A ROMANCE OF THE WEST INDIES. 

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF

EUGENE SUE. 

BY

MARIAN LONGFELLOW. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, PUBLISHER. LONDON. NEW YORK. 

Copyright, 1898, by

F. TENNYSON NEELY, in

United States

and

Great Britain. 

All Rights Reserved. 

TO THE MEMORY OFWILKIE COLLINS, AUTHOR AND ARTIST, WHO FIRST DIRECTED MY ATTENTION TO THISWORK AND SUGGESTED ITS TRANSLATIONINTO ENGLISH, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK IN KINDLY REMEMBRANCE. THE TRANSLATOR. 

CONTENTS. 

PART I. 

I. The Passenger

II. A Female Blue Beard

III. The Arrival

IV. The Priest's House

V. The Surprise

VI. The Warning

VII. The Cavern

VIII. The Devil's Cliff

IX. Night

X. A Buccaneer

XI. Master Rend-Your-Soul

PART II. 

XII. The Marriage

XIII. Supper

XIV. True Love

XV. The Envoy from France

XVI. The Storm

XVII. The Surprise

XVIII. My Lord the Duke

XIX. A Second Surprise

XX. The Departure

XXI. The Betrayal

PART III. 

XXII. The Viceroy of Ireland and Scotland

XXIII. The Arrest

XXIV. The Interview

XXV. Revelations

XXVI. Devotion

XXVII. The Martyr

XXVIII. The Duke Relates the Sacrifice to which He Owes his Life

XXIX. The Departure

PART IV. 

XXX. Regrets

XXXI. Croustillac Departs

XXXII. The Frigate

XXXIII. The Judgment

XXXIV. The Chase

XXXV. The Return

EPILOGUE. 

XXXVI. The Abbey

XXXVII. Reunited

A ROMANCE OF THE WEST INDIES. 

PART I. 

CHAPTER I. 

THE PASSENGER. 

Toward the latter part of May, 1690, the three-masted schooner theUnicorn sailed from Rochelle for the island of Martinique. 

A Captain Daniel commanded this vessel, which was armed with a dozenpieces of medium-sized ordnance, a defensive precaution necessary atthat period. France was at that time at war with England, and theSpanish pirates would often cross to the windward of the Antilles, inspite of the frequent pursuit of filibusters. 

Among the passengers of the Unicorn, few in number, was the ReverendFather Griffen, of the Order of the Preaching Brothers. He was returningto Martinique to resume his parish duties at Macouba, where he hadoccupied the curacy for some years to the satisfaction of theinhabitants and the slaves of that locality. 

The exceptional life of the colonies, then almost continually in a stateof open hostility against the English, the Spanish, and the natives ofthe Antilles, placed the priests of the latter in a peculiar position. They were called upon not only to preach, to hear confessions, toadminister the sacraments to their flocks, but also to aid in defendingthemselves during the frequent inroads of their enemies of all nationsand all colors. 

The priest's house was, as other habitations, alike isolated andexposed to deadly surprises. More than once had Father Griffen, assistedby his two slaves, intrenched himself securely behind a large gateway ofmahogany, after having repulsed their assailants by a lively fire. 

Formerly a professor of geometry and mathematics, and possessed ofconsiderable theoretical knowledge of military architecture, FatherGriffen had given most excellent advice to the successive governors ofMartinique on the construction of works of defense. 

This priest knew thoroughly the stonecutter's and carpenter's trades;learned in agriculture, an excellent gardener, of an inventive spirit, full of resources, of rare energy, a determined courage, he was avaluable man to the colony, and, above all, to the quarter he inhabited. 

The word of the gospel had not, perhaps, in his mouth all the unction tobe desired; his voice was rough, his exhortations were unpolished; buttheir moral quality was excellent; they abounded in charity. He said themass as rapidly and as forcibly as if he were a buccaneer. One couldpardon him when one knew that this holy office was often interrupted bya raid of the heretical English or the idolatrous Caribbeans; and thatthen Father Griffen, leaping from the pulpit from which he had preached"peace and concord, " was always one of the first to put himself at thehead of his flock in order to defend it. 

As to the wounded and prisoners, once the engagement was ended, theworthy priest ameliorated their situation as far as he could, and withthe greatest care dressed the wounds which he had himself made. 

We will not undertake to prove that the conduct of Father Griffen was inall points canonical, nor to solve the question so often debated, "Underwhat circumstances may the clergy go to war?" We do not claim for thissubject either the authority of Saint Gregory nor that of Leo IV. Wesimply say that this worthy priest did good and combated evil with allhis might. 

Of a loyal and generous character, frank and gay, Father Griffen wasmischievously hostile and mocking where women were concerned. He wascontinually making jests upon the daughters of Eve; these temptresses, these diabolical allies of the Serpent. In justice to Father Griffen, wemust say that he showed in his railleries, otherwise without malice, alittle rancor and contempt; he jested lightly on the subject of ahappiness that he regretted not being able to desire; for, in spite ofthe extreme license of Creole customs, the purity of Father Griffen'slife was never questioned. 

He might have been accused of loving the pleasures of the table; notthat he abused them (he observed bounds in enjoying the good gifts whichGod bestowed), but he was singularly fond of indulging himself withmarvelous recipes for dressing game, seasoning fish, or preserving insugar the fragrant fruits of the tropics; at times, even the descriptionof his epicurean tastes became contagious, when he would enlarge uponcertain repasts after the manner of buccaneers, prepared in the depthsof the forests or on the shore of the island. Between you and me, FatherGriffen possessed, among others, the secret of cooking a turtle, buccaneer-fashion, of which the mere recital was enough to exciteravenous hunger on the part of his hearers. In spite of his usuallyformidable appetite, Father Griffen scrupulously observed his fasts, which an edict of the pope's decreed should be much less strict at theAntilles and in the Indies than in Europe. 

It is unnecessary to say here that the worthy priest would abandon themost delicate repast in order to fulfill his duties as a priest to apoor slave; no one was more pitiful than he--a more charitable orprudent manager, regarding the little he possessed as the property ofthe unfortunate. 

Never was his consolation or succor lacking to those who suffered; butonce his Christian task fulfilled, he worked gayly and vigorously in hisgarden, watered his plants, hoed his paths, pruned his trees, and whennight came he loved to rest after his salutary and rustic labor, andenjoy, with an intelligent keenness of palate, the gastronomic riches ofthe country. 

His flock never allowed his cellar or his larder to become empty. Thefinest fruit, the best portion from the chase or the rod, was alwaysfaithfully sent to him. He was beloved--he was blessed. They came tohim to settle all points of dispute, and his judgment was finallyaccepted on all questions. 

The physique of Father Griffen accorded perfectly with the impressionperhaps formed of him after what has just been said of his character. 

He was a man of not more than fifty years, robust, active, thoughperhaps rather too stout; his long robe of white wool and his black capeset off his broad shoulders; a felt cap covered his bald crown. His redface, his triple chin, his lips thick and crimson, his nose long andflat at the end, his small and lively gray eyes, gave him a certainresemblance to Rabelais; but what specially characterized FatherGriffen's physiognomy was a rare mixture of frankness, goodness, strength and innocent raillery. 

At the commencement of this story, the Preaching Brother stood on thestern of the vessel, in conversation with Captain Daniel. The ease withwhich he maintained his equilibrium, in spite of the violent rolling ofthe vessel, proved that Father Griffen had long since found hissea-legs. 

Captain Daniel was an old sea-dog; once at sea, he left the managementof his vessel to his mates and pilot, and became intoxicated regularlyevery night. Frequently making the trip from Martinique to Rochelle, hehad already brought Father Griffen from America. The latter, accustomedto the inebriety of the worthy captain, attentively studied the ship'smanagement; for without possessing the nautical science of FatherFournier, and other of his religious colleagues, he had a sufficientlytheoretical and practical knowledge of navigation. Often had the priestmade the passage from Martinique to San Domingo and beyond, on board theprivateer vessels, which always yielded a tithe of their prizes to thechurches of the Antilles. 

Night approached. Father Griffen inhaled with pleasure the odor ofsupper which was being prepared. The captain's boy came to announce tothe passengers that the repast was ready; two or three among them, whohad successfully resisted seasickness, entered the cabin. 

Father Griffen said grace; they had hardly seated themselves when thedoor of the cabin opened suddenly, and the following words werepronounced with a strong Gascon accent:

"There is, I hope, noble captain, a small place for the Chevalier deCroustillac?"

All the guests made a movement of surprise, then strove to read in thefeatures of the captain an explanation of this singular apparition. Thecaptain remained stupefied, regarding his new guest with an air almostof affright. 

"Eh, there, who are you? I do not know you. Where the devil did you comefrom, sir?" he finally said. 

"If I came from the devil, this good priest, " and he kissed the hand ofFather Griffen, "this good priest would send me back there very quickly, by saying, 'Get thee behind me, Satan. '"

"But where _do_ you come from, sir?" cried the captain, stupefied by theconfident and smiling air of this unexpected guest. 

"One does not come thus on board. You are not on my list of passengers. You have fallen from the sky, perhaps?"

"A few minutes since it was from the infernal regions; now it is fromthe heavens that I come. Faith! I do not lay claim to an origin sodivine nor so infernal, worthy captain; I----"

"It matters not as to that, " replied the captain. "Tell me, how came youhere?"

The chevalier assumed a majestic air. "I should be unworthy of belongingto the noble house of de Croustillac, one of the oldest in Guienne, if Ihad the slightest hesitation in satisfying the legitimate curiosity ofthe illustrious captain. "

"So--this is very lucky, " cried the latter. 

"Do not say it is lucky, rather say it is right. I fall upon your vessellike a bomb; you are astonished; nothing is more natural; you ask me howI came on board. This is your right. I explain it to you--that is myduty. Completely satisfied by my explanation, you extend to me your handand say, 'This is well, chevalier, place yourself at table with us. ' Irespond to you, 'Captain, I cannot refuse, for I am dying for lack ofsustenance. Blessed be your benevolent offer. ' So saying I slip inbetween these two estimable gentlemen. I make myself small; very small;in order not to incommode them; on the contrary, the motion is soviolent that I wedge----"

So saying, the chevalier put his words into execution; profiting by thegeneral surprise, he insinuated himself between two guests and providedhimself with the glass of one, the plate of another, and the napkin of athird. Profound amazement made his neighbors oblivious to the things ofthis world. All this was accomplished with so much quickness, dexterity, confidence and boldness that the guests of the illustrious captain ofthe Unicorn and the illustrious captain himself did not dream of morethan looking with the greatest curiosity and astonishment at theChevalier de Croustillac. The adventurer proudly wore an old waistcoatof rateen, once green, but now of a yellowish blue; his frayed breecheswere of the same shade; his stockings, at one time scarlet, were now afaded pink, and seemed in places to be fairly embroidered with whitethread; a badly worn gray felt hat, an old sword-belt trimmed withimitation gold lace, now tarnished, supported a long sword upon whichthe chevalier, on entering, leaned with the air of a grandee. Croustillac was a very tall and excessively thin man. He appeared to befrom thirty-six to forty years of age. His hair, mustache, and eyebrowswere jet black, his face bony, brown and tanned. He had a long nose, small hazel eyes, which were extraordinarily lively, and his mouth wasvery large; his physiognomy betrayed at the same time an imperturbableassurance and an excessive vanity. 

Croustillac had that overweening belief in himself which one finds onlyamong the Gascons. He so exaggerated his merits and natural graces tohimself that he believed no woman was able to resist him; the list ofhis conquests of every kind had been interminable. In spite of the mostamazing falsehoods, which cost him little, it cannot be denied that hepossessed true courage and a certain nobility of character. Thisnatural valor, joined to his blind confidence in himself, sometimesprecipitated him into almost inextricable situations, into which hethrew himself headlong, and from which he never emerged without hardblows--for if he was as adventurous and boastful as a Gascon, he was asobstinate and opinionated as a Breton. 

Heretofore his life had been very similar to that of his Bohemiancompanions. The younger son of a poor Gascon family of doubtfulnobility, he had come to seek his fortune at Paris; by turns pettyofficer of a forlorn hope; provost of an academy, bath-keeper, horsejockey, peddler of satirical news and Holland gazettes; he had more thanonce pretended to be a Protestant, feigning conversion to the Catholicfaith in order to secure the fifty crowns that M. Pelisson paid eachneophyte as the price of conversion. This cheat discovered, thechevalier was condemned to the lash and to prison. He suffered the lash, escaped from prison, disguised himself by means of an immense shade overhis eye, girded himself with a formidable sword with which he ambledabout, then embraced the profession of wheedling country folk for thebenefit of gambling houses, into which he led those innocent lambs, whodid not come forth again until completely shorn. It must be said--to thechevalier's credit that he took no part himself in these rascalities; ashe said to himself--if he did bait the hook, he at least did not eat thefish. 

The laws regarding duels were at that time very severe. One day thechevalier encountered a well-known brave named Fontenay-Coup-d'Epée. Thelatter roughly elbowed our adventurer, saying, "Take care! I am FontenaySword-Thrust. " "And I, " said the Gascon, "Croustillac Cannon-Ball, "whipping out his sword. 

Fontenay was killed, and Croustillac obliged to flee in order to escapecapture. 

The chevalier had often heard of the wonderful fortunes to be realizedin the colonies. Journeying sometimes on foot, sometimes on horse, sometimes in a wagon, he went to Rochelle hoping to embark for America. Once there, Croustillac found that he not only must pay his passage onboard a vessel, but must also obtain from the intendant of marine, permission to embark for the Antilles. 

These two things were equally difficult of accomplishment; theemigration of Protestants, which Louis XIV. Wished to prevent, made theofficers of the ports extremely severe, and the voyage to Martiniquecost no less than eight or nine hundred livres. In all his life theadventurer had never been possessed of a tithe of this amount. Arrivingat Rochelle with ten crowns in his pocket, dressed in a smock frock andcarrying his clothing on the end of his scabbard, the chevalier went, like a journeyman, to lodge at a poor tavern, ordinarily frequented bysailors. 

There he inquired as to outgoing vessels, and learned that the Unicornwould set sail in a few days. Two of the crew of this vessel frequentedthe tavern which the chevalier had selected for the center of hisoperations. It would take too long to tell by what prodigies ofastuteness and address; by what impudent and fabulous lies; by what madpromises Croustillac succeeded in interesting in his behalf the mastercooper charged with the stowage of the casks of fresh water in the hold;it is enough to know that this man consented to hide Croustillac in anempty cask and to carry him on board the Unicorn. 

According to custom, the intendant's assistants and the admiralty clerkscarefully examined the vessel at the moment of its departure, in orderto see that no one had fraudulently embarked. The chevalier kept quietat the bottom of his cask and escaped the careful search of the king'sservants. His heart bounded freely when he felt the vessel under way; hewaited some hours before daring to show himself, knowing well that, onceon the high seas, the captain of the Unicorn would not return to port tobring back a contraband passenger. 

It had been arranged between the master cooper and the chevalier thatthe latter should never disclose the means whereby he had been smuggledon board. 

A man less impudent than our adventurer would have timidly kept hisplace among the sailors, waiting with uneasiness the moment whenCaptain Daniel should discover the stowaway. Croustillac, on thecontrary, went boldly to his end; preferring the captain's table to themess of the crew, he was not a moment in doubt that he would be seatedat that table--if not rightfully, at least in fact. 

We have seen how his audacity served his purpose. 

Such was the unexpected visitor at whom the guests of the Unicorn lookedcuriously. 

CHAPTER II. 

BLUE BEARD. 

"Now, sir, explain how you came here!" cried the captain of the Unicorn, too impatient to learn the Gascon's secret to send him from the table. 

The Chevalier de Croustillac poured out a large glass of wine, stood up, and said in a loud tone, "I will first propose to the illustriouscompany to drink the health of one who is dear to us all--that of ourglorious king, that of Louis the Great, the most adored of princes!"

In that troublous time, it would have been unwise and even dangerous forthe captain to receive the chevalier's proposition with coolness. Captain Daniel and the passengers following his example, responding tothe toast, repeated in chorus, "To the king's health! to the health ofLouis the Great!" One person alone remained silent; this was thechevalier's neighbor. Croustillac looked at him frowningly. 

"By the gods, sir, are you not one of us?" said he; "are you, then, anenemy of our beloved king?"

"Not at all, sir; not at all. I love and venerate this great king, buthow can I drink. You have taken my glass, " replied the passengertimidly. 

"What! gods! Is it for such a trifle as this that you expose yourself topassing for a bad Frenchman?" exclaimed the chevalier, shrugging hisshoulders. "Are there not enough glasses here? Waiter! bring thisgentleman a glass. My dear friend, good luck. Now stand and let us say, 'To the king's health--our great king!'"

After this toast all reseated themselves. The chevalier profited by theconfusion to give a napkin and plate to his neighbor. Then, uncovering adish placed before him, he said boldly to Father Griffen, "Father, may Ioffer you some of this potted pigeon?"

"Zounds, sir, " cried the captain, struck by the liberties taken by thechevalier, "you put yourself very much at your ease. "

The adventurer interrupted the captain and said to him with a solemnair, "Captain, I know how to render to each what is due. The clergy isthe first order of the state; I conduct myself then as a Christian inserving at once this reverend father. I shall do more--I shall seizethis occasion to render homage, in his respectable and holy person, tothe evangelical virtues which distinguish and always will distinguishour church. "

So saying, the chevalier served Father Griffen. From this moment itbecame very difficult for the captain to oust the adventurer. He had notrefused the chevalier's toast, nor prevented him from doing the honorsof the table. Meanwhile he continued to question him. "Come, sir, youare a gentleman, so be it! you are a good Christian, you love the kingas we all love him--this is very well, but tell me, how the devil cameyou here to eat supper with us?"

"Father, " said the chevalier, "I call upon you to bear witness, in thepresence of this honorable company----"

"To bear witness to what, my son?" replied the priest. 

"To bear witness to what the captain has said. "

"How? What have I said, " exclaimed the captain. 

"Captain, you have said, you will remember, in the presence of thiscompany, that I am a gentleman. "

"I have said so, no doubt, but----"

"That I am a good Christian. "

"Yes, but----"

"That I love the king. "

"Yes, because----"

"Very well, " replied the chevalier. "I again call this illustriouscompany to bear witness that when one is a good Christian, when one is agentleman, when one loves his king, what more can be asked? Father, shall I help you to some of this roast?"

"I will take some, my son, for my seasickness takes the form of a robustappetite; once on shipboard, my hunger redoubles. "

"I am delighted, Father, at this similarity in constitution. I, too, have a ravenous appetite. "

"Very well, my son; as our good captain has given you the meanswherewith to satisfy your appetite, I would say, to make use of your ownwords, that it is just because you _are_ a gentleman, a good Christian, and well-disposed toward our beloved sovereign, that you ought to answerthe questions of Captain Daniel as to your extraordinary appearance onboard his ship. "

"Unhappily, that is just what I cannot do, Father. "

"How? cannot do?" cried the irritated captain. 

The chevalier assumed a solemn air, and replied, as he turned toward thepriest, "This reverend father can alone hear my confession and my vows;this secret is not mine alone; this secret is grave, very grave, " headded, raising his eyes in contrition to heaven. 

"And I--I can force you to speak, " cried the captain, "when I cause acannon ball to be tied to each of your feet and ride you on a rail untilyou disclose the truth. "

"Captain, " answered the chevalier, with imperturbable calm, "I neverpermit any one to threaten me. The motion of an eyelid, a sneer, agesture, a nothing, which seems insulting--but you are king on your ownship, and therefore I am in your kingdom and recognize myself to be yoursubject. You have admitted me to your table--I shall continue to beworthy of this favor always--but there is no reason to arbitrarilyinflict upon me such bad treatment. Nevertheless, I shall know how toresign myself to it, to support it, unless this good priest, the refugeof the feeble against the strong, deigns to intercede with you in mybehalf, " replied the chevalier humbly. 

The captain was very much embarrassed, for Father Griffen did nothesitate to speak a few words in behalf of the adventurer who had sosuddenly sought his protection, and who had promised to reveal, underthe seal of the confessional, the secret of his presence on the Unicorn. The anger of the captain was somewhat appeased; the chevalier, at firstflattering, insinuating, became jovial and comical; for the amusement ofthe passengers he performed all kinds of tricks; he balanced knives onhis nose; he built up a pyramid of glasses and bottles with wonderfulingenuity; he sang new songs; he imitated the cries of various animals. In fact, Croustillac knew so well how to amuse the captain of theUnicorn, who was not very hard to please, that when supper was concludedthe latter clapped the Gascon on the shoulder, saying:

"After all, chevalier, you are here on board, there is no way to undothat. You are good company, and there will always be a plate for you atmy table, and we will manage to find some corner in which to swing ahammock for you. "

The chevalier overwhelmed the captain with thanks and protestations ofgratitude, and betook himself quickly to the place assigned to him, andsoon was profoundly sleeping, perfectly satisfied as to his well-beingduring the voyage, although a little humiliated from having had tosuffer the captain's threats, and from having had to descend to tricksto win the good will of one whom he mentally designated a brute and aseabear. 

The chevalier saw in the colonies a veritable Eldorado. He had heard ofthe magnificent hospitality of the colonists, who were only too happy, he had been told, to keep the Europeans who came to see them as guests, for months, and he drew this very simple deduction: there are aboutfifty or sixty rich plantations at Martinique and Guadeloupe; theirproprietors, bored to death, are delighted to keep with them men of wit;of gay humor, and of resources. I am essentially one of these; I haveonly, then, to appear to be petted, fêted, spoiled; admitting that Ispend six months at each plantation, one after another--there are fullyin the neighborhood of sixty--this will give me from twenty-five tothirty years of enjoyment and perfectly assured comfortable existence, and I count only on the least favorable chances. I am in the fullmaturity of my gifts; I am amiable, witty, I have all kinds of societytalents; how can one believe that the rich owners of these colonies, will be so blind, so stupid, as not to profit by the occasion and secureto themselves in this way the most charming husband that a young girl ora fascinating widow has ever pictured in sleepless nights. 

Such were the hopes of the chevalier; we shall see if they wererealized. 

The following morning Croustillac kept his promise and made hisconfession to Father Griffen. 

Although sincere enough, the avowal revealed nothing new as to theposition of the penitent, which he had very nearly divined. This was, ineffect the chevalier's confession: He had dissipated his fortune; killeda man in a duel; pursued by justice and finding himself withoutresources, he had adopted the dangerous part of going to the West Indiesto seek his fortune; not having the means of paying for his passage, hehad had recourse to the compassion of a cooper, who had carried him onboard and hidden him in an empty cask. 

This apparent sincerity caused Father Griffen to look upon theadventurer with leniency; but he did not hide from the Gascon that anyhope of finding a fortune in the colonies was an error; he must bringquite an amount of capital with him to obtain even the smallestestablishment; the climate was deadly; the inhabitants, as a generalthing, were suspicious of strangers, and all the traditions of generoushospitality of the first colonists completely forgotten, as much throughthe egotism of the inhabitants as because of the discomforts following awar with England--which had gravely affected their interests. In a word, Father Griffen counseled the chevalier to accept the offer which thecaptain made, of taking him back to Rochelle after having touched atMartinique. In the priest's opinion, Croustillac could find a thousandresources in France, which he could not hope to find in a half-civilizedcountry; the condition of the Europeans being such in the colonies thatnever, in consideration of their dignity as whites, could they performmenial employment. Father Griffen was ignorant of the fact that thechevalier had exhausted the resources of France, and therefore hadexpatriated himself. Under certain circumstances, no one was more easilyhoodwinked than the good priest; his pity for the unhappy blinding hisusual penetration. The past life of the chevalier did not appear to havebeen one of immaculate purity; but this man was so careless in hisdistress, so indifferent to the future which menaced him, that FatherGriffen ended by taking more interest in the adventurer than hemerited, and he proposed that the latter should stay in his parsonage atMacouba, while the Unicorn remained at Martinique; an invitation thatCroustillac took care not to refuse. 

Time went on. Captain Daniel was never tired of praising the wonderfultalents of the chevalier, in whom he discovered new treasures ofsleight-of-hand each day. Croustillac had finished by putting into hismouth the ends of burning candles, and by swallowing forks. This lastfeat had carried the captain beyond bounds of enthusiasm; he formallyoffered the Gascon a situation for life on board ship if the chevalierwould promise to charm thus agreeably the tedium of the voyages of theUnicorn. 

We would say here, in order to explain the success of Croustillac, thatat sea the hours seem very long; the slightest distractions areprecious, and one is very glad to have always at one's beck and call aspecies of buffoon endowed with imperturbable good humor. As to thechevalier, he hid under a laughing and careless mask, a sadpreoccupation; the end of his journey drew near; the words of FatherGriffen had been too sensible, too sincere, too just not to stronglyimpress our adventurer, who had counted upon passing a joyous life atthe expense of the colonists. The coldness with which many of thepassengers, returning to Martinique, treated him, completed the ruin ofhis hopes. In spite of the talents which he developed and which amusedthem, none of these colonists made the slightest advance to thechevalier, although he repeatedly declared he would be delighted to makea long exploration into the interior of the island. 

The end of the voyage came; the last illusions of Croustillac weredestroyed; he saw himself reduced to the deplorable alternative offorever traversing the ocean with Captain Daniel, or of returning toFrance to encounter the rigors of the law. Chance suddenly offered tothe chevalier the most dazzling mirage, and awakened in him the maddesthopes. 

The Unicorn was not more than two hundred leagues from Martinique whenthey met a French trading vessel coming from that island and sailingfor France. This vessel lay to and sent a boat to the Unicorn for newsfrom Europe. In the colonies all was well for some weeks past; not asingle English man-of-war had been seen. After exchanging other news, the two vessels separated. 

"For a vessel of such value (the passengers had estimated her worth atabout four hundred thousand francs) she is not very well armed, " saidthe chevalier, "and would be a good prize for the English. "

"Bah!" returned a passenger with an envious air, "Blue Beard can affordto lose such a vessel as that. "

"Yes, truly; there would still remain enough money to buy and armothers. "

"Twenty such, if she desired, " said the captain. 

"Oh, twenty, that is a good many, " said another. 

"Faith, without counting her magnificent plantation at Anse aux Sables, and her mysterious house at Devil's Cliff, " returned a third, "do theynot say she has five or six millions of gold and precious stones hiddensomewhere?"

"Ah, there it is! hidden no one knows where!" exclaimed Captain Daniel;"but one thing sure, she _has_ them, for I have it from old father'Wide-awake, ' who had once seen Blue Beard's first husband at Devil'sCliff (which husband, they say, was young and handsome as an angel). Ihave it from Wide-awake that Blue Beard on this day amused herself bymeasuring in a bowl, diamonds, pearls and emeralds; now, all theseriches are still in her possession, without counting that her third andlast husband, as they say, was very rich, and that all his fortune wasin gold dust. "

"People say she is so avaricious that she expends for herself andhousehold only ten thousand francs a year, " continued a passenger. 

"As to that, it is not certain, " said Captain Daniel; "no one knows howshe lives, because she is a stranger in the colony, and not four personshave ever put their feet inside Devil's Cliff. "

"Truly; and lucky it is so; I am not the one who would have thecuriosity to go there, " said another; "Devil's Cliff does not enjoy avery good reputation; they do say that strange things take place there. "

"It is certain that it has been struck by lightning three times. "

"That does not surprise me; and strange cries, they say, are heard roundthe house. "

"It is said that it is built like a fortress, inaccessible, among therocks of the Cabesterre. "

"That is natural if Blue Beard has so great a treasure to guard. "

Croustillac heard this conversation with great curiosity. Thesetreasures, these diamonds, were pictured in his imagination. 

"Of whom do you speak, gentlemen?" he said. 

"We are speaking of Blue Beard. "

"Who is this Blue Beard?"

"Blue Beard? Well, it is--Blue Beard. "

"But is this a man or a woman?" said the chevalier. 

"Blue Beard?"

"Yes, yes, " said Croustillac impatiently. 

"'Tis a woman. "

"How, a woman? and why, then, call her Blue Beard?"

"Because she gets rid of her husbands as easily as Blue Beard of the oldstory got rid of his wives. "

"And she is a widow? She is a widow! Oh, " cried the chevalier, clappinghis hands while his heart beat rapidly, "a widow! rich beyond belief;rich enough to make one dizzy only to try to estimate her wealth--awidow!"

"A widow; so much of a widow that she is such for a third time in threeyears, " said the captain. 

"And is she as rich as they say?"

"Yes, that is conceded; all the world knows it, " replied the captain. 

"Worth millions; rich enough to fit out vessels worth four hundredthousand livres; rich enough to have sacks of diamonds and emeralds andfine pearls!" cried the Gascon, whose eyes sparkled and nostrilsdilated, while his hands clinched. 

"But I tell you that she is rich enough to buy Martinique andGuadeloupe if she were so pleased, " said the captain. 

"And old? very old?" asked the Gascon, uneasily. 

His informer looked at the other passengers with a questioning air. "What age should you say Blue Beard was?"

"Faith, I do not know, " said one. 

"All I know, " said another, "is that when I came to the colony two yearsago she had already had her second husband, and had a third in view, whoonly lived a year. "

"As to her third husband, it is said that he is not dead, but hasdisappeared, " said a third. 

"He is certainly dead, however, because Blue Beard has been seen wearinga widow's garb, " said a passenger. 

"No doubt, no doubt, " continued another; "the proof that he is dead isthat the parish priest of Macouba was instructed, in the absence ofFather Griffen, to say the mass for the dead, for him. "

"And it would not be surprising if he had been assassinated, " saidanother. 

"Assassinated? by his wife, no doubt?" said still another voice with anemphasis that spoke little in favor of Blue Beard. 

"Not by his wife!"

"Ah, ah, that is something new!"

"Not by his wife? and by whom, then?"

"By his enemies in the Barbadoes. "

"By the English colonists?"

"Yes, by the English, because he was himself English. "

"Is it so, then, sir; the third husband is dead, really dead?" asked thechevalier anxiously. 

"Oh, as to being dead--he is that, " exclaimed several in chorus. 

Croustillac drew a long breath; a moment's thought, and his hopesresumed their audacious flight. 

"But the age of Blue Beard?" he persisted. 

"Her age--as to that I can satisfy you; she must be anywhere fromtwenty, yes, that is about it, from twenty to sixty years, " said CaptainDaniel. 

"Then you have not seen her?" said the Gascon, impatient under thisraillery. 

"Seen her? I? And why the devil should you suppose I had seen BlueBeard?" asked the captain. "Are you mad?"

"Why?"

"Listen, my friends, " said the captain to his passengers; "he asks me ifI have seen Blue Beard. "

The passengers shrugged their shoulders. 

"But, " continued Croustillac, "what is there astonishing in myquestion?"

"What is there astonishing?" said the captain. 

"Yes. "

"Hold; you come from Paris, do you not? and is Paris not much smallerthan Martinique?"

"Without doubt. "

"Very well; have you seen the executioner at Paris?"

"The executioner? No, but why such a question?"

"Very well; once for all, understand that no one is any more curious tosee Blue Beard than to see the executioner, sir. Beside, the house inwhich she lives is situated in the midst of the wilds of Devil's Cliff, where one does not care to venture. Then an assassin is not an agreeablecompanion, and Blue Beard has too bad associates. "

"Bad associates?" said the chevalier. 

"Yes, friends; friends of the heart; not to go into the matter anyfurther, it is a saying that it is not well to encounter them by nighton the plain; by night in the woods; or after sunset under the lee ofthe island, " said the captain. 

"'Whirlwind'--the filibuster first, " said one of the passengers with anaffrighted air. 

"Or 'Rend the Soul'--the buccaneer of Marie-Galande, " said another. 

"Or 'Youmäale, ' the Caribbean cannibal of the lake of the Caimans, "continued a third. 

"What?" cried the chevalier, "does Blue Beard coquette at the same timewith a filibusterer, a buccaneer, and a cannibal? Bah! what a woman!"

"So they say, sir. "

CHAPTER III. 

THE ARRIVAL. 

These singular revelations concerning the morals of Blue Beard made agreat impression upon the chevalier. After some moments of silence heasked the captain, "Who is this man, this filibuster whom they term theWhirlwind?"

"A mulatto from San Domingo, they say, " replied Captain Daniel, "one ofthe most determined filibusters of the Antilles; he has dwelt inMartinique for the past two years, in a solitary house, where he livesnow like an alderman. "

"And you think that this bully is favored by Blue Beard?"

"They say that all the time that he does not pass at his own house, heis at Devil's Cliff. "

"This proves at least that Blue Beard has never loved sentimentalswains!" said the chevalier. "Well, but the buccaneer?"

"Faith, " cried one of the passengers, "I do not know if I would notrather have the Whirlwind for an enemy than the buccaneer'Rend-your-soul!'"

"Zounds! there is at least a name which holds possibilities, " saidCroustillac. 

"And which fulfills them, " said the passenger, "for him I have seen. "

"And is he so terrible?"

"He is certainly as ferocious as the wild boars or the bulls which hehunts. I will tell you about him. It is now about a year since I wasgoing to his ranch in the Great Tari, in the northern part ofMartinique, to purchase of him some skins of wild cattle. He was alonewith his pack of twenty hounds who looked as wicked and savage ashimself. When I arrived he was anointing his face with palm oil, forthere was not a portion of it that was not blue, yellow, violet orpurple. "

"I have had these irridescent shades from a blow on the eye, but----"

"Exactly, sir. I asked him what had caused this, and this is what hetold me: 'My hounds, led by my assistant, had flung themselves upon atwo-year-old bull; he had passed me, and I had sent a ball into hisshoulder; he bounded into a thicket; the dogs followed. While I wasreloading, my assistant came up, fired, and missed the bull. My boy, seeing himself disarmed, sought to cut at the bull's legs, but it goredhim and stamped him underfoot. Placed as I was, I could not fire at theanimal for fear of finishing my man. I took my large buccaneer's knifeand threw myself between them. I received a blow of its horn whichripped up my thigh, a second broke this arm (showing me his left arm, which was suspended in a sling); the bull continued to attack me; asthere remained but the right hand that was of any use, I watched myopportunity, and at the instant when the animal lowered his head to ripme up, I seized him by the horns and drew him within reach, and seizedhis lip with my teeth, and would no more let go than an English bulldog, while my dogs worried his sides. '"

"But this man is a blockhead, " said Croustillac, contemptuously. "If hehas no other means of pleasing--faith, I pity his mistress. "

"I have told you that he was a species of savage animal, " replied thenarrator, "but to continue my story. 'Once wounded on the lips, ' saidthe buccaneer, 'a bull falls. At the end of five minutes, blinded by theloss of blood (for my bullets had done their work), the bull fell on hisknees and rolled over; my dogs sprang upon him, seized him by thethroat, and finished him. The struggle had weakened me; I had lost agreat deal of blood; for the first time in my life I fainted just like agirl. And what do you suppose my dogs had been at during my swoon? Theyhad amused themselves by devouring my servant! They were so sharp andwell-trained. ' 'How, ' said I to Rend-your-soul, terrified, 'becauseyour dogs have devoured your servant, does that prove that they arewell-trained?' I declare, sir, " continued the passenger who had relatedthis story of the buccaneer to the Gascon, "I looked with considerablealarm upon these ferocious animals who walked round and round me andsmelt at me in a manner far from reassuring. "

"The fact is, such customs as these are brutal, " said Croustillac, "andit would be a mistake to address such a man of the woods in thebeautiful language of gallantry. But what the devil can he indulge in inthe way of conversation with Blue Beard?"

"God forbid I should act as eavesdropper, " exclaimed the passenger. 

"When Rend-your-Soul has said to Blue Beard, 'I have seized a bull onthe lips, and my dogs have devoured my servants, '" replied the Gascon, "the conversation would languish; and zounds! one cannot always befeeding a man to the dogs in order to furnish entertainment. "

"In faith, one cannot tell, " said a listener; "these men are capable ofanything. "

"But, " said Croustillac, "such an animal can know nothing about smallcourtesies; flowery language always takes the ladies. "

"No, certainly, " replied the narrator, whom we suspect of a slightexaggeration of the facts, "for he swears enough to sink the island; andhe has a voice like the bellowing of a bull. "

"That is easily accounted for; from frequenting their society he hasacquired their accent, " said the chevalier; "but let us hear the end ofyour story, I beg. "

"Here it is. I demanded then of the buccaneer how he dared assert thatdogs who would devour a man were well trained. 'Doubtless, ' replied he, 'my dogs are trained never to insert a tooth in a bull when he is down, for I sell the skins, and they must be intact. Once the bull is deadthese poor brutes, hungry though they be, have the sense to respect it, and to await its being skinned. Now this morning their hunger wasinfernal; my servant was half dead and covered with blood. He was veryinhuman toward them; they began, no doubt, by licking his wounds; then, as it is said the appetite increases with what it is fed on, this madethe mouths of the poor brutes water. Finally, they did not leave a boneof my servant. Had it not been for the bite of a serpent which nippedsharply but which was not venomous, I might have remained in my swoon. Irecovered consciousness; I wrenched the snake from my right leg, roundwhich it had coiled itself, I took it by the tail, I whirled it like asling and I crushed its head on the trunk of a guava tree. I examinedmyself; I had a thigh ripped open and an arm broken; I bound the woundin my thigh with fresh leaves and secured them by a vine. As to my leftarm, it was broken between the elbow and the wrist. I cut three littlesticks and a long creeper and I tied it up like a roll of tobacco. Oncemy wounds dressed, I sought for my servant, for I could not see him. Icalled him, there was no answer. My dogs were crouched at my feet; theyappeared so innocent, the cunning creatures! and looked at me as theywagged their tails as if nothing was wrong. Finally I arose, and whatshould I see at twenty paces distance but the remains of my servant. Irecognized his powder-horn and the sheath of his knife. That was allthat remained of him, I tell you this to prove to you that my dogs arevery snappish and well-trained; for they will not injure a hair on thebull's skin. '"

"There, there! the buccaneer exceeds the filibuster, " said Croustillac. "I can only say that Blue Beard is greatly to be pitied for not havinghad, up to this time, but an alternative of two such brutes. " And theGascon continued compassionately, "It is very easy to understand, thispoor woman has not an idea of what constitutes a gentleman; when one hasall one's life fed on lard and beans, one cannot conceive of anything asfine, as delicate as a pheasant or an ortolan. Zounds! I see it has beenreserved to me to enlighten Blue Beard on a variety of things, and todiscover to her a new world. As to the Caribbean, is he worthy offiguring at the side of his ferocious rivals?"

"Oh, as to the Caribbean, " said one of the passengers, "I can speak fromknowledge. I made this winter in his canoe the journey from Anse auxSable to Marie-Galande. I was pressed to reach this latter place. TheRivière des Saints had overflowed, and I was compelled to make a greatcircuit in order to find a place which could be forded. At the momentwhen I embarked, I saw at the prow of the boat of Youmäale a kind ofbrown figure. I drew near; what did I see? My God! the head and armsdried to that of a mummy, forming the figurehead as an ornament for hiscanoe! We started on our voyage, the Caribbean silent, like the savagethat he was, paddled without uttering a word. Arriving off the CaribbeanIsland, where a Spanish brigantine had stranded some months previous, Iasked him, 'Is it not here that the Spanish vessel was wrecked?' TheCaribbean nodded an assent. It would be as well to say here that onboard this vessel was the reverend Father Simon of Foreign Missions. Hisreputation for sanctity was such that it had reached even theCaribbeans; the brigantine had been wrecked, passengers and cargo--atleast such was believed to be the case. I said then to the Caribbean, 'Is it there that Father Simon perished--you have heard of it?' He mademe another affirmative sign with his head, for these people never speakan unnecessary word. 'He was an excellent man, ' I continued. 'I haveeaten him, ' replied this wretched idolater, with a kind of ferocious andsatisfied pride. 

"That was one method of enjoying a person, " said Croustillac, "and ofsharing his qualities. "

"For a moment, " replied the passenger, "I did not understand what thishorrible cannibal was saying, but when I had compelled him to explainhimself, I learned that in accordance with I know not what savageceremony, the missionary and two sailors who had escaped to a desertisland had been surprised by the cannibals and eaten at once! When Ireproached Youmäale for this barbarous atrocity, saying that it wasfrightful to have sacrificed these three unhappy Frenchmen to theirferocity, he replied, sententiously, and in a tone of approbation, as ifhe would prove to me that he understood the force of my arguments inclassing, if not to their value, at least according to the flavor ofthree different nationalities. 'You are right: a Spaniard never, aFrenchman often, an Englishman always!'"

"This would prove that an Englishman is incomparably more delicate thana Frenchman, and that a Spaniard is as tough as the devil, " saidCroustillac; "but this gourmand will finish some day by devouring BlueBeard when caressing her. If all this be true----"

"It is true, sir. "

"It follows then positively that this young or old widow is notinsensible to the ferocious attractions of Rend-your-soul and of thecannibal?"

"Public opinion accuses her thus. "

"Are they often with her?"

"All the time Whirlwind is not engaged in privateering, thatRend-your-soul is not hunting, and Youmäale is not in the woods, theypass with Blue Beard. "

"Without becoming jealous of each other?"

"It is said that Blue Beard is as despotic as the Sultan of Turkey, andshe forbids their being jealous. "

"Faith! what a seraglio she has! But listen, gentlemen: you know that Iam a Gascon; that they accuse us of exaggerating and you wouldridicule----"

But Captain Daniel interposed, with a serious air, which could not befeigned, "When we arrive at Martinique ask the first creole whom youmeet as to this Blue Beard; and may St. John, my patron saint, curse meif you will not hear concerning Blue Beard and her three friends thesame thing. "

"And as to her immense wealth, will they also speak to me of that?"asked the chevalier. 

"They will tell you that the plantation where Devil's Cliff is situatedis one of the most beautiful in the island, and that Blue Beardpossesses a counting house at Fort St. Pierre, and that this countinghouse, managed by a man in her employ, sends out each year five or sixvessels like the one we have just passed. "

"I see how it is, then, " said the chevalier in raillery. "Blue Beard isa woman who is weary of riches and the pleasures of this world; in orderto distract her thoughts, she is capable of entertaining a buccaneer, afilibuster, and even a cannibal, if her heart so dictates. "

"That it pleases her is evident in that she is never bored, " replied thecaptain. 

At this moment Father Griffen mounted to the deck. Croustillac said tohim, "Father, I have told these gentlemen that we are accused, weGascons, of telling fibs, but is what they say of Blue Beard the truth?"

The face of Father Griffen, ordinarily placid and joyful, took on adarker hue at once, and he replied gravely to the adventurer, "My son, never breathe the name of this woman. "

"But, Father, is it true? She replaces her deceased husbands by afilibuster, a buccaneer and a cannibal?"

"Enough, enough, my son, " returned the priest, "I pray you do not speakof Devil's Cliff and what goes on there. "

"But, Father, is this woman as rich as they say?" pursued the Gascon, whose eyes were snapping with covetousness; "has she such immensetreasures? Is she beautiful? Is she young?"

"May heaven defend me from ascertaining!"

"Is it true that her three husbands have been murdered by her, father?If this be true, how is it that the law has not punished such crimes?"

"There are crimes that may escape the justice of men, my son, but theynever escape the justice of God. I do not know, however, if this womanis as culpable as they say, but still I say, do not speak of her, myson, I implore you, " said Father Griffen, whom this interview seemed toaffect most painfully. 

Suddenly the chevalier assumed a resolute attitude, pulled his hat downover his forehead, caressed his mustache, balanced himself on his toeslike a barnyard fowl preparing for combat, and cried with an audacity ofwhich a Gascon alone is capable, "Gentlemen, tell me the day of themonth. "

"The 13th of July, " replied the captain. 

"Well, gentlemen, " continued our adventurer, "may I lose the name of DeCroustillac, may my coat of arms be forever smirched with disgrace, ifin one month from this very day, in spite of all the buccaneers, filibusters or cannibals in Martinique or in the world, Blue Beard isnot the wife of Polyphème de Croustillac!"

That evening when they went down to the saloon the adventurer was takenaside by Father Griffen; he sought by every possible means to ascertainif the Gascon knew more than he appeared to, concerning the surroundingsof Blue Beard. The extraordinary persistence with which Croustillacoccupied himself with her and the men about her had aroused thesuspicions of the good priest. After speaking at some length on thesubject with the chevalier, the priest was almost certain thatCroustillac had not spoken other than by presumption and vanity. 

"It matters not, " said Father Griffen, "I'll not lose sight of thisadventurer; he has the appearance of an empty-headed fool, but traitorsknow how to assume all guises. Alas!" continued he sadly, "this lastvoyage imposes upon me great obligations toward those who dwell atDevil's Cliff. Meantime, their secret is, so to speak, mine, but I havedone what I could; my conscience approves. May they long enjoy thehappiness they deserve, of escaping from the snares set for them. Ah!what dangerous enemies kings are, and one often pays dearly for thedoubtful honor of being born on the steps of a throne. Alas!" went onthe priest with a profound sigh, "poor angelic woman, it rends my heartto hear her thus spoken of, but it would be impolitic to defend her. These rumors are the preservation of the noble creatures in whom I am sodeeply interested. "

After considering awhile Father Griffen said to himself, "I at firsttook this adventurer to be a secret emissary from England, but I amdoubtless deceived. Nevertheless, I will watch this man. In fact, I willoffer him the hospitality of my house; thus his movements will notescape me. In any case, I will warn my friends at Devil's Cliff toredouble their prudence, for, I know not why, the presence of thisGascon disturbs me. "

We will here hasten to inform the reader that the suspicions of FatherGriffen, so far as Croustillac was concerned, were without foundation. The chevalier was nothing more than the poor devil of an adventurerwhich we have shown him to be. The excellent opinion he held of himselfwas the sole cause of his impertinent wager of espousing Blue Beardbefore the end of the month. 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE PRIEST'S HOUSE. 

The Unicorn had anchored at Martinique three days. Father Griffen, having some matters requiring his attention before his return to hisparish of Macouba, had not as yet quitted Fort St. Pierre. 

The Chevalier de Croustillac found himself landed in the colonies withbut very little money in his pocket. The captain and passengers hadconsidered the adventurer's declaration that before a month had passedhe would be the husband of Blue Beard, as an idle boast. Far from havinggiven up the idea, the chevalier persisted in it more and more since hisarrival in Martinique; he had carefully informed himself as to theriches of Blue Beard, and was convinced that, if the life of thisstrange woman was surrounded with the profoundest mystery, and she thesubject of the wildest exaggeration, it was at least true that she wasenormously wealthy. 

As to her face, age and origin, as no one had on this point as muchknowledge as Father Griffen, nothing could be affirmed. She was astranger in the colony. Her man of business had come in advance to theisland in order to purchase a magnificent estate and to build themansion at Devil's Cliff, situated in the northern and most inaccessibleand wildest portion of Martinique. At the end of several months itbecame known that the new proprietor and his wife had arrived. One ortwo of the colonists, impelled by their curiosity, had penetrated intothe solitude of Devil's Cliff; they were received with a royalhospitality, but they did not see the owners of the place. Six monthsafter this visit, news was received of the death of the first husband, which occurred during a short visit taken by the couple to Terre-Ferme. 

At the end of one year of absence and widowhood, Blue Beard returned toMartinique with a second husband. It was said that this latter waskilled, accidentally, while taking a walk with his wife; his footslipped and he fell into one of those bottomless abysses which are socommon in the volcanic soil of the Antilles. Such was, at least, theexplanation that his wife gave concerning his mysterious death. 

No one knew anything positive concerning the third husband of Blue Beardand his death. 

These three deaths, so close together, so mysterious, caused strangestories to be circulated regarding this woman, and reached the ears ofthe Governor of Martinique, who was then Chevalier de Crussol; hestarted with an escort for Devil's Cliff; arriving at the foot of thethickly-wooded ascent, on the summit of which towered the mansion, hefound a mulatto who gave him a letter. After reading this letter, thegovernor showed great surprise, and ordering his escort to await hisreturn, he followed the slave, alone. 

At the expiration of four hours the governor returned with his guide, and immediately retraced his steps to St. Pierre. Some of those whoformed his escort remarked that he was very pale and very much agitated. From that moment until the day of his death, which occurred thirteenmonths to the very day after his visit to Devil's Cliff, no one everheard him pronounce the name of Blue Beard. The governor made a longconfession to Father Griffen, who came to him from Macouba. It wasobserved that in leaving the penitent, Father Griffen appeared to havereceived a great shock. 

From that time the kind of fatal and mysterious reputation which hadattached itself to the name of Blue Beard increased day by day. Superstition mingled with the terror which she inspired, until her namewas never mentioned without terror; it was firmly believed that she hadassassinated her three husbands, and that she had escaped punishment bylaw only through the power of her wealth, thus purchasing the support ofthe different governors who succeeded each other in turn. No one, then, was tempted to trouble Blue Beard with visits to the wild and solitaryplace in which she dwelt, above all since the cannibal, the buccaneerand the privateer had come, as they said, to be companions or consolersto the widow. 

Whether or not these men had ever legally rendered themselves liable forany crime, it was asserted that they pursued with an implacable hatredand vengeance all who attempted to come near Blue Beard. By reason ofbeing repeated and exaggerated, these threats bore their fruit. Theislanders care little to go, perhaps at the peril of their lives, topenetrate into the mysteries of Devil's Cliff. It required the desperateaudacity of a Gascon in extremity, to attempt to surprise the secret ofBlue Beard and undertake to espouse her. Such was possibly the fixeddesign of the Chevalier de Croustillac; he was not a man to renounce soeasily the hope, insane as it was, of marrying a woman worth millions;beautiful or plain, young or old, it mattered little to him. 

As a means to success, he counted upon his good carriage, his spirit, his amiability, and his manner, at the same time gallant and proud--forthe chevalier had an excellent opinion of himself--but he counted stillmore on his wit, his cunning, and his courage. In fine, a man alert anddetermined, who had nothing to lose and feared nothing, who believedimplicitly in himself and his star; who could say to himself as didCroustillac, "In risking death during a moment--for death can be but amoment's agony--I _may_ live in luxury and opulence"--such a man canperform miracles above all when he undertakes a project with such agrand object and as stimulating as that proposed by Croustillac. 

According to his resolve, Father Griffen, after he had brought to aclose the affairs which detained him at St. Pierre, invited thechevalier to accompany him to Macouba, to remain there until the Unicornshould sail again for France. Macouba being distant not more than fouror five leagues from Devil's Cliff, the chevalier, who had spent histhree crowns and who found himself without resources, accepted the offerof the worthy priest, without further enlightening him as to his resolveconcerning Blue Beard; this he would not reveal until the moment arrivedto put it into execution. 

After taking leave of Captain Daniel, the chevalier and the priestembarked in a small boat. Favored by a good wind from the south, theyset sail for Macouba. Croustillac appeared indifferent to themagnificent and novel scenes which were afforded by the coast ofMartinique, seen from the water; the tropical vegetation whose verdure, of a tone almost metallic, outlined on a glowing sky, affected him verylittle. 

The adventurer, with his eyes fixed on the scintillating wake which theboat left behind her, seemed to see flashing the living rays of BlueBeard's diamonds; the little green herbs, standing in relief from thesubmerged meadows which edged the winding shores, pictured to the Gasconthe emeralds of the widow; while some drops of water sparkled in the sunin the fall of the oars made him dream of the sacks of pearls which theterrible resident at Devil's Cliff possessed. 

Father Griffen was also deeply absorbed; after thinking of his friendsat Devil's Cliff, he turned his thoughts, with a mixture of disquietudeand joy, to his little flock at home, his garden, his poor andunpretentious church, his house, his favorite horse, his dog, and histwo slaves who had always given him the most devoted service. Andthen--shall we say it?--he thought of certain preserves which he hadmade some days before his departure, and as to the condition of which hewas ignorant. 

In three hours our travelers arrived at Macouba. Father Griffen had notlong to wait; the canoe was moored in a little bay, not far from theriver which watered this section, one of the most fertile of Martinique. 

Father Griffen leaned upon the chevalier's arm. After having for a timefollowed the shore where the high and powerful waves of the CaribbeanSea rolled on, they reached the village of Macouba, composed of somehundred houses built of wood and covered with roses and palms. 

The village was built on a semicircular plan which followed the outlineof the Bay of Macouba, a little port where many canoes and fishing boatswere built. The church was a long wooden edifice from the center ofwhich four beams arose, surmounted by a little belfry in which was hunga bell; the church overlooked the village, and was in turn overshadowedby immense cliffs, covered by rich vegetation, which made anamphitheatre of living green. 

The sun was rapidly setting. The priest trod the only street thatcrossed Macouba, and which led to the church. Some small negroes, absolutely nude, were rolling in the dust; uttering loud cries; theyfled at the approach of the priest. A number of creole women, white orof mixed blood, dressed in long robes of Indian and madras cloth, instriking colors, ran to the doors; recognizing Father Griffen, theytestified to their surprise and joy; young and old hastened torespectfully kiss his hand, and to say in creole, "Blessed is yourreturn, good Father; you have been missed in Macouba. " Numbers of mencame out at once and surrounded Father Griffen, with the same tokens ofattachment and respect. 

While the priest talked with the villagers of the events which had takenplace at Macouba during his absence, and in turn gave them news ofFrance, the housewives, fearing that the good father would not findsufficient provision at the parsonage, had retired to select, one a finefish, another a beautiful pullet; this one the quarter of a fine fatbuck, that one some fruits or vegetables, and a number of little negroeswere ordered to carry to the parsonage these voluntary tithes. 

The priest reached his house, situated on one side, at some distancefrom the village, overlooking the sea. Nothing could be more simple thanthis modest wooden house, covered with roses, and of one story. Curtainsof clear linen dressed the windows and took the place of blinds, whichwere a great luxury in the colonies. 

A large room, comprising at the same time parlor and dining room, communicated with the kitchen built at the rear; at the left of thisprincipal room were the bedroom of Father Griffen, and two other smallrooms opening into the garden and set apart for strangers or the otherpriests of Martinique who might, at times, ask the hospitality of theirbrother priest. 

A henhouse, a stable for the horse, lodgings for two negroes, andseveral sheds, completed this establishment, furnished with a rusticsimplicity. The garden had been carefully laid out. Four broad pathswere divided by many beds bordered by thyme, lavender, wild thyme, hyssop and other fragrant plants. The four principal beds weresubdivided into numerous little ones set apart for vegetables or fruits, but surrounded by wide borders of fragrant flowers. Between two littlewalls of verdure, covered with Arabian jasmine and odorous creepers, could be seen, in the horizon, the sea and the hills of the otherislands. 

No fresher or more charming spot than this garden, in which the mostbeautiful flowers mingled with fruits and magnificent vegetables, couldbe found. Here a bed of melons, of an amber color, was bordered by dwarfpomegranates, shaped like a small box and covered at the same time withpurple blossoms and fruit so heavy and so abundant that it touched theearth. A little further on, a branch of Angola wood with its long, greenhusks, and its blue flowers, was surrounded by a line of white and pinkalmonds, sweet with perfume; the carrot plant, sorrel, gimgambo andleek, were hidden in a fourfold rank of tuberoses of the richest tints;finally, came a square of pineapples which perfumed the air, having arow of magnificent cacti for a border, with yellow calix and long silverpistils. Behind the house extended an orchard composed of cocoanuts, bananas, guava, tamarind, and orange trees, whose branches were weighteddown to the earth with flowers and fruit. 

Father Griffen followed the paths of his garden with unspeakablehappiness, observing each flower, plant and tree. His two slavesattended him; one was called Monsieur, the other Jean. These two goodcreatures, weeping with joy at the sight of their master, could notreply to his questions, so much affected were they, and could only sayone to the other, with hands raised to heaven, "God be praised--he ishere! he is here!"

The chevalier, indifferent to the joy of the natives, followed thepriest mechanically; he was consumed with the desire to inquire of hishost if, through the woods which rose in an amphitheatre, one could seethe road to Devil's Cliff. 

After examining his garden, the good priest went out to inspect hishorse which he had named Grenadille, and his large English mastiffcalled Snog; as soon as he opened the stable door Snog threw himselfupon his master and bounded around him. He not only jumped upon him butbarked with joy, with such evidence of affection that the negro, Monsieur, was obliged to take the dog by his collar and could withdifficulty restrain him, while the priest caressed Grenadille, whoseglossy coat and well-covered ribs bore testimony to the good care ofMonsieur, who had charge of the stable. 

After this thorough visit through his little domain, Father Griffenconducted the chevalier into the bedroom which he had intended for him. A bed draped with a mosquito-netting under a linen canopy, a largebureau of mahogany wood, and a table, was the furnishing of this room, which opened upon the garden. Its only ornament was a crucifix suspendedfrom the center of the slightly roughened wainscot. 

"You will find here a poor and modest hospitality, " said Father Griffento the chevalier, "but it is offered you with a good heart. "

"And I accept it with gratitude, Father, " said Croustillac. 

At this moment Monsieur came to announce that supper was ready, andFather Griffen led the way to the dining room. 

CHAPTER V. 

THE SURPRISE. 

A large glass wherein burned a candle of yellow wax, lighted the table;the dishes were placed on a table cloth of coarse but very white linen. There was no silver; the steel knives, and spoons of maple wood, were ofgreat neatness. A bottle of blue glass contained about a pint of canary;in a large pewter pot bubbled the _oagou_, a fermented beverage madefrom the grain of sugar cane; a sealed earthen vessel held water, asfresh as if it were iced. 

A fine dorado grilled in its scales (a Caribbean dish), a roastedparoquet of the size of a pheasant, two dishes of sea crabs cooked inthe shell and served with sauce of the citron juice, and a salad ofgreen peas, had been symmetrically placed on the table by the negroJean, around a centerpiece composed of a large basket containing apyramid of fruit, which had at its base a European melon, a watermelon, and at its summit a pineapple; there was a side dish of slicedpalm-cabbage dressed with vinegar, and little whitefish preserved inspiced pickle, which would tempt the appetite of the guests or excitetheir thirst. 

"You are treating me with royal magnificence, Father, " said thechevalier to the priest. "This island is the 'promised land, ' surely. "

"With the exception of the canary wine, which was a gift, my son, allthis is the product of the garden which I cultivate, or the fishing andhunting of my two slaves, for the offerings of my parish aresuperfluous, thanks to the foresight of Monsieur and Jean, who wereadvised of my arrival by a sailor at Fort St. Pierre. Help yourself tothis paroquet, my son, " said the priest to the chevalier, who appearedto find the fish very much to his taste. 

Croustillac hesitated a moment and looked at the priest in an uncertainmanner. "I do not know why, but it seems strange to eat a paroquet, "said the chevalier. 

"Try it, try it, " responded the priest, and he placed a wing on hisplate. "Is a pheasant's flesh more plump or more golden? It is cooked toa marvel; and then, did you ever smell anything more appetizing?"

"I should say four spices are employed, " said the chevalier, inhalingthe odor. 

"It is claimed that these birds are very fond of the berry of the Indiantrees which they find in the forest; these trees have at once the tasteof cinnamon, clove and pepper, and the flesh of the game partakes of thescent of this aromatic tree. How this juice is flavored. Add a little ofthe orange sugar, and then tell me if the Lord has not blessed hiscreatures in bestowing such gifts upon them?"

"In all my life I have never eaten anything more tender, more delicateor more savory than this, " replied the chevalier, with full mouth, andhalf shutting his eyes in sensual enjoyment. 

"Is it not good?" said the good priest, who, knife and fork in hand, looked at his guest with satisfied pride. 

The repast ended, Monsieur placed a pot of tobacco and pipes at the sideof the bottle of canary, and Father Griffen and Croustillac were thenleft alone. 

After filling a glass of wine and passing it to the chevalier, thepriest said to him, "Your health, my son. "

"Thanks, father, " said the chevalier, lifting his glass. "Drink also tothe health of my future bride; it will be a good omen for me. "

"How? your future bride?" replied the priest; "what do you mean?"

"I allude to Blue Beard, father. "

"Ah--always jesting! Frankly, I believe the men of your province aremost inventive, my son, " said Father Griffen, smiling mischievously, andemptying his glass in small doses. 

"I never spoke more seriously, father. You heard the vow which I made onboard the Unicorn?"

"Impossibility nullifies a vow, my son; because you should swear tomeasure the ocean, would you engage to fulfill this oath?"

"How, Father--is the heart of Blue Beard as bottomless as the ocean?"gayly exclaimed the chevalier. 

"An English poet has said of woman, 'Perfidious as the waves, ' my son. "

"However perfidious women may be, my worthy host, " said the chevalierwith a self-sufficient air, "we men know how to disarm them, and I shallexercise afresh that power in dealing with Blue Beard. "

"You will not attempt anything of the kind, my son; I am easy on thatpoint. "

"Allow me to say, father, that you deceive yourself. To-morrow, atdaybreak, I shall ask of you a guide to conduct me to Devil's Cliff, andI shall confide the course of this adventure to my Star. "

The chevalier spoke with so serious an air that Father Griffen hastilyplaced upon the table the glass which he was raising to his lips, andregarded the chevalier with as much astonishment as distrust. Until thenhe had really believed the matter to be only a pleasantry or idle boast. "Are you sincere in this resolve? This is absolute madness, but----"

"Excuse me, Father, for interrupting you, " said the chevalier, "but yousee before you the younger son of my family, who has tempted everyfortune, wasted all his resources, and with whom nothing has succeeded. Blue Beard is rich, very rich. I have everything to gain, nothing tolose. "

"Nothing to lose?"

"Life, perhaps, you will say. I make a good bargain; and then, barbarousthough this country may be, helpless as justice may prove, I do notthink that Blue Beard will dare treat me, on my arrival, as she treatedher three husbands; if so, you will know that I have fallen a victim;you will demand an account of my death. I risk nothing more than seeingmy homage rejected. Ah! well, if such be the case, if she repulses me, Ishall continue to delight Captain Daniel during his trips by swallowinglighted candles and balancing bottles on the end of my nose. Certainlysuch an occupation is honorable and amusing, but I prefer another life. So, then, no matter what you say, Father, I am resolved to attempt theadventure and to go to Devil's Cliff. I cannot tell you what secretpresentiment tells me I shall succeed, that I am upon the eve of seeingmy destiny fulfill itself in a most wonderful manner. The future seemstinted with rose and gold; I dream only of magnificent palaces, wealth, and beauty; it seems to me (excuse the pagan comparison) that Love andFortune have come and taken me by the hands and are saying to me, 'Polyphème de Croustillac, happiness awaits thee. ' You will say, perhaps, Father, " continued the chevalier, throwing a mocking glance athis faded coat, "that I am poorly dressed to present myself in thisbeautiful and brave company of fortune and happiness; but Blue Beard, who must be intelligent, will comprehend at once that under thisoutside, the heart of an Amadis, the spirit of a Gascon, and the courageof a Cæsar dwells. "

After a moment's silence the priest, instead of smiling at thepleasantries of the chevalier, said to him in a tone that was mostsolemn, "Is your resolve finally taken?"

"Unwaveringly and absolutely taken, Father. "

"Hear me then; I heard the confessions of the Chevalier de Crussol, theformer governor of this island; he who, when the third husband of thiswoman disappeared, went to Devil's Cliff. "

"Well, father?"

"While I must respect the secrets of the confessional, I can, I must, tell you that if you persist in your insane project, you expose yourselfto great and unavoidable peril. Without doubt, if you lose your life, your death will not remain unpunished; but there will be no means ofpreventing the fatal end upon which you would rush. Who obliges you togo to Devil's Cliff? The resident of that place wishes to live insolitude; the barriers of that abode are such that you cannot break themdown without violence; for in every country, and above all in this one, he who trespasses upon the property of another exposes himself to gravedanger--danger the greater that all idea of a union with this widow isimpossible, even if you were of a princely house. "

These words hurt immeasurably the self-esteem of the Gascon, whoexclaimed, "Father, this woman is but a woman, and _I_ am Croustillac. "

"What do you say, my son?"

"That this woman is free; that she has not seen me; that but one look, one only, will change entirely her resolve. "

"I do not think it. "

"Reverend Father, I have the greatest, the blindest confidence in yourword; I know all its authority; but this concerns the fair sex, and youcannot understand the heart of woman as _I_ understand it, you do notknow what inexplicable caprices they are capable of; you do not knowthat what pleases them to-day displeases them to-morrow; and that theywish for to-day, that which they disdained yesterday. With women, myreverend sir, one must dare in order to succeed. If it were not for yourcloth, I would tell you some curious adventures and audaciousundertakings by which I have been recompensed amorously!"

"My son!"

"I understand your sensitiveness, Father, and to return to Blue Beard:once in her presence, I shall treat her not only with effrontery, withhaughtiness, but as a victor--I dare say it, as a lion who comes proudlyto carry off his prey. "

These remarks of the chevalier were interrupted by an unforeseenaccident. It was very warm; the door of the dining room which looked onthe garden was half open. The chevalier, with back turned to this door, was seated in an arm chair with a wooden back which was not very high. Asharp hissing sound was heard and a quick blow vibrated in the middle ofthe chevalier's chair. 

At this sound Father Griffen bounded from his chair, rushed and took hisgun down from a rack placed in his bedroom, and precipitated himself outof doors, crying, "Jean! Monsieur! Take your guns! Follow me, mychildren! follow me! The Caribbeans are upon us!"

CHAPTER VI. 

THE WARNING. 

All this took place so rapidly that the chevalier was dumfounded. "Getup! get up!" cried the priest. "The Caribbeans! Look at the back of yourchair--get out of the light!"

The chevalier rose quickly, and saw an arrow three feet in length fixedin the back of his chair. Two inches higher and the chevalier would havebeen pierced through the shoulders. Croustillac seized his sword, whichhe had left on a chair, and hurried after the priest. 

Father Griffen, at the head of his two negroes, armed with their guns, and preceded by his mastiff, sought for the enemy; unfortunately, thedoor of the dining room opened upon a trellised orchard; the night wasdark; doubtless the person who had sped the arrow was already far away, or well hidden in the top of some thick tree. 

Snog bounded hither and thither in the eagerness of his search. FatherGriffen recalled his two slaves who were too venturesome and would havepenetrated into the orchard. 

"Well, father, where are they?" said the chevalier, brandishing hissword: "shall we charge upon them? A lantern--give me a lantern; we willvisit the orchard and the neighborhood of the house. "

"No, no, not a lantern, my son, it would serve to point us out to theassailants if there are a number, and you would be too much exposed; youwould receive an arrow in you. Come, come, " said the priest, loweringhis gun after some moments of attentive scrutiny; "it is but an alarm;let us return and thank the Lord for the clumsiness of this cannibal, for if he had not blundered, you would not be here, my son. Whatastonishes me, and for which I thank God, is that you have escaped; anative so bold as to make such an attempt should have a true eye and asure hand. "

"But what harm have you ever done these savages, Father?"

"None! I have often been in their settlement at the Isle des Saintes, and have always been properly received; thus I cannot understand theobject of this attack. But let us look at this arrow--I shall know fromthe feather if it is a native arrow. "

"We must keep a good watch, to-night, Father, and to this end confide inme, " said the Gascon. "You see that it is not only in a love affair thatI have firmness. "

"I do not doubt you, my son, and I accept your offer. I will fasten thewindows securely against the assassins, and bar the door strongly. Snogwill act as picket. It will not be the first time this house has stood asiege; a dozen English pirates attacked it two years ago, but with myslaves and the aid of an official from Cabesterre, who was accidentallyat my house, we punished the heretics severely. "

So saying, Father Griffen entered the dining room, withdrawing with someeffort the iron-barbed arrow which stuck in the back of the chair, heexclaimed with surprise, "There is a paper attached to the feather ofthis arrow!" Then, unfolding it, he read these words, written in a largeand bold hand: "Warning number one, to the Chevalier de Croustillac. "

"To the Rev. Father Griffen, respect and affection. "

The priest looked at the chevalier without saying a word. He, in turn, took the bit of paper and read it. 

"What does this mean?" he exclaimed. 

"It means that I have not been deceived in speaking of the sure aim ofthe Caribbeans. The person who shot the arrow could have killed you hadhe so willed. See! this arrow tip is poisoned, doubtless; it entered aninch into the back of this chair of hard wood; if it had struck you, youwould be dead. What skill was displayed in thus guiding this arrow!"

"Zounds, Father! I find it rather more marvelous that I am not touched, "said the Gascon. "But what the devil have I done to this savage?"

Father Griffen struck his forehead with his hand. "When I have read youthis?" he exclaimed. 

"Read what, Father?"

"Warning number one, to the Chevalier de Croustillac. "

"Well?"

