'thoughIseethatyouwouldmakeanexcellentcourtier——farbetterthanDuMornayhere,whoneverinhislifemadesoprettyaspeech.ForImustlaymycommandsonyoutokeepthisvisitasecret,M.deMarsac.Shouldbuttheslightestwhisperofitgetabroad,yourusefulness,asfarasIamconcerned,wouldbegone,andgoneforgood!'

SoremarkableastatementfilledmewithwonderIcouldscarcelydisguise.ItwaswithdifficultyIfoundwordstoassurethekingthathiscommandsshouldbefaithfullyobeyed.

'OfthatIamsure,'heansweredwiththeutmostkindness.

'WhereInot,andsure,too,fromwhatIamtoldofyourgallantrywhenmycousintookBrouage,thatyouareamanofdeedsratherthanwords,IshouldnotbeherewiththepropositionIamgoingtolaybeforeyou.Itisthis.Icangiveyounohopeofpublicemployment,M.deMarsac,butIcanofferyouanadventureifadventuresbetoyourtaste——asdangerousandasthanklessasanyAmadiseverundertook.'

'Asthankless,sire?'Istammered,doubtingifIhadheardaright,theexpressionwassostrange.

'Asthankless,'heanswered,hiskeeneyesseemingtoreadmysoul.'Iamfrankwithyou,yousee,sir,'hecontinued,carelessly.'Icansuggestthisadventure——itisforthegoodoftheState——Icandonomore.TheKingofNavarrecannotappearinit,norcanheprotectyou.Succeedorfailinit,yousteadalone.TheonlypromiseImakeis,thatifiteverbesafeformetoacknowledgetheact,Iwillrewardthedoer.'

Hepaused,andforafewmomentsIstaredathiminsheeramazement.Whatdidhemean?Wereheandtheotherrealfigures,orwasIdreaming?

'Doyouunderstand?'heaskedatlength,withatouchofimpatience.

'Yes,sire,IthinkIdo,'Imurmured,verycertainintruthandrealitythatIdidnot.

'Whatdoyousay,then——yesorno?'herejoined.'Willyouundertaketheadventure,orwouldyouhearmorebeforeyoumakeupyourmind?'

Ihesitated.HadIbeenayoungermanbytenyearsIshoulddoubtlesshavecriedassentthereandthen,havingbeenallmylifereadyenoughtoembarkonsuchenterprisesasofferedachanceofdistinction.Butsomethinginthestrangenessoftheking'spreface,althoughIhaditinmyhearttodieforhim,gavemecheck,andIanswered,withanairofgreathumility,'Youwillthinkmebutapoorcourtiernow,sire,yetheisafoolwhojumpsintoaditchwithoutmeasuringthedepth.Iwouldfain,ifImaysayitwithoutdisrespect,hearallthatyoucantellme.'

'ThenIfear,'heansweredquickly,'ifyouwouldhavemorelightonthematter,myfriend,youmustgetanothercandle.'

Istarted,hespokesoabruptly;butperceivingthatthecandlehadindeedburneddowntothesocket,Irose,withmanyapologies,andfetchedanotherfromthecupboard.Itdidnotoccurtomeatthemoment,thoughitdidlater,thatthekinghadpurposelysoughtthisopportunityofconsultingwithhiscompanion.Imerelyremarked,whenIreturnedtomyplaceonthebed,thattheyweresittingalittleneareroneanother,andthatthekingeyedmebeforehespoke——thoughhestillswungonefootcarelesslyintheairwithcloseattention.

'Ispeaktoyou,ofcourse,sir,'hepresentlywenton,'inconfidence,believingyoutobeanhonourableaswellasabraveman.ThatwhichIwishyoutodoisbriefly,andinaword,tocarryoffalady.Nay,'headdedquickly,withalaughinggrimace,'havenofear!Sheisnosweetheartofmine,norshouldIgotomygravefriendheredidIneedassistanceofthatkind.

HenryofBourbon,IprayGod,willalwaysbeabletofreehisownlady-love.ThisisaStateaffair,andamatterofquiteanothercharacter,thoughwecannotatpresententrustyouwiththemeaningofit.'

Ibowedinsilence,feelingsomewhatchilledandperplexed,aswhowouldnot,havingsuchaninvitationbeforehim?Ihadanticipatedanaffairwithmenonly——asecretassaultorapetardexpedition.Butseeingthebarenessofmyroom,andthehonourthekingwasdoingme,IfeltIhadnochoice,andIanswered,'Thatbeingthecase,sire,Iamwhollyatyourservice.'

'Thatiswell,'he,answeredbriskly,thoughmethoughthelookedatDuMornayreproachfully,asdoubtinghiscommendationofme.

'Butwillyousaythesame,'hecontinued,removinghiseyestome,andspeakingslowly,asthoughhewouldtryme,'whenItellyouthattheladytobecarriedoffisthewardoftheVicomtedeTurenne,whosearmiswell-nighaslongasmyown,andwhowouldfainmakeitlonger;whonevertravels,ashetoldmeyesterday,withlessthanfiftygentlemen,andhasathousandarquebusiersinhispay?Istheadventurestilltoyourliking,M.deMarsac,nowthatyouknowthat?'

'Itismoretomyliking,sire,'Iansweredstoutly.

