MyvisitorwasnaturallysurprisedtofindthatIhadnothingparticulartosaytohim.Idarednottellhimwhatoccupiedmythoughts,andfortherestinventionfailedme.Buthisgaietyandthoseprettyaffectationsonwhichhespentaninfinityofpains,forthepurpose,apparently,ofhidingthesterlingworthofacharacterdeficientneitherincouragenorbackbone,wereunitedtomuchgoodnature.BelievingatlastthatIhadsentforhiminafitofthevapours,hedevotedhimselftoamusingmeandabusingBruhl——averyfavouritepastimewithhim.Andinthiswayhemadeoutacalloftwohours.
　　IhadnotlongtowaitforproofofSimon'swisdomintakingthisprecaution.Wethoughtitprudenttokeepwithindoorsafterourguest'sdeparture,andsopassedthenightinignorancewhetheranythinghadhappenedornot.ButaboutsevennextmorningoneoftheMarquis'sservants,despatchedbyM.d'Agen,burstinuponuswiththenews——whichwasnonewsfromthemomenthishurriedfootstepsoundedonthestairsthatFatherAntoinehadbeensetuponandkilledthepreviousevening!
　　Iheardthisconfirmationofmyhopeswithgravethankfulness;
　　Simonwithsomuchemotionthatwhenthemessengerwasgonehesatdownonastoolandbegantosobandtrembleasifhehadlosthismother,insteadofamortalfoe.Itookadvantageoftheoccasiontoreadhimasermonontheendofcrookedcourses;
　　norcouldImyselfrecallwithoutashuddertheman'slastwordstome;orthelawlessandevildesignsinwhichhehadrejoiced,whilestandingontheverybrinkofthepitwhichwastoswallowupbothhimandthemineverlastingdarkness.
　　Naturally,theuppermostfeelinginmymindwasrelief.Iwasfreeoncemore.Inallprobabilitythepriesthadkepthisknowledgetohimself,andwithouthimhisagentswouldbepowerless.Simon,itistrue,heardthatthetownwasmuchexcitedbytheevent;andthatmanyattributedittotheHuguenots.Butwedidnotsufferourselvestobedepressedbythis,norhadIanyforebodinguntilthesoundofasecondhurriedfootstepmountingthestairsreachedourears.
　　IknewthestepinamomentforM.d'Agen's,andsomethingominousinitsringbroughtmetomyfeetbeforeheopenedthedoor.Significantaswashisfirsthastylookroundtheroom,herecoveredatsightofmeallhishabitualSANG-FROID.Hesalutedme,andspokecoolly,thoughrapidly.Buthepanted,andI
　　noticedinamomentthathehadlosthislisp.
　　'Iamhappyinfindingyou,'hesaid,closingthedoorcarefullybehindhim,'forIamthebearerofillnews,andthereisnotamomenttobelost.Thekinghassignedanorderforyourinstantconsignmenttoprison,M.deMarsac,and,oncethere,itisdifficulttosaywhatmaynothappen.'
　　'Myconsignment?'Iexclaimed.Imaybepardonedifthenewsforamomentfoundmeunprepared.
　　'Yes,'herepliedquickly.'ThekinghassigneditattheinstanceofMarshalRetz.'
　　'Butforwhat?'Icriedinamazement.
　　'ThemurderofFatherAntoine.Youwillpardonme,'hecontinuedurgently,'butthisisnotimeforwords.TheProvost-Marshalisevennowonhiswaytoarrestyou.Youronlyhopeistoevadehim,andgainanaudienceoftheking.Ihavepersuadedmyuncletogowithyou,andheiswaitingathislodgings.Thereisnotamomenttobelost,however,ifyouwouldreachtheking'spresencebeforeyouarearrested.'
　　'ButIaminnocent!'Icried.
　　'Iknowit,'M.d'Agenanswered,'andcanproveit.Butifyoucannotgetspeechofthekinginnocencewillavailyounothing.
　　Youhavepowerfulenemies.Comewithoutmoreado,M.deMarsac,Ipray,'headded.
　　Hismanner,evenmorethanhiswords,impressedmewithasenseofurgency;andpostponingforatimemyownjudgment,I
　　hurriedlythankedhimforhisfriendlyoffices.Snatchingupmysword,whichlayonachair,Ibucklediton;forSimon'sfingerstrembledsoviolentlyhecouldgivemenohelp.ThisdoneI
　　noddedtoM.d'Agentogofirst,andfollowedhimfromtheroom,Simonattendingusofhisownmotion.Itwouldbethenabouteleveno'clockintheforenoon.
　　Mycompanionrandownthestairswithoutceremony,andsoquicklyitwasallIcoulddotokeepupwithhim.Attheouterdoorhesignedmetostand,anddartinghimselfintothestreet,helookedanxiouslyinthedirectionoftheRueSt.Denys.
