第7章

CouldItellhimthatIwasBardelys，thefavouriteoftheKinghimself？Whatwouldhaveoccurred？Iaskyou，mademoiselle。WouldInothavebeenaccountedaspy，andwouldtheynothavemadeshortworkofmehereatyourchateau？”

“No，no;theywouldhavedonenomurder。”

“Perhapsnot，butIcouldnotbesurejustthen。Mostmensituatedasyourfatherwaswouldhavedespatchedme。Ah，mademoiselle，haveyounotproofsenough？Doyounotbelievemenow？”

“Yes，monsieur。”sheansweredsimply，“Ibelieveyou。”

“Willyounotbelieve，then，inthesincerityofmylove？”

Shemadenorely。Herfacewasaverted，butfromhersilenceItookheart。Idrewclosetoher。Isetmyhanduponthetallbackofherchair，and，leaningtowardsher，Ispokewithpassionateheatasmusthavemelted，Ithought，anywomanwhohadnotaloathingforme。

“Mademoiselle;Iamapoormannow。”Iended。“Iamnolongerthatmagnificentgentlemanwhosewealthandsplendourwereabyword。YetamInoneedyadventurer。IhavealittlepropertyatBeaugency-

averyspotforhappiness，mademoiselle。Parisshallknowmenomore。AtBeaugencyIshallliveatpeace，inseclusion，and，sothatyoucomewithme，insuchjoyasinallmylifeIhavedonenothingtodeserve。Ihavenolongeranarmyofretainers。Acoupleofmenandamaidortwoshallconstituteourhousehold。YetIshallaccountmywealthwelllostifforlove’ssakeyou’llsharewithmethepeaceofmyobscurity。Iampoor，mademoiselleyetnopoorerevennowthanthatGascongentleman，RenedeLesperon，forwhomyouheldme，andonwhomyoubestowedthepricelesstreasureofyourheart。”

“Oh，mightithavepleasedGodthatyouhadremainedthatpoorGascongentleman！“shecried。

“InwhatamIdifferent，Roxalanne？”

“Inthathehadlaidnowager。”sheanswered，risingsuddenly。

Myhopeswerewithering。Shewasnotangry。Shewaspale，andhergentlefacewastroubled-dearGod！howsorelytroubled！TomeitalmostseemedthatIhadlost。

Sheflashedmeaglanceofherblueeyes，andIthoughtthattearsimpended。

“Roxalanne！“Isupplicated。

Butsherecoveredthecontrolthatforamomentshehadappeareduponthevergeoflosing。Sheputforthherhand。

“Adieu，monsieur！“saidshe。

Iglancedfromherhandtoherface。Herattitudebegantoangerme，forIsawthatshewasnotonlyresistingme，butresistingherself。

Inherhearttheinsidiouscankerofdoubtpersisted。Sheknew-orshouldhaveknown-thatitnolongershouldhaveanyplacethere，yetobstinatelysherefrainedfrompluckingitout。Therewasthatwager。Butforthatsameobstinacyshemusthaverealizedthereasonofmyarguments，theirrefutablelogicofmypayment。Shedeniedme，andindenyingmeshedeniedherself，forthatshehadlovedmeshehadherselftoldme，andthatshecouldlovemeagainIwasassured，ifshewouldbutseethethinginthelightofreasonandofjustice。

“Roxalanne，IdidnotcometoLavedantosay`Good-bye’toyou。I

seekfromyouawelcome，notadismissal。”

“YetmydismissalisallthatIcangive。Willyounottakemyhand？

Maywenotpartinfriendlyspirit？”

“No，wemaynot;forwedonotpartatall。”

Itwasasthesteelofmydeterminationstrikingupontheflintofhers。Shelookeduptomyfacefor-aninstant;sheraisedhereyebrowsindeprecation;shesighed，shruggedoneshoulder，and，turningonherheel，movedtowardsthedoor。

“Anatoleshallbringyourefreshmentereyougo。”shesaidinaverypoliteandformalvoice。

ThenIplayedmylastcard。WasitfornothingthatIhadflungawaymywealth？Ifshewouldnotgiveherself，byGod，Iwouldcompelhertosellherself。AndItooknoshameindoingit，forbydoingitIwassavingherandsavingmyselffromalifeofunhappiness。

“Roxalanne！“Icried。Theimperiousnessofmyvoicearrestedandcompelledherperhapsagainstherverywill。

“Monsieur？”saidshe，asdemurelyasyouplease。

“Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing？”。

“Butyes-perfectly。”

“Pardieu，youdonot。Iwilltellyou。Youaresendingyourfathertothescaffold。”

Sheturnedlivid，herstepfaltered，andsheleantagainsttheframeofthedoorwayforsupport。Thenshestaredatme，wide-eyedinhorror。

“Thatisnottrue。”shepleaded，yetwithoutconviction。“Heisnotindangerofhislife。Theycanprovenothingagainsthim。MonsieurdeSaint-Eustachecouldfindnoevidencehere-nothing。”

“YetthereisMonsieurdeSaint-Eustache’sword;thereisthefact-thesignificantfact-thatyourfatherdidnottakeuparmsfortheKing，toaffordtheChevalier’saccusationsomemeasureofcorroboration。AtToulouseinthesetimestheyarenotparticular。

RememberhowithadfaredwithmebutfortheKing’stimelyarrival。”

Thatsmotehome。Thelastshredofherstrengthfellfromher。A

greatsobshookher，thencoveringherfacewithherhands“Motherinheaven，havepityonme！“shecried。“Oh，itcannotbe，itcannotbe！“

Herdistresstouchedmesorely。Iwouldhaveconsoledher，Iwouldhavebiddenherhavenofear，assuringherthatIwouldsaveherfather。Butformyownends，Icurbedthemood。Iwouldusethisasacudgeltoshatterherobstinacy，andIprayedthatGodmightforgivemeifIdidaughtthatagentlemanshouldaccountunworthy。

Myneedwasurgent，myloveall-engrossing;winninghermeantwinninglifeandhappiness，andalreadyIhadsacrificedsomuch。

Hercryrangstillinmyears，“Itcannotbe，itcannotbe！“

Itrampledmynascenttendernessunderfoot，andinitsroomIsetaharshnessthatIdidnotfeel-aharshnessofdefianceandmenace。

“Itcanbe，itwillbe，and，asGodlives，itshallbe，ifyoupersistinyourunreasonableattitude。”

“Monsieur，havemercy！“

“Yes，whenyoushallbepleasedtoshowmethewaytoitbyhavingmercyuponme。IfIhavesinned，Ihaveatoned。Butthatisaclosedquestionnow;toreopenitwerefutile。Takeheedofthis，Roxalanne:thereisonething-oneonlyinallFrancecansaveyourfather。”

“Thatis，monsieur？”sheinquiredbreathlessly。

“MywordagainstthatofSaint-Eustache。MyindicationtoHisMajestythatyourfather’streasonisnottobeacceptedontheaccusationofSaint-Eustache。MyinformationtotheKingofwhatIknowtouchingthisgentleman。”

“Youwillgo，monsieur？”sheimploredme。“Oh，youwillsavehim！

MonDieu，tothinkofthetimethatwehavewastedhere，youandI，whilstheisbeingcarriedtothescaffold！Oh，Ididnotdreamitwassoperilouswithhim！Iwasdesolatedbyhisarrest;Ithoughtofsomemonths’imprisonment，perhaps。Butthatheshoulddie-！

MonsieurdeBardelys，youwillsavehim！Saythatyouwilldothisforme！“

Shewasonherkneestomenow，herarmsclaspingmyboots，hereyesraisedinentreaty-God，whatentreaty！-tomyown。

