第4章
Heutteredalowcurse，droppedthepitcherhewascarrying，andstoodglaringatmelikeamanpossessed。
Thesoldierwhosewinehewascarryingflungacrustinhisface，with，——
"Now，greasyfingers！Whatareyoustaringat？"
"Thedevil！"thelandlordmuttered，beginningtotremble。
"Thenletmelookathim！"themanretorted，andheturnedonhisstool。
Hestarted，findingmestandingoverhim。
"Atyourservice！"Isaidgrimly。"Alittletimeanditwillbetheotherway，myfriend。
CHAPTERVII
AMASTERSTROKE
Ihaveawaywithmewhichcommonlycommandsrespect；andwhenthelandlord"sfirstterrorwasoverandhewouldserveme，I
managedtogetmysupper——thefirstgoodmealIhadhadintwodays——prettycomfortablyinspiteofthesoldiers"presence。Thecrowd，too，whichfilledtheroom，soonbegantomelt。Themenstrayedoffingroupstowatertheirhorses，orwenttohuntuptheirquarters，untilonlytwoorthreewereleft。Duskhadfallenoutside；thenoiseinthestreetgrewless。Thefirelightbegantoglowandflickeronthewalls，andthewretchedroomtolookashomelyasitwasinitsnaturetolook。IwasponderingforthetwentiethtimewhatstepIshouldtakenext，andquestioningwhythesoldierswerehere，andwhetherIshouldletthenightpassbeforeImoved，whenthedoor，whichhadbeenturningonitshingesalmostwithoutpauseforanhour，openedagain，andawomancamein。
Shepausedamomentonthethresholdlookinground，andIsawthatshehadashawlonherheadandamilk-pitcherinherhand，andthatherfeetandankleswerebare。Therewasagreatrentinhercoarsestuffpetticoat，andthehandwhichheldtheshawltogetherwasbrownanddirty。MoreIdidnotsee：for，supposinghertobeaneighbourstolenin，nowthatthehousewasquiet，togetsomemilkforherchildorthelike，Itooknofartherheedofher。Iturnedtothefireagainandplungedintomythoughts。
Buttogettothehearthwherethegoodwifewasfidgetingthewomanhadtopassinfrontofme；andasshepassedIsupposethatshestolealookatmefromunderhershawl。Forjustwhenshecamebetweenmeandtheblazesheutteredalowcryandshrankaside——soquicklythatshealmoststeppedonthehearth。
Thenextmomentsheturnedherbacktome，andwasstoopingwhisperinginthehousewife"sear。Astrangermighthavethoughtthatshehadtroddenonahotember。
Butanotheridea，andaverystrangeone，cameintomymind；andIstoodupsilently。Thewoman"sbackwastowardsme，butsomethinginherheight，hershape，theposeofherheadhiddenasitwasbyhershawl，seemedfamiliar。Iwaitedwhileshehungoverthefirewhispering，andwhilethegoodwifeslowlyfilledherpitcheroutofthegreatblackpot。Butwhensheturnedtogo，Itookastepforwardsoastobarherway。Andoureyesmet。
Icouldnotseeherfeatures；theywerelostintheshadowofthehood。ButIsawashiverrunthroughherfromheadtofoot。AndIknewthenthatIhadmadenomistake。
"Thatistooheavyforyou，mygirl，"Isaidfamiliarly，asI
mighthavespokentoavillagewench。"Iwillcarryitforyou。"
Oneofthemen，whoremainedlollingatthetable，laughed，andtheotherbegantosingalowsong。Thewomantrembledinrageorfear；butshekeptsilenceandletmetakethejugfromherhands；andwhenIwenttothedoorandopenedit，shefollowedmechanically。Aninstant，andthedoorfelltobehindus，shuttingoffthelightandglow，andwetwostoodtogetherinthegrowingdusk。
"Itislateforyoutobeout，Mademoiselle，"Isaidpolitely。
"Youmightmeetwithsomerudeness，dressedasyouare。Permitmetoseeyouhome。"
Sheshuddered，andIthoughtthatIheardhersob，butshedidnotanswer。Instead，sheturnedandwalkedquicklythroughthevillageinthedirectionoftheChateau，keepingintheshadowofthehouses。Icarriedthepitcherandwalkedclosetoher，besideher；andinthedarkIsmiled。Iknewhowshameandimpotentragewereworkinginher。Thiswassomethinglikerevenge！
PresentlyIspoke。
"Well，Mademoiselle，"Isaid，"whereareyourgrooms？"
Shegavemeonelook，hereyesblazingwithanger，herfacelikehateitself；andafterthatIsaidnomore，butleftherinpeace，andcontentedmyselfwithwalkingathershoulderuntilwecametotheendofthevillage，wherethetracktothegreathouseplungedintothewood。Thereshestopped，andturnedonmelikeawildcreatureatbay。
"Whatdoyouwant？"shecriedhoarsely，breathingasifshehadbeenrunning。
"Toseeyousafetothehouse，"Iansweredcoolly。"Aloneyoumightbeinsulted。"
"AndifIwillnot？"sheretorted。
"Thechoicedoesnotliewithyou，Mademoiselle，"Iansweredsternly，"Youwillgotothehousewithme，andonthewayyouwillgivemeaninterview——lateasitis；butnothere。Herewearenotprivateenough。Wemaybeinterruptedatanymoment，andIwishtospeaktoyouatlength。"
"Atlength？"shemuttered。
"Yes，Mademoiselle。"
Isawhershiver。"WhatifIwillnot？"shesaidagain。
"Imightcalltothenearestsoldiersandtellthemwhoyouare，"
Iansweredcoolly。"Imightdothat，butIshouldnot。Thatwereaclumsywayofpunishingyou，andIknowabetterway。I
shouldgototheCaptain，Mademoiselle，andtellhimwhosehorseislockedupintheinnstable。Atroopertoldme——assomeonehadtoldhim——thatitbelongedtooneofhisofficers；butI
