'BonneFoi!FranceetBonneFoi!'ItseemedtomethatIbadnotspoken,thatIhadpliedsteelingrimmestsilence;andyetthecrystillrangandechoedintheroofasIloweredmypoint,andstoodlookinggrimlydownatthem.Fresnoy'sfacewasdisfiguredwithrageandchagrin.Theywerenowbuttwotoone,forMatthew,thoughhiswoundwasslight,wasdisabledbythebloodwhichrandownintohiseyesandblindedhim.'FranceetBonneFoi!'
　　'BonneFoiandgoodsword!'criedavoicebehindme.Andlookingswiftlyround,Isawmademoiselle'sfacethrustthroughtheholeinthedoor.Hereyessparkledwithafiercelight,herlipswereredbeyondtheordinary,andherhair,loosenedandthrownintodisorderbyherexertions,fellinthickmassesaboutherwhitecheeks,andgavehertheaspectofawar-witch,suchastheytellofinmycountryofBrittany.'Goodsword!'shecriedagain,andclappedherhands.
　　'Butbetterboard,mademoiselle!'Iansweredgaily.Likemostofthemenofmyprovince,Iamcommonlymelancholic,butIhavethehabitofgrowingwittyatsuchtimesasthese.'Now,M.
　　Fresnoy,'Icontinued,'Iamwaitingyourconvenience.MustI
　　putonmycloaktokeepmyselfwarm?'
　　Heansweredbyacurse,andstoodlookingatmeirresolutely.
　　'Ifyouwillcomedown,'hesaid.
　　'SendyourmanawayandIwillcome,'Iansweredbriskly.'Thereisspaceonthelanding,andamoderatelight.ButImustbequick.MademoiselleandIaredueelsewhere,andwearelatealready.'
　　Stillhehesitated.Stillhelookedatthemanlyingathisfeet——whohadstretchedhimselfoutandpassed,quietlyenough,aminutebefore——andstooddubious,themostpitiablepictureofcowardiceandmalice——hebeingordinarilyastoutman——Ieversaw.Icalledhimpoltroonandwhite-feather,andwasconsideringwhetherIhadnotbettergodowntohim,seeingthatourtimemustbeup,andSimonwouldbequittinghispost,whenacrybehindmecausedmetoturn,andIsawthatmademoisellewasnolongerlookingthroughtheopeninginthedoor.
　　Alarmedonherbehalf,asIreflectedthattheremightbeotherdoorstotheroom,andthemenhaveotheraccomplicesinthehouse,Isprangtothedoortosee,buthadbaselytimetosendasingleglanceround-theinterior——whichshowedmeonlythattheroomwasstilloccupied——beforeFresnoy,takingadvantageofmymovementandofmybackbeingturned,dashedupthestairs,withhiscomradeathisheels,andsucceededinpinningmeintothenarrowpassagewhereIstood.
　　Ihadscarcelytime,indeed,toturnandputmyselfonguardbeforehethrustatme.Norwasthatall.Thesuperiorityinpositionnolongerlaywithme.Ifoundmyselffightingbetweenwallsclosetotheopeninginthedoor,throughwhichthelightfellathwartmyeyes,bafflingandperplexingme.Fresnoywasnotslowtoseetheaidthisgavehim,andpressedmehardanddesperately;sothatweplayedforafullminuteatclosequarters,thrustingandparrying,neitherofushavingroomtousetheedge,ortimetoutterwordorprayer.
　　Atthisgameweweresoevenlymatchedthatforatimetheendwashardtotell.Presently,however,therecameachange.Myopponent'shabitofwildlivingsuitedillwithaprolongedbout,andashisstrengthandbreathfailedandhebegantogivegroundIdiscernedIhadonlytowearhimouttohavehimatmymercy.
　　Hefeltthishimself,andevenbythatlightIsawthesweatspringingreatdropstohisforehead,sawtheterrorgrowinhiseyes.AlreadyIwascountinghimadeadmanandthevictorymine,whensomethinghashedbehindhisblade,andhiscomrade'sponiard,whizzingpasthisshoulder,struckmefairlyonthechin,staggeringmeandhurlingmebackdizzyandhalf-stunned,uncertainwhathadhappenedtome.
　　Spedaninchlowerit,wouldhavedoneitsworkandfinishedmine.Evenasitwas,myhandgoingupasIreeledbackgaveFresnoyanopening,ofwhichhewasnotslowtoavailhimself.
