Notsatisfiedyet，Icontinuedtopresshim，butwithsolittlesuccessthatIstillfoundmyselfunabletodecidewhethertheSpaniardhadwanderedininnocentlyortoexplorehisground。Intheend，therefore，Imadeupmymindtoseethingsformyself；
andearlynextmorning，atanhourwhenIwasnotlikelytobeobserved，Iwentoutbyabackdoor，andwithmyfacemuffledandnootherattendancethanMaignanandLaTrape，wenttothetennis-courtandexaminedthedressing-room。
Thiswasasmallclosetonthefirstfloor，ofasizetoholdtwoorthreepersons，andwithacasementthroughwhichtheKing，ifhewishedtobeprivate，mightwatchthegame。Itssolefurnitureconsistedofalittletablewithamirror，aseatforhisMajesty，andacoupleofstools，sothatitofferedsmallscopeforinvestigation。True，thestalesherbetandthewaterwerestillthere，thecarafesstandingonthetablebesideanemptycomfitbox，andafewtoiletnecessaries；anditwillbebelievedthatIlostnotimeinexaminingthem。ButImadenodiscovery，andwhenIhadpassedmyeyeovereverythingelsethattheroomcontained，andnoticednothingthatseemedintheslightestdegreesuspicious，Ifoundmyselfcompletelyataloss。
Iwenttothewindow，andforamomentlookedidlyintothecourt。
Butneitherdidanylightcomethence，andIhadturnedagainandwasabouttoleave，whenmyeyealightedonacertainthingandI
stopped。
\"Whatisthat？\"Isaid。Itwasathincase，book-shaped，ofGenoavelvet，somewhatworn。
\"Plaister，\"Maignan，whowaswaitingatthedoor，answered。\"HisMajesty\'shandisnotwellyet，andasyourexcellencyknows，he——\"
\"Silence，fool！\"Icried。andIstoodrootedtothespot，overwhelmedbytheconvictionthatIheldthecluetothemystery，andsoshakenbythehorrorwhichthatconvictionnaturallybroughtwithitthatIcouldnotmoveafinger。A
designsofiendishandmonstrousasthatwhichIsuspectedmightrousethedullestsensibilities，inacasewhereitthreatenedthemeanest；butbeingaimedinthisattheKing，mymaster，fromwhomIhadreceivedsomanybenefits，andonwhoselifethewell-
beingofalldepended，itgoadedmetothewarmestresentment。I
lookedroundthetennis-court——which，empty，shadowyandsilent，seemedafitplaceforsuchhorrors——withrageandrepulsion；
apprehendinginamomentofsadpresagealltheaccursedstrokesofanenemywhomnothingcouldpropitiate，andwho，soonerorlater，mustsetallmycareatnought，andtakefromFrancehergreatestbenefactor。
But，itwillbesaid，Ihadnoproof，onlyaconjecture；andthisistrue，butofithereafter。Sufficeitthat，assoonasIhadswallowedmyindignation，Itookalltheprecautionsaffectioncouldsuggestordutyenjoin，omittingnothing；andthen，confidingthemattertonoonethetwomenwhowerewithmeexcepted——Ipreparedtoobservetheissuewithgloomysatisfaction。
Thematchwastotakeplaceatthreeintheafternoon。Alittleafterthathour，Iarrivedatthetennis-court，attendedbyLaFontandothergentlemen，andM。l\'Huillier，thecouncillor，whohaddinedwithme。L\'Huillier\'sbusinesshaddetainedmesomewhat，andthemenhadbegun；butasIhadanticipatedthis，I
hadbeggedmygoodfriendDeVictohaveaneyetomyinterests。
TheKing，whowasinthegallery，hadwithhimM。deMontpensier，theComtedeLude，Vitry，Varennes，andtheFlorentineAmbassador，withSancyandsomeothers。Mademoiselled\'Entraguesandtwoladieshadtakenpossessionofhiscloset，andfromthecasementwerepouringforthaperpetualfireofbadinageandBONS
MOTS。Thetennis-court，inaword，presentedasdifferentanaspectaspossiblefromthatwhichithadworninthemorning。
Thesharpcrackoftheball，asitboundedfromsidetoside，wasalmostlostinthecrisplaughterandbabelofvoices；whichasI
enteredroseintoaperfectuproar，Mademoisellehavingjustflungawholelapfulofrosesacrossthecourtinreturnforsomewitticism。ThesefallingshortofthegalleryhadlightedontheheadoftheastonishedDiego，causingatemporarycessationofplay，duringwhichItookmyseat。
MadamedeLude\'ssaucyeyepickedmeoutinamoment。\"Oh，thegraveman！\"shecried。\"Crownhim，too，withroses。\"
\"Astheycrownedtheskullatthefeast，madame？\"Ianswered，salutinghergallantly。
\"No，butasthemanwhomtheKingdelightethtohonour，\"sheanswered，makingafaceatme。\"Ha！ha！Iamnotafraid！Iamnotafraid！Iamnotafraid！\"
Therewasagooddealoflaughteratthis。\"WhatshallIdotoher，M。deRosny？\"Mademoisellecriedout，comingtomyrescue。
\"Ifyouwillhavethegoodnesstokissher，mademoiselle，\"I
answered，\"Iwillconsideritanadvance，andasoneofthecounciloftheKing\'sfinances，mycreditshouldbegoodforthere——\"
\"Thankyou！\"theKingcried，nimblycuttingmeshort。\"Butasmyfinancesseemtobethesecurity，faith，Iwillseetotherepaymentmyself！Letthemstartagain；butIamafraidthatmytwentycrownsareyours，GrandMaster；yourmanisinfineplay。\"
Ilookedintothecourt。Diego，litheandsinewy，withhiscroppedblackhair，highcolour，andquickshalloweyes，boundedhereandthere，swiftandactiveasapanther。Seeinghimthus，withhisheartinhisreturns，Icouldnotbutdoubt；more，asthegameproceeded，amidthelaughterandjestsandwittysalliesofthecourtiers，Ifeltthedoubtgrow；theriddlebecameeachminutemoreabstruse，themanmoremysterious。Butthatwasofnomomentnow。
Alittleafterfouro\'clockthematchendedinmyfavour；onwhichtheKing，tiredofinaction，sprangup，anddeclaringthathewouldtryDiego\'sstrengthhimself，enteredthecourt。I
followed，withVitryandothers，andseveralstrokeswhichhadbeenmadeweretestedanddiscussed。Presently，theKinggoingtotalkwithMademoiselleatherwindow，IremarkedtheSpaniardandMaignan，withtheKing\'smarker，andoneortwootherswaitingatthefurtherdoor。AlmostatthesamemomentI
observedasuddenmovementamongthem，andvoicesraisedhigherthanwasdecent，andIcalledoutsharplytoknowwhatitwas。
\"Anaccident，mylord，\"oneofthemenansweredrespectfully。
\"Itisnothing，\"anothermuttered。\"Maignanwasplayingtricks，yourexcellency，andcutDiego\'shandalittle；thatisall。\"
\"Cuthishandnow！\"Iexclaimedangrily\"AndtheKingabouttoplaywithhim。Letmeseeit！\"
Diegosulkilyhelduphishand，andIsawacut，uglybutofnoimportance。
\"Pooh！\"Isaid；\"itisnothing。Getsomeplaister。Here，you，\"
Icontinuedwrathfully，turningtoMaignan，\"sinceyouhavedonethemischief，booby，youmustrepairit。Getsomeplaister，doyouhear？Hecannotplayinthatstate。\"
Diegomutteredsomething，andMaignanthathehadnotgotany；
butbeforeIcouldanswerthathemustgetsome，LaTrapethrusthismaytothefront，andproducingasmallpiecefromhispocket，proceededwithadrollairofextremecarefulnesstotreatthehand。Theotherknavesfellintothejoke，andtheSpaniardhadnooptionbuttosubmit；thoughhisscowlingfaceshowedthatheboreMaignannogood-will，andthatbutformypresencehemightnothavebeensocomplaisant。LaTrapewasbringinghissurgerytoanendbydemandingafee，inthemostcomicalmannerpossible，whentheKingreturnedtoourpartofthecourt。\"Whatisit？\"hesaid。\"Isanythingthematter？\"
