MyvisitorwasnaturallysurprisedtofindthatIhadnothingparticulartosaytohim.Idarednottellhimwhatoccupiedmythoughts,andfortherestinventionfailedme.Buthisgaietyandthoseprettyaffectationsonwhichhespentaninfinityofpains,forthepurpose,apparently,ofhidingthesterlingworthofacharacterdeficientneitherincouragenorbackbone,wereunitedtomuchgoodnature.BelievingatlastthatIhadsentforhiminafitofthevapours,hedevotedhimselftoamusingmeandabusingBruhl——averyfavouritepastimewithhim.Andinthiswayhemadeoutacalloftwohours.
IhadnotlongtowaitforproofofSimon\'swisdomintakingthisprecaution.Wethoughtitprudenttokeepwithindoorsafterourguest\'sdeparture,andsopassedthenightinignorancewhetheranythinghadhappenedornot.ButaboutsevennextmorningoneoftheMarquis\'sservants,despatchedbyM.d\'Agen,burstinuponuswiththenews——whichwasnonewsfromthemomenthishurriedfootstepsoundedonthestairsthatFatherAntoinehadbeensetuponandkilledthepreviousevening!
Iheardthisconfirmationofmyhopeswithgravethankfulness;
Simonwithsomuchemotionthatwhenthemessengerwasgonehesatdownonastoolandbegantosobandtrembleasifhehadlosthismother,insteadofamortalfoe.Itookadvantageoftheoccasiontoreadhimasermonontheendofcrookedcourses;
norcouldImyselfrecallwithoutashuddertheman\'slastwordstome;orthelawlessandevildesignsinwhichhehadrejoiced,whilestandingontheverybrinkofthepitwhichwastoswallowupbothhimandthemineverlastingdarkness.
Naturally,theuppermostfeelinginmymindwasrelief.Iwasfreeoncemore.Inallprobabilitythepriesthadkepthisknowledgetohimself,andwithouthimhisagentswouldbepowerless.Simon,itistrue,heardthatthetownwasmuchexcitedbytheevent;andthatmanyattributedittotheHuguenots.Butwedidnotsufferourselvestobedepressedbythis,norhadIanyforebodinguntilthesoundofasecondhurriedfootstepmountingthestairsreachedourears.
IknewthestepinamomentforM.d\'Agen\'s,andsomethingominousinitsringbroughtmetomyfeetbeforeheopenedthedoor.Significantaswashisfirsthastylookroundtheroom,herecoveredatsightofmeallhishabitualSANG-FROID.Hesalutedme,andspokecoolly,thoughrapidly.Buthepanted,andI
noticedinamomentthathehadlosthislisp.
\'Iamhappyinfindingyou,\'hesaid,closingthedoorcarefullybehindhim,\'forIamthebearerofillnews,andthereisnotamomenttobelost.Thekinghassignedanorderforyourinstantconsignmenttoprison,M.deMarsac,and,oncethere,itisdifficulttosaywhatmaynothappen.\'
\'Myconsignment?\'Iexclaimed.Imaybepardonedifthenewsforamomentfoundmeunprepared.
\'Yes,\'herepliedquickly.\'ThekinghassigneditattheinstanceofMarshalRetz.\'
\'Butforwhat?\'Icriedinamazement.
\'ThemurderofFatherAntoine.Youwillpardonme,\'hecontinuedurgently,\'butthisisnotimeforwords.TheProvost-Marshalisevennowonhiswaytoarrestyou.Youronlyhopeistoevadehim,andgainanaudienceoftheking.Ihavepersuadedmyuncletogowithyou,andheiswaitingathislodgings.Thereisnotamomenttobelost,however,ifyouwouldreachtheking\'spresencebeforeyouarearrested.\'
\'ButIaminnocent!\'Icried.
\'Iknowit,\'M.d\'Agenanswered,\'andcanproveit.Butifyoucannotgetspeechofthekinginnocencewillavailyounothing.
Youhavepowerfulenemies.Comewithoutmoreado,M.deMarsac,Ipray,\'headded.
Hismanner,evenmorethanhiswords,impressedmewithasenseofurgency;andpostponingforatimemyownjudgment,I
hurriedlythankedhimforhisfriendlyoffices.Snatchingupmysword,whichlayonachair,Ibucklediton;forSimon\'sfingerstrembledsoviolentlyhecouldgivemenohelp.ThisdoneI
noddedtoM.d\'Agentogofirst,andfollowedhimfromtheroom,Simonattendingusofhisownmotion.Itwouldbethenabouteleveno\'clockintheforenoon.
Mycompanionrandownthestairswithoutceremony,andsoquicklyitwasallIcoulddotokeepupwithhim.Attheouterdoorhesignedmetostand,anddartinghimselfintothestreet,helookedanxiouslyinthedirectionoftheRueSt.Denys.
