Igrew——shamethatIshouldsayit——tothinkmoreandmoreofthesethings;untilmademoiselle,readingthesigns,toldmeonedaythatwemustgo.\'Thoughneveragain,\'sheaddedwithasigh,\'shallwebesohappy.\'
\'Thenwhygo?\'Iaskedfoolishly.
\'Becauseyouareaman,\'sheansweredwithawisesmile,\'asI
wouldhaveyoube,andyouneedsomethingbesideslove.To-
morrowwewillgo.\'
\'Whither?\'Isaidinamazement.
\'TothecampbeforeParis,\'sheanswered.\'Wewillgobackinthelightofday——seeingthatwehavedonenothingofwhichtobeashamed——andthrowourselvesonthejusticeoftheKingofNavarre.YoushallplacemewithMadameCatherine,whowillnotrefusetoprotectme;andso,sweet,youwillhaveonlyyourselftothinkof.Come,sir,\'shecontinued,layingherlittlehandinmine,andlookingintomyeyes,\'youarenotafraid?\'
\'IammoreafraidthaneverIusedtobe,\'Isaidtrembling.
\'SoIwouldhaveit,\'shewhispered,hidingherfaceonmyshoulder.\'Neverthelesswewillgo.\'
Andgowedid.TheaudacityofsuchareturninthefaceofTurenne,whowasdoubtlessintheKingofNavarre\'ssuite,almosttookmybreathaway;nevertheless,Isawthatitpossessedoneadvantagewhichnoothercoursepromised——that,Imean,ofsettingusrightintheeyesoftheworld,andenablingmetomeetinastraightforwardmannersuchasmalignedus.AftersomeconsiderationIgavemyassent,merelyconditioningthatuntilwereachedtheCourtweshouldridemasked,andshunasfaraspossibleencountersbytheroad.
CHAPTERXXXII.
ATAVERNBRAWL.
Onthefollowingday,accordingly,westarted.Butthenewsofthetwokings\'successes,andparticularlythecertaintywhichthesehadbredinmanymindsthatnothingshortofamiraclecouldsaveParis,hadmovedsomanygentlementotaketheroadthatwefoundtheinnscrowdedbeyondexample,andwerefrequentlyforcedintomeetingswhichmadethetaskofconcealingouridentitymoredifficultandhazardousthanIhadexpected.
Sometimesshelterwasnottobeobtainedonanyterms,andthenwehadtolieinthefieldsorinanyconvenientshed.Moreover,thepassageofthearmyhadsweptthecountrysobarebothoffoodandforage,thatthesecommandedastonishingprices;andalongday\'sridemorethanoncebroughtustoourdestinationwithoutsecuringforustheamplemealwehadearned,andrequired.
Underthesecircumstances,itwaswithjoylittleshortoftransportthatIrecognisedthemarvellouschangewhichhadcomeovermymistress.Bearingallwithoutamurmur,orafrown,orsomuchasonecomplainingword,sheactedonnumberlessoccasionssoastoconvincemethatshespoketruly——albeitI
scarcelydaredtobelieveit——whenshesaidthatshehadbutonetroubleintheworld,andthatwastheprospectofourcomingseparation.
Formypart,anddespitesomegloomymoments,whenfearofthefutureovercameme,IrodeinParadiseridingbymymistress.Itwasherpresencewhichglorifiedalikethefirstfreshnessofthemorning,whenwestartedwithallthedaybeforeus,andthecoolnessofthelateevening,whenwerodehand-in-hand.NorcouldIbelievewithoutaneffortthatIwasthesameGastondeMarsacwhoshehadoncespurnedanddisdained.GodknowsIwasthankfulforherlove.Athousandtimes,thinkingofmygreyhairs,Iaskedherifshedidnotrepent;andathousandtimessheansweredNo,withsomuchhappinessinhereyesthatIwasfaintothankGodagainandbelieveher.
Notwithstandingtheinconvenienceofthepractice,wemadeitaruletowearourmaskswheneverweappearedinpublic;andthisrulemekeptmorestrictlyasweapproachedParis.Itexposedustosomecommentandmorecuriosity,butledtonoserioustroubleuntilwereachedEtampes,twelveleaguesfromthecapital;wherewefoundtheprincipalinnsonoisyandcrowded,andsomuchdisturbedbytheconstantcomingandgoingofcouriers,thatitrequirednoexperiencetopredicatetheneighbourhoodofthearmy.Thegreatcourtyardseemedtobechokedwithaconfusedmassofmenandhorses,throughwhichwemadeourwaywithdifficulty.Thewindowsofthehousewereallopen,andofferedusaviewoftablessurroundedbymeneatinganddrinkinghastily,asthemanneroftravellersis.Thegatewayandthestepsofthehousewerelinedwithtroopersandservantsandsturdyrogues;whoscannedallwhopassedinorout,andnotunfrequentlyfollowedthemwithribaldjestsandnicknames.
Songsandoaths,brawlingandlaughter,withtheneighingofhorsesandthehuzzasofthebeggars,whoshoutedwheneverafreshpartyarrived,roseaboveall,andincreasedthereluctancewithwhichIassistedmadameandmademoiselletodismount.
Simonwasnomatchforsuchanoccasionasthis;butthestalwartaspectofthethreemenwhomMaignanhadleftwithmecommandedrespect,andattendedbytwooftheseImadeawayfortheladies——notwithoutsomeoppositionandafewoaths——toenterthehouse.Thelandlord,whomwefoundcrushedintoacornerinside,andentirelyoverbornebythecrowdwhichhadinvadedhisdwelling,assuredmethathehadnotthesmallestgarrethecouldplaceatmydisposal;butIpresentlysucceededinfindingasmallroomatthetop,whichIpurchasedfromthefourmenwhohadtakenpossessionofit.Asitwasimpossibletogetanythingtoeatthere,Ileftamanonguard,andmyselfdescendedwithmadameandmademoiselletotheeating-room,alargechambersetwithlongboards,andfilledwitharoughandnoisycrew.Underarunningfireofobservationsweentered,andfoundwithdifficultythreeseatsinaninnercorneroftheroom.
