第2章

ButinmovingIhadcaughtupbyoneofitslegsthestoolonwhichIhadbeensitting。AsIraisedit，Ieludedthepinioninggripofthetroopers。Itwistedintheirgrasp，andbroughtthestooldownupontheheadofoneofthemwithaforcethatdrovehimtohisknees。Upwentthatthree-leggedstoolagain，todescendlikeathunderboltupontheheadofanother。Thatfreedme。Thesergeantwascomingupbehind，butanotherflourishofmyimprovisedbattle-axesentthetworemainingsoldiersaparttolooktotheirswords。Eretheycoulddraw，Ihaddartedlikeaharebetweenthemandoutintothestreet。Thesergeant，cursingthemwithhorridvolubility，followedcloselyuponmyheels。

LeapingasfarintotheroadwayasIcould，Iturnedtomeetthefellow’sonslaught。Usingthestoolasabuckler，Icaughthisthrustuponit。Soviolentlywasitdeliveredthatthepointburieditselfinthewoodandthebladesnapped，leavinghimahiltandastumpofsteel。Iwastednotimeinthought。Charginghimwildly，Iknockedhimoverjustasthetwounhurtdragoonscamestumblingoutofthetavern。

Igainedmyhorse，andvaultedintothesaddle。Tearingthereinsfromtheurchinthatheldthem，anddrivingmyspursintothebeast’sflanks，Iwentcareeringdownthestreetatagallop，grippingtightlywithmyknees，whilstthestirrups，whichIhadhadnotimetostepinto，flewwildlyaboutmylegs。

Apistolcrackedbehindme;thenanother，andasharp，stingingpainintheshoulderwarnedmethatIwashit。ButItooknoheedofitthen。Thewoundcouldnotbeserious，elseIhadalreadybeenoutofthesaddle，anditwouldbetimeenoughtolooktoitwhenIhadoutdistancedmypursuers。Isaymypursuers，foralreadytherewerehoofbeatsbehindme，andIknewthatthosegentlemenhadtakentotheirhorses。But，asyoumayrecall，Ihadontheirarrivalnotedthejadedconditionoftheircattle，whilstIbestrodeahorsethatwascomparativelyfresh，sothatpursuithadbutsmallterrorsforme。Nevertheless，theyheldoutlonger，andgavememoretodothanIhadimaginedwouldbethecase。Fornighuponahalf-hourIrode，beforeIcouldbesaidtohavegotclearofthem，andthenforaughtIknewtheywerestillfollowing，resolvedtohoundmedownbytheaidofsuchinformationastheymightcullupontheirway。

IwascomebythentotheGaronne。Idrewreinbesidetheswiftlyflowingstream，windingitselflikeafloodofglitteringsilverbetweentheblackshadowsofitsbanks。AlittlewhileIsattherelistening，andsurveyingthestately，turretedchateauthatloomed，agrey，noblepile，beyondthewater。Ispeculatedwhatdemesnethismightbe，andIrealizedthatitwasprobablyLavecan。

IponderedwhatIhadbestdo，andintheendItooktheresolvetoswimtheriverandknockatthegates。IfitweeindeedLavedan，I

hadbuttoannouncemyself，andtooneofmynamesurelyitshospitalitieswouldbespread。Ifitweresomeotherhousehold，eventhenthenameofMarceldeBardelysshouldsufficetoensuremeawelcome。

Byspurringandcoaxing，Iluredmysteedintotheriver。Thereisaproverbhavingitthatthoughyoumayleadahorsetothewateryoucannotmakehimdrink。Itwouldhavenowappliedtomycase，foralthoughIhadbroughtminetothewaterIcouldnotmakehimswim;or，atleast，Icouldnotmakehimbreasttherushofthestream。VainlydidIurgehimandtrytoholdhim;heplungedfrantically，snorted，coughed，andstruggledgamely，butthecurrentwasbearingusswiftlyaway，andhiseffortsbroughtusnonearertotheoppositeshore。AtlastIslippedfromhisback，andsetmyselftoswimbesidehim，leadinghimbythebridle。Buteventhusheprovedunequaltothetaskofresistingthecurrent，sothatintheendIlethimgo，andswamashorealone，hopingthathewouldlandfartherdown，andthatImightthenrecapturehim。When，however，Ihadreachedtheoppositebank，andstoodundertheshadowofthechateau，Idiscoveredthatthecowardlybeasthadturnedback，and，havingscrambledout，wasnowtrottingawayalongthepathbywhichwehadcome。Havingnomindtogoafterhim，Iresignedmyselftotheloss，andturnedmyattentiontothemansionnowbeforeme。

Sometwohundredyardsfromtheriveritraiseditsgreatsquarebulkagainstthebackgroundofblack，star-fleckedsky。FromthefacadebeforemedowntothespotwhereIstoodbythewater，cameaflightofhalfadozenterraces，eachbalustradedinwhitemarble，endinginsquare，flat-toppedpillarsofFlorentinedesign。Whatmoontherewasrevealedthequaintarchitectureofthatstatelyedificeandglittereduponthemullionedwindows。Butwithinnothingstirred;noyellowglimmercametoclashwiththewhitepurityofthemoonlight;nosoundofmanorbeastbrokethestillnessofthenight，forallthatthehourwasearly。Theairoftheplacewasasthatofsomegiganticsepulchre。Alittledauntedbythisall-envelopingstillness，Iskirtedtheterracesandapproachedthehouseontheeasternside。HereIfoundanold-worlddrawbridge-nownaturallyindisuse-spanningaditchfedfromthemainriverfortheerstwhilepurposesofamoat。Icrossedthebridge，andenteredanimposingcourtyard。Withinthisquadranglethesamesilencedwelt，andtherewasthesameobscurityinthewindowsthatoverlookedit。Ipaused，atalosshowtoproceed，andIleanedagainstabuttressoftheportcullis，whattimeIconsidered。

Iwasweakfromfasting，wornwithhardriding，andfaintfromthewoundinmyshoulder，whichhadbeenthecauseatleastofmylosingsomeblood。Inadditiontoallthis，Iwasshiveringwiththecoldofmywetgarments，andgenerallyImusthavelookedaslittlelikethatBardelystheycalledtheMagnificentasyoumightwellconceive。How，then，ifIweretoknock，shouldIprevailinpersuadingthesepeople-whoevertheymightbe-ofmyidentity？

InfinitelymorehadItheairofsomefugitiverebel，anditwasmorethanprobablethatIshouldbekeptindurancetobehandedovertomyfriendsthedragoons，iflatertheycametoridethatway。Iwasseparatedfromthosewhoknewme，andasthingsnowstood-unlessthiswere，indeed，Lavedan-itmightbedaysbeforetheyfoundmeagain。

