THESENESCHALOFDAUPHINY
MyLordofTressan，HisMajesty”sSeneschalofDauphiny，satathisease，hispurpledoubletallundone，toyieldgreaterfreedomtohisvastbulk，ayellowsilkenundergarmentvisiblethroughthegap，asisvisiblethefleshofsomefruitthat，swollenwithover-ripeness，hasburstitsskin。
Hiswig-imposeduponhimbynecessity，notfashionlayonthetableamidaconfusionofdustypapers，andonhislittlefatnose，roundandredasacherryatitsend，restedthebridgeofhishorn-rimmedspectacles。Hisbaldhead-sobaldandshiningthatitconveyedanunpleasantsenseofnakedness，suggestingthatitsuncoveringhadbeenanactofindelicacyontheowner”spart-
restedonthebackofhisgreatchair，andhidfromsightthegaudyescutcheonwroughtuponthecrimsonleather。Hiseyeswereclosed，hismouthopen，andwhetherfromthatmouthorfromhisnose-or，perhaps，conflictingforissuebetweenboth-therecameasnorting，rumblingsoundtoproclaimthatmyLordtheSeneschalwashardatworkupontheKing”sbusiness。
Yonder，atameanertable，inananglebetweentwowindows，apale-facedthread-baresecretarywasperformingforayearlypittancethedutiesforwhichmyLordtheSeneschalwasrewardedbyemolumentsdisproportionatelylarge。
TheairofthatvastapartmentwasdisturbedbythesoundsofMonsieurdeTressan”sslumbers，thescratchandsplutterofthesecretary”spen，andtheoccasionalhissandcrackleofthelogsthatburnedinthegreat，cavern-likefireplace。Suddenlytotheseanothersoundwasadded。Witharaspandrattletheheavycurtainsofbluevelvetfleckedwithsilverfleurs-de-lysweresweptfromthedoorway，andthemasterofMonsieurdeTressan”shousehold，inawellfilledsuitofblackrelievedbyhisheavychainofoffice，steppedpompouslyforward。
Thesecretarydroppedhispen，andshotafrightenedglanceathisslumberingmaster；thenraisedhishandsabovehishead，andshookthemwildlyattheheadlackey。
“Sh！“hewhisperedtragically。“Doucement，MonsieurAnselme。”
Anselmepaused。Heappreciatedthegravityofthesituation。Hisbearinglostsomeofitsdignity；hisfaceunderwentachange。Thenwitharecoveryofsomepartofhiserstwhileresolution：
“Nevertheless，hemustbeawakened，“heannounced，butinanundertone，asifafraidtodothethinghesaidmustneedsbedone。
Thehorrorinthesecretary”seyesincreased，butAnselme”sreflectednoneofit。Itwasagravething，heknewbyformerexperience，toarouseHisMajesty”sSeneschalofDauphinyfromhisafter-dinnernap；butitwasanalmostgraverthingtofailinobediencetothatblack-eyedwomanbelowwhowasdemandinganaudience。
Anselmerealizedthathewasbetweentheswordandthewall。Hewas，however，amanofadeliberatehabitthatwasbegottenofinherentindolenceandnurturedamongthegoodthingsthatfelltohisshareasmasteroftheTressanhousehold。Thoughtfullyhecaressedhistuftofredbeard，puffedouthischeeks，andraisedhiseyestotheceilinginappealordenunciationtotheheavenwhichhebelievedwassomewherebeyondit。
“Nevertheless，hemustbeawakened，“herepeated。
AndthenFatecametohisassistance。Somewhereinthehouseadoorbangedlikeacannon-shot。Perspirationbrokeuponthesecretary”sbrow。Hesanklimplybackinhischair，givinghimselfupforlost。
Anselmestartedandbittheknuckleofhisforefingerinamannersuggestinganinarticulateimprecation。
MyLordtheSeneschalmoved。Thenoiseofhisslumbersculminatedinasudden，chokinggrunt，andabruptlyceased。Hiseyelidsrolledslowlyback，likeanowl”s，revealingpaleblueeyes，whichfixedthemselvesfirstupontheceiling，thenuponAnselme。Instantlyhesatup，puffingandscowling，hishandsshufflinghispapers。
“Athousanddevils！Anselme，whyamIinterrupted？“hegrumbledquerulously，stillhalf-asleep。“Whattheplaguedoyouwant？HaveyounothoughtfortheKing”saffairs？Babylas“-thistohissecretary-“didInottellyouthatIhadmuchtodo；thatImustnotbedisturbed？“
Itwasthegreatvanityofthelifeofthisman，whodidnothing，toappearthebusiestfellowinallFrance，andnoaudience-noteventhatofhisownlackeys-wastoomeanforhimtotakethestagetointhatpredilectrole。
“MonsieurleComte，“saidAnselme，intonesofabjectself-effacement，“Ihadneverdaredintrudehadthematterbeenoflessurgency。ButMadametheDowagerofCondillacisbelow。ShebegstoseeYourExcellencyinstantly。”
Atoncetherewasachange。Tressanbecamewide-awakeupontheinstant。Hisfirstactwastopassonehandoverthewax-likesurfaceofhisbaldhead，whilsthisothersnatchedathiswig。
Thenheheavedhimselfponderouslyoutofhisgreatchair。Hedonnedhiswig，awryinhishaste，andlurchedforwardtowardsAnselme，hisfatfingersstrainingathisopendoubletanddrawingittogether。
“MadamelaDouairierehere？“hecried。“Makefastthesebuttons，rascal！Quick！AmItoreceivealadythus？AmI-？Babylas，“
hesnapped，interruptinghimselfandturningasideevenasAnselmeputforthhandstodohisbidding。“Amirror，frommycloset！
Dispatch！“
Thesecretarywasgoneinaflash，andinaflashreturned，evenasAnselmecompletedhismaster”stoilet。ButclearlyMonsieurdeTressanhadawakenedinapeevishhumour，fornosoonerwerethebuttonsofhisdoubletsecuredthanwithhisownfingershetorethemlooseagain，cursinghismajordomothewhilewithvigour。
“Youdog，Anselme，haveyounosenseoffitness，nodiscrimination？
AmItoappearinthisgarmentofthemodeofahalf-centuryagobeforeMadamelaMarquise？Takeitoff；takeitoff，man！GetmethecoatthatcamelastmonthfromParis-theyellowonewiththehangingsleevesandthegoldbuttons，andasash-thecrimsonsashIhadfromTaillemant。Canyoumovenoquicker，animal？Areyoustillhere？“
Anselme，thusenjoined，lentanunwontedalacritytohismovements，waddlinggrotesquelylikeahasteningwaterfowl。BetweenhimandthesecretarytheydressedmyLordtheSeneschal，anddeckedhimouttillhewasfittocomparewithabirdofparadiseforgorgeousnessofcolouringifnotforharmonyofhuesandeleganceofoutline。
Babylasheldthemirror，andAnselmeadjustedtheSeneschal”swig，whilstTressanhimselftwistedhisblackmustachios-howtheykepttheircolourwasamysterytohisacquaintance-andcombedthetuftofbeardthatsproutedfromoneofhisseveralchins。
Hetookalastlookathisreflection，rehearsedasmile，andbadeAnselmeintroducehisvisitor。Hedesiredhissecretarytogotothedevil，but，thinkingbetterofit，herecalledhimashereachedthedoor。Hischerishedvanitycravedexpression。
“Wait！“saidhe。“Thereisalettermustbewritten。TheKing”sbusinessmaynotsufferpostponement-notforallthedowagersinFrance。Sitdown。”
Babylasobeyedhim。Tressanstoodwithhisbacktotheopendoor。
Hisears，strainedtolisten，hadcaughttheswishofawoman”sgown。Heclearedhisthroat，and。begantodictate：
