Ashoutoflaughterwhichissuedatthatmomentfromtheotherroomseemedtoshowthatthequartetteweremakingmerryovermycompanion'srequest.Isawhischeekredden,andlookedforanexplosionofangeronhispart;butinsteadhestoodamomentinthoughtinthemiddleofthefloor,andthen,muchtotheinnkeeper'srelief,pushedastooltowardsme,andcalledforabottleofthebestwine.Hepleasantlybeggedleavetoeatalittleofmycheese,whichhesaidlookedbetterthantheLisieux,and,fillingmyglasswithwine,felltoasmerrilyasifhehadneverheardofthepartyintheotherroom.
　　Iwasmorethanalittlesurprised,Iremember;forIhadtakenhimtobeapassionateman,andnotonetositdownunderanaffront.StillIsaidnothing,andweconversedverywelltogether.Inoticed,however,thathestoppedspeakingmorethanonce,asthoughtolisten;butconceivingthathewasmerelyrevertingtothepartyintheotherroom,whogreweachmomentmoreuproarious,Isaidnothing,andwascompletelytakenbysurprisewhenheroseonasudden,and,goingtotheopenwindow,leanedout,shadinghiseyeswithhishand.
　　'Whatisit?'Isaid,preparingtofollowhim.
　　Heansweredbyaquietchuckle.'Youshallsee,'headdedthenextinstant.
　　Irose,andgoingtothewindowlookedoutoverhisshoulder.
　　Threemenwereapproachingtheinnonhorseback.Thefirst,agreatburly,dark-complexionedmanwithfierceblackeyesandafeatheredcap,hadpistolsinhisholstersandashortswordbyhisside.Theothertwo,withtheairofservants,werestoutfellows,wearinggreendoubletsandleatherbreeches.Allthreerodegoodhorses,whileafootmanledtwohoundsaftertheminaleash.Onseeingustheycanteredforward,theleaderwavinghisbonnet.
　　'Halt,there!'criedmycompanion,liftinguphisvoicewhentheywerewithinastone'sthrowofus.'Maignan!'
　　'Mylord?'answeredheofthefeather,pullingupontheinstant.
　　'Youwillfindsixhorsesintheshedthere,'thestrangercriedinavoiceofcommand.'Turnoutthefourtotheleftasyougoin.Giveeachacut,andsenditaboutitsbusiness!'
　　Themanwheeledhishorsebeforethewordswerewelluttered,andcryingobsequiously'thatitwasdone,'flunghisreinstooneoftheotherridersanddisappearedintheshed,asiftheordergivenhimwerethemostcommonplaceoneintheworld.
　　Thepartyintheotherroom,however,bywhomallcouldbeheard,werenotslowtotakethealarm.Theybrokeintoashoutofremonstrance,andoneoftheirnumber,leapingfromthewindow,askedwithaveryfierceairwhatthedevilwemeant.Theothersthrustouttheirfaces,swollenandflushedwiththewinetheyhaddrunk,andwithmanyoathsbackeduphisquestion.Notfeelingmyselfcalledupontointerfere,Ipreparedtoseesomethingdiverting.
　　Mycompanion,whosecoolnesssurprisedme,hadalltheairofbeingaslittleconcernedasmyself.Heevenpersistedforatimeinignoringtheangrylawyer,and,turningadeafeartoallthethreatsandabusewithwhichtheothersassailedhim,continuedtolookcalmlyattheprospect.Seeingthis,andthatnothingcouldmovehim,themanwhohadjumpedthroughthewindow,andwhoseemedthemostenterprisingoftheparty,leftusatlastandrantowardsthestalls.Theaspectofthetwoserving-men,however,whorodeupgrinning,andmadeasiftheywouldridehimdown,determinedhimtoreturn;whichhedid,palewithfury,asthelastofthefourhorsesclatteredout,andafterapuzzledlookroundtrottedoffatitsleisureintotheforest.
　　Onthis,themangrewmoreviolent,asIhaveremarkedfrightenedmendo;sothatatlastthestrangercondescendedtonoticehim.
　　'Mygoodsir,'hesaidcoolly,lookingathimthroughthewindowasifhehadnotseenhimbefore,'youannoyme.Whatisthematter?'
　　Thefellowretortedwithavastamountofbluster,askingwhatthedevilwemeantbyturningouthishorses.
　　'Onlytogiveyouandthegentlemenwithyoualittleexercise,'
　　mycompanionanswered,withgrimhumour,andinaseveretonestrangeinonesoyoung——'thanwhichnothingismorewholesomeafterafullmeal.That,andalessoningoodmanners.
　　Maignan,'hecontinued,raisinghisvoice,'ifthispersonhasanythingmoretosay,answerhim.Heisneareryourdegreethanmine.'
　　Andleavingthemantoslinkawaylikeawhippeddog——forthemeanareeverthefirsttocringe——myfriendturnedfromthewindow.Meetingmyeyesashewentbacktohisseat,helaughed.
