Withthelastwordhefellonhiskneesonthestepbeforethewindow,andburstintosuchanagonyofunmanlytearsandsobbingsasIhadneverdreamedoforimagined,andleastofallintheKingofFrance.Hardlyknowingwhethertobemoreashamedorterrified,Iturnedatallrisks,andstealthilyliftingthecurtain,creptoutwithinfinitecare;andhappilywithsomuchgoodfortuneastoescapedetection.Therewasspaceenoughbetweenthetwocurtainstoadmitmybodyandnomore;andhereI
stoodashortwhiletocollectmythoughts.Then,strikingmyscabbardagainstthewall,asthoughbyaccident,andcoughingloudlyatthesamemoment,Itwitchedthecurtainasidewithsomeviolenceandre-entered,thinkingthatbythesemeansIhadgivenhimwarningenough.
ButIhadnotreckonedonthedarknessinwhichtheroomlay,ortheexcitablestateinwhichIhadlefthim.Heheardme,indeed,butbeingabletoseeonlyatall,indistinctfigureapproachinghim,hetookfright,andfallingbackagainstthemoonlitwindow,asthoughhesawaghost,thrustouthishand,gaspingatthesametimetwowords,whichsoundedtomelike\'Ha!
Guise!\'
Thenextinstant,discerningthatIfellonmykneewhereI
stood,andcamenonearer,herecoveredhimself.withaneffort,whichhisbreathingmadeveryapparent,heaskedinanunsteadyvoicewhoitwas.
\'OneofyourMajesty\'smostfaithfulservants,\'Ianswered,remainingonmyknee,andaffectingtoseenothing.
Keepinghisfacetowardsme,hesidledtothelampandstrovetowithdrawtheshade.Buthisfingerstrembledsoviolentlythatitwassometimebeforehesucceeded,andsetfreethecheerfulbeams,which,suddenlyfillingtheroomwithradiance,disclosedtomywonderingeyes,insteadofdarknessandthecoldgleamofthemoon,aprofusionofriches,ofredstuffsandgemmedtriflesandgildedarmscrowdedtogetherinrecklessdisorder.Amonkeychainedinonecornerbegantogibberandmowatme.Acloakofstrangecut,stretchedonawoodenstand,deceivedmeforaninstantintothinkingthattherewasathirdpersonpresent;
whilethetable,heapedwithdollsandpowder-puff\'s,dog-collarsandsweet-meats,amask,awoman\'sslipper,apairofpistols,somepotions,ascourge,andanimmensequantityoflikelitter,hadasmelancholyanappearanceinmyeyesasthekinghimself,whosedisorderthelightdisclosedwithoutmercy.Histurbanwasawry,andbetrayedtheprematurebaldnessofhisscalp.Thepaintonhischeekswascrackedandstained,andhadsoiledthegloveshewore.Helookedfiftyyearsold;andinhisexcitementhehadtuggedhisswordtothefront,whenceitrefusedtobethrustback.
\'Whosentyouhere?\'heasked,whenhehadsofarrecoveredhissensesastorecogniseme,whichhedidwithgreatsurprise.
\'Iamhere,sire,\'Iansweredevasively,\'toplacemyselfatyourMajesty\'sservice.\'
\'Suchloyaltyisrare,\'heanswered,withabittersneer.\'Butstandup,sir.IsupposeImustbethankfulforsmallmercies,and,losingaMercoeur,begladtoreceiveaMarsac.\'
\'Byyourleave,sire,\'Irejoinedhardily,\'theexchangeisnotsoadverse.YourMajestymaymakeanotherdukewhenyouwill.
Buthonestmenarenotsoeasilycomeby.\'
\'So!so!\'heanswered,lookingatmewithafiercelightinhiseyes.\'Youremindmeinseason,Imaystillmakeandunmake!I
amstillKingofFrance?Thatissosirrah,isitnot?\'
\'Godforbidthatitshouldbeotherwise!\'Iansweredearnestly.
\'ItistolaybeforeyourMajestycertainmeansbywhichyoumaygivefullereffecttoyourwishesthatIamhere.TheKingofNavarredesiresonly,sire——\'
\'Tut,tut!\'heexclaimedimpatiently,andwithsomedispleasure,\'Iknowhiswillbetterthanyou,man.Butyousee,\'hecontinuedcunningly,forgettingmyinferiorpositionasquicklyashehadrememberedit,\'Turennepromiseswell,too.AndTurenne——itistruehemayplaytheLorrainer.ButifItrustHenryofNavarre,andheprovefalsetome——\'
Hedidnotcompletethesentence,butstrodetoandfroatimeortwo,hismind,whichhadanaturalinclinationtowardscrookedcourses,bentonsomeschemebywhichhemightplayofftheonepartyagainsttheother.Apparentlyhewasnotverysuccessfulinfindingone,however;orelsetheill-luckwithwhichhehadsupportedtheLeagueagainsttheHuguenotsrecurredtohismind.
Forhepresentlystopped,withasigh,andcamebacktothepoint.
\'IfIknewthatTurennewerelying,\'bemuttered,\'thenindeed.
ButRosnypromisedevidence,andhehassentmenone.\'
\'Itisathand,sire,\'Ianswered,myheartbeginningtobeat,\'YourMajestywillrememberthatM.deRosnyhonouredmewiththetaskofintroducingittoyou.\'
\'Tobesure,\'hereplied,awakingasfromadream,andlookingandspeakingeagerly.Mattersto-dayhavedriveneverythingoutofmyhead.Whereisyourwitness,man?Convinceme,andwewillactpromptly.WewillgivethemJarnacandMoncontouroveragain.Isheoutside?\'
\'Itisawoman,sire,\'Imadeanswer,dashedsomewhatbyhissuddenandfeverishalacrity.
\'Awoman,eh?Youhaveherhere?\'
\'No,sire,\'Ireplied,wonderingwhathewouldsaytomynextpieceofinformation.\'SheisinBlois,shehasarrived,butthetruthis——IhumblycraveyourMajesty\'sindulgence——sherefusestocomeorspeak.Icannotwellbringherherebyforce,andI
havesoughtyou,sire,forthepurposeoftakingyourcommandsinthematter.\'
Hestaredatmeintheutmostastonishment.
\'Issheyoung?\'heaskedafteralongpause.
\'Yes,sire,\'Ianswered.\'SheismaidofhonourtothePrincessofNavarre,andawardalsooftheVicomtedeTurenne.\'
\'Gad!thensheisworthhearing,thelittlerebel!\'hereplied.
