\'BonneFoi!FranceetBonneFoi!\'ItseemedtomethatIbadnotspoken,thatIhadpliedsteelingrimmestsilence;andyetthecrystillrangandechoedintheroofasIloweredmypoint,andstoodlookinggrimlydownatthem.Fresnoy\'sfacewasdisfiguredwithrageandchagrin.Theywerenowbuttwotoone,forMatthew,thoughhiswoundwasslight,wasdisabledbythebloodwhichrandownintohiseyesandblindedhim.\'FranceetBonneFoi!\'
\'BonneFoiandgoodsword!\'criedavoicebehindme.Andlookingswiftlyround,Isawmademoiselle\'sfacethrustthroughtheholeinthedoor.Hereyessparkledwithafiercelight,herlipswereredbeyondtheordinary,andherhair,loosenedandthrownintodisorderbyherexertions,fellinthickmassesaboutherwhitecheeks,andgavehertheaspectofawar-witch,suchastheytellofinmycountryofBrittany.\'Goodsword!\'shecriedagain,andclappedherhands.
\'Butbetterboard,mademoiselle!\'Iansweredgaily.Likemostofthemenofmyprovince,Iamcommonlymelancholic,butIhavethehabitofgrowingwittyatsuchtimesasthese.\'Now,M.
Fresnoy,\'Icontinued,\'Iamwaitingyourconvenience.MustI
putonmycloaktokeepmyselfwarm?\'
Heansweredbyacurse,andstoodlookingatmeirresolutely.
\'Ifyouwillcomedown,\'hesaid.
\'SendyourmanawayandIwillcome,\'Iansweredbriskly.\'Thereisspaceonthelanding,andamoderatelight.ButImustbequick.MademoiselleandIaredueelsewhere,andwearelatealready.\'
Stillhehesitated.Stillhelookedatthemanlyingathisfeet——whohadstretchedhimselfoutandpassed,quietlyenough,aminutebefore——andstooddubious,themostpitiablepictureofcowardiceandmalice——hebeingordinarilyastoutman——Ieversaw.Icalledhimpoltroonandwhite-feather,andwasconsideringwhetherIhadnotbettergodowntohim,seeingthatourtimemustbeup,andSimonwouldbequittinghispost,whenacrybehindmecausedmetoturn,andIsawthatmademoisellewasnolongerlookingthroughtheopeninginthedoor.
Alarmedonherbehalf,asIreflectedthattheremightbeotherdoorstotheroom,andthemenhaveotheraccomplicesinthehouse,Isprangtothedoortosee,buthadbaselytimetosendasingleglanceround-theinterior——whichshowedmeonlythattheroomwasstilloccupied——beforeFresnoy,takingadvantageofmymovementandofmybackbeingturned,dashedupthestairs,withhiscomradeathisheels,andsucceededinpinningmeintothenarrowpassagewhereIstood.
Ihadscarcelytime,indeed,toturnandputmyselfonguardbeforehethrustatme.Norwasthatall.Thesuperiorityinpositionnolongerlaywithme.Ifoundmyselffightingbetweenwallsclosetotheopeninginthedoor,throughwhichthelightfellathwartmyeyes,bafflingandperplexingme.Fresnoywasnotslowtoseetheaidthisgavehim,andpressedmehardanddesperately;sothatweplayedforafullminuteatclosequarters,thrustingandparrying,neitherofushavingroomtousetheedge,ortimetoutterwordorprayer.
Atthisgameweweresoevenlymatchedthatforatimetheendwashardtotell.Presently,however,therecameachange.Myopponent\'shabitofwildlivingsuitedillwithaprolongedbout,andashisstrengthandbreathfailedandhebegantogivegroundIdiscernedIhadonlytowearhimouttohavehimatmymercy.
Hefeltthishimself,andevenbythatlightIsawthesweatspringingreatdropstohisforehead,sawtheterrorgrowinhiseyes.AlreadyIwascountinghimadeadmanandthevictorymine,whensomethinghashedbehindhisblade,andhiscomrade\'sponiard,whizzingpasthisshoulder,struckmefairlyonthechin,staggeringmeandhurlingmebackdizzyandhalf-stunned,uncertainwhathadhappenedtome.
Spedaninchlowerit,wouldhavedoneitsworkandfinishedmine.Evenasitwas,myhandgoingupasIreeledbackgaveFresnoyanopening,ofwhichhewasnotslowtoavailhimself.
