AssoonaswewereoutsidethetownIfellback,permittingFanchettetotakemyplace.Foranotherleague,alonganddrearyone,weploddedoninsilence,horsesandmenalikejadedandsullen,andthewomenscarcelyabletokeeptheirsaddlesforfatigue.Atlast,muchtomyrelief,seeingthatIbegantofearIhadtaxedmademoiselle'sstrengthtoofar,thelonglowbuildingsoftheinnatwhichIproposedtostaycameinsight,atthecrossingoftheroadandriver.Theplacelookedblankandcheerless,fortheduskwasthickening;butaswetrailedonebyoneintothecourtyardastreamoffirelightburstonusfromdoorsandwindows,andadozensoundsoflifeandcomfortgreetedourears.
　　Noticingthatmademoisellewasbenumbedandcrampedwithlongsitting,Iwouldhavehelpedhertodismount;butshefiercelyrejectedmyaid,andIhadtocontentmyselfwithrequestingthelandlordtoassignthebestaccommodationhehadtotheladyandherattendant,andsecureasmuchprivacyforthemaspossible.
　　Themanassentedverycivillyandsaidallshouldbedone;butI
　　noticedthathiseyeswanderedwhileItalked,andthatheseemedtohavesomethingonhismind.Whenhereturned,afterdisposingofthem,itcameout.
　　'Didyoueverhappentoseehim,sir?'heaskedwithasigh;yetwasthereasmugairofpleasuremingledwithhismelancholy.
　　'Seewhom?'Ianswered,staringathim,forneitherofushadmentionedanyone.
　　'TheDuke,sir.'
　　Istaredagainbetweenwonderandsuspicion.'TheDukeofNeversisnotinthispart,ishe?'Isaidslowly.'IheardhewasontheBrittanyborder,awaytothewestward.'
　　'MonDieu!'myhostexclaimed,raisinghishandsinastonishment.'Youhavenotheard,sir?'
　　'Ihaveheardnothing,'Iansweredimpatiently.
　　'Youhavenotheard,sir,thatthemostpuissantandillustriouslordtheDukeofGuiseisdead?'
　　'M.deGuisedead?Itisnottrue!'Icriedastonished.
　　Henodded,however,severaltimeswithanairofgreatimportance,andseemedasifhewouldhavegoneontogivemesomeparticulars.But,remembering,asIfancied,thathespokeinthehearingofhalf-a-dozenguestswhosataboutthegreatfirebehindme,andhadbotheyesandearsopen,hecontentedhimselfwithshiftinghistoweltohisotherarmandaddingonly,'Yes,sir,deadasanynail.Thenewscamethroughhereyesterday,andmadeaprettystir.IthappenedatBloisthedaybutonebeforeChristmas,ifallbetrue.'
　　Iwasthunderstruck.ThiswasnewswhichmightchangethefaceofFrance.'Howdidithappen?'Iasked.
　　Myhostcoveredhismouthwithhishandandcoughed,and,privilytwitchingmysleeve,gavemetounderstandwithsomeshamefacednessthathecouldnotsaymoreinpublic.Iwasabouttomakesomeexcusetoretirewithhim,whenaharshvoice,addressedapparentlytome,causedmetoturnsharply.Ifoundatmyelbowatallthin-facedmonkinthehabitoftheJacobinorder.Hehadrisenfromhisseatbesidethefire,andseemedtobelabouringundergreatexcitement.
　　'Whoaskedhowithappened?'hecried,rollinghiseyesinakindoffrenzy,whilestillobservant,orIwasmuchmistaken,ofhislisteners.IsthereamaninFrancetowhomthetalehasnotbeentold?Isthere?'
　　'Iwillanswerforone,'Ireplied,regardinghimwithlittlefavour.'Ihaveheardnothing.'
　　'Thenyoushall!Listen!'heexclaimed,raisinghisrighthandandbrandishingitasthoughhedenouncedapersonthenpresent.
　　'Hearmyaccusation,madeinthenameofMotherChurchandthesaintsagainstthearchhypocrite,theperjurerandassassinsittinginhighplaces!HeshallbeAnathemaMaranatha,forhehasshedthebloodoftheholyandthepure,thechosenofHeaven!Heshallgodowntothepit,andthatsoon.Thebloodthathehasshedshallberequiredofhim,andthatbeforeheisoneyearolder.'
　　'Tut-tut.Allthatsoundsveryfine,goodfather,'Isaid,waxingimpatient,andalittlescornful;forIsawthathewasoneofthosewanderingandoftencrazymonksinwhomtheLeaguefoundtheirmostusefulemissaries.'ButIshouldprofitmorebyyourgentlewords,ifIknewwhomyouwerecursing.'
　　'Themanofblood!'hecried;'throughwhomthelastbutnottheleastofGod'ssaintsandmartyrsenteredintogloryontheFridaybeforeChristmas.'
　　Movedbysuchprofanity,andjudginghim,notwithstandingtheextravaganceofhiswordsandgestures,tobelessmadthanheseemed,andatleastasmuchknaveasfool,Ibadehimsternlyhavedonewithhiscursing,andproceedtohisstoryifhehadone.
　　Hegloweredatmeforamoment,asthoughheweremindedtolaunchhisspiritualweaponsatmyhead;butasIreturnedhisglarewithanunmovedeye——andmyfourrascals,whowereasimpatientasmyselftolearnthenews,andhadscarcemorereverenceforashavencrown,begantomurmur——hethoughtbetterofit,andcoolingassuddenlyashehadflamedup,lostnomoretimeinsatisfyingourcuriosity.
