THEWAGER
SpeakoftheDevil。”whisperedLaFosseinmyear，and，movedbythewordsandbythesignificanceofhisglance，Iturnedinmychair。
Thedoorhadopened，andunderthelintelstoodthethick-setfigureoftheComtedeChatellerault。Beforehimalacqueyinmyescutcheonedliveryofred-and-goldwasreceiving，withbackobsequiouslybent，hishatandcloak。
Asuddenhushfellupontheassemblywhereamomentagothisverymanhadbeenthesubjectofourtalk，andsilencedwerethewitsthatbutaninstantsincehadbeenmakingfreewithhisnameandturningtheLanguedoccourtship-fromwhichhewasnewlyreturnedwiththeshameofdefeat-intoasubjectforheartlessmockeryandjest。SurprisewasintheairforwehadheardthatChatelleraultwascrushedbyhisill-fortuneinthelistsofCupid，andwehadnotlookedtoseehimjoiningsosoonaboardatwhich-orsoatleastIboasted-mirthpresided。
AndsoforalittlespacetheCountstoodpausingonmythreshold，whilstwecranedourneckstocontemplatehimasthoughhehadbeenanobjectforinquisitiveinspection。ThenasmotheredlaughfromthebrainlessLaFosseseemedtobreakthespell。Ifrowned。ItwasaclimaxofdiscourtesywhoseimpressionImustatallcostsefface。
Ileapttomyfeet，withasuddennessthatsentmychairglidingafullhalf-yardalongtheglimmeringparquetofthefloor，andintwostridesIhadreachedtheCountandputforthmyhandtobidhimwelcome。Hetookitwithaleisurelinessthatarguedsorrow。Headvancedintothefullblazeofthecandlelight，andfetchedadismalsighfromthedepthsofhisportlybulk。
“Youaresurprisedtoseeme，MonsieurleMarquis。”saidhe，andhistoneseemedtoconveyanapologyforhiscoming-forhisveryexistencealmost。
NowNaturehadmademyLordofChatelleraultasproudandarrogantasLucifer-someresemblancetowhichillustriouspersonagehisdowntroddenretainersweresaidtodetectinthelineamentsofhisswarthyface。EnvironmenthadaddedtothatstoreofinsolencewherewithNaturehadequippedhim，andtheKing’sfavour-inwhichhewasmyrival-hadgoneyetfurthertomouldthepeacockattributesofhisvainsoul。Sothatthiswondroushumbletoneofhisgavemepause;fortomeitseemedthatnotevenacourtshipgoneawrycouldaccountforitinsuchaman。
“Ihadnotthoughttofindsomanyhere。”saidhe。Andhisnextwordscontainedthecauseofhisdejectedair。“TheKing，MonsieurdeBardelys，hasrefusedtoseeme;andwhenthesunisgone，welesserbodiesofthecourtlyfirmamentmustneedsturnforlightandcomforttothemoon。”Andhemademeasweepingbow。
“MeaningthatIrulethenight？”quothI，andlaughed。“Thefigureismoreplayfulthanexact，forwhilstthemooniscoldandcheerless，meyoushallfindeverwarmandcordial。Icouldhavewished，MonsieurdeChatellerault，thatyourgracingmyboardwereduetoacircumstancelessuntowardthanHisMajesty’sdispleasure。”
“ItisnotfornothingthattheycallyoutheMagnificent。”heanswered，withafreshbow，insensibletothestinginthetailofmyhoneyedwords。
Ilaughed，and，settingcomplimentstorestwiththat，Iledhimtothetable。
“Ganymede，aplacehereforMonsieurleComte。Gilles，Antoine，seetoMonsieurdeChatellerault。Basile，wineforMonsieurleComte。Bestirthere！“
Inamomenthewasbecomethecentreofaveryturmoilofattention。
Mylacqueysflittedabouthimbuzzingandinsistentasbeesaboutarose。WouldMonsieurtasteofthiscaponalacasserole，orofthistruffledpeacock？Wouldasliceofthisjuicyhamal’anglaisetemptMonsieurleComte，orwouldhegivehimselfthepainoftryingthisturkeyauxolives？HerewasasaladwhosesecretMonsieurleMarquis’scookhadlearntinItaly，andhereavol-au-ventthatwasinventedbyQuelonhimself。
Basileurgedhiswinesuponhim，accompaniedbyapagewhoboreasilvertrayladenwithbeakersandWagons。WouldMonsieurleComtetakewhiteArmagnacorredAnjou？ThiswasaBurgundyofwhichMonsieurleMarquisthoughthighly，andthisadelicateLombardywinethatHisMajestyhadoftcommended。OrperhapsMonsieurdeChatelleraultwouldprefertotastethelastvintageofBardelys？
Andsotheyplaguedhimandbewilderedhimuntilhischoicewasmade;andeventhenacoupleofthemheldthemselvesinreadinessbehindhischairtoforestallhisslightestwant。Indeed，hadhebeentheveryKinghimself，nogreaterhonourcouldwehaveshownhimattheHoteldeBardelys。
Buttherestraintthathiscominghadbroughtwithithungstilluponthecompany，forChatelleraultwaslittleloved，andhispresencetherewasmuchasthatoftheskullatanEgyptianbanquet。
Forofallthesefair-weatherfriendsthatsataboutmytable-
amongstwhomtherewerefewthathadnotfelthispower——Ifearedtheremightbescarcelyonewouldhavethegracetodissemblehiscontemptofthefallenfavourite。Thathewasfallen，asmuchhiswordsaswhatalreadywehadknown，hadtoldus。
YetinmyhouseIwouldstrivethatheshouldhavenoforetasteofthatcoldnessthatto-morrowallPariswouldbeshowinghim，andtothisendIplayedthehostwithallthegraciousnessthatrolemaybear，andoverwhelmedhimwithmycordiality，whilsttothawallicinessfromthebearingofmyotherguests，Isetthewinestoflowmorefreelystill。Mydignitywouldpermitnolessofme，elsewouldithaveseemedthatIrejoicedinarival’sdownfallandtooksatisfactionfromthecircumstancethathisdisfavourwiththeKingwasliketoresultinmyownfurtherexaltation。
