Ibowedmyacknowledgments,andtookoccasionasIdidsotostepapaceaside,soastocommandaviewofMadamedeBruhl,aswellasherhusband.Hithertomadame,willingtobeaccountedapartinsoprettyaromance,andreadyenoughalso,unlessIwasmistaken,tocauseherhusbandalittlemildjealousy,hadlistenedtothestorywithacertainslydemureness.ButthisI
　　foresawwouldnotlastlong;andIfeltsomethinglikecompunctionasthemomentforstrikingtheblowapproached.ButIhadnownochoice.'Thebestisyettocome,sire,'Iwenton,'asIthinkyouwillacknowledgeinamoment.Dromio,thoughhehaddiscoveredhismistress,wasstillinthedepthsofdespair.
　　Hewanderedroundandroundthehouse,seekingingressandfindingnone,untilatlength,sunsetapproaching,anddarknessredoublinghisfearsforthenymph,fortunetookpityonhim.Ashestoodinfrontofthehousehesawtheabductorcomeout,lightedbytwoservants.Judgeofhissurprise,sire,'I
　　continued,lookingroundandspeakingslowly,togivefulleffecttomywords,'whenherecognisedinhimnootherthanthehusbandoftheladywho,bypickingupandagaindroppingthevelvetknot,hadcontributedsomuchtothesuccessofhissearch!'
　　'Ha!thesehusbands!'criedtheking.Andslappinghiskneeinanecstasyathisownacuteness,helaughedinhisseattillherolledagain.'Thesehusbands!DidInotsayso?'
　　ThewholeCourtgavewaytolikeapplause,andclapped.theirhandsaswell,sothatfewsavethosewhostoodnearesttooknoticeofMadamedeBruhl'sfaintcry,andstillfewerunderstoodwhysheroseupsuddenlyfromherstoolandstoodgazingatherhusbandwithburningcheeksandclenchedhands.Shetooknoheedofme,muchlessofthelaughingcrowdroundher,butlookedonlyathimwithhersoulinhereyes.He,afterutteringonehoarsecurse,seemedtohavenothoughtforanybutme.Tohavetheknowledgethathisownwifehadbaulkedhimbroughthometohiminthismockingfashion,tofindhowlittleathinghadtrippedhimthatday,tolearnhowblindlyhehadplayedintothehandsoffate,abovealltobeexposedatoncetohiswife'sresentmentandtheridiculeoftheCourt——forhecouldnotbesurethatI
　　shouldnotthenextmomentdisclosehisname——allsowroughtonhimthatforamomentIthoughthewouldstrikemeinthepresence.
　　Hisrage,indeed,didwhatIhadnotmeanttodo.Fortheking,catchingsightofhisface,andrememberingthatMadamedeBruhlhadelicitedthestory,screamedsuddenly,'Haro!'andpointedruthlesslyathimwithhisfinger.AfterthatIhadnoneedtospeak,thestoryleapingfromeyetoeye,andeveryeyesettlingonBruhl,whosoughtinvaintocomposehisfeatures.Madame,whosurpassedhim,aswomencommonlydosurpassmen,inself-
　　control,wasthe,firsttorecoverherself,andsittingdownasquicklyasshehadrisen,confrontedalikeherhusbandandherrivalswithapalesmile.
　　Foramomentcuriosityandexcitementkeptallbreathless,theeyealonebusy.Thenthekinglaughedmischievously.'Come,M.
　　deBruhl,'hecried,'perhapsyouwillfinishthetaleforus?'
　　Andhethrewhimselfbackinhischair,asneeronhislips.
　　'OrwhynotMadamedeBruhl?'saidtheduchess,withherheadononesideandhereyesglitteringoverherfan.'Madamewould,I
　　amsure,tellitsowell.'
　　Butmadameonlyshookherhead,smilingalwaysthatforcedsmile.
　　ForBruhlhimself,glaringfromfacetofacelikeabullabouttocharge,Ihaveneverseenamanmoreoutofcountenance,ormorecompletelybroughttobay.Hisdiscomposure,exposedashewastotheridiculeofallpresent,wassuchthatthepresenceinwhichhestoodscarcelyhinderedhimfromsomeviolentattack;
　　andhiseyes,whichhadwanderedfrommeattheking'sword,presentlyreturningtomeagain,hesofarforgothimselfastoraisehishandfuriously,utteringatthesametimeasavageoath.
　　Thekingcriedoutangrily,'Haveacare,sir!'ButBruhlonlyheededthissofarastothrustasidethosewhostoodroundhimandpushhiswayhurriedlythroughthecircle.
　　'Arnidieu!'criedtheking,whenhewasgone.'Thisisfineconduct!Ihavehalfamindtosendafterhimandhavehimputwherehishotbloodwouldcoolalittle.Or——'
　　Hestoppedabruptly,hiseyesrestingonme.TherelativepositionsofBruhlandmyselfastheagentsofRosnyandTurenneoccurredtohimforthefirsttime,Ithink,andsuggestedtheidea,perhaps,thatIhadlaidatrapforhim,andthathehadfallenintoit.Atanyratehisfacegrewdarkeranddarker,andatlast,'Anicekettleoffishthisisyouhavepreparedforus,sir!'hemuttered,gazingatmegloomily.