Fortunatelythecoastwasstillclear,andhebeckonedtometofollowhim.Ididsoandstartingtowalkintheoppositedirectionasfastaswecould,inlessthanaminutewehadputacornerbetweenusandthehouse.
Ourhopesofescapingunseen,however,werepromptlydashed.Thehouse,Ihavesaid,stoodinaquietby-street,whichwasboundedonthefarthersidebyagarden-wallbuttressedatintervals.Wehadscarcelygoneadozenpacesfrommydoorwhenamanslippedfromtheshelterofoneofthesebuttresses,andafterasingleglanceatus,setofftoruntowardstheRueSt.Denys.
M.d\'Agenlookedbackandnodded.\'Theregoesthenews,\'hesaid.\'Theywilltrytocutusoff,butIthinkwehavethestartofthem.\'
Imadenoreply,feelingthatIhadresignedmyselfentirelyintohishands.ButaswepassedthroughtheRuedeValois,inpartofwhichamarketwasheldatthishour,attractingaconsiderableconcourseofpeasantsandothers,IfanciedI
detectedsignsofunusualbustleandexcitement.Itseemedunlikelythatnewsofthepriest\'smurdershouldaffectsomanypeopleandtosuchadegree,andIaskedM.d\'Agenwhatitmeant.
\'Thereisarumourabroad,\'heanswered,withoutslackeningspeed,\'thatthekingintendstomovesouthtoToursatonce.\'
Imutteredmysurpriseandsatisfaction.\'HewillcometotermswiththeHuguenotsthen?\'Isaid.
\'Itlookslikeit,\'M.d\'Agenrejoined.\'Retz\'spartyareinanill-humouronthataccount,andwillwreakitonyouiftheygetachance.Onguard!\'headdedabruptly.\'Herearetwoofthem!\'
Ashespokeweemergedfromthecrowd,andIsaw,halfadozenpacesinfront;ofus,andcomingtomeetus,acoupleofCourtgallants,attendedbyasmanyservants.Theyespiedusatthesamemoment,andcameacrossthestreet,whichwastolerablywideatthatpart,withtheevidentintentionofstoppingus.
Simultaneously,however,wecrossedtotaketheirside,andsometthemfacetofaceinthemiddleoftheway.
\'M.d\'Agen,\'theforemostexclaimed,speakinginahaughtytone,andwithadarksideglanceatme,\'Iamsorrytoseeyouinsuchcompany!DoubtlessyouarenotawarethatthisgentlemanisthesubjectofanorderwhichhasevennowbeenissuedtotheProvost-Marshal.\'
\'Andifso,sir?Whatofthat?\'mycompanionlispedinhissilkiesttone.
\'Whatofthat?\'theothercried,frowning,andpushingslightlyforward.
\'Precisely,\'M.d\'Agenrepeated,layinghishandonhishiltanddecliningtogiveback.\'IamnotawarethathisMajestyhasappointedyouProvost-Marshal,orthatyouhaveanywarrant,M.
Villequier,empoweringyoutostopgentlemeninthepublicstreets.\'
M.Villequierreddenedwithanger.\'Youareyoung,M.d\'Agen,\'
hesaid,hisvoicequivering,\'orIwouldmakeyoupaydearlyforthat!\'
\'Myfriendisnotyoung,\'M.d\'Agenretorted,bowing.\'Heisagentlemanofbirth,M.Villequier;byrepute,asIlearnedyesterday,oneofthebestswordsmeninFrance,andnoGascon.
Ifyoufeelinclinedtoarresthim,doso,Ipray.AndIwillhavethehonourofengagingyourson.\'
Aswehadallbythistimeourhandsonourswords,thereneededbutablowtobringaboutoneofthosestreetbrawlswhichweremorecommonthenthannow.Anumberofmarket-people,drawntothespotbyourraisedvoices,hadgatheredround,andwerewaitingeagerlytoseewhatwouldhappen.ButVilleqier,asmycompanionperhapsknew,wasaGasconinheartaswellasbybirth,andseeingourdeterminedaspects,thoughtbetterofit.
Shrugginghisshoulderswithanaffectationofdisdainwhichimposedonnoone,hesignalledtohisservantstogoon,andhimselfstoodaside.
\'Ithankyouforyourpoliteoffer,\'hesaidwithanevilsmile,\'andwillrememberit.Butasyousay,sir,IamnottheProvost-Marshal.\'
Payinglittleheedtohiswords,webowed,passedhim,andhurriedon.Buttheperilwasnotover.NotonlyhadtheRENCONTREcostussomepreciousminutes,buttheGascon,afterlettingusproceedalittleway,followedus.Andwordbeingpassedbyhisservants,aswesupposed,thatoneofuswasthemurdererofFatherAntoine,therumourspreadthroughthecrowdlikewildfire,andinafewmomentswefoundourselvesattendedbyatroopofCANAILLEwho,hangingonourskirts,causedSimonFleixnolittleapprehension.NotwithstandingthecontemptwhichM.d\'Agen,whosebearingthroughoutwasadmirable,expressedforthem,wemighthavefounditnecessarytoturnandteachthemalessonhadwenotreachedM.deRambouillet\'sinthenickoftime;wherewefoundthedoorsurroundedbyhalfadozenarmedservants,atsightofwhomourpersecutorsfellbackwiththecowardicewhichisusuallyfoundinthatclass.
