CHAPTERIV

THEDISCIPLESOFROUSSEAU

TheMarquisofBellecourwould，perhapshavephilosophisedlesscomplacentlyhadheknownthatthesecretarywasfarfromdead，andthatwhattheexecutionerhad，genuinelyenough，mistakenfordeathwasnomorethanapassingswoon。Underordinarycircumstanceshemightnothavebeensatisfiedtohavetakenthefellow’sword；hewouldhimselfhaveascertainedthetruthofthestatementbyacloseinspectionofthevictim。But，aswehaveseen，thenewscameassodesirableasolutiontothealtercationthatwaswaxing’twixthimselfandDesCadouxthathewasmorethangladtoavailhimselfofit。

ThediscoverythatCaronlivedwasmadewhiletheywerecuttinghimdownfromhispillory，andjustastheMarquiswasturningtogowithin。Aflutteroftheeyelidsandagaspforbreathannouncedthefact，andtheexecutionerwasonthepointofcryingouthisdiscoverywhenMademoiselle’seyesflashedhimaglanceofwarning，andhervoicewhisperedfeverishly：

"Hush！TherearetenlouisforeachofyouifyoubutkeepsilentandcarryhimtoMasterDuhamelasItoldyou。"

Thesecretaryopenedhiseyesbutsawnothing，andalowmoanescapedhim。Sheshotafearfulglanceattheretreatingfigureofherfather，whilstGilles—theexecutioner—hissedsharplyintohisear：

"Millediables！bestill，man。Youaredead。"

Thusdidheescape，andthuswasheborne—alimp，agonised，andbleedingmass，tothehouseofDuhamel。Theoldschoolmasterreceivedthemwithtearsinhiseyes—norweretheyaltogethertearsofsorrow，forallthatpoorCaron’smangledconditiongrievedhimsorely；theywereinameasuretearsofthankfulness；forDuhamelhadnotdaredhopetoseetheyoungmanaliveagain。

Atthepedagogue’sdoorstoodaberline，andwithinhishousetherewasavisitor。Thiswasaslightyoungmanofmediumstature，whohadnottheappearanceofmorethantwenty—fiveyearsofage，forallthat，asamatteroffact，hewasjustoverthirty。Hewasdressedwithsoscrupulousaneatnessastoconvey，inspiteofthedarkcolourofhisgarments，animpressionalmostoffoppishness。

Therewasanamplitudeabouthiscravat，anairofextremecareaboutthedressingofhiswigandthepowderingofit，andashiningbrightnessabouthisbuttonsandthebucklesofhisshoeswhichseemedtoproclaimthedandy，justasthesombrenessofthecolourchosenseemedtodenyit。Inhissingularlypalecountenanceasimilarcontradictionwasobservable。Theweak，kindlyeyesalmostappearedtogivethelietotheastuteprominenceofhischeekbones；

thesensitivenessofthemouthseemedneutralisedbythethinnessofthelips，whilsttheoddlytip—tiltednosemadeamockoftheausterityofthebrow。

Hewasperfectlyateaseinhissurroundings，andasLaBoulayewascarriedintotheschoolmaster’sstudyandlaidonacouch，hecameforwardandpeeredcuriouslyatthesecretary’sfigure，voicinganinquiryconcerninghim。

"ItistheyoungmanofwhomIwastellingyou，Maximilien，"answeredDuhamel。"IgivethankstoGodthattheyhavenotkilledhimoutright。ItisamercyIhadnotexpectedfromthosewolves，andonewhich，onmysoul，Icannotunderstand。"

"Monsieur，"saidGilles，"willunderstanditbetterperhapsifI

tellyouthattheMarquisbelieveshimtobedead。Hewascutdownfordead，andwhenwediscoveredthathestillliveditwasMademoisellewhoprevaileduponustosavehim。Sheispayingustokeepthesecret，butnotafortunewouldtemptmeifIthoughttheSeigneurwereeverlikelytohearofit。HemustbegotawayfromBellecour；indeed，hemustbegotoutofPicardyatonce，Monsieur。AndyoumustpromisemethatthisshallbedoneorwewillcarryhimbacktotheChateauandtelltheMarquisthathehassuddenlyrevived。Imustinsist，Monsieur；forifeveritshouldtranspirethathewasnotdeadtheSeigneurwouldhangus。"

Thestranger’sweakeyesseemedtokindleinanger，andhislipscurleduntiltheyexaggeratedthealreadypreposteroustiltofhisnose。

"Hewouldhangyou，eh？"saidhe。"Mafoi，Duhamel，weshallchangeallthisverysoon，Ipromiseyou。"

"Godknowsitneedschanging，"growledDuhamel。"ItseemsthatitwasonlyintheOldTestamentthatHeaveninterferedwithhumaniniquity。WhyitdoesnotrainfireandbrimstoneontheChateaudeBellecourpassestheunderstandingofagoodChristian。I’llswearthatinneitherSodomnorGomorrahwasvillainymorerampant。

ThestrangerpluckedathissleevetoremindhimofthepresenceoftheservantsfromtheChateau。Duhamelturnedtothem。

"Iwillkeephimconcealedhereuntilheisabletogetabout，"

heassuredthem。"ThenIshallfindhimthemeanstoleavetheprovince。"

ButGillesshookhishead，andhiscompaniongruntedanechoofhisdisapproval。

"Thatwillnotserve，master，"heansweredsullenly。"WhatiftheSeigneurshouldhavewordofhispresencehere？Itisover—dangerous。

Someonemayseehim。No，no，EitherheleavesBellecourthisverynight，andyouswearthatheshall，orelsewecarryhimbacktotheChateau。"

"ButhowcanIswearthis？"criedDuhamelimpatiently。

"Why，easilyenough，"putinthestranger。"Letmetakehiminmyberline。IcanleavehimatAmiensoratBeauvais，oranyoneoftheconvenientplacesthatIpass。OrIcanevencarryhimontoPariswithme。"

"Youareverygood，Maximilien，"answeredtheoldman，towhichtheotherreturnedagestureofdeprecation。

Inthisfashion，then，wasthemattersettledtothesatisfactionoftheSeigneur’sretainers，anduponhavingreceivedDuhamel’ssolemnpromisethatCaronshouldbecarriedoutofBellecour，and，forthatmatter，outofPicardy，beforethenightwasspent，theywithdrew。

Withintheschoolmaster’sstudyhewhomDuhamelcalledMaximilienstrodetoandfro，hishandsclaspedbehindhisback，hisheadbent，hischinthrustforward，denouncingtheseigneurialsystem，ofwhoseatrocityhehadreceivedthateveninginstancesenough—forhehadheardthewholestoryofLaBoulaye’srebellionagainstthepowerofBellecourandthecausesthathadledtoit。

