THESPORTOFFOOLS.
　　ThedeathofthePrinceofConde,whichoccurredinthespringof1588,bydeprivingmeofmyonlypatron,reducedmetosuchstraitsthatthewinterofthatyear,whichsawtheKingofNavarrecometospendhisChristmasatSt.Jeand'Angely,sawalsothenadirofmyfortunes.Ididnotknowatthistime——I
　　mayconfessitto-daywithoutshame——withertoturnforagoldcrownoranewscabbard,andneitherhadnordiscernedanyhopeofemployment.ThepeacelatelypatchedupatBloisbetweentheKingofFranceandtheLeaguepersuadedmanyoftheHuguenotsthattheirfinalruinwasathand;butitcouldnotfilltheirexhaustedtreasuryorenablethemtoputfreshtroopsintothefield.
　　ThedeathofthePrincehadlefttheKingofNavarrewithoutarivalintheaffectionsoftheHuguenots;theVicomtedeTurenne,whoseturbulent;ambitionalreadybegantomakeitselffelt,andM.deChatillon,rankingnexttohim.Itwasmyill-fortune,however,tobeequallyunknowntoallthreeleaders,andasthemonthofDecemberwhichsawmethusmiserablystraitenedsawmereachtheageofforty,whichIregard,differinginthatfrommany,asthegrandclimactericofaman'slife,itwillbebelievedthatIhadneedofallthecouragewhichreligionandacampaigner'slifecouldsupply.
　　IhadbeencompelledsometimebeforetosellallmyhorsesexcepttheblackSardinianwiththewhitespotonitsforehead;
　　andInowfoundmyselfobligedtopartalsowithmyvaletdechambreandgroom,whomIdismissedonthesameday,payingthemtheirwageswiththelastlinksofgoldchainlefttome.ItwasnotwithoutgriefanddismaythatIsawmyselfthusstrippedoftheappurtenancesofamanofbirth,anddriventogroommyownhorseundercoverofnight.Butthiswasnottheworst.Mydress,whichsufferedinevitablyfromthismenialemployment,beganinnolongtimetobearwitnesstothechangeinmycircumstances;sothatonthedayoftheKingofNavarre'sentranceintoSt.JeanIdarednotfacethecrowd,alwaysquicktoremarkthepovertyofthoseabovethem,butwasfaintokeepwithindoorsandwearoutmypatienceinthegarretofthecutler'shouseintheRuedelaCoutellerie,whichwasallthelodgingIcouldnowafford.
　　Pardieu,'tisastrangeworld!Strangethattimeseemstome;
　　morestrangecomparedwiththis.Myreflectionsonthatday,I
　　remember,wereofthemostmelancholy.LookatithowIwould,I
　　couldnotbutseethatmylife'sspringwasover.Thecrows'
　　feetweregatheringaboutmyeyes,andmymoustachios,whichseemedwitheachdayofill-fortunetostandoutmorefiercelyinproportionasmyfacegrewleaner,werealreadygrey.Iwasoutatelbows,withemptypockets,andaswordwhichpeeredthroughthesheath.Themeanestrufflerwho,withbrokenfeatherandtarnishedlace,swaggeredattheheelsofTurenne,wasscarcelytobedistinguishedfromme.Ihadstill,itistrue,arockandafewbarrenacresinBrittany,thelastremainsofthefamilyproperty;butthesmallsmallsumswhichthepeasantscouldaffordtopayweresentannuallytoParis,tomymother,whohadnootherdower.AndthisIwouldnottouch,beingmindedtodieagentleman,evenifIcouldnotliveinthatestate.
　　Smallasweremyexpectationsofsuccess,sinceIhadnooneattheking'ssidetopushmybusiness,noranyfriendatCourt,I
　　neverthelessdidallIcould,intheonlywaythatoccurredtome.Idrewupapetition,andlyinginwaitonedayforM.
　　Forget,theKingofNavarre'ssecretary,placeditinhishand,begginghimtolayitbeforethatprince.Hetookit,andpromisedtodoso,smoothly,andwithasmuchlip-civilityasI
　　hadarighttoexpect.ButthecarelessmannerinwhichhedoubledupandthrustawaythepaperonwhichIhadspentsomuchlabour,nolessthanthecovertsneerofhisvalet,whoranaftermetogetthecustomarypresent——andran,asIstillblushtoremember,invain——warnedmetorefrainfromhope.
