, as permittedhim to do all for her comfort and entertainment without committingher to more than was becoming at such, a season. Naturally this leftmademoiselle much in my company; a circumstance which would haveripened into passion the affection I before entertained for her, hadnot gratitude and a nearer observance of her merits already elevated myregard into the most ardent worship that even the youngest lover everfelt for his mistress. 

In proportion, however, as I and my love grew stronger, andmademoiselle's presence grew more necessary to my happiness--so thatwere she away but an hour I fell a-moping--she began to draw off fromme, and absenting herself more and more on long walks in the woods, by-and-by reduced me to such a pitch, of misery as bid fair to completewhat the fever had left undone. 

If this had happened in the world I think it likely that I should havesuffered in silence. But here, under the greenwood, in common enjoymentof God's air and earth, we seemed more nearly equal. She was scarcebetter dressed, than a sutler's wife; while recollections of her wealthand station, though they assailed me nightly, lost much of their pointin presence of her youth and of that fair and patient gentleness whichforest life and the duties of a nurse had fostered. 

So it happened that one day, when she had been absent longer than usual, I took my courage in my hand and went to meet her as far as the streamwhich ran through the bottom by the redthorn. Here, at a place wherethere were three stepping-stones, I waited for her; first taking awaythe stepping-stones, that she might have to pause, and, being at a loss, might be glad to see me. 

She came presently, tripping through an alley in the low wood, with hereyes on the ground, and her whole carriage full of a sweet pensivenesswhich it did me good to see. I turned my back on the stream before shesaw me, and made a pretence of being taken up with something in anotherdirection. Doubtless she espied me soon, and before she came verynear; but she made no sign until she reached the brink, and found thestepping-stones were gone. 

Then, whether she suspected me or not, she called out to me, not once, but several times. For, partly to tantalise her, as lovers will, andpartly because it charmed me to hear her use my name, I would not turnat once. 

When I did, and discovered her standing with one small foot dallyingwith the water, I cried out with well-affected concern; and in a greathurry ran towards her, paying no attention to her chiding or the pettishhaughtiness with which she spoke to me. 

'The stepping-stones are all on your side, ' she said imperiously. 

'Who has moved them?'

I looked about without answering, and at last pretended to find them;while she stood watching me, tapping the ground with one foot the while. Despite her impatience, the stone which was nearest to her I took careto bring last--that she might not cross without my assistance. But afterall she stepped over so lightly and quickly that the hand she placedin mine seemed scarcely to rest there a second. Yet when she was overI managed to retain it; nor did she resist, though her cheek, which hadbeen red before, turned crimson and her eyes fell, and bound to me bythe link of her little hand, she stood beside me with her whole figuredrooping. 

'Mademoiselle, ' I said gravely, summoning all my resolution to my aid, 'do you know of what that stream with its stepping-stones reminds me?'

She shook her head but did not answer. 

'Of the stream which has flowed between us from the day when I first sawyou at St. Jean, ' said in a low voice. 'It has flowed between us, and itstill does--separating us. '

'What stream?' she murmured, with her eyes cast down, and her footplaying with the moss. 'You speak in riddles, sir. '

'You understand this one only too well, mademoiselle, 'I answered. 'Areyou not young and gay and beautiful, while I am old, or almost old, and dull and grave? You are rich and well-thought-of at Court, and I asoldier of fortune, not too successful. What did you think of mewhen you first saw me at St. Jean? What when I came to Rosny? That, mademoiselle, ' I continued with fervour, 'is the stream which flowsbetween us and separates us; and I know of but one stepping-stone thatcan bridge it. '

She looked aside, toying with a piece of thorn-blossom she had picked. It was not redder than her cheeks. 

'That one stepping-stone, ' I said, after waiting vainly for any word orsign from her, 'is Love. Many weeks ago, mademoiselle, when I had littlecause to like you, I loved you; I loved you whether I would or not, andwithout thought or hope of return. I should have been mad had I spokento you then. Mad, and worse than mad. But now, now that I owe you mylife, now that I have drunk from your hand in fever, and, awaking earlyand late, have found you by my pillow--now that, seeing you come in andout in the midst of fear and hardship, I have learned to regard you asa woman kind and gentle as my mother--now that I love you, so that to bewith you is joy, and away from you grief, is it presumption in me now, mademoiselle, to think that that stream may be bridged?'

I stopped, out of breath, and saw that she was trembling. But she spokepresently. 'You said one stepping-stone?' she murmured. 

'Yes, ' I answered hoarsely, trying in vain to look at her face, whichshe kept averted from me. 

'There should be two, ' she said, almost in a whisper. 'Your love, sir, and--and mine. You have said much of the one, and nothing of the other. In that you are wrong, for I am proud still. And I would not cross thestream you speak of for any love of yours!'

'Ah!' I cried in sharpest pain. 

'But, ' she continued, looking up at me on a sudden with eyes that toldme all, 'because I love you I am willing to cross it--to cross it oncefor ever, and to live beyond it all my life--if I may live my life withyou. '

I fell on my knee and kissed her hand again and again in a rapture ofjoy and gratitude. By-and-by she pulled it from me. 'If you will, sir, 'she said, 'you may kiss my lips. If you do not, no man ever will. '

After that, as may be guessed, we walked every day in the forest, makinglonger and longer excursions as my strength came back to me, and thenearer parts grew familiar. From early dawn, when I brought my love aposy of flowers, to late evening, when Fanchette hurried her from me, our days were passed in a long round of delight; being filled full ofall beautiful things--love, and sunshine, and rippling streams, andgreen banks, on which we sat together under scented limes, telling oneanother all we had ever thought, and especially all we had ever thoughtof one another. Sometimes--when the light was low in the evening--wespoke of my mother; and once--but that was in the sunshine, when thebees were humming and my blood had begun to run strongly in my veins--Ispoke of my great and distant kinsman, Rohan. But mademoiselle wouldhear nothing of him, murmuring again and again in my ear, 'I havecrossed, my love, I have crossed. '

Truly the sands of that hour-glass were of gold. But in time theyran out. First M. Francois, spurred by the restlessness of youth, andconvinced that madame would for a while yield no further, left us, andwent back to the world. Then news came of great events that could notfail to move us. The King of France and the King of Navarre had met atTours, and embracing in the sight of an immense multitude, had repulsedthe League with slaughter in the suburb of St. Symphorien. Fast on thisfollowed the tidings of their march northwards with an overwhelming armyof fifty-thousand men of both religions, bent, rumour had it, on thesignal punishment of Paris. 

I grew--shame that I should say it--to think more and more of thesethings; until mademoiselle, reading the signs, told me one day that wemust go. 'Though never again, ' she added with a sigh, 'shall we be sohappy. '

'Then why go?' I asked foolishly. 

'Because you are a man, ' she answered with a wise smile, 'as I wouldhave you be, and you need something besides love. To-morrow we will go. '

'Whither?' I said in amazement. 

'To the camp before Paris, ' she answered. 'We will go back in the lightof day--seeing that we have done nothing of which to be ashamed--andthrow ourselves on the justice of the King of Navarre. You shall placeme with Madame Catherine, who will not refuse to protect me; andso, sweet, you will have only yourself to think of. Come, sir, ' shecontinued, laying her little hand in mine, and looking into my eyes, 'you are not afraid?'

'I am more afraid than ever I used to be, ' I said trembling. 

'So I would have it, ' she whispered, hiding her face on my shoulder. 'Nevertheless we will go. '

And go we did. The audacity of such a return in the face of Turenne, who was doubtless in the King of Navarre's suite, almost took my breathaway; nevertheless, I saw that it possessed one advantage which no othercourse promised--that, I mean, of setting us right in the eyes of theworld, and enabling me to meet in a straightforward manner suchas maligned us. After some consideration I gave my assent, merelyconditioning that until we reached the Court we should ride masked, andshun as far as possible encounters by the road. 

CHAPTER XXXII. A TAVERN BRAWL. 

On the following day, accordingly, we started. But the news of the twokings' successes, and particularly the certainty which these had bred inmany minds that nothing short of a miracle could save Paris, had movedso many gentlemen to take the road that we found the inns crowded beyondexample, and were frequently forced into meetings which made the taskof concealing our identity more difficult and hazardous than I hadexpected. Sometimes shelter was not to be obtained on any terms, andthen we had to lie in the fields or in any convenient shed. Moreover, the passage of the army had swept the country so bare both of food andforage, that these commanded astonishing prices; and a long day's ridemore than once brought us to our destination without securing for us theample meal we had earned, and required. 

Under these circumstances, it was with joy little short of transportthat I recognised the marvellous change which had come over my mistress. Bearing all without a murmur, or a frown, or so much as one complainingword, she acted on numberless occasions so as to convince me that shespoke truly--albeit I scarcely dared to believe it--when she said thatshe had but one trouble in the world, and that was the prospect of ourcoming separation. 

For my part, and despite some gloomy moments, when fear of the futureovercame me, I rode in Paradise riding by my mistress. It was herpresence which glorified alike the first freshness of the morning, whenwe started with all the day before us, and the coolness of the lateevening, when we rode hand-in-hand. Nor could I believe without aneffort that I was the same Gaston de Marsac who she had once spurnedand disdained. God knows I was thankful for her love. A thousand times, thinking of my grey hairs, I asked her if she did not repent; and athousand times she answered No, with so much happiness in her eyes thatI was fain to thank God again and believe her. 

Notwithstanding the inconvenience of the practice, we made it a ruleto wear our masks whenever we appeared in public; and this rule me keptmore strictly as we approached Paris. It exposed us to some comment andmore curiosity, but led to no serious trouble until we reached Etampes, twelve leagues from the capital; where we found the principal inn sonoisy and crowded, and so much disturbed by the constant coming andgoing of couriers, that it required no experience to predicate theneighbourhood of the army. The great courtyard seemed to be choked witha confused mass of men and horses, through which we made our way withdifficulty. The windows of the house were all open, and offered us aview of tables surrounded by men eating and drinking hastily, as themanner of travellers is. The gateway and the steps of the house werelined with troopers and servants and sturdy rogues; who scanned all whopassed in or out, and not unfrequently followed them with ribald jestsand nicknames. Songs and oaths, brawling and laughter, with the neighingof horses and the huzzas of the beggars, who shouted whenever a freshparty arrived, rose above all, and increased the reluctance with which Iassisted madame and mademoiselle to dismount. 

Simon was no match for such an occasion as this; but the stalwart aspectof the three men whom Maignan had left with me commanded respect, andattended by two of these I made a way for the ladies--not without someopposition and a few oaths--to enter the house. The landlord, whom wefound crushed into a corner inside, and entirely overborne by the crowdwhich had invaded his dwelling, assured me that he had not the smallestgarret he could place at my disposal; but I presently succeeded infinding a small room at the top, which I purchased from the four men whohad taken possession of it. As it was impossible to get anything toeat there, I left a man on guard, and myself descended with madame andmademoiselle to the eating-room, a large chamber set with long boards, and filled with a rough and noisy crew. Under a running fire ofobservations we entered, and found with difficulty three seats in aninner corner of the room. 

I ran my eye over the company, and noticed among them, besides a dozentravelling parties like our own, specimens of all those classes whichare to be found in the rear of an army. There were some officers andmore horse-dealers; half a dozen forage-agents and a few priests; with alarge sprinkling of adventurers, braves, and led-captains, and here andthere two or three whose dress and the deference paid to them by theirneighbours seemed to indicate a higher rank. Conspicuous among theselast were a party of four who occupied a small table by the door. Anattempt had been made to secure some degree of privacy for them byinterposing a settle between them and the room; and their attendants, who seemed to be numerous, did what they could to add to this by fillingthe gap with their persons. One of the four, a man of handsome dressand bearing, who sat in the place of honour, was masked, as we were. Thegentleman at his right hand I could not see. The others, whom I couldsee, were strangers to me. 

Some time elapsed before our people succeeded in procuring us any food, and during the interval we were exposed to an amount of comment on thepart of those round us which I found very little to my liking. Therewere not half a dozen women present, and this and our masks rendered mycompanions unpleasantly conspicuous. Aware, however, of the importanceof avoiding an altercation which might possibly detain us, and wouldbe certain to add to our notoriety, I remained quiet; and presently theentrance of a tall, dark-complexioned man, who carried himself witha peculiar swagger, and seemed to be famous for something or other, diverted the attention of the company from us. 

The new-comer was somewhat of Maignan's figure. He wore a back andbreast over a green doublet, and had an orange feather in his cap and anorange-lined cloak on his shoulder. On entering he stood a moment in thedoorway, letting his bold black eyes rove round the room, the while hetalked in a loud braggart fashion to his companions. There was a lack ofbreeding in the man's air, and something offensive in his look; which Inoticed produced wherever it rested a momentary silence and constraint. When he moved farther into the room I saw that he wore a very longsword, the point of which trailed a foot behind him. 

He chose out for his first attentions the party of four whom I havementioned; going up to them and accosting them with a ruffling air, directed especially to the gentleman in the mask. The latter lifted hishead haughtily on finding himself addressed by a stranger, but did notoffer to answer. Someone else did, however, for a sudden bellow likethat of an enraged bull proceeded from behind the settle. The words werelost in noise, the unseen speaker's anger seeming so overpowering thathe could not articulate; but the tone and voice, which were in some wayfamiliar to me, proved enough for the bully, who, covering his retreatwith a profound bow, backed out rapidly, muttering what was doubtless anapology. Cocking his hat more fiercely to make up for this repulse, he next proceeded to patrol the room, scowling from side to side as hewent, with the evident intention of picking a quarrel with someone lessformidable. 

