UNDERTHEREDROBE
CHAPTERI
ATZATON\'S
\'Markedcards！\'
Therewereascorerounduswhenthefool，littleknowingthemanwithwhomhehadtodeal，andaslittlehowtoloselikeagentleman，flungthewordsinmyteeth。Hethought，I\'llbesworn，thatIshouldstormandswearandruffleitlikeanycommoncockofthehackle。ButthatwasneverGildeBerault\'sway。ForafewsecondsafterhehadspokenIdidnotevenlookathim。Ipassedmyeyeinstead——smiling，BIENENTENDU——roundtheringofwaitingfaces，sawthattherewasnooneexceptDePombalIhadcausetofear；andthenatlastIroseandlookedatthefoolwiththegrimfaceIhaveknownimposeonolderandwisermen。
\'Markedcards，M。l\'Anglais？\'Isaid，withachillingsneer。
\'Theyareused，Iamtold，totrapplayers——notunbirchedschoolboys。\'
\'YetIsaythattheyaremarked！\'herepliedhotly，inhisqueerforeignjargon。\'InmylasthandIhadnothing。Youdoubledthestakes。Bah，sir，youknew！Youhaveswindledme！\'
\'Monsieuriseasytoswindle——whenheplayswithamirrorbehindhim，\'Iansweredtartly。
Atthattherewasagreatroaroflaughter，whichmighthavebeenheardinthestreet，andwhichbroughttothetableeveryoneintheeating-housewhomhisvoicehadnotalreadyattracted。ButI
didnotrelaxmyface。Iwaiteduntilallwasquietagain，andthenwavingasidetwoorthreewhostoodbetweenusandtheentrance，Ipointedgravelytothedoor。
\'ThereisalittlespacebehindthechurchofStJacques，M。
l\'Etranger，\'Isaid，puttingonmyhatandtakingmycloakonmyarm。\'Doubtlessyouwillaccompanymethither？\'
Hesnatcheduphishat，hisfaceburningwithshameandrage。
\'Withpleasure！\'heblurtedout。\'Tothedevil，ifyoulike！\'
Ithoughtthematterarranged，whentheMarquislaidhishandontheyoungfellow\'sarmandcheckedhim。
\'Thismustnotbe，\'hesaid，turningfromhimtomewithhisgrand，fine-gentleman\'sair。\'Youknowme，M。deBerault。Thismatterhasgonefarenough。\'
\'Toofar！M。dePombal，\'Iansweredbitterly。\'Still，ifyouwishtotakeyourfriend\'splace，Ishallraisenoobjection。\'
\'Chut，man！\'heretorted，shrugginghisshouldersnegligently。
\'Iknowyou，andIdonotfightwithmenofyourstamp。Norneedthisgentleman。\'
\'Undoubtedly，\'Ireplied，bowinglow，\'ifhepreferstobecanedinthestreets。\'
ThatstungtheMarquis。
\'Haveacare！haveacare！\'hecriedhotly。\'Yougotoofar，M。Berault。\'
\'DeBerault，ifyouplease，\'Iobjected，eyeinghimsternly。\'MyfamilyhasbornetheDEaslongasyours，M。dePombal。\'
Hecouldnotdenythat，andheanswered，\'Asyouplease；\'atthesametimerestraininghisfriendbyagesture。\'Butnonetheless，\'hecontinued，\'takemyadvice。TheCardinalhasforbiddenduelling，andthistimehemeansit！Youhavebeenintroubleonceandgonefree。Asecondtimeitmayfareworsewithyou。
Letthisgentlemango，therefore，M。deBerault。Besides——why，shameuponyou，man！\'heexclaimedhotly；\'heisbutalad！\'
Twoorthreewhostoodbehindmeapplaudedthat，ButIturnedandtheymetmyeye；andtheywereasmumasmice。
\'Hisageishisownconcern，\'Isaidgrimly。\'Hewasoldenoughawhileagotoinsultme。\'
\'AndIwillprovemywords！\'theladcried，explodingatlast。
Hehadspiritenough，andtheMarquishadhadhardworktorestrainhimsolong。\'Youdomenoservice，M。dePombal，\'hecontinued，pettishlyshakingoffhisfriend\'shand。\'Byyourleave，thisgentlemanandIwillsettlethismatter。\'
\'Thatisbetter，\'Isaid，noddingdrily，whiletheMarquisstoodaside，frowningandbaffled。\'Permitmetoleadtheway。\'
Zaton\'seating-housestandsscarcelyahundredpacesfromStJacqueslaBoucherie，andhalfthecompanywentthitherwithus。
Theeveningwaswet，thelightinthestreetswaswaning，thestreetsthemselvesweredirtyandslippery。TherewerefewpassersintheRueStAntoine；andourparty，whichearlierinthedaymusthaveattractednoticeandacrowd，crossedunmarked，andenteredwithoutinterruptionthepavedtrianglewhichliesimmediatelybehindthechurch。IsawinthedistanceoneoftheCardinal\'sguardloiteringinfrontofthescaffoldingroundthenewHotelRichelieu；andthesightoftheuniformgavemepauseforamoment。Butitwastoolatetorepent。