　　Inthis,however,havinglittlesavehopeleft,Ifailedsosignallyastospendthenextdayandthedayafterinafeverofalternateconfidenceanddespair,thecoldfitfollowingthehotwithperfectregularity.Atlength,onthemorningofthethirdday——IrememberitlackedbutthreeofChristmas——Iheardasteponthestairs.Mylandlordlivinginhisshop,andthetwointerveningfloorsbeingempty,Ihadnodoubtthemessagewasforme,andwentoutsidethedoortoreceiveit,myfirstglanceatthemessengerconfirmingmeinmyhighesthopes,aswellasinallIhadeverheardofthegenerosityoftheKingofNavarre.
　　ForbychanceIknewtheyouthtobeoneoftheroyalpages;asaucyfellowwhohadadayortwobeforecried'OldClothes'
　　aftermeinthestreet.Iwasveryfarfromresentingthisnow,however,nordidheappeartorecallit;sothatIdrewthehappiestauguryastothecontentsofthenoteheborefromthepolitenesswithwhichhepresentedittome.
　　Iwouldnot,however,runtheriskofamistake,andbeforeholdingoutmyhand,Iaskedhimdirectlyandwithformalityifitwasforme.
　　Heanswered,withtheutmostrespect,thatitwasfortheSieurdeMarsac,andformeifIwerehe.
　　'Thereisananswer,perhaps?'Isaid,seeingthathelingered.
　　'TheKingofNavarre,sir,'hereplied,withalowbow,'willreceiveyouranswerinperson,Ibelieve.'Andwiththat,replacingthehatwhichhehaddoffedoutofrespecttome,heturnedandwentdownthestairs.
　　Returningtomyroom,andlockingthedoor,Ihastilyopenedthemissive,whichwassealedwithalargeseal,andworeeveryappearanceofimportance.Ifounditscontentstoexceedallmyexpectations.TheKingofNavarredesiredmetowaitonhimatnoononthefollowingday,andtheletterconcludedwithsuchexpressionsofkindnessandgoodwillasleftmeinnodoubtofthePrince'sintentions.Ireadit,Iconfess,withemotionsofjoyandgratitudewhichwouldbetterhavebecomeayoungerman,andthencheerfullysatdowntospendtherestofthedayinmakingsuchimprovementsinmydressasseemedpossible.WithathankfulheartIconcludedthatIhadnowescapedfrompoverty,atanyratefromsuchpovertyasisdisgracefultoagentleman;
　　andconsoledmyselfforthemeannessoftheappearanceImustmakeatCourtwiththereflectionthatadayortwowouldmendbothhabitandfortune.
　　Accordingly,itwaswithastoutheartthatIleftmylodgingsafewminutesbeforenoonnextmorning,andwalkedtowardsthecastle.ItwassometimesinceIhadmadesopublicanappearanceinthestreets,whichthevisitoftheKingofNavarre'sCourt;hadfilledwithanunusualcrowd,andIcouldnothelpfancyingasIpassedthatsomeoftheloitererseyedmewithacovertsmile;and,indeed,Iwasshabbyenough.Butfindingthatafrownmorethansufficedtorestorethegravityofthesegentry,Isetdowntheappearancetomyownself-
　　consciousness,and,strokingmymoustachios,strodealongboldlyuntilIsawbeforeme,andcomingtomeetme,thesamepagewhohaddeliveredthenote.
　　Hestoppedinfrontofmewithanairofconsequence,andmakingmealowbow——whereatIsawthebystandersstare,forhewasasgayayoungsparkasmaid-of-honourcoulddesire——hebeggedmetohasten,asthekingawaitedmeinhiscloset.
　　'Hehasaskedforyoutwice,sir,'hecontinuedimportantly,thefeatherofhiscapalmostsweepingtheground.
　　'Ithink,'Ianswered,quickeningmysteps,'thattheking'slettersaysnoon,youngsir.IfIamlateonsuchanoccasion,hehasindeedcausetocomplainofme.'
　　'Tut,tut!'herejoinedwavinghishandwithadandified'Itisnomatter.Onemanmaystealahorsewhenanothermaynotlookoverthewall,youknow.'
　　Amanmaybegray-haired,hemaybesad-complexioned,andyethemayretainsomeofthefreshnessofyouth.Onreceivingthisindicationofafavourexceedingallexpectation,IrememberI
　　feltthebloodrisetomyface,andexperiencedthemostlivelygratitude.Iwonderedwhohadspokeninmybehalf,whohadbefriendedme;andconcludingatlastthatmypartintheaffairatBrouagehadcometotheking'sears,thoughIcouldnotconceivethroughwhom,Ipassedthroughthecastlegateswithanairofconfidenceandelationwhichwasnotunnatural,Ithink,underthecircumstances.Thence,followingmyguide,Imountedtherampandenteredthecourtyard.
