第3章

ButalthoughIurgeditwiththebestwillandthebestintentionsintheworld，Iwasnottohavemyway。Theairbecamesuddenlyheavywiththescentofmusk，andtheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachestoodbeforeus，andforcedtheconversationoncemoreupontheodioustopicofMonsieurdeBardelys。

Thepoorfoolcamewithaplanofcampaigncarefullyconsidered，bentnowuponoverthrowingmewiththeknowledgehewouldexhibit，andwherebyhelookedtoencompassmyhumiliationbeforehiscousin。

“SpeakingofBardelys，MonsieurdeLesperon-“

“MydearChevalier，wewerenolongerspeakingofhim。”

Hesmileddarkly。“Letusspeakofhim，then。”

“Butaretherenotathousandmoreinterestingthingsthatwemightspeakof？”

Thishetookforafreshsignoffear，andsohepressedwhatheaccountedhisadvantage。

“Yethavepatience;thereisapointonwhichperhapsyoucangivemesomeinformation。”

“Impossible。”saidI。

“AreyouacquaintedwiththeDuchessedeBourgogne？”

“Iwas。”Iansweredcasually，andascasuallyIadded，“Areyou？”

“Excellentlywell。”herepliedunhesitatingly。“IwasinParisatthetimeofthescandalwithBardelys。”

Ilookedupquickly。

“Wasitthenthatyoumether？”Iinquiredinanidlesortofway。

“Yes。IwasintheconfidenceofBardelys，andonenightafterwehadsuppedathishotel-oneofthosesuppersgracedbyeverywitinParis-heaskedmeifIweremindedtoaccompanyhimtotheLouvre。Wewent。Amasquewasinprogress。”

“Ah。”saidI，afterthemannerofonewhosuddenlytakesintheentiresituation;“anditwasatthismasquethatyoumettheDuchesse？”

“Youhaveguessedit。Ah，monsieur，ifIweretotellyouofthethingsthatIwitnessedthatnight，theywouldamazeyou。”saidhe，withagreatairandacasualglanceatMademoiselletoseeintowhatdepthofwondertheseglimpsesintohiswickedpastwereplungingher。

“Idoubtitnot。”saidI，thinkingthatifhisimaginationwereasfertileinthatconnectionasithadbeeninminehewaslikely，indeed，tohavesomeamazingthingstotell。“ButdoIunderstandyoutosaythatthatwasthetimeofthescandalyouhavetouchedupon？”

“Thescandalburstthreedaysafterthatmasque。Itcameasasurprisetomostpeople。Asforme-fromwhatBardelyshadtoldme-Iexpectednothingless。”

“Pardon，Chevalier，buthowolddoyouhappentobe？”

“Acuriousquestionthat。”saidhe，knittinghisbrows。

“Perhaps。Butwillyounotanswerit？”

“Iamtwenty-one。”saidhe。“Whatofit？”

“Youaretwenty，moncousin。”Roxalannecorrectedhim。

Helookedatherasecondwithaninjuredair。

“Why，true-twenty！Thatisso。”heacquiesced;andagain，“whatofit？”hedemanded。

“Whatofit，monsieur？”Iechoed。“WillyouforgivemeifI

expressamazementatyourprecocity，andcongratulateyouuponit？”

Hisbrowswentifpossibleclosertogetherandhisfacegrewveryred。Heknewthatsomewhereapitfallawaitedhim，yethardlywhere。

“Idonotunderstandyou。”

“Bethinkyou，Chevalier。Tenyearshaveflownsincethisscandalyoureferto。SothatatthetimeofyoursuppingwithBardelysandthewitsofParis，atthetimeofhismakingaconfidantofyouandcarryingyouofftoamasqueattheLouvre，atthetimeofhispresentingyoutotheDuchessedeBourgogne，youwerejusttenyearsofage。Ineverhadcausetothinkover-wellofBardelys，buthadyounottoldmeyourself，Ishouldhavehesitatedtobelievehimsovileadespoilerofinnocence，suchaperverterofyouth。”

Hecrimsonedtotheveryrootsofhishair。

Roxalannebrokeintoalaugh。“Mycousin，mycousin。”shecried，“theythatwouldbecomemastersshouldbeginearly，isitnotso？”

“MonsieurdeLesperon。”saidhe，inaveryformalvoice，“doyouwishmetoapprehendthatyouhaveputmethroughthiscatechismforthepurposeofcastingadoubtuponwhatIhavesaid？”

“ButhaveIdonethat？HaveIcastadoubt？”Iasked，withtheutmostmeekness。

“SoIapprehend。”

“Thenyouapprehendamiss。Yourwords，Iassureyou，admitofnodoubtwhatever。Andnow，monsieur，ifyouwillhavemercyuponme，wewilltalkofotherthings。IamsowearyofthisunfortunateBardelysandhisaffairs。HemaybethefashionofParisandatCourt，butdownherehisverynamebefoulstheair。Mademoiselle。”

Isaid，turningtoRoxalanne，“youpromisedmealessonintheloreofflowers。”

“Come，then。”saidshe，and，beinganexceedinglywisechild，sheplungedstraightwayintothehistoryoftheshrubsaboutus。

Thusdidweavertastormthatforamomentwasveryimminent。Yetsomemischiefwasdone，andsomegood，too，perhaps。ForifImadeanenemyoftheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachebyhumblinghimintheeyesoftheonewomanbeforewhomhesoughttoshine，Iestablishedabond’twixtRoxalanneandmyselfbythatsamehumiliationofafoolishcoxcomb，whoseboastfulnesshadlongweariedher。

CHAPTERVII

THEHOSTILITYOFSAINT-EUSTACHE

InthedaysthatfollowedIsawmuchoftheChevalierdeSaint-Eustache。HewasaveryconstantvisitoratLavedan，andthereasonofitwasnotfartoseek。Formyownpart，Idislikedhim-IhaddonesofromthemomentwhenfirstIhadseteyesonhim-andsincehatred，likeaffection，isoftenamatterofreciprocity，theChevalierwasnotslowtoreturnmydislike。Ourmannergradually，byalmostimperceptiblestages，grewmoredistant，untilbytheendofaweekithadbecomesohostilethatLavedanfoundoccasiontocommentuponit。

“BewareofSaint-Eustache。”hewarnedme。“Youarebecomingverymanifestlydistastefultoeachother，andIwouldurgeyoutohaveacare。Idon’ttrusthim。HisattachmenttoourCauseisofalukewarmcharacter，andhegivesmeuneasiness，forhemaydomuchharmifheissoinclined。ItisonthisaccountthatItoleratehispresenceatLavedan。Frankly，Ifearhim，andIwouldcounselyoutodonoless。Themanisaliar，evenifbutaboastfulliarandliarsareneverlongoutofmischief。”

Thewisdomofthewordswasunquestionable，buttheadviceinthemwasnoteasilyfollowed，particularlybyonewhosepositionwassopeculiarasmyown。InawayIhadlittlecausetofeartheharmtheChevaliermightdome，butIwasimpelledtoconsidertheharmthatatthesametimehemightdotheVicomte。

Despiteourgrowingenmity，theChevalierandIwereveryfrequentlythrowntogether。Thereasonforthiswas，ofcourse，thatwhereverRoxalannevastobefoundthere，generally，werewebothtobefoundalso。YethadIadvantagesthatmusthavegonetoswellarancourbasedasmuchuponjealousyasanyothersentiment，forwhilsthewasbutadailyvisitoratLavedan，Iwasestablishedthereindefinitely。

OftheusethatImadeofthattimeIfinditdifficulttospeak。

>FromthefirstmomentthatIhadbeheldRoxalanneIhadrealizedthetruthofChatellerault’sassertionthatIhadneverknownawoman。Hewasright。ThosethatIhadmetandbywhomIhadjudgedthesexhad，bycontrastwiththischild，littleclaimtothetitle。VirtueIhadaccountedashadowwithoutsubstance;

innocence，asynonymforignorance;love，afable，afairytaleforthedelectationofovergrownchildren。

InthecompanyofRoxalannedeLavedanallthoseold，cynicalbeliefs，builtupuponayouthofundesirableexperiences，wereshatteredandtheerrorofthemexposed。SwiftlywasIbecomingaconverttothefaithwhichsolongIhadsneeredat，andaslovesickasanyunfledgedyouthinhisfirstamour。

Dame！ItwassomethingforamanwhohadlivedasIhadlivedtohavehispulsesquickenandhiscolourchangeatamaid’sapproach;

tofindhimselfcolouringunderhersmileandpalingunderherdisdain;tohavehismindrunningonrhymes，andhissoulsoenslavedthat，ifsheisnottobewon，chagrinwilldislodgeitfromhisbody。

Herewasafinemoodforamanwhohadentereduponhisbusinessbypledginghimselftowinandwedthisgirlincoldandsupremeindifferencetoherpersonality。Andthatpledge，howIcurseditduringthosedaysatLavedan！HowIcursedChatellerault，cunning，subtletricksterthathewas！HowIcursedmyselfformylackofchivalryandhonourinhavingbeenluredsoeasilyintosodamnableabusiness！Forwhenthememoryofthatwagerrosebeforemeitbroughtdespairinitstrain。HadIfoundRoxalannethesortofwomanthatIhadlookedtofind-theonlysortthatIhadeverknown-thenmattershadbeeneasy。Ihadsetmyselfincoldblood，andbysuchwilesasIknew，towinsuchaffectionasmightbeherstobestow;andIwouldhavemarriedherinmuchthesamespiritasamanperformsanyotherofthenecessaryactsofhislifetimeandstation。IwouldhavetoldherthatIwasBardelys，andtothewomanthatIhadexpectedtofindtherehadbeennodifficultyinmakingtheconfession。ButtoRoxalanne！Hadtherebeennowager，Imighthaveconfessedmyidentity。Asitwas，Ifounditimpossibletoavowtheonewithouttheother。Forthesweetinnocencethatinvestedhergentle，trustingsoulmusthavegivenpausetoanybutthemostabandonedofmenbeforecommittingavilenessinconnectionwithher。

Weweremuchtogetherduringthatweek，andjustasdaybyday，hourbyhour，mypassiongrewandgrewuntilitabsorbedmeutterly，so，too，diditseemtomethatitawakenedinheraresponsivenote。

Therewasanoddlightattimesinhersofteyes;Icameuponhermorethanoncewithsnatchesoflove-songsonherlips，andwhenshesmileduponmetherewasasweettendernessinhersmile，which，hadthingsbeendifferent，wouldhavegladdenedmysoulbeyondallelse;

butwhich，thingsbeingastheywere，wasratherwonttoheightenmydespair。Iwasnocoxcomb;Ihadhadexperiences，andIknewthesesigns。Butsomething，too，IguessedoftheheartofsuchaoneasRoxalanne。TothefullIrealizedthepainandshareIshouldinflictuponherwhenmyconfessioncame;Irealized，too，howtheloveofthisdearchild，sohonourableandhighofmind，mustturntocontemptandscornwhenIpluckedawaymymask，andletherseehowpooracountenanceIworebeneath。

AndyetIdriftedwiththetideofthings。Itwasmyhabitsotodrift，andthehabitofalifetimeisnottobesetatnaughtinadaybyaresolve，howeverfirm。AscoreoftimeswasIremindedthatanevilisbutincreasedbybeingignored。Ascoreoftimesconfessiontrembledonmylips，andIburnedtotellhereverythingfromitsinception-theenvironmentthathaderstwhilewarpedme，thehonestybywhichIwasnowinspired-andsocastmyselfuponthemercyofherbelief。

Shemightacceptmystory，and，attachingcredittoit，forgivemethedeceptionIhadpractised，andrecognizethegreattruththatmustringoutin，theavowalofmylove。But，ontheotherhand，shemightnotacceptit;shemightdeemmyconfessionashrewdpartofmyscheme，andthedreadofthatkeptmesilentdaybyday。

FullydidIseehowwitheveryhourthatspedconfessionbecamemoreandmoredifficult。Thesoonerthethingweredone，thegreaterthelikelihoodofmybeingbelieved;thelaterIleftit，themoreprobablewasitthatIshouldbediscredited。Alas！

Bardelys，itseemed，hadaddedcowardicetohisothershort-comings。

AsforthecoldnessofRoxalanne，thatwasaprettyfableofChatellerault’s;orelsenomorethananassumption，aninventionoftheimaginativeLaFosse。Far，indeed，fromit，Ifoundnoarroganceorcoldnessinher。Allunversedintheartificesofhersex，allunacquaintedwiththewilesofcoquetry，shewastheveryincarnationofnaturalnessandmaidenlysimplicity。Tothetalesthat-withmanyexpurgations-ItoldherofCourtlife，tothepicturesthatIdrewofParis，theLuxembourg，theLouvre，thePalaisCardinal，andthecourtiersthatthrongedthosehistoricpalaces，shelistenedavidlyandenthralled;andmuchasOthellowontheheartofDesdemonabyarecitaloftheperilshehadendured，soitseemedtomewasIwinningtheheartofRoxalannebytellingherofthethingsthatIhadseen。

OnceortwicesheexpressedwonderatthedepthandintimacyoftheknowledgeofsuchmattersexhibitedbyasimpleGascongentleman，whereuponIwouldurge，inexplanation，theappointmentintheGuardsthatLesperonhadheldsomefewyearsagoapositionthatwillrevealmuchtoanobservantman。

TheVicomtenotedourgrowingintimacy，yetsetnorestraintuponit。DowninhisheartIbelievethatnoblegentlemanwouldhavebeenwellpleasedhadmattersgonetoextremesbetweenus，forhoweverimpoverishedhemightdeemmeLesperon’sestatesinGasconybeing，asIhavesaid，likelytosuffersequestrationinviewofhistreason-herememberedthecausesofthisandthedeepdevotionofthemanIimpersonatedtotheaffairsofGastond’Orleans。

