'thoughIseethatyouwouldmakeanexcellentcourtier——farbetterthanDuMornayhere,whoneverinhislifemadesoprettyaspeech.ForImustlaymycommandsonyoutokeepthisvisitasecret,M.deMarsac.Shouldbuttheslightestwhisperofitgetabroad,yourusefulness,asfarasIamconcerned,wouldbegone,andgoneforgood!'
　　SoremarkableastatementfilledmewithwonderIcouldscarcelydisguise.ItwaswithdifficultyIfoundwordstoassurethekingthathiscommandsshouldbefaithfullyobeyed.
　　'OfthatIamsure,'heansweredwiththeutmostkindness.
　　'WhereInot,andsure,too,fromwhatIamtoldofyourgallantrywhenmycousintookBrouage,thatyouareamanofdeedsratherthanwords,IshouldnotbeherewiththepropositionIamgoingtolaybeforeyou.Itisthis.Icangiveyounohopeofpublicemployment,M.deMarsac,butIcanofferyouanadventureifadventuresbetoyourtaste——asdangerousandasthanklessasanyAmadiseverundertook.'
　　'Asthankless,sire?'Istammered,doubtingifIhadheardaright,theexpressionwassostrange.
　　'Asthankless,'heanswered,hiskeeneyesseemingtoreadmysoul.'Iamfrankwithyou,yousee,sir,'hecontinued,carelessly.'Icansuggestthisadventure——itisforthegoodoftheState——Icandonomore.TheKingofNavarrecannotappearinit,norcanheprotectyou.Succeedorfailinit,yousteadalone.TheonlypromiseImakeis,thatifiteverbesafeformetoacknowledgetheact,Iwillrewardthedoer.'
　　Hepaused,andforafewmomentsIstaredathiminsheeramazement.Whatdidhemean?Wereheandtheotherrealfigures,orwasIdreaming?
　　'Doyouunderstand?'heaskedatlength,withatouchofimpatience.
　　'Yes,sire,IthinkIdo,'Imurmured,verycertainintruthandrealitythatIdidnot.
　　'Whatdoyousay,then——yesorno?'herejoined.'Willyouundertaketheadventure,orwouldyouhearmorebeforeyoumakeupyourmind?'
　　Ihesitated.HadIbeenayoungermanbytenyearsIshoulddoubtlesshavecriedassentthereandthen,havingbeenallmylifereadyenoughtoembarkonsuchenterprisesasofferedachanceofdistinction.Butsomethinginthestrangenessoftheking'spreface,althoughIhaditinmyhearttodieforhim,gavemecheck,andIanswered,withanairofgreathumility,'Youwillthinkmebutapoorcourtiernow,sire,yetheisafoolwhojumpsintoaditchwithoutmeasuringthedepth.Iwouldfain,ifImaysayitwithoutdisrespect,hearallthatyoucantellme.'
　　'ThenIfear,'heansweredquickly,'ifyouwouldhavemorelightonthematter,myfriend,youmustgetanothercandle.'
　　Istarted,hespokesoabruptly;butperceivingthatthecandlehadindeedburneddowntothesocket,Irose,withmanyapologies,andfetchedanotherfromthecupboard.Itdidnotoccurtomeatthemoment,thoughitdidlater,thatthekinghadpurposelysoughtthisopportunityofconsultingwithhiscompanion.Imerelyremarked,whenIreturnedtomyplaceonthebed,thattheyweresittingalittleneareroneanother,andthatthekingeyedmebeforehespoke——thoughhestillswungonefootcarelesslyintheairwithcloseattention.
　　'Ispeaktoyou,ofcourse,sir,'hepresentlywenton,'inconfidence,believingyoutobeanhonourableaswellasabraveman.ThatwhichIwishyoutodoisbriefly,andinaword,tocarryoffalady.Nay,'headdedquickly,withalaughinggrimace,'havenofear!Sheisnosweetheartofmine,norshouldIgotomygravefriendheredidIneedassistanceofthatkind.
　　HenryofBourbon,IprayGod,willalwaysbeabletofreehisownlady-love.ThisisaStateaffair,andamatterofquiteanothercharacter,thoughwecannotatpresententrustyouwiththemeaningofit.'
　　Ibowedinsilence,feelingsomewhatchilledandperplexed,aswhowouldnot,havingsuchaninvitationbeforehim?Ihadanticipatedanaffairwithmenonly——asecretassaultorapetardexpedition.Butseeingthebarenessofmyroom,andthehonourthekingwasdoingme,IfeltIhadnochoice,andIanswered,'Thatbeingthecase,sire,Iamwhollyatyourservice.'
　　'Thatiswell,'he,answeredbriskly,thoughmethoughthelookedatDuMornayreproachfully,asdoubtinghiscommendationofme.
　　'Butwillyousaythesame,'hecontinued,removinghiseyestome,andspeakingslowly,asthoughhewouldtryme,'whenItellyouthattheladytobecarriedoffisthewardoftheVicomtedeTurenne,whosearmiswell-nighaslongasmyown,andwhowouldfainmakeitlonger;whonevertravels,ashetoldmeyesterday,withlessthanfiftygentlemen,andhasathousandarquebusiersinhispay?Istheadventurestilltoyourliking,M.deMarsac,nowthatyouknowthat?'
　　'Itismoretomyliking,sire,'Iansweredstoutly.
