OutsidehecalledRabecque，andtogethertheywentbelow。Butmindfulofherfears，hedispatchedoneofthetrooperstostandsentryoutsideherdoorwhilstheandhislackeysupped。Thatdone，hecalledthehost，andsethimselfattable，Rabecqueathiselbowinattendancetohandhimthedishesandpourhiswine。
Acrossthelow-ceilingedroomthefourtravellersstillsatintalk，andasGarnacheseatedhimself，oneofthemshoutedforthehostandaskedinanimpatienttonetoknowifhissupperwassoontocome。
“Inamoment，sir，“answeredthelandlordrespectfully，andheturnedagaintotheParisian。Hewentouttobringthelatter”smeal，andwhilsthewasgoneRabecqueheardfromhismasterthereasonoftheirremainingthatnightinGrenoble。Theinferencedrawnbytheastutelackey-andfreelyexpressedbyhim-fromthelackofhorsesorcarriagesinGrenoblethatnight，coincidedoddlywithValerie”s。HetoogaveitashisopinionthathismasterhadbeenforestalledbytheDowager”speople，andwithoutpresumingtoadviseGarnachetogowarily-apieceofadvicethatGarnachewouldhaveresented，totheextentperhapsofboxingthefellow”sears-hedetermined，thereandthen，tokeepaclosewatchuponhismaster，andundernocircumstances，ifpossible，permithimtoleavetheSuckingCalfthatnight。
Thehostreturned，bearingaplatteronwhichtheresteamedaragoutthatgaveoutanappetizingodour；hiswifefollowedwithotherdishesandabottleofArmagnacunderherarm。Rabecquebusiedhimselfatonce，andhishungrymasterdisposedhimselftosatisfythehealthiestappetiteinFrance，whensuddenlyashadowfellacrossthetable。Amanhadcometostandbesideit，hisbodyscreeningthelightofoneofthelampsthathungfromarafteroftheceiling。
“Atlast！“heexclaimed，andhisvoicewasharshwithill-humour。
Garnachelookedup，pausingintheveryactofhelpinghimselftothatragout。Rabecquelookedupfrombehindhismaster，andhislipstightened。Thehostlookedupfromtheactofdrawingthecorkoftheflagonhehadtakenfromhiswife，andhiseyesgrewbigasinhismindhepreparedajudiciousblendofapologyandremonstrancewherewithtosoothethisveryimpatientgentleman。Butbeforehecouldspeak，Garnache”svoicecutsharplyintothesilence。Aninterruptionatsuchamomentvexedhimsorely。
“Monsieursays？“quothhe。
“Toyou，sir-nothing，“answeredthefellowimpudently，andlookedhimstraightbetweentheeyes。
Withaflushmountingtohischeeks，andhisbrowsdrawntogetherinperplexity，Garnachesurveyedhim。Hewasthatsametravellerwhohadlatelyclamouredtoknowwhenhemightsup，amanofrathermorethanmiddleheight，litheandactiveofframe，yetwithabreadthofshoulderanddepthofchestthatarguedstrengthandenduranceaswell。Hehadfair，wavyhair，whichheworeratherlongerthanwasthemode，browneyes，andafacewhich，withoutbeinghandsome，wasyetmorethanordinarilyengagingbyvirtueofitsstrengthandfrankingenuousness。Hisdresswashisworstfeature。Itwasflamboyantandshowy；cheap，andtawdrilypretentious。Yetheborehimselfwiththeeasydignityofamanwhocountsmoreinferiorsthansuperiors。
Despitethearrogantmannerofhisaddress，Garnachefeltprepossessedinthenewcomer”sfavour。Butbeforehecouldanswerhim，thehostwasspeaking。
“Monsieurmistakes……”hebegan。
“Mistakes？“thunderedtheotherinanaccentslightlyforeign。“Itisyouwhomistakeifyouproposetotellmethatthisisnotmysupper。AmItowaitallnight，whileeveryjackanapeswhofollowsmeintoyourpigstyistobeservedbeforeme？“
“Jackanapes？“saidGarnachethoughtfully，andlookedthemaninthefaceagain。Behindthestrangerpressedhisthreecompanionsnow，whilstthetroopersacrosstheroomforgottheircard-playtowatchthealtercationthatseemedtoimpend。
Theforeigner-forsuch，indeed，hisFrenchproclaimedhim-turnedhalf-contemptuouslytothehost，ignoringGarnachewithanairthatwasstudiouslyoffensive。
“Jackanapes？“murmuredGarnacheagain，andhe，too，turnedtothehost。“Tellme，Monsieurl”Hote，“saidhe，“wheredothejackanapesburytheirdeadinGrenoble？Imayneedtheinformation。”
Beforethedistressedlandlordcouldutteraword，thestrangerhadwheeledaboutagaintofaceGarnache。“Whatshallthatmean？“heaskedsharply，agreatfiercenessinhisglance。
“ThatGrenoblemaybewitnessingthefuneralofaforeignbullybyto-morrow，Monsieurl”Etranger，“saidGarnache，showinghisteethinapleasantsmile。Hebecameconsciousinthatmomentofapressureonhisshoulderblade，butpaidnoheedtoit，intentonwatchingtheother”scountenance。Itexpressedsurpriseamoment，thengrewdarkwithanger。
“Doyoumeanthatforme，sir？“hegrowled。
Garnachespreadhishands。“Ifmonsieurfeelsthatthecapfitshim，Ishallnotstayhimintheactofdonningit。”
Thestrangersetonehanduponthetable，andleanedforwardtowardsGarnache。“MayIaskmonsieurtobealittlemoredefinite？“hebegged。
Garnachesatbackinhischairandsurveyedtheman，smiling。Quickthoughhistemperusuallymightbe，itwascheckedatpresentbyamusement。Hehadseeninhistimemanyquarrelsspringfromtheflimsiestofmotives，butsurelyneverhadheseenonequitesoself-begotten。Itwasalmostasifthefellowhadcomethereofsetpurposetopickitwithhim。
Asuspicionflashedacrosshismind。Herememberedthewarningmademoisellehadgivenhim。Andhewondered。Wasthisatricktolurehimtosomeguet-apens？Hesurveyedhismanmoreclosely；buttheinspectionlentnocolourtohissuspicions。Thestrangerlookedsofrankandhonest；thenagainhisaccentwasforeign。ItmightverywellbethathewassomeSavoyardlordlingunusedtobeingkeptwaiting，andthathishungermadehimirritableandimpatient。
Ifthatwereso，assuredlythefellowdeservedalessonthatshouldshowhimhewasnowinFrance，wheredifferentmannersobtainedtothosethathedisplayed；yet，lestheshouldbesomethingelse，Garnachedeterminedtopursueapolicyofconciliation。Itwouldbeamadnesstoembroilhimselfjustthen，whetherthisfellowwereofCondillacornot。
“Ihaveaskedyou，monsieur，“thestrangerinsisted，“tobealittlemoredefinite。”
Garnache”ssmilebroadenedandgrewmorefriendly。“Frankly，“saidhe，“Iexperiencedifficulty。Myremarkwasvague。Imeantitsotobe。”
“Butitoffendedme，monsieur，“theotheransweredsharply。
TheParisianraisedhiseyebrows，andpursedhislips。“ThenI
deploreit，“saidhe。Andnowhehadtoendurethehardesttrialofall。Thestranger”sexpressionchangedtooneofwonderingscorn。
“DoIunderstandthatmonsieurapologizes？“
Garnachefelthimselfcrimsoning；hisself-controlwasslippingfromhim；thepressureagainsthisshoulderbladewasrenewed，andintimehebecameawareofitandknewitforawarningfromRabecque。
“Icannotconceive，sir，thatIhaveoffended，“saidheatlength，keepingatighthanduponhiseveryinstinct-whichwastoknockthisimpertinentstrangerdown。“ButifIhave，IbegthatyouwillbelievethatIhavedonesounwittingly。Ihadnosuchintent。”
Thestrangerremovedhishandfromthetableanddrewhimselferect。
“Somuchforthat，then，“saidhe，provokinglycontemptuous。“IfyouwillbeasamiableinthematterofthesupperIshallbegladtoterminateanacquaintancewhichIcanseenohonourtomyselfinpursuing。”
This，Garnachefelt，wasmorethanhecouldendure。Aspasmofpassioncrossedhisface，anotherinstantanddespiteRabecque”sfranticproddingshemighthaveflungtheragoutinthegentleman”sface；whensuddenlycamethelandlordunexpectedlytotherescue。
“Monsieur，herecomesyoursuppernow，“heannounced，ashiswifereenteredfromthekitchenwithaladentray。
Foramomentthestrangerseemedoutofcountenance。ThenhelookedwithcoldinsolencefromthedishessetbeforeGarnachetothosewhichwerebeingsetforhimself。
