Ashoutoflaughterwhichissuedatthatmomentfromtheotherroomseemedtoshowthatthequartetteweremakingmerryovermycompanion\'srequest.Isawhischeekredden,andlookedforanexplosionofangeronhispart;butinsteadhestoodamomentinthoughtinthemiddleofthefloor,andthen,muchtotheinnkeeper\'srelief,pushedastooltowardsme,andcalledforabottleofthebestwine.Hepleasantlybeggedleavetoeatalittleofmycheese,whichhesaidlookedbetterthantheLisieux,and,fillingmyglasswithwine,felltoasmerrilyasifhehadneverheardofthepartyintheotherroom.
Iwasmorethanalittlesurprised,Iremember;forIhadtakenhimtobeapassionateman,andnotonetositdownunderanaffront.StillIsaidnothing,andweconversedverywelltogether.Inoticed,however,thathestoppedspeakingmorethanonce,asthoughtolisten;butconceivingthathewasmerelyrevertingtothepartyintheotherroom,whogreweachmomentmoreuproarious,Isaidnothing,andwascompletelytakenbysurprisewhenheroseonasudden,and,goingtotheopenwindow,leanedout,shadinghiseyeswithhishand.
\'Whatisit?\'Isaid,preparingtofollowhim.
Heansweredbyaquietchuckle.\'Youshallsee,\'headdedthenextinstant.
Irose,andgoingtothewindowlookedoutoverhisshoulder.
Threemenwereapproachingtheinnonhorseback.Thefirst,agreatburly,dark-complexionedmanwithfierceblackeyesandafeatheredcap,hadpistolsinhisholstersandashortswordbyhisside.Theothertwo,withtheairofservants,werestoutfellows,wearinggreendoubletsandleatherbreeches.Allthreerodegoodhorses,whileafootmanledtwohoundsaftertheminaleash.Onseeingustheycanteredforward,theleaderwavinghisbonnet.
\'Halt,there!\'criedmycompanion,liftinguphisvoicewhentheywerewithinastone\'sthrowofus.\'Maignan!\'
\'Mylord?\'answeredheofthefeather,pullingupontheinstant.
\'Youwillfindsixhorsesintheshedthere,\'thestrangercriedinavoiceofcommand.\'Turnoutthefourtotheleftasyougoin.Giveeachacut,andsenditaboutitsbusiness!\'
Themanwheeledhishorsebeforethewordswerewelluttered,andcryingobsequiously\'thatitwasdone,\'flunghisreinstooneoftheotherridersanddisappearedintheshed,asiftheordergivenhimwerethemostcommonplaceoneintheworld.
Thepartyintheotherroom,however,bywhomallcouldbeheard,werenotslowtotakethealarm.Theybrokeintoashoutofremonstrance,andoneoftheirnumber,leapingfromthewindow,askedwithaveryfierceairwhatthedevilwemeant.Theothersthrustouttheirfaces,swollenandflushedwiththewinetheyhaddrunk,andwithmanyoathsbackeduphisquestion.Notfeelingmyselfcalledupontointerfere,Ipreparedtoseesomethingdiverting.
Mycompanion,whosecoolnesssurprisedme,hadalltheairofbeingaslittleconcernedasmyself.Heevenpersistedforatimeinignoringtheangrylawyer,and,turningadeafeartoallthethreatsandabusewithwhichtheothersassailedhim,continuedtolookcalmlyattheprospect.Seeingthis,andthatnothingcouldmovehim,themanwhohadjumpedthroughthewindow,andwhoseemedthemostenterprisingoftheparty,leftusatlastandrantowardsthestalls.Theaspectofthetwoserving-men,however,whorodeupgrinning,andmadeasiftheywouldridehimdown,determinedhimtoreturn;whichhedid,palewithfury,asthelastofthefourhorsesclatteredout,andafterapuzzledlookroundtrottedoffatitsleisureintotheforest.
Onthis,themangrewmoreviolent,asIhaveremarkedfrightenedmendo;sothatatlastthestrangercondescendedtonoticehim.
\'Mygoodsir,\'hesaidcoolly,lookingathimthroughthewindowasifhehadnotseenhimbefore,\'youannoyme.Whatisthematter?\'
Thefellowretortedwithavastamountofbluster,askingwhatthedevilwemeantbyturningouthishorses.
\'Onlytogiveyouandthegentlemenwithyoualittleexercise,\'
mycompanionanswered,withgrimhumour,andinaseveretonestrangeinonesoyoung——\'thanwhichnothingismorewholesomeafterafullmeal.That,andalessoningoodmanners.
Maignan,\'hecontinued,raisinghisvoice,\'ifthispersonhasanythingmoretosay,answerhim.Heisneareryourdegreethanmine.\'
Andleavingthemantoslinkawaylikeawhippeddog——forthemeanareeverthefirsttocringe——myfriendturnedfromthewindow.Meetingmyeyesashewentbacktohisseat,helaughed.
