“Theaffairsoftheprovinceareatastandstill，“herepeated，“whileallmyenergiesarebentuponthisquest。ShouldwefailtohavenewsofhiscaptureinDauphiny，weneednot，nevertheless，despond。IhavesentmenafterhimalongthethreeroadsthatleadtoParis。Theyaretospareneithermoneynorhorsesinpickinguphistrailandeffectinghiscapture。Afterall，Ithinkweshallhavehim。”
“Heisouronlydangernow，“theMarquiseanswered，“forFlorimondisdead-ofthefever，“sheadded，withasneeringsmilewhichgaveTressansensationsasofcoldwateronhisspine。“ItwereanironyoffateifthatmiserablelackeyweretoreachParisnowandspoilthetriumphforwhichwehaveworkedsohard。”
“Itwere，indeed，“Tressanagreedwithher，“andwemustseethathedoesnot。”
“Butifhedoes，“shereturned，“thenwemuststandtogether。”Andwiththatshesethermindateaseoncemore，hermoodthatmorningbeingveryoptimistic。
“Always，Ihope，Clotilde，“heanswered，andhislittleeyesleeredupoutofthedimplesoffatinwhichtheywereembedded。“Ihavestoodbyyoulikeatruefriendinthisaffair；isitnotso？“
“Indeed；doIdenyit？“sheansweredhalfscornfully。
“AsIshallstandbyyoualwayswhentheneedarises。YouarealittleinmydebtconcerningMonsieurdeGarnache。”
“I-Irealizeit，“saidshe，andshefeltagainasifthesunshineweregonefromtheday，theblithenessfromherheart。Shewasmovedtobidhimceaseleeringatherandtotakehimselfandhiswooingtothedevil。Butshebethoughtherthattheneedforhimmightnotyetutterlybepassed。NotonlyintheaffairofGarnache-inwhichhestoodimplicatedasdeeplyasherself-mightsherequirehisloyalty，butalsointhematterofwhathadbefallenyesterdayatLaRochette；fordespiteFortunio”sassurancesthatthingshadgonesmoothly，histalehungnonetooconvincinglytogether；andwhilstshedidnotentertainanyseriousfearofsubsequenttrouble，yetitmightbewellnotutterlytobanishtheconsiderationofsuchapossibility，andtokeeptheSeneschalherallyagainstit。Soshetoldhimnow，withasmuchgraciousnessasshecouldcommand，thatshefullyrealizedherdebt，andwhen，encouraged，hespokeofhisreward，shesmileduponhimasmightagirlsmileupontooimpetuousawooerwhoseimpetuosityshedeprecatesyetcannotwhollywithstand。
“Iamawidowofsixmonths，“sheremindedhim，asshehadremindedhimoncebefore。Herwidowhoodwasprovingamostconvenientrefuge。
“Itisnotformetolistentoasuitor，howevermyfoolishheartmayincline。Cometomeinanothersixmonths”time。”
“Andyouwillwedmethen？“hebleated。
Byanefforthereyessmileddownuponhim，althoughherfacewasatrifledrawn。
“HaveInotsaidthatIwilllistentonosuitor？andwhatisthatbutasuitor”squestion？“
Hecaughtherhand；hewouldhavefallenonhiskneesthereandthen，atherfeet，onthegrassstillwetwiththenight”smist，butthatheintimebethoughthimofhowsadlyhisfineapparelwouldbethesufferer。
“YetIshallnotsleep，Ishallknownorest，nopeaceuntilyouhavegivenmeananswer。JustananswerisallIask。Iwillsetacurbuponmyimpatienceafterwards，andgothroughmyperiodofah-probationwithoutmurmuring。Saythatyou，willmarrymeinsixmonths”time-atEaster，say。”
Shesawthatananswershemustgive，andsoshegavehimtheanswerthathecraved。Andhe-poorfool！-nevercaughttheringofhervoice，asfalseastheringofabasecoin；neverguessedthatinpromisingshetoldherselfitwouldbesafetobreakthatpromisesixmonthshence，whentheneedofhimandhisloyaltywouldbepassed。
Amanapproachedthembrisklyfromthechateau。HebroughtnewsthatanumerouscompanyofmonkswasdescendingthevalleyoftheIseretowardsCondillac。Afaintexcitementstirredher，andaccompaniedbyTressansheretracedherstepsandmadeforthebattlements，whenceshemightoverlooktheirarrival。
AstheywentTressanaskedforanexplanationofthiscortege，andsheansweredhimwithFortunio”sstoryofhowthingshadspedyesterdayatLaRochette。
Upthestepsleadingtothebattlementsshewentaheadofhim，withayouthful，eagerhastethattooknothoughtforthecorpulenceandshort-windednessofthefollowingSeneschal。Fromtheheightsshelookedeastwards，shadinghereyesfromthelightofthemorningsun，andsurveyedtheprocessionwhichwithslowdignitypaceddownthevalleytowardsCondillac。
