\'Madame,\'Iansweredpatiently——Iwasfullofpityforher,\'considerforamomentthewrongyourhusbanddidmeandhowsmallandinadequatewasthethingIdidtohiminreturn.\'
\'Tohim!\'sheejaculatedsofiercelythatIstarted.\'Itwastome——tomeyoudidit!WhathadIdonethatyoushouldexposemetotheridiculeofthosewhoknownopity,andtheangerofoneasmerciless?WhathadIdone,sir?\'
Ishookmyheadsorrowfully.\'Sofar,madame,\'Ianswered,\'I
allowIoweyoureparation,andIwillmakeitshoulditeverbeinmypower.Nay,Iwillsaymore,\'Icontinued,forthetoneinwhichshespokehadwrungmyheart.\'InonepointIstrainedthecaseagainstyourhusband.Tothebestofmybeliefheabductedtheladywhowasinmycharge,notfortheloveofher,butforpoliticalreasons,andastheagentofanother.\'
Shegasped.\'What?\'shecried.\'Saythatagain!\'
AsIcompliedshetoreoffhermaskandgazedintomyfacewithstrainingeyesandpartedlips.Isawthenhowmuchshewaschanged,eveninthesefewdays——howpaleandwornwerehercheeks,howdarkthecirclesroundhereyes.\'Willyousweartoit?\'shesaidatlast,speakingwithuncontrollableeagerness,whileshelaidahandwhichshookwithexcitementonmyarm.
Willyousweartoit,sir?\'
\'Itistrue,\'Iansweredsteadfastly.Imighthaveaddedthataftertheeventherhusbandhadsotreatedmademoiselleastoleadhertofeartheworst.ButIrefrained,feelingthatitwasnopartofmydutytocomebetweenhusbandandwife.
Sheclaspedherhands,andforamomentlookedpassionatelyupwards,asthoughsheweregivingthankstoHeaven;whilethefleshofhealthandlovelinesswhichIhadsomuchadmiredreturned,andilluminedherfaceinawonderfulmanner.Sheseemed,intruthandforthemoment,transformed.Herblueeyesfilledwithtears,herlipsmoved;norhaveIeverseenanythingbearsoneararesemblancetothosepicturesoftheVirginMarywhichRomansworshipasmadamedidthen.
Thechange,however,wasasevanescentasitwasadmirable.Inaninstantsheseemedtocollapse.Shestruckherhandstoherfaceandmoaned,andIsawtears,whichshevainlystrovetorestrain,droppingthroughherfingers.\'Toolate!\'shemurmured,inatoneofanguishwhichwrungmyheart.\'Alas,yourobbedmeofoneman,yougivemebackanother.Iknowhimnowforwhatheis.Ifhedidnotloveherthen,hedoesnow.Itistoolate!\'
SheseemedsomuchovercomethatIassistedhertoreachabenchwhichstoodagainstthewallafewpacesaway;nor,Iconfess,wasitwithoutdifficultyandmuchself-reproachthatIlimitedmyselftothoseprudentofficesonlywhichherstateandmydutyrequired.Toconsoleheronthesubjectofherhusbandwasimpossible;toignorehim,andsotoconsoleher,ataskwhichneithermydiscretionnormysenseofhonour,thoughsorelytried,permittedmetoundertake.
Shepresentlyrecoveredand,puttingonhermaskagain,saidhurriedlythatshehadstillawordtosaytome.\'Youhavetreatedmehonestly,\'shecontinued,\'and,thoughIhavenocausetodoanythingbuthateyou,Isayinreturn,looktoyourself!
Youescapedlastnight——Iknowall,foritwasmyvelvetknot——
whichIhadmadethinkingtosendittoyoutoprocurethismeeting——thatheusedasalure.Butheisnotyetattheendofhisresources.Looktoyourself,therefore.\'
IthoughtoftheappointmentIhadmadewithhimforthemorrow,butIconfinedmyselftothankingher,merelysaying,asIbowedoverthehandsheresignedtomeintokenoffarewell,\'Madame,I
amgrateful.Iamobligedtoyoubothforyourwarningandyourforgiveness.\'
\'Bendingherheadcoldlyshedrewawayherhand.Atthatmoment,asIliftedmyeyes,Isawsomethingwhichforaninstantrootedmetothespotwithastonishment.IntheentranceofthepassagewhichledtotheRueSt.Denystwopeoplewerestanding,watchingus.TheonewasSimonFleix,andtheother,amaskedwoman,atriflebelowthemiddleheight,andcladinariding-coat,wasMademoiselledelaVire!
Iknewherinamoment.ButthereliefIexperiencedonseeinghersafeandinBloiswasnotunmixedwithannoyancethatSimonFleixshouldhavebeensoimprudentastoparadeherunnecessarilyinthestreet.Ifeltsomethingofconfusionalsoonmyownaccount;forIcouldnottellhowlongsheandherescorthadbeenwatchingme.Andthesetwofeelingswereaugmentedwhen,afterturningtopayafinalsalutetoMadamedeBruhl,Ilookedagaintowardsthepassageanddiscoveredthatmademoiselleandhersquireweregone.