　　'Understandthistoo,'herejoined.'Itisessentialthatthislady,whoisatpresentconfinedintheVicomte'shouseatChize,shouldbereleased;butitisequallyessentialthatthereshouldbenobreachbetweentheVicomteandmyself.Thereforetheaffairmustbetheworkofanindependentman,whohasneverbeeninmyservice,norinanywayconnectedwithme.Ifcaptured,youpaythepenaltywithoutrecoursetome.'
　　'Ifullyunderstand,sire,'Ianswered.
　　'VentreSaintGris!'hecried,breakingintoalowlaugh.I
　　swearthemanismoreafraidoftheladythanheisoftheVicomte!ThatisnotthewayofmostofourCourt.'
　　DuMornay,whohadbeensittingnursinghiskneeinsilence,purseduphislips,thoughitwaseasytoseethathewaswellcontentwiththeking'sapprobation.Henowintervened.'Withyourpermission,sire,'hesaid,'Iwillletthisgentlemanknowthedetails.'
　　'Do,myfriend,'thekinganswered.'Andbeshort,forifweareheremuchlongerIshallbemissed,andinatwinklingtheCourtwillhavefoundmeanewmistress.'
　　Hespokeinjestandwithalaugh,butIsawDuMornaystartatthewords,asthoughtheywerelittletohisliking;andI
　　learnedafterwardsthattheCourtwasreallymuchexercisedatthistimewiththequestionwhowouldbethenextfavourite,theking'spassionfortheCountessdelaGuichebeingevidentlyonthewane,andthatwhichhepresentlyevincedforMadamedeGuerchevillebeingasyetamatterofconjecture.
　　DuMornaytooknoovertnoticeoftheking'swords,however,butproceededtogivememydirections.'Chize,whichyouknowbyname,'hesaid,'issixleaguesfromhere.MademoiselledelaVireisconfinedinthenorth-westroom,onthefirst-floor,overlookingthepark.MoreIcannottellyou,exceptthatherwoman'snameisFanchette,andthatsheistobetrusted.Thehouseiswellguarded,andyouwillneedfourorfivemen,Thereareplentyofcut-throatstobehired,onlysee,M.deMarsac,thattheyaresuchasyoucanmanage,andthatMademoiselletakesnohurtamongthem.Havehorsesinwaiting,andthemoment;youhavereleasedtheladyridenorthwithherasfastasherstrengthwillpermit.Indeed,youmustnotspareher,ifTurennebeonyourheels.YoushouldbeacrosstheLoireinsixtyhoursafterleavingChize.'
　　'AcrosstheLoire?'Iexclaimedinastonishment.
　　'Yes,sir,acrosstheLoire,'hereplied,withsomesternness.
　　'Yourtask,begoodenoughtounderstand,istoconvoyMademoiselledelaVirewithallspeedtoBlois.There,attractingaslittlenoticeasmaybe,youwillinquirefortheBarondeRosnyattheBleedingHeart,intheRuedeSt.Denys.
　　Hewilltakechargeofthelady,ordirectyouhowtodisposeofher,andyourtaskwillthenbeaccomplished.Youfollowme?'
　　'Perfectly,'Ianswered,speakinginmyturnwithsomedryness.
　　'ButMademoiselleIunderstandisyoung.Whatifshewillnotaccompanyme,astranger,enteringherroomatnight,andbythewindow?'
　　'Thathasbeenthoughtof'wastheanswer.HeturnedtotheKingofNavarre,who,afteramoment'ssearch,producedasmallobjectfromhispouch.Thishegavetohiscompanion,andthelattertransferredittome.Itookitwithcuriosity.Itwasthehalfofagoldcarolus,thebrokenedgeofthecoinbeingroughandjagged.'ShowthattoMademoiselle,myfriend,'DuMornaycontinued,'andshewillaccompanyyou.Shehastheotherhalf.'
　　'Butbecareful,'Henryaddedeagerly,'tomakenomention,eventoher,oftheKingofNavarre.Youmarkme,M.deMarsac!Ifyouhaveatanytimeoccasiontospeakofme,youmayhavethehonourofcallingmeYOURFRIEND,andreferringtomealwaysinthesamemanner.'
　　ThishesaidwithsograciousanairthatIwascharmed,andthoughtmyselfhappyindeedtobeaddressedinthiswisebyaprincewhosenamewasalreadysoglorious.Norwasmysatisfactiondiminishedwhenhiscompaniondrewoutabagcontaining,ashetoldme,threehundredcrownsingold,andplaceditinmyhands,biddingmedefraytherefromthecostofthejourney.'Becareful,however,'headdedearnestly,'toavoid,inhiringyourmen,anyappearanceofwealth,lesttheadventureseemtobesuggestedbysomeoutsideperson;insteadofbeingdictatedbythedesperatestateofyourownfortunes.
　　Promiseratherthangive,sofarasthatwillavail.Andforwhatyoumustgive,leteachlivreseemtobethelastinyourpouch.'
　　Henrynoddedassent.'Excellentadvice!'hemuttered,risinganddrawingonhiscloak,'suchasyouevergiveme,Mornay,andIasseldomtake——more'sthepity!But,afterall,oflittleavailwithoutthis.'Heliftedmyswordfromthetableashespoke,andweigheditinhishand.'Aprettytool,'hecontinued,turningsuddenlyandlookingmeverycloselyintheface.'Averyprettytool.WereIinyourplace,M.deMarsac,Iwouldseethatithunglooseinthescabbard.Ay,andmore,man,useit!'headded,sinkinghisvoiceandstickingouthischin,whilehisgreyeyes,lookingevercloserintomine,seemedtogrowcoldandhardassteel.'Useittothelast,forifyoufallintoTurenne'shands,Godhelpyou!Icannot!'