　　Anumberofgroomsandvaletswerelounginghere,someleadinghorsestoandfro,othersexchangingjokeswiththewencheswholeanedfromthewindows,whiletheirfellowsagainstampedupanddowntokeeptheirfeetwarm,orplayedballagainstthewallinimitationoftheirmasters.Suchknavesareevermoreinsolentthantheirbetters;butIremarkedthattheymadewayformewithrespect,andwithrisingspirits,yetalittleirony,IremindedmyselfasImountedthestairsofthewords,'whomthekingdelightethtohonour!'
　　Reachingtheheadoftheflight,wherewasasoldieronguard,thepageopenedthedooroftheantechamber,andstandingasidebademeenter.Ididso,andheardthedoorclosebehindme.
　　ForamomentIstoodstill,bashfulandconfused.Itseemedtomethattherewereahundredpeopleintheroom,andthathalftheeyeswhichmetminewerewomen's,ThoughIwasnotaltogetherastrangertosuchstateasthePrinceofCondehadmaintained,thiscrowdedanteroomfilledmewithsurprise,andevenwithadegreeofawe,ofwhichIwasthenextmomentashamed.True,theflutterofsilkandgleamofjewelssurpassedanythingIhadthenseen,formyfortuneshadneverledmetotheking'sCourt;butaninstant'sreflectionremindedmethatmyfathershadheldtheirowninsuchscenes,andwithabowregulatedratherbythisthoughtthanbytheshabbinessofmydress,Iadvancedamidasuddensilence.
　　'M.deMarsac!'thepageannounced,inatonewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears;somuchso,thatIturnedquicklytolookathim.Hewasgone,however,andwhenIturnedagaintheeyeswhichmetminewerefullofsmiles.Ayounggirlwhostoodnearmetittered.Putoutofcountenancebythis,IlookedroundinembarrassmenttofindsomeonetowhomImightapply.
　　Theroomwaslongandnarrow,panelledinchestnut,witharowofwindowsontheonehand,andtwofireplaces,nowheapedwithglowinglogs,ontheother.Betweenthefireplacesstoodarackofarms.Roundthenearerhearthloungedagroupofpages,theexactcounterpartsoftheyoungbladewhohadbroughtmehither;
　　andtalkingwiththesewereasmanyyounggentlewomen.Twogreathoundslaybaskingintheheat,andcoiledbetweenthem,withherheadonthebackofthelarger,wasafiguresostrangethatatanothertimeIshouldhavedoubtedmyeyes.Itworethefool'smotleyandcapandbells,butasecondglanceshowedmethefeatureswereawoman's.Atorrentofblackhairflowedlooseaboutherneck,hereyesshonewithwildmerriment,andherface,keen,thin,andhectic,glaredatmefromthedog'sback.Beyondher,roundthefartherfireplace,clusteredmorethanascoreofgallantsandladies,ofwhomonepresentlyadvancedtome.
　　'Sir,'hesaidpolitely——andIwishedIcouldmatchhisbow——'youwishedtosee——?'
　　'TheKingofNavarre,'Ianswered,doingmybest.
　　Heturnedtothegroupbehindhim,andsaid,inapeculiarlyeven,placidtone,'HewishestoseetheKingofNavarre.'Theninsolemnsilencehebowedtomeagainandwentbacktohisfellows.
　　Upontheinstant,andbeforeIcouldmakeupmymindhowtotakethis,asecondtrippedforward,andsalutingme,said,'M.deMarsac,Ithink?'
　　'Atyourservice,sir,'Irejoined.Inmyeagernesstoescapethegazeofallthoseeyes,andthetitteringwhichwasaudiblebehindme,Itookastepforwardtobeinreadinesstofollowhim.Buthegavenosign.'M.deMarsactoseetheKingofNavarre'wasallhesaid,speakingastheotherhadclosetothosebehind.Andwiththathetoowheeledroundandwentback.
　　tothefire.
　　Istared,afirstfaintsuspicionofthetrutharousedinmymind.BeforeIcouldactuponit,however——insuchasituationitwasnoeasytasktodecidehowtoact——athirdadvancedwiththesamemeasuredsteps.'ByappointmentIthink,sir?'hesaid,bowinglowerthantheothers.
　　'Yes,'Irepliedsharply,beginningtogrowwarm,'byappointmentatnoon.'
　　'M.deMarsac,'heannouncedinasing-songtonetothosebehindhim,'toseetheKingofNavarrebyappointmentatnoon.'Andwithasecondbow——whileIgrewscarletwithmortificationhetoowheeledgravelyroundandreturnedtothefireplace.
　　Isawanotherpreparingtoadvance,buthecametoolate.
