CHAPTERVII
AFORESTNOOK
Abreachhasalwaysacauseandapurpose。HereistheexplanationofhowtheonewhichledfromthetowercalledthatofMademoiselleandthestablescametobemade。AfterhisinstallationasLaurence’sguardianatCinq-Cygneoldd’Hauteserreconvertedalongravine，throughwhichthewateroftheforestflowedintothemoat，intoaroadwaybetweentwotractsofuncultivatedlandbelongingtothechateau，bymerelyplantingoutinitaboutahundredwalnuttreeswhichhefoundreadyinthenursery。Inelevenyearsthesetreeshadgrownandbranchedsoastonearlycovertheroad，hiddenalreadybysteepbanks，whichranintoalittlewoodofthirtyacresrecentlypurchased。Whenthechateauhaditsfullcomplementofinhabitantstheyallpreferredtotakethiscoveredwaythroughthebreachtothemainroadwhichskirtedtheparkwallsandledtothefarm，ratherthangoroundbytheentrance。Bydintofthususingitthebreachinthesidesofthemoathadgraduallybeenwidenedonbothsides，withallthelessscruplebecauseinthisnineteenthcenturyofoursmoatsarenolongeroftheslightestuse，andLaurence’sguardianhadoftentalkedofputtingthisonetosomeotherpurpose。Theconstantcrumblingawayoftheearthandstonesandgravelhadendedbyfillinguptheditch，sothatonlyafterheavyrainswasthecausewaythusconstructedcovered。Butthebankwasstillsosteepthatitwasdifficulttomakeahorsedescendit，andevenmoredifficulttogethimupuponthemainroad。Horses，however，seemintimesofperiltosharetheirmasters’thought。
WhiletheyoungcountesswashesitatingtofollowMarthe，andaskingexplanations，Michu，fromhisvantage-groundwatchedtheclosinginofthegendarmesandunderstoodtheirplan。Hegrewdesperateastimewentbyandthecountessdidnotcometohim。Asquadofgendarmesweremarchingalongtheparkwallandstationingthemselvesassentinels，eachmanbeingnearenoughtocommunicatewiththoseoneithersideofthem，byvoiceandeye。Michu，lyingflatonhisstomach，hiseartoearth，gauged，likearedIndian，bythestrengthofthesoundsthetimethatremainedtohim。
\"Icametoolate！\"hesaidtohimself。\"Violetteshallpaydearforthis！whatatimeittooktomakehimdrunk！Whatcanbedone？\"
Heheardthedetachmentthatwascomingthroughtheforestreachtheirongatesandturnintothemainroad，wherebeforelongitwouldmeetthesquadcomingupfromtheotherdirection。
\"Stillfiveorsixminutes！\"hesaid。
Atthatinstantthecountessappeared。Michutookherwithafirmhandandpushedherintothecoveredway。
\"Keepstraightbeforeyou！Leadhertowheremyhorseis，\"hesaidtohiswife，\"andrememberthatgendarmeshaveears。\"
SeeingCatherine，whocarriedthehatandwhip，andGothardleadingthemare，theman，keen-wittedinpresenceofdanger，bethoughthimselfofplayingthegendarmesatrickasusefulastheonehehadjustplayedViolette。Gothardhadforcedthemaretomountthebank。
\"Herfeetmuffled！Ithankthee，boy，\"exclaimedthebailiff。
Michuletthemarefollowhermistressandtookthehat，gloves，andwhipfromCatherine。
\"Youhavesense，boy，you’llunderstandme，\"hesaid。\"Forceyourownhorseuphere，jumponhim，anddrawthegendarmesafteryouacrossthefieldstowardsthefarm；getthewholesquadtofollowyou——Andyou，\"headdedtoCatherine，\"thereareothergendarmescomingupontheroadfromCinq-CygnetoGondreville；runintheoppositedirectiontotheoneGothardtakes，anddrawthemtowardstheforest。Managesothatweshallnotbeinterferedwithinthecoveredway。\"
Catherineandtheboy，whoweredestinedtogiveinthisaffairsuchremarkableproofsofintelligence，executedthemanoeuvreinawaytomakebothdetachmentsofgendarmesbelievethattheyheldthegame。
Thedimlightofthemoonpreventedthepursuersfromdistinguishingthefigure，clothing，sex，ornumberofthosetheyfollowed。Thepursuitwasbasedonthemaxim，\"Alwaysarrestthosewhoareescaping，\"——thefollyofwhichsayingwas，aswehaveseen，energeticallydeclaredbyCorentintothecorporalincommand。Michu，countingonthisinstinctofthegendarmes，wasabletoreachtheforestafewmomentsafterthecountess，whomMarthehadguidedtotheappointedplace。
\"Gohomenow，\"hesaidtoMarthe。\"Theforestiswatchedanditisdangeroustoremainhere。Weneedallourfreedom。\"
Michuunfastenedhishorseandaskedthecountesstofollowhim。
\"Ishallnotgoastepfurther，\"saidLaurence，\"unlessyougivemesomeproofoftheinterestyouseemtohaveinus——for，afterall，youareMichu。\"
\"Mademoiselle，\"heanswered，inagentlevoice；\"thepartIamplayingcanbeexplainedtoyouintwowords。Iam，unknowntotheMarquisdeSimeuseandhisbrother，theguardianoftheirproperty。OnthissubjectIreceivedthelastinstructionsoftheirlatefatherandtheirdearmother，myprotectress。IhaveplayedthepartofavirulentJacobintoservemydearyoungmasters。Unhappily，Ibeganthiscoursetoolate；Icouldnotsavetheirparents。\"Here，Michu’svoicebrokedown。\"SincetheyoungmenemigratedIhavesentthemregularlythesumstheyneededtoliveupon。\"
\"ThroughthehouseofBreintmayerofStrasburg？\"askedthecountess。
\"Yes，mademoiselle；thecorrespondentsofMonsieurGirelofTroyes，aroyalistwho，likeme，madehimselfforgoodreasons，aJacobin。ThepaperwhichyourfarmerpickeduponeeveningandwhichIforcedhimtosurrender，relatedtotheaffairandwouldhavecompromisedyourcousins。Mylifenolongerbelongstome，buttothem，youunderstand。
IcouldnotbuyinGondreville。Inmyposition，IshouldhavelostmyheadhadtheauthoritiesknownIhadthemoney。Ipreferredtowaitandbuyitlater。ButthatscoundrelofaMarionwastheslaveofanotherscoundrel，Malin。Allthesame，Gondrevilleshalloncemorebelongtoitsrightfulmasters。That’smyaffair。FourhoursagoIhadMalinsightedbymygun；ha！hewasalmostgonethen！Werehedead，thepropertywouldbesoldandyoucouldhaveboughtit。Incaseofmydeathmywifewouldhavebroughtyoualetterwhichwouldhavegivenyouthemeansofbuyingit。ButIoverheardthatvillaintellinghisaccompliceGrevin——anotherscoundrellikehimself——thattheMarquisandhisbrotherwereconspiringagainsttheFirstConsul，thattheywerehereintheneighborhood，andthathemeanttogivethemupandgetridofthemsoastokeepGondrevilleinpeace。Imyselfsawthepolicespies；Ilaidasidemygun，andIhavelostnotimeincominghere，thinkingthatyoumustbetheonetoknowbesthowtowarntheyoungmen。That’sthewholeofit。\"
\"Youareworthytobeanoble，\"saidLaurence，offeringherhandtoMichu，whotriedtokneelandkissit。Shesawhismotionandpreventedit，saying:\"Standup！\"inatoneofvoiceandwithalookwhichmadehimamendsforallthescornofthelasttwelveyears。
\"YourewardmeasthoughIhaddoneallthatremainsformetodo，\"hesaid。\"Butdon’tyouhearthem，thosehuzzarsoftheguillotine？Letusgoelsewhere。\"
Hetookthemare’sbridle，andledheralittledistance。
\"Thinkonlyofsittingfirm，\"hesaid，\"andofsavingyourheadfromthebranchesofthetreeswhichmightstrikeyouintheface。\"
Thenhemountedhisownhorseandguidedtheyounggirlforhalfanhouratfullgallop；makingturnsandhalfturns，andstrikingintowood-paths，soastoconfusetheirtraces，untiltheyreachedaspotwherehepulledup。
\"Idon’tknowwhereIam，\"saidthecountesslookingabouther，——\"I，whoknowtheforestaswellasyoudo。\"
