Takingadvantageofthelastmomentsofdaylight,Irodecautiouslyroundthehouse,and,keepingintheshadowofthetrees,hadnodifficultyindiscoveringatthenorth-eastcornerthebalconyofwhichIhadbeentold.Itwassemi-circularinshape,withastonebalustrade,andhungsomefifteenfeetaboveaterracedwalkwhichranbelowit,andwasseparatedfromthechasebyalowsunkfence.
Iwassurprisedtoobservethat,notwithstandingtherainandthecoldnessoftheevening,thewindowwhichgaveuponthisbalconywasopen.Norwasthisall.Luckwasinstoreformeatlast.
Ihadnotgazedatthewindowmorethanaminute,calculatingitsheightandotherparticulars,when,tomygreatjoy,afemalefigure,closelyhooded,steppedoutandstoodlookingupatthesky.IwastoofarofftobeabletodiscernbythatuncertainlightwhetherthiswasMademoiselledelaVireorherwoman;buttheattitudewassoclearlyoneofdejectionanddespondency,thatIfeltsureitwaseitheroneortheother.Determinednottolettheopportunityslip,Idismountedhastilyand,leavingtheCidloose,advancedonfootuntilIstoodwithinhalf-a-dozenpacesofthewindow.
Atthatpointthewatcherbecameawareofme.Shestartedback,butdidnotwithdraw.Stillpeeringdownatme,shecalledsoftlytosomeoneinsidethechamber,andimmediatelyasecondfigure,tallerandstouter,appeared.Ihadalreadydoffedmycap,andInow,inalowvoice,beggedtoknowifIhadthehonourofspeakingtoMademoiselledelaVire.Inthegrowingdarknessitwasimpossibletodistinguishfaces.
\'Hush!\'thestouterfiguremutteredinatoneofwarning.\'Speaklower.Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouhere?\'
\'Iamhere,\'Iansweredrespectfully,\'commissionedbyafriendoftheladyIhavenamed,toconveyhertoaplaceofsafety.\'
\'Mondieu!\'wasthesharpanswer.\'Now?Itisimpossible.\'
\'No,\'Imurmured,\'notnow,butto-night.Themoonrisesathalf-pasttwo.Myhorsesneedrestandfood.AtthreeIwillbebelowthiswindowwiththemeansofescape,ifmademoisellechoosetousethem.\'
Ifeltthattheywerestaringatmethroughthedusk,asthoughtheywouldreadmybreast.\'Yourname,sir?\'theshorterfiguremurmuredatlast,afterapausewhichwasfullofsuspenseandexcitement.
\'Idonotthinkmynameofmuchimportatpresent,Mademoiselle,\'
Ianswered,reluctanttoproclaimmyselfastranger.\'When——\'
\'Yourname,yourname,sir!\'sherepeatedimperiously,andI
heardherlittleheelrapuponthestonefloorofthebalcony.
\'GastondeMarsac,\'Iansweredunwillingly.
Theybothstarted,andcriedouttogether.\'Impossible!\'thelastspeakerexclaimed,amazementandangerinhertone,\'Thisisajest,sir.This——\'
WhatmoreshewouldhavesaidIwaslefttoguess,foratthatmomentherattendantIhadnodoubtnowwhichwasmademoiselleandwhichFanchette——suddenlylaidherhandonhermistress\'smouthandpointedtotheroombehindthem.Asecond\'ssuspense,andwithawantinggesturethetwoturnedanddisappearedthroughthewindow.
Ilostnotimeinregainingtheshelterofthetrees;andconcluding,thoughIwasfarfromsatisfiedwiththeinterview,thatIcoulddonothingmorenow,butmightrather,byloiteringintheneighbourhood,awakensuspicion,Iremountedandmadeforthehighwayandthevillage,whereIfoundmymeninnoisyoccupationoftheinn,apoorplace,withunglazedwindows,andafireinthemiddleoftheearthenfloor.MyfirstcarewetstostabletheCidinashedattheback,whereIprovidedforitswantsasfarasIcouldwiththeaidofahalf-nakedboy,whoseemedtobeinhidingthere.
Thisdone,Ireturnedtothefrontofthehouse,havingprettywellmadeupmymindhowIwouldsetaboutthetaskbeforeme.
AsIpassedoneofthewindows,whichwaspartiallyclosedbyarudecurtainmadeofoldsacks,Istoppedtolookin.Fresnoyandhisfourrascalswereseatedonblocksofwoodroundthehearth,talkingloudlyandfiercely,andrufflingitasifthefireandtheroomweretheirown.Apedlar,seatedonhisgoodsinonecorner,waseyeingthemwithevidentfearandsuspicion;
inanothercornertwochildrenhadtakenrefugeunderadonkey,whichsomefowlshadchosenasaroosting-pole.Theinnkeeper,asturdyfellow,withagreatclubinhisfist,satmoodilyatthefootofaladderwhichledtotheloftabove,whileaslatternlywoman,whowasgoingtoandfrogettingsupper,seemedinequalterrorofherguestsandhergoodman.
ConfirmedbywhatIsaw,andassuredthatthevillainswereripeforanymischief,and,ifnotchecked,wouldspeedilybebeyondmycontrol,Inoisilyflungthedooropenandentered.FresnoylookedupwithasneerasIdidso,andoneofthemenlaughed.
Theothersbecamesilent;butnoonemovedorgreetedme.
