CHAPTERX
　　THERECRUIT
　　InthegreathalloftheChateaudeCondillacsattheDowager，herson，andtheLordSeneschal，inconference。
　　ItwasearlyintheafternoonofthelastThursdayinOctober，exactlyaweeksinceMonsieurdeGarnacheallbutbroken-heartedatthefailureofhismission-haddepartedfromGrenoble。Theyhaddined，andthetablewasstillstrewnwithvesselsandthefragmentsoftheirmeal，fortheclothhadnotyetbeenraised。Butthethreeofthemhadlefttheboard-theSeneschalwithallthatreluctancewithwhichhewaswonttopartcompanywiththetable，nomatterhowperturbedinspirithemightto-andtheyhadcometogroupthemselvesaboutthegreatopenfireplace。
　　AshaftofpaleOctobersunshineenteringthroughthegulesofanescutcheononthemullionedwindowsstruckascarletlightintosilveraidglassupontheforsakenboard。
　　Madamewasspeaking。Shewasrepeatingwordsthatshehadutteredatleasttwentytimesadayduringthepastweek。
　　“Itwasamadnesstoletthatfellowgo。Hadwebutputhimandhisservantoutoftheway，weshouldbeablenowtosleeptranquilinourbeds。IknowtheirwaysatCourt。Theymighthavemarvelledalittleatfirstthatheshouldtarrysolonguponhiserrand，thatheshouldsendthemnowordofitsprogress；butpresently，seeinghimnomore，hewouldlittlebylittlehavebeenforgotten，andwithhimtheaffairinwhichtheQueenhasbeensocursedlyreadytomeddle。
　　“Asitis，thefellowwillgobackhotwiththeoutrageputuponhim；therewillbesomefinetalkofitinParis；itwillbespokenofastreason，asdefianceoftheKing”sMajesty，asrebellion。TheParliamentmaybemovedtomakeoutlawsofus，andtheendofitall-whoshallforesee？“
　　“ItisalongdistancefromCondillactoParis，madame，“saidherson，withashrug。
　　“Andyouwillfindthemnonesoreadytosendsoldiersallthisway，Marquise，“theSeneschalcomfortedher。
　　“Bah！Youmaketoosureofyoursecurity。Youmaketoosureofwhattheywilldo，whatleaveundone。Timewillshow，myfriends；and，mor-dieu！IammuchatfaultifyoucomenotbothtoechomyregretthatwedidnotdisposeofMonsieurdeGarnacheandhislackeywhenwehadtheninourpower。”
　　HereyefellwithsinisterpromiseuponTressan，whoshiveredslightlyandspreadhishandstotheblaze，asthoughhisshiverhadbeenofcold。ButMariusdidnotsoreadilygrowafraid。
　　“Madame，“hesaid，“attheworstwecanshutourgatesandflingdefianceatthem。Wearewell-manned，andFortunioisseekingfreshrecruits。”
　　“Seekingthem，yes，“shesneered。“Foraweekhasthefellowbeenspendingmoneylikewater，addlingthebrainsofhalfGrenoblewiththebestwineattheAubergedeFrance，yetnotasinglerecruithascomein，sofar。”
　　Mariuslaughed。“Yourpessimismleadsyouintorashconclusions，“
　　hecried。“Youarewrong。Onerecruithascomein。”
　　“One！“sheechoed。“Athousanddevils！Abravenumberthat！A
　　finereturnfortheriverofwinewithwhichwehavewashedthestomachsofGrenoble。”
　　“Still，itisabeginning，“venturedtheSeneschal。
　　“Aye，and，nodoubt，anending，“sheflashedbackathim。“Andwhatmanneroffoolmaythisonebe，whosefortunesweresodesperatethathecouldthrowtheminwithours？“
　　“HeisanItalian-aPiedmontesewhohastrampedacrossSavoyandwasonhiswaytoParistomakehisfortune，whenFortuniocaughthimandmadeitcleartohimthathisfortunewasmadeforhimatCondillac。Heisalusty，stalwartfellow，speakingnowordofFrench，whowasdrawntoFortuniobydiscoveringinhimafellow-countryman。”
　　MockeryflashedfromtheDowager”sbeautifuleyes。
　　“Inthatyouhavethereasonofhisenrollinghimself。HeknewnowordofFrench，poordevil，socouldnotlearnhowrashhisventurewas。Couldwefindmoresuchmenasthisoneitmightbewell。Butwhereshallwefindthem？Pish！mydearMarius，mattersarelittlemended，noreverwillbe，forthemistakewemadeinallowingGarnachetogohisways。”
　　“Madame；“againventuredTressan，“Ithinkthatyouwantforhopefulness。”
　　“Atleast，Idonotwantforcourage，MonsieurleComte，“sheansweredhim；“andIpromiseyouthatwhileIlive-tohandleaswordifneedbe-noParismenshallsetfootinCondillac。”
　　“Aye，“grumbledMarius，“youcancontemplate，that，anditisallyoudocontemplate。Youwillnotsee，madamethatourpositionisfarfromdesperate；that，afterall，theremaybenoneedtoresisttheKing。ItisthreemonthssincewehadnewsofFlorimond。Muchmayhappeninthreemonthswhenamaniswarring。Itmaywellbethatheisdead。”
　　“IwishIknewhewas-anddamned，“she，snapped，withatighteningofherscarletlips。
　　“Yes，“agreedMarius，withasigh，“thatwereanendtoallourtroubles。”
　　“I”mnonesosure。Thereisstillmademoiselle，withhernew-formedfriendsinParis-mayapestilenceblightthemall！TherearestillthelandsofLaVauvrayetolose。Theonlytrueendtoourtroublesastheystandatpresentliesinyourmarryingthisheadstrongbaggage。”
　　“Thatthestepshouldberenderedimpossible，youcanbutblameyourself，“Mariusremindedher。
　　“Howso？“shecried，turningsharplyuponhim。
　　“HadyoukeptfriendswiththeChurch，hadyoupaidtithesandsavedusfromthiscursedInterdict，weshouldhavenodifficultyingettinghitherapriest，andsettlingthematteroutofhand，beValeriewillingornot。”
　　Shelookedathim，scornkindlinginherglance。ThensheswungroundtoappealtoTressan。
　　“Youhearhim，Count，“saidshe。“Thereisaloverforyou！Hewouldwedhismistresswhethershelovehimornot-andhehassworntomethathelovesthegirl。”
　　“Howelseshouldthethingbedonesincesheopposesit？“askedMarius，sulkily。
　　“Howelse？Doyouaskmehowelse？God！WereIaman，andhadIyourshapeandface，thereisnowomanintheworldshouldwithstandmeifIsetmyheartonher。Itisaddressyoulack。
　　Youareclumsyasaloutwhereawomanisconcerned。WereIinyourplace，Ihadtakenherbystormthreemonthsago，whenfirstshecametous。IhadcarriedheroutofCondillac，outofFrance，overtheborderintoSavoy，wheretherearenoInterdictstoplagueyou，andthereIwouldhavemarriedher。”
　　Mariusfrowneddarkly，butbeforehecouldspeak，TressanwasinsinuatingacomplimenttotheMarquise。
　　“True，Marius，“hesaid，withpursedlips。“Naturehasbeenverygoodtoyouinthatshehasmadeyoutheverycounterpartofyourladymother。YouareascomelyagentlemanasistobefoundinFrance-oroutofit。”
　　“Pish！“snappedMarius，tooangeredbythereflectioncastuponhisaddress，tobeflatteredbytheirpraisesofhisbeauty。“Itisaneasythingtotalk；aneasythingtosetupargumentswhenweconsiderbutthehalfofaquestion。Youforget，madame，thatValerieisbetrothedtoFlorimondandthatsheclingsfaithfullytoherbetrothal。”
　　“Vertudieu！“sworetheMarquise，“andwhatisthisbetrothal，whatthisfaithfulness？Shehasnotseenherbetrothedforthreeyears。
　　Shewasachildatthetimeoftheirfiancailles。Thinkyouherfaithfulnesstohimistheconstancyofawomantoherlover？Goyourways，youfoolishboy。Itisbuttheconstancytoaword，tothewishesofherfather。Thinkyouconstancythathasnootherbasethanthatwouldstandbetweenherandanymanwho-asyoumightdo，hadyoutheaddress-couldmakeherlovehim？“
　　“Idosayso，“answeredMariusfirmly。
　　Shesmiledthepityingsmileofoneequippedwithsuperiorknowledgewhenconfrontedwithanobstinate，uninformedmind。
　　“Thereisadrollarroganceaboutyou，Marius，“shetoldhim，quietly。“You，afledgling，wouldteachme，awoman，thewaysofawoman”sheart！Itisathingyoumaylivetoregret。”
　　“Ashow？“heasked。
　　“Oncealreadyhasmademoisellecontrivedtocorruptoneofourmen，andsendhimtoPariswithaletter。Outofthathassprungourpresenttrouble。Anothertimeshemaydobetter。Whensheshallhavebribedanothertoassisthertoescape；whenshe，herself，shallhavemadeofftotheshelteroftheQueen-mother，perhapsyouwillregretthatmycounselshouldhavefallenuponbarrenground。”
