Bloodshedwasinhismind；murderbeckonedhimalluringlytotakeherashisally。Butheputthethoughtfromhim，frenziedthoughhemightbe。Hemustfightthisknavewithotherweapons；frustratehismission，andsendhimbacktoParisandtheQueen”sscorn，beatenandempty-handed。
“Babylas”s！“heshouted。
Immediatelythesecretaryappeared。
“HaveyougiventhoughttothematterofCaptaind”Aubran？“heasked，hisvoiceanimpatientsnarl。
“Yes，monsieur，Ihavepondereditallmorning。”
“Well？Andwhathaveyouconcluded？“
“Helas！monsieur，nothing。”
Tressansmotethetablebeforehimablowthatshooksomeofthedustoutofthepapersthatcumberedit。“Ventregris！HowamI
served？ForwhatdoIpayyou，andfeedyou，andhouseyou，good-for-naught，ifyouaretofailmewheneverIneedthethingsyoucallyourbrains？Haveyounointelligence，nothought，noimagination？Canyouinventnoplausiblebusiness，nolikelyrising，nopossibledisturbancesthatshalljustifymysendingAubranandhismentoMontelimar-totheverydevil，ifneedbe。
Thesecretarytrembledinhiseverylimb；hiseyesshunnedhismaster”sashismaster”shadshunnedGarnache”sawhileago。TheSeneschalwasenjoyinghimself。Ifhehadbeenbulliedandbrowbeaten，here，atleast，wasoneuponwhomhe，inhisturn，mighttastethejoysofbullyingandbrowbeating。
“Youlazy，miserablecalf，“hestormed，“Imightbebetterservedbyawoodenimage。Go！ItseemsImustrelyuponmyself。Itisalwaysso。Wait！“hethundered；forthesecretary，onlytoogladtoobeyhislastorder，hadalreadyreachedthedoor。“TellAnselmetobidtheCaptainattendmehereatonce。”
Babylas”sbowedandwenthiserrand。
Acertainamountofhisill-humourvented，Tressanmadeanefforttoregainhisself-control。Hepassedhishandkerchiefforthelasttimeoverfaceandhead，andresumedhiswig。
Whend”Aubranentered，theSeneschalwascomposedandinhiswontedhabitofponderousdignity。“Ah，d”Aubran，“saidhe，“yourmenareready？“
“Theyhavebeenreadythesefour-and-twentyhours，monsieur。”
“Good。Youareabrisksoldier，d”Aubran。Youareamantobereliedupon。”
D”Aubranbowed。Hewasatall，activeyoungfellowwithapleasantfaceandapairoffineblackeyes。
“MonsieurleSeneschalisverygood。”
WithawaveofthehandtheSeneschalbelittledhisowngoodness。
“YouwillmarchoutofGrenoblewithinthehour，Captain，andyouwillleadyourmentoMontelimar。Thereyouwillquarterthem，andawaitmyfurtherorders。Babylaswillgiveyoualettertotheauthorities，chargingthemtofindyousuitablequarters。Whilethere，d”Aubran，anduntilmyfurtherordersreachyou，youwillemployyourtimeinprobingthefeelinginthehilldistrict。Youunderstand？“
“Imperfectly，“d”Aubranconfessed。
“YouwillunderstandbetterwhenyouhavebeeninMontelimaraweekorso。Itmay，ofcourse，beafalsealarm。Still，wemustsafeguardtheKing”sinterestsandbeprepared。Perhapswemayafterwardsbechargedwithstartingatshadows；butitisbettertobeonthealertfromthemomenttheshadowisperceivedthantowaituntilthesubstanceitselfhasoverwhelmedus。”
ItsoundedsoverymuchasiftheSeneschal”swordsreallyhadsomehiddenmeaning，thatd”Aubran，ifnotcontentwithgoinguponanerrandofwhichheknewsolittle，was，atleast，reconciledtoobeytheordershereceived。HeutteredwordsthatconveyedsomesuchideatoTressan”smind，andwithinahalf-hourhewasmarchingoutofGrenoblewithbeatingdrums，onhistwodays”journeytoMontelimar。
CHAPTERIV
THECHATEAUDECONDILLAC
AsCaptaind”AubranandhistroopwerespeedingwestwardsfromGrenoble，MonsieurdeGarnache，everattendedbyhisman，rodebrisklyintheoppositedirection，towardsthegreytowersofCondillac，thatrearedthemselvestowardsthegreyerskyabovethevalleyoftheIsere。Itwasachill，dull，autumnalday，witharawwindblowingfromtheAlps；itsbreathwasdamp，andforetoldoftherainthatwaslikelytocomeanon，therainwithwhichthecloudshanginglowaboutthedistanthillswerepregnant。
ButMonsieurdeGarnachewastotallyinsensibletohissurroundings；
hismindwasverybusywiththeinterviewfromwhichhehadcome，andtheinterviewtowhichhewasspeeding。Oncehepermittedhimselfadigression，thathemightpointamoralforthebenefitofhisservant。
“Yousee，Rebecque，whataplagueitistohavetodowithwomen。
Areyousufficientlygratefultomeforhavingquelledyourmatrimonialardouroftwomonthsago？No，youarenot。Gratefulyoumaybe；sufficientlygrateful，never；itwouldbeimpossible。
NogratitudecouldbecommensuratewiththebenefitIconferreduponyou。Yetifyouhadmarried，anddiscoveredforyourselfthetroublesthatcomefromtoocloseanassociationwiththatsexwhichsomewagofoldironicallycalledtheweaker，andofwhichcontemporaryfoolswithnosenseofironycontinuesotospeakingoodfaith，youcouldhaveblamedonlyyourself。Youwouldhaveshruggedyourshouldersandmadethebestofit，realizingthatnoothermanhadputthiswronguponyou。Butwithme-thousanddevils！-itisverydifferent。Iamamanwho，inoneparticularatleast，haschosenhiswayoflifewithcare；IhaveseentoitthatIshouldwalkaroadunencumberedbyanypetticoat。Whathappens？Whatcomesofallmycarefulplans？
“Fatesendsaninfernalcut-throattomurderourgoodking-whosesoulGodresteternally！Andsincehissonisofanagetootendertowieldthesceptre，theboy”smotherdoesitinhisname。
Thus，I，asoldier，beingsubjecttotheheadoftheState，findmyself，bynodevisingofmyown，subjecttoawoman。
“Initselfthatisbadenough。Toobad，indeed-Ventregris！-toobad。YetFateisnotcontent。Itmustoccurtothiswomantoselectme-meofallmen-tojourneyintoDauphiny，andreleaseanotherwomanfromtheclutchesofyetathird。Andtowhatshiftsarewenotput，towhatdiscomfortsnotsubjected？Youknowthem，Rabecque，foryouhavesharedthemwithme。Butitbeginstobreakuponmymindthatwhatwehaveenduredmaybeasnothingtowhatmayliebeforeus。Itisanillthingtohavetodowithwomen。
Yetyou，Rabecque，wouldhavedesertedmeforoneofthem！“
Rabecquewassilent。Maybehewasashamedofhimself；ormaybethat，notagreeingwithhismaster，hehadyetsufficientappreciationofhispositiontobediscreetlysilentwherehisopinionsmightbeatvariance。ThusGarnachewasencouragedtocontinue。
“Andwhatisallthistroubleabout，whichtheyhavesentmetosetright？Aboutamarriage。Thereisagirlwantstomarryoneman，andawomanwhowantstomarryhertoanother。Ponderthepossibilitiesoftragedyinsuchasituation。Halfthisworld”supheavalshavehadtheirsourceinless。Yetyou，Rabecque，wouldhavemarried！“
Necessityatlastturnedhisdiscoursetoothermatters。
“Tellme，now，“saidheabruptly，inadifferenttone，“istherehereaboutsaford？“
“Thereisabridgeupyonder，monsieur，“returnedtheservant，thankfultohavetheconversationchanged。
Theyrodetowardsitinsilence，Garnache”seyessetnowuponthegreypilethatcrownedthehillock，ahalf-mileaway，ontheoppositebankofthestream。Theycrossedthebridgeandrodeupthegentlyrising，bare，andruggedgroundtowardsCondillac。Theplaceworeanentirelypeacefulair，strongandmassivethoughitappeared。Itwasencircledbyaditch，butthedrawbridgewasdown，andtherustonitschainsarguedthatlonghaditbeenso。
Nonecomingtochallengethem，thepairrodeacrosstheplanks，andthedullthudoftheirhoovesstartedintoactivitysomeoneinthegatehouse。
Afellowrudelyclad-ahybridbetweenman-at-armsandlackey-loungedonamuskettoconfronttheminthegateway。MonsieurdeGarnacheannouncedhisname，addingthathecametocraveanaudienceofMadamelaMarquise，andthemanstoodasidetoadmithim。ThusheandRabecquerodeforwardintotheroughlypavedcourtyard。
>Fromseveraldoorwaysothermenemerged，someofmartialbearing，showingthattheplacewasgarrisonedtosomeextent。Garnachetooklittleheedofthem。Heflunghisreinstothemanwhomhehadfirstaddressed-thefellowhadkeptpacebesidehim-andleaptnimblytotheground，biddingRabecqueawaithimthere。
