Norwasthisall.IhadneverintheworsttimesblamedtheKingofNavarreforhisdenialofme,Ihadbeenfoolish,indeed,seeingthatitwasinthebargain,hadIdoneso;norhadIeverdoubtedhisgood-willorhisreadinesstorewardmeshouldoccasionarise.Now,Iflatteredmyself,Ihadgivenhimthatwhichheneeded,andhadhithertolacked——anexcuse,Imean,forinterferenceinmybehalf.
WhetherIwasrightorwronginthisnotionIwassoontolearn,foratthismomentHenry\'scavalcade,whichhadleftmeahundredpacesbehind,cametoastop,andwhilesomeofthenumberwavedtometocomeon,onespurredbacktosummonmetotheking.I
hastenedtoobeytheorderasfastasIcould,butIsawonapproachingthatthoughallwasatastandstilltillIcameup,neithertheKingofNavarrenorM.deTurennewasthinkingprincipallyofme.Everyface,fromHenry\'stothatofhisleastimportantcourtier,woreanairofgravepreoccupation;whichI
hadnodifficultyinascribingtothedoubtpresentineverymind,andoutweighingeveryinterest,whethertheKingofFrancewasdead,ordying,ormerelywounded.
\'Quick,sir!\'Henrysaidwithimpatience,assoonasIcamewithinhearing.\'Donotdetainmewithyouraffairslongerthanisnecessary.M.deTurennepressesmetocarryintoeffecttheorderIgaveyesterday.ButasyouhaveplacedyourselfinjeopardyonmyaccountIfeelthat;somethingisduetoyou.Youwillbegoodenough,therefore,topresentyourselfatonceatM.
laVarenne\'slodging,andgivemeyourparoletoremaintherewithoutstirringabroaduntilyouraffairisconcluded.\'
AwarethatIowedthisrespite,whichatoncesecuredmypresentsafetyandpromisedwellforthefuture,tothegreateventthat,eveninM.deTurenne\'smind,hadovershadowedallothers,I
bowedinsilence.Henry,however,wasnotcontentwiththis.
\'Come,sir,\'hesaidsharply,andwitheveryappearanceofanger,\'doyouagreetothat?\'
IrepliedhumblythatIthankedhimforhisclemency.
\'Thereisnoneedofthanks,\'herepliedcoldly.\'WhatIhavedoneiswithoutprejudicetoM.deTurenne\'scomplaint.Hemusthavejustice.\'
Ibowedagain,andinamomentthetroopweregoneatagalloptowardsMeudon,whence,asIafterwardslearned,theKingofNavarre,attendedbyaselectbodyoffive-and-twentyhorsemen,wearingprivatearms,rodeonatfullspeedtoSt.CloudtopresenthimselfathisMajesty\'sbedside.AgroomwhohadcaughttheCid,whichhadescapedintothetownwithnootherinjurythanaslightwoundintheshoulder,by-and-bymetmewiththehorse;andinthiswayIwasenabledtorendermyselfwithsomedecencyatVarenne\'slodging,asmallhouseatthefootofthehill,notfarfromtheCastle-gate.
HereIfoundmyselfundernogreaterconstraintthanthatwhichmyownparolelaiduponme;andmyroomhavingtheconveniencyofawindowlookinguponthepublicstreet,Iwasenabledfromhourtohourtocomprehendandenterintothevariousalarmsandsurpriseswhichmadethatdayremarkable.Themanifoldreportswhichflewfrommouthtomouthontheoccasion,aswellastheovermasteringexcitementwhichseizedall,aresowellremembered,however,thatIforbeartodwelluponthem,thoughtheyservedtodistractmymindfrommyownposition.SufficeitthatatonemomentweheardthatHisMajestywasdead,atanotherthatthewoundwasskindeep,andagainthatwemightexpecthimatMeudonbeforesunset.TherumourthattheDuchessdeMontpensierhadtakenpoisonwasnosoonerbelievedthanwewereaskedtolistentothegunsofParisfiringFEUXDEJOIEinhonouroftheKing\'sdeath.
ThestreetsweresocloselypackedwithpersonstellingandhearingthesetalesthatIseemedfrommywindowtobelookingonafair.Norwasallmyamusementwithoutdoors;foranumberofthegentlemenoftheCourt,hearingthatIhadbeenatSt.Cloudinthemorning,andintheverychamber,athingwhichmademeforthemomentthemostdesirablecompanionintheworld,rememberedonasuddenthattheyhadaslightacquaintancewithme,andhonouredmebycallinguponmeandsittingagreatpartofthedaywithme.FromwhichcircumstanceIconfessIderivedasmuchhopeastheydiversion;knowingthatcourtiersarethebestweather-prophetsintheworld,whohatenothingsomuchastobediscoveredinthecompanyofthoseonwhomthesundoesnotshine.
ThereturnoftheKingofNavarre,whichhappenedaboutthemiddleoftheafternoon,whileitdissipatedthefearsofsomeanddashedthehopesofothers,putanendtothisstateofuncertaintybyconfirming,tothesurpriseofmany,thatHisMajestywasinnodanger.Welearnedwithvaryingemotionsthatthefirstappearances,whichhaddeceived,notmyselfonly,butexperiencedleeches,hadbeenthemselvesbeliedbysubsequentconditions;andthat,inaword,Parishadasmuchtofear,andloyalmenasmuchtohope,asbeforethiswickedandaudaciousattempt.
