'Madame,'Iansweredpatiently——Iwasfullofpityforher,'considerforamomentthewrongyourhusbanddidmeandhowsmallandinadequatewasthethingIdidtohiminreturn.'
　　'Tohim!'sheejaculatedsofiercelythatIstarted.'Itwastome——tomeyoudidit!WhathadIdonethatyoushouldexposemetotheridiculeofthosewhoknownopity,andtheangerofoneasmerciless?WhathadIdone,sir?'
　　Ishookmyheadsorrowfully.'Sofar,madame,'Ianswered,'I
　　allowIoweyoureparation,andIwillmakeitshoulditeverbeinmypower.Nay,Iwillsaymore,'Icontinued,forthetoneinwhichshespokehadwrungmyheart.'InonepointIstrainedthecaseagainstyourhusband.Tothebestofmybeliefheabductedtheladywhowasinmycharge,notfortheloveofher,butforpoliticalreasons,andastheagentofanother.'
　　Shegasped.'What?'shecried.'Saythatagain!'
　　AsIcompliedshetoreoffhermaskandgazedintomyfacewithstrainingeyesandpartedlips.Isawthenhowmuchshewaschanged,eveninthesefewdays——howpaleandwornwerehercheeks,howdarkthecirclesroundhereyes.'Willyousweartoit?'shesaidatlast,speakingwithuncontrollableeagerness,whileshelaidahandwhichshookwithexcitementonmyarm.
　　Willyousweartoit,sir?'
　　'Itistrue,'Iansweredsteadfastly.Imighthaveaddedthataftertheeventherhusbandhadsotreatedmademoiselleastoleadhertofeartheworst.ButIrefrained,feelingthatitwasnopartofmydutytocomebetweenhusbandandwife.
　　Sheclaspedherhands,andforamomentlookedpassionatelyupwards,asthoughsheweregivingthankstoHeaven;whilethefleshofhealthandlovelinesswhichIhadsomuchadmiredreturned,andilluminedherfaceinawonderfulmanner.Sheseemed,intruthandforthemoment,transformed.Herblueeyesfilledwithtears,herlipsmoved;norhaveIeverseenanythingbearsoneararesemblancetothosepicturesoftheVirginMarywhichRomansworshipasmadamedidthen.
　　Thechange,however,wasasevanescentasitwasadmirable.Inaninstantsheseemedtocollapse.Shestruckherhandstoherfaceandmoaned,andIsawtears,whichshevainlystrovetorestrain,droppingthroughherfingers.'Toolate!'shemurmured,inatoneofanguishwhichwrungmyheart.'Alas,yourobbedmeofoneman,yougivemebackanother.Iknowhimnowforwhatheis.Ifhedidnotloveherthen,hedoesnow.Itistoolate!'
　　SheseemedsomuchovercomethatIassistedhertoreachabenchwhichstoodagainstthewallafewpacesaway;nor,Iconfess,wasitwithoutdifficultyandmuchself-reproachthatIlimitedmyselftothoseprudentofficesonlywhichherstateandmydutyrequired.Toconsoleheronthesubjectofherhusbandwasimpossible;toignorehim,andsotoconsoleher,ataskwhichneithermydiscretionnormysenseofhonour,thoughsorelytried,permittedmetoundertake.
　　Shepresentlyrecoveredand,puttingonhermaskagain,saidhurriedlythatshehadstillawordtosaytome.'Youhavetreatedmehonestly,'shecontinued,'and,thoughIhavenocausetodoanythingbuthateyou,Isayinreturn,looktoyourself!
　　Youescapedlastnight——Iknowall,foritwasmyvelvetknot——
　　whichIhadmadethinkingtosendittoyoutoprocurethismeeting——thatheusedasalure.Butheisnotyetattheendofhisresources.Looktoyourself,therefore.'
　　IthoughtoftheappointmentIhadmadewithhimforthemorrow,butIconfinedmyselftothankingher,merelysaying,asIbowedoverthehandsheresignedtomeintokenoffarewell,'Madame,I
　　amgrateful.Iamobligedtoyoubothforyourwarningandyourforgiveness.'
　　'Bendingherheadcoldlyshedrewawayherhand.Atthatmoment,asIliftedmyeyes,Isawsomethingwhichforaninstantrootedmetothespotwithastonishment.IntheentranceofthepassagewhichledtotheRueSt.Denystwopeoplewerestanding,watchingus.TheonewasSimonFleix,andtheother,amaskedwoman,atriflebelowthemiddleheight,andcladinariding-coat,wasMademoiselledelaVire!
　　Iknewherinamoment.ButthereliefIexperiencedonseeinghersafeandinBloiswasnotunmixedwithannoyancethatSimonFleixshouldhavebeensoimprudentastoparadeherunnecessarilyinthestreet.Ifeltsomethingofconfusionalsoonmyownaccount;forIcouldnottellhowlongsheandherescorthadbeenwatchingme.Andthesetwofeelingswereaugmentedwhen,afterturningtopayafinalsalutetoMadamedeBruhl,Ilookedagaintowardsthepassageanddiscoveredthatmademoiselleandhersquireweregone.
