'Northoughtmuchaboutit?'
　　'Notagreatdeal,'Ianswered.
　　'SaintGris!'heexclaimedinalowtone.'Anddoyouneverthinkofhell-fire——ofthewormwhichdiethnot,andthefirewhichshallnotbequenched?Doyouneverthinkofthat,M.deMarsac?'
　　'No,myfriend,never!'Ianswered,risingimpatiently;foratthathour,andinthatsilent,gloomyroomIfoundhisconversationdispiriting.'IbelievewhatIwastaughttobelieve,andIstrivetohurtnoonebuttheenemy.Ithinklittle;andifIwereyouIwouldthinkless.Iwoulddosomething,man——fight,play,work,anythingbutthink!Ileavethattoclerks.'
　　'Iamaclerk,'heanswered.
　　'Apoorone,itseems,'Iretorted,withalittlescorninmytone.'Leaveit,man.Work!Fight!Dosomething!'
　　'Fight?'hesaid,asiftheideawereanovelone.'Fight?Butthere,Imightbekilled;andthenhell-fire,yousee!'
　　'Zounds,man!'Icried,outofpatiencewithafollywhich,totellthetruth,thelampburninglow,andtherainpatteringontheroof,madetheskinofmybackfeelcoldandcreepy.'Enoughofthis!Keepyourdoubtsandyourfiretoyourself!Andanswerme,'Icontinued,sternly.'HowcameMadamedeBonnesopoor?
　　Howdidshecomedowntothisplace?'
　　Hesatdownonhisstool,theexcitementdyingquicklyoutofhisface.'Shegaveawayallhermoney,'hesaidslowlyandreluctantly.Itmaybeimaginedthatthisanswersurprisedme.
　　'Gaveitaway?'Iexclaimed.'Towhom?Andwhen?'
　　Hemoveduneasilyonhisseatandavoidedmyeye,hisalteredmannerfillingmewithsuspicionswhichtheinsightIhadjustobtainedintohischaracterdidnotaltogetherpreclude.Atlasthesaid,'Ihadnothingtodowithit,ifyoumeanthat;nothing.
　　Onthecontrary,IhavedoneallIcouldtomakeituptoher.I
　　followedherhere.Iswearthatisso,M.deMarsac.'
　　'Youhavenottoldmeyettowhomshegaveit,'Isaidsternly.
　　'Shegaveit,'hemuttered,'toapriest.'
　　'Towhatpriest?'
　　'Idonotknowhisname.HeisaJacobin.'
　　'Andwhy?'Iasked,gazingincredulouslyatthestudent.'Whydidshegiveittohim?Come,come!haveacare.LetmehavenoneofyourSorbonneinventions!'
　　Hehesitatedamoment,lookingatmetimidly,andthenseemedtomakeuphismindtotellme.'Hefoundout——itwaswhenwelivedinParis,youunderstand,lastJune——thatshewasaHuguenot.ItwasaboutthetimetheyburnedtheFoucards,andhefrightenedherwiththat,andmadeherpayhimmoney,alittleatfirst,andthenmoreandmore,tokeephersecret.WhenthekingcametoBloisshefollowedhisMajesty,thinkingtobesaferhere;butthepriestcametoo,andgotmoremoney,andmore,untilhelefther——this.'
　　'This!'Isaid.AndIsetmyteethtogether.
　　SimonFleixnodded,Ilookedroundthewretchedgarrettowhichmymotherhadbeenreduced,andpicturedthedaysandhoursoffearandsuspensethroughwhichshehadlived;throughwhichshemusthavelived,withthatcaitiff'sthreathangingoverhergreyhead!I
　　thoughtofherbirthandherhumiliation;ofherfrailformandpatient,undyingloveforme;andsolemnly,andbeforeheaven,I
　　sworethatnighttopunishtheman.Myangerwastoogreatforwords,andfortearsIwastooold.IaskedSimonFleixnomorequestions,savewhenthepriestmightbelookedforagain——whichhecouldnottellme——andwhetherhewouldknowhimagain——towhichheanswered,'Yes.'But,wrappingmyselfinmycloak,I
　　laydownbythefireandponderedlongandsadly.
　　So,whileIhadbeenpinchingthere,mymotherhadbeenstarvinghere.Shehaddeceivedme,andIher.Thelampflickered,throwinguncertainshadowsasthedraughttossedthestrangewindow-curtaintoandfro.Theleakagefromtherooffelldropbydrop,andnowandagainthewindshookthecrazybuilding,asthoughitwouldliftitupbodilyandcarryitaway.
　　CHAPTERVIII.
　　ANEMPTYROOM.
　　Desiringtostartasearlyaspossible,thatwemightreachRosnyonthesecondevening,IrousedSimonFleixbeforeitwaslight,andlearningfromhimwherethehorseswerestabled,wentouttoattendtothem;preferringtodothismyself,thatImighthaveanopportunityofseekingoutatailor,andprovidingmyselfwithclothesbettersuitedtomyrankthanthosetowhichIhadbeenreducedoflate.IfoundthatIstillhadninetycrownsleftofthesumwhichtheKingofNavarrehadgivenme,andtwelveoftheseIlaidoutonadoubletofblackclothwithrussetpointsandribands,adarkcloaklinedwiththesamesobercolour,andanewcapandfeather.Thetradesmanwouldfainhaveprovidedmewithanewscabbardalso,seeingmyoldonewasworn-outattheheel;butthisIdeclined,havingafancytogowithmypointbareuntilIshouldhavepunishedthescoundrelwhohadmademymother'sfailingdaysamiserytoher;abusinesswhich,theKingofNavarre'soncedone,Ipromisedmyselftopursuewithenergyandatallcosts.