Again，hefearedtheveryobviouscourtshipoftheChevalierdeSaint-Eustache，andhewouldhavewelcomedaturnofeventsthatwouldeffectuallyhavefrustratedit。ThathedidnothimselfinterferesofarastheChevalier’swooingwasconcerned，IcouldbutsetdowntothemistrustofSaint-Eustache-amountingalmosttofear-ofwhichhehadspoken。

AsfortheVicomtesse，thesamecausesthathadwonmesomeofthedaughter’sregardgainedmealsonolittleofthemother’s。

ShehadbeenattachedtotheChevalieruntilmycoming。ButwhatdidtheChevalierknowofthegreatworldcomparedwithwhatI

couldtell？Herloveofscandaldrewhertomewithinquiriesuponthispersonandthatperson，manyofthembutnamestoher。

Myknowledgeandwealthofdetail-forallthatIcurbeditlestIshouldseemtoknowtoomuch-delightedherprurientsoul。Hadshebeenmoremotherly，thissameknowledgethatIexhibitedshouldhavemadeherponderwhatmanneroflifeIhadled，andshouldhaveinspiredhertoaccountmenofitcompanionforherdaughter。Butaselfishwoman，littleinclinedtobeplaguedbytheconcernsofanother-evenwhenthatotherwasherdaughter-sheleftthingstothedestructivecoursethattheywereshaping。

Andsoeverything-ifweexceptperhapstheChevalierdeSaint-Eustacheconspiredtotheadvancementofmysuit，inamannerthatmusthavemadeChatelleraultgrindhisteethinrageifhecouldhavewitnessedit，butwhichmademegrindmineindespairwhenIponderedthesituationindetail。

Oneevening-Ihadbeentendaysatthechateau-wewentahalf-leagueorsouptheGaronneinaboat，sheandI。Aswewerereturning，driftingwiththestream，theoarsidleinmyhand，I

spokeofleavingLavedan。

Shelookedupquickly;herexpressionwasalmostofalarm，andhereyesdilatedastheymetmine-for，asIhavesaid，shewasallunversedinthewaysofhersex，andbynaturetooguilelesstoattempttodisguiseherfeelingsordissemblethem。

“Butwhymustyougososoon？”sheasked。“YouaresafeatLavedan，andabroadyoumaybeindanger。ItwasbuttwodaysagothattheytookapooryounggentlemanofthesepartsatPau;sothatyouseethepersecutionisnotyetended。Areyou“-andhervoicetrembledeversoslightly-“areyouwearyofus，monsieur？”

Ishookmyheadatthat，andsmiledwistfully。

“Weary？”Iechoed。“Surely，mademoiselle，youdonotthinkit？

Surelyyourheartmusttellyousomethingverydifferent？”

Shedroppedhereyesbeforethepassionofmygaze。Andwhenpresentlysheansweredme，therewasnoguileinherwords;therewerethedictatesoftheintuitionsofhersex，andnothingmore。

“Butitispossible，monsieur。Youareaccustomedtothegreatworld-“

“ThegreatworldofLesperon，inGascony？”Iinterrupted。

“No，no;thegreatworldyouhaveinhabitedatParisandelsewhere。

IcanunderstandthatatLavedanyoushouldfindlittleofinterest，and-andthatyourinactivityshouldrenderyouimpatienttobegone。”

“Ifthereweresolittletointerestmethenitmightbeasyousay。

But，oh，mademoiselle-“Iceasedabruptly。Fool！Ihadalmostfallenapreytotheseductionsthatthetimeaffordedme。Thebalmy，languorouseventide，thebroad，smoothriverdownwhichweglided，thefoliage，theshadowsonthewater，herpresence，andourisolationamidsuchsurroundings，hadalmostblottedoutthematterofthewagerandofmyduplicity。

Shelaughedalittlenervouslaugh，and-maybetoeasethetensionthatmysuddensilencehadbegotten-“Yousee。”shesaid，“howyourimaginationdesertsyouwhenyouseektodrawuponitforproofofwhatyouprotest。Youwereabouttotellmeof-oftheintereststhatholdyouatLavedan，andwhenyoucometoponderthem，youfindthatyoucanthinkofnothing。Isit-isitnotso？”Sheputthequestionverytimidly，asifhalfafraidoftheanswershemightprovoke。

“No;itisnotso。”Isaid。

Ipausedamoment，andinthatmomentIwrestledwithmyself。

Confessionandavowal-confessionofwhatIhadundertaken，andavowalofthelovethathadsounexpectedlycometome-trembleduponmylips，tobedrivenshudderingawayinfear。

HaveInotsaidthatthisBardelyswasbecomeacoward？Thenmycowardicesuggestedacoursetome-flight。IwouldleaveLavedan。

IwouldreturntoParisandtoChatellerault，owningdefeatandpayingmywager。Itwastheonlycourseopentome。Myhonour，sotardilyaroused，demandednoless。Yet，notsomuchbecauseofthatasbecauseitwassuddenlyrevealedtomeastheeasiercourse，didIdeterminetopursueit。WhatthereaftermightbecomeofmeIdidnotknow，norinthathourofmyheart’sagonydiditseemtomatterovermuch。

“Thereismuch，mademoiselle，much，indeed，toholdmefirmlyatLavedan。”Ipursuedatlast。“Butmy-myobligationsdemandofmethatIdepart。”

“YoumeantheCause。”shecried。“But，believeme，youcandonothing。

Tosacrificeyourselfcannotprofitit。InfinitelybetteryoucanservetheDukebywaitinguntilthetimeisripeforanotherblow。

AndhowcanyoubetterpreserveyourlifethanbyremainingatLavedanuntilthepersecutionsareatanend？”

“IwasnotthinkingoftheCause，mademoiselle，butofmyselfalone-

ofmyownpersonalhonour。IwouldthatIcouldexplain;butIamafraid。”Iendedlamely。

“Afraid？”sheechoed，nowraisinghereyesinwonder。

“Aye，afraid。Afraidofyourcontempt，ofyourscorn。”

ThewonderinherglanceincreasedandaskedaquestionthatIcouldnotanswer。Istretchedforward，andcaughtoneofthehandslyingidleinherlap。

“Roxalanne。”Imurmuredverygently，andmytone，mytouch，andtheuseofhernamedrovehereyesforrefugebehindtheirlidsagain。

Aflushspreadupontheivorypallorofherface，tofadeasswiftly，leavingitverywhite。Herbosomroseandfellinagitation，andthelittlehandIheldtrembledinmygrasp。Therewasamoment’ssilence。NotthatIhadneedtothinkorchoosemywords。Buttherewasalumpinmythroat-aye，Itakenoshameinconfessingit，forthiswasthefirsttimethatagoodandtrueemotionhadbeenvouchsafedmesincetheDuchessedeBourgognehadshatteredmyillusionstenyearsago。

“Roxalanne。”Iresumedpresently，whenIwasmoremasterofmyself，“wehavebeengoodfriends，youandI，sincethatnightwhenI

climbedforsheltertoyourchamber，havewenot？”

“Butyes，monsieur。”shefaltered。

“Tendaysagoitis。Thinkofit-nomorethantendays。AnditseemsasifIhadbeenmonthsatLavedan，sowellhavewebecomeacquainted。Inthesetendayswehaveformedopinionsofeachother。

Butwiththisdifference，thatwhilstmineareright，yoursarewrong。Ihavecometoknowyouforthesweetest，gentlestsaintinallthisworld。WouldtoGodIhadknownyouearlier！Itmighthavebeenverydifferent;Imighthavebeen-Iwouldhavebeen-

different，andIwouldnothavedonewhatIhavedone。Youhavecometoknowmeforanunfortunatebuthonestgentleman。SuchamInot。Iamunderfalsecolourshere，mademoiselle。UnfortunateImaybe-atleast，oflateIseemtohavebecomeso。HonestI

amnot-Ihavenotbeen。There，child，Icantellyounomore。I

amtoogreatacoward。Butwhenlateryoushallcometohearthetruth-when，afterIamgone，theymaytellyouastrangestorytouchingthisfellowLesperonwhosoughtthehospitalityofyourfather’shouse-bethinkyouofmyrestraintinthishour;bethinkyouofmydeparture。Youwillunderstandthesethingsperhapsafterwards。Butbethinkyouofthem，andyouwillunriddlethemforyourself，perhaps。Bemercifuluponmethen;judgemenotover-harshly。”

Ipaused，andforamomentweweresilent。Thensuddenlyshelookedup;herfingerstighteneduponmine。

“MonsieurdeLesperon。”shepleaded，“ofwhatdospeak？Youaretorturingme，monsieur。”

“Lookinmyface，Roxalanne。CanyouseenothingthereofhowIamtorturingmyself？”

“Thentellme，monsieur。”shebegged，hervoiceaverycaressofsuppliantsoftness，-“tellmewhatvexesyouandsetsacurbuponyourtongue。Youexaggerate，Iamassured。Youcoulddonothingdishonourable，nothingvile。”

“Child。”Icried，“IthankGod，thatyouareright！Icannotdowhatisdishonourable，andIwillnot，forallthatamonthagoI

pledgedmyselftodoit！“

Asuddenhorror，adoubt，asuspicionflashedintoherglance。

“You-youdonotmeanthatyouareaspy？”sheasked;andfrommyheartaprayerofthankswentuptoHeaventhatthisatleastitwasminefranklytodeny。

“No，no-notthat。Iamnospy。”

Herfaceclearedagain，andshesighed。

“Itis，Ithink，theonlythingIcouldnotforgive。Sinceitisnotthat，willyounottellmewhatitis？”

Foramomentthetemptationtoconfess，totellhereverything，wasagainuponme。Butthefutilityofitappalledme。

“Don’taskme。”Ibesoughther;“youwilllearnitsoonenough。”

ForIwasconfidentthatoncemywagerwaspaid，thenewsofitandoftheruinofBardelyswouldspreadacrossthefaceofFrancelikearippleoverwater。Presently-

“Forgivemeforhavingcomeintoyourlife，Roxalanne！“Iimploredher，andthenIsighedagain。“Helas！HadIbutknownyouearlier！

Ididnotdreamsuchwomenlivedinthisworn-outFrance。”

“Iwillnotpry，monsieur，sinceyourresolveappearstobesofirm。

Butif-ifafterIhaveheardthisthingyouspeakof。”shesaidpresently，speakingwithavertedeyes，“andif，havingheardit，I

judgeyoumoremercifullythanyoujudgeyourself，andIsendforyou，willyou-willyoucomebacktoLavedan？”

Myheartgaveagreatbound-agreat，asuddenthrobofhope。Butassuddenandasgreatwasthereboundintodespair。

“Youwillnotsendforme，beassuredofthat。”Isaidwithfinality;

andwespokenomore。

Itooktheoarsandpliedthemvigorously。Iwasinhastetoendthesituation。TomorrowImustthinkofmydeparture，and，asI

rowed，Iponderedthewordsthathadpassedbetweenus。Notonewordoflovehadtherebeen，andyet，intheveryomissionofit，avowalhadlainoneitherside。Astrangewooinghadbeenmine-awooingthatprecludedthepossibilityofwinning，andyetawooingthathadwon。Aye，ithadwon;butitmightnottake。ImadefinedistinctionsandquaintparadoxesasItuggedatmyoars，forthehumanmindisacuriouslycomplexthing，andwithsomeofusthereisnosuchspurtohumourasthestingofpain。

Roxalannesatwhiteandverythoughtful，butwithveiledeyes，sothatImightguessnothingofwhatpassedwithinhermind。

Atlastwereachedthechateau，andasIbroughttheboattotheterracesteps，itwasSaint-EustachewhocameforwardtoofferhiswristtoMademoiselle。

Henotedthepallorofherface，anddartedmeaquick，suspicion-ladenglance。Aswewerewalkingtowardsthechateau-

“MonsieurdeLesperon。”saidheinacurioustone，“doyouknowthatarumourofyourdeathiscurrentintheprovince？”

“IhadhopedthatsucharumourmightgetabroadwhenIdisappeared。”

Iansweredcalmly。

“Andyouhavetakennosinglesteptocontradictit？”

“WhyshouldI，sinceinthatrumourmaybesaidtoliemysafety？”

“Nevertheless，monsieur，voyons。Surelyyoumightatleastrelievetheanxietiestheaffliction，Imightalmostsay-ofthosewhoaremourningyou。”

“Ah！“saidI。“Andwhomaythesebe？”

Heshruggedhisshouldersandpursedhislipsinacuriouslydeprecatorysmile。WithasidelongglanceatMademoiselle-

“DoyouneedthatInameMademoiselledeMarsac？”hesneered。

Istoodstill，mywitsbusilyworking，myfaceimpassiveunderhisscrutinizingglance。InaflashitcametomethatthismustbethewriterofsomeofthelettersLesperonhadgivenme，theoriginaloftheminiatureIcarried。

AsIwassilent，IgrewsuddenlyconsciousofanotherpairofeyesobservingmeMademoiselle’s。SherememberedwhatIhadsaid，shemayhaverememberedhowIhadcriedoutthewishthatIhadmetherearlier，andshemaynothavebeenslowtofindaninterpretationformywords。Icouldhavegroanedinmyrageatsuchamisinterpretation。IcouldhavetakentheChevalierroundtotheothersideofthechateauandkilledhimwiththegreatestrelishintheworld。ButIrestrainedmyself，Iresignedmyselftobemisunderstood。WhatchoicehadI？

“MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”saidIverycoldly，andlookinghimstraightbetweenhisclose-seteyes，“Ihavepermittedyoumanyliberties，butthereisonethatIcannotpermitanyone-and，muchasIhonouryou，Icanmakenoexceptioninyourfavour。ThatistointerfereinmyconcernsandpresumetodictatetomethemannerinwhichIshallconductthem。Begoodenoughtobearthatinyourmemory。”