　　Hesprangforward,lungingatmefuriously,andwouldhaverunmethroughthereandthen,andendedthematter,badnothisfoot,asheadvanced,caughtinthestool,whichstilllayagainstthewall.Hestumbled,hispointmissedmyhipbyahair'sbreadth,andhehimselffellallhislengthonthefloor,hisrapierbreakingoffshortatthehilt.
　　Hisoneremainingbackerstayedtocastalookathim,andthatwasall.Themanfled,andIchasedhimasfarastheheadofthestairs;whereIlefthim,assuredbythespeedandagilityhedisplayedinclearingflightafterflightthatIhadnothingtofearfromhim.Fresnoylay,apparentlystunned,andcompletelyatmymercy.Istoodaninstantlookingdownathim,intwomindswhetherIshouldnotrunhimthrough.Butthememoryofolddays,whenhehadplayedhispartinmorehonourablefashionandshownacoarsegood-fellowshipinthefield,heldmyhand;
　　andflingingacurseathim,Iturnedinanxioushastetothedoor,thecentreofallthisbloodshedandcommotion.Thelightstillshonethroughthebreachinthepanel,butforsomeminutes——sinceFresnoy'srushupthestairs,indeed——Ihadheardnosoundfromthisquarter.Now,lookinginwithapprehensionswhichgrewwiththecontinuingsilence,Ilearnedthereason.
　　Theroomwasempty!
　　Suchadisappointmentinthemomentoftriumphwashardtobear.
　　Isawmyself,afteralldoneandwon,onthepointofbeingagainoutwitted,distanced,itmightbefooled.InfrantichasteandexcitementIsnatchedupthestoolbesideme,and,dashingittwiceagainstthelock,forceditatlasttoyield.Thedoorswungopen,andIrushedintotheroom,which,abandonedbythosewhohadsolatelyoccupiedit,presentednothingtodetainme.I
　　castasingleglanceround,sawthatitwassqualid,low-roofed,unfurnished,amereprison;thenswiftlycrossingthefloor,I
　　madeforadooratthefartherend,whichmyeyehadmarkedfromthefirst.Acandlestoodflaringandgutteringonastool,andasIpassedItookitup.
　　Somewhattomysurprisethedooryieldedtomytouch.Intremblinghaste——forwhatmightnotbefallthewomenwhileI
　　fumbledwithdoorsorwanderedinpassages?——Iflungitwide,andpassingthroughit,foundmyselfattheheadofanarrow,meanstaircase,leading,doubtless,totheservants'offices.Atthis,andseeingnohindrancebeforeme,Itookheartofgrace,reflectingthatmademoisellemighthaveescapedfromthehousethisway.Thoughitwouldnowbetoolatetoquitthecity,I
　　mightstillovertakeher,andallendwell.AccordinglyI
　　hurrieddownthestairs,shadingmycandleasIwentfromacolddraughtofairwhichmetme,andgrewstrongerasIdescended;
　　untilreachingthebottomatlast,Icameabruptlyuponanopendoor,andanold,wrinkled,shrivelledwoman.
　　Thehagscreamedatsightofme,andcroucheddownonthefloor;
　　anddoubtless,withmydrawnsword,andtheblooddrippingfrommychinandstainingallthefrontofmydoublet,Ilookedfierceanduncannyenough.ButIfeltitwasnotimeforsensibility——I
　　waspantingtobeaway——andIdemandedofhersternlywheretheywere.Sheseemedtohavelosthervoice——throughfear,perhaps——andforansweronlystaredatmestupidly;butonmyhandlingmyweaponwithsomereadinessshesofarrecoveredhersensesastouttertwoloudscreams,oneaftertheother,andpointtothedoorbesideher.Idoubtedher;andyetIthoughtinherterrorshemustbetellingthetruth,themoreasIsawnootherdoor.
　　InanycaseImustriskit,so,settingthecandledownonthestepbesideher,Ipassedout.