Withoutamoment\'shesitationIsteppedtothenearestfellowand,withasturdykick,senthislogfromunderhim.\'Rise,yourascal,whenIenter!\'Icried,givingventtotheangerIhadlongfelt.\'Andyou,too!\'andwithasecondkickIsenthisneighbour\'sstoolflyingalso,andadministeredacoupleofcutswithmyriding-caneacrosstheman\'sshoulders.\'Haveyounomanners,sirrah?Acrosswithyou,andleavethissidetoyourbetters.\'
Thetworose,snarlingandfeelingfortheirweapons,andforamomentstoodfacingme,lookingnowatmeandnowaskanceatFresnoy.Butashegavenosign,andtheircomradesonlylaughed,themen\'scouragefailedthematthepinch,andwithaverypoorgracetheysneakedovertotheothersideofthefireandsatthere,scowling.
Iseatedmyselfbesidetheirleader.\'ThisgentlemanandIwilleathere,\'Icriedtothemanatthefootoftheladder.\'Bidyourwifelayforus,andofthebestyouhave;anddoyougivethoseknavestheirprovenderwherethesmelloftheirgreasyjacketswillnotcomebetweenusandourvictuals.\'
Themancameforward,gladenough,asIsaw,todiscoveranyoneinauthority,andverycivillybegantodrawwineandplaceaboardforus,whilehiswifefilledourplattersfromtheblackpotwhichhungoverthefire.Fresnoy\'sfacemeanwhileworetheamusedsmileofonewhocomprehendedmymotives,butfeltsufficientlysureofhispositionandinfluencewithhisfollowerstobeindifferenttomyproceedings.Ipresentlyshowedhim,however,thatIhadnotyetdonewithhim.Ourtablewaslaidinobediencetomyordersatsuchadistancefromthementhattheycouldnotoverhearourtalk,andby-and-byIleantovertohim.
\'M.Fresnoy,\'Isaid,\'youareindangerofforgettingonething,Ifancy,whichitbehovesyoutoremember.\'
\'What?\'hemuttered,scarcelydeigningtolookupatme.
\'ThatyouhavetodowithGastondeMarsac,\'Iansweredquietly.
\'Iammaking,asItoldyouthismorning,alastattempttorecruitmyfortunes,andIwillletnoman——noman,doyouunderstand,M.Fresnoy?——thwartmeandgoharmless.\'
\'Whowishestothwartyou?\'heaskedimpudently.
\'You,\'Iansweredunmoved,helpingmyself,asIspoke,fromtherollofblackbreadwhichlaybesideme.\'Yourobbedmethisafternoon;Ipasseditover.Youencouragedthosementobeinsolent;Ipasseditover.Butletmetellyouthis.Ifyoufailmeto-night,onthehonourofagentleman,M.Fresnoy,I
willrunyouthroughasIwouldspitalark.\'
\'Willyou?Buttwocanplayatthatgame,\'hecried,risingnimblyfromhisstool.\'Stillbettersix!Don\'tyouthink,M.
deMarsac,youhadbetterhavewaited——?\'
\'Ithinkyouhadbetterhearonewordmore,\'Iansweredcoolly,keepingmyseat,\'beforeyouappealtoyourfellowsthere.\'
\'Well,\'hesaid,stillstanding,\'whatisit?\'
\'Nay,\'Ireplied,afteroncemorepointingtohisstoolinvain,\'ifyouprefertotakemyordersstanding,wellandgood.\'
\'Yourorders?\'heshrieked,growingsuddenlyexcited.
\'Yes,myorders!\'Iretorted,risingassuddenlytomyfeetandhitchingforwardmysword.\'Myorders,sir,\'Irepeatedfiercely,\'or,ifyoudisputemyrighttocommandaswellastopaythisparty,letusdecidethequestionhereandnow——youandI,foottofoot,M.Fresnoy.\'
Thequarrelflashedupsosuddenly,thoughIhadbeenpreparingitallalong,thatnoonemoved.Thewomanindeed,fellbacktoherchildren,buttherestlookedonopen-mouthed.Hadtheystirred,orhadamoment\'shurly-burlyheatedhisblood,IdoubtnotFresnoywouldhavetakenupmychallenge,forhedidnotlackhardihood.Butasitwas,facetofacewithmeinthesilence,hiscouragefailedhim.Hepaused,gloweringatmeuncertainly,anddidnotspeak.
\'Well,\'Isaid,\'don\'tyouthinkthatifIpayIoughttogiveorders,sir?\'
\'Whowishestoopposeyourorders?\'hemuttered,drinkingoffabumper,andsittingdownwithanairofimpudentbravado,assumedtohidehisdiscomfiture.
\'Ifyoudon\'t,nooneelsedoes,\'Ianswered.Sothatissettled.Landlord,somemorewine.\'
Hewasverysulkywithmeforawhile,fingeringhisglassinsilenceandscowlingatthetable.Hehadenoughgentilitytofeelthehumiliationtowhichhehadexposedhimself,andasufficiencyofwittounderstandthatthatmoment\'shesitationhadcosthimtheallegianceofhisfellow-ruffians.Ihastened,therefore,tosethimathiseasebyexplainingmyplansforthenight,andpresentlysucceededbeyondmyhopes;forwhenheheardwhotheladywaswhomIproposedtocarryoff,andthatshewaslyingthateveningattheChateaudeChize,hissurprisesweptawaythelasttraceofresentment.Hestaredatme,asatamaniac.
\'MonDieu!\'heexclaimed.\'Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing,Sieur?\'
\'Ithinkso,\'Ianswered.
