第2章
M。leDucChateauriensprangtohisfeetwithouttheaidofhislackeys，andbowedlowbeforeLadyMary。
"Imaketenthousan’apologytobe’thecauseofasuchmeleeinyourpresence，"hesaid；andthen，turningtoFrancois，hespokeinFrench:"Ah，thouscoundrel！Alittle，andithadbeentoolate。"
Francoiskneltinthedustbeforehim。"Pardon！"hesaid。
"Monseigneurcommandedustofollowfarintherear，toremainunobserved。Thewindmalignantlyblewagainstmonseigneur’svoice。"
"Seewhatitmighthavecost，mychildren，"saidhismaster，pointingtotheropeswithwhichtheywouldhaveboundhimandtothewhiplyingbesidethem。Ashudderpassedoverthelackey’sframe；theutterhorrorinhisfaceechoedintheeyesofhisfellows。
"Oh，monseigneur！"Francoissprangback，andtossedhisarmstoheaven。
"Butitdidnothappen，"saidM。Beaucaire。
"Itcouldnot！"exclaimedFrancois。
"No。Andyoudidverywell，mychildren—"theyoungmansmiledbenevolently—"verywell。Andnow，"hecontinued，turningtoLadyMaryandspeakinginEnglish，"letmebeaskingofourgallantsyonderwhatmake’themtobeincabalwithhighwaymen。Oneshouldcometoapoliteunderstandingwiththem，youthink？Notso？"
Hebowed，offeringhishandtoconducthertothecoach，whereMolyneuxandhiscompanions，havingdrawnSirHughfromunderhishorse，wereengagedinrevivingandreassuringLadyRellerton，whohadfainted。ButLadyMarystayedBeaucairewithagesture，andthetwostoodwheretheywere。
"Monseigneur！"shesaid，withanoteofrailleryinhervoice，butraillerysotenderthathestartedwithhappiness。Hismovementbroughthimahotspasmofpain，andheclappedhishandtoaredstainonhiswaistcoat。
"Youarehurt！"
"Itisnothing，"smiledM。Beaucaire。Then，thatshemightnotseethestainspreading，heheldhishandkerchiefoverthespot。"Iamalittle—butjus’atrifling—bruise’；’tisall。"
"Youshallrideinthecoach，"shewhispered。"Willyoubepleased，M。deChateaurien？"
"Ah，mybeautiful！"Sheseemedtowavebeforehimlikeashiningmist。"Iwishthatridemightlas’foral—ways！Canyousaythat，mademoiselle？"
"Monseigneur，"shecriedinapassionofadmiration，"Iwouldwhatyouwouldhavebe，shouldbe。Whatdoyounotdeserve？Youarethebravestmanintheworld！"
"Ha，ha！Iamjus’apoorFrenchman。"
"WouldthatafewEnglishmenhadshownthemselvesas’poor’tonight。
Thevilecowards，nottohelpyou！"Withthat，suddenlypossessedbyheranger，shesweptawayfromhimtothecoach。
SirHugh，groaningloudly，wasbeingassistedintothevehicle。
"Mylittlepoltroons，"shesaid，"whatareyoudoingwithyourfellow—craven，SirHughGuilford，there？"
"Madam，"repliedMolyneuxhumbly，"SirHugh’slegisbroken。LadyRellertongraciouslypermitshimtobetakenin。"
"Idonotpermitit！M。deChateaurienrideswithus。"
"But—"
"Sir！Leavethewretchtogroanbytheroadside，"shecriedfiercely，"whichplightIwouldwerethatofallofyou！Buttherewillbeaprettystoryforthegossipsto—morrow！AndIcouldalmostfindpityforyouwhenIthinkofthewitswhenyoureturntotown。Finegentlemenyou；hardybravos，byheaven！toleaveonemantomeetatroopofhorsesingle—handed，whileyouhuddleinshelteruntilyouareoverthrownanddisarmedbyservants！Oh，thewits！Heavensaveyoufromthewits！"
"madam。"
"Addressmenomore！M。deChateaurien，LadyRellertonandIwillgreatlyesteemthehonorofyourcompany。Willyoucome？"
Shesteppedquicklyintothecoach，andwasgatheringherskirtstomakeroomfortheFrenchman，whenaheavyvoicespokefromtheshadowsofthetreebythewayside。
"LadyMaryCarlislewill，nodoubt，listentoawordofcounselonthispoint。"
TheDukeofWintersetrodeoutintothemoonlight，composedlyuntieingamaskfromabouthishead。Hehadnotsharedtheflightofhisfollowers，buthadretiredintotheshadeoftheoak，whencehenowmadehispresenceknownwiththeutmostcoolness。
"Graciousheavens，’tisWinterset！"exclaimedLadyRellerton。
"Turnedhighwaymanandcut—throat，"criedLadyMary。
"No，no，"laughedM。Beaucaire，somewhatunsteadily，ashestood，swayingalittle，withonehandonthecoach—door，theotherpressedhardonhisside，"heonlyoversee’；heisjus’alittlebashful，sometime’。Heisagreatman，buthedon’wantalltheglory！"
"Barber，"repliedtheDuke，"ImusttellyouthatIgladlydescendtobandywordswithyou；yourmonstrousimpudenceisaclaimtorankIcannotignore。Butalackeywhohashimselffollowedbysixotherlackeys—"
