第4章

Itwouldbehooveme，therefore，tolookelsewhereforhelpandforsomeonetosweartomyidentity。

“DoyouknowthenameofthisKing’sCommissioner？”Iasked。

“ItisacertainComtedeChatellerault，agentlemanmansaidtostandveryhighinHisMajesty’sfavour。”

“Chatellerault！“Icriedinwonderingjoy。“Youknowhim？”

“Mostexcellently！“Ilaughed。“Weareveryintimatelyacquainted。”

“Why，then，monsieur，Iauguryouthisgentleman’sfriendship，andthatitmaypilotyouthroughyourtrouble。Although-“Beingmercifullyminded，hestoppedshort。

ButIlaughedeasily。“Indeed，mydearCaptain，Ithinkitwill。”

saidI;“althoughfriendshipinthisworldisathingofwhichtheunfortunateknowlittle。”

ButIrejoicedtoosoon，asyoushallhear。

Werodediligentlyon，ourwaylyingalongthefertilebanksoftheGaronne，nowyellowwiththerustlingcorn。TowardseveningwemadeourlasthaltatFenouillet，whenceacoupleofhours’ridingshouldbringustoToulouse。

Atthepost-houseweovertookacarriagethatseeminglyhadhaltedforrelays，butuponwhichIscarcebestowedaglanceasIalighted。

WhilstCastelrouxwenttoarrangeforfreshhorses，Istrodeintothecommonroom，andthereforsomemomentsIstooddiscussingtheviandswithourhost。WhenatlastIhadresolvedthatacoldpastyandabottleofArmagnacwouldsatisfyourwants，Ilookedaboutmetotakesurveyofthoseintheroom。OnegroupinaremotecornersuddenlyrivetedmyattentiontosuchadegreethatIremaineddeaftothevoiceofCastelroux，whohadjustentered，andwhostoodnowbesideme。InthecentreofthisgroupwastheComtedeChatelleraulthimself，athick-set，sombrefigure，dressedwiththatfunerealmagnificenceheaffected。

Butitwasnotthesightofhimthatfilledmewithamazement。Forthat，Castelroux’sinformationhadpreparedme，andIwellunderstoodinwhatcapacityhewasthere。Mysurprisesprangratherfromthefactthatamongstthehalf-dozengentlemenabouthim-andevidentlyinattendance-IbeheldtheChevalierdeSaint-Eustache。Now，knowingasIdid，theChevalier’streasonableleanings，therewasamplecauseformyastonishmentatfindinghiminsuchcompany。

Apparently，too，hewasonveryintimatetermswiththeCount，forinraisingmyglanceIhadcaughthimintheactofleaningovertowhisperfamiliarlyinChatellerault’sear。

Theireyes-indeed，forthatmattertheeyesoftheentirecompany-wereturnedinmydirection。

PerhapsitwasnotasurprisingthingthatChatelleraultshouldgazeuponmeinthatcuriousfashion，for，wasitnotprobablethathehadheardthatIwasdead？Besides，thefactthatIwaswithoutasword，andthatatmysidestoodaKing’sofficer，affordedevidenceenoughofmycondition，andwellmightChatelleraultstareatbeholdingmesomanifestlyaprisoner。

EvenasIwatchedhim，heappearedtostartatsomethingthatSaint-Eustachewassaying，andacuriouschangespreadoverhisface。

Itswhilomexpressionhadbeenratheroneofdismay;for，havingbelievedmedead，henodoubtaccountedhiswagerwon，whereasseeingmealivehaddestroyedthatpleasantconviction。Butnowittookonalookofreliefandofsomethingthatsuggestedmaliciouscunning。

“That。”saidCastelrouxinmyear，“istheKing’scommissioner。

DidInotknowit？Ineverwaitedtoanswerhim，but，stridingacrosstheroom，Iheldoutmyhandoverthetable-toChatellerault。

“MydearComte。”Icried，“youaremostchoicelymet。

Iwouldhaveaddedmore，buttherewassomethinginhisattitudethatsilencedme。Hehadturnedhalffromme，andstoodnow，handonhip，hisgreatheadthrownbackandtiltedtowardshisshoulder，hisexpressiononeoffreezinganddisdainfulwonder。

Now，ifhisattitudefilledmewithastonishmentandapprehension，considerhowthesefeelingswereheightenedbyhiswords。

“MonsieurdeLesperon，Icanbutexpressamazementatyoureffrontery。

Ifwehavebeenacquaintedinthepast，doyouthinkthatisasufficientreasonformetotakeyourhandnowthatyouhaveplacedyourselfinapositionwhichrendersitimpossibleforHisMajesty’sloyalservantstoknowyou？”

Ifellbackapace，mymindscarcegraspingyetthedepthsofthisinexplicableattitude。

“Thistome，Chatellerault？”Igasped。

“Toyou？”heblazed，stirredtoasuddenpassion。“Whatelsedidyouexpect，MonsieurdeLesperon？”

Ihaditinmetogivehimthelie，todenouncehimthenforalow，swindlingtrickster。Iunderstoodallatoncethemeaningofthiswondrousmake-believe。FromSaint-Eustachehehadgatheredthemistaketherewas，andforhiswager’ssakehewouldlettheerrorprevail，andhurrymetothescaffold。WhatelsemightIhaveexpectedfromthemanthathadluredmeintosuchawager-awagerwhichtheknowledgehepossessedhadmadehimcertainofwinning？

Wouldhewhohadcheatedatthedealingofthecardsneglectanopportunitytocheatagainduringtheprogressofthegame？

AsIhavesaid，Ihaditinmymindtocryoutthathelied-thatIwasnotLesperonthatheknewIwasBardelys。Butthefutilityofsuchanoutcrycametomesimultaneouslywiththethoughtofit。

And，Ifearme，Istoodbeforehimandhissatellites-themockingSaint-Eustacheamongstthem-averyfoolishfigure。

“Thereisnomoretobesaid。”Imurmuredatlast。

“Butthereis！“heretorted。“Thereismuchmoretobesaid。Youshallrenderyetanaccountofyourtreason，andIamafraid，mypoorrebel，thatyourcomelyheadwillpartcompanywithyourshapelybody。YouandIwillmeetatToulouse。WhatmoreistobesaidwillbesaidintheTribunalthere。”

Achillencompassedme。Iwasdoomed，itseemed。Thisman，rulingtheprovincependingtheKing’sarrival，wouldseetoitthatnonecameforwardtorecognizeme。Hewouldexpeditethecomedyofmytrial，andcloseitwiththetragedyofmyexecution。Myprofessionsofamistakeofidentity-ifIwastedbreathuponthemwouldbetreatedwithdisdainanddisregardedutterly。God！WhatapositionhadIgotmyselfinto，andwhataveinofcomedyranthroughit-

grim，tragiccomedy，ifyouwill，yetcomedytoallfaith。TheverywomanwhomIhadwageredtowedhadbetrayedmeintothehandsoftheverymanwithwhomIlaidmywager。

Buttherewasmoreinitthanthat。AsIhadtoldMironsacthatnightinParis，whenthethinghadbeetinitiated，itwasaduelthatwasbeingfoughtbetwixtChatelleraultandme-aduelforsupremacyintheKing’sgoodgraces。Wewererivals，andhedesiredmyremovalfromtheCourt。Tothisendhadheluredmeintoabargainthatshouldresultinmyfinancialruin，therebycompellingmetowithdrawfromthecostlylifeoftheLuxembourg，andleavinghimsupreme，thesoleanduncontestedrecipientofourmaster’sfavour。NowintohishandFatehadthrustastouterweaponandadeadlier:aweaponwhichnotonlyshouldmakehimmasterofthewealththatIhadpledged，butonewherebyhemightremovemeforalltime，athousandfoldmoreeffectivelythanthemereencompassingofmyruinwouldhavedone。

