THESPORTOFFOOLS.
ThedeathofthePrinceofConde,whichoccurredinthespringof1588,bydeprivingmeofmyonlypatron,reducedmetosuchstraitsthatthewinterofthatyear,whichsawtheKingofNavarrecometospendhisChristmasatSt.Jeand\'Angely,sawalsothenadirofmyfortunes.Ididnotknowatthistime——I
mayconfessitto-daywithoutshame——withertoturnforagoldcrownoranewscabbard,andneitherhadnordiscernedanyhopeofemployment.ThepeacelatelypatchedupatBloisbetweentheKingofFranceandtheLeaguepersuadedmanyoftheHuguenotsthattheirfinalruinwasathand;butitcouldnotfilltheirexhaustedtreasuryorenablethemtoputfreshtroopsintothefield.
ThedeathofthePrincehadlefttheKingofNavarrewithoutarivalintheaffectionsoftheHuguenots;theVicomtedeTurenne,whoseturbulent;ambitionalreadybegantomakeitselffelt,andM.deChatillon,rankingnexttohim.Itwasmyill-fortune,however,tobeequallyunknowntoallthreeleaders,andasthemonthofDecemberwhichsawmethusmiserablystraitenedsawmereachtheageofforty,whichIregard,differinginthatfrommany,asthegrandclimactericofaman\'slife,itwillbebelievedthatIhadneedofallthecouragewhichreligionandacampaigner\'slifecouldsupply.
IhadbeencompelledsometimebeforetosellallmyhorsesexcepttheblackSardinianwiththewhitespotonitsforehead;
andInowfoundmyselfobligedtopartalsowithmyvaletdechambreandgroom,whomIdismissedonthesameday,payingthemtheirwageswiththelastlinksofgoldchainlefttome.ItwasnotwithoutgriefanddismaythatIsawmyselfthusstrippedoftheappurtenancesofamanofbirth,anddriventogroommyownhorseundercoverofnight.Butthiswasnottheworst.Mydress,whichsufferedinevitablyfromthismenialemployment,beganinnolongtimetobearwitnesstothechangeinmycircumstances;sothatonthedayoftheKingofNavarre\'sentranceintoSt.JeanIdarednotfacethecrowd,alwaysquicktoremarkthepovertyofthoseabovethem,butwasfaintokeepwithindoorsandwearoutmypatienceinthegarretofthecutler\'shouseintheRuedelaCoutellerie,whichwasallthelodgingIcouldnowafford.
Pardieu,\'tisastrangeworld!Strangethattimeseemstome;
morestrangecomparedwiththis.Myreflectionsonthatday,I
remember,wereofthemostmelancholy.LookatithowIwould,I
couldnotbutseethatmylife\'sspringwasover.Thecrows\'
feetweregatheringaboutmyeyes,andmymoustachios,whichseemedwitheachdayofill-fortunetostandoutmorefiercelyinproportionasmyfacegrewleaner,werealreadygrey.Iwasoutatelbows,withemptypockets,andaswordwhichpeeredthroughthesheath.Themeanestrufflerwho,withbrokenfeatherandtarnishedlace,swaggeredattheheelsofTurenne,wasscarcelytobedistinguishedfromme.Ihadstill,itistrue,arockandafewbarrenacresinBrittany,thelastremainsofthefamilyproperty;butthesmallsmallsumswhichthepeasantscouldaffordtopayweresentannuallytoParis,tomymother,whohadnootherdower.AndthisIwouldnottouch,beingmindedtodieagentleman,evenifIcouldnotliveinthatestate.
Smallasweremyexpectationsofsuccess,sinceIhadnooneattheking\'ssidetopushmybusiness,noranyfriendatCourt,I
neverthelessdidallIcould,intheonlywaythatoccurredtome.Idrewupapetition,andlyinginwaitonedayforM.
Forget,theKingofNavarre\'ssecretary,placeditinhishand,begginghimtolayitbeforethatprince.Hetookit,andpromisedtodoso,smoothly,andwithasmuchlip-civilityasI
hadarighttoexpect.ButthecarelessmannerinwhichhedoubledupandthrustawaythepaperonwhichIhadspentsomuchlabour,nolessthanthecovertsneerofhisvalet,whoranaftermetogetthecustomarypresent——andran,asIstillblushtoremember,invain——warnedmetorefrainfromhope.
