第4章

LikemostcountrymenIwasreadytobelieveinanyexaggerationofthecity’slatehours，themoreasshemadenoremark。I

supposed——shakingoffthemomentaryimpression——thatwhatIsawwasinnocentandnormal。Besides，IwasthinkingwhatIshouldsaytoPavanneswhenIsawhim———inwhattermsIshouldwarnhimofhisperil，andcasthisperfidyinhisteeth。Wehadhurriedalonginthisway——andinabsolutesilence，savewhensomeobstacleorpitfalldrewfromusanexclamation——foraboutaquarterofamile，whenmycompanion，turningintoaslightlywiderstreet，slackenedherspeed，andindicatedbyagesturethatwehadarrived。Alamphungovertheporch，towhichshepointed，andshowedthesmallsidegatehalfopen。Wewereclosebehindtheotherthreenow。IsawCroisettestooptoenterandasquicklyfallbackapace。Why？

InamomentitflashedacrossmymindthatweweretoolatethattheVidamehadbeenbeforeus。

Andyethowquietitallwas。

ThenIbreathedfreelyagain。IsawthatCroisettehadonlysteppedbacktoavoidsomeonewhowascomingout——theCoadjutorinfact。Themomenttheentrancewasclear，theladshotin，andtheothersafterhim，thepriesttakingnonoticeofthem，northeyofhim。

Iwasforgoingintoo，whenIfeltMadamed’O’shandtightensuddenlyonmyarm，andthenfallfromit。Apprisedofsomethingbythis，Iglancedatthepriest’sface，catchingsightofitbychancejustashiseyesmethers。Hisfacewaswhite——nayitwasuglywithdisappointmentandrage，bittersnarlingrage，thatwashardlyhuman。Hegraspedherbythearmroughlyandtwistedherroundwithoutceremony，soastodrawherafewpacesaside;yetnotsofarthatIcouldnothearwhattheysaid。

"Heisnothere！"hehissed。"Doyouunderstand？HecrossedtherivertotheFaubourgSt。Germainatnightfall——searchingforher。Andhehasnotcomeback！Heisontheothersideofthewater，andmidnighthasstruckthishourpast！"

Shestoodsilentforamomentasifshehadreceivedablow——

silentanddismayed。Somethingserioushadhappened。Icouldseethat。

"Hecannotrecrosstherivernow？"shesaidafteratime。"Thegates——"

"Shut！"herepliedbriefly。"ThekeysareattheLouvre。"

"Andtheboatsareonthisside？"

"Everyboat！"heanswered，strikinghisonehandontheotherwithviolence。"Everyboat！Noonemaycrossuntilitisover。"

"AndtheFaubourgSt。Germain？"shesaidinalowervoice。

"Therewillbenothingdonethere。Nothing！"

CHAPTERVII

AYOUNGKNIGHT—ERRANT。

Iwouldgladlyhaveleftthetwotogether，andgonestraightintothehouse。IwaseagernowtodischargetheerrandonwhichI

hadcomesofar;andapartfromthisIhadnolikingforthepriestorwishtooverhearhistalk。Hisanger，however，wassopatent，andtherudenesswithwhichhetreatedMadamed’OsopronouncedthatIfeltIcouldnotleaveherwithhimunlesssheshoulddismissme。SoIstoodpatientlyenough——andawkwardlyenoughtoo，Idaresay——bythedoorwhiletheytalkedoninsubduedtones。Nevertheless，Ifeltheartilygladwhenatlength，thediscussionendingMadamecamebacktome。Iofferedhermyarmtohelpheroverthewoodenfootofthesidegate。

Shelaidherhandonit，butshestoodstill。

"M。deCaylus，"shesaid;andatthatstopped。NaturallyI

lookedather，andoureyesmet。Hersbrownandbeautiful，shininginthelightofthelampoverheadlookedintomine。Herlipswerehalfparted，andonefairtressofhairhadescapedfromherhood。"M。deCaylus，willyoudomeafavour，"sheresumed，softly，"afavourforwhichIshallalwaysbegrateful？"

Isighed。"Madame，"Isaidearnestly，forIfeltthesolemnityoftheoccasion，"Iswearthatintenminutes，ifthetaskInowhaveinhandbefinishedIwilldevotemylifetoyourservice。

Forthepresent——"

"Well，forthepresent？ButitisthepresentIwant，MasterDiscretion。"

"ImustseeM。dePavannes！Iampledgedtoit，"Iejaculated。

"ToseeM。dePavannes？"

"Yes。"

Iwasconsciousthatshewaslookingatmewitheyesofdoubt，almostofsuspicion。

"Why？Why？"sheaskedwithevidentsurprise。"Youhaverestored——andnearlyfrightenedmetodeathindoingit——hiswifetoherhome;whatmoredoyouwantwithhim，mostvaliantknight—

errant？"

"Imustseehim，"Isaidfirmly。Iwouldhavetoldherallandbeenthankful，butthepriestwaswithinhearing——orbarelyoutofit;andIhadseentoomuchpassbetweenhimandBezerstobewillingtosayanythingbeforehim。

"YoumustseeM。dePavannes？"sherepeated，gazingatme。

"Imust，"Irepliedwithdecision。

"Thenyoushall。ThatisexactlywhatIamgoingtohelpyoutodo，"sheexclaimed。"Heisnothere。Thatiswhatisthematter。Hewentoutatnightfallseekingnewsofhiswife，andcrossedtheriver，theCoadjutorsays，totheFaubourgSt。

Germain。Nowitisoftheutmostimportancethatheshouldreturnbeforemorning——returnhere。"

"Butishenothere？"Isaid，findingallmycalculationsatfault。"Youaresureofit，Madame？"

"Quitesure，"sheansweredrapidly。"Yourbrotherswillhavebythistimediscoveredthefact。Now，M。deCaylus，Pavannesmustbebroughtherebeforemorning，notonlyforhiswife’ssake——

thoughshewillbewildwithanxiety——butalso——"

"Iknow，"Isaid，eagerlyinterruptingher，"forhisowntoo！

Thereisadangerthreateninghim。"