　　Fortunatelythecoastwasstillclear,andhebeckonedtometofollowhim.Ididsoandstartingtowalkintheoppositedirectionasfastaswecould,inlessthanaminutewehadputacornerbetweenusandthehouse.
　　Ourhopesofescapingunseen,however,werepromptlydashed.Thehouse,Ihavesaid,stoodinaquietby-street,whichwasboundedonthefarthersidebyagarden-wallbuttressedatintervals.Wehadscarcelygoneadozenpacesfrommydoorwhenamanslippedfromtheshelterofoneofthesebuttresses,andafterasingleglanceatus,setofftoruntowardstheRueSt.Denys.
　　M.d'Agenlookedbackandnodded.'Theregoesthenews,'hesaid.'Theywilltrytocutusoff,butIthinkwehavethestartofthem.'
　　Imadenoreply,feelingthatIhadresignedmyselfentirelyintohishands.ButaswepassedthroughtheRuedeValois,inpartofwhichamarketwasheldatthishour,attractingaconsiderableconcourseofpeasantsandothers,IfanciedI
　　detectedsignsofunusualbustleandexcitement.Itseemedunlikelythatnewsofthepriest'smurdershouldaffectsomanypeopleandtosuchadegree,andIaskedM.d'Agenwhatitmeant.
　　'Thereisarumourabroad,'heanswered,withoutslackeningspeed,'thatthekingintendstomovesouthtoToursatonce.'
　　Imutteredmysurpriseandsatisfaction.'HewillcometotermswiththeHuguenotsthen?'Isaid.
　　'Itlookslikeit,'M.d'Agenrejoined.'Retz'spartyareinanill-humouronthataccount,andwillwreakitonyouiftheygetachance.Onguard!'headdedabruptly.'Herearetwoofthem!'
　　Ashespokeweemergedfromthecrowd,andIsaw,halfadozenpacesinfront;ofus,andcomingtomeetus,acoupleofCourtgallants,attendedbyasmanyservants.Theyespiedusatthesamemoment,andcameacrossthestreet,whichwastolerablywideatthatpart,withtheevidentintentionofstoppingus.
　　Simultaneously,however,wecrossedtotaketheirside,andsometthemfacetofaceinthemiddleoftheway.
　　'M.d'Agen,'theforemostexclaimed,speakinginahaughtytone,andwithadarksideglanceatme,'Iamsorrytoseeyouinsuchcompany!DoubtlessyouarenotawarethatthisgentlemanisthesubjectofanorderwhichhasevennowbeenissuedtotheProvost-Marshal.'
　　'Andifso,sir?Whatofthat?'mycompanionlispedinhissilkiesttone.
　　'Whatofthat?'theothercried,frowning,andpushingslightlyforward.
　　'Precisely,'M.d'Agenrepeated,layinghishandonhishiltanddecliningtogiveback.'IamnotawarethathisMajestyhasappointedyouProvost-Marshal,orthatyouhaveanywarrant,M.
　　Villequier,empoweringyoutostopgentlemeninthepublicstreets.'
　　M.Villequierreddenedwithanger.'Youareyoung,M.d'Agen,'
　　hesaid,hisvoicequivering,'orIwouldmakeyoupaydearlyforthat!'
　　'Myfriendisnotyoung,'M.d'Agenretorted,bowing.'Heisagentlemanofbirth,M.Villequier;byrepute,asIlearnedyesterday,oneofthebestswordsmeninFrance,andnoGascon.
　　Ifyoufeelinclinedtoarresthim,doso,Ipray.AndIwillhavethehonourofengagingyourson.'
　　Aswehadallbythistimeourhandsonourswords,thereneededbutablowtobringaboutoneofthosestreetbrawlswhichweremorecommonthenthannow.Anumberofmarket-people,drawntothespotbyourraisedvoices,hadgatheredround,andwerewaitingeagerlytoseewhatwouldhappen.ButVilleqier,asmycompanionperhapsknew,wasaGasconinheartaswellasbybirth,andseeingourdeterminedaspects,thoughtbetterofit.
　　Shrugginghisshoulderswithanaffectationofdisdainwhichimposedonnoone,hesignalledtohisservantstogoon,andhimselfstoodaside.
　　'Ithankyouforyourpoliteoffer,'hesaidwithanevilsmile,'andwillrememberit.Butasyousay,sir,IamnottheProvost-Marshal.'
