claimthatthisisaprivatematterbetweenmyselfandM.deTurenne.\'
\'EvensoIthinkyouwillhaveyourhandsfull,\'heansweredgrimly.Atthesametimehestoppedbyagesturethosewhowouldhavecriedoutuponme,andlookedatmehimselfwithanalteredcountenance.\'DoIunderstandthatyouassertthattheladywentofherownaccord?\'heasked.
\'Shewentandhasreturned,sire,\'Ianswered.
\'Strange!\'heejaculated.\'Haveyoumarriedher?\'
\'No,sire,\'Ianswered.\'Idesireleavetodoso.\'
\'Mondieu!sheisM.deTurenne\'sward,\'herejoined,almostdumbfoundedbymyaudacity.
\'Idonotdespairofobtaininghisassent,sire,\'Isaidpatiently.
\'SAINTGRIS!themanismad!\'hecried,wheelinghishorseandfacinghistrainwithagestureoftheutmostwonder.\'ItisthestrangeststoryIeverheard.\'
\'Butsomewhatmoretothegentleman\'screditthanthelady\'s!\'
onesaidwithasmirkandasmile.
\'Alie!\'Icried,springingforwardontheinstantwithaboldnesswhichastonishedmyself.\'SheisaspureasyourHighness\'ssister!Iswearit.Thatmanliesinhisteeth,andIwillmaintainit.\'
\'Sir!\'theKingofNavarrecried,turningonmewiththeutmoststernness,\'youforgetyourselfinmypresence!Silence,andbewareanothertimehowyouletyourtonguerunonthoseaboveyou.Youhaveenoughtrouble,letmetellyou,onyourhandsalready.\'
\'Yetthemanlies!\'Ianswereddoggedly,rememberingCrillonandhisways.\'Andifhewilldomethehonourofsteppingasidewithme,Iwillconvincehimofit!\'
\'VENTRESAINTGRIS!\'Henryreplied,frowning,anddwellingoneachsyllableofhisfavouriteoath.\'Willyoubesilent,sir,andletmethink?OrmustIorderyourinstantarrest?\'
\'Surelythatatleast,sire,\'asuavevoiceinterjected.Andwiththatagentlemanpressedforwardfromtherest,andgainingaplace,of\'vantagebytheKing\'sside,shotatmealookofextrememalevolence.\'MylordofTurennewillexpectnolessatyourHighness\'shands,\'hecontinuedwarmly.\'Ibegyouwillgivetheorderonthespot,andholdthispersontoanswerforhismisdeeds.M.deTurennereturnsto-day.Heshouldbeherenow.Isayagain,sire,hewillexpectnolessthanthis.\'
Theking,gazingatmewithgloomyeyes,tuggedathismoustaches.Someonehadmotionedthecommonherdtostandbackoutofhearing;atthesametimethesuitehadmovedupoutofcuriosityandformedahalf-circle;inthemidstofwhichIstoodfrontingtheking,whohadLaNoueandthelastspeakeroneitherhand.Perplexityandannoyancestruggledforthemasteryinhisfaceashelookeddarklydownatme,histeethshowingthroughhisbeard.Profoundlyangeredbymyappearance,whichhehadtakenatfirsttobethepreludetodisclosureswhichmustdetachTurenneatatimewhenunionwasall-important,hehadnowceasedtofearforhimself;andperhapssawsomethingintheattitudeI
adoptedwhichappealedtohisnatureandsympathies.
\'Ifthegirlisreallyback,\'hesaidatlast,\'M.d\'Aremburg,I
do-notseeanyreasonwhyIshouldinterfere.Atpresent,atanyrate.\'
\'Ithink,sire,M.deTurennewillseereason,\'thegentlemananswereddrily.
Thekingcoloured.\'M.deTurenne,\'hebegan,\'Hasmademanysacrificesatyourrequest,sire,\'theothersaidwithmeaning.\'Andburiedsomewrongs,orfanciedwrongs,inconnectionwiththisverymatter.Thispersonhasoutragedhiminthegrossestmanner,andinM.leVicomte\'snameIask,nayI
pressuponyou,thathebeinstantlyarrested,andheldtoanswerforit.\'
\'Iamreadytoanswerforitnow!\'Iretorted,lookingfromfacetofaceforsympathy,andfindingnonesaveinM.delaNoue\'s,whoappearedtoregardmewithgraveapprobation.\'TotheVicomtedeTurenne,orthepersonhemayappointtorepresenthim.\'
\'Enough!\'Henrysaid,raisinghishandandspeakinginthetoneofauthorityheknewsowellhowtoadopt.\'Foryou,M.
d\'Aremburg,Ithankyou.Turenneishappyinhisfriend.But;
thisgentlemancametomeofhisownfreewillandIdonotthinkitconsistentwithmyhonourtodetainhimwithoutwarninggiven.
Igranthimanhourtoremovehimselffrommyneighbourhood.Ifhebefoundafterthattimehaselapsed,\'hecontinuedsolemnly,\'hisfatebeonhisownhead.Gentlemen,wearelatealready.
Letuson.\'
Ilookedathimashepronouncedthissentence,andstrovetofindwordsinwhichtomakeafinalappealtohim.Butnowordscame;andwhenhebademestandaside,Ididsomechanically,remainingwithmyheadbaredtothesunshinewhilethetrooprodeby.Somelookedbackatmewithcuriosity,asatamanofwhomtheyhadheardatale,andsomewithajeerontheirlips;afewwithdarklooksofmenace.Whentheywereallgone,andtheservantswhofollowedthemhaddisappearedalso,andIwaslefttotheinquisitiveglancesoftherabblewhostoodgapingafterthesight,IturnedandwenttotheCid,andloosedthehorsewithafeelingofbitterdisappointment.
