CONTENTS
PARTI
THEOLDRULE
ThesearetheyWhorideonthecourtgale，controlitstides；
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Whosefrownabasesandwhosesmileexalts。
Theyshinelikeanyrainbow—and，perchance，Theircoloursareastransient。
OldPlayCHAPTERI
MONSIEURTHESECRETARY
ItwasspringatBellecour—thespringof1789，ashortthreemonthsbeforethefalloftheBastillecametogivethenoblespause，andmakethemrealisethatthesenewphilosophies，whichsolongtheyhavederided，werebynomeanstheidlevapourstheyhaddeemedthem。
Bythebrook，plashingitsglitteringcoursethroughtheparkofBellecour，wanderedLaBoulaye，hislong，lean，figurecladwithasombrenessthatwasoutofharmonyinthatsunlit，vernallandscape。
Butthesad—huedcoatbeliedthatmorningaheartthatsangwithinhisbreastasjoyouslyasanylinnetofthewoodsthroughwhichhestrayed。Thathewasgarbedinblackwasbuttheoutwardindicationofhisclerklyoffice，forhewassecretarytothemostnobletheMarquisdeFresnoydeBellecour，andsoclothedintheliveryoftheinkbywhichhelived。Hisfacewaspaleandleanandthoughtful，butwithinhisgreat，intelligenteyesthereshonealightofnew—bornhappiness。UnderhisarmhecarriedavolumeofthenewphilosophieswhichRousseauhadlatelygiventotheworld，andwhichwascontributingsovastlytothemightychangethatwasimpending。
ButwithinhissoultheredweltinthathournosuchmustysubjectasthemetaphysicaldreamsofoldRousseau。Hismoodinclinedlittletothe\"DiscoursesupontheOriginofInequality\"whichhiselbowhuggedtohisside。Ratherwasitamoodofsongandjoyandthingsoflight，andhismindwasrunningonastringofrhymeswhichmentallyheoffereduptohisdivinity。Ahigh—bornladywasshe，daughtertohislordlyemployer，themostnobleMarquisofBellecour。Andheasecretary，aclerk！Aye，butaclerkwithagreatsoul，asecretarywithagreatbeliefinthethingstocome，whichinthatmustytomebeneathhisarmweredimlyprophesied。
Andasheroamedbesidethebrook，hisfeettreadingtheelastic，velvetyturf，andcrushingheedlesslylateprimroseandstrayviolet，hisbloodquickenedbythesoftspringbreeze，fragrantwithhawthornandthesmellofthemoistbrownearth，LaBoulaye’shappinessgatheredstrengthfromthejoythatonthatdayofspringseemedtoinvestallNature。Anold—worldsongstolefromhisfirmlips—atfirsttimidly，likeathingabashedinnewsurroundings，theninboldertonesthatechoedfaintlythroughthetrees\"Sileroim’avaitdonneParis，sagrandeville，Etqui’ilmefallutquitterL’amourdemamie，JediraisauroiLouisReprenezvotreParis。
J’aimemieuxmamie，Ogai！
J’aimemieuxmamie！\"
Howmercurialathingisalover’sheart！Herewasonewhosehabitswereofsolemnityandgloomythoughtturned，sojoyousthathecouldsingaloud，aloneinthemidstofsunnyNature，fornobetterreasonthanthatSuzannedeBellecourhadyesternightsmiledas—forsometwominutesbytheclock—shehadstoodspeakingwithhim。
\"PresumptuousthatIam，\"saidhetotherivulet，tocontradicthimselfthenextmoment。\"Butno；thetimesarechanging。Soonweshallbeequalsall，asthegoodGodmadeus，and—\"
Hepaused，andsmiledpensively。Andasagainthememoryofheryesternight’skindnessrosebeforehim，hissmilebroadened；itbecamealaughthatwentringingdowntheglade，scaringanoisythrushintosilenceandsendingitflyinginaffrightacrossthescintillantwatersofthebrook。Thenthatheartylaughbrokesharplyoff，as，behindhim，thesweetestvoiceinalltheworlddemandedthereasonofthismad—soundingmirth。
LaBoulaye’sbreathseemedinthatinstanttoforsakehimandhegrewpalerthanNatureandthewriter’sdeskhadfashionedhim。
Awkwardlyheturnedandmadeheradeepbow。
\"Mademoiselle！You—youseethatyousurprisedme！\"hefaltered，likeafool。Forhowshouldhe，whoseonlycomradeshadbeenbooks，havelearnttobearhimselfinthecompanyofawoman，particularlywhenshebelongedtotheranksofthosewhom—despiteRousseauandhisotherdearphilosophers—hehadbeenforyearsinthehabitofaccountinghisbetters？
\"Why，then，Iamglad，Monsieur，thatIsurprisedyouinsogayahumour—for，myfaith，itisarareenoughthing。\"
\"True，lady，\"saidhefoolishly，yetpolitelyagreeingwithher，\"itisararething。\"Andhesighed—\"Helas！\"
Atthatthelaughterleaptfromheryounglips，andturnedhimhotandcoldasbestoodawkwardlybeforeher。
\"Iseethatweshallhaveyousadatthethoughtofhowrareishappiness，youthatbutamomentbackwere—orsoitseemed—sojoyous。Orisitthatmycominghasovercasttheskyofyourgoodhumour？\"shedemandedarchly。
Heblushedlikeaschool—girl，andstrenuouslyprotestedthatitwasnotso。Inhishastehefellheadlongintothesinofhastiness—
aswasbutnatural—andsaidperhapstoomuch。
\"Yourcoming，Mademoiselle？\"heechoed。\"NaybutevenhadIbeensad，yourcomingmusthavedispelledmymelancholyasthecomingofthesundispelsthemistuponthemountains。\"
\"Apoet？\"Shemockedhimplayfully，withatossofblackcurlsandadistractingglanceofeyesblueastheheavensabovethem。\"A
poet，Monsieur，andIneversuspectedit，forallthatIheldyouagreatscholar。Myfathersaysyouare。\"
\"Arewenotallpoetsatsomeseasonofourlives？\"quothhe，forgrowingaccustomedtoherpresence—ravishedbyit，indeed—hiscouragewasreturningfastandurginghimbeyondthelimitsofdiscretion。
\"Andinwhatseasonmaythisrhymingfancytouchus？\"sheasked。
\"Enlightenme，Monsieur。\"
Hesmiled，responsivetohermerrymood，andhiscourageeverswellingunderthesuasionofit，heansweredherinafearless，daringfashionthatwasoddlyunlikehiswont。Butthen，hewasthatdayamantransformed。
\"Itcomes，Mademoiselle，uponsomespringmorningsuchasthis—
forisnotspringthematingseason，andhavenotpoetssungofit，inspiredandconqueredbyit？ItcomesintheApriloflife，wheninourheartswebearthefirstfragrantbudofwhatshallanonblossomintoaglorioussummerbloomredasisLove’sliveryandperfumedbeyondallelsethatGodhassetonearthforman’sdelightandthankfulness。\"
Theintensitywithwhichhespoke，andtheessenceofthespeechitself，leftheramomentdumbwithwonderandwithanincomprehensibleconsternation，bornofsomeintuitionnotyetunderstood。
\"Andso，Monsieur，theSecretary，\"saidsheatlast，anervouslaughquiveringinherfirstwords，\"fromallthiswondrousverbiageIamtotakeitthatyoulove？\"
