第1章
ChapterOneTheyoungFrenchmandidverywellwhathehadplannedtodo。HisguessthattheDukewouldcheatprovedgood。Astheunshodhalf—dozenfiguresthathadbeenstandingnoiselesslyintheentrywaystolesoftlyintotheshadowsofthechamber，heleanedacrossthetableandsmilinglypluckedacardoutofthebigEnglishman’ssleeve。
"Merci，M。leDuc！"helaughed，risingandsteppingbackfromthetable。
TheEnglishmancriedout，"Itmeansthedirtyworkofsilencingyouwithmybarehands！"andcameathim。
"Donotmove，"saidM。Beaucaire，sosharplythattheotherpaused。
"Observebehindyou。"
TheEnglishmanturned，andsawwhattraphehadblunderedinto；
thenstoodtransfixed，impotent，alternatelyscarletwithrageandwhitewiththevitalshameofdiscovery。M。Beaucaireremarked，indicatingthesilentfiguresbyapolitewaveofthehand，"IsitnotacomplimenttomonsieurthatIprocuresixlargementosubduehim？Theyarequitedevote’tome，andmonsieurisalone。Coulditbethathedidnotwishevenhislackeystoknowheplaywiththeyo’ngFrenchmanwhoMeestaireNashdoesnotlikeinthepomp—room？
Monsieurisunfortunatetohavecomeonfootandalonetomyapartment。"
TheDuke’smouthfoamedoverwithchaoticrevilement。Hiscaptorsmiledbrightly，andmadeaslightgesture，asonewhobrushesasideaboisterousinsect。WiththesamemotionhequelledtostonyquietaresentfulimpetusofhisservantstowardtheEnglishman。
"It’smurder，isit，youcarrion！"finishedtheDuke。
M。Beaucaireliftedhisshouldersinamockshiver。"Whatwords！
No，no，no！Nokilling！Asuchwordtoasuchhost！No，no，notmur—r—der；onlydisgrace！"Helaughedaclear，lightlaughwitharisinginflection，seemingtolaunchhimselfuponanadventurousquestforsympathy。
"Youlittledevilishscullion！"spatouttheDuke。
"Tut，tut！ButIforget。Monsieurhaspursue’hisstudiesofdeportmentamongs’hisfellow—countrymen。
"DoyoudreamasoulinBathwilltakeyourwordthatI—thatI—"
"ThatM。leDucdeWintersethadacarduphissleeve？"
"Youpitifulstroller，youstableboy，borninastable—"
"Isitnotanhonortobebornwheremonsieurmusthavebeenbred？"
"Youscurvyfoot—boy，yougreasybarber，youcutthroatgroom—"
"Overwhelm’！"Theyoungmanbowedwithimperturbableelation。"M。
leDucappoint’metoalltheoffice’ofhishousehol’。"
"Youmustachioedfool，therearenotfivepeopleofqualityinBathwillspeaktoyou—"
"No，monsieur，notontheparade；buthowmanycometoplaywithmehere？BecauseIwillplayalways，nightorday，forwhatonewill，foranylong，andal—waysfair，monsieur。"
"Yououtrageousvarlet！EveryoneknowsyoucametoEnglandastheFrenchAmbassador’sbarber。Whatmanoffashionwilllistentoyou？
Whowillbelieveyou？"
"Allpeople，monsieur。DoyouthinkIhavenotcalculate’，thatI
shallmakeafailureofmylittleenterprise？"
"Bah！"
"Willmonsieurnotreseathimself？"M。Beaucairemadealowbow。
"So。Wemustnotbetootire’forLadyMalbourne’srout。Ha，ha！
Andyou，Jean，Victor，andyouothers，retire；gointhehallway。
Attendattheentrance，Francois。So；nowweshalltalk。Monsieur，Iwishyoutothinkverycool。Thenlisten；Iwillbebriefly。ItisthatIamwellknowntobeall，entire’hones’。Gamblist？Ah，yes；trueandmosprofitable；butfair，al—waysfair；everyonesaythat。Isitnotso？Thinkofit。And—isthereneveraw’ispercometoM。leDucthatnotallpeoplebeliefhimtoplayal—wayshones’？Ha，ha！Diditalmos’besaidtohimlas’year，afterwhenheplay’withMilor’Tappin’fordatthechocolate—house—"
"Youdirtyscandal—monger！"theDukeburstout。"I’ll—"
"Monsieur，monsieur！"saidtheFrenchman。"Itisapoorvalortoinsultahelplesscaptor。Canheretortuponhisownvictim？ButitisforyoutothinkofwhatIsay。True，Iamnotreco’nizeontheparade；thatmyfrien’swhocomeheredonotpresentmetotheirladies；thatMeestaireNashhasreboff’meinthepomp—room；still，amInotknownforbeinghones’andfairinmyplay，andwillInotbebelief，evenI，whenIlif’myvoiceandchargeyoualoudwithwhatisalreadyw’isper’？Thinkofit！Youareanoble，andtherewillbesomehang—dogswhomightnotfallawayfromyou。Onlysuchwouldbelef’toyou。Doyouwantittol’？AndyoucankeepoutofFrance，monsieur？Ihavelef’hisservice，butIhavestilltheearofM。deMirepoix，andheknow’Ineverlie。NotagentlemanwillplayyouwhenyoucometoParis。"
