第6章

Myintendantwasstilltalkingofme。Theroomwascrowded，forRodenardalonehadbroughtwithhimmytwentyfollowers。OneoftheselookedupasIbrushedpasthim，andutteredacryofsurpriseuponrecognizingme。ButRodenardtalkedon，engrossedinhisthemetotheexclusionofallelse。

“MonsieurleMarquis。”hewassaying，“isagentlemanwhomitis，indeed，anhonourtoserve-“

Ascreamburstfromhimwiththelastword，forthelashofmywhiphadburntawhealuponhiswell-fedsides。

“Itisanhonourthatshallbeyoursnomore，youdog！“Icried。

Heleapthighintotheairasmywhipcuthimagain。Heswunground，hisfacetwistedwithpain，hisflabbycheekswhitewithfear，andhiseyeswildwithanger，forasyetthefullforceofthesituationhadnotbeenborneinuponhim。Then，seeingmethere，andcatchingsomethingoftheawfulpassionthatmusthavebeenstampeduponmyface，hedroppedonhiskneesandcriedoutsomethingthatIdidnotunderstandforIwaspastunderstandingmuchjustthen。

Thelashwhistledthroughtheairagainandcaughthimabouttheshoulders。Hewrithedandroaredinhisanguishofbothfleshandspirit。ButIwaspitiless。Hehadruinedmylifeformewithhistalking，and，asGodlived，heshouldpaytheonlypricethatitlayinhispowertopay-thepriceofphysicalsuffering。Againandagainmywhiphissedabouthisheadandcutintohissoftwhiteflesh，whilstroaringformercyhemovedandrockedonhiskneesbeforeme。Instinctivelyheapproachedmetohampermymovements，whilstImovedbacktogivemylashthebetterplay。Heheldouthisarmsandjoinedhisfathandsinsupplication，butthelashcaughttheminitssinuoustormentingembrace，andstartedaredwhealacrosstheirwhiteness。Hetuckedthemintohisarmpitswithascream，andfellproneupontheground。

ThenIrememberthatsomeofmymenessayedtorestrainme，whichtomypassionwasasthewindtoablaze。Icrackedmywhipabouttheirheads，commandingthemtokeeptheirdistancelesttheyweremindedtosharehiscastigation。AndsofearfulanairmustI

haveworn，that，daunted，theyhungbackandwatchedtheirleader’spunishmentinsilence。

WhenIthinkofitnow，ItakenolittleshameatthememoryofhowIbeathim。Itis，indeed，withdeepreluctanceandyetdeepershamethatIhavebroughtmyselftowriteofit。IfIoffendyouwiththisaccountofthathorsewhipping，letnecessitybemyapology;

forthehorsewhippingitselfIhave，unfortunately，noapology，savetheblindfurythatobsessedme-whichisnoapologyatall。

UponthemorrowIrepentedmealreadywithmuchbitterness。ButinthathourIknewnoreason。Iwasmad，andofmymadnesswasbornthisharshbrutality。

“Youwouldtalkofmeandmyaffairsinatavern，youhound！“I

cried，outofbreathbothbyvirtueofmypassionandmyexertions。

“Letthememoryofthisactasacurbuponyourpoisonoustongueinfuture。”

“Monseigneur！“hescreamed。“Misericorde，monseigneur！“

“Aye，youshallhavemercy-justsomuchmercyasyoudeserve。

HaveItrustedyoualltheseyears，anddidmyfathertrustyoubeforeme，forthis？Haveyougrownsleekandfatandsmuginmyservicethatyoushouldrequitemethus？Sangdieu，Rodenard！Myfatherhadhangedyouforthehalfofthetalkingthatyouhavedonethisnight。Youdog！Youmiserableknave！“

“Monseigneur。”heshriekedagain，“forgive！Foryoursaintedmother’ssake，forgive！Monseigneur，Ididnotknow-“

“Butyouarelearning，cur;youarelearningbythepainofyourfatcarcase;isitnotso，carrion？”

Hesankdown，hisstrengthexhausted，alimp，moaning，bleedingmassofflesh，intowhichmywhipstillcutrelentlessly。

Ihaveapicturemmymindofthatill-lightedroom，ofthestartledfacesonwhichtheflickeringglimmerofthecandlesshedoddshadows;ofthehummingandcrackingofmywhip;ofmyownvoiceraisedinoathsandepithetsofcontempt;ofRodenard’sscreams;ofthecriesraisedhereandthereinremonstranceorinentreaty，andofsomemoreboldthatcalledshameuponme。Thenotherstookupthatcryof“Shame！“sothatatlastIpausedandstoodtheredrawnuptomyfullheight，asifinchallenge。Toweringabovetheheadsofanyinthatroom，Iheldmywhipmenacingly。Iwasunusedtocriticism，andtheirexpressionsofcondemnationrousedme。

“Whoquestionsmyright？”Idemandedarrogantly，whereupontheyoneandallfellsilent。“Ifanyherebeboldenoughtostepout，heshallhavemyanswer。”Then，asnoneresponded，Isignifiedmycontemptforthembyalaugh。

“Monseigneur！“wailedRodenardatmyfeet，hisvoicegrowingfeeble。

Bywayofanswer，Igavehimafinalcut，thenIflungthewhip-

whichhadgrownraggedinthefray-backtotheostlerfromwhomI

hadborrowedit。

“Letthatsufficeyou，Rodenard。”Isaid，touchinghimwithmyfoot。

“SeethatIneverseteyesuponyouagain，ifyoucherishyourmiserablelife！“

“Notthat，monseigneur。”groanedthewretch。“Oh，notthat！Youhavepunishedme;youhavewhippedmeuntilIcannotstand;forgiveme，monseigneur，forgivemenow！“

“Ihaveforgivenyou，butIneverwishtoseeyouagain，lestI

shouldforgetthatIhaveforgivenyou。Takehimaway，someofyou。”

Ibademymen，andinswift，silentobediencetwoofthemsteppedforwardandborethegroaning，sobbingfellowfromtheroom。Whenthatwasdone“Host。”Icommanded，“preparemearoom。Attendme，acoupleofyou。”

Igaveordersthereafterforthedisposalofmybaggage，someofwhichmylacqueysbroughtuptothechamberthatthelandlordhadinhastemadereadyforme。InthatchamberIsatuntilverylate;

apreytotheutmostmiseryanddespair。Myragebeingspent，I

mighthavetakensomethoughtforpoorGanymedeandhiscondition，butmyownaffairscrowdedover-heavilyuponmymind，andsattheundisputedrulersofmythoughtsthatnight。

AtonemomentIconsideredjourneyingtoLavedan，onlytodismisstheideathenext。Whatcoulditavailmenow？WouldRoxalannebelievethetaleIhadtotell？Wouldshenotthink，naturallyenough，thatIwasbutmakingthebestofthesituation，andthatmyavowalofthetruthofastorywhichitwasnotinmypowertodenywasnotspontaneous，butforcedfrommebycircumstances？No，therewasnothingmoretobedone。Ascoreofamourshadclaimedmyattentioninthepastandreceivedit;yettherewasnotoneofthoseaffairswhosemiscarriagewouldhaveaffordedmetheslightestconcernormortification。Itseemedlikeanirony，likeaDiesire，thatitshouldhavebeenlefttothisfirsttruepassionofmylifetohavegoneawry。