Hesprangforward,lungingatmefuriously,andwouldhaverunmethroughthereandthen,andendedthematter,badnothisfoot,asheadvanced,caughtinthestool,whichstilllayagainstthewall.Hestumbled,hispointmissedmyhipbyahair\'sbreadth,andhehimselffellallhislengthonthefloor,hisrapierbreakingoffshortatthehilt.
Hisoneremainingbackerstayedtocastalookathim,andthatwasall.Themanfled,andIchasedhimasfarastheheadofthestairs;whereIlefthim,assuredbythespeedandagilityhedisplayedinclearingflightafterflightthatIhadnothingtofearfromhim.Fresnoylay,apparentlystunned,andcompletelyatmymercy.Istoodaninstantlookingdownathim,intwomindswhetherIshouldnotrunhimthrough.Butthememoryofolddays,whenhehadplayedhispartinmorehonourablefashionandshownacoarsegood-fellowshipinthefield,heldmyhand;
andflingingacurseathim,Iturnedinanxioushastetothedoor,thecentreofallthisbloodshedandcommotion.Thelightstillshonethroughthebreachinthepanel,butforsomeminutes——sinceFresnoy\'srushupthestairs,indeed——Ihadheardnosoundfromthisquarter.Now,lookinginwithapprehensionswhichgrewwiththecontinuingsilence,Ilearnedthereason.
Theroomwasempty!
Suchadisappointmentinthemomentoftriumphwashardtobear.
Isawmyself,afteralldoneandwon,onthepointofbeingagainoutwitted,distanced,itmightbefooled.InfrantichasteandexcitementIsnatchedupthestoolbesideme,and,dashingittwiceagainstthelock,forceditatlasttoyield.Thedoorswungopen,andIrushedintotheroom,which,abandonedbythosewhohadsolatelyoccupiedit,presentednothingtodetainme.I
castasingleglanceround,sawthatitwassqualid,low-roofed,unfurnished,amereprison;thenswiftlycrossingthefloor,I
madeforadooratthefartherend,whichmyeyehadmarkedfromthefirst.Acandlestoodflaringandgutteringonastool,andasIpassedItookitup.
Somewhattomysurprisethedooryieldedtomytouch.Intremblinghaste——forwhatmightnotbefallthewomenwhileI
fumbledwithdoorsorwanderedinpassages?——Iflungitwide,andpassingthroughit,foundmyselfattheheadofanarrow,meanstaircase,leading,doubtless,totheservants\'offices.Atthis,andseeingnohindrancebeforeme,Itookheartofgrace,reflectingthatmademoisellemighthaveescapedfromthehousethisway.Thoughitwouldnowbetoolatetoquitthecity,I
mightstillovertakeher,andallendwell.AccordinglyI
hurrieddownthestairs,shadingmycandleasIwentfromacolddraughtofairwhichmetme,andgrewstrongerasIdescended;
untilreachingthebottomatlast,Icameabruptlyuponanopendoor,andanold,wrinkled,shrivelledwoman.
Thehagscreamedatsightofme,andcroucheddownonthefloor;
anddoubtless,withmydrawnsword,andtheblooddrippingfrommychinandstainingallthefrontofmydoublet,Ilookedfierceanduncannyenough.ButIfeltitwasnotimeforsensibility——I
waspantingtobeaway——andIdemandedofhersternlywheretheywere.Sheseemedtohavelosthervoice——throughfear,perhaps——andforansweronlystaredatmestupidly;butonmyhandlingmyweaponwithsomereadinessshesofarrecoveredhersensesastouttertwoloudscreams,oneaftertheother,andpointtothedoorbesideher.Idoubtedher;andyetIthoughtinherterrorshemustbetellingthetruth,themoreasIsawnootherdoor.
InanycaseImustriskit,so,settingthecandledownonthestepbesideher,Ipassedout.
ForamomentthedarknesswassointensethatIfeltmywaywithmyswordbeforeme,inabsoluteignorancewhereIwasoronwhatmyfootmightnextrest.Iwasatthemercyofanyonewhochancedtobelyinginwaitforme;andIshiveredasthecolddampwindstruckmycheekandstirredmyhair.Butby-and-by,whenIhadtakentwoorthreesteps,myeyesgrewaccustomedtothegloom,andImade,outthenakedboughsoftreesbetweenmyselfandthesky,andguessedthatIwasinagarden.Mylefthand,touchingashrub,confirmedmeinthisbelief,andinanothermomentIdistinguishedsomethingliketheoutlineofapathstretchingawaybeforeme.Followingitrapidly——asrapidlyasIdared——Icametoacorner,asitseemedtome,turneditblindly,andstoppedshort,peepingintoacurtainofsolidblacknesswhichbarredmypath,andoverheadmingledconfusedlywiththedarkshapesoftrees.Butthis,too,afterabriefhesitation,Imadeouttobeawall.Advancingtoitwithoutstretchedhands,Ifeltthewoodworkofadoor,and,gropingabout,litpresentlyonaloopofcord.Ipulledatthis,thedooryielded,andIwentout.
