Takingadvantageofthelastmomentsofdaylight,Irodecautiouslyroundthehouse,and,keepingintheshadowofthetrees,hadnodifficultyindiscoveringatthenorth-eastcornerthebalconyofwhichIhadbeentold.Itwassemi-circularinshape,withastonebalustrade,andhungsomefifteenfeetaboveaterracedwalkwhichranbelowit,andwasseparatedfromthechasebyalowsunkfence.
　　Iwassurprisedtoobservethat,notwithstandingtherainandthecoldnessoftheevening,thewindowwhichgaveuponthisbalconywasopen.Norwasthisall.Luckwasinstoreformeatlast.
　　Ihadnotgazedatthewindowmorethanaminute,calculatingitsheightandotherparticulars,when,tomygreatjoy,afemalefigure,closelyhooded,steppedoutandstoodlookingupatthesky.IwastoofarofftobeabletodiscernbythatuncertainlightwhetherthiswasMademoiselledelaVireorherwoman;buttheattitudewassoclearlyoneofdejectionanddespondency,thatIfeltsureitwaseitheroneortheother.Determinednottolettheopportunityslip,Idismountedhastilyand,leavingtheCidloose,advancedonfootuntilIstoodwithinhalf-a-dozenpacesofthewindow.
　　Atthatpointthewatcherbecameawareofme.Shestartedback,butdidnotwithdraw.Stillpeeringdownatme,shecalledsoftlytosomeoneinsidethechamber,andimmediatelyasecondfigure,tallerandstouter,appeared.Ihadalreadydoffedmycap,andInow,inalowvoice,beggedtoknowifIhadthehonourofspeakingtoMademoiselledelaVire.Inthegrowingdarknessitwasimpossibletodistinguishfaces.
　　'Hush!'thestouterfiguremutteredinatoneofwarning.'Speaklower.Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouhere?'
　　'Iamhere,'Iansweredrespectfully,'commissionedbyafriendoftheladyIhavenamed,toconveyhertoaplaceofsafety.'
　　'Mondieu!'wasthesharpanswer.'Now?Itisimpossible.'
　　'No,'Imurmured,'notnow,butto-night.Themoonrisesathalf-pasttwo.Myhorsesneedrestandfood.AtthreeIwillbebelowthiswindowwiththemeansofescape,ifmademoisellechoosetousethem.'
　　Ifeltthattheywerestaringatmethroughthedusk,asthoughtheywouldreadmybreast.'Yourname,sir?'theshorterfiguremurmuredatlast,afterapausewhichwasfullofsuspenseandexcitement.
　　'Idonotthinkmynameofmuchimportatpresent,Mademoiselle,'
　　Ianswered,reluctanttoproclaimmyselfastranger.'When——'
　　'Yourname,yourname,sir!'sherepeatedimperiously,andI
　　heardherlittleheelrapuponthestonefloorofthebalcony.
　　'GastondeMarsac,'Iansweredunwillingly.
　　Theybothstarted,andcriedouttogether.'Impossible!'thelastspeakerexclaimed,amazementandangerinhertone,'Thisisajest,sir.This——'
　　WhatmoreshewouldhavesaidIwaslefttoguess,foratthatmomentherattendantIhadnodoubtnowwhichwasmademoiselleandwhichFanchette——suddenlylaidherhandonhermistress'smouthandpointedtotheroombehindthem.Asecond'ssuspense,andwithawantinggesturethetwoturnedanddisappearedthroughthewindow.
　　Ilostnotimeinregainingtheshelterofthetrees;andconcluding,thoughIwasfarfromsatisfiedwiththeinterview,thatIcoulddonothingmorenow,butmightrather,byloiteringintheneighbourhood,awakensuspicion,Iremountedandmadeforthehighwayandthevillage,whereIfoundmymeninnoisyoccupationoftheinn,apoorplace,withunglazedwindows,andafireinthemiddleoftheearthenfloor.MyfirstcarewetstostabletheCidinashedattheback,whereIprovidedforitswantsasfarasIcouldwiththeaidofahalf-nakedboy,whoseemedtobeinhidingthere.
　　Thisdone,Ireturnedtothefrontofthehouse,havingprettywellmadeupmymindhowIwouldsetaboutthetaskbeforeme.
　　AsIpassedoneofthewindows,whichwaspartiallyclosedbyarudecurtainmadeofoldsacks,Istoppedtolookin.Fresnoyandhisfourrascalswereseatedonblocksofwoodroundthehearth,talkingloudlyandfiercely,andrufflingitasifthefireandtheroomweretheirown.Apedlar,seatedonhisgoodsinonecorner,waseyeingthemwithevidentfearandsuspicion;
　　inanothercornertwochildrenhadtakenrefugeunderadonkey,whichsomefowlshadchosenasaroosting-pole.Theinnkeeper,asturdyfellow,withagreatclubinhisfist,satmoodilyatthefootofaladderwhichledtotheloftabove,whileaslatternlywoman,whowasgoingtoandfrogettingsupper,seemedinequalterrorofherguestsandhergoodman.
　　ConfirmedbywhatIsaw,andassuredthatthevillainswereripeforanymischief,and,ifnotchecked,wouldspeedilybebeyondmycontrol,Inoisilyflungthedooropenandentered.FresnoylookedupwithasneerasIdidso,andoneofthemenlaughed.
　　Theothersbecamesilent;butnoonemovedorgreetedme.