　　Thesuddenchangeinhishumourtookevencourtiersbysurprise.
　　Facesamomentbeforebroadwithsmilesgrewlongagain.Thelessimportantpersonageslookeduncomfortablyatoneanother,andwithoneaccordfrownedonme.'IfyourMajestywouldpleasetoheartheendofthestoryatanothertime?'Isuggestedhumbly,beginningtowishwithallmyheartthatIhadneversaidaword.
　　'Chut!'heanswered,rising,hisfacestillbetrayinghisperturbation,'Well,beitso.Forthepresentyoumaygo,sir.
　　Duchess,givemeZizi,andcometomycloset.Iwantyoutoseemypuppies.Retz,mygoodfriend,doyoucometoo.Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou.Gentlemen,youneednotwait.ItislikelyIshallbelate.'
　　And,withtheutmostabruptness,hebrokeupthecircle.
　　CHAPTERXVII.
　　THEJACOBINMONK.
　　HadIneededanyreminderoftheuncertaintyofCourtfavour,oraninstancewhenceImightlearnthelessonofmodesty,andsostandinlessdangerofpresumingonmynewandprecariousprosperity,Ihaditinthisepisode,andinthedemeanourofthecompanyroundme.Onthecirclebreakingupinconfusion,I
　　foundmyselfthecentreofgeneralregard,butregardofsodubiousacharacter,thepersonswhowouldhavebeenthefirsttocomplimentmehadthekingretiredearlier,standingfarthestaloofnow,thatIfeltmyselfratherinsultedthanhonouredbyit.Oneortwo,indeed,ofthemorecautiousspiritsdidapproachme;butitwaswiththeairofmenprovidingagainstadangerparticularlyremote,theirhalf-heartedspeechesservingonlytofixtheminmymemoryasbelongingtoaclass,especiallyabhorrenttome——theclass,Imean,ofthosewhowouldrunatoncewiththehareandthehounds.
　　Iwasrejoicedtofindthatononeperson,andthattheonewhosedispositiontowardsmewas,nexttotheking's,offirstimportance,thisepisodehadproducedadifferentimpression,Feeling,asImadeforthedoor,atouchonmyarm,IturnedtofindM.deRambouilletatmyelbow,regardingmewithaglanceofmingledesteemandamusement;infine,withaverydifferentlookfromthatwhichhadbeenmywelcomeearlierintheevening.I
　　wasdriventosupposethathewastoogreataman,ortoosureofhisfavourwiththeking,tobeswayedbythepettymotiveswhichactuatedtheCourtgenerally,forhelaidhishandfamiliarlyonmyshoulder,andwalkedonbesideme.
　　'Wellmyfriend,'hesaid,'youhavedistinguishedyourselffinely!IdonotknowthatIeverrememberaprettywomanmakingmorestirinoneevening.Butifyouarewiseyouwillnotgohomealoneto-night.'
　　'Ihavemysword,M.leMarquis,'Ianswered,somewhatproudly.
　　'Whichwillavailyoulittleagainstaknifeintheback!'heretorteddrily.'Whatattendancehaveyou?'
　　'Myequerry,SimonFleix,isonthestairs.'
　　'Good,sofar,butnotenough,'hereplied,aswereachedtheheadofthestaircase.'Youhadbettercomehomewithmenow,andtwoorthreeofmyfellowsshallgoontoyourlodgingwithyou.Doyouknow,myfriend,'hecontinued,lookingatmekeenly,'youareeitheraverycleveroraveryfoolishman?'
　　Imadeanswermodestly.'Neithertheone,Ifear,northeother,Ihopesir,'Isaid.
　　'Well,youhavedoneaverypertinentthing,'hereplied,'forgoodorevil.Youhavelettheenemyknowwhathehastoexpect,andheisnotone,Iwarnyou,tobedespised.Butwhetheryouhavebeenverywiseorveryfoolishindeclaringopenwarremainstobeseen.'
　　'Aweekwillshow,'Ianswered.
　　Heturnedandlookedatme.'Youtakeitcoolly,'hesaid.
　　'Ihavebeenknockingabouttheworldforfortyyears,marquis,'
　　Irejoined.
　　HemutteredsomethingaboutRosnyhavingagoodeye,andthenstoppedtoadjusthiscloak.Wewerebythistimeinthestreet.
　　Makingmegohandinhandwithhim,herequestedtheothergentlementodrawtheirswords;andtheservantsbeinglikewisearmedandnumberinghalfascoreormore,withpikesandtorches,wemadeupaveryformidableparty,andcaused,Ithink,morealarmaswepassedthroughthestreetstoRambouillet'slodgingthanwehadanyreasontofeel.Notthatwehaditalltoourselves,fortheattendanceatCourtthateveningbeinglarge,andthecirclebreakingupasIhavedescribedmoreabruptlythanusual,thevicinityofthecastlewasinaferment,andthestreetsleadingfromitwerealivewiththelightsandlaughterofpartiessimilartoourown.