　　Payinglittleheedtohiswords,webowed,passedhim,andhurriedon.Buttheperilwasnotover.NotonlyhadtheRENCONTREcostussomepreciousminutes,buttheGascon,afterlettingusproceedalittleway,followedus.Andwordbeingpassedbyhisservants,aswesupposed,thatoneofuswasthemurdererofFatherAntoine,therumourspreadthroughthecrowdlikewildfire,andinafewmomentswefoundourselvesattendedbyatroopofCANAILLEwho,hangingonourskirts,causedSimonFleixnolittleapprehension.NotwithstandingthecontemptwhichM.d'Agen,whosebearingthroughoutwasadmirable,expressedforthem,wemighthavefounditnecessarytoturnandteachthemalessonhadwenotreachedM.deRambouillet'sinthenickoftime;wherewefoundthedoorsurroundedbyhalfadozenarmedservants,atsightofwhomourpersecutorsfellbackwiththecowardicewhichisusuallyfoundinthatclass.
　　IfIhadbeentemptedoflatetothinkM.deRambouilletfickle,Ihadnoreasontocomplainnow;whetherhisattitudewasduetoM.d'Agen'srepresentations,ortothereflectionthatwithoutmetheplanshehadatheartmustmiscarry.Ifoundhimwaitingwithin,attendedbythreegentlemen,allcloakedandreadyfortheroad;whiletheairofpurpose,whichsatonhisbrowindicatedthathethoughtthecrisisnocommonone.Notamomentwaslost,eveninexplanations.Wavingmetothedooragain,andexchangingafewsentenceswithhisnephew,hegavethewordtostart,andweissuedfromthehouseinabody.Doubtlessthefactthatthosewhosoughttoruinmewerehispoliticalenemieshadsomeweightwithhim;forIsawhisfacehardenashiseyesmetthoseofM.deVillequier,whopassedslowlybeforethedooraswecameout.TheGascon,however,wasnotthemantointerferewithsolargeaparty,anddroppedback;whileM.deRambouillet,afterexchangingacoldsalutewithhim,ledthewaytowardstheCastleataroundpace.HisnephewandIwalkedoneoneithersideofhim,andtheothers,tothenumberoftenoreleven,pressedonbehindinacompactbody,ourcortegepresentingsodeterminedafrontthatthecrowd,whichhadremainedhangingaboutthedoor,fledeveryway.Evensomepeaceablefolkwhofoundthemselvesinourroadtooktheprecautionofslippingintodoorways,orstoodasidetogiveusthefullwidthofthestreet.
　　Iremarked——andIthinkitincreasedmyanxiety——thatourleaderwasdressedwithmorethanusualcareandrichness,but,unlikehisattendants,worenoarms.Hetookoccasion,aswehurriedalong,togivemeawordofadvice.'M.deMarsac,'hesaid,lookingatmesuddenly,'mynephewhasgivenmetounderstandthatyouplaceyourselfentirelyinmyhands.'
　　IrepliedthatIaskedfornobetterfortune,and,whatevertheevent,thankedhimfromthebottomofmyheart.
　　'BepleasedthentokeepsilenceuntilIbidyouspeak,'herepliedsharply,forhewasoneofthosewhomasuddenstresssoursandexacerbates.'And,aboveall,noviolencewithoutmyorders.Weareabouttofightabattle,andacriticalone,butitmustbewonwithourheads.IfwecanwewillkeepyououtoftheProvost-Marshal'shands.'
　　Andifnot?IrememberedthethreatsFatherAntoinehadused,andinamomentIlostsightofthestreetwithallitslightandlifeandmovement.Ifeltnolongerthewholesomestingingofthewind.Itastedinsteadafetidair,andsawroundmeanarrowcellandmaskedfigures,andinparticularaswarthymanisaleatherapronleaningoverabrazier,fromwhichcameluridflames.AndIwasbound.Iexperiencedthatutterhelplessnesswhichisthelasttestofcourage.Themancameforward,andthen——then,thankGod!thevisionpassedaway.AnexclamationtowhichM.d'Agengavevent,broughtmebacktothepresent,andtotheblessedknowledgethatthefightwasnotyetover.
　　Wewerewithinascoreofpaces,Ifound,oftheCastlegates;
　　butsowerealsoasecondparty,whohadjustdebouchedfromaside-street,andnowhurriedon,paceforpace,withus,withtheevidentintentionofforestallingus,Theraceendedinbothcompaniesreachingtheentranceatthesametime,withtheconsequenceofsomejostlingtakingplaceamongsttheservants.
　　ThismusthaveledtoblowsbutforthestrenuouscommandswhichM.deRambouillethadlaiduponhisfollowers.Ifoundmyselfinamomentconfrontedbyarowofscowlingfaces,whileadozenthreateninghandswerestretchedouttowardsme,andasmanyvoices,amongwhichIrecognisedFresnoy's,criedouttumultuously,'Thatishe!Thatistheone!'
　　Anelderlymaninaquaintdresssteppedforward,apaperinhishand,and,backedashewasbyhalfadozenhalberdiers,wouldinamomenthavelaidhandsonmeifM.deRambouillethadnotintervenedwithanegligentairofauthority,whichsatonhimthemoregracefullyasheheldnothingbutariding-switchinhishands.'Tut,tut!Whatisthis?'hesaidlightly.'Iamnotwonttohavemypeopleinterferedwith,M.Provost,withoutmyleave.Youknowme,Isuppose?'