Atitsheadwalkedthetall，leanfigureoftheAbbotofSaintFrancisofCheylas，bearingonhighasilveredcrucifixthatflashedandscintillatedinthesunlight。Hiscowlwasthrownback，revealinghispale，asceticcountenanceandshavenhead。Behindhimcameacoffincoveredbyablackpall，andborneontheshouldersofsixblack-robed，blackcowledmonks，andbehindtheseagainwalked，twobytwo，somefourteencowledbrothersoftheorderofSaintFrancis，theirheadsbowed，theirarmsfolded，andtheirhandstuckedawayintheircapacioussleeves。
Itwasanumerouscortege，andasshewatcheditsapproachtheMarquisewasmovedtowonderbywhatargumentshadtheproudAbbotbeeninducedtodosomuchhonourtoadeadCondillacandbearhisbodyhometothisexcommunicatedroof。
Behindthemonksaclosedcarriagelumbereddowntheunevenmountainway，andbehindthisrodefourmountedgroomsintheliveryofCondillac。OfMariusshesawnowhereanysign，andsheinferredhimtobetravellinginthatvehicle，theattendantservantsbeingthoseofthedeadMarquis。
Insilence，withtheSeneschalatherelbow，shewatchedtheprocessionadvanceuntilitwasatthefootofthedrawbridge。Then，whilethesolemnrhythmoftheirfeetsoundedacrosstheplanksthatspannedthemoat，sheturned，and，signingtotheSeneschaltofollowher，shewentbelowtomeetthem。Butwhenshereachedthecourtyardshewassurprisedtofindtheyhadnotpaused，assurelywouldhavebeenseemly。Unbidden，theAbbothadgoneforwardthroughthegreatdoorwayanddownthegallerythatledtothehallofCondillac。Already，whenshearrivedbelow，thecoffinanditsbearershaddisappeared，andthelastofthemonkswaspassingfromsightinitswake。LeaningagainstthedoorwaythroughwhichtheywerevanishingstoodFortunio，idlywatchingthatprocessionandthoughtfullystrokinghismustachios。Abouttheyardloungedadozenorsomen-at-arms，practicallyallthegarrisonthatwasleftthemsincethefightwithGarnachetwonightsago。
Afterthelastmonkhaddisappeared，shestillremainedthere，expectantly；andwhenshesawthatneitherthecarriagenorthegroomsmadetheirappearance，shesteppeduptoFortuniotoinquireintothereasonofit。
“SurelyMonsieurdeCondillacridesinthatcoach，“saidshe。
“Surely，“Fortunioanswered，himselflookingpuzzled。“Iwillgoseekthereason，madame。MeanwhilewillyoureceivetheAbbot？
Themonkswillhavedepositedtheirburden。”
Shecomposedherfeaturesintoafittingsolemnity，andpassedbrisklythroughtothehall，Tressaneveratherheels。Hereshefoundthecoffindepositedonthetable，itsgreatblackpallofvelvet，silver-edged，sweepingdowntothefloor。Nofirehadbeenlightedthatmorningnorhadthesunyetreachedthewindows，sothattheplaceworeachillandgloomyairthatwasperhapswellattunedtothepurposethatitwasbeingmadetoserve。
Withararedignity，herheadheldhigh，shesweptdownthelengthofthatnoblechambertowardstheAbbot，whostooderectasapikestaff：atthetablehead，awaitingher。Andwellwasitforhimthathewasamanofausterehabitofmind，elsemighthermajestic，incomparablebeautyhavesoftenedhisheartandmeltedtheharshnessofhispurpose。
Heraisedhishandwhenshewaswithinasword”slengthofhim，andwithstartlingwords，deliveredinringingtones，hebroketheponderoussilence。
“Wretchedwoman，“hedenouncedher，“yoursinshavefoundyouout。
Justiceistobedone，andyourneckshallbebentdespiteyourstubbornpride。Deriderofpriests，despoilerofpurity，mockerofHolyChurch，yourimpiousreignisatanend。”
Tressanfellbackaghast，hisfaceblenchingtothelips；forifjusticewasathandforher，astheAbbotsaid，thenwasjusticeathandforhimaswell。Wherehadtheirplansmiscarried？Whatflawwastherethathithertoshehadnotperceived？Thushequestionedhimselfinhissuddenpanic。
ButtheMarquisewasnosharerinhistremors。Hereyesopenedatriflewider；afaintcolourcreptintohercheeks；butheronlyemotionswereofamazementandindignation。Washemad，thisshavelingmonk？Thatwasthequestionthatleaptintohermind，theveryquestionwithwhichshecoldlyansweredhisoutburst。
“Formadnessonly，“shethoughtfittoadd，“couldexcusesuchrashtemerityasyours。”
“Notmadness，madame，“heanswered，withchillhaughtiness-“notmadness，butrighteousindignation。YouhavedefiedthepowerofHolyChurchasyouhavedefiedthepowerofoursovereignlady，andjusticeisuponyou。Weareheretopresentthereckoning，andseeitspaymentmadeinfull。”
Shefanciedhealludedtothebodyinthecoffin-thebodyofherstepson-andshecouldhavelaughedathisfoolishconclusionsthatshemustaccountFlorimond”sdeathanactofjusticeuponherforherimpiety。Butherrisingangerlefthernoroomforlaughter。
“Ithought，sirpriest，youwerecometoburythedead。Butitratherseemsyouarecometotalk。”
