claimthatthisisaprivatematterbetweenmyselfandM.deTurenne.'
　　'EvensoIthinkyouwillhaveyourhandsfull,'heansweredgrimly.Atthesametimehestoppedbyagesturethosewhowouldhavecriedoutuponme,andlookedatmehimselfwithanalteredcountenance.'DoIunderstandthatyouassertthattheladywentofherownaccord?'heasked.
　　'Shewentandhasreturned,sire,'Ianswered.
　　'Strange!'heejaculated.'Haveyoumarriedher?'
　　'No,sire,'Ianswered.'Idesireleavetodoso.'
　　'Mondieu!sheisM.deTurenne'sward,'herejoined,almostdumbfoundedbymyaudacity.
　　'Idonotdespairofobtaininghisassent,sire,'Isaidpatiently.
　　'SAINTGRIS!themanismad!'hecried,wheelinghishorseandfacinghistrainwithagestureoftheutmostwonder.'ItisthestrangeststoryIeverheard.'
　　'Butsomewhatmoretothegentleman'screditthanthelady's!'
　　onesaidwithasmirkandasmile.
　　'Alie!'Icried,springingforwardontheinstantwithaboldnesswhichastonishedmyself.'SheisaspureasyourHighness'ssister!Iswearit.Thatmanliesinhisteeth,andIwillmaintainit.'
　　'Sir!'theKingofNavarrecried,turningonmewiththeutmoststernness,'youforgetyourselfinmypresence!Silence,andbewareanothertimehowyouletyourtonguerunonthoseaboveyou.Youhaveenoughtrouble,letmetellyou,onyourhandsalready.'
　　'Yetthemanlies!'Ianswereddoggedly,rememberingCrillonandhisways.'Andifhewilldomethehonourofsteppingasidewithme,Iwillconvincehimofit!'
　　'VENTRESAINTGRIS!'Henryreplied,frowning,anddwellingoneachsyllableofhisfavouriteoath.'Willyoubesilent,sir,andletmethink?OrmustIorderyourinstantarrest?'
　　'Surelythatatleast,sire,'asuavevoiceinterjected.Andwiththatagentlemanpressedforwardfromtherest,andgainingaplace,of'vantagebytheKing'sside,shotatmealookofextrememalevolence.'MylordofTurennewillexpectnolessatyourHighness'shands,'hecontinuedwarmly.'Ibegyouwillgivetheorderonthespot,andholdthispersontoanswerforhismisdeeds.M.deTurennereturnsto-day.Heshouldbeherenow.Isayagain,sire,hewillexpectnolessthanthis.'
　　Theking,gazingatmewithgloomyeyes,tuggedathismoustaches.Someonehadmotionedthecommonherdtostandbackoutofhearing;atthesametimethesuitehadmovedupoutofcuriosityandformedahalf-circle;inthemidstofwhichIstoodfrontingtheking,whohadLaNoueandthelastspeakeroneitherhand.Perplexityandannoyancestruggledforthemasteryinhisfaceashelookeddarklydownatme,histeethshowingthroughhisbeard.Profoundlyangeredbymyappearance,whichhehadtakenatfirsttobethepreludetodisclosureswhichmustdetachTurenneatatimewhenunionwasall-important,hehadnowceasedtofearforhimself;andperhapssawsomethingintheattitudeI
　　adoptedwhichappealedtohisnatureandsympathies.
　　'Ifthegirlisreallyback,'hesaidatlast,'M.d'Aremburg,I
　　do-notseeanyreasonwhyIshouldinterfere.Atpresent,atanyrate.'
　　'Ithink,sire,M.deTurennewillseereason,'thegentlemananswereddrily.
　　Thekingcoloured.'M.deTurenne,'hebegan,'Hasmademanysacrificesatyourrequest,sire,'theothersaidwithmeaning.'Andburiedsomewrongs,orfanciedwrongs,inconnectionwiththisverymatter.Thispersonhasoutragedhiminthegrossestmanner,andinM.leVicomte'snameIask,nayI
　　pressuponyou,thathebeinstantlyarrested,andheldtoanswerforit.'
　　'Iamreadytoanswerforitnow!'Iretorted,lookingfromfacetofaceforsympathy,andfindingnonesaveinM.delaNoue's,whoappearedtoregardmewithgraveapprobation.'TotheVicomtedeTurenne,orthepersonhemayappointtorepresenthim.'
　　'Enough!'Henrysaid,raisinghishandandspeakinginthetoneofauthorityheknewsowellhowtoadopt.'Foryou,M.
　　d'Aremburg,Ithankyou.Turenneishappyinhisfriend.But;
　　thisgentlemancametomeofhisownfreewillandIdonotthinkitconsistentwithmyhonourtodetainhimwithoutwarninggiven.
　　Igranthimanhourtoremovehimselffrommyneighbourhood.Ifhebefoundafterthattimehaselapsed,'hecontinuedsolemnly,'hisfatebeonhisownhead.Gentlemen,wearelatealready.
　　Letuson.'
　　Ilookedathimashepronouncedthissentence,andstrovetofindwordsinwhichtomakeafinalappealtohim.Butnowordscame;andwhenhebademestandaside,Ididsomechanically,remainingwithmyheadbaredtothesunshinewhilethetrooprodeby.Somelookedbackatmewithcuriosity,asatamanofwhomtheyhadheardatale,andsomewithajeerontheirlips;afewwithdarklooksofmenace.Whentheywereallgone,andtheservantswhofollowedthemhaddisappearedalso,andIwaslefttotheinquisitiveglancesoftherabblewhostoodgapingafterthesight,IturnedandwenttotheCid,andloosedthehorsewithafeelingofbitterdisappointment.
　　TheplanwhichmademoisellehadproposedandIhadadoptedintheforestbySt.Gaultier——whenitseemedtousthatourlongabsenceandthegreateventsofwhichweheardmusthavechangedtheworldandopenedapathforourreturn——hadfailedutterly.