Inamomenthewasallservility。Thesneerpassedoutofhisface，thearroganceoutofhisdemeanour。Hebecameasfullofsmilesandcapersasthemeanestsycophant。

“Youwillforgiveme，monsieur！“hecried，spreadinghishands，andwiththehumblestsmilemtheworld。“IperceivethatIhavetakenagreatliberty;yetyouhavemisunderstooditspurport。IsoughttosoundyoutouchingthewisdomofastepuponwhichIhaveventured。”

“Thatis，monsieur？”Iasked，throwingbackmyhead，withthescentofdangerbreasthigh。

“Itookituponmyselfto-daytomentionthefactthatyouarealiveandwelltoonewhohadaright，Ithought，toknowofit，andwhoiscominghithertomorrow。”

“Thatwasapresumptionyoumayregret。”saidIbetweenmyteeth。

“Towhomdoyouimpartthisinformation？“

“Toyourfriend，MonsieurdeMarsac。”heanswered，andthroughhismaskofhumilitythesneerwasagaingrowingapparent。“Hewillbeheretomorrow。”herepeated。

MarsacwasthatfriendofLesperon’stowhosewarmcommendationoftheGasconrebelIowedthecourtesyandkindnessthattheVicomtedeLavedanhadmetedouttomesincemycoming。

IsitwonderfulthatIstoodasiffrozen，mywitsrefusingtoworkandmycountenancewearing，Idoubtnot，averystrickenlook？HerewasonecomingtoLavedanwhoknewLesperon-onewhowouldunmaskmeandsaythatIwasanimpostor。Whatwouldhappenthen？Aspytheywouldofacertaintyaccountme，andthattheywouldmakeshortworkofmeIneverdoubted。ButthatwassomethingthattroubledmelessthantheopinionMademoisellemustform。HowwouldsheinterpretwhatIhadsaidthatday？Inwhatlightwouldsheviewmehereafter？

Suchquestionsspedlikeswiftarrowsthroughmymind，andintheirtraincameadullangerwithmyselfthatIhadnottoldhereverythingthatafternoon。Itwastoolatenow。Theconfessionwouldcomenolongerofmyownfreewill，asitmighthavedoneanhourago，butwouldbeforcedfrommebythecircumstancesthatimpended。Thusitwouldnolongerhaveanyvirtuetorecommendittohermercy。

“Thenewsseemshardlywelcome，MonsieurdeLesperon。”saidRoxalanneinavoicethatwasinscrutable。Hertonestirredme，foritbetokenedsuspicionalready。Somethingmightyetchancetoaidme，andinthemeanwhileImightspoilalldidIyieldtothisdreadofthemorrow。ByaneffortImasteredmyself，andintonescalmandlevel，thatbetrayednothingofthetempestinmysoul-

“Itisnotwelcome，mademoiselle。”Ianswered。“IhaveexcellentreasonsfornotdesiringtomeetMonsieurdeMarsac。”

“Excellent，indeed，arethey！“lispedSaint-Eustache，withanuglydroopatthecornersofhismouth。“Idoubtnotyou’llfindithardtoofferaplausiblereasonforhavinglefthimandhissisterwithoutnewsthatyouwerealive。”

“Monsieur。”saidIatrandom，“whywillyoudraginhissister’sname？”

“Why？”heechoed，andheeyedmewithundisguisedamusement。Hewasstandingerect，hisheadthrownback，hisrightarmoutstretchedfromtheshoulder，andhishandrestinglightlyuponthegoldmountofhisberibbonedcane。HelethiseyeswanderfrommetoRoxalanne，thenbackagaintome。Atlast:“IsitwonderfulthatIshould，draginthenameofyourbetrothed？”saidhe。ButperhapsyouwilldenythatMademoiselledeMarsacisthattoyou？”hesuggested。

AndI，forgettingforthemomentthepartIplayedandthemanwhoseidentityIhadputon，madeanswerhotly:“Idodenyit。”

“Why，then，youlie。”saidhe，andshruggedhitsshoulderswithinsolentcontempt。

InallmylifeIdonotthinkitcouldbesaidofmethatIhadevergivenwaytorage。Rude，untutoredmindsmayfallapreytopassion，butagentleman，Ihold，isneverangry。NorwasIthen，sofarastheoutwardsignsofangercount。IdoffedmyhatwithasweeptoRoxalanne，whostoodbywithfearandwonderblendinginherglance。

“Mademoiselle，youwillforgivethatIfinditnecessarytobirchthisbabblingschoolboyinyourpresence。”

Then，withthepleasantestmannerintheworld，Isteppedaside，andpluckedthecanefromtheChevalier’shandbeforehehadsomuchasguessedwhatIwasabout。Ibowedbeforehimwiththeutmostpoliteness，asifcravinghisleaveandtoleranceforwhatIwasabouttodo，andthen，beforehehadrecoveredfromhisastonishment，Ihadlaidthatcanethreetimesinquicksuccessionacrosshisshoulders。Withacryatonceofpainandofmortification，hesprangback，andhishanddroppedtohishilt。

“Monsieur。”Roxalannecriedtohim，“doyounotseethatheisunarmed？”

Buthesawnothing，or，ifhesaw，thankedHeaventhatthingswereinsuchcase，andgothisswordout。ThereuponRoxalannewouldhavesteppedbetweenus，butwitharmoutstretchedIrestrainedher。

“Havenofear，mademoiselle。”saidIveryquietly;forifthewristthathadovercomeLaVertoilewerenot，withastick，amatchforacoupleofsuchswordsasthiscoxcomb’s，thenwasIforevershamed。

Heboredownuponmefuriously，hispointcomingstraightformythroat。Itookthebladeonthecane;then，ashedisengagedandcameatmelower，Imadecounter-parry，andpursuingthecircleafterIhadcaughthissteel，Icarrieditoutofhishand。Itwhirledaninstant，ashimmeringwheeloflight，thenitclatteredagainstthemarblebalustradehalfadozenyardsaway。Withhissworditseemedthathiscourage，too，departed，andhestoodatmymercy，acuriouspictureoffoolishness，surprise，andfear。

NowtheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachewasayoungman，andintheyoungwecanforgivemuch。Buttoforgivesuchanactashehadbeenguiltyof-thatofdrawinghissworduponamanwhocarriednoweapons-wouldhavebeennotonlyaridiculoustoleration，butanutterneglectofduty。AsanoldermanitbehovedmetoreadtheChevalieralessoninmannersandgentlemanlyfeeling。So，quitedispassionately，andpurelyforhisownfuturegood，Iwentaboutthetask，andadministeredhimathrashingthatforthoroughnessitwouldbehardtobetter。Iwasnotdiscriminating。Ibroughtmycanedownwitharhythmicalprecision，andwhetherittookhimonthehead，theback，ortheshoulders，Iheldtobemorehisaffairthanmine。Ihadamoraltoinculcate，andtheinjurieshemightreceiveinthecourseofitwereinconsiderabledetailssothatthelessonwasborneinuponhissoul。Twoorthreetimeshesoughttoclosewithme，butIeludedhim;Ihadnomindtodescendtoavulgarexchangeofblows。Myobjectwasnottobrawl，buttoadministerchastisement，andthisobjectImayclaimtohaveaccomplishedwithafairdegreeofsuccess。

AtlastRoxalanneinterfered;butonlywhen，oneblowalittlemoreviolent，perhaps，thanitsprecursorsresultedinthesuddensnappingofthecaneandMonsieurdeEustache’suttercollapseintoamoaningheap。

“Ideplore，mademoiselle，tohaveoffendedyoursightwithsuchaspectacle，butunlesstheselessonsareadministeredupontheinstanttheireffectisnothalfsosalutary。”

“Hedeservedit，monsieur。”saidshe，withanotealmostoffiercenessinhervoice。Andofsuchpoormettlearewethatherresentmentagainstthatgroaningmassoffopperiesandwhealssentathrillofpleasurethroughme。Iwalkedovertothespotwherehisswordhadfallen，andpickeditup。

“MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”saidI，“youhavesodishonouredthisbladethatIdonotthinkyouwouldcaretowearitagain。”Sayingwhich，Isnappeditacrossmyknee，andflungitfaroutintotheriver，forallthatthehiltwasacostlyone，richlywroughtinbronzeandgold。

Heraisedhislividcountenance，andhiseyesblazedimpotentfury。

“ParlamortDieu！“hecriedhoarsely，“youshallgivemesatisfactionforthis！“

“Ifyouaccountyourselfstillunsatisfied，Iamatyourservicewhenyouwill。”saidIcourteously。

Then，beforemorecouldbesaid，IsawMonsieurdeLavedanandtheVicomtesseapproachinghurriedlyacrosstheparterre。TheVicomte’sbrowwasblackwithwhatmighthaveappearedanger，butwhichI

rightlyconstruedintoapprehension。

“Whathastakenplace？Whathaveyoudone？”heaskedofme。

“HehasbrutallyassaultedtheChevalier。”criedMadameshrilly，hereyesmalevolentlysetuponme。“Heisonlyachild，thispoorSaint-Eustache。”shereproachedme。“Isawitallfrommywindow，MonsieurdeLesperon。Itwasbrutal;itwascowardly。Sotobeataboy！Shame！Ifyouhadaquarrelwithhim，aretherenotprescribedmethodsfortheiradjustmentbetweengentlemen？Pardieu，couldyounothavegivenhimpropersatisfaction？”

“IfmadamewillgiveherselfthetroubleofattentivelyexaminingthispoorSaint-Eustache。”saidI，withasarcasmwhichhervirulenceprompted，“youwillagree，Ithink，thatIhavegivenhimveryproperandverythoroughsatisfaction。Iwouldhavemethimswordinhand，buttheChevalierhasthefaultoftheveryyoung-heisprecipitate;hewasintoogreatahaste，andhecouldnotwaituntilIgotasword。SoIwasforcedtodowhatIcouldwithacane。”

“Butyouprovokedhim。”sheflashedback。

“Whoevertoldyousohasmisinformedyou;madame。Onthecontrary，heprovokedme。Hegavemethelie。Istruckhim-couldIdoless？-andhedrew。Idefendedmyself，andIsupplementedmydefencebyacaning，sothatthispoorSaint-Eustachemightrealizetheunworthinessofwhathehaddone。Thatisall，madame。”

Butshewasnotsoeasilytobeappeased，notevenwhenMademoiselleandtheVicomtejoinedtheirvoicestomineinextenuationofmyconduct。ItwaslikeLavedan。ForallthathewasfullofdreadoftheresultandofthevengeanceSaint-Eustachemightwreak-boythoughhewas-heexpressedhimselffreelytouchingtheChevalier’sbehaviourandthefittingnessofthepunishmentthathadovertakenhim。

TheVicomtessestoodinsmallaweofherhusband，buthisjudgmentuponapointofhonourwasamatterthatshewouldnotdarecontest。

ShewasministeringtothestillprostrateChevalierwho，Ithink，remainedprostratenowthathemightcontinuetomakeappealtohersympathy-whensuddenlyshecutinuponRoxalanne’sdefenceofme。

“Wherehaveyoubeen？”shedemandedsuddenly。

“When，mymother？”

“Thisafternoon。”answeredtheVicomtesseimpatiently。“TheChevalierwaswaitingtwohoursforyou。”

Roxalannecolouredtotherootsofherhair。TheVicomtefrowned。

“Waitingforme，mymother？Butwhyforme？”

“Answermyquestion-wherehaveyoubeen？”

“IwaswithMonsieurdeLesperon。”sheansweredsimply。

“Alone？”theVicomtessealmostshrieked。

“Butyes。”Thepoorchild’stoneswereladenwithwonderatthiscatechism。

“God’sdeath！“shesnapped。“Itseemsthatmydaughterisnobetterthan-“

Heavenknowswhatmayhavebeencoming，forshehadthemostvirulent，scandaloustonguethatIhaveeverknowninawoman’shead-whichismuchforonewhohaslivedatCourttosay。ButtheVicomte，sharingmyfears，perhaps，andwishingtosparethechild’sears，interposedquickly“Come，madame，whatairsarethese？

Whatsuddenassumptionofgracesthatwedonotaffect？WearenotinParis。ThisisnottheLuxembourg。Enprovincecommeenprovince，andherewearesimplefolk-“

“Simplefolk？”sheinterrupted，gasping。“ByGod，amImarriedtoaploughman？AmIVicomtesseofLavedan，orthewifeofaboorofthecountryside？Andisthehonourofyourdaughteramatter-“

“Thehonourofmydaughterisnotinquestion，madame。”heinterruptedinhisturn，andwithasuddensternnessthatspentthefireofherindignationasasparkthatistrampledunderfoot。

Then，inacalm，levelvoice:“Ah，herearetheservants。”saidhe。

“Permitthem，madame，totakechargeofMonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。

Anatole，youhadbetterorderthecarriageforMonsieurleChevalier。

Idonotthinkthathewillbeabletoridehome。”

Anatolepeeredatthepaleyounggentlemanontheground，thenheturnedhislittlewizenedfaceuponme，andgrinnedinasingularlysolemnfashion。MonsieurdeSaint-Eustachewaslittleloved，itseemed。

Leaningheavilyuponthearmofoneofthelacqueys，theChevaliermovedpainfullytowardsthecourtyard，wherethecarriagewasbeingpreparedforhim。AtthelastmomentheturnedandbeckonedtheVicomtetohisside。

“AsGodlives，MonsieurdeLavedan。”heswore，breathingheavilyinthefurythatbesethim，“youshallbitterlyregrethavingtakensidesto-daywiththatGasconbully。Rememberme，bothofyou，whenyouarejourneyingtoToulouse。”

TheVicomtestoodbesidehim，impassiveandunmovedbythatgrimthreat，forallthattohimitmusthavesoundedlikeadeath-sentence。

“Adieu，monsieur-aspeedyrecovery。”wasallheanswered。

ButIsteppeduptothem。“Doyounotthink，Vicomte，thatitwerebettertodetainhim？”Iasked。

“Pshaw！“heejaculated。“Lethimgo。”