IfIhadbeentemptedoflatetothinkM.deRambouilletfickle,Ihadnoreasontocomplainnow;whetherhisattitudewasduetoM.d\'Agen\'srepresentations,ortothereflectionthatwithoutmetheplanshehadatheartmustmiscarry.Ifoundhimwaitingwithin,attendedbythreegentlemen,allcloakedandreadyfortheroad;whiletheairofpurpose,whichsatonhisbrowindicatedthathethoughtthecrisisnocommonone.Notamomentwaslost,eveninexplanations.Wavingmetothedooragain,andexchangingafewsentenceswithhisnephew,hegavethewordtostart,andweissuedfromthehouseinabody.Doubtlessthefactthatthosewhosoughttoruinmewerehispoliticalenemieshadsomeweightwithhim;forIsawhisfacehardenashiseyesmetthoseofM.deVillequier,whopassedslowlybeforethedooraswecameout.TheGascon,however,wasnotthemantointerferewithsolargeaparty,anddroppedback;whileM.deRambouillet,afterexchangingacoldsalutewithhim,ledthewaytowardstheCastleataroundpace.HisnephewandIwalkedoneoneithersideofhim,andtheothers,tothenumberoftenoreleven,pressedonbehindinacompactbody,ourcortegepresentingsodeterminedafrontthatthecrowd,whichhadremainedhangingaboutthedoor,fledeveryway.Evensomepeaceablefolkwhofoundthemselvesinourroadtooktheprecautionofslippingintodoorways,orstoodasidetogiveusthefullwidthofthestreet.
Iremarked——andIthinkitincreasedmyanxiety——thatourleaderwasdressedwithmorethanusualcareandrichness,but,unlikehisattendants,worenoarms.Hetookoccasion,aswehurriedalong,togivemeawordofadvice.\'M.deMarsac,\'hesaid,lookingatmesuddenly,\'mynephewhasgivenmetounderstandthatyouplaceyourselfentirelyinmyhands.\'
IrepliedthatIaskedfornobetterfortune,and,whatevertheevent,thankedhimfromthebottomofmyheart.
\'BepleasedthentokeepsilenceuntilIbidyouspeak,\'herepliedsharply,forhewasoneofthosewhomasuddenstresssoursandexacerbates.\'And,aboveall,noviolencewithoutmyorders.Weareabouttofightabattle,andacriticalone,butitmustbewonwithourheads.IfwecanwewillkeepyououtoftheProvost-Marshal\'shands.\'
Andifnot?IrememberedthethreatsFatherAntoinehadused,andinamomentIlostsightofthestreetwithallitslightandlifeandmovement.Ifeltnolongerthewholesomestingingofthewind.Itastedinsteadafetidair,andsawroundmeanarrowcellandmaskedfigures,andinparticularaswarthymanisaleatherapronleaningoverabrazier,fromwhichcameluridflames.AndIwasbound.Iexperiencedthatutterhelplessnesswhichisthelasttestofcourage.Themancameforward,andthen——then,thankGod!thevisionpassedaway.AnexclamationtowhichM.d\'Agengavevent,broughtmebacktothepresent,andtotheblessedknowledgethatthefightwasnotyetover.
Wewerewithinascoreofpaces,Ifound,oftheCastlegates;
butsowerealsoasecondparty,whohadjustdebouchedfromaside-street,andnowhurriedon,paceforpace,withus,withtheevidentintentionofforestallingus,Theraceendedinbothcompaniesreachingtheentranceatthesametime,withtheconsequenceofsomejostlingtakingplaceamongsttheservants.