　　ImpatientasIwas,Iwouldnotseemtoleavemadamerudelyorwithoutfeeling,aftertheconsiderationshehadshownmeinherownsorrow;andaccordinglyIwaiteduncovereduntilshedisappearedwithinthe'LittleSisters.'ThenIstartedeagerlytowardsmylodging,thinkingImightyetovertakemademoisellebeforesheentered.Iwasdestinedtomeet,however,withanotherthoughverypertinenthindrance.AsIpassedfromtheRueSt.DenysintothequietofmystreetIheardavoicecallingmyname,and,lookingback,sawM.deRambouillet'sequerry,amandeepinhisconfidence,runningafterme.Hebroughtamessagefromhismaster,whichhebeggedmetoconsiderofthefirstimportance.
　　'TheMarquiswouldnottrustittowriting,sir,'hecontinued,drawingmeasideintoacornerwherewewereconvenientlyretired,'buthemademelearnitbyheart."TellM.deMarsac,"
　　saidhe,"thatthatwhichhewasleftinBloistodomustbedonequickly,ornotatall.Thereissomethingafootintheothercamp,Iamnotsurewhat.Butnowisthetimetoknockinthenail.Iknowhiszeal,andIdependuponhim."'
　　AnhourbeforeIshouldhavelistenedtothismessagewithseriousdoubtsandmisgivings.Now,acquaintedwithmademoiselle'sarrival,IreturnedM.deRambouilletananswerinthesamestrain,andpartingcivillyfromBertram,whowasamanImuchesteemed,Ihastenedontomylodgings,exultinginthethoughtthatthehourandthewomanwerecomeatlast,andthatbeforethedawnofanotherdayImighthope,allbeingwell,toaccomplishwithhonourtomyselfandadvantagetoothersthecommissionwhichM.deRosnyhadentrustedtome.
　　Imustnotdenythat,mingledwiththis,wassomeexcitementattheprospectofseeingmademoiselleagain.IstrovetoconjureupbeforemeasImountedthestairstheexactexpressionofherfaceasIhadlastseenitbendingfromthewindowatRosny;totheendthatImighthavesomeguideformyfutureconduct,andmightbelesslikelytofallintothesnareofayounggirl'scoquetry.ButIcouldcomenow,asthen,tonosatisfactoryorsafeconclusion,andonlyfeltanewthevexationIhadexperiencedonlosingthevelvetknot,whichshehadgivenmeonthatoccasion.
　　IknockedatthedooroftheroomswhichIhadreservedforher,andwhichwereonthefloorbelowmyown;butIgotnoanswer.
　　SupposingthatSimonhadtakenherupstairs,Imountedquickly,notdoubtingIshouldfindherthere.JudgeofmysurpriseanddismaywhenIfoundthatroomalsoempty,saveforthelackeywhomM.deRambouillethadlentme!
　　'Wherearethey?'Iaskedtheman,speakingsharply,andstandingwithmyhandonthedoor.
　　'Theladyandherwoman,sir?'heanswered,comingforward.
　　'Yes,yes!'Icriedimpatiently,asuddenfearatmyheart.
　　ShewentoutimmediatelyafterherarrivalwithSimonFleix,sir,andhasnotyetreturned,'heanswered.
　　ThewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthbeforeIheardseveralpersonsenterthepassagebelowandbegintoascendthestairs.
　　Ididnot;doubtthatmademoiselleandtheladhadcomehomeanotherwayand,beensomehowdetained;andIturnedwithasighofrelieftoreceivethem.ButwhenthepersonswhosestepsI
　　hadheardappeared,theyprovedtobeonlyM.deRosny'sequerry,stout,burly,andbright-eyedasever,andtwoarmedservants.
　　CHAPTERXXII.
　　'LAFEMMEDISPOSE.'
　　Themomenttheequerry'sfoottouchedtheuppermoststairI
　　advanceduponhim.'Whereisyourmistress,man?'Isaid.
　　'WhereisMademoiselledelaVire?Bequick,tellmewhatyouhavedonewithher.'
　　Hisfacefellamazingly.'Whereisshe?'heanswered,falteringbetweensurpriseandalarmatmysuddenonslaught.'Here,sheshouldbe.Ileftherherenotanhourago.MonDieu!Isshenotherenow?'
　　Hisalarmincreasedminetenfold.'No!'Iretorted,'sheisnot!Sheisgone!Andyou——whatbusinesshadyou,inthefiend'sname,toleaveherhere,aloneandunprotected?Tellmethat!'
　　Heleanedagainstthebalustrade,makingnoattempttodefendhimself,andseemed,inhissuddenterror,anythingbutthebold,alertfellowwhohadascendedthestairstwominutesbefore.'I
　　wasafool,'hegroaned.'IsawyourmanSimonhere;andFanchette,whoisasgoodasaman,waswithhermistress.AndI
　　wenttostablethehorses.Ithoughtnoevil.Andnow——MyGod!'
　　headded,suddenlystraighteninghimself,whilehisface.grewhardandgrim,'Iamundone!Mymasterwillneverforgiveme!'
　　'Didyoucomestraighthere?'Isaid,consideringthat,afterall,hewasnomoreinfaultthanIhadbeenonaformeroccasion.
　　'WewentfirsttoM.deRosny'slodging,'heanswered,'wherewefoundyourmessagetellingustocomehere.Wecameonwithoutdismounting.'