Ifoundmyselfinanarrow,darklane,andlookingupanddowndiscovered,whatImighthaveguessedbefore,thatit,wastheRuelled\'Arcy.Butmademoiselle?Fanchette?Simon?Wherewerethey?Noonewastobeseen,Tormentedbydoubts,Iliftedupmyvoiceandcalledontheminturn;firstonmademoiselle,thenonSimonFleix.Invain;Igotnoanswer.HighupabovemeIsaw,asIstoodbackalittle,lightsmovinginthehouseIhadleft;
andthesuspicionthat,afterall,theenemyhadfoiledmegrewuponme.Somehowtheyhaddecoyedmademoiselletoanotherpartofthehouse,andthentheoldwomanhadmisledme!
Iturnedfiercelytothedoor,whichIhadleftajar,resolvedtore-enterbythewayIhadcome,andhaveanexplanationwhetherorno.Tomysurprise——forIhadnotmovedsixpacesfromthedoornorheardtheslightestsound——Ifounditnot;onlyclosedbutbolted——boltedbothattopandbottom,asIdiscoveredontryingit.
Ifellonthattokickingitfuriously,desperately;partlyinatempestofrageandchagrin,partlyinthehopethatImightfrightentheoldwoman,ifitwasshewhohadclosedit,intoopeningitagain.Invain,ofcourse;andpresentlyIsawthisanddesisted,and,stillinawhirlofhasteandexcitement,setoffrunningtowardstheplacewhereIhadleftSimonFleixandthehorses.Itwasfullysixo\'clockasIjudged;butsomefainthopethatImightfindhimtherewithmademoiselleandherwomanstilllingeredinmymind.Ireachedtheendofthelane,Irantotheveryfoot;oftheramparts,Ilookedrightandleft.Invain.Theplacewasdark,silent,deserted.
Icalled\'Simon!Simon!SimonFleix!\'butmyonlyanswerwasthesoughingofthewindintheeaves,andtheslowtonesoftheconvent-bellstrikingSix.
CHAPTERXI.
THEMANATTHEDOOR.
Therearesomethings,notshamefulinthemselves,whichitshamesonetoremember,andamongtheseIcountthesucceedinghurryandperturbationofthatnight:thevainsearch,withouthopeorclue,towhichpassionimpelledme,andthestubbornpersistencewithwhichIrushedfranticallyfromplacetoplacelongafterthesobernessofreasonwouldhavehadmedesist.
Therewasnot,itseemstome,lookingbacknow,onestreetoralley,laneorcourt,inBloiswhichIdidnotvisitagainandagaininmyfranticwanderings;notabeggarskulkingonfootthatnightwhomIdidnothuntdownandquestion;notawretchedwomansleepinginarchordoorwaywhomIdidnotseeandscrutinise.Ireturnedtomymother\'slodgingagainandagain,alwaysfruitlessly.Irushedtothestablesandrushedawayagain,orstoodandlistenedinthedark,emptystalls,wonderingwhathadhappened,andtorturingmyselfwithsuggestionsofthisorthat.Andeverywhere,notonlyattheNorth-gate,whereI
interrogatedtheportersandfoundthatnopartyresemblingthatwhichIsoughthadpassedout,butonthePARVISoftheCathedral,whereaguardwasdrawnup,andinthecommonstreets,whereIburstinononegroupandanotherwithmyqueries,Irantheriskofsuspicionandarrest,andallthatmightfollowthereon.
