THESPORTOFFOOLS.

ThedeathofthePrinceofConde,whichoccurredinthespringof1588,bydeprivingmeofmyonlypatron,reducedmetosuchstraitsthatthewinterofthatyear,whichsawtheKingofNavarrecometospendhisChristmasatSt.Jeand'Angely,sawalsothenadirofmyfortunes.Ididnotknowatthistime——I

mayconfessitto-daywithoutshame——withertoturnforagoldcrownoranewscabbard,andneitherhadnordiscernedanyhopeofemployment.ThepeacelatelypatchedupatBloisbetweentheKingofFranceandtheLeaguepersuadedmanyoftheHuguenotsthattheirfinalruinwasathand;butitcouldnotfilltheirexhaustedtreasuryorenablethemtoputfreshtroopsintothefield.

ThedeathofthePrincehadlefttheKingofNavarrewithoutarivalintheaffectionsoftheHuguenots;theVicomtedeTurenne,whoseturbulent;ambitionalreadybegantomakeitselffelt,andM.deChatillon,rankingnexttohim.Itwasmyill-fortune,however,tobeequallyunknowntoallthreeleaders,andasthemonthofDecemberwhichsawmethusmiserablystraitenedsawmereachtheageofforty,whichIregard,differinginthatfrommany,asthegrandclimactericofaman'slife,itwillbebelievedthatIhadneedofallthecouragewhichreligionandacampaigner'slifecouldsupply.

IhadbeencompelledsometimebeforetosellallmyhorsesexcepttheblackSardinianwiththewhitespotonitsforehead;

andInowfoundmyselfobligedtopartalsowithmyvaletdechambreandgroom,whomIdismissedonthesameday,payingthemtheirwageswiththelastlinksofgoldchainlefttome.ItwasnotwithoutgriefanddismaythatIsawmyselfthusstrippedoftheappurtenancesofamanofbirth,anddriventogroommyownhorseundercoverofnight.Butthiswasnottheworst.Mydress,whichsufferedinevitablyfromthismenialemployment,beganinnolongtimetobearwitnesstothechangeinmycircumstances;sothatonthedayoftheKingofNavarre'sentranceintoSt.JeanIdarednotfacethecrowd,alwaysquicktoremarkthepovertyofthoseabovethem,butwasfaintokeepwithindoorsandwearoutmypatienceinthegarretofthecutler'shouseintheRuedelaCoutellerie,whichwasallthelodgingIcouldnowafford.

Pardieu,'tisastrangeworld!Strangethattimeseemstome;

morestrangecomparedwiththis.Myreflectionsonthatday,I

remember,wereofthemostmelancholy.LookatithowIwould,I

couldnotbutseethatmylife'sspringwasover.Thecrows'

feetweregatheringaboutmyeyes,andmymoustachios,whichseemedwitheachdayofill-fortunetostandoutmorefiercelyinproportionasmyfacegrewleaner,werealreadygrey.Iwasoutatelbows,withemptypockets,andaswordwhichpeeredthroughthesheath.Themeanestrufflerwho,withbrokenfeatherandtarnishedlace,swaggeredattheheelsofTurenne,wasscarcelytobedistinguishedfromme.Ihadstill,itistrue,arockandafewbarrenacresinBrittany,thelastremainsofthefamilyproperty;butthesmallsmallsumswhichthepeasantscouldaffordtopayweresentannuallytoParis,tomymother,whohadnootherdower.AndthisIwouldnottouch,beingmindedtodieagentleman,evenifIcouldnotliveinthatestate.

Smallasweremyexpectationsofsuccess,sinceIhadnooneattheking'ssidetopushmybusiness,noranyfriendatCourt,I

neverthelessdidallIcould,intheonlywaythatoccurredtome.Idrewupapetition,andlyinginwaitonedayforM.

Forget,theKingofNavarre'ssecretary,placeditinhishand,begginghimtolayitbeforethatprince.Hetookit,andpromisedtodoso,smoothly,andwithasmuchlip-civilityasI

hadarighttoexpect.ButthecarelessmannerinwhichhedoubledupandthrustawaythepaperonwhichIhadspentsomuchlabour,nolessthanthecovertsneerofhisvalet,whoranaftermetogetthecustomarypresent——andran,asIstillblushtoremember,invain——warnedmetorefrainfromhope.