　　'Perfectly,M.leMarquis,'themanansweredwithdoggedrespect;
　　'butthisisbytheking'sspecialcommand.'
　　'Verygood,'mypatronanswered,quietlyeyeingthefacesbehindtheProvost-Marshal,asifheweremakinganoteofthem;whichcausedsomeofthegentlemenmanifestuneasiness.'Thatissoonseen,forweareevennowabouttoseekspeechwithhisMajesty.'
　　'Notthisgentleman,'theProvost-Marshalansweredfirmly,raisinghishandagain.'Icannotlethimpass.'
　　'Yes,thisgentlemantoo,byyourleave,'theMarquisretorted,lightlyputtingthehandasidewithhiscane.
　　'Sir,'saidtheother,retreatingastep,andspeakingwithsomeheat,'thisisnojestwithallrespect.Iholdtheking'sownorder,anditmaynotberesisted.'
　　Thenoblemantappedhissilvercomfit-boxandsmiled.'Ishallbethelasttoresistit——ifyouhaveit,'hesaidlanguidly.
　　'Youmayreaditforyourself,'theProvost-Marshalanswered,hispatienceexhausted.
　　M.deRambouillettooktheparchmentwiththeendsofhisfingers,glancedatit,andgaveitback.'AsIthought,'hesaid,'amanifestforgery.'
　　'Aforgery!'criedtheother,crimsonwithindignation.'AndI
　　haditfromthehandsoftheking'sownsecretary!'Atthisthosebehindmurmured,some'shame,'andsomeonethingandsomeanother——allwithanairsothreateningthattheMarquis'sgentlemenclosedupbehindhim,andM.d'Agenlaughedrudely.
　　ButM.deRambouilletremainedunmoved.'Youmayhavehaditfromwhomyouplease,sir,'hesaid.'Itisaforgery,andI
　　shallresistitsexecution.Ifyouchoosetoawaitmehere,I
　　willgiveyoumywordtorenderthisgentlemantoyouwithinanhour,shouldtheorderholdgood.Ifyouwillnotwait,Ishallcommandmyservantstocleartheway,andifillhappen,thentheresponsibilitywillliewithyou.'
　　Hespokeinsoresoluteamanneritwasnotdifficulttoseethatsomethingmorewasatstakethanthearrestofasingleman.
　　Thiswasso;therealissuewaswhethertheking,withwhoseinstabilityitwasdifficulttocope,shouldfallbackintothehandsofhisoldadvisersornot.MyarrestwasamoveinthegameintendedasacounterblasttothevictorywhichM.deRambouillethadgainedwhenhepersuadedthekingtomovetoTours;acityintheneighbourhoodoftheHuguenots,andaplaceofarmswhenceunionwiththemwouldbeeasy.
　　TheProvost-Marshalcould,nodoubt,makeashrewdguessatthesethings.Heknewthattheorderhehadwouldbeheldvalidornotaccordingasonepartyortheothergainedthemastery;and,seeingM.deRambouillet'sresolutedemeanour,hegaveway.
　　Rudelyinterruptedmorethanoncebyhisattendants,amongwhomweresomeofBruhl'smen,hemutteredanungraciousassenttoourproposal;onwhich,andwithoutamoment'sdelay,theMarquistookmebythearmandhurriedmeacrossthecourtyard.
　　Andsofar,well.Myheartbegantorise.But,fortheMarquis,aswemountedthestaircasetheanxietyhehaddissembledwhilewefacedtheProvost-Marshal,brokeoutinangrymutterings;fromwhichIgatheredthatthecrisiswasyettocome.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whenanusherroseonourappearanceintheantechamber,and,quicklycrossingthefloor,interposedbetweenusandthedoorofthechamber,informingtheMarquiswithalowobeisancethathisMajestywasengaged.
　　'Hewillseeme,'M.deRambouilletcried,lookinghaughtilyroundonthesneeringpagesandloungingcourtiers,whogrewcivilunderhiseye.
　　'Ihaveparticularorders,sir,toadmitsoone,'themananswered.
　　'Tut,tut,theydonotapplytome,'mycompanionretorted,nothingdaunted.'Iknowthebusinessonwhichthekingisengaged,andIamheretoassisthim.'Andraisinghishandhethrustthestartledofficialaside,andhardilypushedthedoorsofthechamberopen.
　　Theking,surroundedbyhalfadozenpersons,wasintheactofputtingonhisriding-boots.Onhearingus,heturnedhisheadwithastartledair,anddroppedinhisconfusiononeoftheivorycylindershewasusing;whilehisaspect,andthatofthepersonswhostoodroundhim,remindedmeirresistiblyofapartyofschoolboysdetectedinafault.
