'Precisely.'
　　'Youwillremainonguard,'Iwenton,'untilto-morrowmorningifM.deBruhlremainshere;butwheneverheleavesyouwilltakeyourordersfromthepersonsinside,andfollowthemimplicitly.'
　　'YourExcellency'smindmaybeeasy,'heanswered,handlinghisdagger.
　　Dismissinghimwithanod,IturnedwithasmiletoM.deBruhl,andsawthatbetweenrageatthisunexpectedcheckandchagrinattheinsultputuponhim,hisdiscomfiturewasascompleteasI
　　couldwish.AsforFresnoy,ifhehadseriouslyintendedtodisputeourpassage,hewasnolongerinthemoodfortheattempt.YetIdidnotlethismasteroffwithoutonemoreprick.'Thatbeingsettled,M.deBruhl,'Isaidpleasantly,'I
　　maybidyougoodevening.YouwilldoubtlesshonourmeatChavernytomorrow.ButwewillfirstletMaignanlookunderthebridge!'
　　CHAPTERXXVI.
　　MEDITATIONS.
　　EitherthesmallrespectIhadpaidM.deBruhl,orthewordsI
　　hadletfallrespectingthepossibledisappearanceofM.
　　Villequier,hadhadsoadmirableaneffectontheProvost-
　　Marshal'smindthatfromthemomentofleavingmylodgingshetreatedmewiththeutmostcivility;permittingmeeventoretainmysword,andassigningmeasleeping-placeforthenightinhisownapartmentsatthegate-house.
　　Lateasitwas,Icouldnotallowsomuchpolitenesstopassunacknowledged.Ibeggedleave,therefore,todistributeasmallgratuityamonghisattendants,andrequestedhimtodomethehonourofdrinkingabottleofwinewithme.Thisbeingspeedilyprocured,atsuchanexpenseasisusualintheseplaces,whereprisonerspay,accordingastheyarerichorpoor,inpurseorperson,kept;ussittingforanhour,andfinallysentustoourpalletsperfectlysatisfiedwithoneanother.
　　Theeventsoftheday,however,andparticularlyonematter,onwhichIhavenotdweltatlength,provedaseffectualtopreventmysleepingasifIhadbeenplacedinthedampestcellbelowthecastle.SomuchhadbeencrowdedintoatimesoshortthatitseemedasifIhadhaduntilnownoopportunityofconsideringwhitherIwasbeinghurried,orwhatfortuneawaitedmeattheendofthisturmoil.FromthefirstappearanceofM.d'Ageninthemorning,withthestartlingnewsthattheProvost-Marshalwasseekingme,tomyfinalsurrenderandencounterwithBruhlonthestairs,thechainofeventshadrunoutsoswiftlythatIhadscarcelyhadtimeatanyparticularperiodtoconsiderhowI
　　stood,orthefullimportofthelatestcheckorvictory.NowthatIhadleisureIlivedthedayoveragain,and,recallingitsdangersanddisappointments,feltthankfulthatallhadendedsofairly.
　　IhadthemostperfectconfidenceinMaignan,anddidnotdoubtthatBruhlwouldsoonweary,ifhehadnotalreadywearied,ofaprofitlesssiege.Inanhouratmost——anditwasnotyetmidnight——thekingwouldbefreetogohome;andwiththatwouldend,asfarashewasconcerned,themissionwithwhichM.deRosnyhadhonouredme.ThetaskofcommunicatinghisMajesty'sdecisiontotheKingofNavarrewoulddoubtlessbeentrustedtoM.deRambouillet,orsomepersonofsimilarpositionandinfluence;andinthesamehandswouldrestthehonourandresponsibilityofthetreatywhich,asweallknownow,gaveafterabriefintervalandsomebloodshed,andonegreatprovidence,alastingpeacetoFrance.Butitmusteverbe——andIrecognisedthisthatnightwithaboundingheart,whichtoldofsomestoreofyouthyetunexhausted——amatteroflastingpridetomethatI,whosecareerbutnowseemedclosedinfailure,hadprovedthemeansofconferringsoespecialabenefitonmycountryandreligion.
　　Remembering,however,theKingofNavarre'swarningthatImustnotlooktohimforreward,Ifeltgreatlydoubtfulinwhatdirectionthescenewouldnextopentome;mymaindependencebeinguponM.deRosny'spromisethathewouldmakemyfortunehisowncare.TiredoftheCourtatBlois,andtheatmosphereofintrigueandtreacherywhichpervadedit,andwithwhichIhopedIhadnowdone,IwasstillatalosstoseehowIcouldrecrosstheLoireinfaceoftheVicomtedeTurenne'senmity.ImighthavetroubledmyselfmuchmorewithspeculatinguponthispointhadInotfound——incloseconnectionwithit——otherandmoreengrossingfoodforthoughtinthecapriciousbehaviourofMademoiselledelaVire.
　　TothatbehaviouritseemedtomethatInowheldtheclue.I
　　suspectedwithasmuchsurpriseaspleasurethatonlyoneconstructioncouldbeplaceduponit——aconstructionwhichhadstronglyoccurredtomeoncatchingsightofherfacewhensheintervenedbetweenmeandtheking.
　　TracingthematterbacktothemomentofourmeetingintheantechamberatSt.Jeand'Angely,IrememberedthejestwhichMathurinehadutteredatourjointexpense.Doubtlessithaddweltinmademoiselle'smind,andexcitingheranimosityagainstmehadpreparedhertotreatmewithcontumelywhen,contrarytoallprobability,wemetagain,andshefoundherselfplacedinamannerinmyhands.Ithadinspiredherharshwordsandharsherlooksonourjourneynorthwards,andcontributedwithhernativepridetothelowopinionIhadformedofherwhenI
　　contrastedherwithmyhonouredmother.
