Norwasthisall.IhadneverintheworsttimesblamedtheKingofNavarreforhisdenialofme,Ihadbeenfoolish,indeed,seeingthatitwasinthebargain,hadIdoneso;norhadIeverdoubtedhisgood-willorhisreadinesstorewardmeshouldoccasionarise.Now,Iflatteredmyself,Ihadgivenhimthatwhichheneeded,andhadhithertolacked——anexcuse,Imean,forinterferenceinmybehalf.
　　WhetherIwasrightorwronginthisnotionIwassoontolearn,foratthismomentHenry'scavalcade,whichhadleftmeahundredpacesbehind,cametoastop,andwhilesomeofthenumberwavedtometocomeon,onespurredbacktosummonmetotheking.I
　　hastenedtoobeytheorderasfastasIcould,butIsawonapproachingthatthoughallwasatastandstilltillIcameup,neithertheKingofNavarrenorM.deTurennewasthinkingprincipallyofme.Everyface,fromHenry'stothatofhisleastimportantcourtier,woreanairofgravepreoccupation;whichI
　　hadnodifficultyinascribingtothedoubtpresentineverymind,andoutweighingeveryinterest,whethertheKingofFrancewasdead,ordying,ormerelywounded.
　　'Quick,sir!'Henrysaidwithimpatience,assoonasIcamewithinhearing.'Donotdetainmewithyouraffairslongerthanisnecessary.M.deTurennepressesmetocarryintoeffecttheorderIgaveyesterday.ButasyouhaveplacedyourselfinjeopardyonmyaccountIfeelthat;somethingisduetoyou.Youwillbegoodenough,therefore,topresentyourselfatonceatM.
　　laVarenne'slodging,andgivemeyourparoletoremaintherewithoutstirringabroaduntilyouraffairisconcluded.'
　　AwarethatIowedthisrespite,whichatoncesecuredmypresentsafetyandpromisedwellforthefuture,tothegreateventthat,eveninM.deTurenne'smind,hadovershadowedallothers,I
　　bowedinsilence.Henry,however,wasnotcontentwiththis.
　　'Come,sir,'hesaidsharply,andwitheveryappearanceofanger,'doyouagreetothat?'
　　IrepliedhumblythatIthankedhimforhisclemency.
　　'Thereisnoneedofthanks,'herepliedcoldly.'WhatIhavedoneiswithoutprejudicetoM.deTurenne'scomplaint.Hemusthavejustice.'
　　Ibowedagain,andinamomentthetroopweregoneatagalloptowardsMeudon,whence,asIafterwardslearned,theKingofNavarre,attendedbyaselectbodyoffive-and-twentyhorsemen,wearingprivatearms,rodeonatfullspeedtoSt.CloudtopresenthimselfathisMajesty'sbedside.AgroomwhohadcaughttheCid,whichhadescapedintothetownwithnootherinjurythanaslightwoundintheshoulder,by-and-bymetmewiththehorse;andinthiswayIwasenabledtorendermyselfwithsomedecencyatVarenne'slodging,asmallhouseatthefootofthehill,notfarfromtheCastle-gate.
　　HereIfoundmyselfundernogreaterconstraintthanthatwhichmyownparolelaiduponme;andmyroomhavingtheconveniencyofawindowlookinguponthepublicstreet,Iwasenabledfromhourtohourtocomprehendandenterintothevariousalarmsandsurpriseswhichmadethatdayremarkable.Themanifoldreportswhichflewfrommouthtomouthontheoccasion,aswellastheovermasteringexcitementwhichseizedall,aresowellremembered,however,thatIforbeartodwelluponthem,thoughtheyservedtodistractmymindfrommyownposition.SufficeitthatatonemomentweheardthatHisMajestywasdead,atanotherthatthewoundwasskindeep,andagainthatwemightexpecthimatMeudonbeforesunset.TherumourthattheDuchessdeMontpensierhadtakenpoisonwasnosoonerbelievedthanwewereaskedtolistentothegunsofParisfiringFEUXDEJOIEinhonouroftheKing'sdeath.
　　ThestreetsweresocloselypackedwithpersonstellingandhearingthesetalesthatIseemedfrommywindowtobelookingonafair.Norwasallmyamusementwithoutdoors;foranumberofthegentlemenoftheCourt,hearingthatIhadbeenatSt.Cloudinthemorning,andintheverychamber,athingwhichmademeforthemomentthemostdesirablecompanionintheworld,rememberedonasuddenthattheyhadaslightacquaintancewithme,andhonouredmebycallinguponmeandsittingagreatpartofthedaywithme.FromwhichcircumstanceIconfessIderivedasmuchhopeastheydiversion;knowingthatcourtiersarethebestweather-prophetsintheworld,whohatenothingsomuchastobediscoveredinthecompanyofthoseonwhomthesundoesnotshine.
　　ThereturnoftheKingofNavarre,whichhappenedaboutthemiddleoftheafternoon,whileitdissipatedthefearsofsomeanddashedthehopesofothers,putanendtothisstateofuncertaintybyconfirming,tothesurpriseofmany,thatHisMajestywasinnodanger.Welearnedwithvaryingemotionsthatthefirstappearances,whichhaddeceived,notmyselfonly,butexperiencedleeches,hadbeenthemselvesbeliedbysubsequentconditions;andthat,inaword,Parishadasmuchtofear,andloyalmenasmuchtohope,asbeforethiswickedandaudaciousattempt.