“Ah，“saidhe，andhistonewasaninsultunsurpassable，“perhapsitistobepreferred。Thisragoutgrowscold，Ithink。”
Hesniffed，andturningonhisheel，withoutwordorsignofsalutationtoGarnache，hepassedtothenexttable，andsatdownwithhiscompanions。TheParisian”seyesfollowedhim，andtheyblazedwithsuppressedwrath。Neverinallhislifehadheexercisedsuchself-controlashewasexercisingthen-whichwasthereasonwhyhehadfailedtoachievegreatness-andhewasexercisingitforthesakeofthatchildabove-stairs，andbecausehekeptever-presentinhismindthethoughtthatshemustcometogrievousharmifillbefellhimself。Buthecontrolledhispassionatthecostofhisappetite。Hecouldnoteat，soenragedwashe。Andsohepushedtheplatterfromhim，androse。
HeturnedtoRabecque，andthesightofhisfacesentthelackeybackapaceortwoinveryfear。Hewavedhishandtothetable。
“Sup，Rabecque，“saidhe。“Thencometomeabove。”
Andfollowed，asbefore，bytheeyesofthestrangerandhiscompanions，Garnachestrodeoutoftheroom，andmountingthestairswenttofindsolaceintalkwithValerie。Buthoweverimpossiblehemightfindittodigesttheaffronthehadswallowed，nowordofthematterdidheuttertothegirl，lestitshouldcauseherfearstoreawaken。
CHAPTERVII
THEOPENINGOFTHETRAP
GarnachespentasleeplessnightatGrenoble，onguardthroughoutthegreaterpartofitsincenothingshortofthatwouldappeasethefearsofValerie。YetitpassedwithoutanybellicosemanifestationonthepartoftheCondillacssuchasValeriefearedandsuchasGarnachewassatisfiedwouldnot-couldnot，indeed-
takeplace。
BetimesnextmorninghedispatchedRabecquetotheAubergedeFranceforthepromisedcarriage，andbrokehisfastinthecommon-roomwhattimeheawaitedhisman”sreturn。Thechamberwasagainoccupiedbythestrangerofyesternight，whosatapart，however，andseemednolongerdisposedtointerferewiththeParisian。Garnachewonderedidly，mightthisbeduetothecircumstancethatthatsamestrangerwassupportednowbyonesinglecompanion，andwasthereforelessvalorousthanwhenhehadbeeninthecompanyofthree。
Atanothertableweretwogentlemen，sprungheknewnotwhence，quietindressandorderlyinmanner，towhomhepaidlittleheeduntiloneofthemaslender，swarthy，hawk-facedfellow-lookingupsuddenly，startedslightlyatsightoftheParisianandaddressedhiminstantlybyname。Garnachepausedintheactofrisingfromtable，half-turned，andsharplyscrutinizedtheswarthygentleman，butfailedtorecognizehim。Headvancedtowardshim。
“Ihavethehonourtobeknowntoyou，monsieur？“hehalf-stated，half-inquired。
“Parbleu，MonsieurdeGarnache！“exclaimedtheotherwithareadysmile，themorewinningsinceitlightedupafacethatatrestwasverysombre。“LivesthereaParisiantowhomyouarenotknown？I
haveseenyouoftenattheHoteldeBourgogne。”
Garnacheacknowledgedthecourtesybyaslightinclinationofthehead。
“Andonce，“continuedtheother，“IhadthehonourtobepresentedtoyoubyMonsieurleDuchimself。MynameisGaubert-FabreGaubert。”AndasheintroducedhimselfheroseoutofrespectforGarnache，whohadremainedstanding。Garnacheknewhimnotatall，yetneverdoubtedthathistalewastrue；thefellowhadaverycourtly，winningair；moreover，GarnachewasbeginningtofeellonelyinthewildsofDauphiny，sothatitrejoicedhimtocomeintothecompanyofonewhomhemightregardassomethingofafellow-creature。Heheldouthishand。
“Iamhonouredinthatyoushouldhavebornemeinyourmemory，monsieur，“saidhe。HewasabouttoaddthathewouldbeoverjoyedifitshouldhappenthatMonsieurGaubertwastravellingtoParis，sincehemightgivehimselfthepleasureofhiscompanyonthattediousjourney；buthecheckedhimselfbetimes。Hehadnoreasontosuspectthisgentleman；andyet，allthingsconsidered，hebethoughthimsuddenlythathewoulddowelltoobservethegreatestcircumspection。SowithapleasantbutmeaninglesscivilitytouchingMonsieurGaubert”spresenceinthoseparts，Garnachepassedonandgainedthedoor。Hepausedintheporch，abovewhichtherebus-likesignoftheSuckingCalfcreakedandgratedineachgustofthechillwindthatwasblowingfromtheAlps。Therainhadceased，buttheskywasdarkandheavywithgreatbanksofscuddingclouds。Inthestreetthemenofhisescortsattheirhorses，havingmountedathisbiddinginreadinessforthejourney。Awordortwoheexchangedwiththesergeant，andthenwithagreatrumbletheclumsycarriagefromtheAubergedeFranceheraldeditsapproach。Itrolledupthestreet，avastmachineofwoodandleather，drawnbythreehorses，anddrewupatthedooroftheinn。OutsprangRabecque，tobeimmediatelysentbyhismastertosummonmademoiselle。Theywouldsetoutupontheinstant。
Rabecqueturnedtoobey；butinthatsamemomenthewasthrustrudelyasidebyamanwiththeairofaservant，whoissuedfromheinncarryingavalise；afterhim，followingcloseuponhisheels，withheadheldhighandeyesthatlookedstraightbeforehimandtooknoheedofGarnache，cametheforeignerofyesternight。
Rabecque，hisshoulderstouchingthetimbersoftheporch，againstwhichhehadbeenthrust，remainedatgaze，followingwithresentfuleyethefellowwhohadsorudelyusedhim。Garnache，ontheotherside，watchedwithsomewondertheadventoftheingenuous-lookingstranger，butasyetwithnosuspicionofhisintent。
Notuntiltheservanthadthrownopenthedoorofthecoachanddepositedwithinthevalisehecarried，didGarnachestir。Not，indeed，untiltheforeigner”sfootwasonthesteppreparatorytomountingdidGarnachespeak。
“Hi！monsieur，“hecalledtohim，“whatisyourpleasurewithmycarriage？“
Thestrangerturned，andstaredatGarnachewithalookofwonderthatartfullychangedtooneofdisdainfulrecognition。
“Ah？“saidhe，andhiseyebrowswentup。“Theapologeticgentleman！
Yousaid？“
Garnacheapproachedhim，followedastepnotonlybyRabecque，butalsobyMonsieurGaubert，whohadsaunteredoutasecondearlier。
Behindthem，intheporch，loungednowtheforeigner”sfriend，andbehindhimagainwastobeseenthegreatfaceandstaring，somewhatstartledeyesofthelandlord。
“Iaskedyou，monsieur，“saidGarnache，alreadyatgripswiththatquicktemperofhis，“whatmightbeyourpleasurewithmycoach？“
“Withyourcoach？“echoedtheother，hissuperciliousnesswaxingmoreandmoreoffensive。“Voyons！on！myapologeticfriend，doallthingsinGrenoblebelongtoyou？“Heturnedtothepost-boy，wholookedonstolidly。“YouarefromtheAubergedeFrance，areyounot？“quothhe。
“Iam，monsieur，“repliedtheman。“ThiscarriagewasorderedlastnightbyagentlemanlodgingattheVeauquiTete？“
“Perfectly，“repliedthestranger，inatoneoffinality。“Itwasorderedbyme。”Andhewasabouttoturnaway，whenGarnacheapproachedhimbyyetanotherstep。
“Iwillaskyoutoobserve，monsieur，“saidheandforallthathistoneandwordswerecivil，thattheywereforcedlysowasobviousfromtheirquiver-“Iwillaskyoutoobservethatthecarriagewasfetchedbymyownmanthere，whorodehitherinit。”
Thestrangerlookedhimupanddownwithacurlinglip。
“Itseems，sir，“saidhe，withabroadsneer，“thatyouareoneofthoseimpertinentfellowswhowillbeforeverthrustingthemselvesupongentlemenwithaneyetosuchprofitastheycanmake。”Heproducedapurseandopenedit。“Lastnightitwasmysupperyouusurped。Isufferedthat。Nowyouwoulddothesamebymycoach，andthatIshallnotsuffer。Butthereisforyourpains，andtobequitofyourcompany。”AndhetossedasilvercoinattheParisian。
Therewasanexclamationofhorrorinthebackground，andMonsieurdeGaubertthrusthimselfforward。