　　'Mademoisellemayhavegoneback,andbethere,'Isaid.'Itispossible.Doyoustayhereandkeepagoodlook-out,andIwillgoandsee.Letoneofyourmencomewithme.'
　　Heutteredabriefassent;beingamanasreadytotakeastogiveorders,andthankfulnowforanysuggestionwhichheldoutahopeofmademoiselle'ssafety.Followedbytheservantheselected,Irandownthestairs,andinamomentwashurryingalongtheRueSt.Denys.Thedaywaswaning.Thenarrowstreetsandalleyswerealreadydark,buttheairofexcitementwhichI
　　hadnoticedinthemorningstillmarkedthetownsfolk,ofwhomagreatnumberwerestrollingabroad,orstandingindoorwaystalkingtotheirgossips.FeverishlyanxiousasIwas,I
　　remarkedthegloomwhichdweltonallfaces;butasIsetitdown.totheking'sapproachingdeparture,andbesideswasintentonseeingthatthosewesoughtdidnotbyanychancepassusinthecrowd,Ithoughtlittleofit.Fiveminutes'walkingbroughtustoM.deRosny'slodging.ThereIknockedatthedoor;impatiently,Iconfess,andwithlittlehopeofsuccess.
　　But,tomysurprise,barelyaninstantelapsedbeforethedooropened,andIsawbeforemeSimonFleix!
　　Discoveringwhoitwas,hecoweredback,withaterrifiedface,andretreatedtothewallwithhisarmraised.
　　'Youscoundrel!'Iexclaimed,restrainingmyselfwithdifficulty.'TellmethismomentwhereMademoiselledelaVireis!Or,byHeaven,Ishallforgetwhatmymotherowedtoyou,anddoyouamischief!'
　　Foraninstantheglaredatmeviciously,withallhisteethexposed,asthoughhemeanttorefuse——andmore.Thenhethoughtbetterofit,and,raisinghishand,pointedsulkilyupwards.
　　'Gobeforemeandknockatthedoor,'Isaid,tappingthehiltofmydaggerwithmeaning.
　　Cowedbymymanner,heobeyed,andledthewaytotheroominwhichM.deRambouillethadsurprisedusonaformeroccasion.
　　Herehestoppedatthedoorandknockedgently;onwhichasharpvoiceinsidebadeusenter.Iraisedthelatchanddidso,closingthedoorbehindme.
　　Mademoiselle,stillwearingherriding-coat,satinachairbeforethehearth,onwhichanewlykindledfiresputteredandsmoked.Shehadherbacktome,anddidnotturnonmyentrance,butcontinuedtotoyinanabsentmannerwiththestringsofthemaskwhichlayinherlap.Fanchettestoodboltuprightbehindher,withherelbowssquaredandherhandsclasped;insuchanattitudethatIguessedthemaidhadbeenexpressingherstrongdissatisfactionwiththislatestwhimofhermistress,andparticularlywithmademoiselle'simprudenceinwantonlyexposingherself,withsoinadequateaguardasSimon,inaplacewhereshehadalreadysufferedsomuch.Iwasconfirmedinthisnotiononseeingthewoman'sharshcountenanceclearatsightofme;
　　thoughthechurlishnod,whichwasallthegreetingshebestowedonme,seemedtobetokenanythingbutfavourorgood-will.Shetouchedhermistressontheshoulder,however,andsaid,'M.deMarsacishere.'
　　Mademoiselleturnedherheadandlookedatmelanguidly,withoutstirringinherchairorremovingthefootshe,waswarming.
　　'Goodevening,'shesaid.
　　Thegreetingseemedsobriefandsocommonplace,ignoring,asitdid,boththepainsandanxietytowhichshehadjustputmeandthegreatpurposeforwhichwewerehere——tosaynothingofthatambiguouspartingwhichshemustsurelyrememberaswellasI——
　　thatthewordsIhadprepareddiedonmylips,andIlookedatherinhonestconfusion.Allhersmallfacewaspaleexceptherlips.Herbrowwasdark,hereyeswerehardaswellasweary.
　　AndnotwordsonlyfailedmeasIlookedather,butanger;
　　havingmountedthestairshotfoottochide,Ifeltonasudden——despitemynewcloakandscabbard,myappointment,andthesameIhadmadeatCourt——thesameconsciousnessofage;andshabbinessandpovertywhichhadpossessedmeinherpresencefromthebeginning.Imuttered,'Goodevening,mademoiselle,'
　　andthatwasallIcouldsay——IwhohadfrightenedtheburlyMaignanafewminutesbefore!
　　Seeing,Ihavenodoubt,theeffectsheproducedonme,shemaintainedforsometimeanembarrassingsilence.Atlengthshesaid,frigidly,'PerhapsM.deMarsacwillsit,Fanchette.Placeachairforhim.Iamafraid,however,thatafterhissuccessesatCourthemayfindourreceptionsomewhatcold.Butweareonlyfromthecountry,'sheadded,lookingatmeaskance,withagleamofangerinhereyes.
　　Ithankedherhuskily,sayingthatIwouldnotsit,asIcouldnotstay.'SimonFleix,'Icontinued,findingmyvoicewithdifficulty,'has,Iamafraid,causedyousometroublebybringingyoutothishouseinsteadoftellingyouthatIhadmadepreparationforyouatmylodgings.'
