Withthelastwordhefellonhiskneesonthestepbeforethewindow,andburstintosuchanagonyofunmanlytearsandsobbingsasIhadneverdreamedoforimagined,andleastofallintheKingofFrance.Hardlyknowingwhethertobemoreashamedorterrified,Iturnedatallrisks,andstealthilyliftingthecurtain,creptoutwithinfinitecare;andhappilywithsomuchgoodfortuneastoescapedetection.Therewasspaceenoughbetweenthetwocurtainstoadmitmybodyandnomore;andhereI
　　stoodashortwhiletocollectmythoughts.Then,strikingmyscabbardagainstthewall,asthoughbyaccident,andcoughingloudlyatthesamemoment,Itwitchedthecurtainasidewithsomeviolenceandre-entered,thinkingthatbythesemeansIhadgivenhimwarningenough.
　　ButIhadnotreckonedonthedarknessinwhichtheroomlay,ortheexcitablestateinwhichIhadlefthim.Heheardme,indeed,butbeingabletoseeonlyatall,indistinctfigureapproachinghim,hetookfright,andfallingbackagainstthemoonlitwindow,asthoughhesawaghost,thrustouthishand,gaspingatthesametimetwowords,whichsoundedtomelike'Ha!
　　Guise!'
　　Thenextinstant,discerningthatIfellonmykneewhereI
　　stood,andcamenonearer,herecoveredhimself.withaneffort,whichhisbreathingmadeveryapparent,heaskedinanunsteadyvoicewhoitwas.
　　'OneofyourMajesty'smostfaithfulservants,'Ianswered,remainingonmyknee,andaffectingtoseenothing.
　　Keepinghisfacetowardsme,hesidledtothelampandstrovetowithdrawtheshade.Buthisfingerstrembledsoviolentlythatitwassometimebeforehesucceeded,andsetfreethecheerfulbeams,which,suddenlyfillingtheroomwithradiance,disclosedtomywonderingeyes,insteadofdarknessandthecoldgleamofthemoon,aprofusionofriches,ofredstuffsandgemmedtriflesandgildedarmscrowdedtogetherinrecklessdisorder.Amonkeychainedinonecornerbegantogibberandmowatme.Acloakofstrangecut,stretchedonawoodenstand,deceivedmeforaninstantintothinkingthattherewasathirdpersonpresent;
　　whilethetable,heapedwithdollsandpowder-puff's,dog-collarsandsweet-meats,amask,awoman'sslipper,apairofpistols,somepotions,ascourge,andanimmensequantityoflikelitter,hadasmelancholyanappearanceinmyeyesasthekinghimself,whosedisorderthelightdisclosedwithoutmercy.Histurbanwasawry,andbetrayedtheprematurebaldnessofhisscalp.Thepaintonhischeekswascrackedandstained,andhadsoiledthegloveshewore.Helookedfiftyyearsold;andinhisexcitementhehadtuggedhisswordtothefront,whenceitrefusedtobethrustback.
　　'Whosentyouhere?'heasked,whenhehadsofarrecoveredhissensesastorecogniseme,whichhedidwithgreatsurprise.
　　'Iamhere,sire,'Iansweredevasively,'toplacemyselfatyourMajesty'sservice.'
　　'Suchloyaltyisrare,'heanswered,withabittersneer.'Butstandup,sir.IsupposeImustbethankfulforsmallmercies,and,losingaMercoeur,begladtoreceiveaMarsac.'
　　'Byyourleave,sire,'Irejoinedhardily,'theexchangeisnotsoadverse.YourMajestymaymakeanotherdukewhenyouwill.
　　Buthonestmenarenotsoeasilycomeby.'
　　'So!so!'heanswered,lookingatmewithafiercelightinhiseyes.'Youremindmeinseason,Imaystillmakeandunmake!I
　　amstillKingofFrance?Thatissosirrah,isitnot?'
　　'Godforbidthatitshouldbeotherwise!'Iansweredearnestly.
　　'ItistolaybeforeyourMajestycertainmeansbywhichyoumaygivefullereffecttoyourwishesthatIamhere.TheKingofNavarredesiresonly,sire——'
　　'Tut,tut!'heexclaimedimpatiently,andwithsomedispleasure,'Iknowhiswillbetterthanyou,man.Butyousee,'hecontinuedcunningly,forgettingmyinferiorpositionasquicklyashehadrememberedit,'Turennepromiseswell,too.AndTurenne——itistruehemayplaytheLorrainer.ButifItrustHenryofNavarre,andheprovefalsetome——'
　　Hedidnotcompletethesentence,butstrodetoandfroatimeortwo,hismind,whichhadanaturalinclinationtowardscrookedcourses,bentonsomeschemebywhichhemightplayofftheonepartyagainsttheother.Apparentlyhewasnotverysuccessfulinfindingone,however;orelsetheill-luckwithwhichhehadsupportedtheLeagueagainsttheHuguenotsrecurredtohismind.
　　Forhepresentlystopped,withasigh,andcamebacktothepoint.
　　'IfIknewthatTurennewerelying,'bemuttered,'thenindeed.
　　ButRosnypromisedevidence,andhehassentmenone.'
　　'Itisathand,sire,'Ianswered,myheartbeginningtobeat,'YourMajestywillrememberthatM.deRosnyhonouredmewiththetaskofintroducingittoyou.'
　　'Tobesure,'hereplied,awakingasfromadream,andlookingandspeakingeagerly.Mattersto-dayhavedriveneverythingoutofmyhead.Whereisyourwitness,man?Convinceme,andwewillactpromptly.WewillgivethemJarnacandMoncontouroveragain.Isheoutside?'
　　'Itisawoman,sire,'Imadeanswer,dashedsomewhatbyhissuddenandfeverishalacrity.
　　'Awoman,eh?Youhaveherhere?'
　　'No,sire,'Ireplied,wonderingwhathewouldsaytomynextpieceofinformation.'SheisinBlois,shehasarrived,butthetruthis——IhumblycraveyourMajesty'sindulgence——sherefusestocomeorspeak.Icannotwellbringherherebyforce,andI
　　havesoughtyou,sire,forthepurposeoftakingyourcommandsinthematter.'
　　Hestaredatmeintheutmostastonishment.
　　'Issheyoung?'heaskedafteralongpause.
　　'Yes,sire,'Ianswered.'SheismaidofhonourtothePrincessofNavarre,andawardalsooftheVicomtedeTurenne.'
　　'Gad!thensheisworthhearing,thelittlerebel!'hereplied.