\"Aye，thatIlove，dearlady，\"hecried，hiseyessointentuponherthatherglancegrewtimidandfellbeforethem。Andthen，asecondlater，shecouldhavescreamedaloudinapprehension，forthebookofJeanJacquesRousseaulaytumbledinthegrasswherehehadflungit，evenasheflunghimselfuponhiskneesbeforeher。\"YoumaytakeitindeedthatIlove—thatIloveyou，Mademoiselle。\"
Theaudaciouswordsbeingspoken，hiscourageoozedawayandanti—climax，followed。Hepaledandtrembled，yethekneltonuntilsheshouldbidhimrise，andfurtivelyhewatchedherface。Hesawitdarken；hesawthebrowsknit；henotedthequickeningbreath，andinallthesesignshereadhisdoombeforesheutteredit。
\"Monsieur，monsieur，\"sheansweredhim，andsadwashertone，\"towhatlengthsdoyouurgethisspringtimefolly？Haveyouforgottensoyourstation—yes，andmine—thatbecauseItalkwithyouandlaughwithyou，andamkindtoyou，youmustpresumetospeaktomeinthisfashion？WhatanswershallImakeyou，Monsieur—forIamnotsocruelthatIcanansweryouasyoudeserve。\"
AnoddthingindeedwasLaBoulaye’scourage。Aninstantagohehadfeltaverycoward，andhadquivered，appalledbytheaudacityofhisownwords。Nowthatsheassailedhimthus，andtaxedhimwiththatsameaudacity，thebloodofangerrushedtohisface—angerofthequalitythathasitssourceinshame。Inasecondhewasonhisfeetbeforeher，toweringtothefullofhisleanheight。Thewordscamefromhiminahotstream，whichforrecklesspassionbyfaroutviedhiserstwhileamatoryaddress。
\"Mystation？\"hecried，throwingwidehisarms。\"Whatfaultliesinmystation？Iamasecretary，ascholar，andso，byacademicright，agentleman。Nay，Mademoiselle，neverlaugh；donotmockmeyet。Inwhatdoyoufindmelessamanthananyofthevapidcaperersthatfillyourfather’ssalon？Isnotmyshapeasgood？
Arenotmyarmsasstrong，myhandsasdeft，mywitsaskeen，andmysoulastrue？Aye，\"hepursuedwithanotherwildwaveofhislongarms，\"myattributeshaveallthesevirtues，andyetyouscornme—youscornmebecauseofmystation，soyousay！\"
Howshehadangeredhim！Allthepent—upgallofyearsagainstthesuperciliaoftheclassfromwhichshesprangsurgedinthatmomenttohislips。Hebethoughthimnowofthethousandhumiliationshisproudspirithadsufferedattheirhandswhenhenotedthedisdainwithwhichtheyaddressedhim，speakingtohim—becausehewascompelledtocarvehislivingwithaquill—asthoughhewerelessthanmire。Itwasnotsomuchagainstherscornofhimthathevoicedhisbittergrievance，butagainsttheentirenoblesseofFrance，whichdeniedhimtherighttocarryahighheadbecausehehadnotbeenbornofMadamelaDuchesse，MadamelaMarquise，orMadamelaComtesse。Allthegreatthoughtsofawondroustransformation，whichhadbeensowninhimbytherevolutionaryphilosophershehaddevouredwithsuchappreciation，welledupnow，andsuchscrapsofthatinfinityofthoughtascouldfindutterancehecastbeforethewomanwhohadscornedhimforhisstation。
Presumptuoushehadaccountedhimself—butonlyuntilshehadfoundhimso。Bythatthepresumption，itseemed，hadbeenliftedfromhim，andheheldthatwhathehadsaidtoheroftheloveheboreherwasnomorethanbyvirtueofhismanhoodhehadtherighttosay。
Shedrewbackbeforehim，andshrankinsomemeasureoffear，forhelookedveryfierce。Moreover，hehadsaidthingswhichprofessedhimarevolutionist，andtherevolutionists，whilstbeingaclasswhichshehadbeentaughttodespiseandscorn，dealt，sheknew，inaviolencewhichitmightbeilltoexcite。
\"Monsieur，\"shefaltered，andwithherhandsheclutchedatherriding—habitofgreenvelvet，asifpreparingtodepart，\"youarenotyourself。Iambeyondmeasuredesolatedthatyoushouldhavesospokentome。Wehavebeengoodfriends，M。LaBoulaye。Letusforgetthisscene。Shallwe？\"Hertonesgrewseductivelyconciliatory。
LaBoulayehalfturnedfromher，andhissmoulderingeyefellupon\"TheDiscourses\"lyingonthegrass。Hestoopedandpickedupthevolume。Theactmighthaveseemedsymbolical。Foramomenthehadcastasidehiscreedtowooawoman，andnowthatshehaddeniedhimhereturnedtoRousseau，andgatheredupthetomealmostinpenitenceathismomentarydefection。
\"Iamquitemyself，Mademoiselle，\"heansweredquietly。Hischeekswereflushed，butbeyondthat，hisexcitementseemedtohavewithered。
\"Itisyouwhoyesternight，foronebriefmomentandagainto—day—
werenotyourself，andtothatyouoweitthatIhavespokentoyouasIhavedone。\"
Betweenthesetwoitwouldseemasthehumouroftheonewaned，thatoftheotherwaxed。Herglancekindledanewathislastwords。
\"I？\"sheechoed。\"Iwasnotmyself？Whatareyousaying，MonsieurtheSecretary？\"
\"Lastnight，andagainjustnow，youweresokind，you—yousmiledsosweetly—\"
\"MonDieu！\"sheexclaimed，angrilyinterruptinghim。\"Seewhatyouareforallyourhigh—soundingvauntsofyourselfandyourattributes！
Awomanmaynotsmileuponyou，maynotsayonekindwordtoyou，butyoumustimagineyouhavemadeaconquest。Mafoi，youandyoursdonotdeservetobetreatedasanythingbutvassals。Whenweshowyouakindness，seehowyouabuseit。Weextendtoyouourlittlefingerandyouinstantlylayclaimtothewholearm。BecauselastnightI
permittedmyselftoexchangeajestwithyou，becauseIchancetobekindtoyouagainto—day，yourepaymewithinsults！\"
\"Stop！\"hecried，rousinghimselfoncemore。\"Thatistoomuchtosay，Mademoiselle。Totellawomanthatyouloveherisnevertoinsulther。Tobelovedisnevertobeslighted。UponthemeanestofHiscreaturesitisenjoinedtolovethesameGodwhomtheKingloves，andthereisnoinsulttoGodinprofessingloveforHim。
Wouldyoumakeawomanmorethanthat？\"
\"Monsieur，youputquestionsIhavenomindtoanswer；yousuggestadiscussionIhavenoinclinationtopursue。ForyouandmeletitsufficethatIaccountmyselfaffrontedbyyourwords，yourtone，andyourmanner。Youdrivemetosaythesethings；byyourinsistenceyoucompelmetobeharsh。Wewillendthismatterhereandnow，Monsieur，andIwillaskyoutounderstandthatIneverwishitreopened，elseshallIbeforcedtoseekprotectionatthehandsofmyfatherormybrother。\"
\"Youmayseekitnow，Suzanne，\"quothavoicefromthethicketatherback，avoicewhichcametostartlebothofthemthoughindifferentways。BeforetheyhadrecoveredfromtheirsurprisetheMarquisdeBellecourstoodbeforethem。Hewasatallmanofsomefiftyyearsofage，butsopowerfulofframeandsoscrupulousindressthathemighthaveconveyedanimpressionofmoreyouth。Hisface，thoughhandsomeinahigh—bredway，waspuffedandofanunhealthyyellow。Buttheeyeswereaskeenasthemouthwasvoluptuous，andinhiscarefullydressedblackhairtherewerefewstrandsofgrey。
