'Hope?'
　　'Yes,M.deRosny,hope,'Irepliedmorecheerfully.'Hehasworktodo.Heiselected,called,andchosen;theJoshuaofhispeople,asM.d'Amoursrightlycalledhim.Godwillnottakehimyet.Youshallseehimandbeembracedbyhim,ashashappenedahundredtimes.Remember,sir,theKingofNavarreisstrong,hardy,andyoung,andnodoubtingoodhands.'
　　'Mornay's,'M.deRosnycried,lookingupwithcontemptinhiseye.
　　Yetfromthatmomentherallied,spurred,Ithink,bythethoughtthattheKingofNavarre'srecoverydependedunderGodonM.deMornay;whomhewaseverinclinedtoregardashisrival.HebegantomakeinstantpreparationsfordeparturefromRosny,andbademedosoalso,tellingme,somewhatcurtlyandwithoutexplanation,thathehadneedofme.ThedangerofsospeedyareturntotheSouth,wherethefullweightoftheVicomtedeTurenne'svengeanceawaitedme,occurredtomestrongly;andI
　　ventured,thoughwithalittleshame,tomentionit.ButM.deRosny,aftergazingatmeamomentinapparentdoubt,puttheobjectionasidewithadegreeofpeevishnessunusualinhim,andcontinuedtopressonhisarrangementsasearnestlyasthoughtheydidnotincludeseparationfromawifeequallylovingandbeloved.
　　Havingfewthingstolooktomyself,Iwasatleisure,whenthehourofdeparturecame,toobserveboththecouragewithwhichMadamedeRosnysupportedhersorrow,'forthesakeofFrance,'
　　andtheunwontedtendernesswhichMademoiselledelaVire,liftedforonceaboveherself,lavishedonher.Iseemedtostand——
　　happilyinonelight,andyetthefeelingwasfraughtwithpain——
　　outsidetheirfamiliarrelations;yet,havingmademyadieuxasshortandformalaspossible,thatImightnotencroachonotherandmoresacredones,Ifoundatthelastmomentsomethinginwaitingforme.IwassurprisedasIrodeunderthegatewayalittleaheadoftheothers,bysomethingsmallandlightfallingonthesaddle-bowbeforeme.Catchingitbeforeitcouldslidetotheground,Isaw,withinfiniteastonishment,thatIheldinmyhandatinyvelvetbow.
　　Tolookupatthewindowoftheparlour,whichIhavesaidwasoverthearchway,wasmyfirstimpulse.Ididso,andmetmademoiselle'seyesforasecond,andasecondonly.Thenextmomentshewasgone.M.deRosnyclatteredthroughthegateatmyheels,theservantsbehindhim.Andwewereontheroad.
　　CHAPTERXIV.
　　M.DERAMBOUILLET.
　　Forawhilewewerebutamelancholyparty.TheincidentIhavelastrelatedwhichseemedtoadmitofmoreexplanationsthanone——leftmeinastateofthegreatestperplexity;andthisprevailedwithmeforatime,andwasonlydissipatedatlengthbymyseeingmyownface,asitwere,inaglass.For,chancingpresentlytolookbehindme,IobservedthatSimonFleixwasriding,notwithstandinghisfinehatandfeatherandhisnewsword,inapostureandwithanairofdejectiondifficulttoexaggerate;whereonthereflectionthatmasterandmanhadthesameobjectintheirminds——nay,thethoughtthatpossiblyheboreinhisbosomaliketokentothatwhichlaywarminmine——
　　occurringtome,Irousedmyselfasfromsomedegradingdream,and,shakinguptheCid,canteredforwardtojoinRosny,who,innocheerfulmoodhimself,wasridingsteadilyforward,wrappedtohiseyesinhiscloak.
　　ThenewsoftheKingofNavarre'sillnesshadfallenonhim,indeed,inthemidstofhissanguineschemingwiththeforceofathunderbolt.Hesawhimselfindangeroflosingatoncethemasterhelovedandthebrilliantfuturetowhichhelookedforward;andamidtheimminentcrashofhishopesandthedestructionofthesysteminwhichhelived,hehadscarcelytimetoregretthewifehewasleavingatRosnyorthequietfromwhichhewassosuddenlycalled.HisheartwasintheSouth,atLaGanache,byHenry'scouch.Hismainideawastogettherequicklyatallrisks.ThenameoftheKingofNavarre'sphysicianwasconstantlyonhislips.'Dortomanisagoodman.
　　Ifanyonecallsavehim,Dortomanwill,'washisperpetualcry.
　　Andwheneverhemetanyonewhohadtheleastappearanceofbearingnews,hewouldhavemestopandinterrogatehim,andbynomeansletthetravellergountilhehadgivenusthelastrumourfromBlois——thechannelthroughwhichallthenewsfromtheSouthreachedus.
　　Anincidentwhichoccurredattheinnthateveningcheeredhimsomewhat;themostpowerfulmindsbeingprone,Ihaveobserved,tosnatchatomensintimesofuncertainty.Anelderlyman,ofstrangeappearance,anddressedinanaffectedandbizarrefashion,wasseatedattablewhenwearrived.ThoughIenteredfirstinmyassumedcapacityofleaderoftheparty,heletmepassbeforehimwithoutcomment,butroseandsolemnlysalutedM.
　　deRosny,albeitthelatterwalkedbehindmeandwasmuchmoreplainlydressed.Rosnyreturnedhisgreetingandwouldhavepassedon;butthestranger,interposingwithastilllowerbow,invitedhimtotakehisseat,whichwasnearthefireandshelteredfromthedraught,atthesametimemakingasifhewouldhimselfremovetoanotherplace.
