\'thoughIseethatyouwouldmakeanexcellentcourtier——farbetterthanDuMornayhere,whoneverinhislifemadesoprettyaspeech.ForImustlaymycommandsonyoutokeepthisvisitasecret,M.deMarsac.Shouldbuttheslightestwhisperofitgetabroad,yourusefulness,asfarasIamconcerned,wouldbegone,andgoneforgood!\'
SoremarkableastatementfilledmewithwonderIcouldscarcelydisguise.ItwaswithdifficultyIfoundwordstoassurethekingthathiscommandsshouldbefaithfullyobeyed.
\'OfthatIamsure,\'heansweredwiththeutmostkindness.
\'WhereInot,andsure,too,fromwhatIamtoldofyourgallantrywhenmycousintookBrouage,thatyouareamanofdeedsratherthanwords,IshouldnotbeherewiththepropositionIamgoingtolaybeforeyou.Itisthis.Icangiveyounohopeofpublicemployment,M.deMarsac,butIcanofferyouanadventureifadventuresbetoyourtaste——asdangerousandasthanklessasanyAmadiseverundertook.\'
\'Asthankless,sire?\'Istammered,doubtingifIhadheardaright,theexpressionwassostrange.
\'Asthankless,\'heanswered,hiskeeneyesseemingtoreadmysoul.\'Iamfrankwithyou,yousee,sir,\'hecontinued,carelessly.\'Icansuggestthisadventure——itisforthegoodoftheState——Icandonomore.TheKingofNavarrecannotappearinit,norcanheprotectyou.Succeedorfailinit,yousteadalone.TheonlypromiseImakeis,thatifiteverbesafeformetoacknowledgetheact,Iwillrewardthedoer.\'
Hepaused,andforafewmomentsIstaredathiminsheeramazement.Whatdidhemean?Wereheandtheotherrealfigures,orwasIdreaming?
\'Doyouunderstand?\'heaskedatlength,withatouchofimpatience.
\'Yes,sire,IthinkIdo,\'Imurmured,verycertainintruthandrealitythatIdidnot.
\'Whatdoyousay,then——yesorno?\'herejoined.\'Willyouundertaketheadventure,orwouldyouhearmorebeforeyoumakeupyourmind?\'
Ihesitated.HadIbeenayoungermanbytenyearsIshoulddoubtlesshavecriedassentthereandthen,havingbeenallmylifereadyenoughtoembarkonsuchenterprisesasofferedachanceofdistinction.Butsomethinginthestrangenessoftheking\'spreface,althoughIhaditinmyhearttodieforhim,gavemecheck,andIanswered,withanairofgreathumility,\'Youwillthinkmebutapoorcourtiernow,sire,yetheisafoolwhojumpsintoaditchwithoutmeasuringthedepth.Iwouldfain,ifImaysayitwithoutdisrespect,hearallthatyoucantellme.\'
\'ThenIfear,\'heansweredquickly,\'ifyouwouldhavemorelightonthematter,myfriend,youmustgetanothercandle.\'
Istarted,hespokesoabruptly;butperceivingthatthecandlehadindeedburneddowntothesocket,Irose,withmanyapologies,andfetchedanotherfromthecupboard.Itdidnotoccurtomeatthemoment,thoughitdidlater,thatthekinghadpurposelysoughtthisopportunityofconsultingwithhiscompanion.Imerelyremarked,whenIreturnedtomyplaceonthebed,thattheyweresittingalittleneareroneanother,andthatthekingeyedmebeforehespoke——thoughhestillswungonefootcarelesslyintheairwithcloseattention.
\'Ispeaktoyou,ofcourse,sir,\'hepresentlywenton,\'inconfidence,believingyoutobeanhonourableaswellasabraveman.ThatwhichIwishyoutodoisbriefly,andinaword,tocarryoffalady.Nay,\'headdedquickly,withalaughinggrimace,\'havenofear!Sheisnosweetheartofmine,norshouldIgotomygravefriendheredidIneedassistanceofthatkind.
HenryofBourbon,IprayGod,willalwaysbeabletofreehisownlady-love.ThisisaStateaffair,andamatterofquiteanothercharacter,thoughwecannotatpresententrustyouwiththemeaningofit.\'
Ibowedinsilence,feelingsomewhatchilledandperplexed,aswhowouldnot,havingsuchaninvitationbeforehim?Ihadanticipatedanaffairwithmenonly——asecretassaultorapetardexpedition.Butseeingthebarenessofmyroom,andthehonourthekingwasdoingme,IfeltIhadnochoice,andIanswered,\'Thatbeingthecase,sire,Iamwhollyatyourservice.\'
\'Thatiswell,\'he,answeredbriskly,thoughmethoughthelookedatDuMornayreproachfully,asdoubtinghiscommendationofme.
\'Butwillyousaythesame,\'hecontinued,removinghiseyestome,andspeakingslowly,asthoughhewouldtryme,\'whenItellyouthattheladytobecarriedoffisthewardoftheVicomtedeTurenne,whosearmiswell-nighaslongasmyown,andwhowouldfainmakeitlonger;whonevertravels,ashetoldmeyesterday,withlessthanfiftygentlemen,andhasathousandarquebusiersinhispay?Istheadventurestilltoyourliking,M.deMarsac,nowthatyouknowthat?\'
\'Itismoretomyliking,sire,\'Iansweredstoutly.