Inthis,however,havinglittlesavehopeleft,Ifailedsosignallyastospendthenextdayandthedayafterinafeverofalternateconfidenceanddespair,thecoldfitfollowingthehotwithperfectregularity.Atlength,onthemorningofthethirdday——IrememberitlackedbutthreeofChristmas——Iheardasteponthestairs.Mylandlordlivinginhisshop,andthetwointerveningfloorsbeingempty,Ihadnodoubtthemessagewasforme,andwentoutsidethedoortoreceiveit,myfirstglanceatthemessengerconfirmingmeinmyhighesthopes,aswellasinallIhadeverheardofthegenerosityoftheKingofNavarre.
ForbychanceIknewtheyouthtobeoneoftheroyalpages;asaucyfellowwhohadadayortwobeforecried\'OldClothes\'
aftermeinthestreet.Iwasveryfarfromresentingthisnow,however,nordidheappeartorecallit;sothatIdrewthehappiestauguryastothecontentsofthenoteheborefromthepolitenesswithwhichhepresentedittome.
Iwouldnot,however,runtheriskofamistake,andbeforeholdingoutmyhand,Iaskedhimdirectlyandwithformalityifitwasforme.
Heanswered,withtheutmostrespect,thatitwasfortheSieurdeMarsac,andformeifIwerehe.
\'Thereisananswer,perhaps?\'Isaid,seeingthathelingered.
\'TheKingofNavarre,sir,\'hereplied,withalowbow,\'willreceiveyouranswerinperson,Ibelieve.\'Andwiththat,replacingthehatwhichhehaddoffedoutofrespecttome,heturnedandwentdownthestairs.
Returningtomyroom,andlockingthedoor,Ihastilyopenedthemissive,whichwassealedwithalargeseal,andworeeveryappearanceofimportance.Ifounditscontentstoexceedallmyexpectations.TheKingofNavarredesiredmetowaitonhimatnoononthefollowingday,andtheletterconcludedwithsuchexpressionsofkindnessandgoodwillasleftmeinnodoubtofthePrince\'sintentions.Ireadit,Iconfess,withemotionsofjoyandgratitudewhichwouldbetterhavebecomeayoungerman,andthencheerfullysatdowntospendtherestofthedayinmakingsuchimprovementsinmydressasseemedpossible.WithathankfulheartIconcludedthatIhadnowescapedfrompoverty,atanyratefromsuchpovertyasisdisgracefultoagentleman;
andconsoledmyselfforthemeannessoftheappearanceImustmakeatCourtwiththereflectionthatadayortwowouldmendbothhabitandfortune.
Accordingly,itwaswithastoutheartthatIleftmylodgingsafewminutesbeforenoonnextmorning,andwalkedtowardsthecastle.ItwassometimesinceIhadmadesopublicanappearanceinthestreets,whichthevisitoftheKingofNavarre\'sCourt;hadfilledwithanunusualcrowd,andIcouldnothelpfancyingasIpassedthatsomeoftheloitererseyedmewithacovertsmile;and,indeed,Iwasshabbyenough.Butfindingthatafrownmorethansufficedtorestorethegravityofthesegentry,Isetdowntheappearancetomyownself-
consciousness,and,strokingmymoustachios,strodealongboldlyuntilIsawbeforeme,andcomingtomeetme,thesamepagewhohaddeliveredthenote.
Hestoppedinfrontofmewithanairofconsequence,andmakingmealowbow——whereatIsawthebystandersstare,forhewasasgayayoungsparkasmaid-of-honourcoulddesire——hebeggedmetohasten,asthekingawaitedmeinhiscloset.
\'Hehasaskedforyoutwice,sir,\'hecontinuedimportantly,thefeatherofhiscapalmostsweepingtheground.
\'Ithink,\'Ianswered,quickeningmysteps,\'thattheking\'slettersaysnoon,youngsir.IfIamlateonsuchanoccasion,hehasindeedcausetocomplainofme.\'
\'Tut,tut!\'herejoinedwavinghishandwithadandified\'Itisnomatter.Onemanmaystealahorsewhenanothermaynotlookoverthewall,youknow.\'
Amanmaybegray-haired,hemaybesad-complexioned,andyethemayretainsomeofthefreshnessofyouth.Onreceivingthisindicationofafavourexceedingallexpectation,IrememberI
feltthebloodrisetomyface,andexperiencedthemostlivelygratitude.Iwonderedwhohadspokeninmybehalf,whohadbefriendedme;andconcludingatlastthatmypartintheaffairatBrouagehadcometotheking\'sears,thoughIcouldnotconceivethroughwhom,Ipassedthroughthecastlegateswithanairofconfidenceandelationwhichwasnotunnatural,Ithink,underthecircumstances.Thence,followingmyguide,Imountedtherampandenteredthecourtyard.