ThesoldierlackeyresignedthereinstoRabecque，andrequestedMonsieurdeGarnachetofollowhim。Heledthewaythroughadoorontheleft，downapassageandacrossananteroom，andusheredthevisitorfinallyintoaspacious，gloomyhall，panelledinblackoakandlightedasmuchbythepiled-upfirethatflaredonthenoblehearthasbythegreydaylightthatfilteredthroughthetallmullionedwindows。
Astheyentered，aliver-colouredhoundthatlaystretchedbeforethefiregrowledlazily，andshowedthewhitesofhiseyes。Payinglittleattentiontothedog，Garnachelookedabouthim。Theapartmentwashandsomebeyondpraise，inasombre，noblefashion。
ItwashungwithpicturesofdepartedCondillacs-someofthemrudelywroughtenough-withtrophiesofancientarmour，andwithimplementsofthechase。Inthecentrestoodanoblongtableofblackoak，veryrichlycarvedaboutitsmassivelegs，andinachinabowl，onthis，anarmfuloflaterosesfilledtheroomwiththeirsweetfragrance。
ThenGarnacheespiedapageonthewindow-seat，industriouslyburnishingacuirass。Hepursuedhistask，indifferenttothenewcomer”sadvent，untiltheknavewhohadconductedthithertheParisiancalledtheboyandbadehimgotelltheMarquisethataMonsieurdeGarnache，withamessagefromtheQueen-Regent，beggedanaudience。
Theboyrose，andsimultaneously，outofagreatchairbythehearth，whosetallbackhadhithertoconcealedhim，thereroseanotherfigure。Thiswasastriplingofsometwentysummers-
twenty-one，infact-ofapale，beautifullyfeaturedface，blackhairandfineblackeyes，andverysumptuouslycladinasuitofshimmeringsilkwhosecolourshiftedfromgreentopurpleashemoved。
MonsieurdeGarnacheassumedthathewasinthepresenceofMariusdeCondillac。Hebowedatriflestiffly，andwassurprisedtohavehisbowreturnedwithagraciousnessthatamountedalmosttocordiality。
“YouarefromParis，monsieur？“saidtheyoungman，inagentle，pleasantvoice。“Ifearyouhavehadindifferentweatherforyourjourney。”
Garnachethoughtofotherthingsbesidestheweatherthathehadfoundindifferent，andhefeltwarmedalmosttothepointofangerattheveryrecollection。Buthebowedagain，andansweredamiablyenough。
Theyoungmanofferedhimaseat，assuringhimthathismotherwouldnotkeephimwaitinglong。Thepagehadalreadygoneuponhiserrand。
Garnachetooktheprofferedchair，andsankdownwithcreakandjingletowarmhimselfatthefire。
“Fromwhatyouhavesaid，IgatherthatyouareMonsieurMariusdeCondillac，“saidhe。“I，asyoumayhaveheardmeannouncedbyyourservant，amMartinMarieRigobertdeGarnache-atyourservice。”
“Wehaveheardofyou，MonsieurdeGarnache，“saidtheyouthashecrossedhisshapelylegsofsilkenviolet，andfingeredthegreatpearlthatdependedfromhisear。“ButwehadthoughtthatbynowyouwouldbeonyourwaytoParis。”
“Nodoubt-withMargot，“wasthegrimrejoinder。
ButMariuseithergatherednosuggestionfromitsgrimness，ordidnotknowthenameGarnacheuttered，forhecontinued：
“WeunderstoodthatyouweretoescortMademoiselledeLaVauvrayetoParis，toplaceherunderthetutelageoftheQueen-Regent。I
willnotconcealfromyouthatwewerechagrinedatthereflectioncastuponCondillac；nevertheless，HerMajesty”swordislawinDauphinyasmuchasitisinParis。”
“Quiteasmuch，andIamrelievedtohearyouconfessit，“saidGarnachedrily，andhescannedmorecloselythefaceofthisyoungman。Hefoundcausetomodifytheexcellentimpressionhehadreceivedatfirst。Marius”seyebrowswerefinelypencilled，buttheyarchedashadetoomuch，andhiseyesweresetatrifletooclosely；themouth，whichhadseemedbeautifulatfirst，looked，inaddition，onthiscloserinspection，weak，sensual，andcruel。
Therefelluponthemomentarysilencethesoundofanopeningdoor，andbothmenrosesimultaneouslytotheirfeet。
Inthesplendidwomanthatentered，MonsieurdeGarnachesawawonderfullikenesstotheboywhostoodbesidehim。Shereceivedtheemissaryverygraciously。Mariussetachairforherbetweenthetwotheyhadbeenoccupying，andthusinterchangingphrasesofagreeablegreetingthethreesatdownaboutthehearthwitheveryshowofthegreatestamity。
Ayoungermanmighthavebeenputoutofcountenance；thewoman”ssurpassingbeauty，hercharmofmanner，hermelodiousvoice，fallingontheearsoftandgentleasacaress，mighthaveturnedamanoflessfirmnessalittlefromhispurpose，alittleperhapsfromhisloyaltyandthedutythathadbroughthimallthewayfromParis。
ButMonsieurdeGarnachewastoherthousandgracesasinsensibleasamanofstone。Andhecametobusinessbriskly。Hehadnomindtospendthedayatherfiresideinpleasant，meaninglesstalk。
“Madame，“saidhe，“monsieuryoursoninformsmethatyouhaveheardofmeandofthebusinessthatbringsmeintoDauphiny。IhadnotlookedforthehonourofjourneyingquitesofarasCondillac；butsinceMonsieurdeTressan，whomImademyambassador，appearstohavefailedsosignally，Iamconstrainedtoinflictmypresenceuponyou。”
“Inflict？“quothshe，withaprettylookofmake-believedismay。
“Howharshaword，monsieur！“
Thesmoothnessoftheimpliedcomplimentannoyedhim。
“Iwilluseanywordyouthinkmoreadequate，madame，ifyouwillsuggestit，“heansweredtartly。
“ThereareadozenImightsuggestthatwouldbetterfitthecase-andwithmorejusticetoyourself，“sheanswered，withasmilethatrevealedagleamofwhiteteethbehindherscarletlips。
“Marcus，bidBenoitbringwine。MonsieurdeGarnachewillnodoubtbethirstingafterhisride。”
Garnachesaidnothing。Acknowledgethecourtesyhewouldnot；
refuseithecouldnot。Sohesat，andwaitedforhertospeak，hiseyesuponthefire。
Madamehadalreadysetherselfacourse。Keenerwittedthanherson，shehadreadilyunderstood，uponGarnache”sbeingannouncedtoher，thathisvisitmeantthefailureoftheimposturebywhichshehadsoughttoberidofhim。
“Ithink，monsieur，“shesaidpresently，watchinghimfromunderherlids，“thatwehave，allofuswhoareconcernedinMademoiselledeLaVauvraye”saffairs，beenatcross-purposes。Sheisanimpetuous，impulsivechild，andithappenedthatsomelittletimeagowehadwords-suchthingswillhappeninthemostunitedfamilies。Whilsttheheatofherfoolishangerwasuponher，shewrotealettertotheQueen，inwhichshedesiredtoberemovedfrommytutelage。Sincethen，monsieur，shehascometorepentherofit。You，whonodoubtunderstandawoman”smind-“
“Setoutuponnosuchpresumption，madame，“heinterrupted。“I
knowaslittleofawoman”smindasanymanwhothinksheknowsadeal-andthatisnothing。”
Shelaughedasatanexcellentjest，andMarius，overhearingGarnache”sretortashewasreturningtoresumehisseat，joinedinherlaugh。
“Parisisafinewhetstoneforaman”swits，“saidhe。
Garnacheshruggedhisshoulders。
“Itakeit，madame，thatyouwishmetounderstandthatMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，repentingofherletter，desiresnolongertorepairtoParis；desires，infact，toremainhereatCondillacinyourexcellentcare。”
“Youapprehendthepositionexactly，monsieur。”
“Tomymind，“saidhe，“itpresentsfewfeaturesdifficultofapprehension。”
Marius”seyesflashedhismotheralookofrelief；buttheMarquise，whohadanearmorefinelytrained，caughtthevibrationofasecondmeaningintheemissary”swords。
“Allbeingasyousay，madame，“hecontinued，“willyoutellmewhy，insteadofsomemessagetothispurport，yousentMonsieurdeTressanbacktomewithagirltakenfromsomekitchenorbarnyard，whomitwassoughttopassoffuponmeasMademoiselledeLaVauvraye？“
TheMarquiselaughed，andherson，whohadshownsignsofperturbation，takinghiscuefromher，laughedtoo。
“Itwasajest，monsieur“-shetoldhim，miserablyconsciousthattheexplanationcouldsoundnolamer。
“Mycompliments，madame，uponthehumourthatprevailsinDauphiny。