ItwasstrangeindeedthatIescapedarrest.Thewoundinmychinstillbledatintervals,stainingmydoublet;andasIwaswithoutmycloak,whichIhadleftinthehouseintheRueValois,Ihadnothingtocovermydisordereddress.Iwaskeenly,fiercelyanxious.Straypassersmeetingmeintheglareofatorch,orseeingmehurrybythegreatbrazierswhichburnedwherefourstreetsmet,lookedaskanceatmeandgavemethewall;whilemeninauthoritycriedtometostayandanswertheirquestions.Iranfromtheoneandtheotherwiththesamesavageimpatience,disregardingeverythinginthefeverishanxietywhichspurredmeonandimpelledmetoahundredimprudences,suchasatmyageIshouldhaveblushedtocommit.Muchofthisfeelingwasdue,nodoubt,totheglimpseIhadhadofmademoiselle,andthefierywordsshehadspoken;more,Ifancy,tochagrinandangeratthemannerinwhichthecupofsuccesshadbeendashedatthelastmomentfrommylips.
ForfourhoursIwanderedthroughthestreets,nowhotwithpurpose,nowseekingaimlessly.Itwasteno\'clockwhenatlengthIgaveupthesearch,and,wornoutbothinbodyandmind,climbedthestairsatmymother\'slodgingsandenteredherroom.
Anoldwomansatbythefire,crooningsoftlytoherself,whileshestirredsomethinginablackpot.Mymotherlayinthesameheavy,deepsleepinwhichIhadlefther.Isatdownoppositethenursewhocriedoutatmyappearanceandaskedherdullyforsomefood.WhenIhadeatenit,sittinginakindofstuporthewhile,theresultpartlyofmylateexertions,andpartlyofthesilencewhichprevailedroundme,Ibadethewomancallmeifanychangetookplace;andthengoingheavilyacrosstothegarretSimonhadoccupied,Ilaydownonhispallet,andfellintoasound,dreamlesssleep.
ThenextdayandthenextnightIspentbesidemymother,watchingthelifeebbfastaway,andthinkingwithgravesorrowofherpastandmyfuture.Itpainedmebeyondmeasuretoseeherdiethus,inagarret,withoutproperattendanceoranybutbarecomforts;theexistencewhichhadoncebeenbrightandprosperousendinginpenuryandgloom,suchasmymother\'sloveandhopeandself-sacrificelittledeserved.Herstategrievedmesharplyonmyownaccounttoo,seeingthatIhadformednoneofthosefamiliarrelationswhichmenofmyagehavecommonlyformed,andwhichconsolethemforthelossofparentsandforbears;Naturesoorderingit,asIhavetakennote,thatmenlookforwardratherthanbackward,andfindinthetiestheyformwiththefuturefullcompensationforthepartingstrandsbehindthem.Iwasalone,poverty-stricken,andinmiddlelife,seeingnothingbeforemeexceptdangerandhardship,andtheseunrelievedbyhopeoraffection.Thislastadventure,too,despiteallmyefforts,hadsunkmedeeperinthemire;byincreasingmyenemiesandalienatingfrommesometowhomImighthaveturnedattheworst.Inoneotherrespectalsoithadaddedtomytroublesnotalittle;fortheimageofmademoisellewanderingaloneandunguardedthroughthestreets,orvainlycallingonmeforhelp,persistedinthrustingitselfonmyimaginationwhenIleastwantedit,andcameevenbetweenmymother\'spatientfaceandme.
IwassittingbesideMadamedeBonnealittleaftersunsetonthesecondday,thewomanwhoattendedherbeingabsentonanerrand,whenIremarkedthatthelamp,whichhadbeenrecentlylit,andstoodonastoolinthemiddleoftheroom,wasburninglowandneededsnuffing.Iwenttoitsoftly,andwhilestoopingoverit,tryingtoimprovethelight,heardaslow,heavystepascendingthestairs.Thehousewasquiet,andthesoundattractedmyfullattention.Iraisedmyselfandstoodlistening,hopingthatthismightbethedoctor,whohadnotbeenthatday.
Thefootstepspassedthelandingbelow,butatthefirststairofthenextflighttheperson,whoeveritwas,stumbled,andmadeaconsiderablenoise.Atthat,oritmightbeamomentlater,thestepstillascending,Iheardasuddenrustlingbehindme,and,turningquicklywithastart,sawmymothersittingupinbed.
Hereyeswereopen,andsheseemedfullyconscious;whichshehadnotbeenfordays,norindeedsincethelastconversationIhaverecorded.Butherface,thoughitwasnowsensible,waspinchedandwhite,andsodrawnwithmortalfearthatIbelievedherdying,andsprangtoher,unabletoconstrueotherwisethepitifullookinherstrainingeyes.