Sheturnedswiftly，asifstartled，andIturned，andwelookedatthepriest。Ithoughtweunderstoodoneanother。"Thereis，"

sheansweredsoftly，"andIwouldsavehimfromthatdanger;buthewillonlybesafe，asIhappentoknow，here！Here，youunderstand！Hemustbebroughtherebeforedaybreak，M。deCaylus。Hemust！Hemust！"sheexclaimed，herbeautifulfeatureshardeningwiththeearnestnessofherfeelings。"AndtheCoadjutorcannotgo。Icannotgo。Thereisonlyonemanwhocansavehim，andthatisyourself。Thereis，aboveall，notamomenttobelost。"

Mythoughtswereinawhirl。Evenasshespokeshebegantowalkbackthewaywehadcome，herhandonmyarm;andI，doubtful，andinaconfusedwayunwilling，wentwithher。Ididnotclearlyunderstandtheposition。IwouldhavewishedtogoinandconferwithMarieandCroisette;butthejuncturehadoccurredsoquickly，anditmightbethattimewasasvaluableasshesaid，and——well，itwashardforme，alad，torefuseheranythingwhenshelookedatmewithappealinhereyes。Ididmanagetostammer，"ButIdonotknowParis。Icouldnotfindmyway，Iamafraid，anditisnight，Madame。"

Shereleasedmyarmandstopped。"Night！"shecried，withascornfulringinhervoice。"Night！Ithoughtyouwereaman，notaboy！Youareafraid！"

"Afraid，"Isaidhotly;"weCaylusesareneverafraid。"

"ThenIcantellyoutheway，ifthatbeyouronlydifficulty。

Weturnhere。Now，comeinwithmeamoment，"shecontinued，"andIwillgiveyousomethingyouwillneed——andyourdirections。"

Shehadstoppedatthedoorofatall，narrowhouse，standingbetweenlargeronesinastreetwhichappearedtometobemoreairyandimportantthananyIhadyetseen。Asshespoke，sherangthebellonce，twice，thrice。Thesilverytinklehadscarcelydiedawaythethirdtimebeforethedooropenedsilently;Isawnoone，butshedrewmeintoanarrowhallorpassage。Ataperinanembossedholderwasburningonachest。

Shetookitup，andtellingmetofollowherledthewaylightlyupthestairs，andintoaroom，half—parlour，half—bedroom—sucharoomasI，hadneverseenbefore。Itwasrichlyhungfromceilingtofloorwithbluesilk，andlightedbythesoftraysoflampsshadedbyVenetianglobesofdelicatehues。Thescentofcedarwoodwasintheair，andonthehearthinavelvettrayweresometinypuppies。Adaintydisorderreignedeverywhere。

Ononetableajewel—casestoodopen，onanotherlaysomelacegarments，twoorthreemasksandafan。Agemmedriding—whipandasilver—hiltedponiardhungonthesamepeg。And，strangestofall，huddledawaybehindthedoor，Iespiedaplain，black—

sheathedsword，andaman’sgauntlets。

Shedidnotwaitamoment，butwentatoncetothejewel—case。

Shetookfromitagoldring——aheavysealring。Sheheldthisouttomeinthemostmatter—of—factway——scarcelyturning，infact。"Putitonyourfinger，"shesaidhurriedly。"Ifyouarestoppedbysoldiers，oriftheywillnotgiveyouaboattocrosstheriver，sayboldlythatyouareontheking’sservice。Callfortheofficerandshowthatring。Playtheman。Bidhimstopyouathisperil！"

Ihastilymutteredmythanks，andsheashastilytooksomethingfromadrawer，andtoreitintostrips。BeforeIknewwhatshewasdoingshewasonherkneesbyme，fasteningawhitebandoflinenroundmyleftsleeve。Thenshetookmycap，andwiththesameprecipitationfixedafragmentofthestuffinit，intheformofaroughcross。

"There，"shesaid。"Now，listen，M。deCaylus。Thereismoreafootto—nightthanyouknowof。ThosebadgeswillhelpyouacrosstoSt。Germain，butthemomentyoulandtearthemoff：

Tearthemoff，remember。Theywillhelpyounolonger。Youwillcomebackbythesameboat，andwillnotneedthem。Ifyouareseentowearthemasyoureturn，theywillcommandnorespect，butonthecontrarywillbringyou——andperhapsmeintotrouble。"

"Iunderstand，"Isaid，"but——"

"Youmustasknoquestions，"sheretorted，wavingonesnowyfingerbeforemyeyes。"Myknight—errantmusthavefaithinme，asIhaveinhim;orhewouldnotbehereatthistimeofnight，andalonewithme。Butrememberthisalso。WhenyoumeetPavannesdonotsayyoucomefromme。Keepthatinyourmind;I

willexplainthereasonafterwards。Saymerelythathiswifeisfound，andiswildwithanxietyabouthim。Ifyousayanythingastohisdangerhemayrefusetocome。Menareobstinate。"

Inoddedasmilingassent，thinkingIunderstood。AtthesametimeIpermittedmyselfinmyownmindalittlediscretion。

Pavanneswasnotafool，andthenameoftheVidame——but，however，Ishouldsee。Ihadmoretosaytohimthansheknewof。MeanwhilesheexplainedverycarefullythethreeturningsI

hadtotaketoreachtheriver，andthewharfwhereboatsmostcommonlylay，andthenameofthehouseinwhichIshouldfindM。

dePavannes。

"HeisattheHoteldeBailli，"shesaid。"Andthere，Ithinkthatisall。"

"No，notall，"Isaidhardily。"ThereisonethingIhavenotgot。Andthatisasword！"

Shefollowedthedirectionofmyeyes，started，andlaughed——alittleoddly。Butshefetchedtheweapon。"Takeit，anddonot，"sheurged，"donotlosetime。DonotmentionmetoPavannes。Donotletthewhitebadgesbeseenasyoureturn。

Thatisreallyall。Andnowgoodluck！"Shegavemeherhandtokiss。"Goodluck，myknight—errant，goodluck——andcomebacktomesoon！"

Shesmileddivinely，asitseemedtome，asshesaidtheselastwords，andthesamesmilefollowedmedownstairs：forsheleanedoverthestair—headwithoneofthelampsinherhand，anddirectedmehowtodrawthebolts。ItookonebackwardglanceasIdidsoatthefairstoopingfigureaboveme，theshiningeyes，andtinyoutstretchedhand，andthendartingintothegloomI

hurriedonmyway。

Iwasinastrangemood。AfewminutesbeforeIhadbeenatPavannes’door，attheendofourjourney;onthevergeofsuccess。Ihadbeenwithinanace，asIsupposedatleast，ofexecutingmyerrand。Ihadheldthecupofsuccessinmyhand。