lookedthroughthecrack，andIknewthehorseagain。"
Shecouldnotrepressagroan。Iwaited；stillshedidnotspeak。
"ShallIgototheCaptain？"Isaidruthlessly。
Sheshookthehoodbackfromherfaceandlookedatme。
"Oh，youcoward！youcoward！"shehissedthroughherteeth。
"IfIhadaknife！"
"Butyouhavenot，Mademoiselle，"Ianswered，unmoved。"Begoodenough，therefore，tomakeupyourmindwhichitistobe。AmI
togowithmynewstothecaptain，oramItocomewithyou？"
"Givemethepitcher，"shesaidharshly。
Ididso，wondering。Inamomentsheflungitwithasavagegesturefarintothebushes。
"Come！"shesaid，"ifyouwill。ButsomedayGodwillpunishyou！"
Withoutanotherwordsheturnedandenteredthepaththroughthetrees，andIfollowedher。Isupposethateveryoneofitswindings，everyhollowandbrokenplaceinithadbeenknowntoherfromchildhood，forshefolloweditswiftlyandunerringly，barefootasshewas。Ihadtowalkfastthroughthedarknesstokeepupwithher。Thewoodwasquiet，butthefrogswerebeginningtocroakinthepool，andtheirpersistentchorusremindedmeofthenightwhenIhadcometothehouse-door，hurtandwornout，andClonhadadmittedme，andshehadstoodunderthegalleryinthehall。Thingshadlookeddarkthen。Ihadseenbutaverylittlewayaheadthen。Nowallwasplain。Thecommandantmightbeherewithallhissoldiers，butitwasIwhoheldthestrings。
Wecametothelittlewoodenbridgeandsawbeyondthedarkmeadowsthelightsofthehouse。Allthewindowswerebright。
Doubtlessthetroopersweremakingmerry。
"Now，Mademoiselle，"Isaidquietly，"Imusttroubleyoutostophere，andgivemeyourattentionforafewminutes。Afterwardsyoumaygoyourway。"
"Speak！"shesaiddefiantly。"Andbequick！Icannotbreathetheairwhereyouare！Itpoisonsme！"
"Ah！"Isaidslowly。"Doyouthinkthatyoumakethingsbetterbysuchspeechesasthose？"
"Oh！"shecriedandIheardherteethclicktogether。"Wouldyouhavemefawnonyou？"
"Perhapsnot，"Ianswered。"Stillyoumakeonemistake。"
"Whatisit？"shepanted。
"YouforgetthatIamtobefearedaswellas——loathed，Mademoiselle！Ay，Mademoiselle，tobefeared！"Icontinuedgrimly。"DoyouthinkthatIdonotknowwhyyouarehereinthisguise？DoyouthinkthatIdonotknowforwhomthatpitcherofbrothwasintended？Orwhowillnowhavetofastto-
night？ItellyouIknowallthesethings。Yourhousewasfullofsoldiers；yourservantswerewatchedandcouldnotleave。Youhadtocomeyourselfandgetfoodforhim？"
Sheclutchedatthehandrailofthebridge，andforaninstantclungtoitforsupport。Herface，fromwhichtheshawlhadfallen，glimmeredwhiteintheshadowofthetrees。AtlastI
hadshakenherpride。Atlast！
"Whatisyourprice？"shemurmuredfaintly。
"Iamgoingtotellyou，"Ireplied，speakingsothateverywordmightfalldistinctlyonherears，andsatingmyeyesthewhileonherproudface。Ihadneverdreamedofsuchrevengeasthis！
"Aboutafortnightago，M。deCocheforetlefthereatnightwithalittleorange-colouredsachetinhispossession。"
Sheutteredastifledcry，anddrewherselfstifflyerect。
"Itcontained——butthere，Mademoiselle，youknowitscontents，"I
wenton。"Whatevertheywere，M。deCocheforetlostitandthematstarting。Aweekagohecameback——unfortunatelyforhimself——toseekthem。"
Shewaslookingfullinmyfacenow。Sheseemedscarcelytobreatheintheintensityofhersurpriseandexpectation。
"Youhadasearchmade，Mademoiselle，"Icontinuedquietly。
"YourservantsleftnoplaceunexploredThepaths，theroads，theverywoodswereransacked，Butinvain，becauseallthewhiletheorangesachetlaywholeandunopenedinmypocket。"
"No！"shecriedimpetuously。"There，youliesir，asusual！
Thesachetwasfound，tornopen，manyleaguesfromthisplace！"
"WhereIthrewit，Mademoiselle，"Ireplied，"thatImightmisleadyourrascalsandbefreetoreturntoyou。Oh！believeme，"Icontinued，lettingsomethingofmytrueself，somethingofmytriumph，appearatlastinmyvoice。"Youhavemadeamistake！Youwouldhavedonebetterhadyoutrustedme。Iamnobundleofsawdust，Mademoiselle，thoughonceyougotthebetterofme，butaman；amanwithanarmtoshieldandabraintoserve，and——asIamgoingtoteachyou——aheartalso！"
Sheshivered。
"Intheorange-colouredsachetthatyoulostIbelievethattherewereeighteenstonesofgreatvalue？"
Shemadenoanswer，butshelookedatmeasifIfascinatedher。
Herverybreathseemedtopauseandwaitonmywords。Shewassolittleconsciousofanythingelse，ofanythingoutsideourselves，thatascoreofmenmighthavecomeupbehindher，unseenandunnoticed。
CHAPTERVIII
AMASTERSTROKE——ContinuedItookfrommybreastalittlepacketwrappedinsoftleather，andIheldittowardsher。
"Willyouopenthis？"Isaid。"Ibelievethatitcontainswhatyourbrotherlost。ThatitcontainsallIwillnotanswer，Mademoiselle，becauseIspilledthestonesonthefloorofmyroom，andImayhavefailedtofindsome。Buttheotherscanberecovered；Iknowwheretheyare。"