TheEnglishman’swhitelipshowedarowofscarletdotsuponit。
"Howmuchdoyouwant？"hesaid。
TheroomrangwiththegaylaughterofBeaucaire。"Ihol’yournote’forseven—hunder’pound’。Youcanhavethem，monsieur。WhydoesasuchgreatmancometoplayM。Beaucaire？Becausenooneelsewillin’toplayM。leDuc—hecannotpay。Ha，ha！Sohecome’togoodMonsieurBeaucaire。Money，ha，ha！WhatIwantwithmoney？"
HisGraceofWinterset’sfeaturesweresetawrytoasinisterpattern。Hesatglaringathiscompanioninasnarlingsilence。
"Money？Pouf！"snappedthelittlegambler。"No，no，no！ItisthatM。leDuc，impoverish’，somewhatinabadodorasheis，yetcommandtheentreeany—where—onlessI—Ha，ha！Eh，monsieur？"
"Ha！Youdarethinktoforceme—"
M。Beaucairetwirledthetipofhisslendermustachearoundtheendofhiswhiteforefinger。Thenhesaid:"Monsieurandmegoin’toLadyMalbourne’sballto—night—M。leDucandme！"
TheEnglishmanroared，"Curseyourimpudence！"
"Sitquiet。Oh，yes，that’sall；wegoin’together。"
"No！"
"Certain。Imakeallmylittleplan’。’Tisallarrange’。"Hepaused，andthensaidgravely，"Yougoin’presentmetoLadyMaryCarlisle。"
Theotherlaughedinutterscorn。"LadyMaryCarlisle，ofallwomenalive，wouldbethefirsttopreferthedeviltoamanofnobirth，barber。"
"’Tisallarrange’；havenofear；nobodyquestionmonsieur’sYougoin’takemeto—night—"
"No！"
"Yes。Andafter—thenIhavetheentree。IsitmuchIask？
Thisonelittlefavor，andIneverw’isper，neverbreathethat—itistosay，Iamalwaysforeversilentofmonsieur’smisfortune。"
"Youhavetheentree！"sneeredtheother。"Gotoalackeys’routanddancewiththekitchenmaids。IfIwould，IcouldnotpresentyoutoBathsociety。Ishouldhavecartelsfromthefathers，brothers，andloversofeverywenchandmadamintheplace，evenI。
YouwouldbethrustfromLadyMalbourne’sdoorfiveminutesafteryouenteredit。"
"No，no，no！"
"HalfthegentlemeninBathhavebeenheretoplay。Theywouldknowyou，wouldn’tthey，fool？You’vehadthousandsoutofBantison，Rakell，Guilford，andTownbrake。Theywouldhaveyoulashedbythegroomsasyouruglydesertsare。YoutospeaktoLadyMaryCarlisle！’Od’sblood！You！Also，dolt，shewouldknowyouifyouescapedtheothers。ShestoodwithinayardofyouwhenNashexpelledyouthepump—room。"
M。Beaucaireflushedslightly。"YouthinkIdidnotsee？"heasked。
"Doyoudreamthat’becauseWintersetintroducesalowfellowhewillbetolerated—thatBathwillreceiveabarber？"
"Ihavethedistinctiontocallmonsieur’sattention，"repliedtheyoungmangayly，"Ihaverenouncethatprofession。"
"Fool！"
"Iamnowamanofhonor！"
"Faugh！"
"Amanoftheparts，"continuedthetheyoungFrenchman，"andofdeportment；isitnotso？Haveyouseenmeofafluster，orgrossever，or，whatsallIsay—bourgeois？Shallyoubeshame’
foryourguest’manner？No，no！Andmyappearance，isitofthepeople？Clearly，no。DoInotcompareintasteofapparelwithyouryo’ngEnglishman？Ha，ha！Tobehope’。Ha，ha！SoIamgoin’talkwithLadyMaryCarlisle。"
"Bah！"TheDukemadeasavageburlesque。"’LadyMaryCarlisle，mayIassumethehonorofpresentingthebarberoftheMarquisdeMirepoix？’So，isit？"
"No，monsieur，"smiledtheyoungman。"Quitenotso。Youshallhavenothingtoworryyou，nothingintheworl’。Iamgoin’toassassinatemypoormustachio—alsoremovethishorribleblackperuke，andemergeinmyownhair。Behol’！"Heswepttheheavycurled，massfromhisheadashespoke，andhishair，coiledunderthegreatwig，felltohisshoulders，andsparkledyellowinthecandle—light。Hetossedhisheadtoshakethehairbackfromhischeeks。"Whenitisdress’，Iamtransformnobodycanknowme；youshallobserve。SeehowlittleIaskofyou，howverylittlebit。Nooneshallreco’nize’M。Beaucaire’or’Victor。’Ha，ha！’Tisallarrange’；youhavenothingtofear。"
