Igrew——shamethatIshouldsayit——tothinkmoreandmoreofthesethings;untilmademoiselle,readingthesigns,toldmeonedaythatwemustgo.'Thoughneveragain,'sheaddedwithasigh,'shallwebesohappy.'
　　'Thenwhygo?'Iaskedfoolishly.
　　'Becauseyouareaman,'sheansweredwithawisesmile,'asI
　　wouldhaveyoube,andyouneedsomethingbesideslove.To-
　　morrowwewillgo.'
　　'Whither?'Isaidinamazement.
　　'TothecampbeforeParis,'sheanswered.'Wewillgobackinthelightofday——seeingthatwehavedonenothingofwhichtobeashamed——andthrowourselvesonthejusticeoftheKingofNavarre.YoushallplacemewithMadameCatherine,whowillnotrefusetoprotectme;andso,sweet,youwillhaveonlyyourselftothinkof.Come,sir,'shecontinued,layingherlittlehandinmine,andlookingintomyeyes,'youarenotafraid?'
　　'IammoreafraidthaneverIusedtobe,'Isaidtrembling.
　　'SoIwouldhaveit,'shewhispered,hidingherfaceonmyshoulder.'Neverthelesswewillgo.'
　　Andgowedid.TheaudacityofsuchareturninthefaceofTurenne,whowasdoubtlessintheKingofNavarre'ssuite,almosttookmybreathaway;nevertheless,Isawthatitpossessedoneadvantagewhichnoothercoursepromised——that,Imean,ofsettingusrightintheeyesoftheworld,andenablingmetomeetinastraightforwardmannersuchasmalignedus.AftersomeconsiderationIgavemyassent,merelyconditioningthatuntilwereachedtheCourtweshouldridemasked,andshunasfaraspossibleencountersbytheroad.
　　CHAPTERXXXII.
　　ATAVERNBRAWL.
　　Onthefollowingday,accordingly,westarted.Butthenewsofthetwokings'successes,andparticularlythecertaintywhichthesehadbredinmanymindsthatnothingshortofamiraclecouldsaveParis,hadmovedsomanygentlementotaketheroadthatwefoundtheinnscrowdedbeyondexample,andwerefrequentlyforcedintomeetingswhichmadethetaskofconcealingouridentitymoredifficultandhazardousthanIhadexpected.
　　Sometimesshelterwasnottobeobtainedonanyterms,andthenwehadtolieinthefieldsorinanyconvenientshed.Moreover,thepassageofthearmyhadsweptthecountrysobarebothoffoodandforage,thatthesecommandedastonishingprices;andalongday'sridemorethanoncebroughtustoourdestinationwithoutsecuringforustheamplemealwehadearned,andrequired.
　　Underthesecircumstances,itwaswithjoylittleshortoftransportthatIrecognisedthemarvellouschangewhichhadcomeovermymistress.Bearingallwithoutamurmur,orafrown,orsomuchasonecomplainingword,sheactedonnumberlessoccasionssoastoconvincemethatshespoketruly——albeitI
　　scarcelydaredtobelieveit——whenshesaidthatshehadbutonetroubleintheworld,andthatwastheprospectofourcomingseparation.
　　Formypart,anddespitesomegloomymoments,whenfearofthefutureovercameme,IrodeinParadiseridingbymymistress.Itwasherpresencewhichglorifiedalikethefirstfreshnessofthemorning,whenwestartedwithallthedaybeforeus,andthecoolnessofthelateevening,whenwerodehand-in-hand.NorcouldIbelievewithoutaneffortthatIwasthesameGastondeMarsacwhoshehadoncespurnedanddisdained.GodknowsIwasthankfulforherlove.Athousandtimes,thinkingofmygreyhairs,Iaskedherifshedidnotrepent;andathousandtimessheansweredNo,withsomuchhappinessinhereyesthatIwasfaintothankGodagainandbelieveher.
　　Notwithstandingtheinconvenienceofthepractice,wemadeitaruletowearourmaskswheneverweappearedinpublic;andthisrulemekeptmorestrictlyasweapproachedParis.Itexposedustosomecommentandmorecuriosity,butledtonoserioustroubleuntilwereachedEtampes,twelveleaguesfromthecapital;wherewefoundtheprincipalinnsonoisyandcrowded,andsomuchdisturbedbytheconstantcomingandgoingofcouriers,thatitrequirednoexperiencetopredicatetheneighbourhoodofthearmy.Thegreatcourtyardseemedtobechokedwithaconfusedmassofmenandhorses,throughwhichwemadeourwaywithdifficulty.Thewindowsofthehousewereallopen,andofferedusaviewoftablessurroundedbymeneatinganddrinkinghastily,asthemanneroftravellersis.Thegatewayandthestepsofthehousewerelinedwithtroopersandservantsandsturdyrogues;whoscannedallwhopassedinorout,andnotunfrequentlyfollowedthemwithribaldjestsandnicknames.
　　Songsandoaths,brawlingandlaughter,withtheneighingofhorsesandthehuzzasofthebeggars,whoshoutedwheneverafreshpartyarrived,roseaboveall,andincreasedthereluctancewithwhichIassistedmadameandmademoiselletodismount.
　　Simonwasnomatchforsuchanoccasionasthis;butthestalwartaspectofthethreemenwhomMaignanhadleftwithmecommandedrespect,andattendedbytwooftheseImadeawayfortheladies——notwithoutsomeoppositionandafewoaths——toenterthehouse.Thelandlord,whomwefoundcrushedintoacornerinside,andentirelyoverbornebythecrowdwhichhadinvadedhisdwelling,assuredmethathehadnotthesmallestgarrethecouldplaceatmydisposal;butIpresentlysucceededinfindingasmallroomatthetop,whichIpurchasedfromthefourmenwhohadtakenpossessionofit.Asitwasimpossibletogetanythingtoeatthere,Ileftamanonguard,andmyselfdescendedwithmadameandmademoiselletotheeating-room,alargechambersetwithlongboards,andfilledwitharoughandnoisycrew.Underarunningfireofobservationsweentered,andfoundwithdifficultythreeseatsinaninnercorneroftheroom.