TheChevalier’seyesmetmineinalookofterror。Perhapsalreadythatyoungmanrepentedhimofhismenace，andherealizedthefollyofthreateningoneinwhosepowerhestillchancedtobe。

“Bethinkyou，monsieur。”Icried。“Yoursisanobleandusefullife。Mineisnotwithoutvalue，either。Shallwesuffertheselives-aye，andthehappinessofyourwifeanddaughter-tobedestroyedbythisvermin？”

“Lethimgo，monsieur;lethimgo。Iamnotafraid。”

Ibowedandsteppedback，motioningtothelacqueytotakethefellowaway，muchasIshouldhavemotionedhimtoremovesomeuncleannessfrombeforeme。

TheVicomtessewithdrewinhighdudgeontoherchamber，andIdidnotseeheragainthatevening。MademoiselleIsawonce，foramoment，andsheemployedthatmomenttoquestionmetouchingtheoriginofmyquarrelwithSaint-Eustache。

“Didhereallylie，MonsieurdeLesperon？”sheasked。

“Uponmyhonour，mademoiselle。”Iansweredsolemnly，“Ihaveplightedmytrothtonolivingwoman。”ThenmychinsanktomybreastasIbethoughtmeofhowtomorrowshemustopinemethevilestliarliving-forIwasresolvedtobegonebeforeMarsacarrived-sincetherealLesperonIdidnotdoubtwas，indeed，betrothedtoMademoiselledeMarsac。

“IshallleaveLavedanbetimesto-morrow，mademoiselle。”Ipursuedpresently。“Whathashappenedto-daymakesmydepartureallthemoreurgent。Delaymayhaveitsdangers。Youwillhearstrangethingsofme，asalreadyIhavewarnedyou。Butbemerciful。Muchwillbetrue，muchfalse;yetthetruthitselfisveryvile，and-“

Istoppedshort，indespairofexplainingoreventemperingwhathadtocome。Ishruggedmyshouldersinmyabandonmentofhope，andIturnedtowardsthewindow。Shecrossedtheroomandcametostandbesideme。

“Willyounottellme？Haveyounofaithinme？Ah，MonsieurdeLesperon-“

“’Sh！child，Icannot。Itistoolatetotellyounow。”

“Oh，nottoolate！Fromwhatyousaytheywilltellme，Ishouldthink，perhaps，worseofyouthanyoudeserve。Whatisthisthingyouhide？Whatisthismystery？Tellme，monsieur。Tellme。”

Dideverwomanmoreplainlytellamanshelovedhim，andthatlovinghimshewouldfindallexcusesforhim？Waseverwomaninbettercasetohearaconfessionfromthemanthatlovedher，andofwhoseloveshewasassuredbyeveryinstinctthathersexpossessesinsuchmatters？Thosetwoquestionsleaptintomymind，andinresolvingthemIallbutdeterminedtospeakevennowintheeleventhhour。

Andthen-Iknownothow-afreshbarrierseemedtoarise。ItwasnotmerelyamatteroftellingherofthewagerIwasembarkedupon;notmerelyamatteroftellingheroftheduplicitythatI

hadpractised，oftheimposturesbywhichIhadgainedadmittancetoherfather’sconfidenceandtrust;notmerelyamatterofconfessingthatIwasnotLesperon。TherewouldstillbethenecessityofsayingwhoIwas。Evenifsheforgaveallelse，couldsheforgivemeforbeingBardelysthenotoriousBardelys，thelibertine，therake，someofwhoseexploitsshehadheardoffromhermother，paintedahundredtimesblackerthantheyreallywere？

MightshenotshrinkfrommewhenItoldherIwasthatman？Inherpureinnocenceshedeemed，nodoubt，thatthelifeofeverymanwhoaccountedhimselfagentlemanwasmoderatelyclean。Shewouldnotseeinme-asdidhermother-nomorethanatypeofthebestclassinFrance，andhavingnomorethanthevicesofmyorder。Asamonsterofprofligacymightshebeholdme，andthat-ah，Dieu！-IcouldnotendurethatsheshoulddowhilstI

wasby。

Itmaybe-indeed，now，asIlookback，IknowthatIexaggeratedmycase。IimaginedshewouldseeitasIsawitthen。Forwouldyoucreditit？withthisgreatlovethatwasnowcometome，itseemedtheidealsofmyboyhoodwerereturned，andIabhorredthemanthatIhadbeen。ThelifeIhadlednowfilledmewithdisgustandloathing;thenotionsIhadformedseemedtomenowallviciousanddistorted，mycynicismshallowandunjust。

“MonsieurdeLesperon。”shecalledsoftlytome，notingmysilence。

Iturnedtoher。Isetmyhandlightlyuponherarm;Iletmygazeencountertheupwardglanceofhereyes-blueasforget-me-nots。

“Yousuffer！“shemurmured，withsweetcompassion。

“Worse，Roxalanne！Ihavesowninyourhearttootheseedofsuffering。Oh，Iamtoounworthy！“Icriedout;“andwhenyoucometodiscoverhowunworthyitwillhurtyou;itwillstingyourpridetothinkhowkindyouweretome。”Shesmiledincredulously，indenialofmywords。“No，child;Icannottellyou。”

Shesighed，andthenbeforemorecouldbesaidtherewasasoundatthedoor，andwestartedawayfromeachother。TheVicomteentered，andmylastchanceofconfessing，ofperhapsavertingmuchofwhatfollowed，waslosttome。

CHAPTERVIII

THEPORTRAIT

IntothemindofeverythoughtfulmanmustcomeattimeswithbitternessthereflectionofhowutterlyweareatthemercyofFate，thevictimsofhereverywhimandcaprice。Wemaysetoutwiththeloftiest，thesternestresolutionstosteerourlivesalongawell-consideredcourse，yettheslightestoffortuitouscircumstanceswillsufficetoforceusintoadirectionthatwehadnothoughtoftaking。

Now，haditpleasedMonsieurdeMarsactohavecometoLavedanatanyreasonablehouroftheday，IshouldhavebeenalreadyupontheroadtoParis，intenttoowndefeatandpaymywager。Anightofthought，besidesstrengtheningmydeterminationtofollowsuchacourse，hadbroughtthereflectionthattmightthereafterreturntoRoxalanne，apoorman，itistrue，butoneatleastwhoseintentionsmightnotbemisconstrued。

Andso，whenatlastIsankintosleep，mymind，washappierthanithadbeenformanydays。OfRoxalanne’sloveIwasassured，anditseemedthatImightwinher，afterall，onceIremovedthebarrierofshamethatnowdeterredme。Itmaybethatthosethoughtskeptmeawakeuntilalatehour，andthattothisIoweitthatwhenonthemorrowIawakenedthemorningwaswelladvanced。

Thesunwasfloodingmychamber，andatmybedsidestoodAnatole。

“What’so’clock？”Iinquired，sittingboltupright。

“Pastten。”saidhe，withsterndisapproval。

“Andyouhaveletmesleep？”Icried。

“WedolittleelseatLavedanevenwhenweareawake。”hegrumbled。

“Therewasnoreasonwhymonsieurshouldrise。”Then，holdingoutapaper，“MonsieurStanislasdeMarsacwasherebetimesthismorningwithMademoisellehissister。Heleftthisletterforyou，monsieur。”

Amazeandapprehensionwerequicklyfollowedbyrelief，sinceAnatole’swordssuggestedthatMarsachadnotremained。Itooktheletter，nevertheless，withsomemisgivings，andwhilstIturneditoverinmyhandsIquestionedtheoldservant。

“Hestayedanhouratthechateau，monsieur。”Anatoleinformedme。

“MonsieurleVicomtewouldhavehadyouroused，buthewouldnothearofit。’IfwhatMonsieurdeSaint-Eustachehastoldmetouchingyourguestshouldprovetobetrue，’saidhe，’Iwouldprefernottomeethimunderyourroof，monsieur。’’MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache，’

mymasterreplied，’isnotapersonwhosewordshouldhaveweightwithanymanofhonour。’Butinspiteofthat，MonsieurdeMarsacheldtohisresolve，andalthoughhewouldoffernoexplanationinanswertomymaster’smanyquestions，youwerenotaroused。

“Attheendofahalf-hourhissisterenteredwithMademoiselle。

Theyhadbeenwalkingtogetherontheterrace，andMademoiselledeMarsacappearedveryangry。’AffairsareexactlyasMonsieurdeSaint-Eustachehasrepresentedthem，’saidshetoherbrother。Atthathesworeamostvillainousoath，andcalledforwritingmaterials。Atthemomentofhisdeparturehedesiredmetodeliverthislettertoyou，andthenrodeawayinafury，and，seemingly，notonthebestoftermswithMonsieurleVicomte。”

“Andhissister？”Iaskedquickly。

“Shewentwithhim。Afinepair，asIlive！“headded，castinghiseyestotheceiling。

AtleastIcouldbreathefreely。Theyweregone，andwhateverdamagetheymayhavedonetothecharacterofpoorRenedeLesperoneretheydeparted，theywerenotthere，atallevents，todenouncemeforanimpostor。WithamentalapologytotheshadeofthedepartedLesperonforallthediscreditIwasbringingdownuponhisname，Ibrokethesealofthatmomentousepistle，whichenclosedalengthofsomethirty-twoinchesofstring。

Monsieur[Iread]，whereverImaychancetomeetyouitshallbemydutytokillyou。

Arichbeginning，inallfaith！Ifhecouldbutmaintainthatuncompromisingdramaticflavourtotheend，hisepistleshouldbeworththetroubleofdeciphering，forhepennedavilescrawlofpothooks。

Itisbecauseofthis[theletterproceeded]thatIhaverefrainedfromcomingfacetofacewithyouthismorning。ThetimesaretootroublousandtheprovinceisintoodangerousaconditiontoadmitofanactthatmightdrawtheeyesoftheKeeperoftheSealsuponLavedan。To，myrespect，then，toMonsieurleVicomteandtomyowndevotiontotheCausewemutuallyservedoyouoweitthatyoustilllive。IamonmywaytoSpaintoseeksheltertherefromtheKing’svengeance。

TosavemyselfisadutythatIoweasmuchtomyselfastotheCause。Butthereisanotherduty，onethatIowemysister，whomyouhavesooutrageouslyslighted，andthisduty，byGod’sgrace，I

willperformbeforeIleave。Ofyourhonour，monsieur，wewillnotspeak，forreasonsintowhichIneednotenter，andImakenoappealtoit。Butifyouhaveasparkofmanhoodleft，ifyouarenotanuttercravenaswellasaknave，Ishallexpectyouonthedayaftertomorrow，atanyhourbeforenoon，attheAubergedelaCouronneatGrenade。There，monsieur，ifyouplease，wewilladjustourdifferences。Thatyoumaycomeprepared，andsothatnotimeneedbewastedwhenwemeet，Isendyouthelengthofmysword。

Thusendedthatangry，fire-breathingepistle。Irefoldeditthoughtfully，then，havingtakenmyresolve，IleaptfromthebedanddesiredAnatoletoassistmetodress。

IfoundtheVicomtemuchexercisedinmindastothemeaningofMarsac’sextraordinarybehaviour，andIwasrelievedtoseethathe，atleast，couldconjecturenocauseforit。Inreplytothequestionswithwhichheverynaturallyassailedme，Iassuredhimthatitwasnomorethanamatterofamisunderstanding;thatMonsieurdeMarsachadaskedmetomeethimatGrenadeintwodays’

time，andthatIshouldthen，nodoubt，beabletomakeallclear。

Meanwhile，Iregrettedtheincident，sinceitnecessitatedmyremainingandencroachingfortwodayslongerupontheVicomte’shospitality。Toallthis，however，hemadethereplythatI

expected，concludingwiththeremarkthatforthepresentatleastitwouldseemasiftheChevalierdeSaint-EustachehadbeensatisfiedwithcreatingthistroublebetwixtmyselfandMarsac。

>FromwhatAnatolehadsaid，IhadalreadyconcludedthatMarsachadexercisedthegreatestreticence。ButtheinterviewbetweenhissisterandRoxalannefilledmewiththegravestanxiety。Womenarenotwonttopractisetherestraintofmenundersuchcircumstances，andforallthatMademoiselledeMarsacmaynothaveexpresseditinsomanywordsthatIwasherfaithlesslover，yetwomenarequicktodetectandinterpretthesignsofdisordersspringingfromsuchcauses，andIhadeveryfearthatRoxalannewascometotheconclusionthatIhadliedtoheryesternight。Withanuneasyspirit，then，Iwentinquestofher，andIfoundherwalkingintheoldrosegardenbehindthechateau。

Shedidnotatfirstremarkmyapproach，andIhadleisureforsomemomentstoobserveherandtonotethesadnessthatdweltinherprofileandthelistlessnessofhermovements。第一章

This，then，wasmywork-mine，andthatofMonsieurdeChatellerault，andthoseothermerrygentlemenwhohadsatatmytableinParisnighuponamonthago。

Imoved，andthegravelcrunchedundermyfoot，whereuponsheturned，and，atsightofmeadvancingtowardsher，shestarted。Thebloodmountedtoherface，toebbagainupontheinstant，leavingitpalerthanithadbeen。Shemadeasiftodepart;thensheappearedtocheckherself，andstoodimmovableandoutwardlycalm，awaitingmyapproach。

Buthereyeswereaverted，andherbosomroseandfelltooswiftlytolendcolourtothatmaskofindifferenceshehurriedlyputon。

Yet，asIdrewnigh，shewasthefirsttospeak，andthetrivialityofherwordscameasashocktome，andforallmyknowledgeofwoman’swaycausedmetodoubtforamomentwhetherperhapshercalmwerenotreal，afterall。

“Youarealaggardthismorning，MonsieurdeLesperon。”And，withahalflaugh，sheturnedasidetobreakarosefromitsstem。

