'Yes,Iknow,Iknow,'thekingansweredfretfully.'Ibelieveshedoes.Ibelievehedoeswishmewell.Buttherewillbeadevilofanoutcryamongmypeople.AndTurennegivesfairwordstoo.AndIdonotknow,'hecontinued,fidgetingwithhiscupandball,'thatitmightnotsuitmebettertoagreewithhim,yousee.'
　　IsawM.deRosnydrawhimselfup.'DareIspeakopenlytoyou,sire,'hesaid,withlessrespectandmoreenergythanhehadhithertoused.'AsIshouldtomymaster?'
　　'Ay,saywhatyoulike,'Henryanswered.Buthespokesullenly,anditseemedtomethathelookedlesspleasantlyathiscompanion.
　　'ThenIwillventuretoutterwhatisinyourMajesty'smind,'mypatronansweredsteadfastly.'Youfear,sire,lest,havingacceptedmymaster'sofferandconqueredyourenemies,youshouldnotbeeasilyridofhim.'
　　Henrylookedrelieved.'Doyoucallthatdiplomacy?'hesaidwithasmile.'However,whatifitbeso?Whatdoyousaytoit?MethinksIhaveheardanidletaleaboutahorsewhichwouldhuntastag;andforthepurposesetamanuponitsback.'
　　'ThisIsay,sire,first,'Rosnyansweredveryearnestly.'ThattheKingofNavarreispopularonlywithone-thirdofthekingdom,andisonlypowerfulwhenunitedwithyou.Secondly,sire,itishisinteresttosupporttheroyalpower,towhichheisheir.And,thirdly,itmustbemoretoyourMajesty'shonourtoaccepthelpfromanearkinsmanthanfromanordinarysubject,andonewho,Istillmaintain,sire,hasnogooddesignsinhismind.'
　　'Theproof'Henrysaidsharply.'Givemethat!'
　　'Icangiveitinaweekfromthisday.'
　　'Itmustbenoidletale,mindyou,'thekingcontinuedsuspiciously.
　　'YoushallhaveTurenne'sdesigns,sire,fromonewhohadthemfromhisownmouth.'
　　Thekinglookedstartled,butafterapauseturnedandresumedhiswalk.'Well,'hesaid,'ifyoudothat,Ionmypart——'
　　TherestIlost,forthetwopassingtothefartherendofthegallery,cametoastandstillthere,balkingmycuriosityandRambouillet'salso.Themarquis,indeed,begantobetrayhisimpatience,andthegreatclockimmediatelyoverourheadspresentlystrikingthehalf-hourafterten,hestartedandmadeasifhewouldhaveapproachedtheking.Hecheckedtheimpulse,however,butstillcontinuedtofidgetuneasily,losinghisreserveby-and-bysofarastowhispertomethathisMajestywouldbemissed.
　　Ihadbeen,uptothispoint,asilentandinactivespectatorofascenewhichappealedtomykeenestinterestsandarousedmymostardentcuriosity.Surprisefollowingsurprise,Ihadbeguntodoubtmyownidentity;solittlehadIexpectedtofindmyselffirstinthepresenceoftheMostChristianKing——andthatundercircumstancesasstrangeandbizarreascouldwellbeimagined——
　　andthenanauthorisedwitnessatanegotiationuponwhichthefutureofallthegreatlandofFrancestretchingforsomanyhundredleaguesoneverysideofus,depended.IsayIcouldscarcelybelieveinmyownidentity;orthatIwasthesameGastondeMarsacwhohadslunk,shabbyandout-at-elbows,aboutSt.Jeand'Angely.Itastedthefirstsweetnessofsecretpower,whichmensayisthesweetestofallandthelastrelinquished;and,thehumofdistantvoicesandlaughterstillreachingmeatintervals,Ibegantounderstandwhywehadbeenadmittedwith,somuchprecaution,andtocomprehendthegratificationofM.deRosnywhenthepromiseofthisinterviewfirstpresentedtohimthehopeofeffectingsomuchforhismasterandforFrance.
　　NowIwastobedrawnintothewhirlpoolitself.Iwasstilltravellingbackoverthedifferentstagesoftheadventurewhichhadbroughtmetothispoint,whenIwasrudelyawakenedbyM.deRosnycallingmynameinaraisedvoice.Seeing,somewhatlate,thathewasbeckoningtometoapproach,Iwentforwardinaconfusedandhastyfashion;kneelingbeforethekingasIhadseenhimkneel,andthenrisingtogiveeartohisMajesty'scommands.Albeit,havingexpectednothinglessthantobecalledupon,Iwasnotintheclearestmoodtoreceivethem.NorwasmybearingsuchasIcouldhavewishedittobe.
　　M.deRosnytellsmethatyoudesireacommissionatCourt,sir,'
　　thekingsaidquickly.
　　'I,sire?'Istammered,scarcelyabletobelievemyears.IwassocompletelytakenabackthatIcouldsaynomore,andIstoppedtherewithmymouthopen.
