第5章

CHAPTERXIV

EAVESDROPPING

Iturneditoverinmymind，afterIhadlefttheKing’spresence，whetherornotIshouldvisitwithmyownhandsuponChatelleraultthepunishmenthehadsofullyearned。ThatIwouldhavegoneaboutthetaskrejoicingyoumayreadilyimagine;buttherewasthataccursedwager，and-torestrainme-thethoughtofhowsuchanactionmightbeconstruedintoanevasionofitsconsequences。

BetterathousandtimesthatHisMajestyshouldorderhisarrestanddealwithhimforhisattemptedperversionofjusticetotheserviceofhisownvileends。ThechargeofhavingabusedhistrustasKing’scommissionertotheextentofseekingtodomurderthroughthechannelsoftheTribunalwasonethatcouldnotfailtohavefatalresultsforhim-as，indeed，theKinghadsworn。

ThatwasthepositionofaffairsasitconcernedChatellerault，theworld，andme。ButthepositionmustalsobeconsideredasitconcernedRoxalanne，anddeeply，indeed，didIsoconsiderit。MuchponderingbroughtmeagaintotheconclusionthatuntilIhadmadetheonlyatonementinmypower，theonlyatonementthatwouldleavemewithcleanhands，Imustnotagainapproachher。

WhetherChatelleraulthadcheatedornotcouldnotaffectthequestionasitconcernedMademoiselleandme。IfIpaidthewager-whetherinhonourboundtodosoornot-Imightthengotoher，impoverished，itistrue，butatleastwithnosuspicionattachingtomysuitofanyulteriorobjectotherthanthatofwinningRoxalanneherself。

Icouldthenmakeconfession，andsurelythefactthatIhadpaidwhereclearlytherewasnolongeranyneedtopaymustearnmeforgivenessandaffordproofofthesincerityofmypassion。

Uponsuchacourse，then，didIdecide，and，withthisendinview，ItookmywaytowardstheAubergeRoyale，whereHisMajestyhadtoldmethattheCountwaslodged。Itwasmypurposetoshowmyselffullyawareofthetreacherousandunworthyparthehadplayedattheveryinceptionoftheaffair，andthatifIchosetoconsiderthewagerlostitwasthatImightthemorehonestlywinthelady。

UponinquiringatthehostelryforMonsieurdeChatellerault;IwasinformedbytheservantIaddressedthathewaswithin，butthatatthemomenthehadavisitor。IrepliedthatIwouldwait，anddemandedaprivateroom，sinceIdesiredtoavoidmeetinganyCourtacquaintanceswhomightchanceintotheaubergebeforeIhadseentheCount。

Myapparelatthemomentmaynothavebeenallthatcouldhavebeendesired，butwhenagentleman’srearinghastakenplaceamidanarmyofservitorstoministertohiseverywish，heislikelytohaveacquiredanairthatiswonttowinhimobedience。WithallceleritywasIusheredintoasmallchamber，openingontheonesideuponthecommonroom，andbeingdividedontheotherbythethinnestofwoodenpartitionsfromtheadjoiningapartment。

Here，thelandlordhavingleftme，Idisposedmyselftowait，andhereIdidathingIwouldnothavebelievedmyselfcapableofdoing，athingIcannotthinkofwithoutblushingtothisveryday。Inshort，Iplayedtheeavesdropper-I，MarcelSaint-PoldeBardelys。

Yet，ifyouwhoreadandarenice-minded，shudderatthisconfession，or，worsestill，shrugyourshouldersincontempt，withthereflectionthatsuchformerconductofmineasIhaveavowedhadalreadypartlydisposedyouagainstsurpriseatthisIdo’butaskthatyoumeasuremysinbymytemptation，andthinkhonestlywhetherinmypositionyoumightnotyourselveshavefallen。Aye-beyouneversonobleandhigh-principled-Imakeboldtosaythatyouhaddonenoless，forthevoicethatpenetratedtomyearswasthatofRoxalannedeLavedan。

“IsoughtanaudiencewiththeKing。”shewassaying，“butIcouldnotgainhispresence。Theytoldmethathewasholdingnolevees，andthatherefusedtoseeanyonenotintroducedbyoneofthosehavingtheprivateentree。”

“Andso。”answeredthevoiceofChatellerault，intonesthatwereperfectlycolourless，“youcometomethatImaypresentyoutohisMajesty？”

“Youhaveguessedit，MonsieurleComte。YouaretheonlygentlemanofHisMajesty’ssuite，withwhomIcanclaimacquaintance-howeverslight-and，moreover，itiswellknownhowhighyoustandinhisroyalfavour。Iwastoldthattheythathaveaboontocravecanfindnobettersponsor。”

“HadyougonetotheKing，mademoiselle。”，andhe，“hadyougainedaudience，hewouldbedirectedyoutomakeyourappealtome。IamhisCommissionerinLanguedoc，andtheprisonersattaintedwithhightreasonaremyproperty。”

“Whythen，monsieur。”shecriedinaneagervoice，thatsetmypulsesthrobbing，“you’llnotdenymetheboonIcrave？You’llnotdenymehislife？”

TherewasashortlaughfromChatellerault，andIcouldhearthedeliberatefallofhisfeetashepacedthechamber。

“Mademoiselle，mademoiselle，youmustnotoverratemypowers。YoumustnotforgetthatIamtheslaveofJustice。Youmaybeaskingmorethanisinmypowertogrant。WhatcanyouadvancetoshowthatIshouldbejustifiedinproceedingasyouwish？”

“Helas，monsieur，Icanadvancenothingbutmyprayersandtheassurancethatahideousmistakeisbeingmade。”

“WhatisyourinterestinthisMonsieurdeLesperon？”

“HeisnotMonsieurdeLesperon。”shecried。

“But，sinceyoucannottellmewhoheis，youmustbecontentthatwespeakofhimatleastasLesperon。”saidhe，andIcouldimaginetheevilgrinwithwhichhewouldaccompanythewords。

Thebetterthatyoumayappreciatethatwhichfollowed，letmehereimparttoyouthesuspicionswhichwerealreadysinkingintomymind，tobechangedlaterintoabsoluteconvictionstouchingthecourse-

theCountintendedtopursueconcerningme。ThesuddenarrivaloftheKinghadthrownhimintosomemeasureofpanic，andnolongerdaringtocarryouthisplansconcerningme，itwashisobject，I

madenodoubt，tosetmeatlibertythatveryevening。Erehedidso，however，andpresuminguponmyignoranceofHisMajesty’spresenceinToulouse，Chatelleraultwouldofacertaintyhaveboundmedownbysolemnpromise-makingthatpromisethepriceofmylibertyandmylife-tobreathenowordofmycaptivityandtrial。

Nodoubt，hiscunningbrainwouldhaveadvancedmeplausibleandconvincingreasonssotoengagemyself。

HehadnotcalculateduponCastelroux，northattheKingshouldalreadyhaveheardofmydetention。NowthatRoxalannecametoentreathimtodothatwhichalreadyhesawhimselfforcedtodo，heturnedhisattentiontotheprofitthathemightderivefromherinterestednessonmybehalf。Icouldguessalsosomethingofthejealousragethatmustfillhimatthissignalproofofmysuccesswithher，andalreadyIanticipated，Ithink，thebargainthathewoulddrive。

“Tellme，then。”hewasrepeating，“whatisyourinterestinthisgentleman？”

Therewasasilence。Icouldimaginehergentlefacecloudedwiththetroublethatsprangfromdevisingan’answertothatquestion;

Icouldpictureherinnocenteyescastdown，herdelicatecheekspinkedbysomameasureofshame，asatlast，inalow，stifledvoice，thefourwordsbrokefromher“Ilovehim，monsieur。”

