Takingadvantageofthelastmomentsofdaylight,Irodecautiouslyroundthehouse,and,keepingintheshadowofthetrees,hadnodifficultyindiscoveringatthenorth-eastcornerthebalconyofwhichIhadbeentold.Itwassemi-circularinshape,withastonebalustrade,andhungsomefifteenfeetaboveaterracedwalkwhichranbelowit,andwasseparatedfromthechasebyalowsunkfence.

Iwassurprisedtoobservethat,notwithstandingtherainandthecoldnessoftheevening,thewindowwhichgaveuponthisbalconywasopen.Norwasthisall.Luckwasinstoreformeatlast.

Ihadnotgazedatthewindowmorethanaminute,calculatingitsheightandotherparticulars,when,tomygreatjoy,afemalefigure,closelyhooded,steppedoutandstoodlookingupatthesky.IwastoofarofftobeabletodiscernbythatuncertainlightwhetherthiswasMademoiselledelaVireorherwoman;buttheattitudewassoclearlyoneofdejectionanddespondency,thatIfeltsureitwaseitheroneortheother.Determinednottolettheopportunityslip,Idismountedhastilyand,leavingtheCidloose,advancedonfootuntilIstoodwithinhalf-a-dozenpacesofthewindow.

Atthatpointthewatcherbecameawareofme.Shestartedback,butdidnotwithdraw.Stillpeeringdownatme,shecalledsoftlytosomeoneinsidethechamber,andimmediatelyasecondfigure,tallerandstouter,appeared.Ihadalreadydoffedmycap,andInow,inalowvoice,beggedtoknowifIhadthehonourofspeakingtoMademoiselledelaVire.Inthegrowingdarknessitwasimpossibletodistinguishfaces.

'Hush!'thestouterfiguremutteredinatoneofwarning.'Speaklower.Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouhere?'

'Iamhere,'Iansweredrespectfully,'commissionedbyafriendoftheladyIhavenamed,toconveyhertoaplaceofsafety.'

'Mondieu!'wasthesharpanswer.'Now?Itisimpossible.'

'No,'Imurmured,'notnow,butto-night.Themoonrisesathalf-pasttwo.Myhorsesneedrestandfood.AtthreeIwillbebelowthiswindowwiththemeansofescape,ifmademoisellechoosetousethem.'

Ifeltthattheywerestaringatmethroughthedusk,asthoughtheywouldreadmybreast.'Yourname,sir?'theshorterfiguremurmuredatlast,afterapausewhichwasfullofsuspenseandexcitement.

'Idonotthinkmynameofmuchimportatpresent,Mademoiselle,'

Ianswered,reluctanttoproclaimmyselfastranger.'When——'

'Yourname,yourname,sir!'sherepeatedimperiously,andI

heardherlittleheelrapuponthestonefloorofthebalcony.

'GastondeMarsac,'Iansweredunwillingly.

Theybothstarted,andcriedouttogether.'Impossible!'thelastspeakerexclaimed,amazementandangerinhertone,'Thisisajest,sir.This——'

WhatmoreshewouldhavesaidIwaslefttoguess,foratthatmomentherattendantIhadnodoubtnowwhichwasmademoiselleandwhichFanchette——suddenlylaidherhandonhermistress'smouthandpointedtotheroombehindthem.Asecond'ssuspense,andwithawantinggesturethetwoturnedanddisappearedthroughthewindow.

Ilostnotimeinregainingtheshelterofthetrees;andconcluding,thoughIwasfarfromsatisfiedwiththeinterview,thatIcoulddonothingmorenow,butmightrather,byloiteringintheneighbourhood,awakensuspicion,Iremountedandmadeforthehighwayandthevillage,whereIfoundmymeninnoisyoccupationoftheinn,apoorplace,withunglazedwindows,andafireinthemiddleoftheearthenfloor.MyfirstcarewetstostabletheCidinashedattheback,whereIprovidedforitswantsasfarasIcouldwiththeaidofahalf-nakedboy,whoseemedtobeinhidingthere.

Thisdone,Ireturnedtothefrontofthehouse,havingprettywellmadeupmymindhowIwouldsetaboutthetaskbeforeme.

AsIpassedoneofthewindows,whichwaspartiallyclosedbyarudecurtainmadeofoldsacks,Istoppedtolookin.Fresnoyandhisfourrascalswereseatedonblocksofwoodroundthehearth,talkingloudlyandfiercely,andrufflingitasifthefireandtheroomweretheirown.Apedlar,seatedonhisgoodsinonecorner,waseyeingthemwithevidentfearandsuspicion;

inanothercornertwochildrenhadtakenrefugeunderadonkey,whichsomefowlshadchosenasaroosting-pole.Theinnkeeper,asturdyfellow,withagreatclubinhisfist,satmoodilyatthefootofaladderwhichledtotheloftabove,whileaslatternlywoman,whowasgoingtoandfrogettingsupper,seemedinequalterrorofherguestsandhergoodman.

ConfirmedbywhatIsaw,andassuredthatthevillainswereripeforanymischief,and,ifnotchecked,wouldspeedilybebeyondmycontrol,Inoisilyflungthedooropenandentered.FresnoylookedupwithasneerasIdidso,andoneofthemenlaughed.

Theothersbecamesilent;butnoonemovedorgreetedme.