'Understandthistoo,'herejoined.'Itisessentialthatthislady,whoisatpresentconfinedintheVicomte'shouseatChize,shouldbereleased;butitisequallyessentialthatthereshouldbenobreachbetweentheVicomteandmyself.Thereforetheaffairmustbetheworkofanindependentman,whohasneverbeeninmyservice,norinanywayconnectedwithme.Ifcaptured,youpaythepenaltywithoutrecoursetome.'

'Ifullyunderstand,sire,'Ianswered.

'VentreSaintGris!'hecried,breakingintoalowlaugh.I

swearthemanismoreafraidoftheladythanheisoftheVicomte!ThatisnotthewayofmostofourCourt.'

DuMornay,whohadbeensittingnursinghiskneeinsilence,purseduphislips,thoughitwaseasytoseethathewaswellcontentwiththeking'sapprobation.Henowintervened.'Withyourpermission,sire,'hesaid,'Iwillletthisgentlemanknowthedetails.'

'Do,myfriend,'thekinganswered.'Andbeshort,forifweareheremuchlongerIshallbemissed,andinatwinklingtheCourtwillhavefoundmeanewmistress.'

Hespokeinjestandwithalaugh,butIsawDuMornaystartatthewords,asthoughtheywerelittletohisliking;andI

learnedafterwardsthattheCourtwasreallymuchexercisedatthistimewiththequestionwhowouldbethenextfavourite,theking'spassionfortheCountessdelaGuichebeingevidentlyonthewane,andthatwhichhepresentlyevincedforMadamedeGuerchevillebeingasyetamatterofconjecture.

DuMornaytooknoovertnoticeoftheking'swords,however,butproceededtogivememydirections.'Chize,whichyouknowbyname,'hesaid,'issixleaguesfromhere.MademoiselledelaVireisconfinedinthenorth-westroom,onthefirst-floor,overlookingthepark.MoreIcannottellyou,exceptthatherwoman'snameisFanchette,andthatsheistobetrusted.Thehouseiswellguarded,andyouwillneedfourorfivemen,Thereareplentyofcut-throatstobehired,onlysee,M.deMarsac,thattheyaresuchasyoucanmanage,andthatMademoiselletakesnohurtamongthem.Havehorsesinwaiting,andthemoment;youhavereleasedtheladyridenorthwithherasfastasherstrengthwillpermit.Indeed,youmustnotspareher,ifTurennebeonyourheels.YoushouldbeacrosstheLoireinsixtyhoursafterleavingChize.'

'AcrosstheLoire?'Iexclaimedinastonishment.

'Yes,sir,acrosstheLoire,'hereplied,withsomesternness.

'Yourtask,begoodenoughtounderstand,istoconvoyMademoiselledelaVirewithallspeedtoBlois.There,attractingaslittlenoticeasmaybe,youwillinquirefortheBarondeRosnyattheBleedingHeart,intheRuedeSt.Denys.

Hewilltakechargeofthelady,ordirectyouhowtodisposeofher,andyourtaskwillthenbeaccomplished.Youfollowme?'

'Perfectly,'Ianswered,speakinginmyturnwithsomedryness.

'ButMademoiselleIunderstandisyoung.Whatifshewillnotaccompanyme,astranger,enteringherroomatnight,andbythewindow?'

'Thathasbeenthoughtof'wastheanswer.HeturnedtotheKingofNavarre,who,afteramoment'ssearch,producedasmallobjectfromhispouch.Thishegavetohiscompanion,andthelattertransferredittome.Itookitwithcuriosity.Itwasthehalfofagoldcarolus,thebrokenedgeofthecoinbeingroughandjagged.'ShowthattoMademoiselle,myfriend,'DuMornaycontinued,'andshewillaccompanyyou.Shehastheotherhalf.'

'Butbecareful,'Henryaddedeagerly,'tomakenomention,eventoher,oftheKingofNavarre.Youmarkme,M.deMarsac!Ifyouhaveatanytimeoccasiontospeakofme,youmayhavethehonourofcallingmeYOURFRIEND,andreferringtomealwaysinthesamemanner.'

ThishesaidwithsograciousanairthatIwascharmed,andthoughtmyselfhappyindeedtobeaddressedinthiswisebyaprincewhosenamewasalreadysoglorious.Norwasmysatisfactiondiminishedwhenhiscompaniondrewoutabagcontaining,ashetoldme,threehundredcrownsingold,andplaceditinmyhands,biddingmedefraytherefromthecostofthejourney.'Becareful,however,'headdedearnestly,'toavoid,inhiringyourmen,anyappearanceofwealth,lesttheadventureseemtobesuggestedbysomeoutsideperson;insteadofbeingdictatedbythedesperatestateofyourownfortunes.

Promiseratherthangive,sofarasthatwillavail.Andforwhatyoumustgive,leteachlivreseemtobethelastinyourpouch.'