Ihadnomorethanstomachedthissurprisinginformation,whichwaslesswelcometome,Iconfess,thanitshouldhavebeen,whenthearrivalofM.d\'Agen,whogreetedmewiththeaffectionwhichheneverfailedtoshowme,distractedmythoughtsforatime.
ImmediatelyonlearningwhereIwasand,thestrangeadventureswhichhadbefallenmehehadriddenoff;stoppingonlyonce,whenhehadnearlyreachedme,forthepurposeofwaitingonMadamedeBruhl.Iaskedhimhowshehadreceivedhim.
\'Likeherself,\'herepliedwithaningenuousblush.\'MorekindlythanIhadarighttoexpect,ifnotaswarmlyasIhadthecouragetohope.\'
\'Thatwillcomewithtime,\'Isaid,laughing.\'AndMademoiselledelaVire?\'
\'Ididnotseeher,\'heanswered,\'butIheardshewaswell.Andahundredfathomsdeeperinlove,\'headded,eyeingmeroguishly,\'thanwhenIsawherlast.\'
Itwasmyturntocolournow,andIdidso,feelingallthepleasureanddelightsuch,astatementwascalculatedtoaffordme.PicturingmademoiselleasIhadseenherlast,leaningfromherhorsewithlovewrittensoplainlyonherweepingfacethatallwhoranmightread,IsankintosodeliciousareveriethatM.laVarenne,enteringsuddenly,surprisedusbothbeforeanotherwordpassedoneitherside.
Hislookandtonewereasabruptasitwasinhisnature,whichwassoftandcompliant,tomakethem.\'M.deMarsac,\'hesaid,\'Iamsorrytoputanyconstraintuponyou,butIamdirectedtoforbidyoutoyourfriends.AndImustrequestthisgentlemantowithdraw.\'
\'Butalldaymyfriendshavecomeinandout,\'Isaidwithsurprise.\'Isthisaneworder?\'
\'Awrittenorder,whichreachedmenofartherbackthantwominutesago,\'heansweredplainly.\'Iamalsodirectedtoremoveyoutoaroomatthebackofthehouse,thatyoumaynotoverlookthestreet.\'
\'Butmyparolewastaken,\'Icried,withanaturalfeelingofindignation.
Heshruggedhisshoulders.\'IamsorrytosaythatIhavenothingtodowiththat,\'heanswered.\'Icanonlyobeyorders.
Imustaskthisgentleman,therefore,towithdraw.\'
OfcourseM.d\'Agenhadnooptionbuttoleaveme;whichhedid,Icouldsee,notwithstandinghiseasyandconfidentexpressions,withagooddealofmistrustandapprehension.Whenhewasgone,LaVarennelostnotimeincarryingouttheremainderofhisorders.AsaconsequenceIfoundmyselfconfinedtoasmallandgloomyapartmentwhichlooked,atadistanceofthreepaces,uponthesmoothfaceoftherockonwhichtheCastlestood.Thischange,fromawindowwhichcommandedallthelifeofthetown,andinterceptedeverybreathofpopularfancy,toaclosetwhithernosoundspenetrated,andwheretheverytransitionfromnoontoeveningscarcelymadeitselfknown,couldnotfailtodepressmyspiritssensibly;themoreasItookittobesignificantofachangeinmyfortunesfullyasgrave.
ReflectingthatImustnowappeartotheKingofNavarreinthelightofabeareroffalsetidings,IassociatedtheordertoconfinememorecloselywithhisreturnfromSt.Cloud;andcomprehendingthatM.deTurennewasoncemoreatlibertytoattendtomyaffairs,IbegantolookaboutmewithforebodingswhichwerenonethelesspainfulbecausetheparoleIhadgivendebarredmefromanyattempttoescape.
Sleepandhabitenabledme,nevertheless,topassthenightincomfort.Veryearlyinthemorningagreatfiringofguns,whichmadeitselfheardeveninmyquarters,ledmetosupposethatParishadsurrendered;buttheservantwhobroughtmemybreakfast;declinedinasurlyfashiontogivemeanyinformation.Intheend,Ispentthewholedayalone,mythoughtsdividedbetweenmymistressandmyownprospects,whichseemedtogrowmoreandmoregloomyasthehourssucceededoneanother.Noonecamenearme,nostepbrokethesilenceofthehouse;andforawhileIthoughtmyguardianshadforgotteneventhatIneededfood.Thisomission,itistrue,wasmadegoodaboutsunset,butstillM.laVarennedidnotappear,theservantseemedtobedumb,andIheardnosoundsinthehouse.
Ihadfinishedmymealanhourormore,andtheroomwasgrowingdark,whenthesilencewasatlastbrokenbyquickstepspassingalongtheentrance.Theypaused,andseemedtohesitateatthefootofthestairs,butthenextmomenttheycameonagain,andstoppedatmydoor.Irosefrommyseatonhearingthekeyturnedinthelock,andmyastonishmentmaybeconceivedwhenI
sawnootherthanM.deTurenneenter,andclosethedoorbehindhim.