TheplanwhichmademoisellehadproposedandIhadadoptedintheforestbySt.Gaultier——whenitseemedtousthatourlongabsenceandthegreateventsofwhichweheardmusthavechangedtheworldandopenedapathforourreturn——hadfailedutterly.
Thingswereastheyhadbeen;thestrongwerestillstrong,andfriendshipunderbondtofear.Plainlyweshouldhaveshewnourselveswiserhadwetakenthelowliercourse,and,obeyingthewarningsgivenus,waitedtheKingofNavarre\'spleasureorthetardyrecollectionofRosny.Ihadnotthenstood,asInowstood,ininstantjeopardy,norfeltthekeenpangsofaseparationwhichbadefairtobelasting.Shewassafe,andthatwasmuch;butI,afterlongserviceandbriefhappiness,mustgooutagainalone,withonlymemoriestocomfortme.
ItwasSimonFleix\'svoicewhichawakenedmefromthisunworthylethargy——asselfishasitwasuseless——and,recallingmetomyself,remindedmethatprecioustimewaspassingwhileIstoodinactive.Togetatmehehadforcedhiswaythroughthecuriouscrowd,andhisfacewasflushed.Hepluckedmebythesleeve,regardingthevarletsroundhimwithamixtureofangerandfear.
\'NomdeDieu!dotheytakeyouforarope-dancer?\'hemutteredinmyear.\'Mount,sir,andcome.Thereisnotamomenttobelost.\'
\'YouleftheratMadameCatherine\'s?\'Isaid.
\'Tobesure,\'heansweredimpatiently.\'Troublenotabouther.
Saveyourself,M.deMarsac.Thatisthethingtobedonenow.\'
Imountedmechanically,andfeltmycouragereturnasthehorsemovedunderme.Itrottedthroughthecrowd,andwithoutthoughttooktheroadbywhichwehadcome.Whenwehadriddenahundredyards,however,Ipulledup\'Anhourisashortstart,\'Isaidsullenly.\'Whither?\'
\'ToSt.Cloud,\'heansweredpromptly.\'TheprotectionoftheKingofFrancemayavailforadayortwo.Afterthat,therewillstillbetheLeague,ifParishavenotfallen.\'
Isawtherewasnothingelseforit,andassented,andwesetoff.ThedistancewhichseparatesMeudonfromSt.Cloudwemighthaveriddenunderthehour,butthedirectroadrunsacrosstheScholars\'Meadow,awideplainnorthofMeudon.Thislayexposedtotheenemy\'sfire,andwas,besides,thesceneofhourlyconflictsbetweenthehorseofbothparties,sothattocrossitwithoutanadequateforcewasimpossible.Driventomakeacircuit,wetooklongertoreachourdestination,yetdidsowithoutmishap;findingthelittletown,whenwecameinsightofit,givenuptoallthebustleandcommotionwhichproperlybelongtotheCourtandcamp.
Itwas,indeed,asfullasitcouldbe,forthesurrenderofParisbeingmomentarilyexpected,St.Cloudhadbecometherendezvousaswellofthefewwhohadlongfollowedaprincipleasofthemanywhowaituponsuccess.Thestreets,crowdedin,everypart,shonewithglancingcolours,withsteelandvelvet,thegarboffashionandtheplumesofwar.Longlinesofflagsobscuredtheeavesandbrokethesunshine,while,aboveall,thebellsofhalfadozenchurchesrangmerryanswertothedistantcrashofguns.EverywhereonflagandarchandstreamerIreadthemotto,\'ViveleRoi!\'——wordswritten,Godknewthen,andweknownow,inwhatamockeryofdoom!
CHAPTERXXXIV.
\'\'TISANILLWIND.\'
Wehadmadeourwayslowlyandwithmuchjostlingasfarastheprincipalstreet,findingthepressincreaseasweadvanced,whenIheard,asIturnedacorner,mynamecalled,and,lookingup,sawatawindowthefaceofwhichIwasinsearch.AfterthathalfaminutesufficedtobringM.d\'Agenflyingtomyside,whennothing,asIhadexpected,woulddobutImustdismount;whereI
wasandsharehislodging.Hemadenosecretofhisjoyandsurpriseatsightofme,butpausingonlytotellSimonwherethestablewas,haledmethroughthecrowdanduphisstairswithafervourandheartinesswhichbroughtthetearstomyeyes,andservedtoimpressthecompanywhomIfoundabovewithamorethansufficientsenseofmyimportance.
Seeinghimagaininthehighestfeatherandinthefullemploymentofallthoselittleartsandgraceswhichservedasafoiltohisrealworth,Itookitasagreathonourthathelaidthemasideforthenonce;andintroducedmetotheseatofhonourandmademeknowntohiscompanionswithaboyishdirectnessandasimplethoughtformycomfortwhichinfinitelypleasedme.Hebadehislandlord,withoutamoment\'sdelay,bringwineandmeatandeverythingwhichcouldrefreshatraveller,andwashimselfupanddownahundredtimesinaminute,callingtohisservantsforthisorthat,orrailingatthemfortheirfailuretobringmeascoreofthingsIdidnotneed.Ihastenedtomakemyexcusestothecompanyforinterruptingtheminthemidstoftheirtalk;andthesetheywerekindenoughtoacceptingoodpart.Atthesametime,readingclearlyinM.d\'Agen\'sexcitedfaceandshiningeyesthathelongedtobealonewithme,theytookthehint,andpresentlyleftustogether.
\'Well,\'hesaid,comingbackfromthedoor,towhichhehadconductedthem,\'whathaveyoutotellme,myfriend?Sheisnotwithyou?\'
\'SheiswithMademoiselledelaVireatMeudon,\'Ianswered,smiling.\'Andfortherest,sheiswellandinbetterspirits.\'
\'Shesentmesomemessage?heasked.
Ishookmyhead.\'ShedidnotknowIshouldseeyou,\'I
answered.
\'Butshe——shehasspokenofmelately?\'hecontinued,hisfacefalling.
