CHAPTERXIV
EAVESDROPPING
Iturneditoverinmymind，afterIhadlefttheKing’spresence，whetherornotIshouldvisitwithmyownhandsuponChatelleraultthepunishmenthehadsofullyearned。ThatIwouldhavegoneaboutthetaskrejoicingyoumayreadilyimagine;buttherewasthataccursedwager，and-torestrainme-thethoughtofhowsuchanactionmightbeconstruedintoanevasionofitsconsequences。
BetterathousandtimesthatHisMajestyshouldorderhisarrestanddealwithhimforhisattemptedperversionofjusticetotheserviceofhisownvileends。ThechargeofhavingabusedhistrustasKing’scommissionertotheextentofseekingtodomurderthroughthechannelsoftheTribunalwasonethatcouldnotfailtohavefatalresultsforhim-as，indeed，theKinghadsworn。
ThatwasthepositionofaffairsasitconcernedChatellerault，theworld，andme。ButthepositionmustalsobeconsideredasitconcernedRoxalanne，anddeeply，indeed，didIsoconsiderit。MuchponderingbroughtmeagaintotheconclusionthatuntilIhadmadetheonlyatonementinmypower，theonlyatonementthatwouldleavemewithcleanhands，Imustnotagainapproachher。
WhetherChatelleraulthadcheatedornotcouldnotaffectthequestionasitconcernedMademoiselleandme。IfIpaidthewager-whetherinhonourboundtodosoornot-Imightthengotoher，impoverished，itistrue，butatleastwithnosuspicionattachingtomysuitofanyulteriorobjectotherthanthatofwinningRoxalanneherself。
Icouldthenmakeconfession，andsurelythefactthatIhadpaidwhereclearlytherewasnolongeranyneedtopaymustearnmeforgivenessandaffordproofofthesincerityofmypassion。
Uponsuchacourse，then，didIdecide，and，withthisendinview，ItookmywaytowardstheAubergeRoyale，whereHisMajestyhadtoldmethattheCountwaslodged。Itwasmypurposetoshowmyselffullyawareofthetreacherousandunworthyparthehadplayedattheveryinceptionoftheaffair，andthatifIchosetoconsiderthewagerlostitwasthatImightthemorehonestlywinthelady。
UponinquiringatthehostelryforMonsieurdeChatellerault;IwasinformedbytheservantIaddressedthathewaswithin，butthatatthemomenthehadavisitor。IrepliedthatIwouldwait，anddemandedaprivateroom，sinceIdesiredtoavoidmeetinganyCourtacquaintanceswhomightchanceintotheaubergebeforeIhadseentheCount。
Myapparelatthemomentmaynothavebeenallthatcouldhavebeendesired，butwhenagentleman’srearinghastakenplaceamidanarmyofservitorstoministertohiseverywish，heislikelytohaveacquiredanairthatiswonttowinhimobedience。WithallceleritywasIusheredintoasmallchamber，openingontheonesideuponthecommonroom，andbeingdividedontheotherbythethinnestofwoodenpartitionsfromtheadjoiningapartment。
Here，thelandlordhavingleftme，Idisposedmyselftowait，andhereIdidathingIwouldnothavebelievedmyselfcapableofdoing，athingIcannotthinkofwithoutblushingtothisveryday。Inshort，Iplayedtheeavesdropper-I，MarcelSaint-PoldeBardelys。
Yet，ifyouwhoreadandarenice-minded，shudderatthisconfession，or，worsestill，shrugyourshouldersincontempt，withthereflectionthatsuchformerconductofmineasIhaveavowedhadalreadypartlydisposedyouagainstsurpriseatthisIdo’butaskthatyoumeasuremysinbymytemptation，andthinkhonestlywhetherinmypositionyoumightnotyourselveshavefallen。Aye-beyouneversonobleandhigh-principled-Imakeboldtosaythatyouhaddonenoless，forthevoicethatpenetratedtomyearswasthatofRoxalannedeLavedan。
“IsoughtanaudiencewiththeKing。”shewassaying，“butIcouldnotgainhispresence。Theytoldmethathewasholdingnolevees，andthatherefusedtoseeanyonenotintroducedbyoneofthosehavingtheprivateentree。”
“Andso。”answeredthevoiceofChatellerault，intonesthatwereperfectlycolourless，“youcometomethatImaypresentyoutohisMajesty？”
“Youhaveguessedit，MonsieurleComte。YouaretheonlygentlemanofHisMajesty’ssuite，withwhomIcanclaimacquaintance-howeverslight-and，moreover，itiswellknownhowhighyoustandinhisroyalfavour。Iwastoldthattheythathaveaboontocravecanfindnobettersponsor。”
“HadyougonetotheKing，mademoiselle。”，andhe，“hadyougainedaudience，hewouldbedirectedyoutomakeyourappealtome。IamhisCommissionerinLanguedoc，andtheprisonersattaintedwithhightreasonaremyproperty。”
“Whythen，monsieur。”shecriedinaneagervoice，thatsetmypulsesthrobbing，“you’llnotdenymetheboonIcrave？You’llnotdenymehislife？”
TherewasashortlaughfromChatellerault，andIcouldhearthedeliberatefallofhisfeetashepacedthechamber。
“Mademoiselle，mademoiselle，youmustnotoverratemypowers。YoumustnotforgetthatIamtheslaveofJustice。Youmaybeaskingmorethanisinmypowertogrant。WhatcanyouadvancetoshowthatIshouldbejustifiedinproceedingasyouwish？”
“Helas，monsieur，Icanadvancenothingbutmyprayersandtheassurancethatahideousmistakeisbeingmade。”
“WhatisyourinterestinthisMonsieurdeLesperon？”
“HeisnotMonsieurdeLesperon。”shecried。
“But，sinceyoucannottellmewhoheis，youmustbecontentthatwespeakofhimatleastasLesperon。”saidhe，andIcouldimaginetheevilgrinwithwhichhewouldaccompanythewords。
Thebetterthatyoumayappreciatethatwhichfollowed，letmehereimparttoyouthesuspicionswhichwerealreadysinkingintomymind，tobechangedlaterintoabsoluteconvictionstouchingthecourse-
theCountintendedtopursueconcerningme。ThesuddenarrivaloftheKinghadthrownhimintosomemeasureofpanic，andnolongerdaringtocarryouthisplansconcerningme，itwashisobject，I
madenodoubt，tosetmeatlibertythatveryevening。Erehedidso，however，andpresuminguponmyignoranceofHisMajesty’spresenceinToulouse，Chatelleraultwouldofacertaintyhaveboundmedownbysolemnpromise-makingthatpromisethepriceofmylibertyandmylife-tobreathenowordofmycaptivityandtrial。
Nodoubt，hiscunningbrainwouldhaveadvancedmeplausibleandconvincingreasonssotoengagemyself。
HehadnotcalculateduponCastelroux，northattheKingshouldalreadyhaveheardofmydetention。NowthatRoxalannecametoentreathimtodothatwhichalreadyhesawhimselfforcedtodo，heturnedhisattentiontotheprofitthathemightderivefromherinterestednessonmybehalf。Icouldguessalsosomethingofthejealousragethatmustfillhimatthissignalproofofmysuccesswithher，andalreadyIanticipated，Ithink，thebargainthathewoulddrive。
“Tellme，then。”hewasrepeating，“whatisyourinterestinthisgentleman？”
Therewasasilence。Icouldimaginehergentlefacecloudedwiththetroublethatsprangfromdevisingan’answertothatquestion;