\"Weareintheheartofit，\"hereplied。\"Twogendarmesareafterus，butwearequitesafe。\"
ThepicturesquespottowhichthebailiffhadguidedLaurencewasdestinedtobesofataltotheprincipalpersonagesofthisdrama，andtoMichuhimself，thatitbecomesourduty，asanhistorian，todescribeit。Thescenebecame，asweshallseehereafter，oneofnotedinterestinthejudiciaryannalsoftheEmpire。
TheforestofNodesmebelongedtothemonasteryofNotre-Dame。Thatmonastery，seized，sacked，anddemolished，haddisappearedentirely，monksandproperty。Theforest，anobjectofmuchcupidity，wastakenintothedomainoftheComtesdeChampagne，whomortgageditlaterandallowedittobesold。Inthecourseofsixcenturiesnaturecovereditsruinswithherrichandvigorousgreenmantle，andeffacedthemsothoroughlythattheexistenceofoneofthefinestconventswasnolongerevenindicatedexceptbyaslighteminenceshadedbynobletreesandcircledbythick，impenetrableshrubbery，which，since1794，Michuhadtakengreatpainstomakestillmoreimpenetrablebyplantingthethornyacaciainalltheslightopeningsbetweenthebushes。Apondwasatthefootoftheeminenceandshowedtheexistenceofahiddenstreamwhichnodoubtdeterminedinformerdaysthesiteofthemonastery。ThelateownerofthetitletotheforestofNodesmewasthefirsttorecognizetheetymologyofthename，whichdatedbackforeightcenturies，andtodiscoverthatatonetimeamonasteryhadexistedintheheartoftheforest。WhenthefirstrumblingsofthethunderoftheRevolutionwereheard，theMarquisdeSimeuse，whohadbeenforcedtolookintohistitlebyalawsuitandsolearnedtheabovefactsasitwerebychance，began，withasecretintentionnotdifficulttoconceive，tosearchforsomeremainsoftheformermonastery。Thekeeper，Michu，towhomtheforestwaswellknown，helpedhismasterinthesearch，anditwashissagacityasaforesterwhichledtothediscoveryofthesite。Observingthetrendofthefivechiefroadsoftheforest，someofwhichwerenoweffaced，hesawthattheyallendedeitheratthelittleeminenceorbythepondatthefootofit，towhichpointstravellersfromTroyes，fromthevalleyofArcisandthatofCinq-Cygne，andfromBar-sur-Aubedoubtlesscame。Themarquiswishedtoexcavatethehillockbuthedarednotemploythepeopleoftheneighborhood。Pressedbycircumstances，heabandonedtheintention，leavinginMichu’smindastrongconvictionthattheeminencehadeitherthetreasureorthefoundationsoftheformerabbey。Hecontinued，allalone，thisarchaeologicalenterprise；hesoundedtheearthanddiscoveredahollownessonthelevelofthepondbetweentwotrees，atthefootoftheonlycraggypartofthehillock。
Onefinenighthecametotheplacearmedwithapickaxe，andbythesweatofhisbrowuncoveredasuccessionofcellars，whichwereenteredbyaflightofstonesteps。Thepond，whichwasthreefeetdeepinthemiddle，formedasortofdipper，thehandleofwhichseemedtocomefromthelittleeminence，andwentfartoprovethataspringhadonceissuedfromthecrags，andwasnowlostbyinfiltrationthroughtheforest。Themarshyshoresofthepond，coveredwithaquatictrees，alders，willow，andash，weretheterminusofallthewood-paths，theremainsofformerroadsandforestby-ways，nowabandoned。Thewater，flowingfromaspring，thoughapparentlystagnant，wascoveredwithlarge-leavedplantsandcresses，whichgaveitaperfectlygreensurfacealmostindistinguishablefromtheshores，whichwerecoveredwithfinecloseherbage。Theplaceistoofarfromhumanhabitationsforanyanimal，unlessawildone，tocomethere。
Convincedthatnogamewasinthemarshandrepelledbythecraggysidesofthehills，keepersandhuntershadneverexploredorvisitedthisnook，whichbelongedtoapartoftheforestwherethetimberhadnotbeencutformanyyearsandwhichMichumeanttokeepinitsfullgrowthwhenthetimecameroundtofellit。
Atthefurtherendofthefirstcellarwasavaultedchamber，cleananddry，builtwithhewnstone，asortofconventdungeon，suchastheycalledinmonasticdaysthe/inpace/。Thesalubrityofthechamberandthepreservationofthispartofthestaircaseandofthevaultswereexplainedbythepresenceofthespring，whichhadbeenenclosedatsometimebyawallofextraordinarythicknessbuiltinbrickandcementlikethoseoftheRomans，andreceivedallthewaters。Michuclosedtheentrancetothisretreatwithlargestones；
then，tokeepthesecretofittohimselfandmakeitimpenetrabletoothers，hemadearulenevertoenteritexceptfromthewoodedheightabove，byclamberingdownthecraginsteadofapproachingitfromthepond。
Justasthefugitivesarrived，themoonwascastingherbeautifulsilverylightontheagedtree-topsabovethecrag，andflickeringonthesplendidfoliageatthecornersoftheseveralpaths，allofwhichendedhere，somewithonetree，somewithagroupoftrees。Onallsidestheeyewasirresistiblyledalongtheirvanishingperspectives，followingthecurveofawood-pathorthesolemnstretchofaforestgladeflankedbyawallofverdurethatwasnearlyblack。Themoonlight，filteringthroughthebranchesofthecrossways，madethelonely，tranquilwaters，wheretheypeepedbetweenthecrossesandthelily-pads，sparklelikediamonds。Thecroakingofthefrogsbrokethedeepsilenceofthisbeautifulforest-nook，thewildodorsofwhichincitedthesoultothoughtsofliberty。
\"Arewesafe？\"saidthecountesstoMichu。
\"Yes，mademoiselle。Butwehaveeachsomeworktodo。Doyougoandfastenourhorsestothetreesatthetopofthelittlehill；tieahandkerchiefroundthemouthofeachofthem，\"hesaid，givingherhiscravat；\"yourbeastandminearebothintelligent，theywillunderstandtheyarenottoneigh。Whenyouhavedonethat，comedownthecragdirectlyabovethepond；butdon’tletyourhabitcatchanywhere。Youwillfindmebelow。\"
Whilethecountesshidthehorsesandtiedandgaggedthem，Michuremovedthestonesandopenedtheentrancetothecaverns。Thecountess，whothoughtsheknewtheforestbyheart，wasamazedwhenshedescendedintothevaultedchambers。Michureplacedthestonesabovethemwiththedexterityofamason。Ashefinished，thesoundofhorses’feetandthevoicesofthegendarmesechoedinthedarkness；
buthequietlystruckamatch，lightedaresinousbitofwoodandledthecountesstothe/inpace/，wheretherewasstillapieceofthecandlewithwhichhehadfirstexploredthecaves。Anirondoorofsomethickness，eateninseveralplacesbyrust，hadbeenputingoodorderbythebailiff，andcouldbefastenedsecurelybybarsslippingintoholesinthewalloneithersideofit。Thecountess，halfdeadwithfatigue，satdownonastonebench，abovewhichtherestillremainedanironring，thestapleofwhichwasembeddedinthemasonry。
\"Wehaveasalontoconversein，\"saidMichu。\"Thegendarmesmayprowlasmuchastheylike；theworsttheycoulddowouldbetotakeourhorses。\"
\"Iftheydothat，\"saidLaurence，\"itwouldbethedeathofmycousinsandtheMessieursd’Hauteserre。Tellmenow，whatdoyouknow？\"
MichurelatedwhathehadoverheardMalinsaytoGrevin。
\"TheyarealreadyontheroadtoParis；theyweretoenteritto-morrowmorning，\"saidthecountesswhenhehadfinished。
\"Lost！\"exclaimedMichu。\"Allpersonsenteringorleavingthebarriersareexamined。Malinhasstrongreasonstoletmymasterscompromisethemselves；heisseekingtogetthemkilledoutofhisway。\"