　　Atthedoorofthemarquis'slodgingIpreparedtotakeleaveofhimwithmanyexpressionsofgratitude,buthewouldhavemeenterandsitdownwithhimtoalightrefection,whichitwashishabittotakebeforeretiring.Twoofhisgentlemensatdownwithus,andavalet,whowasinhisconfidence,waitingonus,wemadeverymerryoverthesceneinthepresence.IlearnedthatM.deBruhlwasfarfrompopularatCourt;butbeingknowntopossesssomekindofholdovertheking,andenjoyingbesidesagreatreputationforrecklessnessandskillwiththesword,hehadplayedahighpartforalengthoftime,andattachedtohimself,especiallysincethedeathofGuise,aconsiderablenumberoffollowers.
　　'Thetruthis,'oneofthemarquis'sgentlemen,whowasalittleheatedwithwine,observed,'thereisnothingatthismomentwhichaboldandunscrupulousmanmaynotwininFrance!'
　　'NoraboldandChristiangentlemanforFrance!'repliedM.deRambouilletwith,someasperity.'Bytheway,'hecontinued,turningabruptlytotheservant,'whereisM.Francois?'
　　Thevaletansweredthathehadnotreturnedwithusfromthecastle.TheMarquisexpressedhimselfannoyedatthis,andI
　　gathered,firstly,thatthemissingmanwashisnearkinsman,and,secondly,thathewasalsotheyoungsparkwhohadbeensoforwardtoquarrelwithmeearlierintheevening.Determiningtoreferthematter,shoulditbecomepressing,toRambouilletforadjustment,Itookleaveofhim,andattendedbytwoofhisservants,whomhekindlytransferredtomyserviceforthepresent,Istartedtowardsmylodgingalittlebeforemidnight.
　　Themoonhadrisenwhilewewereatsupper,anditslight,whichwhitenedthegablesononesideofthestreet,diffusedaglimmerbelowsufficienttoenableustoavoidthekennel.Seeingthis,Ibadethemenputoutourtorch.Frosthadsetin,andakeenwindwasblowing,sothatweweregladtohurryonatagoodpace;andthestreetsbeingquitedesertedatthislatehour,orhauntedonlybythosewhohadcometodreadthetownmarshal,wemetnooneandsawnolights.Ifelltothinking,formypart,oftheeveningIhadspentsearchingBloisforMademoiselle,andofthedifferencebetweenthenandnow.NordidIfailwhileonthistracktoretraceitstillfarthertotheeveningofourarrivalatmymother's;whence,asasource,suchkindlyandgentlethoughtswelledupinmymindaswerenatural,andtheunfailingaffectionofthatgraciouswomanrequired.These,takingtheplaceforthemomentoftheanxiouscalculationsandsternpurposeswhichhadoflateengrossedme,wereonlyoustedbysomethingwhich,happeningundermyeyes,broughtmeviolentlyandabruptlytomyself.
　　Thiswasthesuddenappearanceofthreemen,whoissuedonebyonefromanalleyascoreofyardsinfrontofus,andafterpausingasecondtolookbackthewaytheyhadcome,flittedoninsinglefilealongthestreet,disappearing,asfarasthedarknesspermittedmetojudge,roundasecondcorner.Ibynomeanslikedtheirappearance,and,asascreamandtheclashofarmsrangoutnextmomentfromthedirectioninwhichtheyhadgone,IcriedlustilytoSimonFleixtofollow,andranon,believingfromtherascals'movementsthattheywereafternogood,butthatrathersomehonestmanwasliketobesorebeset.
　　Onreachingthelanedownwhichtheyhadplunged,however,I
　　pausedamoment,consideringnotsomuchitsblack-ness,whichwasintense,theeavesnearlymeetingoverhead,asthesmallchanceIhadofdistinguishingbetweenattackersandattacked.
　　ButSimonandthemenovertakingme,andthesoundsofasharptusslestillcontinuing,Idecidedtoventure,andplungedintothealley,myleftarmwelladvanced,withtheskirtofmycloakthrownoverit,andmysworddrawnback.IshoutedasIran,thinkingthattheknavesmightdesistonhearingme;andthiswaswhathappened,forasIarrivedonthesceneofaction——thefartherendofthealley——twomentooktotheirheels,whileoftwowhoremained,onelayatlengthinthekennel,andanotherroseslowlyfromhisknees.
　　'Youarejustintime,sir,'thelattersaid,breathinghard,butspeakingwithaprecisenesswhichsoundedfamiliar.'Iamobligedtoyou,sir,whoeveryouare.Thevillainshadgotmedown,andinafewminutesmorewouldhavemademymotherchildless.Bytheway,youhavenolight,haveyou?'hecontinued,lispinglikeawoman.
　　OneofM.deRambouillet'smen,whohadbythistimecomeup,criedoutthatitwasMonsieurFrancois.
　　'Yes,blockhead!'theyounggentlemanansweredwiththeutmostcoolness.'ButIaskedforalight,notformyname.