　　Thechoiceofmyclothes,andafewalterationswhichitwasnecessarytomakeinthem,detainedmesometime,sothatitwaslaterthanIcouldhavewishedwhenIturnedmyfacetowardsthehouseagain,bentongettingmypartytohorseasspeedilyaspossible.Themorning,Iremember,wasbright,frosty,andcold;
　　thekennelsweredry,thestreetscomparativelyclean.Hereandtherearayofearlysunshine,dartingbetweentheoverhangingeaves,gavepromiseofglorioustravelling-weather.Butthefaces,Iremarkedinmywalk,didnotreflectthesurroundingcheerfulness.Moodylooksmetmeeverywhereandoneveryside;
　　andwhilecourieraftercouriergallopedbymeboundforthecastle,thetownsfolkstoodaloofisdoorwayslistlessandinactive,or,gatheringingroupsincorners,talkedwhatItooktobetreasonunderthebreath.Thequeen-motherstilllived,butOrleanshadrevolted,andSensandMans,ChartresandMelun.
　　Rouenwassaidtobewavering,Lyonsinarms,whileParishaddeposedherking,andcursedhimdailyfromahundredaltars.Infine,thegreatrebellionwhichfollowedthedeathofGuise,andlastedsomanyyears,wasalreadyinprogress;sothatonthisfirstdayofthenewyeartheking'swritscarceranfartherthanhecouldsee,peeringanxiouslyoutfromthetowersabovemyhead.
　　Reachingthehouse,Iclimbedthelongstaircasehastily,abusingitsdarknessandfoulness,andplanningasIwenthowmymothermightmosteasilyandquicklybemovedtoabetterlodging.
　　Gainingthetopofthelastflight,Isawthatmademoiselle'sdoorontheleftofthelandingwasopen,andconcludingfromthisthatshewasup,andreadytostart,Ienteredmymother'sroomwithabriskstepandspiritsreinforcedbythecrispmorningair.
　　ButonthethresholdIstopped,andstoodsilentandamazed.AtfirstIthoughttheroomwasempty.Then,atasecondglance,I
　　sawthestudent.Hewasonhiskneesbesidethebedinthealcove,fromwhichthecurtainhadbeenpartiallydraggedaway.
　　Thecurtainbeforethewindowhadbeentorndownalso,andthecoldlightofday,pouringinontheunsightlybarenessoftheroom,struckachilltomyheart.Astoollayoverturnedbythefire,andaboveitagreycat,whichIhadnothithertonoticed,crouchedonabeamandeyedmewithstealthyfierceness.
　　Mademoisellewasnottobeseen,norwasFanchette,andSimonFleixdidnothearme.Hewasdoingsomethingatthebed——formymotheritseemed.
　　'Whatisit,man?'Icriedsoftly,advancingontiptoetothebedside.'Wherearetheothers?'
　　Thestudentlookedroundandsawme.Hisfacewaspaleandgloomy.Hiseyesburned,andyetthereweretearsinthem,andonhischeeks.Hedidnotspeak,butthechilliness,thebareness,theemptinessoftheroomspokeforhim,andmyheartsank.
　　Itookhimbytheshoulders.'Findyourtongue,man!'Isaidangrily.'Wherearethey?'
　　Herosefromhiskneesandstoodstaringatme.'Theyaregone!'
　　hesaidstupidly.
　　'Gone?'Iexclaimed.'Impossible!When?Whither?'
　　'Halfanhourago.Whither——Idonotknow.'
　　Confoundedandamazed,Iglaredathimbetweenfearandrage.
　　'Youdonotknow?'Icried.'Theyaregone,andyoudonotknow?'
　　Heturnedsuddenlyonmeandgrippedmyarm.'No,Idonotknow!
　　Idonotknow!'hecried,withacompletechangeofmannerandinatoneoffierceexcitement.'Only,maythefiendgowiththem!ButIdoknowthis.Iknowthis,M.deMarsac,withwhomtheywent,thesefriendsofyours!Afopcame,adolt,afinespark,andgavethemfinewordsandfinespeechesandagoldtoken,and,heypresto!theywent,andforgotyou!'
　　'What!'Icried,beginningtounderstand,andsnatchingfiercelyattheoneclueinhisspeech.'Agoldtoken?Theyhavebeendecoyedawaythen!Thereisnotimetobelost.Imustfollow.'
　　'No,forthatisnotall!'hereplied,interruptingmesternly,whilehisgrasponmyarmgrewtighterandhiseyesflashedastheylookedintomine.'Youhavenotheardall.Theyhavegonewithonewhocalledyouanimpostor,andathief,andabeggar,andthattoyourmother'sface——andkilledher!Killedherassurelyasifhehadtakenaswordtoher,M.deMarsac!Willyou,afterthat,leaveherforthem?'
