LikemostcountrymenIwasreadytobelieveinanyexaggerationofthecity’slatehours，themoreasshemadenoremark。I
supposed——shakingoffthemomentaryimpression——thatwhatIsawwasinnocentandnormal。Besides，IwasthinkingwhatIshouldsaytoPavanneswhenIsawhim———inwhattermsIshouldwarnhimofhisperil，andcasthisperfidyinhisteeth。Wehadhurriedalonginthisway——andinabsolutesilence，savewhensomeobstacleorpitfalldrewfromusanexclamation——foraboutaquarterofamile，whenmycompanion，turningintoaslightlywiderstreet，slackenedherspeed，andindicatedbyagesturethatwehadarrived。Alamphungovertheporch，towhichshepointed，andshowedthesmallsidegatehalfopen。Wewereclosebehindtheotherthreenow。IsawCroisettestooptoenterandasquicklyfallbackapace。Why？
InamomentitflashedacrossmymindthatweweretoolatethattheVidamehadbeenbeforeus。
Andyethowquietitallwas。
ThenIbreathedfreelyagain。IsawthatCroisettehadonlysteppedbacktoavoidsomeonewhowascomingout——theCoadjutorinfact。Themomenttheentrancewasclear，theladshotin，andtheothersafterhim，thepriesttakingnonoticeofthem，northeyofhim。
Iwasforgoingintoo，whenIfeltMadamed’O’shandtightensuddenlyonmyarm，andthenfallfromit。Apprisedofsomethingbythis，Iglancedatthepriest’sface，catchingsightofitbychancejustashiseyesmethers。Hisfacewaswhite——nayitwasuglywithdisappointmentandrage，bittersnarlingrage，thatwashardlyhuman。Hegraspedherbythearmroughlyandtwistedherroundwithoutceremony，soastodrawherafewpacesaside;yetnotsofarthatIcouldnothearwhattheysaid。
\"Heisnothere！\"hehissed。\"Doyouunderstand？HecrossedtherivertotheFaubourgSt。Germainatnightfall——searchingforher。Andhehasnotcomeback！Heisontheothersideofthewater，andmidnighthasstruckthishourpast！\"
Shestoodsilentforamomentasifshehadreceivedablow——
silentanddismayed。Somethingserioushadhappened。Icouldseethat。
\"Hecannotrecrosstherivernow？\"shesaidafteratime。\"Thegates——\"
\"Shut！\"herepliedbriefly。\"ThekeysareattheLouvre。\"
\"Andtheboatsareonthisside？\"
\"Everyboat！\"heanswered，strikinghisonehandontheotherwithviolence。\"Everyboat！Noonemaycrossuntilitisover。\"
\"AndtheFaubourgSt。Germain？\"shesaidinalowervoice。
\"Therewillbenothingdonethere。Nothing！\"
CHAPTERVII
AYOUNGKNIGHT—ERRANT。
Iwouldgladlyhaveleftthetwotogether，andgonestraightintothehouse。IwaseagernowtodischargetheerrandonwhichI
hadcomesofar;andapartfromthisIhadnolikingforthepriestorwishtooverhearhistalk。Hisanger，however，wassopatent，andtherudenesswithwhichhetreatedMadamed’OsopronouncedthatIfeltIcouldnotleaveherwithhimunlesssheshoulddismissme。SoIstoodpatientlyenough——andawkwardlyenoughtoo，Idaresay——bythedoorwhiletheytalkedoninsubduedtones。Nevertheless，Ifeltheartilygladwhenatlength，thediscussionendingMadamecamebacktome。Iofferedhermyarmtohelpheroverthewoodenfootofthesidegate。
Shelaidherhandonit，butshestoodstill。
\"M。deCaylus，\"shesaid;andatthatstopped。NaturallyI
lookedather，andoureyesmet。Hersbrownandbeautiful，shininginthelightofthelampoverheadlookedintomine。Herlipswerehalfparted，andonefairtressofhairhadescapedfromherhood。\"M。deCaylus，willyoudomeafavour，\"sheresumed，softly，\"afavourforwhichIshallalwaysbegrateful？\"
Isighed。\"Madame，\"Isaidearnestly，forIfeltthesolemnityoftheoccasion，\"Iswearthatintenminutes，ifthetaskInowhaveinhandbefinishedIwilldevotemylifetoyourservice。
Forthepresent——\"
\"Well，forthepresent？ButitisthepresentIwant，MasterDiscretion。\"
\"ImustseeM。dePavannes！Iampledgedtoit，\"Iejaculated。
\"ToseeM。dePavannes？\"
\"Yes。\"
Iwasconsciousthatshewaslookingatmewitheyesofdoubt，almostofsuspicion。
\"Why？Why？\"sheaskedwithevidentsurprise。\"Youhaverestored——andnearlyfrightenedmetodeathindoingit——hiswifetoherhome;whatmoredoyouwantwithhim，mostvaliantknight—
errant？\"
\"Imustseehim，\"Isaidfirmly。Iwouldhavetoldherallandbeenthankful，butthepriestwaswithinhearing——orbarelyoutofit;andIhadseentoomuchpassbetweenhimandBezerstobewillingtosayanythingbeforehim。
\"YoumustseeM。dePavannes？\"sherepeated，gazingatme。
\"Imust，\"Irepliedwithdecision。
\"Thenyoushall。ThatisexactlywhatIamgoingtohelpyoutodo，\"sheexclaimed。\"Heisnothere。Thatiswhatisthematter。Hewentoutatnightfallseekingnewsofhiswife，andcrossedtheriver，theCoadjutorsays，totheFaubourgSt。
Germain。Nowitisoftheutmostimportancethatheshouldreturnbeforemorning——returnhere。\"
\"Butishenothere？\"Isaid，findingallmycalculationsatfault。\"Youaresureofit，Madame？\"
\"Quitesure，\"sheansweredrapidly。\"Yourbrotherswillhavebythistimediscoveredthefact。Now，M。deCaylus，Pavannesmustbebroughtherebeforemorning，notonlyforhiswife’ssake——
thoughshewillbewildwithanxiety——butalso——\"
\"Iknow，\"Isaid，eagerlyinterruptingher，\"forhisowntoo！
Thereisadangerthreateninghim。\"
Sheturnedswiftly，asifstartled，andIturned，andwelookedatthepriest。Ithoughtweunderstoodoneanother。\"Thereis，\"