“Rise，mademoiselle，Ibeseechyou。”Isaid，withaquietIwasfarfromfeeling。“Thereisnoneedforthis。Letusbecalm。Thedangertoyourfatherisnotsoimminent。Wemayhavesomedaysyet-threeorfour，perhaps。”

Iliftedhergentlyandledhertoachair。Iwashardputtoitnottoholdhersupportedinmyarms。ButImightnotcullthatadvantagefromherdistress。Asingularniceness，youwillsay，perhaps，asinyourscornyoulaughatme。Perhapsyouarerighttolaugh-yetareyounotaltogetherright。

“YouwillgotoToulouse，monsieur？”shebegged。

Itookaturnintheroom，thenhaltingbeforeher“Yes。”Ianswered，“Iwillgo。”

Thegratitudethatleapttohereyessmotemehard，formysentencewasunfinished。

“Iwillgo。”Icontinuedquickly，“whenyoushallhavepromisedtobecomemywife。”

Thejoypassedfromherface。Sheglancedatmeamomentasifwithoutunderstanding。

“IcametoLavedantowinyou，Roxalanne，andfromLavedanIshallnotstiruntilIhaveaccomplishedmydesign。”Isaidveryquietly。

“YouwillthereforeseethatitrestswithyouhowsoonImaysetout。”

Shefelltoweepingsoftly，butanswerednothing。AtlastIturnedfromherandmovedtowardsthedoor。

“Whereareyougoing？”shecried。

“Totaketheair，mademoiselle。Ifupondeliberationyoucanbringyourselftomarryme，sendmewordbyAnatoleoroneoftheothers，andIshallsetoutatonceforToulouse。”

“Stop！“shecried。ObedientlyIstopped，myhandalreadyuponthedoorknob。“Youarecruel，monsieur！“shecomplained。

“Iloveyou。”saidI，bywayofexplainingit。“Tobecruelseemstobethewayoflove。Youhavebeencrueltome。”

“Wouldyou-wouldyoutakewhatisnotfreelygiven？”

“Ihavethehopethatwhenyouseethatyoumustgive，youwillgivefreely。”

“If-ifImakeyouthispromise-“

“Yes？”Iwasgrowingwhitewitheagerness。

“Youwillfulfilyourpartofthebargain？”

“Itisahabitofmine，mademoiselle-aswitnessesthecaseofChatellerault。”Sheshiveredatthementionofhisname。Itremindedherofpreciselysuchanotherbargainthatthreenightsagoshehadmade。Precisely，didIsay？Well，notquiteprecisely。

“I-Ipromisetomarryyou，then。”saidsheinachokingvoice，“wheneveryouchoose，aftermyfathershallhavebeensetatliberty。”

Ibowed。“Ishallstartatonce。”saidI。

Andperhapsoutofshame，perhapsoutof-whoshallsaywhatsentiments？-Iturnedwithoutanotherwordandlefther。

CHAPTERXX

THE“BRAVI“ATBLAGNAC

Iwasgladtobeintheopenoncemore-gladofthemovement，asI

rodeattheheadofmybravecompanyalongthebankoftheGaronneandintheshadeofthegolden，autumn-tintedtrees。

IwasinameasureangrywithmyselfthatIhaddrivensuchabargainwithRoxalanne，inameasureangrywithherthatshehadforcedmetoitbyherobstinacy。AfinegentlemanI，onmysoul，tohavedubbedChatelleraultacheatforhavingdonenoworsethanIhadnowbroughtmyselftodo！Yet，wasitso？No，Iassuredmyself，itwasnot。Athousandtimesno！WhatIhaddoneIhaddoneasmuchtowinRoxalannetomeastowinherfromherownunreasonableness。Inthedaystocomesheshouldthankmeformyharshness，forthatwhichnowsheperhapsaccountedmyunfairness。

Then，again，wouldIaskmyself，wasIverysureofthis？Andsothetwoquestionswereflungtheoneagainsttheother;myconsciencedivideditselfintotwoparties，andtheywagedawarthatfilledmewithadepressinguncertainty。

Intheendshamewasoverthrown，andIflungbackmyheadwithasnortofassurance。Iwasdoingnowrong。Onthecontrary，Iwasdoingright-bothbymyselfandbyRoxalanne。WhatmatterthatI

wasreallycheatingher？WhatmatterthatIhadsaidIwouldnotleaveLavedanuntilIhadherpromise，whilstinrealityIhadhurledmythreatatSaint-EustachethatIwouldmeethimatToulouse，andpassedmywordtotheVicomtessethatIwouldsuccourherhusband？

IgavenothoughttothehiddenthreatwithwhichSaint-EustachehadretortedthatfromLavedantoToulousewasadistanceofsometwentyleagues。HadhebeenamanofsternerpurposesImighthavebeenuneasyandonmyguard。ButSaint-Eustachepshaw！

Itisilltounderestimateanenemy，beheneversocontemptible，andformydisdainoftheChevalierImighthavepaiddearlyhadnotFortune-whichoflatehadbeenpractisingsingularjestsuponmeafterseeminglyabandoningme，returnedtomyaidatthelastmoment。

ItwasSaint-Eustache’spurposethatIshouldneverreachToulousealive，forinalltheworldIwastheonemanhefeared，theonemanwhowouldencompasshisundoinganddestructionbyaword。AndsohehadresolvedanddisposedthatIshouldberemoved，andtoaccomplishthishehadleftalineofbravialongtheroadIwastopass。

Hehadcounteduponmylyingthenightinoneoftheinterveningtowns，forthejourneywasover-longtobeaccomplishedatastretch，andwhereverImightchancetolie，thereIshouldhavetoreckonwithhisassassins。ThenearerToulouse-althoughIknewnotthis-thethickergrewmydanger。IntotheverythickofitI

rode;intheverythickofitIlay，andallthatcameofitwasthatIobtainedpossessionofonemoreandoverwhelmingpieceofevidenceagainstmymurderousChevalier。ButIoutrunmystory。

IthadbeenmypurposetochangehorsesatGrenade，andsopushonandreachToulousethatverynightorintheearlyhoursofthefollowingmorning。AtGrenade，however，therewerenohorsestobeobtained，atleastnotmorethanthree，andso，leavingthegreaterportionofmycompany。behind，Isetout，escortedonlybyGillesandAntoine。NighthadfallenlongbeforewereachedLespinasse，andwithitcamefoulweather。Thewindrosefromthewest，grewtotheviolenceofahurricane，andbroughtwithitsuchadelugeofcold，cuttingrainasneverhaditbeenmyill-chancetoridethrough。FromLespinassetoFenouillettheroaddipsfrequently，andwhereverthisoccurreditseemedtousthatwewereridinginatorrent，ourhorsesfetlock-deepinmud。

Antoinecomplainedingroans;Gillesgrowledopenly，andwentthelengthofbeggingme，aswerodethroughtheill-paved，floodedstreetsofFenouillet，togonofarther。ButIwasadamantinmyresolve。Soakedtotheskin，myclotheshangingsoddenaboutme，andchilledtothemarrowthoughIwas，Isetmychatteringteeth，andsworethatweshouldnotsleepuntilwereachedToulouse。

“MyGod。”hegroaned，“andwebuthalfway！“

“Forward！“wasallIanswered;andsoasmidnightchimedweleftFenouilletbehindus，anddashedonintotheopencountryandthefullfuryofthetempest。