Andithadslipped。Nowtheconflicthadtobefoughtoveragain;thedangertobefaced。ItwouldhavebeennomorethannaturalifIhadfeltthedisappointmentkeenly：ifIhadalmostdespaired。

Butitwasotherwise——farotherwise。NeverhadmyheartbeathigherormoreproudlythanasInowhurriedthroughthestreets，avoidingsuchgroupsaswereabroadinthem，andintentonlyonobservingtheproperturnings。Neverinanymomentoftriumphinafterdays，inloveorwar，didanythingliketheexhilaration，theenergy，thespirit，ofthoseminutescomebacktome。Ihadawoman’sbadgeinmycap——forthefirsttime——themusicofhervoiceinmyears。Ihadamagicringonmyfinger：atalismanonmyarm。Myswordwasatmysideagain。Allroundmelayamistycityofadventures，ofdangerandromance，fulloftherichestandmostbeautifulpossibilities;acityofrealwitchery，suchasIhadreadofinstories，throughwhichthosefairygiftsandmyrighthandshouldguidemesafely。Ididnotevenregretmybrothers，orourseparation。Iwastheeldest。

Itwasfittingthatthecreamoftheenterpriseshouldbereservedforme，AnnedeCaylus。Andtowhatmightitnotlead？

InfancyIsawmyselfalreadyadukeandpeerofFrance——alreadyIheldthebaton。

YetwhileIexultedboyishly，IdidnotforgetwhatIwasabout。

Ikeptmyeyesopen，andsoonremarkedthatthenumberofpeoplepassingtoandfrointhedarkstreetshadmuchincreasedwithinthelasthalfhour。Thesilenceinwhichingroupsorsinglythesefiguresstolebymewasverystriking。Iheardnobrawling，fightingorsinging;yetifitweretoolateforthesethings，whyweresomanypeopleupandabout？Ibegantocountpresently，andfoundthatatleasthalfofthoseImetworebadgesintheirhatsandontheirarms，similartomine，andthattheyallmovedwithabusinesslikeair，asifboundforsomerendezvous。

Iwasnotafool，thoughIwasyoung，andinsomematterslessquickthanCroisette。Thehintswhichhadbeendroppedbysomanyhadnotbeenlostonme。"Thereismoreafootto—nightthanyouknowof！"Madamed’Ohadsaid。AndhavingeyesaswellasearsIfullybelievedit。Somethingwasafoot。SomethingwasgoingtohappeninParisbeforemorning。Butwhat，Iwondered。

Coulditbethatarebellionwasabouttobreakout？IfsoIwasontheking’sservice，andallwaswell。Imightevenbegoing——

andonlyeighteen——tomakehistory！Orwasitonlyabrawlonagreatscalebetweentwopartiesofnobles？IhadheardofsuchthingshappeninginParis。Then——wellIdidnotseehowIcouldactinthatcase。Imustbeguidedbyevents。

Ididnotimagineanythingelsewhichitcouldbe。Thatisthetruth，thoughitmayneedexplanation。Iwasaccustomedonlytothemilderreligiousdifferences，themoreevenlybalancedpartiesofQuercy，wherethepeacebetweentheCatholicsandHuguenotshadbeenwelcometoallsaveaveryfew。IcouldnotgaugethereforethefanaticismoftheParisianpopulace，andlostcountofthefactor，whichmadepossiblethatwhichwasgoingtohappen——wasgoingtohappeninParisbeforedaylightassurelyasthesunwasgoingtorise！IknewthattheHuguenotnobleswerepresentinthecityingreatnumbers，butitdidnotoccurtomethattheycouldasabodybeindanger。Theyweremanyandpowerful，andaswassaid，infavourwiththeking。TheywereundertheprotectionoftheKingofNavarre——France’sbrother—

in—lawofaweek，andthePrinceofConde;andthoughtheseprinceswereyoung，Colignythesagaciousadmiralwasold，andnotmuchtheworseIhadlearnedforhiswound。Heatleastwashighinroyalfavour，atrustedcounsellor。Hadnotthekingvisitedhimonhissick—bedandsatbyhimforanhourtogether？

Surely，Ithought，ifthereweredanger，thesemenwouldknowofit。AndthentheHuguenots’mainenemy，HenrileBalafre，thesplendidDukeofGuise，"ourgreatman，"and"Lorraine，"asthecrowdcalledhim——he，itwasrumoured，wasindisgraceatcourt。

Inawordthesethings，tosaynothingofthepeacefulandjoyousoccasionwhichhadbroughttheHuguenotstoParis，andwhichseemedtoputtreacheryoutofthequestion，weremorethanenoughtopreventmeforecastingtheevent。

Ifforamoment，indeed，asIhurriedalongtowardstheriver，anythinglikethetruthoccurredtome，Iputitfromme。IsaywithprideIputitfrommeasathingimpossible。ForGodforbid——onemayspeakoutthetruththesefortyyearsback——Godforbid，sayI，thatallFrenchmenshouldbearthebloodguiltinesswhichcameofotherthanFrenchbrains，thoughFrenchwerethehandsthatdidthework。

Iwasnotgreatlytroubledbymyforebodingstherefore：andthestateofexaltationtowhichMadamed’O’sconfidencehadraisedmyspiritslasteduntiloneofthenarrowstreetsbytheLouvrebroughtmesuddenlywithinsightoftheriver。Herefaintmoonlightburstingmomentarilythroughthecloudswasshiningontheplacidsurfaceofthewater。Thefreshairplayedupon，andcooledmytemples。Andthiswiththequietscenesoabruptlypresentedtome，gavechecktomythoughts，andsomewhatsoberedme。