　　ButIbegantothinkitpossiblethatthejesthadworkedinanotherwayaswell,bykeepingmebeforehermindandimpressinguponhertheidea——aftermyre-appearanceatChizemoreparticularly——thatourfateswereinsomewaylinked.Assumingthis,itwasnothardtounderstandhermanneratRosnywhen,apprisedthatIwasnoimpostor,andregrettingherformertreatmentofme,shestillrecoiledfromthefeelingswhichshebegantorecogniseinherownbreast.Fromthattime,andwiththisclue,Ihadnodifficultyintracinghermotives,alwayssupposingthatthissuspicion,uponwhichIdweltwithfeelingsofwonderanddelight,werewellfounded.
　　Middle-agedandgrizzled,withthebestofmylifebehindmeI
　　hadneverdaredtothinkofherinthiswaybefore.Poorandcomparativelyobscure,Ihadneverraisedmyeyestothewidepossessionssaidtobehers.EvennowIfeltmyselfdazzledandbewilderedbytheprospectsosuddenlyunveiled.Icouldscarcely,withoutvertigo,recallherasIhadlastseenher,withherhandwoundedinmydefence;nor,withoutemotionspainfulintheirintensity,fancymyselfrestoredtotheyouthofwhichIhadtakenleave,andtotherosyhopesandplanningswhichvisitmostmenonceonly,andtheninearlyyears.
　　HithertoIhaddeemedsuchthingsthelotofothers.
　　Daylightfoundme——andnowonder——stilldivertingmyselfwiththesecharmingspeculations;whichhadforme,beitremembered,alltheforceofnovelty.Thesunchancedtorisethatmorninginaclearsky,andbrilliantlyforthetimeofyear;andwordsfailmewhenIlookback,andtrytodescribehowdelicatelythissinglefactenhancedmypleasure!Isunnedmyselfinthebeams,whichpenetratedmybarredwindow;andtastingtheearlyfreshnesswithakeenandinsatiableappetite,IexperiencedtothefullthatpeculiaraspirationaftergoodnesswhichProvidenceallowssuchmomentstoawakeninusinyouth;butrarelywhentimeandthecamphavebluntedthesensibilities.
　　Ihadnotyetarrivedatthestageatwhichdifficultieshavetobereckonedup,andthechiefdrawbacktothetumultofjoyI
　　felttooktheshapeofregretthatmymothernolongerlivedtofeeltheemotionspropertothetime,andtoshareintheprosperitywhichshehadsooftenandsofondlyimagined.
　　Nevertheless,Ifeltmyselfdrawnclosertoher.Irecalledwiththemosttenderfeelings,andatgreaterleisurethanhadbeforebeenthecase,herlastdaysandwords,andparticularlytheappealshehadutteredonmademoiselle'sbehalf.AndIvowed,ifitwerepossible,topayavisittohergravebeforeleavingtheneighbourhood,thatImighttheredevoteafewmomentstothethoughtoftheaffectionwhichhadconsecratedallwomeninmyeyes.
　　Iwaspresentlyinterruptedinthesereflectionsbyacircumstancewhichprovedintheenddivertingenough,thoughfarfromreassuringatthefirstblush.Itbeganinadismalrattlingofchainsinthepassagebelowandonthestairsoutsidemyroom;whichwerepaved,liketherestofthebuilding,withstone.Iwaitedwithimpatienceandsomeuneasinesstoseewhatwouldcomeofthis;andmysurprisemaybeimaginedwhen,thedoorbeingunlocked,gaveentrancetoamaninwhomIrecognisedontheinstantdeafMathew——thevillainwhomIhadlastseenwithFresnoyinthehouseintheRueValois.Amazedatseeinghimhere,Isprangtomyfeetinfearofsometreachery,andforamomentapprehendedthattheProvost-MarshalhadbaselygivenmeovertoBruhl'scustody.Butasecondglanceinformingmethatthemanwasinirons——hencethenoiseIhadheard——Isatdownagaintoseewhatwouldhappen.
　　Itthenappeared,thathemerelybroughtmemybreakfast,andwasaprisonerinlessfortunatecircumstancesthanmyself;butashepretendednottorecogniseme,andplacedthethingsbeforemeinobduratesilence,andIhadnopowertomakehimhear,Ifailedtolearnhowhecametobeindurance.TheProvost-Marshal,however,camepresentlytovisitme,andbroughtmeintokenthatthegood-fellowshipoftheeveningstillexistedapouchoftheQueen'sherb;whichIacceptedforpoliteness'sakeratherthanfromanyvirtueIfoundinit.AndfromhimIlearnedhowtherascalcametobeinhischarge.
　　ItappearedthatFresnoy,havingnomindtobehamperedwithawoundedman,haddepositedhimonthenightofourMELEEatthedoorofahospitalattachedtoareligioushouseinthatpartofthetown.Thefathershadopenedtohim,butbeforetakinghiminput,accordingtotheircustom,certainquestions.Matthewhadbeenprimedwiththerightanswerstothesequestions,whichwerecommonlyaform;but,unhappilyforhim,theSuperiorbychanceormistakebeganwiththewrongone.
　　'YouarenotaHuguenot,myson?'hesaid.
　　'InGod'sname,Iam!'Matthewrepliedwithsimplicity,believinghewasaskedifhewasaCatholic.
　　'What?'thescandalisedPriorejaculated,crossinghimselfindoubt,'areyounotatruesonoftheChurch?'
　　'Never!'quothourdeaffriend——thinkingallwentwell.
　　'Aheretic!'criedthemonk.
　　'Amentothat!'repliedMatthewinnocently;neverdoubtingbutthathewasaskedthethirdquestion,whichwas,commonly,whetherheneededaid.
　　Naturallyafterthistherewasaveryprettycommotion,andMatthew,vainlyprotestingthathewasdeaf,washurriedofftotheProvost-Marshal'scustody.Askedhowhecommunicatedwithhim,theProvostansweredthathecouldnot,butthathislittlegodchild,agirlonlyeightyearsold,hadtakenastrangefancytotherogue,andwasneversohappyaswhentalkingtohimbymeansofsigns,ofwhichshehadinventedagreatnumber.I
　　thoughtthisstrangeatthetime,butIhadproofbeforethemorningwasoutthatitwastrueenough,andthatthetwowereseldomapart,thelittlechildgoverningthisgrimcut-throatwithunquestionedauthority.