Henrynoddedassent.'Excellentadvice!'hemuttered,risinganddrawingonhiscloak,'suchasyouevergiveme,Mornay,andIasseldomtake——more'sthepity!But,afterall,oflittleavailwithoutthis.'Heliftedmyswordfromthetableashespoke,andweigheditinhishand.'Aprettytool,'hecontinued,turningsuddenlyandlookingmeverycloselyintheface.'Averyprettytool.WereIinyourplace,M.deMarsac,Iwouldseethatithunglooseinthescabbard.Ay,andmore,man,useit!'headded,sinkinghisvoiceandstickingouthischin,whilehisgreyeyes,lookingevercloserintomine,seemedtogrowcoldandhardassteel.'Useittothelast,forifyoufallintoTurenne'shands,Godhelpyou!Icannot!'

'IfIamtaken,sire,'Ianswered,trembling,butnotwithfear,'myfatebeonmyownhead.'

Isawtheking'seyessoften,atthat,andhisfacechangesoswiftlythatIscarceknewhimforthesameman.Helettheweapondropwithaclashonthetable.'VentreSaintGris!'heexclaimedwithastrangethrillofyearninginhistone.'I

swearbyGod,IwouldIwereinyourshoes,sir.Tostrikeablowortwowithnocarewhatcameofit.Totaketheroadwithagoodhorseandagoodsword,andseewhatfortunewouldsend.

Toberidofallthisstatecraftandprotocolling,andnevertoissueanotherdeclarationinthisworld,butjusttobeforonceaGentlemanofFrance,withalltowinandnothingtolosesavetheloveofmylady!Ah!Mornay,woulditnotbesweettoleaveallthisfretandfume,andrideawaytothegreenwoodsbyCoarraze?'

'Certainly,ifyoupreferthemtotheLouvre,sire,'DuMornayanswereddrily;whileIstood,silentandamazed,beforethisstrangeman,whocouldsosuddenlychangefromgravetogay,andonemomentspokesosagely,andthenextlikeanywildladinhisteens.'Certainly,'heanswered,'ifthatbeyourchoice,sire;

andifyouthinkthateventheretheDukeofGuisewillleaveyouinpeace.Turenne,Iamsure,willbegladtohearofyourdecision.DoubtlesshewillbeelectedProtectoroftheChurches.Nay,sire,forshame!'DuMornaycontinuedalmostwithsternness.'WouldyouleaveFrance,whichatoddtimesI

haveheardyousayyouloved,toshiftforherself?Wouldyoudepriveheroftheonlymanwhodoesloveherforherownsake?'

'Well,well,butsheissuchaficklesweetheart,myfriend,'thekinganswered,laughing,thesideglanceofhiseyeonme.

'Neverwasonesocoyorsohardtoclip!And,besides,hasnotthePopedivorcedus?'

'ThePope!AfigforthePope!'DuMornayrejoinedwithimpatientheat.'WhathashetodowithFrance?Animpertinentmeddler,andanItaliantoboot!Iwouldheandallthebroodofthemweresunkahundredfathomsdeepinthesea.But,meantime,Iwouldsendhimatexttodigest.'

'EXEMPLUM?'saidtheking.

'WhomGodhasjoinedtogetherletnomanputasunder.'

'Amen!quothHenrysoftly.'AndFranceisafairandcomelybride.'

Afterthathekeptsuchasilence,fallingasitseemedtomeintoabrownstudy,thathewentawaywithoutsomuchasbiddingmefarewell,orbeingconscious,asfarasIcouldtell,ofmypresence.DuMornayexchangedafewwordswithme,toassurehimselfthatIunderstoodwhatIhadtodo,andthen,withmanykindexpressions,whichIdidnotfailtotreasureupandconoverinthetimesthatwerecoming,hasteneddownstairsafterhismaster.

MyjoywhenIfoundmyselfalonemaybeconceived.Yetwasitnoecstasy,butasoberexhilaration;suchasstirredmypulsesindeed,andbademeoncemorefacetheworldwithafirmeyeandanassuredbrow,butwasfarfromholdingoutbeforemeatroubadour'spalaceoranydazzlingprospect.ThelongerIdweltontheinterview,themoreclearlyIsawthetruth.AstheglamourwhichHenry'spresenceandsingularkindnesshadcastovermebegantolosesomeofitspower,Irecognisedmoreandmoresurelywhyhehadcometome.Itwasnotoutofanyspecialfavourforonewhomheknewbyreportonly,ifatallbyname;

butbecausehehadneedofamanpoor,andthereforereckless,middle-aged(ofwhichcomesdiscretion),obscure——thereforeasafeinstrument;tocrownall,agentleman,seeingthatbothasecretandawomenwereinquestion.

WithalIwonderedtoo.Lookingfromthebagofmoneyonthetabletothebrokencoininmyhand,Iscarcelyknewwhichtoadmiremore:theconfidencewhichentrustedtheonetoamanbrokenandbeggared,orthecourageofthegentlewomanwhoshouldaccompanymeonthefaithoftheother.

CHAPTERIII.

BOOTANDSADDLE.

Aswasnatural,Imeditateddeeplyandfarintothenightonthedifficultiesofthetask,entrustedtome.Isawthatitfellintotwoparts:thereleaseofthelady,andhersafeconducttoBlois,adistanceofsixtyleagues.ThereleaseIthoughtitprobableIcouldeffectsingle-handed,orwithonecompaniononly;butinthetroubledconditionofthecountryatthistime,moreparticularlyonbothsidesoftheLoire,IscarcelysawhowIcouldensurealady'ssafetyontheroadnorthwardsunlessI

hadwithmeatleastfiveswords.