Iwasdoomed。Irealizeditfullyand，verybitterly。

Iwastogooutofthewaysofmenunnoticedandunmourned;asarebel，undertheobscurenameofanotherandbearinganother’ssinsuponmyshoulders，Iwastopassalmostunheededtothegallows。

BardelystheMagnificent-theMarquisMarcelSaint-PoldeBardelys，whosesplendourhadbeenabywordinFrance-wastogooutlikeagutteringcandle。

Thethoughtfilledmewiththeawfulfrenzythatsooftengoeswithimpotencysuchafrenzyasthedamnedinhellmayknow。Iforgotinthathourmypreceptthatundernoconditionsshouldagentlemangivewaytoanger。InablindaccessoffuryIflungmyselfacrossthetableandcaughtthatvillainouscheatbythethroat，beforeanytherecouldputoutahandtostopme。

Hewasaheavyman，ifashortone，andthestrengthofhisthick-setframewasathingabnormal。YetatthatmomentsuchnervouspowerdidIgatherfrommyrage，thatIswunghimfromhisfeetasthoughhehadbeenthepuniestweakling。Idraggedhimdownontothetable，andthereIgroundhisfacewithamostexcellentgood-willandrelish。

“Youliar，youcheat，youthief！“Isnarledlikeanycross-grainedmongrel。“TheKingshallhearofthis，youknave！ByGod，heshall！“

Theydraggedmefromhimatlast-thoselapdogsthatattendedhim-andwithmuchroughhandlingtheysentmesprawlingamongthesawdustonthefloor。ItismorethanlikelythatbutforCastelroux’sinterventiontheyhadmadeshortworkofmethereandthen。

ButwithabunchofMordious，Sangdious，andPo’CapdeDious，thelittleGasconflunghimselfbeforemyprostratefigure，andbadethemintheKing’sname，andattheirperil，tostandback。

Chatellerault，sorelyshaken，hisfacepurple，andwithbloodstreamingfromhisnostrils，hadsunkintoachair。Herosenow，andhisfirstwordswereincoherent，raginggasps。

“Whatisyourname，sir？”hebellowedatlast，addressingtheCaptain。

“AmedeedeMironsacdeCastelroux，ofChateauRougeinGascony。”

answeredmycaptor，withagrandmannerandaflourish，andadded，“Yourservant。”

“Whatauthorityhaveyoutoallowyourprisonersthisdegreeoffreedom？”

“Idonotneedauthority，monsieur。”repliedtheGascon。

“Doyounot？”blazedtheCount。“Weshallsee。WaituntilIaminToulouse，mymalapertfriend。”

Castelrouxdrewhimselfup，straightasarapier，hisfaceslightlyflushedandhisglanceangry，yethehadthepresenceofmindtorestrainhimself，partlyatleast。

“IhavemyordersfromtheKeeperoftheSeals，toeffecttheapprehensionofMonsieurdeLesperon;andtodeliverhimup，aliveordead，atToulouse。SothatIdothis，themannerofitismyownaffair，andwhopresumestocriticizemymethodscensoriouslyimpugnsmyhonourandaffrontsme。Andwhoaffrontsme，monsieur，behewhosoeverhemaybe，rendersmesatisfaction。Ibegthatyouwillbearthatcircumstanceinmind。”

Hismoustachesbristledashespoke，andaltogetherhisairwasveryfierceandtruculent。ForamomentItrembledforhim。ButtheCountevidentlythoughtbetterofitthantoprovokeaquarrel，particularlyoneinwhichhewouldbemanifestlyinthewrong，King’sCommissionerthoughhemightbe。TherewasanexchangeofquestionablecomplimentsbetwixttheofficerandtheCount，whereafter，toavoidfurtherunpleasantness，Castelrouxconductedmetoaprivateroom，wherewetookourmealingloomysilence。

Itwasnotuntilanhourlater，whenwewereagaininthesaddleanduponthelaststageofourjourney，thatIofferedCastelrouxanexplanationofmyseeminglymadattackuponChatellerault。

“Youhavedoneaveryrashandunwisething，monsieur。”hehadcommentedregretfully，anditwasinanswertothisthatIpouredoutthewholestory。Ihaddetermineduponthiscoursewhileweweresupping，forCastelrouxwasnowmyonlyhope，andaswerodebeneaththestarsofthatSeptembernighImadeknowntohimmytrueidentity。

ItoldhimthatChatelleraultknewme，andIinformedhimthatawagerlaybetweenus-withholdingtheparticularsofitsnature-whichhadbroughtmeintoLanguedocandintothepositionwhereinhehadfoundandarrestedme。Atfirsthehesitatedtobelieveme，butwhenatlastIhadconvincedhimbythevehemenceofmyassurancesasmuchasbytheassurancesthemselves，heexpressedsuchopinionsoftheComtedeChatelleraultasmademyheartgoouttohim。

“Yousee，mydearCastelroux，thatyouarenowmylasthope。”Isaid。

“Aforlornone，mypoorgentleman！“hegroaned。

“Nay，thatneednotbe。MyintendantRodenardandsometwentyofmyservantsshouldbesomewherebetwixtthisandParis。Letthembesoughtformonsieur，andletusprayGodthattheybestillinLanguedocandmaybefoundintime。”

“Itshallbedone，monsieur，Ipromiseyou。”heansweredmesolemnly。

“ButIimplore，younottohopetoomuchfromit。Chatelleraulthasitinhispowertoactpromptly，andyoumaydependthathewillwastenotimeafterwhathaspassed。”

“Still，wemayhavetwoorthreedays，andinthosedaysyoumustdowhatyoucan，myfriend。”

“Youmaydependuponme。”hepromised。

“Andmeanwhile，Castelroux。”saidI，“youwillsaynowordofthistoanyone。”

Thatassurancealsohegaveme，andpresentlythelightsofourdestinationgleamedouttogreetus。

ThatnightIlayinadankandgloomycelloftheprisonofToulouse，withneverahopetobearcompanyduringthosedark，wakefulhours。

AdullragewasinmysoulasIthoughtofmyposition，forithadnotneededCastelroux’srecommendationtorestrainmefrombuildingfalsehopesuponhischancesoffindingRodenardandmyfollowersintimetosaveme。SomelittlerayofconsolationIculled，perhaps，frommythoughtsofRoxalanne。Outofthegloomofmycellmyfancyfashionedhersweetgirlfaceandstampeditwithalookofgentlepity，ofinfinitesorrowformeandforthehandshehadhadinbringingmetothis。

ThatshelovedmeIwasassured，andIsworethatifIlivedIwouldwinheryet，inspiteofeveryobstaclethatImyselfhadraisedformyundoing。

CHAPTERXII

THETRIBUNALOFTOULOUSE

Ihadhopedtoliesomedaysinprisonbeforebeingbroughttotrial，andthatduringthosedaysCastelrouxmighthavesucceededindiscoveringthosewhocouldwitnesstomyidentity。Conceive，therefore，somethingofmydismaywhenonthemorrowIwassummonedanhourbeforenoontogopresentmyselftomyjudges。

>FromtheprisontothePalaceIwastakeninchainslikeanythief-forthelawdemandedthisindignitytobebornebyonechargedwiththecrimestheyimputedtome。Thedistancewasbutshort，yetIfounditover-long，whichisnotwonderfulconsideringthatthepeoplestoppedtolineupasIwentbyandtocastuponmeashowerofopprobriousderision-forToulousewasaveryfaithfulandloyalcity。ItwaswithinsometwohundredyardsofthePalacestepsthatIsuddenlybeheldafaceinthecrowd，atthesightofwhichIstoodstillinmyamazement。Thisearnedmeastabinthebackfromthebutt-endofthepikeofoneofmyguards。