\'Well,\'hesaid,\'whatdoyouthink?\'
\'Thattheassinthelion\'sskinisverywelltillitmeetsthelion,\'Ianswered.
Helaughedagain,andseemedpleased,asIdoubtnothewas.
\'Pooh,pooh!\'hesaid.\'Itpassedthetime,andIthinkIamquitswithmygentlemennow.ButImustberiding.Possiblyourroadsmaylieforawhileinthesamedirection,sir?\'Andhelookedatmeirresolutely.
IansweredcautiouslythatIwasgoingtothetownofRosny.
\'YouarenotfromParis?\'hecontinued,stilllookingatme.
\'No,\'Ianswered.\'Iamfromthesouth.\'
\'FromBlois,perhaps?\'
Inodded.
\'Ah!\'hesaid,makingnocomment,whichsomewhatsurprisedme,allmenatthistimedesiringnews,andlookingtoBloisforit.
\'IamridingtowardsRosnyalso.Letusbegoing.\'
ButInoticedthataswegottohorse,themanhecalledMaignanholdinghisstirrupwithmuchformality,heturnedandlookedatmemorethanoncewithanexpressioninhiseyewhichIcouldnotinterpret;sothat,beinginanenemy\'scountry,wherecuriositywasathingtobedeprecated,Ibegantofeelsomewhatuneasy.
However,ashepresentlygavewaytoafitoflaughter,andseemedtobedigestinghislatediversionattheinn,Ithoughtnomoreofit,findinghimexcellentcompanyandamanofsurprisinginformation.
NotwithstandingthismyspiritsbegantoflagasIapproachedRosny;andasonsuchoccasionsnothingismoretryingthanthewell-meantrallyingofacompanionignorantofourtrouble,I
feltratherreliefthanregretwhenhedrewreinatfourcross-
roadsamileorsoshortofthetown,and,announcingthathereourpathsseparated,tookacivilleaveofme,andwenthiswaywithhisservants.
Idismountedataninnattheextremityofthetown,and,stoppingonlytoarrangemydressanddrinkacupofwine,askedthewaytotheChateau,whichwassituate,Ilearned,nomorethanathirdofamileaway.Iwentthitheronfootbywayofanavenueoftreesleadinguptoadrawbridgeandgateway.Theformerwasdown,butthegateswereclosed,andalltheformalitiesofafortressintimeofwarwereobservedonmyadmission,thoughthegarrisonappearedtoconsistonlyoftwoorthreeserving-menandasmanyforesters.Ihadleisureaftersendinginmynametoobservethatthehousewasoldandpartlyruinous,butofgreatstrength,coveredinplaceswithivy,andcloselysurroundedbywoods.Astaid-lookingpagecamepresentlytome,andledmeupanarrowstaircasetoaparlourlightedbytwowindows,looking,oneintothecourtyard,theothertowardsthetown.Thereatallmanwaswaitingtoreceiveme,whoroseonmyentranceandcameforward.JudgeofmysurprisewhenI
recognisedmyacquaintanceoftheafternoon!\'M.deRosny?\'I
exclaimed,standingstillandlookingathiminconfusion.
\'Thesame,sir,\'heanswered,withaquietsmile.\'YoucomefromtheKingofNavarre,Ibelieve?andonanerrandtome.Youmayspeakopenly.Thekinghasnosecretsfromme.\'
Therewassomethinginthegravityofhisdemeanourashewaitedformetospeak:whichstronglyimpressedme;notwithstandingthathewastenyearsyoungerthanmyself,andIhadseenhimsolatelyinalightermood.Ifeltthathisreputationhadnotbeliedhim——thatherewasagreatman;andreflectingwithdespairontheinadequacyofthetaleIhadtotellhim,IpausedtoconsiderinwhattermsIshouldbegin.Hesoonputanendtothis,however.\'Come,sir,\'hesaidwithimpatience.\'Ihavetoldyouthatyoumayspeakout.Youshouldhavebeenherefourdaysago,asItakeit.Nowyouarehere,whereisthelady?\'
\'MademoiselledelaVire?\'Istammered,rathertogaintimethanwithanyotherobject.
\'Tut,tut!\'herejoined,frowning.\'Isthereanyotherladyinthequestion?Come,sir,speakout.Wherehaveyoulefther?
Thisisnoaffairofgallantry,\'hecontinued,theharshnessofhisdemeanourdisagreeablysurprisingme,\'thatyouneedbeataboutthebush.Thekingentrustedtoyoualady,who,Ihavenohesitationintellingyounow,wasinpossessionofcertainStatesecrets.ItisknownthatsheescapedsafelyfromChizeandarrivedsafelyatBlois.Whereisshe?\'
\'IwouldtoHeavenIknew,sir!\'Iexclaimedindespair,feelingthepainfulnessofmypositionincreasedahundredfoldbyhismanner.\'IwishtoGodIdid.\'
\'Whatisthis?\'hecriedinaraisedvoice.\'Youdonotknowwheresheis?Youjest,M.deMarsac.\'
\'Itwereasorryjest,\'Ianswered,summoninguparuefulsmile.