"Ha，ha！HasnotM。leDucbeenbusyallthiseveningtojustifyme？AndIthinkminemus’bethebes’six。Ha，ha！Youthink？"
"M。deChateaurien，"saidLadyMary，"wearewaitingforyou。"
"Pardon，"hereplied。"Hehassomethingtosay；maybeitisbes’
ifyouhearitnow。"
"Iwishtohearnothingfromhim—ever！"
"Myfaith，madam，"criedtheDuke，"thissaucyfellowhaspaidyouthelastinsult！Heissosureofyouhedoesnotfearyouwillbelievethetruth。Whenallistold，ifyoudonotagreehedeservedthelashingweplannedto—"
"I’llhearnomore！"
"Youwillbitterlyrepentit，madam。ForyourownsakeIentreat—"
"AndIalso，"brokeinM。Beaucaire。"Permitme，mademoiselle；lethimspeak。"
"Thenlethimbebrief，"saidLadyMary，"forIamearnesttobequitofhim。Hisexplanationoranattackonmyfriendandonmycarriageshouldbemadetomybrother。"
"Alasthathewasnothere，"saidtheDuke，"toaidme！Madam，wasyourcarriagethreatened？IhaveendeavoredonlytoexpungeadebtIowedtoBathandtoavengeaninsultofferedtoyourselfthrough—"
"Sir，sir，mypatiencewillbearlittlemore！"
"Athousan’apology，"saidM。Beaucaire。"Youwilllisten，Ionlybeg，LadyMary？"
Shemadeanangrygestureofassent。
"Madam，IwillbebriefasImay。TwomonthsagotherecametoBathaFrenchgamblercallinghimselfBeaucaire，adesperatefellowwiththecardsordice，andallthemenoffashionwenttoplayathislodging，wherehewonconsiderablesums。Hewassmall，woreablackwigandmustachio。HehadtheinsolencetoshowhimselfeverywhereuntiltheMasterofCeremoniesrebuffedhiminthepump—room，asyouknow，andafterthatheforborehisvisitstotherooms。Mr。Nashexplained（andwasconfirmed，madam，byindubitableinformation）
thatthisBeaucairewasamanofunspeakable，vile，lowbirth，being，infact，nootherthanalackeyoftheFrenchking’sambassador，Victorbyname，deMirepoix’sbarber。Althoughhisconditionwasknown，thehideousimpudenceofthefellowdidnotdeserthim，andheremainedinBath，wherenonewouldspeaktohim。"
"Isyourfarragonighdone，sir？"
"Afewmoments，madam。Oneevening，threeweeksgone，Iobservedaveryelegantequipagedrawuptomydoor，andtheDukeofChateaurienwasannounced。Theyoungman’smannerswereworthy—
accordingtotheFrenchacceptance—and’twereidletodenyhimthemostmonstrousassurance。Hedeclaredhimselfanobletravelingforpleasure。HehadtakenlodgingsinBathforaseason，hesaid，andcalledatoncetopayhisrespectstome。
Histonewassocandid—intruth，Iamthesimplestofmen，veryeasilygulled—andhisstrokesobold，thatIdidnotforonemomentsuspecthim；and，tomypoignantregret—thoughinthehumblestspiritIhaveshownmyselfeagertoatone—thatveryeveningIhadtheshameofpresentinghimtoyourself。"
"Theshame，sir！"
"Havepatience，pray，madam。Ay，theshame！YouknowwhatfigurehehathcutinBathsincethatevening。AllranmerrilywithhimuntilseveraldaysagoCaptainBadgerdenouncedhimasanimpostor，vowingthatChateaurienwasnothing。"
"Pardon，"interruptedM。Beaucaire。"’CastleNowhere’wouldhavebeensomuchbetter。Whydidyounotmakehimsayitthatway，monsieur？"
LadyMarystarted；shewaslookingattheDuke，andherfacewaswhite。Hecontinued:"PoorCaptamBadgerwasstabbedthatsameday。—"
"MostbefittingpoorCaptainBadger，"mutteredMolyneux。
"——Andhisadversaryhadthemarvelousinsolencetodeclarethathefoughtinmyquarrel！Thisafternoonthewoundedmansentforme，andimpartedaveryhorrifyingintelligence。HehaddiscoveredalackeywhomhehadseenwaitinguponBeaucaireinattendanceatthedoorofthisChateaurien’slodging。BeaucairehaddisappearedthedaybeforeChateaurien’sarrival。CaptainBadgerlookedcloselyatChateaurienattheirnextmeeting，andidentifiedhimwiththemissingBeaucairebeyondthefaintestdoubt。Overcomewithindignation，heimmediatelyproclaimedtheimpostor。Outofregardforme，hedidnotchargehimwithbeingBeaucaire；thepoorsoulwasunwillingtoputuponmethehumiliationofhavingintroducedabarber；butthesecretweigheduponhimtillhesentformeandputeverythinginmyhands。Iacceptedtheodium；thinkingonlyofatonement。IwenttoSirJohnWimpledon’sfite。ItookpoorSirHugh，there，andtheseothergentlemenaside，andtoldthemmynews。
