ButinmovingIhadcaughtupbyoneofitslegsthestoolonwhichIhadbeensitting。AsIraisedit，Ieludedthepinioninggripofthetroopers。Itwistedintheirgrasp，andbroughtthestooldownupontheheadofoneofthemwithaforcethatdrovehimtohisknees。Upwentthatthree-leggedstoolagain，todescendlikeathunderboltupontheheadofanother。Thatfreedme。Thesergeantwascomingupbehind，butanotherflourishofmyimprovisedbattle-axesentthetworemainingsoldiersaparttolooktotheirswords。Eretheycoulddraw，Ihaddartedlikeaharebetweenthemandoutintothestreet。Thesergeant，cursingthemwithhorridvolubility，followedcloselyuponmyheels。
LeapingasfarintotheroadwayasIcould，Iturnedtomeetthefellow’sonslaught。Usingthestoolasabuckler，Icaughthisthrustuponit。Soviolentlywasitdeliveredthatthepointburieditselfinthewoodandthebladesnapped，leavinghimahiltandastumpofsteel。Iwastednotimeinthought。Charginghimwildly，Iknockedhimoverjustasthetwounhurtdragoonscamestumblingoutofthetavern。
Igainedmyhorse，andvaultedintothesaddle。Tearingthereinsfromtheurchinthatheldthem，anddrivingmyspursintothebeast’sflanks，Iwentcareeringdownthestreetatagallop，grippingtightlywithmyknees，whilstthestirrups，whichIhadhadnotimetostepinto，flewwildlyaboutmylegs。
Apistolcrackedbehindme;thenanother，andasharp，stingingpainintheshoulderwarnedmethatIwashit。ButItooknoheedofitthen。Thewoundcouldnotbeserious，elseIhadalreadybeenoutofthesaddle，anditwouldbetimeenoughtolooktoitwhenIhadoutdistancedmypursuers。Isaymypursuers，foralreadytherewerehoofbeatsbehindme，andIknewthatthosegentlemenhadtakentotheirhorses。But，asyoumayrecall，Ihadontheirarrivalnotedthejadedconditionoftheircattle，whilstIbestrodeahorsethatwascomparativelyfresh，sothatpursuithadbutsmallterrorsforme。Nevertheless，theyheldoutlonger，andgavememoretodothanIhadimaginedwouldbethecase。Fornighuponahalf-hourIrode，beforeIcouldbesaidtohavegotclearofthem，andthenforaughtIknewtheywerestillfollowing，resolvedtohoundmedownbytheaidofsuchinformationastheymightcullupontheirway。
IwascomebythentotheGaronne。Idrewreinbesidetheswiftlyflowingstream，windingitselflikeafloodofglitteringsilverbetweentheblackshadowsofitsbanks。AlittlewhileIsattherelistening，andsurveyingthestately，turretedchateauthatloomed，agrey，noblepile，beyondthewater。Ispeculatedwhatdemesnethismightbe，andIrealizedthatitwasprobablyLavecan。
IponderedwhatIhadbestdo，andintheendItooktheresolvetoswimtheriverandknockatthegates。IfitweeindeedLavedan，I
hadbuttoannouncemyself，andtooneofmynamesurelyitshospitalitieswouldbespread。Ifitweresomeotherhousehold，eventhenthenameofMarceldeBardelysshouldsufficetoensuremeawelcome。
Byspurringandcoaxing，Iluredmysteedintotheriver。Thereisaproverbhavingitthatthoughyoumayleadahorsetothewateryoucannotmakehimdrink。Itwouldhavenowappliedtomycase，foralthoughIhadbroughtminetothewaterIcouldnotmakehimswim;or，atleast，Icouldnotmakehimbreasttherushofthestream。VainlydidIurgehimandtrytoholdhim;heplungedfrantically，snorted，coughed，andstruggledgamely，butthecurrentwasbearingusswiftlyaway，andhiseffortsbroughtusnonearertotheoppositeshore。AtlastIslippedfromhisback，andsetmyselftoswimbesidehim，leadinghimbythebridle。Buteventhusheprovedunequaltothetaskofresistingthecurrent，sothatintheendIlethimgo，andswamashorealone，hopingthathewouldlandfartherdown，andthatImightthenrecapturehim。When，however，Ihadreachedtheoppositebank，andstoodundertheshadowofthechateau，Idiscoveredthatthecowardlybeasthadturnedback，and，havingscrambledout，wasnowtrottingawayalongthepathbywhichwehadcome。Havingnomindtogoafterhim，Iresignedmyselftotheloss，andturnedmyattentiontothemansionnowbeforeme。
Sometwohundredyardsfromtheriveritraiseditsgreatsquarebulkagainstthebackgroundofblack，star-fleckedsky。FromthefacadebeforemedowntothespotwhereIstoodbythewater，cameaflightofhalfadozenterraces，eachbalustradedinwhitemarble，endinginsquare，flat-toppedpillarsofFlorentinedesign。Whatmoontherewasrevealedthequaintarchitectureofthatstatelyedificeandglittereduponthemullionedwindows。Butwithinnothingstirred;noyellowglimmercametoclashwiththewhitepurityofthemoonlight;nosoundofmanorbeastbrokethestillnessofthenight，forallthatthehourwasearly。Theairoftheplacewasasthatofsomegiganticsepulchre。Alittledauntedbythisall-envelopingstillness，Iskirtedtheterracesandapproachedthehouseontheeasternside。HereIfoundanold-worlddrawbridge-nownaturallyindisuse-spanningaditchfedfromthemainriverfortheerstwhilepurposesofamoat。Icrossedthebridge，andenteredanimposingcourtyard。Withinthisquadranglethesamesilencedwelt，andtherewasthesameobscurityinthewindowsthatoverlookedit。Ipaused，atalosshowtoproceed，andIleanedagainstabuttressoftheportcullis，whattimeIconsidered。
Iwasweakfromfasting，wornwithhardriding，andfaintfromthewoundinmyshoulder，whichhadbeenthecauseatleastofmylosingsomeblood。Inadditiontoallthis，Iwasshiveringwiththecoldofmywetgarments，andgenerallyImusthavelookedaslittlelikethatBardelystheycalledtheMagnificentasyoumightwellconceive。How，then，ifIweretoknock，shouldIprevailinpersuadingthesepeople-whoevertheymightbe-ofmyidentity？
InfinitelymorehadItheairofsomefugitiverebel，anditwasmorethanprobablethatIshouldbekeptindurancetobehandedovertomyfriendsthedragoons，iflatertheycametoridethatway。Iwasseparatedfromthosewhoknewme，andasthingsnowstood-unlessthiswere，indeed，Lavedan-itmightbedaysbeforetheyfoundmeagain。
