\'Precisely.\'
\'Youwillremainonguard,\'Iwenton,\'untilto-morrowmorningifM.deBruhlremainshere;butwheneverheleavesyouwilltakeyourordersfromthepersonsinside,andfollowthemimplicitly.\'
\'YourExcellency\'smindmaybeeasy,\'heanswered,handlinghisdagger.
Dismissinghimwithanod,IturnedwithasmiletoM.deBruhl,andsawthatbetweenrageatthisunexpectedcheckandchagrinattheinsultputuponhim,hisdiscomfiturewasascompleteasI
couldwish.AsforFresnoy,ifhehadseriouslyintendedtodisputeourpassage,hewasnolongerinthemoodfortheattempt.YetIdidnotlethismasteroffwithoutonemoreprick.\'Thatbeingsettled,M.deBruhl,\'Isaidpleasantly,\'I
maybidyougoodevening.YouwilldoubtlesshonourmeatChavernytomorrow.ButwewillfirstletMaignanlookunderthebridge!\'
CHAPTERXXVI.
MEDITATIONS.
EitherthesmallrespectIhadpaidM.deBruhl,orthewordsI
hadletfallrespectingthepossibledisappearanceofM.
Villequier,hadhadsoadmirableaneffectontheProvost-
Marshal\'smindthatfromthemomentofleavingmylodgingshetreatedmewiththeutmostcivility;permittingmeeventoretainmysword,andassigningmeasleeping-placeforthenightinhisownapartmentsatthegate-house.
Lateasitwas,Icouldnotallowsomuchpolitenesstopassunacknowledged.Ibeggedleave,therefore,todistributeasmallgratuityamonghisattendants,andrequestedhimtodomethehonourofdrinkingabottleofwinewithme.Thisbeingspeedilyprocured,atsuchanexpenseasisusualintheseplaces,whereprisonerspay,accordingastheyarerichorpoor,inpurseorperson,kept;ussittingforanhour,andfinallysentustoourpalletsperfectlysatisfiedwithoneanother.
Theeventsoftheday,however,andparticularlyonematter,onwhichIhavenotdweltatlength,provedaseffectualtopreventmysleepingasifIhadbeenplacedinthedampestcellbelowthecastle.SomuchhadbeencrowdedintoatimesoshortthatitseemedasifIhadhaduntilnownoopportunityofconsideringwhitherIwasbeinghurried,orwhatfortuneawaitedmeattheendofthisturmoil.FromthefirstappearanceofM.d\'Ageninthemorning,withthestartlingnewsthattheProvost-Marshalwasseekingme,tomyfinalsurrenderandencounterwithBruhlonthestairs,thechainofeventshadrunoutsoswiftlythatIhadscarcelyhadtimeatanyparticularperiodtoconsiderhowI
stood,orthefullimportofthelatestcheckorvictory.NowthatIhadleisureIlivedthedayoveragain,and,recallingitsdangersanddisappointments,feltthankfulthatallhadendedsofairly.
IhadthemostperfectconfidenceinMaignan,anddidnotdoubtthatBruhlwouldsoonweary,ifhehadnotalreadywearied,ofaprofitlesssiege.Inanhouratmost——anditwasnotyetmidnight——thekingwouldbefreetogohome;andwiththatwouldend,asfarashewasconcerned,themissionwithwhichM.deRosnyhadhonouredme.ThetaskofcommunicatinghisMajesty\'sdecisiontotheKingofNavarrewoulddoubtlessbeentrustedtoM.deRambouillet,orsomepersonofsimilarpositionandinfluence;andinthesamehandswouldrestthehonourandresponsibilityofthetreatywhich,asweallknownow,gaveafterabriefintervalandsomebloodshed,andonegreatprovidence,alastingpeacetoFrance.Butitmusteverbe——andIrecognisedthisthatnightwithaboundingheart,whichtoldofsomestoreofyouthyetunexhausted——amatteroflastingpridetomethatI,whosecareerbutnowseemedclosedinfailure,hadprovedthemeansofconferringsoespecialabenefitonmycountryandreligion.
Remembering,however,theKingofNavarre\'swarningthatImustnotlooktohimforreward,Ifeltgreatlydoubtfulinwhatdirectionthescenewouldnextopentome;mymaindependencebeinguponM.deRosny\'spromisethathewouldmakemyfortunehisowncare.TiredoftheCourtatBlois,andtheatmosphereofintrigueandtreacherywhichpervadedit,andwithwhichIhopedIhadnowdone,IwasstillatalosstoseehowIcouldrecrosstheLoireinfaceoftheVicomtedeTurenne\'senmity.ImighthavetroubledmyselfmuchmorewithspeculatinguponthispointhadInotfound——incloseconnectionwithit——otherandmoreengrossingfoodforthoughtinthecapriciousbehaviourofMademoiselledelaVire.
TothatbehaviouritseemedtomethatInowheldtheclue.I
suspectedwithasmuchsurpriseaspleasurethatonlyoneconstructioncouldbeplaceduponit——aconstructionwhichhadstronglyoccurredtomeoncatchingsightofherfacewhensheintervenedbetweenmeandtheking.
TracingthematterbacktothemomentofourmeetingintheantechamberatSt.Jeand\'Angely,IrememberedthejestwhichMathurinehadutteredatourjointexpense.Doubtlessithaddweltinmademoiselle\'smind,andexcitingheranimosityagainstmehadpreparedhertotreatmewithcontumelywhen,contrarytoallprobability,wemetagain,andshefoundherselfplacedinamannerinmyhands.Ithadinspiredherharshwordsandharsherlooksonourjourneynorthwards,andcontributedwithhernativepridetothelowopinionIhadformedofherwhenI
contrastedherwithmyhonouredmother.