Iranmyeyeoverthecompany,andnoticedamongthem,besidesadozentravellingpartieslikeourown,specimensofallthoseclasseswhicharetobefoundintherearofanarmy.Thereweresomeofficersandmorehorse-dealers;halfadozenforage-agentsandafewpriests;withalargesprinklingofadventurers,braves,andled-captains,andhereandtheretwoorthreewhosedressandthedeferencepaidtothembytheirneighboursseemedtoindicateahigherrank.Conspicuousamongtheselastwereapartyoffourwhooccupiedasmalltablebythedoor.Anattempthadbeenmadetosecuresomedegreeofprivacyforthembyinterposingasettlebetweenthemandtheroom;andtheirattendants,whoseemedtobenumerous,didwhattheycouldtoaddtothisbyfillingthegapwiththeirpersons.Oneofthefour,amanofhandsomedressandbearing,whosatintheplaceofhonour,wasmasked,aswewere.ThegentlemanathisrighthandIcouldnotsee.Theothers,whomIcouldsee,werestrangerstome.
Sometimeelapsedbeforeourpeoplesucceededinprocuringusanyfood,andduringtheintervalwewereexposedtoanamountofcommentonthepartofthoserounduswhichIfoundverylittletomyliking.Therewerenothalfadozenwomenpresent,andthisandourmasksrenderedmycompanionsunpleasantlyconspicuous.Aware,however,oftheimportanceofavoidinganaltercationwhichmightpossiblydetainus,andwouldbecertaintoaddtoournotoriety,Iremainedquiet;andpresentlytheentranceofatall,dark-complexionedman,whocarriedhimselfwithapeculiarswagger,andseemedtobefamousforsomethingorother,divertedtheattentionofthecompanyfromus.
Thenew-comerwassomewhatofMaignan\'sfigure.Heworeabackandbreastoveragreendoublet,andhadanorangefeatherinhiscapandanorange-linedcloakonhisshoulder.Onenteringhestoodamomentinthedoorway,lettinghisboldblackeyesroveroundtheroom,thewhilehetalkedinaloudbraggartfashiontohiscompanions.Therewasalackofbreedingintheman\'sair,andsomethingoffensiveinhislook;whichInoticedproducedwhereveritrestedamomentarysilenceandconstraint.WhenhemovedfartherintotheroomIsawthatheworeaverylongsword,thepointofwhichtrailedafootbehindhim.
HechoseoutforhisfirstattentionsthepartyoffourwhomI
havementioned;goinguptothemandaccostingthemwitharufflingair,directedespeciallytothegentlemaninthemask.
Thelatterliftedhisheadhaughtilyonfindinghimselfaddressedbyastranger,butdidnotoffertoanswer.Someoneelsedid,however,forasuddenbellowlikethatofanenragedbullproceededfrombehindthesettle.Thewordswerelostinnoise,theunseenspeaker\'sangerseemingsooverpoweringthathecouldnotarticulate;butthetoneandvoice,whichwereinsomewayfamiliartome,provedenoughforthebully,who,coveringhisretreatwithaprofoundbow,backedoutrapidly,mutteringwhatwasdoubtlessanapology.Cockinghishatmorefiercelytomakeupforthisrepulse,henextproceededtopatroltheroom,scowlingfromsidetosideashewent,withtheevidentintentionofpickingaquarrelwithsomeonelessformidable.
Byill-chancehiseyelit,asheturned,onourmasks.Hesaidsomethingtohiscompanions;andencouraged,nodoubt,bythepositionofourseatsattheboard,whichledhimtothinkuspeopleofsmallconsequence,hecametoastopoppositeus.
\'What!moredukeshere?\'hecriedscoffingly.\'Hallo,yousir!\'hecontinuedtome,\'willyounotunmaskanddrinkaglasswithme?\'
Ithankedhimcivilly,butdeclined.
Hisinsolenteyeswerebusy,whileIspoke,withmadame\'sfairhairandhandsomefigure,whichhermaskfailedtohide.
\'Perhapstheladieswillhavebettertaste,sir,\'hesaidrudely.
\'Willtheynothonouruswithasightoftheirprettyfaces?\'
KnowingtheimportanceofkeepingmytemperIputconstraintonmyself,andanswered,stillwithcivility,thattheyweregreatlyfatiguedandwereabouttoretire.
\'Zounds!\'hecried,\'thatisnottobeborne.Ifwearetolosethemsosoon,themorereasonweshouldenjoytheirBEAUXYEUX
whilewecan.Ashortlifeandamerryone,sir.Thisisnotanunnery,nor,Idareswear,areyourfairfriendsnuns.\'
ThoughIlongedtochastisehimforthisinsult,Ifeigneddeafness,andwentonwithmymealasifIhadnotheardhim;andthetablebeingbetweenuspreventedhimgoingbeyondwords.
Afterhehadutteredoneortwocoarsejestsofasimilarcharacter,whichcostuslessasweweremasked,andouremotionscouldonlybeguessed,thecrowdaboutus,seeingItookthethingquietly,begantoapplaudhim;butmoreasitseemedtomeoutoffearthanlove.InthisopinionIwaspresentlyconfirmedonhearingfromSimonwhowhisperedtheinformationinmyearashehandedadish——thatthefellowwasanItaliancaptainintheking\'spay,famousforhisskillwiththeswordandthemanyduelsinwhichhehaddisplayedit.
