第2章

Foratimethisdidnotsuggestanythingtome。Butwhenwehadalltakenourseatsforsupper，therecameanadditiontotheparty。Thedooropened，andthefellowwhomIhadseenthenightbeforewithMadamedeCocheforetenteredandtookastoolbythefire。IfeltsurethathewasoneoftheservantsattheChateau；andinaflashhispresenceinspiredmewiththemostfeasibleplanforobtainingadmissionwhichIhadyethitupon。

Ifeltmyselfgrowhotatthethought——itseemedsofullofpromise，yetsodoubtful——and，ontheinstant，withoutgivingmyselftimetothinktoomuch，Ibegantocarryitintoeffect。

Icalledfortwoorthreebottlesofbetterwine，and，assumingajovialair，passeditroundthetable。WhenwehaddrunkafewglassesIfelltotalking，and，choosingpolitics，tookthesideoftheLanguedocpartyandthemalcontentsinsorecklessafashionthattheinnkeeperwasbesidehimselfatmyimprudence。

Themerchants，whobelongedtotheclasswithwhomtheCardinalwasalwaysmostpopular，lookedfirstastonishedandthenenraged。ButIwasnottobechecked；hintsandsourlookswerelostuponme。Igrewmoreoutspokenwitheveryglass，IdranktotheRochellois，Isworeitwouldnotbelongbeforetheyraisedtheirheadsagain；and，atlast，whiletheinnkeeperandhiswifewereengagedlightingthelamp，Ipassedroundthebottleandcalledonallforatoast。

"I"llgiveyouonetobegin，"Ibraggednoisily。"Agentleman"stoast！Asoutherntoast！HereisconfusiontotheCardinal，andahealthtoallwhohatehim！"

"MONDIEU！"oneofthestrangerscried，springingfromhisseatinarage。"Iamnotgoingtostomachthat！Isyourhouseacommontreason-hole，"hecontinued，turningfuriouslyonthelandlord，"thatyousufferthis？"

"Hoity-toity！"Ianswered，coollykeepingmyseat。"Whatisallthis？Don"tyourelishmytoast，littleman？"

"No——noryou！"heretortedhotly；"whoeveryoumaybe！"

"ThenIwillgiveyouanother，"Ianswered，withahiccough。

"Perhapsitwillbemoretoyourtaste。HereistheDukeofOrleans，andmayhesoonbeKing！"

CHAPTERIII

THEHOUSEINTHEWOOD

Wordssorecklessfairlyshookthethreemenoutoftheiranger。

Foramomenttheyglaredatmeasiftheyhadseenaghost。Thenthewinemerchantclappedhishandonthetable。

"Thatisenough，"hesaid，withalookathiscompanions。"I

thinkthattherecanbenomistakeaboutthat。AsdamnabletreasonaseverIheardwhispered！Icongratulateyou，sir，onyourboldness。Asforyou，"hecontinued，turningwithanuglysneertothelandlord，"Ishallknownowthecompanyyoukeep！I

wasnotawarethatmywinewetwhistlestosuchatune！"

Butifhewasstartled，theinnkeeperwasfurious，seeinghischaracterthustakenaway；and，beingatnotimeamanofmanywords，heventedhisrageexactlyinthewayIwished，raisinginatwinklingsuchanuproarascanscarcelybeconceived。Witharoarlikeabull"s，heranheadlongatthetable，andoverturneditonthetopofme。Fortunatelythewomansavedthelamp，andfledwithitintoacorner，whencesheandthemanfromtheChateauwatchedtheskirmishinsilence；butthepewtercupsandplattersflewspinningacrossthefloor，whilethetablepinnedmetothegroundamongtheruinsofmystool。Havingmeatthisdisadvantage——foratfirstImadenoresistancethelandlordbegantobelabourmewiththefirstthinghesnatchedup，andwhenItriedtodefendmyself，cursedmewitheachblowforatreacherousrogueandavagrant。Meanwhilethethreemerchants，delightedwiththeturnthingshadtaken，skippedrounduslaughing，andnowhoundedhimon，nowbanteredmewith"howisthatfortheDukeofOrleans？"and"Hownow，traitor？"

WhenIthoughtthatthishadlastedlongenough——or，tospeakmoreplainly，whenIcouldstandtheinnkeeper"sdrubbingnolonger——Ithrewhimoff，andstruggledtomyfeet；butstill，thoughthebloodwastricklingdownmyface，Irefrainedfromdrawingmysword。Icaughtupinsteadalegofthestoolwhichlayhandy，and，watchingmyopportunity，dealtthelandlordashrewdblowundertheear，whichlaidhimoutinamomentonthewreckofhisowntable。

"Now，"Icried，brandishingmynewweapon，whichfittedthehandtoanicety，"comeon！Comeon！ifyoudaretostrikeablow，youpeddling，truckling，hucksteringknaves！AfigforyouandyourshavelingCardinal！"

Thered-facedwinemerchantdrewhisswordinaone-two。

"Why，youdrunkenfool，"hesaidwrathfully，"putthatstickdown，orIwillspityoulikealark！"

"Larkinyourteeth！"Icried，staggeringasifthewinewereinmyhead。"Andcuckoo，too！Anotherword，andI——"

Hemadeacoupleofsavagepassesatme，butinatwinklinghisswordflewacrosstheroom。

"VOILA！"Ishouted，lurchingforward，asifIhadluckandnotskilltothankformyvictory。"Now，thenext！Comeon，comeon——youwhite-liveredknaves！"And，pretendingadrunkenfrenzy，Iflungmyweaponbodilyamongstthem，andseizingthenearest，begantowrestlewithhim。

Inamomenttheyallthrewthemselvesuponme，and，swearingcopiously，boremebacktothedoor。Thewinemerchantcriedbreathlesslytothewomantoopenit，andinatwinklingtheyhadmethroughit，andhalf-wayacrosstheroad。TheonethingI

fearedwasaknife-thrustintheMELEE；butIhadtorunthatrisk，andthemenwerehonest，and，thinkingmedrunk，indulgent。

InatriceIfoundmyselfonmybackinthedirt，withmyheadhumming；andheardthebarsofthedoorfallnoisilyintotheirplaces。

Igotupandwenttothedoor，and，toplayoutmypart，hammeredonitfrantically；cryingouttothemtoletmein。Butthethreetravellersonlyjeeredatme，andthelandlord，comingtothewindow，withhisheadbleeding，shookhisfistatme，andcursedmeforamischief-maker。

Baffledinthis，Iretiredtoalogwhichlayintheroadafewpacesfromthehouse，andsatdownonittoawaitevents。Withtornclothesandbleedingface，hatlessandcoveredwithdirt，I

wasinlittlebettercasethanmyopponent。Itwasraining，too，andthedrippingbranchesswayedovermyhead。Thewindwasinthesouth——thecoldestquarter。Ibegantofeelchilledanddispirited。Ifmyschemefailed，Ihadforfeitedroofandbedtonopurpose，andplacedfutureprogressoutofthequestion。Itwasacriticalmoment。