Iwasbeginningtodeploremyfollyathavingcutmyselfadriftfrommyfollowersinthefirstplace，andhavingembroiledmyselfwiththesoldiersinthesecond;Iwasbeginningtocontemplatethewisdomofseekingsomeouthouseofthismansionwhereintolieuntilmorning，whenofasuddenabroadshaftoflight，comingfromoneofthewindowsonthefirstfloor，fellathwartthecourtyard。

InstinctivelyIcrouchedbackintotheshadowofmyfriendlybuttress，andlookedup。

Thatsuddenshaftoflightresultedfromthewithdrawalofthecurtainsthatmaskedawindow。Atthiswindow，whichopenedoutwardontoabalcony;Inowbeheld-andtomeitwasasthevisionofBeatricemayhavebeentoDante-thewhitefigureofawoman。Themoonlightbathedher，asinherwhiterobesheleanedupontheparapetgazingupwardintotheempyrean。Asweet，delicatefaceI

saw，notendowed，perhaps，withthatexquisitebalanceandproportionoffeaturewhereintheytellusbeautylies，butblessedwithawondrouslydaintybeautyallitsown;abeauty，perhaps，asmuchofexpressionasofform;forinthatgentlecountenancewasmirroredeverytendergraceofgirlhood，allthatisfreshandpureandvirginal。

Iheldmybreath，Ithink，asIstoodinravishedcontemplationofthatwhitevision。IfthiswereLavedan，andthatthecoldRoxalannewhohadsentmyboldChatelleraultbacktoParisempty-handedthenweremytaskaverywelcomeone。

HowlittleithadweighedwithmethatIwascometoLanguedoctowooawomanbearingthenameofRoxalannedeLavedanIhavealreadyshown。ButhereinthissameLanguedocIbeheldto-nightawomanwhomitseemedImighthaveloved，fornotintenyears-not，indeed，inallmylife-hadanyfacesowroughtuponmeandcalledtomynaturewithsostrongavoice。

Igazedatthatchild，andIthoughtofthewomenthatIhadknown-thebold，bedizenedbeautiesofaCourtsaidtobethefirstinEurope。AndthenitcaretomethatthiswasnodemoiselleofLavedan，nodemoiselleatallinfact，forthenoblesseofFranceownednosuchfaces。Candourandpuritywerenottobelookedforinthehigh-bredcountenancesofourgreatfamilies;theyweresometimesfoundinthefacesofthechildrenoftheirretainers。

Yes;Ihaditnow。Thischildwasthedaughterofsomecustodianofthedemesnebeforeme。

Suddenly，asshestoodthereinthemoonlight，asong，sungathalf-voice，floateddownonthecalmair。ItwasadittyofoldProvence，amelodyIknewandloved，andifaughthadbeenwantingtoheightentheenchantmentthatalreadyravishedme，thatsoftmelodiousvoicehaddoneit。Singingstill，sheturnedandreenteredtheroom，leavingwidethewindows，sothatfaintly，asfromadistance，hervoicestillreachedmeaftershewasgonefromsight。

Itwasinthathourthatitcametometocastmyselfuponthisfaircreature’smercy。Surelyonesosweetandsaintlytobeholdwouldtakecompassiononanunfortunate！HaplymywoundandalltherestthatIhadthatnightenduredmademedull-wittedandwarpedmyreason。

WithwhatstrengthIstillpossessedIwenttoworktoscaleherbalcony。Thetaskwaseasyevenforoneinmyspentcondition。Thewallwasthickwithivy，and，moreover，awindowbeneathaffordedsomesupport，forbystandingontheheavycopingIcouldwithmyfingerstouchthesillofthebalconyabove。ThusIhoistedmyself，andpresentlyIthrewanarmovertheparapet。AlreadyIwasastrideofthatsameParapetbeforeshebecameawareofmypresence。

Thesongdiedsuddenlyonherlips，andhereyes，blueasforget-me-nots，werewidenowwiththefearthatthesightofmeoccasioned。Anothersecondandtherehadbeenanoutcrythatwouldhavebroughtthehouseaboutourears，when，steppingtothethresholdoftheroom“Mademoiselle。”Ientreated，“fortheloveofGod，besilent！Imeanyounoharm。Iamafugitive。Iampursued。”

Thiswasnoconsideredspeech。Therehadbeennopreparingofwords;

Ihadutteredthemmechanicallyalmost-perhapsbyinspiration，fortheyweresurelythebestcalculatedtoenlistthislady’ssympathy。

Andsofaraswentthewordsthemselves，theywererigorouslytrue。

Witheyeswideopenstill，sheconfrontedme，andInowobservedthatshewasnotsotallasfrombelowIhadimagined。Shewas，infact，ofashortstaturerather，butofproportionssoexquisitethatsheconveyedanimpressionofsomeheight。Inherhandsheheldataperbywhoselightshehadbeensurveyingherselfinhermirroratthemomentofmyadvent。Herunboundhairofbrownfelllikeamantleabouthershoulders，andthisfactitwasdrewmetonoticethatshewasinhernight-rail，andthatthisroomtowhichIhadpenetratedwasherchamber。

“Whoareyou？”sheaskedbreathlessly，asthoughinsuchapassmyidentitywereathingthatsignified。

Ihadalmostansweredher，asIhadansweredthetroopersatMirepoix，thatIwasLesperon。Then，bethinkingmethattherewasnoneedforsuchequivocationhere，Iwasonthepointofgivinghermyname。

Butnotingmyhesitation，andmisconstruingit，sheforestalledme。

“Iunderstand，monsieur。”saidshemorecomposedly。“Andyouneedhavenofear。Youareamongfriends。”

Hereyeshadtravelledovermysoddenclothes，thehaggardpallorofmyface，andthebloodthatstainedmydoubletfromtheshoulderdownward。FromallthisshehaddrawnherconclusionsthatIwasahuntedrebel。Shedrewmeintotheroom，and，closing，thewindow，shedraggedtheheavycurtainacrossit，therebygivingmeaproofofconfidencethatsmotemehard-impostorthatIwas。

“Icraveyourpardon，mademoiselle，forhavingstartledyoubytherudemannerofmycoming。”saidI，andneverinmylifehadIfeltlessateasethanthen。“ButIwasexhaustedanddesperate。Iamwounded，Ihaveriddenhard，andIswamtheriver。”

Thelatterpieceofinformationwasvastlyunnecessary，seeingthatthewaterfrommyclotheswasformingapoolaboutmyfeet。“Isawyoufrombelow;mademoiselle，andsurely，Ithought，sosweetaladywouldhavepityonanunfortunate。”Sheobservedthatmyeyeswereuponher，andinanactofinstinctivemaidenlinesssheboreherhandtoherthroattodrawthedraperiestogetherandscreenthebeautiesofherneckfrommyunwarrantedglance，asthoughherdailygowndidnotrevealasmuchandmoreofthem。