\'AwardOfTurenne\'sisshe?Ho!ho!Andnowshewillnotspeak?MycousinofNavarrenowwouldknowhowtobringhertohersenses,butIhaveeschewedthesevanities.Imightsendandhaveherbrought,itistrue;butaverylittlethingwouldcauseabarricadeto-night.\'
\'Andbesides,sire,\'Iventuredtoadd,\'sheisknowntoTurenne\'speoplehere,whohaveoncestolenheraway.WereshebroughttoyourMajestywithanydegreeofopenness,theywouldlearnit,andknowthatthegamewaslost.\'
\'Whichwouldnotsuitme,\'heanswered,noddingandlookingatmegloomily.\'TheymightanticipateourJarnac;anduntilwehavesettledmatterswithoneortheotherourpersonisnottoosecure.Youmustgoandfetchher.Sheisatyourlodging.Shemustbebrought,man.\'
\'Iwilldowhatyoucommand,sire,\'Ianswered.\'ButIamgreatlyafraidthatshewillnotcome.\'
Helosthistemperatthat.\'Thenwhy,inthedevil\'sname,haveyoutroubledmewiththematter?\'hecriedsavagely.\'Godknows——Idon\'t——whyRosnyemployedsuchamanandsuchawoman.
Hemighthaveseenfromthecutofyourcloak,sir,whichisfullsixmonthsbehindthefashion,thatyoucouldnotmanageawoman!
Waseversuchdamnablefollyheardofinthisworld?ButitisNavarre\'sloss,notmine.Itishisloss.AndIhopetoHeavenitmaybeyourstoo!\'headdedfiercely.
TherewassomuchinwhathesaidthatIbentbeforethestorm,andacceptedwithhumilityblamewhichwasasnaturalonhispartasitwasundeservedonmine.IndeedIcouldnotwonderathisMajesty\'sanger;norshouldIhavewonderedatitinagreaterman.Iknewthatbutforreasons,onwhichIdidnotwishtodwell,Ishouldhavesharedittothefull,andspokenquiteasstronglyofthecapricewhichruinedhopesandlivesforawhim.
Thekingcontinuedforsometimetosaytomeallthehardthingshecouldthinkof.Weariedatlastbymypatience,hepaused,andcriedangrily.\'Well,haveyounothing;tosayforyourself?
Canyousuggestnothing?\'
\'IdarenotmentiontoyourMajesty,\'Isaidhumbly,\'whatseemstometobetheonlyalternative.\'
\'YoumeanthatIshouldgotothewench!\'heanswered——forhedidnotlackquickness.\'\"SENONVAELOTEROAMAHOMA,VAYA
MAHOMAALOTERO,\"asMendozasays.Butthesaucyquean,toforcemetogotoher!Didmywifeguess——butthere,Iwillgo.ByGodIwillgo!\'headdedabruptlyandfiercely.\'IwilllivetoruinRetzyet!Whereisyourlodging?\'
Itoldhim,wonderingmuchatthisflashoftheoldspirit,whichtwentyyearsbeforehadwonhimareputationhislaterlifedidnothingtosustain.
\'Doyouknow,\'heasked,speakingwithsustainedenergyandclearness,\'thedoorbywhichM.deRosnyenteredtotalkwithme?Canyoufinditinthedark?\'
\'Yes,sire,\'Ianswered,myheartbeatinghigh.
\'Thenbeinwaitingtheretwohoursbeforemidnight,\'hereplied.
\'Bewellarmed,butalone.Ishallknowhowtomakethegirlspeak.Icantrustyou,Isuppose?\'headdedsuddenly,steppingnearertomeandlookingfixedlyintomyeyes.
\'IwillanswerforyourMajesty\'slifewithmyown,\'Ireplied,sinkingononeknee.
\'Ibelieveyou,sir,\'heansweredgravely,givingmehishandtokiss,andthenturningaway.\'Sobeit.Nowleaveme.Youhavebeenheretoolongalready.Notawordtoanyoneasyouvalueyourlife.\'
Imadefittinganswerandwasleavinghim;butwhenIhadmyheadalreadyonthecurtain,hecalledmeback.\'InHeaven\'snamegetanewcloak!\'hesaidpeevishly,eyeingmealloverwithhisfacepuckeredup.\'Getanewcloak,man,thefirstthinginthemorning.Itisworseseenfromthesidethanthefront.Itwouldruinthecleverestcourtierofthemall!\'
CHAPTERXXIV.
AROYALPERIL.
TheelationwithwhichIhadheardthekingannouncehisresolutionquicklydiminishedoncoolerreflection.ItstoodinparticularataverylowebbasIwaited,anhourlater,atthelittlenorthposternoftheCastle,and,coweringwithintheshelterofthearchtoescapethewind,debatedwhetherhisMajesty\'senergywouldsustainhimtothepointofaction,orwhetherhemightnot,inoneofthosefitsoftreacherousvacillationwhichhadagainandagainmarredhisplans,sendthosetokeeptheappointmentwhowouldgiveafinalaccountofme.ThelongerIconsideredhischaracterthemoredubiousI
grew.Thelonelinessofthesituation,thedarkness,theblackfront,unbrokenbyanyglimmeroflight,whichtheCastlepresentedonthisside,andtheunusualandgloomystillnesswhichlayuponthetown,allcontributedtoincreasemyuneasiness.ItwaswithapprehensionaswellasreliefthatI
caughtatlastthesoundoffootstepsonthestonestaircase,and,standingalittletooneside,sawastreakoflightappearatthefootofthedoor.
Onthelatterbeingpartiallyopenedavoicecriedmyname.I
advancedwithcautionandshowedmyself.Abriefconversationensuedbetweentwoorthreepersonswhostoodwithin;butintheend,amaskedfigure,whichIhadnodifficultyinidentifyingastheking,steppedbrisklyout.
\'Youarearmed?\'hesaid,pausingasecondoppositeme.
Iputbackmycloakandshowedhim,bythelightwhichstreamedfromthedoorway,thatIcarriedpistolsaswellasasword.
\'Good!\'heansweredbriefly;\'thenletusgo.Doyouwalkonmylefthand,myfriend.Itisadarknight,isitnot?\'
\'Verydark,sire,\'Isaid.
Hemadenoanswertothis,andwestarted,proceedingwithcautionuntilwehadcrossedthenarrowbridge,andthenwithgreaterfreedomandatabetterpace.TheslendernessoftheattendanceatCourtthatevening,andthecoldwind,whichswepteventhenarroweststreetsanddroveroisterersindoors,rendereditunlikelythatweshouldbestoppedormolestedbyanyexceptprofessedthieves;andfortheseIwasprepared.Thekingshowednoinclinationtotalk;andkeepingsilencemyselfoutofrespect,IhadtimetocalculatethechancesandtoconsiderwhetherhisMajestywouldsucceedwhereIhadfailed.