\'Understandthistoo,\'herejoined.\'Itisessentialthatthislady,whoisatpresentconfinedintheVicomte\'shouseatChize,shouldbereleased;butitisequallyessentialthatthereshouldbenobreachbetweentheVicomteandmyself.Thereforetheaffairmustbetheworkofanindependentman,whohasneverbeeninmyservice,norinanywayconnectedwithme.Ifcaptured,youpaythepenaltywithoutrecoursetome.\'
\'Ifullyunderstand,sire,\'Ianswered.
\'VentreSaintGris!\'hecried,breakingintoalowlaugh.I
swearthemanismoreafraidoftheladythanheisoftheVicomte!ThatisnotthewayofmostofourCourt.\'
DuMornay,whohadbeensittingnursinghiskneeinsilence,purseduphislips,thoughitwaseasytoseethathewaswellcontentwiththeking\'sapprobation.Henowintervened.\'Withyourpermission,sire,\'hesaid,\'Iwillletthisgentlemanknowthedetails.\'
\'Do,myfriend,\'thekinganswered.\'Andbeshort,forifweareheremuchlongerIshallbemissed,andinatwinklingtheCourtwillhavefoundmeanewmistress.\'
Hespokeinjestandwithalaugh,butIsawDuMornaystartatthewords,asthoughtheywerelittletohisliking;andI
learnedafterwardsthattheCourtwasreallymuchexercisedatthistimewiththequestionwhowouldbethenextfavourite,theking\'spassionfortheCountessdelaGuichebeingevidentlyonthewane,andthatwhichhepresentlyevincedforMadamedeGuerchevillebeingasyetamatterofconjecture.
DuMornaytooknoovertnoticeoftheking\'swords,however,butproceededtogivememydirections.\'Chize,whichyouknowbyname,\'hesaid,\'issixleaguesfromhere.MademoiselledelaVireisconfinedinthenorth-westroom,onthefirst-floor,overlookingthepark.MoreIcannottellyou,exceptthatherwoman\'snameisFanchette,andthatsheistobetrusted.Thehouseiswellguarded,andyouwillneedfourorfivemen,Thereareplentyofcut-throatstobehired,onlysee,M.deMarsac,thattheyaresuchasyoucanmanage,andthatMademoiselletakesnohurtamongthem.Havehorsesinwaiting,andthemoment;youhavereleasedtheladyridenorthwithherasfastasherstrengthwillpermit.Indeed,youmustnotspareher,ifTurennebeonyourheels.YoushouldbeacrosstheLoireinsixtyhoursafterleavingChize.\'
\'AcrosstheLoire?\'Iexclaimedinastonishment.
\'Yes,sir,acrosstheLoire,\'hereplied,withsomesternness.
\'Yourtask,begoodenoughtounderstand,istoconvoyMademoiselledelaVirewithallspeedtoBlois.There,attractingaslittlenoticeasmaybe,youwillinquirefortheBarondeRosnyattheBleedingHeart,intheRuedeSt.Denys.
Hewilltakechargeofthelady,ordirectyouhowtodisposeofher,andyourtaskwillthenbeaccomplished.Youfollowme?\'
\'Perfectly,\'Ianswered,speakinginmyturnwithsomedryness.
\'ButMademoiselleIunderstandisyoung.Whatifshewillnotaccompanyme,astranger,enteringherroomatnight,andbythewindow?\'
\'Thathasbeenthoughtof\'wastheanswer.HeturnedtotheKingofNavarre,who,afteramoment\'ssearch,producedasmallobjectfromhispouch.Thishegavetohiscompanion,andthelattertransferredittome.Itookitwithcuriosity.Itwasthehalfofagoldcarolus,thebrokenedgeofthecoinbeingroughandjagged.\'ShowthattoMademoiselle,myfriend,\'DuMornaycontinued,\'andshewillaccompanyyou.Shehastheotherhalf.\'
\'Butbecareful,\'Henryaddedeagerly,\'tomakenomention,eventoher,oftheKingofNavarre.Youmarkme,M.deMarsac!Ifyouhaveatanytimeoccasiontospeakofme,youmayhavethehonourofcallingmeYOURFRIEND,andreferringtomealwaysinthesamemanner.\'
ThishesaidwithsograciousanairthatIwascharmed,andthoughtmyselfhappyindeedtobeaddressedinthiswisebyaprincewhosenamewasalreadysoglorious.Norwasmysatisfactiondiminishedwhenhiscompaniondrewoutabagcontaining,ashetoldme,threehundredcrownsingold,andplaceditinmyhands,biddingmedefraytherefromthecostofthejourney.\'Becareful,however,\'headdedearnestly,\'toavoid,inhiringyourmen,anyappearanceofwealth,lesttheadventureseemtobesuggestedbysomeoutsideperson;insteadofbeingdictatedbythedesperatestateofyourownfortunes.