\'Doyouknowtowhomthechateaubelongs?\'
\'TotheVicomtedeTurenne.\'
\'AndthatMademoiselledelaVireishisrelation?\'
\'Yes,\'Isaid.
\'MonDieu!\'heexclaimedagain.Andhelookedatmeopen-
mouthed.
\'Whatisthematter?\'Iasked,thoughIhadanuneasyconsciousnessthatIknew——thatIknewverywell.
\'Man,hewillcrushyouasIcrushthishat!\'heansweredingreatexcitement.\'Aseasily.Whodoyouthinkwillprotectyoufromhiminaprivatequarrelofthiskind?Navarre?France?
ourgoodman?Notoneofthem.Youhadbetterstealtheking\'scrownjewels——heisweak;orGuise\'slastplot——heisgenerousattimes,orNavarre\'slastsweetheart——heisaseasyasanoldshoe.Youhadbetterhavetodowithallthesetogether,Itellyou,thantouchTurenne\'sewe-lambs,unlessyouraimbetobebrokenonthewheel!MonDieu,yes!\'
\'Iammuchobligedtoyouforyouradvice,\'Isaidstiffly,\'butthedieiscast.Mymindismadeup.Ontheotherhand,ifyouareafraid,M.Fresnoy——\'
\'Iamafraid;verymuchafraid,\'heansweredfrankly.
\'Stillyournameneednotbebroughtintothematter,\'Ireplied,\'Iwilltaketheresponsibility.Iwillletthemknowmynamehereattheinn,where,doubtless,inquirieswillbemade.\'
\'Tobesure,thatissomething,\'heanswered.thoughtfully.
\'Well,itisanuglybusiness,butIaminforit.Youwantmetogowithyoualittleaftertwo,doyou?andtheotherstobeinthesaddleatthree?Isthatit?\'
Iassented,pleasedtofindhimsofaracquiescent;andinthisway,talkingthedetailsovermorethanonce,wesettledourcourse,arrangingtoflybywayofPoitiersandTours.OfcourseIdidnottellhimwhyIselectedBloisasourrefuge,norwhatwasmypurposethere;thoughhepressedmemorethanonceonthepoint,andgrewthoughtfulandsomewhatgloomywhenIcontinuallyevadedit.Alittleaftereightweretiredtothelofttosleep;
ourmenremainingbelowroundthefireandsnoringsomerrilyasalmosttoshakethecrazyoldbuilding.Thehostwaschargedtositupandcallusassoonasthemoonrose,but,asitturnedout,Imightaswellhavetakenthisofficeonmyself,forbetweenexcitementanddistrustIsleptlittle,andwaswideawakewhenIheardhisstepontheladderandknewitwastimetorise.
Iwasupinamoment,andFresnoywaslittlebehindme;sothat,losingnotimeintalk,weweremountedandontheroad,eachwithasparehorseathisknee,beforethemoonwaswellabovethetrees.OnceintheChasewefounditnecessarytoproceedonfoot,but,thedistancebeingshort,wepresentlyemergedwithoutmisadventureandstoodoppositetothechateau,theupperpartofwhichshonecoldandwhiteinthemoon\'srays.
Therewassomethingsosolemnintheaspectoftheplace,thenightbeingfineandtheskywithoutacloud,thatIstoodforaminuteawedandimpressed,thesenseoftheresponsibilityIwasheretoacceptstronguponme.Inthatshortspaceoftimeallthedangersbeforeme,aswellthecommonrisksoftheroadasthevengeanceofTurenneandtheturbulenceofmyownmen,presentedthemselvestomymind,andmadealastappealtometoturnbackfromanenterprisesofoolhardy.Thebloodinaman\'sveinsrunslowandslowatthathour,andminewaschilledbylackofsleepandthewintryair.Itneededtheremembranceofmysolitarycondition,ofmypastspentinstraitsandfailure,ofthegreyhairswhichsweptmycheek,oftheswordwhichIhadlongusedhonourably,ifwithlittleprofittomyself;itneededthethoughtofallthesethingstorestoremetocourageandmyself.
Ijudgedatalaterperiodthatmycompanionwasaffectedinsomewhatthesameway;for,asIstoopedtopresshomethepegswhichIhadbroughttotetherthehorses,helaidhishandonmyarm.Glancinguptoseewhathewanted,Iwasstruckbythewildlookinhisfacewhichthemoonlightinvestedwithapeculiarmottledpallor,andparticularlyinhiseyes,whichglitteredlikeamadman\'s.Hetriedtospeak,butseemedtofindadifficultyindoingso;andIhadtoquestionhimroughlybeforehefoundhistongue.Whenhedidspeak,itwasonlytoimploremeinanodd,excitedmannertogiveuptheexpeditionandreturn.
\'What,now?\'Isaid,surprised.\'Nowwearehere,Fresnoy?\'
\'Ay,giveitup!\'hecried,shakingmealmostfiercelybythearm.\'Giveitup,man!Itwillendbadly,Itellyou!InGod\'sname,giveitup,andgohomebeforeworsecomesofit.\'
\'Whatevercomesofit,\'Iansweredcoldly,shakinghisgraspfrommyarm,andwonderingmuchatthissuddenfitofcowardice,\'Igoon.You,M.Fresnoy,maydoasyouplease!\'
Hestartedanddrewbackfromme;buthedidnotreply,nordidhespeakagain.WhenIpresentlywentofftofetchaladder,ofthepositionofwhichIhadmadeanoteduringtheafternoon,heaccompaniedme,andfollowedmebackinthesamedullsilencetothewalkbelowthebalcony.Ihadlookedmorethanonceandeagerlyatmademoiselle\'swindowwithoutanylightormovementinthatquarterrewardingmyvigilance;but,undeterredbythis,whichmightmeaneitherthatmyplotwasknown,orthatMademoiselledelaViredistrustedme,Isettheladdersoftlyagainstthebalcony,whichwasindeepshadow,andpausedonlytogiveFresnoyhislastinstructions.Theseweresimplytostandonguardatthefootoftheladderanddefenditincaseofsurprise;sothat,whateverhappenedinsidethechateau,myretreatbythewindowmightnotbecutoff.