Butyourjestfailedofitspurpose。Itdidnotamuseme，nor，sofarasIcoulddiscern，wasMonsieurdeTressangreatlytakenwithit。Butallthisisoflittlemoment，madame，“hecontinued。
“SinceyoutellmethatMademoiselledeLaVauvrayeiscontenttoremainhere，Iamsatisfiedthatitisso。”
Theyweretheverywordsthatshedesiredtohearfromhim；yethismannerofutteringthemgaveherlittlereassurance。Thesmileonherlipswasforced；herwatchfuleyessmilednotatall。
“Still，“hecontinued，“youwillbesogoodastorememberthatI
amnotmyownmasterinthisaffair。Werethatso，Ishouldnotfailtorelieveyouatonceofmyunbiddenpresence。”
“Oh，monsieur-“
“But，beingtheQueen”semissary，Ihaveherorderstoobey，andthoseordersaretoconveyMademoiselledeLaVauvrayetoParis。
Theymakenoallowanceforanychangethatmayhaveoccurredinmademoiselle”sinclinations。Ifthejourneyisnowdistastefultoher，shehasbutherownrashnesstoblameinhavingsoughtitherself。WhatimportsisthatsheisbiddenbytheQueentorepairtoParis；asaloyalsubjectshemustobeytheQueen”scommands；
you，asaloyalsubject，mustseetoitthatsheobeysthem。So，madame，Icountuponyourinfluencewithmademoiselletoseethatsheisreadytosetoutbynoonto-morrow。Onedayalreadyhasbeenwastedmebyyour-ah-jest，madame。TheQueenlikesherambassadorstobebrisk。”
TheDowagerreclinedinherchair，andbitherlip。Thismanwastookeenforher。Shehadnoillusions。Hehadseenthroughherasifshehadbeenmadeofglass；hehadpenetratedherartificesanddetectedherfalsehoods。Yetfeigningtobelieveherandthem，hehadfirstneutralizedheronlyweapons-otherthanoffensive-
thenusedthemforherowndefeat。Mariusitwaswhotookuptheconversation。
“Monsieur，“hecried-andtherewasafrowndrawingtogetherhisfinebrows-“whatyousuggestamountstoatyrannyontheQueen”spart。”
Garnachewasonhisfeet，hischairgratingthepolishedfloor。
“Monsieursays？“quothhe，hisglitteringeyechallengingtherashboytorepeathiswords。
ButtheDowagerintervenedwithalittletrilloflaughter。
“BonDieu！Marius，whatareyousaying？Foolishboy！Andyou，MonsieurdeGarnache，donotheedhim，Ibegyou。WearesofarfromCourtinthislittlecornerofDauphiny，andmysonhasbeenrearedinsofreeanatmospherethatheissometimesbetrayedintoexpressionswhoseimproprietyhedoesnotrealize。”
Garnachebowedintokenofhisperfectsatisfaction，andatthatmomenttwoservantsenteredbearingflagonsandbeakers，fruitsandsweetmeats，whichtheyplaceduponthetable。TheDowagerrose，andwenttodothehonoursoftheboard。Theservantswithdrew。
“YouwilltasteourwineofCondillac，monsieur？“
Heacquiesced，expressingthanks，andwatchedherfillabeakerforhim，oneforherself，andanotherforherson。Shebroughthimthecupinherhands。Hetookitwithagraveinclinationofthehead。
Thensheprofferedhimthesweetmeats。Totakeone，hesetdownthecuponthetable，bywhichhehadalsocometostand。Hislefthandwasglovedandheldhisbeaverandwhip。
Shenibbled，herself，atoneofthecomfits，andhefollowedherexample。Theboy，atriflesullensincethelastwords，stoodonthehearthwithhisbacktothefire，hishandsclaspedbehindhim。
“Monsieur，“shesaid，“doyouthinkitwouldenableyoutocomplywithwhatIhavesignifiedtobenotonlyourownwishes，butthoseofMademoiselledeLaVauvrayeherself，ifsheweretostatethemtoyou？“
Helookedupsharply，hislipspartinginasmilethatrevealedhisstrongwhiteteeth。
“Areyouproposinganotherofyourjests，madame？“
Shelaughedoutright。Awonderfulassurancewashers，thoughtMonsieurdeGarnache。“MonDieu！no，monsieur，“shecried。“Ifyouwill，youmayseetheladyherself。”
Hetookaturnintheapartment，idly，asdoesamaninthought。
“Verywell，“saidhe，atlast。“Idonotsaythatitwillaltermydetermination。Butperhaps-yes，IshouldbegladofanopportunityofthehonourofmakingMademoiselledeLaVauvraye”sacquaintance。
Butnoimpersonations，Ibeg，madame！“Hesaidithalf-laughingly，takinghiscuefromher。
“Youneedhavenofearofany。”
Shewalkedtothedoor，openedit，andcalled“Gaston！“InanswercamethepagewhomGarnachehadfoundintheroomwhenhewasadmitted。
“DesireMademoiselledeLaVauvrayetocometoushereatonce，“
shebadetheboy，andclosedthedoor。
Garnachehadbeenalleyesforsomefurtivesign，somewhisperedword；buthehadsurprisedneither。
Hispacinghadbroughthimtotheoppositeendoftheboard，wherestoodthecupofwinemadamehadpouredforMarius。Hisown，Garnache，hadleftuntouched。Asifabstractedly，henowtookupthebeaker，pledgedmadamewithhisglance，anddrank。Shewatchedhim，andsuddenlyasuspiciondartedthroughhermind-asuspicionthathesuspectedthem。
Dieu！Whatamanwasthis！Hetooknochances。Madamereflectedthatthisauguredillforthesuccessofthelastresourceuponwhich，shouldallelsefail，shewascountingtokeepmademoiselleatCondillac。ItseemedincrediblethatonesowaryandwatchfulshouldhavecommittedtherashnessofventuringaloneintoCondillacwithouttakinghisprecautionstoensurehisabilitytoretreat。
Inherheartshefeltdauntedbyhim。Butinthematterofthatwine-thefaintestofsmileshoveredionherlips，hereyebrowswentupashade。ThenshetookupthecupthathadbeenpouredfortheParisian，andboreittoherson。
“Marius，youarenotdrinking，“saidshe。Andseeingacommandinhereyes；hetookthebeakerfromherhandandboreittohislips，emptyingthehalfofit，whilstwiththefaintestsmileofscorntheDowagersweptGarnacheaglanceofprotest，asofonerepudiatinganunworthychallenge。
Thenthedooropened，andtheeyesofallthreewerecentreduponthegirlthatentered。
CHAPTERV
MONSIEURDEGARNACHELOSESHISTEMPER
Yousentforme，madame，“saidthegirl，seemingtohesitateuponthethresholdoftheroom，andhervoice-apleasant，boyishcontralto-wasverycoldandconveyedasuggestionofdisdain。
TheMarquisedetectedthatinauspiciousnote，andwasmovedbyittoregretheralreadyofhavingembarkeduponsoboldagameastoconfrontMonsieurdeGarnachewithValerie。ItwasastepshehaddecideduponasalastmeansofconvincingtheParisianofthetruthofherstatementtouchingthechangethathadtakenplaceinmademoiselle”sinclinations。AndshehadprovidedforitassoonassheheardofGarnache”sarrivalbyinformingmademoisellethatshouldshebesentfor，shemusttellthegentlemanfromParisthatitwasherwishtoremainatCondillac。Mademoisellehadincontinentlyrefused，andmadame，towinhercompliance，hadresortedtothreats。
“Youwilldoasyouconsiderbest，ofcourse，“shehadsaid，inavoicethatwasominouslysweet。“ButIpromiseyouthatifyoudootherwisethanasItellyou，youshallbemarriedbeforesunsettoMarius，whetheryoubewillingornot。MonsieurdeGarnachecomesalone，andifIsowillitaloneheshalldepartornotatall。I
havemenenoughatCondillactoseemyorderscarriedout，nomatterwhattheybe。
“Youmaytellyourselfthatthisfellowwillreturntohelpyou。
Perhapshewill；butwhenhedoes，itwillbetoolatesofarasyoushallbeconcerned。”
Terrifiedbythatthreat，Valeriehadblenched，andhadfeltherspiritdesertingher。
“AndifIcomply，madame？“shehadasked。“IfIdoasyouwish，ifItellthisgentlemanthatInolongerdesiretogotoParis-whatthen？“
TheDowager”smannerhadbecomemoreaffectionate。Shehadpattedtheshrinkinggirlupontheshoulder。“Inthatcase，Valerie，youshallsuffernoconstraint；youshallcontinuehereasyouhavedone。”
“Andhastherebeennoconstrainthitherto？“hadbeenthegirl”sindignantrejoinder。
“Hardly，child，“theDowagerhadreturned。“Wehavesoughttoguideyoutoawisechoice-nomorethanthat。NorshallwedomorehereafterifyoudomypleasurenowandgivethisMonsieurdeGarnachetheanswerthatIbidyou。Butifyoufailme，remember-youmarryMariusbeforenightfall。”
