第5章

Probably，knowingyouilla—bed，theyabusedtheoccasionbygettingdrunk，andprobablytheyarestillsleepingitoff。Theplaceissilentenough。"

ButTardivetscarcelyheardhim。Fromhiswindowhewasstaringintotheyardbelow，toothunderstruckbyitsemptinesstoevenhaverecoursetoprofanity。Stabledoorandporte—cocherealikestoodopen。Heturnedsuddenlyandmadeforhiscoat。Seizingit，hethrusthishandinonepocketafteranother。Atlast：

"Treachery！"hecried，andlettingthegarmentfalltotheground，heturneduponLaBoulayeafacesotransfiguredbyangerthatitlookedlittleliketheusuallygood—humouredcountenanceofCaptainTardivet"Mykeyshavebeenstolen。BySt。Guillotine，I’llhavethethiefhanged。"

"Didanybodyknowthatthekeyswereinyourpocket？"askedtheingenuousCaron。

"Itoldyoulastnight。"

"Yes，yes；Irememberthat。Butdidanybodyelseknow？"

"Theostlerknew。Hesawmelockthedoors。"

"Why，then，letusfindtheostler，"urgedCaron。"Putonsomeclothesandwewillgobelow。"

MechanicallyCharlotobeyedhim，andashedidsohegavehisfeelingsventatlast。Frombetweensetteethcamenowaflowofoathsandimprecationsassteadyastheflowofwaterfromthegargoyleoverhead。

Atlasttheyhasteneddownthestairstogether，andinthecommon—roomtheyfoundthesleepingcompanymuchasLaBoulayehadleftitthenightbefore。Inanaccessofrageatwhathesaw，andattheampleevidencesofthedebauchthathadreducedthemtothiscondition，CharlotbeganbykickingthechairfromunderMotherCapoulade。Thenoiseofherfallandthescreamwithwhichsheawokeservedtoarouseoneortwoothers，wholiftedtheirheadstogazestupidlyaboutthem。

ButCharlotwasbusystirringtheotherslumberers。Hehadfoundawhip，andwiththishewasnowlayingvigorouslyabouthim。

"Up，youswine！"heblazedatthem。"Afoot，youdrunkenscum！"

Hiswhipcracked，andhisimprecationsranghighandlurid。AndLaBoulayeassistedhiminhislabourswithkicksandcuffsandatonguenolessvituperative。

Atlasttheywereontheirfeet—apale，bewildered，shamefacedcompany—receivingfromtheinfuriatedCharlotthenewsthatwhilsttheyhadindulgedthemselvesintheirdrunkenslumberstheirprisonershadescapedandcarriedoffthetreasurewiththem。Thenewswasreceivedwithagroanofdismay，andseveralturnedtothedoortoascertainforthemselveswhetheritwasindeedexact。

Thedrearyemptinessoftherain—washedyardaffordedthemmorethanampleconfirmation。

"Whereisyourpigofanostler，MotherCapoulade？"demandedtheangryCaptain。

Quiveringwithterror，sheansweredhimthattherascalshouldbeintheshedbythestables，whereitwashiswonttosleep。Outintotherain，despitethescantinessofhisattire，wentCharlot，followedcloselybyLaBoulayeandoneortwostragglers。Theshedprovedempty，asCaroncouldhavetoldhim—andso，too，didthestables。Here，atthespotwhereMadamedeBellecour’scoachmanhadbeenleftbound，theCaptainturnedtoLaBoulayeandthoseothersthathadfollowedhim。

"Itistheostler’swork，"heannounced。"Therewasknaveryandtreacherywritlargeuponhisuglyface。Ialwaysfeltit，andthisbusinessproveshowcorrectweremyinstincts。Theroguewasbribedwhenhediscoveredhowthingswerewithyou，yougreasysots。Butyou，LaBoulaye，"hecriedsuddenly，"wereyoudrunk，too？"

"NotI，"answeredtheDeputy。

"Then，nameofaname，howcamethatlumberingcoachtoleavetheyardwithoutawakeningyou？"

"Youaskmetoexplaintoomuch，"wasLaBoulaye’scoolevasion。

"Ihavealwaysaccountedmyselfalightsleeper，andIcouldnothavebelievedthatsuchathingcouldreallyhavetakenplacewithoutdisturbingme。Butthefactremainsthatthecoachhasgone，andIthinkthatinsteadofstandinghereinidlespeculationastohowitwent，youmightfindmoreprofitableemploymentinconsideringhowitistobroughtbackagain。Itcannothavegoneveryfar。"

IfanyrayofsuspicionhadbeguntoglimmerinCharlot’sbrain，thatsuggestionofLaBoulaye’swasenoughtoutterlyextinguishit。

Theyreturnedindoors，andwithoutmoreadoTardivetsethimselftoplanthepursuit。Heknew，heannounced，thatPrussiawastheirdestination。HehaddiscovereditatthetimeoftheircapturefromcertainpapersthathehadfoundinaportmanteauoftheMarquise’s。

HediscussedthematterwithLaBoulaye，anditwasnowthatCaronhadoccasiontocongratulatehimselfuponhiswisdominhavingelectedtoremainbehind。

TheCaptainproposedtorecallthefiftymenthatwerewatchingtheroadsfromFrance，andtospreadthemalongtheRiverSambre，asfarasLiege，toseekinformationofthewaytakenbythefugitives。Assoonasanyoneofthepartiesstruckthetrailitwastosendwordtotheothers，andstartimmediatelyinpursuit。

Now，hadCharlotbeenpermittedtospreadsuchanetasthis，theMarquisemustinevitablyfallintoit，andCaronhadpledgedhiswordthatsheshouldhaveanopenroadtoPrussia。WithamapspreaduponthetablehenowexpoundedtotheCaptainhowlittlenecessitytherewasforsoelaborateascheme。ThenearestwaytoPrussiawasbyCharleroi，Dinant，andRochefort，intoLuxembourg，and—hecontended—itwasnotonlyunlikely，butincredible，thattheMarquiseshouldchooseanybuttheshortestroadtocarryheroutofBelgium，seeingthedangersthatmustbesetheruntilthefrontiersofLuxembourgwerepassed。

"Andso，"arguedLaBoulaye，"whywastetimeinrecallingyourmen？

Thinkofthecaptivesyoumightmissbysuchanact！Itwereinfinitelybetteradvised。toassumethatthefugitiveshavetakentheCharleroi—Dinantroad，andtodespatch，atonce，say，half—a—dozenmeninpursuit。"