Anumberofgroomsandvaletswerelounginghere,someleadinghorsestoandfro,othersexchangingjokeswiththewencheswholeanedfromthewindows,whiletheirfellowsagainstampedupanddowntokeeptheirfeetwarm,orplayedballagainstthewallinimitationoftheirmasters.Suchknavesareevermoreinsolentthantheirbetters;butIremarkedthattheymadewayformewithrespect,andwithrisingspirits,yetalittleirony,IremindedmyselfasImountedthestairsofthewords,\'whomthekingdelightethtohonour!\'
Reachingtheheadoftheflight,wherewasasoldieronguard,thepageopenedthedooroftheantechamber,andstandingasidebademeenter.Ididso,andheardthedoorclosebehindme.
ForamomentIstoodstill,bashfulandconfused.Itseemedtomethattherewereahundredpeopleintheroom,andthathalftheeyeswhichmetminewerewomen\'s,ThoughIwasnotaltogetherastrangertosuchstateasthePrinceofCondehadmaintained,thiscrowdedanteroomfilledmewithsurprise,andevenwithadegreeofawe,ofwhichIwasthenextmomentashamed.True,theflutterofsilkandgleamofjewelssurpassedanythingIhadthenseen,formyfortuneshadneverledmetotheking\'sCourt;butaninstant\'sreflectionremindedmethatmyfathershadheldtheirowninsuchscenes,andwithabowregulatedratherbythisthoughtthanbytheshabbinessofmydress,Iadvancedamidasuddensilence.
\'M.deMarsac!\'thepageannounced,inatonewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears;somuchso,thatIturnedquicklytolookathim.Hewasgone,however,andwhenIturnedagaintheeyeswhichmetminewerefullofsmiles.Ayounggirlwhostoodnearmetittered.Putoutofcountenancebythis,IlookedroundinembarrassmenttofindsomeonetowhomImightapply.
Theroomwaslongandnarrow,panelledinchestnut,witharowofwindowsontheonehand,andtwofireplaces,nowheapedwithglowinglogs,ontheother.Betweenthefireplacesstoodarackofarms.Roundthenearerhearthloungedagroupofpages,theexactcounterpartsoftheyoungbladewhohadbroughtmehither;
andtalkingwiththesewereasmanyyounggentlewomen.Twogreathoundslaybaskingintheheat,andcoiledbetweenthem,withherheadonthebackofthelarger,wasafiguresostrangethatatanothertimeIshouldhavedoubtedmyeyes.Itworethefool\'smotleyandcapandbells,butasecondglanceshowedmethefeatureswereawoman\'s.Atorrentofblackhairflowedlooseaboutherneck,hereyesshonewithwildmerriment,andherface,keen,thin,andhectic,glaredatmefromthedog\'sback.Beyondher,roundthefartherfireplace,clusteredmorethanascoreofgallantsandladies,ofwhomonepresentlyadvancedtome.
\'Sir,\'hesaidpolitely——andIwishedIcouldmatchhisbow——\'youwishedtosee——?\'
\'TheKingofNavarre,\'Ianswered,doingmybest.
Heturnedtothegroupbehindhim,andsaid,inapeculiarlyeven,placidtone,\'HewishestoseetheKingofNavarre.\'Theninsolemnsilencehebowedtomeagainandwentbacktohisfellows.
Upontheinstant,andbeforeIcouldmakeupmymindhowtotakethis,asecondtrippedforward,andsalutingme,said,\'M.deMarsac,Ithink?\'
\'Atyourservice,sir,\'Irejoined.Inmyeagernesstoescapethegazeofallthoseeyes,andthetitteringwhichwasaudiblebehindme,Itookastepforwardtobeinreadinesstofollowhim.Buthegavenosign.\'M.deMarsactoseetheKingofNavarre\'wasallhesaid,speakingastheotherhadclosetothosebehind.Andwiththathetoowheeledroundandwentback.
tothefire.
Istared,afirstfaintsuspicionofthetrutharousedinmymind.BeforeIcouldactuponit,however——insuchasituationitwasnoeasytasktodecidehowtoact——athirdadvancedwiththesamemeasuredsteps.\'ByappointmentIthink,sir?\'hesaid,bowinglowerthantheothers.
\'Yes,\'Irepliedsharply,beginningtogrowwarm,\'byappointmentatnoon.\'
\'M.deMarsac,\'heannouncedinasing-songtonetothosebehindhim,\'toseetheKingofNavarrebyappointmentatnoon.\'Andwithasecondbow——whileIgrewscarletwithmortificationhetoowheeledgravelyroundandreturnedtothefireplace.
Isawanotherpreparingtoadvance,buthecametoolate.