TheEnglishmanbeganatoncetostripoffhisclothes。Iclosedminetothethroat，fortheairwaschilly。Atthatmoment，whilewestoodpreparing，andmostofthecompanyseemedalittleinclinedtostandofffromme，Ifeltahandonmyarm，andturning，sawthedwarfishtailoratwhosehouse，intheRueSavonnerie，Ilodgedatthetime。Thefellow\'spresencewasunwelcome，tosaytheleastofit；andthoughforwantofbettercompanyIhadsometimesencouragedhimtobefreewithmeathome，ItookthattobenoreasonwhyIshouldbeplaguedwithhimbeforegentlemen。Ishookhimoff，therefore，hopingbyafrowntosilencehim。
Hewasnottobesoeasilyputdown，however，andperforceIhadtospeaktohim。
\'Afterwards，afterwards，\'Isaidhurriedly。\'Iamengagednow。
\'ForGod\'ssake，don\'t，sir！\'thepoorfoolcried，clingingtomysleeve。\'Don\'tdoit！Youwillbringacurseonthehouse。
Heisbutalad，and——\'
\'You，too！\'Iexclaimed，losingpatience。\'Besilent，youscum！
Whatdoyouknowaboutgentlemen\'squarrels？Leaveme；doyouhear？\'
\'ButtheCardinal！\'hecriedinaquaveringvoice。\'TheCardinal，M。deBerault！Thelastmanyoukilledisnotforgottenyet。Thistimehewillbesureto——\'
\'Leaveme，doyouhear？\'Ihissed。Thefellow\'simpudencepassedallbounds。Itwasasbadashiscroaking。\'Begone！\'I
added。\'Isupposeyouareafraidthathewillkillme，andyouwillloseyourmoney。\'
FrisonfellbackatthatalmostasifIhadstruckhim，andI
turnedtomyadversary，whohadbeenawaitingmymotionswithimpatience。Godknowshedidlookyoungashestoodwithhisheadbareandhisfairhairdroopingoverhissmoothwoman\'sforehead——amereladfreshfromthecollegeofBurgundy，iftheyhavesuchathinginEngland。IfeltasuddenchillasIlookedathim：aqualm，atremor，apresentiment。Whatwasitthelittletailorhadsaid？ThatIshould——butthere，hedidnotknow。Whatdidheknowofsuchthings？IfIletthispassI
mustkillamanaday，orleaveParisandtheeating-house，andstarve。
\'Athousandpardons，\'Isaidgravely，asIdrewandtookmyplace。\'Adun。Iamsorrythatthepoordevilcaughtmesoinopportunely。Nowhowever，Iamatyourservice。\'
Hesalutedandwecrossedswordsandbegan。ButfromthefirstI
hadnodoubtwhattheresultwouldbe。Theslipperystonesandfadinglightgavehim，itistrue，somechance，someadvantage，morethanhedeserved；butIhadnosoonerfelthisbladethanI
knewthathewasnoswordsman。Possiblyhehadtakenhalf-a-
dozenlessonsinrapierart，andpractisedwhathelearnedwithanEnglishmanasheavyandawkwardashimself。Butthatwasall。
Hemadeafewwildclumsyrushes，parryingwidely。WhenIhadfoiledthese，thedangerwasover，andIheldhimatmymercy。
Iplayedwithhimalittlewhile，watchingthesweatgatheronhisbrowandtheshadowofthechurchtowerfalldeeperanddarker，liketheshadowofdoom，onhisface。Notoutofcruelty——GodknowsIhavenevererredinthatdirection！——butbecause，forthefirsttimeinmylife，Ifeltastrangereluctancetostriketheblow。Thecurlsclungtohisforehead；hisbreathcameandwentingasps；Iheardthemenbehindmeandoneortwoofthemdropanoath；andthenIslipped——slipped，andwasdowninamomentonmyrightside，myelbowstrikingthepavementsosharplythatthearmgrewnumbtothewrist。
Heheldoff。Iheardadozenvoicescry，\'Now！nowyouhavehim！\'Butheheldoff。Hestoodbackandwaitedwithhisbreastheavingandhispointlowered，untilIhadrisenandstoodagain。
onmyguard。
\'Enough！enough！\'aroughvoicebehindmecried。\'Don\'thurtthemanafterthat。\'
\'Onguard，sir！\'Iansweredcoldly——forheseemedtowaver，andbeindoubt。\'Itwasanaccident。Itshallnotavailyouagain。\'
Severalvoicescried\'Shame！\'andone，\'Youcoward！\'ButtheEnglishmansteppedforward，afixedlookinhisblueeyes。Hetookhisplacewithoutaword。Ireadinhisdrawnwhitefacethathehadmadeuphismindtotheworst，andhiscouragesowonmyadmirationthatIwouldgladlyandthankfullyhavesetoneofthelookers-on——anyofthelookers-on——inhisplace；butthatcouldnotbe。SoIthoughtofZaton\'sclosedtome，ofPombal\'sinsult，ofthesneersandslightsIhadlongkeptatthesword\'spoint；and，pressinghimsuddenlyinaheatofaffectedanger，I
thruststronglyoverhisguard，whichhadgrownfeeble，andranhimthroughthechest。