“Whatailsyounow？”quoththemanirritably。“Forward，Monsieurletraite！“

Imovedon，scarceremarkingthefellow’sroughness;myeyeswerestilluponthatface-thewhite，piteousfaceofRoxalanne。I

smiledreassuranceandencouragement，butevenasIsmiledthehorrorinhercountenanceseemedtoincrease。Then，asIpassedon，shevanishedfrommysight，andIwaslefttoconjecturethemotivesthathadoccasionedherreturntoToulouse。HadthemessagethatMarsacwouldyesterdayhaveconveyedtohercausedhertoretraceherstepsthatshemightbenearmeinmyextremity;orhadsomeweightierreasoninfluencedherreturn？Didshehopetoundosomeoftheevilshehaddone？Alas，poorchild！Ifsuchwereherhopes，Isorelyfearedmetheywouldproveveryidle。

OfmytrialIshouldsaybutlittledidnottheexigenciesofmystoryrenderitnecessarytosaymuch。Evennow，acrossthegapofyears，mygorgerisesatthemockerywhich，intheKing’sname，thosegentlemenmadeofjustice。Icanallowforthetroubledconditionsofthetimes，andIcanrealizehowincasesofcivildisturbancesandrebellionitmaybeexpedienttodealsummarilywithtraitors，yetnotalltheallowancesthatIcanthinkofwouldsufficetocondonethemethodsofthattribunal。

ThetrialwasconductedinprivatebytheKeeperoftheSeals-alean，wizenedindividual，withanairasmustyanddryasthatoftheparchmentsamongwhichhehadspenthisdays。Hewassupportedbysixjudges，andonhisrightsattheKing’sCommissioner，MonsieurdeChatellerault-thebruisedconditionofwhosecountenancestilladvertisedthefactthatwehadmetbutyesterday。

Uponbeingaskedmynameandplaceofabode，Icreatedsomecommotionbyansweringboldly“IamtheSieurMarceldeSaint-Pol，MarquisofBardelys，ofBardelysinPicardy。”

ThePresident-thatistosay，theKeeperoftheSeals-turnedinquiringlytoChatellerault。TheCount，however，didnomorethansmileandpointtosomethingwrittenonapaperthatlayspreaduponthetable。ThePresidentnodded。

“MonsieurRenedeLesperon。”saidhe，“theCourtmayperhapsnotbeabletodiscriminatewhetherthisstatementofyoursisadeliberateattempttomisguideorfrustratetheendsofjustice，orwhether，eitherinconsequenceofyourwoundsorasavisitationofGodforyourtreason，youarethevictimofadeplorablehallucination。ButtheCourtwishesyoutounderstandthatitissatisfiedofyouridentity。Thepapersfounduponyourpersonatthetimeofyourarrest，besidesotherevidenceinourpower，removeallpossibilityofdoubtinthatconnection。Therefore，inyourowninterests，weimploreyoutoabandonthesefalsestatements，ifsobethatyouaremasterofyourwits。Youronlyhopeofsavingyourheadmustlieinyourtruthfullyansweringourquestions，andeventhen，MonsieurdeLesperon，thehopethatweholdouttoyouissoslightastobenohopeatall。”

Therewasapause，duringwhichtheotherjudgesnoddedtheirheadsinsageapprovaloftheirPresident’swords。Formyself，Ikeptsilent，perceivinghowlittleitcouldavailmetocontinuetoprotest，andawaitedhisnextquestion。

“Youwerearrested，monsieur，attheChateaudeLavedantwonightsagobyacompanyofdragoonsunderthecommandofCaptaindeCastelroux。Isthatso？”

“Itisso，monsieur。”

“Andatthetimeofyourarrest，uponbeingapprehendedasRenedeLesperon，youofferednorepudiationoftheidentity;onthecontrary，whenMonsieurdeCastelrouxcalledforMonsieurdeLesperon，yousteppedforwardandacknowledgedthatyouwerehe。”

“Pardon，monsieur。WhatIacknowledgedwasthatIwasknownbythatname。”

ThePresidentchuckledevilly，andhissatellitessmiledinpolitereflectionofhismood。

“Thisacutedifferentiatingispeculiar，MonsieurdeLesperon，topersonsofunsoundmentalcondition。”saidhe。“Iamafraidthatitwillservelittlepurpose。Amanisgenerallyknownbyhisname，ishenot？”Ididnotanswerhim。“ShallwecallMonsieurdeCastelrouxtoconfirmwhatIhavesaid？”

“Itisnotnecessary。SinceyouallowthatImayhavesaidIwasknownbythename，butrefusetorecognizethedistinctionbetweenthatandastatementthat’Lesperon’ismyname，itwouldservenopurposetosummontheCaptain。”

ThePresidentnodded，andwiththatthepointwasdismissed，andheproceededascalmlyasthoughthereneverhadbeenanyquestionofmyidentity。

“Youarecharged，MonsieurdeLesperon，withhightreasoninitsmostvirulentandmalignantform。YouareaccusedofhavingbornearmsagainstIbisMajesty。Haveyouanythingtosay？”

“Ihavetosaythatitisfalse，monsieur;thatHisMajestyhasnomorefaithfulorlovingsubjectthanamI。”

ThePresidentshruggedhisshoulders，andashadeofannoyancecrossedhisface。

“IfyouarecomeherefornootherpurposethantodenythestatementsthatImake，Iamafraidthatwearebutwastingtime。”

hecriedtestily。“Ifyoudesireit，IcansummonMonsieurdeCastelrouxtoswearthatatthetimeofyourarrestanduponbeingchargedwiththecrimeyoumadenorepudiationofthatcharge。”

“Naturallynot，monsieur。”Icried，somewhatheatedbythisseeminglystudiedignoringofimportantfacts，“becauseIrealizedthatitwasMonsieurdeCastelroux’smissiontoarrestandnottojudgeme。MonsieurdeCastelrouxwasanofficer，notaTribunal，andtohavedeniedthisorthattohimwouldhavebeensomuchwasteofbreath。”

“Ah！Verynimble;verynimble，intruth，MonsieurdeLesperon，butscarcelyconvincing。Wewillproceed。YouarechargedwithhavingtakenpartinseveraloftheskirmishesagainstthearmiesofMarshalsdeSchombergandLaForce，andfinally，withhavingbeenincloseattendanceuponMonsieurdeMontmorencyatthebattleofCastelnaudary。Whathaveyoutosay？”

“Thatitisutterlyuntrue。”

“Yetyourname，monsieur，isonalistfoundamongthepapersinthecapturedbaggageofMonsieurleDucdeMontmorency。”

“No，monsieur。”Ideniedstoutly，“itisnot。”

ThePresidentsmotethetableablowthatscatteredaflightofpapers。

“ParlamortDieu！“heroared，withamostindecentexhibitionoftemperinonesoplaced。“Ihavehadenoughofyourcontradictions。

Youforget，monsieur，yourposition-“

“Atleast。”Ibrokeinharshly，“nolessthanyouforgetyours。”

TheKeeperoftheSealsgaspedforbreathatthat，andhisfellowjudgesmurmuredangrilyamongstthemselves。Chatelleraultmaintainedhissardonicsmile，butpermittedhimselftoutternoword。

“Iwould，gentlemen。”Icried，addressingthemall，“thatHisMajestywereheretoseehowyouconductyourtrialsanddefilehisCourts。Asforyou，MonsieurlePresident，youviolatethesanctityofyourofficeingivingwaytoanger;itisathingunpardonableinajudge。Ihavetoldyouinplainterms，gentlemen，thatIamnotthisRenedeLesperonwithwhosecrimesyouchargeme。Yet，inspiteofmydenials，ignoringthem，orsettingthemdowneithertoafutileattemptatdefenceortoanhallucinationofwhichyousupposemethevictim，youproceedtolaythosecrimestomycharge，andwhenIdenyyourchargesyouspeakofproofsthatcanonlyapplytoanother。

