CouldItellhimthatIwasBardelys，thefavouriteoftheKinghimself？Whatwouldhaveoccurred？Iaskyou，mademoiselle。WouldInothavebeenaccountedaspy，andwouldtheynothavemadeshortworkofmehereatyourchateau？”
“No，no;theywouldhavedonenomurder。”
“Perhapsnot，butIcouldnotbesurejustthen。Mostmensituatedasyourfatherwaswouldhavedespatchedme。Ah，mademoiselle，haveyounotproofsenough？Doyounotbelievemenow？”
“Yes，monsieur。”sheansweredsimply，“Ibelieveyou。”
“Willyounotbelieve，then，inthesincerityofmylove？”
Shemadenorely。Herfacewasaverted，butfromhersilenceItookheart。Idrewclosetoher。Isetmyhanduponthetallbackofherchair，and，leaningtowardsher，Ispokewithpassionateheatasmusthavemelted，Ithought，anywomanwhohadnotaloathingforme。
“Mademoiselle;Iamapoormannow。”Iended。“Iamnolongerthatmagnificentgentlemanwhosewealthandsplendourwereabyword。YetamInoneedyadventurer。IhavealittlepropertyatBeaugency-
averyspotforhappiness，mademoiselle。Parisshallknowmenomore。AtBeaugencyIshallliveatpeace，inseclusion，and，sothatyoucomewithme，insuchjoyasinallmylifeIhavedonenothingtodeserve。Ihavenolongeranarmyofretainers。Acoupleofmenandamaidortwoshallconstituteourhousehold。YetIshallaccountmywealthwelllostifforlove’ssakeyou’llsharewithmethepeaceofmyobscurity。Iampoor，mademoiselleyetnopoorerevennowthanthatGascongentleman，RenedeLesperon，forwhomyouheldme，andonwhomyoubestowedthepricelesstreasureofyourheart。”
“Oh，mightithavepleasedGodthatyouhadremainedthatpoorGascongentleman！“shecried。
“InwhatamIdifferent，Roxalanne？”
“Inthathehadlaidnowager。”sheanswered，risingsuddenly。
Myhopeswerewithering。Shewasnotangry。Shewaspale，andhergentlefacewastroubled-dearGod！howsorelytroubled！TomeitalmostseemedthatIhadlost。
Sheflashedmeaglanceofherblueeyes，andIthoughtthattearsimpended。
“Roxalanne！“Isupplicated。
Butsherecoveredthecontrolthatforamomentshehadappeareduponthevergeoflosing。Sheputforthherhand。
“Adieu，monsieur！“saidshe。
Iglancedfromherhandtoherface。Herattitudebegantoangerme，forIsawthatshewasnotonlyresistingme，butresistingherself。
Inherhearttheinsidiouscankerofdoubtpersisted。Sheknew-orshouldhaveknown-thatitnolongershouldhaveanyplacethere，yetobstinatelysherefrainedfrompluckingitout。Therewasthatwager。Butforthatsameobstinacyshemusthaverealizedthereasonofmyarguments，theirrefutablelogicofmypayment。Shedeniedme，andindenyingmeshedeniedherself，forthatshehadlovedmeshehadherselftoldme，andthatshecouldlovemeagainIwasassured，ifshewouldbutseethethinginthelightofreasonandofjustice。
“Roxalanne，IdidnotcometoLavedantosay`Good-bye’toyou。I
seekfromyouawelcome，notadismissal。”
“YetmydismissalisallthatIcangive。Willyounottakemyhand？
Maywenotpartinfriendlyspirit？”
“No，wemaynot;forwedonotpartatall。”
Itwasasthesteelofmydeterminationstrikingupontheflintofhers。Shelookeduptomyfacefor-aninstant;sheraisedhereyebrowsindeprecation;shesighed，shruggedoneshoulder，and，turningonherheel，movedtowardsthedoor。
“Anatoleshallbringyourefreshmentereyougo。”shesaidinaverypoliteandformalvoice。
ThenIplayedmylastcard。WasitfornothingthatIhadflungawaymywealth？Ifshewouldnotgiveherself，byGod，Iwouldcompelhertosellherself。AndItooknoshameindoingit，forbydoingitIwassavingherandsavingmyselffromalifeofunhappiness。
“Roxalanne！“Icried。Theimperiousnessofmyvoicearrestedandcompelledherperhapsagainstherverywill。
“Monsieur？”saidshe，asdemurelyasyouplease。
“Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing？”。
“Butyes-perfectly。”
“Pardieu，youdonot。Iwilltellyou。Youaresendingyourfathertothescaffold。”
Sheturnedlivid，herstepfaltered，andsheleantagainsttheframeofthedoorwayforsupport。Thenshestaredatme，wide-eyedinhorror。
“Thatisnottrue。”shepleaded，yetwithoutconviction。“Heisnotindangerofhislife。Theycanprovenothingagainsthim。MonsieurdeSaint-Eustachecouldfindnoevidencehere-nothing。”
“YetthereisMonsieurdeSaint-Eustache’sword;thereisthefact-thesignificantfact-thatyourfatherdidnottakeuparmsfortheKing，toaffordtheChevalier’saccusationsomemeasureofcorroboration。AtToulouseinthesetimestheyarenotparticular。
RememberhowithadfaredwithmebutfortheKing’stimelyarrival。”
Thatsmotehome。Thelastshredofherstrengthfellfromher。A
greatsobshookher，thencoveringherfacewithherhands“Motherinheaven，havepityonme！“shecried。“Oh，itcannotbe，itcannotbe！“
Herdistresstouchedmesorely。Iwouldhaveconsoledher，Iwouldhavebiddenherhavenofear，assuringherthatIwouldsaveherfather。Butformyownends，Icurbedthemood。Iwouldusethisasacudgeltoshatterherobstinacy，andIprayedthatGodmightforgivemeifIdidaughtthatagentlemanshouldaccountunworthy。
Myneedwasurgent，myloveall-engrossing;winninghermeantwinninglifeandhappiness，andalreadyIhadsacrificedsomuch。
Hercryrangstillinmyears，“Itcannotbe，itcannotbe！“
Itrampledmynascenttendernessunderfoot，andinitsroomIsetaharshnessthatIdidnotfeel-aharshnessofdefianceandmenace。
“Itcanbe，itwillbe，and，asGodlives，itshallbe，ifyoupersistinyourunreasonableattitude。”
“Monsieur，havemercy！“
“Yes，whenyoushallbepleasedtoshowmethewaytoitbyhavingmercyuponme。IfIhavesinned，Ihaveatoned。Butthatisaclosedquestionnow;toreopenitwerefutile。Takeheedofthis，Roxalanne:thereisonething-oneonlyinallFrancecansaveyourfather。”
“Thatis，monsieur？”sheinquiredbreathlessly。
“MywordagainstthatofSaint-Eustache。MyindicationtoHisMajestythatyourfather’streasonisnottobeacceptedontheaccusationofSaint-Eustache。MyinformationtotheKingofwhatIknowtouchingthisgentleman。”
“Youwillgo，monsieur？”sheimploredme。“Oh，youwillsavehim！
MonDieu，tothinkofthetimethatwehavewastedhere，youandI，whilstheisbeingcarriedtothescaffold！Oh，Ididnotdreamitwassoperilouswithhim！Iwasdesolatedbyhisarrest;Ithoughtofsomemonths’imprisonment，perhaps。Butthatheshoulddie-！
MonsieurdeBardelys，youwillsavehim！Saythatyouwilldothisforme！“