Iwasbeginningtodeploremyfollyathavingcutmyselfadriftfrommyfollowersinthefirstplace，andhavingembroiledmyselfwiththesoldiersinthesecond;Iwasbeginningtocontemplatethewisdomofseekingsomeouthouseofthismansionwhereintolieuntilmorning，whenofasuddenabroadshaftoflight，comingfromoneofthewindowsonthefirstfloor，fellathwartthecourtyard。
InstinctivelyIcrouchedbackintotheshadowofmyfriendlybuttress，andlookedup。
Thatsuddenshaftoflightresultedfromthewithdrawalofthecurtainsthatmaskedawindow。Atthiswindow，whichopenedoutwardontoabalcony;Inowbeheld-andtomeitwasasthevisionofBeatricemayhavebeentoDante-thewhitefigureofawoman。Themoonlightbathedher，asinherwhiterobesheleanedupontheparapetgazingupwardintotheempyrean。Asweet，delicatefaceI
saw，notendowed，perhaps，withthatexquisitebalanceandproportionoffeaturewhereintheytellusbeautylies，butblessedwithawondrouslydaintybeautyallitsown;abeauty，perhaps，asmuchofexpressionasofform;forinthatgentlecountenancewasmirroredeverytendergraceofgirlhood，allthatisfreshandpureandvirginal。
Iheldmybreath，Ithink，asIstoodinravishedcontemplationofthatwhitevision。IfthiswereLavedan，andthatthecoldRoxalannewhohadsentmyboldChatelleraultbacktoParisempty-handedthenweremytaskaverywelcomeone。
HowlittleithadweighedwithmethatIwascometoLanguedoctowooawomanbearingthenameofRoxalannedeLavedanIhavealreadyshown。ButhereinthissameLanguedocIbeheldto-nightawomanwhomitseemedImighthaveloved，fornotintenyears-not，indeed，inallmylife-hadanyfacesowroughtuponmeandcalledtomynaturewithsostrongavoice。
Igazedatthatchild，andIthoughtofthewomenthatIhadknown-thebold，bedizenedbeautiesofaCourtsaidtobethefirstinEurope。AndthenitcaretomethatthiswasnodemoiselleofLavedan，nodemoiselleatallinfact，forthenoblesseofFranceownednosuchfaces。Candourandpuritywerenottobelookedforinthehigh-bredcountenancesofourgreatfamilies;theyweresometimesfoundinthefacesofthechildrenoftheirretainers。
Yes;Ihaditnow。Thischildwasthedaughterofsomecustodianofthedemesnebeforeme。
Suddenly，asshestoodthereinthemoonlight，asong，sungathalf-voice，floateddownonthecalmair。ItwasadittyofoldProvence，amelodyIknewandloved，andifaughthadbeenwantingtoheightentheenchantmentthatalreadyravishedme，thatsoftmelodiousvoicehaddoneit。Singingstill，sheturnedandreenteredtheroom，leavingwidethewindows，sothatfaintly，asfromadistance，hervoicestillreachedmeaftershewasgonefromsight。
Itwasinthathourthatitcametometocastmyselfuponthisfaircreature’smercy。Surelyonesosweetandsaintlytobeholdwouldtakecompassiononanunfortunate！HaplymywoundandalltherestthatIhadthatnightenduredmademedull-wittedandwarpedmyreason。
WithwhatstrengthIstillpossessedIwenttoworktoscaleherbalcony。Thetaskwaseasyevenforoneinmyspentcondition。Thewallwasthickwithivy，and，moreover，awindowbeneathaffordedsomesupport，forbystandingontheheavycopingIcouldwithmyfingerstouchthesillofthebalconyabove。ThusIhoistedmyself，andpresentlyIthrewanarmovertheparapet。AlreadyIwasastrideofthatsameParapetbeforeshebecameawareofmypresence。
Thesongdiedsuddenlyonherlips，andhereyes，blueasforget-me-nots，werewidenowwiththefearthatthesightofmeoccasioned。Anothersecondandtherehadbeenanoutcrythatwouldhavebroughtthehouseaboutourears，when，steppingtothethresholdoftheroom“Mademoiselle。”Ientreated，“fortheloveofGod，besilent！Imeanyounoharm。Iamafugitive。Iampursued。”
Thiswasnoconsideredspeech。Therehadbeennopreparingofwords;
Ihadutteredthemmechanicallyalmost-perhapsbyinspiration，fortheyweresurelythebestcalculatedtoenlistthislady’ssympathy。
Andsofaraswentthewordsthemselves，theywererigorouslytrue。
Witheyeswideopenstill，sheconfrontedme，andInowobservedthatshewasnotsotallasfrombelowIhadimagined。Shewas，infact，ofashortstaturerather，butofproportionssoexquisitethatsheconveyedanimpressionofsomeheight。Inherhandsheheldataperbywhoselightshehadbeensurveyingherselfinhermirroratthemomentofmyadvent。Herunboundhairofbrownfelllikeamantleabouthershoulders，andthisfactitwasdrewmetonoticethatshewasinhernight-rail，andthatthisroomtowhichIhadpenetratedwasherchamber。
“Whoareyou？”sheaskedbreathlessly，asthoughinsuchapassmyidentitywereathingthatsignified。
Ihadalmostansweredher，asIhadansweredthetroopersatMirepoix，thatIwasLesperon。Then，bethinkingmethattherewasnoneedforsuchequivocationhere，Iwasonthepointofgivinghermyname。
Butnotingmyhesitation，andmisconstruingit，sheforestalledme。
“Iunderstand，monsieur。”saidshemorecomposedly。“Andyouneedhavenofear。Youareamongfriends。”
Hereyeshadtravelledovermysoddenclothes，thehaggardpallorofmyface，andthebloodthatstainedmydoubletfromtheshoulderdownward。FromallthisshehaddrawnherconclusionsthatIwasahuntedrebel。Shedrewmeintotheroom，and，closing，thewindow，shedraggedtheheavycurtainacrossit，therebygivingmeaproofofconfidencethatsmotemehard-impostorthatIwas。
“Icraveyourpardon，mademoiselle，forhavingstartledyoubytherudemannerofmycoming。”saidI，andneverinmylifehadIfeltlessateasethanthen。“ButIwasexhaustedanddesperate。Iamwounded，Ihaveriddenhard，andIswamtheriver。”