Thatact，however，servedtoarousemetoasenseofmyposition。

WhatdidIthere？Itwasaprofanity-adefiling，Iswore;fromwhichyou’llsee，thatBardelyswasgrownofasuddenverynice。

“Monsieur。”shewassaying，“youareexhausted。”

“ButthatIrodehard。”Ilaughed，“itislikelytheyhadtakenmetoToulouse，wereImighthavelostmyheadbeforemyfriendscouldhavefoundandclaimedme。Ihopeyou’llseeitistoocomelyaheadtobesolightlypartedwith。”

“Forthat。”saidshe，halfseriously，halfwhimsically，“theugliestheadwouldbetoocomely。”

Ilaughedsoftly，amusedly;thenofasudden，withoutwarning，afaintnesstookme，andIwasforcedtobracemyselfagainstthewall，breathingheavilythewhile。Atthatshegavealittlecryofalarm。

“Monsieur，Ibeseechyoutobeseated。Iwillsummonmyfather，andwewillfindabedforyou。Youmustnotretainthoseclothes。”

“Angelofgoodness！“Imutteredgratefully，andbeingstillhalfdazed，IbroughtsomeofmyCourttricksintothatchamberbytakingherhandandcarryingittowardsmylips。ButereIhadimprintedtheintendedkissuponherfingers-andbysomemiracletheywerenotwithdrawn-myeyesencounteredhersagain。Ipausedasonemaypausewhocontemplatesasacrilege。Foramomentsheheldmyglancewithhers;thenIfellabashed，andreleasedherhand。

Theinnocencepeepingoutofthatchild’seyesitwasthathadinthatmomentdauntedme，andmademetrembletothinkofbeingfoundthere，andofthevilethingitwouldbetohavehernamecoupledwithmine。Thatthoughtlentmestrength。Icastmywearinessfrommeasthoughitwereagarment，and，straighteningmyself，Isteppedofasuddentothewindow。Withoutaword，Imadeshifttodrawbackthecurtain，whenherhand，fallingonmysoddensleeve，arrestedme。

“Whatwillyoudo，monsieur？”shecriedinalarm。“Youmaybeseen。”

MymindwasnowpossessedbythethingIshouldhavethoughtofbeforeIclimbedtoherbalcony，andmyoneresolvewastogetmethenceasquicklyasmightbe:

“Ihadnottherighttoenterhere。”Imuttered。“I-“Istoppedshort;toexplainwouldonlybetosully，andso，“Good-night！

Adieu！“Iendedbrusquely:

“But，monsieur-“shebegan。

“Letmego。”Icommandedalmostroughly，asIshookmyarmfreeofhergrasp。

“Bethinkyouthatyouareexhausted。Ifyougoforthnow，monsieur，youwillassuredlybetaken。Youmustnotgo。”

Ilaughedsoftly，andwithsomebitterness，too，forIwasangrywithmyself。

“Hush，child。”Isaid。“Betterso，ifitistobe。”

AndwiththatIdrewasidethecurtainsandpushedtheleavesofthewindowapart。Sheremainedstandingintheroom，watchingme，herfacepale，andhexeyespainedandpuzzled。

OnelastglanceIgaveherasIbestrodetherailofherbalcony。

ThenIloweredmyselfasIhadascended。Iwashangingbymyhands，seekingwithmyfootforthecopingofthewindowbeneathme，when，suddenly，therecameabuzzinginmyears。Ihadafleetingvisionofawhitefigureleaningonthebalconyaboveme;thenaveilseemeddrawnovermyeyes;therecameasenseoffalling;arushasofatempestuouswind;then-nothing。

CHAPTERV

THEVICOMTEDELAVEDAN

WhennextIawakened，itwastofindmyselfabedinanelegantapartment，spaciousandsunlit，thatwasutterlystrangetome。

ForsomesecondsIwascontenttolieandtakenocountofmywhereabouts。Myeyestravelledidlyoverthehandsomefurnishingsofthatchoicelyappointedchamber，andrestedatlastuponthelean，crookedfigureofamanwhosebackwastowardsmeandwhowasbusywithsomephialsatatablenotfardistant。Thenrecollectionawakenedalsoinme，andIsetmywitstoworktograpplewithmysurroundings。Ilookedthroughtheopenwindow，butfrommypositiononthebednomorewasvisiblethantheblueskyandafainthazeofdistanthills。

Itaxedmymemory，andtheeventsofyesternightrecurredtome。

Irememberedthegirl，thebalcony，andmyflightendinginmygiddinessandmyfall。Hadtheybroughtmeintothatsamechateau，or-Orwhat？Nootherpossibilitycametosuggestitself，and，seeingscantneedtotaxmybrainswithspeculation，sincetherewasonethereofwhomImightaskthequestion-

“Hola，mymaster！“Icalledtohim，andasIdidsoIessayedtomove。Theactwrungasharpcryofpainfromme。Myleftshoulderwasnumbandsore，butinmyrightfootthatsuddenmovementhadrousedasharperpang。

Atmycrythatlittlewizenedoldmanswung’suddenlyround。Hehadthefaceofabirdofprey，yellowasalouisd’orwithagreathookednose，andapairofbeadyblackeyesthatobservedmesolemnly。Themouthalonewastheredeemingfeatureinacountenancethathadotherwisebeenevil;itwasinstinctwithgood-humour。ButIhadsmallleisuretoobservehimthen，forsimultaneouslywithhisturningtherehadbeenanothermovementatmybedside，whichdrewmyeyeselsewhere。Agentleman，richlydressed，andofanimposingheight，approachedme。

“Youareawake，monsieur？”hesaidinahalfinterrogativetone。

“WillyoudomethefavourtotellmewhereIam，monsieur？”quothI。

“Youdonotknow？YouareatLavedan。IamtheVicomtedeLavedan-atyourservice。”

AlthoughitwasnomorethanImighthaveexpected，yetadullwonderfilledme，towhichpresentlyIgaveexpressionbyaskingstupidly-

“AtLavedan？ButhowcameIhither？”

“HowyoucameismorethanIcantell。”helaughed。“ButI’llsweartheKing’sdragoonswerenotfarbehindyou。Wefoundyouinthecourtyardlastnight;inaswoonofexhaustion，woundedintheshoulder，andwithasprainedfoot。Itwasmydaughterwhogavethealarmandcalledustoyourassistance。Youwerelyingunderherwidow。”Then，seeingthegrowingwonderinmyeyesandmisconstruingitintoalarm:“Nay，havenofear，monsieur。”hecried。“Youwereverywelladvisedincomingtous。Youhavefallenamongfriends。