　　'AwardOfTurenne'sisshe?Ho!ho!Andnowshewillnotspeak?MycousinofNavarrenowwouldknowhowtobringhertohersenses,butIhaveeschewedthesevanities.Imightsendandhaveherbrought,itistrue;butaverylittlethingwouldcauseabarricadeto-night.'
　　'Andbesides,sire,'Iventuredtoadd,'sheisknowntoTurenne'speoplehere,whohaveoncestolenheraway.WereshebroughttoyourMajestywithanydegreeofopenness,theywouldlearnit,andknowthatthegamewaslost.'
　　'Whichwouldnotsuitme,'heanswered,noddingandlookingatmegloomily.'TheymightanticipateourJarnac;anduntilwehavesettledmatterswithoneortheotherourpersonisnottoosecure.Youmustgoandfetchher.Sheisatyourlodging.Shemustbebrought,man.'
　　'Iwilldowhatyoucommand,sire,'Ianswered.'ButIamgreatlyafraidthatshewillnotcome.'
　　Helosthistemperatthat.'Thenwhy,inthedevil'sname,haveyoutroubledmewiththematter?'hecriedsavagely.'Godknows——Idon't——whyRosnyemployedsuchamanandsuchawoman.
　　Hemighthaveseenfromthecutofyourcloak,sir,whichisfullsixmonthsbehindthefashion,thatyoucouldnotmanageawoman!
　　Waseversuchdamnablefollyheardofinthisworld?ButitisNavarre'sloss,notmine.Itishisloss.AndIhopetoHeavenitmaybeyourstoo!'headdedfiercely.
　　TherewassomuchinwhathesaidthatIbentbeforethestorm,andacceptedwithhumilityblamewhichwasasnaturalonhispartasitwasundeservedonmine.IndeedIcouldnotwonderathisMajesty'sanger;norshouldIhavewonderedatitinagreaterman.Iknewthatbutforreasons,onwhichIdidnotwishtodwell,Ishouldhavesharedittothefull,andspokenquiteasstronglyofthecapricewhichruinedhopesandlivesforawhim.
　　Thekingcontinuedforsometimetosaytomeallthehardthingshecouldthinkof.Weariedatlastbymypatience,hepaused,andcriedangrily.'Well,haveyounothing;tosayforyourself?
　　Canyousuggestnothing?'
　　'IdarenotmentiontoyourMajesty,'Isaidhumbly,'whatseemstometobetheonlyalternative.'
　　'YoumeanthatIshouldgotothewench!'heanswered——forhedidnotlackquickness.'"SENONVAELOTEROAMAHOMA,VAYA
　　MAHOMAALOTERO,"asMendozasays.Butthesaucyquean,toforcemetogotoher!Didmywifeguess——butthere,Iwillgo.ByGodIwillgo!'headdedabruptlyandfiercely.'IwilllivetoruinRetzyet!Whereisyourlodging?'
　　Itoldhim,wonderingmuchatthisflashoftheoldspirit,whichtwentyyearsbeforehadwonhimareputationhislaterlifedidnothingtosustain.
　　'Doyouknow,'heasked,speakingwithsustainedenergyandclearness,'thedoorbywhichM.deRosnyenteredtotalkwithme?Canyoufinditinthedark?'
　　'Yes,sire,'Ianswered,myheartbeatinghigh.
　　'Thenbeinwaitingtheretwohoursbeforemidnight,'hereplied.
　　'Bewellarmed,butalone.Ishallknowhowtomakethegirlspeak.Icantrustyou,Isuppose?'headdedsuddenly,steppingnearertomeandlookingfixedlyintomyeyes.
　　'IwillanswerforyourMajesty'slifewithmyown,'Ireplied,sinkingononeknee.
　　'Ibelieveyou,sir,'heansweredgravely,givingmehishandtokiss,andthenturningaway.'Sobeit.Nowleaveme.Youhavebeenheretoolongalready.Notawordtoanyoneasyouvalueyourlife.'
　　Imadefittinganswerandwasleavinghim;butwhenIhadmyheadalreadyonthecurtain,hecalledmeback.'InHeaven'snamegetanewcloak!'hesaidpeevishly,eyeingmealloverwithhisfacepuckeredup.'Getanewcloak,man,thefirstthinginthemorning.Itisworseseenfromthesidethanthefront.Itwouldruinthecleverestcourtierofthemall!'
　　CHAPTERXXIV.
　　AROYALPERIL.
　　TheelationwithwhichIhadheardthekingannouncehisresolutionquicklydiminishedoncoolerreflection.ItstoodinparticularataverylowebbasIwaited,anhourlater,atthelittlenorthposternoftheCastle,and,coweringwithintheshelterofthearchtoescapethewind,debatedwhetherhisMajesty'senergywouldsustainhimtothepointofaction,orwhetherhemightnot,inoneofthosefitsoftreacherousvacillationwhichhadagainandagainmarredhisplans,sendthosetokeeptheappointmentwhowouldgiveafinalaccountofme.ThelongerIconsideredhischaracterthemoredubiousI
　　grew.Thelonelinessofthesituation,thedarkness,theblackfront,unbrokenbyanyglimmeroflight,whichtheCastlepresentedonthisside,andtheunusualandgloomystillnesswhichlayuponthetown,allcontributedtoincreasemyuneasiness.ItwaswithapprehensionaswellasreliefthatI
　　caughtatlastthesoundoffootstepsonthestonestaircase,and,standingalittletooneside,sawastreakoflightappearatthefootofthedoor.
　　Onthelatterbeingpartiallyopenedavoicecriedmyname.I
　　advancedwithcautionandshowedmyself.Abriefconversationensuedbetweentwoorthreepersonswhostoodwithin;butintheend,amaskedfigure,whichIhadnodifficultyinidentifyingastheking,steppedbrisklyout.
　　'Youarearmed?'hesaid,pausingasecondoppositeme.
　　Iputbackmycloakandshowedhim,bythelightwhichstreamedfromthedoorway,thatIcarriedpistolsaswellasasword.
　　'Good!'heansweredbriefly;'thenletusgo.Doyouwalkonmylefthand,myfriend.Itisadarknight,isitnot?'
　　'Verydark,sire,'Isaid.
　　Hemadenoanswertothis,andwestarted,proceedingwithcautionuntilwehadcrossedthenarrowbridge,andthenwithgreaterfreedomandatabetterpace.TheslendernessoftheattendanceatCourtthatevening,andthecoldwind,whichswepteventhenarroweststreetsanddroveroisterersindoors,rendereditunlikelythatweshouldbestoppedormolestedbyanyexceptprofessedthieves;andfortheseIwasprepared.Thekingshowednoinclinationtotalk;andkeepingsilencemyselfoutofrespect,IhadtimetocalculatethechancesandtoconsiderwhetherhisMajestywouldsucceedwhereIhadfailed.