Inthis,however,havinglittlesavehopeleft,Ifailedsosignallyastospendthenextdayandthedayafterinafeverofalternateconfidenceanddespair,thecoldfitfollowingthehotwithperfectregularity.Atlength,onthemorningofthethirdday——IrememberitlackedbutthreeofChristmas——Iheardasteponthestairs.Mylandlordlivinginhisshop,andthetwointerveningfloorsbeingempty,Ihadnodoubtthemessagewasforme,andwentoutsidethedoortoreceiveit,myfirstglanceatthemessengerconfirmingmeinmyhighesthopes,aswellasinallIhadeverheardofthegenerosityoftheKingofNavarre.

ForbychanceIknewtheyouthtobeoneoftheroyalpages;asaucyfellowwhohadadayortwobeforecried'OldClothes'

aftermeinthestreet.Iwasveryfarfromresentingthisnow,however,nordidheappeartorecallit;sothatIdrewthehappiestauguryastothecontentsofthenoteheborefromthepolitenesswithwhichhepresentedittome.

Iwouldnot,however,runtheriskofamistake,andbeforeholdingoutmyhand,Iaskedhimdirectlyandwithformalityifitwasforme.

Heanswered,withtheutmostrespect,thatitwasfortheSieurdeMarsac,andformeifIwerehe.

'Thereisananswer,perhaps?'Isaid,seeingthathelingered.

'TheKingofNavarre,sir,'hereplied,withalowbow,'willreceiveyouranswerinperson,Ibelieve.'Andwiththat,replacingthehatwhichhehaddoffedoutofrespecttome,heturnedandwentdownthestairs.

Returningtomyroom,andlockingthedoor,Ihastilyopenedthemissive,whichwassealedwithalargeseal,andworeeveryappearanceofimportance.Ifounditscontentstoexceedallmyexpectations.TheKingofNavarredesiredmetowaitonhimatnoononthefollowingday,andtheletterconcludedwithsuchexpressionsofkindnessandgoodwillasleftmeinnodoubtofthePrince'sintentions.Ireadit,Iconfess,withemotionsofjoyandgratitudewhichwouldbetterhavebecomeayoungerman,andthencheerfullysatdowntospendtherestofthedayinmakingsuchimprovementsinmydressasseemedpossible.WithathankfulheartIconcludedthatIhadnowescapedfrompoverty,atanyratefromsuchpovertyasisdisgracefultoagentleman;

andconsoledmyselfforthemeannessoftheappearanceImustmakeatCourtwiththereflectionthatadayortwowouldmendbothhabitandfortune.

Accordingly,itwaswithastoutheartthatIleftmylodgingsafewminutesbeforenoonnextmorning,andwalkedtowardsthecastle.ItwassometimesinceIhadmadesopublicanappearanceinthestreets,whichthevisitoftheKingofNavarre'sCourt;hadfilledwithanunusualcrowd,andIcouldnothelpfancyingasIpassedthatsomeoftheloitererseyedmewithacovertsmile;and,indeed,Iwasshabbyenough.Butfindingthatafrownmorethansufficedtorestorethegravityofthesegentry,Isetdowntheappearancetomyownself-

consciousness,and,strokingmymoustachios,strodealongboldlyuntilIsawbeforeme,andcomingtomeetme,thesamepagewhohaddeliveredthenote.

Hestoppedinfrontofmewithanairofconsequence,andmakingmealowbow——whereatIsawthebystandersstare,forhewasasgayayoungsparkasmaid-of-honourcoulddesire——hebeggedmetohasten,asthekingawaitedmeinhiscloset.

'Hehasaskedforyoutwice,sir,'hecontinuedimportantly,thefeatherofhiscapalmostsweepingtheground.

'Ithink,'Ianswered,quickeningmysteps,'thattheking'slettersaysnoon,youngsir.IfIamlateonsuchanoccasion,hehasindeedcausetocomplainofme.'

'Tut,tut!'herejoinedwavinghishandwithadandified'Itisnomatter.Onemanmaystealahorsewhenanothermaynotlookoverthewall,youknow.'

Amanmaybegray-haired,hemaybesad-complexioned,andyethemayretainsomeofthefreshnessofyouth.Onreceivingthisindicationofafavourexceedingallexpectation,IrememberI

feltthebloodrisetomyface,andexperiencedthemostlivelygratitude.Iwonderedwhohadspokeninmybehalf,whohadbefriendedme;andconcludingatlastthatmypartintheaffairatBrouagehadcometotheking'sears,thoughIcouldnotconceivethroughwhom,Ipassedthroughthecastlegateswithanairofconfidenceandelationwhichwasnotunnatural,Ithink,underthecircumstances.Thence,followingmyguide,Imountedtherampandenteredthecourtyard.