\'Madame,\'Isaid,hastilypassingmyarmroundher,andspeakingwithasmuchencouragementasIcouldinfuseintomyvoice,\'takecomfort.Iamhere.Yourson.\'
\'Hush!\'shemutteredinanswer,layingherfeeblehandonmywristandcontinuingtolook,notatme,butatthedoor.
\'Listen,Gaston!Don\'tyouhear?Thereitisagain.Again!\'
ForamomentIthoughthermindstillwandered,andIshivered,havingnofondnessforhearingsuchthings.ThenIsawshewaslisteningintentlytothesoundwhichhadattractedmynotice.
Thestephadreachedthelandingbythistime.Thevisitor,whoeveritwas,pausedthereamoment,beingindarkness,anduncertain,perhaps,ofthepositionofthedoor;butinalittlewhileIheardhimmoveforwardagain,mymother\'sfragileform,claspedasitwasinmyembrace,quiveringwitheachstephetook,asthoughhisweightstirredthehouse.Hetappedatthedoor.
Ihadthought,whileIlistenedandwondered,ofmorethanonewhomthismightbe:theleech,SimonFleix,MadameBruhl,Fresnoyeven.Butasthetapcame,andIfeltmymothertrembleinmyarms,enlightenmentcamewithit,andIponderednomore,I
knewaswellasifshehailspokenandtoldme.Therecouldbeonlyonemanwhosepresencehadsuchpowertoterrifyher,onlyonewhosemerestep,soundingthroughtheveil,coulddragherbacktoconsciousnessandfear!Andthatwasthemanwhohadbeggaredher,whohadtradedsolongonherterrors.
Imovedalittle,intendingtocrossthefloorsoftly,thatwhenheopenedthedoorhemightfindmefacetofacewithhim;butshedetectedthemovement,and,lovegivingherstrength,sheclungtomywristsofiercelythatIhadnottheheart,knowinghowslenderwasherholdonlifeandhownearthebrinkshestood,tobreakfromher.Iconstrainedmyselftostandstill,thougheverymusclegrewtenseasadrawnbowstring,andIfeltthestrongragerisinginmythroatandchokingmeasIwaitedforhimtoenter.
Alogonthehearthgavewaywithadullsoundstartlinginthesilence.Themantappedagain,andgettingnoanswer,forneitherofusspoke,pushedthedoorslowlyopen,utteringbeforeheshowedhimselfthewords,\'Dieuvousbenisse!\'inavoicesolowandsmoothIshudderedatthesound.Thenextmomenthecameinandsawme,and,starting,stoodatgaze,hisheadthrustslightlyforward,hisshouldersbent,hishandstillonthelatch,amazementandfrowningspiteinturndistortinghisleanface.Hehadlookedtofindaweak,defencelesswoman,whomhecouldtortureandrobathiswill;hesawinsteadastrongmanarmed,whoserighteousangerhemusthavebeenblindindeedhadhefailedtoread.
Strangestthingofall,wehadmetbefore!Iknewhimatonce——
heme.HewasthesameJacobinmonkwhomIhadseenattheinnontheClaine,andwhohadtoldmethenewsofGuise\'sdeath!
Iutteredanexclamationofsurpriseonmakingthisdiscovery,andmymother,freedsuddenly,asitseemed,fromthespelloffear,whichhadgivenherunnaturalstrength,sankbackonthebed.Hergrasprelaxed,andherbreathcameandwentwithsoloudarattlethatIremovedmygazefromhim,andbentoverher,fullofconcernandsolicitude.Oureyesmet.Shetriedtospeak,andatlastgasped,\'Notnow,Gaston!Lethim——lethim——\'
Herlipsframedtheword\'go,\'butshecouldnotgiveitsound.
Iunderstood,however,andinimpotentwrathIwavedmyhandtohimtobegone.WhenIlookeduphehadalreadyobeyedme.Hehadseizedthefirstopportunitytoescape.Thedoorwasclosed,thelampburnedsteadily,andwewerealone.
IgaveheralittleArmagnac,whichstoodbesidethebedforsuchanoccasion,andsherevived,andpresentlyopenedhereyes.ButIsawatonceagreatchangeinher.Thelookoffearhadpassedaltogetherfromherface,andoneofsorrow,yetcontent,hadtakenitsplace.Shelaidherhandinmine,andlookedupatme,beingtooweak,asIthought,tospeak.Butby-and-by,whenthestrongspirithaddoneitswork,shesignedtometolowermyheadtohermouth.