IsleptillwhenatlastIsoughtmybed，andthroughthenightI

nursedmybittergrief，huddlingtomethecorpseoftheloveshehadbornemeasamothermaythecorpseofherfirst-born。

OnthemorrowIresolvedtoleaveToulouse-toquitthisprovincewhereinsomuchhadbefallenmeandrepairtoBeaugency，theretogrowoldinmisanthropicalseclusion。IhaddonewithCourts，I

haddonewithloveandwithwomen;Ihaddone，itseemedtome，withlifeitself。ProdigalhaditbeeningiftsthatIhadnotsoughtofit。Ithadspreadmytablewiththerichestofferings，buttheyhadbeenlittletomypalate，andIhadnauseatedquickly。Andnow，whenhereinthisremotecornerofFranceithadshownmetheoneprizeIcoveted，ithadbeenswifttoplaceitbeyondmyreach，therebysowingeverlastingdiscontentandmiseryinmyhithertopamperedheart。

IsawCastelrouxthatday，butIsaidnowordtohimofmyaffliction。HebroughtmenewsofChatellerault。TheCountwaslyinginadangerousconditionattheAubergeRoyale，andmightnotbemoved。Thephysicianattendinghimallbutdespairedofhislife。

“Heisaskingtoseeyou。”saidCastelroux。

ButIwasnotmindedtorespond。Forallthathehaddeeplywrongedme，forallthatIdespisedhimverycordially，thesightofhiminhispresentconditionmightarousemypity，andIwasinnomoodtowasteuponsuchaoneasChatelleraultevenonhisdeathbed-aqualityofwhichIhadsodireaneedjustthenformyowncase。

“Iwillnotgo。”saidI，afterdeliberation。“TellhimfrommethatIforgivehimfreelyifitbethatheseeksmyforgiveness;tellhimthatIbearhimnorancour，and-thathehadbettermakehiswill，tosavemetroublehereafter，ifheshouldchancetodie。”

IsaidthisbecauseIhadnomind，ifheshouldperishintestate，togoinquestofhisnextheirsandadvisethemthatmylatePicardyestateswerenowtheirproperty。

CastelrouxsoughtyettopersuademetovisittheCount，butIheldfirmlytomyresolve。

“IamleavingToulouseto-day。”Iannounced。

“Whitherdoyougo？”

“Tohell，ortoBeaugency-Iscarceknowwhich，nordoesitmatter。”

Helookedatmeinsurprise，but，beingamanofbreeding，askednoquestionsuponmattersthatheaccountedsecret。

“ButtheKing？”heventuredpresently。

“HisMajestyhasalreadydispensedmefrommydutiesbyhim。”

Nevertheless，Ididnotgothatday。Imaintainedtheintentionuntilsunset;then，seeingthatitwastoolate，Ipostponedmydepartureuntilthemorrow。Icanassignnoreasonformydallyingmood。Perhapsitsprangfromtheinertnessthatpervadedme，perhapssomemysterioushanddetainedme。Bethatasitmay，thatIremainedanothernightattheHoteldel’Epeewasoneofthosecontingencieswhich，thoughslightandseeminglyinconsequentialinthemselves，leadtogreatissues。HadIdepartedthatdayforBeaugency，itislikelythatyouhadneverheardofme——leastways，notfrommyownpen-forinwhatsofarIhavetoldyou，withoutthatwhichistofollow，thereishaplylittlethatwasworththelabourofsettingdown。

Inthemorning，then，Isetout;buthavingstartedlate，wegotnofartherthanGrenade，wherewelaythenightoncemoreattheHoteldelaCouronne。Andso，throughhavingdelayedmydeparturebyasingleday，diditcometopassthatamessagereachedmebeforeitmighthavebeentoolate。

Itwashighnoonofthemorrow。Ourhorsesstoodsaddled;indeed，someofmymenwerealreadymounted-forIwasnotmindedtodisbandthemuntilBeaugencywasreached-andmytwocoacheswerebothreadyforthejourney。ThehabitsofalifetimearenotsoeasytoabandonevenwhenNecessityraiseshercompellingvoice。

Iwasintheactofsettlingmyscorewiththelandlordwhenofasuddentherewerequickstepsinthepassage，theclankofarapieragainstthewall，andavoice-thevoiceofCastelroux-callingexcitedly“Bardelys！MonsieurdeBardelys！“

“Whatbringsyouhere？”Icriedingreeting，ashesteppedintotheroom。

“AreyoustillforBeaugency？”heaskedsharply，throwingbackhishead。

“Why，yes。”Ianswered，wonderingatthisexcitement。

“ThenyouhaveseennothingofSaint-Eustacheandhismen？”

“Nothing。”

“Yettheymusthavepassedthiswaynotmanyhoursago。”Thentossinghishatonthetableandspeakingwithsuddenvehemence:

“IfyouhaveanyinterestinthefamilyofLavedan，youwillreturnupontheinstanttoToulouse。”

ThementionofLavedanwasenoughtoquickenmypulses。YetinthepasttwodaysIhadmasteredresignation，andindoingthatweschoolourselvestomuchrestraint。Iturnedslowly，andsurveyedthelittleCaptainattentively。Hisblackeyessparkled，andhismoustachesbristledwithexcitement。Clearlyhehadnewsofimport。

Iturnedtothelandlord。

“Leaveus，Monsieurl’Hote。”saidIshortly;andwhenhehaddeparted，“WhatoftheLavedanfamily，Castelroux？”IinquiredascalmlyasImight。

“TheChevalierdeSaint-EustacheleftToulouseatsixo’clockthismorningforLavedan。”

Swiftthesuspicionofhiserrandbrokeuponmymind。

“HehasbetrayedtheVicomte？”Ihalfinquired，halfasserted。

Castelrouxnodded。“HehasobtainedawarrantforhisapprehensionfromtheKeeperoftheSeals，andisgonetoexecuteit。InthecourseofafewdaysLavedanwillbeindangerofbeingnomorethananame。ThisSaint-Eustacheisdrivingabrisktrade，byGod，andsomefineprizeshavealreadyfallentohislot。Butifyouaddthemalltogether，theyarenotlikelytoyieldasmuchasthishislatestexpedition。Unlessyouintervene，Bardelys，theVicomtedeLavedanisdoomedandhisfamilyhouseless。”

“Iwillintervene。”Icried。“ByGod，Iwill！AndasforSaint-Eustache-hewasbornunderapropitiousstar，indeed，ifheescapesthegallows。HelittledreamsthatIamstilltobereckonedwith。There，Castelroux，IwillstartforLavedanatonce。”

AlreadyIwasstridingtothedoor，whentheGasconcalledmeback。

“Whatgoodwillthatdo？”heasked。“WereitnotbetterfirsttoreturntoToulouseandobtainacounter-warrantfromtheKing？”