　　'Itrustyouarenothurt,sir?'Isaid,puttingupmysword.
　　'Scratchedonly,'heanswered,betrayingnosurpriseonlearningwhoitwashadcomeupsoopportunely;ashenodoubtdidlearnfrommyvoice,forhecontinuedwithabow,aslightpricetopayfortheknowledgethatM.deMarsacisasforwardonthefieldasonthestairs.'
　　Ibowedmyacknowledgments.
　　'Thisfellow,'Isaid,'ishemuchhurt?'
　　'Tut,tut!IthoughtIhadsavedthemarshalalltrouble,M.
　　Francoisreplied.'Ishenotdead,Gil?'
　　Thepoorwretchmadeanswerforhimself,cryingoutpiteously,andinachokingvoice,forapriesttoshrivehim.AtthatmomentSimonFleixreturnedwithourtorch,whichhehadlightedatthenearestcross-streets,wheretherewasabrazier,andwesawbythislightthatthemanwascoughingupblood,andmightliveperhapshalfanhour.
　　'Mordieu!Thatcomesofthrustingtoohigh!'M.Francoismuttered,regretfully.Aninchlower,andtherewouldhavebeennoneofthistrouble!Isupposesomebodymustfetchone.Gil,'
　　hecontinued,'run,man,tothesacristyintheRueSt.Denys,andgetaFather.Or——stay!Helptolifthimundertheleeofthewallthere.Thewindcutslikeaknifehere.'
　　Thestreetbeingontheslopeofthehill,thelowerpartofthehousenearestusstoodafewfeetfromtheground,onwoodenpiles,andthespaceunderneathit,beingenclosedatthebackandsides,wasusedasacart-house.Theservantsmovedthedyingmanintothisrudeshelter,andIaccompaniedthem,beingunwillingtoleavetheyounggentlemanalone.Notwishing,however,toseemtointerfere,Iwalkedtothefartherend,andsatdownontheshaftofacart,whenceIidlyadmiredthestrangeaspectofthegroupIhadleft,astheglareofthetorchbroughtnowoneandnowanotherintoprominence,andsometimesshoneonM.Francois'jewelledfingerstoyingwithhistinymoustache,andsometimesonthewrithingfeaturesofthemanathisfeet.
　　Onasudden,andbeforeGilhadstartedonhiserrand,Isawtherewasapriestamongthem.Ihadnotseenhimenter,norhadIanyideawhencehecame.Myfirstimpressionwasonlythatherewasapriest,andthathewaslookingatme——notatthemancravinghisassistanceonthefloor,oratthosewhostoodroundhim,butatme,whosatawayintheshadowbeyondtheringoflight!
　　Thiswassurprising;butasecondglanceexplainedit,forthenI
　　sawthathewastheJacobinmonkwhohadhauntedmymother'sdyinghours.And,amazedasmuchatthisstrangeRENCONTREasattheman'sboldness,Isprangupandstrodeforwards,forgetting,inanimpulseofrighteousanger,theofficehecametodo.Andthisthemoreashisface,stillturnedtome,seemedinstincttomyeyeswithtriumphantmalice.AsImovedtowardshim,however,withafierceexclamationonmylips,hesuddenlydroppedhiseyesandknelt.ImmediatelyM.Francoiscried'Hush!'andthementurnedtomewithscandalisedfaces.Ifellback.Yeteventhen,whisperingonhiskneesbythedyingman,theknavewasthinking,Ifeltsure,ofme,gloryingatonceinhisimmunityandthepoweritgavehimtotantalisemewithoutfear.
　　Idetermined,whatevertheresult,tointercepthimwhenallwasover;andonthemandyingafewminuteslater,Iwalkedresolutelytotheopensideoftheshed,thinkingitlikelyhemighttrytoslipawayasmysteriouslyashehadcome.HestoodamomentspeakingtoM.Francois,however,andthen,accompaniedbyhim,advancedboldlytomeetme,aleansmileonhisface.
　　'FatherAntoine,'M.d'Agensaidpolitely,'tellsmethatheknowsyou,M.deMarsac,anddesirestospeaktoyou,MAL-A-
　　PROPOSasistheoccasion.'
　　'AndItohim,'Ianswered,tremblingwithrage,andonlyrestrainingbyanefforttheimpulsewhichwouldhavehadmedashmyhandinthepriest'spale,smirkingface.'Ihavewaitedlongforthismoment,'Icontinued,eyeinghimsteadily,asM.
　　Francoiswithdrewoutofhearing,'andhadyoutriedtoavoidme,Iwouldhavedraggedyouback,thoughallyourtribewereheretoprotectyou.'
　　HispresencesomaddenedmethatIscarcelyknewwhatIsaid.I
　　feltmybreathcomequickly,Ifeltthebloodsurgetomyhead,anditwaswithdifficultyIrestrainedmyselfwhenheansweredwithwell-affectedsanctity,'Likemother,likeson,Ifear,sir.
　　Huguenotsboth.'