By ill-chance his eye lit, as he turned, on our masks. He said somethingto his companions; and encouraged, no doubt, by the position ofour seats at the board, which led him to think us people of smallconsequence, he came to a stop opposite us. 

'What! more dukes here?' he cried scoffingly. 'Hallo, you sir!' hecontinued to me, 'will you not unmask and drink a glass with me?'

I thanked him civilly, but declined. 

His insolent eyes were busy, while I spoke, with madame's fair hair andhandsome figure, which her mask failed to hide. 'Perhaps the ladies willhave better taste, sir, ' he said rudely. 'Will they not honour us with asight of their pretty faces?'

Knowing the importance of keeping my temper I put constraint on myself, and answered, still with civility, that they were greatly fatigued andwere about to retire. 

'Zounds!' he cried, 'that is not to be borne. If we are to lose them sosoon, the more reason we should enjoy their BEAUX YEUX while we can. A short life and a merry one, sir. This is not a nunnery, nor, I dareswear, are your fair friends nuns. '

Though I longed to chastise him for this insult, I feigned deafness, and went on with my meal as if I had not heard him; and the table beingbetween us prevented him going beyond words. After he had uttered one ortwo coarse jests of a similar character, which cost us less as we weremasked, and our emotions could only be guessed, the crowd about us, seeing I took the thing quietly, began to applaud him; but more as itseemed to me out of fear than love. In this opinion I was presentlyconfirmed on hearing from Simon who whispered the information in myear as he handed a dish--that the fellow was an Italian captain in theking's pay, famous for his skill with the sword and the many duels inwhich he had displayed it. 

Mademoiselle, though she did not know this, bore with his insolence witha patience which astonished me; while madame appeared unconscious of it. Nevertheless, I was glad when he retired and left us in peace. I seizedthe moment of his absence to escort the ladies through the room andupstairs to their apartment, the door of which I saw locked and secured. That done I breathed more freely; and feeling thankful that I had beenable to keep my temper, took the episode to be at an end. 

But in this I was mistaken, as I found when I returned to the room inwhich we had supped, my intention being to go through it to the stables. I had not taken two paces across the floor before I found my roadblocked by the Italian, and read alike in his eyes and in the facesof the company--of whom many hastened to climb the tables to see whatpassed--that the meeting was premeditated. The man's face was flushedwith wine; proud of his many victories, he eyed me with a boastfulcontempt my patience had perhaps given him the right to feel. 

'Ha! well met, sir, ' he said, sweeping the floor with his cap in anexaggeration of respect, 'now, perhaps, your high-mightiness willcondescend to unmask? The table is no longer between us, nor are yourfair friends here to protect their CHER AMI!'

'If I still refuse, sir, ' I said civilly, wavering between anger andprudence, and hoping still to avoid a quarrel which might endangerus all, 'be good enough to attribute it to private motives, and to nodesire to disoblige you. '

'No, I do not think you wish to disoblige me, ' he answered, laughingscornfully--and a dozen voices echoed the gibe. 'But for your privatemotives, the devil take them! Is that plain enough, sir?'

'It is plain enough to show me that you are an ill-bred man!' Ianswered, choler getting the better of me. 'Let me pass, sir. '

'Unmask!' he retorted, moving so as still to detain me, 'or shall I callin the grooms to perform the office for you?'

Seeing at last that all my attempts to evade the man only fed hisvanity, and encouraged him to further excesses, and that the motleycrowd, who filled the room and already formed a circle round us, hadmade up their minds to see sport, I would no longer balk them; I couldno longer do it, indeed, with honour. I looked round, therefore, forsomeone whom I might enlist as my second, but I saw no one with whomI had the least acquaintance. The room was lined from table to ceilingwith mocking faces and scornful eyes all turned to me. 

My opponent saw the look, and misread it; being much accustomed, Iimagine, to a one-sided battle. He laughed contemptuously. 'No, myfriend, there is no way out of it, ' he said. 'Let me see your prettyface, or fight. '

'So be it, ' I said quietly. 'If I have no other choice, I will fight. '

'In your mask?' he cried incredulously. 

'Yes, ' I said sternly, feeling every nerve tingle with long-suppressedrage. 'I will fight as I am. Off with your back and breast, if you area man. And I will so deal with you that if you see to-morrow's sun youshall need a mask for the rest of your days!'

'Ho! ho!' he answered, scowling at me in surprise, 'you sing in adifferent key now. But I will put a term to it. There is space enoughbetween these tables, if you can use your weapon; and much more than youwill need to-morrow. '

'To-morrow will show, ' I retorted. 

Without more ado he unfastened the buckles of his breast-piece, andrelieving himself of it, stepped back a pace. Those of the bystanderswho occupied the part of the room he indicated--a space bounded byfour tables, and not unfit for the purpose, though somewhatconfined--hastened to get out of it, and seize instead upon neighbouringposts of 'vantage. The man's reputation was such, and his fame so great, that on all sides I heard naught but wagers offered against me at odds;but this circumstance, which might have flurried a younger man andnumbed his arm, served only to set me on making the most of suchopenings as the fellow's presumption and certainty of success would besure to afford. 

The news of the challenge running through the house had brought togetherby this time so many people as to fill the room from end to end, andeven to obscure the light, which was beginning to wane. At the lastmoment, when we were on the point of engaging, a slight commotion markedthe admission to the front of three or four persons, whose consequenceor attendants gained them this advantage. I believed them to be theparty of four I have mentioned, but at the time I could not be certain. 

In the few seconds of waiting while this went forward I examined ourrelative positions with the fullest intention of killing the man--whoseglittering eyes and fierce smile filled me with a loathing which wasvery nearly hatred--if I could. The line of windows lay to my right andhis left. The evening light fell across us, whitening the row of faceson my left, but leaving those on my right in shadow. It occurred to meon the instant that my mask was actually an advantage, seeing that itprotected my sight from the side-light, and enabled me to watch his eyesand point with more concentration. 

'You will be the twenty-third man I have killed!' he said boastfully, aswe crossed swords and stood an instant on guard. 

'Take care!' I answered. 'You have twenty-three against you!'

A swift lunge was his only answer. I parried it, and thrust, and we fellto work. We had not exchanged half a dozen blows, however, before I sawthat I should need all the advantage which my mask and greater cautiongave me. I had met my match, and it might be something more; but thatfor a time it was impossible to tell. He had the longer weapon, and Ithe longer reach. He preferred the point, after the new Italian fashion, and I the blade. He was somewhat flushed with wine, while my arm hadscarcely recovered the strength of which illness had deprived me. 

On the other hand, excited at the first by the cries of his backers, he played rather wildly; while I held myself prepared, and keeping up astrong guard, waited cautiously for any opening or mistake on his part. 

The crowd round us, which had hailed our first passes with noisy criesof derision and triumph, fell silent after a while, surprised and takenaback by their champion's failure to spit me at the first onslaught. Myreluctance to engage had led them to predict a short fight and an easyvictory. 

Convinced of the contrary, they began to watch each stroke with batedbreath; or now and again, muttering the name of Jarnac, broke intobrief exclamations as a blow more savage than usual drew sparks from ourblades, and made the rafters ring with the harsh grinding of steel onsteel. 

The surprise of the crowd, however, was a small thing compared with thatof my adversary. Impatience, disgust, rage and doubt chased one anotherin turn across his flushed features. Apprised that he had to do witha swordsman, he put forth all his power. With spite in his eyes helaboured blow on blow, he tried one form of attack after another, hefound me equal, if barely equal, to all. And then at last there came achange. The perspiration gathered on his brow, the silence disconcertedhim; he felt his strength failing under the strain, and suddenly, Ithink, the possibility of defeat and death, unthought of before, burstupon him. I heard him groan, and for a moment he fenced wildly. Thenhe again recovered himself. But now I read terror in his eyes, and knewthat the moment of retribution was at hand. With his back to the table, and my point threatening his breast, he knew at last what those othershad felt!

He would fain have stopped to breathe, but I would not let him though myblows also were growing feeble, and my guard weaker; for I knew thatif I gave him time to recover himself he would have recourse to othertricks, and might out-manoeuvre me in the end. As it was, my blackunchanging mask, which always confronted him, which hid all emotionsand veiled even fatigue, had grown to be full of terror to him--fullof blank, passionless menace. He could not tell how I fared, or what Ithought, or how my strength stood. Superstitious dread was on him, andthreatened, to overpower him. Ignorant who I was or whence I came, he feared and doubted, grappling with monstrous suspicions, which thefading light encouraged. His face broke out in blotches, his breathcame and went in gasps, his eyes began to protrude. Once or twice theyquitted mine for a part of a second to steal a despairing glance at therows of onlookers that ran to right and left of us. But he read no pitythere. 

At last the end came--more suddenly than I had looked for it, but Ithink he was unnerved. His hand lost its grip of the hilt, and a parrywhich I dealt a little more briskly than usual sent the weaponflying among the crowd, as much to my astonishment as to that of thespectators. A volley of oaths and exclamations hailed the event; and fora moment I stood at gaze, eyeing him watchfully. He shrank back; then hemade for a moment as if he would fling himself upon me dagger inhand. But seeing my point steady, he recoiled a second time, his facedistorted with rage and fear. 

'Go!' I said sternly. 'Begone! Follow your sword! But spare the next manyou conquer. '

He stared at me, fingering his dagger as if he did not understand, oras if in the bitterness of his shame at being so defeated even life wereunwelcome. I was about to repeat my words when a heavy hand fell on myshoulder. 

'Fool!' a harsh growling voice muttered in my ear. 'Do you want him toserve you as Achon served Matas? This is the way to deal with him. '

And before I knew who spoke or what to expect a man vaulted over thetable beside me. Seizing the Italian by the neck and waist, he flung himbodily--without paying the least regard to his dagger--into the crowd. 'There!' the new-comer cried, stretching his arms as if the effort hadrelieved him, 'so much for him! And do you breathe yourself. Breatheyourself, my friend, ' he continued with a vain-glorious air ofgenerosity. 'When you are rested and ready, you and I will have a bout. Mon dieu! what a thing it is to see a man! And by my faith you are aman!'

'But, sir, ' I said, staring at him in the utmost bewilderment, 'we haveno quarrel. '

'Quarrel?' he cried in his loud, ringing voice. 'Heaven forbid! Whyshould we? I love a man, however, and when I see one I say to him, "I amCrillon! Fight me!" But I see you are not yet rested. Patience! There isno hurry. Berthon de Crillon is proud to wait your convenience. In themeantime, gentlemen, ' he continued, turning with a grand air to thespectators, who viewed this sudden BOULEVERSEMENT with unboundedsurprise, 'let us do what we can. Take the word from me, and cry all, "VIVE LE ROI, ET VIVE L'INCONNU!"'

Like people awaking from a dream--so great was their astonishment thecompany complied and with the utmost heartiness. When the shout diedaway, someone cried in turn, 'Vive Crillon!' and this was honoured witha fervour which brought the tears to the eyes of that remarkable man, in whom bombast was so strangely combined with the firmest and mostreckless courage. He bowed again and again, turning himself about in thesmall space between the tables, while his face shone with pleasure andenthusiasm. Meanwhile I viewed him with perplexity. I comprehended thatit was his voice I had heard behind the settle; but I had neither thedesire to fight him nor so great a reserve of strength after my illnessas to be able to enter on a fresh contest with equanimity. When heturned to me, therefore, and again asked, 'Well, sir, are you ready?'I could think of no better answer than that I had already made to him, 'But, sir, I have no quarrel with you. '

'Tut, tut!' he answered querulously, 'if that is all, let us engage. '

'That is not all, however, ' I said, resolutely putting up my sword. 'Ihave not only no quarrel with M. De Crillon, but I received at his handswhen I last saw him a considerable service. '

'Then now is the time to return it, ' he answered briskly, and as ifthat settled the matter. 

I could not refrain from laughing. 'Nay, but I have still an excuse, 'I said. 'I am barely recovered from an illness, and am weak. Even so, I should be loth to decline a combat with some; but a better man than Imay give the wall to M. De Crillon and suffer no disgrace. '

'Oh, if you put it that way--enough said, ' he answered in a tone ofdisappointment. 'And, to be sure, the light is almost gone. That is acomfort. But you will not refuse to drink a cup of wine with me? Yourvoice I remember, though I cannot say who you are or what service I didyou. For the future, however, count on me. I love a man who is brave aswell as modest, and know no better friend than a stout swordsman. '

I was answering him in fitting terms--while the fickle crowd, which afew minutes earlier had been ready to tear me, viewed us from a distancewith respectful homage--when the masked gentleman who had before been inhis company drew near and saluted me with much stateliness. 

'I congratulate you, sir, ' he said, in the easy tone of a great mancondescending. 'You use the sword as few use it, and fight with yourhead as well as your hands. Should you need a friend or employment, you will honour me by remembering that you are known to the Vicomte deTurenne. '

I bowed low to hide the start which the mention of his name causedme. For had I tried, ay, and possessed to aid me all the wit of M. De Brantome, I could have imagined nothing more fantastic than thismeeting; or more entertaining than that I, masked, should talk with theVicomte de Turenne masked, and hear in place of reproaches and threatsof vengeance a civil offer of protection. Scarcely knowing whether Ishould laugh or tremble, or which should occupy me more, the divertingthing that had happened or the peril we had barely escaped, I made shiftto answer him, craving his indulgence if I still preserved my incognito. Even while I spoke a fresh fear assailed me: lest M. De Crillon, recognising my voice or figure, should cry my name on the spot, andexplode in a moment the mine on which we stood. 

This rendered me extremely impatient to be gone. But M. Le Vicomtehad still something to say, and I could not withdraw myself withoutrudeness. 

'You are travelling north like everyone else?' he said, gazing at mecuriously. 'May I ask whether you are for Meudon, where the King ofNavarre lies, or for the Court at St. Cloud?'