"Wewillmendallthis，Ipromiseyou，Duhamel，"hewasrepeating。

"Butnotuntilwehaveunitedtoshieldtheweakfromoppression，torestrainthearrogantandtosecuretoeachthepossessionofwhatbelongstohim；notuntilallmenarefreeandstarteduponequaltermsintheraceoflife；notuntilweshallhavesetuprulesofjusticeandofpeace，towhichall—richandpoor，nobleandsimplealike—shallbeobligedtoconform。Thusonlycanwerepairtheevildonebythecapriceoffortune，whichcausestheonetobebornintosilkandtheotherintofustian。Wemustsubjecttheweakandthemightyaliketomutualduties，collectingourforcesintothesupremepowertogovernusallimpartiallybythesamelaws，toprotectalikeallmembersofthecommunity，torepelourcommonfoesandpreserveusinnever—endingconcord。Howmanycrimes，murders，wars，miseries，horrorsshallthusbesparedus，Duhamel？Anditwillcome；itwillcomesoon，neverfear。"

CaronstirredonthecouchwhereDuhamelwastendinghim，andraisedhisheadtoglanceatthemanwhowasvoicingthedoctrinesthatforyearshaddweltinhisheart。

"DearJeanJacques，"hemurmured。

Thestrangerturnedsharplyandsteppedtotheyoungman’sside。

"Youhavereadthemaster？"heinquired，withasudden，new—borninterestinthesecretary。

"Readhim？"criedCaromforgettingforthemomentthesoreconditionofhisbodyinthedelightofdiscoveringonewhowasboundtohimbysuchbondsofsympathyasoldRousseauestablished。

"Readhim，Monsieur？Thereisscarcealineinallhis’Discourses’

thatIdonotknowbyheart，andthatIdonottreasure，vaguelyhopingandprayingthatsomedaysuchastateashedreamtofmayfinditselfestablished，andmaysweepasidethesecorrupt，tyrannicalconditions。"

Maximilien’seyeskindled。

"Boy，"heansweredimpressively，"Yourhopesareontheeveoffruition，yourprayersareabouttobeheard。Yes—eventhoughitshouldentailtramplingtheLiliesofFranceintotheverydust。

"Whoareyou，Monsieur？"askedLaBoulaye，eyeingthisprophetwithgrowinginterest。

"Robespierreismyname，"wastheanswer，andtoLaBoulayeitconveyednoenlightenment，forthenameofMaximilienMarieIsidoredeRobespierre，whichwithinsoveryshortatimewastomeansomuchinFrance，asyetmeantnothing。

LaBoulayeinclinedhisheadasifacknowledginganintroduction，thenturnedhisattentiontoDuhamelwhowasofferinghimacupofwine。Hedrankgratefully，andtheinvigoratingeffectswerealmostinstantaneous。

"Nowletusseetoyourhurts，"saidtheschoolmaster，whohadtakensomelinenandapotofunguentsfromacupboard。LaBoulayesatup，andwhattimeDuhamelwasbusydressinghislaceratedback，theyoungmantalkedwithRobespierre。

"YouaregoingtoParis，yousay，Monsieur？"

"Yes，totheStates—General，"answeredMaximilien。

"Asadeputy？"inquiredCaron，withever—heighteninginterest。

"Asadeputy，Monsieur。MyfriendsofArrashaveelectedmetotheThirdEstateofArtois。"

"Dieu！HowIenvyyou！"exclaimedLaBoulaye，tocryoutamomentlaterinthepaintowhichDuhamel’swell—intentionedoperationsweresubjectinghim。"Iwoulditmightbemine，"headdedpresently，"totakeahandinlegislation，andthemendingofit；forasitstandsatpresentitisinferiorfartothelawlessanarchyoftheaborigines。Amongthem，atleast，theconditionsaremorenormal，theyofferbetterbalancebetweenfacultyandexecution；theyarebyfarmorepropitioustohappinessandorderthanisthisbrokenwreckofcivilisationthatwecallFrance。Itistoequalityalone，"

hecontinued，warmingtohissubject，"thatNaturehasattachedthepreservationofoursocialfaculties，andalllegislationthataimsatbeingefficientshouldbedirectedtotheestablishmentofequality。Asitis，therichwillalwaysprefertheirownfortunetothatoftheState，whilstthepoorwillneverlove—norcanlove—aconditionoflawsthatleavestheminmisery。"

Robespierreeyedtheyoungmaninsomesurprise。Hisdeliverywasimpassioned，andalthoughinwhathesaidtherewasperhapsnothingthatwasfreshtothelawyerofArras，yetthemannerinwhichhesaiditwasimpressivetoadegree。

"ButDuhamel，"hecriedtotheschoolmaster，"youdidnottellmethisyoungpatriotwasanorator。"

"NoramI，Monsieur，"smiledLaBoulaye。"IambutthemouthpieceofthegreatRousseau。Ihavesoassimilatedhisthoughtsthattheycomefrommeasspontaneouslyasiftheyweremyown，andoftenIgosofarastodeludemyselfintobelievingthattheyare。"

NobetterrecommendationthanthiscouldhehavehadtotheattentionofRobespierre，whowashimselfmuchinthesamecase，imbuedwithandinspiredbythosedoctrines，soidealintheory，but，alas！sodifficult，soimpossibleinpractice。Forfullyanhourtheysatandtalked，andeachimprovedinhislikingoftheother，untilatlast，bethinkinghimoftheflightoftime，Robespierreannouncedthathemuststart。

"YouwilltakehimtoPariswithyou，Maximilien？"quoththeoldpedagogue。

"Mafoi，yes；andifwithsuchgiftsasNatureappearstohavegivenhim，andsuchcultivationofthemas，throughtheteachingsofRousseau，hehaseffected，Idonotmakesomethingofhim，why，then，IamunworthyoftheconfidencemygoodfriendsofArrasreposeinme。"

Theymadetheiradieux，andtheschoolmaster，openinghisdoor，peeredout。ThestreetwasdesertedsaveforteRobespierre’sberlineandhisimpatientpostillion。BetweenthemDuhamelandMaximilienassistedCarontothedoorofthecarriage。Themovingsubjectedhimtoanexcruciatingagony，buthecaughthisnetherlipinhisteeth，andneverallowedthemtosuspectit。Astheyraisedhimintotheberline，however，hetoppledforward，fainting。

Duhamelhastenedindoorsforacordial，andbroughtalsosomepillowswithwhichtopromotetheyoungman’scomfortonthejourneythatwasbeforehim—or，rather，tolessenthediscomfortwhichthejoltingwaslikelytooccasionhim。