Wenarrowlyobservedthisman，andwereshockedatoursimplicityinnothavingdiscoveredhimbefore。Thesearemenofhonorandcooljudgment，madam。Mr。MolyneuxhadactedforhimintheaffairofCaptainBadger，andwasstronglyprejudicedinhisfavor；butMr。Molyneux，SirHugh，Mr。Bantison，everyoneofthem，inshort，recognizedhim。Inspiteofhissmoothfaceandhislighthair，theadventurerBeaucairewaswrituponhimamazingplain。Lookathim，madam，ifhewilldaretheinspection。YousawthisBeaucairewell，thedayofhisexpulsionfromtherooms。Isnotthishe？"
M。Beaucairesteppedclosetoher。Herpalefacetwitched。
"Look！"hesaid。
"Oh，oh！"shewhisperedwithadrythroat，andfellbackinthecarriage。
"Isitso？"criedtheDuke。
"Idonotknow。—I—cannottell。"
"Onemomentmore。IbeggedthesegentlementoallowmetowipeouttheinsultIhadunhappilyofferedtoBath，butparticularlytoyou。Theyagreednottoforestallmeortointerfere。IleftSirJohnWimpledon’searly，andarrangedtogivethesorryrascalalashingunderyourowneyes，asatisfactionduetheladyintowhosepresencehehaddaredtoforcehimself。"
"’Noblesseoblige’？"saidM。Beaucaireinatoneofgentleinquiry。
"Andnow，madam，"saidtheDuke，"Iwilldetainyounotonesecondlonger。Ipleadthegoodpurposeofmyintentions，beggingyoutobelievethatthedesiretoavengeahatefuloutrage，nexttothewishtoserveyou，formsthedearestmotiveintheheartofWinterset。"
"Bravo！"criedBeaucairesoftly。
LadyMaryleanedtowardhim，athrivingterrorinhereyes。"Itisfalse？"shefaltered。
"Monsieurshouldnothavebeenbornsohigh。Hecouldhavemadelittlebook’。"
"Youmeanitisfalse？"shecriedbreathlessly。
"’Od’sblood，isshenotconvinced？"brokeoutMr。Bantison。
"Fellow，wereyounottheambassador’sbarber？"
"Itisallfalse？"shewhispered。
"Themos’fineart，mademoiselle。HowlongyouthinkittakeM。deWintersettolearnthatspeechafterhewriteitout？Itisamixofwhatistrueandthemos’chasteart。Monsieurhasbecomeamanofletters。Perhapshemayenjoythatmorethanthewars。Ha，ha！"
Mr。Bantisonburstintoaroaroflaughter。"DoFrenchgentlemenfightlackeys？Ho，ho，ho！Aprettycountry！WeEnglishdoaswasdoneto—night，haveourservantsbeatthem。"
"Andattendourselves，"addedM。Beaucaire，lookingattheDuke，"somewhatinthebackground？But，pardon，"hemocked，"thatremind’
me。Francois，returntoMr。Bantisonandthesegentlementheirweapons。"
"Willyouansweraquestion？"saidMolyneuxmildly。
"Oh，withpleasure，monsieur。"
"Wereyoueverabarber？"
"No，monsieur，"laughedtheyoungman。
"Pah！"exclaimedBantison。"Letmequestionhim。Now，fellow，aconfessionmaysaveyoufromjail。DoyoudenyyouareBeaucaire？"
"Denytoasuchjudge？"
"Ha！"saidBantison。"Whatmoredoyouwant，Molyneux？Fellow，doyoudenythatyoucametoLondonintheambassador’ssuite？"
"No，Idonotdeny。"
"Headmitsit！Didn’tyoucomeashisbarber？"
"Yes，myfrien’，ashisbarber。"LadyMarycriedoutfaintly，and，shuddering，putbothhandsoverhereyes。
"I’msorry，"saidMolyneux。"Youfightlikeagentleman。"
"Ithankyou，monsieur。"
"YoucalledyourselfBeaucaire？"
"Yes，monsieur。"Hewasswayingtoandfro；hisservantsrantosupporthim。
"Iwish—"continuedMolyncux，hesitating。"Eviltakeme！—butI’msorryyou’rehurt。"
"AssistSirHughintomycarriage，"saidLadyMary。
"Farewell，mademoiselle！"M。Beaucaire’svoicewasveryfaint。Hiseyeswerefixeduponherface。Shedidnotlooktowardhim。
TheywereproppingSirHughonthecushions。TheDukerodeupclosetoBeaucaire，butFrancoisseizedhisbridlefiercely，andforcedthehorsebackonitshaunches。
"Theman’sservantsworshiphim，"saidMolyneux。
"Curseyourinsolence！"exclaimedtheDuke。"HowmuchamItobearfromthisvarletandhisvarlets？Beaucaire，ifyouhavenotleftBathbyto—morrownoon，youwillbeclappedintojail，andthelashingyouescapedto—nightshallbegivenyouthricetenfold！"
"Ishallbe—inthe—Assemily—Room’atnine—o’clock，oneweek—from—to—night，"answeredtheyoungman，smilingjauntily，thoughhislipswerecolorless。Thewordscosthimnearlyallhisbreathandstrength。"Youmus’keep—inthe—backgroun’，monsieur。Ha，ha！"Thedoorofthecoachclosedwithaslam。
"Mademoiselle—fare—well！"
"Driveon！"saidLadyMary。
M。Beaucairefollowedthecariiagewithhiseyes。Asthenoiseofthewheelsandthehoof—beatsoftheaccompanyingcavalcadegrewfainterinthedistance，thehandkerchiefhehadheldagainsthissidedroppedintothewhitedust，aheavyredsplotch。
"Only—roses，"hegasped，andfellbackinthearmsofhisservants。