Thelatterpieceofinformationwasvastlyunnecessary，seeingthatthewaterfrommyclotheswasformingapoolaboutmyfeet。“Isawyoufrombelow;mademoiselle，andsurely，Ithought，sosweetaladywouldhavepityonanunfortunate。”Sheobservedthatmyeyeswereuponher，andinanactofinstinctivemaidenlinesssheboreherhandtoherthroattodrawthedraperiestogetherandscreenthebeautiesofherneckfrommyunwarrantedglance，asthoughherdailygowndidnotrevealasmuchandmoreofthem。
Thatact，however，servedtoarousemetoasenseofmyposition。
WhatdidIthere？Itwasaprofanity-adefiling，Iswore;fromwhichyou’llsee，thatBardelyswasgrownofasuddenverynice。
“Monsieur。”shewassaying，“youareexhausted。”
“ButthatIrodehard。”Ilaughed，“itislikelytheyhadtakenmetoToulouse，wereImighthavelostmyheadbeforemyfriendscouldhavefoundandclaimedme。Ihopeyou’llseeitistoocomelyaheadtobesolightlypartedwith。”
“Forthat。”saidshe，halfseriously，halfwhimsically，“theugliestheadwouldbetoocomely。”
Ilaughedsoftly，amusedly;thenofasudden，withoutwarning，afaintnesstookme，andIwasforcedtobracemyselfagainstthewall，breathingheavilythewhile。Atthatshegavealittlecryofalarm。
“Monsieur，Ibeseechyoutobeseated。Iwillsummonmyfather，andwewillfindabedforyou。Youmustnotretainthoseclothes。”
“Angelofgoodness！“Imutteredgratefully，andbeingstillhalfdazed，IbroughtsomeofmyCourttricksintothatchamberbytakingherhandandcarryingittowardsmylips。ButereIhadimprintedtheintendedkissuponherfingers-andbysomemiracletheywerenotwithdrawn-myeyesencounteredhersagain。Ipausedasonemaypausewhocontemplatesasacrilege。Foramomentsheheldmyglancewithhers;thenIfellabashed，andreleasedherhand。
Theinnocencepeepingoutofthatchild’seyesitwasthathadinthatmomentdauntedme，andmademetrembletothinkofbeingfoundthere，andofthevilethingitwouldbetohavehernamecoupledwithmine。Thatthoughtlentmestrength。Icastmywearinessfrommeasthoughitwereagarment，and，straighteningmyself，Isteppedofasuddentothewindow。Withoutaword，Imadeshifttodrawbackthecurtain，whenherhand，fallingonmysoddensleeve，arrestedme。
“Whatwillyoudo，monsieur？”shecriedinalarm。“Youmaybeseen。”
MymindwasnowpossessedbythethingIshouldhavethoughtofbeforeIclimbedtoherbalcony，andmyoneresolvewastogetmethenceasquicklyasmightbe:
“Ihadnottherighttoenterhere。”Imuttered。“I-“Istoppedshort;toexplainwouldonlybetosully，andso，“Good-night！
Adieu！“Iendedbrusquely:
“But，monsieur-“shebegan。
“Letmego。”Icommandedalmostroughly，asIshookmyarmfreeofhergrasp。
“Bethinkyouthatyouareexhausted。Ifyougoforthnow，monsieur，youwillassuredlybetaken。Youmustnotgo。”
Ilaughedsoftly，andwithsomebitterness，too，forIwasangrywithmyself。
“Hush，child。”Isaid。“Betterso，ifitistobe。”
AndwiththatIdrewasidethecurtainsandpushedtheleavesofthewindowapart。Sheremainedstandingintheroom，watchingme，herfacepale，andhexeyespainedandpuzzled。
OnelastglanceIgaveherasIbestrodetherailofherbalcony。
ThenIloweredmyselfasIhadascended。Iwashangingbymyhands，seekingwithmyfootforthecopingofthewindowbeneathme，when，suddenly，therecameabuzzinginmyears。Ihadafleetingvisionofawhitefigureleaningonthebalconyaboveme;thenaveilseemeddrawnovermyeyes;therecameasenseoffalling;arushasofatempestuouswind;then-nothing。
CHAPTERV
THEVICOMTEDELAVEDAN
WhennextIawakened，itwastofindmyselfabedinanelegantapartment，spaciousandsunlit，thatwasutterlystrangetome。
ForsomesecondsIwascontenttolieandtakenocountofmywhereabouts。Myeyestravelledidlyoverthehandsomefurnishingsofthatchoicelyappointedchamber，andrestedatlastuponthelean，crookedfigureofamanwhosebackwastowardsmeandwhowasbusywithsomephialsatatablenotfardistant。Thenrecollectionawakenedalsoinme，andIsetmywitstoworktograpplewithmysurroundings。Ilookedthroughtheopenwindow，butfrommypositiononthebednomorewasvisiblethantheblueskyandafainthazeofdistanthills。
Itaxedmymemory，andtheeventsofyesternightrecurredtome。
Irememberedthegirl，thebalcony，andmyflightendinginmygiddinessandmyfall。Hadtheybroughtmeintothatsamechateau，or-Orwhat？Nootherpossibilitycametosuggestitself，and，seeingscantneedtotaxmybrainswithspeculation，sincetherewasonethereofwhomImightaskthequestion-
“Hola，mymaster！“Icalledtohim，andasIdidsoIessayedtomove。Theactwrungasharpcryofpainfromme。Myleftshoulderwasnumbandsore，butinmyrightfootthatsuddenmovementhadrousedasharperpang。
Atmycrythatlittlewizenedoldmanswung’suddenlyround。Hehadthefaceofabirdofprey，yellowasalouisd’orwithagreathookednose，andapairofbeadyblackeyesthatobservedmesolemnly。Themouthalonewastheredeemingfeatureinacountenancethathadotherwisebeenevil;itwasinstinctwithgood-humour。ButIhadsmallleisuretoobservehimthen，forsimultaneouslywithhisturningtherehadbeenanothermovementatmybedside，whichdrewmyeyeselsewhere。Agentleman，richlydressed，andofanimposingheight，approachedme。
“Youareawake，monsieur？”hesaidinahalfinterrogativetone。
“WillyoudomethefavourtotellmewhereIam，monsieur？”quothI。
“Youdonotknow？YouareatLavedan。IamtheVicomtedeLavedan-atyourservice。”
AlthoughitwasnomorethanImighthaveexpected，yetadullwonderfilledme，towhichpresentlyIgaveexpressionbyaskingstupidly-
“AtLavedan？ButhowcameIhither？”
“HowyoucameismorethanIcantell。”helaughed。“ButI’llsweartheKing’sdragoonswerenotfarbehindyou。Wefoundyouinthecourtyardlastnight;inaswoonofexhaustion，woundedintheshoulder，andwithasprainedfoot。Itwasmydaughterwhogavethealarmandcalledustoyourassistance。Youwerelyingunderherwidow。”Then，seeingthegrowingwonderinmyeyesandmisconstruingitintoalarm:“Nay，havenofear，monsieur。”hecried。“Youwereverywelladvisedincomingtous。Youhavefallenamongfriends。