Tardivetponderedthematterforsomemoments。

"Yomareright，"heagreedatlast。"Iftheyhaveresolvedtocontinuetheirjourney，ahalf—dozenmenshouldsufficetorecapturethem。Iwilldespatchtheseatonce……"

LaBoulayelookedupatthat。

"Iftheyhaveresolvedtocontinuetheirjourney？"heechoed。"Whatelseshouldtheyhaveresolved？"

Tardivetstrokedhisreddishhairandsmiledastutely。

"Inorganisingapursuit，"aidhe，"thewisepursuerwillalwaysputhimselfintheplaceofthefugitives，andseektoreasonastheywouldprobablyreason。Now，whatmorelikelythanthattheseladies，ortheircoachman，orthatrascallyostler，shouldhavethoughtofdoublingbackintoFrance？Theymightnaturallyarguethatwe；

shouldneverthinkofpursuingtheminthatdirection。Similarlyplaced，thatishowIshouldreason，andthatisthecourseIshouldadopt，makingforPrussiathroughLorraine。PerhapsIdotheirintelligencestoomuchhonour—yet，tome，itseemssuchanobviouscourse。"’

LaBoulayegrewcoldwithapprehension。Yetimpassivelyheasked：

"Butwhatofyourmenwhoareguardingthefrontiers？"

"Pooh！Adetourmightcircumventthem。TheMarquisemightgoasfarnorthasRoubaixorComines，orasfairsouthasRocroy，orevenCharlemont。Nameofaname，butitismorethanlikely！"heexclaimed，withsuddenconviction。"Whatdoyousay，Caron？"

"Thatyourave，"answeredLaBoulayecoldly。

"Well，weshallsee。Iwilldespatchamessagetomymen，biddingthemspreadthemselvesasfarnorthasComiinesandasfarsouthasCharlemont。ShouldthefugitiveshavemadesuchadetourasI

suggestedtherewillbeampletimetotakethem。"

LaBoulayestillcontemnedthenotionwithafineshowofindifference，butTardivetheldtohispurpose，andpresentlydespatchedthemessengersashehadproposed。AtthatCaronfelthispulsesquickeningwithanxietyforMademoiselle。Theseastutemeasuresmustinevitablyresultimhercapture—forwasitnotatRoubaixthathehadbiddenherawaithim？Therewasbutonethingtobedone，torideouthimselftomeetheralongtheroadfromSoigniestoOudenarde，andtoescortherintoFrance。Sheshouldgoostensiblyashisprisoner，andhewasconfidentthatnotallthebrigandsofCaptainTardivetwouldsufficetotakeherfromhim。

Accordingly，heannouncedhisintentionofresuminghisinterruptedjourney，andorderedhismentosaddleandmakeready。Meanwhile，havingtakenmeasurestorecapturetheMarquiseshouldshehavedoubledbackintoFrance，CharlotwasnoworganisinganexpeditiontoscourtheroadtoPrussia，againstthepossibilityofherhavingadheredtoheroriginalintentionofjourneyingthatway。Thushewasdeterminedtotakenorisks，andleavehernoloopholeofescape。

Tardivetwouldhavesethimselfattheheadofthesixhorsemenofthisexpedition，butthatLaBoulayeinterfered，andthistimetosomepurpose。HeassuredtheCaptainthathewasstillfarfromrecovered，andthattospendadayinthesaddlemighthavethegravestofconsequencesforhim。

"Iftheoccasiondemandedit，"heconcluded，"Ishouldmyselfurgeyoutochancethematterofyourhealth。Buttheoccasiondoesnot。

Thebusinessisofthesimplest，andyourmencandoasmuchwithoutyouastheycouldwithyou。"

Tardivetpermittedhimselftobepersuaded，andCaronhadagaingoodcausetocongratulatehimselfthathehadremainedbehindtoinfluencehim。Heopinedthatthemen，failingtopickupthetrailatCharleroi，wouldprobablygoonasfarasDinantbeforeabandoningthechase；thentheywouldreturntoBoisverttoannouncetheirfailure，andbythattimeitwouldbetoolatetoreorganisethepursuit。Ontheotherhand，hadTardivetaccompaniedthem，uponfailingtofindanytraceoftheMarquiseatCharleroi，LaBoulayecouldimaginehimpushingnorthalongtheSambre，andpressingthepeasantryintohisservicetoformanimpassablecordon。

Andso，havingwonhiswayinthisatleast，andseenthesixmensetoutunderthecommandofTardivet’strustedGuyot，CarontookhisleaveoftheCaptain。Hewasontheverypointofsettingoutwhenacourierdasheduptothedoorofthe"Eagle，"andcalledforacupofwine。AsitwasbroughthimheaskedthehostesswhethertheCitizen—deputyLaBoulaye，CommissionertothearmyofDumouriez，hadpassedthatway。UponbeinginformedthattheDeputywaseventhenwithintheinn，thecouriergotdownfromhishorseanddemandedtobetakentohim。

Thehostessledhimintothecommon—room，andpointedouttheDeputy。Thecourierheavedasighofrelief，andremovinghissoddencloakhebadethelandladygetitdriedandpreparehimasstoutamealasherhostelryafforded。

"Nameofaname！"heswore，ashepitchedhisdrippinghatintoacorner。"Butitisgoodtofindyouatlast，Citizen—deputy？I

hadexpectedtomeetyouatValenciennes。Butasyouwerenotthere，andasmyletterswereurgent，Ihavebeencompelledtorideforthepastsixhoursthroughthatinfernaldeluge。Enfin，hereyouare，andhereismyletter—fromtheCitizen—deputyMaximilienRobespierre—andhereI’llrestmeforthenextsixhours。"

Biddingthefellowbyallmeansrestandrefreshhimself，LaBoulayebroketheseal，andreadthefollowing：

DearCaron，MycouriershoulddeliveryouthisletterasyouareonthePointofreenteringFrance，onyourreturnfromthemissionwhichyouhavedischargedwithsomuchglorytoyourselfandcredittomewhorecommendedyouforthetask。ImakeyoumycomplimentsonthetactandadroitnessyouhaveemployedtobringthisstubbornDumouriezintosomesemblanceofsympathywiththeConvention。