“True。”Iansweredstupidly;“Isleptover-late。”

“Athousandpities，sincethusyoumissedseeingMademoiselledeMarsac。Havetheytoldyouthatshewashere？”

“Yes，mademoiselle。StanislasdeMarsacleftaletterforme。”

“Youwillregretnothavingseenthem，nodoubt？”quothshe。

Ievadedtheinterrogativenoteinhervoice。“Thatistheirfault。

Theyappeartohavepreferredtoavoidme。”

“Isitmatterforwonder？”sheflashed，withasuddengleamoffurywhichsheassuddenlycontrolled。Withtheoldindifference，sheadded，“Youdonotseemperturbed，monsieur？”

“Onthecontrary，mademoiselle;Iamverydeeplyperturbed。”

“Atnothavingseenyour-betrothed？”sheasked，andnowforthefirsttimehereyeswereraised，andtheymetminewithalookthatwasastab。

“Mademoiselle，IhadthehonouroftellingyouyesterdaythatIhadplightedmytrothtonolivingwoman。”

Atthatreminderofyesterdayshewinced，andIwassorrythatI

hadutteredit，foritmusthavesetthewoundinherpridea-bleedingagain。YesterdayIhadasmuchastoldherthatIlovedher，andyesterdayshehadasmuchasansweredmethatshelovedme，foryesterdayIhadswornthatSaint-Eustache’sstoryofmybetrothalwasalie。To-dayshehadhadassuranceofthetruthfromtheverywomantowhomLesperon’sfaithwasplighted，andIcouldimaginesomethingofhershame。

“Yesterday，monsieur。”sheansweredcontemptuously，“youliedinmanythings。”

“Nay，Ispokethetruthinall。Oh，Godinheaven，mademoiselle。”

Iexclaimedinsuddenpassion，“willyounotbelieveme？WillyounotacceptmywordforwhatIsay，andhavealittlepatienceuntilIshallhavedischargedsuchobligationsaswillpermitmetoexplain？”

“Explain？”quothshe，withwitheringdisdain。

“Thereisahideousmisunderstandinginallthis。Iamthevictimofamiserablechainofcircumstances。;Oh，Icansaynomore！

TheseMarsacsIshalleasilypacify。IamtomeetMonsieurdeMarsacatGrenadeonthedayafterto-morrow。InmypocketIhavealetterfromthislivingsword-blade，inwhichhetellsmethathewillgivehimselfthepleasureofkillingmethen。Yet-“

“Ihopehedoes，monsieur！“shecutin，withafiercenessbeforewhichIfelldumbandleftmysentenceunfinished。“IshallprayGodthathemay！“sheadded。“Youdeserveitasnomandeservedityet！“

ForamomentIstoodstricken，indeed，byherwords。Then，myreasongraspingthemotiveofthatfierceness，asuddenjoypervadedme。Itwasafiercenessbreathingthathatredthatisapartoflove，thanwhich，itistrue，nohatredcanbemoredeadly。Andyetsoeloquentlydidittellmeofthoseveryfeelingswhichshesoughtjealouslytoconceal，that，movedbyasuddenimpulse，Isteppedcloseuptoher。

“Roxalanne。”Isaidfervently，“youdonothopeforit。WhatwouldyourlifebeifIweredead？Child，child，youlovemeevenasI

loveyou。”Icaughthersuddenlytomewithinfinitetenderness，withreverencealmost。“Canyoulendnoeartothevoiceofthislove？Canyounothave-faithinmealittle？CanyounotthinkthatifIwerequiteasunworthyasyoumake-believetoyourveryself，thislovecouldhavenoplace？”

“Ithasnoplace！“shecried。“Youlie-asinallthingselse。

Idonotloveyou。Ihateyou。Dieu！HowIhateyou！“

Shehadlaininmyarmsuntilthen，withupturnedfaceandpiteous，frightenedeyes-likeabirdthatfeelsitselfwithinthetoilsofasnake，yetwhosehorrorisblentwithacertainfascination。Now，asshespoke，herwillseemedtoreassertitself，andshestruggledtobreakfromme。Butasherfiercenessofhatredgrew，sodidmyfiercenessofresolvegainstrength，andIheldhertightly。

“Whydoyouhateme？”Iaskedsteadily。“Askyourself，Roxalanne，andtellmewhatansweryourheartmakes。Doesitnotanswerthatindeedyoudonothateme-thatyouloveme？”

“Oh，God，tobesoinsulted！“shecriedout。“Willyounotreleaseme，miserable？MustIcallforhelp？Oh，youshallsufferforthis！AsthereisaHeaven，youshallbepunished！“

ButinmypassionIheldher，despiteentreaties，threats，andstruggles。Iwasbrutal，ifyouwill。Yetthinkofwhatwasinmysoulatbeingsomisjudged，atfindingmyselfinthisposition，anddealnotoverharshlywithme。ThecouragetoconfesswhichI

hadlackedfordays，cametomethen。Imusttellher。Lettheresultbewhatitmight，itcouldnotbeworsethanthis，andthisIcouldendurenolonger。

“Listen，Roxalanne！“

“Iwillnotlisten！EnoughofinsultshaveIheardalready。Letmego！“

“Nay，butyoushallhearme。IamnotRenedeLesperon。HadtheseMarsacsbeenlessimpetuousandfoolish，hadtheywaitedtohaveseenmethismorning，theywouldhavetoldyouso。”

Shepausedforasecondinherstrugglestoregardme。Then，withasuddencontemptuouslaugh，sherenewedhereffortsmorevigorouslythanbefore。

“Whatfreshliesdoyouofferme？Releaseme;willhearnomore！“

“AsHeavenismywitness，Ihavetoldyouthetruth。Iknowhowwildasoundithas，andthatifpartlywhyIdidnottellyouearlier。ButyourdisdainIcannotsuffer。Thatyoushoulddeemmealiarinprofessingtoloveyou-“

HerstrugglesweregrownsofranticthatIwasforcedtorelaxmygrip。ButthisIdidwithasuddennessthatthrewheroutofbalance，andshewasindangeroffallingbackwards。Tosaveherself，shecaughtatmydoublet，whichwastornopenunderthestrain。

Westoodsomefewfeetapart，and，whiteandpalpitatinginheranger，sheconfrontedme。Hereyeslashedmewiththeirscorn，butundermysteady，unflinchinggazetheyfellatlast。Whennextsheraisedthemtherewasasmileofquietbutunutterablecontemptuponherlips。

“Willyouswear。”saidshe，“thatyouarenotRenedeLesperon？

ThatMademoiselledeMarsacisnotyourbetrothed？”

“Yes-bymyeveryhopeofHeaven！“Icriedpassionately。

Shecontinuedtosurveymewiththatquietsmileofmockingscorn。

“Ihavehearditsaid。”quothshe，“thatthegreatestliarsareeverthosethatarereadiesttotakeoath。”Then，withasuddengaspofloathing，“Ithinkyouhavedroppedsomething，monsieur。”saidshe，pointingtotheground。Andwithoutwaitingformore，sheswungroundandleftme。

FaceupwardsatmyfeetlaytheminiaturethatpoorLesperonhadentrustedtomeinhisdyingmoments。Ithaddroppedfrommydoubletinthestruggle，andIneverdoubtednowbutthatthepictureitcontainedwasthatofMademoiselledeMarsac。

CHAPTERIX

ANIGHTALARM

IwasreturningthatsameafternoonfromalongwalkthatIhadtaken-formymoodwasofthatunenviablesortthatimpelsamantobemoving-whenIfoundatravelling-chaisedrawnupinthequadrangleasifreadyforajourney。AsImountedthestepsofthechateauIcamefacetofacewithmademoiselle，descending。I

drewasidethatshemightpass;，andthisshedidwithherchinintheair，andherpetticoatdrawntoherthatitmightnottouchme。

Iwouldhavespokentoher，buthereyeslookedstraightbeforeherwithaglancethatwastooforbidding;besideswhichtherewasthegazeofahalf-dozengroomsuponus。So，bowingbeforeher-theplumeofmydoffedhatsweepingtheground-Ilethergo。YetI

remainedstandingwhereshehadpassedme，andwatchedherenterthecoach。Ilookedafterthevehicleasitwheeledroundandrattledoutoverthedrawbridge，toraiseacloudofdustonthewhite，dryroadbeyond。

InthathourIexperiencedasenseofdesolationandapaintowhichIfinditdifficulttogiveexpression。Itseemedtomeasifshehadgoneoutofmylifeforalltime-asifnoreparationthatI

couldevermakewouldsufficetowinherbackafterwhathadpassedbetweenusthatmorning。AlreadywoundedinherpridebywhatMademoiselledeMarsachadtoldherofourrelations，mybehaviourintherosegardenhadcompletedtheworkofturningintohatredthetenderfeelingsthatbutyesterdayshehadallbutconfessedforme。

Thatshehatedmenow，Iwaswellassured。MyreflectionsasI

walkedhadborneitinuponmehowrash，howmadhadbeenmydesperateaction，andwithbitternessIrealizedthatIhaddestroyedthelastchanceofevermendingmatters。

Noteventhepaymentofmywagerandmyreturninmytruecharactercouldavailmenow。Thepaymentofmywager，forsooth！Eventhatlostwhatvirtueitmighthavecontained。Wherewastheheroismofsuchanact？HadInotfailed，indeed？Andwasnot，therefore，thepaymentofmywagerbecomeinevitable？

Fool！fool！WhyhadInotprofitedthatgentlemoodofherswhenwehaddrifteddownthestreamtogether？WhyhadInottoldherthenofthewholebusinessfromitsuglyinceptiondowntothepasstowhichthingswerecome，addingthattorepairtheevilIwasgoingbacktoParistopaymywager，andthatwhenthatwasdone，I

wouldreturntoaskhertobecomemywife？Thatwasthecourseamanofsensewouldhaveadopted。Hewouldhaveseenthedangersthatbesethiminmyfalseposition，andwouldhavebeenquicktohaveforestalledthemintheonlymannerpossible。

Heigh-ho！Itwasdone。Thegamewasatanend，andIhadbungledmypartofitlikeanyfool。Onetaskremainedme-thatofmeetingMarsacatGrenadeanddoingjusticetothememoryofpoorLesperon。

Whatmightbetidethereaftermatteredlittle。IshouldberuinedwhenIhadsettledwithChatellerault，andMarceldeSaint-Pol，deBardelys，thatbrilliantstarinthefirmamentoftheCourtofFrance，wouldsufferanabrupteclipse，wouldbequenchedforalltime。Butthisweighedlittlewithmethen。IhadlosteverythingthatImighthavevalued-everythingthatmighthavebroughtfreshzesttoajaded，satiatedlife。

LaterthatdayIwastoldbytheVicomtethattherewasarumourcurrenttotheeffectthattheMarquisdeBardelyswasdead。IdlyIinquiredhowtherumourhadbeenspread，andhetoldmethatariderlesshorse，whichhadbeencapturedafewdaysagobysomepeasants，hadbeenrecognizedbyMonsieurdeBardelys’sservantsasbelongingtotheirmaster，andthatasnothinghadbeenseenorheardofhimforafortnight，itwasbelievedthathemusthavemetwithsomemischance。Noteventhatpieceofinformationservedtoarousemyinterest。Letthembelievemedeadiftheywould。Tohimthatissufferingworsethandeathtobeaccounteddeadisasmallmatter。

Thenextdaypassedwithoutincident。Mademoiselle’sabsencecontinuedandIwouldhavequestionedtheVicomteconcerningit，butanotunnaturalhesitancybesetme，andIrefrained。

OnthemorrowIwastoleaveLavedan，buttherewerenopreparationstobemade，nopackingtobedone，forduringmysojournthereI

hadbeenindebtedtothegeneroushospitalityoftheVicomteformyveryapparel。WesuppedquietlytogetherthatnighttheVicomteandI-fortheVicomtessewaskeepingherroom。

Iwithdrewearlytomychamber，andlongIlayawake，revolvingagloomyfutureinmymind。IhadgivennothoughttowhatIshoulddoafterhavingofferedmyexplanationtoMonsieurdeMarsaconthemorrow，norcouldInowbringmyselftoconsideritwithanydegreeofinterest。IwouldcommunicatewithChatelleraulttoinformhimthatIaccountedmywagerlost。Iwouldsendhimmynoteofhand，makingovertohimmyPicardyestates，andIwouldrequesthimtopayoffanddisbandmyservantsbothinParisandatBardelys。

Asformyself，Ididnotknow，and，asIhavehinted，Icaredbutlittle，inwhatplacesmyfuturelifemightlie。IhadstillalittlepropertybyBeaugency，butscantinclinationtowithdrawtoit。ToParisIwouldnotreturn;thatmuchIwasdeterminedupon;

butuponnomore。IhadthoughtsofgoingtoSpain。YetthatcourseseemednolessfutilethananyotherofwhichIcouldbethinkme。Ifellasleepatlast，vowingthatitwouldbeamercyandafinesolutiontothepuzzleofhowtodisposeofthefutureifI

weretoawakennomore。

Iwas，however，destinedtoberousedagainjustastheveilofnightwasbeingliftedandthechillbreathofdawnwasupontheworld。TherewasaloudknockingatthegatesofLavedan，confusednoisesofvoices，ofpatteringfeet，ofdoorsopeningandclosingwithinthechateau。

Therewasarappingatmychamberdoor，andwhenIwenttoopen，I

foundtheVicomteonthethreshold，nightcapped，inhisshirt，andbearingalightedtaper。

“Therearetroopersatthegate！“heexclaimedasheenteredtheroom。“ThatdogSaint-Eustachehasalreadybeenatwork！“

Foralltheagitationthatmusthavebeenbesettinghim，hismannerwassereneasever。“Whatarewetodo？”heasked。