ButatlastthathappenedforwhichIhadbeenlooking。Thedoorswungopenafewinches，andamancamenoiselesslyout；itwasquicklybarredbehindhim。Hestoodamoment，waitingonthethresholdandpeeringintothegloom；andseemedtoexpecttobeattacked。Findinghimselfunmolested，however，andallquiet，hewentoffsteadilydownthestreet——towardstheChateau。

Iletacoupleofminutesgoby，andthenIfollowed。Ihadnodifficultyinhittingonthetrackattheendofthestreet，butwhenIhadonceplungedintothewood，IfoundmyselfindarknesssointensethatIsoonstrayedfromthepath，andfelloverroots，andtoremyclotheswiththorns，andlostmytempertwentytimesbeforeIfoundthepathagain。However，Igainedthebridgeatlast，andthencecaughtsightofalighttwinklingbeforeme。Tomakeforitacrossthemeadowandterracewasaneasytask；yet，whenIhadreachedthedoorandhadhammereduponit，Iwassowornout，andinsosorryaplightthatIsankdown，andhadlittleneedtoplayapart，orpretendtobeworsethanI

was。

Foralongtimenooneanswered。Thedarkhousetoweringabovemeremainedsilent。Icouldhear，mingledwiththethrobbingsofmyheart，thesteadycroakingofthefrogsinapondnearthestables；butnoothersound。Inafrenzyofimpatienceanddisgust，Istoodupagainandhammered，kickingwithmyheelsonthenail-studdeddoor，andcryingoutdesperately，——

"AMOI！AMOI！"

Then，oramomentlater，Iheardaremotedooropened；footstepsasofmorethanonepersondrewnear。Iraisedmyvoiceandcriedagain，——

"AMOI！"

"Whoisthere？"avoiceasked。

"Agentlemanindistress，"Iansweredpiteously，movingmyhandsacrossthedoor。"ForGod"ssakeopenandletmein。Iamhurt，anddyingofcold。"

"Whatbringsyouhere？"thevoiceaskedsharply。Despiteitstartness，Ifanciedthatitwasawoman"s。

"Heavenknows！"Ianswereddesperately。"Icannottell。Theymaltreatedmeattheinn，andthrewmeintothestreet。I

crawledaway，andhavebeenwanderinginthewoodforhours。

ThenIsawalighthere。"

Onthatsomemutteringtookplaceontheothersideofthedoor——

towhichIhadmyear。Itendedinthebarsbeinglowered。Thedoorswungpartlyopen，andalightshoneout，dazzlingme。I

triedtoshademyeyeswithmyfingers，and，asdidso，fanciedI

heardamurmurofpity。ButwhenIlookedinunderscreenofmyhand，Isawonlyoneperson——themanwhoheldthelight，andhisaspectwassostrange，soterrifying，that，shakenasIwasbyfatigue，Irecoiledastep。

Hewasatallandverythinman，meanlydressedinashort，scantyjacketandwell-darnedhose。Unable，forsomereason，tobendhisneck，hecarriedhisheadwithastrangestiffness。

Andthathead——neverdidlivingmanshowafacesolikedeath。

Hisforeheadwasbaldandyellow，hischeek-bonesstoodoutunderthestrainedskin，allthelowerpartofhisfacefellin，hisjawsreceded，hischeekswerehollow，hislipsandchinwerethinandfleshless。Heseemedtohaveonlyoneexpression——afixedgrin。

WhileIstoodlookingatthisformidablecreature，hemadeaquickmovementtoshutthedooragain，smilingmorewidely。I

hadthepresenceofmindtothrustinmyfoot，and，beforehecouldresenttheact，avoiceinthebackgroundcried，——

"Forshame，Clon！Standback，standback！doyouhear？Iamafraid，Monsieur，thatyouarehurt。"

Thosewordsweremywelcometothathouse；and，spokenatanhourandincircumstancessogloomy，theymadealastingimpression。

Roundthehallranagallery，andthis，theheightoftheapartment，andthedarkpanellingseemedtoswallowupthelight。

Istoodwithintheentrance（asitseemedtome）ofahugecave；

theskull-headedporterhadtheairofanogre。Onlythevoicewhichgreetedmedispelledtheillusion。Iturnedtremblingtowardsthequarterwhenceitcame，and，shadingmyeyes，madeoutawoman"sformstandinginadoorwayunderthegallery。A

secondfigure，whichItooktobethatoftheservantIhadseenattheinn，loomeduncertainlybesideher。

Ibowedinsilence。Myteethwerechattering。Iwasfaintwithoutfeigning，andfeltakindofterror，hardtoexplain，atthesoundofthiswoman"svoice。

"Oneofourpeoplehastoldmeaboutyou，shecontinued，speakingoutofthedarkness。"Iamsorrythatthishashappenedtoyouhere，butIamafraidthatyouwereindiscreet。"

"Itakealltheblame，Madame，"Iansweredhumbly。"Iaskonlyshelterforthenight。"

"Thetimehasnotyetcomewhenwecannotgiveourfriendsthat！"

sheansweredwithnoblecourtesy。"Whenitdoes，Monsieur，weshallbehomelessourselves。"

Ishivered，lookinganywherebutather；for，ifthetruthbetold，Ihadnotsufficientlypicturedthissceneofmyarrival——I

hadnotforedrawnitsdetails；andnowItookpartinitIfeltamiserablemeannessweighmedown。Ihadneverfromthefirstlikedthework，butIhadhadnochoice，andIhadnochoicenow。

Luckily，theguiseinwhichIcame，myfatigue，andwoundwereasufficientmask，orIshouldhaveincurredsuspicionatonce。

ForIamsurethatifeverinthisworldabravemanworeahang-

dogair，orGildeBeraultfellbelowhimself，itwasthenandthere——onMadamedeCocheforet"sthreshold，withherwelcomesoundinginmyears。

One，Ithink，didsuspectme。Clon，theporter，continuedtoholdthedoorobstinatelyajarandtoeyemewithgrinningspite，untilhismistress，withsomesharpness，badehimdropthebarsandconductmetoaroom。

"Doyougoalso，Louis，"shecontinued，speakingtothemanbesideher，"andseethisgentlemancomfortablydisposed。Iamsorry，"sheadded，addressingmeinthegracefultoneshehadbeforeused，andIthoughtthatIcouldseeherheadbendinthedarkness，"thatourpresentcircumstancesdonotpermitustowelcomeyoumorefitly，Monsieur。Butthetroublesofthetimes——however，youwillexcusewhatislacking。Untilto-morrow，I

havethehonourtobidyougood-night。"

"Good-night，Madame，"Istammered，trembling。Ihadnotbeenabletodistinguishherfaceinthegloomofthedoorway，buthervoice，hergreeting，herpresenceunmannedme。Iwastroubledandperplexed；Ihadnotspirittokickadog。Ifollowedthetwoservantsfromthehallwithoutheedinghowwewent；norwasituntilwecametoafullstopatadoorinawhite-washedcorridor，anditwasforceduponmethatsomethingwasinquestionbetweenmytwoconductorsthatIbegantotakenotice。