Withoutamoment'shesitationIsteppedtothenearestfellowand,withasturdykick,senthislogfromunderhim.'Rise,yourascal,whenIenter!'Icried,givingventtotheangerIhadlongfelt.'Andyou,too!'andwithasecondkickIsenthisneighbour'sstoolflyingalso,andadministeredacoupleofcutswithmyriding-caneacrosstheman'sshoulders.'Haveyounomanners,sirrah?Acrosswithyou,andleavethissidetoyourbetters.'

Thetworose,snarlingandfeelingfortheirweapons,andforamomentstoodfacingme,lookingnowatmeandnowaskanceatFresnoy.Butashegavenosign,andtheircomradesonlylaughed,themen'scouragefailedthematthepinch,andwithaverypoorgracetheysneakedovertotheothersideofthefireandsatthere,scowling.

Iseatedmyselfbesidetheirleader.'ThisgentlemanandIwilleathere,'Icriedtothemanatthefootoftheladder.'Bidyourwifelayforus,andofthebestyouhave;anddoyougivethoseknavestheirprovenderwherethesmelloftheirgreasyjacketswillnotcomebetweenusandourvictuals.'

Themancameforward,gladenough,asIsaw,todiscoveranyoneinauthority,andverycivillybegantodrawwineandplaceaboardforus,whilehiswifefilledourplattersfromtheblackpotwhichhungoverthefire.Fresnoy'sfacemeanwhileworetheamusedsmileofonewhocomprehendedmymotives,butfeltsufficientlysureofhispositionandinfluencewithhisfollowerstobeindifferenttomyproceedings.Ipresentlyshowedhim,however,thatIhadnotyetdonewithhim.Ourtablewaslaidinobediencetomyordersatsuchadistancefromthementhattheycouldnotoverhearourtalk,andby-and-byIleantovertohim.

'M.Fresnoy,'Isaid,'youareindangerofforgettingonething,Ifancy,whichitbehovesyoutoremember.'

'What?'hemuttered,scarcelydeigningtolookupatme.

'ThatyouhavetodowithGastondeMarsac,'Iansweredquietly.

'Iammaking,asItoldyouthismorning,alastattempttorecruitmyfortunes,andIwillletnoman——noman,doyouunderstand,M.Fresnoy?——thwartmeandgoharmless.'

'Whowishestothwartyou?'heaskedimpudently.

'You,'Iansweredunmoved,helpingmyself,asIspoke,fromtherollofblackbreadwhichlaybesideme.'Yourobbedmethisafternoon;Ipasseditover.Youencouragedthosementobeinsolent;Ipasseditover.Butletmetellyouthis.Ifyoufailmeto-night,onthehonourofagentleman,M.Fresnoy,I

willrunyouthroughasIwouldspitalark.'

'Willyou?Buttwocanplayatthatgame,'hecried,risingnimblyfromhisstool.'Stillbettersix!Don'tyouthink,M.

deMarsac,youhadbetterhavewaited——?'

'Ithinkyouhadbetterhearonewordmore,'Iansweredcoolly,keepingmyseat,'beforeyouappealtoyourfellowsthere.'

'Well,'hesaid,stillstanding,'whatisit?'

'Nay,'Ireplied,afteroncemorepointingtohisstoolinvain,'ifyouprefertotakemyordersstanding,wellandgood.'

'Yourorders?'heshrieked,growingsuddenlyexcited.

'Yes,myorders!'Iretorted,risingassuddenlytomyfeetandhitchingforwardmysword.'Myorders,sir,'Irepeatedfiercely,'or,ifyoudisputemyrighttocommandaswellastopaythisparty,letusdecidethequestionhereandnow——youandI,foottofoot,M.Fresnoy.'

Thequarrelflashedupsosuddenly,thoughIhadbeenpreparingitallalong,thatnoonemoved.Thewomanindeed,fellbacktoherchildren,buttherestlookedonopen-mouthed.Hadtheystirred,orhadamoment'shurly-burlyheatedhisblood,IdoubtnotFresnoywouldhavetakenupmychallenge,forhedidnotlackhardihood.Butasitwas,facetofacewithmeinthesilence,hiscouragefailedhim.Hepaused,gloweringatmeuncertainly,anddidnotspeak.

'Well,'Isaid,'don'tyouthinkthatifIpayIoughttogiveorders,sir?'

'Whowishestoopposeyourorders?'hemuttered,drinkingoffabumper,andsittingdownwithanairofimpudentbravado,assumedtohidehisdiscomfiture.

'Ifyoudon't,nooneelsedoes,'Ianswered.Sothatissettled.Landlord,somemorewine.'

Hewasverysulkywithmeforawhile,fingeringhisglassinsilenceandscowlingatthetable.Hehadenoughgentilitytofeelthehumiliationtowhichhehadexposedhimself,andasufficiencyofwittounderstandthatthatmoment'shesitationhadcosthimtheallegianceofhisfellow-ruffians.Ihastened,therefore,tosethimathiseasebyexplainingmyplansforthenight,andpresentlysucceededbeyondmyhopes;forwhenheheardwhotheladywaswhomIproposedtocarryoff,andthatshewaslyingthateveningattheChateaudeChize,hissurprisesweptawaythelasttraceofresentment.Hestaredatme,asatamaniac.

'MonDieu!'heexclaimed.'Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing,Sieur?'

'Ithinkso,'Ianswered.

'Doyouknowtowhomthechateaubelongs?'

'TotheVicomtedeTurenne.'

'AndthatMademoiselledelaVireishisrelation?'

'Yes,'Isaid.