Therewaswisdominhiswords-muchwisdom。Butmybloodwasafire，andIwasintoohotahastetoreason。

“ReturntoToulouse？”Iechoedscornfully。“Awasteoftime，Captain。No，IwillgostraighttoLavedan。Ineednocounter-warrant。IknowtoomuchofthisChevalier’saffairs，andmyverypresenceshouldbeenoughtostayhishand。Heisasfoulatraitorasyou’llfindinFrance;butforthemomentGodblesshimforaveryopportuneknave。Gilles！“Icalled，throwingwidethedoor。“Gilles！“

“Monseigneur。”heanswered，hasteningtome。

“Putbackthecarriagesandsaddlemeahorse。”Icommanded。“Andbidyourfellowsmountatonceandawaitmeinthecourtyard。WearenotgoingtoBeaugency，Gilles。Weridenorth-toLavedan。”

CHAPTERXVIII

SAINT-EUSTACHEISOBSTINATE

0ntheoccasionofmyfirstvisittoLavedanIhaddisregarded-or，rather，FatehadcontrivedthatIshoulddisregard-Chatellerault’ssuggestionthatIshouldgowithallthepanoplyofpower-withmyfollowers，myliveries，andmyequipagestocomposethemagnificenceallFrancehadcometoassociatewithmyname，andthusdazzlebymybrilliantlustretheladyIwascometowin。Asyoumayremember，Ihadcreptintothechateaulikeathiefinthenight，-wounded，bedraggled，andofmiserableaspect，seekingtoprovokecompassionratherthanadmiration。

NotsonowthatImademysecondvisit。IavailedmyselfofallthesplendourtowhichIowedmytitleof“Magnificent。”androdeintothecourtyardoftheChateaudeLavedanprecededbytwentywell-mountedknaveswearingthegorgeousSaint-Polliveriesofscarletandgold，withtheBardelysescutcheonbroideredonthebreastsoftheirdoublets-onafieldorabarazuresurchargedbythreeliliesofthefield。Theywerearmedwithswordsandmusketoons，andhadmoretheairofaroyalbodyguardthanofacompanyofattendantservants。

Ourcomingwasinawaywelltimed。IdoubtifwecouldhavestayedtheexecutionofSaint-Eustache’swarrantevenhadwearrivedearlier。Butforeffect-toproduceastrikingcoupdetheatre-

wecouldnothavecomemoreopportunely。

Acoachstoodinthequadrangle，atthefootofthechateausteps:

downthesetheVicomtewasdescending，withtheVicomtesse-grimandblasphemantasever，ononeside，andhisdaughter，whiteoffaceandwithtightlycompressedlips，ontheother。Betweenthesetwowomen-hiswifeandhischild-asdifferentinbodyastheyweredifferentinsoul，cameLavedanwithafirmstep，agoodcolour，andalookofwell-bred，loftyindifferencetohisfate。

Hedisposedhimselftoenterthecarriagewhichwastobearhimtoprisonwithmuchthesameairhewouldhaveassumedhadhisdestinationbeenaroyallevee。

AroundthecoachweregroupedascoreofmenofSaint-Eustache’scompany-halfsoldiers，halfploughboys-ill-garbedandindifferentlyaccoutredindullbreastplatesandsteelcaps，manyofwhichwererusted。Bythecarriagedoorstoodthelong，lankfigureoftheChevalierhimself，dressedwithhiswontedcare，andperfumed，curled，andberibbonedbeyondbelief。Hisweak，boyishfacesoughtbyscowlsandbytheadoptionofagrimsmiletoassumeanairofmartialferocity。

Suchwasthegroupinginthequadranglewhenmymen，withGillesattheirhead，thunderedacrossthedrawbridge，givingpausetothosewithin，anddrawinguponthemselvestheeyesofall，astheyrode，twobytwo，undertheold-worldarchofthekeepintothecourtyard。

AndGilles，whoknewourerrand，andwhowasasready-wittedarogueaseverrodewithme，tookinthesituationataglance。KnowinghowmuchIdesiredtomakeagoodlyshow，hewhisperedanorder。

Thisresultedinthecouplesdividingatthegateway，onegoingtotheleftandonetotheright，sothatastheycametheyspreadthemselvesinacrescent，anddrawingrein，theyfacedforward，confrontingandhalfsurroundingtheChevalier’scompany。

Aseachcoupleappeared，thecuriosity-theuneasiness，probably-ofSaint-Eustacheandhismen，hadincreased，andtheirexpectancywasontiptoetoseewhatlorditwaswentabroadwithsuchregalpomp，whenIappearedinthegatewayandadvancedatthetrotintothemiddleofthequadrangle。ThereIdrewreinanddoffedmyhattothemastheystood，open-mouthedandgapingoneandall。Ifitwasatheatricaldisplay，aparadeworthyofatilt-ground，itwasyetanobleandimposingadvent，andtheirgapingtoldmethatitwasnotwithouteffect。ThemenlookeduneasilyattheChevalier;

theChevalierlookeduneasilyathismen;mademoiselle，verypale，loweredhereyesandpressedherlipsyetmoretightly;theVicomtesseutteredanoathofastonishment;whilstLavedan，toodignifiedtomanifestsurprise，greetedmewithasoberbow。

BehindthemonthestepsIcaughtsightofagroupofdomestics，oldAnatolestandingslightlyinadvanceofhisfellows，andwondering，nodoubt，whetherthiswere，indeed，thebedraggledLesperonofalittlewhileago-forifIhadthoughtofpompinthedisplayofmylacqueys，nolesshadIconsidereditinthedeckingofmyownperson。Withoutanyoftheribbonsandfopperiesthatmarkthecoxcomb，yetwasIclad，plumed，andarmedwithamagnificencesuchasI’llswearhadnotbeenseenwithinthegreywallsofthatoldcastleinthelifetimeofanyofthosethatwerenowpresent。

GillesleaptfromhishorseasIdrewrein，andhastenedtoholdmystirrup，withamurmured“Monsieur。”whichtitledrewafreshastonishmentintotheeyesofthebeholders。

IadvancedleisurelytowardsSaint-Eustache，andaddressedhimwithsuchcondescensionasImightagroom，toimpressandquellamanofthistypeyourbestweaponisthearrogancethatanoblerspiritwouldresent。

“Aworldofoddmeetingsthis，Saint-Eustache。”Ismileddisdainfully。

“Aworldofstrangecomingsandgoings，andofrangetransformations。

ThelasttimewewereherewestoodmutuallyasguestsofMonsieurleVicomte;atpresentyouappeartobeofficiatingasa-atipstaff。”

“Monsieur！“Hecoloured，andheutteredthewordinaccentsofawakeningresentment。Ilookedintohiseyes，coldly，impassively，asifwaitingtohearwhathemighthavetoadd，andsoIstayeduntilhisglancefellandhisspiritwasfrozeninhim。Heknewme，andheknewhowmuchIwastobefeared。AwordfrommetotheKingmightsendhimtothewheel。ItwasuponthisIplayed。Presently，ashiseyefell“Isyourbusinesswithme，MonsieurdeBardelys？”heasked，andatthatutteranceofmynametherewasacommotiononthesteps，whilsttheVicomtestarted，andhiseyesfrowneduponme，andtheVicomtesselookedupsuddenlytoscanmewithafreshinterest。