　　'TherearefewthingsIcandenyM.deRosny,'Henrycontinued,speakingveryrapidly,'andIamtoldthatyouareagentlemanofbirthandability.Outofkindnesstohim,therefore,Igrantyouacommissiontoraisetwentymenformyservice.
　　Rambouillet,'hecontinued,raisinghisvoiceslightly,'youwillintroducethisgentlemantomepubliclyto-morrow,that;Imaycarryintoeffectmyintentiononhisbehalf.Youmaygonow,sir.Nothanks.AndM.deRosny,'headded,turningtomycompanionandspeakingwithenergy,'haveacareformysakethatyouarenotrecognisedasyougo.Rambouilletmustcontrivesomethingtoenableyoutoleavewithoutperil.Ishouldbedesolatedifanythinghappenedtoyou,myfriend,forIcouldnotprotectyou.IgiveyoumywordifMendozaorRetzfoundyouinBloisIcouldnotsaveyoufromthemunlessyourecanted.'
　　'IwillnottroubleeitheryourMajestyormyconscience,'M.deRosnyreplied,bowinglow,'ifmywitscanhelpme.'
　　'Well,thesaintskeepyou,'thekingansweredpiously,goingtowardsthedoorbywhichhehadentered;'foryourmasterandI
　　havebothneedofyou.Rambouillet,takecareofhimasyouloveme.Andcomeearlyinthemorningtomyclosetandtellmehowithasfaredwithhim.'
　　Weallstoodbowingwhilehewithdrew,andonlyturnedtoretirewhenthedoorclosedbehindhim.BurningwithindignationandchagrinasIwasatfindingmyselfdisposedofinthewayIhavedescribed,andpitchforked,whetherIwouldorno,intoaserviceIneitherfanciednordesired,Istillmanagedforthepresenttorestrainmyself;and,permittingmycompanionstoprecedeme,followedinsilence,listeningsullenlytotheirjubilations.
　　ThemarquisseemedscarcelylesspleasedthanM.deRosny;andasthelatterevincedastrongdesiretolessenanyjealousytheformermightfeel,andagenerousinclinationtoattributetohimafullshareofthecreditgained,Iremainedtheonlypersondissatisfiedwiththeevening'sevents.Weretiredfromthechateauwiththesameprecautionswhichhadmarkedourentrance,andpartingwithM.deRambouilletatthedoorofourlodging——
　　notwithoutmanyprotestationsofesteemonhispartandofgratitudeonthatofM.deRosny——mountedtothefirst-floorinsinglefileandinsilence,whichIwasdeterminednottobethefirsttobreak.
　　DoubtlessM.deRosnyknewmythoughts,for,speedilydismissingMaignanandSimon,whowereinwaiting,heturnedtomewithoutpreface.'Come,myfriend,'hesaid,layinghishandonmyshoulderandlookingmeinthefaceinawaywhichallbutdisarmedmeatonce,'donotletusmisunderstandoneanother.
　　Youthinkyouhavecausetobeangrywithme.Icannotsufferthat,fortheKingofNavarrehadnevergreaterneedofyourservicesthannow.'
　　'Youhaveplayedmeanunworthytrick,sir,'Ianswered,thinkinghewouldcozenmewithfairspeeches.
　　'Tut,tut!'hereplied.'Youdonotunderstand.'
　　'Iunderstandwellenough,'Ianswered,withbitterness,'that,havingdonetheKingofNavarre'swork,hewouldnowberidofme.'
　　'HaveInottoldyou,'M.deRosnyreplied,betrayingforthefirsttimesomeirritation,'thathehasgreaterneedofyourservicesthanever?Come,man,bereasonable,or,betterstill,listentome.'Andturningfromme,hebegantowalkupanddowntheroom,hishandsbehindhim."theKingofFrance——Iwanttomakeitascleartoyouaspossible——'hesaid,'cannotmakeheadagainsttheLeaguewithouthelp,and,willy-nilly,mustlookforittotheHuguenotswhomhehassolongpersecuted.TheKingofNavarre,theiracknowledgedleader,hasofferedthathelp;andso,tospitemymaster,andpreventacombinationsohappyforFrance,hasM.deTurenne,whowouldfainraisethefactionhecommandstoeminence,andknowswellhowtomakehisprofitoutofthedissensionsofhiscountry.Areyouclearsofar,sir?'
　　Iassented.Iwasbecomingabsorbedinspiteofmyself.
　　'Verywell,'heresumed.'Thisevening——neverdidanythingfalloutmorehappilythanRambouillet'smeetingwithme——heisagoodman!——Ihavebroughtthekingtothis:thatifproofoftheselfishnatureofTurenne'sdesignsbelaidbeforehimhewillhesitatenolonger.Thatproofexists.Afortnightagoitwashere;butitisnotherenow.'
　　'Thatisunlucky!'Iexclaimed.Iwassomuchinterestedinhisstory,aswellasflatteredbytheconfidencehewasplacinginme,thatmyill-humourvanished.Iwentandstoodwithmyshoulderagainstthemantelpiece,andhe,passingtoandfrobetweenmeandthelight,continuedhistale.