Myeffortswerenotwasted。Slowlythemellowinginfluenceofthegrapepronounceditself。TothisinfluenceIaddedthatofsuchwitasHeavenhasgracedmewith，andbyawordhereandanotherthereIsetmyselftolashtheirmoodbackintothejovialityoutofwhichhiscominghadforthemomentdrivenit。
Andso，presently，Good-Humourspreadhermantleoverusanew，andquipandjestandlaughterdeckedourspeech，untilthenoiseofourmerry-makingdriftingoutthroughtheopenwindowsmusthavebeenborneuponthebreezeofthatAugustnightdowntherueSaint-Dominique，acrosstheruedeI’Enfer，totheveryearsperhapsofthosewithintheLuxembourg，tellingthemthatBardelysandhisfriendskeptanotherofthoserevelswhichwerebecomeabywordinParis，andhadcontributednotalittletothesobriquetof“Magnificent“whichmengaveme。
But，later，asthetoastsgrewwildandwerepledgedlessforthesakeofthetoastedthanforthatofthewineitself，witsgrewmorebarbedandlessrestrainedbycaution;recklessnesshungamoment，likeabirdofprey，aboveus，thenswoopedabruptlydowninthewordsofthatfoolLaFosse。
“Messieurs。”helisped，withthatfatuousnessheaffected，andwithhiseyefixedcoldlyuponChatellerault，“Ihaveatoastforyou。”
Herosecarefullytohisfeet-hehadarrivedatthatconditioninwhichtomovewithcareisofthefirstimportance。HeshiftedhiseyefromtheCounttohisglass，whichstoodhalfempty。Hesignedtoalacqueytofillit。“Tothebrim，gentlemen。”hecommanded。
Then，inthesilencethatensued，heattemptedtostandwithonefootonthegroundandoneonhischair;butencounteringdifficultiesofbalance，heremainedupright-saferiflesspicturesque。
“Messieurs，Igiveyouthemostpeerless，themostbeautiful，themostdifficultandcoldladyinallFrance。Idrinktothoseherthousandgraces，ofwhichFamehastoldus，andtothatgreatestandmostvexingcharmofall-hercoldindifferencetoman。I
pledgeyou，too，theswainwhosegoodfortuneitmaybetoplayEndymiontothisDiana。
“Itwillneed。”pursuedLaFosse，whodealtmuchinmythologyandclassiclore-“itwillneedanAdonisinbeauty，aMarsinvalour，anApolloinsong，andaveryErosinlovetoaccomplishit。AndI
fearme。”hehiccoughed，“thatitwillgounaccomplished，sincetheonemaninallFranceonwhomwehasbasedourhopeshasfailed。
Gentlemen，toyourfeet！IgiveyouthematchlessRoxalannedeLavedan！“
SuchamusementasIfeltwastemperedbyapprehension。IshotaswiftglanceatChatelleraulttomarkhowhetookthispleasantryandthispledgingoftheladywhomtheKinghadsenthimtowoo，butwhomhehadfailedtowin。HehadrisenwiththeothersatLaFosse’sbidding，eitherunsuspiciousorelsedeemingsuspiciontooflimsyathingbywhichtosteerconduct。Yetatthementionofhernameascowldarkenedhisponderouscountenance。Hesetdownhisglasswithsuchsuddenforcethatitsslenderstemwassnappedandaredstreamofwinestreakedthewhitetableclothandspreadaroundasilverflowerbowl。Thesightofthatstainrecalledhimtohimselfandtothemannershehadallowedhimselfforamomenttoforget。
“Bardelys，athousandapologiesformyclumsiness。”hemuttered。
“Spiltwine。”Ilaughed，“isagoodomen。”
AndforonceIacceptedthatbelief，sincebutforthesheddingofthatwineanditssuddeneffectuponhim，itislikelywehadwitnessedasheddingofblood。Thus，wastheill-timedpleasantryofmyfeather-brainedLaFossetidedoverincomparativesafety。
Butthetopicbeingraisedwasnotsoeasilyabandoned。MademoiselledeLavedangrewtobeopenlydiscussed，andeventheCount’scourtshipofhercametobehintedat，atfirstvaguely，thenpointedly，withalackofdelicacyforwhichIcanbutblamethewinewithwhichthesegentlemenhadmadeasaladoftheirsenses。
IngrowingalarmIwatchedtheCount。Butheshowednofurthersignofirritation。Hesatandlistenedasthoughnojotconcerned。
Thereweremomentswhenheevensmiledatsomelivelysally，andatlasthewentsofarastojoininthatmerrycombatofwits，anddefendhimselffromtheirattacks，whichweremadewithagood-humourthatbutthinlyveiledthedislikehewasheldinandthesatisfactionthatwasculledfromhislatediscomfiture。
ForawhileIhungbackandtooknoshareinthebanterthatwastoward。Butintheend-luredperhapsbythespiritinwhichI
haveshownthatChatelleraultacceptedit，andlulledbythewinewhichincommonwithmyguestsImayhaveabused-Icametoutterwordsbutforwhichthisstoryneverhadbeenwritten。
“Chatellerault。”Ilaughed，“abandonthesedefensivesubterfuges;
confessthatyouarebututteringexcuses，andacknowledgethatyouhaveconductedthisaffairwithaclumsinessunpardonableinoneequippedwithyouradvantagesofcourtlyrearing。”
Aflushoverspreadhisface，thefirstsignofangersincehehadspilledhiswine。
“Yoursuccesses，Bardelys，renderyouvain，andofvanityispresumptionborn。”herepliedcontemptuously。
“See！“Icried，appealingtothecompany。“Observehowheseekstoevadereplying！Nay，butyoushallconfessyourclumsiness。”
“Aclumsiness。”murmuredLaFossedrowsily，“assignalasthatwhichattendedPan’swooingoftheQueenofLydia。”
“Ihavenoclumsinesstoconfess。”heansweredhotly，raisinghisvoice。“ItisafinethingtosithereinParis，amongthelanguid，dull，andnervelessbeautiesoftheCourt，whosefavoursareeasilywonbecausetheylookondallianceasthebestpastimeofferedthem，andareeagerforsuchopportunitiesofitasyoufleeringcoxcombswillaffordthem。ButthisMademoiselledeLavedanisofavastlydifferentmettle。Sheisawoman;notadoll。Sheisfleshandblood;notsawdust，powder，andvermilion。Shehasaheartandawill;notaspiritcorruptedbyvanityandlicence。”