　　Thiscalculation,whichwasnotinconsistentwiththekeenestwatchfulnessonmypartwheneverweturnedacornerorpassedthemouthofanalley,wasbroughttoanendbyoursafearrivalatthehouse.Brieflyapologisingtothekingforthemeannessanddarknessofthestaircase,Ibeggedleavetoprecedehim,andrapidlymounteduntilImetMaignan.Whisperingtohimthatallwaswell,Ididnotwaittohearhisanswer,but,biddinghimbeonthewatch,Iledthekingonwithasmuchdeferenceaswaspossibleuntilwestood.atthedoorofmademoiselle'sapartment,whichIhaveelsewherestatedtoconsistofanouterandinnerroom.ThedoorwasopenedbySimonFleix,andhimI
　　promptlysentout.Then,standingasideanduncovering,Ibeggedthekingtoenter.
　　Hedidso,stillwearinghishatandmask,andIfollowedandsecuredthedoor.Alamphangingfromtheceilingdiffusedanimperfectlightthroughtheroom,whichwassmallerbutmorecomfortableinappearancethanthatwhichIrentedoverhead.I
　　observedthatFanchette,whoseharshcountenancelookedmoreforbiddingthanusual,occupiedastoolwhichshehadsetinastrangefashionagainsttheInnerdoor;butIthoughtnomoreofthisatthemoment,myattentionpassingquicklytomademoiselle,whosatcrouchingbeforethefire,envelopedinalargeoutdoorcloak,asifshefeltthecold.Herbackwastowardsus,andshewas,orpretendedtobe,stillignorantofourpresence.WithamutteredwordIpointedherouttotheking,andwenttowardsherwithhim.
　　'Mademoiselle,Isaidinalowvoice,'MademoiselledelaVire!
　　Ihavethehonour——'
　　Shewouldnotturn,andIstopped.Clearlysheheard,butshebetrayedthatshedidsoonlybydrawinghercloakmorecloselyroundher.Primedbymyrespectfortheking,Itouchedherlightlyontileshoulder.'Mademoiselle!'Isaidimpatiently,'youarenotawareofit,but——'
　　SheshookherselffreefrommyhandwithsorudeagesturethatI
　　brokeoff,andstoodgazingfoolishlyather.Thekingsmiled,andnoddingtometostepbackapace,tookthetaskonhimself.
　　'Mademoiselle,'hesaidwithdignity,'Iamnotaccustomed——'
　　Hisvoicehadamagicaleffect.Beforehecouldaddanotherwordshesprangupasifshehadbeenstruck,andfacedus,acryofalarmonherlips.Simultaneouslywebothcriedouttoo,foritwasnotmademoiselleatall.Thewomanwhoconfrontedus,herhandonhermask,hereyesglitteringthroughtheslits,wasofatallerandfullerfigure.Westaredather.Thenalockofbrightgoldenhairwhichhadescapedfromthehoodofhercloakgaveustheclue.'Madame!'thekingcried.
　　'MadamedeBruhl!'Iechoed,myastonishmentgreaterthanhis.
　　Seeingherselfknown,shebeganwithtremblingfingerstoundothefasteningsofhermask;buttheking,whohadhithertodisplayedatrustfulnessIhadnotexpectedinhim,hadtakenalarmatsightofher,asatathingunlookedfor,andofwhichI
　　hadnotwarnedhim.'Howisthis?'hesaidharshly,drawingbackapacefromherandregardingmewithangeranddistrust.
　　'Isthissomeprettyarrangementofyours,sir?AmIanintruderatanassignation,oristhisatrapwithM.deBruhlinthebackground?Answer,sirrah!'hecontinued,workinghimselfrapidlyintoapassion.'WhichamItounderstandisthecase?'
　　'Neither,sire,'IansweredwithasmuchdignityasIcouldassume,utterlysurprisedandmystifiedasIwasbyMadame'spresence.'YourMajestywrongsMadamedeBruhlasmuchbytheonesuspicionasyouinjuremebytheother.Iamequallyinthedarkwithyou,sire,andaslittleexpectedtoseemadamehere.'
　　'Icame,sire,'shesaidproudly,addressingherselftotheking,andignoringme,'outofnolovetoM.deMarsac,butasanypersonbearingamessagetohimmightcome.Norcanyou,sire,'
　　sheaddedwithspirit,'feelhalfasmuchsurpriseatseeingmehere,asIatseeingyourMajesty.'
　　'Icanbelievethat,'thekinganswereddrily.'Iwouldyouhadnotseenme.'
　　'TheKingofFranceisseenonlywhenhechooses,'shereplied,curtseyingtotheground.
　　'Good,'heanswered.'Letitbeso,andyouwillobligetheKingofFrance,madame.Butenough,'hecontinued,turningfromhertome;'sincethisisnottheladyIcametosee,M.deMarsac,whereisshe?'
　　'Intheinnerroom,sire,Iopine,'Isaid,advancingtoFanchettewithmoremisgivingatheartthanmymannerevinced.
　　'Yourmistressishere,isshenot?'Icontinued,addressingthewomansharply.
　　'Ay,andwillnotcomeout,'sherejoined,sturdilykeepingherplace.
　　'Nonsense!'Isaid.'Tellher——'
　　'Youmaytellherwhatyouplease,'shereplied,refusingtobudgeaninch.'Shecanhear.'
　　'But,woman!'Icriedimpatiently,'youdonotunderstand.I
　　MUSTspeakwithher.Imustspeakwithheratonce!Onbusinessofthehighestimportance.'
　　'Asyouplease,'shesaidrudely,stillkeepingherseat.'I
　　havetoldyouyoucanspeak.'
　　PerhapsIfeltasfoolishonthisoccasionaseverinmylife;
　　andsurelyneverwasmanplacedinamoreridiculousposition.
　　Afterovercomingnumberlessobstacles,andescapingasmanyperils,Ihadbroughtthekinghere,afeatbeyondmyhighesthopes——onlytobebaffledanddefeatedbyawaiting-woman!I
　　stoodirresolute;witlessandconfused;whilethekingwaitedhalfangryandhalfamused,andmadamekeptherplacebytheentrance,towhichshehadretreated.
　　Iwasdeliveredfrommydilemmabythecuriositywhichis,providentiallyperhaps,apartofwoman'scharacter,andwhichledmademoiselletointerfereherself.Keenlyonthewatchinside,shehadheardpartofwhatpassedbetweenus,andbeenrenderedinquisitivebythesoundofastrangeman'svoice,andbythedeferencewhichshecoulddiscernIpaidtothevisitor.