　　'ItwasnotSimonFleix'sfault,'sherepliedcurtly.'Iprefertheserooms.Theyaremoreconvenient.'
　　'Theyare,perhaps,moreconvenient,'Irejoinedhumbly,'ButI
　　havetothinkofsafety,mademoiselle,asyouknow.AtmyhouseIhaveacompetentguard,andcananswerforyourbeingunmolested.'
　　'Youcansendyourguardhere,'shesaidwitharoyalair.
　　'But,mademoiselle——'
　　'IsitnotenoughthatIhavesaidthatIprefertheserooms?'
　　sherepliedsharply,droppinghermaskonherlapandlookingroundatmeinundisguiseddispleasure.'Areyoudeaf,sir?Letmetellyou,Iaminnomoodforargument.Iamtiredwithriding.Iprefertheserooms,andthatisenough!'
　　Nothingcouldexceedthedeterminationwithwhichshesaidthesewords,unlessitwerethemaliciouspleasureinthwartingmywisheswhichmadeitselfseenthroughtheveilofassumedindifference.Ifeltmyselfbroughtupwithavengeance,andinamannerthemostprovokingthatcouldbeconceived.Butoppositionsochildish,soutterlywanton,byexcitingmyindignation,hadpresentlytheeffectofbanishingthepeculiarbashfulnessIfeltinherpresence,andrecallingmetomyduty.
　　'Mademoiselle,'Isaidfirmly,lookingatherwithafixedcountenance,'pardonmeifIspeakplainly.Thisisnotimeforplayingwithstraws.Themenfromwhomyouescapedonceareasdeterminedandmoredesperatenow.Bythistimetheyprobablyknowofyourarrival.Do,then,asIask,Iprayandbeseechyou.OrthistimeImaylackthepower,thoughneverthewill,tosaveyou.'
　　Whollyignoringmyappeal,shelookedintomyface——forbythistimeIhadadvancedtoherside——withawhimsicalsmile.'YouarereallymuchimprovedinmannersinceIlastsawyou,'shesaid.
　　'Mademoiselle!'Ireplied,baffledandrepelled.'Whatdoyoumean?'
　　'WhatIsay,'sheanswered,flippantly.'Butitwastobeexpected.'
　　'Forshame!'Icried,provokedalmostbeyondbearingbyherill-
　　timedraillery,'willyouneverbeseriousuntilyouhaveruinedusandyourself?Itellyouthishouseisnotsafeforyou!Itisnotsafeforme!Icannotbringmymentoit,forthereisnotroomforthem.Ifyouhaveanysparkofconsideration,ofgratitude,therefore——'
　　'Gratitude!'sheexclaimed,swinginghermaskslowlytoandfrobyaribbon,whileshelookedupatmeasthoughmyexcitementamusedher.'Gratitude——'tisaveryprettyphrase,andmeansmuch;butitisforthosewhoserveusfaithfully,M.deMarsac,andnotforothers.Youreceivesomanyfavours,Iamtold,andaresosuccessfulatCourt,thatIshouldnotbejustifiedinmonopolisingyourservices.'
　　'But,mademoiselle——'Isaidinalowtone.AndthereIstopped.
　　Idarednotproceed.
　　'Well,sir,'sheanswered,lookingupatsheafteramoment'ssilence,andceasingonasuddentoplaywithhertoy,'whatisit?'
　　'Youspokeoffavours,'Icontinued,withaneffort.'Ineverreceivedbutonefromalady.ThatwasatRosny,andfromyourhand.'
　　'Frommyhand?'sheanswered,withanairofcoldsurprise.
　　'Itwasso,mademoiselle.'
　　'Youhavefallenintosomestrangemistake,sir,'shereplied,rousingherself,andlookingatmeindifferently'Inevergaveyouafavour.'
　　Ibowedlow.'Ifyousayyoudidnot,mademoiselle,thatisenough,'Ianswered.
　　'Nay,butdonotletmedoyouaninjustice,M.deMarsac,'sherejoined,speakingmorequicklyandinanalteredtone.'IfyoucanshowmethefavourIgaveyou,Ishall,ofcourse,beconvinced.Seeingisbelieving,youknow,'sheadded,withalightnervouslaugh,andagestureofsomethinglikeshyness.
　　IfIhadnotsufficientlyregrettedmycarelessness,andlossofthebowatthetime,Ididsonow.Ilookedatherinsilence,andsawherface,thathadforamomentshownsignsoffeeling,almostofshame,growslowlyhardagain.
　　'Well,sir?'shesaidimpatiently.'Theproofiseasy.'
　　'Itwastakenfromme;Ibelieve,byM.deRosny,'Iansweredlamely,wonderingwhatill-luckhadledhertoputthequestionandpressittothispoint.
　　'Itwastakenfromyou!'sheexclaimed,risingandconfrontingmewiththeutmostsuddenness,whilehereyesflashed,andherlittlehandcrumpledthemaskbeyondfutureusefulness.'Itwastakenfromyou,sir!'sherepeated,hervoiceandherwholeframetremblingwithangeranddisdain.'ThenIthankyou,I
　　prefermyversion.Yoursisimpossible.Forletmetellyou,whenMademoiselledelaViredoesconferafavour,itwillbeonamanwiththepowerandthewit——andtheconstancy,tokeepit,evenfromM.deRosny!'