　　Iranmyeyeoverthecompany,andnoticedamongthem,besidesadozentravellingpartieslikeourown,specimensofallthoseclasseswhicharetobefoundintherearofanarmy.Thereweresomeofficersandmorehorse-dealers;halfadozenforage-agentsandafewpriests;withalargesprinklingofadventurers,braves,andled-captains,andhereandtheretwoorthreewhosedressandthedeferencepaidtothembytheirneighboursseemedtoindicateahigherrank.Conspicuousamongtheselastwereapartyoffourwhooccupiedasmalltablebythedoor.Anattempthadbeenmadetosecuresomedegreeofprivacyforthembyinterposingasettlebetweenthemandtheroom;andtheirattendants,whoseemedtobenumerous,didwhattheycouldtoaddtothisbyfillingthegapwiththeirpersons.Oneofthefour,amanofhandsomedressandbearing,whosatintheplaceofhonour,wasmasked,aswewere.ThegentlemanathisrighthandIcouldnotsee.Theothers,whomIcouldsee,werestrangerstome.
　　Sometimeelapsedbeforeourpeoplesucceededinprocuringusanyfood,andduringtheintervalwewereexposedtoanamountofcommentonthepartofthoserounduswhichIfoundverylittletomyliking.Therewerenothalfadozenwomenpresent,andthisandourmasksrenderedmycompanionsunpleasantlyconspicuous.Aware,however,oftheimportanceofavoidinganaltercationwhichmightpossiblydetainus,andwouldbecertaintoaddtoournotoriety,Iremainedquiet;andpresentlytheentranceofatall,dark-complexionedman,whocarriedhimselfwithapeculiarswagger,andseemedtobefamousforsomethingorother,divertedtheattentionofthecompanyfromus.
　　Thenew-comerwassomewhatofMaignan'sfigure.Heworeabackandbreastoveragreendoublet,andhadanorangefeatherinhiscapandanorange-linedcloakonhisshoulder.Onenteringhestoodamomentinthedoorway,lettinghisboldblackeyesroveroundtheroom,thewhilehetalkedinaloudbraggartfashiontohiscompanions.Therewasalackofbreedingintheman'sair,andsomethingoffensiveinhislook;whichInoticedproducedwhereveritrestedamomentarysilenceandconstraint.WhenhemovedfartherintotheroomIsawthatheworeaverylongsword,thepointofwhichtrailedafootbehindhim.
　　HechoseoutforhisfirstattentionsthepartyoffourwhomI
　　havementioned;goinguptothemandaccostingthemwitharufflingair,directedespeciallytothegentlemaninthemask.
　　Thelatterliftedhisheadhaughtilyonfindinghimselfaddressedbyastranger,butdidnotoffertoanswer.Someoneelsedid,however,forasuddenbellowlikethatofanenragedbullproceededfrombehindthesettle.Thewordswerelostinnoise,theunseenspeaker'sangerseemingsooverpoweringthathecouldnotarticulate;butthetoneandvoice,whichwereinsomewayfamiliartome,provedenoughforthebully,who,coveringhisretreatwithaprofoundbow,backedoutrapidly,mutteringwhatwasdoubtlessanapology.Cockinghishatmorefiercelytomakeupforthisrepulse,henextproceededtopatroltheroom,scowlingfromsidetosideashewent,withtheevidentintentionofpickingaquarrelwithsomeonelessformidable.
　　Byill-chancehiseyelit,asheturned,onourmasks.Hesaidsomethingtohiscompanions;andencouraged,nodoubt,bythepositionofourseatsattheboard,whichledhimtothinkuspeopleofsmallconsequence,hecametoastopoppositeus.
　　'What!moredukeshere?'hecriedscoffingly.'Hallo,yousir!'hecontinuedtome,'willyounotunmaskanddrinkaglasswithme?'
　　Ithankedhimcivilly,butdeclined.
　　Hisinsolenteyeswerebusy,whileIspoke,withmadame'sfairhairandhandsomefigure,whichhermaskfailedtohide.
　　'Perhapstheladieswillhavebettertaste,sir,'hesaidrudely.
　　'Willtheynothonouruswithasightoftheirprettyfaces?'
　　KnowingtheimportanceofkeepingmytemperIputconstraintonmyself,andanswered,stillwithcivility,thattheyweregreatlyfatiguedandwereabouttoretire.
　　'Zounds!'hecried,'thatisnottobeborne.Ifwearetolosethemsosoon,themorereasonweshouldenjoytheirBEAUXYEUX
　　whilewecan.Ashortlifeandamerryone,sir.Thisisnotanunnery,nor,Idareswear,areyourfairfriendsnuns.'
　　ThoughIlongedtochastisehimforthisinsult,Ifeigneddeafness,andwentonwithmymealasifIhadnotheardhim;andthetablebeingbetweenuspreventedhimgoingbeyondwords.
　　Afterhehadutteredoneortwocoarsejestsofasimilarcharacter,whichcostuslessasweweremasked,andouremotionscouldonlybeguessed,thecrowdaboutus,seeingItookthethingquietly,begantoapplaudhim;butmoreasitseemedtomeoutoffearthanlove.InthisopinionIwaspresentlyconfirmedonhearingfromSimonwhowhisperedtheinformationinmyearashehandedadish——thatthefellowwasanItaliancaptainintheking'spay,famousforhisskillwiththeswordandthemanyduelsinwhichhehaddisplayedit.