Thiscalculation,whichwasnotinconsistentwiththekeenestwatchfulnessonmypartwheneverweturnedacornerorpassedthemouthofanalley,wasbroughttoanendbyoursafearrivalatthehouse.Brieflyapologisingtothekingforthemeannessanddarknessofthestaircase,Ibeggedleavetoprecedehim,andrapidlymounteduntilImetMaignan.Whisperingtohimthatallwaswell,Ididnotwaittohearhisanswer,but,biddinghimbeonthewatch,Iledthekingonwithasmuchdeferenceaswaspossibleuntilwestood.atthedoorofmademoiselle\'sapartment,whichIhaveelsewherestatedtoconsistofanouterandinnerroom.ThedoorwasopenedbySimonFleix,andhimI
promptlysentout.Then,standingasideanduncovering,Ibeggedthekingtoenter.
Hedidso,stillwearinghishatandmask,andIfollowedandsecuredthedoor.Alamphangingfromtheceilingdiffusedanimperfectlightthroughtheroom,whichwassmallerbutmorecomfortableinappearancethanthatwhichIrentedoverhead.I
observedthatFanchette,whoseharshcountenancelookedmoreforbiddingthanusual,occupiedastoolwhichshehadsetinastrangefashionagainsttheInnerdoor;butIthoughtnomoreofthisatthemoment,myattentionpassingquicklytomademoiselle,whosatcrouchingbeforethefire,envelopedinalargeoutdoorcloak,asifshefeltthecold.Herbackwastowardsus,andshewas,orpretendedtobe,stillignorantofourpresence.WithamutteredwordIpointedherouttotheking,andwenttowardsherwithhim.
\'Mademoiselle,Isaidinalowvoice,\'MademoiselledelaVire!
Ihavethehonour——\'
Shewouldnotturn,andIstopped.Clearlysheheard,butshebetrayedthatshedidsoonlybydrawinghercloakmorecloselyroundher.Primedbymyrespectfortheking,Itouchedherlightlyontileshoulder.\'Mademoiselle!\'Isaidimpatiently,\'youarenotawareofit,but——\'
SheshookherselffreefrommyhandwithsorudeagesturethatI
brokeoff,andstoodgazingfoolishlyather.Thekingsmiled,andnoddingtometostepbackapace,tookthetaskonhimself.
\'Mademoiselle,\'hesaidwithdignity,\'Iamnotaccustomed——\'
Hisvoicehadamagicaleffect.Beforehecouldaddanotherwordshesprangupasifshehadbeenstruck,andfacedus,acryofalarmonherlips.Simultaneouslywebothcriedouttoo,foritwasnotmademoiselleatall.Thewomanwhoconfrontedus,herhandonhermask,hereyesglitteringthroughtheslits,wasofatallerandfullerfigure.Westaredather.Thenalockofbrightgoldenhairwhichhadescapedfromthehoodofhercloakgaveustheclue.\'Madame!\'thekingcried.
\'MadamedeBruhl!\'Iechoed,myastonishmentgreaterthanhis.
Seeingherselfknown,shebeganwithtremblingfingerstoundothefasteningsofhermask;buttheking,whohadhithertodisplayedatrustfulnessIhadnotexpectedinhim,hadtakenalarmatsightofher,asatathingunlookedfor,andofwhichI
hadnotwarnedhim.\'Howisthis?\'hesaidharshly,drawingbackapacefromherandregardingmewithangeranddistrust.
\'Isthissomeprettyarrangementofyours,sir?AmIanintruderatanassignation,oristhisatrapwithM.deBruhlinthebackground?Answer,sirrah!\'hecontinued,workinghimselfrapidlyintoapassion.\'WhichamItounderstandisthecase?\'
\'Neither,sire,\'IansweredwithasmuchdignityasIcouldassume,utterlysurprisedandmystifiedasIwasbyMadame\'spresence.\'YourMajestywrongsMadamedeBruhlasmuchbytheonesuspicionasyouinjuremebytheother.Iamequallyinthedarkwithyou,sire,andaslittleexpectedtoseemadamehere.\'
\'Icame,sire,\'shesaidproudly,addressingherselftotheking,andignoringme,\'outofnolovetoM.deMarsac,butasanypersonbearingamessagetohimmightcome.Norcanyou,sire,\'
sheaddedwithspirit,\'feelhalfasmuchsurpriseatseeingmehere,asIatseeingyourMajesty.\'
\'Icanbelievethat,\'thekinganswereddrily.\'Iwouldyouhadnotseenme.\'
\'TheKingofFranceisseenonlywhenhechooses,\'shereplied,curtseyingtotheground.
\'Good,\'heanswered.\'Letitbeso,andyouwillobligetheKingofFrance,madame.Butenough,\'hecontinued,turningfromhertome;\'sincethisisnottheladyIcametosee,M.deMarsac,whereisshe?\'
\'Intheinnerroom,sire,Iopine,\'Isaid,advancingtoFanchettewithmoremisgivingatheartthanmymannerevinced.
\'Yourmistressishere,isshenot?\'Icontinued,addressingthewomansharply.
\'Ay,andwillnotcomeout,\'sherejoined,sturdilykeepingherplace.
\'Nonsense!\'Isaid.\'Tellher——\'
\'Youmaytellherwhatyouplease,\'shereplied,refusingtobudgeaninch.\'Shecanhear.\'
\'But,woman!\'Icriedimpatiently,\'youdonotunderstand.I
MUSTspeakwithher.Imustspeakwithheratonce!Onbusinessofthehighestimportance.\'
\'Asyouplease,\'shesaidrudely,stillkeepingherseat.\'I
havetoldyouyoucanspeak.\'
PerhapsIfeltasfoolishonthisoccasionaseverinmylife;
andsurelyneverwasmanplacedinamoreridiculousposition.
Afterovercomingnumberlessobstacles,andescapingasmanyperils,Ihadbroughtthekinghere,afeatbeyondmyhighesthopes——onlytobebaffledanddefeatedbyawaiting-woman!I
stoodirresolute;witlessandconfused;whilethekingwaitedhalfangryandhalfamused,andmadamekeptherplacebytheentrance,towhichshehadretreated.
Iwasdeliveredfrommydilemmabythecuriositywhichis,providentiallyperhaps,apartofwoman\'scharacter,andwhichledmademoiselletointerfereherself.Keenlyonthewatchinside,shehadheardpartofwhatpassedbetweenus,andbeenrenderedinquisitivebythesoundofastrangeman\'svoice,andbythedeferencewhichshecoulddiscernIpaidtothevisitor.