ThenIsawthatoneofthem，Louis，wishedtolodgemeherewherewestood。Theporter，ontheotherhand，whoheldthekeys，wouldnot。Hedidnotspeakaword，nordidtheother——andthisgaveaqueerominouscharactertothedebate；buthecontinuedtojerkhisheadtowardsthefartherendofthecorridor；and，atlast，hecarriedhispoint。Louisshruggedhisshoulders，andmovedon，glancingaskanceatme；andI，notunderstandingthematterindebate，followedthepairinsilence。

Wereachedtheendofthecorridor，andthereforaninstantthemonsterwiththekeyspausedandgrinnedatme。Thenheturnedintoanarrowpassageontheleft，andafterfollowingitforsomepaces，haltedbeforeasmall，strongdoor。Hiskeyjarredinthelock，butheforceditshriekinground，andwithasavageflourishthrewthedooropen。

Iwalkedinandsawamean，barechamberwithbarredwindows。

Thefloorwasindifferentlyclean，therewasnofurniture。Theyellowlightofthelanthornfallingonthestainedwallsgavetheplacethelookofadungeon。Iturnedtothetwomen。"Thisisnotaverygoodroom，"Isaid。"Anditfeelsdamp。Haveyounoother？"

Louislookeddoubtfullyathiscompanion。Buttheportershookhisheadstubbornly。

"Whydoeshenotspeak？"Iaskedwithimpatience。

"Heisdumb，"Louisanswered。

"Dumb！"Iexclaimed。"Buthehears。"

"Hehasears，"theservantanswereddrily。"Buthehasnotongue，Monsieur。"

Ishuddered。"Howdidheloseit？"Iasked。

"AtRochelle。Hewasaspy，andtheking"speopletookhimthedaythetownsurrendered。Theysparedhislife，butcutouthistongue。"

"Ah！"Isaid。Iwishedtosaymore，tobenatural，toshowmyselfatmyease。Buttheporter"seyesseemedtoburnintome，andmyowntongueclavetotheroofofmymouth。Heopenedhislipsandpointedtohisthroatwithahorridgesture，andIshookmyheadandturnedfromhim——"Youcanletmehavesomebedding？"

Imurmuredhastily，forthesakeofsayingsomething，andtoescape。

"Ofcourse，Monsieur，"Louisanswered。"Iwillfetchsome。"

Hewentaway，thinkingdoubtlessthatClonwouldstaywithme。

Butafterwaitingaminutetheporterstrodeoffalsowiththelanthorn，leavingmetostandinthemiddleofthedamp，darkroomandreflectontheposition。ItwasplainthatClonsuspectedme。Thisprison-likeroom，withitsbarredwindow，atthebackofthehouse，andinthewingfarthestfromthestables，provedsomuch。Clearly，hewasadangerousfellow，ofwhomI

mustbeware。IhadjustbeguntowonderhowMadamecouldkeepsuchamonsterinherhouse，whenIheardhisstepreturning。Hecamein，lightingLouis，whocarriedasmallpalletandabundleofcoverings。

Thedumbmanhad，besidesthelanthorn，abowlofwaterandapieceofraginhishand。Hesetthemdown，andgoingoutagain，fetchedinastool。Thenhehungupthelanthornonanail，tookthebowlandrag，andinvitedmetositdown。

Iwaslothtolethimtouchme；buthecontinuedtostandoverme，pointingandgrinningwithdarkpersistence，andratherthanstandonatrifleIsatdownatlastandgavehimhisway。Hebathedmyheadcarefullyenough，andIdaresaydiditgood；butIunderstood。Iknewthathisonlydesirewastolearnwhetherthecutwasrealorapretence，andIbegantofearhimmoreandmore；untilhewasgonefromtheroom，Idaredscarcelyliftmyfacelestheshouldreadtoomuchinit。

Alone，even，Ifeltuncomfortable，thisseemedsosinisterabusiness，andsoillbegun。Iwasinthehouse。ButMadame"sfrankvoicehauntedme，andthedumbman"seyes，fullofsuspicionandmenace。WhenIpresentlygotupandtriedmydoor，Ifounditlocked。Theroomsmeltdankandclose——likeavault。

Icouldnotseethroughthebarredwindow，butIcouldheartheboughssweepitinghostlyfashion；andIguessedthatitlookedoutwherethewoodgrewclosetothewallsofthehouse，andthateveninthedaythesunneverpeepedthroughit。

Nevertheless，tiredandwornout，Isleptatlast。WhenIawoketheroomwasfullofgreylight，thedoorstoodopen，andLouis，lookingashamedofhimself，waitedbymypalletwithacupofwineinhishand，andsomebreadandfruitonaplatter。

"WillMonsieurbegoodenoughtorise？"hesaid。"Itiseighto"clock。"

"Willingly，"Iansweredtartly。"Nowthatthedoorisunlocked。"

Heturnedred。"Itwasanoversight，"hestammered"Clonisaccustomedtolockthedoor，andhediditinadvertently，forgettingthattherewasanyone——"

"Inside，"Isaiddrily。

"Precisely，Monsieur。"

"Ah！"Ireplied。"Well，IdonotthinktheoversightwouldpleaseMadamedeCocheforetifsheheardofit？"

"IfMonsieurwouldhavethekindnessnotto——"

"Mentionit，mygoodfellow？"answered，lookingathimwithmeaningasIrose。"No。Butitmustnotoccuragain。"

IsawthatthismanwasnotlikeClon。Hehadtheinstinctsofthefamilyservant，andfreedfromtheinfluencesoffearanddarknessfeltashamedofhisconduct。Whilehearrangedmyclothes，helookedroundtheroomwithanairofdistaste，andmutteredonceortwicethatthefurnitureoftheprincipalchamberswaspackedaway。

"M。deCocheforetisabroad，Ithink？"IsaidasIdressed。

"Andlikelytoremainthere，"themanansweredcarelessly，shrugginghisshoulders。"Monsieurwilldoubtlesshaveheardthatheisintrouble。Inthemeantime，thehouseisTRISTE，andMonsieurmustoverlookmuch，ifhestays。Madamelivesretired，andtheroadsareill-madeandvisitorsfew。"

"Whenthelionwasillthejackalslefthim，"Isaid。

Louisnodded。"Itistrue，"heansweredsimply。Hemadenoboastorbragonhisownaccount，Inoticed；anditcamehometomethathewasafaithfulfellow，suchasIlove。Iquestionedhimdiscreetly，andlearnedthatheandClonandanoldermanwholivedoverthestablesweretheonlymaleservantsleftofagreathousehold。Madame，hersister-in-law，andthreewomencompletedthefamily。

Ittookmesometimetorepairmywardrobe，sothatIdaresayitwasnearlytenwhenIleftmydismallittleroom。IfoundLouiswaitinginthecorridor，andhetoldmethatMadamedeCocheforetandMademoisellewereintherosegarden，andwouldbepleasedtoreceiveme。Inodded，andheguidedmethroughseveraldimpassagestoaparlourwithanopendoor，throughwhichthesunshonegailyonthefloor。Cheeredbythemorningairandthissuddenchangetopleasantnessandlife，Isteppedlightlyout。

