AssoonaswewereoutsidethetownIfellback,permittingFanchettetotakemyplace.Foranotherleague,alonganddrearyone,weploddedoninsilence,horsesandmenalikejadedandsullen,andthewomenscarcelyabletokeeptheirsaddlesforfatigue.Atlast,muchtomyrelief,seeingthatIbegantofearIhadtaxedmademoiselle\'sstrengthtoofar,thelonglowbuildingsoftheinnatwhichIproposedtostaycameinsight,atthecrossingoftheroadandriver.Theplacelookedblankandcheerless,fortheduskwasthickening;butaswetrailedonebyoneintothecourtyardastreamoffirelightburstonusfromdoorsandwindows,andadozensoundsoflifeandcomfortgreetedourears.
Noticingthatmademoisellewasbenumbedandcrampedwithlongsitting,Iwouldhavehelpedhertodismount;butshefiercelyrejectedmyaid,andIhadtocontentmyselfwithrequestingthelandlordtoassignthebestaccommodationhehadtotheladyandherattendant,andsecureasmuchprivacyforthemaspossible.
Themanassentedverycivillyandsaidallshouldbedone;butI
noticedthathiseyeswanderedwhileItalked,andthatheseemedtohavesomethingonhismind.Whenhereturned,afterdisposingofthem,itcameout.
\'Didyoueverhappentoseehim,sir?\'heaskedwithasigh;yetwasthereasmugairofpleasuremingledwithhismelancholy.
\'Seewhom?\'Ianswered,staringathim,forneitherofushadmentionedanyone.
\'TheDuke,sir.\'
Istaredagainbetweenwonderandsuspicion.\'TheDukeofNeversisnotinthispart,ishe?\'Isaidslowly.\'IheardhewasontheBrittanyborder,awaytothewestward.\'
\'MonDieu!\'myhostexclaimed,raisinghishandsinastonishment.\'Youhavenotheard,sir?\'
\'Ihaveheardnothing,\'Iansweredimpatiently.
\'Youhavenotheard,sir,thatthemostpuissantandillustriouslordtheDukeofGuiseisdead?\'
\'M.deGuisedead?Itisnottrue!\'Icriedastonished.
Henodded,however,severaltimeswithanairofgreatimportance,andseemedasifhewouldhavegoneontogivemesomeparticulars.But,remembering,asIfancied,thathespokeinthehearingofhalf-a-dozenguestswhosataboutthegreatfirebehindme,andhadbotheyesandearsopen,hecontentedhimselfwithshiftinghistoweltohisotherarmandaddingonly,\'Yes,sir,deadasanynail.Thenewscamethroughhereyesterday,andmadeaprettystir.IthappenedatBloisthedaybutonebeforeChristmas,ifallbetrue.\'
Iwasthunderstruck.ThiswasnewswhichmightchangethefaceofFrance.\'Howdidithappen?\'Iasked.
Myhostcoveredhismouthwithhishandandcoughed,and,privilytwitchingmysleeve,gavemetounderstandwithsomeshamefacednessthathecouldnotsaymoreinpublic.Iwasabouttomakesomeexcusetoretirewithhim,whenaharshvoice,addressedapparentlytome,causedmetoturnsharply.Ifoundatmyelbowatallthin-facedmonkinthehabitoftheJacobinorder.Hehadrisenfromhisseatbesidethefire,andseemedtobelabouringundergreatexcitement.
\'Whoaskedhowithappened?\'hecried,rollinghiseyesinakindoffrenzy,whilestillobservant,orIwasmuchmistaken,ofhislisteners.IsthereamaninFrancetowhomthetalehasnotbeentold?Isthere?\'
\'Iwillanswerforone,\'Ireplied,regardinghimwithlittlefavour.\'Ihaveheardnothing.\'
\'Thenyoushall!Listen!\'heexclaimed,raisinghisrighthandandbrandishingitasthoughhedenouncedapersonthenpresent.
\'Hearmyaccusation,madeinthenameofMotherChurchandthesaintsagainstthearchhypocrite,theperjurerandassassinsittinginhighplaces!HeshallbeAnathemaMaranatha,forhehasshedthebloodoftheholyandthepure,thechosenofHeaven!Heshallgodowntothepit,andthatsoon.Thebloodthathehasshedshallberequiredofhim,andthatbeforeheisoneyearolder.\'
\'Tut-tut.Allthatsoundsveryfine,goodfather,\'Isaid,waxingimpatient,andalittlescornful;forIsawthathewasoneofthosewanderingandoftencrazymonksinwhomtheLeaguefoundtheirmostusefulemissaries.\'ButIshouldprofitmorebyyourgentlewords,ifIknewwhomyouwerecursing.\'
\'Themanofblood!\'hecried;\'throughwhomthelastbutnottheleastofGod\'ssaintsandmartyrsenteredintogloryontheFridaybeforeChristmas.\'
Movedbysuchprofanity,andjudginghim,notwithstandingtheextravaganceofhiswordsandgestures,tobelessmadthanheseemed,andatleastasmuchknaveasfool,Ibadehimsternlyhavedonewithhiscursing,andproceedtohisstoryifhehadone.
Hegloweredatmeforamoment,asthoughheweremindedtolaunchhisspiritualweaponsatmyhead;butasIreturnedhisglarewithanunmovedeye——andmyfourrascals,whowereasimpatientasmyselftolearnthenews,andhadscarcemorereverenceforashavencrown,begantomurmur——hethoughtbetterofit,andcoolingassuddenlyashehadflamedup,lostnomoretimeinsatisfyingourcuriosity.