\'Idonotthinkshehasnamedyournameforafortnight,\'I
answered,laughing.\'There\'sforyou!Why,man,\'Icontinued,adoptingadifferenttone,andlayingmyhandonhisshoulderinamannerwhichreassuredhimatleast;asmuchasmywords,\'areyousoyoungaloverastobeignorantthatawomansaysleastofthatofwhichshethinksmost?Pluckup,courage!UnlessIammistaken,youhavelittletobeafraidofexceptthepast.Onlyhavepatience.\'
\'Youthinkso?\'hesaidgratefully.
IassuredhimthatIhadnodoubtofit;andonthathefellintoareverie,andItowatchinghim.Alasforthelittlenessofournatures!Hehadreceivedmewithopenarms,yetatsightofthehappinesswhichtookpossessionofhishandsomefaceIgavewaytothepettiestfeelingwhichcanharbourinaman\'sbreast.I
lookedathimwitheyesofenvy,bitterlycomparingmylotwiththatwhichfatehadreservedforhim.Hehadfortune,goodlooks,andsuccessonhisside,greatrelations,andhighhopes;
Istoodininstantjeopardy,myfuturedark,andeverypathwhichpresenteditselfsohazardousthatIknewnotwhichtoadopt.Hewasyoung,andIpastmyprime;heinfavour,andIafugitive.
Tosuchreflectionsheputanendinawaywhichmademeblushformychurlishness.For,suddenlyawakingout,ofhispleasantdream,heaskedmeaboutmyselfandmyfortunes,inquiringeagerlyhowIcametobeinSt.Cloud,andlisteningtothestoryofmyadventureswithagenerousanxietywhichendearedhimtomemoreandmore.WhenIhaddone——andbythattimeSimonhadjoinedus,andwaswaitingatthelowerendoftheroom——hepronouncedthatImustseetheking.
\'Thereisnothingelseforit,\'hesaid.
\'Ihavecometoseehim,\'Ianswered.
\'Mondieu,yes!\'hecontinued,risingfromhisseatandlookingatmewithafaceofconcern.\'Nooneelsecanhelpyou.\'
Inodded.
\'Turennehasfourthousandmenhere.Youcandonothingagainstsomany?\'
\'Nothing,\'Isaid.\'Thequestionis,willthekingprotectme?\'
\'Itisheornoone,\'M.d\'Agenansweredwarmly.\'Youcannotseehimto-night:hehasaCouncil.To-morrowatdaybreakyoumay.
Youmustliehereto-night,andIwillsetmyfellowstowatch,andIthinkyouwillbesafe.Iwillawaynowandseeifmyunclewillhelp.Canyouthinkofanyoneelsewhowouldspeakforyou?\'
Iconsidered,andwasabouttoanswerinthenegative,whenSimon,whohadlistenedwithascaredface,suggestedM.deCrillon.
\'Yes,ifhewould,\'M.d\'Agenexclaimed,lookingattheladwithapprobation.\'Hehasweightwiththeking.\'
\'Ithinkhemight,\'Irepliedslowly.\'Ihadacuriousencounterwithhimlastnight.AndwiththatItoldM.d\'AgenoftheduelIfoughtattheinn.
\'Good!\'hesaid,hiseyessparkling.\'IwishIhadbeentheretosee.Atanyratewewilltryhim.Crillonfearsnoone,noteventheking.\'
Soitwassettled.ForthatnightIwastokeepcloseinmyfriend\'slodging,showingnotevenmynoseatthewindow.
Whenhehadgoneonhiserrand,andIfoundmyselfaloneintheroom,IamfaintoconfessthatIfellverylowinmyspirits.
M.d\'Agen\'stravellingequipmentlayabouttheapartment,butfailedtogiveanybutanuntidyairtoitsroomybareness.Thelightwasbeginningtowane,thesunwasgone.Outside,theringingofbellsandthedistantmutteringofguns,withthetumultofsoundswhichrosefromthecrowdedstreet,seemedtotellofjoyouslifeandfreedom,andallthehopesandambitionsfromwhichIwascutoff.
Havingnootheremployment,Iwatchedthestreet,andkeepingmyselfwellretiredfromthewindowsawknotsofgayriderspassthiswayandthatthroughthecrowd,theircorsletsshiningandtheirvoiceshigh.Monksandladies,acardinalandanambassador,passedundermyeyes——theseandanendlessprocessionoftownsmenandbeggars,soldiersandcourtiers,Gascons,NormansandPicards.NeverhadIseensuchasightorsomanypeoplegatheredtogether.ItseemedasifhalfParishadcomeouttomakesubmission,sothatwhilemygorgeroseagainstmyownimprisonment,thesightgraduallydivertedmymindfrommyprivatedistresses,bybiddingmefindcompensationfortheminthespeedyandglorioustriumphofthecause.
Evenwhenthelightfailedthepageantdidnotcease,but,torchesandlanthornsspringingintolife,turnednightintoday.
Fromeverysidecamesoundsofrevelryorstrife.Thecrowdcontinuedtoperambulatethestreetsuntilalatehour,withcriesof\'VIVELEROI!\'and\'VIVENAVARRE!\'whilenowandagainthepassageofagreatnoblewithhissuitecalledforthafreshoutburstofenthusiasm.Nothingseemedmorecertain,moreinevitable,moreclearlypredestinatedthanthattwenty-fourhoursmustseethefallofParis.
YetParisdidnotfall.
WhenM.d\'Agenreturnedalittlebeforemidnight,hefoundmestillsittinginthedarklookingfromthewindow.Iheardhimcallroughlyforlights,andapprisedbythesoundofhisvoicethatsomethingwaswrong,Irosetomeethim.Hestoodsilentawhile,twirlinghissmallmoustaches,andthenbrokeintoapassionatetirade,fromwhichIwasnotslowtogatherthatM.deRambouilletdeclinedtoserveme.