　　'Nay,'saidmycompanion,surprisedbysuchanexcessofcourtesy,'IdonotseewhyIshouldtakeyourplace,sir.'
　　'Notmineonly,'theoldmanrejoined,lookingathimwithaparticularityandspeakingwithanemphasiswhichattractedourattention,'butthoseofmanyothers,whoIcanassureyouwillveryshortlyyieldthemuptoyou,whethertheywillornot.'
　　M.deRosnyshruggedhisshouldersandpassedon,affectingtosupposetheoldmanwandered.Butprivatelyhethoughtmuchofhiswords,andmorewhenhelearnedthathewasanastrologerfromParis,whohadthename,atanyrateinthiscountry,ofhavingstudiedunderNostradamus.Andwhetherhedrewfreshhopesfromthis,orturnedhisattentionmoreparticularlyasweapproachedBloistopresentmatters,certainlyhegrewmorecheerful,andbeganagaintodiscussthefuture,asthoughassuredofhismaster'srecovery.
　　'YouhaveneverbeentotheKing'sCourt?'hesaidpresently,followingup,asIjudged,atrainofthoughtinhisownmind.
　　'AtBlois,Imean.'
　　'No;nordoIfeelanxioustovisitit,'Ianswered.'Totellyouthetruth,M.leBaron,'Icontinuedwithsomewarmth,'thesoonermearebeyondBlois,thebetterIshallbepleased.I
　　thinkwerunsomeriskthere,and,besides,Idonotfancyashambles.IdonotthinkIcouldseethekingwithoutthinkingoftheBartholomew,norhischamberwithoutthinkingofGuise.'
　　'Tut,tut!'hesaid,'youhavekilledamanbeforenow.'
　　'Many,'Ianswered.
　　'Dotheytroubleyou?'
　　'No,buttheywerekilledinfairfight,'Ireplied,'Thatmakesadifference.'
　　'Toyou,'hesaiddrily.'ButyouarenottheKingofFrance,yousee.Shouldyouevercomeacrosshim,'hecontinued,flickinghishorse'sears,afaintsmileonhislips,'Iwillgiveyouahint.TalktohimofthebattlesatJarnacandMoncontour,andpraiseyourConde'sfather!AsCondelostthefightand,hewonit,thecomplimentcomeshometohim.Themorehopelesslyamanhaslosthispowers,myfriend,themorefondlyheregardsthem,andthemorehighlyheprizesthevictorieshecallnolongergain.'
　　'Ugh!'Imuttered.
　　'OfthetwopartiesatCourt,'Rosnycontinued,calmlyoverlookingmyill-humour,'trustD'AumontandBironandtheFrenchclique.TheyaretruetoFranceatanyrate.ButwhomsoeveryouseeconsortwiththetwoRetzs——theKingofSpain'sjackalsasmennamethem——avoidhimforaSpaniardandatraitor.'
　　'ButtheRetzsareItalians,'Iobjectedpeevishly.
　　'Thesamething,'heansweredcurtly.'Theycry,"ViveleRoi!"
　　butprivatelytheyarefortheLeague,orforSpain,orforwhatevermaymosthurtus;whoarebetterFrenchmenthanthemselves,andwhoseleaderwillsomeday,ifGodsparehislife,beKingofFrance.'
　　'Well,thelessIhavetodowiththeoneortheotherofthem,saveatthesword'spoint,thebetterIshallbepleased,'I
　　rejoined.
　　Onthathelookedatmewithaqueersmile;aswashiswaywhenhehadmoreinhismindthanappeared.Andthis,andsomethingspecialinthetoneofhisconversation,aswell,perhaps,asmyowndoubtsaboutmyfutureandhisintentionsregardingme,gavemeanuneasyfeeling;whichlastedthroughtheday,andleftmeonlywhenmoreimmediateperilpresentlyrosetothreatenus.
　　Ithappenedinthisway.WehadreachedtheoutskirtsofBlois,andwerejustapproachingthegate,hopingtopassthroughitwithoutattractingattention,whentwotravellersrodeslowlyoutofalane,themouthofwhichwewerepassing.Theyeyeduscloselyastheyreinedintoletusgoby;andM.deRosny,whowasridingwithhishorse'sheadatmystirrup,whisperedmetopresson.BeforeIcouldcomply,however,thestrangerscanteredbyus,andturninginthesaddlewhenabreastofuslookedusintheface.Amomentlateroneofthemcriedloudly,'Itishe!'
　　andbothpulledtheirhorsesacrosstheroad,andwaitedforustocomeup.
　　AwarethatifM.deRosnywerediscoveredhewouldbehappyifheescapedwithimprisonment,thekingbeingtoojealousofhisCatholicreputationtoventuretoprotectaHuguenot,howeverillustrious,Isawthatthesituationwasdesperate;for,thoughwewerefivetotwo,theneighbourhoodofthecity——thegatebeingscarcelyabow-shotoff——renderedflightorresistanceequallyhopeless.Icouldthinkofnothingforitsavetoputaboldfaceonthematter,and,M.deRosnydoingthesame,weadvancedinthemostinnocentwaypossible.