LaFosseburstintoalaugh。
“Hark！O，hark！“hecried，“totheapostleofthechaste！“
“SaintGris！“exclaimedanother。“ThisgoodChatelleraulthaslostbothheartandheadtoher。”
Chatelleraultglancedatthespeakerwithaneyeinwhichangersmouldered。
“Youhavesaidit。”Iagreed。“Hehasfallenhervictim，andsohisvanitytranslatesherintoacompoundofperfections。Doessuchawomanasyouhavedescribedexist，Comte？Bah！Inalover’smind，perhaps，orinthepagesofsomecrack-brainedpoet’sfancies;butnowhereelseinthisdullworldofours。”
Hemadeagestureofimpatience。
“Youhavebeenclumsy，Chatellerault。”Iinsisted。
“Youhavelackedaddress。Thewomandoesnotlivethatisnottobewonbyanymanwhosetshismindtodoit，ifonlyhebeofherstationandhavethemeanstomaintainherinitorraisehertoabetter。Awoman’slove，sir，isatreewhoserootisvanity。
Yourattentionsflatterher，andpredisposehertocapitulate。
Then，ifyoubutwiselychooseyourtimetodelivertheattack，anddosowiththenecessaryadroitness——norisovermuchdemanded-
thebattleiswonwithease，andshesurrenders。Believeme，Chatellerault，Iamayoungermanthanyoubyfullfiveyears，yetinexperienceIamagenerationolder，andItalkofwhatIknow。”
Hesneeredheavily。“Iftohavebegunyourcareerofdallianceattheageofeighteenwithanamourthatresultedinascandalbeyourtitletoexperience，Iagree。”saidhe。“Butfortherest，Bardelys，forallyourfinetalkofconqueringwomen，believemewhenItellyouthatinallyourlifeyouhavenevermetawomanforIdenytheclaimoftheseCourtcreaturestothattitle。Ifyouwouldknowawoman，gotoLavedan，MonsieurleMarquis。Ifyouwouldhaveyourarmyofamorouswilessufferadefeatatlast，goemployitagainstthecitadelofRoxalannedeLavedan’sheart。Ifyouwouldbehumbledinyourpride，betakeyourselftoLavedan。”
“Achallenge！“roaredadozenvoices。“Achallenge，Bardelys！“
“Maisvoyons。”Ideprecated，withalaugh，“wouldyouhavemejourneyintoLanguedocandplayatwooingthisembodimentofallthemarvelsofwomanhoodforthesakeofmakinggoodmyargument？
Ofyourcharity，gentlemen，insistnofurther。”
“Thenever-failingexcuseoftheboaster。”sneeredChatellerault，“whendesiredtomakegoodhisboast。”
“MonsieurconceivesthatIhavemadeaboast？”quothI，keepingmytemper。
“Yourwordssuggestedone-elseIdonotknowthemeaningofwords。
TheysuggestedthatwhereIhavefailedyoucouldsucceed，ifyouhadamindtotry。Ihavechallengedyou，Bardelys。Ichallengeyouagain。Goaboutthiswooingasyouwill;dazzletheladywithyourwealthandyourmagnificence，withyourservants，yourhorses，yourequipages;andallthesplendoursyoucancommand;yetImakeboldtosaythatnotayearofyourscentedattentionsandmostinsidiouswileswillbearyoufruit。Areyousufficientlychallenged？”
“Butthisisrankfrenzy！“Iprotested。“WhyshouldIundertakethisthing？”
“Toprovemewrong。”hetauntedme。“Toprovemeclumsy。Come，Bardelys，whatofyourspirit？”
“IconfessIwoulddomuchtoaffordyoutheproofyouask。Buttotakeawife！Pardi！Thatismuchindeed！“
“Bah！“hesneered。“YoudowelltodrawbackYouarewisetoavoiddiscomfiture。Thisladyisnotforyou。Whensheiswon，itwillbebysomeboldandgallantgentleman，andbynomincingsquireofdames，nocourtlycoxcomb，nofopoftheLuxembourg，behisexperiencesofdallianceneversovast。”
“Po’CapdeDieu！“growledCazalet，whowasaGasconcaptainintheGuards，andwhosworestrange，southernoaths。“Up，Bardelys！
Afoot！Proveyourboldnessandyourgallantry，orlieforevershamed;asquireofdames，acourtlycoxcomb，afopoftheLuxembourg！Mordemondiou！Ihavegivenamanabellyfulofsteelforthehalfofthosetitles！“
“Iheededhimlittle，andaslittletheothernoisybabblers，whonowontheirfeet-thosethatcouldstand-werespurringmeexcitedlytoacceptthechallenge，untilfrombeingoneofthebaitersitseemedthatofasuddenthetableswereturnedandI
wasbecomethebaited。Isatinthought，revolvingthebusinessinmymind，andfranklylikingitbutlittle。Doubtsoftheissue，wereItoundertakeit，Ihadnone。
MyviewsoftheothersexwereneithermorenorlessthanmywordstotheCounthadbeencalculatedtoconvey。Itmaybe-IknownowthatitwasthatthewomenIhadknownfittedChatellerault’sdescription，andwerenotover-difficulttowin。Hence，suchsuccessesasIhadhadwiththeminsuchcomediesofloveasIhadbeenengageduponhadgivenmeafalseimpression。Butsuchatleastwasnotmyopinionthatnight。IwassatisfiedthatChatelleraulttalkedwildly，andthatnosuchwomanlivedashedepicted。Cynicalandsouredyoumayaccountme。SuchIknowI
wasaccountedinParis;amansatiatedwithallthatwealthandyouthandtheKing’sfavourcouldgivehim;strippedofillusions，offaithandofzest，theverymagnificence-soenvied-ofmyexistenceaffordingmemoredisgustthansatisfaction。SincealreadyIhadgaugeditsshallows。
Isitstrange，therefore，thatinthischallengeflungatmewithsuchinsistence，abusinessthatatfirstIdislikedgrewpresentlytobeckonmewithitsnoveltyandits，promiseofnewsensations？
“Isyourspiritdead，MonsieurdeBardelys？”Chatelleraultwasgibing，whenmysilencehadenduredsomemoments。“Isthecockthatlatelycrowedsolustilynowdumb？Lookyou，MonsieurleMarquis，youareaccountedherearecklessgamester。Willawagerinduceyoutothisundertaking？”