Atthismoment,shecriedout,accordingly,toknowwhowasthere;andFanchette,seemingtotakethisasacommand,roseanddraggedherstoolaside,sayingpeevishlyandwithoutanyincreaseofrespect,\'There,Itoldyoushecouldhear.\'
\'Whoisit?\'mademoiselleaskedagain,inaraisedvoice.
Iwasabouttoanswerwhenthekingsignedtometostandback,and,advancinghimself,knockedgentlyonthedoor.\'Open,I
prayyou,mademoiselle,\'hesaidcourteously.
\'Whoisthere?\'shecriedagain,hervoicetrembling.
\'ItisI,theking,\'heansweredsoftly;butinthattoneofmajestywhichbelongsnottotheman,buttothedescendant,andseemstobetheoutcomeofcenturiesofcommand.
Sheutteredanexclamationandslowly,andwithseemingreluctance,turnedthekeyinthelock.Itgrated,andthedooropened.Icaughtaglimpseforaninstantofherpalefaceandbrighteyes,andthenhisMajesty,removinghishat,passedinandclosedthedoor;andIwithdrewtothefartherendoftheroom,wheremadamecontinuedtostandbytheentrance.
Ientertainedasuspicion,Iremember,andnotunnaturally,thatshehadcometomylodgingasherhusband\'sspy;butherfirstwordswhenIjoinedherdispelledthis.\'Quick!\'shesaidwithanimperiousgesture.\'Hearmeandletmego!Ihavewaitedlongenoughforyou,andsufferedenoughthroughyou.Asforthat,womaninthere,sheismad,andherservanttoo!Now,listentome.Youspoketomehonestlyto-day,andIhavecometorepayyou.Youhaveanappointmentwithmyhusbandto-morrowatChaverny.Isitnotso?\'sheaddedimpatiently.
Irepliedthatitwasso.
\'Youaretogowithonefriend,\'shewenton,tearingthegloveshehadtakenoff,tostripsinherexcitement,\'Heistomeetyouwithonealso?\'
\'Yes,\'Iassentedreluctantly,\'atthebridge,madame.\'
\'Thendonotgo,\'sherejoinedemphatically.\'ShameonmethatI
shouldbetraymyhusband;butitwereworsetosendaninnocentmantohisdeath.Hewillmeetyouwithoneswordonly,accordingtohischallenge,buttherewillbethoseunderthebridgewhowillmakecertainwork.There,Ihavebetrayedhimnow!\'shecontinuedbitterly.\'Itisdone.Letmego!\'
\'Nay,but,madame,\'Isaid,feelingmoreconcernedforher,onwhomfromthefirstmomentofmeetingherIhadbroughtnothingbutmisfortune,thansurprisedbythisnewtreacheryonhispart,\'willyounotrunsomeriskinreturningtohim?IstherenothingIcandoforyou——nostepIcantakeforyourprotection?\'
\'None!\'shesaidrepellentlyandalmostrudely,\'excepttospeedmygoing.\'
\'Butyouwillnotpassthroughthestreetsalone?\'
Shelaughedsobitterlymyheartachedforher.\'Theunhappyarealwayssafe,\'shesaid.
RememberinghowshortatimeitwassinceIhadsurprisedherinthefirsthappinessofweddedlove,IfeltforherallthepityitwasnaturalIshouldfeel.ButtheresponsibilityunderwhichhisMajesty\'spresenceandthechargeofmademoisellelaidmeforbademetoindulgeintheluxuryofevincingmygratitude.
GladlywouldIhaveescortedherbacktoherhome——evenifI
couldnotmakethathomeagainwhatithadbeen,orrestoreherhusbandtothepinnaclefromwhichIhaddashedhim——butIdarednotdothis.Iwasforcedtocontentmyselfwithless,andwasabouttooffertosendoneofmymenwithher,whenahurriedknockingattheouterdoorarrestedthewordsonmylips.
Signingtohertostandstill,Ilistened.Theknockingwasrepeated,andgreweachmomentmoreurgent.Therewasalittlegrille,stronglywired,intheupperpartofthedoor,andthisI
wasabouttoopeninordertolearnwhatwasamiss,whenSimon\'svoicereachedmefromthefarthersideimploringmetoopenthedoorquickly.Doubtingthelad\'sprudence,yetafraidtorefuselestIshouldlosesomewarninghehadtogive,Ipausedasecond,andthenundidthefastenings.Themomentthedoorgavewayhefellinbodily,cryingouttometobaritbehindhim.I
caughtaglimpsethroughthegapofaglareasoftorches,andsawbythislighthalfadozenflushedfacesintheactofrisingabovetheedgeofthelanding.Themenwhoownedthemraisedashoutoftriumphatsightofme,and,clearingtheupperstepsatabound,madearushforthedoor.Butinvain.Wehadjusttimetocloseitanddropthetwostoutbars.Inamoment,inasecond,thefierceoutcryfelltoadullroar;andsafeforthetime,wehadleisuretolookinoneanother\'sfacesandlearnthedifferentaspectsofalarm.Madamewaswhitetothelips,whileSimon\'seyesseemedstartingfromhishead,andheshookineverylimbwithterror.
Atfirst,onmyaskinghimwhatitmeant,hecouldnotspeak.
Butthatwouldnotdo,andIwasintheactofseizinghimbythecollartoforceananswerfromhimwhentheinnerdooropened,andthekingcameout,hisfacewearinganairofsomuchcheerfulnessasprovedbothhissatisfactionwithmademoiselle\'sstoryandhisignoranceofallwewereabout.Inawordhehadnotyettakentheleastalarm;butseeingSimoninmyhands,andmadameleaningagainstthewallbythedoorlikeonedeprivedoflife,hestoodandcriedoutinsurprisetoknowwhatitwas.
\'Ifearwearebesieged,sire,\'Ianswereddesperately,feelingmyanxietiesincreasedahundredfoldbyhisappearance——\'butbywhomIcannotsay.Thisladknows,however,\'Icontinued,givingSimon,aviciousshake,\'andheshallspeak.Now,trembler,\'I
saidtohim,\'tellyourtale?\'
\'TheProvost-Marshal!\'hestammered,terrifiedafreshbytheking\'spresence:forHenryhadremovedhismask.\'Iwasonguardbelow.Ihadcomeupafewstepstobeoutofthecold,whenIheardthementer.Therearearoundscoreofthem.\'
Icriedoutagreatoath,askinghimwhyhehadnotgoneupandwarnedMaignan,whowithhismenwasnowcutofffromusintheroomsabove.\'Youfool!\'Icontinued,almostbesidemyselfwithrage,\'ifyouhadnotcometothisdoortheywouldhavemountedtomyroomsandbesetthem!WhatisthisfollyabouttheProvost-Marshal?\'
\'Heisthere,\'Simonanswered,coweringawayfromme,hisfaceworking.