　　'Halt,there!'criedoneofthestrangerssharply.'Andletmetellyou,sir,youareknown.'
　　'WhatifIam?'Iansweredimpatiently,stillpressingon.'Areyouhighwaymen,thatyoustoptheway?'
　　Thespeakerontheothersidelookedatmekeenly,butinamomentretorted,'Enoughtrifling,sir!WhoYOUareIdonotknow.ButthepersonridingatyourreinisM.deRosny.HimI
　　doknow,andIwarnhimtostop.'
　　Ithoughtthegamewaslost,buttomysurprisemycompanionansweredatonceandalmostinthesamewordsIhadused.'Well,sir,andwhatofthat?'hesaid.
　　'Whatofthat?'thestrangerexclaimed,spurringhishorsesoasstilltobartheway.'Why,onlythis,thatyoumustbeamadmantoshowyourselfonthissideoftheLoire.'
　　'ItislongsinceIhaveseentheother,'wasmycompanion'sunmovedanswer.
　　'YouareM.deRosny?Youdonotdenyit?'themancriedinastonishment.
　　'CertainlyIdonotdenyit,'M.deRosnyansweredbluntly.'Andmore,thedayhasbeen,sir,'hecontinuedwithsuddenfire,'whenfewathisMajesty'sCourtwouldhavedaredtochopwordswithSolomondeBethune,muchlesstostophimonthehighwaywithinamileofthepalace.Buttimesarechangedwithme,sir,anditwouldseemwithothersalso,iftruemenrallyingtohisMajestyinhisneedaretobechallengedbyeverypasserontheroad.'
　　'What!AreyouSolomondeBethune?'themancriedincredulously.Incredulously,buthiscountenancefell,andhisvoicewasfullofchagrinanddisappointment,'Whoelse,sir?'M.deRosnyrepliedhaughtily.'Iam,and,asfarasIknow,IhaveasmuchrightonthissideoftheLoireasanyotherman.'
　　'Athousandpardons.'
　　'Ifyouarenotsatisfied——'
　　'Nay,M.deRosny,Iamperfectlysatisfied.'
　　Thestrangerrepentedthiswithaverycrestfallenair,adding,'Athousandpardons';andfelltomakingotherapologies,doffinghishatwithgreatrespect.'Itookyou,ifyouwillpardonmesayingso,foryourHuguenotbrother,M.Maximilian,'heexplained.'ThesayinggoesthatheisatRosny.'
　　'Icananswerforthatbeingfalse,'M.deRosnyansweredperemptorily,'forIhavejustcomefromthere,andIwillanswerforitheisnotwithintenleaguesoftheplace.Andnow,sir,aswedesiretoenterbeforethegatesshut,perhapsyouwillexcuseus.'Withwhichhebowed,andIbowed,andtheybowed,andweseparated.Theygaveustheroad,whichM.deRosnytookwithagreatair,andwetrottedtothegate,andpassedthroughitwithoutmisadventure.
　　Thefirststreetweenteredwasawideone,andmycompaniontookadvantageofthistorideupabreastofme.'Thatisthekindofadventureourlittleprinceisfondof,'hemuttered.'Butformypart,M.deMarsac,thesweatisrunningdownmyforehead.I
　　haveplayedthetrickmorethanoncebefore,formybrotherandI
　　areaslikeastwopeas.Andyetitwouldhavegoneillwithusifthefoolhadbeenoneofhisfriends.'
　　'All'swellthatendswell,'Iansweredinalowvoice,thinkingitanilltimeforcompliments.Asitwas,theremarkwasunfortunate,forM.deRosnywasstillintheactofreiningbackwhenMaignancalledouttoustosaywewerebeingfollowed.
　　Ilookedbehind,butcouldseenothingexceptgloomandrainandoverhangingeavesandafewfigurescoweringindoorways.Theservants,however,continuedtomaintainthatitwasso,andweheld,withoutactuallystopping,acouncilofwar.Ifdetected,wewerecaughtinatrap,withouthopeofescape;andforthemomentIamsureM.doRosnyregrettedthathehadchosenthisroutebyBlois——thathehadthrusthimself,inhishasteandhisdesiretotakewithhimthelatestnews,intoasnaresopatent.
　　Thecastle——huge,dark,andgrim——loomedbeforeusattheendofthestreetinwhichwewere,and,chilledasIwasmyselfbythesight,Icouldimaginehowmuchmoreappallingitmustappeartohim,thechosencounsellorofhismaster,andthesteadfastopponentofallwhichitrepresented.
　　Ourconsultationcametonothing,fornobettercoursesuggesteditselfthantogoaswehadintendedtothelodgingcommonlyusedbymycompanion.Wedidso,lookingbehindusoften,andsayingmorethanoncethatMaignanmustbemistaken.Assoonaswehaddismounted,however,andgonein,heshowedusfromthewindowamanloiteringnear;andthisconfirmationofouralarmsendingustoourexpedientsagain,whileMaignanremainedwatchinginaroomwithoutalight,IsuggestedthatImightpassmyselfoff,thoughtenyearsolder,formycompanion.