　　Ichokedwithrage.What!'Isaid,'youdaretothreatenmeasyouthreatenedmymother?Fool!knowthatonlyto-dayforthepurposeofdiscoveringandpunishingyouItooktheroomsinwhichmymotherdied.'
　　'Iknowit,'heansweredquietly.Andtheninasecond,asbymagic,healteredhisdemeanourcompletely,raisinghisheadandlookingmeintheface.'That,andsomuchbesides,Iknow,'hecontinued,givingme,tomyastonishment,frownforfrown,'thatifyouwilllistentomeforamoment,M.deMarsac,andlistenquietly,Iwillconvinceyouthatthefollyisnotonmyside.'
　　Amazedathisnewmanner,inwhichtherewasnoneofthemadnessthathadmarkedhimatourfirstmeeting,butastrangeairofauthority,unlikeanythingIhadassociatedwithhimbefore,I
　　signedtohimtoproceed.
　　'YouthinkthatIaminyourpower?'hesaid,smiling.
　　'Ithink,'Iretortedswiftly,'that,escapingmenow,youwillhaveatyourheelshenceforthaworseenemythanevenyourownsins.'
　　'Justso,'heanswered,nodding.'Well,Iamgoingtoshowyouthatthereverseisthecase;andthatyouareascompletelyinmyhands,tospareortobreak,asthisstraw.Inthefirstplace,youarehereinBlois,aHuguenot!'
　　'Chut!'Iexclaimedcontemptuously,affectingaconfidenceIwasfarfromfeeling.'Alittlewhilebackthatmighthaveavailedyou.ButweareinBlois,notParis.ItisnotfartotheLoire,andyouhavetodealwithamannow,notwithawoman.Itisyouwhohavecausetotremble,notI.'
　　'Youthinktobeprotected,'heansweredwithasoursmile,'evenonthissideoftheLoire,Isee.ButonewordtothePope'sLegate,ortotheDukeofNevers,andyouwouldseetheinsideofadungeon,ifnotworse.Fortheking——'
　　'Kingornoking!'Ianswered,interruptinghimwithmoreassurancethanIfelt,seeingthatIrememberedonlytoowellHenry'sremarkthatRosnymustnotlooktohimforprotection,'I
　　fearyounotawhit!Andthatremindsme.Ihaveheardyoutalktreason——rank,blacktreason,priest,aseversentmantorope,andIwillgiveyouup.ByheavenIwill!'Icried,myrageincreasing,asIdiscerned,moreandmoreclearly,thedangerousholdhehadoverme.'Youhavethreatenedme!Oneword,andI
　　willsendyoutothegallows!'
　　'Sh!'heanswered,indicatingM.Francoisby,agestureofthehand.'Foryourownsake,notmine.Thisisfinetalking,butyouhavenotyetheardallIknow.Wouldyouliketohearhowyouhavespentthelastmonth?TwodaysafterChristmas,M.deMarsac,youleftChizewithayounglady——Icangiveyouhername,ifyouplease.FourdaysafterwardsyoureachedBlois,andtookhertoyourmother'slodging.NextmorningsheleftyouforM.deBruhl.TwodayslateryoutrackedhertoahouseintheRuelled'Arcy,andfreedher,butlostherinthemomentofvictory.ThenyoustayedinBloisuntilyourmother'sdeath,goingadayortwolatertoM.deRosny'shousebyMantes,wheremademoisellestillis.YesterdayyouarrivedinBloiswithM.deRosny;youwenttohislodging;you——'
　　'Proceed,Imuttered,leaningforward.UndercoverofmycloakI
　　drewmydaggerhalf-wayfromitssheath.'Proceed,sir,Ipray,'
　　Irepeatedwithdrylips.
　　'Yousleptthere,'hecontinued,holdinghisground,butshudderingslightly,eitherfromcoldorbecauseheperceivedmymovementandreadmydesigninmyeyes.
　　'ThismorningyouremainedhereinattendanceonM.deRambouillet.'
　　ForthemomentIbreathedfreelyagain,perceivingthatthoughheknewmuch,theonethingonwhichM.deRosny'sdesignturnedhadescapedhim.Thesecretinterviewwiththeking,whichcompromisedalikeHenryhimselfandM.deRambouillet,hadapparentlypassedunnoticedandunsuspected.WithasighofintensereliefIslidbackthedagger,whichIhadfullymadeupmymindtousehadheknownall,anddrewmycloakroundmewithashrugoffeignedindifference.Isweatedtothinkwhathedidknow,butourinterviewwiththekinghavingescapedhim,I
　　breathedagain.
　　'Well,sir,'Isaidcurtly,'Ihavelistened.Andnow,whatisthepurposeofallthis?'
　　'Mypurpose?'heanswered,hiseyesglittering.'Toshowyouthatyouareinmypower.YouaretheagentofM.deRosny.I,theagent,howeverhumble,oftheHolyCatholicLeague.OfyourmovementsIknowall.Whatdoyouknowofmine?'
　　'Knowledge,'Imadegrimanswer,'isnoteverything,sirpriest.'