　　“Itistopreventanysuchattemptthatwehaveplacedherunderguard，“saidhe。“Youareforgettingthat。”
　　“Forgettingit？NotI。Butwhatassurancehaveyouthatshewillnotbribeherguard？“
　　Mariuslaughed，rose，andpushedbackhischair。
　　“Madame，“saidhe，“youarebackatyourcontemplationoftheworstsideofthisaffair；youarepersistinginccnsideringonlyhowwemaybethwarted。Butsetyourmindatrest。Gillesishersentinel。
　　Everynighthesleepsinheranteroom。HeisFortunio”smosttrustedman。Shewillnotcorrupthim。”
　　TheDowagersmiledpensively，hereyesuponthefire。Suddenlysheraisedthemtohisface。“Berthaudwasnonethelesstrusted。Yet，withnomorethanapromiseofrewardatsomefuturetimeshouldshesucceedinescapingfromus，didshebribehimtocarryherlettertotheQueen。WhathappenedtoBerthaudthatmaynothappentoGilles？“
　　“Youmightchangehersentrynightly，“putintheSeneschal。
　　“Yes，ifweknewwhomwecouldtrust；whowouldbeabovecorruption。
　　Asitis“-sheshruggedhershoulders“thatwouldbebuttoaffordheropportunitiestobribethemonebyoneuntiltheywereallreadytoactinconcert。”
　　“Whyneedsheanysentinelatall？“askedTressan，withsomeshowofsense。
　　“Towardoffpossibletraitors，“shetoldhim，andMariussmiledandwaggedhishead。
　　“Madameisneverdoneforeseeingtheworst，monsieur。”
　　“Whichshowsmywisdom。Themeninourgarrisonaremercenaries，allattachedtousonlybecausewepaythem。Theyallknowwhosheisandwhatherwealth。”
　　“Pityyouhavenotamanwhoisdeafanddumb，“saidTressan，halfinjest。ButMariuslookedupsuddenly，hiseyesserious。
　　“Wehaveasgood，“saidhe。“ThereistheItalianknaveFortunioenrolledyesterday，asIhavetoldyou。Heknowsneitherherwealthnorheridentity；norifhedidcouldheenterintotrafficwithher，forheknowsnoFrench，andshenoItalian。”
　　TheDowagerclappedherhands。“Theveryman！“shecried。
　　ButMarius，eitherfromsheerperverseness，orbecausehedidnotshareherenthusiasm，madeanswer：“IhavefaithinGilles。”
　　“Yes，“shemockedhim，“andyouhadfaithinBerthaud。Oh，ifyouhavefaithinGilles，lethimremain；letnomorebesaid。”
　　Theobstinateboytookheradvice，andshiftedthesubject，speakingtoTressanofsometrivialbusinessconnectedwiththeSeneschalship。
　　Butmadame，woman-like，returnedtothematterwhoseabandoningshehadherselfsuggested。Marius，forallhisaffecteddisdainofit，vieweditwithacertainrespect。Andsointheendtheysentfortherecruit。
　　Fortunio-whowasnootherthanthemanGarnachehadknownas“Sanguinetti“-broughthim，stillcladintheclothesinwhichhehadcome。Hewasatall，limberfellow，withaveryswarthyskinandblack，oily-lookinghairthatfellinshortringletsabouthisearsandneck，andablack，droopingmustachewhichgavehimaratherhang-doglook。Therewasathickstubbleofbeardofseveraldays”
　　growthabouthischinandface；hiseyeswerefurtiveintheirglances，butofadeepbluethatcontrastedoddlywithhisblacknesswhenhemomentarilyraisedthem。
　　Heworeatatteredjerkin，andhislegs，indefaultofstockings，wereswathedinsoiledbandagesandcross-garteredfromankletoknee。
　　Hestoodinapairofwoodenshoes，fromoneofwhichpeepedforthsomewispsofstraw，introduced，nodoubt，tomakethefootgearfit。
　　Heslouchedandshuffledinhiswalk，andhewasunspeakablydirty。
　　Nevertheless，hewasgirtwithaswordinaraggedscabbardhangingfromafrayedandshabbybeltofleather。
　　Madamescannedhimwithinterest。ThefastidiousMariuseyedhimwithdisgust。TheSeneschalpeeredathimcuriouslythroughshortsightedeyes。
　　“IdonotthinkIhaveeverseenadirtierruffian，“saidhe。
　　“Ilikehisnose，“saidmadamequietly。“Itisthenoseofanintrepidman。”
　　“ItremindsmeofGarnache”s，“laughedtheSeneschal。
　　“YouflattertheParisian，“commentedMarius。
　　Themercenary，meanwhile，stoodblandlysmilingattheparty，showingatleastafinearrayofteeth，andwearingthepatient，attentiveairofonewhorealizeshimselftobeunderdiscussion，yetdoesnotunderstandwhatisbeingsaid。
　　“Acountrymanofyours，Fortunio？“sneeredMarius。
　　Thecaptain，whoseopen，ingenuouscountenancedissembledasvillainousaheartaseverbeatinthebreastofanyman，disownedthecompatriotismwithasmile。
　　“Hardly，monsieur，“saidhe。“”Battista”isaPiedmontese。”
　　FortuniohimselfwasaVenetian。
　　“Ishetobereliedupon，thinkyou？“askedmadame。Fortunioshruggedhisshouldersandspreadhishands。Itwasnothishabittotrustanymaninordinately。
　　“Heisanoldsoldier，“saidhe。“HehastrailedapikeintheNeapolitanwars。Ihavecross-questionedhim，andfoundhisanswersboreoutthetruthofwhathesaid。”
　　“AndwhatbringshimtoFrance？“askedTressan。Thecaptainsmiledagain，andtherecameagainthatexpressiveshrugofhis。“Alittleover-readywiththesteel，“saidhe。
　　TheytoldFortuniothattheyproposedtoplacehimsentryovermademoiselleinsteadofGilles，astheItalian”sabsolutelackofFrenchwouldensureagainstcorruption。Thecaptainreadilyagreedwiththem。Itwouldbeawisestep。TheItalianfingeredhistatteredhat，hiseyesontheground。
　　Suddenlymadamespoketohim。Sheaskedhimforsomeaccountofhimselfandwhencehecame，usingtheItaliantongue，ofwhichshehadapassingknowledge。Hefollowedherquestionsveryattentively，attimeswithapparentdifficulty，hiseyesonherface，hisheadcranedalittleforward。
　　NowandthenFortuniohadtointervene，tomakeplainertothisignorantPiedmontesemindtheMarquise”squestions。Hisanswerscameinadeep，hoarsevoice，slurredbytheaccentofPiedmont，andmadame-herknowledgeofItalianbeingimperfect-hadfrequentlytohaverecoursetoFortuniotodiscoverthemeaningofwhathesaid。
　　Atlastshedismissedthepairofthem，biddingthecaptainseethathewaswashedandmorefittinglyclothed。
　　Anhourlater，aftertheSeneschalhadtakenhisdeparturetoridehometoGrenoble，itwasmadameherself，accompaniedbyMariusandFortunio，whoconductedBattista-suchwasthenametheItalianhadgiven-totheapartmentsabove，wheremademoisellewasnowconfinedpracticallyaprisoner。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　VALERIE”SGAOLER
　　Mychild，saidtheDowager，andhereyesdweltonValeriewithalookofstudiedgentleness，“whywillyounotbereasonable？“
　　TheconstantreflectionthatGarnachewasatlarge，makinghiswaybacktoParistostirupvengeancefortheoutrageputuponhim，wasnotwithoutacertainchasteningeffectupontheDowager。ShehadawayofsayingthatshehadasgoodastomachforafightasanymaninFrance，andafightthereshouldbeifitcametoitandGarnacheshouldreturntoassailCondillac。Yetacertainponderingoftheconsequences，acertaincountingofthecost-ordinarilyunusualtohernatureledhertohaverecoursetopersuasionandtoagentlenessnolessunusual。
　　Valerie”seyeswereraisedtoherswithalookthatheldmorescornthanwonder。TheywerestandingintheantechamberofValerie”sroom。Yonderathispostloungedtherecruit“Battista，“lookingatriflecleanerthanwhenfirsthehadbeenpresentedtotheMarquise，butstillnotcleanenoughforalady”santechamber。Hewasleaningstolidlyagainstthesillofthewindow，hiseyesonthedistantwatersoftheIsere，whichshoneadullcoppercolourintheafterglowoftheOctobersunset。Hisfacewasvacant，hiseyespensive，ashestoodthereundisturbedbytheflowofalanguagehedidnotunderstand。
　　FortunioandMariushaddeparted，andtheMarquise-playeduponbyherunusualtremors-hadremainedbehindforalastwordwiththeobstinategirl。