　　'Alas!'hesaid,drummingwithhisfingersonthetable'therearetoomanyherewhoknowmetomakethatpossible.Ithankyouallthesame.'
　　'Couldyouescapeonfoot?Orpassthewallanywhere,orslipthroughthegatesearly?'Isuggested.
　　'TheymighttellusattheBleedingHeart,'heanswered.ButI
　　doubtit.Iwasafool,sir,toputmyneckintoMendoza'shalter,andthatisafact.ButhereisMaignan.Whatisit,man?'hecontinuedeagerly.
　　'Thewatcherisgone,mylord,'theequerryanswered.
　　'Andhasleftnoone?'
　　'NoonethatIcansee.'
　　Webothwentintothenextroomandlookedfromthewindows.Themanwascertainlynotwherewehadseenhimbefore.Buttherainwasfallingheavily,theeavesweredripping,thestreetwasadarkcavernwithonlyhereandthereasparkoflight,andthefellowmightbelurkingelsewhere.Maignan,beingquestioned,however,believedhehadgoneoffofsetpurpose.
　　'Whichmaybereadhalfadozenways,'Iremarked.
　　'Atanyrate,wearefasting,'M.deRosnyanswered.Givemeafullmaninafight.Letussitdownandeat.Itisnogoodjumpinginthedark,ormeetingtroubleshalfway.'
　　Wewerenotthroughourmeal,however,SimonFleixwaitingonuswithapaleface,whenMaignancameinagainfromthedarkroom.
　　'Mylord,'hesaidquietly,'threemenhaveappeared.Twoofthemremaintwentypacesaway.Thethirdhascometothedoor.'
　　Ashespokeweheardacautioussummonsbelow,Maignanwasforgoingdown,buthismasterbadehimstand.Letthewomanofthehousego,'hesaid.
　　IremarkedandlongrememberedM.deRosny'sSANG-FROIDonthisoccasion.Hispistolshehadalreadylaidonachairbesidehimthrowinghiscloakoverthem;andnow,whilewewaited,listeninginbreathlesssilence,Isawhimhandalargesliceofbread-and-
　　meattohisequerry,who,standingbehindhischair,beganeatingitwiththesamecoolness.SimonFleix,ontheotherhand,stoodgazingatthedoor,tremblingineverylimb,andwithsomuchofexcitementandsurpriseinhisattitudethatItooktheprecautionofbiddinghim,inalowvoice,donothingwithoutorders.Atthesamemomentitoccurredtometoextinguishtwoofthefourcandleswhichhadbeenlighted;andIdidso,M.deRosnynoddingassent,justasthemutteredconversationwhichwasbeingcarriedonbelowceased,andaman'streadsoundedonthestairs.
　　Itwasfollowedimmediatelybyaknockontheoutsideofourdoor.Obeyingmycompanion'slook,Icried,'Enter!'
　　Aslendermanofmiddleheight,bootedandwrappedup,withhisfacealmostentirelyhiddenbyafoldofhiscloak,cameinquickly,andclosingthedoorbehindhim,advancedtowardsthetable.'WhichisM.deRosny?'hesaid.
　　Rosnyhadcarefullyturnedhisfacefromthelight,butatthesoundoftheother'svoicehesprangupwithacryofrelief.Hewasabouttospeak,whenthenewcomer,raisinghishandperemptorily,continued,'Nonames,Ibeg.Yours,Isuppose,isknownhere.Mineisnot,nordoIdesireitshouldbe.Iwantspeechofyou,thatisall.'
　　'Iamgreatlyhonoured,'M.deRosnyreplied,gazingathimeagerly.'Yet,whotoldyouIwashere?'
　　'Isawyoupassunderalampinthestreet,'thestrangeranswered.'Iknewyourhorsefirst,andyouafterwards,andbadeagroomfollowyou.Believeme,'headded,withagestureofthehand,'youhavenothingtofearfromme.'
　　'Iaccepttheassuranceinthespiritinwhichitisoffered,'mycompanionansweredwithagracefulbow,'andthinkmyselffortunateinbeingrecognised'——hepausedamomentandthencontinued——'byaFrenchmanandamanofhonour.'
　　Thestrangershruggedhisshoulders.'Yourpardon,then,'hesaid,'ifIseemabrupt.Mytimeisshort.IwanttodothebestwithitIcan.Willyoufavourme?'
　　Iwasforwithdrawing,butM.deRosnyorderedMaignantoplacelightsinthenextroom,and,apologisingtomeverygraciously,retiredthitherwiththestranger,leavingmerelievedindeedbythesepeacefulappearances,butfullofwonderandconjectureswhothismightbe,andwhatthevisitportended.AtonemomentI
　　wasinclinedtoidentifythestrangerwithM.deRosny'sbrother;
　　atanotherwiththeEnglishambassador;andthen,again,awildideathathemightbeM.deBruhloccurredtome.Thetworemainedtogetheraboutaquarterofanhourandthencameout,thestrangerleadingtheway,andsalutingmepolitelyashepassedthroughtheroom.Atthedoorheturnedtosay,'Atnineo'clock,then?'
　　'Atnineo'clock,'M.deRosnyreplied,holdingthedooropen.