　　'IfIamtaken,sire,'Ianswered,trembling,butnotwithfear,'myfatebeonmyownhead.'
　　Isawtheking'seyessoften,atthat,andhisfacechangesoswiftlythatIscarceknewhimforthesameman.Helettheweapondropwithaclashonthetable.'VentreSaintGris!'heexclaimedwithastrangethrillofyearninginhistone.'I
　　swearbyGod,IwouldIwereinyourshoes,sir.Tostrikeablowortwowithnocarewhatcameofit.Totaketheroadwithagoodhorseandagoodsword,andseewhatfortunewouldsend.
　　Toberidofallthisstatecraftandprotocolling,andnevertoissueanotherdeclarationinthisworld,butjusttobeforonceaGentlemanofFrance,withalltowinandnothingtolosesavetheloveofmylady!Ah!Mornay,woulditnotbesweettoleaveallthisfretandfume,andrideawaytothegreenwoodsbyCoarraze?'
　　'Certainly,ifyoupreferthemtotheLouvre,sire,'DuMornayanswereddrily;whileIstood,silentandamazed,beforethisstrangeman,whocouldsosuddenlychangefromgravetogay,andonemomentspokesosagely,andthenextlikeanywildladinhisteens.'Certainly,'heanswered,'ifthatbeyourchoice,sire;
　　andifyouthinkthateventheretheDukeofGuisewillleaveyouinpeace.Turenne,Iamsure,willbegladtohearofyourdecision.DoubtlesshewillbeelectedProtectoroftheChurches.Nay,sire,forshame!'DuMornaycontinuedalmostwithsternness.'WouldyouleaveFrance,whichatoddtimesI
　　haveheardyousayyouloved,toshiftforherself?Wouldyoudepriveheroftheonlymanwhodoesloveherforherownsake?'
　　'Well,well,butsheissuchaficklesweetheart,myfriend,'thekinganswered,laughing,thesideglanceofhiseyeonme.
　　'Neverwasonesocoyorsohardtoclip!And,besides,hasnotthePopedivorcedus?'
　　'ThePope!AfigforthePope!'DuMornayrejoinedwithimpatientheat.'WhathashetodowithFrance?Animpertinentmeddler,andanItaliantoboot!Iwouldheandallthebroodofthemweresunkahundredfathomsdeepinthesea.But,meantime,Iwouldsendhimatexttodigest.'
　　'EXEMPLUM?'saidtheking.
　　'WhomGodhasjoinedtogetherletnomanputasunder.'
　　'Amen!quothHenrysoftly.'AndFranceisafairandcomelybride.'
　　Afterthathekeptsuchasilence,fallingasitseemedtomeintoabrownstudy,thathewentawaywithoutsomuchasbiddingmefarewell,orbeingconscious,asfarasIcouldtell,ofmypresence.DuMornayexchangedafewwordswithme,toassurehimselfthatIunderstoodwhatIhadtodo,andthen,withmanykindexpressions,whichIdidnotfailtotreasureupandconoverinthetimesthatwerecoming,hasteneddownstairsafterhismaster.
　　MyjoywhenIfoundmyselfalonemaybeconceived.Yetwasitnoecstasy,butasoberexhilaration;suchasstirredmypulsesindeed,andbademeoncemorefacetheworldwithafirmeyeandanassuredbrow,butwasfarfromholdingoutbeforemeatroubadour'spalaceoranydazzlingprospect.ThelongerIdweltontheinterview,themoreclearlyIsawthetruth.AstheglamourwhichHenry'spresenceandsingularkindnesshadcastovermebegantolosesomeofitspower,Irecognisedmoreandmoresurelywhyhehadcometome.Itwasnotoutofanyspecialfavourforonewhomheknewbyreportonly,ifatallbyname;
　　butbecausehehadneedofamanpoor,andthereforereckless,middle-agedofwhichcomesdiscretion,obscure——thereforeasafeinstrument;tocrownall,agentleman,seeingthatbothasecretandawomenwereinquestion.
　　WithalIwonderedtoo.Lookingfromthebagofmoneyonthetabletothebrokencoininmyhand,Iscarcelyknewwhichtoadmiremore:theconfidencewhichentrustedtheonetoamanbrokenandbeggared,orthecourageofthegentlewomanwhoshouldaccompanymeonthefaithoftheother.
　　CHAPTERIII.
　　BOOTANDSADDLE.
　　Aswasnatural,Imeditateddeeplyandfarintothenightonthedifficultiesofthetask,entrustedtome.Isawthatitfellintotwoparts:thereleaseofthelady,andhersafeconducttoBlois,adistanceofsixtyleagues.ThereleaseIthoughtitprobableIcouldeffectsingle-handed,orwithonecompaniononly;butinthetroubledconditionofthecountryatthistime,moreparticularlyonbothsidesoftheLoire,IscarcelysawhowIcouldensurealady'ssafetyontheroadnorthwardsunlessI
　　hadwithmeatleastfiveswords.