Togetthesetogetheratafewhours'noticepromisedtobenoeasytask;althoughthepresenceoftheCourtofNavarrehadfilledSt.Jeanwithacrowdofadventurers.Yettheking'scommandwasurgent,andatsomesacrifice,evenatsomerisk,mustbeobeyed.Pressedbytheseconsiderations,IcouldthinkofnobettermantobeginwiththanFresnoy.

Hischaracterwasbad,andhehadlongforfeitedsuchclaimashehadeverpossessed——Ibelieveitwasamistyone,onthedistaffside——togentility.ButthesamecausewhichhadrenderedmedestituteImeanthedeathoftheprinceofConde——hadstrippedhimtothelastrag;andthis,perhaps,incliningmetoservehim,Iwasthemorequicktoseehismerits.Iknewhimalreadyforahardy,recklessman,verycapableofstrikingashrewdblow.Igavehimcreditforbeingtrusty,aslongashisdutyjumpedwithhisinterest.

Accordingly,assoonasitwaslight,havingfedandgroomedtheCid,whichwasalwaysthefirstemploymentofmyday,IsetoutinsearchofFresnoy,andwaspresentlyluckyenoughtofindhimtakinghismorningdraughtoutsidethe'ThreePigeons,'alittleinnnotfarfromthenorthgate.ItwasmorethanafortnightsinceIhadseteyesonhim,andthelapseoftimehadworkedsogreatachangefortheworseinhimthat,forgettingmyownshabbiness,Ilookedathimaskance,asdoubtingthewisdomofenlistingonewhoboresoplainlythemarksofpovertyanddissipation.Hisgreatface——hewasalargeman——hadsufferedrecentill-usage,andwasswollenanddiscoloured,oneeyebeingasgoodasclosed.Hewasunshaven,hishairwasill-kempt,hisdoubletunfastenedatthethroat,andtornandstainedbesides.

Despitethecold——forthemorningwassharpandfrosty,thoughfreefromwind——therewerehalfadozenpackmendrinkingandsquabblingbeforetheinn,whilethebeaststheydrovequenchedtheirthirstatthetrough.Butthesemenseemedwithoneaccordtoleavehiminpossessionofthebenchatwhichhesat;nordidIwondermuchatthiswhenIsawthemoroseandsavageglancewhichheshotatmeasIapproached.Whetherhereadmyfirstimpressionsinmyface,orforsomeotherreasonfeltdistasteformycompany,Icouldnotdetermine.But,undeterredbyhisbehaviour,Isatdownbesidehimandcalledforwine.

Henoddedsulkilyinanswertomygreeting,andcastahalf-

shamed,half-angrylookatmeoutofthecornersofhiseyes.

'YouneednotlookatmeasthoughIwereadog,'hemutteredpresently.'Youarenotsoveryspruceyourself,myfriend.ButIsupposeyouhavegrownproudsinceyougotthatfatappointmentatCourt!'Andhelaughedoutloud,sothatIconfessIwasintwomindswhetherIshouldnotforcethejestdownhisuglythroat.

HoweverIrestrainedmyself,thoughmycheeksburned.'Youhaveheardaboutit,then,'Isaid,strivingtospeakindifferently.

'Whohasnot?'hesaid,laughingwithhislips,thoughhiseyeswerefarfrommerry.'TheSieurdeMarsac'sappointment!Ha!

ha!Why,man——'

'Enoughofitnow!'Iexclaimed.AndIdaresayIwrithedonmyseat.'AsfarasIamconcernedthejestisastaleone,sir,anddoesnotamuseme.'

'Butitamusesme,'herejoinedwithagrin.

'Letitbe,nevertheless,'Isaid;andIthinkhereadawarninginmyeyes.'Ihavecometospeaktoyouuponanothermatter.'

Hedidnotrefusetolisten,butthrewonelegovertheother,andlookingupattheinn-signbegantowhistleinarude,offensivemanner.Still,havinganobjectinview,Icontrolledmyselfandcontinued.'Itisthis,myfriend:moneyisnotveryplentifulatpresentwitheitherofus.'

BeforeIcouldsayanymoreheturnedonmesavagely,andwithaloudoaththrusthisbloatedface,flushedwithpassion,closetomine.'Nowlookhere,M.deMarsac!'hecriedviolently,'onceforall,itisnogood!Ihavenotgotthemoney,andIcannotpayit.Isaidafortnightago,whenyoulentit,thatyoushouldhaveitthisweek.Well,'slappinghishandonthebench,Ihavenotgotit,anditisnogoodbeginninguponme.Youcannothaveit,andthatisflat!'

'Damnthemoney!'Icried.

'What?'heexclaimed,scarcelybelievinghisears.

'Letthemoneybe!'Irepeatedfiercely.'Doyouhear?Ihavenotcomeaboutit,Iamheretoofferyouwork——good,well-paidwork——ifyouwillenlistwithmeandplaymefair,Fresnoy.'

'Playfair!'hecriedwithanoath.

'There,there,'Isaid,'Iamwillingtoletbygonesbebygonesifyouare.Thepointis,thatIhaveanadventureonhand,and,wantinghelp,canpayyouforit.'