　　“Inwhat，madame，“askedValerie，“doesmyconductfallshortofreasonableness？“
　　TheDowagermadeamovementofimpatience。Ifateverystepsheweretobeconfrontedbythesequestions，whichhadinthemasavourofchallenge，shewaswastingtimeinremaining。
　　“Youareunreasonable，inthisfoolishclingingtoapromisegivenforyou。”
　　“Givenbyme，madame，“thegirlamended，knowingwelltowhatpromisetheDowagerreferred。
　　“Givenbyyou，then；butgivenatanagewhenyoucouldnotunderstandthenatureofit。Theyhadnorighttobindyouso。”
　　“Ifitisforanytoquestionthatright，itisforme，“Valeriemadeanswer，hereyesevermeetingtheDowager”sunflinchingly。
　　“AndIamcontenttoleavethatrightunquestioned。Iamcontenttofillthepromisegiven。InhonourIcouldnotdoless。”
　　“Ah！Inhonour！“TheDowagersighed。Thenshecameastepnearer，andherfacegrewsweetlywistful。“Butyourheart，child；whatofyourheart？“
　　“Myheartconcernsmyself。IamthebetrothedofFlorimond-thatisallthatconcernstheworldandyou。Irespectandadmirehimmorethananylivingman，andIshallbeproudtobecomehiswifewhenhereturns，ashiswifeIshallbecomeinspiteofallthatyouandyoursonmaydo。”
　　TheDowagerlaughedsoftly，asiftoherself。
　　“AndifItellyouthatFlorimondisdead？“
　　“Whenyougivemeproofofthat，Ishallbelieveit，“thegirlreplied。TheMarquiselookedather，herfacemanifestingnooffenceatthealmostinsultingwords。
　　“AndifIweretolaythatproofbeforeyou？“sheinquired，sadlyalmost。
　　Valerie”seyesopenedatriflewider，asifinapprehension。Butheranswerwaspromptandhervoicesteady。“Itstillcouldhavenoeffectuponmyattitudetowardsyourson。”
　　“Thisisfoolishness，Valerie-“
　　“Inyouitis，madame，“thegirlbrokein；“afoolishnesstothinkyoucanconstrainagirl，compelheraffections，commandherlove，bysuchmeansasyouhaveemployedtowardsme。Youthinkthatitpredisposesmetobewooed，thatitopensmyhearttoyourson，toseemyselfgaoledthathemaypaymehiscourt。”
　　“Gaoled，child？Whogaolsyou？“theDowagercried，asifthemostsurprisingutterancehadfallentomValerie”slips。
　　Mademoisellesmiledinsorrowandsomescorn。
　　“AmInotgaoled，then？“sheasked。“Whatcallyouthis？Whatdoesthatfellowthere？Heistolieoutsidemydooratnightstoseethatnoneholdscommunicationwithme。Heistogowithmeeachmorningtothegarden，when，byyourgraciouscharityItaketheair。SleepingandwakingthemaniseverwithinhearingofanywordthatImayutter-“
　　“ButifhehasnoFrench！“theDowagerprotested。
　　“Toensure，nodoubt，againstanyattemptofminetowinhimtomyside，toinducehimtoaidmeescapefromthisprison。Oh，madame，Itellyouyoudobutwastetime，andyoupunishmeandharassyourselftolittlepurpose。HadMariusbeensuchamanasImighthavefeltitinmynaturetolovewhichHeavenforbid！-thesemeansbywhichyouhavesoughttobringthatthingaboutcouldbuthaveresultedinmakingmehatehimasIdo。”
　　TheDowager”sfearswerebanishedfromhermindatthat，andwiththemwentallthoughtofconciliatingValerie。Angergleamedinhereyes；thesetofherlipsgrewsuddenlysneeringandcruel，sothatthebeautyofherfacebutservedtorenderithatefulthemore。
　　“Sothatyouhatehim，mamie？“arippleofmockeryonthecurrentofhervoice，“andheamansuchasanygirlinFrancemightbeproudtowed。Well，well，youarenottobeconstrained，yousay。”
　　AndtheMarquise”slaughwasmenacingandunpleasant。“Benotsosure，mademoiselle。Benotsosureofthat。Itmaywellbetidethatyoushallcometobeguponyourkneesforthisalliancewithamanwhomyoutellmethatyouhate。Benotsosureyoucannotbeconstrained。”
　　Theireyesmet；bothwomenwerewhitetothelips，butitwascurbedpassionintheone，anddeadlyfearintheother；forwhattheDowager”swordsleftunsaidhereyesmosteloquentlyconveyed。
　　Thegirlshrankback，herhandsclenched，herlipcaughtinherteeth。
　　“ThereisaGodinheaven，madame，“sheremindedtheMarquise。
　　“Aye-inheaven，“laughedtheMarquise，turningtodepart。Shepausedbythedoor，whichtheItalianhadsprungforwardtoopenforher。
　　“Mariusshalltaketheairwithyouinthemorningifitisfine。
　　PondermeanwhilewhatIhavesaid。”
　　“Doesthismanremainhere，madame？“inquiredthegirl，vainlyseekingtorenderhervoicesteady。
　　“Intheouteranteroomishisplace：butasthekeyofthisroomisonhissideofthedoor，hemayenterherewhenhesopleases，orwhenhethinksthathehasreasonto。Ifthesightofhimdispleasesyou，youmaylockyourselffromitinyourownchamberyonder。”
　　ThesameshesaidinItaliantotheman，whobowedimpassively，andfollowedtheDowagerintotheouterroom，closingthedooruponmademoiselle。Itwasachamberalmostbareoffurniture，saveforatableandchairwhichhadbeenplacedthere，sothatthegaolermighttakehismeals。
　　ThemanfollowedtheMarquiseacrossthebarefloor，theirstepsresoundingastheywent，andheheldtheouterdoorforher。
　　Withoutanotherwordshelefthim，andwherehestoodhecouldhearherstepsasshetrippeddownthewindingstaircaseofstone。Atlastthedoorofthecourtyardclosedwithabang，andthegratingofakeyannouncedtothemercenarythatheandhischargewerebothimprisonedinthattoweroftheChateaudeCondillac。
　　Leftaloneintheanteroom，mademoisellecrossedtothewindowanddroppedlimplyintoachair。Herfacewasstillverywhite，herheartbeatingtumultuously，forthehorridthreatthathadbeenconveyedintheDowager”swordshadbroughtherherfirstthrillofrealfearsincethebeginningofthiswooing-by-forcethreemonthsago，awooingwhichhadbecomemoreinsistentandlesslikeawooingdaybyday，untilithadculminatedinherpresenthelplessposition。
　　Shewasastrong-souled，high-spiritedgirl，buttonighthopeseemedextinguishedinherbreast。Florimond，too，seemedtohaveabandonedher。Eitherhehadforgottenher，orhewasdead，astheDowagersaid。Whichmightbethetruestateofthingsshedidnotgreatlycare。TherealizationofhowutterlyshewasinthepowerofMadamedeCondillacandherson，andthesuddenchancediscoveryofhowunscrupulouslythatpowermightbewielded，filledhermindtotheexclusionofallelse。
　　Bythewindowshesat，watching，withoutheedingthem，thefadingcoloursinthesky。Shewasabandonedtothesemonsters，anditseemedtheywoulddevourher。Shecouldhopefornohelpfromoutsidesincetheyhadasshebelieved-slainMonsieurdeGarnache。
　　Herminddweltforamomentonthatglimpseofrescuethathadbeenhersaweekago，uponthefewhoursoflibertywhichshehadenjoyed，butwhichonlyseemednowtoincreasethedarkhopelessnessofherimprisonment。
　　Againwiththeeyesofhermindshebeheldthatgrim，stalwartfigure，sawhisgreatnose，hisgreyinghair，hisfiercemustachiosandhisstern，quickeyes。Againsheheardtheraspofhismetallicvoicewithitsbriskderision。Shesawhiminthehallbelow，hisfootupontheneckofthatpopinjayofCondillacdaringthemalltodrawabreath，shouldheforbidit；againinfancysherodeonthewithersofhishorseatthegalloptowardsGrenoble。Asighescapedher。Surelythatwasthefirstmanwhowasindeedamanshehadeverseteyesonsinceherfatherdied。HadGarnachebeenspared，shewouldhavefeltcourageandshewouldhavehoped，fortherewassomethingabouthimthatsuggestedenergyandresourcesuchasitisgoodtoleanuponintimesofstress。Againsheheardthatbrisk，metallicvoice：“Areyoucontent，madame？Haveyouhadfinedeedsenoughforoneday？“
　　Andthen，breakinginuponhermusingscametheveryvoiceofherday-dream，sosuddenly，soundingsonaturalandlifelikethatshealmostscreamed，sostartledwasshe。
　　“Mademoiselle，“itsaid，“Ibegthatyou”llnotutterlyloseheart。
　　IhavecomebacktothethingHerMajestybademedo，andI”lldoit，inspiteofthattigressandhercub。”