ButIbegantothinkitpossiblethatthejesthadworkedinanotherwayaswell,bykeepingmebeforehermindandimpressinguponhertheidea——aftermyre-appearanceatChizemoreparticularly——thatourfateswereinsomewaylinked.Assumingthis,itwasnothardtounderstandhermanneratRosnywhen,apprisedthatIwasnoimpostor,andregrettingherformertreatmentofme,shestillrecoiledfromthefeelingswhichshebegantorecogniseinherownbreast.Fromthattime,andwiththisclue,Ihadnodifficultyintracinghermotives,alwayssupposingthatthissuspicion,uponwhichIdweltwithfeelingsofwonderanddelight,werewellfounded.
Middle-agedandgrizzled,withthebestofmylifebehindmeI
hadneverdaredtothinkofherinthiswaybefore.Poorandcomparativelyobscure,Ihadneverraisedmyeyestothewidepossessionssaidtobehers.EvennowIfeltmyselfdazzledandbewilderedbytheprospectsosuddenlyunveiled.Icouldscarcely,withoutvertigo,recallherasIhadlastseenher,withherhandwoundedinmydefence;nor,withoutemotionspainfulintheirintensity,fancymyselfrestoredtotheyouthofwhichIhadtakenleave,andtotherosyhopesandplanningswhichvisitmostmenonceonly,andtheninearlyyears.
HithertoIhaddeemedsuchthingsthelotofothers.
Daylightfoundme——andnowonder——stilldivertingmyselfwiththesecharmingspeculations;whichhadforme,beitremembered,alltheforceofnovelty.Thesunchancedtorisethatmorninginaclearsky,andbrilliantlyforthetimeofyear;andwordsfailmewhenIlookback,andtrytodescribehowdelicatelythissinglefactenhancedmypleasure!Isunnedmyselfinthebeams,whichpenetratedmybarredwindow;andtastingtheearlyfreshnesswithakeenandinsatiableappetite,IexperiencedtothefullthatpeculiaraspirationaftergoodnesswhichProvidenceallowssuchmomentstoawakeninusinyouth;butrarelywhentimeandthecamphavebluntedthesensibilities.
Ihadnotyetarrivedatthestageatwhichdifficultieshavetobereckonedup,andthechiefdrawbacktothetumultofjoyI
felttooktheshapeofregretthatmymothernolongerlivedtofeeltheemotionspropertothetime,andtoshareintheprosperitywhichshehadsooftenandsofondlyimagined.
Nevertheless,Ifeltmyselfdrawnclosertoher.Irecalledwiththemosttenderfeelings,andatgreaterleisurethanhadbeforebeenthecase,herlastdaysandwords,andparticularlytheappealshehadutteredonmademoiselle\'sbehalf.AndIvowed,ifitwerepossible,topayavisittohergravebeforeleavingtheneighbourhood,thatImighttheredevoteafewmomentstothethoughtoftheaffectionwhichhadconsecratedallwomeninmyeyes.
Iwaspresentlyinterruptedinthesereflectionsbyacircumstancewhichprovedintheenddivertingenough,thoughfarfromreassuringatthefirstblush.Itbeganinadismalrattlingofchainsinthepassagebelowandonthestairsoutsidemyroom;whichwerepaved,liketherestofthebuilding,withstone.Iwaitedwithimpatienceandsomeuneasinesstoseewhatwouldcomeofthis;andmysurprisemaybeimaginedwhen,thedoorbeingunlocked,gaveentrancetoamaninwhomIrecognisedontheinstantdeafMathew——thevillainwhomIhadlastseenwithFresnoyinthehouseintheRueValois.Amazedatseeinghimhere,Isprangtomyfeetinfearofsometreachery,andforamomentapprehendedthattheProvost-MarshalhadbaselygivenmeovertoBruhl\'scustody.Butasecondglanceinformingmethatthemanwasinirons——hencethenoiseIhadheard——Isatdownagaintoseewhatwouldhappen.
Itthenappeared,thathemerelybroughtmemybreakfast,andwasaprisonerinlessfortunatecircumstancesthanmyself;butashepretendednottorecogniseme,andplacedthethingsbeforemeinobduratesilence,andIhadnopowertomakehimhear,Ifailedtolearnhowhecametobeindurance.TheProvost-Marshal,however,camepresentlytovisitme,andbroughtmeintokenthatthegood-fellowshipoftheeveningstillexistedapouchoftheQueen\'sherb;whichIacceptedforpoliteness\'sakeratherthanfromanyvirtueIfoundinit.AndfromhimIlearnedhowtherascalcametobeinhischarge.
ItappearedthatFresnoy,havingnomindtobehamperedwithawoundedman,haddepositedhimonthenightofourMELEEatthedoorofahospitalattachedtoareligioushouseinthatpartofthetown.Thefathershadopenedtohim,butbeforetakinghiminput,accordingtotheircustom,certainquestions.Matthewhadbeenprimedwiththerightanswerstothesequestions,whichwerecommonlyaform;but,unhappilyforhim,theSuperiorbychanceormistakebeganwiththewrongone.
\'YouarenotaHuguenot,myson?\'hesaid.
\'InGod\'sname,Iam!\'Matthewrepliedwithsimplicity,believinghewasaskedifhewasaCatholic.
\'What?\'thescandalisedPriorejaculated,crossinghimselfindoubt,\'areyounotatruesonoftheChurch?\'
\'Never!\'quothourdeaffriend——thinkingallwentwell.
\'Aheretic!\'criedthemonk.
\'Amentothat!\'repliedMatthewinnocently;neverdoubtingbutthathewasaskedthethirdquestion,whichwas,commonly,whetherheneededaid.
Naturallyafterthistherewasaveryprettycommotion,andMatthew,vainlyprotestingthathewasdeaf,washurriedofftotheProvost-Marshal\'scustody.Askedhowhecommunicatedwithhim,theProvostansweredthathecouldnot,butthathislittlegodchild,agirlonlyeightyearsold,hadtakenastrangefancytotherogue,andwasneversohappyaswhentalkingtohimbymeansofsigns,ofwhichshehadinventedagreatnumber.I
thoughtthisstrangeatthetime,butIhadproofbeforethemorningwasoutthatitwastrueenough,andthatthetwowereseldomapart,thelittlechildgoverningthisgrimcut-throatwithunquestionedauthority.