　　ForamomentthedarknesswassointensethatIfeltmywaywithmyswordbeforeme,inabsoluteignorancewhereIwasoronwhatmyfootmightnextrest.Iwasatthemercyofanyonewhochancedtobelyinginwaitforme;andIshiveredasthecolddampwindstruckmycheekandstirredmyhair.Butby-and-by,whenIhadtakentwoorthreesteps,myeyesgrewaccustomedtothegloom,andImade,outthenakedboughsoftreesbetweenmyselfandthesky,andguessedthatIwasinagarden.Mylefthand,touchingashrub,confirmedmeinthisbelief,andinanothermomentIdistinguishedsomethingliketheoutlineofapathstretchingawaybeforeme.Followingitrapidly——asrapidlyasIdared——Icametoacorner,asitseemedtome,turneditblindly,andstoppedshort,peepingintoacurtainofsolidblacknesswhichbarredmypath,andoverheadmingledconfusedlywiththedarkshapesoftrees.Butthis,too,afterabriefhesitation,Imadeouttobeawall.Advancingtoitwithoutstretchedhands,Ifeltthewoodworkofadoor,and,gropingabout,litpresentlyonaloopofcord.Ipulledatthis,thedooryielded,andIwentout.
　　Ifoundmyselfinanarrow,darklane,andlookingupanddowndiscovered,whatImighthaveguessedbefore,thatit,wastheRuelled'Arcy.Butmademoiselle?Fanchette?Simon?Wherewerethey?Noonewastobeseen,Tormentedbydoubts,Iliftedupmyvoiceandcalledontheminturn;firstonmademoiselle,thenonSimonFleix.Invain;Igotnoanswer.HighupabovemeIsaw,asIstoodbackalittle,lightsmovinginthehouseIhadleft;
　　andthesuspicionthat,afterall,theenemyhadfoiledmegrewuponme.Somehowtheyhaddecoyedmademoiselletoanotherpartofthehouse,andthentheoldwomanhadmisledme!
　　Iturnedfiercelytothedoor,whichIhadleftajar,resolvedtore-enterbythewayIhadcome,andhaveanexplanationwhetherorno.Tomysurprise——forIhadnotmovedsixpacesfromthedoornorheardtheslightestsound——Ifounditnot;onlyclosedbutbolted——boltedbothattopandbottom,asIdiscoveredontryingit.
　　Ifellonthattokickingitfuriously,desperately;partlyinatempestofrageandchagrin,partlyinthehopethatImightfrightentheoldwoman,ifitwasshewhohadclosedit,intoopeningitagain.Invain,ofcourse;andpresentlyIsawthisanddesisted,and,stillinawhirlofhasteandexcitement,setoffrunningtowardstheplacewhereIhadleftSimonFleixandthehorses.Itwasfullysixo'clockasIjudged;butsomefainthopethatImightfindhimtherewithmademoiselleandherwomanstilllingeredinmymind.Ireachedtheendofthelane,Irantotheveryfoot;oftheramparts,Ilookedrightandleft.Invain.Theplacewasdark,silent,deserted.
　　Icalled'Simon!Simon!SimonFleix!'butmyonlyanswerwasthesoughingofthewindintheeaves,andtheslowtonesoftheconvent-bellstrikingSix.
　　CHAPTERXI.
　　THEMANATTHEDOOR.
　　Therearesomethings,notshamefulinthemselves,whichitshamesonetoremember,andamongtheseIcountthesucceedinghurryandperturbationofthatnight:thevainsearch,withouthopeorclue,towhichpassionimpelledme,andthestubbornpersistencewithwhichIrushedfranticallyfromplacetoplacelongafterthesobernessofreasonwouldhavehadmedesist.
　　Therewasnot,itseemstome,lookingbacknow,onestreetoralley,laneorcourt,inBloiswhichIdidnotvisitagainandagaininmyfranticwanderings;notabeggarskulkingonfootthatnightwhomIdidnothuntdownandquestion;notawretchedwomansleepinginarchordoorwaywhomIdidnotseeandscrutinise.Ireturnedtomymother'slodgingagainandagain,alwaysfruitlessly.Irushedtothestablesandrushedawayagain,orstoodandlistenedinthedark,emptystalls,wonderingwhathadhappened,andtorturingmyselfwithsuggestionsofthisorthat.Andeverywhere,notonlyattheNorth-gate,whereI
　　interrogatedtheportersandfoundthatnopartyresemblingthatwhichIsoughthadpassedout,butonthePARVISoftheCathedral,whereaguardwasdrawnup,andinthecommonstreets,whereIburstinononegroupandanotherwithmyqueries,Irantheriskofsuspicionandarrest,andallthatmightfollowthereon.