Icouldpictureherinnocenteyescastdown，herdelicatecheekspinkedbysomameasureofshame，asatlast，inalow，stifledvoice，thefourwordsbrokefromher“Ilovehim，monsieur。”
Ah，Dieu！Tohearherconfessitso！Ifyesternightithadstirredmetotheverydepthsofmypoor，sinfulsoultohavehersaysomuchtome，howinfinitelymorediditnotaffectmetooverhearthisfrankavowalofittoanother！Andtothinkthatshewasundergoingallthistotheendthatshemightsaveme！
>FromChatelleraulttherecameanimpatientsnortinanswer，andhisfeetagainsmotethefloorasheresumedthepacingthatforamomenthehadsuspended。Thenfollowedapause，alongsilence，brokenonlybytheCount’srestlesswalkingtoandfro。Atlast“Whyareyousilent，monsieur？”sheaskedinatremblingvoice。
“Helas，mademoiselle，Icandonothing。Ihadfearedthatitmightbethuswithyou;and，ifIputthequestion，itwasinthehopethatIwaswrong。”
“Buthe，monsieur？”sheexclaimedinanguish。“Whatofhim？”
“Believeme，mademoiselle，ifitlayinmypowerIwouldsavehimwereheneversoguilty，ifonlythatImightspareyousorrow。”
Hespokewithtenderregret，foulhypocritethathewas！
“Oh，no，no！“shecried，andhervoicewasofhorroranddespair。
“Youdonotmeanthat-“Shestoppedshort;andthen，afterapause，itwastheCountwhofinishedthesentenceforher。
“Imean，mademoiselle，thatthisLesperonmustdie！“
YouwillmarvelthatIlethersufferso，thatIdidnotbreakdownthepartitionwithmyhandsandstrikethatsupplegentlemandeadatherfeetinatonementfortheanguishhewascausingher。ButIhadamindtoseehowfarhewoulddrivethisgamehewasengagedupon。
Againtherewasaspellofsilence，andatlast，whenMademoisellespoke，Iwasamazedatthecalmvoiceinwhichsheaddressedhim，marvellingatthestrengthandcourageofonesofrailandchildliketobehold。
“Isyourdetermination，indeed，irrevocable，monsieur？Ifyouhaveanypity，willyounotatleastletmebearmyprayersandmytearstotheKing？”
“Itwouldavailyounothing。AsIhavesaid，theLanguedocrebelsareinmyhands。”Hepausedasiftoletthosewordssinkwellintoherunderstanding;then，“IfIweretosethimatliberty，mademoiselle，ifIweretospirithimoutofprisoninthenight，bribinghisjailerstokeepsilentandbindinghimbyoathtoquitFranceatonceandnevertobetrayme，Ishouldbe，myself，guiltyofhightreason。Thusalonecouldthethingbedone，andyouwillsee，mademoiselle，thatbydoingitIshouldbeendangeringmyneck。”
Therewasanineffableundercurrentofmeaninginhiswords-anintangiblesuggestionthathemightbebribedtodoallthistowhichhesovaguelyalluded。
“Iunderstand，monsieur。”sheanswered，choking-“Iunderstandthatitwouldbetoomuchtoaskofyou。”
“Itwouldbemuch，mademoiselle。”hereturnedquickly，andhisvoicewasnowsubduedandinvestedwithanoddquiver。“Butnothingthatyourlipsmightaskofmeandthatitmightlieinthepowerofmortalmantodo，wouldbetoomuch！“
“Youmean？”shecried，acatchinherbreath。Hadsheguessed-asI，withoutsightofherface，hadguessed-whatwastofollow？Mygorgewasrisingfast。Iclenchedmyhands，andbyaneffortI
restrainedmyselftolearnthatIhadguessedaright。
“Sometwomonthsago。”hesaid，“IjourneyedtoLavedan，asyoumayremember。Isawyou，mademoiselle-forabriefwhileonly，itistrue-andeversinceIhaveseennothingelsebutyou。”Hisvoicewentashadelower，andpassionthrobbedinhiswords。
She，too，perceivedit，forthegratingofachairinformedmethatshehadrisen。
“Notnow，monsieur-notnow！“sheexclaimed。“Thisisnottheseason。Ibegofyouthinkofmydesolation。”
“Ido，mademoiselle，andIrespectyourgrief，and，withallmyheart，believeme，Ishareit。Yetthisistheseason，andifyouhavethisman’sinterestsatheart，youwillhearmetotheend。”
Throughalltheimperiousnessofhistoneanoddnoteofrespect-
realorassumed-wassounding。
“Ifyousuffer，mademoiselle，believemethatIsufferalso，andifImakeyousuffermorebywhatIsay，Ibegthatyouwillthinkhowwhatyouhavesaid，howtheverymotiveofyourpresencehere，hasmademesuffer。Doyouknow，mademoiselle，whatitistobetornbyjealousy？Canyouimagineit？Ifyoucan，youcanimaginealsosomethingofthetortureIenduredwhenyouconfessedtomethatyoulovedthisLesperon，whenyouintercededforhislife。Mademoiselle，Iloveyou-withallmyheartandsoulIloveyou。Ihavelovedyou，Ithink，sincethefirstmomentofourmeetingatLavedan，andtowinyouthereisnoriskthatIwouldnottake，nodangerthatI
wouldnotbrave。”
“Monsieur，Iimploreyou-“
“Hearmeout，mademoiselle！“hecried。Theninquietervoiceheproceeded:“AtpresentyoulovethisMonsieurdeLesperon-“
“Ishallalwayslovehim！Always，monsieur！“
“Wait，wait，wait！“heexclaimed，annoyedbyherinterruption。“Ifheweretolive，andyouweretowedhimandbedailyinhiscompany，Imakenodoubtyourlovemightendure。Butifheweretodie，orifheweretopassintobanishmentandyouweretoseehimnomore，youwouldmournhimforalittlewhile，andthen-Helas！itisthewayofmenandwomen-timewouldhealfirstyoursorrow，thenyourheart。”
“Never，monsieur-oh，never！“
“Iamolder，child，thanyouare。Iknow。Atpresentyouareanxioustosavehislifeanxiousbecauseyoulovehim，andalsobecauseyoubetrayedhim，andyouwouldnothavehisdeathuponyourconscience。”Hepausedamoment;thenraisinghisvoice，“Mademoiselle。”saidhe，“Iofferyouyourlover’slife。”
“Monsieur，monsieur！“criedthepoorchild，“Iknewyouweregood！
Iknew-“
“Amoment！Donotmisapprehendme。IdonotsaythatIgiveit-Iofferit。”
“Butthedifference？”
“Thatifyouwouldhaveit，mademoiselle，youmustbuyit。IhavesaidthatforyouIwouldbravealldangers。Tosaveyourlover，I
bravethescaffold。IfIambetrayed，orifthestorytranspire，myheadwillassuredlyfallintheplaceofLesperon’s。ThisIwillrisk，mademoiselle-Iwilldoitgladly-ifyouwillpromisetobecomemywifewhenitisdone。”
TherewasamoanfromRoxalanne，thensilence;then-“Oh，monsieur，youarepitiless！Whatbargainisthisthatyouofferme？”
“Afairone，surely。”saidthatsonofhell-“averyfairone。Theriskofmylifeagainstyourhandinmarriage。”
“Ifyou-ifyoutrulylovedmeasyousay，monsieur。”shereasoned，“youwouldservemewithoutaskingguerdon。”
“InanyotherthingIwould。Butisitfairtoaskamanwhoisrackedbyloveofyoutoplaceanotherinyourarms，andthatattheriskofhisownlife？Ah，mademoiselle，Iambutaman，andIamsubjecttohumanweaknesses。Ifyouwillconsent，thisLesperonshallgofree，butyoumustseehimnomore;andIwillcarrymyconsiderationsofarastogiveyousixmonthsinwhichtoovercomeyoursorrow，ereIpresentmyselftoyouagaintourgemysuit。”