ThismusthaveledtoblowsbutforthestrenuouscommandswhichM.deRambouillethadlaiduponhisfollowers.Ifoundmyselfinamomentconfrontedbyarowofscowlingfaces,whileadozenthreateninghandswerestretchedouttowardsme,andasmanyvoices,amongwhichIrecognisedFresnoy\'s,criedouttumultuously,\'Thatishe!Thatistheone!\'
Anelderlymaninaquaintdresssteppedforward,apaperinhishand,and,backedashewasbyhalfadozenhalberdiers,wouldinamomenthavelaidhandsonmeifM.deRambouillethadnotintervenedwithanegligentairofauthority,whichsatonhimthemoregracefullyasheheldnothingbutariding-switchinhishands.\'Tut,tut!Whatisthis?\'hesaidlightly.\'Iamnotwonttohavemypeopleinterferedwith,M.Provost,withoutmyleave.Youknowme,Isuppose?\'
\'Perfectly,M.leMarquis,\'themanansweredwithdoggedrespect;
\'butthisisbytheking\'sspecialcommand.\'
\'Verygood,\'mypatronanswered,quietlyeyeingthefacesbehindtheProvost-Marshal,asifheweremakinganoteofthem;whichcausedsomeofthegentlemenmanifestuneasiness.\'Thatissoonseen,forweareevennowabouttoseekspeechwithhisMajesty.\'
\'Notthisgentleman,\'theProvost-Marshalansweredfirmly,raisinghishandagain.\'Icannotlethimpass.\'
\'Yes,thisgentlemantoo,byyourleave,\'theMarquisretorted,lightlyputtingthehandasidewithhiscane.
\'Sir,\'saidtheother,retreatingastep,andspeakingwithsomeheat,\'thisisnojestwithallrespect.Iholdtheking\'sownorder,anditmaynotberesisted.\'
Thenoblemantappedhissilvercomfit-boxandsmiled.\'Ishallbethelasttoresistit——ifyouhaveit,\'hesaidlanguidly.
\'Youmayreaditforyourself,\'theProvost-Marshalanswered,hispatienceexhausted.
M.deRambouillettooktheparchmentwiththeendsofhisfingers,glancedatit,andgaveitback.\'AsIthought,\'hesaid,\'amanifestforgery.\'
\'Aforgery!\'criedtheother,crimsonwithindignation.\'AndI
haditfromthehandsoftheking\'sownsecretary!\'Atthisthosebehindmurmured,some\'shame,\'andsomeonethingandsomeanother——allwithanairsothreateningthattheMarquis\'sgentlemenclosedupbehindhim,andM.d\'Agenlaughedrudely.
ButM.deRambouilletremainedunmoved.\'Youmayhavehaditfromwhomyouplease,sir,\'hesaid.\'Itisaforgery,andI
shallresistitsexecution.Ifyouchoosetoawaitmehere,I
willgiveyoumywordtorenderthisgentlemantoyouwithinanhour,shouldtheorderholdgood.Ifyouwillnotwait,Ishallcommandmyservantstocleartheway,andifillhappen,thentheresponsibilitywillliewithyou.\'
Hespokeinsoresoluteamanneritwasnotdifficulttoseethatsomethingmorewasatstakethanthearrestofasingleman.
Thiswasso;therealissuewaswhethertheking,withwhoseinstabilityitwasdifficulttocope,shouldfallbackintothehandsofhisoldadvisersornot.MyarrestwasamoveinthegameintendedasacounterblasttothevictorywhichM.deRambouillethadgainedwhenhepersuadedthekingtomovetoTours;acityintheneighbourhoodoftheHuguenots,andaplaceofarmswhenceunionwiththemwouldbeeasy.
TheProvost-Marshalcould,nodoubt,makeashrewdguessatthesethings.Heknewthattheorderhehadwouldbeheldvalidornotaccordingasonepartyortheothergainedthemastery;and,seeingM.deRambouillet\'sresolutedemeanour,hegaveway.
Rudelyinterruptedmorethanoncebyhisattendants,amongwhomweresomeofBruhl\'smen,hemutteredanungraciousassenttoourproposal;onwhich,andwithoutamoment\'sdelay,theMarquistookmebythearmandhurriedmeacrossthecourtyard.
Andsofar,well.Myheartbegantorise.But,fortheMarquis,aswemountedthestaircasetheanxietyhehaddissembledwhilewefacedtheProvost-Marshal,brokeoutinangrymutterings;fromwhichIgatheredthatthecrisiswasyettocome.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whenanusherroseonourappearanceintheantechamber,and,quicklycrossingthefloor,interposedbetweenusandthedoorofthechamber,informingtheMarquiswithalowobeisancethathisMajestywasengaged.
\'Hewillseeme,\'M.deRambouilletcried,lookinghaughtilyroundonthesneeringpagesandloungingcourtiers,whogrewcivilunderhiseye.
\'Ihaveparticularorders,sir,toadmitsoone,\'themananswered.
\'Tut,tut,theydonotapplytome,\'mycompanionretorted,nothingdaunted.\'Iknowthebusinessonwhichthekingisengaged,andIamheretoassisthim.\'Andraisinghishandhethrustthestartledofficialaside,andhardilypushedthedoorsofthechamberopen.
Theking,surroundedbyhalfadozenpersons,wasintheactofputtingonhisriding-boots.Onhearingus,heturnedhisheadwithastartledair,anddroppedinhisconfusiononeoftheivorycylindershewasusing;whilehisaspect,andthatofthepersonswhostoodroundhim,remindedmeirresistiblyofapartyofschoolboysdetectedinafault.