“HowshallthenameofLesperonhavingbeenfoundamongtheDukeofMontmorency’spapersconvictmeoftreason，sinceItellyouthatIamnotLesperon？Hadyoutheslightest，theremotestsenseofyourhighduty，messieurs，youwouldaskmerathertoexplainhow，ifwhatIstatebetrue，IcometobeconfoundedwithLesperonandarrestedin，hisplace。Then，messieurs，youmightseektotesttheaccuracyofwhatstatementsImaymake;buttoproceedasyouareproceedingisnottojudgebuttomurder。Justiceisrepresentedasavirtuouswomanwithbandagedeyes，holdingimpartialscales;

inyourhands，gentlemen，bymysoul，sheisbecomeaveryharlotclutchingaveil。”

Chatellerault’scynicalsmilegrewbroaderasmyspeechproceededandstirreduptherancourintheheartsofthoseaugustgentlemen。

TheKeeperoftheSealswentwhiteandredbyturns，andwhenI

pausedtherewasanimpressivesilencethatlastedforsomemoments。

AtlastthePresidentleantovertoconferinawhisperwithChatellerault。Then，inavoiceforcedlycalm-likethecalmofNaturewhenthunderisbrewing-heaskedme“Whodoyouinsistthatyouare，monsieur？”

“OncealreadyhaveItoldyou，andIventuretothinkthatmineisanamenoteasilyforgotten。IamtheSieurMarceldeSaint-Pol，MarquisofBardelys，ofBardelysinPicardy。”

Acunninggrinpartedhisthinlips。

“Haveyouanywitnessestoidentifyyou？”

“Hundreds，monsieur！“Iansweredeagerly，seeingsalvationalreadywithinmygrasp。

“Namesomeofthem。”

“Iwillnameone-onewhosewordyouwillnotdaretodoubt。”

“Thatis？”

“HisMajestytheKing。IamtoldthatheisonhiswaytoToulouse，andIbutask，messieurs，thatyouawaithisarrivalbeforegoingfurtherwithmytrial。”

“Istherenootherwitnessofwhomyoucanthink，monsieur？Somewitnessthatmightbeproducedmorereadily。Forifyoucan，indeed，establishtheidentityyouclaim，whyshouldyoulanguishinprisonforsomeweeks？”

Hisvoicewassoftandoily。Theangerhadalldepartedoutofit，whichI-likeafool-imaginedtobeduetomymentionoftheKing。

“Myfriends，MonsieurleGardedesSceaux，arealleitherinParisorinHisMajesty’strain，andsonotlikelytobeherebeforehim。

Thereismyintendant，Rodenard，andtherearemyservants-sometwentyofthem-whomayperhapsbestillinLanguedoc，andforwhomIwouldentreatyoutoseek。ThemyoumightsucceedinfindingwithinafewdaysiftheyhavenotyetdeterminedtoreturntoParisinthebeliefthatIamdead。”

Hestrokedhischinmeditatively，hiseyesraisedtothesunlitdomeofglassoverhead。

“Ah-h！“hegasped。Itwasalong-drawnsighofregret，ofconclusion，orofwearyimpatience。“ThereisnooneinToulousewhowillsweartoyouridentitymonsieur？”heasked。

“Iamafraidthereisnot。”Ireplied。“Iknowofnoone。”

AsIutteredthosewordsthePresident’scountenancechangedasabruptlyasifhehadflungoffamask。Fromsoftandcat-likethathehadbeenduringthepastfewmoments，hegrewofasuddensavageasatiger。Heleapttohisfeet，hisfacecrimson，hiseyesseemingtoblaze，andthewordshespokecamenowinahot，confused，andalmostincoherenttorrent。

“Miserable！“heroared，“outofyourownmouthhaveyouconvictedyourself。AndtothinkthatyoushouldhavestoodthereandwastedthetimeofthisCourt-HisMajesty’stime-withyourdamnablefalsehoods！Whatpurposedidyouthinktoservebydelayingyourdoom？Didyouimaginethathaply，whilstwesenttoParisforyourwitnesses，theKingmightgrowwearyofjustice，andinsomefitofclemencyannounceageneralpardon？Suchthingshavebeenknown，anditmaybethatinyourcunningyouplayedforsuchagainbaseduponsuchahope。Butjustice，fool，isnottobecozened。Hadyou，indeed，beenBardelys，youhadseenthathereinthiscourtsitsagentlemanwhoisveryintimatewithhim。Heisthere，monsieur;thatisMonsieurleComtedeChatellerault，ofwhomperhapsyoumayhaveheard。Yet，whenIaskyouwhetherinToulousethereisanyonewhocanbearwitnesstoyouridentity，youanswermethatyouknowofnoone。Iwillwastenomoretimewithyou，I

promiseyou。”

Heflunghimselfbackintohischairlikeamanexhausted，andmoppedhisbrowwithagreatkerchiefwhichhehaddrawnfromhisrobes。Hisfellowjudgeslaidtheirheadstogether，andwithsmilesandnods，winksandleers，theydiscussedandadmiredthemiraculoussubtletyandacumenofthisSolomon。Chatelleraultsat，calmlysmiling，insolemnmockery。

ForaspellIwastoothunderstrucktospeak，aghastatthiscatastrophe。Likeafool，indeed，IhadtumbledintothepitthathadbeendugformebyChatelleraultforIneverdoubtedthatitwasofhiscontriving。Atlast“Mymasters。”saidI，“theseconclusionsmayappeartoyoumostplausible，but，believeme，theyarefallacious。IamperfectlyacquaintedwithMonsieurdeChatellerault，andhewithme，andifheweretospeakthetruthandplaythemanandthegentlemanforonce，hewouldtellyouthatIam，indeed，Bardelys。ButMonsieurleComtehasendsofhisowntoserveinsendingmetomydoom。ItisinasensethroughhisagencythatIamatpresentinthisposition，andthatIhavebeenconfoundedwithLesperon。What，then，couldithaveavailedmetohavemadeappealtohim？Andyet，MonsieurlePresident，hewasbornagentleman，andhemaystillretainsomenotionofhonour。

Askhim，sir-askhimpoint-blank，whetherIamornotMarceldeBardelys。”

Thefirmnessofmytonescreatedsomeimpressionuponthosefeebleminds。Indeed，thePresidentwentsofarastoturnaninterrogativeglanceupontheCount。ButChatellerault，supremelymasterofthesituation，shruggedhisshoulders，andsmiledapitying，long-sufferingsmile。

“MustIreallyanswersuchaquestion，MonsieurlePresident？”heinquiredinavoiceandwithamannerthatclearlyimpliedhowlowwouldbehisestimateofthePresident’sintelligenceifhewere，indeed，constrainedtodoso。

“Butno，MonsieurleComte。”repliedthePresidentwithsuddenhaste，andinscornfulrejectionoftheidea。“Thereisnonecessitythatyoushouldanswer。”

“Butthequestion，MonsieurlePresident！“Ithundered，myhandoutstretchedtowardsChatellerault。“Askhim-ifyouhaveanysenseofyourduty-askhimamInotMarceldeBardelys。”

“Silence！“blazedthePresidentbackatme。“Youshallnotfoolusanylonger，younimble-wittedliar！“

Myheaddrooped。Thiscowardhad，indeed，shatteredmylasthope。

“Someday，monsieur。”Isaidveryquietly，“Ipromiseyouthatyourbehaviourandthesegratuitousinsultsshallcostyouyourposition。

PrayGodtheydonotcostyoualsoyourhead！“

Mywordstheytreatedasonemighttreatthethreatsofachild。

ThatIshouldhavehadthetemeritytoutterthemdidbutservefinallytodecidemydoom，if，indeed，anythinghadbeenwanting。