I muttered, moving restlessly under his keen eyes, that I was forMeudon. 

'Then, if you care to travel with a larger company, ' he rejoined, bowingwith negligent courtesy, 'pray command me. I am for Meudon also, andshall leave here three hours before noon. '

Fortunately he took my assent to his gracious invitation for granted, and turned away before I had well begun to thank him. From Crillon Ifound it more difficult to escape. He appeared to have conceived agreat fancy for me, and felt also, I imagine, some curiosity as tomy identity. But I did even this at last, and, evading the obsequiousoffers which were made me on all sides, escaped to the stables, whereI sought out the Cid's stall, and lying down in the straw beside him, began to review the past, and plan the future. Under cover of thedarkness sleep soon came to me; my last waking thoughts being dividedbetween thankfulness for my escape and a steady purpose to reach Meudonbefore the Vicomte, so that I might make good my tale in his absence. For that seemed to be my only chance of evading the dangers I had chosento encounter. 

CHAPTER XXXIII. AT MEUDON. 

Making so early a start from Etampes that the inn, which had continuedin an uproar till long after midnight, lay sunk in sleep when we rodeout of the yard, we reached Meudon about noon next day. I should betedious were I to detail what thoughts my mistress and I had during thatday's journey--the last, it might be, which we should take together;or what assurances we gave one another, or how often we, repented theimpatience which had impelled us to put all to the touch. Madame, withkindly forethought, detached herself from us, and rode the greater partof the distance with Fanchette; but the opportunities she gave uswent for little; for, to be plain, the separation we dreaded seemed toovershadow us already. We uttered few words, through those few were tothe purpose, but riding hand-in-hand, with full hearts, and eyes whichseldom quitted one another, looked forward to Meudon and its perilswith such gloomy forebodings as our love and my precarious positionsuggested. 

Long before we reached the town, or could see more of it than theChateau, over which the Lilies of France and the broad white bannerof the Bourbons floated in company, we found ourselves swept into thewhirlpool which surrounds an army. Crowds stood at all the cross-roads, wagons and sumpter-mules encumbered the bridges; each moment a horsemanpassed us at a gallop, or a troop of disorderly rogues, soldiers only inname, reeled, shouting and singing, along the road. Here and there, fora warning to the latter sort, a man, dangled on a rude gallows; underwhich sportsmen returning from the chase and ladies who had been for anairing rode laughing on their way. 

Amid the multitude entering the town we passed unnoticed. A little waywithin the walls we halted to inquire where the Princess of Navarre hadher lodging. Hearing that she occupied a house in the town, while herbrother had his quarters in the Chateau, and the King of France at St. Cloud, I stayed my party in a by-road, a hundred paces farther on, and, springing from the Cid, went to my mistress's knee. 

'Mademoiselle, ' I said formally, and so loudly that all my men mighthear, 'the time is come. I dare not go farther with you. I beg you, therefore, to bear me witness that as I took you so I have brought youback, and both with your good-will. I beg that you will give me thisquittance, for it may serve me. '

She bowed her head and laid her ungloved hand on mine, which I hadplaced on, the pommel of her saddle. 'Sir, ' she answered in a brokenvoice, 'I will not give you this quittance, nor any quittance from mewhile I live. ' With that she took off her mask before them all, and Isaw the tears running down her white face. 'May God protect you, M. DeMarsac, ' she continued, stooping until her face almost touched mine, 'and bring you to the thing you desire. If not, sir, and you pay toodearly for what you have done for me, I will live a maiden all my days. And, if I do not, these men may shame me!'

My heart was too full for words, but I took the glove she held out tome, and kissed her hand with my knee bent. Then I waved--for I could notspeak--to madame to proceed; and with Simon Fleix and Maignan's men toguard them they went on their way. Mademoiselle's white face looked backto me until a bend in the road hid them, and I saw them no more. 

I turned when all were gone, and going heavily to where my Sard stoodwith his head drooping, I climbed to the saddle, and rode at a foot-pacetowards the Chateau. The way was short and easy, for the next turningshowed me the open gateway and a crowd about it. A vast number of peoplewere entering and leaving, while others rested in the shade of the wall, and a dozen grooms led horses up and down. The sunshine fell hotly onthe road and the courtyard, and flashed back by the cuirasses of themen on guard, seized the eye and dazzled it with gleams of infinitebrightness. I was advancing alone, gazing at all this with a speciesof dull indifference which masked for the moment the suspense I felt atheart, when a man, coming on foot along the street, crossed quickly tome and looked me in the face. 

I returned his look, and seeing he was a stranger to me, was for passingon without pausing. But he wheeled beside me and uttered my name in alow voice. 

I checked the Cid and looked down at him. 'Yes, ' I said mechanically, 'Iam M. De Marsac. But I do not know you. '

'Nevertheless I have been watching for you for three days, ' he replied. 'M. De Rosny received your message. This is for you. '

He handed me a scrap of paper. 'From whom?' I asked. 

'Maignan, ' he answered briefly. And with that, and a stealthy lookround, he left me, and went the way he had been going before. 

I tore open the note, and knowing that Maignan could not write, wasnot surprised to find that it lacked any signature. The brevity of itscontents vied with the curtness of its bearer. 'In Heaven's name go backand wait, ' it ran. 'Your enemy is here, and those who wish you well arepowerless. '

A warning so explicit, and delivered under such circumstances, mighthave been expected to make me pause even then. But I read the messagewith the same dull indifference, the same dogged resolve with which thesight of the crowded gateway before me had inspired me. I had not comeso far and baffled Turenne by an hour to fail in my purpose at the last;nor given such pledges to another to prove false to myself. Moreover, the distant rattle of musketry, which went to show that a skirmish wastaking place on the farther side of the Castle, seemed an invitation tome to proceed; for now, if ever, my sword might earn protection and apardon. Only in regard to M. De Rosny, from whom I had no doubt that themessage came, I resolved to act with prudence; neither making any appealto him in public nor mentioning his name to others in private. 

The Cid had borne me by this time into the middle of the throng aboutthe gateway, who, wondering to see a stranger of my appearance arrivewithout attendants, eyed me with a mixture of civility and forwardness. I recognised more than one man whom I had seen about the Court at St. Jean d'Angely six months before; but so great is the disguising power ofhandsome clothes and equipments that none of these knew me. I beckonedto the nearest, and asked him if the King of Navarre was in the Chateau. 

'He has gone to see the King of France at St. Cloud, ' the man answered, with something of wonder that anyone should be ignorant of so importanta fact. 'He is expected here in an hour. '

I thanked him, and calculating that I should still have time and tospare before the arrival of M. De Turenne, I dismounted, and taking therein over my arm, began to walk up and down in the shade of the wall. Meanwhile the loiterers increased in numbers as the minutes passed. Menof better standing rode up, and, leaving their horses in charge of theirlackeys, went into the Chateau. Officers in shining corslets, or withboots and scabbards dulled with dust, arrived and clattered in throughthe gates. A messenger galloped up with letters, and was instantlysurrounded by a curious throng of questioners; who left him only togather about the next comers, a knot of townsfolk, whose downcastvisages and glances of apprehension seemed to betoken no pleasant oreasy mission. 

Watching many of these enter and disappear, while only the humblersort remained to swell the crowd at the gate, I began to experience thediscomfort and impatience which are the lot of the man who finds himselfplaced in a false position. I foresaw with clearness the injury I wasabout to do my cause by presenting myself to the king among the commonherd; and yet I had no choice save to do this, for I dared not run therisk of entering, lest I should be required to give my name, and fail tosee the King of Navarre at all. 

As it was I came very near to being foiled in this way; for I presentlyrecognised, and was recognised in turn, by a gentleman who rode up tothe gates and, throwing his reins to a groom, dismounted with an airof immense gravity. This was M. Forget, the king's secretary, and theperson to whom I had on a former occasion presented a petition. Helooked at me with eyes of profound astonishment, and saluting me stifflyfrom a distance, seemed in two minds whether he should pass in orspeak to me. On second thoughts, however, he came towards me, and againsaluted me with a peculiarly dry and austere aspect. 

'I believe, sir, I am speaking to M. De Marsac?' he said in a low voice, but not impolitely. 

I replied in the affirmative. 

'And that, I conclude, is your horse?' he continued, raising his cane, and pointing to the Cid, which I had fastened to a hook in the wall. 

I replied again in the affirmative. 

'Then take a word of advice, ' he answered, screwing up his features, andspeaking in a dry sort of way. 'Get upon its back without an instant'sdelay, and put as many leagues between yourself and Meudon as horse andman may. '

'I am obliged to you, ' I said, though I was greatly startled by hiswords. 'And what if I do not take your advice?'

He shrugged his shoulders. 'In that case look to yourself!' he retorted. 'But you will look in vain!'

He turned on his heel, as he spoke, and in a moment was gone. I watchedhim enter the Chateau, and in the uncertainty which possessed me whetherhe was not gone--after salving his conscience by giving me warning--toorder my instant arrest, I felt, and I doubt not I looked, as ill atease for the time being as the group of trembling townsfolk who stoodnear me. Reflecting that he should know his master's mind, I recalledwith depressing clearness the repeated warnings the King of Navarrehad given me that I must not look to him for reward or protection. Ibethought me that I was here against his express orders: presuming onthose very services which he had given me notice he should repudiate. I remembered that Rosny had always been in the same tale. And in fineI began to see that mademoiselle and I had together decided on a stepwhich I should never have presumed to take on my own motion. 

I had barely arrived at this conclusion when the trampling of hoofs anda sudden closing in of the crowd round the gate announced the King ofNavarre's approach. With a sick heart I drew nearer, feeling that thecrisis was at hand; and in a moment he came in sight, riding beside anelderly man, plainly dressed and mounted, with whom he was carrying onan earnest conversation. A train of nobles and gentlemen, whose martialair and equipments made up for the absence of the gewgaws and glitter, to which my eyes had become accustomed at Blois, followed close on hisheels. Henry himself wore a suit of white velvet, frayed in placesand soiled by his armour; but his quick eye and eager, almost fierce, countenance could not fail to win and keep the attention of the leastobservant. He kept glancing from side to side as he came on; and thatwith so cheerful an air and a carriage so full at once of dignity andgood-humour that no one could look on him and fail to see that here wasa leader and a prince of men, temperate in victory and unsurpassed indefeat. 

The crowd raising a cry of 'VIVE NAVARRE!' as he drew near, he bowed, with a sparkle in his eye. But when a few by the gate cried 'VIVENT LESROIS!' he held up his hand for silence, and said in a loud, clear voice, 'Not that, my friends. There is but one king in France. Let us sayinstead, "Vive le Roi!"'

The spokesman of the little group of townsfolk, who, I learned, werefrom Arcueil, and had come to complain of the excessive number of troopsquartered upon them, took advantage of the pause to approach him. Henryreceived the old man with a kindly look, and bent from his saddle tohear what he had to say. While they were talking I pressed forward, theemotion I felt on my own account heightened by my recognition of the manwho rode by the King of Navarre--who was no other than M. De la Noue. NoHuguenot worthy of the name could look on the veteran who had doneand suffered more for the cause than any living man without catchingsomething of his stern enthusiasm; and the sight, while it shamedme, who a moment before had been inclined to prefer my safety to theassistance I owed my country, gave me courage to step to the king'srein, so that I heard his last words to the men of Arcueil. 

'Patience, my friends, ' he said kindly. 'The burden is heavy, but thejourney is a short one. The Seine is ours; the circle is complete. In aweek Paris must surrender. The king, my cousin, will enter, and you willbe rid of us. For France's sake one week, my friends. '

The men fell back with low obeisances, charmed by his good-nature, andHenry, looking up, saw me before him. In the instant his jaw fell. Hisbrow, suddenly contracting above eyes, which flashed with surprise anddispleasure, altered in a moment the whole aspect of his face; whichgrew dark and stern as night. His first impulse was to pass by me; butseeing that I held my ground, he hesitated, so completely chagrined bymy appearance that he did not know how to act, or in what way to dealwith me. I seized the occasion, and bending my knee with as much respectas I had ever used to the King of France, begged to bring myself to hisnotice, and to crave his protection and favour. 

'This is no time to trouble me, sir, ' he retorted, eyeing me with anangry side-glance. 'I do not know you. You are unknown to me, sir. Youmust go to M. De Rosny. '

'It would be useless sire, ' I answered, in desperate persistence. 

'Then I can do nothing for you, ' he rejoined peevishly. 'Stand on oneside, sir. '

But I was desperate. I knew that I had risked all on the event, and mustestablish my footing before M. De Turenne's return, or run the riskof certain recognition and vengeance. I cried out, caring nothing whoheard, that I was M. De Marsac, that I had come back to meet whatever myenemies could allege against me. 

'VENTRE SAINT GRIS!' Henry exclaimed, starting in his saddle withwell-feigned surprise. 'Are you that man?'

'I am, sire, ' I answered. 

'Then you must be mad!' he retorted, appealing to those behind him. 'Stark, staring mad to show your face here! 'VENTRE SAINT GRIS! Are weto have all the ravishers and plunderers in the country come to us?'

'I am neither the one nor the other!' I answered, looking withindignation from him to the gaping train behind him. 

'That you will have to settle with M. De Turenne!' he retorted, frowningdown at me with his whole face turned gloomy and fierce. 'I know youwell, sir, now. Complaint has been made that you abducted a lady fromhis Castle of Chize some time back. '

'The lady, sire, is now in charge of the Princess of Navarre. '

'She is?' he exclaimed, quite taken aback. 