sheansweredsoftly，\"andIwouldsavehimfromthatdanger;buthewillonlybesafe，asIhappentoknow，here！Here，youunderstand！Hemustbebroughtherebeforedaybreak，M。deCaylus。Hemust！Hemust！\"sheexclaimed，herbeautifulfeatureshardeningwiththeearnestnessofherfeelings。\"AndtheCoadjutorcannotgo。Icannotgo。Thereisonlyonemanwhocansavehim，andthatisyourself。Thereis，aboveall，notamomenttobelost。\"
Mythoughtswereinawhirl。Evenasshespokeshebegantowalkbackthewaywehadcome，herhandonmyarm;andI，doubtful，andinaconfusedwayunwilling，wentwithher。Ididnotclearlyunderstandtheposition。IwouldhavewishedtogoinandconferwithMarieandCroisette;butthejuncturehadoccurredsoquickly，anditmightbethattimewasasvaluableasshesaid，and——well，itwashardforme，alad，torefuseheranythingwhenshelookedatmewithappealinhereyes。Ididmanagetostammer，\"ButIdonotknowParis。Icouldnotfindmyway，Iamafraid，anditisnight，Madame。\"
Shereleasedmyarmandstopped。\"Night！\"shecried，withascornfulringinhervoice。\"Night！Ithoughtyouwereaman，notaboy！Youareafraid！\"
\"Afraid，\"Isaidhotly;\"weCaylusesareneverafraid。\"
\"ThenIcantellyoutheway，ifthatbeyouronlydifficulty。
Weturnhere。Now，comeinwithmeamoment，\"shecontinued，\"andIwillgiveyousomethingyouwillneed——andyourdirections。\"
Shehadstoppedatthedoorofatall，narrowhouse，standingbetweenlargeronesinastreetwhichappearedtometobemoreairyandimportantthananyIhadyetseen。Asshespoke，sherangthebellonce，twice，thrice。Thesilverytinklehadscarcelydiedawaythethirdtimebeforethedooropenedsilently;Isawnoone，butshedrewmeintoanarrowhallorpassage。Ataperinanembossedholderwasburningonachest。
Shetookitup，andtellingmetofollowherledthewaylightlyupthestairs，andintoaroom，half—parlour，half—bedroom—sucharoomasI，hadneverseenbefore。Itwasrichlyhungfromceilingtofloorwithbluesilk，andlightedbythesoftraysoflampsshadedbyVenetianglobesofdelicatehues。Thescentofcedarwoodwasintheair，andonthehearthinavelvettrayweresometinypuppies。Adaintydisorderreignedeverywhere。
Ononetableajewel—casestoodopen，onanotherlaysomelacegarments，twoorthreemasksandafan。Agemmedriding—whipandasilver—hiltedponiardhungonthesamepeg。And，strangestofall，huddledawaybehindthedoor，Iespiedaplain，black—
sheathedsword，andaman’sgauntlets。
Shedidnotwaitamoment，butwentatoncetothejewel—case。
Shetookfromitagoldring——aheavysealring。Sheheldthisouttomeinthemostmatter—of—factway——scarcelyturning，infact。\"Putitonyourfinger，\"shesaidhurriedly。\"Ifyouarestoppedbysoldiers，oriftheywillnotgiveyouaboattocrosstheriver，sayboldlythatyouareontheking’sservice。Callfortheofficerandshowthatring。Playtheman。Bidhimstopyouathisperil！\"
Ihastilymutteredmythanks，andsheashastilytooksomethingfromadrawer，andtoreitintostrips。BeforeIknewwhatshewasdoingshewasonherkneesbyme，fasteningawhitebandoflinenroundmyleftsleeve。Thenshetookmycap，andwiththesameprecipitationfixedafragmentofthestuffinit，intheformofaroughcross。
\"There，\"shesaid。\"Now，listen，M。deCaylus。Thereismoreafootto—nightthanyouknowof。ThosebadgeswillhelpyouacrosstoSt。Germain，butthemomentyoulandtearthemoff：
Tearthemoff，remember。Theywillhelpyounolonger。Youwillcomebackbythesameboat，andwillnotneedthem。Ifyouareseentowearthemasyoureturn，theywillcommandnorespect，butonthecontrarywillbringyou——andperhapsmeintotrouble。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"Isaid，\"but——\"
\"Youmustasknoquestions，\"sheretorted，wavingonesnowyfingerbeforemyeyes。\"Myknight—errantmusthavefaithinme，asIhaveinhim;orhewouldnotbehereatthistimeofnight，andalonewithme。Butrememberthisalso。WhenyoumeetPavannesdonotsayyoucomefromme。Keepthatinyourmind;I
willexplainthereasonafterwards。Saymerelythathiswifeisfound，andiswildwithanxietyabouthim。Ifyousayanythingastohisdangerhemayrefusetocome。Menareobstinate。\"
Inoddedasmilingassent，thinkingIunderstood。AtthesametimeIpermittedmyselfinmyownmindalittlediscretion。
Pavanneswasnotafool，andthenameoftheVidame——but，however，Ishouldsee。Ihadmoretosaytohimthansheknewof。MeanwhilesheexplainedverycarefullythethreeturningsI
hadtotaketoreachtheriver，andthewharfwhereboatsmostcommonlylay，andthenameofthehouseinwhichIshouldfindM。
dePavannes。
\"HeisattheHoteldeBailli，\"shesaid。\"Andthere，Ithinkthatisall。\"
\"No，notall，\"Isaidhardily。\"ThereisonethingIhavenotgot。Andthatisasword！\"
Shefollowedthedirectionofmyeyes，started，andlaughed——alittleoddly。Butshefetchedtheweapon。\"Takeit，anddonot，\"sheurged，\"donotlosetime。DonotmentionmetoPavannes。Donotletthewhitebadgesbeseenasyoureturn。
Thatisreallyall。Andnowgoodluck！\"Shegavemeherhandtokiss。\"Goodluck，myknight—errant，goodluck——andcomebacktomesoon！\"
Shesmileddivinely，asitseemedtome，asshesaidtheselastwords，andthesamesmilefollowedmedownstairs：forsheleanedoverthestair—headwithoneofthelampsinherhand，anddirectedmehowtodrawthebolts。ItookonebackwardglanceasIdidsoatthefairstoopingfigureaboveme，theshiningeyes，andtinyoutstretchedhand，andthendartingintothegloomI