"Well! this warning comes from Devil's Cliff. "

"You believe it to be so?"

"I am sure of it. They have learned of your project and they desire toforce you to give it up. "

"How can they have learned it?"

"You did not hide it on board the Unicorn. Some of the passengers, disembarking three days ago at St. Pierre, have spoken of it; this rumorhas reached the counting house of Blue Beard and her business managerhas informed his employer. "

"I am forced to confess, " replied the chevalier, after a moment'sreflection, "that Blue Beard has singular means of corresponding withone. This is a queer little mail. "

"Ah, well, my son, I hope the lesson will profit you, " said the priest. Then he continued, addressing the two slaves who were carrying in theblinds and were about to raise them into place, "It is unnecessary, mychildren, I see there is nothing to fear. "

The slaves, accustomed to a blind obedience, took away the impromptudefenses. 

The chevalier looked at the priest with astonishment. 

"Without doubt, " said the good father, "the word of the dwellers atDevil's Cliff is sacred; I have nothing at present to fear from them, nor you either, my son, because you are warned, and you will necessarilygive up your mad plan. "

"I, Father?"

"How----"

"May I become blacker this moment than your two negroes if I renounceit. "

"What do you say--after such a warning?"

"Well, who is to tell me that this warning comes from Blue Beard? It maycome from a rival--from the buccaneer, the filibuster, or the cannibal. For I have quite a selection among the gallant admirers of the beautyof Devil's Cliff. "

"Ah, well, what does it signify----"

"How? What does it signify, Father? But I intend to show these would-bewits what the blood of a De Croustillac is! Ah! they think to intimidateme! They do not know this sword which, look you, would move in itsscabbard! whose steel would blush with indignation if I were to renouncemy undertaking!"

"My son, this is madness, sheer madness----"

"And what a coward, what a sheep, would the Chevalier de Croustillacappear in the eyes of Blue Beard if he were so pusillanimous as to bedaunted by so little!"

"By so little! but two inches higher and you would have been killed!"

"But as it was two inches lower, and I was _not_ killed, I willconsecrate my life to taming the willful heart of Blue Beard and tovanquishing my rivals, be they ten, twenty, thirty, one hundred or tenthousand, " replied the Gascon, with growing enthusiasm. 

"But if this act was the order of the mistress of Devil's Cliff?"

"If it was done by her order, she shall see, the cruel one, that I willbrave the death to which she would send me, in order to reach her heart. She is a woman; she will appreciate such valor. I do not know if she isa Venus but I know that without wronging the god Mars I Polyphème Amadorde Croustillac am terribly martial; and from beauty to courage there isbut a step. "

One must imagine the exaggeration and Gascon accent of the chevalier tohave an idea of this scene. 

Father Griffen hardly knew whether to laugh or to be appalled at theopinionated resolve of the chevalier. The secret of the confessionalforbade his speaking, from entering into any details concerning Devil'sCliff; he knew not how to induce the chevalier to renounce his fatalintention. He had endeavored to do so, but in vain. 

"If nothing can withhold you, my son, it cannot be said that I havebeen, even indirectly, an accomplice in your mad enterprise. You areignorant of the position of Devil's Cliff; neither myself, nor myslaves, nor, I assure you, any of my parishioners will be your guide. Ihave instructed them to refuse. Beside the reputation of Blue Beard issuch that no one would care to infringe my orders. "

This declaration of the priest's seemed to make the chevalier reflect. He bent his head in silence then he began again resolutely: "I know thatDevil's Cliff is some four leagues from this spot; it is situated in thenorthern part of the island. My heart will serve as a compass to guideme to the lady of my thoughts, with the assistance of the sun and themoon. "

"But, madman, " cried the priest, "there is no path through the forestswhich you would traverse; the trees are so thick that they would hidefrom you the position of the sun--you would be lost. "

"I shall go right ahead; I shall arrive somewhere. Your island is not solarge (be it said without disparaging Martinique), Father; then I shallretrace my steps, and I shall seek until I find Devil's Cliff. "

"But the soil of the forest is often impassable; it is infested withserpents of the most dangerous species; I say to you that in what youpropose, you are courting a thousand deaths. "

"Ah, well, Father, 'nothing venture, nothing have. ' If there areserpents I will get upon stilts after the manner of the natives of mycountry. "

"Going to walk on stilts in the midst of creepers, brambles, rocks, trees overturned by storms? I tell you, you do not know our forests. "

"If one always considered the perils of an undertaking one would neveraccomplish any good. Did you think of the deadly fevers when you tendedthose of your parishioners who were attacked with it?"

"But my object was a pious one; I risked death in the observance of myduty; while you rush upon yours out of vanity. "

"Vanity, Father! A companion who has sacks filled with diamonds and finepearls, and probably five or six millions more in gold! Zounds! what a'vanity!'"

Having seen the futility of overcoming such unparalleledopinionativeness, the good priest said no more. 

He conducted his guest to the room assigned to him, fully resolved toput every difficulty possible in the way of the chevalier the next day. 

Inflexible in his resolve, Croustillac slept profoundly. A livelycuriosity had come to the aid of a natural obstinacy and animperturbable confidence in his destiny; the more this confidence hadbeen, till then, disappointed, the more our adventurer believed that thepromised hour was about to come to him. The following morning, at breakof day, he arose and went on tiptoe to the door of Father Griffen'sroom. The priest still slept, not thinking for a moment that thechevalier would dream of starting off on a journey through an unknowncountry without a guide. He deceived himself. 

Croustillac, in order to escape the solicitation and reproaches of hishost, started at once. He girded on his formidable sword, a weapon veryinconvenient to travel with through a forest; he jammed his hat welldown on his head, took a staff in his hand with which to frighten theserpents, and with firm tread and nose in the air, though with a heartbeating rather rapidly, he quitted the hospitable house of the priest ofMacouba, and directed his steps toward the north, for some timefollowing the extremely thick vegetation of the forest. He shortlyafterward made a circuit of this dense vegetation, which formed an angletoward the east, and stretched indefinitely in that direction. 

From the moment that the chevalier entered the forest, he did nothesitate in the slightest degree. He recalled the wise counsels ofFather Griffen; he thought of the dangers which he was going toencounter; but he also invoked the thought of Blue Beard's treasures; hewas dazzled by the heaps of gold, pearls, rubies and diamonds which hebelieved he saw sparkling and quivering before his eyes. He pictured tohimself the owner of Devil's Cliff, a being of perfect beauty. Led on bythis vision, he entered resolutely the forest, and pushed aside theheavy screen of creepers which were suspended from the limbs of thetrees which they draped. 

The chevalier did not forget to beat the bushes with his staff, cryingout in a loud voice, "Out, ye serpents, out!"

With the exception of the voice of the Gascon, there was not a sound. 

The sun rose; the air, freshened by the plenteous dew of the night, andby the sea breeze, was impregnated with the aromatic odors of theforest, and its tropical flowers. The rest was still plunged in theshadow when the chevalier entered it. 

For some time the profound silence reigning in this imposing solitudewas only broken by the blows of the chevalier's staff on the bushes, andby his repeated cries, "Out, ye serpents, out!"

Little by little these sounds grew fainter and then ceased all at once. 

The gloomy and profound silence which reigned was suddenly broken inupon by a kind of savage howl which had in it nothing human. This sound, and the first rays of the sun trembling on the horizon, like a sheaf oflight, appeared to rouse the inhabitants of the great forest. Theyresponded one after another until the uproar became infernal. Thechattering of monkeys; the cry of wildcats; the hissing of serpents; thegrunts of wild boars; the bellowing of cattle, broke from everydirection with a frightful chorus; the echoes of the forest and thecliffs repeated these discordant sounds; one would have supposed a bandof demons was responding to a superior demon's call. 

CHAPTER VII. 

THE CAVERN. 

While the chevalier sought a road to Devil's Cliff by which to traversethe forest, we will conduct our readers toward the most southern portionof the coast of Martinique. 

The sea rolled with slow majesty at the foot of large rocks near a peakwhich formed a natural defense to this part of the island, and whichrose in a perpendicular wall some two hundred feet in height. Thecontinued beating of the waves rendered this coast so dangerous that avessel could not touch at this place without being, inevitably, brokento pieces. 

The site of which we speak had a wild and grand simplicity; a wall ofbarren rocks, of a dull red, was outlined on a sky of sapphire blue;their base was swallowed up in a whirl of snowy foam, hidden by theincessant shock of enormous mountains of water which broke upon thesereefs in tones of thunder. The sun with all its strength threw abrilliant, torrid light on this mass of granite; there was not a cloudin the brazen heavens. On the horizon there appeared through a burningvapor the high land of the other Antilles. 

At some distance from the coast, where the waves broke, the sea was of asomber blue, and as calm as a mirror. An object scarcely perceptible, because it offered little surface above the water, approached rapidlythe portion of this island called Cabesterre. 

Little by little, a long, light canoe was to be distinguished, whosestern and bow cut the sea evenly; this vessel, without sails, wasimpelled forward by the strength of the waves. On each seat was clearlyseen a man vigorously rowing. Whether or not the coast was asunapproachable at three leagues as at this place, it was evident thatthe canoe was directed toward these rocks. 

The object of those who were approaching seemed to be hard tounderstand. Presently the canoe was caught in the midst of the surfbeating upon these reefs. Had it not been for the marvelous ability ofits pilot, who avoided these masses of water following the frail barkand incessantly menacing it, she would very soon have been swallowed up. 

At two gunshots from the rocks, the canoe reversed and rested, and tookadvantage of an interval in the succession of waves, at a moment ofcalm, which occurred periodically after seven or eight waves had brokeninto foam. 

The two men, who by their clothing were easily seen to be Europeansailors, pressing their caps more securely on their heads, sprangoverboard and boldly struck out for the shore while their companionsturned at the edge of this calm, regained the open, and disappearedafter having braved anew the fury of the mountainous waves withwonderful skill. 

During this time the two intrepid swimmers, by turn submerged or cast upfrom the midst of the enormous waves which they adroitly traversed, arrived at the foot of the rocks in the center of a sea of foam. Theyappeared to be rushing upon certain death, and it looked as if theywould be dashed to pieces upon the reefs. Nothing of the sort occurred, however. These two men seemed to perfectly understand the coast; theydirected their course toward a place where the violence of the waves hadhollowed out a natural grotto. 

The waves, engulphing themselves under this roof with a horrible dinfell back from it in a cataract into a smaller basin, hollow and deep. After some heavy undulations, the waves grew feebler; in the center of agigantic cavern formed a little subterranean lake which, when full, returned to the sea by some hidden channel. 

It required great temerity to so abandon themselves to the impulse ofthese furious waves which precipitated them into the abyss; but thismomentary submersion was more frightful than dangerous; the mouth ofthe cave was so large that there was no danger of being bruised by therocks, and the cloud of foam threw them into the midst of a peacefulpond, surrounded by a fine, sandy beach. 

Sifting through the fall of water which bubbled at the entrance of thisenormous roof, the light was feeble, soft, and bluish like that of themoon. 

The two swimmers, breathless, deafened and wounded by the shook of thewaves, emerged from the little lake and stretched themselves on thesand, where they rested for some time. 

The larger of these two men, though he was dressed like a common sailor, was Colonel Rutler, a stanch partisan of the new King of England, William of Orange, under whose orders he had served when the son-in-lawof the unfortunate James II. Was only a stadtholder of Holland. ColonelRutler was robust and tall; his face wore an expression of audacity, bordering on cruelty; his hair, lying in close, damp meshes, was of adeep red; his mustache of the same color hid a large mouth overshadowedby a hooked nose, resembling the beak of a bird of prey. 

Rutler, a faithful and resolute man, served his master with blinddevotion. William of Orange had testified his confidence in him byintrusting to him a mission as difficult as it was dangerous, the natureof which we shall know later on. The sailor who accompanied the colonelwas slight but vigorous, active and determined. 

The colonel said to him in English, after a moment's silence, "Are yousure, John, that there is a passage leading from here?"

"The passage exists, colonel, be easy on that score. "

"But I do not perceive any----"

"By and by, colonel, when your view shall have become accustomed to thishalf light, like that of the moon, you will lay yourself down flat onyour stomach, and there, at the right, at the end of a long naturalpassage in which one cannot advance except by crawling, you willperceive the light of day which penetrates through a crevasse in therock. "

"If the road is sure, it certainly is not easy. "

"So far from easy, colonel, that I defy the captain of the brigantinewho brought you to the Barbadoes, with his great stomach, to enter thepassage which remains for us to travel. It is as much as I could doheretofore to glide through; it is the size of the tunnel of a chimney. "

"And it leads?"

"To the bottom of a precipice which forms a defense for Devil's Cliff;three sides of this precipice are a peak, and it is as impossible todescend as to ascend it; but as to the fourth side, it is notinaccessible, and with the help of the jutting rocks one can reach bythis road the limits of the park of Blue Beard. "

"I understand--this subterranean passage will conduct us to the bottomof the abyss above which towers Devil's Cliff?"

"Exactly, colonel; it is as if we were at the bottom of a moat, one ofwhose sides is perpendicular and the other sloping. When I say sloping, that is simply a figure of speech, for in order to reach the summit ofthe peak, one must more than once hang suspended by some vine betweenheaven and earth. But when there, we find ourselves at the edge of thepark of Devil's Cliff--once there, we can hide ourselves in some placeand wait our opportunity----"

"And this opportunity is not far distant; come, come, you, who know somuch, must, at one time, have been in the service of Blue Beard!"

"I told you, colonel, I came from the coast with her and her firsthusband; at the end of three months, they sent me back; then I left forSan Domingo. I have heard no further word of them. "

"And she--would you know her well?"

"Yes, as to her height and general air, but not her face; for we reachedthe coast at night, and once on shore she was carried in a litter toDevil's Cliff. When by chance she walked in the daytime, she wore amask. Some say she is as beautiful as an angel; others, that she is uglyas a monster. I cannot say which are in the right, for neither I nor mymates ever put foot in the interior of the mansion. Those who performthe special attendance and service are mulattresses as mute as fish. "

"And he?"

"He is handsome, tall and slender, about thirty-six years old, brown, with black hair and mustache, and has an aquiline nose. "

"It is certainly he, " said the colonel, when John had thus describedhim. "It is thus that he was always described; and it is not positivelyknown that he is dead?"

"It is said he died on the voyage, but no one has ever really known. "

"And no one doubts that he died?"

"Faith! no, colonel, because Blue Beard has been married twice sincethen. "

"And have you seen these two husbands?"

"No, colonel, for when I arrived from San Domingo, only eight dayssince, you engaged me for this expedition, knowing that I could serveyou. You have promised me fifty guineas if I will introduce you intothis island, in spite of the French cruisers, which, since the war, donot allow any vessels to approach the coast, which is accessible, be itunderstood. Our canoe, however, was not interfered with, for, thanks tothe sharp rocks of Cabesterre, no one could conceive that we could landon this coast of the island, and they have not watched that. "

"And then, beside, no one would suspect our presence on the island, though, according to what you tell me, Blue Beard has a kind of policewho keep her informed of the arrival of all strangers. "

"At least, colonel, they say that the men who are so employed, at St. Pierre and Fort Royal, were on the watch and that a stranger who landedat Martinique did not escape their vigilance. "

"All that is for the best; you shall have your fifty guineas. But, oncemore, you are very sure about this subterranean passage?"

"Be easy as to that, colonel; I have passed through it, I tell you, witha negro who was a pearl-fisher, and he it was who first took me throughit. "

"But you were obliged to climb the precipice in order to reach the parkof Devil's Cliff?"

"Doubtless, colonel; since it was from curiosity to see this park, inwhich no one was permitted to enter, that I accepted the pearl-fisher'soffer; being of the household, I knew Blue Beard and her husband wereabsent; I was then sure that I could pass through the garden afterclimbing the precipice; that was what we did, not without the risk ofbreaking our necks, however, a thousand times, but what would you have?I was dying with curiosity to see the interior of this place, which hadbeen forbidden. It was a perfect paradise. What was most amusing was thesurprise of the mulattress who guarded the entrance; when she saw us, myself and the negro, she could not conceive how we had been able toenter. We told her we had escaped her notice. She believed us; she putus out as quickly as possible, and she committed suicide rather than bepunished by her employers. "

After a few minutes' silence the colonel said abruptly, "This is notall; now there is no retreat, I must tell you everything. "

"What then, colonel?"

"Once introduced into Devil's Cliff, we have a man to surprise andovercome; whatever he does to defend himself, a hair of his head mustnot be harmed, at least, unless he absolutely forces us to protect ourlives; then, " continued the colonel, with a sinister smile, "then twohundred guineas for you, whether we succeed or not. "

"A thousand devils! you have waited rather long to say this to me, colonel. But, as the wine is drawn, it must be quaffed. "

"Come, I did not deceive myself, you are a brave man. "

"Ah, as to that, is the man whom you seek also strong and brave?"

"Well, " said Rutler, after some minutes of reflection, "consider alittle the first husband of the widow--a man tall and slender. "

"The devil! he was slender, 'tis true; a rod of steel is, also, slender, but that does not prevent its being furiously strong. See here, colonel, that man was made of iron. He was so strong that I have seen him take aninsolent negro by the middle and throw him ten feet from him, as if hewere an infant, though the black was larger and more robust than you. So, colonel, if the man you seek resembles that one, we would be unwiseto bait him--as you say----"

"Less than you believe. I will explain to you----"

"And then, " continued John, "if by chance the filibuster, the buccanneeror the cannibal who they say frequently visit the widow, should also bethere, it would become somewhat embarrassing. "

"Hear me; after what you have told me is there at the end of the park atree where one could hide?"

"Yes, colonel. "

"With the exception of the buccaneer, the filibuster or the cannibal noone enters the private habitation of Blue Beard?"

"No one colonel except the mulattresses who wait upon her. "

"And except also the man whom I seek, be it remembered; I have myreasons for believing we shall find him there. "

"Well, colonel?"

"Then nothing is simpler; we will hide ourselves in the thickest treeuntil our man comes to our side. "

"That cannot fail to occur colonel because the park is not large andwhen one walks in it he is forced to pass near a marble basin not veryfar from the place where we shall be hidden. "

"If our man does not take a walk after night comes, we will wait untilhe has gone to bed, and we will surprise him there. "

"This will be easy, colonel, unless he calls one of Blue Beard'scomforters to his succor. "

"Be easy about that; for with your assistance I can place my hand on himand then though he were surrounded by a hundred men armed to the teethhe is mine; I have a sure means of obliging him to obey me; thisconcerns me. All that I require of you is to conduct me into the ambushfrom which I can spring upon him suddenly. "

"This shall be done, colonel. "

"Then let us be going, " said Rutler, rising from the ground. 

"At your orders, colonel; but instead of walking, we must creep. But letus see, " continued John, bending down, "if we can perceive the daylight. Yes, it is there--but how distant it seems. Speaking of that, colonel, if, since I came by this road, it should have been stopped up by alandslide, we should cut, in such a case, a sorry figure! condemned toremain here, and to die of hunger or to eat each other! Impossible toget out by the gulf, seeing that one cannot remount a sheet of water asa trout ascends a cascade. "

"That is true, " said Rutler, "you appal me; happily, there is nolikelihood of this. You have the sack?"

"Yes, colonel; the straps are strong and the skin impervious. We shallfind our knives, our pistols and our cartridges in it as dry as thoughthey came from an armory. "

"Then, John, let us be starting; go ahead, " said the colonel. "We musthave time to dry our clothes. "

"That will not take long, colonel; once at the foot of the precipice weshall be as in an oven; the sun shines full upon it. "

John lay down on his face and commenced to glide into the passage, sosmall that he could scarcely enter. The darkness was profound; in thedistance only, one could distinguish a faint light. The colonelfollowed, dragging himself over a damp and dirty soil. 

For some time the two Englishmen advanced in this manner, crawling ontheir knees, on their hands, and on their stomachs, in total darkness. All at once John paused suddenly and cried in a frightened voice, "Colonel!"

"What is it?"

"Do you not notice a strong odor?"

"Yes, a fetid odor. "

"Do not move; it is the serpent--'Fer de lance'--we are lost. "

"A serpent!" exclaimed the colonel, with horror. 

"We are dead. I dare not advance; the odor is growing stronger andstronger, " murmured John. 

"Be quiet--listen. "

In mortal terror the two men held their breath. All at once at somelittle distance they heard a continuous, rapid sound, as if somethingwas beating the earth with a flail. The nauseating and penetrating odorwhich exhales from these large serpents became stronger and stronger. "The serpent is furious; it is his tail which is beating the earththus, " said John in a feeble voice. "Colonel, let us commend our soulsto God!"

"Let us cry out and terrify the serpent, " said Rutler. 

"No, no, it would but precipitate itself at once upon us, " replied John. 

The two men remained for some moments a prey to the most horriblesuspense. They could neither retreat nor change their position. Theirchests rested upon the earth; their backs touched the rocks. They darednot make a movement of recoil for fear of drawing the reptile in pursuitof them. The air, more and more impregnated by the infectious odor ofthe serpent, became suffocating. 

"Can you not find a stone at hand in order to throw at it, " said thecolonel in a low tone. 

Hardly had he said these words when John uttered the most piercing criesand struggled violently, exclaiming, "Help! help! I die!"

Paralyzed with terror, Rutler strove to turn about, but he struckhimself violently on the head against the side of the passage. Then, retreating as rapidly as he could with the assistance of his knees andhands, he sought flight by backing out, while John, in extremity withthe serpent, made the most terrible and pitiful cries of terror andsuffering. All at once these cries became fainter and inarticulate, asif the sailor was strangling. In fact, the enraged serpent, afterhaving, in the obscurity, stung John in the hand, the throat and face, attempted to introduce its flat and lance-like head into the open mouthof the unfortunate man, and stung his lips and tongue; but this lastassault finished the sailor. 

The serpent, having satisfied his rage, withdrew his horrible fangs andtook to flight. The colonel felt a damp, icy body touch his cheek; heremained motionless. The serpent glided rapidly along the side of thesubterranean passage and escaped. 

The danger past, the colonel remained some moments petrified withterror; he heard the last struggle of John; his agony was short. Rutlerheard him make several convulsive shudders and that was all. Hiscompanion was dead. Then Rutler advanced and seized the sailor's leg. The leg was already cold and stiff; for the venom of the serpent worksrapidly. 

A new cause for fear assailed the colonel. The serpent, not finding anegress in the cavern, might return the same way it had gone. Rutlerseemed already to hear a slight noise behind him. He could not proceedin advance, because the body of the sailor completely blocked thepassage; flight by the rear was only to expose himself to an encounterwith the serpent. In his terror the colonel seized the corpse by the twolegs, to the end that he might drag it to the entrance of thesubterranean passage and thus clear the only outlet to the cavern. Hisefforts were in vain. Whether his strength was paralyzed, he being insuch a cramped position, or whether the poison had already distended thebody, Rutler could not extricate it. 

Not wishing to think that this only and last chance for salvation wastaken from him, he found a means of detaching his belt and of fasteningit to the feet of the dead man; he took it between his teeth, and, aiding himself by his two hands, pulled with all the energy of despair. He could scarcely cause even the slightest movement of the corpse. Histerror increased; he sought his knife, in the mad idea of cutting up thebody of the sailor. He saw soon the uselessness of this attempt. 

The pistols and ammunition of the colonel were in the sack of skin swungover the shoulders of the dead man. He set himself to work to remove thesack from his companion; he did so after great difficulty. He then sethimself anew to retreat to the entrance of the passage. 

Once again in the cavern he felt faint, but the air revived him; heplunged his head into the cold water and seated himself on the sand. Hehad almost forgotten the serpent. A long hiss caused him to raise hishead; he saw the reptile balancing itself a few paces above him, halfcoiled up on the rooks which formed the roof of the cavern. 

The colonel recovered his coolness at the sight of this danger;remaining almost immovable, and using his hands only, he unfastened hispouch and drew from it a pistol and cocked it. Happily the charge andpriming were intact. 

At the moment that the serpent, irritated by the movement of Rutler, precipitated itself upon him, the latter aimed and fired. The serpentfell at his feet with his head crushed. It was of a blue-black, spottedwith yellow, and some eight or nine feet in length. 

Delivered from this enemy, and encouraged by his success the colonelmade a final effort to clear out the only path by which he could pass. He glided anew into the passage, but, in spite of his strength, hisefforts were in vain--he could not move the corpse of the sailor. 

Returning to the cave, he examined it in every direction but could findno outlet. He could not hope for help outside; his shouts could not beheard. At this terrible thought his eyes fell upon the serpent. Here wasa momentary resource; he knew that sometimes the famished negroes atethis flesh, which, though repulsive, was not poisonous. 

Night came, and he found himself in profound darkness. The wavesmurmured and broke at the entrance of the cave; the waterspoutprecipitated itself with a crash into the lower basin. 

A new fear took possession of Rutler. He knew that the serpents went inpairs and often rejoined each other at night; drawn by the tracks, themale or female of the reptile which he had killed would come in searchof its mate. 

The colonel's vigil became frightful. The slightest sound made himtremble, in spite of his courageous nature; he asked himself whether, incase he came through this horrible situation by a miracle, he shouldcontinue the enterprise he had commenced. At first he believed that hesaw, in this adventure, a warning from heaven; then he accused himselfof cowardice, and attributed his mad fears to the feeble condition inwhich he found himself. 

Leaving the colonel in this difficult strait, we will transport ourreader to Devil's Cliff. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

DEVIL'S CLIFF. 

The moon, brilliant and pure, shed a light almost as strong as theEuropean sun, and enabled one to distinguish perfectly the top of a veryhigh rock, and surrounded by woods on all sides of a dwelling built ofbrick, and of peculiar architecture. 

One could reach it only by a narrow path, forming a spiral around thisspecies of cone. The path was bounded on one side by a mass ofperpendicular granite; on the other by a precipice of which in the broaddaylight one could not discover the bottom. 

This dangerous road terminated in a platform crossed by a brick wall, ofgreat thickness and edged with spikes. 

Back of this species of glacis arose the walls surrounding the dwelling, into which one entered by a very low oak door. This door communicatedwith a large, square court, occupied by the outbuildings and otherbuildings. This court passed, one discovered a vaulted passagewayleading to the sanctuary; that is to say, to the pavilion occupied byBlue Beard. None of the blacks or mulattoes who formed the large forceof servants of the house had ever passed the limits of this passageway. The serving of Blue Beard was done through the intermediary of a numberof mulattresses, who alone communicated with their mistress. 

The house was built on a slope opposite the one by which access was hadfrom the cliff. This slope, much less steep, and laid out in a number ofnatural terraces, was composed of five or six immense steps which, onall sides, commanded the precipice. 

By a phenomenon frequent in these volcanic islands, a pond of about twoacres' circumference covered almost all the length of one of the upperterraces. Its waters were limpid and pure. Blue Beard's residence wasseparated from this small lake by a narrow path of smooth sand, shininglike silver. This house was of one story. At the first glance it seemsto be constructed entirely of trees from which the bark had beenremoved. Its bamboo roof was steeply inclined and overlapped by somefive or six feet the outer wall, which rested upon the trunks of palmtrees driven into the ground, and formed a kind of gallery around thehouse. 

A little above the level of the lake, in gentle declivity, was a lawn ofturf as fresh and green as that of the most beautiful English fields;this was a rare thing at the Antilles, and was due to undergroundirrigation which flowed from the lake and gave to this park a delightfulfreshness. From this lawn, ornamented by baskets of tropical flowers, opened a garden composed of large variegated shrubs, the slope of theground being such that one did not see their trunks, but only theirenameled tops of the freshest color; then, beyond these trees, on aterrace lower still, was a large orange and citron grove covered withfruit and flowers. In the daytime, seen thus from above, one would havesaid it was a carpet of perfumed snow strewn with golden balls. At theextreme horizon the slender stems of the banana and cocoanut trees, formed a splendid retreat and overlooked the precipice at the bottom ofwhich was the subterranean passage of which we have spoken, and in whichColonel Rutler was then imprisoned. 

Meantime, let us enter one of the most remote portions of this mansion. There we will find a young woman of from twenty to twenty-three years;but her features are so infantile, her figure is so tiny, her freshnessso youthful, she would easily pass for sixteen. Robed in a muslin gownwith flowing sleeves, she is reclining on a sofa covered with Indiansilk, brown in color, embroidered with golden flowers; she leans herwhite forehead on one hand, half-hidden by a wilderness of loose curlsof reddish blond tint, for the young woman's hair is dressed _à laTitus_, a profusion of silky curls falls on her neck, her snowyshoulders, and frames her charming little face, rounded, firm and rosyas that of a child. 

A large book, bound in red morocco, lies at the side of the divan onwhich she is stretched, and is open before her. The young woman readsattentively, by the light of three perfumed candles, which rest in alittle silver gilt candelabra, enriched by exquisite chasing. 

The eyelashes of the pretty reader are so long that they threw a slightshadow on her cheeks, where are to be seen two charming dimples. Hernose is of a rare delicacy; her mouth curved and crimson, and herbeautiful blue eyes large and expressive; her whole face presents aravishing expression of innocence and candor. From the edge of hermuslin gown appear two feet like Cinderella's, shod in white silk hoseand Moorish slippers of cherry satin embroidered with silver, which onecould hold in the palm of one's hand. The attitude of this young womanleaves to the imagination an exquisite whole, in spite of her slightfigure. Thanks to the width of her sleeve, which has fallen back, onecan admire the ravishing outline of a rounded arm, polished like ivory, and having at the elbow a charming dimple. Her hand which turns theleaves of her book is worthy of such an arm; the nails, very long and ofthe transparency of agate. The tips of the fingers shade to a deep rosecolor, such as is imparted by the henna of the Orientals. 

The figure of this charming creature recalls the ideal Psyche, thelovely realization of a beauty so fleeting that it passes with the firstflower of youth. Certain organizations retains their first youth a longtime, and as we have said, in spite of her twenty-three years, BlueBeard is of the number of these privileged persons. 

For this is Blue Beard. We will no longer hide the name of the inmate ofDevil's Cliff from our readers, but will say she is called Angela. Unfortunately, this celestial name, this candid face, contrastssingularly with the diabolical reputation which this widow of threehusbands possesses; and who it is said has as many consolers as she hashad husbands. The course of this story will enable us to condemn orvindicate Blue Beard. 

At a slight sound which she hears in the adjoining room, Angela liftsher head suddenly, like a gazelle on the alert, and seats herself on theedge of the sofa, throwing back her locks by a graceful movement. 

At the moment she rises, exclaiming, "It it he!" a man raises the_portière_ of the room. Not sooner does the iron fly to the magnet thandoes Angela to the newcomer. She throws herself into his arms, andtwining them about him in a kind of tender fury, covered him withcaresses and passionate kisses, and joyfully cries, "My tenderfriend--my dear James!"

This first ebullition over, the newcomer takes Angela into his arms asif she were a child, and carries his precious burden over to the sofa. Then Angela, seated on his knee, takes one of his hands in hers, passesher beautiful arm about his neck, draws his head to her, and looked athim with eager delight. 

Alas! were the scandal-mongers right in suspecting Blue Beard'smorality?

The man whom she receives with such familiar ardor is of the coppercolor of a mulatto; he is tall and supple, active and robust; his nobleand fine features show nothing of the negro type; a profusion of jetblack curls frame his forehead; his eyes are large and of velvetyblackness; under his thin lips, red and moist, shine the mostbeautifully enameled teeth. This beauty, at once charming and manly, this appearance of strength and elegance, resembles the nobleproportions of an Indian Bacchus or of an Antinous. 

The mulatto's costume is such as certain filibusters then generallyadopt when on shore. He wears a waistcoat of rich maroon velvet, withbuttons of filigree gold; large Flemish boots of like material andornamented with the same style of button, which extend the length of thethigh, being met by a belt of orange silk, in which is stuck a poignardrichly chased; and, finally, long leggings of white kid embroidered inmany colored silks after the Mexican style, show a leg of the finestoutline. 

Nothing could be more striking or pretty than the contrast between Jamesand Angela thus grouped. On the one hand, blond tresses, alabastertints, rosy cheeks, infantile grace and elegance; on the other, thebronze tint, ebony locks, and manner at once assured and manly. 

Angela's white dress is outlined on the somber colors of James'vestments; and thus the fine and supple figure of Blue Beard isaccentuated. 

Fixing her great blue eyes on the black eyes of the mulatto, the youngwoman amuses herself by turning back the embroidered collar of James'shirt, in order to admire the better his sunburned neck, which in colorand shape rivals the most beautiful Florentine bronze. 

After prolonging this unconventional performance, Angela gives themulatto a noisy kiss under his ear, takes his head between her twohands, mischievously rumples up his black locks, gives him a little blowon the cheek, and says, "That is how I love you, Monsieur Hurricane. "

A slight sound is heard behind the tapestry forming the _portière_, andAngela calls, "Is it you, Mirette? what do you wish?"

"Madame, I am coming with the flowers and will arrange them in thestand. "

"She hears us!" said Angela, making a mysterious signal to the mulatto;then she amuses herself laughing madly at and rumpling her lover's hair. He takes her little caprices with complaisance, and contemplates herwith love. Then he says, smilingly, "Child! because you look only sixteen, you think everything is permittedyou. " Then he adds in a tone of gentle raillery, "and who would think, seeing this little rosy, ingenuous face that I hold on my knees the mostnotable scamp of the Antilles?"

"And who would think that this man, who speaks in so sweet a voice, isthe ferocious Captain Hurricane, the terror of England and Spain?" criedAngela, breaking into a laugh. The mulatto and the widow expressthemselves in the purest French, and without the slightest foreignaccent. 

"What matters it, " she cries, smilingly, "it is not _I_ whom they callBlue Beard. "

At these words which appear to call up sad memories, the little widow, with a coquettish pout, gave a hardly perceptible tap to the end ofCaptain Hurricane's nose, indicating by a movement of her hand that inthe neighboring room one can hear him, and says with a mischievous air, "That will teach you to speak of trespassing. "

"Fie! the monster!" says the captain, breaking into a laugh; "and whatof remorse, then, madame?"

"Give me a kiss of remorse, then, and I shall----"

"May Lucifer assist me! It takes a woman to be chief of criminals! Ah, my dear, you are well named; you make me tremble! Suppose we havesupper. "

Angela touches a bell. The young mulattress who had overheard the aboveconversation enters. She wears a dress of white linen with brightstripes, and has silver rings on arms and ankles. 

"Mirette, have you arranged the flowers, " said Blue Beard. 

"Yes, madame. "

"You have been listening?"

"No, madame. "

"However, it does not matter; when I speak it is that I may be heard. Make ready the supper, Mirette. "

Then, addressing herself to the captain, "What wine do you prefer?"

"Sherry, but let it be iced; this is a notion of mine. "

Mirette goes out for a moment, and shortly reappears and begins toprepare the table. 

"By the way, I forgot to tell you of a great event, " says Blue Beard'scompanion. 

"What then? has one of my deceased husbands returned to life?"

"Faith, almost. "

"Now? Ah, Master James, Master James, no more of your wickedpleasantries, " cries Angela, with a frightened air. 

"No, it is not a dead man, a ghost, but a very living pretender whodemands your hand in marriage. "

"He wishes to marry me?"

"He wishes to marry you. "

"Oh, the unhappy wretch! is he then weary of life?" cried Angela, laughing. 

Mirette, at these words, makes the sign of the cross whilesuperintending the spreading of the board by two other mulattresses whoare carrying bottles of Bohemian glass, engraved with golden arabesques, and plates of the most magnificent Japanese porcelain. 

Blue Beard continues, "This lover of mine is not a countryman, then?"

"By no means! for in spite of your wealth, my dear, I defy you to find a_fourth_ husband, thanks to your diabolical reputation. "

"Where does he come from, this would-be husband, my dear James?"

"From France. "

"France! he comes from France to espouse me, the deuce!"

"Angela, you know that I do not like to hear you swear, " says themulatto, with pretended seriousness. 

"Pardon, Captain Hurricane, " replies the young woman, dropping her eyeswith a hypocritical air. "I only meant to signify that I find your newsvery astonishing. It appears that my reputation has reached Europe. "

"Do not be so vain, my dear. It was on board the Unicorn that thisworthy paladin heard you spoken of, and by the mere mention of yourriches he has become enamored, yes, madly enamored of you. This, Itrust, will take down your pride. "

"The impertinent fellow! and who is this man, James?"

"The Chevalier de Croustillac. "

"Who?"

"The Chevalier de Croustillac. "

"This is the name of the pretender to my hand?" And Angela breaks into amerry peal of laughter which nothing can arrest, and the mulatto finallyjoins in her merriment. 

The two have scarcely subsided when Mirette enters preceded by two othermulattresses who carry a table sumptuously set out in gilded dishes. Thetwo slaves place the table near the divan; the captain arises to take achair, while Angela, kneeling on the edge of the sofa, uncovers thedishes one after another, and examines the table with the air of anepicurean kitten. 

"Are you hungry, James? As for me, I am famished, " says Angela. And asif to prove without doubt this assertion, she opens her coral lips andshows two rows of ravishing little pearly teeth which she clinchestwice. 

"Angela, my dear, you were certainly badly brought up, " said thecaptain, helping her to a portion of dorado, served with ham and anappetizing sauce. 

"Captain Hurricane, if I receive you at my table, it is not that you mayscold, " said Angela, making an almost imperceptible grimace to themulattress. Then she continues, attacking her fish bravely, and peckingat her bread like a bird, "If he scolds me, Mirette, I will not receivehim again?"

"No, mistress, " said Mirette. 

"And I will give his place to Rend-your-soul, the buccaneer?"

"Yes, mistress. "

"Or to Youmäale, the cannibal?"

"Yes, mistress. "

"You hear that, sir?" said Angela. 

"Never mind, my dear, I am not jealous, you know that; beauty is as thesun, it shines for all the world. "

"Because you are not jealous, then, I will pardon you. Help yourself towhat is before you. What is that, Mirette?"

"Madame, the roe of fish fried in pigeon's fat. "

"Which is not equal to the fat of quail, " says the captain, "but it musthave the juice of a lemon while it is warm. "

"See what a glutton! Ah! but my future spouse, I had forgotten him. Pourme some wine, Mirette. "

The filibuster, corsair as he is, forestalls the mulattress and poursout some iced sherry for Angela. 

"It must be that I love you, to drink this, I who prefer the wines ofFrance. " And Blue Beard drinks resolutely three drops of the sherry, which puts fresh life into her lips and blue eyes and tinged her cheeksa carmine hue. 

"But to return to my future spouse. How is he? Is he agreeable? Is heworthy to join the others?"

Mirette, in spite of her passive submission, cannot prevent a tremor inhearing her mistress speak thus, although the poor slave must beaccustomed to these atrocious pleasantries, and doubtless many greaterenormities. 

"What ails you, Mirette?"

"Nothing, mistress. "

"If you are unwell----"

"No, mistress. "

"You would be sorry to see me marry again? I shall not do so for a longtime. Go, child. " Then, addressing Captain Hurricane, "And the Chevalierde--de--what did you say was his name?"

"Chevalier de Croustillac. "

"Have you seen him?"

"No; but knowing his plans and that he intends, at all hazards, and inspite of the efforts of the good Father Griffen, to come here, I beggedYoumäale, the cannibal, " says the captain, looking at Angela in asingular way, "to address a little warning in order to induce him torenounce his projects. "

"And you did this without letting me know, sir? What if I do not wish torebuff him, this pretender; for, after all, this Croustillac is aGascon, and I never married a Gascon. "

"Oh, he is the most famous Gascon that has ever gasconaded on the earth;with that, a figure indescribable and assurance unbounded; and as to therest, sufficient courage. "

"And Youmäale's warning?"

"Has accomplished nothing. It glided off the undaunted soul of this manas a ball from the scales of a crocodile; he started out this morningbravely, at break of day, to traverse the forest, with his pink silkhose, his rapier at his side, and a staff to frighten the serpents. Heis still there, without doubt, at this hour, for the road to Devil'sCliff is not known to all the world. "

"James, I have an idea!" cries the widow joyfully; "let him come hereand amuse us; that we may torment him. So, he is in love with my richesand not myself! So, he would espouse me, this fine knight errant. Wewill see as to that! Well? You do not laugh at my idea, James. What ailsyou? But moreover, you know, sir, that I will not be thwarted; I willmake a feast for this Gascon. If he is not devoured by the wildcats orkilled by the serpents I will have him here to-morrow. You go to seato-morrow; tell the cannibal and Rend-your-soul to bring him to me. "

The captain, instead of joining in the gayety of Blue Beard, accordingto his custom, is serious, pensive, and seems to reflect deeply. 

"James! James! do you not hear me?" cries Angela, impatiently, tappingher foot. "I want this Gascon. I want him. "

The mulatto makes no reply; he draws with the forefinger of his righthand a circle about his throat, and looks significantly at the youngwoman. She understands this mysterious sign; her face all at onceexpresses both sorrow and distress; she rises suddenly, runs to themulatto, falls on her knees before him and cries in a touching voice, "You are right. My God! you are right! I am insane to entertain such athought. I understand you. "

"Rise, Angela, calm yourself, " says the mulatto. "I do not know if thisman is to be feared, but he is a stranger, he may come from England orFrance, and----"

"I tell you I was mad! that I was jesting, my dear James! I forgot thatwhich I never ought to forget--it is frightful. "

The beautiful eyes of the young woman fill with tears; she bends herhead, and takes the hand of the mulatto, over which she weeps silentlyfor some minutes. 

Hurricane kisses tenderly the forehead and tresses of Angela, and saysgently, "I never wish to recall these cruel memories. I should have saidnothing to you, assured myself that there is no danger in bringing thisimbecile to you as a plaything, and then----"

"James, my friend, " cries Angela sadly, interrupting the mulatto, "mylove, what do you think then? for a childish caprice that I would exposeyou, you whom I love most dearly in the world?"

"There! there! be calm, " replies the mulatto, lifting her up and seatingher near him; "do not be frightened; Father Griffen has informed himselfas to the Gascon, he is only ridiculous. In order to be more certain, Iwill go to-morrow and speak with him at Macouba, and then I will tellRend-your-soul, who is fortunately hunting on the coast, to discoverthis poor devil in the forest, where he has, no doubt, lost himself. Ifhe is dangerous, " says the mulatto, making a sign to Angela (for theslaves were still present awaiting the conclusion of supper), "thebuccaneer will relieve us of him and cure him of the desire to know you;if not, as you never have any amusement here, he shall bring him toyou. "

"No, no, I do not wish it, " says Angela. "All the thoughts which come tome, now are of mortal sadness--my disquietude returns. "

Angela, seeing that the mulatto would not eat any more, arose; thefilibuster imitated her, and says, "Reassure yourself, my Angela, thereis nothing to fear. Come into the garden, the night is fine, the moonmagnificent. Tell Mirette to bring my lute; in order to make you forgetthese painful thoughts I will sing you the Scotch ballads you love so. "

So saying, the mulatto passes one arm around the figure of Angela, andclasping her thus, he descends the few steps leading to the garden. Onleaving the apartment Blue Beard says to her slave, "Mirette, bring thelute into the garden, light the alabaster lamp in my bed-chamber. Youcan go, I shall not need you again to-night. Do not forget to say toCora and to the other mulattresses that to-morrow begins their service. "Then she disappears, leaning on the arm of the mulatto. This last orderof Angela was occasioned by a habit she has had, since her lastwidowhood, of alternating every three days the service of her women. 

Mirette carries a very beautiful ebony lute incrusted with gold andmother of pearl, into the garden. After an interval of some moments, thefilibuster's voice is heard singing with infinite grace and pathos theScotch ballads which the chief of royalist clans always sang inpreference during the protectorate of Cromwell. The voice of the mulattois at once sweet, vibrant and melancholy. 

Mirette and the two slaves listen with delight during some moments. Atthe last lines, the voice of the filibuster becomes moved, tears seem tomingle in it--then the songs cease. 

Mirette enters Blue Beard's chamber in order to light the alabasterlamp, which throws a soft and veiled light on the surrounding objects. This room is splendidly furnished in Indian stuff with white groundembroidered with flowers; a mosquito net of muslin, fine as a spider'sweb, envelopes an immense bed of gilded wood with a headboard ofplate-glass, which appears thus in a slight mist. 

After executing the orders of her mistress, Mirette withdrawsdiscreetly, and says to the two slaves with a malicious smile, "Mirettelights the lamp for the captain, Cora for the buccanneer, and Noun forthe Caribbean. "

The two slaves nod their heads with an intelligent air, and the three goout, after carefully closing and locking the door which leads to theoutbuilding of this special domain of Blue Beard. 

CHAPTER IX. 

NIGHT. 

We had left the chevalier when he had penetrated into the forest, whichwas alive with the cries of all the animals which peopled it. For amoment stunned by the tumult, the Gascon bravely pursued his course, turning his steps ever toward the north, at least toward what hebelieved to be so, thanks to his astronomical knowledge. As the priesthad foretold, he could not find any path through the forest; decayedvegetation, tall shrubs, vines, trunks of trees, an inextricableundergrowth, covered the ground; the trees were so thick that the air, light and sun, penetrated with difficulty through this veil of foliage, among which exhaled a warm moisture almost suffocating produced by thefermentation of vegetable matter which to a great extent thickly coveredthe earth. 

The heavy perfume of tropical flowers so saturated this suffocatingatmosphere that the chevalier experienced a kind of intoxication, offaintness. He walked with a slower step, he felt his head become heavy, exterior objects became indifferent to him. He no longer admired theleafy colonades stretching out as far as the eye could see, into theshadows of the forest. He cast a careless glance at the sparkling andvaried plumage of the parrots, birds of paradise and other birdsjoyfully crying out and pursuing the golden-winged insects or snappingin their beaks the aromatic woods of the Indies. The gambols of themonkeys, balancing themselves on the garlands of passion vines, orspringing from tree to tree, did not even bring a smile to his lips. Completely absorbed, he had strength only to contemplate the end of hisperilous journey. He thought only of Blue Beard and her treasures. 

After some hours' walk, he began to observe that his silk stockings wereinconvenient for traversing a forest. A large branch of thorny wood hadmade a great hole in his coat; his breeches were not irreproachable byany means; and more than once, feeling his long sword embarrass him bycatching in some plants which obstructed his path, he involuntarilyturned to chastise the importunate object which took the liberty ofinterfering with his progress. 

Either by chance, or thanks to the frequent use of his staff, with whichhe beat the bushes continually, the chevalier had the good fortune notto encounter any serpents. Toward noon, worried and fatigued, he pausedin order to pick some bananas, and climbed a tree in order to breakfastat his ease. To his joy and surprise he found that the leaves of thistree, rolled into cornucopias, held clear water, fresh and delicious tothe taste; the chevalier drank several of those, put his remainingbananas into his pocket, and continued his journey. 

According to his calculation, he must have traveled nearly four leagues, and could not be very far from Devil's Cliff. Unhappily the chevalier'scalculation was not exact, at least, as to the direction in which hebelieved himself to have gone; for he had estimated the distancetraversed correctly enough, but he was, at midday, a little further fromDevil's Cliff than he had been when he entered the forest. In order notto lose sight of the sun (which he could with difficulty discern throughthe treetops), he had necessarily been obliged to lift his eyesfrequently to the heavens. Now, the road was almost impenetrable, and hewas also obliged to be on the watch for serpents; thus, divided betweenthe sky and the earth, the attention of the chevalier went somewhatastray. However, as it was impossible to believe that he could a secondtime be deceived in his calculations, he took fresh courage, certain ofreaching the end of his journey. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon he commenced to suspect thatDevil's Cliff receded in proportion to his approach. Croustillac becameharassed; but the fear of passing the night in the forest spurred himon; by means of walking forward steadily he finally reached a kind ofindentation between two large rocks. The chevalier drew his breath, expanding his lungs. 

"Faith!" cried he, removing his hat and fanning himself with it, "I amthen at Devil's Cliff. I seem to recognize it, though I have never seenit. I cannot, however, lose myself. I have love for a compass; one canfollow this in the antipodes without deviating a hair's breadth. It isvery simple; my heart turns toward wealth and beauty, as the needle tothe pole! for if Blue Beard is rich, she must be beautiful; and, further, a woman who can rid herself so quickly of three husbands mustlove change. I shall prove a new fruit to her--and what a fruit! Afterall, the three men who are dead got what they deserved, because theywere in my path. What assures me of the physique of Blue Beard is thatonly a very pretty woman could permit herself such irregularities, suchmethods--a little offhand to be sure--of breaking the conjugal chain. Zounds! I shall see her, please her, seduce her. Poor woman! She doesnot dream that her conqueror is at hand! If--if--I wager that her littleheart beats strongly this very moment. She feels my approach, shedivines it, her presentiment does not deceive her. She will beovercome--happiness will arrive on the wings of love!"

Thus saying, the chevalier threw a glance on his toilet. It did notescape his notice that it was slightly disordered; his stockings, originally purple, then pale pink, had become striped, zebra-fashion, with a number of green rays, since his journey in the forest; his coatwas ornamented with various holes fancifully arranged, but the Gasconmade this reflection aloud, if not very modest, at least very consoling:"Faith! Venus arose from the sea without any covering; Truth had no moreon when she emerged from the well; and if beauty and truth appearedwithout a veil, I see not why--love--Beside, Blue Beard must be a womanwho will understand me!"

Completely reassured, the chevalier hastened his steps, climbed the faceof the rocks, and found himself in an inclosure of the forest, even moresomber and impenetrable than that which he had quitted. Others wouldhave lost courage. Croustillac said to himself, on the contrary "Zounds!this is very clever. Hiding her habitation in the most dense forest is awoman's idea. I am sure the more I push on into these thickets thenearer I approach the house. I consider I have already arrived. BlueBeard, Blue Beard, finally I behold thee. "

The chevalier cherished this precious illusion while the daylightlasted, which was not long; there is little twilight in the tropics. Soon the chevalier saw, with astonishment, the summits of the treeslittle by little obscure themselves, and assume a fantastic appearancein the great mass of the forest. For some moments there remained ahalf-shade, here and there lighted by the bright reflection of the sun, which seemed as red as the fire of a furnace, for he was "making hiscouch in the wind, " as they say in the Antilles. 

For a moment the vegetation, so brilliantly green, took on a purpletint; the chevalier believed that nature was painted a living red, whatwas perceived being a mingling with the tints of the heavens. "Zounds!"exclaimed the chevalier, "I did not deceive myself; I am near thisinfernal place, this illumination proves it. Lucifer is without doubtmaking a visit to Blue Beard, who, in order to receive him, is lightingthe furnaces of her kitchen. "

Little by little these warm tints disappeared, they became pale red, then violet, and were swallowed up in the amethyst of the evening skies. As soon as the shadows wrapped the forest in their arms, the plaintivecries of the jackals, the sinister hooting of the owls, proclaimed thereturn of night. The sea breeze, which always rises after the setting ofthe sun, passed like a great sigh over the tops of the trees; the leavesshivered. The thousand nameless, vague and distant cries which one hearsonly at night, began to resound from all quarters. 

"Of a truth, " said the chevalier, "this is a pretty figure to cut! Tothink I am not a hundred steps, perhaps, from Devil's Cliff, and that Iam compelled to sleep under the stars!"

Croustillac, fearing the serpents, directed himself toward an enormousmahogany tree which he had observed; by the aid of the vines whichenveloped this tree on all sides, he succeeded in reaching a kind offork, formed by two large branches; here he installed himself, comfortably, placed his sword between his knees, and commenced a supperof the bananas, which fortunately, he had kept in his pockets. He didnot experience any of the fears which would have assailed many men, eventhe bravest, placed in such a critical situation. Beside, in extremecases the chevalier had all kinds of reasoning for his use; he said:"Fate is implacable against me, it chooses well--it cannotmistake--instead of addressing itself to some rascal; to some wretch, what does it do? It bethinks itself of the Chevalier de Croustillacthus: 'Here is my man--he is worthy of struggling with me. '"

In the situation in which he found himself the chevalier saw anotherprovidential circumstance no less flattering to him. "My good fortune isassured, " he said: "the treasures of Blue Beard are mine; this is thefinal trial to which the aforesaid Fate subjects me; it would be badgrace in me to revolt. A brave man does not complain. I could not meritthe inestimable recompense which awaits me. "

By means of these reflections the chevalier combated sleep with success;he feared if he yielded to it he would fall from the tree; he ended bybeing enchanted by the obstacles which he had surmounted in his courseto Blue Beard. She would know how to value his courage, he thought, andbe alive to his devotion. In this excess of chivalrous feeling, thechevalier regretted even that he has not had a serious enemy to combatand not to have had to struggle alone against pitfalls, thorns and thetrunks of trees. At this moment a strange cry drew the adventurer'sattention; he listened, and said, "What is that? One would think thatthe cats were holding their Sabbath. I know, now, because of these cats, that the house cannot be far distant. " But Croustillac deceived himself. These were not domestic cats but wildcats, and never were tigersfiercer; they continued to make an infernal uproar. In order to quietthem, the chevalier took his staff and struck on the tree. The wildcats, instead of flying, approached him with furious and redoubled cries. Fora long time these woods had been infested by these animals, who were notinferior to jaguars in size, strength and ferocity; they attacked anddevoured young kids, goats, and even young mules. 

In order to explain the hostile assault of these carnivorous beastswhich surrounded the chevalier, who had been discovered by theirpowerful sense of scent, we must return to the cavern in which ColonelRutler was immured. We know that the corpse of the sailor John, deadfrom the sting of the serpent, completely obstructed the subterraneanpassage by which Rutler could alone leave the cavern. The wildcats haddescended the precipice, scented the corpse of John, approached it firsttimidly, then, emboldened, had devoured it. The colonel heard and knewnot what to think of these ferocious cries. At daybreak, thanks to thegluttony of these animals, the obstacle which prevented Rutler fromleaving the cavern had entirely disappeared. There remained in thesubterranean passage only the bones of the sailor, and these the colonelcould easily remove. 

After this horrible feast, the wildcats, fed but not appeased by thisnew repast to them, felt a taste for human flesh; they abandoned thefoot of the precipice, regained the wood, scented the chevalier, andtheir carnivorous ferocity was increased. 

For some time fear withheld them, but, encouraged by the immobility ofCroustillac, one of the boldest and most famished slowly climbed thetree, and the Gascon saw, all at once, near him two large, brilliant, green eyes, which shone out of the midst of the obscurity. At the sameinstant he felt a vigorous bite at the calf of his leg. He drew back hisleg abruptly, but the wildcat held on and fastened its claws in hisflesh, and gave a deep, furious growl which was the signal of attack. The assailants climbed up from all sides and the chevalier saw about himflaming eyes and felt himself bitten in many places at once. 

This attack was so unexpected, the assailants were of such a singularkind, that Croustillac, in spite of his courage, remained for a momentstupefied; but the bites of the wildcats and, above all, his deepindignation at having to combat with such ignoble enemies, aroused hisfury. He seized the most venturesome by the skin of his back, and inspite of several blows from his claws, threw him heavily against thetrunk of the tree and broke his back. The cat gave some frightful cries. The chevalier treated in like manner another of these creatures whichhad leaped upon his back, and had undertaken to devour his cheek. 

The band hesitated. Croustillac seized his sword, and using it as apoignard, pierced several others, and thus put an end to this attack ina novel manner, saying, "Zounds! to think Blue Beard does not know thatthe brave Croustillac has been nearly devoured by wildcats, even as ifhe were but a chicken hanging on a hook of a larder!"

The remainder of the night passed peacefully, the chevalier sleeping butlittle. At daybreak he descended from his tree, and saw extended at hisfeet five of his adversaries of the night. He hastened to quit the sceneof his exploits, at which he blushed, and, convinced that Devil's Cliffcould not be far off, he resumed his journey. 

After having walked thus vainly, after his vigil, the gnawing of hisstomach, occasioned by a famished feeling, warned him that it was in theneighborhood of noon. His delight may be imagined when the breeze boreto him the delicious odor of roasted meat, so fine, so penetrating, andso appetizing that the chevalier could not prevent himself from passinghis tongue across his lips. He redoubled his speed, not doubting, thistime, that he had arrived at the end of his troubles. However, he saw nosign of habitation, and knew not how to reconcile this apparent solitudewith the exquisite odor which grew more and more tantalizing. 

Unobserved himself, and without being heard, and walking rapidly, hearrived at a kind of clearing, where he stopped a moment. The sightwhich greeted his eyes was worthy his notice. 

CHAPTER X. 

A BUCCANEER. 

In the midst of a close thicket appeared a cleared space forming a longsquare; at one of its extremities was an ajoupa, a kind of hut made ofbranches attached to the trunk of a palm tree, covered with longpolished leaves of balisier and of cachibou. Under this shelter, whichguaranteed protection from the rays of the sun to whoever might retiretherein, a man was stretched upon a bed of leaves; at his feet sometwenty dogs lay sleeping. These dogs would have been white and orange iftheir original color had not disappeared, owing to the blood whichcovered them. Their heads and breasts were completely stained by reasonof copious eating. 

The chevalier could but indistinctly see the face of the man, halfhidden in his bed of fresh leaves. Not far from the hut was a coveredfire where, cooking slowly, after the fashion of buccaneers, was ayear-old boar. The stove or gridiron was formed by four forks driveninto the earth, on which were hung cross-pieces, and on these were laidsmall poles, all of green wood. 

The boar, still with its hide on, was stretched on its back, the bellyopen and empty; strings attached to its four feet held it in thisposition, which the heat would otherwise have disturbed. 

This gridiron was raised above a hole four feet in length, three wide, and of great depth, filled with broken charcoal; the boar cooked by theequal heat of this steady and concentrated brazier. The cavity of theanimal was half filled with lemon juice and cut spices, which, combinedwith the fat, which the heat caused to slowly ooze out, formed a kind ofinterior sauce which smelled very appetizing. 

This immense roast was nearly cooked; its skin began to frizzle andcrack; what was visible of the flesh through the gravy was red andtempting. Finally, a dozen large yams, of yellow and savory pulp, werecooking in the ashes, and exhaled a fine odor. 

The chevalier could restrain himself no longer; carried away by hisappetite, he entered the inclosure, and in so doing broke down somebranches. One or two of the dogs awoke and ran at him with a menacingair. The man, who was dozing, arose abruptly, looked about him with anamazed air, while the entire pack of hounds manifested the most hostileobjection to the entrance of the chevalier, bristling and showing theirformidable teeth. Croustillac recalled the history of the assistant ofRend-your-Soul being devoured by his dogs, but he was not intimidated;he raised his staff with a menacing air, and said, "To heel, varlets; toheel, varlets!"

This term, imported from the kennels of Europe, made no impression onthe dogs; they assumed an attitude so menacing that the chevalier strucksome blows at them with his staff. Their eyes burned with ferocity; theywould have precipitated themselves upon Croustillac had not thebuccaneer, coming out of the hut with a gun in his hand, cried in aspecies of dialect, part negro, part French, "Who touches my dogs? Whoare you that come hither?"

The chavalier bravely put his hand on his sword and replied, "Your dogswould devour me, my good fellow, and I foil them. They would employtheir teeth upon me as I would mine if I had before me a morsel of thatappetizing boar, for I am lost in the forest since yesterday morning andhave a most infernal hunger. "

The buccaneer, instead of replying to the chevalier, remained stupefiedat the odd appearance of this man, who, staff in hand, had traversed aforest in pink stockings and coat of taffeta and embroidered vest. Onhis side, Croustillac, in spite of his hunger, contemplated thebuccaneer with no less curiosity. This hunter was of middle height, butagile and vigorous; his only clothing, short drawers and a shirt whichwas loose like a blouse. His clothing was so much stained with theblood of bulls or boars which the buccaneers skin in order to sell thehide and smoke the flesh (the principal branch of their traffic) thatthe linen appeared tarred, it was so black and stiff. A belt of bull'shide embellished with its hair confined the shirt about the buccaneer;from this belt hung, on one side, a sheath of compartments, revealingfive or six knives of various lengths and divers shapes; from the other, a pouch. The hunter's legs were bare to the knees; his shoes werewithout fastening, and of a single piece, according to a custom there, and in use among buccaneers. 

After skinning a bull or some large boar, they carefully loosen the skinof one of the front extremities, from the breast to the knee, and turnit back like a stocking which one pulls off; after having completelydetached it from the bones, they then put their feet into this suppleand fresh skin, placing the large toe a little more toward the placewhich covered the knee of the animal. Once shod in this manner they tieup with a sinew that portion which extends beyond the end of the foot, and cut off the surplus. Then they raise and pull up the remainder ofthe skin halfway up their legs, where they fasten it with a leatherstrap. In drying, this species of boot assumes the shape of the foot, remaining perfectly soft, supple, and wearing a long time, it beingimpervious, and proof against the sting of serpents. 

The buccaneer looked curiously at Croustillac, leaning on his gun, akind especially used by buccaneers; these guns were made at Dieppe andSt. Malo. The figure of the hunter was rough and common; he wore a capof boar's skin; his beard was long and bristling; his look ferocious. 

Croustillac said resolutely, "Ah, comrade, would you refuse a morsel ofthis roast to a gentleman who is famished?"

"The roast is not mine, " said the buccaneer. 

"How? to whom, then, does it belong?"

"To Master Rend-your-Soul, who has his depot of skins and buccaneersupplies at Caiman's Point. "

"This roast belongs to Master Rend-your-Soul, " cried the chevalier, surprised at the chance which had brought him in contact with one ofthe happy lovers of Blue Beard, if these slanderous stories were true. "This roast belongs to Rend-your-Soul, " repeated Croustillac. 

"It belongs to him, " said the man with the long gun, laconically. 

At this moment was heard a shot which echoed through the forest. "Thatis the master, " said the man. 

The dogs recognized, doubtless, the approach of the hunter; for theybegan to bark joyfully, and dashed off through the undergrowth in orderto reach the buccaneer. 

Warned of the return of the master, the man, whom we will call Peter, took out one of his largest knives, approached the wild boar, and inorder the better to moisten the venison, stabbed the flesh severaltimes, without injuring the skin, for the plentiful mixture of lemonjuice, spice and fat which filled the belly of the boar was running out. Each of these incisions caused such appetizing odors to rise that thechevalier, inhaling this exquisite odor, almost forgot the approach ofRend-your-Soul. However, the latter appeared, followed by his dogs, jumping and pressing about him. 

Master Rend-your-Soul was large and robust. His skin, naturally white, was browned by the sun and by the wild life which he led; his thickblack beard fell on his breast; his features were regular, but severeand hard. Although not so poor as that of his servant, his clothing wasof much the same fashion. Like him, he wore at his waist a case filledwith a number of knives; his legs, however, in place of being halfnaked, were incased, as far as the knee, by bands of boar-skins tiedwith sinews, and he wore large shoes of untanned leather. His largeSpanish hat was ornamented with two or three red feathers; and themountings of his buccaneer gun were of silver. Such was the differencebetween the costume and arms of Master Rend-your-Soul and that of hisservant. 

When he entered the clearing, he held his gun under his arm and pluckedcarelessly a wood-pigeon which he had killed; three others were hung athis belt by a snare; he threw them to Peter, who immediately began topluck and clean them with wonderful dexterity. These wood-pigeons, ofthe size of a partridge, were plump, fine and round as quails. As fastas Peter had one ready, he cut off its head and feet and put it to cookin the thick and abundant sauce which filled the boar's belly. WhenMaster Rend-your-Soul had finished plucking his, he threw it in also. 

Peter said, "Master, shall I close the roast?"

"Close it, " replied the master. 

Then Peter cut the strings which held the boar; the cavity of the bellyalmost closed and the pigeons began to boil in this novel fashion. 

During all these culinary preparations the buccaneer had not appeared toperceive the chevalier, who, with foot advanced, nose in the air, andhand on the hilt of his sword, was prepared to answer proudly anyinterrogatories which might be made, and even to question in returnMaster Rend-your-Soul. The latter, having cut off the head and feet ofthe pigeon which he was plucking, wiped his knife quietly and replacedit in his case. 

To explain the indifference of the buccaneer, we must say to the readerthat nothing was more common than that people should visit thebuccaneers out of curiosity. The buccaneers were, in their customs, verylike the Caribbeans. Like them they were proud to accord hospitality;like them they allowed any one to come who was hungry and thirsty andpartake of their repasts; but, like the Caribbeans also, they regardedan invitation as a superfluous formality. The feast ready, let eat itwho would. 

After disembarrassing himself of his belt and gun, Rend-your-Soulextended himself on the ground, drew a gourd hidden under the freshleaves, and drank some brandy as a preparation for dinner. 

Croustillac was still in the same attitude, nose in the air, footadvanced, hand on his sword; the color rose to his forehead; nothingcould have insulted him more than the absolute indifference ofRend-your-Soul to his presence. 

Had Blue Beard, by the intermediation of the filibustering captain, instructed the buccaneer to act in this manner if he should encounterthe chevalier? Was this hunter's carelessness genuine or feigned? Thisis what we cannot yet tell the reader. The situation of Croustillac wasnone the less delicate and difficult; in spite of his audacity he didnot know how to begin the conversation. Finally recovering himself, hesaid to the buccaneer, advancing toward him, "Are you blind, comrade?"

"Answer, Peter, some one speaks to you, " said Rend-your-Soul, carelessly. 

"No, it is to you I speak, " said the Gascon impatiently. 

"No, " said the buccaneer. 

"How so?" replied the chevalier. 

"You said 'comrade;' I am not your comrade; my servant is, perhaps. "

"Zounds!"

"I am a master buccaneer; you are not; it is only my brother-hunters whoare my comrades, " said Rend-your-Soul, interrupting Croustillac. 

"And how is one to address you in order to have the honor of a reply?"said the chevalier, angrily. 

"If you come to purchase skins or buccaneer supplies, address me as youwill; if you come to see the station, look about you; if you are hungry, when the boar is cooked, eat. "

"They are regular brutes, true savages, " thought the chevalier; "itwould be folly in me to resent their stupidities; I am dying withhunger, I am lost; the animal can give me a dinner, and if I carrymyself wisely will point out to me the road to Devil's Cliff. Let useat. " Then, looking at the man, half barbarian that he was, with hisgarments stained with blood, Croustillac said to himself, shrugging hisshoulders, "And it is to such a boor that they give the beautiful, theadorable Blue Beard. Zounds! she must be like him herself. "

Peter, finding the boar cooked to a turn, busied himself in removing thecover; he placed on the earth, under the trees, a number of largeleaves, fresh and green, to serve as a tablecloth. He then picked alarge leaf, made four holes at its edge, and passed a creeper throughthem, and thus formed a species of cup in which he squeezed the juiceof a number of lemons which he had picked, and with which he mixed saltand spices crushed between two stones. The sauce was called pimentade, was extremely strong, and was used generally by buccaneers andfilibusters. Opposite this sauce and in another leaf, he put yams cookedin the ashes; their skins, a little burned, had split open and showed apulp yellow as amber. 

The chevalier was disturbed as to how he was to drink, for he had aburning thirst, but he quickly saw the servant returning with a largegourd filled with a pink and limpid liquor. It was the sugar of themaple tree, which flowed in abundance from the tree when it was pierceddeeply. This was a fresh and healthy beverage and tasted like Bordeauxwine mixed with sugar and water. 

Finally, after placing this gourd on the leaves which served as atablecloth, the servant broke off a large branch of apricots, coveredwith flowers and fruit, and stuck it into the earth in the midst of theleaves. These natives are not so stupid as they appear, thought thechevalier. Here is a repast which Dame Nature pays for and which wouldsatisfy, I am sure, the greatest gourmand. Croustillac waitedimpatiently for the moment to begin. Finally the servant, havingexamined the boar with a critical eye, said to the buccaneer, "Master, it is cooked. "

"Let us eat, " said the master. 

By means of a fork cut out of oak, the servant took one of the pigeons, put it on a fresh leaf, and offered it to the buccaneer; then, helpinghimself in turn, he left the fork in the venison. The chevalier, seeingthat no one occupied himself with him, took a pigeon, a yam, seatedhimself near the master and servant buccaneers, and, like them, began toeat with the best of appetites. 

The pigeon was cooked so deliciously, the yams were perfect, and likethe most delicious potatoes. The pigeons disposed of, Peter cut long andthick slices of the venison for his master. The chevalier followed hisexample and found the flesh exquisite, fat and succulent, of fine flavorenhanced the more by the pimentade. 

Croustillac frequently quenched his thirst, as did his companions, fromthe gourd of maple sugar, and he finished his repast by eating half adozen apricots of wonderful fragrance and very superior to the Europeanspecies. 

