ButalthoughIurgeditwiththebestwillandthebestintentionsintheworld，Iwasnottohavemyway。Theairbecamesuddenlyheavywiththescentofmusk，andtheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachestoodbeforeus，andforcedtheconversationoncemoreupontheodioustopicofMonsieurdeBardelys。
Thepoorfoolcamewithaplanofcampaigncarefullyconsidered，bentnowuponoverthrowingmewiththeknowledgehewouldexhibit，andwherebyhelookedtoencompassmyhumiliationbeforehiscousin。
“SpeakingofBardelys，MonsieurdeLesperon-“
“MydearChevalier，wewerenolongerspeakingofhim。”
Hesmileddarkly。“Letusspeakofhim，then。”
“Butaretherenotathousandmoreinterestingthingsthatwemightspeakof？”
Thishetookforafreshsignoffear，andsohepressedwhatheaccountedhisadvantage。
“Yethavepatience;thereisapointonwhichperhapsyoucangivemesomeinformation。”
“Impossible。”saidI。
“AreyouacquaintedwiththeDuchessedeBourgogne？”
“Iwas。”Iansweredcasually，andascasuallyIadded，“Areyou？”
“Excellentlywell。”herepliedunhesitatingly。“IwasinParisatthetimeofthescandalwithBardelys。”
Ilookedupquickly。
“Wasitthenthatyoumether？”Iinquiredinanidlesortofway。
“Yes。IwasintheconfidenceofBardelys，andonenightafterwehadsuppedathishotel-oneofthosesuppersgracedbyeverywitinParis-heaskedmeifIweremindedtoaccompanyhimtotheLouvre。Wewent。Amasquewasinprogress。”
“Ah。”saidI，afterthemannerofonewhosuddenlytakesintheentiresituation;“anditwasatthismasquethatyoumettheDuchesse？”
“Youhaveguessedit。Ah，monsieur，ifIweretotellyouofthethingsthatIwitnessedthatnight，theywouldamazeyou。”saidhe，withagreatairandacasualglanceatMademoiselletoseeintowhatdepthofwondertheseglimpsesintohiswickedpastwereplungingher。
“Idoubtitnot。”saidI，thinkingthatifhisimaginationwereasfertileinthatconnectionasithadbeeninminehewaslikely，indeed，tohavesomeamazingthingstotell。“ButdoIunderstandyoutosaythatthatwasthetimeofthescandalyouhavetouchedupon？”
“Thescandalburstthreedaysafterthatmasque。Itcameasasurprisetomostpeople。Asforme-fromwhatBardelyshadtoldme-Iexpectednothingless。”
“Pardon，Chevalier，buthowolddoyouhappentobe？”
“Acuriousquestionthat。”saidhe，knittinghisbrows。
“Perhaps。Butwillyounotanswerit？”
“Iamtwenty-one。”saidhe。“Whatofit？”
“Youaretwenty，moncousin。”Roxalannecorrectedhim。
Helookedatherasecondwithaninjuredair。
“Why，true-twenty！Thatisso。”heacquiesced;andagain，“whatofit？”hedemanded。
“Whatofit，monsieur？”Iechoed。“WillyouforgivemeifI
expressamazementatyourprecocity，andcongratulateyouuponit？”
Hisbrowswentifpossibleclosertogetherandhisfacegrewveryred。Heknewthatsomewhereapitfallawaitedhim，yethardlywhere。
“Idonotunderstandyou。”
“Bethinkyou，Chevalier。Tenyearshaveflownsincethisscandalyoureferto。SothatatthetimeofyoursuppingwithBardelysandthewitsofParis，atthetimeofhismakingaconfidantofyouandcarryingyouofftoamasqueattheLouvre，atthetimeofhispresentingyoutotheDuchessedeBourgogne，youwerejusttenyearsofage。Ineverhadcausetothinkover-wellofBardelys，buthadyounottoldmeyourself，Ishouldhavehesitatedtobelievehimsovileadespoilerofinnocence，suchaperverterofyouth。”
Hecrimsonedtotheveryrootsofhishair。
Roxalannebrokeintoalaugh。“Mycousin，mycousin。”shecried，“theythatwouldbecomemastersshouldbeginearly，isitnotso？”
“MonsieurdeLesperon。”saidhe，inaveryformalvoice，“doyouwishmetoapprehendthatyouhaveputmethroughthiscatechismforthepurposeofcastingadoubtuponwhatIhavesaid？”
“ButhaveIdonethat？HaveIcastadoubt？”Iasked，withtheutmostmeekness。
“SoIapprehend。”
“Thenyouapprehendamiss。Yourwords，Iassureyou，admitofnodoubtwhatever。Andnow，monsieur，ifyouwillhavemercyuponme，wewilltalkofotherthings。IamsowearyofthisunfortunateBardelysandhisaffairs。HemaybethefashionofParisandatCourt，butdownherehisverynamebefoulstheair。Mademoiselle。”
Isaid，turningtoRoxalanne，“youpromisedmealessonintheloreofflowers。”
“Come，then。”saidshe，and，beinganexceedinglywisechild，sheplungedstraightwayintothehistoryoftheshrubsaboutus。
Thusdidweavertastormthatforamomentwasveryimminent。Yetsomemischiefwasdone，andsomegood，too，perhaps。ForifImadeanenemyoftheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachebyhumblinghimintheeyesoftheonewomanbeforewhomhesoughttoshine，Iestablishedabond’twixtRoxalanneandmyselfbythatsamehumiliationofafoolishcoxcomb，whoseboastfulnesshadlongweariedher。
CHAPTERVII
THEHOSTILITYOFSAINT-EUSTACHE
InthedaysthatfollowedIsawmuchoftheChevalierdeSaint-Eustache。HewasaveryconstantvisitoratLavedan，andthereasonofitwasnotfartoseek。Formyownpart，Idislikedhim-IhaddonesofromthemomentwhenfirstIhadseteyesonhim-andsincehatred，likeaffection，isoftenamatterofreciprocity，theChevalierwasnotslowtoreturnmydislike。Ourmannergradually，byalmostimperceptiblestages，grewmoredistant，untilbytheendofaweekithadbecomesohostilethatLavedanfoundoccasiontocommentuponit。
“BewareofSaint-Eustache。”hewarnedme。“Youarebecomingverymanifestlydistastefultoeachother，andIwouldurgeyoutohaveacare。Idon’ttrusthim。HisattachmenttoourCauseisofalukewarmcharacter，andhegivesmeuneasiness，forhemaydomuchharmifheissoinclined。ItisonthisaccountthatItoleratehispresenceatLavedan。Frankly，Ifearhim，andIwouldcounselyoutodonoless。Themanisaliar，evenifbutaboastfulliarandliarsareneverlongoutofmischief。”
Thewisdomofthewordswasunquestionable，buttheadviceinthemwasnoteasilyfollowed，particularlybyonewhosepositionwassopeculiarasmyown。InawayIhadlittlecausetofeartheharmtheChevaliermightdome，butIwasimpelledtoconsidertheharmthatatthesametimehemightdotheVicomte。
Despiteourgrowingenmity，theChevalierandIwereveryfrequentlythrowntogether。Thereasonforthiswas，ofcourse，thatwhereverRoxalannevastobefoundthere，generally，werewebothtobefoundalso。YethadIadvantagesthatmusthavegonetoswellarancourbasedasmuchuponjealousyasanyothersentiment，forwhilsthewasbutadailyvisitoratLavedan，Iwasestablishedthereindefinitely。
OftheusethatImadeofthattimeIfinditdifficulttospeak。
>FromthefirstmomentthatIhadbeheldRoxalanneIhadrealizedthetruthofChatellerault’sassertionthatIhadneverknownawoman。Hewasright。ThosethatIhadmetandbywhomIhadjudgedthesexhad，bycontrastwiththischild，littleclaimtothetitle。VirtueIhadaccountedashadowwithoutsubstance;
innocence，asynonymforignorance;love，afable，afairytaleforthedelectationofovergrownchildren。
InthecompanyofRoxalannedeLavedanallthoseold，cynicalbeliefs，builtupuponayouthofundesirableexperiences，wereshatteredandtheerrorofthemexposed。SwiftlywasIbecomingaconverttothefaithwhichsolongIhadsneeredat，andaslovesickasanyunfledgedyouthinhisfirstamour。
Dame！ItwassomethingforamanwhohadlivedasIhadlivedtohavehispulsesquickenandhiscolourchangeatamaid’sapproach;
tofindhimselfcolouringunderhersmileandpalingunderherdisdain;tohavehismindrunningonrhymes，andhissoulsoenslavedthat，ifsheisnottobewon，chagrinwilldislodgeitfromhisbody。
Herewasafinemoodforamanwhohadentereduponhisbusinessbypledginghimselftowinandwedthisgirlincoldandsupremeindifferencetoherpersonality。Andthatpledge，howIcurseditduringthosedaysatLavedan！HowIcursedChatellerault，cunning，subtletricksterthathewas！HowIcursedmyselfformylackofchivalryandhonourinhavingbeenluredsoeasilyintosodamnableabusiness！Forwhenthememoryofthatwagerrosebeforemeitbroughtdespairinitstrain。HadIfoundRoxalannethesortofwomanthatIhadlookedtofind-theonlysortthatIhadeverknown-thenmattershadbeeneasy。Ihadsetmyselfincoldblood，andbysuchwilesasIknew，towinsuchaffectionasmightbeherstobestow;andIwouldhavemarriedherinmuchthesamespiritasamanperformsanyotherofthenecessaryactsofhislifetimeandstation。IwouldhavetoldherthatIwasBardelys，andtothewomanthatIhadexpectedtofindtherehadbeennodifficultyinmakingtheconfession。ButtoRoxalanne！Hadtherebeennowager，Imighthaveconfessedmyidentity。Asitwas，Ifounditimpossibletoavowtheonewithouttheother。Forthesweetinnocencethatinvestedhergentle，trustingsoulmusthavegivenpausetoanybutthemostabandonedofmenbeforecommittingavilenessinconnectionwithher。
Weweremuchtogetherduringthatweek，andjustasdaybyday，hourbyhour，mypassiongrewandgrewuntilitabsorbedmeutterly，so，too，diditseemtomethatitawakenedinheraresponsivenote。
Therewasanoddlightattimesinhersofteyes;Icameuponhermorethanoncewithsnatchesoflove-songsonherlips，andwhenshesmileduponmetherewasasweettendernessinhersmile，which，hadthingsbeendifferent，wouldhavegladdenedmysoulbeyondallelse;
butwhich，thingsbeingastheywere，wasratherwonttoheightenmydespair。Iwasnocoxcomb;Ihadhadexperiences，andIknewthesesigns。Butsomething，too，IguessedoftheheartofsuchaoneasRoxalanne。TothefullIrealizedthepainandshareIshouldinflictuponherwhenmyconfessioncame;Irealized，too，howtheloveofthisdearchild，sohonourableandhighofmind，mustturntocontemptandscornwhenIpluckedawaymymask，andletherseehowpooracountenanceIworebeneath。
AndyetIdriftedwiththetideofthings。Itwasmyhabitsotodrift，andthehabitofalifetimeisnottobesetatnaughtinadaybyaresolve，howeverfirm。AscoreoftimeswasIremindedthatanevilisbutincreasedbybeingignored。Ascoreoftimesconfessiontrembledonmylips，andIburnedtotellhereverythingfromitsinception-theenvironmentthathaderstwhilewarpedme，thehonestybywhichIwasnowinspired-andsocastmyselfuponthemercyofherbelief。
Shemightacceptmystory，and，attachingcredittoit，forgivemethedeceptionIhadpractised，andrecognizethegreattruththatmustringoutin，theavowalofmylove。But，ontheotherhand，shemightnotacceptit;shemightdeemmyconfessionashrewdpartofmyscheme，andthedreadofthatkeptmesilentdaybyday。
FullydidIseehowwitheveryhourthatspedconfessionbecamemoreandmoredifficult。Thesoonerthethingweredone，thegreaterthelikelihoodofmybeingbelieved;thelaterIleftit，themoreprobablewasitthatIshouldbediscredited。Alas！
Bardelys，itseemed，hadaddedcowardicetohisothershort-comings。
AsforthecoldnessofRoxalanne，thatwasaprettyfableofChatellerault’s;orelsenomorethananassumption，aninventionoftheimaginativeLaFosse。Far，indeed，fromit，Ifoundnoarroganceorcoldnessinher。Allunversedintheartificesofhersex，allunacquaintedwiththewilesofcoquetry，shewastheveryincarnationofnaturalnessandmaidenlysimplicity。Tothetalesthat-withmanyexpurgations-ItoldherofCourtlife，tothepicturesthatIdrewofParis，theLuxembourg，theLouvre，thePalaisCardinal，andthecourtiersthatthrongedthosehistoricpalaces，shelistenedavidlyandenthralled;andmuchasOthellowontheheartofDesdemonabyarecitaloftheperilshehadendured，soitseemedtomewasIwinningtheheartofRoxalannebytellingherofthethingsthatIhadseen。
OnceortwicesheexpressedwonderatthedepthandintimacyoftheknowledgeofsuchmattersexhibitedbyasimpleGascongentleman，whereuponIwouldurge，inexplanation，theappointmentintheGuardsthatLesperonhadheldsomefewyearsagoapositionthatwillrevealmuchtoanobservantman。
TheVicomtenotedourgrowingintimacy，yetsetnorestraintuponit。DowninhisheartIbelievethatnoblegentlemanwouldhavebeenwellpleasedhadmattersgonetoextremesbetweenus，forhoweverimpoverishedhemightdeemmeLesperon’sestatesinGasconybeing，asIhavesaid，likelytosuffersequestrationinviewofhistreason-herememberedthecausesofthisandthedeepdevotionofthemanIimpersonatedtotheaffairsofGastond’Orleans。