hurriedonmyway。
Iwasinastrangemood。AfewminutesbeforeIhadbeenatPavannes’door，attheendofourjourney;onthevergeofsuccess。Ihadbeenwithinanace，asIsupposedatleast，ofexecutingmyerrand。Ihadheldthecupofsuccessinmyhand。
Andithadslipped。Nowtheconflicthadtobefoughtoveragain;thedangertobefaced。ItwouldhavebeennomorethannaturalifIhadfeltthedisappointmentkeenly：ifIhadalmostdespaired。
Butitwasotherwise——farotherwise。NeverhadmyheartbeathigherormoreproudlythanasInowhurriedthroughthestreets，avoidingsuchgroupsaswereabroadinthem，andintentonlyonobservingtheproperturnings。Neverinanymomentoftriumphinafterdays，inloveorwar，didanythingliketheexhilaration，theenergy，thespirit，ofthoseminutescomebacktome。Ihadawoman’sbadgeinmycap——forthefirsttime——themusicofhervoiceinmyears。Ihadamagicringonmyfinger：atalismanonmyarm。Myswordwasatmysideagain。Allroundmelayamistycityofadventures，ofdangerandromance，fulloftherichestandmostbeautifulpossibilities;acityofrealwitchery，suchasIhadreadofinstories，throughwhichthosefairygiftsandmyrighthandshouldguidemesafely。Ididnotevenregretmybrothers，orourseparation。Iwastheeldest。
Itwasfittingthatthecreamoftheenterpriseshouldbereservedforme，AnnedeCaylus。Andtowhatmightitnotlead？
InfancyIsawmyselfalreadyadukeandpeerofFrance——alreadyIheldthebaton。
YetwhileIexultedboyishly，IdidnotforgetwhatIwasabout。
Ikeptmyeyesopen，andsoonremarkedthatthenumberofpeoplepassingtoandfrointhedarkstreetshadmuchincreasedwithinthelasthalfhour。Thesilenceinwhichingroupsorsinglythesefiguresstolebymewasverystriking。Iheardnobrawling，fightingorsinging;yetifitweretoolateforthesethings，whyweresomanypeopleupandabout？Ibegantocountpresently，andfoundthatatleasthalfofthoseImetworebadgesintheirhatsandontheirarms，similartomine，andthattheyallmovedwithabusinesslikeair，asifboundforsomerendezvous。
Iwasnotafool，thoughIwasyoung，andinsomematterslessquickthanCroisette。Thehintswhichhadbeendroppedbysomanyhadnotbeenlostonme。\"Thereismoreafootto—nightthanyouknowof！\"Madamed’Ohadsaid。AndhavingeyesaswellasearsIfullybelievedit。Somethingwasafoot。SomethingwasgoingtohappeninParisbeforemorning。Butwhat，Iwondered。
Coulditbethatarebellionwasabouttobreakout？IfsoIwasontheking’sservice，andallwaswell。Imightevenbegoing——
andonlyeighteen——tomakehistory！Orwasitonlyabrawlonagreatscalebetweentwopartiesofnobles？IhadheardofsuchthingshappeninginParis。Then——wellIdidnotseehowIcouldactinthatcase。Imustbeguidedbyevents。
Ididnotimagineanythingelsewhichitcouldbe。Thatisthetruth，thoughitmayneedexplanation。Iwasaccustomedonlytothemilderreligiousdifferences，themoreevenlybalancedpartiesofQuercy，wherethepeacebetweentheCatholicsandHuguenotshadbeenwelcometoallsaveaveryfew。IcouldnotgaugethereforethefanaticismoftheParisianpopulace，andlostcountofthefactor，whichmadepossiblethatwhichwasgoingtohappen——wasgoingtohappeninParisbeforedaylightassurelyasthesunwasgoingtorise！IknewthattheHuguenotnobleswerepresentinthecityingreatnumbers，butitdidnotoccurtomethattheycouldasabodybeindanger。Theyweremanyandpowerful，andaswassaid，infavourwiththeking。TheywereundertheprotectionoftheKingofNavarre——France’sbrother—
in—lawofaweek，andthePrinceofConde;andthoughtheseprinceswereyoung，Colignythesagaciousadmiralwasold，andnotmuchtheworseIhadlearnedforhiswound。Heatleastwashighinroyalfavour，atrustedcounsellor。Hadnotthekingvisitedhimonhissick—bedandsatbyhimforanhourtogether？
Surely，Ithought，ifthereweredanger，thesemenwouldknowofit。AndthentheHuguenots’mainenemy，HenrileBalafre，thesplendidDukeofGuise，\"ourgreatman，\"and\"Lorraine，\"asthecrowdcalledhim——he，itwasrumoured，wasindisgraceatcourt。
Inawordthesethings，tosaynothingofthepeacefulandjoyousoccasionwhichhadbroughttheHuguenotstoParis，andwhichseemedtoputtreacheryoutofthequestion，weremorethanenoughtopreventmeforecastingtheevent。
Ifforamoment，indeed，asIhurriedalongtowardstheriver，anythinglikethetruthoccurredtome，Iputitfromme。IsaywithprideIputitfrommeasathingimpossible。ForGodforbid——onemayspeakoutthetruththesefortyyearsback——Godforbid，sayI，thatallFrenchmenshouldbearthebloodguiltinesswhichcameofotherthanFrenchbrains，thoughFrenchwerethehandsthatdidthework。
Iwasnotgreatlytroubledbymyforebodingstherefore：andthestateofexaltationtowhichMadamed’O’sconfidencehadraisedmyspiritslasteduntiloneofthenarrowstreetsbytheLouvrebroughtmesuddenlywithinsightoftheriver。Herefaintmoonlightburstingmomentarilythroughthecloudswasshiningontheplacidsurfaceofthewater。Thefreshairplayedupon，andcooledmytemples。Andthiswiththequietscenesoabruptlypresentedtome，gavechecktomythoughts，andsomewhatsoberedme。