AtsomedistancetomyleftIcoulddistinguishinthemiddleoftheriverthepileofbuildingswhichcrowdtheIledelaCite，andcouldfollowthenearerarmofthestreamasitsweptlandwardsofthese，closelyhemmedinbyhouses，butunbrokenasyetbythearchesofthePontNeufwhichIhavelivedtoseebuilt。Notfarfrommeonmyright——indeedwithinastone’sthrow——thebulkymassoftheLouvrerosedarkandshapelessagainstthesky。Onlyanarrowopenspace——theforeshore——

separatedmefromthewater;beyondwhichIcouldseeanirregularlineofbuildings，thatnodoubtformedtheFaubourgSt。Germain。

IhadbeentoldthatIshouldfindstairsleadingdowntothewater，andboatsmooredatthefootofthem，atthispoint。

AccordinglyIwalkedquicklyacrosstheopenspacetoaspot，whereImadeoutacoupleofpostssetuponthebrink——

doubtlesstomarkthelandingplace。

Ihadnotgonetenpaces，however，outoftheshadow，beforeI

chancedtolookround，anddiscernedwithanunpleasanteeriefeelingthreefiguresdetachthemselvesfromit，andadvanceinarowbehindme，soasthebettertocutoffmyretreat。Iwasnottosucceedinmyenterprisetooeasilythen。Thatwasclear。

StillIthoughtitbettertoactasifIhadnotseenmyfollowers，andcollectingmyself，IwalkedasquicklyasIcoulddowntothesteps。Thethreewerebythattimecloseuponme——

withinstrikingdistancealmost。Iturnedabruptlyandconfrontedthem。

"Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouwant？"Isaid，eyeingthemwarily，myhandonmysword。

Theydidnotanswer，butseparatedmorewidelysoastoformahalf—circle：andoneofthemwhistled。Ontheinstantaknotofmenstartedoutofthelineofhouses，andcamequicklyacrossthestripoflighttowardsus。

Thepositionseemedserious。IfIcouldhaverunindeed——butI

glancedround，andfoundescapeinthatfashionimpossible。

Thereweremencrouchingonthestepsbehindme，betweenmeandtheriver。Ihadfallenintoatrap。Indeed，therewasnothingforitnowbuttodoasMadamehadbiddenme，andplaythemanboldly。Ihadthewordsstillringinginmyears。IhadenoughoftheexcitementIhadlatelyfeltstillboundinginmyveinstogivenerveanddaring。Ifoldedmyarmsanddrewmyselfup。

"Knaves！"Isaid，withasmuchquietcontemptasIcouldmuster，"youmistakeme。Youdonotknowwhomyouhavetodealwith。

Getmeaboat，andlettwoofyourowmeacross。Hinderme，andyournecksshallanswerforit——oryourbacks！"

Alaughandanoathofderisionformedtheonlyresponse，andbeforeIcouldaddmore，thelargergrouparrived，andjoinedthethree。

"Whoisit，Pierre？"askedoneoftheseinamatter—of—factway，whichshowedIhadnotfallenamongstmerethieves。

Thespeakerseemedtobetheleaderoftheband。Hehadafeatherinhisbonnet，andIsawasteelcorsletgleamunderhiscloak，whensomeoneheldupalanthorntoexaminemethebetter。

Histrunk—hosewerestripedwithblack，white，andgreen——theliveryasIlearnedafterwardsofMonsieurtheKing’sbrother，theDukeofAnjou，afterwardsHenrytheThird;thenaclosefriendoftheDukeofGuise，andlaterhismurderer。Thecaptainspokewithaforeignaccent，andhiscomplexionwasdarktoswarthiness。Hiseyessparkledandflashedlikeblackbeads。ItwaseasytoseethathewasanItalian。

"Agallantyoungcockenough，"thesoldierwhohadwhistledanswered;"andnotquiteofthebreedweexpected。"Heheldhislanthorntowardsmeandpointedtothewhitebadgeonmysleeve。

"Itstrikesmewehavecaughtacrowinsteadofapigeon！"

"Howcomesthis？"theItalianaskedharshly，addressingme。

"Whoareyou？Andwhydoyouwishtocrosstheriveratthistimeofnight，youngsir？"

Iactedontheinspirationofthemoment。"Playthemanboldly！"

Madamehadsaid。Iwould：andIdidwithavengeance。Isprangforwardandseizingthecaptainbytheclaspofhiscloak，shookhimviolently，andflunghimoffwithallmyforce，sothathereeled。"Dog！"Iexclaimed，advancing，asifIwouldseizehimagain。"Learnhowtospeaktoyourbetters！AmItobestoppedbysuchsweepingsasyou？Harkye，IamontheKing’sservice！"

Hefairlysplutteredwithrage。"Morelikethedevil’s！"heexclaimed，pronouncinghiswordsabominably，andfumblingvainlyforhisweapon。"King’sserviceornoserviceyoudonotinsultAndreaPallavicini！"

Icouldonlyvindicatemydaringbygreaterdaring，andIsawthisevenas，deathstaringmeintheface，myheartseemedtostop。ThemanhadhismouthopenandhishandraisedtogiveanorderwhichwouldcertainlyhavesentAnnedeCaylusfromtheworld，whenIcriedpassionately——itwasmylastchance，andI

neverwishedtolivemorestronglythanatthatmoment——Icriedpassionately，"AndreaPallavicini，ifsuchbeyourname，lookatthat！Lookatthat！"Irepeated，shakingmyopenhandwiththeringonitbeforehisface，"andthenhindermeifyoudare！To—

morrowifyouhavequarteringsenough，Iwillseetoyourquarrel！Nowsendmeonmyway，oryourfatebeonyourownhead！Disobey——ay，dobuthesitate——andIwillcallontheseverymenofyourstocutyoudown！"

Itwasaboldthrow，forIstakedallonatalismanofwhichI

didnotknowthevalue！Tomeitwastheturnofadie，forI

hadhadnoleisuretolookatthering，andknewnomorethanababewhoseitwas。Buttheventurewasashappyasdesperate。

AndreaPallavicini’sexpression——nopleasantoneatthebestoftimes——changedontheinstant。Hisfacefellasheseizedmyhand，andpeeredattheringlongandintently。Thenhecastaquickglanceofsuspicionathismen，ofhatredatme。ButI

carednothingforhisglance，orhishatred。Isawalreadythathehadmadeuphismindtoobeythecharm：andthatformewaseverything。"Ifyouhadshownthattomealittleearlier，youngsir，itwould，maybe，havebeenbetterforbothofus，"hesaid，asurlymenaceinhisvoice。Andcursinghismenfortheirstupidityheorderedtwoofthemtounmooraboat。