\'Well,\'Isaid,feelingfortheyoungman\'sdistressandembarrassment,\'perhapsheisright.\'
\'Hesaysthatwordrespectingyoucamethisevening,\'myfriendanswered,hischeeksredwithshame,\'andthattocountenanceyouafterthatwouldonlybetocourtcertainhumiliation.Ididnotlethimofftooeasily,Iassureyou,\'M.d\'Agencontinued,turningawaytoevademygaze;\'butIgotnosatisfaction.Hesaidyouhadhisgood-will,andthattohelpyouhewouldrisksomething,butthattodosounderthesecircumstanceswouldbeonlytoinjurehimself.\'
\'ThereisstillCrillon,\'Isaid,withasmuchcheerfulnessasI
couldassume.\'PrayHeavenhebethereearly!DidM.deRambouilletsayanythingelse?\'
\'Thatyouronlychancewastoflyasquicklyandsecretlyaspossible.\'
\'Hethought;mysituationdesperate,then?\'
Myfriendnodded;andscarcelylessdepressedonmyaccountthanashamedonhisown,evincedsomuchfeelingthatitwasallI
coulddotocomforthim;whichIsucceededindoingonlywhenI
divertedtheconversationtoMadamedeBruhl.Wepassedtheshortnighttogether,sharingthesameroomandthesamebed,andtalkingmorethanweslept——ofmadameandmademoiselle,thecastleonthehill,andthecampinthewoods,ofallolddaysinfine,butlittleofthefuture.SoonafterdawnSimon,wholayonapalletacrossthethreshold,rousedmefromafitfulsleepintowhichIhadjustfallen,andafewminuteslaterIstoodupdressedandarmed,readytotrythelastchancelefttome.
M.d\'Agenhaddressedstageforstagewithme,andIhadkeptsilence.Butwhenhetookuphiscap,andshowedclearlythathehaditinhismindtogowithme,Iwithstoodhim.\'No,Isaid,\'youcandomelittlegood,andmaydoyourselfmuchharm.\'
\'Youshallnotgowithoutonefriend,\'hecriedfiercely.
\'Tut,tut!\'Isaid.\'IshallhaveSimon.\'
ButSimon,whenIturnedtospeaktohim,wasgone.Fewmenareattheirbravestintheearlyhoursoftheday,anditdidnotsurprisemethatthelad\'scouragehadfailedhim.Thedefectiononlystrengthened,however,theresolutionIhadformedthatI
wouldnotinjureM.d\'Agen;thoughitwassometimebeforeI
couldpersuadehimthatIwasinearnest,andwouldgoaloneornotatall.Intheendhehadtocontenthimselfwithlendingmehisbackandbreast,whichIgladlyputon,thinkingitlikelyenoughthatImightbesetuponbeforeIreachedthecastle.Andthen,thetimebeingaboutseven,Ipartedfromhimwithmanyembracesandkindlywords,andwentintothestreetwithmyswordundermycloak.
Thetown,lateinrisingafteritsorgy,layverystillandquiet.Themorningwasgreyandwarm,withacloudysky.Theflags,whichhadmadesogay,ashowyesterday,hungclosetothepoles,orflappedidlyandfelldeadagain.Iwalkedslowlyalongbeneaththem,keepingasharplook-outoneveryside;buttherewerefewpersonsmovinginthestreets,andIreachedtheCastlegateswithoutmisadventure.Herewassomethingoflife;
abustleofofficersandsoldierspassinginandout,ofcourtierswhoseofficemadetheirpresencenecessary,ofbeggarswhohadflockedhitherinthenightforcompany.InthemiddleoftheseIrecognisedonasuddenandwithgreatsurpriseSimonFleixwalkingmyhorseupanddown.Onseeingmehehandedittoaboy,andcameuptospeaktomewitharedface,mutteringthatfourlegswerebetterthantwo.Ididnotsaymuchtohim,myheartbeingfullandmythoughtsoccupiedwiththepresencechamberandwhatIshouldsaythere;butInoddedkindlytohim,andhefellinbehindmeasthesentrieschallengedme.I
answeredthemthatIsoughtM.deCrillon,andsogettingby,fellintotherearofapartyofthreewhoseemedbentonthesameerrandasmyself.
OneofthesewasaJacobinmonk,whoseblackandwhiterobes,byremindingmeofFatherAntoine,sentachilltomyheart.Thesecond,whoseeyeIavoided,IknewtobeM.laGuesle,theking\'sSolicitor-General.Thethirdwasastrangertome.
EnabledbyM.laGuesle\'spresencetopassthemainguardswithoutchallenge,thepartyproceededthroughamazeofpassagesandcorridors,conversingtogetherinalowtone;whileI,keepingintheirtrainwithmyfacecunninglymuffled,gotasfarbythismeansastheante-chamber,whichIfoundalmostempty.
HereIinquiredoftheusherforM.deCrillon,andlearnedwiththeutmostconsternationthathewasnotpresent.
Thisblow,whichalmoststunnedme,openedmyeyestotheprecariousnatureofmyposition,whichonlytheearlyhourandsmallattendancerenderedpossibleforamoment.AtanyminuteI
mightberecognisedandquestioned,ormynameberequired;whiletheguardeddoorsofthechambershutmeoffaseffectuallyfromtheking\'sfaceandgraceasthoughIwereinParis,orahundredleaguesaway.Endeavouringtothebestofmypowertoconcealthechagrinandalarmwhichpossessedmeasthisconvictiontookholdofme,Iwalkedtothewindow;andtohidemyfacemorecompletelyandatthesametimegainamomenttocollectmythoughts,affectedtobeengagedinlookingthroughit.