Caronrecoveredbeforetheystarted，andwithtearsinhiseyeshethankedoldDuhamelandvoicedahopethattheymightmeetagainerelong。

ThenRobespierrejumpednimblyintotheberline。Thedoorclosed，thepostillion’swhipcrackedbriskly，andtheysetoutuponajourneywhichtoLaBoulayewastobeasthepassingfromonelifetoanother。

PARTII

THENEWRULE

Allons！Marchons！

Qu’unsangimpurAbreuvenossillons！

LaMarseillaise。

CHAPTERV

THESHEEPTURNEDWOLVES

Therewereroarsofangerandscreamsofterrorinthenight，andabovetheChateaudeBellecourtheinkyblacknessoftheheavenswasbrokenbyadullredglow，whichthedistantwayfarermighthavemistakenfortheroseatetintofdawn，wereitpossibleforthedawntorestrictitselftosonarrowanarea。

Everandanonatongueofflamewouldlickupintothenighttowardsthatrussetpatchofsky，betrayingthecauseofitandproclaimingthatincendiarieswereatwork。Abovetheominousdinthattoldofthebusinessafoottherecamenowandagainthecrackofamusket，anddominatingallothersoundswasthesullenroaroftherevoltedpeasants，therisenserfs，therebelliousvassalsoftheSiegneurdeBellecour。

Fortimehasspedandhasmuchalteredinthespeeding。FouryearshavegonebysincethenightonwhichthelaceratedCaronlaBoulayewassmuggledoutofBellecourinRobespierre’sberlineandinthatfouryearsmuchofthethingsthatwereprophesiedhavecometopass—aye，andmuchmorebesidesthatwasundreamtofattheoutsetbytherevolutionaries。AgruesomeenginethattheyfacetiouslycalledtheNationalRazor—inventedanddesignedsomeyearsagobyoneDr。

Guillotin—isbutaniteminthechangesthathavebeen，yetanitemthatinitswayhasbecomeaveryfactor。Itstandsnotover—high，yettheshadowofithasfallenathwartthewholelengthandbreadthofFrance，andinthatshadowthetyrantshavetrembled，shakentotheverysoulsofthembytherudehandoffear；inthatshadowthespurnedanddowntroddenchildrenofthesoilhavetakenheartofgrace。Thebondsofservilecowardicethatforcenturieshadtrammelledthemhavebeenshakenofflikecobwebs，andtheythatwereassheeparenowbecomethewolvesthatpreyonthosethatpreyedonthemforgenerations。

Thereis，inthewholeofFrance，nocornersoremotebutthat，soonerorlater，thisgreatupheavalhaspenetratedtoit。

LouisXVI。—orLouisCapet，asheisnowmoregenerallyspokenof—hasbeenarraigned，condemnedandexecuted。Thearistocratsareinfullemigratoryflightacrossthefrontiers—thosethathavenotbeenrentbythevassalstheyhadbroughttobay，thepeopletheyhadoutraged。TheLiliesofFrancelietrampledunderfootintheshamblestheyhavemadeofthatfairland，whilstoverheadthetricolour—thatsymbolofthenewtrinity，Liberty，Equality，Fraternity—isflauntedinthebreeze。

Afewofthemoreproudandobstinate—soproudandobstinateastofinditathingincrediblethattheordershouldindeedchangeandtheoldregimepassaway—stillremain，andbytheirvainendeavourstolorditintheircastlesprovokesuchscenesasthatenactedatBellecourinFebruaryof’93（bythestyleofslaves）

orPluvioseoftheyearOneoftheFrenchRepublic，asitshallpresentlycometobeknownintheannalsoftheRevolution。

Bellecour，themostarrogantofarrogants，hadstoodfirm，anddesperatelycontrivedthroughallthesemonthsofrevolutiontomaintainhisdominioninhiscornerofPicardy。Butevenhewasbeginningtorealisethattheendwasathand，andhemadehispreparationstoemigrate。Tooproud，however，topermithisemigrationtosavourofaflight，hecarriedtheleisurelinessofhisgoingtodangerousextremes。Andnow，ontheeveofdeparture，hemustneedspausetogiveafeteatonceoffarewellandinhonourofhisdaughter’sbetrothaltotheVicomteAnatoled’Ombreval。ThisverybetrothalatsounpropitiousaseasonwaspartlynomorethancontrivedbytheMarquisthathemightmarkhisignoringandhisserenecontemptoftheupheavalandthenewrulewhichithadbrought。

AllthatwasleftofthenoblesseinPicardyhadflockedthatdaytotheChateaudeBellecour，andthecompanythereassemblednumberedperhapssomethirtygallantsandsometwentyladies。A

banquettherehadbeen，whichinthemainwasagloomyfunction，fortheKing’sdeathwastoorecentamattertobeutterlylostsightof。Later，however，asthegeneroussupplyofwinediditsworkandsofarthawedtheiceofapprehensionthatboundtheirsoulsastodisposethemtoenjoy，atleast，thepresenthourinforgetfulness，therewasabetterhumourintheair。Thisdeveloped，andsofarindeeddiditgothatintheeveningaPavanewassuggested，and，themusiciansbeingfound，itwasheldinthegreatsalonoftheChateau。

Itwasthenthatthefirstalarmhadpenetratedtotheirmidst。Ithadfoundthemarecklesslymerrycrew，goodtobeholdintheirsilksandsatins，powderandpatches，goldlaceandredheels，movingwithwavingfans，orhandonsword，andlacedbeaverunderelbow，throughthestatelyfiguresofthegavotte。

Scared，white—facedlackeyshadbroughtthenews，dashingwildlyinuponthatcourtlyassembly。ThepeasantshadrisenandweremarchingonBellecour。

SomeofhissuddenragetheMarquisventedbystrikingtheservants’

spokesmanintheface。

"Dareyoubringmesuchamessage？"hecriedfuriously。

"But，mylord，whatarewetodo？"gaspedthefrightenedlackey。

"Do，fool？"returnedBellecour。"Why，closethegatesandbidthemreturnhomeastheyvaluetheirlives。ForiftheygivemetroubleI’llhangarounddozenofthem。"

Stillwastherethatsamebigtalkofhangingmen。StilldiditseemthattheMarquisofBellecouraccountedhimselfthesamelordoflifeanddeaththatheandhisforbearshadbeenforgenerations。