ImpatientasIwas,Iwouldnotseemtoleavemadamerudelyorwithoutfeeling,aftertheconsiderationshehadshownmeinherownsorrow;andaccordinglyIwaiteduncovereduntilshedisappearedwithinthe\'LittleSisters.\'ThenIstartedeagerlytowardsmylodging,thinkingImightyetovertakemademoisellebeforesheentered.Iwasdestinedtomeet,however,withanotherthoughverypertinenthindrance.AsIpassedfromtheRueSt.DenysintothequietofmystreetIheardavoicecallingmyname,and,lookingback,sawM.deRambouillet\'sequerry,amandeepinhisconfidence,runningafterme.Hebroughtamessagefromhismaster,whichhebeggedmetoconsiderofthefirstimportance.
\'TheMarquiswouldnottrustittowriting,sir,\'hecontinued,drawingmeasideintoacornerwherewewereconvenientlyretired,\'buthemademelearnitbyheart.\"TellM.deMarsac,\"
saidhe,\"thatthatwhichhewasleftinBloistodomustbedonequickly,ornotatall.Thereissomethingafootintheothercamp,Iamnotsurewhat.Butnowisthetimetoknockinthenail.Iknowhiszeal,andIdependuponhim.\"\'
AnhourbeforeIshouldhavelistenedtothismessagewithseriousdoubtsandmisgivings.Now,acquaintedwithmademoiselle\'sarrival,IreturnedM.deRambouilletananswerinthesamestrain,andpartingcivillyfromBertram,whowasamanImuchesteemed,Ihastenedontomylodgings,exultinginthethoughtthatthehourandthewomanwerecomeatlast,andthatbeforethedawnofanotherdayImighthope,allbeingwell,toaccomplishwithhonourtomyselfandadvantagetoothersthecommissionwhichM.deRosnyhadentrustedtome.
Imustnotdenythat,mingledwiththis,wassomeexcitementattheprospectofseeingmademoiselleagain.IstrovetoconjureupbeforemeasImountedthestairstheexactexpressionofherfaceasIhadlastseenitbendingfromthewindowatRosny;totheendthatImighthavesomeguideformyfutureconduct,andmightbelesslikelytofallintothesnareofayounggirl\'scoquetry.ButIcouldcomenow,asthen,tonosatisfactoryorsafeconclusion,andonlyfeltanewthevexationIhadexperiencedonlosingthevelvetknot,whichshehadgivenmeonthatoccasion.
IknockedatthedooroftheroomswhichIhadreservedforher,andwhichwereonthefloorbelowmyown;butIgotnoanswer.
SupposingthatSimonhadtakenherupstairs,Imountedquickly,notdoubtingIshouldfindherthere.JudgeofmysurpriseanddismaywhenIfoundthatroomalsoempty,saveforthelackeywhomM.deRambouillethadlentme!
\'Wherearethey?\'Iaskedtheman,speakingsharply,andstandingwithmyhandonthedoor.
\'Theladyandherwoman,sir?\'heanswered,comingforward.
\'Yes,yes!\'Icriedimpatiently,asuddenfearatmyheart.
ShewentoutimmediatelyafterherarrivalwithSimonFleix,sir,andhasnotyetreturned,\'heanswered.
ThewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthbeforeIheardseveralpersonsenterthepassagebelowandbegintoascendthestairs.
Ididnot;doubtthatmademoiselleandtheladhadcomehomeanotherwayand,beensomehowdetained;andIturnedwithasighofrelieftoreceivethem.ButwhenthepersonswhosestepsI
hadheardappeared,theyprovedtobeonlyM.deRosny\'sequerry,stout,burly,andbright-eyedasever,andtwoarmedservants.
CHAPTERXXII.
\'LAFEMMEDISPOSE.\'
Themomenttheequerry\'sfoottouchedtheuppermoststairI
advanceduponhim.\'Whereisyourmistress,man?\'Isaid.
\'WhereisMademoiselledelaVire?Bequick,tellmewhatyouhavedonewithher.\'
Hisfacefellamazingly.\'Whereisshe?\'heanswered,falteringbetweensurpriseandalarmatmysuddenonslaught.\'Here,sheshouldbe.Ileftherherenotanhourago.MonDieu!Isshenotherenow?\'
Hisalarmincreasedminetenfold.\'No!\'Iretorted,\'sheisnot!Sheisgone!Andyou——whatbusinesshadyou,inthefiend\'sname,toleaveherhere,aloneandunprotected?Tellmethat!\'
Heleanedagainstthebalustrade,makingnoattempttodefendhimself,andseemed,inhissuddenterror,anythingbutthebold,alertfellowwhohadascendedthestairstwominutesbefore.\'I
wasafool,\'hegroaned.\'IsawyourmanSimonhere;andFanchette,whoisasgoodasaman,waswithhermistress.AndI
wenttostablethehorses.Ithoughtnoevil.Andnow——MyGod!\'
headded,suddenlystraighteninghimself,whilehisface.grewhardandgrim,\'Iamundone!Mymasterwillneverforgiveme!\'
\'Didyoucomestraighthere?\'Isaid,consideringthat,afterall,hewasnomoreinfaultthanIhadbeenonaformeroccasion.