Peter brought, then, a gourd of brandy; the master drank and then passedit to his servant, who did likewise, then closed it carefully, to thegreat disappointment of the chevalier who had extended his hand for it. This was not stupidity on the part of the buccaneers; there is among theCaribbeans a great distinction between the natural gifts which costnothing, belonging, so to speak, to everyone, and the articles purchasedwith money, which belong exclusively to those who possess them--brandy, powder, bullets, arms, skins, venison prepared after the fashion of thebuccaneers for sale, being of this number; fruits, game, fish, wereheld, on the contrary, in common. 

Nevertheless, the chevalier frowned, rather from pride than gluttony. Hewas on the point of complaining of this lack of respect to the servant, but reflecting that, after all, he owed his excellent repast toRend-your-Soul, and that the latter could alone put him on the road toDevil's Cliff, he restrained his ill humor, and said to the buccaneerwith a jovial air, "Faith! sir, do you know you give great and goodcheer?"

"One eats what he finds; boars and bulls are not wanting in this island, and the sale of their skins is good, " said the buccaneer, filling hispipe. 

CHAPTER XI. 

MASTER REND-YOUR-SOUL. 

The more closely the chevalier studied Master Rend-your-Soul, the lesshe was able to believe that this half barbarian was in the good gracesof Blue Beard. The buccaneer, having lighted his pipe, lay down on hisback, put his two hands under his head, and smoked, with his eyes fixedon the hut, with an appearance of profound beatitude, and said to thechevalier, "You have come here in a litter, with your pink stockings?"

"No, my good friend, I have come on foot, and I would have come on myhead in order to see the most famous buccaneer in all the Antilles, whose fame has even reached Europe. "

"If you are in need of skins, " said the buccaneer in answer, "I have adozen bulls' skins so fine and beautiful that you would suppose them tobe buffalo. I have also a string of boar's hams such as are not cured inany station. "

"No, no, my brave friend, I tell you admiration, nothing but admirationhas guided me. I arrived from France five days since in the Unicorn, andmy first visit is to you, whose merit I am well aware of. "

"Truly?"

"As true as I call myself the Chevalier de Croustillac, for you will notbe displeased, perhaps, to know with whom you talk. My name isCroustillac. "

"All names are a matter of indifference to me, except that of_purchaser_. "

"And admirer, my brave friend, admirer, is that nothing? I, who havecome from Europe expressly to see you?"

"You knew, then, that you would find me here?"

"Not exactly; but Providence has arranged it; and, thanks toProvidence, I have met the famous Rend-your-Soul. "

"Decidedly he is stupid, " thought the chevalier. "I have nothing tocontend with in such a rival; if the others are no more dangerous, itwill be very easy for me to make Blue Beard adore me; but I must findthe road to Devil's Cliff. It will be truly racy to be conducted thitherby this bear. " He spoke: "But, my brave hunter, alas! all glory isbought; I wished to see you, I have seen you. "

"Very well, go your way, then, " said the buccaneer, expelling a cloud oftobacco smoke. 

"I like your brusque frankness, worthy Nimrod; but in order to go, Imust learn a road thence, and I know none. "

"From whence came you?"

"From Macouba, where I lodged at the house of the Reverend FatherGriffen. "

"You are only two leagues from Macouba; my servant will guide youthere. "

"How! only two leagues!" cried the chevalier. "It is impossible! I havewalked since daybreak yesterday, until night, and since early morn untilnoon, and have I gone but two leagues?"

"One sometimes sees boars and above all young bulls deceived thus, andmake many steps almost without changing the inclosure, " said thebuccaneer. 

"Your comparison smacks of the art of hunting, and, noble following asit is, cannot shock a gentleman; then, admit that I have dodged about, even like a young bull, as you say; it does not follow that I wish toreturn to Macouba; and I depend upon you to show me the road I shouldfollow. "

"Where do you wish to go?"

For a moment the chevalier hesitated, and knew not what reply to make. Should he avow frankly his intention of going to Devil's Cliff?Croustillac sought refuge in a subterfuge--"I wish to go by the road toDevil's Cliff. "

"The road to Devil's Cliff only leads to Devil's Cliff, and----"

The buccaneer did not finish his sentence, but his face became menacing. 

"And--where does the road to Devil's Cliff lead?"

"It leads sinners to hell, and saints to paradise. "

"So, a stranger, a traveler, who has a whim to visit Devil's Cliff----"

"Would never return from thence. "

"At least, in that case, one does not risk getting lost on the return, "said the chevalier coolly. "'Tis well, my good friend, then show me theway. "

"We have eaten under the same roof, we have drunk from the same cup; Iwould not willingly cause your death. "

"So, in conducting me to Devil's Cliff, you kill me?"

"It will come to the same thing. "

"Although your dinner was perfect, and your company very agreeable, mybrave Nimrod, you almost make me regret it, as this prevents you fromsatisfying my wish. But what danger threatens me, then?"

"All the dangers of death that a man can brave. "

"All these dangers--make but one, seeing that one can but die once, "said the Gascon carelessly. 

The buccaneer scanned the chevalier closely, and appeared impressed byhis courage as much as by the air of frankness and good humor whichshowed through all his extravagance. 

The chevalier continued: "The Chevalier de Croustillac never knows fearwhile he has his sister at his side. "

"What sister?"

"This, which, by heavens, is not virgin, " cried the Gascon, drawing hissword and brandishing it. "The kisses she gives are sharp, and thebravest have regretted making her acquaintance. "

"Miaow! miaow!" said the servant, who was a witness of this scene. Thiscry made the Gascon start, and recalled to him the exploits of thepreceding night. He colored with rage, advanced upon the servant withthe sword's point, in order to chastise him with the flat of his steel;but Peter withdrew dexterously and got out of reach, while the buccaneerburst into laughter. 

This hilarity exasperated the chevalier, who said to Rend-your-Soul, "Zounds! if you dare attack a man as you would a bull, beware. "

"Look at your sword; the steel is stained with blood and covered withthe hair of wildcats; it is that which made Peter cry out 'Miaow!'"

"Defend yourself, " repeated the chevalier furiously. 

"When I have four feet, claws and a tail, I will fight with you, " saidthe buccaneer quietly. 

"I will mark your face, then, " said the chevalier, advancing towardRend-your-Soul. 

"Softly, velvet claws, pussy velvet claws, " said the buccaneer, laughing, and parrying with the muzzle of his gun the furious thrustswhich the exasperated chevalier bestowed upon him. 

The servant would have come to the rescue of his master, but the latterforbade. 

"Do not stir; I will answer for this redoubtable fellow. 'The burned catdreads cold water, ' as they say. I am going to give him a good lesson. "

These sarcasms increased the chevalier's rage; he forgot his adversarywas defending himself with a gun, and he showered some desperate blowsupon him, while the buccaneer, showing a marvelous address and a rarevigor, used his heavy gun like a stick. 

During this unequal combat, the buccaneer added to his insolence byimitating the cry which cats make when they are angry, when theydisagree. This last outrage capped the climax; but against his attack hefound, in the buccaneer, a gladiator of the greatest strength infencing; and he had shortly the chagrin of seeing himself disarmed; hissword was struck off some ten paces. The buccaneer threw himself uponthe Gascon; raised his gun like a club; he seized the chevalier by thecollar and cried, "Your life is mine; I am going to break your head likean eggshell. "

Croustillac, looking at him without flinching, said, coldly, "And youare trebly right, for I am a triple traitor. " The buccaneer recoiled astep. "I was hungry--you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave medrink; you were unarmed and I attacked you. Break my head--Zounds! breakit, you are right. Croustillac is dishonored. "

This was not the language of an assassin or a spy; then, holding out hishand to the chevalier, the buccaneer said, with a rough voice, "Come, clasp hands; we have been seated under the same roof, we have foughttogether--we are brothers. "

The chevalier was about to put his hand in that of the buccaneer, but hepaused and said gravely, "Frankness for frankness; before giving you myhand I must tell you one thing. "

"What?"

"I am your rival. "

"Rival! how is that?"

"I love Blue Beard, and I am resolved at all hazards to go to her and toplease her. "

"Clasp hands, brother. "

"A moment--I must say to you that when Polyphème Croustillac wishes toplease, he pleases; when he pleases, one loves him; and when one loveshim, one loves him madly and unto death. "

"Clasp hands, brother. "

"I will not touch your hand until you tell me if you will accept meopenly for your rival?"

"And if not?"

"If not, break my head; you will be right in so doing. We are alone;your servant will not betray you; but I will never renounce the hope, the certainty, of pleasing Blue Beard. "

"Ah, this is another matter. "

"A last question, " continued the chevalier; "You go often to Devil'sCliff?"

"I go often to Devil's Cliff. "

"You see Blue Beard?"

"I see her. "

"You love her?"

"I love her. "

"She loves you?"

"She loves me. "

"You?"

"Me. "

"She loves you?"

"To madness----"

"She has told you so?"

"And--Blue Beard----"

"Is my mistress. "

"On the word of a buccaneer?"

"On the word of a buccaneer. "

"Then, " said the chevalier to himself, "there is no more discretionamong barbarians than among civilized people. Who would say at the sightof such a stupid fellow, that he was a coxcomb?" Then he said aloud, "Ah, well, then, I repeat to you, break my head, for if you spare mylife I shall reach Devil's Cliff; I shall do all I can to please BlueBeard, and I _shall_ please her, I warn you. So, then, once more, breakmy head, or resign yourself to seeing in me a rival, shortly a happyrival!"

"I say to you, clasp hands, brother. "

"How? in spite of what I say?"

"Yes. "

"It does not alarm you?"

"No. "

"It is all the same to you if I go to Devil's Cliff?"

"I will conduct you there, myself. "

"Yourself?"

"To-day. "

"And I shall see Blue Beard?"

"You shall see her as often as you wish. "

The chevalier, moved by the confidence in him which the buccaneertestified, did not wish to abuse it; he said in a solemn tone, "Listen, buccaneer, you are as generous as a savage; this is not by way ofoffense; but, my worthy friend, my loyal enemy, you are as ignorant as asavage. Reared in the midst of the forest, you have no idea what a manis who has passed his life in pleasing, seducing; you do not know themarvelous resources which such a man finds in his natural attractions;you do not know the irresistible influence of a word, a gesture, asmile, a look! This poor Blue Beard does not know either; to judge fromwhat they say of her three husbands. They were three worthless fellows, three vagabonds; she rid herself of them, rightly. Why has she ridherself of them? Because she sought an ideal, an unknown being, thedream of her dreams. Now, my brave friend, always be it said withoutoffense, you cannot deceive yourself to such a degree as to think thatyou realize this dream of Blue Beard; you cannot really take yourselffor a Celadon--for an Adonis----"

The buccaneer looked at Croustillac with a stupid air and did not appearto understand him; he said, pointing to the sun, "The sun is setting; wehave four leagues to make before we arrive at Devil's Cliff; let usstart. "

"This unhappy man, " thought the chevalier, "has not the slightest ideaof the danger he runs; it is a pity to disabuse his blindness; it islike striking a child; it is snaring a sitting pheasant; it is killing asleeping man; on the honor of De Croustillac, it gives me scruples. "Then aloud, "You do not understand, then, my brave friend, that this manas seductive as irresistible of whom I speak is none other than myself?"

"Ah, bah! it is impossible. "

"Your surprise is not flattering, brave hunter, but if I speak thus toyou of myself, it is that honor compels me to tell the truth, the wholetruth, and nothing but the truth. You do not understand that, oncehaving seen me, Blue Beard will love me; and she will not love you anymore, my poor Rend-your-Soul. Understand, then, that it would becowardly and treasonable on my part not to warn you in advance as to theposition you hold with Blue Beard. I repeat, from the moment when I putfoot in Devil's Cliff, from the moment she sees me, when she hears me, her love for you is at an end. Meantime, I have warned you, loyallywarned you; consider if you are willing to risk it. "

"Clasp hands, brother, " said the buccaneer, seemingly insensible to thedanger that the chevalier pointed out to him. "Let us be going. We willarrive at night at Devil's Cliff; a fall from the precipice would not bepleasant at this hour. "

"Come on--you are mad--so be it, but I have warned you; it will be openwar, " said the chevalier. 

The buccaneer, without making any reply to the chevalier, said to hisservant, "Shut up the dogs in the house, and have ready two dozen bulls'skins, which will be needed to-morrow at Basse-Terre; I shall notreturn to-night. "

"It falls aright, " said the servant to himself, and with a shrewd air;"he sleeps away from the hut one night in every three. "

While the buccaneer attached his belt, the chevalier said to himself, looking at the hunter with a feeling of pity, "Faith! but he puts therope gayly about his own throat; since he will not heed my warning, lethim look out for himself. It appears that lovers are, in such cases, nowiser than husbands. But as regards Blue Beard--if she is pretty--itmust be that she is--can she receive such a savage? Poor little thing. It is very simple. She does not know the compensation that is reservedfor her. Hail to the gods. Croustillac, thy star has arisen!" continuedthe chevalier, after some minutes of reflection. 

"Come, brother, let us start, " said the buccaneer; "but before doing so, Peter shall envelop your legs in a piece of skin which he has, for weare going to traverse a bad quarter for serpents. "

The chevalier thanked the buccaneer, not without shrugging his shouldersin pity for him, and said, "Unhappy man! he is shoeing me, but I shallput a cap on him!"

This stupid joke was to be fatally punished in Croustillac, who followedhis guide with renewed ardor, for was he not going to see Blue Beard?

PART II. 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE MARRIAGE. 

After four hours' walk the chevalier and the buccaneer arrived close toDevil's Cliff. The road was so difficult and so much incumbered that thetwo companions could scarcely converse. Croustillac became morethoughtful the nearer his approach to the dwelling of Blue Beard; inspite of the good opinion he had of himself, in spite of his consolingreflections regarding the allegorical nudity of Venus and Truth, heregretted that his natural advantages were not set off by costlygarments. He ventured, then, after some hesitation, to tell a falsehoodto the buccaneer. "I assure you, my true and worthy rival, that myservants and trunks are at St. Pierre and I find myself, as you see, hardly clothed in a proper fashion to present myself before the queen ofmy thoughts. "

"What do you mean?" said the buccaneer. 

"What I would say, brave Nimrod, is that I have the appearance of abeggar, in that my coat and shoes, which yesterday were almost new, areto-day abominably tattered and appear at least six months old. "

"Six months? Oh! they are devilishly older than that to all appearances, my brother. "

"All which proves how torrid your devilish sun is; in one day it hasfaded my clothing which yesterday was the freshest sea-green, the mosttender and coquettish of colors, until now----"

"They are almost mould-green, " said the buccaneer. "It is like yourshoulder-strap--our devouring sun eats gold until he leave but a redthread. "

"What signifies the shoulder-strap if the sword is free and strong fromthe scabbard?" said Croustillac proudly. Then softening his tones, hecontinued, "It is just because I am momentarily in an outfit unworthy myrank, that I would inquire if I can find garments more suitable atDevil's Cliff?"

"Ah, do you think that Blue Beard keeps a second-hand clothingestablishment?" said the buccaneer. 

"Heaven forbid that I should accuse her of such an ignoble traffic! But, in fine, it would not be surprising if, as I say, by chance, there hadbeen overlooked in some corner of a clothes-press some garmentsbelonging to one of the deceased husbands of our charming friend?"

"Ah!" said the buccaneer. 

"Well?" replied the chevalier imperturbably, "although it would cost mean effort to appear in what did not belong to me, and above all, in whatcould not fit me very well, I would reconcile myself to so doing, indefault of my fine clothing now at St. Pierre, even at the risk of beingabominably disfigured, perhaps, by the chance garments, " continued hedisdainfully. 

The buccaneer broke into peals of laughter at the singular notion of hiscompanion. Croustillac colored with annoyance and said, "Zounds! you arevery facetious, my friend. "

"I laugh because I see I am not alone in the traffic of skins, " saidRend-your-Soul. "Truly we are brothers! If I despoil the bulls of theirskins, you are not too proud to despoil one of the husbands of thewidow. But we are now at the foot of the cliff. Take care, friend, onemust have a sure foot and a true eye to climb this ascent unharmed! Ifyou find it too rough, you need go no further; I will send you a guideto conduct you back to Macouba. "

"Remain here! at my journey's end, almost! after a thousanddifficulties! at the moment when I shall see and captivate thisenchantress, Blue Beard, " cried the chevalier. "You have lost your wits. Come on, comrade, what you do, I will do, " said the chevalier. 

Truth to say, thanks to his long legs, his natural agility and hiscoolness, Croustillac followed the buccaneer over the perilous roadthat led to the mansion, across the terrible precipice of Devil's Cliff. A signal from the buccaneer and the wall of the platform was scaled, and, with his companion, he entered the outer buildings. 

Reaching the covered passage which led to the widow's especial suite, the buccaneer whispered a word in the ear of the mulattress. She tookthe chevalier's hand and led him to a stairway in the passage. Croustillac hesitated a moment to follow the slave. The buccaneer said, "Go on, brother, you do not wish to present yourself thus before thewidow; I have said a word to old Jennette, and she is going to provideyou with the means to shine like the sun. As for me, I go to announceyour arrival to Blue Beard. "

So saying, the buccaneer disappeared in the covered passage. Croustillac, guided by the mulattress, came to a room very elegantly andcomfortably furnished. 

"Zounds!" cried the adventurer, rubbing his hands and taking longstrides, "this begins well. Provided I can appear to advantage, providedthat the deceased husbands of the widow had decent figures and thattheir clothes will not disfigure me too much, I shall please--I shallcaptivate the widow; and this animal of a buccaneer, ousted by me fromthe heart of Blue Beard, will return to-morrow--perhaps even to-night, to his forest. "

Croustillac soon saw a number of negroes enter the room. One of themstaggered under an enormous parcel; the other carried on a chased silvertray a silver gilt dish, wherein smoked a soup of the most appetizingodor; two glass carafes, one filled with old Bordeaux, the color ofrubies, the other with Madeira wine, color of topaz, flanked the dishand completed this light refreshment sent to the chevalier by the widow. While one of the slaves placed before him a little table of ebony inlaidwith ivory, the negro bearing the parcel laid upon the bed a costume ofblack velvet ornamented by rich flowers embroidered in gold. What wassingular about the coat was that the left sleeve was of cherry-coloredsatin; this sleeve closed above the wrist with a broad facing of buffaloskin. 

For the rest, with the exception of this peculiarity, the coat waselegantly cut; stockings of very fine silk, a rhinegrave, or cravat, ofmagnificent lace, a large felt hat adorned with beautiful white plumesand a heavy gold cord were to complete the transformation of theadventurer. 

While the chevalier endeavored to divine why the left sleeve of thisblack velvet coat was of cherry-colored silk, the two negroes prepared abath in a neighboring dressing-room; another slave asked Croustillac inquite pure French if he would be shaved and have his hair dressed;Croustillac assented. Entirely refreshed and invigorated by an aromaticbath, wrapped in a dressing-gown of fine Holland linen which exhaled themost exquisite odors, the adventurer lounged on a soft divan while theslaves waved enormous fans. 

The chevalier, in spite of his blind faith in his destiny, which, according to him, was to become as beautiful as it had heretofore beenmiserable, believed himself at times in a dream. 

His wildest hopes were surpassed; in casting a complacent glance on therich costume with which he was clothed, and which was to render himfatally irresistible, he was seized with a feeling akin to remorse, onaccount of the buccaneer, who had so unwisely given ingress to the wolfinto this fold in which dwelt his love. The thought of this good fellowmade Croustillac smile; he was prepared to bewilder Blue Beard bylanguage in which he would be victorious over her barbarous adorers. 

Suddenly a horrible fear obscured the smiling prospect for the Gascon. He began to fear for the first time that Blue Beard might be repulsivelyplain; he had also the modesty to think that perhaps it would be toomuch of him to require of fate that Blue Beard be of an ideal beauty. 

Croustillac possessed good qualities. He said to himself with theconviction of a man who knew perfectly how to moderate and set bounds tohis ambition--"Providing the widow be not more than from forty to fiftyyears; that she be not blind or outrageously lame; that she has someteeth and hair--faith! her wine is so good, her service so fine, herservants so attentive--if she is worth three or four millions, Iconsent to take the risk my predecessors did, and to make the widowhappy, on the honor of De Croustillac! seeing that I prefer to take theconsequences of my rôle as a husband rather than return on board theUnicorn and swallow lighted candles for the amusement of that amphibiousanimal, Captain Daniel. Well, then, should Blue Beard be plain, and ofoverripe age, she is still a millionaire, and I will take care of thisgood lady, and will be so very agreeable to her that, far from sendingme to join the other dead husbands, she will have no desire but that ofcherishing me dearly, and embellishing my life by all kinds of deliciouscares. Come, come, Croustillac, " said the adventurer, with increasedexaltation, "I say truly, your star is in the ascendent, and shall shinemore than in the past it has been overcast! Yes, it is in theascendent. "

So saying, the chevalier called one of the blacks who was awaiting hisorders in a neighboring room, and with his assistance put on the velvetdress with the cherry colored sleeve. The Gascon was tall, but bony andthin; the garment which he donned was made for a man of the same height, but broad-chested and small in the waist; so the vest formed some largefolds about the body of Croustillac; and his cherry-colored stockingsdraped themselves no less majestically about his long, thin, and nervouslegs. 

The chevalier did not concern himself about these slight imperfectionsof his costume; he threw a final glance at his reflection in theVenetian mirror which the slave held up to him, arranged his rough, black hair, caressed his long mustache, hung his formidable sword to arich strap of buffalo skin which had been brought to him, proudly put onthe felt hat with golden cord and white plumes, and, strutting up anddown the room with a triumphant air, impatiently awaited the moment ofpresentation to the widow. This moment arrived shortly. The agedmulattress who had received the adventurer came to seek him, and begginghim to follow her, ushered him into the retired building which we havealready seen. 

The room in which Croustillac waited some moments was furnished with aluxury of which he had heretofore had no idea; superb old paintings, magnificent porcelains, curiosities in goldsmith's work, of the mostcostly nature, incumbered the furniture, as valuable on account of itsmaterial as for its workmanship; a lute and a theorbo, whose ornamentsof ivory and gold were of a finish most uncommon in carving, attractedthe attention of Croustillac, who was delighted to think that his futurewife was a musician. 

"Zounds!" cried the chevalier, "is it possible that the mistress of somuch wealth is as beautiful as the day? No, no, I should be toofortunate; although I deserve this happiness. "

We may judge of the surprise, not to say the shock, to the Gascon whenAngela entered. The little widow was radiant in youth, grace, beauty anddress; robed in a costume of the fashion of Louis the Fourteenth, shewore a dress of sky blue, the long waist of which seemed to beembroidered with diamonds, pearls and rubies, though this profusion ofgems was arranged with taste. 

Croustillac, in spite of his audacity, recoiled before such a vision. Inall his life he had never encountered a woman so ravishingly pretty, soroyally dressed; he could not believe his eyes; he looked at her withbewilderment. We must say, to the chevalier's credit, that he had alaudable attack of modesty, but unhappily as fleeting as sincere. Hethought that so charming a creature might perhaps hesitate to marry anadventurer like himself; but he recalled his impertinent andvainglorious confidences to the buccaneer; he said to himself that, after all, one man was as good as another, and he recovered very rapidlyhis imperturbable assurance. 

Croustillac made, one after another, three of the most respectful bows;in order to resume his upright attitude and at the same time display thenobility of his figure, advancing on one of his long legs, and drawingthe other a little behind it, he assumed a conquering air, holding hishat in the right hand and resting his left hand upon the handle of hissword. Doubtless he was about to make some gallant compliment to BlueBeard, for he had already placed his hand on his heart, and opened hislarge mouth, when the little widow, who could no longer repress anirresistible desire to laugh at the absurd appearance of the chevalier, gave free vent to her hilarity. This explosion of gayety shutCroustillac's mouth and he endeavored to smile, hoping thus to humorBlue Beard. 

This polite effort took the form of so grotesque a grimace that Angelafell on the sofa, forgetting all rules of politeness, all dignity, andabandoned herself to a mad fit of laughter; her beautiful blue eyes, always so brilliant, were veiled in tears of amusement; her cheeksbecame crimson and her charming dimples deepened to such an extent thatthe widow could have hidden in their depths the entire end of her rosylittle finger. 

Croustillac, much embarrassed, remained motionless before the prettywidow, first contracting his eyebrows with an angry air, then, on thecontrary, he endeavored to relax his thin long face into a forced smile. While these successive expressions did not tend to put an end to BlueBeard's mirth, the chevalier said to himself that for a murderess, thewidow did not have such a gloomy and terrible appearance after all. Nevertheless, the vanity of our adventurer could not easily brook thesingular effect which he had produced. For want of better conclusion heended by saying to himself that above all things he always struck theimagination of women keenly; it was necessary at first to astonish them, upset them, and that, in this respect, his first interview with BlueBeard left nothing to be desired. 

When he saw that the widow had become a little calmer, he saidresolutely, and with superbly bombastic manner, "I am sure you laugh, madame, at all the despairing efforts that I make to prevent my poorstolen heart from flying quickly to your feet. It is that which hasbrought me here; I could not but follow, in spite of myself; yes, madame, in spite of myself. I said to it, 'there, there, softly, softly, my heart, it does not suffice, in order to please a divine beauty, to bepassionately loving, ' but my little, or rather my great and rash, heartreplied ever by drawing me to you with all its strength; as if it hadbeen the steel and Devil's Cliff the magnet; my heart, I say, replied tome, 'Reassure yourself, master; tender and valiant as you are, the lovethat you feel shall cause the birth of a love which you shall share. 'But pardon me madame, the language of my heart makes me outrageouslyimpertinent--it is doubtless this impertinence which makes you laughanew. "

"No, sir, no; your appearance diverts me to this great extent becauseyou resemble--ha! ha! ha!--in a strange way, my second husband. You havepositively the very same nose--ha! ha! ha!--and in seeing you enter, Ibelieved I saw his spirit--ha! ha! ha!--coming to reproach me--ha! ha!ha!--with his cruel end--ha! ha!"

The laughter of Angela redoubled. The chevalier was not ignorant of theantecedents with which Blue Beard might be reproached, but he could notconceal his great surprise at hearing this charming little creatureacknowledge the crime of murder with such incredible audacity. Nevertheless, the chevalier recovered his customary coolness and repliedgallantly, "I am too happy, madame, to recall to you one of yourdeceased husbands; and of reviving by my presence one of your memories, whatever it may be. But, " continued Croustillac with a gallant manner, "there are other resemblances that I would wish to have to thedeceased--whose memory diverts you so much. "

"That is to say, you desire to marry me?" said Blue Beard to him. 

The chevalier was stupefied for a moment by this abrupt question. 

Angela went on: "I expected it; Rend-your-Soul, whom I call by anabbreviation, my little Rendsoul, has informed me of your desires;perhaps he wishes to raise false hopes, " added the widow, lookingcoquettishly at the chevalier. 

Croustillac experienced surprise after surprise. "How, " he cried, "thebuccaneer has told you, madame----"

"That you have come from France for the express purpose of marryingme--is it true? See, speak frankly--do not deceive me. Oh, I do not liketo be thwarted. I warn you, if I have taken it into my head that youshall be my husband, you shall be. "

"Madame, I beg of you, do not take me for a fool, for a jackanapes, fora stupid; if I am dumb, it is with emotion, surprise. " And Croustillaclooked about him uneasily, as if to assure himself he was not the sportof a dream. "May I be shot if I expected such a reception. "

"Well, there is no need to make so many words over it, " replied thewidow. "I have been told you wish to marry me--is it true?"

"As true as that you are the most dazzling beauty that I have ever met, "said the chevalier impetuously, placing his hand on his heart. 

"Truly? Truly? You have really decided to marry me?" cried the littlewidow, clapping her hands joyfully. 

"I am so decided, adorable widow, that my only fear now is of not seeingthis desire realized; it is, I avow, an excessive desire, a great dream, and----"

"Be quiet, then, " said Blue Beard, interrupting the chevalier withchildlike frankness. "What is the use of these big words? You ask myhand--why should I not give it to you?"

"How, madame, can I believe it! Ah, wait, beautiful Islander. I have hadmany triumphs in my life; princesses have avowed their passion for me;queens have sighed when looking at me, but never, madame, never have Ifound such a one! Yes, madame, you can congratulate yourself, you canboast of having brought to its height my surprise, my joy and mygratitude. Repeat, then, I implore you, repeat those charming words--youconsent to take me for your husband, me, Polyphème de Croustillac?"

"I will repeat it as much as you desire; nothing is simpler; you canwell understand that I have too much trouble in finding husbands not toseize eagerly the offer which you make me. "

"Ah, madame, " replied the chevalier courteously, "at the risk of passingfor an impertinent man, I must allow myself to contradict you. Never canI believe that you could find it difficult to find a husband. I will saymore--I am convinced that you have had, since your widowhood onlyembarrassment of choice, but you have simply not wished to select. Youhave too good taste, madame, " said Croustillac audaciously, "youwaited----"

"I might deceive you and allow you to think this, chevalier, but you aretoo brave and gallant a man to be abused--at present, " continued Angela, with a gracious and confidential manner, "I will tell you all. Listen tome. The first time I married, I had but to choose, it is true. O, heavens! suitors presented themselves in swarms, and I chose--very well, too. Then my second marriage: it was even then not the same thing. People had commented on the singular death of my first husband, andsuitors had already begun to reflect before declaring themselves. However, as I am not stupid, thanks to determination, cajolery andcoquetry, I succeeded in getting a second husband. Alas! it was notwithout trouble. But the third. Oh, you have no idea all the trouble Ihad; truly I was in despair!"

"Ah, madame, why was I not there!"

"Doubtless, but, unhappily, you were not. If they talked about the deathof my first husband; you can judge what they said about that of mysecond. People began to distrust me, " said the widow, shaking her prettylittle head with an expression of ingenuous melancholy. "What would youhave? the world is so meddling, so slanderous; men are so strange!"

"The world is stupid and egotistical, foolish, " cried Croustillac, filled with pity for this victim of calumny. "Men are cowards and foolswho believe all the gossip which is told them. "

"What you say is very true. You are not so, my friend?"

"She calls me her friend, " cried Croustillac, in a transport; and heanswered, "No, certainly not, and I am not so. "

"Doubtless, " said the widow, "you are very different; you spoil me byaccepting my proposition so quickly. "

"Say, rather, that I am beyond bounds overjoyed at it, madame. "

"You spoil me, " continued the widow, with an enchanting smile, andthrowing a tender glance at the chevalier. "I assure you you spoil me;you are so easy, so accommodating. Ah! how shall I replace you?"

"Replace me?"

"Yes, after you, friend. "

"After me?"

"Yes, certainly, after you. "

"Madame, I do not understand you. I do not wish to understand. "

"It is very simple; how can I hope to find another like you, who willmarry me so willingly? Ah, no, such men are rare!"

"How, madame, after me?" cried Croustillac, overcome by this idea. "Youdream, then, of a successor to me?"

"Yes, friend, " replied the widow, with the most touchingly sentimentalair imaginable; "yes, for when you are no more I must renew my quest, seek, ask, and find a fifth husband. Think, then, of the difficultiesand obstacles to overcome. Perhaps I shall not succeed. Think, then, awidow for the fourth time. You forget that; it is a fact, however; myfriend, after you, I shall be a widow for the fourth time. "

"I do not forget it at all, madame, " said Croustillac, whose ardorbecame somewhat chilled, and began to ask himself if this affair was notmadness. "I shall not forget, certainly, in case I have the honor ofmarrying you, that you will be for the fourth time a widow if you loseme; but it appears you place a rather short period to my love. "

"Alas! yes, my friend, " said the widow, in a tender voice, "one year, and a year is very short. A year! it passes so quickly when one loves, "continued she, casting the glance of a perfect assassin at him. 

"A year, madame, " cried the chevalier. But then, believing that thewords of Blue Beard hid perhaps a test, that she wished possibly tojudge of his courage, he added in a chivalrous tone, "Ah, well, so beit, madame; whether my happiness last but a year, a day, an hour, aminute--it matters not; I will brave all, if only I can say that I havebeen fortunate enough to obtain your hand. "

"You are a true knight, " said the widow, charmed. "I expected no less ofyou. That is agreed; only I must forewarn my little Rendsoul, for form'ssake, understand, for married or not I shall always be to him what Ihave been. "

"But, madame, " said Croustillac, "is it permitted me, will it beindiscreet to ask you what you are to this hunter of wild beasts, andwhat are his relations with you? Or, rather, will you explain to me whatintimacy it is that you feel obliges you to speak to him of your plans?"

"Certainly; and to whom would I make this statement if not to you, myfriend? I will confess to you that Rendsoul is one of my lovers. "

Here Croustillac made such a singular grimace and coughed two or threetimes in such a manner, that Angela broke into a peal of laughter. 

Croustillac, for a moment dumfounded, came to this reflection full ofwisdom: "I am a fool! Nothing is simpler. She had a kind of fancy forthis stupid fellow. The sight of me has decided her to sacrifice him;unlucky buccaneer that he is! But why the devil does she tell me that atthe end of a year she must find a successor to me?"

"Wait--here comes my Rendsoul, " said the widow. "We will tell him ourplans, and we will sup together like three friends. "

"It matters not to me, " said Croustillac, seeing the buccaneer enter. "Here is a little woman who wishes to show that she is an original. "

CHAPTER XIII

THE SUPPER. 

When the buccaneer entered the chevalier hardly knew him. Rend-your-Soulhad put off his hunter's costume; he wore a coat and nether garment ofguinea cloth, thickly embroidered with alternate rays of white and deepred; his black beard fell upon a shirt of dazzling whiteness, which wasclose like a doublet by a row of small coral buttons; a scarf of redsilk, hose of the same color, and shoes of doeskin with largeribbon-bows, completed a costume most elegant for a buccaneer, andshowing to advantage his tall and robust figure; in the brilliant lightof the candles his complexion seemed less brown than in the daytime; hisblack hair, curling naturally, fell carelessly on his shoulders; andfinally, his hands were beautiful, in spite of his rough following as ahunter. 

At the sight of the buccaneer, so transformed and almost unrecognizable, in spite of the hard character which his thick beard always gave to hisface, the chevalier said to himself, "I should prefer that this personhad at least a civilized appearance; it would be too humiliating forPolyphème de Croustillac to triumph over a rival so plain as the onewhich he at first sight appeared to be. But, while I do not doubt thisNimrod, I must say that Blue Beard has a singular manner of acting. Could she not have given him his dismissal in some other way than in mypresence? I hate to so cruelly use my advantage in crushing a poorrival; for, after all, a man is a man! This poor buccaneer is going tofind himself in a pitiable position. But let me hold firm; and show BlueBeard that I am not the dupe of her confidence concerning her deceasedhusbands, and that I am not afraid to die like them. "

Croustillac ended this reflection when the pretty widow, indicating theadventurer by a triumphant nod of the head, said ingenuously to thebuccaneer, "This gentleman asks for my hand in marriage. You see youwere wrong in persisting to me that I would not find a fourth husband. So you can imagine I have very quickly accepted the chevalier'sproposal; it was too good an opportunity to let slip. "

The buccaneer did not reply at once. Croustillac mechanically put hishand on the hilt of his sword, in order not to be without means ofdefense in case the hunter, exasperated by jealousy, should wish to dohim an injury. What was his surprise when he heard Rend-your-Soul say, after seating himself in a large chair, "I have always said to you, mybeautiful one, just what that comrade Hurricane said, 'Marry, a thousanddevils marry! if you desire to, for husbands are rare, for one neverknows what you will do; but one thing is certain, they never live long. 'As for me, I do not approve your little proceedings. I have more thanonce seen your little white hands prepare certain beverages----"

"Oh, fie! fie! bad man!" said Angela, shaking her finger at him. 

"Nevertheless, it is true, " said the buccaneer. "What is the secret ofthat gray powder of which I had only given a pinch to my servant who wasdevoured by my dogs. What infernal concoction was it?"

"Yes, madame, this gray powder--tell us its compounds, " saidCroustillac. 

"Oh, you indiscreet man!" said Angela, looking at the buccaneer, with anair of annoyance. "The chevalier will take me for a child; how shall Iappear in his eyes if he thinks I occupy myself with such trifles?"

"Have no fears on that score, madame, " said Croustillac; "I amdelighted, I assure you, to have these new evidences of your youthfulcandor! Well, worthy Nimrod, this gray powder?"

"Truly, I am very much ashamed!" said Angela, hanging her head andlowering her eyes, and at the same time making a charming littlegrimace. 

"Imagine, then, " said the buccaneer, "that I gave my servant just alittle pinch of powder in a glass of brandy. "

"Well?" said Croustillac, with interest. 

"Well, for two days he was so gay that he laughed from night tillmorning and morning till night. "

"I do not see anything bad in that, " said Croustillac. 

"But wait!" continued the hunter. "My servant did not do this fromamusement, he suffered the torments of the damned; his eyes werebursting from their sockets, and he said, between his paroxysms oflaughter, that such torture as he endured was beyond belief. The thirdday he suffered so that he fell as if in a fit, and remained thus a longtime; all due to the pinch of madame's gray powder. It may not surpriseyou to learn that madame's second husband was as gay as a lark, and thathe died very joyfully. "

"Oh! heavens, as if one could not commit a little mischief without beingreproached by you, " said Angela, like a capricious child. 

"Listen, comrade! she calls that a little mischief, " said the hunter. "Just imagine! her second husband laughed so hard that the blood burstfrom his nose, eyes and ears. But whatever he laughed about, he did soas if he had seen the most amusing thing in the world. But that did notprevent him from saying, like my servant, that he would rather have beenburned at a slow fire than suffer such gayety; he also died, laughing tothe last, and swearing like a devil. "

"There! you go too fast, " said Blue Beard, shrugging her shoulders. Then, whispering to the Gascon, "Friend, do not be afraid--I have lostthe secret of the gray powder!"

The chevalier, in an attempt to smile, made quite a grimace. He had leftFrance at a time when the fearful practice in poisons was at its height, and people talked only of the heir's powder, the powder of the aged, andthe widow's powder. The names, even, of certain poisons were cited withfear. Now Blue Beard's laughing powder could not but give rise to themost doleful reflections on the part of the chevalier. "So, " he said tohimself, glancing defiantly at Angela, "does this creature deal inchemistry and draughts--is this story true?"

"What ails you, brother?" said the buccaneer, struck by Croustillac'ssilence. 

"You have made him afraid of me, " said the widow. 

"No, my beautiful lady, no, " said Croustillac, "I was thinking that itmust be very pleasant to die thus of laughter!"

"Faith, you are right, brother, one had better die so than as the lasthusband died. " And the buccaneer shuddered with horror. 

"It appears that the death of the latter must have been more terriblethan the former, " said Croustillac, with affected carelessness. 

"As to that story, comrade, I will not tell you that, you would beafraid. "

"I? afraid?" and the Gascon shrugged his shoulders. 

Blue Beard leaned over and whispered again to the Gascon, "Let him tellit, friend; this tale, at least, is worth the trouble. I am going totrap Rendsoul. "

Then, addressing herself to the buccaneer, "Well, go on; speak! Why doyou not speak? Do not pause in the middle of the road. You see thechevalier is listening with all his ears--go on, speak. I do not wishhim to buy, as they say, a 'a cat in a bag. '"

"You should say a tigress in a bag, " replied, laughingly, the buccaneer. "Ah, well, sir, " addressing Croustillac, "Fancy this third husband aman, handsome, of dark complexion, thirty-six years of age, a Spaniardby birth. We came across him at Havana. "

"Heavens! tell it quickly, " said the widow, "the chevalier is impatientto hear. "

"It was not a gray powder that he tasted, this one, " replied thebuccaneer, "but a drop, one drop only, of a pretty green liquidcontained in the smallest flask I ever saw in my life, for it was madeof a single hollow ruby. "

"That is simple enough, " said Angela, "the strength of this liquid wassuch that it would dissolve or break any flask which was not made of aruby or a diamond. "

"You can judge, after that, chevalier, " said the hunter, "of thepleasure which this liquid must have given our third husband. CertainlyI am neither over-tender nor timid, but, after all, it is difficult tobecome accustomed to seeing a man who looks at you with green eyes, luminous, and set so deep in their orbit that they have the effect of aglowworm in the depths of a subterranean cave. "

"The fact is, " said Croustillac, who could not prevent a slight shudder, "the fact is that at first this would appear strange. "

"That is not all; listen to the rest, " said the widow with an air ofperfect self-satisfaction. 

The buccaneer continued: "That was only his usual condition, poor man, having eyes like a glowworm, but what was most frightful was when madamegave a supper to Hurricane, myself and Youmäale. She dipped a camel'shair brush into the little ruby flask and compelled the unhappy Spaniardto approach, and passed this brush over his eyelashes. Then one wouldhave said that from the eyelashes of this unhappy man there issued athousand rays; his green eyes, sunken in his head, protruded and rolledin their orbit like two globes of fire, and threw such varied andcontinual light that they sufficed to light up our feast, while thewretched man stood immovable as a marble statue, saying in a piteousvoice, 'My head furnishes fuel for the lamps of my eyes!' It was wellthat the poor man could not see the fire, " said the buccaneer, burstinginto laughter at this cruel jest. "And when the supply of oil in thelamp failed, the madame's husband went to join his predecessors, inorder to leave his place open to you. "

"What Rendsoul tells you is correct, " said Blue Beard. "He is veryindiscreet, as you see, but he is truthful. And so am I. I have singularideas and caprices, I know; my God! I do not wish to represent myself asbetter than I am. Above all, I would be frank with you and concealnothing. You would ask why my husbands are the only victims of myplayfulness? I have no power over others. And I always warn them whatwill be their fate. It is that which makes it so difficult for me tofind a husband. It is on these conditions alone that Satan signs mycontract, and then this contract, signed by him, acquires a virtue aswonderful as mysterious. Alas! my friend, may he soon sign ours. I havethought of two preparations which are entirely different from theothers, and the effects of which are truly magical. "

All this time Croustillac experienced a strange sensation, which heattributed to the fatigue of the day and the evening; it was as if alethargy possessed his brain and almost took from him the power ofresisting by use of his reason the impression made by these strangetales of the widow and the buccaneer. Without believing these fabulousinventions, he was nevertheless frightened by them as one is by a baddream. The chevalier hardly knew whether he was awake or asleep; helooked at the buccaneer and the widow by turn, with a stupefied air, almost terrified. Finally, being ashamed to show his credulity, he roseabruptly and paced up and down a few minutes in the hope that movementwould dispel the torpor which he felt overwhelming him. 

Croustillac did not wish to be a butt for these two persons, and healmost regretted having embarked so imprudently in this mad adventure. He said to Blue Beard resolutely, "Come, come, you are jesting, madame;do not trouble yourself; I comprehend the joke. I do not believe you asferocious or as much of a magician as you wish to appear; to-morrow, Iam sure I shall learn the secret of this comedy, which to-night, I avow, gives me a kind of nightmare. "

These words of the chevalier, spoken from no motive but to show thedwellers of Devil's Cliff that he did not intend to be their dupe, produced on Blue Beard a singular effect. She cast a terrified glance atthe buccaneer, and said haughtily to Croustillac, "I do not jest, sir;you came here with the intention of marrying me; I offer you my hand, and I will tell you upon what conditions; if these are agreeable to you, we will be married in eight days; there is a chapel here; the reverendFather Griffen, of the parish of Macouba, will come hither in order tounite us; if my conditions do not meet with your approval, you can quitthis house, where you never ought to have come. "

As Blue Beard proceeded her face lost its look of wicked cajolery; shebecame sad, almost menacing. "A comedy!" she said; "if I thought youtook all that has been said as such, you should not remain a momentlonger in this house, sir, " she continued, in a changed voice, betrayingher deep feeling. 

"No, the chevalier must not take it all as a jest, " said the buccaneer, looking steadily at the Gascon. 

Croustillac, naturally impatient and vivacious, experienced vexation atnot being able to discover what was true and what feigned in thissingular adventure. He cried then, "Well, zounds! madame, what do youwish me to think? I encounter a buccaneer in the forest; I impart to himmy desire to meet you; he informs me abruptly that you will yourselftell me that he has the good fortune to be in your good graces. "

"And then, sir?"

"Then, madame, though I have warned him, the buccaneer has brought me toyou, by whom I have been received with the greatest hospitality, I mustacknowledge; I am introduced to you; informed of my desires, youyourself offer me your hand, you inform your friend the bull-hunter ofmy wishes. "

"Well, sir?"

"Madame, up to that time all went well; but now the buccaneer wishes toinform me, with your consent, that I am reserved for a fourth deceasedhusband, and to succeed a man who laughed himself to death, and onewhose eyes served as lights for one of your orgies!"

"It is the truth, " said the buccaneer. 

"How, the truth?" continued Croustillac, recovering his lost vivacity. "Are we in the land of dreams? Do you take the Chevalier de Croustillacfor a simpleton? Do you think I am one of those weak-minded creatureswho believe in the devil? I am not a goose, and I also ask twenty-fourhours in which to demolish all these ridiculous stories. "

Angela became very pale, and threw a look of agony and indescribablefear on the buccaneer, and replied to the chevalier with ill-concealedanger, "Ah, who told you, sir, that all that has taken place is natural?Do you know why I, young and rich, offer you my hand the first moment Isee you? Do you know what this union will cost you? You believe yourselfto have a strong mind; who told you that certain phenomena would not gobeyond your comprehension? Do you know _who_ I am? Do you know _where_you are? Do you know in consequence of what strange mystery I offer youmy hand? A comedy?" repeated Blue Beard bitterly, regarding thebuccaneer with an appearance almost of fear; "can you not be made tounderstand that all this is not a play, sir? It is hardly to be believedthat your good angel brought you here, at least. "

"And then, after all, who told you that you would ever go out of thisplace?" said the buccaneer coldly. 

The chevalier recoiled a step, trembling, and said:

"Zounds! no violence, at least--or if so----"

"If so, what can you do?" said Blue Beard, with a smile which appearedto the Gascon implacably cruel. 

Croustillac thought, too late, of the doors he had shut behind him, ofthe difficult road he had had to traverse in order to reach thisdiabolical house; he saw himself at the mercy of the widow, of thebuccaneer, and of their numerous slaves. He repented heartily and mostearnestly of having so blindly entered upon such an enterprise. On theother hand, Croustillac, in contemplating the enchanting figure of BlueBeard, could not believe her capable of such bloodthirsty perfidy. Nevertheless, the strange avowals she had made him, the terrible reportsconcerning her, the threats of the buccaneer, began to make someimpression upon the chevalier. Just then a mulattress came in toannounce supper. 

During the gloomy reflections of the adventurer, Angela had a fewminutes' conversation with the buccaneer, carried on in a low voice; shewas, as a result, apparently satisfied and reassured, for, little bylittle, her brow cleared, and the smile again came to her lips. "Come, brave knight, " said she gayly to the chevalier, "do not be afraid of meany more; do not take me for the devil; and do honor to the modestsupper that a poor widow is only too happy to offer you. "

So saying, she graciously offered her hand to Croustillac. The supperwas served with a sumptuousness, a refinement, which left no doubt inthe chevalier's mind as to the enormous fortune of the widow. Only, wewould say to the reader that the silver-gilt service was not engravedwith the royal arms of England, as were the objects which were placedonly before Blue Beard. 

In spite of the sprightliness and ideal grace of the widow, in spite ofthe witty sallies of the buccaneer, the supper was a gloomy one forCroustillac. His habitual assurance had given place to a kind of vagueinquietude. The more charming Angela seemed to him, the more sheexercised her fascinations, the greater the luxury which surrounded her, the more the adventurer found his distrust increased. In spite of theirabsurdity, the strange tales of the buccaneer kept returning to theremembrance of the chevalier--both the tale of the gray powder whichcaused one to die of laughter, and the liquid in the ruby flask whichchanged the eyes into brilliant lamps. While these recitals might not bemore real than a bad dream past--the Gascon, from dread of some infernaldish, could not prevent himself from distrust of the viands and wineswith which he was served. He observed the widow and the buccaneerclosely; their manners were perfectly correct. Rendsoul bore himselftoward Blue Beard with the proper degree of familiarity which a husbanddisplays toward his wife before a stranger. "But then, " the chevalierasked himself, "how does this reserve accord with the cynicism of thewidow, who declared so cavalierly that the Caribbean and the filibustershared her good graces with the buccaneer, without the latter beingjealous in the slightest degree?" The Gascon asked himself still furtherwhat could be the object of Blue Beard in offering her hand to him, andwhat price she would put upon this union. He was too clear-sighted notto have noticed the lively emotion, sincere on the part of the widow, when she showed such indignation that the adventurer should believe hercapable of playing a comedy in offering her hand. On this pointCroustillac had not deceived himself. Blue Beard had been deeply moved;she had been in despair on seeing that the Gascon took for a jest or acomedy all that had passed at Devil's Cliff. She had been reassured onseeing the vague disquietude which the face of the chevalier showed inspite of himself. He was lost in vain conjectures. Never had he foundhimself in a situation so strange that the idea of a supernaturalinfluence or power should present itself to his mind. In spite ofhimself, he asked himself if there was nothing unnatural in what he hadseen and heard. The fact that he felt the first heavy agony of asuperstitious terror struck him most disagreeably. He did not dare toacknowledge to himself that more determined men, wiser and more learnedmen than he, had, within the century, and even the latter part of it, testified a belief in the existence of a veritable devil. And then, finally, the adventurer had been until then much too indifferent in thematter of religion not to believe in the devil, sooner or later. 

This fear passed rapidly through the mind of the chevalier, but it wouldleave, for the future, an indelible mark; however, he reassured himself, little by little, at seeing the pretty widow do honor to the supper; sheshowed herself too fond of the pleasures of the table to be a spirit ofdarkness. 

The supper at an end, the three entered the drawing room, and Blue Beardsaid to the chevalier in a solemn voice, "To-morrow I will inform you onwhat conditions I will give you my hand; if you refuse them, you mustleave Devil's Cliff. In order to give you a proof of my confidence inyou I consent that you shall pass this night in the interior of thishouse, although I never accord this favor to strangers. Rendsoul willshow you the rooms reserved for you. " Saying this, the widow entered herown apartment. Croustillac remained absorbed in thought. 

"Ah, well, brother, how do you feel?" said the buccaneer. 

"What is your motive in addressing such a question to me? Is itsarcasm?" said the chevalier. 

"My motive is simply to know how you like our hostess. "

"Hum, hum--without wishing to detract from her, you must confess thatshe is a woman very difficult to estimate, at first sight, " saidCroustillac, with some bitterness. "You cannot be surprised if Iconsider the subject before I answer your question. To-morrow I willtell you my opinion, if I am able to answer, myself. "

"In your place I should not consider the subject, " said the buccaneer. "I would accept, with eyes closed, all that she offered me, and I wouldwed her; for, by my faith, one cannot tell who will live or who die;tastes change with years. The days which succeed each other aredissimilar. "

"Ah, well, have done with your proverbs and parables, " said the Gascon, exasperated. "Why do you not marry her yourself?"

"I?"

"Yes, you!"

"Because I do not wish to die of laughter or have my eyes converted intolamps. "

"And do you think that I wish to do so?"

"You?"

"Yes; why should I more than you wish to see the devil sign my contract, as this woman playfully says?"

"Then do not marry her; you are your own master; that is your lookout. "

"Certainly, it is my affair, and I will marry her if I choose! _Peste!_"exclaimed the chevalier, who began to fear that he was losing his witsby reason of this chaos of strange ideas. 

"Come, brother, be calm!" said the buccaneer; "do not worry yourself. Doyou doubt I will keep my word? I have brought you to Devil's Cliff; theprettiest woman in the world offers you her hand, her heart and hertreasures; what more would you have?"

"I would understand all that has taken place, everything that hashappened to me for the past two days, all that I have seen and heardto-night!" cried Croustillac, exasperated beyond bounds. "I would knowif I am awake or dreaming. "

"You must not be too exacting, brother. Perhaps this night will bringyou a dream which will explain and enlighten you upon these subjects. Come--it is late, the day has been hard; follow me. " And, saying thesewords, the buccaneer took up a candle and made a sign to the chevalierto follow him. 

They passed through a number of sumptuously furnished rooms, and alittle gallery, at the end of which they reached a very elegantbed-chamber, whose windows opened on the beautiful garden of which wehave already spoken. 

"You have been a soldier or a sportsman, brother, " said the buccaneer, "you will know, then, how to get along without a servant. No man, exceptmyself, Hurricane, and the Caribbean has ever passed the first door ofthis place; our beautiful hostess has made an exception in your favor, but this exception must be the only one. Knowing this, brother, may Godor the devil keep you in his care. " The buccaneer went out, shuttingCroustillac in by means of a double lock. 

The chevalier, much disturbed, opened a window which looked out on thelittle park. It was guarded by a trellis of steel netting which it wasimpossible to break, but which did not hide a view of the beautifulgarden which the moon illumined with its soft light. 

Croustillac, ill at ease, examined the wainscoting and floor of hischamber, in order to assure himself that they did not cover any trap; helooked under his bed, sounded the ceiling with his sword, but failed todiscover anything suspicious. Nevertheless, by way of further prudenceand to make sure, the chevalier laid down in his clothing, after havingplaced his faithful sword at his side, within reach. In spite of hisresolve not to go to sleep, the fatigue and emotions of his journeyplunged him quickly into a profound slumber. 

 * * * * *

Angela, seated in the room of which we have spoken before, said to thebuccaneer: "Unfortunately, this man is not so stupid and credulous as wehad thought. Heaven grant he may not be dangerous!"

"No, no; reassure yourself, " said the buccaneer. "He has shown goodstuff, but our two narratives have struck him; he will remember thisnight for a long time, and, what is better, he will talk about it. Believe me, all the exaggerations which he will use to embellish hisrecitals will only add to the strange stories afloat concerning Devil'sCliff. "

"Ah!" cried the widow, still alarmed at the remembrance of theadventurer saying that all was a comedy and that he would investigateit, "in spite of myself I am terrified. "

"There is nothing to be afraid of, I tell you, Madame Blue Beard, " saidthe buccaneer gayly, kneeling before Angela, and looking at hertenderly. "Your diabolical reputation is too well established to sufferthe slightest diminution; but acknowledge that I have an imagination, and that my gray powder and my green liquid accomplished wonders. "

"And my devil who witnesses my contract, " said Angela, laughing merrily. 

"That is well; I love thus to see you laughing and merry, " said thebuccaneer. "When I see you sad and dreamy I am always afraid our retreatbores you. "

"Will you please hold your tongue, Monsieur Rendsoul? Have I theappearance of wearying near you? Are you jealous of your rivals? Askthem if I love them better than I do you. Have you not procured me thisdistraction and the sight of this Gascon, to whom I owe the mostdelightful amusement? I was unreasonable. Except for my stupid fears, this evening was charming, because you were here, your eyes on mine, mylover. Ah! the moonlight is superb, let us go for a walk in itoutdoors. "

"Beyond the house?"

"Yes; we will walk on the great cliff, you know, where one sees in thedistance the ocean. On such a beautiful night it will be delicious. "

"Come, then, capricious child, take your mantle, " said the buccaneer, rising. 

"Come, Sir Black Beard, take your Spanish sombrero and be ready to carryme in your arms, out of reach of stumbling, for I am lazy. "

"Come, Madame Blue Beard; but you do not wish to visit our guest?"

"I am sure the poor devil has some horrible dream. Ah, well, to-morrowwe will give him a guide and send him away. "

"No, keep him here another day. I will tell you what Father Griffenthinks of it; amusements are rare, he will amuse you. "

"Heavens! what a beautiful night, " said Angela, opening the blinds ofthe window. "It will make me so happy to take a walk. "

Opening the outer doors of Devil's Cliff, the buccaneer and the widowleft the house. 

 * * * * *

Contrary to his expectation, Croustillac passed an excellent night. Whenhe awoke the following morning the sun was already high in the heavens;the blinds which were on his chamber windows had been lowered, fortunately, which softened the light. The chevalier had lain down withall his clothing on. He arose and went over to the window, and openedthe blinds partially. What was his astonishment to see, at the end of along walk bordered with tamarinds, that formed a screen almostimpenetrable to the light, Blue Beard walking, negligently, leaning onthe arm of a Caribbean of vigorous stature. This Caribbean was entirelydyed, according to custom, that is to say, painted with a kind ofluminous composition of a reddish brown; his hair, black and glossy, parted in the center, fell on either side of his cheeks; his beardseemed carefully trimmed; his perfectly regular features partook of thecharacter of calm severity peculiar to the savage; on his neck shonelarge crescents of carracolis (a kind of metal of which the West Indiansalone knew the secret, and composed of gold, brass and silver). 

These ornaments, of a brilliant red, were curiously chased and incrustedwith green stones, the color of malachite, and to these the Indiansattribute all kinds of marvelous virtues. The Caribbean was clad in aloose white garment having a border of blue fringe; the large andsweeping folds of this costume would have served as a model for thedrapery of a statue. With the exception of the neck, right arm naked tothe shoulder, and the left leg, this cotton garment enveloped theCaribbean completely; on his wrist he had bracelets of carracolis alsoincrusted with green stones; his leg was half hidden by a kind of sandalmade of bands of cotton stuff of a vivid color and very picturesque. 

Angela and Youmäale, for this was he, were walking slowly, and camedirectly toward the window from the shadow of which the Gascon watchedthem. A pink girdle about the beautiful figure of the widow confined along robe of white muslin; her blond curls fell around her fresh andyouthful face, which the adventurer had not seen before by day. He couldnot refrain from admiring her white and clear complexion, her rosy andtransparent cheeks, her eyes so limpid and blue. 

The evening before, Angela had appeared to Croustillac in brilliantapparel, and disturbed by the strange confidences of Blue Beard and thebuccaneer, the admiration of the chevalier was mixed with distrust, impatience and fear, and he had been more alarmed than touched by thebeauty of Angela; but when he saw her in the morning so simply pretty, he experienced a profound emotion; he was moved; he forgot Devil's Cliffand the cannibal, and thought only of the beautiful creature before him. Love, yes, true love took possession suddenly of the chevalier's heartjust before so little in love. Though the growth of this sudden passionwas so rapid and instantaneous, it was none the less sincere. 

Doubtless the evening before, Croustillac had suffered from too muchagitation, too sudden astonishment, too strange preoccupations, toreally appreciate Blue Beard; refreshed by a night's sleep, the pastseemed like a dream and Angela appeared as if for the first time to him;admiring the supple figure outlined by the perfect fit of her whitemuslin robe, he forgot the brocaded dress studded with precious stoneswith which he was so impressed the preceding evening. He sought vainlyto discover, in the ingenuous and charming features which he now beheldthe diabolical smiles of the singular woman who had made such sinisterpleasantries concerning her three deceased husbands. In fact, poorCroustillac was in love. Perhaps it was he and not Blue Beard who hadchanged; but with his new love came all kinds of cruel jealousy. 

Seeing Angela and Youmäale walking together so familiarly, theadventurer experienced agony and new disquietude increased by an intensecuriosity. Alas! what a sight for him. At times, Angela dropped theCaribbean's arm in order to pursue, with the ardent enjoyment of achild, the beautiful gold and blue insects, or to pick some lovelyfragrant flower; then she would suddenly return to Youmäale, alwayscalm, almost solemn, who seemed to have a feeling of grave and tenderprotection for the young woman. 

At times the Caribbean gave his hand to the widow to kiss. Angela, happyand proud at this favor, carried the hand to her lips with an air atonce respectful and passionate; she seemed a Caribbean woman accustomedto live a submissive and devoted slave to her master. Youmäale held amagnificent flower which the widow had given him. He let it fall to theearth. Angela bent quickly, and picking it up, handed it to him, whilethe savage made no gesture to prevent her, or to thank her for thisattention. 

"Stupid and gross animal!" cried Croustillac indignantly; "would one notthink he was a sultan? How can that adorable creature bring herself tokiss the hand of a cannibal, who had no other way of sounding thepraises of the good priest Simon than that he had eaten him! Yesterday abuccaneer, to-day a cannibal, to-morrow, without doubt, a filibuster. But she is a veritable Messalina!" continued Croustillac, at oncedespairing and feeling within himself a victim to a real passion. 

The widow and the Caribbean approached nearer and nearer the windowwhere Croustillac stood watching them, and he could hear theirconversation. Youmäale spoke French with the slight guttural accentnatural to his race; his words were few and brief. Croustillac overheardthese words of the conversation:

"Youmäale, " said the little widow, leaning on the arm of the Caribbeanand looking tenderly at him, "Youmäale, you are my master, I will obeyyou; is it not my duty, my sweet duty, to obey you?"

"It is thy duty, " said the Caribbean, who used that form, but whichAngela did not. His dignity as the man demanded this. 

"Youmäale, my life is your life, my thoughts are yours, " returnedAngela; "if you should tell me to put to my lips the deadly juice ofthis poisonous apple, I should do it, to show you that I belong to you, as your bow, your cabin, your canoe, belong to you. "

Saying these words Angela showed the silent Caribbean a yellow fruitwhich she held in her hand, and which contained the most deadly andsubtle poison. Youmäale, after subjecting Angela to the most piercingscrutiny, made an imperative gesture holding up the forefinger of hisright hand. At this sign, the widow quickly raised the deadly fruit toher lips, and, had it not been for a movement still more rapid on thepart of the Caribbean she would perhaps have given this fatal proof ofpassive obedience to the slightest caprice of her master. A movement ofaffright as fugitive as lightning, contracted the impassive features ofthe Caribbean as the widow lifted the apple to her lips; but he quicklyrecovered his coolness, lowering the hand of Angela, kissing the youngwoman gravely on the forehead, and saying to her in a sweet and sonoroustone, "It is well. "

At this moment the two pedestrians were so close to the window ofCroustillac that the latter, fearing to be discovered eavesdropping, withdrew suddenly into his chamber, and said "How she frightened me withher poison. And this savage animal, who looks like a lobster, as muchfrom the color of his skin as from his movements, says to her, 'It iswell, ' when this adorable woman, at a sign from him, would have poisonedherself; for once in love, women are capable of anything. " Then, aftersome moments of cruel reflection, the Gascon exclaimed, "It isinexplicable that a woman should be in love with a man such as this oneappears to be; with two, for this is evident; although it is anenormity! But it is impossible that she should love three at the sametime; this descends to monstrosity--it is worthy of the lower regions. How! Blue Beard, linked to a buccaneer, and a filibuster, also has afrightful fancy for this cannibal who eats missionaries, without takinginto account in addition that she proposes to me to marry her! Zounds!this is enough to make one lose his head. Decidedly I will not remainhere; no, no, a thousand times, no! What I have seen has made me ill. Iwill not become so stupid as to take this woman; I should lose all myadvantages. Real love makes one as stupid as a goose; during this lasthour I have already lost more resolution than since my arrival here. Myheart has melted; I feel myself inclined to do the most ridiculousthings. Fly, fly; this is madness, a dream. I was born poor; I havealways been poor; I will die poor. I will leave this house, I will seekout the worthy captain of the Unicorn. After all, " said Croustillac, with a discouragement singular in a man of his character, "there areworse things than swallowing lighted candles to amuse Captain Daniel. "

These sad reflections were interrupted by the entrance of the oldmulattress, who knocked at his door and informed him that the negro whohad waited upon him in the capacity of valet the previous day waswaiting for him in the outer building. 

Croustillac followed the slave, was dressed, shaved and thus went towait upon Blue Beard in the same room where he had waited the precedingnight. 

The widow shortly appeared. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

TRUE LOVE. 

At sight of Blue Beard, in spite of himself, Croustillac blushed like aschoolboy. 

"I was very disagreeable yesterday, was I not?" said Angela to thechevalier, with an enchanting smile. "I gave you a bad opinion of mewhen I permitted Rendsoul to tell all kinds of tricks; but do not let usspeak of them any more. By the way, Youmäale, the Caribbean, is here. "

"I saw you from my window, madame, " said the chevalier bitterly, whilehe thought, "She has not the slightest shame. What a pity, with such anadorable face. There, Croustillac, be firm!"

"Is Youmäale not very handsome?" asked the widow with a triumphant air. 

"Humph! he is handsome for a savage, " returned the chevalier, unwillingly; "but, now that we are alone, madame, explain to me how youcan in one day (do not be shocked by this question which circumstancescompel me to ask you), how you can in one day change your lover?"

"Oh, it is simple enough; one comes, the other goes; it is very simple. "

"One comes, the other goes--it is very simple from this standpoint, but, madame, nature and morality have laws!"

"All three love me truly, why should I not love all three?"

This answer was made with such perfect candor that the chevalier said tohimself, "It seems as if this unhappy woman must have been raised insome desert or cavern. She has not the slightest idea of good and evil;one would have to absolutely educate her. " He said aloud, with someembarrassment, "At the risk of being taken for an indiscreet andwearisome person, madame, I would say that this morning, during yourwalk with the Caribbean, I both saw and heard you. How is it that at asign from him you would dare, at the risk of poisoning yourself, lift toyour lips the deadly fruit of the poisonous apple?"

"If Youmäale should say to me 'die' I should die, " replied the widow. 

"But the buccaneer, the filibuster--what would they say if you shoulddie for the Caribbean?"

"They would say I had done right. "

"And if they demanded that you should die for them?"

"I would die for them. "

"As you would for Youmäale?"

"As for Youmäale. "

"Then you love the three equally?"

"Yes, because all three love me equally. "

"She has a rooted idea and no one can dislodge it, " thought the Gascon;"I lose my trouble. Her accent is too frank to be assumed. It may bethat evil tongues have slandered a fraternal affection that this youngwoman bears for these three bandits. Though the buccaneer gave me tounderstand--after all, perhaps I misunderstood him and, as I am going toleave her, I would much rather believe her more innocent than culpable;although she does appear very hard to me to acquit. " He went on: "A lastquestion, madame. What was the object of the atrocious tales that youand the buccaneer related last night concerning two of your deceasedhusbands--that one had died of laughter and the other been used as alamp, thanks to the intervention of Satan who always, according to thesame story, signs your marriage contract? You must feel, madame, that, however polite I may be, it is extremely difficult for me to appear tobelieve such follies as these. "

"They are not follies. "

"How--you wish me to believe----"

"Oh, you must believe them, and many other things, after you haveevidence of them, " said the widow, with a peculiar tone. 

"And when will you explain this mystery to me, madame?"

"When I tell you the price I place upon my hand. "

"Ah, she is beginning to jest again, " thought the Gascon. "I will appearto be duped, in order to see what she will do; I wish she was faraway--that my stupid fancy were completely extinguished. " Then aloud, "Was it not to-day that you were to say what price you place upon yourhand, madame?"

"Yes. "

"At what hour?"

"This evening, when the moon rises. "

"Why not now, madame?"

"That is a secret you will know like others. "

"And if I marry you, you will give me but one year to live?"

"Alas! only a year. "

"Let me appear duped, " said the Gascon to himself; and aloud, "Is ityour desire that my days should be so few?"

"No, no!" cried the widow. 

"Then, personally, you do not dislike me?" said Croustillac. 

At this question the face of Blue Beard changed entirely and herexpression became grave and thoughtful; she raised her head proudly, andthe chevalier was struck with the air of nobility and goodness whichoverspread her face. "Listen to me, " she said, with an affectionate andprotecting voice. "Because certain circumstances in my life oblige me toa conduct often strange; because I perhaps abuse my liberty you must notthink I have a contempt for men of heart. "

Croustillac looked at the widow with surprise. She was not the samewoman. She appeared like a woman of the world. He was so taken abackthat he could not speak. 

Blue Beard continued: "You ask me if I hate you; we have not yet reachedthe point where such sentiments, good or bad, can attain such extremity;but I am far from hating you; you are certainly very vain, veryboastful, very arrogant----"

"Madame!"

"But you are good, brave, and you would be capable, I am sure, of agenerous devotion; you are poor, of obscure birth----"

"Madame, the name of Croustillac is as good as any other, " cried thechevalier, unable to vanquish the demon of pride. 