　　Herecoveredhimself,itistrue,almostimmediately;andturninghisbacktous?continuedtotalktothepersonsroundhimonsuchtriflingsubjectsascommonlyengagedhim.Hecarriedonthisconversationinaveryfreeway,studiouslyignoringourpresence;butitwasplainheremainedawareofit,andeventhathewasuneasyunderthecoldandseveregazewhichtheMarquis,whoseemedinnowiseaffrightedbyhisreception,bentuponhim.
　　I,formypart,hadnolongeranyconfidence.Nay,IcameneartoregrettingthatIhadperseveredinanattemptsouseless.
　　ThewarrantwhichawaitedmeatthegatesseemedlessformidablethanhisMajesty'sgrowingdispleasure;whichIsawIwasincurringbyremainingwhereIwas.ItneedednottheinsolentglanceofMarshalRetz,wholoungedsmilingbytheking'shand,orthelaughterofacoupleofpageswhostoodattheheadofthechamber,todeprivemeofmylasthope;whilesomethingswhichmighthavecheeredme——theuneasinessofsomeabouttheking,andthedisquietudewhichunderlayMarshalRetz'smanner——escapedmynoticealtogether.
　　WhatIdidseeclearlywasthattheking'sembarrassmentwasfastchangingtoanger.Thepaintwhichreddenedhischeekspreventedtinyalterationinhiscolourbeingvisible,buthisfrownandthenervousmannerinwhichhekepttakingoffandputtingonhisjewelledcapbetrayedhim.Atlength,signingtooneofhiscompanionstofollow,hemovedalittleasidetoawindow,whence,afterafewmoments,thegentlemancametous.
　　'M.deRambouillet,'hesaid,speakingcoldlyandformally,'hisMajestyisdispleasedbythisgentleman'spresence,andrequireshimtowithdrawforthwith.'
　　'HisMajesty'swordislaw,'mypatronanswered,bowinglow,andspeakinginaclearvoiceaudiblethroughout;thechamber,'butthematterwhichbringsthisgentlemanhereisoftheutmostimportance,andtoucheshisMajesty'sperson.'
　　M.deRetzlaughedjeeringly.Theothercourtierslookedgrave.
　　Thekingshruggedhisshoulderswithapeevishgesture,butafteramoment'shesitation,duringwhichhelookedfirstatRetzandthenatM.deRambouillet,hesignedtotheMarquistoapproach.
　　'Whyhaveyoubroughthimhere?'hemutteredsharply,lookingaskanceatme.'Heshouldhavebeenbestowedaccordingtomyorders.'
　　'HehasinformationforyourMajesty'sprivateear,'Rambouilletanswered.AndhelookedsomeaninglyatthekingthatHenry,I
　　think,rememberedonasuddenhiscompactwithRosny,andmypartinit;forhestartedwiththeairofamansuddenlyawakened.
　　'Topreventthatinformationreachingyou,sire,'mypatroncontinued,'hisenemieshavepractisedonyourMajesty'swell-
　　knownsenseofjustice.'
　　'Oh,butstay,stay!'thekingcried,hitchingforwardthescantycloakhewore,whichbarelycamedowntohiswaist.'Themanhaskilledapriest!Hehaskilledapriest,man!'
　　Herepeatedwithconfidence,asifhehadnowgotholdoftherightargument.
　　Thatisnotso,sire,cravingyourMajesty'spardon,M.deRambouillet;repliedwiththeutmostcoolness.
　　'Tut!Tut!Theevidenceisclear,'thekingsaidpeevishly.
　　'Astothat,sire,'mycompanionrejoined,'ifitisofthemurderofFatherAntoineheisaccused,Isayboldlythatthereisnone.'
　　'Thenthereyouaremistaken!'thekinganswered.'Ihearditwithmyownearsthismorning.'
　　'Willyoudeign,sire,totellmeitsnature?'M.deRambouilletpersisted.
　　ButonthatMarshalRetzthoughtitnecessarytointervene.
　　'NeedweturnhisMajesty'schamberintoacourtofjustice?'hesaidsmoothly.Hithertohehadnotspoken;trusting,perhaps,totheimpressionhehadalreadymadeupontheking.
　　M.deRambouillettooknonoticeofhim.
　　'ButBruhl,'saidtheking,'yousee,Bruhlsays——'
　　'Bruhl!'mycompanionreplied,withsomuchcontemptthatHenrystarted.'SurelyyourMajestyhasnottakenhiswordagainstthisgentleman,ofallpeople?'
　　Thusreminded,asecondtime,oftheinterestsentrustedtome,andoftheadvantagewhichBruhlwouldgainbymydisappearance,thekinglookedfirstconfused,andthenangry.Heventedhispassioninoneortwoprofaneoaths,withthechildishadditionthatwewereallasetoftraitors,andthathehadnoonewhomhecouldtrust.Butmycompanionhadtouchedtherightchordatlast;forwhenthekinggrewmorecomposed,hewavedasideMarshalRetz'sprotestations,andsullenlybadeRambouilletsaywhathehadtosay.