ChapterFiveBeauNashstoodatthedooroftherooms，smilingblandlyuponadaintythronginthepinkofitsfineryandgayfurbelows。Thegreatexquisitebenthisbodyconstantlyinaseriesofconsummatelyadjustedbows:beforeagreatdowager，seemingtosweepthefloorinaugustdeference；somewhatstatelytotheyoungbucks；greetingthewitswithgracousfriendlinessandatwinkleofraillery；
incliningwithfatherlygallantrybeforethebeauties；thedegreeofhisinclinationmeasuredthealtitudeoftherecipientasaccuratelyasanicelycalculatedsand—glassmeasuresthehours。
TheKingofBathwashappy，forwit，beauty，fashion—tospeakmoreconcretely:nobles，belles，gamesters，beaux，statesmen，andpoets—madefairyland（oroperabouffe，atleast）inhisdominions；playranhigherandhigher，andMr。Nash’scoffersfilledupwithgold。
Tocrownhispleasure，aprinceoftheFrenchblood，theyoungComtedeBeaujolais，justarrivedfromParis，hadreachedBathatnooninstate，accompaniedbytheMarquisdeMirepoix，theambassadorofLouisXV。TheBeaudearlyprizedthesocietyofthelofty，andthepresentvisitwasanhonortoBath:hencetotheMasterofCeremonies。
Whatwasbetter，therewouldbesomeprofitablehourswiththecardsanddice。SoitwasthatMr。Nashsmilednevermorebenignlythanonthatbrightevening。Theroomsrangwiththesilveryvoicesofwomenanddelightfullaughter，whilethefiddleswentmerrily，theirmelodieschimingsweetlywiththejoyanceofhismood。
Theskillandbrazeneffronteryoftheambassador’sscoundrellyservantinpassinghimselfoffforamanofconditionformedthepointofdepartureforeveryconversation。Itwasdiscoveredthattherewerebutthreepersonspresentwhohadnotsuspectedhimfromthefirst；and，byasingularparadox，themostastuteofallprovedtobeoldMr。Bicksit，thetraveler，onceavisitoratChateaurien；
forhe，accordingtoreport，hadbyacoupofdiplomacyentrappedtheimpostorintoanadmissionthattherewasnosuchplace。However，likepoorCaptainBadger，theworthyoldmanhadheldhispeaceoutofregardfortheDukeofWinterset。Thisnobleman，heretoforesecretlydisliked，suspectedofirregulardevicesatplay，andneveradmired，hadwonadmirationandpopularitybyhisremorseforthemistake，andbythemodestyofhisattitudeinendeavoringtoatoneforit，withoutpresumingupontheprivilegeofhisranktolaughattheindignationofsociety；anactionthemorepraiseworthybecausehisexposureoftheimpostorentailedthedisclosureofhisownculpabilityinhavingstoodthevillain’ssponsor。To—night，thehappygentleman，withLadyMaryCarlisleuponhisarm，wentgrandlyabouttherooms，sowingandreapingaharvestofsmiles。’TwassaidworkwouldbebegunatoncetorebuildtheDuke’scountryseat，whileseveralruinedJewsmightbepaidoutofprison。Peoplegazingonthebeautyandthestatelybutmodestherobyherside，saidtheywouldmakeanoblepair。Shehadlongbeendistinguishedbyhisattentions，andhehadcomebrilliantlyoutoftheepisodeoftheFrenchman，whohadbeenhisonlyrealrival。Wherevertheywent，therearoseabuzzofpleasinggossipandadulation。Mr。Nash，seeingthemnearhim，cameforwardwithgreetings。Awordonthesidepassedbetweenthenoblemanandtheexquisite。
"Ihadnewsoftherascaltonight，"whisperedNash。"Helayatafarmtillyesterday，whenhedisappeared；hisruffians，too。"
"Youhavearranged？"askedtheDuke。
"Fourteenbailiffsarewatchingwithout。Hecouldnotcomewithingunshot。Iftheyclapeyesonhim，theywillhustlehimtojail，andhiscutthroatsshallnotavailhimahair’sweight。Theimpertinentsworehe’dbeherebynine，didhe？"
"Hesaidso；and’tisarashdog，sir。"
"Itisjustninenow。""
"Sendouttoseeiftheyhavetakenhim。"
"Gladly。"
TheBeaubeckonedanattendant，andwhisperedinhisear。
Manyofthecrowdhadedgeduptothetwogentlemenwithapparentcarelessness，tooverheartheirconversation。Thosewhodidoverhearrepeateditincovertasides，andthiscirculatingundertone，confirmingavaguerumorthatBeaucairewouldattempttheentrancethatnight，lentapleasurablecolorofexcitementtotheevening。TheFrenchprince，theambassador，andtheirsuiteswereannounced。Politeastheassemblywas。itwasalsocurious，andthereoccurredamannerlyrushtoseethenewcomers。LadyMary，alreadypale，grewwhiterasthethrongclosedroundher；shelookeduppatheticallyattheDuke，wholostnotimeinextricatingherfromthepressure。