AftertheProvostwasgoneIheardtheman\'sfettersclankingagain.Thistimeheenteredtoremovemycupandplate,andsurprisedmebyspeakingtome.Maintaininghisformersullenness,andscarcelylookingatme,hesaidabruptly:\'Youaregoingoutagain?\'
Inoddedassent.
\'Doyourememberabald-facedbayhorsethatfellwithyou?\'hemuttered,keepinghisdoggedglanceonthefloor.
Inoddedagain.
\'Iwanttosellthehorse,\'hesaid.\'ThereisnotsuchanotherinBlois,no,norinParis!Touchitonthenearhipwiththewhipanditwillgodownasifshot.Atothertimesachildmightrideit.Itisinastable,thethirdfromtheThreePigeons,intheRuelleAmancy.Fresnoydoesnotknowwhereitis.Hesenttoaskyesterday,butIwouldnottellhim.\'
Somesparkofhumanfeelingwhichappearedinhislowering,brutalvisageashespokeofthehorseledmetodesirefurtherinformation.Fortunatelythelittlegirlappearedatthatmomentatthedoorinsearchofherplay-fellow;andthroughherI
learnedthattheman\'smotiveforseekingtosellthehorsewasfearlestthedealerinwhosechargeitstoodshoulddisposeofittorepayhimselfforitskeep,andhe,Matthew,loseitwithoutreturn.
StillIdidnotunderstandwhyheappliedtome,butIwaswellpleasedwhenIlearnedthetruth.Baseastheknavewas,hehadanaffectionforthebay,whichhadbeenhisonlypropertyforsixyears.Havingthisinhismind,hehadconceivedtheideathatIshouldtreatitwell,andshouldnot,becausehewasinprisonandpowerless,cheathimoftheprice.
IntheendIagreedtobuythehorsefortencrowns,payingaswellwhatwasdueatthestable.Ihaditinmyheadtodosomethingalsofortheman,beingmovedtothispartlybyanideathattherewasgoodinhim,andpartlybytheconfidencehehadseenfittoplaceinme,whichseemedtodeservesomereturn.
Butanoisebelowstairsdivertedmyattention.Iheardmyselfnamed,andforthemomentforgotthematter.
CHAPTERXXVII.
TOME,MYFRIENDS!
Iwasimpatienttolearnwhohadcome,andwhatwastheirerrandwithme;andbeingstillinthatstateofexaltationinwhichweseemtohearandseemorethanatothertimes,Iremarkedapeculiarlaggingintheascendingfootsteps,andalackofbuoyancy,whichwasquicktocommunicateitselftomymind.A
vaguedreadfelluponmeasIstoodlistening.BeforethedooropenedIhadalreadyconceivedascoreofdisasters.IwonderedthatIhadnotinquiredearlierconcerningtheking\'ssafety,andinfineIexperiencedinamomentthatcompletereactionofthespiritswhichistoofrequentlyconsequentuponanexcessiveflowofgaiety.
Iwasprepared,therefore,forheavylooks,butnotforthepersonswhoworethemnorthestrangebearingthelatterdisplayedonentering.MyvisitorsprovedtobeM.d\'AgenandSimonFleix.Andsofarwell.Buttheformer,insteadofcomingforwardtogreetmewiththepunctiliouspolitenesswhichalwayscharacterisedhim,andwhichIhadthoughttobeproofagainsteverykindofsurpriseandperil,metmewithdowncasteyesandacountenancesogloomyastoaugmentmyfearsahundredfold;sinceitsuggestedallthosevagueandformidablepainswhichM.deRambouillethadhintedmightawaitmeinaprison.Ithoughtnothingmoreprobablethantheentranceafterthemofagaolerladenwithgyvesandhandcuffs;andsalutingM.Francoiswithafacewhich,dowhatIwould,fashioneditselfuponhis,Ihadscarcecomposuresufficienttoplacethepooraccommodationofmyroomathisdisposal.
Hethankedme;buthediditwithsomuchgloomandsolittlenaturalnessthatIgrewmoreimpatientwitheachlabouredsyllable.SimonFleixhadslunktothewindowandturnedhisbackonus.Neitherseemedtohaveanythingtosay.ButastateofsuspensewasonewhichIcouldleastenduretosuffer;andimpatientoftheconstraintwhichmyfriend\'smannerwasfastimpartingtomine,Iaskedhimatonceandabruptlyifhisunclehadreturned.
\'Herodeinaboutmidnight,\'heanswered,tracingapatternonthefloorwiththepointofhisriding-switch.
Ifeltsomesurpriseonhearingthis,sinced\'Agenwasstilldressedandarmedfortheroad,andwaswithoutallthoseprettinesseswhichcommonlymarkedhisattire.Butashevolunteerednofurtherinformation,anddidnotevenrefertotheplaceinwhichhefoundme,orquestionmeastotheadventureswhichhadlodgedmethere,Iletitpass,andaskedhimifhispartyhadovertakenthedeserters.
\'Yes,\'heanswered,\'withnoresult.\'
\'Andtheking?\'
\'M.deRambouilletiswithhimnow,\'herejoined,stillbendingoverhistracing.
Thisanswerrelievedtheworstofmyanxieties,butthemannerofthespeakerwassodistraitandsomuchatvariancewiththestudiedINSOUCIANCEwhichheusually,affected,thatIonlygrewmorealarmed.IglancedatSimonFleix,buthekepthisfaceaverted,andIcouldgathernothingfromit;thoughIobservedthathe,too,wasdressedfortheroad,andworehisarms.I
listened,butIcouldhearnosoundswhichindicatedthattheProvost-Marshalwasapproaching.ThenonasuddenIthoughtofMademoiselledelaVire.CoulditbethatMaignanhadprovedunequaltohistask?