　　Whethermyfaceofangerandbewildermentwastoomuchforthem,orsomeamongthemlackedpatiencetoseetheend,asuddenuncontrollableshoutoflaughter,inwhichalltheroomjoined,cutshortthefarce.Godknowsithurtme:Iwinced,Ilookedthiswayandthat,hopinghereortheretofindsympathyandhelp.Butitseemedtomethattheplacerangwithgibes,thateverypanelframed,howeverIturnedmyself,acruel,sneeringface.Onebehindmecried'OldClothes,'andwhenIturnedtheotherhearthwhisperedthetaunt.Itaddedathousandfoldtomyembarrassmentthattherewasinallacertainorderliness,sothatwhilenoonemoved,andnone,whileIlookedatthem,raisedtheirvoices,Iseemedthemoresingledout,andplacedasabuttinthemidst.
　　Onefaceamidthepyramidofcountenanceswhichhidthefartherfireplacesoburneditselfintomyrecollectioninthatmiserablemoment,thatIneverthereafterforgotit;asmall,delicatewoman'sface,belongingtoayounggirlwhostoodboldlyinfrontofhercompanions.Itwasafacefullofpride,and,asIsawitthen,ofscorn——scornthatscarcelydeignedtolaugh;whilethegirl'sgracefulfigure,slightandmaidenly,yetperfectlyproportioned,seemedinstinctwiththesamefeelingofcontemptuousamusement.
　　Theplay,whichseemedlongenoughtome,mighthavelastedlonger,seeingthatnoonetherehadpityonme,hadInot,inmydesperation,espiedadooratthefartherendoftheroom,andconcluded,seeingnoother,thatitwasthedooroftheking'sbedchamber.ThemortificationIwassufferingwassogreatthatIdidnothesitate,butadvancedwithboldnesstowardsit.Ontheinstanttherewasalullinthelaughterroundme,andhalfadozenvoicescalledonmetostop.
　　'Ihavecometoseetheking,'Ianswered,turningonthemfiercely,forIwasbythistimeinnomoodforbrowbeating,'andIwillseehim!'
　　'Heisouthunting,'criedallwithoneaccord;andtheysignedimperiouslytometogobackthewayIhadcome.
　　Buthavingtheking'sappointmentsafeinmypouch,IthoughtI
　　hadgoodreasontodisbelievethem;andtakingadvantageoftheirsurprise——fortheyhadnotexpectedsoboldasteponmypart——I
　　wasatthedoorbeforetheycouldpreventme.IheardMathurine,thefool,whohadsprungtoherfeet,cry'Pardieu!hewilltaketheKingdomofHeavenbyforce!'andthosewerethelastwordsI
　　heard;for,asIliftedthelatch——therewasnooneonguardthere——asuddenswiftsilencefellupontheroombehindme.
　　Ipushedthedoorgentlyopenandwentin.Thereweretwomensittinginoneofthewindows,whoturnedandlookedangrilytowardsme.Fortheresttheroomwasempty.Theking'swalking-shoeslaybyhischair,andbesidethemtheboot-hooksandjack.Adogbeforethefiregotupslowlyandgrowled,andoneofthemen,risingfromthetrunkonwhichhehadbeensitting,cametowardsmeandaskedme,witheverysignofirritation,whatIwantedthere,andwhohadgivenmeleavetoenter.
　　Iwasbeginningtoexplain,withsomediffidencethestillnessoftheroomsoberingme——thatIwishedtoseetheking,whenhewhohadadvancedtookmeupsharplywith,'Theking?theking?Heisnothere,man.HeishuntingatSt.Valery.Didtheynottellyousooutside?'
　　IthoughtIrecognisedthespeaker,thanwhomIhaveseldomseenamanmoregraveandthoughtfulforhisyears,whichweresomethinglessthanmine,morestrikinginpresence,ormoresoberlydressed.Andbeingdesiroustoevadehisquestion,I
　　askedhimifIhadnotthehonourtoaddressM.duPlessisMornay;forthatwiseandcourtlystatesman,nowapillarofHenry'scounsels,itwas.
　　'Thesame,sir,'hereplied,abruptly,andwithouttakinghiseyesfromme.'IamMornay.Whatofthat?'
　　'IamM.deMarsac,'Iexplained.AndthereIstopped,supposingthat,ashewasintheking'sconfidence,thiswouldmakemyerrandcleartohim.
　　ButIwasdisappointed.'Well,sir?'hesaid,andwaitedimpatiently.
　　Socoldareception,followingsuchtreatmentasIhadsufferedoutside,wouldhavesufficedtohavedashedmyspiritsutterlyhadInotfelttheking'sletterinmypocket.Beingprettyconfident,however,thatasingleglanceatthiswouldalterM.
　　duMornay'sbearingforthebetter,Ihastened,lookingonitasakindoftalisman,todrawitoutandpresentittohim.