"Curseyou，"saidtheDuke，"doyouthinkI’mgoingtobesaddledwithyouwhereverIgoaslongasyouchoose？"
"Amistake。No。AllIrequi—AllIbeg—isthisoneevening。
’Tisallshallbenecessary。After，Ishallnotneedmonsieur。
"Takeheedtoyourself—after！"vouchsafedtheEnglishmanbetweenhisteeth。
"Conquered！"criedM。Beaucaire，andclappedhishandsgleefully。
"Conqueredforthenight！Aha，ittsriz’nable！Ishallmeetwhatyousend—after。Onecannothopetoomuchofyourpatience。Itisbutnaturalyoushouldattemp’alittleavengementfortherascaltrapIwassuchawickedfellowastosetforyou。Ishallmeetsomestrangefrien’sofyoursafterto—night；notso？Imusttrytobenottoomuchfrighten’。"HelookedattheDukecuriously。
"YouwanttoknowwhyIcreatethistragedy，whyIamsounkindastoentrapmonsieur？"
HisGraceofWintersetrepliedwithachillglance；apulseinthenobleman’scheekbeatlessrelentlessly；hiseyeragednotsobitterly；thesteadypurpleofhisowncolorwasreturning；hisvoicewaslesshoarse；hewasregaininghishabit。"’Tiseverthemannerofthevulgar，"heobserved，"towishtobeseenwithpeopleoffashion。"
"Oh，no，no，no！"TheFrenchmanlaughed。"’Tisnotthat。AmInotalreadyoneofthese’menoffashion’？Ilackonlythereputationofbirth。Monsieurisgoin’supplythat。Ha，ha！Ishallbenoblefromto—night。’Victor，’theartis’，iscondemn’todeath；histhroatshallbecutwithhisownrazor。’M。Beaucaire—’Heretheyoungmansprangtohisfeet，caughtuptheblackwig，clappedintoitadice—boxfromthetable，andhurleditviolentlythroughtheopendoor。"’M。Beaucaire’shallbechoke’withhisowndice—box。WhoisthePhoenixtoremain？WhatadvantagehaveI
notoverothermenofrankwhoaremerelyborntoit？Imaychoosemyown。No！Chooseforme，monsieur。ShallIbechevalier，comte，vicomte，marquis，what？None。OutofcomplimenttomonsieurcanIwishtobeanythingheisnot？No，no！IshallbeM。leDuc，M。leDucde—deChateaurien。Ha，ha！Yousee？Youaremyconfrere。"
M。Beaucairetrodadaintysteportwo，wavinghishandpolitelytotheDuke，asthoughininvitationtojointhecelebrationofhisrank。TheEnglishmanwatched，hiseyestillandharsh，alreadygatheringincraftiness。Beaucairestoppedsuddenly。"ButhowI
forgetmyage！Iamtwenty—three，"hesaid，withasigh。"I
rejoicetoomuchtobeofthequality。Ithasbeentoogreatforme，andIhadalwaysbelief’myselffreeofsuchambition。I
thoughtitwasenoughtobehol’theoperawithoutwishingtosing；
butno，Englandhaveteach’meIhavethosevulgardesire’。
Monsieur，Iamgoin’tellyouasecret:theladiesofyourcountryareverydiff’runtthanours。Onemayadorethedemoiselle，onemustworshiptheladyofEngland。Ourladieshavethe—itisthebeautyofyouth；yoursremaincomelyatthirty。Oursareflowers，yoursarestars！See，Ibetraymyself，Iamsopoorapatriot。
Andthereisoneamongthesestars—ah，yes，thereisone—thepoorFrenchmanhasobserve’fromhishumbledistance；eventherehecouldbaskintheglowing！"M。Beaucaireturnedtothewindow，andlookedoutintothedark。Hedidnotseethelightsofthetown。
Whenheturnedagain，hehadhalfforgottenhisprisoner；otherpictureswerebeforehim。
"Ah，whatradiance！"hecried。"Thosepeopleupoverthesky，theywanttoshowtheywishtheearthtobehappy，sotheysmile，andmakethislady。Gold—haired，anangelofheaven，andyetaDianaofthechase！Iseeherflybymeonhergreathorseoneday；shetouch’hismanewithherfingers。Ibuythatclippingfromthegroom。Ihaveitherewithmydearbrother’spicture。Ah，you！
Oh，yes，youlaugh！Whatdoyouknow！’TwasallIcouldget。ButIhaveheardoftheendeavorofM。leDuctorecouphisfortunes。
Thisallianceshallfail。Itisnottheway—thatheritageshallbesafe’fromhim！Itisyouandme，monsieur！Youcanlaugh！