Shetookthepacketslowlyandbegantounrollit，herfingersshaking。Afewturnsandthemildlustreofthestonesshoneout，makingakindofmoonlightinherhands——suchashimmeringgloryofimprisonedlightashasruinedmanyawomanandrobbedmanyamanofhishonour。MORBLEU！asIlookedatthemandasshestoodlookingatthemindull，entrancedperplexity——I
wonderedhowIhadcometoresistthetemptation。
WhileIgazedherhandsbegantowaver。
"Icannotcount，"shemutteredhelplessly。"Howmanyarethere？"
"Inall，eighteen。"
"Thereshouldbeeighteen，"shesaid。
Sheclosedherhandonthemwiththat，andopeneditagain，anddidsotwice，asiftoreassureherselfthatthestoneswererealandthatshewasnotdreaming。Thensheturnedtomewithsuddenfierceness，andIsawthatherbeautifulface，sharpenedbythegreedofpossession，wasgrownaskeenandviciousasbefore。
"Well？"shemutteredbetweenherteeth。
"Yourprice，man？Yourprice？"
"Iamcomingtoitnow，Mademoiselle，"Isaidgravely。"Itisasimplematter。YouremembertheafternoonwhenIfollowedyou——clumsilyandthoughtlesslyperhaps——throughthewoodtorestorethesethings？Inseemingthathappenedaboutamonthago。I
believethatithappenedthedaybeforeyesterday。Youcalledmethensomeveryharshnames，whichIwillnothurtyoubyrepeating。TheonlypriceIaskfortherestorationofyourjewelsisthatyouonyourpartrecallthosenames。"
"How？"shemuttered。"Idonotunderstand。"
Irepeatedmywordsveryslowly。"TheonlypriceorrewardI
ask，Mademoiselle，isthatyoutakebackthosenamesandsaythattheywerenotdeserved。"
"Andthejewels？"sheexclaimedhoarsely。
"Theyareyours。Theyarenotmine。Theyarenothingtome。
Takethem，andsaythatyoudonotthinkofme——Nay，Icannotsaythewords，Mademoiselle。"
"Butthereissomething——else！Whatelse？"shecried，herheadthrownback，hereyes，brightasanywildanimal"s，searchingmine。"Ha！mybrother？Whatofhim？Whatofhim，sir？"
"Forhim，Mademoiselle——IwouldpreferthatyoushouldtellmenomorethanIknowalready，"Iansweredinalowvoice。"Idonotwishtobeinthataffair。Butyes；thereisonethingIhavenotmentioned。Youareright。"
ShesighedsodeeplythatIcaughtthesound。
"Itis，"Icontinuedslowly，"thatyouwillpermitmetoremainatCocheforetforafewdayswhilethesoldiersarehere。Iamtoldthattherearetwentymenandtwoofficersquarteredinyourhouse。Yourbrotherisaway。Iasktobepermitted，Mademoiselle，totakehisplaceforthetime，andtobeprivilegedtoprotectyoursisterandyourselffrominsult。Thatisall。"
Sheraisedherhandtoherhead。Afteralongpause，——
"Thefrogs！"shemuttered，"theycroak！Icannothear。"
Then，tomysurprise，sheturnedquicklyandsuddenlyonherheel，andwalkedoverthebridge，leavingmestandingthere。ForamomentIstoodaghast，peeringafterhershadowyfigure，andwonderingwhathadtakenher。Then，inaminuteorless，shecamequicklybacktome，andIunderstood。Shewascrying。
"M。deBarthe，"shesaid，inatremblingvoice，whichtoldmethatthevictorywaswon，"istherenothingelse？Haveyounootherpenanceforme？"
"None，Mademoiselle。"
Shehaddrawntheshawloverherhead，andInolongersawherface。
"Thatisallyouask？"shemurmured。
"ThatisallIask——now，"Ianswered。
"Itisgranted，"shesaidslowlyandfirmly。"ForgivemeifI
seemtospeaklightly——ifIseemtomakelittleofyourgenerosityormyshame；butIcansaynomorenow。Iamsodeepintroubleandsognawedbyterrorthat——Icannotfeelanythingkeenlyto-night，eithershameorgratitude。Iaminadream；Godgrantthatitmaypassasadream！Wearesunkintrouble。Butforyouandwhatyouhavedone，M。deBarthe——I——"shepausedandIheardherfightingwiththesobswhichchokedher——"forgiveme……Iamoverwrought。Andmy——myfeetarecold，"sheadded，suddenlyandirrelevantly。"Willyoutakemehome？"
"Ah，Mademoiselle，"Icriedremorsefully，"Ihavebeenabeast！
Youarebarefoot，andIhavekeptyouhere。"
"Itisnothing，"shesaidinavoicewhichthrilledme。"Myheartiswarm，Monsieur——thankstoyou。Itismanyhourssinceithasbeenaswarm。"
Shesteppedoutoftheshadowasshespoke——andthere，thethingwasdone。AsIhadplanned，soithadcomeabout。OncemoreI
wascrossingthemeadowinthedarktobereceivedatCocheforet，awelcomeguest。Thefrogscroakedinthepoolandabatswoopedroundusincircles；andsurelynever——never，Ithought，withakindofexultationinmybreast——hadmanbeenplacedinastrangerposition。
Somewhereintheblackwoodbehindus——probablyintheoutskirtsofthevillage——lurkedM。deCocheforet。Inthegreathousebeforeus，outlinedbyascoreoflightedwindows，werethesoldierscomefromAuchtotakehim。Betweenthetwo，movingsidebysideinthedarkness，inasilencewhicheachfoundtobeeloquent，wereMademoiselleandI：shewhoknewsomuch，Iwhoknewall——allbutonelittlething！
Wereachedthehouse，andIsuggestedthatsheshouldstealinfirstbythewayshehadcomeout，andthatIshouldwaitalittleandknockatthedoorwhenshehadhadtimetoexplainmatterstoClon。
"TheydonotletmeseeClon，"sheansweredslowly。
"Thenyourwomanmusttellhim，"Irejoined，"orhemaydosomethingandbetrayme。"
"Theywillnotletourwomencometous。"
"What？"Icried，astonished。"Butthisisinfamous。Youarenotprisoners！"