AtsomedistancetomyleftIcoulddistinguishinthemiddleoftheriverthepileofbuildingswhichcrowdtheIledelaCite，andcouldfollowthenearerarmofthestreamasitsweptlandwardsofthese，closelyhemmedinbyhouses，butunbrokenasyetbythearchesofthePontNeufwhichIhavelivedtoseebuilt。Notfarfrommeonmyright——indeedwithinastone’sthrow——thebulkymassoftheLouvrerosedarkandshapelessagainstthesky。Onlyanarrowopenspace——theforeshore——
separatedmefromthewater;beyondwhichIcouldseeanirregularlineofbuildings，thatnodoubtformedtheFaubourgSt。Germain。
IhadbeentoldthatIshouldfindstairsleadingdowntothewater，andboatsmooredatthefootofthem，atthispoint。
AccordinglyIwalkedquicklyacrosstheopenspacetoaspot，whereImadeoutacoupleofpostssetuponthebrink——
doubtlesstomarkthelandingplace。
Ihadnotgonetenpaces，however，outoftheshadow，beforeI
chancedtolookround，anddiscernedwithanunpleasanteeriefeelingthreefiguresdetachthemselvesfromit，andadvanceinarowbehindme，soasthebettertocutoffmyretreat。Iwasnottosucceedinmyenterprisetooeasilythen。Thatwasclear。
StillIthoughtitbettertoactasifIhadnotseenmyfollowers，andcollectingmyself，IwalkedasquicklyasIcoulddowntothesteps。Thethreewerebythattimecloseuponme——
withinstrikingdistancealmost。Iturnedabruptlyandconfrontedthem。
\"Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouwant？\"Isaid，eyeingthemwarily，myhandonmysword。
Theydidnotanswer，butseparatedmorewidelysoastoformahalf—circle：andoneofthemwhistled。Ontheinstantaknotofmenstartedoutofthelineofhouses，andcamequicklyacrossthestripoflighttowardsus。
Thepositionseemedserious。IfIcouldhaverunindeed——butI
glancedround，andfoundescapeinthatfashionimpossible。
Thereweremencrouchingonthestepsbehindme，betweenmeandtheriver。Ihadfallenintoatrap。Indeed，therewasnothingforitnowbuttodoasMadamehadbiddenme，andplaythemanboldly。Ihadthewordsstillringinginmyears。IhadenoughoftheexcitementIhadlatelyfeltstillboundinginmyveinstogivenerveanddaring。Ifoldedmyarmsanddrewmyselfup。
\"Knaves！\"Isaid，withasmuchquietcontemptasIcouldmuster，\"youmistakeme。Youdonotknowwhomyouhavetodealwith。
Getmeaboat，andlettwoofyourowmeacross。Hinderme，andyournecksshallanswerforit——oryourbacks！\"
Alaughandanoathofderisionformedtheonlyresponse，andbeforeIcouldaddmore，thelargergrouparrived，andjoinedthethree。
\"Whoisit，Pierre？\"askedoneoftheseinamatter—of—factway，whichshowedIhadnotfallenamongstmerethieves。
Thespeakerseemedtobetheleaderoftheband。Hehadafeatherinhisbonnet，andIsawasteelcorsletgleamunderhiscloak，whensomeoneheldupalanthorntoexaminemethebetter。
Histrunk—hosewerestripedwithblack，white，andgreen——theliveryasIlearnedafterwardsofMonsieurtheKing’sbrother，theDukeofAnjou，afterwardsHenrytheThird;thenaclosefriendoftheDukeofGuise，andlaterhismurderer。Thecaptainspokewithaforeignaccent，andhiscomplexionwasdarktoswarthiness。Hiseyessparkledandflashedlikeblackbeads。ItwaseasytoseethathewasanItalian。
\"Agallantyoungcockenough，\"thesoldierwhohadwhistledanswered;\"andnotquiteofthebreedweexpected。\"Heheldhislanthorntowardsmeandpointedtothewhitebadgeonmysleeve。
\"Itstrikesmewehavecaughtacrowinsteadofapigeon！\"
\"Howcomesthis？\"theItalianaskedharshly，addressingme。
\"Whoareyou？Andwhydoyouwishtocrosstheriveratthistimeofnight，youngsir？\"
Iactedontheinspirationofthemoment。\"Playthemanboldly！\"
Madamehadsaid。Iwould：andIdidwithavengeance。Isprangforwardandseizingthecaptainbytheclaspofhiscloak，shookhimviolently，andflunghimoffwithallmyforce，sothathereeled。\"Dog！\"Iexclaimed，advancing，asifIwouldseizehimagain。\"Learnhowtospeaktoyourbetters！AmItobestoppedbysuchsweepingsasyou？Harkye，IamontheKing’sservice！\"
Hefairlysplutteredwithrage。\"Morelikethedevil’s！\"heexclaimed，pronouncinghiswordsabominably，andfumblingvainlyforhisweapon。\"King’sserviceornoserviceyoudonotinsultAndreaPallavicini！\"
Icouldonlyvindicatemydaringbygreaterdaring，andIsawthisevenas，deathstaringmeintheface，myheartseemedtostop。ThemanhadhismouthopenandhishandraisedtogiveanorderwhichwouldcertainlyhavesentAnnedeCaylusfromtheworld，whenIcriedpassionately——itwasmylastchance，andI
neverwishedtolivemorestronglythanatthatmoment——Icriedpassionately，\"AndreaPallavicini，ifsuchbeyourname，lookatthat！Lookatthat！\"Irepeated，shakingmyopenhandwiththeringonitbeforehisface，\"andthenhindermeifyoudare！To—
morrowifyouhavequarteringsenough，Iwillseetoyourquarrel！Nowsendmeonmyway，oryourfatebeonyourownhead！Disobey——ay，dobuthesitate——andIwillcallontheseverymenofyourstocutyoudown！\"
Itwasaboldthrow，forIstakedallonatalismanofwhichI
didnotknowthevalue！Tomeitwastheturnofadie，forI
hadhadnoleisuretolookatthering，andknewnomorethanababewhoseitwas。Buttheventurewasashappyasdesperate。
AndreaPallavicini’sexpression——nopleasantoneatthebestoftimes——changedontheinstant。Hisfacefellasheseizedmyhand，andpeeredattheringlongandintently。Thenhecastaquickglanceofsuspicionathismen，ofhatredatme。ButI