　　Hetookit,andlookedatit,andopenedit,butwithsocoldandimmovableanaspectasmademyheartsinkmorethanallthathadgonebefore.'Whatisamiss?'Icried,unabletokeepsilence.
　　''Tisfromtheking,sir.'
　　'Akinginmotley!'heanswered,hislipcurling.
　　Thesenseofhiswordsdidnotatoncestrikehometome,andI
　　murmured,ingreatdisorder,thatthekinghadsentforme.
　　'Thekingknowsnothingofit,'washisbluntanswer,bluntlygiven.Andhethrustthepaperbackintomyhands.'Itisatrick,'hecontinued,speakingwiththesameabruptness,'forwhichyouhavedoubtlesstothanksomeofthoseidleyoungrascalswithout.Youhadsentanapplicationtotheking,I
　　suppose?Justso.Nodoubttheygotholdofit,andthisistheresult.Theyoughttobewhipped.'
　　Itwasnotpossibleformetodoubtanylongerthatwhathesaidwastrue.Isawinamomentallmyhopesvanish,allmyplansflungtothewinds;andinthefirstshockofthediscoveryI
　　couldneitherfindvoicetoanswerhimnorstrengthtowithdraw.
　　InakindofvisionIseemedtoseemyownlean,haggardfacelookingatmeasinaglass,and,readingdespairinmyeyes,couldhavepitiedmyself.
　　MydisorderwassogreatthatM.duMornayobservedit.Lookingmorecloselyatme,hetwoorthreetimesmutteredmyname,andatlastsaid,'M.deMarsac?Ha!Iremember.YouwereintheaffairofBrouage,wereyounot?'
　　Inoddedmyheadintokenofassent,beingunableatthemomenttospeak,andsoshakenthatperforceIleanedagainstthewall,myheadsunkonmybreast.Thememoryofmyage,myfortyyears,andmypoverty,pressedharduponme,fillingmewithdespairandbitterness.Icouldhavewept,butnotearscame.
　　M.duMornay,avertinghiseyesfromme,tooktwoorthreeshort,impatientturnsupanddownthechamber.Whenheaddressedmeagainhistonewasfullofrespect,mingledwithsuchpetulanceasonebravemanmightfeel,seeinganothersohardpressed.'M.
　　deMarsac,'hesaid,'youhavemysympathy.Itisashamethatmenwhohaveservedthecauseshouldbereducedtosuch.
　　straits.Wereit,possibleforme,toincreasemyowntrainatpresent,Ishouldconsideritanhonourtohaveyouwithme.ButIamhardputtoitmyself,andsoareweall,andtheKingofNavarrenotleastamongus.HehaslivedforamonthuponawoodwhichM.deRosnyhascutdown.Iwillmentionyournametohim,butIshouldbecruelratherthankindwereInottowarnyouthatnothingcancomeofit.'
　　Withthatheofferedmehishand,and,cheeredasmuchbythismarkofconsiderationasbythekindnessofhisexpressions,I
　　ralliedmyspirits.True,Iwantedcomfortmoresubstantial,butitwasnottobehad.IthankedhimthereforeasbecominglyasI
　　could,andseeingtherewasnohelpforit,tookmyleaveofhim,andslowlyandsorrowfullywithdrewfromtheroom.
　　Alas!toescapeIhadtofacetheoutsideworld,forwhichhiskindwordswereanillpreparation.Ihadtorunthegauntletoftheantechamber.ThemomentIappeared,orratherthemomentthedoorclosedbehindme,Iwashailedwithashoutofderision.
　　Whileonecried,'Way!wayforthegentlemanwhohasseentheking!'anotherhailedmeuproariouslyasGovernorofGuyenne,andathirdrequestedacommissioninmyregiment.
　　Iheardthesetauntswithaheartfullalmosttobursting.Itseemedtomeanunworthythingthat,merelybyreasonofmypoverty,Ishouldbederidedbyyouthswhohadstillalltheirbattlesbeforethem;buttostoporreproachthemwouldonly,asIwellknew,makemattersworse,and,moreover,IwassosorestrickenthatIhadlittlespiritlefteventospeak.
　　Accordingly,ImademywaythroughthemwithwhatspeedImight,myheadbent,andmycountenanceheavywithshameanddepression.
　　Inthisway——Iwondertherewerenotamongthemsomegenerousenoughtopityme——Ihadnearlygainedthedoor,andwasbeginningtobreathe,whenIfoundmypathstoppedbythatparticularyoungladyoftheCourtwhomIhavedescribedabove.