Ah，Dieu！Tohearherconfessitso！Ifyesternightithadstirredmetotheverydepthsofmypoor，sinfulsoultohavehersaysomuchtome，howinfinitelymorediditnotaffectmetooverhearthisfrankavowalofittoanother！Andtothinkthatshewasundergoingallthistotheendthatshemightsaveme！

>FromChatelleraulttherecameanimpatientsnortinanswer，andhisfeetagainsmotethefloorasheresumedthepacingthatforamomenthehadsuspended。Thenfollowedapause，alongsilence，brokenonlybytheCount’srestlesswalkingtoandfro。Atlast“Whyareyousilent，monsieur？”sheaskedinatremblingvoice。

“Helas，mademoiselle，Icandonothing。Ihadfearedthatitmightbethuswithyou;and，ifIputthequestion，itwasinthehopethatIwaswrong。”

“Buthe，monsieur？”sheexclaimedinanguish。“Whatofhim？”

“Believeme，mademoiselle，ifitlayinmypowerIwouldsavehimwereheneversoguilty，ifonlythatImightspareyousorrow。”

Hespokewithtenderregret，foulhypocritethathewas！

“Oh，no，no！“shecried，andhervoicewasofhorroranddespair。

“Youdonotmeanthat-“Shestoppedshort;andthen，afterapause，itwastheCountwhofinishedthesentenceforher。

“Imean，mademoiselle，thatthisLesperonmustdie！“

YouwillmarvelthatIlethersufferso，thatIdidnotbreakdownthepartitionwithmyhandsandstrikethatsupplegentlemandeadatherfeetinatonementfortheanguishhewascausingher。ButIhadamindtoseehowfarhewoulddrivethisgamehewasengagedupon。

Againtherewasaspellofsilence，andatlast，whenMademoisellespoke，Iwasamazedatthecalmvoiceinwhichsheaddressedhim，marvellingatthestrengthandcourageofonesofrailandchildliketobehold。

“Isyourdetermination，indeed，irrevocable，monsieur？Ifyouhaveanypity，willyounotatleastletmebearmyprayersandmytearstotheKing？”

“Itwouldavailyounothing。AsIhavesaid，theLanguedocrebelsareinmyhands。”Hepausedasiftoletthosewordssinkwellintoherunderstanding;then，“IfIweretosethimatliberty，mademoiselle，ifIweretospirithimoutofprisoninthenight，bribinghisjailerstokeepsilentandbindinghimbyoathtoquitFranceatonceandnevertobetrayme，Ishouldbe，myself，guiltyofhightreason。Thusalonecouldthethingbedone，andyouwillsee，mademoiselle，thatbydoingitIshouldbeendangeringmyneck。”

Therewasanineffableundercurrentofmeaninginhiswords-anintangiblesuggestionthathemightbebribedtodoallthistowhichhesovaguelyalluded。

“Iunderstand，monsieur。”sheanswered，choking-“Iunderstandthatitwouldbetoomuchtoaskofyou。”

“Itwouldbemuch，mademoiselle。”hereturnedquickly，andhisvoicewasnowsubduedandinvestedwithanoddquiver。“Butnothingthatyourlipsmightaskofmeandthatitmightlieinthepowerofmortalmantodo，wouldbetoomuch！“

“Youmean？”shecried，acatchinherbreath。Hadsheguessed-asI，withoutsightofherface，hadguessed-whatwastofollow？Mygorgewasrisingfast。Iclenchedmyhands，andbyaneffortI

restrainedmyselftolearnthatIhadguessedaright。

“Sometwomonthsago。”hesaid，“IjourneyedtoLavedan，asyoumayremember。Isawyou，mademoiselle-forabriefwhileonly，itistrue-andeversinceIhaveseennothingelsebutyou。”Hisvoicewentashadelower，andpassionthrobbedinhiswords。

She，too，perceivedit，forthegratingofachairinformedmethatshehadrisen。

“Notnow，monsieur-notnow！“sheexclaimed。“Thisisnottheseason。Ibegofyouthinkofmydesolation。”

“Ido，mademoiselle，andIrespectyourgrief，and，withallmyheart，believeme，Ishareit。Yetthisistheseason，andifyouhavethisman’sinterestsatheart，youwillhearmetotheend。”

Throughalltheimperiousnessofhistoneanoddnoteofrespect-

realorassumed-wassounding。

“Ifyousuffer，mademoiselle，believemethatIsufferalso，andifImakeyousuffermorebywhatIsay，Ibegthatyouwillthinkhowwhatyouhavesaid，howtheverymotiveofyourpresencehere，hasmademesuffer。Doyouknow，mademoiselle，whatitistobetornbyjealousy？Canyouimagineit？Ifyoucan，youcanimaginealsosomethingofthetortureIenduredwhenyouconfessedtomethatyoulovedthisLesperon，whenyouintercededforhislife。Mademoiselle，Iloveyou-withallmyheartandsoulIloveyou。Ihavelovedyou，Ithink，sincethefirstmomentofourmeetingatLavedan，andtowinyouthereisnoriskthatIwouldnottake，nodangerthatI

wouldnotbrave。”

“Monsieur，Iimploreyou-“

“Hearmeout，mademoiselle！“hecried。Theninquietervoiceheproceeded:“AtpresentyoulovethisMonsieurdeLesperon-“

“Ishallalwayslovehim！Always，monsieur！“

“Wait，wait，wait！“heexclaimed，annoyedbyherinterruption。“Ifheweretolive，andyouweretowedhimandbedailyinhiscompany，Imakenodoubtyourlovemightendure。Butifheweretodie，orifheweretopassintobanishmentandyouweretoseehimnomore，youwouldmournhimforalittlewhile，andthen-Helas！itisthewayofmenandwomen-timewouldhealfirstyoursorrow，thenyourheart。”

“Never，monsieur-oh，never！“

“Iamolder，child，thanyouare。Iknow。Atpresentyouareanxioustosavehislifeanxiousbecauseyoulovehim，andalsobecauseyoubetrayedhim，andyouwouldnothavehisdeathuponyourconscience。”Hepausedamoment;thenraisinghisvoice，“Mademoiselle。”saidhe，“Iofferyouyourlover’slife。”

“Monsieur，monsieur！“criedthepoorchild，“Iknewyouweregood！

Iknew-“

“Amoment！Donotmisapprehendme。IdonotsaythatIgiveit-Iofferit。”

“Butthedifference？”

“Thatifyouwouldhaveit，mademoiselle，youmustbuyit。IhavesaidthatforyouIwouldbravealldangers。Tosaveyourlover，I

bravethescaffold。IfIambetrayed，orifthestorytranspire，myheadwillassuredlyfallintheplaceofLesperon’s。ThisIwillrisk，mademoiselle-Iwilldoitgladly-ifyouwillpromisetobecomemywifewhenitisdone。”

TherewasamoanfromRoxalanne，thensilence;then-“Oh，monsieur，youarepitiless！Whatbargainisthisthatyouofferme？”

“Afairone，surely。”saidthatsonofhell-“averyfairone。Theriskofmylifeagainstyourhandinmarriage。”

“Ifyou-ifyoutrulylovedmeasyousay，monsieur。”shereasoned，“youwouldservemewithoutaskingguerdon。”

“InanyotherthingIwould。Butisitfairtoaskamanwhoisrackedbyloveofyoutoplaceanotherinyourarms，andthatattheriskofhisownlife？Ah，mademoiselle，Iambutaman，andIamsubjecttohumanweaknesses。Ifyouwillconsent，thisLesperonshallgofree，butyoumustseehimnomore;andIwillcarrymyconsiderationsofarastogiveyousixmonthsinwhichtoovercomeyoursorrow，ereIpresentmyselftoyouagaintourgemysuit。”