　　'Awordaboutthisproof,'hesaid.'ItcameintotheKingofNavarre'shandsbeforeitsfullvaluewasknowntous,forthatonlyaccruedtoitonM.deGuise'sdeath.Amonthagoit——thispieceofevidenceImean——wasatChize.AfortnightorsoagoitwashereinBlois.Itisnow,'M.deMarsac,'hecontinued,facingmesuddenlyashecameoppositeme,'inmyhouseatRosny.'
　　Istarted.'YoumeanMademoiselledelaVire?'Icried.
　　'ImeanMademoiselledelaVire!'heanswered,'who,somemonthortwoago,overheardM.deTurenne'splans,andcontrivedtocommunicatewiththeKingofNavarre.Beforethelattercouldarrangeaprivateinterview,however,M.deTurennegotwindofherdangerousknowledge,andsweptherofftoChize.Therestyouknow,M.deMarsac,ifanymanknowsit.'
　　'Butwhatwillyoudo?'Iasked.'SheisatRosny.'
　　'Maignan,whomItrustimplicitly,asfarashislightsgo,willstarttofetchherto-morrow.AtthesamehourIstartsouthwards.You,M.deMarsac,willremainhereasmyagent,towatchovermyinterests,toreceiveMademoiselleonherarrival,tosecureforherasecretinterviewwiththeking,toguardherwhilesheremainshere.Doyouunderstand?'
　　DidIunderstand?Icouldnotfindwordsinwhichtothankhim.
　　Myremorseandgratitude,mysenseofthewrongIhaddonehim,andofthehonourhewasdoingme,weresuchthatIstoodmutebeforehimasIhadstoodbeforetheking.'Youaccept,then?'
　　hesaid,smiling.'Youdonotdeemtheadventurebeneathyou,myfriend?'
　　'Ideserveyourconfidencesolittle,sir,'Ianswered,strickentotheground,'thatIbegyoutospeak,whileIlisten.ByattendingexactlytoyourinstructionsImayproveworthyofthetrustreposedinme.Andonlyso.'
　　Heembracedmeagainandagain,witha,kindnesswhichmovedmealmosttotears.'Youareamanaftermyownheart,'hesaid,'andifGodwillsIwillmakeyourfortune.Nowlisten,myfriend.To-morrowatCourt,asastrangerandamanintroducedbyRambouillet,youwillbethecynosureofalleyes.Bearyourselfbravely.Paycourttothewomen,butattachyourselftonooneinparticular.KeepalooffromRetzandtheSpanishfaction,butbewareespeciallyofBruhl.Healonewillhaveyoursecret,andmaysuspectyourdesign.Mademoiselleshouldbehereinaweek;whilesheiswithyou,anduntilshehasseentheking,trustnoone,suspecteveryone,fearallthings.Considerthebattlewononlywhenthekingsays,"Iamsatisfied."'
　　Muchmorehetoldme,whichserveditspurposeandhasbeenforgotten.Finallyhehonouredmebybiddingmesharehispalletwithhim,thatwemighttalkwithoutrestraint,andthatifanythingoccurredtohiminthenighthemightcommunicateittome.
　　'ButwillnotBruhldenouncemeasaHuguenot?'Iaskedhim.
　　'Hewillnotdaretodoso,'M.deRosnyanswered,'bothasaHuguenothimself,andashismaster'srepresentative;and,further,becauseitwoulddispleasetheking.No,butwhateversecretharmonemancandoanother,thatyouhavetofear.
　　Maignan,whenhereturnswithmademoiselle,willleavetwomenwithyou;untiltheycomeIshouldborrowacoupleofstoutfellowsfromRambouillet.Donotgooutaloneafterdark,andbewareofdoorways,especiallyyourown.'
　　Alittlelater,whenIthoughthimasleep,Iheardhimchuckle;
　　andrisingonmyelbowIaskedhimwhatitwas.'Oh,itisyouraffair,'heanswered,stilllaughingsilently,sothatIfeltthemattressshakeunderhim.'Idon'tenvyyouonepartofyourtask,myfriend.'
　　'Whatisthat?'Isaidsuspiciously.
　　'Mademoiselle,'heanswered,stiflingwithdifficultyaburstoflaughter.Andafterthathewouldnotsayanotherword,bad,good,orindifferent,thoughIfeltthebedshakemorethanonce,andknewthathewasdigestinghispleasantry.
　　CHAPTERXVI.
　　INTHEKING'SCHAMBER.
　　M.deRosnyhadrisenfrommysideandstartedonhisjourneywhenIopenedmyeyesinthemorning,andawoketothememoryofthetaskwhichhadbeensostrangelyimposeduponme;andwhichmight,accordingastheeventsofthenextfortnightshapedthemselves,raisemetohighpositionorputanendtomycareer.
　　Hehadnotforgottentoleaveasouvenirbehindhim,forIfoundbesidemypillowahandsomesilver-mountedpistol,bearingtheletter'R.'andacoronet;norhadImorethandiscoveredthisinstanceofhiskindnessbeforeSimonFleixcameintotellmethatM.deRosnyhadlefttwohundredcrownsinhishandsforme.