Shehadnotwaitedforthegirltopromisehercompliance。Shewastoocleverawomantoshowanxietyonthatscore。Sheleftherwiththatthreatvibratinginhermind，confidentthatshewouldscarethegirlintoobediencebytheveryassurancesheexhibitedthatValeriewouldnotdaretodisobey。
Butnow，atthesoundofthatchillvoice，atthesightofthatcalm，resolvedcountenance，madamewasregrettingthatshehadnotstayedtoreceivethegirl”spromisebeforeshemadesoverysureofherpliability。
SheglancedanxiouslyatGarnache。Hiseyeswereuponthegirl。Hewasremarkingtheslender，supplefigure，moderatelytallandlookingtallerinitsblackgownofmourning；theovalface，atriflepalenowfromtheagitationthatstirredher，withitsfinelevelbrows，itsclear，hazeleyes，anditscrownoflustrousbrownhairrolledbackunderthedaintiestofwhitecoifs。Hisglancedweltappreciativelyontheslendernose，withitsdelicatenostrils，thecharminglineofmouthandchin，thedazzlingwhitenessofherskin，conspicuousnotonlyinneckandfacebutinthelong，slenderhandsthatwereclaspedbeforeher。
Thesesignsofbreeding，everywhereproclaimed，lefthimcontentthatherewasnoimposture；thegirlbeforehimwas，indeed，ValeriedeLaVauvraye。
Atmadame”sinvitationshecameforward。Mariushastenedtoclosethedoorandtosetachairforher，hismanneranadmirablesuggestionofardourrestrainedbydeference。
Shesatdownwithanoutwardcalmunderwhichnonewouldhavesuspectedthefullextentofheragitation，andshebenthereyesuponthemanwhomtheQueenhadsentforherdeliverance。
Afterall，Garnache”sappearancewashardlysuggestiveoftheroleofPerseuswhichhadbeenthrustuponhim。Shesawatall，spareman，withprominentcheek-bones，agaunt，high-bridgednose，veryfiercemustachios，andapairofeyesthatwereaskeenassword-bladesandfelttoherglanceaspenetrating。Therewaslittleabouthimliketotakeawoman”sfancyorclaimmorethanamoderateshareofherattention，evenwhencircumstancesrenderedherasinterestedinhimaswasnowMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。
Therefellasilence，brokenatlastbyMarius，wholeaned，asupple，gracefulfigure，hiselbowrestinguponthesummitofValerie”schair。
“MonsieurdeGarnachedoesustheinjusticetofindadifficultyinbelievingthatyounolongerwishtoleaveus。”
ThatwasbynomeanswhatGarnachehadimplied；still，sinceitreallyexpressedhismind，hedidnottroubletocorrectMarius。
Valeriesaidnothing，buthereyestravelledtomadame”scountenance，whereshefoundafrown。Garnacheobservedthesilence，anddrewhisownconclusions。
“Sowehavesentforyou，Valerie，“saidtheDowager，takingupherson”ssentence，“thatyoumayyourselfassureMonsieurdeGarnachethatitisso。”
Hervoicewasstern；itboretothegirl”searsasubtle，unwordedrepetitionofthethreattheMarquisehadalreadyvoiced。
Mademoisellecaughtit，andGarnachecaughtittoo，althoughhefailedtointerpretitaspreciselyashewouldhaveliked。
Thegirlseemedtoexperienceadifficultyinanswering。HereyesrovedtoGarnache”s，andfellawayinaffrightbeforetheirglitter。
Thatman”sglanceseemedtoreadherverymind，shethought；andsuddenlythereflectionthathadterrifiedherbecameherhope。Ifitwereasshedeemedit，whatmatterwhatshesaid？Hewouldknowthetruth，inspiteofall。
“Yes，madame，“shesaidatlast，andhervoicewaswhollyvoidofexpression。“Yes，monsieur，itisasmadamesays。ItismywishtoremainatCondillac。”
>FromtheDowager，standingapaceortwoawayfromGarnache，camethesoundofahalf-sigh。Garnachemissednothing。Hecaughtthesound，andaccepteditasanexpressionofrelief。TheMarquisesteppedbackapace；idly，onemighthavethought；notsothoughtGarnache。Ithadthisadvantage：thatitenabledhertostandwherehemightnotwatchherfacewithoutturninghishead。Hewascontentthatsuchwashermotive。Todefeatherobject，toshowherthathehadguessedit，hesteppedback，too，alsowiththatsameidlenessofair，sothathewasoncemoreinlinewithher。Andthenhespoke，addressingValerie。
“Mademoiselle，thatyoushouldhavewrittentotheQueeninhasteisdeplorablenowthatyourviewshaveundergonethischange。Iamastupidman，mademoiselle，justabluntsoldierwithorderstoobeyandnoauthoritytothink。MyordersaretoconductyoutoParis。Yourwillwasnottakenintoconsideration。IknownothowtheQueenwouldhavemeact，seeingyourreluctance；itmaybethatshewouldelecttoleaveyouhere，asyoudesire。ButitisnotformetoarrogatetodeterminetheQueen”smind。Icanbutbeguidedbyherorders，andthoseordersleavemenocoursebutone-toaskyou，mademoiselle，tomakereadyimmediatelytogowithme。”
ThelookofreliefthatsweptintoValerie”sface，thelittleflushofcolourthatwarmedhercheeks，hithertosopale，werealltheconfirmationthatheneededofwhathesuspected。
“But，monsieur，“saidMarius，“itmustbeplaintoyouthatsincetheQueen”sordersarebutacompliancewithmademoiselle”swishes，nowthatmademoiselle”swisheshavealtered，sotoowouldHerMajesty”scommandsaltertocomplywiththemoncemore“
“Thatmaybeplaintoyou，monsieur；forme，unfortunately，therearemyordersforonlyguide，“Garnachepersisted。“Doesnotmademoiselleherselfagreewithme？“
Shewasabouttospeak；herglancehadlookedeager，herlipshadparted。Then，ofasudden，thelittlecolourfadedfromhercheeksagain，andsheseemedstrickenwithasilence。Garnache”seyes，directedinasidelongglancetotheMarquise”sface，surprisedthereafrownthathadpromptedthatsuddenchange。
Hehalf-turned，hismannerchangingsuddenlytoafreezingcivility。
“MadamelaMarquise，“saidhe，“IbegwithalldeferencetosuggestthatIamnotallowedtheinterviewyoupromisedmewithMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。”
TheominouscoldnesswithwhichhehadbeguntospeakhadhadadisturbingeffectupontheDowager；thewordsheuttered，whenshehadweighedthem，broughtanimmenserelief。Itseemed，then，thathebutneededconvincingthatthiswasMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。
Thisarguedthatfortheresthewassatisfied。
“There，monsieur，youareatfault，“shecried，andshewassmilingintohisgraveeyes。“BecauseonceIputthatjestuponyou，youimagine-“
“No，no，“hebrokein。“Youmisapprehendme。IdonotsaythatthisisnotMademoiselledeLaVauvraye；Idonotsaythat-“
Hepaused；hewasattheendofhisresources。Hedidnotknowhowtoputthethingwithoutgivingoffence，andithadbeenhisresolve-realizingthenecessityforit-toconductthismatterwithagravecourtesy。
Tofeelthatafterhavingcarriedtheaffairsofarwithaforhim-commendablelightnessoftouch，heshouldbeatalossforadelicatewordtoconveyaharshaccusationbegantoangerhim。AndonceGarnachebegantobeangered，therestfollowedquickly。Itwasjustthatflawinhischaracterthathadbeentheruinofhim，thathadblightedwhatotherwisemighthavebeenabrilliantcareer。
Astuteandwilyasafox，braveasalion，andactiveasapanther，giftedwithintelligence，insightandresource，hehadcarriedadozenenterprisesuptotheverythresholdofsuccess，theretohaveruinedthemallbygivingwaytosomesuddenaccessofcholer。
Sowasitnow。Hispausewasbutmomentary。Yetinthatmoment，fromcalmandfreezingthathehadbeen，hebecameruffledandhot。
Thechangewasvisibleinhisheightenedcolour，inhisflashingeyes，andinhistwitchingmustachios。Forjustasecondhesoughttosmotherhiswrath；hehadaglimmerofremembranceoftheneedforcautionanddiplomacyinthedarknessofangerthatwasdescendingoverhim。Then，withoutfurtherwarning，heexploded。
Hisnervous，sinewyhandclencheditselfandfellwithacrashuponthetable，overturningaflagonandsendingalakeofwineacrosstheboard，totrickleoveratadozenpointsandforminpuddlesatthefeetofValerie。Startled，theyallwatchedhim，mademoisellethemoststartledofthethree。