\"No，sire，\"Isaid。\"Mymanhascuthishandalittle，butitisnothing。\"
\"Canheplay？\"Henryaskedwithhisaccustomedgood-nature。
\"Oh，yes，sire，\"Ianswered。\"IhavebounditupwithastripofplaisterfromthecaseinyourMajesty\'scloset。\"
\"Hehasnotlostblood？\"
\"No，sire。\"
Andhehadnot。ButitwassmallwonderthattheKingasked；
smallwonder，fortheman\'sfacehadchangedinthelasttensecondstoastrangeleadencolour；aterrorlikethatofawildbeastthatseesitselftrappedhadleaptintohiseyes。Heshotafurtiveglanceroundhim，andIsawhimslidehishandbehindhim。ButIwaspreparedforthat，andastheKingmovedoffaspaceIslippedtotheman\'sside，asiftogivehimsomedirectionsabouthisgame。
\"Listen，\"Isaid，inavoiceheardonlybyhim；\"takethedressingoffyourhand，andIhaveyoubrokenonthewheel。Youunderstand？Nowplay。\"
Assuringmyselfthathedidunderstand，andthatMaignanandLaTrapewereathandifheshouldattemptanything，Iwentbacktomyplace，andsittingdownbyDeVicbegantowatchthatstrangegame；whileMademoiselle\'slaughterandMadamedeLude\'sgibesfloatedacrossthecourt，andmingledwiththeeagerapplauseandmoredexterouscriticismsofthecourtiers。Thelightwasbeginningtosink，andforthisreason，perhaps，nooneperceivedtheSpaniard\'spallor；butDeVic，afterarallyortwo，remarkedthathewasnotplayinghisfullstrength。
\"Wiseman！\"headded。
\"Yes，\"Isaid。\"Whoplayswellagainstkingsplaysill。\"
DeViclaughed。\"Howhesweats！\"hesaid，\"andheneverturnedahairwhenheplayedColet。Isupposeheisnervous。\"
\"Probably，\"Isaid。
Andsotheychatteredandlaughed——chatteredandlaughed，seeinganordinarygamebetweentheKingandamarker；whileI，forwhomthecourthadgrownsombreasadungeon，sawavillainstrugglinginhisowntoils，lividwiththefearofdeath，andtorturedbyhorribleapprehensions。Useandhabitwerestillsopowerfulwiththemanthatheplayedonmechanicallywithhishands，buthiseyeseverynowandthensoughtminewiththelookofthetrappedbeast；andontheseoccasionsIcouldseehislipsmoveinprayerorcursing。Thesweatpoureddownhisfaceashemovedtoandfro，andI，fanciedthathisfeatureswerebeginningtotwitch。Presently——Ihavesaidthatthelightwasfailing，sothatitwasnotinmyimaginationonlythatthecourtwassombre——theKingheldhisball。\"Myfriend，yourmanisnotwell，\"hesaid，turningtome。
\"Itisnothing，sire；thehonouryoudohimmakeshimnervous，\"I
answered。\"Playup，sirrah，\"Icontinued；\"youmaketoogoodacourtier。\"
Mademoiselled\'Entraguesclappedherhandsandlaughedatthehit；andIsawDiegoglareatherwithanindescribablelook，inwhichhatredanddespairandahorrorofreproachweresonicelymingledwithsomethingasexceptionalashisposition，thatthewholebaffledwords。Doubtlessthegibesandlaughterheheard，thetriflingthatwentonroundhim，theverygameinwhichhewasengaged，andfromwhichhedarednotdrawback，seemedinhiseyesthemostappallingmockery；butignorantwhowereinthesecret，unabletoguesshowhisdiabolicalplothadbeendiscovered，uncertainevenwhetherthewholewerenotaconcertedpiece，hewentonplayinghispartmechanically；withstartingeyesandlabouringchest，andlipsthat，twitchingandworking，lostcoloureachminute。Atlengthhemissedastroke，andstaggeringleanedagainstthewall，his-facelividandghastly。
TheKingtookthealarmatthat，andcriedoutthatsomethingwaswrong。Thosewhoweresittingrose。InoddedtoMaignantogototheman。
\"Itisafit，\"Isaid。\"Heissubjecttothem，anddoubtlesstheexcitement——butIamsorrythatithasspoiledyourMajesty\'sgame。
\"Ithasnot，\"Henryansweredkindly。\"Thelightisgone。Buthavehimlookedto，willyou，myfriend？IfLaRivierewereherehemightdosomethingforhim。\"
Whilehespoke，theservantshadgatheredroundtheman，butwiththetimiditywhichcharacterisesthatclassinsuchemergencies，theywouldnottouchhim。AsIcrossedthecourt，andtheymadewayforme，theSpaniard，whowasstillstanding，thoughinastrangeanddistortedfashion，turnedhisbloodshoteyesonme。
\"Apriest！\"hemuttered，framingthewordswithdifficulty，\"apriest！\"
IdirectedMaignantofetchone。\"Anddoyou，\"Icontinuedtotheotherservants，\"takehimintoaroomsomewhere。\"
Theyobeyed，reluctantly。Astheycarriedhimout，theKing，contentwithmystatement，wasgivinghishandtoMademoiselletodescendthestairs；andneitherhenorany，savethetwomeninmyconfidence，hadtheslightestsuspicionthataughtwasthematterbeyondanaturalillness。ButIshudderedwhenI
consideredhownarrowhadbeentheKing\'sescape，howtriflingthecircumstancewhichhadledtosuspicion，howfortuitoustheinspirationbywhichIhadchancedondiscovery。Thedelayofasingleday，theoccurrenceoftheslightestmishap，mighthavebeenfatalnottohimonlybuttothebestinterestsofFrance；
whichhisdeathatatimewhenhewasstillchildlessmusthaveplungedintothemostmelancholyofwars。
OfthewretchedSpaniardIneedsaylittlemore。Caughtinhisownsnare，hewasnosoonerwithdrawnfromthecourtthanhefellintoviolentconvulsions，whichheldhimuntilmidnightwhenhediedwithsymptomsandundercircumstancessonearlyresemblingthosewhichhadattendedthedeathofMadamedeBeaufortatEaster，thatIhaveseveraltimesdweltonthestrangecoincidence，andstriventofindtheconnectinglink。ButI
neverhitonit；andtheKing\'sdeath，andthatunexplainedtendencytoimitategreatcrimesunderwhichthevulgarlabour，prevailedwithmetokeepthemattersecret。Nay，asIbelievedthatd\'Evorahadplayedthepartofanunconscioustool，andasahintpressedhomesufficedtoprocurethewithdrawalofthechaplainwhomMaignanhadnamed，IdidnotthinkitnecessarytodisclosethemattereventotheKingmymaster。
III。TWOMAYORSOFBOTTITORT。
BelievingthatIhavenowsetdownallthoseparticularsofthetreatywithEpernonandtheconsequentpacificationofBrittanyintheyear1598whichitwillbeofadvantagetothepublictoknow，thatitmaythebetterdistinguishinthefuturethosewhohaveselfishlyimpoverishedtheStatefromthosewho，initsbehalf，haveincurredobloquyandhighlooks，IproceednexttotheeventswhichfollowedtheKing\'sreturntoParis。
But，first，andbywayofsamplingthedivertingepisodesthatwilloccurfromtimetotimeinthemostlaboriousexistence，andforthemomentreducetheministertotheleveloftheman，Iamtemptedtonarrateanadventurethatbefellmeonmyreturn，betweenRennesandVitre；whentheKinghavingprecededmeatspeedunderthepretextofurgency，butreallythathemightavoidtheprolixaddressesthatawaitedhimineverytown，I