Anumberofgroomsandvaletswerelounginghere,someleadinghorsestoandfro,othersexchangingjokeswiththewencheswholeanedfromthewindows,whiletheirfellowsagainstampedupanddowntokeeptheirfeetwarm,orplayedballagainstthewallinimitationoftheirmasters.Suchknavesareevermoreinsolentthantheirbetters;butIremarkedthattheymadewayformewithrespect,andwithrisingspirits,yetalittleirony,IremindedmyselfasImountedthestairsofthewords,'whomthekingdelightethtohonour!'

Reachingtheheadoftheflight,wherewasasoldieronguard,thepageopenedthedooroftheantechamber,andstandingasidebademeenter.Ididso,andheardthedoorclosebehindme.

ForamomentIstoodstill,bashfulandconfused.Itseemedtomethattherewereahundredpeopleintheroom,andthathalftheeyeswhichmetminewerewomen's,ThoughIwasnotaltogetherastrangertosuchstateasthePrinceofCondehadmaintained,thiscrowdedanteroomfilledmewithsurprise,andevenwithadegreeofawe,ofwhichIwasthenextmomentashamed.True,theflutterofsilkandgleamofjewelssurpassedanythingIhadthenseen,formyfortuneshadneverledmetotheking'sCourt;butaninstant'sreflectionremindedmethatmyfathershadheldtheirowninsuchscenes,andwithabowregulatedratherbythisthoughtthanbytheshabbinessofmydress,Iadvancedamidasuddensilence.

'M.deMarsac!'thepageannounced,inatonewhichsoundedalittleoddinmyears;somuchso,thatIturnedquicklytolookathim.Hewasgone,however,andwhenIturnedagaintheeyeswhichmetminewerefullofsmiles.Ayounggirlwhostoodnearmetittered.Putoutofcountenancebythis,IlookedroundinembarrassmenttofindsomeonetowhomImightapply.

Theroomwaslongandnarrow,panelledinchestnut,witharowofwindowsontheonehand,andtwofireplaces,nowheapedwithglowinglogs,ontheother.Betweenthefireplacesstoodarackofarms.Roundthenearerhearthloungedagroupofpages,theexactcounterpartsoftheyoungbladewhohadbroughtmehither;

andtalkingwiththesewereasmanyyounggentlewomen.Twogreathoundslaybaskingintheheat,andcoiledbetweenthem,withherheadonthebackofthelarger,wasafiguresostrangethatatanothertimeIshouldhavedoubtedmyeyes.Itworethefool'smotleyandcapandbells,butasecondglanceshowedmethefeatureswereawoman's.Atorrentofblackhairflowedlooseaboutherneck,hereyesshonewithwildmerriment,andherface,keen,thin,andhectic,glaredatmefromthedog'sback.Beyondher,roundthefartherfireplace,clusteredmorethanascoreofgallantsandladies,ofwhomonepresentlyadvancedtome.

'Sir,'hesaidpolitely——andIwishedIcouldmatchhisbow——'youwishedtosee——?'

'TheKingofNavarre,'Ianswered,doingmybest.

Heturnedtothegroupbehindhim,andsaid,inapeculiarlyeven,placidtone,'HewishestoseetheKingofNavarre.'Theninsolemnsilencehebowedtomeagainandwentbacktohisfellows.

Upontheinstant,andbeforeIcouldmakeupmymindhowtotakethis,asecondtrippedforward,andsalutingme,said,'M.deMarsac,Ithink?'

'Atyourservice,sir,'Irejoined.Inmyeagernesstoescapethegazeofallthoseeyes,andthetitteringwhichwasaudiblebehindme,Itookastepforwardtobeinreadinesstofollowhim.Buthegavenosign.'M.deMarsactoseetheKingofNavarre'wasallhesaid,speakingastheotherhadclosetothosebehind.Andwiththathetoowheeledroundandwentback.

tothefire.

Istared,afirstfaintsuspicionofthetrutharousedinmymind.BeforeIcouldactuponit,however——insuchasituationitwasnoeasytasktodecidehowtoact——athirdadvancedwiththesamemeasuredsteps.'ByappointmentIthink,sir?'hesaid,bowinglowerthantheothers.

'Yes,'Irepliedsharply,beginningtogrowwarm,'byappointmentatnoon.'

'M.deMarsac,'heannouncedinasing-songtonetothosebehindhim,'toseetheKingofNavarrebyappointmentatnoon.'Andwithasecondbow——whileIgrewscarletwithmortificationhetoowheeledgravelyroundandreturnedtothefireplace.

Isawanotherpreparingtoadvance,buthecametoolate.