Andonthat,plungingdesperatelyintothestorywhichIhaveheresetdown,InarratedthedifficultiesunderwhichIhadraisedmyescort,themannerinwhichIcametoberobbedofthegoldtoken,howmademoisellewastrepanned,theluckychancebywhichIfoundheragain,andthefinaldisappointment.Helistened,butlistenedthroughoutwithnowordofsympathy——
ratherwithimpatience,whichgrewatlastintoderisiveincredulity.WhenIhaddoneheaskedmebluntlywhatIcalledmyself.
Scarcelyunderstandingwhathemeant,Irepeatedmyname.
Heanswered,rudelyandflatly,thatitwasimpossible.Idonotbelieveit,sir!\'herepeated,hisbrowdark.\'Youarenottheman.Youbringneithertheladynorthetoken,noranythingelsebywhichIcantestyourstory.Nay,sir,donotscowlatme,\'
hecontinuedsharply.\'IamthemouthpieceoftheKingofNavarre,towhomthismatterisofthehighestimportance.I
cannotbelievethatthemanwhomhewouldchoosewouldactso.
ThishouseyouprateofinBlois,forinstance,andtheroomwiththetwodoors?Whatwereyoudoingwhilemademoisellewasbeingremoved?\'
\'Iwasengagedwiththemenofthehouse,\'Ianswered,strivingtoswallowtheangerwhichallbutchokedme.\'IdidwhatI
could.Hadthedoorgivenway,allwouldhavebeenwell.\'
Helookedatmedarkly.\'Thatisfinetalking!\'hesaidwithasneer.Thenhedroppedhiseyesandseemedforatimetofallintoabrownstudy,whileIstoodbeforehim,confoundedbythisnewviewofthecase,furious,yetnotknowinghowtoventmyfury,cuttotheheartbyhisinsults,yetwithouthopeorprospectofredress.
\'Come\'hesaidharshly,aftertwoorthreeminutesofgloomyreflectiononhispartandburninghumiliationonmine,\'isthereanyoneherewhocanidentifyyou,orinanyotherwayconfirmyourstory,sir?UntilIknowhowthematterstandsIcandonothing.\'
Ishookmyheadinsullenshame.Imightprotestagainsthisbrutalityandthisjudgmentofme,buttowhatpurposewhileheshelteredhimselfbehindhismaster?
\'Stay!\'hesaidpresently,withanabruptgestureofremembrance.\'Ihadnearlyforgotten.IhavesomeherewhohavebeenlatelyattheKingofNavarre\'sCourtatSt.Jeand\'Angely.
IfyoustillmaintainthatyouaretheM.deMarsactowhomthiscommissionwasentrusted,youwilldoubtlesshavenoobjectiontoseeingthem?\'
OnthisIfeltmyselfplacedinamostcrueldilemma.ifI
refusedtosubmitmycasetotheproposedordeal,Istoodanimpostorconfessed.IfIconsentedtoseethesestrangers,itwasprobabletheywouldnotrecogniseme,andpossiblethattheymightdenymeintermscalculatedtomakemypositionevenworse,ifthatmightbe.Ihesitatedbut,Rosnystandinginexorablebeforemeawaitingananswer,Ifinallyconsented.
\'Good!\'hesaidcurtly.\'Thisway,ifyouplease.Theyarehere.Thelatchistricky.Nay,sir,itismyhouse.\'
Obeyingthesternmotionofhishand,Ipassedbeforehimintothenextroom,feelingmyselfmorehumiliatedthanIcantellbythisreferencetostrangers.ForamomentIcouldseenoone.
Thedaywaswaning,theroomIenteredwaslongandnarrow,andilluminatedonlybyaglowingfire.BesidesIwasmyself,perhaps,insomeembarrassment.Ibelievedthatmyconductorhadmadeamistake,orthathisguestshaddeparted,andIturnedtowardshimtoaskforanexplanation.Hemerelypointedonwards,however,andIadvanced;whereuponayoungandhandsomelady,whohadbeenseatedintheshadowofthegreatfireplace,rosesuddenly,asifstartled,andstoodlookingatme,theglowoftheburningwoodfallingononesideofherfaceandturningherhairtogold.
\'Well!\'M.deRosnysaid,inavoicewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears.\'Youdonotknowmadame,Ithink?\'
Isawthatshewasacompletestrangertome,andbowedtoherwithoutspeaking.Theladysalutedmeinturnceremoniouslyandinsilence.