　　ItwasstrangeindeedthatIescapedarrest.Thewoundinmychinstillbledatintervals,stainingmydoublet;andasIwaswithoutmycloak,whichIhadleftinthehouseintheRueValois,Ihadnothingtocovermydisordereddress.Iwaskeenly,fiercelyanxious.Straypassersmeetingmeintheglareofatorch,orseeingmehurrybythegreatbrazierswhichburnedwherefourstreetsmet,lookedaskanceatmeandgavemethewall;whilemeninauthoritycriedtometostayandanswertheirquestions.Iranfromtheoneandtheotherwiththesamesavageimpatience,disregardingeverythinginthefeverishanxietywhichspurredmeonandimpelledmetoahundredimprudences,suchasatmyageIshouldhaveblushedtocommit.Muchofthisfeelingwasdue,nodoubt,totheglimpseIhadhadofmademoiselle,andthefierywordsshehadspoken;more,Ifancy,tochagrinandangeratthemannerinwhichthecupofsuccesshadbeendashedatthelastmomentfrommylips.
　　ForfourhoursIwanderedthroughthestreets,nowhotwithpurpose,nowseekingaimlessly.Itwasteno'clockwhenatlengthIgaveupthesearch,and,wornoutbothinbodyandmind,climbedthestairsatmymother'slodgingsandenteredherroom.
　　Anoldwomansatbythefire,crooningsoftlytoherself,whileshestirredsomethinginablackpot.Mymotherlayinthesameheavy,deepsleepinwhichIhadlefther.Isatdownoppositethenursewhocriedoutatmyappearanceandaskedherdullyforsomefood.WhenIhadeatenit,sittinginakindofstuporthewhile,theresultpartlyofmylateexertions,andpartlyofthesilencewhichprevailedroundme,Ibadethewomancallmeifanychangetookplace;andthengoingheavilyacrosstothegarretSimonhadoccupied,Ilaydownonhispallet,andfellintoasound,dreamlesssleep.
　　ThenextdayandthenextnightIspentbesidemymother,watchingthelifeebbfastaway,andthinkingwithgravesorrowofherpastandmyfuture.Itpainedmebeyondmeasuretoseeherdiethus,inagarret,withoutproperattendanceoranybutbarecomforts;theexistencewhichhadoncebeenbrightandprosperousendinginpenuryandgloom,suchasmymother'sloveandhopeandself-sacrificelittledeserved.Herstategrievedmesharplyonmyownaccounttoo,seeingthatIhadformednoneofthosefamiliarrelationswhichmenofmyagehavecommonlyformed,andwhichconsolethemforthelossofparentsandforbears;Naturesoorderingit,asIhavetakennote,thatmenlookforwardratherthanbackward,andfindinthetiestheyformwiththefuturefullcompensationforthepartingstrandsbehindthem.Iwasalone,poverty-stricken,andinmiddlelife,seeingnothingbeforemeexceptdangerandhardship,andtheseunrelievedbyhopeoraffection.Thislastadventure,too,despiteallmyefforts,hadsunkmedeeperinthemire;byincreasingmyenemiesandalienatingfrommesometowhomImighthaveturnedattheworst.Inoneotherrespectalsoithadaddedtomytroublesnotalittle;fortheimageofmademoisellewanderingaloneandunguardedthroughthestreets,orvainlycallingonmeforhelp,persistedinthrustingitselfonmyimaginationwhenIleastwantedit,andcameevenbetweenmymother'spatientfaceandme.
　　IwassittingbesideMadamedeBonnealittleaftersunsetonthesecondday,thewomanwhoattendedherbeingabsentonanerrand,whenIremarkedthatthelamp,whichhadbeenrecentlylit,andstoodonastoolinthemiddleoftheroom,wasburninglowandneededsnuffing.Iwenttoitsoftly,andwhilestoopingoverit,tryingtoimprovethelight,heardaslow,heavystepascendingthestairs.Thehousewasquiet,andthesoundattractedmyfullattention.Iraisedmyselfandstoodlistening,hopingthatthismightbethedoctor,whohadnotbeenthatday.
　　Thefootstepspassedthelandingbelow,butatthefirststairofthenextflighttheperson,whoeveritwas,stumbled,andmadeaconsiderablenoise.Atthat,oritmightbeamomentlater,thestepstillascending,Iheardasuddenrustlingbehindme,and,turningquicklywithastart,sawmymothersittingupinbed.
　　Hereyeswereopen,andsheseemedfullyconscious;whichshehadnotbeenfordays,norindeedsincethelastconversationIhaverecorded.Butherface,thoughitwasnowsensible,waspinchedandwhite,andsodrawnwithmortalfearthatIbelievedherdying,andsprangtoher,unabletoconstrueotherwisethepitifullookinherstrainingeyes.