　　'YouwillexcusemeifIdonotdescend,Marquis?'
　　'Yes,goback,myfriend,'thestrangeranswered.And,lightedbyMaignan,whosefaceonsuchoccasionscouldassumethemoststolidairintheworld,hedisappeareddownthestairs,andI
　　heardhimgoout.
　　M.deRosnyturnedtome,hiseyessparklingwithjoy,hisfaceandmienfullofanimation.'TheKingofNavarreisbetter,'hesaid.'Heissaidtobeoutofdanger.Whatdoyouthinkofthat,myfriend?'
　　'ThatisthebestnewsIhaveheardformanyaday,'Ianswered.
　　AndIhastenedtoadd,thatFranceandtheReligionhadreasontothankGodforHismercy.
　　'Amentothat,'mypatronrepliedreverently.'Butthatisnotall——thatisnotall.'Andhebegantowalkupanddowntheroomhummingthe118thPsalmalittleabovehisbreath——
　　Lavoicil'heureusejourneeQueDieuafaiteapleindesir;
　　Parnoussoitjoiedemenee,Etprenonsenelleplaisir.
　　Hecontinued,indeed,towalkupanddownthefloorsolong,andwithsojoyfulacountenanceanddemeanour,thatIventured,atlasttoremindhimofmypresence,whichhehadclearlyforgotten.'Ha!tobesure,'hesaid,stoppingshortandlookingatmewiththeutmostgood-humour.'Whattimeisit?
　　Seven.Thenuntilnineo'clock,myfriend,Icraveyourindulgence.Infine,untilthattimeImustkeepcounsel.Come,Iamhungrystill.Letussitdown,andthistimeIhopewemaynotbeinterrupted.Simon,setusonafreshbottle.Ha!ha!
　　VIVENTLEROIETLEROIDENAVARRE!'Andagainhefelltohummingthesamepsalm——
　　ODieueternel,jeteprie,Jeteprie,tonroimaintiens:
　　ODieu,jeteprieetreprie,Sauvetonroietl'entretiens!
　　doingsowithalightinhiseyesandajoyousemphasis,whichimpressedmethemoreinamanordinarilysocalmandself-
　　contained.Isawthatsomethinghadoccurredtogratifyhimbeyondmeasure,and,believinghisstatementthatthiswasnotthegoodnewsfromLaGanacheonly,Iwaitedwiththeutmostinterestandanxietyforthehourofnine,whichhadnosoonerstruckthanourformervisitorappearedwiththesameairofmysteryanddisguisewhichhadattendedhimbefore.
　　M.deRosny,whohadrisenonhearinghisstepandhadtakenuphiscloak,pausedwithithalfonandhalfoff,tocryanxiously,'Alliswell,isitnot?'
　　'Perfectly,'thestrangerreplied,withanod.
　　'Andmyfriend?'
　　Yes,onconditionthatyouanswerforhisdiscretionandfidelity.'Andthestrangerglancedinvoluntarilyatmewhostooduncertainwhethertoholdmygroundorretire.
　　'Good,'M.deRosnycried.Thenheturnedtomewithamingledairofdignityandkindness,andcontinued:'Thisisthegentleman.M.deMarsac,IamhonouredwithpermissiontopresentyoutotheMarquisdeRambouillet,whoseinterestandprotectionIbegyoutodeserve,forheisatrueFrenchmanandapatriotwhomIrespect.'
　　M.deRambouilletsalutedmepolitely.'OfaBrittanyfamily,I
　　think?'hesaid.
　　Iassented;andherepliedwithsomethingcomplimentary.ButafterwardshecontinuedtolookatmeinsilencewithakeennessandcuriosityIdidnotunderstand.Atlast,whenM.deRosny'simpatiencehadreachedahighpitch,themarquisseemedimpelledtoaddsomething.'YouquiteunderstandM.deRosny?'hesaid.
　　'WithoutsayinganythingdisparagingofM.deMarsac,whois,nodoubt,amanofhonour'——andhebowedtomeverylow——'thisisadelicatematter,andyouwillintroducenooneintoit,Iamsure,whomyoucannottrustasyourself.'
　　'Precisely,'M.deRosnyreplied,speakingdrily,yetwithagrandairwhichfullymatchedhiscompanion's.'Iampreparedtotrustthisgentlemannotonlywithmylifebutwithmyhonour.'
　　'Nothingmoreremainstobesaidthen,'themarquisrejoined,bowingtomeagain.'Iamgladtohavebeentheoccasionofadeclarationsoflatteringtoyou,sir.'
　　Ireturnedhissaluteinsilence,andobeyingM.deRosny'smuttereddirectionputon,mycloakandsword.M.deRosnytookuphispistols.
　　'Youwillhavenoneedofthose,'theMarquissaidwithahighglance.
　　'Wherewearegoing,no,'mycompanionanswered,calmlycontinuingtodisposethemabouthim.'Butthestreetsaredarkandnottoosafe.'
　　M.deRambouilletlaughed.'ThatistheworstofyouHuguenots,'
　　hesaid.'Youneverknowwhentolaysuspicionaside.'