　　Shesatstillasastatue，scarcebreathing，hereyesfixeduponthevioletsky。Thevoicehadceased，butstillshesaton。Thenitwasslowlyborneinuponherthatthatwasnodream-voice，notrickofheroverburdenedmind。Avoice，aliving，actualvoicehadutteredthosewordsinthisroom，hereatherelbow。
　　Sheturned，andagainshealmostscreamed；forthere，justbehindher，hisglitteringeyesfixeduponherwithsingularintentness，stoodtheswarthy，black-hairedItaliangaolertheyhadgivenherbecausehehadnoFrench。
　　Hehadcomeupsoquietlybehindherthatshehadnotheardhisapproach，andhewasleaningforwardnow，withanoddsuggestionofcrouchinginhisattitude，likeabeastabouttospring。Yethisgazerivetedhersaswithafascination。Andso，whileshelooked，hislipsmoved，andfromthem，inthatsamevoiceofherdreams，camefromthismanwhohadnoFrench，thewords：
　　“Benotafraid，mademoiselle。Iamthatblunderer，Garnache，thatunworthyfoolwhosetemperruinedwhatchanceofsavingyouhehadaweekago。”
　　Shestaredlikeonegoingmad。
　　“Garnache！“saidshe，mahuskywhisper。“YouGarnache？“
　　Yetthevoice，sheknew，wasGarnache”sandnoneother。Itwasavoicenoteasilymistaken。Andnow，asshelookedandlooked，shesawthattheman”snosewasGarnache”s，thoughoddlystained，andthosekeeneyes，theywereGarnache”stoo。Butthehairthathadbeenbrownandfleckedwithgreywasblack；thereddishmustachiosthathadbristledlikeamountaincat”swereblack，too，andtheyhunglimpandhidfromsightthefinelinesofhismouth。A
　　hideousstubbleofunshornbearddefacedhischinandface，andaltereditssharpoutline；andtheclear，healthyskinthatsherememberedwasnowadirtybrown。
　　Suddenlythefacesmiled，anditwasasmilethatreassuredheranddroveawaythelastdoubtthatshehad。Shewasonherfeetinaninstant。
　　“Monsieur，monsieur，“wasallthatshecouldsay；butherlongingwastoflingherarmsabouttheneckofthisman，asshemighthaveflungthemabouttheneckofabrotherorafather，andsoboutuponhisshoulderthesuddenreliefandrevulsionthathispresencebrought。
　　Garnachesawsomethingofheragitation，andtorelieveithesmiledandbegantotellherthecircumstancesofhisreturnandhispresentationtoMadameasaknavewhohadnoFrench。
　　“Fortunewasverygoodtome，mademoiselle，“saidhe。“Ihadlittlehopethatsuchafaceasminecouldbedisguised，butItakenoprideinwhatyousee。ItisthehandiworkofRabecque，themostingeniouslackeythateverservedafoolishmaster。IthelpedmethathavingbeentenyearsinItalywhenIwasyounger，IacquiredthelanguagesowellastobeabletoimposeevenuponFortunio。Inthatlayacircumstancewhichatoncedisarmedsuspicion，andifI
　　staynotsolongasitshalltakethedyetowearfrommyhairandbeardandthestainingfrommyface，Ishallhavelittletofear。”
　　“But，monsieur，“shecried，“youhaveeverythingtofear！“Andalarmgrewinhereyes。
　　Buthelaughedagainforanswer。“Ihavefaithinmyluck，mademoiselle，andIthinkIamonthetideofitatpresent。I
　　littlehopedwhenImademywayintoCondillacinthisarraythatIshouldend，byvirtueofmypretendedignoranceofFrench，inbeingappointedgaolertoyou。IhadsomeadotokeepthejoyfrommyeyeswhenIheardthemplanningit。Itisathingthathasmadeallelseeasy。”
　　“Butwhatcanyoudoalone，monsieur？“sheaskedhim；andtherewasanotealmostofpetulanceinhervoice。
　　Hemovedtothewindow，andleanedhiselbowonthesill。Thelightwasfastfading。“Iknownotyet。ButIamheretocontriveameans。Ishallthinkandwatch。”
　　“YouknowinwhathourlyperilIamplaced，“shecried，andsuddenlyrememberingthathemusthaveoverheardandunderstoodtheDowager”swords，asuddenheatcametohercheekstorecedeagainandleavethemmarble-pale。AndshethankedHeaventhatintheduskandintheshadowwhereshestoodhecouldbutillmakeoutherface。
　　“IfyouthinkthatIhavebeenrashinreturning-“
　　“No，no，notrash，monsieur；nobleandbraveaboveallpraise。I
　　wouldindeedIcouldtellyouhownobleandbraveIaccountyouraction。”
　　“ItisasnothingtothebraveryrequiredtoletRabecquedothishideousworkuponafaceforwhichIhaveeverentertainedsomemeasureofrespect。”
　　Hejested，soonerthanenlightenherthatitwashisegregiouspridehadfetchedhimbackwhenhewasbutafewhoursuponhisjourneyPariswards，hisinabilitytobrooktheridiculethatwouldbehiswhenheannouncedattheLuxembourgthatfailurehadattendedhim。
　　“Ah，butwhatcanyoudoalone？“sherepeated。
　　“Givemeatleastadayortwotodevisesomemeans；letmelookroundandtakethemeasureofthisgaol。Somewaytheremustbe。
　　Ihavenotcomesofarandsosuccessfullytobebeatennow。Still，“
　　hecontinued，“ifyouthinkthatIoverratemystrengthormyresource，ifyouwouldsoonerthatIsoughtmenandmadeanassaultuponCondillac，endeavouringtocarryitandtolettheQueen”swillprevailbyforceofarms，tellmeso，andIamgonetomorrow。”
　　“Whitherwouldyougo？“shecried，hervoicestrainedwithsuddenaffright。
　　“ImightseekhelpatLyonsorMoulins。ImightfindloyalsoldierswhowouldbewillingtofollowmebyvirtueofmywarranttolevysuchhelpasImayrequire，ifIbuttellthemthatthehelpwasrefusedmeinGrenoble。Iamnotsurethatitwouldbeso，for，unfortunately，mywarrantisfortheSeneschalofDauphinyonly。
　　Still，Imightmaketheattempt。”
　　“No，no，“sheimploredhim，andinhereagernesstohavehimputallthoughtofleavingherfromhismind，shecaughthimbythearmandraisedapleadingfacetohis。“Donotleavemehere，monsieur；
　　ofyourpitydonotleavemealoneamongstthem。Thinkmeacowardifyouwill，monsieur：Iamnoless。Theyhavemadeacowardofme。”
　　Heunderstoodthethingshedreaded，andagreatpitywelledupfromhisgenerousheartforthispoorunfriendedgirlatthemercyofthebeautifulwitchofCondillacandherbeautifulrascallyson。
　　Hepattedthehandthatclutchedhisarm。
　　“Ithink，myself，thatitwillbebestifIremain，nowthatI
　　havecomesofar，“hesaid。“Letmeponderthings。ItmaywellbethatIshalldevisesomeway。”
　　“MayHeaveninspireyou，monsieur。Ishallspendthenightinprayer，Ithink，imploringGodandHissaintstoshowyouthewayyouseek。”
　　“Heaven，Ithink，shouldhearyourprayers，mademoiselle，“heansweredmusingly，hisglanceuponthewhite，saintlyfacethatseemedtoshineinthedeepeninggloom。Then，suddenlyhestirredandbenttolisten。
　　“Sh！Someoneiscoming，“hewhispered。Andhespedquicklyfromhersideandintotheouterroom，wherehesanknoiselesslyontohischairasthestepsascendedthestonestaircaseandaglowofyellowlightgrewgraduallyinthedoorwaythatopenedontoit。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　AMATTEROFCONSCIENCE
　　ThathemightinspirethemoreconfidenceintheDowagerandhersonGarnacheorganizedandperformedalittlecomedyatCondillacacoupleofnightsafterhisappointmentasmademoiselle”sgaoler。
　　Hegaveanalarmatdeadmidnight，andwhenhalf-cladmen，followedpresentlybymadameandMarian，rushedintotheanteroomwherehestood，averypictureofthewildestexcitement，hedrewtheirattentiontotwotwistedsheets，tiedendtoend，hangingfromthewindowwhichoverlookedthemoat；andinanswertothemarquise”squestionsheinformedherthathehadbeendisturbedbysoundsofmovementsanduponenteringthechamberhehaddiscoveredmademoisellemakingthesepreparationsfordeparture。
　　Valerie，lockedintheinnerchamber，refusedtocomeforthastheMarquisebadeher，buthervoicereassuredMadamedeCondillacofherpresence，andso，sinceherattempthadfailed，madamewascontenttoletherbe。