Itwouldillbecomeme,however,tosetdowntheextravagantandoftenblasphemousharangueinwhich,stylingM.deGuisethemartyrofGod,hetoldthestorynowsofamiliar——thestoryofthatdarkwintrymorningatBlois,whentheking\'smessenger,knockingearlyattheduke\'sdoor,badehimhurry,forthekingwantedhim.Thestoryistriteenoughnow.WhenIhearditfirstintheinnontheClain,itwasallnewandallmarvellous.
Themonk,too,tellingthestoryasifhehadseentheeventswithhisowneyes,omittednothingwhichmightimpresshishearers.Hetoldushowthedukereceivedwarningafterwarning,andansweredintheveryantechamber,\'Hedarenot!\'Howhisblood,mysteriouslyadvisedofcomingdissolution,grewchill,andhiseye,woundedatChateauThierry,begantorun,sothathehadtosendforthehandkerchiefhehadforgottentobring.Hetoldus,even,howthedukedrewhisassassinsupanddownthechamber,howhecriedformercy,andhowhediedatlastatthefootoftheking\'sbed,andhowtheking,whohadneverdaredtofacehimliving,cameandspurnedhimdead!
Therewerepalefacesroundthefirewhenheceased,andbentbrowsandlipshardpressedtogether.ThenhestoodandcursedtheKingofFrance——cursinghimopenlybythenameofHenryofValois,athingIhadneverlookedtohearinFrance——thoughnoonesaid\'Amen,\'andallglancedovertheirshoulders,andourhostpatteredfromtheroomasifhehadseenaghost,itseemedtobenoman\'sdutytogainsayhim.
Formyself,IwasfullofthoughtswhichitwouldhavebeenunsafetoutterinthatcompanyorsoneartheLoire.Ilookedbacksixteenyears.WhobutHenryofGuisehadspurnedthecorpseofColigny?AndwhobutHenryofValoishadbackedhimintheact?WhobutHenryofGuisehaddrenchedPariswithblood,andwhobutHenryofValoishadriddenbyhisside?One23rdofthemonth——adaynevertobeerasedfromFrance\'sannals——hadpurchasedforhimatermofgreatness.Asecond23rdsawhim,paytheprice——sawhisashescastsecretlyandbynightnomanknowswhere!
Movedbysuchthoughts,andobservingthatthepriestwasgoingtheroundofthecompanycollectingmoneyformassesfortheduke\'ssoul,towhichobjectIcouldneithergivewithagoodconsciencenorrefusewithoutexcitingsuspicion,Islippedout;
andfindingamanofdecentappearancetalkingwiththelandlordinasmallroombesidethekitchen,Icalledforaflaskofthebestwine,andbymeansofthatintroductionobtainedmysupperintheircompany.
ThestrangerwasaNormanhorsedealer,returninghome,afterdisposingofhisstring.Heseemedtobeinalargewayofbusiness,andbeingofabluff,independentspirit,asmanyofthoseNormantownsmenare,wasinclinedatfirsttotreatmewithmorefamiliaritythanrespect;thefactofmynag,forwhichhewouldhavechaffered,excellingmycoatinquality,leadinghimtosetmedownasastewardorintendant.Thepursuitofhistrade,however,hadbroughthimintoconnectionwithallclassesofmenandhequicklyperceivedhismistake;andasheknewtheprovincesbetweentheSeineandLoiretoperfection,andmadeitpartofhisbusinesstoforeseethechancesofpeaceandwar,I
obtainedagreatamountofinformationfromhim,andindeedconceivednolittlelikingforhim.HebelievedthattheassassinationofM.deGuisewouldalienatesomuchofFrancefromthekingthathismajestywouldhavelittleleftsavethetownsontheLoire,andsomeotherplaceslyingwithineasyreachofhiscourtatBlois.
\'But,\'Isaid,\'thingsseemquietnow.Here,forinstance.\'
\'Itisthecalmbeforethestorm,\'heanswered.\'Thereisamonkinthere.Haveyouheardhim?\'
Inodded.
\'Heisonlyoneamongahundred——athousand,\'thehorsedealercontinued,lookingatmeandnoddingwithmeaning.Hewasabrown-hairedmanwithshrewdgreyeyes,suchasmanyNormanshave.\'Theywillgettheirwaytoo,youwillsee,\'hewenton.
\'Well,horseswillgoup,soIhavenocausetogrumble;but,ifIwereonmywaytoBloiswithwomenorgearofthatkind,I
shouldnotchoosethistimeforpickingposiesontheroad.I
shouldseetheinsideofthegatesassoonaspossible.\'
Ithoughttherewasmuchinwhathesaid;andwhenhewentontomaintainthatthekingwouldfindhimselfbetweenthehammerandtheanvil——betweentheLeagueholdingallthenorthandtheHuguenotsholdingallthesouth——andmustneedsintimecometotermswiththelatterseeingthattheformerwouldrestcontentwithnothingshortofhisdeposition,Ibegantoagreewithhimthatweshouldshortlyseegreatchangesandverystirringtimes.
\'Stilliftheydeposetheking,\'Isaid,\'theKingofNavarremustsucceedhim.HeistheheirofFrance.\'
\'Bah!\'mycompanionrepliedsomewhatcontemptuously.\'TheLeaguewillseetothat.Hegoeswiththeother.\'
\'Thenthekingsareinonecry,andyouareright,\'Isaidwithconviction.\'Theymustunite.\'
\'Sotheywill.Itisonlyaquestionoftime,\'hesaid.