Mademoiselle,thoughshedidnotknowthis,borewithhisinsolencewithapatiencewhichastonishedme;whilemadameappearedunconsciousofit.Nevertheless,Iwasgladwhenheretiredandleftusinpeace.Iseizedthemomentofhisabsencetoescorttheladiesthroughtheroomandupstairstotheirapartment,thedoorofwhichIsawlockedandsecured.ThatdoneIbreathedmorefreely;andfeelingthankfulthatIhadbeenabletokeepmytemper,tooktheepisodetobeatanend.
ButinthisIwasmistaken,asIfoundwhenIreturnedtotheroominwhichwehadsupped,myintentionbeingtogothroughittothestables.IhadnottakentwopacesacrossthefloorbeforeIfoundmyroadblockedbytheItalian,andreadalikeinhiseyesandinthefacesofthecompany——ofwhommanyhastenedtoclimbthetablestoseewhatpassed——thatthemeetingwaspremeditated.Theman\'sfacewasflushedwithwine;proudofhismanyvictories,heeyedmewithaboastfulcontemptmypatiencehadperhapsgivenhimtherighttofeel.
\'Ha!wellmet,sir,\'hesaid,sweepingthefloorwithhiscapinanexaggerationofrespect,\'now,perhaps,yourhigh-mightinesswillcondescendtounmask?Thetableisnolongerbetweenus,norareyourfairfriendsheretoprotecttheirCHERAMI!\'
\'IfIstillrefuse,sir,\'Isaidcivilly,waveringbetweenangerandprudence,andhopingstilltoavoidaquarrelwhichmightendangerusall,\'begoodenoughtoattributeittoprivatemotives,andtonodesiretodisobligeyou.\'
\'No,Idonotthinkyouwishtodisobligeme,\'heanswered,laughingscornfully——andadozenvoicesechoedthegibe.\'Butforyourprivatemotives,thedeviltakethem!Isthatplainenough,sir?\'
\'Itisplainenoughtoshowmethatyouareanill-bredman!\'I
answered,cholergettingthebetterofme.\'Letmepass,sir.\'
\'Unmask!\'heretorted,movingsoasstilltodetainme,\'orshallIcallinthegroomstoperformtheofficeforyou?\'
Seeingatlastthatallmyattemptstoevadethemanonlyfedhisvanity,andencouragedhimtofurtherexcesses,andthatthemotleycrowd,whofilledtheroomandalreadyformedacircleroundus,hadmadeuptheirmindstoseesport,Iwouldnolongerbalkthem;Icouldnolongerdoit,indeed,withhonour.I
lookedround,therefore,forsomeonewhomImightenlistasmysecond,butIsawnoonewithwhomIhadtheleastacquaintance.
Theroomwaslinedfromtabletoceilingwithmockingfacesandscornfuleyesallturnedtome.
Myopponentsawthelook,andmisreadit;beingmuchaccustomed,Iimagine,toaone-sidedbattle.Helaughedcontemptuously.
\'No,myfriend,thereisnowayoutofit,\'hesaid.\'Letmeseeyourprettyface,orfight.\'
\'Sobeit,\'Isaidquietly.\'IfIhavenootherchoice,Iwillfight.\'
\'Inyourmask?\'hecriedincredulously.
\'Yes,\'Isaidsternly,feelingeverynervetinglewithlong-
suppressedrage.\'IwillfightasIam.Offwithyourbackandbreast,ifyouareaman.AndIwillsodealwithyouthatifyouseeto-morrow\'ssunyoushallneedamaskfortherestofyourdays!\'
\'Ho!ho!\'heanswered,scowlingatmeinsurprise,\'yousinginadifferentkeynow.ButIwillputatermtoit.Thereisspaceenoughbetweenthesetables,ifyoucanuseyourweapon;
andmuchmorethanyouwillneedto-morrow.\'
\'To-morrowwillshow,\'Iretorted.
Withoutmoreadoheunfastenedthebucklesofhisbreast-piece,andrelievinghimselfofit,steppedbackapace.Thoseofthebystanderswhooccupiedthepartoftheroomheindicated——aspaceboundedbyfourtables,andnotunfitforthepurpose,thoughsomewhatconfined——hastenedtogetoutofit,andseizeinsteaduponneighbouringpostsof\'vantage.Theman\'sreputationwassuch,andhisfamesogreat,thatonallsidesI
heardnaughtbutwagersofferedagainstmeatodds;butthiscircumstance,whichmighthaveflurriedayoungermanandnumbedhisarm,servedonlytosetmeonmakingthemostofsuchopeningsasthefellow\'spresumptionandcertaintyofsuccesswouldbesuretoafford.
Thenewsofthechallengerunningthroughthehousehadbroughttogetherbythistimesomanypeopleastofilltheroomfromendtoend,andeventoobscurethelight,whichwasbeginningtowane.Atthelastmoment,whenwewereonthepointofengaging,aslightcommotionmarkedtheadmissiontothefrontofthreeorfourpersons,whoseconsequenceorattendantsgainedthemthisadvantage.IbelievedthemtobethepartyoffourIhavementioned,butatthetimeIcouldnotbecertain.
InthefewsecondsofwaitingwhilethiswentforwardIexaminedourrelativepositionswiththefullestintentionofkillingtheman——whoseglitteringeyesandfiercesmilefilledmewithaloathingwhichwasverynearlyhatred——ifIcould.Thelineofwindowslaytomyrightandhisleft.Theeveninglightfellacrossus,whiteningtherowoffacesonmyleft,butleavingthoseonmyrightinshadow.Itoccurredtomeontheinstantthatmymaskwasactuallyanadvantage,seeingthatitprotectedmysightfromtheside-light,andenabledmetowatchhiseyesandpointwithmoreconcentration.