Helookedatherlongandsternly。Thenheshookhishead，andthefaintestshadowofasmilehauntedhisasceticface。
“Nottotalk，madame；oh，nottotalk，“heansweredslowly。“Buttoact，Ihavecome，madame，toliberatefromthisshamblesthegentlelambyouholdhereprisoned。”
Atthatsomeofthecolourlefthercheeks；hereyesgrewstartled：
atlastshebegantorealizethatallwasnotasshehadthought-
asshehadbeengiventounderstand-Still，shesoughttohectorit，fromveryinstinct。
“Vertudieu！“shethunderedathim。“Whatmeanyou？“
BehindherTressan”sgreatplumpkneeswereknockingoneagainsttheother。FoolthathehadbeentocometoCondillacthatday，andtobetrappedthusinhercompany，apartnerinherguilt。
ThisproudAbbotwhostoodthereutteringdenunciationshadsomepowerbehindhim，elsehadheneverdaredtoraisehisvoiceinCondillacwithincallofdesperatemenwhowouldgivelittlethoughttothesacredness，ofhisoffice。
“Whatmeanyou？“sherepeated——addingwithasinistersmile，“inyourzeal，SirAbbot，youareforgettingthatmymenarewithincall。”
“So，madame，aremine，“washisastoundinganswer，andhewavedahandtowardsthearrayofmonks，allstandingwithbowedheadsandfoldedarms。
Atthatherlaughterrang。shrillthroughthechamber。“Thesepoorshavelings？“shequestioned。
“Justthesepoorshavelings，madame，“heanswered，andheraisedhishandagainandmadeasign。Andthenanoddthinghappened，anditstruckarealterrorintotheheartoftheMarquiseandheightenedthatwhichwasalreadyafflictingherfatlover，Tressan。
Themonksdrewthemselveserect。Itwasasifasuddengustofwindhadsweptthroughtheirranksandsetthemallinmotion。
Cowlsfellbackandhabitsweresweptaside，andwheretwentymonkshadstood，therewerestandingnowascoreofnimble，stalwartmenintheliveryofCondillac，allfullyarmed，allgrinninginenjoymentofherandTressan”sdismay。
Oneofthemturnedasideandlockedthedoorofthechamber。ButhismovementwentunheededbytheDowager，whosebeautifuleyes，startingwithhorror，werenowbackuponthegrimfigureoftheAbbot，marvellingalmosttoseenotransformationwroughtinhim。
“Treachery！“shebreathed，inanawfulvoice，thatwasnolouderthanawhisper，andagainhereyestravelledroundthecompany，andsuddenlytheyfasteneduponFortunio，standingsixpacesfromhertotheright，pullingthoughtfullyathismustachios，andmanifestingnosurpriseatwhathadtakenplace。
Inasudden，blindcholer，shesweptround，pluckedthedaggerfromTressan”sbeltandflungherselfuponthetreacherouscaptain。Hehadbetrayedherinsomeway；hehaddeliveredupCondillac-intowhosepowershehadyethadnotimetothink。Shecaughthimbythethroatwithahandofsuchnervousstrengthasonewouldlittlehavesuspectedfromitswhiteanddelicatecontour。Herdaggerwaspoisedintheair，andthecaptain，takenthussuddenly，waspalsiedwithamazementandcouldraisenohandtodefendhimselffromtheblowimpending。
ButtheAbbotsteppedsuddenlytohersideandcaughtherwristinhisthin，transparenthand。
“Forbear，“hebadeher。“Themanisbutatool。”
Shefellback-draggedbackalmostbytheAbbot——pantingwithrageandgrief；andthenshenoticedthatduringthemomentthatherbackhadbeenturnedthepallhadbeensweptfromthecoffin。
Thesightofthebaredealboxarrestedherattention，andforthemomentturnedasideheranger。Whatfreshsurprisedidtheyprepareher？
Nosoonerhadsheaskedherselfthequestionthanherselfsheansweredit，andanicyhandseemedtocloseaboutherheart。ItwasMariuswhowasdead。Theyhadliedtoher。Marius”swasthebodytheyhadbornetoCondillac-thosemenintheliveryofherstepson。
Withasuddensobinherthroatshetookasteptowardsthecoffin。
Shemustseeforherself。Onewayortheothershemustatoncedispelthistorturingdoubt。Butereshehadtakenthreepaces，shestoodarrestedagain，herhandsjerkedsuddenlytotheheightofherbreast，herlipspartingtoletoutascreamofterror。Forthecoffin-lidhadslowlyraisedandclatteredover。Andasiftopileterrorforher，afigurerosefromthebox，and，sittingup，lookedroundwithagrimsmile；andthefigurewasthefigureofamanwhomsheknewtobedead，amanwhohaddiedbyhercontriving-itwasthefigureofGarnache。ItwasGarnacheashehadbeenontheoccasionofhisfirstcomingtoCondillac，ashehadbeenonthedaytheyhadsoughthislifeinthisveryroom。
Howwellsheknewthatgreathookednoseandthebright，steelyblueeyes，thedarkbrownhair，ash-colouredatthetempleswhereagehadpaledit，andthefierce，reddishmustachios，bristlingabovethefirmmouthandlong，squarechin。