　　'Well,'hesaid,'whatdoyouthink?'
　　'Thattheassinthelion'sskinisverywelltillitmeetsthelion,'Ianswered.
　　Helaughedagain,andseemedpleased,asIdoubtnothewas.
　　'Pooh,pooh!'hesaid.'Itpassedthetime,andIthinkIamquitswithmygentlemennow.ButImustberiding.Possiblyourroadsmaylieforawhileinthesamedirection,sir?'Andhelookedatmeirresolutely.
　　IansweredcautiouslythatIwasgoingtothetownofRosny.
　　'YouarenotfromParis?'hecontinued,stilllookingatme.
　　'No,'Ianswered.'Iamfromthesouth.'
　　'FromBlois,perhaps?'
　　Inodded.
　　'Ah!'hesaid,makingnocomment,whichsomewhatsurprisedme,allmenatthistimedesiringnews,andlookingtoBloisforit.
　　'IamridingtowardsRosnyalso.Letusbegoing.'
　　ButInoticedthataswegottohorse,themanhecalledMaignanholdinghisstirrupwithmuchformality,heturnedandlookedatmemorethanoncewithanexpressioninhiseyewhichIcouldnotinterpret;sothat,beinginanenemy'scountry,wherecuriositywasathingtobedeprecated,Ibegantofeelsomewhatuneasy.
　　However,ashepresentlygavewaytoafitoflaughter,andseemedtobedigestinghislatediversionattheinn,Ithoughtnomoreofit,findinghimexcellentcompanyandamanofsurprisinginformation.
　　NotwithstandingthismyspiritsbegantoflagasIapproachedRosny;andasonsuchoccasionsnothingismoretryingthanthewell-meantrallyingofacompanionignorantofourtrouble,I
　　feltratherreliefthanregretwhenhedrewreinatfourcross-
　　roadsamileorsoshortofthetown,and,announcingthathereourpathsseparated,tookacivilleaveofme,andwenthiswaywithhisservants.
　　Idismountedataninnattheextremityofthetown,and,stoppingonlytoarrangemydressanddrinkacupofwine,askedthewaytotheChateau,whichwassituate,Ilearned,nomorethanathirdofamileaway.Iwentthitheronfootbywayofanavenueoftreesleadinguptoadrawbridgeandgateway.Theformerwasdown,butthegateswereclosed,andalltheformalitiesofafortressintimeofwarwereobservedonmyadmission,thoughthegarrisonappearedtoconsistonlyoftwoorthreeserving-menandasmanyforesters.Ihadleisureaftersendinginmynametoobservethatthehousewasoldandpartlyruinous,butofgreatstrength,coveredinplaceswithivy,andcloselysurroundedbywoods.Astaid-lookingpagecamepresentlytome,andledmeupanarrowstaircasetoaparlourlightedbytwowindows,looking,oneintothecourtyard,theothertowardsthetown.Thereatallmanwaswaitingtoreceiveme,whoroseonmyentranceandcameforward.JudgeofmysurprisewhenI
　　recognisedmyacquaintanceoftheafternoon!'M.deRosny?'I
　　exclaimed,standingstillandlookingathiminconfusion.
　　'Thesame,sir,'heanswered,withaquietsmile.'YoucomefromtheKingofNavarre,Ibelieve?andonanerrandtome.Youmayspeakopenly.Thekinghasnosecretsfromme.'
　　Therewassomethinginthegravityofhisdemeanourashewaitedformetospeak:whichstronglyimpressedme;notwithstandingthathewastenyearsyoungerthanmyself,andIhadseenhimsolatelyinalightermood.Ifeltthathisreputationhadnotbeliedhim——thatherewasagreatman;andreflectingwithdespairontheinadequacyofthetaleIhadtotellhim,IpausedtoconsiderinwhattermsIshouldbegin.Hesoonputanendtothis,however.'Come,sir,'hesaidwithimpatience.'Ihavetoldyouthatyoumayspeakout.Youshouldhavebeenherefourdaysago,asItakeit.Nowyouarehere,whereisthelady?'
　　'MademoiselledelaVire?'Istammered,rathertogaintimethanwithanyotherobject.
　　'Tut,tut!'herejoined,frowning.'Isthereanyotherladyinthequestion?Come,sir,speakout.Wherehaveyoulefther?
　　Thisisnoaffairofgallantry,'hecontinued,theharshnessofhisdemeanourdisagreeablysurprisingme,'thatyouneedbeataboutthebush.Thekingentrustedtoyoualady,who,Ihavenohesitationintellingyounow,wasinpossessionofcertainStatesecrets.ItisknownthatsheescapedsafelyfromChizeandarrivedsafelyatBlois.Whereisshe?'
　　'IwouldtoHeavenIknew,sir!'Iexclaimedindespair,feelingthepainfulnessofmypositionincreasedahundredfoldbyhismanner.'IwishtoGodIdid.'