The widow continued as if she had not heard the chevalier. "If you hadbeen born rich and powerful, you would have made a noble use of yourpower and your wealth. Want has counseled you to more evil than she hasmade you perform, for you have suffered and endured many privations----"

"But, madame----"

"Poverty finds you careless and resigned; fortune would have found youprodigal and generous; in a word, what is of rare occurrence, you havenot been more hurt by poverty than you would have been by prosperity. Ifthe amount of your good qualities has not brought you much more than theheedlessness of youth, this house would not have been open to you, becertain of that, sir. If the proposition that I shall make you to-nightis not agreeable to you, I am sure, at least, that you will not carryaway a disagreeable remembrance of Blue Beard. Will you await me here?"she said, smiling, "I am going to take a look at Youmäale's breakfast, for it is customary with the Caribbeans that the women alone take careof this, and I wish, in that respect at least, that Youmäale should feelas if in his own cabin. "

So saying, the widow left. This interview was, so to speak, a finishingtouch to the unhappy chevalier. Although the widow had shrewdly summedup the character of Croustillac, she had expressed it in a manner fullof kindness, grace and dignity. She had, in fact, shown herself in a newlight, which overthrew all the Gascon's suppositions. The simple andaffectionate words of Angela, the sweet and noble look which accompaniedthem, rendered Croustillac prouder and happier than he would have beenat the most extravagant compliments. He felt, with a mixture of joy andfear, so completely and hopelessly in love with the widow that had shebeen poor and friendless he would have been truly and generously devotedto her--the most unmistakable symptom of true love. 

The astounding presumption of the chevalier deserted him. He understoodhow ridiculous the part he had played must appear; and, as the propertyof true sentiment is always to make us better, more intelligent and moresensible, in spite of the chaos of contradictions which surroundedAngela's conduct, the chevalier discerned that these appearances musthide a grave mystery; he also said to himself that the intimacy of BlueBeard with her lovers, as she called them, covered, without doubt, another secret, and that this young woman was, as a consequence, slandered in a most unjust manner. He said, further, that the apparentease with which Angela assumed a frightful cynicism before a strangerwas not without some very pressing reason. In consequence of thisrehabilitation of Blue Beard in the mind of Croustillac, she became inhis eyes, completely innocent of the murder of her three husbands. Finally, the adventurer began to believe, so much had love metamorphosedhim, that the solitary inmate of Devil's Cliff wished to mock him; andhe proposed to clear up his suspicions that same night, when the widowshould tell him the price she placed upon her hand. 

One thing embarrassed Croustillac--how could the widow have informedherself of his life so completely? But he remembered, with someexceptions, that he had not made any mystery of the greater part of theantecedents of his life on board the Unicorn, and that the businessmanager of Blue Beard's affairs at St. Pierre might have discussed thepassengers with Captain Daniel. Finally, with a wisdom and good sensewhich did credit to the new feeling which animated him, Croustillac putthese two cases to himself: Either Blue Beard wished to amuse herself, and that night would say to him frankly, "Sir, you have been animpertinent meddler; blinded by vanity, urged on by cupidity, you havemade a wager that you would become my husband in a month's time; I havewished to torment you a little, and to play the ferocious partaccredited to me; the buccaneer, the filibuster, and the Caribbean aremy three servants in whom I have entire confidence; and as I live alonein a very isolated locality, each of them comes by turn to watch atnight. Knowing the absurd stories afloat, I wished to amuse myself atthe expense of your credulity; this morning, even, I saw from the end ofthe walk that you were spying upon me, and the comedy of the poisonousapple was arranged with Youmäale; as for the kiss he placed upon myforehead"--here the chevalier was embarrassed for a moment as to how toexcuse this part of the rôle which he supposed played by the widow; buthe solved the question by saying to himself that, according to Caribbeancustoms, this familiarity was, doubtless, not considered strange. 

The chevalier felt that he must be satisfied with this explanation; andto do him justice (a little late, in truth) he would renounce his madhopes, beg the widow to forget the conduct of which he had been guilty, kiss her hand and ask her to furnish him with a guide, resume his poorold garments, of faded green, and pink stockings, and return to ahappier fate which awaited him in the cabin of the Unicorn's worthycaptain. 

If, on the contrary, the widow had serious views in regard to thechevalier (which he found some difficulty in admitting to himself, although he was not blind to his own merit), he would repay her with thehappiness of his life; he would charge himself personally withprotecting his wife, and banish the buccaneer to his trading-station, the Caribbean to his hut, and the filibuster to his occupation; atleast, if the widow did not prefer to return with him to France to livethere. 

We must say to the honor of poor Croustillac that he hardly dwelt uponthis last hope; he considered his first interpretation of the conduct ofthe widow as much more probable. Finally, by a natural reaction, of mindover matter, the triumphant boasting of the chevalier ceased at the sametime with his conceit. His face was no longer distorted by grotesquevanity; for it expressed the better qualities of thechevalier--resolution, courage--we would add loyalty, for it wasimpossible to add more frankness to his conceit than was to be found inthe Gascon. 

While the Chevalier de Croustillac waited with impatience the night ofthis day which promised to be so fertile in developments, because BlueBeard intended to signify her final intention, let us conduct the readerto Fort Royal, at Martinique, the principal port of the island, wherethe governor resided the greater portion of the time. There hadtranspired a new incident which demands our immediate notice. 

The shipyard at St. Pierre, where the Unicorn had touched, was intendedfor the anchorage of merchant vessels, just as the shipyard at FortRoyal was for ships-of-war. 

About the same time that Youmäale was walking with Blue Beard, thelookout above the governor's house (at Fort Royal) signaled a Frenchfrigate; the watch sent his assistant to inform the officer of artillerycommanding the battery at the fort, in order that he might fire a salute(as was the custom) to the king's flag, (the custom being to fire asalute of ten guns from all the ships-of-war when they came to anchor). To the great surprise of the lookout who repented then of havingdispatched his assistant to the sergeant, he saw the frigate heave to, outside the roadstead, and lower a boat; this boat was propelled throughthe waves to the entrance of the port, while the frigate rode at anchorand waited for it. 

This proceeding was so strange that the lookout reported to the captainof the Governor's Guards, and related to him what had occurred, to theend that he could countermand the salute from the fort. This ordergiven, the captain went at once to inform the governor of this singularevolution on the frigate's part. 

An hour later, the boat belonging to the French ship arrived at FortRoyal, and landed a person dressed like a man of some rank, who wasaccompanied by the lieutenant of the frigate. They went at once to thehouse of the governor, Baron de Rupinelle. 

The officer gave a letter from the captain commanding the Fulminante tothe baron. His vessel was under orders to wait the result of the missionwith which Monsieur de Chemerant was charged, and to depart at once. They had hastily taken on some fresh victuals and fresh water for themen on board. The lieutenant went out to attend to matters pertaining toreprovisioning the frigate, and Monsieur de Chemerant and the governorwere alone. 

Monsieur de Chemerant was a man of from forty-five to fifty years, of adark olive complexion which gave to his sea-green eyes an added charm;he wore a black peruke and a brown coat trimmed with gold braid. Hisfeatures were intellectual, his words few, his eye piercing; his mouth, or rather his lips, were altogether too thin and compressed to eversmile; if he occasionally gave vent to sarcasm upon what had happened, his face became still more serious than usual. He had also very polishedmanners and showed his familiarity with the best society. His courage, discretion and coolness were such that Monsieur de Louvois had alreadyfrequently employed him in missions of the greatest difficulty anddanger. 

Monsieur de Chemerant afforded a striking contrast to the governor, Baron de Rupinelle, a large and indolent man, having but one care, thatof keeping cool; his face was gross, purple and full; his eyes, unusually round, gave him a look of perpetual surprise. The baron, honest and brave, but a perfect nonentity, owed his position to thepowerful influence of the Colbert family to which he was related throughhis mother. 

In order to receive the lieutenant of the frigate, and Monsieur deChemerant with proper courtesy, the baron had removed, much to hisregret, a white cotton coat and a hat of Caribbean straw to put on anenormous blond wig, squeeze into a coat of a kind of blue uniformembroidered with gold braid, and buckled on a heavy shoulder-belt andsword. The heat was intense, and the governor anathematized theetiquette of which he was the victim. 

"Sir, " said De Chemerant, who seemed perfectly indifferent to thistropical temperature, "can we speak without fear of being overheard?"

"There is no danger on that score, sir; this door opens into my studywhere there is no one, and that one into the gallery which is alsounoccupied. "

Monsieur de Chemerant arose, looked into the two places, and carefullyshut both doors. 

"Pardon, sir, " said the governor, "if we remain here with only twowindows open----"

"You are right, baron, " said De Chemerant, interrupting the governor andshutting the windows with equal care, "that is more prudent; we might beheard from the outside. "

"But, sir, if we remain without a current of air we shall suffocatehere. It will become a perfect oven. "

"That which I have the honor to say to you, sir, will not take long; butit concerns a state secret of the greatest importance, and the slightestindiscretion may jeopardize the success of the mission which has beenconfided to me by the king's command. You must accord me, then, theprivilege of shutting ourselves in here until the close of ourinterview. "

"If it is the king's orders, I must submit, sir, " said De Rupinelle, with a heavy sigh and wiping his forehead. "I am entirely at yourservice. "

"Be so good as to cast your eye upon my credentials from his majesty, "said De Chemerant; and he took a paper from a little box which he borewith great care and never intrusted to any one. 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE ENVOY FROM FRANCE. 

While the governor read his dispatch De Chemerant looked with asatisfied air at an object within his box and said to himself, "If Ihave occasion to use it, this will be perfect; my idea is excellent. "

"This order, sir, is regular; I must execute all the commands you giveme, " said the governor, looking at his visitor with profoundastonishment. Then he continued, "It is so very warm, sir, that I mustask your permission to remove my wig, in spite of proprieties. "

"Make yourself comfortable, sir, make yourself comfortable, I beg ofyou. "

The governor threw his wig on the table and seemed to breathe moreeasily. 

"And now, baron, be so good as to reply to a number of questions which Ihave the honor to put to you. " And De Chemerant took from his little boxsome notes wherein was stated, doubtless, what he wished to ask thegovernor. 

"There is, not far from the parish of Macouba, in the midst of woods androcks, a kind of fortified mansion called Devil's Cliff?"

"Yes, sir, and this same house does not bear a very good name. Chevalierde Crussol, my predecessor, made a visit to the place to learn whatfoundation there was for these rumors, but I have searched in vain forpapers bearing upon this subject among his correspondence. "

Monsieur de Chemerant continued: "This house is occupied by a woman--awidow, baron?"

"So thoroughly a widow, sir, that she has been surnamed in the countryBlue Beard, because of the rapidity with which she has successively madeway with the three husbands she has had. Might I venture to say thatthis cravat in stifling me, sir?" added the unhappy governor; "we donot usually wear them here, and if you will permit me----"

"Take it off, sir, the service of the king will not suffer thereby. Chevalier de Crussol, your predecessor, you say, began an investigationon the subject of the disappearance of the three husbands of this BlueBeard?"

"So they told me, sir, but I have never found any trace of thisinvestigation. "

"Commander de Saint-Simon, who fulfilled the duties of governor afterthe death of De Crussol, and before your arrival here, did not deliverto you, baron, a confidential letter written by De Crussol?"

"Yes--yes, sir, " said the governor, looking at De Chemerant withprofound astonishment. 

"This letter was written by De Crussol a short time previous to hisdeath?"

"Yes, sir. "

"This letter relates to the inhabitant of Devil's Cliff; is this nottrue, baron?"

"Yes, sir, " said the governor, more and more surprised to find DeChemerant so well informed. 

"Monsieur de Crussol assured you in this letter, upon his honor, thatthis woman called Blue Beard was innocent of the crimes imputed to her?"

"Yes, sir, but how can you know?"

Monsieur de Chemerant interrupted the governor and said, "Allow me tosay, sir, that the king ordered me to make inquiries of you, and notreplies. I have the honor to ask of you if, in this letter, thedeceased, De Crussol, did not vouch for the entire innocence of thewidow surnamed Blue Beard?"

"Yes, sir. "

"He affirmed to you, on the faith of a Christian, and at the moment whenhe was about to appear before his God, also on his word as a gentleman, that you could, without prejudice to the service of the king, leave thiswoman at liberty and in peace?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And that, finally, the Reverend Father Griffen, a man of well-knownpiety and the most honorable character, would be further surety forthis woman, if you demanded it of him?"

"Yes, sir, and, in truth, in a confidential interview, very special andvery secret----"

"Which you had with Father Griffen, baron, this religious man confirmedto you what De Crussol had stated in his last letter, and you made him, in form, a promise not to disturb the aforesaid widow?"

The governor, unable to fathom his being so well informed, gazed at DeChemerant in bewilderment. The kind of emotion which this examination, joined to the oppressiveness of the air, occasioned, was choking thebaron. After a short pause he said resolutely to De Chemerant, "Faith, sir, one must accommodate oneself to one's situation. I must askpermission to take off my coat. This trimming of gold and silver weighsa hundred pounds, I believe. "

"Take it off, take it off, baron; the coat does not make the governor, "he said gravely, with a bow; then he continued: "Thanks to the advice ofDe Crussol and the Reverend Father Griffen, the dweller at Devil's Cliffhas not been disturbed, baron? You have not visited the place, in spiteof the strange stories about it?"

"No, sir, I assure you, the recommendation of the persons so respectableas Father Griffen and the deceased De Crussol were sufficient. And thenthe road to Devil's Cliff is impassable; the rocks bare and rent; ittakes two or three hours to climb them; and faith, I assure you, sir, tomake such a journey under the sun of the tropics, " said the baron, wiping his forehead, which was perspiring at the mere thought of such aclimb, "appears to me entirely inadvisable, because, morally, I amconvinced that the aforesaid stories have no foundation, and I think inthat I am not wrong. "

"Allow me, baron, to ask you some further questions. "

"At your service, sir. "

"The woman called Blue Beard has a counting house at St. Pierre?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Her business man is empowered to send out her vessels which are alwaysdestined for France?"

"That, sir, is very easily verified in the clearing books of thecaptains. 

"And these registers?"

"Are there in that case. "

"Will you take the trouble to look them over, baron, and to select fromthem some dates which I was going to ask of you?"

The governor arose, mounted painfully on a chair, and took down a largevolume bound in green leather, placing it on his desk; then, as if thisexertion had redoubled the heat he was suffering from and exhausted hisstrength, he said to De Chemerant: "Sir, you have been, doubtless, asoldier; you can understand that we live a little carelessly; for, without further parley and asking pardon for the great liberty, I willremove my vest, if you please; it is embroidered in cloth and as heavyas a cuirass. "

"Take it off--take off everything that you wish to, " replied DeChemerant with impervious gravity; "there is so little left for me tosay to you that I trust you will not need to remove more of yourapparel. Can you feel assured, other than from these facts, that thevessels loaded with cargoes by our widow have always been sent toFrance?"

"Yes, sir, " replied the governor, opening his register; then, followingwith the end of his finger the tables, he read, "'For Rochelle, forRochelle, for Bordeaux, for Bordeaux, for Rochelle, for Rochelle, forHavre de Grace. ' You see, sir, the vessels have always sailed forFrance. "

"That is well, baron. According to the direction, frequent enough, ofvessels of commerce, which leave the counting-house wharves, it followsthat Blue Beard (we will adopt the popular surname) can put a vessel tosea very quickly. "

"Doubtless, sir. "

"Has she not a brigantine always ready to put to sea, and which can intwo hours be at the Creek of Caymans, not far from Devil's Cliff, wherethere is a little harbor, " said De Chemerant, consulting his notes oncemore. 

"Yes, sir; this brigantine is called the Chameleon; Blue Beard recentlyplaced it, very generously, at my service (through the mediation ofMonsieur Morris, her man of business), to give chase to a Spanishpirate, and there is an old filibuster of a captain called Hurricane, who commands the vessel----"

"We will speak of this filibuster later, sir, but this pirate----"

"Was sunk in the Rivière des Saints. "

"To return to this filibuster, baron; he frequents the house of BlueBeard?"

"Yes, sir. "

"As much so as another bad fellow, a buccaneer by trade?"

"Yes, sir, " said the baron in a dry tone, resolved to confine himself tothe secondary rôle which De Chemerant imposed upon him. 

"A Caribbean also is often there?"

"Yes, sir. "

"The presence of these men in the island is of how recent date?"

"That I do not know, sir; they were established here at my arrival inMartinique. They say that the filibuster formerly pursued his calling onthe north of the Antilles and the seas of the south. Like many captainswho have made something by filibustering, he has bought here a littledwelling at the point of the island, where he lives alone. "

"And the buccaneer, baron?"

"This kind of person is here to-day, gone to-morrow, according towhether the hunt is more or less abundant; sometimes he remains away amonth, and it is the same with the Caribbean. "

"This information accords perfectly with that which was given me;beside, I do not speak of men of this sort other than by hearsay. Theyare far too unimportant, and too foreign to the mission which I am incharge of, to merit their occupying my attention for any length of time. They are, at most, passive instruments, " continued De Chemerant tohimself, "and they are probably very indirectly connected with thisgrave matter. " Then, after a few minutes' reflection, he said aloud, "Now, baron, one more question: have not your secret police notified youthat the English have tried to introduce themselves into this islandsince the war?"

"Twice, lately, sir, our cruisers have given chase to a suspiciousvessel coming from the Barbadoes seeking to approach from the windward, the only places where one can land in the island; elsewhere the coast istoo rugged to permit landing. "

"Very good, " said De Chemerant. After a moment's silence he said, "Tellme, baron, how long would it take to go to Devil's Cliff?"

"About eleven hours; the roads are difficult, one could not reach therebefore nightfall. "

"Well, then, baron, " said De Chemerant, taking out his watch, "in twohours from now, that is to say, at one o'clock in the afternoon, youwill have the goodness to order thirty of your most reliable guards toarm themselves, to provide themselves with scaling ladders, one or twobombs, and to hold themselves in readiness to follow and obey me as theywould yourself. "

"But, sir, if you wish to go to Devil's Cliff, you must start at once inorder to arrive by daylight. "

"Doubtless baron; but as I desire to arrive in the middle of the night, you will see the wisdom of my not starting for two hours. "

"That is another thing, sir. "

"Can you procure for me a covered litter?"

"Yes, sir, there is mine. "

"And can this go to Devil's Cliff?"

"To the foot of the mountain only, not a step further, for they say itis impossible for a horse to climb the heaped-up and yawning rocks. "

"Very good; will you, then, be so good, baron, as to have this litterprepared, as well as a mount for me; I will leave it at the foot of thecliff. "

"Yes, sir. "

"I warn you, baron, that it is of the greatest importance that theobject of this enterprise be perfectly concealed; all will be lost ifthey are warned of my visit to Devil's Cliff; we shall not inform theescort of our destination until outside Fort Royal, and we shall make, Ihope, as much haste as the roads will permit. In a word, baron, "continued the envoy, with a confidential air, which he had not assumeduntil then, "mystery is so much the more indispensable that it concernsa state secret and the future of two great nations. "

"Because of Blue Beard?" said the governor, questioning with a curiousglance the cold and grave face of De Chemerant. 

"Because of Blue Beard. "

"How?" replied the baron. "Blue Beard, then, counts for something in astate secret, in the peace of two great nations?"

Monsieur de Chemerant, who did not like repetition, made an affirmativesign and continued, "I also beg of you, baron, that you will see thatthe frigate's boat does not leave the wharf, so that I may return onboard and put to sea without remaining here a second, if, as I hope, mymission be successful. Ah! I forgot; the litter must be such that it canbe entirely closed. "

"But, sir, is it, then, a prisoner that you are in search of?"

"Sir, " said De Chemerant, rising, "a thousand pardons for repeating toyou that the king ordered me to make inquiries of you instead of----"

"Good, very good, sir, " said the governor. "Then I may open thewindows?" asked the baron, who was suffocated in this apartment. 

"I see nothing to prevent, baron. "

The governor arose. 

"So, baron, " said De Chemerant, "it is understood that you do not informthe guide who is to conduct me of my destination, until the moment ofour departure?"

"But in the meantime, sir, if I send for him, what shall I say to him?"

The visitor seemed astonished at the simplicity of the governor, andsaid to him, "Who is this guide, sir?"

"One of my blacks, who works at the king's house, a good league fromhere. He is an oddity who has run away himself so often that he is morefamiliar with the inaccessible spots of the island than with the openroads. "

"Is this slave reliable, sir?"

"Entirely, sir; he would have no object in leading you astray; beside, Iwill warn him that if he does, I will have his nose and ears out off. "

"It is impossible that he should resist such a consideration, baron. Butto reply to your objection--how will this negro occupy himself until themoment of our departure?"

"An idea!" cried the baron triumphantly; "he can be flogged; that willmislead him; he believes that no one summons him here other than forthat reason. "

"That would be, certainly, an excellent means, baron, of working adiversion in his ideas, but it will suffice, I think, to keep him shutup until the moment of our departure. Ah! I had forgotten another thing, baron; I beg you will see that, during my absence, everything that canbe found in the way of delicacies in fruit, vegetables, game, finewines, confections, etc. , etc. , be sent on board ship. You need notconsider expense, I will meet that. "

"I understand you, sir; I must collect, in the way of refreshments, allthat it is possible to keep on board during the first days of thevoyage, as much so as if it were for the entertainment of a person ofthe greatest distinction, " said the governor curiously. 

"You understand me marvelously well, baron. But I fancy this black, ourguide, has viewed, at least from the outside, the habitation at Devil'sCliff. "

"Yes, sir; and he tells very strange stories about that house and thesolitudes where it is builded. "

"Ah, well, baron; here is a task for this slave; give orders that he bebrought to me pending the time of our departure, and I will question himconcerning what I wish to discover. "

"I will send in search of him at once, " said the governor, going out. 

"May God or the devil convey this affair into safe harbor, " said DeChemerant, when he was alone. "Fortunately, I have no need of the aid ofthis stupid governor; the greatest difficulty is still to be surmounted;but no matter, I have faith in my star. The affair of Fabrio-Chigi was amuch more difficult matter, and then the hope, if not of a crown, atleast almost of a throne, the ambition to direct the course of a greatnation, the desire of recovering the good graces of the king, hisrelative, would not there be reasons sufficient to determine the mostrebellious will? and, moreover, if these reasons were not enough, " saidDe Chemerant, after some moments of silence, striking his little box, "here is another argument which will be, perhaps, more effectual. "

 * * * * *

Two hours later De Chemerant started for Devil's Cliff at the head ofthirty of the Governor's Guards, armed to the teeth. A litter, drawn bytwo mules, followed this little detachment, preceded by the guide. Thisslave had had a long interview with De Chemerant, and, as a consequence, he had taken two scaling ladders and petards carried on a pack horse, abundle of stout ropes with grapples of iron, and two axes. Moreover, DeChemerant had given orders to the lieutenant of the frigate to send himtwo good sailors chosen from among the fifteen sailors forming the crewof the boat which awaited, at the landing at Fort Royal, the result ofthe expedition. 

This little company set out, preceded by the guide, who, flanked by thetwo sailors, marched a little in advance of De Chemerant. After havingfollowed the coast for a long time, the troop climbed a very high hill, and pressed on into the interior of the island. 

We will leave De Chemerant advancing slowly toward Devil's Cliff, andwill rejoin Father Griffen at Macouba, and Colonel Rutler at the bottomof the precipice, where he had arrived by way of the subterraneanpassage, after the wildcats, by devouring the corpse of John, hadremoved the obstacle which before had held the English envoy in thecavern of the Caraibe. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

THE STORM. 

Monsieur De Chemerant had scarcely left Fort Royal at the head of hisescort when a young mulatto of about fifteen, after having followed forsome time, hiding in the ravines or the swamps, on seeing the troop takethe road to Devil's Cliff, started with all haste for Macouba. 

Thanks to his perfect knowledge of the country and of certain roads notopen, this slave reached Father Griffen's parish very soon. It was aboutfour o'clock in the afternoon; the good priest was taking his afternoonnap, comfortably extended in one of the hammocks so ingeniously made ofrushes by the Caribbeans. The young mulatto had the greatest difficultyin persuading one of the priest's two slaves to awaken his master;finally Monsieur concluded, after long hesitation, because of the deepand peaceful sleep of the priest, to do so. 

"What do you want?" said the priest. 

"Master, a young mulatto has come in haste from Fort Royal and wishes tospeak to you at once. "

"A mulatto from Fort Royal, " said Father Griffen, springing from hishammock. "Let him come in quickly. What do you want, my child?"continued he, addressing the young slave; "have you come by direction ofMonsieur Morris?"

"Yes, Father. Here is a letter from him. He told me to follow an escortof troops leaving Fort Royal this morning, and directed me, if they tookthe road to Devil's Cliff, to come and tell you, Father. His letter willexplain the rest. "

"Very well, my child, the troop----"

"Plunged into the Goyaviers valley, and took the road to the BlackRocks; that leads only to Devil's Cliff. "

Father Griffen, much disturbed, broke the seal of the letter and seemedovercome at its contents. He re-read it with evidence of the greatestsurprise, and then said to the mulatto, "Go quickly and find Monsieur. "

The mulatto went at once. 

"An envoy from France has arrived; he had a long interview with thegovernor, and I fear he has started with armed men for Devil's Cliff, asMonsieur Morris believes, " said the priest, walking up and downagitatedly. "Monsieur Morris does not know, cannot know more. ButI--I--I tremble to think of the consequences of this visit. Doubtlessthe mystery has been unveiled. And how, how? Who can have put them onthe scent? Did not the secret die with De Crussol? His letter is myguarantee. Did they not quiet the governor and cause him to give up allpursuit of this unhappy woman?" Then, referring to Monsieur Morris'letter, the priest continued: "'A French frigate which remains at anchoroutside the roadstead, an envoy who confers for two hours with thegovernor, and who, after this interview, leaves for Devil's Cliff withan escort'--there is more than suspicion, there is certainty? They havecome to carry her off. My God! can it be true? But, the secret--who butmyself knew it? for I only knew it, oh, yes, I alone, at least unless afrightful sacrilege--but no, no!" said the priest, clasping his handswith terror. "Such a thought on my part is a crime. No, it isimpossible. I would rather believe it was indiscretion on the part ofthe only person who has an interest for life or death in the mystery, than that it should be the most impious treachery. No, a thousand timesno; it is impossible! but I must start at once for Devil's Cliff. Perhaps I can get the advance of this man who has left Fort Royal withan escort. Yes, by hurrying, I may do it. I will find that unluckyGascon; they have nothing to fear there. His extraordinary appearance onboard made me believe the poor devil, for a time, to be an emissary fromLondon or Saint-Germain; but I have, as they say, turned him inside out, in every way. I mentioned before him abruptly certain names which, hadhe been in the secret, he would have found it impossible not to betrayit, however guarded he might be, and he remained impassible. Iunderstand men too well to have been deceived by him; the chevalier isnothing but a crazy adventurer, a spoiled child, in whom, after all, good qualities triumph over the bad ones. "

At this moment Monsieur appeared. 

"Saddle Grenadille at once. "

"Yes, master. "

"Unchain Colas. "

"Yes, master. "

"Do not forget to put my large traveling cloak behind my saddle. "

"Yes, master. "

The black went out, then returned almost immediately, saying, "Master, shall I arm Colas?"

"Certainly, we go through the forest. "

While his mare was being saddled, the priest continued to pace up anddown restlessly. All at once he cried, with fright, as if struck by asudden thought, "But if I have been deceived; if this adventurer, undera guise of frivolity, concealed some plan coolly resolved upon--somesinister design? But no! no! cunning and dissimulation could not attainto such an odious perfection. But what if his errand coincides with thatof this man who has started out with an escort? And I, I who haveanswered for this adventurer, I who in my letter of yesterday havealmost approved their decision concerning him, thinking, as they did, that this Gascon by repeating the mysterious stories connected withDevil's Cliff, would only advance the ends of those who live there. Butwhat if I have been deceived? if I have helped introduce a dangerousenemy there? But no! he would have taken action before this if he hadknown the secret. And still--no! no! perhaps he waited the arrival ofthis frigate and this emissary before acting? Perhaps he is working withhim? Oh! I am in terrible uncertainty. "

So saying, Father Griffen went out quickly to hasten the preparationsfor his departure. Monsieur was saddling Grenadille and Jean was armingColas. 

Some explanation is necessary in order to instruct the reader in regardto a new actor of which we have thus far had no occasion to speak. Colaswas a boar, possessed of marvelous intelligence; this boar alwaysaccompanied him and went ahead on these excursions. Thanks to theirlong, rough hair, and to their thick coat of fat, which impedes andcongeals, so to speak, the sting of serpents, boars and evendomesticated pigs carry on in the colonies a desperate war with thesereptiles; Colas was one of their most intrepid enemies. His armorconsisted of a kind of muzzle of iron pierced with little holes, andending in a kind of very sharp crescent. This protected the end of theboar's head, its only vulnerable part, and furnished him with aformidable weapon against serpents. Colas always preceded Grenadillesome steps, clearing the road and putting to flight the serpents whichwould have stung the mare. 

Father Griffen, if he had known of the abrupt departure of Croustillac(the adventurer had, as we know, left the parsonage without any farewellto his host), would have offered Colas to the chevalier, when he becameassured that Croustillac was absolutely determined to penetrate theforest. The priest thought that the boar would protect Croustillac fromsome of the dangers to which he would be exposed; but the early flightof the latter rendered the thoughtfulness of Father Griffen futile. 

After placing the house in charge of the two blacks, on whosefaithfulness he knew he could count, the priest spurred Grenadille, whistled to Colas, who responded with a joyful grunt, and like anotherSt. Antony, the good father took the road which would lead him toDevil's Cliff, fearful of arriving too late, and also of encountering onthe way De Chemerant, whom he could with difficulty hope to head off. 

 * * * * *

The reader will remember that, thanks to the voracity of the wildcatswhich had devoured the corpse of the sailor John, Colonel Rutler hadbeen enabled to emerge from the pearl-fisher's cave by way of theunderground passage. In order to understand the extreme importance anddifficulty of the expedition which Colonel Rutler had undertaken, wemust recall to the reader that the park contiguous to Blue Beard'smansion ran from north to south, like a kind of isthmus surrounded byabysms. On the east and west these abysms were almost without bottom, for on these sides the furthermost trees of the garden overhung a peakof tremendous height, whose granite face was washed by the deep andrapid waters of two torrents. But on the north, the park jutted on asteep incline, accessible, though dangerous in the extreme. Nevertheless, this side of the garden was sheltered from attack, for inorder to climb these rocks, less perpendicular than those on the eastand west, it was necessary to first descend to the bottom of the abyssby the opposite side, an undertaking physically impossible to attempt, even with the aid of a rope of sufficient length, the face of the rocksometimes jutting out and sometimes broken by the angles of the rocksprojecting or receding. 

Colonel Rutler, on the contrary, having passed through the undergroundpassage, had at once reached the foot of the precipice; there remainedfor him only to essay the perilous ascent in order that he might gainentrance into Devil's Cliff. It would take about an hour to climb theserocks; he did not wish to enter the park surrounding the mansion untilnight had fallen; he waited before starting on his road, until the sunshould be setting. The colonel had thrust the skeleton of John out ofthe passage. It was thus, near these human remains, in a profound andwild solitude, in the midst of a veritable chaos of enormous masses ofgranite thrown up by the convulsions of nature, that the emissary ofWilliam of Orange passed some hours, reclining in a cleft in the rocksin order to escape the heat of a tropical sun. 

The oppressive silence of this solitary place was now and theninterrupted by the roar of the sea as it fell upon the beach. Soon thegolden light of the sun became more rosy; great angles of light outlinedthe face of the rocks where one could discern the further trees of BlueBeard's park, becoming fainter, little by little; and dull mists beganto envelop the bottom of the abyss where Rutler waited. The coloneljudged it time to depart. 

Notwithstanding his rare energy, this man of iron felt himself seized, in spite of himself, with a kind of superstitious fear; the horribledeath of his companion had affected him keenly, the enforced fast towhich he had been subjected since the preceding evening (he could notbring himself to eat the serpent), mounted to his head, causing singularand sinister ideas; but, surmounting this weakness, he commenced theascent. 

At first Rutler found the points of support allowed him to rapidly climba third of the face of the cliff. Then serious obstacles began topresent themselves; but with dogged courage he surmounted them. At themoment when the sun disappeared suddenly below the horizon, the colonelreached the summit of the cliff; broken by fatigue and pain, he fellhalf-fainting at the foot of the further trees of the park at Devil'sCliff; happily among these were several cocoanut trees; a large quantityof ripe nuts lay on the ground. Rutler opened one with the point of hisdagger; the fresh liquid inclosed within appeased his thirst, and itsnourishing pulp his hunger. This unexpected refreshment renewed hisstrength, and the colonel penetrated resolutely into the park; he walkedwith extreme caution, guiding himself by the instructions John had givenhim, in order that he might reach the white marble fountain not far fromwhich he wished to conceal himself. After walking some time in thisobscurity, under a tall forest of orange trees, Rutler heard in thedistance a slight sound as of a stream of water falling into a basin;soon after he reached the border of the orange grove, and by the faintlight of the stars--for the moon would not rise until later--he saw alarge vase of white marble, situated in the midst of a circular space, on all sides surrounded with trees. The colonel, pushing aside somethick shrubs of Indian plants, enormous reeds which grow abundantly inthat humid soil, hid himself some steps away from the fountain andquietly awaited events. 

 * * * * *

In order to sum up the chances of the safety or danger to which themysterious dwellers at Devil's Cliff were exposed, we must remind thereader that De Chemerant had started from Fort Royal in the afternoon, and was advancing with all haste; that Father Griffen had hastily leftMacouba in order to head off the French envoy; and that Colonel Rutlerhad secreted himself in the center of the garden. 

We must now relate all that since the morning had passed over the headsof Youmäale, Blue Beard and the Chevalier de Croustillac. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

THE SURPRISE. 

We left the adventurer under the unexpected attack of a passion assudden as it was sincere, and waiting impatiently the explanation, possibly the hope, which Blue Beard was about to give him. 

After partaking of a repast respectfully served him by Angela, to thedespair of the chevalier, the Caribbean gravely withdrew and seatedhimself on the border of a small lake, under the shadow of a mangrovetree which grew on its bank; then resting his elbows on his knees andhis chin in the palms of his hands Youmäale gazed into space, andmotionless maintained for a long time the contemplative idleness so dearto savage races. 

Angela had re-entered the house. The chevalier walked up and down in thepark, throwing, at intervals, a jealous and angry glance at theCaribbean. Impatient at the silence and immobility of his rival, andhoping, perhaps, to draw from him some information, Croustillac placedhimself near Youmäale, who, however, did not appear to notice him. Croustillac moved and coughed; no change on the part of the Caribbean. Finally the chevalier, with whom patience was not a favorite virtue, touched him lightly on the shoulder and said, "What the devil have youbeen looking at for the past two hours? The sun is nearly setting, andyou have not moved. "

The Caribbean turned his head slowly toward the chevalier, lookedfixedly at him, still resting his chin on his palms, and then resumedhis former attitude, without replying. 

The adventurer colored angrily, and said, "Zounds! when I speak, I wishto be answered. "

The Caribbean maintained silence. 

"These grand airs do not impress me, " cried Croustillac. "I am not oneof those to be eaten alive!"

No answer. 

"Zounds!" continued the chevalier; "do you not know, stupid cannibalthat you are, I can make you take an involuntary bath in the lake as ameans to teach you manners, and in order to civilize you, you savage?"

Youmäale arose gravely, threw a disdainful glance at the chevalier, thenpointed at an enormous trunk of a mahogany tree with gnarled roots whichformed the rustic bench upon which he had been sitting. 

"Well, what of it?" said the chevalier. "I see that trunk, but I do notunderstand your gesture, unless it signifies that you are as deaf anddumb and as stupid as that tree. "

Without responding to this, the Caribbean stooped, took the trunk of thetree in his muscular arms, and threw it into the lake with a significantgesture, which seemed to say, "That is how I could treat you. " Then heslowly withdrew, without having revealed in his features the slightestemotion. 

The chevalier was stupefied by this proof of extraordinary strength; forthe block of mahogany tree appeared to him, and in fact was, so heavythat two men could with difficulty have accomplished what the Caribbeanunaided had done. His surprise having passed, the chevalier hastenedafter the savage, exclaiming, "Do you mean to say that you would havethrown me into the lake as you threw that trunk?"

The Caribbean, without pausing in his passage, bent his headaffirmatively. 

"After all, " thought Croustillac, halting, "this eater of missionariesis not lacking in good sense; I threatened him first with throwing himinto the water, and after what I have seen I am obliged to confess thatI should have found it hard to do so, and then it would have been rathera dishonorable way in which to dispose of a rival! Ah, the evening isslow in coming. Thank God! the sun is setting, the night will soon fall;the moon will rise and I shall know my fate; the widow will tell meeverything, I shall unravel all the profound mystery which is hiddenfrom me now. Let me think over the sonnet which I have reserved for agrand effect--it is intended to describe the beauty of her eyes. Perhapsshe has never heard a sonnet--possibly she will be sensible of itsbeauty and spirit; but no, I cannot hope for that happiness. "

Pacing the path with long strides, Croustillac began to declaim hisverses:

 "They are not eyes, they are two gods, Which are robed in power complete. Gods? nay, they are the heavens----"

The adventurer was not to finish his verse, for Mirette came to informhim that her mistress was awaiting him at supper. The Caribbean neverpartook of this meal, and Croustillac was to be alone with the widow. She seemed dreamy and said little; she started involuntarily andfrequently. 

"What troubles you, madame?" said Croustillac, also preoccupied. 

"I do not know; strange presentiments, but I am foolish. It is yourgloomy face that gives me the blues, " she added, with a forced smile. "Come, amuse me a little, chevalier. Youmäale is doubtless at thismoment worshiping certain stars, and I am surprised at not seeing him;but it rests with you to make me forget his absence. "

"Here is an excellent opportunity to produce my sonnet, " said the Gasconto himself. "If I dared, madame, I would recite some little verses whichmight, perhaps, interest you. "

"Verses--how? are you a poet, chevalier?"

"All lovers are, madame. "

"That is an admission--you are in love, in order to be entitled to be apoet?"

"No, madame, " said Croustillac sadly. "I am in love by right ofsuffering. "

"And to chant your sad martyrdom--let us hear the verses. "

"The verses, madame, do all in their power to picture two blue eyes, blue and beautiful, like yours; it is a sonnet. "

"Let us have this sonnet. "

And Croustillac recited the following lines in a languorous andimpassioned tone:

 "They are not eyes, rather gods are they, They are above kings in power true. Gods, no! they are the heavens of tender blue, And their radiant glance makes kings obey. "

"One must choose, chevalier, " said Blue Beard; "are they eyes, or gods, or the heavens?"

Croustillac's reply was a happy one:

 "The heavens, no! each a radiant sun Whose burning rays but blind the view. Suns? not so, but light so strong, so true, They predict the love but just begun!"

"Really, chevalier, I am curious to know where you will stop. Suns, Iown, please me; gods also. "

Croustillac continued with a languorous softness:

 "Ah! if gods, would they work me ill? If the heavens, would add more sorrow still? Two suns? 'tis false--that orb is one----"

"Ah, heavens, chevalier, you delight me; among all these charmingcomparisons there remains nothing more for me but lightening----"

Croustillac bowed his head:

 "Stars! no, the stars are too many, too clear, Always my meaning shineth still, Eyes, gods, suns, and stars appear. "

"How charming; at least, chevalier, " said Angela, laughing, "you havegiven me a choice of comparisons, and I have but to select; therefore Ishall keep them all--gods, heavens, suns and stars. "

The adventurer looked at Blue Beard a moment in silence; then he said, in a tone the sadness of which was so sincere that the little widow wasstruck by it, "You are right, madame; this sonnet is absurd; you do wellto mock at it, but what would you have? I am unhappy, I am justlypunished for my mad presumption, my stupidity. "

"Ah, chevalier, chevalier, you forget my request; I told you to divertme, to amuse me----"

"And if, in so doing, I suffer? if, in spite of my absurd situation, Iexperience a cruel mortification; how can I play the buffoon?"

The adventurer uttered these words quietly but in a penetrating tone, and with considerable emotion. Angela looked at him in astonishment, andwas almost touched by the expression of the chevalier's face. Shereproached herself for having played with this man's feelings; afterall, he lacked neither heart, courage nor goodness; these reflectionsplunged the young woman into the midst of melancholy thoughts. In spiteof the passing effort which she had made to be gay and to laugh at thesonnet of the Gascon, she was a prey to inexplicable forebodings, oppressed by vague fears, as if she felt instinctively the dangers thatwere gathering about her. 

Croustillac had fallen into a sad reverie. Angela's eyes fell upon himand she felt sorry for him; she would no longer prolong the mystery ofwhich he was a victim. She rose abruptly from the table and said to him, with a serious air, "Come, we will walk in the garden and rejoinYoumäale. His absence worries me. I do not know why, but I am oppressedas if a violent tempest were about to break upon this house. "

The widow left the room, the chevalier offered her his arm, and theydescended into the garden, where they sauntered through the differentpaths. The adventurer was so impressed by the anxious frame of mind inwhich he saw Angela that he retained little hope, and hardly dared torecall to her the promise which she had made him. Finally he said withsome embarrassment, "You promised me, madame, to explain the mysteryof----"

Blue Beard interrupted the chevalier by saying, "Listen to me, sir;whether it is owing to timidity or to premonition, I grow more and moreagitated--it seems to me that misfortune menaces us; on no account wouldI at this time, and in the condition of my spirits, prolong any furthera jest which has already lasted too long. "

"A jest, madame?"

"Yes, sir; but I beg of you, let us descend to the lower terrace. Do yousee Youmäale there?"

"No, madame; the night is very clear, but I see no one. You say, then, ajest only----"

"Yes, sir; I learned through our friend, Father Griffen, that youintended to offer yourself to me; I sent the buccaneer to meet you, charging him to bring you here. I received you with the intention, Iconfess, and I beg your pardon, of amusing myself a little at yourexpense. "

"But, madame, this evening, even, you intended to explain to me themystery of your triple widowhood--the death of your husbands and thepresence successively, of the filibuster, the----"

Angela interrupted the Gascon by saying, "Do you not hear a footfall? Isit Youmäale?"

"I hear nothing, " said Croustillac, overwhelmed in the view of hisruined hopes, though he held himself in readiness for anything, now thata true love had extinguished his stupid and foolish vanity. 

"Let us go further, " said Blue Beard; "the Caribbean is among the orangetrees by the fountain, perhaps. "

"But, madame, this mystery?"

"The mystery, " replied Angela, "if it is one, cannot, must not be solvedby you. My promise to reveal this secret to you to-night was a jest ofwhich I am now heartily ashamed, I tell you; and if I kept this foolishpromise it would be to make you the object of another mystery moreculpable still. "

"Ah, madame, " said the chevalier quickly, "this is very cruel. "

"What more would you ask, sir? I accuse myself and beg your pardon, "said Angela, in a sweet and sad voice. "Forget the folly of what I havesaid; think no longer of my hand, which can belong to no one; butsometimes remember the recluse of Devil's Cliff, who is, perhaps, atonce very culpable and very innocent. And then, " she continuedhesitatingly, "as a remembrance of Blue Beard, you will permit me, willyou not, to offer you some of the diamonds of which you were so enamoredbefore you had seen me. "

The chevalier blushed with shame and anger; the pure feeling which hefelt for Angela made him feel as derogatory an offer which at one timewould, doubtless, have been accepted without the slightest scruple. "Madame, " said he, with as much pride as bitterness, "you have accordedme hospitality for two days; to-morrow I shall leave; the only request Imake of you is to give me a guide. As to your offer, it wounds medoubly----"

"Sir!"

"Yes, madame, that you should believe me low enough to accept paymentfor the humiliating circumstances----"

"Sir, such was not my idea. "

"Madame, I am poor, I am ridiculous and vain; I am what is termed a manof expediencies; but even I have my point of honor. "

"But, sir----"

"But, madame, that I should barter my pride and will as an exchange forthe hospitality offered me, would be a bargain like another, worse thananother, perhaps; so be it; when one places oneself in dependence uponanother more fortunate than oneself, one must be content with anything. I entertained the captain of the Unicorn in exchange for my passage, which he gave me on board his vessel. We are quits. I have cut acontemptible figure, madame; I know it more fully than any one else, forI have known misfortune more fully. "

"Poor man!" said the widow, touched by his avowal. 

"I do not say this to be pitied, madame, " said Croustillac proudly. "Ionly desire to make you understand that if, from necessity, I have beencompelled to accept the part of a complacent guest, I have neverreceived money as a compensation for an insult. " Then he continued, in atone of profound emotion, "Can you, madame, be ignorant of the wrongwhich has been done me by this proposition, not so much because it ishumiliating, as because it was made by you? My God! you wished to amuseyourself with me: that I would have endured without complaint; but tooffer me money to compensate for your raillery--ah! madame, you havemade me acquainted with a misery of which I was heretofore ignorant. "After a moment's silence he continued, with added bitterness, "Afterall, why should you have treated me otherwise? Who am I? Under whatauspices did I come here? Even the clothes I wear are not my own! Whyconcern yourself with me?"

These last words of the poor man had an accent of such sincere grief andmortification that the young woman, touched by them, regretted deeplythe indiscreet proffer she had made him. With bent head she walkedbeside Croustillac. They arrived, thus, near the fountain of whitemarble of which they had spoken. 

The young widow still leaned on the adventurer's arm. After a fewminutes of reflection she said, "You are right; I was wrong. I judgedyou wrongly. The compensation I offered you was almost an insult; but donot for a moment think that I wished to humiliate you. Recall what Isaid to you this morning of your courage and the generosity of yourheart. Well, all this I still think. You say you love me; if this loveis sincere it cannot offend me; it would be wrong in me to receive soflattering a feeling with contempt. So, " she continued, with a charmingair, "is peace declared? Are you still angry with me? Say no, that I mayask you to remain here some days as a friend, without fear of yourrefusal. "

"Ah, madame, " cried Croustillac, with transport "order, dispose of me--Iam your servant, your slave, your dog. These kind words which you havespoken will make me forget all! Your friend! you have called me yourfriend! Ah, madame, why am I only the poor younger son of a Gascon? Ishould be so happy to have it in my power to prove my devotion. "

"Who knows but that I have a reparation to make you? Await me here; Imust go and look for Youmäale and find something, a present, yes, chevalier, a present which I defy you to refuse this time. "

"But, madame----"

"You refuse? Ah, heavens! when I think that you desired to be myhusband! Wait here, I will return. " And so saying, Angela, who hadreached the marble fountain, turned quickly into the path in the park onthe side of the house. 

"What does she wish to say--to do?" asked Croustillac of himself, looking mechanically into the fountain. Then he exclaimed, with fervor, "It is all the same, I am hers for life and death; she has called me herfriend. I shall perhaps never see her again, but all the same, I worshipher; that cannot hurt any one; and I do not know but that it will makeme a better man. Two days ago I would have accepted the diamonds; to-dayI would be ashamed to do so. It is wonderful how love changes one. "

Croustillac was suddenly interrupted in the midst of his philosophicalreflections. Colonel Rutler, by the uncertain light of the moon, hadseen the adventurer walking arm in arm with Blue Beard; he had heard herlast words--"my husband; wait for me here. " Rutler had no doubt that theGascon was the man for whom he was looking; he sprang suddenly from hishiding-place, hurled himself upon the chevalier threw a cloak over hisface, and, profiting by Croustillac's surprise, felled him to theground. Then he passed a rope around his hands and had quickly masteredhis captive's resistance, thanks to great strength. The chevalier wasthus overpowered, garroted and captured in less time than it has takento write these words. 

This accomplished, the colonel held a dagger at Croustillac's throat, and said, "My lord duke, you are dead if you make a movement, or if youcall Madame the Duchess to your aid. In the name of William of Orange, King of England, I arrest you for high treason, and you will followme. "

CHAPTER XVIII. 

MY LORD DUKE. 

Suddenly attacked by an adversary of extraordinary strength, Croustillacdid not even attempt to resist. The cloak which enveloped his headalmost deprived him of breath. He could hardly utter a few inarticulatecries. Rutler leaned over him and said in English, with a strong Dutchaccent, "My lord duke, I can remove this cloak, but beware, if you callfor aid you are a dead man; can you feel the point of my dagger?"

The unfortunate Croustillac did not understand English, but heunderstood the dagger's point, and exclaimed, "Speak French!"

"I can understand that your grace, having been brought up in France, should prefer that language, " replied Rutler, who believed that hisDutch accent made his words a little obscure, and he continued, "Youmust pardon me, my lord, if I do not express myself very well in French. I have the honor to inform your grace that at the slightest sound fromyou I shall be compelled to kill you. It depends upon you, my lord, topreserve your life or not, by preventing madame the duchess, your wife, from calling for aid if she returns. "

"It is evident that he takes me for some one else, " thought thechevalier. "In what devil of a network am I entangled? What is this newmystery? and who is this brutal Dutchman with his eternal dagger and his'my lord duke?' After all, it is gratifying not to be taken for aninsignificant man. And Blue Beard is a duchess and passes for my wife!"

"Listen, my lord, " said Rutler after some moments of silence, "for yourgrace's greater convenience, I can free you from the cloak which enwrapsyou; but, I repeat, at the slightest cry from madame the duchess, theslightest indication of a rescue by your slaves, I shall be compelled tokill you. I have promised the king, my master, to bring you to him, deador alive. "

"I stifle! take off the cloak at once, I will not make any outcry, "murmured Croustillac, believing that the colonel would discover hiserror. 

Rutler removed the cloak which enveloped the face of the adventurer, whosaw a man kneeling beside him and threatening him with a dagger. Thenight was clear; the chevalier could distinguish perfectly the featuresof the colonel; they were absolutely unknown to him. 

"My lord! remember your promise, " said Rutler, who did not evince theslightest surprise when the face of the adventurer was seen. 

"How! he does not perceive his mistake, " thought the astonishedchevalier. 

"Meanwhile, my lord, " replied the colonel, assisting Croustillac to seathimself as comfortably as he could near the fountain, "meanwhile, mylord, pardon the rudeness of my attack, but I was forced to this. "

Croustillac made no reply. Divided between fear and curiosity, he wasburning to know to whom these words were addressed: 'My lord duke. 'Naturally of an adventurous turn, he could not but be the gainer, doubtless by being taken for another, above all, for the husband of BlueBeard; and the chevalier resolved to play, as far as he could, the rôlewhich he had involuntarily assumed, hoping, possibly, to thus learn thesecret of the dwellers of Devil's Cliff. He answered, however, "Are yousure, sir, that it is I whom you are seeking?"

"Your grace need not attempt to deceive me, " said Rutler. "It is truethat I have not had the honor of seeing you before to-day, my lord; butI heard your conversation with madame the duchess. Who but you, my lord, would be walking with her at this hour? Who but you would be dressed inthis coat with the red sleeve, as shown by James Syllon, who painted youin this costume?"

"And I thought this costume so fantastic, " reflected Croustillac. 

"It is not for me to express surprise at finding you wearing thesegarments which must often recall memories so cruel, " continued Rutler, with a gloomy air. 

"Cruel memories!" repeated Croustillac. 

"My lord, " said the colonel, "two years before the fatal day ofBridgewater, dressed in this coat, did you not render homage to yourroyal father, when hunting at Lancaster?"

"To my royal father? a falcon?" said the chevalier, astounded. 

"I understand your grace's embarrassment, and that you do not wish torecall these sad disputes for which you have been so severely and, permit me to say it, my lord, so justly punished. "

"I will permit you to say anything to me, sir, in fact, I earnestlyinsist upon it without delay, " replied the Gascon; and, aside, "perhapsI shall learn something in this way. "

"Time is precious, " said Rutler. "I must hasten to inform your gracethat I only await your submission to the commands of my master, Williamof Orange, King of England. "

"Speak, sir, and do not hesitate to enter into the most minute details. "

"In order to make you understand, your grace, what remains for me toexact from you, it is very necessary to establish clearly your position, my lord, however painful the duty may be. "

"Establish it, sir, speak frankly; hold back nothing. We are men andsoldiers; we should know how to hear all things. "

"You acknowledge, then, that from this moment you cannot escape. "

"That is true. "

"That your life is in my hands. "

"That is also true. "

"But that, which must be a very great consideration, my lord, is that, in attempting to escape, or in refusing to obey the orders which I bear, you put me to the hard necessity of killing you. "

"A hard necessity for both of us, sir. "

"Then your grace will give strict attention to what I have to say, " saidthe colonel, emphasizing the following words: "I can with the moreimpunity kill you, my lord, because _you are already dead_--andtherefore it would not be necessary to render an account for sheddingyour blood. "

The chevalier looked at Rutler with a stupefied air, thinking he musthave heard him wrong. "You say, sir, that you could with the moreimpunity kill me?"

"Since your grace is already dead, " said Rutler, with a sinister smile. 

Croustillac looked at him more closely, believing he was dealing with amadman; then he said, after a moment's silence, "If I understand youaright, sir, you wish to make me believe that you could kill me withimpunity, under the pretext, specious enough, that I am already dead!"

"Exactly, my lord; that is very simple. "

"You think that very simple, sir?"

"I do not think you wish to deny, my lord, what is known to all theworld, " said Rutler impatiently. 

"It seems to me that, without wishing to pass for a man who has lost hishead, and who is dominated with a desire to contradict the whole world, I must still to a certain extent deny that I am dead. "

"I would not have believed, my lord, that you could jest at such amoment, you who always carry with you such frightful memories, " said thecolonel, with gloomy surprise. 

"Certainly, sir, at such a moment one cannot forget himself. That whichis more difficult is to retain memory, " said Croustillac, smiling. 

The colonel could not prevent a gesture of indignation, and cried, "Yousmile! when it is at the price of the noblest blood that you are here!Ah, such then will always be the gratitude of princes!"

"I must say to you, sir, " impatiently replied Croustillac, "that it isnot of gratitude or ingratitude that we speak in this matter, andthat--but, " he continued, fearing to make some blunder, "but it seems tome that we wander strangely from the question at issue. I prefer tospeak of something else. "

"I can imagine that such a subject would be disagreeable to your grace. "

"It is not a lively one, sir, certainly; but return to the motive whichhas brought you hither--what do you wish of me?"

"I am ordered, my lord, to conduct you to the Barbadoes; from there youwill be transported and incarcerated in the Tower of London, of whichyour grace has retained remembrance. "

"Zounds! to prison!" said the Gascon to himself, to whom this prospectwas not inviting; "to prison--in the Tower of London! I must inform thisDutch animal of his mistake; this mistaken identity no longer pleasesme. The devil! to the Tower of London! this is paying for 'your grace'and 'my lord' rather too dearly!"

"It is unnecessary for me to say to you, my lord, that you will betreated with the respect due to your misfortunes and your rank. Exceptfor liberty, which can never be accorded you, you will be surrounded bycare and consideration. "

"After all, " thought Croustillac, "why should I hasten to dissuade thisnorthern bear? I have no hope, alas, of interesting Blue Beard in mymartyrdom. It seems to me that I perceive vaguely that the mistake ofthis Dutchman in my person may serve this adorable little creature. Ifthat is so, I shall be delighted. Once having reached England, themistake will be discovered and I set free; and, as it is best, afterall, that I return to Europe, I should like better if it were possible, to return in the character of a great prince, a lord, than as a freepassenger of Captain Daniel's. I shall not at least be compelled tobalance forks on the end of my nose nor be reduced to swallowing lightedcandles. "

The colonel, taking the Gascon's silence for despair, said to him, in agentler tone, "I suppose your grace perceives with pain the futurebefore you. There is enough occasion for it, it seems to me. "

"To be a prisoner always in the Tower of London?"

"Yes, my lord; but you cannot enjoy much liberty here; perhaps this lifeof agony and continual unrest is not so much to be regretted?"

"You wish to gild the pill, as they say, sir; your motive ispraiseworthy; but you appear very certain of carrying me to Barbadoes, and from there to the Tower of London?"

"To accomplish this, my lord, I had brought with me a most determinedman. He is dead, however--a most frightful death. " And Rutler trembledin spite of himself at the remembrance of John's death. 

"And so, sir, you were reduced to accomplish this expedition yourself?"

"Yes, my lord. "

"And you flatter yourself that you can carry me off, unaided?"

"Yes, my lord. "

"You are sure of that?"

"Perfectly sure. "

"And by means of what miracle?"

"There is no need of a miracle; the thing is very simple, my lord. "

"May I know it?"

"You must be informed of it, my lord, because I count principally uponyour assistance. "

"To enable you to carry me off?"

"Yes, my lord. "

"The fact is, that, without vanity, I can, under these circumstances, ifI mix myself in the matter, be of some help to you?"

After a moment's reflection, Rutler said, "Your firmness has not beenexaggerated, your grace; it would be impossible to show a more resolutespirit or more coolness under ill fortune. "

"I assure you, sir, that it would be difficult for me to bear itotherwise. "

"If I have spoken thus my lord, it is because you, being a man ofcoolness and resolution, can understand better than any one what must beaccepted with coolness and resolution, for I have no choice but to carryyou away from here. "

"Listen, sir; if the expedient is good, I will be the first toacknowledge it. One moment, however; you seem to forget that I am nothere alone. "

"I know that, my lord; madame the duchess has but just quitted you, shemay return any moment. "

"And not alone, I warn you of that. "

"Were she accompanied by a hundred armed men I should not fear. "

"Truly?"

"No, my lord, I will go further; I rather count upon the return of theduchess to decide you to follow me in case you still hesitate. "

"Sir you speak in riddles. "

"I will tell you the word very soon my lord, but first I must inform youthat almost all is known concerning you since your flight from London. "

"In denying this to him I shall force him to speak; and I shall perhapslearn something more, " said the chevalier to himself. "As to that, sirI, cannot believe it; it is not possible. "

"Listen to me, my lord; it is now four years since you espoused inFrance the mistress of this house. Whether the marriage be legal or not, having been contracted after your execution, and consequently during thewidowhood of your first wife, does not concern me--that is a matter foryour conscience and the church. "

"Decidedly my friend the duke has placed himself in an exceptionalposition, " said Croustillac to himself, "he can be murdered because heis dead; and he can remarry because his wife is his widow! I begin tohave my ideas singularly mixed, for since yesterday very strange thingshave come to my knowledge. "

"You see, my lord, that my information is exact. "

"Exact--exact--to a certain point. You believe me capable of havingremarried after my execution; that is rather risky. The devil! sir, onemust be very sure of his facts, at least, to attribute to men suchoriginal proceedings. "

"Hold, my lord, you doubtless do not believe in my authority, and youjest; but your gayety does not surprise me; your grace has kept hisfreedom of spirit in circumstances more serious than this. "

"What would you wish, sir? gayety is the wealth of the poor. "

"My lord, " cried the colonel, in a severe tone, "the king, my master, does not merit this reproach. "

"What reproach?" said the Gascon, stupefied. 

"Your grace said that gayety is the wealth of the poor. "

"Well, sir, I do not see what there is to insult your master, the king, in that. "

"Is it not equivalent to saying, my lord, that because you see yourselfin the power of my master that you look upon yourself as despoiled ofeverything?"

"You are sensitive, sir. Be assured this reflection was purelyphilosophical and did not have reference to my particular position. "

"That is different, my lord; but I am astonished to hear you speak ofyour poverty. "

"Zounds! that has often made me bitterly lament, " said Croustillac, laughing. 

"Few fortunes equal yours, sir. The enormous sum you received from thesale of a portion of your precious stones will be secured to you andyours. William of Orange, my master, is not one of those who enrichthemselves by confiscating the goods of their political enemies. "

"I did not know thou wast so rich, poor Croustillac, " said the Gascon tohimself. "If I had known this, how little would I have swallowed candlesfor the amusement of that brute of a sea captain. " Then he continued, aloud, "I am aware of the generosity of your master, sir; also of mygoods and treasures. " And the Gascon said to himself, "It does me goodto say this for once in my life--my goods, my treasures. "

"The king, my master, my lord, has directed me to say to you that youcan charter a vessel to carry your wealth to England. "

"Oh, my old pink hose, my old green coat, my felt hat and my old sword!"said Croustillac to himself; "those are my real possessions, my real andpersonal estate! It would not take a merchant ship to transport them. "Then he continued aloud, "But let us return to the motive, sir, whichbrought you here, and to the discoveries which you have made as to mypast life. "

"For the past three years, my lord, you have lived on this island, remaining hidden to every one, and causing to be spread by a filibusterand others in your pay the strangest stories concerning your house, inorder to keep the curious away. "

"I do not understand this at all, " thought Croustillac. "Blue Beard--no, the widow, that is to say--no, the duchess or rather the wife of the manwho is dead, who is a widower--in fact, the wife of no matter whom, isnot, then, behind the best of them with her three oddities. For I haveseen with my own eyes her strange familiarity with them. I haveheard--come, come, if this lasts but a little longer I shall become mad;I am beginning to feel stupid and to see an endless succession of Romancandles in my head!"

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE SURPRISE. 

Rutler continued: "The maneuvers of your emissaries were crowned withperfect success, my lord, and it was due to the merest chance that yourexistence was revealed to my master, some two months since, and in orderto inform him that without your knowledge, or without your full consent, they would make, my lord, a dangerous instrument of you. "

"Of me? an instrument of me? and what kind of an instrument, sir?"

"Your grace knows that as well as I do; the policy of the cabinet atVersailles and of the papal court at Saint-Germain recoils before nomeans; it matters little to them that civil war shall lay waste anunhappy country provided their plans succeed. I have no need to saymore, my lord. "

"Yes, sir, yes. I desire that you tell me everything; I would see towhat point your credulity has been abused. Explain, sir. "

"The proof that my credulity has not been abused, my lord, is that mymission has for its end the ruin of the projects of an emissary fromFrance, who, with or without the co-operation of your grace, may arriveat any moment at this island. "

"I give you my word of honor, sir, that I am ignorant of the arrival ofthis French emissary. "

"I must believe you, my lord. However, certain rumors have caused theking to think that your grace, forgetting his old resentment againstJames Stuart, your uncle, had written to this dethroned king to offerhim his services. "

"James Stuart, being dethroned, " said Croustillac, with an accent fullof dignity, "changes entirely the face of things, and I should have beenable to condescend in regard to my uncle to proceedings which my pridewould never have permitted me before. "

"Then, my lord, from your point of view, your resolve would not havelacked generosity. "

"Doubtless I could perfectly well, without compromitting myself, havebeen reconciled to a dethroned king, " replied Croustillac courageously;"but I have not done so; I swear it on the honor of a gentleman. "

"I believe you, your grace. "

"Well, then, your mission has no further object. "

"You understand, my lord, that, in spite of this guarantee, circumstances may change, and your resolve change with circumstances. The hope of ascending the throne of England causes one to forget manypromises and to evade many agreements. Far be it from me to wish toreproach you for the past, but your grace knows what must be sacrificedwhen one lays audacious hands upon the crown of three kingdoms. "

"Zounds!" said Croustillac to himself; "it seems that my hand is notdead, and that I am, clearly, a courageous fellow to be well caged. If Ionly knew how all this would end I should be very much amused. "

"The king can never forget, my lord, that you have your own aspirationsto the throne. "

"Ah, well, that is true, " cried Croustillac, with an expression offrankness--"it is true, I do not deny. But what would you have?ambition, glory, the vigor of youth! But believe me, sir, " continued hewith a sigh and speaking in a melancholy tone, "age robs us of all thatand makes us wise; with added years, ambition is extinguished and onebecomes content with very little in one's retreat. Once safely in port, we can cast a philosophical glance on the storms of passion andcultivate the paternal lands, if one has such, or at least look upon thetide of life placidly when about to be swallowed up in the ocean ofeternity. In a word, you understand, sir, that if in our first youth wehave let ourselves go at an audacious pace it does not follow that inour ripe age we should not realize that all is vanity. I live obscurelyand peacefully in the bosom of my retreat, with a young and lovelywife; loved by those about me and doing some good. Ah, sir, this is theonly life that I desire; I do not hesitate, then, in confirmation ofthese words, to swear to you that I will never raise the slightestpretension to the throne of England; on the word of a gentleman, I havenot the slightest desire to. "

"Unhappily, my lord, I am not at liberty to take your oath; the king, alone, could receive it, and accept it if it seemed well to him, as asufficient guarantee against fresh troubles. As for me, I have beenordered to conduct your grace to London, and I must fulfill my orders. "

"You are very persistent, sir. When you have an idea, you keep to it. "

"At whatever cost, my lord, I must carry out the orders given me. Youcan see by the perfectly calm interview between us that I do not doubtthe success of my undertaking; your grace fully understands the motivesthat influence me; and I do not doubt that you will follow me withoutthe slightest resistance. "

Croustillac had prolonged this interview as far as he could; he haddecided either to follow the colonel or to tell him the whole truth. Hethen said to Rutler, "And suppose, sir, that I consent to follow youwillingly, what will be the order of our march, as they say?"

"Your grace, though your hands are tied, permit me to offer you my leftarm; I shall hold my dagger in my right hand, ready at any moment toplunge it into you, in case of a surprise, and we will proceed to yourhouse. "

"And then, sir?"

"Once having reached your house, my lord, you will order one of yourslaves at once to direct your negro fishermen to get their boat inreadiness; it will suffice to transport us to Barbadoes. In that placewe will find a man-of-war which awaits us, and on board which, my lord, you will be transported to London, and placed in the custody of thegovernor of the Tower. "

"And you seriously believe, sir, that I will myself give the order toprepare for my own abduction?"

"Yes, my lord, and for a very simple reason; your grace will feel thepoint of this dagger. "

"Yes, doubtless; you always go back to that, you repeat it often, sir. "

"We Dutchmen have little imagination; what would you have? There isnothing more churlish than our manner of acting; but to resume, what ismore to the point, this blade of steel will suffice, for if you refuseto obey my slightest injunction, my lord, I have already said by way ofwarning that I shall kill you without mercy. "

"I have also said to you, sir, that your manner of proceeding does notlack originality; but I have slaves--friends, sir--and you see that, inspite of your bravery----"

"My God! your grace, if I kill you it is evident that I shall be killedin turn, either by your slaves or your familiars, the filibuster or thebuccaneer, or by the French authorities, who would do perfectly right inshooting me because I come from England, and I have come to this island, which is considered as a stronghold in time of war. "

"You perceive, then, sir, that my death will not go unpunished?"

"In accepting this charge I made, in advance, the offering of my life. All that I desire, my lord, is that you shall no longer be the source offear to my master, a source of trouble for England. King William doesnot love bloodshed, but he hates civil war. Your perpetual imprisonmentor your death alone can reassure him; choose, then, my lord, between thedagger or prison; it must be one; you must become my prisoner or myvictim. Moreover, if you were not absolutely in my power I would not sayto you, at the price of my life, what I will now say. "

"Speak, sir. "

"This confidence, while showing you the evil which you can do toEngland, my lord, also will show you what interest King William has thatan enemy like yourself should be rendered powerless to act; thecompanions of your rebellion, who saw you beheaded before their owneyes, cherish still for you the dearest memories. "

"Truly? This does not surprise me in them, and it is the moredisinterested in that they all believe that I can never thank them forit. " Then Croustillac said to himself, "It must be that this Dutchman, who otherwise is reasonable enough, has a craze on this point--a fixedidea concerning my execution. "

The colonel continued, "Ah, my lord, you pay dearly for your influence. "

"Very dearly, too dearly, sir, if this be so. "

"Why do you wish to deny it, when your enemies remember? when it isknown that your followers cherish portions of your clothing, stainedwith your blood, as if holy relics, and each day lament your death? Whatwould be the result if you should suddenly appear before their eyes?What enthusiasm would you not arouse? I repeat to you, my lord, it isbecause your influence might be fatal in these troublous times, that itmust be neutralized at any cost. "

"To stab a man or imprison him for life is what you call _neutralizinghis influence_, " said Croustillac. "Ah, well, this is probably apolitical view of it. After all, I understand the distrust that Iinspire you with, for I am an incorrigible conspirator. They cut off myhead before my partisans, believing that thus I will be reformed. Not atall! instead of taking warning by this paternal admonition, I conspirestill further. It is evident that this ends by making your masterimpatient. Ah, well, sir, he is unnecessarily moved; for the last time, I solemnly declare, before heaven, that I shall conspire no more; he canrest in peace on his throne, and his crown does not excite in me theslightest covetousness. Is this plain enough, sir?"