Inthemorning,havingonlyonemanwithhim,and,asIguessed,aconsiderablesumofmoney,hevolunteeredtojoinourpartyasfarasBlois.Iassentedgladly,andhedidso,thisadditiontoournumbersriddingmeatonceofthegreaterpartofmyfears.
Ididnotexpectanyoppositiononthepartofmademoiselle,whowouldgaininconsequenceaswellasinsafety.Nordidsheofferany.Shewascontent,Ithink,towelcomeanyadditiontoourpartywhichwouldsaveherfromthenecessityofridinginthecompanyofmyoldcloak.
CHAPTERVI.
MYMOTHER\'SLODGING.
TravellingbywayofChatelheraultandTours,wereachedtheneighbourhoodofBloisalittleafternoononthethirddaywithoutmisadventureoranyintimationofpursuit.TheNormanprovedhimselfacheerfulcompanionontheroad,asIalreadyknewhimtobeamanofsenseandshrewdnesswhilehispresencerenderedthetaskofkeepingmymeninorderaneasyone.I
begantoconsidertheadventureaspracticallyachieved;andregardingMademoiselledelaVireasalreadyineffecttransferredtothecareofM.deRosny,IventuredtoturnmythoughtstothedevelopmentofmyownplansandthechoiceofahaveninwhichImightrestsecurefromthevengeanceofM.deTurenne.
ForthemomentIhadevadedhispursuit,and,assistedbytheconfusioncausedeverywherebythedeathofGuisehadsucceededinthwartinghisplansandaffrontinghisauthoritywithseemingease.ButIknewtoomuchofhispowerandhadheardtoomanyinstancesofhisfiercetemperandresolutewilltopresumeonshortimpunityortoexpectthefuturewithanythingbutdiffidenceanddismay.
TheexclamationsofmycompanionsoncomingwithinsightofBloisarousedmefromthesereflections.Ijoinedthem,andfullysharedtheiremotionasIgazedonthestatelytowerswhichhadwitnessedsomanyroyalfestivities,and,alas!oneroyaltragedy;whichhadshelteredLouistheWell-belovedandFrancistheGreat,andrungwiththelaughterofDianaofPoitiersandthesecondHenry.Theplayoffancywreathedthesombrebuildingwithahundredmemoriesgraveandgay.But,thoughtherichplainoftheLoirestillswelledupwardasofoldingentlehomageatthefeetofthegallanttown,theshadowofcrimeseemedtodarkenall,anddimeventhegloriesoftheroyalstandardwhichhungidlyintheair.
Wehadheardsomanyreportsofthefearandsuspicionwhichreignedinthecityandofthestrictsupervisionwhichwasexercisedoverallwhoentered——thekingdreadingarepetitionofthedayoftheBarricades——thatwehaltedatalittleinnamileshortofthegateandbrokeupourcompany.IpartedfrommyNormanfriendwithmutualexpressionsofesteem,andfrommyownmen,whomIhadpaidoffinthemorning,complimentingeachofthemwithahandsomepresent,withafeelingofreliefequallysincere.Ihoped——butthehopewasnotfatedtobegratified——thatImightneverseetheknavesagain.
ItwantedlessthananhourofsunsetwhenIrodeuptothegate,afewpacesinfrontofmademoiselleandherwoman;asifIhadreallybeentheintendantforwhomthehorse-dealerhadmistakenme.Wefoundtheguardhouselinedwithsoldiers,whoscannedusverynarrowlyasweapproached,andwhosesternfeaturesandorderedweaponsshowedthattheywerenotthereformereeffect.
Thefact,however,thatwecamefromTours,acitystillintheking\'shands,servedtoallaysuspicion,andwepassedwithoutaccident.
Onceinthestreets,andridinginsinglefilebetweenthehouses,tothewindowsofwhichthetownsfolkseemedtobeattractedbytheslightestcommotion,sofullofterrorwastheair,Iexperiencedamomentofhugerelief.ThiswasBlois——
Bloisatlast.WewerewithinafewscoreyardsoftheBleedingHeart.InafewminutesIshouldreceiveaquittance,andbefreetothinkonlyofmyself.
NorwasmypleasuremuchlessenedbythefactthatIwassosoontopartfromMademoiselledelaVire.Frankly,Iwasfarfromlikingher.Exposuretotheairofacourthadspoiled,itseemedtome,whatevergracesofdispositiontheyoungladyhadeverpossessed.Shestillmaintained,andhadmaintainedthroughoutthejourney,thecoldandsuspiciousattitudeassumedatstarting;norhadsheeverexpressedtheleastsolicitudeonmybehalf,ortheslightestsensethatwewereincurringdangerinherservice.Shehadnotscrupledconstantlytopreferherwhimstothecommonadvantage,andevensafety;whilehersenseofself-importancehadcometobesogreat,thatsheseemedtoholdherselfexemptfromthedutyofthankinganyhumancreature.
Icouldnotdenythatshewasbeautiful——indeed,Ioftenthought,whenwatchingher,ofthedaywhenIhadseenherintheKingofNavarre\'santechamberinallthegloryofhercharms.ButIfeltnonethelessthatIcouldturnmybackonher——leavingherinsafety——withoutregret;andbethankfulthatherpathwouldneveragaincrossmine.
WithsuchthoughtsinmybreastIturnedthecorneroftheRuedeSt.DenysandcameatonceupontheBleedingHeart,asmallbutdecent-lookinghostelrysituateneartheendofthestreetandoppositeachurch.Abluffgrey-hairedman,whowasstandinginthedoorway,cameforwardaswehalted,andlookingcuriouslyatmademoiselleaskedwhatIlacked;addingcivillythatthehousewasfullandtheyhadnosleepingroom,thelateeventshavingdrawnagreatassemblagetoBlois.