　　Mademoiselle,thoughshedidnotknowthis,borewithhisinsolencewithapatiencewhichastonishedme;whilemadameappearedunconsciousofit.Nevertheless,Iwasgladwhenheretiredandleftusinpeace.Iseizedthemomentofhisabsencetoescorttheladiesthroughtheroomandupstairstotheirapartment,thedoorofwhichIsawlockedandsecured.ThatdoneIbreathedmorefreely;andfeelingthankfulthatIhadbeenabletokeepmytemper,tooktheepisodetobeatanend.
　　ButinthisIwasmistaken,asIfoundwhenIreturnedtotheroominwhichwehadsupped,myintentionbeingtogothroughittothestables.IhadnottakentwopacesacrossthefloorbeforeIfoundmyroadblockedbytheItalian,andreadalikeinhiseyesandinthefacesofthecompany——ofwhommanyhastenedtoclimbthetablestoseewhatpassed——thatthemeetingwaspremeditated.Theman'sfacewasflushedwithwine;proudofhismanyvictories,heeyedmewithaboastfulcontemptmypatiencehadperhapsgivenhimtherighttofeel.
　　'Ha!wellmet,sir,'hesaid,sweepingthefloorwithhiscapinanexaggerationofrespect,'now,perhaps,yourhigh-mightinesswillcondescendtounmask?Thetableisnolongerbetweenus,norareyourfairfriendsheretoprotecttheirCHERAMI!'
　　'IfIstillrefuse,sir,'Isaidcivilly,waveringbetweenangerandprudence,andhopingstilltoavoidaquarrelwhichmightendangerusall,'begoodenoughtoattributeittoprivatemotives,andtonodesiretodisobligeyou.'
　　'No,Idonotthinkyouwishtodisobligeme,'heanswered,laughingscornfully——andadozenvoicesechoedthegibe.'Butforyourprivatemotives,thedeviltakethem!Isthatplainenough,sir?'
　　'Itisplainenoughtoshowmethatyouareanill-bredman!'I
　　answered,cholergettingthebetterofme.'Letmepass,sir.'
　　'Unmask!'heretorted,movingsoasstilltodetainme,'orshallIcallinthegroomstoperformtheofficeforyou?'
　　Seeingatlastthatallmyattemptstoevadethemanonlyfedhisvanity,andencouragedhimtofurtherexcesses,andthatthemotleycrowd,whofilledtheroomandalreadyformedacircleroundus,hadmadeuptheirmindstoseesport,Iwouldnolongerbalkthem;Icouldnolongerdoit,indeed,withhonour.I
　　lookedround,therefore,forsomeonewhomImightenlistasmysecond,butIsawnoonewithwhomIhadtheleastacquaintance.
　　Theroomwaslinedfromtabletoceilingwithmockingfacesandscornfuleyesallturnedtome.
　　Myopponentsawthelook,andmisreadit;beingmuchaccustomed,Iimagine,toaone-sidedbattle.Helaughedcontemptuously.
　　'No,myfriend,thereisnowayoutofit,'hesaid.'Letmeseeyourprettyface,orfight.'
　　'Sobeit,'Isaidquietly.'IfIhavenootherchoice,Iwillfight.'
　　'Inyourmask?'hecriedincredulously.
　　'Yes,'Isaidsternly,feelingeverynervetinglewithlong-
　　suppressedrage.'IwillfightasIam.Offwithyourbackandbreast,ifyouareaman.AndIwillsodealwithyouthatifyouseeto-morrow'ssunyoushallneedamaskfortherestofyourdays!'
　　'Ho!ho!'heanswered,scowlingatmeinsurprise,'yousinginadifferentkeynow.ButIwillputatermtoit.Thereisspaceenoughbetweenthesetables,ifyoucanuseyourweapon;
　　andmuchmorethanyouwillneedto-morrow.'
　　'To-morrowwillshow,'Iretorted.
　　Withoutmoreadoheunfastenedthebucklesofhisbreast-piece,andrelievinghimselfofit,steppedbackapace.Thoseofthebystanderswhooccupiedthepartoftheroomheindicated——aspaceboundedbyfourtables,andnotunfitforthepurpose,thoughsomewhatconfined——hastenedtogetoutofit,andseizeinsteaduponneighbouringpostsof'vantage.Theman'sreputationwassuch,andhisfamesogreat,thatonallsidesI
　　heardnaughtbutwagersofferedagainstmeatodds;butthiscircumstance,whichmighthaveflurriedayoungermanandnumbedhisarm,servedonlytosetmeonmakingthemostofsuchopeningsasthefellow'spresumptionandcertaintyofsuccesswouldbesuretoafford.
　　Thenewsofthechallengerunningthroughthehousehadbroughttogetherbythistimesomanypeopleastofilltheroomfromendtoend,andeventoobscurethelight,whichwasbeginningtowane.Atthelastmoment,whenwewereonthepointofengaging,aslightcommotionmarkedtheadmissiontothefrontofthreeorfourpersons,whoseconsequenceorattendantsgainedthemthisadvantage.IbelievedthemtobethepartyoffourIhavementioned,butatthetimeIcouldnotbecertain.
　　InthefewsecondsofwaitingwhilethiswentforwardIexaminedourrelativepositionswiththefullestintentionofkillingtheman——whoseglitteringeyesandfiercesmilefilledmewithaloathingwhichwasverynearlyhatred——ifIcould.Thelineofwindowslaytomyrightandhisleft.Theeveninglightfellacrossus,whiteningtherowoffacesonmyleft,butleavingthoseonmyrightinshadow.Itoccurredtomeontheinstantthatmymaskwasactuallyanadvantage,seeingthatitprotectedmysightfromtheside-light,andenabledmetowatchhiseyesandpointwithmoreconcentration.