\"AndI，whodon’tknowanythingofthegeneralplanoftheaffair，\"
criedLaurence，\"howcanIwarnGeorges，Riviere，andMoreau？Wherearethey？——However，letusthinkonlyofmycousinsandthed’Hauteserres；youmustcatchupwiththem，nomatterwhatitcosts。\"
\"Thetelegraphgoesfasterthanthebesthorse，\"saidMichu；\"andofallthenoblesconcernedinthisconspiracyyourcousinsaretheclosestwatched。IfIcanfindthem，theymustbehiddenhereandkeptheretilltheaffairisover。Theirpoorfathermayhavehadaforebodingwhenhesetmetosearchforthishiding-place；perhapshefeltthathissonswouldbesavedhere。\"
\"MymareisfromthestablesoftheComted’Artois，——sheisthedaughterofhisfinestEnglishhorse，\"saidLaurence；\"butshehasalreadygonesixtymiles，shewoulddropdeadbeforeyoureachedthem。\"
\"Mineisingoodcondition，\"repliedMichu；\"andifyoudidsixtymilesIshallhaveonlythirtytodo。\"
\"Nearerforty，\"shesaid，\"theyhavebeenwalkingsincedark。YouwillovertakethembeyondLagny，atCoupvrai，wheretheyexpectedtobeatdaybreak。Theyaredisguisedassailors，andwillenterParisbytheriveronsomevessel。This，\"sheadded，takinghalfofhermother’swedding-ringfromherfinger，\"istheonlythingwhichwillmakethemtrustyou；theyhavetheotherhalf。ThekeeperofCouvraiisthefatherofoneoftheirsoldiers；hehashiddenthemtonightinahutintheforestdesertedbycharcoal-burners。Theyareeightinall，Messieursd’Hauteserreandfourothersarewithmycousins。\"
\"Mademoiselle，nooneislookingfortheothers！letthemsavethemselvesastheycan；wemustthinkonlyoftheMessieursdeSimeuse。Itisenoughjusttowarntherest。\"
\"What！abandontheHauteserres？never！\"shesaid。\"Theymustallperishorbesavedtogether！\"
\"Onlypettynoblemen！\"remarkedMichu。
\"Theyareonlychevaliers，Iknowthat，\"shereplied，\"buttheyarerelatedtotheCinq-CygneandSimeuseblood。Savethemall，andadvisethemhowbesttoregainthisforest。\"
\"Thegendarmesarehere，——don’tyouhearthem？theyareholdingacouncilofwar。\"
\"Well，youhavetwicehadluckto-night；go！bringmycousinshereandhidetheminthesevaults；they’llbesafefromallpursuit——Alas！I
amgoodfornothing！\"shecried，withrage；\"Ishouldbeonlyabeacontolighttheenemy——butthepolicewillneverimaginethatmycousinsareintheforestiftheyseemeatmyease。Sothequestionresolvesitselfintothis:howcanwegetfivegoodhorsestobringtheminsixhoursfromLagnytotheforest，——fivehorsestobekilledandhiddeninsomethicket。\"
\"Andthemoney？\"saidMichu，whowasthinkingdeeplyashelistenedtotheyoungcountess。
\"Igavemycousinsahundredlouisthisevening，\"shereplied。
\"I’llanswerforthem！\"criedMichu。\"Butoncehiddenhereyoumustnotattempttoseethem。Mywife，orthelittleone，shallbringthemfoodtwiceaweek。But，asIcan’tbesureofwhatmayhappentome，remember，mademoiselle，incaseoftrouble，thatthemainbeaminmyhay-lofthasbeenboredwithanauger。Inthehole，whichispluggedwithabitofwood，youwillfindaplanshowinghowtoreachthisspot。Thetreeswhichyouwillfindmarkedwithareddotontheplanhaveablackmarkattheirfootclosetotheearth。Eachofthesetreesisasign-post。Atthefootofthethirdoldoakwhichstandstotheleftofeachsign-post，twofeetinfrontofitandburiedsevenfeetintheground，youwillfindalargemetaltube；ineachtubeareonehundredthousandfrancsingold。Theseeleventrees——thereareonlyeleven——containthewholefortuneoftheSimeusebrothers，nowthatGondrevillehasbeentakenfromthem。\"
\"Itwilltakeahundredyearsforthenobilitytorecoverfromsuchblows，\"saidMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，slowly。
\"Isthereapass-word？\"askedMichu。
\"’FranceandCharles’forthesoldiers，’LaurenceandLouis’fortheMessieursd’HauteserreandSimeuse。GoodGod！tothinkthatIsawthemyesterdayforthefirsttimeinelevenyears，andthatnowtheyareindangerofdeath——andwhatadeath！Michu，\"shesaid，withamelancholylook，\"beasprudentduringthenextfifteenhoursasyouhavebeengrandanddevotedduringthelasttwelveyears。IfdisasterweretoovertakemycousinsnowIshoulddieofit——No，\"sheadded，quickly，\"IwouldlivelongenoughtokillBonaparte。\"
\"Therewillbetwoofustodothatwhenallislost，\"saidMichu。
Laurencetookhisroughhandandwrungitwarmly，astheEnglishdo。
Michulookedathiswatch；itwasmidnight。
\"Wemustleavehereatanycost，\"hesaid。\"Deathtothegendarmewhoattemptstostopme！Andyou，madamelacomtesse，withoutpresumingtodictate，ridebacktoCinq-Cygneasfastasyoucan。Thepolicearetherebythistime；foolthem！delaythem！\"
Theholeonceopened，Michuflunghimselfdownwithhiseartotheearth；thenheroseprecipitately。\"ThegendarmesareattheedgeoftheforesttowardsTroyes！\"hesaid。\"Ha，I’llgetthebetterofthemyet！\"
Hehelpedthecountesstocomeout，andreplacedthestones。Whenthiswasdoneheheardhersoftvoicetellinghimshemustseehimmountedbeforemountingherself。Tearscametotheeyesofthesternmanasheexchangedalastlookwithhisyoungmistress，whoseowneyesweretearless。
\"Foolthem！yes，heisright！\"shesaidwhensheheardhimnolonger。
ThenshedartedtowardsCinq-Cygneatfullgallop。
CHAPTERVIII
TRIALSOFTHEPOLICE
Madamed’Hauteserre，rousedbythedangerofhersons，andnotbelievingthattheRevolutionwasover，butstillfearingitssummaryjustice，recoveredhersensesbytheviolenceofthesamedistresswhichmadeherlosethem。Ledbyanagonizingcuriosityshereturnedtothesalon，whichpresentedapictureworthyofthebrushofagenrepainter。Theabbe，stillseatedatthecard-tableandmechanicallyplayingwiththecounters，wascovertlyobservingCorentinandPeyrade，whowerestandingtogetheratacornerofthefireplaceandspeakinginalowvoice。SeveraltimesCorentin’skeeneyemetthenotlesskeenglanceofthepriest；but，liketwoadversarieswhoknewthemselvesequallystrong，andwhoreturntotheirguardaftercrossingtheirweapons，eachavertedhiseyestheinstanttheymet。
Theworthyoldd’Hauteserre，poisedonhislongthinlegslikeaheron，wasstandingbesidethestoutformofthemayor，inanattitudeexpressiveofutterstupefaction。Themayor，thoughdressedasabourgeois，alwayslookedlikeaservant。Eachgazedwithabewilderedeyeatthegendarmes，inwhoseclutchesGothardwasstillsobbing，hishandspurpleandswollenfromthetightnessofthecordthatboundthem。Catherinemaintainedherattitudeofartlesssimplicity，whichwasquiteimpenetrable。Thecorporal，who，accordingtoCorentin，hadcommittedagreatblunderinarrestingthesesmallerfry，didnotknowwhethertostaywherehewasortodepart。Hestoodpensivelyinthemiddleofthesalon，hishandonthehiltofhissabre，hiseyeonthetwoParisians。TheDurieus，alsostupefied，andtheotherservantsofthechateaumadeanadmirablegroupofexpressiveuneasiness。IfithadnotbeenforGothard’sconvulsivesnifflingsthosepresentcouldhaveheardthefliesfly。
WhenMadamed’Hauteserre，paleandterrified，openedthedoorandenteredtheroom，almostcarriedbyMademoiselleGoujet，whoseredeyeshadevidentlybeenweeping，allfacesturnedtoheratonce。ThetwoagentshopedasmuchasthehouseholdfearedtoseeLaurenceenter。Thisspontaneousmovementofbothmastersandservantsseemedproducedbythesortofmechanismwhichmakesanumberofwoodenfiguresperformthesamegestureorwinkthesameeye。