WeareOrleaniststoo，-atLavedan，forallthatIwasnotinthefightatCastelnaudary。Thatwasnofaultofmine。HisGrace’smessengerreachedmeoverlate，andforallthatIsetoutwithacompanyofmymen，IputbackwhenIhadreachedLautrecuponhearingthatalreadyadecisivebattlehadbeenfoughtandthatoursidehadsufferedacrushingdefeat。”Heutteredawearysigh。

“Godhelpus，monsieur！MonseigneurdeRichelieuislikelytohavehiswaywithus。Butletthatbeforthepresent。Youarehere，andyouaresafe。AsyetnosuspicionrestsonLavedan。Iwas，asIhavesaid，toolateforthefight，andsoIcamequietlybacktosavemyskin，thatImightservetheCauseinwhateverotherwaymightofferstill。InshelteringyouIamservingGastond’Orleans，and，thatImaycontinuesotodo，Ipraythatsuspicionmaycontinuetoignoreme。IftheyweretolearnofitatToulouseorofhowwithmoneyandinotherwaysIhavehelpedthisrebellion-ImakenodoubtthatmyheadwouldbetheforfeitIshouldbeaskedtopay。”

Iwasaghastatthefreedomoftreasonablespeechwithwhichthisverydebonnairegentlemanventuredtoaddressanutterstranger。

“Buttellme，MonsieurdeLesperon。”resumedmyhost，“howisitwithyou？”

Istartedinfreshastonishment。

“How-howdoyouknowthatIamLesperon？”Iasked。

“Mafoil“helaughed，“doyouimagineIhadspokensounreservedlytoamanofwhomIknewnothing？Thinkbetterofme，monsieur，I

beseechyou。Ifoundtheselettersinyourpocketlastnight，andtheirsuperscriptiongavemeyouridentity。Yournameiswellknowntome。”headded。“MyfriendMonsieurdeMarsachasoftenspokenofyouandofyourdevotiontotheCause，anditaffordsmenolittlesatisfactiontobeofsomeservicetoonewhombyreputeI

havealreadylearnedtoesteem。”

Ilaybackonmypillows，andIgroaned。Herewasapredicament！

MistakingmeforthatmiserablerebelIhadsuccouredatMirepoix，andwhoselettersIboreuponmethatImightrestorethemtosomeonewhosenamehehadfailedtogivemeatthelastmoment，theVicomtedeLavedanhadpouredthedamningstoryofhistreasonintomyears。

WhatifIwerenowtoenlightenhim？WhatifIweretotellhimthatIwasnotLesperon-norebelat，all，infact-butMarceldeBardelys，theKing’sfavourite？ThathewouldaccountmeaspyI

hardlythought;butassuredlyhewouldseethatmylifemustbeadangertohisown;hemustfearbetrayalfromme;andtoprotecthimselfhewouldbejustifiedintakingextrememeasures。Rebelswerenotaddictedtoanexcessofnicenessintheirmethods，anditwasmorelikelythatIshouldrisenomorefromtheluxuriousbedonwhichhishospitalityhadlaidme。ButevenifIhadexaggeratedmatters，andtheVicomtewerenotquitesobloodthirstyaswasusualwithhisorder，evenifhechosetoacceptmypromisethatIwouldforgetwhathehadsaid，hemustnevertheless-inviewofhisindiscretion-demandmyinstantwithdrawalfromLavedan。Andwhat，then，ofmywagerwithChatellerault？

Then，inthinkingofmywager，IcametothinkofRoxalanneherself-thatdainty，sweet-facedchildintowhosechamberIhadpenetratedonthepreviousnight。AndwouldyoubelieveitthatI-thesatiated，cynical，unbelievingBardelys——experienceddismayattheverythoughtofleavingLavedanfornootherreasonthanbecauseitinvolvedseeingnomoreofthatprovincialdamsel？

Myunwillingnesstobedrivenfromherpresencedeterminedmetostay。IhadcometoLavedanasLesperon，afugitiverebel。InthatcharacterIhadallbutannouncedmyselflastnighttoMademoiselle。

InthatcharacterIhadbeenwelcomedbyherfather。Inthatcharacter，then，Imustremain，thatImightbenearher，thatI

mightwooandwinher，andthus-thoughthis，Iswear，hadnowbecomeaminorconsiderationwithme-makegoodmyboastandwinthewagerthatmustotherwiseinvolvemyruin。

AsIlaybackwithclosedeyesandgavemyselfovertoponderingthesituation，Itookapleasureoddlysweetintheprospectofurgingmysuitundersuchcircumstances。Chatelleraulthadgivenmeafreehand。IwastogoaboutthewooingofMademoiselledeLavedanasIchose。Buthehadcastitatmeindefiancethatnotwithallmymagnificence，notwithallmyretinueandallmystatetodazzleher，shouldIsucceedinmeltingthecoldestheartinFrance。

Andnow，behold！Ihadcastfrommealltheseoutwardembellishments;Icamewithoutpomp，denudedofeveryemblemofwealth，ofeverysignofpower;asapoorfugitivegentleman，I

came，hunted，proscribed，andpenniless-forLesperon’sestatewouldassuredlysuffersequestration。Towinherthuswould，bymyfaith，beanexploitImighttakepridein，aworthyachievementtoencompass。

AndsoIleftthingsastheywere，andsinceIofferednodenialtotheidentitythatwasthrustuponme，asLesperonIcontinuedtobeknowntotheVicomteandtohisfamily。

PresentlyhecalledtheoldmantomybedsideandIheardthemtalkingofmycondition。

“Youthink，then，Anatole。”hesaidintheend，“thatinthreeorfourdaysMonsieurdeLesperonmaybeabletorise？”

“Iamassuredofit。”repliedtheoldservant。

Whereupon，turningtome，“Bethereforeofgoodcourage，monsieur。”

saidLavedan，“foryourhurt，is，nonesogrievousafterall。”

IwasmutteringmythanksandmyassurancesthatIwasinexcellentspirits，whenweweresuddenlydisturbedbyarumblingnoiseasofdistantthunder。

“MortDieu！“sworetheVicomte，alookofalarmcomingintohisface。Withabenthead，hestood，ina，listeningattitude。

“Whatisit？”Iinquired。

“Horsemen-onthedrawbridge。”heansweredshortly。“Atroop，bythesound。”

Andthen，inconfirmationofthesewords，followedastampingandrattleofhoofsontheflagsofthecourtyardbelow。Theoldservantstoodwringinghishandsinhelplessterror，andwailing，“Monsieur，monsieur！“