Thetwoladieswerewalkingupanddownawidepathwhichbisectedthegarden。Theweedsgrewranklyinthegravelunderfoot，therosebusheswhichborderedthewalkthrusttheirbrancheshereandthereinuntrainedfreedom，adarkyewhedgewhichformedthebackgroundbristledwithroughshootsandsadlyneededtrimming。ButIdidnotseeanyofthesethings。Thegrace，thenobleair，thedistinctionofthetwowomenwhopacedslowlytomeetme——andwhosharedallthesequalities，greatlyastheydifferedinothers——leftmenopowertonoticetrifles。

MademoisellewasaheadshorterthanherBELLE-SOEUR——aslenderwomanandpetite，withabeautifulfaceandafaircomplexion；awomanwhollywomanly。Shewalkedwithdignity，butbesideMadame"sstatelyfigureshehadanairalmostchildish。AnditwascharacteristicofthetwothatMademoiselleastheydrewneartomeregardedmewithsorrowfulattention，Madamewithagravesmile。

Ibowedlow。Theyreturnedthesalute。"Thisismysister，"

MadamedeCocheforetsaid，withaveryslightairofcondescension，"Willyoupleasetotellmeyourname，Monsieur？"

"IamM。deBarthe，agentlemanofNormandy，"Isaid，takingonimpulsethenameofmymother。Myown，byapossibility，mightbeknown。

Madame"sfaceworeapuzzledlook。"Idonotknowthatname，I

think，"shesaidthoughtfully。Doubtlessshewasgoingoverinhermindallthenameswithwhichconspiracyhadmadeherfamiliar。

Thatismymisfortune，Madame，"Isaidhumbly。

"NeverthelessIamgoingtoscoldyou，"sherejoined，stilleyeingmewithsomekeenness。"Iamgladtoseethatyouarenonetheworseforyouradventure——butothersmaybe。Andyoushouldhavebornethatinmind，sir。"

"IdonotthinkthatIhurtthemanseriously，"Istammered。

"Idonotrefertothat，"sheansweredcoldly。"Youknow，orshouldknow，thatweareindisgracehere；thattheGovernmentregardsusalreadywithanevileye，andthataverysmallthingwouldleadthemtogarrisonthevillage，andperhapsoustusfromthelittlethewarshaveleftus。Youshouldhaveknownthis，andconsideredit，"shecontinued。"Whereas——Idonotsaythatyouareabraggart，M。deBarthe。Butonthisoneoccasionyouseemtohaveplayedthepartofone。"

"Madame，Ididnotthink，"Istammered。

"Wantofthoughtcausesmuchevil，"sheanswered，smiling。

"However，Ihavespoken，andwetrustthatwhileyoustaywithusyouwillbemorecareful。Fortherest，Monsieur，"shecontinuedgraciously，raisingherhandtopreventmespeaking，"wedonotknowwhyyouarehere，orwhatplansyouarepursuing。Andwedonotwishtoknow。Itisenoughthatyouareofourside。Thishouseisatyourserviceaslongasyoupleasetouseit。Andifwecanaidyouinanyotherwaywewilldoso。"

"Madame！"Iexclaimed；andthereIstopped。Icouldsaynomore。Therosegarden，withitsairofneglect，theshadowofthequiethousethatfellacrossit，thegreatyewhedgewhichbackedit，andwasthepatternofoneunderwhichIhadplayedinchildhood——allhadpointsthatprickedme。Butthewomen"skindness，theirunquestioningconfidence，thenobleairofhospitalitywhichmovedthem！AgainsttheseandtheirplacidbeautyinitspeacefulframeIhadnoshield，nodefence。I

turnedaway，andfeignedtobeovercomebygratitude。

"Ihavenowords——tothankyou！"Imutteredpresently。"Iamalittleshakenthismorning。I——pardonme。"

"Wewillleaveyouforawhile，"MademoiselledeCocheforetsaidingentlepityingtones。"Theairwillreviveyou。Louisshallcallyouwhenwegotodinner，M。deBarthe。Come，Elise。"

Ibowedlowtohidemyface，andtheynoddedpleasantly——notlookingcloselyatme——astheywalkedbymetothehouse。I

watchedthetwogracious，pale-robedfiguresuntilthedoorwayswallowedthem，andthenIwalkedawaytoaquietcornerwheretheshrubsgrewhighestandtheyewhedgethrewitsdeepestshadow，andIstoodtothink。

And，MONDIEU，strangethoughts。Iftheoakcanthinkatthemomentthewinduprootsit，orthegnarledthorn-bushwhenthelandsliptearsitfromtheslope，theymayhavesuchthoughts，I

staredattheleaves，attherottingblossoms，intothedarkcavitiesofthehedge；Istaredmechanically，dazedandwondering。WhatwasthepurposeforwhichIwashere？WhatwastheworkIhadcometodo？Aboveall，how——myGod！howwasItodoitinthefaceofthesehelplesswomen，whotrustedme，whobelievedinme，whoopenedtheirhousetome？Clonhadnotfrightenedme，northelonelinessoftheleaguedvillage，northeremotenessofthiscornerwherethedreadCardinalseemedaname，andtheKing"swritranslowly，andtherebellionlongquenchedelsewhere，stillsmouldered。ButMadame"spurefaith，theyoungerwoman"stenderness——howwasItofacethese？

IcursedtheCardinal——wouldhehadstayedatLuchon。IcursedtheEnglishfoolwhohadbroughtmetothis，Icursedtheyearsofplentyandscarceness，andtheQuartierMarais，andZaton"s，whereIhadlivedlikeapig，and——

Atouchfellonmyarm。Iturned。ItwasClon。Howhehadstolenupsoquietly，howlonghehadbeenatmyelbow，Icouldnottell。Buthiseyesgleamedspitefullyintheirdeepsockets，andhelaughedwithhisfleshlesslips；andIhatedhim。Inthedaylightthemanlookedmorelikeadeath"s-headthanever。I

fanciedthatIreadinhisfacethatheknewmysecret，andI

flashedintorageatsightofhim。

"Whatisit？"Icried，withanotheroath。"Don"tlayyourcorpse-clawsonme！"

Hemowedatme，and，bowingwithironicalpoliteness，pointedtothehouse。

"IsMadameserved？"Isaidimpatiently，crushingdownmyanger。

"Isthatwhatyoumean，fool？"

Henodded，"Verywell，"Iretorted。"Icanfindmywaythen。Youmaygo！"

Hefellbehind，andIstrodebackthroughthesunshineandflowers，andalongthegrass-grownpaths，tothedoorbywhichI

hadcomeIwalkedfast，buthisshadowkeptpacewithme，drivingouttheunaccustomedthoughtsinwhichIhadbeenindulging。