Istartedimpetuouslyfrommystoolundertheinfluenceoftheemotionwhichthisthoughtnaturallyaroused,andseizedM.
d\'Agenbythearm.\'Whathashappened?\'Iexclaimed.\'IsitBruhl?Didhebreakintomylodgingslastnight?What!\'I
continued,staggeringbackasIreadtheconfirmationofmyfearsinhisface.\'Hedid?\'
M.d\'Agen,whohadrisenalso,pressedmyhandwithconvulsiveenergy.Gazingintomyface,heheldmeamomentthusembraced,Hismannerastrangemixtureoffiercenessandemotion.\'Alas,yes,\'heanswered,\'hedid,andtookawaythosewhomhefoundthere!Thosewhomhefoundthere,youunderstand!ButM.deRambouilletisonhiswayhere,andinafewminutesyouwillbefree.Wewillfollowtogether.Ifweovertakethem——well.Ifnot,itwillbetimetotalk.\'
Hebrokeoff,andIstoodlookingathim,stunnedbytheblow,yetinthemidstofmyownhorrorandsurpriseretainingsenseenoughtowonderatthegloomonhisbrowandthepassionwhichtrembledinhiswords.Whathadthistodowithhim?\'ButBruhl?\'Isaidatlast,recoveringmyselfwithaneffort——\'howdidhegainaccesstotheroom?Ileftitguarded.\'
\'Byaruse,whileMaignanandhismenwereaway,\'wastheanswer.
\'Onlythisladofyourswasthere.Bruhl\'smenoverpoweredhim.\'
\'WhichwayhasBruhlgone?\'Imuttered,mythroatdry,myheartbeatingwildly.
Heshookhishead.\'Allweknowisthathepassedthroughthesouthgatewithelevenhorsemen,twowomen,andsixledhorses,atdaybreakthismorning,\'heanswered.\'Maignancametomyunclewiththenews,andM.deRambouilletwentatonce,earlyasitwas,tothekingtoprocureyourrelease.Heshouldbeherenow.\'
Ilookedatthebarredwindow,themosthorriblefearsatmyheart;fromittoSimonFleix,whostoodbesideit,hisattitudeexpressingtheutmostdejection.Iwenttowardshim.\'Youhound!\'Isaidinalowvoice,\'howdidithappen?\'
Tomysurprisehefellinamomentonhisknees,andraisedhisarmasthoughtowardoffablow.\'TheyimitatedMaignan\'svoice,\'hemutteredhoarsely.\'Weopened.\'
\'Andyoudaretocomehereandtellme!\'Icried,scarcelyrestrainingmypassion.\'You,towhomIentrustedher.You,whomIthoughtdevotedtoher.Youhavedestroyedher,man!\'
Heroseassuddenlyashehadcowereddown.Histhin,nervousfaceunderwentastartlingchange;growingonasuddenhardandrigid,whilehiseyesbegantoglitterwithexcitement.\'I——I
havedestroyedher?Ay,mondieu!IHAVE,\'hecried,speakingtomyface,andnolongerflinchingoravoidingmyeye.\'Youmaykillme,ifyoulike.Youdonotknowall.ItwasIwhostolethefavourshegaveyoufromyourdoublet,andthensaidM.deRosnyhadtakenit!ItwasIwhotoldheryouhadgivenitaway!
ItwasIwhobroughthertotheLittleSisters\',thatshemightseeyouwithMadamedeBruhl!ItwasIwhodidall,anddestroyedher!Nowyouknow!Dowithmewhatyoulike!\'
Heopenedhisarmsasthoughtoreceiveablow,whileIstoodbeforehimastoundedbeyondmeasurebyadisclosuresounexpected;fullofrighteouswrathandindignation,andyetuncertainwhatIoughttodo.\'DidyoualsoletBruhlintotheroomonpurpose?\'Icriedatlast.
\'I?\'heexclaimed,withasuddenflashofrageinhiseyes.\'I
wouldhavediedfirst!\'
IdonotknowhowImighthavetakenthisconfession;butatthemomenttherewasatramplingofhorsesoutside,andbeforeI
couldanswerhimIheardM.deRambouilletspeakinginhaughtytones,atthedoorbelow.TheProvost-Marshalwaswithhim,buthislowernoteswerelostintheringofbridlesandthestampingofimpatienthoofs.Ilookedtowardsthedoorofmyroom,whichstoodajar,andpresentlythetwoentered,theMarquislisteningwithanairofcontemptuousindifferencetotheapologieswhichtheother,whoattendedathiselbow,waspouringforth.M.deRambouillet\'sfacereflectednoneofthegloomanddespondencywhichM.d\'Agen\'sexhibitedinsomarkedadegree.Heseemed,onthecontrary,fullofgaietyandgood-humour,and,comingforwardandseeingme,embracedmewiththeutmostkindnessandcondescension.
\'Ha!myfriend,\'hesaidcheerfully,\'soIfindyouhereafterall!Butneverfear.Iamthismomentfromthekingwithanorderforyourrelease.HisMajestyhastoldmeall,makingmetherebyyourlastingfriendanddebtor.Asforthisgentleman,\'
hecontinued,turningwithacoldsmiletotheProvost-Marshal,whoseemedtobetremblinginhisboots,\'hemayexpectanimmediateorderalso.M.deVillequierhaswiselygonea-
hunting,andwillnotbebackforadayortwo.\'
RackedasIwasbysuspenseandanxiety,Icouldnotassailhimwithimmediatepetitions.Itbehovedmefirsttothankhimforhispromptintervention,andthisintermsaswarmasIcouldinvent.NorcouldIinjusticefailtocommendtheProvost;tohim,representingtheofficer\'sconducttome,andlaudinghisability.Allthis,thoughmyheartwassickwiththoughtandfearanddisappointment,andeveryminuteseemedanage.