WeareOrleaniststoo，-atLavedan，forallthatIwasnotinthefightatCastelnaudary。Thatwasnofaultofmine。HisGrace’smessengerreachedmeoverlate，andforallthatIsetoutwithacompanyofmymen，IputbackwhenIhadreachedLautrecuponhearingthatalreadyadecisivebattlehadbeenfoughtandthatoursidehadsufferedacrushingdefeat。”Heutteredawearysigh。
“Godhelpus，monsieur！MonseigneurdeRichelieuislikelytohavehiswaywithus。Butletthatbeforthepresent。Youarehere，andyouaresafe。AsyetnosuspicionrestsonLavedan。Iwas，asIhavesaid，toolateforthefight，andsoIcamequietlybacktosavemyskin，thatImightservetheCauseinwhateverotherwaymightofferstill。InshelteringyouIamservingGastond’Orleans，and，thatImaycontinuesotodo，Ipraythatsuspicionmaycontinuetoignoreme。IftheyweretolearnofitatToulouseorofhowwithmoneyandinotherwaysIhavehelpedthisrebellion-ImakenodoubtthatmyheadwouldbetheforfeitIshouldbeaskedtopay。”
Iwasaghastatthefreedomoftreasonablespeechwithwhichthisverydebonnairegentlemanventuredtoaddressanutterstranger。
“Buttellme，MonsieurdeLesperon。”resumedmyhost，“howisitwithyou？”
Istartedinfreshastonishment。
“How-howdoyouknowthatIamLesperon？”Iasked。
“Mafoil“helaughed，“doyouimagineIhadspokensounreservedlytoamanofwhomIknewnothing？Thinkbetterofme，monsieur，I
beseechyou。Ifoundtheselettersinyourpocketlastnight，andtheirsuperscriptiongavemeyouridentity。Yournameiswellknowntome。”headded。“MyfriendMonsieurdeMarsachasoftenspokenofyouandofyourdevotiontotheCause，anditaffordsmenolittlesatisfactiontobeofsomeservicetoonewhombyreputeI
havealreadylearnedtoesteem。”
Ilaybackonmypillows，andIgroaned。Herewasapredicament！
MistakingmeforthatmiserablerebelIhadsuccouredatMirepoix，andwhoselettersIboreuponmethatImightrestorethemtosomeonewhosenamehehadfailedtogivemeatthelastmoment，theVicomtedeLavedanhadpouredthedamningstoryofhistreasonintomyears。
WhatifIwerenowtoenlightenhim？WhatifIweretotellhimthatIwasnotLesperon-norebelat，all，infact-butMarceldeBardelys，theKing’sfavourite？ThathewouldaccountmeaspyI
hardlythought;butassuredlyhewouldseethatmylifemustbeadangertohisown;hemustfearbetrayalfromme;andtoprotecthimselfhewouldbejustifiedintakingextrememeasures。Rebelswerenotaddictedtoanexcessofnicenessintheirmethods，anditwasmorelikelythatIshouldrisenomorefromtheluxuriousbedonwhichhishospitalityhadlaidme。ButevenifIhadexaggeratedmatters，andtheVicomtewerenotquitesobloodthirstyaswasusualwithhisorder，evenifhechosetoacceptmypromisethatIwouldforgetwhathehadsaid，hemustnevertheless-inviewofhisindiscretion-demandmyinstantwithdrawalfromLavedan。Andwhat，then，ofmywagerwithChatellerault？
Then，inthinkingofmywager，IcametothinkofRoxalanneherself-thatdainty，sweet-facedchildintowhosechamberIhadpenetratedonthepreviousnight。AndwouldyoubelieveitthatI-thesatiated，cynical，unbelievingBardelys——experienceddismayattheverythoughtofleavingLavedanfornootherreasonthanbecauseitinvolvedseeingnomoreofthatprovincialdamsel？
Myunwillingnesstobedrivenfromherpresencedeterminedmetostay。IhadcometoLavedanasLesperon，afugitiverebel。InthatcharacterIhadallbutannouncedmyselflastnighttoMademoiselle。
InthatcharacterIhadbeenwelcomedbyherfather。Inthatcharacter，then，Imustremain，thatImightbenearher，thatI
mightwooandwinher，andthus-thoughthis，Iswear，hadnowbecomeaminorconsiderationwithme-makegoodmyboastandwinthewagerthatmustotherwiseinvolvemyruin。
AsIlaybackwithclosedeyesandgavemyselfovertoponderingthesituation，Itookapleasureoddlysweetintheprospectofurgingmysuitundersuchcircumstances。Chatelleraulthadgivenmeafreehand。IwastogoaboutthewooingofMademoiselledeLavedanasIchose。Buthehadcastitatmeindefiancethatnotwithallmymagnificence，notwithallmyretinueandallmystatetodazzleher，shouldIsucceedinmeltingthecoldestheartinFrance。
Andnow，behold！Ihadcastfrommealltheseoutwardembellishments;Icamewithoutpomp，denudedofeveryemblemofwealth，ofeverysignofpower;asapoorfugitivegentleman，I
came，hunted，proscribed，andpenniless-forLesperon’sestatewouldassuredlysuffersequestration。Towinherthuswould，bymyfaith，beanexploitImighttakepridein，aworthyachievementtoencompass。
AndsoIleftthingsastheywere，andsinceIofferednodenialtotheidentitythatwasthrustuponme，asLesperonIcontinuedtobeknowntotheVicomteandtohisfamily。
PresentlyhecalledtheoldmantomybedsideandIheardthemtalkingofmycondition。
“Youthink，then，Anatole。”hesaidintheend，“thatinthreeorfourdaysMonsieurdeLesperonmaybeabletorise？”
“Iamassuredofit。”repliedtheoldservant。
Whereupon，turningtome，“Bethereforeofgoodcourage，monsieur。”
saidLavedan，“foryourhurt，is，nonesogrievousafterall。”
IwasmutteringmythanksandmyassurancesthatIwasinexcellentspirits，whenweweresuddenlydisturbedbyarumblingnoiseasofdistantthunder。
“MortDieu！“sworetheVicomte，alookofalarmcomingintohisface。Withabenthead，hestood，ina，listeningattitude。
“Whatisit？”Iinquired。
“Horsemen-onthedrawbridge。”heansweredshortly。“Atroop，bythesound。”
Andthen，inconfirmationofthesewords，followedastampingandrattleofhoofsontheflagsofthecourtyardbelow。Theoldservantstoodwringinghishandsinhelplessterror，andwailing，“Monsieur，monsieur！“