Andnow，myfriend，Ihaveanothertaskforyou，whichyoucandischargeonyourhomewardjourney。Youwillmakeaslightdetour，passingintoArtoisandridingtotheChateaud’Ombreval，whichissituatedsomefourmilessouthofArras。HereIwishyounotonlytoPossessyourselfofthepersonoftheci—devantVicomted’Ombreval，bringinghimtoParisasyourPrisoner，butfurther，tomakeaverysearchinginvestigationofthataristocrat’spapers，securinganydocumentsthatyoumayconsiderofanaturetreasonabletotheFrenchRepublic，OneandIndivisible。

TheletterendedwiththeusualgreetingsandRobespierre’ssignature。

LaBoulayesworesoftlytohimselfashefoldedtheepistle。

"Itseems，"hemutteredtoCharlot，"thatIamtoturncatch—pollintheserviceoftheRepublic。"

"ToatrueservantoftheNation，"putinthecourier，whohadoverheardhim，"alltasksthatmaytendtotheadvancementoftheRepublicshouldbeeagerlyundertaken。Diable！HavenotIriddenintherainthesesixhourspast？"

LaBoulayepaidnoheedtohim；hewastooinuredtothissortofinsolencesincethenewrulehadlevelledallmen。ButCharlotturnedslowlytoregardthefellow。

Hewasatallmanofratherslenderstature，butindifferentlydressedingarmentsthatweresplashedfromheadtofootwithmud，andfromwhichasteamwasbeginningtoriseashestoodnowwithhisbacktothefire。Charloteyedhimsonarrowlythatthefellowshiftedhispositionanddroppedhisglanceinsomediscomfort。

Hisspeech，thoughroughofpurport，hadnotbeenungentleofdelivery。Buthisfacewasdirty—thesuresignofanardentpatriot—hishairhunguntidyabouthisface，andheworethatlatestabominationoftheultra—revolutionist，adenseblackbeardandmoustache。

"Myfriend，"saidCharlot，"althoughwearereadytoacknowledgeyouourequal，weshouldlikeyoutounderstandthatwedonottakelessonsindutyevenfromourequals。Bearyouthatinmindifyouseektohaveapeacefultimewhileyouarehere，foritsohappensthatIamquarteredatthisinn，andhaveamoreimportantwaywithmethanthisgood—naturedDeputyhere。"

ThefellowdartedCharlotamalevolentglance。

"Youtalkofequalityandyououtrageequalityinabreath，"hegrowled。"Ihalfsuspectyouofbeingaturncoataristocrat。"Andhespatostentatiouslyontheground。

"Suspectwhatyouwill，butvoicenosuspicionshere，elseyou’llbecomeacquaintedwiththemightyshortmethodsofCharlotTardivet。

Andasforaristocrats，myfriend，therearenonesorabidasthenewly—converted。Iwonderhowlongitissinceyoubecameapatriot？"

BeforethefellowcouldmakeanyanswerthecorporalincommandofLaBoulaye’sescortenteredtoinformCaronthatthemenwereinthesaddle。

AtthattheDeputyhurriedlytookhisleaveofTardivet，andwrappinghisheavycloaktightlyabouthimhemarchedoutintotherain，andmounted。

AfewmomentslatertheyclatteredbrisklyoutofBoisvert，thethickgreymudflyingfromtheirhorses’hoofsastheywent，andtooktheroadtoFrance。ForacoupleofmilestheyrodesteadilyalongundertheunceasingrainandintheteethofthatbleakFebruarywind。

Thenatacross—roadLaBoulayeunexpectedlycalledahalt。

"Myfriends，"hesaidtohisescort，"wehaveyetalittlebusinesstodischargeinBelgiumbeforewecrossthefrontier。"

WiththatheannouncedhisintentionofgoingNorth，andsobrisklydidhecausethemtoride，thatbynoon—ashortthreehoursafterquittingBoisvert—theyhadcoveredadistanceoftwenty—fivemiles，andbroughtuptheirsteaminghorsesbeforetheHoteldeFlandresatLeuze。

Atthis，theonlypost—houseintheplace，LaBoulayemadeinquiriesastowhetheranycarriagehadarrivedfromSoigniesthatmorning，toreceiveanegativeanswer。Thisnowisesurprisedhim，forhehardlythoughtthatMademoisellecouldhavehadtimetocomesofar。Shemust，however，bedrawingnearer，andhedeterminedtorideontomeether。FromLeuzetoSoigniesisadistanceofsomeeightornineleaguesbyaroadwhichmayroughlybesaidtobethebasisofatrianglehavingitsapexatBoisvert。

Afterhismenhadhurriedlyrefreshedthemselves，LaBoulayeorderedthemtohorseagain，andtheynowcanteredout，alongthisroad，toSoignes。ButasmileaftermilewascoveredwithouttheircominguponanysignofsuchacarriageasMademoiselleshouldbetravellingin，LaBoulayealmostunconsciouslyquickenedthepaceuntilintheendtheyfoundthemselvescareeringalongasfastastheirjadedhorseswouldbearthem，andspeculatingmightilyupontheDeputy’soddbehaviour。

Soigniesitselfwasreachedtowardsfouro’clock，andstilltheyhadnotmetherwhomLaBoulayeexpected。Here，inastateofsomewonderandevenofsomeanxiety，CaronmadestraightfortheAubergedesPostes。Biddinghismendismountandseetothemselvesandtheirbeasts，hewentinquestofthehost，andhavingfoundhim，bombardedhimwithquestions。

InreplyheelicitedtheinformationthatatnoonthatdayacarriagesuchashedescribedhadreachedSoigniesinaverysorrycondition。Oneofthewheelshadcomeoffontheroad，andalthoughtheMarquise’smenhadcontrivedtoreplaceitandtorudelysecureitbyanimprovisedpin，theyhadbeencompelledtoproceedatawalkforsomefifteenmilesofthejourney，whichaccountedforthelatenessoftheirarrivalatSoignies。TheyhadremainedattheAubergedesPostesuntilthewheelhadbeenproperlymended，anditwasnotmorethananhoursincetheyhadresumedtheirjourneyalongtheroadtoLiege。

"Butdidboththecitoyennesdepart？"criedLaBoulaye，inamazement，anduponreceivinganaffirmativereplyitatonceenteredhismindthattheMarquisemusthaveinfluencedherdaughtertothatend—perhapsevenemployedforce。

"Didthereappeartobeanysignsofdisagreementbetweenthem？"

washisnextquestion。

"No，Citizen，Iobservednothing。Theyseemedinperfectaccord。"

"Theyoungeronedidnotbyanychanceinquireofyouwhetheritwouldbepossibletohireaberline？"askedCarondesperately。