'And if she has aught of complaint against me, ' I continued with pride, 'I will submit to whatever punishment you order or M. De Turenne demands. But if she has no complaint to make, and vows that she accompanied meof her own free-will and accord, and has suffered neither wrong nordispleasure at my hands, then, sire, I claim that this is a privatematter between myself and M. De Turenne. '

'Even so I think you will have your hands full, ' he answered grimly. At the same time he stopped by a gesture those who would have cried outupon me, and looked at me himself with an altered countenance. 'Do Iunderstand that you assert that the lady went of her own accord?' heasked. 

'She went and has returned, sire, ' I answered. 

'Strange!' he ejaculated. 'Have you married her?'

'No, sire, ' I answered. 'I desire leave to do so. '

'Mon dieu! she is M. De Turenne's ward, ' he rejoined, almost dumbfoundedby my audacity. 

'I do not despair of obtaining his assent, sire, ' I said patiently. 

'SAINT GRIS! the man is mad!' he cried, wheeling his horse and facinghis train with a gesture of the utmost wonder. 'It is the strangeststory I ever heard. '

'But somewhat more to the gentleman's credit than the lady's!' one saidwith a smirk and a smile. 

'A lie!' I cried, springing forward on the instant with a boldness whichastonished myself. 'She is as pure as your Highness's sister! I swearit. That man lies in his teeth, and I will maintain it. '

'Sir!' the King of Navarre cried, turning on me with the utmoststernness, 'you forget yourself in my presence! Silence, and bewareanother time how you let your tongue run on those above you. You haveenough trouble, let me tell you, on your hands already. '

'Yet the man lies!' I answered doggedly, remembering Crillon and hisways. 'And if he will do me the honour of stepping aside with me, I willconvince him of it!'

'VENTRE SAINT GRIS!' Henry replied, frowning, and dwelling on eachsyllable of his favourite oath. 'Will you be silent, sir, and let methink? Or must I order your instant arrest?'

'Surely that at least, sire, ' a suave voice interjected. And with thata gentleman pressed forward from the rest, and gaining a place, of'vantage by the King's side, shot at me a look of extreme malevolence. 'My lord of Turenne will expect no less at your Highness's hands, ' hecontinued warmly. 'I beg you will give the order on the spot, and holdthis person to answer for his misdeeds. M. De Turenne returns to-day. He should be here now. I say again, sire, he will expect no less thanthis. '

The king, gazing at me with gloomy eyes, tugged at his moustaches. Someone had motioned the common herd to stand back out of hearing;at the same time the suite had moved up out of curiosity and formed ahalf-circle; in the midst of which I stood fronting the king, who hadLa Noue and the last speaker on either hand. Perplexity and annoyancestruggled for the mastery in his face as he looked darkly down atme, his teeth showing through his beard. Profoundly angered by myappearance, which he had taken at first to be the prelude to disclosureswhich must detach Turenne at a time when union was all-important, hehad now ceased to fear for himself; and perhaps saw something in theattitude I adopted which appealed to his nature and sympathies. 

'If the girl is really back, ' he said at last, 'M. D'Aremburg, I do-notsee any reason why I should interfere. At present, at any rate. '

'I think, sire, M. De Turenne will see reason, ' the gentleman answereddrily. 

The king coloured. 'M. De Turenne, ' he began--

'Has made many sacrifices at your request, sire, ' the other said withmeaning. 'And buried some wrongs, or fancied wrongs, in connection withthis very matter. This person has outraged him in the grossest manner, and in M. Le Vicomte's name I ask, nay I press upon you, that he beinstantly arrested, and held to answer for it. '

'I am ready to answer for it now!' I retorted, looking from face to facefor sympathy, and finding none save in M. De la Noue's, who appearedto regard me with grave approbation. 'To the Vicomte de Turenne, or theperson he may appoint to represent him. '

'Enough!' Henry said, raising his hand and speaking in the tone ofauthority he knew so well how to adopt. 'For you, M. D'Aremburg, I thankyou. Turenne is happy in his friend. But; this gentleman came to me ofhis own free will and I do not think it consistent with my honour todetain him without warning given. I grant him an hour to remove himselffrom my neighbourhood. If he be found after that time has elapsed, ' hecontinued solemnly, 'his fate be on his own head. Gentlemen, we are latealready. Let us on. '

I looked at him as he pronounced this sentence, and strove to find wordsin which to make a final appeal to him. But no words came; and when hebade me stand aside, I did so mechanically, remaining with my head baredto the sunshine while the troop rode by. Some looked back at me withcuriosity, as at a man of whom they had heard a tale, and some with ajeer on their lips; a few with dark looks of menace. When they were allgone, and the servants who followed them had disappeared also, and I wasleft to the inquisitive glances of the rabble who stood gaping after thesight, I turned and went to the Cid, and loosed the horse with a feelingof bitter disappointment. 

The plan which mademoiselle had proposed and I had adopted in the forestby St. Gaultier--when it seemed to us that our long absence and thegreat events of which we heard must have changed the world and opened apath for our return--had failed utterly. Things were as they had been;the strong were still strong, and friendship under bond to fear. Plainlywe should have shewn ourselves wiser had we taken the lowlier course, and, obeying the warnings given us, waited the King of Navarre'spleasure or the tardy recollection of Rosny. I had not then stood, as Inow stood, in instant jeopardy, nor felt the keen pangs of a separationwhich bade fair to be lasting. She was safe, and that was much; but I, after long service and brief happiness, must go out again alone, withonly memories to comfort me. 

It was Simon Fleix's voice which awakened me from this unworthylethargy--as selfish as it was useless--and, recalling me to myself, reminded me that precious time was passing while I stood inactive. Toget at me he had forced his way through the curious crowd, and his facewas flushed. He plucked me by the sleeve, regarding the varlets roundhim with a mixture of anger and fear. 

'Nom de Dieu! do they take you for a rope-dancer?' he muttered in myear. 'Mount, sir, and come. There is not a moment to be lost. '

'You left her at Madame Catherine's?' I said. 

'To be sure, ' he answered impatiently. 'Trouble not about her. Saveyourself, M. De Marsac. That is the thing to be done now. '

I mounted mechanically, and felt my courage return as the horse movedunder me. I trotted through the crowd, and without thought took the roadby which we had come. When we had ridden a hundred yards, however, Ipulled up 'An hour is a short start, ' I said sullenly. 'Whither?'

'To St. Cloud, ' he answered promptly. 'The protection of the King ofFrance may avail for a day or two. After that, there will still be theLeague, if Paris have not fallen. '

I saw there was nothing else for it, and assented, and we set off. Thedistance which separates Meudon from St. Cloud we might have riddenunder the hour, but the direct road runs across the Scholars' Meadow, a wide plain north of Meudon. This lay exposed to the enemy's fire, andwas, besides, the scene of hourly conflicts between the horse of bothparties, so that to cross it without an adequate force was impossible. Driven to make a circuit, we took longer to reach our destination, yetdid so without mishap; finding the little town, when we came in sightof it, given up to all the bustle and commotion which properly belong tothe Court and camp. 

It was, indeed, as full as it could be, for the surrender of Paris beingmomentarily expected, St. Cloud had become the rendezvous as well ofthe few who had long followed a principle as of the many who waitupon success. The streets, crowded in, every part, shone with glancingcolours, with steel and velvet, the garb of fashion and the plumes ofwar. Long lines of flags obscured the eaves and broke the sunshine, while, above all, the bells of half a dozen churches rang merry answerto the distant crash of guns. Everywhere on flag and arch and streamerI read the motto, 'Vive le Roi!'--words written, God knew then, and weknow now, in what a mockery of doom!

CHAPTER XXXIV. ''TIS AN ILL WIND. '

We had made our way slowly and with much jostling as far as theprincipal street, finding the press increase as we advanced, when Iheard, as I turned a corner, my name called, and, looking up, saw ata window the face of which I was in search. After that half a minutesufficed to bring M. D'Agen flying to my side, when nothing, as Ihad expected, would do but I must dismount; where I was and share hislodging. He made no secret of his joy and surprise at sight of me, butpausing only to tell Simon where the stable was, haled me through thecrowd and up his stairs with a fervour and heartiness which brought thetears to my eyes, and served to impress the company whom I found abovewith a more than sufficient sense of my importance. 

Seeing him again in the highest feather and in the full employment ofall those little arts and graces which served as a foil to his realworth, I took it as a great honour that he laid them aside for thenonce; and introduced me to the seat of honour and made me known to hiscompanions with a boyish directness and a simple thought for my comfortwhich infinitely pleased me. He bade his landlord, without a moment'sdelay, bring wine and meat and everything which could refresh atraveller, and was himself up and down a hundred times in a minute, calling to his servants for this or that, or railing at them for theirfailure to bring me a score of things I did not need. I hastened to makemy excuses to the company for interrupting them in the midst of theirtalk; and these they were kind enough to accept in good part. At thesame time, reading clearly in M. D'Agen's excited face and shining eyesthat he longed to be alone with me, they took the hint, and presentlyleft us together. 

'Well, ' he said, coming back from the door, to which he had conductedthem, 'what have you to tell me, my friend? She is not with you?'

'She is with Mademoiselle de la Vire at Meudon, ' I answered, smiling. 'And for the rest, she is well and in better spirits. '

'She sent me some message? he asked. 

I shook my head. 'She did not know I should see you, ' I answered. 

'But she--she has spoken of me lately?' he continued, his face falling. 

'I do not think she has named your name for a fortnight, ' I answered, laughing. 'There's for you! Why, man, ' I continued, adopting a differenttone, and laying my hand on his shoulder in a manner which reassuredhim at least; as much as my words, 'are you so young a lover as to beignorant that a woman says least of that of which she thinks most?Pluck up, courage! Unless I am mistaken, you have little to be afraid ofexcept the past. Only have patience. '

'You think so?' he said gratefully. 

I assured him that I had no doubt of it; and on that he fell into areverie, and I to watching him. Alas for the littleness of our natures!He had received me with open arms, yet at sight of the happiness whichtook possession of his handsome face I gave way to the pettiest feelingwhich can harbour in a man's breast. I looked at him with eyes of envy, bitterly comparing my lot with that which fate had reserved for him. Hehad fortune, good looks, and success on his side, great relations, andhigh hopes; I stood in instant jeopardy, my future dark, and every pathwhich presented itself so hazardous that I knew not which to adopt. Hewas young, and I past my prime; he in favour, and I a fugitive. 

To such reflections he put an end in a way which made me blush for mychurlishness. For, suddenly awaking out, of his pleasant dream, he askedme about myself and my fortunes, inquiring eagerly how I came to be inSt. Cloud, and listening to the story of my adventures with a generousanxiety which endeared him to me more and more. When I had done--and bythat time Simon had joined us, and was waiting at the lower end of theroom--he pronounced that I must see the king. 

'There is nothing else for it, ' he said. 

'I have come to see him, ' I answered. 

'Mon dieu, yes!' he continued, rising from his seat and looking at mewith a face of concern. 'No one else can help you. '

I nodded. 

'Turenne has four thousand men here. You can do nothing against somany?'

'Nothing, ' I said. 'The question is, will the king protect me?'

'It is he or no one, ' M. D'Agen answered warmly. 'You cannot see himto-night: he has a Council. To-morrow at daybreak you may. You must liehere to-night, and I will set my fellows to watch, and I think you willbe safe. I will away now and see if my uncle will help. Can you think ofanyone else who would speak for you?'

I considered, and was about to answer in the negative, when Simon, whohad listened with a scared face, suggested M. De Crillon. 

'Yes, if he would, ' M. D'Agen exclaimed, looking at the lad withapprobation. 'He has weight with the king. '

'I think he might, ' I replied slowly. 'I had a curious encounter withhim last night. And with that I told M. D'Agen of the duel I fought atthe inn. 

'Good!' he said, his eyes sparkling. 'I wish I had been there to see. Atany rate we will try him. Crillon fears no one, not even the king. '

So it was settled. For that night I was to keep close in my friend'slodging, showing not even my nose at the window. 

When he had gone on his errand, and I found myself alone in the room, I am fain to confess that I fell very low in my spirits. M. D'Agen'stravelling equipment lay about the apartment, but failed to give any butan untidy air to its roomy bareness. The light was beginning towane, the sun was gone. Outside, the ringing of bells and the distantmuttering of guns, with the tumult of sounds which rose from the crowdedstreet, seemed to tell of joyous life and freedom, and all the hopes andambitions from which I was cut off. 

Having no other employment, I watched the street, and keeping myselfwell retired from the window saw knots of gay riders pass this way andthat through the crowd, their corslets shining and their voiceshigh. Monks and ladies, a cardinal and an ambassador, passed under myeyes--these and an endless procession of townsmen and beggars, soldiersand courtiers, Gascons, Normans and Picards. Never had I seen such asight or so many people gathered together. It seemed as if half Parishad come out to make submission, so that while my gorge rose against myown imprisonment, the sight gradually diverted my mind from my privatedistresses, by bidding me find compensation for them in the speedy andglorious triumph of the cause. 

Even when the light failed the pageant did not cease, but, torches andlanthorns springing into life, turned night into day. From every sidecame sounds of revelry or strife. The crowd continued to perambulatethe streets until a late hour, with cries of 'VIVE LE ROI!' and 'VIVENAVARRE!' while now and again the passage of a great noble with hissuite called forth a fresh outburst of enthusiasm. Nothing seemedmore certain, more inevitable, more clearly predestinated than thattwenty-four hours must see the fall of Paris. 

Yet Paris did not fall. 

When M. D'Agen returned a little before midnight, he found me stillsitting in the dark looking from the window. I heard him call roughlyfor lights, and apprised by the sound of his voice that something waswrong, I rose to meet him. He stood silent awhile, twirling his smallmoustaches, and then broke into a passionate tirade, from which I wasnot slow to gather that M. De Rambouillet declined to serve me. 