Promiseratherthangive,sofarasthatwillavail.Andforwhatyoumustgive,leteachlivreseemtobethelastinyourpouch.\'
Henrynoddedassent.\'Excellentadvice!\'hemuttered,risinganddrawingonhiscloak,\'suchasyouevergiveme,Mornay,andIasseldomtake——more\'sthepity!But,afterall,oflittleavailwithoutthis.\'Heliftedmyswordfromthetableashespoke,andweigheditinhishand.\'Aprettytool,\'hecontinued,turningsuddenlyandlookingmeverycloselyintheface.\'Averyprettytool.WereIinyourplace,M.deMarsac,Iwouldseethatithunglooseinthescabbard.Ay,andmore,man,useit!\'headded,sinkinghisvoiceandstickingouthischin,whilehisgreyeyes,lookingevercloserintomine,seemedtogrowcoldandhardassteel.\'Useittothelast,forifyoufallintoTurenne\'shands,Godhelpyou!Icannot!\'
\'IfIamtaken,sire,\'Ianswered,trembling,butnotwithfear,\'myfatebeonmyownhead.\'
Isawtheking\'seyessoften,atthat,andhisfacechangesoswiftlythatIscarceknewhimforthesameman.Helettheweapondropwithaclashonthetable.\'VentreSaintGris!\'heexclaimedwithastrangethrillofyearninginhistone.\'I
swearbyGod,IwouldIwereinyourshoes,sir.Tostrikeablowortwowithnocarewhatcameofit.Totaketheroadwithagoodhorseandagoodsword,andseewhatfortunewouldsend.
Toberidofallthisstatecraftandprotocolling,andnevertoissueanotherdeclarationinthisworld,butjusttobeforonceaGentlemanofFrance,withalltowinandnothingtolosesavetheloveofmylady!Ah!Mornay,woulditnotbesweettoleaveallthisfretandfume,andrideawaytothegreenwoodsbyCoarraze?\'
\'Certainly,ifyoupreferthemtotheLouvre,sire,\'DuMornayanswereddrily;whileIstood,silentandamazed,beforethisstrangeman,whocouldsosuddenlychangefromgravetogay,andonemomentspokesosagely,andthenextlikeanywildladinhisteens.\'Certainly,\'heanswered,\'ifthatbeyourchoice,sire;
andifyouthinkthateventheretheDukeofGuisewillleaveyouinpeace.Turenne,Iamsure,willbegladtohearofyourdecision.DoubtlesshewillbeelectedProtectoroftheChurches.Nay,sire,forshame!\'DuMornaycontinuedalmostwithsternness.\'WouldyouleaveFrance,whichatoddtimesI
haveheardyousayyouloved,toshiftforherself?Wouldyoudepriveheroftheonlymanwhodoesloveherforherownsake?\'
\'Well,well,butsheissuchaficklesweetheart,myfriend,\'thekinganswered,laughing,thesideglanceofhiseyeonme.
\'Neverwasonesocoyorsohardtoclip!And,besides,hasnotthePopedivorcedus?\'
\'ThePope!AfigforthePope!\'DuMornayrejoinedwithimpatientheat.\'WhathashetodowithFrance?Animpertinentmeddler,andanItaliantoboot!Iwouldheandallthebroodofthemweresunkahundredfathomsdeepinthesea.But,meantime,Iwouldsendhimatexttodigest.\'
\'EXEMPLUM?\'saidtheking.
\'WhomGodhasjoinedtogetherletnomanputasunder.\'
\'Amen!quothHenrysoftly.\'AndFranceisafairandcomelybride.\'
Afterthathekeptsuchasilence,fallingasitseemedtomeintoabrownstudy,thathewentawaywithoutsomuchasbiddingmefarewell,orbeingconscious,asfarasIcouldtell,ofmypresence.DuMornayexchangedafewwordswithme,toassurehimselfthatIunderstoodwhatIhadtodo,andthen,withmanykindexpressions,whichIdidnotfailtotreasureupandconoverinthetimesthatwerecoming,hasteneddownstairsafterhismaster.
MyjoywhenIfoundmyselfalonemaybeconceived.Yetwasitnoecstasy,butasoberexhilaration;suchasstirredmypulsesindeed,andbademeoncemorefacetheworldwithafirmeyeandanassuredbrow,butwasfarfromholdingoutbeforemeatroubadour\'spalaceoranydazzlingprospect.ThelongerIdweltontheinterview,themoreclearlyIsawthetruth.AstheglamourwhichHenry\'spresenceandsingularkindnesshadcastovermebegantolosesomeofitspower,Irecognisedmoreandmoresurelywhyhehadcometome.Itwasnotoutofanyspecialfavourforonewhomheknewbyreportonly,ifatallbyname;
butbecausehehadneedofamanpoor,andthereforereckless,middle-agedofwhichcomesdiscretion,obscure——thereforeasafeinstrument;tocrownall,agentleman,seeingthatbothasecretandawomenwereinquestion.
WithalIwonderedtoo.Lookingfromthebagofmoneyonthetabletothebrokencoininmyhand,Iscarcelyknewwhichtoadmiremore:theconfidencewhichentrustedtheonetoamanbrokenandbeggared,orthecourageofthegentlewomanwhoshouldaccompanymeonthefaithoftheother.
CHAPTERIII.
BOOTANDSADDLE.
Aswasnatural,Imeditateddeeplyandfarintothenightonthedifficultiesofthetask,entrustedtome.Isawthatitfellintotwoparts:thereleaseofthelady,andhersafeconducttoBlois,adistanceofsixtyleagues.ThereleaseIthoughtitprobableIcouldeffectsingle-handed,orwithonecompaniononly;butinthetroubledconditionofthecountryatthistime,moreparticularlyonbothsidesoftheLoire,IscarcelysawhowIcouldensurealady\'ssafetyontheroadnorthwardsunlessI
hadwithmeatleastfiveswords.