　　Withoutamoment'shesitationIsteppedtothenearestfellowand,withasturdykick,senthislogfromunderhim.'Rise,yourascal,whenIenter!'Icried,givingventtotheangerIhadlongfelt.'Andyou,too!'andwithasecondkickIsenthisneighbour'sstoolflyingalso,andadministeredacoupleofcutswithmyriding-caneacrosstheman'sshoulders.'Haveyounomanners,sirrah?Acrosswithyou,andleavethissidetoyourbetters.'
　　Thetworose,snarlingandfeelingfortheirweapons,andforamomentstoodfacingme,lookingnowatmeandnowaskanceatFresnoy.Butashegavenosign,andtheircomradesonlylaughed,themen'scouragefailedthematthepinch,andwithaverypoorgracetheysneakedovertotheothersideofthefireandsatthere,scowling.
　　Iseatedmyselfbesidetheirleader.'ThisgentlemanandIwilleathere,'Icriedtothemanatthefootoftheladder.'Bidyourwifelayforus,andofthebestyouhave;anddoyougivethoseknavestheirprovenderwherethesmelloftheirgreasyjacketswillnotcomebetweenusandourvictuals.'
　　Themancameforward,gladenough,asIsaw,todiscoveranyoneinauthority,andverycivillybegantodrawwineandplaceaboardforus,whilehiswifefilledourplattersfromtheblackpotwhichhungoverthefire.Fresnoy'sfacemeanwhileworetheamusedsmileofonewhocomprehendedmymotives,butfeltsufficientlysureofhispositionandinfluencewithhisfollowerstobeindifferenttomyproceedings.Ipresentlyshowedhim,however,thatIhadnotyetdonewithhim.Ourtablewaslaidinobediencetomyordersatsuchadistancefromthementhattheycouldnotoverhearourtalk,andby-and-byIleantovertohim.
　　'M.Fresnoy,'Isaid,'youareindangerofforgettingonething,Ifancy,whichitbehovesyoutoremember.'
　　'What?'hemuttered,scarcelydeigningtolookupatme.
　　'ThatyouhavetodowithGastondeMarsac,'Iansweredquietly.
　　'Iammaking,asItoldyouthismorning,alastattempttorecruitmyfortunes,andIwillletnoman——noman,doyouunderstand,M.Fresnoy?——thwartmeandgoharmless.'
　　'Whowishestothwartyou?'heaskedimpudently.
　　'You,'Iansweredunmoved,helpingmyself,asIspoke,fromtherollofblackbreadwhichlaybesideme.'Yourobbedmethisafternoon;Ipasseditover.Youencouragedthosementobeinsolent;Ipasseditover.Butletmetellyouthis.Ifyoufailmeto-night,onthehonourofagentleman,M.Fresnoy,I
　　willrunyouthroughasIwouldspitalark.'
　　'Willyou?Buttwocanplayatthatgame,'hecried,risingnimblyfromhisstool.'Stillbettersix!Don'tyouthink,M.
　　deMarsac,youhadbetterhavewaited——?'
　　'Ithinkyouhadbetterhearonewordmore,'Iansweredcoolly,keepingmyseat,'beforeyouappealtoyourfellowsthere.'
　　'Well,'hesaid,stillstanding,'whatisit?'
　　'Nay,'Ireplied,afteroncemorepointingtohisstoolinvain,'ifyouprefertotakemyordersstanding,wellandgood.'
　　'Yourorders?'heshrieked,growingsuddenlyexcited.
　　'Yes,myorders!'Iretorted,risingassuddenlytomyfeetandhitchingforwardmysword.'Myorders,sir,'Irepeatedfiercely,'or,ifyoudisputemyrighttocommandaswellastopaythisparty,letusdecidethequestionhereandnow——youandI,foottofoot,M.Fresnoy.'
　　Thequarrelflashedupsosuddenly,thoughIhadbeenpreparingitallalong,thatnoonemoved.Thewomanindeed,fellbacktoherchildren,buttherestlookedonopen-mouthed.Hadtheystirred,orhadamoment'shurly-burlyheatedhisblood,IdoubtnotFresnoywouldhavetakenupmychallenge,forhedidnotlackhardihood.Butasitwas,facetofacewithmeinthesilence,hiscouragefailedhim.Hepaused,gloweringatmeuncertainly,anddidnotspeak.
　　'Well,'Isaid,'don'tyouthinkthatifIpayIoughttogiveorders,sir?'
　　'Whowishestoopposeyourorders?'hemuttered,drinkingoffabumper,andsittingdownwithanairofimpudentbravado,assumedtohidehisdiscomfiture.
　　'Ifyoudon't,nooneelsedoes,'Ianswered.Sothatissettled.Landlord,somemorewine.'
　　Hewasverysulkywithmeforawhile,fingeringhisglassinsilenceandscowlingatthetable.Hehadenoughgentilitytofeelthehumiliationtowhichhehadexposedhimself,andasufficiencyofwittounderstandthatthatmoment'shesitationhadcosthimtheallegianceofhisfellow-ruffians.Ihastened,therefore,tosethimathiseasebyexplainingmyplansforthenight,andpresentlysucceededbeyondmyhopes;forwhenheheardwhotheladywaswhomIproposedtocarryoff,andthatshewaslyingthateveningattheChateaudeChize,hissurprisesweptawaythelasttraceofresentment.Hestaredatme,asatamaniac.
　　'MonDieu!'heexclaimed.'Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing,Sieur?'
　　'Ithinkso,'Ianswered.
　　'Doyouknowtowhomthechateaubelongs?'
　　'TotheVicomtedeTurenne.'
　　'AndthatMademoiselledelaVireishisrelation?'