Shewasonherkneestomenow，herarmsclaspingmyboots，hereyesraisedinentreaty-God，whatentreaty！-tomyown。
“Rise，mademoiselle，Ibeseechyou。”Isaid，withaquietIwasfarfromfeeling。“Thereisnoneedforthis。Letusbecalm。Thedangertoyourfatherisnotsoimminent。Wemayhavesomedaysyet-threeorfour，perhaps。”
Iliftedhergentlyandledhertoachair。Iwashardputtoitnottoholdhersupportedinmyarms。ButImightnotcullthatadvantagefromherdistress。Asingularniceness，youwillsay，perhaps，asinyourscornyoulaughatme。Perhapsyouarerighttolaugh-yetareyounotaltogetherright。
“YouwillgotoToulouse，monsieur？”shebegged。
Itookaturnintheroom，thenhaltingbeforeher“Yes。”Ianswered，“Iwillgo。”
Thegratitudethatleapttohereyessmotemehard，formysentencewasunfinished。
“Iwillgo。”Icontinuedquickly，“whenyoushallhavepromisedtobecomemywife。”
Thejoypassedfromherface。Sheglancedatmeamomentasifwithoutunderstanding。
“IcametoLavedantowinyou，Roxalanne，andfromLavedanIshallnotstiruntilIhaveaccomplishedmydesign。”Isaidveryquietly。
“YouwillthereforeseethatitrestswithyouhowsoonImaysetout。”
Shefelltoweepingsoftly，butanswerednothing。AtlastIturnedfromherandmovedtowardsthedoor。
“Whereareyougoing？”shecried。
“Totaketheair，mademoiselle。Ifupondeliberationyoucanbringyourselftomarryme，sendmewordbyAnatoleoroneoftheothers，andIshallsetoutatonceforToulouse。”
“Stop！“shecried。ObedientlyIstopped，myhandalreadyuponthedoorknob。“Youarecruel，monsieur！“shecomplained。
“Iloveyou。”saidI，bywayofexplainingit。“Tobecruelseemstobethewayoflove。Youhavebeencrueltome。”
“Wouldyou-wouldyoutakewhatisnotfreelygiven？”
“Ihavethehopethatwhenyouseethatyoumustgive，youwillgivefreely。”
“If-ifImakeyouthispromise-“
“Yes？”Iwasgrowingwhitewitheagerness。
“Youwillfulfilyourpartofthebargain？”
“Itisahabitofmine，mademoiselle-aswitnessesthecaseofChatellerault。”Sheshiveredatthementionofhisname。Itremindedherofpreciselysuchanotherbargainthatthreenightsagoshehadmade。Precisely，didIsay？Well，notquiteprecisely。
“I-Ipromisetomarryyou，then。”saidsheinachokingvoice，“wheneveryouchoose，aftermyfathershallhavebeensetatliberty。”
Ibowed。“Ishallstartatonce。”saidI。
Andperhapsoutofshame，perhapsoutof-whoshallsaywhatsentiments？-Iturnedwithoutanotherwordandlefther。
CHAPTERXX
THE“BRAVI“ATBLAGNAC
Iwasgladtobeintheopenoncemore-gladofthemovement，asI
rodeattheheadofmybravecompanyalongthebankoftheGaronneandintheshadeofthegolden，autumn-tintedtrees。
IwasinameasureangrywithmyselfthatIhaddrivensuchabargainwithRoxalanne，inameasureangrywithherthatshehadforcedmetoitbyherobstinacy。AfinegentlemanI，onmysoul，tohavedubbedChatelleraultacheatforhavingdonenoworsethanIhadnowbroughtmyselftodo！Yet，wasitso？No，Iassuredmyself，itwasnot。Athousandtimesno！WhatIhaddoneIhaddoneasmuchtowinRoxalannetomeastowinherfromherownunreasonableness。Inthedaystocomesheshouldthankmeformyharshness，forthatwhichnowsheperhapsaccountedmyunfairness。
Then，again，wouldIaskmyself，wasIverysureofthis？Andsothetwoquestionswereflungtheoneagainsttheother;myconsciencedivideditselfintotwoparties，andtheywagedawarthatfilledmewithadepressinguncertainty。
Intheendshamewasoverthrown，andIflungbackmyheadwithasnortofassurance。Iwasdoingnowrong。Onthecontrary，Iwasdoingright-bothbymyselfandbyRoxalanne。WhatmatterthatI
wasreallycheatingher？WhatmatterthatIhadsaidIwouldnotleaveLavedanuntilIhadherpromise，whilstinrealityIhadhurledmythreatatSaint-EustachethatIwouldmeethimatToulouse，andpassedmywordtotheVicomtessethatIwouldsuccourherhusband？
IgavenothoughttothehiddenthreatwithwhichSaint-EustachehadretortedthatfromLavedantoToulousewasadistanceofsometwentyleagues。HadhebeenamanofsternerpurposesImighthavebeenuneasyandonmyguard。ButSaint-Eustachepshaw！
Itisilltounderestimateanenemy，beheneversocontemptible，andformydisdainoftheChevalierImighthavepaiddearlyhadnotFortune-whichoflatehadbeenpractisingsingularjestsuponmeafterseeminglyabandoningme，returnedtomyaidatthelastmoment。
ItwasSaint-Eustache’spurposethatIshouldneverreachToulousealive，forinalltheworldIwastheonemanhefeared，theonemanwhowouldencompasshisundoinganddestructionbyaword。AndsohehadresolvedanddisposedthatIshouldberemoved，andtoaccomplishthishehadleftalineofbravialongtheroadIwastopass。
Hehadcounteduponmylyingthenightinoneoftheinterveningtowns，forthejourneywasover-longtobeaccomplishedatastretch，andwhereverImightchancetolie，thereIshouldhavetoreckonwithhisassassins。ThenearerToulouse-althoughIknewnotthis-thethickergrewmydanger。IntotheverythickofitI
rode;intheverythickofitIlay，andallthatcameofitwasthatIobtainedpossessionofonemoreandoverwhelmingpieceofevidenceagainstmymurderousChevalier。ButIoutrunmystory。
IthadbeenmypurposetochangehorsesatGrenade，andsopushonandreachToulousethatverynightorintheearlyhoursofthefollowingmorning。AtGrenade，however，therewerenohorsestobeobtained，atleastnotmorethanthree，andso，leavingthegreaterportionofmycompany。behind，Isetout，escortedonlybyGillesandAntoine。NighthadfallenlongbeforewereachedLespinasse，andwithitcamefoulweather。Thewindrosefromthewest，grewtotheviolenceofahurricane，andbroughtwithitsuchadelugeofcold，cuttingrainasneverhaditbeenmyill-chancetoridethrough。FromLespinassetoFenouillettheroaddipsfrequently，andwhereverthisoccurreditseemedtousthatwewereridinginatorrent，ourhorsesfetlock-deepinmud。
Antoinecomplainedingroans;Gillesgrowledopenly，andwentthelengthofbeggingme，aswerodethroughtheill-paved，floodedstreetsofFenouillet，togonofarther。ButIwasadamantinmyresolve。Soakedtotheskin，myclotheshangingsoddenaboutme，andchilledtothemarrowthoughIwas，Isetmychatteringteeth，andsworethatweshouldnotsleepuntilwereachedToulouse。
“MyGod。”hegroaned，“andwebuthalfway！“
“Forward！“wasallIanswered;andsoasmidnightchimedweleftFenouilletbehindus，anddashedonintotheopencountryandthefullfuryofthetempest。