'MonDieu!'heexclaimedagain.Andhelookedatmeopen-

mouthed.

'Whatisthematter?'Iasked,thoughIhadanuneasyconsciousnessthatIknew——thatIknewverywell.

'Man,hewillcrushyouasIcrushthishat!'heansweredingreatexcitement.'Aseasily.Whodoyouthinkwillprotectyoufromhiminaprivatequarrelofthiskind?Navarre?France?

ourgoodman?Notoneofthem.Youhadbetterstealtheking'scrownjewels——heisweak;orGuise'slastplot——heisgenerousattimes,orNavarre'slastsweetheart——heisaseasyasanoldshoe.Youhadbetterhavetodowithallthesetogether,Itellyou,thantouchTurenne'sewe-lambs,unlessyouraimbetobebrokenonthewheel!MonDieu,yes!'

'Iammuchobligedtoyouforyouradvice,'Isaidstiffly,'butthedieiscast.Mymindismadeup.Ontheotherhand,ifyouareafraid,M.Fresnoy——'

'Iamafraid;verymuchafraid,'heansweredfrankly.

'Stillyournameneednotbebroughtintothematter,'Ireplied,'Iwilltaketheresponsibility.Iwillletthemknowmynamehereattheinn,where,doubtless,inquirieswillbemade.'

'Tobesure,thatissomething,'heanswered.thoughtfully.

'Well,itisanuglybusiness,butIaminforit.Youwantmetogowithyoualittleaftertwo,doyou?andtheotherstobeinthesaddleatthree?Isthatit?'

Iassented,pleasedtofindhimsofaracquiescent;andinthisway,talkingthedetailsovermorethanonce,wesettledourcourse,arrangingtoflybywayofPoitiersandTours.OfcourseIdidnottellhimwhyIselectedBloisasourrefuge,norwhatwasmypurposethere;thoughhepressedmemorethanonceonthepoint,andgrewthoughtfulandsomewhatgloomywhenIcontinuallyevadedit.Alittleaftereightweretiredtothelofttosleep;

ourmenremainingbelowroundthefireandsnoringsomerrilyasalmosttoshakethecrazyoldbuilding.Thehostwaschargedtositupandcallusassoonasthemoonrose,but,asitturnedout,Imightaswellhavetakenthisofficeonmyself,forbetweenexcitementanddistrustIsleptlittle,andwaswideawakewhenIheardhisstepontheladderandknewitwastimetorise.

Iwasupinamoment,andFresnoywaslittlebehindme;sothat,losingnotimeintalk,weweremountedandontheroad,eachwithasparehorseathisknee,beforethemoonwaswellabovethetrees.OnceintheChasewefounditnecessarytoproceedonfoot,but,thedistancebeingshort,wepresentlyemergedwithoutmisadventureandstoodoppositetothechateau,theupperpartofwhichshonecoldandwhiteinthemoon'srays.

Therewassomethingsosolemnintheaspectoftheplace,thenightbeingfineandtheskywithoutacloud,thatIstoodforaminuteawedandimpressed,thesenseoftheresponsibilityIwasheretoacceptstronguponme.Inthatshortspaceoftimeallthedangersbeforeme,aswellthecommonrisksoftheroadasthevengeanceofTurenneandtheturbulenceofmyownmen,presentedthemselvestomymind,andmadealastappealtometoturnbackfromanenterprisesofoolhardy.Thebloodinaman'sveinsrunslowandslowatthathour,andminewaschilledbylackofsleepandthewintryair.Itneededtheremembranceofmysolitarycondition,ofmypastspentinstraitsandfailure,ofthegreyhairswhichsweptmycheek,oftheswordwhichIhadlongusedhonourably,ifwithlittleprofittomyself;itneededthethoughtofallthesethingstorestoremetocourageandmyself.

Ijudgedatalaterperiodthatmycompanionwasaffectedinsomewhatthesameway;for,asIstoopedtopresshomethepegswhichIhadbroughttotetherthehorses,helaidhishandonmyarm.Glancinguptoseewhathewanted,Iwasstruckbythewildlookinhisface(whichthemoonlightinvestedwithapeculiarmottledpallor),andparticularlyinhiseyes,whichglitteredlikeamadman's.Hetriedtospeak,butseemedtofindadifficultyindoingso;andIhadtoquestionhimroughlybeforehefoundhistongue.Whenhedidspeak,itwasonlytoimploremeinanodd,excitedmannertogiveuptheexpeditionandreturn.

'What,now?'Isaid,surprised.'Nowwearehere,Fresnoy?'

'Ay,giveitup!'hecried,shakingmealmostfiercelybythearm.'Giveitup,man!Itwillendbadly,Itellyou!InGod'sname,giveitup,andgohomebeforeworsecomesofit.'

'Whatevercomesofit,'Iansweredcoldly,shakinghisgraspfrommyarm,andwonderingmuchatthissuddenfitofcowardice,'Igoon.You,M.Fresnoy,maydoasyouplease!'

Hestartedanddrewbackfromme;buthedidnotreply,nordidhespeakagain.WhenIpresentlywentofftofetchaladder,ofthepositionofwhichIhadmadeanoteduringtheafternoon,heaccompaniedme,andfollowedmebackinthesamedullsilencetothewalkbelowthebalcony.Ihadlookedmorethanonceandeagerlyatmademoiselle'swindowwithoutanylightormovementinthatquarterrewardingmyvigilance;but,undeterredbythis,whichmightmeaneitherthatmyplotwasknown,orthatMademoiselledelaViredistrustedme,Isettheladdersoftlyagainstthebalcony,whichwasindeepshadow,andpausedonlytogiveFresnoyhislastinstructions.Theseweresimplytostandonguardatthefootoftheladderanddefenditincaseofsurprise;sothat,whateverhappenedinsidethechateau,myretreatbythewindowmightnotbecutoff.