\'Well,well,\'theMarquissaidwithstatelygood-nature,\'WewilllaytheblameonVillequierthen.Heisanoldfox,however,andtentoonehewillgoscot-free.Itisnotthefirsttimehehasplayedthistrick.ButIhavenotyetcometotheendofmycommission,\'hecontinuedpleasantly.\'HisMajestysendsyouthis,M.deMarsac,andbademesaythathehadloadeditforyou.\'
HedrewfromunderhiscloakashespokethepistolwhichIhadleftwiththeking,andwhichhappenedtobethesameM.deRosnyhadgivenme.Itookit,marvellingimpatientlyatthecarefulmannerinwhichhehandledit;butinamomentIunderstoodforI
founditloadedtothemuzzlewithgold-pieces,ofwhichtwoorthreefellandrolleduponthefloor.Muchmovedbythissubstantialmarkoftheking\'sgratitude,Iwasneverthelessforpocketingtheminhaste;buttheMarquis,tosatisfyalittlecuriosityonhispart,wouldhavemecountthem,andbroughtthetaletoalittleovertwothousandlivres,withoutcountingaringsetwithpreciousstoneswhichIfoundamongthem.ThishandsomepresentdivertedmythoughtsfromSimonFleix,butcouldnotrelievetheanxietyIfeltonmademoiselle\'saccount.ThethoughtofherpositionsotorturedmethatM.deRambouilletbegantoperceivemystateofmind,andhastenedtoassuremethatbeforegoingtotheCourthehadalreadyissuedorderscalculatedtoassistme.
\'Youdesiretofollowthislady,Iunderstand?\'hesaid.\'Whatwiththekingwhoisenragedbeyondtheordinarybythisoutrage,andFrancoisthere,whoseemedbesidehimselfwhenbeheardthenews,Ihavenotgotanyveryclearideaoftheposition.\'
\'Shewasentrustedtomeby——byone,sir,wellknowntoyou,\'I
answeredhoarsely.\'Myhonourisengagedtohimandtoher.IfIfollowonmyfeetandalone,Imustfollow.IfIcannotsaveher,Icanatleastpunishthevillainswhohavewrongedher.\'
\'Buttheman\'swifeiswiththem,\'hesaidinsomewonder.
\'Thatgoesfornothing,\'Ianswered.
HesawthestrongemotionunderwhichIlaboured,andwhichscarcelysufferedmetoanswerhimwithpatience;andhelookedatmecuriously,butnotunkindly.\'Thesooneryouareoff,thebetterthen,\'hesaid,nodding.\'Igatheredasmuch.ThemanMaignanwillhavehisfellowsatthesouthgateanhourbeforenoon,Iunderstand.Francoishastwolackeys,andheiswildtogo.Withyourselfandtheladthereyouwillmusternineswords.
Iwilllendyoutwo.Icansparenomore,forwemayhaveanEMEUTEatanymoment.Youwilltaketheroad,therefore,eleveninall,andshouldovertakethemsometimeto-nightifyourhorsesareincondition.\'
Ithankedhimwarmly,withoutregardinghiskindlystatementthatmyconductonthepreviousdayhadlaidhimunderlastingobligationstome.Wewentdowntogether,andhetransferredtwoofhisfellowstomethereandthen,biddingthemchangetheirhorsesforfreshonesandmeetmeatthesouthgate.Hesentalsoamantomystable——SimonFleixhavingdisappearedintheconfusion——fortheCid,andwasintheactofinquiringwhetherI
neededanythingelse,whenawomanslippedthroughtheknotofhorsemenwhosurroundedusaswestoodinthedoorwayofthehouse,and,throwingherselfuponme,graspedmebythearm.ItwasFanchette.Herharshfeaturesweredistortedwithgrief,hercheeksweremottledwiththeviolentweepinginwhichsuchpersonsventtheirsorrow.Herhairhunginlongwispsonherneck.Herdresswastornanddraggled,andtherewasagreatbruiseoverhereye.Shehadtheairofonefranticwithdespairandmisery.
Shecaughtmebythecloak,andshookmesothatIstaggered.\'I
havefoundyouatlast!\'shecriedjoyfully.\'Youwilltakemewithyou!Youwilltakemetoher!\'
Thoughherwordstriedmycomposure,andmyheartwentouttoher,Istrovetoanswerheraccordingtothesenseofthematter.
\'Itisimpossible,Isaidsternly.\'Thisisamanserrand.Weshallhavetoridedayandnight,mygoodwoman.\'
\'ButIwillridedayandnighttoo!\'sherepliedpassionately,flingingthehairfromhereyes,andlookingwildlyfrommetoM.
Rambouillet.\'WhatwouldInotdoforher?Iamasstrongasaman,andstronger.Takeme,takeme,Isay,andwhenImeetthatvillainIwilltearhimlimbforlimb!\'
Ishuddered,listeningtoher;butrememberingthat,beingcountrybred,shewasreallyasstrongasshesaid,andthatlikelyenoughsomeadvantagemightaccruetousfromherperfectfidelityanddevotiontohermistress,Igaveareluctantconsent.IsentoneofM.deRambouillet\'smentothestablewherethedeafman\'sbaywasstanding,biddinghimpaywhateverwasduetothedealer,andbringthehorsetothesouthgate;myintentionbeingtomountoneofmymenonit,andfurnishthewomanwithalesstrickysteed.
Thebrisknessoftheseandthelikepreparations,whichevenforoneofmyageandinmystateofanxietywerenotdevoid,ofpleasure,preventedmythoughtsdwellingonthefuture.ContenttohaveM.Francois\'assistancewithoutfollowinguptookeenlythetrainofideaswhichhisreadinesssuggested,IwassatisfiedalsotomakeuseofSimonwithoutcallinghimtoinstantaccountforhistreachery.Thebustleofthestreets,whichtheconfirmationoftheking\'sspeedydeparturehadfilledwithsurly,murmuringcrowds,tendedstillfurthertokeepmyfearsatbay;whilethecontrastbetweenmypresentcircumstances,asI
rodethroughthemwell-appointedandwell-attended,withtheMarquisbymyside,andthepoorappearanceIhadexhibitedonmyfirstarrivalinBlois,couldnotfailtoinspiremewithhopethatImightsurmountthisdanger,also,andintheeventfindMademoisellesafeanduninjured.ItookleaveofM.deRambouilletwithmanyexpressionsofesteemonbothsides,andafewminutesbeforeelevenreachedtherendezvousoutsidethesouthgate.