　　Ahundredretortssprangtomylips.IthoughtoftheBartholomew,oftheFrenchfuryofAntwerp,ofhalfadozenthingswhichmakemybloodboiltothisday.ButM.deRosny'sanswerwasthefinestofall.'Thatistrue,Iamafraid,'hesaidquietly.'Ontheotherhand,youCatholics——takethelateM.deGuiseforinstance——havethehabitoferringontheotherside,Ithink,andsometimestrusttoofar.'
　　Themarquis,withoutmakinganyanswertothishome-thrust,ledthewayout,andwefollowed,beingjoinedatthedoorofthehousebyacoupleofarmedlackeys,whofellinbehindus.Wewentonfoot.Thenightwasdark,andtheprospectoutofdoorswasnotcheering.Thestreetswerewetanddirty,andnotwithstandingallourcarewefellcontinuallyintopitfallsoroverunseenobstacles.CrossingthePARVISofthecathedral,whichIremembered,weplungedinsilenceintoanobscurestreetneartheriver,andsonarrowthatthedecrepithousesshutoutalmostallviewofthesky.Thegloomofoursurroundings,nolessthanmyignoranceoftheerrandonwhichwewerebound,filledmewithanxietyandforeboding.Mycompanionskeepingstrictsilence,however,andtakingeveryprecautiontoavoidbeingrecognised,Ihadnochoicebuttodolikewise.
　　Icouldthink,andnomore.Ifeltmyselfbornealongbyanirresistiblecurrent,whitherandforwhatpurposeIcouldnottell;anexperiencetoanextentstrangeatmyagetheinfluenceofthenightandtheweather.Twicewestoodasidetoletapartyofroisterersgoby,andtheexcessivecareM.deRambouilletevincedontheseoccasionstoavoidrecognitiondidnottendtoreassuremeormakemethinkmorelightlyoftheunknownbusinessonwhichIwasbound.
　　Reachingatlastanopenspace,ourleaderbadeusinalowvoicebecarefulandfollowhimclosely.Wedidsoandcrossedinthiswayandinsinglefileanarrowplankorwoodenbridge;butwhetherwaterranbeloworadryditchonly,Icouldnotdetermine.MymindwastakenupatthemomentwiththediscoverywhichIhadjustmade,thatthedarkbuilding,loominghugeandblackbeforeuswithasinglelighttwinklinghereandthereatgreatheights,wastheCastleofBlois.
　　CHAPTERXV.
　　VILAINHERODES.
　　AllthedistasteandmislikingIhadexpressedearlierinthedayfortheCourtofBloisrecurredwithfreshforceinthedarknessandgloom;andthough,bootedandtravel-stainedaswewere,I
　　didnotconceiveitlikelythatweshouldbeobtrudedonthecircleabouttheking,Ifeltnonethelessanoppressivedesiretobethroughwithouradventure,andawayfromtheill-omenedprecinctsinwhichIfoundmyself.Thedarknesspreventedmeseeingthefacesofmycompanions;butonM.deRosny,whowasnotquitefreehimself,Ithink,fromtheinfluencesofthetimeandplace,twitchingmysleevetoenforcevigilance,Inotedthatthelackeyshadceasedtofollowus,andthatwethreewerebeginningtoascendaroughstaircasecutintherock.I
　　gathered,thoughthedarknesslimitedmyviewbehindaswellasinfronttoafewtwinklinglights,thatweweremountingthescarpfromthemoat;tothesidewallofthecastle;andIwasnotsurprisedwhenthemarquismutteredtoustostop,andknockedsoftlyonthewoodofadoor.
　　M.deRosnymighthavesparedthetouchhehadlaidonmysleeve,forbythistimeIwasfullyandpainfullysensibleofthecriticalpositioninwhichwestood,andwasverylittlelikelytocommitanindiscretion.Itrustedhehadnotdonesoalready!
　　Nodoubt——itflashedacrossmewhilewewaited——hehadtakencaretosafeguardhimself.Buthowoften,Ireflected,hadallsafeguardsbeensetasideandallprecautionseludedbythosetowhomhewascommittinghimself!Guisehadthoughthimselfsecureinthisverybuilding,whichwewereabouttoenter.Colignyhadreceivedthemostabsoluteofsafe-conductsfromthosetowhomwewereapparentlybound.Theendineithercasehadbeenthesame——theconfidenceoftheoneprovingofnomoreavailthanthewisdomoftheother.WhatiftheKingofFrancethoughttomakehispeacewithhisCatholicsubjects——offendedbythemurderofGuise——byasecondmurderofoneasobnoxioustothemashewasprecioustotheirarch-enemyintheSouth?Rosnywassagaciousindeed;butthenIreflectedwithsuddenmisgivingthathewasyoung,ambitious,andbold.
　　Theopeningofthedoorinterruptedwithoutputtinganendtothistrainofapprehension.Afaintlightshoneout;sofeeblyastoilluminelittlemorethanthestairsatourfeet.Themarquisenteredatonce,M.deRosnyfollowed,Ibroughtuptherear;andthedoorwasclosedbyamanwhostoodbehindit.Wefoundourselvescrowdedtogetheratthefootofaverynarrowstaircase,whichthedoorkeeper——astolidpikemaninagreyuniform,withasmalllanthornswingingfromthecrosspieceofhishalberd——signedtoustoascend.Isaidawordtohim,butheonlystaredinanswer,andM.deRambouillet,lookingbackandseeingwhatIwasabout,calledtomethatitwasuseless,asthemanwasaSwissandspokenoFrench.