Thewarisopen’，andbyme！Thereisonegreatsteptaken:untilto—nighttherewasnothingforyoutoruin，to—morrowyouhavegotanobleofFrance—yourownprotege—tobesiegeandsack。Andyouaretolose，becauseyouthinksuchruineasy，andbecauseyouunderstandnothing—farless—ofdivinity。Howcouldyouknow？Youhavenotthefiber；theheartofaladyisablanktoyou；youknownothingofthevibration。TherearesomewordsthatweremadeonlytotellofLadyMary，forheralone—bellissima，divine，glorieuse！Ah，howIhavewatch’her！ItissadtomewhenIseehersurround’byyouryo’ngcaptains，yournobles，yourrattles，yourbeaux—ha，ha！—andImus’hol’faraloof。Itissadforme—butoh，jus’towatchherandtowonder！Strangeitis，butIhavealmos’cryoutwithraptureatalookIhavesee’
hergiveanotherman，sobeautifulitwas，sotender，sodazzlingoftheeyesandsomirthfulofthelips。Ah，divinecoquetry！A
lookforanother，ah—i—me！formanyothers；andeventoyou，oneday，arose，whileI—I，monsieur，couldnotevenbesoblessedastobethegroun’beneathherlittleshoe！Butto—night，monsieur—ha，ha！—to—night，monsieur，youandme，twoprinces，M。leDucdeWintersetandM。leDucdeChateaurien—ha，ha！yousee？—wearegoin’arm—in—armtothatball，andIamgoin’haveoneofthoselooks，I！Andarose！I！Itistime。Buttenminute’，nonsieur。
Imakemyapologytokeepyouwaitin’solongwhileIgointhenex’
roomandexecutemypoormustachio—thatwillbemyonlymurderforjus’thisoneevening—andinves’myselfinwhitesatin。Ha，ha！Ishallbeverygran’，monsieur。Francois，sendLouistome；
Victor，toordertwochairsformonsieurandme；wearegoin’
outintheworl’to—right！"
ChapterTwoThechairmenswarmedinthestreetatLadyMalbourne’sdoor，wherethejoyousvulgarfoughtwithmuddiedfootmenandtipsylink—boysforplacesofvantagewhencetocatchaglimpseofqualityandofraimentatitsutmost。Dawnwasintheeast，andtheguestsweredeparting。Singlyorinpairs，glitteringinfinery，theycamemincingdownthesteps，theghostofthenight’ssmirkfadingtojadednessastheysoughtthedarkrecessesoftheirchairs。Fromwithinsoundedthetwangoffiddlesstillswingingmanfullyatit，andthewindowswerebrightwiththelightofmanycandles。WhenthedoorwasflungopentocallthechairofLadyMaryCarlisle，therewasaneagerpressureofthethrongtosee。
Asmall，fairgentlemaninwhitesatincameoutuponthesteps，turnedandbowedbeforealadywhoappearedinthedoorway，aladywhoseroyallovelinesswasgiventoviewforamomentinthatglowingframe。ThecrowdsentupaheartyEnglishcheerfortheBeautyofBath。
Thegentlemansmileduponthemdelightedly。"Whatenchantingpeopie！"hecried。"WhydidInotknow，soImighthaveshout’withthem？"Theladynoticedthepeoplenotatall；whereat，beingpleased，thepeoplecheeredagain。Thegentlemanofferedherhishand；shemadeaslowcourtesy；placedthetipsofherfingersuponhisown。"Iamhonored，M。deChateaurien，"shesaid。
"No，no！"hecriedearnestly。"Behol’apoorFrenchmanwhomemperorsshouldenvy。"Thenreverentlyandwiththeprideofhisgallantofficevibrantineverylineofhisslightfigure，investedinwhitesatinandverygrand，ashehadprophesied，M。leDucdeChateaurienhandedLadyMaryCarlisledownthesteps，anachievementwhichhadfiguredintheambitionsofsevenothergentlemenduringtheevening。
"AmItobelef’insuchonhappiness？"hesaidinalowvoice。"ThatroseIhavebeg’forsolong—"
"Never！"saidLadyMary。
"Ah，Idonotdeserveit，Iknowsowell！But—"
"Never！"
"Itisthegreatnessofmyonworthinessthatalonecanclaimyourcharity；letyourkin’heartgivethislittleredrose，thisgreatalms，tothepoorbeggar。"
"Never！"
Shewasseatedinthechair。"Ah，givetherose，"hewhispered。
Herbeautyshonedazzlinglyonhimoutofthedimness。
"Never！"sheflasheddefiantlyasshewasclosedin。"Never！"
"Never！"
Therosefellathisfeet。
"Aroselaststillmorning，"saidavoicebehindhim。
Turning，M。deChateaurienlookedbeaminglyuponthefaceoftheDukeofWinterset。
"’Tisalreadythedaylight，"hereplied，pointingtotheeast。
"Monsieur，wasitnotenoughhonorforyoutohan’outmadame，theauntofLadyMary？LadyRellertonretainmuchtraceofbeauty。