Mademoisellelaughedharshly。
"Arewenot？Well，Isupposenot；forifwewantedcompany，CaptainLarollesaidthathewouldbedelightedtoseeus——intheparlour。"
"Hehastakenyourparlour？"Isaid。
"Heandhislieutenantsitthere。ButIsupposethatwerebelsshouldbethankful，"sheaddedbitterly；"wehavestillourbedroomslefttous。"
"Verywell，"Isaid。"ThenImustdealwithClonasIcan。ButIhavestillafavourtoask，Mademoiselle。Itisonlythatyouandyoursisterwilldescendto-morrowatyourusualtime。I
shallbeintheparlour。"
"Iwouldrathernot，"shesaid，pausingandspeakinginatroubledvoice。
"Areyouafraid？"
"No，Monsieur，Iamnotafraid，"sheansweredproudly，"but——"
"Youwillcome？"Isaid。
Shesighedbeforeshespoke。Atlength，——
"Yes，Iwillcome——ifyouwishit，"sheanswered。Andthenextmomentshewasgoneroundthecornerofthehouse，whileI
laughedtothinkoftheexcellentwatchthesegallantgentlemenwerekeeping。M。deCocheforetmighthavebeenwithherinthegarden，mighthavetalkedwithherasIhadtalked，mighthaveenteredthehouseeven，andpassedundertheirnosesscot-free。
Butthatisthewayofsoldiers。Theyarealwaysreadyfortheenemy，withdrumsbeatingandflagsflying——atteno"clockinthemorning。Buthedoesnotalwayscomeatthathour。
Iwaitedalittle，andthenIgropedmywaytothedoorandknockedonitwiththehiltofmysword。Thedogsbegantobarkattheback，andthechorusofadrinking-song，whichcamefitfullyfromtheeastwing，ceasedaltogether。Aninnerdooropened，andanangryvoice，apparentlyanofficer"s，begantoratesomeonefornotcoming。Anothermoment，andaclamourofvoicesandfootstepsseemedtopourintothehall，andfillit。
Iheardthebarjerkedaway，thedoorwasflungopen，andinatwinklingalanthorn，behindwhichadozenflushedvisagesweredimlyseen，wasthrustintomyface。
"Why，whothefiendisthis？"onecried，glaringatmeinastonishment。
"MORBLEU！Itistheman！"anothershrieked。"Seizehim！"
Inamomenthalfadozenhandswerelaidonmyshoulders，butI
onlybowedpolitely。
"Theofficer，myfriends，"Isaid，"M。leCapitaineLarolle。
"Whereishe？"
"DIABLE！butwhoareyou，first？"thelanthorn-bearerretortedbluntly。Hewasatall，lankysergeant，withasinisterface。
"Well，IamnotM。deCocheforet，"Ireplied；"andthatmustsatisfyyou，myman。Fortherest，ifyoudonotfetchCaptainLarolleatonceandadmitme，youwillfindtheconsequencesinconvenient。"
"Ho！ho！"hesaidwithasneer。"Youcancrow，itseems。
Well，comein。"
Theymadeway，andIwalkedintothehallkeepingmyhaton。Onthegreathearthafirehadbeenkindled，butithadgoneout。
Threeorfourcarbinesstoodagainstonewall，andbesidethemlayaheapofhaversacksandsomestraw。Ashatteredstool，brokeninafrolic，andhalfadozenemptywine-skinsstrewedthefloor，andhelpedtogivetheplaceanairofuntidinessanddisorder。Ilookedroundwitheyesofdisgust，andmygorgerose。Theyhadspilledoil，andtheplacereekedfoully。
"VENTREBLEU！"Isaid。"Isthisconductinagentleman"shouse，yourascals？MAVIE！IfIhadyouIwouldsendhalfofyoutothewoodenhorse！"
Theygazedatmeopen-mouthed；myarrogancestartledthem。Thesergeantalonescowled。Whenhecouldfindhisvoiceforrage——
"Thisway！"hesaid。"Wedidnotknowthatageneralofficerwascoming，orwewouldhavebeenbetterprepared！"Andmutteringoathsunderhisbreath，heledmedownthewell-knownpassage。Atthedooroftheparlourhestopped。"Introduceyourself！"hesaidrudely。"Andifyoufindtheairwarm，don"tblameme！"
Iraisedthelatchandwentin。Atatableinfrontofthehearth，halfcoveredwithglassesandbottles，sattwomenplayinghazard。ThedicerangsharplyasIentered，andhewhohadjustthrownkepttheboxoverthemwhileheturned，scowling，toseewhocamein。Hewasafair-haired，blondeman，large-
framedandflorid。Hehadputoffhiscuirassandboots，andhisdoubletshowedfrayedandstainedwherethearmourhadpressedonit。Otherwisehewasintheextremeoflastyear"sfashion。Hisdeepcravat，foldedoversothatthelacedendsdroopedalittleinfront，wasofthefinest；hisgreatsashofblueandsilverwasafootwide。Hehadalittlejewelinoneear，andhistinybeardwaspeakedAL"ESPAGNOLE。Probablywhenheturnedheexpectedtoseethesergeant，foratthesightofmeheroseslowly，leavingthedicestillcovered。
"Whatfollyisthis？"hecried，wrathfully。Here，sergeant！
Sergeant！——withoutthere！Whatthe——！Whoareyou，sir？"
"CaptainLarolle，"Isaiduncoveringpolitely，"Ibelieve？"
"Yes，IamCaptainLarolle，"heretorted。"Butwho，inthefiend"sname，areyou？"Youarenotthemanweareafter！"
"IamnotM。Cocheforet，"Isaidcoolly。"Iammerelyaguestinthehouse，M。leCapitaine。IhavebeenenjoyingMadamedeCocheforet"shospitalityforsometime，butbyanevilchanceI
wasawaywhenyouarrived。"AndwiththatIwalkedtothehearth，and，gentlypushingasidehisgreatbootswhichstoodtheredrying，Ikickedthelogsintoablaze。
"MILLEDIABLES！"hewhispered。AndneverdidIseeamanmoreconfounded。ButIaffectedtobetakenupwithhiscompanion，asturdy，white-moustachioedoldveteran，whosatbackinhischair，eyeingmewithswollencheeksandeyessurchargedwithsurprise。