Ithoughthewaslying,andhadmerelyfanciedthisinhisfright.Buttheassailantsatthismomentbegantohailblowsonthedoor,callingonustoopen,andusingsuchvolleysofthreatsaspenetratedeventhethicknessoftheoak;drivingthebloodfromthewomen\'scheeks,andarrestingtheking\'sstepinamannerwhichdidnotescapeme.AmongtheircriesIcouldplainlydistinguishthewords,\'Intheking\'sname!\'whichboreoutSimon\'sstatement.
AtthemomentIdrewcomfortfromthis;forifwehadmerelytodealwiththelawwehadthatonoursidewhichwasaboveit.
AndIspeedilymadeupmymindwhattodo.\'Ithinktheladspeaksthetruth,sire,\'Isaidcoolly.\'ThisisonlyyourMajesty\'sProvost-Marshal.Theworsttobefeared,therefore,isthathemaylearnyourpresenceherebeforeyouwouldhaveitknown.Itshouldnotbeamatterofgreatdifficulty,however,tobindhimtosilence,andifyouwillpleasetomask,Iwillopenthegrilleandspeakwithhim.\'
Theking,whohadtakenhisstandinthemiddleoftheroom,andseemeddazedandconfusedbythesuddennessofthealarmandtheuproar,assentedwithabriefword.AccordinglyIwaspreparingtoopenthegrillewhenMadamedeBruhlseizedmyarm,andforciblypushedmebackfromit.
\'Whatwouldyoudo?\'shecried,herfacefullofterror.\'Doyounothear?Heisthere.\'
\'Whoisthere?\'Isaid,startledmorebyhermannerthanherwords.
\'Who?\'sheanswered;\'whoshouldbethere?Myhusband!Ihearhisvoice,Itellyou!Hehastrackedmehere!Hehasfoundme,andwillkillme!\'
\'Godforbid!\'Isaid,doubtingifshehadreallyheardhisvoice.Tomakesure,IaskedSimonifhehadseenhim;andmyheartsankwhenIheardfromhimtoothatBruhlwasoftheparty.
ForthefirsttimeIbecamefullysensibleofthedangerwhichthreatenedus.Forthefirsttime,lookingroundtheill-litroomonthewomen\'sterrifiedfaces,andtheking\'smaskedfigureinstinctwithill-repressednervousness,Irecognisedhowhopelesslywewereenmeshed.FortunehadservedBruhlsowellthat,whetherheknewitornot,hehadusalltrapped——alikethekingwhomhedesiredtocompromise,andhiswifewhomhehated,mademoisellewhohadonceescapedhim,andmewhohadtwicethwartedhim.ItwaslittletobewonderedatifmycouragesankasIlookedfromonetoanother,andlistenedtotheominouscreakingofthedoor,asthestoutpanelscomplainedundertheblowsraineduponthem.Formyfirstduty,andthatwhichtookthePASofallothers,wastotheking——tosavehimharmless.
How,then,wasItobeanswerableformademoiselle,howprotectMadamedeBruhl?——how,inaword,redeemallthosepledgesinwhichmyhonourwasconcerned?
ItwasthethoughtoftheProvost-Marshalwhichatthismomentralliedmyfailingspirits.IrememberedthatuntilthemysteryofhispresencehereinalliancewithBruhlwasexplainedtherewasnoneedtodespair;andturningbrisklytothekingIbeggedhimtofavourmebystandingwiththewomeninacornerwhichwasnotvisiblefromthedoor.Hecompliedmechanically,andinamannerwhichIdidnotlike;butlackingtimetoweightrifles,I
turnedtothegrilleandopeneditwithoutmoreado.
Theappearanceofmyfaceatthetrapwasgreetedwithasavagecryofrecognition,whichsubsidedasquicklyintosilence.Itwasfollowedbyamomentarypushingtoandfroamongthecrowdoutside,whichinitsturnendedintheProvost-Marshalcomingtothefront.\'Intheking\'sname!\'hesaidfussily.
\'Whatisit?\'Ireplied,eyeingrathertheflushed,eagerfaceswhichscowledoverhisshouldersthanhimself.Thelightoftwolinks,bornebysomeoftheparty,shoneruddilyontheheadsofthehalberds,and,flaringupfromtimetotime,filledalltheplacewithwavering,smokylight.\'Whatdoyouwant?\'I
continued,\'rousingmylodgingatthistimeofnight?\'
\'Iholdawarrantforyourarrest,\'herepliedbluntly.
\'Resistancewillbevain.IfyoudonotsurrenderIshallsendforaramtobreakinthedoor.\'
\'Whereisyourorder?\'Isaidsharply.\'Theoneyouheldthismorningwascancelledbythekinghimself.\'
\'Suspendedonly,\'heanswered.\'Suspendedonly.Itwasgivenouttomeagainthiseveningforinstantexecution.AndIamhereinpursuanceofit,andcallonyoutosurrender.\'
\'Whodeliveredittoyou?\'Iretorted.
\'M.deVillequier,\'heansweredreadily.\'Andhereitis.Now,come,sir,\'hecontinued,\'youareonlymakingmattersworse.
Opentous.\'
\'BeforeIdoso,\'Isaiddrily,\'IshouldliketoknowwhatpartinthepageantmyfriendM.deBruhl,whomIseeonthestairsyonder,proposestoplay.AndthereismyoldfriendFresnoy,\'I
added.\'AndIseeoneortwootherswhomIknow,M.Provost.
BeforeIsurrenderImustknowamongotherthingswhatM.deBruhl\'sbusinessishere.\'
\'Itisthebusinessofeveryloyalmantoexecutetheking\'swarrant,\'theProvostansweredevasively.\'Itisyourstosurrender,andminetolodgeyouintheCastle.\'ButIamlothtohaveadisturbance.Iwillgiveyouuntilthattorchgoesout,ifyoulike,tomakeupyourmind.Attheendofthattime,ifyoudonotsurrender,Ishallbatterdownthedoor.\'
\'Youwillgivethetorchfairplay?\'Isaid,notingitscondition.
Heassented;andthankinghimsternlyforthisindulgence,I
closedthegrille.
CHAPTERXXV.
TERMSOFSURRENDER.