　　'Youwillbethetwenty-thirdmanIhavekilled!'hesaidboastfully,aswecrossedswordsandstoodaninstantonguard.
　　'Takecare!'Ianswered.'Youhavetwenty-threeagainstyou!'
　　Aswiftlungewashisonlyanswer.Iparriedit,andthrust,andwefelltowork.Wehadnotexchangedhalfadozenblows,however,beforeIsawthatIshouldneedalltheadvantagewhichmymaskandgreatercautiongaveme.Ihadmetmymatch,anditmightbesomethingmore;butthatforatimeitwasimpossibletotell.Hehadthelongerweapon,andIthelongerreach.Hepreferredthepoint,afterthenewItalianfashion,andItheblade.Hewassomewhatflushedwithwine,whilemyarmhadscarcelyrecoveredthestrengthofwhichillnesshaddeprivedme.
　　Ontheotherhand,excitedatthefirstbythecriesofhisbackers,heplayedratherwildly;whileIheldmyselfprepared,andkeepingupastrongguard,waitedcautiouslyforanyopeningormistakeonhispart.
　　Thecrowdroundus,whichhadhailedourfirstpasseswithnoisycriesofderisionandtriumph,fellsilentafterawhile,surprisedandtakenabackbytheirchampion'sfailuretospitmeatthefirstonslaught.Myreluctancetoengagehadledthemtopredictashortfightandaneasyvictory.
　　Convincedofthecontrary,theybegantowatcheachstrokewithbatedbreath;ornowandagain,mutteringthenameofJarnac,brokeintobriefexclamationsasablowmoresavagethanusualdrewsparksfromourblades,andmadetheraftersringwiththeharshgrindingofsteelonsteel.
　　Thesurpriseofthecrowd,however,wasasmallthingcomparedwiththatofmyadversary.Impatience,disgust,rageanddoubtchasedoneanotherinturnacrosshisflushedfeatures.
　　Apprisedthathehadtodowithaswordsman,heputforthallhispower.Withspiteinhiseyeshelabouredblowonblow,hetriedoneformofattackafteranother,hefoundmeequal,ifbarelyequal,toall.Andthenatlasttherecameachange.Theperspirationgatheredonhisbrow,thesilencedisconcertedhim;
　　hefelthisstrengthfailingunderthestrain,andsuddenly,I
　　think,thepossibilityofdefeatanddeath,unthoughtofbefore,burstuponhim.Iheardhimgroan,andforamomenthefencedwildly.Thenheagainrecoveredhimself.ButnowIreadterrorinhiseyes,andknewthatthemomentofretributionwasathand.
　　Withhisbacktothetable,andmypointthreateninghisbreast,heknewatlastwhatthoseothershadfelt!
　　Hewouldfainhavestoppedtobreathe,butIwouldnotlethimthoughmyblowsalsoweregrowingfeeble,andmyguardweaker;
　　forIknewthatifIgavehimtimetorecoverhimselfhewouldhaverecoursetoothertricks,andmightout-manoeuvremeintheend.Asitwas,myblackunchangingmask,whichalwaysconfrontedhim,whichhidallemotionsandveiledevenfatigue,hadgrowntobefullofterrortohim——fullofblank,passionlessmenace.HecouldnottellhowIfared,orwhatIthought,orhowmystrengthstood.Superstitiousdreadwasonhim,andthreatened,tooverpowerhim.IgnorantwhoIwasorwhenceI
　　came,hefearedanddoubted,grapplingwithmonstroussuspicions,whichthefadinglightencouraged.Hisfacebrokeoutinblotches,hisbreathcameandwentingasps,hiseyesbegantoprotrude.Onceortwicetheyquittedmineforapartofasecondtostealadespairingglanceattherowsofonlookersthatrantorightandleftofus.Buthereadnopitythere.
　　Atlasttheendcame——moresuddenlythanIhadlookedforit,butIthinkhewasunnerved.Hishandlostitsgripofthehilt,andaparrywhichIdealtalittlemorebrisklythanusualsenttheweaponflyingamongthecrowd,asmuchtomyastonishmentastothatofthespectators.Avolleyofoathsandexclamationshailedtheevent;andforamomentIstoodatgaze,eyeinghimwatchfully.Heshrankback;thenhemadeforamomentasifhewouldflinghimselfuponmedaggerinhand.Butseeingmypointsteady,herecoiledasecondtime,hisfacedistortedwithrageandfear.
　　'Go!'Isaidsternly.'Begone!Followyoursword!Butsparethenextmanyouconquer.'
　　Hestaredatme,fingeringhisdaggerasifhedidnotunderstand,orasifinthebitternessofhisshameatbeingsodefeatedevenlifewereunwelcome.Iwasabouttorepeatmywordswhenaheavyhandfellonmyshoulder.
　　'Fool!'aharshgrowlingvoicemutteredinmyear.'DoyouwanthimtoserveyouasAchonservedMatas?Thisisthewaytodealwithhim.'
　　AndbeforeIknewwhospokeorwhattoexpectamanvaultedoverthetablebesideme.SeizingtheItalianbytheneckandwaist,heflunghimbodily——withoutpayingtheleastregardtohisdagger——intothecrowd.'There!'thenew-comercried,stretchinghisarmsasiftheefforthadrelievedhim,'somuchforhim!Anddoyoubreatheyourself.Breatheyourself,myfriend,'hecontinuedwithavain-gloriousairofgenerosity.
　　'Whenyouarerestedandready,youandIwillhaveabout.Mondieu!whatathingitistoseeaman!Andbymyfaithyouareaman!'