　　'Themonkwaskilled,sire,aboutsunset,'heanswered.'Nowmynephew,M.d'Agen,iswithout,andwilltellyourMajestythathewaswiththisgentlemanathislodgingsfromaboutanhourbeforesunsetlasteveninguntilafullhourafter.Consequently,M.deMarsaccanhardlybetheassassin,andM.leMarechalmustlookelsewhereifhewantsvengeance.'
　　'Justice,sir,notvengeance.'MarshalRetzsaidwithadarkglance.HiskeenItalianfacehidhistroublewell,butalittlepulseofpassionbeatinginhisolivecheekbetrayedthesecrettothosewhoknewhim.Hehadaharderparttoplaythanhisopponent;forwhileRambouillet'shandswereclean,Retzknewhimselfatraitor,andliableatanymomenttodiscoveryandpunishment.
　　'LetM.d'Agenbecalled,'Henrysaidcurtly.
　　'AndifyourMajestypleases,'Retzadded,'M.deBruhlalso,Ifyoureallyintend,sire,thatis,toreopenamatterwhichI
　　thoughthadbeensettled.'
　　Thekingnoddedobstinately,hisfacefurrowedwithill-temper.
　　Hekepthisshiftyeyes,whichseldommetthoseofthepersonheaddressed,onthefloor;andthisaccentuatedtheawkwardstoopingcarriagewhichwasnaturaltohim.Thereweresevenoreightdogsofexceedingsmallnessintheroom,andwhilewewaitedforthepersonswhohadbeensummoned,hekicked,nowoneandnowanotherofthebasketswhichheldthem,asifhefoundinthissomeventforhisill-humour.
　　Thewitnessespresentlyappeared,followedbyseveralpersons,amongwhomweretheDukesofNeversandMercoeur,whocametorideoutwiththeking,andM.deCrillon;sothatthechambergrewpassablyfull.ThetwodukesnoddedformallytotheMarquis,astheypassedhim,butenteredintoamutteredconversationwithRetz,whoappearedtobeurgingthemtopresshiscause.Theyseemedtodecline,however,shruggingtheirshortcloaksasifthematterweretooinsignificant.Crillononhispartcriedaudibly,andwithanoath,toknowwhatthematterwas;andbeinginformed,askedwhetherallthisfusswasbeingmadeaboutadamnedshavelingmonk.
　　Henry,whosetendernessforthecowlwaswellknown,dartedanangryglanceathim,butcontentedhimselfwithsayingsharplytoM.d'Agen,'Now,sir,whatdoyouknowaboutthematter?'
　　'Onemoment,sire,'M.Rambouilletcried,interposingbeforeFrancoiscouldanswer.'CravingyourMajesty'spardon,youhaveheardM.deBruhl'saccount.MayI,asafavourtomyself,begyou,sire,topermitusalsotohearit?'
　　'What?'MarshalRetzexclaimedangrily,'arewetobethejudges,then,orhisMajesty?Arnidieu!'hecontinuedhotly,'what,inthefiend'sname,havewetodowithit?Iprotest'foreHeaven——'
　　'Ay,sir,andwhatdoyouprotest?'mychampionretorted,turningtohimwithsterndisdain.
　　'Silence!'criedthekingwhohadlistenedalmostbewildered.
　　'Silence!ByGod,gentlemen,'hecontinued,hiseyetravellingroundthecirclewithasparkleofroyalangerinitnotunworthyofhiscrown,'youforgetyourselves.Iwillhavenoneofthisquarrellinginmypresenceoroutofit.IlostQuelusandMaugironthatway,andlossenough,andIwillhavenoneofit,I
　　say!M.deBruhl,'headded,standingerect,andlookingforthemoment,withallhispaintandfrippery,aking,'M.deBruhl,repeatyourstory.'
　　ThefeelingswithwhichIlistenedtothiscontroversymaybeimagined.Devouredinturnbyhopeandfearasnowonesideandnowtheotherseemedlikelytoprevail,Iconfrontedatonemomentthegloomofthedungeon,andatanothertastedtheairoffreedom,whichhadneverseemedsosweetbefore.Strongasthesefeelingswere,however,theygavewaytocuriosityatthispoint;
　　whenIheardBruhlcalled,andsawhimcomeforwardattheking'scommand.Knowingthismantobehimselfguilty,Imarvelledwithwhatfacehewouldpresenthimselfbeforeallthoseeyes,andfromwhatdepthsofimpudencehecoulddrawsuppliesinsuchanemergency.