　　Itwouldillbecomeme,however,tosetdowntheextravagantandoftenblasphemousharangueinwhich,stylingM.deGuisethemartyrofGod,hetoldthestorynowsofamiliar——thestoryofthatdarkwintrymorningatBlois,whentheking'smessenger,knockingearlyattheduke'sdoor,badehimhurry,forthekingwantedhim.Thestoryistriteenoughnow.WhenIhearditfirstintheinnontheClain,itwasallnewandallmarvellous.
　　Themonk,too,tellingthestoryasifhehadseentheeventswithhisowneyes,omittednothingwhichmightimpresshishearers.Hetoldushowthedukereceivedwarningafterwarning,andansweredintheveryantechamber,'Hedarenot!'Howhisblood,mysteriouslyadvisedofcomingdissolution,grewchill,andhiseye,woundedatChateauThierry,begantorun,sothathehadtosendforthehandkerchiefhehadforgottentobring.Hetoldus,even,howthedukedrewhisassassinsupanddownthechamber,howhecriedformercy,andhowhediedatlastatthefootoftheking'sbed,andhowtheking,whohadneverdaredtofacehimliving,cameandspurnedhimdead!
　　Therewerepalefacesroundthefirewhenheceased,andbentbrowsandlipshardpressedtogether.ThenhestoodandcursedtheKingofFrance——cursinghimopenlybythenameofHenryofValois,athingIhadneverlookedtohearinFrance——thoughnoonesaid'Amen,'andallglancedovertheirshoulders,andourhostpatteredfromtheroomasifhehadseenaghost,itseemedtobenoman'sdutytogainsayhim.
　　Formyself,IwasfullofthoughtswhichitwouldhavebeenunsafetoutterinthatcompanyorsoneartheLoire.Ilookedbacksixteenyears.WhobutHenryofGuisehadspurnedthecorpseofColigny?AndwhobutHenryofValoishadbackedhimintheact?WhobutHenryofGuisehaddrenchedPariswithblood,andwhobutHenryofValoishadriddenbyhisside?One23rdofthemonth——adaynevertobeerasedfromFrance'sannals——hadpurchasedforhimatermofgreatness.Asecond23rdsawhim,paytheprice——sawhisashescastsecretlyandbynightnomanknowswhere!
　　Movedbysuchthoughts,andobservingthatthepriestwasgoingtheroundofthecompanycollectingmoneyformassesfortheduke'ssoul,towhichobjectIcouldneithergivewithagoodconsciencenorrefusewithoutexcitingsuspicion,Islippedout;
　　andfindingamanofdecentappearancetalkingwiththelandlordinasmallroombesidethekitchen,Icalledforaflaskofthebestwine,andbymeansofthatintroductionobtainedmysupperintheircompany.
　　ThestrangerwasaNormanhorsedealer,returninghome,afterdisposingofhisstring.Heseemedtobeinalargewayofbusiness,andbeingofabluff,independentspirit,asmanyofthoseNormantownsmenare,wasinclinedatfirsttotreatmewithmorefamiliaritythanrespect;thefactofmynag,forwhichhewouldhavechaffered,excellingmycoatinquality,leadinghimtosetmedownasastewardorintendant.Thepursuitofhistrade,however,hadbroughthimintoconnectionwithallclassesofmenandhequicklyperceivedhismistake;andasheknewtheprovincesbetweentheSeineandLoiretoperfection,andmadeitpartofhisbusinesstoforeseethechancesofpeaceandwar,I
　　obtainedagreatamountofinformationfromhim,andindeedconceivednolittlelikingforhim.HebelievedthattheassassinationofM.deGuisewouldalienatesomuchofFrancefromthekingthathismajestywouldhavelittleleftsavethetownsontheLoire,andsomeotherplaceslyingwithineasyreachofhiscourtatBlois.
　　'But,'Isaid,'thingsseemquietnow.Here,forinstance.'
　　'Itisthecalmbeforethestorm,'heanswered.'Thereisamonkinthere.Haveyouheardhim?'
　　Inodded.
　　'Heisonlyoneamongahundred——athousand,'thehorsedealercontinued,lookingatmeandnoddingwithmeaning.Hewasabrown-hairedmanwithshrewdgreyeyes,suchasmanyNormanshave.'Theywillgettheirwaytoo,youwillsee,'hewenton.
　　'Well,horseswillgoup,soIhavenocausetogrumble;but,ifIwereonmywaytoBloiswithwomenorgearofthatkind,I
　　shouldnotchoosethistimeforpickingposiesontheroad.I
　　shouldseetheinsideofthegatesassoonaspossible.'
　　Ithoughttherewasmuchinwhathesaid;andwhenhewentontomaintainthatthekingwouldfindhimselfbetweenthehammerandtheanvil——betweentheLeagueholdingallthenorthandtheHuguenotsholdingallthesouth——andmustneedsintimecometotermswiththelatterseeingthattheformerwouldrestcontentwithnothingshortofhisdeposition,Ibegantoagreewithhimthatweshouldshortlyseegreatchangesandverystirringtimes.
　　'Stilliftheydeposetheking,'Isaid,'theKingofNavarremustsucceedhim.HeistheheirofFrance.'
　　'Bah!'mycompanionrepliedsomewhatcontemptuously.'TheLeaguewillseetothat.Hegoeswiththeother.'
　　'Thenthekingsareinonecry,andyouareright,'Isaidwithconviction.'Theymustunite.'
　　'Sotheywill.Itisonlyaquestionoftime,'hesaid.