　　Thingswereastheyhadbeen;thestrongwerestillstrong,andfriendshipunderbondtofear.Plainlyweshouldhaveshewnourselveswiserhadwetakenthelowliercourse,and,obeyingthewarningsgivenus,waitedtheKingofNavarre'spleasureorthetardyrecollectionofRosny.Ihadnotthenstood,asInowstood,ininstantjeopardy,norfeltthekeenpangsofaseparationwhichbadefairtobelasting.Shewassafe,andthatwasmuch;butI,afterlongserviceandbriefhappiness,mustgooutagainalone,withonlymemoriestocomfortme.
　　ItwasSimonFleix'svoicewhichawakenedmefromthisunworthylethargy——asselfishasitwasuseless——and,recallingmetomyself,remindedmethatprecioustimewaspassingwhileIstoodinactive.Togetatmehehadforcedhiswaythroughthecuriouscrowd,andhisfacewasflushed.Hepluckedmebythesleeve,regardingthevarletsroundhimwithamixtureofangerandfear.
　　'NomdeDieu!dotheytakeyouforarope-dancer?'hemutteredinmyear.'Mount,sir,andcome.Thereisnotamomenttobelost.'
　　'YouleftheratMadameCatherine's?'Isaid.
　　'Tobesure,'heansweredimpatiently.'Troublenotabouther.
　　Saveyourself,M.deMarsac.Thatisthethingtobedonenow.'
　　Imountedmechanically,andfeltmycouragereturnasthehorsemovedunderme.Itrottedthroughthecrowd,andwithoutthoughttooktheroadbywhichwehadcome.Whenwehadriddenahundredyards,however,Ipulledup'Anhourisashortstart,'Isaidsullenly.'Whither?'
　　'ToSt.Cloud,'heansweredpromptly.'TheprotectionoftheKingofFrancemayavailforadayortwo.Afterthat,therewillstillbetheLeague,ifParishavenotfallen.'
　　Isawtherewasnothingelseforit,andassented,andwesetoff.ThedistancewhichseparatesMeudonfromSt.Cloudwemighthaveriddenunderthehour,butthedirectroadrunsacrosstheScholars'Meadow,awideplainnorthofMeudon.Thislayexposedtotheenemy'sfire,andwas,besides,thesceneofhourlyconflictsbetweenthehorseofbothparties,sothattocrossitwithoutanadequateforcewasimpossible.Driventomakeacircuit,wetooklongertoreachourdestination,yetdidsowithoutmishap;findingthelittletown,whenwecameinsightofit,givenuptoallthebustleandcommotionwhichproperlybelongtotheCourtandcamp.
　　Itwas,indeed,asfullasitcouldbe,forthesurrenderofParisbeingmomentarilyexpected,St.Cloudhadbecometherendezvousaswellofthefewwhohadlongfollowedaprincipleasofthemanywhowaituponsuccess.Thestreets,crowdedin,everypart,shonewithglancingcolours,withsteelandvelvet,thegarboffashionandtheplumesofwar.Longlinesofflagsobscuredtheeavesandbrokethesunshine,while,aboveall,thebellsofhalfadozenchurchesrangmerryanswertothedistantcrashofguns.EverywhereonflagandarchandstreamerIreadthemotto,'ViveleRoi!'——wordswritten,Godknewthen,andweknownow,inwhatamockeryofdoom!
　　CHAPTERXXXIV.
　　''TISANILLWIND.'
　　Wehadmadeourwayslowlyandwithmuchjostlingasfarastheprincipalstreet,findingthepressincreaseasweadvanced,whenIheard,asIturnedacorner,mynamecalled,and,lookingup,sawatawindowthefaceofwhichIwasinsearch.AfterthathalfaminutesufficedtobringM.d'Agenflyingtomyside,whennothing,asIhadexpected,woulddobutImustdismount;whereI
　　wasandsharehislodging.Hemadenosecretofhisjoyandsurpriseatsightofme,butpausingonlytotellSimonwherethestablewas,haledmethroughthecrowdanduphisstairswithafervourandheartinesswhichbroughtthetearstomyeyes,andservedtoimpressthecompanywhomIfoundabovewithamorethansufficientsenseofmyimportance.
　　Seeinghimagaininthehighestfeatherandinthefullemploymentofallthoselittleartsandgraceswhichservedasafoiltohisrealworth,Itookitasagreathonourthathelaidthemasideforthenonce;andintroducedmetotheseatofhonourandmademeknowntohiscompanionswithaboyishdirectnessandasimplethoughtformycomfortwhichinfinitelypleasedme.Hebadehislandlord,withoutamoment'sdelay,bringwineandmeatandeverythingwhichcouldrefreshatraveller,andwashimselfupanddownahundredtimesinaminute,callingtohisservantsforthisorthat,orrailingatthemfortheirfailuretobringmeascoreofthingsIdidnotneed.Ihastenedtomakemyexcusestothecompanyforinterruptingtheminthemidstoftheirtalk;andthesetheywerekindenoughtoacceptingoodpart.Atthesametime,readingclearlyinM.d'Agen'sexcitedfaceandshiningeyesthathelongedtobealonewithme,theytookthehint,andpresentlyleftustogether.
　　'Well,'hesaid,comingbackfromthedoor,towhichhehadconductedthem,'whathaveyoutotellme,myfriend?Sheisnotwithyou?'
　　'SheiswithMademoiselledelaVireatMeudon,'Ianswered,smiling.'Andfortherest,sheiswellandinbetterspirits.'
　　'Shesentmesomemessage?heasked.
　　Ishookmyhead.'ShedidnotknowIshouldseeyou,'I
　　answered.
　　'Butshe——shehasspokenofmelately?'hecontinued,hisfacefalling.