Hesalutedmeinahaughtymannerasheadvancedtothetable,raisinghiscapforaninstantandthenreplacingit.Thisdonehestoodlookingatme,andIathim,inasilencewhichonmysidewastheresultofpureastonishment;onhis,ofcontemptandakindofwonder.Theeveninglight,whichwasfastfailing,lentasombrewhitenesstohisface,causingittostandoutfromtheshadowsbehindhiminawaywhichwasnotwithoutitsinfluenceonme.
\'Well!\'hesaidat,last,speakingslowlyandwithunimaginableinsolence,\'Iamheretolookatyou!\'
Ifeltmyangerrise,andgavehimbacklookforlook.\'Atyourwill,\'Isaid,shruggingmyshoulders.
\'Andtosolveaquestion,\'hecontinuedinthesametone.\'Tolearnwhetherthemanwhowasmadenoughtoinsultanddefymewastheoldpennilessdullardsomecalledhim,orthedare-devilotherspaintedhim.\'
\'Youaresatisfiednow?\'Isaid.
Heeyedmeforamomentclosely;thenwithsuddenheathecried,\'CursemeifIam!NorwhetherIhavetodowithamanverydeeporveryshallow,afooloraknave!\'
\'Youmaysaywhatyoupleasetoaprisoner,\'Iretortedcoldly.
\'Turennecommonlydoes——towhomhepleases!\'heanswered.Thenextmomenthemademestartbysaying,ashedrewoutacomfit-
boxandopenedit,\'Iamjustfromthelittlefoolyouhavebewitched.IfshewereinmypowerIwouldhaveherwhippedandputonbreadandwatertillshecametohersenses.Assheisnot,Imusttakeanotherway.Haveyouanyidea,mayIask,\'hecontinuedinhiscynicaltone,\'whatisgoingtobecomeofyou,M.deMarsac?\'
Ireplied,myheartinexpressiblylightenedbywhathehadsaidofmademoiselle,thatIplacedthefullestconfidenceinthejusticeoftheKingofNavarre.
Herepeatedthenameinatone,Ididnotunderstand.
\'Yes,sir,theKingofNavarre,\'Iansweredfirmly.
\'Well,Idaresayyouhavegoodreasontodoso,\'herejoinedwithasneer.\'UnlessIammistakenheknewalittlemoreofthisaffairthanheacknowledges.\'
\'Indeed?TheKingofNavarre?\'Isaid,staringstolidlyathim.
\'Yes,indeed,indeed,theKingofNavarre!\'heretorted,mimickingme,withanearerapproachtoangerthanIhadyetwitnessedinhim.\'Butlethimbeamoment,sirrah!\'hecontinued,\'anddoyoulistentome.Orfirstlookatthat.
Seeingisbelieving.\'
Hedrewoutashespokeapaper,or,tospeakmorecorrectly,aparchment,whichhethrustwithakindofsavagescornintomyhand.RepressingforthemomentthesurpriseIfelt,Itookittothewindow,andreadingitwithdifficulty,foundittobearoyalpatentdrawn,asfarasIcouldjudge,indueform,andappointingsomepersonunknown——forthenamewasleftblank——tothepostofLieutenant-GovernoroftheArmagnac,withasalaryoftwelvethousandlivresayear!
\'Well,sir?\'hesaidimpatiently.
\'Well?\'Iansweredmechanically.Formybrainreeled;theexhibitionofsuchapaperinsuchawayraisedextraordinarythoughtsinmymind.
\'Canyoureadit?\'heasked.
\'Certainly,\'Ianswered,tellingmyselfthathewouldfainplayatrickonme.
\'Verywell,\'hereplied,\'thenlisten.Iamgoingtocondescend;
tomakeyouanoffer,M.deMarsac.Iwillprocureyouyourfreedom,andfilluptheblank,whichyouseethere,withyourname——upononecondition.\'
Istaredathimwithalltheastonishmentitwasnaturalformetofeelintheface,ofsuchaproposition.\'Youwillconferthisofficeonme?\'Imutteredincredulously.
\'Thekinghavingplaceditatmydisposal,\'heanswered,\'Iwill.
Butfirstletmeremindyou,\'hewentonproudly,\'thattheaffairhasanotherside.OntheonehandIofferyousuchemployment,M.deMarsac,asshouldsatisfyyourhighestambition.Ontheother,Iwarnyouthatmypowertoavengemyselfisnolessto-daythanitwasyesterday;andthatifI
condescendtobuyyou,itisbecausethatcoursecommendsitselftomeforreasons,notbecauseitistheonlyoneopen.\'
Ibowed.\'Thecondition,M.leVicomte?\'Isaidhuskily,beginningtounderstandhim.
\'Thatyougiveupallclaimandsuittothehandofmykinswoman,\'heansweredlightly.\'Thatisall.Itisasimpleandeasycondition.\'
Ilookedathiminrenewedastonishment,inwonder,instupefaction;askingmyselfahundredquestions.Whydidhestooptobargain,whocouldcommand?Whydidhecondescendtotreat,whoheldmeathismercy?Whydidhegravelydiscussmyaspirations,towhomtheymustseemtherankestpresumption?
Why?——butIcouldnotfollowit.Istoodlookingathiminsilence;inperplexityasgreatasifhehadofferedmetheCrownofFrance;inamazementanddoubtandsuspicionthatknewnobounds.