“AndifIrefuse，monsieur？”

Hesighed。

“TothevaluewhichIsetuponmylifeyoumustaddmyveryhumanjealousy。Fromsuchacombinationwhatcanyouhopefor？”

“Youmean，inshort，thathemustdie？”

“To-morrow。”wasthatinfernalcheat’slaconicanswer。

Theyweresilentalittlewhile，thenshefella-sobbing。

“Bepitiful，monsieur！Havemercyifyou，indeed，loveme。Oh，hemustnotdie！Icannot，Idarenot，lethimdie！Savehim，monsieur，andIwillprayforyoueverynightofmylife;IwillprayforyoutoourHolyMotherasIamnowprayingtoyouforhim。”

Livedtherethemantoresistthatinnocent，devoutappeal？Livedthereonewhoinanswertosuchgentlewordsofloveandgriefcouldobtrudehisowncoarsepassions？Itseemstheredid，forallheansweredwas“Youknowtheprice，child。”

“AndGodpityme！Imustpayit。Imust，forifhediesIshallhavehisblooduponmyconscience！“Thenshecheckedhergrief，andhervoicegrewalmoststernintherestraintshesetuponherself。

“IfIgiveyoumypromisetowedyouhereafter-sayinsixmonths’

time-whatproofwillyouaffordmethathewhoisdetainedunderthenameofLesperonshallgofree？”

IcaughtthesoundofsomethingverylikeagaspfromtheCount。

“RemaininToulouseuntilto-morrow，andto-nighterehedepartsheshallcometotakehisleaveofyou。Areyoucontent？”

“Beitso，monsieur。”sheanswered。

ThenatlastIleapttomyfeet。Icouldendurenomore。YoumaymarvelthatIhadhadthehearttoenduresomuch，andtohavesolethersufferthatImightsatisfymyselfhowfarthisscoundrelChatelleraultwoulddrivehistrickster’sbargain。

Amoreimpetuousmanwouldhavebeatendownthepartition，orshoutedtoherthroughittheconsolationthatChatellerault’sbargainwasnobargainatall，sinceIwasalreadyatlarge。AndthatiswhereamoreimpetuousmanwouldhaveacteduponinstinctmorewiselythandidIuponreason。Instead，Iopenedthedoor，and，crossingthecommonroom，IflungmyselfdownapassagethatIthoughtmustleadtothechamberinwhichtheywerecloseted。ButinthisIwasatfault，andereIhadcomeuponawaiterandbeenredirectedsomepreciousmomentswerelost。Heledmebackthroughthecommonroomtoadooropeninguponanothercorridor。Hepusheditwide，andIcamesuddenlyfacetofacewithChatellerault，stillflushedfromhisrecentcontest。

“Youhere！“hegasped，hisjawfalling，andhischeeksturningpale，aswelltheymight;forallthathecouldnotdreamIhadoverheardhisbargaining。

“Wewillgoback，ifyouplease，MonsieurleComte。”saidI。

“Backwhere？”heaskedstupidly。

“BacktoMademoiselle。Backtotheroomyouhavejustquitted。”

AndnonetoogentlyIpushedhimintothecorridoragain，andso，inthegloom，Imissedtheexpressionofhisface。

“Sheisnotthere。”saidhe。

Ilaughedshortly。

“Nevertheless，wewillgoback。”Iinsisted。

AndsoIhadmyway，andwegainedtheroomwherehisinfamoustraffichadbeenheld。Yetforoncehespokethetruth。Shewasnolongerthere。

“Whereisshe？”Idemandedangrily。

“Gone。”heanswered;andwhenIprotestedthatIhadnotmether，“Youwouldnothavealadygobywayofthepublicroom，wouldyou？”

hedemandedinsolently。“Sheleftbythesidedoorintothecourtyard。”

“Thatbeingso，MonsieurleComte。”saidIquietly，“Iwillhavealittletalkwithyoubeforegoingafterher。”AndIcarefullyclosedthedoor。

CHAPTERXV

MONSIEURDECHATELLERAULTISANGRY

WithintheroomChatelleraultandIfacedeachotherinsilence。

Andhowvastlychangedwerethecircumstancessinceourlastmeeting！

Thedisorderthathadstampeditselfuponhiscountenancewhenfirsthehadbeheldmestillprevailed。Therewasalowering，sullenlookinhiseyesandacertaindisplacementoftheirsymmetrywhichwaspeculiartothemwhentroubled。

Althoughacunningplotterandaschemingintriguerinhisowninterests，Chatellerault，asIhavesaidbefore，wasnotbynatureaquickman。Hiswitsworkedslowly，andheneededleisuretoconsiderasituationandhisactionsthereinerehewasinapositiontoengagewithit。

“MonsieurleComte。”quothIironically，“Imakeyoumycomplimentsuponyourastutenessandthedepthofyourschemes，andmycondolencesuponthelittleaccidentowingtowhichIamhere，andinconsequenceofwhichyourprettyplansarelikelytomiscarry。

Hethrewbackhisgreatheadlikeahorsethatfeelsthecurb，andhissmoulderingeyeslookedupatmebalefully。Thenhissensuouslipspartedinscorn。

“Howmuchdoyouknow？”hedemanded;withsullencontempt。

“Ihavebeeninthatroomforthehalfofanhour。”Ianswered，rappingthepartitionwithmyknuckles。

“Thedividingwall，asyouwillobserve，isthin，andIheardeverythingthatpassedbetweenyouandMademoiselledeLavedan。”

“SothatBardelys，knownastheMagnificent;Bardelysthemirrorofchivalry;BardelysthearbiterelegantiarumoftheCourtofFrance，isnobetter，itseems，thanavulgarspy。”

Ifhesoughtbythatwordtoangerme，hefailed。

“LordCount。”Iansweredhimveryquietly，“youareofanagetoknowthatthetruthalonehaspowertowound。Iwasinthatroombyaccident，andwhenthefirstwordsofyourconversationreachedmeIhadnotbeenhumanhadInotremainedandstrainedmyearstocatcheverysyllableyouuttered。Fortherest，letmeaskyou，mydearChatellerault，sincewhenhaveyoubecomesonicethatyoudarecastitatamanthathehasbeeneavesdropping？”

“Youareobscure，monsieur。Whatisitthatyousuggest？”

“Iamsignifyingthatwhenamanstandsunmaskedforacheat，aliar，andathief，hisowncharactershouldgivehimconcernenoughtorestrainhimfromstricturesuponthatofanother。”

Aredflushshowedthroughthetanofhisskin，thenfadedandlefthimlivid-averyevilsight，asGodlives。Heflunghisheavily-featheredhatuponthetable，andcarriedhishandtohishilt。

“God’sblood！“hecried。“Youshallanswermeforthis。”

Ishookmyheadandsmiled;butImadenosignofdrawing。

“Monsieur，wemusttalkawhile。Ithinkthatyouhadbetter。”

Heraisedhissulleneyestomine。Perhapstheearnestimpressivenessofmytonesprevailed。Bethatasitmay，hishalf-drawnswordwasthrustbackwithaclick，and“Whathaveyoutosay？”heasked。

“Beseated。”ImotionedhimtoachairbythetableandwhenhehadtakenitIsatdownoppositetohim。Takingupaquill，Idippeditintheink-hornthatstoodby，anddrewtowardsmeasheetofpaper。

“WhenyouluredmeintothewagertouchingMademoiselledeLavedan。”

saidIcalmly，“youdidso，countinguponcertaincircumstances，ofwhichyoualonehadknowledge，thatshouldrenderimpossibletheurgingofmysuit。That，MonsieurleComte，wasundeniablytheactionofacheat。Wasitnot？”