　　'Idonotthinkshehasnamedyournameforafortnight,'I
　　answered,laughing.'There'sforyou!Why,man,'Icontinued,adoptingadifferenttone,andlayingmyhandonhisshoulderinamannerwhichreassuredhimatleast;asmuchasmywords,'areyousoyoungaloverastobeignorantthatawomansaysleastofthatofwhichshethinksmost?Pluckup,courage!UnlessIammistaken,youhavelittletobeafraidofexceptthepast.Onlyhavepatience.'
　　'Youthinkso?'hesaidgratefully.
　　IassuredhimthatIhadnodoubtofit;andonthathefellintoareverie,andItowatchinghim.Alasforthelittlenessofournatures!Hehadreceivedmewithopenarms,yetatsightofthehappinesswhichtookpossessionofhishandsomefaceIgavewaytothepettiestfeelingwhichcanharbourinaman'sbreast.I
　　lookedathimwitheyesofenvy,bitterlycomparingmylotwiththatwhichfatehadreservedforhim.Hehadfortune,goodlooks,andsuccessonhisside,greatrelations,andhighhopes;
　　Istoodininstantjeopardy,myfuturedark,andeverypathwhichpresenteditselfsohazardousthatIknewnotwhichtoadopt.Hewasyoung,andIpastmyprime;heinfavour,andIafugitive.
　　Tosuchreflectionsheputanendinawaywhichmademeblushformychurlishness.For,suddenlyawakingout,ofhispleasantdream,heaskedmeaboutmyselfandmyfortunes,inquiringeagerlyhowIcametobeinSt.Cloud,andlisteningtothestoryofmyadventureswithagenerousanxietywhichendearedhimtomemoreandmore.WhenIhaddone——andbythattimeSimonhadjoinedus,andwaswaitingatthelowerendoftheroom——hepronouncedthatImustseetheking.
　　'Thereisnothingelseforit,'hesaid.
　　'Ihavecometoseehim,'Ianswered.
　　'Mondieu,yes!'hecontinued,risingfromhisseatandlookingatmewithafaceofconcern.'Nooneelsecanhelpyou.'
　　Inodded.
　　'Turennehasfourthousandmenhere.Youcandonothingagainstsomany?'
　　'Nothing,'Isaid.'Thequestionis,willthekingprotectme?'
　　'Itisheornoone,'M.d'Agenansweredwarmly.'Youcannotseehimto-night:hehasaCouncil.To-morrowatdaybreakyoumay.
　　Youmustliehereto-night,andIwillsetmyfellowstowatch,andIthinkyouwillbesafe.Iwillawaynowandseeifmyunclewillhelp.Canyouthinkofanyoneelsewhowouldspeakforyou?'
　　Iconsidered,andwasabouttoanswerinthenegative,whenSimon,whohadlistenedwithascaredface,suggestedM.deCrillon.
　　'Yes,ifhewould,'M.d'Agenexclaimed,lookingattheladwithapprobation.'Hehasweightwiththeking.'
　　'Ithinkhemight,'Irepliedslowly.'Ihadacuriousencounterwithhimlastnight.AndwiththatItoldM.d'AgenoftheduelIfoughtattheinn.
　　'Good!'hesaid,hiseyessparkling.'IwishIhadbeentheretosee.Atanyratewewilltryhim.Crillonfearsnoone,noteventheking.'
　　Soitwassettled.ForthatnightIwastokeepcloseinmyfriend'slodging,showingnotevenmynoseatthewindow.
　　Whenhehadgoneonhiserrand,andIfoundmyselfaloneintheroom,IamfaintoconfessthatIfellverylowinmyspirits.
　　M.d'Agen'stravellingequipmentlayabouttheapartment,butfailedtogiveanybutanuntidyairtoitsroomybareness.Thelightwasbeginningtowane,thesunwasgone.Outside,theringingofbellsandthedistantmutteringofguns,withthetumultofsoundswhichrosefromthecrowdedstreet,seemedtotellofjoyouslifeandfreedom,andallthehopesandambitionsfromwhichIwascutoff.
　　Havingnootheremployment,Iwatchedthestreet,andkeepingmyselfwellretiredfromthewindowsawknotsofgayriderspassthiswayandthatthroughthecrowd,theircorsletsshiningandtheirvoiceshigh.Monksandladies,acardinalandanambassador,passedundermyeyes——theseandanendlessprocessionoftownsmenandbeggars,soldiersandcourtiers,Gascons,NormansandPicards.NeverhadIseensuchasightorsomanypeoplegatheredtogether.ItseemedasifhalfParishadcomeouttomakesubmission,sothatwhilemygorgeroseagainstmyownimprisonment,thesightgraduallydivertedmymindfrommyprivatedistresses,bybiddingmefindcompensationfortheminthespeedyandglorioustriumphofthecause.
　　Evenwhenthelightfailedthepageantdidnotcease,but,torchesandlanthornsspringingintolife,turnednightintoday.
　　Fromeverysidecamesoundsofrevelryorstrife.Thecrowdcontinuedtoperambulatethestreetsuntilalatehour,withcriesof'VIVELEROI!'and'VIVENAVARRE!'whilenowandagainthepassageofagreatnoblewithhissuitecalledforthafreshoutburstofenthusiasm.Nothingseemedmorecertain,moreinevitable,moreclearlypredestinatedthanthattwenty-fourhoursmustseethefallofParis.
　　YetParisdidnotfall.
　　WhenM.d'Agenreturnedalittlebeforemidnight,hefoundmestillsittinginthedarklookingfromthewindow.Iheardhimcallroughlyforlights,andapprisedbythesoundofhisvoicethatsomethingwaswrong,Irosetomeethim.Hestoodsilentawhile,twirlinghissmallmoustaches,andthenbrokeintoapassionatetirade,fromwhichIwasnotslowtogatherthatM.deRambouilletdeclinedtoserveme.