　　“Thelittlefool，“shesaid，peeringdownfromthewindowintothenight；“shewouldhavebeenkilledforcertain。Herropeofsheetsdoesnotreachmorethanathirdofthewaydown。Shewouldhavehadoverthirtyfeettofall，andifthathadnotbeenenoughtofinishher，shewouldofacertaintyhave，beendrownedinthemoat。”
　　Shesignifiedhersatisfactionwiththefaithful“Battista”s“
　　vigilancebyapresentofsomegoldpiecesinthemorning，andsincetheheightofthewindowandthemoatbeneathitdidnotappearsufficientobstaclestomademoiselle”sattemptsateffectingherescape，theDowagerhadthewindownaileddown。Thus，onlybybreakingitcouldegressbeobtained，andthebreakingofitcouldnotbeeffectedwithoutsuchanoiseasmustarouse“Battista。”
　　UnderGarnache”sinstructionsthecomedywascarriedalittlefurther。Mademoiselleaffectedforhergaoleramostunconquerableaversion，andthisshetookpainstoproclaim。
　　Onemorning，threedaysafterherattemptedescape，shewastakingtheairinthegardenofCondillac，“Battista，“everwatchful，afewpacesbehindher，whensuddenlyshewasjoinedbyMarius-asplendid，gracefulfigureinariding-suitofbrownvelvetandbiscuit-colouredhose，hispointstippedwithgold，hislongbootsofthefinestmarroquinleather，hisliver-colouredhoundathisheels。ItwasthelastdayofOctober，buttheweather，fromcoldandwetthatithadbeenforthepastfortnight，hadtakenonasuddenimprovement。Thesunshone，theairwasstillandwarm，andbutforthestrewnleavesandthefaintsmellofdecaywithwhichthebreathofautumniseverladen，onemighthavefancieditadayofearlyspring。
　　ItwasnotValerie”swonttopausewhenMariusapproached。Sinceshemightnotpreventhimfromwalkingwherehelisted，shehadlongsinceabandonedthefutilityofbiddinghimbegonewhenhecamenearher。But，atleast，shehadneverstoppedinherwalk，neveraltereditspace；shehadsufferedwhatshemightnotavoid，butshehadworntheoutwardairofsufferingitwithindifference。Thismorning，however，shemadeadeparturefromherlonghabit。Notonlydidshepauseuponobservinghisapproach，butshecalledtohimasifshewouldhavehimhastentoherside。Andhastenhedid，anewlightinhiseyesthatwasmostlyofsurprise，butalittle，also，ofhope。
　　Shewasgracioustohimforonce，andgavehimgoodmorninginamannerthatbordereduponthepleasant。Wondering，hefellintostepbesideher，andtheypacedtogethertheyew-borderedterrace，theever-vigilantbutdiscreet“Battista“followingthem，thoughkeepingnowafewpacesfartherintherear。
　　Foralittlewhiletheyappearedconstrained，andtheirtalkwasofthefallingleavesandthegratefulchangethathadsosuddenlycomeupontheweather。Suddenlyshestoppedandfacedhim。
　　“Willyoudomeafavour，Marius？“sheasked。Hehaltedtoo，andturnedtoher，studyinghergentleface，seekingtoguesshermindintheclearhazeleyessheraisedtohis。Hiseyebrowsliftedslightlywithsurprise。Nevertheless-
　　“Thereisinalltheworld，Valerie，nothingyoucouldaskmethatIwouldnotdo，“heprotested。
　　Shesmiledwistfully。“Howeasyitistoutterwords！“shesighed。
　　“Marryme，“heanswered，leaningtowardsher，hiseyesdevouringhernow，“andyoushallfindmywordsveryquicklyturnedtodeeds。”
　　“Ah，“saidshe，andhersmilebroadenedandtookonascornfultwist，“youmakeconditionsnow。IfIwillmarryyou，thereisnothingyouwillnotdoforme；sothat，conversely，ImaytakeitthatifIdonotmarryyou，thereisnothingyouwilldo。Butinthemeantime，Marius，untilIresolvemewhetherIwillmarryyouornot，wouldyounotdoalittlethingthatImightaskofyou？“
　　“Untilyouresolve？“hecried，andhisfaceflushedwiththesuddenhopehegatheredfromthosewords。Hithertotherehadbeennosuggestionofapossiblemodificationofattitudetowardshissuit。
　　Ithadbeenrepulsion，definiteanduncompromising。Againhestudiedherface。Wasshefoolinghim，thisgirlwiththeangel-innocenceofglance？Thethoughtofsuchapossibilitycooledhiminstantly。
　　“Whatisityouwantofme？“heasked，hisvoiceungracious。
　　“Onlyalittlething，Marius。”Herglancetravelledbackoverhershouldertothetall，limberfellowinleatherjerkinandwithcross-garteredlegswholoungedadozenstepsbehindthem。“Ridmeofthatruffian”scompany，“saidshe。
　　Mariuslookedbackat“Battista，“andfromhimtoValerie。Thenhesmiledandmadeaslightmovementwithhisshoulders。
　　“Buttowhatend？“heasked，asonewhopleadinglyopposesanargumentthatisunreasonable。“Anotherwouldreplacehim，andthereislittletochooseamongthementhatgarrisonCondillac。”
　　“Little，perhaps；butthatlittlematters。”Sureofherground，andgatheringfromhistoneandmannerthatthemoreardentlyshebeggedthisthingthelesslikelywoulditbethatsheshouldprevail，shepursuedherintercessionswithagreaterheat。“Oh，“shecried，inapretendedrage，“itistoinsultmetogivemethatuncleanknaveforperpetualcompany。Iloatheanddetesthim。Theverysightofhimistoomuchtoendure。”
　　“Youexaggerate，“saidhecoldly。
　　“Idonot；indeedIdonot，“sherejoined，lookingfrankly，pleadinglyintohisface。“Youdonotrealizewhatitistosuffertheinsolentvigilanceofsuchashe；tofeelthatyoureverystepisundersurveillance；tofeelhiseyeseveruponyouwhenyouarewithinhissight。Oh，itisinsufferable！“
　　Suddenlyhegrippedherarm，hisfacewithinahand”sbreadthofherown，hiswordsfallinghotandquicklyonherear。
　　“Itisyourstoenditwhenyouwill，Valerie，“hepassionatelyremindedher。“Giveyourselfintomykeeping。Letitbeminetowatchoveryouhenceforth。Letme-“
　　Abruptlyheceased。Shehaddrawnbackherhead，herfacewaswhitetothelips，andinhereyes，astheydweltonhisatsuchclosequarters，thereappearedalookofterror，ofloathingunutterable。
　　Hesawit，andreleasingherarmhefellbackasifshehadstruckhim。Thecolourlefthisfacetoo。
　　“Orisit，“hemutteredthickly，“thatIinspireyou，withmuchthesamefeelingasdoeshe？“
　　Shestoodbeforehimwithloweredeyelids，herbosomheavingstillfromtheagitationoffearhisclosenesshadarousedinher。Hestudiedherinsilenceamoment，withnarrowingeyesandtighteninglips。Thenangerstirredinhim，andquenchedthesorrowwithwhichatfirsthehadmarkedthesignsofherrepulsion。ButangerinMariusdeCondillacwasacoldanddeadlyemotionthatventeditselfinnorantings，utterednoloud-voicedthreatsordenunciations，promptednowavingofarmsorpluckingforthofweapons。
　　Hestoopedtowardsheragainfromhisstately，gracefulheight。Thecrueltyhiddeninthebeautifullinesofhismouthtookinstantprominenceinthesmilethatflickeredroundit。
　　“IthinkthatBattistamakesaveryexcellentwatchdog，“hesaid，andyouwouldhavethoughthimamused，asifatthefoolishsubterfugeofsomelittlechild。“Youmayberighttodislikehim。
　　HeknowsnoFrench，sothatitmaynotbeyourstopervertandbribehimwithpromisesofwhatyouwilldoifheassistsyoutoescape；
　　butyouwillseethatthisveryqualitywhichrendershimdetestabletoyourendershiminvaluabletous。”
　　Helaughedsoftly，asonewellpleasedwithhisownastuteness，doffedhishatwithapolitenessalmostexaggerated，andwhistlinghisdogheabruptlylefther。
　　ThuswereMariusandhismother-towhomheborethetaleofValerie”srequest-trickedfurtherintoreposingtheveryfullesttrustinthewatchful，incorruptible“Battista。”Realizingthatthiswouldbeso，Garnachenowappliedhimselfmoreunreservedlytoputtingintoeffecttheplanshehadbeenmaturing。Andhewentaboutitwithazestthatknewnoflagging，witharelishthatnothingcouldimpair。NotthatitwasotherthanusualforGarnachetoflinghimselfwhole-heartedlyintotheconductofanyenterprisehemighthaveuponhishands；buthehadcomeintothisaffairatCondillacagainsthiswill；stressofcircumstancesitwashaddrivenhimon，stepbystep，totakeapersonalhandintheactualdeliveranceofValerie。