　　Togetthesetogetheratafewhours'noticepromisedtobenoeasytask;althoughthepresenceoftheCourtofNavarrehadfilledSt.Jeanwithacrowdofadventurers.Yettheking'scommandwasurgent,andatsomesacrifice,evenatsomerisk,mustbeobeyed.Pressedbytheseconsiderations,IcouldthinkofnobettermantobeginwiththanFresnoy.
　　Hischaracterwasbad,andhehadlongforfeitedsuchclaimashehadeverpossessed——Ibelieveitwasamistyone,onthedistaffside——togentility.ButthesamecausewhichhadrenderedmedestituteImeanthedeathoftheprinceofConde——hadstrippedhimtothelastrag;andthis,perhaps,incliningmetoservehim,Iwasthemorequicktoseehismerits.Iknewhimalreadyforahardy,recklessman,verycapableofstrikingashrewdblow.Igavehimcreditforbeingtrusty,aslongashisdutyjumpedwithhisinterest.
　　Accordingly,assoonasitwaslight,havingfedandgroomedtheCid,whichwasalwaysthefirstemploymentofmyday,IsetoutinsearchofFresnoy,andwaspresentlyluckyenoughtofindhimtakinghismorningdraughtoutsidethe'ThreePigeons,'alittleinnnotfarfromthenorthgate.ItwasmorethanafortnightsinceIhadseteyesonhim,andthelapseoftimehadworkedsogreatachangefortheworseinhimthat,forgettingmyownshabbiness,Ilookedathimaskance,asdoubtingthewisdomofenlistingonewhoboresoplainlythemarksofpovertyanddissipation.Hisgreatface——hewasalargeman——hadsufferedrecentill-usage,andwasswollenanddiscoloured,oneeyebeingasgoodasclosed.Hewasunshaven,hishairwasill-kempt,hisdoubletunfastenedatthethroat,andtornandstainedbesides.
　　Despitethecold——forthemorningwassharpandfrosty,thoughfreefromwind——therewerehalfadozenpackmendrinkingandsquabblingbeforetheinn,whilethebeaststheydrovequenchedtheirthirstatthetrough.Butthesemenseemedwithoneaccordtoleavehiminpossessionofthebenchatwhichhesat;nordidIwondermuchatthiswhenIsawthemoroseandsavageglancewhichheshotatmeasIapproached.Whetherhereadmyfirstimpressionsinmyface,orforsomeotherreasonfeltdistasteformycompany,Icouldnotdetermine.But,undeterredbyhisbehaviour,Isatdownbesidehimandcalledforwine.
　　Henoddedsulkilyinanswertomygreeting,andcastahalf-
　　shamed,half-angrylookatmeoutofthecornersofhiseyes.
　　'YouneednotlookatmeasthoughIwereadog,'hemutteredpresently.'Youarenotsoveryspruceyourself,myfriend.ButIsupposeyouhavegrownproudsinceyougotthatfatappointmentatCourt!'Andhelaughedoutloud,sothatIconfessIwasintwomindswhetherIshouldnotforcethejestdownhisuglythroat.
　　HoweverIrestrainedmyself,thoughmycheeksburned.'Youhaveheardaboutit,then,'Isaid,strivingtospeakindifferently.
　　'Whohasnot?'hesaid,laughingwithhislips,thoughhiseyeswerefarfrommerry.'TheSieurdeMarsac'sappointment!Ha!
　　ha!Why,man——'
　　'Enoughofitnow!'Iexclaimed.AndIdaresayIwrithedonmyseat.'AsfarasIamconcernedthejestisastaleone,sir,anddoesnotamuseme.'
　　'Butitamusesme,'herejoinedwithagrin.
　　'Letitbe,nevertheless,'Isaid;andIthinkhereadawarninginmyeyes.'Ihavecometospeaktoyouuponanothermatter.'
　　Hedidnotrefusetolisten,butthrewonelegovertheother,andlookingupattheinn-signbegantowhistleinarude,offensivemanner.Still,havinganobjectinview,Icontrolledmyselfandcontinued.'Itisthis,myfriend:moneyisnotveryplentifulatpresentwitheitherofus.'
　　BeforeIcouldsayanymoreheturnedonmesavagely,andwithaloudoaththrusthisbloatedface,flushedwithpassion,closetomine.'Nowlookhere,M.deMarsac!'hecriedviolently,'onceforall,itisnogood!Ihavenotgotthemoney,andIcannotpayit.Isaidafortnightago,whenyoulentit,thatyoushouldhaveitthisweek.Well,'slappinghishandonthebench,Ihavenotgotit,anditisnogoodbeginninguponme.Youcannothaveit,andthatisflat!'
　　'Damnthemoney!'Icried.
　　'What?'heexclaimed,scarcelybelievinghisears.
　　'Letthemoneybe!'Irepeatedfiercely.'Doyouhear?Ihavenotcomeaboutit,Iamheretoofferyouwork——good,well-paidwork——ifyouwillenlistwithmeandplaymefair,Fresnoy.'
　　'Playfair!'hecriedwithanoath.
　　'There,there,'Isaid,'Iamwillingtoletbygonesbebygonesifyouare.Thepointis,thatIhaveanadventureonhand,and,wantinghelp,canpayyouforit.'
　　Helookedatmecunningly,Hiseyetravellingovereachrentanddarninmydoublet.'Iwillhelpyoufastenough,'hesaidatlast.'ButIshouldliketoseethemoneyfirst.'