Hecameslowlyforward，andhisloweringglancewanderedfromhisdaughtertohissecretaryininquiry。Atlast—
\"Well？\"hedemanded。\"Whatisthematter？\"
\"Itisnothing，Monsieur，\"hisdaughteransweredhim。\"Atriflingaffair’twixtM。laBoulayeandme，withwhichIwillnottroubleyou。\"
\"Itisnotnothing，mylord，\"criedLaBoulaye，hisvoicevibratingoddly。\"ItisthatIloveyourdaughterandthatIhavetoldherofit。\"Hewasinaverydaringmoodthatmorning。
TheMarquisglancedathimindullamazement。Thenaflushcreptintohissallowcheeksandmountedtohisbrow。Aninarticulategruntcamefromhisthicklips。
\"Canaille！\"heexclaimed，throughsetteeth。\"Canyouhavepresumedsofar？\"
Hecarriedariding—switch，andheseemedtograspitnowinamannerpeculiarlymenacing。ButLaBoulayewasnothingdaunted。Losthealreadyaccountedhimself，andonthestrengthofthelogicthatifamanmusthang，asheepaswellasalambmaybethecauseofit，hetookwhatchancesthetimeaffordedhimtopileuphisdebt。
\"ThereisneitherinsolencenorpresumptioninwhatIhavedone，\"
heanswered，givingbacktheMarquislookforlookandscowlforscowl。\"YoudeemitsobecauseIamthesecretarytotheMarquisdeBellecourandsheisthedaughterofthatsameMarquis。Butthesearenomorethanthefortuitouscircumstancesinwhichwechancetofindourselves。Thatsheisawomanmusttakerankbeforethefactthatsheisyourdaughter，andthatIamamanmusttakerankbeforethefactthatIamyoursecretary。Not，then，asyoursecretaryspeakingtoyourdaughterhaveItoldthisladythatI
loveher，butasamanspeakingtoawoman。Toutterthatshouldbe—nay，is—therightofeveryman；tohearitshouldbehonouringtoeverywomanworthyofthename。Inaprimitivecondition—\"
\"Athousanddevils！\"blazedtheMarquis，unablelongertocontainhimself。\"AmItohavemyearsoffendedbythisbraying？Miserablescum，youshallbetaughtwhatisduetoyourbetters。\"
Hiswhipcrackedsuddenly，andthelashleaptserpentlikeintotheair，todescendandcoilitselfaboutLaBoulaye’sheadandface。
Acrybrokefromtheyoungman，asmuchofpainasofsurprise，andasthelashwasdrawnback，heclappedhishandstohissearedface。
Butagainhefeltit，cuttinghimnowacrossthehandwithwhichhehadmaskedhimself。Withamaddenedroarhespranguponhisaggressor。InheighthewastheequaloftheMarquis，butinweightheseemedtobescarcemorethanthehalfofhisopponent’s。Yetanervousstrengthdweltunsuspectedinthoseleanarmsandsteelywrists。
Mademoisellestoodbylookingon，withpartedlipsandeyesthatwereintentandanxious。Shesawthatfigure，spareandlitheasagreyhound，leapsuddenlyuponherfather，andthenextinstantthewhipwasinthesecretary’shands，andhesprangbackfromthenobleman，whostoodwhiteandquiveringwithrage，andperhaps，too，withsomedismay。
\"ThatIdonotbreakitacrossyourback，M。leMarquis，saidtheyoungman，ashesnappedthewhiponhisknee，\"youmaythankyouryears。\"Withthatheflungthetwopieceswideintothesunlitwatersofthebrook。\"ButIwillhavesatisfaction，Monsieur。I
willtakepaymentforthis。\"Andhepointedtothewealthatdisfiguredhisface。
\"Satisfaction？\"roaredtheMarquis，hoarseinhispassion。\"Wouldyoudemandsatisfactionofme，animal？\"
\"No，\"answeredtheyoungman，withawrysmile。\"Youryearsagainprotectyou。Butyouhaveason，andifbyto—morrowitshouldcometopassthatyouhaveasonnomore，youmayaccountyourself，throughthis\"—andagainhepointedtotheweal—\"hismurderer。\"
\"DoyoumeanthatyouwouldseektocrossswordswiththeVicomte？\"
gaspedthenobleman，inanunbeliefsogreatthatitgainedtheascendencyoverhisanger。
\"ThatiswhatImean，Monsieur。Inpracticehehasoftendoneso。
Heshalldosoforonceinactualearnest。\"
\"Fool！\"wasthecontemptuousanswer，morecoldlydeliverednow，fortheMarquiswasgettinghimselfinhand。\"IfyoucomenearBellecouragain，ifyouaresomuchasfoundwithinthegroundsofthepark，I’llhaveyoubeatentodeathbymygroomsforyourpresumption。
Keepyouthememoryofthatpromiseinmind，SirSecretary，andletitwarnyoutoavoidBellecour，asyouwouldaplague—house。Come，Suzanne，\"hesaid，turningabruptlytohisdaughter，\"Enoughofthisdelightfulmorninghavewealreadywastedonthiscanaille。\"
Withthatheofferedherhiswrist，andso，withoutsomuchasanotherglanceatLaBoulaye，shetookherdeparture。
Thesecretaryremainedwheretheyhadlefthim，paleofface—
savingthefortuitouscrimsonmarkwhichthewhiphadcut—andverysickatheart。Theheatofthemomentbeingspent，hehadleisuretocontemplatehisplight。Ascornedlover，abeatenman，adismissedsecretary！Helookedsorrowfullyuponhisvolumeof\"TheDiscourses，\"andforthefirsttimeadoubtcrossedhismindtouchingthewisdomofoldJeanJacques。Wastherewouldthereeverbeanyremedyforsuchaconditionofthingsasnowprevailed？
AlreadythetreeshadhiddentheMarquisandhisdaughterfromLaBoulaye’ssight。Theyoungrevolutionistfeltwearyandlonely—
dearGod，howlonely！neitherkithnorkinhadhe，andoflatealltheinterestofhislife—savingalwaysthatabsorbedbyJeanJacques—hadlaininwatchingSuzannedeBellecour，andinlovinghersilentlyanddistantly。Nowthatlittlecrumbofcomfortwastobehisnomore，hewastogoawayfromBellecour，awayfromthesightofherforalltime。Andhelovedher，lovedher，lovedher！
HetossedhisarmstoHeavenwithagreatsighthatwasasobalmost，thenhepassedhishandsoverhisface，andastheycameincontactwiththeswollenridgethatscoredit，lovefadedfromhismind，andvindictivenesscametofillitsroom。
\"Butforthis，\"hecriedaloud。\"Ishalltakepayment—aye，asthereisaGod！\"
Thenturning，andwith\"TheDiscourses\"heldtightlytohisside，hemovedslowlyaway，followingthecourseofthegleamingwaters。
CHAPTERII
LORDSOFLIFEANDDEATH
OnefrienddidLaBoulayecountinthevillageofBellecour。ThiswasoldDuhamel，theschoolmaster，aneccentricpedantandafellow—worshipperoftheimmortalJeanJacques。ItwastohimthatLaBoulayenowrepairedintentuponseekingcounseltouchingafuturethatworethatmorningasingularlygloomyoutlook。