\'Iwantonlyanaddress,\'Ianswered,leaningfromthesaddleandspeakinginalowvoicethatImightnotbeoverheardbythepassers-by.\'TheBarondeRosnyisinBlois,ishenot?\'
ThemanstartedatthenameoftheHuguenotleader,andlookedroundhimnervously.But,seeingthatnoonewasverynearus,heanswered:\'Hewas,sir;buthelefttownaweekagoandmore.
\'Therehavebeenstrangedoingshere,andM.deRosnythoughtthattheclimatesuitedhimill.\'
Hesaidthiswithsomuchmeaning,aswellasconcernthatheshouldnotbeoverheard,that,thoughIwastakenabackandbitterlydisappointed,Isucceededinrestrainingallexclamationsandevenshowoffeeling.Afterapauseofdismay,IaskedwhitherM.deRosnyhadgone.
\'ToRosny,\'wastheanswer.
\'AndRosny?\'
\'IsbeyondChartres,prettywellallthewaytoMantes,\'themananswered,strokingmyhorse\'sneck.\'Saythirtyleagues.\'
Iturnedmyhorse,andhurriedlycommunicatedwhathesaidtomademoiselle,whowaswaitingafewpacesaway.Unwelcometome,thenewswasstilllesswelcometoher.Herchagrinandindignationknewnobounds.Foramomentwordsfailedher,butherflashingeyessaidmorethanhertongueasshecriedtome:
\'Well,sir,andwhatnow?Isthistheendofyourfinepromises?
WhereisyourRosny,ifallbenotalyinginventionofyourown?\'
FeelingthatshehadsomeexcuseIsuppressedmycholer,andhumblyrepeatingthatRosnywasathishouse,twodaysfartheron,andthatIcouldseenothingforitbuttogotohim,Iaskedthelandlordwherewecouldfindalodgingforthenight.
\'Indeed,sir,thatismorethanIcansay,\'heanswered,lookingcuriouslyatus,andthinking,Idoubtnot,thatwithmyshabbycloakandfinehorse,andmademoiselle\'smaskandspatteredriding-coat,wewereanoddcouple.\'Thereisnotaninnwhichisnotfulltothegarrets——nay,andthestables;and,whatismore,peoplearecharyoftakingstrangersin.Thesearestrangetimes.Theysay,\'becontinuedinalowertone,\'thattheoldqueenisdyingupthere,andwillnotlastthenight.\'
Inodded.\'Wemustgosomewhere\'Isaid.
\'IwouldhelpyouifIcould,\'heanswered,shrugginghisshoulders.\'Butthereitis!Bloisisfullfromthetilestothecellars.\'
Myhorseshiveredunderme,andmademoiselle,whosepatiencewasgone,criedharshlytometodosomething.\'Wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,\'shesaidfiercely.
Isawthatshewaswornoutandscarcelymistressofherself.
Thelightwasfalling,andwithitsomerain.Thereekofthekennelsandthecloseairfromthehousesseemedtostifleus.
Thebellatthechurchbehinduswasjanglingoutvespers.Afewpeople,attractedbythesightofourhorsesstandingbeforetheinn,hadgatheredroundandwerewatchingus.
SomethingIsawmustbedone,anddonequickly.Indespair,andseeingnootherresort,IbroachedaproposalofwhichIhadnothithertoevendreamed.\'Mademoiselle,\'Isaidbluntly,\'Imusttakeyoutomymother\'s.\'
\'Toyourmother\'s,sir?\'shecried,rousingherself.Hervoicerangwithhaughtysurprise.
\'Yes,\'Irepliedbrusquely;\'since,asyousay,wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,andIdonotknowwhereelseIcandisposeofyou.FromthelastadvicesIhadIbelievehertohavefollowedthecourthither.Myfriend,\'Icontinued,turningtothelandlord,\'doyouknowbynameaMadamedeBonne,whoshouldbeinBlois?\'
\'AMadamedeBonne!\'hemuttered,reflecting.\'Ihaveheardthenamelately.Waitamoment.\'Disappearingintothehouse,hereturnedalmostimmediately,followedbyalankypale-facedyouthwearingatatteredblacksoutane.\'Yes,\'hesaidnodding,\'thereisaworthyladyofthatnamelodginginthenextstreet,Iamtold.Asithappens,thisyoungmanlivesinthesamehouse,andwillguideyou,ifyoulike.\'
Iassented,and,thankinghimforhisinformation,turnedmyhorseandrequestedtheyouthtoleadtheway.Wehadscarcelypassedthecornerofthestreet,however,andenteredonesomewhatmorenarrowandlessfrequented,whenmademoiselle,whowasridingbehindme,stoppedandcalledtome.Idrewrein,and,turning,askedwhatitwas.
\'Iamnotcoming,\'shesaid,hervoicetremblingslightly,butwhetherwithalarmorangerIcouldnotdetermine.\'Iknownothingofyou,andI——IdemandtobetakentoM.deRosny.\'
\'IfyoucrythatnamealoudinthestreetsofBlois,mademoiselle,\'Iretorted,\'youarelikeenoughtobetakenwhitheryouwillnotcaretogo!AsforM.deRosny,Ihavetoldyouthatheisnothere.HehasgonetohisseatatMantes.\'
\'Thentakemetohim!\'
\'Atthishourofthenight?\'Isaiddrily.\'Itistwodays\'
journeyfromhere.\'
\'ThenIwillgotoaninn,\'sherepliedsullenly.