　　Ineednothavetroubledmyself,however,forhewasfullyequaltotheoccasion.Hishighcolourandpiercingblackeyesmetthegazeoffriendandfoealikewithoutflinching.Dressedwellandelegantly,heworehisravenhaircurledinthemode,andlookedalikegay,handsome,andimperturbable.Iftherewasasuspicionofcoarsenessabouthisbulkierfigure,ashestoodbesideM.
　　d'Agen,whowasthecourtierperfectandpointdevise,itwenttothescaleofsincerity,seeingthatmennaturallyassociatetruthwithstrength.
　　'Iknownomorethanthis,sire,'hesaideasily;'that,happeningtocrosstheParvisatthemomentofthemurder,I
　　heardFatherAntoinescream.Heutteredfourwordsonly,inthetoneofamaninmortalperil.Theywere'——andherethespeakerlookedforaninstantatme——'Ha!Marsac!Amoi!'
　　'Indeed!'M.deRambouilletsaid,afterlookingtothekingforpermission.'Andthatwasall?Yousawnothing?'
　　Bruhlshookhishead.'Itwastoodark,'hesaid.
　　'Andheardnomore?'
　　'No.'
　　'DoIunderstand,then,'theMarquiscontinuedslowly,'thatM.
　　deMarsacisarrestedbecausethepriest——Godresthissoul!——
　　criedtohimforhelp?'
　　'Forhelp?'M.deRetzexclaimedfiercely.
　　'Forhelp?'saidtheking,surprised.Andatthatthemost;
　　ludicrouschangefelluponthefacesofall.Thekinglookedpuzzled,theDukeofNeverssmiled,theDukeofMercoeurlaughedaloud.Crilloncriedboisterously,'Goodhit!'andthemajority,whowishednobetterthantodivinethewinningparty,grinnedbroadly,whethertheywouldorno.
　　ToMarshalRetz,however,andBruhl,thatwhichtoeveryoneelseseemedanamusingretorthadatotallydifferentaspect;whiletheformerturnedyellowwithchagrinandcameneartochoking,thelatterlookedaschapfallenandstartledasifhisguilt;hadbeenthatmomentbroughthometohim.Assuredbythetoneofthemonk'svoice——whichmust,indeed,havethunderedinhisears——
　　thatmynamewasutteredindenunciationbyonewhothoughtmehisassailant,hehadchosentotellthetruthwithoutreflectingthatwords,soplaintohim,might;bearadifferentconstructionwhenrepeated.
　　'Certainlythewordsseemambiguous,'Henrymuttered.
　　'ButitwasMarsackilledhim,'Retzcriedinarage.
　　'Itisforsomeevidenceofthatwearewaiting,'mychampionansweredsuavely.
　　TheMarshallookedhelplesslyatNeversandMercoeur,whocommonlytookpartwithhim;butapparentlythosenoblemenhadnotbeenprimedforthisoccasion.Theymerelyshooktheirheadsandsmiled.Inthemomentarysilencewhichfollowed,whilealllookedcuriouslyatBruhl,whocouldnotconcealhismortification,M.d'Agensteppedforward.
　　'IfyourMajestywillpermitme,'hesaid,amalicioussimpercrossinghishandsomeface——IhadoftenremarkedhisextremedislikeforBruhlwithoutunderstandingit——'IthinkIcanfurnishsomeevidencemoretothepointthanthat;towhichM.deBruhlhaswithsomuchfairnessrestrictedhimself.'Hethenwentontostatethathehadhadthehonourofbeinginmycompanyatthetimeofthemurder;andheadded,besides,somanydetailsastoexculpatemetothesatisfactionofanycandidperson.
　　Thekingnodded.'Thatsettlesthematter,'hesaid,withasighofrelief.'Youthinkso,Mercoeur,doyounot?Precisely.
　　Villequier,seethattheorderrespectingM.deMarsaciscancelled.'
　　M.deRetzcouldnotcontrolhiswrathonhearingthisdirectiongiven.'Atthisrate,'hecriedrecklessly,'weshallhavefewpriestslefthere!WehavegotabadnameatBlois,asitis!'
　　Foramomentallinthecircleheldtheirbreath,whiletheking'seyesflashedfireatthisdaringallusiontothemurderoftheDukedeGuise,andhisbrothertheCardinal.ButitwasHenry'smisfortunetobeeverindulgentinthewrongplace,andseverewhenseveritywaseitherunjustorimpolitic.Herecoveredhimselfwithaneffort,andrevengedhimselfonlybyomittingtoinvitetheMarshal,whowasnowtremblinginhisshoes,tojoinhisriding-party.
　　Thecirclebrokeupamidsomeexcitement.IstoodononesidewithM.d'Agen,whilethekingandhisimmediatefollowingpassedout,and,greatlyembarrassedasIwasbythecivilcongratulatingofmanywhowouldhaveseenmehangwithequalgoodwill,IwassharpenoughtoseethatsomethingwasbrewingbetweenBruhlandMarshalRetz,whostoodbackconversinginlowtones.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whentheformermadehiswaytowardsmethroughthepresswhichfilledtheantechamber,andwithaloweringbrowrequestedawordwithme.