Herecoveredhimself,itistrue,almostimmediately;andturninghisbacktous?continuedtotalktothepersonsroundhimonsuchtriflingsubjectsascommonlyengagedhim.Hecarriedonthisconversationinaveryfreeway,studiouslyignoringourpresence;butitwasplainheremainedawareofit,andeventhathewasuneasyunderthecoldandseveregazewhichtheMarquis,whoseemedinnowiseaffrightedbyhisreception,bentuponhim.
I,formypart,hadnolongeranyconfidence.Nay,IcameneartoregrettingthatIhadperseveredinanattemptsouseless.
ThewarrantwhichawaitedmeatthegatesseemedlessformidablethanhisMajesty\'sgrowingdispleasure;whichIsawIwasincurringbyremainingwhereIwas.ItneedednottheinsolentglanceofMarshalRetz,wholoungedsmilingbytheking\'shand,orthelaughterofacoupleofpageswhostoodattheheadofthechamber,todeprivemeofmylasthope;whilesomethingswhichmighthavecheeredme——theuneasinessofsomeabouttheking,andthedisquietudewhichunderlayMarshalRetz\'smanner——escapedmynoticealtogether.
WhatIdidseeclearlywasthattheking\'sembarrassmentwasfastchangingtoanger.Thepaintwhichreddenedhischeekspreventedtinyalterationinhiscolourbeingvisible,buthisfrownandthenervousmannerinwhichhekepttakingoffandputtingonhisjewelledcapbetrayedhim.Atlength,signingtooneofhiscompanionstofollow,hemovedalittleasidetoawindow,whence,afterafewmoments,thegentlemancametous.
\'M.deRambouillet,\'hesaid,speakingcoldlyandformally,\'hisMajestyisdispleasedbythisgentleman\'spresence,andrequireshimtowithdrawforthwith.\'
\'HisMajesty\'swordislaw,\'mypatronanswered,bowinglow,andspeakinginaclearvoiceaudiblethroughout;thechamber,\'butthematterwhichbringsthisgentlemanhereisoftheutmostimportance,andtoucheshisMajesty\'sperson.\'
M.deRetzlaughedjeeringly.Theothercourtierslookedgrave.
Thekingshruggedhisshoulderswithapeevishgesture,butafteramoment\'shesitation,duringwhichhelookedfirstatRetzandthenatM.deRambouillet,hesignedtotheMarquistoapproach.
\'Whyhaveyoubroughthimhere?\'hemutteredsharply,lookingaskanceatme.\'Heshouldhavebeenbestowedaccordingtomyorders.\'
\'HehasinformationforyourMajesty\'sprivateear,\'Rambouilletanswered.AndhelookedsomeaninglyatthekingthatHenry,I
think,rememberedonasuddenhiscompactwithRosny,andmypartinit;forhestartedwiththeairofamansuddenlyawakened.
\'Topreventthatinformationreachingyou,sire,\'mypatroncontinued,\'hisenemieshavepractisedonyourMajesty\'swell-
knownsenseofjustice.\'
\'Oh,butstay,stay!\'thekingcried,hitchingforwardthescantycloakhewore,whichbarelycamedowntohiswaist.\'Themanhaskilledapriest!Hehaskilledapriest,man!\'
Herepeatedwithconfidence,asifhehadnowgotholdoftherightargument.
Thatisnotso,sire,cravingyourMajesty\'spardon,M.deRambouillet;repliedwiththeutmostcoolness.
\'Tut!Tut!Theevidenceisclear,\'thekingsaidpeevishly.
\'Astothat,sire,\'mycompanionrejoined,\'ifitisofthemurderofFatherAntoineheisaccused,Isayboldlythatthereisnone.\'
\'Thenthereyouaremistaken!\'thekinganswered.\'Ihearditwithmyownearsthismorning.\'
\'Willyoudeign,sire,totellmeitsnature?\'M.deRambouilletpersisted.
ButonthatMarshalRetzthoughtitnecessarytointervene.
\'NeedweturnhisMajesty\'schamberintoacourtofjustice?\'hesaidsmoothly.Hithertohehadnotspoken;trusting,perhaps,totheimpressionhehadalreadymadeupontheking.
M.deRambouillettooknonoticeofhim.
\'ButBruhl,\'saidtheking,\'yousee,Bruhlsays——\'
\'Bruhl!\'mycompanionreplied,withsomuchcontemptthatHenrystarted.\'SurelyyourMajestyhasnottakenhiswordagainstthisgentleman,ofallpeople?\'
Thusreminded,asecondtime,oftheinterestsentrustedtome,andoftheadvantagewhichBruhlwouldgainbymydisappearance,thekinglookedfirstconfused,andthenangry.Heventedhispassioninoneortwoprofaneoaths,withthechildishadditionthatwewereallasetoftraitors,andthathehadnoonewhomhecouldtrust.Butmycompanionhadtouchedtherightchordatlast;forwhenthekinggrewmorecomposed,hewavedasideMarshalRetz\'sprotestations,andsullenlybadeRambouilletsaywhathehadtosay.