　　'Yes,'Isaid.
　　'MonDieu!'heexclaimedagain.Andhelookedatmeopen-
　　mouthed.
　　'Whatisthematter?'Iasked,thoughIhadanuneasyconsciousnessthatIknew——thatIknewverywell.
　　'Man,hewillcrushyouasIcrushthishat!'heansweredingreatexcitement.'Aseasily.Whodoyouthinkwillprotectyoufromhiminaprivatequarrelofthiskind?Navarre?France?
　　ourgoodman?Notoneofthem.Youhadbetterstealtheking'scrownjewels——heisweak;orGuise'slastplot——heisgenerousattimes,orNavarre'slastsweetheart——heisaseasyasanoldshoe.Youhadbetterhavetodowithallthesetogether,Itellyou,thantouchTurenne'sewe-lambs,unlessyouraimbetobebrokenonthewheel!MonDieu,yes!'
　　'Iammuchobligedtoyouforyouradvice,'Isaidstiffly,'butthedieiscast.Mymindismadeup.Ontheotherhand,ifyouareafraid,M.Fresnoy——'
　　'Iamafraid;verymuchafraid,'heansweredfrankly.
　　'Stillyournameneednotbebroughtintothematter,'Ireplied,'Iwilltaketheresponsibility.Iwillletthemknowmynamehereattheinn,where,doubtless,inquirieswillbemade.'
　　'Tobesure,thatissomething,'heanswered.thoughtfully.
　　'Well,itisanuglybusiness,butIaminforit.Youwantmetogowithyoualittleaftertwo,doyou?andtheotherstobeinthesaddleatthree?Isthatit?'
　　Iassented,pleasedtofindhimsofaracquiescent;andinthisway,talkingthedetailsovermorethanonce,wesettledourcourse,arrangingtoflybywayofPoitiersandTours.OfcourseIdidnottellhimwhyIselectedBloisasourrefuge,norwhatwasmypurposethere;thoughhepressedmemorethanonceonthepoint,andgrewthoughtfulandsomewhatgloomywhenIcontinuallyevadedit.Alittleaftereightweretiredtothelofttosleep;
　　ourmenremainingbelowroundthefireandsnoringsomerrilyasalmosttoshakethecrazyoldbuilding.Thehostwaschargedtositupandcallusassoonasthemoonrose,but,asitturnedout,Imightaswellhavetakenthisofficeonmyself,forbetweenexcitementanddistrustIsleptlittle,andwaswideawakewhenIheardhisstepontheladderandknewitwastimetorise.
　　Iwasupinamoment,andFresnoywaslittlebehindme;sothat,losingnotimeintalk,weweremountedandontheroad,eachwithasparehorseathisknee,beforethemoonwaswellabovethetrees.OnceintheChasewefounditnecessarytoproceedonfoot,but,thedistancebeingshort,wepresentlyemergedwithoutmisadventureandstoodoppositetothechateau,theupperpartofwhichshonecoldandwhiteinthemoon'srays.
　　Therewassomethingsosolemnintheaspectoftheplace,thenightbeingfineandtheskywithoutacloud,thatIstoodforaminuteawedandimpressed,thesenseoftheresponsibilityIwasheretoacceptstronguponme.Inthatshortspaceoftimeallthedangersbeforeme,aswellthecommonrisksoftheroadasthevengeanceofTurenneandtheturbulenceofmyownmen,presentedthemselvestomymind,andmadealastappealtometoturnbackfromanenterprisesofoolhardy.Thebloodinaman'sveinsrunslowandslowatthathour,andminewaschilledbylackofsleepandthewintryair.Itneededtheremembranceofmysolitarycondition,ofmypastspentinstraitsandfailure,ofthegreyhairswhichsweptmycheek,oftheswordwhichIhadlongusedhonourably,ifwithlittleprofittomyself;itneededthethoughtofallthesethingstorestoremetocourageandmyself.
　　Ijudgedatalaterperiodthatmycompanionwasaffectedinsomewhatthesameway;for,asIstoopedtopresshomethepegswhichIhadbroughttotetherthehorses,helaidhishandonmyarm.Glancinguptoseewhathewanted,Iwasstruckbythewildlookinhisfacewhichthemoonlightinvestedwithapeculiarmottledpallor,andparticularlyinhiseyes,whichglitteredlikeamadman's.Hetriedtospeak,butseemedtofindadifficultyindoingso;andIhadtoquestionhimroughlybeforehefoundhistongue.Whenhedidspeak,itwasonlytoimploremeinanodd,excitedmannertogiveuptheexpeditionandreturn.
　　'What,now?'Isaid,surprised.'Nowwearehere,Fresnoy?'
　　'Ay,giveitup!'hecried,shakingmealmostfiercelybythearm.'Giveitup,man!Itwillendbadly,Itellyou!InGod'sname,giveitup,andgohomebeforeworsecomesofit.'
　　'Whatevercomesofit,'Iansweredcoldly,shakinghisgraspfrommyarm,andwonderingmuchatthissuddenfitofcowardice,'Igoon.You,M.Fresnoy,maydoasyouplease!'