\'Istherenooneelseherewhoshouldknowyou?\'M.deRosnycontinued,inatonealmostofpersiflage,andwiththesamechangeinhisvoicewhichhadstruckmebefore;butnowitwasmoremarked.\'Ifnot,M.deMarsac,Iamafraid——Butfirstlookround,lookround,sir;Iwouldnotjudgeanymanhastily.\'
HelaidhishandonmyshoulderashefinishedinamannersofamiliarandsoutterlyatvariancewithhisformerbearingthatIdoubtedifIheardorfeltaright.YetIlookedmechanicallyatthelady,andseeingthathereyesglistenedinthefirelight,andthatshegazedatmeverykindly,Iwonderedstillmore;
falling,indeed,intoaveryconfusionofamazement.Thiswasnotlessenedbutaugmentedahundredfoldwhen,turninginobediencetothepressureofdeRosny\'shand,Isawbesideme,asifshehadrisenfromthefloor,anotherlady——nootherthanMademoiselledelaVireherself!Shehadthatmomentsteppedoutoftheshadowofthegreatfireplace,whichhadhithertohiddenher,andstoodbeforemecurtseyingprettily,withthesamelookonherfaceandinhereyeswhichmadame\'swore.
\'Mademoiselle!\'Imuttered,unabletotakemyeyesfromher.
\'Maisoui,monsieur,mademoiselle,\'sheanswered,curtseyinglower,withtheairofachildratherthanawoman.
\'Here?\'Istammered,mymouthopen,myeyesstaring.
\'Here,sir——thankstothevalourofabraveman,\'sheanswered,speakinginavoicesolowIscarcelyheardher.Andthen,droppinghereyes,shesteppedbackintotheshadow,asifeithershehadsaidtoomuchalready,ordoubtedhercomposurewereshetosaymore.Shewassoradiantlydressed,shelookedinthefirelightmorelikeafairythanawoman,beingofsmallanddelicateproportions;andsheseemedinmyeyessodifferentaperson,particularlyinrespectofthesoftenedexpressionofherfeatures,fromtheMademoiselledelaVirewhomIhadknownandseenplungedinsloughsandbenttothesaddlewithfatigue,thatIdoubtedstillifIhadseenaright,andwasasfarfromenlightenmentasbefore.
ItwasM.deRosnyhimselfwhorelievedmefromtheembarrassmentIwassuffering.Heembracedmeinthemostkindandobligingmanner,andthismorethanonce;beggingmetopardonthedeceptionhehadpractiseduponme,andtowhichhehadbeenimpelledpartlybytheoddnatureofourintroductionattheinn,andpartlybyhisdesiretoenhancethejoyfulsurprisehehadinstoreforme.\'Come,\'hesaidpresently,drawingmetothewindow,\'letmeshowyousomemoreofyouroldfriends.\'
Ilookedout,andsawbelowmeinthecourtyardmythreehorsesdrawnupinarow,theCidbeingbestriddenbySimonFleix,who,seeingme,wavedatriumphantgreeting.Agroomstoodattheheadofeachhorse,andoneithersidewasamanwithatorch.
Mycompanionlaughedgleefully.\'ItwasMaignan\'sarrangement,\'
hesaid.\'Hehasaquainttasteinsuchthings.\'
AftergreetingSimonFleixahundredtimes,Iturnedbackintotheroom,and,myheartoverflowingwithgratitudeandwonder,I
beggedM.deRosnytoacquaintmewiththedetailsofmademoiselle\'sescape.
\'Itwasthemostsimplethingintheworld,\'hesaid,takingmebythehandandleadingmebacktothehearth.\'Whileyouwereengagedwiththerascals,theoldwomanwhodailybroughtmademoiselle\'sfoodgrewalarmedattheuproar,andcameintotheroomtolearnwhatitwas.Mademoiselle,unabletohelpyou,anduncertainofyoursuccess,thoughttheopportunitytoogoodtobelost.Sheforcedtheoldwomantoshowherandhermaidthewayoutthroughthegarden.Thisdone,theyrandownalane,asI
understand,andcameimmediatelyupontheladwiththehorses,whorecognisedthemandhelpedthemtomount.Theywaitedsomeminutesforyou,andthenrodeoff.\'
\'ButIinquiredatthegate,\'Isaid.
\'Atwhichgate?\'inquiredM.deRosny,smiling.
\'TheNorth-gate,ofcourse,\'Ianswered.
\'Justso,\'herejoinedwithanod.\'ButtheywentoutthroughtheWest-gateandmadeacircuit.Heisastrangelad,thatofyoursbelowthere.Hehasaheadonhisshoulder,M.deMarsac.