“Damnation！“heroared，andwouldhaverisen，but，myhanduponhisarm，Irestrainedhimandpressedhimbackintohischair。

“Byasequenceoffortuitouscircumstances。”Ipursued，“itbecamepossibleformetocircumventtheobstacleuponwhichyouhadbasedyourcalculations。Thosesamecircumstancesledlatertomybeingarrestedinerrorandinplaceofanotherman。YoudiscoveredhowIhadcontravenedtheinfluenceuponwhichyoucounted;youtrembledtoseehowtheunexpectedhadbefriendedme，andyoubegantofearforyourwager。

“Whatdidyoudo？SeeingmearraignedbeforeyouinyourqualityasKing’sCommissioner，youpretendedtonoknowledgeofme;youbecameblindtomybeinganybutLesperontherebel，andyousentencedmetodeathinhisplace，sothatbeingthusdefinitelyremovedIshouldbeunabletocarryoutmyundertaking，andmylandsshouldconsequentlypassintoyourpossession。That，monsieur，wasatoncetheactofathiefandamurderer。Wait，monsieur;

restrainyourselfuntilIshallhavedone。To-dayagainfortunecomestomyrescue。Againyouseemeslippingfromyourgrasp，andyouareindespair。Then，intheeleventhhour，MademoiselledeLavedancomestoyoutopleadformylife。Bythatactshegivesyouthemostampleproofthatyourwagerislost。Whatwouldagentleman，amanofhonour，havedoneunderthesecircumstances？

Whatdidyoudo？Youseizedthatlastchance;youturnedittothebestaccount;youmadethispoorgirlbuysomethingfromyou;youmadehersellherselftoyoufornothing-pretendingthatyournothingwasasomethingofgreatvalue。Whattermshallweapplytothat？Tosaythatyoucheatedagainseemshardlyadequate。”

“ByGod，Bardelys！“

“Wait！“Ithundered，lookinghimstraightbetweentheeyes，sothatagainhesankbackcowed。ThenresumingthecalmwithwhichhithertoIhadaddressedhim，“Yourcupidity。”saidI，“yourgreedfortheestatesofBardelys，andyourjealousyandthirsttoseemeimpoverishedandsooustedfrommypositionatCourt，toleaveyousupremeinHisMajesty’sfavour，haveputyoutostrangeshiftsforagentleman，Chatellerault。Yet，wait。”

And，dippingmypenintheink-horn，Ibegantowrite。Iwasconsciousofhiseyesuponme，andIcouldimaginehissurmisingsandbewilderedspeculationsasmypenscratchedrapidlyacrossthepaper。Inafewmomentsitwasdone，andItossedthepenaside。

Itookupthesandbox。

“Whenamancheats，MonsieurleComte，andisdetected，heisinvariablyadjudgedtheloserofhisstakes。Onthatcountaloneeverythingthatyouhaveisnowminebyrights。”AgainIhadtoquellaninterruption。“Butifwewavethatpoint，andproceeduponthesuppositionthatyouhavedealtfairlyandhonourablywithme，why，then，monsieur，youhavestillsufficientevidence-thewordofMademoiselle，herself，infact-thatIhavewonmywager。

Andso，ifwetakethis，themostlenientviewofthecase“-I

pausedtosprinklethesandovermywriting-“yourestatesarestilllosttoyou，andpasstobemyproperty。”

“Dothey，byGod？”heroared，unablelongertorestrainhimself，andleapingtohisfeet。“Youhavedone，haveyounot？Youhavesaidallthatyoucancalltomind？Youhaveflunginsultsandepithetsatmeenoughtoearnthecuttingofadozenthroats。Youhavedubbedmecheatandthief“-hechokedinhispassion-

“untilyouhavehadyourfill-isitnotso？Now，listentome，MasterBardelys，masterspy，masterbuffoon，mastermasquerader！

WhatmannerofproceedingwasyourstogotoLavedanunderafalsename？Howcallyouthat？Wasthat，perhaps，notcheating？”

“No，monsieur，itwasnot。”Iansweredquietly。“ItwasinthetermsofyourchallengethatIwasfreetogotoLavedaninwhatguiseIlisted，employingwhatwilesIpleased。Butletthatbe。”

Iended，and，creasingthepaper，Ipouredthesandbackintothebox，anddustedthedocument。“Thepointishardlyworthdiscussingatthistimeofday。Ifnotoneway，why，then，inanother，yourwagerislost。”

“Isit？”Hesethisarmsakimboandeyedmederisively，histhick-setframeplantedsquarelybeforeme。“Youaresatisfiedthatitisso？Quitesatisfied，eh？”Heleeredinmyface。“Why，then，MonsieurleMarquis，wewillseewhetherafewinchesofsteelwillwinitbackforme。”Andoncemorehishandflewtohishilt。

Rising，IflungthedocumentIhadaccomplisheduponthetable。

“Glancefirstatthat。”saidI。

Hestoppedtolookatmeininquiry，mymannersowingsogreatacuriosityinhimthathispassionwasallscatteredbeforeit。Thenhesteppeduptothetableandliftedthepaper。Asheread，hishandshook，amazementdilatedhiseyesandfurrowedhisbrow。

“What-whatdoesitsignify？”hegasped。

“Itsignifiesthat，althoughfullyconsciousofhavingwon，IprefertoacknowledgethatIhavelost。ImakeovertoyouthusmyestatesofBardelys，because，monsieur，Ihavecometorealizethatthatwagerwasaninfamousone-oneinwhichagentlemanshouldhavehadnopart-andtheonlyatonementIcanmaketomyself，myhonour，andtheladywhomweinsulted-isthat。”

“Idonotunderstand。”hecomplained。

“Iapprehendyourdifficulty，Comte。Thepointisaniceone。ButunderstandatleastthatmyPicardyestatesareyours。Only，monsieur，youwillbewelladvisedtomakeyourwillforthwith，foryouarenotdestined，yourself，toenjoythem。”

Helookedatme，hisglancechargedwithinquiry。

“HisMajesty。”Icontinued，inanswertohisglance，“isorderingyourarrestforbetrayingthetrusthehadreposedinyouandforpervertingtheendsofjusticetodoyourownprivatemurdering。”

“MonDieu！“hecried，fallingofasuddenuntoamostpitifulaffright。“TheKingknows？”

“Knows？”Ilaughed。“IntheexcitementoftheseothermattersyouhaveforgottentoaskhowIcometobeatliberty。IhavebeentotheKing，monsieur，andIhavetoldhimwhathastakenplacehereatToulouse，andhowIwastohavegonetotheblocktomorrow！“

“Scelerat！“hecried。“Youhaveruinedme！“Rageandgriefwereblentinhisaccents。Hestoodbeforeme，lividoffaceandwithhandsclenchingandunclenchingathissides。

“Didyouexpectmetokeepsuchamattersilent？EvenhadIbeensoinclinedithadnotbeeneasy，forHisMajestyhadquestionstoaskme。FromwhattheKingsaid，monsieur，youmaycountuponmountingthescaffoldinmystead。Sobeadvised，andmakeyourwillwithoutdelay，ifyouwouldhaveyourheirsenjoymyPicardychateau。”

Ihaveseenterrorandangerdistortmen’scountenances，butneverhaveIseenaughttocomparewiththedisorderofChatelleraultatthatmoment。Hestampedandravedandfumed。Hepouredforthathousandorduresofspeechinhisfrenzy;heheapedinsultsuponmeandimprecationsupontheKing，whoselapdoghepronouncedme。Hisshort，stoutframewasquiveringwithpassionandfear，hisbroadfacedistortedbyhishideousgrimacesofrage。Andthen，whileyethisravingswereinfullflow，thedooropened，andinsteppedtheairyChevalierdeSaint-Eustache。