Withmanyepithetsofopprobrium，suchasareappliedtomalefactorsofthelowestdegree，theypassedsentenceofdeathuponme，andwithdroopingspirits，givingmyselfupforlostandassuredthatIshouldbeledtotheblockbeforemanyhoursweresped，I

permittedthemtoreconductmethroughthestreetsofToulousetomyprison。

IcouldentertainyouatlengthuponmysensationsasIwalkedbetweenmyguards，amanonthethresholdofeternity，withhundredsofmenandwomengapingatme-menandwomenwhowouldliveforyearstogapeuponmanyanotherwretchinmyposition。Thesunshonewithabrilliancethattosucheyesasminewasaverymockery。

Thuswoulditshineonthroughcenturies，andlightmanyanotherunfortunatetothescaffold。Theveryskyseemedpitilessintheintensityofitscobalt。UnfeelingIdeemedthenotethateverywherewasstruckbymanandNature，sodiscordantwasitwithmygloomyoutlook。Ifyouwouldhavefoodforreflectionupontheevanescentqualityoflife，uponthenothingnessofman，upontheempty，heartlessegoismimplicitinhumannature，getyourselvessentencedtodeath，andthenlookaroundyou。Withsuchaforcewasallthisborneinuponme，andwithsuchsufficiency，thatafterthefirstpangwasspentIwentneartorejoicingthatthingswereastheywere，andthatIwastodie，haplybeforesunset。Itwasbecomesuchaworldasdidnotseemworthaman’swhiletolivein:aworldofvainness，ofhollowness，ofmeanness，ofnothingbutillusions。

TheknowledgethatIwasabouttodie，thatIwasabouttoquitallthis，seemedtohavetornsomeveilfrommyeyes，andtohavepermittedmetorecognizetheworthlessqualityofwhatIleft。

Wellmayitbethatsucharebutthethoughtsofaman’sdyingmoments，whisperedintohissoulbyamercifulGodtopredisposehimforthewrenchandagonyofhispassing。

Ihadbeenahalf-hourinmycellwhenthedoorwasopenedtoadmitCastelroux，whomIhadnotseensincethenightbefore。Hecametocondolewithmeinmyextremity，andyettobidmenotutterlylosehope。

“Itistoolateto-daytocarryoutthesentence。”saidhe，“andasto-morrowwillbeSunday，youwillhaveuntilthedayafter。Bythenmuchmaybetide，monsieur。Myagentsareeverywherescouringtheprovinceforyourservants，andletusprayHeaventhattheymaysucceedintheirsearch。”

“Itisaforlornhope，MonsieurdeCastelroux。”Isighed，“andI

willpinnofaithtoitlestIsufferadisappointmentthatwillembittermylastmoments，andperhapsrobmeofsomeofthefortitudeIshallhaveneedof。”

Heansweredme，nevertheless，withwordsofencouragement。Noeffortwasbeingspared，andifRodenardandmymenwerestillinLanguedocthemwaseverylikelihoodthattheywouldbebroughttoToulouseintime。Thenheaddedthatthat，however，wasnotthesoleobjectofhisvisit。AladyhadobtainedpermissionoftheKeeperoftheSealstovisitme，andshewaswaitingtobeadmitted。

“Alady？”Iexclaimed，andthethoughtofRoxalanneflittedthroughmymind。“MademoiselledeLavedan？”Iinquired。

Henodded。“Yes。”saidhe;thenadded，“Sheseemsinsoreaffliction，monsieur。”

Ibesoughthimtoadmitherforthwith，andpresentlyshecame。

Castelrouxclosedthedoorashewithdrew，andwewereleftalonetogether。Assheputasidehercloak，anddisclosedtomethepallorofherfaceandthedisfiguringredabouthergentleeyes，tellingoftearsandsleeplessness，allmyowntroubleseemedtovanishinthecontemplationofheraffliction。

Westoodamomentconfrontingeachotherwithnowordspoken。Then，droppingherglance，andadvancingastep，inafaltering，hesitatingmanner“Monsieur，monsieur。”shemurmuredinasuffocatingvoice。

InaboundIwasbesideher，andIhadgatheredherinmyarms，herlittlebrownheadagainstmyshoulder。

“Roxalanne！“IwhisperedassoothinglyasImight-“Roxalanne！“

Butshestruggledtobefreeofmyembrace。

“Letmego，monsieur。”shepleaded，acuriousshrinkinginherveryvoice。“Donottouchme，monsieur。Youdonotknow-youdonotknow。”

Foranswer，Ienfoldedhermoretightlystill。

“ButIdoknow，littleone。”Iwhispered;“andIevenunderstand。”

Atthat，herstrugglesceasedupontheinstant，andsheseemedtolielimpandhelplessinmyarms。

“Youknow，monsieur。”shequestionedme-“youknowthatIbetrayedyou？”

“Yes。”Iansweredsimply。

“Andyoucanforgiveme？Iamsendingyoutoyourdeathandyouhavenoreproachesforme！Oh，monsieur，itwillkillme！“

“Hush，child！“Iwhispered。“WhatreproachescanIhaveforyou？

Iknowthemotivesthatimpelledyou。”

“Notaltogether，monsieur;youcannotknowthem。Ilovedyou，monsieur。Idoloveyou，monsieur。Oh！thisisnotatimetoconsiderwords。IfIamboldandunmaidenly，I-I-“

“Neitherboldnorunmaidenly，but-oh，thesweetestdamselinallFrance，myRoxalanne！“Ibrokein，comingtoheraid。“Minewasaleprous，sinfulsoul，child，whenIcameintoLanguedoc。Ihadnofaithinanyhumangood，andIlookedaslittleforanhonestmanoravirtuouswomanasonelooksforhoneyinanettle。Iwassoured，andmylifehadhardlybeensuchalifeasitwasmeettobringintocontactwithyourown。Then，amongtherosesatLavedan，inyourdearcompany，Roxalanne，itseemedthatsomeofthegood，someofthesweetness，someofthepurityaboutyouwereinfusedanewintomyheart。Ibecameyoungagain，andIseemedoddlycleansed。In，thathourofmyrejuvenationIlovedyou，Roxalanne。”

HerfacehadbeenraisedtomineasIspoke。Therecamenowaflutteroftheeyelids，acurioussmileaboutthelips。Thenherheaddroopedagainandwaslaidagainstmybreast;asighescapedher，andshebegantoweepsoftly。

“Nay，Roxalanne，donotfret。Come，child，itishotyourwaytobeweak。”

“Ihavebetrayedyou！“shemoaned。“Iamsendingyoutoyourdeath！“

“Iunderstand，Iunderstand。”Ianswered，smoothingherbrownhair。

“Notquite，monsieur。Ilovedyouso，monsieur，thatyoucanhavenothoughtofhowIsufferedthatmorningwhenMademoiselledeMarsaccametoLavedan。

“Atfirstitwasbutthepainofthinkingthat-thatIasabouttoloseyou;thatyouweretogooutofmylife，andthatIshouldseeyounomore-youwhomIhadenshrinedsoinmyheart。

“Icalledmyselfalittlefoolthatmorningforhavingdreamedthatyouhadcometocareforme;myvanityIthoughthaddeludedmeintoimaginingthatyourmannertowardsmehadatendernessthatspokeofaffection。Iwasbitterwithmyself，andIsufferedoh，somuch！Thenlater，whenIwasintherosegarden，youcametome。

“Yourememberhowyouseizedme，andhowbyyourmanneryoushowedmethatitwasnotvanityalonehadmisledme。Youhadfooledme，Ithought;eveninthathourIimaginedyouwerefoolingme;youmadelightofme;andmysufferingswerenaughttoyousothatI

mightgiveyousomeamusementtopasstheleisureandmonotonyofyoursojournwithus。”