\'Well!\'hesaidatlast,misreadingtheemotionwhichappearedinmyface.\'Youconsent,sir?\'
\'Never!\'Iansweredfirmly.
Hestarted.\'IthinkIcannothaveheardyouaright,\'hesaid,speakingslowlyandalmostcourteously.\'Iofferyouagreatplaceandmypatronage,M.deMarsac.DoIunderstandthatyoupreferaprisonandmyenmity?\'
\'Onthoseconditions,\'Ianswered.
\'Think,think!\'hesaidharshly.
\'Ihavethought,\'Ianswered.
\'Ay,buthaveyouthoughtwhereyouare?\'heretorted.\'Haveyouthoughthowmanyobstaclesliebetweenyouandthislittlefool?Howmanypersonsyoumustwinover,howmanyfriendsyoumustgain?Haveyouthoughtwhatitwillbetohavemeagainstyouinthis,orwhichofusismorelikelytowinintheend?\'
\'Ihavethought,\'Irejoined.
Butmyvoiceshook,mylipsweredry.Theroomhadgrowndark.
Therockoutside,interceptingthelight,gaveitalreadytheairofadungeon.ThoughIdidnotdreamofyieldingtohim,thoughIevenfeltthatinthisinterviewhehaddescendedtomylevel,andIhadhadthebetterofhim,Ifeltmyheartsink.
ForIrememberedhowmenimmuredinprisonsdragouttheirlivesalwayspetitioning,alwaysforgotten;howwearilythedaysgo,thattofreemenarebrightwithhopeandambition.AndIsawinaflashwhatitwouldbetoremainhere,orinsomesuchplace;
nevertocrosshorseagain,orbreathethefreeairofHeaven,nevertoheartheclinkofswordagainststirrup,ortherichtonesofM.d\'Agen\'svoicecallingforhisfriend!
IexpectedM.deTurennetogowhenIhadmademyanswer,orelsetofallintosucharageasoppositionisapttocauseinthosewhoseldomencounterit.Tomysurprise,however,herestrainedhimself.\'Come,\'hesaid,withpatiencewhichfairlyastonishedme,andsomuchthemoreaschagrinwasclearlymarkedinhisvoice,\'Iknowwhereyouputyourtrust.YouthinktheKingofNavarrewillprotectyou.Well,IpledgeyouthehonourofTurennethathewillnot;thattheKingofNavarrewilldonothingtosaveyou.Now,whatdoyousay?\'
\'AsIsaidbefore,\'Ianswereddoggedly.
Hetookuptheparchmentfromthetablewithagrimlaugh.\'Somuchtheworseforyouthen!\'hesaid,shrugginghisshoulders.
\'Somuchtheworseforyou!Itookyouforarogue!Itseemsyouareafool!\'
CHAPTERXXXVI.
\'VIVELEROI!\'
Hetookhisleavewiththosewords.Buthisdeparture,whichI
shouldhavehailedafewminutesbeforewithjoy,asarelieffromembarrassmentandhumiliation,foundmeindifferent.ThestatementtowhichhehadsolemnlypledgedhimselfinregardtotheKingofNavarre,thatIcouldexpectnofurtherhelpfromhim,hadprostratedme;dashingmyhopesandspiritssocompletelythatIremainedrootedtothespotlongafterhisstephadceasedtosoundonthestairs.Ifwhathesaidwastrue,inthegloomwhichdarkenedalikemyroomandmyprospectsIcoulddescrynoglimmeroflight.IknewHisMajesty\'sweaknessandvacillationtoowelltoreposeanyconfidenceinhim;iftheKingofNavarrealsoabandonedme,Iwasindeedwithouthope,aswithoutresource.
Ihadstoodsometimewithmymindpainfullyemployeduponthisproblem,whichmyknowledgeofM.deTurenne\'sstricthonourinprivatemattersdidnotallowmetodismisslightly,whenIheardanothersteponthestairs,andinamomentM.laVarenneopenedthedoor.Findingmeinthedarkhemutteredanapologyfortheremissnessoftheservants;whichIaccepted,seeingnothingelseforit,ingoodpart.
\'Wehavebeenatsixes-and-sevensallday,andyouhavebeenforgotten,\'hecontinued.\'Butyouwillhavenoreasontocomplainnow.IamorderedtoconductyoutoHisMajestywithoutdelay.\'
\'ToSt.Cloud?\'Iexclaimed,greatlyastonished.
\'No,thekingofFranceishere,\'heanswered.
\'AtMeudon?\'
\'Tobesure.Whynot?\'
IexpressedmywonderathisMajesty\'srapidrecovery.
\'Pooh!\'heansweredroughly.\'Heisaswellasheeverwas.I
willleaveyoumylight.Begoodenoughtodescendassoonasyouareready,foritisillworkkeepingkingswaiting.Oh!
andIhadforgottenonething,\'hecontinued,returningwhenhehadalreadyreachedthedoor.\'Myordersaretoseethatyoudonotholdconversewithanyoneuntilyouhaveseentheking,M.deMarsac.Youwillkindlyrememberthisifwearekeptwaitingintheantechamber.\'
\'AmItobetransportedto——othercustody?\'Iasked,mymindfullofapprehension.