　　Somethinghadforthemomentdivertedherattentionfromme,anditrequiredawordfromhercompanionstoappriseherofmynearneighbourhood.Sheturnedthen,asonetakenbysurprise,andfindingmesoclosetoherthatmyfeetallbuttouchedhergown,shesteppedquicklyaside,andwithaglanceascruelasheract,drewherskirtsawayfromcontactwithme.
　　Theinsultstungme,Iknownotwhy,morethanallthegibeswhichwerebeingflungatmefromeveryside,andmovedbyasuddenimpulseIstopped,andinthebitternessofmyheartspoketoher.'Mademoiselle,'Isaid,bowinglow——for,asIhavestated,shewassmall,andmorelikeafairythanawoman,thoughherfaceexpressedbothprideandself-will——'Mademoiselle,'I
　　saidsternly,'suchasIam,IhavefoughtforFrance!Somedayyoumaylearnthattherearevilerthingsintheworld——andhavetobearthem——thanapoorgentleman!'
　　ThewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouthbeforeIrepentedofthem,forMathurine,thefool,whowasatmyelbow,wasquicktoturnthemintoridicule.Raisingherhandsaboveourheads,asinacttoblessus,shecriedoutthatMonsieur,havinggainedsorichanoffice,desiredabridetograceit;andthis,bringingdownuponusacoarseshoutoflaughterandsomecoarsergibes,I
　　sawtheyounggirl'sfaceflushhotly.
　　Thenextmomentavoiceinthecrowdcriedroughly'Outuponhisweddingsuit!'andwiththatasweetmeatstruckmeintheface.
　　Anotherandanotherfollowed,coveringmewithflourandcomfits.
　　Thiswasthelaststraw.Foramoment,forgettingwhereIwas,I
　　turneduponthem,redandfurious,everyhairinmymoustachiosbristling.Thenext,thefullsenseofmyimpotenceandofthefollyofresentmentprevailedwithme,and,droppingmyheaduponmybreast,Irushedfromtheroom.
　　Ibelievethattheyoungeramongthemfollowedme,andthatthecryof'OldClothes!'pursuedmeeventothedoorofmylodgingsintheRuedelaCoutellerie.Butinthemiseryofthemoment,andmystrongdesiretobewithindoorsandalone,Ibarelynoticedthis,andamnotcertainwhetheritwassoornot.
　　CHAPTERII.
　　THEKINGOFNAVARRE.
　　IhavealreadyreferredtothedangerwithwhichthealliancebetweenHenrytheThirdandtheLeaguemenacedus,analliancewhereofthenews,itwassaid,hadblanchedtheKingofNavarre'smoustacheinasinglenight.Notwithstandingthis,theCourthadnevershownitselfmorefrolicsomeormorefreefromcarethanatthetimeofwhichIamspeaking;eventhelackofmoneyseemedforthemomentforgotten.Oneamusementfollowedanother,andthough,withoutdoubt,somethingwasdoingunderthesurfaceforthewiserofhisfoesheldourprinceinparticulardreadwhenheseemedmostdeeplysunkinpleasure——totheoutwardeyeSt.Jeand'Angelyappearedtobegivenovertoenjoymentfromoneendtotheother.
　　ThestirandbustleoftheCourtreachedmeeveninmygarret,andcontributedtomakethatChristmas,whichfellonaSunday,atrialalmostbeyondsufferance.Alldaylongtherattleofhoofsonthepavement,andthelaughterofridersbentondiversion,cameuptome,makingthehardstoolseemharder,thebarewallsmorebare,andincreasingahundredfoldthesolitarygloominwhichIsat.Forassunshinedeepenstheshadowswhichfallathwartit,andnosilenceislikethatwhichfollowstheexplosionofamine,sosadnessandpovertyarenevermoreintolerablethanwhenhopeandwealthrubelbowswiththem.
　　True,thegreatsermonwhichM.d'Amourspreachedinthemarket-
　　houseonthemorningofChristmas-daycheeredme,asitcheeredallthemoresoberspirits.Iwaspresentmyself,sittinginanobscurecornerofthebuilding,andheardthefamousprediction,whichwassosoontobefulfilled.'Sire,'saidthepreacher,turningtotheKingofNavarre,andreferring,withtheboldnessthatevercharacterisedthatgreatmanandnobleChristian,totheattempt,thenbeingmadetoexcludetheprincefromthesuccession——'Sire,whatGodatyourbirthgaveyoumancannottakeaway.Alittlewhile,alittlepatience,andyoushallcauseustopreachbeyondtheLoire!WithyouforourJoshuaweshallcrosstheJordan,andinthePromisedLandtheChurchshallbesetup.'