　　Hestartedanddrewbackfromme;buthedidnotreply,nordidhespeakagain.WhenIpresentlywentofftofetchaladder,ofthepositionofwhichIhadmadeanoteduringtheafternoon,heaccompaniedme,andfollowedmebackinthesamedullsilencetothewalkbelowthebalcony.Ihadlookedmorethanonceandeagerlyatmademoiselle'swindowwithoutanylightormovementinthatquarterrewardingmyvigilance;but,undeterredbythis,whichmightmeaneitherthatmyplotwasknown,orthatMademoiselledelaViredistrustedme,Isettheladdersoftlyagainstthebalcony,whichwasindeepshadow,andpausedonlytogiveFresnoyhislastinstructions.Theseweresimplytostandonguardatthefootoftheladderanddefenditincaseofsurprise;sothat,whateverhappenedinsidethechateau,myretreatbythewindowmightnotbecutoff.
　　ThenIwentcautiouslyuptheladder,and,withmysheathedswordinmylefthand,steppedoverthebalustrade.Takingonepaceforward,withfingersoutstretched,Ifelttheleadedpanesofthewindowandtappedsoftly.
　　Assoftlythecasementgaveway,andIfollowedit.AhandwhichIcouldseebutnotfeelwaslaidonmine.Allwasdarknessintheroom,andbeforeme,butthehandguidedmetwopacesforward,thenbyasuddenpressurebademestand.Iheardthesoundofa,curtainbeingdrawnbehindme,andthenextmomentthecoverofarushlightwasremoved,andafeeblebutsufficientlightfilledthechamber.
　　Icomprehendedthatthedrawingofthatcurtainoverthewindowhadcutoffmyretreataseffectuallyasifadoorhadbeenclosedbehindme.Butdistrustandsuspiciongavewaythenextmomenttothenaturalembarrassmentofthemanwhofindshimselfinafalsepositionandknowshecanescapefromitonlybyanawkwardexplanation.
　　TheroominwhichIfoundmyselfwaslong,narrow,andlowintheceiling;andbeinghungwithsomedarkstuffwhichswallowedupthelight,terminatedfunereallyatthefartherendinthestilldeepergloomofanalcove.Twoorthreehugechests,onebearingtheremnantsofameal,stoodagainstthewalls.Themiddleofthefloorwascoveredwithastripofcoarsematting,onwhichasmalltable,achairandfoot-rest,andacoupleofstoolshadplace,withsomesmallerarticleswhichlayscatteredroundapairofhalf-filledsaddle-bags.TheslighterandsmallerofthetwofiguresIhadseenstoodbesidethetable,wearingamaskandridingcloak;andbyhersilentmannerofgazingatme,aswellasbyacold,disdainfulbearing,whichneitherhermasknorcloakcouldhide,didmoretochillanddiscomfitmethanevenmyownknowledgethatIhadlostthepass-keywhichshouldhaveadmittedmetoherconfidence.
　　Thestouterfigureoftheafternoonturnedouttobeared-
　　cheeked,sturdywomanofthirty,withbrightblackeyesandamannerwhichlostnothingofitsfierceimpatiencewhenshecamealittlelatertoaddressme.AllmyideasofFanchettewereupsetbytheappearanceofthiswoman,who,rusticinherspeechandways,seemedmorelikeaduenna,thanthewaiting-maidofacourtbeauty,andbetterfittedtoguardawaywarddamselthantoaidherinsuchanescapadeaswehadinhand.
　　Shestoodslightlybehindhermistress,hercoarseredhandrestingonthebackofthechairfromwhichmademoisellehadapparentlyrisenonmyentrance.Forafewseconds,whichseemedminutestome,westoodgazingatoneanotherinsilence,mademoiselleacknowledgingmybowbyaslightmovementofthehead.Then,seeingthattheywaitedformetospeak,Ididso.
　　'MademoiselledelaVire?'Imurmureddoubtfully.
　　Shebentherheadagain;thatwasall.
　　Istrovetospeakwithconfidence.'Youwillpardonme,mademoiselle,'Isaid,'ifIseemtobeabrupt,buttimeiseverything.Thehorsesarestandingwithinahundredyardsofthehouse,andallthepreparationsforyourflightaremade.Ifweleavenow,wecandosowithoutopposition.Thedelayevenofanhourmayleadtodiscovery.'
　　Foranswershelaughedbehindhermask-laughedcoldlyandironically.'Yougotoofast,sir,'shesaid,herlowclearvoicematchingthelaughandrousingafeelingalmostofangerinmyheart.'Idonotknowyou;or,rather,Iknownothingofyouwhichshouldentitleyoutointerfereinmyaffairs.Youaretooquicktopresume,sir.Yousayyoucomefromafriend.Fromwhom?'
　　'FromonewhomIamproudtocallbythattitle,'IansweredwithwhatpatienceImight.
　　'Hisname!'
　　IansweredfirmlythatIcouldnotgiveit.AndIeyedhersteadilyasIdidso.
　　Thisforthemomentseemedtobaffleandconfuseher,butafterapauseshecontinued:'Wheredoyouproposetotakeme,sir?'
　　'ToBlois;tothelodgingofafriendofmyfriend.'
　　'Youspeakbravely,'sherepliedwithafaintsneer.'Youhavemadesomegreatfriendslatelyitseems!Butyoubringmesomeletter,nodoubt;atleastsomesign,sometoken,somewarranty,thatyouarethepersonyoupretendtobe,M.deMarsac?'
　　'Thetruthis,Mademoiselle,'Istammered,'Imustexplain.I
　　shouldtellyou——'
　　'Nay,sir,'shecriedimpetuously,'thereisnoneedoftelling.
　　IfyouhavewhatIsay,showitme!Itisyouwholosetime.
　　Letushavenomorewords!'