Whethermyfaceofangerandbewildermentwastoomuchforthem,orsomeamongthemlackedpatiencetoseetheend,asuddenuncontrollableshoutoflaughter,inwhichalltheroomjoined,cutshortthefarce.Godknowsithurtme:Iwinced,Ilookedthiswayandthat,hopinghereortheretofindsympathyandhelp.Butitseemedtomethattheplacerangwithgibes,thateverypanelframed,howeverIturnedmyself,acruel,sneeringface.Onebehindmecried\'OldClothes,\'andwhenIturnedtheotherhearthwhisperedthetaunt.Itaddedathousandfoldtomyembarrassmentthattherewasinallacertainorderliness,sothatwhilenoonemoved,andnone,whileIlookedatthem,raisedtheirvoices,Iseemedthemoresingledout,andplacedasabuttinthemidst.
Onefaceamidthepyramidofcountenanceswhichhidthefartherfireplacesoburneditselfintomyrecollectioninthatmiserablemoment,thatIneverthereafterforgotit;asmall,delicatewoman\'sface,belongingtoayounggirlwhostoodboldlyinfrontofhercompanions.Itwasafacefullofpride,and,asIsawitthen,ofscorn——scornthatscarcelydeignedtolaugh;whilethegirl\'sgracefulfigure,slightandmaidenly,yetperfectlyproportioned,seemedinstinctwiththesamefeelingofcontemptuousamusement.
Theplay,whichseemedlongenoughtome,mighthavelastedlonger,seeingthatnoonetherehadpityonme,hadInot,inmydesperation,espiedadooratthefartherendoftheroom,andconcluded,seeingnoother,thatitwasthedooroftheking\'sbedchamber.ThemortificationIwassufferingwassogreatthatIdidnothesitate,butadvancedwithboldnesstowardsit.Ontheinstanttherewasalullinthelaughterroundme,andhalfadozenvoicescalledonmetostop.
\'Ihavecometoseetheking,\'Ianswered,turningonthemfiercely,forIwasbythistimeinnomoodforbrowbeating,\'andIwillseehim!\'
\'Heisouthunting,\'criedallwithoneaccord;andtheysignedimperiouslytometogobackthewayIhadcome.
Buthavingtheking\'sappointmentsafeinmypouch,IthoughtI
hadgoodreasontodisbelievethem;andtakingadvantageoftheirsurprise——fortheyhadnotexpectedsoboldasteponmypart——I
wasatthedoorbeforetheycouldpreventme.IheardMathurine,thefool,whohadsprungtoherfeet,cry\'Pardieu!hewilltaketheKingdomofHeavenbyforce!\'andthosewerethelastwordsI
heard;for,asIliftedthelatch——therewasnooneonguardthere——asuddenswiftsilencefellupontheroombehindme.
Ipushedthedoorgentlyopenandwentin.Thereweretwomensittinginoneofthewindows,whoturnedandlookedangrilytowardsme.Fortheresttheroomwasempty.Theking\'swalking-shoeslaybyhischair,andbesidethemtheboot-hooksandjack.Adogbeforethefiregotupslowlyandgrowled,andoneofthemen,risingfromthetrunkonwhichhehadbeensitting,cametowardsmeandaskedme,witheverysignofirritation,whatIwantedthere,andwhohadgivenmeleavetoenter.
Iwasbeginningtoexplain,withsomediffidencethestillnessoftheroomsoberingme——thatIwishedtoseetheking,whenhewhohadadvancedtookmeupsharplywith,\'Theking?theking?Heisnothere,man.HeishuntingatSt.Valery.Didtheynottellyousooutside?\'
IthoughtIrecognisedthespeaker,thanwhomIhaveseldomseenamanmoregraveandthoughtfulforhisyears,whichweresomethinglessthanmine,morestrikinginpresence,ormoresoberlydressed.Andbeingdesiroustoevadehisquestion,I
askedhimifIhadnotthehonourtoaddressM.duPlessisMornay;forthatwiseandcourtlystatesman,nowapillarofHenry\'scounsels,itwas.
\'Thesame,sir,\'hereplied,abruptly,andwithouttakinghiseyesfromme.\'IamMornay.Whatofthat?\'
\'IamM.deMarsac,\'Iexplained.AndthereIstopped,supposingthat,ashewasintheking\'sconfidence,thiswouldmakemyerrandcleartohim.
ButIwasdisappointed.\'Well,sir?\'hesaid,andwaitedimpatiently.