Hestoodstill，amazed，beneaththelintel-marvellingtoseeallthisanger，andabashedatbeholdingme。HissuddenappearanceremindedmethatIhadlastseenhimatGrenadeintheCount’scompany，onthedayofmyarrest。ThesurpriseithadoccasionedmenowreturneduponseeinghimsoobviouslyandintimatelyseekingChatellerault。

TheCountturnedonhiminhisanger。

“Well，popinjay？”heroared。“Whatdoyouwantwithme？”

“MonsieurleComte！“criedtheother，inblentindignationandreproach。

“Youwillperceivethatyouarecomeinopportunely。”Iputin。

“MonsieurdeChatelleraultisnotquitehimself。”

Butmyspeechagaindrewhisattentiontomypresence;andthewondergrewinhiseyesatfindingmethere，fortohimIwasstillLesperontherebel，andhemarvellednaturallythatIshouldbeatlarge。

Theninthecorridortherewasasoundofstepsandvoices，andasI

turnedIbeheldinthedoorway，behindSaint-Eustache，thefacesofCastelroux，Mironsac，andmyoldacquaintance，thebabbling，irresponsiblebuffoon，LaFosse。FromMironsachehadheardofmypresenceinToulouse，and，pilotedbyCastelroux，theywerebothcometoseekmeout。I’llswearitwasnotthustheyhadlookedtofindme。

Theypushedtheirwayintotheroom，impellingSaint-Eustacheforward，andthereweregreetingsexchangedandfelicitations，whilstChatellerault，curbinghisdisorder，drewtheChevalierintoacorneroftheroom，andstoodtherelisteningtohim。

AtlengthIheardtheCountexclaim-

“Doasyouplease，Chevalier。Ifyouhaveinterestsofyourowntoserve，servethem。Asformyself-Iampastbeinginterested。”

“Butwhy，monsieur？”thechevalierinquired。

“Why？”echoedChatellerault，hisferocitywellingupagain。Then，swinginground，hecamestraightatme，asabullmakesacharge。

“MonsieurdeBardelys！“heblazed。

“Bardelys！“gaspedSaint-Eustacheinthebackground。

“Whatnow？”Iinquiredcoldly，turningfrommyfriends。

“Allthatyousaidmaybetrue，andImaybedoomed，butIswearbeforeGodthatyoushallnotgounpunished。”

“Ithink，monsieur，thatyourunagraveriskofperjuringyourself！“

Ilaughed。

“Youshallrendermesatisfactionerewepart！“hecried。

“Ifyoudonotdeemthatpapersatisfactionenough，then，monsieur，forgiveme，butyourgreedtranscendsallpossibilityofbeingeversatisfied。”

“Thedeviltakeyourpaperandyourestates！WhatshalltheyprofitmewhenIamdead？”

“Theymayprofityourheirs。”Isuggested。

“Howshallthatprofitme？”

“ThatisariddlethatIcannotpretendtoelucidate。”

“Youlaugh，youknave！“hesnorted。Then，withanabruptchangeofmanner，“Youdonotlackforfriends。”saidhe。“Begoneofthesegentlementoactforyou，andifyouareamanofhonourletusstepoutintotheyardandsettlethematter。”

Ishookmyhead。

“IamsomuchamanofhonourastobecarefulwithwhomIcrosssteel。IprefertoleaveyoutoHisMajesty’svengeance;hisheadsmanmaybelessparticularthanamI。No，monsieur，onthewhole，IdonotthinkthatIcanfightyou。”

Hisfacegrewashadepaler。Itbecamegrey;thejawwasset，andtheeyesweremoreoutofsymmetrythanIhadeverseenthem。TheirglanceapproachedwhatisknowninItalyasthemal’occhio，andtoprotectthemselvesagainstthebanefulinfluencesofwhichmencarrycharms。Amomenthestoodso，eyeingme。Then，comingastepnearer-

“Youdonotthinkthatyoucanfightme，eh？Youdonotthinkit？

Pardieu！HowshallImakeyouchangeyourmind？Totheinsultofwordsyouappearimpervious。YouimagineyourcourageabovedisputebecausebyaluckyaccidentyoukilledLaVertoilesomeyearsagoandthefameofithasattachedtoyou。”Intheintensityofhisangerhewasbreathingheavily，likeamanoverburdened。“Youhavebeenlivingeversincebythereputationwhichthataccidentgaveyou。Letusseeifyoucandiebyit，MonsieurdeBardelys。”And，leaningforward，hestruckmeonthebreast，sosuddenlyandsopowerfully-forhewasamanofabnormalstrength-thatImusthavefallenbutthatLaFossecaughtmeinhisarms。

“Killhim！“lispedtheclassic-mindedfool。“PlayTheseustothisbullofMarathon。”

Chatelleraultstoodback，hishandsonhiships，hisheadinclinedtowardshisrightshoulder，andaninsolentleerofexpectancyuponhisface。

“Willthatresolveyou？”hesneered。

“Iwillmeetyou。”Ianswered，whenIhadrecoveredbreath。“ButI

swearthatIshallnothelpyoutoescapetheheadsman。”

Helaughedharshly。

“DoInotknowit？”hemocked。“Howshallkillingyouhelpmetoescape？Come，messieurs，sortons。Atonce！“

“Soir。”Iansweredshortly;andthereuponwecrowdedfromtheroom，andwentpele-meledownthepassagetothecourtyardattheback。

CHAPTERXVI

SWORDS！

LaFosseledthewaywithme，hisarmthroughmine，swearingthathewouldbemysecond。Hehadsuchastomachforafight，hadthisirresponsible，irrepressiblerhymester，thatitmountedtotheheightsofpassionwithhim，andwhenImentioned，inanswertoahintdroppedinconnectionwiththeedict，thatIhadtheKing’ssanctionforthiscombat，hewasnearlymadwithjoy。

“BloodofLaFosse！“washisoath。“Thehonourtostandbyyoushallbemine，myBardelys！Youoweitme，foramInotinparttoblameforallthisado？Nay，you’llnotdenyme。Thatgentlemanyonder，withthewild-catmoustachesandanamelikeaGasconoath-thatcousinofMironsac’s，Imean-hastheflairofafightinhisnostrils，andacravingtobeinit。Butyou’llgrantmethehonour，willyounot？Pardieu！Itwillearnmeaplaceinhistory。”

“Orthegraveyard。”quothI，bywayofcoolinghisardour。

“Peste！Whatanaugury！“Then，withalaugh:“But。”headded，indicatingSaint-Eustache，“thatlong，leansaint-Iforgetofwhatheispatron-hardlywearsamurderousair。”

Towinpeacefromhim，Ipromisedthatheshouldstandbyme。ButthefavourlostmuchofitsvalueinhiseyeswhenpresentlyIaddedthatIdidnotwishthesecondstoengage，sincethematterwasofsoverypersonalacharacter。

MironsacandCastelroux，assistedbySaint-Eustache，closedtheheavyportecochere，andsoshutusinfromtheobservationofpassers-by。Theclangingofthosegatesbroughtthelandlordandacoupleofhisknaves，andweweresubjectedtotheprayersandintercessions，tothestormingsandravingsthatareeverthepreludeofastable-yardfight，butwhichinvariablyend，astheseended，inthelandlord’swithdrawaltorunforhelptothenearestcorps-de-garde。

“Now，mymyrmillones。”criedLaFosseinbloodthirstyjubilation，“toworkbeforethehostreturns。”