foundmyselfnomoremindedtosuffer。Havingsacrificedmyease，therefore，intwoofthemoreimportantplaces，andcomewithinasmanystagesofVitre，Ideterminedalsoonaholiday。
Accordingly，directingmybaggageandthenumerousescortandsuitethatattendedmetothefulltaleoffour-scorehorses——tokeepthehighroad，Istruckmyselfintoabyway，intendingtoseekhospitalityforthenightatahouseofM。deLaval\'s；andonthesecondeveningtorendermyselfwithagoodgracetotheeulogiaandtediousmerciesoftheVitretownsfolk。
IkeptwithmeonlyLaFontandtwoservants。Thedaywasfine，andtheairbrisk；thecountryopen，affordingmanydistantprospectswhichthesunrenderedcheerful。Werodeforsometime，therefore，withthegaietyofschoolboysreleasedfromtheirtasks，anddiningatnoonintheleeofoneofthegreatbouldersthattheredottheplain，tookpleasureinapplyingtothelifeofcourtseveryevilepithetthatcametomind。Foralittletimeafterwardswerodeascheerfully；butaboutthreeintheafternoontheskybecameovercast，andalmostatthesamemomentwediscoveredthatwehadstrayedfromthetrack。ThecountryinthatdistrictresemblesthemorewesternpartsofBrittany，inconsistingofhugetractsofbogandmoorlandstrewnwithrocksandcoveredwithgorse；whichpresentacheerfulaspectinsunshine，butaresavageandbarrentoadegreewhenviewedthroughsheetsofrainorunderasombresky。
Theposition，therefore，wasnotwithoutitsdiscomforts。Ihadtakencaretochooseaservantwhowasfamiliarwiththecountry，buthisknowledgeseemednowatfault。However，underhisdirectionweretracedoursteps，butstillwithoutregainingtheroad；andasasmallrainpresentlybegantofallandthedaytodecline，thelandscapewhichinthemorninghadflauntedawildandruggedbeauty，changedtoabrownanddrearywastesethereandtherewithghost-likestones。Onceastrayonthis，wefoundourpathbesetwithsloughsandmorasses；amongwhichwesaweveryprospectofpassingthenight，whenLaFontespiedatalittledistanceawind-sweptwoodthat，clothingalowshoulderofthemoor，promisedatleastachangeandshelter。Wemadetowardsit，anddiscoverednotonlyallthatwehadexpectedtosee，butapathandaguide。
Thelatterwasasmuchsurprisedtoseeusaswetoseeher，forwhenwecameuponhershewassittingonthebankbesidethepathweepingbitterly。Onhearingus，however，shesprangupanddiscoveredtheformofayounggirl，bare-footandbareheaded，wearingonlyashortraggedfrockofhomespun。Nevertheless，herfacewasneitherstupidnoruncomely；andthough，atthefirstalarm，supposingustobeeitherrobbersorhobgoblins——ofwhichlastthepeopleofthatcountryarepeculiarlyfearful——shemadeasifshewouldescapeacrossthemoor，shestoppedassoonassheheardmyvoice。Iaskedhergentlywherewewere。
Atfirstshedidnotunderstand，buttheservantwhohadplayedtheguidesoill，speakingtoherinthePATOISofthecountry，sheansweredthatwewerenearSt。Brieuc，ahamletnotfarfromBottitort，andconsiderablyoffourroad。AskedhowfaritwastoBottitort，sheanswered——betweentwoandthreeleagues，andanindifferentroad。
Wecouldridethedistanceinacoupleofhours，andthereremainedalmostasmuchdaylight。Butthehorsesweretired，so，resigningmyselftotheprospectofsomediscomfort，IaskedheriftherewasaninnatSt。Brieuc。
\"Apoorplaceforyourhonours，\"sheanswered，staringatusininnocentwonder，theforgottentearsnotdryonhercheeks。
\"Nevermind；takeustoit，\"Ianswered。
Sheturnedatthewordandtrippedonbeforeus。Ibadetheservantaskher，aswewent，whyshehadbeencrying，andlearnedthroughhimthatshehadbeentoheruncle\'stwoleaguesawaytoborrowmoneyforhermother；thattheunclewouldnotlendit，andthatnowtheywouldbeturnedoutoftheirhouse；thatherfatherwaslatelydead，andthathermotherkepttheinn，andowedthemoneyformealandcider。
\"Atleast，shesaysthatshedoesnotoweit，\"themancorrectedhimself，\"forherfatherpaidasusualatCorpusChristi；butafterhisdeathM。Grabotsaidthathehadnotpaid，and——\"
\"M。Grabot？\"Isaid。\"Whoishe？\"
\"TheMayorofBottitort。\"
\"Thecreditor？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andhowmuchisowing？\"Iasked。
\"Nothing，shesays。\"
\"Buthowmuchdoeshesay？\"
\"Twentycrowns。\"
Doubtlesssomewillviewmyconductonthisoccasionwithsurprise；andwonderwhyItroubledmyselfwithinquiriessominuteuponamattersomean。ButthesedonotconsiderthatministersaretheKing\'seyes；andthatinaStatenoclassissounimportantthatitcanbesafelyoverlooked。Moreover，asthesettlementofthefinanceswasoneoftheobjectsofmystayinthoseparts——andIseldomhadtheopportunityofcheckingthestatementsmadetomebythefarmersandlesseesofthetaxes，thereceivers，gatherers，and，inaword，allthecorruptclassthatimpartssuchviewsofaprovinceassuititsinterests——I
wasgladtolearnanythingthatthrewlightontherealconditionofthecountry:themore，asIhadtoreceiveatVitreadeputationofthenotablesandofficialsofthedistrict。
Accordingly，Icontinuedtoputquestionstoheruntil，crossingaridge，wecameatlastwithinsightoftheinn，alonelyhouseofstone，standinginthehollowofthemoorandshelteredononesidebyafewgnarledtreesthattookoffinadegreefromthebleaknessofitsaspect。Thehousewasofonestoryonly，withawindowoneithersideofthedoor，andnootherappearedinsight；butalittlesmokerisingfromthechimneyseemedtopromiseabetterreceptionthanthedesolatelandscapeandthegirl\'sscantydresshadledustoexpect。
Aswedrewnearer，however，athinghappenedsoremarkableastodrawourattentioninamomentfromallthesepoints，andbringus，gaping，toastandstill。Theshuttersofthetwowindowsweresuddenlyclosedbeforeoureyeswithaclapthatcamesharplyonthewind。Then，inatwinkling，onewindowflewopenagainandaman，seeminglynaked，boundedfromit，fledwithinconceivablerapidityacrossthefrontofthehouseandvanishedthroughtheotherwindow，whichopenedtoreceivehim。Hehadscarcelygainedthatshelterbeforeacoal-blackfigurefollowedhim，leapingoutoftheonewindowandinattheotherwiththesameastonishingswiftness——aswiftnesswhichwassogreatthatbeforeanyofuscoulduttermorethananexclamation，thetwofiguresappearedagainroundthecornerofthehouse，inthesameorder，butthistimewithsosmallanintervalthatthefugitivebarelysavedhimselfthroughthewindow。Oncemore，whilewestaredinstupefaction，theyflashedoutandin；andthistimeitseemedtomethatastheyvanishedtheblackspectreseizeditsvictim。