\'TheKingofNavarre,\'shemurmured-youaresure,Gaston——hewillretainyouisyour——employments?\'
Herpleadingeyesweresoclosetomine,Ifeltnoscruplessuchassomemighthavefelt,seeinghersoneardeath;butI
answeredfirmlyandcheerfully,\'Madame,Iamassuredofit.
ThereisnoprinceinEuropesotrustworthyorsogoodtohisservants.\'
Shesighedwithinfinitecontent,andblessedhiminafeeblewhisper.\'Andifyoulive,\'shewenton,\'youwillrebuildtheoldhouse,Gaston.Thewallsaresoundyet.Andtheoakinthehallwasnotburned.ThereisachestoflinenatGil\'s,andachestwithyourfather\'sgoldlace——butthatispledged,\'sheaddeddreamily.\'Iforgot.\'
\'Madame,\'Iansweredsolemnly,\'itshallbedone——itshallbedoneasyouwish,ifthepowerliewithme.\'
Shelayforsometimeafterthatmurmuringprayers,herheadsupportedonmyshoulder.Ilongedimpatientlyforthenursetoreturn,thatImightdespatchherfortheleech;notthatI
thoughtanythingcouldbedone,butformyowncomfortandgreatersatisfactionafterwards,andthatmymothermightnotdiewithoutsomefittingattendance.Thehouseremainedquiet,however,withthatimpressivequietnesswhichsoberstheheartatsuchtimes,andIcouldnotdothis.Andaboutsixo\'clockmymotheropenedhereyesagain.
\'ThisisnotMarsac,\'shemurmuredabruptly,hereyesrovingfromtheceilingtothewallatthefootofthebed.
No,Madame,\'Ianswered,leaningoverher,\'youareinBlois.
ButIamhere——Gaston,yourson.\'
Shelookedatme,afaintsmileofpleasurestealingoverherpinchedface.\'Twelvethousandlivresayear,\'shewhispered,rathertoherselfthantome,\'andanestablishment,reducedalittle,yetcreditable,verycreditable.\'Foramomentsheseemedtobedyinginmyarms,butagainopenedhereyesquicklyandlookedmeintheface.\'Gaston?\'shesaid,suddenlyandstrangely.\'WhosaidGaston?HeiswiththeKing——Ihaveblessedhim;andhisdaysshallbelongintheland!\'Then,raisingherselfinmyarmswithalasteffortofstrength,shecriedloudly,\'Waythere!Wayformyson,theSieurdeMarsac!\'
Theywereherlastwords.WhenIlaidherdownonthebedamomentlater,shewasdead,andIwasalone.
MadamedeBonne,mymother,wasseventyatthetimeofherdeath,havingsurvivedmyfathereighteenyears.ShewasMariedeLochedeLoheac,thirddaughterofRaoul,SieurdeLoheac,ontheVilaine,andbyhergreat-grandmother,adaughterofJeandeLaval,wasdescendedfromtheducalfamilyofRohan,arelationshipwhichinafter-times,andundergreatlyalteredcircumstances,HenryDukeofRohancondescendedtoacknowledge,honouringmewithhisfriendshiponmoreoccasionsthanone.Herdeath,whichIhavehererecorded,tookplaceonthefourthofJanuary,theQueen-MotherofFrance,CatherinedeMedicis,dyingalittleafternoononthefollowingday.
InBlois,asineveryothertown,evenParisitself,theHuguenotspossessedatthistimeapowerfulorganisation;andwiththeaidofthesurgeon,whoshowedmemuchrespectinmybereavement,andexercisedinmybehalfalltheinfluencewhichskilfulandhonest;menofhiscraftinvariablypossess,Iwasabletoarrangeformymother\'sburialinaprivategroundaboutaleaguebeyondthewallsandnearthevillageofChaverny.AtthetimeofherdeathIhadonlythirtycrownsingoldremaining,SimonFleix,towhosefateIcouldobtainnoclue,havingcarriedoffthirty-fivewiththehorses.Thewholeofthisresidue,however,withtheexceptionofahandsomegratuitytothenurseandatriflespentonmyclothes,Iexpendedonthefuneral,desiringthatnostainshouldrestonmymother\'sbirthormyaffection.Accordingly,thoughtheceremonywasofnecessityprivate,andindeedsecret,andthemournerswerefew,itlackednothing,Ithink,ofthedecencyandproprietywhichmymotherloved;andwhichshepreferred,Ihaveoftenheardhersay,tothevulgarshowthatisequallyatthecommandofthenobleandthefarmeroftaxes.