Nothingwhichpassedintheroom,however,escapedme.Imarkedeverythingandeveryone,thoughallmythoughtwashowImightgettotheking.Thebarbercameoutofthechamberwithasilverbasin,andstoodamoment,andwentinagainwithanairofvastimportance.Theguardsyawned,andanofficerentered,lookedround,andretired.M.laGuesle,whohadgoneintothepresence,cameoutagainandstoodnearmetalkingwiththeJacobin,whosepalenervousfaceandhastymovementsremindedmesomehowofSimonFleix.Themonkheldaletterorpetitioninhishand,andappearedtobegettingitbyheart,forhislipsmovedcontinually.Thelightwhichfellonhisfacefromthe,windowshowedittobeofapeculiarsweatypallor,anddistortedbesides.Butsupposinghimtobedevoted,likemanyofhiskind,toanunwholesomelife,Ithoughtnothingofthis;thoughIlikedhimlittle,andwouldhaveshiftedmyplacebutfortheconvenienceofhisneighbourhood.
Presently,whileIwascudgellingmybrains,apersoncameoutandspoketoLaGuesle;whocalledinhisturntothemonk,andstartedhastilytowardsthedoor.TheJacobinfollowed.Thethirdpersonwhohadenteredintheircompanyhadhisattentiondirectedelsewhereatthemoment;andthoughLaGueslecalledtohim,tooknoheed.OntheinstantIgraspedthesituation.
Takingmycourageinmyhands,Icrossedthefloorbehindthemonk;who,hearingme,orfeelinghisrobecomeincontactwithme,presentlystartedandlookedroundsuspiciously,hisfacewearingascowlsoblackanduglythatIalmostrecoiledfromhim,dreamingforamomentthatIsawbeforemetheveryspiritofFatherAntoine.Butasthemansaidnothing,andthenextinstantavertedhisgaze,Ihardenedmyheartandpushedonbehindhim,andpassingtheusher,foundmyselfasbymagicinthepresencewhichhadseemedawhileagoasunattainablebymywitsasitwasnecessarytomysafety.
Itwasnotthissuccessalone,however,whichcausedmyhearttobeatmorehopefully.ThekingwasspeakingasIentered,andthegaytonesofhisvoiceseemedtopromiseafavourablereception.
HisMajestysathalf-dressedonastoolatthefartherendoftheapartment,surroundedbyfiveorsixnoblemen,whileasmanyattendants,amongwhomIhastenedtomingle,waitednearthedoor.
LaGueslemadeasifhewouldadvance,andthen,seeingtheking\'sattentionwasnotonhim,heldback.Butinamomentthekingsawhimandcalledtohim.\'Ha,Guesle!\'hesaidwithgood-temper,\'isityou?Isyourfriendwithyou?\'
TheSolicitorwentforwardwiththemonkathiselbow,andIhadleisuretoremarkthefavourablechangewhichhadtakenplaceintheking,whospokemorestronglyandseemedinbetterhealththanofold.Hisfacelookedlesscadaverousunderthepaint,hisformatriflelessemaciated.Thatwhichstruckmemorethananything,however,wastheimprovementinhisspirits.Hiseyessparkledfromtimetotime,andhelaughedcontinually,sothatI
couldscarcelybelievethathewasthesamemanwhomIhadseenoverwhelmedwithdespairandtorturedbyhisconscience.
LettinghisattentionslipfromLaGuesle,hebegantobandywordswiththenoblemanwhostoodnearesttohim;lookingupathimwitharoguisheye,andmakingbetsonthefallofParis.
\'Morbleu!\'Iheardhimcrygaily,\'Iwouldgiveathousandpoundstoseethe\'Montpensierthismorning!Shemaykeepherthirdcrownforherself.Or,PESTE!wemightputherinaconvent.Thatwouldbeafinevengeance!\'
\'Theveilforthetonsure,\'thenoblemansaidwithasmirk.
\'Ay.Whynot?Shewouldhavemadeamonkofme,\'thekingrejoinedsmartly.\'Shemustbereadytohangherselfwithhergartersthismorning,ifsheisnotdeadofspitealready.Or,stay,Ihadforgottenhergoldenscissors.Letheropenaveinwiththem.Well,whatdoesyourfriendwant,LaGuesle?\'
Ididnotheartheanswer,butitwasapparentlysatisfactory,forinaminuteallexcepttheJacobinfellback,leavingthemonkstandingbeforetheking;who,stretchingouthishand,tookfromhimaletter.TheJacobin,tremblingvisibly,seemedscarcelyabletosupportthehonourdonehim,andtheking,seeingthis,saidinavoiceaudibletoall,\'Standup,man.Youarewelcome.Iloveacowlassomelovealady\'shood.Andnow,whatisthis?\'
Hereadapartoftheletterandrose.Ashedidsothemonkleanedforwardasthoughtoreceivethepaperbackagain,andthensoswiftly,sosuddenly,withsounexpectedamovementthatnoonestirreduntilallwasover,struckthekinginthebodywithaknife!Asthebladeflashedandwashidden,andHisMajestywithadeepsobfellbackonthestool,then,andnottillthen,IknewthatIhadmissedaprovidentialchanceofearningpardonandprotection.ForhadIonlymarkedtheJacobinaswepassedthedoortogether,andreadhisevilfacearight,aword,oneword,haddoneformemorethanthepleadingofascoreofCrillons!
Toolateadozensprangforwardtotheking\'sassistance;butbeforetheyreachedhimhehadhimselfdrawntheknifefromthewoundandstrucktheassassinwithitonthehead.Whilesome,withcriesofgrief,rantosupportHenry,fromwhosebodythebloodwasalreadyflowingfast,othersseizedandstruckdownthewretchedmonk.AstheygatheredroundhimIsawhimraisehimselfforamomentonhiskneesandlookupward;thebloodwhichrandownhisface,nolessthanthemingledtriumphandhorrorofhisfeatures,impressedthesightonmyrecollection.