WhenIsawhimlying，laidoutonthestoneswithhiseyeshalfshut，andhisfaceglimmeringwhiteinthedusk——notthatIsawhimthuslong，fortherewereadozenkneelingroundhiminatwinkling——Ifeltanunwontedpang。Itpassed，however，inamoment。ForIfoundmyselfconfrontedbyaringofangryfaces——ofmenwho，keepingatadistance，hissedandcursedandthreatenedme，callingmeBlackDeathandthelike。
Theyweremostlycanaille，whohadgatheredduringthefight，andhadviewedallthatpassedfromthefarthersideoftherailings。
Whilesomesnarledandragedatmelikewolves，callingme\'Butcher！\'and\'Cut-throat！\'orcriedoutthatBeraultwasathistradeagain，othersthreatenedmewiththevengeanceoftheCardinal，flungtheedictinmyteeth，andsaidwithgleethattheguardwerecoming——theywouldseemehangedyet。
\'Hisbloodisonyourhead！\'onecriedfuriously。\'Hewillbedeadinanhour。Andyouwillswingforhim！Hurrah！\'
\'Begone，\'Isaid。
\'Ay，toMontfaucon，\'heanswered，mockingme。
\'No；toyourkennel！\'Ireplied，withalookwhichsenthimayardbackwards，thoughtherailingswerebetweenus。AndIwipedmybladecarefully，standingalittleapart。For——well，Icouldunderstandit——itwasoneofthosemomentswhenamanisnotpopular。Thosewhohadcomewithmefromtheeating-houseeyedmeaskance，andturnedtheirbackswhenIdrewnearer；andthosewhohadjoinedusandobtainedadmissionwerescarcelymorepolite。
ButIwasnottobeoutdoneinSANGFROID。Icockedmyhat，anddrawingmycloakovermyshoulders，wentoutwithaswaggerwhichdrovethecursfromthegatebeforeIcamewithinadozenpacesofit。Therascalsoutsidefellbackasquickly，andinamomentIwasinthestreet。AnothermomentandIshouldhavebeenclearoftheplaceandfreetoliebyforawhile——when，withoutwarning，ascurrytookplaceroundme。Thecrowdfledeverywayintothegloom，andinahand-turnadozenoftheCardinal\'sguardsclosedroundme。
Ihadsomeacquaintancewiththeofficerincommand，andhesalutedmecivilly。
\'Thisisabadbusiness，M。deBerault，\'hesaid。\'Themanisdeadtheytellme。\'
\'Neitherdyingnordead，\'Iansweredlightly。\'Ifthatbeallyoumaygohomeagain。\'
\'Withyou，\'hereplied，withagrin，\'certainly。Andasitrains，thesoonerthebetter。Imustaskyouforyoursword，I
amafraid。\'
\'Takeit，\'Isaid，withthephilosophywhichneverdesertsme。
\'Butthemanwillnotdie。\'
\'Ihopethatmayavailyou，\'heansweredinatoneIdidnotlike。\'Leftwheel，myfriends！TotheChatelet！March！\'
\'Thereareworseplaces，\'Isaid，andresignedmyselftofate。
Afterall，Ihadbeeninaprisonbefore，andlearnedthatonlyonejailletsnoprisonerescape。
ButwhenIfoundthatmyfriend\'sordersweretohandmeovertothewatch，andthatIwastobeconfinedlikeanycommonjail-
birdcaughtcuttingapurseorslittingathroat，Iconfessmyheartsank。IfIcouldgetspeechwiththeCardinal，allwouldprobablybewell；butifIfailedinthis，orifthecasecamebeforehiminstrangeguise，orifhewereinahardmoodhimself，thenitmightgoillwithme。Theedictsaid，death！
AndthelieutenantattheChateletdidnotputhimselftomuchtroubletoheartenme。\'What！againM。deBerault？\'hesaid，raisinghiseyebrowsashereceivedmeatthegate，andrecognisedmebythelightofthebrazierwhichhismenwerejustkindlingoutside。\'Youareaveryboldman，oraveryfoolhardyone，tocomehereagain。Theoldbusiness，Isuppose？\'
\'Yes，butheisnotdead，\'Iansweredcoolly。\'Hehasatrifle——amerescratch。ItwasbehindthechurchofStJacques。\'
\'Helookeddeadenough，myfriend，\'theguardsmaninterposed。Hehadnotyetleftus。
\'Bah！\'Iansweredscornfully。\'HaveyoueverknownmemakeamistakeWhenIkillamanIkillhim。Iputmyselftopains，I
tellyou，nottokillthisEnglishman。Thereforehewilllive。\'
\'Ihopeso，\'thelieutenantsaid，withadrysmile。\'Andyouhadbetterhopeso，too，M。deBerault，Forifnot——\'
\'Well？\'Isaid，somewhattroubled。\'Ifnot，what，myfriend？\'
\'Ifearhewillbethelastmanyouwillfight，\'heanswered。
\'Andevenifhelives，Iwouldnotbetoosure，myfriend。ThistimetheCardinalisdeterminedtoputitdown。\'
\'HeandIareoldfriends，\'Isaidconfidently。
\'SoIhaveheard，\'heanwered，withashortlaugh。\'IthinkthatthesamewassaidofChalais。Idonotrememberthatitsavedhishead。\'