Whethermyfaceofangerandbewildermentwastoomuchforthem,orsomeamongthemlackedpatiencetoseetheend,asuddenuncontrollableshoutoflaughter,inwhichalltheroomjoined,cutshortthefarce.Godknowsithurtme:Iwinced,Ilookedthiswayandthat,hopinghereortheretofindsympathyandhelp.Butitseemedtomethattheplacerangwithgibes,thateverypanelframed,howeverIturnedmyself,acruel,sneeringface.Onebehindmecried'OldClothes,'andwhenIturnedtheotherhearthwhisperedthetaunt.Itaddedathousandfoldtomyembarrassmentthattherewasinallacertainorderliness,sothatwhilenoonemoved,andnone,whileIlookedatthem,raisedtheirvoices,Iseemedthemoresingledout,andplacedasabuttinthemidst.

Onefaceamidthepyramidofcountenanceswhichhidthefartherfireplacesoburneditselfintomyrecollectioninthatmiserablemoment,thatIneverthereafterforgotit;asmall,delicatewoman'sface,belongingtoayounggirlwhostoodboldlyinfrontofhercompanions.Itwasafacefullofpride,and,asIsawitthen,ofscorn——scornthatscarcelydeignedtolaugh;whilethegirl'sgracefulfigure,slightandmaidenly,yetperfectlyproportioned,seemedinstinctwiththesamefeelingofcontemptuousamusement.

Theplay,whichseemedlongenoughtome,mighthavelastedlonger,seeingthatnoonetherehadpityonme,hadInot,inmydesperation,espiedadooratthefartherendoftheroom,andconcluded,seeingnoother,thatitwasthedooroftheking'sbedchamber.ThemortificationIwassufferingwassogreatthatIdidnothesitate,butadvancedwithboldnesstowardsit.Ontheinstanttherewasalullinthelaughterroundme,andhalfadozenvoicescalledonmetostop.

'Ihavecometoseetheking,'Ianswered,turningonthemfiercely,forIwasbythistimeinnomoodforbrowbeating,'andIwillseehim!'

'Heisouthunting,'criedallwithoneaccord;andtheysignedimperiouslytometogobackthewayIhadcome.

Buthavingtheking'sappointmentsafeinmypouch,IthoughtI

hadgoodreasontodisbelievethem;andtakingadvantageoftheirsurprise——fortheyhadnotexpectedsoboldasteponmypart——I

wasatthedoorbeforetheycouldpreventme.IheardMathurine,thefool,whohadsprungtoherfeet,cry'Pardieu!hewilltaketheKingdomofHeavenbyforce!'andthosewerethelastwordsI

heard;for,asIliftedthelatch——therewasnooneonguardthere——asuddenswiftsilencefellupontheroombehindme.

Ipushedthedoorgentlyopenandwentin.Thereweretwomensittinginoneofthewindows,whoturnedandlookedangrilytowardsme.Fortheresttheroomwasempty.Theking'swalking-shoeslaybyhischair,andbesidethemtheboot-hooksandjack.Adogbeforethefiregotupslowlyandgrowled,andoneofthemen,risingfromthetrunkonwhichhehadbeensitting,cametowardsmeandaskedme,witheverysignofirritation,whatIwantedthere,andwhohadgivenmeleavetoenter.

Iwasbeginningtoexplain,withsomediffidencethestillnessoftheroomsoberingme——thatIwishedtoseetheking,whenhewhohadadvancedtookmeupsharplywith,'Theking?theking?Heisnothere,man.HeishuntingatSt.Valery.Didtheynottellyousooutside?'

IthoughtIrecognisedthespeaker,thanwhomIhaveseldomseenamanmoregraveandthoughtfulforhisyears,whichweresomethinglessthanmine,morestrikinginpresence,ormoresoberlydressed.Andbeingdesiroustoevadehisquestion,I

askedhimifIhadnotthehonourtoaddressM.duPlessisMornay;forthatwiseandcourtlystatesman,nowapillarofHenry'scounsels,itwas.

'Thesame,sir,'hereplied,abruptly,andwithouttakinghiseyesfromme.'IamMornay.Whatofthat?'

'IamM.deMarsac,'Iexplained.AndthereIstopped,supposingthat,ashewasintheking'sconfidence,thiswouldmakemyerrandcleartohim.

ButIwasdisappointed.'Well,sir?'hesaid,andwaitedimpatiently.