“Madame，“hethundered，“Ihavebeenreceivingdancing-lessonsatyourhandsforlongenough。Itistime，Ithink，wedidalittleordinarywalking，elseshallwegetnofartheralongtheroadImeantogoandthatistheroadtoPariswithmademoiselleforcompany。”
“Monsieur，monsieur！“criedthestartledMarquise，placingherselfintrepidlybeforehim；andMariustrembledforher，forsowilddidthemanseemthathealmostfearedhemightstrikeher。
“Ihaveheardenough，“heblazed。“NotanotherwordfromanyhereinCondillac！I”lltakethisladywithmenow，atonce；andifanyhereraisesafingertoresistme，asHeavenismywitness，itwillbethelastresistancehewilleverofferanyman。Letahandbelaiduponme，oraswordbaredbeforemyeyes，andIswear，madame，thatI”llcomebackandburnthisdunghillofrebelliontotheground。”
Intheblindnessofhispassionallhisfinekeennesswascasttothewind，hisall-observingwatchfulnesswassmotheredinthecloudofangerthatoppressedhisbrain。Heneversawthesignthatmadamemadetoherson，neversomuchasnoticedMarius”sstealthyprogresstowardsthedoor。
“Oh，“hecontinued，asatiricalnoterunningnowthroughhistempestuousvoice，“itisafinethingtocozeneachotherwithhoneyedwords，withsmirksandwithgrimaces。Butwehavedonewiththat，madame。”Hetoweredgrimlyaboveher，shakingathreateningfingerinherveryface。“Wehavedonewiththat。Weshallresorttodeeds，instead。”
“Aye，monsieur，“sheansweredverycoldly，sneeringuponhisred-hotfury，“thereshallbedeedsenoughtosatisfyevenyouroutrageousthirstforthem。”
Thatcold，sneeringvoice，withitsnoteofthreat，waslikeahandoficeuponhisoverheatedbrain。Itcooledhimontheinstant。
Hestiffened，andlookedabouthim。HesawthatMariushaddisappeared，andthatmademoisellehadrisenandwasregardinghimwithsingularlyimploringeyes。
Hebithislipinmortifiedchagrin。Hecursedhimselfinwardlyforafoolandadolt-themorepitiablebecauseheaccountedhimselfcunningaboveothers。Hadhebutkepthistemper，hadhedonenomorethanmaintainthehappypretencethathewasaslavetotheordershehadreceived-ameremachine-hemighthavegainedhisendsbysheeraudacity。Atleast，hiswayofretreatwouldhaveremainedopen，andhemighthavegone，toreturnanotherdaywithforceathisheels。
Asitwas，thatprettywhelp，herson，hadbeensent，nodoubt，formen。HesteppeduptoValerie。
“Areyouready，mademoiselle？“saidhe；forlittlehopethoughhemightstillhaveofwinningthrough，yethemustdothebesttorepairthedamagethatwasofhismaking。
Shesawthatthestormofpassionhadpassed，andshewasinfectedbythesudden，desperatedaringthatpromptedthatquestionofhis。
“Iamready，monsieur，“saidshe，andherboyishvoicehadanintrepidring。“IwillcomewithyouasIam。”
“Then，inGod”sname，letusbegoing。”
Theymovedtogethertowardsthedoor，withneveranotherglancefortheDowagerwhereshestood，pattingtheheadofthehoundthathadrisenandcometostandbesideher。Insilenceshewatchedthem，asinistersmileuponherbeautiful，ivoryface。
Thencameasoundoffeetandvoicesintheanteroom。Thedoorwasflungviolentlyopen，andahalf-dozenmenwithnakedswordscameblunderingintotheroom，Mariusbringinguptherear。
WithacryoffearValerieshrankbackagainstthepanelledwall，herlittlehandstohercheeks，hereyesdilatingwithalarm。
Garnache”sswordraspedout，anoathrattledfromhisclenchedteeth，andhefellonguard。Themenpaused，andtookhismeasure。Mariusurgedthemon，asiftheyhadbeenapackofdogs。
“Athim！“hesnapped，hisfingerpointing，hishandsomeeyesflashingangrily。“Cuthimdown！“
Theymoved；butmademoisellemovedatthesamemoment。Shesprangbeforethem，betweentheirswordsandtheirprey。
“Youshallnotdoit；youshallnotdoit！“shecried，andherfacelookeddrawn，hereyesdistraught。“Itismurder-murder，youcurs！“Andthememoryofhowthatdaintylittleladystoodundauntedbeforesomuchbaredsteel，toshieldhimfromthoseassassins，wasonethatabodeeverafterwithGarnache。
“Mademoiselle，“saidhe，inaquietvoice，“ifyouwillbutstandasidetherewillbesomemurderdoneamongthemfirst。”
Butshedidnotmove。Mariusclenchedhishands，frettedbythedelay。TheDowagerlookedonandsmiledandpattedherdog”shead。
Tohermademoisellenowturnedinappeal。
“Madame，“sheexclaimed，“you”llnotallowit。You”llnotletthemdothisthing。Bidthemputuptheirswords，madame。BethinkyouthatMonsieurdeGarnacheishereintheQueen”sname。”
Toowelldidmadamebethinkherofit。Garnacheneednotplaguehimselfwithvexationthathisrashtemperalonehadwroughthisruinnow。Ithadbutacceleratedit。Itwasjustpossible，perhaps，thatsuavitymighthaveofferedhimopportunities；but，fortherest，fromthemomentthatheshowedhimselffirminhisresolvetocarrymademoiselletoParis，hisdoomwassealed。MadamewouldneverwillinglyhaveallowedhimtoleaveCondillacalive，forsherealizedthatdidshedosohewouldstiruptroubleenoughtohavethemoutlawed。Hemustperishhere，andbeforgotten。Ifquestionscametobeaskedlater，Condillacwouldknownothingofhim。
“MonsieurdeGarnachepromisedussomefinedeedsonhisownaccount，“
shemockedhim。“Webutaffordhimtheopportunitytoperformthem。
Ifthesebenotenoughforhisexceedingvalour，therearemoremenwithoutwhomwecansummon。”
Afeelingofpityformademoiselle-perhapsofnomorethandecency-nowovercameMarius。Hesteppedforward。
“Valerie，“hesaid，“itisnotfittingyoushouldremain。”
“Aye，takeherhence，“theDowagerbadehim，withasmile。“HerpresenceisunmanningourfineParisian。”
Eagertodoso，over-eager，Mariuscameforward，pasthismen-at-arms，untilhewasbutsomethreepacesfromthegirlandjustoutofreachofasuddendartofGarnache”ssword。
Softly，verywarily，Garnacheslippedhisrightfootalittlefarthertotheright。Suddenlyhethrewhisweightuponit，sothathewasclearofthegirl。Beforetheyunderstoodwhathewasabout，thethinghadtakenplace。Hehadleapedforward，caughttheyoungmanbythebreastofhisshimmeringdoublet，leapedbacktoshelterbeyondmademoiselle，hurledMariustotheground，andplantedhisfoot，shodasitwasinhisthicklymuddedriding-boot，fullupontheboy”slong，shapelyneck。
“Movesomuchasafinger，myprettyfellow，“hesnappedathim，“andI”llcrushthelifefromyouasfromatoad。”
Therewasasuddenforwardmovementonthepartofthemen；butifGarnachewasvicious，hewascalm。Wereheagaintolosehistempernow，therewouldindeedbeaspeedyendtohim。Thatmuchheknew，andkeptrepeatingtohimself，lestheshouldbetemptedtoforgetit。
“Back！“hebadetheminavoicesoimperativethattheystopped，andlookedonwithgapingmouths。“Back，orheperishes！“Anddroppingthepointofhissword，helightlyresteditupontheyoungman”sbreast。
IndismaytheylookedtotheDowagerforinstruction。Shecranedforward，thesmilegonefromherlips，ahorrorinhereyes，herbosomheaving。Amomentagoshehadsmileduponmademoiselle”soutwardsignsoffear；hadmademoisellebeensominded，shemightinherturnhavesmilednowattheterrorwrittenlargeupontheDowager”sownface。ButherattentionwasallabsorbedbytheswiftlyexecutedactbywhichGarnachehadgainedatleastatemporaryadvantage。
Shehadturnedandlookedatthestrangespectacleofthatdauntlessman，erect，hisfootuponMarius”sneck，likesomefantasticfigureofacontemporarySaintGeorgeandacontemporarydragon。Shepressedherhandstighteruponherbosom；hereyessparkledwithanoddapprovalofthatbriskdeed。
ButGarnache”swatchfuleyeswereupontheDowager。Hereadtheanxiousfearthatmarredthebeautyofherface，andhetookheartatthesight，forhewasdependentupontheextenttowhichhemightworkuponherfeelings。
“Yousmiledjustnow，madame，whenitwasintendedtobutcheramanbeforeyoureyes。Yousmilenolonger，Iobserve，atthisthefirstofthefinedeedsIpromisedyou。”