Shestaredandstared，herbeautifulfacelividanddistorted，tilltherewasnobeautytobeseeninit，whattimetheAbbotregardedhercoldlyandTressan，behindher，turnedalmostsickwithterror。Butnottheterrorofghostswasitafflictedhim。HesawinGarnacheamanwhowasstillofthequick-amanwhobysomemiraclehadescapedthefatetowhichtheysupposedhimtohavesuccumbed；andhisterrorwastheterrorofthereckoningwhichthatmanwouldask。
Afteramoment”spause，asifrelishingthesensationhehadcreated，Garnacherosetohisfeetandleaptbrisklytotheground。Therewasnothingghostlyaboutthethudwithwhichhealightedonhisfeetbeforeher。Apartofherterrorlefther；yetnotquiteall。
Shesawthatshehadbutamantodealwith，yetshebegantorealizethatthismanwasveryterrible。
“Garnacheagain！“shegasped。
Hebowedserenely，hislipssmiling。
“Aye，madame，“hetoldherpleasantly，“alwaysGarnache。Tenaciousasaleech，madame；andlikealeechcomehithertodoalittleworkofpurification。”
Hereyes，nowkindlingagainassherecoveredfromherrecentfears，soughtFortunio”sshiftyglance。Garnachefolloweditandreadwhatwasinhermind。
“WhatFortuniohasdone，“saidhe，“hehasdonebyyourson”sauthorityandsanction。”
“Marius？“sheinquired，andshewasalmostfearfullestsheshouldhearthatbyhersonhemeantherstepson，andthatMariuswasdead。
“Yes，Marius，“heansweredher。“Ibenthimtomywill。I
threatenedhimthatheandthisfellowofhis，thiscomradeinarmssoworthyofhismaster，shouldbebrokenonthewheeltogetherunlessIwereimplicitlyobeyed。Iftheywouldsavetheirlives，thiswastheirchance。Theywerewise，andtheytookit，andthusaffordedmethemeansofpenetratingintoCondillacandrescuingMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。”
“ThenMarius-？“Sheleftherquestionunfinished，herhandclutchingnervouslyatthebosomofhergown。
“Issoundandwell，asFortuniotruthfullywillhavetoldyou。Butheisnotyetoutofmygrasp，norwillbeuntiltheaffairsofCondillacaresettled。ForifImeetwithfurtheroppositionhere，brokenonthewheelheshallbeyet，Ipromiseyou。”
Stillshemadealastattemptathectoringit。Thelonghabitofmastershipdieshard。Shethrewbackherhead；hercouragerevivednowthatsheknewMariustobealiveandsound。
“Finewords，“shesneered。“Butwhoareyouthatyoucanthreatensoandpromiseso？“
“IamtheQueen-Regent”shumblemouthpiece，madame。WhatIthreaten，Ithreateninhername。Ruffleitnolonger，Ibeseechyou。Itwillprovelittleworthyourwhile。Youaredeposed，madame，andyouhadbesttakeyourdepositionwithdignityandcalm-inallfriendlinessdoIadviseit。”
“IamnotyetcomesolowthatIneedyouradvice，“sheansweredsourly。
“Youmaybeforethesunsets，“heanswered，withhisquietsmile。
“TheMarquisdeCondillacandhiswifearestillatLaRochette，waitinguntilmybusinesshereisdonethattheymaycomehome。”
“Hiswife？“shecried。
“Hiswife，madame。HehasbroughthomeawifefromItaly。”
“Then-then-Marius？“Shesaidnomorethanthat。Maybeshehadnointentionofmutteringevensomuchofherthoughtsaloud。ButGarnachecaughtthetrendofhermind，andhemarvelledtoseehowstrongahabitofthoughtcanbe。AtonceuponhearingoftheMarquis”smarriagehermindhadflownbacktoitswontedponderingofthepossibilitiesofMarius”sweddingValerie。
ButGarnachedispelledsuchspeculations。
“No，madame，“saidhe。“Mariuslookselsewhereforawife-unlessmademoiselleofherownfreewillshouldelecttowedhim-athingunlikely。”Then，withasuddenchangetosternness-“MademoiselledeLaVauvrayeiswell，madame？“heasked。
Shenoddedherhead，butmadenoanswerinwords。HeturnedtoFortunio。
“Gofetchher，“hebadethecaptain，andoneofthemenunlockedthedoortoletFortuniooutuponthaterrand。
TheParisiantookaturnintheapartment，andcameclosetoTressan。
HenoddedtotheSeneschalwithafriendlinessthatturnedhimsickwithfright。
“Wellmet，mydearLordSeneschal。Iamrejoicedtofindyouhere。
HaditbeenotherwiseImusthavesentforyou。Thereisalittlemattertobesettledbetweenus。Youmaydependuponmetosettleittoyourpresentsatisfaction，iftoyourfuturegrief。”And，withasmile，hepassedon，leavingtheSeneschaltoopalsiedtoanswerhim，toostrickentodisclaimhisshareinwhathadtakenplaceatCondillac。
“Youhavetermstomakewithme？“theMarquisequestionedproudly。
“Certainly，“heanswered，withhisgrimcourtesy。“UponyouracceptanceofthosetermsshalldependMarius”slifeandyourownfutureliberty。”