Socoldareception,followingsuchtreatmentasIhadsufferedoutside,wouldhavesufficedtohavedashedmyspiritsutterlyhadInotfelttheking\'sletterinmypocket.Beingprettyconfident,however,thatasingleglanceatthiswouldalterM.
duMornay\'sbearingforthebetter,Ihastened,lookingonitasakindoftalisman,todrawitoutandpresentittohim.
Hetookit,andlookedatit,andopenedit,butwithsocoldandimmovableanaspectasmademyheartsinkmorethanallthathadgonebefore.\'Whatisamiss?\'Icried,unabletokeepsilence.
\'\'Tisfromtheking,sir.\'
\'Akinginmotley!\'heanswered,hislipcurling.
Thesenseofhiswordsdidnotatoncestrikehometome,andI
murmured,ingreatdisorder,thatthekinghadsentforme.
\'Thekingknowsnothingofit,\'washisbluntanswer,bluntlygiven.Andhethrustthepaperbackintomyhands.\'Itisatrick,\'hecontinued,speakingwiththesameabruptness,\'forwhichyouhavedoubtlesstothanksomeofthoseidleyoungrascalswithout.Youhadsentanapplicationtotheking,I
suppose?Justso.Nodoubttheygotholdofit,andthisistheresult.Theyoughttobewhipped.\'
Itwasnotpossibleformetodoubtanylongerthatwhathesaidwastrue.Isawinamomentallmyhopesvanish,allmyplansflungtothewinds;andinthefirstshockofthediscoveryI
couldneitherfindvoicetoanswerhimnorstrengthtowithdraw.
InakindofvisionIseemedtoseemyownlean,haggardfacelookingatmeasinaglass,and,readingdespairinmyeyes,couldhavepitiedmyself.
MydisorderwassogreatthatM.duMornayobservedit.Lookingmorecloselyatme,hetwoorthreetimesmutteredmyname,andatlastsaid,\'M.deMarsac?Ha!Iremember.YouwereintheaffairofBrouage,wereyounot?\'
Inoddedmyheadintokenofassent,beingunableatthemomenttospeak,andsoshakenthatperforceIleanedagainstthewall,myheadsunkonmybreast.Thememoryofmyage,myfortyyears,andmypoverty,pressedharduponme,fillingmewithdespairandbitterness.Icouldhavewept,butnotearscame.
M.duMornay,avertinghiseyesfromme,tooktwoorthreeshort,impatientturnsupanddownthechamber.Whenheaddressedmeagainhistonewasfullofrespect,mingledwithsuchpetulanceasonebravemanmightfeel,seeinganothersohardpressed.\'M.
deMarsac,\'hesaid,\'youhavemysympathy.Itisashamethatmenwhohaveservedthecauseshouldbereducedtosuch.
straits.Wereit,possibleforme,toincreasemyowntrainatpresent,Ishouldconsideritanhonourtohaveyouwithme.ButIamhardputtoitmyself,andsoareweall,andtheKingofNavarrenotleastamongus.HehaslivedforamonthuponawoodwhichM.deRosnyhascutdown.Iwillmentionyournametohim,butIshouldbecruelratherthankindwereInottowarnyouthatnothingcancomeofit.\'
Withthatheofferedmehishand,and,cheeredasmuchbythismarkofconsiderationasbythekindnessofhisexpressions,I
ralliedmyspirits.True,Iwantedcomfortmoresubstantial,butitwasnottobehad.IthankedhimthereforeasbecominglyasI
could,andseeingtherewasnohelpforit,tookmyleaveofhim,andslowlyandsorrowfullywithdrewfromtheroom.
Alas!toescapeIhadtofacetheoutsideworld,forwhichhiskindwordswereanillpreparation.Ihadtorunthegauntletoftheantechamber.ThemomentIappeared,orratherthemomentthedoorclosedbehindme,Iwashailedwithashoutofderision.
Whileonecried,\'Way!wayforthegentlemanwhohasseentheking!\'anotherhailedmeuproariouslyasGovernorofGuyenne,andathirdrequestedacommissioninmyregiment.
Iheardthesetauntswithaheartfullalmosttobursting.Itseemedtomeanunworthythingthat,merelybyreasonofmypoverty,Ishouldbederidedbyyouthswhohadstillalltheirbattlesbeforethem;buttostoporreproachthemwouldonly,asIwellknew,makemattersworse,and,moreover,IwassosorestrickenthatIhadlittlespiritlefteventospeak.
Accordingly,ImademywaythroughthemwithwhatspeedImight,myheadbent,andmycountenanceheavywithshameanddepression.
Inthisway——Iwondertherewerenotamongthemsomegenerousenoughtopityme——Ihadnearlygainedthedoor,andwasbeginningtobreathe,whenIfoundmypathstoppedbythatparticularyoungladyoftheCourtwhomIhavedescribedabove.