　　ItwasvanityandpridethathadturnedhimbackwhenalreadyhewasontheroadtoParis；notwithoutyetafurtherstrugglewouldheacceptdefeat。Tothisendhadhebeendriven，forthefirsttimeinhislife，totheindignityofhisfouldisguise；andhe，whosemethodshadeverbeendirect，hadbeenforcedtohaverecoursetothecommonestofsubterfuges。Itwaswithangerinhisheartthathehadproceededtoplaytheparthehadassumed。Hefeltittobeathingunworthyofhim，athingthatderogatedfromhisself-respect。Hadhebuthadthejustificationofsomehighpoliticalaim，hemighthaveendureditwithabetterresignation；themomentousendtobeservedmighthavesanctionedtheignoblemeansadopted。Butherewasataskinitselfalmostasunworthyofhimsthemethodsbywhichhenowsetaboutaccomplishingit。Hewastoblackhisfaceanddyehisbeardandhair，stainhisskinandgarbhimselfinfilthyrags，fornobetterendthanthathemightcompasstheenlargementofagirlfromthecaptivityintowhichshehadbeenforcedbyadesigningladyofDauphiny。Wasthatatasktosetasoldier，amanofhisyearsandbirthandname？Hehadrevoltedatit；yetthatstubbornprideofhisthatwouldnotbrookhisreturntoParistoconfesshimselfdefeatedbyawomanoverthiswoman”sbusiness，heldhimrelentlesslytohisdistastefulcourse。
　　Andgraduallythedistasteofithadmelted。Ithadbeguntofallawayfivenightsago，whenhehadheardwhatpassedbetweenMadamedeCondillacandValerie。Agreatpityforthisgirl，agreatindignationagainstthosewhowouldaccountnomeanstoobasetoachievetheirendswithher，aproperrealizationoftheindignitiesshewassuffering，causedhimtoshedsomeofhisreluctance，someofhissenseofinjurytohimself。
　　Hisinnatechivalry，thatfinespiritofhiswhichhadeverpromptedhimtodefendtheweakagainsttheoppressor，stirredhimnow，andstirredhimtosuchpurposethat，intheend，fromtakinguptheburdenofhistaskreluctantly，hecametobearitzestfullyandalmostgladly。Hewasrejoicedtodiscoverhimselfequippedwithhistrionicgiftsofwhichhehadhadnosuspicionhitherto，anditdelightedhimtosetthemintoactivity。
　　NowithappenedthatatCondillactherewasafellowcountrymanof“Battista”s，“amercenaryfromNorthernItaly，arascalnamedArsenio，whomFortuniohadenlistedwhenfirsthebegantoincreasethegarrisonamonthago。Uponthisfellow”shonestyGarnachehadformeddesigns。Hehadcloselyobservedhim，andinArsenio”scountenancehethoughthedetectedasufficiencyofvillainytoaugurwellfortheprosperityofanyschemeoftreacherythatmightbesuggestedtohimprovidedtherewardwereadequate。
　　Garnachewentaboutsoundingthemanwithawilinesspeculiarlyhisown。ArseniobeinghisonlycompatriotatCondillacitwasnotwonderfulthatinhisfewdailyhoursofrelieffromhisgaoler”sduty“Battista“shouldseekoutthefellowandsitintalkwithhim。
　　Thepairbecameintimate，andintercoursebetweenthemgrewmorefreeandunrestrained。Garnachewaited，wishingtorisknothingbyprecipitancy，andwatchedforhisopportunity。ItcameonthemorrowofAllSaints。OnthatDayoftheDead，Arsenio，whoserearinghadbeenthatofatruesonofMotherChurch，wasstirredbythememoryofhisearthlymother，whohaddiedsomethreeyearsbefore。Hewassilentandmoody，andshowedlittleresponsivenesstoGarnache”sjestinghumour。Garnache，wonderingwhatmightbetowardinthefellow”smind，watchedhimclosely。
　　Suddenlythelittleman-hewasashort，bowlegged，sinewyfellow-heavedagreatsighashepluckedidlyataweedthatgrewbetweentwostonesoftheinnercourtyard，wheretheywereseatedonthechapelsteps。
　　“Youareadullcomradeto-day，compatriot，“saidGarnache，clappinghimontheshoulder。
　　“ItistheDayoftheDead，“thefellowansweredhim，asthoughthatwereanampleexplanation。Garnachelaughed。
　　“Tothosethataredeaditnodoubtis；sowasyesterday，sowillto-morrowbe。Buttouswhosithereitisthedayoftheliving。”
　　“Youareascoffer，“theotherreproachedhim，andhisrascallyfacewasoddlygrave。“Youdon”tunderstand。”
　　“Enlightenme，then。Convertme。”
　　“Itisthedaywhenourthoughtsturnnaturallytothedead，andminearewithmymother，whohaslaininhergravethesethreeyears。IamthinkingofwhatsherearedmeandofwhatIam。”
　　Garnachemadeagrimacewhichtheotherdidnotobserve。Hestaredatthelittlecut-throat，andtherewassomedismayinhisglance。
　　Whatailedtherogue？Washeabouttorepenthimofhissins，andtohavedonewithvillainyandtreachery；washemindedtoslitnomoregulletsinthefuture，befaithfultothehandthatpaidhim，andleadagodlierlife？Peste！ThatwasathingthatwouldnowisesuitMonsieurdeGarnache”sendsjustthen。IfArseniohadamindtoreform，lethimpostponethatreformationuntilGarnacheshouldhavedonewithhim。Soheopenedhislipsandletoutadeepguffawofmockery。
　　“Weshallhaveyouturningmonk，“saidhe，“acandidateforcanonizationgoingbarefoot，withflagellatedbackandshavenhead。
　　Nomorewine，nomoredice，nomorewenches，nomore-“
　　“Peace！“snappedtheother。
　　“Say”Pax，“”suggestedGarnache，“”Paxtecum”or`vobiscum。”Itisthusyouwillbesayingitlater。”
　　“Ifmyconsciencepricksme，isitaughttoyou？Haveyounoconscienceofyourown？“
　　“None。Menwaxleanonitinthisvaleoftears。Itisathinginventedbythegreattoenablethemtopursuethegrindingandoppressionofthesmall。Ifyourmasterpaysyouillforthedirtyworkyoudoforhimandanothercomesalongtoofferyousomerichrewardforanomissioninthatsameservice，youarewarnedthatifyouletyourselfbetempted，yourconsciencewillplagueyouafterwards。Pish！Aclumsy，childishdevicethat，tokeepyoufaithful。”
　　Arseniolookedup。Wordsthatdefamedthegreatwereeverwelcometohim；argumentsthatshowedhimhewasoppressedandimposeduponsoundedevergratefullyinhisears。Henoddedhisapprovalof“Battista”s“dictum。
　　“BodyofBacchus！“heswore，“youarerightinthat，compatriot。
　　Butmycaseisdifferent。IamthinkingofthecursethatMotherChurchhasputuponthishouse。YesterdaywasAllSaints，andneveraMassheardI。To-dayisAllSouls，andneveraprayermayIofferupinthisplaceofsinfortherestofmymother”ssoul。”
　　“Howso？“quothGarnache，lookinginwonderatthisreligiouslymindedcut-throat。
　　“Howso？IsnottheHouseofCondillacunderexcommunication，andeverymanwhostaysinitofhisownfreewill？PrayersandSacramentsarealikeforbiddenhere。”
　　Garnachereceivedasuddeninspiration。Heleapttohisfeet，hisfaceconvulsedasifatthehorroroflearningofahithertoundreamt-ofstateofthings。Heneverpausedtogiveamoment”sconsiderationtothecut-throat”smind，sowonderfullyconstitutedastoenablehimtobreakwithimpunityeveryoneofthecommandmentseverydayoftheweekforthematterofalouisd”orortwo，andyetbeafflictedbyqualmsofconscienceatlivingunderaroofuponwhichtheChurchhadhurledhermalediction。
　　“Whatareyousaying，compatriot？Whatisitthatyoutellme？“
　　“Thetruth，“saidArsenio，withashrug。“AnymanwhowilfullyabidesintheservicesofCondillac“-andinstinctivelyheloweredhisvoicelesttheCaptainortheMarquiseshouldbewithinearshot-，“isexcommunicate。”
　　“BytheHost！“sworethefalsePiedmontese。“IamaChristianmanmyself，Arsenio，andIhavelivedinignoranceofthisthing？“
　　“Thatignorancemaybeyourexcuse。Butnowthatyouknow-“
　　Arsenioshruggedhisshoulders。
　　“NowthatIknow，I，hadbesthaveacareofmysoulandlookaboutmeforotheremployment。”
　　“Alas！“sighedArsenio；“itisnonesoeasytofind。”
　　Garnachelookedathim。Garnachebegantohaveinhisluckastillgreaterfaiththanhitherto。Heglancedstealthilyaround；thenhesatdownagain，sothathismouthwasclosetoArsenio”sear。