"Very plain, and well put, my lord; but I must carry out the commands ofthe king. When we shall have arrived at your house, I shall have thehonor to transmit to you an autograph letter of His Majesty KingWilliam, which will leave you in no doubt as to the purpose andauthority of the mission with which I am intrusted. Come, my lord, resign yourself; it is the fortune of war. Beside, if you hesitate, Ican count upon a powerful ally. "

"And that is----"

"Informed by me of the fate which menaces you, you proceed under thetouch of my dagger. "

"Always his eternal dagger! he is insufferable with his dagger, " thoughtCroustillac. "He has but one word on his tongue. "

"The duchess, " continued Rutler, "would far rather see you a prisonerthan killed; it is well known how she loves you, how devoted she is toyou. She would give her life for you. She will aid, then, I am sure, inmaking you face your position wisely. Meanwhile, my lord, choose; eithersummon some of your people, if they can hear you, or show me to yourhouse yourself, for your departure must be hastened. "

It must be said to Croustillac's credit, that, learning that Blue Beardwas the wife of an invisible lord whom she loved passionately, and thathe had been taken for this grand lord, he generously resolved to be ofsome use to this young wife by prolonging as far as possible themistaken identity of which he was the victim, and to allow himself to becarried off in place of the unknown duke. Happy at the thought thatAngela would be under a great obligation, the Gascon resigned himselfcourageously to submit to all the consequences of the position which hehad accepted, only he did not know in what manner he could leave Devil'sCliff without the discovery of his stratagem. 

"My lord, I am at your service; it is absolutely imperative that wedepart at once, " said the colonel impatiently. 

"It is I who am at your service, " replied the chevalier, who viewed withsome disquiet the approach of the critical moment of this interview. 

A brilliant idea struck Croustillac; he saw a means of escaping fromthis danger and of saving the mysterious husband of Blue Beard. "Listen, sir, " said the adventurer, assuming an impressive manner. "I give you myword as a gentleman that I will follow you willingly wherever you leadme, but I desire that my wife, the duchess, shall not be informed of myarrest until I have gone. "

"How, my lord, you are willing to thus abandon your wife without tellingher of your sad situation?"

"Yes, because of reasons known to me alone, and then I would sparemyself farewells, which must always be distressing. "

"My orders concern you alone, my lord, " said the colonel; "you are freeto act as seems best to yourself, as far as the duchess is concerned. Nothing could be easier, it seems to me, than to do what you propose. Ifyour wife is astonished at your departure, you can plead the imperativenecessity of a journey of some days' duration to St. Pierre. As to mypresence here, you can easily explain that. We will go, and your boatwill take us to the Barbadoes. "

"Doubtless, doubtless, " said the embarrassed Gascon, for he saw a numberof dangers in the proposition which the colonel made. "Doubtless mydeparture might be easily explained so, but to give my orders to thenegroes, to cause a commotion in the house, would attract my wife'sattention. She is extremely timid and is alarmed at everything. Yourpresence here would arouse her suspicions, and they would necessarilylead up to the painful scene which I would avoid at all cost. "

"But, then, my lord, what shall we do?"

"There is a sure way, sir; however dangerous may have been the road bywhich you have arrived, let us follow it; we will leave the island bythe same method by which you reached it. Once at the Barbadoes I willinform my wife of my abduction--the cruel abduction which separates meforever from her; and you will swear to me that she shall not bedisturbed after my departure. "

"Unfortunately, my lord, what you propose is impossible. "

"How is that?"

"I came by way of the pearl diver's cavern, my lord. "

"Well, can we not leave by the pearl diver's cavern?"

"Is it possible that you are ignorant, my lord, of the secretcommunication which exists between this cavern and the abyss whichsurrounds your park?"

"I am entirely ignorant as to it, but if this communication exists, canwe not use it to leave by?"

"That is impossible, my lord; no one can enter the cavern except byallowing the waves to precipitate him to the bottom of a subterraneanlake, after having descended a cataract. "

"And in order to get out of this cavern?"

"You must ascend a waterfall twenty feet in height. "

"That is too much for me. So, the vessel that brought you to the outsideof this cavern----"

"Has already left for the Barbadoes, my lord. It could approach thisisland in spite of the French cruisers only because this coast isinaccessible. "

"I thought that this road was impenetrable, " said the chevalier, overcome. 

"If you will believe me, my lord, you will limit yourself to announcingto madame the duchess that you will be absent for several days only. Ihave faith in your word as a gentleman that you will make no attempt toescape from my hands. "

"I have given you my word, sir. "

"I believe you, my lord, and my dagger answers to me for itsfulfillment. "

"I should have been very much astonished if the dagger had notreappeared, " thought Croustillac. "He trusts implicitly in my word; thatdoes not prevent his trusting as much to his dagger. Zounds! whatdistrust! But that is not what concerns me. What shall I do? The duchessis not prepared; the slaves will not obey me if I give them orders. Itis no use; behold me at the end of my falsehoods. "

Croustillac had forced himself to become resigned to his assumption. Heregretted sincerely that he was not to be permitted to devote himselfmore efficaciously to the service of Blue Beard; for he did not doubtthat his ruse would be discovered the moment he put foot in the house. He had shortly another apprehension. The Caribbean, seeing Croustillacreturn accompanied by a stranger armed to the teeth, would attack thecolonel. Now, the latter had assured the adventurer that at the firstattack he would be compelled to kill him without mercy. 

The chevalier began to find his rôle less diverting and to curse thestupid curiosity, the imprudent heedlessness which had thrown him into aposition as complicated as it was dangerous. 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE DEPARTURE. 

The spirit of Croustillac was too mercurial and too adventurous toremain long under the weight of fear or sadness. He reasoned as follows:To-day, as heretofore, I have little or nothing to lose; if I decide togo out from this house, I continue to pass for the duke, and I amtreated like a prince until some one discovers the imposition; then Ishall become big John as heretofore, and I shall have rendered a greatservice to this pretty little Blue Beard, who has mocked at me, but whoenchants me, for she interests me more than I wish, more than she meritsperhaps, for, in spite of her love for this invisible husband, sheappears to me madly tender with the buccaneer and that other brute, thecannibal. Well, what does it matter if it is my caprice to devote myselfto this little woman? I am surely my own master; yes! but if, on theother hand, I do not leave this place? Suppose the Caribbean mixeshimself in the affair, this would spoil all; it is clear that I shall bekilled like a dog by this thick-headed Belgian. How, then, can I escapesuch a catastrophe? Say at once to the man with the dagger that I am notthe duke? This might save me, perhaps, but no! this would be cowardice, and useless cowardice; for, to prevent my alarming the house, thisbeer-drinker would dispatch me at once. Yes, yes, in spite of my word asa gentleman not to seek to escape, he presses near me. Zounds! this manwith his dagger is absurd! Bah! his dagger! he can only kill me once, after all. Come, then, courage! courage! Croustillac! and above all donot deliberate--this brings you sorrow; you never commit greaterstupidities or more tremendous mistakes than when you deliberate. Commend yourself to your lucky star, shut your eyes, as usual, and goahead. 

Reassured by this excellent logic, the chevalier said aloud, "Well, sir, as we must absolutely pass the house in order to get out of this, let usgo on. "

"Sir, " said the colonel, after a moment's reflection, "you have given meyour word as a gentleman not to escape. "

"Yes, sir. "

"But your people will wish to free you?"

"My life is in your hands, sir; you have my word; I can do no more. "

"That is true, my lord; but then, in your interest, warn your slavesthat the slightest act against me, on their part, will cost your life, for I have sworn, also, that I will carry you away, dead or living. "

"It will not be my fault, sir, if you do not keep your word; come on. "And the chevalier and the colonel advanced toward the house. 

Rutler held the arm of Croustillac under his left arm, and had his handconstantly on his dagger; not that he doubted the word of his prisoner, but the slaves at Devil's Cliff might wish to rescue their master. 

Croustillac and Rutler were not more than a few steps from the housewhen from an obscure path a woman advanced dressed in white. The colonelstopped, pressed firmly the arm of his prisoner, and said aloud, "Who isthis? My lord, warn this woman not to cry out. "

"It is Blue Beard! I am lost; she will scream like a peacock, and allwill be discovered, " thought Croustillac. To his great astonishment thewoman paused and did not speak. The Gascon said, "Who is it, then?"

"Is it so dark that my lord cannot recognize Mirette?" said thewell-known voice of Blue Beard. 

Croustillac was speechless with astonishment. Blue Beard also called himmy lord, and assumed the name of Mirette! "Zounds!" he said to himself, "I understand nothing, nothing at all; all becomes more and moreobscure; all the same, hold steady and play out the game. "

"Who is this woman?" said the colonel, in a low tone. 

"She is the confidential maid of my wife, " responded the chevalier. 

Angela spoke: "My lord, I come to say to your grace that my lady retirednot feeling very well; but she is asleep now. "

"All is in our favor, sir, " said the colonel, in a low voice toCroustillac. "Madame the duchess is asleep; you can depart without herknowing anything about it. "

Angela, who had approached, said with a frightened manner, andretreating a few steps, "Heavens! your grace is not alone, then?"

"My lord, " said the colonel, "if she gives a cry it is all over withyou. "

"Do not be afraid, Mirette, " said the chevalier; "while you were with mywife this gentleman arrived; he came from Fort Royal on pressingbusiness; it is necessary that I should accompany him back. "

"So late, my lord, but you must not think of it! I will go and informmadame. "

"No! no! I forbid it; but I shall have need at once of the negrofishermen and their canoe; go and notify them. "

"But, my lord----"

"Obey. "

"That is not hard; to-morrow morning they fish in the open sea; thenegroes must be nearly ready to go; in order to be before dawn at theCreek of Caymans, where their boat is moored. "

"My lord, all favors us; you see it; let us go, " said the colonel in alow voice. 

"It is astonishing how Blue Beard anticipates my demands; and how shefacilitates my departure, " said Croustillac to himself; "there issomething very strange under this. I was not, perhaps, altogether wrongin accusing her of magic or necromancy. " Then he continued aloud, "Youwill go and open the outer gates, Mirette, and tell the blacks toprepare themselves at once. Well, " said Croustillac, seeing the womanremain motionless, "did you not hear me?"

"Certainly, my lord, but then your grace is determined----"

"'My lord! your grace!' you have repeatedly called me this before astranger, " said the Gascon with a threatening manner, thinking thus tomake a master stroke. "What would happen if this gentleman were not inthe secret?"

"Oh, I know well that if this stranger is here at this time, it followsthat one may speak before him as before your grace and before madame. But is it possible, my lord, that you intend to go away?"

"The little fox wishes to have the air of detaining me in order tobetter play her part, " thought Croustillac. "But who has informed her?who has designed this rôle for her so well? Decidedly, there must bejugglery going on here. "

"But, my lord, " continued Mirette, "what shall I say to madame?"

"You may say to her, " said poor Croustillac, with a tenderness which thecolonel attributed to most natural regrets, "you may say to this dearand good woman not to be afraid, do you hear, Mirette? not to be afraid;assure her that the short journey I am going to take is absolutely inher interest; tell her to think sometimes of me. "

"Sometimes, my lord! why madame thinks of you and will think of youalways, " replied she, in an agitated voice, for she understood thehidden sense of Croustillac's words. "Be easy, my lord, madame knows howyou love her, and she never forgets. But you will be here to-morrow, before she awakens, will you not?"

"Yes, " said Croustillac, "certainly, to-morrow morning. Come, Mirette, hurry and warn the negro fishermen and open the gates; it is necessaryto leave without delay. "

"Yes, my lord, and at the same time I will bring your sword and yourmantle in the _salon_, because the night is cold in the mountains. Ah! Ihad forgotten; here is your _bonbonière_ which you carry always withyou, and which you left in madame's room. " So saying, Angela gave Gasconthe box, warmly pressed his hand and left. 

"Heaven be praised, my lord duke, that things are turning out betterthan I hoped, " said the colonel. "Is the house very far off?"

"No; after we have climbed this last terrace we shall arrive there. "

At the end of several minutes, Rutler and his captive entered thedrawing room; the chevalier found Angela, who had put on a large veiland a long cloak which hid her figure; the young woman offered thechevalier a cloak which she had placed on a sofa. 

"Here are your cloak and sword, my lord, " she said to Croustillac, giving him a magnificent sword. "Now I will go and see if the slaves areready. " So saying she left the room. 

The sword of which we have spoken was as rich in workmanship as curiousin shape; the hilt was of massive gold; the scabbard enameled with thecoat of arms of England; the hilt bore on it a rampant lion whose head, surmounted by a royal crown, served as a handle; the belt of greatrichness, although worn by frequent use, was of red velvet embroideredwith fine pearls, in the midst of which the letters "C. S. " werereproduced repeatedly. 

Before putting on his sword Croustillac said to the colonel, "I am yourprisoner, sir; may I retain my sword? I repeat my word not to make anyuse of it against you. "

Doubtless this historic weapon was known to the colonel, for he replied, "I knew that this royal sword was in the hands of your grace; I havebeen ordered to respect it in case you followed me willingly. "

"I understand, " said Croustillac to himself. "Blue Beard continues toact with consummate cunning. She has decorated me with a part of theoutfit of this mysterious duke, in order to clinch the error of thisFlemish bear. My only regret is not knowing my name. I know, it is true, that my head was cut off; that is something; but that is not sufficientto prove my identity, as the lawyers say. Finally this will last as longas God pleases; once I have turned my back, Blue Beard will, doubtless, put her husband in some safe place. That is the principal thing. Meanwhile, let me put on his cloak and my disguise will be complete. "

The mantle was of peculiar cut and was of blue with a kind of cape ofred cloth trimmed with gold lace; it was easy to see that it had been inuse a long time. 

The colonel said to the chevalier, "You are faithful to the memory ofthe day at Bridgewater, my lord!"

"Hum, hum--faithful--here or there; that depends on the disposition inwhich I find myself. "

"Nevertheless, my lord, " returned the colonel, "I recognize the mantleof the red troops who fought so gallantly under your orders on thatfatal day. "

"That is what I tell you; whether I am cold or warm, I wear this mantle, but it is always in commemoration of that battle, when the red troops, as you say, fought so valiantly under me. " The chevalier had placed thesnuff box on the table. He took it up and looked at it mechanically; onthe cover he recognized a very characteristic face which he had severaltimes seen reproduced in engravings or paintings. After having searchedhis memory he remembered that the features were those of Charles II. OfEngland. 

Rutler said, "My lord, may your grace pardon me for recalling you fromthoughts it is easy to divine on seeing the portrait on that box--buttime is precious. "

Angela entered at this moment and said to Croustillac: "My lord, thenegroes are waiting with torches to light the way. "

"Let us go, sir, " said the chevalier, taking his hat from the hands ofthe young woman, who said to him in a low voice, "Next to my husband, itis you whom I love most in the world, for you have saved him. "

The massive doors of Devil's Cliff closed on the chevalier and thecolonel, and they at once started on their road, preceded by four blackscarrying torches to light the way. 

 * * * * *

While the adventurer left Devil's Cliff as Colonel Rutler's prisoner, wewill introduce the reader into a secret apartment belonging to BlueBeard. 

This was a large room very simply furnished; here and there, hung on thewalls, were costly arms. Above a couch was a beautiful portrait of KingCharles II. Of England; beyond this was a miniature representing a womanof most enchanting beauty. In an ebony frame were many studies incrayon, well designed, and representing always the same people. It waseasy to see that they were drawn as portraits from memory. The frame wassupported by a kind of stand in chased silver, representing funeralsymbols, in the midst of which one might read the date, "July 15, 1685. "

This apartment was occupied by a young man in the prime ofmanhood--large, supple and robust. His noble proportions recalledvividly the height and figure of Captain Whirlwind, of the buccaneerRend-your-Soul, or of the Caribbean Youmäale. By coloring the finefeatures of the man of whom we speak to the copper-colored tint of themulatto, the ruddy color of the Caribbean, or by half-concealing themunder the thick black beard of the buccaneer, one could almost see thethree individuals in the same person. 

We will here say to the reader, who has doubtless penetrated thismystery, that the disguises of the buccaneer, the filibuster, and theCaribbean, had been successively assumed by the same man, who was noneother than the natural son of Charles II. , James, Duke of Monmouth, _executed_ at London, July 15, 1685, as guilty of high treason. Allhistorians agree in saying that this prince was very brave, veryaffable, and of a very generous nature and a face beautiful and noble. "Such was the end of a prince, " says Hume, in (speaking of Monmouth)"whose great qualities would have made him an ornament to the court, andwho was capable of serving well his country. The tenderness which hisfather, the king, bore for him; the praises of a large faction and theblind devotion of the populace, drew him into an enterprise beyond hisstrength. The love of the people followed him in all the vicissitudes offortune; even after his execution, his followers cherished the beliefthat they would some day see him at their head. "

We will explain later the cause of this singular hope of the prince'sadherents, and how Monmouth had, in effect, survived his execution. 

Having removed his disguise as the Caribbean, and the dye which stainedhis features, Monmouth wore an ample gown of light blue covered withorange flowers, and read attentively a large number of papers spreadbefore him. 

In order to explain the mistake of which the chevalier was the voluntaryvictim, we must explain that Croustillac, without really resemblingMonmouth, was of the same age, the same height, brown as the other, asslender, and that the duke had, in common with the Gascon, a nosedecidedly prominent, and a strong chin. Others beside Rutler, a Dutchofficer arrived from the United Provinces in the suite of William ofOrange, would have fallen into the same error, above all, seeing in thehands of Croustillac certain priceless objects known to have belonged tothe son of Charles II. 

As to the choice of Rutler, one must understand that in order to fulfillsuch a mission with all its consequences, it needed a man careful, fearless, blindly devoted, and capable of pushing that devotion even toassassination. The choice of William of Orange was necessarilycircumscribed by such exigencies; it would have been probably impossiblefor him to have found a man who knew Monmouth personally who would nothave recoiled before such terrible extremities as were entailed in thisperilous and cruel undertaking. 

Monmouth was deeply absorbed in reading several English journals. All atonce the door of his room opened violently, and Angela threw herself onhis neck, crying, "Saved! saved!"

Then, bursting into tears, laughing and sobbing by turn, kissing hishands, his forehead, his eyes, she repeated, in a stifled voice, "Saved!my beloved James! Saved! there is no longer any danger for thee, mylover, my husband. God be praised, the danger is past! But what terrorhas been mine! Alas! I tremble still!"

Startled by the transports of Angela, Monmouth said to her with infinitetenderness, "What is the matter, child? What do you say?"

Without replying to him, Angela cried, "But this is not all; we mustfly, do you understand? King William of England is on our track;to-morrow we must quit this island. All will be ready; I have given theorder to one of our negro fishermen to go and say to Captain Ralph tohave the Chameleon ready to set sail; it is anchored at Cayman's Creek;and in two hours we shall have left Martinique. "

CHAPTER XXI. 

THE BETRAYAL. 

The duke could hardly believe what he heard; he looked at his wife inagony. "What do you say?" cried he. "King William knows that I am onthis island?"

"He knows it. One of his emissaries has obtained entrance here thisnight. But be calm; he has gone; there is no danger, " cried Angela, seeing Monmouth run to arm himself. 

"But this man--this man?"

"He has gone, I tell you; the danger is past. Should I be here if notso? No; you have nothing to fear, at present, at least. But do you knowwho has aided me in overcoming this threatening cloud?"

"No; for mercy's sake explain. "

"It was the poor adventurer whom we have made our butt. "

"Croustillac?"

"Yes, his presence of mind saved us; God be praised, the danger ispast. "

"Truly, Angela, I believe I am dreaming. "

"Listen to me, then. It was an hour ago, when you left me to read thepapers arrived from England. I went into the garden with the chevalier. I had a presentiment of our danger and I was sad and thoughtful. Iwished to get rid of our guest as soon as possible, not caring to amusemyself with him longer. I said to him that I could not explain themystery of my three widowhoods; that my hand could belong to no one, andthat he must leave the house at break of day. Our object was thusaccomplished. The Gascon, by his exaggerated tales of what he had seen, will give more credence still to the stories which have been circulatedduring the past three years on the island, absurd stories but useful, and which until now alas! have been our safeguards by so confusingevents that it has been impossible to separate the true from the false. "

"Doubtless, but through what fatality this mystery? Tell me!"

"Having informed the chevalier that he could no longer remain here, Itold him that we wished, nevertheless, to give him a valuable token ofhis sojourn at Devil's Cliff. To my great surprise he refused with amanner so painfully humiliated that I pitied him. Knowing how poor hewas, and wishing, for the very reason that he showed some delicacy, tooblige him to accept a present, I came here to seek a medallionsurrounded by diamonds on which was my monogram, hoping that thechevalier would not refuse that. I returned carrying this token, when inapproaching the inclosure where I had left him, at the end of the park, near the fountain--Ah! my love, I tremble still!" And the young womanthrew her two arms around James' neck, as if she would protect himagainst this past danger. 

"Angela, I beg of you, calm yourself, " said Monmouth tenderly. "Finishyour story. "

"Ah, well, " she continued, "when I approached the fountain I heardvoices; frightened, I listened. "

"It was this emissary, I presume?"

"Yes, my beloved. "

"But how had he effected an entrance? How did he leave? How did heconfide his designs to the Gascon?"

"He mistook the chevalier for you!"

"He mistook the chevalier for me?" cried Monmouth. 

"Yes, James. Doubtless he was deceived by the resemblance in figure, andby the suit that the Gascon wore, and which you had had made, in orderto satisfy one of my caprices in dressing yourself like the portrait ofwhich you have told me. "

"Oh, " said Monmouth, passing his hand across his forehead, "Oh! you donot realize the terrible memories that all this awakens in me. "

Then, after having heaved a deep sigh and looking sadly at the ebonyframe encrusted with silver containing the drawing of a portrait, theduke resumed: "But what was the result of this strange encounter? Whatdid the chevalier say? What did _you_ do? Truly, if your presence andyour words did not assure me, I should go myself----"

Angela interrupted the duke. "Again, my beloved James, should I be socalm if there was anything to fear at this hour?"

"Very well. I hear you, but you can understand my impatience. "

"You shall not be in doubt long. From the few words I overheard Idivined that the chevalier, leaving our enemy in error, did not know howto get him out of the place, fearing he would not be obeyed by ourservants. Counting, with reason, on the Gascon's intelligence, Ipresented myself to him at the moment when he approached the house, taking care to warn him, indirectly, that he must take me for Mirette. Having seen that the emissary of King William, believing he wasaddressing you, called him 'my lord duke' or 'my lord, ' I called him soalso; I caused the doors to be opened, and, in order to complete theillusion, I gave the Gascon your sword, your enameled snuff box, and theold cloak to which you are so attached. "

"Ah! What have you done, Angela?" cried the duke, "my father's sword, the snuff box my mother gave me, and the cloak which belonged to themost saintly, the most admirable martyr who ever sacrificed himself tofriendship. "

"James, my love, pardon. I thought I was doing for the best, " criedAngela, overcome by the expression of bitterness and chagrin which sheread in the features of James. 

"Poor beloved angel, " replied Monmouth, taking her hands in his, "I donot reproach you, but I have so great a respect for these holy relicsthat it grieves me to see them profaned by a falsehood, even of a fewmoments' duration. I repeat, you do not know the terrible memories whichare attached to the cloak. Alas! I have not told you all!"

"You have not told me all?" said Angela in surprise. "When you came toseek me in France in the name of my second father, my benefactor, deadon the field of battle, " and Angela sighed sorrowfully, "did you notoffer to share your life with me, poor orphan that I was, did you notsay that you loved me? what matters the rest? If it did not concern yourwell-being, your life, should I ever have dreamed of speaking to you ofyour condition, of your birth? I married you proscribed, flying from thefurious hate of your enemies. We have escaped many dangers, evaded manysuspicions, thanks to my pretended marriages, and your variousdisguises. Then, what can you have hidden from me? If it is some newdanger, James, my beloved husband, my lover, I will never forgive you, for I must partake all with you, good or bad fortune. Your life is mylife; your enemies my enemies. Although this attempt happily failed, nowthat they know your retreat, they will continue to seek you withincreased malignity. You must fly. In two hours the Chameleon will beready to set sail. "

Deeply occupied with his thoughts, Monmouth had not heard Angela. Hewalked up and down with long strides, repeating to himself, "There is nodoubt, they know I am living; but how has William of Orange penetratedthis secret which was known only to Father Griffen and myself, becausethe holy martyr who carried this secret to the tomb, and De Crussol, last governor of this island, are dead. When I think that for greatersafety I have concealed my real name from my devoted and adored wife, who then can have betrayed me? Father Griffen is incapable of suchsacrilege; for it is under the seal of the confessional that thegovernor made the revelation to him. "

After some minutes of silent thought the duke said, "And what means didthe chevalier employ to discover the designs of the emissary of Williamof Orange?"

"His designs, my love, were not concealed; I heard them; he wished tocarry you away, dead or alive, to the Tower of London. "

"Without doubt. Since the Revolution of 1688 they fear that I may becomereconciled to the dethroned king; the public prints even announce thatmy old partisans are moving, " said Monmouth, speaking to himself. "Irecognize there the policy of my old friend William of Orange. But bywhat right does he suspect me capable of ambitious designs? Again, whohas aroused in William these unjust suspicions, these ill-foundedfears?"

After another silence he said to Angela, "God be praised, my child, thestorm is past; thanks to thee; thanks to this brave adventurer!Nevertheless I am not sure if, in spite of the devotion which he hasshown on this occasion, I can confide to him a part of the truth;perhaps it would be wiser to have him in ignorance and to persuade himthat the emissary had been misled by false information. What do youthink, Angela? Dare I appear to the chevalier under any other form thanthat of Youmäale, or shall I charge you to-night to see and thank thisbrave man? As to recompense, we will find a way to do that withoutwounding his delicacy. "

Angela looked at her husband with growing astonishment. Monmouth had notunderstood her; he thought that the Gascon had succeeded in removingthis emissary of William of Orange from Devil's Cliff; he did not knowhe had accompanied him as a prisoner. 

"I do not know when the chevalier will return. He will doubtless makethis mistake last as long as possible in order to give us time toescape. "

"The chevalier is no longer here, then?" cried the duke. 

"No, he has gone as a prisoner, under your name, with this man. Ournegro fishermen accompany them to the Cayman's Creek, where the emissarywill embark for the Barbadoes in one of our boats with the chevalier. "

The duke could hardly believe what he heard. "Gone under my name!" criedhe. "But this emissary, discovering his mistake, will be capable ofkilling the chevalier. By heavens! I cannot allow that! Too much blood, oh my God! has already been spilled for me. "

"Blood! oh, do not fear that; the chevalier will run no danger. In spiteof my desire to avert the danger that threatened from ourselves, I wouldnever have exposed this generous man to certain destruction. "

"But, unhappy woman, " cried the duke, "you do not know the terribleimportance of the secret of state which the chevalier is now possessedof?"

"My God! what do you mean?"

"They are capable of killing him. "

"Oh, what have I done? Where are you going?" cried the young wife, seeing the duke preparing to leave the room. 

"I am going to join them and save this unfortunate man. I will take someblacks with me. The Gascon has hardly an hour's advance of me. "

"James, I implore you, do not expose yourself. "

"What! cowardly abandon this man who has devoted himself to me? I givehim up to the resentment of William's emissary? never! Ah, you do notknow, unhappy child, that certain sacrifices impose on one gratitude asdolorous as remorse. Go, I pray you, tell Mirette to order some slavesto be in readiness to follow me at once. Thanks to the tide, thechevalier cannot put to sea before daybreak, I can then overtake him. "

"But this emissary is capable of anything! if he sees you come to theaid of the chevalier, he will understand, perhaps, and then----"

"That it is not James of Monmouth, but the mulatto filibuster, who is onhis track. Beside, I have faced other dangers than these, I believe. "

So saying, the duke entered a small room connected with his apartments. There he found all that was necessary for his disguise. Left alone, Angela gave herself up to the most cruel regrets. She had not supposedthat the consequences of the mistake into which the Gascon had ledRutler could be so fatal. She feared also that Monmouth would berecognized in spite of his disguise. In the midst of her distress sheheard a sudden violent knock at the outer door of the apartment whereshe was, apparently rigorously closed to all the servants in the house. 

Angela ran to this door and saw Mirette. The mulattress, with afrightened air, said to Angela that Father Griffen sent an imperativerequest to enter, having the most important matters to confide to her. 

The order was given to admit him at once into the reception hall on theground floor. At the same moment Monmouth came out of his roomcompletely disguised as the mulatto filibuster. 

"My love, " said Angela, when the maid had gone, "Father Griffen has justarrived, he has things of the utmost importance to say to us. In thename of heaven, wait and speak to him. "

"Father Griffen!" exclaimed the duke. 

"You know he never comes here unless circumstances of the gravestimportance brings him. I beg you see him, " said Angela. 

"I must; but each minute of delay may risk the life of this unhappychevalier, " said the duke. 

He descended with Angela. Father Griffen, pale, agitated, broken withfatigue, was in the hall. 

"In fifteen minutes they will be here, " he cried. 

"Who, then, Father, " said Monmouth. 

"That miserable Gascon, " said the priest. 

"Oh, James! everything is discovered; you are lost!" said Angela, uttering a cry of despair; and she threw herself into the arms ofMonmouth. "Fly; there is still time. "

"Fly, and where? there is but one road to Devil's Cliff, and from it. Itell you that they follow me, " said the priest; "but be calm, nothing ishopeless. "

"Explain yourself, Father, what is it? In mercy speak, speak!" saidAngela. 

"Father, you alone knew my secret; I would rather believe the impossiblethan doubt your sacred word, " said the duke gravely. 

"And you are right not to doubt it, my son. There is some unaccountablemystery, which will come to light some day, believe me; but the minutesare too precious to seek now for the cause of the misfortune whichmenaces you. I hurried to you, then I have not betrayed you. Let usthink of what is most pressing. Under this disguise it is impossiblethat you should be recognized, " said the priest. "But that is not all;your situation has become almost inextricable. "

"What do you say?"

"This Gascon is a traitor; a scoundrel. May God pardon me for havingbeen so deceived in him and having made you partake of my error. Cursedbe the hypocrite. "

"On the contrary, " said Angela, "he is the most generous of men; he hasvoluntarily devoted himself for my husband. "

"Yes, he has assumed your name, " said the priest to the prince, "but doyou know for what vile purpose?"

"Tell me, oh, tell me! I am dying of fear, " cried Angela. 

"Listen, then, " said the priest, "for the moments fly and the dangerapproaches. This morning I received at Macouba a letter from CaptainMorris, of Fort Royal, in compliance with the order he had received fromyou to warn me of all arrivals of vessels and of those whose appearanceseemed unusual. He sent me a special message to inform me that a Frenchfrigate had dropped anchor in sight of the harbor, after having sent anunknown passenger ashore. This person, after a long conference with thegovernor, started at the head of an escort in the direction of Devil'sCliff. In fact, he comes here. "

"An agent of France, " said Monmouth; "what have I to fear at present, even if my secret was known at Versailles? Is not France at war withEngland?"

"My God! my God! have pity on us!" cried Angela. 

"Listen! I started with all haste, " continued the priest, "in order towarn you, hoping to arrive before this man and his escort, in case hewas really coming here, and, unfortunately, or fortunately perhaps, joined him at the foot of the cliff. He recognized my robe; he said tome that he was sent by the King of France; that he came to fulfill amission of state, and he begged me to be his guide and to introduce him, because I knew the dwellers in this house. I could not refuse to do thiswithout arousing suspicions. I remained near him. He told me his namewas De Chemerant. He began to ask me some very embarrassing questions asto you and your wife, my lord, when all at once, at some distance, weheard a loud voice cry, 'Who goes there?' 'An agent of France, ' repliedDe Chemerant. 'Treason!' continued the voice, and a dull groan reachedus with these words, 'I am killed!' 'To arms!' cried De Chemerant, taking his sword in hand, and running after two of our sailors whoserved as guides. I followed him. We found the Gascon stretched on theside of the road, four blacks kneeling, petrified with fear, while ourtwo sailors had thrown on the ground, and held there with difficulty, astrong man clothed like a mariner. "

"And the chevalier?" exclaimed Monmouth, "was he wounded?"

"No, sir; and although this is a very wicked man, we must return thanksto heaven for the wonderful chance which saved him. The man dressed as amariner, hearing the noise of our escort, and the words of De Chemerant, who had responded 'Agent of the King of France, ' believed himselfbetrayed, and led into ambush; he had then given the Gascon such afurious blow with his dagger that the unhappy adventurer would have beenkilled if the blade had not broken on his shoulder-belt. Nevertheless, thrown down by the violence of the shock, he fell to the ground, exclaiming, 'I am killed, ' and remained motionless. It was at thismoment we reached the group. Seeing us the assassin of the Gascon criedwith a ferocious laugh as he kicked the body of what he supposed hisvictim, 'Mr. Agent of France, your designs have been unmasked, they arefrustrated. You have come to seek James, Duke of Monmouth, in order toraise a standard for sedition; the standard is broken; take up thecorpse, sir. It is I, Rutler, colonel in the service of King William, whom God preserve, who has committed this murder. '"

"'Unhappy man, ' exclaimed De Chemerant. 

"'I glory in this murder, ' replied the colonel. 'Thus have I foiled theodious projects of the enemies of my master, the king; thanks to me, thesword of Charles II. , which James of Monmouth carried at his side, willno more be drawn against England. '

"'Colonel, you will be shot in twenty-four hours, ' said De Chemerant. 'Iknow my fate, ' replied the colonel; 'a traitor is dead. Long live theKing of England. '"

"But the chevalier?" asked the duke. 

"When he heard these words of Rutler's he made a slight movement, andheaved a sigh; and while some of the escort held the colonel, who yelledwith rage at seeing that his victim was not dead, De Chemerant hurriedto reach the Gascon, to whom he said, 'My lord, are you dangerouslywounded?' I understood at once, without knowing why, that the chevalierwas playing a rôle and had assumed your name; this error would serveyou--I held my tongue. 'The blow had struck the belt of my father'ssword, ' said the rascal, in a faint voice as they raised him. 'My lordduke, lean on me, ' replied De Chemerant, 'I come to you in the name ofthe King of France, my master. Mystery is now unnecessary. In two wordsI will tell you, sir, the object of my mission, and you can then judgewhether or not you will return as quickly as possible to Fort Royal toembark with us. ' 'I hear you, sir, ' said the chevalier, feigning aslight English accent, doubtless to better play his part. Then at theend of several moments of thought, the Gascon said in a loud voice, 'Ifthis be so, sir, I cannot be separated from my wife, and I desire to goand seek her at Devil's Cliff. She will accompany me; such is thedestiny which is reserved for me. '"

"The wretch!" exclaimed Angela. 

"Then he continued, " said the priest, "'I feel giddy from my fall; Iwill rest here a moment. ' 'That shall be as you wish, my lord, ' said DeChemerant. Then, turning to me, 'Will you be so good, Father, as to goand announce to Madame the Duchess of Monmouth that the duke will cometo seek her to take her away; and request that she make hastypreparations, for we must be at Fort Royal at daybreak and set sail thesame morning. ' Now, " said the priest to Monmouth, "do you understand theplan of this traitor? He abuses the name that he has taken in order tocarry off your wife, and you will be compelled either to declare who youare, or to consent to the departure of madame the duchess. "

"Rather a thousand times death!" cried Angela. 

"Cursed be the Gascon!" said the priest; "I believed him but a sot andan adventurer, and he is a monster of hypocrisy. "

"Do not let us despair, " said Angela suddenly. "Father, will you returnto the outer buildings and order Mirette to open the door to the Gasconand the French agent when they come. I will take care of the rest. "

PART THIRD. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

THE VICEROY OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND. 

While the Duke of Monmouth and his wife, informed by Father Griffen ofthe infamous treachery of Croustillac, were seeking to escape this newdanger, we will return to the adventurer, who, carelessly leaning on thearm of De Chemerant, climbed the steep ascent of Devil's Cliff. 

Colonel Rutler, furious at having been thwarted in his attempt, was ledaway by a guard of two soldiers. 

Chemerant did not know Croustillac; not having the slightest doubt as tothe identity of the Gascon with the Duke of Monmouth, the action andwords of Rutler confirmed his error. In the colonel's possession wasfound an order from William of Orange for the capture of James, Duke ofMonmouth. What doubt could he then have when the emissary of KingWilliam recognized Croustillac as the duke, so fully that he was readyto pay with his life for his attempt to assassinate this pretendedprince. 

Seeing the new aspect this adventure was taking, Croustillac felt thenecessity of being more guarded, so as to complete the illusion which hedesired in order to accomplish his own ends. 

He at least knew, now, the name of the person whom he represented and towhat country he belonged. These points, however, were not very useful tothe adventurer as yet, for he was absolutely ignorant as tocontemporaneous history; but at any rate, the knowledge that the man hepersonated was English led him to endeavor to modify his Gasconpronunciation, and he gave it an English accent so strange that DeChemerant was far from suspecting that he spoke with a Frenchman. 

Croustillac, in order not to compromise the part he was playing, deemedit wisest to maintain an extreme reserve; De Chemerant was notsurprised; he knew the reserved character of the English. 

Some words which were exchanged by the two persons who walked at thehead of the escort will give an idea of the new and embarrassingposition of the chevalier. 

"When we arrive at your house, sir, " said De Chemerant, "I shallcommunicate to you the full powers which his majesty has charged me toplace before the eyes of your highness. "

"Highness--the devil!" thought Croustillac: "this man pleases me betterthan the other; beside subjecting me to the inconvenience of hiseverlasting dagger, he called me only my lord or your grace, while thisone calls me highness. This is progressive. I go on. I touch thethrone. "

Monsieur de Chemerant continued: "I shall also have the honor to hand toyou, sir, a number of letters from England which will prove to you thatthe moment was never more favorable for an insurrection. "

"I know it, " said the Gascon, with effrontery, remembering that this waswhat Rutler had said to him; "I know it, sir; my partisans are acting, and bestirring themselves greatly. "

"Your highness is better informed of affairs in Europe than I hadthought. "

"I have never lost sight of them, sir, never. "

"Your highness fills me with joy in speaking thus. It depends on you toassure to yourself the brilliant position which is your due, and whichyou will acquire if you obtain a decisive advantage. "

"And how, sir?"

"By putting yourself at the head of the partisans of your royal uncle, James Stuart; forgetting the dissensions which have heretofore separatedyou, for the king no longer desires to see in you other than his worthynephew. "

"And, between us, he is right; it is always necessary to turn to one'sfamily. My God, if each one puts in a little of his own, it will end byarranging itself. "

"Thus, your highness, King James gives you a mark of the highestconfidence in intrusting to you the defense of his rights and those ofhis young son. "[A]

 {[A] The Pretender, born in 1688. }

"My uncle is dethroned; he is unhappy; this makes me overlook much, "said Croustillac gravely. "I will not betray his hopes. I will devotemyself to the defense of his rights and those of his young son, if thecircumstances permit. "

"Your highness need not have the slightest doubt as to the opportunityto do so when you will have heard, in this respect, the large number ofyour old companions at arms; of your most enthusiastic followers. "

"In fact, they, better than any one, will be able to give certaininformation, but alas! before I can see them, these brave men, theseloyal and faithful men, much time must, unhappily, elapse. "

"I am going to give your highness a very delightful surprise. "

"A surprise?"

"Yes, your highness. Several of your partisans, having learned by whathappy occurrence the life of your highness has been preserved, haveasked permission of the king to accompany me here. "

"To accompany you?" cried the chevalier. "And where are they, then?"

"They are here, aboard the frigate which brought me, your highness. "

"Aboard your frigate!" exclaimed Croustillac, with an expression ofsurprise that De Chemerant interpreted in a very favorable manner toaffectionate memories of the chevalier. 

"Yes, your highness. I understand your astonishment, your happiness, your joy in the prospect of shortly seeing your old companions-in-arms. "

"You have not the slightest idea of the impatience with which I awaitthe moment when I shall again see them, sir, " said Croustillac. 

"And their conduct justifies your eagerness, your highness; they willbring you the loyalty of all your English friends; and they will verysoon put you in touch with the affairs of that country. Who can betterinform you on these subjects than Dudley and Rothsay?"

"Ah! that dear Rothsay, has he also come?" said the Gascon with an easymanner. 

"Yes, your highness, but he is suffering so from his old wounds that hecan hardly walk, still he said, 'It is no matter if I die--if I die atthe feet of our duke, ' for it is thus they speak of you in thefamiliarity of their devotion. "

"The poor Rothsay, always the same!" said Croustillac, passing his handacross his eyes, with a touching air. "The dear friends. "

"And Lord Mortimer, then, your highness; he is as if mad. If it were notfor the king's orders, which were of the strictest, it would have beenimpossible to have prevented his coming on shore with me. "

"Mortimer also--brave Mortimer!"

"And Lord Dudley, your highness. "

"Lord Dudley is as wild as the others, I wager?"

"He threatened to swim ashore as the captain had refused to give him aboat. "

"Such a friend is a true spaniel for fidelity and love of the water!"thought Croustillac, very much embarrassed. 

"Ah, your highness, and to-morrow?"

"Well, what of to-morrow?"

"What a great day it will be for your highness. "

"Yes, superb. "

"Ah, your highness, what a touching scene! what a moment for you and forthose who are so devoted to you. Happy indeed are the princes who findsuch friends in adversity. "

"Yes it will be a very touching interview, " said Croustillac aloud; thenhe continued, inaudibly, "To the devil with this animal of a Mortimerand his companions! _Peste!_ these are very stupid friends; what fly isstinging them? They will recognize me, and I shall be lost, now that Iknow De Chemerant's state secret. "

"The presence of those valiant nobles, " replied De Chemerant, "has yetanother object. Your highness ought not to be ignorant of it?"

"Speak, sir; they seem to me to have excellent ideas, these dearfriends. "

"Knowing your courage, your resolution, sir, the king, my master, andthe king, your uncle, have ordered me to make you an overture which youcannot fail to accept. "

"What is it, sir? this begins excellently. "

"Not only are your most courageous partisans on board the frigate, whichis at anchor, sir, but the ship is filled with arms and ammunition. Sentinels have been stationed on the coast of Cornwall; the wholecountry awaits only a signal to rise in your favor. It but remains foryour highness to disembark at the head of your partisans, and give thepeople the necessary arms. The movement will spread even to London, theusurper will be driven from the throne, and you will restore the crownto the king, your uncle. "

"I will do it, by the gods! I am capable of that. Of a surety here is amagnificent project, but there must be contrary chances, and above all, I must be careful, very careful of the lives of my partisans and of thesafety of my uncle's subjects. "

"I recognize the habitual generosity of the character of your highness;but there are hardly any contrary chances to fear; all is ready, loyaltyprevails. You will be received with enthusiasm. The remembrance of youis so lasting, they say, so ever present to the people of London, thatthey have never believed in your execution, sir, not even those who werepresent. Live, then, for this noble country which has so deeply mournedyou, and which awaits your coming as they await the day of theirdeliverance. "

"Come! he also, " thought Croustillac; "he thinks that I have beenexecuted; but this man is more reasonable than the other, who wished tokill me in the name of the regrets that my death had caused; at least, this one desires me to live in the name of these same regrets, and Iprefer this. "

"In a word, sir, set sail from Martinique for the coast of Cornwall, andif, as all believe, the English people rise at the sound of your name, my master, the king, will support this insurrection with his strongforces, and make the movement a success. "

"Ah! ah! I see, my good fellow, I see. Although I am not a politicalend, " said the Gascon to himself, "in my humble opinion I understandthat the king, your master and mine, wishes to make use of me as aforlorn hope. If I succeed, he will support me; if I do not, he willleave me to be captured. All the same this tempts me; my ambitionawakens. To the devil with the Mortimers, the Rothsays, and my other madfriends! Without these rogues I shall be curious to see Polyphème deCroustillac revolutionizing Cornwall, driving William of Orange from thethrone of England, and generously restoring this same throne to KingJames. Without being tempted to seat myself upon it--hum, perhaps Ishall seat myself a little, to see--there, there, Polyphème, no more ofthat! give the throne to the old man, Polyphème, restore him his throne. So be it, I will give it to him, but decidedly, for some time, verystrange things have happened to me, and the Unicorn which brought mehere must be an enchanted vessel. " The chevalier then spoke, with athoughtful air: "This is a very serious thing, at least, sir; there ismuch to be said for, and also much against it. I am far from wishing totemporize too long, but it would be, I think, wisdom to consider morefully before giving the signal for this uprising. "

"Your highness, permit me to say to you that the conditions arepressing; action necessary; the secret projects of the king, my master, have been betrayed. William of Orange has deputed Colonel Rutler tocarry you off, living or dead, so much does he fear to see you theleader of an insurrection. Sir, we must strike a quick, decisive blow, such as a sudden disembarkment on the coasts of Cornwall. I repeat, thisexpedition made in the name of King James will be received withenthusiasm and the all-powerful influence of Louis XIV. , willconsolidate the revolution you will have so gloriously begun; and, thanks to you, the rightful King of Great Britain will once more ascendhis throne. "

"This seems to me assured, if my side has the advantage. "

"It will have, sir, it will have!"

"Yes, unless it is defeated, and then if I am killed, this time it willbe without pardon. It is not through unworthy egotism that I make thisreflection, sir; you can understand that, after the antecedents whichthey attribute to me, I must be thoroughly accustomed to being dead, butI would not leave my party orphaned; and then, consider, sir!--to plungethis country once more into the horrors of civil war! Ah!" andCroustillac heaved a sigh. 

"Doubtless, sir, this is a sad thought; but to these passing troubleswould succeed a most profound calm. Doubtless, war has fatal chances, but it has, also, happy ones; and then, what a future awaits you! Theletters I bring you will show you that the viceroyship of Ireland andScotland is reserved for you, without counting other favors which arelikewise reserved for you and my master, and James Stuart, your uncle, when he is once more on the throne which he will owe to you. "

"_Peste!_ Viceroy of Scotland and Ireland!" said Croustillac to himself. "With this, husband of Blue Beard, and, in the bargain, son and nephewof a king, ah Croustillac, Croustillac, I have well said thy star is inthe ascendent--it would be too bad that this should be for another. Comeon, while it lasts!"

Monsieur de Chemerant, seeing the chevalier's hesitation, made use of amore powerful means of forcing him to act conformably to the wishes ofthe two kings, and said to him, "There remains, your highness, a lastcommunication to make you, and, painful as it is, I must obey mymaster's orders. "

"Speak, sir. "

"It is almost out of the question to refuse to put yourself at the headof the uprising, your highness; your ships are burned!"

"My ships burned?"

"Yes, your highness, that is, figuratively. "

"Very well, sir, I understand, the king would compel me to act as hedesires?"

"Your habitual keensightedness does not allow you to be deceived, yourhighness. In case you do not believe it your duty to follow thepressing counsel of my master, the king, in case you thus show hismajesty King James that you are unwilling to make him forget these sadand annoying memories, in devoting yourself to his cause, as he hadhoped----"

"Well, sir, " said the adventurer, becoming cautious, believing he wasgoing to see, as is said, the reverse side of the medal. 

"Well, your highness, the king, my master, for pressing reasons ofstate, in such a case would see himself, with much regret, obliged topossess himself of your person. That is why I have an escort with me. "

"Sir! violence?"

"Unfortunately, your highness, my orders are explicit. But I am sureyour highness will not put me to the hard necessity of carrying themout. "

This menace caused Croustillac to reflect. 

Monsieur de Chemerant continued: "I must add, sir, that prudence demands(seeing your execution has taken place) that your features should behenceforth concealed, and your face must be covered with a mask thatwill never be removed. In fact, in compliance with the orders of hismajesty, I shall have the honor of conducting you, sir, at once to theSaint Margaret Islands, where you will remain henceforth a prisoner. Ileave to you to imagine the regrets of your partisans, who have come sofar in the hope of seeing you once more at their head. "

After remaining for a long time in the attitude of a man who wasthinking deeply and who struggled inwardly against many conflictingthoughts, Croustillac raised his head proudly, and said to De Chemerant, in a dignified manner, "Upon reflection, sir, I will accept theviceroyship of Ireland and Scotland, you have my word. However do notthink that fear of a perpetual prison forces me thus to act. No, sir, no; but after mature reflection, I am convinced that I would be culpablenot to yield to the wishes of an oppressed people, who are stretchingout their arms to me, and not to draw my sword for their defense, " saidthe adventurer with a heroic air. 

"If that is so, your highness, " cried De Chemerant, "long live KingJames and his Royal Highness the Duke of Monmouth. Long live theViceroy of Scotland and Ireland. "

"I accept the augury, " gravely replied the chevalier, while he said tohimself, "Devil of a man! with his sweet manner, I do not know if I donot like the other better in spite of his eternal dagger. This is adifficult choice. To go with the Dutchman a prisoner to London Tower, that was not difficult; while now my rôle is complicated and becomesdiabolical, thanks to my mad friends who like vultures are awaiting meon board the frigate. To-morrow, I dare say, all will be discovered. AndBlue Beard? But I who believed I had made a master stroke in coming toseek her at Devil's Cliff? What will happen from all this? Bah! afterall, what can happen me? Taken prisoner? or hanged? Prisoner?--thatgives me a future. Hanged?--it is a trifle, the dropping of an eyelid, agasp. Come, come, Croustillac! no cowardice! console yourself by mockingat these men, and amuse yourself with the strange adventures the devilsends you! It is all the same, cursed be my partisans! except for themall would go well. Let us see if there is not some way of sending themto love me--elsewhere. "

"Tell me, sir, " said he, aloud, "are my followers on board many?"

"Your highness, there are eleven. "

"That must incommode you; they must be uncomfortable themselves. "

"They are soldiers, your highness, they are accustomed to the rough lifeof a camp; beside, the end which they propose to attain is so important, so glorious, that they do not dream of privations which the sight ofyour highness will make them quickly forget. "

"It is all the same--is there not a means of finding a place elsewhere?sending them to another vessel would be infinitely better, that I and mywife may accommodate ourselves on the frigate? And then, for reasonsknown to myself, I shall not discover myself to these dear and goodfriends until the moment arrives to disembark in England. "

"That is impossible! to be on the same vessel with you, your friendswill sleep on deck in their clothes. "

"It is terrible to inspire such devotion, " said Croustillac to himself. "Then think no more of it, " said he aloud. "I shall be very sorry tothwart such faithful partisans. But what accommodations have you formyself and wife?"

"They will be very plain, sir, but your highness will deign to beindulgent in recognizing the imperative necessity of the case. Beside, the well-known attachment of your highness for the duchess, " replied DeChemerant, smiling, "will make you, I am sure, excuse the smallness ofthe apartment, which is none other than the captain's cabin. "

The adventurer could not prevent a smile in return, and answered, "Theroom, sir, will be sufficient. "

"Then, your highness, you have fully decided that you will bring madamewith you?"

"More than ever, sir; when I was the prisoner of Colonel Rutler, when Iwas destined to perish, perhaps, I left her ignorant of my peril, andabandoned her without warning her of the fate that awaited me. "

"So the duchess is ignorant----"

"Of everything, sir; the poor woman is ignorant of everything. Surprisedby Colonel Rutler, while she was asleep, I left word in quitting Devil'sCliff, that my absence would extend over but a day or two. Butcircumstances have suddenly changed. There are no more dangers that I amgoing to run. I know my wife, sir; glory and danger, she would partakeall. In going to seek her, to carry her away with me, I am furtheringher dearest wish. "

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE ARREST. 

Monsieur de Chemerant and Croustillac walked on in silence for somelittle time toward Devil's Cliff. Meanwhile the guard reached theheights of the rocks. From this spot were discerned at a distance theplatform and the wall of the park surrounding Blue Beard's home. 

At the sight of this species of fortification De Chemerant said to thechevalier, "This retreat is well chosen, your highness, to keep at adistance curious persons; to say nothing of the fact that the reportsthat you have caused to be made by the three fellows in your service, are not such as to encourage many visitors. "

"You allude, I presume, to the buccaneer, the filibuster and theCaribbean?"

"Yes, your highness, it is said that they are devoted to you, for lifeand death. "

"They are singularly attached to me. Nevertheless, " said Croustillac tohimself, "I do not yet know what right these three miscreants have to anintimacy with the duchess, nor how, in fact, her husband, the Duke ofMonmouth, can permit such bandits to be so very familiar with hiswife--speaking tenderly to her and embracing her. The Caribbean, aboveall, with his grave air like a donkey that one has curried--he has aboveall the faculty of setting my nerves on edge. And then, how can the dukepermit these familiarities? Doubtless it is to mislead people. It savesappearances. But, zounds! it seems to me that this misleads a little toomuch. Ah, Croustillac, Croustillac! you are becoming more and more inlove, my friend; it is jealousy you feel for these bandits. Ah, well, Ishall unravel this mystery shortly. Meanwhile, I must endeavor to learnhow it was discovered that the prince was hidden at Devil's Cliff. ""Sir, " continued Croustillac aloud, "I desire to ask you a veryimportant question. "

"I am all attention, your highness. "

"If you are permitted to answer this, tell me how it became known atVersailles that I was hidden in Martinique?"

After a moment's silence De Chemerant replied, "In telling you what youwish to know, your highness, I do not in any way betray a state secret. Neither the king nor his ministers have confided to me anything on thispoint. It is entirely due to a circumstance which it would take too longto tell you now, that I had discovered that of which they thought I wasin ignorance. I can, however, count upon your silence on this subject, your highness. "

"You may be sure of that, sir. "

"Then, I believe, your highness, that the late Governor of Martinique, the late Chevalier de Crussol, had known you in Holland, where he owedhis life to you. At the battle of Saint Denis, where you commanded aScotch regiment in the army of the stadtholder, while the Chevalier deCrussol served in the army of the Marshal Luxembourg----"

"This is true in every particular, " said Croustillac imperturbably. "Proceed. "

"I believe, also, your highness, that the late Chevalier de Crussolhaving been, by a combination of events, chosen governor of this colony, and, having believed it his duty to inquire into the mysteriousexistence of a young widow called Blue Beard, went to Devil's Cliff, entirely ignorant of the fact that you had found refuge there. "

"That also is true, sir; you see I am frank, " said Croustillac, charmedat penetrating, little by little, this mystery. 

"Finally, it appears certain that Chevalier de Crussol, recognizing inyou the prince who had saved his life, swore to you that he would guardyour secret----"

"He swore it, sir, and if anything surprises me on the part of sogallant a man, it is that he failed to keep his word, " said the Gasconseverely. 

"Do not be too hasty in accusing Chevalier de Crussol, your highness. "

"I will reserve my judgment, then. "

"You know, your highness, there were few men more religiously inclinedthan De Crussol?"

"His piety was proverbial; it is that fact which so surprises me at hisfailure to keep his word. "

"When dying, your highness, Chevalier de Crussol felt it a point ofconscience that he had not made known to his master, the king, a statesecret of such importance. He therefore confessed the truth to FatherGriffen. "

"I know all that, sir; go on, " said Croustillac, who did not desire thatthe devouring curiosity with which he listened to De Chemerant shouldappear. 

"As for that, your highness, I speak of what occurred then only frommemory. I shall touch upon certain particulars unknown, I think, to yourhighness. At the point of death, Chevalier de Crussol, wishing so far aspossible, to continue to you the protection which had surrounded youduring his life, and, fearing that his successor would begin a searchagainst the mysterious residents at Devil's Cliff, he wrote a letter tothe governor who would succeed him. In this letter he affirmed on hisguarantee and on that of Father Griffen that the conduct of Blue Beardwas in no wise to be suspected. It is believed, your highness, that thedying governor had warned you that scruples of conscience havingcompelled him to confess all to Father Griffen, under the seal of theconfessional, he did not consider he had broken the promise that he hadgiven you. "

"If this is so, sir, this poor man remained until the close of his lifethe pious and loyal gentleman that I always knew him to be, " saidCroustillac, deeply affected; "but must one then, accuse the good FatherGriffen of a sacrilege? This would be cruel. I can with difficultyreconcile myself to that, sir. "

After a moment's silence, De Chemerant said to the adventurer:

"Do you know, your highness, the game of the poisoned shoulder-knot?"The Gascon looked at the envoy with surprise. "Is this a pleasantry, sir?"

"I would not take such a liberty, your highness, " said De Chemerant, bending his head. 

"Then, sir, what connection----"

"Permit me, your highness, to explain to you what this game is, and bythe aid of this figure, I shall perhaps be able to also explain to yourhighness the fortunes of the state secret. 

"Explain this figure, sir. "

"Well, the game of the poisoned shoulder-knot consists in this: a circleof men and women is made; one man takes one of the shoulder-knots fromhis coat and seeks to slip it into his neighbor's pocket as secretly aspossible, for the person who is found in possession of it is obliged togive a forfeit. "

"Very well, sir, " said the Gascon, "the skill of the play resolvesitself into getting rid as soon as possible of the shoulder-knot, bypassing it, adroitly, on to another. "

"There you have it, your highness. "

"But I do not see what connection there is between the state secretwhich concerns me and this game. "

"Pardon me, sir, to some consciences, at once scrupulous and timid, certain confidences, or rather certain confessions, have the same effectas the poisoned shoulder-knot in the play of that name; the aforesaidconsciences think only of getting rid of the secret to a neighboringconscience in order to protect themselves from all responsibility. "

"Well, sir, I see the analogy; it seems that the game of the poisonedshoulder-knot has been played with the confessor of this unhappyChevalier de Crussol. "

"That is just what happened, your highness. Father Griffen, seeinghimself the depository of such an important state secret, found himselfterribly embarrassed; he feared to commit a culpable action toward hissovereign in keeping silent; he feared by speaking to violate the sealof the confessional and to ruin you. In this quandary, and desiring toquiet his conscience, he resolved to go to France, to confess all to thegeneral of his order, and to thus free himself of all responsibility. "

"I understand, now, your comparison, sir; but as this secret has beennoised abroad, it necessarily follows that, in order to carry out yourcomparison, some one has cheated. "

"I can assure your highness that it is many months since Father Griffen, after his resolution had been taken, arrived in France and confided allto the general of the order; he, in turn, took all the responsibilityupon himself, and completely absolved Father Griffen, recommending tohim the greatest secrecy. "

"And to whom the devil did the general of the order pass theshoulder-knot?" said the Gascon, who was much amused by this story. 

"Before answering your highness, I must say that the general of theorder concealed beneath an austere exterior a most unbridled ambition;that few men possessed to so high a degree the genius for intrigue; orplayed more audaciously with what the world reveres. Once master of theimportant secret that Father Griffen had confided to him, as hisspiritual superior, in order to quiet his conscience, the general of theorder desired to use this secret for his own personal advancement. Intimately linked with the confessor of his majesty, King James, FatherBriars, a cunning Jesuit, who understood perfectly the condition ofaffairs in England, he led the conversation one day to the location ofthis island, and the general of the order asked Father Briars if, incase you had been still living, your highness, you would not have manyopportunities for rallying about you the partisans of the Stuarts, andthus placing yourself at the head of a movement against the Prince ofOrange. Father Briars replied that if you had lived your influence wouldhave been immense, if you were sincerely devoted to the cause of KingJames; that this prince had often regretted your death, when thinking ofthe services you could have rendered to the cause of the Stuarts. Youcan imagine, your highness, the joy of the general of the order. Thesecret of the confessional was betrayed, your highness, and yourexistence revealed. 

"But this is an abominable man, this general of the order, " criedCroustillac. 

"Doubtless, sir; but he was ambitious to wear the cardinal's hat; and asthe prime mover of the enterprise, he would be a prince of the churchif King James, your uncle, ascended the throne of England. It isunnecessary to tell you, sir, that once Father Briars was master of thissecret, he availed himself of it with his royal penitent, and that theremainder of the arrangements were converted between Louis XIV. AndJames Stuart. "

"All is clear now, " said Croustillac to himself. "I am not surprised atthe uneasiness of Father Griffen when I persisted in going to Devil'sCliff. Knowing the secret of the place, he doubtless, believed me to bea spy. I can now understand the questions with which he overwhelmed meduring our journey, and which seemed so absurd. "

Monsieur de Chemerant attributed to astonishment the silence ofCroustillac at this recital, and he said, "Now all should be clear toyou. Without doubt, the preparations of this enterprise have not been sosecret that William of Orange has not been kept posted by spies whogained entrance into the cabinet at Versailles, and even into the innercircle of the lesser court at Saint Germain. In order to baffle theprojects which rest entirely upon your highness, the usurper has givento Colonel Rutler the mission which came so near being fatal to you, your highness. You see, then, in all this Father Griffen has beenperfectly innocent. Some one has abused his confidence mostsacrilegiously; but, after all, sir, you must exercise forbearance, forit is to this discovery that you will have the glory, some day, ofre-establishing James Stuart upon the throne of England. "

Although this confidence had satisfied the adventurer's curiosity, heregretted having provoked it; if he was discovered, he would, no doubt, be made to pay dearly for his knowledge of this state secret, which hehad involuntarily surprised; but Croustillac could not retrace hissteps; he was to become more and more involved in the dangerous waywherein he walked. The escort arrived on the plain at the foot of thewall of the house. It was agreed that Rutler, still bound, should remainoutside, and that six soldiers and two sailors should accompanyChemerant and Croustillac. On reaching the foot of the wall, the Gasconcalled, resolutely, "Ho, slaves!"

After waiting some moments, the ladder was lowered. The adventurer andDe Chemerant, followed by their men, entered the house; the arched doorused exclusively by Blue Beard was opened by Mirette. Chemerant orderedthe six soldiers to remain outside the arch. 

Mirette, instructed by her mistress, as to what she should do and say inresponse to questions, appeared struck with surprise at the sight of theGascon, and exclaimed, "Ah, my lord!"

"You did not expect me? and Father Griffen?"

"What, my lord is it you?"

"Certainly it is I; but where is Father Griffen?"

"Learning that you were going away for some days, madame had ordered meto allow no one to enter. "

"But the reverend Father, who came here on my account--has he not seenyour mistress?"

"No, my lord; madame told me to allow no one to enter, so the reverendpriest has been shown to a room in the outer building. "

"Then your mistress is not expecting my return?"

"No, my lord; but----"

"It is well; leave us. "

"But, my lord, I will go and inform Madame de----"

"No, it is no matter; I will go myself, " said the Gascon, passing beforeMirette and walking toward the drawing room. 

"Your highness, you are about to give a pleasant surprise to theduchess, who does not expect you for some days, and will thus change herregrets to a very tender joy, since Father Griffen has not yet been ableto see your wife, " said De Chemerant. 

"She is always thus, poor dear child, she is very timid; when I am nothere, " said Croustillac, tenderly, "she will not see a human face, noteven this good priest; my shortest absence causes her sadness, desolation and tears; this is what worries me; all this is very simple;since I have been condemned to this absolute retirement I have neverleft my wife, and this absence to-day, short as she believes it to be, is terribly hard for her, poor, dear soul. "

"But then, your highness, what a delightful surprise! If your highnesswill permit me to advise, I will promise to persuade the duchess toleave this night, for you know, our enterprise cannot succeed except itbe by a very rapid move. "

"My wish also is to carry away my wife as soon as possible. "

"This hasty journey will unfortunately cause the duchess someinconveniences. "

"She will not think so, sir; it concerns following me, " saidCroustillac, with a triumphant manner. 

Monsieur de Chemerant and the adventurer reached the little gallerywhich gave entrance to the drawing room of Blue Beard. As we have said, this room was separated from the drawing room only by _portières_; athick Turkish carpet covered the floor. 

Monsieur de Chemerant and Croustillac approached the inner roomnoiselessly, when they suddenly heard peals of laughter. The chevalierrecognized the voice of Angela, and, seizing the hand of De Chemerant, he said in a low voice, "It is my wife--listen. "

"The duchess appears to me less overcome than your highness believed. "

"Perhaps, sir; there are sobs, you know, which in their violence havesomething of the sound of convulsive laughter. Do not move; I wish tosurprise her in the abandon of her grief, " said the Gascon, making asign to his companion to remain motionless and to keep silent. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE INTERVIEW. 

In order to explain the confidence of the Gascon, we must say that, having heard Mirette address him as master, he was fully persuaded thatBlue Beard was on her guard, and that Monmouth was securely hidden. Inspite of what the mulattress said, he was convinced, with reason, thatFather Griffen had informed Angela that her supposed husband would cometo see her. The situation was so grave that the priest, knowing all themysteries of Devil's Cliff, could not but have insisted on warning BlueBeard of the fresh peril which menaced her. 

If Mirette had stated that Father Griffen had not seen Blue Beard, itwas because it was in accord with her wishes that it should appear thathe had not communicated with the inhabitants of Devil's Cliff. 

This explains at once what will seem contradictory in Croustillac'sconduct, and will answer the question "if he wished to take advantage ofthe name he had assumed, to carry off Blue Beard, why had he warnedFather Griffen of his intention?"

Croustillac, having warned De Chemerant to be silent, advanced ontiptoe, to the half-drawn _portière_, and looked into the room, for thepeals of laughter still continued. He had scarcely cast a glance intothe room when he quickly turned toward De Chemerant; and with adistorted face and outraged manner said, "See and listen, sir! this isthe reward of surprises. I had a presentiment when I sent Father Griffenhere. By heavens! prudent husbands should be preceded by an escort ofcymbals to announce their return!"

In spite of these ironical words, the features of Croustillac wereconvulsed; his whole physiognomy expressed a singular mixture of sorrow, anger and hatred. 

Rapidly glancing into the room, De Chemerant, in spite of his assurance, lowered his eyes, colored, and for some moments remained perfectlyoverwhelmed with confusion. 

Let one judge of the spectacle which caused the confusion of DeChemerant, and the rage, not feigned but sincere, even cruel, ofCroustillac, who, as we have said, passionately loved Blue Beard, devoted himself generously for her, and was not in the secret of theprince's different disguises. 

Monmouth, in the disguise of the mulatto filibuster, Whirlwind, wasnegligently extended on a sofa; he was smoking a long pipe, the bowl ofwhich rested on a low stand. 

Angela, kneeling beside the latter, quickened the flame of the pipe witha long golden pin. 

"Good! that is all right, " said Monmouth, whom we will call Whirlwind, during this scene. "My pipe is lighted, now for something to drink. "

Angela placed on a table a large Bohemian glass and a crystal _carafe_, and, going over to the divan, while the filibuster puffed severalmouthfuls of tobacco, poured out a brimming glass of Muscatel wine andhanded it to him with a charmingly graceful air. 

The filibuster emptied it at a single draught, after which he kissed herroughly, saying, "Wine is good, and the woman is pretty; to the devilwith the husband!"

Hearing these very significant words, De Chemerant wished to retire. Croustillac took hold of him and said, in a low tone, "Remain, sir, remain, I desire to surprise, to confound them, the miserable wretches!"

The face of Croustillac clouded more and more. The warning which he hadgiven in begging Father Griffen to go and prepare Blue Beard that he wasabout to seek her, concealed a very praiseworthy and generous purpose, which we will explain later. 

The sight of the filibuster exciting the adventurer's jealousy into ragequickly changed his good intentions. He could not understand theaudacity of this young woman. He could not be blind to the evidence ofthese familiarities on the part of the mulatto whom he had not yetseen. He remembered those, no less shocking, of the Caribbean and thebuccaneer. He believed himself to be the dupe of a frightfully depravedcreature; he believed that Monmouth, her husband, no longer existed orno longer lived at Devil's Cliff; and if Angela had co-operated withhimself (Croustillac) in his strategy, it was in order to rid herself ofan awkward witness. 

Furious at being thus deceived and played with, deeply wounded in a truelove, Croustillac resolved to avenge himself without pity, and, thistime, to really abuse the power his assumed name and the situation whichhe assumed with such honorable motives had given him. He said to DeChemerant, in a stifled voice, but with an expression of concentratedwrath, which entered admirably into the spirit of his rôle, "Not a word, sir; I wish to hear all, because I wish to punish both without mercy. "

"But, your highness----"

An imperious gesture from Croustillac closed De Chemerant's mouth; bothof them gave an attentive ear to the conversation of Angela, and thefilibuster, who, we must say, knew perfectly that they were overheard. 

"At last, my beautiful child, " said Whirlwind, "you are free for a timeat least. "

"If not forever, " said Blue Beard, smiling. 

"Forever? what do you mean, you little demon, " returned the filibuster. 

Angela arose and seated herself near the mulatto. While talking to himshe passed her hand through his hair with a cajoling coquetry which putthe unhappy Croustillac beside himself. 

"Your highness, one word, and my men shall rid you of this scoundrel, "said De Chemerant, in an undertone, in pity for the Gascon. 

"I shall know well how to avenge myself, " said the adventurer sullenly, who no longer desired to prolong the scene; and so, turning to DeChemerant, continued, "Sir, leave me alone with these two wretches. "

"But, your highness, this man appears strong and robust. "

"Be easy, I will give a good account of him. "

"If you will listen to me, your highness, we will leave at once; youwill abandon to her remorse, a woman so unhappy as to thus forget herduty. "

"Leave her? No, my heavens! Willingly or otherwise, she shall followme--that will be my revenge. "

"If your highness will permit me a remark: After a disclosure soscandalous, the sight of the duchess can only be forever odious to you. Let us go; forget such a guilty spouse; glory shall console you. "

"Sir, I desire to speak to my wife, " said Croustillac impatiently. 