Myservantscameaftermeupontheirstumblinghorses，whiningandcursingbyturns，andforgettingintheirmiserytherespectthattheywereaccustomedtopayme。Ithinknowthatitwasaprovidencethatguidedme。HadIhaltedatFenouillet，astheywouldhavehadmedo，itisoddsthatthischroniclewouldneverhavebeenpenned，forlikelyenoughIhadhadmythroatcutasIslept。Aprovidencewasitalsothatbroughtmyhorsedownwithinahalf-mileofBlagnac，andsobadlydiditfounderthatitmightnotberiddenfarther。
Thebeastsmymenbestrodewereinlittlebettercondition，andso，withinfinitechagrin，IwasforcedtoacknowledgedefeatandtodeterminethatatBlagnacweshouldliefortheremainderofthenight。Afterall，itmatteredlittle。Acoupleofhours’ridinginthemorningwouldbringustoToulouse，andwewouldstartbetimes。
IbadeGillesdismount-hehadbeenthelouderinhiscomplainings-andfollowusafoot，bringingmyhorsetotheAubergedel’EtoileatBlagnac，wherehewouldawaithim。ThenImountedhisjadedbeast，and，accompaniedbyAntoine-thelastofmyretainers-I
rodeintoBlagnac，andpulledupatthesignofthe“Star。”
WithmywhipIsmotethedoor，andIhadneedtosmitehardifI
wouldbeheardabovethewindthatshriekedandhowledundertheeavesofthatnarrowstreet。Yetitalmostseemedasifsomeonewereexpected，forscarcehadmyknockingceasedwhenthedoorwasopened，andthelandlordstoodthere，shadingataperwithhishand。ForamomentIsawtheglowofitslightonhisrosy，white-beardedface，thenagustofwindextinguishedit。
“Diable！“heswore，“anuglynightfortravelling“;addingasanafterthought，“Youridelate，monsieur。”
“Youareamanofsupremediscernment，Monsieurl’Hote。”saidI
testily，asIpushedhimasideandsteppedintothepassage。“WillyoukeepmeintheraintilldaylightwhilstyouperpendhowlateIride？Isyourostlerabed？Seetothosebeastsyourself，then。
Afterwardsgetmefood-formeandformymanandbedsforbothofus。”
“Ihavebutoneroom，monsieur。”heansweredrespectfully。“Youshallhavethat，andyourservantshallsleepinthehayloft。”
“Myservantsleepsinmyroom，ifyouhavebutone。Setamattressonthefloorforhim。Isthisanighttoleaveadogtosleepinahayloft？Ihaveanotherservantfollowing。Hewillbehereinafewminutes。Youmustfindroomforhimalso-inthepassageoutsidemydoor，ifnootheraccommodationbepossible。”
“But，monsieur-“hebeganinatoneofprotest，whichIsetdowntothewayalandlordhasofmakingdifficultiesthatheshallbethebetterpaidforsuchlodgingashefindsus。
“Seetoit。”Iorderedperemptorily。“Youshallbewellpaid。Nowgotendthosehorses。”
Onthewallofthepassagefellawarm，reddishglowfromthecommonroom，whicharguedafire，andthiswastooalluringtoadmitofmyremaininglongerindiscussionwithhim。Istrodeforward，therefore。
TheAubergedel’Etoilewasnotanimposinghostelry，noroneatwhichfromchoiceIhadmadeahalt。Thiscommonroomstankmostvilelyofoil，ofburningtallow-fromthesmokytapers-andofI
knownotwhatothernoisomeunsavourinesses。
AsIentered，Iwasgreetedbyaresonantsnorefromamanseatedinacornerbythefire。Hishead-hadfallenback，displayingthebrown，sinewyneck，andheslept-orseemedtosleep-withmouthwideopen。FulllengthonthehearthandintheredglareoftheburninglogslaywhatatfirstglanceItooktobeaheapofrags，butwhichcloserscrutinyshowedmetobeanotherman，seeminglyasleepalso。
Iflungmysoddencastoronthetable;Idroppedmydrenchedcloakontheground，andsteppedwithheavytreadandanoisyrattleofspursacrossthefloor。Yetmyraggedgentlemanslepton。I
touchedhimlightlywithmywhip。
“Hold，monbonhomme！“Icriedtohim。Stillhedidnotmove，whereatIlostpatienceandcaughthimakickfullintheside，sochoicelyaimedthatfirstitdoubledhimup，thenbroughthimintoasittingposture，withthesnarlofacross-graineddogthathasbeenrudelyaroused。
>Fromoutofanevil，dirtycountenanceapairofgloomy，bloodshoteyesscowledthreateninglyuponme。Themanonthechairawokeatthesameinstant，andsatforward。
“Ehbien？”saidItomyfriendonthehearth:“Willyoustiryourself？”
“Forwhom？”hegrowled。“IsnottheEtoileasmuchformeasforyou，whoeveryoumaybe？”
“Wehavepaidourlodging，padieu！“sworeheofthechair。
“Mymasters。”saidIgrimly，“ifyouhavenoteyestoseemysoddencondition，andifyouthereforehavenotthegracetomovethatI
mayapproachthefire;I’llseetoitthatyouspendthenightnotonlyal’Etoile，butalabelleetoile。”Withwhichpleasantry，andatouchofthefoot，Imovedmyfriendaside。Mytonewasnotnice，nordoIgenerallyhavetheairofpromisingmorethanIcanfulfil。
TheyweregrowlingtogetherinacornerwhenAntoinecametodrawoffmydoubletandmyboots。TheywerestillgrowlingwhenGillesjoineduspresently，althoughathiscomingtheypausedtotakehismeasurewiththeireyes。ForGilleswassomethingofagiant，andmenwerewonttoturntheirheads-aye，andwomentoo-toadmirehisfineproportions。Wesupped-sovilelythatIhavenotthehearttotellyouwhatweate-and，havingsupped，Ibademyhostlightmetomychamber。Asformymen，Ihaddeterminedthattheyshouldspendthenightinthecommonroom，wheretherewasafire，andwhere-notwithstandingthecompanyofthosetworuffians，intowhosepresenceIhadnottroubledtoinquire-theywoulddoubtlessbebetterthanelsewhereinthatpoorhostelry。
Ingatheringupmycloakanddoubletandothereffectstobearthemofftothekitchen，thehostwouldhavepossessedhimselfalsoofmysword。ButwithalaughItookitfromhim，remarkingthatitrequirednodrying。
Aswemountedthestairs，Iheardsomethingabovemethatsoundedlikethecreakingofadoor。Thehosthearditalso，forhestoodsuddenlystill，hisglanceveryquestioning。
“Whatwasthat？”saidhe。
“Thewind，Ishouldsay。”Iansweredidly;andmyanswerseemedtoreassurehim，forwitha“Ah，yes-thewind。”hewenton。
Now，forallthatIamfarfrombeingamanoftremorsorunwarrantedfears，totellthetruththehostelryofthe“Star“wasbeginningtofretmynerves。Icouldscarcehavetoldyouwhyhadyouaskedme，asIsatuponthebedafterminehosthadleftme，andturnedmythoughtstoit。Itwasnoneofthetrivialincidentsthathadmarkedmycoming;butitwas，Ithink，thecombinationofthemall。Firsttherewasthehost’sdesiretoseparatemefrommymenbysuggestingthattheyshouldsleepinthehayloft。Clearlyunnecessary，whenhewasnotaversetoturninghiscommonroomintoadormitory。Therewashisveryevidentreliefwhen，afterannouncingthatIwouldhavethemsleeponeinmyroomandoneinthepassagebymydoor，I