“Whatarethey？“
“Thatwithinthehourallyourpeople-tothelastscullion-shallhavelaiddowntheirarmsandvacatedCondillac。”
Itwasbeyondherpowertorefuse。
“TheMarquiswillnotdrivemeforth？“shehalfaffirmed，halfasked。
“TheMarquis，madame，hasnopowerinthismatter。ItisfortheQueentodealwithyourinsubordination-formeastheQueen”semissary。”
“IfIconsent，monsieur，whatthen？“
Heshruggedhisshoulders，andsmiledquietly。
“Thereisno”if”madame。Consentyoumust，willinglyorunwillingly。TomakesureofthathaveIcomebackthusandwithforce。Butshouldyoudeliverbattle，youwillbeworsted-anditwillbeveryillforyou。Bidyourmendepart，asIhavetoldyou，andyoualsoshallhavelibertytogohence。”
“Aye，butwhither？“shecried，inasuddenfrenzyofanger。
“Irealize，madame，fromwhatIknowofyourcircumstancesthatyouwillbewell-nighhomeless。YoushouldhavethoughtofhowonedayyoumightcometobedependentupontheMarquisdeCondillac”sgenerositybeforeyousetyourselftoconspireagainsthim，beforeyousoughttoencompasshisdeath。Youcanhardlylookforgenerosityathishandsnow，andsoyouwillbeallbuthomeless，unless-“Hepaused，andhiseyesstrayedtoTressanandwereladenwithasardoniclook。
“Youtakeaverydaringtonewithme，“shetoldhim。“Youspeaktomeasnomanhaseverdaredtospeak。”
“Whenthepowerwasyours，madame，youdealtwithmeasnonehaseverdaredtodeal。Theadvantagenowismine。BeholdhowIuseitinyourowninterests；observehowgenerouslyIshalldealwithyouwhodealinmurder。MonsieurdeTressan，“hecalledbriskly。
TheSeneschalstartedforwardasifsomeonehadproddedhimsuddenly。
“Mu-monsieur？“saidhe。
“Withyou，too，willIreturngoodforevil。Comehither。”
TheSeneschalapproached，wonderingwhatwasabouttotakeplace。
TheMarquisewatchedhiscoming，acoldglitterinhereye，for-
keenerofmentalvisionthanTressan-shealreadyknewthehideouspurposethatwasinGarnache”smind。
Thesoldiersgrinned；theAbbotlookedonwithanimpassiveface。
“TheMarquisedeCondillacislikelytobehomelesshenceforth，“
saidtheParisian，addressingtheSeneschal。“Willyounotbegallantenoughtoofferherahome，MonsieurdeTressan？“
“WillI？“gaspedTressan，scarcedaringtobelievehisownears，hiseyesstaringwithalookthatwasalmostoneofvacancy。
“Madamewellknowshowreadily。”
“Oho？“crowedGarnache，whohadbeenobservingmadame”sface。“Sheknows？Thendoso，monsieur；andonthatconditionIwillforgetyourindiscretionshere。Ipledgeyoumywordthatyoushallnotbecalledtofurtheraccountforthelivesthathavebeenlostthroughyourtreacheryandwantofloyalty，providedthatofyourownfreewillyoulaydownyourSeneschalshipofDauphinyanofficewhichIcannotconsenttoseeyoufillinghereafter。”
TressanstaredfromtheDowagertoGarnacheandbacktotheDowager。
ShestoodthereasifGarnache”swordshadturnedherintomarble，bereftofspeechthroughveryrage。Andthenthedooropened，andMademoiselledeLaVauvrayeentered，followedcloselybyFortunio。
AtsightofGarnacheshestoodstill，setherhandonherheart，andutteredalowcry。WasitindeedGarnacheshesaw-Garnache，herbraveknight-errant？Helookednolongerashehadlookedduringthosedayswhenhehadbeenhergaoler；buthelookedasshelikedtothinkofhimsinceshehadaccountedhimdead。Headvancedtomeether，asmileinhiseyesthathadsomethingwistfulinit。
Heheldoutbothhandstoher，andshetookthem，andthere，undertheeyesofall，beforehecouldsnatchthemaway，shehadstoopedandkissedthem，whilstamurmurof“ThankGod！ThankGod！“escapedfromherlipstoheaven。
“Mademoiselle，mademoiselle！“heremonstrated，whenitwastoolatetostayher。“Youmustnot；itisnotseemlyinmetoallowit。”
Hesawintheactnomorethananexpressionofthegratitudeforwhathehaddonetoserveher，andfortheriskinwhichhislifehadbeensowillinglyplacedinthatservice。Underthesuasionofhiswordsshegrewcalmagain；then，suddenly，afearstirredheroncemoreinthatplacewhereshehadknownnaughtbutfears。
“Whyareyouhere，monsieur？Youhavecomeintodangeragain？“
“No，no，“helaughed。“Thesearemyownmenatleast，forthetimebeing。Iamcomeinpowerthistime，toadministerjustice。Whatshallbedonewiththislady，mademoiselle？“heasked；andknowingwellthemercifulsweetnessofthegirl”ssoul，headded，“Speak，now。Herfateshallrestinyourhands。”