WhenIsaythatallthistimethetwofiguresutterednosound，thattherewasnootherlivingbeinginsight，andthatoneverysideofthesolitaryhousethemoor，growingeachminutemoreeerieasthedaywaned，spreadtothehorizon，themoresuperstitiousamongusmaybepardonediftheygavewaytotheirfears。LaFontwasthefirsttospeak。
\"MONDIEU！\"hecried——whilethegirlmoanedinterror，theBretoncrossedhimself，andLaTrapelookeduncomfortable——\"theplaceisbewitched！\"
\"Nonsense！\"Isaid。\"Whoisinthehouse，girl？\"
\"Onlymymother，\"shewailed。\"Oh，mypoormother！\"
Isilencedher，scoldingthemallforfools，andherfirst；andLaFont，recoveringhimself，didthesame。ButthiswastheyearofthatstrangeappearanceofthespectrehorsemanatFontainebleauofwhichsomuchhasbeensaid；andmyservants，whenwehadapproachedthehousealittlenearer，anditstillremainedsilentand，asitwere，deadtotheeye，wouldgonofarther，butstoodinsheerterrorandpermittedmetogoonalonewithLaFont。Iconfessthatthelonelinessofthehouse，andthedrearywastethatsurroundeditwhichseemedtoexcludetheideaoftrickerywerenotwithouttheireffectonmyspirits；andthatasIdismountedandapproachedthedoor，Ifeltakindofchillnotremarkableunderthecircumstances。
Butthecourageofthegentlemandiffersfromthatofthevulgarinthathefearsyetgoes；andIliftedthelatch，andenteredboldly。Thescenewhichmetmyeyesinsidewassufficientlycommonplacetoreassureme。Atthefartherendofalongbareroom，draughty，half-lighted，andhavinganearthenfloor，yetpossessingthatairofhomelinesswhichawoodfireneverfailstoimpart，satasingletraveller；whohaddrawnhissmalltableundertheopenchimney，andthere，withhisfeetalmostinthefire，waspartakingofapoormealofblackbreadandonions。Hewasatall，spareman，withslopingshouldersandalongsourface，ofwhich，asIentered，hegavemethefullbenefit。
Ilookedroundtheroom，butlookasImightIcouldseenooneelse，noranythingthatexplainedwhatwehadwitnessedandI
accostedthemancivilly，wishinghimgoodevening。Hemadeananswer，butindistinctly，and，thisdone，wentonwithhismeallikeonewhoviewedourarrivalwithlittlepleasure；whileI，puzzledandastonishedbytheordinarylookofthingsandthestillnessofthehouse，affectedtowarmmyfeetatthelogs。Atlength，espyingnosignsofdisturbanceanywhere，Iaskedhimifhewasalone。
\"Iwas，sir，\"heansweredgravely。
Iwasgoingontotellhim，thoughreluctantly，whatwehadseenoutside，andtoquestionhimuponit，whenonasudden，beforeI
couldspeakagain，heleanedtowardsmeandaccostedmewithstartlingabruptness。\"Sir，\"hesaid，\"IshouldliketohaveyouropinionofLouisEleven。\"
Istaredathiminthemostperfectastonishment；andwasforamomentsocompletelytakenabackthatImechanicallyrepeatedhiswords。Foranswer，hedidsoalso。
\"TheEleventhLouis？\"Isaid。
\"Yes，\"herejoined，turninghispalevisagefulluponme。\"Whatisyouropinionofhim，sir？Hewasaman？\"
\"Well，\"Isaid，shruggingmyshoulders，\"Itakethatforgranted。\"Ibegantothinkthatthetravellerwasdemented。
\"Andaking？\"
\"Yes，Isupposeso，\"Iansweredcontemptuously。\"Ineverhearditdoubted。\"
Heleanedtowardsme，andspokewiththemosteagerimpressiveness。\"Aman——andaking！\"hesaid。\"Yetneitheramanlyking，norakinglyman！Youtakeme？\"
\"Yes，\"Isaidimpatiently。\"Iseewhatyoumean。
\"Neitherakinglyman，noramanlyking！\"herepeatedwithsolemngusto。\"Youtakemeclearly，Ithink？\"
Ihadnostomachforfurtherfooleries，andIwasabouttoanswerhimwithsomesharpness——thoughIcouldnotforthelifeofmetellwhetherhewasmadoraneccentricwhenaharshvoiceshriekedinmyear，\"Bob！\"andinatwinklingaredfigureappearedboundingandwhirlinginthemiddleofthekitchen；nowspringingintotheairuntilitsheadtouchedtherafters，noweddyingroundandroundthefloorinthegiddiestgyrations。Atthefirstglance，startledbythevoiceinmyear，Irecoiled；
butaseconddisclosingwhatitwas，andthesecretofouralarmoutside，Imaskedmymovement；andwhenthemanbroughthisperformancetoasuddenstop，andfallingononekneeinanattitudeofexaggeratedrespectheldouthiscap，Iwasreadyforhim。
\"Why，youknave，\"Isaid，\"youshouldbewhipped，notrewarded。
Whogaveyouleavetoplaypranksontravellers？\"
Helookedatmewithadrollsmileonhisroundmerryface，whichatitsgravestwasathingtolaughat。\"Lethimwhipwhoisscared，\"hesaid，withroguishimpudence。\"Orifthereistobewhipping，mylord，whipLouisXI。\"
Thusreminded，Iturnedtothesolemntraveller；butmyeyeshadnosoonermethisthanhetwistedhisvisageintosowryasmile——ifsmileitcouldbecalled——thatwherevertherewasahorsecollarhemusthavewontheprize。Tohidemyamusement，Iaskedthemwhattheywere。\"Mountebanks？\"Isaidcurtly。
\"Yourlordshiphasprickedthegarteroffhand，\"themerrymanansweredcheerfully。\"YouseebeforeyoutherenownedPierrePaladinVOILA！——andPhilibertLeGrand！oftheBretonfairs，monsieur。\"
\"Butwhythisfoolery——here？\"Isaid。
\"Wetookyouforanother，monsieur，\"heanswered。
\"Whomyouintendedtofrighten？\"
\"Precisely，yourgrace。\"
\"Well，youarenicerogues，\"Isaid，lookingathim。
\"Soishe，\"heanswered，undaunted。
Ileftthematterthereforamoment，whileIsummonedLaFontandtheservants；whoserage，when，enteringa-tiptoeandwithsomemisgiving，theydiscoveredhowtheyhadbeendeceived，andbywhom，wasscarcelytoberestrainedevenbymypresence。
However，aidedbyPhilibert\'scomicalities，Ipresentlysecuredatruce，andthetwostrollersvacatinginmyhonourthetablebythefire——thoughtheyhadnottheslightestnotionwhoIwasweweresoononterms。Ihadtakentheprecautiontobringamealwithme，andwhileLaTrapeandhiscompanionunpackedit，andI
driedmyridingboots，Iaskedtheplayerswhoitwastheyhadmeanttofrighten。
Theywerenotverywillingtotellme，butatlengthconfessed，tomyastonishment，thatitwasM。Grabot。
\"Grabot——Grabot！\"Isaid，strivingtorecollectwhereIhadheardthename。\"TheMayorofBottitort？\"
Thesolemnmanmadeanatrociousgrimace。Then，\"Yes，monsieur，theMayorofBottitort，\"hesaidfrankly。\"AyearagoheputPhilibertinthestocksforariddle；thatishisaffair。Andthewomanofthishousehasmorethanoncebefriendedme，andheisforturningheroutforadebtshedoesnotowe；andthatismyaffair。However，yourlordship\'sarrivalhassavedhimforthistime。\"
\"Youexpectedhimherethisevening，then？\"
\"Heiscoming，\"heanswered，withmorethanhisusualgloom。\"Hepassedthiswaythismorning，andannouncedthatonhisreturnheshouldspendthenighthere。Wefoundthegoodwifeallofatremblewhenwearrived。Heisahardman，monsieur，\"themountebankcontinuedbitterly。\"ShecriedafterhimthatshehopedthatGodwouldchangehisheart，butheonlyansweredthatevenifSt。Brieucchangedhisbody——youknowthelegend，monseigneur，doubtless——heshouldbehere。\"