’Tisstrangeyoudidnotappearmorehappy。"
"Theroseisofanunluckycolor，Ithink，"observedtheDuke。
"Thecolorofablush，mybrother。"
"Unlucky，Istillmaintain，"saidtheothercalmly。
"ThecoloroftheveinsofaFrenchman。Ha，ha！"criedtheyoungman。"Whatpricewouldbetoohigh？Aroseisarose！Agood—night，mybrother，agood—night。Iwishyoudreamsofroses，redroses，onlybeautifulred，redroses！"
"Stay！Didyouseethelookshegavethesestreetfolkwhentheyshoutedforher？Andhowareyouhigherthanthey，whensheknows？
Ashighasyonderhorse—boy！"
"Redroses，mybrother，onlyroses。Iwishyoudreamsofred，redroses！"
ChapterThreeItwaswellagreedbythefashionofBaththatM。leDucdeChateaurienwasapersonofsensibilityandhautton；thathisretinueandequipagesurpassedinelegance；thathispersonwasexquisite，hismannerengaging。Inthecompanyofgentlemenhiseasewasslightlytingedwithgraciousness（hissingleequalinBathbeinghisGraceofWinterset）；butitwasremarkedthatwhenhebowedoveralady’shand，hisairbespokeonlyagayandtenderreverence。
Hewastheidolofthedowagerswithinaweekafterhisappearance；
matronswarmedtohim；youngbelleslookedsweetlyonhim，whilethegentlemenwerewontoadmirationorenvy。Hewasofprodigiouswealth:oldMr。Bicksit，whodarednot，forhisfame’ssake，failtohaveseenallthings，hadvisitedChateaurienunderthepresentDuke’sfather，anddescantedtothecuriousuponitsgrandeurs。Theyoungnoblehadonefault，hewassopooragambler。Hecarednothingforthehazardsofadieortheturnofacard。Gaylyadmittingthathehadbeenbornwithnospiritofadventureinhim，hewassure，hedeclared，thathefailedofmuchhappinessbyhislackoftasteinsuchmatters。
Buthewasnotlongwantingtheoccasiontoprovehistasteinthematterofhandlingaweapon。Acertainled—captain，Rohrerbyname，notorious，amongstotherthings，forbearingadexterousandbloodthirstyblade，cametoBathpost—haste，onenight，andjostledheartilyagainsthim，inthepump—roomonthefollowingmorning。M。
deChauteaurienbowed，andturnedasidewithoutoffense，continuingaconversationwithsomegentlemennearby。CaptainRohrerjostledagainsthimasecondtime。M。deChateaurienlookedhimintheeye，andapologizedpleasantlyforbeingsomuchintheway。ThereuponRohrerprocuredanintroductiontohim，andmadesomeobservationsderogatorytothevalorandvirtueoftheFrench。TherewascurrentacuriouspieceofgossipoftheFrenchcourt:aprinceofthebloodroyal，grandsonofthelateRegentandsecondinthelineofsuccessiontothethroneofFrance，hadrebelledagainsttheauthorityofLouisXV，whohadcommandedhimtomarrythePrincessHenriette，cousintobothofthem。Theprincesswasreportedtobeopenlydevotedtothecousinwhorefusedtoacceptherhandatthebiddingoftheking；and，asrumorran，theprince’scapriceelectedinpreferencethedisciplineofVincennes，towhichretirementthefuriouskinghadconsignedhim。ThestorywasthestaplegossipofallpoliteEurope；andCaptainRohrer，havinginhismindapurposetomakeuseofitinleadinguptoastatementthatshouldbegeneraltothedamageofallFrenchwomen，andwhichaFrenchmanmightnotpassoverashemightajogoftheelbow，repeateditwithgarbledtruthstomakeascandalofastorywhichborenoneonaplainrelation。
Hedidnotreachhisdeduction。M。deChateaurien，breakingintohisnarrative，addressedhimveryquietly。"Monsieur，"hesaid，"nonebutswinedenythenoblenessofthatgoodandgentlelady，MademoisellelaPrincessedeBourbon—Conti。EveryFrenchmanknow’
thathercousinisabadrebelandingrate，whohadonlyhonorandrispec’forher，butwassowilfulhecouldnotleteventhekingsay，’Youshallmarryhere，youshallmarrythere。’Myfrien’s，"
theyoungmanturnedtotheothers，"mayIaskyoutocloseroun’
inacircleforonemoment？ItisclearlyshownthattheDukeofOrleansisascurvyfellow，butnot—"hewheeledaboutandtouchedCaptainRohreronthebrowwiththebackofhisglovedhand—"butnotsoscurvyasthou，thouswineofthegutter！"