"No，"thelandlordansweredhim，withwonderingeyes。"Sheappearedasanxiousashermotherfortherepairingofthecoachinwhichtheycame，thattheymightagaindepartinit。"

LaBoulayestoodamomentinthought，hisbrowsdrawntogether，hisbreathingseemingsuspended，forintohissoulasuspicionhadofasuddenbeenthrust—ahideoussuspicion。Abruptlyhedrewhimselfuptothefullofhisactivefigure，andthrewbackhishead，hisresolvetaken。

"CanIhavefreshhorsesatonce？"heinquired。"Ineedeight。"

Thelandlordthoughtfullyscratchedhishead。

"Youcanhavetwoatonce，andtheothersixinahalf—hour。"

"Verywell，"heanswered。"Saddlemeoneatonce，andhavetheothersevenreadyformymenassoonaspossible。"

Andwhilstthehostsenttheostlertoexecutetheorder，Caroncalledforacupofwineandacrustofbread。Munchinghiscrustheenteredthecommon—roomwherehismenwereattablewithasteamingragoutbeforethem。

"Garin，"hesaidtothecorporal，"inahalf—hourthelandlordwillbeabletoprovideyouwithfreshhorses。YouwillsetoutatoncetofollowmealongtheroadtoLiege。Iamstartingimmediately。"

Garin，withtheeasyfamiliarityoftheRepublicansoldier，badehimtakesomethoughtofhisexhaustedcondition，andsnatchatleastthehalf—hour’srestthatwastobetheirs。ButLaBoulayewasoutoftheroombeforehehadfinished。Acoupleofminuteslatertheyheardaclatterofdepartinghoofs，andLaBoulayewasgonealongtheroadtooLiegeinpursuitoftheladiesofBellecour。

CHAPTERXIII

THEROADTOLIEGE

"Ofwhatareyouthinking，littlefool？"askedtheMarquisepeevishly，herfatfacepuckeredintoahundredwrinklesofill—humour。

"Ofnothinginparticular，Madame，"thegirlansweredpatiently。

TheMarquisesniffedcontemptuously，andglancedthroughthewindowofthecoachuponthedreary，rainsoddenlandscape。

"DoyoucallthesometimesecretaryCitizen—cutthroatLaBoulaye，nothinginparticular？"sheasked。"Mafoi！Iwonderthatyoudonotdieofself—contemptafterwhatpassedbetweenyouatBoisvert。"

"Madame，Iwasnotthinkingofhim，"saidSuzanne。

"Moreshametoyou，then，"wasthesourretort，fortheMarquisewasbentupondisagreeingwithher。"Haveyouaconscience，Suzanne，thatyoucouldhaveplayedsuchaDelilahpartandnevergiveathoughttothemanyouhavetricked？"

"YouwillmakemeregretthatItoldyouofit，"saidthegirlquietly。

"Youarereadyenoughtoregretanythingbuttheactitself。Perhapsyou’llberegrettingthatyoudidnottakeaberlineatSoignies，asyoupromisedthecitizen—scoundrelthatyouwould，andsetouttojoinhim？"

"Itishardlygeneroustotauntmeso，Madame，Idoverybitterlyregretwhathastakenplace。ButyoumightdomethejusticetorememberthatwhatIdidIdidasmuchforothersasformyself。

Asmuch，indeed，foryouasformyself。"

"Forme？"echoedtheMarquiseshrilly。"Tiens，thatisdrollnow！

Forme？Wasitformethatyoumadelovetothecitizen—blackguard？

Areyousodeadtoshamethatyoudareremindmeofit？"

Mademoisellesighed，andseemedtoshrinkbackintotheshadowsofthecarriage。Herfacewasverypale，andhereyeslookedsorelytroubled。

"ItissomethingthattomydyingdayIshallregret，"shemurmured。

"Itwasvile，itwasunworthy！YetifIhadnotusedtheonlyweapontomyhand—"Sheceased，theMarquisecaughtthesoundofasob。

"Whatareyouweepingfor，littlefool？"shecried。

"AsmuchasanythingforwhathemustthinkofmewhenherealiseshowshamefullyIhaveusedhim。"

"Anddoesitmatterwhatthecanaillethinks？Shallitmatterwhatthecitizen—assassinthinks？"

"Alittle，Madame，"shesighed。"HewilldespisemeasIdeserve。

IalmostwishthatIcouldundoit，andgobacktothatlittleroomatBoisvert。theprisonerofthatfearfulman，Tardivet，orelsethat—"Againshepaused，andtheMarquiseturnedtowardsherwithagasp。

"Orelsethatwhat？"shedemanded。"Mafoi，itonlyremainsthatyoushouldwishyouhadkeptyourpromisetothisscum。"

"Ialmostwishit，Madame。Ipledgedmywordtohim。"

"Youtalkasifyouwereaman，"saidhermother；"asifyourwordwasathingthatboundyou。Itisawoman’sprerogativetochangehermind。AsforthisRepublicanscum—"

"Youshallnotcallhimthat，"wastherejoinder，sharplydelivered；

forSuzannewasrousedatlast。"Heistwentytimesmorenobleandbravethananygentleman，thatIhaveevermet。Weoweourlibertytohimatthismoment，andsufficientlyhaveIwrongedhimbymyactions—"

"Fool，whatareyousaying？"criedtheenragedMarquise。"He，morenobleandbravethananygentlemanthatyouevermet？He—thiskennel—bredcitizen—ruffianofarevolutionist？Areyoumad，girl，or—"TheMarquisepausedamomentandtookadeepbreaththatwasasagaspofsuddenunderstanding。"Isitthatyouareinlovewiththiswretch！"

"Madame！"Theexclamationwasladenwithblendedwonder，dignity，andhorror。

"Well？"demandedMadamedeBellecourseverely。"Answerme，Suzanne。

AreyouinlovewiththisLaBoulaye？"

"Istheretheneedtoanswer？"quoththegirlscornfully。"SurelyyouforgetthatIamMademoiselledeBellecour，daughteroftheMarquisedeBellecour，andthatthismanisofthecanaille，elseyouhadneveraskedthequestion。"

WithanexpressionofsatisfactiontheMarquisewassinkingbackinthecarriage，whenofasuddenshesatboltupright。

"Someoneisridingverydesperately，"shecried，anoteofalarmringinginhervoice。

Abovethethudofthecoach—horses’hoofsandtherumbleoftheirvehiclesoundednowtheclatterofsomeonegallopingmadlyintheirwake。Mademoisellelookedfromthewindowintothegatheringdusk。