\'WewentfirsttoM.deRosny\'slodging,\'heanswered,\'wherewefoundyourmessagetellingustocomehere.Wecameonwithoutdismounting.\'
\'Mademoisellemayhavegoneback,andbethere,\'Isaid.\'Itispossible.Doyoustayhereandkeepagoodlook-out,andIwillgoandsee.Letoneofyourmencomewithme.\'
Heutteredabriefassent;beingamanasreadytotakeastogiveorders,andthankfulnowforanysuggestionwhichheldoutahopeofmademoiselle\'ssafety.Followedbytheservantheselected,Irandownthestairs,andinamomentwashurryingalongtheRueSt.Denys.Thedaywaswaning.Thenarrowstreetsandalleyswerealreadydark,buttheairofexcitementwhichI
hadnoticedinthemorningstillmarkedthetownsfolk,ofwhomagreatnumberwerestrollingabroad,orstandingindoorwaystalkingtotheirgossips.FeverishlyanxiousasIwas,I
remarkedthegloomwhichdweltonallfaces;butasIsetitdown.totheking\'sapproachingdeparture,andbesideswasintentonseeingthatthosewesoughtdidnotbyanychancepassusinthecrowd,Ithoughtlittleofit.Fiveminutes\'walkingbroughtustoM.deRosny\'slodging.ThereIknockedatthedoor;impatiently,Iconfess,andwithlittlehopeofsuccess.
But,tomysurprise,barelyaninstantelapsedbeforethedooropened,andIsawbeforemeSimonFleix!
Discoveringwhoitwas,hecoweredback,withaterrifiedface,andretreatedtothewallwithhisarmraised.
\'Youscoundrel!\'Iexclaimed,restrainingmyselfwithdifficulty.\'TellmethismomentwhereMademoiselledelaVireis!Or,byHeaven,Ishallforgetwhatmymotherowedtoyou,anddoyouamischief!\'
Foraninstantheglaredatmeviciously,withallhisteethexposed,asthoughhemeanttorefuse——andmore.Thenhethoughtbetterofit,and,raisinghishand,pointedsulkilyupwards.
\'Gobeforemeandknockatthedoor,\'Isaid,tappingthehiltofmydaggerwithmeaning.
Cowedbymymanner,heobeyed,andledthewaytotheroominwhichM.deRambouillethadsurprisedusonaformeroccasion.
Herehestoppedatthedoorandknockedgently;onwhichasharpvoiceinsidebadeusenter.Iraisedthelatchanddidso,closingthedoorbehindme.
Mademoiselle,stillwearingherriding-coat,satinachairbeforethehearth,onwhichanewlykindledfiresputteredandsmoked.Shehadherbacktome,anddidnotturnonmyentrance,butcontinuedtotoyinanabsentmannerwiththestringsofthemaskwhichlayinherlap.Fanchettestoodboltuprightbehindher,withherelbowssquaredandherhandsclasped;insuchanattitudethatIguessedthemaidhadbeenexpressingherstrongdissatisfactionwiththislatestwhimofhermistress,andparticularlywithmademoiselle\'simprudenceinwantonlyexposingherself,withsoinadequateaguardasSimon,inaplacewhereshehadalreadysufferedsomuch.Iwasconfirmedinthisnotiononseeingthewoman\'sharshcountenanceclearatsightofme;
thoughthechurlishnod,whichwasallthegreetingshebestowedonme,seemedtobetokenanythingbutfavourorgood-will.Shetouchedhermistressontheshoulder,however,andsaid,\'M.deMarsacishere.\'
Mademoiselleturnedherheadandlookedatmelanguidly,withoutstirringinherchairorremovingthefootshe,waswarming.
\'Goodevening,\'shesaid.
Thegreetingseemedsobriefandsocommonplace,ignoring,asitdid,boththepainsandanxietytowhichshehadjustputmeandthegreatpurposeforwhichwewerehere——tosaynothingofthatambiguouspartingwhichshemustsurelyrememberaswellasI——
thatthewordsIhadprepareddiedonmylips,andIlookedatherinhonestconfusion.Allhersmallfacewaspaleexceptherlips.Herbrowwasdark,hereyeswerehardaswellasweary.
AndnotwordsonlyfailedmeasIlookedather,butanger;
havingmountedthestairshotfoottochide,Ifeltonasudden——despitemynewcloakandscabbard,myappointment,andthesameIhadmadeatCourt——thesameconsciousnessofage;andshabbinessandpovertywhichhadpossessedmeinherpresencefromthebeginning.Imuttered,\'Goodevening,mademoiselle,\'
andthatwasallIcouldsay——IwhohadfrightenedtheburlyMaignanafewminutesbefore!
Seeing,Ihavenodoubt,theeffectsheproducedonme,shemaintainedforsometimeanembarrassingsilence.Atlengthshesaid,frigidly,\'PerhapsM.deMarsacwillsit,Fanchette.Placeachairforhim.Iamafraid,however,thatafterhissuccessesatCourthemayfindourreceptionsomewhatcold.Butweareonlyfromthecountry,\'sheadded,lookingatmeaskance,withagleamofangerinhereyes.