Thenextinstantthreeswordswereplungedintohisbreast,andhiswrithingbody,pluckedupfromtheflooramidatransportofcurses,wasforcedheadlongthroughthecasementandflungdowntomakesportforthegroomsandscullionswhostoodbelow.
Asceneofindescribableconfusionfollowed,somecryingthatthekingwasdead,whileotherscalledforadoctor,andsomebynameforDortoman.Iexpectedtoseethedoorsclosedandallwithinsecured,thatifthemanhadconfederatestheymightbetaken.
Buttherewasnoonetogivetheorder.Instead,manywhohadneithertheENTREEnoranybusinessinthechamberforcedtheirwayin,andbytheircriesandpressurerenderedthehub-bubandtumultahundredtimesworse.Inthemidstofthis,whileI
stoodstunnedanddumbfounded,myownrisksandconcernsforgotten,Ifeltmysleevefuriouslyplucked,and,lookinground,foundSimonatmyelbow.Thelad\'sfacewascrimson,hiseyesseemed,startingfromhishead.
\'Come,\'hemuttered,seizingmyarm.\'Come!\'Andwithoutfurtherceremonyorexplanationhedraggedmetowardsthedoor,whilehisfaceandmannerevincedasmuchheatandimpatienceasifhehadbeenhimselftheassassin.\'Come,thereisnotamomenttobelost,\'hepanted,continuinghisexertionswithouttheleastintermission.
\'Whither?\'Isaid,inamazement,asIreluctantlypermittedhimtoforcemealongthepassageandthroughthegapingcrowdonthestairs.\'Whither,man?\'
\'Mountandride!\'wastheanswerhehissedinmyear.\'RideforyourlifetotheKingofNavarre——totheKingofFranceitmaybe!Rideasyouhaveneverriddenbefore,andtellhimthenews,andbidhimlooktohimself!Bethefirst,and,Heavenhelpingus,Turennemaydohisworst!\'
IfelteverynerveinmybodytingleasIawoketohismeaning.
WithoutawordIlefthisarm,andflungmyselfintothecrowdwhichfilledthelowerpassagetosuffocation.AsIstruggledfiercelywiththemSimonaidedmebycrying\'Adoctor!adoctor!
makewaythere!\'andthisinducedmanytogiveplacetomeundertheideathatIwasanaccreditedmessenger.EventuallyI
succeededinforcingmywaythroughandreachingthecourtyard;
being,asitturnedout,thefirstpersontoissuefromtheChateau.Adozenpeoplesprangtowardsmewithanxiouseyesandquestionsontheirlips;butIranpastthemand,catchingtheCid,whichwasfortunatelyathand,bytherein,boundedintothesaddle.
AsIturnedthehorsetothegateIheardSimoncryafterme.
\'TheScholars\'Meadow!Gothatway!\'andthenIheardnomore.
Iwasoutoftheyardandgallopingbare-headeddownthepitchedstreet,whilewomensnatchedtheirinfantsupandranaside,andmencamestartledtothedoors,cryingthattheLeaguewasuponus.Asthegoodhorseflunguphisheadandboundedforward,hurlingthegravelbehindhimwithhoofswhichslidandclatteredonthepavement,asthewindbegantowhistlebyme,andIseizedthereinsinashortergrip,Ifeltmyheartboundwithexultation.Iexperiencedsuchablessedreliefandelationastheprisonerlongfetteredandconfinedfeelswhenrestoredtotheairofheaven.
Downonestreetandthroughanarrowlanewethundered,untilabrokengatewaystoppedwithfascines——throughwhichtheCidblunderedandstumbled——broughtusataboundintotheScholars\'
Meadowjustasthetardysunbrokethroughthecloudsandfloodedthelow,wideplainwithbrightness.HalfaleagueinfrontofusthetowersofMeudonrosetoviewonahill.Inthedistance,totheleft,laythewallsofParis,andnearer,onthesameside,adozenfortsandbatteries;whilehereandthere,inthatquarter,ashiningclumpofspearsoradensemassofinfantrybetrayedtheenemy\'spresence.
Iheedednoneofthesethings,however,noranythingexceptthetowersofMeudon,settingtheCid\'sheadstraightfortheseandridingonatthetopofhisspeed.Swiftlyditchanddykecameintoviewbeforeusandflashedawaybeneathus.Menlyinginpitsroseupandaimedatus;orranwithcriestointerceptus.
Acannon-shotfiredfromthefortbyIssytoreuptheearthtooneside;aknotoflancersspedfromtheshelterofanearthworkinthesamequarter,andracedusforhalfamile,withfranticshoutsandthreatsofvengeance.Butallsucheffortswerevanity.TheCid,firedbythissuddencalluponhisspeed,andfeelinghimselfloosed——rarestofevents——todohisbest,shookthefoamfromhisbit,andopeninghisblood-rednostrilstothewind,crouchedlowerandlower;untilhislongneck,stretchedoutbeforehim,seemed,astheswardsweptby,likethepointofanarrowspeedingresistlesstoitsaim.
Godknows,astheairrushedbymeandthesunshoneinmyface,Icriedaloudlikeaboy,andthoughIsatstillandstirredneitherhandnorfoot,lestIshouldbreakthegoodSard\'sstride,IprayedwildlythatthehorsewhichIhadgroomedwithmyownhandsandfedwithmylastcrownmightholdonunfalteringtotheend.ForIdreamedthatthefateofanationrodeinmysaddle;andmindfulalikeofSimon\'swords,\'Bidhimlooktohimself,\'andofmyownnotionthattheLeaguewouldnotbesofoolishastoremoveoneenemytoexaltanother,Ithoughtnothingmorelikelythanthat,withallmyfury,Ishouldarrivetoolate,andfindtheKingofNavarreasIhadlefttheKingofFrance.