ThenIwentcautiouslyuptheladder,and,withmysheathedswordinmylefthand,steppedoverthebalustrade.Takingonepaceforward,withfingersoutstretched,Ifelttheleadedpanesofthewindowandtappedsoftly.
Assoftlythecasementgaveway,andIfollowedit.AhandwhichIcouldseebutnotfeelwaslaidonmine.Allwasdarknessintheroom,andbeforeme,butthehandguidedmetwopacesforward,thenbyasuddenpressurebademestand.Iheardthesoundofa,curtainbeingdrawnbehindme,andthenextmomentthecoverofarushlightwasremoved,andafeeblebutsufficientlightfilledthechamber.
Icomprehendedthatthedrawingofthatcurtainoverthewindowhadcutoffmyretreataseffectuallyasifadoorhadbeenclosedbehindme.Butdistrustandsuspiciongavewaythenextmomenttothenaturalembarrassmentofthemanwhofindshimselfinafalsepositionandknowshecanescapefromitonlybyanawkwardexplanation.
TheroominwhichIfoundmyselfwaslong,narrow,andlowintheceiling;andbeinghungwithsomedarkstuffwhichswallowedupthelight,terminatedfunereallyatthefartherendinthestilldeepergloomofanalcove.Twoorthreehugechests,onebearingtheremnantsofameal,stoodagainstthewalls.Themiddleofthefloorwascoveredwithastripofcoarsematting,onwhichasmalltable,achairandfoot-rest,andacoupleofstoolshadplace,withsomesmallerarticleswhichlayscatteredroundapairofhalf-filledsaddle-bags.TheslighterandsmallerofthetwofiguresIhadseenstoodbesidethetable,wearingamaskandridingcloak;andbyhersilentmannerofgazingatme,aswellasbyacold,disdainfulbearing,whichneitherhermasknorcloakcouldhide,didmoretochillanddiscomfitmethanevenmyownknowledgethatIhadlostthepass-keywhichshouldhaveadmittedmetoherconfidence.
Thestouterfigureoftheafternoonturnedouttobeared-
cheeked,sturdywomanofthirty,withbrightblackeyesandamannerwhichlostnothingofitsfierceimpatiencewhenshecamealittlelatertoaddressme.AllmyideasofFanchettewereupsetbytheappearanceofthiswoman,who,rusticinherspeechandways,seemedmorelikeaduenna,thanthewaiting-maidofacourtbeauty,andbetterfittedtoguardawaywarddamselthantoaidherinsuchanescapadeaswehadinhand.
Shestoodslightlybehindhermistress,hercoarseredhandrestingonthebackofthechairfromwhichmademoisellehadapparentlyrisenonmyentrance.Forafewseconds,whichseemedminutestome,westoodgazingatoneanotherinsilence,mademoiselleacknowledgingmybowbyaslightmovementofthehead.Then,seeingthattheywaitedformetospeak,Ididso.
\'MademoiselledelaVire?\'Imurmureddoubtfully.
Shebentherheadagain;thatwasall.
Istrovetospeakwithconfidence.\'Youwillpardonme,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,\'ifIseemtobeabrupt,buttimeiseverything.Thehorsesarestandingwithinahundredyardsofthehouse,andallthepreparationsforyourflightaremade.Ifweleavenow,wecandosowithoutopposition.Thedelayevenofanhourmayleadtodiscovery.\'
Foranswershelaughedbehindhermask-laughedcoldlyandironically.\'Yougotoofast,sir,\'shesaid,herlowclearvoicematchingthelaughandrousingafeelingalmostofangerinmyheart.\'Idonotknowyou;or,rather,Iknownothingofyouwhichshouldentitleyoutointerfereinmyaffairs.Youaretooquicktopresume,sir.Yousayyoucomefromafriend.Fromwhom?\'
\'FromonewhomIamproudtocallbythattitle,\'IansweredwithwhatpatienceImight.
\'Hisname!\'
IansweredfirmlythatIcouldnotgiveit.AndIeyedhersteadilyasIdidso.
Thisforthemomentseemedtobaffleandconfuseher,butafterapauseshecontinued:\'Wheredoyouproposetotakeme,sir?\'
\'ToBlois;tothelodgingofafriendofmyfriend.\'
\'Youspeakbravely,\'sherepliedwithafaintsneer.\'Youhavemadesomegreatfriendslatelyitseems!Butyoubringmesomeletter,nodoubt;atleastsomesign,sometoken,somewarranty,thatyouarethepersonyoupretendtobe,M.deMarsac?\'
\'Thetruthis,Mademoiselle,\'Istammered,\'Imustexplain.I
shouldtellyou——\'
\'Nay,sir,\'shecriedimpetuously,\'thereisnoneedoftelling.
IfyouhavewhatIsay,showitme!Itisyouwholosetime.