“Sir，sir，“heexclaimedinanagitatedvoice，“youcannotknowwhomyouareaddressing。ThisisMonsieurMartinMarieRigobertdeGarnache，Mestre-de-ChampinthearmyoftheKing。”
“OfallthosenamestheoneIshouldopinemightfithimbest，butforhisugliness，isthatofMarie，“answeredtheforeigner，leering，andwithacontemptuousshrugheturnedagaintomountthecarriage。
AtthatallGarnache”sself-controldesertedhim，andhedidathingdeplorable。Inoneofhisblindaccessesoffury，heedlessofthefaithfulandwatchfulRabecque”sarrestingtugathissleeve，hesteppedforward，andbroughtaheavyhanddownuponthesuperciliousgentleman”sshoulder。Hetookhimintheinstantinwhich，withonefootoffthegroundandtheotheronthestepofthecarriage，theforeignerwaseasilythrown”offhisbalance；hedraggedhimviolentlybackward，spanhimroundanddroppedhimflounderinginthemireofthestreet-kennel。
Thatdone，therefellapause-ahushthatwasominousofthingsimpending。Alittlecrowdofidlersthathadgatheredwasquicklyaugmentingnow，andfromsometherecameacryof“Shame！“atGarnache”sactofviolence。
Thisisnomomentatwhichtopausetomoralize。Andyet，howoftenisitnotso？Howoftendoesnotpublicsympathygoouttothemanwhohasbeenassaultedwithoutthoughtoftheextenttowhichthatmanmayhaveprovokedandgoadedhisassailant。
Thatcryof“Shame！“didnomorethanincreasetheangerthatwasmasteringGarnache。HismissioninGrenoblewasforgotten；
mademoiselleabove-stairswasforgotten；theneedforcautionandthefearoftheCondillacswereforgotten；everythingwasthrustfromhismindbutthesituationofthemoment。
Amidthehushthatfollowed，thestrangerpickedhimselfslowlyup，andsoughttowipethefilthfromhisfaceandgarments。Hisservantandhisfriendflewtohisaid，buthewavedthemaside，andadvancedtowardsGarnache，eyesblazing，lipssneering。
“Perhaps，“saidhe，inthatsoft，foreigntoneofhis，ladennowwithfiercemock-politeness，“perhapsmonsieurproposestoapologizeagain。”
“Sir，youaremad，“interposedGaubert。“Youareaforeigner，I
perceive，elseyouwould-“
ButGarnachethrusthimquietlyaside。“Youareverykind，MonsieurGaubert，“saidhe，andhismannernowwasoneoffrozencalm-amannerthatbetrayednoneofthefrenzyofseethingpassionunderneath。“Ithink，sir，“saidhetothestranger，adoptingsomethingofthatgentleman”ssardonicmanner，“thatitwillbeamorepeacefulworldwithoutyou。Itisthatconsiderationrestrainsmefromapologizing。Andyet，ifmonsieurwillexpressregretforhavingsought，andwithsuchlackofmanners，toappropriatemycarriage-“
“Enough！“brokeintheother。“Wearewastingtime，andIhavealongjourneybeforeme。Courthon，“saidhe，addressinghisfriend，“willyoubringmethelengthofthisgentleman”ssword？Myname，sir，“headdedtoGarnache，“isSanguinetti。”
“Faith，“saidGarnache，“itsortswellwithyourbloodyspirit。”
“Andwillsortwell，nodoubt，withhisconditionpresently，“putinhawk-facedGaubert。“MonsieurdeGarnache，ifyouhavenofriendathandtoactforyou，Ishallesteemmyselfhonoured。”Andhebowed。
“Why，thanks，sir。Youaremostopportunelymet。YoushouldbeagentlemansinceyoufrequenttheHoteldeBourgogne。Mythanks。”
GaubertwentasidetoconferwithMonsieurCourthon。Sanguinettistoodapart，hismannerhaughtyandimpressive，hiseyeroamingscornfullythroughtheranksofwhathadbynowbecomeacrowd。
Windowswereopeninginthestreet，andheadsappearing，andacrossthewayGarnachemighthavebeheldtheflabbyfaceofMonsieurdeTressanamongthespectatorsofthatlittlescene。
Rabecquedrewnearhismaster。
“Haveacare，monsieur，“heimploredhim。“Ifthisshouldbeatrap。”
Garnachestarted。Theremarksoberedhim，andbroughttohismindhisownsuspicionsofyesternight，whichhispresentangerhadforthemomentlulled。Still，heconceivedthathehadgonetoofartoextricatehimself。Buthecouldatleastseetoitthathewasnotdrawnawayfromtheplacethatshelteredmademoiselle。Andsohesteppedforward，joiningCourthonandGaubert，toinsistthatthecombatshouldtakeplaceintheinn-eitherinthecommonroomorintheyard。Butthelandlord，overhearingthis，protestedloudlythathecouldnotconsenttoit。Hehadhishousetothinkof。Hesworethattheyshouldnotfightonhispremises，andimploredtheminthesamebreathnottoattemptit。
AtthatGarnache，nowthoroughlyonhisguard！wasforputtingofftheencounter。
“MonsieurCourthon，“saidhe-andhefeltaflushofshamemountingtohisbrow，andrealizedthatitmayneedmorecouragetoavoidanencounterthantoengageinone-“thereissomethingthatintheheatofpassionIforgot；somethingthatrendersitdifficultformetomeetyourfriendatpresent。”
Courthonlookedathimashemightlookatanimpertinentlackey。
“Andwhatmaythatbe？“heinquired，mightilycontemptuous。Therewasasniggerfromsomeinthecrowdthatpressedaboutthem，andevenMonsieurGaubertlookedaskance。
“Surely，sir，“hebegan，“ifIdidnotknowyouforMonsieurdeGarnache-“
ButGarnachedidnotlethimfinish。
“Givemeair，“hecried，andcuffedouttorightandleftofhimatthegrinningspectators，whofellbackandgrinnedlessbroadly。
“Myreason，MonsieurdeCourthon，“saidhe，“isthatIdonotbelongtomyselfatpresent。IaminGrenobleonbusinessoftheState，astheemissaryoftheQueen-Regent，andsoitwouldhardlybecomemetoengageinprivatequarrels。”
Courthonraisedhisbrows。
“YoushouldhavethoughtofthatbeforeyourolledMonsieurSanguinettiinthemud，“heansweredcoldly。
“Iwilltenderhimmyapologiesforthat，“Garnachepromised，swallowinghard，“andifhestillinsistsuponameetingheshallhaveitin，say，amonth”stime。”
“Icannotpermit-“beganCourthon，veryfiercely。
“YouwillbesogoodastoinformyourfriendofwhatIhavesaid，“
Garnacheinsisted，interruptinghim。
Cowed，Courthonshruggedandwentaparttoconferwithhisfriend。
“Ah！“cameSanguinetti”ssoftvoice，yetloudenoughtobeheardbyallpresent。“Heshallhaveacaningthenforhisimpertinence。”
Andhecalledloudlytothepost-boyforhiswhip。ButatthatinsultGarnache”sbrainseemedtotakefire，andhiscautiousresolutionswerereducedtoashesbytheconflagration。Hesteppedforward，and，virulentoftoneandterrificofmien，heannouncedthatsinceMonsieurSanguinettitookthattonewithhim，hewouldcuthisthroatforhimatonceandwherevertheyshouldplease。
AtlastitwasarrangedthattheyshouldproceedthereandthentotheChampsauxCapuchins，ahalf-mileawaybehindtheFranciscanconvent。
Accordinglytheysetout，SanguinettiandCourthongoingfirst，andGarnachefollowingwithGaubert；therearbeingbroughtupbyaregimentofrabble，idlersandcitizens，thatmusthaverepresentedaveryconsiderableproportionofthepopulationofGrenoble。ThisaudienceheartenedGarnache，towhomsomemeasureofreflectionhadagainreturned。Beforesuchnumbersitwasunthinkablethatthesegentlemen-assumingthemtobeactingonbehalfofCondillac-
shoulddaretoattemptfoulmeasureswithhim。FortheresthehadtakentheprecautionofleavingRabecqueattheSuckingCalf，andhehadgiventhesergeantstrictinjunctionsthathewasnottoallowanyofhismentoleavetheirpostsduringhisabsence，andthatthetroopersweretoholdthemselvesentirelyattheordersofRabecque。
Comparativelyeasythereforeinhismind，andbutlittleexercisedbyanythoughtofthecomingencounter，Garnachewalkedbrisklyalong。
TheycameatlasttotheChampsauxCapuchins-apleasantstretchofverdurecoveringperhapshalfanacreandsetaboutbyabeltofbeech-trees。