　　'Itismorethanitwas,'hesaid,smilinghisthin-lippedsmile.
　　'Itisgoingtobemorethanitis.AndIknowmuch——aboutyou,M.deMarsac.'
　　'Youknowtoomuch!'Iretorted,feelinghiscovertthreatscloseroundmelikethefoldsofsomegreatserpent.'Butyouareimprudent,Ithink.Willyoutellmewhatistopreventmestrikingyouthroughwhereyoustand,andriddingmyselfatablowofsomuchknowledge?'
　　'Thepresenceofthreemen,M.deMarsac,'heansweredlightly,wavinghishandtowardsM.Francoisandtheothers,'everyoneofwhomwouldgiveyouuptojustice.YouforgetthatyouarenorthoftheLoire,andthatpriestsarenottobemassacredherewithimpunity,asinyourlawlesssouth-country.However,enough.
　　Thenightiscold,andM.d'Agengrowssuspiciousaswellasimpatient.Wehave,perhaps,spokentoolongalready.Permitme——hebowedanddrewbackastep——'toresumethisdiscussionto-
　　morrow.'
　　Despitehispolitenessandthehollowcivilitywithwhichhethussought;toclosetheinterview,thelightoftriumphwhichshoneinhiseyes,astheglareofthetorchfellathwartthem,nolessthantheassuredtoneofhisvoice,toldmeclearlythatheknewhispower.Heseemed,indeed,transformed:nolongeraslinking,peacefulclerk,preyingonawoman'sfears,butaboldandcraftyschemer,skilledandunscrupulous,possessedofhiddenknowledgeandhiddenresources;thepersonificationofevilintellect.Foramoment,knowingallIknew,andparticularlytheresponsibilitieswhichlaybeforeme,andtheinterestscommittedtomyhands,Iquailed,confessingmyselfunequaltohim.IforgottherighteousvengeanceIowedhim;Icriedouthelplesslyagainsttheill-fortunewhichhadbroughthimacrossmypath.Isawmyselfenmeshedandfetteredbeyondhopeofescape,andbyaneffortonlycontrolledthedespairIfelt.
　　'To-morrow?'Imutteredhoarsely.'Atwhattime?'
　　Heshookhisheadwithacunningsmile.'Athousandthanks,butIwillsettlethatmyself!'heanswered.'Aurevoir!'andutteringawordofleave-takingtoM.Francoisd'Agen,heblessedthetwoservants,andwentoutintothenight.
　　CHAPTERXVIII.
　　THEOFFEROFTHELEAGUE.
　　Whenthelastsoundofhisfootstepsdiedaway,Iawokeasfromanevildream,andbecomingconsciousofthepresenceofM.
　　Francoisandtheservants,recollectedmechanicallythatIowedtheformeranapologyformydiscourtesyinkeepinghimstandinginthecold.Ibegantoofferit;butmydistressandconfusionofmindweresuchthatinthemiddleofasetphraseIbrokeoff,andstoodlookingfixedlyathim,mytroublesoplainthatheaskedmecivillyifanythingailedme.
　　'No,'Ianswered,turningfromhimimpatiently;'nothing,nothing,sir.Ortellme,'Icontinued,withanabruptchangeofmind,'whoisthat;whohasjustleftus?'
　　'FatherAntoine,doyoumean?'
　　'Ay,FatherAntoine,FatherJudas,callhimwhatyoulike,'I
　　rejoinedbitterly.
　　'Thenifyouleavethechoicetome,'M.Francoisansweredwithgravepoliteness,'Iwouldrathercallhimsomethingmorepleasant,M.deMarsac——JamesorJohn,letussay.Forthereislittlesaidherewhichdoesnotcomebacktohim.Ifwallshaveears,thewallsofBloisareinhispay.ButIthoughtyouknewhim,'hecontinued.'Heissecretary,confidant,chaplain,whatyouwill,toCardinalRetz,andoneofthosewhom——inyourear——
　　greatermencourtandmorepowerfulmenleanon.IfIhadtochoosebetweenthem,IwouldrathercrossM.deCrillon.'
　　'Iamobligedtoyou,'Imuttered,checkedasmuchbyhismannerashiswords.
　　'Notatall,'heansweredmorelightly.'AnyinformationIhaveisatyourdisposal.'
　　However,Isawtheimprudenceofventuringfarther,andhastenedtotakeleaveofhim,persuadinghimtoallowoneofM.deRambouillet'sservantstoaccompanyhimhome.Hesaidthatheshouldcallonmeinthemorning;andforcingmyselftoanswerhiminasuitablemanner,Isawhimdepartoneway,andmyself,accompaniedbySimonFleix,wentoffanother.Myfeetwerefrozenwithlongstanding——Ithinkthecorpseweleftwasscarcecolder——butmyheadwashotwithfeverishdoubtsandfears.Themoonhadsunkandthestreetsweredark.Ourtorchhadburnedout,andwehadnolight.Butwheremyfollowerssawonlyblacknessandvacancy,Isawanevilsmileandaleanvisagefraughtwithmenaceandexultation.