　　Inthemorning,havingonlyonemanwithhim,and,asIguessed,aconsiderablesumofmoney,hevolunteeredtojoinourpartyasfarasBlois.Iassentedgladly,andhedidso,thisadditiontoournumbersriddingmeatonceofthegreaterpartofmyfears.
　　Ididnotexpectanyoppositiononthepartofmademoiselle,whowouldgaininconsequenceaswellasinsafety.Nordidsheofferany.Shewascontent,Ithink,towelcomeanyadditiontoourpartywhichwouldsaveherfromthenecessityofridinginthecompanyofmyoldcloak.
　　CHAPTERVI.
　　MYMOTHER'SLODGING.
　　TravellingbywayofChatelheraultandTours,wereachedtheneighbourhoodofBloisalittleafternoononthethirddaywithoutmisadventureoranyintimationofpursuit.TheNormanprovedhimselfacheerfulcompanionontheroad,asIalreadyknewhimtobeamanofsenseandshrewdnesswhilehispresencerenderedthetaskofkeepingmymeninorderaneasyone.I
　　begantoconsidertheadventureaspracticallyachieved;andregardingMademoiselledelaVireasalreadyineffecttransferredtothecareofM.deRosny,IventuredtoturnmythoughtstothedevelopmentofmyownplansandthechoiceofahaveninwhichImightrestsecurefromthevengeanceofM.deTurenne.
　　ForthemomentIhadevadedhispursuit,and,assistedbytheconfusioncausedeverywherebythedeathofGuisehadsucceededinthwartinghisplansandaffrontinghisauthoritywithseemingease.ButIknewtoomuchofhispowerandhadheardtoomanyinstancesofhisfiercetemperandresolutewilltopresumeonshortimpunityortoexpectthefuturewithanythingbutdiffidenceanddismay.
　　TheexclamationsofmycompanionsoncomingwithinsightofBloisarousedmefromthesereflections.Ijoinedthem,andfullysharedtheiremotionasIgazedonthestatelytowerswhichhadwitnessedsomanyroyalfestivities,and,alas!oneroyaltragedy;whichhadshelteredLouistheWell-belovedandFrancistheGreat,andrungwiththelaughterofDianaofPoitiersandthesecondHenry.Theplayoffancywreathedthesombrebuildingwithahundredmemoriesgraveandgay.But,thoughtherichplainoftheLoirestillswelledupwardasofoldingentlehomageatthefeetofthegallanttown,theshadowofcrimeseemedtodarkenall,anddimeventhegloriesoftheroyalstandardwhichhungidlyintheair.
　　Wehadheardsomanyreportsofthefearandsuspicionwhichreignedinthecityandofthestrictsupervisionwhichwasexercisedoverallwhoentered——thekingdreadingarepetitionofthedayoftheBarricades——thatwehaltedatalittleinnamileshortofthegateandbrokeupourcompany.IpartedfrommyNormanfriendwithmutualexpressionsofesteem,andfrommyownmen,whomIhadpaidoffinthemorning,complimentingeachofthemwithahandsomepresent,withafeelingofreliefequallysincere.Ihoped——butthehopewasnotfatedtobegratified——thatImightneverseetheknavesagain.
　　ItwantedlessthananhourofsunsetwhenIrodeuptothegate,afewpacesinfrontofmademoiselleandherwoman;asifIhadreallybeentheintendantforwhomthehorse-dealerhadmistakenme.Wefoundtheguardhouselinedwithsoldiers,whoscannedusverynarrowlyasweapproached,andwhosesternfeaturesandorderedweaponsshowedthattheywerenotthereformereeffect.
　　Thefact,however,thatwecamefromTours,acitystillintheking'shands,servedtoallaysuspicion,andwepassedwithoutaccident.
　　Onceinthestreets,andridinginsinglefilebetweenthehouses,tothewindowsofwhichthetownsfolkseemedtobeattractedbytheslightestcommotion,sofullofterrorwastheair,Iexperiencedamomentofhugerelief.ThiswasBlois——
　　Bloisatlast.WewerewithinafewscoreyardsoftheBleedingHeart.InafewminutesIshouldreceiveaquittance,andbefreetothinkonlyofmyself.
　　NorwasmypleasuremuchlessenedbythefactthatIwassosoontopartfromMademoiselledelaVire.Frankly,Iwasfarfromlikingher.Exposuretotheairofacourthadspoiled,itseemedtome,whatevergracesofdispositiontheyoungladyhadeverpossessed.Shestillmaintained,andhadmaintainedthroughoutthejourney,thecoldandsuspiciousattitudeassumedatstarting;norhadsheeverexpressedtheleastsolicitudeonmybehalf,ortheslightestsensethatwewereincurringdangerinherservice.Shehadnotscrupledconstantlytopreferherwhimstothecommonadvantage,andevensafety;whilehersenseofself-importancehadcometobesogreat,thatsheseemedtoholdherselfexemptfromthedutyofthankinganyhumancreature.
　　Icouldnotdenythatshewasbeautiful——indeed,Ioftenthought,whenwatchingher,ofthedaywhenIhadseenherintheKingofNavarre'santechamberinallthegloryofhercharms.ButIfeltnonethelessthatIcouldturnmybackonher——leavingherinsafety——withoutregret;andbethankfulthatherpathwouldneveragaincrossmine.