\'Youhaveheardthatthereisnoroomintheinns\'IrejoinedwithwhatpatienceIcould.\'Andtogofrominntoinnatthishourmightleadusintotrouble.IcanassureyouthatIamasmuchtakenabackbyM.deRosny\'sabsenceasyouare.Forthepresent,weareclosetomymother\'slodging,and——\'
\'Iknownothingofyourmother!\'sheexclaimedpassionately,hervoiceraised.\'Youhaveenticedmehitherbyfalsepretences,sir,andIwillendureitnolonger.Iwill——\'
\'Whatyouwilldo,Idonotknowthen,mademoiselle,\'Ireplied,quiteatmywits\'end;forwhatwiththerainandthedarkness,theunknownstreets——inwhichourtarryingmightatanymomentcollectacrowd——andthisstubborngirl\'sopposition,Iknewnotwhithertoturn.\'FormypartIcansuggestnothingelse.Itdoesnotbecomemetospeakofmymother,\'Icontinued,\'orI
mightsaythatevenMademoiselledelaVireneednotbeashamedtoacceptthehospitalityofMadamedeBonne.Noraremymother\'scircumstances,\'Iaddedproudly,\'thoughnarrow,someanastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherbirth.\'
Mylastwordsappearedtomakesomeimpressionuponmycompanion.
Sheturnedandspoketoherwoman,whorepliedinalowvoice,tossingherheadthewhileandglaringatmeinspeechlessindignation.Hadtherebeenanythingelseforit,theywoulddoubtlesshavefloutedmyofferstill;butapparentlyFanchettecouldsuggestnothing,andpresentlymademoiselle,withasullenair,bademeleadon.
Takingthisforpermission,thelankyyouthintheblacksoutane,whohadremainedatmybridlethroughoutthediscussion,nowlisteningandnowstaring,noddedandresumedhisway;andI
followed.Afterproceedingalittlemorethanfiftyyardshestoppedbeforeamean-lookingdoorway,flankedbygratedwindows,andfrontedbyaloftywallwhichItooktobethebackofsomenobleman\'sgarden.Thestreetatthispointwasunlighted,andlittlebetterthananalley;norwastheappearanceofthehouse,whichwasnarrowandill-looking,thoughlofty,calculated,asfarasIcouldmakeitoutisthedarkness,toallaymademoiselle\'ssuspicions.Knowing,however,thatpeopleofpositionareoftenobligedintownstolodgeinpoorhouses,I
thoughtnothingofthis,andonlystrovetogetmademoiselledismountedasquicklyaspossible.Theladgropedaboutandfoundtworingsbesidethedoor,andtotheseItiedupthehorses.Then,biddinghimleadtheway,andbeggingmademoiselletofollow,Iplungedintothedarknessofthepassageandfeltmywaytothefootofthestaircase,whichwasentirelyunlighted,andsmelledcloseandunpleasant.
\'Whichfloor?\'Iaskedmyguide.
\'Thefourth,\'heansweredquietly.
\'Morbleu!\'Imuttered,asIbegantoascend,myhandonthewall.\'Whatisthemeaningofthis?\'
ForIwasperplexed.TherevenuesofMarsac,thoughsmall,shouldhavekept;mymother,whomIhadlastseeninParisbeforetheNemoursedict,intolerablecomfort——suchmodestcomfort,atanyrate,ascouldscarcelybelookedforinsuchahouseasthis——obscure,ill-tended,unlighted.Tomyperplexitywasadded,beforeIreachedthetopofthestairs,disquietude——
disquietudeonheraccountaswellasonmademoiselle\'s.Ifeltthatsomethingwaswrong,andwouldhavegivenmuchtorecalltheinvitationIhadpressedonthelatter.
WhattheyoungladythoughtherselfIcouldprettywellguess,asIlistenedtoherhurriedbreathingatmyshoulder.WitheverystepIexpectedhertorefusetogofarther.But,havingoncemadeuphermind,shefollowedmestubbornly,thoughthedarknesswassuchthatinvoluntarilyIloosenedmydagger,andpreparedtodefendmyselfshouldthisturnouttobeatrap.
Wereachedthetop,however,withoutaccident.Ourguideknockedsoftlyatadoorandimmediatelyopeneditwithoutwaitingforananswer.Afeeblelightshoneoutonthestair-head,andbendingmyhead,forthelintelwaslow,Isteppedintotheroom.
Iadvancedtwopacesandstoodlookingaboutmeinangrybewilderment.Thebarenessofextremepovertymarkedeverythingonwhichmyeyesrested.Acrackedearthenwarelampsmokedandsputteredonastoolinthemiddleoftherottingfloor.Anoldblackcloaknailedtothewall,andflappingtoandfrointhedraughtlikesomedeadgallowsbird,hunginfrontoftheunglazedwindow.Ajarinacornercaughtthedrippingsfromaholeintheroof.Anironpotandasecondstool——thelattercastingalongshadowacrossthefloor——stoodbesidethehandfulofwoodashes,whichsmoulderedonthehearth.AndthatwasallthefurnitureIsaw,exceptabedwhichfilledthefartherendofthelongnarrowroom,andwascurtainedoffsoastoformakindofmiserablealcove.
Aglancesufficedtoshowmeallthis,andthattheroomwasempty,orapparentlyempty.YetIlookedagainandagain,stupefied.Atlastfindingmyvoice,Iturnedtotheyoungmanwhohadbroughtushither,andwithafierceoathdemandedofhimwhathemeant.