　　“Thepayisbeggarlyhere，yetIhaverefusedafortuneofferedmebyanotherthatImightremainloyaltomymastersatCondillac。
　　Butthisthingthatyoutellmealterseverything。BytheHost！
　　yes。”
　　“Afortune？“sneeredArsenio。
　　“Aye，afortune-atleast，fiftypistoles。Thatisafortunetosomeofus。”
　　Arseniowhistled。“Tellmemore，“saidhe。
　　Garnacherosewiththeairofoneabouttodepart。
　　“Imustthinkofit，“saidhe，andhemadeshifttogo。Buttheother”shandfellwithaclenchinggripuponhisarm。
　　“Ofwhatmustyouthink，fool？“saidhe。“Tellmethisserviceyouhavebeenoffered。Ihaveaconsciencethatupbraidsme。Ifyourefusethesefiftypistoles，whyshouldnotIprofitbyyourfolly？“
　　“Therewouldnotbetheneed。TwomenarerequiredforthethingI
　　speakof，andtherearefiftypistolesforeach。IfIdecidetoundertakethetask，I”llspeakofyouasalikelysecond。”
　　Henoddedgloomilytohiscompanion，andshakingoffhisholdhesetouttocrosstheyard。ButArseniowasafterhimandhadfastenedagainuponhisarm，detaininghim。
　　“Youfool！“saidhe；“you”dnotrefusethisfortune？“
　　“Itwouldmeantreachery，“whisperedGarnache。
　　“Thatisbad，“theotheragreed，andhisfacefell。ButrememberingwhatGarnachehadsaid，hewasquicktobrightenagain。“IsittothesefolkhereatCondillac？“heasked。Garnachenodded。“Andtheywouldpay-thesepeoplethatseekourservicewouldpayyoufiftypistoles？“
　　“Theyseekmyserviceonly，asyet。TheymightseekyourswereI
　　tospeakforyou。”
　　“Andyouwill，compatriot。Youwill，willyounot？Wearecomrades，wearefriends，andwearefellow-countrymeninastrangeland。ThereisnothingIwouldnotdoforyou，Battista。Look，Iwoulddieforyouifthereshouldcometheneed！BodyofBacchus！Iwould。IamlikethatwhenIloveaman。”
　　Garnachepattedhisshoulder。“Youareagoodfellow，Arsenio。”
　　“Andyouwillspeakforme？“
　　“Butyoudonotknowthenatureoftheservice，“saidGarnache。
　　“Youmayrefuseitwhenitisdefinitelyofferedyou。”
　　“Refusefiftypistoles？IshoulddeservetobethepauperthatI
　　amifsuchhadbeenmyhabits。Betheservicewhatitmay，myconsciencepricksmeforservingCondillac。Tellmehowthefiftypistolesaretobeearned，andyoumaycountuponmetoputmyhandtoanything。”
　　Garnachewassatisfied。ButhetoldArsenionomorethatday，beyondassuringhimhewouldspeakforhimandlethimknowuponthemorrow。Noronthemorrow，whentheyreturnedtothesubjectatArsenio”seagerdemand，didGarnachetellhimall，oreventhattheservicewasmademoiselle”s。InsteadhepretendedthatitwassomeoneinGrenoblewhoneededtwosuchmenasthey。
　　“Wordhasbeenbroughtme，“hesaidmysteriously。“Youmustnotaskmehow。”
　　“ButhowthedevilarewetoreachGrenoble？TheCaptainwillneverletusgo，“saidArsenio，inanill-humour。
　　“Onthenightthatyouareofthewatch，Arsenio，wewilldeparttogetherwithoutaskingtheCaptain”sleave。YoushallopentheposternwhenIcometojoinyouhereinthecourtyard。”
　　“Butwhatofthemanatthedooryonder？“Andhejerkedhisthumbtowardsthetowerwheremademoisellewasacaptive，andwhereatnight“Battista“waslockedinwithher。Atthedoorleadingtothecourtyardasentrywasalwayspostedforgreatersecurity。ThatdoorandthatsentrywereobstacleswhichGarnachesawthefutilityofattemptingtoovercomewithoutaid。ThatwaswhyhehadbeenforcedtoenlistArsenio”sassistance。
　　“Youmustaccountforhim，Arsenio，“saidhe。
　　“Thus？“inquiredArseniocoolly，andhepassedtheedgeofhishandsignificantlyacrosshisthroat。Garnacheshookhishead。
　　“No，“saidhe；“therewillbenoneedforthat。Ablowovertheheadwillsuffice。Besides，itmaybequieter。Youwillfindthekeyofthetowerinhisbelt。Whenyouhatefelledhim，getitandunlockthedoor；thenwhistleforme。Therestwillbeeasy。”
　　“Youaresurehehasthekey？“
　　“Ihaveitfrommadameherself。Theywereforcedtoleaveitwithhimtoprovideforemergencies。Mademoiselle”sattemptedescapebythewindowshowedthemthenecessityforit。”Hedidnotaddthatitwastheimplicitconfidencetheyreposedin“Battista“himselfthathadovercometheirreluctancetoleavethekeywiththesentry。
　　Tosealthebargain，andinearnestofallthegoldtocome，GarnachegaveArsenioacoupleofgoldlouisasaloantoberepaidhimwhentheirnamelessemployershouldpayhimhisfiftypistolesinGrenoble。
　　ThesightandtouchofthegoldconvincedArseniothatthethingwasnodream。HetoldGarnachethathebelievedhewouldbeonguard-dutyonthenightofthefollowingWednesday-thiswasFriday-andsoforWednesdaynexttheylefttheexecutionoftheirplansunless，meantime，achangeshouldbeeffectedinthedispositionofthesentries。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THECOURIER
　　MonsieurdeGarnachewaspleasedwiththeissueofhislittleaffairwithArsenio。
　　“Mademoiselle，“hetoldValeriethatevening，“Iwasrighttohavefaithinmyluck，righttobelievethatthetideofitisflowing。
　　Allweneednowisalittlepatience；everythinghasbecomeeasy。”
　　Itwasthehourofsupper。Valeriewasattableinheranteroom，and“Battista“wasinattendance。Itwasanaddeddutytheyhadimposeduponhim，for，sinceherattempttoescape，mademoiselle”simprisonmenthadbeenrenderedmorerigorousthanever。Noservantofthechateauwasallowedpastthedooroftheouteranteroom，nowcommonlyspokenofastheguardroomofthetower。ValeriedineddailyinthesalonwithMadamedeCondillacandMarius，butherothermealswereservedherinherownapartments。Theservantswhobroughtthemealsfromthekitchendeliveredthemto“Battista“
　　intheguardroom，andheitwaswholaidtheclothandwaiteduponmademoiselle。Atfirstthisaddeddutyhadirritatedhimmorethanallthathehadsofarendured。HadheMartinMarieRigobertdeGarnachelivedtodischargethedutiesofalackey，tobeardishestoalady”stableandtoremainathandtoserveher？Theverythoughthadallbutsethiminarage。Butpresentlyhegrewreconciledtoit。Itaffordedhimparticularopportunitiesofbeinginmademoiselle”spresenceandofconferringwithher；andforthesakeofsuchanadvantagehemightwellbelittletheunsavourypartoftheaffair。
　　Ahalf-dozencandlesburnedintwogleamingsilversconcesonthetable；inhertall-backedleatherchairmademoisellesat，andateanddrankbutlittle，whileGarnachetoldherofthepreparationshehadmade。
　　“IfmyluckbutholdsuntilWednesdaynext，“heconcluded，“youmaycountuponbeingwelloutofCondillac。Arseniodoesnotdreamthatyoucomewithus，sothatevenshouldhechangehismind，atleastwehavenocausetofearabetrayal。Buthewillnotchangehismind。Theprospectoffiftypistoleshasrendereditimmutable。”
　　Shelookedupathimwitheyesbrightenedbyhopeandbytheencouragementtocountuponsuccesswhichshegatheredfromhisoptimism。
　　“Youhavecontriveditmarvellouslywell，“shepraisedhim。“Ifwesucceed-“
　　“Saywhenwesucceed，mademoiselle，“helaughinglycorrectedher。
　　“Verywell，then-whenweshallhavesucceededinleavingCondillac，whitheramItogo？“
　　“Why，withme，toParis，aswasdetermined。MymanawaitsmeatVoironwithmoneyandhorses。NofurtherobstacleshallrisetohamperusonceourbacksareturnedupontheuglywallsofCondillac。
　　TheQueenshallmakeyouwelcomeandkeepyousafeuntilMonsieurFlorimondcomestoclaimhisbride。”