\"Andhereheis，\"theother，whohadbeenlookingoutofoneofthewindows，cried。\"Iseehislanthorncomingdownthehill。
AndbySt。Brieuc，Ihaveit！Ihaveit，\"thedrollcontinued，suddenlyspinningroundinawilddanceoftriumphonthefloor，andthenassuddenlystoppingandfallingintoanattitudebeforeus。\"Monsieur，ifyouwillhelpus，Ihavetherichestjesteverplayed。Pierre，listen。You，gentlemenall，listen！Wewillpretendthatheischanged。Heisapompousman；hethinkstheMayorofBottitortequaltotheSaintPere。Well，PierreshallbeM。Grabot，MayorofBottitort。You，monsieur，thatwemaygivehimenoughofmayors，shallbetheMayorofGol，andIwillbetheMayorofSt。Just。Thisgentlemanshallsweartous，soshalltheservants。Forhim，hedoesnotexist。Oh，wewillpunishhimfinely。\"
\"But，\"Isaid，astoundedbytheveryaudacityoftherogue\'sproposition，\"youdonotflatteryourselfthatyouwilldeceivehim？\"
\"Weshall，monsieur，ifyouwillhelp，\"heansweredconfidently。
\"Iwillbewarrantforitweshall。\"
Thethinghadlittleofdignityinit，andIwondernowthatI
complied；butIhavealwayssharedwiththeKing，mymaster，atastefordrolleriesofthekindsuggested；whilenothingthatI
hadasyetheardofthisGrabotwasofanaturetoinducemetosparehim。SeeingthatLaFontwastickledwiththeidea，andthattheservantswerea-grin，andthemoreeagertotrickothersastheyhadjustbeentrickedthemselves，Iwastemptedtoconsent。
Afterthis，thepreparationstooknotaminute。Philibertcoveredhisfool\'sclotheswithacloak，andtheirtablewasdrawnnearertothefire，soas，withmine，totakeupthewholehearth。LaTrapefellintoanattitudebehindme；andtheBreton，adoptingarefinementsuggestedatthelastmoment，wassentouttointerceptGrabotbeforeheentered，andtellhimthattheinnwasfull，andthathehadbetterpasson。
TheknavedidhisbusinesssowellthatGrabot，beingjustsuchamanasthestrollerhaddescribedtous，thealtercationonthethresholdwasofitselfthemostamusingthingintheworld。
\"Who？\"weheardaloud，coarsevoiceexclaim。\"Whod\'yesayarehere，man？\"
\"TheMayorofBottitort。\"
\"MILLEDIABLES！\"
\"TheMayorofBottitortandtheMayorsofGolandSt。Just，\"theservantrepeatedasifhenoticednothingamiss。
\"Thatisalie！\"thenewcomerreplied，withasnortoftriumph，\"andanimpudentone。Butyouhavegotthewrongsowbytheearthistime。\"
\"Why，man，\"athirdvoice，somewhatnasalandrustical，struckin，\"don\'tyouknowtheMayorofBottitort？\"
\"Ishould，\"myBretonansweredbluntly，andmaking，asweguessed，astandbeforethem。\"ForIamhisservant，andheisthismomentathismeat。\"
\"TheMayorofBottitort？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"M。Grabot？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andyouarehisservant？\"
\"Ihavethoughtsoforsometime，\"theBretonansweredcontemptuously。
TheMayorfairlyroaredinhisindignation。\"You——hisservant！
TheMayorofBottitort\'s？\"hecriedinavoiceofthunder。
\"I\'lltellyouwhatyouare；youarealiar！——aliar，man，thatiswhatyouare！Why，youfool，IamtheMayorofBottitortmyself。Now，doyouseehowyouhavewastedyourself？Outofmyway！Jehan，followmein。Ishalllookintothis。Thereissomeknaveryhere，butifSimonGrabotcannotgettothebottomofittheMayorofBottitortwill。Followme，Isay。Myservantindeed？Come，come！\"
And，stillgrumbling，heflungopenthedoor，whichtheBretonhadleftajar，andstalkedinuponus，fumingandblowingouthischeeksforalltheworldlikeabantamcockwithitsfeatherserect。Hewasashort，pursyman；withashortnose，awideface，andsmalleyes。ButhadhebeenCaesarandAlexanderrolledintoone，hecouldnothavecrossedthethresholdwithamoretremendousassumptionofdignity。Onceinside，hestoodandglaredatus，somewhattakenaback，Ithink，forthemomentbyournumbers；butrecoveringhimselfalmostimmediately，hestruttedtowardsus，and，withoutuncoveringorsalutingus，heaskedinadeepvoicewhowasresponsibleforthemanoutside。
\"Iam，thegravermountebankanswered，lookingatthestrangerwithasoberairofsurprise。\"Heismyservant。\"
\"Ah！\"theMayorexclaimed，withawitheringglance。\"Andwho，mayIask，areyou？\"
\"Youmayask，certainly，\"theplayeranswereddrily。\"ButuntilyoutakeoffyourhatIshallnotanswer。\"
TheMayorgaspedatthisrebuff，andturned，ifitwerepossible，ashaderedder；butheuncovered。
\"NowIdonotmindtellingyou，\"Pierrecontinued，withamilddignityadmirablyassumed，\"thatIamSimonGrabot，andhavethehonourtobeMayorofBottitort。\"
\"You！\"
\"Yes，monsieur，I；thoughperhapsunworthy。\"
Ilookedtoseeanexplosion，buttheMayorwastoofargone。
\"Why，youswindlingimpostor，\"hesaid，withsomethingthatwasalmostadmirationinhistone。\"Youaretheveryprinceofcheats！Thekingofcozeners！Butforallthat，letmetellyou，youhavechosenthewrongROLEthistime。ForI——I，sir，amtheMayorofBottitort，theverymanwhosenameyouhavetaken！\"
Pierrestaredathimincomposedsilence，whichhiscomradewasthefirsttobreak。\"Ishemad？\"hesaidinalowvoice。
Thegravemanshookhishead。
TheMayorheardandsaw；andgettingnootheranswer，begantotremblebetweenpassionandanatural，thoughill-defined，misgiving，whichthesilentgazeofsolargeaparty——forwealllookedathimcompassionately——waswellcalculatedtoproduce。
\"Mad？\"hecried。\"No，butsomeoneis，Sir，\"hecontinued，turningtoLaFontwithagestureinwhichappealandimpatiencewerecuriouslyblended，\"Doyouknowthisman？\"
\"M。Grabot？Certainly，\"heanswered，withoutblushing。\"Andhavethesetenyears。\"
\"AndyousaythatheisM。Grabot？\"thepoorMayorretorted，hisjawfallingludicrously。
\"Certainly。Whoshouldhebe？\"
TheMayorlookedroundhim，suddenbeadsofsweatonhisbrow。
\"MONDIEU！\"becried。\"Youareallinit。Here，you，doyouknowthisperson？\"
LaTrape，towhomheaddressedhimself，shruggedhisshoulders。
\"Ishould，\"hesaid。\"TheMayorisprettywellknownabouthere。\"
\"TheMayor？\"
\"Ay。\"
\"ButIamtheMayor——I，\"Grabotansweredeagerly，tappinghimselfonthebreastinthemostabsurdmanner。\"Don\'tyouknowme，myfriend？\"
\"Ineversawyoubefore，tomyknowledge，\"therascalansweredcontemptuously；\"andIknowthiscountryprettywell。IshouldthinkthatyouhavebeencrossingSt。Brieuc\'sbrook，andforgottentosayyour——\"
\"Hush！\"thestoutplayerinterposedwithsomesharpness。\"Lethimalone。LEBONDIEUknowsthatsuchathingmayhappentothebestofus。\"
TheMayorclappedhishandtohishead。\"Sir，\"hesaidalmosthumbly，addressingthelastspeaker，\"Iseemtoknowyourvoice。
Yourname，ifyouplease？\"
\"Fracasse，\"heansweredpleasantly。\"IamMayorofGol。\"