InthisstrenuoushasteIcoveredamileasamilehasseldombeencoveredbefore;andIwasgrowingundertheinfluenceofthebreezewhichwhippedmytemplessomewhatmorecoolandhopeful,whenIsawonasuddenrightbeforeme,andbetweenmeandMeudon,ahandfulofmenengagedinaMELEE.Therewereredandwhitejacketsinit——leaguersandHuguenots——andtheredcoatsseemedtobehavingtheworstofit.Still,whileIwatched,theycameoffinorder,andunfortunatelyinsuchawayandatsuchaspeedthatIsawtheymustmeetmefacetofacewhetherI
triedtoavoidtheencounterornot.Ihadbarelytimetotakeinthedangeranditsnearness,anddiscernbeyondbothpartiesthemain-guardoftheHuguenots,enlivenedbyascoreofpennons,whentheLeaguerswereuponme.
IsupposetheyknewthatnofriendwouldrideforMeudonatthatpace,fortheydashedatmesixabreastwithashoutoftriumph;
andbeforeIcouldcountascorewemet.TheCidwasstillrunningstrongly,andIhadnotthoughttostayhim,sothatI
hadnotimetousemypistols.MyswordIhadout,butthesundazzledmeandthemenworecorslets,andImadebutpoorplaywithit;thoughIstruckoutsavagely,aswecrashedtogether,inmyrageatthissuddencrossingofmyhopeswhenallseemeddoneandgained.TheCidfacedthembravely——IheardthedistanthuzzaoftheHuguenots——andIputasideonepointwhichthreatenedmythroat.Butthesunwasinmyeyesandsomethingstruckmeonthehead.Anothersecond,andablowinthebreastforcedmefairlyfromthesaddle.GrippingfuriouslyattheairIwentdown,stunnedanddizzy,mylastthoughtasIstruckthegroundbeingofmademoiselle,andthelittlebrookwiththestepping-stones.
CHAPTERXXXV.
\'LEROIESTMORT!\'
ItwasM.d\'Agen\'sbreastpiecesavedmylifebywardingoffthepointofthevarlet\'ssword,sothattheworstinjuryIgotwasthelossofmybreathforfiveminutes,withaswimmingintheheadandakindofsyncope.Thesebeingpast,Ifoundmyselfonmybackontheground,withaman\'skneeonmybreastandadozenhorsemenstandingroundme.Theskyreeleddizzilybeforemyeyesandthemen\'sfiguresloomedgigantic;yetIhadsenseenoughtoknowwhathadhappenedtome,andthatmattersmightwellbeworse.
Resigningmyselftotheprospectofcaptivity,Ipreparedtoaskforquarter;whichIdidnotdoubtIshouldreceive,sincetheyhadtakenmeinanopenskirmish,andhonestly,andinthedaylight.Butthemanwhosekneealreadyincommodedmesufficiently,seeingmeabouttospeak,squeezedmeonasuddensofiercely,biddingmeatthesametimeinagruffwhisperbesilent,thatIthoughtIcouldnotdobetterthanobey.
AccordinglyIlaystill,andasinadream,formybrainwasstillclouded,heardsomeonesay,\'Dead!Ishe?Ihopedwehadcomeintime.Well,hedeservedabetterfate.Whoishe,Rosny?\'
\'Doyouknowhim,Maignan?\'saidavoicewhichsoundedstrangelyfamiliar.
Themanwhoknelt;uponmeanswered,\'No,mylord.Heisastrangertome.HehasthelookofaNorman.\'
\'Likeenough!\'repliedahigh-pitchedvoiceIhadnotheardbefore.\'Forherodeagoodhorse.Givemeahundredlikeit,andahundredmentorideasstraight,andIwouldnotenvytheKingofFrance.\'
\'MuchlesshispoorcousinofNavarre,\'thefirstspeakerrejoinedinalaughingtone,\'withoutawholeshirttohisbackoradoubletthatisdecentlynew.Come,Turenne,acknowledgethatyouarenotsobadlyoffafterall!\'
Atthatwordthecloudwhichhaddarkenedmyfacultiessweptonasuddenaside.IsawthatthemenintowhosehandsIhadfallenworewhitefavours,theirleaderawhiteplume;andcomprehendedwithoutmorethattheKingofNavarrehadcometomyrescue,andbeatenofftheLeaguerswhohaddismountedme.Atthesamemomenttheremembranceofallthathadgonebefore,andespeciallyofthesceneIhadwitnessedintheking\'schamber,rusheduponmymindwithsuchoverwhelmingforcethatIfellintoafuryofimpatienceatthethoughtofthetimeIhadwasted;andrisingupsuddenlyIthrewoffMaignanwithallmyforce,cryingoutthatIwasalive——thatIwasalive,andhadnews.
Theequerrydidhisbesttorestrainme,cursingmeunderhisbreathforafool,andalmost;squeezingthelifeoutofme.Butinvain,fortheKingofNavarre,ridingnearer,sawmestruggling.\'Hallo!hallo!\'tisastrangedeadman,\'hecried,interposing.\'Whatisthemeaningofthis?Lethimgo!Doyouhear,sirrah?Lethimgo!\'
Theequerryobeyedandstoodbacksullenly,andIstaggeredtomyfeet,andlookedroundwitheyeswhichstillswamandwatered.
Ontheinstantacryofrecognitiongreetedme,withahundredexclamationsofastonishment.WhileIheardmynameutteredoneverysideinadozendifferenttones,IremarkedthatM.deRosny,uponwhommyeyesfirstfell,alonestoodsilent,regardingmewithafaceofsorrowfulsurprise.
\'Byheavens,sir,Iknewnothingofthis!\'IheardtheKingofNavarredeclare,addressinghimselftotheVicomtedeTurenne.
\'Themanisherebynoconnivanceofmine.Interrogatehimyourself,ifyouwill.OrIwill.Speak,sir,\'hecontinued,turningtomewithhiscountenancehardandforbidding.\'Youheardmeyesterday,whatIpromisedyou?Why,inGod\'sname,areyouhereto-day?\'
Itriedtoanswer,butMaignanhadsohandledmethatIhadnotbreathenough,andstoodpanting.