　　Ihadnomorethanstomachedthissurprisinginformation,whichwaslesswelcometome,Iconfess,thanitshouldhavebeen,whenthearrivalofM.d'Agen,whogreetedmewiththeaffectionwhichheneverfailedtoshowme,distractedmythoughtsforatime.
　　ImmediatelyonlearningwhereIwasand,thestrangeadventureswhichhadbefallenmehehadriddenoff;stoppingonlyonce,whenhehadnearlyreachedme,forthepurposeofwaitingonMadamedeBruhl.Iaskedhimhowshehadreceivedhim.
　　'Likeherself,'herepliedwithaningenuousblush.'MorekindlythanIhadarighttoexpect,ifnotaswarmlyasIhadthecouragetohope.'
　　'Thatwillcomewithtime,'Isaid,laughing.'AndMademoiselledelaVire?'
　　'Ididnotseeher,'heanswered,'butIheardshewaswell.Andahundredfathomsdeeperinlove,'headded,eyeingmeroguishly,'thanwhenIsawherlast.'
　　Itwasmyturntocolournow,andIdidso,feelingallthepleasureanddelightsuch,astatementwascalculatedtoaffordme.PicturingmademoiselleasIhadseenherlast,leaningfromherhorsewithlovewrittensoplainlyonherweepingfacethatallwhoranmightread,IsankintosodeliciousareveriethatM.laVarenne,enteringsuddenly,surprisedusbothbeforeanotherwordpassedoneitherside.
　　Hislookandtonewereasabruptasitwasinhisnature,whichwassoftandcompliant,tomakethem.'M.deMarsac,'hesaid,'Iamsorrytoputanyconstraintuponyou,butIamdirectedtoforbidyoutoyourfriends.AndImustrequestthisgentlemantowithdraw.'
　　'Butalldaymyfriendshavecomeinandout,'Isaidwithsurprise.'Isthisaneworder?'
　　'Awrittenorder,whichreachedmenofartherbackthantwominutesago,'heansweredplainly.'Iamalsodirectedtoremoveyoutoaroomatthebackofthehouse,thatyoumaynotoverlookthestreet.'
　　'Butmyparolewastaken,'Icried,withanaturalfeelingofindignation.
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders.'IamsorrytosaythatIhavenothingtodowiththat,'heanswered.'Icanonlyobeyorders.
　　Imustaskthisgentleman,therefore,towithdraw.'
　　OfcourseM.d'Agenhadnooptionbuttoleaveme;whichhedid,Icouldsee,notwithstandinghiseasyandconfidentexpressions,withagooddealofmistrustandapprehension.Whenhewasgone,LaVarennelostnotimeincarryingouttheremainderofhisorders.AsaconsequenceIfoundmyselfconfinedtoasmallandgloomyapartmentwhichlooked,atadistanceofthreepaces,uponthesmoothfaceoftherockonwhichtheCastlestood.Thischange,fromawindowwhichcommandedallthelifeofthetown,andinterceptedeverybreathofpopularfancy,toaclosetwhithernosoundspenetrated,andwheretheverytransitionfromnoontoeveningscarcelymadeitselfknown,couldnotfailtodepressmyspiritssensibly;themoreasItookittobesignificantofachangeinmyfortunesfullyasgrave.
　　ReflectingthatImustnowappeartotheKingofNavarreinthelightofabeareroffalsetidings,IassociatedtheordertoconfinememorecloselywithhisreturnfromSt.Cloud;andcomprehendingthatM.deTurennewasoncemoreatlibertytoattendtomyaffairs,IbegantolookaboutmewithforebodingswhichwerenonethelesspainfulbecausetheparoleIhadgivendebarredmefromanyattempttoescape.
　　Sleepandhabitenabledme,nevertheless,topassthenightincomfort.Veryearlyinthemorningagreatfiringofguns,whichmadeitselfheardeveninmyquarters,ledmetosupposethatParishadsurrendered;buttheservantwhobroughtmemybreakfast;declinedinasurlyfashiontogivemeanyinformation.Intheend,Ispentthewholedayalone,mythoughtsdividedbetweenmymistressandmyownprospects,whichseemedtogrowmoreandmoregloomyasthehourssucceededoneanother.Noonecamenearme,nostepbrokethesilenceofthehouse;andforawhileIthoughtmyguardianshadforgotteneventhatIneededfood.Thisomission,itistrue,wasmadegoodaboutsunset,butstillM.laVarennedidnotappear,theservantseemedtobedumb,andIheardnosoundsinthehouse.
　　Ihadfinishedmymealanhourormore,andtheroomwasgrowingdark,whenthesilencewasatlastbrokenbyquickstepspassingalongtheentrance.Theypaused,andseemedtohesitateatthefootofthestairs,butthenextmomenttheycameonagain,andstoppedatmydoor.Irosefrommyseatonhearingthekeyturnedinthelock,andmyastonishmentmaybeconceivedwhenI
　　sawnootherthanM.deTurenneenter,andclosethedoorbehindhim.