　　'But,sir,'Isaid,staringathimintheutmostbewilderment,'wehavenoquarrel.'
　　'Quarrel?'hecriedinhisloud,ringingvoice.'Heavenforbid!
　　Whyshouldwe?Iloveaman,however,andwhenIseeoneIsaytohim,"IamCrillon!Fightme!"ButIseeyouarenotyetrested.Patience!Thereisnohurry.BerthondeCrillonisproudtowaityourconvenience.Inthemeantime,gentlemen,'hecontinued,turningwithagrandairtothespectators,whoviewedthissuddenBOULEVERSEMENTwithunboundedsurprise,'letusdowhatwecan.Takethewordfromme,andcryall,"VIVELEROI,ETVIVEL'INCONNU!"'
　　Likepeopleawakingfromadream——sogreatwastheirastonishmentthecompanycompliedandwiththeutmostheartiness.Whentheshoutdiedaway,someonecriedinturn,'ViveCrillon!'andthiswashonouredwithafervourwhichbroughtthetearstotheeyesofthatremarkableman,inwhombombastwassostrangelycombinedwiththefirmestandmostrecklesscourage.Hebowedagainandagain,turninghimselfaboutinthesmallspacebetweenthetables,whilehisfaceshonewithpleasureandenthusiasm.
　　MeanwhileIviewedhimwithperplexity.IcomprehendedthatitwashisvoiceIhadheardbehindthesettle;butIhadneitherthedesiretofighthimnorsogreatareserveofstrengthaftermyillnessastobeabletoenteronafreshcontestwithequanimity.Whenheturnedtome,therefore,andagainasked,'Well,sir,areyouready?'IcouldthinkofnobetteranswerthanthatIhadalreadymadetohim,'But,sir,Ihavenoquarrelwithyou.'
　　'Tut,tut!'heansweredquerulously,'ifthatisall,letusengage.'
　　'Thatisnotall,however,'Isaid,resolutelyputtingupmysword.'IhavenotonlynoquarrelwithM.deCrillon,butI
　　receivedathishandswhenIlastsawhimaconsiderableservice.'
　　'Thennowisthetimetoreturnit,'heanswered.briskly,andasifthatsettledthematter.
　　Icouldnotrefrainfromlaughing.'Nay,butIhavestillanexcuse,'Isaid.'Iambarelyrecoveredfromanillness,andamweak.Evenso,Ishouldbelothtodeclineacombatwithsome;
　　butabettermanthanImaygivethewalltoM.deCrillonandsuffernodisgrace.'
　　'Oh,ifyouputitthatway——enoughsaid,'heansweredinatoneofdisappointment.'And,tobesure,thelightisalmostgone.
　　Thatisacomfort.Butyouwillnotrefusetodrinkacupofwinewithme?YourvoiceIremember,thoughIcannotsaywhoyouareorwhatserviceIdidyou.Forthefuture,however,countonme.Iloveamanwhoisbraveaswellasmodest,andknownobetterfriendthanastoutswordsman.'
　　Iwasansweringhiminfittingterms——whiletheficklecrowd,whichafewminutesearlierhadbeenreadytotearme,viewedusfromadistancewithrespectfulhomage——whenthemaskedgentlemanwhohadbeforebeeninhiscompanydrewnearandsalutedmewithmuchstateliness.
　　'Icongratulateyou,sir,'hesaid,intheeasytoneofagreatmancondescending.'Youusetheswordasfewuseit,andfightwithyourheadaswellasyourhands.Shouldyouneedafriendoremployment,youwillhonourmebyrememberingthatyouareknowntotheVicomtedeTurenne.'
　　Ibowedlowtohidethestartwhichthementionofhisnamecausedme.ForhadItried,ay,andpossessedtoaidmeallthewitofM.deBrantome,Icouldhaveimaginednothingmorefantasticthanthismeeting;ormoreentertainingthanthatI,masked,shouldtalkwiththeVicomtedeTurennemasked,andhearinplaceofreproachesandthreatsofvengeanceacivilofferofprotection.ScarcelyknowingwhetherIshouldlaughortremble,orwhichshouldoccupymemore,thedivertingthingthathadhappenedortheperilwehadbarelyescaped,Imadeshifttoanswerhim,cravinghisindulgenceifIstillpreservedmyincognito.EvenwhileIspokeafreshfearassailedme:lestM.
　　deCrillon,recognisingmyvoiceorfigure,shouldcrymynameonthespot,andexplodeinamomentthemineonwhichwestood.
　　Thisrenderedmeextremelyimpatienttobegone.ButM.leVicomtehadstillsomethingtosay,andIcouldnotwithdrawmyselfwithoutrudeness.
　　'Youaretravellingnorthlikeeveryoneelse?'hesaid,gazingatmecuriously.'MayIaskwhetheryouareforMeudon,wheretheKingofNavarrelies,orfortheCourtatSt.Cloud?'
　　Imuttered,movingrestlesslyunderhiskeeneyes,thatIwasforMeudon.
　　'Then,ifyoucaretotravelwithalargercompany,'herejoined,bowingwithnegligentcourtesy,'praycommandme.IamforMeudonalso,andshallleaveherethreehoursbeforenoon.'
　　Fortunatelyhetookmyassenttohisgraciousinvitationforgranted,andturnedawaybeforeIhadwellbeguntothankhim.