“AndifIrefuse，monsieur？”
Hesighed。
“TothevaluewhichIsetuponmylifeyoumustaddmyveryhumanjealousy。Fromsuchacombinationwhatcanyouhopefor？”
“Youmean，inshort，thathemustdie？”
“To-morrow。”wasthatinfernalcheat’slaconicanswer。
Theyweresilentalittlewhile，thenshefella-sobbing。
“Bepitiful，monsieur！Havemercyifyou，indeed，loveme。Oh，hemustnotdie！Icannot，Idarenot，lethimdie！Savehim，monsieur，andIwillprayforyoueverynightofmylife;IwillprayforyoutoourHolyMotherasIamnowprayingtoyouforhim。”
Livedtherethemantoresistthatinnocent，devoutappeal？Livedthereonewhoinanswertosuchgentlewordsofloveandgriefcouldobtrudehisowncoarsepassions？Itseemstheredid，forallheansweredwas“Youknowtheprice，child。”
“AndGodpityme！Imustpayit。Imust，forifhediesIshallhavehisblooduponmyconscience！“Thenshecheckedhergrief，andhervoicegrewalmoststernintherestraintshesetuponherself。
“IfIgiveyoumypromisetowedyouhereafter-sayinsixmonths’
time-whatproofwillyouaffordmethathewhoisdetainedunderthenameofLesperonshallgofree？”
IcaughtthesoundofsomethingverylikeagaspfromtheCount。
“RemaininToulouseuntilto-morrow，andto-nighterehedepartsheshallcometotakehisleaveofyou。Areyoucontent？”
“Beitso，monsieur。”sheanswered。
ThenatlastIleapttomyfeet。Icouldendurenomore。YoumaymarvelthatIhadhadthehearttoenduresomuch，andtohavesolethersufferthatImightsatisfymyselfhowfarthisscoundrelChatelleraultwoulddrivehistrickster’sbargain。
Amoreimpetuousmanwouldhavebeatendownthepartition，orshoutedtoherthroughittheconsolationthatChatellerault’sbargainwasnobargainatall，sinceIwasalreadyatlarge。AndthatiswhereamoreimpetuousmanwouldhaveacteduponinstinctmorewiselythandidIuponreason。Instead，Iopenedthedoor，and，crossingthecommonroom，IflungmyselfdownapassagethatIthoughtmustleadtothechamberinwhichtheywerecloseted。ButinthisIwasatfault，andereIhadcomeuponawaiterandbeenredirectedsomepreciousmomentswerelost。Heledmebackthroughthecommonroomtoadooropeninguponanothercorridor。Hepusheditwide，andIcamesuddenlyfacetofacewithChatellerault，stillflushedfromhisrecentcontest。
“Youhere！“hegasped，hisjawfalling，andhischeeksturningpale，aswelltheymight;forallthathecouldnotdreamIhadoverheardhisbargaining。
“Wewillgoback，ifyouplease，MonsieurleComte。”saidI。
“Backwhere？”heaskedstupidly。
“BacktoMademoiselle。Backtotheroomyouhavejustquitted。”
AndnonetoogentlyIpushedhimintothecorridoragain，andso，inthegloom，Imissedtheexpressionofhisface。
“Sheisnotthere。”saidhe。
Ilaughedshortly。
“Nevertheless，wewillgoback。”Iinsisted。
AndsoIhadmyway，andwegainedtheroomwherehisinfamoustraffichadbeenheld。Yetforoncehespokethetruth。Shewasnolongerthere。
“Whereisshe？”Idemandedangrily。
“Gone。”heanswered;andwhenIprotestedthatIhadnotmether，“Youwouldnothavealadygobywayofthepublicroom，wouldyou？”
hedemandedinsolently。“Sheleftbythesidedoorintothecourtyard。”
“Thatbeingso，MonsieurleComte。”saidIquietly，“Iwillhavealittletalkwithyoubeforegoingafterher。”AndIcarefullyclosedthedoor。
CHAPTERXV
MONSIEURDECHATELLERAULTISANGRY
WithintheroomChatelleraultandIfacedeachotherinsilence。
Andhowvastlychangedwerethecircumstancessinceourlastmeeting！
Thedisorderthathadstampeditselfuponhiscountenancewhenfirsthehadbeheldmestillprevailed。Therewasalowering，sullenlookinhiseyesandacertaindisplacementoftheirsymmetrywhichwaspeculiartothemwhentroubled。
Althoughacunningplotterandaschemingintriguerinhisowninterests，Chatellerault，asIhavesaidbefore，wasnotbynatureaquickman。Hiswitsworkedslowly，andheneededleisuretoconsiderasituationandhisactionsthereinerehewasinapositiontoengagewithit。
“MonsieurleComte。”quothIironically，“Imakeyoumycomplimentsuponyourastutenessandthedepthofyourschemes，andmycondolencesuponthelittleaccidentowingtowhichIamhere，andinconsequenceofwhichyourprettyplansarelikelytomiscarry。
Hethrewbackhisgreatheadlikeahorsethatfeelsthecurb，andhissmoulderingeyeslookedupatmebalefully。Thenhissensuouslipspartedinscorn。
“Howmuchdoyouknow？”hedemanded;withsullencontempt。
“Ihavebeeninthatroomforthehalfofanhour。”Ianswered，rappingthepartitionwithmyknuckles。
“Thedividingwall，asyouwillobserve，isthin，andIheardeverythingthatpassedbetweenyouandMademoiselledeLavedan。”
“SothatBardelys，knownastheMagnificent;Bardelysthemirrorofchivalry;BardelysthearbiterelegantiarumoftheCourtofFrance，isnobetter，itseems，thanavulgarspy。”
Ifhesoughtbythatwordtoangerme，hefailed。
“LordCount。”Iansweredhimveryquietly，“youareofanagetoknowthatthetruthalonehaspowertowound。Iwasinthatroombyaccident，andwhenthefirstwordsofyourconversationreachedmeIhadnotbeenhumanhadInotremainedandstrainedmyearstocatcheverysyllableyouuttered。Fortherest，letmeaskyou，mydearChatellerault，sincewhenhaveyoubecomesonicethatyoudarecastitatamanthathehasbeeneavesdropping？”
“Youareobscure，monsieur。Whatisitthatyousuggest？”
“Iamsignifyingthatwhenamanstandsunmaskedforacheat，aliar，andathief，hisowncharactershouldgivehimconcernenoughtorestrainhimfromstricturesuponthatofanother。”
Aredflushshowedthroughthetanofhisskin，thenfadedandlefthimlivid-averyevilsight，asGodlives。Heflunghisheavily-featheredhatuponthetable，andcarriedhishandtohishilt。
“God’sblood！“hecried。“Youshallanswermeforthis。”
Ishookmyheadandsmiled;butImadenosignofdrawing。
“Monsieur，wemusttalkawhile。Ithinkthatyouhadbetter。”
Heraisedhissulleneyestomine。Perhapstheearnestimpressivenessofmytonesprevailed。Bethatasitmay，hishalf-drawnswordwasthrustbackwithaclick，and“Whathaveyoutosay？”heasked。
“Beseated。”ImotionedhimtoachairbythetableandwhenhehadtakenitIsatdownoppositetohim。Takingupaquill，Idippeditintheink-hornthatstoodby，anddrewtowardsmeasheetofpaper。
“WhenyouluredmeintothewagertouchingMademoiselledeLavedan。”
saidIcalmly，“youdidso，countinguponcertaincircumstances，ofwhichyoualonehadknowledge，thatshouldrenderimpossibletheurgingofmysuit。That，MonsieurleComte，wasundeniablytheactionofacheat。Wasitnot？”