　　AftertheProvostwasgoneIheardtheman'sfettersclankingagain.Thistimeheenteredtoremovemycupandplate,andsurprisedmebyspeakingtome.Maintaininghisformersullenness,andscarcelylookingatme,hesaidabruptly:'Youaregoingoutagain?'
　　Inoddedassent.
　　'Doyourememberabald-facedbayhorsethatfellwithyou?'hemuttered,keepinghisdoggedglanceonthefloor.
　　Inoddedagain.
　　'Iwanttosellthehorse,'hesaid.'ThereisnotsuchanotherinBlois,no,norinParis!Touchitonthenearhipwiththewhipanditwillgodownasifshot.Atothertimesachildmightrideit.Itisinastable,thethirdfromtheThreePigeons,intheRuelleAmancy.Fresnoydoesnotknowwhereitis.Hesenttoaskyesterday,butIwouldnottellhim.'
　　Somesparkofhumanfeelingwhichappearedinhislowering,brutalvisageashespokeofthehorseledmetodesirefurtherinformation.Fortunatelythelittlegirlappearedatthatmomentatthedoorinsearchofherplay-fellow;andthroughherI
　　learnedthattheman'smotiveforseekingtosellthehorsewasfearlestthedealerinwhosechargeitstoodshoulddisposeofittorepayhimselfforitskeep,andhe,Matthew,loseitwithoutreturn.
　　StillIdidnotunderstandwhyheappliedtome,butIwaswellpleasedwhenIlearnedthetruth.Baseastheknavewas,hehadanaffectionforthebay,whichhadbeenhisonlypropertyforsixyears.Havingthisinhismind,hehadconceivedtheideathatIshouldtreatitwell,andshouldnot,becausehewasinprisonandpowerless,cheathimoftheprice.
　　IntheendIagreedtobuythehorsefortencrowns,payingaswellwhatwasdueatthestable.Ihaditinmyheadtodosomethingalsofortheman,beingmovedtothispartlybyanideathattherewasgoodinhim,andpartlybytheconfidencehehadseenfittoplaceinme,whichseemedtodeservesomereturn.
　　Butanoisebelowstairsdivertedmyattention.Iheardmyselfnamed,andforthemomentforgotthematter.
　　CHAPTERXXVII.
　　TOME,MYFRIENDS!
　　Iwasimpatienttolearnwhohadcome,andwhatwastheirerrandwithme;andbeingstillinthatstateofexaltationinwhichweseemtohearandseemorethanatothertimes,Iremarkedapeculiarlaggingintheascendingfootsteps,andalackofbuoyancy,whichwasquicktocommunicateitselftomymind.A
　　vaguedreadfelluponmeasIstoodlistening.BeforethedooropenedIhadalreadyconceivedascoreofdisasters.IwonderedthatIhadnotinquiredearlierconcerningtheking'ssafety,andinfineIexperiencedinamomentthatcompletereactionofthespiritswhichistoofrequentlyconsequentuponanexcessiveflowofgaiety.
　　Iwasprepared,therefore,forheavylooks,butnotforthepersonswhoworethemnorthestrangebearingthelatterdisplayedonentering.MyvisitorsprovedtobeM.d'AgenandSimonFleix.Andsofarwell.Buttheformer,insteadofcomingforwardtogreetmewiththepunctiliouspolitenesswhichalwayscharacterisedhim,andwhichIhadthoughttobeproofagainsteverykindofsurpriseandperil,metmewithdowncasteyesandacountenancesogloomyastoaugmentmyfearsahundredfold;sinceitsuggestedallthosevagueandformidablepainswhichM.deRambouillethadhintedmightawaitmeinaprison.Ithoughtnothingmoreprobablethantheentranceafterthemofagaolerladenwithgyvesandhandcuffs;andsalutingM.Francoiswithafacewhich,dowhatIwould,fashioneditselfuponhis,Ihadscarcecomposuresufficienttoplacethepooraccommodationofmyroomathisdisposal.
　　Hethankedme;buthediditwithsomuchgloomandsolittlenaturalnessthatIgrewmoreimpatientwitheachlabouredsyllable.SimonFleixhadslunktothewindowandturnedhisbackonus.Neitherseemedtohaveanythingtosay.ButastateofsuspensewasonewhichIcouldleastenduretosuffer;andimpatientoftheconstraintwhichmyfriend'smannerwasfastimpartingtomine,Iaskedhimatonceandabruptlyifhisunclehadreturned.
　　'Herodeinaboutmidnight,'heanswered,tracingapatternonthefloorwiththepointofhisriding-switch.
　　Ifeltsomesurpriseonhearingthis,sinced'Agenwasstilldressedandarmedfortheroad,andwaswithoutallthoseprettinesseswhichcommonlymarkedhisattire.Butashevolunteerednofurtherinformation,anddidnotevenrefertotheplaceinwhichhefoundme,orquestionmeastotheadventureswhichhadlodgedmethere,Iletitpass,andaskedhimifhispartyhadovertakenthedeserters.
　　'Yes,'heanswered,'withnoresult.'
　　'Andtheking?'
　　'M.deRambouilletiswithhimnow,'herejoined,stillbendingoverhistracing.
　　Thisanswerrelievedtheworstofmyanxieties,butthemannerofthespeakerwassodistraitandsomuchatvariancewiththestudiedINSOUCIANCEwhichheusually,affected,thatIonlygrewmorealarmed.IglancedatSimonFleix,buthekepthisfaceaverted,andIcouldgathernothingfromit;thoughIobservedthathe,too,wasdressedfortheroad,andworehisarms.I
　　listened,butIcouldhearnosoundswhichindicatedthattheProvost-Marshalwasapproaching.ThenonasuddenIthoughtofMademoiselledelaVire.CoulditbethatMaignanhadprovedunequaltohistask?