　　'Whatisthis?'hecriedinaraisedvoice.'Youdonotknowwheresheis?Youjest,M.deMarsac.'
　　'Itwereasorryjest,'Ianswered,summoninguparuefulsmile.
　　Andonthat,plungingdesperatelyintothestorywhichIhaveheresetdown,InarratedthedifficultiesunderwhichIhadraisedmyescort,themannerinwhichIcametoberobbedofthegoldtoken,howmademoisellewastrepanned,theluckychancebywhichIfoundheragain,andthefinaldisappointment.Helistened,butlistenedthroughoutwithnowordofsympathy——
　　ratherwithimpatience,whichgrewatlastintoderisiveincredulity.WhenIhaddoneheaskedmebluntlywhatIcalledmyself.
　　Scarcelyunderstandingwhathemeant,Irepeatedmyname.
　　Heanswered,rudelyandflatly,thatitwasimpossible.Idonotbelieveit,sir!'herepeated,hisbrowdark.'Youarenottheman.Youbringneithertheladynorthetoken,noranythingelsebywhichIcantestyourstory.Nay,sir,donotscowlatme,'
　　hecontinuedsharply.'IamthemouthpieceoftheKingofNavarre,towhomthismatterisofthehighestimportance.I
　　cannotbelievethatthemanwhomhewouldchoosewouldactso.
　　ThishouseyouprateofinBlois,forinstance,andtheroomwiththetwodoors?Whatwereyoudoingwhilemademoisellewasbeingremoved?'
　　'Iwasengagedwiththemenofthehouse,'Ianswered,strivingtoswallowtheangerwhichallbutchokedme.'IdidwhatI
　　could.Hadthedoorgivenway,allwouldhavebeenwell.'
　　Helookedatmedarkly.'Thatisfinetalking!'hesaidwithasneer.Thenhedroppedhiseyesandseemedforatimetofallintoabrownstudy,whileIstoodbeforehim,confoundedbythisnewviewofthecase,furious,yetnotknowinghowtoventmyfury,cuttotheheartbyhisinsults,yetwithouthopeorprospectofredress.
　　'Come'hesaidharshly,aftertwoorthreeminutesofgloomyreflectiononhispartandburninghumiliationonmine,'isthereanyoneherewhocanidentifyyou,orinanyotherwayconfirmyourstory,sir?UntilIknowhowthematterstandsIcandonothing.'
　　Ishookmyheadinsullenshame.Imightprotestagainsthisbrutalityandthisjudgmentofme,buttowhatpurposewhileheshelteredhimselfbehindhismaster?
　　'Stay!'hesaidpresently,withanabruptgestureofremembrance.'Ihadnearlyforgotten.IhavesomeherewhohavebeenlatelyattheKingofNavarre'sCourtatSt.Jeand'Angely.
　　IfyoustillmaintainthatyouaretheM.deMarsactowhomthiscommissionwasentrusted,youwilldoubtlesshavenoobjectiontoseeingthem?'
　　OnthisIfeltmyselfplacedinamostcrueldilemma.ifI
　　refusedtosubmitmycasetotheproposedordeal,Istoodanimpostorconfessed.IfIconsentedtoseethesestrangers,itwasprobabletheywouldnotrecogniseme,andpossiblethattheymightdenymeintermscalculatedtomakemypositionevenworse,ifthatmightbe.Ihesitatedbut,Rosnystandinginexorablebeforemeawaitingananswer,Ifinallyconsented.
　　'Good!'hesaidcurtly.'Thisway,ifyouplease.Theyarehere.Thelatchistricky.Nay,sir,itismyhouse.'
　　Obeyingthesternmotionofhishand,Ipassedbeforehimintothenextroom,feelingmyselfmorehumiliatedthanIcantellbythisreferencetostrangers.ForamomentIcouldseenoone.
　　Thedaywaswaning,theroomIenteredwaslongandnarrow,andilluminatedonlybyaglowingfire.BesidesIwasmyself,perhaps,insomeembarrassment.Ibelievedthatmyconductorhadmadeamistake,orthathisguestshaddeparted,andIturnedtowardshimtoaskforanexplanation.Hemerelypointedonwards,however,andIadvanced;whereuponayoungandhandsomelady,whohadbeenseatedintheshadowofthegreatfireplace,rosesuddenly,asifstartled,andstoodlookingatme,theglowoftheburningwoodfallingononesideofherfaceandturningherhairtogold.
　　'Well!'M.deRosnysaid,inavoicewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears.'Youdonotknowmadame,Ithink?'
　　Isawthatshewasacompletestrangertome,andbowedtoherwithoutspeaking.Theladysalutedmeinturnceremoniouslyandinsilence.
　　'Istherenooneelseherewhoshouldknowyou?'M.deRosnycontinued,inatonealmostofpersiflage,andwiththesamechangeinhisvoicewhichhadstruckmebefore;butnowitwasmoremarked.'Ifnot,M.deMarsac,Iamafraid——Butfirstlookround,lookround,sir;Iwouldnotjudgeanymanhastily.'
　　HelaidhishandonmyshoulderashefinishedinamannersofamiliarandsoutterlyatvariancewithhisformerbearingthatIdoubtedifIheardorfeltaright.YetIlookedmechanicallyatthelady,andseeingthathereyesglistenedinthefirelight,andthatshegazedatmeverykindly,Iwonderedstillmore;
　　falling,indeed,intoaveryconfusionofamazement.Thiswasnotlessenedbutaugmentedahundredfoldwhen,turninginobediencetothepressureofdeRosny'shand,Isawbesideme,asifshehadrisenfromthefloor,anotherlady——nootherthanMademoiselledelaVireherself!Shehadthatmomentsteppedoutoftheshadowofthegreatfireplace,whichhadhithertohiddenher,andstoodbeforemecurtseyingprettily,withthesamelookonherfaceandinhereyeswhichmadame'swore.
　　'Mademoiselle!'Imuttered,unabletotakemyeyesfromher.
　　'Maisoui,monsieur,mademoiselle,'sheanswered,curtseyinglower,withtheairofachildratherthanawoman.
　　'Here?'Istammered,mymouthopen,myeyesstaring.
　　'Here,sir——thankstothevalourofabraveman,'sheanswered,speakinginavoicesolowIscarcelyheardher.Andthen,droppinghereyes,shesteppedbackintotheshadow,asifeithershehadsaidtoomuchalready,ordoubtedhercomposurewereshetosaymore.Shewassoradiantlydressed,shelookedinthefirelightmorelikeafairythanawoman,beingofsmallanddelicateproportions;andsheseemedinmyeyessodifferentaperson,particularlyinrespectofthesoftenedexpressionofherfeatures,fromtheMademoiselledelaVirewhomIhadknownandseenplungedinsloughsandbenttothesaddlewithfatigue,thatIdoubtedstillifIhadseenaright,andwasasfarfromenlightenmentasbefore.
　　ItwasM.deRosnyhimselfwhorelievedmefromtheembarrassmentIwassuffering.Heembracedmeinthemostkindandobligingmanner,andthismorethanonce;beggingmetopardonthedeceptionhehadpractiseduponme,andtowhichhehadbeenimpelledpartlybytheoddnatureofourintroductionattheinn,andpartlybyhisdesiretoenhancethejoyfulsurprisehehadinstoreforme.'Come,'hesaidpresently,drawingmetothewindow,'letmeshowyousomemoreofyouroldfriends.'
　　Ilookedout,andsawbelowmeinthecourtyardmythreehorsesdrawnupinarow,theCidbeingbestriddenbySimonFleix,who,seeingme,wavedatriumphantgreeting.Agroomstoodattheheadofeachhorse,andoneithersidewasamanwithatorch.
　　Mycompanionlaughedgleefully.'ItwasMaignan'sarrangement,'
　　hesaid.'Hehasaquainttasteinsuchthings.'
　　AftergreetingSimonFleixahundredtimes,Iturnedbackintotheroom,and,myheartoverflowingwithgratitudeandwonder,I
　　beggedM.deRosnytoacquaintmewiththedetailsofmademoiselle'sescape.
　　'Itwasthemostsimplethingintheworld,'hesaid,takingmebythehandandleadingmebacktothehearth.'Whileyouwereengagedwiththerascals,theoldwomanwhodailybroughtmademoiselle'sfoodgrewalarmedattheuproar,andcameintotheroomtolearnwhatitwas.Mademoiselle,unabletohelpyou,anduncertainofyoursuccess,thoughttheopportunitytoogoodtobelost.Sheforcedtheoldwomantoshowherandhermaidthewayoutthroughthegarden.Thisdone,theyrandownalane,asI
　　understand,andcameimmediatelyupontheladwiththehorses,whorecognisedthemandhelpedthemtomount.Theywaitedsomeminutesforyou,andthenrodeoff.'
　　'ButIinquiredatthegate,'Isaid.
　　'Atwhichgate?'inquiredM.deRosny,smiling.
　　'TheNorth-gate,ofcourse,'Ianswered.
　　'Justso,'herejoinedwithanod.'ButtheywentoutthroughtheWest-gateandmadeacircuit.Heisastrangelad,thatofyoursbelowthere.Hehasaheadonhisshoulder,M.deMarsac.
　　Well,twoleaguesoutsidethetowntheyhalted,scarcelyknowinghowtoproceed.Bygoodfortune,however,ahorse-dealerofmyacquaintancewasattheinn.HeknewMademoiselledelaVire,and,hearingwhithershewasbound,broughtherhitherwithoutletorhindrance.'
　　'WasheaNorman?'Iasked,M.deRosnynodded,smilingatmeshrewdly.'Yes,'hesaid,'hetoldmemuchaboutyou.Andnowletmeintroduceyoutomywife,MadamedeRosny.'