Istillhadmyhandonthetrapwhenatouchontheshouldercausedmetoturn,andinamomentapprisedmeoftheimminenceofanewperil;aperilofsuchakindthat,summoningallmyresolution,Icouldscarcelyhopetocopewithit.Henrywasatmyelbow.Hehadtakenofhismask,andasingleglanceathiscountenancewarnedmethatthathadhappenedofwhichIhadalreadyfeltsomefear.Theglitterofintenseexcitementshoneinhiseyes.Hisface,darkly-flushedandwetwithsweat,betrayedovermasteringemotion,whilehisteeth,tightclenchedintheefforttorestrainthefitoftremblingwhichpossessedhim,showedbetweenhislipslikethoseofacorpse.Thenoveltyofthedangerwhichmenacedhim,theabsenceofhisgentlemen,andofallthefamiliarfacesandsurroundingswithoutwhichhenevermoved,thehour,themeanhouse,andhisisolationamongstrangers,hadprovedtoomuchfornerveslongweakenedbyhiscourseofliving,andforacourage,provedindeedinthefield,butunequaltoasuddenstress.Thoughhestillstrovetopreservehisdignity,itwasalarminglyplaintomyeyesthathewasonthepointoflosing,ifhehadnotalreadylost,allself-
command.
\'Open!\'hemutteredbetweenhisteeth,pointingimpatientlytothetrapwiththehandwithwhichhehadalreadytouchedme.
\'Open,Isay,sir!\'
Istaredathim,startledandconfounded.\'ButyourMajesty,\'I
venturedtostammer,\'forgetsthatIhavenotyet——\'
\'Open,Isay!\'herepeatedpassionately.\'Doyouhearme,sir?
Idesirethatthisdoorbeopened.\'Hisleanhandshookaswiththepalsy,sothatthegemsonittwinkledinthelightandrattledashespoke.
Ilookedhelplesslyfromhimtothewomenandbackagain,seeinginaflashall.thedangerswhichmightfollowfromthediscoveryofhispresencethere——dangerswhichIhadnotbeforeformulatedtomyself,butwhichseemedinamomenttorangethemselveswiththeutmostclearnessbeforemyeyes.AtthesametimeIsawwhatseemedtometobeawayofescape;andemboldenedbytheoneandtheother,Ikeptmyhandonthetrapandstrovetoparleywithhim.
\'Nay,but,sire,\'Isaidhurriedly,yetstillwithasmuchdeferenceasIcouldcommand,\'IbegyoutopermitmefirsttorepeatwhatIhaveseen.M.deBruhliswithout,andIcountedsixmenwhomIbelievetobehisfollowing.Theyareruffiansripeforanycrime;andIimploreyourMajestyrathertosubmittoashortimprisonment——\'
Ipausedstruckdumbonthatword,confoundedbythepassionwhichlightenedintheking\'sface.Myill-chosenexpressionhadindeedappliedthesparktohiswrath.Predisposedtosuspicionbyahundredtreacheries,heforgottheperilsoutsideintheoneideawhichontheinstantpossessedhismind;thatIwouldconfinehisperson,andhadbroughthimhitherfornootherpurpose.Heglaredroundhimwitheyesfullofrageandfear,andhistremblinglipsbreathedratherthanspoketheword\'Imprison?\'
Unluckily,atriflingoccurrenceaddedatthismomenttohisdisorder,andconverteditintofrenzy.Someoneoutsidefellheavilyagainstthedoor;this,causingmadametoutteralowshriek,seemedtoshatterthelastremnantoftheking\'sself-
control.Stampinghisfootonthefloor,hecriedtomewiththeutmostwildnesstoopenthedoor——bywhichIhadhithertokeptmyplace.
But,wronglyorrightly,Iwasstilldeterminedtoputoffopeningit;andIraisedmyhandswiththeintentionofmakingalastappealtohim.Hemisreadthegesture,andretreatingastep,withthegreatestsuddennesswhippedouthissword,andinamomenthadthepointatmybreast,andhiswristdrawnbacktothrust.
Ithasalwaysbeenmybeliefthathewouldnothavedealttheblow,butthatthemeretouchofthehilt,awakingthecouragewhichheundoubtedlypossessed,andwhichdidnotdeserthiminhislastmoments,wouldhaverecalledhimtohimself.Buttheopportunitywasnotgivenhim,forwhilethebladeyetquivered,andIstoodmotionless,controllingmyselfbyaneffort,mykneehalfbentandmyeyesonhis,MademoiselledelaViresprangforwardathisback,andwithaloudscreamclutchedhiselbow.
Theking,surprised,andignorantwhoheldhim,flunguphispointwildly,andstrikingthelampabovehisheadwithhisblade,shattereditinaninstant,bringingdownthepotterywithacrashandreducingtheroomtodarkness;whilethescreamsofthewomen,andtheknowledgethatwehadamadmanamongus,peopled,theblacknesswithahundredhorrors.
Fearingaboveallformademoiselle,ImademywayassoonasI
couldrecovermywitstotheembersofthefire,andregardlessoftheking\'ssword,whichIhadavagueideawasdartingaboutinthedarkness,Isearchedforandfoundahalf-burntstick,whichIblewintoablaze.Withthis,stillkeepingmybacktotheroom,IcontrivedtolightataperthatIhadnoticedstandingbythehearth;andthen,andthenonly,IturnedtoseewhatIhadtoconfront.
MademoiselledelaVirestoodinacorner,half-fierce,half-
terrified,andwhollyflushed.Shehadherhandwrappedupina\'kerchiefalreadystainedwithblood;andfromthisIgatheredthatthekinginhisfrenzyhadwoundedherslightly.Standingbeforehermistress,withherhairbristling,likeawild-cat\'sfur,andherarmsakimbo,wasFanchette,herharshfaceandsquareforminstinctwithfuryanddefiance.MadamedeBruhlandSimoncoweredagainstthewallnotfarfromthem;andinachair,intowhichhehadapparentlyjustthrownhimself,sattheking,huddledupandcollapsed,thepointofhisswordtrailingonthegroundbesidehim,andhisnervelesshandscarceretainingforcetogripthepommel.
InamomentImadeupmymindwhattodo,andgoingtohiminsilence,Ilaidmypistols,sword,anddaggeronastoolbyhisside.ThenIknelt.
\'Thedoor,sire,\'Isaid,\'isthere.ItisforyourMajestytoopenitwhenyouplease.Here,too,sire,aremyweapons.Iamyourprisoner,theProvost-Marshalisoutside,andyoucanataworddelivermetohim.OnlyonethingIbeg,sire,\'Icontinuedearnestly,\'thatyourMajestywilltreat;asadelusiontheideathatImeditatedforamomentdisrespectorviolencetoyourperson.\'
Helookedatmedully,hisfacepale,hiseyesfish-like.