\'Youwillbethetwenty-thirdmanIhavekilled!\'hesaidboastfully,aswecrossedswordsandstoodaninstantonguard.
\'Takecare!\'Ianswered.\'Youhavetwenty-threeagainstyou!\'
Aswiftlungewashisonlyanswer.Iparriedit,andthrust,andwefelltowork.Wehadnotexchangedhalfadozenblows,however,beforeIsawthatIshouldneedalltheadvantagewhichmymaskandgreatercautiongaveme.Ihadmetmymatch,anditmightbesomethingmore;butthatforatimeitwasimpossibletotell.Hehadthelongerweapon,andIthelongerreach.Hepreferredthepoint,afterthenewItalianfashion,andItheblade.Hewassomewhatflushedwithwine,whilemyarmhadscarcelyrecoveredthestrengthofwhichillnesshaddeprivedme.
Ontheotherhand,excitedatthefirstbythecriesofhisbackers,heplayedratherwildly;whileIheldmyselfprepared,andkeepingupastrongguard,waitedcautiouslyforanyopeningormistakeonhispart.
Thecrowdroundus,whichhadhailedourfirstpasseswithnoisycriesofderisionandtriumph,fellsilentafterawhile,surprisedandtakenabackbytheirchampion\'sfailuretospitmeatthefirstonslaught.Myreluctancetoengagehadledthemtopredictashortfightandaneasyvictory.
Convincedofthecontrary,theybegantowatcheachstrokewithbatedbreath;ornowandagain,mutteringthenameofJarnac,brokeintobriefexclamationsasablowmoresavagethanusualdrewsparksfromourblades,andmadetheraftersringwiththeharshgrindingofsteelonsteel.
Thesurpriseofthecrowd,however,wasasmallthingcomparedwiththatofmyadversary.Impatience,disgust,rageanddoubtchasedoneanotherinturnacrosshisflushedfeatures.
Apprisedthathehadtodowithaswordsman,heputforthallhispower.Withspiteinhiseyeshelabouredblowonblow,hetriedoneformofattackafteranother,hefoundmeequal,ifbarelyequal,toall.Andthenatlasttherecameachange.Theperspirationgatheredonhisbrow,thesilencedisconcertedhim;
hefelthisstrengthfailingunderthestrain,andsuddenly,I
think,thepossibilityofdefeatanddeath,unthoughtofbefore,burstuponhim.Iheardhimgroan,andforamomenthefencedwildly.Thenheagainrecoveredhimself.ButnowIreadterrorinhiseyes,andknewthatthemomentofretributionwasathand.
Withhisbacktothetable,andmypointthreateninghisbreast,heknewatlastwhatthoseothershadfelt!
Hewouldfainhavestoppedtobreathe,butIwouldnotlethimthoughmyblowsalsoweregrowingfeeble,andmyguardweaker;
forIknewthatifIgavehimtimetorecoverhimselfhewouldhaverecoursetoothertricks,andmightout-manoeuvremeintheend.Asitwas,myblackunchangingmask,whichalwaysconfrontedhim,whichhidallemotionsandveiledevenfatigue,hadgrowntobefullofterrortohim——fullofblank,passionlessmenace.HecouldnottellhowIfared,orwhatIthought,orhowmystrengthstood.Superstitiousdreadwasonhim,andthreatened,tooverpowerhim.IgnorantwhoIwasorwhenceI
came,hefearedanddoubted,grapplingwithmonstroussuspicions,whichthefadinglightencouraged.Hisfacebrokeoutinblotches,hisbreathcameandwentingasps,hiseyesbegantoprotrude.Onceortwicetheyquittedmineforapartofasecondtostealadespairingglanceattherowsofonlookersthatrantorightandleftofus.Buthereadnopitythere.
Atlasttheendcame——moresuddenlythanIhadlookedforit,butIthinkhewasunnerved.Hishandlostitsgripofthehilt,andaparrywhichIdealtalittlemorebrisklythanusualsenttheweaponflyingamongthecrowd,asmuchtomyastonishmentastothatofthespectators.Avolleyofoathsandexclamationshailedtheevent;andforamomentIstoodatgaze,eyeinghimwatchfully.Heshrankback;thenhemadeforamomentasifhewouldflinghimselfuponmedaggerinhand.Butseeingmypointsteady,herecoiledasecondtime,hisfacedistortedwithrageandfear.
\'Go!\'Isaidsternly.\'Begone!Followyoursword!Butsparethenextmanyouconquer.\'
Hestaredatme,fingeringhisdaggerasifhedidnotunderstand,orasifinthebitternessofhisshameatbeingsodefeatedevenlifewereunwelcome.Iwasabouttorepeatmywordswhenaheavyhandfellonmyshoulder.
\'Fool!\'aharshgrowlingvoicemutteredinmyear.\'DoyouwanthimtoserveyouasAchonservedMatas?Thisisthewaytodealwithhim.\'
AndbeforeIknewwhospokeorwhattoexpectamanvaultedoverthetablebesideme.SeizingtheItalianbytheneckandwaist,heflunghimbodily——withoutpayingtheleastregardtohisdagger——intothecrowd.\'There!\'thenew-comercried,stretchinghisarmsasiftheefforthadrelievedhim,\'somuchforhim!Anddoyoubreatheyourself.Breatheyourself,myfriend,\'hecontinuedwithavain-gloriousairofgenerosity.