Ithankedherhuskily,sayingthatIwouldnotsit,asIcouldnotstay.\'SimonFleix,\'Icontinued,findingmyvoicewithdifficulty,\'has,Iamafraid,causedyousometroublebybringingyoutothishouseinsteadoftellingyouthatIhadmadepreparationforyouatmylodgings.\'
\'ItwasnotSimonFleix\'sfault,\'sherepliedcurtly.\'Iprefertheserooms.Theyaremoreconvenient.\'
\'Theyare,perhaps,moreconvenient,\'Irejoinedhumbly,\'ButI
havetothinkofsafety,mademoiselle,asyouknow.AtmyhouseIhaveacompetentguard,andcananswerforyourbeingunmolested.\'
\'Youcansendyourguardhere,\'shesaidwitharoyalair.
\'But,mademoiselle——\'
\'IsitnotenoughthatIhavesaidthatIprefertheserooms?\'
sherepliedsharply,droppinghermaskonherlapandlookingroundatmeinundisguiseddispleasure.\'Areyoudeaf,sir?Letmetellyou,Iaminnomoodforargument.Iamtiredwithriding.Iprefertheserooms,andthatisenough!\'
Nothingcouldexceedthedeterminationwithwhichshesaidthesewords,unlessitwerethemaliciouspleasureinthwartingmywisheswhichmadeitselfseenthroughtheveilofassumedindifference.Ifeltmyselfbroughtupwithavengeance,andinamannerthemostprovokingthatcouldbeconceived.Butoppositionsochildish,soutterlywanton,byexcitingmyindignation,hadpresentlytheeffectofbanishingthepeculiarbashfulnessIfeltinherpresence,andrecallingmetomyduty.
\'Mademoiselle,\'Isaidfirmly,lookingatherwithafixedcountenance,\'pardonmeifIspeakplainly.Thisisnotimeforplayingwithstraws.Themenfromwhomyouescapedonceareasdeterminedandmoredesperatenow.Bythistimetheyprobablyknowofyourarrival.Do,then,asIask,Iprayandbeseechyou.OrthistimeImaylackthepower,thoughneverthewill,tosaveyou.\'
Whollyignoringmyappeal,shelookedintomyface——forbythistimeIhadadvancedtoherside——withawhimsicalsmile.\'YouarereallymuchimprovedinmannersinceIlastsawyou,\'shesaid.
\'Mademoiselle!\'Ireplied,baffledandrepelled.\'Whatdoyoumean?\'
\'WhatIsay,\'sheanswered,flippantly.\'Butitwastobeexpected.\'
\'Forshame!\'Icried,provokedalmostbeyondbearingbyherill-
timedraillery,\'willyouneverbeseriousuntilyouhaveruinedusandyourself?Itellyouthishouseisnotsafeforyou!Itisnotsafeforme!Icannotbringmymentoit,forthereisnotroomforthem.Ifyouhaveanysparkofconsideration,ofgratitude,therefore——\'
\'Gratitude!\'sheexclaimed,swinginghermaskslowlytoandfrobyaribbon,whileshelookedupatmeasthoughmyexcitementamusedher.\'Gratitude——\'tisaveryprettyphrase,andmeansmuch;butitisforthosewhoserveusfaithfully,M.deMarsac,andnotforothers.Youreceivesomanyfavours,Iamtold,andaresosuccessfulatCourt,thatIshouldnotbejustifiedinmonopolisingyourservices.\'
\'But,mademoiselle——\'Isaidinalowtone.AndthereIstopped.
Idarednotproceed.
\'Well,sir,\'sheanswered,lookingupatsheafteramoment\'ssilence,andceasingonasuddentoplaywithhertoy,\'whatisit?\'
\'Youspokeoffavours,\'Icontinued,withaneffort.\'Ineverreceivedbutonefromalady.ThatwasatRosny,andfromyourhand.\'
\'Frommyhand?\'sheanswered,withanairofcoldsurprise.
\'Itwasso,mademoiselle.\'
\'Youhavefallenintosomestrangemistake,sir,\'shereplied,rousingherself,andlookingatmeindifferently\'Inevergaveyouafavour.\'
Ibowedlow.\'Ifyousayyoudidnot,mademoiselle,thatisenough,\'Ianswered.
\'Nay,butdonotletmedoyouaninjustice,M.deMarsac,\'sherejoined,speakingmorequicklyandinanalteredtone.\'IfyoucanshowmethefavourIgaveyou,Ishall,ofcourse,beconvinced.Seeingisbelieving,youknow,\'sheadded,withalightnervouslaugh,andagestureofsomethinglikeshyness.
IfIhadnotsufficientlyregrettedmycarelessness,andlossofthebowatthetime,Ididsonow.Ilookedatherinsilence,andsawherface,thathadforamomentshownsignsoffeeling,almostofshame,growslowlyhardagain.
\'Well,sir?\'shesaidimpatiently.\'Theproofiseasy.\'
\'Itwastakenfromme;Ibelieve,byM.deRosny,\'Iansweredlamely,wonderingwhatill-luckhadledhertoputthequestionandpressittothispoint.