　　Hesalutedmeinahaughtymannerasheadvancedtothetable,raisinghiscapforaninstantandthenreplacingit.Thisdonehestoodlookingatme,andIathim,inasilencewhichonmysidewastheresultofpureastonishment;onhis,ofcontemptandakindofwonder.Theeveninglight,whichwasfastfailing,lentasombrewhitenesstohisface,causingittostandoutfromtheshadowsbehindhiminawaywhichwasnotwithoutitsinfluenceonme.
　　'Well!'hesaidat,last,speakingslowlyandwithunimaginableinsolence,'Iamheretolookatyou!'
　　Ifeltmyangerrise,andgavehimbacklookforlook.'Atyourwill,'Isaid,shruggingmyshoulders.
　　'Andtosolveaquestion,'hecontinuedinthesametone.'Tolearnwhetherthemanwhowasmadenoughtoinsultanddefymewastheoldpennilessdullardsomecalledhim,orthedare-devilotherspaintedhim.'
　　'Youaresatisfiednow?'Isaid.
　　Heeyedmeforamomentclosely;thenwithsuddenheathecried,'CursemeifIam!NorwhetherIhavetodowithamanverydeeporveryshallow,afooloraknave!'
　　'Youmaysaywhatyoupleasetoaprisoner,'Iretortedcoldly.
　　'Turennecommonlydoes——towhomhepleases!'heanswered.Thenextmomenthemademestartbysaying,ashedrewoutacomfit-
　　boxandopenedit,'Iamjustfromthelittlefoolyouhavebewitched.IfshewereinmypowerIwouldhaveherwhippedandputonbreadandwatertillshecametohersenses.Assheisnot,Imusttakeanotherway.Haveyouanyidea,mayIask,'hecontinuedinhiscynicaltone,'whatisgoingtobecomeofyou,M.deMarsac?'
　　Ireplied,myheartinexpressiblylightenedbywhathehadsaidofmademoiselle,thatIplacedthefullestconfidenceinthejusticeoftheKingofNavarre.
　　Herepeatedthenameinatone,Ididnotunderstand.
　　'Yes,sir,theKingofNavarre,'Iansweredfirmly.
　　'Well,Idaresayyouhavegoodreasontodoso,'herejoinedwithasneer.'UnlessIammistakenheknewalittlemoreofthisaffairthanheacknowledges.'
　　'Indeed?TheKingofNavarre?'Isaid,staringstolidlyathim.
　　'Yes,indeed,indeed,theKingofNavarre!'heretorted,mimickingme,withanearerapproachtoangerthanIhadyetwitnessedinhim.'Butlethimbeamoment,sirrah!'hecontinued,'anddoyoulistentome.Orfirstlookatthat.
　　Seeingisbelieving.'
　　Hedrewoutashespokeapaper,or,tospeakmorecorrectly,aparchment,whichhethrustwithakindofsavagescornintomyhand.RepressingforthemomentthesurpriseIfelt,Itookittothewindow,andreadingitwithdifficulty,foundittobearoyalpatentdrawn,asfarasIcouldjudge,indueform,andappointingsomepersonunknown——forthenamewasleftblank——tothepostofLieutenant-GovernoroftheArmagnac,withasalaryoftwelvethousandlivresayear!
　　'Well,sir?'hesaidimpatiently.
　　'Well?'Iansweredmechanically.Formybrainreeled;theexhibitionofsuchapaperinsuchawayraisedextraordinarythoughtsinmymind.
　　'Canyoureadit?'heasked.
　　'Certainly,'Ianswered,tellingmyselfthathewouldfainplayatrickonme.
　　'Verywell,'hereplied,'thenlisten.Iamgoingtocondescend;
　　tomakeyouanoffer,M.deMarsac.Iwillprocureyouyourfreedom,andfilluptheblank,whichyouseethere,withyourname——upononecondition.'
　　Istaredathimwithalltheastonishmentitwasnaturalformetofeelintheface,ofsuchaproposition.'Youwillconferthisofficeonme?'Imutteredincredulously.
　　'Thekinghavingplaceditatmydisposal,'heanswered,'Iwill.
　　Butfirstletmeremindyou,'hewentonproudly,'thattheaffairhasanotherside.OntheonehandIofferyousuchemployment,M.deMarsac,asshouldsatisfyyourhighestambition.Ontheother,Iwarnyouthatmypowertoavengemyselfisnolessto-daythanitwasyesterday;andthatifI
　　condescendtobuyyou,itisbecausethatcoursecommendsitselftomeforreasons,notbecauseitistheonlyoneopen.'
　　Ibowed.'Thecondition,M.leVicomte?'Isaidhuskily,beginningtounderstandhim.
　　'Thatyougiveupallclaimandsuittothehandofmykinswoman,'heansweredlightly.'Thatisall.Itisasimpleandeasycondition.'
　　Ilookedathiminrenewedastonishment,inwonder,instupefaction;askingmyselfahundredquestions.Whydidhestooptobargain,whocouldcommand?Whydidhecondescendtotreat,whoheldmeathismercy?Whydidhegravelydiscussmyaspirations,towhomtheymustseemtherankestpresumption?
　　Why?——butIcouldnotfollowit.Istoodlookingathiminsilence;inperplexityasgreatasifhehadofferedmetheCrownofFrance;inamazementanddoubtandsuspicionthatknewnobounds.