Again，hefearedtheveryobviouscourtshipoftheChevalierdeSaint-Eustache，andhewouldhavewelcomedaturnofeventsthatwouldeffectuallyhavefrustratedit。ThathedidnothimselfinterferesofarastheChevalier’swooingwasconcerned，IcouldbutsetdowntothemistrustofSaint-Eustache-amountingalmosttofear-ofwhichhehadspoken。
AsfortheVicomtesse，thesamecausesthathadwonmesomeofthedaughter’sregardgainedmealsonolittleofthemother’s。
ShehadbeenattachedtotheChevalieruntilmycoming。ButwhatdidtheChevalierknowofthegreatworldcomparedwithwhatI
couldtell？Herloveofscandaldrewhertomewithinquiriesuponthispersonandthatperson，manyofthembutnamestoher。
Myknowledgeandwealthofdetail-forallthatIcurbeditlestIshouldseemtoknowtoomuch-delightedherprurientsoul。Hadshebeenmoremotherly，thissameknowledgethatIexhibitedshouldhavemadeherponderwhatmanneroflifeIhadled，andshouldhaveinspiredhertoaccountmenofitcompanionforherdaughter。Butaselfishwoman，littleinclinedtobeplaguedbytheconcernsofanother-evenwhenthatotherwasherdaughter-sheleftthingstothedestructivecoursethattheywereshaping。
Andsoeverything-ifweexceptperhapstheChevalierdeSaint-Eustacheconspiredtotheadvancementofmysuit，inamannerthatmusthavemadeChatelleraultgrindhisteethinrageifhecouldhavewitnessedit，butwhichmademegrindmineindespairwhenIponderedthesituationindetail。
Oneevening-Ihadbeentendaysatthechateau-wewentahalf-leagueorsouptheGaronneinaboat，sheandI。Aswewerereturning，driftingwiththestream，theoarsidleinmyhand，I
spokeofleavingLavedan。
Shelookedupquickly;herexpressionwasalmostofalarm，andhereyesdilatedastheymetmine-for，asIhavesaid，shewasallunversedinthewaysofhersex，andbynaturetooguilelesstoattempttodisguiseherfeelingsordissemblethem。
“Butwhymustyougososoon？”sheasked。“YouaresafeatLavedan，andabroadyoumaybeindanger。ItwasbuttwodaysagothattheytookapooryounggentlemanofthesepartsatPau;sothatyouseethepersecutionisnotyetended。Areyou“-andhervoicetrembledeversoslightly-“areyouwearyofus，monsieur？”
Ishookmyheadatthat，andsmiledwistfully。
“Weary？”Iechoed。“Surely，mademoiselle，youdonotthinkit？
Surelyyourheartmusttellyousomethingverydifferent？”
Shedroppedhereyesbeforethepassionofmygaze。Andwhenpresentlysheansweredme，therewasnoguileinherwords;therewerethedictatesoftheintuitionsofhersex，andnothingmore。
“Butitispossible，monsieur。Youareaccustomedtothegreatworld-“
“ThegreatworldofLesperon，inGascony？”Iinterrupted。
“No，no;thegreatworldyouhaveinhabitedatParisandelsewhere。
IcanunderstandthatatLavedanyoushouldfindlittleofinterest，and-andthatyourinactivityshouldrenderyouimpatienttobegone。”
“Ifthereweresolittletointerestmethenitmightbeasyousay。
But，oh，mademoiselle-“Iceasedabruptly。Fool！Ihadalmostfallenapreytotheseductionsthatthetimeaffordedme。Thebalmy，languorouseventide，thebroad，smoothriverdownwhichweglided，thefoliage，theshadowsonthewater，herpresence，andourisolationamidsuchsurroundings，hadalmostblottedoutthematterofthewagerandofmyduplicity。
Shelaughedalittlenervouslaugh，and-maybetoeasethetensionthatmysuddensilencehadbegotten-“Yousee。”shesaid，“howyourimaginationdesertsyouwhenyouseektodrawuponitforproofofwhatyouprotest。Youwereabouttotellmeof-oftheintereststhatholdyouatLavedan，andwhenyoucometoponderthem，youfindthatyoucanthinkofnothing。Isit-isitnotso？”Sheputthequestionverytimidly，asifhalfafraidoftheanswershemightprovoke。
“No;itisnotso。”Isaid。
Ipausedamoment，andinthatmomentIwrestledwithmyself。
Confessionandavowal-confessionofwhatIhadundertaken，andavowalofthelovethathadsounexpectedlycometome-trembleduponmylips，tobedrivenshudderingawayinfear。
HaveInotsaidthatthisBardelyswasbecomeacoward？Thenmycowardicesuggestedacoursetome-flight。IwouldleaveLavedan。
IwouldreturntoParisandtoChatellerault，owningdefeatandpayingmywager。Itwastheonlycourseopentome。Myhonour，sotardilyaroused，demandednoless。Yet，notsomuchbecauseofthatasbecauseitwassuddenlyrevealedtomeastheeasiercourse，didIdeterminetopursueit。WhatthereaftermightbecomeofmeIdidnotknow，norinthathourofmyheart’sagonydiditseemtomatterovermuch。
“Thereismuch，mademoiselle，much，indeed，toholdmefirmlyatLavedan。”Ipursuedatlast。“Butmy-myobligationsdemandofmethatIdepart。”
“YoumeantheCause。”shecried。“But，believeme，youcandonothing。
Tosacrificeyourselfcannotprofitit。InfinitelybetteryoucanservetheDukebywaitinguntilthetimeisripeforanotherblow。
AndhowcanyoubetterpreserveyourlifethanbyremainingatLavedanuntilthepersecutionsareatanend？”
“IwasnotthinkingoftheCause，mademoiselle，butofmyselfalone-
ofmyownpersonalhonour。IwouldthatIcouldexplain;butIamafraid。”Iendedlamely。
“Afraid？”sheechoed，nowraisinghereyesinwonder。
“Aye，afraid。Afraidofyourcontempt，ofyourscorn。”
ThewonderinherglanceincreasedandaskedaquestionthatIcouldnotanswer。Istretchedforward，andcaughtoneofthehandslyingidleinherlap。
“Roxalanne。”Imurmuredverygently，andmytone，mytouch，andtheuseofhernamedrovehereyesforrefugebehindtheirlidsagain。
Aflushspreadupontheivorypallorofherface，tofadeasswiftly，leavingitverywhite。Herbosomroseandfellinagitation，andthelittlehandIheldtrembledinmygrasp。Therewasamoment’ssilence。NotthatIhadneedtothinkorchoosemywords。Buttherewasalumpinmythroat-aye，Itakenoshameinconfessingit，forthiswasthefirsttimethatagoodandtrueemotionhadbeenvouchsafedmesincetheDuchessedeBourgognehadshatteredmyillusionstenyearsago。
“Roxalanne。”Iresumedpresently，whenIwasmoremasterofmyself，“wehavebeengoodfriends，youandI，sincethatnightwhenI
climbedforsheltertoyourchamber，havewenot？”
“Butyes，monsieur。”shefaltered。
“Tendaysagoitis。Thinkofit-nomorethantendays。AnditseemsasifIhadbeenmonthsatLavedan，sowellhavewebecomeacquainted。Inthesetendayswehaveformedopinionsofeachother。
Butwiththisdifference，thatwhilstmineareright，yoursarewrong。Ihavecometoknowyouforthesweetest，gentlestsaintinallthisworld。WouldtoGodIhadknownyouearlier！Itmighthavebeenverydifferent;Imighthavebeen-Iwouldhavebeen-
different，andIwouldnothavedonewhatIhavedone。Youhavecometoknowmeforanunfortunatebuthonestgentleman。SuchamInot。Iamunderfalsecolourshere，mademoiselle。UnfortunateImaybe-atleast，oflateIseemtohavebecomeso。HonestI
amnot-Ihavenotbeen。There，child，Icantellyounomore。I
amtoogreatacoward。Butwhenlateryoushallcometohearthetruth-when，afterIamgone，theymaytellyouastrangestorytouchingthisfellowLesperonwhosoughtthehospitalityofyourfather’shouse-bethinkyouofmyrestraintinthishour;bethinkyouofmydeparture。Youwillunderstandthesethingsperhapsafterwards。Butbethinkyouofthem，andyouwillunriddlethemforyourself，perhaps。Bemercifuluponmethen;judgemenotover-harshly。”
Ipaused，andforamomentweweresilent。Thensuddenlyshelookedup;herfingerstighteneduponmine。
“MonsieurdeLesperon。”shepleaded，“ofwhatdospeak？Youaretorturingme，monsieur。”
“Lookinmyface，Roxalanne。CanyouseenothingthereofhowIamtorturingmyself？”
“Thentellme，monsieur。”shebegged，hervoiceaverycaressofsuppliantsoftness，-“tellmewhatvexesyouandsetsacurbuponyourtongue。Youexaggerate，Iamassured。Youcoulddonothingdishonourable，nothingvile。”
“Child。”Icried，“IthankGod，thatyouareright！Icannotdowhatisdishonourable，andIwillnot，forallthatamonthagoI
pledgedmyselftodoit！“
Asuddenhorror，adoubt，asuspicionflashedintoherglance。
“You-youdonotmeanthatyouareaspy？”sheasked;andfrommyheartaprayerofthankswentuptoHeaventhatthisatleastitwasminefranklytodeny。
“No，no-notthat。Iamnospy。”
Herfaceclearedagain，andshesighed。
“Itis，Ithink，theonlythingIcouldnotforgive。Sinceitisnotthat，willyounottellmewhatitis？”
Foramomentthetemptationtoconfess，totellhereverything，wasagainuponme。Butthefutilityofitappalledme。
“Don’taskme。”Ibesoughther;“youwilllearnitsoonenough。”
ForIwasconfidentthatoncemywagerwaspaid，thenewsofitandoftheruinofBardelyswouldspreadacrossthefaceofFrancelikearippleoverwater。Presently-
“Forgivemeforhavingcomeintoyourlife，Roxalanne！“Iimploredher，andthenIsighedagain。“Helas！HadIbutknownyouearlier！
Ididnotdreamsuchwomenlivedinthisworn-outFrance。”
“Iwillnotpry，monsieur，sinceyourresolveappearstobesofirm。
Butif-ifafterIhaveheardthisthingyouspeakof。”shesaidpresently，speakingwithavertedeyes，“andif，havingheardit，I
judgeyoumoremercifullythanyoujudgeyourself，andIsendforyou，willyou-willyoucomebacktoLavedan？”
Myheartgaveagreatbound-agreat，asuddenthrobofhope。Butassuddenandasgreatwasthereboundintodespair。
“Youwillnotsendforme，beassuredofthat。”Isaidwithfinality;
andwespokenomore。
Itooktheoarsandpliedthemvigorously。Iwasinhastetoendthesituation。TomorrowImustthinkofmydeparture，and，asI
rowed，Iponderedthewordsthathadpassedbetweenus。Notonewordoflovehadtherebeen，andyet，intheveryomissionofit，avowalhadlainoneitherside。Astrangewooinghadbeenmine-awooingthatprecludedthepossibilityofwinning，andyetawooingthathadwon。Aye，ithadwon;butitmightnottake。ImadefinedistinctionsandquaintparadoxesasItuggedatmyoars，forthehumanmindisacuriouslycomplexthing，andwithsomeofusthereisnosuchspurtohumourasthestingofpain。
Roxalannesatwhiteandverythoughtful，butwithveiledeyes，sothatImightguessnothingofwhatpassedwithinhermind。
Atlastwereachedthechateau，andasIbroughttheboattotheterracesteps，itwasSaint-EustachewhocameforwardtoofferhiswristtoMademoiselle。
Henotedthepallorofherface，anddartedmeaquick，suspicion-ladenglance。Aswewerewalkingtowardsthechateau-
“MonsieurdeLesperon。”saidheinacurioustone，“doyouknowthatarumourofyourdeathiscurrentintheprovince？”
“IhadhopedthatsucharumourmightgetabroadwhenIdisappeared。”
Iansweredcalmly。
“Andyouhavetakennosinglesteptocontradictit？”
“WhyshouldI，sinceinthatrumourmaybesaidtoliemysafety？”
“Nevertheless，monsieur，voyons。Surelyyoumightatleastrelievetheanxietiestheaffliction，Imightalmostsay-ofthosewhoaremourningyou。”
“Ah！“saidI。“Andwhomaythesebe？”
Heshruggedhisshouldersandpursedhislipsinacuriouslydeprecatorysmile。WithasidelongglanceatMademoiselle-
“DoyouneedthatInameMademoiselledeMarsac？”hesneered。
Istoodstill，mywitsbusilyworking，myfaceimpassiveunderhisscrutinizingglance。InaflashitcametomethatthismustbethewriterofsomeofthelettersLesperonhadgivenme，theoriginaloftheminiatureIcarried。
AsIwassilent，IgrewsuddenlyconsciousofanotherpairofeyesobservingmeMademoiselle’s。SherememberedwhatIhadsaid，shemayhaverememberedhowIhadcriedoutthewishthatIhadmetherearlier，andshemaynothavebeenslowtofindaninterpretationformywords。Icouldhavegroanedinmyrageatsuchamisinterpretation。IcouldhavetakentheChevalierroundtotheothersideofthechateauandkilledhimwiththegreatestrelishintheworld。ButIrestrainedmyself，Iresignedmyselftobemisunderstood。WhatchoicehadI？
“MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”saidIverycoldly，andlookinghimstraightbetweenhisclose-seteyes，“Ihavepermittedyoumanyliberties，butthereisonethatIcannotpermitanyone-and，muchasIhonouryou，Icanmakenoexceptioninyourfavour。ThatistointerfereinmyconcernsandpresumetodictatetomethemannerinwhichIshallconductthem。Begoodenoughtobearthatinyourmemory。”