　　Istartedimpetuouslyfrommystoolundertheinfluenceoftheemotionwhichthisthoughtnaturallyaroused,andseizedM.
　　d'Agenbythearm.'Whathashappened?'Iexclaimed.'IsitBruhl?Didhebreakintomylodgingslastnight?What!'I
　　continued,staggeringbackasIreadtheconfirmationofmyfearsinhisface.'Hedid?'
　　M.d'Agen,whohadrisenalso,pressedmyhandwithconvulsiveenergy.Gazingintomyface,heheldmeamomentthusembraced,Hismannerastrangemixtureoffiercenessandemotion.'Alas,yes,'heanswered,'hedid,andtookawaythosewhomhefoundthere!Thosewhomhefoundthere,youunderstand!ButM.deRambouilletisonhiswayhere,andinafewminutesyouwillbefree.Wewillfollowtogether.Ifweovertakethem——well.Ifnot,itwillbetimetotalk.'
　　Hebrokeoff,andIstoodlookingathim,stunnedbytheblow,yetinthemidstofmyownhorrorandsurpriseretainingsenseenoughtowonderatthegloomonhisbrowandthepassionwhichtrembledinhiswords.Whathadthistodowithhim?'ButBruhl?'Isaidatlast,recoveringmyselfwithaneffort——'howdidhegainaccesstotheroom?Ileftitguarded.'
　　'Byaruse,whileMaignanandhismenwereaway,'wastheanswer.
　　'Onlythisladofyourswasthere.Bruhl'smenoverpoweredhim.'
　　'WhichwayhasBruhlgone?'Imuttered,mythroatdry,myheartbeatingwildly.
　　Heshookhishead.'Allweknowisthathepassedthroughthesouthgatewithelevenhorsemen,twowomen,andsixledhorses,atdaybreakthismorning,'heanswered.'Maignancametomyunclewiththenews,andM.deRambouilletwentatonce,earlyasitwas,tothekingtoprocureyourrelease.Heshouldbeherenow.'
　　Ilookedatthebarredwindow,themosthorriblefearsatmyheart;fromittoSimonFleix,whostoodbesideit,hisattitudeexpressingtheutmostdejection.Iwenttowardshim.'Youhound!'Isaidinalowvoice,'howdidithappen?'
　　Tomysurprisehefellinamomentonhisknees,andraisedhisarmasthoughtowardoffablow.'TheyimitatedMaignan'svoice,'hemutteredhoarsely.'Weopened.'
　　'Andyoudaretocomehereandtellme!'Icried,scarcelyrestrainingmypassion.'You,towhomIentrustedher.You,whomIthoughtdevotedtoher.Youhavedestroyedher,man!'
　　Heroseassuddenlyashehadcowereddown.Histhin,nervousfaceunderwentastartlingchange;growingonasuddenhardandrigid,whilehiseyesbegantoglitterwithexcitement.'I——I
　　havedestroyedher?Ay,mondieu!IHAVE,'hecried,speakingtomyface,andnolongerflinchingoravoidingmyeye.'Youmaykillme,ifyoulike.Youdonotknowall.ItwasIwhostolethefavourshegaveyoufromyourdoublet,andthensaidM.deRosnyhadtakenit!ItwasIwhotoldheryouhadgivenitaway!
　　ItwasIwhobroughthertotheLittleSisters',thatshemightseeyouwithMadamedeBruhl!ItwasIwhodidall,anddestroyedher!Nowyouknow!Dowithmewhatyoulike!'
　　Heopenedhisarmsasthoughtoreceiveablow,whileIstoodbeforehimastoundedbeyondmeasurebyadisclosuresounexpected;fullofrighteouswrathandindignation,andyetuncertainwhatIoughttodo.'DidyoualsoletBruhlintotheroomonpurpose?'Icriedatlast.
　　'I?'heexclaimed,withasuddenflashofrageinhiseyes.'I
　　wouldhavediedfirst!'
　　IdonotknowhowImighthavetakenthisconfession;butatthemomenttherewasatramplingofhorsesoutside,andbeforeI
　　couldanswerhimIheardM.deRambouilletspeakinginhaughtytones,atthedoorbelow.TheProvost-Marshalwaswithhim,buthislowernoteswerelostintheringofbridlesandthestampingofimpatienthoofs.Ilookedtowardsthedoorofmyroom,whichstoodajar,andpresentlythetwoentered,theMarquislisteningwithanairofcontemptuousindifferencetotheapologieswhichtheother,whoattendedathiselbow,waspouringforth.M.deRambouillet'sfacereflectednoneofthegloomanddespondencywhichM.d'Agen'sexhibitedinsomarkedadegree.Heseemed,onthecontrary,fullofgaietyandgood-humour,and,comingforwardandseeingme,embracedmewiththeutmostkindnessandcondescension.
　　'Ha!myfriend,'hesaidcheerfully,'soIfindyouhereafterall!Butneverfear.Iamthismomentfromthekingwithanorderforyourrelease.HisMajestyhastoldmeall,makingmetherebyyourlastingfriendanddebtor.Asforthisgentleman,'
　　hecontinued,turningwithacoldsmiletotheProvost-Marshal,whoseemedtobetremblinginhisboots,'hemayexpectanimmediateorderalso.M.deVillequierhaswiselygonea-
　　hunting,andwillnotbebackforadayortwo.'
　　RackedasIwasbysuspenseandanxiety,Icouldnotassailhimwithimmediatepetitions.Itbehovedmefirsttothankhimforhispromptintervention,andthisintermsaswarmasIcouldinvent.NorcouldIinjusticefailtocommendtheProvost;tohim,representingtheofficer'sconducttome,andlaudinghisability.Allthis,thoughmyheartwassickwiththoughtandfearanddisappointment,andeveryminuteseemedanage.