　　'Well!'hesaidatlast,misreadingtheemotionwhichappearedinmyface.'Youconsent,sir?'
　　'Never!'Iansweredfirmly.
　　Hestarted.'IthinkIcannothaveheardyouaright,'hesaid,speakingslowlyandalmostcourteously.'Iofferyouagreatplaceandmypatronage,M.deMarsac.DoIunderstandthatyoupreferaprisonandmyenmity?'
　　'Onthoseconditions,'Ianswered.
　　'Think,think!'hesaidharshly.
　　'Ihavethought,'Ianswered.
　　'Ay,buthaveyouthoughtwhereyouare?'heretorted.'Haveyouthoughthowmanyobstaclesliebetweenyouandthislittlefool?Howmanypersonsyoumustwinover,howmanyfriendsyoumustgain?Haveyouthoughtwhatitwillbetohavemeagainstyouinthis,orwhichofusismorelikelytowinintheend?'
　　'Ihavethought,'Irejoined.
　　Butmyvoiceshook,mylipsweredry.Theroomhadgrowndark.
　　Therockoutside,interceptingthelight,gaveitalreadytheairofadungeon.ThoughIdidnotdreamofyieldingtohim,thoughIevenfeltthatinthisinterviewhehaddescendedtomylevel,andIhadhadthebetterofhim,Ifeltmyheartsink.
　　ForIrememberedhowmenimmuredinprisonsdragouttheirlivesalwayspetitioning,alwaysforgotten;howwearilythedaysgo,thattofreemenarebrightwithhopeandambition.AndIsawinaflashwhatitwouldbetoremainhere,orinsomesuchplace;
　　nevertocrosshorseagain,orbreathethefreeairofHeaven,nevertoheartheclinkofswordagainststirrup,ortherichtonesofM.d'Agen'svoicecallingforhisfriend!
　　IexpectedM.deTurennetogowhenIhadmademyanswer,orelsetofallintosucharageasoppositionisapttocauseinthosewhoseldomencounterit.Tomysurprise,however,herestrainedhimself.'Come,'hesaid,withpatiencewhichfairlyastonishedme,andsomuchthemoreaschagrinwasclearlymarkedinhisvoice,'Iknowwhereyouputyourtrust.YouthinktheKingofNavarrewillprotectyou.Well,IpledgeyouthehonourofTurennethathewillnot;thattheKingofNavarrewilldonothingtosaveyou.Now,whatdoyousay?'
　　'AsIsaidbefore,'Ianswereddoggedly.
　　Hetookuptheparchmentfromthetablewithagrimlaugh.'Somuchtheworseforyouthen!'hesaid,shrugginghisshoulders.
　　'Somuchtheworseforyou!Itookyouforarogue!Itseemsyouareafool!'
　　CHAPTERXXXVI.
　　'VIVELEROI!'
　　Hetookhisleavewiththosewords.Buthisdeparture,whichI
　　shouldhavehailedafewminutesbeforewithjoy,asarelieffromembarrassmentandhumiliation,foundmeindifferent.ThestatementtowhichhehadsolemnlypledgedhimselfinregardtotheKingofNavarre,thatIcouldexpectnofurtherhelpfromhim,hadprostratedme;dashingmyhopesandspiritssocompletelythatIremainedrootedtothespotlongafterhisstephadceasedtosoundonthestairs.Ifwhathesaidwastrue,inthegloomwhichdarkenedalikemyroomandmyprospectsIcoulddescrynoglimmeroflight.IknewHisMajesty'sweaknessandvacillationtoowelltoreposeanyconfidenceinhim;iftheKingofNavarrealsoabandonedme,Iwasindeedwithouthope,aswithoutresource.
　　Ihadstoodsometimewithmymindpainfullyemployeduponthisproblem,whichmyknowledgeofM.deTurenne'sstricthonourinprivatemattersdidnotallowmetodismisslightly,whenIheardanothersteponthestairs,andinamomentM.laVarenneopenedthedoor.Findingmeinthedarkhemutteredanapologyfortheremissnessoftheservants;whichIaccepted,seeingnothingelseforit,ingoodpart.
　　'Wehavebeenatsixes-and-sevensallday,andyouhavebeenforgotten,'hecontinued.'Butyouwillhavenoreasontocomplainnow.IamorderedtoconductyoutoHisMajestywithoutdelay.'
　　'ToSt.Cloud?'Iexclaimed,greatlyastonished.
　　'No,thekingofFranceishere,'heanswered.
　　'AtMeudon?'
　　'Tobesure.Whynot?'
　　IexpressedmywonderathisMajesty'srapidrecovery.
　　'Pooh!'heansweredroughly.'Heisaswellasheeverwas.I
　　willleaveyoumylight.Begoodenoughtodescendassoonasyouareready,foritisillworkkeepingkingswaiting.Oh!
　　andIhadforgottenonething,'hecontinued,returningwhenhehadalreadyreachedthedoor.'Myordersaretoseethatyoudonotholdconversewithanyoneuntilyouhaveseentheking,M.deMarsac.Youwillkindlyrememberthisifwearekeptwaitingintheantechamber.'
　　'AmItobetransportedto——othercustody?'Iasked,mymindfullofapprehension.