Helookedatmecunningly,Hiseyetravellingovereachrentanddarninmydoublet.'Iwillhelpyoufastenough,'hesaidatlast.'ButIshouldliketoseethemoneyfirst.'

'Youshall,'Ianswered.

'ThenIamwithyou,myfriend.Countonmetilldeath!'hecried,risingandlayinghishandinminewithaboisterousfranknesswhichdidnotdeceivemeintotrustinghimfar.'Andnow,whoseistheaffair,andwhatisit?'

'Theaffairismine,'Isaidcoldly.'Itistocarryoffalady.'

Hewhistledandlookedmeoveragain,animpudentleerinhiseyes.'Alady?'heexclaimed.'Umph!Icouldunderstandayoungsparkgoinginforsuch——butthat'syouraffair.Whoisit?'

'Thatismyaffair,too,'Iansweredcoolly,disgustedbytheman'svenalityandmeanness,andfullypersuadedthatImusttrusthimnofartherthanthelengthofmysword.'AllIwantyoutodo,M.Fresnoy,'Icontinuedstiffly,'istoplaceyourselfatmydisposalandundermyordersfortendays.Iwillfindyouahorseandpayyou——theenterpriseisahazardousone,andItakethatintoaccount——twogoldcrownsaday,andtenmoreifwesucceedinreachingaplaceofsafety.'

'Suchaplaceas——'

'Nevermindthat,'Ireplied.'Thequestionis,doyouaccept?'

Helookeddownsullenly,andIcouldseehewasgreatlyangeredbymydeterminationtokeepthemattertomyself.'AmItoknownomorethanthat?'heasked,diggingthepointofhisscabbardagainandagainintotheground.

'Nomore,'Iansweredfirmly.'Iambentonadesperateattempttomendmyfortunesbeforetheyfallaslowasyours;andthatisasmuchasImeantotelllivingman.Ifyouarelothtoriskyourlifewithyoureyesshut,sayso,andIwillgotosomeoneelse.'

Buthewasnotinaposition,asIwellknew,torefusesuchanoffer,andpresentlyheaccepteditwithafreshsemblanceofheartiness.ItoldhimIshouldwantfourtrooperstoescortus,andtheseheofferedtoprocure,sayingthatheknewjusttheknavestosuitme.Ibadehimhiretwoonly,however,beingtoowise,toputmyselfaltogetherinhishands;andthen,havinggivenhimmoneytobuyhimselfahorse——Imadeitatermthatthemenshouldbringtheirown——andnamedarendezvousforthefirsthourafternoon,Ipartedfromhimandwentrathersadlyaway.

ForIbegantoseethatthekinghadnotunderratedthedangersofanenterpriseonwhichnonebutdesperatemenandsuchasweredownintheworldcouldbeexpectedtoembark.Seeingthis,andalsoathingwhichfollowedclearlyfromit——thatIshouldhaveasmuchtofearfrommyowncompanyasfromtheenemy——IlookedforwardwithlittlehopetoajourneyduringeverydayandeveryhourofwhichImustbearagrowingweightoffearandresponsibility.

Itwastoolatetoturnback,however,andIwentaboutmypreparations,ifwithlittlecheerfulness,atleastwithsteadfastpurpose.IhadmyswordgroundandmypistolsputinorderbythecutleroverwhomIlodged,andwhoperformedthislastofficeformewiththesamegoodwillwhichhadcharacterised,allhisdealingswithme.IsoughtoutandhiredacoupleofstoutfellowswhomIbelievedtobeindifferentlyhonest,butwhopossessedtheadvantageofhavinghorses;andbesidesboughttwoledhorsesmyselfformademoiselleandherwoman.SuchotherequipmentsaswereabsolutelynecessaryI

purchased,reducingmystockofmoneyinthiswaytotwohundredandtencrowns.Howtodisposeofthissumsothatitmightbesafeandyetatmycommandwasaquestionwhichgreatlyexercisedme.IntheendIhadrecoursetomyfriendthecutler,whosuggestedhidingahundredcrownsofitinmycap,anddeftlycontrivedaplaceforthepurpose.This,thecapbeinglinedwithsteel,wasamatterofnogreatdifficulty.AsecondhundredIsewedupinthestuffingofmysaddle,placingtheremainderinmypouchforpresentnecessities.

Asmallrainwasfallinginthestreetswhen,alittleafternoon,Istartedwithmytwoknavesbehindmeandmadeforthenorthgate.Somanyweremovingthiswayandtheotherthatwepassedunnoticed,andmighthavedonesohadwenumberedsixswordsinsteadofthree.Whenwereachedtherendezvous,amilebeyondthegate,wefoundFresnoyalreadythere,takingshelterintheleeofabigholly-tree.Hehadfourhorsemenwithhim,andonourappearancerodeforwardtomeetus,cryingheartily,'Welcome,M.leCapitaine!'

'Welcome,certainly,'Ianswered,pullingtheCidupsharply,andholdingofffromhim.'Butwhoarethese,M.Fresnoy?'andI

pointedwithmyriding-canetohisfourcompanions.

Hetriedtopassthematteroffwithalaugh.'Oh!these?'hesaid.'Thatissoonexplained.TheEvangelistswouldnotbedivided,soIbroughtthemall——MatthewMark,Luke,andJohn——

thinkingitlikelyyoumightfailtosecureyourmen.AndIwillwarrantthemforfourasgallantboysasyouwilleverfindbehindyou!'