“ToHerMajestytheQueen-Regent-“Hepaused，andstoodwithknittedbrows，deepinthought。Thenheponderouslyrepeated-
“ToHerMajestytheQueenRegent-Haveyougotthat？“
“Yes，MonsieurleComte。”ToHerMajestytheQueenRegent。”“
Therewasastep，andathroat-clearingcoughbehindhim。
“MonsieurdeTressan，“saidawoman”svoice，arich，melodiousvoice，ifhaughtyandarrogantofintonation。
Ontheinstantheturned，advancedastep，andbowed。
“Yourhumblestservant，madame，“saidhe，hishanduponhisheart。
“Thisisanhonourwhich-“
“Whichnecessitythrustsuponyou，“shebrokeinimperiously。
“Dismissthatfellow。”
Thesecretary，paleandshy，hadrisen。Hiseyesdilatedatthewoman”sspeech。HelookedforacatastropheasthenaturalresultofhertakingsuchatonewiththismanwhowastheterrorofhishouseholdandofallGrenoble。Instead，theLordSeneschal”smeeknesslefthimbreathlesswithsurprise。
“Heismysecretary，madame。Wewereatworkasyoucame。IwasonthepointofinditingalettertoHerMajesty。TheofficeofSeneschalinaprovincesuchasDauphinyishelas！-nosinecure。”
Hesighedlikeonewhosebrainisweary。“Itleavesamanlittletimeeventoeatorsleep。”
“Youwillbeneedingaholiday，then，“saidshe，withcoolinsolence。“Takeoneforonce，andlettheKing”sbusinessgiveplaceforhalfanhourtomine。”
Thesecretary”shorrorgrewbyleapsandbounds。
Surelythestormwouldburstatlastaboutthisaudaciouswoman”shead。ButtheLordSeneschal-usuallysofieryandtempestuous-
didnomorethanmakeheranotherofhisabsurdbows。
“Youanticipate，madame，theverywordsIwasabouttoutter。
Babylas，vanish！“Andhewavedthescribblerdoorwardswithacontemptuoushand。“Takeyourpaperswithyou-intomyclosetthere。WewillresumethatlettertoHerMajestywhenmadameshallhaveleftme。”
Thesecretarygathereduphispapers，hisquills，andhisinkhorn，andwenthisway，accountingtheendoftheworldathand。
Whenthedoorhadcloseduponhim，theSeneschal，withanotherbowandasimper，placedachairathisvisitor”sdisposal。Shelookedatthechair，thenlookedatthemanmuchasshehadlookedatthechair，andturningherbackcontemptuouslyonboth，shesaunteredtowardsthefireplace。Shestoodbeforetheblaze，withherwhiptuckedunderherarm，drawingoffherstoutriding-gloves。Shewasatall，splendidlyproportionedwoman，ofasuperbbeautyofcountenance，forallthatshewaswellpastthespringoflife。
InthewaninglightofthatOctoberafternoonnonewouldhaveguessedheragetobesomuchasthirty，thoughinthesunlightyoumighthavesetitatalittlemore。Butinnolightatallwouldyouhaveguessedthetruth，thathernextwouldbeherforty-secondbirthday。Herfacewaspale，ofanivorypallorthatgleamedinsharpcontrastwiththeebonyofherlustroushair。
Underthelonglashesoflowlidsapairofeyesblackandinsolentsetoffthehaughtylinesofherscarletlips。Hernosewasthinandstraight，herneckanivorypillarsplendidlyuprightuponherhandsomeshoulders。
Shewasdressedforriding，inagownofsapphirevelvet，handsomelylacedingoldacrossthestomacher，andsurmountedattheneck，whereitwascutlowandsquare，bythestarchedbandoffinelinenwhichinFrancewasalreadyreplacingthemoreelaborateruff。Onherhead，overalinencoif，sheworeatall-crownedgreybeaver，swathedwithascarfofblueandgold。
Standingbythehearth，onefootonthestonekerb，oneelbowleaninglightlyontheovermantel，sheproceededleisurelytoremovehergloves。
TheSeneschalobservedherwitheyesthatheldanoddmixtureoffurtivenessandadmiration，hisfingers-plump，indolent-lookingstumps-pluckingathisbeard。
“Didyoubutknow，Marquise，withwhatjoy，withwhata-“
“Iwillimagineit，whateveritmaybe，“shebrokein，withthatbrusquearrogancethatmarkedherbearing。“Thetimeforflowersofrhetoricisnotnow。Thereistroublecoming，man；trouble，diretrouble。”
UpwenttheSeneschal”sbrows；hiseyesgrewwider。
“Trouble？“quothhe。And，havingopenedhismouthtogiveexittothatsingleword，openheleftit。
Shelaughedlazily，herlipcurling，herfacetwistingoddly，andmechanicallyshebegantodrawonagainthegloveshehaddrawnoff。
“ByyourfaceIseehowwellyouunderstandme，“shesneered。“ThetroubleconcernsMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。”
“FromParis-doesitcomefromCourt？“Hisvoicewassunk。
Shenodded。“Youareamiracleofintuitiontoday，Tressan。”
Hethrusthistinytuftofbeardbetweenhisteeth-atrickhehadwhenperplexedorthoughtful。“Ah！“heexclaimedatlast，anditsoundedlikeanindrawnbreathofapprehension。“Tellmemore。”
“Whatmoreistheretotell？Youhavetheepitomeofthestory。”
“Butwhatisthenatureofthetrouble？Whatformdoesittake，andbywhomareyouadvisedofit？“
“AfriendinParissentmeword，andhismessengerdidhisworkwell，elsehadMonsieurdeGarnachebeenherebeforehim，andI
hadnotsomuchashadthemercyofthisforewarning。”
“Garnache？“quoththeCount。“WhoisGarnache？“
“TheemissaryoftheQueen-Regent。HehasbeendispatchedhitherbyhertoseethatMademoiselledeLaVauvrayehasjusticeandenlargement。”
Tressanfellsuddenlytogroaningandwringinghishandsapatheticfigurehaditbeenlessabsurd。
“Iwarnedyou，madame！Iwarnedyouhowitwouldend，“hecried。
“Itoldyou-“
“Oh，Irememberthethingsyoutoldme，“shecutin，scorninhervoice。“Youmayspareyourselftheirrepetition。Whatisdoneisdone，andI”llnot-Iwouldnot-haveitundone。Queen-RegentornoQueen-Regent，IammistressatCondillac；mywordistheonlylawweknow，andIintendthatsoitshallcontinue。”
Tressanlookedatherinsurprise。Thisunreasoning，feminineobstinacysowroughtuponhimthathepermittedhimselfasmileandalapseintoironyandbanter。
“Parfaitement，“saidhe，spreadinghishands，andbowing。“Whyspeakoftrouble，then？“
Shebeatherwhipimpatientlyagainsthergown，hereyesstaringintothefire。“Because，myattitudebeingsuchasitis，troublewilltherebe。”
TheSeneschalshruggedhisshoulders，andmovedasteptowardsher。
HewascastdowntothinkthathemighthavesparedhimselfthetroubleofdonninghisbeautifulyellowdoubletfromParis。Shehadeyesfornofinerythatafternoon。Hewascastdown，too，tothinkhowthingsmightgowithhimwhenthistroublecame。ItenteredhisthoughtsthathehadlainlongonabedofrosesinthispleasantcornerofDauphiny，andhewassmittennowwithfearlestoftherosesheshouldfindnothingremainingbutthethorns。
“HowcametheQueen-Regenttohearof-ofmademoiselle”s-ah-
situation？“heinquired。
TheMarquiseswungrounduponhiminapassion。
“Thegirlfoundadogofatraitortobearaletterforher。Thatisenough。Ifeverchanceorfateshouldbringhimmyway，byGod！
heshallhangwithoutshrift。”
Thensheputherangerfromher；putfromher，too，theinsolenceandscornwithwhichsolavishlyshehadaddressedhimhitherto。
Insteadsheassumedasuppliantair，herbeautifuleyesmeltinglysetuponhisface。