Togetthesetogetheratafewhours\'noticepromisedtobenoeasytask;althoughthepresenceoftheCourtofNavarrehadfilledSt.Jeanwithacrowdofadventurers.Yettheking\'scommandwasurgent,andatsomesacrifice,evenatsomerisk,mustbeobeyed.Pressedbytheseconsiderations,IcouldthinkofnobettermantobeginwiththanFresnoy.
Hischaracterwasbad,andhehadlongforfeitedsuchclaimashehadeverpossessed——Ibelieveitwasamistyone,onthedistaffside——togentility.ButthesamecausewhichhadrenderedmedestituteImeanthedeathoftheprinceofConde——hadstrippedhimtothelastrag;andthis,perhaps,incliningmetoservehim,Iwasthemorequicktoseehismerits.Iknewhimalreadyforahardy,recklessman,verycapableofstrikingashrewdblow.Igavehimcreditforbeingtrusty,aslongashisdutyjumpedwithhisinterest.
Accordingly,assoonasitwaslight,havingfedandgroomedtheCid,whichwasalwaysthefirstemploymentofmyday,IsetoutinsearchofFresnoy,andwaspresentlyluckyenoughtofindhimtakinghismorningdraughtoutsidethe\'ThreePigeons,\'alittleinnnotfarfromthenorthgate.ItwasmorethanafortnightsinceIhadseteyesonhim,andthelapseoftimehadworkedsogreatachangefortheworseinhimthat,forgettingmyownshabbiness,Ilookedathimaskance,asdoubtingthewisdomofenlistingonewhoboresoplainlythemarksofpovertyanddissipation.Hisgreatface——hewasalargeman——hadsufferedrecentill-usage,andwasswollenanddiscoloured,oneeyebeingasgoodasclosed.Hewasunshaven,hishairwasill-kempt,hisdoubletunfastenedatthethroat,andtornandstainedbesides.
Despitethecold——forthemorningwassharpandfrosty,thoughfreefromwind——therewerehalfadozenpackmendrinkingandsquabblingbeforetheinn,whilethebeaststheydrovequenchedtheirthirstatthetrough.Butthesemenseemedwithoneaccordtoleavehiminpossessionofthebenchatwhichhesat;nordidIwondermuchatthiswhenIsawthemoroseandsavageglancewhichheshotatmeasIapproached.Whetherhereadmyfirstimpressionsinmyface,orforsomeotherreasonfeltdistasteformycompany,Icouldnotdetermine.But,undeterredbyhisbehaviour,Isatdownbesidehimandcalledforwine.
Henoddedsulkilyinanswertomygreeting,andcastahalf-
shamed,half-angrylookatmeoutofthecornersofhiseyes.
\'YouneednotlookatmeasthoughIwereadog,\'hemutteredpresently.\'Youarenotsoveryspruceyourself,myfriend.ButIsupposeyouhavegrownproudsinceyougotthatfatappointmentatCourt!\'Andhelaughedoutloud,sothatIconfessIwasintwomindswhetherIshouldnotforcethejestdownhisuglythroat.
HoweverIrestrainedmyself,thoughmycheeksburned.\'Youhaveheardaboutit,then,\'Isaid,strivingtospeakindifferently.
\'Whohasnot?\'hesaid,laughingwithhislips,thoughhiseyeswerefarfrommerry.\'TheSieurdeMarsac\'sappointment!Ha!
ha!Why,man——\'
\'Enoughofitnow!\'Iexclaimed.AndIdaresayIwrithedonmyseat.\'AsfarasIamconcernedthejestisastaleone,sir,anddoesnotamuseme.\'
\'Butitamusesme,\'herejoinedwithagrin.
\'Letitbe,nevertheless,\'Isaid;andIthinkhereadawarninginmyeyes.\'Ihavecometospeaktoyouuponanothermatter.\'
Hedidnotrefusetolisten,butthrewonelegovertheother,andlookingupattheinn-signbegantowhistleinarude,offensivemanner.Still,havinganobjectinview,Icontrolledmyselfandcontinued.\'Itisthis,myfriend:moneyisnotveryplentifulatpresentwitheitherofus.\'
BeforeIcouldsayanymoreheturnedonmesavagely,andwithaloudoaththrusthisbloatedface,flushedwithpassion,closetomine.\'Nowlookhere,M.deMarsac!\'hecriedviolently,\'onceforall,itisnogood!Ihavenotgotthemoney,andIcannotpayit.Isaidafortnightago,whenyoulentit,thatyoushouldhaveitthisweek.Well,\'slappinghishandonthebench,Ihavenotgotit,anditisnogoodbeginninguponme.Youcannothaveit,andthatisflat!\'
\'Damnthemoney!\'Icried.
\'What?\'heexclaimed,scarcelybelievinghisears.
\'Letthemoneybe!\'Irepeatedfiercely.\'Doyouhear?Ihavenotcomeaboutit,Iamheretoofferyouwork——good,well-paidwork——ifyouwillenlistwithmeandplaymefair,Fresnoy.\'
\'Playfair!\'hecriedwithanoath.
\'There,there,\'Isaid,\'Iamwillingtoletbygonesbebygonesifyouare.Thepointis,thatIhaveanadventureonhand,and,wantinghelp,canpayyouforit.\'
Helookedatmecunningly,Hiseyetravellingovereachrentanddarninmydoublet.\'Iwillhelpyoufastenough,\'hesaidatlast.\'ButIshouldliketoseethemoneyfirst.\'
\'Youshall,\'Ianswered.