Heshruggedhisshoulders.\'Possibly,\'hereplied.\'Idonotknow.\'
OfcoursetherewasnothingforitbuttomurmurthatIwasattheking\'sdisposition;afterwhichLaVarenneretired,leavingmetoputthebestfaceonthematterIcould.NaturallyI
auguredanythingbutwellofaninterviewweightedwithsuchacondition;andthiscontributedstillfurthertodepressmyspirits,alreadyloweredbythelongsolitudeinwhichIhadpassedtheday.Fearingnothing,however,somuchassuspense,I
hastenedtodowhatIcouldtorepairmycostume,andthendescendedtothefootofthestairs,whereIfoundmycustodianawaitingmewithacoupleofservants,ofwhomoneborealink.
Wewentoutsidebyside,andhavingbarelyahundredyardstogo,seemedinamomenttobepassingthroughthegateoftheCastle.Inoticedthattheentrancewasverystronglyguarded,butaninstant\'sreflectionservedtoremindmethatthiswasnotsurprisingafterwhathadhappenedatSt.Cloud.IremarkedtoM.laVarenneaswecrossedthecourtyardthatIsupposedParishadsurrendered;butherepliedinthenegativesocurtly,andwithsolittleconsideration,thatIforeboretoaskanyotherquestions;andtheChateaubeingsmall,wefoundourselvesalmostatonceinalong,narrowcorridor,whichappearedtoserveastheantechamber.
Itwasbrilliantlylightedandcrowdedfromendtoend,andalmostfromwalltowall,withamobofcourtiers;whosesilence,nolessthantheirkeenandanxiouslooks,tookmebysurprise.
Hereandtheretwoorthree,whohadseizedupontheembrasureofawindow,talkedtogetherinalowtone;oracouple,whothoughtthemselvessufficientlyimportanttopacethenarrowpassagebetweenthewaitinglines,conversedinwhispersastheywalked.
Buteventhesewereswifttotakealarm,andcontinuallylookedaskance;whilethegeneralcompanystoodatgaze,startingandlookingupeagerlywheneverthedoorswungopenoranewcomerwasannounced.ThestrangesilencewhichprevailedremindedmeofnothingsomuchasoftheCourtatBloisonthenightoftheDukeofMercoeur\'sdesertion;butthatstillnesshadbroodedoveremptychambers,thisgaveapeculiarairofstrangenesstoaroomthrongedineverypart.
M.laVarenne,whowasreceivedbythoseaboutthedoorwithsilentpoliteness,drewmeintotherecessofawindow;whenceI
wasabletoremark,amongotherthings,thattheHuguenotspresentalmostoutnumberedtheking\'simmediatefollowing.
Still,amongthosewhowerewalkingupanddown,InoticedM.deRambouillet,towhomatanothertimeIshouldhavehastenedtopaymyrespects;withMarshald\'Aumont,Sancy,andHumieres.NorhadImorethannotedthepresenceofthesebeforethedoorofthechamberopenedandaddedtotheirnumberMarshalBiron,whocameoutleaningonthearmofCrillon.Thesightoftheseoldenemiesincombinationwassufficientofitselftoapprisemethatsomeseriouscrisiswasathand;particularlyastheirprogressthroughthecrowdwaswatched,Iobserved,byahundredcuriousandattentiveeyes.
Theydisappearedatlastthroughtheouterdoor,andtheassemblageturnedaswithoneaccordtoseewhocamenext.ButnearlyhalfanhourelapsedbeforetheChamberdoor,whichallwatchedsostudiously,againopened.Thistimeitwastogivepassagetomylatevisitor,Turenne,whocameoutsmiling,andleaning,tomygreatsurprise,onthearmofM.deRosny.
Asthetwowalkeddowntheroom,greetinghereandthereanobsequiousfriend,andfollowedintheirprogressbyalleyes,I
feltmyheartsinkindeed;bothatsightofTurenne\'sgood-
humour,andofthecompanyinwhichIfoundhim.AwarethatinproportionashewaspleasedIwasliketomeetwithdispleasure,IstillmighthavehadhopelefthadIhadRosnyleft.Losinghim,however——andIcouldnotdoubt,seeinghimasIsawhim,thatIhadlosthim——andcountingtheKingofNavarreasgonealready,IfeltsuchafailureofcourageasIhadneverknownbefore.ItoldmyselfwithshamethatIwasnotmadeforCourts,orforsuchscenesasthese;andrecallingwithnewandkeenmortificationthepoorfigureIhadcutintheKingofNavarre\'santechamberatSt.Jean,IexperiencedsostrangeagushofpityformymistressthatnothingcouldexceedthetendernessIfeltforher.Ihadwonherunderfalsecolours,Iwasnotworthyofher.Ifeltthatmymerepresenceinhercompanyinsuchaplaceasthis,andamongthesepeople,mustcoverherwithshameandhumiliation.
Tomygreatrelief,sinceIknewmyfacewasonfire,neitherofthetwo,astheywalkeddownthepassage,lookedmywayorseemedconsciousofmyneighbourhood.Atthedoortheystoodamomenttalkingearnestly,anditseemedasifM.deRosnywouldhaveaccompaniedtheVicomtefarther.Thelatterwouldnotsufferit,however,buttookhisleavethere;andthiswithsomanypolitegesturesthatmylasthopebasedonM.deRosnyvanished.