“Po’CapdeDiou！“growledCastelroux，“isthisatimeforjests，masterjoker？”

“Jests？”Iheardhimretorting，asheassistedmetodoffmydoublet。

“DoIjest？Diable！youGasconsareaslow-wittedfolk！Ihaveatasteforallegory，myfriend，butthatneveryetwasaccountedsolowathingasjesting。”

Atlastwewereready，andIshiftedthewholeofmyattentiontotheshort，powerfulfigureofChatelleraultasheadvanceduponme，strippedtothewaist，hisfacesetandhiseyesfullofsternresolve。Despitehislowstature，andthebreadthofframewhicharguesluggishmotion，therewassomethingveryformidableabouttheCount。Hisbaredarmsweregreatmassesofmuscularflesh，andifhiswristwerebuthalfassuppleasitlookedpowerful，thataloneshouldrenderhimadangerousantagonist。

YetIhadnoqualmoffear，nodoubt，even，touchingtheissue。NotthatIwasanhabitualferrailleur。AsIhaveindicated，Ihadfoughtbutonemaninallmylife。NoryetamIofthosewhoaresaidtoknownofearunderanycircumstances。Suchmenarenottrulybrave;theyarestupidandunimaginative，inproofofwhichI

willadvancethefactthatyoumayinciteatimidmantodeedsofrecklessvalourbydrugginghimwithwine。Butthisisbytheway。

ItmaybethattheveryregularfencingpracticethatinParisIwaswonttotakemaysohaveorderedmymindthatthefactofmeetingunbaitedsteelhadlittlepowertomoveme。

Bethatasitmay，IengagedtheCountwithoutatremoreitherofthefleshorofthespirit。Iwasresolvedtowaitandlethimopentheplay，thatImighthaveanopportunityofmeasuringhispowerandseeinghowbestImightdisposeofhim。Iwasdeterminedtodohimnohurt，andtoleavehim，asIhadsworn，totheheadsman;andso，eitherbypressureorbyseizure，itwasmyaimtodisarmhim。

Butonhissidealsoheenteredupontheduelwithallcautionandwariness。FromhisrageIhadhopedforawild，angryrushthatshouldaffordmeaneasyopportunityofgainingmyendswithhim。

Notso，however。Nowthathecamewithsteeltodefendhislifeandtoseekmine，heappearedtohaverealizedtheimportanceofhavingkeenwitstoguidehishand;andsoheputhisangerfromhim，andemergedcalmanddeterminedfromhiswhilomdisorder。

Somepreliminarypasseswemadefromthefirstengagementinthelinesoftierce，eachplayingwarilyforanopening，yetneitherofusgivinggroundorbetrayinghasteorexcitement。Nowhisbladeslitheredonminewithaceaselesstremor;hiseyeswatchedminefromunderloweringbrows，andwithkneesbenthecrouchedlikeacatmakingreadyforaspring。Thenitcame。Suddenaslightningwashisdisengage;hedartedundermyguard，thenoverit，thenbackandunderitagain，andstretchingoutinthelunge-hisdouble-feintcompleted-hestraightenedhisarmtodrivehomethebotte。

ButwithaflyingpointIclearedhisbladeoutofthelineofmybody。Therehadbeentwosharptinklesofourmeetingswords，andnowChatelleraultstoodathisfulleststretch，thehalfofhissteelpastandbehindme，forjustafractionoftimecompletelyatmymercy。YetIwascontenttostand，andnevermovemybladefromhisuntilhehadrecoveredandwewerebackinourfirstpositiononceagain。

IheardthedeepbassofCastelroux’s“Mordioux！“thesharpgaspoffearfromSaint-Eustache，whoalreadyinimaginationbeheldhisfriendstretchedlifelessontheground，andthecryofmortificationfromLaFosseastheCountrecovered。ButIheededthesethingslittle。AsIhavesaid，tokilltheCountwasnotmyobject。Ithadbeenwise，perhaps，inChatelleraulttohaveappreciatedthatfact;buthedidnot。Fromthemannerinwhichhenowproceededtopressme，Iwasassuredthathesethishavingrecoveredguardtoslownessonmypart，neverthinkingofthespeedthathadbeennecessarytowinmyselfsuchanopeningasIhadobtained。

Myfailuretorunhimthroughinthatmomentofjeopardyinspiredhimwithacontemptofmyswordplay。Thishenowmadeplainbytherecklessnesswithwhichhefenced，inhishastetohavedoneerewemightchancetobeinterrupted。OfthisrecklessnessIsuddenlyavailedmyselftomakeanattemptatdisarminghim。Iturnedasideaviciousthrustbyaclose-adangerouslyclose-parry，andwhilstintheactofencirclinghisbladeIsoughtbypressuretocarryitoutofhishand。Iwaswithinanaceofsucceeding，yetheavoidedme，anddoubledback。

Herealizedthen，perhaps，thatIwasnotquitesocontemptibleanantagonistashehadbeenimagining，andhewentbacktohisearlierandmorecautioustactics。ThenIchangedmyplans。Isimulatedanattack，anddrovehimhardforsomemoments。Stronghewas，buttherewereadvantagesofreachandsupplenesswithme，andeventheseadvantagesapart，hadIaimedathislife，Icouldhavemadeshortworkofhim。ButthegameIplayedwasfraughtwithperilstomyself，andonceIwasindeadlydanger，andasneardeathfromtheswordasamanmaygoandlive。Myattackhadluredhim，asI

desiredthatitshould，intomakingariposte。Hedidso，andashisbladetwistedroundmineandcameslitheringatme，Iagaincarrieditoffbyencirclingit，andagainIexertedpressuretodeprivehimofit。ButthistimeIwasfartherfromsuccessthanbefore。Helaughedattheattempt，aswithasuddennessthatIhadbeenfarfromexpectinghedisengagedagain，andhispointdartedlikeasnakeupwardsatmythroat。

Iparriedthatthrust，butIonlyparrieditwhenitwaswithinsomethreeinchesofmyneck，andevenasIturneditasideitmissedmeasnarrowlyasitmightwithouttearingmyskin。Theimminenceoftheperilhadbeensuchthat，aswemutuallyrecovered，Ifoundacoldsweatbathingme。

Afterthat，Iresolvedtoabandontheattempttodisarmhimbypressure，andIturnedmyattentiontodrawinghimintoapositionthatmightlenditselftoseizure。ButevenasIwasmakingupmymindtothis-wewereengagedinsixteatthetime-Isawasuddenchance。Hispointwasheldlowwhilehewatchedme;solowthathisarmwasuncoveredandmypointwasinlinewithit。Toseetheopening，toestimateit，andtotakemyresolvewasalltheworkofafractionofasecond。ThenextinstantIhadstraightenedmyelbow，mybladeshotoutinalightningstrokeandtransfixedhissword-arm。

Therewasayellofpain，followedbyadeepgrowloffury，as，woundedbutnotvanquished，theenragedCountcaughthisfallingswordinhislefthand，andwhilstmyownbladewasheldtightintheboneofhisrightarm，hesoughttorunmethrough。Ileaptquicklyaside，andthen，beforehecouldrenewtheattempt，myfriendshadfallenuponhimandwrenchedhisswordfromhishandandminefromhisarm。

Itwouldillhavebecomemetotauntamaninhissorrycondition，elsemightInowhaveexplainedtohimwhatIhadmeantwhenIhadpromisedtoleavehimfortheheadsmaneventhoughIdidconsenttofighthim。

Mironsac，Castelroux，andLaFossestoodbabblingaroundme，butI

paidnoheedeithertoCastelroux’spatoisortoLaFosse’smisquotationsofclassicauthors。Thecombathadbeenprotracted，andthemethodsIhadpursuedhadbeenofaveryexhaustingnature。