　　'Anymessagewithit?'Iaskedthelad.
　　'Onlythat;hehadtakenakeepsakeinexchange,'Simonanswered,openingthewindowashespoke.
　　InsomewonderIbegantosearch,butIcouldnotdiscoverthatanythingwasmissinguntilIcametoputonmydoublet,whenI
　　foundthattheknotofribbonwhichmademoisellehadflungtomeatmydeparturefromRosnywasgonefromtheinsideofthebreast,whereIhadpinneditforsafetywithalongthorn.ThediscoverythatM.deRosnyhadtakenthiswasdispleasingtomeonmorethanoneaccount.Inthefirstplace,whethermademoisellehadmerelywishedtoplaguemeaswasmostprobableornot,Iwaslothtoloseit,mydayforladies'
　　favoursbeingpastandgone;inthesecond,Imisdoubtedthemotivewhichhadledhimtopurloinit,andtormentedmyselfwiththinkingofthedifferentconstructionshemightputuponit,andthedisparagingviewofmytrustworthinesswhichitmightleadhimtotake.Iblamedmyselfmuchformycarelessnessinleavingitwhereachanceeyemightrestuponit;andmorewhen,questioningSimonfurther,IlearnedthatM.deRosnyhadadded,whilemountingatthedoor,'Tellyourmaster,safebind,safefind;andacarelesslovermakesaloosemistress.'
　　IfeltmycheekburninamannerunbecomingmyyearswhileSimonwithsometouchofmalicerepeatedthis;andImadeavowonthespot,whichIkeptuntilIwastemptedtobreakit,tohavenomoretodowithsuchtrifles.Meanwhile,Ihadtomakethebestofit;andbriskingup,andbiddingSimon,whoseemeddepressedbythebaron'sdeparture,briskupalso,IsetaboutmypreparationsformakingsuchafigureatCourtasbecameme:
　　procuringablackvelvetsuit,andacapandfeathertomatch;
　　item,ajewelledclasptosecurethefeather;withayardortwooflaceandtwochangesoffinelinen.
　　SimonhadgrownsleekatRosny,andlosingsomethingofthewildnesswhichhadmarkedhim,presentedinthedressM.deRosnyhadgivenhimaverycreditableappearance;beingalso,Ifancy,theonlyequerryinBloiswhocouldwrite.AgroomIengagedontherecommendationofM.deRambouillet'smasterofthehorse;
　　andIgaveoutalsothatIrequiredacoupleofvalets.Itneededonlyanhourunderthebarber'shandsandasetofnewtrappingsfortheCidtoenablemetomakeafairshow,suchasmightbetakentoindicateamanoftenortwelvethousandlivresayear.
　　InthiswayIexpendedahundredandfifteencrowns.reflectingthatthiswasalargesum,andthatImustkeepsomemoneyforplay,Iwasgladtolearnthatinthecrowdedstateofthecityevenmenwithhighrankwereputtingupwithpoorlodging;I
　　determined,therefore,tocombineeconomywithaschemewhichI
　　hadinmyheadbytakingtheroomsinwhichmymotherdied,withoneroombelowthem.ThisIdid,hiringsuchfurnitureasI
　　needed,whichwasnotagreatdeal.ToSimonFleix,whoseassistanceinthesematterswasinvaluable,IpassedonmuchofM.deRosny'sadvice,biddinghimruffleitwiththebestinhisstation,andincitinghimtolabourformyadvancementbypromisingtomakehisfortunewhenevermyownshouldbeassured.
　　Ihoped,indeed,toderivenolittleadvantagefromthequicknessofwit;whichhadattractedM.deRosny'sattention;althoughI
　　didnotfailtotakeintoaccountatthesametimethattheladwaswaywardandfitful,proneatonetimetodepression,andatanothertogiddiness,andequallyuncertainineithermood.
　　M.deRambouilletbeingunabletoattendtheLEVEE,hadappointedmetowaituponhimatsixintheevening;atwhichhourI
　　presentedmyselfathislodgings,attendedbySimonFleix.I
　　foundhiminthemidstofhalfadozengentlemenwhosehabititwastoattendhimuponallpublicoccasions;andthesegallants,greetingmewiththesamecuriousandsuspiciousglanceswhichI
　　haveseenhoundsbestowonastrangedogintroducedintotheirkennel,IwasspeedilymadetofeelthatitisonethingtohavebusinessatCourt,andanothertobewellreceivedthere.
　　M.deRambouillet,somewhattomysurprise,didnothingtoremovethisimpression.Onallordinaryoccasionsamanofstiffandhaughtybearing,andthoroughlydisliking,thoughhecouldnotprevent,theintrusionofathirdpartyintoatransactionwhichpromisedaninfinityofcredit,hereceivedmesocoldlyandwithsomuchreserveasforthemomenttodashmyspiritsandthrowmebackonmyself.