　　'Well,'Isaid,feelingfortheyoungman'sdistressandembarrassment,'perhapsheisright.'
　　'Hesaysthatwordrespectingyoucamethisevening,'myfriendanswered,hischeeksredwithshame,'andthattocountenanceyouafterthatwouldonlybetocourtcertainhumiliation.Ididnotlethimofftooeasily,Iassureyou,'M.d'Agencontinued,turningawaytoevademygaze;'butIgotnosatisfaction.Hesaidyouhadhisgood-will,andthattohelpyouhewouldrisksomething,butthattodosounderthesecircumstanceswouldbeonlytoinjurehimself.'
　　'ThereisstillCrillon,'Isaid,withasmuchcheerfulnessasI
　　couldassume.'PrayHeavenhebethereearly!DidM.deRambouilletsayanythingelse?'
　　'Thatyouronlychancewastoflyasquicklyandsecretlyaspossible.'
　　'Hethought;mysituationdesperate,then?'
　　Myfriendnodded;andscarcelylessdepressedonmyaccountthanashamedonhisown,evincedsomuchfeelingthatitwasallI
　　coulddotocomforthim;whichIsucceededindoingonlywhenI
　　divertedtheconversationtoMadamedeBruhl.Wepassedtheshortnighttogether,sharingthesameroomandthesamebed,andtalkingmorethanweslept——ofmadameandmademoiselle,thecastleonthehill,andthecampinthewoods,ofallolddaysinfine,butlittleofthefuture.SoonafterdawnSimon,wholayonapalletacrossthethreshold,rousedmefromafitfulsleepintowhichIhadjustfallen,andafewminuteslaterIstoodupdressedandarmed,readytotrythelastchancelefttome.
　　M.d'Agenhaddressedstageforstagewithme,andIhadkeptsilence.Butwhenhetookuphiscap,andshowedclearlythathehaditinhismindtogowithme,Iwithstoodhim.'No,Isaid,'youcandomelittlegood,andmaydoyourselfmuchharm.'
　　'Youshallnotgowithoutonefriend,'hecriedfiercely.
　　'Tut,tut!'Isaid.'IshallhaveSimon.'
　　ButSimon,whenIturnedtospeaktohim,wasgone.Fewmenareattheirbravestintheearlyhoursoftheday,anditdidnotsurprisemethatthelad'scouragehadfailedhim.Thedefectiononlystrengthened,however,theresolutionIhadformedthatI
　　wouldnotinjureM.d'Agen;thoughitwassometimebeforeI
　　couldpersuadehimthatIwasinearnest,andwouldgoaloneornotatall.Intheendhehadtocontenthimselfwithlendingmehisbackandbreast,whichIgladlyputon,thinkingitlikelyenoughthatImightbesetuponbeforeIreachedthecastle.Andthen,thetimebeingaboutseven,Ipartedfromhimwithmanyembracesandkindlywords,andwentintothestreetwithmyswordundermycloak.
　　Thetown,lateinrisingafteritsorgy,layverystillandquiet.Themorningwasgreyandwarm,withacloudysky.Theflags,whichhadmadesogay,ashowyesterday,hungclosetothepoles,orflappedidlyandfelldeadagain.Iwalkedslowlyalongbeneaththem,keepingasharplook-outoneveryside;buttherewerefewpersonsmovinginthestreets,andIreachedtheCastlegateswithoutmisadventure.Herewassomethingoflife;
　　abustleofofficersandsoldierspassinginandout,ofcourtierswhoseofficemadetheirpresencenecessary,ofbeggarswhohadflockedhitherinthenightforcompany.InthemiddleoftheseIrecognisedonasuddenandwithgreatsurpriseSimonFleixwalkingmyhorseupanddown.Onseeingmehehandedittoaboy,andcameuptospeaktomewitharedface,mutteringthatfourlegswerebetterthantwo.Ididnotsaymuchtohim,myheartbeingfullandmythoughtsoccupiedwiththepresencechamberandwhatIshouldsaythere;butInoddedkindlytohim,andhefellinbehindmeasthesentrieschallengedme.I
　　answeredthemthatIsoughtM.deCrillon,andsogettingby,fellintotherearofapartyofthreewhoseemedbentonthesameerrandasmyself.
　　OneofthesewasaJacobinmonk,whoseblackandwhiterobes,byremindingmeofFatherAntoine,sentachilltomyheart.Thesecond,whoseeyeIavoided,IknewtobeM.laGuesle,theking'sSolicitor-General.Thethirdwasastrangertome.
　　EnabledbyM.laGuesle'spresencetopassthemainguardswithoutchallenge,thepartyproceededthroughamazeofpassagesandcorridors,conversingtogetherinalowtone;whileI,keepingintheirtrainwithmyfacecunninglymuffled,gotasfarbythismeansastheante-chamber,whichIfoundalmostempty.
　　HereIinquiredoftheusherforM.deCrillon,andlearnedwiththeutmostconsternationthathewasnotpresent.
　　Thisblow,whichalmoststunnedme,openedmyeyestotheprecariousnatureofmyposition,whichonlytheearlyhourandsmallattendancerenderedpossibleforamoment.AtanyminuteI
　　mightberecognisedandquestioned,ormynameberequired;whiletheguardeddoorsofthechambershutmeoffaseffectuallyfromtheking'sfaceandgraceasthoughIwereinParis,orahundredleaguesaway.Endeavouringtothebestofmypowertoconcealthechagrinandalarmwhichpossessedmeasthisconvictiontookholdofme,Iwalkedtothewindow;andtohidemyfacemorecompletelyandatthesametimegainamomenttocollectmythoughts,affectedtobeengagedinlookingthroughit.