Madamed’HauteserreadvancedbythreerapidstridestowardsCorentinandsaid，inabrokenvoicebutviolently:\"Forpity’ssake，monsieur，tellmewhatmysonsareaccusedof。Doyoureallythinktheyhavebeenhere？\"
Theabbe，whoseemedtobesayingtohimselfwhenhesawtheoldlady，\"Shewillcertainlycommitsomefolly，\"loweredhiseyes。
\"MydutyandthemissionIamengagedinforbidmetotellyou，\"
answeredCorentin，withagraciousbutrathermockingair。
Thisrefusal，whichthedetestablepolitenessofthevulgarfopseemedtomakeallthemoreemphatic，petrifiedthepoormother，whofellintoachairbesidetheAbbeGoujet，claspedherhandsandbegantopray。
\"Wheredidyouarrestthatblubber？\"askedCorentin，addressingthecorporalandpointingtoLaurence’slittlehenchman。
\"Ontheroadthatleadstothefarmalongtheparkwalls；thelittlescamphadnearlyreachedtheCloseauxwoods，\"repliedthecorporal。
\"Andthatgirl？\"
\"She？oh，itwasOliverwhocaughther。\"
\"Wherewasshegoing？\"
\"TowardsGondreville。\"
\"Theyweregoinginoppositedirections？\"saidCorentin。
\"Yes，\"repliedthegendarme。
\"Isthatboythegroom，andthegirlthemaidofthecitizenessCinq-
Cygne？\"saidCorentintothemayor。
\"Yes，\"repliedGoulard。
AfterCorentinhadexchangedafewwordswithPeyradeinawhisper，thelatterlefttheroom，takingthecorporalofgendarmeswithhim。
JustthenthecorporalofArcismadehisappearance。HewentuptoCorentinandspoketohiminalowvoice:\"Iknowthesepremiseswell，\"hesaid；\"Ihavesearchedeverywhere；unlessthoseyoungfellowsareburied，theyarenothere。Wehavesoundedallthefloorsandwallswiththebuttendofourmuskets。\"
Peyrade，whopresentlyreturned，signedtoCorentintocomeout，andthentookhimtothebreachinthemoatandshowedhimthesunkenway。
\"Wehaveguessedthetrick，\"saidPeyrade。
\"AndI’lltellyouhowitwasdone，\"addedCorentin。\"Thatlittlescampandthegirldecoyedthoseidiotsofgendarmesandthusmadetimeforthegametoescape。\"
\"Wecan’tknowthetruthtilldaylight，\"saidPeyrade。\"Theroadisdamp；Ihaveorderedtwogendarmestobarricadeittopandbottom。
We’llexamineitafterdaylight，andfindoutbythefootstepswhowentthatway。\"
\"Iseeahoof-mark，\"saidCorentin；\"letusgotothestables。\"
\"Howmanyhorsesdoyoukeep？\"saidPeyrade，returningtothesalonwithCorentin，andaddressingMonsieurd’HauteserreandGoulard。
\"Come，monsieurlemaire，youknow，answer，\"criedCorentin，seeingthatthatfunctionaryhesitated。
\"Why，there’sthecountess’smare，Gothard’shorse，andMonsieurd’Hauteserre’s。\"
\"Thereisonlyoneinthestable，\"saidPeyrade。
\"Mademoiselleisoutriding，\"saidDurieu。
\"Doessheoftenrideaboutatthistimeofnight？\"saidthelibertinePeyrade，addressingMonsieurd’Hauteserre。
\"Often，\"saidthegoodman，simply。\"Monsieurlemairecantellyouthat。\"
\"Everybodyknowsshehasherfreaks，\"remarkedCatherine；\"shelookedattheskybeforeshewenttobed，andIthinktheglitterofyourbayonetsinthemoonlightpuzzledher。Shetoldmeshewantedtoknowiftherewasgoingtobeanotherrevolution。\"
\"Whendidshego？\"askedPeyrade。
\"Whenshesawyourguns。\"
\"Whichroaddidshetake？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"There’sanotherhorsemissing，\"saidCorentin。
\"Thegendarmes——tookit——awayfromme，\"saidGothard。
\"Wherewereyougoing？\"saidoneofthem。
\"Iwas——following——mymistresstothefarm，\"sobbedtheboy。
ThegendarmelookedtowardsCorentinasifexpectinganorder。ButGothard’sspeechwasevidentlysotrueandyetsofalse，soperfectlyinnocentandsoartfulthatthetwoParisiansagainlookedateachotherasiftoechoPeyrade’sformerwords:\"Theyarenotninnies。\"
Monsieurd’Hauteserreseemedincapableofaword；themayorwasbewildered；themother，imbecilefrommaternalfears，wasputtingquestionstothepoliceagentsthatwereidioticallyinnocent；theservantshadbeenrousedfromtheirsleep。Judgingbythesetriflingsigns，andthesediversecharacters，CorentincametotheconclusionthathisonlyrealadversarywasMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。Shrewdanddexterousasthepolicemaybe，theyarealwaysundercertaindisadvantages。Notonlyaretheyforcedtodiscoverallthatisknowntoaconspirator，buttheymustalsosupposeandtestagreatnumberofthingsbeforetheyhitupontherightone。Theconspiratorisalwaysthinkingofhisownsafety，whereasthepoliceisonlyondutyatcertainhours。Wereitnotfortreacheryandbetrayals，nothingwouldbeeasierthantoconspiresuccessfully。Theconspiratorhasmoremindconcentrateduponhimselfthanthepolicecanbringtobearwithallitsvastfacilitiesofaction。Findingthemselvesstoppedshortmorally，astheymightbephysicallybyadoorwhichtheyexpectedtofindopenbeingshutintheirfaces，CorentinandPeyradesawtheyweretrickedandmisled，withoutknowingbywhom。
\"Iassert，\"saidthecorporalofArcis，intheirear，\"thatifthefouryoungmensleptherelastnightitmusthavebeeninthebedsoftheirfatherandmother，andMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne，orthoseoftheservants；ortheymusthavespentthenightinthepark。Thereisnotatraceoftheirpresence。\"
\"Whocouldhavewarnedthem？\"saidCorentin，toPeyrade。\"NoonebuttheFirstConsul，Fouche，theministers，theprefectofpolice，andMalinknewanythingaboutit。\"
\"Wemustsetspiesintheneighborhood，\"whisperedPeyrade。
\"Andwatchthespies，\"saidtheabbe，whosmiledasheoverheardthewordandguessedall。
\"GoodGod！\"thoughtCorentin，replyingtotheabbe’ssmilewithoneofhisown；\"thereisbutoneintelligentbeinghere，——he’stheonetocometoanunderstandingwith；I’lltryhim。\"
\"Gentlemen——\"saidthemayor，anxioustogivesomeproofofdevotiontotheFirstConsulandaddressingthetwoagents。
\"Say’citizens’；theRepublicstillexists，\"interruptedCorentin，lookingatthepriestwithaquizzicalair。
\"Citizens，\"resumedthemayor，\"justasIenteredthissalonandbeforeIhadopenedmymouthCatherinerushedinandtookhermistress’shat，gloves，andwhip。\"
AlowmurmurofhorrorcamefromthebreastsofallthehouseholdexceptGothard。AlleyesbutthoseoftheagentandthegendarmeswereturnedthreateninglyonGoulard，theinformer，seemingtodartflamesathim。
\"Verygood，citizenmayor，\"saidPeyrade。\"Weseeitallplainly。Someone\"thiswithaglanceofevidentdistrustatCorentin\"warnedthecitizenessCinq-Cygneintime。\"
\"Corporal，handcuffthatboy，\"saidCorentin，tothegendarme，\"andtakehimawaybyhimself。Andshutupthatgirl，too，\"pointingtoCatherine。\"Asforyou，Peyrade，searchforpapers，\"addinginhisear，\"Ransackeverything，sparenothing——Monsieurl’abbe，\"hesaid，confidentially，\"Ihaveanimportantcommunicationtomaketoyou\"；
andhetookhimintothegarden。
\"Listentomeattentively，monsieur，\"hewenton；\"youseemtohavethemindofabishop，andnoonecanhearusyouwillunderstandme。