　　Atthismoment,shecriedout,accordingly,toknowwhowasthere;andFanchette,seemingtotakethisasacommand,roseanddraggedherstoolaside,sayingpeevishlyandwithoutanyincreaseofrespect,'There,Itoldyoushecouldhear.'
　　'Whoisit?'mademoiselleaskedagain,inaraisedvoice.
　　Iwasabouttoanswerwhenthekingsignedtometostandback,and,advancinghimself,knockedgentlyonthedoor.'Open,I
　　prayyou,mademoiselle,'hesaidcourteously.
　　'Whoisthere?'shecriedagain,hervoicetrembling.
　　'ItisI,theking,'heansweredsoftly;butinthattoneofmajestywhichbelongsnottotheman,buttothedescendant,andseemstobetheoutcomeofcenturiesofcommand.
　　Sheutteredanexclamationandslowly,andwithseemingreluctance,turnedthekeyinthelock.Itgrated,andthedooropened.Icaughtaglimpseforaninstantofherpalefaceandbrighteyes,andthenhisMajesty,removinghishat,passedinandclosedthedoor;andIwithdrewtothefartherendoftheroom,wheremadamecontinuedtostandbytheentrance.
　　Ientertainedasuspicion,Iremember,andnotunnaturally,thatshehadcometomylodgingasherhusband'sspy;butherfirstwordswhenIjoinedherdispelledthis.'Quick!'shesaidwithanimperiousgesture.'Hearmeandletmego!Ihavewaitedlongenoughforyou,andsufferedenoughthroughyou.Asforthat,womaninthere,sheismad,andherservanttoo!Now,listentome.Youspoketomehonestlyto-day,andIhavecometorepayyou.Youhaveanappointmentwithmyhusbandto-morrowatChaverny.Isitnotso?'sheaddedimpatiently.
　　Irepliedthatitwasso.
　　'Youaretogowithonefriend,'shewenton,tearingthegloveshehadtakenoff,tostripsinherexcitement,'Heistomeetyouwithonealso?'
　　'Yes,'Iassentedreluctantly,'atthebridge,madame.'
　　'Thendonotgo,'sherejoinedemphatically.'ShameonmethatI
　　shouldbetraymyhusband;butitwereworsetosendaninnocentmantohisdeath.Hewillmeetyouwithoneswordonly,accordingtohischallenge,buttherewillbethoseunderthebridgewhowillmakecertainwork.There,Ihavebetrayedhimnow!'shecontinuedbitterly.'Itisdone.Letmego!'
　　'Nay,but,madame,'Isaid,feelingmoreconcernedforher,onwhomfromthefirstmomentofmeetingherIhadbroughtnothingbutmisfortune,thansurprisedbythisnewtreacheryonhispart,'willyounotrunsomeriskinreturningtohim?IstherenothingIcandoforyou——nostepIcantakeforyourprotection?'
　　'None!'shesaidrepellentlyandalmostrudely,'excepttospeedmygoing.'
　　'Butyouwillnotpassthroughthestreetsalone?'
　　Shelaughedsobitterlymyheartachedforher.'Theunhappyarealwayssafe,'shesaid.
　　RememberinghowshortatimeitwassinceIhadsurprisedherinthefirsthappinessofweddedlove,IfeltforherallthepityitwasnaturalIshouldfeel.ButtheresponsibilityunderwhichhisMajesty'spresenceandthechargeofmademoisellelaidmeforbademetoindulgeintheluxuryofevincingmygratitude.
　　GladlywouldIhaveescortedherbacktoherhome——evenifI
　　couldnotmakethathomeagainwhatithadbeen,orrestoreherhusbandtothepinnaclefromwhichIhaddashedhim——butIdarednotdothis.Iwasforcedtocontentmyselfwithless,andwasabouttooffertosendoneofmymenwithher,whenahurriedknockingattheouterdoorarrestedthewordsonmylips.
　　Signingtohertostandstill,Ilistened.Theknockingwasrepeated,andgreweachmomentmoreurgent.Therewasalittlegrille,stronglywired,intheupperpartofthedoor,andthisI
　　wasabouttoopeninordertolearnwhatwasamiss,whenSimon'svoicereachedmefromthefarthersideimploringmetoopenthedoorquickly.Doubtingthelad'sprudence,yetafraidtorefuselestIshouldlosesomewarninghehadtogive,Ipausedasecond,andthenundidthefastenings.Themomentthedoorgavewayhefellinbodily,cryingouttometobaritbehindhim.I
　　caughtaglimpsethroughthegapofaglareasoftorches,andsawbythislighthalfadozenflushedfacesintheactofrisingabovetheedgeofthelanding.Themenwhoownedthemraisedashoutoftriumphatsightofme,and,clearingtheupperstepsatabound,madearushforthedoor.Butinvain.Wehadjusttimetocloseitanddropthetwostoutbars.Inamoment,inasecond,thefierceoutcryfelltoadullroar;andsafeforthetime,wehadleisuretolookinoneanother'sfacesandlearnthedifferentaspectsofalarm.Madamewaswhitetothelips,whileSimon'seyesseemedstartingfromhishead,andheshookineverylimbwithterror.
　　Atfirst,onmyaskinghimwhatitmeant,hecouldnotspeak.
　　Butthatwouldnotdo,andIwasintheactofseizinghimbythecollartoforceananswerfromhimwhentheinnerdooropened,andthekingcameout,hisfacewearinganairofsomuchcheerfulnessasprovedbothhissatisfactionwithmademoiselle'sstoryandhisignoranceofallwewereabout.Inawordhehadnotyettakentheleastalarm;butseeingSimoninmyhands,andmadameleaningagainstthewallbythedoorlikeonedeprivedoflife,hestoodandcriedoutinsurprisetoknowwhatitwas.
　　'Ifearwearebesieged,sire,'Ianswereddesperately,feelingmyanxietiesincreasedahundredfoldbyhisappearance——'butbywhomIcannotsay.Thisladknows,however,'Icontinued,givingSimon,aviciousshake,'andheshallspeak.Now,trembler,'I
　　saidtohim,'tellyourtale?'
　　'TheProvost-Marshal!'hestammered,terrifiedafreshbytheking'spresence:forHenryhadremovedhismask.'Iwasonguardbelow.Ihadcomeupafewstepstobeoutofthecold,whenIheardthementer.Therearearoundscoreofthem.'