Slowlybutsurelyitdarkenedmymood。Afterall，thiswasalittle，littleplace；thepeoplewholivedhere——Ishruggedmyshoulders。France，power，pleasure，life，everythingworthwinning，worthhaving，layyonderinthegreatcity。Aboymightwreckhimselfhereforafancy；amanoftheworld，never。WhenIenteredtheroom，wherethetwoladiesstoodwaitingformebythetable，Iwasnearlymyoldselfagain。Andachancewordpresentlycompletedthework。

"Clonmadeyouunderstand，then？"theyoungwomansaidkindly，asItookmyseat。

"Yes，Mademoiselle，"Ianswered。OnthatIsawthetwosmileatoneanother，andIadded："Heisastrangecreature。Iwonderthatyoucanbeartohavehimnearyou。"

"Poorman！Youdonotknowhisstory？"Madamesaid。

"Ihaveheardsomethingofit，"Ianswered。"Louistoldme。"

"Well，Idoshudderathimsometimes，"shereplied，inalowvoice。"Hehassuffered——andhorribly，andforus。ButIwishthatithadbeenonanyotherservice。Spiesarenecessarythings，butonedoesnotwishtohavetodowiththem！Anythinginthenatureoftreacheryissohorrible。"

"Quick，Louis！"Mademoiselleexclaimed，"thecognac，ifyouhaveanythere！Iamsurethatyouare——stillfeelingill，Monsieur。"

"No，Ithankyou，"Imutteredhoarsely，makinganefforttorecovermyself。"Iamquitewell。Itwas——anoldwoundthatsometimestouchesme。"

CHAPTERIV

MADAMEANDMADEMOISELLE

Tobefrank，however，itwasnottheoldwoundthattouchedmesonearly，butMadame"swords；which，finishingwhatClon"ssuddenappearanceinthegardenhadbegun，wentalongwaytowardshardeningmeandthrowingmebackintomyself。Isawwithbitterness——whatIhadperhapsforgottenforamoment——howgreatwasthechasmthatseparatedmefromthesewomen；howimpossibleitwasthatwecouldlongthinkalike；howfarapartinviews，inexperience，inaimswewere。AndwhileImadeamockinmyheartoftheirhigh-flownsentiments——orthoughtIdid——Ilaughednolessatthefollywhichhadledmetodream，evenfora，moment，thatIcould，atmyage，goback——gobackandriskallforawhim，ascruple，thefancyofalonelyhour。

Idaresaysomethingofthisshowedinmyface；forMadame"seyesmirroredadimreflectionoftroubleasshelookedatme，andMademoiselletalkednervouslyandatrandom。Atanyrate，I

fanciedso，andIhastenedtocomposemyself；andthetwo，inpressinguponmethesimpledaintiesofthetablesoonforgot，orappearedtoforget，theincident。

YetinspiteofthisCONTRETEMPS，thatfirstmealhadastrangecharmforme。Theroundtablewhereatwedinedwasspreadinsidetheopendoorwhichledtothegarden，sothattheOctobersunshinefellfullonthespotlesslinenandquaintoldplate，andthefreshbalmyairfilledtheroomwiththescentofsweetherbs。Louisserveduswiththemienofamajor-domo，andsetoneachdishasthoughithadbeenapeacockoramessofortolans。

Thewoodsprovidedthelargerportionofourmeal；thegardendiditspart；theconfectionsMademoisellehadcookedwithherownhand。

By-and-by，asthemealwenton，asLouistrodtoandfroacrossthepolishedfloor，andthelastinsectsofsummerhummedsleepilyoutside，andthetwograciousfacescontinuedtosmileatmeoutofthegloom——fortheladiessatwiththeirbackstothedoor——Ibegantodreamagain，Ibegantosinkagainintofolly，thatwashalf-pleasure，half-pain。Thefuryofthegaming-houseandtheriotofZaton"sseemedfaraway。Thetriumphsofthefencing-room——eventheygrewcheapandtawdry。I

thoughtofexistenceasoneoutsideit，Ibalancedthisagainstthat，andwonderedwhether，afterall，theredsoutaneweresomuchbetterthanthehomelyjerkin，orthefameofadaythaneaseandsafety。

AndlifeatCocheforetwasallafterthepatternofthisdinner。

Eachday，Imightalmostsayeachmeal，gaverisetothesamesequenceofthoughts。InClon"spresence，orwhensomewordofMadame"s，unconsciouslyharsh，remindedmeofthedistancebetweenus，Iwasmyself。Atothertimes，infaceofthispeacefulandintimatelife，whichwasonlyrenderedpossiblebytheremotenessoftheplaceandthepeculiarcircumstancesinwhichtheladiesstood，Ifeltastrangeweakness，Thelonelinessofthewoodsthatencircledthehouse，andonlyhereandthereaffordedadistantglimpseofsnow-cladpeaks；theabsenceofanylinktobindmetotheoldlife，sothatatintervalsitseemedunreal；theremotenessofthegreatworld，alltendedtosapmywillandweakenthepurposewhichhadbroughtmetothisplace。

Onthefourthdayaftermycoming，however，somethinghappenedtobreakthespell。ItchancedthatIcamelatetodinner，andenteredtheroomhastilyandwithoutceremony，expectingtofindMadameandhersisteralreadyseated。Instead，Ifoundthemtalkinginalowtonebytheopendoor，witheverymarkofdisorderintheirappearance；whileClonandLouisstoodatalittledistancewithdowncastfacesandperplexedlooks。

Ihadtimetoseeallthis，andthenmyentrancewroughtasuddenchange。ClonandLouissprangtoattention；Madameandhersistercametothetableandsatdown，andallmadeashallowpretenceofbeingattheirease。ButMademoiselle"sfacewaspale，herhandtrembled；andthoughMadame"sgreaterself-commandenabledhertocarryoffthematterbetter，Isawthatshewasnotherself。OnceortwiceshespokeharshlytoLouis；shefellatothertimesintoabrownstudy；andwhenshethoughtthatI

wasnotwatchingher，herfaceworealookofdeepanxiety。

Iwonderedwhatallthismeant；andIwonderedmorewhen，afterthemeal，thetwowalkedinthegardenforanhourwithClon。

Mademoisellecamefromthisinterviewalone，andIwassurethatshehadbeenweeping。Madameandthedarkporterstayedoutsidesometimelonger；thenshe，too，camein，anddisappeared。

Clondidnotreturnwithher，andwhenIwentintothegardenfiveminuteslater，Louisalsohadvanished。Savefortwowomenwhosatsewingatanupperwindow，thehouseseemedtobedeserted。Notasoundbroketheafternoonstillnessofroomorgarden，andyetIfeltthatmorewashappeninginthissilencethanappearedonthesurface。Ibegintogrowcurious——

suspicious，andpresentlyslippedoutmyselfbywayofthestables，andskirtingthewoodatthebackofthehouse，gainedwithalittletroublethebridgewhichcrossedthestreamandledtothevillage。