\'Whenyouarerestedandready,youandIwillhaveabout.Mondieu!whatathingitistoseeaman!Andbymyfaithyouareaman!\'
\'But,sir,\'Isaid,staringathimintheutmostbewilderment,\'wehavenoquarrel.\'
\'Quarrel?\'hecriedinhisloud,ringingvoice.\'Heavenforbid!
Whyshouldwe?Iloveaman,however,andwhenIseeoneIsaytohim,\"IamCrillon!Fightme!\"ButIseeyouarenotyetrested.Patience!Thereisnohurry.BerthondeCrillonisproudtowaityourconvenience.Inthemeantime,gentlemen,\'hecontinued,turningwithagrandairtothespectators,whoviewedthissuddenBOULEVERSEMENTwithunboundedsurprise,\'letusdowhatwecan.Takethewordfromme,andcryall,\"VIVELEROI,ETVIVEL\'INCONNU!\"\'
Likepeopleawakingfromadream——sogreatwastheirastonishmentthecompanycompliedandwiththeutmostheartiness.Whentheshoutdiedaway,someonecriedinturn,\'ViveCrillon!\'andthiswashonouredwithafervourwhichbroughtthetearstotheeyesofthatremarkableman,inwhombombastwassostrangelycombinedwiththefirmestandmostrecklesscourage.Hebowedagainandagain,turninghimselfaboutinthesmallspacebetweenthetables,whilehisfaceshonewithpleasureandenthusiasm.
MeanwhileIviewedhimwithperplexity.IcomprehendedthatitwashisvoiceIhadheardbehindthesettle;butIhadneitherthedesiretofighthimnorsogreatareserveofstrengthaftermyillnessastobeabletoenteronafreshcontestwithequanimity.Whenheturnedtome,therefore,andagainasked,\'Well,sir,areyouready?\'IcouldthinkofnobetteranswerthanthatIhadalreadymadetohim,\'But,sir,Ihavenoquarrelwithyou.\'
\'Tut,tut!\'heansweredquerulously,\'ifthatisall,letusengage.\'
\'Thatisnotall,however,\'Isaid,resolutelyputtingupmysword.\'IhavenotonlynoquarrelwithM.deCrillon,butI
receivedathishandswhenIlastsawhimaconsiderableservice.\'
\'Thennowisthetimetoreturnit,\'heanswered.briskly,andasifthatsettledthematter.
Icouldnotrefrainfromlaughing.\'Nay,butIhavestillanexcuse,\'Isaid.\'Iambarelyrecoveredfromanillness,andamweak.Evenso,Ishouldbelothtodeclineacombatwithsome;
butabettermanthanImaygivethewalltoM.deCrillonandsuffernodisgrace.\'
\'Oh,ifyouputitthatway——enoughsaid,\'heansweredinatoneofdisappointment.\'And,tobesure,thelightisalmostgone.
Thatisacomfort.Butyouwillnotrefusetodrinkacupofwinewithme?YourvoiceIremember,thoughIcannotsaywhoyouareorwhatserviceIdidyou.Forthefuture,however,countonme.Iloveamanwhoisbraveaswellasmodest,andknownobetterfriendthanastoutswordsman.\'
Iwasansweringhiminfittingterms——whiletheficklecrowd,whichafewminutesearlierhadbeenreadytotearme,viewedusfromadistancewithrespectfulhomage——whenthemaskedgentlemanwhohadbeforebeeninhiscompanydrewnearandsalutedmewithmuchstateliness.
\'Icongratulateyou,sir,\'hesaid,intheeasytoneofagreatmancondescending.\'Youusetheswordasfewuseit,andfightwithyourheadaswellasyourhands.Shouldyouneedafriendoremployment,youwillhonourmebyrememberingthatyouareknowntotheVicomtedeTurenne.\'
Ibowedlowtohidethestartwhichthementionofhisnamecausedme.ForhadItried,ay,andpossessedtoaidmeallthewitofM.deBrantome,Icouldhaveimaginednothingmorefantasticthanthismeeting;ormoreentertainingthanthatI,masked,shouldtalkwiththeVicomtedeTurennemasked,andhearinplaceofreproachesandthreatsofvengeanceacivilofferofprotection.ScarcelyknowingwhetherIshouldlaughortremble,orwhichshouldoccupymemore,thedivertingthingthathadhappenedortheperilwehadbarelyescaped,Imadeshifttoanswerhim,cravinghisindulgenceifIstillpreservedmyincognito.EvenwhileIspokeafreshfearassailedme:lestM.
deCrillon,recognisingmyvoiceorfigure,shouldcrymynameonthespot,andexplodeinamomentthemineonwhichwestood.
Thisrenderedmeextremelyimpatienttobegone.ButM.leVicomtehadstillsomethingtosay,andIcouldnotwithdrawmyselfwithoutrudeness.
\'Youaretravellingnorthlikeeveryoneelse?\'hesaid,gazingatmecuriously.\'MayIaskwhetheryouareforMeudon,wheretheKingofNavarrelies,orfortheCourtatSt.Cloud?\'
Imuttered,movingrestlesslyunderhiskeeneyes,thatIwasforMeudon.
\'Then,ifyoucaretotravelwithalargercompany,\'herejoined,bowingwithnegligentcourtesy,\'praycommandme.IamforMeudonalso,andshallleaveherethreehoursbeforenoon.\'
Fortunatelyhetookmyassenttohisgraciousinvitationforgranted,andturnedawaybeforeIhadwellbeguntothankhim.