carednothingforhisglance，orhishatred。Isawalreadythathehadmadeuphismindtoobeythecharm：andthatformewaseverything。\"Ifyouhadshownthattomealittleearlier，youngsir，itwould，maybe，havebeenbetterforbothofus，\"hesaid，asurlymenaceinhisvoice。Andcursinghismenfortheirstupidityheorderedtwoofthemtounmooraboat。
Apparentlythecrafthadbeensecuredwithmorecarethanskill，fortoloosenitseemedtobeaworkoftime。MeanwhileIstoodwaitinginthemidstofthegroup，anxiousandyetexultant;anobjectofcuriosity，andyetcuriousmyself。Iheardtheguardswhispertogether，andcaughtsuchphrasesas\"ItistheDucd’Aumale。\"
\"No，itisnotD’Aumale。Itisnothinglikehim。\"
\"Well，hehastheDuke’sring，fool！\"
\"TheDuke’s？\"
\"Ay。\"
\"Thenitisallright，Godblesshim！\"Thislastwasutteredwithextremefervour。
Iwasconscioustooofbeingtheobjectofmanyrespectfulglances;andhadjustbiddenthemenonthestepsbelowmetobequick，whenIdiscoveredwithalarmthreefiguresmovingacrosstheopenspacetowardsus，andcomingapparentlyfromthesamepointfromwhichPallaviciniandhismenhademerged。
InamomentIforesawdanger。\"Nowbequickthere！\"Icriedagain。ButscarcelyhadIspokenbeforeIsawthatitwasimpossibletogetafloatbeforetheseotherscameup，andI
preparedtostandmygroundresolutely。
Thefirstwords，however，withwhichPallavicinisalutedthenew—
comersscatteredmyfears。\"Well，whatthefoulfienddoyouwant？\"heexclaimedrudely;andherappedouthalf—a—dozenCORPOSbeforetheycouldanswerhim。\"Whathaveyoubroughthimherefor，whenIlefthimintheguard—house？Imbeciles！\"
\"CaptainPallavicini，\"interposedthemidmostofthethree，speakingwithpatience——hewasamanofaboutthirty，dressedwithsomerichness，thoughhisclotheswerenowdisorderedasthoughbyastruggle——\"Ihaveinducedthesegoodmentobringmedown——\"
\"Then，\"criedthecaptain，brutallyinterruptinghim，\"youhavelostyourlabour，Monsieur。\"
\"Youdonotknowme，\"repliedtheprisonerwithsternness——aprisonerheseemedtobe。\"YoudonotunderstandthatIamafriendofthePrinceofConde，andthat——\"
Hewouldhavesaidmore，buttheItalianagaincuthimshort。\"A
figforthePrinceofConde！\"hecried;\"Iunderstandmyduty。
Youmayaswelltakethingseasily。Youcannotcross，andyoucannotgohome，andyoucannothaveanyexplanation;exceptthatitistheKing’swill！Explanation？\"hegrumbled，inalowertone，\"youwillgetitsoonenough，Iwarrant！Beforeyouwantit！\"
\"Butthereisaboatgoingtocross，\"saidtheother，controllinghistemperbyaneffortandspeakingwithdignity。\"YoutoldmethatbytheKing’sordernoonecouldcross;andyouarrestedmebecause，havingurgentneedtovisitSt。Germain，Ipersisted。
Nowwhatdoesthismean，CaptainPallavicini？Othersarecrossing。Iaskwhatthismeans？\"
\"Whateveryouplease，M。dePavannes，\"theItalianretortedcontemptuously。\"Explainitforyourself！\"
Istartedasthenamestruckmyear，andatoncecriedoutinsurprise，\"M。dePavannes！\"HadIheardaright？
ApparentlyIhad，fortheprisonerturnedtomewithabow。
\"Yes，sir，\"hesaidwithdignity，\"IamM。dePavannes。Ihavenotthehonourofknowingyou，butyouseemtobeagentleman。\"
Hecastawitheringglanceatthecaptainashesaidthis。
\"Perhapsyouwillexplaintomewhythisviolencehasbeendonetome。Ifyoucan，Ishallconsideritafavour;ifnot，pardonme。\"
Ididnotanswerhimatonce，foragoodreason——thateveryfacultyIhadwasbentonaclosescrutinyofthemanhimself。
Hewasfair，andofaruddycomplexion。Hisbeardwascutintheshortpointedfashionofthecourt;andintheserespectsheboreakindoflikeness，acuriouslikeness，toLouisdePavannes。
Buthisfigurewasshorterandstouter。Hewaslessmartialinbearing，withmoreoftheairofascholarthanasoldier。\"YouarerelatedtoM。LouisdePavannes？\"Isaid，myheartbeginningtobeatwithanoddexcitement。IthinkIforesawalreadywhatwascoming。
\"IamLouisdePavannes，\"herepliedwithimpatience。
Istaredathiminsilence：thinking——thinking——thinking。AndthenIsaidslowly，\"Youhaveacousinofthesamename？\"
\"Ihave。\"
\"HefellprisonertotheVicomtedeCaylusatMoncontour？\"
\"Hedid，\"heansweredcurtly。\"Butwhatofthat，sir？\"
AgainIdidnotanswer——atonce。Themurderwasout。I
remembered，inthedimfashioninwhichonerememberssuchthingsaftertheevent，thatIhadheardLouisdePavannes，whenwefirstbecameacquaintedwithhim，mentionthiscousinofthesamename;theheadofayoungerbranch。ButourLouislivinginProvenceandtheotherinNormandy，thedistancebetweentheirhomes，andthetroublesofthetimeshadloosenedatiewhichtheircommonreligionmighthavestrengthened。Theyhadscarcelyeverseenoneanother。AsLouishadspokenofhisnamesakebutonceduringhislongstaywithus，andIhadnotthenforeseentheconnectiontobeformedbetweenourfamilies，itwasnowonderthatinthecourseofmonthsthechancewordhadpassedoutofmyhead，andIhadcleanforgottenthesubjectofit。
Herehowever，hewasbeforemyeyes，andseeinghim;Isawtoowhatthediscoverymeant。Itmeantamostjoyfulthing！amostwonderfulthingwhichIlongedtotellCroisetteandMarie。ItmeantthatourLouisdePavannes——mycheekburnedformywantoffaithinhim——wasnovillainafterall，butsuchanoblegentlemanaswehadalwaystillthisdaythoughthim！Itmeantthathewasnocourtgallantbentonbreakingacountryheartforsport，butKit’sowntruelover！And——anditmeantmore——itmeantthathewasyetindanger，andstillignorantofthevowthatunchainedfiendBezershadtakentohavehislife！Inpursuinghisnamesakewehadbeenledastray，howsadlyIonlyknewnow！Andhadindeedlostmostprecioustime。