\"You——Fracasse，MayorofGol？\"Grabotexclaimedbetweenrageandterror。\"ButFracasseisatallman。IknowhimaswellasI
knowmybrother。\"
Thepseudo-Fracassesmiled，butdidnotcontradicthim。
TheMayorwipedthemoisturefromhisbrow。Hehadallthecharacteristicsofanobstinateman；butifthereisonethingwhichIhavefoundinalongcareermoretruethananother，itisthatnoonecanresistthestatementsofhisfellows。Somuch，I
verilybelieve，isthisthecase，thatiftenmenmaintainblacktobewhite，theeleventhwillpresentlybebroughtintotheiropinion。Besides，theMayorhadacurrishside。Helookedpiteouslyfromonetoanotherofus，hischeeksseemedtogrowinamomentpaleandflabby，andhewasonthepointofwhimpering，whenatthelastmomenthebethoughthimofhisservant，andturnedtohiminaspurtofsuddenthankfulness。\"Why，Jehan，man，Ihadforgottenyou，\"hesaid。\"Arethesemenmad，oramI？\"
ButJehan，asimplerustic，wasinastateofludicrousbewilderment。\"Dol，master，Idon\'tknow，\"hestuttered，rubbinghishead。
\"ButIammyself，\"theMayorcried，inamostridiculoustoneofremonstrance。
\"Dol，andIdon\'tknow，\"themanwhimpered。\"Idobelievethatthereisachangeinyou。Ineversawyoulookthelikebefore。
AndIneversaidanyPATEReither。Holysaints！\"thepoorfoolcontinuedpiteously，\"IwishIwereathome。Andthere，forallIknow，mywifehasgotanotherman。\"
Hebegantoblubberatthis；whichtouswasthemostludicrousthought，sothatitwasallwecoulddotorestrainourlaughter。
ButtheMayorsawthingsinanotherlight。Shakenbyoursteadypersistenceinourstory，andastoundedbyourwantofrespect，thedefectionofhisfollowerutterlycowedhim。Afterstaringwildlyabouthimforamoment，hefairlyturnedtail，andsatdownonanoldboxbythedoor，wherewithhishandsonhisknees，helookedoutbeforehimwithsuchanexpressionofchap-
fallenbewildermentasnearlydiscoveredourplotbythrowingusintofitsoflaughter。
Stillhewasnotpersuaded；for，fromtimetotime，herousedhimself，andliftinghisheadcastsuspiciousglancesatourparty。Butthetwostrollers，whowerenowintheirelement，playedtheirpartswithsomuchcraftanddelicacy，andwithsuchaninfinityofhumourbesides，thateverythingheoverheardplungedhimdeeperintheslough。Theyknewsomethingoflocalaffairs，andcalledoneanotherMayorverynaturally；andmentioningtheirwives，letdropotherscrapsofinformationthat，catchinghisear，madethewretchedmaneverynowandthensitupasifawasphadstunghim。OnestoryinparticularwhichthefalseMayortold——andwhich，itappeared，wastotheknowledgeofallthecountryroundtherealMayor\'sstockanecdote——hadanabsurdeffectuponhim。Hestraightenedhimself，listenedasifhislifedependeduponit，andwhenheheardthewell-knownending，uttered，doubtless，insomethingofhisoldtone，hecollapsedintohimselflikeamanwhohadnolongerfaithinanything。
Presently，however，aneffortofcommon-sensewouldagaindispersethefog。Hewouldraisehishead，hiseyegrowbright，somethingofhisoldpugnacitywouldcomebacktohim。Hewouldappear——thismorethanonce——tobeonthepointofrisingtochallengeus。Buttheseoccasionswereasskilfullymetastheywereeasilydetected；andastherogueshadinvariablysomestrokeinreservethatinatwinklingflunghimbackintohisoldstateofdazedbewilderment，whileitwell-nighkilleduswithstifledmirth，theyonlygaveevernewpointtothejest。
This，tobebrief，wascarriedonuntilIretired；andprobablythetwostrollerswouldhavekeptituplongeriftheludicrousdoubtwhetherhewashimself，whichtheyhadlodgedintheMayor\'smind，hadnotatlastspurredhimtoaction。Anhourbeforemidnight，feelingitrankleintolerably，Isuppose，hespranguponasudden，draggedthedooropen，dartedoutwiththeairofamadman，andinamomentwaslostinthedarknessofthemoor。
WhenIroseinthemorning，therefore，Ifoundhimgone，thestrollerslookingglum，andthegood-wifeandhergirlbetweentearsandreproaches。Icouldnotbutfeel，onmypart，thatI
hadsomewhatstoopedinthenight\'sdiversion；butbeforeIhadtimetoreflectmuchonthatanunexpectedtraitinthestrollers\'conductreconciledmetothisoddexperience。TheyproposedtoleavewhenIdid；butalittlebeforethestarttheycametome，andsetbeforemeveryingenuouslythatthewomanofthehousemightsufferthroughourjest；ifIwouldhelphertherefore，theywouldsubscribetwocrownssothatshemighthaveasubstantialsumtoofferonaccountofherdebt。AsItookthistobethegreaterpartoftheircapital，andjudgedforotherreasonsthattheofferwasgenuine，Ireceiveditinthebestpart，andfoundtheirgood-naturenolesspleasantthantheirfoolery。Ihandedoverthreecrownsforourshare，andonthatweparted；theysetoutwiththeirbundlesstrappedtotheirbacks，andIwaitedsomewhatimpatientlyforLaTrapeandtheBretontobringroundthehorses。
Beforetheseappeared，however，LaFont，whowasatthedoor，criedoutthatthetwoplayerswerecominghack；andgoingtothewindowIsawwithastonishmentawholetroop，somemountedandsomeonfoot，hurryingdownthehillafterthem。ForamomentI
feltsomealarm，supposingittobeaschemeofEpernon\'stoseizemyperson；andIcursedtheimprudencewhichhadledmetoexposemyselfinthissolitaryplace。ButasecondglanceshowingmethattheMayorofBottitortwasamongtheforemost，I
repentedalmostasseriouslyoftheunluckytriflingthathadlandedmeinthisfoolishplight。
IevendebatedwhetherIshouldmountand，ifitwerepossible，getclearbeforetheyarrived；buttheruefulfacesofthetwoplayersastheyappearedbreathlessinthedoorway，andthelikingIhadtakenfortherascals，decidedmetostandmyground\"Whatisit？\"Isaid。
\"TheMayor，monsieur，\"Philibertanswered，whilePierrepurseduphislipswithgloomygravity。\"Ifearitwillnotstopatthestocksthistime，\"theroguecontinuedwithagrimace。
Hiscomrademutteredsomethingaboutarodandafool\'sback；butM。Grabot\'sentrancecuthiswitticismshort。TheMayor，betweenshameandrage，andthegratificationofhisrevenge，wasalmostbursting，andthemomenthecaughtsightofusopenedfire。
\"All，M。deGol；wehavethemall！\"hecriedexultingly。\"Nowtheyshallsmartforit！Dependuponit，itissomedeep-laidschemeofthatparty。Ihavesaidso。\"
ButtheMayorofGol，astout，big，placidman，lookedatusdoubtfully。\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Iknowthesetwo；theyarestrollingmountebanks，honestknavesenoughbutalwaysinsomemischief。\"
\"What，strollingclowns？\"M。Grabotrejoined，hisfacefalling。
\"Ay，andyoumaydependuponititissomejokeoftheirs，\"hisfriendanswered，hiseyestwinkling。\"IbegintothinkthatyouwouldhavedonebetterifyouhadwaitedalittlebeforebringingM。leComteintothematter。\"