Ileanednowagainsttheporte-cochere，andmoppedmyselfvigorously。

ThenSaint-Eustache，whowasengagedinbindinguphisprincipal’sarm，calledtoLaFosse。

IfollowedmysecondwithmyeyesashewentacrosstoChatellerault。

TheCountstoodwhite，hislipscompressed，nodoubtfromthepainhisarmwascausinghim。ThenhisvoicefloatedacrosstomeasheaddressedLaFosse。

“Youwilldomethefavour，monsieur，toinformyourfriendthatthiswasnofirstbloodcombat，butoneaoutrance。Ifenceaswellwithmyleftarmaswithmyright，andifMonsieurdeBardelyswilldomethehonourtoengageagain，Ishallesteemit。”

LaFossebowedandcameoverwiththemessagethatalreadywehadheard。

“Ifought。”saidIinanswer，“inaspiritverydifferentfromthatbywhichMonsieurdeChatelleraultappearstohavebeenactuated。

Hemadeitincumbentuponmetoaffordproofofmycourage。ThatproofIhaveafforded;Ideclinetodomore。Moreover，asMonsieurdeChatelleraulthimselfmustperceive，thelightisfailingus，andinafewminutesitwillbetoodarkforsword-play。”

“Inafewminutestherewillbeneedfornone，monsieur。”shoutedChatellerault，tosavetime。Hewasboastfultotheend。

“Here，monsieur，inanycase，comethosewhowillresolvethequestion。”Ianswered，pointingtothedooroftheinn。

AsIspoke，thelandlordsteppedintotheyard，followedbyanofficerandahalf-dozensoldiers。Thesewerenoordinarykeepersofthepeace，butmusketeersoftheguard，andatsightofthemIknewthattheirbusinesswasnottointerruptaduel，buttoarrestmyerstwhileopponentuponamuchgravercharge。

TheofficeradvancedstraighttoChatellerault。

“IntheKing’sname，MonsieurleComte。”saidhe。“Idemandyoursword。”

ItmaybethatatbottomIwasstillamanofsoftheart，unfeelingcynicthoughtheyaccountedme;foruponremarkingthemiseryandgloomthatspreaduponChatellerault’sfaceIwassorryforhim，notwithstandingthemuchthathehadschemedagainstme。Ofwhathisfatewouldbehecouldhavenoshadowofdoubt。Heknew-nonebetter-howtrulytheKinglovedme，andhowhewouldpunishsuchanattemptashadbeenmadeuponmylife，tosaynothingoftheprostitutionofjusticeofwhichhehadbeenguilty，andforwhichalonehehadearnedthepenaltyofdeath。

Hestoodamomentwithbenthead，thepainofhisarmpossiblyforgottenintheagonyofhisspirit。Then，straighteninghimselfsuddenly，withaproud，halfscornfulair，helookedtheofficerstraightbetweentheeyes。

“Youdesiremysword，monsieur？”heinquired。

Themusketeerbowedrespectfully。

“Saint-Eustache，willyoudomethefavourtogiveittome？”

AndwhiletheChevalierpickeduptherapierfromthegroundwhereithadbeenflung，thatmanwaitedwithanoutwardcalmforwhichatthemomentIadmiredhim，aswemusteveradmireatranquilbearinginonesmittenbyagreatadversity。AndthanthisIcanconceivefewgreater。Hehadplayedformuch，andhehadlosteverything。Ignominy，degradation，andtheblockwereallthatimpendedforhiminthisworld，andtheywereveryimminent。

HetooktheswordfromtheChevalier。Hehelditforasecondbythehilt，likeoneinthought，likeonewhoisresolvinguponsomething，whilstthemusketeerawaitedhisgoodpleasurewiththatdeferencewhichallgentlemindsmustaccordtotheunfortunate。

Stillholdinghisrapier，heraisedhiseyesforasecondandletthemrestonmewithagrimmalevolence。Thenheutteredashortlaugh，and，shrugginghisshoulders，hetransferredhisgriptotheblade，asifabouttoofferthehilttotheofficer。Holdingitso，halfwaybetwixtpointandquillons，hesteppedsuddenlyback，andbeforeanytherecouldputforthahandtostayhim，hehadsetthepummelonthegroundandthepointathisbreast，andsodroppeduponitandimpaledhimself。

Acrywentupfromeverythroat，andwesprangtowardshim。Herolledoveronhisside，andwithagrinofexquisitepain，yetinwordsofunconquerablederision“Youmayhavemyswordnow，Monsieurl’Officier。”hesaid，andsankback，swooning。

Withanoath，themusketeersteppedforward。HeobeyedChatelleraulttotheletter，bykneelingbesidehimandcarefullywithdrawingthesword。Thenheorderedacoupleofhismentotakeupthebody。

“Ishedead？”askedsomeone;andsomeoneelsereplied，“Notyet:

buthesoonwillbe。”

Twoofthemusketeersborehimintotheinnandlaidhimontheflooroftheveryroominwhich，anhourorsoago，hehaddrivenabargainwithRoxalanne。Acloakrolledintoapillowwasthrustunderhishead，andtherewelefthiminchargeofhiscaptors，thelandlord，Saint-Eustache，andLaFossethelatterinspired，Idoubtnot，bythatmorbiditywhichissooftenafeatureofthepoeticmind，andwhichimpelledhimnowtowitnessthedeath-agonyofmyLordofChatellerault。

Myself，havingresumedmygarments，IdisposedmyselftorepairatoncetotheHoteldel’Epee，theretoseekRoxalanne，thatImightsetherfearsandsorrowsatrest，andthatImightatlastmakemyconfession。

Aswesteppedoutintothestreet，wheretheduskwasnowthickening，IturnedtoCastelrouxtoinquirehowSaint-EustachecameintoChatellerault’scompany。

“HeisofthefamilyoftheIscariot，Ishouldopine。”answeredtheGascon。“AssoonashehadnewsthatChatelleraultwascometoLanguedocastheKing’sCommissioner，herepairedtohimtoofferhisservicesintheworkofbringingrebelstojustice。HeurgedthathisthoroughacquaintancewiththeprovinceshouldrenderhimofvaluetotheKing，asalsothathehadhadparticularopportunitiesofbecomingacquaintedwithmanytreasonabledealingsonthepart，ofmenwhomtheStatewasfarfromsuspecting。”

“MortDieu！“Icried，“Ihadsuspectedsomethingofsuchanature。

YoudowelltocallhimofthefamilyoftheIscariot。Heismoresothanyouimagine:Ihaveknowledgeofthis-ampleknowledge。Hewasuntillatelyarebelhimself，andhimselfafollowerofGastond’Orleans-thoughofalukewarmquality。Whatreasonshavedrivenhimtosuchwork，doyouknow？”

“Thesamereasonthatimpelledhisforefather，Judasofold。Thedesiretoenrichhimself。Foreveryhithertounsuspectedrebelthatshallbebroughttojusticeandwhosetreasonshallbeprovenbyhisagency，heclaimsthehalfofthatrebel’sconfiscatedestates。”

“Diable！“Iexclaimed。“AnddoestheKeeperoftheSealssanctionthis？”

“Sanctionit？Saint-Eustacheholdsacommission，hasafreehandandacompanyofhorsetofollowhiminhisrebel-hunting。”

“Hashedonemuchsofar？”wasmynextquestion。

“Hehasreducedhalfadozennoblemenandtheirfamilies。Thewealthhemusttherebyhaveamassedshouldbeveryconsiderable，indeed。”