　　WithsuchthoughtsinmybreastIturnedthecorneroftheRuedeSt.DenysandcameatonceupontheBleedingHeart,asmallbutdecent-lookinghostelrysituateneartheendofthestreetandoppositeachurch.Abluffgrey-hairedman,whowasstandinginthedoorway,cameforwardaswehalted,andlookingcuriouslyatmademoiselleaskedwhatIlacked;addingcivillythatthehousewasfullandtheyhadnosleepingroom,thelateeventshavingdrawnagreatassemblagetoBlois.
　　'Iwantonlyanaddress,'Ianswered,leaningfromthesaddleandspeakinginalowvoicethatImightnotbeoverheardbythepassers-by.'TheBarondeRosnyisinBlois,ishenot?'
　　ThemanstartedatthenameoftheHuguenotleader,andlookedroundhimnervously.But,seeingthatnoonewasverynearus,heanswered:'Hewas,sir;buthelefttownaweekagoandmore.
　　'Therehavebeenstrangedoingshere,andM.deRosnythoughtthattheclimatesuitedhimill.'
　　Hesaidthiswithsomuchmeaning,aswellasconcernthatheshouldnotbeoverheard,that,thoughIwastakenabackandbitterlydisappointed,Isucceededinrestrainingallexclamationsandevenshowoffeeling.Afterapauseofdismay,IaskedwhitherM.deRosnyhadgone.
　　'ToRosny,'wastheanswer.
　　'AndRosny?'
　　'IsbeyondChartres,prettywellallthewaytoMantes,'themananswered,strokingmyhorse'sneck.'Saythirtyleagues.'
　　Iturnedmyhorse,andhurriedlycommunicatedwhathesaidtomademoiselle,whowaswaitingafewpacesaway.Unwelcometome,thenewswasstilllesswelcometoher.Herchagrinandindignationknewnobounds.Foramomentwordsfailedher,butherflashingeyessaidmorethanhertongueasshecriedtome:
　　'Well,sir,andwhatnow?Isthistheendofyourfinepromises?
　　WhereisyourRosny,ifallbenotalyinginventionofyourown?'
　　FeelingthatshehadsomeexcuseIsuppressedmycholer,andhumblyrepeatingthatRosnywasathishouse,twodaysfartheron,andthatIcouldseenothingforitbuttogotohim,Iaskedthelandlordwherewecouldfindalodgingforthenight.
　　'Indeed,sir,thatismorethanIcansay,'heanswered,lookingcuriouslyatus,andthinking,Idoubtnot,thatwithmyshabbycloakandfinehorse,andmademoiselle'smaskandspatteredriding-coat,wewereanoddcouple.'Thereisnotaninnwhichisnotfulltothegarrets——nay,andthestables;and,whatismore,peoplearecharyoftakingstrangersin.Thesearestrangetimes.Theysay,'becontinuedinalowertone,'thattheoldqueenisdyingupthere,andwillnotlastthenight.'
　　Inodded.'Wemustgosomewhere'Isaid.
　　'IwouldhelpyouifIcould,'heanswered,shrugginghisshoulders.'Butthereitis!Bloisisfullfromthetilestothecellars.'
　　Myhorseshiveredunderme,andmademoiselle,whosepatiencewasgone,criedharshlytometodosomething.'Wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,'shesaidfiercely.
　　Isawthatshewaswornoutandscarcelymistressofherself.
　　Thelightwasfalling,andwithitsomerain.Thereekofthekennelsandthecloseairfromthehousesseemedtostifleus.
　　Thebellatthechurchbehinduswasjanglingoutvespers.Afewpeople,attractedbythesightofourhorsesstandingbeforetheinn,hadgatheredroundandwerewatchingus.
　　SomethingIsawmustbedone,anddonequickly.Indespair,andseeingnootherresort,IbroachedaproposalofwhichIhadnothithertoevendreamed.'Mademoiselle,'Isaidbluntly,'Imusttakeyoutomymother's.'
　　'Toyourmother's,sir?'shecried,rousingherself.Hervoicerangwithhaughtysurprise.
　　'Yes,'Irepliedbrusquely;'since,asyousay,wecannotspendthenightinthestreets,andIdonotknowwhereelseIcandisposeofyou.FromthelastadvicesIhadIbelievehertohavefollowedthecourthither.Myfriend,'Icontinued,turningtothelandlord,'doyouknowbynameaMadamedeBonne,whoshouldbeinBlois?'
　　'AMadamedeBonne!'hemuttered,reflecting.'Ihaveheardthenamelately.Waitamoment.'Disappearingintothehouse,hereturnedalmostimmediately,followedbyalankypale-facedyouthwearingatatteredblacksoutane.'Yes,'hesaidnodding,'thereisaworthyladyofthatnamelodginginthenextstreet,Iamtold.Asithappens,thisyoungmanlivesinthesamehouse,andwillguideyou,ifyoulike.'
　　Iassented,and,thankinghimforhisinformation,turnedmyhorseandrequestedtheyouthtoleadtheway.Wehadscarcelypassedthecornerofthestreet,however,andenteredonesomewhatmorenarrowandlessfrequented,whenmademoiselle,whowasridingbehindme,stoppedandcalledtome.Idrewrein,and,turning,askedwhatitwas.
　　'Iamnotcoming,'shesaid,hervoicetremblingslightly,butwhetherwithalarmorangerIcouldnotdetermine.'Iknownothingofyou,andI——IdemandtobetakentoM.deRosny.'
　　'IfyoucrythatnamealoudinthestreetsofBlois,mademoiselle,'Iretorted,'youarelikeenoughtobetakenwhitheryouwillnotcaretogo!AsforM.deRosny,Ihavetoldyouthatheisnothere.HehasgonetohisseatatMantes.'
　　'Thentakemetohim!'