　　Ihadusedveryfewwords,and,Godknows,wasnotinthemindtousemany;but,beinginthewrong,Ihadnoanswertomakeexceptthetruth,andthathumbly.'Ihadsuchatokenasyoumention,mademoiselle,'Isaid,'nofartherbackthanthisafternoon,intheshapeofhalfagoldcoin,entrustedtomebymyfriend.
　　But,tomyshameIsayit,itwasstolenfrommeafewhoursback.'
　　'Stolenfromyou!'sheexclaimed.
　　'Yes,mademoiselle;andforthatreasonIcannotshowit,'I
　　answered.
　　'Youcannotshowit?Andyoudaretocometomewithoutit!'
　　shecried,speakingwithavehemencewhichfairlystartledme,preparedasIwasforreproaches.Youcometome!You!'shecontinued.Andwiththat,scarcelystoppingtotakebreath,sheloadedmewithabuse;callingmeimpertinent,ameddler,andahundredotherthings,whichInowblushtorecall,anddisplayinginallapassionwhicheveninherattendantwouldhavesurprisedme,butinonesoslightandseeminglydelicate,overwhelmedandconfoundedme.InfaultasIwas,Icouldnotunderstandthepeculiarbitternessshedisplayed,orthecontemptuousforceofherlanguage,andIstaredatherinsilentwonderuntil,ofherownaccord,shesuppliedthekeytoherfeelings.Inafreshoutburstofrageshesnatchedoffhermask,andtomyastonishmentIsawbeforemetheyoungmaidofhonourwhomIhadencounteredintheKingofNavarre'santechamber,andwhomIhadbeensounfortunateastoexposetotherailleryofMathurine.
　　'Whohaspaidyou,sir,'shecontinued,clenchinghersmallhandsandspeakingwithtearsofangerinhereyes,'tomakemethelaughing-stockoftheCourt?ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtyoutheproperagentofthosetowhomIhavearighttolookforaid!ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtmyselfforced,throughtheirinconsideratechoice,todecidebetweenanodiousimprisonmentandtheridiculetowhichyourinterventionmustexposeme!Butthatyoushouldhavedared,ofyourownnotion,tofollowme,you,thebuttoftheCourt——'
　　'Mademoiselle!'Icried.
　　'Aneedy,out-at-elbowsadventurer!'shepersisted,triumphinginhercruelty.'Itexceedsallbearing!Itisnottobesuffered!It——'
　　'Nay,mademoiselle;youSHALLhearme!'Icried,withasternnesswhichatlaststoppedher.'GrantedIampoor,Iamstillagentleman;yes,mademoiselle,'Icontinued,firmly,'agentleman,andthelastofafamilywhichhasspokenwithyoursonequalterms.AndIclaimtobeheard.IswearthatwhenI
　　camehereto-nightIbelievedyoutobeaperfectstranger!I
　　wasunawarethatIhadeverseenyou,unawarethatIhadevermetyoubefore,'
　　'Thenwhydidyoucome?'shesaidviciously.
　　'Iwasengagedtocomebythosewhomyouhavementioned,andthere,andthereonlyamIinfault.TheyentrustedtomeatokenwhichIhavelost.ForthatIcraveyourpardon.'
　　'Youhaveneedto,'sheansweredbitterly,yetwithachangedcountenance,orIwasmistaken,'ifyourstorybetrue,sir.'
　　'Ay,thatyouhave!'thewomanbesideherechoed.
　　'Hoitytoity,indeed!Hereisafussaboutnothing.Youcallyourselfagentleman,andwearsuchadoubletas——'
　　'Peace,Fanchette"mademoisellesaidimperiously.Andthenforamomentshestoodsilent,eyeingmeintently,herlipstremblingwithexcitementandtworedspotsburninginhercheeks.Itwasclearfromherdressandotherthingsthatshehadmadeuphermindtoflyhadthetokenbeenforthcoming;andseeingthis,andknowinghowunwillingayounggirlistoforgoherownway,I
　　stillhadsomehopesthatshemightnotpersevereinherdistrustandrefusal.Andsoitturnedout.
　　Hermannerhadchangedtooneofquietscornwhenshenextspoke.
　　'Youdefendyourselfskilfully,sir,'shesaid,drummingwithherfingersonthetableandeyeingmesteadfastly.'Butcanyougivemeanyreasonforthepersonyounamemakingchoiceofsuchamessenger?'
　　'Yes,'Ianswered,boldly.'Thathemaynotbesuspectedofconnivingatyourescape.'
　　'Oh!'shecried,withasparkofherformerpassion.'ThenitistobeputaboutthatMademoiselledelaVirehadfledfromChizewithM.deMarsac,isit?Ithoughtthat!'
　　'ThroughtheassistanceofM.deMarsac,'Iretorted,correctinghercoldly.'Itisforyou,mademoiselle,'Icontinued,'toweighthatdisadvantageagainsttheunpleasantnessofremaininghere.Itonlyremainsformetoaskyoutodecidequickly.Timepresses,andIhavestayedheretoolongalready.'
　　Thewordshadbarelypassedmylipswhentheyreceivedunwelcomeconfirmationintheshapeofadistantsound——thenoisyclosingofadoor,which,clangingthroughthehouseatsuchanhour——I
　　judgedittobeafterthreeo'clock——couldscarcelymeananythingbutmischief.Thisnoisewasfollowedimmediately,evenwhilewestoodlisteningwithraisedfingers,byothersounds——amuffledcry,andthetrampofheavyfootstepsinadistantpassage.Mademoisellelookedatme,andIatherwoman.'Thedoor!'Imuttered.'Isitlocked?'