　　Heledmeuptotheladywhohadrisenatmyentrance,andwhonowwelcomedmeaskindlyasshehadbeforelookedonme,payingmemanypleasantcompliments.Igazedatherwithinterest,havingheardmuchofherbeautyandofthestrangemannerinwhichM.deRosny,beingenamouredoftwoyoungladies,andchancinguponbothwhilelodgingindifferentapartmentsataninn,haddecidedwhichheshouldvisitandmakehiswife.Heappearedtoreadwhatwasinmymind,forasIbowedbeforeher,thankingherfortheobligingthingswhichshehaduttered,andwhichforeverboundmetoherservice,hegailypinchedherear,andsaid,'Whenyouwantagoodwife,M.deMarsac,besureyouturntotheright.'
　　Hespokeinjest,andhavinghisowncaseonlyinhismind.ButI,lookingmechanicallyinthedirectionheindicated,sawmademoisellestandingapaceortwotomyrightintheshadowofthegreatchimney-piece.Iknownotwhethershefrownedmoreorblushedmore;butthisforcertain,thatsheansweredmylookwithoneofsharpdispleasure,and,turningherbackonme,sweptquicklyfromtheroom,withnotraceinherbearingofthatlatetendernessandgratitudewhichIhadremarked.
　　CHAPTERXIII.
　　ATROSNY.
　　ThemorningbroughtonlyfreshproofsofthekindnesswhichM.deRosnyhadconceivedforme.AwakingearlyIfoundonastoolbesidemyclothes,apurseofgoldcontainingahundredcrowns;
　　andayouthpresentlyenteringtoaskmeifIlackedanything,I
　　hadatfirstsomedifficultyinrecognisingSimonFleix,sosprucelywastheladdressed,inamoderesemblingMaignan's.I
　　lookedatthestudentmorethanoncebeforeIaddressedhimbyhisname;andwasasmuchsurprisedbythestrangechangeI
　　observedinhimforitwasnotconfinedtohisclothes——asbyanythingwhichhadhappenedsinceIenteredthehouse.Irubbedmyeyes,andaskedhimwhathehaddonewithhissoutane.
　　'Burnedit,M.deMarsac,'heansweredbriefly.
　　Isawthathehadburnedmuch,metaphoricallyspeaking,besideshissoutane.Hewaslesspale,lesslank,lesswobegonethanformerly,andwentmorebriskly.Hehadlosttheairofcrack-
　　braineddisorderwhichhaddistinguishedhim,andwassmart,sedate,andstoopedless.Onlytheoddsparkleremainedinhiseyes,andborewitnesstothesamenervous,eagerspiritwithin.
　　'Whatareyougoingtodo,then,Simon?'Iasked,notingthesechangescuriously.
　　'Iamasoldier,'heanswered,'andfollowM.deMarsac.'
　　Ilaughed.'Youhavechosenapoorservice,Iamafraid,'I
　　said,beginningtorise;'andone,too,Simon,inwhichitispossibleyoumaybekilled.Ithoughtthatwouldnotsuityou,'
　　Icontinued,toseewhathewouldsay.Butheanswerednothing,andIlookedathimingreatsurprise.'Youhavemadeupyourmind,then,atlast?'Isaid.
　　'Perfectly,'heanswered.
　　'Andsolvedallyourdoubts?'
　　'Ihavenodoubts.'
　　'YouareaHuguenot?'
　　'Thatistheonlytrueandpurereligion,'herepliedgravely.
　　AndwithapparentsincerityanddevotionherepeatedBeza'sConfessionofFaith.
　　Thisfilledmewithprofoundastonishment,butIsaidnomoreatthetime,thoughIhadmydoubts.IwaiteduntilIwasalonewithM.deRosny,andthenIunbosomedmyselfonthematter;
　　expressingmysurpriseatthesuddennessoftheconversion,andatsuchaman,asIhadfoundthestudenttobe,statinghisviewssofirmlyandsteadfastly,andwithsolittleexcitement.
　　ObservingthatM.deRosnysmiledbutanswerednothing,I
　　explainedmyselffarther.
　　'Iamsurprised,'Isaid,'becauseIhavealwayshearditmaintainedthatclerklymen,becominglostinthemazesoftheology,seldomfindanysurefooting;thatnotoneinahundredreturnstohisoldfaith,orfindsgracetoacceptanewone.I
　　amspeakingonlyofsuch,ofcourse,asIbelievethisladtobe——eager,excitablebrains,learningmuch,andwithoutjudgmenttodigestwhattheylearn.'
　　'OfsuchIalsobelieveittobetrue,'M.deRosnyanswered,stillsmiling.'Butevenonthemalittleinfluence,appliedattherightmoment,hasmucheffect,M.deMarsac.'