"Itwillbesomecourier，Madame，"sheansweredcalmly。"Noneotherwouldrideatsuchapace。"

"IshallknownorestuntilwearesafelyinaChristiancountryagain，"theMarquisecomplained。

Thehoof—beatsgrewnearer，andthedarkfigureofahorsemandashedsuddenlypastthewindow。Simultaneously，aloud，harshcommandtohaltrangoutupontheeveningair。

TheMarquiseclutchedatherdaughter’sarmwithonehand，whilstwiththeothershecrossedherself，asthoughtheirassailantweresomeemissaryofthepowersofevil。

"MotherinHeaven，deliverus！"shegasped，turningsuddenlydevout。

"MonDieu！"criedMademoiselle，whohadrecognisedthevoicethatwasnowharanguingthemenonthebox—theirdriverandtheostlerofthe’EagleInn。’"ItisLaBoulayehimself。"

"LaBoulaye？"echoedtheMarquise。Then，inafrenzyofterror：

"Therearethepistolsthere，Suzanne，"shecried。"Youcanshoot。

Killhim！Killhim！"

Thegirl’slipscametightlytogetheruntilhermouthseemednomorethanastraightline。Hercheeksgrewwhiteasdeath，buthereyeswerebraveandresolute。Sheputforthherhandandseizedoneofthepistolsasthecarriagewithafinaljoltcametoastandstill。

Aninstantlaterthedoorwasdraggedopen，andLaBoulayestoodbowingintherainwithmockceremoniousnessandaverycontemptuoussmileonhissternmouth。Hehaddismounted，andflungthereinsofhishorseovertheboughofatreebytheroadside。TheMarquiseshudderedatsightofhim，andsoughttoshrinkfartherbackintothecushionsofthecarriage。

"Citoyenne，"hewassaying，verybitterly，"whenImademycompactwithyouyesternight，Ididnotreckonuponbeingcompelledtorideafteryouinthisfashion。Ihavesomeknowledgeofthewaysofyourpeople，oftheirfullwordsandemptydeeds；butyouIwasfoolenoughtotrust。Byexperiencewelearn。Imustaskyoutoalight，Citoyenne。"

"Towhatpurpose，Monsieur？"sheasked，inavoicewhichshestrovetorendercoldandsteady。

"Tothepurposethatyourpartofthebargainbecarriedout。YourmotherandyourtreasureweretofindtheirwayintoPrussiauponconditionthatyoureturnwithmetoFrance。"

"Itwasabargainofcoercion，Monsieur，"sheansweredattemptingtobrazenitout。"Iwasawomaninadesperatesituation。"

"Surelyyourmemoryisatfault，Citoyenne，"heanswered，withapolitenessthatwasinitselfamockery。

"YoursituationwassolittledesperatethatIhadofferedtoeffecttherescuebothofyourmotherandyourselfwithoutaskinganyguerdon。Yourmiserabletreasurealoneitwasthathadtobesacrificed。Youwillrecallthatthebargainwasofyourownproposing。"

Therewasapause，duringwhichhestoodwaitingforherreply。

Herblueeyesmadeanattempttomeethissteadygaze，butfailed。

Herbosomroseandfellintheintensityofheragitation。

"Iwasawomandistraught，Monsieur。Surelyyouwillnotholdmetowordsutteredinanhourofmadness。ItwasabargainIhadnorighttomake，forIamnolongerfreetodisposeofmyself。IambetrothedtotheVicomteAnatoled’Ombreval。Thecontracthasalreadybeensigned，andtheVicomtewillbemeetingusatTreves。"

Itwasasifshehadstruckhim，andamazementlefthimsilentamoment。Inadim，subconsciouswayheseemedtonoticethatthenameshementionedwasthatofthemanhewasbiddentoarrest。

Then，withanoath：

"Icarenaughtforthat，"hecried。"AsGodlives，youshallfulfilyourwordtome。"

"Monsieur，Irefuse，"sheanswered，withfinality。"Letmerequestyoutoclosethedoorandsufferustoproceed。"

"Yourmotherandyourtreasuremayproceed—itwasthuswebargained。Butyoushallcomewithme。Iwillbenogirl’sdupe，nowoman’sfool，Citoyenne。"

Whenhesaidthatheutteredthefulltruth。Therewasnoloveinhisvoiceorinhisheartatthatmoment。Thandesireofhernothingwasfurtherfromhismind。Itwashispridethatwasupinarms，hiswoundeddignitythatcriedouttohimtoavengehimselfuponher，andtopunishherforhavingnomiserablydupedhim。Thatshewasunwillingtogowithhimonlyservedtoincreasehispurposeoftakingher，sincethemoreunwillingshewasthemorewouldshebepunished。

"Citoyenne，Iamwaitingforyoutoalight，"hesaidperemptorily。

"Monsieur，IamverywellasIam，"sheansweredhim，andleaningslightlyfromthecoach—"Driveon，Blaise，"shecommanded。

ButLaBoulayecockedapistol。

"Drivesomuchasayard，"hethreatened。"andI’lldriveyoutothedevil。"Then，turningoncemoretoSuzanne："Neverinmylife，CitoyennehaveIemployedforcetoawoman，"hesaid。"Itrustthatyouwillnotputmetothepainofcommencingnow。"

"Standback，Monsieur，"washerimperiousanswer。Butheedlessheadvanced，andthrustinghisheadunderthelintelofthecarriagedoorheleanedforward，toseizeher。Then，beforehecouldsomuchasconjecturewhatshewasabout，herhandwentupgraspingaheavyhorse—pistolbythebarrel，andshebroughtthebuttofitdownwithadeadlyprecisionbetweenhisbrows。

Hereeledbackwards，threwuphisarms，andmeasuredhislengthinthethickgreymudoftheroad。

Hereyeshadfollowedhimwithalookofhorror，anduntilshesawhimlyingstillonhisbackdidsheseemtorealisewhatshehaddone。

"Mydear，bravegirl，"murmuredhermother’svoicebutsheneverheardit。Withasobsherelaxedhergraspofthepistolandletitfallfromthecarriage。

"ShallIdriveon，Mademoiselle？"inquiredBlaisefromthebox。

Butwithoutansweringhimshehadsteppeddownintothemud，andwasstandingbare—headedintherainbesidethebodyofCaron。