　　'Atthishourofthenight?'Isaiddrily.'Itistwodays'
　　journeyfromhere.'
　　'ThenIwillgotoaninn,'sherepliedsullenly.
　　'Youhaveheardthatthereisnoroomintheinns'IrejoinedwithwhatpatienceIcould.'Andtogofrominntoinnatthishourmightleadusintotrouble.IcanassureyouthatIamasmuchtakenabackbyM.deRosny'sabsenceasyouare.Forthepresent,weareclosetomymother'slodging,and——'
　　'Iknownothingofyourmother!'sheexclaimedpassionately,hervoiceraised.'Youhaveenticedmehitherbyfalsepretences,sir,andIwillendureitnolonger.Iwill——'
　　'Whatyouwilldo,Idonotknowthen,mademoiselle,'Ireplied,quiteatmywits'end;forwhatwiththerainandthedarkness,theunknownstreets——inwhichourtarryingmightatanymomentcollectacrowd——andthisstubborngirl'sopposition,Iknewnotwhithertoturn.'FormypartIcansuggestnothingelse.Itdoesnotbecomemetospeakofmymother,'Icontinued,'orI
　　mightsaythatevenMademoiselledelaVireneednotbeashamedtoacceptthehospitalityofMadamedeBonne.Noraremymother'scircumstances,'Iaddedproudly,'thoughnarrow,someanastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherbirth.'
　　Mylastwordsappearedtomakesomeimpressionuponmycompanion.
　　Sheturnedandspoketoherwoman,whorepliedinalowvoice,tossingherheadthewhileandglaringatmeinspeechlessindignation.Hadtherebeenanythingelseforit,theywoulddoubtlesshavefloutedmyofferstill;butapparentlyFanchettecouldsuggestnothing,andpresentlymademoiselle,withasullenair,bademeleadon.
　　Takingthisforpermission,thelankyyouthintheblacksoutane,whohadremainedatmybridlethroughoutthediscussion,nowlisteningandnowstaring,noddedandresumedhisway;andI
　　followed.Afterproceedingalittlemorethanfiftyyardshestoppedbeforeamean-lookingdoorway,flankedbygratedwindows,andfrontedbyaloftywallwhichItooktobethebackofsomenobleman'sgarden.Thestreetatthispointwasunlighted,andlittlebetterthananalley;norwastheappearanceofthehouse,whichwasnarrowandill-looking,thoughlofty,calculated,asfarasIcouldmakeitoutisthedarkness,toallaymademoiselle'ssuspicions.Knowing,however,thatpeopleofpositionareoftenobligedintownstolodgeinpoorhouses,I
　　thoughtnothingofthis,andonlystrovetogetmademoiselledismountedasquicklyaspossible.Theladgropedaboutandfoundtworingsbesidethedoor,andtotheseItiedupthehorses.Then,biddinghimleadtheway,andbeggingmademoiselletofollow,Iplungedintothedarknessofthepassageandfeltmywaytothefootofthestaircase,whichwasentirelyunlighted,andsmelledcloseandunpleasant.
　　'Whichfloor?'Iaskedmyguide.
　　'Thefourth,'heansweredquietly.
　　'Morbleu!'Imuttered,asIbegantoascend,myhandonthewall.'Whatisthemeaningofthis?'
　　ForIwasperplexed.TherevenuesofMarsac,thoughsmall,shouldhavekept;mymother,whomIhadlastseeninParisbeforetheNemoursedict,intolerablecomfort——suchmodestcomfort,atanyrate,ascouldscarcelybelookedforinsuchahouseasthis——obscure,ill-tended,unlighted.Tomyperplexitywasadded,beforeIreachedthetopofthestairs,disquietude——
　　disquietudeonheraccountaswellasonmademoiselle's.Ifeltthatsomethingwaswrong,andwouldhavegivenmuchtorecalltheinvitationIhadpressedonthelatter.
　　WhattheyoungladythoughtherselfIcouldprettywellguess,asIlistenedtoherhurriedbreathingatmyshoulder.WitheverystepIexpectedhertorefusetogofarther.But,havingoncemadeuphermind,shefollowedmestubbornly,thoughthedarknesswassuchthatinvoluntarilyIloosenedmydagger,andpreparedtodefendmyselfshouldthisturnouttobeatrap.
　　Wereachedthetop,however,withoutaccident.Ourguideknockedsoftlyatadoorandimmediatelyopeneditwithoutwaitingforananswer.Afeeblelightshoneoutonthestair-head,andbendingmyhead,forthelintelwaslow,Isteppedintotheroom.
　　Iadvancedtwopacesandstoodlookingaboutmeinangrybewilderment.Thebarenessofextremepovertymarkedeverythingonwhichmyeyesrested.Acrackedearthenwarelampsmokedandsputteredonastoolinthemiddleoftherottingfloor.Anoldblackcloaknailedtothewall,andflappingtoandfrointhedraughtlikesomedeadgallowsbird,hunginfrontoftheunglazedwindow.Ajarinacornercaughtthedrippingsfromaholeintheroof.Anironpotandasecondstool——thelattercastingalongshadowacrossthefloor——stoodbesidethehandfulofwoodashes,whichsmoulderedonthehearth.AndthatwasallthefurnitureIsaw,exceptabedwhichfilledthefartherendofthelongnarrowroom,andwascurtainedoffsoastoformakindofmiserablealcove.
　　Aglancesufficedtoshowmeallthis,andthattheroomwasempty,orapparentlyempty.YetIlookedagainandagain,stupefied.Atlastfindingmyvoice,Iturnedtotheyoungmanwhohadbroughtushither,andwithafierceoathdemandedofhimwhathemeant.