Socoldareception,followingsuchtreatmentasIhadsufferedoutside,wouldhavesufficedtohavedashedmyspiritsutterlyhadInotfelttheking'sletterinmypocket.Beingprettyconfident,however,thatasingleglanceatthiswouldalterM.

duMornay'sbearingforthebetter,Ihastened,lookingonitasakindoftalisman,todrawitoutandpresentittohim.

Hetookit,andlookedatit,andopenedit,butwithsocoldandimmovableanaspectasmademyheartsinkmorethanallthathadgonebefore.'Whatisamiss?'Icried,unabletokeepsilence.

''Tisfromtheking,sir.'

'Akinginmotley!'heanswered,hislipcurling.

Thesenseofhiswordsdidnotatoncestrikehometome,andI

murmured,ingreatdisorder,thatthekinghadsentforme.

'Thekingknowsnothingofit,'washisbluntanswer,bluntlygiven.Andhethrustthepaperbackintomyhands.'Itisatrick,'hecontinued,speakingwiththesameabruptness,'forwhichyouhavedoubtlesstothanksomeofthoseidleyoungrascalswithout.Youhadsentanapplicationtotheking,I

suppose?Justso.Nodoubttheygotholdofit,andthisistheresult.Theyoughttobewhipped.'

Itwasnotpossibleformetodoubtanylongerthatwhathesaidwastrue.Isawinamomentallmyhopesvanish,allmyplansflungtothewinds;andinthefirstshockofthediscoveryI

couldneitherfindvoicetoanswerhimnorstrengthtowithdraw.

InakindofvisionIseemedtoseemyownlean,haggardfacelookingatmeasinaglass,and,readingdespairinmyeyes,couldhavepitiedmyself.

MydisorderwassogreatthatM.duMornayobservedit.Lookingmorecloselyatme,hetwoorthreetimesmutteredmyname,andatlastsaid,'M.deMarsac?Ha!Iremember.YouwereintheaffairofBrouage,wereyounot?'

Inoddedmyheadintokenofassent,beingunableatthemomenttospeak,andsoshakenthatperforceIleanedagainstthewall,myheadsunkonmybreast.Thememoryofmyage,myfortyyears,andmypoverty,pressedharduponme,fillingmewithdespairandbitterness.Icouldhavewept,butnotearscame.

M.duMornay,avertinghiseyesfromme,tooktwoorthreeshort,impatientturnsupanddownthechamber.Whenheaddressedmeagainhistonewasfullofrespect,mingledwithsuchpetulanceasonebravemanmightfeel,seeinganothersohardpressed.'M.

deMarsac,'hesaid,'youhavemysympathy.Itisashamethatmenwhohaveservedthecauseshouldbereducedtosuch.

straits.Wereit,possibleforme,toincreasemyowntrainatpresent,Ishouldconsideritanhonourtohaveyouwithme.ButIamhardputtoitmyself,andsoareweall,andtheKingofNavarrenotleastamongus.HehaslivedforamonthuponawoodwhichM.deRosnyhascutdown.Iwillmentionyournametohim,butIshouldbecruelratherthankindwereInottowarnyouthatnothingcancomeofit.'

Withthatheofferedmehishand,and,cheeredasmuchbythismarkofconsiderationasbythekindnessofhisexpressions,I

ralliedmyspirits.True,Iwantedcomfortmoresubstantial,butitwasnottobehad.IthankedhimthereforeasbecominglyasI

could,andseeingtherewasnohelpforit,tookmyleaveofhim,andslowlyandsorrowfullywithdrewfromtheroom.

Alas!toescapeIhadtofacetheoutsideworld,forwhichhiskindwordswereanillpreparation.Ihadtorunthegauntletoftheantechamber.ThemomentIappeared,orratherthemomentthedoorclosedbehindme,Iwashailedwithashoutofderision.

Whileonecried,'Way!wayforthegentlemanwhohasseentheking!'anotherhailedmeuproariouslyasGovernorofGuyenne,andathirdrequestedacommissioninmyregiment.

Iheardthesetauntswithaheartfullalmosttobursting.Itseemedtomeanunworthythingthat,merelybyreasonofmypoverty,Ishouldbederidedbyyouthswhohadstillalltheirbattlesbeforethem;buttostoporreproachthemwouldonly,asIwellknew,makemattersworse,and,moreover,IwassosorestrickenthatIhadlittlespiritlefteventospeak.

Accordingly,ImademywaythroughthemwithwhatspeedImight,myheadbent,andmycountenanceheavywithshameanddepression.

Inthisway——Iwondertherewerenotamongthemsomegenerousenoughtopityme——Ihadnearlygainedthedoor,andwasbeginningtobreathe,whenIfoundmypathstoppedbythatparticularyoungladyoftheCourtwhomIhavedescribedabove.