Silently，shestoopedandgropedforhisheart。Itwasbeatingvigorouslyenough，shethought。Shestoopedlowerandtakinghimunderthearms，shehalfbore，halfdraggedhimtothesideoftheroad，asifthethin，barehedgewerecapableofaffordinghimshelter。Thereshestoodamomentlookingdownathim。Thenwithasobshesuddenlystooped，andcarelessoftheeyesobservingher，shekissedhimfulluponthemouth。

Asecondlatershefledlikeafrightenedthingbacktothecarriage，and，closingthedoor，shecalledinastrangledvoicetoodriveon。

Shepaidlittleheedtothepraisethatwasbeingbestoweduponherbyhermother—whohadseennothingofthekiss。Butshelaybackinhercornerofthecoach，andnowherlasheswerewetatthethoughtofCaronlyingoutthereintheroad。Nowhercheeksgrewredwithshameatthethoughtthatshe，thenobly—bornMademoiselledeBellecour，shouldhaveallowedevenpitytohavesofarovercomeherastohavecausedhertotouchwithherlipsthelipsofalow—bredrevolutionist。

CHAPTERXIV

THECOURIER

ItwaswellforLaBoulayethathehadtetheredhishorsetoatreebeforeapproachingthecoach。Thatsolitarybeaststandingbytheroadsideinthedeepeninggloomattractedtheattentionofhisfollowers，when—ahalf—hourorsolater—theyrodethatway，makingforLiege，asLaBoulayehadbiddenthem。

Attheirapproachtheanimalneighed，andGarin，hearingthesound，reinedinandpeeredforwardintothegloom，todescrythehorse’sheadandbackoutlinedabovetheblurofthehedge。Hismenhaltedbehindhimwhilstheapproachedtheriderlessbeastandmade—aswellashecouldinthedarkness—anexaminationofthesaddle。

Oneholsterhefoundempty，atwhichheconcludedthattherider，whoeverhehadbeen，hadmetwithtrouble；fromtheotherhedrewaheavypistol，which，however，gavehimnoclue。

"Getdown，"heorderedhismen，"andsearchtheroadshereabouts。

I’llwagerahorsetoahorseshoethatyouwillfindabodysomewhere。"

Hewasobeyed，andpresentlyacryfromoneofthesearchersannouncedadiscovery。Itwassucceededbyanotherexclamation。

"Sacrenom！"sworethetrooper。"ItistheCitizen—deputy！"

InaninstantGarinhadleapttothegroundandwiththeotherscrowdingabouthim，theirbridlesovertheirarmsandtheirhorsesinabunchbehindthem，hewasbendingunderthedrippinghedgetoexaminethebodythatlaysupineinthesoddenroad。AvigorousoathescapedhimwhenheassuredhimselfthatitwasindeedLaBoulaye。

"Ishedead？"criedthemeninchorus。

"No—notdead"grumbledthecorporal。"Butthereisalumponhisbrowthesizeofanegg，andGodknowshowlonghehasbeenlyinghereinthisbedofmud。"

Theyhadnorestoratives，andtheonlythingwastoconveyhimtothenearesthabitationanddemandshelter。Theyheldashortcouncilonthematter，andintheendGarinbadefourofthemtakehimupandcarryhiminacloak。Sometwomilesbacktheyhadpassedahouse，andthitherthecorporalnowbadethemretracetheirsteps。

Theymadeanoddprocession；firstwenttwomountedtroopersleadingthehorsesoftheothers，thenthefouronfoot，carryingtheDeputyinacloak，andlastly，Garinridingintherear。

Inthismannertheywentbackalongthedarkroad，andforcloseuponahalf—hour—fortheirprogresswasslow—theytrudgedalonginsilence。Atlasttherewasashortexclamationfromoneoftheriders，ashalfamileawayanilluminatedwindowbeamedinvitingly。

Encouragedbyit，theyquickenedtheirstepsalittle。ButalmostatthesametimeLaBoulayestirredonthecloak，andthemenwhocarriedhimheardhimspeak。Atfirstitwasanincoherentmutter，thenhiswordscamemoredistinctly。

"Hold！Whereareyoucarryingme？Whothedevilareyou？"

ItwasGarin’svoicethatcameinstantlytoreassurehim。Caronessayedtositup，butfindingitimpracticable，heshortlybadehismensethimdown。Theyhalted。GarindismountedandcametotheDeputy’sside，anditwasfoundthathisconditionwasnonesograveafterall，forhewasabletostandunaided。When，however，heattemptedtowalk，hereeled，andwouldofacertaintyhavefallen，butthatGarinputouthisarmtosupporthim。

"Steadythere，Citizen，"thecorporaladmonishedhim。

"Getmyhorse！"hecommandedbriefly。

"But，nameofaname！youarenotfittoride，"Garinprotested。

LaBoulaye，however，wouldlistentonoreason。WiththerecoveryofhisfacultiescametheconsiderationofhowmiserablySuzannehaddupedhim，andofhowshehaddealtwithhimwhenhehadovertakenher。Heburnednowtobeavenged，andatallcostshewouldrideafterandrecaptureher。Heannounced，therefore，tothecorporalthattheymustpushontoLiege。Garingaspedathisobstinacy，andwouldhavesoughttohavedissuadedhim，butthatLaBoulayeturnedonhimwithafiercenessthatsilencedhisexpostulations。

ItwaslefttoNaturetoenforcewhatGarincouldnotachieve。WhenLaBoulayecametoattempttomounthefounditimpossible。Hewasstiffandnumbfromhislongexposureintherain，andwhenhemovedwithanyvigourhisheadswamdizzilyandthrobbedwithpain。

Atlasthewasforcedtorealise—withinwardgirding—thathemustrelinquishhisdetermination，andheacknowledgedhimselfreadytotakethecorporal’sadviceandmakeforthehousewhoselightedwindowshonelikeabeaconinthedarknessthathaddescended。Heevenallowedthemtoprevailuponhimtoliedowninthecloakagain，andthustheycarriedhimtheremainderoftheway。Inhishearthestillborethehopethatshortrest，restoratives，andfreshclotheswouldfithimforthepursuitoncemore，andthatifhesetoutwithinthenextfewhourshemightyetcomeupwithMademoisellebeforeshehadpassedbeyondhisreach。Shouldthemorningstillfindhimunequaltothetaskofgoingafterher，hewoulddespatchGarinandhismen。