FromCrillonIfounditmoredifficulttoescape.Heappearedtohaveconceivedagreatfancyforme,andfeltalso,Iimagine,somecuriosityastomyidentity.ButIdideventhisatlast,and,evadingtheobsequiousofferswhichweremademeonallsides,escapedtothestables,whereIsoughtouttheCid\'sstall,andlyingdowninthestrawbesidehim,begantoreviewthepast,andplanthefuture.Undercoverofthedarknesssleepsooncametome;mylastwakingthoughtsbeingdividedbetweenthankfulnessformyescapeandasteadypurposetoreachMeudonbeforetheVicomte,sothatImightmakegoodmytaleinhisabsence.ForthatseemedtobemyonlychanceofevadingthedangersIhadchosentoencounter.
CHAPTERXXXIII.
ATMEUDON.
MakingsoearlyastartfromEtampesthattheinn,whichhadcontinuedinanuproartilllongaftermidnight,laysunkinsleepwhenwerodeoutoftheyard,wereachedMeudonaboutnoonnextday.IshouldbetediouswereItodetailwhatthoughtsmymistressandIhadduringthatday\'sjourney——thelast,itmightbe,whichweshouldtaketogether;orwhatassuranceswegaveoneanother,orhowoftenwe,repentedtheimpatiencewhichhadimpelledustoputalltothetouch.Madame,withkindlyforethought,detachedherselffromus,androdethegreaterpartofthedistancewithFanchette;buttheopportunitiesshegaveuswentforlittle;for,tobeplain,theseparationwedreadedseemedtoovershadowusalready.Weutteredfewwords,throughthosefewweretothepurpose,butridinghand-in-hand,withfullhearts,andeyeswhichseldomquittedoneanother,lookedforwardtoMeudonanditsperilswithsuchgloomyforebodingsasourloveandmyprecariouspositionsuggested.
Longbeforewereachedthetown,orcouldseemoreofitthantheChateau,overwhichtheLiliesofFranceandthebroadwhitebanneroftheBourbonsfloatedincompany,wefoundourselvessweptintothewhirlpoolwhichsurroundsanarmy.Crowdsstoodatallthecross-roads,wagonsandsumpter-mulesencumberedthebridges;eachmomentahorsemanpassedusatagallop,oratroopofdisorderlyrogues,soldiersonlyinname,reeled,shoutingandsinging,alongtheroad.Hereandthere,forawarningtothelattersort,aman,dangledonarudegallows;underwhichsportsmenreturningfromthechaseandladieswhohadbeenforanairingrodelaughingontheirway.
Amidthemultitudeenteringthetownwepassedunnoticed.A
littlewaywithinthewallswehaltedtoinquirewherethePrincessofNavarrehadherlodging.Hearingthatsheoccupiedahouseinthetown,whileherbrotherhadhisquartersintheChateau,andtheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,Istayedmypartyinaby-road,ahundredpacesfartheron,and,springingfromtheCid,wenttomymistress\'sknee.
\'Mademoiselle,\'Isaidformally,andsoloudlythatallmymenmighthear,\'thetimeiscome.Idarenotgofartherwithyou.
Ibegyou,therefore,tobearmewitnessthatasItookyousoI
havebroughtyouback,andbothwithyourgood-will.Ibegthatyouwillgivemethisquittance,foritmayserveme.\'
Shebowedherheadandlaidherunglovedhandonmine,whichI
hadplacedon,thepommelofhersaddle.\'Sir,\'sheansweredinabrokenvoice,\'Iwillnotgiveyouthisquittance,noranyquittancefrommewhileIlive.\'Withthatshetookoffhermaskbeforethemall,andIsawthetearsrunningdownherwhiteface.
\'MayGodprotectyou,M.deMarsac,\'shecontinued,stoopinguntilherfacealmosttouchedmine,\'andbringyoutothethingyoudesire.Ifnot,sir,andyoupaytoodearlyforwhatyouhavedoneforme,Iwillliveamaidenallmydays.And,ifIdonot,thesemenmayshameme!\'
Myheartwastoofullforwords,butItooktheglovesheheldouttome,andkissedherhandwithmykneebent.ThenIwaved——
forIcouldnotspeak——tomadametoproceed;andwithSimonFleixandMaignan\'smentoguardthemtheywentontheirway.
Mademoiselle\'swhitefacelookedbacktomeuntilabendintheroadhidthem,andIsawthemnomore.
Iturnedwhenallweregone,andgoingheavilytowheremySardstoodwithhisheaddrooping,Iclimbedtothesaddle,androdeatafoot-pacetowardstheChateau.Thewaywasshortandeasy,forthenextturningshowedmetheopengatewayandacrowdaboutit.Avastnumberofpeoplewereenteringandleaving,whileothersrestedintheshadeofthewall,andadozengroomsledhorsesupanddown.Thesunshinefellhotlyontheroadandthecourtyard,andflashedbackbythecuirassesofthemenonguard,seizedtheeyeanddazzleditwithgleamsofinfinitebrightness.
Iwasadvancingalone,gazingatallthiswithaspeciesofdullindifferencewhichmaskedforthemomentthesuspenseIfeltatheart,whenaman,comingonfootalongthestreet,crossedquicklytomeandlookedmeintheface.
Ireturnedhislook,andseeinghewasastrangertome,wasforpassingonwithoutpausing.Buthewheeledbesidemeandutteredmynameinalowvoice.
IcheckedtheCidandlookeddownathim.\'Yes,\'Isaidmechanically,\'IamM.deMarsac.ButIdonotknowyou.\'
\'NeverthelessIhavebeenwatchingforyouforthreedays,\'hereplied.\'M.deRosnyreceivedyourmessage.Thisisforyou.\'
Hehandedmeascrapofpaper.\'Fromwhom?\'Iasked.
\'Maignan,\'heansweredbriefly.Andwiththat,andastealthylookround,heleftme,andwentthewayhehadbeengoingbefore.