　　'Madame,'Isaid,hastilypassingmyarmroundher,andspeakingwithasmuchencouragementasIcouldinfuseintomyvoice,'takecomfort.Iamhere.Yourson.'
　　'Hush!'shemutteredinanswer,layingherfeeblehandonmywristandcontinuingtolook,notatme,butatthedoor.
　　'Listen,Gaston!Don'tyouhear?Thereitisagain.Again!'
　　ForamomentIthoughthermindstillwandered,andIshivered,havingnofondnessforhearingsuchthings.ThenIsawshewaslisteningintentlytothesoundwhichhadattractedmynotice.
　　Thestephadreachedthelandingbythistime.Thevisitor,whoeveritwas,pausedthereamoment,beingindarkness,anduncertain,perhaps,ofthepositionofthedoor;butinalittlewhileIheardhimmoveforwardagain,mymother'sfragileform,claspedasitwasinmyembrace,quiveringwitheachstephetook,asthoughhisweightstirredthehouse.Hetappedatthedoor.
　　Ihadthought,whileIlistenedandwondered,ofmorethanonewhomthismightbe:theleech,SimonFleix,MadameBruhl,Fresnoyeven.Butasthetapcame,andIfeltmymothertrembleinmyarms,enlightenmentcamewithit,andIponderednomore,I
　　knewaswellasifshehailspokenandtoldme.Therecouldbeonlyonemanwhosepresencehadsuchpowertoterrifyher,onlyonewhosemerestep,soundingthroughtheveil,coulddragherbacktoconsciousnessandfear!Andthatwasthemanwhohadbeggaredher,whohadtradedsolongonherterrors.
　　Imovedalittle,intendingtocrossthefloorsoftly,thatwhenheopenedthedoorhemightfindmefacetofacewithhim;butshedetectedthemovement,and,lovegivingherstrength,sheclungtomywristsofiercelythatIhadnottheheart,knowinghowslenderwasherholdonlifeandhownearthebrinkshestood,tobreakfromher.Iconstrainedmyselftostandstill,thougheverymusclegrewtenseasadrawnbowstring,andIfeltthestrongragerisinginmythroatandchokingmeasIwaitedforhimtoenter.
　　Alogonthehearthgavewaywithadullsoundstartlinginthesilence.Themantappedagain,andgettingnoanswer,forneitherofusspoke,pushedthedoorslowlyopen,utteringbeforeheshowedhimselfthewords,'Dieuvousbenisse!'inavoicesolowandsmoothIshudderedatthesound.Thenextmomenthecameinandsawme,and,starting,stoodatgaze,hisheadthrustslightlyforward,hisshouldersbent,hishandstillonthelatch,amazementandfrowningspiteinturndistortinghisleanface.Hehadlookedtofindaweak,defencelesswoman,whomhecouldtortureandrobathiswill;hesawinsteadastrongmanarmed,whoserighteousangerhemusthavebeenblindindeedhadhefailedtoread.
　　Strangestthingofall,wehadmetbefore!Iknewhimatonce——
　　heme.HewasthesameJacobinmonkwhomIhadseenattheinnontheClaine,andwhohadtoldmethenewsofGuise'sdeath!
　　Iutteredanexclamationofsurpriseonmakingthisdiscovery,andmymother,freedsuddenly,asitseemed,fromthespelloffear,whichhadgivenherunnaturalstrength,sankbackonthebed.Hergrasprelaxed,andherbreathcameandwentwithsoloudarattlethatIremovedmygazefromhim,andbentoverher,fullofconcernandsolicitude.Oureyesmet.Shetriedtospeak,andatlastgasped,'Notnow,Gaston!Lethim——lethim——'
　　Herlipsframedtheword'go,'butshecouldnotgiveitsound.
　　Iunderstood,however,andinimpotentwrathIwavedmyhandtohimtobegone.WhenIlookeduphehadalreadyobeyedme.Hehadseizedthefirstopportunitytoescape.Thedoorwasclosed,thelampburnedsteadily,andwewerealone.
　　IgaveheralittleArmagnac,whichstoodbesidethebedforsuchanoccasion,andsherevived,andpresentlyopenedhereyes.ButIsawatonceagreatchangeinher.Thelookoffearhadpassedaltogetherfromherface,andoneofsorrow,yetcontent,hadtakenitsplace.Shelaidherhandinmine,andlookedupatme,beingtooweak,asIthought,tospeak.Butby-and-by,whenthestrongspirithaddoneitswork,shesignedtometolowermyheadtohermouth.