"Goodevening，M。leLieutenant，"Isaid，bowinggravely。"Itisafinenight。"
Thenthestormburst。
"Finenight！"theCaptainshrieked，findinghisvoiceatlast。
"MILLEDIABLES！Areyouaware，sir，thatIaminpossessionofthishouse，andthatnooneharboursherewithoutmypermission？
Guest？Hospitality？Bundleoffiddle-faddle！Lieutenant，calltheguard！Calltheguard！"hecontinuedpassionately。"Whereisthatapeofasergeant？"
TheLieutenantrosetoobey，butIliftedmyhand。
"Gently，gently，Captain，"Isaid。"Notsofast。Youseemsurprisedtoseemehere。Believeme，Iammuchmoresurprisedtoseeyou。"
"SACRE！"hecried，recoilingatthisfreshimpertinence，whiletheLieutenant"seyesalmostjumpedoutofhishead。
Butnothingmovedme。
"Isthedoorclosed？"Isaidsweetly。"Thankyou；itis，Isee。
Thenpermitmetosayagain，gentlemen，thatIammuchmoresurprisedtoseeyouthanyoucanbetoseeme。ForwhenMonseigneurtheCardinalhonouredmebysendingmefromParistoconductthismatter，hegavemethefullest——thefullestpowers，M。leCapitaine——toseetheaffairtoanend。IwasnotledtoexpectthatmyplanswouldbespoiledontheeveofsuccessbytheintrusionofhalfthegarrisonfromAuch。"
"Oh，ho！"theCaptainsaidsoftly——inaverydifferenttone，andwithaverydifferentface。"SoyouarethegentlemanIheardofatAuch？"
"Verylikely，"Isaiddrily。"ButIamfromParis，notfromAuch。"
"Tobesure，"heansweredthoughtfully。"Eh，Lieutenant？"
"Yes，M。leCapitaine，nodoubt，"theinferiorreplied。Andtheybothlookedatoneanother，andthenatme，inawayIdidnotunderstand。
"Ithink，"saidI，toclinchthematter，"thatyouhavemadeamistake，Captain；ortheCommandanthas。AnditoccurstomethattheCardinalwillnotbebestpleased。"
"IholdtheKing"scommission，"heansweredratherstiffly。
"Tobesure，"Ireplied。"But，yousee，theCardinal——"
"Ay，buttheCardinal——"herejoinedquickly；andthenhestoppedandshruggedhisshoulders。Andtheybothlookedatme。
"Well？"Isaid。
"TheKing，"heansweredslowly。
"Tut-tut！"Iexclaimed，spreadingoutmyhands。"TheCardinal。
Letussticktohim。Youweresaying？"
"Well，theCardinal，yousee——"Andthenagain，afterthesamewords，hestopped——stoppedabruptly，andshruggedhisshoulders。
Ibegantosuspectsomething。
"IfyouhaveanythingtosayagainstMonseigneur，"Ianswered，watchinghimnarrowly，"sayit。Buttakeawordofadvice。
Don"tletitgobeyondthedoorofthisroom，myfriend，anditwilldoyounoharm。"
"Neitherherenoroutside，"heretorted，lookingforamomentathiscomrade。"OnlyIholdtheKing"scommission。Thatisall，and，Ithink，enough。"
"Well——fortherest，willyouthrowamain？"heansweredevasively。"Good！Lieutenant，findaglass，andthegentlemanaseat。Andhere，formypart，IwillgiveyouatoastTheCardinal——whateverbetide！"
Idrankit，andsatdowntoplaywithhim；Ihadnotheardthemusicofthediceforamonth，andthetemptationwasirresistible。ButIwasnotsatisfied。Icalledthemainsandwonhiscrowns——hewasamerebabyatthegame——buthalfmymindwaselsewhere。TherewassomethingherethatIdidnotunderstand；someinfluenceatworkonwhichIhadnotcounted；
somethingmovingunderthesurfaceasunintelligibletomeasthesoldiers"presence。HadtheCaptainrepudiatedmycommissionaltogether，andputmetothedoororsentmetotheguard-house，Icouldhavefollowedthat。Butthesedubioushints，thispassiveresistance，puzzledme。HadtheynewsfromParis，I
wondered？WastheKingdead？OrtheCardinalill？Iaskedthem，buttheysaidno，no，notoall，andgavemeguardedanswers。Andmidnightfoundusstillplaying；andstillfencing。
CHAPTERIX
THEQUESTION
Sweeptheroom，Monsieur？Andremovethismedley？ButM。leCapitaine——"
"TheCaptainisinthevillage，"IrepliedSternly。"Anddoyoumove。Move，man，andthethingwillbedonewhileyouaretalkingaboutit。Setthedoorintothegardenopen——so。"
"Certainly，itisafinemorning。AndthetobaccoofM。leLieutenant——ButM。leCapitainedidnot——"
"Giveorders？Well，Igivethem，"Ianswered。"Firstofall，removethesebeds。Andbustle，man，bustle，orIwillfindsomethingtoquickenyou！"
Inamoment——"AndM。leCapitaine"sriding-boots？"
"Placetheminthepassage，"Ireplied。
"Oh！inthepassage？"Hepaused，lookingatthemindoubt。
"Yes，booby；inthepassage。"
"Andthecloaks，Monsieur？"
"Thereisabushhandyoutsidethewindow。Letthemair。"
"Ohe，thebush？Well，tobesuretheyaredamp。But——yes，yes，Monsieur，itisdone。Andthebolsters？"
"Therealso，"Isaidharshly。"Throwthemout。Faugh！Theplacereeksofleather。Now，acleanhearth。Andsetthetablebeforetheopendoor，sothatwemayseethegarden——so。Andtellthecookthatwedineateleven，andthatMadameandMademoisellewilldescend。"
"Ohe！ButM。leCapitaineorderedthedinnerforhalf-pasteleven。"
"Itmustbeadvanced，then；and，markyou，myfriend，ifitisnotreadywhenMadamecomesdown，youwillsuffer，andthecooktoo。"