consentedtotheirspendingthenightbelow;therewasthepresenceofthosetwoveryill-lookingcut-throats;therewastheattempttocarryoffmysword;and，lastly，therewasthatcreakingdoorandthehost’snoteofalarm。
Whatwasthat？
Istoodupsuddenly。Hadmyfancy，dwellinguponthatveryincident，trickedmeintobelievingthatadoorhadcreakedagain？Ilistened，butasilencefollowed，brokenonlybyadroneofvoicesascendingfromthecommonroom。AsIhadassuredthehostuponthestairs，soInowassuredmyselfthatitwasthewind，thesignboardoftheinn，perhaps，swayinginthestorm。
Andthen，whenIhadalmostdismissedmydoubts，andwasabouttodivestmyselfofmyremainingclothes，IsawsomethingatwhichI
thankedHeaventhatIhadnotallowedthelandlordtocarryoffmyrapier。Myeyeswereonthedoor，and，asIgazed，Ibeheldtheslowraisingofthelatch。Itwasnodelusion;mywitswerekeenandmyeyessharp;therewasnofeartomakemeseethingsthatwerenot。SoftlyIsteppedtothebed-railwhereIhadhungmyswordbythebaldrick，andassoftlyIunsheathedit。Thedoorwas;pushedopen，andIcaughttheadvanceofastealthystep。A
nakedfootshotpasttheedgeofthedoorintomyroom，andforasecondIthoughtofpinningittothegroundwithmyrapier;thencamealeg，thenahalf-dressedbodysurmountedbyaface-thefaceofRodenard！
Atsightofit，amazementandahundredsuspicionscrossedmymind。
How，inGod’sname，camehehere，andforwhatpurposedidhestealsointomychamber？
Butmysuspicionsperishedevenastheywerebegotten。Therewassomomentous，soalarminglywarningalookonhisfaceashewhisperedtheoneword“Monseigneur！“thatclearlyifdangertherewastomeitwasnotfromhim。
“Whatthedevil-“Ibegan。
Butatthesoundofmyvoicethealarmgrewinhiseyes。
“Sh！“hewhispered，hisfingeronhislips。“Besilent，monseigneur，forHeaven’ssake！“
Verysoftlyheclosedthedoor;softly，yetpainfully，hehobbledforwardtomyside。
“Thereisaplottomurderyou，monseigneur。”hewhispered。
“What！HereatBlagnac？”
Henoddedfearfully。
“Bah！“Ilaughed。“Yourave，man。WhowastoknowthatIwastocomethisway？Andwhoistheretoplotagainstmylife？”
MonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”heanswered。
“Andfortherest，astoexpectingyouhere，theydidnot，buttheywerepreparedagainsttheremotechanceofyourcoming。FromwhatIhavegathered，thereisnotahostelrybetwixtthisandLavedanatwhichtheChevalierhasnotlefthiscutthroatswiththepromiseofenormousrewardtothemenwhoshallkillyou。”
Icaughtmybreathatthat。Mydoubtsvanished。
“Tellmewhatyouknow。”saidI。“Bebrief。”
Thereuponthisfaithfuldog，whomIhadsosorelybeatenbutfournightsago，toldmehow，uponfindinghimselfabletowalkoncemore，hehadgonetoseekmeout，thathemightimploremetoforgivehimandnotcasthimoffaltogether，afteralifetimespentintheserviceofmyfatherandofmyself。
HehaddiscoveredfromMonsieurdeCastelrouxthatIwasgonetoLavedan，andhedeterminedtofollowmethither。Hehadnohorseandlittlemoney，andsohehadsetoutafootthatveryday，anddraggedhimselfasfarasBlagnac，where，however，hisstrengthhadgivenout，andhewasforcedtohalt。Aprovidenceitseemedthatthishadsobefallen。ForhereattheEtoilehehadthateveningoverheardSaint-Eustacheinconversationwiththosetwobravibelowstairs。ItwouldseemfromwhathehadsaidthatateveryhostelryfromGrenadetoToulouse-atwhichitwasconceivablethatImightspendthenight-theChevalierhadmadeasimilarprovision。
AtBlagnac，ifIgotsofarwithouthalting，Imustarriveverylate，andthereforetheChevalierhadbiddenhismenawaitmeuntildaylight。Hedidnotbelieve，however，thatIshouldtravelsofar，forhehadseentoitthatIshouldfindnohorsesattheposthouses。
ButitwasjustpossiblethatImight，nevertheless，pushon，andSaint-Eustachewouldletnopossibilitybeoverlooked。HereatBlagnacthelandlord，Rodenardinformedme，wasalsoinSaint-Eustache’spay。TheirintentionwastostabmeasIslept。
“Monseigneur。”heended，“knowingwhatdangerawaitedyoualongtheroad，Ihavesatupallnight，prayingGodandHissaintsthatyoumightcomethisfar，andthatthusImightwarnyou。HadIbeenlessbruisedandsore，Ihadgotmyselfahorseandriddenouttomeetyou;asitwas，IcouldbuthopeandpraythatyouwouldreachBlagnac，andthat-“
Igatheredhimintomyarmsatthat，butmyembracedrewagroanfromhim，forthepoor，faithfulknavewasverysore。
“MypoorGanymede！“Imurmured，andIwasmoretrulymovedtosympathy，Ithink，thaneverIhadbeeninallmyselfishlife。
Hearinghissobriquet，alookofhopegleamedsuddenlyinhiseye。
“Youwilltakemeback，monseigneur？”hepleaded。“Youwilltakemeback，willyounot？IswearthatIwillneverletmytongue-“
“Sh，mygoodGanymede。NotonlywillItakeyouback，butIshallstrivetomakeamendsformybrutality。Come，myfriend，youshallhavetwentygoldenLouistobuyunguentsforyourpoorshoulders。”
“Monseigneurisverygood。”hemurmured，whereuponIwouldhaveembracedhimagainbutthatheshiveredanddrewback。
“No，no，monseigneur。”hewhisperedfearfully。“Itisagreathonour，butit-itpainsmetobetouched。”
“Thentakethewillforthedeed。Andnowforthesegentlemenbelowstairs。”Iroseandmovedtothedoor。
“OrderGillestobeattheirbrainsout。”wasGanymede’smercifulsuggestion。
Ishookmyhead。“Wemightbedetainedfordoingmurder。Wehavenoproofyetoftheirintentions-Ithink-“Anideaflashedsuddenlyacrossmymind。“Gobacktoyourroom，Ganymede。”Ibadehim。“Lockyourselfin，anddonotstiruntilIcallyou。Idonotwishtheirsuspicionsaroused。”
Iopenedthedoor，andasGanymedeobedientlyslippedpastmeandvanisheddownthepassage“Monsieurl’Hote。”Icalled。“Ho，there，Gilles！“
“Monsieur。”answeredthelandlord。
“Monseigneur。”repliedGilles;andtherecameastirbelow。
“Isaughtamiss？”thelandlordquestioned，anoteofconcerninhisvoice。
“Amiss？”Iechoedpeevishly，mincingmywordsasIutteredthem。
“Pardi！MustIbeputtoittoundressmyself，whilstthosetwolazydogsofminearesnoringbeneathme？Comeupthisinstant，Gilles。And。”Iaddedasanafterthought，“youhadbestsleephereinmyroom。”
“Atonce，monseigneur。”answeredhe，butIcaughtthefaintesttingeofsurpriseinhisaccents，forneveryethaditfallentothelotofsturdy，clumsyGillestoassistmeatmytoilet。