Shebeheldatlastinthefleshthegentlemanwhohadplayedsonotoriousapart，tenyearsago，inthatscandalconnectedwiththeDuchessedeBourgogne，ofwhichshenevertiredofrecitingthedetails。Andthinkthatshehadsatattablewithhimdaybydayandbeenunconsciousofthatmomentousfact！Such，Imakenodoubt，waswhatpassedthroughhermindatthemoment，and，tojudgefromherexpression，IshouldsaythattheexcitementofbeholdingtheMagnificentBardelyshadforthenonceeclipsedbeholdingevenherhusband’sconditionandtheimminentsequestrationofLavedan。

“Mybusinessiswithyou，Chevalier。”saidI。“Itrelatestoyourmissionhere。”

Hisjawfell。“Youwish-？”

“TodesireyoutowithdrawyouramenandquitLavedanatonce，abandoningtheexecutionofyourwarrant。”

Heflashedmealookofimpotenthate。“Youknowoftheexistenceofmywarrant，MonsieurdeBardelys，andyoumustthereforerealizethataroyalmandatealonecanexemptmefromdeliveringMonsieurdeLavedantotheKeeperoftheSeals。”

“Myonlywarrant。”Ianswered，somewhatbaffled，butfarfromabandoninghope，“ismyword。YoushallsaytotheGardedesSceauxthatyouhavedonethisupontheauthorityoftheMarquisdeBardelys，andyouhavemypromisethatHisMajestyshallconfirmmyaction。”

InsayingthatIsaidtoomuch，asIwasquicklytorealize。

“HisMajestywillconfirmit，monsieur？”hesaidinterrogatively，andheshookhishead。“ThatisariskIdarenotrun。MywarrantsetsmeunderimperativeobligationswhichImustdischarge-youwillseethejusticeofwhatIstate。”

Histonewasallhumility，allsubservience，neverthelessitwasfirmtothepointofbeinghard。Butmylastcard，thecarduponwhichIwasdepending，wasyettobeplayed。

“Willyoudomethehonourtostepasidewithme，Chevalier？”I

commandedratherthanbesought。

“Atyourservice，sir。”saidhe;andIdrewhimoutofearshotofthoseothers。

“Now，Saint-Eustache，wecantalk。”saidI，withanabruptchangeofmannerfromthecoldlyarroganttothecoldlymenacing。“I

marvelgreatlyatyourtemerityinpursuingthisIscariotbusinessafterlearningwhoIam，atToulousetwonightsago。”

Heclenchedhishands，andhisweakfacehardened。

“Iwouldbegyoutoconsideryourexpressions，monsieur，andtocontrolthem。”saidheinathickvoice。

Ivouchsafedhimastareoffreezingamazement。“YouwillnodoubtrememberinwhatcapacityIfindyouemployed。Nay，keepyourhandsstill，Saint-Eustache。Idon’tfightcatchpolls，andifyougivemetroublemymenareyonder。”AndIjerkedmythumbovermyshoulder。

“Andnowtobusiness。Iamnotmindedtotalkallday。IwassayingthatImarvelatyourtemerity，andmoreparticularlyatyourhavinglaidinformationagainstMonsieurdeLavedan，andhavingcomeheretoarresthim，knowing，asyoumustknow，thatIaminterestedintheVicomte。”

“Ihaveheardofthatinterest，monsieur。”saidhe，withasneerforwhichIcouldhavestruckhim。

“Thisactofyours。”Ipursued，ignoringhisinterpolation，“savoursverymuchofflyinginthefaceofDestiny。Italmostseemstomeasifyouweredefyingme。”

Hisliptrembled，andhiseyesshunnedmyglance。

“Indeed-indeed，monsieur-“hewasprotesting，whenIcuthimshort。

“YoucannotbesogreatafoolbutthatyoumustrealizethatifI

telltheKingwhatIknowofyou，youwillbestrippedofyourill-gottengains，andbrokenonthewheelforadoubletraitor-abetrayerofyourfellow-rebels。”

“Butyouwillnotdothat，monsieur？”hecried。“Itwouldbeunworthyinyou。”

AtthatIlaughedinhisface。“HeartofGod！Areyoutobewhatyouplease，anddoyoustillexpectthatmenshallbeniceindealingwithyou？Iwoulddothisthing，and，bymyfaith，MonsieurdeEustache，Iwilldoit，ifyoucompelme！“

Hereddenedandmovedhisfootuneasily。PerhapsIdidnottakethebestwaywithhim，afterall。Imighthaveconfinedmyselftosowingfearinhisheart;thatalonemighthavehadtheeffectI

desired;byvisitinguponhimatthesametimetheinsultsIcouldnotrepress，Imayhavearousedhisresistance，andexcitedhisdesireaboveallelsetothwartme。

“Whatdoyouwantofme？”hedemanded，withasuddenarrogancewhichalmostcastmineintotheshade。

“Iwantyou。”saidI，deemingthetimeripetomakeaplaintaleofit，“towithdrawyourmen，andtoridebacktoToulousewithoutMonsieurdeLavedandan，theretoconfesstotheKeeperoftheSealsthatyoursuspicionswereunfounded，andthatyouhaveculledevidencethattheVicomtehashadnorelationswithMonsieurtheKing’sbrother。”

Helookedatmeinamazement-amusedly，almost。

“AlikelystorythattobeartotheastutegentlemeninToulouse。”

saidhe。

“Aye，mafoi，amostlikelystory。”saidI。“WhentheycometoconsidertheprofitthatyouarelosingbynotapprehendingtheVicomte，andcanthinkofnonethatyouaremaking，theywillhavelittledifficultyinbelievingyou。”

“Butwhatofthisevidenceyoureferto？”

“Youhave，Itakeit，discoverednoincriminatingevidence-nodocumentsthatwilltellagainsttheVicomte？”

“No，monsieur，itistruethatIhavenot-“

Hestoppedandbithislip，mysmilemakinghimawareofhisindiscretion。

“Verywell，then，youmustinventsomeevidencetoprovethathewasinnoway，associatedwiththerebellion。”

“MonsieurdeBardelys。”saidheveryinsolently，“wewastetimeinidlewords。IfyouthinkthatIwillimperilmyneckforthesakeofservingyouortheVicomte，youaremostprodigiouslyatfault。”

“Ihaveneverthoughtso。ButIhavethoughtthatyoumightbeinducedtoimperilyourneck-asyouhave，it-foritsownsake，andtotheendthatyoumightsaveit。”

Hemovedaway。“Monsieur，youtalkinvain。Youhavenoroyalwarranttosupersedemine。DowhatyouwillwhenyoucometoToulouse。”andhesmileddarkly。“Meanwhile，theVicomtegoeswithme。”

“Youhavenoevidenceagainsthim！“Icried，scarcebelievingthathewoulddaretodefymeandthatIhadfailed。