M.d\'AgenandMaignanadvancedtomeetme,theformerstillpresentinganexteriorsosternandgravethatIwonderedtoseehim,andcouldscarcelybelievehewasthesamegaysparkwhoseelegantaffectationshadmorethanoncecausedmetosmile.Hesalutedmeinsilence;Maignanwithasheepishair,whichill-
concealedthesavagetemperdefeathadrousedinhim.Countingmymen,Ifoundwemusteredtenonly,buttheequerryexplainedthathehaddespatchedarideraheadtomakeinquiriesandleavewordforusatconvenientpoints;totheendthatwemightfollowthetrailwithasfewdelaysaspossible.HighlycommendingMaignanforhisforethoughtinthis,Igavethewordtostart,andcrossingtheriverbytheSt.GervaisBridge,wetooktheroadforSellesatasmarttrot.
Theweatherhadchangedmuchinthelasttwenty-fourhours.Thesunshonebrightly,withawarmwestwind,andthecountryalreadyshowedsignsoftheearlyspringwhichmarkedthatyear.
If,thefirsthurryofdepartureover,Ihadnowleisuretofeelthegnawingofanxietyandthetorturesinflictedbyanimaginationwhich,faroutstrippingus,rodewiththosewhomwepursuedandsharedtheirperils,Ifoundtwosourcesofcomfortstillopentome.Nomanwhohasseenservicecanlookonalittlebandofwell-appointedhorsemenwithoutpleasure.I
reviewedthestalwartformsandsternfaceswhichmovedbesidemeandcomparingtheirdecentorderandsoundequipmentswiththescurvyfoulnessofthemenwhohadriddennorthwithme,thankedGod,and,ceasedtowonderattheindignationwhichMatthewandhisfellowshadarousedinmademoiselle\'smind.Myothersourceofsatisfaction,theregularbeatofhoofsandringofbridlescontinuallyaugmented.EverysteptookusfartherfromBlois——
fartherfromtheclosetownandreekingstreetsandtheCourt;
which,ifitnolongerseemedtomeashambles,befouledbyonegreatdeedofblood——experiencehadremovedthatimpression——
retainedanappearanceinfinitelymeanandmiserableinmyeyes.
Ihatedandloatheditsintriguesanditsjealousies,thefollywhichtrifledinaclosetwhilerebellionmasteredFrance,andthepettinesswhichrecognisednowisdomsavethatofbalancingpartyandparty.IthankedGodthatmyworktherewasdone,andcouldhavewelcomedanyotheroccasionthatforcedmetoturnmybackonit,andsentmeatlargeoverthepureheaths,throughthewoods,andunderthewideheaven,speckledwithmovingclouds.
Butsuchspringsofcomfortsoonrandry.M.d\'Agen\'sgloomyrageandthefierygleaminMaignan\'seyewouldhaveremindedme,hadIbeeninanydangerofforgettingtheerrandonwhichwewerebound,andtheneed,exceedingallotherneeds,whichcompelledustolosenomomentthatmightbeused.Thosewhomwefollowedhadfivehours\'start.Thethoughtofwhatmight;
happeninthosefivehourstothetwohelplesswomenwhomIhadsworntoprotectburneditselfintomymind;sothattorefrainfromputtingspurstomyhorseandridingrecklesslyforwardtaxedattimesallmyself-control.Thehorsesseemedtocrawl.
Themenrisingandfallinglistlesslyintheirsaddlesmaddenedme.ThoughIcouldnothopetocomeuponanytraceofourquarryformanyhours,perhapsfordays,Iscannedthelong,flatheathsunceasingly,searchedeverymarshybottombeforewedescendedintoit,andpantedforthemomentwhenthenextlowridgeshouldexposetoourviewafreshtrackofwoodandwaste.Therosyvisionsofthepastnight,andthosefanciesinparticularwhichhadmadethedawnmemorable,recurredtome,ashisdeedsinthebodysomensaytoahopelessdrowningwretch.IgrewtothinkofnothingbutBruhlandrevenge.EventheabsurdcarewithwhichSimonavoidedtheneighbourhoodofFanchette,ridinganywheresolongashemightrideatadistancefromtheangrywoman\'stongueandhand——whichprovokedmanyalaughfromthemen,andcametobethejokeofthecompany——failedtodrawasmilefromme.
WepassedthroughContres,fourleaguesfromBlois,anhourafternoon,andthreehourslatercrossedtheCheratSelles,wherewestayedawhiletobaitourhorses.Herewehadnewsofthepartybeforeus,andhenceforthhadlittledoubtthatBruhlwasmakingfortheLimousin;adistrictinwhichhemightrestsecureundertheprotectionofTurenne,andsafelydefyaliketheKingofFranceandtheKingofNavarre.Thegreaterthenecessity,itwasplain,forspeed;buttheroadsinthatneighbourhood,andforwardasfarasValancy,provedheavyand,foundrous,anditwasallwecoulddotoreachLevrouxwithjadedhorsesthreehoursaftersunset.TheprobabilitythatBruhlwouldlieatChateauroux,fiveleaguesfartheron——forIcouldnotconceivethatunderthecircumstanceshewouldsparethewomen——wouldhaveledmetopushforwardhaditbeenpossible;butthedarknessandthedifficultyoffindingaguidewhowouldventuredeterredmefromthehopelessattempt,andwestayedthenightwherewewere.
Herewefirstheardoftheplague;whichwassaidtoberavagingChateaurouxandallthecountryfarthersouth.Thelandlordoftheinnwouldhaveregaleduswithmanystoriesofit,andparticularlyoftheswiftnesswithwhichmenandevencattlesuccumbedtoitsattacks.Butwehadotherthingstothinkof,andbetweenanxietyandwearinesshadcleanforgottenthematterwhenwerosenextmorning.