　　Hespokeplainly.Andyet,Godforgiveme,itwassometimebeforeIunderstoodhim:beforeItookinthemeaningofhiswords,orcouldtransfermythoughtsfromtheabsenttomymotherlyingonthebedbeforeme.WhenIdiddoso,andturnedtoher,andsawherstillfaceandthinhairstragglingoverthecoarsepillow,then,indeed,thesightovercameme.Ithoughtnomoreofothers——forIthoughtherdead;andwithagreatandbittercryIfellonmykneesbesideherandhidmyface.What,afterall,wasthisheadstronggirltome?Whatwereevenkingsandking'scommissionstomebesideher——besidetheonehumanbeingwholovedmestill,theonebeingofmybloodandnameleft,theoneever-patient,ever-constantheartwhichforyearshadbeatenonlyforme?Forawhile,forafewmoments,Iwasworthyofher;forIforgotallothers.
　　SimonFleixrousedmeatlastfrommystupor,makingmeunderstandthatshewasnotdead,butinadeepswoon,theresultoftheshockshehadundergone.Aleech,forwhomhehaddespatchedaneighbour,cameinasIrose,andtakingmyplace,presentlyrestoredhertoconsciousness.Butherextremefeeblenesswarnedmenottohopeformorethanatemporaryrecovery;norhadIsatbyherlongbeforeIdiscernedthatthislastblow,followingonsomanyfearsandprivations,hadreachedavitalpart,andthatshewasevennowdying.
　　Shelayforawhilewithherhandinmineandhereyesclosed,butaboutnoon,thestudent,contrivingtogivehersomebroth,sherevived,and,recognisingme,layformorethananhourgazingatmewithunspeakablecontentandsatisfaction.Attheendofthattime,andwhenIthoughtshewaspastspeaking,shesignedtometobendoverher,andwhisperedsomething,whichatfirstIcouldnotcatch.PresentlyImadeitouttobe,'Sheisgone——Thegirlyoubrought?'
　　Muchtroubled,Iansweredyes,begginghernottothinkaboutthematter.Ineednothavefeared,however,forwhenshespokeagainshedidsowithoutemotion,andratherasoneseeingclearlysomethingbeforeher.
　　'Whenyoufindher,Gaston,'shemurmured,'donotbeangrywithher.Itwasnotherfault.She——hedeceivedher.See!'
　　Ifollowedthedirectionratherofhereyesthanherhand,andfoundbeneaththepillowalengthofgoldchain.'Sheleftthat?'Imurmured,astrangetumultofemotionsinmybreast.
　　'Shelaiditthere,'mymotherwhispered.'Andshewouldhavestoppedhimsayingwhathedid'——ashudderranthroughmymother'sframeattheremembranceoftheman'swords,thoughhereyesstillgazedintominewithfaithandconfidence——'shewouldhavestoppedhim,butshecouldnot,Gaston.Andthenhehurriedheraway.'
　　'Heshowedheratoken,madame,didhenot?'Icouldnotformyliferepressthequestion,somuchseemedtoturnonthepoint.
　　'Abitofgold,'mymotherwhispered,smilingfaintly.'Nowletmesleep.'And,clingingalwaystomyhand,sheclosedhereyes.
　　ThestudentcamebacksoonafterwardswithsomecomfortsforwhichIhaddespatchedhim,andwesatbyheruntiltheeveningfell,andfarintothenight.Itwasarelieftometolearnfromtheleechthatshehadbeenailingforsometime,andthatinanycasetheendmusthavecomesoon.Shesufferednopainandfeltnofears,butmeetingmyeyeswheneversheopenedherown,orcameoutofthedrowsinesswhichpossessedher,thankedGod,Ithink,andwascontent.Asforme,Irememberthatroombecame,forthetime,theworld.ItsstillnessswallowedupallthetumultswhichfilledthecitiesofFrance,anditsoneinterestthecomingandgoingofafeeblebreath——eclipsedtheambitionsandhopesofalifetime.
　　BeforeitgrewlightSimonFleixstoleouttoattendtothehorses.Whenhereturnedhecametomeandwhisperedinmyearthathehadsomethingtotellme;andmymotherlyinginaquietsleepatthetime,Idisengagedmyhand,and,risingsoftly,wentwithhimtothehearth.
　　Insteadofspeaking,heheldhisfistbeforemeandsuddenlyunclosedthefingers.'Doyouknowit?'hesaid,glancingatmeabruptly.
　　Itookwhatheheld,andlookingatit,nodded.Itwasaknotofvelvetofapeculiardarkredcolour,andhadformed,asIknewthemomentIseteyesonit,partofthefasteningofmademoiselle'smask.'Wheredidyoufindit?'Imuttered,supposingthathehadpickedituponthestairs.
　　'Lookatit!'heansweredimpatiently.'Youhavenotlooked.'
　　Iturneditover,andthensawsomethingwhichhadescapedmeatfirst——thatthewiderpartofthevelvetwasdisfiguredbyafantasticstitching,doneveryroughlyandrudelywithathreadofwhitesilk.Thestitchesformedletters,theletterswords.
　　WithastartIread,'AMOI!'andsawinacorner,insmallerstitches,theinitials'C.d.l.V.'
　　Ilookedeagerlyatthestudent.'Wheredidyoufindthis?'I
　　said.
　　'Ipickeditupinthestreet,'heansweredquietly,'notthreehundredpacesfromhere.'
　　Ithoughtamoment.'Inthegutter,ornearthewall?'Iasked.
　　'Nearthewall,tobesure.'
　　'Underawindow?'
　　'Precisely,'hesaid.'Youmaybeeasy;Iamnotafool.I
　　markedtheplace,M.deMarsac,andshallnotforgetit.'