Thelandlordmutteredsomething，andIheardGilleswhisperinghisreply。Thenthestairscreakedunderhisheavytread。
InmyroomItoldhiminhalfadozenwordswhatwasafoot。Foranswer，hesworeagreatoaththatthelandlordhadmulledastoupofwineforhim，whichheneverdoubtednowwasdrugged。Ibadehimgobelowandfetchthewine，tellingthelandlordthatI，toohadafancyforit。
“ButwhatofAntoine？”heasked。“Theywilldrughim。”
“Letthem。Wecanmanagethisaffair，youandI，withouthishelp。
Iftheydidnotdrughim，theymighthaplystabhim。Sothatinbeingdruggedlieshissafety。”
AsIbadehimsohedid，andpresentlyhereturnedwithagreatsteamingmeasure。ThisIemptiedintoaewer，thenreturnedittohimthathemighttakeitbacktothehostwithmythanksandourappreciation。Thusshouldwegivethemconfidencethatthewaywasclearandsmoothforthem。
Thereaftertherebefellpreciselythatwhichalreadyyouwillbeexpecting，andnothingthatyoucannotguess。Itwasperhapsattheendofanhour’ssilentwaitingthatoneofthemcame。Wehadleftthedoorunbarredsothathisentrancewasunhampered。Butscarcewashewithinwhenoutofthedark，oneithersideofhim，roseGillesandI。Beforehehadrealizedit，hewasliftedoffhisfeetanddepositeduponthebedwithoutacry;theonlysoundbeingthetinkleoftheknifethatdroppedfromhissuddenlyunnervedhand。
Onthebed，withGilles’sgreatkneeinhisstomach，andGilles’shandsathisthroat，hewasassuredinunequivocaltermsthatathisslightestoutcrywewouldmakeanendofhim。Ikindledalight。Wetrussedhimhandandfootwiththebedclothes，andthen，whilsthelayimpotentandsilentinhisterror，Iproceededtodiscussthesituationwithhim。
IpointedoutthatweknewthatwhathehaddonehehaddoneatSaint-Eustache’sinstigation，thereforethetrueguiltwasSaint-Eustache’sanduponhimalonethepunishmentshouldfall。
Buterethiscouldcometopass，hehimselfmustaddhistestimonytoours-mineandRodenard’s。IfhewouldcometoToulouseanddothatmakeafullconfessionofhowhehadbeensettodothismurdering-theChevalierdeSaint-Eustache，whowastherealculprit，shouldbetheonlyonetosufferthepenaltyofthelaw。
Ifhewouldnotdothat，why，then，hemuststandtheconsequenceshimself-andtheconsequenceswouldbethehangman。ButineithercasehewascomingtoToulouseinthemorning。
Itgoeswithoutsayingthathewasreasonable。Ineverforamomentheldhisjudgmentindoubt;thereisnoloyaltyaboutacut-throat，anditisnotthewayofhiscallingtotakeunnecessaryrisk。
Wehadjustsettledthematterinamutuallyagreeablemannerwhenthedooropenedagain，andhisconfederate-rendereduneasy，nodoubt，byhislongabsence-cametoseewhatcouldbeoccasioningthisunconscionabledelayintheslittingofthethroatsofapairofsleepingmen。
Beholdingusthereinfriendlyconclave，andnodoubtconsideringthatunderthecircumstanceshisintrusionwasnothingshortofanimpertinence，thatpolitegentlemanutteredacry-whichIshouldliketothinkwasanapologyforhavingdisturbedusandturnedtogowithmostindecorousprecipitancy。
ButGillestookhimbythenapeofhisdirtyneckandhaledhimbackintotheroom。Inlesstimethanittakesmetotellofit，helaybesidehiscolleague，andwasbeingaskedwhetherhedidnotthinkthathemightalsocometotakethesameviewofthesituation。
Overjoyedthatweintendednoworsebyhim，hesworebyeverysaintinthecalendarthathewoulddoourwill，thathehadreluctantlyundertakentheChevalier’sbusiness，thathewasnocut-throat，butapoormanwithawifeandchildrentoprovidefor。
Andthat，inshort，washowitcametopassthattheChevalierdeSaint-Eustachehimself，bydisposingformydestruction，disposedonlyforhisown。Withthesetwowitnesses，andRodenardtoswearhowSaint-Eustachehadbribedthemtocutmythroat，withmyselfandGillestoswearhowtheattempthadbeenmadeandfrustrated，I
couldnowgotoHisMajestywithaveryfullconfidence，notonlyofhavingtheChevalier’saccusations，againstwhomsoevertheymightbe，discredited，butalsoofsendingtheChevalierhimselftothegallowshehadsorichlyearned。
CHAPTERXXI
LOUISTHEJUST
“Forme。”saidtheKing，“thesedepositionswerenotnecessary。
Yourword，mydearMarcel，wouldhavesufficed。Forthecourts，however，perhapsitiswellthatyouhavehadthemtaken;
moreover，theyformavaluablecorroborationofthetreasonwhichyoulaytothechargeofMonsieurdeSaint-Eustache。”
Wewerestanding-atleast，LaFosseandIwerestanding，LouisXIIIsat-inaroom，ofthePalaceofToulouse，whereIhadhadthehonourofbeingbroughtbeforeHisMajesty。LaFossewasthere，becauseitwouldseemthattheKinghadgrownfondofhim，andcouldnotbewithouthimsincehiscomingtoToulouse。
HisMajestywas，asusual，sodullandweary-notevenrousedbytheapproachingtrialofMontmorency，whichwasthemainbusinessthathadbroughthimSouththateventhecompanyofthisvapid，shallow，butirrepressiblygood-humouredLaFosse，withhiseverlastingmythology，provedathingdesirable。
“Iwillsee。”saidLouis，“thatyourfriendtheChevalierisplacedunderarrestatonce，andasmuchforhisattemptuponyourlifeasfortheunstablequalityofhispoliticalopinions，thelawshalldealwithhim-conclusively。”Hesighed。“Italwayspainsmetoproceedtoextremesagainstamanofhisstamp。Todepriveafoolofhisheadseemsaworkofsupererogation。”
Iinclinedmyhead，andsmiledathispleasantry。Louisthejustrarelypermittedhimselftojest，andwhenhedidhishumourwasaslikeuntohumouraswaterislikeuntowine。Still，whenamonarchjests，ifyouarewise，ifyouhaveafavourtosue，orapositionatCourttoseekortomaintain，yousmile，forallthattheineptitudeofhiswitlesswitberatherprovocativeofsorrow。
“Natureneedsmeddlingwithattimes。”hazardedLaFosse，frombehindHisMajesty’schair。“ThisSaint-EustacheisasortofPandora’sbox，whichitiswelltocloseere-“
“Gotothedevil。”saidtheKingshortly。“Wearenotjesting。
Wehavetodojustice。”
“Ah！Justice。”murmuredLaFosse;“Ihaveseenpicturesofthelady。Shecovershereyeswithabandage，butislessdiscreetwheretheotherbeautiesofherfigureareinquestion。”
HisMajestyblushed。Hewasaboveallthingsachaste-mindedman，modestasanun。Totheimmodestyrampantabouthimhewasinthehabitofclosinghiseyesandhisears，untiltheflagrancyorthenoiseofitgrewtoproportionstowhichhemightremainneitherblindnordeaf。