Somethinghadforthemomentdivertedherattentionfromme,anditrequiredawordfromhercompanionstoappriseherofmynearneighbourhood.Sheturnedthen,asonetakenbysurprise,andfindingmesoclosetoherthatmyfeetallbuttouchedhergown,shesteppedquicklyaside,andwithaglanceascruelasheract,drewherskirtsawayfromcontactwithme.

Theinsultstungme,Iknownotwhy,morethanallthegibeswhichwerebeingflungatmefromeveryside,andmovedbyasuddenimpulseIstopped,andinthebitternessofmyheartspoketoher.'Mademoiselle,'Isaid,bowinglow——for,asIhavestated,shewassmall,andmorelikeafairythanawoman,thoughherfaceexpressedbothprideandself-will——'Mademoiselle,'I

saidsternly,'suchasIam,IhavefoughtforFrance!Somedayyoumaylearnthattherearevilerthingsintheworld——andhavetobearthem——thanapoorgentleman!'

ThewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouthbeforeIrepentedofthem,forMathurine,thefool,whowasatmyelbow,wasquicktoturnthemintoridicule.Raisingherhandsaboveourheads,asinacttoblessus,shecriedoutthatMonsieur,havinggainedsorichanoffice,desiredabridetograceit;andthis,bringingdownuponusacoarseshoutoflaughterandsomecoarsergibes,I

sawtheyounggirl'sfaceflushhotly.

Thenextmomentavoiceinthecrowdcriedroughly'Outuponhisweddingsuit!'andwiththatasweetmeatstruckmeintheface.

Anotherandanotherfollowed,coveringmewithflourandcomfits.

Thiswasthelaststraw.Foramoment,forgettingwhereIwas,I

turneduponthem,redandfurious,everyhairinmymoustachiosbristling.Thenext,thefullsenseofmyimpotenceandofthefollyofresentmentprevailedwithme,and,droppingmyheaduponmybreast,Irushedfromtheroom.

Ibelievethattheyoungeramongthemfollowedme,andthatthecryof'OldClothes!'pursuedmeeventothedoorofmylodgingsintheRuedelaCoutellerie.Butinthemiseryofthemoment,andmystrongdesiretobewithindoorsandalone,Ibarelynoticedthis,andamnotcertainwhetheritwassoornot.

CHAPTERII.

THEKINGOFNAVARRE.

IhavealreadyreferredtothedangerwithwhichthealliancebetweenHenrytheThirdandtheLeaguemenacedus,analliancewhereofthenews,itwassaid,hadblanchedtheKingofNavarre'smoustacheinasinglenight.Notwithstandingthis,theCourthadnevershownitselfmorefrolicsomeormorefreefromcarethanatthetimeofwhichIamspeaking;eventhelackofmoneyseemedforthemomentforgotten.Oneamusementfollowedanother,andthough,withoutdoubt,somethingwasdoingunderthesurfaceforthewiserofhisfoesheldourprinceinparticulardreadwhenheseemedmostdeeplysunkinpleasure——totheoutwardeyeSt.Jeand'Angelyappearedtobegivenovertoenjoymentfromoneendtotheother.

ThestirandbustleoftheCourtreachedmeeveninmygarret,andcontributedtomakethatChristmas,whichfellonaSunday,atrialalmostbeyondsufferance.Alldaylongtherattleofhoofsonthepavement,andthelaughterofridersbentondiversion,cameuptome,makingthehardstoolseemharder,thebarewallsmorebare,andincreasingahundredfoldthesolitarygloominwhichIsat.Forassunshinedeepenstheshadowswhichfallathwartit,andnosilenceislikethatwhichfollowstheexplosionofamine,sosadnessandpovertyarenevermoreintolerablethanwhenhopeandwealthrubelbowswiththem.

True,thegreatsermonwhichM.d'Amourspreachedinthemarket-

houseonthemorningofChristmas-daycheeredme,asitcheeredallthemoresoberspirits.Iwaspresentmyself,sittinginanobscurecornerofthebuilding,andheardthefamousprediction,whichwassosoontobefulfilled.'Sire,'saidthepreacher,turningtotheKingofNavarre,andreferring,withtheboldnessthatevercharacterisedthatgreatmanandnobleChristian,totheattempt,thenbeingmadetoexcludetheprincefromthesuccession——'Sire,whatGodatyourbirthgaveyoumancannottakeaway.Alittlewhile,alittlepatience,andyoushallcauseustopreachbeyondtheLoire!WithyouforourJoshuaweshallcrosstheJordan,andinthePromisedLandtheChurchshallbesetup.'