Apparentlythecrafthadbeensecuredwithmorecarethanskill，fortoloosenitseemedtobeaworkoftime。MeanwhileIstoodwaitinginthemidstofthegroup，anxiousandyetexultant;anobjectofcuriosity，andyetcuriousmyself。Iheardtheguardswhispertogether，andcaughtsuchphrasesas"ItistheDucd’Aumale。"

"No，itisnotD’Aumale。Itisnothinglikehim。"

"Well，hehastheDuke’sring，fool！"

"TheDuke’s？"

"Ay。"

"Thenitisallright，Godblesshim！"Thislastwasutteredwithextremefervour。

Iwasconscioustooofbeingtheobjectofmanyrespectfulglances;andhadjustbiddenthemenonthestepsbelowmetobequick，whenIdiscoveredwithalarmthreefiguresmovingacrosstheopenspacetowardsus，andcomingapparentlyfromthesamepointfromwhichPallaviciniandhismenhademerged。

InamomentIforesawdanger。"Nowbequickthere！"Icriedagain。ButscarcelyhadIspokenbeforeIsawthatitwasimpossibletogetafloatbeforetheseotherscameup，andI

preparedtostandmygroundresolutely。

Thefirstwords，however，withwhichPallavicinisalutedthenew—

comersscatteredmyfears。"Well，whatthefoulfienddoyouwant？"heexclaimedrudely;andherappedouthalf—a—dozenCORPOSbeforetheycouldanswerhim。"Whathaveyoubroughthimherefor，whenIlefthimintheguard—house？Imbeciles！"

"CaptainPallavicini，"interposedthemidmostofthethree，speakingwithpatience——hewasamanofaboutthirty，dressedwithsomerichness，thoughhisclotheswerenowdisorderedasthoughbyastruggle——"Ihaveinducedthesegoodmentobringmedown——"

"Then，"criedthecaptain，brutallyinterruptinghim，"youhavelostyourlabour，Monsieur。"

"Youdonotknowme，"repliedtheprisonerwithsternness——aprisonerheseemedtobe。"YoudonotunderstandthatIamafriendofthePrinceofConde，andthat——"

Hewouldhavesaidmore，buttheItalianagaincuthimshort。"A

figforthePrinceofConde！"hecried;"Iunderstandmyduty。

Youmayaswelltakethingseasily。Youcannotcross，andyoucannotgohome，andyoucannothaveanyexplanation;exceptthatitistheKing’swill！Explanation？"hegrumbled，inalowertone，"youwillgetitsoonenough，Iwarrant！Beforeyouwantit！"

"Butthereisaboatgoingtocross，"saidtheother，controllinghistemperbyaneffortandspeakingwithdignity。"YoutoldmethatbytheKing’sordernoonecouldcross;andyouarrestedmebecause，havingurgentneedtovisitSt。Germain，Ipersisted。

Nowwhatdoesthismean，CaptainPallavicini？Othersarecrossing。Iaskwhatthismeans？"

"Whateveryouplease，M。dePavannes，"theItalianretortedcontemptuously。"Explainitforyourself！"

Istartedasthenamestruckmyear，andatoncecriedoutinsurprise，"M。dePavannes！"HadIheardaright？

ApparentlyIhad，fortheprisonerturnedtomewithabow。

"Yes，sir，"hesaidwithdignity，"IamM。dePavannes。Ihavenotthehonourofknowingyou，butyouseemtobeagentleman。"

Hecastawitheringglanceatthecaptainashesaidthis。

"Perhapsyouwillexplaintomewhythisviolencehasbeendonetome。Ifyoucan，Ishallconsideritafavour;ifnot，pardonme。"

Ididnotanswerhimatonce，foragoodreason——thateveryfacultyIhadwasbentonaclosescrutinyofthemanhimself。

Hewasfair，andofaruddycomplexion。Hisbeardwascutintheshortpointedfashionofthecourt;andintheserespectsheboreakindoflikeness，acuriouslikeness，toLouisdePavannes。

Buthisfigurewasshorterandstouter。Hewaslessmartialinbearing，withmoreoftheairofascholarthanasoldier。"YouarerelatedtoM。LouisdePavannes？"Isaid，myheartbeginningtobeatwithanoddexcitement。IthinkIforesawalreadywhatwascoming。

"IamLouisdePavannes，"herepliedwithimpatience。

Istaredathiminsilence：thinking——thinking——thinking。AndthenIsaidslowly，"Youhaveacousinofthesamename？"

"Ihave。"

"HefellprisonertotheVicomtedeCaylusatMoncontour？"

"Hedid，"heansweredcurtly。"Butwhatofthat，sir？"

AgainIdidnotanswer——atonce。Themurderwasout。I

remembered，inthedimfashioninwhichonerememberssuchthingsaftertheevent，thatIhadheardLouisdePavannes，whenwefirstbecameacquaintedwithhim，mentionthiscousinofthesamename;theheadofayoungerbranch。ButourLouislivinginProvenceandtheotherinNormandy，thedistancebetweentheirhomes，andthetroublesofthetimeshadloosenedatiewhichtheircommonreligionmighthavestrengthened。Theyhadscarcelyeverseenoneanother。AsLouishadspokenofhisnamesakebutonceduringhislongstaywithus，andIhadnotthenforeseentheconnectiontobeformedbetweenourfamilies，itwasnowonderthatinthecourseofmonthsthechancewordhadpassedoutofmyhead，andIhadcleanforgottenthesubjectofit。

Herehowever，hewasbeforemyeyes，andseeinghim;Isawtoowhatthediscoverymeant。Itmeantamostjoyfulthing！amostwonderfulthingwhichIlongedtotellCroisetteandMarie。ItmeantthatourLouisdePavannes——mycheekburnedformywantoffaithinhim——wasnovillainafterall，butsuchanoblegentlemanaswehadalwaystillthisdaythoughthim！Itmeantthathewasnocourtgallantbentonbreakingacountryheartforsport，butKit’sowntruelover！And——anditmeantmore——itmeantthathewasyetindanger，andstillignorantofthevowthatunchainedfiendBezershadtakentohavehislife！Inpursuinghisnamesakewehadbeenledastray，howsadlyIonlyknewnow！Andhadindeedlostmostprecioustime。