Heshrankbackbehindtheopendoor,andyet;answeredwithakindofsullensurprisethatIhadaskedforMadamedeBonne\'s,andthiswasit.
\'MadamedeBonne\'s!\'Imuttered.\'ThisMadamedeBonne\'s!\'
Henodded.
\'Ofcourseitis!Andyouknowit!\'mademoisellehissedinmyear,hervoice,assheinterposed,hoarsewithpassion.\'Don\'tthinkthatyoucandeceiveusanylonger.Weknowall!This,\'
shecontinued,lookinground,hercheeksscarlet,hereyesablazewithscorn,\'isyourmother\'s,isit!Yourmotherwhohasfollowedthecourthither——whosemeansarenarrow,butnotsosmallastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherrank!Thisisyourmother\'shospitality,isit?Youareacheat,sir!andadetectedcheat!Letusbegone!Letmego,sir,Isay!\'
TwiceIhadtriedtostopthecurrentofherwords;butinvain.
Nowwithangerwhichsurpassedhersahundredfold——forwho,beingaman,wouldhearhimselfmisnamedbeforehismother?——I
succeeded,\'Silence,mademoiselle!\'Icried,mygrasponherwrist.\'Silence,Isay!Thisismymother!\'
Andrunningforwardtothebed,Ifellonmykneesbesideit.A
feeblehandhadhalfwithdrawnthecurtain,andthroughthegapmymother\'sstrickenfacelookedout,agreatfearstampeduponit.
CHAPTERVII.
SIMONFLEIX.
ForsomeminutesIforgotmademoiselleinpayingthoseassiduousattentionstomymotherwhichherstateandmydutydemanded;andwhichIofferedthemoreanxiouslythatIrecognised,withasinkingheart,thechangeswhichageandillnesshadmadeinhersincemylastvisit.Theshockofmademoiselle\'swordshadthrownherintoasyncope,fromwhichshedidnotrecoverforsometime;andthenratherthroughtheassistanceofourstrangeguide,whoseemedwellawarewhattodo,thanthroughmyefforts.
AnxiousasIwastolearnwhathadreducedhertosuchstraitsandsuchaplace,thiswasnotthetimetosatisfymycuriosity,andIpreparedmyselfinsteadforthetaskofeffacingthepainfulimpressionwhichmademoiselle\'swordshadmadeonhermind.
Onfirstcomingtoherselfshedidnotrememberthem,but,contenttofindmebyherside——forthereissomethingsoalchemicinamother\'slovethatIdoubtnotmypresencechangedhergarrettoapalace——shespentherselfinfeeblecaressesandbrokenwords.Presently,however,hereyefallingonmademoiselleandhermaid,whoremainedstandingbythehearth,lookingdarklyatusfromtimetotime,sherecalled,firsttheshockwhichhadprostratedher,andthenitscause,andraisingherselfonherelbow,lookedaboutherwildly.\'Gaston!\'shecried,clutchingmyhandwithherthinfingers,\'whatwasitI
heard?Itwasofyousomeonespoke——awoman!Shecalledyou——ordidIdreamit?——acheat!You!\'
\'Madame,madame,\'Isaid,strivingtospeakcarelessly,thoughthesight;ofhergreyhair,stragglinganddishevelled,movedmestrangely,\'wasit;likely?Wouldanyonedaretousesuchexpressionsofmeisyourpresence?Youmustindeedhavedreamedit!\'
Thewords,however,returningmoreandmorevividlytohermind,shelookedatmeverypitifully,andingreatagitationlaidherarmonmyneck,asthoughshewouldsheltermewiththepunystrengthwhichjustenabledhertoriseinbed.\'Butsomeone,\'
shemuttered,hereyesonthestrangers,\'saidit,Gaston?I
heardit.Whatdiditmean?\'
\'Whatyouheard,madame,\'Ianswered,withanattemptatgaiety,thoughthetearsstoodinmyeyes,\'was,doubtless,mademoiselleherescoldingourguidefromTours,whodemandedthreetimestheproperPOURBOIRE.Theimpudentrascaldeservedallthatwassaidtohim,Iassureyou.\'
\'Wasthatit?\'shemurmureddoubtfully.
\'Thatmusthavebeenwhatyouheard,madame,\'Ianswered,asifI
feltnodoubt.
Shefellbackwithasighofrelief,andalittlecolourcameintoherwanface.Buthereyesstilldweltcuriously,andwithapprehension,onmademoiselle,whostoodlookingsullenlyintothefire;andseeingthismyheartmisgavemesorelythatIhaddoneafoolishthinginbringingthegirlthere.Iforesawahundredquestionswhichwouldbeasked,andahundredcomplicationswhichmustensue,andfeltalreadytheblushofshamemountingtomycheek.
\'Whoisthat?\'mymotheraskedsoftly.\'Iamill.Shemustexcuseme.\'Shepointedwithherfragilefingertomycompanions.
Irose,andstillkeepingherhandinmine,turnedsoastofacethehearth.\'This,madame,\'Iansweredformally,\'isMademoiselle——,buthernameIwillcommittoyoulater,andinprivate.Sufficeittosaythatsheisaladyofrank,whohasbeencommittedtomychargebyahighpersonage.\'
\'Ahighpersonage?\'mymotherrepeatedgently,glancingatmewithasmileofgratification.