Ihavenolongeranyhopeexceptthroughyouofsavingthesefamilies，who，withthegreatestfolly，arelettingthemselvesrolldownaprecipicewherenoonecansavethem。TheMessieursSimeuseandd’Hauteserrehavebeenbetrayedbyoneofthoseinfamousspieswhomgovernmentsintroduceintoallconspiraciestolearntheirobjects，means，andmembers。Don’tconfoundme，Ibegofyou，withthewretchwhoiswithme。Hebelongstothepolice；butIamhonorablyattachedtotheConsularcabinet，Iamthereforebehindthescenes。TheruinoftheSimeusebrothersisnotdesired。ThoughMalinwouldliketoseethemshot，theFirstConsul，iftheyarehereandhavecomewithoutevilintentions，wishesthemtobewarnedoutofdanger，forhelikesgoodsoldiers。Theagentwhoaccompaniesmehasallthepowers，I，apparently，amnothing。ButIseeplainlywhatishatching。TheagentispledgedtoMalin，whohasdoubtlesspromisedhimhisinfluence，anoffice，andperhapsmoneyifhefindstheSimeusebrothersanddeliversthemup。TheFirstConsul，whoisareallygreatman，neverfavorsselfishschemes——Idon’twanttoknowifthoseyoungmenarehere，\"headded，quickly，observingtheabbe’sgesture，\"butIwishtotellyouthatthereisonlyonewaytosavethem。Youknowthelawofthe6thFloreal，yearX。，whichamnestiedallthe/emigres/whowerestillinforeigncountriesonconditionthattheyreturnedhomebeforethe1stVendemiaireoftheyearXI。，thatistosay，inSeptemberoflastyear。ButtheMessieursSimeusehaving，liketheMessieursd’Hauteserre，servedinthearmyofConde，theycomeintothecategoryofexceptionstothislaw。TheirpresenceinFranceisthereforecriminal，andsuffices，underthecircumstancesinwhichweare，tomakethemsuspectedofcollusioninahorribleplot。TheFirstConsulsawtheerrorofthisexceptionwhichhasmadeenemiesforhisgovernment，andhewishestheMessieursSimeusetoknowthatnostepswillbetakenagainstthem，iftheywillsendhimapetitionsayingthattheyhavere-enteredFranceintendingtosubmittothelaws，andagreeingtotakeoathtotheConstitution。Youcanunderstandthatthedocumentoughttobeinmyhandsbeforetheyarearrested，andbedatedsomedaysearlier。Iwouldthenbethebearerofit——Idonotaskyouwherethoseyoungmenare，\"hesaidagain，seeinganothergestureofdenialfromthepriest。\"Weare，unfortunately，sureoffindingthem；theforestisguarded，theentrancestoParisandthefrontiersareallwatched。Praylistentome；ifthesegentlemenarebetweentheforestandParistheymustbetaken；iftheyareinParistheywillbefound；iftheyretreattothefrontiertheywillstillbearrested。TheFirstConsullikesthe/ci-devants/，andcannotenduretherepublicans——simpleenough；ifhewantsathronehemustneedsstrangleLiberty。Keepthematterasecretbetweenus。ThisiswhatI
willdo；Iwillstayheretillto-morrowand/beblind/；butbewareoftheagent；thatcursedProvencalisthedevil’sownvalet；hehastheearofFouchejustasIhavethatoftheFirstConsul。\"
\"IftheMessieursSimeusearehere，\"saidtheabbe，\"Iwouldgivetenpintsofmybloodandmyrightarmtosavethem；butifMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneisinthesecretshehasnot——andthisIswearonmyeternalsalvation——betrayeditinanyway，neitherhasshedonemethehonortoconsultme。Iamnowverygladofherdiscretion，ifdiscretiontherebe。Weplayedcardslastnightasusual，atboston，inalmostcompletesilence，untilhalf-pastteno’clock，andweneithersawnorheardanything。Notachildcanpassthroughthissolitaryvalleywithoutthewholecommunityknowingit，andforthelasttwoweeksnoonehascomefromotherplaces。Nowthed’HauteserreandtheSimeusebrotherswouldmakeapartyoffour。Oldd’Hauteserreandhiswifehavesubmittedtothepresentgovernment，andtheyhavemadeallimaginableeffortstopersuadetheirsonstoreturntoFrance；theywrotetothemagainyesterday。Icanonlysay，uponmysoulandconscience，thatyourvisithasaloneshakenmyfirmbeliefthattheseyoungmenarelivinginGermany。Betweenourselves，thereisnoonehere，excepttheyoungcountess，whodoesnotdojusticetotheeminentqualitiesoftheFirstConsul。\"
\"Fox！\"thoughtCorentin。\"Well，ifthoseyoungmenareshot，\"hesaid，aloud；\"itisbecausetheirfriendshavewilledit——Iwashmyhandsoftheaffair。\"
Hehadledtheabbetoapartofthegardenwhichlayinthemoonlight，andashesaidthelastwordshelookedathimsuddenly。
Thepriestwasgreatlydistressed，buthismannerwasthatofamansurprisedandwhollyignorant。
\"Understandthis，monsieurl’abbe，\"resumedCorentin；\"therightoftheseyoungmentotheestateofGondrevillewillrenderthemdoublycriminalintheeyesofthemiddleclass。I’dliketoseethemputfaithinGodandnotinhissaints——\"
\"Istherereallyaplot？\"askedtheabbe，simply。
\"Base，odious，cowardly，andsocontrarytothegenerousspiritofthenation，\"repliedCorentin，\"thatitwillmeetwithuniversalopprobrium。\"
\"Well！MademoiselledeCinq-Cygneisincapableofbaseness，\"criedtheabbe。
\"Monsieurl’abbe，\"repliedCorentin，\"letmetellyouthis；thereisforusmeaningyouandmeproofpositiveofherguilt；butthereisnotenoughforthelaw。Youseeshetookflightwhenwecame；Isentthemayortowarnher。\"
\"Yes，butforonewhoissoanxioustosavethem，youfollowedrathercloselyonhisheels，\"saidtheabbe。
Atthosewordsthetwomenlookedateachother，andallwassaid。
Eachbelongedtothoseprofoundanatomistsofthoughttowhomamereinflexionofthevoice，alook，awordsufficestorevealasoul，justastheIndianstracktheirenemiesbysignsinvisibletoEuropeaneyes。
\"Iexpectedtodrawsomethingoutofhim，andIhaveonlybetrayedmyself，\"thoughtCorentin。
\"Ha！theslyrogue！\"thoughtthepriest。
MidnightrangfromtheoldchurchclockjustasCorentinandtheabbere-enteredthesalon。Theopeningandshuttingofdoorsandclosetscouldbeheardfromthebedroomsabove。Thegendarmespulledopenthebeds；Peyrade，withthequickperceptionofaspy，handledandsoundedeverything。Suchdesecrationexcitedbothfearandindignationamongthefaithfulservantsofthehouse，whostillstoodmotionlessaboutthesalon。Monsieurd’HauteserreexchangedlooksofcommiserationwithhiswifeandMademoiselleGoujet。Aspeciesofhorriblecuriositykepteveryoneonthequivive。Peyradeatlengthcamedown，holdinginhishandasandal-woodboxwhichhadprobablybeenbroughtfromChinabyAdmiraldeSimeuse。Thisprettycasketwasflatandaboutthesizeofaquartovolume。
PeyrademadeasigntoCorentinandtookhimintotheembrasureofawindow。
\"I’veanidea！\"hesaid，\"thatMichu，whowasreadytopayMarioneighthundredthousandfrancsingoldforGondreville，andwhoevidentlymeanttoshootMalinyesterday，isthemanwhoishelpingtheSimeusebrothers。HismotiveinthreateningMarionandaimingatMalinmustbethesame。IthoughtwhenIsawhimthathewascapableofideas；evidentlyhehasbutone；hediscoveredwhatwasgoingonandhemusthavecomeheretowarnthem。\"
\"ProbablyMalintalkedabouttheconspiracytohisfriendthenotary，andMichufromhisambushoverheardwhatwassaid，\"remarkedCorentin，continuingtheinductionsofhiscolleague。\"NodoubthehasonlypostponedhisshottopreventanevilhethinksworsethanthelossofGondreville。\"
\"Heknewwhatwewerethemomenthelaideyesonus，\"saidPeyrade。\"I
thoughtthenthathewasamazinglyintelligentforapeasant。\"