　　Duringthejourneytothecastle,however,whichweperformedonfoot,attendedbyhalfadozenarmedservantsbearingtorches,I
　　hadtimetorecallM.deRosny'sadvice,andtobethinkmeoftheintimacywhichthatgreatmanhadpermittedme;withsomucheffectinthewayofhearteningme,thataswecrossedthecourtyardofthecastleIadvancedmyself,notwithoutsomemurmuringonthepartofothers,toRambouillet'selbow,consideringthatasIwasattachedtohimbytheking'scommand,thiswasmyproperplace.Ihadnodesiretoquarrel,however,andpersistedforsometimeindisregardingthenudgesandmutteredwordswhichwereexchangedroundme,andeventheeffortswhichweremadeaswemountedthestairstooustmefrommyposition.Butayounggentleman,whoshowedhimselfveryforwardintheseattempts,presentlystumblingagainstme,I
　　founditnecessarytolookathim.
　　'Sir,'hesaid,inasmallandlispingvoice,'youtrodonmytoe.'
　　ThoughIhadnotdoneso,Ibeggedhispardonverypolitely.Butashisonlyacknowledgmentofthiscourtesyconsistedinanattempttogethiskneeinfrontofmine——weweremountingveryslowly,thestairsbeingcumberedwithamultitudeofservants,whostoodoneitherhand——Ididtreadonhistoe,withaforceanddirectnesswhichmadehimcryout.
　　'Whatisthematter?'Rambouilletasked,lookingbackhastily.
　　'Nothing,M.leMarquis,'Ianswered,pressingonsteadfastly.
　　'Sir,'myyoungfriendsaidagain,inthesamelispingvoice,'youtrodonmytoe.'
　　'IbelieveIdid,sir,'Ianswered.
　　'Youhavenotyetapologised,'hemurmuredgentlyinmyear.
　　'Nay,thereyouarewrong,'Irejoinedbluntly,'foritisalwaysmyhabittoapologisefirstandtreadafterwards.'
　　Hesmiledasatapleasantjoke;andIamboundtosaythathisbearingwassoadmirablethatifhehadbeenmysonIcouldhavehuggedhim.'Good!'heanswered.'Nodoubtyourswordisassharpasyourwits,sir.Isee,'hecontinued,glancingnaivelyatmyoldscabbard——hewashimselftheverygemofacourtier,aslenderyouthwithapink-and-whitecomplexion,adarklineforamoustache,andapearl-dropinhisear——'itislongingtobeout.
　　Perhapsyouwilltakeaturninthetennis-courtto-morrow?'
　　'Withpleasure,sir,'Ianswered,'ifyouhaveafather,oryourelderbrotherisgrownup.'
　　WhatanswerhewouldhavemadetothisgibeIdonotknow,foratthatmomentwereachedthedooroftheante-chamber;andthisbeingnarrow,andasentryinthegreyuniformoftheSwissGuardcompellingalltoenterinsinglefile,myyoungfriendwasforcedtofallback,leavingmefreetoenteralone,andadmireatmyleisureasceneatoncebrilliantandsombre.
　　TheCourtbeinginmourningfortheQueen-mother,blackpredominatedinthedressesofthosepresent,andsetoffveryfinelythegleamingjewelsandgemmedsword-hiltswhichwerewornbythemoreimportantpersonages.Theroomwasspaciousandlofty,hungwitharras,andlitbycandlesburninginsilversconces;itrangasweenteredwiththeshrillscreamingofaparrot,whichwasbeingteasedbyagroupoccupyingthefartherofthetwohearths.Nearthemplaywasgoingonatonetable,andprimeroatasecond.Inacornerwerethreeorfourladies,inacircleaboutared-faced,plebeian-lookingman,whowasplayingatforfeitswithoneoftheirnumber;whilethemiddleoftheroomseemeddominatedbyamiddle-sizedmanwithapeculiarlyinflamedandpassionatecountenance,who,seatedonatable,wasinveighingagainstsomeoneorsomethinginthemostviolentterms,hislanguagebeinginterlardedwithallkindsofstrangeandforcibleoaths.Twoorthreegentlemen,whohadtheairofbeinghisfollowers,stoodabouthim,listeningbetweensubmissionandembarrassment;whilebesidethenearerfireplace,butatsomedistancefromhim,loungedanobleman,veryrichlydressed,andwearingonhisbreasttheCrossoftheHolyGhost;
　　whoseemedtobetheobjectofhisinvective,butaffectingtoignoreitwasengagedinconversationwithacompanion.A
　　bystandermutteringthatCrillonhadbeendrinking,Idiscoveredwithimmensesurprisethatthedeclaimeronthetablewasthatfamoussoldier;andIwasstilllookingathiminwonder——forI
　　hadbeenaccustomedallmylifetoassociatecouragewithmodesty——when,thedoorofthechambersuddenlyopening,ageneralmovementinthatdirectiontookplace.Crillon,disregardingallprecedency,sprangfromhistableandhurriedfirsttothethreshold.TheBarondeBiron,ontheotherhand——
　　forthegentlemanbythefirewasnoother——waited,inapparentignoranceoftheslightwhichwasbeingputuponhim,untilM.deRambouilletcameup;thenhewentforwardwithhim.Keepingclosetomypatron'selbow,Ienteredthechamberimmediatelybehindhim.