　　Heshrankbackbehindtheopendoor,andyet;answeredwithakindofsullensurprisethatIhadaskedforMadamedeBonne's,andthiswasit.
　　'MadamedeBonne's!'Imuttered.'ThisMadamedeBonne's!'
　　Henodded.
　　'Ofcourseitis!Andyouknowit!'mademoisellehissedinmyear,hervoice,assheinterposed,hoarsewithpassion.'Don'tthinkthatyoucandeceiveusanylonger.Weknowall!This,'
　　shecontinued,lookinground,hercheeksscarlet,hereyesablazewithscorn,'isyourmother's,isit!Yourmotherwhohasfollowedthecourthither——whosemeansarenarrow,butnotsosmallastodepriveheroftheprivilegesofherrank!Thisisyourmother'shospitality,isit?Youareacheat,sir!andadetectedcheat!Letusbegone!Letmego,sir,Isay!'
　　TwiceIhadtriedtostopthecurrentofherwords;butinvain.
　　Nowwithangerwhichsurpassedhersahundredfold——forwho,beingaman,wouldhearhimselfmisnamedbeforehismother?——I
　　succeeded,'Silence,mademoiselle!'Icried,mygrasponherwrist.'Silence,Isay!Thisismymother!'
　　Andrunningforwardtothebed,Ifellonmykneesbesideit.A
　　feeblehandhadhalfwithdrawnthecurtain,andthroughthegapmymother'sstrickenfacelookedout,agreatfearstampeduponit.
　　CHAPTERVII.
　　SIMONFLEIX.
　　ForsomeminutesIforgotmademoiselleinpayingthoseassiduousattentionstomymotherwhichherstateandmydutydemanded;andwhichIofferedthemoreanxiouslythatIrecognised,withasinkingheart,thechangeswhichageandillnesshadmadeinhersincemylastvisit.Theshockofmademoiselle'swordshadthrownherintoasyncope,fromwhichshedidnotrecoverforsometime;andthenratherthroughtheassistanceofourstrangeguide,whoseemedwellawarewhattodo,thanthroughmyefforts.
　　AnxiousasIwastolearnwhathadreducedhertosuchstraitsandsuchaplace,thiswasnotthetimetosatisfymycuriosity,andIpreparedmyselfinsteadforthetaskofeffacingthepainfulimpressionwhichmademoiselle'swordshadmadeonhermind.
　　Onfirstcomingtoherselfshedidnotrememberthem,but,contenttofindmebyherside——forthereissomethingsoalchemicinamother'slovethatIdoubtnotmypresencechangedhergarrettoapalace——shespentherselfinfeeblecaressesandbrokenwords.Presently,however,hereyefallingonmademoiselleandhermaid,whoremainedstandingbythehearth,lookingdarklyatusfromtimetotime,sherecalled,firsttheshockwhichhadprostratedher,andthenitscause,andraisingherselfonherelbow,lookedaboutherwildly.'Gaston!'shecried,clutchingmyhandwithherthinfingers,'whatwasitI
　　heard?Itwasofyousomeonespoke——awoman!Shecalledyou——ordidIdreamit?——acheat!You!'
　　'Madame,madame,'Isaid,strivingtospeakcarelessly,thoughthesight;ofhergreyhair,stragglinganddishevelled,movedmestrangely,'wasit;likely?Wouldanyonedaretousesuchexpressionsofmeisyourpresence?Youmustindeedhavedreamedit!'
　　Thewords,however,returningmoreandmorevividlytohermind,shelookedatmeverypitifully,andingreatagitationlaidherarmonmyneck,asthoughshewouldsheltermewiththepunystrengthwhichjustenabledhertoriseinbed.'Butsomeone,'
　　shemuttered,hereyesonthestrangers,'saidit,Gaston?I
　　heardit.Whatdiditmean?'
　　'Whatyouheard,madame,'Ianswered,withanattemptatgaiety,thoughthetearsstoodinmyeyes,'was,doubtless,mademoiselleherescoldingourguidefromTours,whodemandedthreetimestheproperPOURBOIRE.Theimpudentrascaldeservedallthatwassaidtohim,Iassureyou.'
　　'Wasthatit?'shemurmureddoubtfully.
　　'Thatmusthavebeenwhatyouheard,madame,'Ianswered,asifI
　　feltnodoubt.
　　Shefellbackwithasighofrelief,andalittlecolourcameintoherwanface.Buthereyesstilldweltcuriously,andwithapprehension,onmademoiselle,whostoodlookingsullenlyintothefire;andseeingthismyheartmisgavemesorelythatIhaddoneafoolishthinginbringingthegirlthere.Iforesawahundredquestionswhichwouldbeasked,andahundredcomplicationswhichmustensue,andfeltalreadytheblushofshamemountingtomycheek.
　　'Whoisthat?'mymotheraskedsoftly.'Iamill.Shemustexcuseme.'Shepointedwithherfragilefingertomycompanions.
　　Irose,andstillkeepingherhandinmine,turnedsoastofacethehearth.'This,madame,'Iansweredformally,'isMademoiselle——,buthernameIwillcommittoyoulater,andinprivate.Sufficeittosaythatsheisaladyofrank,whohasbeencommittedtomychargebyahighpersonage.'
　　'Ahighpersonage?'mymotherrepeatedgently,glancingatmewithasmileofgratification.