ButtheVicomtecrossedrapidlytothewindowandlookedout。Thenhelaughedwithintenserelief;aridinawonderingvoice“Theyarenottroopers。”heannounced。“Theyhavemoretheairofacompanyofservantsinprivatelivery;andthereisacarriage-padieu，twocarriages！“

AtoncethememoryofRodenardandmyfollowersoccurredtome，andIthankedHeaventhatIwasabedwherehemightnotseeme，andthatthushewouldprobablybesentforthempty-handedwiththenewsthathismasterwasneitherarrivednorexpected。

ButinthatsurmiseIwenttoofast。Ganymedewasofatenaciousmettle，andofthishenowaffordedproof。UponlearningthatnaughtwasknownoftheMarquisdeBardelysatLavedan，myfaithfulhenchmanannouncedhisintentiontoremainthereandawaitme，sincethatwas，heassuredtheVicomte，mydestination。

“Myfirstimpulse。”saidLavedan，whenlaterhecametotellmeofit，“wasincontinentlytoorderhisdeparture。ButuponconsideringthematterandrememberinghowhighinpowerandintheKing’sfavourstandsthatmonstrouslibertineBardelys，Ideemeditwisertoaffordsheltertothisoutrageousretinue。Hissteward-aflabby，insolentcreature-saysthatBardelysleftthemlastnightnearMirepoix，toridehither，biddingthemfollowto-day。Curiousthatweshouldhavenonewsofhim！ThatheshouldhavefallenintotheGaronneanddrownedhimselfweretoogreatagoodfortunetobehopedfor。”

ThebitternesswithwhichhespokeofmeaffordedmeamplecauseforcongratulationthatIhadresolvedtoaccepttheroleofLesperon。

Yet，rememberingthatmyfatherandhehadbeengoodfriends，hismannerleftmenonplussed。Whatcausecouldhehaveforthisanimositytotheson？CoulditbemerelymypositionatCourtthatmademeseeminhisrebeleyesanaturalenemy？

“YouareacquaintedwiththisBardelys？”Iinquired，bywayofdrawinghim。

“Iknewhisfather。”heansweredgruffly。“Anhonest，uprightgentleman。”

“Andtheson。”Iinquiredtimidly，“hashenoneofthesevirtues？”

“Iknownotwhatvirtueshemayhave;hisvicesareknowntoalltheworld。Heisalibertine，agambler，arake，aspendthrift。

TheysayheisoneoftheKing’sfavourites，andthathismonstrousextravaganceshaveearnedforhimthetitleof’Magnificent。”

Heutteredashortlaugh。“AfitservantforsuchamasterasLouistheJust！“

“MonsieurleVicomte。”saidI，warminginmyowndefence，“Iswearyoudohiminjustice。Heisextravagant，butthenheisrich;heisalibertine，butthenheisyoung，andhehasbeenrearedamonglibertines;heisagamester，butpunctiliouslyhonourableatplay。

Believeme，monsieur，IhavesomeacquaintancewithMarceldeBardelys，andhisvicesarehardlysoblackasisgenerallybelieved;

whilstinhisfavourIthinkthesamemaybesaidthatyouhavejustsaidofhisfather-heisanhonest，uprightgentleman。”

“AndthatdisgracefulaffairwiththeDuchessedeBourgogne？”

inquiredLavedan，withtheairofamansettinganunanswerablequestion。

“MonDieu！“Icried，“willtheworldneverforgetthatindiscretion？

Anindiscretionofyouth，nodoubtmuchexaggeratedoutsideCourtcircles。”

TheVicomteeyedmeinsomeastonishmentforamoment。

“MonsieurdeLesperon。”hesaidatlength，“youappeartoholdthisBardelysinhighesteem。Hehasastaunchsupporterinyouandastoutadvocate。Yetmeyoucannotconvince。”Andheshookhisheadsolemnly。“EvenifIdidnotholdhimtobesuchamanasIhavepronouncedhim，butweretoaccounthimaparagonofallthevirtues，hiscominghitherremainsanactthatImustresent。”

“Butwhy，MonsieurleVicomte？”

“BecauseIknowtheerrand:thatbringshimtoLavedan。Hecomestowoomydaughter。”

Hadheflungabombintomy，bed，hecouldnotmoreeffectivelyhavestartledme。

“Itastonishesyou，eh？”helaughedbitterly。“ButIcanassureyouthatitisso。AmonthagoIwasvisitedbytheComtedeChatellerault-anotherofHisMajesty’sfinefavourites。Hecameunbidden;offerednoreasonforhiscoming，savethathewasmakingatouroftheprovinceforhisamusement。Hisacquaintancewithmewasoftheslightest，andIhadnodesirethatitshouldincrease;yethereheinstalledhimselfwithacoupleofservants，andbadefairtotakealongstay。

“Iwassurprised，butonthemorrowIhadanexplanation。Acourier，arrivingfromanoldfriendofmineatCourt，boremealetterwiththeinformationatMonsieurdeChatelleraultwascometoLavedanattheKing’sinstigationtosueformydaughter’shandinmarriage。

Thereasonswerenotfartoseek。TheKing，wholoveshim，wouldenrichhim;theeasiestwayisbyawealthyalliance，andRoxalanneisaccountedanheiress。Inadditiontothat，myownpowerintheprovinceisknown，whilstmydefectiononfromtheCardinalistpartyisfeared。WhatbetterlinkwherewithtoattachmeagaintothefortunesoftheCrown-forCrownandMitrehavegrowntobesynonymousinthistopsy-turvyFrance-thantowedmydaughtertooneoftheKing’sfavourites？

“Butforthattimelywarning，Godknowswhat，mischiefhadbeenwrought。Asitwas，MonsieurdeChatelleraulthadbutseenmydaughterupontwooccasions。OntheverydaythatIreceivedthetidings。Ispeakof，IsenthertoAuchtothecareofsomerelativesofhermother’s。Chatelleraultremainedaweek。Then，growingrestive，heaskedwhenmydaughterwouldreturn。’Whenyoudepart，monsieur;’Iansweredhim，and，beingpressedforreasons，Idealtsofranklywithhimthatwithintwenty-fourhourshewasonhiswaybacktoParis。”

TheVicomtepausedandtookaturnintheapartment，whilstI

ponderedhiswords，whichwerebringingmeacuriousrevelation。

Presentlyheresumed。

“Andnow，Chatelleraulthavingfailedinhispurpose，theKingchoosesamoredangerouspersonforthegratifyingofhisdesires。