“Roxalanne-mypoorRoxalanne！“Iwhispered。

“Thenmybitternessandsorrowallturnedtoangeragainstyou。

Youhadbrokenmyheart，andIthoughtthatyouhaddoneitwantonly。ForthatIburnedtopunishyou。Ah！andnotonlythat，perhaps。Ithink，too，thatsomejealousydrovemeon。Youhadwooedandslightedme，yetyouhadmademeloveyou，andifyouwerenotformeIsworeyoushouldbefornoother。Andso，whilemymadnessendured，IquittedLavedan，andtellingmyfatherthatIwasgoingtoAuch，tohissister’shouse，IcametoToulouseandbetrayedyoutotheKeeperoftheSeals。

“ScarcewasthethingdonethanIbeheldthehorrorofit，andI

hatedmyself。Inmydespair，IabandonedallideaofpursuingthejourneytoAuch，butturnedandmademywaybackinhaste，hopingthatImightstillcometowarnyou。ButatGrenadeImetyoualreadyinchargeofthesoldiers。AtGrenade，tooIlearntthetruth-thatyouwerenotLesperon。Canyounotguesssomethingofmyanguishthen？Alreadyloathingmyact，andbesidemyselfforhavingbetrayedyou，thinkintowhatdespairIwasplungedbyMonsieurdeMarsac’sintimation。

“ThenIunderstoodthatforreasonsofyourownyouhadconcealedyouridentity。Youwerenotperhaps，betrothed;indeed，Irememberedthenhow，solemnlyyouhadswornthatyouwerenot;andsoI

bethoughtmethatyourvowstomemayhavebeensincereandsuchasamaidmighthonourablylistento。”

“Theywere，Roxalanne！theywere！“Icried。

Butshecontinued“ThatyouhadMademoiselledeMarsac’sportraitwassomethingthatIcouldnotexplain;butthenIhearthatyouhadalsoLesperon’spapersuponyou;sothatyoumayhavebecomepossessedoftheonewiththeothers。Andnow，monsieur-“

Sheceased，andthereagainstmybreastshelayweepingandweepinginherbitterpassionofregret，untilitseemedtomeshewouldneverregainherself-control。

“Ithasbeenallmyfault，Roxalanne。”saidI，“andifIamtopaythepricetheyareexacting，itwillbenonetoohigh。Iembarkeduponadastardlybusiness;whichbroughtmetoLanguedocunderfalsecolours。Iwish，indeed，thatIhadtoldyouwhenfirsttheimpulsetotellyoucameuponme。Afterwardsitgrewimpossible。”

“Tellmenow。”shebegged。“Tellmewhoyouare。”

SorelywasItemptedtorespond。AlmostwasIonthepointofdoingso，whensuddenlythethoughtofhowshemightshrinkfromme，ofhow，eventhen，shemightcometothinkthatIhadbutsimulatedloveforhetforinfamouspurposesofgain，restrainedandsilencedme。DuringthefewhoursoflifethatmightbeleftmeIwouldatleastbelordandmasterofherheart。WhenIwasdead-forIhadlittlehopeofCastelroux’sefforts-itwouldmatterless，andperhapsbecauseIwasdeadshewouldbemerciful。

“Icannot，Roxalanne。Notevennow。Itistoovile！If-iftheycarryoutthesentenceonMonday，Ishallleavealetterforyou，tellingyoueverything。”

Sheshuddered，andasobescapedher。Frommyidentityhermindfledbacktothemoreimportantmatterofmyfate。

“Theywillnotcarryitout，monsieur！Oh，theytillnot！Saythatyoucandefendyourself，thatyouarenotthemantheybelieveyoutobe！“

“WeareinGod’shands，child。ItmaybethatIshallsavemyselfyet。IfIdo，Ishallcomestraighttoyou，andyoushallknowallthatthereistoknow。But，remember，child“-andraisingherfaceinmyhands，Ilookeddownintotheblueofhertearfuleyes-

“remember，littleone，thatinonethingIhavebeentrueandhonourable，andinfluencedbynothingbutmyheart-inmywooingofyou。Iloveyou，Roxalanne，withallmysoul，andifIshoulddieyouaretheonlythinginallthisworldthatIexperiencearegretatleaving。”

“Idobelieveit;Ido，indeed。Nothingcaneveraltermybeliefagain。Willyounot，then，tellmewhoyouare，andwhatisthisthing，whichyoucalldishonourable，thatbroughtyouintoLanguedoc？”

AmomentagainIpondered。ThenIshookmyhead。

“Wait，child。”saidI;andshe，obedienttomywishes，askednomore。

ItwasthesecondtimethatIneglectedafavourableopportunityofmakingthatconfession，andasIhadregrettedhavingallowedthefirstoccasiontopassunprofited，sowasI，andstillmorepoignantly，toregretthissecondsilence。

Alittlewhileshestayedwithmeyet，andIsoughttoinstilsomemeasureofcomfortintohersoul。IspokeofthehopesthatI

baseduponCastelroux’sfindingfriendstorecognizeme-hopesthatwerepassingslender。Andshe，poorchild，soughtalsotocheermeandgivemecourage。

“IfonlytheKingwerehere！“shesighed。“Iwouldgotohim，andonmykneesIwouldpleadforyourenlargement。ButtheysayheisnonearerthanLyons;andIcouldnothopetogetthereandbackbyMonday:。IwillgototheKeeperoftheSealsagain，monsieur，andIwillbeghimtobemerciful，andatleasttodelaythesentence。”

Ididnotdiscourageher;Ididnotspeakofthefutilityofsuchastep。ButIbeggedhertoremaininToulouseuntilMonday，thatshemightvisitmeagainbeforetheend，iftheendweretobecomeinevitable。

ThenCastelrouxcametoreconducther，andweparted。Butsheleftmeagreatconsolation，agreatstrengtheningcomfort。IfIweredestined，indeed，towalktothescaffold，itseemedthatIcoulddoitwithabettergraceandagladdercouragenow。

CHAPTERXIII

THEELEVENTHHOUR

Castelrouxvisitedmeuponthefollowingmorning，buthebroughtnonewsthatmightbeaccountedencouraging。Noneofhismessengerswereyetreturned，norhadanysentwordthattheywereuponthetrailofmyfollowers。Myheartsankalittle，andsuchhopeasI

stillfosteredwasfastperishing。Indeed，soimminentdidmydoomappearandsounavoidable，thatlaterinthedayIaskedforpenandpaperthatImightmakeanattemptatsettingmyearthlyaffairstorights。Yetwhenthewritingmaterialswerebroughtme，Iwrotenot。Isatinsteadwiththefeatheredendofmyquillbetweenmyteeth，andthusponderedthematterofthedisposalofmyPicardyestates。

ColdlyIweighedthewordingofthewagerandtheeventsthathadtranspired，andIcameatlengthtotheconclusionthatChatelleraultcouldnotbeheldtohavetheleastclaimuponmylands。Thathehadcheatedattheveryoutset，asIhaveearliershown，wasoflessaccountthanthathehadbeeninstrumentalinviolentlyhinderingme。

Itookatlasttheresolvetoinditeafullmemoirofthetransaction，andtorequestCastelrouxtoseethatitwasdeliveredtotheKinghimself。Thusnotonlywouldjusticebedone，butIshould-thoughtardily-beevenwiththeCount。NodoubtherelieduponhispowertomakeathoroughsearchforsuchpapersasImightleave，andtodestroyeverythingthatmightaffordindicationofmytrueidentity。

ButhehadnotcounteduponthegoodfeelingthathadsprungupbetwixtthelittleGasconcaptainandme，noryetuponmyhavingcontrivedtoconvincethelatterthatIwas，indeed，Bardelys，andhelittledreamtofsuchastepasIwasabouttotaketoensurehispunishmenthereafter。