Thecrowddisposeditselfonthefringeofthesward，andtheduellistswentforward，andsetaboutthepreparations。Principalsandsecondsthrewoffcloakanddoublet，andSanguinetti，Courthon，andGaubertremovedtheirheavyboots，whilstGarnachedidnomorethandetachthespursfromhis。
Sanguinetti，observingthis，drewtheattentionoftheotherstoit，andanaltercationarose。ItwasGaubertwhocametobegGarnachethatheshouldfollowtheexampletheyhadsethiminthatrespect。
ButGarnacheshookhishead。
“Theturfissodden。”
“Butitispreciselyonthataccount，sir，“protestedGaubertveryearnestly。“Inyourbootsyouwillbeunabletostandfirm；youwillruntheriskofslippingeverytimethatyoubreakground。”
“Iventuretothink，sir，thatthatismyaffair，“saidGarnachestiffly。
“Butitisnot，“theothercried。“Ifyoufightinyourboots，wemustalldothesame，andformyself-well，Ihavenotcomeheretocommitsuicide。”
“Lookyou，MonsieurGaubert，“saidGarnachequietly，“youropponentwillbeMonsieurCourthon，andsinceheisinhisstockingedfeet，thereisnoreasonwhyyouyourselfshouldnotremainsotoo。Asforme，Iretainmyboots，andMonsieurSanguinettimayhavealltheadvantagethatmaygivehim。SinceIamcontent，inHeaven”snameletthefightgoforward。Iaminhaste。”
Gaubertbowedinsubmission；butSanguinetti，whohadoverheard，turnedwithanoath。
“ByGod，no！“saidhe。“Ineednosuchadvantage，sir。Courthon，besogoodastohelpmeonwithmybootsagain。”Andtherewasafreshdelaywhilstheresumedthem。
Atlast，however，thefourmencametogether，andproceededtothemeasurementofswords。ItwasfoundthatSanguinetti”swastwoincheslongerthananyoftheotherthree。
“ItistheusuallengthinItaly，“saidSanguinettiwithashrug。
“IfmonsieurhadrealizedthathewasnolongerinItaly，wemightperhapshavebeensparedthisveryfoolishbusiness，“answeredGarnachetestily。
“Butwhatarewetodo？“criedtheperplexedGaubert。
“Fight，“saidGarnacheimpatiently。“Istherenevertobeanendtothesepreliminaries？“
“ButIcannotpermityoutoopposeyourselftoaswordtwoincheslongerthanyourown，“criedGaubert，almostinatemper。
“Whynot，ifIamsatisfied？“askedGarnache。“Mineisthelongerreach；thusmatterswillstandequal。”
“Equal？“roaredGaubert。“YourlongerreachisanadvantagethatyouhadfromGod，hislongerswordisonehehadfromanarmourer。
Isthatequality？“
“Hemayhavemysword，andI”lltakehis，“cutintheItalian，alsoshowingimpatience。“Itooaminhaste。”
“Inhastetodie，then，“snappedGaubert。
“Monsieur，thisisnotseemly，“Courthonreprovedhim。
“Youshallteachmemannerswhenweengage，“snappedthehawk-facedgentleman。
“Sirs，sirs，“Garnacheimploredthem，“arewetowastethedayinwords？MonsieurGaubert，thereareseveralgentlemenyonderwearingswords；Imakenodoubtthatyouwillfindonewhosebladeisofthesamelengthasyourown，sufficientlyobligingtolendittoMonsieurSanguinetti。”
“Thatisanofficethatmyfriendcandoforme，“interposedSanguinetti，andthereuponCourthondeparted，toreturnpresentlywithaborrowedweaponoftheproperlength。
Atlastitseemedthattheymightproceedwiththebusinessuponwhichtheywerecome；butGarnachewaswronginsosupposing。A
discussionnowarosebetweenGaubertandCourthonastothechoiceofspot。Theturfwasdrenchedandslippery，andforallthattheymovedfromplacetoplacetestingtheground，theirprincipalsfollowing，nowherecouldtheyfindtheconditionssufficientlyimprovedtodecideuponengaging。ToGarnachetheutilityofthiswasapparentfromthefirst。Ifthesegentlemenhadthoughttoavoidslipperyground，theyshouldhaveelectedtoappointthemeetingelsewhere。Buthavingchosenthe。ChampsauxCapuchins，itwasidletoexpectthatonestretchofturfwouldprovefirmerthananother。
Weariedatlastbythisdelay，hegaveexpressiontohisthoughts。
“Youarequiteright，monsieur，“saidCourthon。“Butyoursecondisover-fastidious。Itwouldsimplifymatterssomuchifyouwouldremoveyourboots。”
“Lookyou，sirs，“saidGarnache，takingafirmstand，“Iwillengageinmybootsandonthisveryspotornotatall。IhavetoldyouthatIaminhaste。Asfortheslipperinessoftheground，myopponentwillrunnogreaterrisksthanI。Iamnottheonlyimpatientone。Thespectatorsarebeginningtojeeratus。WeshallhaveeveryscullioninGrenoblepresentlysayingthatweareafraidofoneanother。Besideswhich，sirs，IthinkIamtakingcold。”
“Iamquiteofmonsieur”smind，myself，“drawledSanguinetti。
“Youhear，sir，“exclaimedCourthon，turningtoGaubert。“Youcanscarcepersistinfindingobjectionsnow。”
“Why，sinceallaresatisfied，sobeit，“saidGaubert，withashrug。“Isoughttodothebestformyprincipal。Asitis，I
washmyhandsofallresponsibility，andbyallmeansletusengage，sirs。”
Theydisposedthemselvesaccordingly，GaubertengagingCourthon，onGarnache”srighthand，andGarnachehimselffallingonguardtoreceivetheattackofSanguinetti。Thejeersandmurmursthathadbeenrisingfromtheever-growingcrowdthatswarmedabouttheoutskirtsoftheplacefellsilentastheclatterofmeetingswordsrangoutatlast。Andthen，scarceweretheyengagedwhenavoicearose，callingangrily：
“Hold，Sanguinetti！Wait！“
Abig，broad-shoulderedman，inasuitofhomespunandafeatherlesshat，thrusthiswayrudelytroughthecrowdandbrokeintothespacewithinthebeltoftrees。Thecombatantshadfallenapartatthiscommandingcry，andthenewcomernowdashedforward，flushedandoutofbreathasifwithrunning。
“Vertudieu！Sanguinetti，“heswore，andhismannerwashalf-angry，half-bantering；“doyoucallthisfriendship？“
“MydearFrancois“returnedtheforeigner，“youarrivemostinopportunely。”
“Andisthatallthegreetingyouhaveforme？“
Lookingmoreclosely，GarnachethoughtthatherecognizedinhimoneofSanguinetti”scompanionsofyesternight。
“ButdoyounotseethatIamengaged？“
“Ay；andthatismygrievancethatyoushouldbeengageduponsuchanaffair，andthatIshouldhavenoshareinit。Itistotreatmelikealackey，andhavetherighttofeeloffended。Enfin！ItseemsIannotcometoolate。”
Garnachecutin。Hesawthedriftofthefellow”sintentions，andhewasnotmindedtosubmittofreshdelays；alreadymorethanhalfanhourwasspedsincehehadlefttheSuckingCalf。Heputitplainlytothemthatmorethanenoughdelayhadtherebeenalreadyandhebeggedthenewcomertostandasideandallowthemtoterminatethebusinessonwhichtheyweremet。ButMonsieurFrancois-asSanguinettihadcalledhim-wouldnothearofit。Heproved，indeed，averytestyfellow，andhehad，moreover，thesupportoftheothers，includingevenMonsieurGaubert。
“Letmeimploreyounottospoilsport，sir，“thelatterbeggedGarnache。“IhaveafriendattheinnwhowouldneverforgivemeifIpermittedhimtomisssuchamorning”sdiversionasthisgentlemaniswillingtoaffordhim。Suffermetogoforhim。”
“Lookyou，sir，“answeredGarnachesharply，“howeveryoumayviewthismeeting，itisnotwithmeanaffairofjestorsport。Iaminaquarrelthathasbeenforceduponme，and-“
“Surelynot，sir，“Courthoninterruptedsweetly。“YouforgetthatyourolledMonsieurSanguinettiinthemud。Thatishardlytohaveaquarrelforceduponyou。”
Garnachebithisliptothebloodinhisvexation。
“Howeverthequarrelmayhaveoriginated，“saidFrancois，withagreatlaugh，“IswearthatitgoesnotforwarduntilIamaccommodated，too。”
“Youhadbetteraccede，monsieur，“murmuredGaubert。“Ishallnotbegonefiveminutes，anditwillsavetimeintheend。”
“Oh，verywell，“criedpoorGarnacheinhisdespair。“Anythingtosavetime；anything！InGod”snamefetchyourfriend，andIhopeyouandheandeverymanherewillgethisfilloffightingforonce。”