Buttherewereotherswhothoughtdifferently。Themusichadceasedabruptly，andalittleknotofgentlemennowgatheredaboutthehost，andurgedhimtotakesomemeasuresofprecaution。Inparticulartheydesiredtoensurethesafetyoftheladieswhowerebeingthrownintoagreatstateofalarm，sothatofsomeofthesewerethescreamsthatwereheardinthatnightofterror。Bellecour’stemperwasfastgaining，andashelostcontrolofhimselftheinherentbrutalityofhischaractercameuppermost。

"Mesdames，"hecriedrudely，"thisscreechingwillprofitusnothing。

Evenifwemustdie，letusdiebecomingly，notshriekinglikebutcheredgeese。"

Adozenmenraisedtheirvoicesangrilyagainsthimindefenceofthewomenhehadslighted。Buthewavedthemimpatientlyaway。

"Isthisanhourinwhichtofalla—quarrellingamongourselves？"

heexclaimed。"Ordoyouthinkitoneinwhichamancanstoptochoosehiswords？Sang—dieu！Thatscreamingisamoreseriousmatterthanatfirstmayseem。Iftheserebelliousdogsshouldchancetohearit，itwillbebutsomuchencouragementtothem。

Afearlessfront，acoldcontempt，areweaponsunrivalledifyouwouldprevailagainstthesemutinouscravens。"

Buthisguestswereinsistentthatsomethingmorethanfearlessfrontsandcoldcontemptsshouldbesetupasbarriersbetweenthemselvesandtheadvancingpeasantry。AndintheendBellecourimpatientlyquittedtheroomtogiveordersforthebarricadingofthegatesandthedefendingoftheChateau，leavingbehindhiminthesalontheverywildestofconfusions。

>Fromthewindowsthepeasantrycouldnowbeseen，bythelightoftheirtorches，marchingupthelongavenuethatfrontedtheChateau，andheadedbyasingledrumonwhichthebearerdidnomorethanbeatthestep。Theywereafierce，unkemptband，rudelyarmed—

somewithscythes，somewithsickles，somewithhedge—knives，andsomewithhangers；whilsthereandtherewasonewhocarriedagun，andperhapsabayonetaswell。Norweretheremenonlyintherebelliousranks。Therewereanalmostequalnumberofwomenincrimsoncaps，theirbosomsbare，theirheadsdishevelled，theirgarmentsfilthyandinrags—forthetoothofpovertyhadbittendeeplyintothemduringthepastmonths。

Astheyswungalongtotherhythmicalthudofthedrum，theirvoiceswereraisedinafearfulchorusthatmusthavemadeonethinkofthechoirsofhell，andthesongtheysangwasthesongofRougetdel’Isle，whichallFrancehadbeensingingthesetwelvemonthspast：

"Auxarmes，citovens！

Formezvosbataillons。

Allons，marchons！

Qu’unsanginpurAbreuvenossillons！"

Everswellingastheydrewnearercamethesoundofthatterriblehymntotheearsoftheelegant，bejewelled，bepowderedcompanyintheChateau。Thegateswerereachedandfoundbarred。AnangryroarwentuptoHeaven，followedbyahailofblowsuponthestout，ironboundoak，andanimperiouscalltoopen。

InthecourtyardbelowtheMarquishadpostedthehandfulofservantsthatremainedfaithful—forreasonsthatHeavenalonemaydiscern—

tothefortunesofthehouse。Hehadarmedthemwithcarbinesandsuppliedthemwithammunition。Hehadleftthemorderstoholdoffthemobfromtheoutergatesaslongaspossible；butshouldthesebecarried，theyweretofallbackintotheChateauitself，andmakefastthedoors。Meanwhile，hewasharanguingthegentlemen—somethirtyofthem，aswehaveseen—inthesalonandurgingthemtoarmthemselvessothattheymightrenderassistance。

Hisinstancesweremetwithacertaincoldness，whichatlastwasgivenexpressionbythemostelegantVicomted’Ombreval—themanwhowasabouttobecomehisson—in—law。

"MydearMarquis，"protestedtheyoungman，hishabituallysuperciliousmouthlookingevenmoresuperciliousthanusualashenowspoke，"Ibegthatyouwillconsiderwhatyouareproposing。Weareyourguests，weothers，andyouaskustodefendyourgatesagainstyourownpeopleforyou！Surely，surely，sir，yourfirstdutyshouldhavebeentohaveensuredoursafetyagainstsuchmutiniesonthepartoftherabbleofBellecour。"

TheSeigneurangrilystampedhisfoot。InhischolerhewaswithinanaceofstrikingOmbreval，andmighthavedonesohadnotthebroad—mindedandever—reasonableoldDesCadouxinterposedatthatmomenttomakecleartotheMarquis’sguestsasituationthanwhichnothingcouldhavebeenclearer。Heputittothemthatthetimeswerechanged，andthatFrancewasnolongerwhatFrancehadbeen；

thatallowancesmustbemadeforM。deBellecour，whowasinnobettercasethananyothergentlemaninthatunhappycountry！andfinally，thateithertheymustlooktoarminganddefendingthemselvesortheymustsaytheirprayersandsubmittobeingbutcheredwiththeladies。

"Forourselves，"heconcludedcalmly，tappinghisgoldsnuffboxandholdingitouttoBellecour，foralltheworldwiththeairofonewhowasdiscussingthelatestfashioninwigs，"Icanunderstandyourrepugnanceatcomingtoblowswiththisobscenecanaille。Itisdoingthemanhonourofwhichtheyarenotworthy。Butwehavetheseladiestothinkof，Messieurs，and—"hepausedtoapplytherappeetohisnostrils—"andwemustexertourselvestosavethem，howeverdisagreeablethecoursewemaybecompelledtopursue。

Messieurs，Iamtheoldesthere；permitthatIshowyoutheway。"

Hiswordswerenotwithouteffect；theykindledchivalryinheartsthat，afterall，werenothingifnotpronetochivalry—accordingtotheirownlights—andpresentlysomethingverynearenthusiasmprevailed。ButthesuperciliousandverynobleOmbrevalstillgrumbled。

"Toaskmetofightthisscum！"heejaculatedinhorror"Pardi！Itistoomuch。Askmetobeatthemoffwithawhiplikeapackofcurs，andI’lldoitreadily。Butfightthem—！"

"Nothingcoulddelightusmore，Vicomte，thantoseeyoubeatthemoffwithawhip，"DesCadouxassuredhim。"Armyourselfwithawhip，byallmeans，myfriend，andletuswitnesstheprodigiesyoucanperformwithit。"

"SeewhatvalourinflamestheVicomte，Suzanne，"sneeredahandsomewomanintoMademoiselle’sear。Withwhatalacrityhefliestoarmsthathemaydefendyou，evenwithhislife。"