\"Thatprovesthatheisalwaysonhisguard，\"repliedCorentin。\"But，mindyou，myoldman，don’tletusmakeamistake。Treacherystinksinthenostrils，andprimitivefolksdoscentitfromafar。\"
\"Butthat’sourstrength，\"saidtheProvencal。
\"CallthecorporalofArcis，\"criedCorentintooneofthegendarmes。
\"IshallsendhimatoncetoMichu’shouse，\"headdedtoPeyrade。
\"Ourear，Violette，isthere，\"saidPeyrade。
\"Westartedwithoutgettingnewsfromhim。Twoofusarenotenough；
weoughttohavehadSabatierwithus——Corporal，\"hesaid，whenthegendarmeappeared，takinghimasidewithPeyrade，\"don’tletthemfoolyouastheydidtheTroyescorporaljustnow。WethinkMichuisinthisbusiness。Gotohishouse，putyoureyeoneverything，andbringwordoftheresult。\"
\"Oneofmymenheardhorsesintheforestjustastheyarrestedthelittlegroom；I’vefourfinefellowsnowonthetrackofwhoeverishidingthere，\"repliedthegendarme。
Helefttheroom，andthegallopofhishorsewhichechoedonthepavedcourtyarddiedrapidlyaway。
\"Onethingiscertain，\"saidCorentintohimself，\"eithertheyhavegonetoParisortheyareretreatingtoGermany。\"
Hesatdown，pulledanote-bookfromthepocketofhisspencer，wrotetwoordersinpencil，sealedthem，andmadeasigntooneofthegendarmestocometohim。
\"BeoffatfullgalloptoTroyes，wakeuptheprefect，andtellhimtostartthetelegraphassoonasthere’slightenough。\"
Thegendarmedeparted。ThemeaningofthismovementandCorentin’sintentionsweresoevidentthattheheartsofthehouseholdsankwithinthem；butthisnewanxietywasadditionaltoanotherthatwasnowmartyrizingthem；theireyeswerefixedonthesandal-woodbox！
Allthewhilethetwoagentsweretalkingtogethertheywereeachtakingnoteofthoseeagerlooks。Asortofcoldangerstirredtheunfeelingheartsofthesemenwhorelishedthepowerofinspiringterror。Thepolicemanhastheinstinctsandemotionsofahunter:butwheretheoneemployshispowersofmindandbodyinkillingahare，apartridge，oradeer，theotheristhinkingofsavingtheState，oraking，andofwinningalargereward。Sothehuntformenissuperiortotheotherclassofhuntingbyallthedistancethatthereisbetweenanimalsandhumanbeings。Moreover，aspyisforcedtoliftthepartheplaystothelevelandtheimportanceoftheintereststowhichheisbound。Withoutlookingfurtherintothiscalling，itiseasytoseethatthemanwhofollowsitputsasmuchpassionateardorintohischaseasanothermandoesintothepursuitofgame。Thereforethefurtherthesemenadvancedintheirinvestigationsthemoreeagertheybecame；buttheexpressionoftheirfacesandtheireyescontinuedcalmandcold，justastheirideas，theirsuspicions，andtheirplansremainedimpenetrable。Toanyonewhowatchedtheeffectsofthemoralscent，ifwemaysocallit，ofthesebloodhoundsonthetrackofhiddenfacts，andwhonotedandunderstoodthemovementsofcanineagilitywhichledthemtostrikethetruthintheirrapidexaminationofprobabilities，therewasinitallsomethingactuallyhorrifying。Howandwhyshouldmenofgeniusfallsolowwhenitwasintheirpowertobesohigh？Whatimperfection，whatvice，whatpassiondebasesthem？Doesamanbecomeapolice-agentashebecomesathinker，writer，statesmen，painter，general，ontheconditionofknowingnothingbuthowtospy，astheothersspeak，write，govern，paint，andfight？Theinhabitantsofthechateauhadbutonewish，——
thatthethunderboltsofheavenmightfalluponthesemiscreants；theywereathirstforvengeance；andhaditnotbeenforthepresence，uptothistime，ofthegendarmestherewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenanoutbreak。
\"Noone，Isuppose，hasthekeyofthisbox？\"saidthecynicalPeyrade，questioningthefamilyasmuchbythemovementofhishugerednoseasbyhiswords。
TheProvencalnoticed，notwithoutfear，thattheguardswerenolongerpresent；heandCorentinwerealonewiththefamily。Theyoungermandrewasmalldaggerfromhispocket，andbegantoforcethelockofthebox。Justthenthedesperategallopingofahorsewasheardupontheroadandthenuponthepavementbythelawn；butmosthorribleofallwasthefallandsighingoftheanimal，whichseemedtodropallatonceatthedoorofthemiddletower。AconvulsionlikethatwhichathunderboltmightproduceshookthespectatorswhenLaurence，thetrailingofwhoseriding-habitannouncedhercoming，enteredtheroom。Theservantshastilyformedintotwolinestoletherpass。
Inspiteofherrapidride，thegirlhadfeltthefullanguishthediscoveryoftheconspiracymustneedscauseher。Allherhopeswereoverthrown！shehadgallopedthroughruinsasherthoughtsturnedtothenecessityofsubmissiontotheConsulargovernment。Wereitnotforthedangerwhichthreatenedthefourgentlemen，andwhichservedasatonictoconquerherwearinessandherdespair，shewouldhavedroppedasleepontheway。Themarewasalmostkilledinherhastetoreachthechateau，andstandbetweenhercousinsanddeath。Asallpresentlookedattheheroicgirl，pale，herfeaturesdrawn，herveilaside，herwhipinherhand，standingonthethresholdofthedoor，whenceherburningglancegraspedthewholesceneandcomprehendedit，eachknewfromthealmostimperceptiblemotionwhichcrossedthesouredandbitteredfaceofCorentin，thattherealadversarieshadmet。Aterribleduelwasabouttobegin。
Noticingthebox，nowinthehandsofCorentin，thecountessraisedherwhipandsprangrapidlytowardshim。Strikinghishandswithsoviolentablowthatthecasketfelltotheground，sheseizedit，flungitintothemiddleofthefire，andstoodwithherbacktothechimneyinathreateningattitudebeforeeitheroftheagentsrecoveredfromtheirsurprise。Thescornwhichflamedfromhereyes，herpalebrow，herdisdainfullips，wereevenmoreinsultingthanthehaughtyactionwhichtreatedCorentinasthoughhewereavenomousreptile。Oldd’Hauteserrefelthimselfoncemoreacavalier；allhisbloodrushedtohisface，andhegrievedthathehadnosword。Theservantstrembledforaninstantwithjoy。Thevengeancetheyhadcalleddownuponthesemenhadcome。Buttheirjoywasdrivenbackwithintheirsoulsbyaterriblefear；thegendarmeswerestillheardcomingandgoinginthegarrets。
The/spy/——nounofstrength，underwhichallshadesofthepoliceareconfounded，forthepublichasneverchosentospecifyinlanguagethevarietiesofthosewhocomposethisdispensaryofsocialremediessoessentialtoallgovernments——thespyhasthiscuriousandmagnificentquality:heneverbecomesangry；hepossessestheChristianhumilityofapriest；hiseyesarestolidwithanindifferencewhichheholdsasabarrieragainsttheworldoffoolswhodonotunderstandhim；hisforeheadisadamantunderinsult；hepursueshisendslikeareptilewhosecarapaceisfracturedonlybyacannonball；butlikethatreptileheisallthemorefuriouswhentheblowdoesreachhim，becausehebelievedhisarmorinvulnerable。ThelashofthewhipuponhisfingerswastoCorentin，painapart，thecannonballthatcrackedtheshell。Comingfromthatmagnificentandnoblegirl，thisaction，emblematicofherdisgust，humiliatedhim，notonlyintheeyesofthepeopleabouthim，butinhisown。