"But, your highness, this miserable----"

"Once more, am I a man without courage and without force, that such arascal should intimidate me? Some domestic scenes must be secret. Willyou await me in the next room? In a quarter of an hour I will be withyou. "

Croustillac said these words with an intonation so imperious, and withsuch an agonized manner, that De Chemerant bowed without persistingfurther. He went into a room the door of which the chevalier had opened, and which he immediately closed upon him. 

Crossing the drawing room with quick steps, the adventurer enteredsuddenly into the room where the mulatto and Blue Beard were. 

"Madame, " said the Gascon with sorrowful indignation, "your conduct isabominable. "

The mulatto, who was extended on the divan, arose quickly; he was aboutto speak; Angela with a glance begged him to do nothing. As much asMonmouth had generously desired to prevent the sacrifice of thechevalier when he believed this sacrifice disinterested, he was as muchresolved not to make himself known when he believed the adventurercapable of an unworthy betrayal. 

"Sir, " said Angela coldly, to the Gascon, "the French emissary may stilloverhear us; let us go into another room. "

She opened the door of Monmouth's own room, and entered, followed by thefilibuster and Croustillac. The door once closed, the adventurer cried:"I repeat that you have shamefully abused my trust in you. "

"I demand an explanation of your disloyal conduct, " said Angela proudly. "Explain yourself at once. "

During this scene, Monmouth, gravely preoccupied, walked up and down theroom with his arms folded, his eyes fixed on the carpet. 

"You desire that I explain myself, madame? Oh, that will not take long!First know that, right or wrong, I love you, " cried Croustillac, in aburst of tenderness and anger. 

"That is to say, that you have boasted to your fellow-travelers that youwould marry the rich widow of Devil's Cliff?"

"So be it, madame; on board the Unicorn my language was impertinent, mypretensions absurd, madame; covetous, I admit. But when I spoke thus, when I thought thus, I had not seen you. "

"The sight of me, sir, has not inspired you with ideas much morehonorable, " said Angela severely, still convinced that Croustillacwished to cruelly abuse the position in which he found himself. 

"Hear me, madame; I love you truly; that is to say, that I was capableof anything to prove to you my love, absurd and stupid as it appears toyou. Yes, I loved you, because my heart told me I did well to love you;because I felt myself better for loving you. You may laugh at this love;I was sufficiently repaid by the happiness it gave me. When you havesaid, 'Sir, I mock at you, I use you for a plaything, you are a poordevil, I have bestowed charity upon you, and you should be contenttherewith---- '"

"Sir!"

"When you have said all this, do not think that I was humiliated. No, that hurt me, hurt me much, but I quickly forgot this injury, when I sawthat you understood that, poor as I am, I could be touched by somethingelse than money. Then you said to me some kind words, you called me yourfriend--your friend! After this I would have thrown myself into the firefor you, and that for the sole pleasure of throwing myself into it, forI had nothing more to hope for from you; the time of my folly is past; Isee too clearly into my heart not to recognize that I was a kind ofmendicant buffoon; I can never have anything in common with a woman asbeautiful and as young as you. My only ambition--and this can offend noone--would have been to devote myself to you. But how to have suchhappiness? I, a vagabond, with nothing but my old sword, my old hat, andmy pink hose! Ah! well, by a chance which I at first blessed, ColonelRutler to-night mistook me for him they call your husband; this mistakemight be useful to you. Judge of my joy--I could save the man whom youso passionately loved. I should have preferred to save something else, but I had no time to choose. I risked all, including the everlastingdagger of the colonel. I augmented, by every means possible, his doublemistake. You came to my assistance; that is, you buried me in the mud upto the neck, by means of the bagatelles with which you loaded me. It isall the same--I go with all my heart; I am satisfied to do so, and Ileave this house without hope of ever seeing you again, with the gallowsor prison in prospect, not to count the everlasting dagger of theDutchman. Ah, well, in spite of all, I repeat, I was content: I said tomyself, I know not what awaits me, rope or dungeon; but I am sure BlueBeard will say, 'It is fortunate, very fortunate for us at least, thatthis eccentric Gascon came here. Poor devil! what has happened to him?'There! that was my ambition. But I did not ask even a regret, amemory--a memory, " said the Gascon, moved in spite of himself. 

"Sir, " said Angela, "as long as I believed you really generous, mygratitude did not fail you. "

These words increased the Gascon's wrath; he exclaimed, "Your gratitude, madame! Zounds! it is beautiful. But to proceed. We started from thisplace with the Belgian. In descending the hill we met the Frenchemissary. Rutler at once believed himself betrayed, and made a furiouslunge at me with his everlasting dagger. These are the fruits ofdevotion. If the blade had not broken, I should have been killed. Nothing is simpler; when one sacrifices oneself for others, it is hardlywith the expectation of being crowned with roses, or caressed by nymphsof the woods. Well, the dagger broke; one of the men throttled Rutler;I found myself face to face with the French emissary. I did not lose myhead. It was a matter touching you and the unhappy exile whom you lovedpassionately. I would rather it had been your father or your uncle, butI had no choice. Beside, the idea of being useful to two young andinteresting people threw my egotism into the background. The greater thecomplications the more my pride incited me to save you. I redoubled myaudacity and coolness. The great but honest falsehoods I have utteredfor you should absolve me from those which I have spoken for an unworthycause. The good God took up the cause; I was inspired to the greatestfalsehoods you can imagine; they were swallowed up as eagerly by theFrench envoy as if it had been manna from on high. I played my rôle withall my might. Monsieur De Chemerant told me in two words the object ofhis mission; an insurrection favored by the King of France was on footin England; if the Duke of Monmouth were to put himself at the head ofthe affair its success was assured. "

Monmouth made a movement and stealthily exchanged glances with Angela. 

The Gascon continued: "When I was on the way to an English prison withthe Belgian and his everlasting dagger I did not breathe a word. I waswell protected from any wish to return here. But when De Chemerantconfided to me a thing of possible advantage to the prince, I had noright to refuse it for him. I therefore accepted in his name all mannerof viceroyalties. But, if he really desired to take part in thisuprising, how was I to let him know? Monsieur De Chemerant desired toset sail at once. By what means could I return here with the envoy ofFrance without exposing the duke, who was ignorant of my last adventureand believed me still to be the Belgian's prisoner, thinking, doubtless, that he was secure here? An idea seized me. I said to De Chemerant, 'Things have changed their aspect; I desire to take my wife with me. Come, let us return to Devil's Cliff. ' Faith, it was the only way inwhich I could manage an interview with you, madame--of warning theprince of this proposal. If he accepted it, I would throw off theprince; if he refused, I would refuse as before, and he would be saved. "

"How, sir!" cried Angela. "Such was your generous intention? Youwould----"

"Oh, wait, madame, wait; do not think me either more stupid or moregenerous than I am, " said the Gascon bitterly. "I begged Father Griffento come and prepare you, madame, that I desired to take you with me. Chemerant heard me; I could say no more to the priest, but thissufficed. One of two things would result: either you would understandthe situation or you would believe me guilty of infamous intentions; ineither case, you would be on your guard, and the prince saved; for itwas my fixed idea----"

"So, sir, " cried Angela, looking at him with mingled surprise andgratitude, "you did not really intend to abuse----"

The Gascon interrupted her shortly. "No, madame, no. I had then no suchwicked intentions, though certain particulars of your life appear to meinexplicable. I believed you sincerely attached to an unhappy prince, and at any cost I would have saved the duke. "

"Ah! sir, how I have misjudged you? You are the most generous of men, "cried Angela. 

The adventurer burst into a sardonic laugh, which stupefied the youngwoman; then he continued with a somber air:

"Thank God, my eyes have been opened. I see now that generosity would bestupid, devotion foolish. I shall profit by this lesson. Polyphème deCroustillac rarely revenges himself, but when he does, he revengeshimself well; above all, when the vengeance is as charming as that whichawaits him. "

"You would be revenged, sir, " said Angela, "and on whom?"

"On whom, madame? You have the audacity to ask me that?"

"Why, certainly, what have I done; why this hatred?"

The adventurer stamped his foot so violently that the mulatto made astep toward him; but Croustillac curbed himself and said to Angelashortly, and with ironical bitterness, "Listen to me, madame. It seemsto me, that without being possessed of colossal pride, I deservedsomething, when for you I threw myself into the midst of the mostdangerous situations. It seems to me, madame, " continued the Gascon, whocould not contain his indignation, which increased in measure as hespoke, "It seems to me that it was not at the moment when, at the riskof my life, I was doing all I could to save the husband whom you love sopassionately, as they say, that it was not at such a time that youshould forget all modesty----"

"Sir!"

"Yes, madame, forget all modesty, all shame, by throwing yourself intothe arms of this miserable mulatto, and go to the depth of lighting hispipe. Truly, I was very stupid, " continued the Gascon with an increaseof rage. "In my devotion to you I risked my skin for the husband ofmadame! while madame, outrageously mocking her husband and me, abandonedherself to orgies with a lot of scamps. I am beside myself! My mother'sson does not merit having been born in my country and having played allmanner of pranks, as they say, in the capital of the world, if he cannotfind something, in his turn, to laugh at in this adventure. In a word, madame, " he said, sullenly, "you can believe me to entertain thewickedest intention in the world, and you will not overstep the reality, for I am now as much your enemy as I was your friend. As for the rest, Iam well pleased; nothing is more wearying than fine sentiments. I shouldhave resumed my shepherd songs and my morning sonnets. I shall take goodcare not to do so. I prefer the fashion in which I love you now, ratherthan heretofore, " said Croustillac, throwing a glittering look atAngela. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

REVELATIONS. 

The poor Gascon, carried away by anger and jealousy, appeared morefurious than he was in reality. Unhappily, the Duchess of Monmouth didnot know him well enough to understand the exaggeration of thisferocious appearance. 

Angela thought the adventurer seriously regretted having shown agenerous spirit; in doubting him she naturally hesitated to calm theGascon's jealousy by imparting the disguise of the duke; this avowalwould ruin everything if the chevalier was not faithful. It was, then, prudent to hold this in reserve. 

"Sir, " said Angela, "you deceive yourself; there is a certain mystery inmy conduct which I cannot yet explain to you. "

These words redoubled Croustillac's irritation; for the past three dayshe had been surrounded by mysteries; therefore he exclaimed, "I have hadenough mystery; I have had too many concerning yourself. I do not wishto be your dupe any longer, madame. I do not know what may await me; Ido not know how all this will end, but I _swear_ you shall follow me!"

"Sir!"

"Yes, madame, I have all the inconveniences of the rôle of yourwell-beloved husband; I will at least have its pleasures; as to thisunworthy scoundrel of a mulatto, who says nothing, but thinks evil andwould do it, I will deliver him over to De Chemerant, who will give me agood account of him. If it was not for soiling the sword of a gentlemanby dipping it in his slave blood, I myself would take this vengeance. "

Angela exchanged glances with Monmouth, whose imperturbabilityexasperated the Gascon. Both of them realized the necessity of calmingthe chevalier; his anger might prove dangerous; he must be quieted atonce, without betraying the secret of the prince's disguise. 

The young woman said to the adventurer, "All will be explained, sir; mygreatest, my only wrong toward you has been in doubting the generosityof your character, and the loyalty of your devotion. Father Griffen, although he answered for you, has been, like myself, deceived as to thereal motive of your intentions; we have believed, and we have been wrongin so believing, that you were capable of abusing the name which youhave taken. In order to escape a fresh danger with which you seemed tothreaten us, it became necessary to attempt a means, very uncertain, doubtless, but which might succeed. I could not escape--that would beonly to meet you. I gave the necessary orders, then, that you should beintroduced here with De Chemerant, hoping that you would surprise me, suddenly, and thus become a witness of the tender intimacy which linkedme with the captain----"

"How! did you arrange this agreeable scene for me?" cried the Gasconfuriously, "and you dare say it to my face? But this is the last degreeof degradation and shame, madame. And for what purpose, if you please, did you wish to prove to me the abominable intimacy which binds you tothis bandit?"

"To the end that it should be impossible for you to take me with you. Monsieur De Chemerant being a witness to my culpable intimacy withCaptain Whirlwind, you could not, you who are passing as the Duke ofMonmouth, take with you a woman, who, in the eyes of the French envoy, is as culpable as I would appear to him--as culpable as I am. "

"You acknowledge it, then, madame?"

"Yes, and again yes, sir! Do not be generous by halves; what does itmatter to you whom I love--a slave, as you say?"

"How, madame? What does it matter to me? have you then sworn to drive memad? And what does it serve that I play the part of your husband? Doeshe really exist? Is he here, and do you not avail yourself of themistakes of which I am a victim to get rid of me? Is he not alreadysafely at a distance, this husband of yours? This is enough to drive onemad!" cried the Gascon wildly. "I believe my head is turned; am I or amI not for the past two days the sport of an abominable nightmare? Whoare you? Where am I? Who am I? Am I Croustillac? Am I my lord? Am I theprince, am I a viceroy, or even a king? Have I had my throat cut or not?How is this to be explained? This thing must stop! If there _is_ a Dukeof Monmouth, where is he? Show him to me, " cried the unhappy adventurer, in a state of excitement impossible to describe, but easy to imagine. 

Angela, frightened and less ready than ever to tell the Gasconeverything, said hesitatingly, "Sir, certain mysteriouscircumstances----"

Croustillac did not give her time to go on, but cried, "Still moremysteries! I tell you I have had enough mystery. I do not believe mybrain is weaker than any other, but one hour more of this and I shall bea lunatic!"

"Sir, if you could understand----"

"Madame, I do not wish to understand, " cried the chevalier, stamping hisfoot in a rage. "It is just because I have wished to understand that myhead is almost turned. "

"Sir, " said Angela, "I beg you to be calm and reflect----"

"I do not wish to reflect nor to comprehend, " cried Croustillac, exasperated afresh. "Right or wrong, I have determined that youaccompany me, and you _shall_ accompany me. I do not know where yourhusband is and I do not wish to know; what I do know is that you havenot been obdurate either to Caribbeans, or buccaneers, or mulattoes;very well you shall not be obdurate to me. You see that clock--if infive minutes you do not consent to accompany me, I will tell DeChemerant everything, come of it what will. Decide, then; I shall speakno more; I shall be deaf, for my head will burst like a bombshell at theslightest word. "

Croustillac threw himself into a chair, put his hands over his ears inorder to hear nothing, and fixed his eyes on the clock. 

Monmouth had walked up and down the room incessantly; he, as well asAngela, was in terrible perplexity. 

"James, perhaps he is an honest man, " said Angela in a low tone, "buthis excitement terrifies me; see how wild his manner is. "

"We must risk confiding to his loyalty, otherwise he will speak. "

"But if he deceives us--if he tells all?"

"Angela! between two dangers we must choose the least. "

"Yes, if he consents to pass for you, you are saved, at least thistime. "

"But in this case I cannot leave him in the power of De Chemerant. "

"Oh! it is frightful!"

"Never will I consent to again plunge England into a civil war. I woulda thousand times prefer prison and death; but to leave you, my God!"

"What shall we do, James? What danger does this man run?"

"Immense! the possessor of such a state secret. "

"But then, I must lose you or follow him. Ah, what shall I do? Timepresses. "

After a moment's reflection, Monmouth said, "We must not hesitate. Tellhim everything. If he then consents to play my rôle for some hours, I amsafe, and will have the means to place him beyond the resentment of theFrench envoy. "

"James! if this man should be a traitor? Heavens! take care. "

At this moment the adventurer, seeing the hand of the clock reach thefifth minute, said to Angela, "Well, madame, what have you decided upon?Yes or no? For I am incapable of listening to or understanding anythingbeyond. Will you follow me or will you not? Speak. "

Monmouth approached him with a grave and imposing air. "I am going, sir, to give you a proof of the highest esteem and of----"

"Your esteem, scoundrel, " cried Croustillac indignantly, interruptingthe duke. "Is it, indeed, to me that you dare speak thus? Youresteem----"

"But, sir----"

"Not another word, " continued Croustillac, turning toward Angela. "Madame, will you follow me? Is it yes or no?"

"But listen----"

"Is it yes or no?" exclaimed he, walking toward the door; "answer, or Iwill call De Chemerant. "

"But by St. George!" cried Monmouth. 

The chevalier was about to open the door when the young woman seized himby the hands with such a beseeching air that he paused in spite ofhimself. 

"Yes, yes, I will go with you, " she said, in a frightened manner. 

"At last!" said the Gascon, "so be it. Take my arm and let us go; DeChemerant has waited a long time. "

"But just a moment--you must know all, " said the poor woman hastily. "The Caribbean is in reality the filibuster, or rather the buccaneer andthe Caribbean are----"

"Ah, there you go again; do you wish that I should retain my senses?"cried the Gascon, making a desperate effort and running toward the doorin order to call De Chemerant. 

The prince flung himself upon Croustillac, and, seizing his two wristsin one hand, placed the other over his mouth at the moment Croustillaccalled "Help, De Chemerant!" then he said, "I am the Duke of Monmouth!"

The prince thought the chevalier would understand everything the momenthe spoke, but in the exasperation which Croustillac felt, he only saw inthis statement a new artifice or a new provocation, and he redoubled hisefforts to escape. Though much less strong than the duke, the chevalierwas not without energy; he began to struggle violently, when Angela, terrified, ran and took up a flask, and, putting on her handkerchief adrop of the liquid, rubbed the hand of the prince, removing the stainupon it and showing the white skin. 

"Do you understand now, sir, that the three persons are one?" said theprince, releasing Croustillac and showing him his white hand. 

These words were a revelation to Croustillac, and he understood all. 

Unfortunately, at the moment when the prince took his hand from themouth of the Gascon, the latter had uttered the words, "Help! DeChemerant!"

The sound of the struggle had already attracted the attention of theFrench envoy, and, hearing the cry of Croustillac, he rushed into theroom, sword in hand. It would be impossible to depict the stupefaction, the fright of the three when De Chemerant appeared. The duke put hishand upon his sword. Angela fell back into a chair and hid her face inher hands. Croustillac looked about him with an agonized air, regrettinghis imprudence, but too late. 

Nevertheless, the adventurer's presence of mind returned to him littleby little; as it needs but a ray of the sun to dispel the thick mist, sothe moment that the good chevalier had the key to the three disguises ofthe prince, everything became clear to him. His mind, until then sosadly agitated, became calm; his unworthy doubt of Blue Beard ceased;there only remained his regret at having accused her, and the desire todevote himself to her and the prince. 

With wonderful quickness of invention (we are familiar enough with theGascon now to say with a marvelous facility for lying) Croustillacformed his plan of campaign against De Chemerant, who still, sword inhand, stood on the threshold and said for the second time, "What is it, your highness? what has happened? I thought I heard a cry and struggle, and an appeal for aid. "

"You were not deceived, sir, " said Croustillac gloomily. 

Monmouth and his wife experienced a terrible anxiety. They were ignorantof the Gascon's intentions; knowing Monmouth's secret, he was nowcompletely master of their fate. 

If Angela and her husband had had enough presence of mind to scrutinizeCroustillac's face, they would have seen a kind of triumphant andmalignant joy, which betrayed itself in spite of him in the menacingfrown of his forehead. 

Monsieur De Chemerant asked him a third time why he had called. 

"I called you, sir, " said the chevalier in a dismal voice, and with theair of coming out of a deep study, "I called you to my aid----"

"Was it this wretch? your highness, " said the envoy, pointing toMonmouth, who, standing with arms crossed, remained by the chair whereAngela had seated herself, ready to defend her and to sell his lifedearly, for, as we have said, he was ignorant of the adventurer'sintention. "Speak the word, your highness, " continued De Chemerant, "andI will hand him over to my guards. "

The Gascon shook his head, and answered, "I charge myself with this man;this is my affair. It is not against such a creature as this that Icalled you to my assistance, sir, it is against myself. "

"What do you say, your highness?"

"I mean that I was afraid that I would allow myself to be softened bythe tears of his woman, as dangerously hypocritical as she isaudaciously culpable. "

"Your highness, it often takes courage--much courage--to be just. "

"You are right, sir; that is why I feared my weakness. I called you inorder that the sight of you might keep alive my indignation and rekindlemy wrath, for you have been a witness of my dishonor, sir. So, tell methat if I pardon I would be a coward, that I should merit my fate. Is itnot so, sir?"

"Your highness----"

"I understand you--you are right--yes, by St. George!" Croustillacremembered having heard the prince use this oath; "by St. George, I willbe revenged. "

Angela and the duke breathed again. They understood that the chevalierwished to save them. 

"Your highness, " said De Chemerant severely, "I do not hesitate torepeat to your highness, before madame, what I had the honor to say toyou some short time ago, that an insurmountable barrier now separatesyou from a guilty spouse, " continued the envoy, with an effort, whileAngela hid her confusion by covering her face with her handkerchief. 

Croustillac raised his head, and cried in a heartbroken tone, "Deceivedby a mulatto; think of it, sir, a miserable mulatto, a mongrel, acopper-colored animal!"

"Your highness----"

"In a word, sir, " said Croustillac, turning toward the envoy with anindignant and sorrowful manner, "you know why I returned, what my planswere; what I would have placed upon the brow of madame. Ah, well, is itnot a frightful irony of fate that at this very moment a wife--acriminal----"

"Your highness, " cried De Chemerant, interrupting the Gascon, "atpresent these projects must be a secret from madame. "

"I know it; I know it! but then what a horrible surprise! I enter with aheart beating with joy, into the home circle, into my peaceful home, andwhat is it that I hear?"

"Your highness----"

"You have heard it as well as I. That is not all--what is it that Isee?"

"Your highness, calm yourself. "

"You have seen, as I have, a mulatto outlaw. But this shall not stophere, no, by St. George! Yes, I did well to call you. Now my angerboils; the most cruel plans crowd in upon my imagination. Yes, yes, thatis it;" said Croustillac, with a meditative air. "I have it at last! Ihave found a revenge fitting the offence!"

"Your highness, the contempt----"

"The contempt--that is very easy for you to say, sir, contempt. No, sir, there remains another thing; I have found something better, and youshall assist me. "

"Your highness, anything that depends upon my zeal, without prejudice tothe orders which I have received, and the success of my mission. "

"I renounce and cast off this unworthy woman. From this day, from thismoment, all is forever at an end between her and me. "

"Thank God!" cried De Chemerant, delighted with this resolve; "you couldnot act more wisely. "

"To-morrow at daybreak, " said the Gascon, in a curt tone, "she and herodious accomplice will embark on board of one of my vessels. "

CHAPTER XXVI. 

DEVOTION. 

"Yes, sir!" repeated the Gascon, "to-morrow my wife and this miserablewretch shall go aboard one of my vessels. That is all my vengeance, "continued he, dwelling on these words with savage irony. "Oh, I knowwhat I am doing. Yes, by heaven! She and her guilty accomplice, thosetwo, as if they were really husband and wife, the miserable wretches!shall embark together. As to the destination of the vessel, " said thechevalier, with a glance of such horrible ferocity that De Chemerant wasstruck by it, "as to the fate that awaits these guilty ones, I cannottell you, sir; that concerns no one but myself. "

Then, taking Angela roughly by the arm, Croustillac exclaimed, "Ah, youdesire a mulatto for a lover, duchess? very well, you shall have him. And you, scoundrel, you must have a white woman, a duchess? very wellyou shall have her. You shall never separate, tender lovers that youare, never again; but you do not know at what a terrible price you willbe reunited. "

"Your highness, what do you intend to do?"

"That is my affair; your responsibility will be at an end; the rest willtake place on neutral ground, " returned the Gascon with a smile at oncemysterious and ferocious; "yes, on a desert island; and since thistender couple love one another, love each other to death, there will betime for them to prove it--until death. "

"I understand you, your highness; I see perfectly; but that will beterrible, " said De Chemerant, who thought that Croustillac intended tostarve his wife and the mulatto. 

"Terrible! you have said it, sir. All that I ask of you, and as awitness of my injury you cannot refuse me, is to give me the necessaryassistance in order to conduct this guilty pair on board one of myships. I will, myself, place them with the captain and give him hisorders; orders which, perhaps he would not dare to obey if I did notgive them in person. "

Monsieur de Chemerant, in spite of his cunning, was duped by the seemingrage of Croustillac; he said to him respectfully, "Your highness, justice is severe, but should not be cruel. "

"What do you say, sir?" cried Croustillac proudly, "am I not the solejudge of the punishment due this guilty pair? Do you refuse me yourassistance when it only requires you to take this man and his accompliceon board a vessel belonging to me?"

"No, sir, but I would say to your highness that it would be, perhaps, more generous----"

Angela, seeing that she must no longer remain inactive, threw herself atthe feet of Croustillac, crying, "Have mercy!" while Monmouth seemed tobe wrapped in a deep and sad silence; then, addressing De Chemerant, theyoung woman continued, "Oh, sir, you seem to be sensible and good;intercede for me with my dear lord, that he condemn me to less cruelpain. I have merited it all, I will suffer all, but that my dearlord----"

"I forbid your calling me your 'dear lord, ' madame, " said Croustillac. "I am no longer your dear lord. "

"Ah well, your highness, do not send me on board the vessel of which youspeak. "

"And why not, madame?"

"My God! because that the brigantine is the Chameleon, commanded byCaptain Ralph; your highness, this man is cruel; he succeeded thefilibuster Whirlwind in this command. "

"And that is just why I have chosen the Chameleon, madame; it is justbecause Captain Ralph is the most cruel enemy of your unworthy lover, "said Croustillac, who understood perfectly Angela's meaning. 

"But, your highness, you know very well that this vessel will beanchored to-morrow morning very near here, almost at the foot of thecliff in the alligators' cave. "

"Yes, madame, I know it. "

"Oh, your highness, would you compel me to embark there when nothing inthe world would make me even approach its banks? My God! have youforgotten the frightful memories that this place is connected with in mymind?"

"Oh! the cunning creature, " thought Croustillac; "she wishes to say, what I did not know, that there is a vessel of hers called theChameleon, whose captain is devoted to her, and who will anchorto-morrow near here. I have it! This is just her own vessel she hadprepared hastily to furnish her and the duke a means of escape, when shesaw me carried off by Colonel Rutler; one of the negro fishermen wasdoubtless sent ahead to deliver her directions. "

The Gascon, after some little reflection, said aloud, "Yes, thosememories are terrible to you, I know it, madame. "

"Then, your highness, have you the heart----"

"Yes, yes, " cried the chevalier, in an explosion of rage, "yes, no pityfor the infamous creature who has so unworthily outraged me! All thebetter, my vengeance commences but the sooner. I will show you that youhave no pity to look for from me; you shall see!" He struck a bell. 

"What are you going to do, your highness. "

"Your faithful Mirette will come; you shall yourself give her the orderto send to Captain Ralph to prepare everything on board the Chameleon toset sail at daybreak. "

"Ah, your highness, it is barbarous to make me give the order, myself. "

"Obey, madame, obey. "

Mirette appeared. Angela gave the order in a broken voice. 

"I have obeyed you, and now your highness, in pity grant me a last favorin the name of our past love. "

"Oh, yes, by St. George!" cried Croustillac, "past? oh, past, decidedly. "

"Allow me one moment, your highness, the favor of an interview. "

"No, no, never!"

"Do not refuse me; do not be so pitiless?"

"Out of my sight, faithless woman!"

"My lord!" said Angela, clasping her hands. 

"Your highness, " said De Chemerant, "at the moment of quitting madameforever, do not refuse her this last consolation. "

"You also, De Chemerant, you also? and though you have been awitness?--Ah, well, I consent, madame, but upon one condition. "

"You have but to order. "

"That your paramour remain during our conversation. "

"Really, this is not so bad, I think, " said Croustillac to himself; "Ihope the duchess will understand me and at first refuse. "

"But, my dear lord, " said Angela; "the last interview that you grant meshould be between us alone. "

"Marvelous! oh, she comprehends a half word, " said Croustillac tohimself; then aloud, "And why, then, should our interview be private?Have you something you desire to hide from your best beloved--from thelover of your choice?"

"But if I desire to beg your forgiveness, sir?"

"You can do so before your accomplice. The more you accuse yourself, themore you depict your conduct as disloyal, infamous, unworthy, the moreyou affirm the lowness of your choice. This will be your punishment andthis scoundrel's also. "

"But, my lord?"

"That is my ultimatum, " replied Croustillac. 

"Do you not fear the despair of this man?" said De Chemerant in a lowtone. 

"No; traitors are always cowards. Behold this one--what a gloomy, downcast air. He does not dare as much as lift his eyes to me. In anycase, sir, send, I beg, some men of yours to the gallery outside, instructed to enter at my first signal. " Then, turning with an air ofreconsidering, and desiring to make a master stroke, Croustillac said, "In fact, if you will be present at this interview, Monsieur DeChemerant, the punishment of this guilty couple will be complete. "

"Oh, sir, in pity do not condemn me to such a depth of shame andhumiliation, " cried Angela, in despairing tones. "And you, sir, have thegenerosity not to consent to this, " she said to De Chemerant. 

Monsieur De Chemerant had the delicacy to excuse himself to the Gascon;he left the room, and left Monmouth, Angela, and the adventurertogether. 

The envoy had hardly left the room before Monmouth, after assuringhimself that he could not be overheard, held out his hand cordially toCroustillac, and said to him, feelingly, "Sir, you are a man of spirit, courage, and resolution; accept our thanks, and pardon us for havingsuspected you even for a moment. "

"Yes, yes, pardon our unjust suspicions, " said Angela, on her parttaking the Gascon's hand between her own. "We were so disturbed, andyour manner was so furious, so wild!"

"We all had reason, madame;" said the adventurer, "you had reason to bedisturbed, because my return was not very reassuring. I had reason to befurious, because I supposed the duke to be a bandit. As to my wildmanner, by heavens! it may be said without offense, you will acknowledgethat enough strange things have occurred during the last two days, and Imay be excused for being a little astounded. Fortunately, I recovered myself-possession when I saw I had been a fool and had risked everything. "

"Brave and excellent man, " said Monmouth. 

"Bravery is in the blood of the Croustillacs, sir; as to beingexcellent, I do not know about that; if such be the case, it is not myfault; it is your wife's work, who has aroused in me the desire to bebetter that I really am. Ah, well, prince, time is precious; everythingis in train to raise a county of England in your favor; Louis the XIV. Will support this insurrection. There is offered you the viceroyship ofIreland and Scotland, and all kinds of other favors. "

"Never will I consent to profit by these offers. Civil wars have cost metoo dear, " cried Monmouth; "and"--looking at Angela, "I no longer haveambitions. "

"Your highness! reflect well! If your heart counsels remove the bronzecolor from your face, and say to De Chemerant that reasons known only toyourself obliged you to guard your secret until now. You will prove tohim who you are; I will return your duchy to you, and ask yourpermission to go and fight at your side in Cornwall, or elsewhere, inorder to serve you, as they say, as a living armor. I am sure this willplease the duchess. "

"And we have suspected him, " said Angela, looking at her husband. 

"He must forgive us, " said the duke. "Men like him are so rare that itis not unnatural to doubt them when one encounters them. "

"Hold on, my lord, you embarrass me. Let us speak of other matters. Doyou, or do you not, accept the viceroyship? After that, do not think Ishall press you to speak in order to relieve me from your rôle; itpleases me, it amuses me. I have become quite accustomed to it. Nevertheless, it will be somewhat unpleasant to no longer hear myselfaddressed as 'my lord duke, ' to say nothing of my laughing in my sleevewhen I think of all the absurdities which I have made that good DeChemerant, with his important air, swallow. If I persist, your highness, in praying that you resume your rank, as it seems they are terribly inneed of you in England in order to secure the happiness of the people ingeneral and that of Cornwall in particular; you must know that betterthan I do----"

"Ah! I know only too well the vain pretexts that one offers toambition. "

"But, your highness, all appears to be perfectly prepared. The frigatewhich has brought the good De Chemerant is filled with arms andammunition; there is in it enough to arm and revolutionize all theCornishmen in the world; moreover, you can count on a dozen of yourpartisans. "

"Of my partisans! and where, then?" cried Monmouth. 

"On board Chemerant's frigate. These brave men are waiting for me, thatis to say, waiting for you, your highness, with great impatience. Thereis above all a madman named Mortimer, whom De Chemerant had thegreatest difficulty in the world to keep on board, so much was hepossessed with the desire to embrace me--I would say embrace you, for Iconfound us all the time. "

Angela, seeing the troubled manner of her husband, said to him, "My God!what ails you?"

"I can no longer hesitate, " replied Monmouth, "I must tell De Chemerantthe whole truth. "

"Heavens, James! what are you saying?"

"You wish to be viceroy, your highness?" interposed Croustillac. 

"No, sir, I desire to prevent your ruining yourself on my account. Mygratitude will be no less lasting for the service that you wished to dome. "

"How, your highness? Is it not, then, to become viceroy that you woulddispossess me of my principality?"

"My partisans are on board the frigate; if I should accept your generousoffer, sir, to-morrow you would be known--lost. "

"But, your highness----"

"Except for this circumstance which, I repeat, would cause yourdiscovery in a moment, I would, perhaps, have excepted your generousdevotion, the mistake of De Chemerant might have continued for a fewdays, and I could have put you beyond the reach of his resentment; butto accept your offer, sir, knowing the presence of my friends on boardthe frigate, would be to expose you to certain danger. I can neverconsent to do that. "

"Your highness forgets that it means perpetual imprisonment for you ifyou do not place yourself at the head of this movement?"

"It is because it means for me the escape from a danger that I do notchoose to sacrifice you, sir. When I learned that you were takenprisoner by Rutler I was going to rush to your assistance in order torelease you. "

"My God, James! think of the prison! of eternal confinement! but it isnot possible! and what will become of me, if I should be forbidden toaccompany you? No, no! you will not reject the sacrifice which thisgenerous man offers to make!"

"Angela!" said the duke, in a tone of reproach; "Angela! and thisgenerous man, shall we abandon him shamefully when he is devoted tous--to escape imprisonment, shall we condemn him to an eternalcaptivity?"

"Him?"

"Doubtless! is he not the possessor of a state secret? Will not DeChemerant be furious at seeing himself tricked. I tell you, he cannotescape prison when the trick shall be discovered. "

"Confound it! my duke, attend to your own affairs!" cried Croustillac, "and do not take the bread out of my mouth, as they say. Prisoner ofstate! that disgusts you, but do you not know that that would be anassured retreat for me, a refuge for my old days? To be frank, the lifeof an adventurer palls upon me; there must be an end to it. I would havesomething more sure; judge, then, if that would not suit me? Prisoner ofstate! can I not secure that? I beg of you not to take from me the lastresource of my old age; do not destroy my future. "

"Listen to me, you brave and worthy man, " responded Monmouth, affectionately pressing his hand. "I am not deceived by your ingeniouspretenses. "

"Your highness, I swear----"

"Listen, I beg of you; when you have heard me you will no longer besurprised at my refusal. You will see that I cannot accept your generousoffer without being doubly culpable. You will understand the sadmemories, not to say remorse, that your devoted offer and the presentchain of circumstances awake in me. And you, Angela, my dearly beloved, you shall at last learn a secret that until this present moment I havehidden from you; it needed circumstances as grave as these in which I amnow placed to force me to make this sad revelation. "

CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE MARTYR. 

"James! James! what are you saying? you terrify me!" exclaimed Angela, as she witnessed the duke's emotion. 

"You know, " said the duke to Croustillac, "in consequence of whatpolitical events I was arrested and confined to the Tower of London in1685?"

"You will excuse me, your highness, if I know not a word of it; I am asignorant as a fish of contemporaneous history, which, be it said inpassing, and without boasting, rendered my part outrageously difficultto play; for I was always afraid I should make some ridiculousstatement, and thus compromise, not my reputation as a scholar--I am nopriest--but your fortune which I so imprudently assumed. "

"Very well then, " said the duke; "after the death of my father; when theDuke of York, my uncle, ascended the throne under the title of JamesII. , I entered into a conspiracy against him. I shall not seek tojustify my conduct; years of reflection have made things clear to me. Iknow now that I was as culpable as I was insane; the young Duke ofArgyle was the soul in this plot. All this was carried on under the veryeyes of the Prince of Orange, then a stadtholder, now King of England. Argyle knew my views of the Protestant action, my ambition, myresentment against James II. ; he had no trouble in associating me withhis plans. At once, owing to my name and influence, I was at the head ofthe conspiracy. I had news from England which only waited my presencethere to overthrow the throne of the papist king to proclaim me king inhis place. I departed from the Texel with three vessels transportingsoldiers whom I had recruited. Argyle, having preceded me in Scotland, had paid with his head for the audacity of his attempt. I landed inEngland at the head of a number of devoted partisans. I realized thenhow greatly I had been deceived. Three or four thousand men at the mostjoined the handful of brave men who were pledged to my cause, and amongothers were Mortimer, Rothsay and Dudley. The son of Monck, the youngDuke of Albemarle, advanced against me at the head of a royal army; andI, desiring to bring fortune to the point, made a decisive move. Iattacked the enemy at Sedgemore, near Bridgewater; I was beaten in spiteof the prodigies of valor shown by my little army, and, above all, by mycavalry, commanded by the brave Lord George Sidney. " In pronouncing thisname, the voice of the prince failed him, and deep emotion was depictedupon his face. 

"George Sidney! my second father! my benefactor!" cried Angela. "It wasin fighting for you he was killed! it was at that battle, then, that hewas killed? This is the secret you have hidden from me?"

The duke bent his head, and after a few minutes' silence, said, "Youwill know all, very soon, child! Our rout was complete. I wandered offat hazard; my head had a price upon it. I was seized the day after thisfatal defeat and conducted to the Tower of London. My case was tried. Convicted of high treason, I was condemned to death. "

"Oh, " cried Angela, throwing herself into the duke's arms; "you deceivedme; I believed you to be only exiled. "

"Be calm, Angela; yet I have hidden this from you, as much that youshould not be troubled as--. " Then, after a moment's hesitation, Monmouth continued, "you shall know all; it requires much courage tomake this revelation. "

"Why? What have you to fear?" said Angela. 

"Alas! poor child, when you have heard me, perhaps you will regard mewith horror!"

"You, James? do you believe that I can ever do that?"

"Well, " said Monmouth, "whatever the result, I must speak, at the risk, perhaps, of separating us forever. "

"Never, never!" cried Angela despairingly. 

"Zounds! I will sooner throw De Chemerant from these cliffs at the leastpretense, " cried Croustillac. "And, as for that, with your slaves, wecould furnish him a fine escort. But I think--will you try this method?How many slaves can you arm, sir?"

"You forget that De Chemerant's escort is considerable; the negrofishermen have gone--there are not more than four or five men here. Violent means are impossible. Providence doubtless wills that I shallexpiate a great crime. I will be resigned. "

"A crime, James? guilty of a great crime? I will never believe it!"cried Angela. 

"If my crime was involuntary, it was none the less horrible. Angela, itis now my duty to tell you what I owe to Sidney, your noble relative whotook such care of you in your infancy, poor orphan! While you werereceiving your education in France, where he had himself taken you, Sidney, whom I had seen in Holland, attached himself to my fortunes; asingular similarity of tastes, of principles and thoughts, had drawn ustogether; but he was so proud that I was obliged to make the advances. How happy I was at having first pressed his hand! Never was there aliving soul as beautiful as Sidney's. Never was there a nobler characteror a more generous and ardent heart! Dreaming of the happiness of thepeople, deceived as I was myself as to the true end of my plans, hebelieved that he was serving the holy cause of humanity, when he was inreality only serving the fatal ambition of a man! While the conspiracywas organizing, he was my most active emissary and my most intimateconfidant. To describe to you, my child, the profound, blind attachmentof Sidney for myself would be impossible; one affection only struggledin his heart with that which he had vowed to me; it was his tendernessfor you--you, his distant relative of whom he had assumed the care. Oh!how he cherished you! Through all the agitations, and the perils of hislife as a soldier and conspirator, he always found some moments in whichto visit his Angela. There were ever tears in his eyes when he spoke tome of you. Yes, this man, of intrepid courage and indomitable energy, wept like a child in speaking of your tender grace, the qualities ofyour heart, and your sad and studious youth, poor little abandoned one, for you had no one in the world but Sidney. On that fatal day atBridgewater he commanded my cavalry. After prodigies of valor, he wasleft for dead on the battlefield; as for me, carried away in a rush offlying troops, grievously wounded, it was impossible for me to findhim. "

"Was not that the day when he died?" said Angela, wiping her eyes. 

"Listen, Angela; oh, you do not know how these sad memories break myheart!"

"And ours also, " said Croustillac. "Brave Sidney! I do not know what itis that tells me that he did not die that day at Bridgewater, and thatwe shall hear of him again. "

Monmouth trembled, remained silent a moment, and then continued: "I musthave courage. I will tell you all. Sidney was left for dead on thebattlefield; I was arrested, condemned to death, and my execution fixedfor the 15th of July, 1685. When they told me I was to be executed thefollowing day, I was alone in my prison. 

"In the midst of the terrible thoughts to which I was a prey duringthose dreadful hours that preceded the moment of my execution, I swearto you, Angela, before the God that hears me, if I had any sweet andconsoling thoughts to calm me, they were those I gave to Sidney, inrecalling the beautiful days of our friendship. I believed him dead andI said, 'In a few hours I shall be united to him forever. ' All at oncethe door of my cell opened and Sidney appeared!"

"Zounds! so much the better! I was sure he was not dead, " exclaimedCroustillac. 

"No, he was not dead, " replied the duke with a sigh. "Would to God hehad died as a soldier on the field of battle. "

Angela and Croustillac looked at Monmouth in astonishment. He continued:"At the sight of Sidney I believed myself the dupe of a fancy conjuredup by my extreme agitation; but I soon felt his tears on my cheek, andmyself pressed within his arms. 'Saved! you are saved!' he said, through his tears. 'Saved?' said I, gazing at him stupidly. 'Saved, yes;listen to me, ' said he, and this was what he told me: My uncle the kingcould not openly show me mercy; policy forbade; but he did not wish hisbrother's son to perish on the scaffold. Informed by one of hiscourtiers who was, notwithstanding, one of my friends, of theresemblance between Sidney and myself, a resemblance which so struck youthe first time you saw me, " said Monmouth to Angela, "King James hadsecretly provided Sidney with means to get into my prison. This devotedfriend was to assume my clothes, and I to put on his, and go out of theTower by means of this strategy. The next day, learning of my escape andthe devotion of Sidney remaining prisoner in my stead, the king wouldput him at liberty and give orders to seek me out; but these orderswould only be in appearance. He favored, secretly, my departure forFrance. I was only to write to the king and give him my word to neverreturn to England. "

"Ah, well, " said Angela, interested to the last degree by this recital;"you accepted Sidney's offer, and he remained a prisoner in your stead?"

"Alas! yes, I accepted it, for all that Sidney said to me seemed soprobable; his presence at that hour in the prison, in spite of thesevere watch to which I was subjected, made me believe that anall-powerful will aided mysteriously in my flight. "

"It was not so, then?" cried Angela. 

"Nothing could be more naturally arranged, it seems to me, " saidCroustillac. 

"In effect, " said Monmouth, smiling bitterly, "nothing was morenaturally arranged; it was only too easy for Sidney to persuade me, toturn aside my objections. "

"And what objections could you make?" said Angela. "What was thereastonishing in that King James, not wishing to shed your blood on thescaffold, should connive at your escape?"

"And how could Sidney succeed in getting into the prison, sir, withoutthe assistance of some powerful influence?" said the adventurer. 

"Oh, is it not so?" said the duke with sad satisfaction, "was it notthat all that Sidney said to me might seem probable, possible? Was I notjustified in believing him?"

"Undoubtedly, " said Angela. 

"Was it not, " continued Monmouth, "was it not possible to put faith inhis words without being misled by the fear of death, without beinginfluenced by a cowardly, horrible egotism? And still, I swear to you, Idid not agree to what Sidney said to me. Before accepting life andliberty which he came to offer me in the name of my uncle, I askedmyself what would happen to my friend if James did not keep his promise?I said to myself that the greatest punishment that could befall a manwho was an accomplice in aiding another to escape, was imprisonment inturn; thus, admitting this hypothesis, once free, although compelled tohide myself, I had sufficient resources at my disposal not to quitEngland before having, in my turn, liberated Sidney. What more can I sayto you? The instinct of life, the fear of death, doubtless obscured myjudgment, troubled my discernment. I accepted, for I believed everythingSidney said to me. Alas! why was I so insane?"

"Insane? Faith, you would have been insane had you not accepted!" criedCroustillac. 

"Who, indeed, would have hesitated in your place?" added Angela. 

"No, no, I tell you that I should not have accepted; my heart, if not myhead, should have revolted at this deceptive thought. But what did Iknow. A strange fatality, perhaps a frightful egotism, pushed me on. Iaccepted. I pressed Sidney in my arms, I took his clothes, and I said tohim, 'To-morrow!' with the conviction that I should see him thefollowing day. I left my cell; the jailer escorted me to the gate;thanks to my resemblance to Sidney, he noticed nothing wrong, and led mein haste by a secret road as far as a door of the Tower. I was free! Iforgot to tell you that Sidney had informed me of a house in the citywhere I could wait for him safely, for he would return, he said, to methe following day, in order to plan our departure. At last I found, atthis house in the city, the precious stones I had confided to Sidney onmy departure from Holland, the value of which was enormous. Wrapped upin his mantle, a mantle which you wear to-day, and which has remainedsacred to me, I directed my steps toward the city. I rapped at the door;an old woman opened it, and leading me into a secluded chamber, she gaveinto my hands the iron casket, the key of which Sidney had handed me. Ifound there my precious stones. Broken with fatigue, for the sleeplesshours I had passed were frightful, I fell into a slumber. For the firsttime since my sentence to death, I sought sleep without saying to myselfthat the scaffold awaited me on my awakening. When I arose the followingday it was broad daylight; a bright sun penetrated between my curtains. I raised them; the sky was clear; it was a radiant summer day. Oh! Ifelt such rapturous joy and such inexpressible happiness. I had seen myopen tomb, and I still lived. I breathed the air in every pore. Seizedwith gratitude, I threw myself upon my knees, and blessed God, the king, and Sidney. I waited to see this dear friend from one moment to another. I did not doubt, no, I could not doubt, the king's clemency. All at onceI heard in the distance the criers announcing important events; itseemed to me that I heard my name. I thought it was an illusion, but, infact, it was my name. Oh, then, a frightful presentiment seized me; myhair stood on end. I remained on my knees. I listened with my heartbeating violently; the voices came nearer; I still heard my name mingledwith other words. A ray of joy, as foolish as my presentiment had beenhorrible, changed my terror into hope. Madman! I believed they werecrying the details of the _escape of the Duke of Monmouth_. In myimpatience, I descended to the street; I bought the account; I mountedagain with palpitating heart, holding the paper in my hands. "

Saying these words, Monmouth became frightfully pale, and could hardlysupport himself. A cold perspiration bathed his forehead. 

"Well?" cried Angela and Croustillac, who experienced a piercing agony. 

"Ah, " cried the duke despairingly, "it was the details of the _executionof the Duke of Monmouth_. "[B]

"And Sidney?" cried Angela. 

"Sidney had died for me, died a martyr to friendship. His blood, hisnoble blood, had been shed upon the scaffold instead of mine. Now, Angela, you see, unhappy child, why I have always hidden this terriblesecret. "

At these words the duke fell back on the sofa, hiding his face in hishands. Angela threw herself at his feet, sobbing bitterly. 

 {[B] Hume says: "After his execution, his partisans held to the hope of yet seeing him at their head; they flattered themselves that the prisoner who had been beheaded was not the Duke of Monmouth, but one of his friends, who resembled him greatly, and who had had the courage to die in his stead. "

 Sainte-Foix, in a letter on the Iron Mask (Amsterdam, 1768), says: "It is true that the report spread through London that an officer of Monmouth's army who greatly resembled the duke, having been taken prisoner, and knowing death to be inevitable, received a proposition to represent the duke with as much joy as if life had been offered him; and hearing this, that a great lady, having bribed those who could open his coffin, and having looked at the form, cried, 'Ah, that is not the Duke of Monmouth. '" Furthermore, Sainte-Foix, who sought to prove that the Iron Mask was no other than the Duke of Monmouth, cited a passage of another English work by Pyms, in which he says: "Count Landy sent to seek Colonel Skelton, who was the ex-lieutenant of the Tower, and whom the Prince of Orange had dismissed to give the place to Lord Lucas. " "Skelton, " said Count Landy to him the previous evening, in dining with Robert Johnston, "you say that the Duke of Monmouth is living and imprisoned in an English castle?" "I cannot vouch for this, because I do not really know, " said Skelton, "but I affirm that the night after the pretended execution of the Duke of Monmouth, the king, accompanied by three men, came himself to the tower and carried the duke away. "

 Sainte-Foix cites still another conversation with Father Tournemine, saying, "The Duchess of Portsmouth said to Father Tournemine and to the confessor of King James that she always imputed to that prince the execution of the Duke of Monmouth, because Charles II. , at the moment of his death and when about to receive the last communion, had made King James (then Duke of York) promise on the Host, which Huldeston, a Catholic priest, secretly carried, that whatever revolt the Duke of Monmouth might attempt he (James) would never punish him with death; so King James did not put him to death, " said Father Sanders. 

 We will not multiply citations. We only desire to establish that the foundation of this story is not merely a romantic fiction, and that if it is not based upon a historic certainty, it is at least based upon a likely supposition. }

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE DUKE RELATES THE SACRIFICE TO WHICH HE OWES HIS LIFE. 

The chevalier, profoundly moved by the recital of Monmouth, furtivelybrushed aside his tears, and said, "I understand now what that animalRutler, with his everlasting dagger, meant by speaking to me of myexecution. "

"Angela, Angela, my child, " exclaimed the duke, lifting his noblecountenance bathed in tears, and pressing the young woman to his heart, "how can you ever forgive me the murder of Sidney, my friend, mybrother, your only relative, your only protector. "

"Alas! have you not replaced him to me, James? I have bewailed hisdeath, believing him killed on the field of battle. Do you believe thatmy regrets will be greater, now that I know that he sacrificed his lifefor you--that he did what I would gladly do for you, James, my lover, myhusband!"

"Angela! best beloved guardian angel of my life!" cried the duke; "yourwords cannot assuage the violence of my remorse, but at least you knowwhat religious gratitude I have always had for Sidney, this holy martyrto friendship. What more can I tell you? I passed two days in a statebordering on madness; when I returned to myself I found a letter ofSidney's. He had arranged that I should not receive it until the eveningof the day on which he died for me. He explained his pious falsehood; hehad not seen King James. "

"He had not seen him!" exclaimed Angela. 

"No; all that he had said to me was false. So you can understand that Ihad reason to forever curse the culpable facility with which I hadallowed myself to be persuaded. Meanwhile he had died for me; the fablewhich I had believed in now seemed monstrous folly. No, he had not seenthe king! From the depository of my precious stones, he had subtractedwherewith to procure a sum sufficient to gain over one of the officersof the Tower, whom he besought to allow him to see me for the last time. Was this officer in league with Sidney as to the substitution of someone who desired to save me? or was he deceived by the resemblance tosuch an extent that he suspected nothing. I do not know. The followingday, when they went to seek Sidney, he followed the hangman, but herefused to speak for fear his voice would be recognized. The sacrificewas accomplished, " said Monmouth, wiping his tears away, which had notceased to fall during his recital. "I quitted London secretly and wentto France under a false name, in order to seek you, Angela. Sidney hadgiven me full power to take her away from the persons to whom he hadconfided her, " said the duke, addressing Croustillac. "Struck by herbeauty, her candor, and her other adorable traits, I, believing myselfworthy and able to fulfill the last wishes of Sidney in making hisadopted child happy, married this angel. We started for the Spanishcolonies, where I believed we would be safe. We took the greatestprecautions not to be recognized. By chance I encountered an Englishcaptain at Cuba whom I had seen at Amsterdam. I believed myselfdiscovered. We left. After a journey of some months, we establishedourselves here. In order to divert suspicion, to watch over my wife, andnot wishing to be condemned to an imprisonment which would have beenfatal to me, I assumed, by turns, the disguises which you are aware of, and I could, with impunity, traverse the island. Thanks to my preciousstones, we were able to purchase a number of small vessels, through thegood offices of Master Morris, a man of great probity, who knew, withoutbeing in the secret, what to think of the pretended widowhoods of mywife. Not only our commercial vessels increased little by little ourfortune, which we shall bequeath to our children, but they afford usalways a means of flight. The Chameleon was built for this very purpose, and I have sometimes commanded in the guise of a filibuster, andencountered a Spanish pirate, much to the fright of Angela. We wereliving here very happily, almost peacefully, when I learned that theChevalier de Crussol, whose life I had once saved, had become thegovernor of the island. Although he was a man of honor, I feared to tellhim who I was. My first idea was to quit Martinique with my wife; but Ithen learned of the declaration of war from France to England, Spain andHolland, and that certain rumors began to circulate in England as to themiraculous manner in which I had been saved. My partisans werebestirring themselves, it was said. I could expect no justice fromWilliam of Orange, and believed myself safer in this colony thananywhere else. I remained, therefore, in spite of the presence of DeCrussol, but redoubled my precautions. The pretended widowhoods of mywife, the frequent visits of the filibuster, the Caribbean, and thebuccaneer, furnished a collection of facts so incomprehensible that itwas impossible to distinguish the truth, which was in our favor. Wewere, however, much troubled. 

"Monsieur de Crussol, curious to know the strange woman of whom suchdifferent tales were related, came to Devil's Cliff. Fate ordained thatI should be there, also, in the disguise of the buccaneer. I could notavoid meeting the governor, whom we were far from expecting. In spite ofthe thick beard which disguised my features, De Crussol had preservedtoo clear a remembrance of me not to recognize me; but, in order toassure himself of the truth, he said to me abruptly, 'You are not whatyou appear. ' Fearing that all would be disclosed to Angela, who knewthat I was a fugitive, but who was ignorant of the dangers to which Iwould be exposed if my existence was known, I said to De Crussol, 'Inmemory of a past service, I ask silence, but I will tell you all;' and Idid not hide anything from him. He swore on his honor to keep my secretand do everything in his power to prevent our being disturbed. He kepthis promise, but in dying----"

"He told Father Griffen everything from scruples of conscience, " saidCroustillac. 

"How do you know that?" said the duke. 

Croustillac then told Monmouth how the mystery of Devil's Cliff had beenrevealed to the confessor of King James, and how Father Griffen hadunintentionally betrayed him. 

"Now, chevalier, " said Monmouth, "you know at the price of what anadmirable sacrifice I owe this life which I have sworn to consecrate toAngela. I have related to you the frightful remorse which the devotionof Sidney causes me. You understand, I hope, that I cannot expose myselfto new and cruel regrets by causing your destruction. "

"Ah, you think, your highness, that what you have told me will take fromme any desire to devote my life to you? Zounds! you are greatlymistaken. "

"How?" exclaimed the duke, "you persist?"

"I persist? I persist more than ever, if you please, and for a verysimple reason. Hold, sir! why should I hide it from you? A short timesince it was more for the sake of the duchess that I wished to serveyou, than for interest in you; this is no offense to you, for I did notknow you; but now, that I see what you are; now, that I see how youregret your friends, and how gratefully you remember them, and what theydo for you, your wife may be a real Blue Beard, she may be the devil inperson, she may be in love with all the buccaneers and the cannibals ofthe Antilles, but I will do for you all that I would have done for theduchess, sir. "

"But, chevalier----"

"But, your highness, all I can say to you is that you have inspired mewith the desire to be a second Sidney to you; that is all. Zounds! it isvery simple; one never inspires such devotion unless one merits it. "

"I wish to believe you, chevalier, but a person is unworthy suchdevotion when he accepts it willingly. "

"Zounds, sir; without offense, I must say you are as pig-headed in yourgenerosity as that Flemish bear was insupportable with his everlastingdagger. Come, let us reason together. What you most desire, is it not, is to save me from prison?"

"Doubtless. "

"Now I do not think you are very anxious to abandon the duchess. Well, by telling De Chemerant who you are, would you save me? I am not much ofa lawyer but it seems to me that that is the question, is it not, madame?"

"He is right, my love, " said Angela, looking at her husbandbeseechingly. 

"To proceed, " said Croustillac proudly. "Now, you say to this goodChemerant, 'Sir, I am the Duke of Monmouth, and the chevalier here isonly a scapegoat. ' So be it; so far all goes well. But at this stage thegood Chemerant will reply, 'Your highness, do you or do you not consentto head this insurrection in England?"

"Never! never!" cried the duke. 

"Very well, your highness, now I know what insurrection has cost you. Now I have the honor of knowing the duchess; like you I say, 'Never!'only what will the good Chemerant say to this? The good Chemerant willsay, 'You are my prisoner, ' is it not so?"

"Unhappily it is very likely, " said Monmouth. 

"Alas! it is only too true!" said Angela. 

"'As to this rascal, this schemer, ' the good Chemerant will continue, addressing himself to me, " said Croustillac, "'as to this imposter, thissharper, as he has impudently imposed upon me, so that I confided to hima half-dozen secrets of state, each more important than the other, particularly as to how the confessors of the great kings have played thegame of the poisoned shoulder-knot with their penitents, he shall betreated as he deserved. ' Now the said Chemerant, so much the morefurious that I had caused him to make such a fool of himself, will nothandle me very gently, and I may consider myself very lucky if he leavesme to perish in a dungeon, instead of hanging me quickly (seeing hisfull power), which would be another method of reducing me veryeffectually to silence. "

"Oh! do not speak so, the idea is frightful, " cried Angela. 

"You see well, then, generous madman, the imminent danger to which youare exposed, " said the duke to him tenderly. 

"Now, your highness, " said the Gascon with imperturbable calm, "as Isaid a short time ago, to madame, as I believed her madly in love with acertain fellow of leathern tint, it is clear that one does not devoteoneself to people to the sole end of being crowned with roses andcaressed by sylvan nymphs. It is the danger that constitutes thesacrifice. But that is not the question. In delivering yourself up asprisoner to the good Chemerant, do you in any way spare me prison orscaffold, sir?"

"But, chevalier----"

"But, sir, I shall pursue you constantly with this argument _ad hominum_(that is all my Latin), as the Belgian pursued me with his everlastingdagger. "

"You deceive yourself, my worthy and brave chevalier, in believing thatyour situation is so desperate, when I shall have delivered myself up toChemerant. "

"Prove it to me, your highness. "

"Without insisting too much upon my rank and my position, they are suchthat one would be always obliged to account for with me. So, when I sayto De Chemerant, that it is my desire that you be not punished for atrait which does you honor, I do not doubt that De Chemerant will beeager to please me and put you at liberty. "

"Your highness, allow me to say that you are entirely mistaken. "

"But what more could he ask? Should I not be in his power? What wouldyour capture amount to to him?"

"Your highness, you have been a statesman; you have been a conspirator;you are a great nobleman, consequently you must know men; you reason, pardon my bluntness, as if you did not know them at all, or rather, yourgenerous desires in my behalf blind you. "

"No, indeed, sir----"

"Listen to me, your highness. You concede, do you not, that the newsthat comes from England, and the part Louis XIV. Has taken in thisconspiracy, prove the importance of Chemerant's mission?"

"Without doubt. "

"You will, therefore, concede, your highness, that Chemerant relies uponthe success of this mission for his good fortune?"

"That is true. "

"Well, your highness, by refusing to take part in this insurrection, you leave Chemerant only the part of a jailer; your capture cannot makea success of the enterprise in which these two kings have so lively aninterest. Then, believe me, you will cut a very sorry figure askingclemency of Chemerant, above all, at a time when he will be furious atseeing his hopes destroyed; above all, when he knows that the man inwhose favor you intercede has made him see numberless stars at fullnoon. Believe me, then, your highness, by accepting all Chemerant'spropositions, by seconding the plans of these two kings, you couldscarcely hope to secure my pardon. "

"James! what he says is full of wisdom, " said Angela. "I would notcounsel you to be cowardly or egotistical, but he is right, you cannotdeny it. "

The duke bent his head without answering. 

"I indeed believe I am right, " said Croustillac. "I am wrong oftenenough once, by chance, to have common sense. "

"But, for the love of heaven, at least look things in the face, if Iaccept, " said the duke, taking both hands of Croustillac in his own. "You must conduct me and my wife on board the Chameleon; we will hoistsail and will be saved. "

"All right, your highness, that is how I like to hear you speak!"

"Yes, we shall be saved, but you, unhappy man, you will return on thefrigate with Chemerant, and when you are brought face to face with myfriends, your ruse will be discovered and you will be lost!"

"Zounds! sir, how you go on! Without offending you, you then look uponme as a pitiful fellow; you deprive me of all imagination, of allingenuity. If I am not mistaken, it is some distance to the Cayman'sCreek, at Fort Royal?"

"About three leagues, " said the duke. 

"Very well, your highness, in this country three leagues are threehours, and in three hours a man like myself has at least six chances ofescaping. I have long legs and strong as a stag's. The companion ofRend-your-Soul has taught me how to walk, " replied the Gascon, smilingwith a malicious air. "Now I swear to you that it will make the goodChemerant's escort take some pretty lively strides to keep up with me. "

"And you desire that I should allow you to stake your life on a chanceas doubtful as that of an escape, when thirty soldiers, used to thecountry, would instantly be on your track?" said the duke. "Never!"

"And you desire, your highness, that I place my life, my salvation on achance as uncertain as the clemency of the good Chemerant?"

"At least I should not sacrifice you to a certainty, and the chances areequal, " said the duke. 

"Equal!" cried the adventurer indignantly. "Equal, your highness? Do youdare compare yourself with me? Who am I? and what purpose do I servehere below if not to carry an old sword at my side, and to live here andthere according to the whims of humankind? I am nothing, I do nothing, Ihave nothing to care for. To whom is my life of any use? Who interestshimself about me? Who even knows if Polyphème de Croustillac exists ornot?"

"Chevalier, you are not right, and----"

"Zounds! your highness, you belong to the duchess, the adopted child ofSidney. If he died for you, it is the least you can do to live for herwhom he loved as his own child! If you reduce her to despair, she maydie of grief, and you will have two victims instead of one to lament. "

"But once more, chevalier----"

"But!" cried Croustillac, with a significant glance at Angela, andbeginning to talk loudly enough to deafen one, thus drowning the voiceof the duke, "But you are a miserable wretch! an insolent fellow! tospeak so to me! Help! help! come to my assistance!"

Then Croustillac said rapidly, and in a low tone, to the duke, "Youforce me to do this, your highness, for I have no alternative. " And theadventurer began to shout at the top of his lungs. 

The duke, paralyzed with surprise, remained motionless and looked at himin stupefaction. 

At the cry of the Gascon, six men, forming a portion of the escort, which De Chemerant had stationed as sentinels in the gallery by therequest of Croustillac, rushed into the room. 

"Gag this rascal! gag him instantly!" cried Croustillac, who trembled atthe fear that Chemerant might enter at this juncture. 

The soldiers obeyed the chevalier's order; they threw themselves uponthe duke, who cried, as he struggled with them, "I am the prince; I amMonmouth. "

Happily, these dangerous words were stifled by the loud cries of thechevalier, who, from the beginning of this scene, pretended to be a preyto the greatest anger, and stamped his foot with rage. 

One of the soldiers, with the aid of his scarf, succeeded in gagging theduke, who was thus prevented from speaking. 

Chemerant, attracted by the noise, entered quickly. He found Angela paleand greatly agitated. While she understood the reason of this struggle, she could not help being deeply moved. 

"What has he done, then? your highness, " cried Chemerant. 

"That miserable wretch made such abominably insolent propositions to methat, in spite of my contempt for him, I was obliged to have himgagged. "

"Your highness, you were right; but I foresaw that this miserable wretchwould break his ominous silence!"

"This scene, however, " cried Croustillac, "was not without its use. Iwas still hesitating, yes, I avow it, I was weak enough to. Now the dieis cast; the guilty ones shall suffer for their crime. Let us start atonce for the Cayman's Cove; I have sent my orders to Captain Ralph; Ishall not be content until I have seen them embark, under my own eyes;then we will return to Fort Royal. "

"Do you really wish to be present at this sad scene, your highness?"

"Do I wish to? I would not give up that precious moment for the throneof England! I shall go to the vessel, and see these two criminals setsail for their destination where the breath of my vengeance will takethem!"

"It is final, then, that you insist upon this?" said De Chemerant, stillhesitating. 

"It is final, " returned Croustillac, in a most imposing and threateningvoice, all in admirable accord with the part he played; "I expect to beobeyed when my orders are just. Make all preparations for the departure, I beg of you; if this miserable wretch does not choose to walk, he shallbe carried; but above all, see that he is securely gagged, for if heshould offer any further insolence I do not desire to hear it at anyprice. "

One of the soldiers assured himself that the gag was securely tied;taking the duke, they tied his hands behind his back, and marched himoff under guard. 

"Are you ready, De Chemerant?" said Croustillac. 

"Yes, your highness, I have only to give some orders to my men. "

"Go, then, I will await you; I also have some orders to give. "

The governor saluted and withdrew. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE DEPARTURE. 

Angela and the chevalier were alone. 

"Saved! saved by you!" cried Angela. 

"I would have wished to use different means, madame, but, withoutreproach to the duke, he is as obstinate as I am. It was impossible todo differently. There only remain a few moments now in which we may act. Chemerant will return; let us think of what is most pressing. Yourdiamonds--where are they? Go quickly and get them, madame. Take themwith you. Once all is discovered, beware of confiscation. "

"The stones are there, in a secret box, in the duke's apartment. "

"Go quickly and get them. I will ring for Mirette to get you someclothing. "

"Generous friend! But you! Oh God!"

"Be quiet; when I have no longer need to protect you, I will look outfor myself. But quick! get your diamonds. Chemerant will be hereshortly; I will ring for Mirette. " The chevalier touched the bell. 

Angela disappeared through the door leading to the duke's privateapartments. 

Mirette appeared. 

"She is very pretty, this little duchess, " mused Croustillac to himself, "very pretty. Oh, this time I am struck to the heart, I know it only toowell. I shall never forget her. This is love; yes, this is true love. Happily this danger will distract me, or these emotions would make medizzy. Ah! there she comes!"

Angela entered carrying a small box. "We have always kept these stonesin reserve, in case we should be suddenly compelled to fly, " said she toCroustillac. "Our fortune is a thousand times assured. Alas! why is itthat you----"

The young woman paused, fearing to offend the Gascon; then she continuedsadly, with tears in her eyes, "You must have thought me very ignoble, did you not, in accepting without hesitation your noble sacrifice? Butyou will be kind and indulgent. It was necessary in order to save theone who is the dearest object in the world to me--the man for whom Iwould give my own life a thousand times over. But wait, this isfrightful egotism, to speak to you thus, to you whom I owe everything, and who are going, perhaps, to death for me. I am mad! Forgive me. "

"Not another word on this subject, madame, I beg of you. Here is theduke's sword, it was his father's; here also is this little box whichhis mother gave him. These are precious relics; put them all in thislarge basket. "

"Good and generous man!" exclaimed Angela, who was deeply moved; "youthink of everything!"

Croustillac made no reply; he turned his head away in order that theduchess should not see the great tears rolling down his cheeks. Heextended his large, bony hands to the duchess, and said, in a stifledvoice, "Adieu, forever adieu! You will forget that I am a poor devil ofa fellow and you will remember me sometimes as----"

"As our best friend, as our brother, " said Angela, bursting into tears. 

Then she took from her pocket a small medallion containing her cipher, and said to Croustillac, "See what I returned to the house to seek thisevening. I desired to offer you this token of our friendship; it was inbringing it to you that I overheard your conversation with ColonelRutler. Accept it, it will be a double souvenir of our friendship and ofyour generosity. "

"Give it to me! oh, give it to me!" cried the Gascon, and then, pressingit to his lips, he said, "I am more than paid for what I have done foryou, for the duke----"

"We are not ingrates. As soon as the duke is safe, we shall not leaveyou in the power of Chemerant, and----"

"Here is Mirette; let us resume our rôle, " cried Croustillac, interrupting the duchess. 

Mirette entered, followed by the slave, carrying in her handCroustillac's old sword; a soldier bore the basket containing theclothes. 

Angela placed the box of diamonds and Monmouth's sword in the basket. 