“Lethimgo，“shesaid，andhervoicewasscarcelouderthanawhisper，horror-laden。“Lethimgo，monsieur，ifyouwouldsaveyourownneck。”
“Atthatprice，yes-though，believeme，youarepayingtoomuchforsopooralifeasthis。Still，youvaluethething，andIholdit；andsoyou”llforgivemeifIamextortionate。”
“Releasehim，and，inGod”sname，goyourways。Noneshallstayyou，“shepromisedhim。
Hesmiled。“I”llneedsomesecurityforthat。Idonotchoosetotakeyourwordforit，MadamedeCondillac。”
“WhatsecuritycanIgiveyou？“shecried，wringingherhands，hereyesontheboy”sashenfaceashenfromminglingfearandrage-
whereitshowedbeyondGarnache”sheavyboot。
“Bidoneofyourknavessummonmyservant。Ilefthimawaitingmeinthecourtyard。”
Theorderwasgiven，andoneofthecut-throatsdeparted。
Inatenseandanxioussilencetheyawaitedhisreturn，thoughhekeptthembutaninstant。
Rabecque”seyestookonastartledlookwhenhehadviewedthesituation。Garnachecalledtohimtodeprivethosepresentoftheirweapons。
“Andletnonerefuse，orofferhimviolence，“headded，“oryourmaster”slifeshallpaythepriceofit。”
TheDowagerwithareadyanxietyrepeatedtothemhiscommands。
Rabecque，understandingnothing，wentfrommantoman，andreceivedfromeachhisweapons。Heplacedthearmfulonthewindowseat，atthefarendoftheapartment，asGarnachebadehim。Attheotherendofthelongroom，Garnacheorderedthedisarmedmentorangethemselves。Whenthatwasdone，theParisianremovedhisfootfromhisvictim”sneck。
“Standup，“hecommanded，andMariusveryreadilyobeyedhim。
Garnacheplacedhimselfimmediatelybehindtheboy。“Madame，“saidhe，“noharmshallcometoyoursonifheisbutwise。Lethimdisobeyme，orletanymaninCondillacliftahandagainstus，andthatshallbethesignalforMonsieurdeCondillac”sdeath。
Mademoiselle，itisyourwishtoaccompanymetoParis？“
“Yes，monsieur，“sheansweredfearlessly，hereyessparklingnow。
“Wewillbegoingthen。PlaceyourselfalongsideofMonsieurdeCondillac。Rabecque，followme。Forward，MonsieurdeCondillac。
Youwillbesogoodastoconductustoourhorsesinthecourtyard。”
Theymadeanoddprocessionastheymarchedoutofthehall，underthesulleneyesofthebaulkedcut-throatsandtheirmistress。OnthethresholdGarnachepaused，andlookedoverhisshoulder。
“Areyoucontent，madame？Haveyouseenfinedeedsenoughforoneday？“heaskedher，laughing。But，whitetothelipswithchagrin，shereturnednoanswer。
Garnacheandhispartycrossedtheanteroom，afterhavingtakentheprecautiontolockthedoorupontheMarquiseandhermen，andproceedingdownagloomypassagetheygainedthecourtyard。HereMariuswasconsoledtofindsomemenofthegarrisonofCondillacahalf-score，orso-allmoreorlessarmed，surroundingthehorsesofGarnacheandhislackey。Atsightoftheoddgroupthatnowappearedthoseruffiansstoodatgaze，surprised，andwithsuspicionsarousedbyGarnache”snakedsword，readyforanythingtheirmastermightdemandofthem。
Mariushadinthatinstantagleamofhope。Thusfar，Garnachehadbeenmasterofthesituation。ButsurelythepositionwouldbereversedwhenGarnacheandhismancametomounttheirhorses，particularlyconsideringhowhamperedtheymustbebyValerie。ThisdangerGarnache，however，wasnolessquicktoperceive，andwithadismayingpromptnessdidhetakehismeasures。
“Remember，“hethreatenedMonsieurdeCondillac，“ifanyofyourmenshowtheirteethitwillbetheworseforyou。”Theyhadcometoahaltonthethresholdofthecourtyard。“Youwillbesogoodastobidthemretreatthroughthatdoorwayacrosstheyardyonder。”
Mariushesitated。“AndifIrefuse？“hedemandedhardily，butkeepinghisbacktoGarnache。Themenstirred，andstraywordsofminglingwonderandangerreachedtheParisian。
“Youwillnot，“saidGarnache，withquietconfidence。
“Ithinkyoumaketoosure，“Mariusreplied，anddissembledhismisgivingsinashortlaugh。Garnachebecameimpatient。Hispositionwasnotbeingimprovedbydelay。
“MonsieurdeCondillac，“saidhe，speakingquicklyandyetwithanincisivenessoftonethatmadehiswordssounddeliberate，“Iamadesperatemaninadesperateposition。EverymomentthatItarryhereincreasesmydangerandshortensmytemper。Ifyouthinktotemporizeinthehopeofgaininganopportunityofturningthetablesuponme，youmustbemadtodreamthatIshallpermitit。
Monsieur，youwillatonceorderthosementoleavethecourtyardbythatdoorway，orIgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIshallrunyouthroughasyoustand。”
“Thatwouldbetodestroyyourself，“saidMariuswithanattemptednoteofconfidence。
“Ishouldbenolessdestroyedbydelay，“answeredGarnache；andaddedmoresharply，“Givetheword，monsieur，orIwillmakeanend。”
>FromthemovementbehindhimMariusguessedalmostbyinstinctthatGarnachehaddrawnbackforalunge。AthissideValerielookedoverhershoulder，witheyesthatwerestartledbutunafraid。ForasecondMariusconsideredwhetherhemightnotattempttoeludeGarnachebyawildandsuddendashtowardshismen。Buttheconsequencesoffailureweretoofearful。
Heshruggedhisshoulders，andgavetheorder。Themenhesitatedamoment，thenshuffledawayinthedirectionindicated。Buttheywentslowly，withmuchhalf-whispered，sullenconferringandmanyabackwardglanceatMariusandthosewithhim。
“Bidthemgofaster，“snappedGarnache。Mariusobeyedhim，andthemenobeyedMarius，andvanishedintothegloomofthearchway。Afterall，thoughtMonsieurdeCondillac，theyneedgonofartherthanthatdoorway；theymusthaveappreciatedthesituationbynow；andhewasconfidenttheywouldhavethesensetoholdthemselvesinreadinessforarushinthemomentofGarnache”smounting。
ButGarnache”snextordershatteredthatlasthope。
“Rebecque，“saidhe，withoutturninghishead，“goandlockthemin。”
Beforebiddingthemengothatway，hehadsatisfiedhimselfthattherewasakeyontheoutsideofthedoor。“MonsieurdeCondillac，“
heresumedtoMarius，“youwillorderyourmeninnowaytohindermyservant。IshallactuponanymenaceofdangertomylackeypreciselyasIshouldwereI，myself，indanger。”
Marius”sheartsankwithinhim，assinksastonethroughwater。Herealized，ashismotherhadrealizedalittlewhilebefore，thatinGarnachetheyhadanopponentwhotooknochances。InavoicethickwiththetorturingrageofimpotencehegavetheorderuponwhichthegrimParisianinsisted。TherefollowedasilencebrokenbythefallofRabecque”sheavilyshodfeetuponthestonesoftheyard，ashecrossedittodohismaster”sbidding。Thedoorcreakedonitshinges；thekeygratedscreaminginitslock，andRabecquereturnedtoGarnache”ssideevenasGarnachetappedMariusontheshoulder。
“Thisway，MonsieurdeCondillac，ifyouplease，“saidhe，andasMariusturnedatlasttofacehim，hestoodasideandwavedhislefthandtowardsthedoorthroughwhichtheyhadlatelyemerged。
Amomentstoodtheyouthfacinghissternconqueror；hishandswereclencheduntiltheknucklesshowedwhite；hisfacewasadullcrimson。Vainlyhesoughtforwordsinwhichtoventsomeofthemaliciouschagrinthatfilledhissoulalmosttobursting-point。
Then，despairing，withashrugandaninarticulatemutter，heflungpasttheParisian，obeyinghimasthecurobeys，withpendanttailandteeth-revealingsnarl。
Garnacheclosedthedooruponhimwithabang，andsmiledquietlyasheturnedtoValerie。
“Ithinkwehavewonthrough，mademoiselle，“saidhe，withpardonablevanity。“Therestiseasy，thoughyoumaybesubjectedtosomeslightdiscomfortbetweenthisandGrenoble。”
Shesmiledbackathim，apale，timidsmile，likeagleamofsunshinefromawintrysky。“Thatmattersnothing，“sheassuredhim，andstrovetomakehervoicesoundbrave。