Peyradesprangtothehearth，caughtLaurence’sfoot，raisedit，andcompelledher，outofmodesty，tothrowherselfonthesofa，whereshehadlatelylainasleep。Thescene，likeothercontrastsinhumanthings，wasburlesqueinthemidstofterror。Peyradescorchedhishandashedasheditintothefiretoseizethebox；buthegotit，threwitonthefloorandsatdownuponit。Theselittleactionsweredonewithgreatrapidityandwithoutawordbeinguttered。Corentin，recoveringfromthepainoftheblow，caughtMademoiselledeCinq-
Cygnebybothhands，andheldher。
\"Donotcompelmetouseforceagainstyou，\"hesaid，withwitheringpoliteness。
Peyrade’sactionhadextinguishedthefirebythenaturalprocessofsuppressingtheair。
\"Gendarmes！here！\"hecried，stilloccupyinghisridiculousposition。
\"Willyoupromisetobehaveyourself？\"saidCorentin，insolently，addressingLaurence，andpickinguphisdagger，butnotcommittingthegreatfaultofthreateningherwithit。
\"Thesecretsofthatboxdonotconcernthegovernment，\"sheanswered，withatingeofmelancholyinhertoneandmanner。\"Whenyouhavereadthelettersitcontainsyouwill，inspiteofyourinfamy，feelashamedofhavingreadthem——thatis，ifyoucanstillfeelshameatanything，\"sheadded，afterapause。
Theabbelookedatherasiftosay，\"ForGod’ssake，becalm！\"
Peyraderose。Thebottomofthebox，whichhadbeennearlyburnedthrough，leftamarkuponthefloor；thelidwasscorchedandthesidesgaveway。ThegrotesqueScaevola，whohadofferedtothegodofthePoliceandTerrortheseatofhisapricotbreeches，openedthetwosidesoftheboxasifithadbeenabook，andslidthreelettersandtwolocksofhairuponthecard-table。HewasabouttosmileatCorentinwhenheperceivedthatthelockswereoftwoshadesofgray。
CorentinreleasedMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne’shandsandwentuptothetabletoreadtheletterfromwhichthehairhadfallen。
Laurencerose，movedtothetablebesidethespies，andsaid:——\"Readitaloud；thatshallbeyourpunishment。\"
Asthetwomencontinuedtoreadtothemselves，sheherselfreadoutthefollowingwords:——
DearLaurence，——MyhusbandandIhaveheardofyournobleconductonthedayofourarrest。Weknowthatyouloveourdeartwinsasmuch，almost，aswelovethemourselves。Thereforeitiswithyouthatweleaveatokenwhichwillbebothpreciousandsadtothem。
Theexecutionerhascometocutourhair，forwearetodieinafewmoments；hehaspromisedtoputintoyourhandstheonlyremembranceweareabletoleavetoourbelovedorphans。Keeptheselastremainsofusandgivethemtooursonsinhappierdays。Wehavekissedtheselocksofhairandhavelaidourblessinguponthem。Ourlastthoughtwillbeofoursons，ofyou，andofGod。Lovethem，Laurence。
BerthedeCinq-Cygne。
JeandeSimeuse。
Tearscametotheeyesofallthehouseholdastheylistenedtotheletter。
Laurencelookedattheagentswithapetrifyingglanceandsaid，inafirmvoice:——
\"Youhavelesspitythantheexecutioner。\"
Corentinquietlyfoldedthehairintheletter，laidtheletterasideonthetable，andputaboxofcountersonthetopofitasiftopreventitsblowingaway。Hiscoolnessinthemidstofthegeneralemotionwashorrible。
Peyradeunfoldedtheotherletters。
\"Oh，asforthose，\"saidLaurence，\"theyareverymuchalike。Youhearthewill；youcannowhearofitsfulfilment。InfutureIshallhavenosecretsfromanyone。\"
1794，Andernach。Beforethebattle。
MydearLaurence，——Iloveyouforlife，andIwishyoutoknowit。
Butyououghtalsotoknow，incaseIdie，thatmybrother，Paul-
Marie，lovesyouasmuchasIloveyou。Myonlyconsolationindyingwouldbethethoughtthatyoumightsomedaymakemybrotheryourhusbandwithoutbeingforcedtoseemedieofjealousy——whichmustsurelyhappenif，bothofusbeingalive，youpreferredhimtome。Afterall，thatpreferenceseemsnatural，forheis，perhaps，moreworthyofyourlovethanI——
Marie-Paul。
\"Hereistheotherletter，\"shesaid，withthecolorinhercheeks。
Andernach。Beforethebattle。
MykindLaurence，——Myheartissad；butMarie-Paulhasagayernature，andwillpleaseyoumorethanIamabletodo。Somedayyouwillhavetochoosebetweenus——well，thoughIloveyoupassionately——
\"Youarecorrespondingwith/emigres/，\"saidPeyrade，interruptingLaurence，andholdingthelettersbetweenhimselfandthelighttoseeiftheycontainedbetweenthelinesanytreasonablewritingwithinvisibleink。
\"Yes，\"repliedLaurence，foldingthepreciousletters，thepaperofwhichwasalreadyyellowwithtime。\"Butbyvirtueofwhatrightdoyoupresumetoviolatemydwellingandmypersonalliberty？\"
\"Ah，that’sthepoint！\"criedPeyrade。\"Bywhatright，indeed！——itistimetoletyouknowit，beautifularistocrat，\"headded，takingawarrantfromhispocket，whichcamefromtheministerofjusticeandwascountersignedbytheministeroftheinterior。\"See，theauthoritieshavetheireyeuponyou。\"
\"Wemightalsoaskyou，\"saidCorentin，inherear，\"bywhatrightyouharborinthishousetheassassinsoftheFirstConsul。Youhaveappliedyourwhiptomyhandsinamannerthatauthorizesmetotakemyrevengeuponyourcousins，whomIcameheretosave。\"
AtthemeremovementofherlipsandtheglancewhichLaurencecastuponCorentin，theabbeguessedwhatthatgreatartistwassaying，andhemadeherasigntobedistrustful，whichnooneinterceptedbutGoulard。Peyradestruckthecoveroftheboxtoseeiftherewereadoubletop。
\"Don’tbreakit！\"sheexclaimed，takingthecoverfromhim。
Shetookapin，pushedtheheadofoneofthecarvedfigures，andthetwohalvesofthetop，joinedbyaspring，opened。InthehollowhalflayminiaturesoftheMessieursdeSimeuse，intheuniformofthearmyofConde，twoportraitsonivorydoneinGermany。Corentin，whofelthimselfinpresenceofanadversaryworthyofhisefforts，calledPeyradeasideintoacorneroftheroomandconferredwithhim。
\"Howcouldyouthrow/that/intothefire？\"saidtheabbe，speakingtoLaurenceandpointingtotheletterofthemarquisewhichenclosedthelocksofhair。
Forallanswertheyounggirlshruggedhershoulderssignificantly。
Theabbecomprehendedthenthatshehadmadethesacrificetomisleadtheagentsandgaintime；heraisedhiseyestoheavenwithagestureofadmiration。
\"WheredidtheyarrestGothard，whomIhearcrying？\"sheaskedhim，loudenoughtobeoverheard。
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidtheabbe。
\"Didhereachthefarm？\"
\"Thefarm！\"whisperedPeyradetoCorentin。\"Letussendthere。\"
\"No，\"saidCorentin；\"thatgirlnevertrustedhercousins’safetytoafarmer。Sheisplayingwithus。DoasItellyou，sothatwemayn’thavetoleaveherewithoutdetectingsomething，aftercommittingthegreatblunderofcominghereatall。\"
Corentinstationedhimselfbeforethefire，liftingthelongpointedskirtsofhiscoattowarmhimselfandassumingtheair，manner，andtoneofagentlemanwhowaspayingavisit。
\"Mesdames，youcangotobed，andtheservantsalso。Monsieurlemaire，yourservicesarenolongerneeded。Thesternnessofourordersdoesnotpermitustoactotherwisethanaswehavedone；butassoonasthewalls，whichseemtomeratherthick，havebeenthoroughlyexamined，weshalltakeourdeparture。\"
Themayorbowedtothecompanyandretired；butneithertheabbenorMademoiselleGoujetstirred。Theservantsweretoouneasynottowatchthefateoftheiryoungmistress。Madamed’Hauteserre，who，fromthemomentofLaurence’sentrance，hadstudiedherwiththeanxietyofamother，rose，tookherbythearm，ledheraside，andsaidinalowvoice，\"Haveyouseenthem？\"