“Youareadmittingthem-naturally？”saidI，inquiryinmyvoice。

“Why，yes“;andheshruggedhisshoulders。“Whatcoulditavailustoresistthem？EvenhadIbeenpreparedforit，itwouldbefutiletoattempttosufferasiege。”

Iwrappedadressing-gownaboutme，forthemorningairwaschill。

“MonsieurleVicomte。”saidIgravely，“IheartilydeplorethatMonsieurdeMarsac’saffairsshouldhavedetainedmehere。Butforhim，IhadleftLavedantwodaysago。Asitis，Itrembleforyou，butwemayatleasthopethatmybeingtakeninyourhousewilldrawdownnoillresultsuponyou。IshallneverforgivemyselfifthroughmyhavingtakenrefugehereIshouldhaveencompassedyourdestruction。”

“Thereisnoquestionofthat。”hereplied，withthequickgenerositycharacteristicoftheman。“ThisistheworkofSaint-Eustache。

SoonerorlaterIalwaysfearedthatitwouldhappen，forsoonerorlater:heandImusthavecometoenmityovermydaughter。Thatknavehadmeinhispower。Heknew-beinghimselfoutwardlyoneofus-towhatextentIwasinvolvedinthelaterebellion，andIknewenoughofhimtobeassuredthatifsomedayheshouldwishtodomeill，hewouldneverscrupletoturntraitor。Iamafraid，MonsieurdeLesperon，thatitisnotforyoualone-perhapsnotforyouatall-thatthesoldiershavecome，butforme。”

Then，beforeIcouldanswerhim，thedoorwasflungwide，andintotheroom，innightcapandhastilydonnedrobe-lookingaverymegereinthatdisfiguringdeshabille-swepttheVicomtesse。

“See。”shecriedtoherhusband，herstridentvoiceraisedinreproach-“seetowhatapassyouhavebroughtus！“

“Anne，Anne！“heexclaimed，approachingherandseekingtosootheher;“becalm，mypoorchild，andbebrave。”

But，evadinghim，shetowered，leanandmalevolentasafury。

“Calm？”sheechoedcontemptuously。“Brave？”Thenashortlaughbrokefromher-adespairing，mocking，mirthlessexpressionofanger。“ByGod，doyouaddeffronterytoyourotherfailings？

Dareyoubidmebecalmandbraveinsuchanhour？HaveIbeenwarningyoufruitlesslythesetwelvemonthspast，that，afterdisregardingmeandderidingmywarnings，youshouldbidmebecalmnowthatmyfearsarerealized？”

Therewasasoundofcreakinggatesbelow。TheVicomteheardit。

“Madame。”hesaid，puttingasidehiserstwhiletendermanner，andspeakingwithaloftydignity，“thetroopershavebeenadmitted。

Letmeentreatyoutoretire。Itisnotbefittingourstation-“

“Whatisourstation？”sheinterruptedharshly。“Rebels-proscribed，houselessbeggars。Thatisourstation，thankstoyouandyourinsanemeddlingwithtreason。Whatistobecomeofus，fool？WhatistobecomeofRoxalanneandmewhentheyshallhavehangedyouandhavedrivenusfromLavedan？ByGod’sdeath，afineseasonthistotalkofthedignityofourstation！DidInotwarnyou，malheureux，toleavepartyfactionalone？Youlaughedatme。”

“Madame;yourmemorydoesmeaninjustice。”heansweredinastrangledvoice。“Ineverlaughedatyouinallmylife。”

“Youdidasmuch，atleast。Didyounotbidmebusymyselfwithwomen’saffairs？Didyounotbidmeleaveyoutofollowyourownjudgment？Youhavefollowedit-toaprettypurpose，asGodlives！

ThesegentlemenoftheKing’swillcauseyoutofollowitalittlefarther。”shepursued，withheartless，loathsomesarcasm。“YouwillfollowitasfarasthescaffoldatToulouse。That，youwilltellme，isyourownaffair。Butwhatprovisionhaveyoumadeforyourwifeanddaughter？Didyoumarrymeandgethertoleaveustoperishofstarvation？Orarewetoturnkitchenwenchesorsempstressesforourlivelihood？”

Withagroan，theVicomtesankdownuponthebed，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。

“Godpityme！“hecried，inavoiceofagony-anagonysuchasthefearofdeathcouldneverhaveinfusedintohisbravesoul;anagonybornoftheheartlessnessofthiswomanwhofortwentyyearshadsharedhisbedandboard，andwhonowinthehourofhisadversityfailedhimsocruelly-sotragically。

“Aye。”shemockedinherbitterness，“calluponGodtopityyou，forIshallnot。”

Shepacedtheroomnow，likeacagedlioness，herfacelividwiththefurythatpossessedher。Shenolongeraskedquestions;shenolongeraddressedhim;oathfollowedoathfromherthinlips，andthehideousnessofthiswoman’sblasphemymademeshudder。Atlasttherewereheavystepsuponthestairs，and，movedbyasuddenimpulse“Madame。”Icried，“letmeprevailuponyoutorestrainyourself。”

Sheswungroundtofaceme，herdose-seteyesablazewithanger。

“Sangdieu！Bywhatrightdoyou-“shebeganbutthiswasnotimetoletawoman’stonguegobabblingon;notimeforceremony;noseasonformakingalegandaddressingherwithasimper。Icaughtherviciouslybythewrist，andwithmyfacecloseuptohers“Folle！“

Icried，andI’llswearnomanhadeverusedthewordtoherbefore。

Shegaspedandchokedinhersurpriseandrage。Thenloweringmyvoicelestitshouldreachtheapproachingsoldiers:“WouldyouruintheVicomteandyourself？”Imuttered。Hereyesaskedmeaquestion，andIansweredit。“Howdoyouknowthatthesoldiershavecomeforyourhusband？Itmaybethattheyareseekingme-andonlyme。

TheymayknownothingoftheVicomte’sdefection。Shallyou，then，betheonetoinformthemofitbyyourunbridledrantingsandyouraccusations？”

Herjawfellopeninastonishment。Thiswasasideofthequestionshehadnotconsidered。

“Letmeprevailuponyou，madame，towithdrawandtobeofgoodcourage。Itismorethanlikelythatyoualarmyourselfwithoutcause。”

Shecontinuedtostareatmeinheramazementandtheconfusionthatwascongenitalwithit，andiftherewasnottimeforhertowithdraw，atleastthepossibilityIhadsuggestedactedasatimelywarning。

Inthatmomentthedooropenedagain，andonthethresholdappearedayoungmaninaplumedhatandcorselet，carryinganakedswordinonehandandalanthornintheother。BehindhimIcaughtthegleamofsteelfromthetroopersathisheels。

“WhichofyouisMonsieurRenedeLesperon？”heinquiredpolitely，hisutteranceflavouredbyastrongGasconaccent。

Istoodforward。“Iamknownbythatname，MonsieurleCapitaine。”

saidI。

Helookedatmewistfully，apologeticallyalmost，then“IntheKing’sname，MonsieurdeLesperon，Icalluponyoutoyield！“saidhe。

“Ihavebeenexpectingyou。Myswordisyonder，monsieur。”Irepliedsuavely。“Ifyouwillallowmetodress，Ishallbereadytoaccompanyyouinafewminutes。”

Hebowed，anditatoncebecameclearthathisbusinessatLavedanwas-asIhadsuggestedtotheVicomtessemightbepossible-withmealone。

“Iamgratefulforthereadinessofyoursubmission。”saidthisverypolitegentleman。Hewasacomelylad，withblueeyesandagood-humouredmouth，towhichapairofbristlingmoustachessoughtvainlytoimpartanexpressionofferocity。

“Beforeyouproceedtodress，monsieur，Ihaveanotherdutytodischarge。”

“Dischargeyourduty，monsieur。”Ianswered。Whereuponhemadeasigntohismen，andin，amomenttheywereransackingmygarmentsandeffects。Whilethiswastakingplace，heturnedtotheVicomteandVicomtesse，andofferedthemathousandapologiesforhavinginterruptedtheirslumbers，andforsorudelydeprivingthemoftheirguest。Headvancedinhisexcusethetroublousnatureofthetimes，andthrewinabunchofmalisonsatthecircumstanceswhichforceduponsoldierstheodiousdutiesofthetipstaff，hopingthatwewouldthinkhimnonethelessagentlemanfortheunsavourybusinessuponwhichhewasengaged。

>FrommyclothestheytookthelettersaddressedtoLesperonwhichthatpoorgentlemanhadentrustedtomeonthenightofhisdeath;

andamongthesetherewasonefromtheDucd’Orleanshimself，whichwouldalonehavesufficedtohavehangedaregiment。Besidesthese，theytookMonsieurdeMarsac’sletteroftwodaysago，andthelocketcontainingthepictureofMademoiselledeMarsac。

ThepapersandtheportraittheydeliveredtotheCaptain，whotookthemwiththesameairofdeprecationtaintedwithdisgustthatcolouredallhisactionsinconnectionwithmyarrest。

TothissamerepugnanceforhiscatchpollworkdoIoweitthatatthemomentofsettingoutheofferedtoletmeridewithouttheannoyanceofanescortifIwouldpasshimmyparolenottoattemptanescape。

Wewerestanding，then，inthehallofthechateau。Hismenwerealreadyinthecourtyard，andtherewereonlypresentMonsieurleVicomteandAnatole-thelatterreflectingthelookofsorrowthathauntedhismaster’sface。TheCaptain’sgenerositywascertainlyleadinghimbeyondtheboundsofhisauthority，andittouchedme。

“Monsieurisverygenerous。”saidI。

Heshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently。

“CapdeDiou！“hecried-hehadawayofswearingthatremindedmeofmyfriendCazalet。“Itisnogenerosity，monsieur。Itisadesiretomakethisobsceneworkmorecongenialtothespiritofagentleman，which，deviltakeme，Icannotstifle，notfortheKinghimself。Andthen，MonsieurdeLesperon，arewenotfellow-countrymen？ArewenotGasconsboth？Pardieu，thereisnomorerespectedanameinthewholeofGasconythanthatofLesperon，andthatyoubelongtosohonourableafamilyisalonemorethansufficienttowarrantsuchslightfavoursasitmay，beinmypowertoshowyou。”

“YouhavemyparolethatIwillattemptnoescape，MonsieurleCapitaine。”Ianswered，bowingmayacknowledgmentofhiscompliments。

“IamMironsacdeCastelroux，ofChateauRougeinGascony。”heinformedme，returningmybow。Myfaith，hadhenotmadeaprettysoldierhewouldhavemadeanadmirablemasterofdeportment。

Myleave-takingofMonsieurdeLavedanwasbriefbutcordial;

apologeticonmypart，intenselysympatheticonhis。AndsoIwentoutalonewithCastelrouxupontheroadtoToulouse，hismenbeingorderedtofollowinhalfanhour’stimeandtotravelattheirleisure。

Aswecanteredalong-CastelrouxandI-wetalkedofmanythings，andIfoundhimanamusingandagreeablecompanion。Hadmymoodbeenotherthandespairing，thenewshegavememighthaveoccasionedmesomeconcern;foritseemedthatprisonersarraignedfortreasonandparticipationinthelaterisingwerebeingverysummarilytreated。Manywereneversomuchasheardintheirowndefence，theevidencecollectedoftheirdefectionbeingsubmittedtotheTribunal，andjudgmentbeingforthwithpasseduponthembyjudgeswhohadnoearsforanythingtheymightadvanceintheirownfavour。

Theevidenceofmyidentitywascomplete:therewasmyownadmissiontoCastelroux;theevidenceofthetreasonofLesperonwasnonethelesscomplete;infact，itwasnotorious;andtherewastheDuke’sletterfoundamongstmyeffects。IfthejudgesrefusedtolendaneartomyassurancesthatIwasnotLesperonatall，butthemissingBardelys，mytroubleswerelikelytoreceiveaverysummarysolution。

Thefearofit，however，weighednotover-heavilyuponme。Iwassupremelyindifferent。LifewasatanendsofarasIwasconcerned。

Ihadruinedtheonechanceofrealhappinessthathadeverbeenheldouttome，andifthegentlemenofthecourtsofToulousewerepleasedtosendmeunheededtothescaffold，whatshoulditsignify？

Buttherewasanothermatterthatdidinterestme，andthatwasmyinterviewwithMarsac。Touchingthis，Ispoketomycaptor。

“ThereisagentlemanIwishtoseeatGrenadethismorning。Youhaveamongstthepaperstakenfrommealettermakingthisassignation，MonsieurleCapitaine，andIshouldbeindeedgratefulifyouwoulddeterminethatweshallbreakourfastthere，sothatImayhaveanopportunityofseeinghim。Thematteristomeofthehighestimportance。”

“Itconcerns-？”heasked。

“Alady。”Ianswered。

“Ah，yes！Buttheletterisofthenatureofachallenge，isitnot？Naturally，Icannotpermityoutoendangeryourlife。”

“LestwedisappointtheheadsmanatToulouse？”Ilaughed。“Havenofear。Thereshallbenoduel！“

“ThenIamcontent，monsieur，andyoushallseeyourfriend。”

Ithankedhim，andwetalkedofotherthingsthereafteraswerodeintheearlymorningalongtheToulouseroad。Ourconversationfounditsway，Iscarceknowhow，tothetopicofParisandtheCourt，andwhenIcasuallymentioned，inpassing，thatIwaswellacquaintedwiththeLuxembourg，heinquiredwhetherIhadeverchancedtomeetayoungsparkofthenameofMironsac。

“Mironsac？”Iechoed。“Why，yes。”AndIwasonthepointofaddingthatIknewtheyouthintimately，andwhatakindnessIhadforhim，when，deemingitimprudent，Icontentedmyselfwithasking，“Youknowhim？”