ThenIwentcautiouslyuptheladder,and,withmysheathedswordinmylefthand,steppedoverthebalustrade.Takingonepaceforward,withfingersoutstretched,Ifelttheleadedpanesofthewindowandtappedsoftly.

Assoftlythecasementgaveway,andIfollowedit.AhandwhichIcouldseebutnotfeelwaslaidonmine.Allwasdarknessintheroom,andbeforeme,butthehandguidedmetwopacesforward,thenbyasuddenpressurebademestand.Iheardthesoundofa,curtainbeingdrawnbehindme,andthenextmomentthecoverofarushlightwasremoved,andafeeblebutsufficientlightfilledthechamber.

Icomprehendedthatthedrawingofthatcurtainoverthewindowhadcutoffmyretreataseffectuallyasifadoorhadbeenclosedbehindme.Butdistrustandsuspiciongavewaythenextmomenttothenaturalembarrassmentofthemanwhofindshimselfinafalsepositionandknowshecanescapefromitonlybyanawkwardexplanation.

TheroominwhichIfoundmyselfwaslong,narrow,andlowintheceiling;andbeinghungwithsomedarkstuffwhichswallowedupthelight,terminatedfunereallyatthefartherendinthestilldeepergloomofanalcove.Twoorthreehugechests,onebearingtheremnantsofameal,stoodagainstthewalls.Themiddleofthefloorwascoveredwithastripofcoarsematting,onwhichasmalltable,achairandfoot-rest,andacoupleofstoolshadplace,withsomesmallerarticleswhichlayscatteredroundapairofhalf-filledsaddle-bags.TheslighterandsmallerofthetwofiguresIhadseenstoodbesidethetable,wearingamaskandridingcloak;andbyhersilentmannerofgazingatme,aswellasbyacold,disdainfulbearing,whichneitherhermasknorcloakcouldhide,didmoretochillanddiscomfitmethanevenmyownknowledgethatIhadlostthepass-keywhichshouldhaveadmittedmetoherconfidence.

Thestouterfigureoftheafternoonturnedouttobeared-

cheeked,sturdywomanofthirty,withbrightblackeyesandamannerwhichlostnothingofitsfierceimpatiencewhenshecamealittlelatertoaddressme.AllmyideasofFanchettewereupsetbytheappearanceofthiswoman,who,rusticinherspeechandways,seemedmorelikeaduenna,thanthewaiting-maidofacourtbeauty,andbetterfittedtoguardawaywarddamselthantoaidherinsuchanescapadeaswehadinhand.

Shestoodslightlybehindhermistress,hercoarseredhandrestingonthebackofthechairfromwhichmademoisellehadapparentlyrisenonmyentrance.Forafewseconds,whichseemedminutestome,westoodgazingatoneanotherinsilence,mademoiselleacknowledgingmybowbyaslightmovementofthehead.Then,seeingthattheywaitedformetospeak,Ididso.

'MademoiselledelaVire?'Imurmureddoubtfully.

Shebentherheadagain;thatwasall.

Istrovetospeakwithconfidence.'Youwillpardonme,mademoiselle,'Isaid,'ifIseemtobeabrupt,buttimeiseverything.Thehorsesarestandingwithinahundredyardsofthehouse,andallthepreparationsforyourflightaremade.Ifweleavenow,wecandosowithoutopposition.Thedelayevenofanhourmayleadtodiscovery.'

Foranswershelaughedbehindhermask-laughedcoldlyandironically.'Yougotoofast,sir,'shesaid,herlowclearvoicematchingthelaughandrousingafeelingalmostofangerinmyheart.'Idonotknowyou;or,rather,Iknownothingofyouwhichshouldentitleyoutointerfereinmyaffairs.Youaretooquicktopresume,sir.Yousayyoucomefromafriend.Fromwhom?'

'FromonewhomIamproudtocallbythattitle,'IansweredwithwhatpatienceImight.

'Hisname!'

IansweredfirmlythatIcouldnotgiveit.AndIeyedhersteadilyasIdidso.

Thisforthemomentseemedtobaffleandconfuseher,butafterapauseshecontinued:'Wheredoyouproposetotakeme,sir?'

'ToBlois;tothelodgingofafriendofmyfriend.'

'Youspeakbravely,'sherepliedwithafaintsneer.'Youhavemadesomegreatfriendslatelyitseems!Butyoubringmesomeletter,nodoubt;atleastsomesign,sometoken,somewarranty,thatyouarethepersonyoupretendtobe,M.deMarsac?'

'Thetruthis,Mademoiselle,'Istammered,'Imustexplain.I

shouldtellyou——'

'Nay,sir,'shecriedimpetuously,'thereisnoneedoftelling.

IfyouhavewhatIsay,showitme!Itisyouwholosetime.

Letushavenomorewords!'

Ihadusedveryfewwords,and,Godknows,wasnotinthemindtousemany;but,beinginthewrong,Ihadnoanswertomakeexceptthetruth,andthathumbly.'Ihadsuchatokenasyoumention,mademoiselle,'Isaid,'nofartherbackthanthisafternoon,intheshapeofhalfagoldcoin,entrustedtomebymyfriend.