Myservantscameaftermeupontheirstumblinghorses，whiningandcursingbyturns，andforgettingintheirmiserytherespectthattheywereaccustomedtopayme。Ithinknowthatitwasaprovidencethatguidedme。HadIhaltedatFenouillet，astheywouldhavehadmedo，itisoddsthatthischroniclewouldneverhavebeenpenned，forlikelyenoughIhadhadmythroatcutasIslept。Aprovidencewasitalsothatbroughtmyhorsedownwithinahalf-mileofBlagnac，andsobadlydiditfounderthatitmightnotberiddenfarther。

Thebeastsmymenbestrodewereinlittlebettercondition，andso，withinfinitechagrin，IwasforcedtoacknowledgedefeatandtodeterminethatatBlagnacweshouldliefortheremainderofthenight。Afterall，itmatteredlittle。Acoupleofhours’ridinginthemorningwouldbringustoToulouse，andwewouldstartbetimes。

IbadeGillesdismount-hehadbeenthelouderinhiscomplainings-andfollowusafoot，bringingmyhorsetotheAubergedel’EtoileatBlagnac，wherehewouldawaithim。ThenImountedhisjadedbeast，and，accompaniedbyAntoine-thelastofmyretainers-I

rodeintoBlagnac，andpulledupatthesignofthe“Star。”

WithmywhipIsmotethedoor，andIhadneedtosmitehardifI

wouldbeheardabovethewindthatshriekedandhowledundertheeavesofthatnarrowstreet。Yetitalmostseemedasifsomeonewereexpected，forscarcehadmyknockingceasedwhenthedoorwasopened，andthelandlordstoodthere，shadingataperwithhishand。ForamomentIsawtheglowofitslightonhisrosy，white-beardedface，thenagustofwindextinguishedit。

“Diable！“heswore，“anuglynightfortravelling“;addingasanafterthought，“Youridelate，monsieur。”

“Youareamanofsupremediscernment，Monsieurl’Hote。”saidI

testily，asIpushedhimasideandsteppedintothepassage。“WillyoukeepmeintheraintilldaylightwhilstyouperpendhowlateIride？Isyourostlerabed？Seetothosebeastsyourself，then。

Afterwardsgetmefood-formeandformymanandbedsforbothofus。”

“Ihavebutoneroom，monsieur。”heansweredrespectfully。“Youshallhavethat，andyourservantshallsleepinthehayloft。”

“Myservantsleepsinmyroom，ifyouhavebutone。Setamattressonthefloorforhim。Isthisanighttoleaveadogtosleepinahayloft？Ihaveanotherservantfollowing。Hewillbehereinafewminutes。Youmustfindroomforhimalso-inthepassageoutsidemydoor，ifnootheraccommodationbepossible。”

“But，monsieur-“hebeganinatoneofprotest，whichIsetdowntothewayalandlordhasofmakingdifficultiesthatheshallbethebetterpaidforsuchlodgingashefindsus。

“Seetoit。”Iorderedperemptorily。“Youshallbewellpaid。Nowgotendthosehorses。”

Onthewallofthepassagefellawarm，reddishglowfromthecommonroom，whicharguedafire，andthiswastooalluringtoadmitofmyremaininglongerindiscussionwithhim。Istrodeforward，therefore。

TheAubergedel’Etoilewasnotanimposinghostelry，noroneatwhichfromchoiceIhadmadeahalt。Thiscommonroomstankmostvilelyofoil，ofburningtallow-fromthesmokytapers-andofI

knownotwhatothernoisomeunsavourinesses。

AsIentered，Iwasgreetedbyaresonantsnorefromamanseatedinacornerbythefire。Hishead-hadfallenback，displayingthebrown，sinewyneck，andheslept-orseemedtosleep-withmouthwideopen。FulllengthonthehearthandintheredglareoftheburninglogslaywhatatfirstglanceItooktobeaheapofrags，butwhichcloserscrutinyshowedmetobeanotherman，seeminglyasleepalso。

Iflungmysoddencastoronthetable;Idroppedmydrenchedcloakontheground，andsteppedwithheavytreadandanoisyrattleofspursacrossthefloor。Yetmyraggedgentlemanslepton。I

touchedhimlightlywithmywhip。

“Hold，monbonhomme！“Icriedtohim。Stillhedidnotmove，whereatIlostpatienceandcaughthimakickfullintheside，sochoicelyaimedthatfirstitdoubledhimup，thenbroughthimintoasittingposture，withthesnarlofacross-graineddogthathasbeenrudelyaroused。

>Fromoutofanevil，dirtycountenanceapairofgloomy，bloodshoteyesscowledthreateninglyuponme。Themanonthechairawokeatthesameinstant，andsatforward。

“Ehbien？”saidItomyfriendonthehearth:“Willyoustiryourself？”

“Forwhom？”hegrowled。“IsnottheEtoileasmuchformeasforyou，whoeveryoumaybe？”

“Wehavepaidourlodging，padieu！“sworeheofthechair。

“Mymasters。”saidIgrimly，“ifyouhavenoteyestoseemysoddencondition，andifyouthereforehavenotthegracetomovethatI

mayapproachthefire;I’llseetoitthatyouspendthenightnotonlyal’Etoile，butalabelleetoile。”Withwhichpleasantry，andatouchofthefoot，Imovedmyfriendaside。Mytonewasnotnice，nordoIgenerallyhavetheairofpromisingmorethanIcanfulfil。

TheyweregrowlingtogetherinacornerwhenAntoinecametodrawoffmydoubletandmyboots。TheywerestillgrowlingwhenGillesjoineduspresently，althoughathiscomingtheypausedtotakehismeasurewiththeireyes。ForGilleswassomethingofagiant，andmenwerewonttoturntheirheads-aye，andwomentoo-toadmirehisfineproportions。Wesupped-sovilelythatIhavenotthehearttotellyouwhatweate-and，havingsupped，Ibademyhostlightmetomychamber。Asformymen，Ihaddeterminedthattheyshouldspendthenightinthecommonroom，wheretherewasafire，andwhere-notwithstandingthecompanyofthosetworuffians，intowhosepresenceIhadnottroubledtoinquire-theywoulddoubtlessbebetterthanelsewhereinthatpoorhostelry。

Ingatheringupmycloakanddoubletandothereffectstobearthemofftothekitchen，thehostwouldhavepossessedhimselfalsoofmysword。ButwithalaughItookitfromhim，remarkingthatitrequirednodrying。

Aswemountedthestairs，Iheardsomethingabovemethatsoundedlikethecreakingofadoor。Thehosthearditalso，forhestoodsuddenlystill，hisglanceveryquestioning。

“Whatwasthat？”saidhe。

“Thewind，Ishouldsay。”Iansweredidly;andmyanswerseemedtoreassurehim，forwitha“Ah，yes-thewind。”hewenton。

Now，forallthatIamfarfrombeingamanoftremorsorunwarrantedfears，totellthetruththehostelryofthe“Star“wasbeginningtofretmynerves。Icouldscarcehavetoldyouwhyhadyouaskedme，asIsatuponthebedafterminehosthadleftme，andturnedmythoughtstoit。Itwasnoneofthetrivialincidentsthathadmarkedmycoming;butitwas，Ithink，thecombinationofthemall。Firsttherewasthehost’sdesiretoseparatemefrommymenbysuggestingthattheyshouldsleepinthehayloft。Clearlyunnecessary，whenhewasnotaversetoturninghiscommonroomintoadormitory。Therewashisveryevidentreliefwhen，afterannouncingthatIwouldhavethemsleeponeinmyroomandoneinthepassagebymydoor，I

consentedtotheirspendingthenightbelow;therewasthepresenceofthosetwoveryill-lookingcut-throats;therewastheattempttocarryoffmysword;and，lastly，therewasthatcreakingdoorandthehost’snoteofalarm。