　　'Youshall,'Ianswered.
　　'ThenIamwithyou,myfriend.Countonmetilldeath!'hecried,risingandlayinghishandinminewithaboisterousfranknesswhichdidnotdeceivemeintotrustinghimfar.'Andnow,whoseistheaffair,andwhatisit?'
　　'Theaffairismine,'Isaidcoldly.'Itistocarryoffalady.'
　　Hewhistledandlookedmeoveragain,animpudentleerinhiseyes.'Alady?'heexclaimed.'Umph!Icouldunderstandayoungsparkgoinginforsuch——butthat'syouraffair.Whoisit?'
　　'Thatismyaffair,too,'Iansweredcoolly,disgustedbytheman'svenalityandmeanness,andfullypersuadedthatImusttrusthimnofartherthanthelengthofmysword.'AllIwantyoutodo,M.Fresnoy,'Icontinuedstiffly,'istoplaceyourselfatmydisposalandundermyordersfortendays.Iwillfindyouahorseandpayyou——theenterpriseisahazardousone,andItakethatintoaccount——twogoldcrownsaday,andtenmoreifwesucceedinreachingaplaceofsafety.'
　　'Suchaplaceas——'
　　'Nevermindthat,'Ireplied.'Thequestionis,doyouaccept?'
　　Helookeddownsullenly,andIcouldseehewasgreatlyangeredbymydeterminationtokeepthemattertomyself.'AmItoknownomorethanthat?'heasked,diggingthepointofhisscabbardagainandagainintotheground.
　　'Nomore,'Iansweredfirmly.'Iambentonadesperateattempttomendmyfortunesbeforetheyfallaslowasyours;andthatisasmuchasImeantotelllivingman.Ifyouarelothtoriskyourlifewithyoureyesshut,sayso,andIwillgotosomeoneelse.'
　　Buthewasnotinaposition,asIwellknew,torefusesuchanoffer,andpresentlyheaccepteditwithafreshsemblanceofheartiness.ItoldhimIshouldwantfourtrooperstoescortus,andtheseheofferedtoprocure,sayingthatheknewjusttheknavestosuitme.Ibadehimhiretwoonly,however,beingtoowise,toputmyselfaltogetherinhishands;andthen,havinggivenhimmoneytobuyhimselfahorse——Imadeitatermthatthemenshouldbringtheirown——andnamedarendezvousforthefirsthourafternoon,Ipartedfromhimandwentrathersadlyaway.
　　ForIbegantoseethatthekinghadnotunderratedthedangersofanenterpriseonwhichnonebutdesperatemenandsuchasweredownintheworldcouldbeexpectedtoembark.Seeingthis,andalsoathingwhichfollowedclearlyfromit——thatIshouldhaveasmuchtofearfrommyowncompanyasfromtheenemy——IlookedforwardwithlittlehopetoajourneyduringeverydayandeveryhourofwhichImustbearagrowingweightoffearandresponsibility.
　　Itwastoolatetoturnback,however,andIwentaboutmypreparations,ifwithlittlecheerfulness,atleastwithsteadfastpurpose.IhadmyswordgroundandmypistolsputinorderbythecutleroverwhomIlodged,andwhoperformedthislastofficeformewiththesamegoodwillwhichhadcharacterised,allhisdealingswithme.IsoughtoutandhiredacoupleofstoutfellowswhomIbelievedtobeindifferentlyhonest,butwhopossessedtheadvantageofhavinghorses;andbesidesboughttwoledhorsesmyselfformademoiselleandherwoman.SuchotherequipmentsaswereabsolutelynecessaryI
　　purchased,reducingmystockofmoneyinthiswaytotwohundredandtencrowns.Howtodisposeofthissumsothatitmightbesafeandyetatmycommandwasaquestionwhichgreatlyexercisedme.IntheendIhadrecoursetomyfriendthecutler,whosuggestedhidingahundredcrownsofitinmycap,anddeftlycontrivedaplaceforthepurpose.This,thecapbeinglinedwithsteel,wasamatterofnogreatdifficulty.AsecondhundredIsewedupinthestuffingofmysaddle,placingtheremainderinmypouchforpresentnecessities.
　　Asmallrainwasfallinginthestreetswhen,alittleafternoon,Istartedwithmytwoknavesbehindmeandmadeforthenorthgate.Somanyweremovingthiswayandtheotherthatwepassedunnoticed,andmighthavedonesohadwenumberedsixswordsinsteadofthree.Whenwereachedtherendezvous,amilebeyondthegate,wefoundFresnoyalreadythere,takingshelterintheleeofabigholly-tree.Hehadfourhorsemenwithhim,andonourappearancerodeforwardtomeetus,cryingheartily,'Welcome,M.leCapitaine!'
　　'Welcome,certainly,'Ianswered,pullingtheCidupsharply,andholdingofffromhim.'Butwhoarethese,M.Fresnoy?'andI
　　pointedwithmyriding-canetohisfourcompanions.
　　Hetriedtopassthematteroffwithalaugh.'Oh!these?'hesaid.'Thatissoonexplained.TheEvangelistswouldnotbedivided,soIbroughtthemall——MatthewMark,Luke,andJohn——
　　thinkingitlikelyyoumightfailtosecureyourmen.AndIwillwarrantthemforfourasgallantboysasyouwilleverfindbehindyou!'