ButtheVicomtecrossedrapidlytothewindowandlookedout。Thenhelaughedwithintenserelief;aridinawonderingvoice“Theyarenottroopers。”heannounced。“Theyhavemoretheairofacompanyofservantsinprivatelivery;andthereisacarriage-padieu，twocarriages！“
AtoncethememoryofRodenardandmyfollowersoccurredtome，andIthankedHeaventhatIwasabedwherehemightnotseeme，andthatthushewouldprobablybesentforthempty-handedwiththenewsthathismasterwasneitherarrivednorexpected。
ButinthatsurmiseIwenttoofast。Ganymedewasofatenaciousmettle，andofthishenowaffordedproof。UponlearningthatnaughtwasknownoftheMarquisdeBardelysatLavedan，myfaithfulhenchmanannouncedhisintentiontoremainthereandawaitme，sincethatwas，heassuredtheVicomte，mydestination。
“Myfirstimpulse。”saidLavedan，whenlaterhecametotellmeofit，“wasincontinentlytoorderhisdeparture。ButuponconsideringthematterandrememberinghowhighinpowerandintheKing’sfavourstandsthatmonstrouslibertineBardelys，Ideemeditwisertoaffordsheltertothisoutrageousretinue。Hissteward-aflabby，insolentcreature-saysthatBardelysleftthemlastnightnearMirepoix，toridehither，biddingthemfollowto-day。Curiousthatweshouldhavenonewsofhim！ThatheshouldhavefallenintotheGaronneanddrownedhimselfweretoogreatagoodfortunetobehopedfor。”
ThebitternesswithwhichhespokeofmeaffordedmeamplecauseforcongratulationthatIhadresolvedtoaccepttheroleofLesperon。
Yet，rememberingthatmyfatherandhehadbeengoodfriends，hismannerleftmenonplussed。Whatcausecouldhehaveforthisanimositytotheson？CoulditbemerelymypositionatCourtthatmademeseeminhisrebeleyesanaturalenemy？
“YouareacquaintedwiththisBardelys？”Iinquired，bywayofdrawinghim。
“Iknewhisfather。”heansweredgruffly。“Anhonest，uprightgentleman。”
“Andtheson。”Iinquiredtimidly，“hashenoneofthesevirtues？”
“Iknownotwhatvirtueshemayhave;hisvicesareknowntoalltheworld。Heisalibertine，agambler，arake，aspendthrift。
TheysayheisoneoftheKing’sfavourites，andthathismonstrousextravaganceshaveearnedforhimthetitleof’Magnificent。”
Heutteredashortlaugh。“AfitservantforsuchamasterasLouistheJust！“
“MonsieurleVicomte。”saidI，warminginmyowndefence，“Iswearyoudohiminjustice。Heisextravagant，butthenheisrich;heisalibertine，butthenheisyoung，andhehasbeenrearedamonglibertines;heisagamester，butpunctiliouslyhonourableatplay。
Believeme，monsieur，IhavesomeacquaintancewithMarceldeBardelys，andhisvicesarehardlysoblackasisgenerallybelieved;
whilstinhisfavourIthinkthesamemaybesaidthatyouhavejustsaidofhisfather-heisanhonest，uprightgentleman。”
“AndthatdisgracefulaffairwiththeDuchessedeBourgogne？”
inquiredLavedan，withtheairofamansettinganunanswerablequestion。
“MonDieu！“Icried，“willtheworldneverforgetthatindiscretion？
Anindiscretionofyouth，nodoubtmuchexaggeratedoutsideCourtcircles。”
TheVicomteeyedmeinsomeastonishmentforamoment。
“MonsieurdeLesperon。”hesaidatlength，“youappeartoholdthisBardelysinhighesteem。Hehasastaunchsupporterinyouandastoutadvocate。Yetmeyoucannotconvince。”Andheshookhisheadsolemnly。“EvenifIdidnotholdhimtobesuchamanasIhavepronouncedhim，butweretoaccounthimaparagonofallthevirtues，hiscominghitherremainsanactthatImustresent。”
“Butwhy，MonsieurleVicomte？”
“BecauseIknowtheerrand:thatbringshimtoLavedan。Hecomestowoomydaughter。”
Hadheflungabombintomy，bed，hecouldnotmoreeffectivelyhavestartledme。
“Itastonishesyou，eh？”helaughedbitterly。“ButIcanassureyouthatitisso。AmonthagoIwasvisitedbytheComtedeChatellerault-anotherofHisMajesty’sfinefavourites。Hecameunbidden;offerednoreasonforhiscoming，savethathewasmakingatouroftheprovinceforhisamusement。Hisacquaintancewithmewasoftheslightest，andIhadnodesirethatitshouldincrease;yethereheinstalledhimselfwithacoupleofservants，andbadefairtotakealongstay。
“Iwassurprised，butonthemorrowIhadanexplanation。Acourier，arrivingfromanoldfriendofmineatCourt，boremealetterwiththeinformationatMonsieurdeChatelleraultwascometoLavedanattheKing’sinstigationtosueformydaughter’shandinmarriage。
Thereasonswerenotfartoseek。TheKing，wholoveshim，wouldenrichhim;theeasiestwayisbyawealthyalliance，andRoxalanneisaccountedanheiress。Inadditiontothat，myownpowerintheprovinceisknown，whilstmydefectiononfromtheCardinalistpartyisfeared。WhatbetterlinkwherewithtoattachmeagaintothefortunesoftheCrown-forCrownandMitrehavegrowntobesynonymousinthistopsy-turvyFrance-thantowedmydaughtertooneoftheKing’sfavourites？
“Butforthattimelywarning，Godknowswhat，mischiefhadbeenwrought。Asitwas，MonsieurdeChatelleraulthadbutseenmydaughterupontwooccasions。OntheverydaythatIreceivedthetidings。Ispeakof，IsenthertoAuchtothecareofsomerelativesofhermother’s。Chatelleraultremainedaweek。Then，growingrestive，heaskedwhenmydaughterwouldreturn。’Whenyoudepart，monsieur;’Iansweredhim，and，beingpressedforreasons，Idealtsofranklywithhimthatwithintwenty-fourhourshewasonhiswaybacktoParis。”
TheVicomtepausedandtookaturnintheapartment，whilstI
ponderedhiswords，whichwerebringingmeacuriousrevelation。
Presentlyheresumed。
“Andnow，Chatelleraulthavingfailedinhispurpose，theKingchoosesamoredangerouspersonforthegratifyingofhisdesires。