“Tressan，“saidsheinheralteredvoice，“Iambesetbyenemies。
Butyouwillnotforsakeme？Youwillstandbymetotheend-willyounot，myfriend？Icancountuponyou，atleast？“
“Inallthings，madame，“heanswered，underthespellofhergaze。
“WhatforcedoesthismanGarnachebringwithhim？Haveyouascertained？“
“Hebringsnone，“sheanswered，triumphinherglance。
“None？“heechoed，horrorinhis。“None？Then-then-“
Hetossedhisarmstoheaven，andstoodalimpandshakenthing。
Sheleanedforward，andregardedhimstrickeninsurprise。
“Diable！Whatailsyou？“shesnapped。“CouldIhavegivenyoubetternews？“
“Ifyoucouldhavegivenmeworse，Icannotthinkwhatitmighthavebeen，“hegroaned。Then，asifsmittenbyasuddennotionthatflashedagleamofhopeintothisterrifyingdarknessthatwassettlingdownuponhim，hesuddenlylookedup。“Youmeantoresisthim？“heinquired。
Shestaredathimasecond，thenlaughed，athoughtunpleasantly。
“Pish！Butyouaremad，“shescornedhim。“DoyouneedaskifI
intendtoresist-I，withthestrongestcastleinDauphiny？ByGod！sir，ifyouneedtohearmesayit，hearmethensaythatI
shallresisthimandasmanyastheQueenmaysendafterhim，foraslongasonestoneofCondillacshallstanduponanother。”
TheSeneschalblewouthislips，andfelloncemoretothechewingofhisbeard。
“WhatdidyoumeanwhenyousaidIcouldhavegivenyounoworsenewsthanthatofhiscomingalone？“shequestionedsuddenly。
“Madame，“saidhe，“ifthismancomeswithoutforce，andyouresisttheordersofwhichheisthebearer，whatthinkyouwillbetide？“
“Hewillappealtoyouforthemenheneedsthathemaybatterdownmywalls，“sheansweredcalmly。
Helookedatherincredulously。“Yourealizeit？“heejaculated。
“Yourealizeit？“
“Whatisthereinitthatshouldpuzzleababe？“
Hercallousnesswaslikeagustofwinduponthelivingembersofhisfears。Itblewthemintoablazeofwrath，suddenandterrificasthatofsuchamanatbaycouldbe。Headvanceduponherwiththerollinggaitoftheobese，hischeekspurple，hisarmswavingwildly，hisdyedmustachiosbristling。
“Andwhatofme，madame？“hespluttered。“Whatofme？AmItoberuined，gaoled，andhanged，maybe，forrefusinghimmen？-forthatiswhatisinyourmind。AmItomakemyselfanoutlaw？AmI，whohavebeenLordSeneschalofDauphinythesefifteenyears，toendmydaysindegradationinthecauseofawoman”smatrimonialprojectsforasimperingschool-girl？SeigneurduCiel！“heroared，“Ithinkyouaregonemad-mad，mad！overthisaffair。Youwouldnotthinkittoomuchtosetthewholeprovinceinflamessothatyoucouldhaveyourwaywiththiswretchedchild。But，Ventregris！
toruinme-to-to-“
Hefellsilentforverywantofwords；justgapedandgasped，andthen，withhandsfoldeduponhispaunch，hesethimselftopacethechamber。
MadamedeCondillacstoodwatchinghim，herfacecomposed，herglancecold。Shewaslikesomestalwartoak，weatheringwithunshakenfrontahurricane。Whenhehaddone，shemovedawayfromthefireplace，and，beatinghersidegentlywithherwhip，shesteppedtothedoor。
“Aurevoir，MonsieurdeTressan，“saidshe，mightycool，herbacktowardshim。
Atthathehaltedinhisfeverishstride，stoodstillandthrewuphishead。Hisangerwentout，asacandleisextinguishedbyapuffofwind。Andinitsplaceanewfearcreptintohisheart。
“Madame，madame！“hecried。“Wait！Hearme。”
Shepaused，half-turned，andlookedathimoverhershoulder，scorninherglance，asneeronherscarletmouth，insolenceineverylineofher。
“Ithink，monsieur，thatIhaveheardalittlemorethanenough，“
saidshe。“Iamassured，atleast，thatinyouIhavebutafair-weatherfriend，apoorlipserver。”
“Ah，notthat，madame，“hecried，andhisvoicewasstricken。“Saynotthat。Iwouldserveyouaswouldnoneotherinallthisworld-youknowit，Marquise；youknowit。”
Shefacedabout，andconfrontedhim，hersmileatriflebroader，asifamusementwerenowblendingwithherscorn。
“Itiseasytoprotest。Easytosay，”Iwilldieforyou”solongastheneedforsuchasacrificeberemote。Butletmedonomorethanaskafavour，anditis，”Whatofmygoodname，madame？Whatofmyseneschalship？AmItobegaoledorhangedtopleasureyou？”
Faugh！“sheended，withatossofhersplendidhead。“Theworldispeopledwithyourkind，andI-alas！forawoman”sintuitions-
hadheldyoudifferentfromtherest。”
Herwordsweretohissoulasaswordoffiremighthavebeentohisflesh。Theyscorchedandshrivelledit。Hesawhimselfasshewouldhavehimseehimself-amean，contemptiblecraven；acowardwhomadebigtalkintimesofpeace，butfacedaboutandvanishedintohidingatthefirstsignofdanger。Hefelthimselfthemeanest，vilestthinga-crawluponthissinfulearth，andshe-dearGod！-hadthoughthimdifferentfromtheruck。Shehadheldhiminhighesteem，andbehold，howshorthadhenotfallenofallherexpectations！Shameandvanitycombinedtoworkasudden，sharprevulsioninhisfeelings。
“Marquise，“hecried，“yousaynomorethanwhatisjust。Butpunishmenofurther。ImeantnotwhatIsaid。Iwasbesidemyself。Letmeatone-letmyfutureactionsmakeamendsforthatodiousdeparturefrommytrueself。”
Therewasnoscornnowinhersmile；onlyanineffabletenderness，beholdingwhichhefeltitinhishearttohangifneedbethathemightcontinuehighinherregard。Hesprangforward，andtookthehandsheextendedtohim。
“Iknew，Tressan，“saidshe，“thatyouwerenotyourself，andthatwhenyoubethoughtyouofwhatyouhadsaid，myvaliant，faithfulfriendwouldnotdesertme。”
Hestoopedoverherhand，andslobberedkissesuponherunresponsiveglove。
“Madame，“saidhe，“youmaycountuponme。ThisfellowoutofParisshallhavenomenfromme，dependuponit。”
Shecaughthimbytheshoulders，andheldhimso，beforeher。Herfacewasradiant，alluring；andhereyesdweltonhiswithakindnesshehadneverseentheresaveinsomewilddaydreamofhis。
“Iwillnotrefuseaserviceyouoffermesogallantly，“saidshe。
“Itwereanillthingtowoundyoubysorefusingit。”
“Marquise，“hecried，“itisasnothingtowhatIwoulddodidtheoccasionserve。Butwhenthisthing”tisdone；whenyouhavehadyourwaywithMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，andthenuptialsshallhavebeencelebrated，then-dareIhope-？“
Hesaidnomoreinwords，buthislittleblueeyeshadaneloquencethatleftnothingtomerespeech。
Theirglancesmet，sheholdinghimalwaysatarm”slengthbythatgripuponhisshoulders，agripthatwasfirmandnervous。
IntheSeneschalofDauphiny，asshenowgazeduponhim，shebeheldaverytoadofaman，andthesoulofhershudderedatthesightofhimcombiningwiththethingthathesuggested。Butherglancewassteadyandherlipsmaintainedtheirsmile，justasifthatuglinessofhishadbeeninvestedwithsomeabstractbeautyexistingonlytohergaze；alittlecolourcreptintohercheeks，andredbeingthecolouroflove”slivery，Tressanmisreaditsmeaning。