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders.'Possibly,'hereplied.'Idonotknow.'
　　OfcoursetherewasnothingforitbuttomurmurthatIwasattheking'sdisposition;afterwhichLaVarenneretired,leavingmetoputthebestfaceonthematterIcould.NaturallyI
　　auguredanythingbutwellofaninterviewweightedwithsuchacondition;andthiscontributedstillfurthertodepressmyspirits,alreadyloweredbythelongsolitudeinwhichIhadpassedtheday.Fearingnothing,however,somuchassuspense,I
　　hastenedtodowhatIcouldtorepairmycostume,andthendescendedtothefootofthestairs,whereIfoundmycustodianawaitingmewithacoupleofservants,ofwhomoneborealink.
　　Wewentoutsidebyside,andhavingbarelyahundredyardstogo,seemedinamomenttobepassingthroughthegateoftheCastle.Inoticedthattheentrancewasverystronglyguarded,butaninstant'sreflectionservedtoremindmethatthiswasnotsurprisingafterwhathadhappenedatSt.Cloud.IremarkedtoM.laVarenneaswecrossedthecourtyardthatIsupposedParishadsurrendered;butherepliedinthenegativesocurtly,andwithsolittleconsideration,thatIforeboretoaskanyotherquestions;andtheChateaubeingsmall,wefoundourselvesalmostatonceinalong,narrowcorridor,whichappearedtoserveastheantechamber.
　　Itwasbrilliantlylightedandcrowdedfromendtoend,andalmostfromwalltowall,withamobofcourtiers;whosesilence,nolessthantheirkeenandanxiouslooks,tookmebysurprise.
　　Hereandtheretwoorthree,whohadseizedupontheembrasureofawindow,talkedtogetherinalowtone;oracouple,whothoughtthemselvessufficientlyimportanttopacethenarrowpassagebetweenthewaitinglines,conversedinwhispersastheywalked.
　　Buteventhesewereswifttotakealarm,andcontinuallylookedaskance;whilethegeneralcompanystoodatgaze,startingandlookingupeagerlywheneverthedoorswungopenoranewcomerwasannounced.ThestrangesilencewhichprevailedremindedmeofnothingsomuchasoftheCourtatBloisonthenightoftheDukeofMercoeur'sdesertion;butthatstillnesshadbroodedoveremptychambers,thisgaveapeculiarairofstrangenesstoaroomthrongedineverypart.
　　M.laVarenne,whowasreceivedbythoseaboutthedoorwithsilentpoliteness,drewmeintotherecessofawindow;whenceI
　　wasabletoremark,amongotherthings,thattheHuguenotspresentalmostoutnumberedtheking'simmediatefollowing.
　　Still,amongthosewhowerewalkingupanddown,InoticedM.deRambouillet,towhomatanothertimeIshouldhavehastenedtopaymyrespects;withMarshald'Aumont,Sancy,andHumieres.NorhadImorethannotedthepresenceofthesebeforethedoorofthechamberopenedandaddedtotheirnumberMarshalBiron,whocameoutleaningonthearmofCrillon.Thesightoftheseoldenemiesincombinationwassufficientofitselftoapprisemethatsomeseriouscrisiswasathand;particularlyastheirprogressthroughthecrowdwaswatched,Iobserved,byahundredcuriousandattentiveeyes.
　　Theydisappearedatlastthroughtheouterdoor,andtheassemblageturnedaswithoneaccordtoseewhocamenext.ButnearlyhalfanhourelapsedbeforetheChamberdoor,whichallwatchedsostudiously,againopened.Thistimeitwastogivepassagetomylatevisitor,Turenne,whocameoutsmiling,andleaning,tomygreatsurprise,onthearmofM.deRosny.
　　Asthetwowalkeddowntheroom,greetinghereandthereanobsequiousfriend,andfollowedintheirprogressbyalleyes,I
　　feltmyheartsinkindeed;bothatsightofTurenne'sgood-
　　humour,andofthecompanyinwhichIfoundhim.AwarethatinproportionashewaspleasedIwasliketomeetwithdispleasure,IstillmighthavehadhopelefthadIhadRosnyleft.Losinghim,however——andIcouldnotdoubt,seeinghimasIsawhim,thatIhadlosthim——andcountingtheKingofNavarreasgonealready,IfeltsuchafailureofcourageasIhadneverknownbefore.ItoldmyselfwithshamethatIwasnotmadeforCourts,orforsuchscenesasthese;andrecallingwithnewandkeenmortificationthepoorfigureIhadcutintheKingofNavarre'santechamberatSt.Jean,IexperiencedsostrangeagushofpityformymistressthatnothingcouldexceedthetendernessIfeltforher.Ihadwonherunderfalsecolours,Iwasnotworthyofher.Ifeltthatmymerepresenceinhercompanyinsuchaplaceasthis,andamongthesepeople,mustcoverherwithshameandhumiliation.
　　Tomygreatrelief,sinceIknewmyfacewasonfire,neitherofthetwo,astheywalkeddownthepassage,lookedmywayorseemedconsciousofmyneighbourhood.Atthedoortheystoodamomenttalkingearnestly,anditseemedasifM.deRosnywouldhaveaccompaniedtheVicomtefarther.Thelatterwouldnotsufferit,however,buttookhisleavethere;andthiswithsomanypolitegesturesthatmylasthopebasedonM.deRosnyvanished.