HesendstheMarquis，MarceldeBardelystoLavedanonthesamebusiness。NodoubtheattributesChatellerault’sfailuretoclumsiness，andhehasdecidedthistimetochooseamanfamedforcourtlyaddressandgiftedwithsuchartsofdalliancethathecannotfailbutenmeshmydaughterinthem。ItisagreatcomplimentthathepaysusinsendinghitherthehandsomestandmostaccomplishedgentlemanofallhisCourt-sofamehasit-yetitisacomplimentofwhoseflatteryIamnotsensible。Bardelysgoeshenceasempty-handedaswentChatellerault。Lethimbutshowhisface，andmydaughterjourneystoAuchagain。AmInotwelladvised，MonsieurdeLesperon？”
“Why，yes。”Iansweredslowly，afterthemannerofonewhodeliberates，“ifyouarepersuadedthatyourconclusionstouchingBardelysarecorrect。”
“Iammorethanpersuaded。WhatotherbusinesscouldbringhimtoLavedan？”
ItwasaquestionthatIdidnotattempttoanswer。Haplyhedidnotexpectmetoanswerit。Heleftmefreetoponderanotherissueofthissamebusinessofwhichmymindwasbecomeveryfull。
Chatelleraulthadnotdealtfairlywithme。Often，sinceIhadleftParis，hadImarvelledthathecametobesorashastoriskhisfortuneuponamatterthatturneduponawoman’swhim。ThatI
possessedundeniableadvantagesofperson，ofbirth，andofwealth，Chatelleraultcouldnothavedisregarded。Yetthese，andthepossibilitythattheymightsufficetoengagethislady’saffections，heappearedtohavesetatnaughtwhenheplungedintothatrashwager。
HemusthaverealizedthatbecausehehadfailedwasnoreasontopresumethatImustalsofail。Therewasnoconsequenceinsuchanargument，andoften，asIhavesaid，hadImarvelledduringthepastdaysatthereadinesswithwhichChatelleraulthadflungdownthegage。NowIheldtheexplanationofit。HecountedupontheVicomtedeLavedantoreasonpreciselyashewasreasoning，andhewasconfidentthatnoopportunitieswouldbeaffordedmeofsomuchasseeingthisbeautifulandcoldRoxalanne。
Itwasawilytraphehadsetme，worthyonlyofatrickster。
Fate，however，hadtakenahandinthegame，andthecardswereredealtsinceIhadleftParis。ThegermsofthewagerpermittedmetochooseanylineofactionthatIconsidereddesirable;butDestiny，itseemed，hadchosenforme，andsetmeinalinethatshouldatleastsufficetoovercometheparentalresistance-thatbreastworkuponwhichChatelleraulthadsoconfidentlydepended。
AstherebelRenedeLesperonIwasshelteredatLavedanandmadewelcomebymyfellow-rebeltheVicomte，whoalreadyseemedmuchtakenwithme，andwhohadesteemedmebeforeseeingmefromthemuchthatMonsieurdeMarsac-whoeverhemightbe-hadtoldhimofme。AsRenedeLesperonImustremain，andturntobestaccountmysojourn，prayingGodmeanwhilethatthissameMonsieurdeMarsacmightbepleasedtorefrainfromvisitingLavedanwhilstIwasthere。
CHAPTERVI
INCONVALESCENCE
OftheweekthatfollowedmycomingtoLavedanIfindsomedifficultyinwriting。Itwasformeatimeverycrowdedwithevents-eventsthatappearedtobemouldingmycharacteranewandmakingofmeapersondifferent，indeed，fromthatMarceldeBardelyswhominParistheycalledtheMagnificent。Yettheseevents，althoughsignificantintheirtotal，wereofsovagueandslightanatureintheirdetail，thatwhenIcometowriteofthemIfindreallylittlethatImaysetdown。
Rodenardandhiscompanionsremainedfortwodaysatthechateau，andtomehissojourntherewasasourceofperpetualanxiety，forIknewnothowfarthefoolmightseefittoprolongit。ItwaswellformethatthisanxietyofminewassharedbyMonsieurdeLavedan，whodislikedatsuchatimethepresenceofmenattachedtoonewhowassonotoriouslyoftheKing’sparty。Hecameatlasttoconsultmeastowhatmeasuresmightbetakentoremovethem，andI-nothingloathtoconspirewithhimtosodesirableend-
badehimsuggesttoRodenardthatperhapsevilhadbefallenMonsieurdeBardelys，andthat，insteadofwastinghistimeatLavedan，hewerebetteradvisedtobesearchingtheprovinceforhismaster。
ThiscounseltheVicomteadopted，andwithsuchexcellentresultsthatthatveryday-withinthehour，infact-Ganymede，arousedtoasenseofhisproperduty，setoutinquestofme，notalittledisturbedinmind-forwithallhisshortcomingstherascallovedmeveryfaithfully。
ThatwasonthethirddayofmysojournatLavedan。OnthemorrowIrose，myfootbeingsufficientlyrecoveredtopermitit。Ifeltalittleweakfromlossofblood，butAnatole-who，forallhisevilcountenance，wasakindlyandgentleservantwasconfidentthatafewdays-aweekatmost-wouldseemecompletelyrestored。
OfleavingLavedanIsaidnothing。ButtheVicomte，whowasoneofthemostgenerousandnobleheartedmenthatithaseverbeenmygoodfortunetomeet，forestalledanymentionofmydeparturebyurgingthatIshouldremainatthechateauuntilmyrecoverywerecompleted，and，forthatmatter，aslongthereafterasshouldsuitmyinclinations。
“AtLavedanyouwillbesafe，myfriend。”heassuredme;“for，asI
havetoldyou，weareundernosuspicion。LetmeurgeyoutoremainuntiltheKing，shallhavedesistedfromfurtherpersecutingus。”
AndwhenIprotestedandspokeoftrespassing，hewaivedthepointwithabrusquenessthatamountedalmosttoanger。
“Believe;monsieur，thatIampleasedandhonouredatservingonewhohassostoutlyservedtheCauseandsacrificedsomuchtoit。”
Atthat，beingnotaltogetherdeadtoshame，Iwinced，andtoldmyselfthatmybehaviourwasunworthy，andthatIwaspractisingadetestabledeception。YetsomeindulgenceImayjustlyclaiminconsiderationofhowfarIwasvictimofcircumstance。DidItellhimthatIwasBardelys，IwasconvincedthatIshouldneverleavethechateaualive。Verynoble-heartedwastheVicomte，andnomanhaveIknownmoreaversetobloodthirstiness，buthehadtoldmemuchduringthedaysthatIhadlainabed，andmanyliveswouldbejeopardizeddidIproclaimwhatIhadlearnedfromhim。HenceI
arguedthatanydisclosureofmyidentitymustperforcedrivehimtoextrememeasuresforthesakeofthefriendshehadunwittinglybetrayed。