\"DoyouthinkIcouldhaveletyoursonsbeunderthisroofwithoutyourknowingit？\"repliedLaurence。\"Durieu，\"sheadded，\"seeifitispossibletosavemypoorStella；sheisstillbreathing。\"
\"Shemusthavegoneagreatdistance，\"saidCorentin。
\"Fortymilesinthreehours，\"sheanswered，addressingtheabbe，whowatchedherwithamazement。\"Istartedathalf-pastnine，anditwaswellpastonewhenIreturned。\"
Shelookedattheclockwhichsaidhalf-pasttwo。
\"Soyoudon’tdenythatyouhaveriddenfortymiles？\"saidCorentin。
\"No，\"shesaid。\"Iadmitthatmycousins，intheirperfectinnocence，expectednottobeexcludedfromtheamnesty，andwereontheirwaytoCinq-Cygne。WhenIfoundthattheSieurMalinwasplottingtoinjurethem，IwenttowarnthemtoreturntoGermany，wheretheywillbebeforethetelegraphcanhaveguardedthefrontier。IfIhavedonewrongIshallbepunishedforit。\"
Thisanswer，whichLaurencehadcarefullyconsidered，wassoprobableinallitspartsthatCorentin’sconvictionswereshaken。Inthatdecisivemoment，wheneverysoulpresenthungsuspended，asitwere，onthefacesofthetwoadversaries，andalleyesturnedfromCorentintoLaurenceandfromLaurencetoCorentin，againthegallopofahorse，comingfromtheforest，resoundedontheroadandfromtherethroughthegatestothepavedcourtyard。Frightfulanxietywasstampedoneveryface。
Peyradeentered，hiseyesgleamingwithjoy。HewenthastilytoCorentinandsaid，loudenoughforthecountesstohearhim:\"WehavecaughtMichu。\"
Laurence，towhomtheagony，fatigue，andtensionofallherintellectualfacultieshadgivenanunusualcolor，turnedwhiteandfellbackalmostfaintingonachair。MadameDurieu，MademoiselleGoujet，andMadamed’Hauteserresprangtohelpher，forshewassuffocating。Shesignedtocutthefroggingofherhabit。
\"Duped！\"saidCorentintoPeyrade。\"IamcertainnowtheyareontheirwaytoParis。Changetheorders。\"
Theylefttheroomandthehouse，placingonegendarmeonguardatthedoorofthesalon。TheinfernalclevernessofthetwomenhadgainedaterribleadvantagebytakingLaurenceinthetrapofanotuncommontrick。
CHAPTERIX
FOILED
Atsixo’clockinthemorning，asdaywasdawning，CorentinandPeyradereturned。Havingexploredthecoveredwaytheyweresatisfiedthathorseshadpassedthroughittoreachtheforest。Theywerenowawaitingthereportofthecaptainofgendarmeriesenttoreconnoitretheneighborhood。Leavingthechateauinchargeofacorporal，theywenttothetavernatCinq-Cygnetogettheirbreakfast，givingordersthatGothard，whoneverceasedtoreplytoallquestionswithaburstoftears，shouldbesetatliberty，alsoCatherine，whostillcontinuedsilentandimmovable。CatherineandGothardwenttothesalontokissthehandsoftheirmistress，wholayexhaustedonthesofa；DurieualsowentintotellherthatStellawouldrecover，butneededgreatcare。
Themayor，uneasyandinquisitive，metPeyradeandCorentininthevillage。Hedeclaredthathecouldnotallowsuchimportantofficialstobreakfastinamiserabletavern，andhetookthemtohisownhouse。
Theabbeywasonlythreequartersofamiledistant。Ontheway，PeyraderemarkedthatthecorporalofArcishadsentnonewsofMichuorofViolette。
\"Wearedealingwithveryablepeople，\"saidCorentin；\"theyarestrongerthanwe。Thepriestnodoubthasafingerinallthis。\"
Justasthemayor’swifewasusheringherguestsintoavastdining-
roomwithoutanyfirethelieutenantofgendarmesarrivedwithananxiousair。
\"WemetthehorseofthecorporalofArcisintheforestwithouthismaster，\"hesaidtoPeyrade。
\"Lieutenant，\"criedCorentin，\"goinstantlytoMichu’shouseandfindoutwhatisgoingonthere。Theymusthavemurderedthecorporal。\"
Thisnewsinterferedwiththemayor’sbreakfast。CorentinandPeyradeswallowedtheirfoodwiththerapidityofhuntershaltingforameal，anddrovebacktothechateauintheirwickercarriage，soastobereadytostartatthefirstcallforanypointwheretheirpresencemightbenecessary。Whenthetwomenreappearedinthesalonintowhichtheyhadbroughtsuchtrouble，terror，grief，andanxiety，theyfoundLaurence，inadressing-gown，Monsieurd’Hauteserreandhiswife，theabbeandhissister，sittingroundthefire，toallappearancetranquil。
\"IftheyhadcaughtMichu，\"Laurencetoldherself，\"theywouldhavebroughthimwiththem。IhavethemortificationofknowingthatIwasnotthemistressofmyself，andthatIthrewsomelightuponthematterforthosewretches；buttheharmcanbeundone——Howlongarewetobeyourprisoners？\"sheaskedsarcastically，withaneasymanner。
\"HowcansheknowanythingaboutMichu？Noonefromtheoutsidehasgotnearthechateau；sheislaughingatus，\"saidthetwoagentstoeachotherbyalook。
\"Weshallnotinconvenienceyoulong，\"repliedCorentin。\"Inthreehoursfromnowweshallofferourregretsforhavingtroubledyoursolitude。\"
Noonereplied。ThiscontemptuoussilenceredoubledCorentin’sinwardrage。Laurenceandtheabbethetwomindsoftheirlittleworldhadtalkedthemanoveranddrawntheirconclusions。GothardandCatherinehadsetthebreakfast-tablenearthefireandtheabbeandhissisterweresharingthemeal。Neithermastersnorservantspaidtheslightestattentiontothetwospies，whowalkedupanddownthegarden，thecourtyardorthelawn，returningeverynowandthentothesalon。
Athalf-pasttwothelieutenantreappeared。
\"Ifoundthecorporal，\"hesaidtoCorentin，\"lyingintheroadwhichleadsfromthepavilionofCinq-CygnetothefarmatBellache。Hehasnowound，onlyabadcontusionofthehead，caused，apparently，byhisfall。Hetoldmehehadbeenliftedsuddenlyoffhishorseandflungsoviolentlytothegroundthathecouldnotdiscoverhowthethingwasdone。Hisfeetleftthestirrups，whichwaslucky，forhemighthavebeenkilledbythehorsedragginghim。WeputhiminchargeofMichuandViolette——\"
\"Michu！isMichuinhisownhouse？\"saidCorentin，glancingatLaurence。
Thecountesssmiledironically，likeawomanobtainingherrevenge。
\"HeisbargainingwithVioletteaboutthesaleofsomeland，\"saidthelieutenant。\"Theyseemedtomedrunk；andit’snowonder，fortheyhavebeendrinkingallnightanddiscussingthematter，andtheyhaven’tcometotermsyet。\"
\"DidViolettetellyouso？\"criedCorentin。
\"Yes，\"saidthelieutenant。
\"Nothingisrightifwedon’tattendtoitourselves！\"criedPeyrade，lookingatCorentin，whodoubtedthelieutenant’snewsasmuchastheotherdid。
\"AtwhathourdidyougettoMichu’shouse？\"askedCorentin，noticingthatthecountesshadglancedattheclock。
\"Abouttwo，\"repliedthelieutenant。
LaurencecoveredMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserreandtheabbeandhissisterinonecomprehensiveglance，whichmadethemfancytheywerewrappedinanazuremantle；triumphsparkledinhereyes，sheblushed，andthetearswelledupbeneathherlids。Strongunderallmisfortunes，thegirlknewnothowtoweepexceptfromjoy。Atthismomentshewasallglorious，especiallytothepriest，whowassometimesdistressedbythevirilityofhercharacter，andwhonowcaughtaglimpseoftheinfinitetendernessofherwoman’snature。Butsuchfeelingslayinhersoullikeatreasurehiddenatagreatdepthbeneathablockofgranite。