　　Herscornhurt,thoughitdidnotangerme.Ifeltittobeinameasuredeserved,andragedagainstmyselfratherthanagainsther.Butawarethroughallofthesupremeimportanceofplacingherinsafety,Isubjectedmyimmediatefeelingstotheexigenciesofthemomentandstoopedtoanargumentwhichwould,Ithought,haveweightthoughprivatepleadingfailed.
　　'Puttingmyselfaside,mademoiselle,'Isaid,withmoreformalitythanIhadyetused,'thereisoneconsiderationwhichmustweighwithyou.Theking——'
　　'Theking!'shecried,interruptingmeviolently,herfacehotwithpassionandherwholepersoninstinctwithstubbornself-
　　will.'Ishallnotseetheking!'
　　'Youwillnotseetheking?'Irepeatedinamazement.
　　'No,Iwillnot!'sheanswered,inawhirlofanger,scorn,andimpetuosity.'There!Iwillnot!Ihavebeenmadeatoyandatoollongenough,M.deMarsac,'shecontinued,'andIwillserveothers'endsnomore.Ihavemadeupmymind.Donottalktome;youwilldonogood,sir.IwouldtoHeaven,'sheaddedbitterly,'IhadstayedatChizeandneverseenthisplace!'
　　'But,mademoiselle,'Isaid,'youhavenotthought——'
　　'Thought!'sheexclaimed,shuttinghersmallwhiteteethsoviciouslyIallbutrecoiled.'Ihavethoughtenough.Iamsickofthought.Iamgoingtoactnow.Iwillbeapuppetnolonger.Youmaytakemetothecastlebyforceifyouwill;butyoucannotmakemespeak.'
　　Ilookedatherintheutmostdismay,andastonishment;beingunableatfirsttobelievethatawomanwhohadgonethroughsomuch,hadrunsomanyrisks,andriddensomanymilesforapurpose,would,whenallwasdoneandthehourcome,declinetocarryoutherplan.Icouldnotbelieveit,Isay,atfirst;andItriedarguments,andentreatieswithoutstint,thinkingthatsheonlyaskedtobeentreatedorcoaxed.
　　ButIfoundprayersandeventhreatsbreathwasteduponher;andbeyondtheseIwouldnotgo.IknowIhavebeenblamedbysomeandridiculedbyothersfornotpushingthematterfarther;butthosewhohavestoodfacetofacewithawomanofspirit——awomanwhoseveryfrailtyandweaknessfoughtforher——willbetterunderstandthedifficultieswithwhichIhadtocontendandthemannerinwhichconvictionwasatlastborneinonmymind.I
　　hadneverbeforeconfrontedstubbornnessofthiskind.Asmademoisellesaidagainandagain,ImightforcehertoCourt,butIcouldnotmakeherspeak.
　　WhenIhadtriedeverymeansofpersuasion,andstillfoundnowayofovercomingherresolutionthewhileFanchettelookedonwithafaceofwood,neitheraidingmenortakingpartagainstme——Ilost,Iconfess,inthechagrinofthemomentthatsenseofdutywhichhadhithertoanimatedme;andthoughmyrelationtomademoiselleshouldhavemademeascarefulaseverofhersafety,eveninherowndespite,Ileftheratlastinangerandwentoutwithoutsayinganotherwordaboutremovingher——athingwhichwasstillinmypower.Ibelieveaverybriefreflectionwouldhaverecalledmetomyselfandmyduty;buttheopportunitywasnotgivenme,forIhadscarcelyreachedtheheadofthestairsbeforeFanchettecameafterme,andcalledtomeinawhispertostop.
　　Sheheldataperinherhand,andthissheraisedtomyface,smilingatthedisorderwhichshedoubtlessreadthere.'Doyousaythatthishouseisnotsafe?'sheaskedabruptly,loweringthelightasshespoke.
　　'YouhavetriedahouseinBloisbefore?'Irepliedwiththesamebluntness.'YoushouldknowaswellasI,woman.'
　　'Shemustbetakenfromhere,then,'sheanswered,noddingherhead,cunningly.'Icanpersuadeher.Doyousendforyourpeople,andbehereinhalfanhour.Itmaytakemethattimetowheedleher.ButIshalldoit.'
　　'Thenlisten,'Isaideagerly,seizingtheopportunityandhersleeveanddrawingherfartherfromthedoor.'Ifyoucanpersuadehertothat,youcanpersuadetoallIwish.Listen,myfriend,'Icontinued,sinkingmyvoicestilllower.'Ifshewillseethekingforonlytenminutes,andtellhimwhatsheknows,I
　　willgiveyou——'
　　'What?'thewomanaskedsuddenlyandharshly,drawingatthesametimehersleevefrommyhand.
　　'Fiftycrowns,'Ireplied,naminginmydesperationasumwhichwouldseemafortunetoapersoninherposition.'Fiftycrownsdown,themomenttheinterviewisover.'