\'Itwastakenfromyou!\'sheexclaimed,risingandconfrontingmewiththeutmostsuddenness,whilehereyesflashed,andherlittlehandcrumpledthemaskbeyondfutureusefulness.\'Itwastakenfromyou,sir!\'sherepeated,hervoiceandherwholeframetremblingwithangeranddisdain.\'ThenIthankyou,I
prefermyversion.Yoursisimpossible.Forletmetellyou,whenMademoiselledelaViredoesconferafavour,itwillbeonamanwiththepowerandthewit——andtheconstancy,tokeepit,evenfromM.deRosny!\'
Herscornhurt,thoughitdidnotangerme.Ifeltittobeinameasuredeserved,andragedagainstmyselfratherthanagainsther.Butawarethroughallofthesupremeimportanceofplacingherinsafety,Isubjectedmyimmediatefeelingstotheexigenciesofthemomentandstoopedtoanargumentwhichwould,Ithought,haveweightthoughprivatepleadingfailed.
\'Puttingmyselfaside,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,withmoreformalitythanIhadyetused,\'thereisoneconsiderationwhichmustweighwithyou.Theking——\'
\'Theking!\'shecried,interruptingmeviolently,herfacehotwithpassionandherwholepersoninstinctwithstubbornself-
will.\'Ishallnotseetheking!\'
\'Youwillnotseetheking?\'Irepeatedinamazement.
\'No,Iwillnot!\'sheanswered,inawhirlofanger,scorn,andimpetuosity.\'There!Iwillnot!Ihavebeenmadeatoyandatoollongenough,M.deMarsac,\'shecontinued,\'andIwillserveothers\'endsnomore.Ihavemadeupmymind.Donottalktome;youwilldonogood,sir.IwouldtoHeaven,\'sheaddedbitterly,\'IhadstayedatChizeandneverseenthisplace!\'
\'But,mademoiselle,\'Isaid,\'youhavenotthought——\'
\'Thought!\'sheexclaimed,shuttinghersmallwhiteteethsoviciouslyIallbutrecoiled.\'Ihavethoughtenough.Iamsickofthought.Iamgoingtoactnow.Iwillbeapuppetnolonger.Youmaytakemetothecastlebyforceifyouwill;butyoucannotmakemespeak.\'
Ilookedatherintheutmostdismay,andastonishment;beingunableatfirsttobelievethatawomanwhohadgonethroughsomuch,hadrunsomanyrisks,andriddensomanymilesforapurpose,would,whenallwasdoneandthehourcome,declinetocarryoutherplan.Icouldnotbelieveit,Isay,atfirst;andItriedarguments,andentreatieswithoutstint,thinkingthatsheonlyaskedtobeentreatedorcoaxed.
ButIfoundprayersandeventhreatsbreathwasteduponher;andbeyondtheseIwouldnotgo.IknowIhavebeenblamedbysomeandridiculedbyothersfornotpushingthematterfarther;butthosewhohavestoodfacetofacewithawomanofspirit——awomanwhoseveryfrailtyandweaknessfoughtforher——willbetterunderstandthedifficultieswithwhichIhadtocontendandthemannerinwhichconvictionwasatlastborneinonmymind.I
hadneverbeforeconfrontedstubbornnessofthiskind.Asmademoisellesaidagainandagain,ImightforcehertoCourt,butIcouldnotmakeherspeak.
WhenIhadtriedeverymeansofpersuasion,andstillfoundnowayofovercomingherresolutionthewhileFanchettelookedonwithafaceofwood,neitheraidingmenortakingpartagainstme——Ilost,Iconfess,inthechagrinofthemomentthatsenseofdutywhichhadhithertoanimatedme;andthoughmyrelationtomademoiselleshouldhavemademeascarefulaseverofhersafety,eveninherowndespite,Ileftheratlastinangerandwentoutwithoutsayinganotherwordaboutremovingher——athingwhichwasstillinmypower.Ibelieveaverybriefreflectionwouldhaverecalledmetomyselfandmyduty;buttheopportunitywasnotgivenme,forIhadscarcelyreachedtheheadofthestairsbeforeFanchettecameafterme,andcalledtomeinawhispertostop.
Sheheldataperinherhand,andthissheraisedtomyface,smilingatthedisorderwhichshedoubtlessreadthere.\'Doyousaythatthishouseisnotsafe?\'sheaskedabruptly,loweringthelightasshespoke.
\'YouhavetriedahouseinBloisbefore?\'Irepliedwiththesamebluntness.\'YoushouldknowaswellasI,woman.\'
\'Shemustbetakenfromhere,then,\'sheanswered,noddingherhead,cunningly.\'Icanpersuadeher.Doyousendforyourpeople,andbehereinhalfanhour.Itmaytakemethattimetowheedleher.ButIshalldoit.\'
\'Thenlisten,\'Isaideagerly,seizingtheopportunityandhersleeveanddrawingherfartherfromthedoor.\'Ifyoucanpersuadehertothat,youcanpersuadetoallIwish.Listen,myfriend,\'Icontinued,sinkingmyvoicestilllower.\'Ifshewillseethekingforonlytenminutes,andtellhimwhatsheknows,I
willgiveyou——\'
\'What?\'thewomanaskedsuddenlyandharshly,drawingatthesametimehersleevefrommyhand.