Whenhewasgoneonhiserrand，Ilookedround。Whatelsewaslacking？Thesunshonecheerilyonthepolishedfloor；theair，freshenedbytherainwhichhadfalleninthenight，enteredfreelythroughtheopendoorway。Afewbeeslingeringwiththesummerhummedoutside。Thefirecrackledbravely；anoldhound，blindandpastwork，laywarmingitshideonthehearth。Icouldthinkofnothingmore，andIstoodandstoodandwatchedthemansetoutthetableandspreadthecloth。
"Forhowmany，Monsieur？"heaskedinascaredtone。
"Forfive，"Ianswered；andIcouldnothelpsmilingatmyself。
ForwhatwouldZaton"ssaycoulditseeBeraultturnedhousewife？
Therewasawhiteglazedcup，anold-fashionedpieceofthesecondHenry"stime，standingonashelf。Itookitdownandputsomelateflowersinit，andsetitinthemiddleofthetable，andstoodoffmyselftolookatit。Butamomentlater，thinkingIheardthemcoming，Ihurrieditawayinakindofpanic，feelingonasuddenashamedofthething。Thealarmprovedtobefalse，however；andthenagain，takinganotherturn，Isetthepieceback。Ihaddonenothingsofoolishfor——formoreyearsthanIliketocount。
ButwhenMadameandMademoisellecamedown，theyhadeyesneitherfortheflowersnortheroom。TheyhadheardthattheCaptainwasoutbeatingthevillageandthewoodsforthefugitive，andwhereIhadlookedforacomedyIfoundatragedy。Madame"sfacewassoredwithweepingthatallherbeautywasgone。Shestartedandshookattheslightestsound，and，unabletofindanywordstoanswermygreeting，couldonlysinkintoachairandsitcryingsilently。
Mademoisellewasinamoodscarcelymorecheerful。Shedidnotweep，buthermannerwashardandfierce。Shespokeabsently，andansweredfretfully。Hereyesglittered，andshehadtheairofstrainingherearscontinuallytocatchsomedreadedsound。
"Thereisnonews，Monsieur？"shesaidasshetookherseat。
Andsheshotaswiftlookatme。
"None，Mademoiselle。"
"Theyaresearchingthevillage？"
"Ibelieveso。"
"WhereisClon？"Thisinalowervoice，andwithakindofshrinkinginherface。
Ishookmyhead。"Ibelievethattheyhavehimconfinedsomewhere。AndLouis，too，"Isaid。"ButIhavenotseeneitherofthem。"
"Andwhereare——Ithoughtthesepeoplewouldbehere，"shemuttered。Andsheglancedaskanceatthetwovacantplaces。Theservanthadbroughtinthemeal。
"Theywillbeherepresently，"Isaidcoolly。Letusmakethemostofthetime。AlittlewineandfoodwilldoMadamegood。"
Shesmiledrathersadly。
"Ithinkthatwehavechangedplaces，"shesaid。"Andthatyouhaveturnedhostandweguests。"
"Letitbeso，"Isaidcheerfully。"Irecommendsomeofthisragout。Come，Mademoiselle，fastingcanaidnoone。Afullmealhassavedmanyaman"slife。"
Itwasclumsilysaid，perhaps；forsheshudderedandlookedatmewithaghastlysmile。Butshepersuadedhersistertotakesomething；andshetooksomethingonherownplateandraisedherforktoherlips。Butinamomentshelaiditdownagain。
"Icannot，"shemurmured。"Icannotswallow。Oh，myGod，atthismomenttheymaybetakinghim。"
Ithoughtthatshewasabouttoburstintoapassionoftears，andIrepentedthatIhadinducedhertodescend。Butherself-
controlwasnotyetexhausted。Byaneffort，painfultosee，sherecoveredhercomposure。Shetookupherfork，andateafewmouthfuls。Thenshelookedatmewithafierceunder-look。
"IwanttoseeClon，"shewhisperedfeverishly。Themanwhowaitedonushadlefttheroom。
"Heknows？"Isaid。
Shenodded，herbeautifulfacestrangelydisfigured。Herclosedteethshowedbetweenherlips。Tworedspotsburnedinherwhitecheeks，andshebreathedquickly。Ifelt，asIlookedather，asuddenpainatmyheart，andashudderingfear，suchasaman，awakingtofindhimselffallingoveraprecipice，mightfeel。
Howthesewomenlovedtheman！
ForamomentIcouldnotspeak。WhenIfoundmyvoiceitsoundeddryandhusky。
"Heisasafeconfidant，"Imuttered。"Hecanneitherreadnorwrite，Mademoiselle。"
"No，but——"andthenherfacebecamefixed。"Theyarecoming，"
shewhispered。"Hush！"Sherosestiffly，andstoodsupportingherselfbythetable。"Havethey——havethey——foundhim？"shemuttered。Thewomanbyhersidewepton，unconsciousofwhatwasimpending。
IheardtheCaptainstumblefardownthepassage，andswearloudly；andItouchedMademoiselle"shand。
"Theyhavenot！"Iwhispered。"Alliswell，Mademoiselle。
Pray，praycalmyourself。Sitdownandmeetthemasifnothingwerethematter。Andyoursister！Madame，Madame，"Icried，almostharshly，"composeyourself。Rememberthatyouhaveaparttoplay。"
Myappealdidsomething。Madamestifledhersobs。Mademoiselledrewadeepbreathandsatdown；andthoughshewasstillpaleandstilltrembled，theworstwaspast。
Andonlyjustintime。Thedoorflewopenwithacrash。TheCaptainstumbledintotheroom，swearingafresh。
"SACRENOMDUDIABLE！"hecried，hisfacecrimsonwithrage。
"Whatfoolplacedthesethingshere？Myboots？My——"
Hisjawfell。Hestoppedontheword，strickensilentbythenewaspectoftheroom，bythesightofthelittlepartyatthetable，byallthechangesIhadworked。
"SAINTSIEGE！"hemuttered。"Whatisthis？"TheLieutenant"sgrizzledfacepeeringoverhisshouldercompletedthepicture。
"Youareratherlate，M。leCapitaine，"Isaidcheerfully。