“MonsieurdelaFosse。”saidheinanausterevoice，“youwearyme，andwhenpeoplewearymeIsendthemaway-whichisoneofthereasonswhyIamusuallysomuchalone。Ibegthatyouwillglanceatthathunting-book，sothatwhenIhavedonewithMonsieurdeBardelysyoumaygivemeyourimpressionsofit。”
LaFossefellback，obedientbutunabashed，and，movingtoatablebythewindow，heopenedthebookLouishadpointedout。
“Now，Marcel，whilethatbuffoonpreparestoinformmethatthebookhasbeeninspiredbyDianaherself，tellmewhatelseyouhavetotell。”
“Naughtelse，Sire。”
“Hownaught？WhatofthisVicomtedeLavedan。”
“SurelyYourMajestyissatisfiedthatthereisnocharge-noheedfulchargeagainsthim？”
“Aye，butthereisacharge-averyheedfulone。Andsofaryouhaveaffordedmenoproofsofhisinnocencetowarrantmysanctioninghisenlargement。”
“Ihadthought，Sire，thatitwouldbeunnecessarytoadvanceproofsofhisinnocenceuntiltherewereproofsofhisguilttoberefuted。
Itisunusual，YourMajesty，toapprehendagentlemansothathemayshowcausewhyhedidnotdeservesuchapprehension。Themoreusualcourseistoarresthimbecausethereareproofsofhisguilttobepreferredagainsthim。”
Louiscombedhisbeardpensively，andhismelancholyeyesgrewthoughtful。
“Anicepoint，Marcel。”saidhe，andheyawned。“Anicepoint。
Youshouldhavebeenalawyer。”Then，withanabruptchangeofmanner，“Doyougivemeyourwordofhonourthatheisinnocent？”heaskedsharply。
“IfYourMajesty’sjudgesofferproofofhisguilt，IgiveyoumywordthatIwilltearthatprooftopieces。”
“Thatisnotananswer。Doyouswearhisinnocence？”
“DoIknowwhathecarriesinhisconscience？”quothIstillfencingwiththequestion。“HowcanIgivemywordinsuchamatter？Ah，Sire，itisnotfornothingthattheycallyouLouistheJust。”I
pursued，adoptingcajoleryandpresentinghimwithhisownfavouritephrase。“Youwillneverallowamanagainstwhomthereisnoshredofevidencetobeconfinedinprison。”
“Istherenot？”hequestioned。Yethistonegrewgentler。History，hehadpromisedhimself，shouldknowhimasLouisthejust，andhewoulddonaughtthatmightjeopardizehisclaimtothatproudtitle。
“ThereistheevidenceofthisSaint-Eustache！“
“WouldYourMajestyhangadoguponthewordofthatdoubletraitor？”
“Hum！Youareagreatadvocate，Marcel。Youavoidansweringquestions;youturnquestionsasidebycounter-questions。”Heseemedtobetalkingmoretohimselfthantome。“YouareamuchbetteradvocatethantheVicomte’swife，forinstance。Sheanswersquestionsandhasatemper-Ceil！whatatemper！“
“YouhaveseentheVicomtesse？”Iexclaimed，andIgrewcoldwithapprehension，knowingasIdidthelicenceofthatwoman’stongue。
“Seenher？”heechoedwhimsically。“Ihaveseenher，heardher，well-nighfelther。Theairofthisroomisstilldisturbedasaconsequenceofherpresence。Shewashereanhourago。”
“Anditseemed。”lispedLaFosse，turningfromhishunting-book，“asifthethreedaughtersofAcheronhadquittedthedomainofPlutototakeembodimentinasinglewoman。”
“Iwouldnothaveseenher。”theKingresumedasthoughLaFossehadnotspoken，“butshewouldnotbedenied。IheardhervoiceblasphemingintheantechamberwhenIrefusedtoreceiveher;therewasacommotionatmydoor;itwasdashedopen，andtheSwisswhohelditwashurledintomyroomhereasthoughhehadbeenamannikin。Dieu！SinceIhavereignedinFranceIhavenotbeenthecentreofsomuchcommotion。Sheisastrongwoman，Marcelthesaintsdefendyouhereafter，whensheshallcometobeyourmother-in-law。InallFrance，I’llswear，hertongueistheonlystouterthingthanherarm。Butshe’safool。”
“Whatdidshesay，Sire？”Iaskedinmyanxiety。
“Say？Sheswore-Ciel！howshedidswear！Notasaintinthecalendarwouldsheletrestinpeace;shedraggedthemallbyturnsfromtheirchapter-rollstobearwitnesstothetruthofwhatshesaid。”
“Thatwas-“
“Thatherhusbandwasthefoulesttraitoroutofhell。Butthathewasafoolwithnowitofhisowntomakehimaccountableforwhathedid，andthatoutoffollyhehadgoneastray。Uponthosegroundsshebesoughtmetoforgivehimandlethimgo。WhenI
toldherthathemuststandhistrial，andthatIcouldofferherbutlittlehopeofhisacquittal，shetoldmethingsaboutmyself，whichinmyconceit，andthankstoyouflattererswhohavesurroundedme，Ihadneverdreamed。
“ShetoldmeIwasugly，sour-faced，aridmalformed;thatIwaspriest-riddenandafool;unlikemybrother，who，sheassuredme，isamirrorofchivalryandmanlyperfections。ShepromisedmethatHeavenshouldneverreceivemysoul，thoughItoldmybeadsfromnowtillDoomsday，andsheprophesiedformeawelcomeamongthedamnedwhenmytimecomes。WhatmoreshemighthaveforetoldIcannotsay。Sheweariedmeatlast，forallhernovelty，andI
dismissedher-thatistosay。”heamended，“Iorderedfourmusketeerstocarryherout。Godpityyou，Marcel，whenyoubecomeherdaughter’shusband！“
ButIhadnohearttoenterintohisjocularity。Thiswomanwithherungovernablepassionandherrashtonguehaddestroyedeverything。
“Iseenolikelihoodofbeingherdaughter’shusband。”Iansweredmournfully。
TheKinglookedup，andlaughed。“Downonyourknees，then。”saidhe，“andrenderthankstoHeaven。”
ButIshookmyheadverysoberly。“ToYourMajestyitisapleasingcomedy。”saidI，“buttome，helas！itisnearerfartotragedy。”
“Come，Marcel。”saidhe，“mayInotlaughalittle？OnegrowssosadwithbeingKingofFrance！Tellmewhatvexesyou。”
“MademoiselledeLavedanhaspromisedthatshewillmarrymeonlywhenIhavesavedherfatherfromthescaffold。Icametodoit，veryfullofhope，Sire。Buthiswifehasforestalledmeand，seemingly，doomedhimirrevocably。”
Hisglancefell;hiscountenanceresumeditshabitualgloom。Thenhelookedupagain，andinthemelancholydepthsofhiseyesIsawagleamofsomethingthatwasverylikeaffection。
“YouknowthatIloveyou，Marcel。”hesaidgently。“WereyoumyownsonIcouldnotloveyoumore。Youareaprofligate，dissoluteknave，andyourscandalshaverunginmyearsmorethanonce;yetyouaredifferentfromtheseotherfools，andatleastyouhaveneverweariedme。Tohavedonethatistohavedonesomething。
Iwouldnotloseyou，Marcel;asloseyouIshallifyoumarrythisroseofLanguedoc，forItakeitthatsheistoosweetaflowertoletwitherinthestaleatmosphereofCourts。Thisman，thisVicomtedeLavedan，hasearnedhisdeath。WhyshouldInotlethimdie，sinceifhediesyouwillnotwed？”