\'Fiftycrowns,\'Ireplied,naminginmydesperationasumwhichwouldseemafortunetoapersoninherposition.\'Fiftycrownsdown,themomenttheinterviewisover.\'
\'Andforthatyouwouldhavemesellher!\'thewomancriedwitharudeintensityofpassionwhichstruckmelikeablow.\'Forshame!Forshame,man!Youpersuadedhertoleaveherhomeandherfriends,andthecountrywhereshewasknown;andnowyouwouldhavemesellher!Shameonyou!Go!\'sheaddedscornfully.\'Gothisinstantandgetyourmen.Theking,sayyou?Theking!ItellyouIwouldnothaveherfingerachetosaveallyourkings!\'
Sheflouncedawaywiththat,andIretiredcrestfallen;wonderingmuchatthefidelitywhichProvidence,doubtlessforthewell-
beingofthegentle,possiblyforthegoodofall,hasimplantedinthehumble.FindingSimon,towhomIhadscarcepatiencetospeak,waitingonthestairsbelow,IdespatchedhimtoMaignan,tobidhimcometomewithhismen.MeanwhileIwatchedthehousemyselfuntiltheirarrival,andthen,goingup,foundthatFanchettehadbeenasgoodasherword.Mademoiselle,withasullenmien,andaredspotoneithercheek,consentedtodescend,and,precededbyacoupleoflinks,whichMaignanhadthoughtfullyprovided,wasescortedsafelytomylodgings;whereIbestowedherintheroomsbelowmyown,whichIhaddesignedforher.
Atthedoorsheturnedandbowedtome,herfaceonfire.
\'Sofar,sir,youhavegotyourway,\'shesaid,breathingquickly.\'Donotflatteryourself,however,thatyouwillgetitfarther——evenbybribingmywoman!\'
CHAPTERXXIII.
THELASTVALOIS.
Istoodforafewmomentsonthestairs,wonderingwhatIshoulddoinanemergencytowhichtheMarquis\'smessageoftheafternoonattachedsopressingacharacter.HaditnotbeenforthatImighthavewaiteduntilmorning,andfelttolerablycertainoffindingmademoiselleinamorereasonablemoodthen.
ButasitwasIdarednotwait.Idarednotriskthedelay,andIcamequicklytotheconclusionthattheonlycourseopentomewastogoatoncetoM.deRambouilletandtellhimfranklyhowthematterstood.
Maignanhadpostedoneofhismenattheopendoorwayleadingintothestreet,andfixedhisownquartersonthelandingatthetop,whencehecouldoverlookanintruderwithoutbeingseenhimself.Satisfiedwiththearrangement,IleftRambouillet\'smantoreinforcehim,andtookwithmeSimonFleix,ofwhoseconductinregardtomademoiselleIentertainedthegravestdoubts.
Thenight,Ifoundonreachingthestreet,wascold,theskywhereitwasvisiblebetweentheeavesbeingbrightwithstars.
Asharpwindwasblowing,too,compellingustowrapourcloaksroundusandhurryonatapacewhichagreedwellwiththeexcitementofmythoughts.AssuredthathadmademoisellebeencomplaisantImighthaveseenmymissionaccomplishedwithinthehour,itwasimpossibleIshouldnotfeelimpatientwithonewho,togratifyawhim,playedwiththesecretsofakingdomasiftheywerecounters,andriskedinpassingill-humourtheresultsofweeksofpreparation.AndIwasimpatient,andwithher.ButmyresentmentfellsofarshortoftheoccasionthatIwondereduneasilyatmyowneasiness,andfeltmoreannoyedwithmyselfforfailingtobeproperlyannoyedwithher,thaninclinedtolaytheblamewhereitwasdue.ItwasinvainItoldmyselfcontemptuouslythatshewasawomanandthatwomenwerenotaccountable.Ifeltthattherealsecretandmotiveofmyindulgencelay,notinthis,butinthesuspicion,whichherreferencetothefavourgivenmeonmydeparturefromRosnyhadconvertedalmostintoacertainty,thatIwasmyselfthecauseofhersuddenill-humour.
Imighthavefollowedthistrainofthoughtfarther,andtoverypertinentconclusions.ButonreachingM.deRambouillet\'slodgingIwasdivertedfromitbytheabnormallyquietaspectofthehouse,onthestepsofwhichhalfadozenservantsmightcommonlybeseenlounging.Nowthedoorswereclosed,nolightsshonethroughthewindows,andthehallsoundedemptyanddesolatewhenIknocked.Notalackeyhurriedtoreceivemeeventhen;buttheslipshodtreadoftheoldporter,ashecamewithalanterntoopen,alonebrokethesilence.Iwaitedeagerlywonderingwhatallthiscouldmean;andwhenthemanatlastopened,and,recognisingmyface,beggedmypardonifhehadkeptmewaitingIaskedhimimpatientlywhatwasthematter.
\'AndwhereistheMarquis?\'Iadded,steppinginsidetobeoutofthewind,andlooseningmycloak.
\'Haveyounotheard,sir?\'themanasked,holdinguphislanterntomyface.Hewasanold,wizened,leanfellow.\'Itisabreak-up,sir,Iamafraid,thistime.\'
\'Abreak-up?\'Irejoined,peevishly.\'Speakout,man!Whatisthematter?Ihatemysteries.\'
Youhavenotheardthenews,sir?ThattheDukeofMercoeurandMarshalRetz,withalltheirpeople,leftBloisthisafternoon?\'
\'No?\'Ianswered,somewhatstartled.\'Whitheraretheygone?\'
\'ToParis,itissaid,sir,——tojointheLeague.\'
\'Butdoyoumeanthattheyhavedesertedtheking?\'Iasked.