\'Sanctus,man!\'hemuttered,\'whydidyouraiseyourhand?\'
\'OnlytoimploreyourMajestytopauseamoment,\'Ianswered,watchingtheintelligencereturnslowlytohisface.\'IfyouwilldeigntolistenIcanexplaininhalfadozenwords,sire.
M.deBruhl\'smenaresixorseven,theProvosthaseightornine;buttheformerarethewilderblades,andifM.deBruhlfindyourMajestyinmylodging,andinferhisowndefeat,hewillbecapableofanydesperatestroke.Yourpersonwouldhardlybesafeinhiscompanythroughthestreets.Andthereisanotherconsideration,\'Iwenton,observingwithjoythatthekinglistened,andwasgraduallyregaininghiscomposure.\'Thatis,thesecrecyyoudesiredtopreserve,sire,untilthismattershouldbewelladvanced.M.deRosnylaidthestrictestinjunctionsonmeinthatrespect,fearinganEMEUTEinBloisshouldyourMajesty\'splansbecomeknown.\'
\'Youspeakfairly,\'thekingansweredwithreturningenergy,thoughheavoidedlookingatthewomen.\'Bruhlislikelyenoughtoraiseone.ButhowamItogetout,sir?\'hecontinued,querulously.\'Icannotremainhere.Ishallbemissed,man!I
amnotahedge-captain,neithersoughtnorwanted!\'
\'IfyourMajestywouldtrustme?\'Isaidslowlyandwithhesitation.
\'Trustyou!\'heretortedpeevishly,holdinguphishandsandgazingintentlyathisnails,oftheshapeandwhitenessofwhichhewasprouderthananywoman.\'HaveInottrustedyou?IfIhadnottrustedyou,shouldIhavebeenhere?ButthatyouwereaHuguenot——Godforgivemeforsayingit!——IwouldhaveseenyouinhellbeforeIwouldhavecomeherewithyou!\'
IconfesstohavingheardthistestimonytotheReligionwithapridewhichmademeforgetforamomenttheimmediatecircumstances——theperilinwhichwestood,thegloomyroomdarklylightedbyasinglecandle,thescaredfacesinthebackground,eventheking\'shuddledfigure,inwhichdejectionandpridestruggledforexpression.Foramomentonly;thenI
hastenedtoreply,sayingthatIdoubtednotIcouldstillextricatehisMajestywithoutdiscovery.
\'InHeaven\'snamedoit,then!\'heansweredsharply.\'Dowhatyoulike,man!Onlygetmebackintothecastle,anditshallnotbeaHuguenotwillenticemeoutagain.Iamoveroldfortheseadventures!\'
Afreshattackonthedoortakingplaceashesaidthisinducedmetolosenotimeinexplainingmyplan,whichhewasgoodenoughtoapprove,afteragainupbraidingmeforbringinghimintosuchadilemma.Fearinglestthedoorshouldgivewayprematurely,notwithstandingthebarsIhadprovidedforit,andgoadedonbyMadamedeBruhl\'sface,whichevincedtheutmostterror,ItookthecandleandattendedhisMajestyintotheinnerroom;whereIplacedmypistolsbesidehim,butsilentlyresumedmyswordanddagger.Ithenreturnedforthewomen,andindicatingbysignsthattheyweretoenter,heldthedooropenforthem.
Mademoiselle,whosebandagedhandIcouldnotregardwithoutemotion,thoughtheking\'spresenceandtherespectIowedhimforbademetouttersomuchasaword,advancedreadilyuntilshereachedthedoorwayabreastofme.There,however,lookingback,andseeingMadamedeBruhlfollowingher,shestoppedshort,anddartingahaughtyglanceatme,muttered,\'And——thatlady?Arewetobeshutuptogether,sir?\'
\'Mademoiselle,\'Iansweredquicklyinthelowtoneshehadusedherself,\'haveIeveraskedanythingdishonourableofyou?\'
Sheseemedbyaslightmovementoftheheadtoanswerinthenegative.
\'NordoInow,\'Irepliedwithearnestness.\'IentrusttoyourcarealadywhohasriskedgreatperilforUS;andtherestI
leavetoyou.\'
Shelookedmeverykeenlyinthefaceforasecond,andthen,withoutanswering,shepassedon,MadameandFanchettefollowingherinthatorder.IclosedthedoorandturnedtoSimon;whobymydirectionhadblowntheembersofthefireintoablazesoastopartiallyilluminetheroom,inwhichonlyheandInowremained.Theladseemedafraidtomeetmyeye,andowingtothesceneatwhichhehadjustassisted,ortotheonslaughtonthedoor,whichgreweachmomentmorefurious,betrayedgreaterrestlessnessthanIhadlatelyobservedinhim.Ididnotdoubthisfidelity,however,orhisdevotiontomademoiselle;andtheordersIhadtogivehimweresimpleenough.
\'Thisiswhatyouhavegottodo,\'Isaid,myhandalreadyonthebars.\'ThemomentIamoutsidesecurethisdoor.Afterthat,opentonooneexceptMaignan.Whenheapplies,lethiminwithcaution,andbidhim,ashelovesM.deRosny,takehismenassoonasthecoastisclear,andguardtheKingofFrancetothecastle.Chargehimtobebraveandwary,forhislifewillanswerfortheking\'s.\'
TwiceIrepeatedthis;thenfearinglesttheProvost-Marshalshouldmakegoodhiswordandapplyaramtothedoor,Iopenedthetrap.Adozenangryvoiceshailedmyappearance,andthiswithsomuchviolenceandimpatiencethatitwassometimebeforeIcouldgetahearing;theknavesthreateningmeifIwouldnotinstantlyopen,andpersistingthatIshoulddosowithoutmorewords.Theirleaderatlengthquietedthem,butitwasplainthathispatiencetoowaswornout.\'Doyousurrenderordoyounot?\'hesaid.\'Iamnotgoingtostayoutofmybedallnightforyou!\'
\'Iwarnyou,\'Ianswered,\'thattheorderyouhavetherehasbeencancelledbytheking!\'
\'Thatisnotmybusiness,\'herejoinedhardily.
\'No,butitwillbewhenthekingsendsforyouto-morrowmorning,\'Iretorted;atwhichhelookedsomewhatmoved.
\'However,Iwillsurrendertoyouontwoconditions,\'I
continued,keenlyobservingthecoarsefacesofhisfollowing.