　　Icriedoutagreatoath,askinghimwhyhehadnotgoneupandwarnedMaignan,whowithhismenwasnowcutofffromusintheroomsabove.'Youfool!'Icontinued,almostbesidemyselfwithrage,'ifyouhadnotcometothisdoortheywouldhavemountedtomyroomsandbesetthem!WhatisthisfollyabouttheProvost-Marshal?'
　　'Heisthere,'Simonanswered,coweringawayfromme,hisfaceworking.
　　Ithoughthewaslying,andhadmerelyfanciedthisinhisfright.Buttheassailantsatthismomentbegantohailblowsonthedoor,callingonustoopen,andusingsuchvolleysofthreatsaspenetratedeventhethicknessoftheoak;drivingthebloodfromthewomen'scheeks,andarrestingtheking'sstepinamannerwhichdidnotescapeme.AmongtheircriesIcouldplainlydistinguishthewords,'Intheking'sname!'whichboreoutSimon'sstatement.
　　AtthemomentIdrewcomfortfromthis;forifwehadmerelytodealwiththelawwehadthatonoursidewhichwasaboveit.
　　AndIspeedilymadeupmymindwhattodo.'Ithinktheladspeaksthetruth,sire,'Isaidcoolly.'ThisisonlyyourMajesty'sProvost-Marshal.Theworsttobefeared,therefore,isthathemaylearnyourpresenceherebeforeyouwouldhaveitknown.Itshouldnotbeamatterofgreatdifficulty,however,tobindhimtosilence,andifyouwillpleasetomask,Iwillopenthegrilleandspeakwithhim.'
　　Theking,whohadtakenhisstandinthemiddleoftheroom,andseemeddazedandconfusedbythesuddennessofthealarmandtheuproar,assentedwithabriefword.AccordinglyIwaspreparingtoopenthegrillewhenMadamedeBruhlseizedmyarm,andforciblypushedmebackfromit.
　　'Whatwouldyoudo?'shecried,herfacefullofterror.'Doyounothear?Heisthere.'
　　'Whoisthere?'Isaid,startledmorebyhermannerthanherwords.
　　'Who?'sheanswered;'whoshouldbethere?Myhusband!Ihearhisvoice,Itellyou!Hehastrackedmehere!Hehasfoundme,andwillkillme!'
　　'Godforbid!'Isaid,doubtingifshehadreallyheardhisvoice.Tomakesure,IaskedSimonifhehadseenhim;andmyheartsankwhenIheardfromhimtoothatBruhlwasoftheparty.
　　ForthefirsttimeIbecamefullysensibleofthedangerwhichthreatenedus.Forthefirsttime,lookingroundtheill-litroomonthewomen'sterrifiedfaces,andtheking'smaskedfigureinstinctwithill-repressednervousness,Irecognisedhowhopelesslywewereenmeshed.FortunehadservedBruhlsowellthat,whetherheknewitornot,hehadusalltrapped——alikethekingwhomhedesiredtocompromise,andhiswifewhomhehated,mademoisellewhohadonceescapedhim,andmewhohadtwicethwartedhim.ItwaslittletobewonderedatifmycouragesankasIlookedfromonetoanother,andlistenedtotheominouscreakingofthedoor,asthestoutpanelscomplainedundertheblowsraineduponthem.Formyfirstduty,andthatwhichtookthePASofallothers,wastotheking——tosavehimharmless.
　　How,then,wasItobeanswerableformademoiselle,howprotectMadamedeBruhl?——how,inaword,redeemallthosepledgesinwhichmyhonourwasconcerned?
　　ItwasthethoughtoftheProvost-Marshalwhichatthismomentralliedmyfailingspirits.IrememberedthatuntilthemysteryofhispresencehereinalliancewithBruhlwasexplainedtherewasnoneedtodespair;andturningbrisklytothekingIbeggedhimtofavourmebystandingwiththewomeninacornerwhichwasnotvisiblefromthedoor.Hecompliedmechanically,andinamannerwhichIdidnotlike;butlackingtimetoweightrifles,I
　　turnedtothegrilleandopeneditwithoutmoreado.
　　Theappearanceofmyfaceatthetrapwasgreetedwithasavagecryofrecognition,whichsubsidedasquicklyintosilence.Itwasfollowedbyamomentarypushingtoandfroamongthecrowdoutside,whichinitsturnendedintheProvost-Marshalcomingtothefront.'Intheking'sname!'hesaidfussily.
　　'Whatisit?'Ireplied,eyeingrathertheflushed,eagerfaceswhichscowledoverhisshouldersthanhimself.Thelightoftwolinks,bornebysomeoftheparty,shoneruddilyontheheadsofthehalberds,and,flaringupfromtimetotime,filledalltheplacewithwavering,smokylight.'Whatdoyouwant?'I
　　continued,'rousingmylodgingatthistimeofnight?'
　　'Iholdawarrantforyourarrest,'herepliedbluntly.
　　'Resistancewillbevain.IfyoudonotsurrenderIshallsendforaramtobreakinthedoor.'
　　'Whereisyourorder?'Isaidsharply.'Theoneyouheldthismorningwascancelledbythekinghimself.'
　　'Suspendedonly,'heanswered.'Suspendedonly.Itwasgivenouttomeagainthiseveningforinstantexecution.AndIamhereinpursuanceofit,andcallonyoutosurrender.'
　　'Whodeliveredittoyou?'Iretorted.
　　'M.deVillequier,'heansweredreadily.'Andhereitis.Now,come,sir,'hecontinued,'youareonlymakingmattersworse.
　　Opentous.'
　　'BeforeIdoso,'Isaiddrily,'IshouldliketoknowwhatpartinthepageantmyfriendM.deBruhl,whomIseeonthestairsyonder,proposestoplay.AndthereismyoldfriendFresnoy,'I
　　added.'AndIseeoneortwootherswhomIknow,M.Provost.
　　BeforeIsurrenderImustknowamongotherthingswhatM.deBruhl'sbusinessishere.'
　　'Itisthebusinessofeveryloyalmantoexecutetheking'swarrant,'theProvostansweredevasively.'Itisyourstosurrender,andminetolodgeyouintheCastle.'ButIamlothtohaveadisturbance.Iwillgiveyouuntilthattorchgoesout,ifyoulike,tomakeupyourmind.Attheendofthattime,ifyoudonotsurrender,Ishallbatterdownthedoor.'
　　'Youwillgivethetorchfairplay?'Isaid,notingitscondition.
　　Heassented;andthankinghimsternlyforthisindulgence,I
　　closedthegrille.
　　CHAPTERXXV.
　　TERMSOFSURRENDER.