Letushavenomorewords!\'
Ihadusedveryfewwords,and,Godknows,wasnotinthemindtousemany;but,beinginthewrong,Ihadnoanswertomakeexceptthetruth,andthathumbly.\'Ihadsuchatokenasyoumention,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,\'nofartherbackthanthisafternoon,intheshapeofhalfagoldcoin,entrustedtomebymyfriend.
But,tomyshameIsayit,itwasstolenfrommeafewhoursback.\'
\'Stolenfromyou!\'sheexclaimed.
\'Yes,mademoiselle;andforthatreasonIcannotshowit,\'I
answered.
\'Youcannotshowit?Andyoudaretocometomewithoutit!\'
shecried,speakingwithavehemencewhichfairlystartledme,preparedasIwasforreproaches.Youcometome!You!\'shecontinued.Andwiththat,scarcelystoppingtotakebreath,sheloadedmewithabuse;callingmeimpertinent,ameddler,andahundredotherthings,whichInowblushtorecall,anddisplayinginallapassionwhicheveninherattendantwouldhavesurprisedme,butinonesoslightandseeminglydelicate,overwhelmedandconfoundedme.InfaultasIwas,Icouldnotunderstandthepeculiarbitternessshedisplayed,orthecontemptuousforceofherlanguage,andIstaredatherinsilentwonderuntil,ofherownaccord,shesuppliedthekeytoherfeelings.Inafreshoutburstofrageshesnatchedoffhermask,andtomyastonishmentIsawbeforemetheyoungmaidofhonourwhomIhadencounteredintheKingofNavarre\'santechamber,andwhomIhadbeensounfortunateastoexposetotherailleryofMathurine.
\'Whohaspaidyou,sir,\'shecontinued,clenchinghersmallhandsandspeakingwithtearsofangerinhereyes,\'tomakemethelaughing-stockoftheCourt?ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtyoutheproperagentofthosetowhomIhavearighttolookforaid!ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtmyselfforced,throughtheirinconsideratechoice,todecidebetweenanodiousimprisonmentandtheridiculetowhichyourinterventionmustexposeme!Butthatyoushouldhavedared,ofyourownnotion,tofollowme,you,thebuttoftheCourt——\'
\'Mademoiselle!\'Icried.
\'Aneedy,out-at-elbowsadventurer!\'shepersisted,triumphinginhercruelty.\'Itexceedsallbearing!Itisnottobesuffered!It——\'
\'Nay,mademoiselle;youSHALLhearme!\'Icried,withasternnesswhichatlaststoppedher.\'GrantedIampoor,Iamstillagentleman;yes,mademoiselle,\'Icontinued,firmly,\'agentleman,andthelastofafamilywhichhasspokenwithyoursonequalterms.AndIclaimtobeheard.IswearthatwhenI
camehereto-nightIbelievedyoutobeaperfectstranger!I
wasunawarethatIhadeverseenyou,unawarethatIhadevermetyoubefore,\'
\'Thenwhydidyoucome?\'shesaidviciously.
\'Iwasengagedtocomebythosewhomyouhavementioned,andthere,andthereonlyamIinfault.TheyentrustedtomeatokenwhichIhavelost.ForthatIcraveyourpardon.\'
\'Youhaveneedto,\'sheansweredbitterly,yetwithachangedcountenance,orIwasmistaken,\'ifyourstorybetrue,sir.\'
\'Ay,thatyouhave!\'thewomanbesideherechoed.
\'Hoitytoity,indeed!Hereisafussaboutnothing.Youcallyourselfagentleman,andwearsuchadoubletas——\'
\'Peace,Fanchette\"mademoisellesaidimperiously.Andthenforamomentshestoodsilent,eyeingmeintently,herlipstremblingwithexcitementandtworedspotsburninginhercheeks.Itwasclearfromherdressandotherthingsthatshehadmadeuphermindtoflyhadthetokenbeenforthcoming;andseeingthis,andknowinghowunwillingayounggirlistoforgoherownway,I
stillhadsomehopesthatshemightnotpersevereinherdistrustandrefusal.Andsoitturnedout.
Hermannerhadchangedtooneofquietscornwhenshenextspoke.
\'Youdefendyourselfskilfully,sir,\'shesaid,drummingwithherfingersonthetableandeyeingmesteadfastly.\'Butcanyougivemeanyreasonforthepersonyounamemakingchoiceofsuchamessenger?\'
\'Yes,\'Ianswered,boldly.\'Thathemaynotbesuspectedofconnivingatyourescape.\'
\'Oh!\'shecried,withasparkofherformerpassion.\'ThenitistobeputaboutthatMademoiselledelaVirehadfledfromChizewithM.deMarsac,isit?Ithoughtthat!\'
\'ThroughtheassistanceofM.deMarsac,\'Iretorted,correctinghercoldly.\'Itisforyou,mademoiselle,\'Icontinued,\'toweighthatdisadvantageagainsttheunpleasantnessofremaininghere.Itonlyremainsformetoaskyoutodecidequickly.Timepresses,andIhavestayedheretoolongalready.\'
Thewordshadbarelypassedmylipswhentheyreceivedunwelcomeconfirmationintheshapeofadistantsound——thenoisyclosingofadoor,which,clangingthroughthehouseatsuchanhour——I
judgedittobeafterthreeo\'clock——couldscarcelymeananythingbutmischief.Thisnoisewasfollowedimmediately,evenwhilewestoodlisteningwithraisedfingers,byothersounds——amuffledcry,andthetrampofheavyfootstepsinadistantpassage.Mademoisellelookedatme,andIatherwoman.\'Thedoor!\'Imuttered.\'Isitlocked?\'
\'Andbolted!\'Fanchetteanswered;\'andagreatchestsetagainstit.Letthemramp;theywilldonoharmforabit.\'
\'Thenyouhavestilltime,mademoiselle,\'Iwhispered,retreatingastepandlayingmyhandonthecurtainbeforethewindow.