Ileapttomyfeetatthat。Hisderisioncutmelikeawhip。IfwhatIdidwastheactofabraggart，yetitalmostseemsIcoulddonolesstobolsterupmyformerboasting-orwhatintoboastingtheyhadtranslated。
“You’lllayawager，willyou，Chatellerault？”Icried，givinghimbackdefiancefordefiance。Abreathlesssilencefell。“Thenhaveitso。Listen，gentlemen，thatyoumaybewitnesses。IdoherepledgemycastleofBardelys，andmyestatesinPicardy，witheverystickandstoneandbladeofgrassthatstandsuponthem，thatI
shallwooandwinRoxalannedeLavedantobetheMarquiseofBardelys。Doesthestakesatisfyyou，MonsieurleComte？Youmaysetallyouhaveagainstit。”Iaddedcoarsely，“andyet，Iswear，theoddswillbeheavilyinyourfavour。”
IrememberitwasMironsacwhofirstfoundhistongue，andsoughtevenatthatlatehourtosetrestraintuponusandtobringjudgmenttoouraid。
“Messieurs，messieurs！“hebesoughtus。“InHeaven’sname，bethinkyouwhatyoudo。Bardelys，yourwagerisamadness。MonsieurdeChatellerault，you’llnotacceptit。You’ll-“
“Besilent。”Irebukedhim，withsomeasperity。“WhathasMonsieurdeChatelleraulttosay？”
HewasstaringatthetableclothandthestainofthewinethathehadspilledwhenfirstMademoiselledeLavedan’snamewasmentioned。
Hisheadhadbeenbentsothathislongblackhairhadtumbledforwardandpartlyveiledhisface。Atmyquestionhesuddenlylookedup。Theghostofasmilehungonhissensuouslips，forallthatexcitementhadpaledhiscountenancebeyonditshabit。
“MonsieurleMarquis。”saidherising，“Itakeyourwager，andI
pledgemylandsinNormandyagainstyoursofBardelys。Shouldyoulose，theywillnolongercallyoutheMagnificent;shouldIlose-Ishallbeabeggar。Itisamomentouswager，Bardelys，andspellsruinforoneofus。”
“Amadness！“groanedMironsac。
“Mordioux！“sworeCazalet。WhilstLaFosse，whohadbeentheoriginalcauseofallthistrouble，ventedhisexcitementinagibberofimbecilelaughter。
“Howlongdoyougiveme，Chatellerault？”Iasked，asquietlyasImight。
“Whattimeshallyourequire？”
“Ishouldpreferthatyounamethelimit。”Ianswered。
Heponderedamoment。Then“Willthreemonthssufficeyou？”heasked。
“Ifitisnotdoneinthreemonths，Iwillpay。”saidI。
AndthenChatelleraultdidwhatafterallwas，Isuppose，theonlythingthatagentlemanmightdounderthecircumstances。Herosetohisfeet，and，biddingthecompanychargetheirglasses，hegavethemapartingtoast。
“Messieurs，drinkwithmetoMonsieurleMarquisdeBardelys’ssafejourneyintoLanguedoc，andtotheprosperingofhisundertaking。”
Inanswer，agreatshoutwentupfromthroatsthatsuspensehadlatelyheldinleash。Menleaptontotheirchairs，and，holdingtheirglassesonhigh，theyacclaimedmeasthunderouslyasthoughIhadbeentheheroofsomenobleexploit，insteadofthemainfigureinasomewhatquestionablewager。
“Bardelys！“wastheshoutwithwhichthehousereechoed。“Bardelys！
BardelystheMagnificent！ViveBardelys！“
CHAPTERII
THEKING’SWISHES
Itwasdaybreakerethelastofthemhadleftme，foradozenorsohadlingeredtoplaylansquenetaftertheothershaddeparted。Withthosethatremainedmywagerhadsoonfadedintoinsignificance，astheirmindsbecameengrossedinthefluctuationsoftheirownfortunes。
Ididnotplaymyself;Iwasnotinthemood，andforonenight，atleast，ofsufficientweightalreadyIthoughtthegameuponwhichI
waslaunched。
Iwasoutonthebalconyasthefirstlinesofdawnwerescoringtheeast，andinamoody，thoughtfulconditionIhadrivetedmyeyesuponthepalaceoftheLuxembourg，whichloomedablackpileagainstthelighteningsky，，whenMironsaccameouttojoinme。Agentle，lovableladwasMironsac，nottwentyyearsofage，andwiththefaceandmannersofawoman。ThathewasattachedtomeIknew。
`MonsieurleMarquis。”saidhesoftly，“Iamdesolatedatthiswagerintowhichtheyhaveforcedyou。”
“Forcedme？”Iechoed。“No，no;theydidnotforceme。Andyet。”
Ireflected，withasigh，“perhapstheydid。”
“Ihavebeenthinking，monsieur，thatiftheKingweretohearofittheevilmightbemended。”
“ButtheKingmustnothearofit，Armand。”Iansweredquickly。
“Evenifhedid，matterswouldbenobetter-muchworse，possibly。”
“But，monsieur，thisthingdoneintheheatofwine-“
“Isnonethelessdone，Armand。”Iconcluded。“AndIforonedonotwishitundone。”
“Buthaveyounothoughtforthelady？”hecried。
Ilaughedathim。“WereIstilleighteen，boy，thethoughtmighttroubleme。HadImyillusions，ImightimaginethatmywifemustbesomewomanofwhomIshouldbeenamoured。Asitis，Ihavegrowntotheageoftwenty-eightunwed。Marriagebecomesdesirable。I
mustthinkofanheirtoallthewealthofBardelys。AndsoIgotoLanguedoc。IftheladybebuthalfthesaintthatfoolChatelleraulthaspaintedher，somuchthebetterformychildren;
ifnot，somuchtheworse。Thereisthedawn，Mironsac，anditistimewewereabed。Letusdrivetheseplaguygamestershome。”
Whenthelastofthemhadstaggereddownmysteps，andIhadbiddenadrowsylacqueyextinguishthecandles，IcalledGanymedetolightmetobedandaidmetoundress。HistruenamewasRodenard;butmyfriendLaFosse，ofmythologicalfancy，hadnamedhimGanymede，afterthecup-bearerofthegods，andthenamehadclungtohim。
Hewasamanofsomefortyyearsofage，bornintomyfather’sservice，andsincebecomemyintendant，factotum，majordomo，andgeneralissimoofmyregimentofservantsandmyestablishmentsbothinParisandatBardelys。