\'Oneofthehighest,\'Isaid,\'Suchachargebeingagreathonourtome,IfeltthatIcouldnotbetterexecuteitmadame,sincewemustlieinBloisonenight,thanbyrequestingyourhospitalityonherbehalf.\'
IdaredmademoiselleasIspoke——Idaredherwithmyeyetocontradictorinterruptme.Foranswer,shelookedatmeonce,incliningherheadalittle,andgazingatusfromunderherlongeyelashes.Thensheturnedbacktothefire,andherfootresumeditsangrytappingonthefloor.
\'IregretthatIcannotreceiveherbetter,\'mymotheransweredfeebly.\'Ihavehadlossesoflate.I——butIwillspeakofthatatanothertime.Mademoiselledoubtlessknows,\'shecontinuedwithdignity,\'youandyourpositioninthesouthtoowelltothinkillofthemomentarystraitstowhichshefindsmereduced.\'
Isawmademoisellestart,andIwrithedundertheglanceofcovertscorn,ofamazedindignation,whichsheshotatme.Butmymothergentlypattingmyhand,Iansweredpatiently,\'Mademoisellewillthinkonlywhatiskind,madame——ofthatIamassured.Andlodgingsarescarceto-nightinBlois.\'
\'Buttellmeofyourself,Gaston,\'mymothercriedeagerly;andI
hadnottheheart,withhertouchonmyhand,hereyesonmyface,totearmyselfaway,muchasIdreadedwhatwascoming,andlongedtoendthescene.\'Tellmeofyourself.Youarestillinfavourwiththekingof——Iwillnotnamehimhere?\'
\'Still,madame,\'Ianswered,lookingsteadilyatmademoiselle,thoughmyfaceburned.
\'Youarestill——heconsultsyou,Gaston?\'
\'Still,madame.\'
Mymotherheavedahappysigh,andsanklowerinthebed.\'Andyouremployments?\'shemurmured,hervoicetremblingwithgratification.\'Theyhavenotbeenreduced?Youstillretainthem,Gaston?\'
\'Still,madame,\'Ianswered,theperspirationstandingonmybrow,myshamealmostmorethanIcouldbear.
\'Twelvethousandlivresayear,Ithink?\'
\'Thesame,madame.\'
\'Andyourestablishment?Howmanydoyoukeepnow?Yourvalet,ofcourse?Andlackeys——howmanyatpresent?\'Sheglanced,withaneyeofpride,whileshewaitedformyanswer,firstatthetwosilentfiguresbythefire,thenatthepoverty-strickenroom;asifthesightofitsbarenessheightenedforherthejoyofmyprosperity.
Shehadnosuspicionofmytrouble,mymisery,orthatthelastquestionalmostfilledthecuptoofull.Hithertoallhadbeeneasy,butthisseemedtochokeme.Istammeredandlostmyvoice.Mademoiselle,herheadbowed,wasgazingintothefire.
Fanchettewasstaringatme,herblackeyesroundassaucers,hermouthhalf-open.\'Well,madame,\'Imutteredatlength,\'totellyouthetruth,atpresent,youmustunderstand,Ihavebeenforcedto——\'
\'What,Gaston?\'MadamedeBonnehalfroseinbed.Hervoicewassharpwithdisappointmentandapprehension;thegraspofherfingersonmyhandgrewcloser.
Icouldnotresistthatappeal.Iflungawaythelastragofshame.\'Toreducemyestablishmentsomewhat,\'Ianswered,lookingamiserabledefianceatmademoiselle\'savertedfigure.
Shehadcalledmealiarandacheat——hereintheroom!Imuststandbeforeheraliarandacheatconfessed.\'Ikeepbutthreelackeysnow,madame.\'
Stillitiscreditable,\'mymothermutteredthoughtfully,hereyesshining.\'Yourdress,however,Gaston——onlymyeyesareweak——seemstome——\'
\'Tut,tut!Itisbutadisguise,\'Iansweredquickly.
\'Imighthaveknownthat,\'sherejoined,sinkingbackwithasmileandasighofcontent.\'ButwhenIfirstsawyouIwasalmostafraidthatsomethinghadhappenedtoyou.AndIhavebeenuneasylately,\'shewenton,releasingmyhand,andbeginningtoplaywiththecoverlet,asthoughtheremembrancetroubledher.\'Therewasamanhereawhileago——afriendofSimonFleixthere——whohadbeensouthtoPauandNerac,andhesaidtherewasnoM.deMarsacabouttheCourt.\'
\'HeprobablyknewlessoftheCourtthanthewine-tavern,\'I
answeredwithaghastlysmile.
\'ThatwasjustwhatItoldhim,\'mymotherrespondedquicklyandeagerly.\'IwarrantyouIsenthimawayill-satisfied.\'
\'Ofcourse,\'Isaid;\'therewillalwaysbepeopleofthatkind.
Butnow,ifyouwillpermitme,madame,Iwillmakesucharrangementsformademoiselleasarenecessary.\'
Beggingheraccordinglytoliedownandcomposeherself——forevensoshortaconversation,followingontheexcitementofourarrival,hadexhaustedhertoapainfuldegree——Itooktheyouth,whohadjustreturnedfromstablingourhorses,alittleaside,andlearningthathelodgedinasmallerchamberonthefarthersideofthelanding,secureditfortheuseofmademoiselleandherwoman.Inspiteofacertainexcitabilitywhichmarkedhimattimes,heseemedtobeaquick,readyfellow,andhewillinglyundertooktogoout,lateasitwas,andprocuresomeprovisionsandafewotherthingswhichweresadlyneeded,aswellformymother\'scomfortasforourown.IdirectedFanchettetoaidhiminthepreparationoftheotherchamber,andthusforawhileI
wasleftalonewithmademoiselle.Shehadtakenoneofthestools,andsatcoweringoverthefire,thehoodofhercloakdrawnaboutherhead;insuchamannerthatevenwhenshelookedatme,whichshedidfromtimetotime,Isawlittlemorethanhereyes,brightwithcontemptuousanger.