Atlasttheyreachedthecottage—itwaslittlemore—andGarinrappedonthedoorwithhiswhip。Itwasopenedbyawoman，whotoldthem，inanswertothecorporal’srequestforshelter，thatherhusbandwasfromhome，andthatshehadnoaccommodationforthem。ItwouldseemthatthewomanhadhousedsoldiersoftheRepublicbefore，andthatherexperienceshadnotbeenofanaturecalculatedtoencourageherinthepractice。ButLaBoulayenowstaggeredforwardandpromisedhergenerouspaymentifshewouldreceivethem。

"Payment？"shecried。"Inworthlessassignatsthatnobodywilltakefromme。Iknowthewaysofyou。"

"Notinassignats，"LaBoulayepromisedher，"butincoin。"

Andhavingmollifiedhersomewhatwiththatassurance，heproceededtourgehertoadmitthem。Yonderwasashedwherethehorsescouldbestabledforthenight。Butstillthewomandemurred。

"Ilacktheroom，"shesaid，withsomefirmness。

"Butatleast，"putinGarin，"youcouldhousetheCitizenhere。

Hehasbeenhurt，andheisscarcelyabletostand。Come，woman，ifyouwillconsenttothat，weotherscanliewiththehorsesintheshed。"

Thisintheendtheygainedbyrenewedpromisesofgoodpayment。

Shebrewedabrothforthem，andforLaBoulayeshefoundasuitofherabsenthusband’sclothes，whilsthisownwetgarmentswerespreadtodrybeforethefire。Somebrandy，too，shefoundandbroughthim，andthedraughtdidmuchtorestorehim。

Whentheyhadsupped，Garinandthetrooperswithdrewtotheouthouse，leavingLaBoulayeinsolepossessionofthecottagehearth。Andthere，inasuitoftheabsentfarmer’sgreyhomespun，hislegsencasedincoarsewoollenstockingsandsabotsuponhisfeet，sattheyoungDeputyalonewithhisunpleasantthoughts。Thewomanhadbroughthimapipe，and，althoughthehabitwasforeigntohimasarule，hehadlighteditandfoundthesmokingsomewhatsoothing。Ruefullyhepassedhishandacrosshisbandagedbrow，andinponderingoverallthathadtakenplacesinceyesternightatBoisvert，hischeeksgrewflushedatoncewithangerandwithshame。

"Tohavebeensoduped！"

Andnow—hismindgrowingclearerasherecoveredinvigour—itoccurredtohimthatbyto—morrowitwouldbetoolatetogivepursuit。OnceshecrossedtheSambreatLiege，orelsewhere，whocouldtellhimbywhatroadshewouldelecttocontinueherjourney？

Hehadnotsufficientmenathisdisposaltosendoutpartiesalongeachofthepossibleroads。ThatherultimatedestinationwasTrevesheknew。Butoncethereshewasbeyondhisreach，atsafetyfromthetalonsoftheFrenchRepublic。

Hesatonandthought，whattimehisbrowscameclosertogetherandhisteethfastenedviciouslyuponthestemofthepipe。Bythetablesatthewoman，knittingindustriously，andeverandanonglancinginquiryatherstern，thoughtfulguest，andtheclickofherneedleswastheonlysoundthatdisturbedthestillnessoftheroom。Outsidethewindwaswailinglikethedamned，andtherainwhichhadrecommencedwithnewvigour，rattlednoisilyuponthepanes。

Suddenlyabovethedinoftheelementsashoutsoundedinthenight。

TheDeputyraisedhishead，andglancedtowardsthewoman。Amomentlatertheyheardthegatecreak，andstepsuponthepaththatledtothecottagedoor。

"Yourhusband？"inquiredLaBoulaye。

"No，monsieur。HehasgonetoLiege，andwillnotreturnuntilto—morrow。Idonotknowwhoitcanbe。"

Therewasalarmonherface，whichLaBoulayenowsethimselftoallay。

"Atleastyouarewellprotected，Citoyenne。Mymenarecloseathand，andwecansummonthemiftherebetheneed。"

Reassuredsherose，andatthesamemomentaknocksoundedonthedoor。Shewenttoopenit，andfromhisseatbythehearthLaBoulayeheardagentle，mincingvoicethatwasoddlyfamiliartohim。

"Madame，"itsaid，"wearetwopoor，lostwayfarers，andwecraveshelterforthenight。Wewillpayyouhandsomely。"

"IamdesolatedthatIhavenoroom，Messieur，"sheanswered，withcourteousfirmness。

"Pardi！"interpolatedanothervoice。"Weneednoroom。Abundleofstrawandacornerisallweseek。Ofyourcharity，Madame，isthisanightonwhichtoleaveadogoutofdoors？"

AlightofrecollectionleapedsuddenlytoLaBoulaye’seyes，andwithasuddengasphestoopedtothehearth。

"ButIcannot，Messieurs，"thewomanwassaying，whenthesecondvoiceinterruptedher。

"Iseeyourhusbandbythefire，Madame。Letushearwhathehastosay。"

Thewomancolouredtotherootsofherhair。Shesteppedbackapace，andwasabouttoanswerthemwhen，chancingtoglanceinLaBoulaye’sdirection，shepaused。Hehadrisen，andwasstandingwithhisbacktothefire。Therewasablacksmudgeacrosshisface，whichseemedtoactasamask，andhisdarkeyesglowedwithanintensityofmeaningwhicharrestedherattention，andsilencedtheanswerwhichwasrisingtoherlips。

Inthebriefpausethenew—comershadcrossedthethreshold，andstoodwithintherusticchamber。ThefirstofthesewashewhosegentlevoiceLaBoulayehadrecognised—oldM。desCadoux，thefriendoftheMarquisdeBellecour。Hiscompanion，totheDeputy’svastsurprise，wasnoneotherthanthebeardedcourierwhohadthatmorningdeliveredhimatBoisverttheletterfromRobespierre。

Whatdidthesetwotogether，anduponsuchmanifesttermsofequality？That，itshouldbehisbusinesstodiscover。

"Comein，Messieurs，"hebadethem，assumingtheroleofhost。"Weareunusedtostrangers，andMathildethereistimidofrobbers。

Drawnearthefireanddryyourselves。Wewilldothebestwecanforyou。Wearepoorpeople，Messieurs；verypoor。"

"Ihavealreadysaidthatwewillpayyouhandsomelymyfriend，"

quothDesCadoux，comingforwardwithhiscompanion。"Doyourbestforusandyoushallnotregretit。Haveyouaughttoeatinthehouse？"

Thewomanwasstandingbythewall，herfaceexpressingbewildermentandsuspicion。Suspiciousshewas，yetthatglanceofLaBoulaye’shadruledherstrangely，andshewascontenttonowawaitdevelopments。