But,tomyshameIsayit,itwasstolenfrommeafewhoursback.'

'Stolenfromyou!'sheexclaimed.

'Yes,mademoiselle;andforthatreasonIcannotshowit,'I

answered.

'Youcannotshowit?Andyoudaretocometomewithoutit!'

shecried,speakingwithavehemencewhichfairlystartledme,preparedasIwasforreproaches.Youcometome!You!'shecontinued.Andwiththat,scarcelystoppingtotakebreath,sheloadedmewithabuse;callingmeimpertinent,ameddler,andahundredotherthings,whichInowblushtorecall,anddisplayinginallapassionwhicheveninherattendantwouldhavesurprisedme,butinonesoslightandseeminglydelicate,overwhelmedandconfoundedme.InfaultasIwas,Icouldnotunderstandthepeculiarbitternessshedisplayed,orthecontemptuousforceofherlanguage,andIstaredatherinsilentwonderuntil,ofherownaccord,shesuppliedthekeytoherfeelings.Inafreshoutburstofrageshesnatchedoffhermask,andtomyastonishmentIsawbeforemetheyoungmaidofhonourwhomIhadencounteredintheKingofNavarre'santechamber,andwhomIhadbeensounfortunateastoexposetotherailleryofMathurine.

'Whohaspaidyou,sir,'shecontinued,clenchinghersmallhandsandspeakingwithtearsofangerinhereyes,'tomakemethelaughing-stockoftheCourt?ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtyoutheproperagentofthosetowhomIhavearighttolookforaid!ItwasbadenoughwhenIthoughtmyselfforced,throughtheirinconsideratechoice,todecidebetweenanodiousimprisonmentandtheridiculetowhichyourinterventionmustexposeme!Butthatyoushouldhavedared,ofyourownnotion,tofollowme,you,thebuttoftheCourt——'

'Mademoiselle!'Icried.

'Aneedy,out-at-elbowsadventurer!'shepersisted,triumphinginhercruelty.'Itexceedsallbearing!Itisnottobesuffered!It——'

'Nay,mademoiselle;youSHALLhearme!'Icried,withasternnesswhichatlaststoppedher.'GrantedIampoor,Iamstillagentleman;yes,mademoiselle,'Icontinued,firmly,'agentleman,andthelastofafamilywhichhasspokenwithyoursonequalterms.AndIclaimtobeheard.IswearthatwhenI

camehereto-nightIbelievedyoutobeaperfectstranger!I

wasunawarethatIhadeverseenyou,unawarethatIhadevermetyoubefore,'

'Thenwhydidyoucome?'shesaidviciously.

'Iwasengagedtocomebythosewhomyouhavementioned,andthere,andthereonlyamIinfault.TheyentrustedtomeatokenwhichIhavelost.ForthatIcraveyourpardon.'

'Youhaveneedto,'sheansweredbitterly,yetwithachangedcountenance,orIwasmistaken,'ifyourstorybetrue,sir.'

'Ay,thatyouhave!'thewomanbesideherechoed.

'Hoitytoity,indeed!Hereisafussaboutnothing.Youcallyourselfagentleman,andwearsuchadoubletas——'

'Peace,Fanchette"mademoisellesaidimperiously.Andthenforamomentshestoodsilent,eyeingmeintently,herlipstremblingwithexcitementandtworedspotsburninginhercheeks.Itwasclearfromherdressandotherthingsthatshehadmadeuphermindtoflyhadthetokenbeenforthcoming;andseeingthis,andknowinghowunwillingayounggirlistoforgoherownway,I

stillhadsomehopesthatshemightnotpersevereinherdistrustandrefusal.Andsoitturnedout.

Hermannerhadchangedtooneofquietscornwhenshenextspoke.

'Youdefendyourselfskilfully,sir,'shesaid,drummingwithherfingersonthetableandeyeingmesteadfastly.'Butcanyougivemeanyreasonforthepersonyounamemakingchoiceofsuchamessenger?'

'Yes,'Ianswered,boldly.'Thathemaynotbesuspectedofconnivingatyourescape.'

'Oh!'shecried,withasparkofherformerpassion.'ThenitistobeputaboutthatMademoiselledelaVirehadfledfromChizewithM.deMarsac,isit?Ithoughtthat!'

'ThroughtheassistanceofM.deMarsac,'Iretorted,correctinghercoldly.'Itisforyou,mademoiselle,'Icontinued,'toweighthatdisadvantageagainsttheunpleasantnessofremaininghere.Itonlyremainsformetoaskyoutodecidequickly.Timepresses,andIhavestayedheretoolongalready.'

Thewordshadbarelypassedmylipswhentheyreceivedunwelcomeconfirmationintheshapeofadistantsound——thenoisyclosingofadoor,which,clangingthroughthehouseatsuchanhour——I

judgedittobeafterthreeo'clock——couldscarcelymeananythingbutmischief.Thisnoisewasfollowedimmediately,evenwhilewestoodlisteningwithraisedfingers,byothersounds——amuffledcry,andthetrampofheavyfootstepsinadistantpassage.Mademoisellelookedatme,andIatherwoman.'Thedoor!'Imuttered.'Isitlocked?'

'Andbolted!'Fanchetteanswered;'andagreatchestsetagainstit.Letthemramp;theywilldonoharmforabit.'