TurningroundatthispointIcouldseethehouse，andImovedalittleasideintotheunderwood，andstoodgazingatthewindows，tryingtounriddlethematter。ItwasnotlikelythatM。deCocheforetwouldrepeathisvisitsosoon；and，besides，thewomen"semotionshadbeenthoseofpuredismayandgrief，unmixedwithanyofthesatisfactiontowhichsuchameeting，thoughsnatchedbystealth，mustgiverise。Idiscardedmyfirstthoughttherefore——thathehadreturnedunexpectedly——andI

soughtforanothersolution。

Butnootherwasontheinstantforthcoming。Thewindowsremainedobstinatelyblind，nofiguresappearedontheterrace，thegardenlaydeserted，andwithoutlife。Mydeparturehadnot，asIhalfexpecteditwould，drawnthesecretintolight。

Iwatchedawhile，attimescursingmyownmeanness；buttheexcitementofthemomentandthequesttidedmeoverthat。ThenIdeterminedtogodownintothevillageandseewhetheranythingwasmovingthere。Ihadbeendowntotheinnonce，andhadbeenreceivedhalfsulkily，halfcourteously，asapersonprivilegedatthegreathouse，andthereforetobeaccepted。ItwouldnotbethoughtoddifIwentagain，andafteramoment"sthought，I

starteddownthetrack。

This，whereitranthroughthewood，wassodenselyshadedthatthesunpenetratedtoitlittle，andinpatchesonly。Asquirrelstirredattimes，slidingroundatrunk，orscamperingacrossthedryleaves。Occasionallyapiggruntedandmovedfartherintothewood。Buttheplacewasveryquiet，andIdonotknowhowitwasthatIsurprisedCloninsteadofbeingsurprisedbyhim。

Hewaswalkingalongthepathbeforemewithhiseyesontheground——walkingsoslowly，andwithhisleanframesobentthatI

mighthavesupposedhimillifIhadnotremarkedthesteadymovementofhisheadfromrighttoleft，andthealerttouchwithwhichhenowandagaindisplacedaclodofearthoraclusterofleaves。By-and-byherosestiffly，andlookedroundhimsuspiciously；butbythattimeIhadslippedbehindatrunk，andwasnottobeseen；andafterabriefintervalhewentbacktohistask，stoopingoveritmoreclosely，ifpossible，thanbefore，andapplyinghimselfwithevengreatercare。

BythattimeIhadmadeupmymindthathewastrackingsomeone。

Butwhom？Icouldnotmakeaguessatthat。Ionlyknewthattheplotwasthickening，andbegantofeeltheeagernessofthechase。Ofcourse，ifthematterhadnottodowithCocheforet，itwasnoaffairofmine；butthoughitseemedunlikelythatanythingcouldbringhimbacksosoon，hemightstillbeatthebottomofthis。And，besides，Ifeltanaturalcuriosity。WhenClonatlastimprovedhispace，andwentontothevillage，I

tookuphistask。Icalledtomindallthewood-loreIhadeverlearned，andscannedtroddenmouldandcrushedleaveswitheagereyes。Butinvain。Icouldmakenothingofitall，androseatlastwithanachingbackandnoadvantage。

Ididnotgoontothevillageafterthat，butreturnedtothehouse，whereIfoundMadamepacingthegarden。Shelookedupeagerlyonhearingmystep；andIwasmistakenifshewasnotdisappointed——ifshehadnotbeenexpectingsomeoneelse。Shehidthefeelingbravely，however，andmetmewithacarelessword；butsheturnedtothehousemorethanoncewhilewetalked，andsheseemedtobeallthewhileonthewatch，anduneasy。I

wasnotsurprisedwhenClon"sfigurepresentlyappearedinthedoorway，andsheleftmeabruptly，andwenttohim。Ionlyfeltmorecertainthanbeforethattherewassomethingstrangeonfoot。Whatitwas，andwhetherithadtodowithM。deCocheforet，Icouldnottell。Butthereitwas，andIgrewmorecuriousthelongerIremainedalone。

Shecamebacktomepresently，lookingthoughtfulandatrifledowncast。

"ThatwasClon，wasitnot？"Isaid，studyingherface，"Yes，"sheanswered。Shespokeabsently，anddidnotlookatme。

"Howdoeshetalktoyou？"Iasked，speakingatriflecurtly。

AsIintended，mytonerousedher。"Bysigns，"shesaid。

"Ishe——ishenotalittlemad？"Iventured。Iwantedtomakehertalkandforgetherself。

Shelookedatmewithsuddenkeenness，thendroppedhereyes，"Youdonotlikehim？"shesaid，anoteofchallengeinhervoice。"Ihavenoticedthat，Monsieur。"

"Ithinkhedoesnotlikeme，"Ireplied。

"Heislesstrustfulthanweare，"sheanswerednaively。"Itisnaturalthatheshouldbe。Hehasseenmoreoftheworld。"

Thatsilencedmeforamoment，butshedidnotseemtonoticeit。

"Iwaslookingforhimalittlewhileago，andIcouldnotfindhim，"Isaid，afterapause"Hehasbeenintothevillage，"sheanswered。

Ilongedtopursuethematterfurther；butthoughsheseemedtoentertainnosuspicionofme，Idarednotruntherisk。Itriedher，instead，onanothertack。

"MademoiselledeCocheforetdoesnotseemverywellto-day？"I

said。

"No？"sheansweredcarelessly。"Well，nowyouspeakofit，Idonotthinkthatsheis。Sheisoftenanxiousabout——onewelove。"

Sheutteredthelastwordswithalittlehesitation，andlookedatmequicklywhenshehadspokenthem。Weweresittingatthemomentonastoneseatwhichhadthewallofthehouseforaback；and，fortunately，Iwastoyingwiththebranchofacreepingplantthathungoverit，sothatshecouldnotseemorethanthesideofmyface。ForIknewthatitaltered。Overmyvoice，however，Ihadmorecontrol，andIhastenedtoanswer，"Yes，Isupposeso，"asinnocentlyaspossible。

"HeisatBosost，inSpain。Youknewthat，Iconclude？"shesaid，withacertainsharpness。Andshelookedmeinthefaceagainverydirectly。

"Yes，"Ianswered，beginningtotremble。

"Isupposeyouhaveheard，too，thathe——thathesometimescrossestheborder？"shecontinuedinalowvoice，butwithacertainringofinsistenceinhertone。"Or，ifyouhavenotheardit，youguessit？"

Iwasinaquandary，andgrew，inonesecond，hotallover。

UncertainwhatamountofknowledgeIoughttoadmit，Itookrefugeingallantry。

"Ishouldbesurprisedifhedidnot，"Ianswered，withabow，"being，asheis，soclose，andhavingsuchaninducementtoreturn，Madame。"

Shedrewalong，shiveringsigh，atthethoughtofhisperil，I

fancied，andshesatbackagainstthewall。Nordidshesayanymore，thoughIheardhersighagain。Isamomentsherose。

"Theafternoonsaregrowingchilly，"shesaid；"IwillgoinandseehowMademoiselleis。Sometimesshedoesnotcometosupper。

Ifshecannotdescendthisevening，Iamafraidthatyoumustexcusemetoo，Monsieur。"