Inamomenthewasallservility。Thesneerpassedoutofhisface，thearroganceoutofhisdemeanour。Hebecameasfullofsmilesandcapersasthemeanestsycophant。
“Youwillforgiveme，monsieur！“hecried，spreadinghishands，andwiththehumblestsmilemtheworld。“IperceivethatIhavetakenagreatliberty;yetyouhavemisunderstooditspurport。IsoughttosoundyoutouchingthewisdomofastepuponwhichIhaveventured。”
“Thatis，monsieur？”Iasked，throwingbackmyhead，withthescentofdangerbreasthigh。
“Itookituponmyselfto-daytomentionthefactthatyouarealiveandwelltoonewhohadaright，Ithought，toknowofit，andwhoiscominghithertomorrow。”
“Thatwasapresumptionyoumayregret。”saidIbetweenmyteeth。
“Towhomdoyouimpartthisinformation？“
“Toyourfriend，MonsieurdeMarsac。”heanswered，andthroughhismaskofhumilitythesneerwasagaingrowingapparent。“Hewillbeheretomorrow。”herepeated。
MarsacwasthatfriendofLesperon’stowhosewarmcommendationoftheGasconrebelIowedthecourtesyandkindnessthattheVicomtedeLavedanhadmetedouttomesincemycoming。
IsitwonderfulthatIstoodasiffrozen，mywitsrefusingtoworkandmycountenancewearing，Idoubtnot，averystrickenlook？HerewasonecomingtoLavedanwhoknewLesperon-onewhowouldunmaskmeandsaythatIwasanimpostor。Whatwouldhappenthen？Aspytheywouldofacertaintyaccountme，andthattheywouldmakeshortworkofmeIneverdoubted。ButthatwassomethingthattroubledmelessthantheopinionMademoisellemustform。HowwouldsheinterpretwhatIhadsaidthatday？Inwhatlightwouldsheviewmehereafter？
Suchquestionsspedlikeswiftarrowsthroughmymind，andintheirtraincameadullangerwithmyselfthatIhadnottoldhereverythingthatafternoon。Itwastoolatenow。Theconfessionwouldcomenolongerofmyownfreewill，asitmighthavedoneanhourago，butwouldbeforcedfrommebythecircumstancesthatimpended。Thusitwouldnolongerhaveanyvirtuetorecommendittohermercy。
“Thenewsseemshardlywelcome，MonsieurdeLesperon。”saidRoxalanneinavoicethatwasinscrutable。Hertonestirredme，foritbetokenedsuspicionalready。Somethingmightyetchancetoaidme，andinthemeanwhileImightspoilalldidIyieldtothisdreadofthemorrow。ByaneffortImasteredmyself，andintonescalmandlevel，thatbetrayednothingofthetempestinmysoul-
“Itisnotwelcome，mademoiselle。”Ianswered。“IhaveexcellentreasonsfornotdesiringtomeetMonsieurdeMarsac。”
“Excellent，indeed，arethey！“lispedSaint-Eustache，withanuglydroopatthecornersofhismouth。“Idoubtnotyou’llfindithardtoofferaplausiblereasonforhavinglefthimandhissisterwithoutnewsthatyouwerealive。”
“Monsieur。”saidIatrandom，“whywillyoudraginhissister’sname？”
“Why？”heechoed，andheeyedmewithundisguisedamusement。Hewasstandingerect，hisheadthrownback，hisrightarmoutstretchedfromtheshoulder，andhishandrestinglightlyuponthegoldmountofhisberibbonedcane。HelethiseyeswanderfrommetoRoxalanne，thenbackagaintome。Atlast:“IsitwonderfulthatIshould，draginthenameofyourbetrothed？”saidhe。ButperhapsyouwilldenythatMademoiselledeMarsacisthattoyou？”hesuggested。
AndI，forgettingforthemomentthepartIplayedandthemanwhoseidentityIhadputon，madeanswerhotly:“Idodenyit。”
“Why，then，youlie。”saidhe，andshruggedhitsshoulderswithinsolentcontempt。
InallmylifeIdonotthinkitcouldbesaidofmethatIhadevergivenwaytorage。Rude，untutoredmindsmayfallapreytopassion，butagentleman，Ihold，isneverangry。NorwasIthen，sofarastheoutwardsignsofangercount。IdoffedmyhatwithasweeptoRoxalanne，whostoodbywithfearandwonderblendinginherglance。
“Mademoiselle，youwillforgivethatIfinditnecessarytobirchthisbabblingschoolboyinyourpresence。”
Then，withthepleasantestmannerintheworld，Isteppedaside，andpluckedthecanefromtheChevalier’shandbeforehehadsomuchasguessedwhatIwasabout。Ibowedbeforehimwiththeutmostpoliteness，asifcravinghisleaveandtoleranceforwhatIwasabouttodo，andthen，beforehehadrecoveredfromhisastonishment，Ihadlaidthatcanethreetimesinquicksuccessionacrosshisshoulders。Withacryatonceofpainandofmortification，hesprangback，andhishanddroppedtohishilt。
“Monsieur。”Roxalannecriedtohim，“doyounotseethatheisunarmed？”
Buthesawnothing，or，ifhesaw，thankedHeaventhatthingswereinsuchcase，andgothisswordout。ThereuponRoxalannewouldhavesteppedbetweenus，butwitharmoutstretchedIrestrainedher。
“Havenofear，mademoiselle。”saidIveryquietly;forifthewristthathadovercomeLaVertoilewerenot，withastick，amatchforacoupleofsuchswordsasthiscoxcomb’s，thenwasIforevershamed。
Heboredownuponmefuriously，hispointcomingstraightformythroat。Itookthebladeonthecane;then，ashedisengagedandcameatmelower，Imadecounter-parry，andpursuingthecircleafterIhadcaughthissteel，Icarrieditoutofhishand。Itwhirledaninstant，ashimmeringwheeloflight，thenitclatteredagainstthemarblebalustradehalfadozenyardsaway。Withhissworditseemedthathiscourage，too，departed，andhestoodatmymercy，acuriouspictureoffoolishness，surprise，andfear。
NowtheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachewasayoungman，andintheyoungwecanforgivemuch。Buttoforgivesuchanactashehadbeenguiltyof-thatofdrawinghissworduponamanwhocarriednoweapons-wouldhavebeennotonlyaridiculoustoleration，butanutterneglectofduty。AsanoldermanitbehovedmetoreadtheChevalieralessoninmannersandgentlemanlyfeeling。So，quitedispassionately，andpurelyforhisownfuturegood，Iwentaboutthetask，andadministeredhimathrashingthatforthoroughnessitwouldbehardtobetter。Iwasnotdiscriminating。Ibroughtmycanedownwitharhythmicalprecision，andwhetherittookhimonthehead，theback，ortheshoulders，Iheldtobemorehisaffairthanmine。Ihadamoraltoinculcate，andtheinjurieshemightreceiveinthecourseofitwereinconsiderabledetailssothatthelessonwasborneinuponhissoul。Twoorthreetimeshesoughttoclosewithme，butIeludedhim;Ihadnomindtodescendtoavulgarexchangeofblows。Myobjectwasnottobrawl，buttoadministerchastisement，andthisobjectImayclaimtohaveaccomplishedwithafairdegreeofsuccess。
AtlastRoxalanneinterfered;butonlywhen，oneblowalittlemoreviolent，perhaps，thanitsprecursorsresultedinthesuddensnappingofthecaneandMonsieurdeEustache’suttercollapseintoamoaningheap。
“Ideplore，mademoiselle，tohaveoffendedyoursightwithsuchaspectacle，butunlesstheselessonsareadministeredupontheinstanttheireffectisnothalfsosalutary。”
“Hedeservedit，monsieur。”saidshe，withanotealmostoffiercenessinhervoice。Andofsuchpoormettlearewethatherresentmentagainstthatgroaningmassoffopperiesandwhealssentathrillofpleasurethroughme。Iwalkedovertothespotwherehisswordhadfallen，andpickeditup。
“MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”saidI，“youhavesodishonouredthisbladethatIdonotthinkyouwouldcaretowearitagain。”Sayingwhich，Isnappeditacrossmyknee，andflungitfaroutintotheriver，forallthatthehiltwasacostlyone，richlywroughtinbronzeandgold。
Heraisedhislividcountenance，andhiseyesblazedimpotentfury。
“ParlamortDieu！“hecriedhoarsely，“youshallgivemesatisfactionforthis！“
“Ifyouaccountyourselfstillunsatisfied，Iamatyourservicewhenyouwill。”saidIcourteously。
Then，beforemorecouldbesaid，IsawMonsieurdeLavedanandtheVicomtesseapproachinghurriedlyacrosstheparterre。TheVicomte’sbrowwasblackwithwhatmighthaveappearedanger，butwhichI
rightlyconstruedintoapprehension。
“Whathastakenplace？Whathaveyoudone？”heaskedofme。
“HehasbrutallyassaultedtheChevalier。”criedMadameshrilly，hereyesmalevolentlysetuponme。“Heisonlyachild，thispoorSaint-Eustache。”shereproachedme。“Isawitallfrommywindow，MonsieurdeLesperon。Itwasbrutal;itwascowardly。Sotobeataboy！Shame！Ifyouhadaquarrelwithhim，aretherenotprescribedmethodsfortheiradjustmentbetweengentlemen？Pardieu，couldyounothavegivenhimpropersatisfaction？”
“IfmadamewillgiveherselfthetroubleofattentivelyexaminingthispoorSaint-Eustache。”saidI，withasarcasmwhichhervirulenceprompted，“youwillagree，Ithink，thatIhavegivenhimveryproperandverythoroughsatisfaction。Iwouldhavemethimswordinhand，buttheChevalierhasthefaultoftheveryyoung-heisprecipitate;hewasintoogreatahaste，andhecouldnotwaituntilIgotasword。SoIwasforcedtodowhatIcouldwithacane。”
“Butyouprovokedhim。”sheflashedback。
“Whoevertoldyousohasmisinformedyou;madame。Onthecontrary，heprovokedme。Hegavemethelie。Istruckhim-couldIdoless？-andhedrew。Idefendedmyself，andIsupplementedmydefencebyacaning，sothatthispoorSaint-Eustachemightrealizetheunworthinessofwhathehaddone。Thatisall，madame。”
Butshewasnotsoeasilytobeappeased，notevenwhenMademoiselleandtheVicomtejoinedtheirvoicestomineinextenuationofmyconduct。ItwaslikeLavedan。ForallthathewasfullofdreadoftheresultandofthevengeanceSaint-Eustachemightwreak-boythoughhewas-heexpressedhimselffreelytouchingtheChevalier’sbehaviourandthefittingnessofthepunishmentthathadovertakenhim。
TheVicomtessestoodinsmallaweofherhusband，buthisjudgmentuponapointofhonourwasamatterthatshewouldnotdarecontest。
ShewasministeringtothestillprostrateChevalierwho，Ithink，remainedprostratenowthathemightcontinuetomakeappealtohersympathy-whensuddenlyshecutinuponRoxalanne’sdefenceofme。
“Wherehaveyoubeen？”shedemandedsuddenly。
“When，mymother？”
“Thisafternoon。”answeredtheVicomtesseimpatiently。“TheChevalierwaswaitingtwohoursforyou。”
Roxalannecolouredtotherootsofherhair。TheVicomtefrowned。
“Waitingforme，mymother？Butwhyforme？”
“Answermyquestion-wherehaveyoubeen？”
“IwaswithMonsieurdeLesperon。”sheansweredsimply。
“Alone？”theVicomtessealmostshrieked。
“Butyes。”Thepoorchild’stoneswereladenwithwonderatthiscatechism。
“God’sdeath！“shesnapped。“Itseemsthatmydaughterisnobetterthan-“
Heavenknowswhatmayhavebeencoming，forshehadthemostvirulent，scandaloustonguethatIhaveeverknowninawoman’shead-whichismuchforonewhohaslivedatCourttosay。ButtheVicomte，sharingmyfears，perhaps，andwishingtosparethechild’sears，interposedquickly“Come，madame，whatairsarethese？
Whatsuddenassumptionofgracesthatwedonotaffect？WearenotinParis。ThisisnottheLuxembourg。Enprovincecommeenprovince，andherewearesimplefolk-“
“Simplefolk？”sheinterrupted，gasping。“ByGod，amImarriedtoaploughman？AmIVicomtesseofLavedan，orthewifeofaboorofthecountryside？Andisthehonourofyourdaughteramatter-“
“Thehonourofmydaughterisnotinquestion，madame。”heinterruptedinhisturn，andwithasuddensternnessthatspentthefireofherindignationasasparkthatistrampledunderfoot。
Then，inacalm，levelvoice:“Ah，herearetheservants。”saidhe。
“Permitthem，madame，totakechargeofMonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。
Anatole，youhadbetterorderthecarriageforMonsieurleChevalier。
Idonotthinkthathewillbeabletoridehome。”
Anatolepeeredatthepaleyounggentlemanontheground，thenheturnedhislittlewizenedfaceuponme，andgrinnedinasingularlysolemnfashion。MonsieurdeSaint-Eustachewaslittleloved，itseemed。
Leaningheavilyuponthearmofoneofthelacqueys，theChevaliermovedpainfullytowardsthecourtyard，wherethecarriagewasbeingpreparedforhim。AtthelastmomentheturnedandbeckonedtheVicomtetohisside。
“AsGodlives，MonsieurdeLavedan。”heswore，breathingheavilyinthefurythatbesethim，“youshallbitterlyregrethavingtakensidesto-daywiththatGasconbully。Rememberme，bothofyou，whenyouarejourneyingtoToulouse。”
TheVicomtestoodbesidehim，impassiveandunmovedbythatgrimthreat，forallthattohimitmusthavesoundedlikeadeath-sentence。
“Adieu，monsieur-aspeedyrecovery。”wasallheanswered。