　　'Andforthatyouwouldhavemesellher!'thewomancriedwitharudeintensityofpassionwhichstruckmelikeablow.'Forshame!Forshame,man!Youpersuadedhertoleaveherhomeandherfriends,andthecountrywhereshewasknown;andnowyouwouldhavemesellher!Shameonyou!Go!'sheaddedscornfully.'Gothisinstantandgetyourmen.Theking,sayyou?Theking!ItellyouIwouldnothaveherfingerachetosaveallyourkings!'
　　Sheflouncedawaywiththat,andIretiredcrestfallen;wonderingmuchatthefidelitywhichProvidence,doubtlessforthewell-
　　beingofthegentle,possiblyforthegoodofall,hasimplantedinthehumble.FindingSimon,towhomIhadscarcepatiencetospeak,waitingonthestairsbelow,IdespatchedhimtoMaignan,tobidhimcometomewithhismen.MeanwhileIwatchedthehousemyselfuntiltheirarrival,andthen,goingup,foundthatFanchettehadbeenasgoodasherword.Mademoiselle,withasullenmien,andaredspotoneithercheek,consentedtodescend,and,precededbyacoupleoflinks,whichMaignanhadthoughtfullyprovided,wasescortedsafelytomylodgings;whereIbestowedherintheroomsbelowmyown,whichIhaddesignedforher.
　　Atthedoorsheturnedandbowedtome,herfaceonfire.
　　'Sofar,sir,youhavegotyourway,'shesaid,breathingquickly.'Donotflatteryourself,however,thatyouwillgetitfarther——evenbybribingmywoman!'
　　CHAPTERXXIII.
　　THELASTVALOIS.
　　Istoodforafewmomentsonthestairs,wonderingwhatIshoulddoinanemergencytowhichtheMarquis'smessageoftheafternoonattachedsopressingacharacter.HaditnotbeenforthatImighthavewaiteduntilmorning,andfelttolerablycertainoffindingmademoiselleinamorereasonablemoodthen.
　　ButasitwasIdarednotwait.Idarednotriskthedelay,andIcamequicklytotheconclusionthattheonlycourseopentomewastogoatoncetoM.deRambouilletandtellhimfranklyhowthematterstood.
　　Maignanhadpostedoneofhismenattheopendoorwayleadingintothestreet,andfixedhisownquartersonthelandingatthetop,whencehecouldoverlookanintruderwithoutbeingseenhimself.Satisfiedwiththearrangement,IleftRambouillet'smantoreinforcehim,andtookwithmeSimonFleix,ofwhoseconductinregardtomademoiselleIentertainedthegravestdoubts.
　　Thenight,Ifoundonreachingthestreet,wascold,theskywhereitwasvisiblebetweentheeavesbeingbrightwithstars.
　　Asharpwindwasblowing,too,compellingustowrapourcloaksroundusandhurryonatapacewhichagreedwellwiththeexcitementofmythoughts.AssuredthathadmademoisellebeencomplaisantImighthaveseenmymissionaccomplishedwithinthehour,itwasimpossibleIshouldnotfeelimpatientwithonewho,togratifyawhim,playedwiththesecretsofakingdomasiftheywerecounters,andriskedinpassingill-humourtheresultsofweeksofpreparation.AndIwasimpatient,andwithher.ButmyresentmentfellsofarshortoftheoccasionthatIwondereduneasilyatmyowneasiness,andfeltmoreannoyedwithmyselfforfailingtobeproperlyannoyedwithher,thaninclinedtolaytheblamewhereitwasdue.ItwasinvainItoldmyselfcontemptuouslythatshewasawomanandthatwomenwerenotaccountable.Ifeltthattherealsecretandmotiveofmyindulgencelay,notinthis,butinthesuspicion,whichherreferencetothefavourgivenmeonmydeparturefromRosnyhadconvertedalmostintoacertainty,thatIwasmyselfthecauseofhersuddenill-humour.
　　Imighthavefollowedthistrainofthoughtfarther,andtoverypertinentconclusions.ButonreachingM.deRambouillet'slodgingIwasdivertedfromitbytheabnormallyquietaspectofthehouse,onthestepsofwhichhalfadozenservantsmightcommonlybeseenlounging.Nowthedoorswereclosed,nolightsshonethroughthewindows,andthehallsoundedemptyanddesolatewhenIknocked.Notalackeyhurriedtoreceivemeeventhen;buttheslipshodtreadoftheoldporter,ashecamewithalanterntoopen,alonebrokethesilence.Iwaitedeagerlywonderingwhatallthiscouldmean;andwhenthemanatlastopened,and,recognisingmyface,beggedmypardonifhehadkeptmewaitingIaskedhimimpatientlywhatwasthematter.
　　'AndwhereistheMarquis?'Iadded,steppinginsidetobeoutofthewind,andlooseningmycloak.
　　'Haveyounotheard,sir?'themanasked,holdinguphislanterntomyface.Hewasanold,wizened,leanfellow.'Itisabreak-up,sir,Iamafraid,thistime.'
　　'Abreak-up?'Irejoined,peevishly.'Speakout,man!Whatisthematter?Ihatemysteries.'
　　Youhavenotheardthenews,sir?ThattheDukeofMercoeurandMarshalRetz,withalltheirpeople,leftBloisthisafternoon?'