Resolvedatlast，Iwascommencingtowritewhenmyattentionwasarrestedbyanunusualsound。Itwasatfirstnomorethanamurmuringnoise，asofatseabreakinguponitsshore。Graduallyitgrewitsvolumeandassumedtheshapeofhumanvoicesraisedinlustyclamour。Then，abovethedinofthepopulace，agunboomedout，thenanother，andanother。

Isprangupatthat，and，wonderingwhatmightbetoward，Icrossedtomybarredwindowandstoodtherelistening。Ioverlookedthecourtyardofthejail，andIcouldseesomecommotionbelow，insympathy，asitwere，withthegreatercommotionwithout。

Presently，asthepopulacedrewnearer，itseemedtomethattheshoutingwasofacclamation。NextIcaughtablareoftrumpets，and，lastly，Iwasabletodistinguishabovethenoise，whichhadnowgrowntomonstrousproportions，theclatteringhoofsofsomecavalcadethatwasridingpasttheprisondoors。

ItwasborneinuponmethatsomegreatpersonagewasarrivinginToulouse，andmyfirstthoughtwasoftheKing。AttheideaofsuchapossibilitymaybrainwhirledandIgrewdizzywithhope。ThenextmomentIrecalledthatbutlastnightRoxalannehardtoldmethathewasnonearerthanLyons，andsoIputthethoughtfromme，andthehopewithit，for，travellinginthatleisurely，indolentfashionthatwascharacteristicofhiseveryaction，itwouldbeamiracleifHisMajestyshouldreachToulousebeforetheweekwasout，andthisbutSunday。

Thepopulacepassedon，thenseemedtohalt，andatlasttheshoutsdieddownonthenoontideair。Iwentbacktomywriting，andtowaituntilfrommyjailer，whennextheshouldchancetoappear，I

mightlearnthemeaningofthatuproar。

Anhourperhapswentby，andIhadmadesomeprogresswithmymemoir，whenmydoorwasopenedandthecheeryvoiceofCastelrouxgreetedmefromthethreshold。

“Monsieur，Ihavebroughtafriendtoseeyou。”

Iturnedinmychair，andoneglanceatthegentle，comelyfaceandthefairhairoftheyoungmanstandingbesideCastelrouxwasenoughtobringmeofasuddentomyfeet。

“Mironsac！“Ishouted，andsprangtowardshimwithhandsoutstretched。

Butthoughmyjoywasgreatandmysurpriseprofound，greaterstillwasthebewildermentthatinMironsac’sfaceIsawdepicted。

“MonsieurdeBardelys！“heexclaimed，andahundredquestionswerecontainedinhisastonishedeyes。

“Po’CapdeDiou！“growledhiscousin，“Iwaswelladvised，itseems，tohavebroughtyou。”

“But。”Mironsacaskedhiscousin，ashetookmyhandsinhisown，“whydidyounottellme，Amedee，thatitwastoMonsieurleMarquisdeBardelysthatyouwereconductingme？”

“Wouldyouhavehadmespoilsopleasantasurprise？”hiscousindemanded。

“Armand。”saidI，“neverwasamanmorewelcomethanareyou。Youarebutcomeintimetosavemylife。”

Andthen，inanswertohisquestions，ItoldhimbrieflyofallthathadbefallenmesincethatnightinPariswhenthewagerhadbeenlaid，andofhow，throughthecunningsilenceofChatellerault，I

wasnowupontheverythresholdofthescaffold。Hiswrathburstforthatthat，andwhathesaidoftheCountdidmegoodtohear。

AtlastIstemmedhisinvective。

“Letthatbeforthepresent，Mironsac。”Ilaughed:。“Youarehere，andyoucanthwartallChatellerault’sdesignsbywitnessingtomyidentitybeforetheKeeperoftheSeals。”

Andthenofasuddenadoubtclosedlikeacoldhanduponmybrain。

IturnedtoCastelroux。

“MonDieu！“Icried。“Whatiftheyweretodenymeafreshtrial？”

“Denyityou！“helaughed。“Theywillnotbeaskedtograntyouone。”

“Therewillbenoneed。”addedMironsac。“IhavebuttotelltheKing-“

“But，myfriend。”Iexclaimedimpatiently，“Iamtodieinthemorning！“

“AndtheKingshallbetoldto-day-now，atonce。Iwillgotohim。”

Istaredaskanceamoment;thenthethoughtoftheuproarthatI

hadheardrecurringtome“HastheKingarrivedalready？”Iexclaimed。

“Naturally，monsieur。HowelsedoIcometobehere？IaminHisMajesty’strain。”

AtthatIgrewagainimpatient。IthoughtofRoxalanneandofhowshemustbesuffering，andIbethoughtmethateverymomentMironsacnowremainedinmycellwasanothermomentoftortureforthatpoorchild。SoIurgedhimtobegoneatonceandcarrynewsofmyconfinementtoHisMajesty。Heobeyedme，andIwasleftaloneoncemore，topaceupanddowninmynarrowcell，apreytoanexcitementsuchasIshouldhavethoughtIhadoutlived。

Attheendofahalf-hourCastelrouxreturnedalone。

“Well？”Icriedthemomentthedooropened，andwithoutgivinghimsomuchastimetoenter。“Whatnews？”

“MironsactellsmethatHisMajestyismoreoverwroughtthanhehaseverseenhim。YouaretocometothePalaceatonce。IhaveanorderherefromtheKing。”

Wewentinacoach，andwithallprivacy，forheinformedmethatHisMajestydesiredtheaffairtobekeptsecret，havingendsofhisowntoservethereby。

Iwaslefttowaitsomemomentsinanante-chamber，whilstCastelrouxannouncedmetotheKing;thenIwasusheredintoasmallapartment，furnishedverysumptuouslyincrimsonandgold，andevidentlysetapartforHisMajesty’sstudiesordevotions。AsI

entered，Louis’sbackwastowardsme。Hewasstanding-atall，sparefigureinblack-leaningagainsttheframeofawindow，hisheadsupportedonhisraisedleftarmandhiseyesintentuponthegardensbelow。

HeremainedsountilCastelrouxhadwithdrawnandthedoorhadclosedagain;then，turningsuddenly，heconfrontedme，hisbacktothelight，sothathisfacewasinashadowthatheighteneditsgloomandwontedweariness。

“Voila’，MonsieurdeBardelys！“washisgreeting，andunfriendly。

“Seethepasstowhichyourdisobedienceofmycommandshasbroughtyou。”

“Iwouldsubmit，Sire。”Ianswered，“thatIhavebeenbroughttoitbytheincompetenceofYourMajesty’sjudgesandtheill-willofotherswhomYourMajestyhonourswithtoogreataconfidence，ratherthanbythissamedisobedienceofmine。”

“Theoneandtheother，perhaps。”hesaidmoresoftly。“Though，afterall，theyappeartohavehadaverykeennoseforatraitor。

Come，Bardelys，confessyourselfthat。”

“I？Atraitor？”

Heshruggedhisshoulders，andlaughedwithoutanyconspicuousmirth。

“Isnotatraitoronewhorunscountertothewishes;ofhisKing？

Andareyounot，therefore，atraitor，whethertheycallyouLesperonorBardelys？Butthere。”heendedmoresoftlystill，andflinginghimselfintoachairashespoke，“Ihavebeensoweariedsinceyouleftme，Marcel。Theyhavethebestintentionsintheworld，thesedullards，andsomeofthemlovemeeven;buttheyaretiresomeall。

EvenChatellerault，whenhehasafancyforajest-asinyourcaseperpetratesitwiththegraceofabear，thesprightlinessofanelephant。”

“Jest？”saidI。

“Youfinditnojest，Marcel？Pardieu，whoshallblameyou？Hewouldbeamanofunhealthyhumourthatcouldrelishsuchapleasantryasthatofbeingsentencedtodeath。Buttellmeofit。