Twohourslater，withperfectease，heranCaptainRohrerthroughtheleftshoulder—afterwhichhesentabasketofredrosestotheDukeofWinterset。Inafewdayshehadanothercaptaintofight。ThiswasarufflingbuckwhohadtheastoundingindiscretiontoproclaimM。deChateaurienanimpostor。TherewasnoChateaurien，heswore。TheFrenchmanlaughedinhisface，and，attwilightofthesameday，pinkedhimcarefullythroughtherightshoulder。Itwasnotthathecouldnotputasidetheinsulttohimself，hedeclaredtoMr。Molyneux，hissecond，andthefewwitnesses，ashehandedhiswetswordtohislackey—oneofhisstationcouldnotbeinsultedbyadoubtofthatstation—buthefoughtinthequarrelofhisfriendWinterset。ThisrascalhadassertedthatM。
leDuchadintroducedanimpostor。Couldheoverlooktheinsulttoafriend，onetowhomheowedhiskindreceptioninBath？Then，bendingoverhisfallenadversary，hewhispered:"Naughtyman，tellyourmasterfindsomebetterquarrelforthenex’hesen’
agains’me。"
TheconductofM。deChateaurienwaspronouncedadmirable。
TherewasnosurprisewhentheyoungforeignerfellnaturallyintothelongtrainoffollowersofthebeautifulLadyMaryCarlisle，norwastheregreatastonishmentthatheshouldobtainmarkedfavorinhereyes，shownsoplainlythatmyLordTownbrake，SirHughGuilford，andtherichSquireBantison，allofwhomhadfollowedherthroughthreeseasons，sworewithrage，andhisGraceofWintersetstalkedfromheraunt’shousewithblackbrows。
MeetingtheDukethereontheeveningafterhissecondencounterdeChateauriensmileduponhimbrilliantly。"Itwasbadlydone；oh，sobadly！"hewhispered。"Canyouaffordtohavemestrip’ofmymaskbyanybutyourself？You，whointroduce’me？TheywillsaythereissomebadscandalthatIcouldforceyoutobemygod—father。
Youmus’getthecourageyourself。"
"Itoldyouarosehadashortlife，"wastheanswer。
"Oh，thoseroses！’Tistheverygreates’rizzontogathereachdayafreshone。"Hetookaredbudfromhisbreastforaninstant，andtouchedittohislips。
"M。deChateaurien！"ItwasLadyMary’svoice；shestoodatatablewhereavacantplacehadbeenleftbesideher。"M。deChateaurien，wehavebeenwaitingverylongforyou。"
TheDukesawthelookshedidnotknowshegavetheFrenchman，andhelostcountenanceforamoment。
"Weapproachaclimax，eh，monsieur？"saidM。deChateaurien。
ChapterFourTherefellaclearSeptembernight，whenthemoonwasradiantovertownandcountry，overcobbledstreetsandwindingroads。Fromthefieldsthemistsroseslowly，andtheairwasmildandfragrant，whiledistanceswerewhiteandfullofmystery。AllofBaththatpretendedtofashionorconditionwaspresentthateveningatafeteatthehouseofacountrygentlemanoftheneighborhood。Whenthestatelyjunketwasconcluded，itwasthepleasureofM。deChateaurientoformoneoftheescortofLadyMary’scarriageforthereturn。Astheytooktheroad，SirHughGuilfordandMr。
Bantison，engaginginindistinctbutvigorousremonstrancewithMr。Molyneuxoversomematter，fellfiftyormorepacesbehind，wheretheycontinuedtoride，keepinguptheirargument。Halfadozenothergallantsrodeinadvance，mutteringamongthemselves，orattendedlaxlyuponLadyMary’sauntontheothersideofthecoach，whilethehappyFrenchmanwaspermittedtorideclosetothatadorablewindowwhichframedthefairestfaceinEngland。
HesangforheralittleFrenchsong，asongofthevoyageurwhodreamedofhome。Thelady，listening，lookingupatthebrightmoon，feltawarmdropuponhercheek，andhesawthetearssparklinguponherlashes。
"Mademoiselle，"hewhisperedthen，"I，too，havebeenawanderer，butmydreamswerenotofFrance；no，Idonotdreamofthathome，ofthatdearcountry。Itisofadearercountry，adreamcountry—acountryofgoldandsnow，"hecriedsoftly，lookingitherwhitebrowandthefair，lightlypowderedhairaboveit。"Goldandsnow，andtheblueskyofalady’seyes！"
"IhadthoughttheladiesofFranceweredark，sir。