Wordssobrave,andsowelladaptedtoencouragetheHuguenotsinthecrisisthroughwhichtheiraffairswerethenpassing,charmedallhearers;saveindeed,those——andtheywerefew——who,beingdevotedtotheVicomtedeTurenne,disliked,thoughtheycouldnotcontrovert,thispublicacknowledgmentoftheKingofNavarre,astheHuguenotleader.Thepleasureofthosepresentwasevincedinahundredways,andtosuchanextentthatevenI

returnedtomychambersoothedandexalted,andfound,indreamingofthespeedytriumphofthecause,somecompensationformyownill-fortune.

Asthedayworeon,however,andtheeveningbroughtnochange,butpresentedtomethesamedrearyprospectwithwhichmorninghadmademefamiliar,Iconfesswithoutshamethatmyheartsankoncemore,particularlyasIsawthatIshouldbeforcedinadayortwotoselleithermyremaininghorseorsomepartofmyequipmentasessential;astepwhichIcouldnotcontemplatewithoutfeelingsoftheutmostdespair.InthisstateofmindI

wasaddingupbythelightofasolitarycandlethefewcoinsI

hadleft,whenIheardfootstepsascendingthestairs.Imadethemouttobethestepsoftwopersons,andwasstilllostinconjectureswhotheymightbe,whenahandknockedgentlyatmydoor.

Fearinganothertrick,Ididnotatonceopen,themoresotherewassomethingstealthyandinsinuatingintheknock.Thereuponmyvisitorsheldawhisperedconsultation;thentheyknockedagain.Iaskedloudlywhowasthere,buttothistheydidnotchoosetogiveanyanswer,whileI,onmypart,determinednottoopenuntiltheydid.Thedoorwasstrong,andIsmiledgrimlyatthethoughtthatthistimetheywouldhavetheirtroublefortheirpains.

Tomysurprise,however,theydidnotdesist,andgoaway,asI

expected,butcontinuedtoknockatintervalsandwhispermuchbetweentimes.Morethanoncetheycalledmesoftlybynameandbademeopen,butastheysteadilyrefrainedfromsayingwhotheywere,Isatstill.OccasionallyIheardthemlaugh,butundertheirbreathasitwere;andpersuadedbythisthattheywerebentonafrolic,Imighthavepersistedinmysilenceuntilmidnight,whichwasnotmorethantwohoursoff,hadnotaslightsound,asofaratgnawingbehindthewainscot,drawnmyattentiontothedoor.RaisingmycandleandshadingmyeyesI

espiedsomethingsmallandbrightprotrudingbeneathit,andsprangup,thinkingtheywereabouttopriseitin.Tomysurprise,however,Icoulddiscover,ontakingthecandletothethreshold,nothingmorethreateningthanacoupleofgoldlivres,whichhadbeenthrustthroughthecrevicebetweenthedoorandthefloor.

Myastonishmentmaybeconceived.Istoodforfullaminutestaringatthecoins,thecandleinmyhand.Then,reflectingthattheyoungsparksattheCourtwouldbeveryunlikelytospendsuchasumonajest,Ihesitatednolonger,butputtingdownthecandle,drewtheboltofthedoor,purposingtoconferwithmyvisitorsoutside.Inthis,however,Iwasdisappointed,forthemomentthedoorwasopentheypushedforciblypastmeand,enteringtheroompell-mell,bademebysignstoclosethedooragain.

Ididsosuspiciously,andwithoutavertingmyeyesfrommyvisitors.Greatweremyembarrassmentandconfusion,therefore,when,thedoorbeingshut,theydroppedtheircloaksoneaftertheother,andIsawbeforemeM.duMornayandthewell-knownfigureoftheKingofNavarre.

Theyseemedsomuchdiverted,lookingatoneanotherandlaughing,thatforamomentIthoughtsomechanceresemblancedeceivedme,andthathereweremyjokersagain.HencewhileamanmightcounttenIstoodstaring;andthekingwasthefirsttospeak.'Wehavemadenomistake,DuMornay,havewe?'hesaid,castingalaughingglanceatme.

'No,sire,'DuMornayanswered.'ThisistheSieurdeMarsac,thegentlemanwhomImentionedtoyou.'

Ihastened,confused,wondering,andwithahundredapologies,topaymyrespectstotheking.Hespeedilycutmeshort,however,saying,withanairofmuchkindness,'OfMarsac,inBrittany,I

think,sir?'

'Thesame,sire,'

'ThenyouareofthefamilyofBonne?'