　　Nothingwhichpassedintheroom,however,escapedme.Imarkedeverythingandeveryone,thoughallmythoughtwashowImightgettotheking.Thebarbercameoutofthechamberwithasilverbasin,andstoodamoment,andwentinagainwithanairofvastimportance.Theguardsyawned,andanofficerentered,lookedround,andretired.M.laGuesle,whohadgoneintothepresence,cameoutagainandstoodnearmetalkingwiththeJacobin,whosepalenervousfaceandhastymovementsremindedmesomehowofSimonFleix.Themonkheldaletterorpetitioninhishand,andappearedtobegettingitbyheart,forhislipsmovedcontinually.Thelightwhichfellonhisfacefromthe,windowshowedittobeofapeculiarsweatypallor,anddistortedbesides.Butsupposinghimtobedevoted,likemanyofhiskind,toanunwholesomelife,Ithoughtnothingofthis;thoughIlikedhimlittle,andwouldhaveshiftedmyplacebutfortheconvenienceofhisneighbourhood.
　　Presently,whileIwascudgellingmybrains,apersoncameoutandspoketoLaGuesle;whocalledinhisturntothemonk,andstartedhastilytowardsthedoor.TheJacobinfollowed.Thethirdpersonwhohadenteredintheircompanyhadhisattentiondirectedelsewhereatthemoment;andthoughLaGueslecalledtohim,tooknoheed.OntheinstantIgraspedthesituation.
　　Takingmycourageinmyhands,Icrossedthefloorbehindthemonk;who,hearingme,orfeelinghisrobecomeincontactwithme,presentlystartedandlookedroundsuspiciously,hisfacewearingascowlsoblackanduglythatIalmostrecoiledfromhim,dreamingforamomentthatIsawbeforemetheveryspiritofFatherAntoine.Butasthemansaidnothing,andthenextinstantavertedhisgaze,Ihardenedmyheartandpushedonbehindhim,andpassingtheusher,foundmyselfasbymagicinthepresencewhichhadseemedawhileagoasunattainablebymywitsasitwasnecessarytomysafety.
　　Itwasnotthissuccessalone,however,whichcausedmyhearttobeatmorehopefully.ThekingwasspeakingasIentered,andthegaytonesofhisvoiceseemedtopromiseafavourablereception.
　　HisMajestysathalf-dressedonastoolatthefartherendoftheapartment,surroundedbyfiveorsixnoblemen,whileasmanyattendants,amongwhomIhastenedtomingle,waitednearthedoor.
　　LaGueslemadeasifhewouldadvance,andthen,seeingtheking'sattentionwasnotonhim,heldback.Butinamomentthekingsawhimandcalledtohim.'Ha,Guesle!'hesaidwithgood-temper,'isityou?Isyourfriendwithyou?'
　　TheSolicitorwentforwardwiththemonkathiselbow,andIhadleisuretoremarkthefavourablechangewhichhadtakenplaceintheking,whospokemorestronglyandseemedinbetterhealththanofold.Hisfacelookedlesscadaverousunderthepaint,hisformatriflelessemaciated.Thatwhichstruckmemorethananything,however,wastheimprovementinhisspirits.Hiseyessparkledfromtimetotime,andhelaughedcontinually,sothatI
　　couldscarcelybelievethathewasthesamemanwhomIhadseenoverwhelmedwithdespairandtorturedbyhisconscience.
　　LettinghisattentionslipfromLaGuesle,hebegantobandywordswiththenoblemanwhostoodnearesttohim;lookingupathimwitharoguisheye,andmakingbetsonthefallofParis.
　　'Morbleu!'Iheardhimcrygaily,'Iwouldgiveathousandpoundstoseethe'Montpensierthismorning!Shemaykeepherthirdcrownforherself.Or,PESTE!wemightputherinaconvent.Thatwouldbeafinevengeance!'
　　'Theveilforthetonsure,'thenoblemansaidwithasmirk.
　　'Ay.Whynot?Shewouldhavemadeamonkofme,'thekingrejoinedsmartly.'Shemustbereadytohangherselfwithhergartersthismorning,ifsheisnotdeadofspitealready.Or,stay,Ihadforgottenhergoldenscissors.Letheropenaveinwiththem.Well,whatdoesyourfriendwant,LaGuesle?'
　　Ididnotheartheanswer,butitwasapparentlysatisfactory,forinaminuteallexcepttheJacobinfellback,leavingthemonkstandingbeforetheking;who,stretchingouthishand,tookfromhimaletter.TheJacobin,tremblingvisibly,seemedscarcelyabletosupportthehonourdonehim,andtheking,seeingthis,saidinavoiceaudibletoall,'Standup,man.Youarewelcome.Iloveacowlassomelovealady'shood.Andnow,whatisthis?'
　　Hereadapartoftheletterandrose.Ashedidsothemonkleanedforwardasthoughtoreceivethepaperbackagain,andthensoswiftly,sosuddenly,withsounexpectedamovementthatnoonestirreduntilallwasover,struckthekinginthebodywithaknife!Asthebladeflashedandwashidden,andHisMajestywithadeepsobfellbackonthestool,then,andnottillthen,IknewthatIhadmissedaprovidentialchanceofearningpardonandprotection.ForhadIonlymarkedtheJacobinaswepassedthedoortogether,andreadhisevilfacearight,aword,oneword,haddoneformemorethanthepleadingofascoreofCrillons!
　　Toolateadozensprangforwardtotheking'sassistance;butbeforetheyreachedhimhehadhimselfdrawntheknifefromthewoundandstrucktheassassinwithitonthehead.Whilesome,withcriesofgrief,rantosupportHenry,fromwhosebodythebloodwasalreadyflowingfast,othersseizedandstruckdownthewretchedmonk.AstheygatheredroundhimIsawhimraisehimselfforamomentonhiskneesandlookupward;thebloodwhichrandownhisface,nolessthanthemingledtriumphandhorrorofhisfeatures,impressedthesightonmyrecollection.