HesendstheMarquis，MarceldeBardelystoLavedanonthesamebusiness。NodoubtheattributesChatellerault’sfailuretoclumsiness，andhehasdecidedthistimetochooseamanfamedforcourtlyaddressandgiftedwithsuchartsofdalliancethathecannotfailbutenmeshmydaughterinthem。ItisagreatcomplimentthathepaysusinsendinghitherthehandsomestandmostaccomplishedgentlemanofallhisCourt-sofamehasit-yetitisacomplimentofwhoseflatteryIamnotsensible。Bardelysgoeshenceasempty-handedaswentChatellerault。Lethimbutshowhisface，andmydaughterjourneystoAuchagain。AmInotwelladvised，MonsieurdeLesperon？”

“Why，yes。”Iansweredslowly，afterthemannerofonewhodeliberates，“ifyouarepersuadedthatyourconclusionstouchingBardelysarecorrect。”

“Iammorethanpersuaded。WhatotherbusinesscouldbringhimtoLavedan？”

ItwasaquestionthatIdidnotattempttoanswer。Haplyhedidnotexpectmetoanswerit。Heleftmefreetoponderanotherissueofthissamebusinessofwhichmymindwasbecomeveryfull。

Chatelleraulthadnotdealtfairlywithme。Often，sinceIhadleftParis，hadImarvelledthathecametobesorashastoriskhisfortuneuponamatterthatturneduponawoman’swhim。ThatI

possessedundeniableadvantagesofperson，ofbirth，andofwealth，Chatelleraultcouldnothavedisregarded。Yetthese，andthepossibilitythattheymightsufficetoengagethislady’saffections，heappearedtohavesetatnaughtwhenheplungedintothatrashwager。

HemusthaverealizedthatbecausehehadfailedwasnoreasontopresumethatImustalsofail。Therewasnoconsequenceinsuchanargument，andoften，asIhavesaid，hadImarvelledduringthepastdaysatthereadinesswithwhichChatelleraulthadflungdownthegage。NowIheldtheexplanationofit。HecountedupontheVicomtedeLavedantoreasonpreciselyashewasreasoning，andhewasconfidentthatnoopportunitieswouldbeaffordedmeofsomuchasseeingthisbeautifulandcoldRoxalanne。

Itwasawilytraphehadsetme，worthyonlyofatrickster。

Fate，however，hadtakenahandinthegame，andthecardswereredealtsinceIhadleftParis。ThegermsofthewagerpermittedmetochooseanylineofactionthatIconsidereddesirable;butDestiny，itseemed，hadchosenforme，andsetmeinalinethatshouldatleastsufficetoovercometheparentalresistance-thatbreastworkuponwhichChatelleraulthadsoconfidentlydepended。

AstherebelRenedeLesperonIwasshelteredatLavedanandmadewelcomebymyfellow-rebeltheVicomte，whoalreadyseemedmuchtakenwithme，andwhohadesteemedmebeforeseeingmefromthemuchthatMonsieurdeMarsac-whoeverhemightbe-hadtoldhimofme。AsRenedeLesperonImustremain，andturntobestaccountmysojourn，prayingGodmeanwhilethatthissameMonsieurdeMarsacmightbepleasedtorefrainfromvisitingLavedanwhilstIwasthere。

CHAPTERVI

INCONVALESCENCE

OftheweekthatfollowedmycomingtoLavedanIfindsomedifficultyinwriting。Itwasformeatimeverycrowdedwithevents-eventsthatappearedtobemouldingmycharacteranewandmakingofmeapersondifferent，indeed，fromthatMarceldeBardelyswhominParistheycalledtheMagnificent。Yettheseevents，althoughsignificantintheirtotal，wereofsovagueandslightanatureintheirdetail，thatwhenIcometowriteofthemIfindreallylittlethatImaysetdown。

Rodenardandhiscompanionsremainedfortwodaysatthechateau，andtomehissojourntherewasasourceofperpetualanxiety，forIknewnothowfarthefoolmightseefittoprolongit。ItwaswellformethatthisanxietyofminewassharedbyMonsieurdeLavedan，whodislikedatsuchatimethepresenceofmenattachedtoonewhowassonotoriouslyoftheKing’sparty。Hecameatlasttoconsultmeastowhatmeasuresmightbetakentoremovethem，andI-nothingloathtoconspirewithhimtosodesirableend-

badehimsuggesttoRodenardthatperhapsevilhadbefallenMonsieurdeBardelys，andthat，insteadofwastinghistimeatLavedan，hewerebetteradvisedtobesearchingtheprovinceforhismaster。

ThiscounseltheVicomteadopted，andwithsuchexcellentresultsthatthatveryday-withinthehour，infact-Ganymede，arousedtoasenseofhisproperduty，setoutinquestofme，notalittledisturbedinmind-forwithallhisshortcomingstherascallovedmeveryfaithfully。

ThatwasonthethirddayofmysojournatLavedan。OnthemorrowIrose，myfootbeingsufficientlyrecoveredtopermitit。Ifeltalittleweakfromlossofblood，butAnatole-who，forallhisevilcountenance，wasakindlyandgentleservantwasconfidentthatafewdays-aweekatmost-wouldseemecompletelyrestored。

OfleavingLavedanIsaidnothing。ButtheVicomte，whowasoneofthemostgenerousandnobleheartedmenthatithaseverbeenmygoodfortunetomeet，forestalledanymentionofmydeparturebyurgingthatIshouldremainatthechateauuntilmyrecoverywerecompleted，and，forthatmatter，aslongthereafterasshouldsuitmyinclinations。

“AtLavedanyouwillbesafe，myfriend。”heassuredme;“for，asI

havetoldyou，weareundernosuspicion。LetmeurgeyoutoremainuntiltheKing，shallhavedesistedfromfurtherpersecutingus。”

AndwhenIprotestedandspokeoftrespassing，hewaivedthepointwithabrusquenessthatamountedalmosttoanger。

“Believe;monsieur，thatIampleasedandhonouredatservingonewhohassostoutlyservedtheCauseandsacrificedsomuchtoit。”

Atthat，beingnotaltogetherdeadtoshame，Iwinced，andtoldmyselfthatmybehaviourwasunworthy，andthatIwaspractisingadetestabledeception。YetsomeindulgenceImayjustlyclaiminconsiderationofhowfarIwasvictimofcircumstance。DidItellhimthatIwasBardelys，IwasconvincedthatIshouldneverleavethechateaualive。Verynoble-heartedwastheVicomte，andnomanhaveIknownmoreaversetobloodthirstiness，buthehadtoldmemuchduringthedaysthatIhadlainabed，andmanyliveswouldbejeopardizeddidIproclaimwhatIhadlearnedfromhim。HenceI

arguedthatanydisclosureofmyidentitymustperforcedrivehimtoextrememeasuresforthesakeofthefriendshehadunwittinglybetrayed。