Whatwasthat？

Istoodupsuddenly。Hadmyfancy，dwellinguponthatveryincident，trickedmeintobelievingthatadoorhadcreakedagain？Ilistened，butasilencefollowed，brokenonlybyadroneofvoicesascendingfromthecommonroom。AsIhadassuredthehostuponthestairs，soInowassuredmyselfthatitwasthewind，thesignboardoftheinn，perhaps，swayinginthestorm。

Andthen，whenIhadalmostdismissedmydoubts，andwasabouttodivestmyselfofmyremainingclothes，IsawsomethingatwhichI

thankedHeaventhatIhadnotallowedthelandlordtocarryoffmyrapier。Myeyeswereonthedoor，and，asIgazed，Ibeheldtheslowraisingofthelatch。Itwasnodelusion;mywitswerekeenandmyeyessharp;therewasnofeartomakemeseethingsthatwerenot。SoftlyIsteppedtothebed-railwhereIhadhungmyswordbythebaldrick，andassoftlyIunsheathedit。Thedoorwas;pushedopen，andIcaughttheadvanceofastealthystep。A

nakedfootshotpasttheedgeofthedoorintomyroom，andforasecondIthoughtofpinningittothegroundwithmyrapier;thencamealeg，thenahalf-dressedbodysurmountedbyaface-thefaceofRodenard！

Atsightofit，amazementandahundredsuspicionscrossedmymind。

How，inGod’sname，camehehere，andforwhatpurposedidhestealsointomychamber？

Butmysuspicionsperishedevenastheywerebegotten。Therewassomomentous，soalarminglywarningalookonhisfaceashewhisperedtheoneword“Monseigneur！“thatclearlyifdangertherewastomeitwasnotfromhim。

“Whatthedevil-“Ibegan。

Butatthesoundofmyvoicethealarmgrewinhiseyes。

“Sh！“hewhispered，hisfingeronhislips。“Besilent，monseigneur，forHeaven’ssake！“

Verysoftlyheclosedthedoor;softly，yetpainfully，hehobbledforwardtomyside。

“Thereisaplottomurderyou，monseigneur。”hewhispered。

“What！HereatBlagnac？”

Henoddedfearfully。

“Bah！“Ilaughed。“Yourave，man。WhowastoknowthatIwastocomethisway？Andwhoistheretoplotagainstmylife？”

MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”heanswered。

“Andfortherest，astoexpectingyouhere，theydidnot，buttheywerepreparedagainsttheremotechanceofyourcoming。FromwhatIhavegathered，thereisnotahostelrybetwixtthisandLavedanatwhichtheChevalierhasnotlefthiscutthroatswiththepromiseofenormousrewardtothemenwhoshallkillyou。”

Icaughtmybreathatthat。Mydoubtsvanished。

“Tellmewhatyouknow。”saidI。“Bebrief。”

Thereuponthisfaithfuldog，whomIhadsosorelybeatenbutfournightsago，toldmehow，uponfindinghimselfabletowalkoncemore，hehadgonetoseekmeout，thathemightimploremetoforgivehimandnotcasthimoffaltogether，afteralifetimespentintheserviceofmyfatherandofmyself。

HehaddiscoveredfromMonsieurdeCastelrouxthatIwasgonetoLavedan，andhedeterminedtofollowmethither。Hehadnohorseandlittlemoney，andsohehadsetoutafootthatveryday，anddraggedhimselfasfarasBlagnac，where，however，hisstrengthhadgivenout，andhewasforcedtohalt。Aprovidenceitseemedthatthishadsobefallen。ForhereattheEtoilehehadthateveningoverheardSaint-Eustacheinconversationwiththosetwobravibelowstairs。ItwouldseemfromwhathehadsaidthatateveryhostelryfromGrenadetoToulouse-atwhichitwasconceivablethatImightspendthenight-theChevalierhadmadeasimilarprovision。

AtBlagnac，ifIgotsofarwithouthalting，Imustarriveverylate，andthereforetheChevalierhadbiddenhismenawaitmeuntildaylight。Hedidnotbelieve，however，thatIshouldtravelsofar，forhehadseentoitthatIshouldfindnohorsesattheposthouses。

ButitwasjustpossiblethatImight，nevertheless，pushon，andSaint-Eustachewouldletnopossibilitybeoverlooked。HereatBlagnacthelandlord，Rodenardinformedme，wasalsoinSaint-Eustache’spay。TheirintentionwastostabmeasIslept。

“Monseigneur。”heended，“knowingwhatdangerawaitedyoualongtheroad，Ihavesatupallnight，prayingGodandHissaintsthatyoumightcomethisfar，andthatthusImightwarnyou。HadIbeenlessbruisedandsore，Ihadgotmyselfahorseandriddenouttomeetyou;asitwas，IcouldbuthopeandpraythatyouwouldreachBlagnac，andthat-“

Igatheredhimintomyarmsatthat，butmyembracedrewagroanfromhim，forthepoor，faithfulknavewasverysore。

“MypoorGanymede！“Imurmured，andIwasmoretrulymovedtosympathy，Ithink，thaneverIhadbeeninallmyselfishlife。

Hearinghissobriquet，alookofhopegleamedsuddenlyinhiseye。

“Youwilltakemeback，monseigneur？”hepleaded。“Youwilltakemeback，willyounot？IswearthatIwillneverletmytongue-“

“Sh，mygoodGanymede。NotonlywillItakeyouback，butIshallstrivetomakeamendsformybrutality。Come，myfriend，youshallhavetwentygoldenLouistobuyunguentsforyourpoorshoulders。”

“Monseigneurisverygood。”hemurmured，whereuponIwouldhaveembracedhimagainbutthatheshiveredanddrewback。

“No，no，monseigneur。”hewhisperedfearfully。“Itisagreathonour，butit-itpainsmetobetouched。”

“Thentakethewillforthedeed。Andnowforthesegentlemenbelowstairs。”Iroseandmovedtothedoor。

“OrderGillestobeattheirbrainsout。”wasGanymede’smercifulsuggestion。

Ishookmyhead。“Wemightbedetainedfordoingmurder。Wehavenoproofyetoftheirintentions-Ithink-“Anideaflashedsuddenlyacrossmymind。“Gobacktoyourroom，Ganymede。”Ibadehim。“Lockyourselfin，anddonotstiruntilIcallyou。Idonotwishtheirsuspicionsaroused。”

Iopenedthedoor，andasGanymedeobedientlyslippedpastmeandvanisheddownthepassage“Monsieurl’Hote。”Icalled。“Ho，there，Gilles！“

“Monsieur。”answeredthelandlord。

“Monseigneur。”repliedGilles;andtherecameastirbelow。

“Isaughtamiss？”thelandlordquestioned，anoteofconcerninhisvoice。

“Amiss？”Iechoedpeevishly，mincingmywordsasIutteredthem。

“Pardi！MustIbeputtoittoundressmyself，whilstthosetwolazydogsofminearesnoringbeneathme？Comeupthisinstant，Gilles。And。”Iaddedasanafterthought，“youhadbestsleephereinmyroom。”

“Atonce，monseigneur。”answeredhe，butIcaughtthefaintesttingeofsurpriseinhisaccents，forneveryethaditfallentothelotofsturdy，clumsyGillestoassistmeatmytoilet。

Thelandlordmutteredsomething，andIheardGilleswhisperinghisreply。Thenthestairscreakedunderhisheavytread。