'Iamthelastsurvivorofthatfamily,sire,'Iansweredrespectfully.

'Ithasplayeditspart,'herejoined.andtherewithhetookhisseatonmystoolwithaneasygracewhichcharmedme.'Yourmottois"BONNEFOI,"isitnot?AndMarsac,ifIrememberrightly,isnotfarfromRennes,ontheVilaine?'

Iansweredthatitwas,adding,withafullheart,thatitgrievedmetobecompelledtoreceivesogreataprinceinsopooralodging.

'Well,Iconfess,'DuMornaystruckin,lookingcarelesslyroundhim,'youhaveaqueertaste,M.deMarsac,inthearrangementofyourfurniture.You——'

'Mornay!'thekingcriedsharply.

'Sire?'

'Chut!yourelbowisinthecandle.Bewareofit!'

ButIwellunderstoodhim.Ifmyhearthadbeenfullbefore,itoverflowednow.Povertyisnotsoshamefulastheshiftstowhichitdrivesmen.Ihadbeencompelledsomedaysbefore,inordertomakeasgoodashowaspossible——sinceitistheundoubteddutyofagentlemantohidehisnakednessfromimpertinenteyes,andespeciallyfromtheeyesofthecanaille,whoarewonttojudgefromexternals——toremovesuchofmyfurnitureandequipageasremainedtothatsideoftheroom,whichwasvisiblefromwithoutwhenthedoorwasopen.Thisleftthefarthersideoftheroomvacantandbare.Toanyonewithindoorstheartificewas,ofcourse,apparent,andIamboundtosaythatM.deMornay'swordsbroughtthebloodtomybrow.

Irejoiced,howeveramomentlaterthathehadutteredthem;forwithoutthemImightneverhaveknown,orknownsoearly,thekindnessofheartandsingularquicknessofapprehensionwhicheverdistinguishedtheking,mymaster.So,inmyheart,Ibegantocallhimfromthathour.

TheKingofNavarrewasatthistimethirty-fiveyearsold,hishairbrown,hiscomplexionruddy,hismoustache,ononesideatleast,beginningtoturngrey.Hisfeatures,whichNaturehadcastinaharshandimperiousmould,wererelievedbyaconstantsparkleandanimationsuchasIhaveneverseeninanyotherman,butinhimbecameevermoreconspicuousingloomyandperiloustimes.Inuredtodangerfromhisearliestyouth,hehadcometoenjoyitasothersafestival,hailingitsadventwitharecklessgaietywhichastonishedevenbravemen,andledotherstothinkhimtheleastprudentofmankind.Yetsuchhewasnot:nay,hewastheoppositeofthis.NeverdidMarshalofFrancemakemorecarefuldispositionsforabattle——albeitonceinitheborehimselflikeanycaptainofhorse——noreverdidDuMornayhimselfsitdowntoaconferencewithamoreaccurateknowledgeofaffairs.Hisprodigiouswitandtheaffabilityofhismanners,whiletheyendearedhimtohisservants,againandagainblindedhisadversaries;who,thinkingthatsomuchbrilliancecouldariseonlyfromashallownature,foundwhenitwastoolatethattheyhadbeenoutwittedbyhimwhomtheycontemptuouslystyledthePrinceofBearn,amanahundredfoldmoreastutethanthemselves,andmasteralikeofpenandsword.

Muchofthis,whichalltheworldnowknows,Ilearnedafterwards.AtthemomentIcouldthinkoflittlesavetheking'skindness;towhichheaddedbyinsistingthatIshouldsitonthebedwhilewetalked.'Youwonder,M.deMarsac,'hesaid,'whatbringsmehere,andwhyIhavecometoyouinsteadofsendingforyou?Stillmore,perhaps,whyIhavecometoyouatnightandwithsuchprecautions?Iwilltellyou.Butfirst,thatmycomingmaynotfillyouwithfalsehopes,letmesayfrankly,thatthoughImayrelieveyourpresentnecessities,whetheryoufallintotheplanIamgoingtomention,ornot,I

cannottakeyouintomyservice;wherein,indeed,everypostisdoublyfilled.DuMornaymentionedyournametome,butinfairnesstoothersIhadtoanswerthatIcoulddonothing.'

Iamboundtoconfessthatthisstrangeexordiumdashedhopeswhichhadalreadyrisentoahighpitch.Recoveringmyselfasquicklyaspossible,however,ImurmuredthatthehonourofavisitfromtheKingofNavarrewassufficienthappinessforme.

'Nay,butthathonourImusttakefromyou'hereplied,smiling;

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读