　　'Oneofthehighest,'Isaid,'Suchachargebeingagreathonourtome,IfeltthatIcouldnotbetterexecuteitmadame,sincewemustlieinBloisonenight,thanbyrequestingyourhospitalityonherbehalf.'
　　IdaredmademoiselleasIspoke——Idaredherwithmyeyetocontradictorinterruptme.Foranswer,shelookedatmeonce,incliningherheadalittle,andgazingatusfromunderherlongeyelashes.Thensheturnedbacktothefire,andherfootresumeditsangrytappingonthefloor.
　　'IregretthatIcannotreceiveherbetter,'mymotheransweredfeebly.'Ihavehadlossesoflate.I——butIwillspeakofthatatanothertime.Mademoiselledoubtlessknows,'shecontinuedwithdignity,'youandyourpositioninthesouthtoowelltothinkillofthemomentarystraitstowhichshefindsmereduced.'
　　Isawmademoisellestart,andIwrithedundertheglanceofcovertscorn,ofamazedindignation,whichsheshotatme.Butmymothergentlypattingmyhand,Iansweredpatiently,'Mademoisellewillthinkonlywhatiskind,madame——ofthatIamassured.Andlodgingsarescarceto-nightinBlois.'
　　'Buttellmeofyourself,Gaston,'mymothercriedeagerly;andI
　　hadnottheheart,withhertouchonmyhand,hereyesonmyface,totearmyselfaway,muchasIdreadedwhatwascoming,andlongedtoendthescene.'Tellmeofyourself.Youarestillinfavourwiththekingof——Iwillnotnamehimhere?'
　　'Still,madame,'Ianswered,lookingsteadilyatmademoiselle,thoughmyfaceburned.
　　'Youarestill——heconsultsyou,Gaston?'
　　'Still,madame.'
　　Mymotherheavedahappysigh,andsanklowerinthebed.'Andyouremployments?'shemurmured,hervoicetremblingwithgratification.'Theyhavenotbeenreduced?Youstillretainthem,Gaston?'
　　'Still,madame,'Ianswered,theperspirationstandingonmybrow,myshamealmostmorethanIcouldbear.
　　'Twelvethousandlivresayear,Ithink?'
　　'Thesame,madame.'
　　'Andyourestablishment?Howmanydoyoukeepnow?Yourvalet,ofcourse?Andlackeys——howmanyatpresent?'Sheglanced,withaneyeofpride,whileshewaitedformyanswer,firstatthetwosilentfiguresbythefire,thenatthepoverty-strickenroom;asifthesightofitsbarenessheightenedforherthejoyofmyprosperity.
　　Shehadnosuspicionofmytrouble,mymisery,orthatthelastquestionalmostfilledthecuptoofull.Hithertoallhadbeeneasy,butthisseemedtochokeme.Istammeredandlostmyvoice.Mademoiselle,herheadbowed,wasgazingintothefire.
　　Fanchettewasstaringatme,herblackeyesroundassaucers,hermouthhalf-open.'Well,madame,'Imutteredatlength,'totellyouthetruth,atpresent,youmustunderstand,Ihavebeenforcedto——'
　　'What,Gaston?'MadamedeBonnehalfroseinbed.Hervoicewassharpwithdisappointmentandapprehension;thegraspofherfingersonmyhandgrewcloser.
　　Icouldnotresistthatappeal.Iflungawaythelastragofshame.'Toreducemyestablishmentsomewhat,'Ianswered,lookingamiserabledefianceatmademoiselle'savertedfigure.
　　Shehadcalledmealiarandacheat——hereintheroom!Imuststandbeforeheraliarandacheatconfessed.'Ikeepbutthreelackeysnow,madame.'
　　Stillitiscreditable,'mymothermutteredthoughtfully,hereyesshining.'Yourdress,however,Gaston——onlymyeyesareweak——seemstome——'
　　'Tut,tut!Itisbutadisguise,'Iansweredquickly.
　　'Imighthaveknownthat,'sherejoined,sinkingbackwithasmileandasighofcontent.'ButwhenIfirstsawyouIwasalmostafraidthatsomethinghadhappenedtoyou.AndIhavebeenuneasylately,'shewenton,releasingmyhand,andbeginningtoplaywiththecoverlet,asthoughtheremembrancetroubledher.'Therewasamanhereawhileago——afriendofSimonFleixthere——whohadbeensouthtoPauandNerac,andhesaidtherewasnoM.deMarsacabouttheCourt.'
　　'HeprobablyknewlessoftheCourtthanthewine-tavern,'I
　　answeredwithaghastlysmile.
　　'ThatwasjustwhatItoldhim,'mymotherrespondedquicklyandeagerly.'IwarrantyouIsenthimawayill-satisfied.'
　　'Ofcourse,'Isaid;'therewillalwaysbepeopleofthatkind.
　　Butnow,ifyouwillpermitme,madame,Iwillmakesucharrangementsformademoiselleasarenecessary.'
　　Beggingheraccordinglytoliedownandcomposeherself——forevensoshortaconversation,followingontheexcitementofourarrival,hadexhaustedhertoapainfuldegree——Itooktheyouth,whohadjustreturnedfromstablingourhorses,alittleaside,andlearningthathelodgedinasmallerchamberonthefarthersideofthelanding,secureditfortheuseofmademoiselleandherwoman.Inspiteofacertainexcitabilitywhichmarkedhimattimes,heseemedtobeaquick,readyfellow,andhewillinglyundertooktogoout,lateasitwas,andprocuresomeprovisionsandafewotherthingswhichweresadlyneeded,aswellformymother'scomfortasforourown.IdirectedFanchettetoaidhiminthepreparationoftheotherchamber,andthusforawhileI
　　wasleftalonewithmademoiselle.Shehadtakenoneofthestools,andsatcoweringoverthefire,thehoodofhercloakdrawnaboutherhead;insuchamannerthatevenwhenshelookedatme,whichshedidfromtimetotime,Isawlittlemorethanhereyes,brightwithcontemptuousanger.