Westartedshortlyafterdaybreak,andforthreeleaguespressedonattolerablespeed.Then,fornoreasonstated,ourguidegaveustheslipaswepassedthroughawood,andwasseennomore.Welosttheroad,andhadtoretraceoursteps.Westrayedintoaslough,andextractedourselveswithdifficulty.
ThemanwhowasridingthebayIhadpurchasedforgotthesecretwhichIhadimpartedtohim,andgotanuglyfall.Infine,afterallthesemishapsitwantedlittleofnoon,andlesstoexhaustourpatience,whenatlengthwecameinsightofChateauroux.
Beforeenteringthetownwehadstillanadventure;forwecameataturnintheroadonasceneassurprisingasitwasatfirstinexplicable.Alittlenorthofthetown,inacoppiceofboxfacingthesouthandwest,wehappedsuddenlyonarudeencampment,consistingofadozenhutsandbooths,setbackfromtheroadandformed,someofbranchesofevergreentreeslaid.
clumsilytogether,andsomeofsackingstretchedoverpoles.A
numberofmenandwomenofdecentappearancelayontheshortgrassbeforethebooths,idlysunningthemselves;ormovedabout,cookingandtendingfires,whileascoreofchildrenracedtoandfrowithnoisyshoutsandlaughter.Theappearanceofourpartyonthescenecausedaninstantpanic.Thewomenandchildrenfledscreamingintothewood,spreadingthesoundofbreakingbranchesfartherandfartherastheyretreated;whilethemen,amiserablepale-facedset,drewtogether,andseeminghalf-
inclinedtoflyalso,regardeduswithglancesoffearandsuspicion.
Remarkingthattheirappearanceanddresswerenotthoseofvagrants,whiletheboothsseemedtoindicatelittleskillorexperienceinthebuilders,Ibademycompanionshalt,andadvancedalone.
\'Whatisthemeaningofthis,mymen?\'Isaid,addressingthefirstgroupIreached.\'Youseemtohavecomea-Mayingbeforethetime.Whenceareyou?\'
\'FromChateauroux,\'theforemostansweredsullenly.Hisdress,nowIsawhimnearer,seemedtobethatofarespectabletownsman.
\'Why?\'Ireplied.\'Haveyounohomes?\'
\'Ay,wehavehomes,\'heansweredwiththesamebrevity.
\'Thenwhy,inGod\'sname,areyouhere?\'Iretorted,markingthegloomyairanddowncastfacesofthegroup.\'Haveyoubeenharried?\'
\'Ay,harriedbythePlague!\'heansweredbitterly.\'Doyoumeantosayyouhavenotheard?InChateaurouxthereisonemandeadinthree.Takemyadvice,sir——youareabravecompany——turn,andgohomeagain.\'
\'Isitasbadasthat?\'Iexclaimed.Ihadforgottenthelandlord\'sgossip,andtheexplanationstruckmewiththeforceofsurprise.
\'Ay,isit!Doyouseethebluehaze?\'hecontinued,pointingwithasuddengesturetothelowergroundbeforeus,overwhichalightpallofsummeryvapourhungstillandmotionless.\'Doyouseeit?Well,underthatthereisdeath!YoumayfindfoodinChateauroux,andstallsforyourhorses,andamantotakemoney;
fortherearestillmenthere.ButcrosstheIndre,andyouwillseesightsworsethanabattle-fieldaweekold!Youwillfindnolivingsoulinhouseorstableorchurch,butcorpsesplenty.
Thelandiscursed!cursedforheresy,somesay!Halfaredead,andhalfarefledtothewoods!Andifyoudonotdieoftheplague,youwillstarve.\'
\'Godforbid!\'Imuttered,thinkingwithashudderofthosebeforeus.Thisledmetoaskhimifapartyresemblingoursinnumber,andincludingtwowomen,hadpassedthatway.Heanswered,Yes,aftersunsettheeveningbefore;thattheirhorseswerestumblingwithfatigueandthemenswearinginpureweariness.Hebelievedthattheyhadnotenteredthetown,buthadmadearudeencampmenthalfamilebeyondit;andhadagainbrokenthisup,andriddensouthwardstwoorthreehoursbeforeourarrival.
\'Thenwemayovertakethemto-day?\'Isaid.
\'Byyourleave,sir,\'heanswered,withgravemeaning.\'Ithinkyouaremorelikelytomeetthem.\'
Shruggingmyshoulders,Ithankedhimshortlyandlefthim;thefullimportanceofpreventingmymenhearingwhatIhadheard——
lestthepanicwhichpossessedthesetownspeopleshouldseizeonthemalso——beingalreadyinmymind.Neverthelessthethoughtcametoolate,foronturningmyhorseIfoundoneoftheforemost,along,solemn-facedman,hadalreadyfoundhiswaytoMaignan\'sstirrup;wherehewasdilatingsoeloquentlyupontheenemywhichawaitedussouthwardsthatthecountenancesofhalfthetrooperswereaslongashisown,andIsawnothingforitbuttointerrupthisorationbyasmartapplicationofmyswitchtohisshoulders.Havingthusstoppedhim,andratedhimbacktohisfellows,Igavethewordtomarch.Themenobeyedmechanically,weswungintoacanter,andforamomentthedangerwasover.
ButIknewthatitwouldrecuragainandagain.Stealthilymarkingthefacesroundme,andlisteningtothewhisperedtalkwhichwenton,Isawtheterrorspreadfromonetoanother.