Well,twoleaguesoutsidethetowntheyhalted,scarcelyknowinghowtoproceed.Bygoodfortune,however,ahorse-dealerofmyacquaintancewasattheinn.HeknewMademoiselledelaVire,and,hearingwhithershewasbound,broughtherhitherwithoutletorhindrance.\'
\'WasheaNorman?\'Iasked,M.deRosnynodded,smilingatmeshrewdly.\'Yes,\'hesaid,\'hetoldmemuchaboutyou.Andnowletmeintroduceyoutomywife,MadamedeRosny.\'
Heledmeuptotheladywhohadrisenatmyentrance,andwhonowwelcomedmeaskindlyasshehadbeforelookedonme,payingmemanypleasantcompliments.Igazedatherwithinterest,havingheardmuchofherbeautyandofthestrangemannerinwhichM.deRosny,beingenamouredoftwoyoungladies,andchancinguponbothwhilelodgingindifferentapartmentsataninn,haddecidedwhichheshouldvisitandmakehiswife.Heappearedtoreadwhatwasinmymind,forasIbowedbeforeher,thankingherfortheobligingthingswhichshehaduttered,andwhichforeverboundmetoherservice,hegailypinchedherear,andsaid,\'Whenyouwantagoodwife,M.deMarsac,besureyouturntotheright.\'
Hespokeinjest,andhavinghisowncaseonlyinhismind.ButI,lookingmechanicallyinthedirectionheindicated,sawmademoisellestandingapaceortwotomyrightintheshadowofthegreatchimney-piece.Iknownotwhethershefrownedmoreorblushedmore;butthisforcertain,thatsheansweredmylookwithoneofsharpdispleasure,and,turningherbackonme,sweptquicklyfromtheroom,withnotraceinherbearingofthatlatetendernessandgratitudewhichIhadremarked.
CHAPTERXIII.
ATROSNY.
ThemorningbroughtonlyfreshproofsofthekindnesswhichM.deRosnyhadconceivedforme.AwakingearlyIfoundonastoolbesidemyclothes,apurseofgoldcontainingahundredcrowns;
andayouthpresentlyenteringtoaskmeifIlackedanything,I
hadatfirstsomedifficultyinrecognisingSimonFleix,sosprucelywastheladdressed,inamoderesemblingMaignan\'s.I
lookedatthestudentmorethanoncebeforeIaddressedhimbyhisname;andwasasmuchsurprisedbythestrangechangeI
observedinhimforitwasnotconfinedtohisclothes——asbyanythingwhichhadhappenedsinceIenteredthehouse.Irubbedmyeyes,andaskedhimwhathehaddonewithhissoutane.
\'Burnedit,M.deMarsac,\'heansweredbriefly.
Isawthathehadburnedmuch,metaphoricallyspeaking,besideshissoutane.Hewaslesspale,lesslank,lesswobegonethanformerly,andwentmorebriskly.Hehadlosttheairofcrack-
braineddisorderwhichhaddistinguishedhim,andwassmart,sedate,andstoopedless.Onlytheoddsparkleremainedinhiseyes,andborewitnesstothesamenervous,eagerspiritwithin.
\'Whatareyougoingtodo,then,Simon?\'Iasked,notingthesechangescuriously.
\'Iamasoldier,\'heanswered,\'andfollowM.deMarsac.\'
Ilaughed.\'Youhavechosenapoorservice,Iamafraid,\'I
said,beginningtorise;\'andone,too,Simon,inwhichitispossibleyoumaybekilled.Ithoughtthatwouldnotsuityou,\'
Icontinued,toseewhathewouldsay.Butheanswerednothing,andIlookedathimingreatsurprise.\'Youhavemadeupyourmind,then,atlast?\'Isaid.
\'Perfectly,\'heanswered.
\'Andsolvedallyourdoubts?\'
\'Ihavenodoubts.\'
\'YouareaHuguenot?\'
\'Thatistheonlytrueandpurereligion,\'herepliedgravely.
AndwithapparentsincerityanddevotionherepeatedBeza\'sConfessionofFaith.
Thisfilledmewithprofoundastonishment,butIsaidnomoreatthetime,thoughIhadmydoubts.IwaiteduntilIwasalonewithM.deRosny,andthenIunbosomedmyselfonthematter;
expressingmysurpriseatthesuddennessoftheconversion,andatsuchaman,asIhadfoundthestudenttobe,statinghisviewssofirmlyandsteadfastly,andwithsolittleexcitement.
ObservingthatM.deRosnysmiledbutanswerednothing,I
explainedmyselffarther.
\'Iamsurprised,\'Isaid,\'becauseIhavealwayshearditmaintainedthatclerklymen,becominglostinthemazesoftheology,seldomfindanysurefooting;thatnotoneinahundredreturnstohisoldfaith,orfindsgracetoacceptanewone.I
amspeakingonlyofsuch,ofcourse,asIbelievethisladtobe——eager,excitablebrains,learningmuch,andwithoutjudgmenttodigestwhattheylearn.\'
\'OfsuchIalsobelieveittobetrue,\'M.deRosnyanswered,stillsmiling.\'Butevenonthemalittleinfluence,appliedattherightmoment,hasmucheffect,M.deMarsac.\'
\'Iallowthat,\'Isaid.\'Butmymother,ofwhomIhavespokentoyou,sawmuchofthisyouth.Hisfidelitytoherwasbeyondpraise.Yetherfaith,thoughgroundedonarock,hadnoweightwithhim.\'
M.deRosnyshookhishead,stillsmiling.