\'So,sir,\'shepresentlybegan,speakinginalowvoice,andturningslightlytowardsme,\'youpractiselyingevenhere?\'
IfeltsostronglythefutilityofdenialorexplanationthatI
shruggedmyshouldersandremainedsilentunderthesneer.Twomoredays——twomoredayswouldtakeustoRosny,andmytaskwouldbedone,andMademoiselleandIwouldpartforgoodandall.Whatwoulditmatterthenwhatshethoughtofme?Whatdiditmatternow?
Forthefirsttimeinourintercoursemysilenceseemedtodisconcertanddispleaseher.\'Haveyounothingtosayforyourself?\'shemutteredsharply,crushingafragmentofcharcoalunderherfoot,andstoopingtopeerattheashes.\'Haveyounotanotherlieinyourquiver,M.deMarsac?\'DeMarsac!\'Andsherepeatedthetitle,withascornfullaugh,asifsheputnofaithinmyclaimtoit.
ButIwouldanswernothing——nothing;andweremainedsilentuntilFanchette,comingintosaythatthechamberwasready,heldthelightforhermistresstopassout.Itoldthewomantocomebackandfetchmademoiselle\'ssupper,andthen,beingleftalonewithmymother,whohadfallenasleep,withasmileonherthin,wornface,Ibegantowonderwhathadhappenedtoreducehertosuchdirepoverty.
Ifearedtoagitateherbyreferringtoit;butlaterintheevening,whenhercurtainsweredrawnandSimonFleixandIwerelefttogether,eyeingoneanotheracrosstheemberslikedogsofdifferentbreeds——withacertainstrangenessandsuspicion——mythoughtsrecurredtothequestion;anddeterminingfirsttolearnsomethingaboutmycompanion,whosepale,eagerfaceandtattered,blackdressgavehimacertainindividuality,IaskedhimwhetherhehadcomefromPariswithMadamedeBonne.
Henoddedwithoutspeaking.
Iaskedhimifhehadknownherlong.
\'Twelvemonths,\'heanswered.\'Ilodgedonthefifth,madameonthesecond,floorofthesamehouseinParis.\'
Ileanedforwardandpluckedthehemofhisblackrobe.\'Whatisthis?\'Isaid,withalittlecontempt.\'Youarenotapriest,man.\'
\'No,\'heanswered,fingeringthestuffhimself,andgazingatmeinacurious,vacantfashion.\'IamastudentoftheSorbonne.\'
Idrewofffromhimwithamutteredoath,wondering——whileI
lookedathimwithsuspiciouseyes——howhecametobehere,andparticularlyhowhecametobeinattendanceonmymother,whohadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodintheReligion,andhadprofesseditinprivateallherlife.Icouldthinkofnoonewho,inolddays,wouldhavebeenlesswelcomeinherhousethanaSorbonnist,andbegantofancythathereshouldliethesecretofhermiserablecondition.
\'Youdon\'tlike,theSorbonne?\'hesaid,readingmythoughts;
whichwere,indeed,plainenough.
\'NomorethanIlovethedevil!\'Isaidbluntly.
Heleanedforwardand,stretchingoutathin,nervoushand,laiditonmyknee.\'Whatiftheyareright,though?\'hemuttered,hisvoicehoarse.\'Whatiftheyareright,M.deMarsac?\'
\'Whoright?\'Iaskedroughly,drawingbackafresh.
\'TheSorbonne.\'herepeated,hisfaceredwithexcitement,hiseyespeeringuncannilyintomine.\'Don\'tyousee,\'hecontinued,pinchingmykneeinhisearnestness,andthrustinghisfacenearerandnearertomine,\'itallturnsonthat?Itallturnsonthat——salvationordamnation!Aretheyright?Areyouright?
Yousayyestothis,notothat,youwhite-coats;andyousayitlightly,butareyouright?Areyouright?MonDieu!\'hecontinued,drawingbackabruptlyandclawingtheairwithimpatience,\'Ihaveread,read,read!Ihavelistenedtosermons,theses,disputations,andIknownothing.IknownomorethanwhenIbegan.\'
Hesprangupandbegantopacethefloor,whileIgazedathimwithafeelingofpity.Averylearnedpersononcetoldmethatthetroublesofthesetimesbredfourkindsofmen,whoweremuchtobecompassionated:fanaticsontheonesideortheother,wholostsightofallelseintheintensityoftheirfaith;menwho,likeSimonFleix,soughtdesperatelyaftersomethingtobelieve,andfounditnot;andlastly,scoffers,who,believinginnothing,lookedonallreligionasamockery.
Hepresentlystoppedwalking——inhisutmostexcitementIremarkedthatheneverforgotmymother,buttrodmorelightlywhenhedrewnearthealcove——andspokeagain.\'YouareaHuguenot?\'hesaid.
\'Yes,\'Ireplied.
\'Soisshe,\'herejoined,pointingtowardsthebed.\'Butdoyoufeelnodoubts?\'
\'None,\'Isaidquietly.
\'Nordoesshe.\'heansweredagain,stoppingoppositeme.Youmadeupyourmind——how?\'
\'IwasbornintheReligion,\'Isaid.
\'Andyouhaveneverquestionedit?\'
\'Never.\'