Thiswasnotreassuring。Butworsewastocome。EarlyinthemorningorderswerereceivedthatIshouldbetreatedwithespecialstrictness，andIwasgiventhechoicebetweenironsandoneofthecellsbelowthelevel。Choosingthelatter，Iwaslefttoreflectuponmanythings；amongothers，onthequeeranduncertainnatureoftheCardinal，wholoved，Iknew，toplaywithamanasacatwithamouse；andontheilleffectswhichsometimesattendahighchest-thrusthowevercarefullydelivered。
Ionlyrescuedmyselfatlastfromtheseandotherunpleasantreflectionsbyobtainingtheloanofapairofdice；andthelightbeingjustenoughtoenablemetoreckonthethrows，I
amusedmyselfforhoursbycastingthemoncertainprinciplesofmyown。Butalongrunagainandagainupsetmycalculations；
andatlastbroughtmetotheconclusionthatarunofbadluckmaybesopersistentastoseeoutthemostsagaciousplayer。
Thiswasnotareflectionverywelcometomeatthemoment。
Nevertheless，forthreedaysitwasallthecompanyIhad。Attheendofthattime，theknaveofajailorwhoattendedme，andwhohadnevergrowntiredoftellingme，afterthefashionofhiskind，thatIshouldbehanged，cametomewithalessassuredair。
\'Perhapsyouwouldlikealittlewater？\'hesaidcivilly。
\'Why，rascal？\'Iasked。
\'Towashwith，\'heanswered。
\'Iaskedforsomeyesterday，andyouwouldnotbringit，\'I
grumbled。\'However，betterlatethannever。Bringitnow。IfI
musthang，Iwillhanglikeagentleman。Butdependuponit，theCardinalwillnotserveanoldfriendsoscurvyatrick。\'
\'Youaretogotohim，\'heannounced，whenhecamebackwiththewater。
\'What？TotheCardinal？\'Icried。
\'Yes，\'heanswered。
\'Good！\'Iexclaimed；andinmyjoyandreliefIsprangupatonce，andbegantorefreshmydress。\'SoallthistimeIhavebeendoinghimaninjustice，\'Icontinued。\'VIVEMONSEIGNEUR！
LonglivethelittleBishopofLuchon！Imighthaveknownit，too。\'
\'Don\'tmaketoosure！\'themanansweredspitefully。Thenhewenton，\'Ihavesomethingelseforyou。Afriendofyoursleftitatthegate，\'andhehandedmeapacket。
\'Quiteso！\'Isaid，leadinghisrascallyfacearight。\'Andyoukeptitaslongasyoudared——aslongasyouthoughtIshouldhang，youknave！Wasnotthatso？Butthere，donotlietome。
Tellmeinsteadwhichofmyfriendsleftit。\'For，toconfessthetruth，Ihadnotsomanyfriendsatthistimeandtengoodcrowns——thepacketcontainednolessasum——arguedaprettystaunchfriend，andoneofwhomamanmightreasonablybeproud。
Theknavesniggeredmaliciously。\'Acrookeddwarfishmanleftit，\'hesaid。\'IdoubtImightcallhimatailorandnotbefarout。\'
\'Chut！\'Ianswered——butIwasalittleoutofcountenance，nevertheless。\'Iunderstand。Anhonestfellowenough，andindebttome！Iamgladheremembered。ButwhenamItogo，friend？\'
\'Inanhour，\'heansweredsullenly。Doubtlesshehadlookedtogetoneofthecrowns；butIwastoooldahandforthat。IfI
camebackIcouldbuyhisservices；andifIdidnotIshouldhavewastedmymoney。
Nevertheless，alittlelater，whenIfoundmyselfonmywaytotheHotelRichelieuundersocloseaguardthatIcouldseenothinginthestreetexceptthefiguresthatimmediatelysurroundedme，IwishedthatIhadgivenhimthemoney。Atsuchtimes，whenallhangsinthebalanceandtheskyisovercast，themindrunsonluckandoldsuperstitions，andispronetothinkacrowngivenheremayavailthere——thoughTHEREbeahundredleaguesaway。
ThePalaisRichelieuwasatthistimeinbuilding，andwewererequiredtowaitinalong，baregallery，wherethemasonswereatwork。Iwaskeptafullhourhere，ponderinguncomfortablyonthestrangewhimsandfanciesofthegreatmanwhothenruledFranceastheKing\'sLieutenant-General，withalltheKing\'spowers，andwhoselifeIhadoncebeenthemeansofsavingbyalittletimelyinformation。Onoccasionhehaddonesomethingtowipeoutthedebt；andatothertimeshehadpermittedmetobefreewithhim，andsofarwewerenotunknowntooneanother。
Nevertheless，whenthedoorswereatlastthrownopen，andIwasledintohispresence，myconfidenceunderwentashock。Hiscoldglance，that，rovingoverme，regardedmenotasamanbutanitem，thesteelyglitterofhissoutherneyes，chilledmetothebone。Theroomwasbare，thefloorwithoutcarpetorcovering。