PerhapsIaffectedgreatercoolnessthanIfelt.\'Itisnottoolate.Ifyouchoosetoremain,wellandgood.Icannothelpit.
If,ontheotherhand,youdecidetotrustyourselftome,I
swear,onthehonourofagentleman,tobeworthyofthetrust——
toserveyoutrulyandprotectyoutothelast!Icansaynomore.\'
Shetrembled,lookingfrommetothedoor,onwhichsomeonehadjustbeguntoknockloudly.Thatseemedtodecideher.Herlipsapart,hereyesfullofexcitement,sheturnedhastilytoFanchette.
\'Ay,goifyoulike,\'thewomananswereddoggedly,readingthemeaningofherlook.\'Therecannotbeagreatervillainthantheoneweknowof.Butoncestarted,heavenhelpus,forifheovertakesuswe\'llpaydearlyforit!\'
Thegirldidnotspeakherself,butitwasenough.Thenoiseatthedoorincreasedeachsecond,andbegantobemingledwithangryappealstoFanchettetoopen,andwiththreatsincaseshedelayed.Icutthemattershortbysnatchinguponeofthesaddle-bags——theotherweleftbehind——andflungbackthecurtainwhichcoveredthewindow.Atthesametimethewomandashedoutthelight——atimelyprecaution——andthrowingopenthecasementI
steppedontothebalcony,theothersfollowingmeclosely.
Themoonhadrisenhigh,andfloodingwithlightthesmallopenspaceaboutthehouseenabledmetoseeclearlyallroundthefootoftheladder,tomysurpriseFresnoywasnotathispost,norwashetobeseenanywhere;butas,atthemomentIobservedthis,anoutcryawaytomyleft,attherearofthechateau,cametomyears,andannouncedthatthedangerwasnolongerconfinedtotheinteriorofthehouse,Iconcludedthathehadgonethatwaytointercepttheattack.Withoutmore,therefore,IbegantodescendasquicklyasIcould,myswordunderonearmandthebagundertheother.
Iwashalf-waydown,andmademoisellewasalreadysteppingontotheladdertofollow,whenIheardfootstepsbelow,andsawhimrunup,hisswordinhishand.
\'Quick,Fresnoy!\'Icried.\'Tothehorsesandunfastenthem!
quick!\'
Isliddowntherestoftheway,thinkinghehadgonetodomybidding.Butmyfeetwerescarcelyonthegroundwhenatremendousblowinthesidesentmestaggeringthreepacesfromtheladder.Theattackwassosudden,sounexpected,thatbutforthesightofFresnoy\'sscowlingface,wildwithrage,atmyshoulder,andthesoundofhisfiercebreathingashestrovetoreleasehissword,whichhadpassedthroughmysaddle-bag,I
mightneverhaveknownwhostrucktheblow,orhownarrowhadbeenmyescape.
Fortunatelytheknowledgedidcometomeintime,andbeforehefreedhisblade;anditnervedmyhand.Todrawmy-bladeatsuchclosequarterswasimpossible,but,droppingthebagwhichhadsavedmylife,Idashedmyhilttwiceinhisfacewithsuchviolencethathefellbackwardsandlayontheturf,adarkstaingrowingandspreadingonhisupturnedface.
Itwasscarcelydonebeforethewomenreachedthefootoftheladderandstoodbesideme.\'Quick!\'Icriedtothem,\'ortheywillbeuponus.\'Seizingmademoiselle\'shand,justashalf-a-
dozenmencamerunningroundthecornerofthehouse,Ijumpedwithherdownthehaha,and,urginghertoherutmostspeed,dashedacrosstheopengroundwhichlaybetweenusandthebeltoftrees.Onceintheshelterofthelatter,whereourmovementswerehiddenfromview,Ihadstilltofreethehorsesandmountmademoiselleandherwoman,andthisinhaste.Butmycompanions\'admirablecoolnessandpresenceofmind,andtheobjectionwhichourpursuers,whodidnotknowournumbers,felttoleavingtheopenground,enabledustodoallwith,comparativeease.IsprangontheCidithasalwaysbeenmyhabittoteachmyhorsetostandforme,nordoIknowanyaccomplishmentmoreserviceableatapinch,andgivingFresnoy\'sgreyacutovertheflankswhichdespatcheditahead,ledthewaydowntheridebywhichIhadgainedthechateauintheafternoon.
Iknewittobelevelandclearoftrees,andthefactthatwechoseitmightthrowourpursuersoffthetrackforatime,byleadingthemtothinkwehadtakenthesouthroadinsteadofthatthroughthevillage.
CHAPTERV.
THEROADTOBLOIS.
Wegainedtheroadwithoutletorhindrance,whenceasharpburstinthemoonlightsoonbroughtustothevillage.Throughthiswesweptontotheinn,almostrunningoverthefourevangelists,whomwefoundstandingatthedoorreadyforthesaddle.Ibadethem,inaquickperemptorytone,togettohorse,andwasoverjoyedtoseethemobeywithoutdemurorwordofFresnoy.Inanotherminute,withagreatclatterofhoofs,wesprangclearofthehamlet,andwerewellontheroadtoMelle,withPoitierssomethirteenleaguesbeforeus.Ilookedback,andthoughtI
discernedlightsmovinginthedirectionofthechateau;butthedawnwasstilltwohoursoff,andthemoonlightleftmeindoubtwhetherthesewererealorthecreaturesofmyownfearfulfancy.