“Damnation！“heroared，andwouldhaverisen，but，myhanduponhisarm，Irestrainedhimandpressedhimbackintohischair。
“Byasequenceoffortuitouscircumstances。”Ipursued，“itbecamepossibleformetocircumventtheobstacleuponwhichyouhadbasedyourcalculations。Thosesamecircumstancesledlatertomybeingarrestedinerrorandinplaceofanotherman。YoudiscoveredhowIhadcontravenedtheinfluenceuponwhichyoucounted;youtrembledtoseehowtheunexpectedhadbefriendedme，andyoubegantofearforyourwager。
“Whatdidyoudo？SeeingmearraignedbeforeyouinyourqualityasKing’sCommissioner，youpretendedtonoknowledgeofme;youbecameblindtomybeinganybutLesperontherebel，andyousentencedmetodeathinhisplace，sothatbeingthusdefinitelyremovedIshouldbeunabletocarryoutmyundertaking，andmylandsshouldconsequentlypassintoyourpossession。That，monsieur，wasatoncetheactofathiefandamurderer。Wait，monsieur;
restrainyourselfuntilIshallhavedone。To-dayagainfortunecomestomyrescue。Againyouseemeslippingfromyourgrasp，andyouareindespair。Then，intheeleventhhour，MademoiselledeLavedancomestoyoutopleadformylife。Bythatactshegivesyouthemostampleproofthatyourwagerislost。Whatwouldagentleman，amanofhonour，havedoneunderthesecircumstances？
Whatdidyoudo？Youseizedthatlastchance;youturnedittothebestaccount;youmadethispoorgirlbuysomethingfromyou;youmadehersellherselftoyoufornothing-pretendingthatyournothingwasasomethingofgreatvalue。Whattermshallweapplytothat？Tosaythatyoucheatedagainseemshardlyadequate。”
“ByGod，Bardelys！“
“Wait！“Ithundered，lookinghimstraightbetweentheeyes，sothatagainhesankbackcowed。ThenresumingthecalmwithwhichhithertoIhadaddressedhim，“Yourcupidity。”saidI，“yourgreedfortheestatesofBardelys，andyourjealousyandthirsttoseemeimpoverishedandsooustedfrommypositionatCourt，toleaveyousupremeinHisMajesty’sfavour，haveputyoutostrangeshiftsforagentleman，Chatellerault。Yet，wait。”
And，dippingmypenintheink-horn，Ibegantowrite。Iwasconsciousofhiseyesuponme，andIcouldimaginehissurmisingsandbewilderedspeculationsasmypenscratchedrapidlyacrossthepaper。Inafewmomentsitwasdone，andItossedthepenaside。
Itookupthesandbox。
“Whenamancheats，MonsieurleComte，andisdetected，heisinvariablyadjudgedtheloserofhisstakes。Onthatcountaloneeverythingthatyouhaveisnowminebyrights。”AgainIhadtoquellaninterruption。“Butifwewavethatpoint，andproceeduponthesuppositionthatyouhavedealtfairlyandhonourablywithme，why，then，monsieur，youhavestillsufficientevidence-thewordofMademoiselle，herself，infact-thatIhavewonmywager。
Andso，ifwetakethis，themostlenientviewofthecase“-I
pausedtosprinklethesandovermywriting-“yourestatesarestilllosttoyou，andpasstobemyproperty。”
“Dothey，byGod？”heroared，unablelongertorestrainhimself，andleapingtohisfeet。“Youhavedone，haveyounot？Youhavesaidallthatyoucancalltomind？Youhaveflunginsultsandepithetsatmeenoughtoearnthecuttingofadozenthroats。Youhavedubbedmecheatandthief“-hechokedinhispassion-
“untilyouhavehadyourfill-isitnotso？Now，listentome，MasterBardelys，masterspy，masterbuffoon，mastermasquerader！
WhatmannerofproceedingwasyourstogotoLavedanunderafalsename？Howcallyouthat？Wasthat，perhaps，notcheating？”
“No，monsieur，itwasnot。”Iansweredquietly。“ItwasinthetermsofyourchallengethatIwasfreetogotoLavedaninwhatguiseIlisted，employingwhatwilesIpleased。Butletthatbe。”
Iended，and，creasingthepaper，Ipouredthesandbackintothebox，anddustedthedocument。“Thepointishardlyworthdiscussingatthistimeofday。Ifnotoneway，why，then，inanother，yourwagerislost。”
“Isit？”Hesethisarmsakimboandeyedmederisively，histhick-setframeplantedsquarelybeforeme。“Youaresatisfiedthatitisso？Quitesatisfied，eh？”Heleeredinmyface。“Why，then，MonsieurleMarquis，wewillseewhetherafewinchesofsteelwillwinitbackforme。”Andoncemorehishandflewtohishilt。
Rising，IflungthedocumentIhadaccomplisheduponthetable。
“Glancefirstatthat。”saidI。
Hestoppedtolookatmeininquiry，mymannersowingsogreatacuriosityinhimthathispassionwasallscatteredbeforeit。Thenhesteppeduptothetableandliftedthepaper。Asheread，hishandshook，amazementdilatedhiseyesandfurrowedhisbrow。
“What-whatdoesitsignify？”hegasped。
“Itsignifiesthat，althoughfullyconsciousofhavingwon，IprefertoacknowledgethatIhavelost。ImakeovertoyouthusmyestatesofBardelys，because，monsieur，Ihavecometorealizethatthatwagerwasaninfamousone-oneinwhichagentlemanshouldhavehadnopart-andtheonlyatonementIcanmaketomyself，myhonour，andtheladywhomweinsulted-isthat。”
“Idonotunderstand。”hecomplained。
“Iapprehendyourdifficulty，Comte。Thepointisaniceone。ButunderstandatleastthatmyPicardyestatesareyours。Only，monsieur，youwillbewelladvisedtomakeyourwillforthwith，foryouarenotdestined，yourself，toenjoythem。”
Helookedatme，hisglancechargedwithinquiry。
“HisMajesty。”Icontinued，inanswertohisglance，“isorderingyourarrestforbetrayingthetrusthehadreposedinyouandforpervertingtheendsofjusticetodoyourownprivatemurdering。”
“MonDieu！“hecried，fallingofasuddenuntoamostpitifulaffright。“TheKingknows？”
“Knows？”Ilaughed。“IntheexcitementoftheseothermattersyouhaveforgottentoaskhowIcometobeatliberty。IhavebeentotheKing，monsieur，andIhavetoldhimwhathastakenplacehereatToulouse，andhowIwastohavegonetotheblocktomorrow！“
“Scelerat！“hecried。“Youhaveruinedme！“Rageandgriefwereblentinhisaccents。Hestoodbeforeme，lividoffaceandwithhandsclenchingandunclenchingathissides。
“Didyouexpectmetokeepsuchamattersilent？EvenhadIbeensoinclinedithadnotbeeneasy，forHisMajestyhadquestionstoaskme。FromwhattheKingsaid，monsieur，youmaycountuponmountingthescaffoldinmystead。Sobeadvised，andmakeyourwillwithoutdelay，ifyouwouldhaveyourheirsenjoymyPicardychateau。”
Ihaveseenterrorandangerdistortmen’scountenances，butneverhaveIseenaughttocomparewiththedisorderofChatelleraultatthatmoment。Hestampedandravedandfumed。Hepouredforthathousandorduresofspeechinhisfrenzy;heheapedinsultsuponmeandimprecationsupontheKing，whoselapdoghepronouncedme。Hisshort，stoutframewasquiveringwithpassionandfear，hisbroadfacedistortedbyhishideousgrimacesofrage。Andthen，whileyethisravingswereinfullflow，thedooropened，andinsteppedtheairyChevalierdeSaint-Eustache。