\"Yourwife，M。dePavannes\"——Ibeganinhaste，seeingthenecessityofexplainingmatterswiththeutmostquickness。\"Yourwifeis——\"
\"Ah，mywife！\"hecriedinterruptingme，withanxietyinhistone。\"Whatofher？Youhaveseenher！\"
\"Ihave。SheissafeatyourhouseintheRuedeSt。Merri。\"
\"ThankHeavenforthat！\"herepliedfervently。BeforehecouldsaymoreCaptainAndreainterruptedus。Icouldseethathissuspicionswerearousedafresh。Hepushedrudelybetweenus，andaddressingmesaid，\"Now，youngsir，yourboatisready。\"
\"Myboat？\"Ianswered，whileIrapidlyconsideredthesituation。
OfcourseIdidnotwanttocrosstherivernow。NodoubtPavannes———thisPavannes——couldguidemetoLouis’address。\"Myboat？\"
\"Yes，itiswaiting，\"theItalianreplied，hisblackeyesrovingfromonetotheotherofus。
\"Thenletitwait！\"Iansweredhaughtily，speakingwithanassumptionofanger。\"Plagueuponyouforinterruptingus！I
shallnotcrosstherivernow。ThisgentlemancangivemetheinformationIwant。Ishalltakehimbackwithme。\"
\"Towhom？\"
\"Towhom？Tothosewhosentme，sirrah！\"
Ithundered。\"YoudonotseemtobemuchintheDuke’sconfidence，captain，\"Iwenton;\"nowtakeawordofadvicefromme！Thereisnothing：soeasilycastoffasanover—officiousservant！Hegoestoofar——andhegoeslikeanoldglove！Anoldglove，\"Irepeatedgrimly，sneeringinhisface，\"whichsavesthehandandsuffersitself。Bewareoftoomuchzeal，CaptainPallavicini！Itisadangerousthing！\"
Heturnedpalewithangeratbeingthustreatedbyabeardlessboy。Buthefalteredallthesame。WhatIsaidwasunpleasant，butthebravoknewitwastrue。
IsawtheimpressionIhadmade，andIturnedtothesoldiersstandinground。
\"Bringhere，myfriends，\"Isaid，\"M。dePavannes’sword！\"
Oneranuptotheguardhouseandbroughtitatonce。Theyweretownsfolk，burgherguardsorsuchlike，andforsomereasonbetrayedsoevidentarespectforme，thatIsoberlybelievetheywouldhaveturnedontheirtemporaryleaderatmybidding。
Pavannestookhissword，andplaceditunderhisarm。WebothbowedceremoniouslytoPallavicini，whoscowledinresponse;andslowly，forIwasafraidtoshowanysignsofhaste，wewalkedacrossthemoonlitspacetothebottomofthestreetbywhichI
hadcome。Therethegloomswallowedusupatonce。Pavannestouchedmysleeveandstoppedinthedarkness。
\"Ibegtobeallowedtothankyouforyouraid，\"hesaidwithemotion，turningandfacingme。\"WhomhaveIthehonourofaddressing？\"
\"M。AnnedeCaylus，afriendofyourcousin，\"Ireplied。
\"Indeed？\"hesaid\"well，Ithankyoumostheartily，\"andweembracedwithwarmth。
\"ButIcouldhavedonelittle，\"Iansweredmodestly，\"onyourbehalf，ifithadnotbeenforthisring。\"
\"Andthevirtueoftheringliesin——\"
\"In——IamsureIcannotsayinwhat！\"Iconfessed。Andthen，inthesympathywhichthescenehadnaturallycreatedbetweenus，I
forgotoneportionofmylady’scommandsandIaddedimpulsively，\"AllIknowisthatMadamed’Ogaveitme;andthatithasdoneall，andmorethanallshesaiditwould。\"
\"Whogaveittoyou？\"heasked，graspingmyarmsotightlyastohurtme。
\"Madamed’O，\"Irepeated。Itwastoolatetodrawbacknow。
\"Thatwoman！\"heejaculatedinastrangelowwhisper。\"Isitpossible？Thatwomangaveityou？\"
Iwanderedwhatonearthhemeant，surprise，scornanddislikeweresoblendedinhistone。Itevenseemedtomethathedrewofffrommesomewhat。\"Yes，M。dePavannes，\"Ireplied，offendedandindignant，\"Itissofarpossiblethatitisthetruth;andmore，Ithinkyouwouldnotsospeakofthisladyifyouknewall;andthatitwasthroughheryourwifewasto—dayfreedfromthosewhoweredetainingher，andtakensafelyhome！\"
\"Ha！\"hecriedeagerly。\"Thenwherehasmywifebeen？\"
\"AtthehouseofMirepoix，theglover，\"Iansweredcoldly，\"intheRuePlatriere。Doyouknowhim？Youdo。Well，shewaskeptthereaprisoner，untilwehelpedhertoescapeanhourorsoago。\"
Hedidnotseemtocomprehendeventhen。Icouldseelittleofhisface，buttherewasdoubtandwonderinhistonewhenhespoke。\"Mirepoixtheglover，\"hemurmured。\"Heisanhonestmanenough，thoughaCatholic。Shewaskeptthere！Whokeptherthere？\"
\"TheAbbessoftheUrsulinesseemstohavebeenatthebottomofit，\"Iexplained，frettingwithimpatience。Thiswonderwasmisplaced，Ithought;andtimewaspassing。\"Madamed’Ofoundoutwhereshewas，\"Icontinued，\"andtookherhome，andthensentmetofetchyou，hearingyouhadcrossedtheriver。Thatisthestoryinbrief。\"
\"Thatwomansentyoutofetchme？\"herepeatedagain。
\"Yes，\"Iansweredangrily。\"Shedid，M。dePavannes。\"
\"Then，\"hesaidslowly，andwithanairofsolemnconvictionwhichcouldnotbutimpressme，\"thereisatraplaidforme！
Sheistheworst，themostwicked，thevilestofwomen！Ifshesentyou，thisisatrap！Andmywifehasfallenintoitalready！Heavenhelpher——andme——ifitbeso！\"
CHAPTERVIII。
THEPARISIANMATINS。