HefoundDuhamel’sdooropen，andhesteppedacrossthethresholdintothechiefroomofthehouse。Buttherehepaused，andhesitated。Thechamberwascrowdedwithpeopleinholidayattire，andthecentreofattractionwasawell—set—uppeasantwithahappy，sun—tannedface，whosegoldenlockswerecoveredbyahugeroundhatdeckedwithascoreofgaily—colouredribbons。
AtsightofhimLaBoulayerememberedthatitwasCharlot’swedding—day。Popularamongstthewomenbyvirtueofhiscomeliness，andrespectedbythemenbyvirtueofhisstrength，CharlotTardivetwasageneralfavouriteofthecountryside，andhere，intheroomofoldDuhamel，theschoolmaster，washalfthevillagegatheredtodohimhonouruponhisweddingmorn。ItwaslikeDuhamel，who，infatherlinesstowardsthevillagers，wentnearout—rivallingM。leCure，tothrowopenhishousefortheassemblingofCharlot’sfriends，andLaBoulayewastouchedbythisfreshsignofkindlinessfromamanwhosegoodhearthehadnotlackedoccasiontoobserveandappreciate。Butitcametothesecretarythattherewasnoplaceforhiminthishappyassemblage。Hisadventwould，probably，butservetocastagloomuponthem，consideringtheconditionsunderwhichhecame，withthesignsofviolenceuponhisfacetoremindthemofthelordsoflifeanddeathwhodweltattheChateauupyonder。Andsucharemindermustfalluponthemasdoesthereminderofsomeoverhangingevilclutchsuddenlyatourheartsinhappymomentsofforgetfulness。Toletthembehappythatday，toleavetheirfeastsfreeofadeath’shead，LaBoulayewouldhavewithdrawnhadhenotalreadybeentoolate。Duhamelhadespiedhim，andthelittle，wizenedoldmancamehurryingforward，hishorn—rimmedspectaclesperchedontheveryendofhisnose，hiskeenlittleeyesbeamingwithdelightandwelcome。
\"Ah，Caron，youareverychoicelycome，\"hecried，holdingoutbothhandstoLaBoulaye。\"YoushallembraceourhappyHerculesyonder，andwishhimjoyoftheweddedlifehehastheaudacitytoexploit。\"
Then，asheespiedthecrimsonridgeacrossthesecretary’scountenance，\"MonDieu！\"heexclaimed，\"whathaveyoudonetoyourself，Caron？\"
\"Pish！Itisnothing，\"answeredLaBoulayehurriedly，andwouldhavehadthesubjectdismissed，butthatoneoftheonlookingpeasantssworebythememoryofsomelong—deadsaintthatitwasthecutofawhip。Duhamel’seyeskindledandhisparchment—likeskinwaspuckeredintoahundredevilwrinkles。
\"Whodidit，Caron？\"hedemanded。
\"Sinceyouinsist，oldmaster，\"answeredthesecretary，stillendeavouringtomakelightofit，\"learnthatisthelordMarquis’ssignaturetohisorderofmydismissalfromhisservice。\"
\"Thedog！\"ejaculatedtheschool—master。
\"Sh！letitbe。PerhapsIbravedhimovermuch。Iwilltellyouofitwhenthesegoodfolkshavegone。Donotletuscastagloomovertheirhappiness，oldmaster。AndnowtoembracethisgoodCharlot。\"
Thoughinwardlyburningwithcuriosityandboilingwithindignation，DuhamelpermittedhimselftobeguidedbyLaBoulaye，andforthemomentallowedthemattertorest。LaBoulayehimselflaughinglysetasidethemanyquestionswithwhichtheypressedhim。Hedrankthehealthofthebride—elect—whowasnotyetoftheparty—andhepledgedthehappinessofthepair。HeembracedCharlot，andevenwentsofarastourgeuponhim，outofhisownscantystore，alouisd’orwithwhichtobuyMarieatrinketinmemoryofhim。
ThenpresentlycameonewiththeannouncementthatM。leCurewaswaiting，andinanswertothatreminderthattherewasaceremonytobegonethrough，Charlotandhisfriendsflungoutofthehouseinjoyousconfusion，andwenttheirwaywithlaughterandjesttothelittlechurchofSt。Ildefonse。
\"Wewillfollowpresently—M。laBoulayeandI—Charlot，\"Duhamelhadsaid，asthesturdybridegroomwasdeparting。\"WeshallbetheretoshakeMadamebythehandandwishherjoyofyou。\"
Whenatlasttheywerealoneintheschoolmaster’sroom，theoldmanturnedtoLaBoulaye，theveryembodimentofanoteofinterrogation。Thesecretarytoldhimallthathadpassed。HereddenedslightlywhenitcametospeakingofhisloveforMlle。
deBellecour，butherealisedthatifhewouldhaveguidancehemustwithholdnothingfromhisfriend。
Duhamel’sfacegrewdarkastheyoungmanspoke，andhiseyesbecamesadandverythoughtful。
\"Alas！\"hesighed，whenLaBoulayehadended。\"WhatshallIsaytoyou，myfriend？Thetimeisnotyetforsuchaswe—youandI—tospeakofloveforadaughteroftheSeigneurie。Itiscoming，Idoubtitnot。Allthingshavetheirclimax，andFranceistendingswiftlytotheclimaxofherserfdom。Verysoonweshallhavethecrisis，thisfirethatisalreadysmouldering，willleapintoagreatblaze，thatshalllicktheoldregimeascompletelyfromthefaceofhistoryasthoughithadneverbeen。Anewconditionofthingswillspringup，ofthatIamconvinced。Doesnothistoryaffordusmanyinstances？Andwhatishistorybuttherepetitionofeventsundersimilarcircumstanceswithdifferentpeoples。ItwillcomeinFrance，anditwillcomesoon，foritisverydirelyneeded。\"
\"Iknow，Iknow，oldmaster，\"brokeinLaBoulaye；\"buthowshallallthishelpme？ForallthatIhavethewelfareofFranceatheart，itweighslittlewithmeatthemomentbycomparisonwithmyownaffairs。
WhatamItodo，Duhamel？HowamItotakepaymentforthis？\"Andhepressedhisfingertohissearedcheek。
\"Wait，\"saidtheoldmanimpressively。\"ThatisthemoralyoumighthavedrawnfromwhatIhavesaid。Bepatient。Ipromiseyouyourpatienceshallnotbeovertaxed。To—daytheysaythatyoupresume；
thatyouarenotoneofthem—although，bymysoul，youhaveasgoodanairasanynoblemaninFrance。\"Andheeyedtheleanheightofthesecretarywithaglanceofsuchprideasafathermighttakeinawell—grownson。
Elegantoffigure，LaBoulayewasnolesselegantindress，forallthat，fromheadtofoot—savingthesilverbucklesonhisshoesandtheunpretentiouslaceatthroatandwrists—hewasdressedintheblackthathisofficedemanded。Hiscountenance，too，thoughcastinamouldofthoughtfulnessthatborderedonthemelancholy，borealoftystampthatmighthavepassedforbirthandbreeding，andthiswasenhancedbythecarefuldressingofhisblackunpowderedhair，gatheredintoaclubbyabroadribbonofblacksilk。
\"Butwhatshallwaitingavailme？\"criedtheyoungman，withsomeimpatience。\"WhatamItodointhemeantime？\"