　　ForthemorecloselyIdirectedmymindtothepositioninwhichIstood,thegraveritseemed.PittedagainstBruhlalone,amidstrangesurroundingsandinanatmosphereofCourtintrigue,I
　　hadthoughtmytasksufficientlydifficultandthedisadvantagesunderwhichIlabouredsufficientlyseriousbeforethisinterview.Consciousofacertainrustinessandadistasteforfinesse,withresourcessoinferiortoBruhl'sthatevenM.deRosny'sliberalityhadnotdonemuchtomakeupthedifference,I
　　hadacceptedthepostofferedmeratherreadilythansanguinely;
　　withjoy,seeingthatitheldoutthehopeofhighreward,butwithnocertainexpectationofsuccess.Still,matchedwithamanofviolentandheadstrongcharacter,Ihadseennoreasontodespair;noranywhyImightnotarrangethesecretmeetingbetweenthekingandmademoisellewithsafety,andconducttoitsendanintriguesimpleandunsuspected,andrequiringforitsexecutionrathercourageandcautionthanaddressorexperience.
　　Now,however,IfoundthatBruhlwasnotmyonlyormymostdangerousantagonist.Anotherwasinthefield——or,tospeakmorecorrectly,waswaitingoutsidethearena,readytosnatchtheprizewhenweshouldhavedisabledoneanother,FromadreamofBruhlandmyselfasengagedinacompetitionfortheking'sfavour,whereinneithercouldexposetheothernorappealeveninthelastresorttothejoint-enemiesofhisMajestyandourselves,Iawoketoaverydifferentstateofthings;Iawoketofindthoseenemiesthemastersofthesituation,possessedofthecluetoourplans,andpermittingthemonlyaslongastheyseemedtothreatennoseriousperiltothemselves.
　　Nodiscoverycouldbemoremortifyingormorefraughtwithterror.TheperspirationstoodonmybrowasIrecalledthewarningwhichM.deRosnyhadutteredagainstCardinalRetz,ornoteddownthevariouspointsofknowledgewhichwereinFatherAntoine'spossession.Hekneweveryeventofthelastmonth,withoneexception,andcouldtell,Iverilybelieved,howmanycrownsIhadinmypouch.Concedingthis,andthesecretsourcesofinformationhemustpossess,whathopehadIofkeepingmyfuturemovementsfromhim?Mademoiselle'sarrivalwouldbeknowntohimbeforeshehadwellpassedthegates;norwasitlikely,orevenpossible,thatIshouldagainsucceedinreachingtheking'spresenceuntracedandunsuspected.Infine,Isawmyself,equallywithBruhl,apuppetinthisman'shands,mygoingsoutandmycomingsinwatchedandreportedtohim,hismercytheonlybarbetweenmyselfanddestruction.AtanymomentImightbearrestedasaHuguenot,theenterpriseinwhichIwasengagedruined,andMademoiselledelaVireexposedtotheviolenceofBruhlortheequallydangerousintriguesoftheLeague.
　　UnderthesecircumstancesIfanciedsleepimpossible;buthabitandwearinessarestrongpersuaders,andwhenIreachedmylodgingIsleptlongandsoundly,asbecameamanwhohadlookeddangerinthefacemorethanonce.Themorninglighttoobroughtanaccessionbothofcourageandhope.IreflectedonthemiseryofmyconditionatSt.Jeand'Angely,withoutfriendsorresources,anddriventoherdwithsuchamanasFresnoy.AndtellingmyselfthatthegoldcrownswhichM.deRosnyhadlavisheduponmewerenotfornothing,northemorepreciousfriendshipwithwhichhehadhonouredmeagiftthatcalledfornoreturn,IrosewithnewspiritandacountenancewhichthrewSimonFleixwhohadseenmeliedownthepictureofdespair——
　　intotheutmostastonishment.
　　'Youhavehadgooddreams,'hesaid,eyeingmejealouslyandwithadisturbedair.
　　'Ihadaveryevilonelastnight,'Iansweredlightly,wonderingalittlewhyhelookedatmeso,andwhyheseemedtoresentmyreturntohopefulnessandcourage.Imighthavefollowedthistrainofthoughtfurtherwithadvantage,sinceIpossessedacluetohisstateofmind;butatthatmomentasummonsatthedoorcalledhimawaytoit,andhepresentlyusheredinM.d'Agen,who,salutingmewithpunctiliouspoliteness,hadnotsaidfiftywordsbeforeheintroducedthesubjectofhistoe——nolonger,however,inahostilespirit,butasthehappymediumwhichhadledhimtorecognisetheworthandsterlingqualities——sohewaspleasedtosay——ofhispreserver.
　　Iwasdelightedtofindhiminthisframeofmind,andtoldhimfranklythatthefriendshipwithwhichhiskinsman,M.deRambouillet,honouredmewouldpreventmegivinghimsatisfactionsaveinthelastresort.HerepliedthattheserviceIhaddonehimwassuchastorenderthisimmaterial,unlessIhadmyselfcauseofoffence;whichIwasforwardtodeny.