　　'Andbolted!'Fanchetteanswered;'andagreatchestsetagainstit.Letthemramp;theywilldonoharmforabit.'
　　'Thenyouhavestilltime,mademoiselle,'Iwhispered,retreatingastepandlayingmyhandonthecurtainbeforethewindow.
　　PerhapsIaffectedgreatercoolnessthanIfelt.'Itisnottoolate.Ifyouchoosetoremain,wellandgood.Icannothelpit.
　　If,ontheotherhand,youdecidetotrustyourselftome,I
　　swear,onthehonourofagentleman,tobeworthyofthetrust——
　　toserveyoutrulyandprotectyoutothelast!Icansaynomore.'
　　Shetrembled,lookingfrommetothedoor,onwhichsomeonehadjustbeguntoknockloudly.Thatseemedtodecideher.Herlipsapart,hereyesfullofexcitement,sheturnedhastilytoFanchette.
　　'Ay,goifyoulike,'thewomananswereddoggedly,readingthemeaningofherlook.'Therecannotbeagreatervillainthantheoneweknowof.Butoncestarted,heavenhelpus,forifheovertakesuswe'llpaydearlyforit!'
　　Thegirldidnotspeakherself,butitwasenough.Thenoiseatthedoorincreasedeachsecond,andbegantobemingledwithangryappealstoFanchettetoopen,andwiththreatsincaseshedelayed.Icutthemattershortbysnatchinguponeofthesaddle-bags——theotherweleftbehind——andflungbackthecurtainwhichcoveredthewindow.Atthesametimethewomandashedoutthelight——atimelyprecaution——andthrowingopenthecasementI
　　steppedontothebalcony,theothersfollowingmeclosely.
　　Themoonhadrisenhigh,andfloodingwithlightthesmallopenspaceaboutthehouseenabledmetoseeclearlyallroundthefootoftheladder,tomysurpriseFresnoywasnotathispost,norwashetobeseenanywhere;butas,atthemomentIobservedthis,anoutcryawaytomyleft,attherearofthechateau,cametomyears,andannouncedthatthedangerwasnolongerconfinedtotheinteriorofthehouse,Iconcludedthathehadgonethatwaytointercepttheattack.Withoutmore,therefore,IbegantodescendasquicklyasIcould,myswordunderonearmandthebagundertheother.
　　Iwashalf-waydown,andmademoisellewasalreadysteppingontotheladdertofollow,whenIheardfootstepsbelow,andsawhimrunup,hisswordinhishand.
　　'Quick,Fresnoy!'Icried.'Tothehorsesandunfastenthem!
　　quick!'
　　Isliddowntherestoftheway,thinkinghehadgonetodomybidding.Butmyfeetwerescarcelyonthegroundwhenatremendousblowinthesidesentmestaggeringthreepacesfromtheladder.Theattackwassosudden,sounexpected,thatbutforthesightofFresnoy'sscowlingface,wildwithrage,atmyshoulder,andthesoundofhisfiercebreathingashestrovetoreleasehissword,whichhadpassedthroughmysaddle-bag,I
　　mightneverhaveknownwhostrucktheblow,orhownarrowhadbeenmyescape.
　　Fortunatelytheknowledgedidcometomeintime,andbeforehefreedhisblade;anditnervedmyhand.Todrawmy-bladeatsuchclosequarterswasimpossible,but,droppingthebagwhichhadsavedmylife,Idashedmyhilttwiceinhisfacewithsuchviolencethathefellbackwardsandlayontheturf,adarkstaingrowingandspreadingonhisupturnedface.
　　Itwasscarcelydonebeforethewomenreachedthefootoftheladderandstoodbesideme.'Quick!'Icriedtothem,'ortheywillbeuponus.'Seizingmademoiselle'shand,justashalf-a-
　　dozenmencamerunningroundthecornerofthehouse,Ijumpedwithherdownthehaha,and,urginghertoherutmostspeed,dashedacrosstheopengroundwhichlaybetweenusandthebeltoftrees.Onceintheshelterofthelatter,whereourmovementswerehiddenfromview,Ihadstilltofreethehorsesandmountmademoiselleandherwoman,andthisinhaste.Butmycompanions'admirablecoolnessandpresenceofmind,andtheobjectionwhichourpursuers,whodidnotknowournumbers,felttoleavingtheopenground,enabledustodoallwith,comparativeease.IsprangontheCidithasalwaysbeenmyhabittoteachmyhorsetostandforme,nordoIknowanyaccomplishmentmoreserviceableatapinch,andgivingFresnoy'sgreyacutovertheflankswhichdespatcheditahead,ledthewaydowntheridebywhichIhadgainedthechateauintheafternoon.
　　Iknewittobelevelandclearoftrees,andthefactthatwechoseitmightthrowourpursuersoffthetrackforatime,byleadingthemtothinkwehadtakenthesouthroadinsteadofthatthroughthevillage.
　　CHAPTERV.
　　THEROADTOBLOIS.
　　Wegainedtheroadwithoutletorhindrance,whenceasharpburstinthemoonlightsoonbroughtustothevillage.Throughthiswesweptontotheinn,almostrunningoverthefourevangelists,whomwefoundstandingatthedoorreadyforthesaddle.Ibadethem,inaquickperemptorytone,togettohorse,andwasoverjoyedtoseethemobeywithoutdemurorwordofFresnoy.Inanotherminute,withagreatclatterofhoofs,wesprangclearofthehamlet,andwerewellontheroadtoMelle,withPoitierssomethirteenleaguesbeforeus.Ilookedback,andthoughtI
　　discernedlightsmovinginthedirectionofthechateau;butthedawnwasstilltwohoursoff,andthemoonlightleftmeindoubtwhetherthesewererealorthecreaturesofmyownfearfulfancy.