Someofthewoodworklayabout，unfinishedandinpieces。Buttheman——thisman，needednosurroundings。Hiskeenpaleface，hisbrillianteyes，evenhispresence——thoughhewasofnogreatheight，andbeganalreadytostoopattheshoulders——wereenoughtoawetheboldest。Irecalled，asIlookedathim，ahundredtalesofhisironwill，hiscoldheart，hisunerringcraft。HehadhumbledtheKing\'sbrother，thesplendidDukeofOrleans，inthedust。HehadcurbedtheQueen-mother。Adozenheads，thenoblestinFrance，hadcometotheblockthroughhim。OnlytwoyearsbeforehehadquelledRochelle；onlyafewmonthsbeforehehadcrushedthegreatinsurrectioninLanguedoc：andthoughthesouth，strippedofitsoldprivileges，stillseethedwithdiscontent，nooneinthisyear1630daredliftahandagainsthim——openly，atanyrate。Underthesurfaceahundredplots，athousandintrigues，soughthislifeorhispower；butthese，I
suppose，arethehapofeverygreatman。
Nowonder，then，thatthecourageonwhichIplumedmyselfsanklowatsightofhim；orthatitwasasmuchasIcoulddotominglewiththehumilityofmysalutesometouchoftheSANG
FROIDofoldacquaintanceship。
Andperhapsthathadhadbeenbetterleftout。Foritseemedthatthismanwaswithoutbowels。Foramoment，whilehestoodlookingatme，andbeforehespoketome，Igavemyselfupforlost。Therewasaglintofcruelsatisfactioninhiseyesthatwarnedme，beforeheopenedhismouth，whathewasgoingtosaytome。
\'Icouldnothavemadeabettercatch，M。deBerault，\'hesaid，smilingvillainously，whilehegentlysmoothedthefurofacatthathadsprungonthetablebesidehim。\'Anoldoffender，andanexcellentexample。Idoubtitwillnotstopwithyou。Butlater，wewillmakeyouthewarrantforflyingathighergame。\'
\'Monseigneurhashandledaswordhimself，\'Iblurtedout。Theveryroomseemedtobegrowingdarker，theaircolder。Iwasnevernearerfearinmylife。
\'Yes？\'hesaid，smilingdelicately。\'Andso——？\'
\'Willnotbetoohardonthefailingsofapoorgentleman。\'
\'Heshallsuffernomorethanarichone，\'herepliedsuavelyashestrokedthecat。\'Enjoythatsatisfaction，M。deBerault。Isthatall？\'
\'OnceIwasofservicetoyourEminence，\'Isaiddesperately。
\'Paymenthasbeenmade，\'heanswered，\'morethanonce。ButforthatIshouldnothaveseenyou。\'
\'TheKing\'sface！\'Icried，snatchingatthestrawheseemedtoholdout。
Helaughedcynically，smoothly。Histhinface，hisdarkmoustache，andwhiteninghair，gavehimanairofindescribablekeenness。
\'IamnottheKing，\'hesaid。\'Besides，Iamtoldthatyouhavekilledasmanyassixmeninduels。YouowetheKing，therefore，onelifeatleast。Youmustpayit。Thereisnomoretobesaid，M。deBerault，\'hecontinuedcoldly，turningawayandbeginningtocollectsomepapers。\'Thelawmusttakeitscourse。\'
Ithoughtthathewasabouttonodtothelieutenanttowithdrawme，andachillingsweatbrokeoutdownmyback。Isawthescaffold，Ifeltthecords。Amoment，anditwouldbetoolate！
\'Ihaveafavourtoask，\'Istammereddesperately，\'ifyourEminencewillgivemeamomentalone。\'
\'Towhatend？\'heanswered，turningandeyeingmewithcolddisfavour。\'Iknowyou——yourpast——all。Itcandonogood，myfriend。\'
\'Noharm！\'Icried。\'AndIamadyingman，Monseigneur！\'
\'Thatistrue，\'hesaidthoughtfully。Stillheseemedtohesitate；andmyheartbeatfast。Atlasthelookedatthelieutenant。\'Youmayleaveus，\'hesaidshortly。\'Now，\'hecontinued，whentheofficerhadwithdrawnandleftusalone，\'whatisit？Saywhatyouhavetosayquickly。And，aboveall，donottrytofoolme，M。deBerault。\'
ButhispiercingeyessodisconcertedmenowthatIhadmychance，andwasalonewithhim，thatIcouldnotfindawordtosay，andstoodbeforehimmute。Ithinkthispleasedhim，forhisfacerelaxed。
\'Well？\'hesaidatlast。\'Isthatall？\'
\'Themanisnotdead，\'Imuttered。
Heshruggedhisshoulderscontemptuously。
\'Whatofthat？\'hesaid。\'Thatwasnotwhatyouwantedtosaytome。\'
\'OnceIsavedyourEminence\'slife，\'Ifalteredmiserably。
\'Admitted，\'heanswered，inhisthin，incisivevoice。\'Youmentionedthefactbefore。Ontheotherhand，youhavetakensixtomyknowledge，M。deBerault。Youhavelivedthelifeofabully，acommonbravo，agamester。You，amanoffamily！Forshame！Doyouwonderthatithasbroughtyoutothis！YetonthatonepointIamwillingtohearmore，\'headdedabruptly。