WehadbeentothewarstogetherereIhadcutmywisdomteeth，andthushadhecometoloveme。Therewasnothingthisinvaluableservantcouldnotdo。Atbaitingorshoeingahorse，athealingawound，atroastingacapon，oratmendingadoublet，hewasalikeamaster，besidespossessingascoreofotheraccomplishmentsthatdonotnowoccurtome，whichinhiscampaigninghehadacquired。
OflatetheeasylifeinParishadmadehiminclinetocorpulency，andhisfacewasofapale，unhealthyfullness。
To-night，asheassistedmetoundress，itworeanexpressionofsupremewoe。
“MonseigneurisgoingintoLanguedoc？”heinquiredsorrowfully。
Healwayscalledmehis“seigneur。”asdidtheotherofmyservantsbornatBardelys。
“Knave，youhavebeenlistening。”saidI。
“But，monseigneur。”heexplained，“whenMonsieurleComtedeChatelleraultlaidhiswager-“
“AndhaveInottoldyou，Ganymede，thatwhenyouchancetobeamongmyfriendsyoushouldhearnothingbutthewordsaddressedtoyou，seenothingbuttheglassesthatneedreplenishing？But，there！WearegoingintoLanguedoc。Whatofit？”
“Theysaythatwarmaybreakoutatanymoment。”hegroaned;“thatMonsieurleDucdeMontmorencyisreceivingreenforcementsfromSpain，andthatheintendstoupholdthestandardofMonsieurandtherightsoftheprovinceagainsttheencroachmentsofHisEminencetheCardinal。”
“So！Wearebecomingpoliticians，eh，Ganymede？Andhowshallallthisconcernus？Hadyoulistenedmoreattentively，youhadlearntthatwegotoLanguedoctoseekawife，andnottoconcernourselveswithCardinalsandDukes。Nowletmesleeperethesunrises。”
OnthemorrowIattendedthelevee，andIappliedtoHisMajestyforleavetoabsentmyself。ButuponhearingthatitwasintoLanguedocIwent，hefrownedinquiry。Troubleenoughwashisbrotheralreadymakinginthatprovince。IexplainedthatIwenttoseekawife，anddeemingallsubterfugedangerous，sinceitmightonlyservetoprovokehimwhenlaterhecametolearnthelady’sname，Itoldhim-withholdingyetallmentionofthewager-thatIfosteredthehopeofmakingMademoiselledeLavedanmymarquise。
Deepercamethelinebetweenhisbrowsatthat，andblackergrewthescowl。HewasnotwonttobestowonmesuchlooksasInowmetinhiswearyeyes，forLouisXIIIhadmuchaffectionforme。
“Youknowthislady？”hedemandedsharply。
“Onlybyname，YourMajesty。”
Atthathisbrowswentupinastonishment。
“Onlybyname？Andyouwouldwedher？But，Marcel，myfriend，youarearichmanoneoftherichestinFrance。Youcannotbeafortunehunter。”
“Sire。”Ianswered，“Famesingsloudlythepraisesofthislady，herbeautyandhervirtue-praisesthatleadmetoopineshewouldmakemeanexcellentchatelaine。Iamcometoanagewhenitiswelltowed;indeed，YourMajestyhasoftentoldmeso。AnditseemstomethatallFrancedoesnotholdaladymoredesirable。
Heavensendshewillagreetomysuit！“
Inthattiredwayofhisthatwassopathetic:“Doyoulovemealittle，Marcel？”heasked。
“Sire。”Iexclaimed，wonderingwhitherallthiswasleadingus，“needIprotestit？”
“No。”heanswereddryly;“youcanproveit。ProveitbyabandoningthisLanguedocquest。Ihavemotives-soundmotives，motivesofpoliticalimport。IdesireanotherweddingforMademoiselledeLavedan。Iwishitso，Bardelys，andIlooktobeobeyed。”
Foramomenttemptationhadmebythethroat。Herewasanunlooked-forchancetoshakefrommeabusinesswhichreflectionwasalreadyrenderingodious。Ihadbuttocalltogethermyfriendsofyesternight，andwiththemtheComtedeChatellerault，andinformthemthatbytheKingwasIforbiddentogoawooingRoxalannedeLavedan。Soshouldmywagerbedissolved。AndtheninaflashIsawhowtheywouldsneeroneandall，andhowtheywouldthinkthatIhadcaughtavidlyatthisopportunityoffreeingmyselffromanundertakingintowhichaboastfulmoodhadluredme。Thefearofthatsweptasidemymomentaryhesitation。
“Sire。”Ianswered，bendingmyheadcontritely，“Iamdesolatedthatmyinclinationsshouldruncountertoyourwishes，buttoyourwontedkindnessandclemencyImustlookforforgivenessifthesesameinclinationsdrivemesorelentlesslythatImaynotnowturnback。”
Hecaughtme。viciouslybythearm，andlookedsharplyintomyface。
“Youdefyme，Bardelys？”heasked，inavoiceofanger。
“Godforbid，Sire！“Iansweredquickly。“Idobutpursuemydestiny。”
Hetookaturninsilence，likeamanwhoismasteringhimselfbeforehewillspeak。Manyaneye，Iknew，wasuponus，andnotafewmayhavebeenmarvellingwhetheralreadyBardelyswereabouttosharethefatethatyesterdayhadovertakenhisrivalChatellerault。Atlasthehaltedatmysideagain。
“Marcel。”saidhe，butthoughheusedthatnamehisvoicewasharsh，“gohomeandponderwhatIhavesaid。Ifyouvaluemyfavour，ifyoudesiremylove，youwillabandonthisjourneyandthesuityoucontemplate。If，ontheotherhand，youpersistingoing-youneednotreturn。TheCourtofFrancehasnoroomforgentlemenwhoarebutlip-servers，noplaceforcourtierswhodisobeytheirKing。”
Thatwashislastword。Hewaitedfornoreply，butswungroundonhisheel，andaninstantlaterIbeheldhimdeepinconversationwiththeDukeofSaint-Simon。Ofsuchaqualityistheloveofprinces-vain，capricious，andwilful。Indulgeiteverandatanycost，elseyouforfeitit。