　　'No?'Ianswered,somewhatstartled.'Whitheraretheygone?'
　　'ToParis,itissaid,sir,——tojointheLeague.'
　　'Butdoyoumeanthattheyhavedesertedtheking?'Iasked.
　　'Forcertain,sir!'heanswered.
　　'NottheDukeofMercoeur?'Iexclaimed.'Why,man,heistheking'sbrother-in-law.Heoweseverythingtohim.'
　　'Well,heisgone,sir,'theoldmanansweredpositively.'ThenewswasbroughttoM.leMarquisaboutfouro'clock,oralittleafter.Hegothispeopletogether,andstartedafterthemtotryandpersuadethemtoreturn.Or,soitissaid.'
　　AsquicklyasIcould,Ireviewedthesituationinmymind.Ifthisstrangenewsweretrue,andmenlikeMercoeur,whohadeveryreasontostandbytheking,aswellasmenlikeRetz,whohadlongbeensuspectedofdisaffection,wereabandoningtheCourt,thedangermustbecomingcloseindeed.Thekingmustfeelhisthronealreadytottering,andbeeagertograspatanymeansofsupportingit.Undersuchcircumstancesitseemedtobemyparamountdutytoreachhim;togainhisearifpossible,andatallrisks;thatIandnotBruhl,NavarrenotTurenne,mightprofitbythefirstimpulseofself-preservation.
　　Biddingtheportershuthisdoorandkeepclose,IhurriedtotheCastle,andwaspresentlymorethanconfirmedinmyresolution.
　　FortomysurpriseIfoundtheCourtinmuchthesamestateasM.
　　deRambouillet'shouse.Thereweredoubleguardsindeedatthegates,wholetmepassafterscrutinisingmenarrowly;butthecourtyard,whichshouldhavebeenatthishourablazewithtorchesandcrowdedwithlackeysandgrooms,wasadarkwilderness,inwhichhalfadozenlinkstrembledmournfully.
　　PassingthroughthedoorsIfoundthingswithininthesamestate:thehallilllitanddesolate;thestaircasemannedonlybyafewwhisperinggroups,whoscannedmeasIpassed;theante-
　　chambersalmostempty,oroccupiedbythegreyuniformsoftheSwitzerguards.WhereIhadlooked,toseecourtiersassemblingtomeettheirsovereignandassurehimoftheirfidelity,Ifoundonlygloomyfaces,watchfuleyes,andmouthsominouslyclosed.
　　Anairofconstraintandforebodingrestedonall.Asinglefootstepsoundedhollowly.Thelongcorridors,whichhadsolatelyrungwithlaughterandtherattleofdice,seemedalreadydevotedtothesilence,anddesolationwhichawaitedthemwhentheCourtshoulddepart.WhereanyspokeIcaughtthenameofGuise;andIcouldhavefanciedthathismightyshadowlayupontheplaceandcursedit.
　　Enteringthechamber,Ifoundmatterslittlebetterthere.HisMajestywasnotpresent,norwereanyoftheCourtladies;buthalfadozengentlemen,amongwhomIrecognisedRevol,oneoftheKing'ssecretaries,stoodnearthealcove.Theylookeduponmyentrance,asthoughexpectingnews,andthen,seeingwhoitwas,lookedawayagainimpatiently.TheDukeofNeverswaswalkingmoodilytoandfrobeforeoneofthewindows,hishandsclaspedbehindhisback:whileBironandCrillon,reconciledbythecommonperil,talkedloudlyonthehearth.Ihesitatedamoment,uncertainhowtoproceed,forIwasnotyet;sooldatCourtastofeelathomethere.But,atlastmakingupmymind,IwalkedboldlyuptoCrillonandrequestedhisgoodofficestoprocuremeanimmediateaudienceoftheking.
　　'Anaudience?Doyoumeanyouwanttoseehimalone?'hesaid,raisinghiseyebrowsandlookingwhimsicallyatBiron.
　　'Thatismypetition,M.deCrillon,'Iansweredfirmly,thoughmyheartsank.'IamhereonM.deRambouillet'sbusiness,andI
　　needtoseehisMajestyforthwith,'
　　'Well,thatisstraightforward,'hereplied,clappingmeontheshoulder.'Andyoushallseehim.IncomingtoCrillonyouhavecometotherightman.Revol,'hecontinued,turningtothesecretary,'thisgentlemanbearsamessagefromM.deRambouillettotheking.Takehimtotheclosetwithoutdelay,myfriend,andannouncehim.Iwillbeanswerableforhim.'
　　Butthesecretaryshruggedhisshouldersuptohisears.'Itisquiteimpossible,M.deCrillon,'hesaidgravely.'Quiteimpossibleatpresent.'
　　'Impossible!Chut!Idonotknowtheword,'Crillonretortedrudely.'Come,takehimatonce,andblamemeifillcomesofit.Doyouhear?'
　　'ButhisMajesty——'
　　'Well?'
　　'Isathisdevotions,'thesecretarysaidstiffly.
　　'HisMajesty'sdevotionsbehanged!'Crillonrejoined——soloudlythattherewasageneraltitter,andM.deNeverslaughedgrimly.