　　'Certainly,'Isaid,watchinghimnarrowly,forIknewhimtobebothtreacherousandabully.'Speakon,sir.'
　　'Youhavebalkedmeonceandagain,'herejoined,inavoicewhichshookalittle,asdidthefingerswithwhichhestrokedhiswaxedmoustache.'Thereisnoneedofwordsbetweenus.I,withoneswordbesides,willto-morrowatnoonkeepthebridgeatChaverny,aleaguefromhere.Itisanopencountry.Possiblyyourpleasuremayleadyoutoridethatwaywithafriend?'
　　'Youmaydependuponme,sir,'Ianswered,bowinglow,andfeelingthankfulthatthematterwasatlengthtobebroughttoafairandopenarbitration.'Iwillbethere——andinperson.Formydeputylastnight,'Iadded,searchinghisfacewithasteadfasteye,'seemstohavebeensomewhatunlucky.'
　　CHAPTERXXI.
　　TWOWOMEN.
　　Outofcompliment,andtoshowmygratitude,IattendedM.deRambouillethometohislodging,andfoundhimasmuchpleasedwithhimself,andconsequentlywithme,asIwaswithhim.Forthetime,indeed,Icameneartolovinghim;and,certainly,hewasamanofhighandpatrioticfeeling,andofskillandconducttomatch.ButhelackedthattouchofnatureandthatpowerofsympathisingwithotherswhichgavetosuchmenasM.deRosnyandtheking,mymaster,theirpeculiarcharm;thoughafterwhatIhaverelatedofhiminthelastchapteritdoesnotlieinmymouthtospeakillofhim.And,indeed,hewasagoodman.
　　WhenIatlastreachedmylodging,Ifoundasurpriseawaitingmeintheshapeofanotewhichhadjustarrivednooneknewhow.
　　Ifthemannerofitsdeliverywasmysterious,however,itscontentswerebriefandsufficientlyexplicit;forit;ranthus:
　　'SIR,BYMEETINGMETHREEHOURSAFTERNOONINTHESQUAREBEFORE
　　THEHOUSEOFTHELITTLESISTERSYOUWILLDOASERVICEATONCETO
　　YOURSELFANDTOTHEUNDERSIGNED,MARIEDEBRUHL.'
　　Thatwasall,writteninafemininecharacter,yetitwasenoughtoperplexme.Simon,whohadmanifestedtheliveliestjoyatmyescape,wouldhavehadmetreatitasIhadtreatedtheinvitationtotheParvisoftheCathedral;ignoreitaltogetherI
　　mean.ButIwasofadifferentmind,andthisforthreereasons,amongothers:thattherequestwasstraightforward,thetimeearly,andtheplacesufficientlypublictobeanunlikelytheatreforviolence,thoughwellfittedforaninterviewtowhichtheworldatlargewasnotinvited.Then,too,thesquarelaylittlemorethanabowshotfrommylodging,thoughonthefarthersideoftheRueSt.Denys.
　　Besides,IcouldconceivemanygroundswhichMadamedeBruhlmighthaveforseeingme;ofwhichsometouchedmenearly.I
　　disregardedSimon'swarnings,therefore,andrepairedatthetimeappointedtotheplace——aclean,pavedsquarealittleofftheRueSt.Denys,andenteredfromthelatterbyanarrowpassage.
　　Itwasaspotpleasantlyconvenientformeditation,butoverlookedononesidebytheHouseoftheLittleSisters;inwhich,asIguessedafterwards,madamemusthaveawaitedme,forthesquarewhenIentereditwasempty,yetinamoment,thoughnoonecameinfromthestreet,shestoodbesideme.Sheworeamaskandlongcloak.Thebeautifulhairandperfectcomplexion,whichhadfilledmewithsomuchadmirationatourfirstmeetinginherhouse,werehidden,butIsawenoughofherfigureandcarriagetobesurethatitwasMadamedeBruhlandnoother.
　　Shebeganbyaddressingmeinatoneofbitterness,forwhichI
　　wasnotaltogetherunprepared.
　　'Well,sir,'sheexclaimed,hervoicetremblingwithanger,'youaresatisfied,Ihope,withyourwork?'
　　Iexpectedthisandhadmyanswerready.'Iamnotaware,Madame,'Isaid,'thatIhavecausetoreproachmyself.But,howeverthatmaybe,Itrustyouhavesummonedmeforsomebetterpurposethantochidemeforanother'sfault;thoughitwasmyvoicewhichbroughtittolight.'
　　'Whydidyoushamemepublicly?'sheretorted,thrustingherhandkerchieftoherlipsandwithdrawingitagainwithapassionategesture.