Shenoddedtohimacrossthelittledistanceofheroutstretchedarms，thensmotheredalaughthatdrovehimcrazedwithhope，andbreakingfromhimshespedswiftly，shylyitalmostseemedtohim，tothedoor。
Thereshepausedamomentlookingbackathimwithacoynessthatmighthavebecomeagirlofhalfheryears，yetwhichhersplendidbeautysavedfrombeingunbecomingeveninher。
Oneadorablesmileshegavehim，andbeforehecouldadvancetoholdthedoorforher，shehadopeneditandpassedout。
CHAPTERII
MONSIEURDEGARNACHE
Topromiserashly，particularlywhereawomanisthesuppliant，andafterwards，ifnotpositivelytorepentthepromise，atleasttoregretthatonedidnothedgeitwithafewconditions，isaproceedingnotuncommontoyouth。Inamanofadvancedage，suchasMonsieurdeTressan，itnevershouldhaveplace；and，indeed，itseldomhas，unlessthatmanhascomeagainundertheswayoftheinfluencesbywhichyouth，forgoodorill，isgoverned。
Whilsttheflushofhisadorationwasuponhim，hotfromthecontactofherpresence，heknewnorepentance，foundroominhismindfornoregrets。Hecrossedtothewindow，andpressedhishugeroundfacetothepane，inafutileefforttowatchhermountandrideoutofthecourtyardwithherlittletroopofattendants。Findingthathemightnot-thewindowbeingplacedtoohigh-gratifyhiswishesinthatconnection，hedroppedintohischair，andsatinthefast-deepeninggloom，reviewing，fondlyhere，hurriedlythere，theinterviewthathadbutended。
Thusnightfell，anddarknesssettleddownabouthim，relievedonlybytheredglowofthelogssmoulderingonthehearth。Inthegloominspirationvisitedhim。HecalledforlightsandBabylas。Bothcame，andhedispatchedthelackeythatlightedthetaperstosummonMonsieurd”Aubran，thecommanderofthegarrisonofGrenoble。
Intheintervalbeforethesoldier”scomingheconferredwithBabylasconcerningwhathehadinmind，buthefoundhissecretarysingularlydullandunimaginative。Sothat，perforce，hemustfallbackuponhimself。Hesatglumandthoughtful，hismindinunproductivetravail，untilthecaptainwasannounced。
Stillwithoutanydefiniteplan，heblunderedheadlong，nevertheless，intothenecessaryfirststeptowardsthefulfilmentofhispurpose。
“Captain，“saidhe，lookingmightygrave，“IhavecausetobelievethatallisnotasitshouldbeinthehillsinthedistrictofMontelimar。”
“Istheretrouble，monsieur？“inquiredthecaptain，startled。
“Maybethereis，maybethereisnot，“returnedtheSeneschalmysteriously。“Youshallhaveyourfullordersinthemorning。
Meanwhile，makereadytorepairtotheneighbourhoodofMontelimarto-morrowwithacoupleofhundredmen。”
“Acoupleofhundred，monsieur！“exclaimedd”Aubran。“ButthatwillbetoemptyGrenobleofsoldiers。”
“Whatofit？Wearenotlikelytorequirethemhere。Letyourordersforpreparationgoroundtonight，sothatyourknavesmaybereadytosetoutbetimesto-morrow。Ifyouwillbesogoodastowaituponmeearlyyoushallhaveyourinstructions。”
Mystified，Monsieurd”Aubrandepartedonhiserrand，andmyLordSeneschalwentdowntosupperwellpleasedwiththecunningdevicebywhichhewastoleaveGrenoblewithoutagarrison。ItwasanastutewayofescapefromtheawkwardsituationintowhichhisattachmenttotheinterestsofthedowagerofCondillacwaslikelytoplacehim。
Butwhenthemorningcamehewaslesspleasedwiththeidea，chieflybecausehehadbeenunabletoinventanydetailsthatshouldlenditthenecessarycolour，andd”Aubran-worseluck-wasanintelligentofficerwhomightevinceapardonablebutembarrassingcuriosity。Aleaderofsoldiershasarighttoknowsomethingatleastoftheenterpriseuponwhichheleadsthem。Bymorning，too，Tressanfoundthattheinterveningspaceofthenight，sincehehadseenMadamedeCondillac，hadcooledhisardourveryconsiderably。
Hehadreachedtheincipientstagesofregretofhisrashpromise。
WhenCaptaind”Aubranwasannouncedtohim，hebadethemaskhimtocomeagaininanhour”stime。Frommereregretshewaspassingnow，throughdismay，intoutterrepentanceofhispromise。Hesatinhisstudy，athislitteredwriting-table，hisheadinhishands，aconfusionofthoughts，awild，frenziedstrivingafterinventioninhisbrain。
ThusAnselmefoundhimwhenhethrustasidetheportieretoannouncethataMonsieurdeGarnache，fromParis，wasbelow，demandingtoseetheLordSeneschalatonceuponanaffairofState。
Tressan”sfleshtrembledandhisheartfainted。Then，suddenly，desperately，hetookhiscourageinbothhands。HerememberedwhohewasandwhathewastheKing”sLordSeneschaloftheProvinceofDauphiny。Throughoutthatprovince，fromtheRhonetotheAlps，hiswordwaslaw，hisnameaterrortoevildoers-andtosomeothersbesides。WashetoblenchandtrembleatthementionofthenameofaCourtlackeyoutofParis，whobroughthimamessagefromtheQueen-Regent？BodyofGod！nothe。
Heheavedhimselftohisfeet，warmedandheartenedbythethought；
hiseyesparkled，andtherewasadeeperflushthanusualuponhischeek。
“AdmitthisMonsieurdeGarnache，“saidhewithafineloftiness，andinhisheartheponderedwhathewouldsayandhowheshouldsayit；howheshouldstand，howmove，andhowlook。Hisrovingeyecaughtsightofhissecretary。Herememberedsomething-thecherishedposeofbeingamanplungedfathoms-deepinbusiness。
Sharplyheutteredhissecretary”sname。
Babylasraisedhispaleface；heknewwhatwascoming；ithadcomesomanytimesbefore。Buttherewasnovestigeofasmileonhisdroopinglips，nogleamofamusementinhispatienteye。Hethrustasidethepapersonwhichhewasatwork，anddrewtowardshimafreshsheetonwhichtopentheletterwhich，heknewbyexperience，TressanwasabouttoinditetotheQueen-mother。ForthesepurposesHerMajestywasTressan”sonlycorrespondent。
Thenthedooropened，theportierewassweptaside，，andAnselmeannounced“MonsieurdeGarnache。”
Tressanturnedasthenewcomersteppedbrisklyintotheroom，andbowed，hatinhand，itslongcrimsonfeathersweepingtheground，thenstraightenedhimselfandpermittedtheSeneschaltotakehismeasure。
Tressanbeheldamanofagoodheight，broadtothewaistandsparethencetotheground，whoatfirstglanceappearedtobemainlycladinleather。Abuffjerkinfittedhisbody；belowittherewasaglimpseofwine-colouredtrunks，andhoseofaslightlydeeperhue，whichvanishedimmediatelyintoapairofhugethighbootsofuntannedleather。Aleatherswordbelt，gold-embroideredattheedges，carriedalongsteel-haltedrapierinaleatherscabbardchapedwithsteel。
Thesleevesofhisdoubletwhichprotrudedfromhisleathercasingwereofthesamecolourandmaterialashistrunks。Inonehandhecarriedhisbroadblackhatwithitscrimsonfeather，intheotheralittlerollofparchment；andwhenhemovedthecreakofleatherandjingleofhisspursmadepleasantmusicforamartialspirit。