　　'Doyouhear?'theAvennaiscontinued,hisfacegrowingredderandhisvoicehigher,'ormustIpullyourears,myfriend?Takethisgentlemantothecloset,Isay,andifhisMajestybeangry,tellhimitwasbymyorder.ItellyouhecomesfromRambouillet.'
　　Idonotknowwhetheritwasthethreat,orthementionofM.deRambouillet'sname,whichconvincedthesecretary.Butatanyrate,afteramoment'shesitation,heacquiesced.
　　Henoddedsullenlytometofollowhim,andledthewaytoacurtainwhichmaskedthedoorofthecloset.Ifollowedhimacrossthechamber,aftermutteringahastywordofacknowledgmenttoCrillon;andIhadasnearlyaspossiblereachedthedoorwhenthebustleofsomeoneenteringthechambercaughtmyear.IhadjusttimetoturnandseethatthiswasBruhl,justtimetointerceptthedarklookofchagrinandsurprisewhichhefixedonme,andthenRevol,holdingupthecurtain,signedtometoenter.
　　Iexpectedtopassatonceintothepresenceoftheking,andhadmyreverenceready.Instead,Ifoundmyselftomysurpriseinasmallchamber,orratherpassage,curtainedatbothends,andoccupiedbyacoupleofguardsmen——members,doubtless,oftheBandoftheForty-Fivewhoroseatmyentranceandlookedatmedubiously.Theirguard-room,dimlyilluminedbyalampofredglass,seemedtome,inspiteofitscurtainsandvelvetbench,andthethicktapestrywhichkeptouteverybreathofwholesomeair,themostsombreIcouldimagine.Andthemostill-omened.
　　ButIhadnotimetomakeanylongobservation;forRevol,passingmebrusquely,raisedthecurtainattheotherend,and,withhisfingeronhislip,bademebysignstoenter.
　　Ididsoassilently,theheavyscentofperfumesstrikingmeinthefaceasIraisedasecondcurtain,andstoppedshortapacebeyondit;partlyinreverence——becausekingslovetheirsubjectsbestatadistance——andpartlyinsurprise.Fortheroom,orratherthatportionofitinwhichIstood,wasindarkness;onlythefartherendbeingilluminedbyacoldpalefloodofmoonlight,which,passingthroughahigh,straightwindow,layinasilverysheetonthefloor.ForaninstantIthoughtIwasalone;thenIsaw,restingagainstthiswindow,withahandoneithermullion,atallfigure,havingsomethingstrangeaboutthehead.ThispeculiaritypresentlyresolveditselfintotheturbaninwhichIhadoncebeforeseenhisMajesty.Theking——forheitwas——wastalkingtohimself.Hehadnotheardmeenter,andhavinghisbacktomeremainedunconsciousofmypresence.
　　Ipausedindoubt,afraidtoadvance,anxioustowithdraw;yetuncertainwhetherIcouldmoveagainunheard.AtthismomentwhileIstoodhesitating,heraisedhisvoice,andhiswords,reachingmyears,rivetedmyattention,sostrangeandeeriewereboththeyandhistone.'Theysaythereisill-luckinthirteen,'hemuttered.'ThirteenValoisandlast!'Hepausedtolaughawicked,mirthlesslaugh.'Ay,——Thirteenth!AnditisthirteenyearssinceIenteredParis,acrownedKing!TherewereQuelusandMaugironandSt.MegrinandI——andhe,Iremember.
　　Ah,thosedays,thosenights!Iwouldsellmysoultolivethemagain;hadInotsolditlongagointhelivingthemonce!Wewereyoungthen,andrich,andIwasking;andQueluswasanApollo!Hediedcallingonmetosavehim.AndMaugirondied,blasphemingGodandthesaints.AndSt.Megrin,hehadthirty-
　　fourwounds.Andhe——heisdeadtoo,cursehim!Theyarealldead,alldead,anditisallover!MyGod!itisallover,itisallover,itisallover!'
　　Herepeatedthelastfourwordsmorethanadozentimes,rockinghimselftoandfrobyhisholdonthemullions.ItrembledasI
　　listened,partlythroughfearonmyownaccountshouldIbediscovered,andpartlybyreasonofthehorrorofdespairandremorse——no,notremorse,regret——whichspokeinhismonotonousvoice.Iguessedthatsomeimpulsehadledhimtodrawthecurtainfromthewindowandshadethelamp;andthatthen,ashelookeddownonthemoonlitcountry,thecontrastbetweenitandthevicious,heatedatmosphere,heavywithintrigueandworse,inwhichhehadspenthisstrength,hadforceditselfuponhismind.
　　Forhepresentlywenton.
　　'France!Thereitlies!Andwhatwilltheydowithit?Willtheycutitupintopieces,asitwasbeforeoldLouisXI?WillMercoeur——cursehim!bethemostChristianDukeofBrittany?
　　AndMayenne,bythegraceofGod,PrinceofParisandtheUpperSeine?OrwillthelittlePrinceofBearnbeatthem,andbeHenryIV.,KingofFranceandNavarre,ProtectoroftheChurches?
　　Cursehimtoo!Heisthirty-six.Heismyage.Butheisyoungandstrong,andhasallbeforehim.WhileI——I——oh,myGod,havemercyonme!Havemercyonme,OGodinHeaven!'