　　EventhesorrowandsolicitudeIfeltonmymother'sbehalf——
　　feelingswhichhadseemedaminutebeforetosecuremeagainstallothercaresoranxietieswhatever——werenotproofagainstthisdiscovery.ForIfoundmyselfplacedinastraitsocruelI
　　mustsuffereitherway.Ontheonehand,Icouldnotleavemymother;Iwereaheartlessingratetodothat.Ontheother,I
　　couldnot,withoutgrievouspain,standstillandinactivewhileMademoiselledelaVire,whomIhadsworntoprotect,andwhowasnowsufferingthroughmylachesandmischance,appealedtomeforhelp.ForIcouldnotdoubtthatthiswaswhatthebowofvelvetmeant;stilllessthatitwasintendedforme,sincefewsavemyselfwouldbelikelytorecogniseit,andshewouldnaturallyexpectmetomakesomeattemptatpursuit.
　　AndIcouldnotthinklittleofthesign.Rememberingmademoiselle'sproudandfearlessspirit,andthelightinwhichshehadalwaysregardedme,Iauguredtheworstfromit.Ifeltassuredthatnoimaginarydangerandnoemergencysavethelastwouldhaveinducedhertostoopsolow;andthisconsideration,takenwiththefearIfeltthatshehadfallenintothehandsofFresnoy,whomIbelievedtobethepersonwhohadrobbedmeofthegoldcoin,filledmewithahorribledoubtwhichwaymydutylay.Iwaspulled,asitwere,bothways.Ifeltmyhonourengagedbothtogoandtostay,andwhilemyhandwenttomyhilt,andmyfeettrembledtobegone,myeyessoughtmymother,andmyearslistenedforhergentlebreathing.
　　Perplexedanddistracted,Ilookedatthestudent,andheatme.
　　'Yousawthemanwhotookheraway,'Imuttered.Hitherto,inmyabsorptiononmymother'saccount,Ihadputfewquestions,andletthematterpassasthoughitmovedmelittleandconcernedmeless.'Whatwashelike?Washeabig,bloatedman,Simon,withhisheadbandaged,orperhapsawoundonhisface?'
　　'Thegentlemanwhowentawaywithmademoiselle,doyoumean?'heasked.
　　'Yes,yes,gentlemanifyoulike!'
　　'Notatall,'thestudentanswered.'Hewasatallyounggallant,verygailydressed,dark-haired,andwitharichcomplexion,IheardhimtellherthathecamefromafriendofherstoohightobenamedinpublicorinBlois.Headdedthathebroughtatokenfromhim;andwhenmademoisellementionedyou——shehadjustenteredmadame'sroomwithherwomanwhenheappeared——'
　　'Hehadwatchedmeout,ofcourse.'
　　'Justso.Well,whenshementionedyou,hesworeyouwereanadventurer,andabeggarlyimpostor,andwhatnot,andbadehersaywhethershethoughtitlikelythatherfriendwouldhaveentrustedsuchamissiontosuchaman.'
　　'Andthenshewentwithhim?'
　　Thestudentnodded.
　　'Readily?Ofherownfree-will?'
　　'Certainly,'heanswered.'Itseemedsotome.Shetriedtopreventhimspeakingbeforeyourmother,butthatwasall.'
　　OntheimpulseofthemomentItookasteptowardsthedoor;
　　recollectingmyposition,Iturnedbackwithagroan.Almostbesidemyself,andlongingforanyventformyfeelings,Icaughttheladbytheshoulder,wherehestoodonthehearth,andshookhimtoandfro.
　　'Tellme,man,whatamItodo?'Isaidbetweenmyteeth.
　　'Speak!think!inventsomething!'
　　Butheshookhishead.
　　Ilethimgowithamutteredoath,andsatdownonastoolbythebedandtookmyheadbetweenmyhands.Atthatverymoment,however,reliefcame——camefromanunexpectedquarter.Thedooropenedandtheleechentered.Hewasaskilfulman,and,thoughmuchemployedabouttheCourt,aHuguenot——afactwhichhademboldenedSimonFleixtoapplytohimthroughthelandlordofthe'BleedingHeart,'thesecretrendezvousoftheReligioninBlois.Whenhehadmadehisexaminationhewasforleaving,beingagraveandsilentman,andfullofbusiness,butatthedoorIstoppedhim.
　　'Well,sir?'Isaidinalowtone,myhandonhiscloak.
　　'Shehasrallied,andmaylivethreedays,'heansweredquietly.
　　'Four,itmaybe,andasmanymoreasGodwills.'
　　Pressingtwocrownsintohishand,Ibeggedhimtocalldaily,whichhepromisedtodo;andthenhewent.Mymotherwasstilldozingpeacefully,andIturnedtoSimonFleix,mydoubtsresolvedandmymindmadeup.
　　'Listen,'Isaid,'andanswermeshortly.Wecannotbothleave;
　　thatiscertain.YetImustgo,andatonce,totheplacewhereyoufoundthevelvetknot.Doyoudescribethespotexactly,sothatImayfindit,andmakenomistake.'
　　Henodded,andafteramoment'sreflectionanswered,'YouknowtheRueSt.Denys,M.deMarsac?Well,godownit,keepingthe"BleedingHeart"onyourleft.Takethesecondturningonthesamesideafterpassingtheinn.Thethirdhousefromthecorner,ontheleftagain,consistsofagatewayleadingtotheHospitaloftheHolyCross.Abovethegatewayaretwowindowsinthelowerstory,andabovethemtwomore.Theknotlaybelowthefirstwindowyoucometo.Doyouunderstand?'