Iturnedawaywithasigh，forinspiteofallhisweaknessesandmeannessesIlovedthiscardinal-riddenking，andwouldhavediedforhimhadtheneedoccurred，aswellheknew。Butinthismatter-well，Iaccountedmyhonourinvolved，andtherewasnownoturningbacksavebythepaymentofmywagerandtheacknowledgmentofdefeat。
CHAPTERIII
RENEDELESPERON
ThatverydayIsetout。ForsincetheKingwasopposedtotheaffair，andknowingthedrasticmeasuresbywhichhewaswonttoenforcewhathedesired，IrealizedthatdidIlingerhemightfindawaydefinitelytopreventmygoing。
Itravelledinacoach，attendedbytwolacqueysandascoreofmen-at-armsinmyownlivery，allcommandedbyGanymede。Myintendanthimselfcameinanothercoachwithmywardrobeandtravellingnecessaries。WewereafineandalmostregalcortegeaswepasseddowntheruedeI’EnferandquittedParisbytheOrleansgate，takingtheroadsouth。Sofineacortege，indeed，thatitenteredmymind。HisMajestywouldcometohearofit，and，knowingmydestination，sendaftermetobringmeback。Toevadesuchapossibility，Iorderedadivergencetobemade，andwestruckeastandintoTouraine。AtPont-le-Duc，nearTours，IhadacousinintheVicomted’Amaral，andathischateauI
arrivedonthethirddayafterquittingParis。
Sincethatwasthelastplacewheretheywouldseekme，iftoseekmetheywereinclined，Ielectedtoremainmycousin’sguestforfifteendays。AndwhilstIwastherewehadnewsoftroubleintheSouthandofarisinginLanguedocundertheDucdeMontmorency。
ThuswasitthatwhenIcametotakemyleaveofAmaral，he，knowingthatLanguedocwasmydestination，soughtardentlytokeepmewithhimuntilweshouldlearnthatpeaceandorderwererestoredintheprovince。ButIheldthetroublelightly，andinsistedupongoing。
Resolutely，then，ifbyslowstages，wepursuedourjourney，andcameatlasttoMontauban。TherewelayanightattheAubergedeNavarre，intendingtopushontoLavedanuponthemorrow。MyfatherhadbeenonmorethanfriendlytermswiththeVicomtedeLavedan，anduponthisIbuiltmyhopesofacordialwelcomeandaninvitationtodelayforafewdaysthejourneytoToulouse，uponwhichIshouldrepresentmyselfasbound。
Thus，then，stoodmyplans。AndtheyremainedunalteredforallthatuponthemorrowtherewerewildrumoursintheairofMontauban。
ThereweretellingsofabattlefoughtthedaybeforeatCastelnaudary，ofthedefeatofMonsieur’spartisans，oftheutterroutofGonzalodeCordova’sSpanishtatterdemalions，andofthecaptureofMontmorency，whowassorelywounded-somesaidwithtwentyandsomewiththirtywounds-andlittleliketolive。
SorrowanddiscontentstalkedabroadinLanguedocthatday，fortheybelievedthatitwasagainsttheCardinal，whosoughttostripthemofsomanyprivileges;，thatGastond’Orleanshadsetuphisstandard。
Thatthoserumoursofbattleanddefeatweretruewehadampleproofsomefewhourslater，whenacompanyofdragoonsinbuffandsteelrodeintothecourtyardoftheAubergedeNavarre，headedbyayoungsparkofanofficer，whoconfirmedtherumourandsetthenumberofMontmorency’swoundsatseventeen。Hewaslying，theofficertoldus，atCastelnaudary，andhisduchesswashasteningtohimfromBeziers。Poorwoman！ShewasdestinedtonursehimbacktolifeandvigouronlythathemighttakehistrialatToulouseandpaywithhisheadthepriceofhisrebellion。
Ganymedewho，throughtheluxurioushabitsofhismorerecentyearshad-forallhisfineswagger-developedamarkeddistasteforwarfareandexcitement，besoughtmetotakethoughtformysafetyandtoliequietlyatMontaubanuntiltheprovinceshouldbemoresettled。
“Theplaceisahotbedofrebellion。”heurged。“IftheseChouansbutlearnthatwearefromParisandoftheKing’sparty，weshallhaveourthroatsslit，asIlive。Thereisnotapeasantinallthiscountrysideindeed，scarceamanofanysortbutisared-hotOrlanist，anti-Cardinalist，andfriendoftheDevil。Bethinkyou，monseigneur！topushonatthepresentistocourtmurder。”
“Why，then，wewillcourtmurder。”saidIcoldly。“Givethewordtosaddle。”
IaskedhimatthemomentofsettingoutdidheknowtheroadtoLavedan，towhichthelyingpoltroonmadeanswerthathedid。Inhisyouthhemayhaveknownit，andthecountrysidemayhaveundergonesincethensuchchangesasbewilderedhim。Oritmaybethatfeardulledhiswits，andluredhimintotakingwhatmayhaveseemedthesaferratherthanthelikelierroad。ButthisIknow，thatasnightwasfallingmycarriagehaltedwithalurch，andasIputforthmyheadIwasconfrontedbymytremblingintendant，hisgreatfatfacegleamingwhitelyinthegloomabovethelawncollaronhisdoublet。
“Whydowehalt，Ganymede？”quothI。
“Monseigneur。”hefaltered，histremblingincreasingashespoke，andhiseyesmeetingmineinalookofpitifulcontrition，“Ifearwearelost。”
“Lost？”Iechoed。“Ofwhatdoyoutalk？AmItosleepinthecoach？”
“Alas，monseigneur，Ihavedonemybest-“
“Why，then，Godkeepusfromyourworst。”Isnapped。“Openmethisdoor。”
Isteppeddownandlookedaboutme，and，bymyfaith，amoredesolatespottoloseusinmyhenchmancouldnothavecontrivedhadhebeenatpainstodoso。Ableak，barrenlandscape-suchasIcouldhardlyhavecreditedwastobefoundinallthatfairprovince-
unfoldeditself，lookingnowmorebleak，perhaps，byvirtueofthedimeveningmistthathoveredoverit。Yonder，totheright，adullrussetpatchofskymarkedthewest，andtheninfrontofusImadeoutthehazyoutlineofthePyrenees。Atsightofthem，Iswungroundandgrippedmyhenchmanbytheshoulder。