Hestoodstill，amazed，beneaththelintel-marvellingtoseeallthisanger，andabashedatbeholdingme。HissuddenappearanceremindedmethatIhadlastseenhimatGrenadeintheCount’scompany，onthedayofmyarrest。ThesurpriseithadoccasionedmenowreturneduponseeinghimsoobviouslyandintimatelyseekingChatellerault。
TheCountturnedonhiminhisanger。
“Well，popinjay？”heroared。“Whatdoyouwantwithme？”
“MonsieurleComte！“criedtheother，inblentindignationandreproach。
“Youwillperceivethatyouarecomeinopportunely。”Iputin。
“MonsieurdeChatelleraultisnotquitehimself。”
Butmyspeechagaindrewhisattentiontomypresence;andthewondergrewinhiseyesatfindingmethere，fortohimIwasstillLesperontherebel，andhemarvellednaturallythatIshouldbeatlarge。
Theninthecorridortherewasasoundofstepsandvoices，andasI
turnedIbeheldinthedoorway，behindSaint-Eustache，thefacesofCastelroux，Mironsac，andmyoldacquaintance，thebabbling，irresponsiblebuffoon，LaFosse。FromMironsachehadheardofmypresenceinToulouse，and，pilotedbyCastelroux，theywerebothcometoseekmeout。I’llswearitwasnotthustheyhadlookedtofindme。
Theypushedtheirwayintotheroom，impellingSaint-Eustacheforward，andthereweregreetingsexchangedandfelicitations，whilstChatellerault，curbinghisdisorder，drewtheChevalierintoacorneroftheroom，andstoodtherelisteningtohim。
AtlengthIheardtheCountexclaim-
“Doasyouplease，Chevalier。Ifyouhaveinterestsofyourowntoserve，servethem。Asformyself-Iampastbeinginterested。”
“Butwhy，monsieur？”thechevalierinquired。
“Why？”echoedChatellerault，hisferocitywellingupagain。Then，swinginground，hecamestraightatme，asabullmakesacharge。
“MonsieurdeBardelys！“heblazed。
“Bardelys！“gaspedSaint-Eustacheinthebackground。
“Whatnow？”Iinquiredcoldly，turningfrommyfriends。
“Allthatyousaidmaybetrue，andImaybedoomed，butIswearbeforeGodthatyoushallnotgounpunished。”
“Ithink，monsieur，thatyourunagraveriskofperjuringyourself！“
Ilaughed。
“Youshallrendermesatisfactionerewepart！“hecried。
“Ifyoudonotdeemthatpapersatisfactionenough，then，monsieur，forgiveme，butyourgreedtranscendsallpossibilityofbeingeversatisfied。”
“Thedeviltakeyourpaperandyourestates！WhatshalltheyprofitmewhenIamdead？”
“Theymayprofityourheirs。”Isuggested。
“Howshallthatprofitme？”
“ThatisariddlethatIcannotpretendtoelucidate。”
“Youlaugh，youknave！“hesnorted。Then，withanabruptchangeofmanner，“Youdonotlackforfriends。”saidhe。“Begoneofthesegentlementoactforyou，andifyouareamanofhonourletusstepoutintotheyardandsettlethematter。”
Ishookmyhead。
“IamsomuchamanofhonourastobecarefulwithwhomIcrosssteel。IprefertoleaveyoutoHisMajesty’svengeance;hisheadsmanmaybelessparticularthanamI。No，monsieur，onthewhole，IdonotthinkthatIcanfightyou。”
Hisfacegrewashadepaler。Itbecamegrey;thejawwasset，andtheeyesweremoreoutofsymmetrythanIhadeverseenthem。TheirglanceapproachedwhatisknowninItalyasthemal’occhio，andtoprotectthemselvesagainstthebanefulinfluencesofwhichmencarrycharms。Amomenthestoodso，eyeingme。Then，comingastepnearer-
“Youdonotthinkthatyoucanfightme，eh？Youdonotthinkit？
Pardieu！HowshallImakeyouchangeyourmind？Totheinsultofwordsyouappearimpervious。YouimagineyourcourageabovedisputebecausebyaluckyaccidentyoukilledLaVertoilesomeyearsagoandthefameofithasattachedtoyou。”Intheintensityofhisangerhewasbreathingheavily，likeamanoverburdened。“Youhavebeenlivingeversincebythereputationwhichthataccidentgaveyou。Letusseeifyoucandiebyit，MonsieurdeBardelys。”And，leaningforward，hestruckmeonthebreast，sosuddenlyandsopowerfully-forhewasamanofabnormalstrength-thatImusthavefallenbutthatLaFossecaughtmeinhisarms。
“Killhim！“lispedtheclassic-mindedfool。“PlayTheseustothisbullofMarathon。”
Chatelleraultstoodback，hishandsonhiships，hisheadinclinedtowardshisrightshoulder，andaninsolentleerofexpectancyuponhisface。
“Willthatresolveyou？”hesneered。
“Iwillmeetyou。”Ianswered，whenIhadrecoveredbreath。“ButI
swearthatIshallnothelpyoutoescapetheheadsman。”
Helaughedharshly。
“DoInotknowit？”hemocked。“Howshallkillingyouhelpmetoescape？Come，messieurs，sortons。Atonce！“
“Soir。”Iansweredshortly;andthereuponwecrowdedfromtheroom，andwentpele-meledownthepassagetothecourtyardattheback。
CHAPTERXVI
SWORDS！
LaFosseledthewaywithme，hisarmthroughmine，swearingthathewouldbemysecond。Hehadsuchastomachforafight，hadthisirresponsible，irrepressiblerhymester，thatitmountedtotheheightsofpassionwithhim，andwhenImentioned，inanswertoahintdroppedinconnectionwiththeedict，thatIhadtheKing’ssanctionforthiscombat，hewasnearlymadwithjoy。
“BloodofLaFosse！“washisoath。“Thehonourtostandbyyoushallbemine，myBardelys！Youoweitme，foramInotinparttoblameforallthisado？Nay，you’llnotdenyme。Thatgentlemanyonder，withthewild-catmoustachesandanamelikeaGasconoath-thatcousinofMironsac’s，Imean-hastheflairofafightinhisnostrils，andacravingtobeinit。Butyou’llgrantmethehonour，willyounot？Pardieu！Itwillearnmeaplaceinhistory。”
“Orthegraveyard。”quothI，bywayofcoolinghisardour。
“Peste！Whatanaugury！“Then，withalaugh:“But。”headded，indicatingSaint-Eustache，“thatlong，leansaint-Iforgetofwhatheispatron-hardlywearsamurderousair。”
Towinpeacefromhim，Ipromisedthatheshouldstandbyme。ButthefavourlostmuchofitsvalueinhiseyeswhenpresentlyIaddedthatIdidnotwishthesecondstoengage，sincethematterwasofsoverypersonalacharacter。
MironsacandCastelroux，assistedbySaint-Eustache，closedtheheavyportecochere，andsoshutusinfromtheobservationofpassers-by。Theclangingofthosegatesbroughtthelandlordandacoupleofhisknaves，andweweresubjectedtotheprayersandintercessions，tothestormingsandravingsthatareeverthepreludeofastable-yardfight，butwhichinvariablyend，astheseended，inthelandlord’swithdrawaltorunforhelptothenearestcorps-de-garde。
“Now，mymyrmillones。”criedLaFosseinbloodthirstyjubilation，“toworkbeforethehostreturns。”
“Po’CapdeDiou！“growledCastelroux，“isthisatimeforjests，masterjoker？”
“Jests？”Iheardhimretorting，asheassistedmetodoffmydoublet。