Nevertheless,thatgentlemanwasnotsowhollychangedthatonhisturningtore-traversetheroomIdidnotseeasmileflickerforaninstantonhisfeaturesasthetwolinesofbowingcourtiersopenedbeforehim.Thenextmomenthislookfellonme,andthoughhisfacescarcelyaltered,hestoppedoppositeme.
\'M.deMarsaciswaitingtoseeHisMajesty?\'heaskedaloud,speakingtoM.laVarenne.
Mycompanionremainingsilent,Ibowed.
\'Infiveminutes,\'M.deRosnyrepliedquietly,yetwithadistantair,whichmademedoubtwhetherIhadnotdreamedallI
rememberedofthisman.\'Ah!M.dePaul,whatcanIdoforyou?\'hecontinued.Andhebenthisheadtolistentotheapplicationwhichagentlemanwhostoodnextmepouredintohisear.\'Iwillsee,\'Iheardhimanswer.\'Inanycaseyoushallknowto-morrow.\'
\'Butyouwillbemyfriend?\'M.Paulurged,detaininghimbythesleeve.
\'Iwillputonlyonebeforeyou,\'heanswered.
Myneighbourseemedtoshrinkintohimselfwithdisappointment.
\'Whoisit?\'hemurmuredpiteously.
\'Thekingandhisservice,myfriend,\'M.deRosnyreplieddrily.
Andwiththathewalkedaway.Buthalfadozentimesatleast;
beforehereachedtheupperendoftheroomIsawthescenerepeated.
Ilookedonatallthisintheutmostastonishment,unabletoguessorconceivewhathadhappenedtogiveM.deRosnysomuchimportance.Foritdidnot;escapemethatthefewwordshehadstoppedtospeaktomehadinvestedmewithinterestintheeyesofallwhostoodnear.Theygavememoreroomandawiderbreathing-space,andlookingatmeaskance,mutteredmynameinwhispers.Inmyuncertainty,however,whatthisportendedIdrewnocomfortfromit;andbeforeIhadfoundtimetoweighitthoroughlythedoorthroughwhichTurenneandRosnyhadenteredopenedagain.Thepagesandgentlemenwhostoodaboutithastenedtorangethemselvesoneitherside.Anushercarryingawhitewandcamerapidlydowntheroom,hereandthererequestingthecourtierstostandbackwherethepassagewasnarrow.Thenaloudvoicewithoutcried,\'TheKing,gentlemen!theKing!\'andoneineverytwoofusstooda-tiptoetoseehimenter.
ButtherecameinonlyHenryofNavarre,wearingavioletcloakandcap.
IturnedtoLaVarenneandwithmyheadfullofconfusion,mutteredimpatiently,\'Buttheking,man!Whereistheking?\'
Hegrinnedatme,withhishandbeforehismouth.\'Hush!\'hewhispered.\'\'Twasajestweplayedonyou!HislateMajestydiedatdaybreakthismorning.Thisistheking.\'
\'This!theKingofNavarre?\'Icried;soloudlythatsomerounduscalled\'Silence!\'
\'No,theKingofFrance,fool!\'hereplied.\'Yourswordmustbesharperthanyourwits,orIhavebeentoldsomelies!\'
Iletthegibepassandthejest,formyheartwasbeatingsofastandpainfullythatIcouldscarcelypreservemyoutwardcomposure.Therewasamistbeforemyeyes,andadarknesswhichsetthelightsatdefiance.ItwasinvainItriedtothinkwhatthismightmean——tome.Icouldnotputtwothoughtstogether,andwhileIstillquestionedwhatreceptionImightexpect,andwhointhisnewstateofthingsweremyfriends,thekingstoppedbeforeme.
\'Ha,M.deMarsac!\'hecriedcheerfully,signingtothosewhostoodbeforemetogiveplace.\'Youarethegentlemanwhorodesofasttowarnmetheothermorning.IhavespokentoM.deTurenneaboutyou,andheiswillingtooverlookthecomplainthehadagainstyou.Fortherest,gotomycloset,myfriend.Go!
Rosnyknowsmywillrespectingyou.\'
Ihadsenseenoughlefttokneelandkisshishand;butitwasinsilence,whichheknewhowtointerpret.HehadmovedonandwasspeakingtoanotherbeforeIrecoveredtheuseofmytongue,orthewitswhichhisgraciouswordshadscattered.WhenIdidso,andgotonmyfeetagainIfoundmyselfthecentreofsomuchobservationandtheobjectofsomanycongratulationsthatIwasgladtoactuponthehintwhichLaVarennegaveme,andhurryawaytothecloset.
Here,thoughIhadnowaninklingofwhatIhadtoexpect,I
foundmyselfreceivedwithakindnesswhichbadefairtooverwhelmme.OnlyM.deRosnywasintheroom,andhetookmebybothhandsinamannerwhichtoldmewithoutawordthattheRosnyofolddayswasback,andthat;fortheembarrassmentIhadcausedhimoflateIwasmorethanforgiven.WhenItriedtothankhimforthegoodofficeswhichIknewhehaddonemewiththekinghewouldhavenoneofit;remindingmewithasmilethathehadeatenofmycheesewhenthechoicelaybetweenthatandLisieux.