ButIsteppeduptothem。“Doyounotthink，Vicomte，thatitwerebettertodetainhim？”Iasked。
“Pshaw！“heejaculated。“Lethimgo。”
TheChevalier’seyesmetmineinalookofterror。Perhapsalreadythatyoungmanrepentedhimofhismenace，andherealizedthefollyofthreateningoneinwhosepowerhestillchancedtobe。
“Bethinkyou，monsieur。”Icried。“Yoursisanobleandusefullife。Mineisnotwithoutvalue，either。Shallwesuffertheselives-aye，andthehappinessofyourwifeanddaughter-tobedestroyedbythisvermin？”
“Lethimgo，monsieur;lethimgo。Iamnotafraid。”
Ibowedandsteppedback，motioningtothelacqueytotakethefellowaway，muchasIshouldhavemotionedhimtoremovesomeuncleannessfrombeforeme。
TheVicomtessewithdrewinhighdudgeontoherchamber，andIdidnotseeheragainthatevening。MademoiselleIsawonce，foramoment，andsheemployedthatmomenttoquestionmetouchingtheoriginofmyquarrelwithSaint-Eustache。
“Didhereallylie，MonsieurdeLesperon？”sheasked。
“Uponmyhonour，mademoiselle。”Iansweredsolemnly，“Ihaveplightedmytrothtonolivingwoman。”ThenmychinsanktomybreastasIbethoughtmeofhowtomorrowshemustopinemethevilestliarliving-forIwasresolvedtobegonebeforeMarsacarrived-sincetherealLesperonIdidnotdoubtwas，indeed，betrothedtoMademoiselledeMarsac。
“IshallleaveLavedanbetimesto-morrow，mademoiselle。”Ipursuedpresently。“Whathashappenedto-daymakesmydepartureallthemoreurgent。Delaymayhaveitsdangers。Youwillhearstrangethingsofme，asalreadyIhavewarnedyou。Butbemerciful。Muchwillbetrue，muchfalse;yetthetruthitselfisveryvile，and-“
Istoppedshort，indespairofexplainingoreventemperingwhathadtocome。Ishruggedmyshouldersinmyabandonmentofhope，andIturnedtowardsthewindow。Shecrossedtheroomandcametostandbesideme。
“Willyounottellme？Haveyounofaithinme？Ah，MonsieurdeLesperon-“
“’Sh！child，Icannot。Itistoolatetotellyounow。”
“Oh，nottoolate！Fromwhatyousaytheywilltellme，Ishouldthink，perhaps，worseofyouthanyoudeserve。Whatisthisthingyouhide？Whatisthismystery？Tellme，monsieur。Tellme。”
Dideverwomanmoreplainlytellamanshelovedhim，andthatlovinghimshewouldfindallexcusesforhim？Waseverwomaninbettercasetohearaconfessionfromthemanthatlovedher，andofwhoseloveshewasassuredbyeveryinstinctthathersexpossessesinsuchmatters？Thosetwoquestionsleaptintomymind，andinresolvingthemIallbutdeterminedtospeakevennowintheeleventhhour。
Andthen-Iknownothow-afreshbarrierseemedtoarise。ItwasnotmerelyamatteroftellingherofthewagerIwasembarkedupon;notmerelyamatteroftellingheroftheduplicitythatI
hadpractised，oftheimposturesbywhichIhadgainedadmittancetoherfather’sconfidenceandtrust;notmerelyamatterofconfessingthatIwasnotLesperon。TherewouldstillbethenecessityofsayingwhoIwas。Evenifsheforgaveallelse，couldsheforgivemeforbeingBardelysthenotoriousBardelys，thelibertine，therake，someofwhoseexploitsshehadheardoffromhermother，paintedahundredtimesblackerthantheyreallywere？
MightshenotshrinkfrommewhenItoldherIwasthatman？Inherpureinnocenceshedeemed，nodoubt，thatthelifeofeverymanwhoaccountedhimselfagentlemanwasmoderatelyclean。Shewouldnotseeinme-asdidhermother-nomorethanatypeofthebestclassinFrance，andhavingnomorethanthevicesofmyorder。Asamonsterofprofligacymightshebeholdme，andthat-ah，Dieu！-IcouldnotendurethatsheshoulddowhilstI
wasby。
Itmaybe-indeed，now，asIlookback，IknowthatIexaggeratedmycase。IimaginedshewouldseeitasIsawitthen。Forwouldyoucreditit？withthisgreatlovethatwasnowcometome，itseemedtheidealsofmyboyhoodwerereturned，andIabhorredthemanthatIhadbeen。ThelifeIhadlednowfilledmewithdisgustandloathing;thenotionsIhadformedseemedtomenowallviciousanddistorted，mycynicismshallowandunjust。
“MonsieurdeLesperon。”shecalledsoftlytome，notingmysilence。
Iturnedtoher。Isetmyhandlightlyuponherarm;Iletmygazeencountertheupwardglanceofhereyes-blueasforget-me-nots。
“Yousuffer！“shemurmured，withsweetcompassion。
“Worse，Roxalanne！Ihavesowninyourhearttootheseedofsuffering。Oh，Iamtoounworthy！“Icriedout;“andwhenyoucometodiscoverhowunworthyitwillhurtyou;itwillstingyourpridetothinkhowkindyouweretome。”Shesmiledincredulously，indenialofmywords。“No，child;Icannottellyou。”
Shesighed，andthenbeforemorecouldbesaidtherewasasoundatthedoor，andwestartedawayfromeachother。TheVicomteentered，andmylastchanceofconfessing，ofperhapsavertingmuchofwhatfollowed，waslosttome。
CHAPTERVIII
THEPORTRAIT
IntothemindofeverythoughtfulmanmustcomeattimeswithbitternessthereflectionofhowutterlyweareatthemercyofFate，thevictimsofhereverywhimandcaprice。Wemaysetoutwiththeloftiest，thesternestresolutionstosteerourlivesalongawell-consideredcourse，yettheslightestoffortuitouscircumstanceswillsufficetoforceusintoadirectionthatwehadnothoughtoftaking。
Now，haditpleasedMonsieurdeMarsactohavecometoLavedanatanyreasonablehouroftheday，IshouldhavebeenalreadyupontheroadtoParis，intenttoowndefeatandpaymywager。Anightofthought，besidesstrengtheningmydeterminationtofollowsuchacourse，hadbroughtthereflectionthattmightthereafterreturntoRoxalanne，apoorman，itistrue，butoneatleastwhoseintentionsmightnotbemisconstrued。
Andso，whenatlastIsankintosleep，mymind，washappierthanithadbeenformanydays。OfRoxalanne’sloveIwasassured，anditseemedthatImightwinher，afterall，onceIremovedthebarrierofshamethatnowdeterredme。Itmaybethatthosethoughtskeptmeawakeuntilalatehour，andthattothisIoweitthatwhenonthemorrowIawakenedthemorningwaswelladvanced。
Thesunwasfloodingmychamber，andatmybedsidestoodAnatole。
“What’so’clock？”Iinquired，sittingboltupright。
“Pastten。”saidhe，withsterndisapproval。
“Andyouhaveletmesleep？”Icried。
“WedolittleelseatLavedanevenwhenweareawake。”hegrumbled。
“Therewasnoreasonwhymonsieurshouldrise。”Then，holdingoutapaper，“MonsieurStanislasdeMarsacwasherebetimesthismorningwithMademoisellehissister。Heleftthisletterforyou，monsieur。”
Amazeandapprehensionwerequicklyfollowedbyrelief，sinceAnatole’swordssuggestedthatMarsachadnotremained。Itooktheletter，nevertheless，withsomemisgivings，andwhilstIturneditoverinmyhandsIquestionedtheoldservant。
“Hestayedanhouratthechateau，monsieur。”Anatoleinformedme。
“MonsieurleVicomtewouldhavehadyouroused，buthewouldnothearofit。’IfwhatMonsieurdeSaint-Eustachehastoldmetouchingyourguestshouldprovetobetrue，’saidhe，’Iwouldprefernottomeethimunderyourroof，monsieur。’’MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache，’
mymasterreplied，’isnotapersonwhosewordshouldhaveweightwithanymanofhonour。’Butinspiteofthat，MonsieurdeMarsacheldtohisresolve，andalthoughhewouldoffernoexplanationinanswertomymaster’smanyquestions，youwerenotaroused。
“Attheendofahalf-hourhissisterenteredwithMademoiselle。
Theyhadbeenwalkingtogetherontheterrace，andMademoiselledeMarsacappearedveryangry。’AffairsareexactlyasMonsieurdeSaint-Eustachehasrepresentedthem，’saidshetoherbrother。Atthathesworeamostvillainousoath，andcalledforwritingmaterials。Atthemomentofhisdeparturehedesiredmetodeliverthislettertoyou，andthenrodeawayinafury，and，seemingly，notonthebestoftermswithMonsieurleVicomte。”
“Andhissister？”Iaskedquickly。
“Shewentwithhim。Afinepair，asIlive！“headded，castinghiseyestotheceiling。
AtleastIcouldbreathefreely。Theyweregone，andwhateverdamagetheymayhavedonetothecharacterofpoorRenedeLesperoneretheydeparted，theywerenotthere，atallevents，todenouncemeforanimpostor。WithamentalapologytotheshadeofthedepartedLesperonforallthediscreditIwasbringingdownuponhisname，Ibrokethesealofthatmomentousepistle，whichenclosedalengthofsomethirty-twoinchesofstring。
Monsieur[Iread]，whereverImaychancetomeetyouitshallbemydutytokillyou。
Arichbeginning，inallfaith！Ifhecouldbutmaintainthatuncompromisingdramaticflavourtotheend，hisepistleshouldbeworththetroubleofdeciphering，forhepennedavilescrawlofpothooks。
Itisbecauseofthis[theletterproceeded]thatIhaverefrainedfromcomingfacetofacewithyouthismorning。ThetimesaretootroublousandtheprovinceisintoodangerousaconditiontoadmitofanactthatmightdrawtheeyesoftheKeeperoftheSealsuponLavedan。To，myrespect，then，toMonsieurleVicomteandtomyowndevotiontotheCausewemutuallyservedoyouoweitthatyoustilllive。IamonmywaytoSpaintoseeksheltertherefromtheKing’svengeance。
TosavemyselfisadutythatIoweasmuchtomyselfastotheCause。Butthereisanotherduty，onethatIowemysister，whomyouhavesooutrageouslyslighted，andthisduty，byGod’sgrace，I
willperformbeforeIleave。Ofyourhonour，monsieur，wewillnotspeak，forreasonsintowhichIneednotenter，andImakenoappealtoit。Butifyouhaveasparkofmanhoodleft，ifyouarenotanuttercravenaswellasaknave，Ishallexpectyouonthedayaftertomorrow，atanyhourbeforenoon，attheAubergedelaCouronneatGrenade。There，monsieur，ifyouplease，wewilladjustourdifferences。Thatyoumaycomeprepared，andsothatnotimeneedbewastedwhenwemeet，Isendyouthelengthofmysword。
Thusendedthatangry，fire-breathingepistle。Irefoldeditthoughtfully，then，havingtakenmyresolve，IleaptfromthebedanddesiredAnatoletoassistmetodress。
IfoundtheVicomtemuchexercisedinmindastothemeaningofMarsac’sextraordinarybehaviour，andIwasrelievedtoseethathe，atleast，couldconjecturenocauseforit。Inreplytothequestionswithwhichheverynaturallyassailedme，Iassuredhimthatitwasnomorethanamatterofamisunderstanding;thatMonsieurdeMarsachadaskedmetomeethimatGrenadeintwodays’
time，andthatIshouldthen，nodoubt，beabletomakeallclear。
Meanwhile，Iregrettedtheincident，sinceitnecessitatedmyremainingandencroachingfortwodayslongerupontheVicomte’shospitality。Toallthis，however，hemadethereplythatI
expected，concludingwiththeremarkthatforthepresentatleastitwouldseemasiftheChevalierdeSaint-EustachehadbeensatisfiedwithcreatingthistroublebetwixtmyselfandMarsac。
>FromwhatAnatolehadsaid，IhadalreadyconcludedthatMarsachadexercisedthegreatestreticence。ButtheinterviewbetweenhissisterandRoxalannefilledmewiththegravestanxiety。Womenarenotwonttopractisetherestraintofmenundersuchcircumstances，andforallthatMademoiselledeMarsacmaynothaveexpresseditinsomanywordsthatIwasherfaithlesslover，yetwomenarequicktodetectandinterpretthesignsofdisordersspringingfromsuchcauses，andIhadeveryfearthatRoxalannewascometotheconclusionthatIhadliedtoheryesternight。Withanuneasyspirit，then，Iwentinquestofher，andIfoundherwalkingintheoldrosegardenbehindthechateau。
Shedidnotatfirstremarkmyapproach，andIhadleisureforsomemomentstoobserveherandtonotethesadnessthatdweltinherprofileandthelistlessnessofhermovements。第一章
This，then，wasmywork-mine，andthatofMonsieurdeChatellerault，andthoseothermerrygentlemenwhohadsatatmytableinParisnighuponamonthago。
Imoved，andthegravelcrunchedundermyfoot，whereuponsheturned，and，atsightofmeadvancingtowardsher，shestarted。Thebloodmountedtoherface，toebbagainupontheinstant，leavingitpalerthanithadbeen。Shemadeasiftodepart;thensheappearedtocheckherself，andstoodimmovableandoutwardlycalm，awaitingmyapproach。
Buthereyeswereaverted，andherbosomroseandfelltooswiftlytolendcolourtothatmaskofindifferenceshehurriedlyputon。
Yet，asIdrewnigh，shewasthefirsttospeak，andthetrivialityofherwordscameasashocktome，andforallmyknowledgeofwoman’swaycausedmetodoubtforamomentwhetherperhapshercalmwerenotreal，afterall。