“DoIjest？Diable！youGasconsareaslow-wittedfolk！Ihaveatasteforallegory，myfriend，butthatneveryetwasaccountedsolowathingasjesting。”
Atlastwewereready，andIshiftedthewholeofmyattentiontotheshort，powerfulfigureofChatelleraultasheadvanceduponme，strippedtothewaist，hisfacesetandhiseyesfullofsternresolve。Despitehislowstature，andthebreadthofframewhicharguesluggishmotion，therewassomethingveryformidableabouttheCount。Hisbaredarmsweregreatmassesofmuscularflesh，andifhiswristwerebuthalfassuppleasitlookedpowerful，thataloneshouldrenderhimadangerousantagonist。
YetIhadnoqualmoffear，nodoubt，even，touchingtheissue。NotthatIwasanhabitualferrailleur。AsIhaveindicated，Ihadfoughtbutonemaninallmylife。NoryetamIofthosewhoaresaidtoknownofearunderanycircumstances。Suchmenarenottrulybrave;theyarestupidandunimaginative，inproofofwhichI
willadvancethefactthatyoumayinciteatimidmantodeedsofrecklessvalourbydrugginghimwithwine。Butthisisbytheway。
ItmaybethattheveryregularfencingpracticethatinParisIwaswonttotakemaysohaveorderedmymindthatthefactofmeetingunbaitedsteelhadlittlepowertomoveme。
Bethatasitmay，IengagedtheCountwithoutatremoreitherofthefleshorofthespirit。Iwasresolvedtowaitandlethimopentheplay，thatImighthaveanopportunityofmeasuringhispowerandseeinghowbestImightdisposeofhim。Iwasdeterminedtodohimnohurt，andtoleavehim，asIhadsworn，totheheadsman;andso，eitherbypressureorbyseizure，itwasmyaimtodisarmhim。
Butonhissidealsoheenteredupontheduelwithallcautionandwariness。FromhisrageIhadhopedforawild，angryrushthatshouldaffordmeaneasyopportunityofgainingmyendswithhim。
Notso，however。Nowthathecamewithsteeltodefendhislifeandtoseekmine，heappearedtohaverealizedtheimportanceofhavingkeenwitstoguidehishand;andsoheputhisangerfromhim，andemergedcalmanddeterminedfromhiswhilomdisorder。
Somepreliminarypasseswemadefromthefirstengagementinthelinesoftierce，eachplayingwarilyforanopening，yetneitherofusgivinggroundorbetrayinghasteorexcitement。Nowhisbladeslitheredonminewithaceaselesstremor;hiseyeswatchedminefromunderloweringbrows，andwithkneesbenthecrouchedlikeacatmakingreadyforaspring。Thenitcame。Suddenaslightningwashisdisengage;hedartedundermyguard，thenoverit，thenbackandunderitagain，andstretchingoutinthelunge-hisdouble-feintcompleted-hestraightenedhisarmtodrivehomethebotte。
ButwithaflyingpointIclearedhisbladeoutofthelineofmybody。Therehadbeentwosharptinklesofourmeetingswords，andnowChatelleraultstoodathisfulleststretch，thehalfofhissteelpastandbehindme，forjustafractionoftimecompletelyatmymercy。YetIwascontenttostand，andnevermovemybladefromhisuntilhehadrecoveredandwewerebackinourfirstpositiononceagain。
IheardthedeepbassofCastelroux’s“Mordioux！“thesharpgaspoffearfromSaint-Eustache，whoalreadyinimaginationbeheldhisfriendstretchedlifelessontheground，andthecryofmortificationfromLaFosseastheCountrecovered。ButIheededthesethingslittle。AsIhavesaid，tokilltheCountwasnotmyobject。Ithadbeenwise，perhaps，inChatelleraulttohaveappreciatedthatfact;buthedidnot。Fromthemannerinwhichhenowproceededtopressme，Iwasassuredthathesethishavingrecoveredguardtoslownessonmypart，neverthinkingofthespeedthathadbeennecessarytowinmyselfsuchanopeningasIhadobtained。
Myfailuretorunhimthroughinthatmomentofjeopardyinspiredhimwithacontemptofmyswordplay。Thishenowmadeplainbytherecklessnesswithwhichhefenced，inhishastetohavedoneerewemightchancetobeinterrupted。OfthisrecklessnessIsuddenlyavailedmyselftomakeanattemptatdisarminghim。Iturnedasideaviciousthrustbyaclose-adangerouslyclose-parry，andwhilstintheactofencirclinghisbladeIsoughtbypressuretocarryitoutofhishand。Iwaswithinanaceofsucceeding，yetheavoidedme，anddoubledback。
Herealizedthen，perhaps，thatIwasnotquitesocontemptibleanantagonistashehadbeenimagining，andhewentbacktohisearlierandmorecautioustactics。ThenIchangedmyplans。Isimulatedanattack，anddrovehimhardforsomemoments。Stronghewas，buttherewereadvantagesofreachandsupplenesswithme，andeventheseadvantagesapart，hadIaimedathislife，Icouldhavemadeshortworkofhim。ButthegameIplayedwasfraughtwithperilstomyself，andonceIwasindeadlydanger，andasneardeathfromtheswordasamanmaygoandlive。Myattackhadluredhim，asI
desiredthatitshould，intomakingariposte。Hedidso，andashisbladetwistedroundmineandcameslitheringatme，Iagaincarrieditoffbyencirclingit，andagainIexertedpressuretodeprivehimofit。ButthistimeIwasfartherfromsuccessthanbefore。Helaughedattheattempt，aswithasuddennessthatIhadbeenfarfromexpectinghedisengagedagain，andhispointdartedlikeasnakeupwardsatmythroat。
Iparriedthatthrust，butIonlyparrieditwhenitwaswithinsomethreeinchesofmyneck，andevenasIturneditasideitmissedmeasnarrowlyasitmightwithouttearingmyskin。Theimminenceoftheperilhadbeensuchthat，aswemutuallyrecovered，Ifoundacoldsweatbathingme。
Afterthat，Iresolvedtoabandontheattempttodisarmhimbypressure，andIturnedmyattentiontodrawinghimintoapositionthatmightlenditselftoseizure。ButevenasIwasmakingupmymindtothis-wewereengagedinsixteatthetime-Isawasuddenchance。Hispointwasheldlowwhilehewatchedme;solowthathisarmwasuncoveredandmypointwasinlinewithit。Toseetheopening，toestimateit，andtotakemyresolvewasalltheworkofafractionofasecond。ThenextinstantIhadstraightenedmyelbow，mybladeshotoutinalightningstrokeandtransfixedhissword-arm。
Therewasayellofpain，followedbyadeepgrowloffury，as，woundedbutnotvanquished，theenragedCountcaughthisfallingswordinhislefthand，andwhilstmyownbladewasheldtightintheboneofhisrightarm，hesoughttorunmethrough。Ileaptquicklyaside，andthen，beforehecouldrenewtheattempt，myfriendshadfallenuponhimandwrenchedhisswordfromhishandandminefromhisarm。
Itwouldillhavebecomemetotauntamaninhissorrycondition，elsemightInowhaveexplainedtohimwhatIhadmeantwhenIhadpromisedtoleavehimfortheheadsmaneventhoughIdidconsenttofighthim。
Mironsac，Castelroux，andLaFossestoodbabblingaroundme，butI
paidnoheedeithertoCastelroux’spatoisortoLaFosse’smisquotationsofclassicauthors。Thecombathadbeenprotracted，andthemethodsIhadpursuedhadbeenofaveryexhaustingnature。