　　'Perfectly,'Isaid.'Itissomethingtobeaclerk,Simon.'
　　Helookedatmethoughtfully,butaddednothing;andIwasbusytighteningmysword-hilt,anddisposingmycloakaboutthelowerpartofmyface.WhenIhadarrangedthistomysatisfaction,I
　　tookoutandcountedoverthesumofthirty-fivecrowns,whichI
　　gavetohim,impressingonhimthenecessityofstayingbesidemymothershouldInotreturn;forthoughIproposedtoreconnoitreonly,andlearnifpossiblewhethermademoisellewasstillinBlois,thefuturewasuncertain,andwhereasIwasknowntomyenemies,theywerestrangerstome.
　　Havingenjoinedthisdutyuponhim,Ibademymotherasilentfarewell,and,leavingtheroom,wentslowlydownthestairs,thepictureofherwornandpatientfacegoingwithme,andseeming,Iremember,tohallowthepurposeIhadinmymind.
　　TheclockswerestrikingthehourbeforenoonasIsteppedfromthedoorway,and,standingamomentinthelane,lookedthiswayandthatforanysignofespionage.Icoulddetectnone,however.Thelanewasdeserted;andfeelingassuredthatanyattempttomisleadmyopponents,whoprobablyknewBloisbetterthanIdid,mustfail,Imadenone,butdeliberatelytookmywaytowardsthe'BleedingHeart,'intheRueSt.Denys.ThestreetspresentedthesameappearanceofgloomysuspensewhichIhadnoticedonthepreviousday.Thesamegroupsstoodaboutinthesamecorners,thesamesuspiciousglancesmetmeincommonwithallotherstrangerswhoshowedthemselves;thesamelistlessinactioncharacterisedthetownsfolk,thesameanxioushurrythosewhocameandwentwithnews.Isawthatevenhere,underthewallsofthepalace,thebondsoflawandorderwerestrainedalmosttobursting,andjudgedthatifthereeverwasatimeinFrancewhenrightcountedforlittle,andthestronghandformuch,itwasthis.Suchastateofthingswasnotunfavourabletomypresentdesign,andcaringlittleforsuspiciouslooks,I
　　wentresolutelyonmyway.
　　IhadnodifficultyinfindingthegatewayofwhichSimonhadspoken,orinidentifyingthewindowbeneathwhichhehadpickedupthevelvetknot.Analleyopeningalmostopposite,Itookadvantageofthistoexaminethehouseatmyleisure,andremarkedatonce,thatwhereasthelowerwindowwasguardedonlybystrongshutters,nowopen,thatinthestoryabovewasheavilybarred.NaturallyIconcentratedmyattentiononthelatter.
　　Thehouse,anoldbuildingofstone,seemedsufficientlyreputable,norcouldIdiscernanythingaboutitwhichwouldhavearousedmydistrusthadtheknotbeenfoundelsewhere.Itborethearmsofareligiousbrotherhood,andhadprobablyatonetimeformedtheprincipalentrancetothehospital,whichstillstoodbehindit,butithadnowcome,asIjudged,tobeusedasadwellingofthebetterclass.WhetherthetwofloorswereseparatelyinhabitedornotIfailedtodecide.
　　Afterwatchingitforsometimewithoutseeinganyonepassinorout,oranythingoccurringtoenlightenmeonewayortheother,Iresolvedtoventurein,thestreetbeingquietandthehousegivingnosignofbeingstronglygarrisoned.Theentrancelayunderthearchway,throughadoorontherightside.IjudgedfromwhatIsawthattheporterwasprobablyabsent,busyinghimselfwithhisgossipsinmattersofState.
　　Andthisprovedtobethecase,forwhenIhadmadethepassageofthestreetwithsuccess,andslippedquietlyinthroughthehalf-opendoor,Ifoundonlyhisstaffandcharcoal-pantheretorepresenthim.Asinglelooksatisfiedmeonthatpoint;
　　forthwith,withouthesitation,Iturnedtothestairsandbegantomount,assuredthatifIwouldeffectanythingsingle-handedI
　　musttrusttoaudacityandsurpriseratherthantocautionorforethought.
　　Thestaircasewaspoorlylightedbyloopholeslookingtowardstherear,butitwascleanandwell-kept.Silence,brokenonlybythesoundofmyfootsteps,prevailedthroughoutthehouse,andallseemedsoregularanddecentandorderlythatthehigherI
　　rosethelowerfellmyhopesofsuccess.Still,IheldresolutelyonuntilIreachedthesecondfloorandstoodbeforeacloseddoor.Themomenthadcometoputalltothetouch.I
　　listenedforafewsecondsbuthearingnothing,cautiouslyliftedthelatch.Somewhattomysurprisethedooryieldedtomyhand,andIentered.
　　Ahighsettlestoodinside,interruptingmyviewoftheroom,whichseemedtobespaciousandfullofrichstuffsandfurniture,butlowintheroof,andsomewhatdimlylightedbytwowindowsratherwidethanhigh.Thewarmglowofafireshoneonthewoodworkoftheceiling,andasIsoftlyclosedthedooralogonthehearthgaveway,withacracklingofsparks,whichpleasantlybroketheluxurioussilence.Thenextmomentalow,sweetvoiceasked,'Alphonse,isthatyou?'