Therearesomestatementsforwhichitisimpossibletobeprepared;statementssostrongandsostartlingthatitisimpossibletoanswerthemexceptbyaction——byablow。AndthisofM。dePavanneswasoneofthese。Iftherehadbeenanyonepresent，IthinkIshouldhavegivenhimthelieanddrawnuponhim。ButalonewithhimatmidnightintheshadownearthebottomoftheRuedesFosses，withnowitnesses，witheveryreasontofeelfriendlytowardshim，whatwasItodo？
Asafact，Ididnothing。Istood，silentandstupefied，waitingtohearmore。Hedidnotkeepmelong。
\"Sheismywife’ssister，\"hecontinuedgrimly。\"ButIhavenoreasontoshieldheronthataccount！Shieldher？HadyoulivedatcourtonlyamonthImightshieldherallIcould，M。deCaylus，itwouldavailnothing。NotMadamedeSauvesisbetterknown。AndIwouldnotifIcould！Iknowwell，thoughmywifewillnotbelieveit，thatthereisnothingsonearMadamed’O’sheartastogetridofhersisterandme——ofbothofus——thatshemaysucceedtoMadeleine’sinheritance！Oh，yes，Ihadgoodgroundsforbeingnervousyesterday，whenmywifedidnotreturn，\"headdedexcitedly。
\"ButthereatleastyouwrongMadamed’O！\"Icried，shockedandhorrifiedbyanaccusation，whichseemedsomuchmoredreadfulinthesilenceandgloom——andwithalsomuchlesspreposterousthanitmighthaveseemedinthedaylight。\"Thereyoucertainlywrongher！Forshame！M。dePavannes。\"
Hecameastepnearer，andlayingahandonmysleevepeeredintomyface。\"Didyouseeapriestwithher？\"heaskedslowly。\"A
mancalledtheCoadjutor——adown—lookingdog？\"
Isaid——withashiverofdread，asuddenrevulsionoffeeling，bornofhismanner——thatIhad。AndIexplainedthepartthepriesthadtaken。
\"Then，\"Pavannesrejoined，\"IamrightThereISatraplaidforme。TheAbbessoftheUrsulines！Sheabductmywife？Why，sheisherdearestfriend，believeme。Itisimpossible。Shewouldbemorelikelytosaveherfromdangerthanto——umph！waitaminute。\"Idid：Iwaited，dreadingwhathemightdiscover，untilhemuttered，checkinghimself——\"Canthatbeit？CanitbethattheAbbessdidknowofsomedangerthreateningus，andwouldhaveputMadeleineinasaferetreat？Iwonder！\"
AndIwondered;andthen——well，thoughtsarelikegunpowder。Theleastsparkwillfireatrain。Hiswordswerefew，buttheyformedsparkenoughtoraisesuchaflareinmybrainasforamomentblindedme，andshookmesothatItrembled。Theshockover，IwasleftfacetofacewithapossibilityofwickednesssuchasIcouldneverhavesuspectedofmyself。IrememberedMirepoix’sdistressandthepriest’seagerness。Ire—calledthegruffwarningBezers——evenBezers，andtherewassomethingveryoddinBezersgivingawarning！——hadgivenMadamedePavanneswhenhetoldherthatshewouldbebetterwhereshewas。I
thoughtofthewakefulnesswhichIhadmarkedinthestreets，thesilenthurryingtoandfro，thesignsofcomingstrife，andcontrastedthesewiththequietudeandseemingsafetyofMirepoix’shouse;andIhastilyaskedPavannesatwhattimehehadbeenarrested。
\"Aboutanhourbeforemidnight，\"heanswered。
\"Thenyouknownothingofwhatishappening？\"Irepliedquickly。
\"Why，evenwhileweareloiteringhere——butlisten！\"
Andwithallspeed，stammeringindeedinmyhasteandanxiety，I
toldhimwhatIhadnoticedinthestreets，andthehintsIhadheard，andIshowedhimthebadgeswithwhichMadamehadfurnishedme。
Hismannerwhenhehadheardmeoutfrightenedmestillmore。Hedrewmeoninakindoffurytoahouseinthewindowsofwhichsomelightedcandleshadappearednotaminutebefore。
\"Thering！\"hecried，\"letmeseethering！Whoseisit？\"
Heheldupmyhandtothischancelightandwelookedatthering。Itwasaheavygoldsignet，withonecuriouscharacteristic：ithadtwofacets。Ononeofthesewasengravedtheletter\"H，\"andaboveitacrown。Ontheotherwasaneaglewithoutstretchedwings。
Pavannesletmyhanddropandleanedagainstthewallinsuddendespair。\"ItistheDukeofGuise’s，\"hemuttered。\"ItistheeagleofLorraine。\"
\"Ha！\"saidIsoftly，seeinglight。TheDukewastheidolthen，aslater，oftheParisianpopulace，andIunderstoodnowwhythecitizensoldiershadshownmesuchrespect。TheyhadtakenmefortheDuke’senvoyandconfidant。
ButIsawnofarther。Pavannesdid，andmurmuredbitterly，\"Wemaysayourprayers，weHuguenots。Thatisourdeath—warrant。
To—morrownighttherewillnotbeoneleftinParis，lad。Guisehashisfather’sdeathtoavenge，andthesecursedParisianswilldohisbiddinglikethewolvestheyare！TheBarondeRosnywarnedusofthis，wordforword。IwouldtoHeavenwehadtakenhisadvice！\"
\"Stay！\"Icried——hewasgoingtoofastforme——\"stay！\"Hismonstrousconception，thoughitmarchedsomewaywithmyownsuspicions，outranthemfar！Isawnosufficientgroundsforit。
\"TheKing——thekingwouldnotpermitsuchathing，M。dePavannes，\"Iargued。
\"Boy，youareblind！\"herejoinedimpatiently，fornowhesawallandInothing。\"YonderwastheDukeofAnjou’scaptain——
Monsieur’sofficer，thefollowerofFrance’sbrother，markyou！
AndHE——heobeyedtheDuke’sring！TheDukehasafreehandto—
night，andhehatesus。Andtheriver。Whyarewenottocrosstheriver？TheKingindeed！TheKinghasundoneus。HehassoldustohisbrotherandtheGuises。VACHASSERL’IDOLE\"forthesecondtimeIheardthequaintphrase，whichIlearnedafterwardswasananagramoftheKing’sname，CharlesdeValois，usedbytheProtestantsasapassword——\"VACHASSERL’IDOLEhasbetrayedus！IremembertheverywordsheusedtotheAdmiral，’Nowwehavegotyouhereweshallnotletyougosoeasily！’
Oh，thetraitor！Thewretchedtraitor！\"