Ileanednowagainsttheporte-cochere，andmoppedmyselfvigorously。
ThenSaint-Eustache，whowasengagedinbindinguphisprincipal’sarm，calledtoLaFosse。
IfollowedmysecondwithmyeyesashewentacrosstoChatellerault。
TheCountstoodwhite，hislipscompressed，nodoubtfromthepainhisarmwascausinghim。ThenhisvoicefloatedacrosstomeasheaddressedLaFosse。
“Youwilldomethefavour，monsieur，toinformyourfriendthatthiswasnofirstbloodcombat，butoneaoutrance。Ifenceaswellwithmyleftarmaswithmyright，andifMonsieurdeBardelyswilldomethehonourtoengageagain，Ishallesteemit。”
LaFossebowedandcameoverwiththemessagethatalreadywehadheard。
“Ifought。”saidIinanswer，“inaspiritverydifferentfromthatbywhichMonsieurdeChatelleraultappearstohavebeenactuated。
Hemadeitincumbentuponmetoaffordproofofmycourage。ThatproofIhaveafforded;Ideclinetodomore。Moreover，asMonsieurdeChatelleraulthimselfmustperceive，thelightisfailingus，andinafewminutesitwillbetoodarkforsword-play。”
“Inafewminutestherewillbeneedfornone，monsieur。”shoutedChatellerault，tosavetime。Hewasboastfultotheend。
“Here，monsieur，inanycase，comethosewhowillresolvethequestion。”Ianswered，pointingtothedooroftheinn。
AsIspoke，thelandlordsteppedintotheyard，followedbyanofficerandahalf-dozensoldiers。Thesewerenoordinarykeepersofthepeace，butmusketeersoftheguard，andatsightofthemIknewthattheirbusinesswasnottointerruptaduel，buttoarrestmyerstwhileopponentuponamuchgravercharge。
TheofficeradvancedstraighttoChatellerault。
“IntheKing’sname，MonsieurleComte。”saidhe。“Idemandyoursword。”
ItmaybethatatbottomIwasstillamanofsoftheart，unfeelingcynicthoughtheyaccountedme;foruponremarkingthemiseryandgloomthatspreaduponChatellerault’sfaceIwassorryforhim，notwithstandingthemuchthathehadschemedagainstme。Ofwhathisfatewouldbehecouldhavenoshadowofdoubt。Heknew-nonebetter-howtrulytheKinglovedme，andhowhewouldpunishsuchanattemptashadbeenmadeuponmylife，tosaynothingoftheprostitutionofjusticeofwhichhehadbeenguilty，andforwhichalonehehadearnedthepenaltyofdeath。
Hestoodamomentwithbenthead，thepainofhisarmpossiblyforgottenintheagonyofhisspirit。Then，straighteninghimselfsuddenly，withaproud，halfscornfulair，helookedtheofficerstraightbetweentheeyes。
“Youdesiremysword，monsieur？”heinquired。
Themusketeerbowedrespectfully。
“Saint-Eustache，willyoudomethefavourtogiveittome？”
AndwhiletheChevalierpickeduptherapierfromthegroundwhereithadbeenflung，thatmanwaitedwithanoutwardcalmforwhichatthemomentIadmiredhim，aswemusteveradmireatranquilbearinginonesmittenbyagreatadversity。AndthanthisIcanconceivefewgreater。Hehadplayedformuch，andhehadlosteverything。Ignominy，degradation，andtheblockwereallthatimpendedforhiminthisworld，andtheywereveryimminent。
HetooktheswordfromtheChevalier。Hehelditforasecondbythehilt，likeoneinthought，likeonewhoisresolvinguponsomething，whilstthemusketeerawaitedhisgoodpleasurewiththatdeferencewhichallgentlemindsmustaccordtotheunfortunate。
Stillholdinghisrapier，heraisedhiseyesforasecondandletthemrestonmewithagrimmalevolence。Thenheutteredashortlaugh，and，shrugginghisshoulders，hetransferredhisgriptotheblade，asifabouttoofferthehilttotheofficer。Holdingitso，halfwaybetwixtpointandquillons，hesteppedsuddenlyback，andbeforeanytherecouldputforthahandtostayhim，hehadsetthepummelonthegroundandthepointathisbreast，andsodroppeduponitandimpaledhimself。
Acrywentupfromeverythroat，andwesprangtowardshim。Herolledoveronhisside，andwithagrinofexquisitepain，yetinwordsofunconquerablederision“Youmayhavemyswordnow，Monsieurl’Officier。”hesaid，andsankback，swooning。
Withanoath，themusketeersteppedforward。HeobeyedChatelleraulttotheletter，bykneelingbesidehimandcarefullywithdrawingthesword。Thenheorderedacoupleofhismentotakeupthebody。
“Ishedead？”askedsomeone;andsomeoneelsereplied，“Notyet:
buthesoonwillbe。”
Twoofthemusketeersborehimintotheinnandlaidhimontheflooroftheveryroominwhich，anhourorsoago，hehaddrivenabargainwithRoxalanne。Acloakrolledintoapillowwasthrustunderhishead，andtherewelefthiminchargeofhiscaptors，thelandlord，Saint-Eustache，andLaFossethelatterinspired，Idoubtnot，bythatmorbiditywhichissooftenafeatureofthepoeticmind，andwhichimpelledhimnowtowitnessthedeath-agonyofmyLordofChatellerault。
Myself，havingresumedmygarments，IdisposedmyselftorepairatoncetotheHoteldel’Epee，theretoseekRoxalanne，thatImightsetherfearsandsorrowsatrest，andthatImightatlastmakemyconfession。
Aswesteppedoutintothestreet，wheretheduskwasnowthickening，IturnedtoCastelrouxtoinquirehowSaint-EustachecameintoChatellerault’scompany。
“HeisofthefamilyoftheIscariot，Ishouldopine。”answeredtheGascon。“AssoonashehadnewsthatChatelleraultwascometoLanguedocastheKing’sCommissioner，herepairedtohimtoofferhisservicesintheworkofbringingrebelstojustice。HeurgedthathisthoroughacquaintancewiththeprovinceshouldrenderhimofvaluetotheKing，asalsothathehadhadparticularopportunitiesofbecomingacquaintedwithmanytreasonabledealingsonthepart，ofmenwhomtheStatewasfarfromsuspecting。”
“MortDieu！“Icried，“Ihadsuspectedsomethingofsuchanature。
YoudowelltocallhimofthefamilyoftheIscariot。Heismoresothanyouimagine:Ihaveknowledgeofthis-ampleknowledge。Hewasuntillatelyarebelhimself，andhimselfafollowerofGastond’Orleans-thoughofalukewarmquality。Whatreasonshavedrivenhimtosuchwork，doyouknow？”
“Thesamereasonthatimpelledhisforefather，Judasofold。Thedesiretoenrichhimself。Foreveryhithertounsuspectedrebelthatshallbebroughttojusticeandwhosetreasonshallbeprovenbyhisagency，heclaimsthehalfofthatrebel’sconfiscatedestates。”
“Diable！“Iexclaimed。“AnddoestheKeeperoftheSealssanctionthis？”
“Sanctionit？Saint-Eustacheholdsacommission，hasafreehandandacompanyofhorsetofollowhiminhisrebel-hunting。”
“Hashedonemuchsofar？”wasmynextquestion。
“Hehasreducedhalfadozennoblemenandtheirfamilies。Thewealthhemusttherebyhaveamassedshouldbeveryconsiderable，indeed。”
“To-morrow，Castelroux，IwillseetheKinginconnectionwiththisprettygentleman，andnotonlyshallwefindhimadungeondeepanddank，butweshallseethathedisgorgeshisblood-money。”