Gaubertdepartedonhiserrand，andtherewerefreshmurmursinthemobuntilthereasonofhisgoingwasunderstood。Fiveminutessped；tenminutes，andyethereturnednot。GroupedtogetherwereSanguinettiandhistwofriends，ineasy，whisperedtalk。Atalittledistancefromthem，Garnachepacedupanddowntokeephimselfwarm。Hehadthrownhiscloakoverhisshouldersagain，andwithswordtuckedunderarmandheadthrustforward，hestampedbackwardsandforwards，theverypictureofill-humour。Fifteenminutespassed；twelveo”clockboomedfromtheChurchofSaintFrancoisd”AssisiandstillMonsieurGaubertreturnednot。Garnachestoodstillamoment，inangrythought。Thismustnotgoon。Theremustbeanend，andatonce。Thetastesandinclinationsofbrawlerswerenoconcernofhis。HehadbusinessofState-howeverunworthy-todispatch。Heturned，intendingtodemandofMonsieurSanguinettithattheyshouldengageatonceandbedone，whensuddenlyafellowroughlydressed，withdirtyfaceandashockheadoffairhair，pushedhiswaythroughthethrongandadvancedtowardsMonsieurSanguinettiandhisfriends。Garnachecheckedinhismovementtolookatthefellow，forherecognizedinhimtheostleroftheAubergedeFrance：Hespokeatthatmoment，andGarnacheoverheardthewordsheuttered。
“MonsieurSanguinetti，“saidhe，addressingthatgentleman，“mymastersendstoinquireifyoushallwantthecarriageyouorderedforto-day。IthasbeenstandingforanhouratthedooroftheAubergedeFrance，awaitingyou，andifyoudon”twantit-“
“Standingwhere？“askedSanguinettiharshly。
“AtthedooroftheAubergedeFrance。”
“Peste，fool！“criedtheforeigner，“whyisitthere，whenIbadeitbesenttotheSuckingCalf？“
“Idon”tknow，sir。IknownomorethanMonsieurl”Hotetoldme。”
“Now，aplagueonMonsieurl”Hote，“sworeSanguinetti，andinthatmomenthiseyefelluponGarnache，standingthere，attentive。AtsightoftheParisianheseemedlostinconfusion。Hedroppedhisglanceandappearedonthepointofturningaside。Thentotheostler：“Ishallwantthecarriage，andIshallcomeforitanon。Carrythatmessagetoyourmaster。”AndwiththatheturnedandadvancedtoGarnache。Hiswhilomarrogancewasallfallenfromhim；heworeinsteadanairofextremecontrition。
“Monsieur，whatshallIsaytoyou？“heaskedinavoicethatwasrathersmall。“Itseemstherehasbeenanerror。Iamdeeplygrieved，believeme-“
“Saynomore，Ibeg，“criedGarnache，immenselyrelievedthatatlastthereshouldbeaconclusiontoanaffairwhichhadthreatenedtobeinterminable。“Letmebutexpressmyregretsforthetreatmentyoureceivedatmyhands。”
“Iacceptyourexpressions，andIadmiretheirgenerosity，“returnedtheotherascourteousnowassubservient，indeed，inhiscourtesy-ashehadbeenerstwhilefierceandintractable。“AsforthetreatmentIreceived，Iconfessthatmymistakeandmyopinionativenessdeserveditme。Ideploretodeprivethesegentlemenoftheentertainmenttowhichtheywerelookingforward，butunlessyoushouldproveofanexcessiveamiabilityIamafraidtheymustsufferwithmetheconsequencesofmyerror。”
Garnacheassuredhimverybriefly，andnonetoopolitelythathedidnotintendtoproveofanyexcessiveamiability。Hespokewhilststrugglingintohisdoublet。Hefeltthathecouldcheerfullyhavecanedthefellowfortheinconveniencehehadcausedhim，andyetherealizedthathehadothermorepressingmatterstoattendto。Hesheathedhissword，tookuphiscloakandhat，madethosegentlementhecomplimentsthatbecametheoccasion，intermsatriflemorebrief，perhaps，thanwereusual，and，stillwonderingwhyMonsieurdeGauberthadnotyetreturned，hestalkedbrisklyaway。Followedbythebooingsofthedisappointedcrowd，hesetoutfortheSuckingCalfatasharppace，takingtheshorterwaybehindtheChurchandacrossthegraveyardofSaintFrancois。
CHAPTERVIII
THECLOSINGOFTHETRAP
UponleavingtheChampsauxCapuchins，hawk-facedMonsieurGauberthadruneveryfootofthewaytotheSuckingCalf，andhehadarrivedtherewithinsomefiveminutes，outofbreathandwearingeveryappearanceofdistress-ofadistressrathergreaterthanhishastetofindhisfriendshouldwarrant。
Atthedooroftheinnhefoundthecarriagestillwaiting；thepost-boy，however，wasintheporch，leaningintalkwithoneofthedrawers。Thetrooperssattheirhorsesinstolidpatience，keepingguard，andawaiting，astheyhadbeenbidden，thereturnofMonsieurdeGarnache。Rabecque，verywatchful，loungedinthedoorway，betrayinginhisairnoneoftheanxietyandimpatiencewithwhichhelookedforhismaster。
AtsightofMonsieurGaubert，runningsobreathlessly，hestartedforward，wonderinganduneasy。Acrossthestreet，fromthePalaisSeneschal，cameatthatsamemomentMonsieurdeTressanwithrollinggait。HereachedthedooroftheinntogetherwithMonsieurGaubert。
Fullofevilforebodings，Rabecquehailedtherunner。
“Whathashappened？“hecried。“WhereisMonsieurdeGarnache？“
Gaubertcametoastaggeringhalt；hegroanedandwrunghishands。
“Killed！“hepanted，rockinghimselfinapassionofdistress。“Hehasbeenbutchered！Oh！itwashorrible！“。
Rabecquegrippedhimbytheshoulder，andsteadiedhimwithahandthathurt。“Whatdoyousay？“hegasped，hisfacewhitetothelips。
Tressanhalted，too，andturneduponGaubert，alookofincredulityinhisfatcountenance。“Whohasbeenkilled？“heasked。“NotMonsieurdeGarnache？“
“Helas！yes，“groanedtheother。“Itwasasnare，aguet-apenstowhichtheyledus。FourofthemsetuponusintheChampsauxCapuchins。Aslongashelived，Istoodbesidehim。Butseeinghimfallen，Icomeforhelp。”
“MyGod！“sobbedRabecque，andloosedhisgraspofMonsieurGaubert”sshoulder。
“Whodidit？“inquiredTressan，andhisvoicerumbledfiercely。
“Iknownotwhotheywere。ThemanwhopickedthequarrelwithMonsieurdeGarnachecalledhimselfSanguinetti。Thereisariotdownthereatpresent。Therewasacrowdtowitnessthecombat，andtheyhavefallentofightingamongthemselves。WouldtoHeaventheyhadstirredintimetosavethatpoorgentlemanfrombeingmurdered。”
“Ariot，didyousay？“criedTressan，theofficialseemingtoawakeninhim。
“Aye，“answeredtheotherindifferently；“theyarecuttingoneanother”sthroats。”
“But……But……Areyousurethatheisdead，monsieur？“
inquiredRabecque；andhistonewasonethatimploredcontradiction。
Gaubertlookedandpaused，seemingtogivethematterasecond”sthought。“Isawhimfall，“saidhe。“Itmaybethathewasnomorethanwounded。”
“Andyoulefthimthere？“roaredtheservant。“Youlefthimthere？“
Gaubertshruggedhisshoulders。“WhatcouldIdoagainstfour？
Besides，thecrowdwasinterferingalready，anditseemedbesttometocomeforhelp。Thesesoldiers，now-“
“Aye，“cutinTressan，andheturnedaboutandcalledthesergeant。
“Thisbecomesmyaffair。”AndheannouncedhisqualitytoMonsieurGaubert。“IamtheLordSeneschalofDauphiny。”
“Iamfortunateinfindingyou，“returnedGaubert，andbowed。“I
couldplacethematterinnobetterhand。”
ButTressan，withoutheedinghim，wasalreadyorderingthesergeanttoridehardwithhistroopersfortheChampsauxCapuchins。
Rabecque，however，thrusthimselfsuddenlyforward。
“Notso，MonsieurleSeneschal，“heinterposedinfreshalarm，andmindfulofhischarge。“ThesemenareheretoguardMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Letthemremain。IwillgotoMonsieurdeGarnache。”
TheSeneschalstaredathimwithcontemptuouslypoutingunderlip。
“Youwillgo？“saidhe。“Andwhatcanyoudoalone？Whoareyou？“
heasked。
“IamMonsieurdeGarnache”sservant。”
“Alackey？Ah！“AndTressanturnedasideandresumedhisordersasifRabecquedidnotexistorhadneverspoken。“TotheChampsauxCapuchins！“saidhe。“Atthegallop，Pommier！Iwillsendothersafteryou。”