　　Nevertheless,thatgentlemanwasnotsowhollychangedthatonhisturningtore-traversetheroomIdidnotseeasmileflickerforaninstantonhisfeaturesasthetwolinesofbowingcourtiersopenedbeforehim.Thenextmomenthislookfellonme,andthoughhisfacescarcelyaltered,hestoppedoppositeme.
　　'M.deMarsaciswaitingtoseeHisMajesty?'heaskedaloud,speakingtoM.laVarenne.
　　Mycompanionremainingsilent,Ibowed.
　　'Infiveminutes,'M.deRosnyrepliedquietly,yetwithadistantair,whichmademedoubtwhetherIhadnotdreamedallI
　　rememberedofthisman.'Ah!M.dePaul,whatcanIdoforyou?'hecontinued.Andhebenthisheadtolistentotheapplicationwhichagentlemanwhostoodnextmepouredintohisear.'Iwillsee,'Iheardhimanswer.'Inanycaseyoushallknowto-morrow.'
　　'Butyouwillbemyfriend?'M.Paulurged,detaininghimbythesleeve.
　　'Iwillputonlyonebeforeyou,'heanswered.
　　Myneighbourseemedtoshrinkintohimselfwithdisappointment.
　　'Whoisit?'hemurmuredpiteously.
　　'Thekingandhisservice,myfriend,'M.deRosnyreplieddrily.
　　Andwiththathewalkedaway.Buthalfadozentimesatleast;
　　beforehereachedtheupperendoftheroomIsawthescenerepeated.
　　Ilookedonatallthisintheutmostastonishment,unabletoguessorconceivewhathadhappenedtogiveM.deRosnysomuchimportance.Foritdidnot;escapemethatthefewwordshehadstoppedtospeaktomehadinvestedmewithinterestintheeyesofallwhostoodnear.Theygavememoreroomandawiderbreathing-space,andlookingatmeaskance,mutteredmynameinwhispers.Inmyuncertainty,however,whatthisportendedIdrewnocomfortfromit;andbeforeIhadfoundtimetoweighitthoroughlythedoorthroughwhichTurenneandRosnyhadenteredopenedagain.Thepagesandgentlemenwhostoodaboutithastenedtorangethemselvesoneitherside.Anushercarryingawhitewandcamerapidlydowntheroom,hereandthererequestingthecourtierstostandbackwherethepassagewasnarrow.Thenaloudvoicewithoutcried,'TheKing,gentlemen!theKing!'andoneineverytwoofusstooda-tiptoetoseehimenter.
　　ButtherecameinonlyHenryofNavarre,wearingavioletcloakandcap.
　　IturnedtoLaVarenneandwithmyheadfullofconfusion,mutteredimpatiently,'Buttheking,man!Whereistheking?'
　　Hegrinnedatme,withhishandbeforehismouth.'Hush!'hewhispered.''Twasajestweplayedonyou!HislateMajestydiedatdaybreakthismorning.Thisistheking.'
　　'This!theKingofNavarre?'Icried;soloudlythatsomerounduscalled'Silence!'
　　'No,theKingofFrance,fool!'hereplied.'Yourswordmustbesharperthanyourwits,orIhavebeentoldsomelies!'
　　Iletthegibepassandthejest,formyheartwasbeatingsofastandpainfullythatIcouldscarcelypreservemyoutwardcomposure.Therewasamistbeforemyeyes,andadarknesswhichsetthelightsatdefiance.ItwasinvainItriedtothinkwhatthismightmean——tome.Icouldnotputtwothoughtstogether,andwhileIstillquestionedwhatreceptionImightexpect,andwhointhisnewstateofthingsweremyfriends,thekingstoppedbeforeme.
　　'Ha,M.deMarsac!'hecriedcheerfully,signingtothosewhostoodbeforemetogiveplace.'Youarethegentlemanwhorodesofasttowarnmetheothermorning.IhavespokentoM.deTurenneaboutyou,andheiswillingtooverlookthecomplainthehadagainstyou.Fortherest,gotomycloset,myfriend.Go!
　　Rosnyknowsmywillrespectingyou.'
　　Ihadsenseenoughlefttokneelandkisshishand;butitwasinsilence,whichheknewhowtointerpret.HehadmovedonandwasspeakingtoanotherbeforeIrecoveredtheuseofmytongue,orthewitswhichhisgraciouswordshadscattered.WhenIdidso,andgotonmyfeetagainIfoundmyselfthecentreofsomuchobservationandtheobjectofsomanycongratulationsthatIwasgladtoactuponthehintwhichLaVarennegaveme,andhurryawaytothecloset.
　　Here,thoughIhadnowaninklingofwhatIhadtoexpect,I
　　foundmyselfreceivedwithakindnesswhichbadefairtooverwhelmme.OnlyM.deRosnywasintheroom,andhetookmebybothhandsinamannerwhichtoldmewithoutawordthattheRosnyofolddayswasback,andthat;fortheembarrassmentIhadcausedhimoflateIwasmorethanforgiven.WhenItriedtothankhimforthegoodofficeswhichIknewhehaddonemewiththekinghewouldhavenoneofit;remindingmewithasmilethathehadeatenofmycheesewhenthechoicelaybetweenthatandLisieux.