Isaidwhatwasright，andwatchedhergoin；and，asIdidso，I

loathedmyerrand，andthemeancontemptiblecuriositywhichithadplantedinmymind，morethanatanyformertime。Thesewomen——Icouldfinditinmyhearttohatethemfortheirfrankness，fortheirfoolishconfidence，andthesillytrustfulnessthatmadethemsoeasyaprey！

NOMDEDIEU！Whatdidthewomanmeanbytellingmeallthis？Tomeetmeinsuchaway，todisarmonebysuchmethods，wastotakeanunfairadvantage。Itputavile——ay，thevilest——aspect，ontheworkIhadtodo。

Yetitwasveryodd！WhatcouldM。deCocheforetmeanbyreturningsosoon，ifM。deCocheforetwashere？And，ontheotherhand，ifitwasnothisunexpectedpresencethathadsoupsetthehouse，whatwasthesecret？WhomhadClonbeentracking？AndwhatwasthecauseofMadame"sanxiety？InafewminutesIbegantogrowcuriousagain；and，astheladiesdidnotappearatsupper，Ihadleisuretogivemybrainfulllicence，and，inthecourseofanhour，thoughtofahundredkeystothemystery。Butnoneexactlyfittedthelock，orlaidopenthesecret。

Afalsealarmthateveninghelpedtopuzzlemestillmore。Iwassittingaboutanhouraftersupper，onthesameseatinthegarden——Ihadmycloakandwassmoking——whenMadamecameoutlikeaghost，and，withoutseeingme，flittedawaythroughthedarknesstowardthestables。ForamomentIhesitated，andthenIfollowedher。Shewentdownthepathandroundthestables，and，sofar，Isawnothingstrangeinheractions；butwhenshehadinthiswaygainedtherearofthewestwing，shetookatrackthroughthethickettotheeastofthehouseagain，andsocamebacktothegarden。Thisgained，shecameupthepathandwentinthroughtheparlourdoor，anddisappeared——altermakingaclearcircuitofthehouse，andnotoncepausingorlookingtorightorleft！IconfessIwasfairlybaffled。IsankbackontheseatIhadleft，andsaidtomyselfthatthiswasthelamestofallconclusions。Iwassurethatshehadexchangednowordwithanyone。Iwasequallysurethatshehadnotdetectedmypresencebehindher。Why，then，hadshemadethisstrangepromenade，alone，unprotected，anhourafternightfall？Nodoghadbayed，noonehadmoved，shehadnotoncepaused，orlistened，likeapersonexpectingarencontre。Icouldnotmakeitout。AndIcamenonearertosolvingit，thoughIlayawakeanhourbeyondmyusualtime。

Inthemorning，neitheroftheladiesdescendedtodinner，andI

heardthatMademoisellewasnotsowell。Afteralonelymeal，thereforeImissedthemmorethanIshouldhavesupposed——I

retiredtomyfavouriteseatandfelltomeditating。

Thedaywasfine，andthegardenpleasant。Sittingtherewithmyeyesontheoldfashionedherb-beds，withtheold-fashionedscentsintheair，andthedarkbeltoftreesboundingtheviewoneitherside，IcouldbelievethatIhadbeenoutofParisnotthreeweeks，butthreemonths。Thequietlappedmeround。I

couldfancythatIhadneverlovedanythingelse。Thewood-dovescooedinthestillness；occasionallytheharshcryofajayjarredthesilence。Itwasanhourafternoon，andhot。IthinkInodded。

Onasudden，asifinadream，IsawClon"sfacepeeringatmeroundtheangleoftheparlourdoor。Helooked，andinamomentwithdrew，andIheardwhispering。Thedoorwasgentlyclosed。

Thenallwasstillagain。

ButIwaswideawakenow，andthinking。ClearlythepeopleofthehousewishedtoassurethemselvesthatIwasasleepandsafelyoutoftheway。Asclearly，itwastomyinteresttobeintheway。Givingplacetothetemptation，Irosequietly，and，stoopingbelowthelevelofthewindows，slippedroundtheeastendofthehouse，passingbetweenitandthegreatyewhedge。

HereIfoundallstillandnoonestirring；so，keepingawaryeyeaboutme，Iwentonroundthehouse——reversingtheroutewhichMadamehadtakenthenightbefore——untilIgainedtherearofthestables。HereIhadscarcelypausedasecondtoscanthegroundbeforetwopersonscameoutofthestable-court。TheywereMadameandtheporter。

Theystoodabriefwhileoutsideandlookedupanddown。ThenMadamesaidsomethingtotheman，andhenodded。Leavinghimstandingwherehewas，shecrossedthegrasswithaquick，lightstep，andvanishedamongthetrees。

Inamomentmymindwasmadeuptofollow；and，asClonturnedatonceandwentin，Iwasabletodosobeforeitwastoolate。

Bendinglowamongtheshrubs，IranhotfoottothepointwhereMadamehadenteredthewood。HereIfoundanarrowpath，andrannimblyalongit，andpresentlysawhergreyrobeflutteringamongthetreesbeforeme。Itonlyremainedtokeepoutofhersightandgivehernochanceofdiscoveringthatshewasfollowed；andthisIsetmyselftodo。Onceortwicesheglancedround，butthewoodwasofbeech，thelightwhichpassedbetweentheleaveswasmeretwilight，andmyclothesweredark-coloured。Ihadeveryadvantage，therefore，andlittletofearaslongasIcouldkeepherinviewandstillremainmyselfatsuchadistancethattherustleofmytreadwouldnotdisturbher。

Assuredthatshewasonherwaytomeetherhusband，whommypresencekeptfromthehouse，Ifeltthatthecrisishadcomeatlast，andIgrewmoreexcitedwitheachstepItook。Idetestedthetaskofwatchingher；itfilledmewithpeevishdisgust。ButinproportionasIhateditIwaseagertohaveitdoneandbedonewithit，andsucceed，andstuffmyearsandbegonefromthescene。Whenshepresentlycametothevergeofthebeechwood，and，enteringalittleopenclearing，seemedtoloiter，Iwentcautiously。This，Ithought，mustbetherendezvous；andIheldbackwarily，lookingtoseehimstepoutofthethicket。

Buthedidnot，andby-and-byshequickenedherpace。Shecrossedtheopenandenteredawideridecutthroughalow，densewoodofalderanddwarfoak——awoodsocloselyplantedandsointertwinedwithhazelandelderandboxthatthebranchesroselikeasolidwall，twelvefeethigh，oneithersideofthetrack。

Downthisshepassed，andIstoodandwatchedhergo，forIdarednotfollow。Theridestretchedawayasstraightasalineforfourorfivehundredyards，agreenpathbetweengreenwalls。Toenteritwastobeimmediatelydetected，ifsheturned，whilethethicketitselfpermittednopassage。Istoodbaffledandraging，andwatchedherpassalong。Itseemedanagebeforesheatlastreachedtheend，and，turningsharplytotheright，wasinaninstantgonefromsight。