　　Crillonhadalreadyseizedupontheking,and,whenweentered,wasstatinghisgrievanceisavoicenotmuchlowerthanthatwhichhehadusedoutside.M.deBiron,seeingthis,partedfromthemarquis,and,goingasidewithhisformercompanion,satdownonatrunkagainstthewall;whileRambouillet,followedbymyselfandthreeorfourgentlemenofhistrain,advancedtotheking,whowasstandingnearthealcove.HisMajestyseeinghim,andthankful,Ithink,fortheexcuse,wavedCrillonoff.'Tut,tut!Youtoldmeallthatthismorning,'hesaidgood-naturedly.
　　'AndhereisRambouillet,whohas,Ihope,somethingfreshtotell.Lethimspeaktome.Sanctus!Don'tlookatmeasifyouwouldrunmethrough,man.Goandquarrelwithsomeoneofyourownsize.'
　　Crillonatthisretiredgrumbling,andHenry,whohadjustrisenfromprimerowiththeDukeofNevers,noddedtoRambouillet.
　　'Well,myfriend,anythingfresh?'hecried.Hewasmoreathiseaseandlookedmorecheerfulthanatourformerinterview;yetstillcareandsuspicionlurkedabouthispeevishmouth,andinthehollowsunderhisgloomyeyes.'Anewguest,anewface,oranewgame——whichhaveyoubrought?'
　　'Inasense,sire,anewface,'themarquisanswered,bowing,andstandingsomewhatasidethatImighthaveplace.
　　'Well,Icannotsaymuchfortheprettybaggage,'quoththekingquickly.Andamidageneraltitterheextendedhishandtome.
　　'I'llbesworn,though,'hecontinued,asIrosefrommyknee,'thatyouwantsomething,myfriend?'
　　'Nay,sire,'Ianswered,holdingupmyheadboldly——forCrillon'sbehaviourhadbeenafurtherlessontome——'Ihave,byyourleave,theadvantage.ForyourMajestyhassuppliedmewithanewjest.Iseemanynewfacesroundme,andIhaveneedonlyofanewgame.IfyourMajestywouldbepleasedtograntme——'
　　'There!SaidInotso?'criedtheking,raisinghishandwithalaugh.'Hedoeswantsomething.Butheseemsnotundeserving.
　　Whatdoeshepray,Rambouillet?'
　　'Asmallcommand,'M.deRambouilletanswered,readilyplayinghispart.'AndyourMajestywouldobligemeifyoucouldgranttheSieurdeMarsac'spetition.Iwillanswerforitheisamanofexperience.'
　　'Chut!Asmallcommand?'Henryejaculated,sittingdownsuddenlyinapparentill-humour.'Itiswhateveryonewants——
　　whentheydonotwantbigones.Still,Isuppose,'hecontinued,takingupacomfit-box,whichlaybesidehim,andopeningit,'ifyoudonotgetwhatyouwantforhimyouwillsulkliketherest,myfriend.'
　　'YourMajestyhasneverhadcausetocomplainofme,'quoththeMarquis,forgettinghisrole,ortooproudtoplayit.
　　'Tut,tut,tut,tut!Takeit,andtroublemenomore,'thekingrejoined.'Willpayfortwentymendoforhim?Verywellthen.
　　There,M.deMarsac,'hecontinued,noddingatmeandyawning,'yourrequestisgranted.Youwillfindsomeotherprettybaggagesoverthere.Gotothem.Andnow,Rambouillet,'hewenton,resuminghisspiritsasheturnedtomattersofmoreimportance,'hereisanewsweetmeatZamethassentme.IhavemadeZizisickwithit.Willyoutryit?Itisflavouredwithwhitemulberries.'
　　Thusdismissed,Ifellback;andstoodforamoment,atalosswhithertoturn,intheabsenceofeitherfriendsoracquaintances.HisMajesty,itistrue,hadbiddenmegotocertainprettybaggages,meaning,apparently,fiveladieswhowereseatedatthefartherendoftheroom,divertingthemselveswithasmanycavaliers;butthecompactnessofthisparty,thebeautyoftheladies,andthemerrypealsoflaughterwhichproceededfromthem,tellingofawitandvivacitybeyondtheordinary,sappedtheresolutionwhichhadbornemewellhitherto.
　　Ifeltthattoattacksuchaphalanx,evenwithaking'sgoodwill,wasbeyondthedaringofaCrillon,andIlookedroundtoseewhetherIcouldnotamusemyselfinsomemoremodestfashion.
　　Thematerialwasnotlacking.Crillon,stillmouthingouthisanger,strodeupanddowninfrontofthetrunkonwhichM.deBironwasseated;butthelatterwas,oraffectedtobe,asleep.
　　'Crillonisforevergoingintoragesnow,'acourtierbesidemewhispered.
　　'Yes,'hisfellowanswered,withashrugoftheshoulder;'itisapitythereisnoonetotamehim.Buthehassuchalongreach,morbleu!'
　　'Itisnotthatsomuchasthefellow'sfury,'thefirstspeakerrejoinedunderhisbreath.'Hefightslikeamadthing;fencingisnouseagainsthim.'