　　'Iallowthat,'Isaid.'Butmymother,ofwhomIhavespokentoyou,sawmuchofthisyouth.Hisfidelitytoherwasbeyondpraise.Yetherfaith,thoughgroundedonarock,hadnoweightwithhim.'
　　M.deRosnyshookhishead,stillsmiling.
　　'Itisnotourmotherswhoconvertus,'hesaid.
　　'What!'Icried,myeyesopened.'Doyoumean——doyoumeanthatMademoisellehasdonethis?'
　　'Ifancyso,'heanswered,nodding.'Ithinkmyladycastherspelloverhimbytheway.TheladleftBloiswithher,ifwhatyousaybetrue,withoutfaithintheworld.HecametomyhandstwodayslaterthestoutestofHuguenots.Itisnothardtoreadthisriddle.'
　　'Such,conversionsareseldomlasting,'Isaid.
　　Helookedatmequeerly;and,thesmilestillhoveringabouthislips,answered"Tush,man!Whysoserious?TheodoreBezahimselfcouldnotlookdryer.Theladisinearnest,andthereisnoharmdone.'
　　And,Heavenknows,Iwasinnomoodtosuspectharm;norinclinedjustthentolookatthedarksideofthings.Itmaybeconceivedhowdelightfulitwastometobereceivedasanequalandhonouredguestbyaman,eventhenfamous,andnowsogrowninreputationastoovershadowallFrenchmensavehismaster;howpleasanttoenjoythecomfortsandamiabilitiesofhome,fromwhichIhadbeenlongestranged;topourmymother'sstoryintoMadame'searsandfindcomfortinhersympathy;tofeelmyself,infine,oncemoreagentlemanwithanacknowledgedplaceintheworld.Ourdayswespentinhunting,orexcursionsofsomekind,oureveningsinlongconversations,whichimpressedmewithanever-growingrespectformylord'spowers.
　　ForthereseemedtobenoendeithertohisknowledgeofFrance,ortotheplansforitsdevelopment,whicheventhenfilledhisbrain,andhavesinceturnedwildernessesintofruitfullands,andsqualidtownsintogreatcities.Graveandformal,hecouldyetunbend;themostsagaciousofcounsellors,hewasasoldieralso,andlovedtheseclusioninwhichwelivedthemorethatitwasnotdevoidofdanger;theneighbouringtownsbeingdevotedtotheLeague,andthegeneraldisorderalonemakingitpossibleforhimtolieunsuspectedinhisownhouse.
　　Onethingonlyrenderedmyeaseandcomfortimperfect,andthatwastheattitudewhichMademoiselledelaVireassumedtowardsme.OfhergratitudeinthefirstblushofthethingIfeltnodoubt,fornotonlyhadshethankedmeveryprettily,thoughwithreserve,ontheeveningofmyarrival,butthewarmthofM.deRosny'skindnessleftmenochoice,savetobelievethatshehadgivenhimanexaggeratedideaofmymeritsandservices.Iaskednomorethanthis.Suchgoodofficesleftmenothingtoexpectordesire;myageandill-fortuneplacingmeatsogreatadisadvantagethat,farfromdreamingoffriendshiporintimacywithher,Ididnotevenassumetheequalityinourdailyintercoursetowhichmybirth,takenbyitself,entitledme.
　　KnowingthatImustappearinhereyesold,poor,andill-
　　dressed,andsatisfied,withhavingassertedmyconductandhonour,Iwascarefulnottotrespassonhergratitude;andwhileforwardinsuchcourtesiesascouldnotwearyher,Iavoidedwithequalcareeveryappearanceofpursuingher,orinflictingmycompanyuponher.Iaddressedherformallyanduponformaltopicsonly,such,Imean,aswesharedwiththerestofourcompany;andIremindedmyselfoftenthatthoughwenowmetinthesamehouseandatthesametable,shewasstilltheMademoiselledelaVirewhohadborneherselfsoloftilyintheKingofNavarre'sante-chamber.ThisIdid,notoutofpiqueorwoundedpride,whichInomore,Godknows,harbouredagainstherthanagainstabird;butthatImightnotinmynewprosperityforgetthelightinwhichsuchawoman,young,spoiled,andbeautiful,muststillregardme.
　　Keepingtothisinoffensiveposture,IwasthemorehurtwhenI
　　foundhergratitudefadewiththehour.Afterthefirsttwodays,duringwhichIremarkedthatshewasverysilent,seldomspeakingtomeorlookingatme,sheresumedmuchofheroldairofdisdain.ForthatIcaredlittle;butshepresentlywentfarther,andbegantorakeuptheincidentswhichhadhappenedatSt.Jeand'Angely,andinwhichIhadtakenpart.Shecontinuallyadvertedtomypovertywhilethere,totheoddfigureIhadcut,andthemanyjestsherfriendshadmadeatmyexpense.
　　Sheseemedtotakeapleasurepositivelysavageinthese,gibingatmesometimessobitterlyastoshameandpainme,andbringthecolourtoMadamedeRosny'scheeks.