\'Forcertain,sir!\'heanswered.
\'NottheDukeofMercoeur?\'Iexclaimed.\'Why,man,heistheking\'sbrother-in-law.Heoweseverythingtohim.\'
\'Well,heisgone,sir,\'theoldmanansweredpositively.\'ThenewswasbroughttoM.leMarquisaboutfouro\'clock,oralittleafter.Hegothispeopletogether,andstartedafterthemtotryandpersuadethemtoreturn.Or,soitissaid.\'
AsquicklyasIcould,Ireviewedthesituationinmymind.Ifthisstrangenewsweretrue,andmenlikeMercoeur,whohadeveryreasontostandbytheking,aswellasmenlikeRetz,whohadlongbeensuspectedofdisaffection,wereabandoningtheCourt,thedangermustbecomingcloseindeed.Thekingmustfeelhisthronealreadytottering,andbeeagertograspatanymeansofsupportingit.Undersuchcircumstancesitseemedtobemyparamountdutytoreachhim;togainhisearifpossible,andatallrisks;thatIandnotBruhl,NavarrenotTurenne,mightprofitbythefirstimpulseofself-preservation.
Biddingtheportershuthisdoorandkeepclose,IhurriedtotheCastle,andwaspresentlymorethanconfirmedinmyresolution.
FortomysurpriseIfoundtheCourtinmuchthesamestateasM.
deRambouillet\'shouse.Thereweredoubleguardsindeedatthegates,wholetmepassafterscrutinisingmenarrowly;butthecourtyard,whichshouldhavebeenatthishourablazewithtorchesandcrowdedwithlackeysandgrooms,wasadarkwilderness,inwhichhalfadozenlinkstrembledmournfully.
PassingthroughthedoorsIfoundthingswithininthesamestate:thehallilllitanddesolate;thestaircasemannedonlybyafewwhisperinggroups,whoscannedmeasIpassed;theante-
chambersalmostempty,oroccupiedbythegreyuniformsoftheSwitzerguards.WhereIhadlooked,toseecourtiersassemblingtomeettheirsovereignandassurehimoftheirfidelity,Ifoundonlygloomyfaces,watchfuleyes,andmouthsominouslyclosed.
Anairofconstraintandforebodingrestedonall.Asinglefootstepsoundedhollowly.Thelongcorridors,whichhadsolatelyrungwithlaughterandtherattleofdice,seemedalreadydevotedtothesilence,anddesolationwhichawaitedthemwhentheCourtshoulddepart.WhereanyspokeIcaughtthenameofGuise;andIcouldhavefanciedthathismightyshadowlayupontheplaceandcursedit.
Enteringthechamber,Ifoundmatterslittlebetterthere.HisMajestywasnotpresent,norwereanyoftheCourtladies;buthalfadozengentlemen,amongwhomIrecognisedRevol,oneoftheKing\'ssecretaries,stoodnearthealcove.Theylookeduponmyentrance,asthoughexpectingnews,andthen,seeingwhoitwas,lookedawayagainimpatiently.TheDukeofNeverswaswalkingmoodilytoandfrobeforeoneofthewindows,hishandsclaspedbehindhisback:whileBironandCrillon,reconciledbythecommonperil,talkedloudlyonthehearth.Ihesitatedamoment,uncertainhowtoproceed,forIwasnotyet;sooldatCourtastofeelathomethere.But,atlastmakingupmymind,IwalkedboldlyuptoCrillonandrequestedhisgoodofficestoprocuremeanimmediateaudienceoftheking.
\'Anaudience?Doyoumeanyouwanttoseehimalone?\'hesaid,raisinghiseyebrowsandlookingwhimsicallyatBiron.
\'Thatismypetition,M.deCrillon,\'Iansweredfirmly,thoughmyheartsank.\'IamhereonM.deRambouillet\'sbusiness,andI
needtoseehisMajestyforthwith,\'
\'Well,thatisstraightforward,\'hereplied,clappingmeontheshoulder.\'Andyoushallseehim.IncomingtoCrillonyouhavecometotherightman.Revol,\'hecontinued,turningtothesecretary,\'thisgentlemanbearsamessagefromM.deRambouillettotheking.Takehimtotheclosetwithoutdelay,myfriend,andannouncehim.Iwillbeanswerableforhim.\'
Butthesecretaryshruggedhisshouldersuptohisears.\'Itisquiteimpossible,M.deCrillon,\'hesaidgravely.\'Quiteimpossibleatpresent.\'
\'Impossible!Chut!Idonotknowtheword,\'Crillonretortedrudely.\'Come,takehimatonce,andblamemeifillcomesofit.Doyouhear?\'
\'ButhisMajesty——\'
\'Well?\'
\'Isathisdevotions,\'thesecretarysaidstiffly.
\'HisMajesty\'sdevotionsbehanged!\'Crillonrejoined——soloudlythattherewasageneraltitter,andM.deNeverslaughedgrimly.