　　'TheKingofNavarre,'shemurmured-youaresure,Gaston——hewillretainyouisyour——employments?'
　　Herpleadingeyesweresoclosetomine,Ifeltnoscruplessuchassomemighthavefelt,seeinghersoneardeath;butI
　　answeredfirmlyandcheerfully,'Madame,Iamassuredofit.
　　ThereisnoprinceinEuropesotrustworthyorsogoodtohisservants.'
　　Shesighedwithinfinitecontent,andblessedhiminafeeblewhisper.'Andifyoulive,'shewenton,'youwillrebuildtheoldhouse,Gaston.Thewallsaresoundyet.Andtheoakinthehallwasnotburned.ThereisachestoflinenatGil's,andachestwithyourfather'sgoldlace——butthatispledged,'sheaddeddreamily.'Iforgot.'
　　'Madame,'Iansweredsolemnly,'itshallbedone——itshallbedoneasyouwish,ifthepowerliewithme.'
　　Shelayforsometimeafterthatmurmuringprayers,herheadsupportedonmyshoulder.Ilongedimpatientlyforthenursetoreturn,thatImightdespatchherfortheleech;notthatI
　　thoughtanythingcouldbedone,butformyowncomfortandgreatersatisfactionafterwards,andthatmymothermightnotdiewithoutsomefittingattendance.Thehouseremainedquiet,however,withthatimpressivequietnesswhichsoberstheheartatsuchtimes,andIcouldnotdothis.Andaboutsixo'clockmymotheropenedhereyesagain.
　　'ThisisnotMarsac,'shemurmuredabruptly,hereyesrovingfromtheceilingtothewallatthefootofthebed.
　　No,Madame,'Ianswered,leaningoverher,'youareinBlois.
　　ButIamhere——Gaston,yourson.'
　　Shelookedatme,afaintsmileofpleasurestealingoverherpinchedface.'Twelvethousandlivresayear,'shewhispered,rathertoherselfthantome,'andanestablishment,reducedalittle,yetcreditable,verycreditable.'Foramomentsheseemedtobedyinginmyarms,butagainopenedhereyesquicklyandlookedmeintheface.'Gaston?'shesaid,suddenlyandstrangely.'WhosaidGaston?HeiswiththeKing——Ihaveblessedhim;andhisdaysshallbelongintheland!'Then,raisingherselfinmyarmswithalasteffortofstrength,shecriedloudly,'Waythere!Wayformyson,theSieurdeMarsac!'
　　Theywereherlastwords.WhenIlaidherdownonthebedamomentlater,shewasdead,andIwasalone.
　　MadamedeBonne,mymother,wasseventyatthetimeofherdeath,havingsurvivedmyfathereighteenyears.ShewasMariedeLochedeLoheac,thirddaughterofRaoul,SieurdeLoheac,ontheVilaine,andbyhergreat-grandmother,adaughterofJeandeLaval,wasdescendedfromtheducalfamilyofRohan,arelationshipwhichinafter-times,andundergreatlyalteredcircumstances,HenryDukeofRohancondescendedtoacknowledge,honouringmewithhisfriendshiponmoreoccasionsthanone.Herdeath,whichIhavehererecorded,tookplaceonthefourthofJanuary,theQueen-MotherofFrance,CatherinedeMedicis,dyingalittleafternoononthefollowingday.
　　InBlois,asineveryothertown,evenParisitself,theHuguenotspossessedatthistimeapowerfulorganisation;andwiththeaidofthesurgeon,whoshowedmemuchrespectinmybereavement,andexercisedinmybehalfalltheinfluencewhichskilfulandhonest;menofhiscraftinvariablypossess,Iwasabletoarrangeformymother'sburialinaprivategroundaboutaleaguebeyondthewallsandnearthevillageofChaverny.AtthetimeofherdeathIhadonlythirtycrownsingoldremaining,SimonFleix,towhosefateIcouldobtainnoclue,havingcarriedoffthirty-fivewiththehorses.Thewholeofthisresidue,however,withtheexceptionofahandsomegratuitytothenurseandatriflespentonmyclothes,Iexpendedonthefuneral,desiringthatnostainshouldrestonmymother'sbirthormyaffection.Accordingly,thoughtheceremonywasofnecessityprivate,andindeedsecret,andthemournerswerefew,itlackednothing,Ithink,ofthedecencyandproprietywhichmymotherloved;andwhichshepreferred,Ihaveoftenheardhersay,tothevulgarshowthatisequallyatthecommandofthenobleandthefarmeroftaxes.