"Yourwife，M。dePavannes"——Ibeganinhaste，seeingthenecessityofexplainingmatterswiththeutmostquickness。"Yourwifeis——"

"Ah，mywife！"hecriedinterruptingme，withanxietyinhistone。"Whatofher？Youhaveseenher！"

"Ihave。SheissafeatyourhouseintheRuedeSt。Merri。"

"ThankHeavenforthat！"herepliedfervently。BeforehecouldsaymoreCaptainAndreainterruptedus。Icouldseethathissuspicionswerearousedafresh。Hepushedrudelybetweenus，andaddressingmesaid，"Now，youngsir，yourboatisready。"

"Myboat？"Ianswered，whileIrapidlyconsideredthesituation。

OfcourseIdidnotwanttocrosstherivernow。NodoubtPavannes———thisPavannes——couldguidemetoLouis’address。"Myboat？"

"Yes，itiswaiting，"theItalianreplied，hisblackeyesrovingfromonetotheotherofus。

"Thenletitwait！"Iansweredhaughtily，speakingwithanassumptionofanger。"Plagueuponyouforinterruptingus！I

shallnotcrosstherivernow。ThisgentlemancangivemetheinformationIwant。Ishalltakehimbackwithme。"

"Towhom？"

"Towhom？Tothosewhosentme，sirrah！"

Ithundered。"YoudonotseemtobemuchintheDuke’sconfidence，captain，"Iwenton;"nowtakeawordofadvicefromme！Thereisnothing：soeasilycastoffasanover—officiousservant！Hegoestoofar——andhegoeslikeanoldglove！Anoldglove，"Irepeatedgrimly，sneeringinhisface，"whichsavesthehandandsuffersitself。Bewareoftoomuchzeal，CaptainPallavicini！Itisadangerousthing！"

Heturnedpalewithangeratbeingthustreatedbyabeardlessboy。Buthefalteredallthesame。WhatIsaidwasunpleasant，butthebravoknewitwastrue。

IsawtheimpressionIhadmade，andIturnedtothesoldiersstandinground。

"Bringhere，myfriends，"Isaid，"M。dePavannes’sword！"

Oneranuptotheguardhouseandbroughtitatonce。Theyweretownsfolk，burgherguardsorsuchlike，andforsomereasonbetrayedsoevidentarespectforme，thatIsoberlybelievetheywouldhaveturnedontheirtemporaryleaderatmybidding。

Pavannestookhissword，andplaceditunderhisarm。WebothbowedceremoniouslytoPallavicini，whoscowledinresponse;andslowly，forIwasafraidtoshowanysignsofhaste，wewalkedacrossthemoonlitspacetothebottomofthestreetbywhichI

hadcome。Therethegloomswallowedusupatonce。Pavannestouchedmysleeveandstoppedinthedarkness。

"Ibegtobeallowedtothankyouforyouraid，"hesaidwithemotion，turningandfacingme。"WhomhaveIthehonourofaddressing？"

"M。AnnedeCaylus，afriendofyourcousin，"Ireplied。

"Indeed？"hesaid"well，Ithankyoumostheartily，"andweembracedwithwarmth。

"ButIcouldhavedonelittle，"Iansweredmodestly，"onyourbehalf，ifithadnotbeenforthisring。"

"Andthevirtueoftheringliesin——"

"In——IamsureIcannotsayinwhat！"Iconfessed。Andthen，inthesympathywhichthescenehadnaturallycreatedbetweenus，I

forgotoneportionofmylady’scommandsandIaddedimpulsively，"AllIknowisthatMadamed’Ogaveitme;andthatithasdoneall，andmorethanallshesaiditwould。"

"Whogaveittoyou？"heasked，graspingmyarmsotightlyastohurtme。

"Madamed’O，"Irepeated。Itwastoolatetodrawbacknow。

"Thatwoman！"heejaculatedinastrangelowwhisper。"Isitpossible？Thatwomangaveityou？"

Iwanderedwhatonearthhemeant，surprise，scornanddislikeweresoblendedinhistone。Itevenseemedtomethathedrewofffrommesomewhat。"Yes，M。dePavannes，"Ireplied，offendedandindignant，"Itissofarpossiblethatitisthetruth;andmore，Ithinkyouwouldnotsospeakofthisladyifyouknewall;andthatitwasthroughheryourwifewasto—dayfreedfromthosewhoweredetainingher，andtakensafelyhome！"

"Ha！"hecriedeagerly。"Thenwherehasmywifebeen？"

"AtthehouseofMirepoix，theglover，"Iansweredcoldly，"intheRuePlatriere。Doyouknowhim？Youdo。Well，shewaskeptthereaprisoner，untilwehelpedhertoescapeanhourorsoago。"

Hedidnotseemtocomprehendeventhen。Icouldseelittleofhisface，buttherewasdoubtandwonderinhistonewhenhespoke。"Mirepoixtheglover，"hemurmured。"Heisanhonestmanenough，thoughaCatholic。Shewaskeptthere！Whokeptherthere？"

"TheAbbessoftheUrsulinesseemstohavebeenatthebottomofit，"Iexplained，frettingwithimpatience。Thiswonderwasmisplaced，Ithought;andtimewaspassing。"Madamed’Ofoundoutwhereshewas，"Icontinued，"andtookherhome，andthensentmetofetchyou，hearingyouhadcrossedtheriver。Thatisthestoryinbrief。"

"Thatwomansentyoutofetchme？"herepeatedagain。

"Yes，"Iansweredangrily。"Shedid，M。dePavannes。"

"Then，"hesaidslowly，andwithanairofsolemnconvictionwhichcouldnotbutimpressme，"thereisatraplaidforme！

Sheistheworst，themostwicked，thevilestofwomen！Ifshesentyou，thisisatrap！Andmywifehasfallenintoitalready！Heavenhelpher——andme——ifitbeso！"