“Doyouaskmewhy，Sire？”saidI。“BecausetheycallyouLouistheJust，andbecausenokingwasevermoredeservingofthetitle。”
Hewinced;hepursedhislips，andshotaglanceatLaFosse，whowasdeepinthemysteriesofhisvolume。Thenhedrewtowardshimasheetofpaper，and，takingaquill，hesattoyingwithit。
“BecausetheycallmetheJust，Imustletjusticetakeitscourse。”
heansweredpresently。
“But。”Iobjected，withasuddenhope，“thecourseofjusticecannotleadtotheheadsmaninthecaseoftheVicomtedeLavedan。”
“Whynot？”Andhissolemneyesmetmineacrossthetable。
“Becausehetooknoactivepartintherevolt。Ifhewasatraitor，hewasnomorethanatraitoratheart，anduntilamancommitsacrimeindeedheisnotamenabletothelaw’srigour。Hiswifehasmadehisdefectionclear;butitwereunfairtopunishhiminthesamemeasureasyoupunishthosewhoborearmsagainstyou，Sire。”
“Ah！“hepondered。“Well？Whatmore？”
“Isthatnotenough，Sire？”Icried。Myheartbeatquickly，andmypulsesthrobbedwiththesuspenseofthatportentousmoment。
Hebenthishead，dippedhispenandbegantowrite。
“Whatpunishmentwouldyouhavememeteouttohim？”heaskedashewrote。“Come，Marcel，dealfairlywithme，anddealfairlywithhim-forasyoudealwithhim，soshallIdealwithyouthroughhim。”
Ifeltmyselfpalinginmyexcitement。“Thereisbanishment，Sire-itisusualincasesoftreasonthatarenotsufficientlyflagranttobepunishedbydeath。”
“Yes！“Hewrotebusily。“Banishmentforhowlong，Marcel？Forhislifetime？”
“Nay，Sire。Thatweretoolong。”
“Formylifetime，then？”
“Againthatweretoolong。”
Heraisedhiseyesandsmiled。“Ah！Youturnprophet？Well，forhowlong，then？Come，man。”
“Ishouldthinkfiveyears-“
“Fiveyearsbeit。Saynomore。”
Hewroteonforafewmoments;thenheraisedthesandboxandsprinkledthedocument。
“Tiens！“hecried，ashedusteditandhelditouttome。“ThereismywarrantforthedisposalofMonsieurleVicomteLeondeLavedan。Heistogointobanishmentforfiveyears，buthisestatesshallsuffernosequestration，andattheendofthatperiodhemayreturnandenjoythem-wehopewithbetterloyaltythaninthepast。Getthemtoexecutethatwarrantatonce，andseethattheVicomtestartsto-dayunderescortforSpain。ItwillalsobeyourwarranttoMademoiselledeLavedan，andwillaffordprooftoherthatyourmissionhasbeensuccessful。”
“Sire！“Icried。AndinmygratitudeIcouldsaynomore，butI
sankonmykneebeforehimandraisedhishandtomylips。
“There。”saidheinafatherlyvoice。“Gonow，andbehappy。”
AsIrose，hesuddenlyputuphishand。
“Mafoi，Ihadallbutforgotten，somuchhasMonsieurdeLavedan’sfatepreoccupiedus。”Hepickedupanotherpaperfromhistable，andtossedittome。ItwasmynoteofhandtoChatelleraultformyPicardyestates。
“Chatelleraultdiedthismorning。”theKingpursued。“Hehadbeenaskingtoseeyou，butwhenhewastoldthatyouhadleftToulouse，hedictatedalongconfessionofhismisdeeds，whichhesenttometogetherwiththisnoteofyours。Hecouldnot，hewrote，permithisheirstoenjoyyourestates;hehadnotwonthem;hehadreallyforfeitedhisownstakes，sincehehadbrokentherulesofplay。
Hehasleftmetodeliverjudgmentinthematterofhisownlandspassingintoyourpossession。Whatdoyousaytoit，Marcel？”
ItwasalmostwithreluctancethatItookupthatscrapofpaper。
Ithadbeensofineandheroicathingtohavecastmywealthtothewindsofheavenforlove’ssake，thatonmysoulIwasloathtoseemyselfmasterofmorethanBeaugency。Thenacompromisesuggesteditself。
“Thewager，Sire。”saidI，“isonethatItakeshameinhavingenteredupon;thatshamemademeeagertopayit，althoughfullyconsciousthatIhadnotlost。Butevennow，Icannot，inanycase，accepttheforfeitChatelleraultwaswillingtosuffer。Shallwe-shallweforgetthatthewagerwaseverlaid？”
“Thedecisiondoesyouhonour。ItwaswhatIhadhopedfromyou。
Gonow，Marcel。Idoubtmeyouareeager。Whenyourlove-sicknesswanesalittleweshallhopetoseeyouatCourtagain。”
Isighed。“Helas，Sire，thatwouldbenever。”
“Soyousaidoncebefore，monsieur。Itisafoolishspirituponwhichtoenterintomatrimony;yet-likemanyfollies-afineone。Adieu，Marcel！“
“Adieu，Sire！“
Ihadkissedhishands;Ihadpouredforthmythanks;Ihadreachedthedooralready，andhewasintheactofturningtoLaFosse，whenitcameintomyheadtoglanceatthewarranthehadgivenme。
Henoticedthisandmysuddenhalt。
“Isaughtamiss？”heasked。
“You-youhaveomittedsomething，Sire。”Iventured，andIreturnedtothetable。“IamalreadysogratefulthatIhesitatetoaskanadditionalfavour。Yetitisbuttroublingyoutoaddafewstrokesofthepen，anditwillnotmateriallyaffectthesentenceitself。”
Heglancedatme，andhisbrowsdrewtogetherashesoughttoguessmymeaning。
“Well，man，whatisit？”hedemandedimpatiently。
“IthasoccurredtomethatthispoorVicomte，inastrangeland，alone，amongstrangefaces，missingthelovedonesthatforsomanyyearshehasseendailybyhisside，willbepitiablylonely。”
TheKing’sglancewasliftedsuddenlytomyface。“MustIthenbanishhisfamilyaswell？”
“Allofitwillnotbenecessary，YourMajesty。”
Foroncehiseyeslosttheirmelancholy，andasheartyaburstoflaughteraseverIheardfromthatpoor，wearygentlemanheventedthen。
“Ciel！whatajesteryouare！Ah，butIshallmissyou！“hecried，as，seizingthepen，headdedthewordIcravedofhim。
“Areyoucontentatlast？”heasked，returningthepapertome。
Iglancedatit。ThewarrantnowstipulatedthatMadamelaVicomtessedeLavedanshouldbearherhusbandcompanyinhisexile。
“Sire，youaretoogood！“Imurmured。
“Telltheofficertowhomyouentrusttheexecutionofthiswarrantthathewillfindtheladyintheguardroombelow，wheresheisbeingdetained，pendingmypleasure。Didshebutknowthatitwasyourpleasureshehasbeenwaitingupon，Ishouldtrembleforyourfuturewhenthefiveyearsexpire。”
CHAPTERXXII
WEUNSADDLE
Mademoiselleheldtheroyalwarrantofherfather’sbanishmentinherhand。Shewaspale，andhergreetingofmehadbeentimid。I
stoodbeforeher，andbythedoorstoodRodenard，whomIhadbiddenattendme。
AsIhadapproachedLavedanthatday，Ihadbeentakenwithagreat，anoverwhelmingshameatthebargainIhaddriven。Ihadpondered，andithadcometomethatshehadbeenrighttosuggestthatinmattersoflovewhatisnotfreelygivenitisnotworthwhiletotake。Andoutofmyshameandthatconclusionhadsprunganewresolve。Sothatnothingmightweakenit，andlest，afterall，thesightofRoxalanneshouldbringmesotodesireherthatImightbetemptedtooverridemypurpose，Ihaddeemeditwelltohavetherestraintofawitnessatourlastinterview。TothisendhadI