\"GotoAmiens，\"saidtheother。\"Youhavelearning，youhaveeloquence，youhaveapresenceandanexcellentaddress。Forsuccessnobetterattributescouldbeyours。\"Heapproachedthesecretary，andinstinctivelyloweredhisvoice。\"Wehavealittleclubthere—asortofsuccursaltotheJacobins。Wearenumerous，butwehavenoveryshiningmemberyet。Comewithme，andIwillnominateyou。Beginningthus，IpromiseyouthatyoushallpresentlybecomeamanofprominenceinPicardy。AnonwemaysendyoutoParistorepresentusintheStates—General。Then，whenthechangecomes，whoshallsaytowhatheightsitmaynotbeyourstoleap？\"
\"Iwillthinkofit，\"answeredLaBoulayecordially，\"andnotadoubtofitbutthatIwillcome。Ididnotknowthatyouhadgonesofar—\"
\"Sh！Youknownow。Letthatsuffice。Itisnotgoodtotalkofthesethingsjustyet。\"
\"Butinthemeantime，\"LaBoulayepersisted，\"whatofthis？\"Andagainhepointedtohischeek。
\"Why，letitheal，boy。\"
\"IpromisedtheMarquisthatIwoulddemandsatisfactionofhisson，andIamtemptedtodosoandrisktheconsequences。\"
\"Iamafraidtheconsequenceswillbetheonlysatisfactionthatyouwillget。Infact，theywillbeanticipationsratherthanconsequences，forthey’llneverletyouneartheboy。\"
\"Iknownotthat，\"heanswered。\"Theladismoregenerousthanhissire，andifIweretosendhimwordthatIhavebeenaffronted，hemightconsenttomeetme。Fortherest，Icouldkillhimblindfolded，\"headded，withashrug。
\"Bloodthirstyanimal！\"rejoinedDuhamel。\"Unnaturaltutor！Doyouforgetthatyouweretheboy’spreceptor？\"
WiththatDuhamelcarriedtheargumentintonewfields，andshowedLaBoulayethattoavengeupontheyoungVicomtetheinsultsreceivedatthehandsoftheoldMarquiswashardlyaworthymethodoftakingvengeance。Atlasthewonhimtohisway，anditwassettledthatonthemorrowLaBoulayeshouldjourneywithhimtoAmiens。
\"But，Caron，weareforgettingourfriendCharlotandhisbride，\"hebrokeoffsuddenly。\"Come，boy；theceremonywillbeatanendbythis。\"
HetookLaBoulayebythearm，andledhimoutanddownthestreettotheopenspaceoppositeSt。Ildefonse。Thewedding—partywasstreamingoutthroughthedoorofthelittlechurchintothewarmsunshineofthatAprilmorning。Inthechurchyardtheyformedintoaprocessionofhappybe—ribbonedandnosegayedmenandwomen—theyoungpreceding，theoldfollowing，thebridalcouple。Twobytwotheycame，andtheairrangwiththeirlaughterandjoyouschatter。
Thenanothersoundarose，andifthesecretaryandthepedagoguecouldhaveguessedofwhatthatbeatingofhoofswastobetheprelude，theyhadscarcesmiledsoeasilyastheywatchedtheapproachingcortege。
>Fromasidestreettherenowemergedagailyapparelledcavalcade。
AtitsheadrodetheMarquisdeBellecour，theVicomte，andahalf—dozenothergentlemen，followedby，perhaps，adozenlacqueys。
Itwasahuntingpartythatwasmakingitswayacrossthevillagetotheopencountrybeyond。Thebridalprocessioncrossingtheirpathcausedthemtodrawrein，andtowaituntilitshouldhavepassed—whicharguedaverycondescendinghumour，foritwouldnothavebeenoutofkeepingwiththeirhabitstohaveriddenheadlongthroughit。Theirpresencecastarestraintuponthepeasants。Thejestsweresilenced，thelaughterhushed，andlikeaflightofpigeonsundertheeyeofthehawk，theyscurriedpasttheSeigneurie，andsomeofthemprayedGodthattheymightbesufferedtopassindeed。
Bellecoureyedthemincolddisdain，untilpresentlyCharlotandhisbridewereabreastofhim。Thenhiseyeseemedtotakelifeandhissallowfacetokindleintoexpression。Heleantlightlyfromthesaddle。
\"Stay！\"hecommandedcoldly，andastheycametoahalt，daringnottodisobeyhim—\"approach，girl，\"headded。
Charlot’sbrowsgrewblack。HelookedupattheMarquis，butifhisglancewassullenandthreatening，itwasalsonotfreefromfear。
Marieobeyed，witheyesdowncastandaheightenedcolour。Ifsheconjecturedatallwhytheyhadbeenstopped，itwasbuttoconcludethatM。leMarquiswasabouttoofferhersomemarkofappreciation。
Uneasiness，inherdearinnocence，sheknewnone。
\"Whatisyourname，child？\"inquiredtheMarquismoregently。
\"ItwasMarieMichelin，Monseigneur，\"shemadeanswertimidly。\"ButithasjustbeenchangedtoMarieTardivet。\"
\"Youhavejustbeenwed，eh？\"
\"Weareonourwayfromchurch，Monseigneur。\"
\"C’estca，\"hemurmured，asiftohimself，andhiseyestakingsuchstockofherasmadeCharlotburntotearhimfromhishorse。Then，inakindly，fatherlyvoice，headded：\"Myfelicitations，Marie；mayyoubeahappywifeandahappiermother。\"
\"Merci，Monseigneur，\"shemurmured，withcrimsoncheeks，whilstCharlotbreathedoncemore，andfromhisheartgavethankstoHeaven，believingtheinterviewatanend。Buthewenttoofast。
\"Doyouknow，Marie，thatyouareaverycomelychild？\"quoththeMarquis，intoneswhichmadethebridegroom’sbloodruncold。
Someinthatnoblecompanynudgedoneanother，andonetherewaswhoburstintoaloudguffaw。
\"Charlothasoftentoldmeso，\"shelaughed，allunsuspicious。
TheMarquismovedonhishorsethathemightbendlower。Withhisforefingerheuptiltedherchin，andnow，asshemethisglancethusatclosequarters，anunaccountablefeartookpossessionofher，andthecolourdiedoutofherplumpcheeks。
\"Yes，\"saidBellecour，withasmile。\"thisTardivethasgoodtaste。
Mycongratulations，tohim。Wemustfindyouaweddinggift，littlewoman，\"hecontinuedmorebriskly。\"Itisanancientandhonouredcustomthatisfallingsomewhatintoneglect。GouptotheChateauwithBlaiseandJeanthere。ThisgoodTardivetmustcurbhisimpatienceuntilto—morrow。\"
Heturnedinhissaddle，andbeckoningthetwoservantshehadnamed，hebadeMarietomountbehindBlaise。
Shedrewbacknow，hercheekswhiteasthoseofthedead。WithawildterrorinhereyessheturnedtoCharlot，whostoodtheverypictureofanguishandimpotentrage。Inthecortege，wherebutafewmomentsagoallhadbeenlaughter，asobortwosoundednowfromsomeofthewomen。
\"Bymyfaith，\"laughedBellecourcontemptuouslyeyeingtheirdejection，\"youhavemoretheairofaburialthanabridalparty。\"
\"Mercymylord！\"criedtheagonisedvoiceofCharlot，as，distraughtwithgrief，heflunghimselfbeforetheMarquis。
\"Whoseekstoharmyou，fool？\"wasBellecour’shalf—derisiverejoinder。
\"Donottakeherfromme，mylord，\"theyoungmanpleadedpiteously。
\"Sheshallreturnto—morrow，booby，\"answeredthenoble。\"Outoftheway！\"
ButCharlotwasobstinate。TheMarquismightbeclaimingnomorethanbyancientlawwasthedueoftheSeigneur，butCharlotwasbynomeansmindedtosubmitincravenacquiescencetothatbrutal，barbarouslaw。
\"Mylord，\"hecried，\"youshallnottakeher。Sheismywife。Shebelongstome。Youshallnottakeher！\"