'Well, ' I said, feeling for the young man's distress and embarrassment, 'perhaps he is right. '

'He says that word respecting you came this evening, ' my friendanswered, his cheeks red with shame, 'and that to countenance you afterthat would only be to court certain humiliation. I did not let him offtoo easily, I assure you, ' M. D'Agen continued, turning away to evademy gaze; 'but I got no satisfaction. He said you had his good-will, andthat to help you he would risk something, but that to do so under thesecircumstances would be only to injure himself. '

'There is still Crillon, ' I said, with as much cheerfulness as I couldassume. 'Pray Heaven he be there early! Did M. De Rambouillet sayanything else?'

'That your only chance was to fly as quickly and secretly as possible. '

'He thought; my situation desperate, then?'

My friend nodded; and scarcely less depressed on my account than ashamedon his own, evinced so much feeling that it was all I could do tocomfort him; which I succeeded in doing only when I diverted theconversation to Madame de Bruhl. We passed the short night together, sharing the same room and the same bed, and talking more than weslept--of madame and mademoiselle, the castle on the hill, and the campin the woods, of all old days in fine, but little of the future. Soonafter dawn Simon, who lay on a pallet across the threshold, roused mefrom a fitful sleep into which I had just fallen, and a few minuteslater I stood up dressed and armed, ready to try the last chance left tome. 

M. D'Agen had dressed stage for stage with me, and I had kept silence. But when he took up his cap, and showed clearly that he had it in hismind to go with me, I withstood him. 'No, I said, 'you can do me littlegood, and may do yourself much harm. '

'You shall not go without one friend, ' he cried fiercely. 

'Tut, tut!' I said. 'I shall have Simon. '

But Simon, when I turned to speak to him, was gone. Few men are at theirbravest in the early hours of the day, and it did not surprise me thatthe lad's courage had failed him. The defection only strengthened, however, the resolution I had formed that I would not injure M. D'Agen;though it was some time before I could persuade him that I was inearnest, and would go alone or not at all. In the end he had to contenthimself with lending me his back and breast, which I gladly put on, thinking it likely enough that I might be set upon before I reached thecastle. And then, the time being about seven, I parted from him withmany embraces and kindly words, and went into the street with my swordunder my cloak. 

The town, late in rising after its orgy, lay very still and quiet. Themorning was grey and warm, with a cloudy sky. The flags, which had madeso gay, a show yesterday, hung close to the poles, or flapped idly andfell dead again. I walked slowly along beneath them, keeping a sharplook-out on every side; but there were few persons moving in thestreets, and I reached the Castle gates without misadventure. Here wassomething of life; a bustle of officers and soldiers passing in and out, of courtiers whose office made their presence necessary, of beggars whohad flocked hither in the night for company. In the middle of these Irecognised on a sudden and with great surprise Simon Fleix walking myhorse up and down. On seeing me he handed it to a boy, and came up tospeak to me with a red face, muttering that four legs were better thantwo. I did not say much to him, my heart being full and my thoughtsoccupied with the presence chamber and what I should say there; butI nodded kindly to him, and he fell in behind me as the sentrieschallenged me. I answered them that I sought M. De Crillon, and sogetting by, fell into the rear of a party of three who seemed bent onthe same errand as myself. 

One of these was a Jacobin monk, whose black and white robes, byreminding me of Father Antoine, sent a chill to my heart. Thesecond, whose eye I avoided, I knew to be M. La Guesle, the king'sSolicitor-General. The third was a stranger to me. Enabled by M. LaGuesle's presence to pass the main guards without challenge, the partyproceeded through a maze of passages and corridors, conversing togetherin a low tone; while I, keeping in their train with my face cunninglymuffled, got as far by this means as the ante-chamber, which I foundalmost empty. Here I inquired of the usher for M. De Crillon, andlearned with the utmost consternation that he was not present. 

This blow, which almost stunned me, opened my eyes to the precariousnature of my position, which only the early hour and small attendancerendered possible for a moment. At any minute I might be recognisedand questioned, or my name be required; while the guarded doors of thechamber shut me off as effectually from the king's face and grace asthough I were in Paris, or a hundred leagues away. Endeavouring to thebest of my power to conceal the chagrin and alarm which possessed me asthis conviction took hold of me, I walked to the window; and to hide myface more completely and at the same time gain a moment to collect mythoughts, affected to be engaged in looking through it. 

Nothing which passed in the room, however, escaped me. I markedeverything and everyone, though all my thought was how I might get tothe king. The barber came out of the chamber with a silver basin, andstood a moment, and went in again with an air of vast importance. Theguards yawned, and an officer entered, looked round, and retired. M. LaGuesle, who had gone in to the presence, came out again and stood nearme talking with the Jacobin, whose pale nervous face and hasty movementsreminded me somehow of Simon Fleix. The monk held a letter or petitionin his hand, and appeared to be getting it by heart, for his lips movedcontinually. The light which fell on his face from the window showed itto be of a peculiar sweaty pallor, and distorted besides. But supposinghim to be devoted, like many of his kind, to an unwholesome life, Ithought nothing of this; though I liked him little, and would haveshifted my place but for the convenience of his neighbourhood. 

Presently, while I was cudgelling my brains, a person came out and spoketo La Guesle; who called in his turn to the monk, and started hastilytowards the door. The Jacobin followed. The third person who had enteredin their company had his attention directed elsewhere at the moment; andthough La Guesle called to him, took no heed. On the instant I graspedthe situation. Taking my courage in my hands, I crossed the floor behindthe monk; who, hearing me, or feeling his robe come in contact withme, presently started and looked round suspiciously, his face wearing ascowl so black and ugly that I almost recoiled from him, dreaming fora moment that I saw before me the very spirit of Father Antoine. But asthe man said nothing, and the next instant averted his gaze, I hardenedmy heart and pushed on behind him, and passing the usher, found myselfas by magic in the presence which had seemed a while ago as unattainableby my wits as it was necessary to my safety. 

It was not this success alone, however, which caused my heart to beatmore hopefully. The king was speaking as I entered, and the gay tonesof his voice seemed to promise a favourable reception. His Majesty sathalf-dressed on a stool at the farther end of the apartment, surroundedby five or six noblemen, while as many attendants, among whom I hastenedto mingle, waited near the door. 

La Guesle made as if he would advance, and then, seeing the king'sattention was not on him, held back. But in a moment the king saw himand called to him. 'Ha, Guesle!' he said with good-temper, 'is it you?Is your friend with you?'

The Solicitor went forward with the monk at his elbow, and I had leisureto remark the favourable change which had taken place in the king, whospoke more strongly and seemed in better health than of old. Hisface looked less cadaverous under the paint, his form a trifle lessemaciated. That which struck me more than anything, however, was theimprovement in his spirits. His eyes sparkled from time to time, and helaughed continually, so that I could scarcely believe that he was thesame man whom I had seen overwhelmed with despair and tortured by hisconscience. 

Letting his attention slip from La Guesle, he began to bandy words withthe nobleman who stood nearest to him; looking up at him with a roguisheye, and making bets on the fall of Paris. 

'Morbleu!' I heard him cry gaily, 'I would give a thousand pounds to seethe 'Montpensier this morning! She may keep her third crown forherself. Or, PESTE! we might put her in a convent. That would be a finevengeance!'

'The veil for the tonsure, ' the nobleman said with a smirk. 

'Ay. Why not? She would have made a monk of me, ' the king rejoinedsmartly. 'She must be ready to hang herself with her garters thismorning, if she is not dead of spite already. Or, stay, I had forgottenher golden scissors. Let her open a vein with them. Well, what does yourfriend want, La Guesle?'

I did not hear the answer, but it was apparently satisfactory, for ina minute all except the Jacobin fell back, leaving the monk standingbefore the king; who, stretching out his hand, took from him a letter. The Jacobin, trembling visibly, seemed scarcely able to support thehonour done him, and the king, seeing this, said in a voice audibleto all, 'Stand up, man. You are welcome. I love a cowl as some love alady's hood. And now, what is this?'

He read a part of the letter and rose. As he did so the monk leanedforward as though to receive the paper back again, and then so swiftly, so suddenly, with so unexpected a movement that no one stirred until allwas over, struck the king in the body with a knife! As the blade flashedand was hidden, and His Majesty with a deep sob fell back on the stool, then, and not till then, I knew that I had missed a providential chanceof earning pardon and protection. For had I only marked the Jacobin aswe passed the door together, and read his evil face aright, a word, oneword, had done for me more than the pleading of a score of Crillons!

Too late a dozen sprang forward to the king's assistance; but beforethey reached him he had himself drawn the knife from the wound andstruck the assassin with it on the head. While some, with cries ofgrief, ran to support Henry, from whose body the blood was alreadyflowing fast, others seized and struck down the wretched monk. As theygathered round him I saw him raise himself for a moment on his knees andlook upward; the blood which ran down his face, no less than themingled triumph and horror of his features, impressed the sight onmy recollection. The next instant three swords were plunged intohis breast, and his writhing body, plucked up from the floor amid atransport of curses, was forced headlong through the casement and flungdown to make sport for the grooms and scullions who stood below. 

A scene of indescribable confusion followed, some crying that theking was dead, while others called for a doctor, and some by name forDortoman. I expected to see the doors closed and all within secured, that if the man had confederates they might be taken. But there was noone to give the order. Instead, many who had neither the ENTREE norany business in the chamber forced their way in, and by their cries andpressure rendered the hub-bub and tumult a hundred times worse. In themidst of this, while I stood stunned and dumbfounded, my own risks andconcerns forgotten, I felt my sleeve furiously plucked, and, lookinground, found Simon at my elbow. The lad's face was crimson, his eyesseemed, starting from his head. 

'Come, ' he muttered, seizing my arm. 'Come!' And without furtherceremony or explanation he dragged me towards the door, while his faceand manner evinced as much heat and impatience as if he had been himselfthe assassin. 'Come, there is not a moment to be lost, ' he panted, continuing his exertions without the least intermission. 

'Whither?' I said, in amazement, as I reluctantly permitted him toforce me along the passage and through the gaping crowd on the stairs. 'Whither, man?'

'Mount and ride!' was the answer he hissed in my ear. 'Ride for yourlife to the King of Navarre--to the King of France it may be! Ride asyou have never ridden before, and tell him the news, and bid him lookto himself! Be the first, and, Heaven helping us, Turenne may do hisworst!'

I felt every nerve in my body tingle as I awoke to his meaning. Withouta word I left his arm, and flung myself into the crowd which filled thelower passage to suffocation. As I struggled fiercely with them Simonaided me by crying 'A doctor! a doctor! make way there!' and thisinduced many to give place to me under the idea that I was an accreditedmessenger. Eventually I succeeded in forcing my way through and reachingthe courtyard; being, as it turned out, the first person to issue fromthe Chateau. A dozen people sprang towards me with anxious eyes andquestions on their lips; but I ran past them and, catching the Cid, which was fortunately at hand, by the rein, bounded into the saddle. 

As I turned the horse to the gate I heard Simon cry after me. 'TheScholars' Meadow! Go that way!' and then I heard no more. I was out ofthe yard and galloping bare-headed down the pitched street, while womensnatched their infants up and ran aside, and men came startled to thedoors, crying that the League was upon us. As the good horse flung uphis head and bounded forward, hurling the gravel behind him with hoofswhich slid and clattered on the pavement, as the wind began to whistleby me, and I seized the reins in a shorter grip, I felt my heart boundwith exultation. I experienced such a blessed relief and elation as theprisoner long fettered and confined feels when restored to the air ofheaven. 

Down one street and through a narrow lane we thundered, until a brokengateway stopped with fascines--through which the Cid blundered andstumbled--brought us at a bound into the Scholars' Meadow just as thetardy sun broke through the clouds and flooded the low, wide plain withbrightness. Half a league in front of us the towers of Meudon rose toview on a hill. In the distance, to the left, lay the walls of Paris, and nearer, on the same side, a dozen forts and batteries; while hereand there, in that quarter, a shining clump of spears or a dense mass ofinfantry betrayed the enemy's presence. 

I heeded none of these things, however, nor anything except the towersof Meudon, setting the Cid's head straight for these and riding on atthe top of his speed. Swiftly ditch and dyke came into view before usand flashed away beneath us. Men lying in pits rose up and aimed at us;or ran with cries to intercept us. A cannon-shot fired from the fortby Issy tore up the earth to one side; a knot of lancers sped from theshelter of an earthwork in the same quarter, and raced us for half amile, with frantic shouts and threats of vengeance. But all such effortswere vanity. The Cid, fired by this sudden call upon his speed, andfeeling himself loosed--rarest of events--to do his best, shook the foamfrom his bit, and opening his blood-red nostrils to the wind, crouchedlower and lower; until his long neck, stretched out before him, seemed, as the sward swept by, like the point of an arrow speeding resistless toits aim. 

God knows, as the air rushed by me and the sun shone in my face, I criedaloud like a boy, and though I sat still and stirred neither hand norfoot, lest I should break the good Sard's stride, I prayed wildly thatthe horse which I had groomed with my own hands and fed with my lastcrown might hold on unfaltering to the end. For I dreamed that the fateof a nation rode in my saddle; and mindful alike of Simon's words, 'Bidhim look to himself, ' and of my own notion that the League would not beso foolish as to remove one enemy to exalt another, I thought nothingmore likely than that, with all my fury, I should arrive too late, andfind the King of Navarre as I had left the King of France. 