\'ThenIamwithyou,myfriend.Countonmetilldeath!\'hecried,risingandlayinghishandinminewithaboisterousfranknesswhichdidnotdeceivemeintotrustinghimfar.\'Andnow,whoseistheaffair,andwhatisit?\'
\'Theaffairismine,\'Isaidcoldly.\'Itistocarryoffalady.\'
Hewhistledandlookedmeoveragain,animpudentleerinhiseyes.\'Alady?\'heexclaimed.\'Umph!Icouldunderstandayoungsparkgoinginforsuch——butthat\'syouraffair.Whoisit?\'
\'Thatismyaffair,too,\'Iansweredcoolly,disgustedbytheman\'svenalityandmeanness,andfullypersuadedthatImusttrusthimnofartherthanthelengthofmysword.\'AllIwantyoutodo,M.Fresnoy,\'Icontinuedstiffly,\'istoplaceyourselfatmydisposalandundermyordersfortendays.Iwillfindyouahorseandpayyou——theenterpriseisahazardousone,andItakethatintoaccount——twogoldcrownsaday,andtenmoreifwesucceedinreachingaplaceofsafety.\'
\'Suchaplaceas——\'
\'Nevermindthat,\'Ireplied.\'Thequestionis,doyouaccept?\'
Helookeddownsullenly,andIcouldseehewasgreatlyangeredbymydeterminationtokeepthemattertomyself.\'AmItoknownomorethanthat?\'heasked,diggingthepointofhisscabbardagainandagainintotheground.
\'Nomore,\'Iansweredfirmly.\'Iambentonadesperateattempttomendmyfortunesbeforetheyfallaslowasyours;andthatisasmuchasImeantotelllivingman.Ifyouarelothtoriskyourlifewithyoureyesshut,sayso,andIwillgotosomeoneelse.\'
Buthewasnotinaposition,asIwellknew,torefusesuchanoffer,andpresentlyheaccepteditwithafreshsemblanceofheartiness.ItoldhimIshouldwantfourtrooperstoescortus,andtheseheofferedtoprocure,sayingthatheknewjusttheknavestosuitme.Ibadehimhiretwoonly,however,beingtoowise,toputmyselfaltogetherinhishands;andthen,havinggivenhimmoneytobuyhimselfahorse——Imadeitatermthatthemenshouldbringtheirown——andnamedarendezvousforthefirsthourafternoon,Ipartedfromhimandwentrathersadlyaway.
ForIbegantoseethatthekinghadnotunderratedthedangersofanenterpriseonwhichnonebutdesperatemenandsuchasweredownintheworldcouldbeexpectedtoembark.Seeingthis,andalsoathingwhichfollowedclearlyfromit——thatIshouldhaveasmuchtofearfrommyowncompanyasfromtheenemy——IlookedforwardwithlittlehopetoajourneyduringeverydayandeveryhourofwhichImustbearagrowingweightoffearandresponsibility.
Itwastoolatetoturnback,however,andIwentaboutmypreparations,ifwithlittlecheerfulness,atleastwithsteadfastpurpose.IhadmyswordgroundandmypistolsputinorderbythecutleroverwhomIlodged,andwhoperformedthislastofficeformewiththesamegoodwillwhichhadcharacterised,allhisdealingswithme.IsoughtoutandhiredacoupleofstoutfellowswhomIbelievedtobeindifferentlyhonest,butwhopossessedtheadvantageofhavinghorses;andbesidesboughttwoledhorsesmyselfformademoiselleandherwoman.SuchotherequipmentsaswereabsolutelynecessaryI
purchased,reducingmystockofmoneyinthiswaytotwohundredandtencrowns.Howtodisposeofthissumsothatitmightbesafeandyetatmycommandwasaquestionwhichgreatlyexercisedme.IntheendIhadrecoursetomyfriendthecutler,whosuggestedhidingahundredcrownsofitinmycap,anddeftlycontrivedaplaceforthepurpose.This,thecapbeinglinedwithsteel,wasamatterofnogreatdifficulty.AsecondhundredIsewedupinthestuffingofmysaddle,placingtheremainderinmypouchforpresentnecessities.
Asmallrainwasfallinginthestreetswhen,alittleafternoon,Istartedwithmytwoknavesbehindmeandmadeforthenorthgate.Somanyweremovingthiswayandtheotherthatwepassedunnoticed,andmighthavedonesohadwenumberedsixswordsinsteadofthree.Whenwereachedtherendezvous,amilebeyondthegate,wefoundFresnoyalreadythere,takingshelterintheleeofabigholly-tree.Hehadfourhorsemenwithhim,andonourappearancerodeforwardtomeetus,cryingheartily,\'Welcome,M.leCapitaine!\'
\'Welcome,certainly,\'Ianswered,pullingtheCidupsharply,andholdingofffromhim.\'Butwhoarethese,M.Fresnoy?\'andI
pointedwithmyriding-canetohisfourcompanions.