　　Iremember,threeyearsbeforethistime,ontheoccasionofthefamousretreatfromAngers——whenthePrinceofCondehadinvolvedhisarmybeyondtheLoire,andsawhimself,intheimpossibilityofrecrossingtheriver,compelledtotakeshipforEngland,leavingeveryonetoshiftforhimself——Iwellrememberonthatoccasionriding,aloneandpistolinhand,throughmorethanthirtymilesoftheenemy'scountrywithoutdrawingrein.Butmyanxietieswerethenconfinedtothefourshoesofmyhorse.ThedangerstowhichIwasexposedateveryfordandcrossroadweresuchasareinseparablefromacampaign,andbreedingenerousheartsonlyafiercepleasure,rarelytobeotherwiseenjoyed.
　　AndthoughIthenrodewarily,andwhereIcouldnotcarryterror,hadalltofearmyself,therewasnothingsecretorunderhandinmybusiness.
　　Itwasverydifferentnow.DuringthefirstfewhoursofourflightfromChizeIexperiencedapainfulexcitement,analarm,afeverishanxietytogetforward,whichwasnewtome;whichoppressedmyspiritstotheveryground;whichledmetotakeeverysoundbornetousonthewindforthesoundofpursuit,transformingtheclangofahammerontheanvilintotheringofswords,andthevoicesofmyownmenintothoseofthepursuers.
　　Itwasinvainmademoisellerodewithafreehand,andleapingsuchobstaclesaslayinourway,gavepromiseofcourageandendurancebeyondmyexpectations.Icouldthinkofnothingbutthethreelongday'sbeforeus,withtwenty-fourhourstoeveryday,andeachhourfraughtwithahundredchancesofdisasterandruin.
　　Infact,thelongerIconsideredourposition——andaswepoundedalong,nowsplashingthroughafounderoushollow,nowstumblingaswewoundoverastonyshoulder,Ihadampletimetoreflectuponit——thegreaterseemedthedifficultiesbeforeus.ThelossofFresnoy,whileitfreedmefromsomeembarrassment,meantalsothelossofagoodsword,andwehadmusteredonlytoofewbefore.ThecountrywhichlaybetweenusandtheLoire,beingtheborderlandbetweenourpartyandtheLeague,hadbeenlaiddesolatesooftenastobeabandonedtopillageanddisorderofeverykind.Thepeasantshadflockedintothetowns.Theirplaceshadbeentakenbybandsofrobbersanddesertersfrombothparties,whohauntedtheruinedvillagesaboutPoitiers,andpreyeduponallwhodaredtopass.Toaddtoourperils,theroyalarmyundertheDukeofNeverswasreportedtobemovingslowlysouthward,notveryfartotheleftofourroad;whileaHuguenotexpeditionagainstNiortwasalsoinprogresswithinafewleaguesofus.
　　Withfourstaunchandtrustworthycomradesatmyback,Imighthavefacedeventhissituationwithasmileandalightheart;
　　buttheknowledgethatmyfourknavesmightmutinyatanymoment,or,worsestill,ridthemselvesofmeandallrestraintbyasingletreacherousblowsuchasFresnoyhadaimedatme,filledmewithanever-presentdread;whichittaxedmyutmostenergiestohidefromthem,andwhichIstroveinvaintoconcealfrommademoiselle'skeenervision.
　　Whetheritwasthishadaneffectuponher,givingherameaneropinionofmethanthatwhichIhadforawhilehopedsheentertained,orthatshebegan,nowitwastoolate,toregretherflightandresentmypartinit,Iscarcelyknow;butfromdaybreakonwardssheassumedanattitudeofcoldsuspiciontowardsme,whichwasonlylessunpleasantthanthescornfuldistanceofhermannerwhenshedeigned,whichwasseldom,toaddressme.
　　NotoncedidsheallowmetoforgetthatIwasinhereyesaneedyadventurer,paidbyherfriendstoescorthertoaplaceofsafety,butwithoutanyclaimtothesmallestprivilegeofintimacyorequality.WhenIwouldhaveadjustedhersaddle,shebadeherwomancomeandholdupherskirt,thatmyhandsmightnottouchitshemevenbyaccident.AndwhenIwouldhavebroughtwinetoheratMelle,wherewestayedfortwentyminutes,shecalledFanchettetohandittoher.Sherodeforthemostpartinhermask;andwithherwoman.Onegoodeffectonlyherprideandreservehad;theyimpressedourmenwithastrongsenseofherimportance,andthedangertowhichanyinterferencewithhermightexposethem.
　　ThetwomenwhomFresnoyhadenlistedIdirectedtorideascoreofpacesinadvance.LukeandJohnIplacedintherear.InthismannerIthoughttokeepthemsomewhatapart.Formyself,I
　　proposedtorideabreastofmademoiselle,butshemadeitsoclearthatmyneighbourhooddispleasedherthatIfellback,leavinghertoridewithFanchette;andcontentedmyselfwithploddingattheirheels,andstrivingtoattachthelaterevangeliststomyinterests.