\'Andbesides,myfriend,\'hecontinued,hiseyestwinkling,\'Youhavemademericherbyfivehundredcrowns.\'
\'Howso?\'Iasked,wonderingmoreandmore.
\'IwageredthatsumwithTurennethathecouldnotbribeyou,\'
heanswered,smiling.\'Andsee,\'hecontinued,selectingfromsomeonthetablethesameparchmentIhadseenbefore,\'hereisthebribe.Takeit;itisyours.Ihavegivenascoreto-day,butnonewiththesamepleasure.LetmebethefirsttocongratulatetheLieutenant-GovernoroftheArmagnac.\'
ForawhileIcouldnotbelievethathewasinearnest;whichpleasedhimmightily,Iremember.WhenIwasbroughtatlasttoseethatthekinghadmeantthisformefromthefirst,andhadmerelylentthepatenttoTurennethatthelattermightmaketrialofme,mypleasureandgratificationweresuchthatIcouldnomoreexpressthemthenthanIcannowdescribethem.Fortheyknewnobounds.IstoodbeforeRosnysilentandconfused,withlong-forgottentearswellinguptomyeyes,andoneregretonlyinmyheart——thatmydearmotherhadnotlivedtoseethefondillusionswithwhichIhadsooftenamusedherturnedtosoberfact.Notthen,butafterwards,IremarkedthatthesalaryofmyofficeamountedtotheexactsumwhichIhadbeeninthehabitofnamingtoher;andIlearnedthatRosnyhadhimselffixeditoninformationgivenhimbyMademoiselledelaVire.
Asmytransportsgrewmoremoderate,andIfoundvoicetothankmybenefactor,hehadstillananswer.\'Donotdeceiveyourself,myfriend,\'hesaidgravely,\'orthinkthisanidlereward.MymasterisKingofFrance,butheisakingwithoutakingdom,andacaptainwithoutmoney.To-day,togainhisrights,hehaspartedwithhalfhispowers.Beforehewinallbacktherewillbeblows——blows,myfriend.AndtothatendIhaveboughtyoursword.\'
Itoldhimthatifnootherleftitsscabbardfortheking,mineshouldbedrawn.
\'Ibelieveyou,\'heansweredkindly,layinghishandonmyshoulder.\'Notbyreasonofyourwords——HeavenknowsIhaveheardvowsenoughto-day!——butbecauseIhaveprovedyou.Andnow,\'hecontinued,speakinginanalteredtoneandlookingatmewithaqueersmile,\'nowIsupposeyouareperfectlysatisfied?
Youhavenothingmoretowishfor,myfriend?\'
Ilookedasideinaguiltyfashion,notdaringtopreferonthetopofallhiskindnessafurtherpetition.Moreover,HisMajestymighthaveotherviews;oronthispointTurennemighthaveprovedobstinate.Inaword,therewasnothinginwhathadhappened,oronM.deRosny\'scommunication,toinformmewhetherthewishofmyheartwastobegratifiedornot.
ButIshouldhaveknownthatgreatmanbetterthantosupposethathewasonetopromisewithoutperforming,ortowoundafriendwhenhecouldnotsalvethehurt.Afterenjoyingmyconfusionforatimeheburstintoagreatshoutoflaughter,andtakingmefamiliarlybytheshoulders,turnedmetowardsthedoor.\'There,go!\'hesaid.\'Goupthepassage.Youwillfindadoorontheright,andadoorontheleft.Youwillknowwhichtoopen.\'
Forbiddingmetoutterasyllable,heputmeout.Inthepassage,whereIfainwouldhavestoodawhiletocollectmythoughts,Iwasaffrightedbysoundswhichwarnedmethatthekingwasreturningthatway.Fearingtobesurprisedbyhiminsuchastateofperturbation,Ihurriedtotheendofthepassage,whereIdiscovered,asIhadbeentold,twodoors.
Theywerebothclosed,andtherewasnothingabouteitherofthemtodirectmychoice.ButM.deRosnywascorrectinsupposingthatIhadnotforgottentheadvicehehadofferedmeonthedaywhenhegavemesofineasurpriseinhisownhouse——\'Whenyouwantagoodwife,M.deMarsac,turntotheright!\'Irememberedthewords,andwithoutamoment\'shesitation——forthekingandhissuitewerealreadyenteringthepassage——Iknockedboldly,andscarcelywaitingforaninvitation,wentin.
Fanchettewasbythedoor,butstoodasidewithagrimsmile,whichIwasatlibertytoacceptasawelcomeornot.
Mademoiselle,whohadbeenseatedonthefarthersideofthetable,roseasIentered,andwestoodlookingatoneanother.
Doubtlessshewaitedformetospeakfirst;whileIonmysidewassogreatlytakenabackbythechangewroughtinherbytheCourtdressshewaswearingandtheairofdignitywithwhichsheworeit,thatIstoodgasping.Iturnedcowardafterallthathadpassedbetweenus.ThiswasnotthegirlIhadwooedinthegreenwoodbySt.Gaultier;northepale-facedwomanIhadliftedtothesaddleascoreoftimesinthejourneyParis-wards.ThesenseofunworthinesswhichIhadexperiencedafewminutesbeforeinthecrowdedantechamberreturnedinfullforceinpresenceofhergraceandbeauty,andoncemoreIstoodtongue-
tiedbeforeher,asIhadstoodinthelodgingsatBlois.Allthelatertime,allthathadpassedbetweenuswasforgotten.