InmyroomItoldhiminhalfadozenwordswhatwasafoot。Foranswer，hesworeagreatoaththatthelandlordhadmulledastoupofwineforhim，whichheneverdoubtednowwasdrugged。Ibadehimgobelowandfetchthewine，tellingthelandlordthatI，toohadafancyforit。

“ButwhatofAntoine？”heasked。“Theywilldrughim。”

“Letthem。Wecanmanagethisaffair，youandI，withouthishelp。

Iftheydidnotdrughim，theymighthaplystabhim。Sothatinbeingdruggedlieshissafety。”

AsIbadehimsohedid，andpresentlyhereturnedwithagreatsteamingmeasure。ThisIemptiedintoaewer，thenreturnedittohimthathemighttakeitbacktothehostwithmythanksandourappreciation。Thusshouldwegivethemconfidencethatthewaywasclearandsmoothforthem。

Thereaftertherebefellpreciselythatwhichalreadyyouwillbeexpecting，andnothingthatyoucannotguess。Itwasperhapsattheendofanhour’ssilentwaitingthatoneofthemcame。Wehadleftthedoorunbarredsothathisentrancewasunhampered。Butscarcewashewithinwhenoutofthedark，oneithersideofhim，roseGillesandI。Beforehehadrealizedit，hewasliftedoffhisfeetanddepositeduponthebedwithoutacry;theonlysoundbeingthetinkleoftheknifethatdroppedfromhissuddenlyunnervedhand。

Onthebed，withGilles’sgreatkneeinhisstomach，andGilles’shandsathisthroat，hewasassuredinunequivocaltermsthatathisslightestoutcrywewouldmakeanendofhim。Ikindledalight。Wetrussedhimhandandfootwiththebedclothes，andthen，whilsthelayimpotentandsilentinhisterror，Iproceededtodiscussthesituationwithhim。

IpointedoutthatweknewthatwhathehaddonehehaddoneatSaint-Eustache’sinstigation，thereforethetrueguiltwasSaint-Eustache’sanduponhimalonethepunishmentshouldfall。

Buterethiscouldcometopass，hehimselfmustaddhistestimonytoours-mineandRodenard’s。IfhewouldcometoToulouseanddothatmakeafullconfessionofhowhehadbeensettodothismurdering-theChevalierdeSaint-Eustache，whowastherealculprit，shouldbetheonlyonetosufferthepenaltyofthelaw。

Ifhewouldnotdothat，why，then，hemuststandtheconsequenceshimself-andtheconsequenceswouldbethehangman。ButineithercasehewascomingtoToulouseinthemorning。

Itgoeswithoutsayingthathewasreasonable。Ineverforamomentheldhisjudgmentindoubt;thereisnoloyaltyaboutacut-throat，anditisnotthewayofhiscallingtotakeunnecessaryrisk。

Wehadjustsettledthematterinamutuallyagreeablemannerwhenthedooropenedagain，andhisconfederate-rendereduneasy，nodoubt，byhislongabsence-cametoseewhatcouldbeoccasioningthisunconscionabledelayintheslittingofthethroatsofapairofsleepingmen。

Beholdingusthereinfriendlyconclave，andnodoubtconsideringthatunderthecircumstanceshisintrusionwasnothingshortofanimpertinence，thatpolitegentlemanutteredacry-whichIshouldliketothinkwasanapologyforhavingdisturbedusandturnedtogowithmostindecorousprecipitancy。

ButGillestookhimbythenapeofhisdirtyneckandhaledhimbackintotheroom。Inlesstimethanittakesmetotellofit，helaybesidehiscolleague，andwasbeingaskedwhetherhedidnotthinkthathemightalsocometotakethesameviewofthesituation。

Overjoyedthatweintendednoworsebyhim，hesworebyeverysaintinthecalendarthathewoulddoourwill，thathehadreluctantlyundertakentheChevalier’sbusiness，thathewasnocut-throat，butapoormanwithawifeandchildrentoprovidefor。

Andthat，inshort，washowitcametopassthattheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachehimself，bydisposingformydestruction，disposedonlyforhisown。Withthesetwowitnesses，andRodenardtoswearhowSaint-Eustachehadbribedthemtocutmythroat，withmyselfandGillestoswearhowtheattempthadbeenmadeandfrustrated，I

couldnowgotoHisMajestywithaveryfullconfidence，notonlyofhavingtheChevalier’saccusations，againstwhomsoevertheymightbe，discredited，butalsoofsendingtheChevalierhimselftothegallowshehadsorichlyearned。

CHAPTERXXI

LOUISTHEJUST

“Forme。”saidtheKing，“thesedepositionswerenotnecessary。

Yourword，mydearMarcel，wouldhavesufficed。Forthecourts，however，perhapsitiswellthatyouhavehadthemtaken;

moreover，theyformavaluablecorroborationofthetreasonwhichyoulaytothechargeofMonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”

Wewerestanding-atleast，LaFosseandIwerestanding，LouisXIIIsat-inaroom，ofthePalaceofToulouse，whereIhadhadthehonourofbeingbroughtbeforeHisMajesty。LaFossewasthere，becauseitwouldseemthattheKinghadgrownfondofhim，andcouldnotbewithouthimsincehiscomingtoToulouse。

HisMajestywas，asusual，sodullandweary-notevenrousedbytheapproachingtrialofMontmorency，whichwasthemainbusinessthathadbroughthimSouththateventhecompanyofthisvapid，shallow，butirrepressiblygood-humouredLaFosse，withhiseverlastingmythology，provedathingdesirable。

“Iwillsee。”saidLouis，“thatyourfriendtheChevalierisplacedunderarrestatonce，andasmuchforhisattemptuponyourlifeasfortheunstablequalityofhispoliticalopinions，thelawshalldealwithhim-conclusively。”Hesighed。“Italwayspainsmetoproceedtoextremesagainstamanofhisstamp。Todepriveafoolofhisheadseemsaworkofsupererogation。”

Iinclinedmyhead，andsmiledathispleasantry。Louisthejustrarelypermittedhimselftojest，andwhenhedidhishumourwasaslikeuntohumouraswaterislikeuntowine。Still，whenamonarchjests，ifyouarewise，ifyouhaveafavourtosue，orapositionatCourttoseekortomaintain，yousmile，forallthattheineptitudeofhiswitlesswitberatherprovocativeofsorrow。

“Natureneedsmeddlingwithattimes。”hazardedLaFosse，frombehindHisMajesty’schair。“ThisSaint-EustacheisasortofPandora’sbox，whichitiswelltocloseere-“

“Gotothedevil。”saidtheKingshortly。“Wearenotjesting。

Wehavetodojustice。”

“Ah！Justice。”murmuredLaFosse;“Ihaveseenpicturesofthelady。Shecovershereyeswithabandage，butislessdiscreetwheretheotherbeautiesofherfigureareinquestion。”

HisMajestyblushed。Hewasaboveallthingsachaste-mindedman，modestasanun。Totheimmodestyrampantabouthimhewasinthehabitofclosinghiseyesandhisears，untiltheflagrancyorthenoiseofitgrewtoproportionstowhichhemightremainneitherblindnordeaf。

“MonsieurdelaFosse。”saidheinanausterevoice，“youwearyme，andwhenpeoplewearymeIsendthemaway-whichisoneofthereasonswhyIamusuallysomuchalone。Ibegthatyouwillglanceatthathunting-book，sothatwhenIhavedonewithMonsieurdeBardelysyoumaygivemeyourimpressionsofit。”