Therewasneedforspeed，andcomplimentsweresetasidebyGarnache，who，athisbest，wasnotfelicitouswiththem。Valeriefeltherselfcaughtbythewrist，atrifleroughlysherememberedafterwards，andhurriedacrossthecobblestothetetheredhorses，withwhichRabecquewasalreadybusy。ShesawGarnacheraisehisfoottothestirrupandhoisthimselftothesaddle。Thenhehelddownahandtoher，badehersetherfootonhis，andcalledwithanoathtoRabecquetolendherhisassistance。AmomentlatershewasperchedinfrontofGarnache，almostonthewithersofhishorse。
Thecobblesrattledunderitshooves，thetimbersofthedrawbridgesentupaboomingsound，theywereacross-outofCondillac-andspeedingatagallopdownthewhiteroadthatledtotheriver；afterthempoundedRabecque，bumpinghorriblyinhissaddle，andattemptingwildly，andwithawfulobjurgations，tofindhisstirrups。
TheycrossedthebridgethatspanstheIsereandtooktheroadtoGrenobleatasharppace，withscarceabackwardglanceatthegreytowersofCondillac。Valerieexperiencedanoverwhelminginclinationtoweepandlaugh，tocryandsingatoneandthesametime；butwhetherthisoddemotionsprangfromthehappeningsinwhichshehadhadherpart，orfromtheexhilarationofthatmadride，shecouldnottell。Nodoubtitsprangfromboth，owingaparttoeach。Shecontrolledherself，however。Ashy，upwardglanceatthestern，setfaceofthemanwhosearmencircledandheldherfasthadacuriouslysoberingeffectuponher。Theireyesmet，andhesmiledafriendly，reassuringsmile，suchasafathermighthavebestoweduponadaughter。
“Idonotthinkthattheywillchargemewithblunderingthistime，“
hesaid。
“Chargeyouwithblundering？“sheechoed；andtheinflectionofthepronounmighthaveflatteredhimhadhenotreflectedthatitwasimpossibleshecouldhaveunderstoodhisallusion。Andnowshebethoughtherthatshehadnotthankedhim-andthedebtwasaheavyone。Hehadcometoheraidinanhourwhenhopeseemeddead。
Hehadcomesingle-handed-saveforhismanRabecque；andinamannerthatwasworthyofbeingmadethesubjectofanepic，hehadcarriedheroutofCondillac，awayfromtheterribleDowagerandhercut-throats。Thethoughtofthemsentashiverthroughher。
“Doyoufeelthecold？“heaskedconcernedly；andthatthewindmightcutherless，heslackenedspeed。
“No，no，“shecried，heralarmwakingagainatthethoughtofthefolkofCondillac。“Makehaste！Goon，goon！MonDieu！iftheyshouldovertakeus！“
Helookedoverhisshoulder。Theroadranstraightforoverahalf-milebehindthem，andnotalivingthingshoweduponit。
“Youneedhavenoalarm，“hesmiled。“Wearenotpursued。Theymusthaverealizedthefutilityofattemptingtoovertakeus。
Courage，mademoiselle。WeshallbeinGrenoblepresently，andoncethere，youwillhavenothingmoretofear。”
“Youaresureofthat？“sheasked，andtherewasdoubtinhervoice。
Hesmiledreassuringlyagain。“TheLordSeneschalshallsupplyuswithanescort，“hepromisedconfidently。
“Still，“shesaid，“weshallnotstaythere，Ihope，monsieur。”
“Nolongerthanmaybenecessarytoprocureacoachforyou。”
“Iamgladofthat，“saidshe。“IshallknownopeaceuntilGrenobleisagoodtenleaguesbehindus。TheMarquiseandhersonaretoopowerfulthere。”
“YettheirmightshallnotprevailagainsttheQueen”s，“hemadereply。Andasnowtheyrodeamainshefelltothankinghim，shylyatfirst，then，asshegatheredconfidenceinhersubject，withagreaterfervour。Butheinterruptedherereshehadgonefar，“MademoiselledeLaVauvraye，“saidhe，“youoverstatethematter。”
Histonewaschillingalmost；andshefeltasshehadbeenrebuked。
“IamnomorethantheemissaryofHerMajesty-itistoherthatyourthanksaredue。”
“Ah，but，monsieur，“shereturnedtotheassault，“Iowesomethankstoyouaswell。Whatotherinyourplacewouldhavedonewhatyouhavedone？“
“Iknownotthat，nordoIgreatlycare，“saidhe，andlaughed，butwithalaughthatjarredonher。“ThatwhichIdidImusthavedone，nomatterwhomitwasaquestionofsaving。Iambutaninstrumentinthismatter，mademoiselle。”
Histhoughtwastodonomorethanbelittletheservicehehadrenderedher，tostemherflowofgratitude，since，indeed，hefelt，ashesaid，thatitwastotheQueen-Regentherthanksweredue。
Allunwittingwasit-outofhisignoranceofthewaysofthoughtofasexwithwhichheheldtheviewthatitisanillthingtomeddle-thathewoundedherbyhisdisclaimer，inwhichhersensitivemaidenfancyimaginedasomethingthatwasalmostcontemptuous。
Theyrodeinsilenceforalittlespell，brokenatlastbyGarnacheinexpressionofthethoughtsthathadcometohimasaconsequenceofwhatshehadsaid。
“Onthissamesubjectofthanks，“saidhe-andassheraisedhereyesagainshefoundhimsmilingalmosttenderly-“ifanyareduebetweenustheyaresurelyduefrommetoyou。”
“Fromyoutome？“sheaskedinwonder。
“Assuredly，“saidhe。“HadyounotcomebetweenmeandtheDowager”sassassinstherehadbeenanendtomeinthehallofCondillac。”
Herhazeleyeswereveryroundforamoment，thentheynarrowed，andlittlehumorouslinesformedatthecornersofherlips。
“MonsieurdeGarnache，“saidshe，withamockcoldnessthatwasafaintechoofhisownrecentmanner，“youoverstatethecase。ThatwhichIdidImusthavedone，nomatterwhomitwasaquestionofsaving。Iwasbutaninstrumentinthismatter，monsieur。”
Hisbrowswentup。Hestaredatheramoment，gatheringinstructionfromtheshymockeryofherglance。Thenhelaughedwithgenuineamusement。
“True，“hesaid。“Aninstrumentyouwere；butaninstrumentofHeaven，whereasinmeyoubutbeholdtheinstrumentofanearthlypower。Wearenotquitequits，yousee。”
Butshefelt，atleast，thatshewasquitswithhiminthematterofhisrepudiationofherownthanks，andthefeelingbridgedtheunfriendlygapthatshehadfeltwasopeningoutbetweenthem；andfornoreasonintheworldthatshecouldthinkof，shewasgladthatthiswasso。
CHAPTERVI
MONSIEURDEGARNACHEKEEPSHISTEMPER
NighthadfallenandithadbeguntorainwhenGarnacheandValeriereachedGrenoble。Theyenteredthetownafoot，theParisiannotdesiringtoattractattentionbybeingseeninthestreetswithaladyonthewithersofhishorse。
Withthoughtforhercomfort，MonsieurdeGarnachehaddivestedhimselfofhisheavyhorseman”scloakandinsisteduponherassumingit，sosettingitaboutherthatherheadwascoveredasbyawimple。
Thuswassheprotectednotonlyfromtherain，butfromthegazeoftheinquisitive。
Theymadetheirwayinthedrizzle，throughthegreasy，slipperystreetsashinewiththelightsthatfellfromdoorandwindow，Rabecquefollowingcloselywiththehorses。Garnachemadestraightforhisinn-theAubergeduVeauquiTete-whichenjoyedtheadvantageoffacingthePalaisSeneschal。
Theostlertookchargeofthenags，andthelandlordconductedthemtoaroomabove-stairs，whichheplacedatmademoiselle”sdisposal。
Thatdone，GarnacheleftRabecqueonguard，andproceededtomakethenecessaryarrangementsforthejourneythatlaybeforethem。Hebeganbywhatheconceivedtobethemoreurgentmeasure，andsteppingacrosstothePalaisSeneschal，hedemandedtoseeMonsieurdeTressanatonce。
UsheredintotheLordSeneschal”spresence，hestartledthatobesegentlemanbytheannouncementthathehadreturnedfromCondillacwithMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，andthathewouldrequireanescorttoaccompanythemtoParis。
“ForIambynomeansmindedtobeexposedtosuchmeasuresasthetigressofCondillacandhercubmaytaketorecovertheirvictim，“
heexplainedwithagrimsmile。
TheSeneschalcombedhisbeardandscreweduphispaleeyesuntiltheyvanishedinthecushionsofhischeeks。Hewaslostinamazement。HecouldonlyimaginethattheQueen”semissaryhadbeendupedmoresuccessfullythistime。
“Iamtogather，then，“saidhe，dissemblingwhatwaspassingthroughhismind，“thatyoudeliveredtheladybyforceorstrategy。”
“Byboth，monsieur，“wastheshortanswer。
Tressancontinuedtocombhisbeard，andponderedthesituation。