　　Shesippedherwine，thensetdowntheglassandleanedherelbowonthetable，takingherchininherfinewhitehand。“Madametellsmethatheisdead，“saidshe，andGarnachewasshockedatthecomparativecalmnesswithwhichshesaidit。Helookedathersharplyfromunderhissootedbrows。Wasshe，afterall，hewondered，nodifferentfromotherwomen？Wasshecoldandcalculating，andhadsheaslittleheartashehadcometobelievewasusualwithhersex，thatshecouldcontemplatesocalmlythepossibilityofherloverbeingdead？Hehadthoughtherbetter，morenatural，morelarge-heartedandmorepure。Thathadencouragedhimtostandbyherinthesestraitsofhers，nomatteratwhatlossofdignitytohimself。Itbegantoseemthathisconclusionshadbeenwrong。
　　Hissilencecausedhertolookup，andinhisfaceshereadsomethingofwhatwaspassinginhisthoughts。Shesmiledratherwanly。
　　“Youarethinkingmeheartless，MonsieurdeGarnache？“
　　“Iamthinkingyou-womanly。”
　　“Thesamething，then，toyourmind。Tellme，monsieur，doyouknowmuchofwomen？“
　　“Godforbid！Ihavefoundtroubleenoughinanylife。”
　　“Andyoupassjudgmentthusuponasexwithwhichyouhavenoacquaintance？“
　　“Notbyacquaintanceonlyisitthatwecometoknowledge。Therearewaysoflearningotherthanbytheroadofexperience。Onemaylearnofdangersbywatchingothersperish。Itisthefoolwhowillbesatisfiedalonewiththeknowledgethatcomestohimfromwhatheundergoeshimself。”
　　“Youareverywise，monsieur，“saidshedemurely，sodemurelythathesuspectedheroflaughingathim。“Youwereneverwed？“
　　“Never，mademoiselle，“heansweredstiffly，“noreverinanydangerofit。”
　　“Mustyou，indeed，accountitadanger？“
　　“Adeadlyperil，mademoiselle，“saidhe；whereupontheybothlaughed。
　　Shepushedbackherchairandroseslowly。Slowlyshepassedfromthetableandsteppedtowardsthewindow。Turningshesetherbacktoit，andfacedhim。
　　“MonsieurdeGarnache，“saidshe，“youareagoodman，atrueandnoblegentleman。Iwouldthatyouthoughtalittlebetterofus。
　　Allwomenarenotcontemptible，believeme。IwillpraythatyoumayyetmatewithonewhowillprovetoyouthetruthofwhatIsay。”
　　Hesmiledgently，andshookhishead。
　　“Mychild，“saidhe，“Iamnothalfthenoblefellowyouaccountme。
　　Ihaveastubbornpridethatstandsmeattimesinthesteadofvirtue。Itwaspridebroughtmebackhere，forinstance。IcouldnotbrookthelaughterthatwouldgreetmeinParisdidIconfessthatIwasbeatenbytheDowagerofCondillac。Itellyouthistotheendthat，thinkinglesswellofme，youmaysparemeprayerswhichIshoulddreadtoseefulfilled。Ihavetoldyoubefore，mademoiselle，Heavenislikelytoanswertheprayersofsuchaheartasyours。”
　　“Yetbutamomentbackyoudeemedmeheartless，“sheremindedhim。
　　“YouseemedsoindifferenttothefateofFlorimonddeCondillac。”
　　“Imusthaveseemed，then，whatIamnot，“shetoldhim，“forIamfarfromindifferenttoFlorimond”sfate。Thetruthis，monsieur，IdonotbelieveMadamedeCondillac。Knowingmetobeunderapromisethatnaughtcanprevailuponmetobreak，shewouldhavemebelievethatnaturehasdissolvedtheobligationforme。ShethinksthatwereIpersuadedofFlorimond”sdeath，ImightturnaneartothewooingofMarius。Butsheismistaken，utterlymistaken；andsoIsoughttoconvinceher。MyfatherwilledthatIshouldwedFlorimond。Florimond”sfatherhadbeenhisdearestfriend。I
　　promisedhimthatIwoulddohiswill，andbythatpromiseIambound。ButwereFlorimondindeeddead，andwereIfreetochoose，IshouldnotchooseMariuswerehetheonlymaninalltheworld。”
　　Garnachemovednearertoher。
　　“Youspeak，“saidhe，“asifyouwereindifferentinthematterofweddingFlorimond，whilstIunderstandthatyourlettertotheQueenprofessedyoueagerforthealliance。Imaybeimpertinent，but，frankly，yourattitudepuzzlesme。”
　　“Iamnotindifferent，“sheansweredhim，butcalmly，withoutenthusiasm。“FlorimondandIwereplaymates，andasalittlechildIlovedhimandadmiredhimasImighthavelovedandadmiredabrotherperhaps。Heiscomely，honourable，andtrue。Ibelievehewouldbethekindesthusbandeverwomanhad，andsoIamcontenttogivemylifeintohiskeeping。Whatmorecanbeneeded？“
　　“Neveraskme，mademoiselle；Iambynomeansanauthority，“saidhe。“Butyouappeartohavebeenwellschooledinamostexcellentphilosophy。”Andhelaughedoutright。Shereddenedunderhisamusement。
　　“Itwasthusmyfathertaughtme，“saidshe，inquietertones；“andhewasthewisestmanIeverknew，justashewasthenoblestandthebravest。”
　　Garnachebowedhishead。“Godresthissoul！“saidhewithrespectfulfervour。
　　“Amen，“thegirlreplied，andtheyfellsilent。
　　Presentlyshereturnedtothesubjectofherbetrothed。
　　“IfFlorimondisliving，thisprolongedabsence，thislackofnewsisverystrange。Itisthreemonthssincelastweheardofhim-
　　fourmonths，indeed。Yethemusthavebeenapprisedofhisfather”sdeath，andthatshouldhaveoccasionedhisreturn。”
　　“Washeindeedapprisedofit？“inquiredGarnache。“Didyou，yourself，communicatethenewstohim？“
　　“I？“shecried。“Butno，monsieur。Wedonotcorrespond。”
　　“Thatisapity，“saidGarnache，“forIbelievethattheknowledgeoftheMarquis”sdeathwaskeptfromhimbyhisstepmother。”
　　“MonDieu！“sheexclaimed，inhorror。“Doyoumeanthathemaystillbeinignoranceofit？“
　　“Notthat。AmonthagoacourierwasdispatchedtohimbytheQueen-Mother。Thelastnewsofhimsomefourmonthsold，asyouhavesaid-reportedhimatMilanintheserviceofSpain。ThitherwasthecouriersenttofindhimandtodeliverhimletterssettingforthwhatwastowardatCondillac。”
　　“Amonthago？“shesaid。“Andstillwehavenoword。Iamfulloffearsforhim，monsieur。”
　　“AndI，“saidGarnache，“amfullofhopethatweshallhavenewsofhimatanymoment。”
　　Thathewaswelljustifiedofhishopewastobeprovenbeforetheyweremanydaysolder。MeanwhileGarnachecontinuedtoplayhispartofgaolertotheentiresatisfactionandincreasedconfidenceoftheCondillacs，whattimehewaitedpatientlyfortheappointednightwhenitshouldbehisfriendArsenio”sturntotaketheguard。
　　OnthatfatefulWednesday“Battista“soughtout-ashadnowbecomehisinvariablecustom-hiscompatriotassoonasthetimeofhisnoontiderestwascome，thehouratwhichtheydinedatCondillac。
　　HefoundArseniosunninghimselfintheoutercourtyard，foritseemedthatyearthatasthewinterapproachedthewarmthincreased。
　　NevercouldmanremembersuchaSaintMartin”sSummeraswasthis。
　　Insofarasthematteroftheirimpendingflightwasconcerned，“Battista“wasasbriefashecouldbe。
　　“Isallwell？“heasked。“Shallyoubeonguardto-night？“
　　“Yes。Itismywatchfromsunsettilldawn。Atwhathourshallwebestirring？“
　　Garnacheponderedamoment，strokingthatfirmchinofhis，onwhichtheerstwhilestubblehadnowgrownintoastraggling，unkemptbeard-anditplaguedhimnotalittle，foracloseobservermighthavediscoveredthatitwasofalightercolourattheroots。Hishair，too，wasbeginningtoloseitsglossyblackness。Itwasturningdull，andpresently，nodoubt，itwouldbegintopale，sothatitwashightimehespreadhiswingsandtookflightfromCondillac。
　　“Wehadbestwaituntilmidnight。Itwillgivethemtimetobesoundlyintheirslumbers。Though，shouldtherebesignsofanyonestirringeventhen，youhadbetterwaittilllater。Itwerefoolishtoriskhavingourgoingpreventedforthesakeofleavingahalf-hourearlier。”
　　“Dependuponme，“Arsenioansweredhim。“WhenIopenthedoorofyourtowerIshallwhistletoyou。Thekeyoftheposternhangsontheguardroomwall。IshallpossessmyselfofthatbeforeIcome。”
　　“Good，“saidGarnache，“weunderstandeachother。”
　　Andonthattheymighthavepartedthereandthen，butthattherehappenedinthatmomentacommotionatthegate。Menhurriedfromtheguardhouse，andFortunio”svoicesoundedloudincommand。A
　　horsemanhadgallopeduptoCondillac，walkedhishorseacrossthebridge-whichwasraisedonlyatnight-andwasknockingwiththebuttofhiswhipanimperativesummonsuponthetimbersofthegate。