"Wewillseewhatwecando，"answeredLaBoulaye，ashemaderoomforthembythehearth。"Come，Mathilde，letustrywhatthelarderwillyield。"

"IamafraidthatMadamestillmistrustsus，"deploredDesCadoux。

LaBoulayelaughedforanswerashegentlybutfirmlydrewhertowardsthedoorleadingtotheinteriorofthehouse。Hehelditforhertopass，whattimehiseyesweresetinanintentbutpuzzledglanceuponthecourier。TherewassomethingaboutthemanthatwasnotwhollystrangetoLaBoulaye。Thatmorning，whenhehadspokeninthegruffaccentsofoneoftherabble，nosuspicionhadenteredtheDeputy’smindthathewasotherthanheseemed，forallthathenowrecalledhowTardivethadfoundthefellow’spatriotismalittletoopatriotic。Nowthathespokeinthevoicethatwasnaturallyusualtohim，itseemedtoLaBoulayethatitcontainedanotethathehadheardbefore。

Stillpuzzled，hepassedoutoftheroomtobequestionedsharplybythewomanofthehousetouchinghismotivesforpassinghimselfoffasherhusbandandinvitingthenew—comerstoenter。

"Ipromiseyoutheirstaywillbeaverybriefone，"heanswered。

"Ihavesuspicionstoverifytheendstoserve，asyoushallsee。

Willyoudomethefavourtogooutbythebackandcallmymen？

Tellthecorporaltomakehiswaytothefrontofthehouse，andtoholdhimselfinreadinesstoenterthemomentIcallhim。"

"Whatareyouabouttodo？"sheaskedandtheface，ashesawitbythelightofthecandlesheheld，woreanexpressionofsullendisapproval。

Hereassuredherthattherewouldbenobloodshed，andsuggestedthatthemenweredangerouscharacterswhomitmightbeillforhertoentertain。Andsoatlasthewonhisway，andshewenttodohiserrand，whilsthereenteredthekitchenHefoundDesCadouxbythefire，intentupondryingasmuchofhimselfaspossible。Theyoungermanhadseizeduponthebottleofbrandythathadbeenleftonthetable，andwasintheactoffillinghimselfasecondglass。Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthemindofeitherthanasuspicionoftheidentityofthisrustically—cladandgrimy—facedfellow。

"Mathildewillbehereinamoment，"saidCarondeferentially。

"Sheisseekingsomethingforyou。"

Hadhetoldthempreciselywhatshewasseekingtheyhadbeen，possibly，lessatease。

"Letherhasten，"criedthecourier，"forIamfamished。"

"Havepatience，Anatole，"murmuredtheever—gentleCadoux。"Thegoodwomandidnotexpectus。"

Anatole！ThenamebuzzedthroughCaron’sbrain。Towhomdiditbelong？Heknewofsomeonewhoboreit。Yetquestionhimselfthoughhemight，hecouldatthemomentfindnoanswer。Andthenthecouriercreatedadiversionbyaddressinghim。

"Fillyourselfaglass，monbonhomme，"saidhe。"Ihaveatoastforyou。"

"Forme，Monsieur，"criedLaBoulaye，withsurprisedhumility。"Itweretoogreatanhonour。"

"Doasyouarebidden，man，"returnedthisveryperemptorycourier。

"There；nowletusseehowyourfavourruns。Cry’LongLivetheKing！’"

Holdingthebrandy—glass，whichthemanhadforceduponhim，LaBoulayeeyedhimwhimsicallyforasecond。

"ThereisnotoastIwouldmoregladlydrink，"saidheatlast，"ifIconsidereditavailing。But—alas—youproposeitover—late。"

"Diable！Whatmayyoumean？"

"Why，thatsincetheKingisdead，itshallprofituslittletocry，’LongLivetheKing！’"

"TheKing，Monsieur，neverdies，"saidCadouxsententiously。

"Sinceyouputitso，Monsieur，"answeredLaBoulaye，asifconvinced，"I’llhonourthetoast。"Andwiththecrytheyaskedofhimhedrainedhisglass。

"Andso，myhonestfellow，"saidDesCadoux，producinghiseternalsnuff—box，"itseemsthatyouareaRoyalist。Wedidbuttestyouwiththattoast，myfriend。"

"Whatshouldapoorfellowknowofpolitics，Messieurs？"hedeprecated。"Theseareoddtimes。Idoubtmetheworldhasneverseentheirlike。Nomanmaysafelyknowhisneighbour。Nowyou，sir，"hepursued，turningtotheyoungerman，"youhavetheairofasans—culotte，yetfromyourspeechyouseemanhonestenoughgentleman。"

Thefellowlaughedwithunction。

"Theairofasans—culotte？"hecried。"Myfaith，yes。Somuchso，thatthismorningIimposedmyselfasacourierfromParisuponnolessanastutesleuth—houndoftheConventionthantheCitizen—deputyLaBoulaye。"

"Isitpossible？"criedCaron，hiseyesopeningwideinwonder。"Buthow，Monsieurs？Forsurelyacouriermustbearletters，and—"

"SodidI，sodidI，myfriend，"theotherinterrupted，withvainglory。"Iknockedapatrioticcourierovertheheadtoobtainthem。

Hewasgenuine，thatothercourier，andIpassedmyselfoutofFrancewithhispapers。"

"Monsieurisamusinghimselfattheexpenseofmycredulity，"LaBoulayecomplained。

"Mygoodman，Iamtellingyoufacts，"theotherinsisted。

"Buthowcouldsuchathingbeaccomplished？"askedCaron，seatinghimselfatthetable，andrestinghischinuponhishand，hisgazesofullofadmirationastoseemawestruck。

"How？Iwilltellyou。IamfromArtois。"

"You’llberepeatingthatcharmingstoryoncetoooften，"DesCadouxcautionedhim。

"Pish，youtimorousone！"helaughed，andresumedhistale。"IamfromArtois，then。Ihavesomepropertythere，anditlatelycametomyearsthatthisassemblyofcurstheycalltheConventionhaddeterminedtomakeanendofme。Butbeforetheycouldcarryouttheirdesign，thosesonsofdogs，mytenants，incitedbythechoiceexamplessetthembyothertenantry，madeadescentonmyChateauonenight，anddidthemselvesthepleasureofburningittotheground。ByamiracleIescapedwithmylifeandlayhiddenforthreeweeksinthehouseofanoldpeasantwhohadremainedfaithful。