\'ImightsaveyourEminence\'slifeagain，\'Icried。Itwasasuddeninspiration。
\'Youknowsomething？\'hesaidquickly，fixingmewithhiseyes。
\'Butno，\'hecontinued，shakinghisheadgently。\'Pshaw！Thetrickisold。Ihavebetterspiesthanyou，M。deBerault。\'
\'Butnobettersword，\'Icriedhoarsely。\'No，notinallyourguard！\'
\'Thatistrue，\'hesaidslowly。\'Thatistrue。\'
Tomysurprise，hespokeinatoneofconsideration；andhelookeddownatthefloor。\'Letmethink，myfriend，\'hecontinued。
Hewalkedtwoorthreetimesupanddowntheroom，whileIstoodtrembling。Iconfessit，trembling。Themanwhosepulsesdangerhasnopowertoquicken，isseldomproofagainstsuspense；andthesuddenhopehiswordsawakenedinmesoshookmethathisfigureashetrodlightlytoandfrowiththecatrubbingagainsthisrobeandturningtimefortimewithhim，waveredbeforemyeyes。Igraspedthetabletosteadymyself。IhadnotadmittedeveninmyownmindhowdarklytheshadowofMontfauconandthegallowshadfallenacrossme。
Ihadleisuretorecovermyself，foritwassometimebeforehespoke。Whenhedid，itwasinavoiceharsh，changed，imperative。\'Youhavethereputationofamanfaithful，atleast，tohisemployer，\'hesaid。\'Donotanswerme。Isayitisso。Well，Iwilltrustyou。Iwillgiveyouonemorechance——thoughitisadesperateone。Woetoyouifyoufailme！DoyouknowCocheforetinBearn？ItisnotfarfromAuch。\'
\'No，yourEminence。\'
\'NorM。deCocheforet？\'
\'No，yourEminence。\'
\'Somuchthebetter，\'hereplied。\'Butyouhaveheardofhim。
HehasbeenengagedineveryGasconplotsincethelateKing\'sdeath，andgavemoretroublelastyearintheVivaraisthananymantwicehisyears。AtpresentheisatBosostinSpain，withotherrefugees，butIhavelearnedthatatfrequentintervalshevisitshiswifeatCocheforetwhichissixleagueswithintheborder。Ononeofthesevisitshemustbearrested。\'
\'Thatshouldbeeasy，\'Isaid。
TheCardinallookedatme。\'Chut，man！whatdoyouknowaboutit？\'heansweredbluntly。\'ItiswhisperedatCocheforetifasoldiercrossesthestreetatAuch。Inthehouseareonlytwoorthreeservants，buttheyhavethecountrysidewiththemtoaman，andtheyareadangerousbreed。Asparkmightkindleafreshrising。Thearrest，therefore，mustbemadesecretly。\'
Ibowed。
\'Oneresolutemaninsidethehouse，\'theCardinalcontinued，thoughtfullyglancingatapaperwhichlayonthetable，\'withthehelpoftwoorthreeservantswhomhecouldsummontohisaidatwill，mighteffectit。Thequestionis，Willyoubetheman，myfriend？\'
Ihesitated；thenIbowed。WhatchoicehadI？
\'Nay，nay，speakout！\'hesaidsharply。\'Yesorno，M。deBerault？\'
\'Yes，yourEminence，\'Isaidreluctantly。Again，Isay，whatchoicehadI？
\'YouwillbringhimtoParis，andalive。Heknowsthings，andthatiswhyIwanthim。Youunderstand？\'
\'Iunderstand，Monseigneur，\'Ianswered。
\'Youwillgetintothehouseasyoucan，\'hecontinuedwithenergy。\'Forthatyouwillneedstrategy，andgoodstrategy。
Theysuspecteverybody。Youmustdeceivethem。Ifyoufailtodeceivethem，or，deceivingthem，arefoundoutlater，Idonotthinkthatyouwilltroublemeagain，orbreaktheedictasecondtime。Ontheotherhand，shouldyoudeceiveme\'——hesmiledstillmoresubtly，buthisvoicesanktoapurringnote——\'Iwillbreakyouonthewheelliketheruinedgamesteryouare！\'
Imethislookwithoutquailing。\'Sobeit！\'Isaidrecklessly。
\'IfIdonotbringM。deCocheforettoParis，youmaydothattome，andmorealso！\'
\'Itisabargain！\'heansweredslowly。\'Ithinkthatyouwillbefaithful。Formoney，hereareahundredcrowns。Thatsumshouldsuffice；butifyousucceedyoushallhavetwiceasmuchmore。Thatisall，Ithink。Youunderstand？\'
\'Yes，Monseigneur。\'
\'Thenwhydoyouwait？\'
\'Thelieutenant？\'Isaidmodestly。
TheCardinallaughedtohimself，andsittingdownwroteawordortwoonaslipofpaper。\'Givehimthat，\'hesaidinhighgood-
humour。\'Ifear，M。deBerault，youwillnevergetyourdeserts——inthisworld！\'
CHAPTERII。
ATTHEGREENPILLAR
Cocheforetliesinabillowylandofoakandbeechandchestnuts——alandofdeep，leafybottomsandhillsclothedwithforest。