\'Itisnotourmotherswhoconvertus,\'hesaid.
\'What!\'Icried,myeyesopened.\'Doyoumean——doyoumeanthatMademoisellehasdonethis?\'
\'Ifancyso,\'heanswered,nodding.\'Ithinkmyladycastherspelloverhimbytheway.TheladleftBloiswithher,ifwhatyousaybetrue,withoutfaithintheworld.HecametomyhandstwodayslaterthestoutestofHuguenots.Itisnothardtoreadthisriddle.\'
\'Such,conversionsareseldomlasting,\'Isaid.
Helookedatmequeerly;and,thesmilestillhoveringabouthislips,answered\"Tush,man!Whysoserious?TheodoreBezahimselfcouldnotlookdryer.Theladisinearnest,andthereisnoharmdone.\'
And,Heavenknows,Iwasinnomoodtosuspectharm;norinclinedjustthentolookatthedarksideofthings.Itmaybeconceivedhowdelightfulitwastometobereceivedasanequalandhonouredguestbyaman,eventhenfamous,andnowsogrowninreputationastoovershadowallFrenchmensavehismaster;howpleasanttoenjoythecomfortsandamiabilitiesofhome,fromwhichIhadbeenlongestranged;topourmymother\'sstoryintoMadame\'searsandfindcomfortinhersympathy;tofeelmyself,infine,oncemoreagentlemanwithanacknowledgedplaceintheworld.Ourdayswespentinhunting,orexcursionsofsomekind,oureveningsinlongconversations,whichimpressedmewithanever-growingrespectformylord\'spowers.
ForthereseemedtobenoendeithertohisknowledgeofFrance,ortotheplansforitsdevelopment,whicheventhenfilledhisbrain,andhavesinceturnedwildernessesintofruitfullands,andsqualidtownsintogreatcities.Graveandformal,hecouldyetunbend;themostsagaciousofcounsellors,hewasasoldieralso,andlovedtheseclusioninwhichwelivedthemorethatitwasnotdevoidofdanger;theneighbouringtownsbeingdevotedtotheLeague,andthegeneraldisorderalonemakingitpossibleforhimtolieunsuspectedinhisownhouse.
Onethingonlyrenderedmyeaseandcomfortimperfect,andthatwastheattitudewhichMademoiselledelaVireassumedtowardsme.OfhergratitudeinthefirstblushofthethingIfeltnodoubt,fornotonlyhadshethankedmeveryprettily,thoughwithreserve,ontheeveningofmyarrival,butthewarmthofM.deRosny\'skindnessleftmenochoice,savetobelievethatshehadgivenhimanexaggeratedideaofmymeritsandservices.Iaskednomorethanthis.Suchgoodofficesleftmenothingtoexpectordesire;myageandill-fortuneplacingmeatsogreatadisadvantagethat,farfromdreamingoffriendshiporintimacywithher,Ididnotevenassumetheequalityinourdailyintercoursetowhichmybirth,takenbyitself,entitledme.
KnowingthatImustappearinhereyesold,poor,andill-
dressed,andsatisfied,withhavingassertedmyconductandhonour,Iwascarefulnottotrespassonhergratitude;andwhileforwardinsuchcourtesiesascouldnotwearyher,Iavoidedwithequalcareeveryappearanceofpursuingher,orinflictingmycompanyuponher.Iaddressedherformallyanduponformaltopicsonly,such,Imean,aswesharedwiththerestofourcompany;andIremindedmyselfoftenthatthoughwenowmetinthesamehouseandatthesametable,shewasstilltheMademoiselledelaVirewhohadborneherselfsoloftilyintheKingofNavarre\'sante-chamber.ThisIdid,notoutofpiqueorwoundedpride,whichInomore,Godknows,harbouredagainstherthanagainstabird;butthatImightnotinmynewprosperityforgetthelightinwhichsuchawoman,young,spoiled,andbeautiful,muststillregardme.
Keepingtothisinoffensiveposture,IwasthemorehurtwhenI
foundhergratitudefadewiththehour.Afterthefirsttwodays,duringwhichIremarkedthatshewasverysilent,seldomspeakingtomeorlookingatme,sheresumedmuchofheroldairofdisdain.ForthatIcaredlittle;butshepresentlywentfarther,andbegantorakeuptheincidentswhichhadhappenedatSt.Jeand\'Angely,andinwhichIhadtakenpart.Shecontinuallyadvertedtomypovertywhilethere,totheoddfigureIhadcut,andthemanyjestsherfriendshadmadeatmyexpense.
Sheseemedtotakeapleasurepositivelysavageinthese,gibingatmesometimessobitterlyastoshameandpainme,andbringthecolourtoMadamedeRosny\'scheeks.