“Youarealaggardthismorning，MonsieurdeLesperon。”And，withahalflaugh，sheturnedasidetobreakarosefromitsstem。
“True。”Iansweredstupidly;“Isleptover-late。”
“Athousandpities，sincethusyoumissedseeingMademoiselledeMarsac。Havetheytoldyouthatshewashere？”
“Yes，mademoiselle。StanislasdeMarsacleftaletterforme。”
“Youwillregretnothavingseenthem，nodoubt？”quothshe。
Ievadedtheinterrogativenoteinhervoice。“Thatistheirfault。
Theyappeartohavepreferredtoavoidme。”
“Isitmatterforwonder？”sheflashed，withasuddengleamoffurywhichsheassuddenlycontrolled。Withtheoldindifference，sheadded，“Youdonotseemperturbed，monsieur？”
“Onthecontrary，mademoiselle;Iamverydeeplyperturbed。”
“Atnothavingseenyour-betrothed？”sheasked，andnowforthefirsttimehereyeswereraised，andtheymetminewithalookthatwasastab。
“Mademoiselle，IhadthehonouroftellingyouyesterdaythatIhadplightedmytrothtonolivingwoman。”
Atthatreminderofyesterdayshewinced，andIwassorrythatI
hadutteredit，foritmusthavesetthewoundinherpridea-bleedingagain。YesterdayIhadasmuchastoldherthatIlovedher，andyesterdayshehadasmuchasansweredmethatshelovedme，foryesterdayIhadswornthatSaint-Eustache’sstoryofmybetrothalwasalie。To-dayshehadhadassuranceofthetruthfromtheverywomantowhomLesperon’sfaithwasplighted，andIcouldimaginesomethingofhershame。
“Yesterday，monsieur。”sheansweredcontemptuously，“youliedinmanythings。”
“Nay，Ispokethetruthinall。Oh，Godinheaven，mademoiselle。”
Iexclaimedinsuddenpassion，“willyounotbelieveme？WillyounotacceptmywordforwhatIsay，andhavealittlepatienceuntilIshallhavedischargedsuchobligationsaswillpermitmetoexplain？”
“Explain？”quothshe，withwitheringdisdain。
“Thereisahideousmisunderstandinginallthis。Iamthevictimofamiserablechainofcircumstances。;Oh，Icansaynomore！
TheseMarsacsIshalleasilypacify。IamtomeetMonsieurdeMarsacatGrenadeonthedayafterto-morrow。InmypocketIhavealetterfromthislivingsword-blade，inwhichhetellsmethathewillgivehimselfthepleasureofkillingmethen。Yet-“
“Ihopehedoes，monsieur！“shecutin，withafiercenessbeforewhichIfelldumbandleftmysentenceunfinished。“IshallprayGodthathemay！“sheadded。“Youdeserveitasnomandeservedityet！“
ForamomentIstoodstricken，indeed，byherwords。Then，myreasongraspingthemotiveofthatfierceness，asuddenjoypervadedme。Itwasafiercenessbreathingthathatredthatisapartoflove，thanwhich，itistrue，nohatredcanbemoredeadly。Andyetsoeloquentlydidittellmeofthoseveryfeelingswhichshesoughtjealouslytoconceal，that，movedbyasuddenimpulse，Isteppedcloseuptoher。
“Roxalanne。”Isaidfervently，“youdonothopeforit。WhatwouldyourlifebeifIweredead？Child，child，youlovemeevenasI
loveyou。”Icaughthersuddenlytomewithinfinitetenderness，withreverencealmost。“Canyoulendnoeartothevoiceofthislove？Canyounothave-faithinmealittle？CanyounotthinkthatifIwerequiteasunworthyasyoumake-believetoyourveryself，thislovecouldhavenoplace？”
“Ithasnoplace！“shecried。“Youlie-asinallthingselse。
Idonotloveyou。Ihateyou。Dieu！HowIhateyou！“
Shehadlaininmyarmsuntilthen，withupturnedfaceandpiteous，frightenedeyes-likeabirdthatfeelsitselfwithinthetoilsofasnake，yetwhosehorrorisblentwithacertainfascination。Now，asshespoke，herwillseemedtoreassertitself，andshestruggledtobreakfromme。Butasherfiercenessofhatredgrew，sodidmyfiercenessofresolvegainstrength，andIheldhertightly。
“Whydoyouhateme？”Iaskedsteadily。“Askyourself，Roxalanne，andtellmewhatansweryourheartmakes。Doesitnotanswerthatindeedyoudonothateme-thatyouloveme？”
“Oh，God，tobesoinsulted！“shecriedout。“Willyounotreleaseme，miserable？MustIcallforhelp？Oh，youshallsufferforthis！AsthereisaHeaven，youshallbepunished！“
ButinmypassionIheldher，despiteentreaties，threats，andstruggles。Iwasbrutal，ifyouwill。Yetthinkofwhatwasinmysoulatbeingsomisjudged，atfindingmyselfinthisposition，anddealnotoverharshlywithme。ThecouragetoconfesswhichI
hadlackedfordays，cametomethen。Imusttellher。Lettheresultbewhatitmight，itcouldnotbeworsethanthis，andthisIcouldendurenolonger。
“Listen，Roxalanne！“
“Iwillnotlisten！EnoughofinsultshaveIheardalready。Letmego！“
“Nay，butyoushallhearme。IamnotRenedeLesperon。HadtheseMarsacsbeenlessimpetuousandfoolish，hadtheywaitedtohaveseenmethismorning，theywouldhavetoldyouso。”
Shepausedforasecondinherstrugglestoregardme。Then，withasuddencontemptuouslaugh，sherenewedhereffortsmorevigorouslythanbefore。
“Whatfreshliesdoyouofferme？Releaseme;willhearnomore！“
“AsHeavenismywitness，Ihavetoldyouthetruth。Iknowhowwildasoundithas，andthatifpartlywhyIdidnottellyouearlier。ButyourdisdainIcannotsuffer。Thatyoushoulddeemmealiarinprofessingtoloveyou-“
HerstrugglesweregrownsofranticthatIwasforcedtorelaxmygrip。ButthisIdidwithasuddennessthatthrewheroutofbalance，andshewasindangeroffallingbackwards。Tosaveherself，shecaughtatmydoublet，whichwastornopenunderthestrain。
Westoodsomefewfeetapart，and，whiteandpalpitatinginheranger，sheconfrontedme。Hereyeslashedmewiththeirscorn，butundermysteady，unflinchinggazetheyfellatlast。Whennextsheraisedthemtherewasasmileofquietbutunutterablecontemptuponherlips。
“Willyouswear。”saidshe，“thatyouarenotRenedeLesperon？
ThatMademoiselledeMarsacisnotyourbetrothed？”
“Yes-bymyeveryhopeofHeaven！“Icriedpassionately。
Shecontinuedtosurveymewiththatquietsmileofmockingscorn。
“Ihavehearditsaid。”quothshe，“thatthegreatestliarsareeverthosethatarereadiesttotakeoath。”Then，withasuddengaspofloathing，“Ithinkyouhavedroppedsomething，monsieur。”saidshe，pointingtotheground。Andwithoutwaitingformore，sheswungroundandleftme。
FaceupwardsatmyfeetlaytheminiaturethatpoorLesperonhadentrustedtomeinhisdyingmoments。Ithaddroppedfrommydoubletinthestruggle，andIneverdoubtednowbutthatthepictureitcontainedwasthatofMademoiselledeMarsac。
CHAPTERIX
ANIGHTALARM
IwasreturningthatsameafternoonfromalongwalkthatIhadtaken-formymoodwasofthatunenviablesortthatimpelsamantobemoving-whenIfoundatravelling-chaisedrawnupinthequadrangleasifreadyforajourney。AsImountedthestepsofthechateauIcamefacetofacewithmademoiselle，descending。I
drewasidethatshemightpass;，andthisshedidwithherchinintheair，andherpetticoatdrawntoherthatitmightnottouchme。
Iwouldhavespokentoher，buthereyeslookedstraightbeforeherwithaglancethatwastooforbidding;besideswhichtherewasthegazeofahalf-dozengroomsuponus。So，bowingbeforeher-theplumeofmydoffedhatsweepingtheground-Ilethergo。YetI
remainedstandingwhereshehadpassedme，andwatchedherenterthecoach。Ilookedafterthevehicleasitwheeledroundandrattledoutoverthedrawbridge，toraiseacloudofdustonthewhite，dryroadbeyond。
InthathourIexperiencedasenseofdesolationandapaintowhichIfinditdifficulttogiveexpression。Itseemedtomeasifshehadgoneoutofmylifeforalltime-asifnoreparationthatI
couldevermakewouldsufficetowinherbackafterwhathadpassedbetweenusthatmorning。AlreadywoundedinherpridebywhatMademoiselledeMarsachadtoldherofourrelations，mybehaviourintherosegardenhadcompletedtheworkofturningintohatredthetenderfeelingsthatbutyesterdayshehadallbutconfessedforme。
Thatshehatedmenow，Iwaswellassured。MyreflectionsasI
walkedhadborneitinuponmehowrash，howmadhadbeenmydesperateaction，andwithbitternessIrealizedthatIhaddestroyedthelastchanceofevermendingmatters。
Noteventhepaymentofmywagerandmyreturninmytruecharactercouldavailmenow。Thepaymentofmywager，forsooth！Eventhatlostwhatvirtueitmighthavecontained。Wherewastheheroismofsuchanact？HadInotfailed，indeed？Andwasnot，therefore，thepaymentofmywagerbecomeinevitable？
Fool！fool！WhyhadInotprofitedthatgentlemoodofherswhenwehaddrifteddownthestreamtogether？WhyhadInottoldherthenofthewholebusinessfromitsuglyinceptiondowntothepasstowhichthingswerecome，addingthattorepairtheevilIwasgoingbacktoParistopaymywager，andthatwhenthatwasdone，I
wouldreturntoaskhertobecomemywife？Thatwasthecourseamanofsensewouldhaveadopted。Hewouldhaveseenthedangersthatbesethiminmyfalseposition，andwouldhavebeenquicktohaveforestalledthemintheonlymannerpossible。
Heigh-ho！Itwasdone。Thegamewasatanend，andIhadbungledmypartofitlikeanyfool。Onetaskremainedme-thatofmeetingMarsacatGrenadeanddoingjusticetothememoryofpoorLesperon。
Whatmightbetidethereaftermatteredlittle。IshouldberuinedwhenIhadsettledwithChatellerault，andMarceldeSaint-Pol，deBardelys，thatbrilliantstarinthefirmamentoftheCourtofFrance，wouldsufferanabrupteclipse，wouldbequenchedforalltime。Butthisweighedlittlewithmethen。IhadlosteverythingthatImighthavevalued-everythingthatmighthavebroughtfreshzesttoajaded，satiatedlife。
LaterthatdayIwastoldbytheVicomtethattherewasarumourcurrenttotheeffectthattheMarquisdeBardelyswasdead。IdlyIinquiredhowtherumourhadbeenspread，andhetoldmethatariderlesshorse，whichhadbeencapturedafewdaysagobysomepeasants，hadbeenrecognizedbyMonsieurdeBardelys’sservantsasbelongingtotheirmaster，andthatasnothinghadbeenseenorheardofhimforafortnight，itwasbelievedthathemusthavemetwithsomemischance。Noteventhatpieceofinformationservedtoarousemyinterest。Letthembelievemedeadiftheywould。Tohimthatissufferingworsethandeathtobeaccounteddeadisasmallmatter。
Thenextdaypassedwithoutincident。Mademoiselle’sabsencecontinuedandIwouldhavequestionedtheVicomteconcerningit，butanotunnaturalhesitancybesetme，andIrefrained。
OnthemorrowIwastoleaveLavedan，buttherewerenopreparationstobemade，nopackingtobedone，forduringmysojournthereI
hadbeenindebtedtothegeneroushospitalityoftheVicomteformyveryapparel。WesuppedquietlytogetherthatnighttheVicomteandI-fortheVicomtessewaskeepingherroom。
Iwithdrewearlytomychamber，andlongIlayawake，revolvingagloomyfutureinmymind。IhadgivennothoughttowhatIshoulddoafterhavingofferedmyexplanationtoMonsieurdeMarsaconthemorrow，norcouldInowbringmyselftoconsideritwithanydegreeofinterest。IwouldcommunicatewithChatelleraulttoinformhimthatIaccountedmywagerlost。Iwouldsendhimmynoteofhand，makingovertohimmyPicardyestates，andIwouldrequesthimtopayoffanddisbandmyservantsbothinParisandatBardelys。
Asformyself，Ididnotknow，and，asIhavehinted，Icaredbutlittle，inwhatplacesmyfuturelifemightlie。IhadstillalittlepropertybyBeaugency，butscantinclinationtowithdrawtoit。ToParisIwouldnotreturn;thatmuchIwasdeterminedupon;
butuponnomore。IhadthoughtsofgoingtoSpain。YetthatcourseseemednolessfutilethananyotherofwhichIcouldbethinkme。Ifellasleepatlast，vowingthatitwouldbeamercyandafinesolutiontothepuzzleofhowtodisposeofthefutureifI
weretoawakennomore。
Iwas，however，destinedtoberousedagainjustastheveilofnightwasbeingliftedandthechillbreathofdawnwasupontheworld。TherewasaloudknockingatthegatesofLavedan，confusednoisesofvoices，ofpatteringfeet，ofdoorsopeningandclosingwithinthechateau。
Therewasarappingatmychamberdoor，andwhenIwenttoopen，I
foundtheVicomteonthethreshold，nightcapped，inhisshirt，andbearingalightedtaper。
“Therearetroopersatthegate！“heexclaimedasheenteredtheroom。“ThatdogSaint-Eustachehasalreadybeenatwork！“
Foralltheagitationthatmusthavebeenbesettinghim，hismannerwassereneasever。“Whatarewetodo？”heasked。
“Youareadmittingthem-naturally？”saidI，inquiryinmyvoice。