Aboveall，thisman”shead，wellsetuponhisshoulders，claimedsomeattention。Hisnosewashookedandratherlarge，hiseyeswereblue，brightassteel，andsetatriflewide。Aboveathin-lapped，delicatemouthhisreddishmustachios，slightlystreakedwithgrey，stoodout，bristlinglikeacat”s。Hishairwasdarker-almostbrownsaveatthetemples，whereagehadfadedittoanashencolour。
Ingeneralhisaspectwasoneofruggedstrength。
TheSeneschal，measuringhimwithanadversary”seye，mislikedhislooks。Buthebowedurbanely，washinghishandsintheair，andmurmuring：
“Yourservant，Monsieurde-？“
“Garnache，“cametheother”scrisp，metallicvoice，andthenamehadasoundasofanoathonhislips。“MartinMarieRigobertdeGarnache。IcometoyouonanerrandofHerMajesty”s，asthismywarrantwillappriseyou。”Andheprofferedthepaperheheld，whichTressanacceptedfromhishand。
AchangewasvisibleinthewilySeneschal”sfatcountenance。Itsroundexpansehadexpressedinterrogationuntilnow；butattheParisian”sannouncementthathewasanemissaryoftheQueen”s，TressaninsinuatedintoitjustthatlookofsurpriseandofincreaseddeferencewhichwouldhavebeennaturalhadhenotalreadybeenforewarnedofMonsieurdeGarnache”smissionandidentity。
Heplacedachairathisvisitor”sdisposal，himselfresuminghisseatathiswriting-table，andunfoldingthepaperGarnachehadgivenhim。Thenewcomerseatedhimself，hitchedhissword-beltroundsothathecouldleanbothhandsuponthehilt，andsat，stiffandimmovable，awaitingtheLordSeneschal”spleasure。Fromhisdeskacrosstheroomthesecretary，idlychewingthefeatheredendofhisgoose-quill，tooksilentstockofthemanfromParis，andwondered。
Tressanfoldedthepapercarefully，andreturnedittoitsowner。
Itwasnomorethanaformalcredential，settingforththatGarnachewastravellingintoDauphinyonaStateaffair，andcommandingMonsieurdeTressantogivehimeveryassistancehemightrequireintheperformanceofhiserrand。
“Parfaitement，“purredtheLordSeneschal。“Andnow，monsieur，ifyouwillcommunicatetomethenatureofyouraffair，youshallfindmeentirelyatyourservice。”
“ItgoeswithoutsayingthatyouareacquaintedwiththeChateaudeCondillac？“beganGarnache，plungingstraightintobusiness。
“Perfectly。”TheSeneschalleanedback，andwasconcernedtofeelhispulsesthrobbingashadetooquickly。Buthecontrolledhisfeatures，andmaintainedaplacid，blandexpression。
“Youareperhapsacquaintedwithitsinhabitants？“
“Yes。”
“Intimatewiththem？“
TheSeneschalpursedhislips，archedhisbrows，andslowlywavedhispodgyhands，acombinationofgrimaceandgesturethatsaidmuchornothing。ButreflectingthatMonsieurdeTressanhadatongue，Garnacheapparentlydidnotopineitworthhiswhiletosetastrainuponhisownimagination，for-
“Intimatewiththem？“herepeated，andthistimetherewasasharpernoteinhisvoice。
Tressanleanedforwardandbroughthisfinger-tipstogether。Hisvoicewasasurbaneasitlaywithinitspowertobe。
“Iunderstoodthatmonsieurwasproposingtostatehisbusiness，nottoquestionmine。”
Garnachesatbackinhischair，andhiseyesnarrowed。Hescentedopposition，andthegreateststumbling-blockinGarnache”scareerhadbeenthathecouldneverlearntobrookoppositionfromanyman。
Thatcharacteristic，evincedearlyinlife，hadallbutbeentheruinofhim。Hewasamanofhighintellectualgifts，ofmilitaryskillandgreatresource；outofconsiderationforwhichhadhebeenchosenbyMariedeMedicistocomeuponthiserrand。ButhemarreditallbyatempersoungovernablethatinParistherewascurrentabyword，“ExplosiveasGarnache。”
LittledidTressandreamtowhatacaskofgunpowderhewasapplyingthematchofhissmugpertness。NordidGarnachelethimdreamitjustyet。Hecontrolledhimselfbetimes，bethinkinghimthat，afterall，theremightbesomereasoninwhatthisfatfellowsaid。
“Youmisapprehendmypurpose，sir，“saidhe，hisleanbrownhandstrokinghislongchin。“Ibutsoughttolearnhowfaralreadyyoumaybeinformedofwhatistakingplaceupthere，totheendthatImaysparemyselfthepainsofcitingfactswithwhichalreadyyouareacquainted。Still，monsieur，Iamwillingtoproceeduponthelineswhichwouldappeartobemoreagreeabletoyourself。
“This，then，isthesumoftheaffairthatbringsme：ThelateMarquisdeCondillaclefttwosons。Theelder，Florimond-whoisthepresentmarquis，andwhohasbeenandstillcontinuesabsent，warringinItaly，sincebeforehisfather”sdeath-isthestepsonofthepresentDowager，shebeingthemotheroftheyoungerson，MariusdeCondillac。
“Shouldyouobservemetobeanywhereaterror，Ibeg，monsieur，thatyouwillhavethecomplaisancetocorrectme。”
TheSeneschalbowedgravely，andMonsieurdeGarnachecontinued：
“Nowthisyoungerson-Ibelievethatheisinhistwenty-firstyearatpresent-hasbeensomethingofascapegrace。”
“Ascapegrace？BonDieu，no。Thatisaharshnametogivehim。
Alittleindiscreetattimes，alittlerash，asisthewayofyouth。”
Hewouldhavesaidmore，butthemanfromPariswasofnomindtowastetimeonquibbles。
“Verywell，“hesnapped，cuttingin。“Wewillsay，alittleindiscreet。MyerrandisnotconcernedwithMonsieurMarius”smoralsorwithhislackofthem。Theseindiscretionswhichyoubelittleappeartohavebeenenoughtohaveestrangedhimfromhisfather，acircumstancewhichbutservedthemoretoendearhimtohismother。Iamtoldthatsheisaveryhandsomewoman，andthattheboyfavourshersurprisingly。”
“Ah！“sighedtheSeneschalinarapture。“Abeautifulwoman-anoble，splendidwoman。”
“Hum！“Garnacheobservedtheecstaticsimperwithagrimeye。Thenheproceededwithhisstory。
“Thelatemarquispossessedinhisneighbour，thealsodeceasedMonsieurdeLaVauvraye，averydearandvaluedfriend。MonsieurdeLaVauvrayehadanonlychild，adaughter，toinherithisveryconsiderableestatesprobablythewealthiestinallDauphiny，soI
aminformed。Itwasthedearestwishofhishearttotransformwhathadbeenalifelongfriendshipinhisowngenerationintoacloserrelationshipinthenext-awishthatfoundaveryreadyechointheheartofMonsieurdeCondillac。FlorimonddeCondillacwassixteenyearsofageatthetime，andValeriedeLaVauvrayefourteen。Foralltheirtenderyears，theywerebetrothed，andtheygrewuptoloveeachotherandtolookforwardtotheconsummationoftheplanstheirfathershadlaidforthem。”
“Monsieur，monsieur，“theSeneschalprotested，“howcanyoupossiblyinfersomuch？Howcanyousaythattheylovedeachother？Whatauthoritycanyouhaveforpretendingtoknowwhatwasintheirinmosthearts？“
“TheauthorityofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，“wastheunanswerablerejoinder。“Iamtellingyou，moreorless，whatsheherselfwrotetotheQueen。”
“Ah！Well，well-proceed，monsieur。”