LaFossefellback，obedientbutunabashed，and，movingtoatablebythewindow，heopenedthebookLouishadpointedout。

“Now，Marcel，whilethatbuffoonpreparestoinformmethatthebookhasbeeninspiredbyDianaherself，tellmewhatelseyouhavetotell。”

“Naughtelse，Sire。”

“Hownaught？WhatofthisVicomtedeLavedan。”

“SurelyYourMajestyissatisfiedthatthereisnocharge-noheedfulchargeagainsthim？”

“Aye，butthereisacharge-averyheedfulone。Andsofaryouhaveaffordedmenoproofsofhisinnocencetowarrantmysanctioninghisenlargement。”

“Ihadthought，Sire，thatitwouldbeunnecessarytoadvanceproofsofhisinnocenceuntiltherewereproofsofhisguilttoberefuted。

Itisunusual，YourMajesty，toapprehendagentlemansothathemayshowcausewhyhedidnotdeservesuchapprehension。Themoreusualcourseistoarresthimbecausethereareproofsofhisguilttobepreferredagainsthim。”

Louiscombedhisbeardpensively，andhismelancholyeyesgrewthoughtful。

“Anicepoint，Marcel。”saidhe，andheyawned。“Anicepoint。

Youshouldhavebeenalawyer。”Then，withanabruptchangeofmanner，“Doyougivemeyourwordofhonourthatheisinnocent？”heaskedsharply。

“IfYourMajesty’sjudgesofferproofofhisguilt，IgiveyoumywordthatIwilltearthatprooftopieces。”

“Thatisnotananswer。Doyouswearhisinnocence？”

“DoIknowwhathecarriesinhisconscience？”quothIstillfencingwiththequestion。“HowcanIgivemywordinsuchamatter？Ah，Sire，itisnotfornothingthattheycallyouLouistheJust。”I

pursued，adoptingcajoleryandpresentinghimwithhisownfavouritephrase。“Youwillneverallowamanagainstwhomthereisnoshredofevidencetobeconfinedinprison。”

“Istherenot？”hequestioned。Yethistonegrewgentler。History，hehadpromisedhimself，shouldknowhimasLouisthejust，andhewoulddonaughtthatmightjeopardizehisclaimtothatproudtitle。

“ThereistheevidenceofthisSaint-Eustache！“

“WouldYourMajestyhangadoguponthewordofthatdoubletraitor？”

“Hum！Youareagreatadvocate，Marcel。Youavoidansweringquestions;youturnquestionsasidebycounter-questions。”Heseemedtobetalkingmoretohimselfthantome。“YouareamuchbetteradvocatethantheVicomte’swife，forinstance。Sheanswersquestionsandhasatemper-Ceil！whatatemper！“

“YouhaveseentheVicomtesse？”Iexclaimed，andIgrewcoldwithapprehension，knowingasIdidthelicenceofthatwoman’stongue。

“Seenher？”heechoedwhimsically。“Ihaveseenher，heardher，well-nighfelther。Theairofthisroomisstilldisturbedasaconsequenceofherpresence。Shewashereanhourago。”

“Anditseemed。”lispedLaFosse，turningfromhishunting-book，“asifthethreedaughtersofAcheronhadquittedthedomainofPlutototakeembodimentinasinglewoman。”

“Iwouldnothaveseenher。”theKingresumedasthoughLaFossehadnotspoken，“butshewouldnotbedenied。IheardhervoiceblasphemingintheantechamberwhenIrefusedtoreceiveher;therewasacommotionatmydoor;itwasdashedopen，andtheSwisswhohelditwashurledintomyroomhereasthoughhehadbeenamannikin。Dieu！SinceIhavereignedinFranceIhavenotbeenthecentreofsomuchcommotion。Sheisastrongwoman，Marcelthesaintsdefendyouhereafter，whensheshallcometobeyourmother-in-law。InallFrance，I’llswear，hertongueistheonlystouterthingthanherarm。Butshe’safool。”

“Whatdidshesay，Sire？”Iaskedinmyanxiety。

“Say？Sheswore-Ciel！howshedidswear！Notasaintinthecalendarwouldsheletrestinpeace;shedraggedthemallbyturnsfromtheirchapter-rollstobearwitnesstothetruthofwhatshesaid。”

“Thatwas-“

“Thatherhusbandwasthefoulesttraitoroutofhell。Butthathewasafoolwithnowitofhisowntomakehimaccountableforwhathedid，andthatoutoffollyhehadgoneastray。Uponthosegroundsshebesoughtmetoforgivehimandlethimgo。WhenI

toldherthathemuststandhistrial，andthatIcouldofferherbutlittlehopeofhisacquittal，shetoldmethingsaboutmyself，whichinmyconceit，andthankstoyouflattererswhohavesurroundedme，Ihadneverdreamed。

“ShetoldmeIwasugly，sour-faced，aridmalformed;thatIwaspriest-riddenandafool;unlikemybrother，who，sheassuredme，isamirrorofchivalryandmanlyperfections。ShepromisedmethatHeavenshouldneverreceivemysoul，thoughItoldmybeadsfromnowtillDoomsday，andsheprophesiedformeawelcomeamongthedamnedwhenmytimecomes。WhatmoreshemighthaveforetoldIcannotsay。Sheweariedmeatlast，forallhernovelty，andI

dismissedher-thatistosay。”heamended，“Iorderedfourmusketeerstocarryherout。Godpityyou，Marcel，whenyoubecomeherdaughter’shusband！“

ButIhadnohearttoenterintohisjocularity。Thiswomanwithherungovernablepassionandherrashtonguehaddestroyedeverything。

“Iseenolikelihoodofbeingherdaughter’shusband。”Iansweredmournfully。

TheKinglookedup，andlaughed。“Downonyourknees，then。”saidhe，“andrenderthankstoHeaven。”

ButIshookmyheadverysoberly。“ToYourMajestyitisapleasingcomedy。”saidI，“buttome，helas！itisnearerfartotragedy。”

“Come，Marcel。”saidhe，“mayInotlaughalittle？OnegrowssosadwithbeingKingofFrance！Tellmewhatvexesyou。”

“MademoiselledeLavedanhaspromisedthatshewillmarrymeonlywhenIhavesavedherfatherfromthescaffold。Icametodoit，veryfullofhope，Sire。Buthiswifehasforestalledmeand，seemingly，doomedhimirrevocably。”

Hisglancefell;hiscountenanceresumeditshabitualgloom。Thenhelookedupagain，andinthemelancholydepthsofhiseyesIsawagleamofsomethingthatwasverylikeaffection。

“YouknowthatIloveyou，Marcel。”hesaidgently。“WereyoumyownsonIcouldnotloveyoumore。Youareaprofligate，dissoluteknave，andyourscandalshaverunginmyearsmorethanonce;yetyouaredifferentfromtheseotherfools，andatleastyouhaveneverweariedme。Tohavedonethatistohavedonesomething。

Iwouldnotloseyou，Marcel;asloseyouIshallifyoumarrythisroseofLanguedoc，forItakeitthatsheistoosweetaflowertoletwitherinthestaleatmosphereofCourts。Thisman，thisVicomtedeLavedan，hasearnedhisdeath。WhyshouldInotlethimdie，sinceifhediesyouwillnotwed？”

“Doyouaskmewhy，Sire？”saidI。“BecausetheycallyouLouistheJust，andbecausenokingwasevermoredeservingofthetitle。”

Hewinced;hepursedhislips，andshotaglanceatLaFosse，whowasdeepinthemysteriesofhisvolume。Thenhedrewtowardshimasheetofpaper，and，takingaquill，hesattoyingwithit。