"Madame"shouriseleven。But，comehereareyourseatswaitingforyou。"
"MILLETONNERRES！"hemuttered，advancingintotheroom，andglaringatus。
"Iamafraidthattheragoutiscold，"Icontinued，peeringintothedishandaffectingtoseenothing。"Thesoup，however，hasbeenkepthotbythefire。ButIthinkthatyoudonotseeMadame。"
Heopenedhismouthtoswear，butforthemomenthethoughtbetterofit。
"Who——whoputmybootsinthepassage？"heasked，hisvoicethickwithrage。Hedidnotbowtotheladies，ortakeanynoticeoftheirpresence。
"Oneofthemen，Isuppose，"Isaidindifferently。"Isanythingmissing？"
Heglaredatme。Thenhiscloak，spreadoutside，caughthiseye。
Hestrodethroughthedoor，sawhisholsterslyingonthegrass，andotherthingsstrewnabout。Hecameback。
"Whosemonkeygameisthis？"hesnarled，andhisfacewasveryugly。"Whoisatthebottomofthis？Speak，sir，orI——"
"Tut-tut，——theladies！"Isaid。"Youforgetyourself，Monsieur。"
"Forgetmyself？"hehissed，andthistimehedidnotcheckhisoath。"Don"ttalktomeoftheladies！Madame？Bah！Doyouthink，fool，thatweareputintorebel"shousestohowandsmileandtakedancinglessons？"
"Inthiscasealessoninpolitenessweremoretothepoint，Monsieur，"Isaidsternly。AndIrose。
"Wasitbyyourordersthatthiswasdone？"heretorted，hisbrowblackwithpassion。Answer，willyou？"
"Itwas！"Irepliedoutright。
"Thentakethat！"hecried，dashinghishatviolentlyinmyface，"andcomeoutside。"
"Withpleasure，Monsieur，"Ianswered，bowing；"inonemoment。
Permitmetofindmysword。Ithinkthatitisinthepassage。"
Iwentthithertogetit。
WhenIreturned，Ifoundthatthetwomenwerewaitingformeinthegarden，whiletheladieshadrisenfromthetable，andwerestandingnearitwithblanchedfaces。
"Youhadbettertakeyoursisterupstairs，Mademoiselle，"Isaidgently，pausingamomentbesidethem。"Havenofear。Allwillbewell。"
Butwhatisit？"sheanswered，lookingtroubled。"Itwassosudden。Iam——Ididnotunderstand。Youquarrelledsoquickly。"
"Itisverysimple，"Ianswered，smiling。"M。leCapitaineinsultedyouyesterday；hewillpayforitto-day。Thatisall。
Or，notquiteall，"Icontinued，droppingmyvoiceandspeakinginadifferenttone。"Hisremovalmayhelpyou，Mademoiselle。
Doyouunderstand？Ithinkthattherewillbenomoresearchingto-day。"Sheutteredanexclamation，graspingmyarmandpeeringintomyface。
"Youwillkillhim？"shemuttered。
Inodded。
"Whynot？"Isaid。
Shecaughtherbreath，andstoodwithonehandclaspedtoherbosom，gazingatmewithpartedlips，thebloodmountingtoherchecks。Graduallytheflushmeltedintoafiercesmile。
"Yes，yes，whynot？"sherepeatedbetweenherteeth。"Whynot？"
Shehadherhandonmyarm，andIfeltherfingerstightenuntilIcouldhavewinced。"Whynot？Soyouplannedthis——forus，Monsieur？"
Inodded。
"Butcanyou？"
"Safely，"Isaid；then，mutteringtohertotakehersisterupstairs，Iturnedtowardsthegarden。Myfootwasalreadyonthethreshold，andIwascomposingmyfacetomeettheenemy，whenIheardamovementbehindme。Thenextmomentherhandwasonmyarm。
"Wait！Waitamoment！Comeback！"shepanted。Iturned。Thesmileandflushhadvanished；herfacewaspale。"No！"shesaidabruptly。"Iwaswrong！I，willnothaveit。Iwillhavenopartinit！Youplanneditlastnight，M。deBarthe。Itismurder。"
"Mademoiselle！"Iexclaimed，wondering。"Murder？Why？Itisaduel。"
"Itismurder，"sheansweredpersistently。"Youplanneditlastnight。Yousaidso。"
"ButIriskmyownlife，"Irepliedsharply。
"Nevertheless——Iwillhavenopartinit，"sheansweredmorefaintly。Shewastremblingwithagitation。Hereyesavoidedmine。
"Onmyshouldersbeitthen！"Irepliedstoutly。"Itistoolate，Mademoiselle，togoback。Theyarewaitingforme。Only，beforeIgo，letmebegofyoutoretire。"
AndIturnedfromher，andwentout，wonderingandthinking。
First，thatwomenwerestrangethings。Secondly——MURDER？MerelybecauseIhadplannedtheduelandprovokedthequarrel！NeverhadIheardanythingsopreposterous。Grantit，anddubeverymanwhokepthishonourwithhishandsaCain——andagoodmanybrandedfaceswouldbeseeninsomestreets。Ilaughedatthefancy，asIstrodedownthegardenwalk。
Andyet，perhaps，Iwasgoingtodoafoolishthing。TheLieutenantwouldstillbehere：ahard-bittenman，ofstifferstuffthanhisCaptain。Andthetroopers。Whatif，whenIhadkilledtheirleader，theymadetheplacetoohotforme，Monseigneur"scommissionnotwithstanding？Ishouldlooksilly，indeed，ifontheeveofsuccessIweredrivenfromtheplacebyaparcelofjack-boots。
IlikedthethoughtsolittlethatIhesitated。Yetitseemedtoolatetoretreat。TheCaptainandtheLieutenantwerewaitingformeinalittleopenspacefiftyyardsfromthehouse，whereanarrowerpathcrossedthebroadwalk，downwhichIhadfirstseenMademoiselleandhersisterpacing。TheCaptainhadremovedhisdoublet，andstoodinhisshirtleaningagainstthesundial，hisheadbareandhissinewythroatuncovered。Hehaddrawnhisrapierandstoodprickingthegroundimpatiently。Imarkedhisstrongandnervousframeandhissanguineair：andtwentyyearsearlierthesightmighthavedampedme。Butnothoughtofthekindenteredmyheadnow，andthoughIfeltwitheachmomentgreaterreluctancetoengage，doubtoftheissuehadnoplaceinmycalculations。