Chemerant entered the room, saying, "Your highness, all is inreadiness. "

"Offer madame your arm, if you please, " said the chevalier to Chemerant, with a gloomy manner. 

Angela appeared struck with a sudden thought and said to the chevalier, "Sir, I wish to say something, privately, to Father Griffen. Do yourefuse me this last petition?"

"Just now, your highness, the good Father, hearing the noise, came toask if he might speak to madame. "

"He is here!" cried Angela, "God be praised!"

"Let him enter, " said the Gascon gloomily. 

Chemerant bowed and the guard withdrew. 

Father Griffen entered. He was grave and sad. 

"My Father, " said Angela, "can you give me some moments' interview?"

So saying, she entered a room near by, followed by the priest. 

"Your highness, " said Chemerant, showing a paper to the Gascon, "here isa letter which was found on the person of Colonel Rutler; it leaves nodoubts as to the plots of William of Orange against your highness. Rutler will be shot upon our arrival at Fort Royal. "

"We will speak of that later, sir, but I lean toward clemency in thecolonel's case--not through weakness, but from policy. I will explain toyou another time my reasons for this. "

The little bay in which the Chameleon lay at anchor was not very farfrom the residence of Blue Beard. When the escort arrived there thehorizon was tinged with the first rays of the rising sun. The Chameleonwas a brigantine, light and swift as a kingfisher, riding gracefully onthe waves, at her mooring. Not far from the Chameleon was seen one ofthe coast guards who traversed in his rounds the only point ofCabesterre which was accessible. 

The launch of the Chameleon, commanded by Captain Ralph's first mate, waited at the landing; in it were four sailors seated, with oars raised, ready to row at the first signal. 

The Gascon's heart beat as if it would burst. At the moment of attainingthe price of his sacrifice, he trembled lest an unlooked-for accidentshould upset the fragile scaffolding of so many stratagems. 

The litter in which Monmouth was shut up arrived on the bank, and wasquickly followed by that containing Angela. 

The soldiers ranged themselves along the landing. The Gascon said toAngela, in an agitated tone, "Go on board ship, madame, with youraccomplice; this package (and he put into the hands of the mate a paper)will inform Captain Ralph of my final orders. Meanwhile, " said thechevalier all at once, "wait--I have an idea!"

Chemerant and Angela gazed at Croustillac with surprise. 

The adventurer believed he had discovered a means of saving the duke, and of himself escaping from Chemerant; he had no doubt of theresolution and devotion of the five sailors in the boat; he thought ofprecipitating himself with Angela and Monmouth into the boat andordering the sailors to make all speed over the waves in order to jointhe Chameleon, and to set sail with speed. The soldiers, though thirtyin number, would be so surprised by this sudden flight that successwould be possible. A new incident upset this project of the chevalier. 

A voice which, though distant, was very powerful, cried, "In the name ofthe king, stop; allow no one to embark!"

Croustillac turned suddenly toward the direction from which the voicecame, and he saw a marine officer who was coming out of a redoubterected near Cayman's Cove. 

"In the name of the king, allow no one to embark, " came the voice again. 

"Be easy, lieutenant, " responded a subordinate, who until then had notbeen perceived, for he was hidden by the piles of the wharf, "I willnot allow the tender to leave without your orders. "

"That is well, Thomas, and beside, " replied the officer, firing a shotfrom his gun as a signal, "the coastguard will not permit the brigantineto sail. "

It would be impossible to paint the frightful agony of the actors inthis scene. Croustillac saw that his plan for flight was out of thequestion, because the slightest signal from the coastguard would preventthe departure of the Chameleon. 

The officer who had just appeared stopped in front of Croustillac andChemerant, and said to them, "In the name of the king, I order you totell me who you are and where you are going, gentlemen; by thegovernor's orders no one can sail from here without a permit from him. 

"Sir, " said Chemerant, "the soldiers who are with me are part of thegovernor's guard; you see, I am acting by his consent. "

"An escort, sir! you have an escort!" said the astonished officer. 

"There, near the mole, sir, " said Croustillac. 

"Oh, that is another matter, sir; the light was so feeble that I had notnoticed the soldiers. I hope you will pardon me, sir. "

This man, who seemed extremely talkative, approached the governor'sguard, examined them a moment, and said with excessive volubility, "Myorders are simply to prevent persons going toward the wharf, just nowthe Chameleon, and a fine vessel she is, belonging to Blue Beard, andwhich has bravely run down a Spanish pirate--came last night to themooring. "

"Sir, I beg you to silence this insupportable babbler, " said thechevalier to Chemerant, "you must see how painful this scene is to me. "

"You see, sir, " said Chemerant to the lieutenant of marines, "thepersons who are going to embark, do so under my personal responsibility. I am Chemerant, commissioner extraordinary to the king, and am furnishedwith full powers. "

"Sir, " said the lieutenant, "it is unnecessary to cite your authority;this escort is sufficient guarantee, and----"

"Then, sir, remove the order. "

"Nothing is easier, sir; the order being now useless, it is useless tomaintain it. " "Thomas, " cried this irrepressible talker to hissubordinate, "you know the order that I gave you?"

"Which, lieutenant?"

"How! brainless one!"

"Sir, my time is valuable, I must return shortly to Fort Royal, " saidChemerant. 

The lieutenant continued, recklessly, "How! you have forgotten the orderI gave you?"

"The last one? no, lieutenant. "

"No, lieutenant! well, repeat it, then; let us hear the order. " Then, addressing Chemerant, he said to him, while pointing to his soldier, "Hehasn't the memory of a gosling! I am not sorry to give him this lessonbefore you, it will profit him. "

"Confound it! I am not here to assist in educating your functionaries, "said Chemerant. 

"Well, Thomas, this order?"

"Lieutenant, it was to let no one embark on the vessel. "

"Very well, that is all right; now I remove the embargo. "

"Go on board at once, madame, " said Croustillac, unable to moderate hisimpatience. 

Angela cast a last look at him. 

The duke made a despairing effort to break his fetters, but he wasquickly carried off to the tender by the soldiers. 

At a sign from Blue Beard, the sailors dipped their oars into the seaand headed for the Chameleon. 

"Are you satisfied now, your highness, " said Chemerant. 

"No, no; not yet, sir. I shall not be content until I see the vessel setsail, " replied the Gascon in a changed voice. 

"The prince is implacable in his hate, " thought Chemerant; "he tremblesstill with rage, although his revenge is assured. "

All at once the sky was irradiated by the rays of the sun which mademore somber still the line of azure which the sea formed on the horizon;the sun rose majestically, pouring torrents of red upon the water, therocks, and the bay. 

At this instant the Chameleon, which had been joined by the small boat, flung to the breeze its white sails, and began to draw in its cable, bywhich it was attached to the mooring. The brigantine, with a gracefulmovement, began to tack; during a few seconds it completely hid the diskof the sun, and appeared enveloped in a brilliant aureole. Then theswift vessel, turning its prow toward Cayman's Cove, began to maketoward the open sea. 

Croustillac remained motionless in sorrowful reverie, with his eyesfixed upon the vessel, which was carrying away the woman whom he sosuddenly and so madly loved. 

The adventurer, thanks to his keen sight, could perceive a whitehandkerchief which was waved from the stern of the vessel. It was thelast farewell of Blue Beard. 

Shortly the breeze freshened. The little vessel, with swift movement, bent under her sails, and went so rapidly that it was, little by little, lost in the midst of the warm mist of the morning. Then it entered intoa zone of torrid light which the sun threw on the waves. 

For some time Croustillac could not follow the Chameleon with his eyes;when he saw her again, the brigantine drew nearer and nearer to thehorizon, appearing but a speck in space. Then, doubling the last pointof the island, she disappeared all at once. 

When the poor chevalier could no longer see the vessel, he experienced aprofound sorrow. His heart seemed as empty and as solitary as the ocean. 

"Now, sir, " said Chemerant, "let us go and find the friends who areawaiting you so impatiently. In an hour we will be on board thefrigate. "

PART IV. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

REGRETS. 

As long as Croustillac contemplated his sacrifice; as long as he hadbeen exalted by its dangers and upheld by the presence of Angela andMonmouth; he had not realized the cruel consequences of his devotion;but when he was alone, his thoughts became very painful. Not that hefeared the danger which menaced him, but he felt keenly the absence ofAngela, for whom he had braved everything. Under the eye of Angela, hehad gayly faced the greatest peril; but he would never see her again. This was the real reason of his gloomy dejection. 

With arms crossed upon his breast, bowed head, fixed gaze and sombermanner, the adventurer remained silent and motionless. Twice DeChemerant addressed him: "Your highness, it is time to go. "

Croustillac did not hear him. Chemerant, realizing the uselessness ofwords, touched him lightly on the arm, repeating louder, "Your highness, there still remain more than four leagues to travel before arriving atFort Royal. "

"Zounds! sir; what do you want?" cried the Gascon, turning impatientlytoward De Chemerant. 

The face of the latter expressed so much surprise at hearing the manwhom he believed to be the Duke of Monmouth give vent to such a peculiarexclamation, that the Gascon realized the imprudence of which he hadbeen guilty. He quickly recovered his usual coolness, looked at DeChemerant in an abstracted manner; then, as if he had awakened from aprofound meditation, he said, in a short tone, "Very well, sir, let usgo. " Again mounting his horse, the Gascon took the road to Fort Royal, still followed by the escort and accompanied by De Chemerant. 

Croustillac was not a man, in spite of his chagrin, to entirely despairof the present. Chemerant, recovering from his surprise, attributed thesomber taciturnity of the Gascon to the painful thoughts which thecriminal conduct of the Duchess of Monmouth must cause him; while theadventurer, summing up the chances of escape which remained to him, analyzed the state of his heart, reasoning as follows: "Blue Beard (Ishall always call her that--it was thus I heard her name for the firsttime, when I thought of her without knowing her), Blue Beard isgone--forever gone; I shall never see her again, never, never, it isevident. It will be impossible to escape from the memory of her. It isabsurd, stupid, not to be imagined, but so it is--this proves it thatthis little woman has completely subjugated me. I was gay, careless andloquacious as a bird on the bough, but little scrupulous as to delicacy, and now behold me, sad, morose, taciturn, and of a delicacy soinordinate that I had a horrible fear lest Blue Beard should offer me, in parting, some remuneration other than the medallion from which shehad the generosity to remove the jewels. Alas! from this time forth, this memory will be all my happiness--sad happiness! What a change! I, who heretofore cared so much the more for bravery of attire since I wasbadly clothed; I, who would have found such happiness in wearing thisvelvet coat garnished with rich gold buttons--I wish for the moment tocome when I can don my old green garments and my pink hose, proud to say'I leave this Potosi, this Devil's Cliff, this diamond mine, as much ofa beggar as when I entered into it. ' Is it not, my faith, very plainthat before knowing Blue Beard, I had never in my life had suchthoughts? Now, what remains for me to hope?" said Croustillac, adopting, as was his wont, the interrogative form to make what he called his"examination of conscience. "

"Now, then, be frank, Polyphème, do you care much for life?

"Eh! eh!

"What say you to being hanged?

"H--m, h--m. 

"Come, now, frankly?

"Frankly? well, the gallows, strictly speaking, might please me if BlueBeard was there to see me hanged. And yet, no, it is an ignoble death, aridiculous death; one's tongue hangs out, one kicks about----

"Polyphème, you are afraid--of being hanged?

"No, faith! but hanged all alone, hanged by myself, hanged like a maddog, hanged without two beautiful eyes looking at you, without a prettymouth smiling at you----

"Polyphème, you are a stupid oaf; do you believe that Her Grace theDuchess of Monmouth would come to applaud your last dance? Once more, Polyphème, you are tricking, you seek all sorts of evasions. You areafraid of being hanged, I tell you. "

"So be it--yes, I am afraid of the gallows, I own it; let us speak nomore of it. Put aside these probabilities, do not admit into our futurethis exaggerated fear. Zounds! one is not hanged for so little, whilethe prison is possible, not to say probable. Let us talk, then, of theprison. 

"Well, how does the prison seem to you, Polyphème?

"Eh! eh! the prison is devilishly monotonous. I know well that I shouldhave the resource of thinking of Blue Beard, but I shall think of her somuch, I shall think of her even better in the peaceful solitude of thewoods, in the calm of the paternal valley. The paternal valley! yes, decidedly, it is there that I would prefer to finish my days, dreamingof Blue Beard. Only, shall I ever find it again, this paternal valley?Alas! the mists of our Gavonne are so thick that I shall wander long, without doubt, before I find this dear valley again. 

"Polyphème, you purposely wander from the subject; you wish to escapethe prison as well as the gallows, in spite of your philosophicalbombast. 

"Well, yes, zounds! I do want to escape both; to whom should I avow itif not to myself? Who will comprehend me if not I, myself?

"That admitted, Polyphème, how will you evade the fate that threatensyou?

"Just at present this road is hardly favorable for escape, I know; rockson the right hand, on the left the sea, in front of and behind me theescort. My horse is not bad; if it was better than that of the goodChemerant, I might make a trial of swiftness with him. 

"And then, Polyphème?

"And then I would leave good Chemerant on the road. 

"And then?

"And then, abandoning my horse, I would conceal myself in some cavern; Iwould climb the rocks; I have long legs and muscles of steel. 

"But, Polyphème, you will be sure to find the maroons. You, who are notaccustomed as they are to a nomadic life, you will be easily found bythem, at least if you are not devoured by wildcats or killed byserpents. Such are your only two chances of escaping the efforts theywill make to catch you again. 

"Yes, but at least I have some chance of escape, while in following thegood Chemerant, as the sheep follows the butcher who leads it to theslaughter-house, I fall full into the hands of my partisans. Mortimerwill fall on my neck, not to embrace me, but to strangle me, when hesees who I am, or rather, whom I am not; while in attempting to escape Imay succeed, and, who knows? perhaps rejoin Blue Beard. Father Griffenis devoted to her; through him I shall learn where she is, if he knows. 

"But, Polyphème, you are mad! You love this woman without a ray of hope. She is passionately in love with her husband; and, although people havecomplacently taken you for him, he is as handsome, as much of a 'grandseigneur, ' as interesting, as you are ugly, ridiculous, andinsignificant, although of ancient race, Polyphème. 

"Eh? Zounds! what does it matter? In again beholding Blue Beard I shallnot be happy, that is true, but I shall be content. Cannot one enjoy abeautiful sight, an admirable picture, a magnificent poem, an enchantingpiece of music, although this sight, this picture, this poem, thismusic, are not one's own? Well, such will be the kind of my content inthe presence of the divine Blue Beard. 

"A last observation, Polyphème. Your rhapsody, happy or not, will it notawaken the suspicions of De Chemerant? Will you not thus compromise thesafety of those whom you have, I must avow, very skillfully rescued?

"There is nothing to fear on that side. The Chameleon flies like analbatross--she is already the devil knows where. She will put to theirwits' ends all the coastguards of the islands to know where she is. Thus, then, I see no inconvenience in trying whether my horse goesfaster than that of the good Chemerant. The good man seems to me plungedin meditation just now; the strand is good and straight. If I shouldstart----

"Come, then, try--start, Polyphème!"

Scarcely had the adventurer mentally given himself this permission, when, giving some touches of his spur to the horse, he set off suddenlywith great rapidity. 

Chemerant, surprised for a moment, gazed after the flying Croustillac;then, not comprehending this strange action on the part of the supposedduke, he started in pursuit. 

Chemerant had been in many wars, and was an excellent rider. His horse, without being superior to that of Croustillac, being much better managedand trained, immediately regained the distance the adventurer hadcovered. Chemerant closely followed the track of Croustillac, crying, "My lord, my lord, where are you going?"

Croustillac, seeing himself so closely pursued, urged his horse forwardwith all his force. 

Very soon the adventurer was obliged to stop short; the strand formed anelbow in this place, and the Gascon found himself face to face withenormous blocks of rock leaving only a narrow and dangerous passage. 

Chemerant rejoined his companion. "By all the furies! my lord, " hecried, "what gnat has bitten your highness? Why this sudden and furiousgallop?"

The Gascon responded, coolly and boldly, "I am in great haste, sir, torejoin my partisans--this poor Mortimer especially, who awaits me withsuch lively impatience. And then, in spite of me, I am besieged withcertain vexatious ideas concerning my wife, and I wish to fly from them, these ideas, to fly from them by any means, " said the Gascon, with adolorous sigh. 

"It appears to me, my lord, that morally and physically you fly fromthem with all your might; unfortunately the road forbids your escapingthem any further. "

Chemerant called the guide. "At what distance are we from Fort Royal?"he asked him. 

"A league at most, sir. "

Chemerant pulled out his watch and said to Croustillac, "if the wind isgood at eleven o'clock, we might be under sail and _en route_ for thecoast of Cornwall, where glory awaits you, my lord. "

"I hope so, sir, without which it would be absurd in me to go there. Butapropos of our enterprise, it seems to be a bad beginning to inaugurateit with a murder. "

"What do you mean, your highness?"

"I should see with pain the shooting of Colonel Rutler. I amsuperstitious, sir; this death seems to me a bad omen. The crime was oneentirely personal to me; I then formally demand from you his pardon. "

"Your highness, his crime was flagrant, and----"

"But, sir, the crime has not been committed. I insist that the colonelshall not be shot. "

"He should, at least your highness, expiate by perpetual imprisonmenthis audacious attempt. "

"In prison? so be it; one can get out of it, thank God! or at least, onecan hope so, which shortens the time infinitely. Beside, the colonelmight noise abroad my approaching descent into Cornwall, which would betruly disastrous. "

"What you desire in this case shall be done, your highness?"

"Another thing, sir. I am superstitious, as I have told you. I haveremarked in my life certain lucky and unlucky days. Now, for nothing inthis world would I choose to begin an enterprise so important as oursunder the influence of an hour which I believe to be fatal to me. Beside, I am much fatigued; you ought to be able to understand that, inthinking of the emotions of all kinds which have beset me sinceyesterday. "

"What, then, are your designs, your highness?"

"They will perhaps not agree with yours, but I will credit you withdoing what I desire, which is not to set sail before to-morrow morningat sunrise. "

"Your highness!"

"I know, sir, what you are going to say to me, but twenty-four hours, more or less, are not of much consequence, and, finally, I have decidednot to put my foot on board to-day. I should bring upon you the mostdireful fate; I should draw upon your frigate all the tempests of thetropics. I will, then, pass the day with the governor, in absoluteretirement. I have need of being alone, " added Croustillac, in amelancholy tone; "alone, yes, always alone, and I ought to begin myapprenticeship to solitude. "

"Solitude? But, my lord, you will not find it among the agitations whichawait you. "

"Ah! sir, " responded Croustillac philosophically, "the unfortunate findssolitude even in the midst of the crowd, when he isolates himself in hisregrets. A wife whom I loved so much!" added he, with a profound sigh. 

"Ah! your highness, " said De Chemerant, sighing in order to put himselfin sympathy with Croustillac, "it is terrible; but time heals thedeepest wounds. "

"You are right, sir, time heals the deepest wounds. I will have courage. Well rested, well recovered from my fatigue and my cruel agitations, to-morrow I will console myself, I will forget all in embracing mypartisans. "

"Ah! your highness, to-morrow will be a blessed day for all. "

The position of the supposed duke demanded too much consideration fromDe Chemerant for him not to give in to the suggestions of his companion;he acquiesced, then, though with regret, in the will of Croustillac. 

The Gascon, in postponing the hour in which his deception should bediscovered, hoped to find a chance to escape. He remembered that BlueBeard had said to him, "We will not be ungrateful; once the duke is insafety, we will not leave you in the power of De Chemerant; only seek togain time. "

Although Croustillac did not count much on the promise of his friends, knowing all the difficulties which they would have to brave and toconquer before they could succor him, he wished in any case not tosacrifice this chance of safety, however uncertain it should be. 

Thus, as the guide had informed them, they arrived at Fort Royal at theend of an hour's march. 

The residence of the governor was situated at the extremity of the city, on the edge of the savannahs; it was easy to reach it withoutencountering any one. 

Chemerant sent one of the guards in all haste to warn the governor ofthe arrival of his two guests. 

The baron had replaced his long peruke, and resumed his heavy, tight-fitting coat, in order to receive De Chemerant and the supposedduke. He regarded the latter with eager curiosity, and was extremelypuzzled by the black velvet coat with the red sleeve. But, rememberingthat De Chemerant had spoken to him of a state secret in which theinhabitants of Devil's Cliff found themselves mixed up, he did not dareto meet Croustillac without profound deference. 

The governor, profiting by a moment during which the adventurer cast amelancholy glance at the window, striving to see whether it would servehis purpose, said in a low tone to De Chemerant, "I expected to see alady, sir. This litter that you brought with you----"

"Well, baron, you unfortunately counted without your hostess. "

"You must have been much heated by this morning sun, " added the baronwith a careless air, although he was piqued by De Chemerant's answer. 

"Very much heated, sir, and your guest also. You should offer him somerefreshment. "

"I have thought of that, sir, " replied the baron, "and have orderedthree covers laid. "

"I do not know, baron, whether my lord (indicating Croustillac) willdeign to admit us to his table. "

The governor, stupefied with surprise, regarded Croustillac with a newand burning curiosity. "But, sir, is this, then, a great personage?"

"Baron, I am again under the necessity of reminding you that it is mymission to ask questions of you and not----"

"Sufficient, sufficient, sir. Will you ask the guest whom I have thehonor to receive if he will do me the favor to accept this breakfast?"

Chemerant transmitted the invitation of the baron to Croustillac, who, pretending fatigue, asked to breakfast alone in his apartment. 

Chemerant whispered a few words in the ear of the governor, whoimmediately offered his finest apartment to the supposed greatpersonage. 

Croustillac prayed the baron to have the pannier, of which one of thetwo guards had taken charge, and which, as we know, contained onlyCroustillac's old garments, brought to his room. 

Chemerant was in the room of the Gascon when the pannier was brought in. 

"Who would think, to look at this modest pannier, that it contained morethan three millions' worth of jewels?" said Croustillac negligently. 

"What imprudence! your highness!" cried De Chemerant. "These guards aretrusty, but----"

"They are ignorant of the treasure they carry; there is, then, nothingto fear. "

"Your highness, I ought to tell you that it is not the intention of theking that you should use your personal resources in order to bring thisenterprise to a successful end. The purser of the frigate has aconsiderable sum destined to the payment of the recruits who areembarked, and for necessary expenses, once the debarkation isaccomplished. "

"It does not matter, " said Croustillac. "Money is the sinew of war. Ihad not foreseen this disposition of the 'great king, ' and I wish to putat the service of my royal uncle that which remains to me of blood, fortune and influence. "

After this sounding peroration, De Chemerant went out. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

CROUSTILLAC DEPARTS. 

Croustillac seated himself at the table which had been prepared for him, ate but little, and then lay down, hoping that sleep would calm him andperhaps bring to him some fortunate idea of how to escape. He hadrecognized with chagrin the impossibility of escaping by the window ofthe chamber he occupied; the two sentries of the governor's residencepaced constantly at the foot of the building. 

Once alone, De Chemerant began to reflect on the singular events ofwhich he had been the witness. Although he did not doubt that the Gasconwas the veritable Duke of Monmouth, the conduct of the duchess seemed sostrange to him, the manners and language of Croustillac, although veryskillfully adapted to his rôle, were sometimes so redolent of theadventurer, that without the aid of the evident proofs which shoulddemonstrate to him the identity of the person of the duke, De Chemerantwould have conceived some suspicions. Nevertheless, he resolved toprofit by his sojourn at Fort Royal to question the governor anew on thesubject of Blue Beard, and Colonel Rutler on the subject of the Duke ofMonmouth. The baron did no more than to repeat certain public rumors, viz. , that the widow was on the best possible terms with the threebandits who haunted Devil's Cliff. 

Chemerant was reduced to deploring the depravity of the young woman, andthe blindness of the unfortunate duke, a blindness which had, withoutdoubt, endured till that very moment. 

As for Rutler, his arrest by De Chemerant, the arrival of the envoy fromFrance at Devil's Cliff, far from shaking his conviction in respect toCroustillac, had confirmed it; thus, when De Chemerant came to questionhim, in announcing to him that he was not to be shot, the colonel, onhis part unwittingly, concurred in giving still more authority to thefalse rôle of the adventurer. 

The sun was on the point of setting. Chemerant, completely reassured asto the very satisfactory result of his mission, was thinking over theadvantages it must bring to him, while walking up and down the terraceof the governor's residence, when the baron, out of breath with havingclimbed so high, came to tear his guest away from the ambitious thoughtswith which he was delighting himself. 

"Sir, " said the governor to him, "a merchant captain called MasterDaniel, and commanding the three-master the Unicorn has arrived from St. Pierre with his ship; he asks to talk with you for a moment on verypressing affairs. "

"May I receive him on this terrace, baron?"

"Certainly, sir; it is much cooler here than below. " Then advancing tothe staircase by which he had ascended, the baron said to one of hisguards, "Send Master Daniel up here. "

We have forgotten to say that as soon as the supposed duke hadmanifested a desire to pass the night on land the frigate had receivedorders to anchor at the extremity of the roads. 

After some minutes, Captain Daniel, our old acquaintance, appeared onthe terrace. The physiognomy of the captain, ordinarily so frank andjoyous, betrayed great embarrassment. 

The worthy captain of the Unicorn, so completely king on the deck of hisvessel, seemed uncomfortable and ill at ease. His cheeks, always morethan red, were slightly pale; the almost imperceptible quivering of hisupper lip agitated his thick gray mustache--a physiological sign whichindicated in Captain Daniel a grave preoccupation; he wore trousers andtunic of blue and white striped cloth; in his girdle of red cotton wasthrust a long Flemish knife; an India handkerchief, knotted sailorfashion, surrounded his brick-colored throat; finally, he mechanicallygave the most whimsical forms to the large and flexible straw hat whichhe twisted about with both hands. 

The worthy master, with many low bows, approached De Chemerant, whosedry, harsh face, with its piercing glance, seemed to intimidate himgreatly. 

"I am sure that this poor man is all in a perspiration, " said thegovernor to De Chemerant, in a pitying tone. 

In fact, great drops of perspiration covered the prominent veins on thebald and sunburned forehead of Captain Daniel. 

"What do you wish?" said De Chemerant to him brusquely. 

"Come, speak, explain yourself, Master Daniel, " added the baron, in agentler tone, seeing the merchant captain more and more intimidated. 

At last the captain ended by saying, in a voice strangled by emotion, and addressing himself to De Chemerant, "Your highness----"

"I am not 'your highness' but 'sir, '" replied Chemerant; "speak, I amlistening. "

"Well, then, my good sir, I arrived at St. Pierre with a cargo, a veryrich cargo of sugar, coffee, pepper, cloves, tafia----"

"I do not need to know the inventory of your cargo; what do you want?"

"Come, Master Daniel, my boy, reassure yourself, explain yourself, anddry your forehead; you look as if you had come out of the water, " saidthe baron. 

"Now, your high--now, good sir, although I have a dozen small guns, anda few swivel guns, my cargo is of such value that I come, good sir, infear of corsairs and pirates----"

"Well?"

"Go on, Master Daniel, I have never seen you thus. "

"I come, good sir, to ask your permission to set sail in company withthe frigate which has anchored just now in the roads. "

"Confound it! I can understand why you are embarrassed in making such arequest, Master Daniel, " said the baron. "They are to give you hismajesty's frigates to serve as escort to your cargo!"

Chemerant looked fixedly at the captain, shrugged his shoulders, andresponded, "It is impossible! The frigate is a fast sailer; she couldnot diminish her speed to attend on your vessel--you are crazy!"

"Oh, sir, if it is only that, fear nothing. Without decrying hismajesty's frigate, since I do not know her, I can engage to follow her, no matter how much sail she carries, or whatever wind or sea is in hersails or ahead. "

"I tell you you are crazy. The Thunderer is the swiftest of ships. "

"My good sir, do not refuse me, " said Master Daniel, in a supplicatingtone. "If this proud frigate sails quicker than the Unicorn--well, thisman-of-war will desert the poor merchant ship, but at least I shall havebeen a good part of the way under the shelter of the flag of the king, and the prowlers of the sea are only especially to be feared in thestarting. Ah, sir, a cargo worth more than a million, by which theenemies of our good king will profit if they succeed in gettingpossession of the Unicorn----"

"But I repeat to you that the frigate, although a man-of-war, would nothave time to defend you if you were attacked; her mission is such thatshe ought not to be embarrassed with a convoy. "

"Oh, good sir, " replied Captain Daniel, clasping his hands, "you willhave no embarrassment because of me; there will be no risk of my beingattacked if they see me under the protection of your guns. There is nota corsair who would dare even to approach me, seeing me so bravelyaccompanied. With all respect, sir, the wolves attack the lambs onlywhen the dogs are absent. "

"Poor lamb of a Master Daniel!" said the governor. 

"Ah, good sir, let it not be said that a warship of the king, ourmaster, refused a poor unfortunate merchant who asked only theprotection of his flag, so long as he was able to follow it. "

Chemerant found it hard to refuse this request, which in nowiseinterfered with the maneuvers of the frigate, as Captain Daniel engagedto follow the course of the Thunderer or allow himself to be abandoned. Nevertheless, De Chemerant refused. "You know well, " he said to thecaptain, "that if, in spite of our escort, a corsair attacked you, aking's ship could not leave you defenseless. Again, you will hinder themaneuvers of the frigate. It is impossible. "

"But, sir, my rich cargo----"

"You have guns, defend it. I will not allow you the convoy. It isimpossible. "

"Alas! my good God! I, who have come expressly from St. Pierre to askthis favor from you!" said Daniel, in a dolorous tone. 

"Well, you will wait for another chance. I cannot cover you with myflag. "

"However, good sir----"

"Enough!" said Chemerant, in a harsh and peremptory tone. 

Captain Daniel made a last reverence, and, retreating slowly to thestaircase, he disappeared. 

"To see these merchants! To hear them one would think there were nointerests in the world but those of their cargoes, " said De Chemerant. 

"There are, however, very few circumstances in which one refuses anescort, " said the governor, with an air of astonishment. 

"There are very few, indeed, baron, but there are some, " said Chemerantbrusquely, while withdrawing. 

Croustillac had been conducted to the finest apartment in the house. When he awoke night had fallen, and the moon shone with so brilliant alight that it illuminated his chamber perfectly. 

Croustillac looked out of his window; the two sentinels paced peacefullyat the foot of the wall. 

"The devil!" said the adventurer. "It is decidedly impossible to make myescape on this side; there are at least twenty feet to descend just tofall on the backs of these sentinels, and they would find this manner ofquitting the governor's house very singular. Let us look at the otherside, then. "

Croustillac approached the door with a light step; but a bright lightthrown on the floor showed him that the neighboring room was lighted andprobably occupied. 

By the aid of a tinder-box which he found on the mantel, he lighted acandle, and dressed himself in his old clothes, with a melancholysatisfaction. They exhaled the strong and aromatic odor of the plantsand herbs of the surroundings through which Croustillac had so longwalked in his wanderings in the forest around Devil's Cliff. 

"Zounds! Chance is devilishly well named Chance, " said the Gascon tohimself. "It has always had a particular affection for me. If it wascanonized, I would make it my patron saint. Chance--Polyphème, Sire deCroustillac! When, on board the Unicorn, I made a bet that I would marryBlue Beard, who could have foreseen that this foolish wager was almostwon; for, after all, in the eyes of the man with the dagger and of DeChemerant, I passed, I still pass, as the husband of the lady of Devil'sCliff. How all things hang together in fate! When I quitted theparsonage of Father Griffen, nose in air, shoulders squared, my switchin my hand to drive away the serpents, who the devil would have saidthat I left to go, not directly it is true, to incite the Cornwallers torevolt in favor of King James and Louis XIV! Zounds! One may well saythat the ways of Providence are inscrutable. Who could have penetratedinto this? Ah! now the critical moment approaches. I am sometimestempted to disclose all to the good man Chemerant. Yes, but I think thateach hour gained removes the duke and his wife three or four leaguesfurther from Martinique. I think that here, on land, my trial might becarried out immediately and my gallows raised in the wink of an eye, while on the open sea there would perhaps be no persons presentcompetent to judge me. I think, after all, that if Blue Beard has begged(as I suppose) Father Griffen to endeavor to withdraw me from the clawsof Chemerant, that a sudden and imprudent revelation on my part wouldspoil all. Much better, then, to keep silence. Yes, all wellconsidered, " resumed Croustillac after a moment of reflection, "to letDe Chemerant's mistake last as long as possible, that is the better partfor me to take. "

During these reflections Croustillac had dressed himself. "Now, " hesaid, "let me see if there are any means of getting out of heresecretly. "

So saying, he softly opened the door and beheld with disappointment thelackeys of the governor, who rose respectfully on seeing him. One wentto seek the baron; the other said to Croustillac, "Monsieur the governorforbade us to enter the chamber of your highness until called; he willcome on the instant. "

"No matter, my boy, only show me the door to the garden. It is verywarm; I wish to take the air for awhile--but no, there are undoubtedlytrees in the garden; I prefer the open space, the field----"

"That is very simple, your highness; in descending from the gallery youwill find yourself in the garden, from which a gate opens into thefields. "

"Very well, then, my boy, conduct me there quickly. I long for thefields like a bird in a cage. "

"Ah, it is not necessary, your highness; here is monsieur the baron, hewill conduct you himself, " said the lackey. 

"To the devil with the baron!" thought Croustillac. The governor was notalone; Chemerant accompanied him. 

"Faith, your highness, " said the latter, "fortunately we see you risen. We came to wake you. "

"To wake me--and why?"

"Wind and tide wait for no one. The tide goes out at three o'clock; itis now half-past two. It will take us a half hour to reach the mole, where the boat awaits us. We have just time to get there, yourhighness. "

"Now, then, the die is cast, " said Croustillac. "Let us try only to gaina few hours before being presented to my partisans. Sir, I am at yourorders, " added the adventurer, draping himself in a brown mantle whichhe had found with his clothes. 

The governor felt it his duty to accompany, as escort, De Chemerant andthe mysterious unknown to the mole; the flight of the Gascon was thusrendered absolutely impossible. 

At the moment of quitting the governor, Chemerant said to him, "Sir, Iwill render to the king a full account of the efficient aid you havegiven me. I can now say it to you, the secret has been perfectly kept. "

"But, sir, may I know what were these indications?" cried the baron, sopoorly informed on what he was burning to know. 

"You may be certain, baron, " said Chemerant, cordially pressing hishand, "that the king will know all--and it will not be my fault if youare not rewarded as you deserve. "

Thus saying, Chemerant gave the order to put off. 

"If the king is to know all he will be much ahead of me, " said thebaron, slowly returning to his house. "What I have learned from theguards of the escort has only augmented my curiosity. It was hardlyworth the trouble to toil and moil, and stay on one's feet all night, tobe so badly informed of things of the greatest importance, taking placein my own government!"

CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE FRIGATE. 

The moon threw a brilliant light over the waters of Fort Royal. The longboat which bore Croustillac and his fortunes advanced rapidly toward theThunderer, which was anchored at the entrance of the bay. 

The Gascon, enveloped in his mantle, occupied the place of honor in theboat, which seemed to fly over the water. 

"Sir, " said he to Chemerant, "I wish to reflect ripely on the discoursewhich it is my intention to address to my partisans; you comprehend--itis necessary that I pronounce a sort of manifesto in which I disclose mypolitical principles; that I tell them my hopes in order to make thempartakers in them; that, in fine, I give them, in a manner, a plan ofcampaign; now all this needs long elaboration. These are the bases ofour undertaking. It is necessary to disclose all to them--theconsequences of the alliance, or rather the moral, that is to saymaterial support which England lends us, or rather France--In short, "said Croustillac, who began to be singularly mixed up in his politics, "I do not wish to receive my partisans till to-morrow, in the morning. Iwish, even, that my arrival on board should be conducted as quietly aspossible. "

"It is very probable, my lord, that all these brave gentlemen areasleep, for they did not know at what hour your highness was to arrive. "

"This mad--this brave Mortimer is capable of waiting up all night forme, " said Croustillac, with disquietude. 

"That is not to be doubted, your highness, by one who knows the ardentimpatience with which he desires your return. "

"Hold, sir, " said the Gascon, "between you and me, I know my Mortimer;he is very nervous, very impressionable. I should fear for him--a shock, a too sudden effect of joy, should I appear abruptly before him. Thus, in going aboard I shall take the precaution of well wrapping myself upin order to escape his eyes--and even if he asks you if I shall soonarrive, oblige me by answering him in an evasive manner. In this way wecan prepare him for an interview, which without these precautions mightprove fatal to this devoted friend. "

"Ah! fear nothing, your highness; excess of joy can never be fatal. "

"Indeed, you deceive yourself, sir; without taking account of a thousandgeneral facts with which I might corroborate my opinion, I will cite onthis subject a fact quite personal and particular to the very man ofwhom we are now talking. "

"To Lord Mortimer?"

"To him, sir. I shall never forget that once I saw him seized withfrightful convulsions under circumstances almost similar. There werenervous starts--swoons----"

"However, your highness, Lord Mortimer has an athletic constitution. "

"An athletic constitution? Come, then, it only remained that I shouldencounter a Hercules in this run-mad Pylades, " thought Croustillac. Hespoke aloud:

"You don't know, sir, that it is these very men of great strength whoare just the ones who most keenly feel such shocks. I will even tellyou--but this is entirely between ourselves--at least----"

"Your highness may be sure of my discretion. "

"You will understand my reserve, sir. I will tell you then that, on theoccasion of which I speak--this unfortunate Mortimer was sostupefied--(if it were not for our intimate friendship, I should sayrendered stupid) by seeing too suddenly some one he had not met for along time--that his head--you comprehend----"

"What, your highness, his reason----"

"Alas! yes, in this instance only--. You now comprehend why I demandsecrecy of you?"

"Yes, yes, your highness. "

"But that was not all; the shock suffered by poor Mortimer was suchthat, after having remained several moments stupefied with surprise, heno longer recognized this person; no, sir, he did not recognize him, though he had seen him a thousand times!"

"Is it possible, your highness?" said De Chemerant, in a tone ofrespectful doubt. 

"It is, alas! only too true, sir, for you have no idea of theexcitability of this good fellow. So I, who am his friend, should watchcarefully that no trouble come to him. Think, then, if I should exposehim to the risk of not knowing me. Mortimer is now the one whom I lovemost in the world, and you know, alas! sir, if the consolations offriendship are necessary to me. "

"Still these unhappy memories, your highness?"

"Yes, I am weak, I own it--it is stronger than I. "

"What is this ship anchored not far from the frigate?" demanded DeChemerant of the master of the long boat, in order to change theconversation, out of regard for the feelings of the supposed duke. 

"That, sir, is a merchantman, which arrived last night from St. Pierre, "said the sailor, respectfully removing his cap. 

"Ah! I know, " said De Chemerant; "it is probably the ship of that foolof a merchant-captain who demanded our escort. But here we are, yourhighness--the lights are all out--you are not expected. "

"So much the better, so much the better; provided Mortimer is notthere. "

"It seems to me that I see him on the bridge, your highness. "

Croustillac raised his mantle almost to his eyes. 

"Ah! there is the officer of the watch on the ladder. What a pity toarrive so late, your highness. It is to the beat of drums, the flourishof trumpets, that your highness should have been received, with theship's crew presenting arms. "

"Honors to-morrow--honors to-morrow, " said Croustillac; "the hour ofthese frivolities always comes soon enough. "

Chemerant drew aside to allow the Gascon to mount the ladder first. Thelatter breathed freely again on seeing on deck only an officer ofmarines, who received him with bared head and a profoundly respectfulair. Croustillac responded with great dignity, and above all, verybriefly, enveloping himself in his mantle with the utmost care, andcasting uneasy glances around him, fearing to see the terrible Mortimer. Fortunately he saw only the sailors talking together or reclining by theside of the guns. 

The officer, who was speaking in a low tone to De Chemerant, salutingCroustillac again, said to him:

"Your highness, since you command it, I will not awaken the captain, andI shall have the honor of conducting you to your cabin. "

Croustillac inclined his head. 

"Till to-morrow, your highness, " said De Chemerant. 

"Till to-morrow, " responded the adventurer. 

The officer descended by the hatchway to the gun-deck, opened the doorof a large, wide cabin perfectly lighted by a skylight, and said to theGascon: "Your highness, there is your cabin; there are two other smallrooms to the right and left. "

"This is admirable, sir; do me the favor, I pray you, to give thestrictest orders that no one enters my cabin to-morrow until I call. Noone, sir, you understand--absolutely no one!--this is of the lastimportance. "

"Very well, my lord. Your highness does not wish that I should send oneof the people to assist you to disrobe?"

"I am a soldier, sir, " said Croustillac proudly, "and I disrobe withoutassistance. "

The young officer bowed, taking this response for a lesson in stoicism;he went out, ordering one of the orderlies to allow no one to enter thecabin of the duke, and again ascended on deck to rejoin De Chemerant. 

"Your duke is a veritable Spartan, my dear De Chemerant, " said he tohim. "Why! he has not brought even a lackey. "

"That is true, " responded De Chemerant; "such strange things have takenplace on land that neither he nor I thought of it; but I will give himone of my people. Just now the important thing is to set sail. "

"That is also the opinion of the captain. He gave me orders to wake himif you judged it necessary to depart at once. "

"We will start on the instant, for both wind and tide are in our favor, I think, " answered De Chemerant. 

"So favorable, " said the officer, "that if this wind holds, to-morrow bysunrise we shall no longer be able to see the shores of Martinique. "

A half-hour after the arrival of the Gascon on board, the Thunderer gotunder sail with an excellent breeze from the southwest. 

When De Chemerant saw the frigate leaving the roads, he could notrefrain from rubbing his hands, saying to himself, "Faith it is not thatI am vain and boastful, but I would only have given this mission in ahundred to the most skillful of men--to unravel the projects of theEnglish envoy, to conquer the scruples of the duke, to aid him torevenge himself on a guilty wife, to tear him by force of eloquence fromthe overwhelming feelings this conjugal accident has roused in his soul, to bring him back to England at the head of his partisans--by my faith, Chemerant, my friend, that was left to you to do! Your fortune, alreadyon the road to success, behold it forever assured; this good successdelights me the more that the king regards this affair as important. Once more, bravo!"

Chemerant with a light and joyful heart slept, cradled by the mostpleasing and ambitious thoughts. 

It was half-past ten in the morning; the wind was fresh, the sea alittle rough, but very beautiful; the Thunderer left behind her ashining wake. The land was no longer to be seen. The ship was inmid-ocean. 

The officer of the watch, armed with a glass, examined with attention athree-masted vessel about two cannon shots distant, which kept preciselythe same route as the frigate and sailed as quickly as she did, althoughcarrying a few light sails the less. 

On the extreme horizon the officer remarked also another ship which heas yet distinguished vaguely, but which seemed to follow the samedirection as the three-master, whose maneuver we have just pointed out. Wishing to find out if this latter ship would persist in imitating themovements of the Thunderer, the officer ordered the man at the wheel tobear away a little more to the north. 

The three-master bore away a little more to the north. 

The officer gave orders to bear away to the west. 

The three-master bore away to the west. 

More annoyed than startled at this persistence, because the three-masterwas not capable of a struggle with a frigate, the officer, by the orderof the captain, tacked about and sailed straight down upon theimportunate vessel. 

The importunate three-master tacked about also, and continued toscrupulously imitate the evolutions of the frigate, and sailed inconcert with her, but always beyond reach of her guns. 

The captain, irritated by this, veered about and ran straight down uponthe three-master. The three-master proved that she was, if not a bettersailer, at least as good a one as the frigate, which was never able toshorten the distance between them. The captain, not wishing to loseprecious time in this useless chase, resumed his course. 

The vexatious three-master also resumed its course. 

This mysterious ship was no other than the peaceable Unicorn. CaptainDaniel, in spite of the refusal of De Chemerant, had judged it proper toattach himself obstinately to the Thunderer until they reached the opensea. 

A new personage appeared on the deck of the frigate. This was a man ofabout fifty years of age, large, stout, wearing a buff coat with widescarlet breeches, and boots of sheepskin. His hair and mustache werered, his eyes light blue, the eyeballs veined with little vessels whichthe slightest emotion injected with blood, showing a violent andpassionate temper. 

We hasten to inform the reader that this athletic personage was the mostfanatical of all the fanatical partisans of Monmouth, and he would havethought himself a thousand times blessed to have shared the fate ofSidney; in a word, this man was Lord Percy Mortimer. His disquietude, his agitation, his impatience, were inexpressible; he could not stay inone place a moment. 

Twenty times had Lord Mortimer descended to the door of Croustillac'scabin to know if "my lord the duke" had not asked for him. In vain hadhe implored the officer to send word to the duke that Mortimer, his bestfriend, his old companion in arms, wished to throw himself at his feet;his wishes were vain, the orders of the unhappy Croustillac, whoregarded each minute gained as a precious conquest, were rigorouslycarried out. 

Chemerant also went upon deck, clothed in a magnificent dress, his airradiant and triumphant; he seemed to say to all: "If the prince is here, that is thanks to my ability, to my courage. " Seeing him, Mortimerapproached him quickly. 

"Well, sir, " he said to him, "may we know at last at what hour the dukewill receive us?"

"The duke has forbidden any one to enter his apartment without hisorder. "

"I am on red-hot coals, " replied Mortimer; "I shall never forgive myselffor having gone to bed this night, and not to have been the first topress our James in my arms, to throw myself at his feet--to kiss hisroyal hand. "

"Ah, Lord Mortimer, you love our brave duke well?" said De Chemerant;"partisans such as you are rare!"

"_If_ I love our James!" cried Mortimer, turning a deep and apoplecticred, "_if_ I love him! Hold! I and Dick Dudley, my best friend, wholoves the duke, not as much as I (we fought once because he made thisabsurd claim)--I and Dudley, I tell you, asked each other just now if weshould have the strength to again see our James without giving way--likesilly women. "

"The duke was right, " thought De Chemerant. "What enthusiasm! It is notattachment, it is frenzy. " Mortimer resumed with vehemence: "Thismorning on rising we embraced each other; we committed a thousandextravagances on thinking we should see him again to-day. We could notbelieve it, and even yet I doubt it. Ah! what a day! what a day! To seeagain in flesh and blood a friend, a companion in arms whom we hadbelieved dead, whom we had wept for for five years! Ah! you do not knowhow he was cherished and regretted, our James! How we recalled hisbravery, his courage, his gayety! What happiness to say, not _it was_, but _it is_ the heart of a king, a true heart of a king, that of ourduke. "

"It must be that this is true, my lord, since with the exception ofyourself, of Lord Dudley, and this poor Lord Rothsay who, ill as he isfrom his old wounds, has chosen to accompany you, the other gentlemenwho came to offer their arms, their lives and their fortunes to ourduke, knew him only by reputation. "

"And I should like well to see if, on his renown alone, and on ourguarantee, they would not love him as much as we love him. This recallsto me that once I fought my friend Dick Dudley because he vowed he lovedme a little more than our James!"

"The fact is, my lord, " said De Chemerant, "that few princes are capableof inspiring such enthusiasm simply by their renown. "

"Few princes, sir!" cried Lord Mortimer in a formidable voice, "fewprinces! Say, then, no other prince--ask Dudley!"

Lord Dudley appeared at this moment on the deck. The hair and mustacheof this nobleman were black and beginning to turn gray; in stature, strength, and stoutness there was a great conformity between him andMortimer; true types (physically speaking) of what are calledgentlemen-farmers. 

"What's the matter, Percy?" said Lord Dudley familiarly to his friend. 

"Is it not true, Dick, that no prince can be compared with our James?"

"Excepting our worthy friends and allies on this vessel, any dog whodares maintain that James is not the best of men I will beat him tillthe blood comes, and cut him in quarters, " said this robust personage, striking with one of his fists the gunwale of the ship. Then, addressingDe Chemerant: "But now you know him as well as we--you, the chosen you, the happy man who saw him first! Your hand, De Chemerant, your brave andloyal hand--more brave and more loyal, if it is possible, since it hastouched that of our duke!"

Dudley violently shook the right hand of De Chemerant, while Mortimershook no less violently the left hand. 

There is nothing more contagious than enthusiasm. The partisans ofMonmouth had one by one come up on deck and grouped themselves aroundthe two noblemen--all wishing in their turn to press the hand which hadtouched that of the prince. 

"Ah! gentlemen, I suspect that his grace puts off the honor of seeingyou. He fears the emotion inseparable from such a moment. "

"And we, then!" cried Dudley. "It is now about forty days since we leftRochelle, is it not? Well, may I die if I have slept more than three orfour hours any night, and then the sleep, at once agitated and pleasant, that one sleeps on the eve of a duel--when one is sure of killing one'sman. At least, that is the effect of this impatience on me. And you, Percy?" said the robust gladiator to Mortimer. 

"On me, Dick?" responded the latter; "it has a contrary effect on me;every moment I wake with a start. It seems to me that I should sleepthus the eve of the day that I was going to be shot. "

"As for me, " said another gentleman, "I know the duke only from hisportrait. "

"I only from his renown. "

"I, as soon as I knew that it concerned marching against the Orangefaction--I quitted all, friends, wife, child. "

"So did we----"

"Ah, sir, it is also for James of Monmouth, " said another, "that is aname which is like the sound of a trumpet. "

"It suffices to pronounce this name in Old England, " said another, "todrive all these Holland rats into their marshes. "

"Beginning with this William----"

"On my honor, gentlemen, " said De Chemerant, "you make me almost proudof having succeeded so well in an enterprise which, I dare to say, is avery delicate one. I do not wish to attribute to my reasoning, to myinfluence, the resolution of the prince--but believe, at least, gentlemen, that I have known how to make good use with him of theenthusiasm with which his memory has inspired you. "

"And so, our friend, we will never forget what you have done! You havebrought him here to us--our duke!" cried Mortimer cordially. 

"For that alone we owe you eternal gratitude, " added Dudley. 

"To see him! to see him, " cried Mortimer in a new access of feeling, "tosee him again whom we believed to be dead--to see him indeed face toface--to again find before our eyes this proud and noble figure--to seeit again in the midst of the fire--the--the--ah, well--yes, I weep--Iweep, " cried the brave Mortimer, no longer restraining his emotion;"yes, I weep like a child, and a thousand thunderbolts crush those whodo not comprehend that an old soldier thus can weep. "

Emotion is as contagious as enthusiasm. 

Dick, followed the example of his friend Percy, and the others did asDick and his friend Percy did. 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE JUDGMENT. 

A new personage came to augment the number of the passionate admirers ofMonmouth. There was seen advancing, supported by two servants, a manstill young, but condemned to premature infirmity by numerous wounds. 

Lord Jocelyn Rothsay, in spite of his sufferings, had wished to joinhimself to the partisans of the prince, and if not to fight for thecause that Monmouth was going to defend, at least to come before theduke and to be one of the first to felicitate him on his resurrection. 

Lord Rothsay's hair was white, although his pale face was still youngand his mustache was as black as his bold and brilliant eyes. Envelopedin a long dressing-gown, he advanced with difficulty, supported on theshoulders of the two servants. 

"Here is the brave Rothsay who has as many wounds as hairs in hismustache, " cried Lord Dudley. 

"By the devil, who will not carry me away before I have seen our duke, at least, " said Rothsay, "I will be, like you, one of the first to presshis hand. Have I not, in my fresh youth, risked my life to hasten by aquarter of an hour a love tryst? Why should I not risk it in order tosee our duke a quarter of an hour sooner?"

A man with troubled face appeared on deck shortly after Rothsay. 

"My lord, " said he entreatingly, "my lord, you expose your life by thisimprudence! The least violent movement may renew the hemorrhage fromthis old wound which----"

"The devil! doctor, could my blood flow better or more nobly than at thefeet of James of Monmouth?" cried Rothsay with enthusiasm. 

"But, my lord, the danger----"

"But, doctor, it would be to his everlasting shame if Jocelyn Rothsayshould be one of the last to embrace our duke. I made this voyage for noother purpose. Dick will lend me one shoulder, Percy another, and it issustained by these two brave champions that I shall come to say toJames: Here are three of your faithful soldiers of Bridgewater. "

So saying, the young man abandoned his two servants, and supportedhimself on the shoulders of the two robust noblemen. 

The roll of drums, to which was added the flourish of trumpets, theshrill noise of the boatswain's whistle, announced that the marines andinfantry belonging to the frigate were assembling; very soon they weredrawn up on deck, with their officers at their head. 

"Why this show of arms?" asked Mortimer of Chemerant. 

"To render homage to the duke and to receive him with the honors of warwhen he comes directly to review the troops. "

The captain of the frigate advanced toward the group of gentlemen:"Gentlemen, I have just received the orders of his grace. "

"Well?" all said with one voice. 

"His highness will receive you at eleven o'clock precisely; that is tosay, in exactly five minutes. "

It is impossible to give any idea of the exclamations of profound joywhich escaped from every breast. 

"Hold! now, Dick, I feel myself growing faint, " said Mortimer. 

"The devil! pay attention, Percy, " said Rothsay; "do not fall; you areone of my legs. "

"I, " said Dudley, "I have a sort of vertigo----"

"Listen, Dick; listen, Jocelyn, " said Mortimer; "these worthy companionshave never seen our duke; be generous, let them go first; we shall seehim first from a distance; that will give us time to place ourselves inhis sight. Is it done?"

"Yes, yes, " said Dick and Jocelyn. 

Eleven o'clock sounded. For some moments the deck of the frigateoffered a spectacle truly grand. The soldiers and marines in armscovered the gangways. The officers, bareheaded, preceding the gentlemen, slowly descended the narrow stairway which led to the apartmentappropriated to the Duke of Monmouth. 

Last, behind this first group advanced Mortimer and Dudley, sustainingbetween them the young Lord Rothsay, whose bowed figure and tremblingsteps contrasted with the tall stature and manly bearing of his twosupports. 

While the other gentlemen incumbered the narrow stairway, the threelords--these three noble types of chivalrous fidelity--remained on thedeck. 

"Listen, listen, " said Dudley, "perhaps we shall hear the voice ofJames----"

In fact, the most profound silence reigned at first, but it was sooninterrupted by exclamations of joy with which mingled lively and tenderprotestations. At last the stairway was free. 

Scarcely moderating their impatience from regard for Lord Rothsay, whodescended with difficulty, the two lords reached the gun-deck andentered in their turn the great cabin of the frigate, where Croustillacgave audience to his partisans. For some moments the three noblemen werestupefied by the tableau presented to their eyes. 

At the back of the great cabin, which was lighted by five portholes, Croustillac, clothed in his old green coat and pink stockings, stoodproudly beside De Chemerant; the latter, swelling with pride, seemed totriumphantly present the chevalier to the English gentlemen. 

A little back of De Chemerant stood the captain of the frigate and hisstaff. The partisans of Monmouth, picturesquely grouped, surrounded theGascon. 

The adventurer, although a little pale, retained his audacity; seeingthat he was not recognized, he resumed little by little his accustomedassurance, and said to himself: "Mortimer must have boasted of knowingme intimately in order to give himself airs of familiarity with anobleman of my degree. Come then, zounds! let that last which can!"

The force of illusion is such that among the gentlemen who pressedaround the adventurer some discovered a very decided "family look" toCharles II. ; others, a striking resemblance to his portraits. 

"My lords and gentlemen, " said Croustillac, with a gesture toward DeChemerant, "this gentleman, in reporting to me your wishes, has decidedme to return to your midst. "

"My lord duke, with us it is to the death!" cried the most enthusiastic. 

"I count on that, my lords; as for me, my motto shall be: 'All forEngland and'----"

"This is too much impudence! blood and murder!" thundered Lord Mortimer, interrupting the chevalier and springing toward him with blazing eyesand clinched fists, while Dudley upheld Lord Jocelyn. 

The apostrophe of Mortimer had an astounding effect on the spectatorsand the actors in this scene. The English gentlemen turned quicklytoward Mortimer. De Chemerant and the officers looked at each other withastonishment, as yet comprehending none of his words. 

"Zounds! here we are, " thought Croustillac; "only to see this tipsybrute; I should smell the Mortimer a league off. " The nobleman steppedinto the empty space that the gentlemen had left between the Gascon andthemselves, in recoiling; he planted himself before him, his armscrossed, his eyes flashing, looking him straight in the face, exclaimingin a voice trembling with rage: "Ah! you are James of Monmouth--you!--itis to me--Mortimer--that you say that?"

Croustillac was sublime in his impudence and coolness; he answeredMortimer with an accent of melancholy reproach: "Exile and adversitymust indeed have changed me much if my best friend no longer recognizesme!" Then, half-turning toward De Chemerant, the chevalier added in alow tone: "You see, it is as I told you; the emotion has been tooviolent; his poor head is completely upset. Alas, this unhappy man doesnot know me!"

Croustillac expressed himself so naturally and with so much assurance, that De Chemerant still hesitated to believe himself the dupe of soenormous an imposition; he did not long retain any doubts on thissubject. 

Lord Dudley and Lord Rothsay joined Mortimer and the other gentlemen inshowering upon the unfortunate Gascon the most furious apostrophes andinsults. 

"This miserable vagabond dares to call himself James of Monmouth!"

"The infamous impostor!"

"The scoundrel must have murdered him in order to pass himself off forhim!"

"He is an emissary of William!"

"That beggar, James, our duke!"

"What audacity!"

"To dare to tell such a lie!"

"He ought to have his tongue torn out!"

"To deceive us so impudently--we who had never seen the duke!"

"This cries for vengeance!"

"Since he takes his name he must know where he is!"

"Yes, he shall answer for our duke!"

"We will throw him into the sea if he does not give our James back tous!"

"We will tear out his nails to make him speak!"

"To play thus with what is most sacred!"

"How could De Chemerant have fallen into a trap so gross!"

"This miserable wretch has deceived me most outrageously, gentlemen!"cried De Chemerant, striving in vain to make himself heard. 

"Come, then; explain yourself, sir. "

"He shall pay dearly for his audacity, gentlemen. "

"First, chain up this traitor. "

"He abused my confidence by the most execrable lies. Gentlemen, any onewould have been deceived as much as I was. "

"One cannot mock thus the faith of brave gentlemen who sacrificethemselves to the good cause. "

"De Chemerant, you are as culpable as this miserable scoundrel. "

"But, my lords, the English envoy was deceived as well as I. "

"It is impossible; you are his accomplice. "

"My lords, you insult me!"

"A man of your experience, sir, does not allow himself to be maderidiculous in this way. "

"We must avenge ourselves!"

"Yes, vengeance! vengeance!"

These accusations, these reproaches bandied about so rapidly, causedsuch a tumult that it was impossible for De Chemerant to make himselfheard among so many furious cries. The attitude of the English gentlemenbecame so threatening toward him, their recriminations so violent, thathe placed himself alongside the officers of the frigate, and all carriedtheir hands to their swords. 

Croustillac, alone between the two groups, was a butt for theinvectives, the attacks, and the maledictions of both parties. Intrepid, audacious, his arms crossed, his head high, his eye unblenching, theadventurer heard the muttering and bursting forth of this formidablestorm with impassible phlegm, saying to himself: "This ruins all; theymay throw me overboard--that is to say, into the open sea; the leap isperilous, though I can swim like a Triton, but I can do no more; thiswas sure to happen sooner or later; and beside, as I said this morning, one does not sacrifice oneself for people in order to be crowned withflowers and caressed by woodland nymphs. "

Although at its height, the tumult was dominated by the voice ofMortimer who cried: "Monsieur De Chemerant, have this wretch hangedfirst; you owe us this satisfaction. "

"Yes, yes, hang him to the yardarm, " said the English gentlemen; "wewill have our explanations afterward. "

"You will oblige me much by explaining yourselves beforehand!" criedCroustillac. 

"He speaks! he dares to speak!" cried one. 

"Eh! who, then, will speak in my favor, if not myself?" replied theGascon. "Would it be you, by chance, my gentleman?"

"Gentlemen, " cried De Chemerant, "Lord Mortimer is right in proposingthat justice be done to this abominable impostor. "

"He is wrong; I maintain that he is wrong, a hundred thousand timeswrong!" cried Croustillac; "it is an obsolete, tame, vulgar means----"

"Be silent, unhappy wretch!" cried the athletic Mortimer, seizing thehands of the Gascon. 

"Do not lay your hands on a gentleman, or, Sdeath! you shall pay dearfor this outrage!" cried Croustillac angrily. 

"Your sword, scoundrel!" said De Chemerant, while twenty raised armsthreatened the adventurer. 

"In fact, the lion can do nothing against an hundred wolves, " said theGascon majestically, giving up his rapier. 

"Now, gentlemen, " resumed De Chemerant, "I continue. Yes, the honorableLord Mortimer is right in wishing to have this rascal hanged. "

"He is wrong! as long as I can raise my voice I will protest that he iswrong! it is a preposterous, an unheard-of idea; it is the reasoning ofa horse. A fine argument is the gallows!" cried Croustillac, strugglingbetween two gentlemen who held him by the collar. 

"But before administering justice, it is necessary to oblige him toreveal to us the abominable plot which he has concocted. It is necessarythat he should unveil to us the mysterious circumstances by the aid ofwhich he has shamelessly betrayed my good faith. "

"To what good? 'Dead the beast, dead the venom, '" cried Mortimerroughly. 

"I tell you that you reason as ingeniously as a bulldog which leaps atthe throat of a bull, " cried Croustillac. 

"Patience, patience; it is a cravat of good hemp which will stop yourpreaching very soon, " responded Mortimer. 

"Believe me, my lords, " replied De Chemerant, "a council will be formed;they will interrogate this rascal; if he does not answer, we shall haveplenty of means to force him to it; there is more than one kind oftorture. "

"Ah, so far I am of your mind, " said Mortimer; "I consent that he shallnot be hanged before being put to the rack; this will be to do twothings instead of one. "

"You are generous, my lord, " said the Gascon. 

In thinking of the fury which must have possessed the soul of DeChemerant, who saw the enterprise which he thought he had so skillfullyconducted a complete failure, one understands, without excusing it, thecruelty of his resolution in regard to Croustillac. 

Their minds were so excited, the disappointment had been so irritating, so distressing even, for the greater part of the adherents of Monmouth, that these gentlemen, humane enough otherwise, allowed themselves onthis occasion to be carried away by blind anger, and but little more wasneeded to bring it about that the unfortunate Croustillac should noteven be cited before a species of council of war, whose meeting might atleast give an appearance of legality to the violence of which he was thevictim. 

Five noblemen and five officers assembled immediately under thepresidency of the captain of the frigate. 

De Chemerant placed himself on the right, the chevalier stood on theleft. The session commenced. 

De Chemerant said briefly, and with a voice still trembling with anger:"I accuse the man here present with having falsely and wickedly takenthe names and titles of his grace the Duke of Monmouth, and with havingthus, by his odious imposture, ruined the designs of the king, mymaster, and under such circumstances the crime of this man should beconsidered as an attack upon the safety of the state. In consequence, Idemand that the accused here present be declared guilty of high treason, and be condemned to death. "

"'Sdeath, sir, you draw your conclusions quickly and well; here issomething clear and brief, " said Croustillac, whose natural courage roseto the occasion. 

"Yes, yes, this impostor merits death; but before that, it is necessarythat he should speak, and that he should at once be put to thequestion, " said the English lords. 

The captain of the frigate, who presided over the council, was not, likeDe Chemerant, under the influence of personal resentment; he said to theEnglishmen: "My lords, we have not yet voted a punishment; it isnecessary before interrogating him to listen to his defense, if he candefend himself; after which we will consult as to the punishment whichshould be inflicted upon him. Let us not forget that we are judges andthat he has not yet been declared guilty. "

These cool, wise words pleased the five lords less than the angryexcitement of De Chemerant; nevertheless, not being able to raise anyobjection, they were silent. 

"Accused, " said the captain to the chevalier, "what are your names?"

"Polyphème, Chevalier de Croustillac. "

"A Gascon!" said De Chemerant, between his teeth; "I might have known itfrom his impudence. To have been the sport of such a miserablescoundrel!"

"Your profession?" continued the captain. 

"For the moment, that of an accused person before a tribunal over whichyou worthily preside, captain; for you do not choose, and with reason, that men should be hanged without a hearing. "

"You are accused of having knowingly and wickedly deceived Monsieur deChemerant, who is charged with a mission of state for the king, ourmaster. "

"It is De Chemerant who deceived himself; he called me 'your highness, 'and I innocently answered to the name. "

"Innocently!" cried De Chemerant furiously; "how, scoundrel! have younot abused my confidence by the most atrocious lies? have you notsurprised from me the most important secrets of state by your impudenttreachery?"

"You have spoken, I have listened. I may even declare, for myjustification, that you have appeared to me singularly dull. If it is acrime to have listened to you, you have rendered this crimeenormous----"

The captain made a sign to De Chemerant to restrain his indignation; hesaid to the Gascon: "Will you reveal what you know relative to James, Duke of Monmouth? Will you tell us through what chain of events you cameto take his names and titles?"

Croustillac saw that his position was becoming very dangerous; he had amind to reveal all; he could address himself to the devoted partisans ofthe prince, assure himself of their support in announcing to them thatthe duke had been saved, thanks to him. But an honorable scruplewithheld him; this secret was not his own; it did not belong to him tobetray the mysteries which had concealed and protected the existence ofthe duke, and might still protect him. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE CHASE. 

When the captain intimated anew to Croustillac the order to reveal allhe knew about the duke, the adventurer responded, this time with afirmness full of dignity:

"I have nothing to say on this subject, captain; this secret is notmine. "

"Thunder and blood!" cried Mortimer, "the torture shall make you speak. Light two bunches of tow dipped in sulphur. I will myself place themunder his chin; that will loosen his tongue--and we shall know where ourJames is. Ah! I had indeed a presentiment that I should never see himagain. "

"I ought to say to you, " said the captain to the Gascon, "that if youobstinately maintain a culpable silence, you will thus compromite in thegravest manner the interests of the king and of the state, and we shallbe forced to have recourse to the harshest means in order to make youspeak. "

These quiet words, calmly pronounced by a man with a venerablecountenance, who since the beginning of the scene had endeavored tomoderate the violence of the adversaries of Croustillac, made on thelatter a lively impression; he shivered slightly, but his resolution wasnot shaken; he answered with a steady voice: "Excuse me, captain, I havenothing to say, I will say nothing. "

"Captain, " cried De Chemerant, "in the name of the king, by whom I amempowered, I formally declare that the silence of this criminal may bethe occasion of grave prejudice to the interests of his majesty and thestate. I found this man in the very domain of my lord the Duke ofMonmouth, provided even with precious objects belonging to thatnobleman, such as the sword of Charles II. , a box with a portrait, etc. All concurs, in fine, to prove that he has the most precise informationconcerning the existence of his grace the Duke of Monmouth. Now thisinformation is of the highest importance relative to the mission withwhich the king has charged me. I demand therefore that the accusedshould immediately be constrained to speak by all the means possible. "

"Yes! yes! the torture, " cried the noblemen. 

"Reflect well, accused, " said the captain, again. "Do not exposeyourself to terrible suffering; you may hope everything from ourindulgence if you tell the truth. If not, take care!"

"I have nothing to say, " replied Croustillac; "this secret is not mine. "

"This means a cruel torture, " said the captain. "Do not force us tothese extremities. "

The Gascon made a gesture of resignation and repeated: "I have nothingto say. "

The captain could not conceal his chagrin at being obliged to employsuch measures. 

He rang a bell. 

An orderly appeared. 

"Order the provost to come here, four men to remain on the gun-deck nearthe forward signal light, and tell the cannoneer to prepare bunches oftow dipped in sulphur. "

The orderly went out. 

The orders were frightfully positive. In spite of his courage, Croustillac felt his determination waver; the punishment with which theythreatened him was fearful. Monmouth was then undoubtedly in safety; theadventurer thought that he had already done much for the duke and forthe duchess. He was about to yield to the fear of torture, when hiscourage returned to him at this reflection, grotesque, without doubt, but which, under the circumstances in which it presented itself to hismind, became almost heroic, "One does not sacrifice oneself for otherswith the sole aim of being crowned with flowers. "

The provost entered the council room. 

Croustillac shuddered, but his looks betrayed no emotion. 

Suddenly, three reports of a gun, in succession resounded long over thesolitude of the ocean. 

The members of the improvised council started from their seats. 

The captain ran to the portholes of the great cabin, declaring thesession suspended. Partisans and officers, forgetting the accused, ascended in haste to the deck. 

Croustillac, no less curious than his judges, followed them. 

The frigate had received the order to lay to until the issue of thecouncil which was to decide the fate of the chevalier. 