"M。d’Ombrevalisbehavingaccordingtohislights，"answeredSuzannecoldly。

"Mafoi，thenhislightsareunspeakablydim，"wasthecontemptuousanswer。

Mademoisellegavenooutwardsignofthedeepwoundherpridewasreceiving。Thegirlofnineteen，whohadscornedtheyoungsecretary—loverintheparkofBellecourthatmorningfouryearsago，wasdevelopedintoahandsomeladyofthree—and—twenty。

"Itwouldbebeneaththedignityofhisstationtosoilhishandsinsuchaconflictasmyfatherhassuggested，"shesaidatlast。

"Iwonderwoulditbebeneaththedignityofhiscourage，"musedthesamecausticfriend。"Butsurelynot，fornothingcouldbebeneaththat。"

"Madame！"exclaimedSuzanne，hercheeksreddening；forasofold，andlikeherfather，shewasquicklymovedtoanger。"WillitpleaseyoutorememberthatM。d’Ombrevalismyaffiancedhusband？"

"True，"confessedthelady，nowhitabashed。"ButhadInotbeentoldsoIhadaccountedhimyourrejectedsuitor，who，broken—hearted，givesnothoughteithertohisownlifeortoyours。"

Inapet，Mademoisellegavehershouldertothespeakerandturnedaway。Inspiteofthewordswithwhichshehaddefendedhim，Suzannewasdisappointedinherbetrothed，andyet，inaway，sheunderstoodhisbearingtobethenaturalfruitofthatindomitableprideofwhichshehadobservedtheoutwardsigns，andforwhich，indeedasmuchasforthebeautyofhisperson，shehadconsentedtobecomehiswife。Afterall，itwastheoutwardmansheknew。Themarriagehadbeenarranged，andthiswasbuttheirthirdmeeting，whilstneverforaninstanthadtheybeenalonetogether。ByhermothershehadbeeneducateduptotheideathatitwaseminentlydesirablesheshouldbecometheVicomtessed’Ombreval。AtfirstshehadendureddismayatthefactthatshehadneverbeheldtheVicomte，andbecausesheimaginedthathewouldbe，mostprobably，someelderlyroue，asdidsooftenfalltothelotofmaidensinherstation。Butuponfindinghimsoveryhandsometobehold，soverynobleofbearing，soloftyanddisdainfulthatashewalkedheseemedtospurntheveryearth，shefellenamouredofhimoutofveryrelief，aswellasbecausehewasthemostsuperbspecimenoftheothersexthatithadeverbeenherstoobserve。

Andnowthatshehadcaughtaglimpseofthesoulthatdweltbeneaththatmassofoutwardperfectionsithadcostherapangofdisappointment，andthepoisonousreflectioncastuponhiscouragebythatsardonicladywithwhomshehadtalkedwashavingitseffect。

Butthetimewastoofullofothertroubletopermithertoindulgeherthoughtsoverlonguponsuchamatter。Avolleyofmusketryfrombelowcametowarnthemofthehappeningsthere。Theairwaschargedwiththehideoushowlsofthebesiegingmob，andpresentlytherewasacryfromoneoftheladies，asasuddenglareoflightcrimsonedthewindow—panes。

"Whatisthat？"askedMadamedeBellecourofherhusband。

"Theyhavefiredthestables，"heanswered，throughsetteeth。"I

supposetheyneedlighttoguidethemintheirhell’swork。"

HestrodetotheglassdoorsopeningtothebalconythesamebalconyfromwhichfouryearsagohisguestshadwatchedthefloggingofLaBoulaye—and，openingthem，hepassedout。Hisappearancewasgreetedbyastormofexecration。Asuddenshotrangout，andthebullet，strikingthewallimmediatelyabovehim，broughtdownashowerofplasteronhishead。IthadbeenfiredbyademoniacwhosatastridethegreatgateswavinghisdischargedcarbineandyellingsuchorduresofspeechasithadneverbeenthemostnobleMarquis’slottohavestoodlisteningto。Bellecourneverflinched。Ascalmlyasifnothinghadhappened，heleantovertheparapetandcalledtohismenbelow"Hold，there！Ofwhatareyoudreamingslumberers。Shootmethatfellowdown。"

Theirgunshadbeendischarged，butoneofthem，whohadnowcompletedhisreloading，levelledthecarbineandfired。Thefigureonthegatesseemedtoleapupfromhissittingposture，andthenwithascreamhewentover，backtohisfriendswithout。

Thefiredstableswereburninggailybynow，andthecheeriestbonfiremancouldhavedesiredonadarknight，andinthecourtyarditwasbecomeaslightasday。

TheMarquisonthebalconywastakingstockofhisdefencesandmakingrapidcalculationsinhismind。Hesawnoreasonwhy，sowellprotectedbythosestoutoakengatestheyshouldnot—iftheywerebutresolute—eventuallybeatbackthemob。Andthen，evenashiscouragewasrisingatthethought，adeafeningexplosionseemedtoshaketheentireChateau，andthegates—theirsolebuckler，uponwhoseshelterhehadbeensoconfidentlybuilding—crashedopen，halfblownawaybythegunpowderkegthathadbeenfiredagainstit。

Hehadafleetingglimpseofastreamofblackfiendspouringthroughthedarkgapanddashingwithdeafeningyellsintothecrimsonlightofthecourtyard。HesawhislittlehandfulofservantsretreatprecipitatelywithintheChateau。Heheardtheclangofthedoorsthatwereswungtojustastheforemostoftherabblereachedthethreshold—Withallthisclearlystampeduponhismind，heturned，andspringingintothesalonhedrewhissword。

"Tothestairs，Messieurs！"hecried"Tothestairs！"

Andtothestairstheywent。Theextremitywasnowtoogreatforargument。Theydarednotsomuchaslookattheirwomen—folk，lesttheyshouldbeunmannedbythesightofthosehuddledcreatures—

theirfinerybutservingtorenderthemthemorepitiableintheirsicklyaffright。Inabodythewholethirtyofthemsweptfromtheroom，andwithBellecourattheirheadandOmbrevalsomewhereintherearmostrank，theymadetheirwaytothegreatstaircase。

Here，armedwiththeirswordsandabraceofpistolstoeachman，whilstforafewtheMarquishadevenfoundcarbines，theywaited，withfacessetandlipstightpressedfortheendthattheyknewapproached。

Norwastheirwaitinglong。AsthepeasantshadblowndownthegatessonowdidtheyblowdownthedoorsoftheChateau，andintheexplosionthreeofBellecour’sservants—whohadstoodtoonear—

werekilled。Overthethresholdtheyswarmedintothedarkgulfofthegreathalltothefootofthestaircase。Butheretheywereatadisadvantage。Thelightoftheburningstables，shiningthroughtheopendoorway，revealedthemtothedefenders，whilsttheythemselveslookedupintothedark。Therewasasuddencrackingofpistolsandafewlouderreportsfromtheguns，andthemobfled，screaming，backintotheyard，leavingascoreofdeadandwoundedonthepolishedfloorofthehall。