　　Istillhadmyhandonthetrapwhenatouchontheshouldercausedmetoturn,andinamomentapprisedmeoftheimminenceofanewperil;aperilofsuchakindthat,summoningallmyresolution,Icouldscarcelyhopetocopewithit.Henrywasatmyelbow.Hehadtakenofhismask,andasingleglanceathiscountenancewarnedmethatthathadhappenedofwhichIhadalreadyfeltsomefear.Theglitterofintenseexcitementshoneinhiseyes.Hisface,darkly-flushedandwetwithsweat,betrayedovermasteringemotion,whilehisteeth,tightclenchedintheefforttorestrainthefitoftremblingwhichpossessedhim,showedbetweenhislipslikethoseofacorpse.Thenoveltyofthedangerwhichmenacedhim,theabsenceofhisgentlemen,andofallthefamiliarfacesandsurroundingswithoutwhichhenevermoved,thehour,themeanhouse,andhisisolationamongstrangers,hadprovedtoomuchfornerveslongweakenedbyhiscourseofliving,andforacourage,provedindeedinthefield,butunequaltoasuddenstress.Thoughhestillstrovetopreservehisdignity,itwasalarminglyplaintomyeyesthathewasonthepointoflosing,ifhehadnotalreadylost,allself-
　　command.
　　'Open!'hemutteredbetweenhisteeth,pointingimpatientlytothetrapwiththehandwithwhichhehadalreadytouchedme.
　　'Open,Isay,sir!'
　　Istaredathim,startledandconfounded.'ButyourMajesty,'I
　　venturedtostammer,'forgetsthatIhavenotyet——'
　　'Open,Isay!'herepeatedpassionately.'Doyouhearme,sir?
　　Idesirethatthisdoorbeopened.'Hisleanhandshookaswiththepalsy,sothatthegemsonittwinkledinthelightandrattledashespoke.
　　Ilookedhelplesslyfromhimtothewomenandbackagain,seeinginaflashall.thedangerswhichmightfollowfromthediscoveryofhispresencethere——dangerswhichIhadnotbeforeformulatedtomyself,butwhichseemedinamomenttorangethemselveswiththeutmostclearnessbeforemyeyes.AtthesametimeIsawwhatseemedtometobeawayofescape;andemboldenedbytheoneandtheother,Ikeptmyhandonthetrapandstrovetoparleywithhim.
　　'Nay,but,sire,'Isaidhurriedly,yetstillwithasmuchdeferenceasIcouldcommand,'IbegyoutopermitmefirsttorepeatwhatIhaveseen.M.deBruhliswithout,andIcountedsixmenwhomIbelievetobehisfollowing.Theyareruffiansripeforanycrime;andIimploreyourMajestyrathertosubmittoashortimprisonment——'
　　Ipausedstruckdumbonthatword,confoundedbythepassionwhichlightenedintheking'sface.Myill-chosenexpressionhadindeedappliedthesparktohiswrath.Predisposedtosuspicionbyahundredtreacheries,heforgottheperilsoutsideintheoneideawhichontheinstantpossessedhismind;thatIwouldconfinehisperson,andhadbroughthimhitherfornootherpurpose.Heglaredroundhimwitheyesfullofrageandfear,andhistremblinglipsbreathedratherthanspoketheword'Imprison?'
　　Unluckily,atriflingoccurrenceaddedatthismomenttohisdisorder,andconverteditintofrenzy.Someoneoutsidefellheavilyagainstthedoor;this,causingmadametoutteralowshriek,seemedtoshatterthelastremnantoftheking'sself-
　　control.Stampinghisfootonthefloor,hecriedtomewiththeutmostwildnesstoopenthedoor——bywhichIhadhithertokeptmyplace.
　　But,wronglyorrightly,Iwasstilldeterminedtoputoffopeningit;andIraisedmyhandswiththeintentionofmakingalastappealtohim.Hemisreadthegesture,andretreatingastep,withthegreatestsuddennesswhippedouthissword,andinamomenthadthepointatmybreast,andhiswristdrawnbacktothrust.
　　Ithasalwaysbeenmybeliefthathewouldnothavedealttheblow,butthatthemeretouchofthehilt,awakingthecouragewhichheundoubtedlypossessed,andwhichdidnotdeserthiminhislastmoments,wouldhaverecalledhimtohimself.Buttheopportunitywasnotgivenhim,forwhilethebladeyetquivered,andIstoodmotionless,controllingmyselfbyaneffort,mykneehalfbentandmyeyesonhis,MademoiselledelaViresprangforwardathisback,andwithaloudscreamclutchedhiselbow.
　　Theking,surprised,andignorantwhoheldhim,flunguphispointwildly,andstrikingthelampabovehisheadwithhisblade,shattereditinaninstant,bringingdownthepotterywithacrashandreducingtheroomtodarkness;whilethescreamsofthewomen,andtheknowledgethatwehadamadmanamongus,peopled,theblacknesswithahundredhorrors.
　　Fearingaboveallformademoiselle,ImademywayassoonasI
　　couldrecovermywitstotheembersofthefire,andregardlessoftheking'ssword,whichIhadavagueideawasdartingaboutinthedarkness,Isearchedforandfoundahalf-burntstick,whichIblewintoablaze.Withthis,stillkeepingmybacktotheroom,IcontrivedtolightataperthatIhadnoticedstandingbythehearth;andthen,andthenonly,IturnedtoseewhatIhadtoconfront.
　　MademoiselledelaVirestoodinacorner,half-fierce,half-
　　terrified,andwhollyflushed.Shehadherhandwrappedupina'kerchiefalreadystainedwithblood;andfromthisIgatheredthatthekinginhisfrenzyhadwoundedherslightly.Standingbeforehermistress,withherhairbristling,likeawild-cat'sfur,andherarmsakimbo,wasFanchette,herharshfaceandsquareforminstinctwithfuryanddefiance.MadamedeBruhlandSimoncoweredagainstthewallnotfarfromthem;andinachair,intowhichhehadapparentlyjustthrownhimself,sattheking,huddledupandcollapsed,thepointofhisswordtrailingonthegroundbesidehim,andhisnervelesshandscarceretainingforcetogripthepommel.
　　InamomentImadeupmymindwhattodo,andgoingtohiminsilence,Ilaidmypistols,sword,anddaggeronastoolbyhisside.ThenIknelt.
　　'Thedoor,sire,'Isaid,'isthere.ItisforyourMajestytoopenitwhenyouplease.Here,too,sire,aremyweapons.Iamyourprisoner,theProvost-Marshalisoutside,andyoucanataworddelivermetohim.OnlyonethingIbeg,sire,'Icontinuedearnestly,'thatyourMajestywilltreat;asadelusiontheideathatImeditatedforamomentdisrespectorviolencetoyourperson.'