Somethinghadforthemomentdivertedherattentionfromme,anditrequiredawordfromhercompanionstoappriseherofmynearneighbourhood.Sheturnedthen,asonetakenbysurprise,andfindingmesoclosetoherthatmyfeetallbuttouchedhergown,shesteppedquicklyaside,andwithaglanceascruelasheract,drewherskirtsawayfromcontactwithme.
Theinsultstungme,Iknownotwhy,morethanallthegibeswhichwerebeingflungatmefromeveryside,andmovedbyasuddenimpulseIstopped,andinthebitternessofmyheartspoketoher.\'Mademoiselle,\'Isaid,bowinglow——for,asIhavestated,shewassmall,andmorelikeafairythanawoman,thoughherfaceexpressedbothprideandself-will——\'Mademoiselle,\'I
saidsternly,\'suchasIam,IhavefoughtforFrance!Somedayyoumaylearnthattherearevilerthingsintheworld——andhavetobearthem——thanapoorgentleman!\'
ThewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouthbeforeIrepentedofthem,forMathurine,thefool,whowasatmyelbow,wasquicktoturnthemintoridicule.Raisingherhandsaboveourheads,asinacttoblessus,shecriedoutthatMonsieur,havinggainedsorichanoffice,desiredabridetograceit;andthis,bringingdownuponusacoarseshoutoflaughterandsomecoarsergibes,I
sawtheyounggirl\'sfaceflushhotly.
Thenextmomentavoiceinthecrowdcriedroughly\'Outuponhisweddingsuit!\'andwiththatasweetmeatstruckmeintheface.
Anotherandanotherfollowed,coveringmewithflourandcomfits.
Thiswasthelaststraw.Foramoment,forgettingwhereIwas,I
turneduponthem,redandfurious,everyhairinmymoustachiosbristling.Thenext,thefullsenseofmyimpotenceandofthefollyofresentmentprevailedwithme,and,droppingmyheaduponmybreast,Irushedfromtheroom.
Ibelievethattheyoungeramongthemfollowedme,andthatthecryof\'OldClothes!\'pursuedmeeventothedoorofmylodgingsintheRuedelaCoutellerie.Butinthemiseryofthemoment,andmystrongdesiretobewithindoorsandalone,Ibarelynoticedthis,andamnotcertainwhetheritwassoornot.
CHAPTERII.
THEKINGOFNAVARRE.
IhavealreadyreferredtothedangerwithwhichthealliancebetweenHenrytheThirdandtheLeaguemenacedus,analliancewhereofthenews,itwassaid,hadblanchedtheKingofNavarre\'smoustacheinasinglenight.Notwithstandingthis,theCourthadnevershownitselfmorefrolicsomeormorefreefromcarethanatthetimeofwhichIamspeaking;eventhelackofmoneyseemedforthemomentforgotten.Oneamusementfollowedanother,andthough,withoutdoubt,somethingwasdoingunderthesurfaceforthewiserofhisfoesheldourprinceinparticulardreadwhenheseemedmostdeeplysunkinpleasure——totheoutwardeyeSt.Jeand\'Angelyappearedtobegivenovertoenjoymentfromoneendtotheother.
ThestirandbustleoftheCourtreachedmeeveninmygarret,andcontributedtomakethatChristmas,whichfellonaSunday,atrialalmostbeyondsufferance.Alldaylongtherattleofhoofsonthepavement,andthelaughterofridersbentondiversion,cameuptome,makingthehardstoolseemharder,thebarewallsmorebare,andincreasingahundredfoldthesolitarygloominwhichIsat.Forassunshinedeepenstheshadowswhichfallathwartit,andnosilenceislikethatwhichfollowstheexplosionofamine,sosadnessandpovertyarenevermoreintolerablethanwhenhopeandwealthrubelbowswiththem.
True,thegreatsermonwhichM.d\'Amourspreachedinthemarket-
houseonthemorningofChristmas-daycheeredme,asitcheeredallthemoresoberspirits.Iwaspresentmyself,sittinginanobscurecornerofthebuilding,andheardthefamousprediction,whichwassosoontobefulfilled.\'Sire,\'saidthepreacher,turningtotheKingofNavarre,andreferring,withtheboldnessthatevercharacterisedthatgreatmanandnobleChristian,totheattempt,thenbeingmadetoexcludetheprincefromthesuccession——\'Sire,whatGodatyourbirthgaveyoumancannottakeaway.Alittlewhile,alittlepatience,andyoushallcauseustopreachbeyondtheLoire!WithyouforourJoshuaweshallcrosstheJordan,andinthePromisedLandtheChurchshallbesetup.\'
Wordssobrave,andsowelladaptedtoencouragetheHuguenotsinthecrisisthroughwhichtheiraffairswerethenpassing,charmedallhearers;saveindeed,those——andtheywerefew——who,beingdevotedtotheVicomtedeTurenne,disliked,thoughtheycouldnotcontrovert,thispublicacknowledgmentoftheKingofNavarre,astheHuguenotleader.Thepleasureofthosepresentwasevincedinahundredways,andtosuchanextentthatevenI
returnedtomychambersoothedandexalted,andfound,indreamingofthespeedytriumphofthecause,somecompensationformyownill-fortune.