HecaughtholdoftheMarquis’sbridlewithsuchastrengthandangrywillthatthehorsewasforcedtobackbeforehim。
\"Insolentclod！\"exclaimedBellecour，withanangrylaughandasharp，downwardblowofthebuttofhiswhipuponthepeasant’shead。
Charlot’shandgrewnervelessandreleasedthebridleashesankstunnedtotheground。Bellecourtouchedhishorsewiththespurandrodeovertheprostratefellowwithnomoreconcernthanhadhebeenadog’scarcase。\"Blaise，seetothegirl，\"hecalledoverhisshoulder，addingtohiscompany：\"Come，messieurs，wehavewastedtimeenough。\"
Notahandwasraisedtostayhim，notawordofprotestuttered，asthenoblesrodeby，laughing，andchattingamongthemselves，withtheutmostunconcernofthetragedythatwasbeingenacted。
Likeaflockoffrightenedsheepthepeasantsstoodhuddledtogetherandwatchedthemgo。Inthesameinaction—forallthatnotalittlegriefwasblentwiththeterrorontheircountenances—theystoodbyandallowedBlaisetoliftthehalf—swooninggirltothewithersofhishorse。Noreplyhadtheytothecoarsejestwithwhichheandhisfellow—servantrodeoff。ButLaBoulaye，who，fromthepointwhereheandDuhamelhadhalted，hadobservedthewholescenefromitsinception，turnednowalividfaceuponhiscompanion。
\"Shallsuchthingsbe？\"hecriedpassionately。\"MercifulGod！Arewemen，Duhamel，anddowepermitsuchthingstotakeplace？\"
Theoldpedagogueshruggedhisshouldersindespair。Hisfacewasheavilyscoredbysorrow。
\"Helas！\"hesighed。\"Aretheynotmastersofallthattheymaytake？
TheMarquisgoesnofurtherthanisbyancientlawallowedhisclass。
Itisthelawneedsaltering，myfriend，andthenthemenwillalter。
Meanwhile，beholdthem—lordsoflifeanddeath。\"
\"Lordsofhellarethey！\"blazedtheyoungrevolutionist。\"Thatiswheretheybelong，whencetheyarecome，andwhithertheyshallreturn。Poltroons！\"hecried，shakinghisfistatthegroupofcowedpeasantsthatsurroundedtheprostrateCharlot\"Sheep！Worthlessclods！Thenoblesdowelltodespiseyou，for，bymyfaith，youinvitenothingbutcontempt，youthatwillsufferrapeandmurdertobedoneunderyoureyes，andneverdomorethanlookscaredencouragementuponyourravishers！\"
\"Blamenotthesepoorwretches，Caron，\"sighedtheoldman。\"Theydarenotraiseahand。\"
\"Then，pardieu！here，atleast，isonewhodoesdare，\"hecriedfuriously，asfromthebreastpocketofhiscoathedrewapistol。
Blaise，withthegirlacrossthewithersofhishorse，wasapproachingthem，followedbyJean。
\"Whatwouldyoudo？\"criedtheoldmanfearfully，settingarestraininghanduponLaBoulaye’ssleeve。ButCaronshookhimselffree。
\"This，\"wasallheanswered，andsimultaneously，helevelledhispistolandfiredatBlaise。
Shotthroughthehead，theservantcollapsedforward；then，asthehorserearedandstartedoffatagallop，hetoppledsidewaysandfell。Thegirlwentdownwithhimandlayintheroadwhilsthewasdraggedalong，hisheadbumpinghorriblyonthestonesasfasterandfasterwentthefrightenedhorse。
WithashoutthatmayhavebeeneitherangerordismayJeanreinedinhishorse，andsatforasecondhesitatingwhethertobeginbyrecoveringthegirl，oravenginghiscomrade。ButhisdoubtsweresolvedforhimbyLaBoulaye，whotookadeliberateaimathim。
\"Begone！\"criedthesecretary，\"unlessyouprefertogobytheroadI’vesentyourfellow。\"Andbeingadiscreetyouth，JeanmadeoffinsilencebythestreetdownwhichpoorBlaisehadbeendragged。
\"Carom\"criedDuhamel，inafrenzyofapprehension。\"Itrembleforyou，myson。FlyfromBellecouratonce—now，thisveryinstant。
GotomyfriendsatAmiens；theywill—\"
ButCaronhadalreadylefthissidetorepairtothespotwhereMariewaslying。Thepeasantryfollowedhim，thoughleisurely，intheirtimidhesitation。Theywereaskingthemselveswhether，evensoremotelyasbytendingthegirl，theydaredparticipateintheviolenceLaBoulayehadcommitted。ThataswiftvengeancewouldbetheSeigneur’sanswertheywerewellassured，andagreatfearpossessedthemthatinthatvengeancethoseoftheChateaumightlackdiscrimination。Charlotwasamongstthem，andonhisfeet，butstilltoodazedtohaveaclearknowledgeofthecircumstances。
Presently，however，hisfacultiesawakeningandtakinginthesituation，hestaggeredforward，andcamelurchingtowardsLaBoulaye，whowasassistingthefrightenedMarietorise。Withagreatsobthegirlflungherselfintoherhusband’sarms。
\"Charlot，monCharlot！\"shecried，andaddedamomentlater：\"Itwashe—thisbravegentleman—whorescuedme。\"
\"Monsieur，\"saidCharlot，\"Ishallrememberittomydyingday。\"
Hewouldhavesaidmore，butthepeasants，stirredbyfear，nowrousedthemselvesandpluckedathiscoat。
\"Getyougone，Charlot，Getyougonequickly，\"theyadvisedhim。
\"AndifyouarewiseyouwillleaveBellecourwithoutdelay。Itisnotsafeforyouhere。\"
\"Itisnotsafeforanyofus，\"exclaimedone。\"IhavenomindtobecaughtwhentheSeigneurreturns。Therewillbeavengeance。AhDieu！whatavengeance！\"
Thewarningactedmagically。Therewerehurriedleave—takings，andthen，likeaparcelofscuttlingrabbits，theymadefortheirburrowstohidefromthehuntsmanthatwouldnotbelongincoming。Anderethelastofthemwasoutofsighttherearoseastampingofhoofsandachorusofangryvoices。DowntinestreetthunderedtheMarquis’scavalcade，broughtbackbytheservantwhohadescapedandwhohadriddenafterthem。Someangertherewas—particularlyintheheartoftheLordofBellecour—butgreaterthantheirangerwastheirexcitementattheprospectofaman—hunt，withwhichthechaseonwhichtheyhadbeenoriginallybentmadebutapoorcomparison。
\"Thereheis，Monseigneur\"criedJean，ashepointedtoLaBoulaye。
\"Andyonderarethegirlandherhusband。\"
\"Ah！Thesecretaryagain，eh？\"laughedthenobleman，grimly，ashecamenearer。\"Mafoi，lifemusthavegrownwearisometohim。Securethewoman，Jean。\"
Caronstoodbeforehim，paleinhisimpotentrage，whichwasdirectedasmuchagainstthepeasantswhohadfledasagainstthenobleswhoapproached。Hadtheseclodsbutstoodthere，anddefendedthemselvesandtheirmanhoodwithsticksandstonesandsuchweaponsascametotheirhands，theymighthavetakenprideinbeingtrampledbeneaththehoofsoftheSeigneurie。Thus，atleast，mighttheyhaveprovedthemselvesmen。Buttoflythus—somefiftyofthemfromtheapproachoflessthanascore—wastoconfessunworthinessofabetterfatethanthatofwhichtheirseigneursrenderedthemselvestheinstruments。