　　Theothernodded.ForamomentthewildideaofwinningrenownbytamingM.deCrillonoccurredtomeasIstoodaloneinthemiddleofthefloor;butithadnotmorethanpassedthroughmybrainwhenIfeltmyelbowtouched,andturnedtofindtheyounggentlemanwhomIhadencounteredonthestairsstandingbymyside.
　　'Sir,'helisped,inthesamesmallvoice,'Ithinkyoutrodonmytoeawhileago?'
　　Istaredathim,wonderingwhathemeantbythisabsurdrepetition.'Well,sir,'Ianswereddrily,'andifIdid?'
　　'Perhaps,'hesaid,strokinghischinwithhisjewelledfingers,'pendingourmeetingto-morrow,youwouldallowmetoconsideritasakindofintroduction?'
　　'Ifitpleaseyou,'Ianswered,bowingstiffly,andwonderingwhathewouldbeat.
　　'Thankyou,'heanswered.'Itdoespleaseme,underthecircumstances;forthereisaladyherewhodesiresawordwithyou.Itookupherchallenge.Willyoufollowme?'
　　Hebowed,andturnedinhislanguidfashion.I,turningtoo,saw,withsecretdismay,thatthefiveladies,referredtoabove,wereallnowgazingatme,asexpectingmyapproach;andthiswithsuchsportiveglancesastoldonlytoocertainlyofsomeplotalreadyinprogressorsometricktobepresentlyplayedme.
　　YetIcouldnotseethatIhadanychoicesavetoobey,and,followingmyleaderwithasmuchdignityasIcouldcompass,I
　　presentlyfoundmyselfbowingbeforetheladywhosatnearest,andwhoseemedtobetheleaderofthesenymphs.
　　'Nay,sir,'shesaid,eyeingmecuriously,yetwithamerryface,'Idonotneedyou;Idonotlooksohigh!'
　　Turninginconfusiontothenext,IwassurprisedtoseebeforemetheladywhoselodgingIhadinvadedinmysearchforMademoiselledelaVire——she,Imean,who,havingpickedupthevelvet;knot,haddroppeditsoprovidentiallywhereSimonFleixfoundit.Shelookedatmeblushingandlaughing,andtheyounggentleman,whohaddonehererrand,presentingmebyname,sheaskedme,whiletheotherslistened,whetherIhadfoundmymistress.
　　BeforeIcouldanswer,theladytowhomIhadfirstaddressedmyselfinterposed.'Stop,sir!'shecried.Whatisthis——atale,ajest,agame,oraforfeit?'
　　'Anadventure,madam,'Ianswered,bowinglow.
　　'Ofgallantry,I'llbebound,'sheexclaimed.'Fie,MadamedeBruhl,andyoubutsixmonthsmarried!'
　　MadamedeBruhlprotested,laughing,thatshehadnomoretodowithitthanMercury.'Attheworst,'shesaid,'IcarriedthePOULETS!ButIcanassureyou,duchess,thisgentlemanshouldbeabletotellusaveryfinestory,ifhewould.'
　　Theduchessandalltheotherladiesclappingtheirhandsatthis,andcryingoutthatthestorymustandshouldbetold,I
　　foundmyselfinaprodigiousquandary;andonewhereinmywitsderivedaslittleassistanceaspossiblefromthebrighteyesandsaucylookswhichenvironedme.Moreover,thecommotionattractingotherlisteners,Ifoundmyposition,whileItriedtoextricatemyself,growingeachmomentworse,sothatIbegantofearthatasIhadlittleimaginationIshouldperforcehavetotellthetruth.Themerethoughtofthisthrewmeintoacoldperspiration,lestIshouldletslipsomethingofconsequence,andprovemyselfunworthyofthetrustwhichM.deRosnyhadreposedinme.
　　Atthemomentwhen,despairingofextricatingmyself,IwasstoopingoverMadamedeBruhlbegginghertoassistme,Iheard,amidthebabeloflaughterandraillerywhichsurroundedme——
　　certainofthecourtiershavingalreadyformedhandsinacircleandswornIshouldnotdepartwithoutsatisfyingtheladies——avoicewhichstruckachordinmymemory.Iturnedtoseewhothespeakerwas,andencounterednootherthanM.deBruhlhimself;
　　who,withaflushedandangryface,waslisteningtotheexplanationwhichafriendwaspouringintohisear.StandingatthemomentwithmykneeonMadamedeBruhl'sstool,andrememberingverywellthemeetingonthestairs,Iconceivedinaflashthatthemanwasjealous;butwhetherhehadyetheardmyname,orhadanyclewtolinkmewiththepersonwhohadrescuedMademoiselledelaVirefromhisclutches,Icouldnottell.
　　Neverthelesshispresenceledmythoughtsintoanewchannel.
　　Thedeterminationtopunishhimbegantotakeforminmymind,andveryquicklyIregainedmycomposure.StillIwasforgivinghimonechance.AccordinglyIstoopedoncemoretoMadamedeBruhl'sear,andbeggedhertosparemetheembarrassmentoftellingmytale.Butthen,findingherpitiless,asIexpected,andtherestofthecompanygrowingmoreandmoreinsistent,I
　　hardenedmyhearttogothroughwiththefantasticnotionwhichhadoccurredtome.