\'Doyouhear?\'theAvennaiscontinued,hisfacegrowingredderandhisvoicehigher,\'ormustIpullyourears,myfriend?Takethisgentlemantothecloset,Isay,andifhisMajestybeangry,tellhimitwasbymyorder.ItellyouhecomesfromRambouillet.\'
Idonotknowwhetheritwasthethreat,orthementionofM.deRambouillet\'sname,whichconvincedthesecretary.Butatanyrate,afteramoment\'shesitation,heacquiesced.
Henoddedsullenlytometofollowhim,andledthewaytoacurtainwhichmaskedthedoorofthecloset.Ifollowedhimacrossthechamber,aftermutteringahastywordofacknowledgmenttoCrillon;andIhadasnearlyaspossiblereachedthedoorwhenthebustleofsomeoneenteringthechambercaughtmyear.IhadjusttimetoturnandseethatthiswasBruhl,justtimetointerceptthedarklookofchagrinandsurprisewhichhefixedonme,andthenRevol,holdingupthecurtain,signedtometoenter.
Iexpectedtopassatonceintothepresenceoftheking,andhadmyreverenceready.Instead,Ifoundmyselftomysurpriseinasmallchamber,orratherpassage,curtainedatbothends,andoccupiedbyacoupleofguardsmen——members,doubtless,oftheBandoftheForty-Fivewhoroseatmyentranceandlookedatmedubiously.Theirguard-room,dimlyilluminedbyalampofredglass,seemedtome,inspiteofitscurtainsandvelvetbench,andthethicktapestrywhichkeptouteverybreathofwholesomeair,themostsombreIcouldimagine.Andthemostill-omened.
ButIhadnotimetomakeanylongobservation;forRevol,passingmebrusquely,raisedthecurtainattheotherend,and,withhisfingeronhislip,bademebysignstoenter.
Ididsoassilently,theheavyscentofperfumesstrikingmeinthefaceasIraisedasecondcurtain,andstoppedshortapacebeyondit;partlyinreverence——becausekingslovetheirsubjectsbestatadistance——andpartlyinsurprise.Fortheroom,orratherthatportionofitinwhichIstood,wasindarkness;onlythefartherendbeingilluminedbyacoldpalefloodofmoonlight,which,passingthroughahigh,straightwindow,layinasilverysheetonthefloor.ForaninstantIthoughtIwasalone;thenIsaw,restingagainstthiswindow,withahandoneithermullion,atallfigure,havingsomethingstrangeaboutthehead.ThispeculiaritypresentlyresolveditselfintotheturbaninwhichIhadoncebeforeseenhisMajesty.Theking——forheitwas——wastalkingtohimself.Hehadnotheardmeenter,andhavinghisbacktomeremainedunconsciousofmypresence.
Ipausedindoubt,afraidtoadvance,anxioustowithdraw;yetuncertainwhetherIcouldmoveagainunheard.AtthismomentwhileIstoodhesitating,heraisedhisvoice,andhiswords,reachingmyears,rivetedmyattention,sostrangeandeeriewereboththeyandhistone.\'Theysaythereisill-luckinthirteen,\'hemuttered.\'ThirteenValoisandlast!\'Hepausedtolaughawicked,mirthlesslaugh.\'Ay,——Thirteenth!AnditisthirteenyearssinceIenteredParis,acrownedKing!TherewereQuelusandMaugironandSt.MegrinandI——andhe,Iremember.
Ah,thosedays,thosenights!Iwouldsellmysoultolivethemagain;hadInotsolditlongagointhelivingthemonce!Wewereyoungthen,andrich,andIwasking;andQueluswasanApollo!Hediedcallingonmetosavehim.AndMaugirondied,blasphemingGodandthesaints.AndSt.Megrin,hehadthirty-
fourwounds.Andhe——heisdeadtoo,cursehim!Theyarealldead,alldead,anditisallover!MyGod!itisallover,itisallover,itisallover!\'
Herepeatedthelastfourwordsmorethanadozentimes,rockinghimselftoandfrobyhisholdonthemullions.ItrembledasI
listened,partlythroughfearonmyownaccountshouldIbediscovered,andpartlybyreasonofthehorrorofdespairandremorse——no,notremorse,regret——whichspokeinhismonotonousvoice.Iguessedthatsomeimpulsehadledhimtodrawthecurtainfromthewindowandshadethelamp;andthatthen,ashelookeddownonthemoonlitcountry,thecontrastbetweenitandthevicious,heatedatmosphere,heavywithintrigueandworse,inwhichhehadspenthisstrength,hadforceditselfuponhismind.
Forhepresentlywenton.
\'France!Thereitlies!Andwhatwilltheydowithit?Willtheycutitupintopieces,asitwasbeforeoldLouisXI?WillMercoeur——cursehim!bethemostChristianDukeofBrittany?
AndMayenne,bythegraceofGod,PrinceofParisandtheUpperSeine?OrwillthelittlePrinceofBearnbeatthem,andbeHenryIV.,KingofFranceandNavarre,ProtectoroftheChurches?
Cursehimtoo!Heisthirty-six.Heismyage.Butheisyoungandstrong,andhasallbeforehim.WhileI——I——oh,myGod,havemercyonme!Havemercyonme,OGodinHeaven!\'