She,forherpart,lookedatmewonderingatmysilence.Herface,whichhadgrownrosyredatmyentrance,turnedpaleagain.
Hereyesgrewlargewithalarm;shebegantobeatherfootonthefloorinamannerIknew.\'Isanythingthematter,sir?\'shemutteredatlast.
\'Onthecontrary,mademoiselle,\'Iansweredhoarsely,lookingeveryway,andgraspingatthefirstthingIcouldthinkof,\'I
amjustfromM.deRosny.\'
\'Andhe?\'
\'HehasmademeLieutenant-GovernoroftheArmagnac.\'
Shecurtseyedtomeinawonderfulfashion.\'Itpleasesmetocongratulateyou,sir,\'shesaid,inavoicebetweenlaughingandcrying.\'Itisnotmorethanequaltoyourdeserts.\'
Itriedtothankherbecomingly,feelingatthesametimemorefoolishthanIhadeverfeltinmylife;forIknewthatthiswasneitherwhatIhadcometotellnorshetohear.YetIcouldnotmusterupcouragenorfindwordstogofarther,andstoodbythetableinastateofmiserablediscomposure.
\'Isthatall,sir?\'shesaidatlast,losingpatience.
Certainlyitwasnowornever,andIknewit.Imadetheeffort.
\'No,mademoiselle,\'Isaidinalowvoice.\'Farfromit.ButI
donotseeheretheladytowhomIcametoaddressmyself,andwhomIhaveseenahundredtimesinfarothergarbthanyours,wetandwearyanddishevelled,indangerandinflight.HerI
haveservedandloved;andforherIhavelived.Ihavehadnothoughtformonthsthathasnotbeenhers,norcaresaveforher.
IandallthatIhavebytheking\'sbountyarehers,andIcametolaythematherfeet.ButIdonotseeherhere.\'
\'No,sir?\'sheansweredinawhisper,withherfaceaverted.
\'No,mademoiselle.\'
Withasuddenbrightnessandquicknesswhichsetmyheartbeatingsheturned,andlookedatme.\'Indeed!\'shesaid.\'Iamsorryforthat.Itisapityyourloveshouldbegivenelsewhere,M.
deMarsac——sinceitistheking\'swillthatyoushouldmarryme.\'
\'Ah,mademoiselle!\'Icried,kneelingbeforeher——forshehadcomeroundthetableandstoodbesideme——\'Butyou?\'
\'Itismywilltoo,sir,\'sheanswered,smilingthroughhertears.
***
OnthefollowingdayMademoiselledelaVirebecamemywife;theking\'sretreatfromParis,whichwasrenderednecessarybythedesertionofmanywhowereill-affectedtotheHuguenots,compellingtheinstantperformanceofthemarriage,ifwewouldhaveitreadbyM.d\'Amours.Thishastenotwithstanding,IwasenabledbythekindnessofM.d\'Agentomakesuchanappearance,inrespectbothofservantsandequipment,asbecamerathermyfutureprospectsthanmypastdistresses.ItistruethatHisMajesty,outofadesiretodonothingwhichmightoffendTurenne,didnothonouruswithhispresence;butMadameCatherineattendedonhisbehalf,andherselfgavememybride.
M.deSullyandM.Crillon,withtheMarquisdeRambouilletandhisnephew,andmydistantconnection,theDukedeRohan,whofirstacknowledgedmeonthatday,wereamongthosewhoearnedmygratitudebyattendingmeupontheoccasion.
ThemarriageofM.Francoisd\'Agenwiththewidowofmyoldrivalandopponentdidnottakeplaceuntilsomethingmorethanayearlater,adelaywhichwaslessdispleasingtomethantothebridegroom,inasmuchasitleftmadameatlibertytobearmywifecompanyduringmyabsenceonthecampaignofArquesandIvry.Inthelatterbattle,whichaddedvastlytotherenownofM.deRosny,whocapturedtheenemy\'sstandardwithhisownhand,Ihadthemisfortunetobewoundedinthesecondofthetwochargesledbytheking;andbeingattackedbytwofootsoldiers,asIlayentangledImustinevitablyhaveperishedbutfortheaidaffordedmebySimonFleix,whoflewtotherescuewiththecourageofaveteran.Hisactionwasobservedbytheking,whobeggedhimfromme,andattachinghimtohisownpersoninthecapacityofclerk,startedhimsofairlyontheroadtofortunethathehassincerisenbeyondhopeorexpectation.
ThemeansbywhichHenrywonforatimethesupportofTurenneandincidentallyprocuredhisconsenttomymarriagearenowtoonotorioustorequireexplanation.Nevertheless,itwasnotuntiltheVicomte\'sunionayearlaterwithMademoiselledelaMarck,whobroughthimtheDuchyofBouillon,thatIthoroughlyunderstoodthematter;orthekindnesspeculiartotheking,mymaster,whichimpelledthatgreatmonarch,inthearrangementofaffairssovast,toremembertheinterestsoftheleastofhisservants.