“BecausetheycallmetheJust，Imustletjusticetakeitscourse。”

heansweredpresently。

“But。”Iobjected，withasuddenhope，“thecourseofjusticecannotleadtotheheadsmaninthecaseoftheVicomtedeLavedan。”

“Whynot？”Andhissolemneyesmetmineacrossthetable。

“Becausehetooknoactivepartintherevolt。Ifhewasatraitor，hewasnomorethanatraitoratheart，anduntilamancommitsacrimeindeedheisnotamenabletothelaw’srigour。Hiswifehasmadehisdefectionclear;butitwereunfairtopunishhiminthesamemeasureasyoupunishthosewhoborearmsagainstyou，Sire。”

“Ah！“hepondered。“Well？Whatmore？”

“Isthatnotenough，Sire？”Icried。Myheartbeatquickly，andmypulsesthrobbedwiththesuspenseofthatportentousmoment。

Hebenthishead，dippedhispenandbegantowrite。

“Whatpunishmentwouldyouhavememeteouttohim？”heaskedashewrote。“Come，Marcel，dealfairlywithme，anddealfairlywithhim-forasyoudealwithhim，soshallIdealwithyouthroughhim。”

Ifeltmyselfpalinginmyexcitement。“Thereisbanishment，Sire-itisusualincasesoftreasonthatarenotsufficientlyflagranttobepunishedbydeath。”

“Yes！“Hewrotebusily。“Banishmentforhowlong，Marcel？Forhislifetime？”

“Nay，Sire。Thatweretoolong。”

“Formylifetime，then？”

“Againthatweretoolong。”

Heraisedhiseyesandsmiled。“Ah！Youturnprophet？Well，forhowlong，then？Come，man。”

“Ishouldthinkfiveyears-“

“Fiveyearsbeit。Saynomore。”

Hewroteonforafewmoments;thenheraisedthesandboxandsprinkledthedocument。

“Tiens！“hecried，ashedusteditandhelditouttome。“ThereismywarrantforthedisposalofMonsieurleVicomteLeondeLavedan。Heistogointobanishmentforfiveyears，buthisestatesshallsuffernosequestration，andattheendofthatperiodhemayreturnandenjoythem-wehopewithbetterloyaltythaninthepast。Getthemtoexecutethatwarrantatonce，andseethattheVicomtestartsto-dayunderescortforSpain。ItwillalsobeyourwarranttoMademoiselledeLavedan，andwillaffordprooftoherthatyourmissionhasbeensuccessful。”

“Sire！“Icried。AndinmygratitudeIcouldsaynomore，butI

sankonmykneebeforehimandraisedhishandtomylips。

“There。”saidheinafatherlyvoice。“Gonow，andbehappy。”

AsIrose，hesuddenlyputuphishand。

“Mafoi，Ihadallbutforgotten，somuchhasMonsieurdeLavedan’sfatepreoccupiedus。”Hepickedupanotherpaperfromhistable，andtossedittome。ItwasmynoteofhandtoChatelleraultformyPicardyestates。

“Chatelleraultdiedthismorning。”theKingpursued。“Hehadbeenaskingtoseeyou，butwhenhewastoldthatyouhadleftToulouse，hedictatedalongconfessionofhismisdeeds，whichhesenttometogetherwiththisnoteofyours。Hecouldnot，hewrote，permithisheirstoenjoyyourestates;hehadnotwonthem;hehadreallyforfeitedhisownstakes，sincehehadbrokentherulesofplay。

Hehasleftmetodeliverjudgmentinthematterofhisownlandspassingintoyourpossession。Whatdoyousaytoit，Marcel？”

ItwasalmostwithreluctancethatItookupthatscrapofpaper。

Ithadbeensofineandheroicathingtohavecastmywealthtothewindsofheavenforlove’ssake，thatonmysoulIwasloathtoseemyselfmasterofmorethanBeaugency。Thenacompromisesuggesteditself。

“Thewager，Sire。”saidI，“isonethatItakeshameinhavingenteredupon;thatshamemademeeagertopayit，althoughfullyconsciousthatIhadnotlost。Butevennow，Icannot，inanycase，accepttheforfeitChatelleraultwaswillingtosuffer。Shallwe-shallweforgetthatthewagerwaseverlaid？”

“Thedecisiondoesyouhonour。ItwaswhatIhadhopedfromyou。

Gonow，Marcel。Idoubtmeyouareeager。Whenyourlove-sicknesswanesalittleweshallhopetoseeyouatCourtagain。”

Isighed。“Helas，Sire，thatwouldbenever。”

“Soyousaidoncebefore，monsieur。Itisafoolishspirituponwhichtoenterintomatrimony;yet-likemanyfollies-afineone。Adieu，Marcel！“

“Adieu，Sire！“

Ihadkissedhishands;Ihadpouredforthmythanks;Ihadreachedthedooralready，andhewasintheactofturningtoLaFosse，whenitcameintomyheadtoglanceatthewarranthehadgivenme。

Henoticedthisandmysuddenhalt。

“Isaughtamiss？”heasked。

“You-youhaveomittedsomething，Sire。”Iventured，andIreturnedtothetable。“IamalreadysogratefulthatIhesitatetoaskanadditionalfavour。Yetitisbuttroublingyoutoaddafewstrokesofthepen，anditwillnotmateriallyaffectthesentenceitself。”

Heglancedatme，andhisbrowsdrewtogetherashesoughttoguessmymeaning。

“Well，man，whatisit？”hedemandedimpatiently。

“IthasoccurredtomethatthispoorVicomte，inastrangeland，alone，amongstrangefaces，missingthelovedonesthatforsomanyyearshehasseendailybyhisside，willbepitiablylonely。”

TheKing’sglancewasliftedsuddenlytomyface。“MustIthenbanishhisfamilyaswell？”

“Allofitwillnotbenecessary，YourMajesty。”

Foroncehiseyeslosttheirmelancholy，andasheartyaburstoflaughteraseverIheardfromthatpoor，wearygentlemanheventedthen。

“Ciel！whatajesteryouare！Ah，butIshallmissyou！“hecried，as，seizingthepen，headdedthewordIcravedofhim。

“Areyoucontentatlast？”heasked，returningthepapertome。

Iglancedatit。ThewarrantnowstipulatedthatMadamelaVicomtessedeLavedanshouldbearherhusbandcompanyinhisexile。

“Sire，youaretoogood！“Imurmured。

“Telltheofficertowhomyouentrusttheexecutionofthiswarrantthathewillfindtheladyintheguardroombelow，wheresheisbeingdetained，pendingmypleasure。Didshebutknowthatitwasyourpleasureshehasbeenwaitingupon，Ishouldtrembleforyourfuturewhenthefiveyearsexpire。”

CHAPTERXXII

WEUNSADDLE

Mademoiselleheldtheroyalwarrantofherfather’sbanishmentinherhand。Shewaspale，andhergreetingofmehadbeentimid。I

stoodbeforeher，andbythedoorstoodRodenard，whomIhadbiddenattendme。

AsIhadapproachedLavedanthatday，Ihadbeentakenwithagreat，anoverwhelmingshameatthebargainIhaddriven。Ihadpondered，andithadcometomethatshehadbeenrighttosuggestthatinmattersoflovewhatisnotfreelygivenitisnotworthwhiletotake。Andoutofmyshameandthatconclusionhadsprunganewresolve。Sothatnothingmightweakenit，andlest，afterall，thesightofRoxalanneshouldbringmesotodesireherthatImightbetemptedtooverridemypurpose，Ihaddeemeditwelltohavetherestraintofawitnessatourlastinterview。TothisendhadI

biddenGanymedefollowmeintotheverysalon。

Shereadthedocumenttotheveryend，thenherglancewasraisedtimidlyagaintomine，andfrommeitshiftedtoGanymede，stiffathispostbythedoor。