　　Wordssobrave,andsowelladaptedtoencouragetheHuguenotsinthecrisisthroughwhichtheiraffairswerethenpassing,charmedallhearers;saveindeed,those——andtheywerefew——who,beingdevotedtotheVicomtedeTurenne,disliked,thoughtheycouldnotcontrovert,thispublicacknowledgmentoftheKingofNavarre,astheHuguenotleader.Thepleasureofthosepresentwasevincedinahundredways,andtosuchanextentthatevenI
　　returnedtomychambersoothedandexalted,andfound,indreamingofthespeedytriumphofthecause,somecompensationformyownill-fortune.
　　Asthedayworeon,however,andtheeveningbroughtnochange,butpresentedtomethesamedrearyprospectwithwhichmorninghadmademefamiliar,Iconfesswithoutshamethatmyheartsankoncemore,particularlyasIsawthatIshouldbeforcedinadayortwotoselleithermyremaininghorseorsomepartofmyequipmentasessential;astepwhichIcouldnotcontemplatewithoutfeelingsoftheutmostdespair.InthisstateofmindI
　　wasaddingupbythelightofasolitarycandlethefewcoinsI
　　hadleft,whenIheardfootstepsascendingthestairs.Imadethemouttobethestepsoftwopersons,andwasstilllostinconjectureswhotheymightbe,whenahandknockedgentlyatmydoor.
　　Fearinganothertrick,Ididnotatonceopen,themoresotherewassomethingstealthyandinsinuatingintheknock.Thereuponmyvisitorsheldawhisperedconsultation;thentheyknockedagain.Iaskedloudlywhowasthere,buttothistheydidnotchoosetogiveanyanswer,whileI,onmypart,determinednottoopenuntiltheydid.Thedoorwasstrong,andIsmiledgrimlyatthethoughtthatthistimetheywouldhavetheirtroublefortheirpains.
　　Tomysurprise,however,theydidnotdesist,andgoaway,asI
　　expected,butcontinuedtoknockatintervalsandwhispermuchbetweentimes.Morethanoncetheycalledmesoftlybynameandbademeopen,butastheysteadilyrefrainedfromsayingwhotheywere,Isatstill.OccasionallyIheardthemlaugh,butundertheirbreathasitwere;andpersuadedbythisthattheywerebentonafrolic,Imighthavepersistedinmysilenceuntilmidnight,whichwasnotmorethantwohoursoff,hadnotaslightsound,asofaratgnawingbehindthewainscot,drawnmyattentiontothedoor.RaisingmycandleandshadingmyeyesI
　　espiedsomethingsmallandbrightprotrudingbeneathit,andsprangup,thinkingtheywereabouttopriseitin.Tomysurprise,however,Icoulddiscover,ontakingthecandletothethreshold,nothingmorethreateningthanacoupleofgoldlivres,whichhadbeenthrustthroughthecrevicebetweenthedoorandthefloor.
　　Myastonishmentmaybeconceived.Istoodforfullaminutestaringatthecoins,thecandleinmyhand.Then,reflectingthattheyoungsparksattheCourtwouldbeveryunlikelytospendsuchasumonajest,Ihesitatednolonger,butputtingdownthecandle,drewtheboltofthedoor,purposingtoconferwithmyvisitorsoutside.Inthis,however,Iwasdisappointed,forthemomentthedoorwasopentheypushedforciblypastmeand,enteringtheroompell-mell,bademebysignstoclosethedooragain.
　　Ididsosuspiciously,andwithoutavertingmyeyesfrommyvisitors.Greatweremyembarrassmentandconfusion,therefore,when,thedoorbeingshut,theydroppedtheircloaksoneaftertheother,andIsawbeforemeM.duMornayandthewell-knownfigureoftheKingofNavarre.
　　Theyseemedsomuchdiverted,lookingatoneanotherandlaughing,thatforamomentIthoughtsomechanceresemblancedeceivedme,andthathereweremyjokersagain.HencewhileamanmightcounttenIstoodstaring;andthekingwasthefirsttospeak.'Wehavemadenomistake,DuMornay,havewe?'hesaid,castingalaughingglanceatme.
　　'No,sire,'DuMornayanswered.'ThisistheSieurdeMarsac,thegentlemanwhomImentionedtoyou.'
　　Ihastened,confused,wondering,andwithahundredapologies,topaymyrespectstotheking.Hespeedilycutmeshort,however,saying,withanairofmuchkindness,'OfMarsac,inBrittany,I
　　think,sir?'
　　'Thesame,sire,'
　　'ThenyouareofthefamilyofBonne?'