　　Thenextinstantthreeswordswereplungedintohisbreast,andhiswrithingbody,pluckedupfromtheflooramidatransportofcurses,wasforcedheadlongthroughthecasementandflungdowntomakesportforthegroomsandscullionswhostoodbelow.
　　Asceneofindescribableconfusionfollowed,somecryingthatthekingwasdead,whileotherscalledforadoctor,andsomebynameforDortoman.Iexpectedtoseethedoorsclosedandallwithinsecured,thatifthemanhadconfederatestheymightbetaken.
　　Buttherewasnoonetogivetheorder.Instead,manywhohadneithertheENTREEnoranybusinessinthechamberforcedtheirwayin,andbytheircriesandpressurerenderedthehub-bubandtumultahundredtimesworse.Inthemidstofthis,whileI
　　stoodstunnedanddumbfounded,myownrisksandconcernsforgotten,Ifeltmysleevefuriouslyplucked,and,lookinground,foundSimonatmyelbow.Thelad'sfacewascrimson,hiseyesseemed,startingfromhishead.
　　'Come,'hemuttered,seizingmyarm.'Come!'Andwithoutfurtherceremonyorexplanationhedraggedmetowardsthedoor,whilehisfaceandmannerevincedasmuchheatandimpatienceasifhehadbeenhimselftheassassin.'Come,thereisnotamomenttobelost,'hepanted,continuinghisexertionswithouttheleastintermission.
　　'Whither?'Isaid,inamazement,asIreluctantlypermittedhimtoforcemealongthepassageandthroughthegapingcrowdonthestairs.'Whither,man?'
　　'Mountandride!'wastheanswerhehissedinmyear.'RideforyourlifetotheKingofNavarre——totheKingofFranceitmaybe!Rideasyouhaveneverriddenbefore,andtellhimthenews,andbidhimlooktohimself!Bethefirst,and,Heavenhelpingus,Turennemaydohisworst!'
　　IfelteverynerveinmybodytingleasIawoketohismeaning.
　　WithoutawordIlefthisarm,andflungmyselfintothecrowdwhichfilledthelowerpassagetosuffocation.AsIstruggledfiercelywiththemSimonaidedmebycrying'Adoctor!adoctor!
　　makewaythere!'andthisinducedmanytogiveplacetomeundertheideathatIwasanaccreditedmessenger.EventuallyI
　　succeededinforcingmywaythroughandreachingthecourtyard;
　　being,asitturnedout,thefirstpersontoissuefromtheChateau.Adozenpeoplesprangtowardsmewithanxiouseyesandquestionsontheirlips;butIranpastthemand,catchingtheCid,whichwasfortunatelyathand,bytherein,boundedintothesaddle.
　　AsIturnedthehorsetothegateIheardSimoncryafterme.
　　'TheScholars'Meadow!Gothatway!'andthenIheardnomore.
　　Iwasoutoftheyardandgallopingbare-headeddownthepitchedstreet,whilewomensnatchedtheirinfantsupandranaside,andmencamestartledtothedoors,cryingthattheLeaguewasuponus.Asthegoodhorseflunguphisheadandboundedforward,hurlingthegravelbehindhimwithhoofswhichslidandclatteredonthepavement,asthewindbegantowhistlebyme,andIseizedthereinsinashortergrip,Ifeltmyheartboundwithexultation.Iexperiencedsuchablessedreliefandelationastheprisonerlongfetteredandconfinedfeelswhenrestoredtotheairofheaven.
　　Downonestreetandthroughanarrowlanewethundered,untilabrokengatewaystoppedwithfascines——throughwhichtheCidblunderedandstumbled——broughtusataboundintotheScholars'
　　Meadowjustasthetardysunbrokethroughthecloudsandfloodedthelow,wideplainwithbrightness.HalfaleagueinfrontofusthetowersofMeudonrosetoviewonahill.Inthedistance,totheleft,laythewallsofParis,andnearer,onthesameside,adozenfortsandbatteries;whilehereandthere,inthatquarter,ashiningclumpofspearsoradensemassofinfantrybetrayedtheenemy'spresence.
　　Iheedednoneofthesethings,however,noranythingexceptthetowersofMeudon,settingtheCid'sheadstraightfortheseandridingonatthetopofhisspeed.Swiftlyditchanddykecameintoviewbeforeusandflashedawaybeneathus.Menlyinginpitsroseupandaimedatus;orranwithcriestointerceptus.
　　Acannon-shotfiredfromthefortbyIssytoreuptheearthtooneside;aknotoflancersspedfromtheshelterofanearthworkinthesamequarter,andracedusforhalfamile,withfranticshoutsandthreatsofvengeance.Butallsucheffortswerevanity.TheCid,firedbythissuddencalluponhisspeed,andfeelinghimselfloosed——rarestofevents——todohisbest,shookthefoamfromhisbit,andopeninghisblood-rednostrilstothewind,crouchedlowerandlower;untilhislongneck,stretchedoutbeforehim,seemed,astheswardsweptby,likethepointofanarrowspeedingresistlesstoitsaim.
　　Godknows,astheairrushedbymeandthesunshoneinmyface,Icriedaloudlikeaboy,andthoughIsatstillandstirredneitherhandnorfoot,lestIshouldbreakthegoodSard'sstride,IprayedwildlythatthehorsewhichIhadgroomedwithmyownhandsandfedwithmylastcrownmightholdonunfalteringtotheend.ForIdreamedthatthefateofanationrodeinmysaddle;andmindfulalikeofSimon'swords,'Bidhimlooktohimself,'andofmyownnotionthattheLeaguewouldnotbesofoolishastoremoveoneenemytoexaltanother,Ithoughtnothingmorelikelythanthat,withallmyfury,Ishouldarrivetoolate,andfindtheKingofNavarreasIhadlefttheKingofFrance.