Valerielookedatherenemy，andthenhereyesstrayedroundtheroomandtookstockofthemenstandingthereinsilence，oftheAbbotwhostillremainedatthetable-head，apale，scarce-interestedspectatorofthisoddscene。
Thechangehadcomesoabruptly。Afewminutesagoshehadbeenstillaprisoner，sufferingtorturesathavingheardthatMariuswastoreturnthatday，andthat，willy-nilly，shemustwedhimnow。
Andnowshewasfreeitseemed：herchampionwasreturnedinpower，andhestoodbiddingherdecidethefateofherlateoppressors。
Madame”sfacewasashen。Shejudgedthegirlbyherownself；shehadnoknowledgeofanysuchinfinitesweetnessasthatofthischild”snature，asweetnessthatcoulddonohurttoany。DeathwaswhattheMarquiseexpected，sincesheknewthatdeathwouldsheherselfhavepronouncedhadthepositionsbeenreversed。But-
“Lethergoinpeace，monsieur，“sheheardmademoisellesay，andshecouldnotbelievebutthatshewasbeingmocked。Andasifmockerywereatissue，Garnachelaughed。
“Wewilllethergo，mademoiselle-yetnotquiteherownway。Youmustnotlongerremainunrestrained，madame，“hetoldtheMarquise。
“Naturessuchasyoursneedaman”sguidance。IthinkyouwillbesufficientlypunishedifyouwedthisrashMonsieurdeTressan，justashewillbesufficientlypunishedlaterwhendisillusionmentfollowshispresentyouthfulardour。Makeeachotherhappy，then，“
andhewavedhisarmsfromonetotheother。“OurgoodFather，here，willtietheknotatonce，andthen，myLordSeneschal，youmaybearhomeyourbride。Hersonshallfollowyou。”
ButtheMarquiseblazedoutnow。Shestampedherfoot，andhereyesseemedtohavetakenfire。
“Never，sir！Neverinlife！“shecried。“Iwillnotbesoconstrained。IamtheMarquisedeCondillac，monsieur。Donotforgetit！“
“Iamhardlyindangerofdoingthat。ItisbecauseIrememberitthatIurgeyoutochangeyourestatewithalldispatch；andceasetobetheMarquisedeCondillac。ThatsameMarquisehasaheavyscoreagainsther。Letherevadepaymentbythismetamorphosis。
Ihaveopenedforyou，madame，adoorthroughwhichyoumayescape。”
“Youareinsolent，“shetoldhim。“ByGod，sir！Iamnobaggagetobedisposedofbythewillofanyman。”
AtthatGarnachehimselftookfire。Herangerprovedasthesteelsmitingtheflintofhisownnature，andoneofhisfierceburstsofblazingpassionwhirledaboutherhead。
“Andwhatofthischild，here？“hethundered。“Whatofher，madame？
Wassheabaggagetobedisposedofbythewillofanymanorwoman？
Yetyousoughttodisposeofheragainstherheart，againsthernature，againstherplightedword。Enoughsaid！“hebarked，andsoterrificwashismienandvoicethatthestout-spiritedDowagerwascowed，andrecoiledasheadvancedastepinherdirection。“Getyoumarried。Takeyouthismantohusband，youwhowithsuchcalmnesssoughttodriveothersintounwillingwedlock。Doit，madame，anddoitnow，orbytheHeavenaboveus，youshallcometoPariswithme，andyou”llnotfindthemnicethere。ItwillavailyoulittletostormandshoutatthemthatyouareMarquisedeCondillac。Asamurderessandarebelshallyoubetried，andasbothoreitheritisoddsyouwillbebrokenonthewheel-andyoursonwithyou。Somakeyourchoice，madame。”
Heceased。Valeriehadcaughthimbythearm。Atoncehisfuryfellfromhim。Heturnedtoher。
“Whatisit，child？“
“Donotcompelher，ifshewillnotwedhim，“saidshe。“Iknow-
and-shedidnot-howterribleathingitis。”
“Nay，patience，child，“hesoothedher，smilingnow，hissmileasthesunshinethatsucceedsathunderstorm。
“Itisnonesobadwithher。Sheisbutcoy。Theyhadplightedtheirtrothalready，soitseems。Besides，Idonotcompelher。
Sheshallmarryhimofherownfreewill-orelsegotoParisandstandhertrialandtheconsequences。”
“Theyhadplightedtheirtroth，doyousay？“
“Well-hadyounot，MonsieurleSeneschal？“
“Wehad，monsieur，“saidTressan，withconsciouspride；“andformyselfIamreadyfortheseimmediatenuptials。”
“Then，inGod”sname，letMadamegiveusheranswernow。Wehavenotthedaytowaste。”
Shestoodlookingathim，hertoetappingtheground，hereyessullenlyangry。Andintheend，half-faintinginhergreatdisdain，sheconsentedtodohiswill。Parisandthewheelformedtoohorribleanalternative；besides，evenifthatweresparedher，therewasbutahovelinTouraineforher，andTressan，forallhisfatugliness，waswealthy。
SotheAbbot，whohadlenthimselftothemummeryofcomingtheretoreadaburialservice，madereadynow，byorderoftheQueen”semissary，tosolemnizeawedding。
Itwassoondone。FortuniostoodsponsorforTressan，andGarnachehimselfinsisteduponhandingtheLordSeneschalhisbride，astrokeofironywhichhurttheproudladyofCondillacmorethanallhersufferingsofthepasthalf-hour。