　　TheywerecertainlyfourasarrantruffiansasIhadeverseenbeforeme,andIsawImustnothesitate.'Twoornone,M.
　　Fresnoy,'Isaidfirmly.'Igaveyouacommissionfortwo,andtwoIwilltake——MatthewandMark,orLukeandJohn,asyouplease.'
　　''Tisapitytobreaktheparty,'saidhe,scowling.
　　'Ifthatbeall,'Iretorted,'oneofmymeniscalledJohn.AndwewilldubtheotherLuke,ifthatwillmendthematter.'
　　'ThePrinceofConde,'hemutteredsullenly,'employedthesemen.'
　　'ThePrinceofCondeemployedsomequeerpeoplesometimes,M.
　　Fresnoy,'Ianswered,lookinghimstraightbetweentheeyes,'asweallmust.Atrucetothis,ifyouplease.WewilltakeMatthewandMark.Theothertwobegoodenoughtodismiss.'
　　Heseemedtowaverforamoment,asifhehadamindtodisobey,butintheend,thinkingbetterofit,hebadethemenreturn;
　　andasIcomplimentedeachofthemwithapieceofsilver,theywentoff,aftersomeswearing,intolerablygoodhumour.ThereonFresnoywasfortakingtheroadatonce,buthavingnomindtobefollowed,Igavethewordtowaituntilthetwowereoutofsight.
　　Ithink,aswesatourhorsesintherain,theholly-bushnotbeinglargeenoughtoshelterusall,wewereassorryabandaseversetouttorescuealady;norwasitwithoutpainthatI
　　lookedroundandsawmyselfreducedtocommandsuchpeople.
　　Therewasscarcelyonewholeunpatchedgarmentamongus,andthreeofmysquireshadbutaspurapiece.Tomakeupforthisdeficiencywemusteredtwoblackeyes,Fresnoy'sincluded,andabrokennose.Matthew'snaglackedatail,and,moreremarkablestill,itsrider,asIpresentlydiscovered,wasstone-deaf;
　　whileMark'sswordwasinnocentofascabbard,andhisbridlewasplainrope.Onething,indeed,Iobservedwithpleasure.ThetwomenwhohadcomewithmelookedaskanceatthetwowhohadcomewithFresnoy,andthesereturnedthestarewithinterest.
　　OnthisdivisionandonthelengthofmyswordIbasedallmyhopesofsafetyandofsomethingmore.OnitIwasabouttostake,notmyownlifeonly——whichwasnogreatthing,seeingwhatmyprospectswere——butthelifeandhonourofawoman,young,helpless,andasyetunknowntome.
　　WeigheddownasIwasbytheseconsiderations,Ihadtobeartheadditionalburdenofhidingmyfearsandsuspicionsunderacheerfuldemeanour.Imadeashortspeechtomyfollowing,whooneandallrespondedbyswearingtostandbymetothedeath.I
　　thengavetheword,andwestarted,FresnoyandIleadingtheway,LukeandJohnwiththeledhorsesfollowing,andtheothertwobringinguptherear.
　　Theraincontinuingtofallandthecountryinthispartbeingdrearyandmonotonous,eveninfairweather,Ifeltmyspiritssinkstilllowerasthedayadvanced.TheresponsibilityIwasgoingtoincurassumedmoreseriousproportionseachtimeI
　　scannedmyfollowing;whileFresnoy,plyingmewithperpetualquestionsrespectingmyplans,wasasuneasyacompanionasmyworstenemycouldhavewishedme.
　　'Come!'hegrumbledpresently,whenwehadcoveredfourleaguesorso,'youhavenottoldmeyet,sieur,wherewestayto-night.
　　Youaretravellingsoslowlythat——'
　　'Iamsavingthehorses,'Iansweredshortly.'Weshalldoalongdayto-morrow.'
　　'Yourslooksfitforaweekofdays,'hesneered,withanevillookatmySardinian,whichwas,indeed,inbettercasethanitsmaster.'Itissleekenough,anyway!'
　　'Itisasgoodasitlooks,'Ianswered,alittlenettledbyhistone.
　　'Thereisabetterhere,'heresponded.
　　'Idon'tseeit,'Isaid.Ihadalreadyeyedthenagsallround,andassuredmyselfthat,uglyandblemishedastheywere,theywereuptotheirwork.ButIhaddiscernednospecialmeritamongthem.Ilookedthemoveragainnow,andcametothesameconclusion——that,excepttheledhorses,whichIhadchosenwithsomecare,therewasnothingamongthemtoviewiththeCid,eitherinspeedorlooks.ItoldFresnoyso.
　　'Wouldyouliketotry?'hesaidtauntingly.
　　Ilaughed,adding,'IfyouthinkIamgoingtotireourhorsesbyracingthem,withsuchworkaswehavebeforeus,youaremistaken,Fresnoy.Iamnotaboy,youknow.'
　　'Thereneedbenoquestionofracing,'heansweredmorequietly.
　　'Youhaveonlytogetonthatrat-tailedbayofMatthew'stofeelitspacesandsayIamright.'