Untilshewaslaidinherquietresting-placeIstoodinconstantfearofsomeinterruptionontheparteitherofBruhl,whoseconnectionwithFresnoyandtheabductionIdidnotdoubt,oroftheJacobinmonk.Butnonecame;andnothinghappeningtoenlightenmeastothefateofMademoiselledelaVire,Isawmydutyclearbeforeme.Idisposedofthefurnitureofmymother\'sroom,andindeedofeverythingwhichwassaleable,andraisedinthiswayenoughmoneytobuymyselfanewcloak——withoutwhichI
couldnottravelinthewintryweather——andtohireahorse.
Sorryastheanimalwas,thedealerrequiredsecurity,andIhadnonetooffer.Itwasonlyatthelastmoment,Ibethoughtmeofthefragmentofgoldchainwhichmademoisellehadleftbehindher,andwhich,aswellasmymother\'sringsandvinaigrette,I
hadkeptbackfromthesale.ThisIwasforcedtolodgewithhim.Havingthus,withsomepainandmorehumiliation,providedmeansforthejourney,Ilostnotanhourinbeginningit.OntheeighthofJanuaryIsetoatforRosny,tocarrythenewsofmyill-successandofmademoiselle\'spositionwhitherIhadlookedaweekbeforetocarryherself.
CHAPTERXII.
MAXIMILIANDEBETHUNE,BARONDEROSNY.
IlookedtomakethejourneytoRosnyintwodays.ButtheheavinessoftheroadsandthesorryconditionofmyhackneyhinderedmesogreatlythatIlaythesecondnightatDreux,and,hearingthewaywasstillworsebetweenthatplaceandmydestination,begantothinkthatIshouldbefortunateifI
reachedRosnybythefollowingnoon.ThecountryinthispartseemeddevotedtotheLeague,thefeelingincreasinginviolenceasIapproachedtheSeine.IheardnothingsaveabuseoftheKingofFranceandpraiseoftheGuiseprinces,andhadmuchado,keepingastilltongueandridingmodestly,topasswithoutmolestationorinquiry.
DrawingneartoRosny,onthethirdmorning,throughalowmarshycountrycoveredwithwoodsandalivewithgameofallkinds,I
begantooccupymyselfwiththoughtsofthereceptionIwaslikelytoencounter;which,Iconjectured,wouldbenoneofthemostpleasant.ThedaringandvigouroftheBarondeRosny,whohadatthistimethereputationofbeinginallpartsofFranceatonce,andthefamiliartermsonwhichhewasknowntolivewiththeKingofNavarre,gavemesmallreasontohopethathewouldlistenwithindulgencetosuchataleasIhadtotell.
ThenearerIcametothehouroftellingit,indeed,themoreimprobableseemedsomeofitsparts,andthemoreglaringmyowncarelessnessinlosingthetoken,andinlettingmademoiselleoutofmysightinsuchaplaceasBlois.Isawthissoclearlynow,andmoreclearlyasthemorningadvanced,thatIdonotknowthatIeveranticipatedanythingwithmorefearthanthisexplanation;
whichityetseemedmydutytoofferwithallreasonablespeed.
Themorningwaswarm,Iremember;cloudy,yetnotdark;theairnearathandfullofmoistureandveryclear,withacircleofmistrisingsomewayoff,andfillingthewoodswithbluedistances.Theroadwasdeepandfoundrous,andasIwasobligedtoleaveitfromtimetotimeinordertopasstheworstplaces,IpresentlybegantofearthatIhadstrayedintoaby-road.
Afteradvancingsomedistance,indoubtwhetherIshouldpersevereorturnback,Iwasgladtoseebeforemeasmallhouseplacedatthejunctionofseveralwoodlandpaths.Fromthebushwhichhungoverthedoor,andawater-troughwhichstoodbesideit,Ijudgedtheplacetobeaninn;anddeterminingtogetmyhorsefedbeforeIwentfarther,Irodeuptothedoorandrappedonitwithmyriding-switch.
ThepositionofthehousewassoremotethatIwassurprisedtoseethreeorfourheadsthrustimmediatelyoutofawindow.ForamomentIthoughtIshouldhavedonebettertohavepassedby;
butthelandlordcomingoutverycivilly,andleadingthewaytoashedbesidethehouse,IreflectedthatIhadlittletolose,andfollowedhim.Ifound,asIexpected,fourhorsestiedupintheshed,thebitshangingroundtheirnecksandtheirgirthsloosed;whilemysurprisewasnotlessenedbythearrival,beforeIhadfastenedupmyownhorse,ofasixthrider,who,seeingusbytheshed,rodeuptous,andsalutedmeashedismounted.