"Waithere，"hesaid；"Iwillfetchyouaglassofnegus，"anddisappeared。Hehadnotthoughttobringachair，andshe，lookingaboutwithanincreasingfaintnessandfindingnone，sawthatshewasstandingbythedoorofasmallside—room。ThecrowdswervedbackforthepassageofthelegateofFrance，andpresseduponher。
Sheopenedthedoor，andwentin。
Theroomwasemptysavefortwogentlemen，whowerequietlyplayingcardsatatable。Theylookedupassheentered。TheywereM。
BeaucaireandMr。Molyneux。
Sheutteredaquickcryandleanedagainstthewall，herhandtoherbreast。Beaucaire，thoughwhiteandweak，hadbroughtherachairbeforeMolyneuxcouldstir。
"Mademoiselle—"
"Donottouchme！"shesaid，withsuchfrozenabhorrenceinhervoicethathestoppedshort。"Mr。Molyneux，youseekstrangecompany！"
"Madam，"repliedMolyneux，bowingdeeply，asmuchtoBeaucaireastoherself，"Iamhonoredbythepresenceofbothofyou。
"Oh，areyoumad！"sheexclaimed，contemptuously。
"Thisgentlemanhasexaltedmewithhisconfidence，madam，"hereplied。
"Willyouaddyourruintothescandalofthisfellow’spresencehere？Howheobtainedentrance—"
"Pardon，mademoiselle，"interruptedBeaucaire。"DidInotsayI
shouldcome？M。Molyneuxwassoobligingastoanswerformetothefourteenfrien’sofM。deWintersetandMeestaireNash。"
"Doyounotknow，"sheturnedvehementlyuponMolyneux，"thathewillberemovedthemomentIleavethisroom？Doyouwishtobedraggedoutwithhim？Foryoursake，sir，becauseIhavealwaysthoughtyouamanofheart，Igiveyouachancetosaveyourselffromdisgrace—and—yourcompanionfromjail。Lethimslipoutbysomeretiredway，andyoumaygivemeyourarmandwewillenterthenextroomasifnothinghadhappened。Come，sir—"
"Mademoiselle—"
"Mr。Molyneux，Idesiretohearnothingfromyourcompanion。HadInotseenyouatcardswithhimIshouldhavesupposedhiminattendanceasyourlackey。Doyoudesiretotakeadvantageofmyoffer，sir？"
"Mademoiselle，Icouldnottellyou，onthatnight—"
"Youmayinformyourhigh—bornfriend，Mr。Molyneux，thatIheardeverythinghehadtosay；thatmyprideoncehadthepleasureoflisteningtohishigh—bornconfession！"
"Ah，itisgentletotauntonewithhisbirth，mademoiselle？Ah，no！Thereisamaninmycountrywhosaystrangethingsofthat—thatamanisnothisfather，buthimself。"
"Youmayinformyourfriend，Mr。Molyneux，thathehadachancetodefendhimselfagainstaccusation；thathesaidall—"
"ThatIdidsayallIcouldhavestrengthtosay。Mademoiselle，youdidnotsee—asitwasright—thatIhadbeenstungbyabigwasp。
Itwasnothing，ascratch；but，mademoiselle，theskywentroundandthemoondance’ontheearth。Icouldnotwishthatbigwasptoseehehadstungme；soImus’onlysaywhatIcanhavestrengthfor，andstandstraighttillheisgone。Beside’，thereareotherrizzons。
Ah，youmus’belief！MyMolyneuxIsen’for，andtellhimall，becauseheshowcourtesytotheyo’ngFrenchman，andIcantrus’him。
Itrus’you，mademoiselle—longago—andwouldhavetol’youev’rything，excep’jus’because—well，fortheromance，thefon！
Youbelief？Itissoclearlyso；youdobelief，mademoiselle？"
Shedidnotevenlookathim。M。Beaucaireliftedhishandappealinglytowardher。"Cantherebenofaithin—in—hesaidtimidly，andpaused。Shewassilent，astatue，myLadyDisdain。
"Ifyouhadnotbelief’metobeanimpostor；ifIhadneversaidI
wasChateaurien；ifIhadbeenjus’thatMonsieurBeaucaireofthestorytheytol’you，butneverwiththeheartofalackey，anhones’
man，aman，themanyouknew，himself，couldyou—wouldyou—"
Hewastryingtospeakfirmly；yet，ashegazeduponhersplendidbeauty，hechokedslightly，andfumbledinthelaceathisthroatwithunsteadyfingers。—"Wouldyou—haveletmeridebyyoursideintheautumnmoonlight？"Herglancepassedbyhimasitmighthavepassedbyafootmanorapieceoffurniture。Hewasdressedmagnificently，amultitudeofordersglitteringonhisbreast。Hereyetooknoknowledgeofhim。
"Mademoiselle—Ihavethehonortoaskyou:ifyouhadknownthisBeaucairewashones’，thoughofpeasantbirth，wouldyou—"
Involuntarily，controlledashericypresencewas，sheshuddered。
Therewasamomentofsilence。
"Mr。Molyneux，"saidLadyMary，"inspiteofyourdiscourtesyinallowingaservanttoaddressme，Iofferyoualastchancetoleavethisroomundisgraced。Willyougivemeyourarm？"
"Pardonme，madam，"saidMr。Molyneux。
Beaucairedroppedintoachairwithhisheadbentlowandhisarmoutstretchedonthetable；hiseyesfilledslowlyinspiteofhimself，andtwotearsrolleddowntheyoungman’scheeks。