Asthedayworeon,however,andtheeveningbroughtnochange,butpresentedtomethesamedrearyprospectwithwhichmorninghadmademefamiliar,Iconfesswithoutshamethatmyheartsankoncemore,particularlyasIsawthatIshouldbeforcedinadayortwotoselleithermyremaininghorseorsomepartofmyequipmentasessential;astepwhichIcouldnotcontemplatewithoutfeelingsoftheutmostdespair.InthisstateofmindI
wasaddingupbythelightofasolitarycandlethefewcoinsI
hadleft,whenIheardfootstepsascendingthestairs.Imadethemouttobethestepsoftwopersons,andwasstilllostinconjectureswhotheymightbe,whenahandknockedgentlyatmydoor.
Fearinganothertrick,Ididnotatonceopen,themoresotherewassomethingstealthyandinsinuatingintheknock.Thereuponmyvisitorsheldawhisperedconsultation;thentheyknockedagain.Iaskedloudlywhowasthere,buttothistheydidnotchoosetogiveanyanswer,whileI,onmypart,determinednottoopenuntiltheydid.Thedoorwasstrong,andIsmiledgrimlyatthethoughtthatthistimetheywouldhavetheirtroublefortheirpains.
Tomysurprise,however,theydidnotdesist,andgoaway,asI
expected,butcontinuedtoknockatintervalsandwhispermuchbetweentimes.Morethanoncetheycalledmesoftlybynameandbademeopen,butastheysteadilyrefrainedfromsayingwhotheywere,Isatstill.OccasionallyIheardthemlaugh,butundertheirbreathasitwere;andpersuadedbythisthattheywerebentonafrolic,Imighthavepersistedinmysilenceuntilmidnight,whichwasnotmorethantwohoursoff,hadnotaslightsound,asofaratgnawingbehindthewainscot,drawnmyattentiontothedoor.RaisingmycandleandshadingmyeyesI
espiedsomethingsmallandbrightprotrudingbeneathit,andsprangup,thinkingtheywereabouttopriseitin.Tomysurprise,however,Icoulddiscover,ontakingthecandletothethreshold,nothingmorethreateningthanacoupleofgoldlivres,whichhadbeenthrustthroughthecrevicebetweenthedoorandthefloor.
Myastonishmentmaybeconceived.Istoodforfullaminutestaringatthecoins,thecandleinmyhand.Then,reflectingthattheyoungsparksattheCourtwouldbeveryunlikelytospendsuchasumonajest,Ihesitatednolonger,butputtingdownthecandle,drewtheboltofthedoor,purposingtoconferwithmyvisitorsoutside.Inthis,however,Iwasdisappointed,forthemomentthedoorwasopentheypushedforciblypastmeand,enteringtheroompell-mell,bademebysignstoclosethedooragain.
Ididsosuspiciously,andwithoutavertingmyeyesfrommyvisitors.Greatweremyembarrassmentandconfusion,therefore,when,thedoorbeingshut,theydroppedtheircloaksoneaftertheother,andIsawbeforemeM.duMornayandthewell-knownfigureoftheKingofNavarre.
Theyseemedsomuchdiverted,lookingatoneanotherandlaughing,thatforamomentIthoughtsomechanceresemblancedeceivedme,andthathereweremyjokersagain.HencewhileamanmightcounttenIstoodstaring;andthekingwasthefirsttospeak.\'Wehavemadenomistake,DuMornay,havewe?\'hesaid,castingalaughingglanceatme.
\'No,sire,\'DuMornayanswered.\'ThisistheSieurdeMarsac,thegentlemanwhomImentionedtoyou.\'
Ihastened,confused,wondering,andwithahundredapologies,topaymyrespectstotheking.Hespeedilycutmeshort,however,saying,withanairofmuchkindness,\'OfMarsac,inBrittany,I
think,sir?\'
\'Thesame,sire,\'
\'ThenyouareofthefamilyofBonne?\'
\'Iamthelastsurvivorofthatfamily,sire,\'Iansweredrespectfully.