'Thenyouhavestilltime,mademoiselle,'Iwhispered,retreatingastepandlayingmyhandonthecurtainbeforethewindow.

PerhapsIaffectedgreatercoolnessthanIfelt.'Itisnottoolate.Ifyouchoosetoremain,wellandgood.Icannothelpit.

If,ontheotherhand,youdecidetotrustyourselftome,I

swear,onthehonourofagentleman,tobeworthyofthetrust——

toserveyoutrulyandprotectyoutothelast!Icansaynomore.'

Shetrembled,lookingfrommetothedoor,onwhichsomeonehadjustbeguntoknockloudly.Thatseemedtodecideher.Herlipsapart,hereyesfullofexcitement,sheturnedhastilytoFanchette.

'Ay,goifyoulike,'thewomananswereddoggedly,readingthemeaningofherlook.'Therecannotbeagreatervillainthantheoneweknowof.Butoncestarted,heavenhelpus,forifheovertakesuswe'llpaydearlyforit!'

Thegirldidnotspeakherself,butitwasenough.Thenoiseatthedoorincreasedeachsecond,andbegantobemingledwithangryappealstoFanchettetoopen,andwiththreatsincaseshedelayed.Icutthemattershortbysnatchinguponeofthesaddle-bags——theotherweleftbehind——andflungbackthecurtainwhichcoveredthewindow.Atthesametimethewomandashedoutthelight——atimelyprecaution——andthrowingopenthecasementI

steppedontothebalcony,theothersfollowingmeclosely.

Themoonhadrisenhigh,andfloodingwithlightthesmallopenspaceaboutthehouseenabledmetoseeclearlyallroundthefootoftheladder,tomysurpriseFresnoywasnotathispost,norwashetobeseenanywhere;butas,atthemomentIobservedthis,anoutcryawaytomyleft,attherearofthechateau,cametomyears,andannouncedthatthedangerwasnolongerconfinedtotheinteriorofthehouse,Iconcludedthathehadgonethatwaytointercepttheattack.Withoutmore,therefore,IbegantodescendasquicklyasIcould,myswordunderonearmandthebagundertheother.

Iwashalf-waydown,andmademoisellewasalreadysteppingontotheladdertofollow,whenIheardfootstepsbelow,andsawhimrunup,hisswordinhishand.

'Quick,Fresnoy!'Icried.'Tothehorsesandunfastenthem!

quick!'

Isliddowntherestoftheway,thinkinghehadgonetodomybidding.Butmyfeetwerescarcelyonthegroundwhenatremendousblowinthesidesentmestaggeringthreepacesfromtheladder.Theattackwassosudden,sounexpected,thatbutforthesightofFresnoy'sscowlingface,wildwithrage,atmyshoulder,andthesoundofhisfiercebreathingashestrovetoreleasehissword,whichhadpassedthroughmysaddle-bag,I

mightneverhaveknownwhostrucktheblow,orhownarrowhadbeenmyescape.

Fortunatelytheknowledgedidcometomeintime,andbeforehefreedhisblade;anditnervedmyhand.Todrawmy-bladeatsuchclosequarterswasimpossible,but,droppingthebagwhichhadsavedmylife,Idashedmyhilttwiceinhisfacewithsuchviolencethathefellbackwardsandlayontheturf,adarkstaingrowingandspreadingonhisupturnedface.

Itwasscarcelydonebeforethewomenreachedthefootoftheladderandstoodbesideme.'Quick!'Icriedtothem,'ortheywillbeuponus.'Seizingmademoiselle'shand,justashalf-a-

dozenmencamerunningroundthecornerofthehouse,Ijumpedwithherdownthehaha,and,urginghertoherutmostspeed,dashedacrosstheopengroundwhichlaybetweenusandthebeltoftrees.Onceintheshelterofthelatter,whereourmovementswerehiddenfromview,Ihadstilltofreethehorsesandmountmademoiselleandherwoman,andthisinhaste.Butmycompanions'admirablecoolnessandpresenceofmind,andtheobjectionwhichourpursuers,whodidnotknowournumbers,felttoleavingtheopenground,enabledustodoallwith,comparativeease.IsprangontheCid(ithasalwaysbeenmyhabittoteachmyhorsetostandforme,nordoIknowanyaccomplishmentmoreserviceableatapinch),andgivingFresnoy'sgreyacutovertheflankswhichdespatcheditahead,ledthewaydowntheridebywhichIhadgainedthechateauintheafternoon.

Iknewittobelevelandclearoftrees,andthefactthatwechoseitmightthrowourpursuersoffthetrackforatime,byleadingthemtothinkwehadtakenthesouthroadinsteadofthatthroughthevillage.

CHAPTERV.

THEROADTOBLOIS.

Wegainedtheroadwithoutletorhindrance,whenceasharpburstinthemoonlightsoonbroughtustothevillage.Throughthiswesweptontotheinn,almostrunningoverthefourevangelists,whomwefoundstandingatthedoorreadyforthesaddle.Ibadethem,inaquickperemptorytone,togettohorse,andwasoverjoyedtoseethemobeywithoutdemurorwordofFresnoy.Inanotherminute,withagreatclatterofhoofs,wesprangclearofthehamlet,andwerewellontheroadtoMelle,withPoitierssomethirteenleaguesbeforeus.Ilookedback,andthoughtI

discernedlightsmovinginthedirectionofthechateau;butthedawnwasstilltwohoursoff,andthemoonlightleftmeindoubtwhetherthesewererealorthecreaturesofmyownfearfulfancy.