Imadereadyslowly，andwouldgladly，togaintime，havefoundsomefaultwiththeplace。Butthesunwassufficientlyhightogivenoadvantagetoeither。Thegroundwasgood，thespotwellchosen。Icouldfindnoexcusetoputofftheman，andIwasabouttosalutehimandfalltoworkwhenathoughtcrossedmymind。
"Onemoment！"Isaid。"SupposingIkillyou，M。leCapitaine，whatbecomesofyourerrandhere？"
"Don"ttroubleyourself；"heansweredwithasneerhehadmisreadmyslownessandhesitation。"Itwillnothappen，Monsieur。Andinanycasethethoughtneednotharassyou。IhaveaLieutenant。"
"Yes，butwhatofmymission？"Irepliedbluntly。"Ihavenolieutenant。"
"Youshouldhavethoughtofthatbeforeyouinterferedwithmyboots，"heretortedwithcontempt。
"True，"Isaidoverlookinghismanner。"Butbetterlatethannever。Iamnotsure，nowIthinkofit，thatmydutytoMonseigneurwillletmefight。"
"Youwillswallowtheblow？"hecried，spittingonthegroundoffensively。"DIABLE！"AndtheLieutenant，standingononesidewithhishandsbehindhimandhisshoulderssquared，laughedgrimly。
"Ihavenotmadeupmymind，"Iansweredirresolutely。
"Well，NOMDEDIEU！makeitup，"theCaptainreplied，withanuglysneer。Hetookaswaggeringstepthiswayandthat，playinghisweapon。"Iamafraid，Lieutenant，thattherewillbenosportto-day，"hecontinuedinaloudaside。"Ourcockhasbutachickenheart。"
"Well，Isaidcoolly，"Idonotknowwhattodo。Certainlyitisafineday，andafairpieceofground。Andthesunstandswell。
ButIhavenotmuchtogainbykillingyou，M。leCapitaine，anditmightgetmeintoanawkwardfix。Ontheotherhand，itwouldnothurtmetoletyougo。"
"Indeed！"hesaidcontemptuously，lookingatmeasIshouldlookatalackey。
"No！"Ireplied。"ForifyouweretosaythatyouhadstruckGildeBeraultandleftthegroundwithawholeskin，noonewouldbelieveyou。"
"GildeBerault！"heexclaimedfrowning。
"Yes，Monsieur，"Irepliedsuavely。"Atyourservice。Youdidnotknowmyname？"
"IthoughtthatyournamewasDeBarthe，"hesaid。Hisvoicesoundedqueerly；andhewaitedfortheanswerwithpartedlips，andashadowinhiseyeswhichIhadseeninmen"seyesbefore。
"No，"Isaid；"thatwasmymother"sname。Itookitforthisoccasiononly。"
Hisfloridcheeklostashadeofitscolour，andhebithislipsasheglancedattheLieutenant，troubleinhiseyes。Ihadseenthesesignsbefore，andknewthem，andImighthavecried"Chicken-heart！"inmyturn；butIhadnotmadeawayofescapeforhim——beforeIdeclaredmyself——fornothing，andIheldtomypurpose。
"Ithinkyouwillallownow，"Isaidgrimly，"thatitwillnotharmmeevenifIputupwithablow！"
"M。deBerault"scourageisknown，"hemuttered。
"Andwithreason，"Isaid。"Thatbeingsosupposethatwesaythisdaythreemonths，M。leCapitaine？Thepostponementtobeformyconvenience。"
HecaughttheLieutenant"seyeandlookeddownsullenly，theconflictinhismindasplainasdaylight。HehadonlytoinsistthatImustfight；andifbyluckorskillhecouldmastermehisfameasaduellistwouldrun，likearippleoverwater，througheverygarrisontowninFranceandmakehimanameeveninParis。
Ontheothersideweretheimminentperilofdeath，thegleamofcoldsteelalreadyinfancyathisbreast，thelossoflifeandsunshine，andthepossibilityofaretreatwithhonour，ifwithoutglory。Ireadhisface，andknewbeforehespokewhathewoulddo。
"Itappearstomethattheburdeniswithyou，"hesaidhuskily；
"butformypartIamsatisfied。"
"Verywell，"Isaid，"Itaketheburden。Permitmetoapologiseforhavingcausedyoutostripunnecessarily。Fortunatelythesunisshining。"
"Yes，"hesaidgloomily。Andhetookhisclothesfromthesundialandbegantoputthemon。Hehadexpressedhimselfsatisfied，butIknewthathewasfeelingveryill-satisfied，indeed，withhimself；andIwasnotsurprisedwhenhepresentlysaidabruptlyandalmostrudely，"ThereisonethingthatIthinkwemustsettlehere。"
"Yes？"Isaid。"Whatisthat？"
"Ourpositions，"heblurtedout，"Orweshallcrossoneanotheragainwithinthehour。"
"Umph！IamnotquitesurethatIunderstand，"Isaid。
"ThatispreciselywhatIdon"tdo——understand！"heretorted，inatoneofsurlytriumph。"BeforeIcameonthisduty，Iwastoldthattherewasagentlemanhere，bearingsealedordersfromtheCardinaltoarrestM。deCocheforet；andIwasinstructedtoavoidcollisionwithhimsofarasmightbepossible。AtfirstI
tookyouforthegentleman。ButtheplaguetakemeifI
understandthematternow。"
"Whynot？"Isaidcoldly。
"Because——well，thequestionisinanutshell！"heansweredimpetuously。"AreyouhereonbehalfofMadamedeCocheforet，toshieldherhusband？Orareyouheretoarresthim？ThatiswhatIdonotunderstand，M。deBerault。"
"Ifyoumean，amItheCardinal"sagent——Iam！"Iansweredsternly。
"ToarrestM。deCocheforet？"
"ToarrestM。deCocheforet。"
"Well——yousurpriseme，"hesaid。
Onlythat；buthespokesodrilythatIfeltthebloodrushtomyface。