OldM。desCadouxlaughedinthedark，aswithhisswordhangingromhiswristhetappedhissnuff—box。

"Mafoi，"saidhetohisneighbour，"theyarediscoveringthatitisnottobethetriumphalmarchtheyhadexpected。Apinchofrappee，Stanislas？"

Buttherespitewasbrief。Inamomenttheysawtheglareincreaseatthedoor，andpresentlyahalf—dozenoftherabbleenteredwithtorches，followedbysomescoresoftheircomrades。Theypausedatsightofthatcompanyrangeduponthestairs，aswelltheymight，foramoreincongruoussightcouldscarcelybeimagined。Acrossthebodiesoftheslain，andrevealedbytheliftingpowdersmoke，stoodthatlittlebandofthirtymen，ablazeofgaycolours，asheenofsilkenhose，theirwigscurledandpowdered，theircostlyrufflesscintillantwithjewels；calm，andsupercilious，mockingtoaman。

Therewasamomentarygaspofawe，andthenthespellwasbrokenbythearistocratsthemselves。Apistolspoke，andavolleyfollowed。

Inthehallsomestumbledforward，somehurtledbackward，andsomesankdowninnervelessheaps。Butthosethatremaineddidnotagainretreat。Reinforcedbyothers，thatcrowdedinbehind，theychargedboldlyupthestairs，headedbyaragged，redcappedgiantnamedSouvestre—amanwhomtheMarquishadonceirreparablywronged。

ThesightofhimwasarevelationtoBellecour。ThisassaultwasSouvestre’swork；thefellowhadbeenincitingthepeopleofBellecourforthepasttwelvemonths，longindeedbeforetheoutbreakoftherevolutionproper，andatlasthehadrousedthemtothepitchofaccompanyinghimuponhiserrandoftardybutrelentlessvengeance。

WithagrowltheMarquisraisedhispistol。ButSouvestresawthemovement，andwithalaughhedidthelike。Simultaneouslythereweretworeports，andBellecour’sarmfellshatteredtohisside。

Souvestrecontinuedtoadvance，hissmokingpistolinonehandandbrandishingahugesabrewiththeother。Behindhim，howlingandroaringlikethebeastsofpreytheywerebecome，surgedthetenantryofBellecourtopaythelong—standingdebtofhatetotheirseigneur。

"Here，"saidDesCadoux，withagrimace，"endeththechapterofourlives。Iwonder，dotheykeeprappeeinheaven？"Hesnappeddownthelidofhisgoldsnuffbox—thatfaithfulcompanionandconsolerofsomanyyears—andcastitviciouslyattheheadofoneoftheoncomingpeasants。Thentossingbackthelacefromhiswristhebroughthisswordintoguardandturnedasideamurderousstrokewhichanassailantaimedathim。

"Animal，"hesnappedviciously，ashesettowork，"itisthefirsttimethatmychastebladehasbeencrossedwithsuchdirtysteelasyours。Ihope，forthehonourofCadoux，thatitmaynotbequitethelast。"

Up，andeverup，sweptthatmurderoustide。Thehalfofthosethathadheldthestairslaywelteringuponthemasifinalastattempttobarricadewiththeirbodieswhattheycouldnolongerdefendwiththeirhands。Abarehalf—scoreremainedstanding，andamongstthesethatgallantoldCadoux，whohadbynowaccountedfora，half—dozensans—culottes，andwashenceinhighglee，amanrejuvenesced。Hissalliesgrewlivelierandmorebarbedasthedeath—tiderosehigherabouthim。Hisoneregretwasthathehadbeensohastyincastinghissnuffboxfromhim，forhewasmissingitsfamiliarstimulus。

AthissidetheMarquiswasfightingdesperately，fencingwithhisleftarm，andinthehotexcitementseemingobliviousofthepainhisbrokenrightmustbeoccasioning。

"Itisended，oldfriend，"hegroanedatlast，toDesCadoux。"I

amlosingstrength，andIshallbedoneforinamoment。Thewomen，"

healmostsobbed，"monDieu，thewomen！"

DesCadouxfelthisoldeyesgrowmoist，andtheodd，fiercemirththatseemedtohavehithertoinfectedhimwentoutlikeacandlethatissnuffed。Butsuddenlybeforehecouldmakeanyanswer，anewandunexpectedsound，whichdominatedthedinofcombat，andseemedtocauseall—assailantsanddefendersalike—topausethattheymightlisten，waswaftedtotheirears。

Itwastherollofthedrum。Notthemerethuddingthathadbeatenthestepforthemob，butthesteadyandvigoroustattooofmanysticksuponmanyskins。

"Whatisit？Whocomes？"werethequestionsthatmenaskedoneanother，asbotharistocratsandsansculottespausedintheirbloodylabours。Itwascloseathand。Socloseathandthattheycoulddiscernthetrampofmarchingfeet。Intheinfernaldinofthatfightuponthestairstheyhadnotcaughtthesoundofthisapproachuntilnowthatthenew—comers—whoevertheymightbe—wereattheverygatesofBellecour。

>Fromthemobintheyardtherecameasuddenoutcry。MensprangtothedooroftheChateauandshoutedtothosewithin。

"AuxArmes，"wasthecry。"Anous，dnous！"

Andinresponsetoittheassailantsturnedtail，anddasheddownthestairs，overleapingthedeadbodiesthatwerepileduponthem，andmanyamanslippinginthatshamblesandendingthedescentonhisback。Outintothecourtyardtheyswept：leavingthathandfulofgentlemen，theirfineclothesdisordered，splashedwithbloodandgrimedwithpowder，toquestiononeanothertouchingthisportent，thismiraclethatseemedwroughtbyHeavenfortheirsalvation。

CHAPTERVI

THECITIZENCOMMISSIONER

Itwas，afterall，nomiracle，unlesstheverytimelyarrivaluponthesceneofaregimentofthelinemightbeacceptedinthelightofHeaven—directed。Asamatteroffact，arumouroftheassaultthatwastobemadethatnightupontheChateaudeBellecourhadtravelledasfarasAmiens，andthere，thatevening，ithadreachedtheearsofacertainCommissioneroftheNationalConvention，whowasaccompanyingthisregimenttothearmyofDumouriez，theninBelgium。