Thesergeantroseinhisstirrupsandgrowledanorder。Thetrooperswheeledabout；anotherorder，andtheywereoff，theircanteringhoofsthunderingdownthenarrowstreet。
RabecqueclutchedattheLordSeneschal”sarm。
“Stopthem，monsieur！“healmostscreamedinhisexcitement。“Stopthem！Thereissomesnare，sometrickinthis。”
“Stopthem？“quoththeSeneschal。“Areyoumad？“HeshookoffRabecque”sdetaininghand，andlefthim，tocrossthestreetagainwithponderousandsluggishhaste，nodoubttocarryouthispurposeofsendingmoretrooperstothesceneofthedisturbance。
Rabecquesworeangrilyandbitterly，andhisvexationhadtwoentirelyseparatesources。Ontheonehandhisanxietyandaffectionforhismasterurgedhimtorunatoncetohisassistance，whilstTressan”sremovalofthetroopersrendereditimpossibleforhimtoleaveMademoiselledeLaVauvrayeunguarded-thoughwhatheshoulddowithherifGarnachecamenotbackatall，hedidnotatthisstagepausetoconsider。Ontheotherhand，aninstinctiveandgrowingsuspicionofthisMonsieurGaubert-whowasnowenteringtheinn-inspiredhimwiththeopinionthatthefatSeneschalhadbeendupedbyawildtaletosendthetroopersfromthespotwheretheymightpresentlybecomeverynecessary。
Fulloffears，anxiety，andmistrust，itwasaverydispiritedRabecquethatnowslowlyfollowedMonsieurGaubertintotheinn。
Butashesethisfootacrossthethresholdofthecommon-room，asightmethiseyesthatbroughthimtoamomentarystandstill，andturnedtocertaintyallhisrisingsuspicions。Hefoundittenantedbyahalf-dozenfellowsofveryrudeaspect，allarmedandbearinganoddresemblanceinairandaccoutrementstothebraveshehadseenatCondillacthedaybefore。Astohowtheycamethere，hecouldonlysurmisethattheyhadenteredthroughthestable-yard，asotherwisehemusthaveobservedtheirapproach。
Theyweregroupednowattheotherendofthelong，lowchamber，bythedoorleadingtotheinterioroftheinn。Afewpacesdistantthelandlordwatchedthemwithuneasyeyes。
ButwhatdismayedGarnache”sservantmostofallwastoseethemanwhocalledhimselfGaubertstandingintalkwithaslender，handsomeyouth，magnificentlyarrayed，inwhomherecognizedMariusdeCondillac。
Rabecquecheckedinhisadvance，andcaughtinthatmomentfromMariusthewords：“LetherbetoldthatitisMonsieurdeGarnachewisheshertodescend。”
AtthatRabecquesteppedtowardsthem，verypurposefulofmien。
Gaubertturnedathisapproach，andsmiled。Mariuslookedupquickly；thenmadeasigntothemen。Instantlytwoofthemwentoutbythedoortheyguarded，andereitswungbackagainRabecquesawthattheyweremakingforthestairs。Theremainingfourrangedthemselvesshouldertoshoulderacrossthedoorway，plainlywithintenttobartheway。Gaubert，followedimmediatelybyMarius，steppedasideandapproachedthelandlordwitharmsakimboandatruculentsmileonhispalehawkface。WhatheandMariussaid，Rabecquecouldnotmakeout，buthedistinctlyheardthelandlord”sanswerdeliveredwitharespectfulbowtoMarius：
“Bien，MonsieurdeCondillac。Iwouldnotinterfereinyourconcerns-notfortheworld。Iwillbeblindanddeaf。”
Mariusacknowledgedtheservileprotestationbyasneer，andRabecque，stirringatlast，wentforwardboldlytowardsthedoorwayanditsugly，humanbarrier。
“Byyourleave，sirs，“saidhe-andhemadetothrustoneofthemaside。
“Youcannotpassthisway，sir，“hewasanswered，respectfullybutfirmly。
Rabecquestoodstill，clenchingandunclenchinghishandsandquiveringwithanger。ItwasinthatmomentthathemostferventlycursedTressanandhisstupidmeddling。Hadthetroopersstillbeenthere，theycouldhavemadeshortworkofthesetatter-demalions。
Asitwas，andwithMonsieurdeGarnachedead，oratleastabsent，everythingseemedatanend。Hemighthavecontendedthat，hismasterbeingslain，itwasnogreatmatterwhathedid，forintheendtheCondillacsmustsurelyhavetheirwaywithMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Butheneverpausedtothinkofthatjustthen。Hissenseoftrustwasstrong；hisdutytohismasterplain。Hesteppedback，anddrewhissword。
“Letmepass！“heroared。Butatthesameinstanttherecamethesoftslitherofanotherweapondrawn，andRabecquewasforcedtoturntomeettheonslaughtofMonsieurGaubert。
“Youdirtytraitor，“criedtheangrylackey，andthatwasalltheylefthimbreathtosay。Strongarmsgrippedhimfrombehind。Theswordwaswrenchedfromhishand。Hewasflungdownheavily，andpinnedproneinacornerbyoneofthosebullieswhokneltonhisspine。Andthenthedooropenedagain，andpoorRabecquegroanedinimpotentanguishtobeholdMademoiselledeLaVauvrayepausewhite-facedandwide-eyedon，thethresholdatsightofMonsieurdeCondillacbowinglowbeforeher。
Shestoodthereamomentbetweenthetworuffianswhohadbeensenttofetchher，andhereyestravellingroundthatroomdiscoveredRabecqueinhisundignifiedandhalf；strangledcondition。
“Where……WhereisMonsieurdeGarnache？“shefaltered。
“HeiswhereallthosewhocrossthewillofCondillacmustsoonerorlaterfindthemselves，“saidMariusairily。“Heis……
disposedof。”
“Doyoumeanthatheisdead？“shecried。
“Ithinkitveryprobablebynow，“hesmiled。“Soyousee，mademoiselle，sincetheguardiantheQueenappointedyouhas……
desertedyou，youwoulddowelltoreturntomymother”sroof。Letmeassureyouthatweshallverygladlywelcomeyourreturn。WeblamenonebutGarnacheforyourdeparture，andhehaspaidforthebrutalityofhisabductionofyou。”
Sheturnedindespairfromthatmockinggentleman，andattemptedtomakeappealtothelandlord，asthoughhecouldhelpherwhocouldnothelphimself。
“Monsieurl”Hote-“shebegan，butMariuscutinsharply。
“Takeheroutthatway，“hesaid，andpointedbackdownthepassagebythestairs。“Tothecoach。Makehaste。”
Shesoughttoresistthemnow；buttheydraggedherback，andtherewasarushoftheothersfollowingthroughthedoorway，therearbeingbroughtupbyGaubert。
“Followpresently，“washispartingcommandtothemanwhostillkneltuponRabecque，andwiththathevanishedtoo。
Theirstepsdiedawayinthepassage；adoorbangedinthedistance。
Therefollowedasilence，disturbedonlybythesoundofRabecque”slabouredbreathing；thencameastiroutsidethedooroftheinn；
someoneshoutedanorder。Therewasamovementofhoofs，acreakandcrunchofwheels，andpresentlytherumbleofaheavycarriagebeingdrivenrapidlyaway。ButtoowelldidRabecquesurmisewhathadtakenplace。
Theruffianreleasedhimatlast，and，leapingtohisfeet，wasgonebeforeRabecquecouldrise。Onceup，however，thelackeydartedtothedoor。Inthedistancehesawhislateassailantrunninghard；
thecoachhaddisappeared。Heturned，andhissmoulderingeyefelluponthelandlord。
“Opig！“heapostrophizedhim，snarlingathimtoventsomeofhispent-uprage。“Ocowardlypig。”
“Whatwouldyou？“expostulatedthefrightenedtaverner。“TheyhadcutmythroatifIresistedthem。”
Rabecquepouredabuseuponhim，untilforverylackofwordshewasforcedtocease，then，withafinalbarkofcontempt，hewenttorecoverhissword，whichhadbeenflungintoacorneroftheroom。
Hewasstoopingintheact，whenaquicksteprangbehindhimonthethreshold，anangryvoiceharshandmetallicpronouncedhisname：
“Rebecque！“
TheswordclatteredfromRabecque”shandsuddenlygonenerveless-
nervelesswithsheerjoy，allelseforgottenintheperceptionthatthere，safeandsound，stoodhisbelovedmaster。
“Monsieur！“hecried，andthetearswelleduptotheroughservant”seyes。“Monsieur！“hecriedagain，andthenwiththetearsstreamingdownhischeeks，sallowandwrinkledasparchment，“Oh，thankGod！“
heblubbered。“ThankGod！“
“Forwhat？“askedGarnache，comingforward，ascowllikeathunder-clouduponhisbrow。“Whereisthecoach，wherethetroopers？