“To-morrow，Castelroux，IwillseetheKinginconnectionwiththisprettygentleman，andnotonlyshallwefindhimadungeondeepanddank，butweshallseethathedisgorgeshisblood-money。”

“Ifyoucanprovehistreasonyouwillbedoingblessedwork。”

returnedCastelroux。“Untiltomorrow，then，forhereistheHoteldel’Epee。”

>Fromthebroaddoorwayofanimposingbuildingawarmglowoflightissuedoutandspreaditselffanwiseacrosstheill-pavedstreet。

Inthis-likebatsaboutalamp-flittedtheblackfiguresofgapingurchinsandotherstragglers，andintothisInowpassed，havingtakenleaveofmycompanions。

ImountedthestepsandIwasabouttocrossthethreshold，whensuddenlyaboveaburstoflaughterthatgreetedmyearsIcaughtthesoundofasingularlyfamiliarvoice。Thisseemedraisedatpresenttoaddresssuchcompanyasmightbewithin。OnemomentofdoubthadI-foritwasamonthsincelastIhadheardthosesoft，unctuousaccents。ThenIwasassuredthatthevoiceIheardwas，indeed，thevoiceofmystewardGanymede。Castelroux’smessengerhadfoundhimatlast，itseemed，andhadbroughthimtoToulouse。

Iwasmovedtospringintotheroomandgreetthatoldretainerforwhom，despitethegrossandsensuouswaysthatwithadvancingyearswereclaiminghimmoreandmore，Ihadadeepattachment。ButevenasIwasonthepointofentering，notonlyhisvoice，buttheverywordsthathewasutteringfloatedouttomyears，andtheywereofaqualitythatheldmetheretoplaythehiddenlistenerforthesecondtimeinmylifeinoneandthesameday。

CHAPTERXVII

THEBABBLINGOFGANYMEDE

Neveruntilthathour，asIstoodintheporchoftheHoteldel’Epee，hearkeningtomyhenchman’snarrativeandtotheburstsoflaughterwhicheverandanonitprovokedfromhisnumerouslisteners，hadIdreamedoftheraconteurtalentswhichRodenardmightboast。YetwasIveryfarfrombeingappreciativenowthatIdiscoveredthem，forthestorythathetoldwasofhowoneMarcelSaint-Pol，MarquisdeBardelys，hadlaidawagerwiththeComtedeChatelleraultthathewouldwooandwinMademoiselledeLavedantowifewithinthreemonths。Nordidhestopthere。Rodenard，itwouldseem，waswellinformed;hehaddrawnallknowledgeofthestateofthingsfromCastelroux’smessenger，andlater-Iknownotfromwhom-atToulouse，sincehisarrival。

Heregaledthecompany，therefore，witharecitalofourfindingthedyingLesperon，andofhowIhadgoneoffalone，andevidentlyassumedthenameandroleofthatproscribedrebel，andthusconductedmywooingundersympathyinspiringcircumstancesatLavedan。Thencame，heannounced，theverycreamofthejest，whenIwasarrestedasLesperonandbroughttoToulouseandtotrialinLesperon’sstead;hetoldthemhowIhadbeensentencedtodeathintheotherman’splace，andheassuredthemthatIwouldcertainlyhavebeenbeheadeduponthemorrowbutthatnewshadbeenbornetohim-Rodenard-ofmyplight，andhewascometodeliverme。

Myfirstimpulseuponhearinghimtellofthewagerhadbeentostrideintotheroomandsilencehimbymycoming。ThatIdidnotobeythatimpulsewassomethingthatpresentlyIwasverybitterlytoregret。HowitcamethatIdidnotIscarcelyknow。Iwastempted，perhaps，toseehowfarthishenchmanwhomforyearsIhadtrustedwasunworthyofthattrust。Andso，thereintheporch，I

stayeduntilhehadendedbytellingthecompanythathewasonhiswaytoinformtheKing-whobygreatgoodchancewasthatdayarrivedinToulouse-ofthemistakethathadbeenmade，andthusobtainmyimmediateenlargementandearnmyundyinggratitude。

AgainIwasonthepointofenteringtoadministeraverysternreprooftothattalkativerogue，whenofasuddentherewasacommotionwithin。Icaughtascrapingofchairs，adroppingofvoices，andthensuddenlyIfoundmyselfconfrontedbyRoxalannedeLavedanherself，issuingwithapageandawomaninattendance。

Forjustasecondhereyesrestedonme，andthelightcomingthroughthedoorwayatherbackboldlyrevealedmycountenance。Andaverystartledcountenanceitmusthavebeen，forinthatfractionoftimeIknewthatshehadheardallthatRodenardhadbeenrelating。Underthatinstant’sglanceofhereyesIfeltmyselfturnpale;ashiverranthroughme，andthesweatstartedcolduponmybrow。Thenhergazepassedfromme，andlookedbeyondintothestreet，asthoughshehadnotknownme;whetherinherturnshepaledorreddenedI

cannotsay，forthelightwastoouncertain。Nextfollowedwhatseemedtomeaninterminablepause，although，indeed，itcanhavebeennomorethanamatterofseconds-aye，andofbutfew。Then，hergowndrawnwellaside，shepassedmeinthatsameirrecognizingway，whilstI，abashed，shrankbackintotheshadowsoftheporch，burningwithshameandrageandhumiliation。

>Fromunderherbrowsherwomanglancedatmeinquisitively;herliveriedpage，hisnoseintheair，eyedmesopertlythatIwashardputtoitnottohastenwithmyfoothisdescentofthesteps。

Atlasttheyweregone，andfromtheoutsidetheshrillvoiceofherpagewaswaftedtome。Hewascallingtotheostlerforhercarriage。Standing，inmydeepmortification，whereshehadpassedme，IconjecturedfromthatdemandthatshewasjourneyingtoLavedan。

Sheknewnowhowshehadbeencheatedoneveryhand，firstbymeandlater，thatveryafternoon，byChatellerault，andherresolvetoquitToulousecouldbutsignifythatshewasdonewithmeforgood。

Thatithadsurprisedhertofindmeatlargealready，IfanciedI

hadseeninhermomentaryglance，butherpridehadbeenquicktoconquerandstifleallsignsofthatsurprise。

Iremainedwhereshehadpassedmeuntilhercoachhadrumbledawayintothenight，andduringthemomentsthatelapsedIhadstoodarguingwithmyselfandresolvinguponmycourseofaction。Butdespairwasfasteninguponme。

IhadcometotheHoteldel’Epee，exulting，joyous，andconfidentofvictory。Ihadcometoconfesseverythingtoher，andbyvirtueofwhatIhaddonethatconfessionwasrenderedeasy。Icouldhavesaidtoher:“ThewomanwhomIwageredtowinwasnotyou，Roxalanne，butacertainMademoiselledeLavedan。YourloveIhavewon，butthatyoumayfosternodoubtsofmyintentions，Ihavepaidmywagerandacknowledgedefeat。IhavemadeovertoChatelleraultandtohisheirsforalltimemyestatesofBardelys。”

Oh，Ihadrehearseditinmymind，andIwasconfident-Iknew-

thatIshouldwinher。Andnow-thedisclosureofthatshamefultrafficcomingfromotherlipsthanminehadruinedeverythingbyforestallingmyavowal。

Rodenardshouldpayforit-byGod，heshould！OnceagaindidI

becomeapreytothepassionofangerwhichIhaveeverheldtobeunworthyinagentleman，buttowhichitwouldseemthatIwasgrowingaccustomedtogiveway。Theostlerwasmountingthestepsatthemoment。Hecarriedinhishandastouthorsewhipwithalongknottedthong。Hastilymutteringa“Byyourleave。”Isnatcheditfromhimandsprangintotheroom。