“Afinetrustyservantthou！“Icried。“Boaster！Hadyoutoldusthatageandfatlivinghadsostunted，yourwitsastohaveextinguishedmemory，IhadtakenaguideatMontaubantoshowustheway。Yet，here，withthesunandthePyreneestoguideyou，evenhadyounootherknowledge，youloseyourself！“
“Monseigneur。”hewhimpered，“Iwaschoosingmywaybythesunandthemountains，anditwasthusthatIcametothisimpasse。Foryoumaysee，yourself，thattheroadendshereabruptly。”。
“Ganymede。”saidIslowly，“whenwereturntoParis-ifyoudonotdieoffright’twixtthisandthen-I’llfindaplaceforyouinthekitchens。Godsendyoumaymakeabetterscullionthanafollower！“Then，vaultingoverthewall，“Attendme，somehalf-dozenofyou。”Icommanded，andsteppedoutbrisklytowardsthebarn。
Astheweather-beatenolddoorcreakeduponitsrustyhinges，weweregreetedbyagroanfromwithin，andwithitthesoftrustleofstrawthatisbeingmoved。Surprised，Ihalted，andwaitedwhilstoneofmymenkindledalightinthelanthornthathecarried。
Byitsrayswebeheldapitiablesightinacornerofthatbuilding。
Aman，quiteyoungandofatallandvigorousframe，laystretcheduponthestraw。Hewasfullydressedeventohisgreatriding-boots，andfromtheloosemannerinwhichhisback-and-breasthungnowuponhim，itwouldseemasifhehadbeenmakingshifttodivesthimselfofhisarmour，buthadlackedthestrengthtocompletethetask。
Besidehimlayafeatheredheadpieceandaswordattachedtoarichlybroideredbaldrick。Allabouthimthestrawwasclottedwithbrown，viscouspatchesofblood。Thedoubletwhichhadbeenofsky-bluevelvetwasallsoddenandstained，andinspectionshowedusthathehadbeenwoundedintherightside，betweenthestrapsofhisbreastplate。
Aswestoodabouthimnow，asilent，pityinggroup，appearingfantastic，perhaps，bythedimlightofthatsinglelanthorn，heattemptedtoraisehishead，andthenwithagroanhedroppeditbackuponthestrawthatpillowedit。Fromoutofafacewhite，asindeath，anddrawnwithhaggardlinesofpain，apairofgreatlustrousblueeyeswereturneduponus，abjectandpitifulasthegazeofadumbbeastthatisstrickenmortally。
Itneedednoacutenesstoapprehendthatwehadbeforeusoneofyesterday’sdefeatedwarriors;onewhohadspenthislaststrengthincreepinghithertogethisdyingdoneinpeace。Lestourpresenceshouldaddfeartotheagonyalreadyuponhim，Ikneltbesidehimintheblood-smearedstraw，and，raisinghishead，I
pillowedituponmyarm。
“Havenofear。”saidIreassuringly。“Wearefriends。Doyouunderstand？”
Thefaintsmilethatplayedforasecondonhislipsandlightedhiscountenancewouldhavetoldmethathe;understood，evenhadI
notcaughthiswords，faintasasigh“Merci，monsieur。”Henestledhisheadintothecrookofmyarm。“Water-fortheloveofGod！“hegasped，toaddinagroan，“Jememeurs，monsieur。”
Assistedbyacoupleofknaves，Ganymedewentaboutattendingtotherebelatonce。Handlinghimascarefullyasmightbe，toavoidgivinghimunnecessarypaintheyremovedhisback-and-breast，whichwasflungwithaclatterintooneofthecornersofthebarn。Then，whilstoneofthemgentlydrewoffhisboots，Rodenard，withthelanthornclosebesidehim，cutawaythefellow’sdoublet，andlaidbaretheoozingsword-woundthatgapedinhismangledside。HewhisperedanordertoGilles，whowentswiftlyofftothecoachinquestofsomethingthathehadaskedfor;thenhesatonhisheelsandwaited，hishandupontheman’spulse，hiseyesonhisface。
Istoopeduntilmylipswereonalevelwithmyintendant’sear。
“Howis，itwithhim？”Iinquired。
“Dying。”whisperedRodenardinanswer。“Hehaslosttoomuchblood，andheisprobablybleedinginwardlyaswell。Thereisnohopeofhislife，buthemaylingerthussomelittlewhile，sinkinggradually，andwecanatleastmitigatethesufferingofhislastmoments。”
WhenpresentlythemenreturnedwiththethingsthatGanymedehadaskedfor，hemixedsomepungentliquidwithwater，and，whilstaservantheldthebowl，hecarefullyspongedtherebel’swound。Thisandacordialthathehadgivenhimtodrinkseemedtorevivehimandtoaffordhimease。Hisbreathingwasnolongermarkedbyanyraspingsound，andhiseyesseemedtoburnmoreintelligently。
“Iamdying-isitnotso？”heasked，andGanymedebowedhisheadinsilence。Thepoorfellowsighed。“Raiseme。”hebegged，andwhenthisservicehadbeendonehim，hiseyeswanderedrounduntiltheyfoundme。Then“Monsieur。”hesaid，“willyoudomealastfavour？”
“Assuredly，mypoorfriend。”Ianswered，goingdownonmykneesbesidehim。
“You-youwerenotfortheDuke？”heinquired，eyeingmemorekeenly。
“No，monsieur。Butdonotletthatdisturbyou;IhavenointerestinthisrisingandIhavetakennoside。IamfromParis，onajourneyof-ofpleasure。MynameisBardelys-MarceldeBardelys。”
“BardelystheMagnificent？”hequestioned，andIcouldnotrepressasmile。
“Iamthatoverratedman。”
“ButthenyouarefortheKing！“Andanoteofdisappointmentcreptintohisvoice。BeforeIcouldmakehimanyanswer，hehadresumed。
“Nomatter:MarceldeBardelysisagentleman，andpartysignifieslittlewhenamanisdying。IamRenedeLesperon，ofLesperoninGascony。”hepursued。“Willyousendwordtomysisterafterwards？”
Ibowedmyheadwithoutspeaking。
“SheistheonlyrelativeIhave，monsieur。But-andhistonegrewwistful-“thereisoneothertowhomIwouldhaveyoubearamessage。”Heraisedhishandbyapainfulefforttothelevelofhisbreast。Strengthfailedhim，andhesankback。“Icannot，monsieur。”hesaidinatoneofpatheticapology。“See;thereisachainaboutmyneckwithalocket。Takeitfromme。Takeitnow，monsieur。Therearesomepapersalso，monsieur。Takeall。Iwanttoseethemsafelyinyourkeeping。”