Iwaitedthennolonger。Istartedoff，and，runningaslightlyandquietlyasIcould，Ispeddownthegreenalley。Thesunshoneintoit，thetreeskeptoffthewind，andbetweenheatandhasteIsweatedfinely。Buttheturfwassoft，andthegroundfellslightly，andinlittlemorethanaminuteIgainedtheend。

FiftyyardsshortoftheturningIstopped，and，stealingon，lookedcautiouslythewayshehadgone。

Isawbeforemeasecondride，thetwinoftheother，andahundredandfiftypacesdownithergreyfiguretrippingonbetweenthegreenhedges。Istoodandtookbreath，andcursedthewoodandtheheatandMadame"swariness。Wemusthavecomealeague，ortwo-thirdsofaleague，atleast。Howfardidthemanexpecthertoplodtomeethim？Ibegantogrowangry。Thereismoderationeveninthecookingofeggs，andthiswoodmightstretchintoSpain，forallIknew！

Presentlysheturnedthecornerandwasgoneagain，andIhadtorepeatmymanoeuvre。Thistime，surely，Ishouldfindachange。

Butno！Anothergreenridestretchedawayintothedepthsoftheforest，withhedgesofvaryingshades——herelightandtheredark，ashazelandelder，orthorn，andyewandboxprevailed——butalwayshighandstiffandimpervious。HalfwaydowntherideMadame"sfiguretrippedsteadilyon，theonlymovingthinginsight。Iwondered，stood，and，whenshevanished，followed-onlytofindthatshehadenteredanothertrack，alittlenarrowerbutineveryotherrespectalike。

Andsoitwentonforquitehalfanhour。SometimesMadameturnedtotheright，sometimestotheleft。Themazeseemedtobeendless。OnceortwiceIwonderedwhethershehadlostherway，andwasmerelyseekingtoreturn。Buthersteady，purposefulgait，hermeasuredpace，forbadetheidea。Inoticed，too，thatsheseldomlookedbehindher——rarelytorightorleft。

Oncetheridedownwhichshepassedwascarpetednotwithgreen，butwiththesilvery，sheenyleavesofsomecreepingplantthatinthedistancehadashimmerlikethatofwateratevening。Asshetrodthis，withherfacetothelowsun，hertallgreyfigurehadapureairthatforthemomentstartledme——shelookedunearthly。ThenIsworeinscornofmyself，andatthenextcornerIhadmyreward。Shewasnolongerwalkingon。Shehadstopped，Ifound，andseatedherselfonafallentreethatlayintheride。

ForsometimeIstoodinambushwatchingher，andwitheachminuteIgrewmoreimpatient。AtlastIbegantodoubt——tohavestrangethoughts。Thegreenwallsweregrowingdark。Thesunwassinking；asharp，whitepeak，milesandmilesaway，whichclosedthevistaoftheride，begantoflushandcolourrosily。

Finally，butnotbeforeIhadhadleisuretogrowuneasy，shestoodupandwalkedonmoreslowly。Iwaited，asusual，untilthenextturninghidher。ThenIhastenedafterher，and，warilypassingroundthecornercamefacetofacewithher！

Iknewallinamomentsawallinaflash：thatshehadfooledme，trickedme，luredmeaway。Herfacewaswhitewithscorn，hereyesblazed；herfigure，assheconfrontedme，trembledwithangerandinfinitecontempt。

"Youspy！"shecried。"Youhound！You——gentleman！Oh，MON

DIEU！ifyouareoneofus——ifyouarereallynotoftheCANAILLE——weshallpayforthissomeday！Weshallpayaheavyreckoninginthetimetocome！Ididnotthink，"shecontinued，andhereverysyllablewaslikethelashofawhip，"thattherewasanythingsovileasyouinthisworld！"

Istammeredsomething——Idonotknowwhat。Herwordsburnedintome——intomyheart！Hadshebeenaman，Iwouldhavestruckherdead！

"Youthoughtthatyoudeceivedmeyesterday，"shecontinued，loweringhertone，butwithnolesseningofthepassion，thecontempt，theindignation，whichcurledherlipandgavefullnesstohervoice。"Youplotter！Yousurfacetrickster！Youthoughtitaneasytasktodeludeawoman——youfindyourselfdeluded。

Godgiveyoushamethatyoumaysuffer！"shecontinuedmercilessly。"YoutalkedofClon，butClonbesideyouisthemostspotless，themosthonourableofmen！"

"Madame，"Isaidhoarsely——andIknowthatmyfacewasgreyasashes——"letusunderstandoneanother。"

"Godforbid！"shecriedontheinstant。"Iwouldnotsoilmyself！"

"Fie！Madame，"Isaid，trembling。Butthen，youareawoman。

Thatshouldcostamanhislife！"

Shelaughedbitterly。

"Yousaywell，"sheretorted。"Iamnotaman——andifyouareone，thankGodforit。NeitheramIMadame。MadamedeCocheforethasspentthisafternoon——thankstoyourabsenceandyourimbecility——withherhusband。Yes，Ihopethathurtsyou！"

shewenton，savagelysnappingherlittlewhiteteethtogether。

"Ihopethatstingsyou；tospyanddovilework，anddoitill，MonsieurMouchard——MonsieurdeMouchard，Ishouldsay——I

congratulateyou！"

"YouarenotMadamedeCocheforet？"Icried，stunned，eveninthemidstofmyshameandrage，bythisblow。

"No，Monsieur！"sheansweredgrimly。"Iamnot！Iamnot。Andpermitmetopointout——forwedonotalllieeasily——thatI

neversaidIwas。Youdeceivedyourselfsoskilfullythatwehadnoneedtotrickyou。"

"Mademoiselle，then？"Imuttered。

"IsMadame！"shecried。"Yes，andIamMademoiselledeCocheforet。Andinthatcharacter，andinallothers，Ibegfromthismomenttocloseouracquaintance，sir。Whenwemeetagain——ifweeverdomeet，whichGodforbid！"shewenton，hereyessparkling——"donotpresumetospeaktome，orIwillhaveyoufloggedbythegrooms。Anddonotstainourroofbysleepingunderitagain。Youmaylieto-nightintheinn。ItshallnotbesaidthatCocheforet，"shecontinuedproudly，"returnedeventreacherywithinhospitality；andIwillgiveorderstothatend。

Butto-morrowbegonebacktoyourmaster，likethewhippedcuryouare！Spyandcoward！"

Withthoselastwordsshemovedaway。Iwouldhavesaidsomething，Icouldalmosthavefounditinmyhearttostopherandmakeherhear。Nay，Ihaddreadfulthoughts；forIwasthestronger，andImighthavedonewithherasIpleased。Butshesweptbymesofearlessly，asImightpasssomeloathsomecrippleontheroad，thatIstoodturnedtostone。Withoutlookingatme，withoutturningherheadtoseewhetherIfollowedorremained，orwhatIdid，shewentsteadilydownthetrackuntilthetreesandtheshadowandthegrowingdarknesshidhergreyfigurefromme；andIfoundmyselfalone。