　　Iwalkedroundthesettleandcamefacetofacewithabeautifulwomanrecliningonacouch.Onhearingthedooropenshehadraisedherselfonherelbow.Now,seeingastrangerbeforeher,shesprangupwithalowcry,andstoodgazingatme,herfaceexpressingbothastonishmentandanger.Shewasofmiddlingheight,herfeaturesregularthoughsomewhatchildlike,hercomplexionsingularlyfair.Aprofusionofgoldenhairhungindisorderaboutherneck,andmatchedthedeepblueofhereyes,whereinitseemedtome,therelurkedmorespiritandfirethanthegeneralcastofherfeaturesledonetoexpect.
　　Afteramoment'ssilence,duringwhichshescannedmefromheadtofootwithgreathaughtiness——andIherwithcuriosityandwonder——shespoke.'Sir!'shesaidslowly,'towhatamItoattributethis——visit?'
　　ForthemomentIwassotakenabackbyherappearanceandextraordinarybeauty,aswellasbytheabsenceofanysignofthoseIsought,thatIcouldnotgathermythoughtstoreply,butstoodlookingvaguelyather.Ihadexpected,whenIenteredtheroom,somethingsodifferentfromthis!
　　'Well,sir?'shesaidagain,speakingsharply,andtappingherfootonthefloor.
　　'Thisvisit,madame?'Istammered.
　　'Callitintrusion,sir,ifyouplease!'shecriedimperiously.
　　'Onlyexplainit,orbegone.'
　　'Icraveleavetodoboth,madame,'Ianswered,collectingmyselfbyaneffort.'Iascendedthesestairsandopenedyourdoorinerror——thatisthesimplefact——hopingtofindafriendofminehere.Iwasmistaken,itseems,anditonlyremainsformetowithdraw,offeringatthesametimethehumblestapologies,'AndasIspokeIbowedlowandpreparedtoretire.
　　'Onemoment,sir!'shesaidquickly,andinanalteredtone.
　　'Youare,perhaps,afriendofM.deBruhl——ofmyhusband.Inthatcase,ifyoudesiretoleaveanymessageIwill——Ishallbegladtodeliverit.'
　　Shelookedsocharmingthat,despitethetumultofmyfeelings,I
　　couldnotbutregardherwithadmiration.'Alas!madame,I
　　cannotpleadthatexcuse,'Ianswered.'IregretthatIhavenotthehonourofhisacquaintance.'
　　Sheeyedmewithsomesurprise.'Yetstill,sir,'sheanswered,smilingalittle,andtoyingwithagoldbroochwhichclaspedherhabit,'youmusthavehadsomeground,somereason,forsupposingyouwouldfindafriendhere?'
　　'True,madame,'Ianswered,'butIwasmistaken.'
　　Isawhercoloursuddenly.Withasmileandafainttwinkleoftheeyeshesaid,'Itisnotpossible,sir,Isuppose——youhavenotcomehere,Imean,outofanyreasonconnectedwitha——aknotofvelvet,forinstance?'
　　Istarted,andinvoluntarilyadvancedasteptowardsher.'A
　　knotofvelvet!'Iexclaimed,withemotion.'MonDieu!ThenI
　　wasnotmistaken!Ihavecometotherighthouse,andyou——youknowsomethingofthis!Madame,'Icontinuedimpulsively,'thatknotofvelvet?Tellmewhatitmeans,Iimploreyou!'
　　Sheseemedalarmedbymyviolence,retreatingasteportwo,andlookingatmehaughtily,yetwithakindofshame-facedness.
　　'Believeme,itmeansnothing,'shesaidhurriedly.'Ibegyoutounderstandthat,sir.Itwasafoolishjest.'
　　'Ajest?'Isaid.'Itfellfromthiswindow.'
　　'Itwasajest,sir,'sheansweredstubbornly.ButIcouldseethat,withallherpride,shewasalarmed;herfacewastroubled,andthereweretearsinhereyes.Andthisrenderedmeunderthecircumstancesonlythemorepersistent.
　　'Ihavethevelvethere,madame,'Isaid.'Youmusttellmemoreaboutit.'
　　Shelookedatmewithaweightierimpulseofangerthanshehadyetexhibited.'Idonotthinkyouknowtowhomyouarespeaking,'shesaid,breathingfast.'Leavetheroom,sir,andatonce!Ihavetoldyouitwasajest.Ifyouareagentlemanyouwillbelieveme,andgo.'Andshepointedtothedoor.
　　ButIheldmyground,withanobstinatedeterminationtopiercethemystery.'Iamagentleman,madame,'Isaid,'andyetImustknowmore.UntilIknowmoreIcannotgo.'
　　'Oh,thisisinsufferable!'shecried,lookingroundasifforawayofescape;butIwasbetweenherandtheonlydoor.'Thisisunbearable!Theknotwasneverintendedforyou,sir.Andwhatismore,ifM.deBruhlcomesandfindsyouhere,youwillrepentitbitterly.'
　　Isawthatshewasatleastasmuchconcernedonherownaccountasonmine,andthoughtmyselfjustifiedunderthecircumstancesintakingadvantageofherfears.Ideliberatelylaidmycaponthetablewhichstoodbesideme.'Iwillgomadame,'Isaid,lookingatherfixedly,'whenIknowallthatyouknowaboutthisknotIhold,andnotbefore.Ifyouareunwillingtotellme,I
　　mustwaitforM.deBruhl,andaskhim.'