Whereismademoiselle？Answerme！“
HecaughtRabecque”swristinagripthatthreatenedtosnapit。
Hisfacewaslivid，hiseyesaflame。
“They-they-“stammeredRabecque。Hehadnotthecouragetotellthethingthathadhappened。HefearedGarnachewouldstrikehimdead。
Andthenoutofhisterrorhegatheredanodddaring。HespoketoGarnacheasneverhehaddreamttospeaktohim，anditmaywellbethatbyhistoneandbywhathesaidhesavedhislifejustthen。
“Youfool，“hecriedtohim。“Itoldyoutobeonyourguard。I
warnedyoutogowarily。Butyouwouldnotheedme。YouknowbetterthanRabecque。Youwouldhaveyourway。Youmustgoa-brawling。Andtheydupedyou，theyfooledyoutotheverytopoftheirbent，monsieur。”
Garnachedroppedtheservant”shandandstoodbackapace。Thatcounter-blastofpassionandthatplainspeakingfromaquartersounexpectedserved，inpartatleast，tosoberhim。Heunderstoodthethingthathadhappened，thethingthatalreadyhesuspectedmusthavehappened；butheunderstoodtoothathealonewastoblameforit-heandhiscursedtemper。
“Who-whofooledme？“hestammered。
“Gaubert-thefellowthatcallshimselfGaubert。Heandhisfriends。Theyfooledyouaway。ThenGaubertreturnedwithatalethatyouhadbeenkilledandthattherewasadisturbanceintheChampsauxCapuchins。MonsieurdeTressanwashere，asill-luckwouldhaveit，andGaubertimploredhimtosendsoldiersthithertoquelltheriot。Hedispatchedtheescort。Isoughtinvaintostaythem。Hewouldnotlistentome。Thetrooperswent，andthenMonsieurGaubertenteredtheinn，tojoinMonsieurdeCondillacandsixofhisbraveswhowerewaitingthere。Theyoverpoweredme，andcarriedmademoiselleoffinthecoach。IdidwhatIcould，but-“
“Howlonghavetheybeengone？“Garnacheinterruptedhimtoinquire。
“Butfewminutesbeforeyoucame。”
“Itwouldbe，then，thecoachthatpassedmenearthePortedeSavoie。Wemustgoafterthem，Rabecque。ImadeashortcutacrossthegraveyardofSaintFrancis，orImusthavemettheescort。Oh，perdition！“hecried，smitinghisclenchedrighthandintohisopenleft。“Tohavesomuchgoodworkundonebyamoment”sunguardedness。”
Thenabruptlyheturnedonhisheels。“IamgoingtoMonsieurdeTressan，“saidheoverhisshoulder，andwentout。
Ashereachedthethresholdoftheporch，theescortrodeupthestreet，returnedatlast。Atsightofhimthesergeantbrokeintoacryofsurprise。
“Atleastyouaresafe，monsieur，“hesaid。“Wehadheardthatyouweredead，andIfeareditmustbeso，forallthattherestofthestorythatwastolduswasclearlypartofaveryfoolishjest。”
“Jest？Itwasnojest，Vertudieu！“saidGarnachegrimly。“YouhadbestreturntothePalaisSeneschal。Ihavenofurtherneedofanescort，“headdedbitterly。“Ishallrequirealargerforce。”
Andhesteppedoutintotherain，whichhadbegunagainafewminutesearlier，andwasnowfallingmasteadydownpour。
CHAPTERIX
THESENESCHAL”SADVICE
StraightacrossthePalaisSeneschalwentGarnache。Andsorelythoughhistempermightalreadyhavebeentriedthatday，tempestuouslythoughithadbeenvented，therewerefreshtrialsinstoreforhim，freshstormsforTressan。
“MayIask，MonsieurleSeneschal，“hedemandedarrogantly，“towhatenditwasthatyoupermittedyourselftoorderfromitsposttheescortyouhadplacedundermycommand？“
“Towhatend？“returnedtheSeneschal，betweensorrowandindignation。“Why，totheendthatitmightsuccouryouifstillintime。Ihadheardthatifnotdeadalready，youwereindangerofyourlife。”
TheanswerwasonethatdisarmedGarnache，inspiteofhismistrustofTressan，andfollowedasitnowwasbytheSeneschal”sprofuseexpressionsofjoyatseeingGarnachesafeandwell，itlefthimclearlyunabletopursuethesubjectofhisgrievanceinthisparticularconnection。Instead，hepassedontoentertainTressanwiththerecitalofthethingthathadbeendone；andinrecitingithisangerrevivedagain，nordidtheoutwardsignsofsympatheticperturbationwhichtheSeneschalthoughtitjudicioustodisplaydoaughttomollifyhisfeelings。
“Andnow，monsieur，“heconcluded，“thereremainsbutonecoursetobepursued-toreturninforce，andcompelthematthesword-pointtosurrendermemademoiselle。Thataccomplished，IshallarresttheDowagerandhersonandeveryjackanapeswithinthatcastle。HermencanlieinGrenoblegaoltobedealtwithbyyourselfforsupportingherinanattempttoresisttheQueen”sauthority。MadameandhersonshallgowithmetoParistoanswertherefortheiroffence。”
TheSeneschallookedgrave。Hethoughtfullycombedhisbeardwithhisforefinger，andhislittleeyespeeredashadefearfullyatGarnachethroughhishorn-rimmedspectacles-Garnachehadfoundhimathisnever-failingpretenceofwork。
“Why，yes，“heagreed，speakingslowly，“thatwayliesyourduty。”
“Irejoice，monsieur，tohearyousayso。ForIshallneedyouraid。”
“Myaid？“TheSeneschal”sfaceassumedastartledlook。
“Ishallrequireofyouthenecessaryforcetoreducethatgarrison。”
TheSeneschalblewouthischeeksalmosttoburstingpoint，thenwaggedhisheadandsmiledwistfully。
“Andwhere，“heasked，“amItofindsuchaforce？“
“YouhaveupwardsoftenscoremeninquartersatGrenoble。”
“IfIhadthosemen-whichIhavenot-what，thinkyou，couldtheydoagainstafortresssuchasCondillac？Monsieurdeludeshimself。Iftheyresist，you”llneedtentimesthatnumbertobringthemtotheirsenses。Theyarewellvictualled；theyhaveanexcellentwater-supply。Myfriend，theywouldjustdrawupthebridge，andlaughatyouandyoursoldiersfromtheramparts。”
Garnachelookedathimfromunderloweringbrows。Butforallhismistrustoftheman-amistrustmostexcellentlyfounded-hewasforcedtoconfessthattherewaswisdominwhatTressansaid。
“I”llsitdownandbesiegethemifneedbe，“heannounced。
AgaintheSeneschalwaggedhishead。“Youwouldhavetobepreparedtospendyourwinterthereinthatcase，anditcanbecoldinthevalleyofIsere。Theirgarrisonissmall-sometwentymenatmost；
butitissufficientfortheirdefence，andnottoomanymouthstofeed。No，no，monsieur，ifyouwouldwinyourwaybyforceyoumustcountuponmorethantenscoremen。”
AndnowaflashofinspirationhelpedTressan。Itwashisaim，asweknow，torunwiththehareandhuntwiththehounds。BreakwithMadamedeCondillachisfoolishhopefulheartwouldnotpermithim。
Breakwiththisman，whopersonifiedauthorityandtheKing，hedarednot。Hehadsought-andithadgivenhimmuchtodo-tosteeramiddlecourse，servingtheDowagerandappearingnottowithstandtheParisian。Nowitalmostseemedtohimasifhewerecometoanimpassebeyondwhichhecouldnolongerpursuethatcourse，butmusthaltanddeclarehisside。Butthenotionthatnowoccurredtohimhelpedhimtowinthroughthisdifficulty。ForMadamedeCondillac”sschemeshecarednotajot；whethertheycamesafetoharbourorsufferedshipwreckonthewaywasallonetohim；
whetherValeriedeLaVauvrayemarriedMariusdeCondillacorthemeanestcobblerinGrenoblewas，similarly，amatterthatneverdisturbedhismind。Hewouldnotevenbeconcernedifhe，himself，weretohelptheDowager”sschemestofrustration，solongassheweretoremaininignoranceofhisdefection，solongasoutwardlyheweretoappearfaithfultoherinterests。
“Monsieur，“saidhegravely，“theonlycoursethatpromisesyousuccessistoreturntoParis，and，raisingsufficientmen，withgunsandothermodernsiegeappliancessuchaswepossessnothere，comebackandbatterdownthewallsofCondillac。”
TheretheSeneschalspokegoodsense。Garnacherealizedit，somuchsothathealmostbegantodoubtwhetherhehadnotdonethemananinjusticeinbelievinghimalliedtotheotherparty。But，howeverfullyhemightperceivethewisdomoftheadvice，suchastepwasonethatmustwoundhispride，mustbeanacknowledgmentthathisownresources，uponwhichtheQueenhadreliedwhenshesenthimsingle-handedtodealwiththissituation，hadprovedinsufficient。