“ThismarriageshouldrenderFlorimonddeCondillacthewealthiestandmostpowerfulgentlemaninDauphiny-oneofthewealthiestinFrance；andtheideaofitpleasedtheoldmarquis，inasmuchasthedisparitytherewouldbebetweentheworldlypossessionsofhistwosonswouldservetomarkhisdisapprovaloftheyounger。Butbeforesettlingdown，Florimondsignifiedadesiretoseetheworld，aswasfitandproperandbecominginayoungmanwhowaslatertoassumesuchwideresponsibilities。Hisfather，realizingthewisdomofsuchastep，madebutslightobjection，andattheageoftwentyFlorimondsetoutfortheItalianwars。Twoyearsafterwards，alittleoversixmonthsago，hisfatherdied，andwasfollowedtothegravesomeweekslaterbyMonsieurdeLaVauvraye。Thelatter，withawantofforesightwhichhasgivenrisetothepresenttrouble，misjudgingthecharacteroftheDowagerofCondillac，entrustedtohercarehisdaughterValeriependingFlorimond”sreturn，whenthenuptialswouldnaturallybeimmediatelycelebrated。Iamprobablytellingyounomorethanyoualreadyknow。Butyouowetheinflictiontoyourownunwillingnesstoanswermyquestions。”
“No，no，monsieur；Iassureyouthatinwhatyousaythereismuchthatisentirelynewtome。”
“Irejoicetohearit，MonsieurdeTressan，“saidGarnacheveryseriously，“forhadyoubeeninpossessionofallthesefacts，HerMajestymighthavearighttolearnhowitchancedthatyouhadnowiseinterferedinwhatistowardatCondillac。
“Buttoproceed：MadamedeCondillacandherpreciousBenjamin-
thisMarius-findingthemselves，inFlorimond”sabsence，mastersofthesituation，havesetaboutturningittotheirownbestadvantage。MademoiselledeLaVauvraye，whilstbeingnominallyundertheirguardianship，findsherselfpracticallygaoledbythem，andodiousplansaresetbeforehertomarryMarius。CouldtheDowagerbutaccomplishthis，itwouldseemthatshewouldnotonlybeassuringafutureofeaseanddignityforherson，butalsobegivingventtoallherpent-uphatredofherstepson。
“Mademoiselle，however，withstandsthem，andinthissheisaidedbyafortuitouscircumstancewhichhasarisenoutoftheoverbearingarrogancethatappearstobemadame”schiefcharacteristic。
Condillacafterthemarquis”sdeathhadrefusedtopaytithestoMotherChurchandhasfloutedandinsultedtheBishop。Thisprelate，afterfindingremonstrancevain，hasretortedbyplacingCondillacunderanInterdict，deprivingallwithinitofthebenefitofclergy。
Thus，theyhavebeenunabletofindapriesttoventurethither，sothatevenhadtheywilledtomarrymademoisellebyforcetoMarius，theylackedtheactualmeansofdoingso。
“Florimondcontinuesabsent。Wehaveeveryreasontobelievethathehasbeenleftinignoranceofhisfather”sdeath。Letterscomingfromhimfromtimetotimeprovethathewasaliveandwellatleastuntilthreemonthsago。Amessengerhasbeendispatchedtofindhimandurgehimtoreturnhomeatonce。ButpendinghisarrivaltheQueenhasdeterminedtotakethenecessarystepstoensurethatMademoiselledeLaVauvrayeshallbereleasedfromhercaptivity，thatsheshallsuffernofurthermolestationatthehandsofMadamedeCondillacandherson-enfin，thatsheshallrunnofurtherrisks。
“Myerrand，monsieur，istoacquaintyouwiththesefacts，andtorequestyoutoproceedtoCondillacanddeliverthenceMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，whomIamsubsequentlytoescorttoParisandplaceunderHerMajesty”sprotectionuntilsuchtimeasthenewmarquisshallreturntoclaimher。”
Havingconcluded，MonsieurdeGarnachesatbackinhischair，andthrewonelegovertheother，fixinghiseyesupontheSeneschal”sfaceandawaitinghisreply。
Onthatgrosscountenancebeforehimhesawfalltheshadowofperplexity。Tressanwasmonstrousill-at-ease，andhisfacelostagooddealofitshabitualplethoraofcolour。Hesoughttotemporize。
“Doesitnotoccurtoyou，monsieur，thatperhapstoomuchimportancemayhavebeenattachedtothewordofthischild-thisMademoiselledeLaVauvraye？“
“Doesitoccurtoyouthatsuchhasbeenthecase，thatshehasoverstatedit？“counter-questionedMonsieurdeGarnache。
“No，no。Idonotsaythat。But-but-woulditnotbebetter-
more-ah-satisfactorytoallconcerned，ifyouyourselfweretogotoCondillac，anddeliveryourmessageinperson，demandingmademoiselle？“
ThemanfromParislookedathimamoment，thenstoodupsuddenly，andshiftedthecarriagesofhisswordbacktotheirnormalposition。Hisbrowscametogetherinafrown，fromwhichtheSeneschalarguedthathissuggestionwasnotwellreceived。
“Monsieur，“saidtheParisianverycoldly，likeamanwhocontainsarisinganger，“letmetellyouthatthisisthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhavebeenconcernedinanythingthathadtodowithwomenandIamcloseuponfortyyearsofage。Thetask，Icanassureyou，waslittletomytaste。Iembarkeduponitbecause，beingasoldierandhavingreceivedmyorders，Iwasintheunfortunatepositionofbeingunabletohelpmyself。ButIintend，monsieur，toadhererigidlytotheletterofthesecommands。AlreadyIhaveenduredmorethanenoughintheinterestsofthisdamsel。I
haveriddenfromParis，andthatmeanscloseuponaweekinthesaddle-nolittlethingtoamanwhohasacquiredcertainhabitsoflifeanddevelopedatasteforcertainminorcomfortswhichheisveryreluctanttoforgo。Ihavefedandsleptatinns，livingontheworstoffaresandsleepingonthehardest，andhardlythecleanest，ofbeds。Ventregris！FiguretoyourselfthatlastnightwelayatLuzan，intheonlyinntheplacecontained-ahovel，MonsieurleSeneschal，ahovelinwhichIwouldnotkenneladogIloved。”
Hisfaceflushed，andhisvoiceroseashedweltuponthethingshehadundergone。
“MyservantandIsleptinadormitory”-athousanddevils！monsieur，inadormitory！Doyourealizeit？Wehadforcompanyadrunkenvintner，apedlar，apilgrimonhiswaytoRome，andtwopeasantwomen；andtheysentustobedwithoutcandles，formodesty”ssake。
Iaskyoutoconceivemyfeelingsinsuchacaseasthat。Icouldtellyoumore；butthatasasampleofwhatIhaveundergonecouldscarcelybesurpassed。”
“Truly-trulyoutrageous，“sympathizedtheSeneschal；yethegrinned。
“Iaskyou-haveInotsufferedinconvenienceenoughalreadyintheserviceofMademoiselledeLaVauvrayethatyoucanblamemeifI
refusetogoasinglestepfurtherthanmyordersbidme？“
TheSeneschalstaredathimnowinincreasingdismay。Hadhisowninterestsbeenlessatissuehecouldhaveindulgedhismirthattheother”sfieryindignationattheinconveniencesherecited。Asitwas，hehadnothingtosay；nothoughtorfeelingotherthanwhatconcernedfindingawayofescapefromthenetthatseemedtobeclosinginabouthim-howtoseemtoservetheQueenwithoutturningagainsttheDowagerofCondillac；howtoseemtoservetheDowagerwithoutopposingthewishesoftheQueen。
“Aplagueonthegirl！“hegrowled，unconsciouslyutteringhisthoughtsaloud。“Thedeviltakeher！“