　　Weweresofortunate,despitemyfears,astofindtheroadnearlydeserted——as,alas,wasmuchofthecountryoneitherside——andtomeetnonebutsmallpartiestravellingalongit;whoweregladenough,seeingthevillainouslooksofouroutriders,togiveusawideberth,andbequitofusforthefright.WeskirtedLusignan,shunningthestreets,butpassingnearenoughformetopointouttomademoisellethesiteofthefamoustowerbuilt,accordingtotradition,bythefairyMelusina,andrasedthirteenyearsbackbytheLeaguers.Shereceivedmyinformationsofrigidly,however,thatIofferednomore,butfellbackshruggingmyshoulders,androdeinsilence,until,sometwohoursafternoon,thecityofPoitierscameintosight,lyingwithinitscircleofwallsandtowersonalowhillinthemiddleofacountryclothedinsummerwithrichvineyards,butnowbrownandbareandcheerlesstotheeye.
　　FanchetteturnedandaskedmeabruptlyifthatwerePoitiers.
　　Iansweredthatitwas,butaddedthatforcertainreasonsI
　　proposednottohalt,buttolieatavillagealeaguebeyondthecity,wheretherewasatolerableinn.
　　'Weshalldoverywellhere,'thewomanansweredrudely.'Anyway,myladywillgonofarther.Sheistiredandcold,andwetbesides,andhasgonefarenough.'
　　'Still,'Ianswered,nettledbythewoman'sfamiliarity,'Ithinkmademoisellewillchangehermindwhenshehearsmyreasonsforgoingfarther.'
　　'Mademoiselledoesnotwishtohearthem,sir,'theladyrepliedherself,andverysharply.
　　'Nevertheless,Ithinkyouhadbetterhearthem,'Ipersisted,turningtoherrespectfully.'Yousee,mademoiselle——'
　　'Iseeonlyonething,sir,'sheexclaimed,snatchingoffhermaskanddisplayingacountenancebeautifulindeed,butflushedforthemomentwithangerandimpatience,'that,whateverbetides,IstayatPoitiersto-night.'
　　'Ifitwouldcontentyoutorestanhour?'Isuggestedgently.
　　'Itwillnotcontentme!'sherejoinedwithspirit.'Andletmetellyou,sir,'shewentonimpetuously,'onceforall,thatyoutaketoomuchuponyourself.Youareheretoescortme,andtogiveorderstotheseragamuffins,fortheyarenothingbetter,withwhomyouhavethoughtfittodisgraceourcompany;butnottogiveorderstomeortocontrolmymovements.Confineyourselfforthefuture,sir,toyourduties,ifyouplease.'
　　'Idesireonlytoobeyyou,'Ianswered,suppressingtheangryfeelingswhichroseinmybreast,andspeakingascoollyaslayinmypower.'But,asthefirstofmydutiesistoprovideforyoursafety,Iamdeterminedtoomitnothingwhichcanconducetothatend.Youhavenotconsideredthat,ifapartyinpursuitofusreachesPoitiersto-night,searchwillbemadeforusinthecity,andweshallbetaken.If,ontheotherhand,weareknowntohavepassedthrough,thehuntmaygonofarther;certainlywillgonofartherto-night.Thereforewemustnot,mademoiselle,'Iaddedfirmly,'lieinPoitiersto-night.'
　　'Sir,'sheexclaimed,lookingatme,herfacecrimsonwithwonderandindignation,'doyoudareto——?'
　　'Idaredomyduty,mademoiselle,'Ianswered,pluckingupaspirit,thoughmyheartwassore.'Iamamanoldenoughtobeyourfather,andwithlittletolose,orIhadnotbeenhere.I
　　carenothingwhatyouthinkorwhatyousayofme,providedIcandowhatIhaveundertakentodoandplaceyousafelyinthehandsofyourfriends.Butenough,mademoiselle,weareatthegate.
　　Ifyouwillpermitme,Iwillridethroughthestreetsbesideyou.Weshallsoattractlessattention.'
　　Withoutwaitingforapermissionwhichshewasveryunlikelytogive,Ipushedmyhorseforward,andtookmyplacebesideher,signingtoFanchettetofallback.Themaidobeyed,speechlesswithindignation;whilemademoiselleflashedascathingglanceatmeandlookedroundinhelplessanger,asthoughitwasinhermindtoappealagainstmeeventothepassers-by.Butshethoughtbetterofit,andcontentingherselfwithmutteringtheword'Impertinent'putonhermaskwithfingerswhichtrembled,I
　　fancy,notalittle.
　　Asmallrainwasfallingandtheafternoonwaswelladvancedwhenweenteredthetown,butInoticedthat,notwithstandingthis,thestreetspresentedabusyandanimatedappearance,beingfullofknotsofpeopleengagedinearnesttalk.Abellwastollingsomewhere,andnearthecathedralacrowdofnolittlesizewasstanding,listeningtoamanwhoseemedtoberendingaplacardormanifestoattachedtothewall.Inanotherplaceasoldier,wearingthecrimsoncoloursoftheLeague,butsplashedandstainedaswithrecenttravel,washoldingforthtoabreathlesscirclewhoseemedtohanguponhislips.Aneighbouringcornershelteredahandfulofpriestswhowhisperedtogetherwithgloomyfaces.Manystaredatusaswepassed,andsomewouldhavespoken;butIrodesteadilyon,invitingnoconverse.
　　NeverthelessatthenorthgateIgotararefright;for,thoughitwantedafullhalf-hourofsunset,theporterwasintheactofclosingit.Seeingus,hewaitedgrumblinguntilwecameup,andthenmuttered,inanswertomyremonstrance,somethingaboutqueertimesandwilfulpeoplehavingtheirway.Itooklittlenoticeofwhathesaid,however,beinganxiousonlytogetthroughthegateandleaveasfewtracesofourpassageasmightbe.