"An’livemenarejus’—names！"saidM。Beaucaire。
ChapterSixIntheouterroom，Winterset，unabletofindLadyMary，andsupposinghertohavejoinedLadyRellerton，disposedofhisnegus，thenapproachedthetwovisitorstopayhisrespectstotheyoungprince，whomhediscoveredtobeastriplingofseventeen，arrogantlooking，butprettyasagirl。StandingbesidetheMarquisdeMirepoix—amanofquietbearing—hewassurroundedbyagroupofthegreat，amongwhomMr。Nashnaturallycountedhimself。TheBeauwasfelicitatinghimselfthattheforeignershadnotarrivedaweekearlier，inwhichcaseheandBathwouldhavebeendetectedinapieceofgrossignoranceconcerningtheFrenchnobility—makingmuchofdeMirepoix’sex—barber。
"’Tisaluckythingthatfellowwasgotoutoftheway，"heejaculated，undercover。
"Thankmeforit，"rejoinedWinterset。
AnattendantbeggedMr。Nash’snotice。TheheadbailiffsentwordthatBeaucairehadlongsinceenteredthebuildingbyasidedoor。
ItwassupposedMr。Nashhadknownofit，andtheFrenchmanwasnotarrested，asMr。Molyneuxwasinhiscompany，andsaidhewouldbeanswerableforhim。ConsternationwassoplainontheBeau’strainedfacethattheDukeleanedtowardhimanxiously。
"Thevillain’sin，andMolyneuxhathgonemad！"
Mr。Bantison，whohadbeenfiercelyelbowinghiswaytowardthem，joinedheadswiththem。"Youmaywellsayheisin，"heexclaimed"andifyouwanttoknowwhere，why，inyondercard—room。Isawhimthroughthehalf—opendoor。"
"What’stobedone？"askedtheBeau。
"Sendthebailiffs—"
"Fie，fie！Afileofbailiffs？Thescandal！"
"Thenlistentome，"saidtheDuke。"I’llselecthalf—a—dozengentlemen，explainthematter，andwe’llputhiminthecenterofusandtakehimouttothebailiffs。’Twillappearnothing。DoyouremainhereandkeeptheattentionofBeaujolaisanddeMirepoix。Come，Bantison，fetchTownbrakeandHarryRakellyonder；
I’llbringtheothers。"
Threeminuteslater，hisGraceofWintersetflungwidethecard—roomdoor，and，afterhisfriendshadentered，closedit。
"Ah！"remarkedM。Beaucairequietly。"Sixmorelargemen。
TheDuke，seeingLadyMary，started；buttheangrysignsofherinterviewhadnotleftherface，andreassuredhim。Heofferedhishandtoconducthertothedoor。"MayIhavethehonor？"
"Ifthisistobeknown，’twillbebetterifIleaveafter；I
shouldbeobservedifIwentnow。"
"Asyouwill，madam，"heanswered，notdispleased。"Andnow，youimpudentvillain，"hebegan，turningtoM。Beaucaire，buttofallbackastounded。"’Od’sblood，thedoghathmurderedandrobbedsomeroyalprince！"HeforgotLadyMary’spresenceinhisexcitement。
"Layhandsonhim！"heshouted。"Tearthoseordersfromhim！"
Molyneuxthrewhimselfbetween。"Oneword！"hecried。"Onewordbeforeyouofferanoutrageyouwillrepentallyourlives！"
"OrletM。deWintersetcomealone，"laughedM。Beaucaire。
"Doyouexpectmetofightacut—throatbarber，andwithbarehands？"
"Ithinkonedoesnotexpec’monsieurtofightanybody。WouldI
fightyou，youthink？ThatwaswhyIhadmyservants，thateveningweplay。Iwouldgladlyfightalmos’anyoneinthewon’；butIdidnotwishtosoilmyhandwitha—"
"Stuffhislyingmouthwithhisorders！"shoutedtheDuke。
ButMolyneuxstillheldthegentiemenback。"Onemoment，"hecried。
"M。deWinterset，"saidBeaucaire，"ofwhatareyouafraid？Youcalculatewell。Beaucairemighthavebeenbelief—animpostorthatyouyourselfexpose’？Never！ButIwasnotgoin’revealthatsecret。Youhavenotabsolvemeofmypromise。"
"Tellwhatyoulike，"answeredtheDuke。"Tellallthewildliesyouhavetimefor。Youhavefiveminutestomakeupyourmindtogoquietly。"
"Nowyouabsolveme，then？Ha，ha！Oh，yes！Mademoiselle，"hebowedtoLadyMary，"Ihavethehonortoreques’youleavetheroom。Youshallmissnodetailsifthesefrien’sofyourskillme，onthehonorofaFrenchgentleman。"
"AFrenchwhat？"laughedBantison。
"Doyoudarekeepupthepretense？"criedLordTownbrake。"Know，youvillainbarber，thatyourmaster，theMarquisdeMirepoix，isinthenextroom。"
Molyneuxheavedagreatsighofrelief。"ShallI—"HeturnedtoM。Beaucaire。
Theyoungmanlaughed，andsaid:"Tellhimcomehereatonce。
"Impudenttothelast！"criedBantison，asMolyneuxhurriedfromtheroom。
"Nowyougoin’toseeM。Beaucaire’smaster，"saidBeaucairetoLadyMary。"’TistruewhatIsay，theothernight。IcrossfromPranceinhissuite；mypassportsayashisbarber。Thentopasstheennuiofexile，IcometoBathandplayforwhatonewill。Itkillthetime。ButwhenthepeoplehearIhavebeenaservanttheycomeonlysecretly；andthereisoneofthem—hehasabsolve’meofapromisenottospeak—ofhimIlearnsomethinghecannotwishtobetol’。