Ididhisbidding，andfromthebreastofhisdoubletIdrewsomelooselettersandalocketwhichheldtheminiatureofawoman’sface。
“Iwantyoutodeliveralltoher，monsieur。”
“Itshallbedone。”Ianswered，deeplymoved。
“Holdit-holditup。”hebegged，hisvoiceweakening。“Letmebeholdtheface。”
LonghiseyesrestedonthelikenessIheldbeforehim。Atlast，asoneinadream-
“Well-beloved。”hesighed。“Bienaimee！“Anddownhisgrey，haggardcheeksthetearscameslowly。“Forgivethisweakness，monsieur。”hewhisperedbrokenly。“Weweretohavebeenwedinamonth，hadIlived。”Heendedwithasob，andwhennexthespokeitwasmorelabouredly，asthoughthatsobhadrobbedhimofthehalfofwhatvitalityremained。“Telher，monsieur，thatmydyingthoughtswereofher。Tell-tellher-I-“
“Heyname？”Icried，fearinghewouldsinkbeforeIlearnedit。
“Tellmehername。”
Helookedatmewitheyesthatweregrowingglassyandvacant。Thenheseemedtobracehimselfandtorallyforasecond。
“Hername？”hemused，inafar-offmanner。“Sheis-Ma-de-moisellede-“
Hisheadrolledonthesuddenlyrelaxedneck。HecollapsedintoRodenard’sarms。
“Ishedead？”Iasked。
Rodenardnoddedinsilence。
CHAPTERIV
AMAIDINTHEMOONLIGHT
IdonotknowwhetheritwastheinfluenceofthatthinglyinginacornerofthebarnunderthecloakthatRodenardhadflungoverit，orwhetherotherinfluencesofdestinywereatworktoimpelmetoriseattheendofahalf-hourandannouncemydeterminationtosetoutonhorsebackandfindmyselfquartersmorecongenial。
“To-morrow。”IinstructedGanymede，asIstoodreadytomount，“youwillretraceyourstepswiththeothers，and，findingtheroadtoLavedan，youwillfollowmetothechateau。”
“Butyoucannothopetoreachitto-night，monseigneur，throughacountrythatisunknowntoyou。”heprotested。
“Idonothopetoreachitto-night。IwillridesouthuntilIcomeuponsomehamletthatwillaffordmeshelterand，inthemorning，direction。”
Ilefthimwiththat，andsetoutatabrisktrot。Nighthadnowfallen，buttheskywasclear，andacrescentmooncameopportunelyiffeeblytodispelthegloom。
Iquittedthefield，andwentbackuntilIgainedacrossroad，where，turningtotheright，IsetmyfacetothePyrenees，androdebrisklyamain。ThatIhadchosenwiselywasprovedwhensometwentyminuteslaterIclatteredintothehamletofMirepoix，anddrewupbeforeaninnflauntingthesignofapeacock-asifinironyofitshumbleness，foritwasnobetterthanawaysidetavern。Neitherstable-boynorostlerwashere，andtheunclean，overgrownurchintowhomIentrustedmyhorsecouldnotsaywhether，indeedPereAbdonthelandlord，wouldbeabletofindmearoomtosleepin。I
thirsted，however;andsoIdeterminedtoalight，ifitwereonlytodrinkacanofwineandobtaininformationofmywhereabouts。
AsIwasenteringthehostelrytherewasaclatterofhoofsinthestreet，andfourdragoonsheadedbyasergeantrodeupandhaltedatthedoorofthePaon。Theyseemedtohaveriddenhardandsomedistance，fortheirhorseswerejadedalmosttothelastpointofendurance。
Within，Icalledthehost，andhavingobtainedaflagonofthebestvintage-Heavenfortifythosethatmustbecontentwithhisworst！-
IpassedontomakeinquiriestouchingmywhereaboutsandthewaytoLavedan。ThisIlearntwasbutsomethreeorfourmilesdistant。
Abouttheothertable-therewerebuttwowithintheroom——stoodthedragoonsinawhisperedconsultation，ofwhichithadbeenwellhadItakenheed，foritconcernedmemorecloselythanIcouldhavedreamt。
“Heanswersthedescription。”saidthesergeant，andthoughIheardthewordsItooknothoughtthatitwasofmetheyspoke。
“Padrieu。”sworeoneofhiscompanions，“I’llwageritisourman。”
Andthen，justasIwasnoticingthatMasterAbdon，whohadalsooverheardtheconversation，waseyeingmecuriously，thesergeantsteppeduptome，and-
“Whatisyourname，monsieur？”quothherIvouchsafedhimastareofsurprisebeforeaskinginmyturn“Howmaythatconcernyou？”
“Yourpardon，mymaster，butweareontheKing’sbusiness。”
IrememberedthenthathehadsaidIansweredsomedescription。
WiththatitflashedthroughmymindthattheyhadbeensentaftermebyHisMajestytoenforcemyobediencetohiswishesandtohindermefromreachingLavedan。AtoncecamethedominantdesiretoconcealmyidentitythatImightgounhindered。ThefirstnamethatoccurredtomewasthatofthepoorwretchIhadleftinthebarnhalfanhourago，andso-
“Iam。”saidI，“MonsieurdeLesperon，atyourservice。”
ToolateIsawthemistakethatIhadmade。Iownitwasablunderthatnomanofordinaryintelligenceshouldhavepermittedhimselftohavecommitted。Rememberingtheunrestoftheprovince，I
shouldratherhaveconcludedthattheirbusinesswasmoreliketobeinthatconnection。
“Heisbold，atleast。”criedoneofthetroopers，withaburstoflaughter。Thencamethesergeant’svoice，coldandformal“IntheKing’sname，MonsieurdeLesperon，Iarrestyou。”
Hehadwhippedouthissword，andthepointwaswithinaninchofmybreast。Buthisarm，Iobserved，wasstretchedtoitsfullestextent，whichforbadehismakingasuddenthrust。Tohamperhiminthelungetherewasthetablebetweenus。
So，mymindworkingquicklyinthisdesperatesituation，andrealizinghowdireandurgenttheneedtoattemptanescape，I
leaptsuddenlybacktofindmyselfinthearmsofhisfollowers。