“Why，yes“;andheshruggedhisshoulders。“Whatcoulditavailustoresistthem？EvenhadIbeenpreparedforit，itwouldbefutiletoattempttosufferasiege。”
Iwrappedadressing-gownaboutme，forthemorningairwaschill。
“MonsieurleVicomte。”saidIgravely，“IheartilydeplorethatMonsieurdeMarsac’saffairsshouldhavedetainedmehere。Butforhim，IhadleftLavedantwodaysago。Asitis，Itrembleforyou，butwemayatleasthopethatmybeingtakeninyourhousewilldrawdownnoillresultsuponyou。IshallneverforgivemyselfifthroughmyhavingtakenrefugehereIshouldhaveencompassedyourdestruction。”
“Thereisnoquestionofthat。”hereplied，withthequickgenerositycharacteristicoftheman。“ThisistheworkofSaint-Eustache。
SoonerorlaterIalwaysfearedthatitwouldhappen，forsoonerorlater:heandImusthavecometoenmityovermydaughter。Thatknavehadmeinhispower。Heknew-beinghimselfoutwardlyoneofus-towhatextentIwasinvolvedinthelaterebellion，andIknewenoughofhimtobeassuredthatifsomedayheshouldwishtodomeill，hewouldneverscrupletoturntraitor。Iamafraid，MonsieurdeLesperon，thatitisnotforyoualone-perhapsnotforyouatall-thatthesoldiershavecome，butforme。”
Then，beforeIcouldanswerhim，thedoorwasflungwide，andintotheroom，innightcapandhastilydonnedrobe-lookingaverymegereinthatdisfiguringdeshabille-swepttheVicomtesse。
“See。”shecriedtoherhusband，herstridentvoiceraisedinreproach-“seetowhatapassyouhavebroughtus！“
“Anne，Anne！“heexclaimed，approachingherandseekingtosootheher;“becalm，mypoorchild，andbebrave。”
But，evadinghim，shetowered，leanandmalevolentasafury。
“Calm？”sheechoedcontemptuously。“Brave？”Thenashortlaughbrokefromher-adespairing，mocking，mirthlessexpressionofanger。“ByGod，doyouaddeffronterytoyourotherfailings？
Dareyoubidmebecalmandbraveinsuchanhour？HaveIbeenwarningyoufruitlesslythesetwelvemonthspast，that，afterdisregardingmeandderidingmywarnings，youshouldbidmebecalmnowthatmyfearsarerealized？”
Therewasasoundofcreakinggatesbelow。TheVicomteheardit。
“Madame。”hesaid，puttingasidehiserstwhiletendermanner，andspeakingwithaloftydignity，“thetroopershavebeenadmitted。
Letmeentreatyoutoretire。Itisnotbefittingourstation-“
“Whatisourstation？”sheinterruptedharshly。“Rebels-proscribed，houselessbeggars。Thatisourstation，thankstoyouandyourinsanemeddlingwithtreason。Whatistobecomeofus，fool？WhatistobecomeofRoxalanneandmewhentheyshallhavehangedyouandhavedrivenusfromLavedan？ByGod’sdeath，afineseasonthistotalkofthedignityofourstation！DidInotwarnyou，malheureux，toleavepartyfactionalone？Youlaughedatme。”
“Madame;yourmemorydoesmeaninjustice。”heansweredinastrangledvoice。“Ineverlaughedatyouinallmylife。”
“Youdidasmuch，atleast。Didyounotbidmebusymyselfwithwomen’saffairs？Didyounotbidmeleaveyoutofollowyourownjudgment？Youhavefollowedit-toaprettypurpose，asGodlives！
ThesegentlemenoftheKing’swillcauseyoutofollowitalittlefarther。”shepursued，withheartless，loathsomesarcasm。“YouwillfollowitasfarasthescaffoldatToulouse。That，youwilltellme，isyourownaffair。Butwhatprovisionhaveyoumadeforyourwifeanddaughter？Didyoumarrymeandgethertoleaveustoperishofstarvation？Orarewetoturnkitchenwenchesorsempstressesforourlivelihood？”
Withagroan，theVicomtesankdownuponthebed，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。
“Godpityme！“hecried，inavoiceofagony-anagonysuchasthefearofdeathcouldneverhaveinfusedintohisbravesoul;anagonybornoftheheartlessnessofthiswomanwhofortwentyyearshadsharedhisbedandboard，andwhonowinthehourofhisadversityfailedhimsocruelly-sotragically。
“Aye。”shemockedinherbitterness，“calluponGodtopityyou，forIshallnot。”
Shepacedtheroomnow，likeacagedlioness，herfacelividwiththefurythatpossessedher。Shenolongeraskedquestions;shenolongeraddressedhim;oathfollowedoathfromherthinlips，andthehideousnessofthiswoman’sblasphemymademeshudder。Atlasttherewereheavystepsuponthestairs，and，movedbyasuddenimpulse“Madame。”Icried，“letmeprevailuponyoutorestrainyourself。”
Sheswungroundtofaceme，herdose-seteyesablazewithanger。
“Sangdieu！Bywhatrightdoyou-“shebeganbutthiswasnotimetoletawoman’stonguegobabblingon;notimeforceremony;noseasonformakingalegandaddressingherwithasimper。Icaughtherviciouslybythewrist，andwithmyfacecloseuptohers“Folle！“
Icried，andI’llswearnomanhadeverusedthewordtoherbefore。
Shegaspedandchokedinhersurpriseandrage。Thenloweringmyvoicelestitshouldreachtheapproachingsoldiers:“WouldyouruintheVicomteandyourself？”Imuttered。Hereyesaskedmeaquestion，andIansweredit。“Howdoyouknowthatthesoldiershavecomeforyourhusband？Itmaybethattheyareseekingme-andonlyme。
TheymayknownothingoftheVicomte’sdefection。Shallyou，then，betheonetoinformthemofitbyyourunbridledrantingsandyouraccusations？”
Herjawfellopeninastonishment。Thiswasasideofthequestionshehadnotconsidered。
“Letmeprevailuponyou，madame，towithdrawandtobeofgoodcourage。Itismorethanlikelythatyoualarmyourselfwithoutcause。”
Shecontinuedtostareatmeinheramazementandtheconfusionthatwascongenitalwithit，andiftherewasnottimeforhertowithdraw，atleastthepossibilityIhadsuggestedactedasatimelywarning。
Inthatmomentthedooropenedagain，andonthethresholdappearedayoungmaninaplumedhatandcorselet，carryinganakedswordinonehandandalanthornintheother。BehindhimIcaughtthegleamofsteelfromthetroopersathisheels。
“WhichofyouisMonsieurRenedeLesperon？”heinquiredpolitely，hisutteranceflavouredbyastrongGasconaccent。
Istoodforward。“Iamknownbythatname，MonsieurleCapitaine。”
saidI。
Helookedatmewistfully，apologeticallyalmost，then“IntheKing’sname，MonsieurdeLesperon，Icalluponyoutoyield！“saidhe。
“Ihavebeenexpectingyou。Myswordisyonder，monsieur。”Irepliedsuavely。“Ifyouwillallowmetodress，Ishallbereadytoaccompanyyouinafewminutes。”
Hebowed，anditatoncebecameclearthathisbusinessatLavedanwas-asIhadsuggestedtotheVicomtessemightbepossible-withmealone。
“Iamgratefulforthereadinessofyoursubmission。”saidthisverypolitegentleman。Hewasacomelylad，withblueeyesandagood-humouredmouth，towhichapairofbristlingmoustachessoughtvainlytoimpartanexpressionofferocity。
“Beforeyouproceedtodress，monsieur，Ihaveanotherdutytodischarge。”
“Dischargeyourduty，monsieur。”Ianswered。Whereuponhemadeasigntohismen，andin，amomenttheywereransackingmygarmentsandeffects。Whilethiswastakingplace，heturnedtotheVicomteandVicomtesse，andofferedthemathousandapologiesforhavinginterruptedtheirslumbers，andforsorudelydeprivingthemoftheirguest。Headvancedinhisexcusethetroublousnatureofthetimes，andthrewinabunchofmalisonsatthecircumstanceswhichforceduponsoldierstheodiousdutiesofthetipstaff，hopingthatwewouldthinkhimnonethelessagentlemanfortheunsavourybusinessuponwhichhewasengaged。
>FrommyclothestheytookthelettersaddressedtoLesperonwhichthatpoorgentlemanhadentrustedtomeonthenightofhisdeath;
andamongthesetherewasonefromtheDucd’Orleanshimself，whichwouldalonehavesufficedtohavehangedaregiment。Besidesthese，theytookMonsieurdeMarsac’sletteroftwodaysago，andthelocketcontainingthepictureofMademoiselledeMarsac。
ThepapersandtheportraittheydeliveredtotheCaptain，whotookthemwiththesameairofdeprecationtaintedwithdisgustthatcolouredallhisactionsinconnectionwithmyarrest。
TothissamerepugnanceforhiscatchpollworkdoIoweitthatatthemomentofsettingoutheofferedtoletmeridewithouttheannoyanceofanescortifIwouldpasshimmyparolenottoattemptanescape。
Wewerestanding，then，inthehallofthechateau。Hismenwerealreadyinthecourtyard，andtherewereonlypresentMonsieurleVicomteandAnatole-thelatterreflectingthelookofsorrowthathauntedhismaster’sface。TheCaptain’sgenerositywascertainlyleadinghimbeyondtheboundsofhisauthority，andittouchedme。
“Monsieurisverygenerous。”saidI。
Heshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently。
“CapdeDiou！“hecried-hehadawayofswearingthatremindedmeofmyfriendCazalet。“Itisnogenerosity，monsieur。Itisadesiretomakethisobsceneworkmorecongenialtothespiritofagentleman，which，deviltakeme，Icannotstifle，notfortheKinghimself。Andthen，MonsieurdeLesperon，arewenotfellow-countrymen？ArewenotGasconsboth？Pardieu，thereisnomorerespectedanameinthewholeofGasconythanthatofLesperon，andthatyoubelongtosohonourableafamilyisalonemorethansufficienttowarrantsuchslightfavoursasitmay，beinmypowertoshowyou。”
“YouhavemyparolethatIwillattemptnoescape，MonsieurleCapitaine。”Ianswered，bowingmayacknowledgmentofhiscompliments。
“IamMironsacdeCastelroux，ofChateauRougeinGascony。”heinformedme，returningmybow。Myfaith，hadhenotmadeaprettysoldierhewouldhavemadeanadmirablemasterofdeportment。
Myleave-takingofMonsieurdeLavedanwasbriefbutcordial;
apologeticonmypart，intenselysympatheticonhis。AndsoIwentoutalonewithCastelrouxupontheroadtoToulouse，hismenbeingorderedtofollowinhalfanhour’stimeandtotravelattheirleisure。
Aswecanteredalong-CastelrouxandI-wetalkedofmanythings，andIfoundhimanamusingandagreeablecompanion。Hadmymoodbeenotherthandespairing，thenewshegavememighthaveoccasionedmesomeconcern;foritseemedthatprisonersarraignedfortreasonandparticipationinthelaterisingwerebeingverysummarilytreated。Manywereneversomuchasheardintheirowndefence，theevidencecollectedoftheirdefectionbeingsubmittedtotheTribunal，andjudgmentbeingforthwithpasseduponthembyjudgeswhohadnoearsforanythingtheymightadvanceintheirownfavour。
Theevidenceofmyidentitywascomplete:therewasmyownadmissiontoCastelroux;theevidenceofthetreasonofLesperonwasnonethelesscomplete;infact，itwasnotorious;andtherewastheDuke’sletterfoundamongstmyeffects。IfthejudgesrefusedtolendaneartomyassurancesthatIwasnotLesperonatall，butthemissingBardelys，mytroubleswerelikelytoreceiveaverysummarysolution。
Thefearofit，however，weighednotover-heavilyuponme。Iwassupremelyindifferent。LifewasatanendsofarasIwasconcerned。
Ihadruinedtheonechanceofrealhappinessthathadeverbeenheldouttome，andifthegentlemenofthecourtsofToulousewerepleasedtosendmeunheededtothescaffold，whatshoulditsignify？
Buttherewasanothermatterthatdidinterestme，andthatwasmyinterviewwithMarsac。Touchingthis，Ispoketomycaptor。
“ThereisagentlemanIwishtoseeatGrenadethismorning。Youhaveamongstthepaperstakenfrommealettermakingthisassignation，MonsieurleCapitaine，andIshouldbeindeedgratefulifyouwoulddeterminethatweshallbreakourfastthere，sothatImayhaveanopportunityofseeinghim。Thematteristomeofthehighestimportance。”
“Itconcerns-？”heasked。
“Alady。”Ianswered。
“Ah，yes！Buttheletterisofthenatureofachallenge，isitnot？Naturally，Icannotpermityoutoendangeryourlife。”
“LestwedisappointtheheadsmanatToulouse？”Ilaughed。“Havenofear。Thereshallbenoduel！“
“ThenIamcontent，monsieur，andyoushallseeyourfriend。”
Ithankedhim，andwetalkedofotherthingsthereafteraswerodeintheearlymorningalongtheToulouseroad。Ourconversationfounditsway，Iscarceknowhow，tothetopicofParisandtheCourt，andwhenIcasuallymentioned，inpassing，thatIwaswellacquaintedwiththeLuxembourg，heinquiredwhetherIhadeverchancedtomeetayoungsparkofthenameofMironsac。
“Mironsac？”Iechoed。“Why，yes。”AndIwasonthepointofaddingthatIknewtheyouthintimately，andwhatakindnessIhadforhim，when，deemingitimprudent，Icontentedmyselfwithasking，“Youknowhim？”