"Cruel！Itisthatshewillnotunderstan’！HaveIspeakoftheladiesofFrance？No，no，no！Itisofthefaires’country；yes，’tisaprovinceofheaven，mademoiselle。DoInotrenouncemyallegiancetoFrance？Oh，yes！Iamsubjec’—no，contenttobeslave—inthelan’ofthebluesky，thegold，andthesnow。
"Averyprettyfigure，"answeredLadyMary，hereyesdowncast。"Butdoesitnothintanotableexperienceinthemakingofsuchspeeches？"
"Tormentress！No。Itproveonlytheinspirationitistoknowyou。"
"WeEnglishladieshearplentyofthelikesir；andweevengrowbrilliantenoughtodetecttheassurancethatliesbeneaththecourtesiesofourowngallants。"
"Merci！Ishouldbelieveso！"ejaculatedM。deChateaurien:buthesmotheredthewordsuponhislips。
Hereyeswerenotlifted。Shewenton:"Wecome，intime，tobelievethattruefeelingcomesfalteringforth，notglibly；thatsmoothnessbetokenstheadeptintheart，sir，ratherthanyourtrue—yourtrue—"Shewasherselffaltering；more，blushingdeeply，andhaltingtoafullstopinterrorofaword。Therewasasilence。
"Your—true—lover，"hesaidhuskily。Whenhehadsaidthatwordbothtrembled。Sheturnedhalfawayintothedarknessofthecoach。
"Iknowwhatmake’youtodoubtme，"hesaid，falteringhimself，thoughitwasnothisartthatpromptedhim。"Theyhavetol’youtheFrenchdonothingal—waysbutmakelove，isitnotso？Yes，youthinkIamlikethat。YouthinkIamlikethatnow！"
Shemadenosign。
"Isuppose，"hesighed，"Iamunriz’nable；Iwouldhavethesnownotsocol’—forjus’me。"
Shedidnotanswer。
"Turntome，"hesaid。
Thefragranceofthefieldscametothem，andfromthedistancethefaint，clearnoteofahunting—horn。
"Turntome。
Thelovelyheadwasbentverylow。Herlittleglovedhandlayuponthenarrowwindowledge。Helaidhisowngentlyuponit。Thetwohandswereshakingliketwinleavesinthebreeze。Herswasnotdrawnaway。Afterapause，neitherknewhowlong，hefeltthewarmfingersturnandclaspthemselvestremulouslyabouthisown。Atlastshelookedupbravelyandmethiseyes。Thehornwaswoundagain—nearer。
"Allthecoldwasgonefromthesnows—longago，"shesaid。
"Mybeautiful！"hewhispered；itwasallhecouldsay。"Mybeautiful！"Butsheclutchedhisarm，startled。
"’Waretheroad！"Awildhalloosoundedahead。Thehornwoundloudly。"’Waretheroad！"Theresprangupoutofthenightaflyingthunderofhoof—beats。Thegentlemenridingidlyinfrontofthecoachscatteredtothehedge—sides；and，withdrawnswordsflashinginthemoon，apartyofhorsemenchargeddownthehighway，theircriesblastingthenight。
"Barber！Killthebarber！"theyscreamed。"Barber！Killthebarber！"
Beaucairehadbuttimetodrawhisswordwhentheywereuponhim。
"Amoi！"hisvoicerangoutclearlyasheroseinhisstirrups。"A
moi，Francois，Louis，Berquin！Amoi，Francois！"
Thecavalierscamestraightathim。Heparriedthethrustofthefirst，buttheshockofcollisionhurledhishorseagainstthesideofthecoach。"Sacredswine！"hecriedbitterly。"Toendangeralady，tomakethisbrawlinalady’spresence！Driveon！"heshouted。
"No！"criedLadyMary。
TheFrenchman’sassailantsweremasked，buttheywerenothighwaymen。
"Barber！Barber！"theyshoutedhoarsely，andclosedinonhiminacircle。
"Seehowheusehissteel！"laughedM。Beaucaire，ashispointpassedthroughatawdrywaistcoat。Foramomenthecutthroughtheringandclearedaspaceabouthim，andLadyMarysawhisfaceshininginthemoonlight。"Canaille！"hehissed，ashishorsesankbeneathhim；
and，thoughguardinghisheadfromtherainofblowsfromabove，hemanagedtodragheadlongfromhissaddlethemanwhohadhamstrungthepoorbrute。Thefellowcamesuddenlytotheground，andlaythere。
"Isitnotacompliment，"saidaheavyvoice，"tobringsixlargementosubduemonsieur？"
"Oh，youarethere，myfrien’！Intherear—alittleintherear，Ithink。Ha，ha！"
TheFrenchman’splaywithhisweaponwasarevelationofskill，themoreextraordinaryasheheldinhishandonlyalightdresssword。