Heleanedagainstthewallovercomebythehorroroftheconvictionwhichhadburstuponhim，andunnervedbytheimminenceoftheperil。Atalltimeshewasanunreadyman，I
fancy，morefit，courageapart，forthecollegethanthefield;
andnowhegavewaytodespair。Perhapsthethoughtofhiswifeunmannedhim。Perhapstheexcitementthroughwhichhehadalreadygonetendedtostupefyhim，orthesuddennessofthediscovery。
Atanyrate，Iwasthefirsttogathermywitstogether，andmyearliestimpulsewastotearintotwopartsawhitehandkerchiefIhadinmypouch，andfastenonetohissleeve，theotherinhishat，inroughimitationofthebadgesIworemyself。
ItwillappearfromthisthatInolongertrustedMadamed’O。I
wasnotconvinced，itistrue，ofherconsciousguilt，stillI
didnottrustherentirely。\"Donotwearthemonyourreturn，\"
shehadsaidandthatwasodd;althoughIcouldnotyetbelievethatshewassuchasirenasFatherPierrehadwarnedusof，tellingtalesfromoldpoets。YetIdoubted，shudderingasIdidso。Hercompanionshipwiththatvilepriest，herstrangeeagernesstosecurePavannes’return，hermysteriousdirectionstome，heranxietytotakehersisterhome——home，whereshewouldbeexposedtodanger，asbeinginaknownHuguenot’shouse——
thesethingspointedtobutoneconclusion;stillthatonewassohorriblethatIwouldnot，evenwhileIdoubtedanddistrustedher，Iwouldnot，Icouldnotacceptit。Iputitfromme，andrefusedtobelieveit，althoughduringtherestofthatnightitkeptcomingbacktomeandknockingforadmissionatmybrain。
AllthisflashedthroughmymindwhileIwasfixingonPavannes’
badges。NotthatIlosttimeaboutit，forfromthemomentI
graspedthepositionasheconceivedit，everyminutewehadwastedonexplanationsseemedtomeanhour。Ireproachedmyselfforhavingforgottenevenforaninstantthatwhichhadbroughtustotown——therescueofKit’slover。Wehadsmallchancenowofreachinghimintime，misledaswehadbeenbythismiserablemistakeinidentity。Ifmycompanion’sfearswerewellfounded，LouiswouldfallinthegeneralmassacreoftheHuguenots，probablybeforewecouldreachhim。Ifill—founded，stillwehadsmallreasontohope。Bezers’vengeancewouldnotwait。Iknewhimtoowelltothinkit。AGuisemightsparehisfoe，buttheVidame——theVidamenever！WehadwarnedMadamedePavannesitwastrue;butthatabnormalexerciseofbenevolencecouldonly，I
cynicallythought，havethemoreexasperatedthedevilwithinhim，whichnowwouldberaveninglikeadogdisappointedofitsvictuals。
Iglancedupatthelineofskyvisiblebetweenthetallhouses，andlo！thedawnwascoming。Itwantedscarcelyhalf—an—hourofdaylight，thoughdowninthedarkstreetsaboutusthenightstillreigned。Yes，themorningwascoming，brightandhopeful，andthecitywasquiet。Therewerenosigns，nosoundsofriotordisorder。Surely，Ithought，surelyPavannesmustbemistaken。Eithertheplothadneverexisted，thatwasmostlikely，orithadbeenabandoned，orperhaps——Crack！
Apistolshot！Short，sharp，ominousitrangoutontheinstant，asolitarysoundinthenight！Itwassomewherenearus，andI
stopped。Ihadbeenspeakingtomycompanionatthemoment。
\"Wherewasit？\"Icried，lookingbehindme。
\"Closetous。NeartheLouvre，\"heanswered，listeningintently。
\"See！See！Ah，heavens！\"hecontinuedinavoiceofdespair，\"itwasasignal！\"
Itwas。One，two，three！BeforeIcouldcountsofar，lightssprangintobrightnessinthewindowsofnineoutoftenhousesintheshortstreetwherewestood，asiflightedbyasinglehand。BeforetooIcouldcountasmanymore，oraskhimwhatthismeant，beforeindeed，wecouldspeakorstirfromthespot，orthinkwhatweshoulddo，withahurriedclangandclash，asifbroughtintomotionbyfuriousfrenziedhands，agreatbelljustaboveourheadsbegantoboomandwhirr！Ithurleditsnotesintospace，itsuddenlyfilledallthesilence。Itdasheditsharshsoundsdownuponthetremblingcity，tilltheairheaved，andthehousesaboutusrocked。Itmadeinaninstantapandemoniumofthequietnight。
Weturnedandhurriedinstinctivelyfromtheplace，crouchingandamazed，lookingupwardswithbentshouldersandscaredfaces。
\"Whatisit？Whatisit？\"Icried，halfinresentment;halfinterror。Itdeafenedme。
\"ThebellofSt。Germainl’Auxerrois！\"heshoutedinanswer。
\"TheChurchoftheLouvre。ItisasIsaid。Wearedoomed！\"
\"Doomed？No！\"Irepliedfiercely，formycourageseemedtoriseagainonthewaveofsoundandexcitementasifreboundingfromthemomentaryshock。\"Never！Wewearthedevil’slivery，andhewilllookafterhisown。Draw，man，andlethimthatstopsuslooktohimself。Youknowtheway。Leadon！\"Icriedsavagely。
Hecaughttheinfectionanddrewhissword。Sowestartedboldly，andtheresultjustifiedmyconfidence。Welooked，nodoubt，aslikemurderersasanywhowereabroadthatnight。
Movinginthisdesperateguisewehastenedupthatstreetandintoanother——stillpursuedbythedinandclangourofthebell——andthenashortdistancealongathird。Wewerenotstoppedoraddressedbyanyone，thoughnumbers，increasingeachmomentasdoorafterdooropened，andwedrewnearertotheheartofthecommotion，werehurryinginthesamedirection，sidebysidewithus;andthoughinfront，wherenowandagainlightsgleamedonamassofweapons，oronwhiteeagerfaces，fillingsomealleyfromwalltowall，weheardtheroarofvoicesrisingandfallinglikethemurmurofanangrysea。