“Pardiou！“heswore。“Thefellowismycousin。WearebothMironsacs;heisMironsacofCastelvert，whilstI，asyoumayrememberItoldyou，amMironsacofCastelroux。Todistinguishus，heisalwaysknownasMironsac，andIasCastelroux。Peste！Itisnottheonlydistinction，forwhilehebasksinthesunshineofthegreatworldofParis-theyarewealthy，theMironsacsofCastelvert-I，apoordevilofaGasconycadet，amplayingthecatchpollinLanguedoc！“

Ilookedathimwithfreshinterest，forthementionofthatdearladMironsacbroughtbacktomymindthenightinParisonwhichmyill-starredwagerhadbeenlaid，andIwasremindedofhowthathigh-mindedyouthhadsought-whenitwastoolatetoreasonmeoutoftheundertakingbyalludingtothedishonourwithwhichinhishonesteyesitmustbefraught。

Wespokeofhiscousin-CastelrouxandI-andIwentsofarnowastoconfessthatIhadsomelovefortheyouth，whomIpraisedinunmistakableterms。ThisinclinedtoincreasethefriendlinesswhichmyyoungCaptainhadmanifestedsincemyarrest，andIwaspresentlyemboldenedbyittobegofhimtoaddtothemanyfavoursthatIalreadyowedhimbyreturningtometheportraitwhichhismenhadsubtractedfrommypocket。ItwasmywishtoreturnthistoMarsac，whilstatthesametimeitwouldaffordcorroborationofmystory。

TothisCastelrouxmadenodifficulty。

“Why，yes。”saidhe，andheproducedit。“Icraveyourpardonfornothavingdonethethingofmyownaccord。WhatcantheKeeperoftheSealswantwiththatpicture？”

Ithankedhim，andpocketedthelocket。

“Poorlady！“hesighed，anoteofcompassioninhisvoice。“Bymysoul，MonsieurdeLesperon，fineworkthisforsoldiers，isitnot？

Diable！Itisenoughtoturnagentleman’sstomachsourforlife，andmakehimgohidehimselffromtheeyesofhonestmen。HadI

knownthatsoldieringmeantsuchbusiness，IhadthoughttwicebeforeIadopteditasacareerforamanofhonour。IhadremainedinGasconyandtilledtheearthsoonerthanhavelentmyselftothis！“

“Mygoodyoungfriend。”Ilaughed，“whatyoudo，youdointheKing’sname。”

“Sodoeseverytipstaff。”heansweredimpatiently，hismoustachesbristlingastheresultofthescornfultwisthe-gavehislips。“TothinkthatIshouldhaveahandinbringingtearstotheeyesofthatsweetlady！Quellebesogne！BonDiou，quellebesogne！“

IlaughedatthedistressventedinthatwhimsicalGascontongueofhis，whereuponheeyedmeinawonderthatwastemperedwithadmiration。Fortohisbravesoulagentlemansostoicalastolaughundersuchparlouscircumstanceswasveryproperlyagentlemantobeadmired。

CHAPTERX

THERISENDEAD

Itwascloseuponteno’clockaswerodeintotheyardoftheimposingHoteldelaCouronneatGrenade。

Castelrouxengagedaprivateroomonthefirstfloor——ahandsomechamberoverlookingthecourtyard-andinanswertotheinquiriesthatImadeIwasinformedbythelandlordthatMonsieurdeMarsacwasnotyetarrived。

“Myassignationwas’beforenoon，’MonsieurdeCastelroux。”saidI。

“Withyourpermission，Iwouldwaituntilnoon。”

Hemadenodifficulty。Twohourswereofnoaccount。Wehadallrisenveryearly，andhewas，himself，hesaid，entitledtosomerest。

WhilstIstoodbythewindowitcametopassthanaverytall，indifferentlyapparelledgentlemanissuedfromthehostelryandhaltedforsomemomentsinconversationwiththeostlerbelow。Hewalkedwithanenfeebledstep，andleanedheavilyforsupportuponastoutcane。AsheturnedtoreentertheinnIhadaglimpseofafacewoefullypale，aboutwhich，asabouttheman’swholefigure，therewasasomethingthatwasfamiliar-asomethingthatpuzzledme，andonwhichmymindwasstilldwellingwhenpresentlyIsatdowntobreakfastwithCastelroux。

Itmayhavebeenahalf-hourlater，and，ourmealbeingatanend，weweresittingtalking-IgrowingimpatientthewhilethatthisMonsieurdeMarsacshouldkeepmewaitingso-whenofasuddentherattleofhoofsdrewmeoncemoretothewindow。Agentleman，ridingveryrecklessly，hadjustdashedthroughtheporte-cochere，andwasintheactofpullinguphishorse。Hewasalean，activeman，veryrichlydressed，andwithafacethatbyitsswarthinessofskinandthesablehueofbeardandhairlookedalmostblack。

“Ah，youarethere！“hecried，withsomethingbetweenasnarlandalaugh，andaddressingsomebodywithintheshelteroftheporch。

“ParlamortDieu，Ihadhardlylookedtofindyou！“

>FromtherecessofthedoorwayIheardagaspofamazementandacryof“Marsac！Youhere？”

SothiswasthegentlemanIwastosee！Astableboyhadtakenhisreins，andheleaptnimblytotheground。IntomyrangeofvisionhobblednowtheenfeebledgentlemanwhomearlierIhadnoticed。

“MydearStanislas！“hecried，“IcannottellyouhowrejoicedIamtoseeyou！“andheapproachedMarsacwitharmsthatwereopenedasiftoembracehim。

Thenewcomersurveyedhimamomentinwonder，witheyesgrowndull。

Thenabruptlyraisinghishand，hestruckthefellowonthebreast，andthrusthimbacksoviolentlythatbutforthestable=boy’sinterventionhehadofacertaintyfallen。Withalookofstartledamazementonhishaggardface，theinvalidregardedhisassailant。

AsforMarsac，hesteppedcloseuptohim。

“Whatisthis？”hecriedharshly。“Whatisthismake-believefeebleness？Thatyouarepale，poltroon，Idonotwonder！Butwhythesetotteringlimbs？Whythisassumptionofweakness？Doyoulooktotrickmebythesesigns？”

“Haveyoutakenleaveofyoursenses？”exclaimedtheother，anoteofresponsiveangersoundinginhisvoice。“Haveyougonemad，Stanislas？”

“Abandonthispretence。”wasthecontemptuousanswer。“TwodaysagoatLavedan，myfriend，theyinformedmehowcompletewasyourrecovery;fromwhattheytoldus，itwaseasytoguesswhyyoutarriedthereandleftuswithoutnewsofyou。Thatwasmyreason，asyoumayhavesurmised，forwritingtoyou。Mysisterhasmournedyoufordead-wasmourningyoufordeadwhilstyousatatthefeetofyourRoxalanneandmadelovetoheramongtherosesofLavedan。”

“Lavedan？”echoedtheotherslowly。Then，raisinghisvoice:

“Whatthedevilareyousaying？”heblazed。“WhatdoIknowofLavedan？”

Inaflashithadcometomewhothatenfeebledgentlemanwas。

Rodenard，theblunderer，hadbeenatfaultwhenhehadsaidthatLesperonhadexpired。Clearlyhecouldhavenomorethanswooned;

forhere，intheflesh，wasLesperonhimself，themanIhadleftfordeadinthatbarnbyMirepoix。

Howorwherehehadrecoveredwerethingsthatatthemomentdidnotexercisemymind-norhaveIsincebeenatanypainstounravelthemysteryofit;buttherehewas，andforthemomentthatfactwasall-sufficing。WhatcomplicationswouldcomeofhispresenceHeavenalonecouldforetell。

“Putanendtothisplay-acting！“roaredthesavageMarsac。“Itwillavailyounothing。Mysister’stearsmayhaveweighedlightlywithyou，butyoushallpaythepriceofthem，andoftheslightyouhaveputuponher。”

“MyGod，Marsac！“criedtheother，rousedtoanequalfierceness。

“Willyouexplain？”

“Aye。”snarledMarsac，andhisswordflashedfromhisscabbard。”

I’llexplain。AsGodlives，I’llexplain-withthis！“Andhewhirledhisbladeundertheeyesoftheinvalid。“Come，mymaster，thecomedy’splayedout。Castasidethatcrutchanddraw;draw，man，or，sangdieu，I’llrunyouthroughasyoustand！“

Therewasacommotionbelow。Thelandlordandaposseofhissatellites-waiters，ostlers，andstableboys-rushedbetweenthem，andsoughttorestrainthebloodthirstyMarsac。Butheshookthemoffasabullshakesoffapackofdogs，andlikeanangrybull，too，didhestandhisgroundandbellow。Inamomenthissweepingswordhadclearedacircleabouthim。Initslightningdartingshitherandthitheratrandom，ithadstungawaiterinthecalf，andwhenthefellowsawthebloodstaininghishose，headdedtothegeneraldinhisshrieksthathewasmurdered。

Marsacsworeandthreatenedinabreath，andakitchenwench，fromapointofvantageonthesteps，calledshameuponhimandabusedhimroundlyforacowardlyassassintoassailapoorsuffererwhocouldhardlystandupright。

“Po’CapdeDiou！“sworeCastelrouxatmyelbow。“Sawyoueversuchanado？Whathaschanced？”

ButIneverstayedtoanswerhim。UnlessIactedquicklybloodwouldassuredlybeshed。Iwarstheonemanwhocouldexplainmatters，anditwasamercyforLesperonthatIshouldhavebeenathandinthehourofhismeetingthatfire-eaterMarsac。IforgotthecircumstancesinwhichIstoodtoCastelroux;IforgoteverythingbuttheimminentnecessitythatIshouldintervene。

Somesevenfeetbelowourwindowwastheroofoftheporch;fromthattothegrounditmightbesomeeightfeetmore。BeforemyGasconcaptainknewwhatIwasabout，Ihadswungmyselfdownfromthewindowontotheprojectingporch。Asecondlater，Icreatedadiversionbylandinginthemidstofthecourtyardfray，withthealarmedCastelroux-whoimaginedthatIwasescaping-followingbythesameunusualroad，andshoutingashecame“MonsieurdeLesperon！Hi！MonsieurdeLesperon！Mordiou！Rememberyourparole，MonsieurdeLesperon！“

NothingcouldhavebeenbettercalculatedtostemMarsac’sfury;

nothingcouldhavesopredisposedhimtolendaneartowhatIhadtosay，foritwasveryevidentthatCastelroux’swordswereaddressedtome，andthatitwasIwhomhecalledbythenameofLesperon。InaninstantIwasatMarsac’sside。ButbeforeI

couldutteraword“Whatthedevildoesthismean？”heasked，eyeingmewithfiercesuspicion。

“Itmeans，monsieur，thattherearemoreLesperonsthanoneinFrance。IamtheLesperonwhowasatLavedan。Ifyoudoubtme，askthisgentleman，whoarrestedmetherelastnight。Askhim，too，whywehavehaltedhere。Askhim，ifyouwill，toshowyoutheletterthatyouleftatLavedanmakinganassignationherebeforenoonto-day，whichletterIreceived。”

ThesuspicionfadedfromMarsac’seyes，andtheygrewroundwithwonderashelistenedtothisprodigiousarrayofevidence。

Lesperonlookedoninnolessamazement，yetIamsurefromthemannerofhisglancethathedidnotrecognizeinmethemanthathadsuccouredhimatMirepoix。That，afterall，wasnaturalenough;forthemindsofmeninsuchreducedconditionsashadbeenhisuponthatnightarenotpronetoreceiveveryclearimpressions，andstilllesspronetoretainsuchimpressionsastheydoreceive。

BeforeMarsaccouldanswerme，Castelrouxwasat，myside。

“Athousandapologies！“helaughed。“Afoolmighthaveguessedtheerrandthattookyousoquicklythroughthatwindow，andnonebutafoolwouldhavesuspectedyouofseekingtoescape。Itwasunworthyinme，MonsieurdeLesperon。”

Iturnedtohimwhilethoseothersstillstoodgaping，andledhimaside。

“MonsieurleCapitaine。”saidI，“youfindittroublesomeenoughtoreconcileyourconsciencewithsucharrestsasyouarechargedtomake，isitnotso。

“Mordiou！“hecried，bywayofemphaticallyassenting。

“Now，ifyoushouldchancetooverhearwordsbetrayingtoyoucertainpeoplewhomotherwiseyouwouldneversuspectofbeingrebels，yoursoldier’sdutywould，nevertheless，compelyoutoapprehendthem，woulditnot？”

“Why，true。Iamafraiditwould。”heanswered，withagrimace。

“But，ifforewarnedthatbybeingpresentinacertainplaceyoushouldoverhearsuchwords，whatcoursewouldyoupursue？”

“Avoiditlikeapestilence，monsieur。”heansweredpromptly。

“Then，MonsieurleCapitaine，mayItrespassuponyourgenerositytobeseechyoutoletmetaketheselitigantstoourroomupstairs，andtoleaveusalonethereforahalf-hour？”

FranknesswasmybestfriendindealingwithCastelroux-franknessandhisdistasteforthebusinesstheyhadchargedhimwith。AsforMarsacandLesperon，theywerebotheagerenoughtohavethemysteryexplained，andwhenCastelrouxhavingconsented-Iinvitedthemtomychamber，theycamereadilyenough。

SinceMonsieurdeLesperondidnotrecognizeme，therewasnoreasonwhyIshouldenlightenhimtouchingmyidentity，andeveryreasonwhyIshouldnot。Assoonastheywereseated，Iwenttotheheartofthematteratonceandwithoutpreamble。

“Afortnightago，gentlemen。”saidI，“IwasdrivenbyapackofdragoonsacrosstheGaronne。Iwaswoundedintheshoulderandveryexhausted，andIknockedatthegatesofLavedantocraveshelter。