Itoreopenthenote,andknowingthatMaignancouldnotwrite,wasnotsurprisedtofindthatitlackedanysignature.Thebrevityofitscontentsviedwiththecurtnessofitsbearer.
\'InHeaven\'snamegobackandwait,\'itran.\'Yourenemyishere,andthosewhowishyouwellarepowerless.\'
Awarningsoexplicit,anddeliveredundersuchcircumstances,mighthavebeenexpectedtomakemepauseeventhen.ButIreadthemessagewiththesamedullindifference,thesamedoggedresolvewithwhichthesightofthecrowdedgatewaybeforemehadinspiredme.IhadnotcomesofarandbaffledTurennebyanhourtofailinmypurposeatthelast;norgivensuchpledgestoanothertoprovefalsetomyself.Moreover,thedistantrattleofmusketry,whichwenttoshowthataskirmishwastakingplaceonthefarthersideoftheCastle,seemedaninvitationtometoproceed;fornow,ifever,myswordmightearnprotectionandapardon.OnlyinregardtoM.deRosny,fromwhomIhadnodoubtthatthemessagecame,Iresolvedtoactwithprudence;neithermakinganyappealtohiminpublicnormentioninghisnametoothersinprivate.
TheCidhadbornemebythistimeintothemiddleofthethrongaboutthegateway,who,wonderingtoseeastrangerofmyappearancearrivewithoutattendants,eyedmewithamixtureofcivilityandforwardness.IrecognisedmorethanonemanwhomI
hadseenabouttheCourtatSt.Jeand\'Angelysixmonthsbefore;
butsogreatisthedisguisingpowerofhandsomeclothesandequipmentsthatnoneoftheseknewme.Ibeckonedtothenearest,andaskedhimiftheKingofNavarrewasintheChateau.
\'HehasgonetoseetheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,\'themananswered,withsomethingofwonderthatanyoneshouldbeignorantofsoimportantafact.\'Heisexpectedhereinanhour.\'
Ithankedhim,andcalculatingthatIshouldstillhavetimeandtosparebeforethearrivalofM.deTurenne,Idismounted,andtakingthereinovermyarm,begantowalkupanddownintheshadeofthewall.Meanwhiletheloiterersincreasedinnumbersastheminutespassed.Menofbetterstandingrodeup,and,leavingtheirhorsesinchargeoftheirlackeys,wentintotheChateau.Officersinshiningcorslets,orwithbootsandscabbardsdulledwithdust,arrivedandclatteredinthroughthegates.Amessengergallopedupwithletters,andwasinstantlysurroundedbyacuriousthrongofquestioners;wholefthimonlytogatheraboutthenextcomers,aknotoftownsfolk,whosedowncastvisagesandglancesofapprehensionseemedtobetokennopleasantoreasymission.
Watchingmanyoftheseenteranddisappear,whileonlythehumblersortremainedtoswellthecrowdatthegate,Ibegantoexperiencethediscomfortandimpatiencewhicharethelotofthemanwhofindshimselfplacedinafalseposition.IforesawwithclearnesstheinjuryIwasabouttodomycausebypresentingmyselftothekingamongthecommonherd;andyetIhadnochoicesavetodothis,forIdarednotruntheriskofentering,lestI
shouldberequiredtogivemyname,andfailtoseetheKingofNavarreatall.
AsitwasIcameveryneartobeingfoiledinthisway;forI
presentlyrecognised,andwasrecognisedinturn,byagentlemanwhorodeuptothegatesand,throwinghisreinstoagroom,dismountedwithanairofimmensegravity.ThiswasM.Forget,theking\'ssecretary,andthepersontowhomIhadonaformeroccasionpresentedapetition.Helookedatmewitheyesofprofoundastonishment,andsalutingmestifflyfromadistance,seemedintwomindswhetherheshouldpassinorspeaktome.Onsecondthoughts,however,hecametowardsme,andagainsalutedmewithapeculiarlydryandaustereaspect.
\'Ibelieve,sir,IamspeakingtoM.deMarsac?\'hesaidinalowvoice,butnotimpolitely.
Irepliedintheaffirmative.
\'Andthat,Iconclude,isyourhorse?\'hecontinued,raisinghiscane,andpointingtotheCid,whichIhadfastenedtoahookinthewall.
Irepliedagainintheaffirmative.
\'Thentakeawordofadvice,\'heanswered,screwinguphisfeatures,andspeakinginadrysortofway.\'Getuponitsbackwithoutaninstant\'sdelay,andputasmanyleaguesbetweenyourselfandMeudonashorseandmanmay.\'
\'Iamobligedtoyou,\'Isaid,thoughIwasgreatlystartledbyhiswords.\'AndwhatifIdonottakeyouradvice?\'
Heshruggedhisshoulders.\'Inthatcaselooktoyourself!\'heretorted.\'Butyouwilllookinvain!\'
Heturnedonhisheel,ashespoke,andinamomentwasgone.I
watchedhimentertheChateau,andintheuncertaintywhichpossessedmewhetherhewasnotgone——aftersalvinghisconsciencebygivingmewarning——toordermyinstantarrest,I
felt,andIdoubtnotIlooked,asillateaseforthetimebeingasthegroupoftremblingtownsfolkwhostoodnearme.
Reflectingthatheshouldknowhismaster\'smind,IrecalledwithdepressingclearnesstherepeatedwarningstheKingofNavarrehadgivenmethatImustnotlooktohimforrewardorprotection.IbethoughtmethatIwashereagainsthisexpressorders:presumingonthoseveryserviceswhichhehadgivenmenoticeheshouldrepudiate.IrememberedthatRosnyhadalwaysbeeninthesametale.AndinfineIbegantoseethatmademoiselleandIhadtogetherdecidedonastepwhichIshouldneverhavepresumedtotakeonmyownmotion.