　　IndicatingbyagesturethatIwaspreparedtoobey,andtheduchesscryingforahearing,thiswaspresentlyobtained,thesuddensilenceaddingthekinghimselftomyaudience.'Whatisit?'heasked,comingupeffusively,withalap-doginhisarms.
　　'Anewscandal,eh?'
　　'No,sire,anewtale-teller,'theduchessansweredpertly.'IfyourMajestywillsit,weshallhearhimthesooner.'
　　Hepinchedherearandsatdowninthechairwhichapagepresented.'What!isitRambouillet'sGRISONagain?'hesaidwithsomesurprise.'Well,fireaway,man.ButwhobroughtyouforwardasaRabelais?'
　　Therewasageneralcryof'MadamedeBruhl!'whereatthatladyshookherfairhair,aboutherface,andcriedoutforsomeonetobringheramask.
　　'Ha,Isee!'saidthekingdrily,lookingpointedlyatM.deBruhl,whowasasblackasthunder.'Butgoon,man.'
　　Theking'sadvent,byaffordingmeabriefrespite,hadenabledmetocollectmythoughts,and,disregardingtheribaldinterruptions,whichatfirstwerefrequent,Ibeganasfollows:
　　'IamnoRabelais,sire,'Isaid,'butdrollthingshappentothemostunlikely.Onceuponatimeitwasthefortuneofacertainswain,whomIwillcallDromio,toarriveinatownnotahundredmilesfromBlois,havinginhiscompanyanymphofgreatbeauty,whohadbeenentrustedtohiscarebyherparents.Hehadnotmorethanlodgedherinhisapartments,however,beforeshewasdecoyedawaybyatrick,andborneoffagainstherwillbyayounggallant,whohadseenherandbeensmittenbyhercharms.
　　Dromio,returning,andfindinghismistressgone,gavewaytothemostpoignantgrief.Heranupanddownthecity,seekingherineveryplace,andfillingallplaceswithhislamentations;butforatimeinvain,untilchanceledhimtoacertainstreet,where,inanalmostincrediblemanner,hefoundaclewtoherbydiscoveringunderfootaknotofvelvet,bearingPhyllida'snamewroughtonitindelicateneedlework,withthewords,"Amoi!"'
　　'Sanctus!'criedtheking,amidageneralmurmurofsurprise,'thatiswelldevised!Proceed,sir.Goonlikethat,andwewillmakeyourtwentymentwenty-five.'
　　'Dromio,'Icontinued,'atsightofthistrifleexperiencedthemostdiverseemotions,forwhilehepossessedinitaclewtohismistress'sfate,hehadstilltouseitsoastodiscovertheplacewhithershehadbeenhurried.Itoccurredtohimatlasttobeginhissearchwiththehousebeforewhichtheknothadlain.Ascendingaccordinglytothesecond-floor,hefoundthereafairladyrecliningonacouch,whostartedupinaffrightathisappearance.Hehastenedtoreassureher,andtoexplainthepurposeofhiscoming,andlearnedafteraconversationwithwhichIwillnottroubleyourMajesty,thoughitwassufficientlydiverting,thattheladyhadfoundthevelvetknotinanotherpartofthetown,andhadherselfdroppeditagaininfrontofherownhouse.'
　　'Pourquoi?'thekingasked,interruptingme.
　　'Theswain,sire,'Ianswered,'wastoomuchtakenupwithhisowntroublestobearthatinmind,evenifhelearnedit.Butthisdelicacydidnotsavehimfrommisconception,forashedescendedfromthelady'sapartmenthemetherhusbandonthestairs.'
　　'Good!'thekingexclaimed,rubbinghishandsinglee.'Thehusband!'AndundercoverofthegibeandthecourtlylaughwhichfolloweditM.deBruhl'sstartofsurprisepassedunnoticedsavebyme.
　　'Thehusband,'Iresumed,'seeingastrangerdescendinghisstaircase,wasforstoppinghimandlearningthereasonofhispresence;ButDromio,whosemindwaswithPhyllida,refusedtostop,and,evadinghisquestions,hurriedtothepartofthetownwheretheladyhadtoldhimshefoundthevelvetknot.Here,sire,atthecornerofalanerunningbetweengarden-walls,hefoundagreathouse,barredandgloomy,andwelladaptedtotheabductor'spurpose.Moreover,scanningitoneveryside,hepresentlydiscovered,tiedaboutthebarsofanupperwindow,aknotofwhitelinen,theverycounterpartofthatvelvetonewhichheboreinhisbreast.Thusheknewthatthenymphwasimprisonedinthatroom!'
　　'Iwillmakeittwenty-five,asIamagoodChurchman!'hisMajestyexclaimed,droppingthelittledoghewasnursingintotheduchess'slap,andtakingouthiscomfit-box.'Rambouillet,'
　　headdedlanguidly,'yourfriendisatreasure!'