Thatshelter，gentlemen，wasaffordedme，andwhenIhadannouncedmyselfasMonsieurdeLesperon，itwasallthemorecordiallybecauseoneMonsieurdeMarsac，whowasafriendoftheVicomtedeLavedan，andapartisaninthelostcauseofOrleans，happenedoftentohavespokenofacertainMonsieurdeLesperonashisverydearfriend。Ihavenodoubt，gentlemen，thatyouwillthinkharshlyofmebecauseIdidnotenlightentheVicomte。ButtherewerereasonsforwhichItrustyouwillnotpressme，sinceIshallfinditdifficulttoansweryouwithtruth。”

“ButisyournameLesperon？”criedLesperon。

“That，monsieur，isasmallmatter。WhethermynameisLesperonornot，IconfesstohavingpractisedaduplicityupontheVicomteandhisfamily，sinceIamcertainlynottheLesperonwhoseidentityI

accepted。ButifIacceptedthatidentity，monsieur，Ialsoacceptedyourliabilities，andsoIthinkthatyoushouldfinditinyourhearttoextendmesomemeasureofforgiveness。AsRenedeLesperon，ofLesperoninGascony，IwasarrestedlastnightatLavedan，and，asyoumayobserve，IambeingtakentoToulousetostandthechargeofhightreason。Ihavenotdemurred;Ihavenotdeniedinthehouroftroubletheidentitythatservedmeinmyhourofneed。Iamtakingthebitterwiththesweet，andIassureyou，gentlemen，thatthebitterpredominatesinaverymarkeddegree。”

“Butthismustnotbe。”criedLesperon，rising:“Iknownotwhatuseyoumayhavemadeofmyname，butIhavenoreasontothinkthatyoucanhavebroughtdiscredituponit，andso-“

“Ithankyou，monsieur，but-“

“AndsoIcannotsubmitthatyoushallgotoToulouseinmystead。

Whereisthisofficerwhoseprisoneryouare？Praysummonhim，monsieur，andletussetthematterright。”

“Thisisverygenerous。”Iansweredcalmly。“ButIhavecrimesenoughuponmyhead，andso，iftheworstshouldbefallme，Iamsimplyatoninginonepersonfortheerrorsoftwo。”

“Butthatisnoconcernofmine！“hecried。

“Itissomuchyourconcernthatifyoucommitsoegregiousablunderastodenounceyourself，youwillhaveruinedyourself，withoutmateriallybenefittingme。

Hestillobjected，butinthisstrainIarguedforsometime，andtosuchgoodpurposethatintheendImadehimrealizethatbybetrayinghimselfhewouldnotsaveme，butonlyjoinmeonthejourneytothescaffold。

“Besides，gentlemen。”Ipursued，“mycaseisfarfromhopeless。I

haveeveryconfidencethat，asmattersstand，byputtingforthmyhandattherightmoment，byannouncingmyidentityattheproperseason，Ican，ifamsoinclined，savemyneckfromtheheadsman。”

“Ifyouaresoinclined？”theybothcried，theirlookschargedwithinquiry。

“Letthatbe。”Ianswered;“itdoesnotatpresentconcernus。WhatIdesireyoutounderstand，MonsieurdeLesperon，-isthatifIgotoToulousealone，whenthetimecomestoproclaimmyself，anditisfoundthatIamnotRenedeLesperon，ofLesperoninGascony，theywillassumethatyouaredead，andtherewillbenocountagainstme。

“Butifyoucomewithme，andtherebyaffordproofthatyouarealive，myimpersonationofyoumaycausemetrouble。TheymayopinethatIhavebeenanabettoroftreason，thatIhaveattemptedtocircumventtheendsofjustice，andthatImayhaveimpersonatedyouinordertorenderpossibleyourescape。Forthat，youmayrestassured，theywillpunishme。

“Youwillsee，therefore，thatmyownsafetyrestsonyourpassingquietlyoutofFranceandleavingthebeliefbehindyouthatyouaredead-abeliefthatwillquicklyspreadonceIshallhavecastoffyouridentity。Youapprehendme？”

“Vaguely，monsieur;andperhapsyouareright。Whatdoyousay，Stanislas？”

“Say？”criedthefieryMarsac。“Iamweigheddownwithshame，mypoorRene，forhavingsomisjudgedyou。”

Morehewouldhavesaidinthesamestrain，butLesperoncuthimshortandbadehimattendtotheissuenowbeforehim。Theydiscusseditatsomelength，butalwaysunderthecloudinwhichmymysteriousnessenvelopedit，and，intheend，encouragedbymyrenewedassurancesthatIcouldbestsavemyselfifLesperonwerenottakenwithme，theGasconconsentedtomyproposals。

MarsacwasonhiswaytoSpain。Hissister，hetoldus，awaitedhimatCarcassonne。Lesperonshouldsetoutwithhimatonce，andinforty-eighthourstheywouldbebeyondthereachoftheKing’sanger。

“Ihaveafavourtoaskofyou，MonsieurdeMarsac。”saidI，rising;

forourbusinesswasatanend。“ItisthatifyoushouldhaveanopportunityofcommunicatingwithMademoiselledeLavedan，youwillletherknowthatIamnot-nottheLesperonthatisbetrothedtoyoursister。’’

“Iwillinformherofit，monsieur。”heansweredreadily;andthen，ofasudden，alookofunderstandingandofinfinitepitycameintohiseyes。“MyGod！“hecried。

“Whatisit，monsieur？”Iasked，staggeredbythatsuddenoutcry。

“Donotaskme，monsieur，donotaskme。Ihadforgottenforthemoment，intheexcitementofalltheserevelations。But-“Hestoppedshort。

“Well，monsieur？”

Heseemedtoponderamoment，thenlookingatmeagainwiththatsamecompassionateglance“Youhadbetterknow。”saidhe。“Andyet-itisadifficultthingtotellyou。IunderstandnowmuchthatIhadnotdreamtof。You-youhavenosuspicionofhowyoucametobearrested？”

“Formyallegedparticipationinthelaterebellion？”

“Yes，yes。Butwhogavetheinformationofyourwhereabouts？WhotoldtheKeeperoftheSealswhereyouweretobefound？”

“Oh，that？”Iansweredeasily。“Why，Ineverdoubtedit。ItwasthecoxcombSaint-Eustache。Iwhippedhim-“

Istoppedshort。TherewassomethinginMarsac’sblackface，somethinginhisglance，thatforcedtheunspokentruthuponmymind。

“Motherinheaven！“Icried。“DoyoumeanthatitwasMademoiselledeLavedan？”

Hebowedhisheadinsilence。Didshehateme，then，somuchasthat？Wouldnothinglessthanmydeathappeaseher，andhadI

utterlycrushedthelovethatforalittlewhileshehadborneme，thatshecouldbringherselftohandmeovertotheheadsman？

God！Whatastabwasthat！Itturnedmesickwithgrief-aye，andwithsomeragenotagainsther，oh，notagainsther;againstthefatesthathadbroughtsuchthingstopass。

Icontrolledmyselfwhiletheireyeswereyetuponme。Iwenttothedoorandhelditopenforthem，andthey，perceivingsomethingofmydisorder，werecourteousenoughtoomittheprotractedleave-takingsthatunderotherauspicestheremighthavebeen。

Marsacpausedamomentonthethresholdasifhewouldhaveofferedmesomewordofcomfort。Then，perceiving，perhaps，howbanalmustbeallcomfortthatwasofwordsalone，andhowitmightbutincreasetheangerofthewounditwasmeanttobalm，hesighedasimple“Adieu，monsieur！“andwenthisway。

Whentheyweregone，Ireturnedtothetable，and，sittingdown，I

buriedmyheadinmyarms，andthereIlay，apreytothemostpoignantgriefthatinallmyeasy，fortunatelifeIhadeverknown。

Thatsheshouldhavedonethisthing！ThatthewomanIloved，thepure，sweet，innocentgirlthatIhadwooedsoardentlyinmyunworthinessatLavedan，shouldhavestoopedtosuchanactofbetrayal！TowhathadInotreducedher，sincesuchthingscouldbe！

Then，outofmydespairgrewcomfort，slowlyatfirst，andmorevigorouslyanon。Thesuddenshockofthenewshadrobbedmeofsomeofmywit，andhadwarpedmyreasoning。Later，asthepainoftheblowgrewduller，Icametoreflectthatwhatshehaddonewasbutaproof-anoverwhelmingproof-ofhowdeeplyshehadcared。Suchhatredasthiscanbebutbornofagreatlove;reactionisevertobemeasuredbytheactionthatoccasionsit，andagreatrevulsioncanonlycomeofagreataffection。Hadshebeenindifferenttome，orhadshebutentertainedformeapassingliking，shewouldnothavesufferedso。

AndsoIcametorealizehowcruelmusthavebeenthepangthathaddrivenhertothis。Butshehadlovedme;aye，andshelovedmestill，forallthatshethoughtshehated，andforallthatshehadactedasifshehated。ButevenifIwerewrong-evenifshedidhateme-whatafreshrevulsionwouldnotbeherswhenanonshelearntthat-whatevermysins-Ihadnotplayedlightlywithherlove;thatIwasnot，asshehadimagined，thebetrothedofanotherwoman！

Thethoughtfiredmelikewine。Iwasnolongerlistless-nolongerindifferentastowhetherIlivedordied。Imustlive。ImustenlightentheKeeperoftheSealsandthejudgesatToulouseconcerningmyidentity。Why，indeed，hadIeverwavered？BardelystheMagnificentmustcometolifeagain，andthen-Whatthen？

AssuddenlyasIhadbeenexaltedwasIcastdown。TherewasarumourabroadthatBardelyswasdead。InthewakeofthatrumourIshrewdlyguessedthatthereportofthewagerthathadbroughthimintoLanguedocwouldnotbeslowtofollow。Whatthen？Wouldshelovemeanythebetter？Wouldshehatemeanytheless？IfnowshewaswoundedbythebeliefthatIhadmadesportofherlove，wouldnotthatsamebeliefbewithheragainwhenshecametoknowthetruth？

Aye，thetanglewasagrievousone。YetItookheart。Myoldresolvereturnedtome，andIsawtheneedforurgency-inthatalonecouldlienowmyredemptioninhereyes。MywagermustbepaidbeforeIagainrepairedtoher，forallthatitshouldleavemepoorindeed。Inthemeanwhile，IprayedGodthatshemightnothearofitereIreturnedtotellher。

CHAPTERXI

THEKING’SCOMMISSIONER

ForthatmostamiableofGasconcadets，MonsieurdeCastelroux，I

havenaughtbutthehighestpraise。Inhiseverydealingwithmeherevealedhimselfsoverygallant，generous，andhigh-mindedagentlemanthatitwaslittleshortofapleasuretobehisprisoner。

HemadenoinquiriestouchingthenatureofmyinterviewwiththosetwogentlemenattheHoteldelaCouronne，andwhenatthemomentofleavingIrequestedhimtodeliverapackettothetallerofthosesametwohedidsowithoutcommentorquestion。ThatpacketcontainedtheportraitofMademoiselledeMarsac，butontheinnerwrapperwasanoterequestingLesperonnottoopenituntilheshouldbeinSpain。

NeitherMarsacnorLesperondidIseeagainbeforeweresumedourjourneytoToulouse。

Atthemomentofsettingoutacuriousincidentoccurred。

Castelroux’scompanyofdragoonshadriddenintothecourtyardasweweremounting。Theylinedupundertheirlieutenant’scommand，toallowustopass;butaswereachedtheporte-cochereweweredelayedforamomentbyatravelling-carriage，enteringforrelays，andcoming，apparently，fromToulouse。CastelrouxandIbackedourhorsesuntilwewereinthemidstofthedragoons，andsowestoodwhilethevehiclepassedin。Asitwentby，oneoftheleathercurtainswasdrawnback，andmyheartwasquickenedbythesightofapalegirlface，witheyesofblue，andbrowncurlslyingupontheslenderneck。Herglancelightedonme，swordlessandinthemidstofthatcompanyoftroopers，andIbowedlowuponthewithersofmyhorse，doffingmyhatindistantsalutation。

Thecurtaindroppedagain，andeclipsedthefaceofthewomanthathadbetrayedme。Withmymindfullofwildsurmisingsastowhatemotionsmighthaveawakenedinheruponbeholdingme，IrodeawayinsilenceatMonsieurdeCastelroux’sside。Hadsheexperiencedanyremorse？Anyshame？Whetherornotsuchfeelingshadbeenarousedatsightofme，itcertainlywouldnotbelongeresheexperiencedthem，forattheHoteldelaCouronnewerethosewhowouldenlightenher。

Thecontemplationoftheremorsefulgriefthatmightanonbesetherwhenshecametoponderthetruthofmatters，and，withthattruth，thosethingsthatatLavedanIhaduttered，filledmepresentlywithregretandpity。IgrewimpatienttoreachToulouseandtellthejudgesofthemistakethattherehadbeen。Mynamecouldnotbeunknowntothem，andtheverymentionofit，Ithought，shouldsufficetogivethempauseandleadthemtomakeinquiriesbeforesendingmetothescaffold。YetIwasnotwithoutuneasiness，forthesurnmarinesswithwhichCastelrouxhadinformedmetheywereinthehabitofdealingwiththoseaccusedofhightreasonoccasionedmesomeapprehensivepangs。

Thisapprehensionledmetoconversewithmycaptortouchingthosetrials，seekingtogatherfromhimwhowerethejudges。IlearntthenthatbesidestheordinaryTribunal，aCommissionerhadbeendispatchedbyHisMajesty，andwashourlyexpectedtoarriveatToulouse。Itwouldbehismissiontosuperviseanddirecttheinquiriesthatweretakingplace。Itwassaid，headded，thattheKinghimselfwasonhiswaythither，tobepresentatthetrialofMonsieurleDucdeMontmorency。Buthewastravellingbyeasystages，andwasnotyetexpectedforsomedays。Myheart，whichhadleaptatthenews，assuddenlysankagainwiththeconsiderationthatIshouldprobablybedisposedofbeforetheKing’sarrival。