　　Thisdidnottendtoreassureme;anymorethandidthechillroughnessofthewallwhichmyhandtouchedasIgropedupwards,orthesmellofbatswhichinvadedmynostrilsandsuggestedthatthestaircasewaslittleusedandbelongedtoapartofthecastlefittedfordarkandsecretdoings.
　　Westumbledintheblacknessupthesteps,passingonedoorandthenasecondbeforeM.deRambouilletwhisperedtoustostand,andknockedgentlyatathird.
　　Thesecrecy,thedarkness,andaboveallthestrangearrangementsmadetoreceiveus,filledmewiththewildestconjectures.Butwhenthedooropenedandwepassedonebyoneintoabare,unfurnished,draughtygallery,immediately,asIjudged,underthetiles,therealityagreedwithnooneofmyanticipations.
　　Theplacewasameregarret,withoutahearth,withoutasinglestool.Threewindows,ofwhichonewasroughlyglazed,whiletheotherswerefilledwithoiledpaper,weresetinonewall;theothersdisplayingthestonesandmortarwithoutdisguiseorornament.BesidethedoorthroughwhichwehadenteredstoodasilentfigureinthegreyuniformIhadseenbelow,hislanthornonthefloorathisfeet.Aseconddooratthefartherendofthegallery,whichwasfulltwentypaceslong,wasguardedinlikemanner.Acoupleoflanthornsstoodinthemiddleofthefloor,andthatwasall.
　　Insidethedoor,M.deRambouilletwithhisfingeronhislipstoppedus,andwestoodalittlegroupofthreeapaceinfrontofthesentry,andwiththeemptyroombeforeus.IlookedatM.
　　deRosny,buthewaslookingatRambouillet.Themarquishadhisbacktowardsme,thesentrywasgazingintovacancy;sothatbaffledinmyattempttolearnanythingfromthelooksoftheotheractorsinthescene,Ifellbackonmyears.Theraindrippedoutsideandthemoaningwindrattledthecasements;butmingledwiththesemelancholysounds——whichgainedforce,assuchthingsalwaysdo,fromthecircumstancesinwhichwewereplacedandourownsilence——IfanciedIcaughtthedistanthumofvoicesandmusicandlaughter.Andthat,Iknownotwhy,broughtM.deGuiseagaintomymind.
　　Thestoryofhisdeath,asIhadhearditfromthataccursedmonkintheinnontheClaine,roseupinallitsfreshness,withallitsdetails.IstartedwhenM.deRambouilletcoughed.I
　　shiveredwhenRosnyshiftedhisfeet.Thesilencegrewoppressive.Onlythestolidmeningreyseemedunmoved,unexpectant;sothatIrememberwonderingwhetheritwastheirnightlydutytokeepguardoveranemptygarret,thefloorstrewnwithscrapsofmortarandendsoftiles.
　　Theinterruption,whenitcameatlast,camesuddenly.Thesentryatthefartherendofthegallerystartedandfellbackapace.Instantlythedoorbesidehimopenedandamancamein,andclosingitquicklybehindhim,advanceduptheroomwithanairofdignity,whichevenhisstrangeappearanceandattirecouldnotwhollydestroy.
　　Hewasofgoodstatureandbearing,aboutfortyyearsoldasI
　　judged,hiswearadressofvioletvelvetwithblackpointscutintheextremeofthefashion.Hecarriedaswordbutnoruff,andhadacupandballofivory——astrangetoymuchinvogueamongtheidle——suspendedfromhiswristbyaribbon.Hewasleanandsomewhatnarrow,butsofarIfoundlittlefaultwithhim.Itwasonlywhenmyeyereachedhisface,andsawitrougedlikeawoman'sandsurmountedbyalittleturban,thatafeelingofscarcelyunderstooddisgustseizedme,andIsaidtomyself,'Thisisthestuffofwhichkings'minionsaremade!'
　　Tomysurprise,however,M.deRambouilletwenttomeethimwiththeutmostrespect,sweepingthedirtyfloorwithhisbonnet,andbowingtotheveryground.Thenewcomeracknowledgedhissalutewithnegligentkindness.Remarkingpleasantly'Youhavebroughtafriend,Ithink?'helookedtowardsuswithasmile.
　　'Yes,sire,heishere,'themarquisanswered,steppingasidealittle.AndwiththewordIunderstoodthatthiswasnominion,butthekinghimself:Henry,theThirdofthename,andthelastofthegreatHouseofValois,whichhadruledFrancebythegraceofGodfortwocenturiesandahalf!Istaredathim,andstaredathim,scarcelybelievingwhatIsaw.ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwasinthepresenceoftheking!
　　MeanwhileM.deRosny,towhomhewas,ofcourse,nomarvel,hadgoneforwardandkneltononeknee.Thekingraisedhimgraciously,andwithanactionwhich,viewedapartfromhiswoman'sfaceandsillyturban,seemedroyalandfitting.'Thisisgoodofyou,Rosny,'hesaid.'ButitisonlywhatIexpectedofyou.'
　　'Sire,'mycompanionanswered,'yourMajestyhasnomoredevotedservantthanmyself,unlessitbethekingmymaster.'