　　FromCrillonIfounditmoredifficulttoescape.Heappearedtohaveconceivedagreatfancyforme,andfeltalso,Iimagine,somecuriosityastomyidentity.ButIdideventhisatlast,and,evadingtheobsequiousofferswhichweremademeonallsides,escapedtothestables,whereIsoughtouttheCid'sstall,andlyingdowninthestrawbesidehim,begantoreviewthepast,andplanthefuture.Undercoverofthedarknesssleepsooncametome;mylastwakingthoughtsbeingdividedbetweenthankfulnessformyescapeandasteadypurposetoreachMeudonbeforetheVicomte,sothatImightmakegoodmytaleinhisabsence.ForthatseemedtobemyonlychanceofevadingthedangersIhadchosentoencounter.
　　CHAPTERXXXIII.
　　ATMEUDON.
　　MakingsoearlyastartfromEtampesthattheinn,whichhadcontinuedinanuproartilllongaftermidnight,laysunkinsleepwhenwerodeoutoftheyard,wereachedMeudonaboutnoonnextday.IshouldbetediouswereItodetailwhatthoughtsmymistressandIhadduringthatday'sjourney——thelast,itmightbe,whichweshouldtaketogether;orwhatassuranceswegaveoneanother,orhowoftenwe,repentedtheimpatiencewhichhadimpelledustoputalltothetouch.Madame,withkindlyforethought,detachedherselffromus,androdethegreaterpartofthedistancewithFanchette;buttheopportunitiesshegaveuswentforlittle;for,tobeplain,theseparationwedreadedseemedtoovershadowusalready.Weutteredfewwords,throughthosefewweretothepurpose,butridinghand-in-hand,withfullhearts,andeyeswhichseldomquittedoneanother,lookedforwardtoMeudonanditsperilswithsuchgloomyforebodingsasourloveandmyprecariouspositionsuggested.
　　Longbeforewereachedthetown,orcouldseemoreofitthantheChateau,overwhichtheLiliesofFranceandthebroadwhitebanneroftheBourbonsfloatedincompany,wefoundourselvessweptintothewhirlpoolwhichsurroundsanarmy.Crowdsstoodatallthecross-roads,wagonsandsumpter-mulesencumberedthebridges;eachmomentahorsemanpassedusatagallop,oratroopofdisorderlyrogues,soldiersonlyinname,reeled,shoutingandsinging,alongtheroad.Hereandthere,forawarningtothelattersort,aman,dangledonarudegallows;underwhichsportsmenreturningfromthechaseandladieswhohadbeenforanairingrodelaughingontheirway.
　　Amidthemultitudeenteringthetownwepassedunnoticed.A
　　littlewaywithinthewallswehaltedtoinquirewherethePrincessofNavarrehadherlodging.Hearingthatsheoccupiedahouseinthetown,whileherbrotherhadhisquartersintheChateau,andtheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,Istayedmypartyinaby-road,ahundredpacesfartheron,and,springingfromtheCid,wenttomymistress'sknee.
　　'Mademoiselle,'Isaidformally,andsoloudlythatallmymenmighthear,'thetimeiscome.Idarenotgofartherwithyou.
　　Ibegyou,therefore,tobearmewitnessthatasItookyousoI
　　havebroughtyouback,andbothwithyourgood-will.Ibegthatyouwillgivemethisquittance,foritmayserveme.'
　　Shebowedherheadandlaidherunglovedhandonmine,whichI
　　hadplacedon,thepommelofhersaddle.'Sir,'sheansweredinabrokenvoice,'Iwillnotgiveyouthisquittance,noranyquittancefrommewhileIlive.'Withthatshetookoffhermaskbeforethemall,andIsawthetearsrunningdownherwhiteface.
　　'MayGodprotectyou,M.deMarsac,'shecontinued,stoopinguntilherfacealmosttouchedmine,'andbringyoutothethingyoudesire.Ifnot,sir,andyoupaytoodearlyforwhatyouhavedoneforme,Iwillliveamaidenallmydays.And,ifIdonot,thesemenmayshameme!'
　　Myheartwastoofullforwords,butItooktheglovesheheldouttome,andkissedherhandwithmykneebent.ThenIwaved——
　　forIcouldnotspeak——tomadametoproceed;andwithSimonFleixandMaignan'smentoguardthemtheywentontheirway.
　　Mademoiselle'swhitefacelookedbacktomeuntilabendintheroadhidthem,andIsawthemnomore.
　　Iturnedwhenallweregone,andgoingheavilytowheremySardstoodwithhisheaddrooping,Iclimbedtothesaddle,androdeatafoot-pacetowardstheChateau.Thewaywasshortandeasy,forthenextturningshowedmetheopengatewayandacrowdaboutit.Avastnumberofpeoplewereenteringandleaving,whileothersrestedintheshadeofthewall,andadozengroomsledhorsesupanddown.Thesunshinefellhotlyontheroadandthecourtyard,andflashedbackbythecuirassesofthemenonguard,seizedtheeyeanddazzleditwithgleamsofinfinitebrightness.
　　Iwasadvancingalone,gazingatallthiswithaspeciesofdullindifferencewhichmaskedforthemomentthesuspenseIfeltatheart,whenaman,comingonfootalongthestreet,crossedquicklytomeandlookedmeintheface.
　　Ireturnedhislook,andseeinghewasastrangertome,wasforpassingonwithoutpausing.Buthewheeledbesidemeandutteredmynameinalowvoice.
　　IcheckedtheCidandlookeddownathim.'Yes,'Isaidmechanically,'IamM.deMarsac.ButIdonotknowyou.'
　　'NeverthelessIhavebeenwatchingforyouforthreedays,'hereplied.'M.deRosnyreceivedyourmessage.Thisisforyou.'
　　Hehandedmeascrapofpaper.'Fromwhom?'Iasked.
　　'Maignan,'heansweredbriefly.Andwiththat,andastealthylookround,heleftme,andwentthewayhehadbeengoingbefore.