Hetriedtopassthematteroffwithalaugh.\'Oh!these?\'hesaid.\'Thatissoonexplained.TheEvangelistswouldnotbedivided,soIbroughtthemall——MatthewMark,Luke,andJohn——
thinkingitlikelyyoumightfailtosecureyourmen.AndIwillwarrantthemforfourasgallantboysasyouwilleverfindbehindyou!\'
TheywerecertainlyfourasarrantruffiansasIhadeverseenbeforeme,andIsawImustnothesitate.\'Twoornone,M.
Fresnoy,\'Isaidfirmly.\'Igaveyouacommissionfortwo,andtwoIwilltake——MatthewandMark,orLukeandJohn,asyouplease.\'
\'\'Tisapitytobreaktheparty,\'saidhe,scowling.
\'Ifthatbeall,\'Iretorted,\'oneofmymeniscalledJohn.AndwewilldubtheotherLuke,ifthatwillmendthematter.\'
\'ThePrinceofConde,\'hemutteredsullenly,\'employedthesemen.\'
\'ThePrinceofCondeemployedsomequeerpeoplesometimes,M.
Fresnoy,\'Ianswered,lookinghimstraightbetweentheeyes,\'asweallmust.Atrucetothis,ifyouplease.WewilltakeMatthewandMark.Theothertwobegoodenoughtodismiss.\'
Heseemedtowaverforamoment,asifhehadamindtodisobey,butintheend,thinkingbetterofit,hebadethemenreturn;
andasIcomplimentedeachofthemwithapieceofsilver,theywentoff,aftersomeswearing,intolerablygoodhumour.ThereonFresnoywasfortakingtheroadatonce,buthavingnomindtobefollowed,Igavethewordtowaituntilthetwowereoutofsight.
Ithink,aswesatourhorsesintherain,theholly-bushnotbeinglargeenoughtoshelterusall,wewereassorryabandaseversetouttorescuealady;norwasitwithoutpainthatI
lookedroundandsawmyselfreducedtocommandsuchpeople.
Therewasscarcelyonewholeunpatchedgarmentamongus,andthreeofmysquireshadbutaspurapiece.Tomakeupforthisdeficiencywemusteredtwoblackeyes,Fresnoy\'sincluded,andabrokennose.Matthew\'snaglackedatail,and,moreremarkablestill,itsrider,asIpresentlydiscovered,wasstone-deaf;
whileMark\'sswordwasinnocentofascabbard,andhisbridlewasplainrope.Onething,indeed,Iobservedwithpleasure.ThetwomenwhohadcomewithmelookedaskanceatthetwowhohadcomewithFresnoy,andthesereturnedthestarewithinterest.
OnthisdivisionandonthelengthofmyswordIbasedallmyhopesofsafetyandofsomethingmore.OnitIwasabouttostake,notmyownlifeonly——whichwasnogreatthing,seeingwhatmyprospectswere——butthelifeandhonourofawoman,young,helpless,andasyetunknowntome.
WeigheddownasIwasbytheseconsiderations,Ihadtobeartheadditionalburdenofhidingmyfearsandsuspicionsunderacheerfuldemeanour.Imadeashortspeechtomyfollowing,whooneandallrespondedbyswearingtostandbymetothedeath.I
thengavetheword,andwestarted,FresnoyandIleadingtheway,LukeandJohnwiththeledhorsesfollowing,andtheothertwobringinguptherear.
Theraincontinuingtofallandthecountryinthispartbeingdrearyandmonotonous,eveninfairweather,Ifeltmyspiritssinkstilllowerasthedayadvanced.TheresponsibilityIwasgoingtoincurassumedmoreseriousproportionseachtimeI
scannedmyfollowing;whileFresnoy,plyingmewithperpetualquestionsrespectingmyplans,wasasuneasyacompanionasmyworstenemycouldhavewishedme.
\'Come!\'hegrumbledpresently,whenwehadcoveredfourleaguesorso,\'youhavenottoldmeyet,sieur,wherewestayto-night.
Youaretravellingsoslowlythat——\'
\'Iamsavingthehorses,\'Iansweredshortly.\'Weshalldoalongdayto-morrow.\'
\'Yourslooksfitforaweekofdays,\'hesneered,withanevillookatmySardinian,whichwas,indeed,inbettercasethanitsmaster.\'Itissleekenough,anyway!\'
\'Itisasgoodasitlooks,\'Ianswered,alittlenettledbyhistone.
\'Thereisabetterhere,\'heresponded.
\'Idon\'tseeit,\'Isaid.Ihadalreadyeyedthenagsallround,andassuredmyselfthat,uglyandblemishedastheywere,theywereuptotheirwork.ButIhaddiscernednospecialmeritamongthem.Ilookedthemoveragainnow,andcametothesameconclusion——that,excepttheledhorses,whichIhadchosenwithsomecare,therewasnothingamongthemtoviewiththeCid,eitherinspeedorlooks.ItoldFresnoyso.
\'Wouldyouliketotry?\'hesaidtauntingly.
Ilaughed,adding,\'IfyouthinkIamgoingtotireourhorsesbyracingthem,withsuchworkaswehavebeforeus,youaremistaken,Fresnoy.Iamnotaboy,youknow.\'
\'Thereneedbenoquestionofracing,\'heansweredmorequietly.