　　'Bymyfaith,'Henryansweredwithenergy——'andifIamnotagoodchurchman,whateverthoserascallyParisianssay,Iamnothing——bymyfaith,IthinkIbelieveyou!'
　　'IfyourMajestywouldbelievemeinthatandinsomeotherthingsalso,'M.deRosnyanswered,'itwouldbeverywellforFrance.'Thoughhespokecourteously,hethrewsomuchweightandindependenceintohiswordsthatIthoughtoftheoldproverb,'Agoodmaster,aboldservant.'
　　'Well,thatiswhatweareheretosee,'thekingreplied.'Butonetellsmeonething,'hewentonfretfully,'andoneanother,andwhichamItobelieve?'
　　'Iknownothingofothers,sire,'Rosnyansweredwiththesamespirit.'Butmymasterhaseveryclaimtobebelieved.HisinterestintheroyaltyofFranceissecondonlytoyourMajesty's.Heisalsoakingandakinsman,anditerkshimtoseerebelsbeardyou,ashashappenedoflate.'
　　'Ay,butthechiefofthem?'Henryexclaimed,givingwaytosuddenexcitementandstampingfuriouslyonthefloor.'Hewilltroublemenomore.HasmybrotherheardofTHAT?Tellme,sir,hasthatnewsreachedhim?'
　　'Hehasheardit,sire.'
　　'Andheapproved?Heapproved,ofcourse?'
　　'Beyonddoubtthemanwasatraitor,'M.deRosnyanswereddelicately.'Hislifewasforfeit,sire.Whocanquestionit?'
　　'Andhehaspaidtheforfeit,'thekingrejoined,lookingdownatthefloorandimmediatelyfallingintoamoodinessassuddenashisexcitement.Hislipsmoved.Hemutteredsomethinginaudible,andbegantoplayabsentlywithhiscupandball,hismindoccupiedapparentlywithagloomyretrospect.'M.deGuise,M.deGuise,'hemurmuredatlast,withasneerandanaccentofhatewhichtoldofoldhumiliationslongremembered.'Well,damnhim,heisdeadnow.Heisdead.Butbeingdeadheyettroublesus.Isnotthattheverse,father?Ha!'withastart,'Iwasforgetting.Butthatistheworstwronghehasdoneme,'hecontinued,lookingupandgrowingexcitedagain.'HehascutmeofffromMotherChurch.Thereishardlyapriestcomesnearmenow,andpresentlytheywillexcommunicateme.And,asIhopeforsalvation,theChurchhasnomorefaithfulsonthanme.'
　　Ibelievehewasonthepoint,forgettingM.deRosny'spresencethereandhiserrand,ofgivingwaytounmanlytears,whenM.deRambouillet,asifbyaccident,lettheheelofhisscabbardfallheavilyonthefloor.Thekingstarted,andpassinghishandonceortwiceacrosshisbrow,seemedtorecoverhimself.
　　'Well,'hesaid,'nodoubtweshallfindawayoutofourdifficulties.'
　　'IfyourMajesty,'Rosnyansweredrespectfully,'wouldaccepttheaidmymasterproffers,Iventuretothinkthattheywouldvanishthequicker.'
　　'Youthinkso,'Henryrejoined.'Well,givemeyourshoulder.
　　Letuswalkalittle.'And,signingtoRambouillettoleavehim,hebegantowalkupanddownwithM.deRosny,talkingfamiliarlywithhiminanundertone.
　　Onlysuchscrapsoftheconversationasfellfromthemwhentheyturnedatmyendofthegallerynowreachedme.Patchingthesetogether,however,Imanagedtounderstandsomewhat.AtoneturnIheardthekingsay,'ButthenTurenneoffers——'Atthenext,'Trusthim?Well,IdonotknowwhyIshouldnot.Hepromises——'Then'ARepublic,Rosny?Thathisplan?Pooh!hedarenot.
　　Hecouldnot.FranceisakingdombytheordinanceofGodinmyfamily.'
　　Igatheredfromtheseandotherchancewords,whichIhavesinceforgotten,thatM.deRosnywaspressingthekingtoacceptthehelpoftheKingofNavarre,andwarninghimagainsttheinsidiousoffersoftheVicomtedeTurenne.ThementionofaRepublic,however,seemedtoexcitehisMajesty'swrathratheragainstRosnyforpresumingtorefertosuchathingthanagainstTurenne,towhomherefusedtocreditit.Hepausednearmyendofthepromenade.
　　'Proveit!'hesaidangrily.'Butcanyouproveit?Canyouproveit?Mindyou,Iwilltakenohearsayevidence,sir.Now,thereisTurenne'sagenthere——youdidnotknow,Idaresay,thathehadanagenthere?'
　　'Yourefer,sire,toM.deBruhl,'Rosnyanswered,withouthesitation.'Iknowhim,sire.'
　　'Ithinkyouarethedevil,'Henryanswered,lookingcuriouslyathim.'Youseemtoknowmostthings.Butmindyou,myfriend,hespeaksmefairly,andIwillnottakethisonhearsayevenfromyourmaster.Though,'headdedafterpausingamoment,'Ilovehim.'
　　'Andhe,yourMajesty.Hedesiresonlytoproveit.'