Himselfhecoulddonomorethanthesingleshotinhispistolwouldallow。Thatmuch，however，hewoulddo，andlikehimwhoseresourcesarereduced，andyetwhodesirestospendthelittlethathehastobestadvantage，helevelledtheweaponboldlyattheadvancingMarquis，andpulledthetrigger。ButBellecourwasanoldcampaigner，andbyanoldcampaigner’strickhesavedhimselfatthelastmoment。
Atsightofthatlevelledbarrelhepulledhishorsesuddenlyontoitshaunches，andreceivedthechargeintheanimal’sbelly。Withashriekofpainthehorsesoughttorecoveritsfeet，thentumbledforwardhurlingtheMarquisfromthesaddle。LaBoulayehadaninspirationtoflinghimselfupontheoldroueandseekwithhishandstokillhimbeforetheymadeanendofhimself。Buterehecouldmovetoexecutehisdesignahorsemanwasalmostontopofhim。
Hereceivedastunningblowonthehead。Thedaylightfadedinhiseyes，hefeltasensationofsinking，andareverberatingdarknessengulfedhim。
CHAPTERIII
THEWORDOFBELLECOUR
WhenLaBoulayerecoveredconsciousnesshewaslyingonhisbackinthemiddleofthecourtyardoftheChateaudeBellecour。Fromagreatstonebalconyabove，alittlegroup，ofwhichMademoiselledeBellecourwasthecentre，observedthesceneaboutthecaptive，whowasbeingresuscitatedthathemightfittinglyexperiencetheSeigneur’svengeance。
Shehadreturnedfromthemorning’saffairintheparkwithaconsciencenotaltogethereasy。TohavestoodbywhilstherfatherhadstruckCaron，andmoreover，tohavedonesowithoutanysenseofhorror，orevenofregret，wasamatterinwhichsheaskedherselfwhethershehaddonewell。CertainlyLaBoulayehadpresumedunpardonablyinspeakingtoherashehadspoken，andforhispresumptionitwasfittingthatheshouldbepunished。Hadsheinterferedshemusthaveseemedtosympathise，andthusthelessonmighthavesufferedinsalutariness。AndyetCaronLaBoulayewasamanofmostexcellentexterior，and，whenpassionhadrousedhimoutofhisrestraintandawkwardness，ofmostardentandeloquentaddress。Theverysombrenessthat—beitfromhismournfulgarmentsorfromamindofthoughtfulhabit—seemedtoenvelophimwasbutanadditionalnoteofpoetryinapersonalitywhichstruckhernowaseminentlypoetical。Intheseclusionofherownchamber，assherecalledtheburningwordsandthefallofherfather’swhipupontheyoungman’spaleface，sheevenpermittedherselftosigh。Hadhebutbeenofherownstation，hehadbeensuchamanasshewouldhavetakenprideinbeingwooedby。Asitwas—shehaltedthereandlaugheddisdainfully，yetwithneversofaintanoteofregret。
Itwasabsurd！ShewasMademoiselledeBellecour，andheherfather’ssecretary；educated，ifyouwill—aye，andbeyondhisstation—butavassalwithal，andveryhumblyborn。Yes，itwasabsurd，shetoldherselfagain：theeaglemaynotmatewiththesparrow。
Andwhenpresentlyshehadcomefromherchamber，shehadbeengreetedwiththestoryofarebellioninthevillage，andanattemptedassassinationofherfather。Theringleader，shewastold，hadbeenbroughttotheChateau，andhewaseventheninthecourtyardandabouttobehangedbytheMarquis。Curioustobeholdthisunfortunate，shehadsteppedoutontothebalconywherealreadyanidlegrouphadformed。Inexpressiblehadbeenhershockuponseeinghimthatlaybelow，hiswhitefaceupturnedtotheheavens，hiseyesclosed。
\"Ishedead？\"sheasked，whenpresentlyshehadovercomeherfeelings。
\"NotyetMademoiselle，\"answeredthegracefulChevalierdeJacquelin，toyingwithhissolitaire。\"Yourfatherisbringinghimtolifethathemaysendhimbacktodeath。\"
Andthensheheardherfather’svoicebehindher。TheMarquishadsteppedoutontothebalconytoascertainwhetherLaBoulayehadyetregainedconsciousness。
\"Heseemstobeevennowrecovering，\"saidsomeone。
\"Ah，youarethere，Suzanne，\"criedBellecour。\"Youseeyourfriendthesecretarythere。Hehaschosentopresenthimselfinanewroleto—day。Frombeingmyservant，itseemsthathewouldconstitutehimselfmymurderer。\"
Howeverunfilialitmightbe，shecouldnotstifleacertainsympathyforthisyoungman。Sheimaginedthathisrebellion，whatevershapeithadassumed，hadbeenprovokedbythatwealuponhisface；anditseemedtoherthenthathehadbeenlessthanamanhadhenotattemptedtoexactsomereparationforthehurtthewhiphadinflictedatonceuponhisbodyandhissoul。
\"Butwhatisitthathehasdone，Monsieur？\"sheasked，seekingmorethanthescantinformationwhichsofarshehadreceived。
\"Enough，atleast，tojustifymyhanginghim，\"answeredBellecourgrimly。\"Hesoughttowithstandmyauthority；heincitedthepeasantsofBellecourtowithstandit；hehaskilledBlaise，andhewouldhavekilledmebutthatIpreferredtolethimkillmyhorse。\"
\"Inwhatwaydidheseektowithstandyourauthority！\"shepersisted。
Hestaredather，halfsurprised，halfangry。
\"Whatdoersthemannerofitsignify？\"heaskedimpatiently。\"Isnotthefactenough？IsitnotenoughthatBlaiseisdead，andthatIhavehadanarrowescape，athishands？\"
\"Insolenthoundthatheis！\"putinMadamelaMarquise—afleshlyladymonstrouslycoiffed。\"IfweallowsuchmenasthustoliveinFranceourdaysarenumbered。\"
\"Theysaythatyouaregoingtohanghim，\"saidSuzanne，heedlessofhermother’swords，andtherewasthefaintestnoteofhorrorinhervoice。
\"Theyaremistaken。Iamnot。\"
\"Youaremot？\"criedtheMarquise。\"Butwhat，then，doyouintendtodo？\"
\"Tokeepmyword，madame，\"heansweredher。\"IpromisedthatcanaillethatifheevercamewithinthegroundsofBellecourI
wouldhavehimfloggedtodeath。ThatiswhatIpropose。\"
\"Father，\"gaspedSuzanne，inhorror，ahorrorthatwasechoedbytheotherthreeorfourladiespresent。ButtheMarquiseonlylaughed。
\"Hewillbe；richlyserved，\"sheapproved，withasagenodofherpumpkin—likehead—dress—\"mostrichlyserved。\"
AgreatpityarosenowintheheartofMademoiselle，asherfatherwentbelowthathemightcarryouthisbarbarousdesign。ShewasdeaftothedaintytrifleswhichthemostelegantChevalierdeJacquelinwasmurmuringintoheirear。Shestood，atall，queenlyfigure，atthebalcony’sparapetandwatchedthepreparationsthatwerebeingmade。
Sheheardherfather’sharshly—voicedcommands。Shesawthemliterallyteartheclothesfromtheunfortunatesecretary’sback，andlashhim—nakedtothewaist—tothepumpthatstoodbythehorse—troughatthefarendoftheyard。Hisbodywasnowhiddenfromhersight，buthisheadappearedsurmountingthepillarofthepump，hischinseemingtorestuponitssummit，andhisfacewastowardsher。Athissidestoodapowerfulknavearmedwithastout，leather—thongedwhip。