OnthedayafterRodenard’sdepartureIdinedwiththefamily，andmetagainMademoiselledeLavedan，whomIhadnotseensincethebalconyadventureof，somenightsago。TheVicomtessewasalsopresent，aladyofveryaustereandnobleappearance-leanasapikeandwithamostformidablenose-but，asIwassoontodiscover，withamindincliningovermuchtoscandalandthehigh-seasonedtalkoftheCourtsinwhichhergirlhoodhadbeenspent。

>FromherlipsIheardthatdaytheold，scandalousstoryofMonseigneurdeRichelieu’searlypassionforAnneofAustria。WithmuchunctiondidshetellushowtheQueenhadluredHisEminencetodresshimselfinthemotleyofajesterthatshemightmakeamockofhimintheeyesofthecourtiersshehadconcealedbehindthearrasofherchamber。

Thisanecdoteshegaveuswithmuchwealthofdiscreditabledetailandscantregardforeitherherdaughter’spresenceorfortheblushesthatsuffusedthepoorchild’scheeks。Ineverywayshewasapatternoftheclassofwomenamongstwhommyyouthhadbeenspent，aclasswhichhaddonesomuchtowardsshatteringmyfaithandloweringmyestimateofhersex。LavedanhadmarriedherandbroughtherintoLanguedoc，andhereshespentheryearslamentingthescenesofheryouth，andprone，itwouldseem，tomakethemmatterforconversationwheneveranewcomerchancedtopresenthimselfatthechateau。

Lookingfromhertoherdaughter，IthankedHeaventhatRoxalannewasnoreproductionofthemother。Shehadinheritedaslittleofhercharacterasofherappearance。BothinfeatureandinsoulMademoiselledeLavedanwasacopyofthatnoble，gallantgentleman，herfather。

Oneotherwaspresentatthatmeal，ofwhomIshallhavemoretosayhereafter。Thiswasayoungmanofgoodpresence，save，perhaps，atooobtrusivefoppishness，whomMonsieurdeLavedanpresentedtomeasadistantkinsmanoftheirs，oneChevalierdeSaint-Eustache。

Hewasverytall-offullymyownheight-andofanexcellentshape，althoughextremelyyoung。Buthisheadifanythingwastoosmallforhisbody，andhisgood-naturedmouthwasofaweaknessthatwasconfirmedbythesignificanceofhischin，whilsthiseyesweretoocloselysettoaugurfrankness。

Hewasapleasantfellow，seeminglyofthatnegativepleasantnessthatliesininoffensiveness，butotherwisedullandofanuntutoredmind-rustic，asmightbeexpectedinonethegreaterpartofwhoselifehadbeenspentinhisnativeprovince，andofarusticityrenderedallthemoreflagrantbytheveryeffortsheexertedtodissembleit。

ItwasaftermadamehadrelatedthatunsavouryanecdotetouchingtheCardinalthatheturnedtoaskmewhetherIwaswellacquaintedwiththeCourt。Iwasneartocommittingtheegregiousblunderoflaughinginhisface;but，recollectingmyselfbetimes，IansweredvaguelythatIhadsomeknowledgeofit，whereuponheallbutcausedmetoboundfrommychairbyaskingmehadIevermettheMagnificentBardelys。

“I-Iamacquaintedwithhim。”Iansweredwarily。“Whydoyouask？”

“Iwasremindedofhimbythefactthathisservantshavebeenherefortwodays。YouwereexpectingtheMarquishimself，wereyounot，MonsieurleVicomte？”

Lavedanraisedhisheadsuddenly，afterthemannerofamanwhohasreceivedanaffront。

“Iwasnot，Chevalier。”heanswered，withemphasis。“Hisintendant，aninsolentknaveofthenameofRodenard，informedmethatthisBardelysprojectedvisitingme。Hehasnotcome，andIdevoutlyhopethathemaynotcome。TroubleenoughhadItoridmyselfofhisservants，andbutforMonsieurdeLesperon’swell-conceivedsuggestiontheymightstillbehere。”

“Youhavenevermethim，monsieur？”inquiredtheChevalier。

“Never。”repliedourhostinsuchawaythatanybutafoolmusthaveunderstoodthathedesirednothinglessthansuchameeting。

“Adelightfulfellow。”murmuredSaint-Eustache-“abrilliant，dazzlingpersonality。”

“You-youareacquaintedwithhim？”Iasked。

“Acquainted？”echoedthatboastfulliar。“Wewereasbrothers。”

“Howyouinterestme！Andwhyhaveyounevertoldus？”quothmadame，hereyesturnedenviouslyupontheyoungman-asenviouslyaswereLavedan’sturnedindisgust。“ItisathousandpitiesthatMonsieurdeBardelyshasalteredhisplansandisnolongercomingtous。

Tomeetsuchamanistobreatheagaintheairofthegrandmonde。

Youremember;MonsieurdeLesperon，thataffairwiththeDuchessdeBourgogne？”Andshesmiledwickedlyinmydirection。

“Ihavesomerecollectionofit。”Iansweredcoldly;“ButIthinkthatrumourexaggerates。Whentongueswag，alittlerivuletisoftendescribedasamountaintorrent。”

“YouwouldnotsaysodidyoubutknowwhatIknow。”sheinformedmeroguishly。“Often，Iconfess，rumourmayswelltheimportanceofsuchanaffaire，butinthiscaseIdonotthinkthatrumourdoesitjustice。”

Imadeadeprecatorygesture，andIwouldhavehadthesubjectchanged，butereIcouldmakeanefforttothatend，thefoolSaint-Eustachewasbabblingagain。

“Youremembertheduelthatwasfoughtinconsequence，MonsieurdeLesperon？”

“Yes。”Iassentedwearily。

“Andinwhichapooryoungfellowlosthislife。”growledtheVicomte。“Itwaspracticallyamurder。”

“Nay，monsieur。”Icried，withasuddenheatthatsetthemstaringatme;“thereyoudohimwrong。MonsieurdeBardelyswasopposedtothebestbladeinFrance。Theman’sreputationasaswordsmanwasofsuchaqualitythatforatwelvemonthhehadbeenlivinguponit，doingallmannerofunseemly，thingsimmunefrompunishmentbythefearinwhichhewasuniversallyheld。Hisbehaviourintheunfortunateaffairwearediscussingwasofaparticularlyshamefulcharacter。Oh，Iknowthedetails，messieurs，Icansureyou。HethoughttoimposehisreputationuponBardelysashehadimposedituponahundredothers，butBardelyswasover-toughforhisteeth。