In this strenuous haste I covered a mile as a mile has seldom beencovered before; and I was growing under the influence of the breezewhich whipped my temples somewhat more cool and hopeful, when I saw ona sudden right before me, and between me and Meudon, a handful of menengaged in a MELEE. There were red and white jackets in it--leaguers andHuguenots--and the red coats seemed to be having the worst of it. Still, while I watched, they came off in order, and unfortunately in such a wayand at such a speed that I saw they must meet me face to face whetherI tried to avoid the encounter or not. I had barely time to take in thedanger and its nearness, and discern beyond both parties the main-guardof the Huguenots, enlivened by a score of pennons, when the Leaguerswere upon me. 

I suppose they knew that no friend would ride for Meudon at that pace, for they dashed at me six abreast with a shout of triumph; and beforeI could count a score we met. The Cid was still running strongly, and Ihad not thought to stay him, so that I had no time to use my pistols. Mysword I had out, but the sun dazzled me and the men wore corslets, and Imade but poor play with it; though I struck out savagely, as we crashedtogether, in my rage at this sudden crossing of my hopes when all seemeddone and gained. The Cid faced them bravely--I heard the distant huzzaof the Huguenots--and I put aside one point which threatened my throat. But the sun was in my eyes and something struck me on the head. Anothersecond, and a blow in the breast forced me fairly from the saddle. Gripping furiously at the air I went down, stunned and dizzy, my lastthought as I struck the ground being of mademoiselle, and the littlebrook with the stepping-stones. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 'LE ROI EST MORT!'

It was M. D'Agen's breastpiece saved my life by warding off the pointof the varlet's sword, so that the worst injury I got was the loss ofmy breath for five minutes, with a swimming in the head and a kind ofsyncope. These being past, I found myself on my back on the ground, witha man's knee on my breast and a dozen horsemen standing round me. Thesky reeled dizzily before my eyes and the men's figures loomed gigantic;yet I had sense enough to know what had happened to me, and that mattersmight well be worse. 

Resigning myself to the prospect of captivity, I prepared to ask forquarter; which I did not doubt I should receive, since they had takenme in an open skirmish, and honestly, and in the daylight. But the manwhose knee already incommoded me sufficiently, seeing me about to speak, squeezed me on a sudden so fiercely, bidding me at the same time in agruff whisper be silent, that I thought I could not do better than obey. 

Accordingly I lay still, and as in a dream, for my brain was stillclouded, heard someone say, 'Dead! Is he? I hoped we had come in time. Well, he deserved a better fate. Who is he, Rosny?'

'Do you know him, Maignan?' said a voice which sounded strangelyfamiliar. 

The man who knelt; upon me answered, 'No, my lord. He is a stranger tome. He has the look of a Norman. '

'Like enough!' replied a high-pitched voice I had not heard before. 'Forhe rode a good horse. Give me a hundred like it, and a hundred men toride as straight, and I would not envy the King of France. '

'Much less his poor cousin of Navarre, ' the first speaker rejoined in alaughing tone, 'without a whole shirt to his back or a doublet that isdecently new. Come, Turenne, acknowledge that you are not so badly offafter all!'

At that word the cloud which had darkened my faculties swept on a suddenaside. I saw that the men into whose hands I had fallen wore whitefavours, their leader a white plume; and comprehended without more thatthe King of Navarre had come to my rescue, and beaten off the Leaguerswho had dismounted me. At the same moment the remembrance of all thathad gone before, and especially of the scene I had witnessed in theking's chamber, rushed upon my mind with such overwhelming force that Ifell into a fury of impatience at the thought of the time I had wasted;and rising up suddenly I threw off Maignan with all my force, crying outthat I was alive--that I was alive, and had news. 

The equerry did his best to restrain me, cursing me under his breath fora fool, and almost; squeezing the life out of me. But in vain, for theKing of Navarre, riding nearer, saw me struggling. 'Hallo! hallo! 'tis astrange dead man, ' he cried, interposing. 'What is the meaning of this?Let him go! Do you hear, sirrah? Let him go!'

The equerry obeyed and stood back sullenly, and I staggered to my feet, and looked round with eyes which still swam and watered. On theinstant a cry of recognition greeted me, with a hundred exclamationsof astonishment. While I heard my name uttered on every side in a dozendifferent tones, I remarked that M. De Rosny, upon whom my eyesfirst fell, alone stood silent, regarding me with a face of sorrowfulsurprise. 

'By heavens, sir, I knew nothing of this!' I heard the King of Navarredeclare, addressing himself to the Vicomte de Turenne. 'The man is hereby no connivance of mine. Interrogate him yourself, if you will. Or Iwill. Speak, sir, ' he continued, turning to me with his countenance hardand forbidding. 'You heard me yesterday, what I promised you? Why, inGod's name, are you here to-day?'

I tried to answer, but Maignan had so handled me that I had not breathenough, and stood panting. 

'Your Highness's clemency in this matter, ' M. De Turenne said, with asneer, 'has been so great he trusted to its continuance. And doubtlesshe thought to find you alone. I fear I am in the way. '

I knew him by his figure and his grand air, which in any other companywould have marked him for master; and forgetting the impatience whicha moment before had consumed me--doubtless I was still light-headed--Ianswered him. 'Yet I had once the promise of your lordship'sprotection, ' I gasped. 

'My protection, sir?' he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming angrily. 

'Even so, ' I answered. 'At the inn at Etampes, where M. De Crillon wouldhave fought me. '

He was visibly taken aback. 'Are you that man?' he cried. 

'I am. But I am not here to prate of myself, ' I replied. And withthat--the remembrance of my neglected errand flashing on me again--Istaggered to the King of Navarre's side, and, falling on my knees, seized his stirrup. 'Sire, I bring you news! great news! dreadful news!'I cried, clinging to it. 'His Majesty was but a quarter of an hour agostabbed in the body in his chamber by a villain monk. And is dying, or, it may be, dead. '

'Dead? The King!' Turenne cried with an oath. 'Impossible!'

Vaguely I heard others crying, some this, some that, as surprise andconsternation, or anger, or incredulity moved them. But I did not answerthem, for Henry, remaining silent, held me spellbound and awed by themarvellous change which I saw fall on his face. His eyes became on asudden suffused with blood, and seemed to retreat under his heavy brows;his cheeks turned of a brick-red colour; his half-open lips showed histeeth gleaming through his beard; while his great nose, which seemedto curve and curve until it well-nigh met his chin, gave to his mobilecountenance an aspect as strange as it was terrifying. Withal he utteredfor a time no word, though I saw his hand, grip the riding-whip he heldin a convulsive grasp, as though his thought were ''Tis mine! Mine!Wrest it away who dares!'

'Bethink you, sir, ' he said at last, fixing his piercing eyes on me, andspeaking in a harsh, low tone, like the growling of a great dog, 'thisis no jesting-time. Nor will you save your skin by a ruse. Tell me, onyour peril, is this a trick?'

'Heaven forbid, sire!' I answered with passion. 'I was in the chamber, and saw it; with my own eyes. I mounted on the instant, and rode hitherby the shortest route to warn your Highness to look to yourself. Monksare many, and the Holy Union is not apt to stop half-way. '

I saw he believed me, for his face relaxed. His breath seemed to comeand go again, and for the tenth part of a second his eyes sought M. DeRosny's. Then he looked at me again. 

'I thank you, sir, he said, bowing gravely and courteously, 'for yourcare for me--not for your tidings, which are of the sorriest. God grantmy good cousin and king may be hurt only. Now tell us exactly--for thesegentlemen are equally interested with myself--had a surgeon seen him?'

I replied in the negative, but added that the wound was in the groin, and bled much. 

'You said a few minutes ago, "dying or already dead!"' the King ofNavarre rejoined. 'Why?'

'His Majesty's face was sunken, ' I stammered. 

He nodded. 'You may be mistaken, ' he said. 'I pray that you are. Buthere comes Mornay. He may know more. '

In a moment I was abandoned, even by M. De Turenne, so great was theanxiety which possessed all to learn the truth. Maignan alone, underpretence of adjusting a stirrup, remained beside me, and entreated me ina low voice to begone. 'Take this horse, M. De Marsac, if you will, ' heurged, 'and ride back the way you came. You have done what you came todo. Go back, and be thankful. '

'Chut!' I said, 'there is no danger. '

'You will see, ' he replied darkly, 'if you stay here. Come, come, takemy advice and the horse, ' he persisted, 'and begone! Believe me, it willbe for the best. '

I laughed outright at his earnestness and his face of perplexity. 'I seeyou have M. De Rosny's orders to get rid of me, ' I said. 'But I am notgoing, my friend. He must find some other way out of his embarrassment, for here I stay. '

'Well, your blood be on your own head, ' Maignan retorted, swinginghimself into the saddle with a gloomy face. 'I have done my best to saveyou!'

'And your master!' I answered, laughing. 

For flight was the last thing I had in my mind. I had ridden this ridewith a clear perception that the one thing I needed was a footing atCourt. By the special kindness of Providence I had now gained this;and I was not the man to resign it because it proved to be scanty andperilous. It was something that I had spoken to the great Vicomte faceto face and not been consumed, that I had given him look for look andstill survived, that I had put in practice Crillon's lessons and come tono harm. 

Nor was this all. I had never in the worst times blamed the King ofNavarre for his denial of me, I had been foolish, indeed, seeing that itwas in the bargain, had I done so; nor had I ever doubted his good-willor his readiness to reward me should occasion arise. Now, I flatteredmyself, I had given him that which he needed, and had hithertolacked--an excuse, I mean, for interference in my behalf. 

Whether I was right or wrong in this notion I was soon to learn, for atthis moment Henry's cavalcade, which had left me a hundred paces behind, came to a stop, and while some of the number waved to me to come on, onespurred back to summon me to the king. I hastened to obey the orderas fast as I could, but I saw on approaching that though all was at astandstill till I came up, neither the King of Navarre nor M. De Turennewas thinking principally of me. Every face, from Henry's to that of hisleast important courtier, wore an air of grave preoccupation; which Ihad no difficulty in ascribing to the doubt present in every mind, andoutweighing every interest, whether the King of France was dead, ordying, or merely wounded. 

'Quick, sir!' Henry said with impatience, as soon as I came withinhearing. 'Do not detain me with your affairs longer than is necessary. M. De Turenne presses me to carry into effect the order I gaveyesterday. But as you have placed yourself in jeopardy on my account Ifeel that; something is due to you. You will be good enough, therefore, to present yourself at once at M. La Varenne's lodging, and give meyour parole to remain there without stirring abroad until your affair isconcluded. '

Aware that I owed this respite, which at once secured my present safetyand promised well for the future, to the great event that, even in M. DeTurenne's mind, had overshadowed all others, I bowed in silence. Henry, however, was not content with this. 'Come, sir, ' he said sharply, andwith every appearance of anger, 'do you agree to that?'

I replied humbly that I thanked him for his clemency. 

'There is no need of thanks, ' he replied coldly. 'What I have done iswithout prejudice to M. De Turenne's complaint. He must have justice. '

I bowed again, and in a moment the troop were gone at a gallop towardsMeudon, whence, as I afterwards learned, the King of Navarre, attendedby a select body of five-and-twenty horsemen, wearing private arms, rode on at full speed to St. Cloud to present himself at his Majesty'sbedside. A groom who had caught the Cid, which had escaped into the townwith no other injury than a slight wound in the shoulder, by-and-by metme with the horse; and in this way I was enabled to render myself withsome decency at Varenne's lodging, a small house at the foot of thehill, not far from the Castle-gate. 

Here I found myself under no greater constraint than that which my ownparole laid upon me; and my room having the conveniency of a windowlooking upon the public street, I was enabled from hour to hour tocomprehend and enter into the various alarms and surprises which madethat day remarkable. The manifold reports which flew from mouth to mouthon the occasion, as well as the overmastering excitement which seizedall, are so well remembered, however, that I forbear to dwell upon them, though they served to distract my mind from my own position. Suffice itthat at one moment we heard that His Majesty was dead, at another thatthe wound was skin deep, and again that we might expect him at Meudonbefore sunset. The rumour that the Duchess de Montpensier had takenpoison was no sooner believed than we were asked to listen to the gunsof Paris firing FEUX DE JOIE in honour of the King's death. 

The streets were so closely packed with persons telling and hearingthese tales that I seemed from my window to be looking on a fair. Norwas all my amusement withoutdoors; for a number of the gentlemen of theCourt, hearing that I had been at St. Cloud in the morning, and in thevery chamber, a thing which made me for the moment the most desirablecompanion in the world, remembered on a sudden that they had a slightacquaintance with me, and honoured me by calling upon me and sittinga great part of the day with me. From which circumstance I confess Iderived as much hope as they diversion; knowing that courtiers are thebest weather-prophets in the world, who hate nothing so much as to bediscovered in the company of those on whom the sun does not shine. 

The return of the King of Navarre, which happened about the middle ofthe afternoon, while it dissipated the fears of some and dashed thehopes of others, put an end to this state of uncertainty by confirming, to the surprise of many, that His Majesty was in no danger. We learnedwith varying emotions that the first appearances, which had deceived, not myself only, but experienced leeches, had been themselves belied bysubsequent conditions; and that, in a word, Paris had as much to fear, and loyal men as much to hope, as before this wicked and audaciousattempt. 

I had no more than stomached this surprising information, which was lesswelcome to me, I confess, than it should have been, when the arrival ofM. D'Agen, who greeted me with the affection which he never failed toshow me, distracted my thoughts for a time. Immediately on learningwhere I was and, the strange adventures which had befallen me he hadridden off; stopping only once, when he had nearly reached me, for thepurpose of waiting on Madame de Bruhl. I asked him how she had receivedhim. 

'Like herself, ' he replied with an ingenuous blush. 'More kindly than Ihad a right to expect, if not as warmly as I had the courage to hope. '

'That will come with time, ' I said, laughing. 'And Mademoiselle de laVire?'