\'Themonkwaskilled,sire,aboutsunset,\'heanswered.\'Nowmynephew,M.d\'Agen,iswithout,andwilltellyourMajestythathewaswiththisgentlemanathislodgingsfromaboutanhourbeforesunsetlasteveninguntilafullhourafter.Consequently,M.deMarsaccanhardlybetheassassin,andM.leMarechalmustlookelsewhereifhewantsvengeance.\'
\'Justice,sir,notvengeance.\'MarshalRetzsaidwithadarkglance.HiskeenItalianfacehidhistroublewell,butalittlepulseofpassionbeatinginhisolivecheekbetrayedthesecrettothosewhoknewhim.Hehadaharderparttoplaythanhisopponent;forwhileRambouillet\'shandswereclean,Retzknewhimselfatraitor,andliableatanymomenttodiscoveryandpunishment.
\'LetM.d\'Agenbecalled,\'Henrysaidcurtly.
\'AndifyourMajestypleases,\'Retzadded,\'M.deBruhlalso,Ifyoureallyintend,sire,thatis,toreopenamatterwhichI
thoughthadbeensettled.\'
Thekingnoddedobstinately,hisfacefurrowedwithill-temper.
Hekepthisshiftyeyes,whichseldommetthoseofthepersonheaddressed,onthefloor;andthisaccentuatedtheawkwardstoopingcarriagewhichwasnaturaltohim.Thereweresevenoreightdogsofexceedingsmallnessintheroom,andwhilewewaitedforthepersonswhohadbeensummoned,hekicked,nowoneandnowanotherofthebasketswhichheldthem,asifhefoundinthissomeventforhisill-humour.
Thewitnessespresentlyappeared,followedbyseveralpersons,amongwhomweretheDukesofNeversandMercoeur,whocametorideoutwiththeking,andM.deCrillon;sothatthechambergrewpassablyfull.ThetwodukesnoddedformallytotheMarquis,astheypassedhim,butenteredintoamutteredconversationwithRetz,whoappearedtobeurgingthemtopresshiscause.Theyseemedtodecline,however,shruggingtheirshortcloaksasifthematterweretooinsignificant.Crillononhispartcriedaudibly,andwithanoath,toknowwhatthematterwas;andbeinginformed,askedwhetherallthisfusswasbeingmadeaboutadamnedshavelingmonk.
Henry,whosetendernessforthecowlwaswellknown,dartedanangryglanceathim,butcontentedhimselfwithsayingsharplytoM.d\'Agen,\'Now,sir,whatdoyouknowaboutthematter?\'
\'Onemoment,sire,\'M.Rambouilletcried,interposingbeforeFrancoiscouldanswer.\'CravingyourMajesty\'spardon,youhaveheardM.deBruhl\'saccount.MayI,asafavourtomyself,begyou,sire,topermitusalsotohearit?\'
\'What?\'MarshalRetzexclaimedangrily,\'arewetobethejudges,then,orhisMajesty?Arnidieu!\'hecontinuedhotly,\'what,inthefiend\'sname,havewetodowithit?Iprotest\'foreHeaven——\'
\'Ay,sir,andwhatdoyouprotest?\'mychampionretorted,turningtohimwithsterndisdain.
\'Silence!\'criedthekingwhohadlistenedalmostbewildered.
\'Silence!ByGod,gentlemen,\'hecontinued,hiseyetravellingroundthecirclewithasparkleofroyalangerinitnotunworthyofhiscrown,\'youforgetyourselves.Iwillhavenoneofthisquarrellinginmypresenceoroutofit.IlostQuelusandMaugironthatway,andlossenough,andIwillhavenoneofit,I
say!M.deBruhl,\'headded,standingerect,andlookingforthemoment,withallhispaintandfrippery,aking,\'M.deBruhl,repeatyourstory.\'
ThefeelingswithwhichIlistenedtothiscontroversymaybeimagined.Devouredinturnbyhopeandfearasnowonesideandnowtheotherseemedlikelytoprevail,Iconfrontedatonemomentthegloomofthedungeon,andatanothertastedtheairoffreedom,whichhadneverseemedsosweetbefore.Strongasthesefeelingswere,however,theygavewaytocuriosityatthispoint;
whenIheardBruhlcalled,andsawhimcomeforwardattheking\'scommand.Knowingthismantobehimselfguilty,Imarvelledwithwhatfacehewouldpresenthimselfbeforeallthoseeyes,andfromwhatdepthsofimpudencehecoulddrawsuppliesinsuchanemergency.