　　Itoreopenthenote,andknowingthatMaignancouldnotwrite,wasnotsurprisedtofindthatitlackedanysignature.Thebrevityofitscontentsviedwiththecurtnessofitsbearer.
　　'InHeaven'snamegobackandwait,'itran.'Yourenemyishere,andthosewhowishyouwellarepowerless.'
　　Awarningsoexplicit,anddeliveredundersuchcircumstances,mighthavebeenexpectedtomakemepauseeventhen.ButIreadthemessagewiththesamedullindifference,thesamedoggedresolvewithwhichthesightofthecrowdedgatewaybeforemehadinspiredme.IhadnotcomesofarandbaffledTurennebyanhourtofailinmypurposeatthelast;norgivensuchpledgestoanothertoprovefalsetomyself.Moreover,thedistantrattleofmusketry,whichwenttoshowthataskirmishwastakingplaceonthefarthersideoftheCastle,seemedaninvitationtometoproceed;fornow,ifever,myswordmightearnprotectionandapardon.OnlyinregardtoM.deRosny,fromwhomIhadnodoubtthatthemessagecame,Iresolvedtoactwithprudence;neithermakinganyappealtohiminpublicnormentioninghisnametoothersinprivate.
　　TheCidhadbornemebythistimeintothemiddleofthethrongaboutthegateway,who,wonderingtoseeastrangerofmyappearancearrivewithoutattendants,eyedmewithamixtureofcivilityandforwardness.IrecognisedmorethanonemanwhomI
　　hadseenabouttheCourtatSt.Jeand'Angelysixmonthsbefore;
　　butsogreatisthedisguisingpowerofhandsomeclothesandequipmentsthatnoneoftheseknewme.Ibeckonedtothenearest,andaskedhimiftheKingofNavarrewasintheChateau.
　　'HehasgonetoseetheKingofFranceatSt.Cloud,'themananswered,withsomethingofwonderthatanyoneshouldbeignorantofsoimportantafact.'Heisexpectedhereinanhour.'
　　Ithankedhim,andcalculatingthatIshouldstillhavetimeandtosparebeforethearrivalofM.deTurenne,Idismounted,andtakingthereinovermyarm,begantowalkupanddownintheshadeofthewall.Meanwhiletheloiterersincreasedinnumbersastheminutespassed.Menofbetterstandingrodeup,and,leavingtheirhorsesinchargeoftheirlackeys,wentintotheChateau.Officersinshiningcorslets,orwithbootsandscabbardsdulledwithdust,arrivedandclatteredinthroughthegates.Amessengergallopedupwithletters,andwasinstantlysurroundedbyacuriousthrongofquestioners;wholefthimonlytogatheraboutthenextcomers,aknotoftownsfolk,whosedowncastvisagesandglancesofapprehensionseemedtobetokennopleasantoreasymission.
　　Watchingmanyoftheseenteranddisappear,whileonlythehumblersortremainedtoswellthecrowdatthegate,Ibegantoexperiencethediscomfortandimpatiencewhicharethelotofthemanwhofindshimselfplacedinafalseposition.IforesawwithclearnesstheinjuryIwasabouttodomycausebypresentingmyselftothekingamongthecommonherd;andyetIhadnochoicesavetodothis,forIdarednotruntheriskofentering,lestI
　　shouldberequiredtogivemyname,andfailtoseetheKingofNavarreatall.
　　AsitwasIcameveryneartobeingfoiledinthisway;forI
　　presentlyrecognised,andwasrecognisedinturn,byagentlemanwhorodeuptothegatesand,throwinghisreinstoagroom,dismountedwithanairofimmensegravity.ThiswasM.Forget,theking'ssecretary,andthepersontowhomIhadonaformeroccasionpresentedapetition.Helookedatmewitheyesofprofoundastonishment,andsalutingmestifflyfromadistance,seemedintwomindswhetherheshouldpassinorspeaktome.Onsecondthoughts,however,hecametowardsme,andagainsalutedmewithapeculiarlydryandaustereaspect.
　　'Ibelieve,sir,IamspeakingtoM.deMarsac?'hesaidinalowvoice,butnotimpolitely.
　　Irepliedintheaffirmative.
　　'Andthat,Iconclude,isyourhorse?'hecontinued,raisinghiscane,andpointingtotheCid,whichIhadfastenedtoahookinthewall.
　　Irepliedagainintheaffirmative.
　　'Thentakeawordofadvice,'heanswered,screwinguphisfeatures,andspeakinginadrysortofway.'Getuponitsbackwithoutaninstant'sdelay,andputasmanyleaguesbetweenyourselfandMeudonashorseandmanmay.'
　　'Iamobligedtoyou,'Isaid,thoughIwasgreatlystartledbyhiswords.'AndwhatifIdonottakeyouradvice?'
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders.'Inthatcaselooktoyourself!'heretorted.'Butyouwilllookinvain!'
　　Heturnedonhisheel,ashespoke,andinamomentwasgone.I
　　watchedhimentertheChateau,andintheuncertaintywhichpossessedmewhetherhewasnotgone——aftersalvinghisconsciencebygivingmewarning——toordermyinstantarrest,I
　　felt,andIdoubtnotIlooked,asillateaseforthetimebeingasthegroupoftremblingtownsfolkwhostoodnearme.
　　Reflectingthatheshouldknowhismaster'smind,IrecalledwithdepressingclearnesstherepeatedwarningstheKingofNavarrehadgivenmethatImustnotlooktohimforrewardorprotection.IbethoughtmethatIwashereagainsthisexpressorders:presumingonthoseveryserviceswhichhehadgivenmenoticeheshouldrepudiate.IrememberedthatRosnyhadalwaysbeeninthesametale.AndinfineIbegantoseethatmademoiselleandIhadtogetherdecidedonastepwhichIshouldneverhavepresumedtotakeonmyownmotion.
　　IhadbarelyarrivedatthisconclusionwhenthetramplingofhoofsandasuddenclosinginofthecrowdroundthegateannouncedtheKingofNavarre'sapproach.WithasickheartI
　　drewnearer,feelingthatthecrisiswasathand;andinamomenthecameinsight,ridingbesideanelderlyman,plainlydressedandmounted,withwhomhewascarryingonanearnestconversation.Atrainofnoblesandgentlemen,whosemartialairandequipmentsmadeupfortheabsenceofthegewgawsandglitter,towhichmyeyeshadbecomeaccustomedatBlois,followedcloseonhisheels.Henryhimselfworeasuitofwhitevelvet,frayedinplacesandsoiledbyhisarmour;buthisquickeyeandeager,almostfierce,countenancecouldnotfailtowinandkeeptheattentionoftheleastobservant.Hekeptglancingfromsidetosideashecameon;andthatwithsocheerfulanairandacarriagesofullatonceofdignityandgood-humourthatnoonecouldlookonhimandfailtoseethatherewasaleaderandaprinceofmen,temperateinvictoryandunsurpassedindefeat.
　　Thecrowdraisingacryof'VIVENAVARRE!'ashedrewnear,hebowed,withasparkleinhiseye.Butwhenafewbythegatecried'VIVENTLESROIS!'hehelduphishandforsilence,andsaidinaloud,clearvoice,'Notthat,myfriends.ThereisbutonekinginFrance.Letussayinstead,"ViveleRoi!"'
　　Thespokesmanofthelittlegroupoftownsfolk,who,Ilearned,werefromArcueil,andhadcometocomplainoftheexcessivenumberoftroopsquartereduponthem,tookadvantageofthepausetoapproachhim.Henryreceivedtheoldmanwithakindlylook,andbentfromhissaddletohearwhathehadtosay.WhiletheyweretalkingIpressedforward,theemotionIfeltonmyownaccountheightenedbymyrecognitionofthemanwhorodebytheKingofNavarre——whowasnootherthanM.delaNoue.NoHuguenotworthyofthenamecouldlookontheveteranwhohaddoneandsufferedmoreforthecausethananylivingmanwithoutcatchingsomethingofhissternenthusiasm;andthesight,whileitshamedme,whoamomentbeforehadbeeninclinedtoprefermysafetytotheassistanceIowedmycountry,gavemecouragetosteptotheking'srein,sothatIheardhislastwordstothemenofArcueil.
　　'Patience,myfriends,'hesaidkindly.'Theburdenisheavy,butthejourneyisashortone.TheSeineisours;thecircleiscomplete.InaweekParismustsurrender.Theking,mycousin,willenter,andyouwillberidofus.ForFrance'ssakeoneweek,myfriends.'
　　Themenfellbackwithlowobeisances,charmedbyhisgood-
　　nature,andHenry,lookingup,sawmebeforehim.Intheinstanthisjawfell.Hisbrow,suddenlycontractingaboveeyes,whichflashedwithsurpriseanddispleasure,alteredinamomentthewholeaspectofhisface;whichgrewdarkandsternasnight.
　　Hisfirstimpulsewastopassbyme;butseeingthatIheldmyground,hehesitated,socompletelychagrinedbymyappearancethathedidnotknowhowtoact,orinwhatwaytodealwithme.
　　Iseizedtheoccasion,andbendingmykneewithasmuchrespectasIhadeverusedtotheKingofFrance,beggedtobringmyselftohisnotice,andtocravehisprotectionandfavour.
　　'Thisisnotimetotroubleme,sir,'heretorted,eyeingmewithanangryside-glance.'Idonotknowyou.Youareunknowntome,sir.YoumustgotoM.deRosny.'
　　'Itwouldbeuselesssire,'Ianswered,indesperatepersistence.
　　'ThenIcandonothingforyou,'herejoinedpeevishly.'Standononeside,sir.'
　　ButIwasdesperate.IknewthatIhadriskedallontheevent,andmustestablishmyfootingbeforeM.deTurenne'sreturn,orruntheriskofcertainrecognitionandvengeance.Icriedout,caringnothingwhoheard,thatIwasM.deMarsac,thatIhadcomebacktomeetwhatevermyenemiescouldallegeagainstme.
　　'VENTRESAINTGRIS!'Henryexclaimed,startinginhissaddlewithwell-feignedsurprise.'Areyouthatman?'
　　'Iam,sire,'Ianswered.
　　'Thenyoumustbemad!'heretorted,appealingtothosebehindhim.'Stark,staringmadtoshowyourfacehere!'VENTRESAINT
　　GRIS!Arewetohavealltheravishersandplunderersinthecountrycometous?'
　　'Iamneithertheonenortheother!'Ianswered,lookingwithindignationfromhimtothegapingtrainbehindhim.
　　'ThatyouwillhavetosettlewithM.deTurenne!'heretorted,frowningdownatmewithhiswholefaceturnedgloomyandfierce.
　　'Iknowyouwell,sir,now.ComplainthasbeenmadethatyouabductedaladyfromhisCastleofChizesometimeback.'
　　'Thelady,sire,isnowinchargeofthePrincessofNavarre.'
　　'Sheis?'heexclaimed,quitetakenaback.
　　'Andifshehasaughtofcomplaintagainstme,'Icontinuedwithpride,'IwillsubmittowhateverpunishmentyouorderorM.deTurennedemands.Butifshehasnocomplainttomake,andvowsthatsheaccompaniedmeofherownfree-willandaccord,andhassufferedneitherwrongnordispleasureatmyhands,then,sire,I