“Pardiou！“heswore。“Thefellowismycousin。WearebothMironsacs;heisMironsacofCastelvert，whilstI，asyoumayrememberItoldyou，amMironsacofCastelroux。Todistinguishus，heisalwaysknownasMironsac，andIasCastelroux。Peste！Itisnottheonlydistinction，forwhilehebasksinthesunshineofthegreatworldofParis-theyarewealthy，theMironsacsofCastelvert-I，apoordevilofaGasconycadet，amplayingthecatchpollinLanguedoc！“
Ilookedathimwithfreshinterest，forthementionofthatdearladMironsacbroughtbacktomymindthenightinParisonwhichmyill-starredwagerhadbeenlaid，andIwasremindedofhowthathigh-mindedyouthhadsought-whenitwastoolatetoreasonmeoutoftheundertakingbyalludingtothedishonourwithwhichinhishonesteyesitmustbefraught。
Wespokeofhiscousin-CastelrouxandI-andIwentsofarnowastoconfessthatIhadsomelovefortheyouth，whomIpraisedinunmistakableterms。ThisinclinedtoincreasethefriendlinesswhichmyyoungCaptainhadmanifestedsincemyarrest，andIwaspresentlyemboldenedbyittobegofhimtoaddtothemanyfavoursthatIalreadyowedhimbyreturningtometheportraitwhichhismenhadsubtractedfrommypocket。ItwasmywishtoreturnthistoMarsac，whilstatthesametimeitwouldaffordcorroborationofmystory。
TothisCastelrouxmadenodifficulty。
“Why，yes。”saidhe，andheproducedit。“Icraveyourpardonfornothavingdonethethingofmyownaccord。WhatcantheKeeperoftheSealswantwiththatpicture？”
Ithankedhim，andpocketedthelocket。
“Poorlady！“hesighed，anoteofcompassioninhisvoice。“Bymysoul，MonsieurdeLesperon，fineworkthisforsoldiers，isitnot？
Diable！Itisenoughtoturnagentleman’sstomachsourforlife，andmakehimgohidehimselffromtheeyesofhonestmen。HadI
knownthatsoldieringmeantsuchbusiness，IhadthoughttwicebeforeIadopteditasacareerforamanofhonour。IhadremainedinGasconyandtilledtheearthsoonerthanhavelentmyselftothis！“
“Mygoodyoungfriend。”Ilaughed，“whatyoudo，youdointheKing’sname。”
“Sodoeseverytipstaff。”heansweredimpatiently，hismoustachesbristlingastheresultofthescornfultwisthe-gavehislips。“TothinkthatIshouldhaveahandinbringingtearstotheeyesofthatsweetlady！Quellebesogne！BonDiou，quellebesogne！“
IlaughedatthedistressventedinthatwhimsicalGascontongueofhis，whereuponheeyedmeinawonderthatwastemperedwithadmiration。Fortohisbravesoulagentlemansostoicalastolaughundersuchparlouscircumstanceswasveryproperlyagentlemantobeadmired。
CHAPTERX
THERISENDEAD
Itwascloseuponteno’clockaswerodeintotheyardoftheimposingHoteldelaCouronneatGrenade。
Castelrouxengagedaprivateroomonthefirstfloor——ahandsomechamberoverlookingthecourtyard-andinanswertotheinquiriesthatImadeIwasinformedbythelandlordthatMonsieurdeMarsacwasnotyetarrived。
“Myassignationwas’beforenoon，’MonsieurdeCastelroux。”saidI。
“Withyourpermission，Iwouldwaituntilnoon。”
Hemadenodifficulty。Twohourswereofnoaccount。Wehadallrisenveryearly，andhewas，himself，hesaid，entitledtosomerest。
WhilstIstoodbythewindowitcametopassthanaverytall，indifferentlyapparelledgentlemanissuedfromthehostelryandhaltedforsomemomentsinconversationwiththeostlerbelow。Hewalkedwithanenfeebledstep，andleanedheavilyforsupportuponastoutcane。AsheturnedtoreentertheinnIhadaglimpseofafacewoefullypale，aboutwhich，asabouttheman’swholefigure，therewasasomethingthatwasfamiliar-asomethingthatpuzzledme，andonwhichmymindwasstilldwellingwhenpresentlyIsatdowntobreakfastwithCastelroux。
Itmayhavebeenahalf-hourlater，and，ourmealbeingatanend，weweresittingtalking-IgrowingimpatientthewhilethatthisMonsieurdeMarsacshouldkeepmewaitingso-whenofasuddentherattleofhoofsdrewmeoncemoretothewindow。Agentleman，ridingveryrecklessly，hadjustdashedthroughtheporte-cochere，andwasintheactofpullinguphishorse。Hewasalean，activeman，veryrichlydressed，andwithafacethatbyitsswarthinessofskinandthesablehueofbeardandhairlookedalmostblack。
“Ah，youarethere！“hecried，withsomethingbetweenasnarlandalaugh，andaddressingsomebodywithintheshelteroftheporch。
“ParlamortDieu，Ihadhardlylookedtofindyou！“
>FromtherecessofthedoorwayIheardagaspofamazementandacryof“Marsac！Youhere？”
SothiswasthegentlemanIwastosee！Astableboyhadtakenhisreins，andheleaptnimblytotheground。IntomyrangeofvisionhobblednowtheenfeebledgentlemanwhomearlierIhadnoticed。
“MydearStanislas！“hecried，“IcannottellyouhowrejoicedIamtoseeyou！“andheapproachedMarsacwitharmsthatwereopenedasiftoembracehim。
Thenewcomersurveyedhimamomentinwonder，witheyesgrowndull。
Thenabruptlyraisinghishand，hestruckthefellowonthebreast，andthrusthimbacksoviolentlythatbutforthestable=boy’sinterventionhehadofacertaintyfallen。Withalookofstartledamazementonhishaggardface，theinvalidregardedhisassailant。
AsforMarsac，hesteppedcloseuptohim。
“Whatisthis？”hecriedharshly。“Whatisthismake-believefeebleness？Thatyouarepale，poltroon，Idonotwonder！Butwhythesetotteringlimbs？Whythisassumptionofweakness？Doyoulooktotrickmebythesesigns？”
“Haveyoutakenleaveofyoursenses？”exclaimedtheother，anoteofresponsiveangersoundinginhisvoice。“Haveyougonemad，Stanislas？”
“Abandonthispretence。”wasthecontemptuousanswer。“TwodaysagoatLavedan，myfriend，theyinformedmehowcompletewasyourrecovery;fromwhattheytoldus，itwaseasytoguesswhyyoutarriedthereandleftuswithoutnewsofyou。Thatwasmyreason，asyoumayhavesurmised，forwritingtoyou。Mysisterhasmournedyoufordead-wasmourningyoufordeadwhilstyousatatthefeetofyourRoxalanneandmadelovetoheramongtherosesofLavedan。”
“Lavedan？”echoedtheotherslowly。Then，raisinghisvoice:
“Whatthedevilareyousaying？”heblazed。“WhatdoIknowofLavedan？”
Inaflashithadcometomewhothatenfeebledgentlemanwas。
Rodenard，theblunderer，hadbeenatfaultwhenhehadsaidthatLesperonhadexpired。Clearlyhecouldhavenomorethanswooned;
forhere，intheflesh，wasLesperonhimself，themanIhadleftfordeadinthatbarnbyMirepoix。
Howorwherehehadrecoveredwerethingsthatatthemomentdidnotexercisemymind-norhaveIsincebeenatanypainstounravelthemysteryofit;buttherehewas，andforthemomentthatfactwasall-sufficing。WhatcomplicationswouldcomeofhispresenceHeavenalonecouldforetell。
“Putanendtothisplay-acting！“roaredthesavageMarsac。“Itwillavailyounothing。Mysister’stearsmayhaveweighedlightlywithyou，butyoushallpaythepriceofthem，andoftheslightyouhaveputuponher。”
“MyGod，Marsac！“criedtheother，rousedtoanequalfierceness。
“Willyouexplain？”
“Aye。”snarledMarsac，andhisswordflashedfromhisscabbard。”
I’llexplain。AsGodlives，I’llexplain-withthis！“Andhewhirledhisbladeundertheeyesoftheinvalid。“Come，mymaster，thecomedy’splayedout。Castasidethatcrutchanddraw;draw，man，or，sangdieu，I’llrunyouthroughasyoustand！“
Therewasacommotionbelow。Thelandlordandaposseofhissatellites-waiters，ostlers，andstableboys-rushedbetweenthem，andsoughttorestrainthebloodthirstyMarsac。Butheshookthemoffasabullshakesoffapackofdogs，andlikeanangrybull，too，didhestandhisgroundandbellow。Inamomenthissweepingswordhadclearedacircleabouthim。Initslightningdartingshitherandthitheratrandom，ithadstungawaiterinthecalf，andwhenthefellowsawthebloodstaininghishose，headdedtothegeneraldinhisshrieksthathewasmurdered。
Marsacsworeandthreatenedinabreath，andakitchenwench，fromapointofvantageonthesteps，calledshameuponhimandabusedhimroundlyforacowardlyassassintoassailapoorsuffererwhocouldhardlystandupright。
“Po’CapdeDiou！“sworeCastelrouxatmyelbow。“Sawyoueversuchanado？Whathaschanced？”
ButIneverstayedtoanswerhim。UnlessIactedquicklybloodwouldassuredlybeshed。Iwarstheonemanwhocouldexplainmatters，anditwasamercyforLesperonthatIshouldhavebeenathandinthehourofhismeetingthatfire-eaterMarsac。IforgotthecircumstancesinwhichIstoodtoCastelroux;IforgoteverythingbuttheimminentnecessitythatIshouldintervene。
Somesevenfeetbelowourwindowwastheroofoftheporch;fromthattothegrounditmightbesomeeightfeetmore。BeforemyGasconcaptainknewwhatIwasabout，Ihadswungmyselfdownfromthewindowontotheprojectingporch。Asecondlater，Icreatedadiversionbylandinginthemidstofthecourtyardfray，withthealarmedCastelroux-whoimaginedthatIwasescaping-followingbythesameunusualroad，andshoutingashecame“MonsieurdeLesperon！Hi！MonsieurdeLesperon！Mordiou！Rememberyourparole，MonsieurdeLesperon！“
NothingcouldhavebeenbettercalculatedtostemMarsac’sfury;
nothingcouldhavesopredisposedhimtolendaneartowhatIhadtosay，foritwasveryevidentthatCastelroux’swordswereaddressedtome，andthatitwasIwhomhecalledbythenameofLesperon。InaninstantIwasatMarsac’sside。ButbeforeI
couldutteraword“Whatthedevildoesthismean？”heasked，eyeingmewithfiercesuspicion。
“Itmeans，monsieur，thattherearemoreLesperonsthanoneinFrance。IamtheLesperonwhowasatLavedan。Ifyoudoubtme，askthisgentleman，whoarrestedmetherelastnight。Askhim，too，whywehavehaltedhere。Askhim，ifyouwill，toshowyoutheletterthatyouleftatLavedanmakinganassignationherebeforenoonto-day，whichletterIreceived。”
ThesuspicionfadedfromMarsac’seyes，andtheygrewroundwithwonderashelistenedtothisprodigiousarrayofevidence。
Lesperonlookedoninnolessamazement，yetIamsurefromthemannerofhisglancethathedidnotrecognizeinmethemanthathadsuccouredhimatMirepoix。That，afterall，wasnaturalenough;forthemindsofmeninsuchreducedconditionsashadbeenhisuponthatnightarenotpronetoreceiveveryclearimpressions，andstilllesspronetoretainsuchimpressionsastheydoreceive。
BeforeMarsaccouldanswerme，Castelrouxwasat，myside。
“Athousandapologies！“helaughed。“Afoolmighthaveguessedtheerrandthattookyousoquicklythroughthatwindow，andnonebutafoolwouldhavesuspectedyouofseekingtoescape。Itwasunworthyinme，MonsieurdeLesperon。”
Iturnedtohimwhilethoseothersstillstoodgaping，andledhimaside。
“MonsieurleCapitaine。”saidI，“youfindittroublesomeenoughtoreconcileyourconsciencewithsucharrestsasyouarechargedtomake，isitnotso。
“Mordiou！“hecried，bywayofemphaticallyassenting。
“Now，ifyoushouldchancetooverhearwordsbetrayingtoyoucertainpeoplewhomotherwiseyouwouldneversuspectofbeingrebels，yoursoldier’sdutywould，nevertheless，compelyoutoapprehendthem，woulditnot？”
“Why，true。Iamafraiditwould。”heanswered，withagrimace。
“But，ifforewarnedthatbybeingpresentinacertainplaceyoushouldoverhearsuchwords，whatcoursewouldyoupursue？”
“Avoiditlikeapestilence，monsieur。”heansweredpromptly。
“Then，MonsieurleCapitaine，mayItrespassuponyourgenerositytobeseechyoutoletmetaketheselitigantstoourroomupstairs，andtoleaveusalonethereforahalf-hour？”
FranknesswasmybestfriendindealingwithCastelroux-franknessandhisdistasteforthebusinesstheyhadchargedhimwith。AsforMarsacandLesperon，theywerebotheagerenoughtohavethemysteryexplained，andwhenCastelrouxhavingconsented-Iinvitedthemtomychamber，theycamereadilyenough。
SinceMonsieurdeLesperondidnotrecognizeme，therewasnoreasonwhyIshouldenlightenhimtouchingmyidentity，andeveryreasonwhyIshouldnot。Assoonastheywereseated，Iwenttotheheartofthematteratonceandwithoutpreamble。
“Afortnightago，gentlemen。”saidI，“IwasdrivenbyapackofdragoonsacrosstheGaronne。Iwaswoundedintheshoulderandveryexhausted，andIknockedatthegatesofLavedantocraveshelter。