Iremember,threeyearsbeforethistime,ontheoccasionofthefamousretreatfromAngers——whenthePrinceofCondehadinvolvedhisarmybeyondtheLoire,andsawhimself,intheimpossibilityofrecrossingtheriver,compelledtotakeshipforEngland,leavingeveryonetoshiftforhimself——Iwellrememberonthatoccasionriding,aloneandpistolinhand,throughmorethanthirtymilesoftheenemy'scountrywithoutdrawingrein.Butmyanxietieswerethenconfinedtothefourshoesofmyhorse.ThedangerstowhichIwasexposedateveryfordandcrossroadweresuchasareinseparablefromacampaign,andbreedingenerousheartsonlyafiercepleasure,rarelytobeotherwiseenjoyed.

AndthoughIthenrodewarily,andwhereIcouldnotcarryterror,hadalltofearmyself,therewasnothingsecretorunderhandinmybusiness.

Itwasverydifferentnow.DuringthefirstfewhoursofourflightfromChizeIexperiencedapainfulexcitement,analarm,afeverishanxietytogetforward,whichwasnewtome;whichoppressedmyspiritstotheveryground;whichledmetotakeeverysoundbornetousonthewindforthesoundofpursuit,transformingtheclangofahammerontheanvilintotheringofswords,andthevoicesofmyownmenintothoseofthepursuers.

Itwasinvainmademoisellerodewithafreehand,andleapingsuchobstaclesaslayinourway,gavepromiseofcourageandendurancebeyondmyexpectations.Icouldthinkofnothingbutthethreelongday'sbeforeus,withtwenty-fourhourstoeveryday,andeachhourfraughtwithahundredchancesofdisasterandruin.

Infact,thelongerIconsideredourposition——andaswepoundedalong,nowsplashingthroughafounderoushollow,nowstumblingaswewoundoverastonyshoulder,Ihadampletimetoreflectuponit——thegreaterseemedthedifficultiesbeforeus.ThelossofFresnoy,whileitfreedmefromsomeembarrassment,meantalsothelossofagoodsword,andwehadmusteredonlytoofewbefore.ThecountrywhichlaybetweenusandtheLoire,beingtheborderlandbetweenourpartyandtheLeague,hadbeenlaiddesolatesooftenastobeabandonedtopillageanddisorderofeverykind.Thepeasantshadflockedintothetowns.Theirplaceshadbeentakenbybandsofrobbersanddesertersfrombothparties,whohauntedtheruinedvillagesaboutPoitiers,andpreyeduponallwhodaredtopass.Toaddtoourperils,theroyalarmyundertheDukeofNeverswasreportedtobemovingslowlysouthward,notveryfartotheleftofourroad;whileaHuguenotexpeditionagainstNiortwasalsoinprogresswithinafewleaguesofus.

Withfourstaunchandtrustworthycomradesatmyback,Imighthavefacedeventhissituationwithasmileandalightheart;

buttheknowledgethatmyfourknavesmightmutinyatanymoment,or,worsestill,ridthemselvesofmeandallrestraintbyasingletreacherousblowsuchasFresnoyhadaimedatme,filledmewithanever-presentdread;whichittaxedmyutmostenergiestohidefromthem,andwhichIstroveinvaintoconcealfrommademoiselle'skeenervision.

Whetheritwasthishadaneffectuponher,givingherameaneropinionofmethanthatwhichIhadforawhilehopedsheentertained,orthatshebegan,nowitwastoolate,toregretherflightandresentmypartinit,Iscarcelyknow;butfromdaybreakonwardssheassumedanattitudeofcoldsuspiciontowardsme,whichwasonlylessunpleasantthanthescornfuldistanceofhermannerwhenshedeigned,whichwasseldom,toaddressme.

NotoncedidsheallowmetoforgetthatIwasinhereyesaneedyadventurer,paidbyherfriendstoescorthertoaplaceofsafety,butwithoutanyclaimtothesmallestprivilegeofintimacyorequality.WhenIwouldhaveadjustedhersaddle,shebadeherwomancomeandholdupherskirt,thatmyhandsmightnottouchitshemevenbyaccident.AndwhenIwouldhavebroughtwinetoheratMelle,wherewestayedfortwentyminutes,shecalledFanchettetohandittoher.Sherodeforthemostpartinhermask;andwithherwoman.Onegoodeffectonlyherprideandreservehad;theyimpressedourmenwithastrongsenseofherimportance,andthedangertowhichanyinterferencewithhermightexposethem.

ThetwomenwhomFresnoyhadenlistedIdirectedtorideascoreofpacesinadvance.LukeandJohnIplacedintherear.InthismannerIthoughttokeepthemsomewhatapart.Formyself,I

proposedtorideabreastofmademoiselle,butshemadeitsoclearthatmyneighbourhooddispleasedherthatIfellback,leavinghertoridewithFanchette;andcontentedmyselfwithploddingattheirheels,andstrivingtoattachthelaterevangeliststomyinterests.