IhadbarelyarrivedatthisconclusionwhenthetramplingofhoofsandasuddenclosinginofthecrowdroundthegateannouncedtheKingofNavarre\'sapproach.WithasickheartI
drewnearer,feelingthatthecrisiswasathand;andinamomenthecameinsight,ridingbesideanelderlyman,plainlydressedandmounted,withwhomhewascarryingonanearnestconversation.Atrainofnoblesandgentlemen,whosemartialairandequipmentsmadeupfortheabsenceofthegewgawsandglitter,towhichmyeyeshadbecomeaccustomedatBlois,followedcloseonhisheels.Henryhimselfworeasuitofwhitevelvet,frayedinplacesandsoiledbyhisarmour;buthisquickeyeandeager,almostfierce,countenancecouldnotfailtowinandkeeptheattentionoftheleastobservant.Hekeptglancingfromsidetosideashecameon;andthatwithsocheerfulanairandacarriagesofullatonceofdignityandgood-humourthatnoonecouldlookonhimandfailtoseethatherewasaleaderandaprinceofmen,temperateinvictoryandunsurpassedindefeat.
Thecrowdraisingacryof\'VIVENAVARRE!\'ashedrewnear,hebowed,withasparkleinhiseye.Butwhenafewbythegatecried\'VIVENTLESROIS!\'hehelduphishandforsilence,andsaidinaloud,clearvoice,\'Notthat,myfriends.ThereisbutonekinginFrance.Letussayinstead,\"ViveleRoi!\"\'
Thespokesmanofthelittlegroupoftownsfolk,who,Ilearned,werefromArcueil,andhadcometocomplainoftheexcessivenumberoftroopsquartereduponthem,tookadvantageofthepausetoapproachhim.Henryreceivedtheoldmanwithakindlylook,andbentfromhissaddletohearwhathehadtosay.WhiletheyweretalkingIpressedforward,theemotionIfeltonmyownaccountheightenedbymyrecognitionofthemanwhorodebytheKingofNavarre——whowasnootherthanM.delaNoue.NoHuguenotworthyofthenamecouldlookontheveteranwhohaddoneandsufferedmoreforthecausethananylivingmanwithoutcatchingsomethingofhissternenthusiasm;andthesight,whileitshamedme,whoamomentbeforehadbeeninclinedtoprefermysafetytotheassistanceIowedmycountry,gavemecouragetosteptotheking\'srein,sothatIheardhislastwordstothemenofArcueil.
\'Patience,myfriends,\'hesaidkindly.\'Theburdenisheavy,butthejourneyisashortone.TheSeineisours;thecircleiscomplete.InaweekParismustsurrender.Theking,mycousin,willenter,andyouwillberidofus.ForFrance\'ssakeoneweek,myfriends.\'
Themenfellbackwithlowobeisances,charmedbyhisgood-
nature,andHenry,lookingup,sawmebeforehim.Intheinstanthisjawfell.Hisbrow,suddenlycontractingaboveeyes,whichflashedwithsurpriseanddispleasure,alteredinamomentthewholeaspectofhisface;whichgrewdarkandsternasnight.
Hisfirstimpulsewastopassbyme;butseeingthatIheldmyground,hehesitated,socompletelychagrinedbymyappearancethathedidnotknowhowtoact,orinwhatwaytodealwithme.
Iseizedtheoccasion,andbendingmykneewithasmuchrespectasIhadeverusedtotheKingofFrance,beggedtobringmyselftohisnotice,andtocravehisprotectionandfavour.
\'Thisisnotimetotroubleme,sir,\'heretorted,eyeingmewithanangryside-glance.\'Idonotknowyou.Youareunknowntome,sir.YoumustgotoM.deRosny.\'
\'Itwouldbeuselesssire,\'Ianswered,indesperatepersistence.
\'ThenIcandonothingforyou,\'herejoinedpeevishly.\'Standononeside,sir.\'
ButIwasdesperate.IknewthatIhadriskedallontheevent,andmustestablishmyfootingbeforeM.deTurenne\'sreturn,orruntheriskofcertainrecognitionandvengeance.Icriedout,caringnothingwhoheard,thatIwasM.deMarsac,thatIhadcomebacktomeetwhatevermyenemiescouldallegeagainstme.
\'VENTRESAINTGRIS!\'Henryexclaimed,startinginhissaddlewithwell-feignedsurprise.\'Areyouthatman?\'
\'Iam,sire,\'Ianswered.
\'Thenyoumustbemad!\'heretorted,appealingtothosebehindhim.\'Stark,staringmadtoshowyourfacehere!\'VENTRESAINT
GRIS!Arewetohavealltheravishersandplunderersinthecountrycometous?\'
\'Iamneithertheonenortheother!\'Ianswered,lookingwithindignationfromhimtothegapingtrainbehindhim.
\'ThatyouwillhavetosettlewithM.deTurenne!\'heretorted,frowningdownatmewithhiswholefaceturnedgloomyandfierce.
\'Iknowyouwell,sir,now.ComplainthasbeenmadethatyouabductedaladyfromhisCastleofChizesometimeback.\'
\'Thelady,sire,isnowinchargeofthePrincessofNavarre.\'
\'Sheis?\'heexclaimed,quitetakenaback.
\'Andifshehasaughtofcomplaintagainstme,\'Icontinuedwithpride,\'IwillsubmittowhateverpunishmentyouorderorM.deTurennedemands.Butifshehasnocomplainttomake,andvowsthatsheaccompaniedmeofherownfree-willandaccord,andhassufferedneitherwrongnordispleasureatmyhands,then,sire,I