NowitsohappenedthatthisCommissionerhadmeditatedmakingadescentupontheChateauonhisownaccount，andhewasnotmindedthatanypeasantryshouldforestallorbaulkhiminthebusinesswhichheproposedtocarryoutthere。Accordingly，heissuedcertainorderstothecommandant，fromwhichitresultedthatacompany，twohundredstrong，wasimmediatelydespatchedtoBellecour，toeitherdefendorrescueitfromthemob，andthereaftertoawaitthearrivaloftheCommissionerhimself。

ThiswasthecompanythathadreachedBellecourintheeleventhhour，toclaimtheattentionoftheassailants。Butthepeasants，aswehaveseen，werebynomeansdisposedtosubmittointerference，andthistheysignifiedbythemenacingfronttheyshowedthemilitary，abandoningtheirattackupontheChateauuntiltheyshouldbeclearconcerningtheintentionsofthenewcomers。OftheseintentionstheCaptaindidnotleavethemlongindoubt。Abriskwordofcommandbroughthismenintoabristlinglineofattack，whichinitselfshouldhaveprovedsufficienttoensurethepeasantry’srespect。

"Citizens"criedtheofficer，steppingforward，"inthenameoftheFrenchRepublicIchargeyoutowithdrawandtoleaveusunhamperedinthebusinessweareheretodischarge。"

"Citizen—captain，"answeredthegiantSouvestre，constitutinghimselfthespokesmanofhisfellows，"wedemandtoknowbywhatrightyouinterferewithhonestpatriotsofFranceintheactofriddingitofsomeofthearistocraticverminthatyetlingersonitssoil？"

Theofficerstaredathisinterlocutor，amazedbythetoneofthemanasmuchasbythesuddengrowlsthatchorusedit，butnowiseintimidatedbyeithertheoneortheother。

"IproclaimedmyrightwhenIissuedmychargeinthenameoftheRepublic，"heansweredshortly。

"WearetheRepublic，"Souvestreretorted，withawaveofthehandtowardstheferociouscrowdofmenandwomenbehindhim。"WearetheNation—thesacredpeopleofFrance。Inourownname，Citizen—soldier，wechargeyoutowithdrawandleaveusundisturbed。"

Herelaythebasisofanargumentintowhich，however，theCaptain，beingneitherpoliticiannordialectician，wasnotmindedtobedrawn。Heshruggedhisshouldersandturnedtohismen。

"Presentarms！"wastheanswerhedelivered，inavoiceofsupremeunconcern。

"Citizen—captain，thisisanoutrage，"screamedavoiceinthemob。

"Ifbloodisshed，uponyourownheadbeit。"

"Willyouwithdraw？"inquiredtheCaptaincoldly。

"Tome，mychildren，"criedSouvestre，brandishinghissabre，andseekingtoencouragehisfollowers。"DownwiththesetraitorswhodishonourtheuniformofFrance！Deathtotheblue—coats！"

Heleaptforwardtowardsthemilitary，andwithasuddenroarhisfollowers，afullhundredstrongsprangafterhimtothecharge。

"Fire！"commandedtheCaptain，andfromthefrontlineofhiscompanyfiftysheetsofflameflashedfromfiftycarbines。

Themobpaused；foraseconditwavered；thenbeforethesmokehadlifteditbroke，andshriekinginterror，itfledforcover，leavingthevalorousSouvestrealone，torevilethemforaswarmofcowardlyrats。

TheCaptainputhishandstohissidesandlaughedtillthetearscourseddownhischeeks。Checkinghismirthatlast，hecalledtoSouvestre，whowasretreatingindisgustandanger。

"Hi！Myfriendthepatriot！Areyoustillofthesamemindorwillyouwithdrawyourpeople？"

"Wewillnotwithdraw，"answeredthegiantsullenly。"YoudarenotfireuponfreecitizensoftheFrenchRepublic。"

"DareInot？Doyoudeludeyourselfwiththat，northinkthatbecausethistimeIfiredoveryourheadsIdarenotfireintoyourranks。IgiveyoumywordthatifIhavetocommandmymentofireasecondtimeitshallnotbemeremake—believe，andIalsogiveyoumywordthatifattheendofaminuteIhavenotyourreplyandyouarenotmovingoutofthis—everyrogueofyoushallhaveaverybitterknowledgeofhowmuchIdare。"

Souvestrewasheadstrongandangry。Butwhatcanoneman，howeverheadstrongandhoweverangry，doagainsttwohundred，whenhisownfollowersrefusetosupporthim。Thevalourofthepeasantswasdistinctlyofthatqualitywhosebetterpartisdiscretion。Thethunderofthatfusilladehadbeenenoughtoshattertheirnerve，andtoSouvestre’sexhortationsthattheyshouldbecomemartyrsinthenoblecause，ofthepeopleagainsttyranny，inwhatsoeverguiseitcame，theyansweredwiththeunanswerablelogicofcaution。

Theendwasthataveryfewmomentslatersawtheminfullretreat，leavingthemilitaryinsoleandundisputedpossessionofBellecour。

Theofficer’sfirstthoughtwasfortheblazingstables，andheatonceorderedadetachmentofhiscompanytosetaboutquenchingthefire，amatterinwhichtheysucceededaftersometwohoursofarduouslabour。

Meanwhile，leavingthemainbodybivouackedinthecourtyard，heenteredtheChateauwithascoreofmen，andcameuponthetengentlemenstillstandingintheshamblesthatthegrandstaircasepresented。WiththeMarquisdeBellecourtheCaptainhadabriefandnotovercourteousinterview。HeinformedthenoblemanthathewasactingundertheordersofaCommissioner，whohadheardatAmiens，thatevening，oftheattackthatwastobemadeuponBellecour。NotunnaturallytheMarquiswasmistrustfuloftheendswhichthatCommissioner，whoeverhemightbe，lookedtoservebysounusualanact。FarbetterdiditsortwiththemethodsoftheNationalConventionanditsmemberstoleavethebutcheringofaristocratstotakeitscourse。HesoughtinformationattheCaptain’shands，buttheofficerwasreticenttothepointofcurtness，andso，theiranxietybutlittlerelieved，sinceitmightseemthattheyhadbutescapedfromScyllatobeengulfedinCharbydis，thearistocratsatBellecourspentthenightinodioussuspense。Thosethatweretendingthewoundedhadperhapsthebestofit，sincethustheirmindswereoccupiedandsavedthetortureofspeculation。