　　Shecriedout'Insolent!'andlookedatmeasifinherrageanddismayshewouldgladlyhavekilledme;being,Icouldsee,apassionatewoman.ButIheldmyground,andafteramomentshespoke.'Whatdoyouwanttoknow?'shesaid,frowningdarkly.
　　'Thisknot——howdiditcometolieinthestreetbelowyourwindow?Iwanttoknowthatfirst.'
　　'Idroppedit,'sheansweredsullenly.
　　'Why?'Isaid.
　　'Because——'Andthenshestoppedandlookedatme,andthenagainlookeddown,herfacecrimson.'Because,ifyoumustknow,'shecontinuedhurriedly,tracingapatternonthetablewithherfinger,'Isawitborethewords"AMOI."Ihavebeenmarriedonlytwomonths,andIthoughtmyhusbandmightfindit——andbringittome.Itwasasillyfancy.'
　　'Butwheredidyougetit?'Iasked,andIstaredatheringrowingwonderandperplexity.ForthemorequestionsIput,thefurther,itseemedtome,Istrayedfrommyobject.
　　'IpickeditupintheRuelled'Arcy,'sheanswered,tappingherfootonthefloorresentfully.'Itwasthesillythingputitintomyheadto——todowhatIdid.Andnow,haveyouanymorequestions,sir?'
　　'Oneonly,'Isaid,seeingitallclearlyenough.'Willyoutellme,please,exactlywhereyoufoundit?'
　　'Ihavetoldyou.IntheRuelled'Arcy,tenpacesfromtheRuedeValois.Now,sir,willyougo?'
　　'Oneword,madame.Did——'
　　Butshecried,'Go,sir,go!go!'soviolently,thataftermakingonemoreattempttoexpressmythanks,Ithoughtitbettertoobeyher.Ihadlearnedallsheknew;Ihadsolvedthepuzzle.But,solvingit,IfoundmyselfnonearertotheendI
　　hadinview,nonearertomademoiselle.Iclosedthedoorwithasilentbow,andbegantodescendthestairs,mymindfullofanxiousdoubtsandcalculations.ThevelvetknotwastheonlyclueIpossessed,butwasIright;inplacinganydependenceonit?Iknewnowthat,whereverithadoriginallylain,ithadbeenremovedonce.Ifonce,whynottwice?whynotthreetimes?
　　CHAPTERIX.
　　THEHOUSEINTHERUELLED'ARCY.
　　IhadnotgonedownhalfadozenstepsbeforeIheardamanenterthestaircasefromthestreet,andbegintoascend.ItstruckmeatoncethatthismightbeM.deBruhl;andIrealisedthatIhadnotleftmadame'sapartmentamomenttoosoon.ThelastthingI
　　desired,havingsomuchonmyhands,wastoembroilmyselfwithastranger,andaccordinglyIquickenedmypace,hopingtomeethimsonearthefootofthestairsastoleavehimindoubtwhetherI
　　hadbeenvisitingtheupperorlowerpartofthehouse.Thestaircasewasdark,however,andbeingfamiliarwithit,hehadtheadvantageoverme.Hecameleapinguptwostepsatatime,andturningtheangleabruptly,surprisedmebeforeIwasclearoftheupperflight.
　　Onseeingme,hestoppedshortandstared;thinkingatfirst,I
　　fancy,thatheoughttorecogniseme.Whenhedidnot,hestoodbackapace.'Umph!'hesaid.'Haveyoubeen——haveyouanymessageforme,sir?'
　　'No,'Isaid,'Ihavenot.'
　　Hefrowned.'IamM.deBruhl,'hesaid.
　　'Indeed?'Imuttered,notknowingwhatelsetosay.
　　'Youhavebeen——'
　　'Upyourstairs,sir?Yes.Inerror,'Iansweredbluntly.
　　Hegaveakindofgruntatthat,andstoodaside,incredulousanddissatisfied,yetuncertainhowtoproceed.Imethisblacklookswithasteadycountenance,andpassedbyhim,becomingaware,however,asIwentondownthestairsthathehadturnedandwaslookingafterme.Hewasatall,handsomeman,dark,andsomewhatruddyofcomplexion,andwasdressedintheextremeofCourtfashion,inasuitofmyrtle-greentrimmedwithsable.Hecarriedalsoacloaklinedwiththesameonhisarm.BeyondlookingbackwhenIreachedthestreet,toseethathedidnotfollowme,Ithoughtnomoreofhim.Butweweretomeetagain,andoften.Nay,hadIthenknownallthatwastobeknownI
　　wouldhavegonebackand——Butofthatinanotherplace.
　　TheRuedeValois,towhichatradesman,whowaspeeringcautiouslyoutofhisshop,directedme,provedtobeoneofthemainstreetsofthecity,narrowanddirty,anddarkenedbyoverhangingeavesandsignboards,butfullofnoiseandbustle.
　　OneendofitopenedonthePARVISoftheCathedral;theotherandquieterendappearedtoabutonthewestgateofthetown.
　　FeelingtheimportanceofavoidingnoticeintheneighbourhoodofthehouseIsought,IstrolledintotheopenspaceinfrontoftheCathedral,andaccostingtwomenwhostoodtalkingthere,learnedthattheRuelled'ArcywasthethirdlaneontherightoftheRuedeValois,andsomelittledistancealongit.ArmedwiththisinformationIleftthem,andwithmyheadbentdown,andmycloakdrawnaboutthelowerpartofmyface,asifIfelttheeastwind,IproceededdownthestreetuntilIreachedtheopeningofthelane.WithoutlookingupIturnedbrisklyintoit.