CHAPTERVIII。

THEPARISIANMATINS。

Therearesomestatementsforwhichitisimpossibletobeprepared;statementssostrongandsostartlingthatitisimpossibletoanswerthemexceptbyaction——byablow。AndthisofM。dePavanneswasoneofthese。Iftherehadbeenanyonepresent，IthinkIshouldhavegivenhimthelieanddrawnuponhim。ButalonewithhimatmidnightintheshadownearthebottomoftheRuedesFosses，withnowitnesses，witheveryreasontofeelfriendlytowardshim，whatwasItodo？

Asafact，Ididnothing。Istood，silentandstupefied，waitingtohearmore。Hedidnotkeepmelong。

"Sheismywife’ssister，"hecontinuedgrimly。"ButIhavenoreasontoshieldheronthataccount！Shieldher？HadyoulivedatcourtonlyamonthImightshieldherallIcould，M。deCaylus，itwouldavailnothing。NotMadamedeSauvesisbetterknown。AndIwouldnotifIcould！Iknowwell，thoughmywifewillnotbelieveit，thatthereisnothingsonearMadamed’O’sheartastogetridofhersisterandme——ofbothofus——thatshemaysucceedtoMadeleine’sinheritance！Oh，yes，Ihadgoodgroundsforbeingnervousyesterday，whenmywifedidnotreturn，"headdedexcitedly。

"ButthereatleastyouwrongMadamed’O！"Icried，shockedandhorrifiedbyanaccusation，whichseemedsomuchmoredreadfulinthesilenceandgloom——andwithalsomuchlesspreposterousthanitmighthaveseemedinthedaylight。"Thereyoucertainlywrongher！Forshame！M。dePavannes。"

Hecameastepnearer，andlayingahandonmysleevepeeredintomyface。"Didyouseeapriestwithher？"heaskedslowly。"A

mancalledtheCoadjutor——adown—lookingdog？"

Isaid——withashiverofdread，asuddenrevulsionoffeeling，bornofhismanner——thatIhad。AndIexplainedthepartthepriesthadtaken。

"Then，"Pavannesrejoined，"IamrightThereISatraplaidforme。TheAbbessoftheUrsulines！Sheabductmywife？Why，sheisherdearestfriend，believeme。Itisimpossible。Shewouldbemorelikelytosaveherfromdangerthanto——umph！waitaminute。"Idid：Iwaited，dreadingwhathemightdiscover，untilhemuttered，checkinghimself——"Canthatbeit？CanitbethattheAbbessdidknowofsomedangerthreateningus，andwouldhaveputMadeleineinasaferetreat？Iwonder！"

AndIwondered;andthen——well，thoughtsarelikegunpowder。Theleastsparkwillfireatrain。Hiswordswerefew，buttheyformedsparkenoughtoraisesuchaflareinmybrainasforamomentblindedme，andshookmesothatItrembled。Theshockover，IwasleftfacetofacewithapossibilityofwickednesssuchasIcouldneverhavesuspectedofmyself。IrememberedMirepoix’sdistressandthepriest’seagerness。Ire—calledthegruffwarningBezers——evenBezers，andtherewassomethingveryoddinBezersgivingawarning！——hadgivenMadamedePavanneswhenhetoldherthatshewouldbebetterwhereshewas。I

thoughtofthewakefulnesswhichIhadmarkedinthestreets，thesilenthurryingtoandfro，thesignsofcomingstrife，andcontrastedthesewiththequietudeandseemingsafetyofMirepoix’shouse;andIhastilyaskedPavannesatwhattimehehadbeenarrested。

"Aboutanhourbeforemidnight，"heanswered。

"Thenyouknownothingofwhatishappening？"Irepliedquickly。

"Why，evenwhileweareloiteringhere——butlisten！"

Andwithallspeed，stammeringindeedinmyhasteandanxiety，I

toldhimwhatIhadnoticedinthestreets，andthehintsIhadheard，andIshowedhimthebadgeswithwhichMadamehadfurnishedme。

Hismannerwhenhehadheardmeoutfrightenedmestillmore。Hedrewmeoninakindoffurytoahouseinthewindowsofwhichsomelightedcandleshadappearednotaminutebefore。

"Thering！"hecried，"letmeseethering！Whoseisit？"

Heheldupmyhandtothischancelightandwelookedatthering。Itwasaheavygoldsignet，withonecuriouscharacteristic：ithadtwofacets。Ononeofthesewasengravedtheletter"H，"andaboveitacrown。Ontheotherwasaneaglewithoutstretchedwings。

Pavannesletmyhanddropandleanedagainstthewallinsuddendespair。"ItistheDukeofGuise’s，"hemuttered。"ItistheeagleofLorraine。"

"Ha！"saidIsoftly，seeinglight。TheDukewastheidolthen，aslater，oftheParisianpopulace，andIunderstoodnowwhythecitizensoldiershadshownmesuchrespect。TheyhadtakenmefortheDuke’senvoyandconfidant。

ButIsawnofarther。Pavannesdid，andmurmuredbitterly，"Wemaysayourprayers，weHuguenots。Thatisourdeath—warrant。

To—morrownighttherewillnotbeoneleftinParis，lad。Guisehashisfather’sdeathtoavenge，andthesecursedParisianswilldohisbiddinglikethewolvestheyare！TheBarondeRosnywarnedusofthis，wordforword。IwouldtoHeavenwehadtakenhisadvice！"

"Stay！"Icried——hewasgoingtoofastforme——"stay！"Hismonstrousconception，thoughitmarchedsomewaywithmyownsuspicions，outranthemfar！Isawnosufficientgroundsforit。

"TheKing——thekingwouldnotpermitsuchathing，M。dePavannes，"Iargued。

"Boy，youareblind！"herejoinedimpatiently，fornowhesawallandInothing。"YonderwastheDukeofAnjou’scaptain——

Monsieur’sofficer，thefollowerofFrance’sbrother，markyou！

AndHE——heobeyedtheDuke’sring！TheDukehasafreehandto—

night，andhehatesus。Andtheriver。Whyarewenottocrosstheriver？TheKingindeed！TheKinghasundoneus。HehassoldustohisbrotherandtheGuises。VACHASSERL’IDOLE"forthesecondtimeIheardthequaintphrase，whichIlearnedafterwardswasananagramoftheKing’sname，CharlesdeValois，usedbytheProtestantsasapassword——"VACHASSERL’IDOLEhasbetrayedus！IremembertheverywordsheusedtotheAdmiral，’Nowwehavegotyouhereweshallnotletyougosoeasily！’