'I did not see her, ' he answered, 'but I heard she was well. And ahundred fathoms deeper in love, ' he added, eyeing me roguishly, 'thanwhen I saw her last. '

It was my turn to colour now, and I did so, feeling all the pleasureand delight such, a statement was calculated to afford me. Picturingmademoiselle as I had seen her last, leaning from her horse with lovewritten so plainly on her weeping face that all who ran might read, Isank into so delicious a reverie that M. La Varenne, entering suddenly, surprised us both before another word passed on either side. 

His look and tone were as abrupt as it was in his nature, which was softand compliant, to make them. 'M. De Marsac, ' he said, 'I am sorry toput any constraint upon you, but I am directed to forbid you to yourfriends. And I must request this gentleman to withdraw. '

'But all day my friends have come in and out, ' I said with surprise. 'Isthis a new order?'

'A written order, which reached me no farther back than two minutes ago, 'he answered plainly. 'I am also directed to remove you to a room at theback of the house, that you may not overlook the street. '

'But my parole was taken, ' I cried, with a natural feeling ofindignation. 

He shrugged his shoulders. 'I am sorry to say that I have nothing todo with that, ' he answered. 'I can only obey orders. I must ask thisgentleman, therefore, to withdraw. '

Of course M. D'Agen had no option but to leave me; which he did, I couldsee, notwithstanding his easy and confident expressions, with a gooddeal of mistrust and apprehension. When he was gone, La Varenne lostno time in carrying out the remainder of his orders. As a consequence Ifound myself confined to a small and gloomy apartment which looked, ata distance of three paces, upon the smooth face of the rock on which theCastle stood. This change, from a window which commanded all the lifeof the town, and intercepted every breath of popular fancy, to a closetwhither no sounds penetrated, and where the very transition from noon toevening scarcely made itself known, could not fail to depress my spiritssensibly; the more as I took it to be significant of a change in myfortunes fully as grave. Reflecting that I must now appear to the Kingof Navarre in the light of a bearer of false tidings, I associated theorder to confine me more closely with his return from St. Cloud; andcomprehending that M. De Turenne was once more at liberty to attend tomy affairs, I began to look about me with forebodings which were nonethe less painful because the parole I had given debarred me from anyattempt to escape. 

Sleep and habit enabled me, nevertheless, to pass the night in comfort. Very early in the morning a great firing of guns, which made itselfheard even in my quarters, led me to suppose that Paris had surrendered;but the servant who brought me my breakfast; declined in a surly fashionto give me any information. In the end, I spent the whole day alone, mythoughts divided between my mistress and my own prospects, which seemedto grow more and more gloomy as the hours succeeded one another. No onecame near me, no step broke the silence of the house; and for a whileI thought my guardians had forgotten even that I needed food. Thisomission, it is true, was made good about sunset, but still M. LaVarenne did not appear, the servant seemed to be dumb, and I heard nosounds in the house. 

I had finished my meal an hour or more, and the room was growing dark, when the silence was at last broken by quick steps passing along theentrance. They paused, and seemed to hesitate at the foot of the stairs, but the next moment they came on again, and stopped at my door. I rosefrom my seat on hearing the key turned in the lock, and my astonishmentmay be conceived when I saw no other than M. De Turenne enter, and closethe door behind him. 

He saluted me in a haughty manner as he advanced to the table, raisinghis cap for an instant and then replacing it. This done he stood lookingat me, and I at him, in a silence which on my side was the result ofpure astonishment; on his, of contempt and a kind of wonder. The eveninglight, which was fast failing, lent a sombre whiteness to his face, causing it to stand out from the shadows behind him in a way which wasnot without its influence on me. 

'Well!' he said at, last, speaking slowly and with unimaginableinsolence, 'I am here to look at you!'

I felt my anger rise, and gave him back look for look. 'At your will, ' Isaid, shrugging my shoulders. 

'And to solve a question, ' he continued in the same tone. 'To learnwhether the man who was mad enough to insult and defy me was the oldpenniless dullard some called him, or the dare-devil others paintedhim. '

'You are satisfied now?' I said. 

He eyed me for a moment closely; then with sudden heat he cried, 'Curseme if I am! Nor whether I have to do with a man very deep or veryshallow, a fool or a knave!'

'You may say what you please to a prisoner, ' I retorted coldly. 

'Turenne commonly does--to whom he pleases!' he answered. The nextmoment he made me start by saying, as he drew out a comfit-box andopened it, 'I am just from the little fool you have bewitched. If shewere in my power I would have her whipped and put on bread and watertill she came to her senses. As she is not, I must take another way. Have you any idea, may I ask, ' he continued in his cynical tone, 'whatis going to become of you, M. De Marsac?'

I replied, my heart inexpressibly lightened by what he had said ofmademoiselle, that I placed the fullest confidence in the justice of theKing of Navarre. 

He repeated the name in a tone, I did not understand. 

'Yes, sir, the King of Navarre, ' I answered firmly. 

'Well, I daresay you have good reason to do so, ' he rejoined with asneer. 'Unless I am mistaken he knew a little more of this affair thanhe acknowledges. '

'Indeed? The King of Navarre?' I said, staring stolidly at him. 

'Yes, indeed, indeed, the King of Navarre!' he retorted, mimicking me, with a nearer approach to anger than I had yet witnessed in him. 'Butlet him be a moment, sirrah!' he continued, 'and do you listen to me. Orfirst look at that. Seeing is believing. '

He drew out as he spoke a paper, or, to speak more correctly, aparchment, which he thrust with a kind of savage scorn into my hand. Repressing for the moment the surprise I felt, I took it to the window, and reading it with difficulty, found it to be a royal patent drawn, as far as I could judge, in due form, and appointing some personunknown--for the name was left blank--to the post of Lieutenant-Governorof the Armagnac, with a salary of twelve thousand livres a year!

'Well, sir?' he said impatiently. 

'Well?' I answered mechanically. For my brain reeled; the exhibition ofsuch a paper in such a way raised extraordinary thoughts in my mind. 

'Can you read it?' he asked. 

'Certainly, ' I answered, telling myself that he would fain play a trickon me. 

'Very well, ' he replied, 'then listen. I am going to condescend; to makeyou an offer, M. De Marsac. I will procure you your freedom, and fill upthe blank, which you see there, with your name--upon one condition. '

I stared at him with all the astonishment it was natural for me to feelin the face, of such a proposition. 'You will confer this office on me?'I muttered incredulously. 

'The king having placed it at my disposal, ' he answered, 'I will. Butfirst let me remind you, ' he went on proudly, 'that the affair hasanother side. On the one hand I offer you such employment, M. De Marsac, as should satisfy your highest ambition. On the other, I warn you thatmy power to avenge myself is no less to-day than it was yesterday; andthat if I condescend to buy you, it is because that course commendsitself to me for reasons, not because it is the only one open. '

I bowed. 'The condition, M. Le Vicomte?' I said huskily, beginning tounderstand him. 

'That you give up all claim and suit to the hand of my kinswoman, ' heanswered lightly. 'That is all. It is a simple and easy condition. '

I looked at him in renewed astonishment, in wonder, in stupefaction;asking myself a hundred questions. Why did he stoop to bargain, whocould command? Why did he condescend to treat, who held me at his mercy?Why did he gravely discuss my aspirations, to whom they must seem therankest presumption? Why?--but I could not follow it. I stood looking athim in silence; in perplexity as great as if he had offered me the Crownof France; in amazement and doubt and suspicion that knew no bounds. 

'Well!' he said at last, misreading the emotion which appeared in myface. 'You consent, sir?'

'Never!' I answered firmly. 

He started. 'I think I cannot have heard you aright, ' he said, speakingslowly and almost courteously. 'I offer you a great place and mypatronage, M. De Marsac. Do I understand that you prefer a prison and myenmity?'

'On those conditions, ' I answered. 

'Think, think!' he said harshly. 

'I have thought, ' I answered. 

'Ay, but have you thought where you are?' he retorted. 'Have you thoughthow many obstacles lie between you and this little fool? How manypersons you must win over, how many friends you must gain? Have youthought what it will be to have me against you in this, or which of usis more likely to win in the end?'

'I have thought, ' I rejoined. 

But my voice shook, my lips were dry. The room had grown dark. The rockoutside, intercepting the light, gave it already the air of a dungeon. Though I did not dream of yielding to him, though I even felt that inthis interview he had descended to my level, and I had had the better ofhim, I felt my heart sink. For I remembered how men immured in prisonsdrag out their lives always petitioning, always forgotten; how wearilythe days go, that to free men are bright with hope and ambition. And Isaw in a flash what it would be to remain here, or in some such place;never to cross horse again, or breathe the free air of Heaven, neverto hear the clink of sword against stirrup, or the rich tones of M. D'Agen's voice calling for his friend!

I expected M. De Turenne to go when I had made my answer, or else tofall into such a rage as opposition is apt to cause in those who seldomencounter it. To my surprise, however, he restrained himself. 'Come, ' hesaid, with patience which fairly astonished me, and so much the moreas chagrin was clearly marked in his voice, 'I know where you put yourtrust. You think the King of Navarre will protect you. Well, I pledgeyou the honour of Turenne that he will not; that the King of Navarrewill do nothing to save you. Now, what do you say?'

'As I said before, ' I answered doggedly. 

He took up the parchment from the table with a grim laugh. 'So muchthe worse for you then!' he said, shrugging his shoulders. 'So much theworse for you! I took you for a rogue! It seems you are a fool!'

CHAPTER XXXVI. 'VIVE LE ROI!'

He took his leave with those words. But his departure, which Ishould have hailed a few minutes before with joy, as a relief fromembarrassment and humiliation, found me indifferent. The statement towhich he had solemnly pledged himself in regard to the King of Navarre, that I could expect no further help from him, had prostrated me; dashingmy hopes and spirits so completely that I remained rooted to the spotlong after his step had ceased to sound on the stairs. If what he saidwas true, in the gloom which darkened alike my room and my prospectsI could descry no glimmer of light. I knew His Majesty's weakness andvacillation too well to repose any confidence in him; if the Kingof Navarre also abandoned me, I was indeed without hope, as withoutresource. 

I had stood some time with my mind painfully employed upon this problem, which my knowledge of M. De Turenne's strict honour in private mattersdid not allow me to dismiss lightly, when I heard another step on thestairs, and in a moment M. La Varenne opened the door. Finding me in thedark he muttered an apology for the remissness of the servants; which Iaccepted, seeing nothing else for it, in good part. 

'We have been at sixes-and-sevens all day, and you have been forgotten, 'he continued. 'But you will have no reason to complain now. I am orderedto conduct you to His Majesty without delay. '

'To St. Cloud?' I exclaimed, greatly astonished. 

'No, the king of France is here, ' he answered. 

'At Meudon?'

'To be sure. Why not?'

I expressed my wonder at his Majesty's rapid recovery. 

'Pooh!' he answered roughly. 'He is as well as he ever was. I will leaveyou my light. Be good enough to descend as soon as you are ready, for itis ill work keeping kings waiting. Oh! and I had forgotten one thing, 'he continued, returning when he had already reached the door. 'My ordersare to see that you do not hold converse with anyone until you have seenthe king, M. De Marsac. You will kindly remember this if we are keptwaiting in the antechamber. '

'Am I to be transported to--other custody?' I asked, my mind full ofapprehension. 

He shrugged his shoulders. 'Possibly, ' he replied. 'I do not know. '

Of course there was nothing for it but to murmur that I was at theking's disposition; after which La Varenne retired, leaving me to putthe best face on the matter I could. Naturally I augured anythingbut well of an interview weighted with such a condition; and thiscontributed still further to depress my spirits, already lowered by thelong solitude in which I had passed the day. Fearing nothing, however, so much as suspense, I hastened to do what I could to repair my costume, and then descended to the foot of the stairs, where I found my custodianawaiting me with a couple of servants, of whom one bore a link. 

We went out side by side, and having barely a hundred yards to go, seemed in a moment to be passing through the gate of the Castle. Inoticed that the entrance was very strongly guarded, but an instant'sreflection served to remind me that this was not surprising after whathad happened at St. Cloud. I remarked to M. La Varenne as we crossed thecourtyard that I supposed Paris had surrendered; but he replied in thenegative so curtly, and with so little consideration, that I forebore toask any other questions; and the Chateau being small, we found ourselvesalmost at once in a long, narrow corridor, which appeared to serve asthe antechamber. 

It was brilliantly lighted and crowded from end to end, and almost fromwall to wall, with a mob of courtiers; whose silence, no less thantheir keen and anxious looks, took me by surprise. Here and there two orthree, who had seized upon the embrasure of a window, talked together ina low tone; or a couple, who thought themselves sufficiently importantto pace the narrow passage between the waiting lines, conversed inwhispers as they walked. But even these were swift to take alarm, andcontinually looked askance; while the general company stood at gaze, starting and looking up eagerly whenever the door swung open or anewcomer was announced. The strange silence which prevailed reminded meof nothing so much as of the Court at Blois on the night of the Dukeof Mercoeur's desertion; but that stillness had brooded over emptychambers, this gave a peculiar air of strangeness to a room thronged inevery part. 

M. La Varenne, who was received by those about the door with silentpoliteness, drew me into the recess of a window; whence I was ableto remark, among other things, that the Huguenots present almostoutnumbered the king's immediate following. Still, among those who werewalking up and down, I noticed M. De Rambouillet, to whom at anothertime I should have hastened to pay my respects; with Marshal d'Aumont, Sancy, and Humieres. Nor had I more than noted the presence of thesebefore the door of the chamber opened and added to their number MarshalBiron, who came out leaning on the arm of Crillon. The sight of theseold enemies in combination was sufficient of itself to apprise me thatsome serious crisis was at hand; particularly as their progress throughthe crowd was watched, I observed, by a hundred curious and attentiveeyes. 