“Thiswasthebestthatyoucoulddo，monsieur？”sheaskedatlast。

“Theverybest，mademoiselle。”Iansweredcalmly。“Idonotwishtomagnifymyservice，butitwasthatorthescaffold。Madameyourmotherhad，unfortunately，seentheKingbeforeme，andshehadprejudicedyourfather’scasebyadmittinghimtobeatraitor。

TherewasamomentwheninviewofthatIwasalmostledtodespair。

Iamglad，however，mademoiselle，thatIwassofortunateastopersuadetheKingtojustsomuchclemency。”

“Andforfiveyears，then，Ishallnotseemyparents。”Shesighed，andherdistresswasverytouching。

“Thatneednotbe。ThoughtheymaynotcometoFrance，itstillremainspossibleforyoutovisittheminSpain。”

“True。”shemused;“thatwillbesomething-willitnot？”

“Assuredlysomething;underthecircumstances，much。”

Shesighedagain，andforamomenttherewassilence。

“Willyounotsit，monsieur？”saidsheatlast-Shewasveryquietto-day，thislittlemaid-veryquietandverywondrouslysubdued。

“Thereisscarcetheneed。”Iansweredsoftly;whereuponhereyeswereraisedtoaskahundredquestions。“Youaresatisfiedwithmyefforts，mademoiselle？”Iinquired。

“Yes，Iamsatisfied，monsieur。”

Thatwastheend，Itoldmyself，andinvoluntarilyIalsosighed。

Still，Imadenoshifttogo。

“YouaresatisfiedthatI-thatIhavefulfilledwhatIpromised？”

Hereyeswereagaincastdown，andshetookastep:inthedirectionofthewindow。

“Butyes。Yourpromisewastosavemyfatherfromthescaffold。

Youhavedoneso，andImakenodoubtyouhavedoneasmuchtoreducethetermofhisbanishmentaslaywithinyourpower。Yes，monsieur，Iamsatisfiedthatyourpromisehasbeenwellfulfilled。”

Heigho！TheresolvethatIhadformedincomingwhispereditinmyearthatnothingremainedbuttowithdrawandgomyway。Yetnotforallthatresolve-notforahundredsuchresolves-couldIhavegonethus。Onekindlyword，onekindlyglanceatleastwouldItaketocomfort:me。Iwouldtellherinplainwordsofmypurpose，andsheshouldseethattherewasstillsomegood，somesenseofhonourinme，andthusshouldesteemmeafterIwasgone。

“Ganymede。”saidI。

“Monseigneur？”

“Bidthemenmount。”

Atthatsheturned，wonderopeninghereyesverywide，andherglancetravelledfrommetoRodenardwithitsunspokenquestion。

Butevenasshelookedathimhebowedand，turningtodomybidding，lefttheroom。Weheardhisstepspasswithajingleofspursacrossthehallandoutintothecourtyard。Weheardhisraucousvoiceutterawordofcommand，andtherewasastampingofhoofs，acrampingofharness，andallthebustleofpreparation。

“Whyhaveyouorderedyourmentomount？”sheaskedatlast。

“Becausemybusinesshereisended，andwearegoing。”

“Going？”saidshe。Hereyeswerelowerednow，butafrownsuggestedtheirexpressiontome。“Goingwhither？”

“Hence。”Ianswered。“Thatforthemomentisallthatsignifies。”

Ipausedtoswallowsomethingthathinderedaclearutterance。

Then，“Adieu！“saidI，andIabruptlyputforthmyhand。

Herglancemetminefearlessly，ifpuzzled。

“Doyoumean，monsieur，thatyouareleavingLavedan-thus？”

“SothatIleave，whatsignifiesthemannerofmygoing？”

“But“-thetroublegrewinhereyes;hercheeksseemedtowaxpalerthantheyhadbeen-“butIthoughtthat-thatwemadeabargain。”

“’Sh！mademoiselle，Iimploreyou。”Icried。“Itakeshameatthememoryofit。AlmostasmuchshameasItakeatthememoryofthatotherbargainwhichfirstbroughtmetoLavedan。TheshameoftheformeroneIhavewipedout-although，perchance，youthinkitnot。

Iamwipingouttheshameofthelatterone。Itwasunworthyinme，mademoiselle，butIlovedyousodearlythatitseemedtomethatnomatterhowIcamebyyou，IshouldrestcontentifIbutwonyou。Ihavesinceseentheerrorifit，theinjusticeofit。

Iwillnottakewhatisnotfreelygiven。Andso，farewell。”

“Isee，Isee。”shemurmured，andignoredthehandthatIheldout。

“Iamverygladofit，monsieur。”

Iwithdrewmyhandsharply。ItookupmyhatfromthechaironwhichIhadcastit。Shemighthavesparedmethat，Ithought。

Sheneednothaveprofessedjoy。Atleastshemighthavetakenmyhandandpartedinkindness。

“Adieu，mademoiselle！“Isaidagain，asstifflyasmightbe，andI

turnedtowardsthedoor。

“Monsieur！“shecalledafterme。Ihalted。

“Mademoiselle？”

Shestooddemurely，witheyesdowncastandhandsfolded。“Ishallbesolonelyhere。”

Istoodstill。Iseemedtostiffen。Myheartgaveamadthrobofhope，thenseemedtostop。Whatdidshemean？Ifacedherfullyoncemore，and，Idoubtnot，Iwasverypale。Yetlestvanityshouldbefoolme，Idarednotactuponsuspicions。Andso“True，mademoiselle。”saidI。“Youwillbelonely。Iregretit。”

Assilencefollowed，Iturnedagaintothedoor，andmyhopessankwitheachstepinthatdirection。

“Monsieur！“

Hervoicearrestedmeupontheverythreshold。

“Whatshallapoorgirldowiththisgreatestateuponherhands？

Itwillgotoruinwithoutamantogovernit。”

“Youmustnotattemptthetask。Youmustemployanintendant。”

Icaughtsomethingthatsoundedoddlylikeasob。Coulditbe？

Dieu！coulditbe，afterall？YetIwouldnotpresume。Ihalfturnedagain，buthervoicedetainedme。Itcamepetulantlynow。

“MonsieurdeBardelys，youhavekeptyourpromisenobly。Willyouasknopayment？”

“No，mademoiselle。”Iansweredverysoftly;“Icantakenopayment。”

Hereyeswereliftedforasecond。Theirbluedepthsseemeddim。

Thentheyfellagain。

“Oh，whywillyounothelpme？”sheburstout，toaddmoresoftly:

“Ishallneverbehappywithoutyou！“

“Youmean？”Igasped，retracingastep，andflingingmyhatinacorner。

“ThatIloveyou，Marcel-thatIwantyou！“

“Andyoucanforgive-youcanforgive？”Icried，asIcaughther。

Heranswerwasalaughthatbespokeherscornofeverything-ofeverythingsaveustwo，ofeverythingsaveourlove。Thatandthepoutofherredlipswasheranswer。Andifthetemptationofthoselips-Butthere！Igrowindiscreet。

Stillholdingher，Iraisedmyvoice。

“Ganymede！“Icalled。

“Monseigneur？”camehisanswerthroughtheopenwindow。

“Bidthoseknavesdismountandunsaddle。”

End