\'Youhaveonlytogetonthatrat-tailedbayofMatthew\'stofeelitspacesandsayIamright.\'
Ilookedatthebay,abald-faced,fiddle-headedhorse,andsawthat,withnosignsofbreeding,itwasstillabig-bonedanimalwithgoodshouldersandpowerfulhips.IthoughtitpossibleFresnoymightberight,andifso,andthebay\'smannersweretolerable,itmightdoformademoisellebetterthanthehorseI
hadchosen.Atanyrate,ifwehadafasthorseamongus,itwaswelltoknowthefact,sobiddingMatthewchangewithme,andbecarefuloftheCid,Imountedthebay,andsoondiscoveredthatitspaceswereeasyandpromisedspeed,whileitsmannersseemedasgoodasevenatimidridercoulddesire.
Ourroadatthetimelayacrossaflatdesolateheath,dottedhereandtherewith,thorn-bushes;thetrackbeingbrokenandstony,extendedmorethanascoreofyardsinwidth,throughtravellersstrayingtothissideandthattoescapetheworstplaces.FresnoyandI,inmakingthechange,hadfallenslightlybehindtheotherthree,andwereridingabreastofMatthewontheCid.
\'Well,\'hesaid,\'wasInotright?\'
\'Inpart,\'Ianswered.\'Thehorseisbetterthanitslooks.\'
\'Likemanyothers,\'herejoined,asparkofresentmentinhistone——\'menaswellashorses,M.deMarsac.ButWhatdoyousay?
Shallwecanteronalittleandovertaketheothers?\'
Thinkingitwelltodoso,Iassentedreadily,andwestartedtogether.Wehadridden,however,nomorethanahundredyards,andIwasonlybeginningtoextendthebay,whenFresnoy,slightlydrawingrein,turnedinhissaddleandlookedback.Thenextmomenthecried,\'Hallo!whatisthis?Thosefellowsarenotfollowingus,arethey?\'
Iturnedsharplytolook.Atthatmoment,withoutfalterorwarning,thebayhorsewentdownundermeasifshotdead,throwingmehalfadozenyardsoveritshead;andthatsosuddenlythatIhadnotimetoraisemyarms,but,fallingheavilyonmyheadandshoulder,lostconsciousness.
Ihavehadmanyfalls,butnoothertoviewiththatinutterunexpectedness.WhenIrecoveredmysensesIfoundmyselfleaning,giddyandsick,againsttheboleofanoldthorn-tree.
FresnoyandMatthewsupportedmeoneitherside,andaskedmehowIfoundmyself;whiletheotherthreemen,theirformsblackagainstthestormyeveningsky,sattheirhorsesafewpacesinfrontofme.Iwastoomuchdazedatfirsttoseemore,andthisonlyinamechanicalfashion;butgradually,mybraingrewclearer,andIadvancedfromwonderingwhothestrangersroundmeweretorecognisingthem,andfinallytorememberingwhathadhappenedtome.
\'Isthehorsehurt?\'ImutteredassoonasIcouldspeak.
\'Notawhit,\'Fresnoyanswered,chuckling,orIwasmuchmistaken.\'Iamafraidyoucameofftheworseofthetwo,captain.\'
Heexchangedalookwiththemenonhorsebackashespoke,andinadullfashionIfanciedIsawthemsmile.Oneevenlaughed,andanotherturnedinhissaddleasiftohidehisface.IhadavaguegeneralsensethattherewassomejokeonfootinwhichI
hadnopart.ButIwastoomuchshakenatthemomenttobecurious,andgratefullyacceptedtheofferofone,ofthementofetchmealittlewater.Whilehewasawaythereststoodroundme,thesamelookofill-concealeddrolleryontheirfaces.
Fresnoyalonetalked,speakingvolublyoftheaccident,pouringoutexpressionsofsympathyandcursingtheroad,thehorse,andthewintrylightuntilthewatercame;when,muchrefreshedbythedraught,ImanagedtoclimbtotheCid\'ssaddleandplodslowlyonwardswiththem.
\'Abadbeginning,\'Fresnoysaidpresently,stealingaslyglanceatmeaswejoggedalongsidebyside,Chizehalfaleaguebeforeus,anddarknessnotfaroff.
Bythistime,however,Iwasmyselfagain,saveforalittlehummingisthehead,and,shruggingmyshoulders,Itoldhimso.
\'All\'swellthatendswell,\'Iadded.\'Notthatitwasapleasantfall,orthatIwishtohavesuchanother.\'
\'No,Ishouldthinknot,\'heanswered.Hisfacewasturnedfromme,butIfanciedIheardhimsnigger.
Something,whichmayhavebeenavaguesuspicion,ledmeamomentlatertoputmyhandintomypouch.ThenIunderstood.I
understoodtoowell.ThesharpsurpriseofthediscoverywassuchthatinvoluntarilyIdrovemyspursintotheCid,andthehorsesprangforward.
\'Whatisthematter?\'Fresnoyasked.
\'Thematter?\'Iechoed,myhandstillatmybelt,feeling——feelinghopelessly.
\'Yes,whatisit?\'heasked,abrazensmileonhisrascallyface.
Ilookedathim,mybrowasredasfire.\'Oh!nothing——nothing,\'Isaid.\'Letustroton.\'
IntruthIhaddiscoveredthat,takingadvantageofmyhelplessness,thescoundrelshadrobbedme,whileIlayinsensible,ofeverygoldcrowninmypurse!Norwasthisall,ortheworst,forIsawatoncethatindoingsotheyhadeffectedsomethingwhichwasathousandfoldmoreominousandformidable——establishedagainstmethatsecretunderstandingwhichitwasmyespecialaimtoprevent,andontheabsenceofwhichIhadbeencounting.Nay,IsawthatformyverylifeI
hadonlymyfriendthecutlerandmyownprudencetothank,seeingthattheserogueswouldcertainlyhavemurderedmewithoutscruplehadtheysucceededinfindingthebulkofmymoney.