　　Helookedatmedully,hisfacepale,hiseyesfish-like.
　　'Sanctus,man!'hemuttered,'whydidyouraiseyourhand?'
　　'OnlytoimploreyourMajestytopauseamoment,'Ianswered,watchingtheintelligencereturnslowlytohisface.'IfyouwilldeigntolistenIcanexplaininhalfadozenwords,sire.
　　M.deBruhl'smenaresixorseven,theProvosthaseightornine;buttheformerarethewilderblades,andifM.deBruhlfindyourMajestyinmylodging,andinferhisowndefeat,hewillbecapableofanydesperatestroke.Yourpersonwouldhardlybesafeinhiscompanythroughthestreets.Andthereisanotherconsideration,'Iwenton,observingwithjoythatthekinglistened,andwasgraduallyregaininghiscomposure.'Thatis,thesecrecyyoudesiredtopreserve,sire,untilthismattershouldbewelladvanced.M.deRosnylaidthestrictestinjunctionsonmeinthatrespect,fearinganEMEUTEinBloisshouldyourMajesty'splansbecomeknown.'
　　'Youspeakfairly,'thekingansweredwithreturningenergy,thoughheavoidedlookingatthewomen.'Bruhlislikelyenoughtoraiseone.ButhowamItogetout,sir?'hecontinued,querulously.'Icannotremainhere.Ishallbemissed,man!I
　　amnotahedge-captain,neithersoughtnorwanted!'
　　'IfyourMajestywouldtrustme?'Isaidslowlyandwithhesitation.
　　'Trustyou!'heretortedpeevishly,holdinguphishandsandgazingintentlyathisnails,oftheshapeandwhitenessofwhichhewasprouderthananywoman.'HaveInottrustedyou?IfIhadnottrustedyou,shouldIhavebeenhere?ButthatyouwereaHuguenot——Godforgivemeforsayingit!——IwouldhaveseenyouinhellbeforeIwouldhavecomeherewithyou!'
　　IconfesstohavingheardthistestimonytotheReligionwithapridewhichmademeforgetforamomenttheimmediatecircumstances——theperilinwhichwestood,thegloomyroomdarklylightedbyasinglecandle,thescaredfacesinthebackground,eventheking'shuddledfigure,inwhichdejectionandpridestruggledforexpression.Foramomentonly;thenI
　　hastenedtoreply,sayingthatIdoubtednotIcouldstillextricatehisMajestywithoutdiscovery.
　　'InHeaven'snamedoit,then!'heansweredsharply.'Dowhatyoulike,man!Onlygetmebackintothecastle,anditshallnotbeaHuguenotwillenticemeoutagain.Iamoveroldfortheseadventures!'
　　Afreshattackonthedoortakingplaceashesaidthisinducedmetolosenotimeinexplainingmyplan,whichhewasgoodenoughtoapprove,afteragainupbraidingmeforbringinghimintosuchadilemma.Fearinglestthedoorshouldgivewayprematurely,notwithstandingthebarsIhadprovidedforit,andgoadedonbyMadamedeBruhl'sface,whichevincedtheutmostterror,ItookthecandleandattendedhisMajestyintotheinnerroom;whereIplacedmypistolsbesidehim,butsilentlyresumedmyswordanddagger.Ithenreturnedforthewomen,andindicatingbysignsthattheyweretoenter,heldthedooropenforthem.
　　Mademoiselle,whosebandagedhandIcouldnotregardwithoutemotion,thoughtheking'spresenceandtherespectIowedhimforbademetouttersomuchasaword,advancedreadilyuntilshereachedthedoorwayabreastofme.There,however,lookingback,andseeingMadamedeBruhlfollowingher,shestoppedshort,anddartingahaughtyglanceatme,muttered,'And——thatlady?Arewetobeshutuptogether,sir?'
　　'Mademoiselle,'Iansweredquicklyinthelowtoneshehadusedherself,'haveIeveraskedanythingdishonourableofyou?'
　　Sheseemedbyaslightmovementoftheheadtoanswerinthenegative.
　　'NordoInow,'Irepliedwithearnestness.'IentrusttoyourcarealadywhohasriskedgreatperilforUS;andtherestI
　　leavetoyou.'
　　Shelookedmeverykeenlyinthefaceforasecond,andthen,withoutanswering,shepassedon,MadameandFanchettefollowingherinthatorder.IclosedthedoorandturnedtoSimon;whobymydirectionhadblowntheembersofthefireintoablazesoastopartiallyilluminetheroom,inwhichonlyheandInowremained.Theladseemedafraidtomeetmyeye,andowingtothesceneatwhichhehadjustassisted,ortotheonslaughtonthedoor,whichgreweachmomentmorefurious,betrayedgreaterrestlessnessthanIhadlatelyobservedinhim.Ididnotdoubthisfidelity,however,orhisdevotiontomademoiselle;andtheordersIhadtogivehimweresimpleenough.
　　'Thisiswhatyouhavegottodo,'Isaid,myhandalreadyonthebars.'ThemomentIamoutsidesecurethisdoor.Afterthat,opentonooneexceptMaignan.Whenheapplies,lethiminwithcaution,andbidhim,ashelovesM.deRosny,takehismenassoonasthecoastisclear,andguardtheKingofFrancetothecastle.Chargehimtobebraveandwary,forhislifewillanswerfortheking's.'
　　TwiceIrepeatedthis;thenfearinglesttheProvost-Marshalshouldmakegoodhiswordandapplyaramtothedoor,Iopenedthetrap.Adozenangryvoiceshailedmyappearance,andthiswithsomuchviolenceandimpatiencethatitwassometimebeforeIcouldgetahearing;theknavesthreateningmeifIwouldnotinstantlyopen,andpersistingthatIshoulddosowithoutmorewords.Theirleaderatlengthquietedthem,butitwasplainthathispatiencetoowaswornout.'Doyousurrenderordoyounot?'hesaid.'Iamnotgoingtostayoutofmybedallnightforyou!'
　　'Iwarnyou,'Ianswered,'thattheorderyouhavetherehasbeencancelledbytheking!'
　　'Thatisnotmybusiness,'herejoinedhardily.
　　'No,butitwillbewhenthekingsendsforyouto-morrowmorning,'Iretorted;atwhichhelookedsomewhatmoved.
　　'However,Iwillsurrendertoyouontwoconditions,'I
　　continued,keenlyobservingthecoarsefacesofhisfollowing.