Oh，thetraitor！Thewretchedtraitor！"

Heleanedagainstthewallovercomebythehorroroftheconvictionwhichhadburstuponhim，andunnervedbytheimminenceoftheperil。Atalltimeshewasanunreadyman，I

fancy，morefit，courageapart，forthecollegethanthefield;

andnowhegavewaytodespair。Perhapsthethoughtofhiswifeunmannedhim。Perhapstheexcitementthroughwhichhehadalreadygonetendedtostupefyhim，orthesuddennessofthediscovery。

Atanyrate，Iwasthefirsttogathermywitstogether，andmyearliestimpulsewastotearintotwopartsawhitehandkerchiefIhadinmypouch，andfastenonetohissleeve，theotherinhishat，inroughimitationofthebadgesIworemyself。

ItwillappearfromthisthatInolongertrustedMadamed’O。I

wasnotconvinced，itistrue，ofherconsciousguilt，stillI

didnottrustherentirely。"Donotwearthemonyourreturn，"

shehadsaidandthatwasodd;althoughIcouldnotyetbelievethatshewassuchasirenasFatherPierrehadwarnedusof，tellingtalesfromoldpoets。YetIdoubted，shudderingasIdidso。Hercompanionshipwiththatvilepriest，herstrangeeagernesstosecurePavannes’return，hermysteriousdirectionstome，heranxietytotakehersisterhome——home，whereshewouldbeexposedtodanger，asbeinginaknownHuguenot’shouse——

thesethingspointedtobutoneconclusion;stillthatonewassohorriblethatIwouldnot，evenwhileIdoubtedanddistrustedher，Iwouldnot，Icouldnotacceptit。Iputitfromme，andrefusedtobelieveit，althoughduringtherestofthatnightitkeptcomingbacktomeandknockingforadmissionatmybrain。

AllthisflashedthroughmymindwhileIwasfixingonPavannes’

badges。NotthatIlosttimeaboutit，forfromthemomentI

graspedthepositionasheconceivedit，everyminutewehadwastedonexplanationsseemedtomeanhour。Ireproachedmyselfforhavingforgottenevenforaninstantthatwhichhadbroughtustotown——therescueofKit’slover。Wehadsmallchancenowofreachinghimintime，misledaswehadbeenbythismiserablemistakeinidentity。Ifmycompanion’sfearswerewellfounded，LouiswouldfallinthegeneralmassacreoftheHuguenots，probablybeforewecouldreachhim。Ifill—founded，stillwehadsmallreasontohope。Bezers’vengeancewouldnotwait。Iknewhimtoowelltothinkit。AGuisemightsparehisfoe，buttheVidame——theVidamenever！WehadwarnedMadamedePavannesitwastrue;butthatabnormalexerciseofbenevolencecouldonly，I

cynicallythought，havethemoreexasperatedthedevilwithinhim，whichnowwouldberaveninglikeadogdisappointedofitsvictuals。

Iglancedupatthelineofskyvisiblebetweenthetallhouses，andlo！thedawnwascoming。Itwantedscarcelyhalf—an—hourofdaylight，thoughdowninthedarkstreetsaboutusthenightstillreigned。Yes，themorningwascoming，brightandhopeful，andthecitywasquiet。Therewerenosigns，nosoundsofriotordisorder。Surely，Ithought，surelyPavannesmustbemistaken。Eithertheplothadneverexisted，thatwasmostlikely，orithadbeenabandoned，orperhaps——Crack！

Apistolshot！Short，sharp，ominousitrangoutontheinstant，asolitarysoundinthenight！Itwassomewherenearus，andI

stopped。Ihadbeenspeakingtomycompanionatthemoment。

"Wherewasit？"Icried，lookingbehindme。

"Closetous。NeartheLouvre，"heanswered，listeningintently。

"See！See！Ah，heavens！"hecontinuedinavoiceofdespair，"itwasasignal！"

Itwas。One，two，three！BeforeIcouldcountsofar，lightssprangintobrightnessinthewindowsofnineoutoftenhousesintheshortstreetwherewestood，asiflightedbyasinglehand。BeforetooIcouldcountasmanymore，oraskhimwhatthismeant，beforeindeed，wecouldspeakorstirfromthespot，orthinkwhatweshoulddo，withahurriedclangandclash，asifbroughtintomotionbyfuriousfrenziedhands，agreatbelljustaboveourheadsbegantoboomandwhirr！Ithurleditsnotesintospace，itsuddenlyfilledallthesilence。Itdasheditsharshsoundsdownuponthetremblingcity，tilltheairheaved，andthehousesaboutusrocked。Itmadeinaninstantapandemoniumofthequietnight。

Weturnedandhurriedinstinctivelyfromtheplace，crouchingandamazed，lookingupwardswithbentshouldersandscaredfaces。

"Whatisit？Whatisit？"Icried，halfinresentment;halfinterror。Itdeafenedme。

"ThebellofSt。Germainl’Auxerrois！"heshoutedinanswer。

"TheChurchoftheLouvre。ItisasIsaid。Wearedoomed！"

"Doomed？No！"Irepliedfiercely，formycourageseemedtoriseagainonthewaveofsoundandexcitementasifreboundingfromthemomentaryshock。"Never！Wewearthedevil’slivery，andhewilllookafterhisown。Draw，man，andlethimthatstopsuslooktohimself。Youknowtheway。Leadon！"Icriedsavagely。

Hecaughttheinfectionanddrewhissword。Sowestartedboldly，andtheresultjustifiedmyconfidence。Welooked，nodoubt，aslikemurderersasanywhowereabroadthatnight。

Movinginthisdesperateguisewehastenedupthatstreetandintoanother——stillpursuedbythedinandclangourofthebell——andthenashortdistancealongathird。Wewerenotstoppedoraddressedbyanyone，thoughnumbers，increasingeachmomentasdoorafterdooropened，andwedrewnearertotheheartofthecommotion，werehurryinginthesamedirection，sidebysidewithus;andthoughinfront，wherenowandagainlightsgleamedonamassofweapons，oronwhiteeagerfaces，fillingsomealleyfromwalltowall，weheardtheroarofvoicesrisingandfallinglikethemurmurofanangrysea。