They disappeared at last through the outer door, and the assemblageturned as with one accord to see who came next. But nearly half an hourelapsed before the Chamber door, which all watched so studiously, againopened. This time it was to give passage to my late visitor, Turenne, who came out smiling, and leaning, to my great surprise, on the arm ofM. De Rosny. 

As the two walked down the room, greeting here and there an obsequiousfriend, and followed in their progress by all eyes, I felt my heart sinkindeed; both at sight of Turenne's good-humour, and of the company inwhich I found him. Aware that in proportion as he was pleased I was liketo meet with displeasure, I still might have had hope left had I hadRosny left. Losing him, however--and I could not doubt, seeing him as Isaw him, that I had lost him--and counting the King of Navarre as gonealready, I felt such a failure of courage as I had never known before. I told myself with shame that I was not made for Courts, or for suchscenes as these; and recalling with new and keen mortification the poorfigure I had cut in the King of Navarre's antechamber at St. Jean, Iexperienced so strange a gush of pity for my mistress that nothing couldexceed the tenderness I felt for her. I had won her under false colours, I was not worthy of her. I felt that my mere presence in her company insuch a place as this, and among these people, must cover her with shameand humiliation. 

To my great relief, since I knew my face was on fire, neither of thetwo, as they walked down the passage, looked my way or seemed consciousof my neighbourhood. At the door they stood a moment talking earnestly, and it seemed as if M. De Rosny would have accompanied the Vicomtefarther. The latter would not suffer it, however, but took his leavethere; and this with so many polite gestures that my last hope based onM. De Rosny vanished. 

Nevertheless, that gentleman was not so wholly changed that on histurning to re-traverse the room I did not see a smile flicker for aninstant on his features as the two lines of bowing courtiers openedbefore him. The next moment his look fell on me, and though his facescarcely altered, he stopped opposite me. 

'M. De Marsac is waiting to see His Majesty?' he asked aloud, speakingto M. La Varenne. 

My companion remaining silent, I bowed. 

'In five minutes, ' M. De Rosny replied quietly, yet with a distant air, which made me doubt whether I had not dreamed all I remembered of thisman. 'Ah! M. De Paul, what can I do for you?' he continued. And he benthis head to listen to the application which a gentleman who stood nextme poured into his ear. 'I will see, ' I heard him answer. 'In any caseyou shall know to-morrow. '

'But you will be my friend?' M. Paul urged, detaining him by the sleeve. 

'I will put only one before you, ' he answered. 

My neighbour seemed to shrink into himself with disappointment. 'Who isit?' he murmured piteously. 

'The king and his service, my friend, ' M. De Rosny replied drily. Andwith that he walked away. But half a dozen times at least; before hereached the upper end of the room I saw the scene repeated. 

I looked on at all this in the utmost astonishment, unable to guess orconceive what had happened to give M. De Rosny so much importance. Forit did not; escape me that the few words he had stopped to speak to mehad invested me with interest in the eyes of all who stood near. They gave me more room and a wider breathing-space, and looking at measkance, muttered my name in whispers. In my uncertainty, however, whatthis portended I drew no comfort from it; and before I had found time toweigh it thoroughly the door through which Turenne and Rosny had enteredopened again. The pages and gentlemen who stood about it hastened torange themselves on either side. An usher carrying a white wand camerapidly down the room, here and there requesting the courtiers to standback where the passage was narrow. Then a loud voice without cried, 'TheKing, gentlemen! the King!' and one in every two of us stood a-tiptoe tosee him enter. 

But there came in only Henry of Navarre, wearing a violet cloak and cap. 

I turned to La Varenne and with my head full of confusion, mutteredimpatiently, 'But the king, man! Where is the king?'

He grinned at me, with his hand before his mouth. 'Hush!' he whispered. ''Twas a jest we played on you! His late Majesty died at daybreak thismorning. This is the king. '

'This! the King of Navarre?' I cried; so loudly that some round uscalled 'Silence!'

'No, the King of France, fool!' he replied. 'Your sword must be sharperthan your wits, or I have been told some lies!'

I let the gibe pass and the jest, for my heart was beating so fast andpainfully that I could scarcely preserve my outward composure. There wasa mist before my eyes, and a darkness which set the lights at defiance. It was in vain I tried to think what this might mean--to me. I could notput two thoughts together, and while I still questioned what receptionI might expect, and who in this new state of things were my friends, theking stopped before me. 

'Ha, M. De Marsac!' he cried cheerfully, signing to those who stoodbefore me to give place. 'You are the gentleman who rode so fast to warnme the other morning. I have spoken to M. De Turenne about you, and heis willing to overlook the complaint he had against you. For the rest, go to my closet, my friend. Go! Rosny knows my will respecting you. '

I had sense enough left to kneel and kiss his hand; but it was insilence, which he knew how to interpret. He had moved on and wasspeaking to another before I recovered the use of my tongue, or the witswhich his gracious words had scattered. When I did so, and got on myfeet again I found myself the centre of so much observation and theobject of so many congratulations that I was glad to act upon the hintwhich La Varenne gave me, and hurry away to the closet. 

Here, though I had now an inkling of what I had to expect, I foundmyself received with a kindness which bade fair to overwhelm me. Only M. De Rosny was in the room, and he took me by both hands in a manner whichtold me without a word that the Rosny of old days was back, and that;for the embarrassment I had caused him of late I was more than forgiven. When I tried to thank him for the good offices which I knew he had doneme with the king he would have none of it; reminding me with a smilethat he had eaten of my cheese when the choice lay between that andLisieux. 

'And besides, my friend, ' he continued, his eyes twinkling, 'You havemade me richer by five hundred crowns. '

'How so?' I asked, wondering more and more. 

'I wagered that sum with Turenne that he could not bribe you, ' heanswered, smiling. 'And see, ' he continued, selecting from some on thetable the same parchment I had seen before, 'here is the bribe. Takeit; it is yours. I have given a score to-day, but none with the samepleasure. Let me be the first to congratulate the Lieutenant-Governor ofthe Armagnac. '

For a while I could not believe that he was in earnest; which pleasedhim mightily, I remember. When I was brought at last to see that theking had meant this for me from the first, and had merely lent thepatent to Turenne that the latter might make trial of me, my pleasureand gratification were such that I could no more express them then thanI can now describe them. For they knew no bounds. I stood before Rosnysilent and confused, with long-forgotten tears welling up to my eyes, and one regret only in my heart--that my dear mother had not lived tosee the fond illusions with which I had so often amused her turned tosober fact. Not then, but afterwards, I remarked that the salary of myoffice amounted to the exact sum which I had been in the habit of namingto her; and I learned that Rosny had himself fixed it on informationgiven him by Mademoiselle de la Vire. 

As my transports grew more moderate, and I found voice to thank mybenefactor, he had still an answer. 'Do not deceive yourself, myfriend, ' he said gravely, 'or think this an idle reward. My masteris King of France, but he is a king without a kingdom, and a captainwithout money. To-day, to gain his rights, he has parted with half hispowers. Before he win all back there will be blows--blows, my friend. And to that end I have bought your sword. '

I told him that if no other left its scabbard for the king, mine shouldbe drawn. 

'I believe you, ' he answered kindly, laying his hand on my shoulder. 'Not by reason of your words--Heaven knows I have heard vows enoughto-day!--but because I have proved you. And now, ' he continued, speakingin an altered tone and looking at me with a queer smile, 'now I supposeyou are perfectly satisfied? You have nothing more to wish for, myfriend?'

I looked aside in a guilty fashion, not daring to prefer on the top ofall his kindness a further petition. Moreover, His Majesty might haveother views; or on this point Turenne might have proved obstinate. Ina word, there was nothing in what had happened, or on M. De Rosny'scommunication, to inform me whether the wish of my heart was to begratified or not. 

But I should have known that great man better than to suppose that hewas one to promise without performing, or to wound a friend when hecould not salve the hurt. After enjoying my confusion for a time heburst into a great shout of laughter, and taking me familiarly by theshoulders, turned me towards the door. 'There, go!' he said. 'Go up thepassage. You will find a door on the right, and a door on the left. Youwill know which to open. '

Forbidding me to utter a syllable, he put me out. In the passage, whereI fain would have stood awhile to collect my thoughts, I was affrightedby sounds which warned me that the king was returning that way. Fearingto be surprised by him in such a state of perturbation, I hurried to theend of the passage, where I discovered, as I had been told, two doors. 

They were both closed, and there was nothing about either of them todirect my choice. But M. De Rosny was correct in supposing that I hadnot forgotten the advice he had offered me on the day when he gave meso fine a surprise in his own house--'When you want a good wife, M. De Marsac, turn to the right!' I remembered the words, and without amoment's hesitation--for the king and his suite were already enteringthe passage--I knocked boldly, and scarcely waiting for an invitation, went in. 

Fanchette was by the door, but stood aside with a grim smile, which Iwas at liberty to accept as a welcome or not. Mademoiselle, who had beenseated on the farther side of the table, rose as I entered, and we stoodlooking at one another. Doubtless she waited for me to speak first;while I on my side was so greatly taken aback by the change wrought inher by the Court dress she was wearing and the air of dignity with whichshe wore it, that I stood gasping. I turned coward after all that hadpassed between us. This was not the girl I had wooed in the greenwoodby St. Gaultier; nor the pale-faced woman I had lifted to the saddlea score of times in the journey Paris-wards. The sense of unworthinesswhich I had experienced a few minutes before in the crowded antechamberreturned in full force in presence of her grace and beauty, and oncemore I stood tongue-tied before her, as I had stood in the lodgings atBlois. All the later time, all that had passed between us was forgotten. 

She, for her part, looked at me wondering at my silence. Her face, whichhad grown rosy red at my entrance, turned pale again. Her eyes grewlarge with alarm; she began to beat her foot on the floor in a manner Iknew. 'Is anything the matter, sir?' she muttered at last. 

'On the contrary, mademoiselle, ' I answered hoarsely, looking every way, and grasping at the first thing I could think of, 'I am just from M. DeRosny. '

'And he?'

'He has made me Lieutenant-Governor of the Armagnac. '

She curtseyed to me in a wonderful fashion. 'It pleases me tocongratulate you, sir, ' she said, in a voice between laughing andcrying. 'It is not more than equal to your deserts. '

I tried to thank her becomingly, feeling at the same time more foolishthan I had ever felt in my life; for I knew that this was neither what Ihad come to tell nor she to hear. Yet I could not muster up courage norfind words to go farther, and stood by the table in a state of miserablediscomposure. 

'Is that all, sir?' she said at last, losing patience. 

Certainly it was now or never, and I knew it. I made the effort. 'No, mademoiselle, ' I said in a low voice. 'Far from it. But I do not seehere the lady to whom I came to address myself, and whom I have seena hundred times in far other garb than yours, wet and weary anddishevelled, in danger and in flight. Her I have served and loved; andfor her I have lived. I have had no thought for months that has not beenhers, nor care save for her. I and all that I have by the king's bountyare hers, and I came to lay them at her feet. But I do not see herhere. '

'No, sir?' she answered in a whisper, with her face averted. 

'No, mademoiselle. '

With a sudden brightness and quickness which set my heart beating sheturned, and looked at me. 'Indeed!' she said. 'I am sorry for that. Itis a pity your love should be given elsewhere, M. De Marsac--since it isthe king's will that you should marry me. '

'Ah, mademoiselle!' I cried, kneeling before her--for she had come roundthe table and stood beside me--'But you?'

'It is my will too, sir, ' she answered, smiling through her tears. 

* * *

On the following day Mademoiselle de la Vire became my wife; the king'sretreat from Paris, which was rendered necessary by the desertion ofmany who were ill-affected to the Huguenots, compelling the instantperformance of the marriage, if we would have it read by M. D'Amours. This haste notwithstanding, I was enabled by the kindness of M. D'Agento make such an appearance, in respect both of servants and equipment, as became rather my future prospects than my past distresses. It istrue that His Majesty, out of a desire to do nothing which might offendTurenne, did not honour us with his presence; but Madame Catherineattended on his behalf, and herself gave me my bride. M. De Sully and M. Crillon, with the Marquis de Rambouillet and his nephew, and my distantconnection, the Duke de Rohan, who first acknowledged me on that day, were among those who earned my gratitude by attending me upon theoccasion. 

The marriage of M. Francois d'Agen with the widow of my old rival andopponent did not take place until something more than a year later, adelay which was less displeasing to me than to the bridegroom, inasmuchas it left madame at liberty to bear my wife company during my absenceon the campaign of Arques and Ivry. In the latter battle, which addedvastly to the renown of M. De Rosny, who captured the enemy's standardwith his own hand, I had the misfortune to be wounded in the secondof the two charges led by the king; and being attacked by two footsoldiers, as I lay entangled I must inevitably have perished but for theaid afforded me by Simon Fleix, who flew to the rescue with the courageof a veteran. His action was observed by the king, who begged himfrom me, and attaching him to his own person in the capacity of clerk, started him so fairly on the road to fortune that he has since risenbeyond hope or expectation. 

The means by which Henry won for a time the support of Turenne (andincidentally procured his consent to my marriage) are now too notoriousto require explanation. Nevertheless, it was not until the Vicomte'sunion a year later with Mademoiselle de la Marck, who brought him theDuchy of Bouillon, that I thoroughly understood the matter; or thekindness peculiar to the king, my master, which impelled that greatmonarch, in the arrangement of affairs so vast, to remember theinterests of the least of his servants.