“Ihavetheevidenceofmyword。IamreadytosweartowhatIknow-that，whilstIwashereatLavedan，someweeksago，Idiscoveredhisconnectionwiththerebels。”

“Andwhatthinkyou，miserablefool，shallyourwordweighagainstmine？”Icried。“Neverfear，MonsieurleChevalier，IshallbeinToulousetogiveyoutheliebyshowingthatyourwordisawordtowhichnomanmayattachfaith，andbyexposingtotheKingyourpastconduct。Ifyouthinkthat，afterIhavespoken，KingLouiswhomtheynamethejustwillsufferthetrialoftheVicomtetogofurtheronyourinstigation，orifyouthinkthatyouwillbeabletoslipyourownneckfromthenooseIshallhavesetaboutit，youareaninfinitelygreaterfoolthanIdeemyou。”

Hestoodandlookedatmeoverhisshoulder，hisfacecrimson，andhisbrowsblackasathundercloud。

“AllthismaybetidewhenyoucometoToulouse，MonsieurdeBardelys。”saidhedarkly，“butfromheretoToulouseitisamatterofsometwentyleagues。”

Withthat，heturnedonhisheelandleftme，baffledandangry，topuzzleouttheinnermeaningofhispartingwords。

Hegavehismentheordertomount，andbadeMonsieurdeLavedanenterthecoach，whereuponGillesshotmeaglanceofinquiry。Forasecond，asIsteppedslowlyaftertheChevalier，Iwasmindedtotryarmedresistance，andtoconvertthatgreycourtyardintoashambles。ThenIsawbetimesthefutilityofsuchastep，andI

shruggedmyshouldersinanswertomyservant’sglance。

IwouldhavespokentotheVicomteerehedeparted，butIwastoodeeplychagrinedandhumiliatedbymy，defeat。SomuchsothatI

hadnoroominmythoughtsevenfortheverynaturalconjectureofwhatLavedanmustbethinkingofme。IrepentedmethenofmyrashnessincomingtoLavedanwithouthavingseentheKing-asCastelrouxhadcounselledme。IhadcomeindulgingvaindreamsofasplendidoverthrowofSaint-Eustache。IhadthoughttoshineheroicallyinMademoiselle’seyes，andthusIhadhopedthatbothgratitudeforhavingsavedherfatherandadmirationatthemannerinwhichIhadachieveditwouldpredisposehertograntmeahearinginwhichImightpleadmyrehabilitation。Oncethatwereaccordedme，IdidnotdoubtIshouldprevail。

Nowmydreamwasalldispelled，andmypridehadsufferedjustsuchahumiliatingfallasthemoraliststelluspridemusteversuffer。

Thereseemedlittleleftmebuttogohencewithlambenttail，likeadogthathasbeenwhipped-mydazzlingescortbecomeamockerybutthatitservedthemoreloudlytoadvertisemytrueimpotency。

AsIapproachedthecarriage，theVicomtessesweptsuddenlydownthestepsandcametowardsmewithafriendlysmile。“MonsieurdeBardelys。”saidshe，“wearegratefulforyourinterventioninthecauseofthatrebelmyhusband。”

“Madame。”Ibesoughther，undermybreath，“ifyouwouldnottotallydestroyhim，Ibeseechyoutobecautious。Byyourleave，Iwillhavemymenrefreshed，andthereafterIshalltaketheroadtoToulouseagain。IcanonlyhopethatmyinterventionwiththeKingmaybearbetterfruit。”

AlthoughIspokeinasubduedkey，Saint-Eustache，whostoodnearus，overheardme，ashisfaceveryclearlytestified。

“Remainhere，sir。”shereplied，withsomeeffusion，“andfollowuswhenyouarerested。”

“Followyou？”Iinquired。“DoyouthengowithMonsieurdeLavedan？”

“No，Anne。”saidtheVicomtepolitelyfromthecarriage。“Itwillbetiringyouunnecessarily。Youwerebetteradvisedtoremainhereuntilmyreturn。”

IdoubtnotthatthepoorVicomtewasmoreconcernedwithhowshewouldtirehimthanwithhowthejourneymighttireher。ButtheVicomtessewasnottobegainsaid。TheChevalierhadsneeredwhentheVicomtespokeofreturning。Madamehadcaughtthatsneer，andsheswungrounduponhimnowwiththevehementfuryofavirago。

“He’llnotreturn，you，think，youJudas！“shesnarledathim，herlean，swarthyfacegrowingveryeviltosee。“Butheshall-byGod，heshall！Andlooktoyourskinwhenhedoes，monsieurthecatchpoll，for，onmyhonour，youshallhaveaforetasteofhellforyourtroubleinthismatter。”

TheChevaliersmiledwithmuchrestraint。“Awoman’stongue。”saidhe，“doesnoinjury。”

“Willawoman’sarm，thinkyou？”demandedthatwarlikematron。“Youmusk-stinkingtipstaff，I’ll-“

“Anne，mylove。”imploredtheVicomtesoothingly，“Ibegthatyouwillcontrolyourself。”

“ShallIsubmittotheinsolenceofthismisbegottenvassal？ShallI-“

“Rememberratherthatitdoesnotbecomethedignityofyourstationtoaddressthefellow。Weavoidvenomousreptiles，butwedonotpausetoreproachthemwiththeirvenom。Godmadethemso。”

Saint-Eustachecolouredtotherootsofhishair，then，turninghastilytothedriver，hebadehimstart。Hewouldhaveclosedthedoorwiththat，butthatmadamethrustherselfforward。

ThatwastheChevalier’schancetobeavenged。“Youcannotgo。”

saidhe。

“Cannot？”Hercheeksreddened。“Whynot，monsieurLesperon？

“Ihavenoreasonstoaffordyou。”heansweredbrutally。“Youcannotgo。”

“Yourpardon，Chevalier。”Iinterposed。“Yougobeyondyourrightsinseekingtopreventher。MonsieurleVicomteisnotyetconvicted。

Donot，Ibeseechyou，transcendthealreadyodiouscharacterofyourwork。”

AndwithoutmoreadoIshoulderedhimaside，andheldthedoorthatshemightenter。Sherewardedmewithasmile-halfvicious，halfwhimsical，andmountedthestep。Saint-Eustachewouldhaveinterfered。Hecameatmeasifresentingthatshoulder-thrustofmine，andforasecondIalmostthoughthewouldhavecommittedthemadnessofstrikingme。

“Takecare，Saint-Eustache。”Isaidveryquietly，myeyesfixedonhis。AndmuchasdeadCaesar’sghostmayhavethreatenedBrutuswithPhilippi“WemeetatToulouse，Chevalier。”saidI，andclosingthecarriagedoorIsteppedback。

Therewasaflutterofskirtsbehindme。Itwasmademoiselle。Sobraveandoutwardlysocalmuntilnow，themomentofactualseparation-andaddedthereuntoperhapshermother’sgoingandthelonelinessthatforherselfsheforesaw-provedmorethanshecouldendure。Isteppedaside，andshesweptpastmeandcaughtattheleathercurtainofthecoach。