\'Ithasplayeditspart,\'herejoined.andtherewithhetookhisseatonmystoolwithaneasygracewhichcharmedme.\'Yourmottois\"BONNEFOI,\"isitnot?AndMarsac,ifIrememberrightly,isnotfarfromRennes,ontheVilaine?\'
Iansweredthatitwas,adding,withafullheart,thatitgrievedmetobecompelledtoreceivesogreataprinceinsopooralodging.
\'Well,Iconfess,\'DuMornaystruckin,lookingcarelesslyroundhim,\'youhaveaqueertaste,M.deMarsac,inthearrangementofyourfurniture.You——\'
\'Mornay!\'thekingcriedsharply.
\'Sire?\'
\'Chut!yourelbowisinthecandle.Bewareofit!\'
ButIwellunderstoodhim.Ifmyhearthadbeenfullbefore,itoverflowednow.Povertyisnotsoshamefulastheshiftstowhichitdrivesmen.Ihadbeencompelledsomedaysbefore,inordertomakeasgoodashowaspossible——sinceitistheundoubteddutyofagentlemantohidehisnakednessfromimpertinenteyes,andespeciallyfromtheeyesofthecanaille,whoarewonttojudgefromexternals——toremovesuchofmyfurnitureandequipageasremainedtothatsideoftheroom,whichwasvisiblefromwithoutwhenthedoorwasopen.Thisleftthefarthersideoftheroomvacantandbare.Toanyonewithindoorstheartificewas,ofcourse,apparent,andIamboundtosaythatM.deMornay\'swordsbroughtthebloodtomybrow.
Irejoiced,howeveramomentlaterthathehadutteredthem;forwithoutthemImightneverhaveknown,orknownsoearly,thekindnessofheartandsingularquicknessofapprehensionwhicheverdistinguishedtheking,mymaster.So,inmyheart,Ibegantocallhimfromthathour.
TheKingofNavarrewasatthistimethirty-fiveyearsold,hishairbrown,hiscomplexionruddy,hismoustache,ononesideatleast,beginningtoturngrey.Hisfeatures,whichNaturehadcastinaharshandimperiousmould,wererelievedbyaconstantsparkleandanimationsuchasIhaveneverseeninanyotherman,butinhimbecameevermoreconspicuousingloomyandperiloustimes.Inuredtodangerfromhisearliestyouth,hehadcometoenjoyitasothersafestival,hailingitsadventwitharecklessgaietywhichastonishedevenbravemen,andledotherstothinkhimtheleastprudentofmankind.Yetsuchhewasnot:nay,hewastheoppositeofthis.NeverdidMarshalofFrancemakemorecarefuldispositionsforabattle——albeitonceinitheborehimselflikeanycaptainofhorse——noreverdidDuMornayhimselfsitdowntoaconferencewithamoreaccurateknowledgeofaffairs.Hisprodigiouswitandtheaffabilityofhismanners,whiletheyendearedhimtohisservants,againandagainblindedhisadversaries;who,thinkingthatsomuchbrilliancecouldariseonlyfromashallownature,foundwhenitwastoolatethattheyhadbeenoutwittedbyhimwhomtheycontemptuouslystyledthePrinceofBearn,amanahundredfoldmoreastutethanthemselves,andmasteralikeofpenandsword.
Muchofthis,whichalltheworldnowknows,Ilearnedafterwards.AtthemomentIcouldthinkoflittlesavetheking\'skindness;towhichheaddedbyinsistingthatIshouldsitonthebedwhilewetalked.\'Youwonder,M.deMarsac,\'hesaid,\'whatbringsmehere,andwhyIhavecometoyouinsteadofsendingforyou?Stillmore,perhaps,whyIhavecometoyouatnightandwithsuchprecautions?Iwilltellyou.Butfirst,thatmycomingmaynotfillyouwithfalsehopes,letmesayfrankly,thatthoughImayrelieveyourpresentnecessities,whetheryoufallintotheplanIamgoingtomention,ornot,I
cannottakeyouintomyservice;wherein,indeed,everypostisdoublyfilled.DuMornaymentionedyournametome,butinfairnesstoothersIhadtoanswerthatIcoulddonothing.\'
Iamboundtoconfessthatthisstrangeexordiumdashedhopeswhichhadalreadyrisentoahighpitch.Recoveringmyselfasquicklyaspossible,however,ImurmuredthatthehonourofavisitfromtheKingofNavarrewassufficienthappinessforme.
\'Nay,butthathonourImusttakefromyou\'hereplied,smiling;