　　Tothetimewehadspenttogether,ontheotherhand,sheneverorrarelyreferred.Oneafternoon,however,aweekaftermyarrivalatRosny,Ifoundhersittingaloneintheparlour.I
　　hadnotknownshewasthere,andIwasforwithdrawingatoncewithabowandamutteredapology.Butshestoppedmewithanangrygesture.'Idonotbite,'shesaid,risingfromherstoolandmeetingmyeyes,aredspotineachcheek.'Whydoyoulookatmelikethat?Doyouknow,M.deMarsac,thatIhavenopatiencewithyou.'Andshestampedherfootonthefloor.
　　'But,mademoiselle,'Istammeredhumbly,wonderingwhatintheworldshemeant,'whathaveIdone?'
　　'Done?'sherepeatedangrily.'Done?Itisnotwhatyouhavedone,itiswhatyouare.Ihavenopatiencewithyou.Whyareyousodull,sir?Whyareyousodowdy?Whydoyougoaboutwithyourdoubletawry,andyourhairlank?WhydoyouspeaktoMaignanasifhewereagentleman?Whydoyoulookalwayssolemnandpolite,andasifalltheworldwereapreche?Why?Why?
　　Why,Isay?'
　　Shestoppedfromsheerlackofbreath,leavingmeasmuchastonishedaseverinmylife.Shelookedsobeautifulinherfuryandfiercenesstoo,thatIcouldonlystareatherandwonderdumblywhatitallmeant.
　　'Well!'shecriedimpatiently,afterbearingthisaslongasshecould,'haveyounotawordtosayforyourself?Haveyounotongue?Haveyounowillofyourownatall,M.deMarsac?'
　　'But,mademoiselle,'Ibegan,tryingtoexplain.
　　'Chut!'sheexclaimed,cuttingmeshortbeforeIcouldgetfarther,asthewayofwomenis.Andthensheadded,inachangedtone,andveryabruptly,'Youhaveavelvetknotofmine,sir.Giveitme.'
　　'Itisinmyroom,'Ianswered,astonishedbeyondmeasureatthissuddenchangeofsubject,andequallysuddendemand.
　　'Thenfetchit,sir,ifyouplease,'shereplied,hereyesflashingafresh.'Fetchit.Fetchit,Isay!Ithasserveditsturn,andIprefertohaveit.Whoknowsbutthatsomedayyoumaybeshowingitforalove-knot?'
　　'Mademoiselle!'Icried,hotly.AndIthinkthatforthemomentIwasasangryasshewas.
　　'Still,Iprefertohaveit,'sheansweredsullenly,castingdownhereyes.
　　Iwassomuchenraged,Iwentwithoutawordandfetchedit,and,bringingittoherwhereshestood,inthesameplace,putitintoherhands.Whenshesawitsomerecollection,Ifancy,ofthedaywhenshehadtracedthecryforhelponit,cametoherinheranger;forshetookitfrommewithallherbearingaltered.Shetrembled,andhelditforamomentinherhands,asifshedidnotknowwhattodowithit.Shewasthinking,doubtless,ofthehouseinBloisandtheperilshehadrunthere;
　　and,beingformypartquitewillingthatsheshouldthinkandfeelhowbadlyshehadacted,Istoodlookingather,sparinghernowhitofmyglance.
　　'Thegoldchainyouleftonmymother'spillow,'Isaidcoldly,seeingshecontinuedsilent,'Icannotreturntoyouatonce,forIhavepledgedit.ButIwilldosoassoonasIcan.'
　　'Youhavepledgedit?'shemuttered,withhereyesaverted.
　　'Yes,mademoiselle,toprocureahorsetobringmehere,'I
　　replieddrily.'However,it,shallberedeemed.Inreturn,thereissomethingItoowouldask.'
　　'What?'shemurmured,recoveringherselfwithalleffort,andlookingatmewithsomethingofheroldprideanddefiance.
　　'Thebrokencoinyouhave,'Isaid.'Thetoken,Imean.Itisofnousetoyou,foryourenemiesholdtheotherhalf.Itmightbeofservicetome.'
　　'How?'sheaskedcurtly.
　　'BecausesomedayImayfinditsfellow,mademoiselle,'
　　'Andthen?"shecried.Shelookedatme,herlipsparted,hereyesflashing.'Whatthen,whenyouhavefounditsfellow,M.deMarsac?'
　　Ishruggedmyshoulders.
　　'Bah!'sheexclaimed,clenchingherlittlehand,andstampingherfootonthefloorinapassionIcouldnotunderstand.'Thatisyou!ThatisM.deMarsacallover.Yousaynothing,andmenthinknothingofyou.Yougowithyourhatinyourhand,andtheytreadonyou.Theyspeak,andyouaresilent!Why,ifI
　　coulduseaswordasyoucan,Iwouldkeepsilencebeforenoman,norletanymansavetheKingofFrancecockhishatinmypresence!Butyou!There!go,leaveme.Hereisyourcoin.