Thatshelter，gentlemen，wasaffordedme，andwhenIhadannouncedmyselfasMonsieurdeLesperon，itwasallthemorecordiallybecauseoneMonsieurdeMarsac，whowasafriendoftheVicomtedeLavedan，andapartisaninthelostcauseofOrleans，happenedoftentohavespokenofacertainMonsieurdeLesperonashisverydearfriend。Ihavenodoubt，gentlemen，thatyouwillthinkharshlyofmebecauseIdidnotenlightentheVicomte。ButtherewerereasonsforwhichItrustyouwillnotpressme，sinceIshallfinditdifficulttoansweryouwithtruth。”
“ButisyournameLesperon？”criedLesperon。
“That，monsieur，isasmallmatter。WhethermynameisLesperonornot，IconfesstohavingpractisedaduplicityupontheVicomteandhisfamily，sinceIamcertainlynottheLesperonwhoseidentityI
accepted。ButifIacceptedthatidentity，monsieur，Ialsoacceptedyourliabilities，andsoIthinkthatyoushouldfinditinyourhearttoextendmesomemeasureofforgiveness。AsRenedeLesperon，ofLesperoninGascony，IwasarrestedlastnightatLavedan，and，asyoumayobserve，IambeingtakentoToulousetostandthechargeofhightreason。Ihavenotdemurred;Ihavenotdeniedinthehouroftroubletheidentitythatservedmeinmyhourofneed。Iamtakingthebitterwiththesweet，andIassureyou，gentlemen，thatthebitterpredominatesinaverymarkeddegree。”
“Butthismustnotbe。”criedLesperon，rising:“Iknownotwhatuseyoumayhavemadeofmyname，butIhavenoreasontothinkthatyoucanhavebroughtdiscredituponit，andso-“
“Ithankyou，monsieur，but-“
“AndsoIcannotsubmitthatyoushallgotoToulouseinmystead。
Whereisthisofficerwhoseprisoneryouare？Praysummonhim，monsieur，andletussetthematterright。”
“Thisisverygenerous。”Iansweredcalmly。“ButIhavecrimesenoughuponmyhead，andso，iftheworstshouldbefallme，Iamsimplyatoninginonepersonfortheerrorsoftwo。”
“Butthatisnoconcernofmine！“hecried。
“Itissomuchyourconcernthatifyoucommitsoegregiousablunderastodenounceyourself，youwillhaveruinedyourself，withoutmateriallybenefittingme。
Hestillobjected，butinthisstrainIarguedforsometime，andtosuchgoodpurposethatintheendImadehimrealizethatbybetrayinghimselfhewouldnotsaveme，butonlyjoinmeonthejourneytothescaffold。
“Besides，gentlemen。”Ipursued，“mycaseisfarfromhopeless。I
haveeveryconfidencethat，asmattersstand，byputtingforthmyhandattherightmoment，byannouncingmyidentityattheproperseason，Ican，ifamsoinclined，savemyneckfromtheheadsman。”
“Ifyouaresoinclined？”theybothcried，theirlookschargedwithinquiry。
“Letthatbe。”Ianswered;“itdoesnotatpresentconcernus。WhatIdesireyoutounderstand，MonsieurdeLesperon，-isthatifIgotoToulousealone，whenthetimecomestoproclaimmyself，anditisfoundthatIamnotRenedeLesperon，ofLesperoninGascony，theywillassumethatyouaredead，andtherewillbenocountagainstme。
“Butifyoucomewithme，andtherebyaffordproofthatyouarealive，myimpersonationofyoumaycausemetrouble。TheymayopinethatIhavebeenanabettoroftreason，thatIhaveattemptedtocircumventtheendsofjustice，andthatImayhaveimpersonatedyouinordertorenderpossibleyourescape。Forthat，youmayrestassured，theywillpunishme。
“Youwillsee，therefore，thatmyownsafetyrestsonyourpassingquietlyoutofFranceandleavingthebeliefbehindyouthatyouaredead-abeliefthatwillquicklyspreadonceIshallhavecastoffyouridentity。Youapprehendme？”
“Vaguely，monsieur;andperhapsyouareright。Whatdoyousay，Stanislas？”
“Say？”criedthefieryMarsac。“Iamweigheddownwithshame，mypoorRene，forhavingsomisjudgedyou。”
Morehewouldhavesaidinthesamestrain，butLesperoncuthimshortandbadehimattendtotheissuenowbeforehim。Theydiscusseditatsomelength，butalwaysunderthecloudinwhichmymysteriousnessenvelopedit，and，intheend，encouragedbymyrenewedassurancesthatIcouldbestsavemyselfifLesperonwerenottakenwithme，theGasconconsentedtomyproposals。
MarsacwasonhiswaytoSpain。Hissister，hetoldus，awaitedhimatCarcassonne。Lesperonshouldsetoutwithhimatonce，andinforty-eighthourstheywouldbebeyondthereachoftheKing’sanger。
“Ihaveafavourtoaskofyou，MonsieurdeMarsac。”saidI，rising;
forourbusinesswasatanend。“ItisthatifyoushouldhaveanopportunityofcommunicatingwithMademoiselledeLavedan，youwillletherknowthatIamnot-nottheLesperonthatisbetrothedtoyoursister。’’
“Iwillinformherofit，monsieur。”heansweredreadily;andthen，ofasudden，alookofunderstandingandofinfinitepitycameintohiseyes。“MyGod！“hecried。
“Whatisit，monsieur？”Iasked，staggeredbythatsuddenoutcry。
“Donotaskme，monsieur，donotaskme。Ihadforgottenforthemoment，intheexcitementofalltheserevelations。But-“Hestoppedshort。
“Well，monsieur？”
Heseemedtoponderamoment，thenlookingatmeagainwiththatsamecompassionateglance“Youhadbetterknow。”saidhe。“Andyet-itisadifficultthingtotellyou。IunderstandnowmuchthatIhadnotdreamtof。You-youhavenosuspicionofhowyoucametobearrested？”
“Formyallegedparticipationinthelaterebellion？”
“Yes，yes。Butwhogavetheinformationofyourwhereabouts？WhotoldtheKeeperoftheSealswhereyouweretobefound？”
“Oh，that？”Iansweredeasily。“Why，Ineverdoubtedit。ItwasthecoxcombSaint-Eustache。Iwhippedhim-“
Istoppedshort。TherewassomethinginMarsac’sblackface，somethinginhisglance，thatforcedtheunspokentruthuponmymind。
“Motherinheaven！“Icried。“DoyoumeanthatitwasMademoiselledeLavedan？”
Hebowedhisheadinsilence。Didshehateme，then，somuchasthat？Wouldnothinglessthanmydeathappeaseher，andhadI
utterlycrushedthelovethatforalittlewhileshehadborneme，thatshecouldbringherselftohandmeovertotheheadsman？
God！Whatastabwasthat！Itturnedmesickwithgrief-aye，andwithsomeragenotagainsther，oh，notagainsther;againstthefatesthathadbroughtsuchthingstopass。
Icontrolledmyselfwhiletheireyeswereyetuponme。Iwenttothedoorandhelditopenforthem，andthey，perceivingsomethingofmydisorder，werecourteousenoughtoomittheprotractedleave-takingsthatunderotherauspicestheremighthavebeen。
Marsacpausedamomentonthethresholdasifhewouldhaveofferedmesomewordofcomfort。Then，perceiving，perhaps，howbanalmustbeallcomfortthatwasofwordsalone，andhowitmightbutincreasetheangerofthewounditwasmeanttobalm，hesighedasimple“Adieu，monsieur！“andwenthisway。
Whentheyweregone，Ireturnedtothetable，and，sittingdown，I
buriedmyheadinmyarms，andthereIlay，apreytothemostpoignantgriefthatinallmyeasy，fortunatelifeIhadeverknown。
Thatsheshouldhavedonethisthing！ThatthewomanIloved，thepure，sweet，innocentgirlthatIhadwooedsoardentlyinmyunworthinessatLavedan，shouldhavestoopedtosuchanactofbetrayal！TowhathadInotreducedher，sincesuchthingscouldbe！
Then，outofmydespairgrewcomfort，slowlyatfirst，andmorevigorouslyanon。Thesuddenshockofthenewshadrobbedmeofsomeofmywit，andhadwarpedmyreasoning。Later，asthepainoftheblowgrewduller，Icametoreflectthatwhatshehaddonewasbutaproof-anoverwhelmingproof-ofhowdeeplyshehadcared。Suchhatredasthiscanbebutbornofagreatlove;reactionisevertobemeasuredbytheactionthatoccasionsit，andagreatrevulsioncanonlycomeofagreataffection。Hadshebeenindifferenttome，orhadshebutentertainedformeapassingliking，shewouldnothavesufferedso。
AndsoIcametorealizehowcruelmusthavebeenthepangthathaddrivenhertothis。Butshehadlovedme;aye，andshelovedmestill，forallthatshethoughtshehated，andforallthatshehadactedasifshehated。ButevenifIwerewrong-evenifshedidhateme-whatafreshrevulsionwouldnotbeherswhenanonshelearntthat-whatevermysins-Ihadnotplayedlightlywithherlove;thatIwasnot，asshehadimagined，thebetrothedofanotherwoman！
Thethoughtfiredmelikewine。Iwasnolongerlistless-nolongerindifferentastowhetherIlivedordied。Imustlive。ImustenlightentheKeeperoftheSealsandthejudgesatToulouseconcerningmyidentity。Why，indeed，hadIeverwavered？BardelystheMagnificentmustcometolifeagain，andthen-Whatthen？
AssuddenlyasIhadbeenexaltedwasIcastdown。TherewasarumourabroadthatBardelyswasdead。InthewakeofthatrumourIshrewdlyguessedthatthereportofthewagerthathadbroughthimintoLanguedocwouldnotbeslowtofollow。Whatthen？Wouldshelovemeanythebetter？Wouldshehatemeanytheless？IfnowshewaswoundedbythebeliefthatIhadmadesportofherlove，wouldnotthatsamebeliefbewithheragainwhenshecametoknowthetruth？
Aye，thetanglewasagrievousone。YetItookheart。Myoldresolvereturnedtome，andIsawtheneedforurgency-inthatalonecouldlienowmyredemptioninhereyes。MywagermustbepaidbeforeIagainrepairedtoher，forallthatitshouldleavemepoorindeed。Inthemeanwhile，IprayedGodthatshemightnothearofitereIreturnedtotellher。
CHAPTERXI
THEKING’SCOMMISSIONER
ForthatmostamiableofGasconcadets，MonsieurdeCastelroux，I
havenaughtbutthehighestpraise。Inhiseverydealingwithmeherevealedhimselfsoverygallant，generous，andhigh-mindedagentlemanthatitwaslittleshortofapleasuretobehisprisoner。
HemadenoinquiriestouchingthenatureofmyinterviewwiththosetwogentlemenattheHoteldelaCouronne，andwhenatthemomentofleavingIrequestedhimtodeliverapackettothetallerofthosesametwohedidsowithoutcommentorquestion。ThatpacketcontainedtheportraitofMademoiselledeMarsac，butontheinnerwrapperwasanoterequestingLesperonnottoopenituntilheshouldbeinSpain。
NeitherMarsacnorLesperondidIseeagainbeforeweresumedourjourneytoToulouse。
Atthemomentofsettingoutacuriousincidentoccurred。
Castelroux’scompanyofdragoonshadriddenintothecourtyardasweweremounting。Theylinedupundertheirlieutenant’scommand，toallowustopass;butaswereachedtheporte-cochereweweredelayedforamomentbyatravelling-carriage，enteringforrelays，andcoming，apparently，fromToulouse。CastelrouxandIbackedourhorsesuntilwewereinthemidstofthedragoons，andsowestoodwhilethevehiclepassedin。Asitwentby，oneoftheleathercurtainswasdrawnback，andmyheartwasquickenedbythesightofapalegirlface，witheyesofblue，andbrowncurlslyingupontheslenderneck。Herglancelightedonme，swordlessandinthemidstofthatcompanyoftroopers，andIbowedlowuponthewithersofmyhorse，doffingmyhatindistantsalutation。
Thecurtaindroppedagain，andeclipsedthefaceofthewomanthathadbetrayedme。Withmymindfullofwildsurmisingsastowhatemotionsmighthaveawakenedinheruponbeholdingme，IrodeawayinsilenceatMonsieurdeCastelroux’sside。Hadsheexperiencedanyremorse？Anyshame？Whetherornotsuchfeelingshadbeenarousedatsightofme，itcertainlywouldnotbelongeresheexperiencedthem，forattheHoteldelaCouronnewerethosewhowouldenlightenher。
Thecontemplationoftheremorsefulgriefthatmightanonbesetherwhenshecametoponderthetruthofmatters，and，withthattruth，thosethingsthatatLavedanIhaduttered，filledmepresentlywithregretandpity。IgrewimpatienttoreachToulouseandtellthejudgesofthemistakethattherehadbeen。Mynamecouldnotbeunknowntothem，andtheverymentionofit，Ithought，shouldsufficetogivethempauseandleadthemtomakeinquiriesbeforesendingmetothescaffold。YetIwasnotwithoutuneasiness，forthesurnmarinesswithwhichCastelrouxhadinformedmetheywereinthehabitofdealingwiththoseaccusedofhightreasonoccasionedmesomeapprehensivepangs。
Thisapprehensionledmetoconversewithmycaptortouchingthosetrials，seekingtogatherfromhimwhowerethejudges。IlearntthenthatbesidestheordinaryTribunal，aCommissionerhadbeendispatchedbyHisMajesty，andwashourlyexpectedtoarriveatToulouse。Itwouldbehismissiontosuperviseanddirecttheinquiriesthatweretakingplace。Itwassaid，headded，thattheKinghimselfwasonhiswaythither，tobepresentatthetrialofMonsieurleDucdeMontmorency。Buthewastravellingbyeasystages，andwasnotyetexpectedforsomedays。Myheart，whichhadleaptatthenews，assuddenlysankagainwiththeconsiderationthatIshouldprobablybedisposedofbeforetheKing’sarrival。