We have said that the Unicorn had obstinately followed the Thunderersince the evening before; we have also said that the officer of thewatch had discovered on the horizon a ship, at first almostimperceptible, but which very soon approached the frigate with arapidity almost marvelous. 

When the Thunderer lay to, this ship, a light brigantine, was at themost only half a league from her; in proportion as she approached, theydistinguished her extraordinarily high masts, her very large sails, herblack hull, narrow and slender, which scarcely rose out of the water; inone word, they recognized in this small ship all the appearance of apirate. 

At the apparition of the brigantine the Unicorn at once proceeded toplace herself in her wake, at a signal which she made to her. 

It was in time of war; the preparations for combat began in a moment onboard the frigate. The captain, observing the singular maneuver of thetwo ships, did not wish to expose himself to a hostile surprise. 

The brigantine approached, her sails half reefed, having at her prow aflag of truce. 

"Monsieur de Sainval, " said the captain to one of his officers, "orderthe gunners to stand by their guns with lighted matches. If this flag oftruce conceals a ruse, this ship will be sunk. "

De Chemerant and Croustillac felt the same astonishment in recognizingthe Chameleon on board of which the mulatto and Blue Beard had embarked. 

Croustillac's heart beat as if it would burst; his friends had notabandoned him, they were coming to succor him--but by what means?

Very soon the Chameleon was within speaking distance of the frigate andcrossed her stern. A man of tall stature, magnificently dressed, wasstanding in the stern of the brigantine. 

"James!--our duke! there he is!" cried enthusiastically the three peers, who, leaning over the taffrail of the frigate, at once recognized theduke. 

The brigantine then lay to; the two ships remained immovable. 

Lord Mortimer, Lord Dudley and Lord Rothsay gave vent to cries of thewildest joy at the sight of the Duke of Monmouth. 

"James! our brave duke!--to see you--to see you again at last!"

"Is it possible? you are the Duke of Monmouth, my lord?" cried DeChemerant. 

"Yes, I am James of Monmouth, " said the duke, "as is proved by thejoyful acclamations of my friends. "

"Yes, there is our James!"

"It is he indeed, this time!"

"It is indeed our duke, our veritable duke!" cried the noblemen. 

"Your highness, I have been most unworthily deceived since day beforeyesterday, by a miserable wretch who has taken your name. "

"Yes, and we are going to hang him in honor of you!" cried Dudley. 

"Be careful how you do that, " said Monmouth; "the one whom you call amiserable wretch has saved me with the most generous devotion, and Icome, De Chemerant, to take his place on board your ship, if he is inany danger for having taken mine. "

"Surely, your highness, " said De Chemerant, seizing this occasion ofassuring himself of the person of the prince, "it is necessary that youshould come on board; it is the only means by which you can save thisvile impostor. "

"That is, if this 'vile impostor' does not save himself, however, " saidCroustillac, springing upon the taffrail and leaping into the sea. 

The movement was so sudden that no one could oppose it. The Gasconplunged under the waves, and reappeared at a short distance from thebrigantine, toward which he directed his course. 

There was but a short distance between the two vessels; the Chameleonwas almost level with the sea; the chevalier, aided by the Duke ofMonmouth and some of the sailors, found himself on the deck of thelittle ship before the passengers on the frigate had recovered fromtheir surprise. 

"Here is my savior, the most generous of men!" said Monmouth, embracingCroustillac. 

Then James said a few words in the ear of Croustillac, who disappearedwith Captain Ralph. 

The duke, advancing to the edge of the stern of the brigantine, addressed himself to De Chemerant: "I know, sir, the projects of theking, my uncle, James Stuart, and those of the king, your master; I knowthat these brave gentlemen come to offer me their arms to aid me indriving William of Orange from the throne of England. "

"Yes, yes, when you shall be at our head we will drive away these Dutchrats, " cried Mortimer. 

"Come, come, our duke, with you we will go to the end of the world, "said Dudley. 

"My lord, you may count on the support of the king, my master. Once onboard, I will communicate to you my full powers, " cried De Chemerant, ravished to see that his mission, which he had believed desperate, revived with every chance of success. 

"Your highness, do you wish the long boat sent for you, or will you comein one of your own boats?" added De Chemerant; "and since your highnessis interested in this miserable rascal, his pardon is assured. "

"Make haste, noble duke----"

"Come as you wish, James--our James--but come at once!"

"Yes, come, " said Mortimer, "or we will do as this rascal in greencassock and pink stockings; we will leap into the water like a band ofwild ducks, to be the sooner with you. "

"No imprudence, no imprudence, my old friends, " said Monmouth, whosought to gain time since the Gascon disappeared. 

At last Captain Ralph came to say a word in the ear of the prince; thelatter gave a new order in a low voice and with a radiant air. 

"Your highness, they are about launching the long boat, " said DeChemerant, who was burning with impatience to see the duke on board. 

"It is useless, sir, " said the duke. Then, addressing himself formallyto the noblemen with an accent of profound emotion: "My old friends, myfaithful companions, farewell, and forever farewell, I have sworn by thememory of the most admirable martyr to friendship, never to take part incivil troubles which might deluge England with blood; I will not breakmy oath. Farewell, brave Mortimer, farewell good Dudley, farewellvaliant Rothsay; it breaks my heart not to embrace you for a last time. Forget this my appearance. Henceforth let James of Monmouth--be dead toyou as he has been to all the world for five years! Again farewell, andforever farewell!"

Then turning toward his captain, the duke cried quickly in a sonorousvoice:

"Set all sails, Ralph!"

At these words Ralph seized the helm; the sails of the brigantine, already prepared, were hoisted and trimmed with marvelous rapidity. Thanks to the breeze and her galley oars, the Chameleon was under waybefore the passengers of the frigate had recovered from their surprise. The brigantine, in moving off, kept in the direction of the stern of thefrigate in order not to be exposed to her guns. 

It is impossible to paint the rage of De Chemerant, the despair of thenoblemen, in seeing the light vessel rapidly increasing the distancebetween them. 

"Captain, " cried De Chemerant, "set all sail; we will overhaul thisbrigantine; there is no better sailer than the Thunderer. "

"Yes, yes, " cried the peers, "board her!"

"Let us capture our duke!"

"When we have him we will force him to place himself at our head!"

"He will not refuse his old companions!"

"My boys, two hundred louis to drink the health of James of Monmouth ifwe overtake this waterfly, " cried Mortimer, addressing the sailors, andpointing to the little vessel. 

The Chameleon soon found herself beyond reach of the guns of thefrigate. She quitted the direction she had first taken, and in place ofkeeping close to the wind, altered her course. 

This maneuver exposed the Unicorn, which during the conference of theduke and De Chemerant had remained behind in the wake of the Chameleonand absolutely in a line with her. 

It is on board the latter ship that we shall conduct the reader; he canthus assist at the chase which the frigate is about to give to thebrigantine. 

Polyphème de Croustillac was on the deck of the Unicorn in company withhis old host, Captain Daniel, and Father Griffen, who embarked theevening before on this vessel. 

The reader recalls the plunge that Croustillac made in leaping from thetaffrail of the frigate into the sea in order to rejoin Monmouth. Whilethe Gascon shook himself, rubbed his eyes, and allowed himself to becordially embraced by the duke, the latter had said to him: "Go quicklyand await me on board the Unicorn; Ralph will conduct you there. "

Croustillac, still dizzy from his leap, enraptured at having escapedfrom De Chemerant, followed Captain Ralph. The latter made him embark ina little yawl rowed by a single sailor. 

It was thus that the adventurer boarded the Unicorn. In order not tolose time, Ralph had ordered the sailor to follow the chevalier andabandon the yawl; the transfer of the Gascon was then executed veryrapidly. 

The duke had not given the order to hoist the sails of the frigate untilhe knew Croustillac to be in safety, for he foresaw that De Chemerantwould inevitably abandon the shadow for the substance, the falseMonmouth for the true, the Unicorn for the Chameleon. 

Master Daniel, at sight of the Gascon, cried out: "It is written that Inever shall see you come aboard my ship but by strange means! In leavingFrance you fell from the clouds; in quitting the Antilles, you come tome from out of the sea like a marine god; like Neptune in person. "

Very much surprised at this encounter, and especially at seeing FatherGriffen, who, standing on the poop, attentively observed the maneuversof the two ships, the chevalier said to the captain: "But how the devildo you find yourself here at a given point to receive me, coming out ofthat nutshell down there, floating away at hazard?"

"Faith, to tell the truth, I know almost nothing about it. "

"How is that, captain?"

"Yesterday morning my shipowner at Rochelle asked me if my cargo wascomplete. I told him it was; he then ordered me to go to Fort Royal, where a frigate was just leaving, and earnestly demand her escort; ifshe refused it, I was to _make_ myself escorted all the same, alwayskeeping in sight of the said frigate, whatever she might do to preventme. Finally, I was to conduct myself toward her almost as a mongrel curtoward a passer-by to whom he attaches himself. The man in vain drivesthe dog away; the dog always keeps just beyond reach of foot or stone;runs when he runs, walks when he walks, gets out of the way when hepursues him, stops when he stops, and finishes by keeping at his heelsin spite of him. That is how I have maneuvered with the frigate. That isnot all; my correspondent also said to me: 'You will follow the frigateuntil you are joined by a brigantine; then you will remain just behindher; it may be that this brigantine will send you a passenger (thispassenger I now see was yourself); then you will take him and set sailat once for France without troubling yourself about either thebrigantine or the frigate; if not, the brigantine will send you otherorders, and you will execute them. ' I know only the will of myshipowners; I have followed the frigate from Fort Royal. This morningthe brigantine joined me, just now I fished you out of the water; now Iset sail for France. "

"The duke will not come on board, then?" asked Croustillac. 

"The duke? what duke? I know no other duke than my shipowner or hiscorrespondent, which is all the same as--ah! look there! there goes thefrigate, giving tremendous chase to the little ship. "

"Will you abandon the Chameleon thus?" cried Croustillac. "If thefrigate overhauls her will you not go to her aid?"

"Not I, by the Lord, although I have a dozen little guns which can saytheir word as well as others, and the twenty-four good fellows who formmy crew are a match for the marines of the king--but that is not thepoint. I know only the orders of my shipowners. Ah, now the brigantinecuts out some work for the frigate, " said Daniel. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE RETURN. 

The Thunderer pursued the Chameleon furiously. Whether from calculation, or from an enforced slackening in her course, several times thebrigantine seemed on the point of being overtaken by the frigate; butthen, taking a turn better suited to her construction, she regained theadvantage she had lost. 

Suddenly, by a brisk evolution, the brigantine tacked about, camestraight toward the Unicorn, and in a few minutes came within reach ofthe voice. 

One may judge of the joy of the adventurer when on the deck of theChameleon, which passed astern of the three-master, he saw Blue Beardleaning on the arm of Monmouth, and heard the young woman cry to him ina voice full of emotion: "Adieu, our savior--adieu--may Heaven protectyou! We will never forget you!"

"Adieu, our best friend, " said Monmouth. "Adieu, brave and worthychevalier!"

And the Chameleon moved off, while Angela with her handkerchief, andMonmouth with a gesture of the hand, made a last sign of farewell to theadventurer. 

Alas! this apparition was as short as it was ravishing. The brigantine, after having for a moment grazed the stern of the Unicorn, turned backon her way and made straight toward the frigate, with incredibleboldness, keeping almost within range of her guns. 

The Thunderer in her turn tacked about; without doubt the captain, furious at this useless chase, wished to end it at any price. A suddenflash, a dull and prolonged report was heard a long distance, and thefrigate left behind her a cloud of bluish smoke. 

At this significant demonstration, no longer amusing herself withdoubling before the frigate, the Chameleon came close up to the wind--amovement particularly favorable to her--and then took flight seriously. The Thunderer pursued her, both ships directing themselves to the south. 

The Unicorn had the cape on the northeast. She sailed splendidly. Onethus comprehends that she would leave very soon and very far behind thetwo ships which sank more and more below the horizon. 

Croustillac remained with his eyes riveted on the ship which bore BlueBeard away. He followed it with yearning and desolate eyes until thebrigantine had entirely disappeared in space. Then two great tearsrolled down the cheeks of the adventurer. 

He let his head fall into his two hands with which he covered his face. 

Captain Daniel came to suddenly interrupt the sad reverie of thechevalier; he slapped him joyously on the shoulder and cried out: "Ah, ha, our guest, the Unicorn, is well on her way; suppose we go below anddrink a madeira sangaree while waiting for supper? I hope you are goingto show me again some of your funny tricks which made me laugh so much, you know? when you held forks straight on the end of your nose. Come, let us drink a glass. "

"I am not thirsty, Master Daniel, " said the Gascon, sadly. 

"So much the better; you will only drink with the more pleasure; todrink without thirst--that is what distinguishes the man from the brute, as they say. "

"Thanks, Master Daniel, but I cannot. "

"Ah! the devil! what is the matter with you then? You have a very queerair; is it because you have not been lucky, you who boasted you weregoing to marry Blue Beard before a month had passed? Say then, do youremember? You must have lost your bet completely; you have not daredonly to go to Devil's Cliff, I am sure. "

"You are right, Master Daniel, I have lost my bet. "

"As you bet nothing at all it will not ruin you to pay it, fortunately. Ah! say then, I have had several questions on my tongue for a quarter ofan hour: how did you come to be on board the frigate? how did thecaptain of the brigantine pick you up? did you know him? and then, thiswoman and this lord who said adieu to you just now--what does all thismean? Oh, as to that, if it bothers you, do not answer me; I ask youthat, only to know it. If it is a secret, _motus_, let us speak no moreof it. "

"I can tell you nothing on that subject, Master Daniel. ''

"Let it be understood, then, that I have asked no questions about it, and long live joy! Come, laugh then, laugh then! what makes you sad? Isit because here you are still with your old green coat and the very pinkhose so prettily stained with seawater, be it said without offendingyou? I will lend you a change, although it is as hot as a furnace, because it is not healthy to let one's clothes dry on one's body. Come, come, quit that gloomy air! See, are you not my guest, since you arehere by order of my shipowner? And, whatever comes, have I not told youthat you can stay on board the Unicorn as much as you please? for, bythe Lord, I adore your conversation, your stories, and especially yourtricks. Ah! say, I have a species of tow made with a thread of the barkof the palm tree, that will burn like priming; that will be famous, youwill swallow that, and you will spit flame and fire like a real demon;is it not true?"

"The chevalier appears not disposed to amuse you very much, MasterDaniel, " said a grave voice. 

Croustillac and the captain turned; it was Father Griffen who, from thepoop, had watched the pursuit of the brigantine, and who now wasdescending to the deck. 

"It is true, Father, I feel somewhat sad, " said Croustillac. 

"Bah! bah! if my guest is not in the mood, he will be, very soon, for heis not naturally a melancholy man. I will go to prepare the sangaree, "said Daniel. And he quitted the deck. 

After some moments of silence, the priest said to Croustillac:

"Here you are, again, the guest of Captain Daniel; here you are, as pooras you were ten days ago. "

"Why should I be richer to-day than I was ten days ago, Father, " askedthe Gascon. 

It must be said to the praise of Croustillac, that his bitter regretswere pure from all covetous thoughts; although poor, he was happy tothink that, apart from the little medallion Blue Beard had given him, his devotion had been entirely disinterested. 

"I believe, " said Father Griffen, "that the Duke of Monmouth will beannoyed at not being able to requite your devotion as he ought. But itis not altogether his fault; events have so pressed upon oneanother----"

"You do not speak seriously, Father. Why should the duke have wished tohumiliate a man who has done what he could to serve him?"

"You have done for the duke what a brother might have done; and why, knowing you to be poor, should he not, as a brother, come to your aid?"

"For a thousand reasons, I should be disturbed beyond measure, Father. Ieven count on the events of the life, more adventurous than ever, that Iam about to lead, to distract my mind, and I hope----"

The Gascon did not finish his sentence, and again concealed his face inhis hands. The priest respected his silence and left him. 

 * * * * *

Thanks to trade winds and a fine passage, the Unicorn was in sight ofthe coast of France about forty days after her departure fromMartinique. 

Little by little the gloomy sadness of the chevalier softened. With aninstinct of great delicacy--an instinct as new to him as the sentimentwhich, without doubt, had developed it--the chevalier reserved forsolitude the tender and melancholy thoughts awakened in him by theremembrance of Blue Beard, for he did not wish to expose these preciousmemories to the rude pleasantries of Captain Daniel, or to theinterpretations of Father Griffen. 

At the end of eight days the chevalier had again become in the eyes ofthe passengers of the Unicorn what he had been during the first voyage. Knowing that he was to pay his passage by his good companionship, he putthat kind of probity which was natural to him into his efforts to amuseCaptain Daniel; he showed himself so good a companion that the worthycaptain saw with despair the end of the voyage approach. 

Croustillac had formally declared that he was going to take service inMoscow where the Czar Peter then received soldiers of fortune gladly. 

The sun was on the point of setting when the Unicorn found herself insight of the shores of France. Captain Daniel, from motives of prudence, preferred waiting for the morning before proceeding to the anchorage. 

Shortly before the moment of sitting down to the table, Father Griffenprayed the Gascon to come with him to his room. The grave, almostsolemn, air of the priest appeared strange to Croustillac. 

The door closed, Father Griffen, his eyes filled with tears, extendedhis arms to the Gascon, and said: "Come, come, excellent and noblecreature; come, my good and dear son. "

The chevalier, at once moved and astonished, cordially pressed thepriest in his arms and said to him: "What is it, then, my father?"

"What is it? what is it? How, you, a poor adventurer, you, whose pastlife should have rendered less scrupulous than others, you save the lifeof the son of a king, you devote yourself to his interests with as muchabnegation as intelligence; and then, that done and your friends insafety, you return to your obscure and miserable life, not knowing evenat this hour, on the eve of reentering France, where you will lay yourhead to-morrow! and that without one word, one single word of complaint, of the ingratitude, or at least, of the forgetfulness of those who oweyou so much!"

"But, my Father----"

"Oh, I have observed you well during this voyage! Never a bitter word, never even the shadow of a reproach; as in the past, you have become gayand thoughtless again. And yet--no--no--I have well seen that yourgayety was assumed; you have lost in this voyage your one possession, your only resource--the careless gayety which has aided you to bearmisfortune. "

"My Father, I assure you, no. "

"Oh, I do not deceive myself, I tell you. At night I have surprised youalone, apart, on the deck, sadly dreaming. Of old, did you ever dreamthus?"

"Have I not, on the contrary, during the voyage, diverted Captain Danielby my pleasantries, good Father?"

"Oh, I have observed you well; if you have consented to amuse MasterDaniel, it was in order to recompense him as you could for thehospitality he has given you. Listen, my son--I am old--I can say all toyou without offending you; well, conduct such as yours would be veryworthy, very fine on the part of a man whose antecedents, whoseprinciples rendered him naturally delicate; but on your part, whom anidle, perhaps culpable youth, should seem to have robbed of allelevation of thought, it is doubly noble and beautiful; it is at oncethe expiation of the past and the glorification of the present. Thus, such sentiments cannot remain without their recompense--the trial hasendured too long. Yes, I almost blame myself for having imposed it onyou. "

"What trial, my Father?"

"Yet, no; this trial has permitted you to show a delicacy as noble astouching----"

A knock at the door of Father Griffen's room. 

"What is it?"

"Supper, Father. "

"Come, let us go, my son, " said Father Griffen, regarding Croustillacwith a peculiar air; "I do not know why it seems to me that the journeywill terminate fortunately for you. "

The chevalier, very much surprised that the Reverend Father should havebrought him to his room in order to hold the discourse we have reported, followed Father Griffen on deck. 

To the great astonishment of Croustillac, he saw the crew in galaattire; lighted torches were suspended to the shrouds and the masts. When the adventurer appeared on deck, the twelve guns of thethree-master resounded in salute. 

"Zounds! Father, what is all this?" said Croustillac; "are we attacked?"

Father Griffen had no leisure to respond to the adventurer; CaptainDaniel, in his holiday clothes, followed by his lieutenant, his officerand the masters and mates of the Unicorn, came to respectfully saluteCroustillac, and said to him with ill-concealed embarrassment:"Chevalier, you are my shipowner; this ship and its cargo belong toyou. "

"To the devil with you, comrade Daniel!" responded Croustillac; "if youare as crazy as this before supper, what will you be when you have beendrinking, our host?"

"I ask no end of pardons, chevalier, for having made you balance thingson your nose, and for having led you to chew oakum in order to spit fireduring the voyage. But as true as we are in sight of the coast ofFrance, I did not know that you were the proprietor of the Unicorn. "

"Ah, Father, explain to me, " said Croustillac. 

"The Reverend Father will explain to you many things--so much thebetter, chevalier, " continued Daniel, "that it is he who brought me justnow the letter of my correspondent of Fort Royal, which announces to methat in view of the power of attorney he has always had from myshipowner in Rochelle, he has sold the Unicorn and her cargo as attorneyto Chevalier Polyphème de Croustillac; thus then the Unicorn and hercargo belong to you, chevalier; you will give me a receipt and dischargeof the said Unicorn and of the said cargo when we reach a port ofFrance, or foreign land which it shall suit you to designate; whichreceipt and discharge I will send to my shipowner for my entiredischarge of the said ship and said cargo. "

Having pronounced this legal formula all in a breath, Captain Daniel, seeing Croustillac abstracted and anxious, thought that the chevalierbore him some grudge; he replied with new embarrassment: "FatherGriffen, who has known me for many years, will affirm to you, and youwill believe it, chevalier, I swear to you that in asking you to swallowoakum and spit out flame, I did not know that I had to do with my owner, and the master of the Unicorn. No, no, chevalier, it is not for one whopossesses a ship, which, all loaded, might be worth at least two hundredthousand crowns----"

"This ship and her cargo is worth that price?" said the adventurer. 

"At the lowest price, sir; at the lowest price, sold in a lump and atonce; but, by not hurrying, one would have fifty thousand crowns more. "

"Do you now comprehend, my son?" said Father Griffen, "our friends ofDevil's Cliff, learning that grave interests recalled me suddenly toFrance, have charged me with making you accept this gift on their parts. Pardon me, or rather felicitate me for having so well proved theelevation of your character, in revealing to you only at this late hour, the bounty of the prince. "

"Ah, Father, " said Croustillac bitterly, drawing from his breast themedallion that the duchess had given him, and which he wore suspended bya leathern cord, "with that, I was recompensed as a gentleman, why nowdo they treat me as a vagabond in giving me this splendid alms?"

The next day the Unicorn entered port, Croustillac, making use of hisnew rights, borrowed twenty-five louis of Captain Daniel, on the valueof the cargo, and forbade him to land for twenty-four hours. 

Father Griffen was to lodge at the seminary. Croustillac appointed ameeting with him for the next day at noon. At noon the chevalier did notappear, but sent the priest the following note by a messenger of LaRochelle:

 * * * * *

"My good Father I cannot accept the gift which you have offered me. Isend you a deed drawn up according to rule, which substitutes you in allmy rights over this ship and her cargo. You will employ it all in goodworks, as you understand how to do. The notary who will send you thisnote will consult with you as to formalities; he has my power ofattorney. 

"Adieu, my good Father; sometimes remember the Gascon, and do not forgethim in your prayers. 

"CHEVALIER DE CROUSTILLAC. "

 * * * * *

It was years before Father Griffen heard of the adventurer again. 

EPILOGUE. 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

THE ABBEY. 

The abbey of St. Quentin, situated not far from Abbeville and almost atthe mouth of the Somme, possessed the finest farms in the province ofPicardy; each week its numerous tenants paid in kind a part of theirrents. In order to represent abundance, a painter might have chosen themoment when this enormous tithe was carried to the convent. 

At the end of the month of November, 1708, about eighteen years afterthe events of which we have spoken, the tenants were met together on amisty, cold autumn morning, in a little court situated outside thebuildings of the abbey and not far from the lodge of the porter. 

Outside one saw the horses, the asses, and the carts which had servedfor the transportation of the immense quantity of produce destined forthe provisioning of the convent. 

A bell rang, all the peasants pressed to the foot of a small staircaseof a few steps, situated under a shed which occupied the back part ofthe court. The flight of steps was surmounted by a vault through whichone came out from the interior of the convent. 

The cellarer, accompanied by two lay brethren, appeared under thisvault. 

The fat, rubicund, animated face of the Father, detached itself like aRembrandt on the obscure depth of the passage at the extremity of whichhe had stopped; from fear of the cold, the monk had drawn over his headthe warm hood of his black cloak. A soft _soutane_ of white wool drapeditself in large folds about his enormous obesity. 

One of the brothers carried an ink bottle at his girdle, a pen behindhis ear, and a big register under his arm; he seated himself on one ofthe steps of the staircase, in order to enter the rents brought by thefarmers. 

The other brothers classified the goods under the shed as they wereplaced there; while the cellarer, from the top of the flight of steps, presided solemnly over their admission, his hands concealed in his largecuffs. 

It is impossible to number and describe this mass of comestibles placedat the foot of the staircase. Here were enormous fish from the sea, thelake, or the river, which still wriggled on the slabs of the court;there magnificent capons, monstrous geese, large ducks coupled by theirfeet, fluttered convulsively in the midst of mountains of fresh butterand immense baskets of eggs, vegetables, and winter fruits. Further onwere tethered two of these sheep fattened on the salt meadows, whichgive such fine flavor to their succulent flesh. Fishers rolled alongsmall barrels of oysters; further on were shellfish of every kind, lobsters, eels and shrimps, which shook the wicker baskets in which theywere inclosed. 

One of the porters of the abbey was on his knees before a buck a yearold, in full flesh, and killed the day before; he weighed with his handa quarter, to make the cellarer admire its weight; near the buck lay twokids, a good number of hares and partridges; while another porter openedhampers filled with every species of marsh fowl and birds of passage, such as wild duck, woodcock, teal, plovers, etc. 

Finally, in another corner of the court, were spread out the moremodest, but no less useful offerings, such as sacks of the purest flour, dried vegetables, strings of perfumed hams, etc. 

At one time these gastronomics were so heaped up that they reached thelevel of the staircase where the cellarer stood. 

Seeing this rotund monk with his shining face, his vast abdomen, standing on this pedestal of comestibles which he watched with the eyeof a gormand, one would have called him the genius of good cheer. 

According to the quantity or quality of his tribute, each tenant, afterhaving received a word of blame or praise from the cellarer, withdrewwith a slight genuflection. The Reverend Father even deigned at times towithdraw from his long sleeves his fat, red hand, to give it to the mostfavored to kiss. 

The roll-call of the lay brother was almost at an end. 

There was brought to the cellarer a savory caudle in a silver bowl borneon a tray of the same metal. The Reverend Father swallowed thisconsommé, a perfect specific against the morning cold and fog. At thismoment the lay brother complained of having in vain twice called James, the tenant of the farm of Blaville, who owed ten hens, three sacks ofwheat and one hundred crowns for the rent of his farm. 

"Ah, well!" said the cellarer, "where then is James? He is ordinarilyexact. For fifteen years that he has held the farm of Blaville, he hasnever failed in his rent. "

The peasants still called for James. 

James did not appear. 

From out the crowd of farmers came two children, a young boy and a younggirl from thirteen to fourteen years of age; trembling with confusion, they advanced to the foot of the staircase--redoubtabletribunal!--holding each other by the hand, their eyes downcast and fullof tears. 

The little girl fingered the corner of the apron of coarse clothcovering her petticoat of whitish cloth rayed with wide black stripes;the young boy convulsively grasped his cap of brown wool. They stoppedat the foot of the staircase. 

"These are the children of the farmer James, " said a voice. 

"Very well! and the ten hens, and the three sacks of wheat, and the onehundred crowns from your father?" said the reverend man severely. 

The two poor children pressed against each other, nudging one anotherwith the elbow, as an encouragement to answer. 

Finally the young boy, having more resolution, raised his noble, handsome face, which his coarse garments rendered still more remarkable, and sadly said to the monk: "Our father has been very ill for twomonths; our mother is taking care of him--there is no money in thehouse; we have been obliged to take the wheat and the rent to supportthe day laborer and his wife who takes my father's place in the farmwork, and then it has been necessary to sell the hens to pay thedoctor. "

"It is always the same story when tenants fail in their rents, " said themonk roughly. "James was a good and punctual farmer; this is how hespoils all, just like the others; but in the interests of the abbey aswell as in his own, we will not let him wander into the bad way. " Then, addressing himself to the children, he added severely: "Thefather-treasurer will consider this--wait there. "

The two children withdrew into an obscure corner of the shed. The younggirl seated herself, weeping, on a bench; her brother stood near her, looking at his sister with gloomy sadness. 

The roll-call finished, the monks re-entered the abbey, the peasantsregained the horses and carts which had brought them, the two childrenremained alone in the court, waiting with sad disquietude the decisionof the treasurer with regard to their father. 

A new personage appeared at the gate of the little court. This was atall old man with large, white mustache and neglected beard; he walkedwith difficulty with the help of a wooden leg, and wore a uniform-coatof green with an orange-colored collar; a wallet of leather slung on hisback carried his modest baggage; he supported himself on a thick canemade from the dogwood tree, and on his head was a big Hungarian cap ofblack worn fur, which descending to his eyebrows, gave him the mostsavage air in the world; his hair, as white as his mustache, tied with aleathern string, formed a long queue which fell to his shoulders; hisskin was tanned, his eyes were bright and lively, though age had bowedhis tall stature. 

This old man entered the court without seeing the children; he lookedabout him like a man seeking to find his way; perceiving the two littlepeasants, he went straight to them. 

The young girl, startled by this strange figure, or rather, by thisenormous cap of bristling fur, gave a cry of affright; her brother tookher hand to reassure her, and although the poor child wished to withdrawit, he advanced resolutely toward the old man. 

The latter stopped, struck with the beauty of these two children, andespecially the delicate features of the young girl, whose face ofperfect regularity was crowned with two bands of blond hair halfconcealed under a poor little child's cap of a brown color; she wore, like her brother, rude wooden shoes and wool stockings. 

"You are afraid of me then! Zounds! you will not tell me, then, wherethe Abbey of St. Quentin is?" said the old soldier. 

Although he was far from wishing to intimidate the children, the tone ofhis voice frightened the young girl still more, who, pressing closely toher brother, said to him in a low tone: "Answer him, James, answer him;see what a wicked air he has. "

"Have no fear, Angela, have no fear, " answered the boy. Then he said tothe soldier: "Yes, sir, this is the Abbey of St. Quentin; but if youwish to enter the porter's lodge is on the other side, outside of thiscourt. "

The boy might have spoken a long time without the soldier payingattention to his words. 

When the young girl called her brother "James" the old man made amovement of surprise; but when James, in his turn, called his sister"Angela" the old man started, let his stick fall, and was obliged tosupport himself against the wall, so violent was his agitation. 

"You call yourselves 'James' and 'Angela, ' my children?" said he, in atrembling voice. 

"Yes, sir, " answered the young boy entirely reassured, but astonished atthis question. 

"And your parents?"

"Our parents are tenants of the abbey, sir. "

"Come, " said the soldier, whom the reader has doubtless alreadyrecognized, "I am an old fool--but--the union of these twonames--James--Angela. Come, come, Polyphème, you lose your head, myfriend; because you encounter two little peasants you imagine--" heshrugged his shoulders; "it is hardly worth while to have this big whitebeard at one's chin only to give way to such visions! If it is to makesuch discoveries that you return from Moscow, Polyphème, you might justas well--have done----"

While speaking thus to himself, Croustillac had examined the young girlwith the greatest curiosity; more and more struck with a resemblancewhich seemed incomprehensible, he fastened eager eyes on Angela. 

The young girl again frightened, said to her brother, hiding her facebehind his shoulder: "Heavens! how he frightens me, again!"

"However, these features, " said Croustillac, feeling his heart beat withdoubt, anxiety, fear and despair all at once, "these charming featuresrecall to me--but no--it is impossible--impossible. By what probability?Decidedly, I am an old fool. Farmers? Come, that sabre cut I got on thehead at the siege of Azof has deranged my brain. After all, there arechances so strange (and surely, more than any one else, I should believein the oddities of chance; I should be an ingrate to deny it); yes, chance might occasion peasants to give their children certain namesrather than others, but chance does not make these resemblances--come, it is impossible. After all, I can ask them, and in asking them I shalllaugh at myself; it is stupid. My children, tell me, what is yourfather's name?"

"James, sir. "

"Yes, James--but James--what?"

"James, sir. "

"James? nothing more?"

"Yes, sir, " answered the boy, regarding Croustillac with surprise. 

"This is more and more strange, " said Croustillac, reflecting. 

"Has he been long in France?"

"He has always been here, sir. "

"Come, I was mad; decidedly, I was mad. Has your father ever been asoldier, my children?"

Angela and James looked at each other with astonishment. 

The young boy answered: "No, sir, he has always been a farmer. "

At this moment the door which communicated with the abbey opened and oneof the lay brothers appeared at the top of the stairway. 

This brother was the type of an ignoble monk, gross and sensual. He madea sign to the children, who tremblingly approached. 

"Come here, little one, " said he to the girl. 

The poor child, after casting a doubtful look at her brother, whom shecould not make up her mind to leave, timidly mounted the steps. 

The monk took her insolently by the chin with his coarse hand, turned upher face which she held down, and said to her: "Pretty one, you willwarn your father that if he does not pay eight days from now his rent inkind and the hundred crowns which he owes, there is a farmer who is moresolvent than he who wants the farm and who will obtain it. As yourfather is a good fellow, they will give him eight days--but for that, they would have turned him out to-day. "

"My God! my God!" said the children, weeping and clasping their hands, "there is no money at home. Our poor father is sick. Alas! what shall wedo?"

"You will do what you can, " said the monk, "that is the order of theprior;" and he made a sign to the young girl to go. 

The two children threw themselves into each other's arms, sobbing, andsaying: "Our father will die of this--he will die!"

Croustillac, half-hidden by a post of the shed, had been at once touchedand angered by this scene. At the moment the monk was about to close thedoor, the Gascon said to him: "Reverend Father, a word--is this theAbbey of St. Quentin?"

"Yes, and what of it?" said the monk rudely. 

"You will willingly give me a lodging till to-morrow, will you not?"

"Hum--always beggars, " said the monk. "Very well; go and ring at theporter's gate. They will give you a bundle of straw and give you breadand soup. " Then he added: "These vagabonds are the plague of religioushouses. "

The adventurer became crimson, drew up his tall form, thrust, with ablow of his fist, his fur cap over his eyes, struck the earth with hisstick, and cried in a threatening tone: "Zounds! Reverend Father, knowyour company a little better, at least. "

"Who is this old wallet-bearer?" said the irritated monk. 

"Because I carry a wallet it does not follow that I ask alms of you, Reverend Father, " said Croustillac. 

"What dost thou want, then?"

"I ask a supper and a shelter because your rich convent can well affordto give bread and shelter to poor travelers. Charity commands this fromyour abbot. And beside, in sheltering Christians, you do not give, yourestore. Your abbey grows very fat from its tithes. "

"Wilt thou be quiet, thou old heretic, thou insolent old fellow!"

"You call me an insolent old fellow. Very well; learn, Don Surly, that Ihave still a crown in my wallet, and that I can do without your strawand your soup, Don Ribald. "

"What dost thou mean by Don Ribald, rascal that thou art?" said the laybrother, advancing to the top of the steps. "Take care lest I give thyold rags a good shaking. "

"Since we thee-and-thou each other, Don Drinker, take care in thy turn, Don Greedy, that I do not make thee taste of my stick, Don Big Paunch, infirm as I am, Don Brutal. "

The vigorous monk for a moment made as though he was about to descend tochastise the Gascon, but he shrugged his shoulders and said toCroustillac: "If thou hast ever the impudence to present thyself at theporter's lodge, thou wilt be thrashed to some purpose. That is the kindof hospitality thou wilt receive henceforth from the Abbey of St. Quentin. " Then addressing himself to the children: "And you be sure totell your father that in eight days he pays or quits the farm, for, Irepeat to you, that there is a farmer more solvent than he who wantsit. "

The monk shut the door brusquely. 

"I cannot tell it to the children, " said the adventurer, speaking tohimself; "that would be a bad example for youth; but I had somethinglike a feeling of remorse for having aided in the burning of a conventin the Moravian War--well, it pleases me to imagine that the roastedones resembled this fat, big-bellied animal, and it makes me feel quitecheerful. The scoundrel! to treat those poor children so harshly! It isstrange how I interest myself in them--if I had at least some reason forit, I should let myself hope. After all, why not clear up my doubts?What do I risk by it? I have plenty of money. Ah, then, my children, "said he to the young peasants, "your father is sick and poor? He willnot be vexed to gain a little windfall; although I carry a wallet, Ihave a purse. Well, instead of going to dine and sleep at the inn (maythe lightning strike me if I ever set foot in this abbey, the Lordconfound it!) I will go and dine and sleep at your place. I will not beany trouble to you. I have been a soldier, I am not hard to suit; astool in the chimney corner, a morsel of lard, a glass of cider, and forthe night a bundle of fresh straw, the gentle warmth of the stable--thatis all I need; and that means a piece of twenty-four sous which willcome into your house. What do you say to that?"

"My father is not an innkeeper, sir, " answered the young boy. 

"Bah! bah! my boy, if the good man has sense; if the good mother is ahousekeeper, as she ought to be, they will not regret my coming; thispiece of good luck will make your pot boil for a whole day. Come, conduct me to your farm, my children; your father would scold you fornot bringing him an old soldier. "

In spite of his apparent roughness and his uncouth figure, the chevalierinspired James and Angela with confidence; the children took each otherby the hand and walked before the invalid soldier, who followed themabsorbed in a profound reverie. 

At the end of an hour's walk, they arrived at the entrance of a longavenue of apple trees, which led to the farm. 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

REUNION. 

James and Angela entered the farm in order to learn if their fatherwould consent to give the old soldier hospitality. While waiting thereturn of the children, the adventurer closely scanned the outbuildingsof the farm. 

Everything appeared to be carried on with care and neatness; at the sideof the working buildings was the farmer's house; two immense walnuttrees shaded the door and its thatched roof of velvety green moss; alight smoke escaped from the brick chimney; the sound of the ocean washeard in the distance, as the farm lay almost on the cliffs of thecoast. 

The rain began to fall; the wind moaned; a shepherd boy was bringinghome from the fields two beautiful brown cows which turned toward theirwarm stable, causing their little bells to give forth a melancholysound. The adventurer was touched by this peaceful scene. He envied thelot of the people of this farm, even though he knew their momentaryembarrassment. He saw approaching him a woman pale and small in figure, and of middle-age. She was dressed like the peasants of Picardy, butwith extreme neatness. Her son accompanied her; her daughter remained inthe doorway. 

"We are very much grieved, sir. "

Hardly had the woman said these words, when Croustillac became as paleas a ghost, extended his arms toward her without saying a word, let hiscane escape, lost his equilibrium and fell suddenly his full length on aheap of dry leaves which was, happily, behind him. 

The adventurer had fainted. 

The Duchess of Monmouth (for it was she) not at once recognizing thechevalier, attributed his weakness to fatigue or need, and hastened, with the assistance of her two children, to resuscitate the stranger. 

James, a strong boy for his age, supported the old man to the trunk ofone of the walnut trees, while his mother and sister hurried off to seeka cordial. In opening the chevalier's coat in order to facilitate hisrespiration, James saw, attached by a leathern braid, the rich medallionwhich the adventurer carried on his breast. 

"Mother! see this beautiful reliquary, " said the young lad. 

The duchess approached and was in turn stupefied at recognizing themedallion she had once given Croustillac. Then, regarding the chevalierwith closer attention, she cried:

"It is he! it is the generous man who saved us!"

The chevalier began to revive. When he opened his eyes they were filledwith tears. 

It would be impossible to paint the happiness, the transports of thegood Croustillac. 

"You in this dress, madame! you whom I see after so many years! When Iheard these children just now call each other James and Angela, my heartbeat so strong! But I could not believe--hope--And the duke?"

The Duchess of Monmouth put one finger on her lips, shook her headsadly, and said: "You are going to see him! Alas! why should thepleasure of seeing you again be saddened by the sickness of James? Hadit not been for this, to-day would have been beautiful for us. "

"I can hardly recognize you again, madame; you, in this costume--in thissad condition. "

"Silence! my children may hear you. But wait a moment here; I will goand prepare my husband to receive you. "

After some minutes the adventurer entered Monmouth's room; the latterwas extended on one of those green serge canopied beds such as may stillbe seen in the houses of some of the peasants. 

Although he was emaciated by suffering, and was at that time more thanfifty years old, the physiognomy of the duke showed the same graciousand high character. 

Monmouth held out his hands affectionately to Croustillac, andindicating a chair at his bed, said to him: "Seat yourself there, mygood friend. To what miraculous chance do we owe this happy meeting? Icannot believe my eyes! So, chevalier, we are reunited after more thaneighteen years of separation. Ah! how often Angela and I have spoken ofyou and of your devoted generosity. Our regret was not being able totell our children the debt of gratitude that we owe you, and which theyalso owe you. "

"Ah, well, my duke, consider what is most pressing, " said the Gascon, "each in his turn. "

So saying, he took his knife from his pocket, unfastened his coat, andgravely made a large incision in the lining. 

"What are you doing?" asked the duke. 

The chevalier drew from his secret pocket a kind of leathern purse, andsaid to the duke: "There is in this one hundred double-louis, yourhighness; on the other side there is as much. This is the first of mysavings on my pay, and the price of the leg which I left the past yearat the battle of Mohiloff, after the passage of Beresina; for he wasfirst, Peter the Great--well-named--in paying generously the soldiers offortune who enrolled themselves in his service and who gave, many ofthem, the sacrifice of some one of their limbs. "

"But, my friend, I do not understand you, " said Monmouth, gently pushingaway the purse which the adventurer tendered him. 

"I will be explicit, my lord; you are in arrears to the amount of onehundred crowns of rent, and you are threatened with being turned out ofthis farm in eight days. It is a pot-bellied animal, bearded andcorpulent, robed in the garb of a monk, who has made this threat to yourpoor, dear children but a short time since at the convent door. "

"Alas, James! this is only too probable, " said Angela, sadly, to herhusband. 

"I fear it, " said Monmouth, "but this is not a reason, my friend, toaccept----"

"But, my lord, it seems to me that you made me such a fine gift, it isnow eighteen years ago, that we might well share it to-day; and when wespeak of the past, in order to disembarrass yourself at once of whatconcerns me, and to speak henceforth of your affairs at our ease, mylord, in two words, this is my history. Upon my arrival at Rochelle, Father Griffen told me that you had presented me the Unicorn and itscargo!"

"My God! my friend, this was such a small thing after all that you haddone for us, " said James. 

"May we not at least recognize all that you have done for us?" saidAngela. 

"Without doubt, it was little--it was nothing at all--a cup of coffeewell sugared, with rum to soften it, was it not? Only the cup was aship, and to fill it there was coffee and sugar and rum, the cargo of avessel of eight hundred tons--the whole worth two hundred thousandcrowns. You are right--it was less than nothing--but in order to putaside useless discussion and to be frank, Zounds! this gift woundedme----"

"My friend----"

"I was paid by this medallion--speak no more of it. Besides, I have nolonger the right to resent it; I made deed of gift of the whole toFather Griffen in order that he might in his turn give it to the poor, or to the convent, or to the devil if he chose to. "

"Can it be possible that you refused it?" exclaimed both husband andwife. 

"Yes, I did refuse it, and I am sure, my lord, although you pretendsurprise, that you would have acted as I did. I was not already so richin good works as not to keep the memory of Devil's Cliff pure andwithout stain. It was a costly luxury, perhaps, but I had been James ofMonmouth twenty-four hours, and somewhat of my rôle of grand seigneurstill clung to me. "

"Noble and excellent heart!" exclaimed Angela. 

"But, " said Monmouth, "you were so poor!"

"It is just because I am used to poverty and an adventurous life thatthat cost me nothing--I said to myself: 'Polyphème--consider! thou hastdreamed this night that thou wast worth two hundred thousand crowns. ' Idreamed this dream--all has been said--and that did me good. Yes, oftenin Russia, when I was in misery--in distress--or when I was nailed to mypallet by a wound, I said to myself, to comfort and to rejoice me:'After all, Polyphème, for once in thy life thou hast done somethingnoble and generous. ' Well, you may believe me, that restored my courage. But this is boasting, and what is worse, it unmans me--let us return tomy departure from Rochelle. I avow it to you and I thank you for it;nevertheless, I have profited a little by your generosity. As nothingremained to me of my three unlucky crowns, and that was a small sum totravel to Moscow on, I borrowed twenty-five louis from Master Daniel onthe cargo; I paid my passage on a Hamburg ship from Hamburg to Fallo; Iembarked for Revel on a Swedish vessel; from Revel I went to Moscow; Iarrived there like seafish in Lent; Admiral Lefort was recruiting aforlorn hope to reinforce the _polichnie_ of the czar; in other words, the first company of infantry equipped and maneuvering after the Germanmode which had existed in Russia. I had made the campaign in Flanderswith the '_reiters_;' I knew the service; I was then enrolled in the_polichnie_ of the czar, and I had the honor of having this great manfor file closer, for he served in this company as a simple soldier, seeing he had the habit of thinking that in order to know a trade it isnecessary to learn it. 

"Once incorporated in the Muscovite army, I served in all the wars. Donot think, my lord, that I am going to recount to you my campaigns, tospeak to you of the siege of Azof, where I received a saber cut on myhead; the taking of Astrakhan under Scheremetoff, where I received alance thrust in my loins; of the siege of Narva, where I had the honorof aiming at his majesty, Charles XII. , and the good fortune to misshim; and finally, the great battle of Dorpat. 

"No, no, do not fear, my lord; I keep these fine stories to put yourchildren to sleep with during the winter nights, in the chimney corner, when the seawinds rage in the branches of your old walnut trees. Allthat remains for me to say to you, my lord, is that I have made war eversince I left you, first as a noncommissioned officer, and then aslieutenant. I might have done it still, perhaps, if last year I had notforgotten one of my legs at Mohiloff. The czar generously gave me thecapital of my pension, and I returned to France because, after all, itis there that one dies best--when one is born there; I went on foot, lounging along, regaining my paternal valley, lodging and sleeping inthe abbeys to spare my purse, when chance--this time, no, " said thechevalier, in a grave and penetrating tone which contrasted greatly withhis ordinary language, "oh, this time, no--it was not chance, but theprovidence of the good God which caused me to meet with your children, my lord; they have brought me here; I fell back in a swoon on a heap ofdry leaves on recognizing the duchess, and here I am. 

"Now, here is my plan--at least, if you consent to it, my lord. Mypaternal valley is very empty--my father and my mother are long sincedead; I should wish, of all things, to establish myself near you. Although lame, I am still good for something, if only to serve as ascarecrow to hinder the birds from eating your apples and cherries. Iwill forget that you are 'my lord:' I will call you 'Master James, ' Iwill call the duchess, 'Dame James, ' your children shall call me FatherPolyphème; I will tell them of my battles, and it will go on like that, _vitam æternam_. "

"Yes! yes! we accept; you shall never leave us, " said James and Angelatogether, their eyes filled with tears. 

"But on one condition, " said the chevalier, drying his eyes also, "thatis, that I, who am as proud as a peacock, shall pay you, in advance, myboard; and that you will accept from me these two hundred louis that yourefused; total, six thousand livres; at five hundred francs a year, twelve of board. In twelve years we will make another lease. "

"But, my friend----"

"But, my lord, it is yes or no. If it is yes, I remain, and I am morehappy than I deserve to be. If it is no, I take again my stick, mywallet, and I start for the paternal valley, where I shall die, in acorner sadly and all alone, like an old dog who has lost his master. "

Grotesque as were these words, they were spoken in a tone so full ofemotion and so touching that the duke and his wife could not refuse theoffer of the chevalier: "Well then, I accept. "

"Hurrah!" cried Croustillac, in the voice of a stentor, and heaccompanied this Muscovite exclamation by throwing into the air his oldfur cap. 

"Yes, I accept with all my heart, my old friend, " said Monmouth, "and--why conceal it from you?--this unexpected succor which you offerus so generously, saves, perhaps, my life--saves, perhaps, my wife andchildren from misery, for this sum sets us afloat again, and we canbrave two years as bad as those which have been the cause of our firstembarrassment. Fatigue, chagrin, fear for the future, have made me ill;now, tranquil as to the fate of my dear ones, assured of a friend likeyou--I am sure that my health will return to me. "

"Zounds! my lord, how did it happen that, with the enormous amount ofjewels that you had, you are reduced?"

"Angela will tell you that, my friend; emotion at once so keen and sosweet as I feel has fatigued me. "

"After having left you on board of the Unicorn, " said Angela "we setsail for Brazil; we sojourned there some time, but from prudence, weresolved to depart for India on board a Portuguese vessel. We had livedthree years in this little-known country, very happy and very tranquil, when I fell seriously ill. One of the best physicians in Bombay declaredthat the climate of India would become fatal to me; my native air alonecould save me. You know how James loves me; it was impossible for me toalter his resolution; he chose at all hazards to return to Europe, toFrance, in spite of the dangers that threatened him. We started from theCape in a Dutch ship, making sail for the Texel. We possessed a veryconsiderable sum coming from the sale of our jewels. Our voyage was veryfortunate as far as the coast of France, but there a terrible tempestassailed us. After losing her masts, and being beaten about by the wavesfor three days, our ship went ashore on the coast a quarter of a leaguefrom here; by a miracle of Heaven, James and I alone escaped an almostcertain death. Several of the passengers were, like us, cast on thebeach during this horrible night--all perished. I repeat to you, myfriend, that a miracle from Heaven was necessary to save us, James andme--to save me especially, ill as I was. The tenants whom we replaced onthis farm found us almost dying on the shore; they brought us here. Theship was swallowed up with all our riches; James, occupied solely withme, had forgotten all; we no longer possessed anything; I was an orphanwith no fortune; James could not apply to any one without beingrecognized. 

"What remained to us in Martinique had, without doubt, beenconfiscated--and then, how could we claim this property? For allresource there remained to us a ring which I wore on my finger at thetime of the ship-wreck; we intrusted it to the tenants of this farm, whohad received us, to sell the diamond at Abbeville; they got for it aboutfour thousand livres--that was all our store. My health was so affectedthat we were obliged to stop here; this measure, besides reconciled bothprudence and economy; the farmers were good, full of cares for us. 

"Little by little my health became re-established. Almost withoutresources we thought of the future with terror; however, we were young, misfortune had redoubled our love; the simple, obscure, peaceable lifeof our hosts impressed us; they were old, without children; we proposedto them to take the half of their farm, and to make our apprenticeshipunder their direction, avowing to them that we had no other resourcesthan the four thousand livres that we would share with them. Touchedwith our position, these good people wished at first to dissuade us fromthis project, representing to us how hard and laborious this life was. Iinsisted; I felt myself full of courage and strength; James had lived ahard life too long not to accustom himself to that of the fields. Weaccomplished our design; I was tranquil about James. Who would seek theDuke of Monmouth in an obscure farm in Picardy? At the end of two yearswe had finished our apprenticeship, thanks to the lessons and teachingof our good forerunners; their little fortune, augmented by our fourthousand livres, was sufficient. They made an agreement with thetreasurer of the abbey that we should succeed them and we take theentire farm. "

"Ah, madame, what resignation! what energy!" cried the chevalier. 

"Ah, if you knew, my friend, " said Monmouth, "with what admirableserenity of soul, with what gentle gayety Angela endured his roughlife--she, accustomed to a life of luxury!--if you knew how she alwaysknew how to be gracious, elegant, and charming, all the whilesuperintending the affairs of the household with admirable activity!--ifyou knew in fine, what strength I drew from this brave and devotedheart; from this gentle regard always fixed upon me with an admirableexpression of happiness and content precarious as was our position! Ah, who will ever recompense this beautiful conduct?"

"My friend, " said Angela tenderly, "has not God blessed our laboriousand peaceful life? Has He not sent us two little angels to change ourduties into pleasures? What shall I say to you?" resumed Angela, addressing the chevalier; "for the almost sixteen years that thisuniform life has lasted, of which each day has brought its bread, as thegood folks say, never a chagrin had come to trouble it, when, in thepast year, a bad harvest hampered us very much. We were obliged todischarge two of our farm hands for economy's sake. James redoubled hisefforts and his work, his strength gave out; he took to his bed; oursmall resources were exhausted. A bad year, you see, for poor farmers, "said Angela, smiling softly, "is terrible. In short, without you, I donot know how we could have escaped the fate which threatened us, for theAbbot of St. Quentin is inflexible toward tenants in arrears, and yet itwas our pride to pay him always a term in advance. One hundredcrowns--as much as that--and a hundred crowns, chevalier, are not easilygotten together. "

"A hundred crowns? That does not pay for the embroidery on a baldric, "said James with a melancholy smile. "Ah, how many times, in experiencingwhat misfortune is, have I regretted the good I might have done. "

"Listen, my lord, " said Croustillac gravely, "I am no devotee. Just nowI came near shaking a monk out of his robes; I committed irregularitiesduring my campaign in Moravia, but I am sure there is One above Who doesnot lose sight of honest people. Now, it is impossible that afternineteen years of work and resignation, now when you grow old, with twobeautiful children, you should dream of remaining at the mercy of anavaricious monk or a year of frost. In listening to you, an idea hascome to me. If I was the boaster of old, I should say that it was anidea from above; but I wholly believe that it is a fortunate idea. Whathas become of Father Griffen?"

"We do not know; we did not return to Martinique. "

"He belongs to the order of Preaching Friars; he must be at the end ofthe world, " said Monmouth. 

"I, who have had no news of France for eighteen years, I know no morethan you, my lord, but this is why I concern myself. I left to him theprice of the Unicorn; he is a good and honest priest; if he still lives, there must remain to him some of it, for he would have been prudent andcareful in his almsgiving. My advice would be to seek to know where theReverend Father is, for if the good God has willed that he should havekept some good morsel from the Unicorn, own, my lord, that this wouldnot be bad eating at this moment; if not for you, at least, for thesetwo beautiful children, for my heart bleeds to see them with theirwooden shoes and their woolen hose, although they may keep their feetwarmer than boots of leather and gilded spurs, or shoes of satin withsilken hose, should they be red, these hose! red like those I wore in1690, " added the chevalier, with a sigh. Then he resumed: "Ah, well! mylord, what say you to my Griffen idea?"

"I say, my friend, that it is an idle hope. Father Griffen is withoutdoubt dead; he will doubtless have left your fortune to some religiouscommunity. "

"To the Abbey of St. Quentin, perhaps, " said Angela. 

"Zounds! it wants but that! I would instantly set fire to themonastery!"

"Ah--fie! fie! chevalier!" said Angela. 

"It is also because I am raging at having done what I did with your twohundred thousand crowns; but could I then imagine that I should findagain, as a farmer, the son of a king who handled his diamonds by theshovelful? Ah, it is no use to philosophize here; but to find FatherGriffen again if he is still living!"

"And how to find him again?" said Monmouth. 

"By seeking him, my lord. I who have no reason for concealing myself, to-morrow I will take up this quest, hobbling around. Nothing is moresimple; in truth, I am stupid not to have thought of it sooner. I willdirect myself at once to the Superior of Foreign Missions, thus we shallknow what we have to look to. The Superior will at least inform me ifthe good Father is alive or not; and even, on this account, I willto-morrow make a visit to your neighbor, the abbot of St. Quentin. Hewill tell me what to do about it--how to get this information. I willcarry him your hundred crowns; that will be a good way to contrive theinterview. "

The three friends passed the day together. We leave the reader toimagine the stories, the reminiscences, gay, touching, or sad, whichwere recalled. 

On the morrow Croustillac, who had already made friends with youngJames, started for the abbey. The amount of the rent, in bright _louisd'or_, was an excellent passport to the presence of the treasurer. 

"Father, " said Croustillac, "I have a very important letter to place inthe hands of a good priest of the order of Preaching Brothers; I do notknow if he is alive or dead; if he is in Europe, or at the end of theworld; to whom should I address myself for information on this subject?"

"To one of our canons, my son, who has had much to do with missions, andwho, after long and painful apostolic labors, came six months since torepose in a canonicate of our abbey. "

"And when can I see this venerable canon, Father?"

"This very morning. In descending to the court of the cloister, ask alay brother to conduct you to Father Griffen. "

Croustillac gave so tremendous a blow of his staff on the floor, shouting three times his Muscovite exclamation, "hurrah! hurrah!hurrah!" that the reverend treasurer was startled by it, and rang thebell precipitately, thinking he had to do with a madman. 

A friar entered. 

"Pardon, good Father, " said Croustillac; "these savage cries, and thisno less savage blow of the stick, paint to you the state of my soul, myastonishment, my joy! It is Father Griffen, himself, that I seek. "

"Then conduct this gentleman to Father Griffen, " said the treasurer. 

We will not attempt to depict this new recognition, so important in theresults the Gascon expected from it. We will only say that the goodpriest, charged with the trust of Croustillac, and fearing lest thechevalier should one day come to regret his disinterestedness, butwishing, however, to execute till then his charitable intentions, andnot to deprive the unfortunate of this rich alms, had each yeardistributed to the poor the revenue of the capital, which he reservedfor a pious foundation if the Gascon should not reappear. 

The sale of the Unicorn, prudently managed, had brought about sevenhundred thousand livres. The Father, finding by chance an advantageoussale of property in the environs of Abbeville, not far from the abbey ofSt. Quentin, had profited by it. He had thus become proprietor of a veryfine estate called Chateauvieux. 

On his return from his long voyages, six months before the time of whichwe speak, Father Griffen had asked by preference, a canonicate inPicardy, in order to be more within reach of the property which hemanaged, always ignorant whether the Gascon was dead or alive, butinclining rather to the former supposition, after a silence of eighteenyears. 

Father Griffen, very old, very infirm, quitted the abbey only to visitthe estate of Chateauvieux. During the six months he lodged at St. Quentin, he had never gone to the side of the farm of which James ofMonmouth was the farmer. The reunion of Father Griffen, the duke and hiswife, was as touching as that of the adventurer. 

After much discussion it was decided that one-half of the estatebelonged to James; the other half to Croustillac, in whose name itremained. 

The Gascon immediately made his will in favor of the two children ofMonmouth on condition that the son should take the name of Jacques deChateauvieux. 

In order to explain this sudden change of fortune to the eyes of thepeople of the abbey and the environs, it was agreed that Croustillacshould pass as an uncle from America, who had come incognito to test hisnephew and his wife, poor cultivators of the soil. 

James gave up his farm to the tenant who had been destined to replacehim, and departed with his wife, his children and his uncle Croustillacfor Chateauvieux. 

The three friends lived long and happily in their domain, and theirchildren and grandchildren lived there after them. The chevalier neverleft Monmouth and his wife. Once a year Father Griffen came to pass someweeks at Chateauvieux. 

One single day yearly cast a gloom over this peaceful and happy life;this was the anniversary of the 15th of July, 1685, the anniversary ofthe sacrifice of the courageous Sidney. 

Never did the son of James of Monmouth know that his father descendedfrom a royal race. The secret was always kept by James, by his wife, byCroustillac, and by Father Griffen. 

Age had so changed the duke; so many years, beside, had passed over theevent of Martinique, that he was no longer disquieted by it. Onlysometimes, the children and grandchildren of James of Monmouth openedastonished eyes when their good and old friend, the Chevalier deCroustillac, addressing himself to the Duchess of Monmouth with an airof understanding, said to her, while striving to hide a tear of emotion, the following apparently truly cabalistic words:

_Blue Beard, Whirlwind, Rend-your-Soul, Youmäale, Devil's Cliff_. 

THE END. 

 * * * * *

OMEGA

BY

"A REPORTER"

Neely's Prismatic Library Cloth, 50 Cents

This is a love story of a negative character, which, however, occasionally approaches positiveness. Suppressed passion manifests atendency to explode, especially when it is confined by a vow ofcelibacy. But when an author steps into the prophetic department of thereligious field, and mixes a little of this variety into a love story, making the lover and the lovees act their respective parts as if soforeordained, it is really curious what antics they indulge in, but notsurprising that the theater of action reaches from ancient Chaldea toSalt Lake City, the actors variate from Mohammedanism to Mormonism, andthe time limit stretches into the centuries. It is a fitting climax thatthe sublime heights of the second part are culminated in the third'slast chapters by a description of the end of national destiny, the_Armageddon_ of capitalist and socialist, the beginning of the worldperiod, in short, Millennium. 

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher, 96 Queen Street, London. 114 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

THE SECRET OF THE EARTH

BY

CHARLES WILLING BEALE

Cloth, $1. 00

A story of thrilling adventure from cover to cover which embodies atheory of our planet so tremendous and appalling that the mostconservative mind can hardly fail to be impressed with the startlingarray of facts adduced in support of it. Two young men set out upon avoyage of discovery under very peculiar circumstances and withexceptional facilities for accomplishing their purpose. The result oftheir enterprise is something so astounding, and yet so entirelyprobable when judged from the realm of the known, that the climaxappears inevitable. The story bears the imprint of experience. There isno padding, and one is carried along with a rush from marvel to marveland venture to venture through vast areas of undreamed civilizations, magnificent cities, and a people whose existence has been entirelyunsuspected by denizens of the known world, and yet which is shown to bemore than a mere conjecture as the story unfolds. The mode of travel isentirely unique, no similar method having ever been employed, though itis one which seems likely to become popular in the near future. The bookis worth reading, and will furnish food for the thoughtful. 

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher, 96 Queen Street, London. 114 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

THE LITTLE BLIND GOD A-WHEEL

BY

SIDNEY HOWARD

Cloth, $1. 00; Paper, 50 Cents

Surely the name of this author is not familiar, and yet it seems asthough we must have met it before. No one but an experienced writercould have given us such a charming combination of incident anddescription. Perhaps some well-known author is testing his real merit bya little masquerade. We will wait, in confidence that such an excellentproduction will be traced to its rightful source. Briefly, it is abicycling novel. A jolly party make a tour through northern New Englandwith all the amusing happenings incident to such a trip, not exceptingthe experiences of the chaperon, who learns to ride that she may betterperform her duties. And then--there is a boy. And besides the boy thereis the little blind god who shoots his arrows so industriously that thewhole party return engaged save the boy, the chaperon, and the poor oddman; and even he makes a determined effort to join the majority; but inhis case the Fates are stronger even than the Little Blind God. 

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher, 96 Queen Street, London. 114 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

TWO WASHINGTON BELLES

by

LESTER M. DEL GARCIA

Neely's Primatic Library Cloth, 50 Cents

"This is a modern, up-to-date "society" novel with considerable localcoloring and many pictures of life in the "hupper suckles. " It describesthe career and love experiences of one who eventually becomesViscountess Landale. The frou-frou and fripperies of nineteenth-centurysocial gatherings and drawing-rooms are here described in analyticaldetail, while much plot and counterplot go toward the making of a bookthat is a departure from the usual run of what is ordinarily writtenunder the _genre_ of "novel" literature. 

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher, 96 Queen Street, London. 114 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

ALLIQUIPPA

AND

DR. POFFENBURGH'S CHARM

BY

W. A. HOLLAND

Cloth, $1. 00; Paper, 50 Cents

Are tales that deal with life in Pennsylvania, within whose rich valleysand sequestered byways are hidden many phases of quaint and charminglife of which the world knows all too little. "Alliquippa" is the storyof an Indian prince of the Alleghanies, and deals with pioneer life inthat wild region. There is an air of freshness and novelty to thesetales which, combined with the interest of the plots, commends thevolume to the attention of book-buyers. In "Dr. Poffenburgh's Charm" Mr. Holland has told a romantic tale, which he has located in the historiclocality of eastern Pennsylvania originally settled by the Germans, whose descendants are now known as Pennsylvania Dutch. 

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher, 96 Queen Street, London. 114 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

AMONG THE DUNES

BY

MRS. D. L. RHONE

Cloth, $1. 25; Paper, 50 Cents

'Among the Dunes' reads like some of the best work of the new school ofScandinavian writers; but it is in fact an American book, the productionof a Pennsylvania lady. The scene is laid in Jutland, and the story, which is quite out of the common, is full of an intense romanticinterest and charm. "--_Review of Reviews. _

"Excellent entertainment for a fireside audience. "--_Richard HenryStoddard. _

"It is a pleasure of the simplest and purest sort to turn from thehigh-pressure novels of the day and read a tender and touching romancelike this story of the Far North. "--_New York Independent. _

"Readers who are old-fashioned enough, in these days of so much somber, realistic writing, to enjoy a romance pure and simple, full of variety, adventure, and mystery, will be pleased with 'Among the Dunes. '"--_NewYork Christian Advocate. _

"The narrative has a wonderful, fresh, salt-sea flavor, and the strangeseries of events culminate in a most dramatic situation. "--_BostonAdvertiser. _

"Exuberant fancy is shown by the author, and there is a plenty ofadventure in her volume. It fills one of the main wants of the novelreader--it is always interesting and sometimes strikingly so. "--_NewYork Times. _

"There is all the weird fascination that belongs to the Danish countryand the Oriental race contained in the plot. "--_Baltimore Telegram. _

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher, 96 Queen Street, London. 114 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

THE CHILD WITNESS

BY

HELEN NORWOOD HALSEY

Cloth, $1. 00

This is a story within a story, and will appeal to all; childhood andyouth will devour it with a keen interest, and the maturer mind willdetect in the simple, light, fantastic wording a portrayal of thedeepest passion to which the human heart is susceptible. Thus it is astory for all, and will be read by all with a zest and interest whichwill neither flag nor grow dim from the title to the finale. There arefew characters, and the story is simply told, and while the reader isfollowing with an unflagging interest the tragic events which presentthemselves so rapidly and vividly before the mind's eye, there lieshidden beneath the startling drama the germ of the story, the pitifulpicture of the little Child Witness, Danny, whose life is sacrificed tothe greed and cunning of a nature far below his own; but so lightly hasthe author touched upon this phase of the story, so daintily is ithandled, that the heart of the reader goes out in a deep and mightycompassion to the helpless child, the victim of the brute negro Barney, and there is no feeling of revolt even to the most sensitive mind; andwhile, in some of the situations of the story, the reader is carriedinto the center of the slums, among the fallen and degraded, and whilethere are scenes and circumstances from which the delicate mind mayshrink in horror, let the reader remember that it is wholesome at timesthat those in the higher walks of life should realize that such acondition of life actually exists and has grown too common even tocommand a passing notice from those who pass by on the other side. Thestory has, too, a touch of fine humor from which the mind may find arelaxation and relief from the almost oppressing tragedy with whichevery page is replete, and is an offset to that portion of the storywhich presents, like a living, moving panorama, the torturous sufferingof the helpless child in the grasp of the negro. It is a story whichwill be read and re-read from Maine to California--a story which willlinger in the memory and be eagerly devoured while one word remains--astory which will be laid aside, stored away, and turned to again with afresh and reviving interest. 

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher, 96 Queen Street, London. 114 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

NEW YORKERS OF THE XIX CENTURY

BY

MRS. JOHN KING VAN RENSSELAER

Cloth $10. 00

_This work is issued in a limited edition of two hundred copies only_

and contains Charts of prominent families, who have lived in New Yorkfor the past one hundred years, and they will show at a glance, and indetail, all the members of each branch of the family. These Charts havebeen prepared by the aid of lists, papers, and other data, accessible toMrs. Van Rensselaer only, and have been added to and corrected bymembers of the different families to whom they have been submitted, andthe information thus gained has been verified by comparing it withmarriage and death notices that have been published in the daily papers, of which this lady has kept a faithful record. The value and importanceof these Charts will be recognized, not only by members of the familieswhose names appear in them, but by genealogists who require trustworthyinformation on these points, lawyers who search for legal evidences ofmarriage, and all who are interested in family ties and relationships. When the fact is recalled that the records in the churches of New Yorkhave been culpably neglected and irregularly kept, and that there was nolaw in this city requiring the registration of births, deaths, andmarriages between the years 1777 and 1877, the importance of theseCharts will be seen. The first issue will contain the followingfamilies, viz. : Bard, Barclay, Bronson, Buchanan, Delafield, Duer, Emmet, Fish, Glover, Hamilton, Hoffman, Jay, King, McVickar, Morton, Lynch, Ogden, Renwick, Rutherfurd, Schuyler, Stuyvesant, Suydam, and VanRensselaer. 

For sale everywhere, or sent post-paid on receipt of price. 

F. TENNYSON NEELY, Publisher,