“Father！“shesobbed。

Therearesomethingsthatamanofbreedingmaynotwitness-somethingstolookuponwhichisnearakintoeavesdroppingorreadingthelettersofanother。SuchascenedidInowaccountthepresentone，and，turning，Imovedaway。ButSaint-Eustachecutitshort，forscarcehadItakenthreepaceswhenhisvoicerangoutthecommandtomove。Thedriverhesitated，forthegirlwasstillhangingatthewindow。Butasecondcommand，accompaniedbyavigorousoath，overcame-hishesitation。Hegathereduphisreins，crackedhiswhip，andthelumberingwheelsbegantomove。

“Haveacare，child！“IheardtheVicomtecry“haveacare！Adieu，monenfant！“

Shesprangback，sobbing，andassuredlyshewouldhavefallen，thrownoutofbalancebythemovementofthecoach，butthatIputforthmyhandsandcaughther。

Idonotthinksheknewwhosewerethearmsthatheldherforthatbriefspace，sodesolatedwasshebythegriefsolongrepressed。

AtlastsherealizedthatitwasthisworthlessBardelysagainstwhomsherested;thismanwhohadwageredthathewouldwinandwedher;thisimpostorwhohadcometoherunderanassumedname;thisknavewhohadliedtoherasnogentlemancouldhavelied，swearingtoloveher，whilst，inreality，hedidnomorethanseektowinawager。Whenallthissherealized，sheshudderedasecond，thenmovedabruptlyfrommygrasp，and，withoutsomuchasaglanceatme，sheleftme，and，ascendingthestepsofthechateau，shepassedfrommysight。

IgavetheordertodismountasthelastofSaint-Eustache’sfollowersvanishedundertheportcullis。

CHAPTERXIX

THEFLINTANDTHESTEEL

Mademoisellewillseeyou，monsieur。”saidAnatoleatlast。

TwicealreadyhadhecarriedunavailinglymyrequestthatRoxalanneshouldaccordmeaninterviewereIdeparted。OnthisthethirdoccasionIhadbiddenhimsaythatIwouldnotstirfromLavedanuntilshehaddonemethehonourofhearingme。Seeminglythatthreathadprevailedwhereentreatieshadbeenscorned。

IfollowedAnatolefromthehalf-lightofthehallinwhichIhadbeenpacingintothesalonoverlookingtheterracesandtheriver，whereRoxalanneawaitedme。Shewasstandingatthefartherendoftheroombyoneofthelongwindows，whichwasopen，for，althoughwewerealreadyinthefirstweekofOctober，theairofLanguedocwasaswarmandbalmyasthatofParisorPicardyisinsummer。

Iadvancedtothecentreofthechamber，andthereIpausedandwaiteduntilitshouldpleasehertoacknowledgemypresenceandturntofaceme。Iwasnofledgling。Ihadseenmuch，Ihadlearntmuchandbeeninmanyplaces，andmybearingwaswonttoconveyit。

NeverinmylifehadIbeengauche，forwhichIthankmyparents，andifyearsago-longyearsago-acertaintimidityhadmarkedmyfirstintroductionstotheLouvreandtheLuxembourg，thattimiditywassomethingfromwhichIhadlongsincepartedcompany。Andyetitseemedtome，asIstoodinthatpretty，sunlitroomawaitingthepleasureofthatchild，scarceoutofherteens，thatsomeoftheawkwardnessIhadescapedinearlieryears，someofthetimidityoflongago，cametomethen。Ishiftedtheweightofmybodyfromonelegtotheother;IfingeredthetablebywhichIstood;IpulledatthehatIheld;mycolourcameandwent;Ilookedatherfurtivelyfromunderbentbrows，andIthankedGodthatherbackbeingtowardsmeshemightnotseetheclownImusthaveseemed。

Atlength，unablelongertobrookthatdiscomposingsilence-

“Mademoiselle！“Icalledsoftly。Thesoundofmyownvoiceseemedtoinvigorateme，tostripmeofmyawkwardnessandself-consciousness。

Itbrokethespellthatforamomenthadbeenoverme，andbroughtmebacktomyself-tothevain，self-confident，flamboyantBardelysthatperhapsyouhavepicturedfrommywritings。

“Ihope，monsieur。”sheanswered，withoutturning，“thatwhatyoumayhavetosaymayjustifyinsomemeasureyourveryimportunateinsistence。”

Onmylife，thiswasnotencouraging。ButnowthatIwasmasterofmyself，Iwasnotagainsoeasilytobedisconcerted。Myeyesresteduponherasshestoodalmostframedintheopeningofthatlongwindow。Howstraightandsuppleshewas，yethowdaintyandslightwithal！Shewasfarfrombeingatallwoman，buthercleanlengthoflimb，herveryslightness，andthehigh-bredpoiseofhershapelyhead，conveyedanillusionofheightunlessyoustoodbesideher。Theillusiondidnotswaymethen。Isawonlyachild;butachildwithagreatspirit，withagreatsoulthatseemedtoaccentuateherphysicalhelplessness。Thathelplessness，whichI

feltratherthansaw，woveintothewarpofmylove。Shewasingriefjustthen-ingriefatthearrestofherfather，andatthedarkfatethatthreatenedhim;ingriefattheunworthinessofalover。Ofthetwowhichmightbethemorebitteritwasnotminetojudge，butIburnedtogatherhertome，tocomfortandcherishher，tomakeheronewithme，andthus，whilstgivinghersomethingofmyman’sheightandstrength，cullfromhersomethingofthatpure，noblespirit，andthussanctifymyown。

Ihadamoment’sweaknesswhenshespoke。IwaswithinanaceofadvancingandcastingmyselfuponmykneeslikeanyLentenpenitent，tosueforgiveness。ButIsettheinclinationdownbetimes。Suchexpedientswouldnotavailmehere。

“WhatIhavetosay，mademoiselle。”Iansweredafterapause，“wouldjustifyasaintdescendinginto，hell;or，rather，tomakemymetaphormoreapt，wouldwarrantasinner’sintrusionintoheaven。”

Ispokesolemnly，yetnottoosolemnly;theleastslurofasardonichumourwasinmytones。

Shemovedherheaduponthewhitecolumnofherneck，andwiththegestureoneofherbrowncurlsbecamedisordered。Icouldfancytheupwardtiltofherdelicatenose，thescornfulcurveofherlipassheansweredshortly“Thensayitquickly，monsieur。”

And，beingthusbidden，Isaidquickly“Iloveyou，Roxalanne。”

Herheelbeattheshimmeringparquetofthefloor;shehalfturnedtowardsme，hercheekflushed，herliptremulouswithanger。

“Willyousaywhatyouhavetosay，monsieur？”shedemandedinaconcentratedvoice，“andhavingsaidit，willyougo？”

“Mademoiselle，Ihavealreadysaidit。”Ianswered，withawistfulsmile。

“Oh！“shegasped。Thensuddenlyfacingrounduponme，aworldofangerinherblueeyes-eyesthatIhadknowndreamy，butwhichwerenowverywideawake。“Wasittooffermethislastinsultyouforcedyourpresenceuponme？Wasittomockmewiththosewords，me-awoman，withnomanaboutmetopunishyou？Shame，sir！YetitisnomorethanImightlookforinyou。”