\'YourHighness\'sclemencyinthismatter,\'M.deTurennesaid,withasneer,\'hasbeensogreathetrustedtoitscontinuance.
Anddoubtlesshethoughttofindyoualone.IfearIamintheway.\'
Iknewhimbyhisfigureandhisgrandair,whichinanyothercompanywouldhavemarkedhimformaster;andforgettingtheimpatiencewhichamomentbeforehadconsumedme——doubtlessIwasstilllight-headed——Iansweredhim.\'YetIhadoncethepromiseofyourlordship\'sprotection,\'Igasped.
\'Myprotection,sir?\'heexclaimed,hiseyesgleamingangrily.
\'Evenso,\'Ianswered.\'AttheinnatEtampes,whereM.deCrillonwouldhavefoughtme.\'
Hewasvisiblytakenaback.\'Areyouthatman?\'hecried.
\'Iam.ButIamnotheretoprateofmyself,\'Ireplied.Andwiththat——theremembranceofmyneglectederrandflashingonmeagain——IstaggeredtotheKingofNavarre\'sside,and,fallingonmyknees,seizedhisstirrup.\'Sire,Ibringyounews!greatnews!dreadfulnews!\'Icried,clingingtoit.\'HisMajestywasbutaquarterofanhouragostabbedinthebodyinhischamberbyavillainmonk.Andisdying,or,itmaybe,dead.\'
\'Dead?TheKing!\'Turennecriedwithanoath.\'Impossible!\'
VaguelyIheardotherscrying,somethis,somethat,assurpriseandconsternation,oranger,orincredulitymovedthem.ButI
didnotanswerthem,forHenry,remainingsilent,heldmespellboundandawedbythe,marvellouschangewhichIsawfallonhisface.Hiseyesbecameonasuddensuffusedwithblood,andseemedtoretreatunderhisheavybrows;hischeeksturnedofabrick-redcolour;hishalf-openlipsshowedhisteethgleamingthroughhisbeard;whilehisgreatnose,whichseemedtocurveandcurveuntilitwell-nighmethischin,gavetohismobilecountenanceanaspectasstrangeasitwasterrifying.Withalheutteredforatimenoword,thoughIsawhishand,griptheriding-whipheheldinaconvulsivegrasp,asthoughhisthoughtwere\'\'Tismine!Mine!Wrestitawaywhodares!\'
\'Bethinkyou,sir,\'hesaidatlast,fixinghispiercingeyesonme,andspeakinginaharsh,lowtone,likethegrowlingofagreatdog,\'thisisnojesting-time.Norwillyousaveyourskinbyaruse.Tellme,onyourperil,isthisatrick?\'
\'Heavenforbid,sire!\'Iansweredwithpassion.\'Iwasinthechamber,andsawit;withmyowneyes.Imountedontheinstant,androdehitherbytheshortestroutetowarnyourHighnesstolooktoyourself.Monksaremany,andtheHolyUnionisnotapttostophalf-way.\'
Isawhebelievedme,forhisfacerelaxed.Hisbreathseemedtocomeandgoagain,andforthetenthpartofasecondhiseyessoughtM.deRosny\'s.Thenhelookedatmeagain.
\'Ithankyou,sir,hesaid,bowinggravelyandcourteously,\'foryourcareforme——notforyourtidings,whichareofthesorriest.Godgrantmygoodcousinandkingmaybehurtonly.
Nowtellusexactly——forthesegentlemenareequallyinterestedwithmyself——hadasurgeonseenhim?\'
Irepliedinthenegative,butaddedthatthewoundwasinthegroin,andbledmuch,\'Yousaidafewminutesago,\"dyingoralreadydead!\"\'theKingofNavarrerejoined.\'Why?\'
\'HisMajesty\'sfacewassunken,\'Istammered.
Henodded.\'Youmaybemistaken,\'hesaid.\'Ipraythatyouare.ButherecomesMornay.Hemayknowmore.\'
InamomentIwasabandoned,evenbyM.deTurenne,sogreatwastheanxietywhichpossessedalltolearnthetruth.Maignanalone,underpretenceofadjustingastirrup,remainedbesideme,andentreatedmeinalowvoicetobegone.\'Takethishorse,M.
deMarsac,ifyouwill,\'heurged,\'andridebackthewayyoucame.Youhavedonewhatyoucametodo.Goback,andbethankful.\'
\'Chut!\'Isaid,\'thereisnodanger.\'
\'Youwillsee,\'hereplieddarkly,\'ifyoustayhere.Come,come,takemyadviceandthehorse,\'hepersisted,\'andbegone!
Believeme,itwillbeforthebest.\'
Ilaughedoutrightathisearnestnessandhisfaceofperplexity.
\'IseeyouhaveM.deRosny\'sorderstogetridofme,\'Isaid.
\'ButIamnotgoing,myfriend.Hemustfindsomeotherwayoutofhisembarrassment,forhereIstay.\'
\'Well,yourbloodbeonyourownhead,\'Maignanretorted,swinginghimselfintothesaddlewithagloomyface.\'Ihavedonemybesttosaveyou!\'
\'Andyourmaster!\'Ianswered,laughing.
ForflightwasthelastthingIhadinmymind.IhadriddenthisridewithaclearperceptionthattheonethingIneededwasafootingatCourt.BythespecialkindnessofProvidenceIhadnowgainedthis;andIwasnotthemantoresignitbecauseitprovedtobescantyandperilous.ItwassomethingthatIhadspokentothegreatVicomtefacetofaceandnotbeenconsumed,thatIhadgivenhimlookforlookandstillsurvived,thatIhadputinpracticeCrillon\'slessonsandcometonoharm.