Hesentthatnotoriousyounggentlemanachallenge，andonthefollowingmorninghelefthimdeadinthehorsemarketbehindtheHotelVendome。Butfarfromamurder，monsieur，itwasanactofjustice，andthemostrichlyearnedpunishmentwithwhichevermanwasvisited。”

“Evenifso。”criedtheVicomteinsomesurprise，“whyallthisheattodefendabrawler？”

“Abrawler？”Irepeatedafterhim。“Oh，no。ThatisachargehisworstenemiescannotmakeagainstBardelys。Heisnobrawler。Theduelinquestionwashisfirstaffairofthekind，andithasbeenhislast，foruntohimhasclungthereputationthathadbelongeduntilthentoLaVertoile，andthereisnoneinFranceboldenoughtosendachallengetohim。”And，seeingwhatsurpriseIwasprovoking，Ithoughtitwelltoinvolveanotherwithmeinhisdefence。So，turningtotheChevalier，“Iamsure。”saidI，“thatMonsieurdeSaint-Eustachewillconfirmmywords。”

Thereupon，hisvanitybeingallaroused，theChevaliersethimselftoparaphraseallthatIhadsaidwithaheatthatcastmineintoamiserableinsignificance。

“Atleast。”laughedtheVicomteatlength，“helacksnotforchampions。Formyownpart，IamcontenttoprayHeaventhathecomenottoLavedan，asheintended。”

“Maisvoyons，Gaston。”theVicomtesseprotested，“whyharbourprejudice？Waitatleastuntilyouhaveseenhim，thatyoumayjudgehimforyourself。”

“AlreadyhaveIjudgedhim;IpraythatImay，neverseehim。”

“Theytellmeheisaveryhandsomeman。”saidshe，appealingtomeforconfirmation。Lavedanshotherasuddenglanceofalarm，atwhichIcouldhavelaughed。Hithertohissoleconcernhadbeenhisdaughter，butitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatperhapsnotevenheryearsmightsettheVicomtesseinsafetyfromimprudenceswiththisdevourerofhearts，shouldhestillchancetocomethatway。

“Madame。”Ianswered，“heisaccountednotill-favored。”AndwithadeprecatorysmileIadded，“Iamsaidsomewhattoresemblehim。”

“Sayyouso？”sheexclaimed，raisinghereyebrows，，andlookingatmemorecloselythanhitherto。Andthenitseemedtomethatintoherfacecreptashadeofdisappointment。IfthisBardelyswerenotmorebeautifulthanI，thenhewasnotnearlysobeautifulamanasshehadimagined。SheturnedtoSaint-Eustache。

“Itisindeedso，Chevalier？”sheinquired。“Doyounotetheresemblance？”

“Vanitas，vanitate。”murmuredtheyouth，whohadsomescrapsofLatinandatasteforairingthem。“Icanseenolikeness-notraceofone。MonsieurdeLesperoniswellenough，Ishouldsay。

ButBardelys！“Hecasthiseyestotheceiling。“ThereisbutoneBardelysinFrance。”

“Enfin。”Ilaughed。”youarenodoubtwellqualifiedtojudge，Chevalier。Ihadflatteredmyselfthatsomelikenessdidexist，butprobablyyouhaveseentheMarquismorefrequentlythanhaveI，andprobablyyouknowhimbetter。Nevertheless，shouldhecomehisway，Iwillaskyoutolookatussidebysideandbethejudgeoftheresemblance。”

“ShouldIhappentobehere。”hesaid，withasuddenconstraintnotdifficulttounderstand，“Ishallbehappytoactasarbiter。”

“Shouldyouhappentobehere？”Iechoedquestioningly。“Butsurely，shouldyouhearthatMonsieurdeBardelysisabouttoarrive，youwillpostponeanydepartureyoumaybeonthepointofmaking，sothatyoumayrenewthisgreatfriendshipthatyoutellusyoudotheMarquisthehonourofentertainingforhim？”

TheChevaliereyedmewiththeairofamanlookingdownfromagreatheightuponanother。TheVicomtesmiledquietlytohimselfashecombedhisfairbeardwithhisforefingerinameditativefashion，whilstevenRoxalanne-whohadsatsilentlylisteningtoaconversationthatshewasattimesmercifullysparedfromfollowingtoominutely-flashedmeahumorousglance。TotheVicomtessealonewhoincommonwithwomenofhertypewasofasingularobtuseness-

wasthesituationwithoutsignificance。

Saint-Eustache，todefendhimselfagainstmydelicateimputation，andtoshowhowwellacquaintedhewaswithBardelys，plungedatonceintoathousanddetailsofthatgentleman’smagnificence。Hedescribedhissuppers，hisretinue，hisequipages，hishouses，hischateaux，hisfavourwiththeKing，hissuccesseswiththefairsex，andIknownotwhatbesides-inallofwhichIconfessthateventometherewasacertaindegreeofnovelty。Roxalannelistenedwithanairofamusementthatshowedhowwellshereadhim。Later，whenIfoundmyselfalonewithherbytheriver，whitherwehadgoneaftertherepastandtheChevalier’sreminiscenceswereatanend，sherevertedtothatconversation。

“Isnotmycousinagreatfanfarron，monsieur。”sheasked。

“SurelyyouknowyourcousinbetterthanI。”Iansweredcautiously。

“Whyquestionmeuponhischaracter？”

“Iwashardlyquestioning;Iwascommenting。HespentafortnightinParisonce，andheaccountshimself，orwouldhaveusaccounthim，intimatewitheverycourtierattheLuxembourg。Oh，heisveryamusing，thisgoodcousin，buttiresometoo。”She，laughed，andtherewasthefaintestnoteofscornin;heramusement。“Now，touchingthisMarquisdeBardelys，itisveryplainthattheChevalierboastedwhenhesaidthattheywereasbrothers-heandtheMarquis-isitnot？HegrewillateasewhenyouremindedhimofthepossibilityoftheMarquis’svisittoLavedan。”Andshelaughedquaintlytoherself。“DoyouthinkthathesomuchasknowsBardelys？”sheaskedmesuddenly。

“Notsomuchasbysight。”Ianswered。“Heisfullofinformationconcerningthatunworthygentleman，，butitisonlyinformationthatthemeanestscullioninnParismightaffordyou，andjustasinaccurate。”

“Whydoyouspeakofhimasunworthy？Areyouofthesameopinionasmyfather？”。

“Aye，andwithbettercause。”

“Youknowhimwell？”

“Knowhim？Pardieu，heismyworstenemy。Aworn-outlibertine;

asneering，cynicalmisogynist;anauseatedreveller;ahatefulegotist。Thereisnomoreunworthyperson，I’llswear，inallFrance。Peste！Theverymemoryofthefellowmakesmesick。Letustalkofotherthings。”