“Mademoiselle，youdomegrievouswrong-“Ibegan。

“Idoyounowrong。”sheansweredhotly，thenstopped，unwillinghaplytobedrawnintocontentionwithme。“Enfin，sinceyouhavesaidwhatyoucametosaywillyougo？”Andshepointedtothedoor。

“Mademoiselle，mademoiselle-“Ibeganinavoiceofearnestintercession。

“Go！“sheinterruptedangrily，andforasecondtheviolenceofhervoiceandgesturealmostremindedmeoftheVicomtesse。“Iwillhearnomorefromyou。”

“Mademoiselle，youshall。”Ianswerednowhitlessfirmly。

“Iwillnotlistentoyou。Talkifyouwill。Youshallhavethewallsforaudience。”Andshemovedtowardsthedoor，butIbarredherpassage。Iwascourteoustotinelastdegree;IbowedlowbeforeherasIputmyselfinherway。

“Itisallthatwaswanting-thatyoushouldoffermeviolence！“

sheexclaimed。

“Godforbid！“saidI:

“Thenletmepass。”

“Aye，whenyouhaveheardme。”

“Idonotwishtohearyou。Nothingthatyoumaysaycammattertome。Oh，monsieur，ifyouhaveanyinstinctsofgentility，ifyouhaveanypretensiontobeaccountedanythingbutamauvaissujet，I

beg;ofyoutorespectmygrief。Youwitnessed，yourself，thearrestofmyfather。Thisisnoseasonforsuchassceneasyouarecreating。”

“Pardon！Itisinsuchaseasonasthisthatyouneedthecomfortandsupportthatthemanyoulovealonecangiveyou。”

“ThemanIlove？”sheechoed，andfromPushedthattheyhadbeen，hercheekswentverypale。Hereyesfellforaninstant，then-

theywereraised;again，andtheirbluedepthswereofferedme。“I

think，sir。”shesaid，throughherteeth，“thatyourinsolencetranscendsallbelief。”

“Canyoudenyit？”Icried。“Canyoudenythatyouloveme？Ifyoucan-why，then，youliedtomethreenightsagoatToulouse！“

Thatsmoteherhard-sohardthatsheforgotherassurancethatshewouldnotlistentome-herpromisetoherselfthatshewouldstooptonocontentionwithme。

“If，inamomentaryweakness，inmynescienceofyouasyoutrulyare，Ididmakesomesuchadmission，Ididentertainsuchfeelingsforyou，thingshavecometomyknowledgesincethen，monsieur，thathaverevealedyoutomeasanotherman;IhavelearntsomethingthathasutterlywitheredsuchloveasIthenconfessed。Now，monsieur，areyousatisfied，andwillyouletmepass？”Shesaidthelastwordswithareturnofherimperiousness，alreadyangryathavingbeendrawnsofar。

“Iamsatisfied，mademoiselle。”Iansweredbrutally，“thatyoudidnotspeakthetruththreenightsago。Youneverlovedme。Itwaspitythatdeludedyou，shamethaturgedyou-shameattheDelilahpartyouhadplayedandatyourbetrayalofme。Now，mademoiselle，youmaypass。”saidI。

AndIstoodaside，assuredthatasshewasawomanshewouldnotpassmenow。Nordidshe。Sherecoiledastepinstead。Herlipquivered。Thensherecoveredquickly。Hermothermighthavetoldherthatshewasafoolforengagingherselfinsuchaduelwithme-me，theveteranofahundredamorouscombats。YetthoughIdoubtnotitwasherfirstassault-at-armsofthisdescription，shewasmorethanamatchforme，ashernextwordsproved。

“Monsieur，Ithankyouforenlighteningme。Icannot，indeed，havespokenthetruththreenightsago。Youareright，Idonotdoubtitnow，andyouliftfrommealoadofshame。”

Dieu！Itwaslikeathrustinthehighlines，anditshurtfulviolencestaggeredme。Iwasfinished，itseemed。Thevictorywashers，andshebutachildwithnopracticeofCupid’sartoffence！

“Now，monsieur。”sheadded，“nowthatyouaresatisfiedthatyoudidwrongtosayIlovedyou，nowthatwehavedisposedofthatquestion-adieu！“

“Amomentyet！“Icried。“Wehavedisposedofthat，buttherewasanotherpoint，anearlierone，whichforthemomentwehavedisregarded。Wehave-youhavedisprovedtheloveIwassopresumptuousastobelieveyoufosteredforme。WehaveyettoreckonwiththeloveIbearyou，mademoiselle，andofthatweshallnotbeabletodisposesoreadily。”

Withagestureofwearinessorofimpatience，sheturnedaside。

“Whatisityouwant？Whatdoyouseektogainbythusprovokingme？Towinyourwager？”Hervoicewascold。Whotohavelookeduponthatchildlikeface，uponthosemeek，ponderingeyes，couldhavebelievedhercapableofsomuchcruelty？

“Therecannolongerbeanyquestionofmywager;Ihavelostandpaidit。”saidI。

Shelookedupsuddenly。Herbrowsmetinafrownofbewilderment。

Clearlythisinterestedher。Againwasshedrawn。

“How？”sheasked。“Youhavelostandpaidit？”

“Evenso。Thatodious，cursed，infamouswager，wasthesomethingwhichIhintedatsooftenasstandingbetweenyouandme。TheconfessionthatsooftenIwasonthepointofmaking-thatsooftenyouurgedmetomake-concernedthatwager。WouldtoGod，Roxalanne，thatIhadtoldyou！“Icried，anditseemedtomethatthesincerityringinginmyvoicedrovesomeoftheharshnessfromhercountenance，someofthecoldnessfromherglance。

“Unfortunately。”Ipursued，“italwaysseemedtomeeithernotyettime，oralreadytoolate。YetsosoonasIregainedmyliberty，myfirstthoughtwasofthat。WhilethewagerexistedImightnotaskyoutobecomemywife，lestIshouldseemtobecarryingouttheoriginalintentionwhichembarkedmeuponthebusinessofwooingyou，andbroughtmeheretoLanguedoc。AndsomyfirststepwastoseekoutChatelleraultanddeliverhimmynoteofhandformyPicardypossessions，thebulk-byfarthegreaterbulk-ofallmyfortune。MysecondstepwastorepairtoyouattheHoteldel’Epee。

“AtlastIcouldapproachyouwithcleanhands;IcouldconfesswhatIhaddone;andsinceitseemedtomethatIhadmadetheutmostatonement，Iwasconfidentofsuccess。Alas！Icametoolate。IntheporchoftheaubergeImetyouasyoucameforth。FrommytalkativeintendantyouhadlearntalreadythestoryofthatbargainintowhichBardelyshadentered。YouhadlearntwhoIwas，andyouthoughtthatyouhadlearntwhyIwooedyou。Accordinglyyoucouldbutdespiseme。”