　　Wewerepayingoneanothercomplimentsafterthisfashion,whileIregardedhimwiththeinterestwhichthemiddle-agedbestowontheyoungandgallantinwhomtheyseetheirownyouthandhopesmirrored,whenthedoorwasagainopened,andafteramoment'spauseadmitted,equally,Ithink,tothedisgustofM.Francois,andmyself,theformofFatherAntoine.
　　Seldomhavetwomenmorediversestood,Ibelieve,inaroomtogether;seldomhasanygreatercontrastbeenpresentedtoaman'seyesthanthatopenedtomineonthisoccasion.Ontheonesidethegayyoungspark,withhisshortcloak,hisfinesuit;ofblack-and-silver,histrimlimbsandjewelledhiltandchasedcomfit-box;ontheother,thetall,stoopingmonk,lean-jawedandbright-eyed,whosegownhungabouthimincoarse,ungainlyfolds.
　　AndM.Francois'sentimentonfirstseeingtheotherwascertainlydislike.Isspiteofthis,however,hebestowedagreetingonthenew-comerwhichevidencedasecretawe,andinotherwaysshowedsoplainadesiretoplease,thatIfeltmyfearsofthepriestreturninforce.IreflectedthatthetalentswhichinsuchagarbcouldwintherespectofM.Francoisd'Agen——abrilliantstaramongtheyoungercourtiers,andoneofaclassmuchgiventothinkingscornoftheirfathers'roughness——mustbebothgreatandformidable;and,soconsidering,I
　　receivedthemonkwithadistantcourtesywhichIhadoncelittlethoughttoextendtohim.IputasideforthemomenttheprivategrudgeIborehimwithsomuchjustice,andrememberedonlytheburdenwhichlayonmeinmycontestwithhim.
　　Iconjecturedwithoutdifficultythathechosetocomeatthistime,whenM.Francoiswaswithme,outofacunningregardtohisownsafety;andIwasnotsurprisedwhenM.Francois,beginningtomakehisadieux,FatherAntoinebeggedhimtowaitbelow,addingthathehadsomethingofimportancetocommunicate.
　　Headvancedhisrequestintermsofpolitenessborderingonhumility;butIcouldclearlyseethat,inassentingtoit,M.
　　d'Agenbowedtoawillstrongerthanhisown,andwould,hadhedaredtofollowhisownbent,havegivenaverydifferentanswer.
　　Asitwasheretired——nominallytogiveanordertohislackey——
　　withaspeciesofimpatientself-restraintwhichitwasnotdifficulttoconstrue.
　　Leftalonewithme,andassuredthatwehadnolisteners,themonkwasnotslowincomingtothepoint.
　　'YouhavethoughtoverwhatItoldyoulastnight?'hesaidbrusquely,droppinginamomentthesuavemannerwhichhehadmaintainedinM.Francois'spresence.
　　IrepliedcoldlythatIhad.
　　'Andyouunderstandtheposition?'hecontinuedquickly,lookingatmefromunderhisbrowsashestoodbeforeme,withoneclenchedfistonthetable.'OrshallItellyoumore?ShallI
　　tellyouhowpooranddespisedyouweresomeweeksago,M.deMarsac——youwhonowgoinvelvet,andhavethreemenatyourback?Orwhosegolditishasbroughtyouhere,andmadeyou,this?Chut!Donotletustrifle.YouarehereasthesecretagentoftheKingofNavarre.Itismybusinesstolearnyourplansandhisintentions,andIproposetodoso.'
　　'Well?'Isaid.
　　'Iampreparedtobuythem,'heanswered;andhiseyessparkledashespoke,withagreedwhichsetmeyetmoreonmyguard.
　　'Forwhom?'Iasked.HavingmadeupmymindthatImustusethesameweaponsasmyadversary,Ireflectedthattoexpressindignation,suchasmightbecomeayoungmannewtotheworld,could,helpmenotawhit.'Forwhom?'Irepeated,seeingthathehesitated.
　　'Thatismybusiness,'herepliedslowly.
　　'Youwanttoknowtoomuchandtelltoolittle,'Iretorted,yawning.
　　'Andyouareplayingwithme,'hecried,lookingatmesuddenly,withsopiercingagazeandsodarkacountenancethatIcheckedashudderwithdifficulty.'Somuchtheworseforyou,somuchtheworseforyou!'hecontinuedfiercely.'Iamheretobuytheinformationyouhold,butifyouwillnotsell,thereisanotherway.Atanhour'snoticeIcanruinyourplans,andsendyoutoadungeon!Youarelikeafishcaughtinanetnotyetdrawn.Itthrustsitsnosethiswayandthat,andtouchesthemesh,butisslowtotakethealarmuntilthenetisdrawn——andthenitistoolate.Soitiswithyou,andsoitis,'headded,fallingintotheecstaticmoodwhichmarkedhimattimes,andleftmeindoubtwhetherhewereallknaveorinpartenthusiast,'withallthosewhosetthemselvesagainstSt.PeterandhisChurch!'