Ridgeandvalley，glenandknoll，thewoodland，sparselypeopledandmoresparselytilled，stretchesawaytothegreatsnowmountainsthatherelimitFrance。Itswarmswithgame——withwolvesandbears，deerandboars。TotheendofhislifeIhaveheardthatthegreatkinglovedthisdistrict，andwouldsigh，whenyearsandStatefellheavilyonhim，forthebeechgrovesandbox-coveredhillsofSouthBearn。FromtheterracedstepsofAuchyoucanseetheforestrollawayinlightandshadow，valeandupland，tothebaseofthesnowpeaks；and，thoughIcomefromBrittanyandlovethesmellofthesaltwind，Ihaveseenfewsightsthatoutdothis。
ItwasthesecondweekofOctober，whenIcametoCocheforet，and，droppingdownfromthelastwoodedbrow，rodequietlyintotheplaceatevening。Iwasalone，andhadriddenalldayinagloryofruddybeechleaves，throughthesilenceofforestroads，acrossclearbrooksandgladesstillgreen。Ihadseenmoreofthequietandpeaceofthecountrythanhadbeenmysharesinceboyhood，andforthatreason，orbecauseIhadnogreattasteforthetaskbeforeme——thetasknowsoimminent——Ifeltalittlehipped。Ingoodfaith，itwasnotagentleman\'sworkthatIwascometodo，lookatithowyoumight。
Butbeggarsmustnotbechoosers，andIknewthatthisfeelingwouldnotlast。Attheinn，inthepresenceofothers，underthespurofnecessity，orintheexcitementofthechase，werethatoncebegun，Ishouldlosethefeeling。Whenamanisyoungheseekssolitude，whenheismiddle-aged，hefliesitandhisthoughts。Imadethereforeforthe\'GreenPillar，\'alittleinninthevillagestreet，towhichIhadbeendirectedatAuch，and，thunderingonthedoorwiththeknobofmyridingswitch，railedatthemanforkeepingmewaiting。
Hereandthereathoveldoorsinthestreet——whichwasamean，poorplace，notworthyofthename——menandwomenlookedoutatmesuspiciously。ButIaffectedtoignorethem；andatlastthehostcame。Hewasafair-hairedman，half-Basque，half-
Frenchman，andhadscannedmewell，Iwassure，throughsomewindoworpeephole；forwhenhecameouthebetrayednosurpriseatthesightofawell-dressedstranger——aportentinthatout-
of-the-wayvillage——buteyedmewithakindofsullenreserve。
\'Icanliehereto-night，Isuppose？\'Isaid，droppingthereinsonthesorrel\'sneck。Thehorsehungitshead。
\'Idon\'tknow，\'heansweredstupidly。
Ipointedtothegreenboughwhichtoppedapostthatstoodoppositethedoor。
\'Thisisaninn，isitnot？\'Isaid。
\'Yes，\'heansweredslowly。\'Itisaninn。But——\'
\'Butyouarefull，oryouareoutoffood，oryourwifeisill，orsomethingelseisamiss，\'Iansweredpeevishly。\'Allthesame，Iamgoingtoliehere。Soyoumustmakethebestofit，andyourwifetoo——ifyouhaveone。\'
Hescratchedhishead，lookingatmewithanuglyglitterinhiseyes。Buthesaidnothing，andIdismounted。
\'WherecanIstablemyhorse？\'Iasked。
\'I\'llputitup，\'heansweredsullenly，steppingforwardandtakingthereinsinhishand。
\'Verywell，\'Isaid。\'ButIgowithyou。Amercifulmanismercifultohisbeast，andwhereverIgoIseemyhorsefed。\'
\'Itwillbefed，\'hesaidshortly。Andthenhewaitedformetogointothehouse。\'Thewifeisinthere，\'hecontinued，lookingatmestubbornly。
\'IMPRIMIS——ifyouunderstandLatin，myfriend，\'Ianswered。\'thehorseinthestall。\'
Hesawthatitwasnogood，turnedthesorrelslowlyround，andbegantoleaditacrossthevillagestreet。Therewasashedbehindtheinn，whichIhadalreadymarked，andtakenforthestable，IwassurprisedwhenIfoundthathewasnotgoingthere，butImadenoremark，andinafewminutessawthehorsemadecomfortableinahovelwhichseemedtobelongtoaneighbour。
Thisdone，themanledthewaybacktotheinn，carryingmyvalise。
\'Youhavenootherguests？\'Isaid，withacasualair。Iknewthathewaswatchingmeclosely。
\'No，\'heanswered。
\'Thisisnotmuchinthewaytoanywhere，Isuppose？\'
\'No。\'
Thatwassoevident，thatIneversawamoreretiredplace。Thehangingwoods，risingsteeplytoagreatheight，soshutthevalleyinthatIwaspuzzledtothinkhowamancouldleaveitsavebytheroadIhadcome。Thecottages，whichwerenomorethanmean，smallhuts，raninastragglingdoubleline，withmanygaps——throughfallentreesandill-clearedmeadows。Amongthemanoisybrookraninandout，andtheinhabitants——charcoal-