　　'Andbesides,myfriend,'hecontinued,hiseyestwinkling,'Youhavemademericherbyfivehundredcrowns.'
　　'Howso?'Iasked,wonderingmoreandmore.
　　'IwageredthatsumwithTurennethathecouldnotbribeyou,'
　　heanswered,smiling.'Andsee,'hecontinued,selectingfromsomeonthetablethesameparchmentIhadseenbefore,'hereisthebribe.Takeit;itisyours.Ihavegivenascoreto-day,butnonewiththesamepleasure.LetmebethefirsttocongratulatetheLieutenant-GovernoroftheArmagnac.'
　　ForawhileIcouldnotbelievethathewasinearnest;whichpleasedhimmightily,Iremember.WhenIwasbroughtatlasttoseethatthekinghadmeantthisformefromthefirst,andhadmerelylentthepatenttoTurennethatthelattermightmaketrialofme,mypleasureandgratificationweresuchthatIcouldnomoreexpressthemthenthanIcannowdescribethem.Fortheyknewnobounds.IstoodbeforeRosnysilentandconfused,withlong-forgottentearswellinguptomyeyes,andoneregretonlyinmyheart——thatmydearmotherhadnotlivedtoseethefondillusionswithwhichIhadsooftenamusedherturnedtosoberfact.Notthen,butafterwards,IremarkedthatthesalaryofmyofficeamountedtotheexactsumwhichIhadbeeninthehabitofnamingtoher;andIlearnedthatRosnyhadhimselffixeditoninformationgivenhimbyMademoiselledelaVire.
　　Asmytransportsgrewmoremoderate,andIfoundvoicetothankmybenefactor,hehadstillananswer.'Donotdeceiveyourself,myfriend,'hesaidgravely,'orthinkthisanidlereward.MymasterisKingofFrance,butheisakingwithoutakingdom,andacaptainwithoutmoney.To-day,togainhisrights,hehaspartedwithhalfhispowers.Beforehewinallbacktherewillbeblows——blows,myfriend.AndtothatendIhaveboughtyoursword.'
　　Itoldhimthatifnootherleftitsscabbardfortheking,mineshouldbedrawn.
　　'Ibelieveyou,'heansweredkindly,layinghishandonmyshoulder.'Notbyreasonofyourwords——HeavenknowsIhaveheardvowsenoughto-day!——butbecauseIhaveprovedyou.Andnow,'hecontinued,speakinginanalteredtoneandlookingatmewithaqueersmile,'nowIsupposeyouareperfectlysatisfied?
　　Youhavenothingmoretowishfor,myfriend?'
　　Ilookedasideinaguiltyfashion,notdaringtopreferonthetopofallhiskindnessafurtherpetition.Moreover,HisMajestymighthaveotherviews;oronthispointTurennemighthaveprovedobstinate.Inaword,therewasnothinginwhathadhappened,oronM.deRosny'scommunication,toinformmewhetherthewishofmyheartwastobegratifiedornot.
　　ButIshouldhaveknownthatgreatmanbetterthantosupposethathewasonetopromisewithoutperforming,ortowoundafriendwhenhecouldnotsalvethehurt.Afterenjoyingmyconfusionforatimeheburstintoagreatshoutoflaughter,andtakingmefamiliarlybytheshoulders,turnedmetowardsthedoor.'There,go!'hesaid.'Goupthepassage.Youwillfindadoorontheright,andadoorontheleft.Youwillknowwhichtoopen.'
　　Forbiddingmetoutterasyllable,heputmeout.Inthepassage,whereIfainwouldhavestoodawhiletocollectmythoughts,Iwasaffrightedbysoundswhichwarnedmethatthekingwasreturningthatway.Fearingtobesurprisedbyhiminsuchastateofperturbation,Ihurriedtotheendofthepassage,whereIdiscovered,asIhadbeentold,twodoors.
　　Theywerebothclosed,andtherewasnothingabouteitherofthemtodirectmychoice.ButM.deRosnywascorrectinsupposingthatIhadnotforgottentheadvicehehadofferedmeonthedaywhenhegavemesofineasurpriseinhisownhouse——'Whenyouwantagoodwife,M.deMarsac,turntotheright!'Irememberedthewords,andwithoutamoment'shesitation——forthekingandhissuitewerealreadyenteringthepassage——Iknockedboldly,andscarcelywaitingforaninvitation,wentin.
　　Fanchettewasbythedoor,butstoodasidewithagrimsmile,whichIwasatlibertytoacceptasawelcomeornot.
　　Mademoiselle,whohadbeenseatedonthefarthersideofthetable,roseasIentered,andwestoodlookingatoneanother.
　　Doubtlessshewaitedformetospeakfirst;whileIonmysidewassogreatlytakenabackbythechangewroughtinherbytheCourtdressshewaswearingandtheairofdignitywithwhichsheworeit,thatIstoodgasping.Iturnedcowardafterallthathadpassedbetweenus.ThiswasnotthegirlIhadwooedinthegreenwoodbySt.Gaultier;northepale-facedwomanIhadliftedtothesaddleascoreoftimesinthejourneyParis-wards.ThesenseofunworthinesswhichIhadexperiencedafewminutesbeforeinthecrowdedantechamberreturnedinfullforceinpresenceofhergraceandbeauty,andoncemoreIstoodtongue-
　　tiedbeforeher,asIhadstoodinthelodgingsatBlois.Allthelatertime,allthathadpassedbetweenuswasforgotten.