\"Ah，buttherearethesetwo，\"M。Grabotcried，asherecoveredfromthemomentarypanicintowhichtheother\'swordshadthrownhim。\"Dependuponittheyarethechiefmovers。WhatelsebuttreasoncouldtheymeanbyassertingthatoneofthemwasMayorofBottitort？Bydenyingmytitle？BysettingupotherofficersthanthosetowhomhisGraciousMajestyhasdelegatedhisauthority？\"
\"Umph！\"hisbrotherMayorsaid，\"Idon\'tknowthesegentlemen。\"
\"No！\"hiscompanioncriedintriumph。\"ButIintendtoknowthem；andtoknowagooddealaboutthem。Guardthewindowthere，\"hecontinuedfussily。\"Whereismyclerk？IsM。deLavalcoming？\"
Twoorthreecriedobsequiouslythathehadcrossedthehill；andwouldarriveimmediately。
Hearingthis，andthinkingitmorebecomingnottoenterintoanaltercation，IkeptmyseatandthescornfulsilenceIhadhithertomaintained。ThetwoMayorshadbroughtwiththemaposseofbusybodies——huissiers，constables，tip-staves，andthelike；andtheseallgapeduponusasiftheysawbeforethemthemostnotabletraitorsoftheage。Thewomenofthehouseweptinacorner，andthestrollersshruggedtheirshouldersandstrovetoappearattheirease。ButtheonlypersonwhofelttheindifferencewhichtheyassumedwasLaFont；who，obnoxioustononeoftheannoyanceswhichIforesaw，couldhardlyrestrainhismirthattheDENOUEMENTwhichheanticipated。
MeanwhiletheMayor，foreseeingaverydifferentissue，stoodblowingouthischeeksandfixinguswithhislittleeyeswithanexpressionofdignitythatwouldhavepleasedmevastlyifIhadbeenfreetoenjoyit。ButthereflectionthatLaval\'spresence，whichwouldcuttheknotofourdifficulties，wouldalsoplacemeatthemercyofhiswit，didnotenablemetocontemplateitwithentireindifference。
By-and-byweheardhimdismount，andamomentlaterhecameinwithagentlemanandtwoorthreearmedservants。Hedidnotatonceseeme，butasthecrowdmadewayforhimheaddressedhimselfsharplytoM。Grabot。\"Well，haveyougotthem？\"hesaid。
\"Certainly，M。leComte。\"
\"Oh！verywell。Nowfortheparticulars，then。Youmuststateyourchargequickly，forIhavetobeinVitreto-day。\"
\"HeallegedthathehadbeenappointedMayorofBottitort，\"
Grabotansweredpompously。
\"Umph！Idon\'tknow？\"M。deLavalmuttered，lookingroundwithafrownofdiscontent。\"Ihopethatyouhavenotbroughtmehitheronafool\'serrand。Whichone？\"
\"Thatone，\"theMayorsaid，pointingtothesolemnman，whosegravityanddepressionwerenowsomethingpreternatural。
\"Oh！\"M。deLavalgrumbled。\"Butthatisnotall，Isuppose。
Whatoftheothers？\"
M。Grabotpointedtome。\"Thatone，\"hesaid——
Hegotnofarther；forM。deLaval，springingforward，seizedmyhandandsalutedmewarmly。\"Why，yourexcellency，\"hecried，inatoneofboundlesssurprise，\"whatareyoudoinginthisGALERE！
AlllasteveningIwaitedforyou，atmyhouse，andnow——\"
\"HereIam，\"Iansweredjocularly，\"inchargeitseems，M。leComte！\"
\"MONDIEU！\"hecried。\"Idon\'tunderstandit！\"
Ishruggedmyshoulders。\"Don\'taskme，\"Isaid。\"PerhapsyourfriendtheMayorcalltellyou。\"
\"But，Monsieur，Idonotunderstand，\"theMayoransweredpiteously，hismouthagapewithhorror，hisfatcheeksturninginamomentallcolours。\"Thisgentleman，whomyouseemtoknow，MonsieurleComte——\"
\"IstheMarquisdeRosny，PresidentoftheCouncil，blockhead！\"
Lavalcriedirately。\"Youmadman！youidiot！\"hecontinued，aslightbrokeinuponhim，andhesawthatitwasindeedonafool\'serrandthathehadbeenrousedsoearly。\"Isthisyourconspiracy？Haveyoudaredtobringmehere——\"
ButIthoughtthatitwastimetointerfere。\"Thetruthis，\"I
said，\"thatM。Grabothereisnotsomuchtoblame。Hewasthevictimofatrickwhichtheserascalsplayedonhim；andinanidlemomentIletitgoon。Thatisthewholesecret。However，Iforgivehimforhisofficiousnesssinceitbringsustogether，andIshallnowhavethepleasureofyourcompanytoVitre。\"
Lavalassentedheartilytothis，andIdidnotthinkfittotellhimmore，nordidheinquire；theMayor\'sstupiditypassingcurrentforall。ForM。Grabothimself，IthinkthatIneversawamanmorecompletelyconfounded。Hestoodstaringwithhismouthopen；and，asmuchdesertedasthestatesmanwhohasfallenfromoffice，hadnottheleastcreditevenwithhisownsycophants，whotoamandesertedhimandflockedabouttheMayorofGol。ThoughIhadnoreasontopityhim，and，indeed，thoughthimwellpunished，ItooktheopportunityofsayingawordtohimbeforeImounted；which，thoughitwasonlyahintthatheshoulddealgentlywiththewomanofthehouse，wasreceivedwithservilityequaltothearrogancehehadbeforedisplayed；andI
doubtnotithadalltheeffectIdesired。Forthestrollers，I
didnotforgetthem，butbadethemhastentoVitre，whereIwouldseeaperformance。Theydidso，andhittingthefancyofZamet，whochancedtobestillthere，andwhothoughtthathesawprofitinthem，theycameonhisinvitationtoParis，wheretheytooktheCourtbystorm。Sothatanepisodetriflinginitself，andsuchasonmypartrequiressomeapology，hadforthemconsequencesofnolittleimportance。
IV。LATOUSSAINT。
Towardstheautumnof1601，whentheaffairofM。deBiron，whichwassosoontofillthemouthsofthevulgar，wasalreadymuchinthemindsofthosewhomtheKinghonouredwithhisconfidence，I
wasonedayleavingthehallattheArsenal，aftergivingaudiencetosuchaswishedtoseeme，whenMaignancameaftermeanddetainedme；reportingthatagentlemanwhohadattendedearly，buthadlatergoneintothegarden，wasstillinwaiting。
WhileMaignanwasstillspeakingthestrangerhimselfcameup，withsomeshowofhastebutnoneofembarrassment；and，inanswertomysalutationandinquirywhatIcoulddoforhim，handedmealetter。Hehadtheairofamannottwenty，hisdresswasatriflerustic；buthisstrongandhandsomefiguresetoffafacethatwouldhavebeenpleasingbutforasomethingfierceintheaspectofhiseyes。AssuredthatIdidnotknowhim，IbrokethesealofhisletterandfoundthatitwasfrommyoldflameMadamedeBray，who，asMademoiselledeSt。Mesmin，hadcomesoneartobeingmywife；aswillberememberedbythosewhohavereadtheearlypartofthesememoirs。
Theyoungmanprovedtobeherbrother，whomshecommendedtomygoodoffices，theimpoverishmentofthefamilybeingsogreatthatshecouldcompassnomoreregularmethodofintroducinghimtotheworld，thoughthehouseofSt。Mesministrulyrespectableand，likemyown，alliedtoseveralofthefirstconsequence。
MadamedeBrayrecalledouroldTENDRESSEtomymind，andconjuredmesomovinglybyit——andbytheregardwhichherfamilyhadalwaysentertainedforme——thatIcouldnotdismisstheapplicationwiththehundredothersofliketenorthatatthattimecametomewitheachyear。ThatImightdonothinginthedark，however，Iinvitedtheyoungfellowtowalkwithmeinthegarden，anddivined，evenbeforehespoke，fromtheabsenceoftimidityinhismanner，thathewassomethingoutofthecommon。