TheywerecertainlyfourasarrantruffiansasIhadeverseenbeforeme,andIsawImustnothesitate.'Twoornone,M.

Fresnoy,'Isaidfirmly.'Igaveyouacommissionfortwo,andtwoIwilltake——MatthewandMark,orLukeandJohn,asyouplease.'

''Tisapitytobreaktheparty,'saidhe,scowling.

'Ifthatbeall,'Iretorted,'oneofmymeniscalledJohn.AndwewilldubtheotherLuke,ifthatwillmendthematter.'

'ThePrinceofConde,'hemutteredsullenly,'employedthesemen.'

'ThePrinceofCondeemployedsomequeerpeoplesometimes,M.

Fresnoy,'Ianswered,lookinghimstraightbetweentheeyes,'asweallmust.Atrucetothis,ifyouplease.WewilltakeMatthewandMark.Theothertwobegoodenoughtodismiss.'

Heseemedtowaverforamoment,asifhehadamindtodisobey,butintheend,thinkingbetterofit,hebadethemenreturn;

andasIcomplimentedeachofthemwithapieceofsilver,theywentoff,aftersomeswearing,intolerablygoodhumour.ThereonFresnoywasfortakingtheroadatonce,buthavingnomindtobefollowed,Igavethewordtowaituntilthetwowereoutofsight.

Ithink,aswesatourhorsesintherain,theholly-bushnotbeinglargeenoughtoshelterusall,wewereassorryabandaseversetouttorescuealady;norwasitwithoutpainthatI

lookedroundandsawmyselfreducedtocommandsuchpeople.

Therewasscarcelyonewholeunpatchedgarmentamongus,andthreeofmysquireshadbutaspurapiece.Tomakeupforthisdeficiencywemusteredtwoblackeyes,Fresnoy'sincluded,andabrokennose.Matthew'snaglackedatail,and,moreremarkablestill,itsrider,asIpresentlydiscovered,wasstone-deaf;

whileMark'sswordwasinnocentofascabbard,andhisbridlewasplainrope.Onething,indeed,Iobservedwithpleasure.ThetwomenwhohadcomewithmelookedaskanceatthetwowhohadcomewithFresnoy,andthesereturnedthestarewithinterest.

OnthisdivisionandonthelengthofmyswordIbasedallmyhopesofsafetyandofsomethingmore.OnitIwasabouttostake,notmyownlifeonly——whichwasnogreatthing,seeingwhatmyprospectswere——butthelifeandhonourofawoman,young,helpless,andasyetunknowntome.

WeigheddownasIwasbytheseconsiderations,Ihadtobeartheadditionalburdenofhidingmyfearsandsuspicionsunderacheerfuldemeanour.Imadeashortspeechtomyfollowing,whooneandallrespondedbyswearingtostandbymetothedeath.I

thengavetheword,andwestarted,FresnoyandIleadingtheway,LukeandJohnwiththeledhorsesfollowing,andtheothertwobringinguptherear.

Theraincontinuingtofallandthecountryinthispartbeingdrearyandmonotonous,eveninfairweather,Ifeltmyspiritssinkstilllowerasthedayadvanced.TheresponsibilityIwasgoingtoincurassumedmoreseriousproportionseachtimeI

scannedmyfollowing;whileFresnoy,plyingmewithperpetualquestionsrespectingmyplans,wasasuneasyacompanionasmyworstenemycouldhavewishedme.

'Come!'hegrumbledpresently,whenwehadcoveredfourleaguesorso,'youhavenottoldmeyet,sieur,wherewestayto-night.

Youaretravellingsoslowlythat——'

'Iamsavingthehorses,'Iansweredshortly.'Weshalldoalongdayto-morrow.'

'Yourslooksfitforaweekofdays,'hesneered,withanevillookatmySardinian,whichwas,indeed,inbettercasethanitsmaster.'Itissleekenough,anyway!'

'Itisasgoodasitlooks,'Ianswered,alittlenettledbyhistone.

'Thereisabetterhere,'heresponded.

'Idon'tseeit,'Isaid.Ihadalreadyeyedthenagsallround,andassuredmyselfthat,uglyandblemishedastheywere,theywereuptotheirwork.ButIhaddiscernednospecialmeritamongthem.Ilookedthemoveragainnow,andcametothesameconclusion——that,excepttheledhorses,whichIhadchosenwithsomecare,therewasnothingamongthemtoviewiththeCid,eitherinspeedorlooks.ItoldFresnoyso.

'Wouldyouliketotry?'hesaidtauntingly.

Ilaughed,adding,'IfyouthinkIamgoingtotireourhorsesbyracingthem,withsuchworkaswehavebeforeus,youaremistaken,Fresnoy.Iamnotaboy,youknow.'

'Thereneedbenoquestionofracing,'heansweredmorequietly.

'Youhaveonlytogetonthatrat-tailedbayofMatthew'stofeelitspacesandsayIamright.'