Buttheringclosedabouthim，andhiskeendefensecouldnotavailhimformorethanafewmoments。LadyMary’soutriders，thegallantsofherescort，rodeupclosetothecoachandencircledit，notinterfering。
"SirHughGuilford！"criedLadyMarywildly，"ifyouwillnothelphim，givemeyoursword！"Shewouldhaveleapedtotheground，butSirHughheldthedoor。
"Sitquiet，madam，"hesaidtoher；then，tothemanonthebox，"Driveon。"
"Ifhedoes，I’llkillhim！"shesaidfiercely。"Ah，whatcowards！
WillyouseetheDukemurdered？"
"TheDuke！"laughedGuilford。"Theywillnotkillhim，unless—beeasy，dearmadam，’twillbeexplained。Gad’slife！"hemutteredtoMolyneux，"’Tweretimethevarlethadhislashing！D’yehearher？"
"Barberornobarber，"answeredMolyneux，"IwishIhadwarnedhim。
Hefightsasfewgentlemencould。Ah—ah！Lookatthat！’Tisashame！"
Onfoot，hishatgone，hiswhitecoatsadlyrentandgashed，flecked，too，withred，M。Beaucgjre，wary，alert，brilliant，seemedtotransformhimselfintoadozenfencing—masters；and，thoughhisskillappearedtolieindelicacyandquickness，hisplaybeingcontinuallywiththepoint，sheerstrengthfailedtobeathimdown。Theyoungmanwaslaughinglikeachild。
"Believeme，"saidMolyneux"he’snobarber！No，andneverwas！"
ForamomenttherewasevenachancethatM。Beaucairemighthavethebestofit。Twoofhisadversarieswereprostrate，morethanoneweregroaning，andtheindomitableFrenchmanhadactuallyalmostbeatofftheruffians，when，byatrick，hewasovercome。Oneofthem，dismounting，raninsuddenlyfrombehind，andseizedhisbladeinathickleathergauntlet。BeforeBeaucairecoulddisengagetheweapon，twoothersthrewthemselvesfromtheirhorsesandhurledhimtotheearth。"Amoi！Amoi，Francois！"hecriedashewentdown，hisswordinfragments，buthisvoiceunbrokenandclear。
"Shame！"mutteredoneortwoofthegentlemenaboutthecoach。
"’Twasdastardlytotakehimso，saidMolyneux。"Whateverhisdeservings，I’mnighofamindtoofferbimarescueintheDuke’sface。"
"Trusshimup，lads，"saidtheheavyvoice。Clearthewayinfrontofthecoach。Theresitthosewhomweavengeuponapresumptuouslackey。Now，Whiffen，youhaveafairaudience，layonandbastehim。"
TwomenbegantodragM。Beaucairetowardagreatoakbytheroadside。
Anothertookfromhissaddleaheavywhipwiththreethongs。
"Amoi，Francois！"
Therewasborneonthebreezeananswer—"Monseigneur！
Monseigneur！"Thecrygrewloudersuddenly。Theclatterofhoofsurgedtoananguishofspeedsoundedonthenight。M。Beaucaire’sservantshadlaggedsorelybehind，buttheymadeupforitnow。
Almostbeforethenoiseoftheirownsteedstheycameridingdownthemoonlitaislebetweenthemists。Chosenmen，theseservantsofBeaucaire，andlikeathunderbolttheyfellupontheastoundedcavaliers。
"Chateaurien！Chateaurien！"theyshouted，andsmotesoswiftlythat，throughlackoftime，theyshowednoproperjudgment，discriminatingnothingbetweennon—combatantsandtheirmaster’sfoes。TheychargedfirstintothegroupaboutM。Beaucaire，andbrokeandrouteditutterly。Twoofthemleapedtotheyoungman’sside，whiletheotherfour，swerving，scarcelosingthemomentumoftheironset，boreonuponthegentlemennearthecoach，whowentdownbeneaththefiercenessoftheonslaught，cursingmanfully。
"Ourjustdeserts，"saidMr。Moly—neux，hismouthfullofdustandphilosophy。
SirHughGuilford’shorsefellwithhim，beingliterallyriddenover，andthebaronet’slegwaspinnedunderthesaddle。InlessthantenminutesfromthefirstattackonM。Beaucaire，theattackingpartyhadfledindisorder，andthepatriciannon—combatants，chokingwithexpletives，consumedwithwrath，wereprisoners，disarmedbytheFrenchman’slackeys。
Guilford’sdiscomfiturehadfreedthedoorsofthecoach；soitwasthatwhenM。Beaucaire，strugglingtorise，assistedbyhisservants，threwoutonehandtobalancehimself，hefounditseizedbetweentwosmall，coldpalms，andhelookedintotwowarm，dilatingeyes，thatweredoublybeautifulbecauseofthefrightandragethatfoundroominthem，too。