WhenitwasoverandtheDowagerMarquisedeCondillachadbeenconvertedintotheComtessedeTressan，Garnachebadethemdepartinpeaceandatonce。
“AsIhavepromised，youshallbesparedallprosecution，MonsieurdeTressan，“heassuredtheSeneschalatparting。“ButyoumustresignatoncetheKing”sSeneschalshipofDauphiny，elsewillyouputmetothenecessityofhavingyoudeprivedofyouroffice-andthatmightentailunpleasantconsequences。”
Theywent，madamewithbowedhead，herstubbornpridebrokenatlastastheAbbotofSaintFrancishadsoconfidentlypromisedher。
AfterthemwenttheAbbotandthelackeysofFlorimond，andFortuniowentwiththesetocarryoutGarnache”sordersthatthemenoftheDowager”sgarrisonbesentpackingatonce，leavingwiththeParisian，inthegreathall，justMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。
CHAPTERXXIV
SAINTMARTIN”SEVE
Uneasyinhismind，seekingsomewaytotellthethingandacquithimselfofthepainfultaskbeforehim，Garnachetookaturnintheapartment。
Mademoiselleleanedagainstthetable，whichwasstillburdenedbytheemptycoffin，andobservedhim。Hisponderingswerevain；hecouldfindnowaytotell，hisstory。ShehadsaidthatshedidnotexactlylovethisFlorimond，thatherloyaltytohimwasnomorethanherloyaltytoherfather”swishes。Nevertheless，hethought，whatmannerofhurtmustnotherpridereceivewhenshelearnedthatFlorimondhadbroughthimhomeawife？Garnachewasfullofpityforherandforthelonelinessthatmustbehershereafter，mistressofavastestateinDauphiny，aloneandfriendless。Andhewasalittlesorryforhimselfandthelonelinesswhich，hefelt，wouldbehishereafter；butthatwasbytheway。
Atlastitwassheherselfwhobrokethesilence。
“Monsieur，“sheaskedhim，andhervoicewasstrainedandhusky，“wereyouintimetosaveFlorimond？“
“Yes，mademoiselle，“heansweredreadily，gladthatbythatquestionsheshouldhaveintroducedthesubject。“Iwasintime。”
“AndMarius？“sheinquired。“FromwhatIheardyousay，Itakeitthathehassufferednoharm。”
“Hehassufferednone。IhavesparedhimthathemightparticipateinthejoyofhismotheratherunionwithMonsieurdeTressan。”
“Iamgladitwasso，monsieur。Tellmeofit。”Hervoicesoundedformalandconstrained。
Buteitherhedidnothearordidnotheedthequestion。
“Mademoiselle，“hesaidslowly。“Florimondiscoming-“
“Florimond？“shebrokein，andhervoicewentshrill，asifwithasuddenfear，hercheeksturnedwhiteaschalk。Thethingthatformonthsshehadhopedandprayedforwascomeatlast，anditstruckheralmostdeadwithterror。
Heremarkedthechange，andsetitdowntoanaturalexcitement。
Hepausedamoment。Then：
“HeisstillatLaRochette。ButhedoesnomorethanwaituntilheshallhavelearnedthathisstepmotherhasdepartedfromCondillac。”
“But-why-why-？Washetheninnohastetocometome？“sheinquired，hervoicefaltering。
“Heis-“Hestoppedandtuggedathismustachios，hiseyesregardinghersombrely。Hewasclosebesidehernow，wherehehadhalted，andhesethishandgentlyuponhershoulder，lookeddownintothatwinsomelittleovalfacesheraisedtohis。
“Mademoiselle，“heinquired，“woulditafflictyouverysorelyifyouwerenotdestined，afterall，towedtheLordofCondillac？“
“Afflictme？“sheechoed。Theveryquestionsethergaspingwithhope。“No-no，monsieur；itwouldnotafflictme。”
“Thatistrue？Thatisreally，reallytrue？“hecried，andhistoneseemedlessdespondent。
“Don”tyouknowhowtrueitis？“shesaid，insuchaccentsandwithsuchashyupwardlookthatsomethingseemedsuddenlytotakeGarnachebythethroat。Thebloodflewtohischeeks。Hefanciedanoddmeaninginthosewordsofhers-ameaningthatsethispulsesthrobbingfasterthanjoyorperilhadeversetthemyet。
Thenhecheckedhimself，anddeepdowninhissoulheseemedtohearapealofmockinglaughter-justsuchaburstofsardonicmirthashadbrokenfromhislipstwonightsagowhenonhiswaytoVoiron。Thenhewentbacktothebusinesshehadinhand。
“Iamgladitissowithyou，“hesaidquietly。“BecauseFlorimondhasbroughthimhomeawife。”
Thewordswereout，andhestoodbackasstandsamanwho，havingcastaninsult，preparestowardtheblowheexpectsinanswer。Hehadlookedforastorm，awild，franticoutburst；thelightningofflashing，angryeyes；thethunderofoutragedpride。Instead，herewasagentlecalm，awansmileoverspreadinghersweet，paleface，andthenshehidthatfaceinherhands，buriedfaceandhandsuponhisshoulderandfelltoweepingveryquietly。