　　WhenIhadgonetenpacespasttheturning,however,Istoppedand,gazingaboutme,begantotakeinmysurroundingsasfastasIcould.Thelane,whichseemedlittlefrequented,waseightorninefeetwide,unpaved,andfullofruts.Thehighblankwallofagardenroseononesideofit,ontheotherthestillhigherwallofahouse;andbothwerecompletelydevoidofwindows,afeaturewhichIrecognisedwiththeutmostdismay.Foritcompletelyupsetallmycalculations.InvainImeasuredwithmyeyethetenpacesIhadcome;invainIlookedup,lookedthiswayandthat.Iwasnonplussed.Nowindowopenedonthelaneatthatpoint,nor,indeed,throughoutitslength.Foritwasboundedtotheend,asfarasIcouldsee,bydead-wallsasofgardens.
　　Recognising,withasinkingheart,whatthismeant,IsawinamomentthatallthehopesIhadraisedonSimonFleix'sdiscoverywerebaseless.Mademoisellehaddroppedthevelvetbow,nodoubt,butnotfromawindow.Itwasstillaclue,butonesoslightandvagueastobevirtuallyuseless,provingonlythatshewasintroubleandinneedofhelp;perhapsthatshehadpassedthroughthislaneonherwayfromoneplaceofconfinementtoanother.
　　Thoroughlybaffledanddispirited,Ileantforawhileagainstthewall,broodingovertheill-luckwhichseemedtoattendmeinthis,asinsomanypreviousadventures.Norwasthelowvoiceofconscience,suggestingthatsuchfailuresarosefrommismanagementratherthanfromill-luck,slowtomakeitselfheard.IreflectedthatifIhadnotallowedmyselftoberobbedofthegoldtoken,mademoisellewouldhavetrustedme;thatifI
　　hadnotbroughthertosopooranabodeasmymother's,shewouldnothavebeencajoledintofollowingastranger;finally,thatifIhadremainedwithher,andsentSimontoattendtothehorsesinmyplace,nostrangerwouldhavegainedaccesstoher.
　　Butithasneverbeenmywaytoacceptdefeatatthefirstoffer,andthoughIfelttheseself-reproachestobewelldeserved,amoment'sreflectionpersuadedmethatinthesingularandespecialprovidencewhichhadbroughtthevelvetknotsafetomyhandsIoughttofindencouragement.HadMadamedeBruhlnotpickeditupitwouldhavecontinuedtolieinthisby-path,throughwhichneitherInorSimonFleixwouldhavebeenlikelytopass.Again,hadmadamenotdroppeditinherturn,weshouldhavesoughtinvainforany,eventheslightest,cluetoMademoiselledelaVire'sfateorposition.
　　Cheeredafreshbythisthought,Ideterminedtowalktotheendofthelane;andforthwithdidso,lookingsharplyaboutmeasI
　　went,butmeetingnoone.Thebareupperbranchesofatreerosehereandthereabovethewalls,whichwerepiercedatintervalsbylow,strongdoors.ThesedoorsIcarefullyexamined,butwithoutmakinganydiscovery;allweresecurelyfastened,andmanyseemedtohavebeenrarelyopened.Emergingatlastandwithoutresultontheinnersideofthecityramparts,Iturned,andmoodilyretracedmystepsthroughthelane,proceedingmoreslowlyasIdrewneartotheRuedeValois.Thistime,beingalittlefartherfromthestreet,Imadeadiscovery.
　　Thecornerhouse,whichhaditsfrontontheRueValois,presented,asIhavesaid,adead,windowlesswalltothelane;
　　butfrommypresentstandpointIcouldseetheupperpartofthebackofthishouse——thatpartoftheback,Imean,whichroseabovethelowergarden-wallthatabuttedonit——andinthistherewereseveralwindows.Thewholeoftwoandapartofathirdwerewithintherangeofmyeyes;andsuddenlyinoneoftheseI
　　discoveredsomethingwhichmademyheartbeathighwithhopeandexpectation.Thewindowinquestionwasheavilygrated;thatwhichIsawwastiedtooneofthebars.Itwasasmallknotofsomewhitestuff——linenapparently——anditseemedatrifletotheeye;butitwaslooped,asfarasIcouldseefromadistance,afterthesamefashionasthescrapofvelvetIhadinmypouch.
　　Theconclusionwasobvious,atthesametimethatitinspiredmewiththeliveliestadmirationofmademoiselle'switandresources.Shewasconfinedinthatroom;theoddswerethatshewasbehindthosebars.Abowdroppedthencewouldfall,thewindbeingfavourable,intothelane,notten,buttwentypacesfromthestreet.Ioughttohavebeenpreparedforaslightinaccuracyinawoman'sestimateofdistance.
　　ItmaybeimaginedwithwhateagernessInowscannedthehouse,withwhatminutenessIsoughtforaweakplace.ThelongerI
　　looked,however,thelesscomfortIderivedfrommyinspection.
　　Isawbeforemeagloomystrongholdofbrick,four-square,andbuiltintheoldItalianmanner,withbattlementsatthetop,andasmallmachicolation,littlemorethanastring-course,aboveeachstory;thisservingatoncetolessenthemonotonyofthedead-walls,andtoaddtothefrowningweightoftheupperpart.
　　Thewindowswerefewandsmall,andthehouselookeddampandmouldy;lichensclottedthebricks,andmossfilledthestring-