　　Untilshewaslaidinherquietresting-placeIstoodinconstantfearofsomeinterruptionontheparteitherofBruhl,whoseconnectionwithFresnoyandtheabductionIdidnotdoubt,oroftheJacobinmonk.Butnonecame;andnothinghappeningtoenlightenmeastothefateofMademoiselledelaVire,Isawmydutyclearbeforeme.Idisposedofthefurnitureofmymother'sroom,andindeedofeverythingwhichwassaleable,andraisedinthiswayenoughmoneytobuymyselfanewcloak——withoutwhichI
　　couldnottravelinthewintryweather——andtohireahorse.
　　Sorryastheanimalwas,thedealerrequiredsecurity,andIhadnonetooffer.Itwasonlyatthelastmoment,Ibethoughtmeofthefragmentofgoldchainwhichmademoisellehadleftbehindher,andwhich,aswellasmymother'sringsandvinaigrette,I
　　hadkeptbackfromthesale.ThisIwasforcedtolodgewithhim.Havingthus,withsomepainandmorehumiliation,providedmeansforthejourney,Ilostnotanhourinbeginningit.OntheeighthofJanuaryIsetoatforRosny,tocarrythenewsofmyill-successandofmademoiselle'spositionwhitherIhadlookedaweekbeforetocarryherself.
　　CHAPTERXII.
　　MAXIMILIANDEBETHUNE,BARONDEROSNY.
　　IlookedtomakethejourneytoRosnyintwodays.ButtheheavinessoftheroadsandthesorryconditionofmyhackneyhinderedmesogreatlythatIlaythesecondnightatDreux,and,hearingthewaywasstillworsebetweenthatplaceandmydestination,begantothinkthatIshouldbefortunateifI
　　reachedRosnybythefollowingnoon.ThecountryinthispartseemeddevotedtotheLeague,thefeelingincreasinginviolenceasIapproachedtheSeine.IheardnothingsaveabuseoftheKingofFranceandpraiseoftheGuiseprinces,andhadmuchado,keepingastilltongueandridingmodestly,topasswithoutmolestationorinquiry.
　　DrawingneartoRosny,onthethirdmorning,throughalowmarshycountrycoveredwithwoodsandalivewithgameofallkinds,I
　　begantooccupymyselfwiththoughtsofthereceptionIwaslikelytoencounter;which,Iconjectured,wouldbenoneofthemostpleasant.ThedaringandvigouroftheBarondeRosny,whohadatthistimethereputationofbeinginallpartsofFranceatonce,andthefamiliartermsonwhichhewasknowntolivewiththeKingofNavarre,gavemesmallreasontohopethathewouldlistenwithindulgencetosuchataleasIhadtotell.
　　ThenearerIcametothehouroftellingit,indeed,themoreimprobableseemedsomeofitsparts,andthemoreglaringmyowncarelessnessinlosingthetoken,andinlettingmademoiselleoutofmysightinsuchaplaceasBlois.Isawthissoclearlynow,andmoreclearlyasthemorningadvanced,thatIdonotknowthatIeveranticipatedanythingwithmorefearthanthisexplanation;
　　whichityetseemedmydutytoofferwithallreasonablespeed.
　　Themorningwaswarm,Iremember;cloudy,yetnotdark;theairnearathandfullofmoistureandveryclear,withacircleofmistrisingsomewayoff,andfillingthewoodswithbluedistances.Theroadwasdeepandfoundrous,andasIwasobligedtoleaveitfromtimetotimeinordertopasstheworstplaces,IpresentlybegantofearthatIhadstrayedintoaby-road.
　　Afteradvancingsomedistance,indoubtwhetherIshouldpersevereorturnback,Iwasgladtoseebeforemeasmallhouseplacedatthejunctionofseveralwoodlandpaths.Fromthebushwhichhungoverthedoor,andawater-troughwhichstoodbesideit,Ijudgedtheplacetobeaninn;anddeterminingtogetmyhorsefedbeforeIwentfarther,Irodeuptothedoorandrappedonitwithmyriding-switch.