Ilookedatthebay,abald-faced,fiddle-headedhorse,andsawthat,withnosignsofbreeding,itwasstillabig-bonedanimalwithgoodshouldersandpowerfulhips.IthoughtitpossibleFresnoymightberight,andifso,andthebay'smannersweretolerable,itmightdoformademoisellebetterthanthehorseI

hadchosen.Atanyrate,ifwehadafasthorseamongus,itwaswelltoknowthefact,sobiddingMatthewchangewithme,andbecarefuloftheCid,Imountedthebay,andsoondiscoveredthatitspaceswereeasyandpromisedspeed,whileitsmannersseemedasgoodasevenatimidridercoulddesire.

Ourroadatthetimelayacrossaflatdesolateheath,dottedhereandtherewith,thorn-bushes;thetrackbeingbrokenandstony,extendedmorethanascoreofyardsinwidth,throughtravellersstrayingtothissideandthattoescapetheworstplaces.FresnoyandI,inmakingthechange,hadfallenslightlybehindtheotherthree,andwereridingabreastofMatthewontheCid.

'Well,'hesaid,'wasInotright?'

'Inpart,'Ianswered.'Thehorseisbetterthanitslooks.'

'Likemanyothers,'herejoined,asparkofresentmentinhistone——'menaswellashorses,M.deMarsac.ButWhatdoyousay?

Shallwecanteronalittleandovertaketheothers?'

Thinkingitwelltodoso,Iassentedreadily,andwestartedtogether.Wehadridden,however,nomorethanahundredyards,andIwasonlybeginningtoextendthebay,whenFresnoy,slightlydrawingrein,turnedinhissaddleandlookedback.Thenextmomenthecried,'Hallo!whatisthis?Thosefellowsarenotfollowingus,arethey?'

Iturnedsharplytolook.Atthatmoment,withoutfalterorwarning,thebayhorsewentdownundermeasifshotdead,throwingmehalfadozenyardsoveritshead;andthatsosuddenlythatIhadnotimetoraisemyarms,but,fallingheavilyonmyheadandshoulder,lostconsciousness.

Ihavehadmanyfalls,butnoothertoviewiththatinutterunexpectedness.WhenIrecoveredmysensesIfoundmyselfleaning,giddyandsick,againsttheboleofanoldthorn-tree.

FresnoyandMatthewsupportedmeoneitherside,andaskedmehowIfoundmyself;whiletheotherthreemen,theirformsblackagainstthestormyeveningsky,sattheirhorsesafewpacesinfrontofme.Iwastoomuchdazedatfirsttoseemore,andthisonlyinamechanicalfashion;butgradually,mybraingrewclearer,andIadvancedfromwonderingwhothestrangersroundmeweretorecognisingthem,andfinallytorememberingwhathadhappenedtome.

'Isthehorsehurt?'ImutteredassoonasIcouldspeak.

'Notawhit,'Fresnoyanswered,chuckling,orIwasmuchmistaken.'Iamafraidyoucameofftheworseofthetwo,captain.'

Heexchangedalookwiththemenonhorsebackashespoke,andinadullfashionIfanciedIsawthemsmile.Oneevenlaughed,andanotherturnedinhissaddleasiftohidehisface.IhadavaguegeneralsensethattherewassomejokeonfootinwhichI

hadnopart.ButIwastoomuchshakenatthemomenttobecurious,andgratefullyacceptedtheofferofone,ofthementofetchmealittlewater.Whilehewasawaythereststoodroundme,thesamelookofill-concealeddrolleryontheirfaces.

Fresnoyalonetalked,speakingvolublyoftheaccident,pouringoutexpressionsofsympathyandcursingtheroad,thehorse,andthewintrylightuntilthewatercame;when,muchrefreshedbythedraught,ImanagedtoclimbtotheCid'ssaddleandplodslowlyonwardswiththem.

'Abadbeginning,'Fresnoysaidpresently,stealingaslyglanceatmeaswejoggedalongsidebyside,Chizehalfaleaguebeforeus,anddarknessnotfaroff.

Bythistime,however,Iwasmyselfagain,saveforalittlehummingisthehead,and,shruggingmyshoulders,Itoldhimso.

'All'swellthatendswell,'Iadded.'Notthatitwasapleasantfall,orthatIwishtohavesuchanother.'

'No,Ishouldthinknot,'heanswered.Hisfacewasturnedfromme,butIfanciedIheardhimsnigger.

Something,whichmayhavebeenavaguesuspicion,ledmeamomentlatertoputmyhandintomypouch.ThenIunderstood.I

understoodtoowell.ThesharpsurpriseofthediscoverywassuchthatinvoluntarilyIdrovemyspursintotheCid,andthehorsesprangforward.

'Whatisthematter?'Fresnoyasked.

'Thematter?'Iechoed,myhandstillatmybelt,feeling——feelinghopelessly.

'Yes,whatisit?'heasked,abrazensmileonhisrascallyface.

Ilookedathim,mybrowasredasfire.'Oh!nothing——nothing,'Isaid.'Letustroton.'

IntruthIhaddiscoveredthat,takingadvantageofmyhelplessness,thescoundrelshadrobbedme,whileIlayinsensible,ofeverygoldcrowninmypurse!Norwasthisall,ortheworst,forIsawatoncethatindoingsotheyhadeffectedsomethingwhichwasathousandfoldmoreominousandformidable——establishedagainstmethatsecretunderstandingwhichitwasmyespecialaimtoprevent,andontheabsenceofwhichIhadbeencounting.Nay,IsawthatformyverylifeI

hadonlymyfriendthecutlerandmyownprudencetothank,seeingthattheserogueswouldcertainlyhavemurderedmewithoutscruplehadtheysucceededinfindingthebulkofmymoney.