“Ifyoucanprovehistreasonyouwillbedoingblessedwork。”
returnedCastelroux。“Untiltomorrow，then，forhereistheHoteldel’Epee。”
>Fromthebroaddoorwayofanimposingbuildingawarmglowoflightissuedoutandspreaditselffanwiseacrosstheill-pavedstreet。
Inthis-likebatsaboutalamp-flittedtheblackfiguresofgapingurchinsandotherstragglers，andintothisInowpassed，havingtakenleaveofmycompanions。
ImountedthestepsandIwasabouttocrossthethreshold，whensuddenlyaboveaburstoflaughterthatgreetedmyearsIcaughtthesoundofasingularlyfamiliarvoice。Thisseemedraisedatpresenttoaddresssuchcompanyasmightbewithin。OnemomentofdoubthadI-foritwasamonthsincelastIhadheardthosesoft，unctuousaccents。ThenIwasassuredthatthevoiceIheardwas，indeed，thevoiceofmystewardGanymede。Castelroux’smessengerhadfoundhimatlast，itseemed，andhadbroughthimtoToulouse。
Iwasmovedtospringintotheroomandgreetthatoldretainerforwhom，despitethegrossandsensuouswaysthatwithadvancingyearswereclaiminghimmoreandmore，Ihadadeepattachment。ButevenasIwasonthepointofentering，notonlyhisvoice，buttheverywordsthathewasutteringfloatedouttomyears，andtheywereofaqualitythatheldmetheretoplaythehiddenlistenerforthesecondtimeinmylifeinoneandthesameday。
CHAPTERXVII
THEBABBLINGOFGANYMEDE
Neveruntilthathour，asIstoodintheporchoftheHoteldel’Epee，hearkeningtomyhenchman’snarrativeandtotheburstsoflaughterwhicheverandanonitprovokedfromhisnumerouslisteners，hadIdreamedoftheraconteurtalentswhichRodenardmightboast。YetwasIveryfarfrombeingappreciativenowthatIdiscoveredthem，forthestorythathetoldwasofhowoneMarcelSaint-Pol，MarquisdeBardelys，hadlaidawagerwiththeComtedeChatelleraultthathewouldwooandwinMademoiselledeLavedantowifewithinthreemonths。Nordidhestopthere。Rodenard，itwouldseem，waswellinformed;hehaddrawnallknowledgeofthestateofthingsfromCastelroux’smessenger，andlater-Iknownotfromwhom-atToulouse，sincehisarrival。
Heregaledthecompany，therefore，witharecitalofourfindingthedyingLesperon，andofhowIhadgoneoffalone，andevidentlyassumedthenameandroleofthatproscribedrebel，andthusconductedmywooingundersympathyinspiringcircumstancesatLavedan。Thencame，heannounced，theverycreamofthejest，whenIwasarrestedasLesperonandbroughttoToulouseandtotrialinLesperon’sstead;hetoldthemhowIhadbeensentencedtodeathintheotherman’splace，andheassuredthemthatIwouldcertainlyhavebeenbeheadeduponthemorrowbutthatnewshadbeenbornetohim-Rodenard-ofmyplight，andhewascometodeliverme。
Myfirstimpulseuponhearinghimtellofthewagerhadbeentostrideintotheroomandsilencehimbymycoming。ThatIdidnotobeythatimpulsewassomethingthatpresentlyIwasverybitterlytoregret。HowitcamethatIdidnotIscarcelyknow。Iwastempted，perhaps，toseehowfarthishenchmanwhomforyearsIhadtrustedwasunworthyofthattrust。Andso，thereintheporch，I
stayeduntilhehadendedbytellingthecompanythathewasonhiswaytoinformtheKing-whobygreatgoodchancewasthatdayarrivedinToulouse-ofthemistakethathadbeenmade，andthusobtainmyimmediateenlargementandearnmyundyinggratitude。
AgainIwasonthepointofenteringtoadministeraverysternreprooftothattalkativerogue，whenofasuddentherewasacommotionwithin。Icaughtascrapingofchairs，adroppingofvoices，andthensuddenlyIfoundmyselfconfrontedbyRoxalannedeLavedanherself，issuingwithapageandawomaninattendance。
Forjustasecondhereyesrestedonme，andthelightcomingthroughthedoorwayatherbackboldlyrevealedmycountenance。Andaverystartledcountenanceitmusthavebeen，forinthatfractionoftimeIknewthatshehadheardallthatRodenardhadbeenrelating。Underthatinstant’sglanceofhereyesIfeltmyselfturnpale;ashiverranthroughme，andthesweatstartedcolduponmybrow。Thenhergazepassedfromme，andlookedbeyondintothestreet，asthoughshehadnotknownme;whetherinherturnshepaledorreddenedI
cannotsay，forthelightwastoouncertain。Nextfollowedwhatseemedtomeaninterminablepause，although，indeed，itcanhavebeennomorethanamatterofseconds-aye，andofbutfew。Then，hergowndrawnwellaside，shepassedmeinthatsameirrecognizingway，whilstI，abashed，shrankbackintotheshadowsoftheporch，burningwithshameandrageandhumiliation。
>Fromunderherbrowsherwomanglancedatmeinquisitively;herliveriedpage，hisnoseintheair，eyedmesopertlythatIwashardputtoitnottohastenwithmyfoothisdescentofthesteps。
Atlasttheyweregone，andfromtheoutsidetheshrillvoiceofherpagewaswaftedtome。Hewascallingtotheostlerforhercarriage。Standing，inmydeepmortification，whereshehadpassedme，IconjecturedfromthatdemandthatshewasjourneyingtoLavedan。
Sheknewnowhowshehadbeencheatedoneveryhand，firstbymeandlater，thatveryafternoon，byChatellerault，andherresolvetoquitToulousecouldbutsignifythatshewasdonewithmeforgood。
Thatithadsurprisedhertofindmeatlargealready，IfanciedI
hadseeninhermomentaryglance，butherpridehadbeenquicktoconquerandstifleallsignsofthatsurprise。
Iremainedwhereshehadpassedmeuntilhercoachhadrumbledawayintothenight，andduringthemomentsthatelapsedIhadstoodarguingwithmyselfandresolvinguponmycourseofaction。Butdespairwasfasteninguponme。
IhadcometotheHoteldel’Epee，exulting，joyous，andconfidentofvictory。Ihadcometoconfesseverythingtoher，andbyvirtueofwhatIhaddonethatconfessionwasrenderedeasy。Icouldhavesaidtoher:“ThewomanwhomIwageredtowinwasnotyou，Roxalanne，butacertainMademoiselledeLavedan。YourloveIhavewon，butthatyoumayfosternodoubtsofmyintentions，Ihavepaidmywagerandacknowledgedefeat。IhavemadeovertoChatelleraultandtohisheirsforalltimemyestatesofBardelys。”
Oh，Ihadrehearseditinmymind，andIwasconfident-Iknew-
thatIshouldwinher。Andnow-thedisclosureofthatshamefultrafficcomingfromotherlipsthanminehadruinedeverythingbyforestallingmyavowal。
Rodenardshouldpayforit-byGod，heshould！OnceagaindidI
becomeapreytothepassionofangerwhichIhaveeverheldtobeunworthyinagentleman，buttowhichitwouldseemthatIwasgrowingaccustomedtogiveway。Theostlerwasmountingthestepsatthemoment。Hecarriedinhishandastouthorsewhipwithalongknottedthong。Hastilymutteringa“Byyourleave。”Isnatcheditfromhimandsprangintotheroom。