OnthedayafterRodenard’sdepartureIdinedwiththefamily，andmetagainMademoiselledeLavedan，whomIhadnotseensincethebalconyadventureof，somenightsago。TheVicomtessewasalsopresent，aladyofveryaustereandnobleappearance-leanasapikeandwithamostformidablenose-but，asIwassoontodiscover，withamindincliningovermuchtoscandalandthehigh-seasonedtalkoftheCourtsinwhichhergirlhoodhadbeenspent。
>FromherlipsIheardthatdaytheold，scandalousstoryofMonseigneurdeRichelieu’searlypassionforAnneofAustria。WithmuchunctiondidshetellushowtheQueenhadluredHisEminencetodresshimselfinthemotleyofajesterthatshemightmakeamockofhimintheeyesofthecourtiersshehadconcealedbehindthearrasofherchamber。
Thisanecdoteshegaveuswithmuchwealthofdiscreditabledetailandscantregardforeitherherdaughter’spresenceorfortheblushesthatsuffusedthepoorchild’scheeks。Ineverywayshewasapatternoftheclassofwomenamongstwhommyyouthhadbeenspent，aclasswhichhaddonesomuchtowardsshatteringmyfaithandloweringmyestimateofhersex。LavedanhadmarriedherandbroughtherintoLanguedoc，andhereshespentheryearslamentingthescenesofheryouth，andprone，itwouldseem，tomakethemmatterforconversationwheneveranewcomerchancedtopresenthimselfatthechateau。
Lookingfromhertoherdaughter，IthankedHeaventhatRoxalannewasnoreproductionofthemother。Shehadinheritedaslittleofhercharacterasofherappearance。BothinfeatureandinsoulMademoiselledeLavedanwasacopyofthatnoble，gallantgentleman，herfather。
Oneotherwaspresentatthatmeal，ofwhomIshallhavemoretosayhereafter。Thiswasayoungmanofgoodpresence，save，perhaps，atooobtrusivefoppishness，whomMonsieurdeLavedanpresentedtomeasadistantkinsmanoftheirs，oneChevalierdeSaint-Eustache。
Hewasverytall-offullymyownheight-andofanexcellentshape，althoughextremelyyoung。Buthisheadifanythingwastoosmallforhisbody，andhisgood-naturedmouthwasofaweaknessthatwasconfirmedbythesignificanceofhischin，whilsthiseyesweretoocloselysettoaugurfrankness。
Hewasapleasantfellow，seeminglyofthatnegativepleasantnessthatliesininoffensiveness，butotherwisedullandofanuntutoredmind-rustic，asmightbeexpectedinonethegreaterpartofwhoselifehadbeenspentinhisnativeprovince，andofarusticityrenderedallthemoreflagrantbytheveryeffortsheexertedtodissembleit。
ItwasaftermadamehadrelatedthatunsavouryanecdotetouchingtheCardinalthatheturnedtoaskmewhetherIwaswellacquaintedwiththeCourt。Iwasneartocommittingtheegregiousblunderoflaughinginhisface;but，recollectingmyselfbetimes，IansweredvaguelythatIhadsomeknowledgeofit，whereuponheallbutcausedmetoboundfrommychairbyaskingmehadIevermettheMagnificentBardelys。
“I-Iamacquaintedwithhim。”Iansweredwarily。“Whydoyouask？”
“Iwasremindedofhimbythefactthathisservantshavebeenherefortwodays。YouwereexpectingtheMarquishimself，wereyounot，MonsieurleVicomte？”
Lavedanraisedhisheadsuddenly，afterthemannerofamanwhohasreceivedanaffront。
“Iwasnot，Chevalier。”heanswered，withemphasis。“Hisintendant，aninsolentknaveofthenameofRodenard，informedmethatthisBardelysprojectedvisitingme。Hehasnotcome，andIdevoutlyhopethathemaynotcome。TroubleenoughhadItoridmyselfofhisservants，andbutforMonsieurdeLesperon’swell-conceivedsuggestiontheymightstillbehere。”
“Youhavenevermethim，monsieur？”inquiredtheChevalier。
“Never。”repliedourhostinsuchawaythatanybutafoolmusthaveunderstoodthathedesirednothinglessthansuchameeting。
“Adelightfulfellow。”murmuredSaint-Eustache-“abrilliant，dazzlingpersonality。”
“You-youareacquaintedwithhim？”Iasked。
“Acquainted？”echoedthatboastfulliar。“Wewereasbrothers。”
“Howyouinterestme！Andwhyhaveyounevertoldus？”quothmadame，hereyesturnedenviouslyupontheyoungman-asenviouslyaswereLavedan’sturnedindisgust。“ItisathousandpitiesthatMonsieurdeBardelyshasalteredhisplansandisnolongercomingtous。
Tomeetsuchamanistobreatheagaintheairofthegrandmonde。
Youremember;MonsieurdeLesperon，thataffairwiththeDuchessdeBourgogne？”Andshesmiledwickedlyinmydirection。
“Ihavesomerecollectionofit。”Iansweredcoldly;“ButIthinkthatrumourexaggerates。Whentongueswag，alittlerivuletisoftendescribedasamountaintorrent。”
“YouwouldnotsaysodidyoubutknowwhatIknow。”sheinformedmeroguishly。“Often，Iconfess，rumourmayswelltheimportanceofsuchanaffaire，butinthiscaseIdonotthinkthatrumourdoesitjustice。”
Imadeadeprecatorygesture，andIwouldhavehadthesubjectchanged，butereIcouldmakeanefforttothatend，thefoolSaint-Eustachewasbabblingagain。
“Youremembertheduelthatwasfoughtinconsequence，MonsieurdeLesperon？”
“Yes。”Iassentedwearily。
“Andinwhichapooryoungfellowlosthislife。”growledtheVicomte。“Itwaspracticallyamurder。”
“Nay，monsieur。”Icried，withasuddenheatthatsetthemstaringatme;“thereyoudohimwrong。MonsieurdeBardelyswasopposedtothebestbladeinFrance。Theman’sreputationasaswordsmanwasofsuchaqualitythatforatwelvemonthhehadbeenlivinguponit，doingallmannerofunseemly，thingsimmunefrompunishmentbythefearinwhichhewasuniversallyheld。Hisbehaviourintheunfortunateaffairwearediscussingwasofaparticularlyshamefulcharacter。Oh，Iknowthedetails，messieurs，Icansureyou。HethoughttoimposehisreputationuponBardelysashehadimposedituponahundredothers，butBardelyswasover-toughforhisteeth。