　　'First,thatyouletmekeepmyarmsuntilwereachthegate-
　　house,Igivingyoumyparoletocomewithyouquietly.Thatisnumberone.'
　　'Well,'theProvost-Marshalsaidmorecivilly,'Ihavenoobjectiontothat.'
　　'Secondly,thatyoudonotallowyourmentobreakintomylodgings.Iwillcomeoutquietly,andsoanend.Yourorderdoesnotdirectyoutosackmygoods.'
　　'Tut,tut!'hereplied;'Iwant,youtocomeout.Idonotwanttogoin.'
　　'Thendrawyourmenbacktothestairs,'Isaid.'Andifyoukeeptermswithme,Iwillupholdyouto-morrow,Foryourorderswillcertainlybringyouintotrouble.M.deRetz,whoprocureditthismorning,isaway,youknow.M.deVillequiermaybegoneto-morrow.Butdependuponit,M.deRambouilletwillbehere!'
　　Theremarkwaswelltimedandtothepoint.ItstartledthemanasmuchasIhadhopeditwould.Withoutraisinganyobjectionheorderedhismentofallbackandguardthestairs;andIonmysidebegantoundothefasteningsofthedoor.
　　Thematterwasnottobesoeasilyconcluded,however;forBruhl'srascals,inobedience,nodoubt,toasigngivenbytheirleader,whostoodwithFresnoyontheupperflightofstairs,refusedtowithdraw;andevenhustledtheProvost-Marshal'smenwhenthelatterwouldhaveobeyedtheorder.Theofficer,alreadyheatedbydelay,repliedbylayingabouthimwithhisstaff,andinatwinklingthereseemedtobeeveryprospectofaveryprettyMELEE,theendofwhichitwasimpossibletoforesee.
　　Reflecting,however,thatifBruhl'smenroutedtheiropponentsourpositionmightbemadeworseratherthanbetter,Ididnotactonmyfirstimpulse,whichwastoseethematteroutwhereI
　　was.Instead,Iseizedtheopportunitytoletmyselfout,whileSimonfastenedthedoorbehindme.TheProvost-MarshalwasengagedatthemomentinawordydisputewithFresnoy;whosevillainouscountenance,scarredbythewoundwhichIhadgivenhimatChize,andflushedwithpassion,lookeditsworstbythelightofthesingletorchwhichremained.Inonerespectthevillainhadprofitedbyhispresentpatronage,forhewasdeckedoutinastyleoftawdrymagnificence.ButIhavealwaysremarkedthisaboutdress,thatwhileashabbyexteriordoesnotentirelyobscureagentleman,theextremeoffashionispowerlesstogildaknave.
　　SeeingmeonasuddenattheProvost'selbow,herecoiledwithachangeofcountenancesoludicrousthatthatofficerwashimselfstartled,andonlyheldhisgroundonmysalutinghimcivillyanddeclaringmyselfhisprisonerIaddedawarningthatheshouldlooktothetorchwhichremained;seeingthatifitfailedwewerebothliketohaveourthroatscutintheconfusion.
　　Hetookthehintpromptly,andcallingthelink-mantohissidepreparedtodescend,biddingFresnoyandhismen,whoremainedclumpedattheheadofthestairs,makewayforuswithoutado.
　　Theyseemedmuchinclined,however,todisputeourpassage,andreplyingtohisinvectiveswithroughtaunts,displayedsohostileademeanourthattheProvost,betweenregardforhisownimportanceandrespectforBruhl,appearedforamomentatalosswhattodo;andseemedratherrelievedthanannoyedwhenIbeggedleavetosayawordtoM.deBruhl.
　　'Ifyoucanbringhismentoreason,'herepliedtestily,'speakyourfilltohim!'
　　Steppingtothefootoftheupperflight,onwhichBruhlretainedhisposition,Isalutedhimformally.Hereturnedmygreetingwithasurly,watchfullookonly,anddrawinghiscloakmoretightlyroundhimaffectedtogazedownatmewithdisdain;whichillconcealed,however,boththetriumphhefeltandthehopesofvengeanceheentertained.Iwasespeciallyanxioustolearnwhetherhehadtrackedhiswifehither,orwasmerelyhereinpursuanceofhisgeneralschemesagainstme,andtothisend.I
　　askedhimwithasmuchironyasIcouldcompasstowhatIwastoattributehispresence.'IamafraidIcannotstaytoofferyouhospitality,'Icontinued;'butforthatyouhaveonlyyourfriendM.Villequiertothank!'
　　'Iamgreatlyobligedtoyou,'heansweredwithadevilishsmile,'butdonotletthataffectyou.WhenyouaregoneIproposetohelpmyself,myfriend,towhatevertakesmytaste.'
　　'Doyou?'Iretortedcoolly——notthatIwasunaffectedbythethreatandthevillainoushintwhichunderlaythewords,butthat,fullyexpectingthem,Iwasreadywithmyanswer.'Wewillseeaboutthat.'AndtherewithIraisedmyfingerstomylips,and,whistlingshrilly,cried'Maignan!Maignan!'inaclearvoice.
　　Ihadnoneedtocrythenameathirdtime,forbeforetheProvost-Marshalcoulddomorethanstartatthisunexpectedaction,thelandingaboveusrangunderaheavytread,andthemanIcalled,descendingthestairsswiftly,appearedonasuddenwithinarm'slengthofM.deBruhl;who,turningwithanoath,sawhim,andinvoluntarilyrecoiled.AtalltimesMaignan'shardyandconfidentbearingwasofakindtoimpressthestrong;
　　butonthisoccasiontherewasanaddeddashofrecklessnessinhismannerwhichwasnotwithoutitseffectonthespectators.
　　AshestoodtheresmilingdarklyoverBruhl'shead,whilehishandtoyedcarelesslywithhisdagger,andthetorchshoneruddilyonhisburlyfigure,hewassoclearlyanantagonistinathousandthat,hadIsoughtthroughBlois,ImightnothavefoundhisfellowforstrengthandSANG-FROID.Helethisblackeyesrovefromonetotheother,buttookheedofmeonly,salutingmewitheffusionandatouchoftheGasconwhichwasinplacehere,ifever.
　　IknewhowM.deRosnydealtwithhim,andfollowedthepatternasfarasIcould.'Maignan!'Isaidcurtly,'Ihavetakenalodgingforto-nightelsewhere.ThenIamgoneyouwillcalloutyourmenandwatchthisdoor.Ifanyonetriestoforceanentranceyouwilldoyourduty.'
　　'Youmayconsideritdone,'hereplied.
　　'EvenifthepersonbeM.deBruhlhere,'Icontinued.