Thewholestory，Marcel。Ihavenotheardastoryworththelisteningtosince-sinceyouleftus。”

“Woulditpleaseyou，Sire，tosendfortheComtedeChatelleraultereIbegin？”Iasked。

“Chatellerault？No，no。”Heshookhisheadwhimsically。

“Chatelleraulthashadhislaughalready，and，liketheill-mannereddogheis，hehaskeptittohimself。Ithink，Marcel，thatitisourturnnow。IhavepurposelysentChatelleraultawaythathemaygainnonotionofthecatastrophicjestwearepreparinghiminreturn。”

Thewordssetmeintheverybestofhumours，andtothatitmaybeduethatpresently，asIwarmedtomynarrative，IlentitavigourthatdrewHisMajestyoutofhiswontedapathyandlistlessness。HeleanedforwardwhenItoldhimofmyencounterwiththedragoonsatMirepoix，andhowfirstIhadcommittedthefalsestepofrepresentingmyselftobeLesperon。

Encouragedbyhisinterest，Iproceeded，andItoldmystorywithasmuchpiquancyasIwasmasterof，repressingonlythoseslightmatterswhichmightreflectuponMonsieurdeLavedan’sloyalty，butotherwisedealingfranklywithHisMajesty，evendowntothegenuinenessofthefeelingsIentertainedforRoxalanne。Oftenhelaughed，moreoftenstillhenoddedapprovingly，inunderstandingandsympathy，whilstnowandthenhepurredhisapplause。Buttowardstheend，whenIcametothematteroftheTribunalofToulouse，ofhowmytrialwasconducted，andofthepartplayedinitbyChatellerault，hisfacegrewsetandhard。

“Itistrue-allthisthatyoutellme？”hecriedharshly。

“AstrueastheGospels。Ifyoudeemanoathnecessary，Sire，I

swearbymyhonourthatIhaveutterednothingthatisfalse，andthat，inconnectionwithMonsieurdeChatellerault，evenasIhavesuppressednothing，soalsohaveIexaggeratednothing。”

“Thedastard！“hesnapped。“Butwewillavengeyou，Marcel。Neverfearit。”

Thenthetrendofhisthoughtsbeingchanged，hesmiledwearily。

“Bymyfaith，youmaythankGodeverynightofyourworthlesslifethatIcamesoopportunelytoToulouse，andsomaythatfairchildwhosebeautyyouhavelimnedwithsuchalover’sardour。Nay，neverredden，Marcel。What？Atyourage，andwith:，suchaheavyscoreofaffairestoyourcredit，hasitbeenleftforasimpleLanguedocmaidentocallablushtoyourcallouscheek？Mafoi，theysaytrulythatloveisagreatregenerator，agreatrejuvenator！“

Imadehimnoanswerotherthanasigh，forhiswordssetmethinking，andwiththoughtcameatemperingofthegayhumourthathadpervadedme。Remarkingthis，andmisreadingit，helaughedoutright。

“There，Marcel，neverfear。Wewillnotberigorous。Youhavewonboththemaidandthewager，and，bytheMass，youshallenjoyboth。”

“Helas，Sire。”Isighedagain，“whentheladycomestoknowofthewager-“

“Wastenotimeintellingher，Marcel，andcastyourselfuponhermercy。Nay，gonotwithsogloomyaface，myfriend。Whenwomanloves，shecanbeverymercifulleastways，theytellmeso。”

Then，histhoughtsshiftinggroundoncemore，hegrewsternagain。

“ButfirstwehaveChatelleraulttodealwith。Whatshallwedowithhim？”

“ItisforYourMajestytodecide。”

“Forme？”hecried，hisvoiceresumingtheharshnessthatwasneverfarfromit。“Ihaveafancyforhavinggentlemenaboutme。ThinkyouIwillseteyesagainuponthatdastard？Iamalreadyresolvedconcerninghim，butitenteredmymindthatitmightpleaseyoutobetheinstrumentofthelawforme。”

“Me，Sire？”

“Aye，andwhynot？Theysayyoucanplayaverydeadlysworduponnecessity。Thisisanoccasionthatdemandsanexceptionfromouredict。YouhavemysanctiontosendtheComtedeChatelleraultachallenge。Andseethatyoukillhim，Bardelys！“hecontinuedviciously。“For，bytheMass，ifyoudon’t，Iwill！Ifheescapesyoursword，orifhesurvivessuchhurtasyoumaydohim，theheadsmanshallhavehim。Mordieu！isitfornothingthatIamcalledLouistheJust？”

Istoodinthoughtforamoment。Then-

“IfIdothisthing，Sire。”Iventured，“theworldwillsayofmethatIdidsotoescapethepaymentIhadincurred。”

“Fool，youhavenotincurredit。Whenamancheats，doeshenotforfeitallhisrights？”

“Thatisverytrue。Buttheworld-“

“Peste！“hesnappedimpatiently，“youarebeginningtowearyme，Marcel-andalltheworlddoesthatsoexcellentlythatitredsnotyourcollaboration。Goyourways，man，anddoasyouelect。ButtakemysanctiontoslaythisfellowChatellerault，andIshallbethebetterpleasedifyouavailyourselfofit。HeislodgedattheAubergeRoyale，whereprobablyyouwillfindhimatpresent。Now，go。Ihavemorejusticetodispenseinthisrebelliousprovince。”

Ipausedamoment。

“ShallInotresumemydutiesnearYourMajesty？”

Heponderedamoment，thenhesmiledinhiswearyway。

“Itwouldpleasemetohaveyou，forthesecreaturesaresodismallydull，allofthem。Jem’ennuietellement，Marcel！“hesighed。

“Ough！But，no，myfriend，Idonotdoubtyouwouldbeasdullasanyofthematpresent。Amaninloveistheweariestandmostfutilethinginallthisweary，futileworld。WhatshallIdowithyourbodywhattimeyoursoulisatLavedan？Idoubtmeyouareinhastetogetyouthere。Sogo，Marcel。Getyouwed，andliveoutyouramorousintoxication;marriageisthebestantidote。Whenthatisdone，returntome。”

“Thatwillbenever，Sire。”Iansweredslyly。

“Sayyouso，MasterCupidBardelys？”Andhecombedhisbeardreflectively。“Benottoosure。Therehavebeenotherpassions-

aye，asgreatasyours-yethavetheystaled。Butyouwastemytime。Go，Marcel;youareexcusedyourdutiesbymeforaslongasyourownaffairsshallholdyouelsewhere-foraslongasyouplease。Wearehereuponagloomybusiness-asyouknow。TherearemycousinMontmorencyandtheotherstobedealtwith，andweareholdingnolevees，countenancingnorevels。Butcometomewhenyouwill，andIwillseeyou。Adieu！“。

Imurmuredmythanks，andverydeepandsincerewerethey。Then，havingkissedhishand，Ilefthim。

LouisXIIIisamanwholacksnotmaligners。Ofhowhistorymaycometospeakofhimitisnotminetohazard。ButthisIcansay，thatI，atleast，didneverfindhimotherthanajustandkindlymaster，anuprightgentleman，capriciousattimesandwilful，asmustinevitablybethecasewithsuchspoiltchildrenoffortuneasareprinces，butofloftyidealsandhighprinciples。Itwashisworstfaultthathewasalwaystired，andthroughthateverlastingwearinesshecametoentrustthedeterminingofmostaffairstoHisEminence。Hencehasitresultedthatthecensureformanyquestionableactsofhisreign，whichweretheworkofmyLordCardinal，hasrecoileduponmyaugustmaster’shead。

Buttome，withallthefaultsthatmaybeassignedhim，hewaseverLouistheJust，andwhereverhisnamebementionedinmyhearing，I

baremyhead。