Garnachesmiledgrimly。“Thatisabondofsympathybetweenus，“
saidhe。“Ihavesaidthoseverywordsahundredtimes-athousandtimes，indeed-betweenParisandGrenoble。YetIscarcelyseethatyoucandamnherwithasmuchjusticeascanI。
“Butthere，monsieur；allthisisunprofitable。Youhavemymessage。
IshallspendthedayatGrenoble，andtakeawell-earnedrest。Bythistimeto-morrowIshallbereadytostartuponmyreturnjourney。
Ishallhavethenthehonourtowaituponyouagain，totheendthatImayreceivefromyouthechargeofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。I
shallcountuponyourhavingherhere，inreadinesstosetoutwithme，bynoonto-morrow。”
Hebowed，withaflourishofhisplumedhat，andwouldwiththathavetakenhisdeparturebutthattheSeneschalstayedhim。
“Monsieur，monsieur，“hecried，inpiteousaffright，“youdonotknowtheDowagerofCondillac。”
“Why，no。Whatofit？“
“Whatofit？Didyouknowher，youwouldunderstandthatsheisnotthewomantobedriven。ImayorderherintheQueen”snametodeliverupMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Butshewillwithstandme。”
“Withstandyou？“echoedGarnache，frowningintothefaceofthisfatman，whohadrisenalso，broughttohisfeetbyexcitement。
“Withstandyou-you，theLordSeneschalofDauphiny？Youareamusingyourselfatmyexpense。”
“ButItellyouthatshewill，“theotherinsistedinapassion。
“YoumaylookforthegirlinvaintomorrowunlessyougotoCondillacyourselfandtakeher。”
Garnachedrewhimselfupanddeliveredhisanswerinatonethatwasfinal。
“Youarethegovernoroftheprovince，monsieur，andinthismatteryouhaveinadditiontheQueen”sparticularauthority-nay，hercommandsareimposeduponyou。Thosecommands，asinterpretedbyme，youwillexecuteinthemannerIhaveindicated。”
TheSeneschalshruggedhisshoulders，andchewedasecondathisbeard。
“Itisaneasythingforyoutotellmewhattodo。Tellme，rather，howtodoit，howtoovercomeheropposition。”
“Youareverysureofopposition-strangelysure，monsieur，“saidGarnache，lookinghimbetweentheeyes。“Inanycase，youhavesoldiers。”
“Andsohasshe，andthestrongestcastleinsouthernFrance-tosaynothingofthemostcursedobstinacyintheworld。Whatshesays，shedoes。”
“AndwhattheQueensaysherloyalservantsdo，“wasGarnache”srejoinder，inawitheringtone。“Ithinkthereisnothingmoretobesaid，monsieur，“headded。“Bythistimeto-morrowIshallexpecttoreceivefromyou，here，thechargeofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Ademain，donc，MonsieurleSeneschal。”
AndwithanotherbowthemanfromParisdrewhimselferect，turnedonhisheel，andwentjinglingandcreakingfromtheroom。
TheLordSeneschalsankbackinhischair，andwonderedtohimselfwhethertodiemightnotproveaneasywayoutofthehorridsituationintowhichchanceandhisill-starredtendernessfortheDowagerofCondillachadthrusthim。
Athisdesksathissecretary，whohadbeenawitnessoftheinterview，lostinwonderalmostasgreatastheSeneschal”sown。
ForanhourTressanremainedwherehewas，deepinthoughtandgnawingathisbeard。Thenwithasuddenburstofpassion，expressedinaroundoathortwo，herose，andcalledforhishorsethathemightridetoCondillac。
CHAPTERIII
THEDOWAGER”SCOMPLIANCE
PromptlyatnoononthemorrowMonsieurdeGarnachepresentedhimselfoncemoreattheSeneschal”spalace，andwithhimwentRabecque，hisbody-servant，alean，swarthy，sharp-facedman，atrifleyoungerthanhismaster。
Anselme，theobesemasterofthehousehold，receivedthemwithprofoundrespect，andatonceconductedGarnachetoMonsieurdeTressan”spresence。
OnthestairstheymetCaptaind”Aubran，whowasdescending。Thecaptainwasnotinthebestofhumours。Forfour-and-twentyhourshehadkepttwohundredofhismenunderarms，readytomarchassoonasheshouldreceivehisordersfromtheLordSeneschal，yetthoseinstructionswerenotforthcoming。Hehadbeentoseekthemagainthatmorning，onlytobeagainputoff。
MonsieurdeGarnachehadconsiderabledoubt，bornofhisyesterday”sinterviewwiththeSeneschal，thatMademoiselledeLaVauvrayewouldbedeliveredintohischargeashehadstipulated。Hisreliefwas，therefore，considerable，uponbeingusheredintoTressan”spresence，tofindaladyincloakandhat，dressedasforajourney，seatedinachairbythegreatfireplace。
Tressanadvancedtomeethim，asmileofcordialwelcomeonhislips，andtheybowedtoeachotherinformalgreeting。
“Yousee，monsieur，“saidtheSeneschal，wavingaplumphandinthedirectionofthelady，“thatyouhavebeenobeyed。Hereisyourcharge。”
Thentothelady：“ThisisMonsieurdeGarnache，“heannounced，“ofwhomIhavealreadytoldyou，whoistoconductyoutoParisbyorderofHerMajesty。
“Andnow，mygoodfriends，howevergreatthepleasureIderivefromyourcompany，Icarenothowsoonyousetout，forIhavesomeprodigiousarrearsofworkuponmyhands。”
Garnachebowedtothelady，whoreturnedhisgreetingbyaninclinationofthehead，andhiskeeneyesplayedbrisklyoverher。
Shewasaplump-faced，insipidchild，withfairhairandpaleblueeyes，stolidandbovineintheirexpressionlessness。
“Iamquiteready，monsieur，“saidshe，risingasshespoke，andgatheringhercloakabouther；andGarnacheremarkedthathervoicehadthesoutherndrawl，herwordsthefaintestsuggestionofapatois。ItwasamazinghowaladybornandbredcoulddegenerateintherusticityofDauphiny。Pigsandcows，hemadenodoubt，hadbeenherchiefobjectives。Yet，evenso，hethoughthemighthaveexpectedthatshewouldhavehadmoretosaytohimthanjustthosefivewordsexpressingherreadinesstodepart。Hehadlookedforsomeacknowledgmentofsatisfactionathispresence，someutterancesofgratitudeeithertohimselfortotheQueen-Regentforthepromptnesswithwhichshehadbeensuccoured。Hewasdisappointed，butheshowednothingofit，aswithasimpleinclinationofthehead-
“Good！“saidhe。“SinceyouarereadyandMonsieurleSeneschalisanxioustoberidofus，letusbyallmeansbemoving。Youhavealongandtediousjourneybeforeyou，mademoiselle。”
“I-Iampreparedforthat，“shefaltered。
Hestoodaside，andbendingfromthewaisthemadeasweepinggesturetowardsthedoorwiththehandthatheldhishat。Totheinvitationtoprecedehimshereadilyresponded，and，withabowtotheSeneschal，shebegantowalkacrosstheapartment。
Garnache”seyes，narrowingslightly，followedher，likepointsofsteel。SuddenlyheshotadisturbingglanceatTressan”sface，andthecornerofhiswild-catmustachiostwitched。Hestooderect，andcalledherverysharply。
“Mademoiselle！“
Shestopped，andturnedtofacehim，anincredibleshynessseemingtocausehertoavoidhisgaze。
“Youhave，nodoubt，MonsieurleSeneschal”swordformyidentity。