\"SoyouhavecometoParistomakeyourfortune？\"Isaid。
\"Yes，sir，\"heanswered。
\"Andwhatarethetoolswithwhichyouproposetodoit？\"I
continued，betweenjestandearnest。
\"Thatletter，sir，\"heansweredsimply；\"and，failingthat，twohorses，twosuitsofclothes，andtwohundredcrowns。\"
\"Youthinkthatthosewillsuffice？\"Isaid，laughing。
\"Withthis，sir，\"heanswered，touchinghissword；\"andagoodcourage。\"
Icouldnotbutstandamazedathiscoolness；forhespoketomeassimplyastoabrother，andlookedabouthimwithasmuchoraslittlecuriosityasGuiseorMontpensier。ItwasevidentthathethoughtaSt。MesminequaltoanymanundertheKing；andthatofalltheSt。Mesminshedidnotvaluehimselfleast。
\"Well，\"Isaid，afterconsideringhim，\"IdonotthinkthatIcanhelpyoumuchimmediately。Ishouldbegladtoknow，however，whatplansyouhaveformedforyourself。\"
\"Frankly，sir，\"hesaid，\"IthoughtofthisasItravelled；andI
decidedthatfortunecanbewonbythreethings——bygold，bysteel，andbylove。ThefirstIhavenot，andforthelastI
haveabetteruse。Onlythesecondisleft。IshallbeCrillon。\"
Ilookedathiminastonishment；fortheassuranceofhismannerexceededthatofhiswords。ButIdidnotbetraythefeeling。
\"Crillonwasoneinamillion，\"Isaiddrily。
\"SoamI，\"heanswered。
Iconfessthattheaudacityofthisreplysilencedme。I
reflectedthattheyoungmanwho——broughtupinthedepthsofthecountry，andwithoutexperience，trainingorfashion——couldsospeakinthefaceofPariswassofaroutofthecommonthatI
hesitatedtodashhishopesinthecontemptuouswaywhichseemedmostnatural。IwascontenttoremindhimthatCrillonhadlivedintimesofcontinualwar，whereasnowwewereatpeace；and，biddinghimcometomeinaweek，IhintedthatinParishiscrownswouldfindmorefrequentopportunitiesofleavinghispocketsthanhissworditssheath。
Hepartedfrommewiththis，seemingperfectlysatisfiedwithhisreception；andmarchedawaywiththeportofamanwhoexpectedadventuresateverycorner，andwaspreparedtomakethemostofthem。Apparentlyhedidnottakemyhintgreatlytoheart，however；forwhenInextmethim，withintheweek，hewasfashionablydressed，hishairinthemode，andhiscompanyasnobleashimself。Imadehimasigntostop，andhecametospeaktome。
\"Howmanycrownsare]eft？\"Isaidjocularly。
\"Fifty，\"heanswered，withperfectreadiness。
\"What！\"Isaid，pointingtohisequipmentwithsomethingoftheindignationIfelt，\"hasthiscostthebalance？
\"No，\"heanswered。\"Onthecontrary，Ihavepaidthreemonths\'
rentinadvanceandamonth\'sboardatZaton\'s；Ihaveaddedtwosuitstomywardrobe，andIhavelostfiftycrownsonthedice。\"
\"Youpromisewell！\"Isaid。
Heshruggedhisshouldersquiteinthefashionablemanner。
\"Alwayscourage！\"hesaid；andhewenton，smiling。
IwaswalkingatthetimewithM。deSaintonge，andbemuttered，withasneer，thatitwasnotdifficulttoseetheend，orthatwithintheyeartheyoungbraggartwouldsinktobeagaming-
housebully。Isaidnothing，butIconfessthatIthoughtotherwise；thelad\'sdispositionofhismoneyandhisprovisionforthefutureseemingtomesoremarkableastosethimaboveordinaryrules。
FromthistimeIbegantowatchhiscareerwithinterest，andI
wasnotsurprisedwhen，inlessthanamonth，somethingfelloutthatledthewholecourttoregardhimwithamixtureofamusementandexpectancy。
Oneevening，afterleavingtheKing\'scloset，IhappenedtopassthroughtheeastgalleryattheLouvre，whichservedatthattimeastheouterantechamber，andwasthecommonresortaswellofallthoseidlerswho，withsomepretensionstofashion，lackedtheENTREE，asofmanywhowithgreaterclaimspreferredtobeattheirease。Mypassageforamomentstilledthebabelwhichprevailed。ButIhadnosoonerreachedthefartherdoorthanthenoisebrokeoutagain；andthiswithsosuddenafury，thetumultbeingaugmentedbythecrashingfallofatable，ascausedmeatthelastmomenttostandandturn。Adozenvoicescryingsimultaneously，\"Haveacare！\"and\"Nothere！nothere！\"andalllookingthesameway，IwasabletodetectthethreeprincipalsintheFRACAS。TheywerenootherthanM。deSt。
Mesmin，Barradas——alowfellow，stillremembered，whowasalreadywhatSaintongehadprophesiedthattheformerwouldbecome——andyoungSt。Germain，theeldestsonofM。deClan。
Iratherguessedthanheardthecauseofthequarrel，andthatSt。Mesmin，puttingintowordswhatmanyhadknownforyearsandsomemadetheiradvantageof，hadaccusedBarradasofcheating。
Thelatter\'sfurywas，ofcourse，proportionedtohisguilt；aninstantchallengewhileIlookedwashisnaturalanswer。This，ashewasaconsummateswordsman，andhadlongearnedhislivingasmuchbyfearasbyfraud，shouldhavebeenenoughtostaythegreedieststomach；butSt。Mesminwasnotcontent。Treatingtheknave，thewordoncepassed，assomuchdirt，hetransferredhisattacktoSt。Germain，andcalledonhimtoreturnthemoneyhehadwonbybettingonBarradas。
St。Germain，ayoungsparkasproudandheadstrongasSt。Mesminhimself，andpossessedoffriendsequaltohisexpectations，flungbackahaughtyrefusal。Hehadtheadvantageinstationandpopularity；andbyfarthelargernumberofthosepresentsidedwithhim。Ilingeredamomentincuriosity，lookingtoseetheaccuserwithallhisboldnessgivewaybeforethealmostunanimousexpressionofdisapproval。Butmyformerjudgmentofhimhadbeencorrectlyformed；sofarfrombeingbrowbeatenordepressedbyhisposition，herepeatedthedemandwithastubbornpersistencethatmarvellouslyremindedmeofCrillon；andcontinuedtoreiterateituntilall，exceptSt。Germainhimself，weresilent。\"Youmustreturnmymoney！\"hekeptonsayingmonotonously。\"Youmustreturnmymoney。Thismancheated，andyouwonmymoney。Youmustpayorfight。\"
\"Withadeadman？\"St。Germainreplied，gibingathim。
\"No，withme。\"
\"Barradaswillspityou！\"Theotherscoffed。\"Goandorderyourcoffin，anddonottroubleme。\"
\"Ishalltroubleyou。Ifyoudidnotknowthathecheated，pay；
andifyoudidknow，fight。\"
\"Iknow？\"St。Germainretortedfiercely。\"Youmadman！DoyoumeantosaythatIknewthathecheated？\"
\"ImeanwhatIsay！\"St。Mesminreturnedstolidly。\"Youhavewonmymoney。Youmustreturnit。Ifyouwillnotreturnit，youmustfight。\"
Ishouldhaveheardmore，butatthatmomentthemaindooropened，andtwoorthreegentlemenwhohadbeenwiththeKingcameout。Notwishingtobeseenwatchingthebrawl，Imovedawayanddescendedthestairs；andVarenneovertakingmeamomentlater，andenteringontheBironaffair——ofwhichIhadjustbeendiscussingthelatestdevelopmentswiththeKing——IforgotSt。
Mesminforthetime，andonlyrecalledhimnextmorningwhenSaintonge，beingannounced，cameintomyroominastateofgreatexcitement，andalmostwithhisfirstsentencebroughtouthisname。