Tothetimewehadspenttogether,ontheotherhand,sheneverorrarelyreferred.Oneafternoon,however,aweekaftermyarrivalatRosny,Ifoundhersittingaloneintheparlour.I
hadnotknownshewasthere,andIwasforwithdrawingatoncewithabowandamutteredapology.Butshestoppedmewithanangrygesture.\'Idonotbite,\'shesaid,risingfromherstoolandmeetingmyeyes,aredspotineachcheek.\'Whydoyoulookatmelikethat?Doyouknow,M.deMarsac,thatIhavenopatiencewithyou.\'Andshestampedherfootonthefloor.
\'But,mademoiselle,\'Istammeredhumbly,wonderingwhatintheworldshemeant,\'whathaveIdone?\'
\'Done?\'sherepeatedangrily.\'Done?Itisnotwhatyouhavedone,itiswhatyouare.Ihavenopatiencewithyou.Whyareyousodull,sir?Whyareyousodowdy?Whydoyougoaboutwithyourdoubletawry,andyourhairlank?WhydoyouspeaktoMaignanasifhewereagentleman?Whydoyoulookalwayssolemnandpolite,andasifalltheworldwereapreche?Why?Why?
Why,Isay?\'
Shestoppedfromsheerlackofbreath,leavingmeasmuchastonishedaseverinmylife.Shelookedsobeautifulinherfuryandfiercenesstoo,thatIcouldonlystareatherandwonderdumblywhatitallmeant.
\'Well!\'shecriedimpatiently,afterbearingthisaslongasshecould,\'haveyounotawordtosayforyourself?Haveyounotongue?Haveyounowillofyourownatall,M.deMarsac?\'
\'But,mademoiselle,\'Ibegan,tryingtoexplain.
\'Chut!\'sheexclaimed,cuttingmeshortbeforeIcouldgetfarther,asthewayofwomenis.Andthensheadded,inachangedtone,andveryabruptly,\'Youhaveavelvetknotofmine,sir.Giveitme.\'
\'Itisinmyroom,\'Ianswered,astonishedbeyondmeasureatthissuddenchangeofsubject,andequallysuddendemand.
\'Thenfetchit,sir,ifyouplease,\'shereplied,hereyesflashingafresh.\'Fetchit.Fetchit,Isay!Ithasserveditsturn,andIprefertohaveit.Whoknowsbutthatsomedayyoumaybeshowingitforalove-knot?\'
\'Mademoiselle!\'Icried,hotly.AndIthinkthatforthemomentIwasasangryasshewas.
\'Still,Iprefertohaveit,\'sheansweredsullenly,castingdownhereyes.
Iwassomuchenraged,Iwentwithoutawordandfetchedit,and,bringingittoherwhereshestood,inthesameplace,putitintoherhands.Whenshesawitsomerecollection,Ifancy,ofthedaywhenshehadtracedthecryforhelponit,cametoherinheranger;forshetookitfrommewithallherbearingaltered.Shetrembled,andhelditforamomentinherhands,asifshedidnotknowwhattodowithit.Shewasthinking,doubtless,ofthehouseinBloisandtheperilshehadrunthere;
and,beingformypartquitewillingthatsheshouldthinkandfeelhowbadlyshehadacted,Istoodlookingather,sparinghernowhitofmyglance.
\'Thegoldchainyouleftonmymother\'spillow,\'Isaidcoldly,seeingshecontinuedsilent,\'Icannotreturntoyouatonce,forIhavepledgedit.ButIwilldosoassoonasIcan.\'
\'Youhavepledgedit?\'shemuttered,withhereyesaverted.
\'Yes,mademoiselle,toprocureahorsetobringmehere,\'I
replieddrily.\'However,it,shallberedeemed.Inreturn,thereissomethingItoowouldask.\'
\'What?\'shemurmured,recoveringherselfwithalleffort,andlookingatmewithsomethingofheroldprideanddefiance.
\'Thebrokencoinyouhave,\'Isaid.\'Thetoken,Imean.Itisofnousetoyou,foryourenemiesholdtheotherhalf.Itmightbeofservicetome.\'
\'How?\'sheaskedcurtly.
\'BecausesomedayImayfinditsfellow,mademoiselle,\'
\'Andthen?\"shecried.Shelookedatme,herlipsparted,hereyesflashing.\'Whatthen,whenyouhavefounditsfellow,M.deMarsac?\'
Ishruggedmyshoulders.
\'Bah!\'sheexclaimed,clenchingherlittlehand,andstampingherfootonthefloorinapassionIcouldnotunderstand.\'Thatisyou!ThatisM.deMarsacallover.Yousaynothing,andmenthinknothingofyou.Yougowithyourhatinyourhand,andtheytreadonyou.Theyspeak,andyouaresilent!Why,ifI
coulduseaswordasyoucan,Iwouldkeepsilencebeforenoman,norletanymansavetheKingofFrancecockhishatinmypresence!Butyou!There!go,leaveme.Hereisyourcoin.