Voiceswhichearlierinthedayhadbeenraisedinsongandjestgrewsilent.GreatrecklessfellowsofMaignan\'sfollowing,whohadanoathandablowforallcomers,andtowhomthedeepestfordseemedtobechild\'splay,rodewithdroopingheadsandknittedbrows;orscannedwithill-concealedanxietythestrangehazebeforeus,throughwhichtheroofsofthetown,andhereandtherealowhillorlineofpoplars,rosetoplainerview.Maignanhimself,thestoutestofthestout,lookedgrave,andhadlosthisswaggeringair.OnlythreepersonspreservedtheirSANG-FROIDentire.Ofthese,M.d\'Agenrodeasifhehadheardnothing,andSimonFleixasifhefearednothing;whileFanchette,gazingeagerlyforward,saw,itwasplain,onlyoneobjectinthemist,andthatwasherMistress\'sface.
\'Wefoundthegatesofthetownopen,andthis,whichprovedtobetheheraldofstrangersights,dauntedtheheartsofmymenmorethanthemosthostilereception.Asweentered,ourhorses\'
hoofs,clatteringloudlyonthepavement,awokeahundredechoesintheemptyhousestorightandleft.Themainstreet,floodedwithsunshine,whichmadeitsdesolationseemahundredtimesmoreformidable,stretchedawaybeforeus,bareandempty;orhauntedonlybyafewslinkingdogs,andprowlingwretches,whofled,affrightedattheunaccustomedsounds,orstoodandeyeduslistlesslyasmepassed.Abelltolled;inthedistanceweheardthewailingofwomen.Thesilentways,theblackcrosswhichmarkedeveryseconddoor,thefrightfulfaceswhichonceortwicelookedoutfromupperwindowsandblastedoursight,infectedmymenwithterrorsoprofoundandsoungovernablethatatlastdisciplinewasforgotten;andoneshovinghishorsebeforeanotherinnarrowplaces,therewasascuffletobefirst.One,andthenasecond,begantotrot.Thetrotgrewintoashufflingcanter.Thegatesoftheinnlayopen,nayseemedtoinviteustoenter;butnooneturnedorhalted.Movedbyasingleimpulsewepushedbreathlesslyonandon,untiltheopencountrywasreached,andwewhohadenteredthestreetsinsilentawe,sweptoutandoverthebridgeasifthefiendwereatourheels.
ThatIsharedinthisflightcausesmenoshameevennow,formymenwereatthetimeungovernable,asthebest-trainedtroopsarewhenseizedbysuchpanics;and,moreover,Icouldhavedonenogoodbyremaininginthetown,wherethestrengthofthecontagionwasprobablygreaterandtheinnlarderliketobeasbare,asthehillside.Fewtownsarewithoutahostelryoutsidethegatesfortheconvenienceofknightsoftheroadorthosewhowouldavoidthedues,andChateaurouxprovednoexceptiontothisrule.Ashorthalf-milefromthewallswedrewreinbeforeasecondencampmentraisedaboutawaysidehouse.Itscarcelyneededthesoundofmusicmingledwithbrawlingvoicestoinformusthatthewilderspiritsofthetownhadtakenrefugehere,andwereseekingtodrowninriotanddebauchery,asIhaveseenhappeninabesiegedplace,theremembranceoftheenemywhichstalkedabroadinthesunshine.Oursuddenappearance,whileitputastoptothemimicryofmirth,broughtoutascoreofmenandwomenineverystageofdrunkennessanddishevelment,ofwhomsome,withhiccoughsandloosegestures,criedtoustojointhem,whileotherssworehorridlyatbeingrecalledtothepresent,which,withthefuture,theywereendeavouringtoforget.
Icursedtheminreturnforapackofcravenwretches,andthreateningtoridedownthosewhoobstructedus,orderedmymenforward;haltingeventuallyaquarterofamilefartheron,whereawoodofgroundlingoakswhichstillworelastyear\'sleavesaffordedfairshelter.Afraidtoleavemymenmyself,lestsomeshouldstraytotheinnandothersdesertaltogether,IrequestedM.d\'AgentoreturnthitherwithMaignanandSimon,andbringuswhatforageandfoodwerequired.Thishedidwithperfectsuccess,thoughnotuntilafterascuffle,inwhichMaignanshowedhimselfamatchforahundred.Wewateredthehorsesataneighbouringbrook,andassigningtwohourstorestandrefreshment——agreatpartofwhichM.d\'AgenandIspentwalkingupanddowninmoodysilence,eachimmersedinhisownthoughts——
wepresentlytooktheroadagainwithrenewedspirits.
Butapanicisnoteasilyshakenoff,norisanyfearsodifficulttocombatanddefeatasthefearoftheinvisible.Theterrorswhichfoodanddrinkhadforatimethrustoutpresentlyreturnedwithsevenfoldforce.Menlookeduneasilyinoneanother\'sfaces,andfromthemtothehazewhichveiledalldistantobjects.Theymutteredoftheheat,whichwassudden,strange,andabnormalatthattimeoftheyear.Andby-and-bytheyhadotherthingstospeakof.Wemetaman,whoranbesideusandbeggedofus,cryingoutinadreadfulvoicethathiswifeandfourchildrenlayunburiedinthehouse.Alittlefartheron,besideawell,thecorpseofawomanwithachildatherbreastlaypoisoningthewater;shehadcrawledtoittoappeaseherthirst,anddiedofthedraught.Lastofall,in,abeech-
woodnearLotierwecameuponaladylivinginhercoach,withoneortwopanic-strickenwomenforheronlyattendants.HerhusbandwasinParis,shetoldme;halfherservantsweredead,theresthadfled.Stillsheretainedinaremarkabledegreebothcourageandcourtesy,andacceptingwithfortitudemyreasonsandexcusesforperforceleavingherinsuchaplight,gavemeaclearaccountofBruhlandhisparty,whohadpassedhersome,hoursbefore.Thepictureofthisladygazingafteruswithperfectgood-breeding,aswerodeawayatspeed,followedbythelamentationsofherwomen,remainswithmetothisday;
fillingmymindatoncewithadmirationandmelancholy.For,asIlearnedlater,shefellilloftheplaguewhereweleftherinthebeech-wood,anddiedinanightwithbothherservants.