　　Takeitandgo.Sendmethatladofyourstokeepmeawake.Atanyratehehasbrains,heisyoung,heisaman,hehasasoul,hecanfeel——ifhewereanythingbutaclerk.'
　　Shewavedmeoffinsuchawindofpassionasmighthaveamusedmeinanother,butinhersmackedsostronglyofingratitudeastopainmenotalittle.Iwent,however,andsentSimontoher;
　　thoughIlikedtheerrandveryill,andnobetterwhenIsawthelad'sfacelightupatthementionofhername.Butapparentlyshehadnotrecoveredhertemperwhenhereachedher,forhefarednobetterthanIhaddone;comingawaypresentlywiththeairofawhippeddog,asIsawfromtheyew-treewalkwhereIwasstrolling.
　　Still,afterthatshemadeitahabittotalktohimmoreandmore;and,MonsieurandMadamedeRosnybeingmuchtakenupwithoneanother,therewasnoonetocheckherfancyorspeakawordofadvice.Knowingherpride,Ihadnofearsforher;butitgrievedmetothinkthatthelad'sheadshouldbeturned.A
　　dozentimesImadeupmymindtospeaktoheronhisbehalf;butforonethingitwasnotmybusiness,andforanotherIsoondiscoveredthatshewasawareofmydispleasure,andvalueditnotajot.Forventuringonemorning,whenshewasinapleasanthumour,tohintthatshetreatedthosebeneathhertooinhumanly,andwithanunkindnessaslittlebecomingnoblebloodasfamiliarity,sheaskedmescornfullyifIdidnotthinkshetreatedSimonFleixwellenough.TowhichIhadnothingtoanswer.
　　ImighthereremarkonthesystemofsecretintelligencebymeansofwhichM.deRosny,eveninthisremoteplace,receivednewsofallthatwaspassinginFrance.Butitiscommonfame.Therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers,whichwouldquicklyhavearousedsuspicionintheneighbouringtown,norwasitpossibleevenformetosayexactlybywhatchannelsnewscame.Butcomeitdid,andatallhoursoftheday.InthiswayweheardofthedangerofLaGanacheandoftheeffortcontemplatedbytheKingofNavarreforitsrelief.M.deRosnynotonlycommunicatedthesematterstomewithoutreserve,butengagedmyaffectionsbyfartherproofsofconfidencesuchasmightwellhaveflatteredamanofgreaterimportance.
　　Ihavesaidthat,asarule,therewasnocomingorgoingofmessengers.Butoneevening,returningfromthechasewithoneofthekeepers,whohadprayedmyassistanceinhuntingdownacrippleddoe,Iwassurprisedtofindastrangehorse,whichhadevidentlybeenriddenhardandfar,standingsmokingintheyard.
　　Inquiringwhoseitwas,IlearnedthatamanbelievedbythegroomstobefromBloishadjustarrivedandwasclosetedwiththebaron.Aneventsofaroutoftheordinarycourseofthingsnaturallyarousedmywonder;butdesiringtoavoidanyappearanceofcuriosity,which,ifindulged,isapttobecomethemostvulgarofvices,Irefrainedfromenteringthehouse,andrepairedinsteadtotheyew-walk.Ihadscarcely,however,heatedmyblood,alittlechilledwithriding,beforethepagecametometofetchmetohismaster.
　　IfoundM.deRosnystridingupanddownhisroom,hismannersodisorderedandhisfacedisfiguredbysomuchgriefandhorrorthatIstartedonseeinghim.Myheartsinkinginamoment,I
　　didnotneedtolookatMadame,whosatweepingsilentlyinachair,toassuremyselfthatsomethingdreadfulhadhappened.
　　Thelightwasfailing,andalamphadbeenbroughtintotheroom.
　　M.deRosnypointedabruptlytoasmallpieceofpaperwhichlayonthetablebesideit,and,obeyinghisgesture,Itookthisupandreaditscontents,whichconsistedoflessthanascoreofwords.
　　'Heisillandliketodie,'themessageran,'twentyleaguessouthofLaGanache.Comeatallcosts.P.M.
　　'Who?'Isaidstupidly——stupidly,foralreadyIbegantounderstand.Whoisillandliketodie?'
　　M.deRosnyturnedtome,andIsawthatthetearsweretricklingunbiddendownhischeeks.'ThereisbutoneHEforme,'hecried.'MayGodsparethatone!MayHesparehimtoFrance,whichneedshim,totheChurch,whichhangsonhim,andtome,wholovehim!Lethimnotfallinthehouroffruition.OLord,lethimnotfall!'Andhesankontoastool,andremainedinthatposturewithhisfaceinhishands,hisbroadshouldersshakenwithgrief.
　　'Come,sir,'Isaid,afterapausesacredtosorrowanddismay;
　　'letmeremindyouthatwhilethereislifethereishope.'