　　InthisstrenuoushasteIcoveredamileasamilehasseldombeencoveredbefore;andIwasgrowingundertheinfluenceofthebreezewhichwhippedmytemplessomewhatmorecoolandhopeful,whenIsawonasuddenrightbeforeme,andbetweenmeandMeudon,ahandfulofmenengagedinaMELEE.Therewereredandwhitejacketsinit——leaguersandHuguenots——andtheredcoatsseemedtobehavingtheworstofit.Still,whileIwatched,theycameoffinorder,andunfortunatelyinsuchawayandatsuchaspeedthatIsawtheymustmeetmefacetofacewhetherI
　　triedtoavoidtheencounterornot.Ihadbarelytimetotakeinthedangeranditsnearness,anddiscernbeyondbothpartiesthemain-guardoftheHuguenots,enlivenedbyascoreofpennons,whentheLeaguerswereuponme.
　　IsupposetheyknewthatnofriendwouldrideforMeudonatthatpace,fortheydashedatmesixabreastwithashoutoftriumph;
　　andbeforeIcouldcountascorewemet.TheCidwasstillrunningstrongly,andIhadnotthoughttostayhim,sothatI
　　hadnotimetousemypistols.MyswordIhadout,butthesundazzledmeandthemenworecorslets,andImadebutpoorplaywithit;thoughIstruckoutsavagely,aswecrashedtogether,inmyrageatthissuddencrossingofmyhopeswhenallseemeddoneandgained.TheCidfacedthembravely——IheardthedistanthuzzaoftheHuguenots——andIputasideonepointwhichthreatenedmythroat.Butthesunwasinmyeyesandsomethingstruckmeonthehead.Anothersecond,andablowinthebreastforcedmefairlyfromthesaddle.GrippingfuriouslyattheairIwentdown,stunnedanddizzy,mylastthoughtasIstruckthegroundbeingofmademoiselle,andthelittlebrookwiththestepping-stones.
　　CHAPTERXXXV.
　　'LEROIESTMORT!'
　　ItwasM.d'Agen'sbreastpiecesavedmylifebywardingoffthepointofthevarlet'ssword,sothattheworstinjuryIgotwasthelossofmybreathforfiveminutes,withaswimmingintheheadandakindofsyncope.Thesebeingpast,Ifoundmyselfonmybackontheground,withaman'skneeonmybreastandadozenhorsemenstandingroundme.Theskyreeleddizzilybeforemyeyesandthemen'sfiguresloomedgigantic;yetIhadsenseenoughtoknowwhathadhappenedtome,andthatmattersmightwellbeworse.
　　Resigningmyselftotheprospectofcaptivity,Ipreparedtoaskforquarter;whichIdidnotdoubtIshouldreceive,sincetheyhadtakenmeinanopenskirmish,andhonestly,andinthedaylight.Butthemanwhosekneealreadyincommodedmesufficiently,seeingmeabouttospeak,squeezedmeonasuddensofiercely,biddingmeatthesametimeinagruffwhisperbesilent,thatIthoughtIcouldnotdobetterthanobey.
　　AccordinglyIlaystill,andasinadream,formybrainwasstillclouded,heardsomeonesay,'Dead!Ishe?Ihopedwehadcomeintime.Well,hedeservedabetterfate.Whoishe,Rosny?'
　　'Doyouknowhim,Maignan?'saidavoicewhichsoundedstrangelyfamiliar.
　　Themanwhoknelt;uponmeanswered,'No,mylord.Heisastrangertome.HehasthelookofaNorman.'
　　'Likeenough!'repliedahigh-pitchedvoiceIhadnotheardbefore.'Forherodeagoodhorse.Givemeahundredlikeit,andahundredmentorideasstraight,andIwouldnotenvytheKingofFrance.'
　　'MuchlesshispoorcousinofNavarre,'thefirstspeakerrejoinedinalaughingtone,'withoutawholeshirttohisbackoradoubletthatisdecentlynew.Come,Turenne,acknowledgethatyouarenotsobadlyoffafterall!'
　　Atthatwordthecloudwhichhaddarkenedmyfacultiessweptonasuddenaside.IsawthatthemenintowhosehandsIhadfallenworewhitefavours,theirleaderawhiteplume;andcomprehendedwithoutmorethattheKingofNavarrehadcometomyrescue,andbeatenofftheLeaguerswhohaddismountedme.Atthesamemomenttheremembranceofallthathadgonebefore,andespeciallyofthesceneIhadwitnessedintheking'schamber,rusheduponmymindwithsuchoverwhelmingforcethatIfellintoafuryofimpatienceatthethoughtofthetimeIhadwasted;andrisingupsuddenlyIthrewoffMaignanwithallmyforce,cryingoutthatIwasalive——thatIwasalive,andhadnews.
　　Theequerrydidhisbesttorestrainme,cursingmeunderhisbreathforafool,andalmost;squeezingthelifeoutofme.Butinvain,fortheKingofNavarre,ridingnearer,sawmestruggling.'Hallo!hallo!'tisastrangedeadman,'hecried,interposing.'Whatisthemeaningofthis?Lethimgo!Doyouhear,sirrah?Lethimgo!'
　　Theequerryobeyedandstoodbacksullenly,andIstaggeredtomyfeet,andlookedroundwitheyeswhichstillswamandwatered.
　　Ontheinstantacryofrecognitiongreetedme,withahundredexclamationsofastonishment.WhileIheardmynameutteredoneverysideinadozendifferenttones,IremarkedthatM.deRosny,uponwhommyeyesfirstfell,alonestoodsilent,regardingmewithafaceofsorrowfulsurprise.
　　'Byheavens,sir,Iknewnothingofthis!'IheardtheKingofNavarredeclare,addressinghimselftotheVicomtedeTurenne.
　　'Themanisherebynoconnivanceofmine.Interrogatehimyourself,ifyouwill.OrIwill.Speak,sir,'hecontinued,turningtomewithhiscountenancehardandforbidding.'Youheardmeyesterday,whatIpromisedyou?Why,inGod'sname,areyouhereto-day?'