　　'Well,well,'theMarquissaidwithstatelygood-nature,'WewilllaytheblameonVillequierthen.Heisanoldfox,however,andtentoonehewillgoscot-free.Itisnotthefirsttimehehasplayedthistrick.ButIhavenotyetcometotheendofmycommission,'hecontinuedpleasantly.'HisMajestysendsyouthis,M.deMarsac,andbademesaythathehadloadeditforyou.'
　　HedrewfromunderhiscloakashespokethepistolwhichIhadleftwiththeking,andwhichhappenedtobethesameM.deRosnyhadgivenme.Itookit,marvellingimpatientlyatthecarefulmannerinwhichhehandledit;butinamomentIunderstoodforI
　　founditloadedtothemuzzlewithgold-pieces,ofwhichtwoorthreefellandrolleduponthefloor.Muchmovedbythissubstantialmarkoftheking'sgratitude,Iwasneverthelessforpocketingtheminhaste;buttheMarquis,tosatisfyalittlecuriosityonhispart,wouldhavemecountthem,andbroughtthetaletoalittleovertwothousandlivres,withoutcountingaringsetwithpreciousstoneswhichIfoundamongthem.ThishandsomepresentdivertedmythoughtsfromSimonFleix,butcouldnotrelievetheanxietyIfeltonmademoiselle'saccount.ThethoughtofherpositionsotorturedmethatM.deRambouilletbegantoperceivemystateofmind,andhastenedtoassuremethatbeforegoingtotheCourthehadalreadyissuedorderscalculatedtoassistme.
　　'Youdesiretofollowthislady,Iunderstand?'hesaid.'Whatwiththekingwhoisenragedbeyondtheordinarybythisoutrage,andFrancoisthere,whoseemedbesidehimselfwhenbeheardthenews,Ihavenotgotanyveryclearideaoftheposition.'
　　'Shewasentrustedtomeby——byone,sir,wellknowntoyou,'I
　　answeredhoarsely.'Myhonourisengagedtohimandtoher.IfIfollowonmyfeetandalone,Imustfollow.IfIcannotsaveher,Icanatleastpunishthevillainswhohavewrongedher.'
　　'Buttheman'swifeiswiththem,'hesaidinsomewonder.
　　'Thatgoesfornothing,'Ianswered.
　　HesawthestrongemotionunderwhichIlaboured,andwhichscarcelysufferedmetoanswerhimwithpatience;andhelookedatmecuriously,butnotunkindly.'Thesooneryouareoff,thebetterthen,'hesaid,nodding.'Igatheredasmuch.ThemanMaignanwillhavehisfellowsatthesouthgateanhourbeforenoon,Iunderstand.Francoishastwolackeys,andheiswildtogo.Withyourselfandtheladthereyouwillmusternineswords.
　　Iwilllendyoutwo.Icansparenomore,forwemayhaveanEMEUTEatanymoment.Youwilltaketheroad,therefore,eleveninall,andshouldovertakethemsometimeto-nightifyourhorsesareincondition.'
　　Ithankedhimwarmly,withoutregardinghiskindlystatementthatmyconductonthepreviousdayhadlaidhimunderlastingobligationstome.Wewentdowntogether,andhetransferredtwoofhisfellowstomethereandthen,biddingthemchangetheirhorsesforfreshonesandmeetmeatthesouthgate.Hesentalsoamantomystable——SimonFleixhavingdisappearedintheconfusion——fortheCid,andwasintheactofinquiringwhetherI
　　neededanythingelse,whenawomanslippedthroughtheknotofhorsemenwhosurroundedusaswestoodinthedoorwayofthehouse,and,throwingherselfuponme,graspedmebythearm.ItwasFanchette.Herharshfeaturesweredistortedwithgrief,hercheeksweremottledwiththeviolentweepinginwhichsuchpersonsventtheirsorrow.Herhairhunginlongwispsonherneck.Herdresswastornanddraggled,andtherewasagreatbruiseoverhereye.Shehadtheairofonefranticwithdespairandmisery.
　　Shecaughtmebythecloak,andshookmesothatIstaggered.'I
　　havefoundyouatlast!'shecriedjoyfully.'Youwilltakemewithyou!Youwilltakemetoher!'
　　Thoughherwordstriedmycomposure,andmyheartwentouttoher,Istrovetoanswerheraccordingtothesenseofthematter.
　　'Itisimpossible,Isaidsternly.'Thisisamanserrand.Weshallhavetoridedayandnight,mygoodwoman.'
　　'ButIwillridedayandnighttoo!'sherepliedpassionately,flingingthehairfromhereyes,andlookingwildlyfrommetoM.
　　Rambouillet.'WhatwouldInotdoforher?Iamasstrongasaman,andstronger.Takeme,takeme,Isay,andwhenImeetthatvillainIwilltearhimlimbforlimb!'
　　Ishuddered,listeningtoher;butrememberingthat,beingcountrybred,shewasreallyasstrongasshesaid,andthatlikelyenoughsomeadvantagemightaccruetousfromherperfectfidelityanddevotiontohermistress,Igaveareluctantconsent.IsentoneofM.deRambouillet'smentothestablewherethedeafman'sbaywasstanding,biddinghimpaywhateverwasduetothedealer,andbringthehorsetothesouthgate;myintentionbeingtomountoneofmymenonit,andfurnishthewomanwithalesstrickysteed.
　　Thebrisknessoftheseandthelikepreparations,whichevenforoneofmyageandinmystateofanxietywerenotdevoid,ofpleasure,preventedmythoughtsdwellingonthefuture.ContenttohaveM.Francois'assistancewithoutfollowinguptookeenlythetrainofideaswhichhisreadinesssuggested,IwassatisfiedalsotomakeuseofSimonwithoutcallinghimtoinstantaccountforhistreachery.Thebustleofthestreets,whichtheconfirmationoftheking'sspeedydeparturehadfilledwithsurly,murmuringcrowds,tendedstillfurthertokeepmyfearsatbay;whilethecontrastbetweenmypresentcircumstances,asI
　　rodethroughthemwell-appointedandwell-attended,withtheMarquisbymyside,andthepoorappearanceIhadexhibitedonmyfirstarrivalinBlois,couldnotfailtoinspiremewithhopethatImightsurmountthisdanger,also,andintheeventfindMademoisellesafeanduninjured.ItookleaveofM.deRambouilletwithmanyexpressionsofesteemonbothsides,andafewminutesbeforeelevenreachedtherendezvousoutsidethesouthgate.