Theproportionofslainwasmercifullysmall：oftwentythathadfallenitwasfoundthatbutsixweredead，theothersbeingmoreorlessseverelyhurt。Conspicuousamongthementhatremained，andperhapsthebravestofthemallwasoldDesCadoux。Hehadrecoveredhissnuff—box，thanwhichthereseemedtobenothingofgreaterimportanceintheworld，andhemovedfromgrouptogroupwithhereajestandthereawordofencouragement，asseemedbestsuitedtothoseheaddressed。Ofthewomen，MademoiselledeBellecourandhersharptonguedmother，showedcertainlythemostundauntedfronts。

Suzannehadnotseenherbetrothedsincethefightuponthestairs。

Butshewastoldthathewasunhurt，andthathewastendingacousinofhiswhohadbeenseverelywoundedinthehead。

Itwasanhourorsoaftersunrisewhenhesoughtherout，andtheystoodinconversationtogether—averyjadedpair—lookingdownfromoneofthewindowsuponthestalwartblue—coatsthatwerebivouackedinthequadrangle。

Suddenlyonthestillmorningaircamethesoundofhoof—beats，andastheylookedtheyespiedamaninacockedhatandanampleblackcloakridingbrisklyuptheavenue。

"See？"exclaimedOmbreval；"yonderatlastcomesthegreatmanweareawaiting—theCommissionerofthatrabbletheycalltheNationalConvention。Nowweshallknowwhatfateisreservedforus。"

"Butwhatcantheydo？"sheasked。

"ItisthefashiontosendpeopleofourstationtoParis，"hereplied，"tomakeamockofuswithanaffairtheycallatrialbeforetheymurderus。"

Shesighed。

"Perhapsthisgentlemanismoremerciful，"wasthehopesheexpressed。

"Merciful？"hemocked。"Mafoi，aravenoustigermaybemercifulbeforeoneofthese。Hadyourfatherbeenwisehehadorderedthefewofusthatremainedtochargethosesoldierswhentheyentered，andtohavemetourendupontheirbayonets。Thatwouldhavebeenamercifulfatecomparedwiththemercyofthisso—calledCommissionerislikelytoextendus。"

Itseemedtobehiswaytofindfault，andthatwarpinhischaracterrenderedhimnowasheroic—inwords—ashehadbeenerstwhilescornful。

Suzanneshuddered，bravegirlthoughshewas。

"Unlessyoucanconceivethoughtsofapleasantercomplexion，"shesaid，"Ishouldpreferyoursilence，M。d’Ombreval。"

Helaughedinhisdisdainfulway—forhedisdainedallthings，exceptinghisownpersonandsafety—butbeforehecouldmakeanyanswertheywerejoinedbytheMarquisandhisson。

Inthecourtyardthehorsemanwasnowdismounting，andamomentortwolatertheyheardthefalloffeet，uponthestairs。Asoldierthrewopenthedoor，andholdingit，announced：

"TheCitizen—deputyLaBoulaye，CommissioneroftheNationalConventiontothearmyofGeneralDumouriez。"

"This，"mockedOmbreval，towhomthenamemeantnothing，"istherepresentativeofaGovernmentofstrictequality，andheisannouncedwithasmuchpompaswaseveranambassadorofhismurderedMajesty’s。"

Thenasomethingoutofthecommonintheattitudeofhiscompanionsarrestedhisattention。Mademoisellewasstaringwitheyesfullofthemostineffableamazement，herlipsparted，andhercheekswhiterthanthesleeplessnighthadpaintedthem。TheMarquiswasscowlinginasurprisethatseemednowhitlessthanhisdaughter’s，hisheadthrustforward，andhisjawfallen。TheVicomte，too，thoughinamilderdegree，offeredacountenancethatwaseloquentwithbewilderment。FromthissilentgroupOmbrevalturnedhistiredeyestothedoorandtookstockofthetwomenthathadentered。OneofthesewasCaptainJuste，theofficerincommandofthemilitary；theotherwasatallman，withapaleface，anaquilinenose，afirmjaw，andeyesthatwereverystern—eitherofhabitorbecausetheynowresteduponthemanwhofouryearsagohadusedhimsocruelly。

Hestoodamomentinthedoorwayasifenjoyingtheamazementwhichhadbeensownbyhiscoming。Therewasnomistakinghim。ItwasthesameLaBoulayeoffouryearsago，andyetitwasnotquitethesame。Thefacehadlostitsboyishness，andthestrenuouslifehehadlivedhadscoreditwithlinesthatgavehimthesemblanceofagreateragethanwashis。Theold，poeticmelancholythathaddweltinthesecretary’scountenancewasnowchangedtostrengthandfirmness。Althoughlittleknownasyettotheworldatlarge，thegreatonesoftheRevolutionheldhiminhighesteem，andlookeduponhimasapowertobereckonedwithinthenearfuture。OfRobespierre—who，itwassaid，haddiscoveredhimandbroughthimtoParis—hewastheprotegeandmorethanfriend，aprotectionandfriendshipthiswhichin’93madeanymanalmostomnipotentinFrance。

Hewasdressedinablackriding—suit，relievedonlybythewhiteneck—clothandthetricoloursashofofficeabouthiswaist。Heremovedhiscockedhat，beneathwhichthehairwastiedinaclubwiththesamescrupulouscareasofold。

Slowlyheadvancedintothesalon，andhissombreeyespassedfromtheMarquistoMademoiselle。Astheyresteduponhersomeofthesternnessseemedtofadefromtheirglance。Hefoundinherachangealmostasgreatasthatwhichshehadfoundinhim。Thelighthearted，laughinggirlofnineteen，whohadscornedhisprofferedlovewhenhehadwooedherthatAprilmorningtosuchdisastrouspurpose，wasnowripenedintoastatelywomanofthree—and—twenty。Hehadthoughthisboyishpassiondeadandburied，andoftenintheyearsthatweregonehadhesmiledsoftlytohimselfatthememoryofhisardour，aswesmileatthememoryofouryouthfulfollies。Yetnow，uponbeholdingheragain，sowondrouslytransformed，sotallandstraight，andsosuperblybeautiful，heexperiencedanoddthrillandaweakeningofthesternpurposethathadbroughthimtoBellecour。

Thenhisglancemovedon。Amomentitrestedonthesupercilious，high—bredcountenanceoftheVicomted’Ombreval，standingwithsoproprietaryanairbesideher，thenitpassedtothekindlyoldfaceofDesCadoux，andherecalledhowthisgentlemanhadsoughttostaythefloggingofhim。AninstantithoveredontheMarquis，who—haggardoffaceandwithhisarminasling—wasobservinghimwithanexpressioninwhichscornandwonderwerestrivingforthemastery；itseemedtoshunthegazeofthepale—facedVicomte，whosetutorhehadbeenintheolddaysofhissecretaryship，andfullandsternitreturnedatlasttosettleupontheMarquis。

【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