ButIthinkitisaswellthatyoushouldsatisfyyourself。Beforeplacingyourselfentirelyinmycare，asyouareabouttodo，youwouldbewelladvisedtoassureyourself，thatIamindeedHerMajesty”semissary。Willyoubegoodenoughtoglanceatthis？“
Hedrewforthashespoketheletterinthequeen”sownhand，turneditupsidedown，andsopresentedittoher。TheSeneschallookedonstolidly，afewpacesdistant。
“Butcertainly，mademoiselle，assureyourselfthatthisgentlemanisnootherthanIhavetoldyou。”
Thusenjoined，shetooktheletter；forasecondhereyesmetGarnache”sglitteringgaze，andsheshivered。Thenshebentherglancetothewriting，andstudieditamoment，whattimethemanfromPariswatchedherclosely。
Presentlyshehandeditbacktohim。
“Thankyou，monsieur，“wasallshesaid。
“Youaresatisfiedthatitisinorder，mademoiselle？“heinquired，andanoteofmockerytoosubtleforherortheSeneschalranthroughhisquestion。
“Iamquitesatisfied。”
GarnacheturnedtoTressan。Hiseyesweresmiling，butunpleasantly，andinhisvoicewhenhespoketherewassomethingakintothedistantrumblethatheraldsanapproachingstorm。
“Mademoiselle，“saidhe，“hasreceivedaneccentriceducation。”
“Eh？“quothTressan，perplexed。
“Ihaveheardtell，monsieur，ofapeoplesomewhereintheEastwhoreadandwritefromrighttoleft；butneveryethaveIheardtellofany-particularlyinFrance-sooddlyschooledastodotheirreadingupsidedown。”
Tressancaughtthedriftoftheother”smeaning。Hepaledalittle，andsuckedhislip，hiseyeswanderingtothegirl，whostoodinstolidinapprehensionofwhatwasbeingsaid。
“Didshedothat？“saidhe，andhescarcelyknewwhathewassaying；
allthatherealizedwasthatiturgedhimtoexplainthisthing。
“Mademoiselle”seducationhasbeenneglected-abynomeansuncommonhappeningintheseparts。Sheissensitiveofit；sheseekstohidethefact。”
Thenthestormbrokeabouttheirheads。Anditcrashedandthunderedawfullyinthenextfewminutes。
“Oliar！Odamned，audaciousliar，“roaredGarnacheuncompromisingly，advancingastepupontheSeneschal，andshakingtheparchmentthreateninglyinhisveryface，asthoughitwerebecomeaweaponofoffence。“WasittohidethefactthatshehadnotbeentaughttowritethatshesenttheQueenaletterpages-long？Whoisthiswoman？“Andthefingerhepointedatthegirlquiveredwiththeragethatfilledhimatthistricktheyhadthoughttoputuponhim。
Tressansoughtrefugeinoffendeddignity。Hedrewhimselfup，threwbackhishead，andlookedtheParisianfiercelyintheeye。
“Sinceyoutakethistonewithme，monsieur-“
“Itakewithyou-aswithanyman-thetonethattomeseemsbest。
Youmiserablefool！Assureasyou”rearoguethisaffairshallcostyouyourposition。Youhavewaxedfatandsleekinyourseneschalship；thiseasylifeinDauphinyappearstohavebeenwellsuitedtoyourhealth。Butasyourpaunchhasgrown，so，ofatruth，haveyourbrainsdwindled，elsehadyouneverthoughttocheatmequitesoeasily。
“AmIsomeloutwhohasspenthisdaysherdingswine，thinkyou，thatyoucouldtrickmeintobelievingthiscreaturetobeMademoiselledeLaVauvraye-thiscreaturewiththemienofapeasant，withabreathreekingofgarliclikeathird-rateeating-house，andthewalkofawomanwhohasneverknownfootgearuntilthismoment？Tellme，sir，forwhatmanneroffooldidyoutakeme？“
TheSeneschalstoodwithblanchedfaceandgapingmouth，hisfireallturnedtoashesbeforethepassionofthisgauntman。
Garnachepaidnoheedtohim。Hesteppedtothegirl，androughlyraisedherchinwithhishandsothatshewasforcedtolookhimintheface。
“Whatisyourname，wench？“heaskedher。
“Margot，“sheblubbered，burstingintotears。
Hedroppedherchin，andturnedawaywithagestureofdisgust。
“Getyougone，“hebadeherharshly。“Getyoubacktothekitchenortheonion-fieldfromwhichtheytookyou。”
Andthegirl，scarcebelievinghergoodfortune，departedwithaspeedthatborderedontheludicrous。Tressanhadnaughttosay，nowordtostayherwith；pretence，herealized，wasvain。
“Now，myLordSeneschal，“quothGarnache，armsakimbo，feetplantedwide，andeyesuponthewretchedman”scountenance，“whatmayyouhavetosaytome？“
Tressanshiftedhisposition；heavoidedtheother”sglance；hewasvisiblytrembling，andwhenpresentlyhespokeitwasinfalteringaccents。
“It-it-seems，monsieur，that-ah-thatIhavebeenthevictimofsomeimposture。”
“Ithadratherseemedtomethatthevictimchosenwasmyself。”
“Clearlywewerebothvictims，“theSeneschalrejoined。Thenheproceededtoexplain。“IwenttoCondillacyesterdayasyoudesiredme，andafterastormyinterviewwiththeMarquiseIobtainedfromher-asIbelieved-thepersonofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。
YouseeIwasnotmyselfacquaintedwiththelady。”
Garnachelookedathim。Hedidnotbelievehim。Heregrettedalmostthathehadnotfurtherquestionedthegirl。But，afterall，perhapsitmightbeeasierandmoreexpedientifheweretoappeartoaccepttheSeneschal”sstatement。Buthemustprovideagainstfurtherfraud。
“MonsieurleSeneschal，“saidheincalmertones，puttinghisangerfromhim，“atthebestyouareablundererandanass，attheworstatraitor。Iwillinquirenofurtheratpresent；I”llnotseektodiscriminatetoofinely。”
“Monsieur，theseinsults-“begantheSeneschal，summoningdignitytohisaid。ButGarnachebrokein：
“La，la！IspeakintheQueen”sname。IfyouhavethoughttoaidtheDowagerofCondillacinthisresistanceofHerMajesty”smandate，letmeenjoinyou，asyouvalueyourseneschalship-asyouvalueyourveryneck-toharbourthatthoughtnolonger。
“Itseemsthat，afterall，Imustdealmyselfwiththesituation。
ImustgomyselftoCondillac。Iftheyshouldresistme，Ishalllooktoyouforthenecessarymeanstoovercomethatresistance。
“Andbearyouthisinmind：IhavechosentoleaveitanopenquestionwhetheryouwereapartytothetrickithasbeensoughttoputupontheQueen，throughme，herrepresentative。ButitisaquestionthatIhaveitinmypowertoresolveatanymoment-toresolveasIchoose。Unless，monsieur，Ifindyouhereafter-asItrust-actuatedbythemostunswervingloyalty，Ishallresolvethatquestionbyproclaimingyouatraitor；andasatraitorIshallarrestyouandcarryyoutoParis。MonsieurleSeneschal，Ihavethehonourtogiveyougood-day！“
Whenhewasgone，MonsieurdeTressanflungoffhiswig，andmoppedtheperspirationfromhisbrow。Hewentwhiteassnowandredasfirebyturns，ashepacedtheapartmentinafrenzy。Neverinthefifteenyearsthatwerespedsincehehadbeenraisedtothegovernorshipoftheprovincehadanymantakensuchatonewithhimandharanguedhiminsuchterms。
Aliarandatraitorhadhebeencalledthatmorning，aknaveandafool；hehadbeenbrowbeatenandthreatened；andhehadswalloweditall，andalmostturnedtolickthehandthatadministeredthedose。Dame！Whatmannerofcurwashebecome？Andthemanwhohaddoneallthis-avulgarupstartoutofParis，reekingofleatherandthebarrack-roomstilllived！