Iremember,threeyearsbeforethistime,ontheoccasionofthefamousretreatfromAngers——whenthePrinceofCondehadinvolvedhisarmybeyondtheLoire,andsawhimself,intheimpossibilityofrecrossingtheriver,compelledtotakeshipforEngland,leavingeveryonetoshiftforhimself——Iwellrememberonthatoccasionriding,aloneandpistolinhand,throughmorethanthirtymilesoftheenemy\'scountrywithoutdrawingrein.Butmyanxietieswerethenconfinedtothefourshoesofmyhorse.ThedangerstowhichIwasexposedateveryfordandcrossroadweresuchasareinseparablefromacampaign,andbreedingenerousheartsonlyafiercepleasure,rarelytobeotherwiseenjoyed.
AndthoughIthenrodewarily,andwhereIcouldnotcarryterror,hadalltofearmyself,therewasnothingsecretorunderhandinmybusiness.
Itwasverydifferentnow.DuringthefirstfewhoursofourflightfromChizeIexperiencedapainfulexcitement,analarm,afeverishanxietytogetforward,whichwasnewtome;whichoppressedmyspiritstotheveryground;whichledmetotakeeverysoundbornetousonthewindforthesoundofpursuit,transformingtheclangofahammerontheanvilintotheringofswords,andthevoicesofmyownmenintothoseofthepursuers.
Itwasinvainmademoisellerodewithafreehand,andleapingsuchobstaclesaslayinourway,gavepromiseofcourageandendurancebeyondmyexpectations.Icouldthinkofnothingbutthethreelongday\'sbeforeus,withtwenty-fourhourstoeveryday,andeachhourfraughtwithahundredchancesofdisasterandruin.
Infact,thelongerIconsideredourposition——andaswepoundedalong,nowsplashingthroughafounderoushollow,nowstumblingaswewoundoverastonyshoulder,Ihadampletimetoreflectuponit——thegreaterseemedthedifficultiesbeforeus.ThelossofFresnoy,whileitfreedmefromsomeembarrassment,meantalsothelossofagoodsword,andwehadmusteredonlytoofewbefore.ThecountrywhichlaybetweenusandtheLoire,beingtheborderlandbetweenourpartyandtheLeague,hadbeenlaiddesolatesooftenastobeabandonedtopillageanddisorderofeverykind.Thepeasantshadflockedintothetowns.Theirplaceshadbeentakenbybandsofrobbersanddesertersfrombothparties,whohauntedtheruinedvillagesaboutPoitiers,andpreyeduponallwhodaredtopass.Toaddtoourperils,theroyalarmyundertheDukeofNeverswasreportedtobemovingslowlysouthward,notveryfartotheleftofourroad;whileaHuguenotexpeditionagainstNiortwasalsoinprogresswithinafewleaguesofus.
Withfourstaunchandtrustworthycomradesatmyback,Imighthavefacedeventhissituationwithasmileandalightheart;
buttheknowledgethatmyfourknavesmightmutinyatanymoment,or,worsestill,ridthemselvesofmeandallrestraintbyasingletreacherousblowsuchasFresnoyhadaimedatme,filledmewithanever-presentdread;whichittaxedmyutmostenergiestohidefromthem,andwhichIstroveinvaintoconcealfrommademoiselle\'skeenervision.
Whetheritwasthishadaneffectuponher,givingherameaneropinionofmethanthatwhichIhadforawhilehopedsheentertained,orthatshebegan,nowitwastoolate,toregretherflightandresentmypartinit,Iscarcelyknow;butfromdaybreakonwardssheassumedanattitudeofcoldsuspiciontowardsme,whichwasonlylessunpleasantthanthescornfuldistanceofhermannerwhenshedeigned,whichwasseldom,toaddressme.
NotoncedidsheallowmetoforgetthatIwasinhereyesaneedyadventurer,paidbyherfriendstoescorthertoaplaceofsafety,butwithoutanyclaimtothesmallestprivilegeofintimacyorequality.WhenIwouldhaveadjustedhersaddle,shebadeherwomancomeandholdupherskirt,thatmyhandsmightnottouchitshemevenbyaccident.AndwhenIwouldhavebroughtwinetoheratMelle,wherewestayedfortwentyminutes,shecalledFanchettetohandittoher.Sherodeforthemostpartinhermask;andwithherwoman.Onegoodeffectonlyherprideandreservehad;theyimpressedourmenwithastrongsenseofherimportance,andthedangertowhichanyinterferencewithhermightexposethem.
ThetwomenwhomFresnoyhadenlistedIdirectedtorideascoreofpacesinadvance.LukeandJohnIplacedintherear.InthismannerIthoughttokeepthemsomewhatapart.Formyself,I
proposedtorideabreastofmademoiselle,butshemadeitsoclearthatmyneighbourhooddispleasedherthatIfellback,leavinghertoridewithFanchette;andcontentedmyselfwithploddingattheirheels,andstrivingtoattachthelaterevangeliststomyinterests.