Ineednothavetroubledmyself,however,forhewasfullyequaltotheoccasion.Hishighcolourandpiercingblackeyesmetthegazeoffriendandfoealikewithoutflinching.Dressedwellandelegantly,heworehisravenhaircurledinthemode,andlookedalikegay,handsome,andimperturbable.Iftherewasasuspicionofcoarsenessabouthisbulkierfigure,ashestoodbesideM.
d\'Agen,whowasthecourtierperfectandpointdevise,itwenttothescaleofsincerity,seeingthatmennaturallyassociatetruthwithstrength.
\'Iknownomorethanthis,sire,\'hesaideasily;\'that,happeningtocrosstheParvisatthemomentofthemurder,I
heardFatherAntoinescream.Heutteredfourwordsonly,inthetoneofamaninmortalperil.Theywere\'——andherethespeakerlookedforaninstantatme——\'Ha!Marsac!Amoi!\'
\'Indeed!\'M.deRambouilletsaid,afterlookingtothekingforpermission.\'Andthatwasall?Yousawnothing?\'
Bruhlshookhishead.\'Itwastoodark,\'hesaid.
\'Andheardnomore?\'
\'No.\'
\'DoIunderstand,then,\'theMarquiscontinuedslowly,\'thatM.
deMarsacisarrestedbecausethepriest——Godresthissoul!——
criedtohimforhelp?\'
\'Forhelp?\'M.deRetzexclaimedfiercely.
\'Forhelp?\'saidtheking,surprised.Andatthatthemost;
ludicrouschangefelluponthefacesofall.Thekinglookedpuzzled,theDukeofNeverssmiled,theDukeofMercoeurlaughedaloud.Crilloncriedboisterously,\'Goodhit!\'andthemajority,whowishednobetterthantodivinethewinningparty,grinnedbroadly,whethertheywouldorno.
ToMarshalRetz,however,andBruhl,thatwhichtoeveryoneelseseemedanamusingretorthadatotallydifferentaspect;whiletheformerturnedyellowwithchagrinandcameneartochoking,thelatterlookedaschapfallenandstartledasifhisguilt;hadbeenthatmomentbroughthometohim.Assuredbythetoneofthemonk\'svoice——whichmust,indeed,havethunderedinhisears——
thatmynamewasutteredindenunciationbyonewhothoughtmehisassailant,hehadchosentotellthetruthwithoutreflectingthatwords,soplaintohim,might;bearadifferentconstructionwhenrepeated.
\'Certainlythewordsseemambiguous,\'Henrymuttered.
\'ButitwasMarsackilledhim,\'Retzcriedinarage.
\'Itisforsomeevidenceofthatwearewaiting,\'mychampionansweredsuavely.
TheMarshallookedhelplesslyatNeversandMercoeur,whocommonlytookpartwithhim;butapparentlythosenoblemenhadnotbeenprimedforthisoccasion.Theymerelyshooktheirheadsandsmiled.Inthemomentarysilencewhichfollowed,whilealllookedcuriouslyatBruhl,whocouldnotconcealhismortification,M.d\'Agensteppedforward.
\'IfyourMajestywillpermitme,\'hesaid,amalicioussimpercrossinghishandsomeface——IhadoftenremarkedhisextremedislikeforBruhlwithoutunderstandingit——\'IthinkIcanfurnishsomeevidencemoretothepointthanthat;towhichM.deBruhlhaswithsomuchfairnessrestrictedhimself.\'Hethenwentontostatethathehadhadthehonourofbeinginmycompanyatthetimeofthemurder;andheadded,besides,somanydetailsastoexculpatemetothesatisfactionofanycandidperson.
Thekingnodded.\'Thatsettlesthematter,\'hesaid,withasighofrelief.\'Youthinkso,Mercoeur,doyounot?Precisely.
Villequier,seethattheorderrespectingM.deMarsaciscancelled.\'
M.deRetzcouldnotcontrolhiswrathonhearingthisdirectiongiven.\'Atthisrate,\'hecriedrecklessly,\'weshallhavefewpriestslefthere!WehavegotabadnameatBlois,asitis!\'
Foramomentallinthecircleheldtheirbreath,whiletheking\'seyesflashedfireatthisdaringallusiontothemurderoftheDukedeGuise,andhisbrothertheCardinal.ButitwasHenry\'smisfortunetobeeverindulgentinthewrongplace,andseverewhenseveritywaseitherunjustorimpolitic.Herecoveredhimselfwithaneffort,andrevengedhimselfonlybyomittingtoinvitetheMarshal,whowasnowtremblinginhisshoes,tojoinhisriding-party.
Thecirclebrokeupamidsomeexcitement.IstoodononesidewithM.d\'Agen,whilethekingandhisimmediatefollowingpassedout,and,greatlyembarrassedasIwasbythecivilcongratulatingofmanywhowouldhaveseenmehangwithequalgoodwill,IwassharpenoughtoseethatsomethingwasbrewingbetweenBruhlandMarshalRetz,whostoodbackconversinginlowtones.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whentheformermadehiswaytowardsmethroughthepresswhichfilledtheantechamber,andwithaloweringbrowrequestedawordwithme.