　　ThepositionofthehousewassoremotethatIwassurprisedtoseethreeorfourheadsthrustimmediatelyoutofawindow.ForamomentIthoughtIshouldhavedonebettertohavepassedby;
　　butthelandlordcomingoutverycivilly,andleadingthewaytoashedbesidethehouse,IreflectedthatIhadlittletolose,andfollowedhim.Ifound,asIexpected,fourhorsestiedupintheshed,thebitshangingroundtheirnecksandtheirgirthsloosed;whilemysurprisewasnotlessenedbythearrival,beforeIhadfastenedupmyownhorse,ofasixthrider,who,seeingusbytheshed,rodeuptous,andsalutedmeashedismounted.
　　Hewasatall,strongmanintheprimeofyouth,wearingaplain,almostmeansuitofdust-colouredleather,andcarryingnoweaponsexceptahunting-knife,whichhunginasheathathisgirdle.Herodeapowerfulsilver-roanhorse,andwassplashedtothetopofhishighuntannedboots,asifhehadcomebytheworstofpaths,ifbyany.
　　Hecastashrewdglanceatthelandlordasheledhishorseintotheshed;andIjudgedfromhisbrowncomplexionandquickeyesthathehadseenmuchweatherandlivedanout-of-doorlife.
　　HewatchedmesomewhatcuriouslywhileImixedthefodderformyhorse;andwhenIwentintothehouseandsatdowninthefirstroomIcameto,toeatalittlebread-and-cheesewhichIhadinmypouch,hejoinedmealmostimmediately.Apparentlyhecouldnotstomachmypoorfare,however,forafterwatchingmeforatimeinsilence,switchinghisbootwithhiswhipthewhile,hecalledthelandlord,andaskedhim,inamasterfulway,whatfreshmeathehad,andparticularlyifhehadanyleancollops,orafowl.
　　Thefellowansweredthattherewasnothing.HishonourcouldhavesomeLisieuxcheese,headded,orsomestewedlentils.
　　'Hishonourdoesnotwantcheese,'thestrangeransweredpeevishly,'norlentilporridge.AndwhatisthisIsmell,myfriend?'hecontinued,beginningsuddenlytosniffwithvigour.
　　'IswearIsmellcooking.'
　　'Itisthehind-quarterofabuck,whichiscookingforthefourgentlemenoftheRobe;withacolloportwotofollow,'thelandlordexplained;andhumblyexcusedhimselfonthegroundthatthegentlemenhadstrictlyengageditfortheirowneating.
　　'What?Awholequarter!ANDacolloportwotofollow!'thestrangerretorted,smackinghislips.'Whoarethey?'
　　'TwoadvocatesandtheirclerksfromtheParliamentofParis.
　　Theyhavebeenviewingaboundarynearhere,andarereturningthisafternoon,'thelandlordanswered.
　　'Noreasonwhytheyshouldcauseafamine!'ejaculatedthestrangerwithenergy.'Gotothemandsayagentleman,whohasriddenfar,andfastedsinceseventhismorning,requestspermissiontositattheirtable.Aquarterofvenisonandacolloportwoamongfour!'hecontinued,inatoneofextremedisgust,'Itisintolerable!Andadvocates!Why,atthatrate,theKingofFranceshouldeatawholebuck,andrisehungry!
　　Don'tyouagreewithme,sir?'hecontinued,turningonmeandputtingthequestionabruptly.
　　Hewassocomicallyandyetsoseriouslyangry,andlookedsocloselyatmeashespoke,thatIhastenedtosayIagreedwithhimperfectly.
　　'Yetyoueatcheese,sir!'heretortedirritably.
　　Isawthat,notwithstandingthesimplicityofhisdress,hewasagentleman,andso,forbearingtotakeoffence,ItoldhimplainlythatmypursebeinglightItravelledratherasIcouldthanasIwould.
　　'Isitso?'heansweredhastily.'HadIknownthat,Iwouldhavejoinedyouinthecheese!Afterall,Iwouldratherfastwithagentleman,thanfeastwithachurl.Butitistoolatenow.Seeingyoumixthefodder,Ithoughtyourpocketswerefull.'
　　'Thenagistired,andhasdoneitsbest,'Ianswered.
　　Helookedatmecuriously,andasthoughhewouldsaymore.
　　Butthelandlordreturningatthatmoment,heturnedtohiminstead.
　　'Well!'hesaidbriskly.'Isitallright?'
　　'Iamsorry,yourhonour,'themananswered,reluctantly,andwithaverydowncastair,'butthegentlemenbegtobeexcused.'
　　'Zounds!'criedmycompanionroundly.'Theydo,dothey?'
　　'Theysaytheyhavenomore,sir,'thelandlordcontinued,faltering,'thanenoughforthemselvesandalittledogtheyhavewiththem.'