　　M.d'AgenandMaignanadvancedtomeetme,theformerstillpresentinganexteriorsosternandgravethatIwonderedtoseehim,andcouldscarcelybelievehewasthesamegaysparkwhoseelegantaffectationshadmorethanoncecausedmetosmile.Hesalutedmeinsilence;Maignanwithasheepishair,whichill-
　　concealedthesavagetemperdefeathadrousedinhim.Countingmymen,Ifoundwemusteredtenonly,buttheequerryexplainedthathehaddespatchedarideraheadtomakeinquiriesandleavewordforusatconvenientpoints;totheendthatwemightfollowthetrailwithasfewdelaysaspossible.HighlycommendingMaignanforhisforethoughtinthis,Igavethewordtostart,andcrossingtheriverbytheSt.GervaisBridge,wetooktheroadforSellesatasmarttrot.
　　Theweatherhadchangedmuchinthelasttwenty-fourhours.Thesunshonebrightly,withawarmwestwind,andthecountryalreadyshowedsignsoftheearlyspringwhichmarkedthatyear.
　　If,thefirsthurryofdepartureover,Ihadnowleisuretofeelthegnawingofanxietyandthetorturesinflictedbyanimaginationwhich,faroutstrippingus,rodewiththosewhomwepursuedandsharedtheirperils,Ifoundtwosourcesofcomfortstillopentome.Nomanwhohasseenservicecanlookonalittlebandofwell-appointedhorsemenwithoutpleasure.I
　　reviewedthestalwartformsandsternfaceswhichmovedbesidemeandcomparingtheirdecentorderandsoundequipmentswiththescurvyfoulnessofthemenwhohadriddennorthwithme,thankedGod,and,ceasedtowonderattheindignationwhichMatthewandhisfellowshadarousedinmademoiselle'smind.Myothersourceofsatisfaction,theregularbeatofhoofsandringofbridlescontinuallyaugmented.EverysteptookusfartherfromBlois——
　　fartherfromtheclosetownandreekingstreetsandtheCourt;
　　which,ifitnolongerseemedtomeashambles,befouledbyonegreatdeedofblood——experiencehadremovedthatimpression——
　　retainedanappearanceinfinitelymeanandmiserableinmyeyes.
　　Ihatedandloatheditsintriguesanditsjealousies,thefollywhichtrifledinaclosetwhilerebellionmasteredFrance,andthepettinesswhichrecognisednowisdomsavethatofbalancingpartyandparty.IthankedGodthatmyworktherewasdone,andcouldhavewelcomedanyotheroccasionthatforcedmetoturnmybackonit,andsentmeatlargeoverthepureheaths,throughthewoods,andunderthewideheaven,speckledwithmovingclouds.
　　Butsuchspringsofcomfortsoonrandry.M.d'Agen'sgloomyrageandthefierygleaminMaignan'seyewouldhaveremindedme,hadIbeeninanydangerofforgettingtheerrandonwhichwewerebound,andtheneed,exceedingallotherneeds,whichcompelledustolosenomomentthatmightbeused.Thosewhomwefollowedhadfivehours'start.Thethoughtofwhatmight;
　　happeninthosefivehourstothetwohelplesswomenwhomIhadsworntoprotectburneditselfintomymind;sothattorefrainfromputtingspurstomyhorseandridingrecklesslyforwardtaxedattimesallmyself-control.Thehorsesseemedtocrawl.
　　Themenrisingandfallinglistlesslyintheirsaddlesmaddenedme.ThoughIcouldnothopetocomeuponanytraceofourquarryformanyhours,perhapsfordays,Iscannedthelong,flatheathsunceasingly,searchedeverymarshybottombeforewedescendedintoit,andpantedforthemomentwhenthenextlowridgeshouldexposetoourviewafreshtrackofwoodandwaste.Therosyvisionsofthepastnight,andthosefanciesinparticularwhichhadmadethedawnmemorable,recurredtome,ashisdeedsinthebodysomensaytoahopelessdrowningwretch.IgrewtothinkofnothingbutBruhlandrevenge.EventheabsurdcarewithwhichSimonavoidedtheneighbourhoodofFanchette,ridinganywheresolongashemightrideatadistancefromtheangrywoman'stongueandhand——whichprovokedmanyalaughfromthemen,andcametobethejokeofthecompany——failedtodrawasmilefromme.
　　WepassedthroughContres,fourleaguesfromBlois,anhourafternoon,andthreehourslatercrossedtheCheratSelles,wherewestayedawhiletobaitourhorses.Herewehadnewsofthepartybeforeus,andhenceforthhadlittledoubtthatBruhlwasmakingfortheLimousin;adistrictinwhichhemightrestsecureundertheprotectionofTurenne,andsafelydefyaliketheKingofFranceandtheKingofNavarre.Thegreaterthenecessity,itwasplain,forspeed;buttheroadsinthatneighbourhood,andforwardasfarasValancy,provedheavyand,foundrous,anditwasallwecoulddotoreachLevrouxwithjadedhorsesthreehoursaftersunset.TheprobabilitythatBruhlwouldlieatChateauroux,fiveleaguesfartheron——forIcouldnotconceivethatunderthecircumstanceshewouldsparethewomen——wouldhaveledmetopushforwardhaditbeenpossible;butthedarknessandthedifficultyoffindingaguidewhowouldventuredeterredmefromthehopelessattempt,andwestayedthenightwherewewere.
　　Herewefirstheardoftheplague;whichwassaidtoberavagingChateaurouxandallthecountryfarthersouth.Thelandlordoftheinnwouldhaveregaleduswithmanystoriesofit,andparticularlyoftheswiftnesswithwhichmenandevencattlesuccumbedtoitsattacks.Butwehadotherthingstothinkof,andbetweenanxietyandwearinesshadcleanforgottenthematterwhenwerosenextmorning.