\"Howmanystrokes，Monseigneur？\"sheheardthemaninquire。
\"Howmany？\"echoedtheMarquise。\"DoIknowhowmanyitwilltaketomakeanendofhim？Beathimtodeath，man。Allons！
Setaboutit。\"
Shesawthemanuncoilhislashandstepforward。InthatinstantCaron’seyeswereraised，andtheymethersacrosstheinterveningspace。Hesmiledavaledictorysmilethatseemedtomakeherheartstandstill。Sheandhermotherwerenowtheonlywomenonthebalcony。TheothershadmadehastetowithdrawassoonasLaBoulayehadbeenpilloried。TheMarquiseremainedbecausesheseemedtofindentertainmentinthespectacle。Suzanneremainedbecausehorrorrootedhertothespot—horrorandagreatpityforthisunfortunatewhohadlookedsostrongandbravethatmorning，whenhehadhadtheaudacitytotellherthathelovedher。
Thelashsangthroughtheair，quivered，hummed，andcutwithasickeningcrackleintotheyoungman’sflesh。
ThehideoussoundrousedherSheshudderedfromheadtofoot，andturningsheputherhandstoherfaceandrushedwithin，followedbytheMarquise’sderisivelaughter。
\"MonDieu！Itishorrible！Horrible！\"shecriedasshesankintothenearestchair，andclappedherhandstoherears。Butshecouldnotshutitout。Stillsheheardthehummingofthewhipandthecruelsoundofthefallingblows。Mechanicallyshecountedthem，unconsciouslyalmost，andattwentysheheardthemcease。
Wasitover？Washedead，thispoorunfortunate？Movedbyacuriositythatwasgreaterthanherloathing，sheroseandwenttothethresholdofthebalcony。
\"Isitended？\"sheasked。
\"Ended？\"echoedMonsieurdeJacquelin，withashrug。\"Itisscarcebegun，itseems。Theexecutionerispausingforbreath，thatisall。Thefellowhasnotutteredasound。Heisasobstinateasamule。\"
\"AsenduringasaSpartan，\"moregenerouslyputintheVicomte，herbrother。\"Lookathim，Suzanne。\"
Almostinvoluntarilysheobeyed，andmovedforwardastepthatshemightbeholdhim。Aface，deathlypale，shesaw，whichinthesunshineglistenedwiththesweatofagonythatbedewedit；butthelipsweretightlyclosedandthecountenancegrimlyexpressionless。
Evenasshelookedsheheardherfathercommandthemantolayonanew。Then，asbefore，hiseyesmethers；butthistimenosmiledidsheseeinvestingthem。
Againthewhipcrackedandfell。Shedrewback，buthisglanceseemedtohauntherevenwhenshenolongersawhisface。Asuddenresolutionmovedher，andinafrenzyofangerandcompassionsheflungoutoftheroom。Amomentlatersheburstlikeabeautifulviragointothecourtyard。
\"Stop！\"shecommandedshrilly，causingbothherfatherandtheexecutionertoturn，andthelatterpausinginhishideouswork。
ButaglancefromtheMarquisbadehimresume，andresumehedid，asthoughtherehadbeennointerruption。
\"Whatisthis？\"demandedBellecour，halfamused，halfvexed，whilstasuddennewlightleapttotheeyesofLaBoulaye，whichbutamomentbackhadbeensofullofagony。
ButMademoiselleneverpausedtoanswerherfather。Seeingtheexecutionerproceeding，despitehercalltocease，shespranguponhim，caughthimbythearmsandwrestedthewhipfromhandsthatdarednotresisther。
\"DidInotbidyoustop？\"sheblazed，herfacewhite，hereyesonfire；andraisingthewhipshebroughtitdownuponhisheadandshoulders，notoncebuthalf—a—dozentimesinquicksuccession，untilhefled，howling，totheothersideofthehorsetroughforshelter。\"Itstingsyou，doesit\"shecried，whilsttheMarquis，fromangeredthatatfirsthehadbeen，nowburstintoalaughatherfuryandatthisturningoftablesupontheexecutioner。Shemadeshifttopursuethefellowtohisplaceofrefuge，butcomingofasuddenupontheghastlysightpresentedbyLaBoulaye’slaceratedback，shedrewbackinhorror。Then，masteringherself—forgirlthoughshewas，hercouragewasofahighorder—sheturnedtoherfather。
\"Givethismantome，Monsieur，\"shebegged。
\"Toyou！\"heexclaimed。\"Whatwillyoudowithhim？\"
\"Iwillseethatyouareridofhim，\"shepromised。\"Whatmorecanyoudesire？Youhavetorturedhimenough。\"
\"Maybe。ButamItoblamethathediessohard？\"
Sheansweredhimwithrenewedinsistence，andunexpectedlyshereceivedanallyinM。desCadoux—anelderlygentlemanwhohadbeenobservingthefloggingwithdisapproval，andwhohadfollowedherintothecourtyard。
\"Heistoobraveamantodielikethis，Bellecour，\"putinthenewcomer。\"Idoubtifhecansurvivethepunishmenthehasalreadyreceived。YetIwouldaskyou，inthenameofcourage，togivehimtheslenderchancehemayhave。\"
\"Ipromisedhimheshouldbefloggedtodeath—\"begantheMarquis，whenDesCadouxandMademoisellejointlyinterruptedhimtorenewtheirintercessions。
\"But，sangdieu，\"theMarquisprotested\"youseemtoforgetthathehaskilledoneofmyservants。\"
\"Why，then，youshouldhavehangedhimoutofhand，nottorturedhimthus，\"answeredDesCadouxshortly。
Foramomentitalmostseemedasifthepairofthemwouldhavefallena—quarrelling。Theirwordsgrewmoreheated，andthen，whiletheywerestillwrangling，theexecutionercameforwardtosolvematterswiththenewsthatthesecretaryhadexpired。ToBellecourthisprovedaverywelcomeconclusion。
\"Mostopportunely！\"helaughed\"HadtherascallivedanotherminuteIthinkwehadquarrelled，Cadoux。\"Heturnedtotheservant，\"Youarecertainthatitisso？\"heasked。
\"Look，Monsieur，\"saidthefellow，ashepointedwithhiswhiptothepilloriedfigureofLaBoulaye。TheMarquislooked，andsawthatthesecretaryhadcollapsed，andhunglimpinhisbonds，hisheadfallenbackuponhisshouldersandhiseyesclosed。
WithashrugandashortlaughBellecourturnedtohisdaughter。
\"Youmaytakethecarrion，ifyouwantto。ButIthinkyoucandonomorethanorderittobeflungintoaditchandburiedthere。\"
Butshehadnomindtobeadvisedbyhim。Shehadtheyoungman’sbodycutdownfromthepump，andshebadeacoupleofservantsconveyittothehouseofMasterDuhamel，sheforrememberedthatLaBoulayeandtheoldpedagoguewerefriends。
\"Anoddthingisawoman’sheart，\"grumbledtheMarquis，whobegrudgedLaBoulayeevenhislastactofmercy。\"Shemaycareneverafigforaman，andyet，ifhehasbuttoldherthathelovesher，beheneversomeanandsheneversoexalted，heseemstherebytoestablishsomemeasureofclaimtoher。\"