Imakesometroubletolearnthisthing。WhyIshoulddothis？
Well—thatismyownrizzon。SoImakethismanhelpmeinamasque，theunmaskingitwas，for，asthereisnoonetoknowme，Ithrowoffmyblackwigandbecomemyself—andsoIam’Chateaurien，’CastleNowhere。ThenthismanIuse’，thisWinterset，he—"
"Ihavegreatneedtodenytheseaccusations？"saidtheDuke。
"Nay，"saidLadyMaryweari1y。
"ShallItellyouwhyImus’be’Victor’and’Beaucaire’and’Chateaurien，’andnotmyself？"
"Toescapefromthebailiffsfordebtsforrazorsandsoap，"gibedLordTownbrake。
"No，monsieur。InFranceIhavegotacousinwhoisamanwithaverybadtemperatsometime’，andhewillneverenjoyhisrelativestodowhathedoesnotwish—"
Hewasinterruptedbyaloudcommotionfromwithout。Thedoorwasflungopen，andtheyoungCountofBeaujolaisboundedinandthrewhisarmsabouttheneckofM。Beaucaire。
"Philippe！"hecried。"Mybrother，Ihavecometotakeyoubackwithme。"
M。deMirepoixfollowedhim，bowingasacourtier，indeference；
butM。Beaucairetookbothhishandsheartily。Molyneuxcameafter，withMr。Nash，andclosedthedoor。
"Mywarmestfelicitations，"saidtheMarquis。"Thereisnolongerneedforyourincognito。"
"Thoubestofmasters！"saidBeaucaire，touchinghimfondlyontheshoulder。"Iknow。Yourcouriercamesafely。AndsoIamforgiven！
ButIforget。"Heturnedtothelady。Shehadbeguntotrembleexceedingly。"Faires’ofalltheEnglishfair，"hesaid，asthegentlemenbowedlowtoherdeepcourtesy，"Ibegthehonortopresen’toLadyMaryCarlisle，M。leComtedeBeaujolais。M。deMirepoixhasalreadythehonor。LadyMaryhasbeenverykindtome，myfrien’s；youmus’helpmemakemyacknowledgment。Mademoiselleandgentlemen，willyougivemethatfavourtodetainyouoneinstan’？"
"Henri，"heturnedtotheyoungBeaujolais，"Iwishyouhadsharedmymasque—Ihavebeensogay！"Thesurfaceofhistonewasmerry，buttherewasanundercurrent，weary—sad，tospeakofwhatwasthemood，notthemanner。Hemadetheeffectofaddressingeveryonepresent，buthelookedsteadilyatLadyMary。Hereyeswerefixeduponhim，withasilentandfrightenedfascination，andshetrembledmoreandmore。"Iamagreatactor，Henri。Thesegentlemenareyetscarceconvince’Iamnotalackey！AndImus’tellyouthatIwasjus’nowtobeexpelledforhavingbeenabarber！"
"Oh，no！，，theambassadorcriedout。"Hewouldnotbecontentwithme；hewouldwanderoverastrangecountry。"
"Ha，ha，myMirepoix！Andwhatisbetter，oneeveningIamoblige’
tofightsomefrien’sofM。deWintersetthere，andsomeladiesandcavalierslookon，andtheystillthinkmeaservant。Oh，Iamagreatactor！’TistruethereisnotapeasantinFrancewhowouldnothavethenknownone’born’；buttheyarewonderful，thisEnglishpeople，holdingbyanideaonceitisintheirheads—amos’worthyquality。ButmygoodMolyneuxhere，hehadspeaktomewithcourtesy，jus’becauseIamamanan’jus’becauseheisal—wayskind。（I
havelearn’thathisgreat—grandfatherwasaFrenchman。）SoIsen’tohimandtellhimev’rything，andhegainadmittanceformehereto—nighttoawaitmyfrien’s。
"Iwasspeakingtomessieursaboutmycousin，whowillmeddleintheaffair’ofhisrelatives。Well，thatgentleman，hemakeamarriageformewithagoodandaccomplish’lady，verynobleandverybeautiful—andamiable。"（Theyoungcountathiselbowstartedslightlyatthis，butimmediatelyappearedtowraphimselfinamantleofsolemnthought。）"Unfortunately，whenmycousinarrange’
so，Iwasadolt，alittleblockhead；IsweartomarryformyselfandwhenIplease，orneverifIlike。Thatladyisallthingscharmingandgentle，and，intruth，sheis—verymuchattach’tome—whyshouldInotsayit？Iamsoproudofit。Sheisveryfaithfulandforgivingandsweet；shewouldbethesame，Ithink，ifI—wereeven—alackey。ButI？Iwasadolt，alittleunsensiblebrute；Ididnotvaluesuchthing’then；Iwastooyo’ng，las’June。SoIsaytomycousin，’No，Imakemyownchoosing！’
’Littlefool，’heanswer，’sheistheoneforyou。AmInotwiserthanyou？’Andhewasveryangry，and，ashehasinfluenceinFrance，wordcome’thathewillgetmeputinVincennes，soImus’
runawayquicktillhisangerisgone。Mygoodfrien’Mirepoixisjus’leavingforLondon；hetake’manyrisk’formysake；hishairdresserdiebeforehestart’，soItravelasthatpoorbarber。