　　Westartedshortlyafterdaybreak,andforthreeleaguespressedonattolerablespeed.Then,fornoreasonstated,ourguidegaveustheslipaswepassedthroughawood,andwasseennomore.Welosttheroad,andhadtoretraceoursteps.Westrayedintoaslough,andextractedourselveswithdifficulty.
　　ThemanwhowasridingthebayIhadpurchasedforgotthesecretwhichIhadimpartedtohim,andgotanuglyfall.Infine,afterallthesemishapsitwantedlittleofnoon,andlesstoexhaustourpatience,whenatlengthwecameinsightofChateauroux.
　　Beforeenteringthetownwehadstillanadventure;forwecameataturnintheroadonasceneassurprisingasitwasatfirstinexplicable.Alittlenorthofthetown,inacoppiceofboxfacingthesouthandwest,wehappedsuddenlyonarudeencampment,consistingofadozenhutsandbooths,setbackfromtheroadandformed,someofbranchesofevergreentreeslaid.
　　clumsilytogether,andsomeofsackingstretchedoverpoles.A
　　numberofmenandwomenofdecentappearancelayontheshortgrassbeforethebooths,idlysunningthemselves;ormovedabout,cookingandtendingfires,whileascoreofchildrenracedtoandfrowithnoisyshoutsandlaughter.Theappearanceofourpartyonthescenecausedaninstantpanic.Thewomenandchildrenfledscreamingintothewood,spreadingthesoundofbreakingbranchesfartherandfartherastheyretreated;whilethemen,amiserablepale-facedset,drewtogether,andseeminghalf-
　　inclinedtoflyalso,regardeduswithglancesoffearandsuspicion.
　　Remarkingthattheirappearanceanddresswerenotthoseofvagrants,whiletheboothsseemedtoindicatelittleskillorexperienceinthebuilders,Ibademycompanionshalt,andadvancedalone.
　　'Whatisthemeaningofthis,mymen?'Isaid,addressingthefirstgroupIreached.'Youseemtohavecomea-Mayingbeforethetime.Whenceareyou?'
　　'FromChateauroux,'theforemostansweredsullenly.Hisdress,nowIsawhimnearer,seemedtobethatofarespectabletownsman.
　　'Why?'Ireplied.'Haveyounohomes?'
　　'Ay,wehavehomes,'heansweredwiththesamebrevity.
　　'Thenwhy,inGod'sname,areyouhere?'Iretorted,markingthegloomyairanddowncastfacesofthegroup.'Haveyoubeenharried?'
　　'Ay,harriedbythePlague!'heansweredbitterly.'Doyoumeantosayyouhavenotheard?InChateaurouxthereisonemandeadinthree.Takemyadvice,sir——youareabravecompany——turn,andgohomeagain.'
　　'Isitasbadasthat?'Iexclaimed.Ihadforgottenthelandlord'sgossip,andtheexplanationstruckmewiththeforceofsurprise.
　　'Ay,isit!Doyouseethebluehaze?'hecontinued,pointingwithasuddengesturetothelowergroundbeforeus,overwhichalightpallofsummeryvapourhungstillandmotionless.'Doyouseeit?Well,underthatthereisdeath!YoumayfindfoodinChateauroux,andstallsforyourhorses,andamantotakemoney;
　　fortherearestillmenthere.ButcrosstheIndre,andyouwillseesightsworsethanabattle-fieldaweekold!Youwillfindnolivingsoulinhouseorstableorchurch,butcorpsesplenty.
　　Thelandiscursed!cursedforheresy,somesay!Halfaredead,andhalfarefledtothewoods!Andifyoudonotdieoftheplague,youwillstarve.'
　　'Godforbid!'Imuttered,thinkingwithashudderofthosebeforeus.Thisledmetoaskhimifapartyresemblingoursinnumber,andincludingtwowomen,hadpassedthatway.Heanswered,Yes,aftersunsettheeveningbefore;thattheirhorseswerestumblingwithfatigueandthemenswearinginpureweariness.Hebelievedthattheyhadnotenteredthetown,buthadmadearudeencampmenthalfamilebeyondit;andhadagainbrokenthisup,andriddensouthwardstwoorthreehoursbeforeourarrival.
　　'Thenwemayovertakethemto-day?'Isaid.
　　'Byyourleave,sir,'heanswered,withgravemeaning.'Ithinkyouaremorelikelytomeetthem.'
　　Shruggingmyshoulders,Ithankedhimshortlyandlefthim;thefullimportanceofpreventingmymenhearingwhatIhadheard——
　　lestthepanicwhichpossessedthesetownspeopleshouldseizeonthemalso——beingalreadyinmymind.Neverthelessthethoughtcametoolate,foronturningmyhorseIfoundoneoftheforemost,along,solemn-facedman,hadalreadyfoundhiswaytoMaignan'sstirrup;wherehewasdilatingsoeloquentlyupontheenemywhichawaitedussouthwardsthatthecountenancesofhalfthetrooperswereaslongashisown,andIsawnothingforitbuttointerrupthisorationbyasmartapplicationofmyswitchtohisshoulders.Havingthusstoppedhim,andratedhimbacktohisfellows,Igavethewordtomarch.Themenobeyedmechanically,weswungintoacanter,andforamomentthedangerwasover.
　　ButIknewthatitwouldrecuragainandagain.Stealthilymarkingthefacesroundme,andlisteningtothewhisperedtalkwhichwenton,Isawtheterrorspreadfromonetoanother.