Shehadsunkintoachair。Herhandswerefoldedinalistlessmannerinherlap，andhereyeswerelowered，hercheekspale。Buttheswiftheaveofherbosomtoldmethatmywordswerenotwithouteffect。”DoyouknownothingofthebargainthatImadewithChatellerault？”sheaskedinavoicethatheld，Ithought，sometraceofmisery。

“Chatelleraultwasacheat！“Icried。“NomanofhonourinFrancewouldhaveaccountedhimselfunderobligationtopaythatwager。I

paidit，notbecauseIthoughtthepaymentdue，butthatbyitspaymentImightofferyouaculminatingproofofmysincerity。”

“Bethatasitmay。”saidshe，“Ipassedhimmywordto-tomarryhim，ifhesetyouatliberty。”

“Thepromisedoesnothold，forwhenyoumadeitIwasatlibertyalready。Besides，Chatelleraultisdeadbynow-orverynearit。”

“Dead？”sheechoed，lookingup。

“Yes，dead。Wefought-“Theghostofasmile，ofsudden，ofscornfulunderstanding，passedlikearayoflightacrossherface。

“Pardieu！“Icried，“youdomeawrongthere。Itwasnotbymyhandsthathefell。Itwasnotbymethattheduelwasinstigated。”

AndwiththatIgaveherthewholedetailsoftheaffair，includingtheinformationthatChatelleraulthadbeennopartytomyrelease，andthatforhisattemptedjudicialmurderofmetheKingwouldhavedealtveryhardlywithhimhadhenotsavedtheKingthetroublebythrowinghimselfuponhissword:

TherewasasilencewhenIhaddone。Roxalannesaton，andseemedtoponder。ToletallthatIhadsaidsinkinandadvocatemycause，astomewasveryclearitmust，Iturnedasideandmovedtooneofthewindows。

“Whydidyounottellmebefore？”sheaskedsuddenly。“Why-oh，why-didyounotconfesstomethewholeinfamousaffairassoonasyoucametoloveme，asyousayyoudid？”

“AsIsayIdid？”Irepeatedafterher。“Doyoudoubtit？CanyoudoubtitinthefaceofwhatIhavedone？”

“Oh，Idon’tknowwhattobelieve！“shecried，asobinhervoice。

“Youhavedeceivedmesofar，sooften。Whydidyounottellmethatnightontheriver？Orlater，whenIpressedyouinthisveryhouse？Oragain，theothernightintheprisonofToulouse？”

“Youaskmewhy。Canyounotanswerthequestionforyourself？

Canyounotconceivethefearthatwasinmethatyoushouldshrinkawayfrommeinloathing？Thefearthatifyoucaredalittle，I

mightforalltimestiflesuchaffectionasyouboreme？ThefearthatImustruinyourtrustinme？Oh，mademoiselle，canyounotseehowmyonlyhopelayinfirstowningdefeattoChatellerault，infirstpayingthewager？”

“Howcouldyouhavelentyourselftosuchabargain？”washernextquestion。

“How，indeed？”Iaskedinmyturn。“FromyourmotheryouhaveheardsomethingofthereputationthatattachestoBardelys。Iwasamanofcarelessways，satiatedwithallthesplendourslifecouldgiveme，nauseatedbyallitsluxuries。WasitwonderfulthatI

allowedmyselftobeluredintothisaffair？Itpromisedsomeexcitement，acertainnovelty，difficultiesinapaththatIhad-

alas！-everfoundalltoosmooth-forChatelleraulthadmadeyourreputedcoldnessthechiefbolsterofhisopinionthatIshouldnotwin。

“Again，Iwasnotgiventoover-nicescruples。Imakenosecretofmyinfirmities，butdonotblamemetoomuch。IfyoucouldseethefinedemoiselleswehaveinParis，ifyoucouldlistentotheirtenetsandtakeadeeplookintotheirlives，youwouldnotmarvelatme。Ihadneverknownanybutthese。OnthenightofmycomingtoLavedan，yoursweetness，yourpureinnocence，youralmostchildishvirtue，dazedmebytheirnovelty。FromthatfirstmomentIbecameyourslave。ThenIwasinyourgardendaybyday。Andhere，inthisoldLanguedocgardenwithyouandyourroses，duringthelanguorousdaysofmyconvalescence，isitwonderfulthatsomeofthepurity，someofthesweetnessthatwasofyouandofyourroses，shouldhavecreptintomyheartandcleanseditalittle？Ah，mademoiselle！“Icried-and，comingclosetoher，Iwouldhavebentmykneeinintercessionbutthatsherestrainedme。

“Monsieur。”sheinterrupted，“weharassourselvesinvain。Thiscanhavebutoneending。”

Hertoneswerecold，butthecoldnessIknewwasforced-elsehadshenotsaid“weharassourselves。”Insteadofquellingmyardour，itgaveitfuel。

“True，mademoiselle。”Icried，almostexultantly。“Itcanendbutoneway！“

Shecaughtmymeaning，andherfrowndeepened。Iwenttoofast，itseemed。

“Ithadbetterendnow，monsieur。Thereistoomuchbetweenus。

Youwageredtowinmetowife。”Sheshuddered。“Icouldneverforgetit。”

“Mademoiselle。”Ideniedstoutly，“Ididnot。”

“How？”Shecaughtherbreath。“Youdidnot？”

“No。”Ipursuedboldly。“Ididnotwagertowinyou。IwageredtowinacertainMademoiselledeLavedan，whowasunknowntome-

butnotyou，notyou。”

Shesmiled，withneversoslightatouchofscorn。

“Yourdistinctionsareveryfine-toofineforme，monsieur。”

“Iimploreyoutobereasonable。Thinkreasonably。”

“AmInotreasonable？DoInotthink？Butthereissomuchtothinkof！“shesighed。“Youcarriedyourdeceptionsofar。Youcamehere，forinstance，asMonsieurdeLesperon。Whythatduplicity？”

“Again，mademoiselle，Ididnot。”saidI。

Sheglancedatmewithpatheticdisdain。

“Indeed，indeed，monsieur，youdenythingsverybravely。”

“DidItellyouthatmynamewasLesperon？”DidIpresentmyselftomonsieuryourfatherasLesperon？”

“Surely-yes。”

“Surelyno;athousandtimesno。Iwasthevictimofcircumstancesinthat，andifIturnedthemtomyownaccountaftertheyhadbeenforceduponme，shallIbeblamedandaccountedacheat？WhilstI

wasunconscious，yourfather，seekingforacluetomyidentity，madeaninspectionofmyclothes。

“InthepocketofmydoublettheyfoundsomepapersaddressedtoRenedeLesperon-someloveletters，acommunicationfromtheDucd’Orleans，andawoman’sportrait。FromallofthisitwasassumedthatIwasthatLesperon。Uponmyreturntoconsciousnessyourfathergreetedmeeffusively，whereatIwondered;hepassedontodiscuss-nay，totellmeof-thestateoftheprovinceandofhisownconnectionwiththerebels，untilIlaygaspingathisegregioustemerity。Then，whenhegreetedmeasMonsieurdeLesperon，Ihadtheexplanationofit，buttoolate。CouldIdenytheidentitythen？