　　Itriedtoanswer,butMaignanhadsohandledmethatIhadnotbreathenough,andstoodpanting.
　　'YourHighness'sclemencyinthismatter,'M.deTurennesaid,withasneer,'hasbeensogreathetrustedtoitscontinuance.
　　Anddoubtlesshethoughttofindyoualone.IfearIamintheway.'
　　Iknewhimbyhisfigureandhisgrandair,whichinanyothercompanywouldhavemarkedhimformaster;andforgettingtheimpatiencewhichamomentbeforehadconsumedme——doubtlessIwasstilllight-headed——Iansweredhim.'YetIhadoncethepromiseofyourlordship'sprotection,'Igasped.
　　'Myprotection,sir?'heexclaimed,hiseyesgleamingangrily.
　　'Evenso,'Ianswered.'AttheinnatEtampes,whereM.deCrillonwouldhavefoughtme.'
　　Hewasvisiblytakenaback.'Areyouthatman?'hecried.
　　'Iam.ButIamnotheretoprateofmyself,'Ireplied.Andwiththat——theremembranceofmyneglectederrandflashingonmeagain——IstaggeredtotheKingofNavarre'sside,and,fallingonmyknees,seizedhisstirrup.'Sire,Ibringyounews!greatnews!dreadfulnews!'Icried,clingingtoit.'HisMajestywasbutaquarterofanhouragostabbedinthebodyinhischamberbyavillainmonk.Andisdying,or,itmaybe,dead.'
　　'Dead?TheKing!'Turennecriedwithanoath.'Impossible!'
　　VaguelyIheardotherscrying,somethis,somethat,assurpriseandconsternation,oranger,orincredulitymovedthem.ButI
　　didnotanswerthem,forHenry,remainingsilent,heldmespellboundandawedbythe,marvellouschangewhichIsawfallonhisface.Hiseyesbecameonasuddensuffusedwithblood,andseemedtoretreatunderhisheavybrows;hischeeksturnedofabrick-redcolour;hishalf-openlipsshowedhisteethgleamingthroughhisbeard;whilehisgreatnose,whichseemedtocurveandcurveuntilitwell-nighmethischin,gavetohismobilecountenanceanaspectasstrangeasitwasterrifying.Withalheutteredforatimenoword,thoughIsawhishand,griptheriding-whipheheldinaconvulsivegrasp,asthoughhisthoughtwere''Tismine!Mine!Wrestitawaywhodares!'
　　'Bethinkyou,sir,'hesaidatlast,fixinghispiercingeyesonme,andspeakinginaharsh,lowtone,likethegrowlingofagreatdog,'thisisnojesting-time.Norwillyousaveyourskinbyaruse.Tellme,onyourperil,isthisatrick?'
　　'Heavenforbid,sire!'Iansweredwithpassion.'Iwasinthechamber,andsawit;withmyowneyes.Imountedontheinstant,androdehitherbytheshortestroutetowarnyourHighnesstolooktoyourself.Monksaremany,andtheHolyUnionisnotapttostophalf-way.'
　　Isawhebelievedme,forhisfacerelaxed.Hisbreathseemedtocomeandgoagain,andforthetenthpartofasecondhiseyessoughtM.deRosny's.Thenhelookedatmeagain.
　　'Ithankyou,sir,hesaid,bowinggravelyandcourteously,'foryourcareforme——notforyourtidings,whichareofthesorriest.Godgrantmygoodcousinandkingmaybehurtonly.
　　Nowtellusexactly——forthesegentlemenareequallyinterestedwithmyself——hadasurgeonseenhim?'
　　Irepliedinthenegative,butaddedthatthewoundwasinthegroin,andbledmuch,'Yousaidafewminutesago,"dyingoralreadydead!"'theKingofNavarrerejoined.'Why?'
　　'HisMajesty'sfacewassunken,'Istammered.
　　Henodded.'Youmaybemistaken,'hesaid.'Ipraythatyouare.ButherecomesMornay.Hemayknowmore.'
　　InamomentIwasabandoned,evenbyM.deTurenne,sogreatwastheanxietywhichpossessedalltolearnthetruth.Maignanalone,underpretenceofadjustingastirrup,remainedbesideme,andentreatedmeinalowvoicetobegone.'Takethishorse,M.
　　deMarsac,ifyouwill,'heurged,'andridebackthewayyoucame.Youhavedonewhatyoucametodo.Goback,andbethankful.'
　　'Chut!'Isaid,'thereisnodanger.'
　　'Youwillsee,'hereplieddarkly,'ifyoustayhere.Come,come,takemyadviceandthehorse,'hepersisted,'andbegone!
　　Believeme,itwillbeforthebest.'
　　Ilaughedoutrightathisearnestnessandhisfaceofperplexity.
　　'IseeyouhaveM.deRosny'sorderstogetridofme,'Isaid.
　　'ButIamnotgoing,myfriend.Hemustfindsomeotherwayoutofhisembarrassment,forhereIstay.'
　　'Well,yourbloodbeonyourownhead,'Maignanretorted,swinginghimselfintothesaddlewithagloomyface.'Ihavedonemybesttosaveyou!'
　　'Andyourmaster!'Ianswered,laughing.
　　ForflightwasthelastthingIhadinmymind.IhadriddenthisridewithaclearperceptionthattheonethingIneededwasafootingatCourt.BythespecialkindnessofProvidenceIhadnowgainedthis;andIwasnotthemantoresignitbecauseitprovedtobescantyandperilous.ItwassomethingthatIhadspokentothegreatVicomtefacetofaceandnotbeenconsumed,thatIhadgivenhimlookforlookandstillsurvived,thatIhadputinpracticeCrillon'slessonsandcometonoharm.