Takeitandgo.Sendmethatladofyourstokeepmeawake.Atanyratehehasbrains,heisyoung,heisaman,hehasasoul,hecanfeel——ifhewereanythingbutaclerk.\'
Shewavedmeoffinsuchawindofpassionasmighthaveamusedmeinanother,butinhersmackedsostronglyofingratitudeastopainmenotalittle.Iwent,however,andsentSimontoher;
thoughIlikedtheerrandveryill,andnobetterwhenIsawthelad\'sfacelightupatthementionofhername.Butapparentlyshehadnotrecoveredhertemperwhenhereachedher,forhefarednobetterthanIhaddone;comingawaypresentlywiththeairofawhippeddog,asIsawfromtheyew-treewalkwhereIwasstrolling.
Still,afterthatshemadeitahabittotalktohimmoreandmore;and,MonsieurandMadamedeRosnybeingmuchtakenupwithoneanother,therewasnoonetocheckherfancyorspeakawordofadvice.Knowingherpride,Ihadnofearsforher;butitgrievedmetothinkthatthelad\'sheadshouldbeturned.A
dozentimesImadeupmymindtospeaktoheronhisbehalf;butforonethingitwasnotmybusiness,andforanotherIsoondiscoveredthatshewasawareofmydispleasure,andvalueditnotajot.Forventuringonemorning,whenshewasinapleasanthumour,tohintthatshetreatedthosebeneathhertooinhumanly,andwithanunkindnessaslittlebecomingnoblebloodasfamiliarity,sheaskedmescornfullyifIdidnotthinkshetreatedSimonFleixwellenough.TowhichIhadnothingtoanswer.
ImighthereremarkonthesystemofsecretintelligencebymeansofwhichM.deRosny,eveninthisremoteplace,receivednewsofallthatwaspassinginFrance.Butitiscommonfame.Therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers,whichwouldquicklyhavearousedsuspicionintheneighbouringtown,norwasitpossibleevenformetosayexactlybywhatchannelsnewscame.Butcomeitdid,andatallhoursoftheday.InthiswayweheardofthedangerofLaGanacheandoftheeffortcontemplatedbytheKingofNavarreforitsrelief.M.deRosnynotonlycommunicatedthesematterstomewithoutreserve,butengagedmyaffectionsbyfartherproofsofconfidencesuchasmightwellhaveflatteredamanofgreaterimportance.
Ihavesaidthat,asarule,therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers.Butoneevening,returningfromthechasewithoneofthekeepers,whohadprayedmyassistanceinhuntingdownacrippleddoe,Iwassurprisedtofindastrangehorse,whichhadevidentlybeenriddenhardandfar,standingsmokingintheyard.
Inquiringwhoseitwas,IlearnedthatamanbelievedbythegroomstobefromBloishadjustarrivedandwasclosetedwiththebaron.Aneventsofaroutoftheordinarycourseofthingsnaturallyarousedmywonder;butdesiringtoavoidanyappearanceofcuriosity,which,ifindulged,isapttobecomethemostvulgarofvices,Irefrainedfromenteringthehouse,andrepairedinsteadtotheyew-walk.Ihadscarcely,however,heatedmyblood,alittlechilledwithriding,beforethepagecametometofetchmetohismaster.
IfoundM.deRosnystridingupanddownhisroom,hismannersodisorderedandhisfacedisfiguredbysomuchgriefandhorrorthatIstartedonseeinghim.Myheartsinkinginamoment,I
didnotneedtolookatMadame,whosatweepingsilentlyinachair,toassuremyselfthatsomethingdreadfulhadhappened.
Thelightwasfailing,andalamphadbeenbroughtintotheroom.
M.deRosnypointedabruptlytoasmallpieceofpaperwhichlayonthetablebesideit,and,obeyinghisgesture,Itookthisupandreaditscontents,whichconsistedoflessthanascoreofwords.
\'Heisillandliketodie,\'themessageran,\'twentyleaguessouthofLaGanache.Comeatallcosts.P.M.
\'Who?\'Isaidstupidly——stupidly,foralreadyIbegantounderstand.Whoisillandliketodie?\'
M.deRosnyturnedtome,andIsawthatthetearsweretricklingunbiddendownhischeeks.\'ThereisbutoneHEforme,\'hecried.\'MayGodsparethatone!MayHesparehimtoFrance,whichneedshim,totheChurch,whichhangsonhim,andtome,wholovehim!Lethimnotfallinthehouroffruition.OLord,lethimnotfall!\'Andhesankontoastool,andremainedinthatposturewithhisfaceinhishands,hisbroadshouldersshakenwithgrief.
\'Come,sir,\'Isaid,afterapausesacredtosorrowanddismay;
\'letmeremindyouthatwhilethereislifethereishope.\'