Weweresofortunate,despitemyfears,astofindtheroadnearlydeserted——as,alas,wasmuchofthecountryoneitherside——andtomeetnonebutsmallpartiestravellingalongit;whoweregladenough,seeingthevillainouslooksofouroutriders,togiveusawideberth,andbequitofusforthefright.WeskirtedLusignan,shunningthestreets,butpassingnearenoughformetopointouttomademoisellethesiteofthefamoustowerbuilt,accordingtotradition,bythefairyMelusina,andrasedthirteenyearsbackbytheLeaguers.Shereceivedmyinformationsofrigidly,however,thatIofferednomore,butfellbackshruggingmyshoulders,androdeinsilence,until,sometwohoursafternoon,thecityofPoitierscameintosight,lyingwithinitscircleofwallsandtowersonalowhillinthemiddleofacountryclothedinsummerwithrichvineyards,butnowbrownandbareandcheerlesstotheeye.

FanchetteturnedandaskedmeabruptlyifthatwerePoitiers.

Iansweredthatitwas,butaddedthatforcertainreasonsI

proposednottohalt,buttolieatavillagealeaguebeyondthecity,wheretherewasatolerableinn.

'Weshalldoverywellhere,'thewomanansweredrudely.'Anyway,myladywillgonofarther.Sheistiredandcold,andwetbesides,andhasgonefarenough.'

'Still,'Ianswered,nettledbythewoman'sfamiliarity,'Ithinkmademoisellewillchangehermindwhenshehearsmyreasonsforgoingfarther.'

'Mademoiselledoesnotwishtohearthem,sir,'theladyrepliedherself,andverysharply.

'Nevertheless,Ithinkyouhadbetterhearthem,'Ipersisted,turningtoherrespectfully.'Yousee,mademoiselle——'

'Iseeonlyonething,sir,'sheexclaimed,snatchingoffhermaskanddisplayingacountenancebeautifulindeed,butflushedforthemomentwithangerandimpatience,'that,whateverbetides,IstayatPoitiersto-night.'

'Ifitwouldcontentyoutorestanhour?'Isuggestedgently.

'Itwillnotcontentme!'sherejoinedwithspirit.'Andletmetellyou,sir,'shewentonimpetuously,'onceforall,thatyoutaketoomuchuponyourself.Youareheretoescortme,andtogiveorderstotheseragamuffins,fortheyarenothingbetter,withwhomyouhavethoughtfittodisgraceourcompany;butnottogiveorderstomeortocontrolmymovements.Confineyourselfforthefuture,sir,toyourduties,ifyouplease.'

'Idesireonlytoobeyyou,'Ianswered,suppressingtheangryfeelingswhichroseinmybreast,andspeakingascoollyaslayinmypower.'But,asthefirstofmydutiesistoprovideforyoursafety,Iamdeterminedtoomitnothingwhichcanconducetothatend.Youhavenotconsideredthat,ifapartyinpursuitofusreachesPoitiersto-night,searchwillbemadeforusinthecity,andweshallbetaken.If,ontheotherhand,weareknowntohavepassedthrough,thehuntmaygonofarther;certainlywillgonofartherto-night.Thereforewemustnot,mademoiselle,'Iaddedfirmly,'lieinPoitiersto-night.'

'Sir,'sheexclaimed,lookingatme,herfacecrimsonwithwonderandindignation,'doyoudareto——?'

'Idaredomyduty,mademoiselle,'Ianswered,pluckingupaspirit,thoughmyheartwassore.'Iamamanoldenoughtobeyourfather,andwithlittletolose,orIhadnotbeenhere.I

carenothingwhatyouthinkorwhatyousayofme,providedIcandowhatIhaveundertakentodoandplaceyousafelyinthehandsofyourfriends.Butenough,mademoiselle,weareatthegate.

Ifyouwillpermitme,Iwillridethroughthestreetsbesideyou.Weshallsoattractlessattention.'

Withoutwaitingforapermissionwhichshewasveryunlikelytogive,Ipushedmyhorseforward,andtookmyplacebesideher,signingtoFanchettetofallback.Themaidobeyed,speechlesswithindignation;whilemademoiselleflashedascathingglanceatmeandlookedroundinhelplessanger,asthoughitwasinhermindtoappealagainstmeeventothepassers-by.Butshethoughtbetterofit,andcontentingherselfwithmutteringtheword'Impertinent'putonhermaskwithfingerswhichtrembled,I

fancy,notalittle.

Asmallrainwasfallingandtheafternoonwaswelladvancedwhenweenteredthetown,butInoticedthat,notwithstandingthis,thestreetspresentedabusyandanimatedappearance,beingfullofknotsofpeopleengagedinearnesttalk.Abellwastollingsomewhere,andnearthecathedralacrowdofnolittlesizewasstanding,listeningtoamanwhoseemedtoberendingaplacardormanifestoattachedtothewall.Inanotherplaceasoldier,wearingthecrimsoncoloursoftheLeague,butsplashedandstainedaswithrecenttravel,washoldingforthtoabreathlesscirclewhoseemedtohanguponhislips.Aneighbouringcornershelteredahandfulofpriestswhowhisperedtogetherwithgloomyfaces.Manystaredatusaswepassed,andsomewouldhavespoken;butIrodesteadilyon,invitingnoconverse.

NeverthelessatthenorthgateIgotararefright;for,thoughitwantedafullhalf-hourofsunset,theporterwasintheactofclosingit.Seeingus,hewaitedgrumblinguntilwecameup,andthenmuttered,inanswertomyremonstrance,somethingaboutqueertimesandwilfulpeoplehavingtheirway.Itooklittlenoticeofwhathesaid,however,beinganxiousonlytogetthroughthegateandleaveasfewtracesofourpassageasmightbe.

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