Hesentthatnotoriousyounggentlemanachallenge，andonthefollowingmorninghelefthimdeadinthehorsemarketbehindtheHotelVendome。Butfarfromamurder，monsieur，itwasanactofjustice，andthemostrichlyearnedpunishmentwithwhichevermanwasvisited。”
“Evenifso。”criedtheVicomteinsomesurprise，“whyallthisheattodefendabrawler？”
“Abrawler？”Irepeatedafterhim。“Oh，no。ThatisachargehisworstenemiescannotmakeagainstBardelys。Heisnobrawler。Theduelinquestionwashisfirstaffairofthekind，andithasbeenhislast，foruntohimhasclungthereputationthathadbelongeduntilthentoLaVertoile，andthereisnoneinFranceboldenoughtosendachallengetohim。”And，seeingwhatsurpriseIwasprovoking，Ithoughtitwelltoinvolveanotherwithmeinhisdefence。So，turningtotheChevalier，“Iamsure。”saidI，“thatMonsieurdeSaint-Eustachewillconfirmmywords。”
Thereupon，hisvanitybeingallaroused，theChevaliersethimselftoparaphraseallthatIhadsaidwithaheatthatcastmineintoamiserableinsignificance。
“Atleast。”laughedtheVicomteatlength，“helacksnotforchampions。Formyownpart，IamcontenttoprayHeaventhathecomenottoLavedan，asheintended。”
“Maisvoyons，Gaston。”theVicomtesseprotested，“whyharbourprejudice？Waitatleastuntilyouhaveseenhim，thatyoumayjudgehimforyourself。”
“AlreadyhaveIjudgedhim;IpraythatImay，neverseehim。”
“Theytellmeheisaveryhandsomeman。”saidshe，appealingtomeforconfirmation。Lavedanshotherasuddenglanceofalarm，atwhichIcouldhavelaughed。Hithertohissoleconcernhadbeenhisdaughter，butitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatperhapsnotevenheryearsmightsettheVicomtesseinsafetyfromimprudenceswiththisdevourerofhearts，shouldhestillchancetocomethatway。
“Madame。”Ianswered，“heisaccountednotill-favored。”AndwithadeprecatorysmileIadded，“Iamsaidsomewhattoresemblehim。”
“Sayyouso？”sheexclaimed，raisinghereyebrows，，andlookingatmemorecloselythanhitherto。Andthenitseemedtomethatintoherfacecreptashadeofdisappointment。IfthisBardelyswerenotmorebeautifulthanI，thenhewasnotnearlysobeautifulamanasshehadimagined。SheturnedtoSaint-Eustache。
“Itisindeedso，Chevalier？”sheinquired。“Doyounotetheresemblance？”
“Vanitas，vanitate。”murmuredtheyouth，whohadsomescrapsofLatinandatasteforairingthem。“Icanseenolikeness-notraceofone。MonsieurdeLesperoniswellenough，Ishouldsay。
ButBardelys！“Hecasthiseyestotheceiling。“ThereisbutoneBardelysinFrance。”
“Enfin。”Ilaughed。”youarenodoubtwellqualifiedtojudge，Chevalier。Ihadflatteredmyselfthatsomelikenessdidexist，butprobablyyouhaveseentheMarquismorefrequentlythanhaveI，andprobablyyouknowhimbetter。Nevertheless，shouldhecomehisway，Iwillaskyoutolookatussidebysideandbethejudgeoftheresemblance。”
“ShouldIhappentobehere。”hesaid，withasuddenconstraintnotdifficulttounderstand，“Ishallbehappytoactasarbiter。”
“Shouldyouhappentobehere？”Iechoedquestioningly。“Butsurely，shouldyouhearthatMonsieurdeBardelysisabouttoarrive，youwillpostponeanydepartureyoumaybeonthepointofmaking，sothatyoumayrenewthisgreatfriendshipthatyoutellusyoudotheMarquisthehonourofentertainingforhim？”
TheChevaliereyedmewiththeairofamanlookingdownfromagreatheightuponanother。TheVicomtesmiledquietlytohimselfashecombedhisfairbeardwithhisforefingerinameditativefashion，whilstevenRoxalanne-whohadsatsilentlylisteningtoaconversationthatshewasattimesmercifullysparedfromfollowingtoominutely-flashedmeahumorousglance。TotheVicomtessealonewhoincommonwithwomenofhertypewasofasingularobtuseness-
wasthesituationwithoutsignificance。
Saint-Eustache，todefendhimselfagainstmydelicateimputation，andtoshowhowwellacquaintedhewaswithBardelys，plungedatonceintoathousanddetailsofthatgentleman’smagnificence。Hedescribedhissuppers，hisretinue，hisequipages，hishouses，hischateaux，hisfavourwiththeKing，hissuccesseswiththefairsex，andIknownotwhatbesides-inallofwhichIconfessthateventometherewasacertaindegreeofnovelty。Roxalannelistenedwithanairofamusementthatshowedhowwellshereadhim。Later，whenIfoundmyselfalonewithherbytheriver，whitherwehadgoneaftertherepastandtheChevalier’sreminiscenceswereatanend，sherevertedtothatconversation。
“Isnotmycousinagreatfanfarron，monsieur。”sheasked。
“SurelyyouknowyourcousinbetterthanI。”Iansweredcautiously。
“Whyquestionmeuponhischaracter？”
“Iwashardlyquestioning;Iwascommenting。HespentafortnightinParisonce，andheaccountshimself，orwouldhaveusaccounthim，intimatewitheverycourtierattheLuxembourg。Oh，heisveryamusing，thisgoodcousin，buttiresometoo。”She，laughed，andtherewasthefaintestnoteofscornin;heramusement。“Now，touchingthisMarquisdeBardelys，itisveryplainthattheChevalierboastedwhenhesaidthattheywereasbrothers-heandtheMarquis-isitnot？HegrewillateasewhenyouremindedhimofthepossibilityoftheMarquis’svisittoLavedan。”Andshelaughedquaintlytoherself。“DoyouthinkthathesomuchasknowsBardelys？”sheaskedmesuddenly。
“Notsomuchasbysight。”Ianswered。“Heisfullofinformationconcerningthatunworthygentleman，，butitisonlyinformationthatthemeanestscullioninnParismightaffordyou，andjustasinaccurate。”
“Whydoyouspeakofhimasunworthy？Areyouofthesameopinionasmyfather？”。
“Aye，andwithbettercause。”
“Youknowhimwell？”
“Knowhim？Pardieu，heismyworstenemy。Aworn-outlibertine;
asneering，cynicalmisogynist;anauseatedreveller;ahatefulegotist。Thereisnomoreunworthyperson，I’llswear，inallFrance。Peste！Theverymemoryofthefellowmakesmesick。Letustalkofotherthings。”