\'First,thatyouletmekeepmyarmsuntilwereachthegate-
house,Igivingyoumyparoletocomewithyouquietly.Thatisnumberone.\'
\'Well,\'theProvost-Marshalsaidmorecivilly,\'Ihavenoobjectiontothat.\'
\'Secondly,thatyoudonotallowyourmentobreakintomylodgings.Iwillcomeoutquietly,andsoanend.Yourorderdoesnotdirectyoutosackmygoods.\'
\'Tut,tut!\'hereplied;\'Iwant,youtocomeout.Idonotwanttogoin.\'
\'Thendrawyourmenbacktothestairs,\'Isaid.\'Andifyoukeeptermswithme,Iwillupholdyouto-morrow,Foryourorderswillcertainlybringyouintotrouble.M.deRetz,whoprocureditthismorning,isaway,youknow.M.deVillequiermaybegoneto-morrow.Butdependuponit,M.deRambouilletwillbehere!\'
Theremarkwaswelltimedandtothepoint.ItstartledthemanasmuchasIhadhopeditwould.Withoutraisinganyobjectionheorderedhismentofallbackandguardthestairs;andIonmysidebegantoundothefasteningsofthedoor.
Thematterwasnottobesoeasilyconcluded,however;forBruhl\'srascals,inobedience,nodoubt,toasigngivenbytheirleader,whostoodwithFresnoyontheupperflightofstairs,refusedtowithdraw;andevenhustledtheProvost-Marshal\'smenwhenthelatterwouldhaveobeyedtheorder.Theofficer,alreadyheatedbydelay,repliedbylayingabouthimwithhisstaff,andinatwinklingthereseemedtobeeveryprospectofaveryprettyMELEE,theendofwhichitwasimpossibletoforesee.
Reflecting,however,thatifBruhl\'smenroutedtheiropponentsourpositionmightbemadeworseratherthanbetter,Ididnotactonmyfirstimpulse,whichwastoseethematteroutwhereI
was.Instead,Iseizedtheopportunitytoletmyselfout,whileSimonfastenedthedoorbehindme.TheProvost-MarshalwasengagedatthemomentinawordydisputewithFresnoy;whosevillainouscountenance,scarredbythewoundwhichIhadgivenhimatChize,andflushedwithpassion,lookeditsworstbythelightofthesingletorchwhichremained.Inonerespectthevillainhadprofitedbyhispresentpatronage,forhewasdeckedoutinastyleoftawdrymagnificence.ButIhavealwaysremarkedthisaboutdress,thatwhileashabbyexteriordoesnotentirelyobscureagentleman,theextremeoffashionispowerlesstogildaknave.
SeeingmeonasuddenattheProvost\'selbow,herecoiledwithachangeofcountenancesoludicrousthatthatofficerwashimselfstartled,andonlyheldhisgroundonmysalutinghimcivillyanddeclaringmyselfhisprisonerIaddedawarningthatheshouldlooktothetorchwhichremained;seeingthatifitfailedwewerebothliketohaveourthroatscutintheconfusion.
Hetookthehintpromptly,andcallingthelink-mantohissidepreparedtodescend,biddingFresnoyandhismen,whoremainedclumpedattheheadofthestairs,makewayforuswithoutado.
Theyseemedmuchinclined,however,todisputeourpassage,andreplyingtohisinvectiveswithroughtaunts,displayedsohostileademeanourthattheProvost,betweenregardforhisownimportanceandrespectforBruhl,appearedforamomentatalosswhattodo;andseemedratherrelievedthanannoyedwhenIbeggedleavetosayawordtoM.deBruhl.
\'Ifyoucanbringhismentoreason,\'herepliedtestily,\'speakyourfilltohim!\'
Steppingtothefootoftheupperflight,onwhichBruhlretainedhisposition,Isalutedhimformally.Hereturnedmygreetingwithasurly,watchfullookonly,anddrawinghiscloakmoretightlyroundhimaffectedtogazedownatmewithdisdain;whichillconcealed,however,boththetriumphhefeltandthehopesofvengeanceheentertained.Iwasespeciallyanxioustolearnwhetherhehadtrackedhiswifehither,orwasmerelyhereinpursuanceofhisgeneralschemesagainstme,andtothisend.I
askedhimwithasmuchironyasIcouldcompasstowhatIwastoattributehispresence.\'IamafraidIcannotstaytoofferyouhospitality,\'Icontinued;\'butforthatyouhaveonlyyourfriendM.Villequiertothank!\'
\'Iamgreatlyobligedtoyou,\'heansweredwithadevilishsmile,\'butdonotletthataffectyou.WhenyouaregoneIproposetohelpmyself,myfriend,towhatevertakesmytaste.\'
\'Doyou?\'Iretortedcoolly——notthatIwasunaffectedbythethreatandthevillainoushintwhichunderlaythewords,butthat,fullyexpectingthem,Iwasreadywithmyanswer.\'Wewillseeaboutthat.\'AndtherewithIraisedmyfingerstomylips,and,whistlingshrilly,cried\'Maignan!Maignan!\'inaclearvoice.
Ihadnoneedtocrythenameathirdtime,forbeforetheProvost-Marshalcoulddomorethanstartatthisunexpectedaction,thelandingaboveusrangunderaheavytread,andthemanIcalled,descendingthestairsswiftly,appearedonasuddenwithinarm\'slengthofM.deBruhl;who,turningwithanoath,sawhim,andinvoluntarilyrecoiled.AtalltimesMaignan\'shardyandconfidentbearingwasofakindtoimpressthestrong;
butonthisoccasiontherewasanaddeddashofrecklessnessinhismannerwhichwasnotwithoutitseffectonthespectators.
AshestoodtheresmilingdarklyoverBruhl\'shead,whilehishandtoyedcarelesslywithhisdagger,andthetorchshoneruddilyonhisburlyfigure,hewassoclearlyanantagonistinathousandthat,hadIsoughtthroughBlois,ImightnothavefoundhisfellowforstrengthandSANG-FROID.Helethisblackeyesrovefromonetotheother,buttookheedofmeonly,salutingmewitheffusionandatouchoftheGasconwhichwasinplacehere,ifever.
IknewhowM.deRosnydealtwithhim,andfollowedthepatternasfarasIcould.\'Maignan!\'Isaidcurtly,\'Ihavetakenalodgingforto-nightelsewhere.ThenIamgoneyouwillcalloutyourmenandwatchthisdoor.Ifanyonetriestoforceanentranceyouwilldoyourduty.\'
\'Youmayconsideritdone,\'hereplied.
\'EvenifthepersonbeM.deBruhlhere,\'Icontinued.