Baffledinthis,whilestillpersuadedthatIhadotherresources,theyhadstoppedshortofthatvillany——orthismemoirhadneverbeenwritten.Theyhadkindlypermittedmetoliveuntilamorefavourableopportunityofenrichingthemselvesatmyexpenseshouldputtheminpossessionofmylastcrown!

ThoughIwassufficientlymasterofmyselftorefrainfromcomplaintswhichIfeltmustbeuseless,andfrommenaceswhichithasneverbeenmyhabittoutterunlessIhadalsothepowertoputthemintoexecution,itmustnotbeimaginedthatIdidnot,asIrodeonbyFresnoy'sside,feelmypositionacutelyorseehowabsurdafigureIcutinmydualcharacterofleaderanddupe.Indeed,thereflectionthat,beinginthisperilousposition,Iwasabouttostakeanother'ssafetyaswellasmyown,mademefeeltheneedofafewminutes'thoughtsourgentthatIdeterminedtogainthem,evenattheriskofleavingmymenatlibertytoplotfurthermischief.Comingalmostimmediatelyafterwardswithinsight,oftheturretsoftheChateauofChize,ItoldFresnoythatweshouldliethenightatthevillage;andbadehimtakethemenonandsecurequartersattheinn.Attackedinstantlybysuspicionandcuriosity,hedemurredstoutlytoleavingme,andmighthavepersistedinhisrefusalhadInotpulledup,andclearlyshownhimthatIwouldhavemyownwayinthiscaseorcometoanopenbreach.Heshrank,asIexpected,fromthelatteralternative,and,biddingmeasullenadieu,trottedonwithhistroop.Iwaiteduntiltheywereoutofsight,andthen,turningtheCid'shead,crossedasmallbrookwhichdividedtheroadfromthechase,andchoosingaridewhichseemedtopiercethewoodinthedirectionoftheChateau,proceededdownit,keepingasharplook-outoneitherhand.

Itwasthen,mythoughtsturningtotheladywhowasnowsonear,andwho,noble,rich,andastranger,seemed,asIapproachedher,nottheleastformidableoftheembarrassmentsbeforeme——itwasthenthatImadeadiscoverywhichsentacoldshiverthroughmyframe,andinamomentsweptallmemoryofmypaltrytencrownsfrommyhead.Tencrowns!Alas!Ihadlostthatwhichwasworthallmycrownsputtogether——thebrokencoinwhichtheKingofNavarrehadentrustedtome,andwhichformedmysolecredential,myonlymeansofpersuadingMademoiselledelaVirethatIcamefromhim.Ihadputitinmypouch,andofcourse,thoughthelossofitonlycamehometomymindnow,ithaddisappearedwiththerest.

Idrewreinandsatforsometimemotionless,theimageofdespair.Thewindwhichstirredthenakedboughsoverhead,andwhirledthedeadleavesinvolleyspastmyfeet,anddiedawayatlastamongthewhisperingbracken,metnowherewithwretchednessgreater,Ibelieve,thanwasmineatthatmoment.

CHAPTERIV.

MADEMOISELLEDELAVIRE.

Myfirstdesperateimpulseondiscoveringthemagnitudeofmylosswastorideaftertheknavesanddemandthetokenatthesword'spoint.Thecertainty,however,offindingthemunited,andthedifficultyofsayingwhichofthefivepossessedwhatI

wanted,ledmetorejectthisplanasIgrewcooler;andsinceI

didnotdream,eveninthisdilemma,ofabandoningtheexpeditiontheonlyalternativeseemedtobetoactasifIstillhadthebrokencoin,andessaywhatafrankexplanationmighteffectwhenthetimecame.

Aftersomewretched,verywretched,momentsofdebate,Iresolvedtoadoptthiscourse;and,forthepresent,thinkingImightgainsomeknowledgeofthesurroundingswhilethelightlasted,I

pushedcautiouslyforwardthroughthetreesandcameinlessthanfiveminuteswithinsightofacornerofthechateau,whichI

foundtobeamodernbuildingofthetimeofHenryII.,raised,likethehousesofthattime,forpleasureratherthandefence,anddecoratedwithmanyhandsomecasementsandtourelles.

Despitethis,itwore,asIsawit,agreyanddesolateair,dueinparttothelonelinessofthesituationandthelatenessofthehour;andinpart,Ithink,tothesmallnessofthehouseholdmaintained,fornoonewasvisibleontheterraceoratthewindows.Theraindrippedfromthetrees,whichontwosidespressedsocloselyonthehouseasalmosttodarkentherooms,andeverythingIsawencouragedmetohopethatmademoiselle'swisheswouldsecondmyentreaties,andinclinehertolendareadyeartomystory.

Theappearanceofthehouse,indeed,wasastronginducementtometoproceed,foritwasimpossibletobelievethatayounglady,akinswomanofthegayandvivaciousTurenne,andalreadyintroducedtothepleasuresoftheCourt,wouldelectofherownfreewilltospendthewinterinsodrearyasolitude.

【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