Hetookaturnintheapartmentwithoutanswering，tuggingathismustachiosandponderingthesituationwhattimetheSeneschalfurtivelywatchedhiminthecandle-light。AtlasthecameabruptlytoastandstillbytheSeneschal”swriting-table，immediatelyoppositeTressan。Hishandfelltohisside，hiseyestookonalookofdetermination。
“Asalastresourceyourgoodadvicemayguideme，MonsieurleSeneschal，“saidhe。“ButfirstI”llseewhatcanbedonewithsuchmenasyouhavehere。”
“ButIhavenomen，“answeredTressan，dismayedtoseethefailureofhiseffort。
Garnachestaredathiminanunbeliefthatwasfastgrowingtosuspicion。“Nomen？“heechoeddully。“Nomen？“
“Imightmusterascore-nomorethanthat。”
“But，monsieur，itiswithinmyknowledgethatyouhaveatleasttwohundred。Isawatleastsomefiftydrawnupinthecourtyardbelowhereyesterdaymorning。”
“Ihadthem，monsieur，“theSeneschalmadehastetocry，hishandsupheld，hisbodyleaningforwardoverhistable。“Ihadthem。But，unfortunately，certaindisturbancesintheneighbourhoodofMontelimarhaveforcedmetopartwiththem。Theywereonthepointofsettingoutwhenyousawthem。”
Garnachelookedathimamomentwithoutspeaking。Then，sharply：
“Theymustberecalled，monsieur，“saidhe。
AndnowtheSeneschaltookrefugeinafinepretenceofindignation。
“Recalled？“hecried，andbesidesindignationtherewassomehorrorinhisvoice。“Recalled？Andforwhat？Thattheymayassistyouinobtainingchargeofawretchedgirlwhoissoheadstrongastowishtomarryotherthanherguardianshavedetermined。Aprettyaffairthat，asGod”smylife！Andfortheadjustmentofsuchafamilydisputeasthis，awholeprovinceistogotoruin，aconflagrationofrebellionistospreadunquenched？Onmysoul，sir，Ibegintothinkthatthismissionofyourshasservedtoturnyourhead。Youbegintoseeitoutofallproportiontoitssize。”
“Monsieur，itmayhaveturnedmyhead，oritmaynot；butIshallnotbeamazedifintheenditbethemeansoflosingyouyours。
Tellmenow：WhatisthedisturbanceyouspeakofinMontelimar？“
ThatwasaquestionallTressan”singenuitycouldnotanswer。
“Whataffairisitofyours？“hedemanded。“AreyouSeneschalofDauphiny，oramI？IfItellyouthatthereisadisturbance，letthatsuffice。InquellingitIdobutattendtomyownbusiness。
Doyouattendtoyours-whichseemstobethatofmeddlinginwomen”smatters。”
Thiswastoomuch。TherewassuchodioustruthinitthattheironsankdeepintoGarnache”ssoul。Theveryreflectionthatsuchabusinessshouldindeedbehis，wasofitselfenoughtoputhiminarage，withouthavingitcastinhisteethasTressanhadnonetoodelicatelydone。
Hestormedandraged；hewavedhisarmsandthumpedthetable，andtalkedofcuttingmentoribbons-amongwhichmennodoubthecountedmyLordtheSeneschalofDauphiny。Butfromthestormoffierceinvective，ofthreatsandpromiseswithwhichhefilledtheair，theSeneschalgatheredwithsatisfactiontheoneclearstatementthathewouldtakehisadvice。
“I”lldoasyousay，“Garnachehadended。“I”llgetmebacktoParisasfastashorsecancarryme。WhenIreturnwoebetideCondillac！AndIshallsendmyemissariesintothedistrictofMontelimartoinquireintothesedisturbancesyoutellof。Woebetideyouiftheyfindthecountryquiet。YoushallpayaheavypriceforhavingdispatchedyoursoldiersthithertotheendthattheymightnotbeheretofurthertheQueen”sbusiness。”
Withthathecaughtuphisrain-soddenhat，flungitonhishead，andstalkedoutoftheroom，and，so，outofthePalace。
HeleftGrenoblenextmorning，anditwasaverytameandcrestfallenGarnachewhoquittedtheAubergeduVeauquiTeteandrodeoutofthetowntotaketheroadtoParis。HowtheywouldlaughathimattheLuxembourg！Notevenanaffairofthiskindwashefittocarrythrough；notevenasameddlerinwomen”smattersasTressanhadcalledhim-couldheachievesuccess。
Rabecque，reflectinghismaster”smood-asbecomesagoodlackey-rodesilentandgloomyapaceortwointherear。
BynoontheyhadreachedVoiron，andhere，ataquiethostelry，theydescendedtopauseawhileforrestandrefreshment。Itwasachill，blusteringday，andalthoughtherainheldoff，theheavenswereblackwiththepromiseofmoretocome。Therewasafireburninginthegeneral-roomofthehostelry，andGarnachewenttowarmhimatitscheerfulblaze。Moodilyhestoodthere，onehandonthehighmantelshelf，onefootuponanandiron，hiseyesupontheflames。
Hewasdisconsolatelyconsideringhisposition；consideringhowutterly，howirrevocablyhehadfailed；ponderingthegibeshewouldhavetostomachonhisreturntoParis，theridiculeitwouldincumbhimtolivedown。IthadbeenafinethingtobreathefireandbloodandvengeancetoTressanyesterday，totellhimofthegreatdeedshewouldperformonhisreturn。Itwasoddsheneverwouldreturn。Theywouldsendanotherinhisplace，ifindeedtheysentatall。For，afterall，beforehecouldreachParisandtheforcerequiredbeinDauphiny，afortnightmustelapse，letthemtravelneversoquickly。BythattimetheymustbesingularlysluggishatCondillaciftheydidnotsocontrivethatnoaidthatcameshouldcomeintimeformademoiselle，nowthattheywerewarnedthattheQueenwasstirringinthematter。
Oh！hehadblundereditallmostcursedly。HadhebutkepthistemperyesterdayatGrenoble；hadhebuthadthewittothwarttheirplans，bypreservinganunruffledfronttoinsult，hemighthavewonthroughandcarriedmademoiselleoutoftheirhands。Asitwas-！
helethisarmsfalltohissidesinhismiserabledespair。
“Yourwine，monsieur，“saidRabecqueathiselbow。Heturned，andtookthecupofmulleddrinkfromhisservant。Thebeveragewarmedhiminbody；butitwouldneedabuttofittothawthemiseryfromhissoul。
“Rabecque，“hesaidwithapatheticgrimness，“IthinkIamthemostcursedblundererthateverwasentrustedwithanerrand。”
Thethingsoobsessedhismindthathemustspeakofit，ifitbeonlytohislackey。Rabecque”ssharpfaceassumedachastenedlook。
Hesighedmostdutifully。Hesoughtforwordsofconsolation。Atlast：
“Atleast，monsieurhasmadethemfearhimupthereatCondillac，“
saidhe。
“Fearme？“laughedGarnache。“Pish！Derideme，youwouldsay。”
“Fearyou，Irepeat，monsieur。Elsewhyaretheyatsuchpainstostrengthenthegarrison？“
“Eh？“hequestioned。Buthistonewasnotgreatlyinterested。“Aretheydoingthat？Aretheystrengtheningit？Howknowyou？“
“IhaditfromtheostlerattheVeauquiTetethatacertainCaptainFortunio-anItaliansoldieroffortunewhocommandsthemenatCondillac-wasattheAubergedeFrancelastnight，offeringwinetowhomsoeverwoulddrinkwithhim，andpayingforitoutofMadamelaMarquise”spurse。Tosuchasacceptedhishospitalityhetalkedofthegloryofamilitarycareer，particularlyafree-lance”s；
andtothosewhoshowedinterestinwhathesaidheofferedapikeinhiscompany。”
“Enrolledhemany，didyoulearn？“
“Notone，monsieur，theostlertoldme；anditseemshespenttheeveningwatchinghimweavehisspider”sweb。Buttheflieswereover-wary。Theyknewwhencehecame；theyknewthebusinessforwhichhedesiredtoenrolthem-forarumourhadgoneroundthatCondillacwasinrebellionagainsttheQueen”scommands-andtherewerenonesodesperateattheAubergedeFranceastorisktheirnecksbyenlisting，nomatterwhatthewageheoffered。”
Garnacheshruggedhisshoulders。“Nomatter，“saidhe。“Getmeanothercupofwine。”ButasRabecqueturnedawaytoobeyhimtherecameasuddengleamintotheeyeofMonsieurdeGarnachewhichlightenedthedepressionofhiscountenance。