Ifthingswereso，indeed，theycouldnothavefallenoutmoretohistaste。Hehadhadnohandinit，onewayortheother。Hehadrunwiththehareandhuntedwiththehounds，andneitherpartycouldchargehimwithanylackofloyalty。HisadmirationandrespectforMonsieurdeGarnachegrewenormously。WhentherashParisianhadlefthimthatafternoonforthepurposeofcarryinghismessagehimselftoCondillac，Tressanhadentertainedlittlehopeofeveragainseeinghimalive。Yettherehestood，ascalmandcomposedasever，announcingthatsinglehandedhehadcarriedoutwhatanothermightwellhavehesitatedtoattemptwitharegimentathisheels。
Tressan”scuriosityurgedhimtobegforthedetailsofthismarvel，andGarnacheentertainedhimwithabriefrecitalofwhathadtakenplace，whereat，realizingthatGarnachehadindeedoutwittedthem，theSeneschal”swonderincreased。
“Butwearenotoutofthequagmireyet，“criedGarnache；“andthatiswhyIwantanescort。”
Tressanbecameuneasy。“Howmanymenshallyourequire？“heasked，thinkingthattheParisianwoulddemandatleastthehalfofacompany。
“Ahalf-dozenandasergeanttocommandthem。”
Tressan”suneasinesswasdissipated，andhefoundhimselfdespisingGarnachemoreforhisrashnessinbeingcontentwithsosmallanumberthanherespectedhimfortheboldnessandcouragehehadsolatelydisplayed。Itwasnotforhimtosuggestthattheforcemightproveinsufficient；ratherwasitforhimtobethankfulthatGarnachehadnotaskedformore。AnescortTressandarednotrefusehim，andyetrefuseithimhemusthavedone-orbrokenwiththeCondillacs-hadheaskedforagreaternumber。Butsixmen！Pooh！
theywouldbeoflittleaccount。Soheveryreadilyconsented，inquiringhowsoonGarnachewouldrequirethem。
“Atonce，“wastheParisian”sanswer。“IleaveGrenobleto-night。
Ihopetosetoutinanhour”stime。MeanwhileI”llhavethetroopersformaguardofhonour。Iamlodgedovertheway。”
Tressan，buttoogladtobequitofhim，rosethereandthentogivethenecessaryorders，andwithintenminutesGarnachewasbackattheSuckingCalfwithsixtroopersandasergeant，whohadlefttheirhorsesintheSeneschal”sstablesuntilthetimeforsettingout。
MeanwhileGarnacheplacedthemondutyinthecommon-roomoftheinn。
Hecalledforrefreshmentforthem，andbadethemremainthereattheordersofhismanRabecque。Hisreasonforthisstepwasthatitbecamenecessarythatheshouldabsenthimselfforawhiletofindacarriagesuitableforthejourney；forastheSuckingCalfwasnotapost-househemustseekoneelsewhere-attheAubergedeFrance，infact，whichwassituateontheeasternsideofthetownbythePortedeSavoie-andhewasnotmindedtoleavethepersonofValerieunguardedduringhisabsence。Thehalf-dozentroopersheconsideredample，asindeedtheywere。
Onthiserrandhedeparted，wrappedtightlyinhiscloak，walkingbrisklythroughthenowheavierrain。
ButattheAubergedeFranceadisappointmentawaitedhim。Thehosthadnohorsesandnocarriage，norwouldhehaveuntilthefollowingmorning。Hewassorrow-strickenthatthecircumstanceshoulddiscomposeMonsieurdeGarnache；hewaselaborateinhisexplanationsofhowithappenedthathecouldplacenovehicleatMonsieurdeGarnache”sdisposal-soelaboratethatitissurprisingMonsieurdeGarnache”ssuspicionsshouldnothavebeenaroused。ForthetruthofthematterwasthatthefolkofCondillachadbeenattheAubergedeFrancebeforehim-astheyhadbeenelsewhereinthetownwhereveraconveyancemightbeprocurable-andbypromisesofrewardforobedienceandthreatsofpunishmentfordisobedience，theyhadcontrivedthatGarnacheshouldhearthissamestoryoneveryhand。HismistakehadlaininhiseagernesstoobtainaguardfromtheSeneschal。Hadhebegunbymakingsureofaconveyance，anticipating，asheshouldhavedone，thismoveonthepartoftheCondillacs-amovewhichhedidnotevennowsuspect-itispossiblethathemighthavebeensparedmuchofthetroublethatwastofollow。
Anhourorsolater，afterhavingvainlyransackedthetownforthethingheneeded，hereturnedwetandannoyedtotheVeauquiTote。Inacornerofthespaciouscommon-room-acornerbythedoorleadingtotheinterioroftheinn——hesawthesixtroopersattable，waxingatriflenoisyovercards。Theirsergeantsatalittleapart，inconversationwiththelandlord”swife，eyesupturnedadoringly，obliviousoftheincreasingscowlthatgatheredaboutherwatchfulhusband”sbrow。
Atanothertablesatfourgentlemen-seeminglytravellers，bytheirairandgarb-inaconversationthatwashushedatGarnache”sentrance。Buthepaidnoheedtothemashestalkedwithringingstepacrosstherushstrewnfloor，norobservedhowcovertlyandwatchfullytheirglancesfollowedhimasreturning，inpassingthesergeant”spromptsalutehevanishedthroughthedoorwayleadingtothestairs。
Hereappearedagainamomentlater，tocallthehost，andgivehimordersforthepreparingofhisownandRabecque”ssupper。
OnthelandingabovehefoundRabecqueawaitinghim。
“Isallwell？“heasked，andreceivedfromhislackeyareassuringanswer。
Mademoisellewelcomedhimgladly。Hislongabsence，itappeared，hadbeengivingherconcern。Hetoldheronwhaterrandhehadbeen，andalarmoverspreadherfaceuponhearingitsresult。
“But，monsieur，“shecried，“youarenotproposingthatIshouldremainanightinGrenoble。”
“Whatalternativehavewe？“heasked，andhisbrowsmet，impatientatwhatheaccountednomorethanfemininewhimsey。
“Itisnotsafe，“sheexclaimed，herfearsincreasing。“YoudonotknowhowpowerfularetheCondillacs。”
Hestrodetothefire，andthelogshissedunderthepressureofhiswetboot。Hesethisbacktotheblaze，andsmileddownuponher。
“Nordoyouknowhowpowerfularewe，“heansweredeasily。“I
havebelowsixtroopersandasergeantoftheSeneschal”sregiment；
withmyselfandRabecqueweareninemeninall。Thatshouldbeasufficientguard，mademoiselle。NordoIthinkthatwithalltheirpowertheCondillacswillventureheretoclaimyouattheswordpoint。”
“Andyet，“sheanswered，forallthatshewasplainlyreassured，atleastinpart，“Iwouldratheryouhadgotmeahorse，thatwemighthaveriddentoSaintMarcellin，wherenodoubtacarriagemightbeobtained。”
“Ididnotseetheneedtoputyoutosomuchdiscomfort，“hereturned。“Itisrainingheavily。”
“Oh，whatofthat？“sheflungbackimpatiently。
“Besides，“headded，“itseemstherearenohorsesatthepost-house。
AbenightedplacethisDauphinyofyours，mademoiselle。”
Butsheneverheededthegibeathernativeprovince。“Nohorses？“
sheechoed，andherhazeleyeslookedupsharply，thealarmreturningtoherface。Sherose，andapproachedhim。“Surelythatisimpossible。”
“IassureyouthatitisasIsay-neitheratthepost-housenoratanyoftheinnsIvisitedcouldIfindmeasparehorse。”
“Monsieur，“shecried，“IseethehandofCondillacinthis。”
“Ashow？“heinquired，andhistoneagainwasquickenedbyimpatience。
“Theyhaveanticipatedyou。Theyseektokeepyouhere-tokeepusinGrenoble。”
“Buttowhatend？“heasked，hisimpatiencegrowing。“TheAubergedeFrancehaspromisedmeacarriageinthemorning。WhatshallitavailthematCondillactokeepushereto-night？“
“Theymayhavesomeproject。Oh，monsieur！Iamfulloffears。”
“Dismissthem，“heansweredlightly；andtoreassureherheadded，smiling：“Restassuredweshallkeepgoodwatchoveryou，RabecqueandIandthetroopers。Aguardshallremaininthepassagethroughoutthenight。RabecqueandIwilltaketurnaboutatsentry-go。Willthatgiveyoupeace？“
“Youareverygood，“shesaid，hervoicequiveringwithfeelingandrealgratitude，andashewasdepartingshecalledafterhim。
“Youwillbecarefulofyourself，“shesaid。
Hepausedunderthelintel，andturned，surprised。“Itisahabitofmine，“saidhe，withaglintofhumourinhiseye。
Buttherewasnoansweringsmilefromher。Herfacewasallanxiety。
“Bewareofpitfalls，“shebadehim。“Gowarily；theyarecruellycunning，thosefolkofCondillac。Andifevilshouldbefallyou……”
“TherewouldstillremainRabecqueandthetroopers，“heconcluded。
Sheshruggedhershoulders。“Iimploreyoutobecareful，“sheinsisted。
“Youmaydependuponme，“hesaid，andclosedthedoor。