　　She,forherpart,lookedatmewonderingatmysilence.Herface,whichhadgrownrosyredatmyentrance,turnedpaleagain.
　　Hereyesgrewlargewithalarm;shebegantobeatherfootonthefloorinamannerIknew.'Isanythingthematter,sir?'shemutteredatlast.
　　'Onthecontrary,mademoiselle,'Iansweredhoarsely,lookingeveryway,andgraspingatthefirstthingIcouldthinkof,'I
　　amjustfromM.deRosny.'
　　'Andhe?'
　　'HehasmademeLieutenant-GovernoroftheArmagnac.'
　　Shecurtseyedtomeinawonderfulfashion.'Itpleasesmetocongratulateyou,sir,'shesaid,inavoicebetweenlaughingandcrying.'Itisnotmorethanequaltoyourdeserts.'
　　Itriedtothankherbecomingly,feelingatthesametimemorefoolishthanIhadeverfeltinmylife;forIknewthatthiswasneitherwhatIhadcometotellnorshetohear.YetIcouldnotmusterupcouragenorfindwordstogofarther,andstoodbythetableinastateofmiserablediscomposure.
　　'Isthatall,sir?'shesaidatlast,losingpatience.
　　Certainlyitwasnowornever,andIknewit.Imadetheeffort.
　　'No,mademoiselle,'Isaidinalowvoice.'Farfromit.ButI
　　donotseeheretheladytowhomIcametoaddressmyself,andwhomIhaveseenahundredtimesinfarothergarbthanyours,wetandwearyanddishevelled,indangerandinflight.HerI
　　haveservedandloved;andforherIhavelived.Ihavehadnothoughtformonthsthathasnotbeenhers,norcaresaveforher.
　　IandallthatIhavebytheking'sbountyarehers,andIcametolaythematherfeet.ButIdonotseeherhere.'
　　'No,sir?'sheansweredinawhisper,withherfaceaverted.
　　'No,mademoiselle.'
　　Withasuddenbrightnessandquicknesswhichsetmyheartbeatingsheturned,andlookedatme.'Indeed!'shesaid.'Iamsorryforthat.Itisapityyourloveshouldbegivenelsewhere,M.
　　deMarsac——sinceitistheking'swillthatyoushouldmarryme.'
　　'Ah,mademoiselle!'Icried,kneelingbeforeher——forshehadcomeroundthetableandstoodbesideme——'Butyou?'
　　'Itismywilltoo,sir,'sheanswered,smilingthroughhertears.
　　***
　　OnthefollowingdayMademoiselledelaVirebecamemywife;theking'sretreatfromParis,whichwasrenderednecessarybythedesertionofmanywhowereill-affectedtotheHuguenots,compellingtheinstantperformanceofthemarriage,ifwewouldhaveitreadbyM.d'Amours.Thishastenotwithstanding,IwasenabledbythekindnessofM.d'Agentomakesuchanappearance,inrespectbothofservantsandequipment,asbecamerathermyfutureprospectsthanmypastdistresses.ItistruethatHisMajesty,outofadesiretodonothingwhichmightoffendTurenne,didnothonouruswithhispresence;butMadameCatherineattendedonhisbehalf,andherselfgavememybride.
　　M.deSullyandM.Crillon,withtheMarquisdeRambouilletandhisnephew,andmydistantconnection,theDukedeRohan,whofirstacknowledgedmeonthatday,wereamongthosewhoearnedmygratitudebyattendingmeupontheoccasion.
　　ThemarriageofM.Francoisd'Agenwiththewidowofmyoldrivalandopponentdidnottakeplaceuntilsomethingmorethanayearlater,adelaywhichwaslessdispleasingtomethantothebridegroom,inasmuchasitleftmadameatlibertytobearmywifecompanyduringmyabsenceonthecampaignofArquesandIvry.Inthelatterbattle,whichaddedvastlytotherenownofM.deRosny,whocapturedtheenemy'sstandardwithhisownhand,Ihadthemisfortunetobewoundedinthesecondofthetwochargesledbytheking;andbeingattackedbytwofootsoldiers,asIlayentangledImustinevitablyhaveperishedbutfortheaidaffordedmebySimonFleix,whoflewtotherescuewiththecourageofaveteran.Hisactionwasobservedbytheking,whobeggedhimfromme,andattachinghimtohisownpersoninthecapacityofclerk,startedhimsofairlyontheroadtofortunethathehassincerisenbeyondhopeorexpectation.
　　ThemeansbywhichHenrywonforatimethesupportofTurenneandincidentallyprocuredhisconsenttomymarriagearenowtoonotorioustorequireexplanation.Nevertheless,itwasnotuntiltheVicomte'sunionayearlaterwithMademoiselledelaMarck,whobroughthimtheDuchyofBouillon,thatIthoroughlyunderstoodthematter;orthekindnesspeculiartotheking,mymaster,whichimpelledthatgreatmonarch,inthearrangementofaffairssovast,toremembertheinterestsoftheleastofhisservants.