biddenGanymedefollowmeintotheverysalon。
Shereadthedocumenttotheveryend，thenherglancewasraisedtimidlyagaintomine，andfrommeitshiftedtoGanymede，stiffathispostbythedoor。
“Thiswasthebestthatyoucoulddo，monsieur？”sheaskedatlast。
“Theverybest，mademoiselle。”Iansweredcalmly。“Idonotwishtomagnifymyservice，butitwasthatorthescaffold。Madameyourmotherhad，unfortunately，seentheKingbeforeme，andshehadprejudicedyourfather’scasebyadmittinghimtobeatraitor。
TherewasamomentwheninviewofthatIwasalmostledtodespair。
Iamglad，however，mademoiselle，thatIwassofortunateastopersuadetheKingtojustsomuchclemency。”
“Andforfiveyears，then，Ishallnotseemyparents。”Shesighed，andherdistresswasverytouching。
“Thatneednotbe。ThoughtheymaynotcometoFrance，itstillremainspossibleforyoutovisittheminSpain。”
“True。”shemused;“thatwillbesomething-willitnot？”
“Assuredlysomething;underthecircumstances，much。”
Shesighedagain，andforamomenttherewassilence。
“Willyounotsit，monsieur？”saidsheatlast-Shewasveryquietto-day，thislittlemaid-veryquietandverywondrouslysubdued。
“Thereisscarcetheneed。”Iansweredsoftly;whereuponhereyeswereraisedtoaskahundredquestions。“Youaresatisfiedwithmyefforts，mademoiselle？”Iinquired。
“Yes，Iamsatisfied，monsieur。”
Thatwastheend，Itoldmyself，andinvoluntarilyIalsosighed。
Still，Imadenoshifttogo。
“YouaresatisfiedthatI-thatIhavefulfilledwhatIpromised？”
Hereyeswereagaincastdown，andshetookastep:inthedirectionofthewindow。
“Butyes。Yourpromisewastosavemyfatherfromthescaffold。
Youhavedoneso，andImakenodoubtyouhavedoneasmuchtoreducethetermofhisbanishmentaslaywithinyourpower。Yes，monsieur，Iamsatisfiedthatyourpromisehasbeenwellfulfilled。”
Heigho！TheresolvethatIhadformedincomingwhispereditinmyearthatnothingremainedbuttowithdrawandgomyway。Yetnotforallthatresolve-notforahundredsuchresolves-couldIhavegonethus。Onekindlyword，onekindlyglanceatleastwouldItaketocomfort:me。Iwouldtellherinplainwordsofmypurpose，andsheshouldseethattherewasstillsomegood，somesenseofhonourinme，andthusshouldesteemmeafterIwasgone。
“Ganymede。”saidI。
“Monseigneur？”
“Bidthemenmount。”
Atthatsheturned，wonderopeninghereyesverywide，andherglancetravelledfrommetoRodenardwithitsunspokenquestion。
Butevenasshelookedathimhebowedand，turningtodomybidding，lefttheroom。Weheardhisstepspasswithajingleofspursacrossthehallandoutintothecourtyard。Weheardhisraucousvoiceutterawordofcommand，andtherewasastampingofhoofs，acrampingofharness，andallthebustleofpreparation。
“Whyhaveyouorderedyourmentomount？”sheaskedatlast。
“Becausemybusinesshereisended，andwearegoing。”
“Going？”saidshe。Hereyeswerelowerednow，butafrownsuggestedtheirexpressiontome。“Goingwhither？”
“Hence。”Ianswered。“Thatforthemomentisallthatsignifies。”
Ipausedtoswallowsomethingthathinderedaclearutterance。
Then，“Adieu！“saidI，andIabruptlyputforthmyhand。
Herglancemetminefearlessly，ifpuzzled。
“Doyoumean，monsieur，thatyouareleavingLavedan-thus？”
“SothatIleave，whatsignifiesthemannerofmygoing？”
“But“-thetroublegrewinhereyes;hercheeksseemedtowaxpalerthantheyhadbeen-“butIthoughtthat-thatwemadeabargain。”
“’Sh！mademoiselle，Iimploreyou。”Icried。“Itakeshameatthememoryofit。AlmostasmuchshameasItakeatthememoryofthatotherbargainwhichfirstbroughtmetoLavedan。TheshameoftheformeroneIhavewipedout-although，perchance，youthinkitnot。
Iamwipingouttheshameofthelatterone。Itwasunworthyinme，mademoiselle，butIlovedyousodearlythatitseemedtomethatnomatterhowIcamebyyou，IshouldrestcontentifIbutwonyou。Ihavesinceseentheerrorifit，theinjusticeofit。
Iwillnottakewhatisnotfreelygiven。Andso，farewell。”
“Isee，Isee。”shemurmured，andignoredthehandthatIheldout。
“Iamverygladofit，monsieur。”
Iwithdrewmyhandsharply。ItookupmyhatfromthechaironwhichIhadcastit。Shemighthavesparedmethat，Ithought。
Sheneednothaveprofessedjoy。Atleastshemighthavetakenmyhandandpartedinkindness。
“Adieu，mademoiselle！“Isaidagain，asstifflyasmightbe，andI
turnedtowardsthedoor。
“Monsieur！“shecalledafterme。Ihalted。
“Mademoiselle？”
Shestooddemurely，witheyesdowncastandhandsfolded。“Ishallbesolonelyhere。”
Istoodstill。Iseemedtostiffen。Myheartgaveamadthrobofhope，thenseemedtostop。Whatdidshemean？Ifacedherfullyoncemore，and，Idoubtnot，Iwasverypale。Yetlestvanityshouldbefoolme，Idarednotactuponsuspicions。Andso“True，mademoiselle。”saidI。“Youwillbelonely。Iregretit。”
Assilencefollowed，Iturnedagaintothedoor，andmyhopessankwitheachstepinthatdirection。
“Monsieur！“
Hervoicearrestedmeupontheverythreshold。
“Whatshallapoorgirldowiththisgreatestateuponherhands？
Itwillgotoruinwithoutamantogovernit。”
“Youmustnotattemptthetask。Youmustemployanintendant。”
Icaughtsomethingthatsoundedoddlylikeasob。Coulditbe？
Dieu！coulditbe，afterall？YetIwouldnotpresume。Ihalfturnedagain，buthervoicedetainedme。Itcamepetulantlynow。
“MonsieurdeBardelys，youhavekeptyourpromisenobly。Willyouasknopayment？”
“No，mademoiselle。”Iansweredverysoftly;“Icantakenopayment。”
Hereyeswereliftedforasecond。Theirbluedepthsseemeddim。
Thentheyfellagain。
“Oh，whywillyounothelpme？”sheburstout，toaddmoresoftly:
“Ishallneverbehappywithoutyou！“
“Youmean？”Igasped，retracingastep，andflingingmyhatinacorner。
“ThatIloveyou，Marcel-thatIwantyou！“
“Andyoucanforgive-youcanforgive？”Icried，asIcaughther。
Heranswerwasalaughthatbespokeherscornofeverything-ofeverythingsaveustwo，ofeverythingsaveourlove。Thatandthepoutofherredlipswasheranswer。Andifthetemptationofthoselips-Butthere！Igrowindiscreet。
Stillholdingher，Iraisedmyvoice。
“Ganymede！“Icalled。
“Monseigneur？”camehisanswerthroughtheopenwindow。
“Bidthoseknavesdismountandunsaddle。”
End