　　Voiceswhichearlierinthedayhadbeenraisedinsongandjestgrewsilent.GreatrecklessfellowsofMaignan'sfollowing,whohadanoathandablowforallcomers,andtowhomthedeepestfordseemedtobechild'splay,rodewithdroopingheadsandknittedbrows;orscannedwithill-concealedanxietythestrangehazebeforeus,throughwhichtheroofsofthetown,andhereandtherealowhillorlineofpoplars,rosetoplainerview.Maignanhimself,thestoutestofthestout,lookedgrave,andhadlosthisswaggeringair.OnlythreepersonspreservedtheirSANG-FROIDentire.Ofthese,M.d'Agenrodeasifhehadheardnothing,andSimonFleixasifhefearednothing;whileFanchette,gazingeagerlyforward,saw,itwasplain,onlyoneobjectinthemist,andthatwasherMistress'sface.
　　'Wefoundthegatesofthetownopen,andthis,whichprovedtobetheheraldofstrangersights,dauntedtheheartsofmymenmorethanthemosthostilereception.Asweentered,ourhorses'
　　hoofs,clatteringloudlyonthepavement,awokeahundredechoesintheemptyhousestorightandleft.Themainstreet,floodedwithsunshine,whichmadeitsdesolationseemahundredtimesmoreformidable,stretchedawaybeforeus,bareandempty;orhauntedonlybyafewslinkingdogs,andprowlingwretches,whofled,affrightedattheunaccustomedsounds,orstoodandeyeduslistlesslyasmepassed.Abelltolled;inthedistanceweheardthewailingofwomen.Thesilentways,theblackcrosswhichmarkedeveryseconddoor,thefrightfulfaceswhichonceortwicelookedoutfromupperwindowsandblastedoursight,infectedmymenwithterrorsoprofoundandsoungovernablethatatlastdisciplinewasforgotten;andoneshovinghishorsebeforeanotherinnarrowplaces,therewasascuffletobefirst.One,andthenasecond,begantotrot.Thetrotgrewintoashufflingcanter.Thegatesoftheinnlayopen,nayseemedtoinviteustoenter;butnooneturnedorhalted.Movedbyasingleimpulsewepushedbreathlesslyonandon,untiltheopencountrywasreached,andwewhohadenteredthestreetsinsilentawe,sweptoutandoverthebridgeasifthefiendwereatourheels.
　　ThatIsharedinthisflightcausesmenoshameevennow,formymenwereatthetimeungovernable,asthebest-trainedtroopsarewhenseizedbysuchpanics;and,moreover,Icouldhavedonenogoodbyremaininginthetown,wherethestrengthofthecontagionwasprobablygreaterandtheinnlarderliketobeasbare,asthehillside.Fewtownsarewithoutahostelryoutsidethegatesfortheconvenienceofknightsoftheroadorthosewhowouldavoidthedues,andChateaurouxprovednoexceptiontothisrule.Ashorthalf-milefromthewallswedrewreinbeforeasecondencampmentraisedaboutawaysidehouse.Itscarcelyneededthesoundofmusicmingledwithbrawlingvoicestoinformusthatthewilderspiritsofthetownhadtakenrefugehere,andwereseekingtodrowninriotanddebauchery,asIhaveseenhappeninabesiegedplace,theremembranceoftheenemywhichstalkedabroadinthesunshine.Oursuddenappearance,whileitputastoptothemimicryofmirth,broughtoutascoreofmenandwomenineverystageofdrunkennessanddishevelment,ofwhomsome,withhiccoughsandloosegestures,criedtoustojointhem,whileotherssworehorridlyatbeingrecalledtothepresent,which,withthefuture,theywereendeavouringtoforget.
　　Icursedtheminreturnforapackofcravenwretches,andthreateningtoridedownthosewhoobstructedus,orderedmymenforward;haltingeventuallyaquarterofamilefartheron,whereawoodofgroundlingoakswhichstillworelastyear'sleavesaffordedfairshelter.Afraidtoleavemymenmyself,lestsomeshouldstraytotheinnandothersdesertaltogether,IrequestedM.d'AgentoreturnthitherwithMaignanandSimon,andbringuswhatforageandfoodwerequired.Thishedidwithperfectsuccess,thoughnotuntilafterascuffle,inwhichMaignanshowedhimselfamatchforahundred.Wewateredthehorsesataneighbouringbrook,andassigningtwohourstorestandrefreshment——agreatpartofwhichM.d'AgenandIspentwalkingupanddowninmoodysilence,eachimmersedinhisownthoughts——
　　wepresentlytooktheroadagainwithrenewedspirits.
　　Butapanicisnoteasilyshakenoff,norisanyfearsodifficulttocombatanddefeatasthefearoftheinvisible.Theterrorswhichfoodanddrinkhadforatimethrustoutpresentlyreturnedwithsevenfoldforce.Menlookeduneasilyinoneanother'sfaces,andfromthemtothehazewhichveiledalldistantobjects.Theymutteredoftheheat,whichwassudden,strange,andabnormalatthattimeoftheyear.Andby-and-bytheyhadotherthingstospeakof.Wemetaman,whoranbesideusandbeggedofus,cryingoutinadreadfulvoicethathiswifeandfourchildrenlayunburiedinthehouse.Alittlefartheron,besideawell,thecorpseofawomanwithachildatherbreastlaypoisoningthewater;shehadcrawledtoittoappeaseherthirst,anddiedofthedraught.Lastofall,in,abeech-
　　woodnearLotierwecameuponaladylivinginhercoach,withoneortwopanic-strickenwomenforheronlyattendants.HerhusbandwasinParis,shetoldme;halfherservantsweredead,theresthadfled.Stillsheretainedinaremarkabledegreebothcourageandcourtesy,andacceptingwithfortitudemyreasonsandexcusesforperforceleavingherinsuchaplight,gavemeaclearaccountofBruhlandhisparty,whohadpassedhersome,hoursbefore.Thepictureofthisladygazingafteruswithperfectgood-breeding,aswerodeawayatspeed,followedbythelamentationsofherwomen,remainswithmetothisday;
　　fillingmymindatoncewithadmirationandmelancholy.For,asIlearnedlater,shefellilloftheplaguewhereweleftherinthebeech-wood,anddiedinanightwithbothherservants.