　　'So,sir,'shepresentlybegan,speakinginalowvoice,andturningslightlytowardsme,'youpractiselyingevenhere?'
　　IfeltsostronglythefutilityofdenialorexplanationthatI
　　shruggedmyshouldersandremainedsilentunderthesneer.Twomoredays——twomoredayswouldtakeustoRosny,andmytaskwouldbedone,andMademoiselleandIwouldpartforgoodandall.Whatwoulditmatterthenwhatshethoughtofme?Whatdiditmatternow?
　　Forthefirsttimeinourintercoursemysilenceseemedtodisconcertanddispleaseher.'Haveyounothingtosayforyourself?'shemutteredsharply,crushingafragmentofcharcoalunderherfoot,andstoopingtopeerattheashes.'Haveyounotanotherlieinyourquiver,M.deMarsac?'DeMarsac!'Andsherepeatedthetitle,withascornfullaugh,asifsheputnofaithinmyclaimtoit.
　　ButIwouldanswernothing——nothing;andweremainedsilentuntilFanchette,comingintosaythatthechamberwasready,heldthelightforhermistresstopassout.Itoldthewomantocomebackandfetchmademoiselle'ssupper,andthen,beingleftalonewithmymother,whohadfallenasleep,withasmileonherthin,wornface,Ibegantowonderwhathadhappenedtoreducehertosuchdirepoverty.
　　Ifearedtoagitateherbyreferringtoit;butlaterintheevening,whenhercurtainsweredrawnandSimonFleixandIwerelefttogether,eyeingoneanotheracrosstheemberslikedogsofdifferentbreeds——withacertainstrangenessandsuspicion——mythoughtsrecurredtothequestion;anddeterminingfirsttolearnsomethingaboutmycompanion,whosepale,eagerfaceandtattered,blackdressgavehimacertainindividuality,IaskedhimwhetherhehadcomefromPariswithMadamedeBonne.
　　Henoddedwithoutspeaking.
　　Iaskedhimifhehadknownherlong.
　　'Twelvemonths,'heanswered.'Ilodgedonthefifth,madameonthesecond,floorofthesamehouseinParis.'
　　Ileanedforwardandpluckedthehemofhisblackrobe.'Whatisthis?'Isaid,withalittlecontempt.'Youarenotapriest,man.'
　　'No,'heanswered,fingeringthestuffhimself,andgazingatmeinacurious,vacantfashion.'IamastudentoftheSorbonne.'
　　Idrewofffromhimwithamutteredoath,wondering——whileI
　　lookedathimwithsuspiciouseyes——howhecametobehere,andparticularlyhowhecametobeinattendanceonmymother,whohadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodintheReligion,andhadprofesseditinprivateallherlife.Icouldthinkofnoonewho,inolddays,wouldhavebeenlesswelcomeinherhousethanaSorbonnist,andbegantofancythathereshouldliethesecretofhermiserablecondition.
　　'Youdon'tlike,theSorbonne?'hesaid,readingmythoughts;
　　whichwere,indeed,plainenough.
　　'NomorethanIlovethedevil!'Isaidbluntly.
　　Heleanedforwardand,stretchingoutathin,nervoushand,laiditonmyknee.'Whatiftheyareright,though?'hemuttered,hisvoicehoarse.'Whatiftheyareright,M.deMarsac?'
　　'Whoright?'Iaskedroughly,drawingbackafresh.
　　'TheSorbonne.'herepeated,hisfaceredwithexcitement,hiseyespeeringuncannilyintomine.'Don'tyousee,'hecontinued,pinchingmykneeinhisearnestness,andthrustinghisfacenearerandnearertomine,'itallturnsonthat?Itallturnsonthat——salvationordamnation!Aretheyright?Areyouright?
　　Yousayyestothis,notothat,youwhite-coats;andyousayitlightly,butareyouright?Areyouright?MonDieu!'hecontinued,drawingbackabruptlyandclawingtheairwithimpatience,'Ihaveread,read,read!Ihavelistenedtosermons,theses,disputations,andIknownothing.IknownomorethanwhenIbegan.'
　　Hesprangupandbegantopacethefloor,whileIgazedathimwithafeelingofpity.Averylearnedpersononcetoldmethatthetroublesofthesetimesbredfourkindsofmen,whoweremuchtobecompassionated:fanaticsontheonesideortheother,wholostsightofallelseintheintensityoftheirfaith;menwho,likeSimonFleix,soughtdesperatelyaftersomethingtobelieve,andfounditnot;andlastly,scoffers,who,believinginnothing,lookedonallreligionasamockery.
　　Hepresentlystoppedwalking——inhisutmostexcitementIremarkedthatheneverforgotmymother,buttrodmorelightlywhenhedrewnearthealcove——andspokeagain.'YouareaHuguenot?'hesaid.
　　'Yes,'Ireplied.
　　'Soisshe,'herejoined,pointingtowardsthebed.'Butdoyoufeelnodoubts?'
　　'None,'Isaidquietly.
　　'Nordoesshe.'heansweredagain,stoppingoppositeme.Youmadeupyourmind——how?'
　　'IwasbornintheReligion,'Isaid.
　　'Andyouhaveneverquestionedit?'
　　'Never.'