　　Ilookedatthebay,abald-faced,fiddle-headedhorse,andsawthat,withnosignsofbreeding,itwasstillabig-bonedanimalwithgoodshouldersandpowerfulhips.IthoughtitpossibleFresnoymightberight,andifso,andthebay'smannersweretolerable,itmightdoformademoisellebetterthanthehorseI
　　hadchosen.Atanyrate,ifwehadafasthorseamongus,itwaswelltoknowthefact,sobiddingMatthewchangewithme,andbecarefuloftheCid,Imountedthebay,andsoondiscoveredthatitspaceswereeasyandpromisedspeed,whileitsmannersseemedasgoodasevenatimidridercoulddesire.
　　Ourroadatthetimelayacrossaflatdesolateheath,dottedhereandtherewith,thorn-bushes;thetrackbeingbrokenandstony,extendedmorethanascoreofyardsinwidth,throughtravellersstrayingtothissideandthattoescapetheworstplaces.FresnoyandI,inmakingthechange,hadfallenslightlybehindtheotherthree,andwereridingabreastofMatthewontheCid.
　　'Well,'hesaid,'wasInotright?'
　　'Inpart,'Ianswered.'Thehorseisbetterthanitslooks.'
　　'Likemanyothers,'herejoined,asparkofresentmentinhistone——'menaswellashorses,M.deMarsac.ButWhatdoyousay?
　　Shallwecanteronalittleandovertaketheothers?'
　　Thinkingitwelltodoso,Iassentedreadily,andwestartedtogether.Wehadridden,however,nomorethanahundredyards,andIwasonlybeginningtoextendthebay,whenFresnoy,slightlydrawingrein,turnedinhissaddleandlookedback.Thenextmomenthecried,'Hallo!whatisthis?Thosefellowsarenotfollowingus,arethey?'
　　Iturnedsharplytolook.Atthatmoment,withoutfalterorwarning,thebayhorsewentdownundermeasifshotdead,throwingmehalfadozenyardsoveritshead;andthatsosuddenlythatIhadnotimetoraisemyarms,but,fallingheavilyonmyheadandshoulder,lostconsciousness.
　　Ihavehadmanyfalls,butnoothertoviewiththatinutterunexpectedness.WhenIrecoveredmysensesIfoundmyselfleaning,giddyandsick,againsttheboleofanoldthorn-tree.
　　FresnoyandMatthewsupportedmeoneitherside,andaskedmehowIfoundmyself;whiletheotherthreemen,theirformsblackagainstthestormyeveningsky,sattheirhorsesafewpacesinfrontofme.Iwastoomuchdazedatfirsttoseemore,andthisonlyinamechanicalfashion;butgradually,mybraingrewclearer,andIadvancedfromwonderingwhothestrangersroundmeweretorecognisingthem,andfinallytorememberingwhathadhappenedtome.
　　'Isthehorsehurt?'ImutteredassoonasIcouldspeak.
　　'Notawhit,'Fresnoyanswered,chuckling,orIwasmuchmistaken.'Iamafraidyoucameofftheworseofthetwo,captain.'
　　Heexchangedalookwiththemenonhorsebackashespoke,andinadullfashionIfanciedIsawthemsmile.Oneevenlaughed,andanotherturnedinhissaddleasiftohidehisface.IhadavaguegeneralsensethattherewassomejokeonfootinwhichI
　　hadnopart.ButIwastoomuchshakenatthemomenttobecurious,andgratefullyacceptedtheofferofone,ofthementofetchmealittlewater.Whilehewasawaythereststoodroundme,thesamelookofill-concealeddrolleryontheirfaces.
　　Fresnoyalonetalked,speakingvolublyoftheaccident,pouringoutexpressionsofsympathyandcursingtheroad,thehorse,andthewintrylightuntilthewatercame;when,muchrefreshedbythedraught,ImanagedtoclimbtotheCid'ssaddleandplodslowlyonwardswiththem.
　　'Abadbeginning,'Fresnoysaidpresently,stealingaslyglanceatmeaswejoggedalongsidebyside,Chizehalfaleaguebeforeus,anddarknessnotfaroff.
　　Bythistime,however,Iwasmyselfagain,saveforalittlehummingisthehead,and,shruggingmyshoulders,Itoldhimso.
　　'All'swellthatendswell,'Iadded.'Notthatitwasapleasantfall,orthatIwishtohavesuchanother.'
　　'No,Ishouldthinknot,'heanswered.Hisfacewasturnedfromme,butIfanciedIheardhimsnigger.
　　Something,whichmayhavebeenavaguesuspicion,ledmeamomentlatertoputmyhandintomypouch.ThenIunderstood.I
　　understoodtoowell.ThesharpsurpriseofthediscoverywassuchthatinvoluntarilyIdrovemyspursintotheCid,andthehorsesprangforward.
　　'Whatisthematter?'Fresnoyasked.
　　'Thematter?'Iechoed,myhandstillatmybelt,feeling——feelinghopelessly.
　　'Yes,whatisit?'heasked,abrazensmileonhisrascallyface.
　　Ilookedathim,mybrowasredasfire.'Oh!nothing——nothing,'Isaid.'Letustroton.'
　　IntruthIhaddiscoveredthat,takingadvantageofmyhelplessness,thescoundrelshadrobbedme,whileIlayinsensible,ofeverygoldcrowninmypurse!Norwasthisall,ortheworst,forIsawatoncethatindoingsotheyhadeffectedsomethingwhichwasathousandfoldmoreominousandformidable——establishedagainstmethatsecretunderstandingwhichitwasmyespecialaimtoprevent,andontheabsenceofwhichIhadbeencounting.Nay,IsawthatformyverylifeI
　　hadonlymyfriendthecutlerandmyownprudencetothank,seeingthattheserogueswouldcertainlyhavemurderedmewithoutscruplehadtheysucceededinfindingthebulkofmymoney.