This，hethought，wasalmostworsethanthetempesthehadlookedfor。Howwashetoknowthatthesetearsweretheoverflowofaheartthatwasonthepointofburstingfromsheerjoy？Hepattedhershoulder；hesoothedher。
“Littlechild，“hewhisperedinherear。“Whatdoesitmatter？Youdidnotreallylovehim。Hewasallunworthyofyou。Donotgrieve，child。So，so，thatisbetter。”
Shewaslookingupathim，smilingthroughthetearsthatsuffusedereyes。
“Iamweepingforjoy，monsieur，“saidshe。
“Foryou？“quothhe。“Vertudieu！Thereisnoendtothethingsawomanweepsfor！“
Unconsciously，instinctivelyalmost，shenestledclosertohim，andagainhispulsesthrobbed，againthatflushcametooverspreadhisleancountenance。Verysoftlyhewhisperedinherear：
“WillyougotoPariswithme，mademoiselle？“
Hemeantbythatquestionnomorethantoaskwhether，nowthathereinDauphinyshewouldbefriendlessandalone，itwerenotbetterforhertoplaceherselfunderthecareoftheQueen-Regent。Butwhatblametoherifshemisunderstoodthequestion，ifshereadinittheverywordsherheartwaslongingtohearfromhim？Theverygentlenessofhistoneimpliedhismeaningtobetheoneshedesired。
Sheraisedherhazeleyesagaintohis，shenestledclosertohim，andthen，withashyflutteringofherlids，adeliciousredsuffusinghervirgincheek，sheansweredverysoftly：
“Iwillgoanywherewithyou，monsieur-anywhere。”
Withacryhebrokefromher。Therewasnofancyingnow；nopossibilityofmisunderstanding。Hesawhowshehadmisreadhisquestion，howshehaddeliveredherselfuptohiminanswer。Hisalmostroughnessstartledher，andshestaredathimashestampeddowntheapartmentandbacktowhereshestood，seekinginvaintomastertheturbulenceofhisfeelings。Hestoodstillagain。Hetookherbytheshouldersandheldheratarms”length，beforehim，thussurveyingher，andtherewastroubleinhiskeeneyes。
“Mademoiselle，mademoiselle！“hecried。“Valerie，mychild，whatareyousayingtome？“
“Whatwouldyouhavemesay？“sheasked，hereyesuponthefloor。
“WasItooforward？Itseemedtometherecouldnotbequestionofsuchathingbetweenusnow。Ibelongtoyou。Whatmanhaseverservedawomanasyouhaveservedme？Whatbetterfriend，whatnoblerloverdideverwomanhave？WhythenneedItakeshameatconfessingmydevotion？“
Heswallowedhard，andtherewasamistbeforehiseyes-eyesthathadlookedunmovedonmanyasceneofcarnage。
“Youknownotwhatyoudo，“hecriedout，andhisvoicewasasthevoiceofoneinpain。“Iamold。”
“Old？“sheechoedindeepsurprise，andshelookedupathim，asifshesoughtevidenceofwhathestated。
“Aye，old，“heassuredherbitterly。“Lookatthegreyinmyhair，thewrinklesinmyface。Iamnolikelyloverforyou，child。
You”llneedalusty，comelyyounggallant。”
Shelookedathim，andafaintsmileflickeredatthecornersofherlips。Sheobservedhisstraight，handsomefigure；hisfineairofdignityandofstrength。Everyinchamanwashe；neverlivedthereonewhowasmoreaman；andwhatmorethansuchamancouldanymaiddesire？
“YouareallthatIwouldhaveyou，“sheansweredhim，andinhismindhealmostcursedherstubbornness，herwantofreason。
“Iampeevishandcross-grained，“heinformedher，“andIhavegrownoldinignoranceofwoman”sways。Lovehasnevercometomeuntilnow。Whatmanneroflover，thinkyou，canImake？“
Hereyeswereonthewindowsathisback。Thesunshinestrikingthroughthemseemedtogiveherthereplyshesought。
“To-morrowwillbeSaintMartin”sDay，“shetoldhim；“yetseewithawarmththesunisshining。”
“Apoor，make-believeSaintMartin”sSummer，“saidhe。“Iamfitlyansweredbyyourallegory。”
“Oh，notmake-believe，notmake-believe，“sheexclaimed。“Thereisnomake-believeinthesun”sbrightnessanditswarmth。Weseeitandwefeelit，andwearenonethelessgladofitbecausethetimeofyearshouldbeNovember；ratherdowetakethegreaterjoyinit。AnditisnotyetNovemberinyourlife，notyetbymanymonths。”
“Whatyousayisapt，perhaps，“saidhe，“andmayseemmoreaptthanitissincemynameisMartin，thoughIamnosaint。”Thenheshookoffthismoodthatheaccountedselfish；thismoodthatwouldtakeher-asthewolftakesthelamb-withnothoughtbutforhisownhunger。
“No，no！“hecriedout。“Itwereunworthyinme！“
“WhenIloveyou，Martin？“sheaskedhimgently。
Amomenthestaredather，asifthroughthosecleareyeshewouldpenetratetotheverydepthsofhermaidensoul。Thenhesankontohiskneesbeforeherasanystriplinglovermighthavedone，andkissedherhandsintokenofthefactthathewasconquered。
End