Baffledinthis,whilestillpersuadedthatIhadotherresources,theyhadstoppedshortofthatvillany——orthismemoirhadneverbeenwritten.Theyhadkindlypermittedmetoliveuntilamorefavourableopportunityofenrichingthemselvesatmyexpenseshouldputtheminpossessionofmylastcrown!
ThoughIwassufficientlymasterofmyselftorefrainfromcomplaintswhichIfeltmustbeuseless,andfrommenaceswhichithasneverbeenmyhabittoutterunlessIhadalsothepowertoputthemintoexecution,itmustnotbeimaginedthatIdidnot,asIrodeonbyFresnoy\'sside,feelmypositionacutelyorseehowabsurdafigureIcutinmydualcharacterofleaderanddupe.Indeed,thereflectionthat,beinginthisperilousposition,Iwasabouttostakeanother\'ssafetyaswellasmyown,mademefeeltheneedofafewminutes\'thoughtsourgentthatIdeterminedtogainthem,evenattheriskofleavingmymenatlibertytoplotfurthermischief.Comingalmostimmediatelyafterwardswithinsight,oftheturretsoftheChateauofChize,ItoldFresnoythatweshouldliethenightatthevillage;andbadehimtakethemenonandsecurequartersattheinn.Attackedinstantlybysuspicionandcuriosity,hedemurredstoutlytoleavingme,andmighthavepersistedinhisrefusalhadInotpulledup,andclearlyshownhimthatIwouldhavemyownwayinthiscaseorcometoanopenbreach.Heshrank,asIexpected,fromthelatteralternative,and,biddingmeasullenadieu,trottedonwithhistroop.Iwaiteduntiltheywereoutofsight,andthen,turningtheCid\'shead,crossedasmallbrookwhichdividedtheroadfromthechase,andchoosingaridewhichseemedtopiercethewoodinthedirectionoftheChateau,proceededdownit,keepingasharplook-outoneitherhand.
Itwasthen,mythoughtsturningtotheladywhowasnowsonear,andwho,noble,rich,andastranger,seemed,asIapproachedher,nottheleastformidableoftheembarrassmentsbeforeme——itwasthenthatImadeadiscoverywhichsentacoldshiverthroughmyframe,andinamomentsweptallmemoryofmypaltrytencrownsfrommyhead.Tencrowns!Alas!Ihadlostthatwhichwasworthallmycrownsputtogether——thebrokencoinwhichtheKingofNavarrehadentrustedtome,andwhichformedmysolecredential,myonlymeansofpersuadingMademoiselledelaVirethatIcamefromhim.Ihadputitinmypouch,andofcourse,thoughthelossofitonlycamehometomymindnow,ithaddisappearedwiththerest.
Idrewreinandsatforsometimemotionless,theimageofdespair.Thewindwhichstirredthenakedboughsoverhead,andwhirledthedeadleavesinvolleyspastmyfeet,anddiedawayatlastamongthewhisperingbracken,metnowherewithwretchednessgreater,Ibelieve,thanwasmineatthatmoment.
CHAPTERIV.
MADEMOISELLEDELAVIRE.
Myfirstdesperateimpulseondiscoveringthemagnitudeofmylosswastorideaftertheknavesanddemandthetokenatthesword\'spoint.Thecertainty,however,offindingthemunited,andthedifficultyofsayingwhichofthefivepossessedwhatI
wanted,ledmetorejectthisplanasIgrewcooler;andsinceI
didnotdream,eveninthisdilemma,ofabandoningtheexpeditiontheonlyalternativeseemedtobetoactasifIstillhadthebrokencoin,andessaywhatafrankexplanationmighteffectwhenthetimecame.
Aftersomewretched,verywretched,momentsofdebate,Iresolvedtoadoptthiscourse;and,forthepresent,thinkingImightgainsomeknowledgeofthesurroundingswhilethelightlasted,I
pushedcautiouslyforwardthroughthetreesandcameinlessthanfiveminuteswithinsightofacornerofthechateau,whichI
foundtobeamodernbuildingofthetimeofHenryII.,raised,likethehousesofthattime,forpleasureratherthandefence,anddecoratedwithmanyhandsomecasementsandtourelles.
Despitethis,itwore,asIsawit,agreyanddesolateair,dueinparttothelonelinessofthesituationandthelatenessofthehour;andinpart,Ithink,tothesmallnessofthehouseholdmaintained,fornoonewasvisibleontheterraceoratthewindows.Theraindrippedfromthetrees,whichontwosidespressedsocloselyonthehouseasalmosttodarkentherooms,andeverythingIsawencouragedmetohopethatmademoiselle\'swisheswouldsecondmyentreaties,andinclinehertolendareadyeartomystory.
Theappearanceofthehouse,indeed,wasastronginducementtometoproceed,foritwasimpossibletobelievethatayounglady,akinswomanofthegayandvivaciousTurenne,andalreadyintroducedtothepleasuresoftheCourt,wouldelectofherownfreewilltospendthewinterinsodrearyasolitude.