　　Baffledinthis,whilestillpersuadedthatIhadotherresources,theyhadstoppedshortofthatvillany——orthismemoirhadneverbeenwritten.Theyhadkindlypermittedmetoliveuntilamorefavourableopportunityofenrichingthemselvesatmyexpenseshouldputtheminpossessionofmylastcrown!
　　ThoughIwassufficientlymasterofmyselftorefrainfromcomplaintswhichIfeltmustbeuseless,andfrommenaceswhichithasneverbeenmyhabittoutterunlessIhadalsothepowertoputthemintoexecution,itmustnotbeimaginedthatIdidnot,asIrodeonbyFresnoy'sside,feelmypositionacutelyorseehowabsurdafigureIcutinmydualcharacterofleaderanddupe.Indeed,thereflectionthat,beinginthisperilousposition,Iwasabouttostakeanother'ssafetyaswellasmyown,mademefeeltheneedofafewminutes'thoughtsourgentthatIdeterminedtogainthem,evenattheriskofleavingmymenatlibertytoplotfurthermischief.Comingalmostimmediatelyafterwardswithinsight,oftheturretsoftheChateauofChize,ItoldFresnoythatweshouldliethenightatthevillage;andbadehimtakethemenonandsecurequartersattheinn.Attackedinstantlybysuspicionandcuriosity,hedemurredstoutlytoleavingme,andmighthavepersistedinhisrefusalhadInotpulledup,andclearlyshownhimthatIwouldhavemyownwayinthiscaseorcometoanopenbreach.Heshrank,asIexpected,fromthelatteralternative,and,biddingmeasullenadieu,trottedonwithhistroop.Iwaiteduntiltheywereoutofsight,andthen,turningtheCid'shead,crossedasmallbrookwhichdividedtheroadfromthechase,andchoosingaridewhichseemedtopiercethewoodinthedirectionoftheChateau,proceededdownit,keepingasharplook-outoneitherhand.
　　Itwasthen,mythoughtsturningtotheladywhowasnowsonear,andwho,noble,rich,andastranger,seemed,asIapproachedher,nottheleastformidableoftheembarrassmentsbeforeme——itwasthenthatImadeadiscoverywhichsentacoldshiverthroughmyframe,andinamomentsweptallmemoryofmypaltrytencrownsfrommyhead.Tencrowns!Alas!Ihadlostthatwhichwasworthallmycrownsputtogether——thebrokencoinwhichtheKingofNavarrehadentrustedtome,andwhichformedmysolecredential,myonlymeansofpersuadingMademoiselledelaVirethatIcamefromhim.Ihadputitinmypouch,andofcourse,thoughthelossofitonlycamehometomymindnow,ithaddisappearedwiththerest.
　　Idrewreinandsatforsometimemotionless,theimageofdespair.Thewindwhichstirredthenakedboughsoverhead,andwhirledthedeadleavesinvolleyspastmyfeet,anddiedawayatlastamongthewhisperingbracken,metnowherewithwretchednessgreater,Ibelieve,thanwasmineatthatmoment.
　　CHAPTERIV.
　　MADEMOISELLEDELAVIRE.
　　Myfirstdesperateimpulseondiscoveringthemagnitudeofmylosswastorideaftertheknavesanddemandthetokenatthesword'spoint.Thecertainty,however,offindingthemunited,andthedifficultyofsayingwhichofthefivepossessedwhatI
　　wanted,ledmetorejectthisplanasIgrewcooler;andsinceI
　　didnotdream,eveninthisdilemma,ofabandoningtheexpeditiontheonlyalternativeseemedtobetoactasifIstillhadthebrokencoin,andessaywhatafrankexplanationmighteffectwhenthetimecame.
　　Aftersomewretched,verywretched,momentsofdebate,Iresolvedtoadoptthiscourse;and,forthepresent,thinkingImightgainsomeknowledgeofthesurroundingswhilethelightlasted,I
　　pushedcautiouslyforwardthroughthetreesandcameinlessthanfiveminuteswithinsightofacornerofthechateau,whichI
　　foundtobeamodernbuildingofthetimeofHenryII.,raised,likethehousesofthattime,forpleasureratherthandefence,anddecoratedwithmanyhandsomecasementsandtourelles.
　　Despitethis,itwore,asIsawit,agreyanddesolateair,dueinparttothelonelinessofthesituationandthelatenessofthehour;andinpart,Ithink,tothesmallnessofthehouseholdmaintained,fornoonewasvisibleontheterraceoratthewindows.Theraindrippedfromthetrees,whichontwosidespressedsocloselyonthehouseasalmosttodarkentherooms,andeverythingIsawencouragedmetohopethatmademoiselle'swisheswouldsecondmyentreaties,andinclinehertolendareadyeartomystory.
　　Theappearanceofthehouse,indeed,wasastronginducementtometoproceed,foritwasimpossibletobelievethatayounglady,akinswomanofthegayandvivaciousTurenne,andalreadyintroducedtothepleasuresoftheCourt,wouldelectofherownfreewilltospendthewinterinsodrearyasolitude.