　　'Iamthelastsurvivorofthatfamily,sire,'Iansweredrespectfully.
　　'Ithasplayeditspart,'herejoined.andtherewithhetookhisseatonmystoolwithaneasygracewhichcharmedme.'Yourmottois"BONNEFOI,"isitnot?AndMarsac,ifIrememberrightly,isnotfarfromRennes,ontheVilaine?'
　　Iansweredthatitwas,adding,withafullheart,thatitgrievedmetobecompelledtoreceivesogreataprinceinsopooralodging.
　　'Well,Iconfess,'DuMornaystruckin,lookingcarelesslyroundhim,'youhaveaqueertaste,M.deMarsac,inthearrangementofyourfurniture.You——'
　　'Mornay!'thekingcriedsharply.
　　'Sire?'
　　'Chut!yourelbowisinthecandle.Bewareofit!'
　　ButIwellunderstoodhim.Ifmyhearthadbeenfullbefore,itoverflowednow.Povertyisnotsoshamefulastheshiftstowhichitdrivesmen.Ihadbeencompelledsomedaysbefore,inordertomakeasgoodashowaspossible——sinceitistheundoubteddutyofagentlemantohidehisnakednessfromimpertinenteyes,andespeciallyfromtheeyesofthecanaille,whoarewonttojudgefromexternals——toremovesuchofmyfurnitureandequipageasremainedtothatsideoftheroom,whichwasvisiblefromwithoutwhenthedoorwasopen.Thisleftthefarthersideoftheroomvacantandbare.Toanyonewithindoorstheartificewas,ofcourse,apparent,andIamboundtosaythatM.deMornay'swordsbroughtthebloodtomybrow.
　　Irejoiced,howeveramomentlaterthathehadutteredthem;forwithoutthemImightneverhaveknown,orknownsoearly,thekindnessofheartandsingularquicknessofapprehensionwhicheverdistinguishedtheking,mymaster.So,inmyheart,Ibegantocallhimfromthathour.
　　TheKingofNavarrewasatthistimethirty-fiveyearsold,hishairbrown,hiscomplexionruddy,hismoustache,ononesideatleast,beginningtoturngrey.Hisfeatures,whichNaturehadcastinaharshandimperiousmould,wererelievedbyaconstantsparkleandanimationsuchasIhaveneverseeninanyotherman,butinhimbecameevermoreconspicuousingloomyandperiloustimes.Inuredtodangerfromhisearliestyouth,hehadcometoenjoyitasothersafestival,hailingitsadventwitharecklessgaietywhichastonishedevenbravemen,andledotherstothinkhimtheleastprudentofmankind.Yetsuchhewasnot:nay,hewastheoppositeofthis.NeverdidMarshalofFrancemakemorecarefuldispositionsforabattle——albeitonceinitheborehimselflikeanycaptainofhorse——noreverdidDuMornayhimselfsitdowntoaconferencewithamoreaccurateknowledgeofaffairs.Hisprodigiouswitandtheaffabilityofhismanners,whiletheyendearedhimtohisservants,againandagainblindedhisadversaries;who,thinkingthatsomuchbrilliancecouldariseonlyfromashallownature,foundwhenitwastoolatethattheyhadbeenoutwittedbyhimwhomtheycontemptuouslystyledthePrinceofBearn,amanahundredfoldmoreastutethanthemselves,andmasteralikeofpenandsword.
　　Muchofthis,whichalltheworldnowknows,Ilearnedafterwards.AtthemomentIcouldthinkoflittlesavetheking'skindness;towhichheaddedbyinsistingthatIshouldsitonthebedwhilewetalked.'Youwonder,M.deMarsac,'hesaid,'whatbringsmehere,andwhyIhavecometoyouinsteadofsendingforyou?Stillmore,perhaps,whyIhavecometoyouatnightandwithsuchprecautions?Iwilltellyou.Butfirst,thatmycomingmaynotfillyouwithfalsehopes,letmesayfrankly,thatthoughImayrelieveyourpresentnecessities,whetheryoufallintotheplanIamgoingtomention,ornot,I
　　cannottakeyouintomyservice;wherein,indeed,everypostisdoublyfilled.DuMornaymentionedyournametome,butinfairnesstoothersIhadtoanswerthatIcoulddonothing.'
　　Iamboundtoconfessthatthisstrangeexordiumdashedhopeswhichhadalreadyrisentoahighpitch.Recoveringmyselfasquicklyaspossible,however,ImurmuredthatthehonourofavisitfromtheKingofNavarrewassufficienthappinessforme.
　　'Nay,butthathonourImusttakefromyou'hereplied,smiling;