Hewasatall,strongmanintheprimeofyouth,wearingaplain,almostmeansuitofdust-colouredleather,andcarryingnoweaponsexceptahunting-knife,whichhunginasheathathisgirdle.Herodeapowerfulsilver-roanhorse,andwassplashedtothetopofhishighuntannedboots,asifhehadcomebytheworstofpaths,ifbyany.
Hecastashrewdglanceatthelandlordasheledhishorseintotheshed;andIjudgedfromhisbrowncomplexionandquickeyesthathehadseenmuchweatherandlivedanout-of-doorlife.
HewatchedmesomewhatcuriouslywhileImixedthefodderformyhorse;andwhenIwentintothehouseandsatdowninthefirstroomIcameto,toeatalittlebread-and-cheesewhichIhadinmypouch,hejoinedmealmostimmediately.Apparentlyhecouldnotstomachmypoorfare,however,forafterwatchingmeforatimeinsilence,switchinghisbootwithhiswhipthewhile,hecalledthelandlord,andaskedhim,inamasterfulway,whatfreshmeathehad,andparticularlyifhehadanyleancollops,orafowl.
Thefellowansweredthattherewasnothing.HishonourcouldhavesomeLisieuxcheese,headded,orsomestewedlentils.
\'Hishonourdoesnotwantcheese,\'thestrangeransweredpeevishly,\'norlentilporridge.AndwhatisthisIsmell,myfriend?\'hecontinued,beginningsuddenlytosniffwithvigour.
\'IswearIsmellcooking.\'
\'Itisthehind-quarterofabuck,whichiscookingforthefourgentlemenoftheRobe;withacolloportwotofollow,\'thelandlordexplained;andhumblyexcusedhimselfonthegroundthatthegentlemenhadstrictlyengageditfortheirowneating.
\'What?Awholequarter!ANDacolloportwotofollow!\'thestrangerretorted,smackinghislips.\'Whoarethey?\'
\'TwoadvocatesandtheirclerksfromtheParliamentofParis.
Theyhavebeenviewingaboundarynearhere,andarereturningthisafternoon,\'thelandlordanswered.
\'Noreasonwhytheyshouldcauseafamine!\'ejaculatedthestrangerwithenergy.\'Gotothemandsayagentleman,whohasriddenfar,andfastedsinceseventhismorning,requestspermissiontositattheirtable.Aquarterofvenisonandacolloportwoamongfour!\'hecontinued,inatoneofextremedisgust,\'Itisintolerable!Andadvocates!Why,atthatrate,theKingofFranceshouldeatawholebuck,andrisehungry!
Don\'tyouagreewithme,sir?\'hecontinued,turningonmeandputtingthequestionabruptly.
Hewassocomicallyandyetsoseriouslyangry,andlookedsocloselyatmeashespoke,thatIhastenedtosayIagreedwithhimperfectly.
\'Yetyoueatcheese,sir!\'heretortedirritably.
Isawthat,notwithstandingthesimplicityofhisdress,hewasagentleman,andso,forbearingtotakeoffence,ItoldhimplainlythatmypursebeinglightItravelledratherasIcouldthanasIwould.
\'Isitso?\'heansweredhastily.\'HadIknownthat,Iwouldhavejoinedyouinthecheese!Afterall,Iwouldratherfastwithagentleman,thanfeastwithachurl.Butitistoolatenow.Seeingyoumixthefodder,Ithoughtyourpocketswerefull.\'
\'Thenagistired,andhasdoneitsbest,\'Ianswered.
Helookedatmecuriously,andasthoughhewouldsaymore.
Butthelandlordreturningatthatmoment,heturnedtohiminstead.
\'Well!\'hesaidbriskly.\'Isitallright?\'
\'Iamsorry,yourhonour,\'themananswered,reluctantly,andwithaverydowncastair,\'butthegentlemenbegtobeexcused.\'
\'Zounds!\'criedmycompanionroundly.\'Theydo,dothey?\'
\'Theysaytheyhavenomore,sir,\'thelandlordcontinued,faltering,\'thanenoughforthemselvesandalittledogtheyhavewiththem.\'