\'Certainly,\'Isaid,watchinghimnarrowly,forIknewhimtobebothtreacherousandabully.\'Speakon,sir.\'
\'Youhavebalkedmeonceandagain,\'herejoined,inavoicewhichshookalittle,asdidthefingerswithwhichhestrokedhiswaxedmoustache.\'Thereisnoneedofwordsbetweenus.I,withoneswordbesides,willto-morrowatnoonkeepthebridgeatChaverny,aleaguefromhere.Itisanopencountry.Possiblyyourpleasuremayleadyoutoridethatwaywithafriend?\'
\'Youmaydependuponme,sir,\'Ianswered,bowinglow,andfeelingthankfulthatthematterwasatlengthtobebroughttoafairandopenarbitration.\'Iwillbethere——andinperson.Formydeputylastnight,\'Iadded,searchinghisfacewithasteadfasteye,\'seemstohavebeensomewhatunlucky.\'
CHAPTERXXI.
TWOWOMEN.
Outofcompliment,andtoshowmygratitude,IattendedM.deRambouillethometohislodging,andfoundhimasmuchpleasedwithhimself,andconsequentlywithme,asIwaswithhim.Forthetime,indeed,Icameneartolovinghim;and,certainly,hewasamanofhighandpatrioticfeeling,andofskillandconducttomatch.ButhelackedthattouchofnatureandthatpowerofsympathisingwithotherswhichgavetosuchmenasM.deRosnyandtheking,mymaster,theirpeculiarcharm;thoughafterwhatIhaverelatedofhiminthelastchapteritdoesnotlieinmymouthtospeakillofhim.And,indeed,hewasagoodman.
WhenIatlastreachedmylodging,Ifoundasurpriseawaitingmeintheshapeofanotewhichhadjustarrivednooneknewhow.
Ifthemannerofitsdeliverywasmysterious,however,itscontentswerebriefandsufficientlyexplicit;forit;ranthus:
\'SIR,BYMEETINGMETHREEHOURSAFTERNOONINTHESQUAREBEFORE
THEHOUSEOFTHELITTLESISTERSYOUWILLDOASERVICEATONCETO
YOURSELFANDTOTHEUNDERSIGNED,MARIEDEBRUHL.\'
Thatwasall,writteninafemininecharacter,yetitwasenoughtoperplexme.Simon,whohadmanifestedtheliveliestjoyatmyescape,wouldhavehadmetreatitasIhadtreatedtheinvitationtotheParvisoftheCathedral;ignoreitaltogetherI
mean.ButIwasofadifferentmind,andthisforthreereasons,amongothers:thattherequestwasstraightforward,thetimeearly,andtheplacesufficientlypublictobeanunlikelytheatreforviolence,thoughwellfittedforaninterviewtowhichtheworldatlargewasnotinvited.Then,too,thesquarelaylittlemorethanabowshotfrommylodging,thoughonthefarthersideoftheRueSt.Denys.
Besides,IcouldconceivemanygroundswhichMadamedeBruhlmighthaveforseeingme;ofwhichsometouchedmenearly.I
disregardedSimon\'swarnings,therefore,andrepairedatthetimeappointedtotheplace——aclean,pavedsquarealittleofftheRueSt.Denys,andenteredfromthelatterbyanarrowpassage.
Itwasaspotpleasantlyconvenientformeditation,butoverlookedononesidebytheHouseoftheLittleSisters;inwhich,asIguessedafterwards,madamemusthaveawaitedme,forthesquarewhenIentereditwasempty,yetinamoment,thoughnoonecameinfromthestreet,shestoodbesideme.Sheworeamaskandlongcloak.Thebeautifulhairandperfectcomplexion,whichhadfilledmewithsomuchadmirationatourfirstmeetinginherhouse,werehidden,butIsawenoughofherfigureandcarriagetobesurethatitwasMadamedeBruhlandnoother.
Shebeganbyaddressingmeinatoneofbitterness,forwhichI
wasnotaltogetherunprepared.
\'Well,sir,\'sheexclaimed,hervoicetremblingwithanger,\'youaresatisfied,Ihope,withyourwork?\'
Iexpectedthisandhadmyanswerready.\'Iamnotaware,Madame,\'Isaid,\'thatIhavecausetoreproachmyself.But,howeverthatmaybe,Itrustyouhavesummonedmeforsomebetterpurposethantochidemeforanother\'sfault;thoughitwasmyvoicewhichbroughtittolight.\'
\'Whydidyoushamemepublicly?\'sheretorted,thrustingherhandkerchieftoherlipsandwithdrawingitagainwithapassionategesture.