Butmycousinisamantobeafraidofwhenheisangry，eveninEngland，andImus’notgetmyMirepoixintrouble。Imus’notbediscover’tillmycousinisreadytolaughaboutitallandmakeitajoke。Andtheremaybespies；soIchangemynameagain，andcometoBathtoamusemyretreatwithalittlegaming—Iamal—waysfondofthat。Butthreeday’agoM。leMarquissendmeacouriertosaythatmybrother，whoknowwhereIhadrunaway，iscomefromFrancetosaythatmycousinisappease’；heneedmeforhislittletheatre，theplaycannotgoon。Idonotneedtoespousemademoiselle。AllshallbeforgivenifIreturn，andmybrotherandM。deMirepoixwillmeetmeinBathtofelicitate。
"Thereisonemorethingtosay，thatisall。IhavesaidIlearn’
asecret，anduseittomakeamanintroducemeifIwillnottell。
Hehasabsolve’meofthatpromise。Myfrien’s，Ihadnotthewishtoruinthatman。Iwasnotreceive’；MeestaireNashhadreboffme；
Ihadnootherwayexcep’tousethisfellow。SoIsay，’TakemetoLadyMalbourne’sballas"Chateaurien。"’Ithrowoffmywig，andshave，andbehol’，IamM。leDucdeCastleNowhere。Ha，ha！
Yousee？"
Theyoungman’smannersuddenlychanged。Hebecamehaughty，menacing。Hestretchedouthisarm，andpointedatWinterset。"NowIamno’Beaucaire，’messieurs。IamaFrenchgentleman。Themanwhointroduce’meatthepriceofhishonor，andthenbetray’metoredeemit，isthatcoward，thatcard—cheatthere！"
Wintersetmadeahorribleefforttolaugh。Thegentlemenwhosurroundedhimfellawayasfrompestilence。"AFrenchgentleman！"
hesneeredsavagely，andyetfearfully。"Idon’tknowwhoyouare。
Hidebehindasmanytoysandribbonsasyoulike；I’llknowthenameofthemanwhodaresbringsuchacharge！"
"Sir！"crieddeMirepoixsharply，advancingasteptowardshim；buthecheckedhimselfatonce。Hemadealowbowofstate，firsttotheyoungFrenchman，thentoLadyMaryandthecompany。"Permitme，LadyMaryandgentlemen，"hesaid。"toassumethehonorofpresentingyoutoHisHighness，PrinceLouis—PhilippedeValois，DukeofOrleans，DukeofChartres，DukeofNemours，DukeofMontpeti’sier，FirstPrinceoftheBloodRoyal，FirstPeerofFrance，Lieutenant—GeneralofFrenchInfantry，GovernorofDauphine，KnightoftheGoldenFleece，GrandMasteroftheOrderofNotreDame，ofMountCarmel，andofSt。LazarusinJerusalem；andcousintoHismostChristianMajesty，LouistheFifteenth，KingofFrance。"
"Thoseareafewofmybrother’snames，"whisperedHenriofBeaujolaistoMolyneux。"OldMirepoixhasthelongbreath，butittake’astrongmantwoday’tosayallofthem。IcansupposethisWintersetknow’nowwhobringthecharge！"
"CastleNowhere！"gaspedBeauNash，fallingbackupontheburlypropofMr。Bantison’sshoulder。
"TheDukeofOrleanswillreceiveamessagefrommewithinthehour！"saidWinterset，ashemadehiswaytothedoor。Hisfacewasblackwithrageandshame。
"Itol’youthatIwouldnotsoilmyhandwithyou，"answeredtheyoungman。"Ifyousendamessagenogentlemanwillbringit。
WhoevershallbearitwillreceivealittlebeatingfromFrancois。"
HesteppedtoLadyMary’sside。Herheadwasbentlow，herfaceaverted。Sheseemedtobreathewithdifficulty，andleanedheavilyuponachair。"Monseigneur，"shefalteredinahalfwhisper，"canyou—forgiveme？Itisabitter—mistake—Ihavemade。Forgive。"
"Forgive？"heanswered，andhisvoicewasasbrokenashers；buthewenton，morefirmly:"Itis—nothing—lessthannothing。Thereis—onlyjus’one—inthe—wholeworl’whowouldnothavetreat’
methewaythatyoutreat’me。ItistoherthatIamgoin’tomakereparation。Youknowsomething，Henri？Iamnotgoin’backonlybecausethekingforgive’me。Iamgoin’topleasehim；Iamgoin’
toespousemademoiselle，ourcousin。Myfrien’s，Iaskyourfelicitations。"
"Andthekingdoesnotcompelhim！"exclaimedyoungHenri。
"Henri，youwanttofightme？"criedhisbrothersharply。"Don’
youthinktheKingofFranceisawisermanthanme？"
HeofferedhishandtoLadyMary。"Mademoiselleisfatigue’。Willshehonorme？"
Hewalkedwithhertothedoor。Herhandflutteringfaintlyinhis。
Fromsomewhereaboutthegarmentsofoneofthemalittlecloudoffadedrose—leavesfell，andlaystrewnonthefloorbehindthem。Heopenedthedoor，andthelightsshoneonamultitudeofeagerfacesturnedtowardit。Therewasagreathumofvoices，and，overall，thefiddleswoveawanderingair，asweetFrenchsongofthevoyageur。
Hebowedverylow，as，withfixedandglisteningeyes，LadyMaryCarlisle，theBeautyofBath，passedslowlybyhimandwentoutoftheroom。