Weweresofortunate,despitemyfears,astofindtheroadnearlydeserted——as,alas,wasmuchofthecountryoneitherside——andtomeetnonebutsmallpartiestravellingalongit;whoweregladenough,seeingthevillainouslooksofouroutriders,togiveusawideberth,andbequitofusforthefright.WeskirtedLusignan,shunningthestreets,butpassingnearenoughformetopointouttomademoisellethesiteofthefamoustowerbuilt,accordingtotradition,bythefairyMelusina,andrasedthirteenyearsbackbytheLeaguers.Shereceivedmyinformationsofrigidly,however,thatIofferednomore,butfellbackshruggingmyshoulders,androdeinsilence,until,sometwohoursafternoon,thecityofPoitierscameintosight,lyingwithinitscircleofwallsandtowersonalowhillinthemiddleofacountryclothedinsummerwithrichvineyards,butnowbrownandbareandcheerlesstotheeye.
FanchetteturnedandaskedmeabruptlyifthatwerePoitiers.
Iansweredthatitwas,butaddedthatforcertainreasonsI
proposednottohalt,buttolieatavillagealeaguebeyondthecity,wheretherewasatolerableinn.
\'Weshalldoverywellhere,\'thewomanansweredrudely.\'Anyway,myladywillgonofarther.Sheistiredandcold,andwetbesides,andhasgonefarenough.\'
\'Still,\'Ianswered,nettledbythewoman\'sfamiliarity,\'Ithinkmademoisellewillchangehermindwhenshehearsmyreasonsforgoingfarther.\'
\'Mademoiselledoesnotwishtohearthem,sir,\'theladyrepliedherself,andverysharply.
\'Nevertheless,Ithinkyouhadbetterhearthem,\'Ipersisted,turningtoherrespectfully.\'Yousee,mademoiselle——\'
\'Iseeonlyonething,sir,\'sheexclaimed,snatchingoffhermaskanddisplayingacountenancebeautifulindeed,butflushedforthemomentwithangerandimpatience,\'that,whateverbetides,IstayatPoitiersto-night.\'
\'Ifitwouldcontentyoutorestanhour?\'Isuggestedgently.
\'Itwillnotcontentme!\'sherejoinedwithspirit.\'Andletmetellyou,sir,\'shewentonimpetuously,\'onceforall,thatyoutaketoomuchuponyourself.Youareheretoescortme,andtogiveorderstotheseragamuffins,fortheyarenothingbetter,withwhomyouhavethoughtfittodisgraceourcompany;butnottogiveorderstomeortocontrolmymovements.Confineyourselfforthefuture,sir,toyourduties,ifyouplease.\'
\'Idesireonlytoobeyyou,\'Ianswered,suppressingtheangryfeelingswhichroseinmybreast,andspeakingascoollyaslayinmypower.\'But,asthefirstofmydutiesistoprovideforyoursafety,Iamdeterminedtoomitnothingwhichcanconducetothatend.Youhavenotconsideredthat,ifapartyinpursuitofusreachesPoitiersto-night,searchwillbemadeforusinthecity,andweshallbetaken.If,ontheotherhand,weareknowntohavepassedthrough,thehuntmaygonofarther;certainlywillgonofartherto-night.Thereforewemustnot,mademoiselle,\'Iaddedfirmly,\'lieinPoitiersto-night.\'
\'Sir,\'sheexclaimed,lookingatme,herfacecrimsonwithwonderandindignation,\'doyoudareto——?\'
\'Idaredomyduty,mademoiselle,\'Ianswered,pluckingupaspirit,thoughmyheartwassore.\'Iamamanoldenoughtobeyourfather,andwithlittletolose,orIhadnotbeenhere.I
carenothingwhatyouthinkorwhatyousayofme,providedIcandowhatIhaveundertakentodoandplaceyousafelyinthehandsofyourfriends.Butenough,mademoiselle,weareatthegate.
Ifyouwillpermitme,Iwillridethroughthestreetsbesideyou.Weshallsoattractlessattention.\'
Withoutwaitingforapermissionwhichshewasveryunlikelytogive,Ipushedmyhorseforward,andtookmyplacebesideher,signingtoFanchettetofallback.Themaidobeyed,speechlesswithindignation;whilemademoiselleflashedascathingglanceatmeandlookedroundinhelplessanger,asthoughitwasinhermindtoappealagainstmeeventothepassers-by.Butshethoughtbetterofit,andcontentingherselfwithmutteringtheword\'Impertinent\'putonhermaskwithfingerswhichtrembled,I
fancy,notalittle.
Asmallrainwasfallingandtheafternoonwaswelladvancedwhenweenteredthetown,butInoticedthat,notwithstandingthis,thestreetspresentedabusyandanimatedappearance,beingfullofknotsofpeopleengagedinearnesttalk.Abellwastollingsomewhere,andnearthecathedralacrowdofnolittlesizewasstanding,listeningtoamanwhoseemedtoberendingaplacardormanifestoattachedtothewall.Inanotherplaceasoldier,wearingthecrimsoncoloursoftheLeague,butsplashedandstainedaswithrecenttravel,washoldingforthtoabreathlesscirclewhoseemedtohanguponhislips.Aneighbouringcornershelteredahandfulofpriestswhowhisperedtogetherwithgloomyfaces.Manystaredatusaswepassed,andsomewouldhavespoken;butIrodesteadilyon,invitingnoconverse.
NeverthelessatthenorthgateIgotararefright;for,thoughitwantedafullhalf-hourofsunset,theporterwasintheactofclosingit.Seeingus,hewaitedgrumblinguntilwecameup,andthenmuttered,inanswertomyremonstrance,somethingaboutqueertimesandwilfulpeoplehavingtheirway.Itooklittlenoticeofwhathesaid,however,beinganxiousonlytogetthroughthegateandleaveasfewtracesofourpassageasmightbe.