burners，orswine-herds，orpoordevilsofthelikeclass，werenobetterthantheirdwellings。IlookedinvainfortheChateau。Itwasnottobeseen，andIdarednotaskforit。
Themanledmeintothecommonroomofthetavern——alow-roofed，poorplace，lackingachimneyorglazedwindows，andgrimywithsmokeanduse。Thefire——agreathalf-burnedtree——smoulderedonastonehearth，raisedafootfromthefloor。Ahugeblackpotsimmeredoverit，andbesideonewindowloungedacountryfellowtalkingwiththegoodwife。IntheduskIcouldnotseehisface，butIgavethewomanaword，andsatdowntowaitformysupper。
Sheseemedmoresilentthanthecommonrunofherkind；butthismightbebecauseherhusbandwaspresent。Whileshemovedaboutgettingmymeal，hetookhisplaceagainstthedoor-postandfelltostaringatmesopersistentlythatIfeltbynomeansatmyease。Hewasatall，strongfellow，withashaggymoustacheandbrownbeard，cutinthemodeHenriQuatre；andonthesubjectofthatking——asafeone，Iknew，withaBearnais——andonthatalone，Ifounditpossibletomakehimtalk。Eventhentherewasasuspiciousgleaminhiseyesthatbademeabstainfromquestions；sothatasthedarknessdeepenedbehindhim，andthefirelightplayedmoreandmorestronglyonhisfeatures，andI
thoughtoftheleaguesofwoodlandthatlaybetweenthisremotevalleyandAuch，IrecalledtheCardinal\'swarningthatifI
failedinmyattemptIshouldbelittlelikelytotroubleParisagain。
Theloutbythewindowpaidnoattentiontome；norItohim，whenIhadoncesatisfiedmyselfthathewasreallywhatheseemedtobe。Butby-and-bytwoorthreemen——rough，uncouthfellows——droppedintoreinforcethelandlord，andthey，tooseemedtohavenootherbusinessthantositinsilencelookingatme，ornowandagaintoexchangeawordinaPATOISoftheirown。Bythetimemysupperwasready，theknavesnumberedsixinall；and，astheywerearmedtoamanwithhugeSpanishknives，andmadeitclearthattheyresentedmypresenceintheirdullrusticfashion——everyrusticissuspicious——Ibegantothinkthat，unwittingly，Ihadputmyheadintoawasps\'nest。
Nevertheless，Iateanddrankwithapparentappetite；butlittlethatpassedwithinthecircleoflightcastbythesmokylampescapedme。Iwatchedthemen\'slooksandgesturesatleastassharplyastheywatchedmine；andallthetimeIwasrackingmywitsforsomemodeofdisarmingtheirsuspicions，orfailingthat，oflearningsomethingmoreoftheposition，whichfarexceededindifficultyanddangeranythingthatIhadexpected。
Thewholevalley，itwouldseem，wasonthelook-outtoprotectmyman！
IhadpurposelybroughtwithmefromAuchacoupleofbottlesofchoiceArmagnac；andthesehadbeencarriedintothehousewithmysaddlebags。Itookoneoutnowandopeneditandcarelesslyofferedadramofthespirittothelandlord。Hetookit。Ashedrankit，Isawhisfaceflush；hehandedbackthecupreluctantly，andonthathintIofferedhimanother，Thestrongspiritwasalreadybeginningtowork，andheaccepted，andinafewminutesbegantotalkmorefreelyandwithlessoftheconstraintwhichhadbeforemarkedusall。Still，histongueranchieflyonquestions——hewouldknowthis，hewouldlearnthat；
buteventhiswasawelcomechange。ItoldhimopenlywhenceI
hadcome，bywhatroad，howlongIhadstayedinAuch，andwhere；
andsofarIsatisfiedhiscuriosity。Only，whenIcametothesubjectofmyvisittoCocheforetIkeptamysterioussilence，hintingdarklyatbusinessinSpainandfriendsacrosstheborder，andthisandthat；inthiswaygivingthepeasantstounderstand，iftheypleased，thatIwasinthesameinterestastheirexiledmaster。
Theytookthebait，winkedatoneanother，andbegantolookatmeinamorefriendlyway——thelandlordforemost。ButwhenIhadledthemsofar，Idaredgonofarther，lestIshouldcommitmyselfandbefoundout。Istopped，therefore，and，harkingbacktogeneralsubjects，chancedtocomparemyprovincewiththeirs。
Thelandlord，nowbecomealmosttalkative，wasnotslowtotakeupthischallenge；anditpresentlyledtomyacquiringacuriouspieceofknowledge。Hewasboastingofhisgreatsnowmountains，theforeststhatproppedthem，thebearsthatroamedinthem，theizardsthatlovedtheice，andtheboarsthatfedontheoakmast。
\'Well，\'Isaid，quitebychance，\'wehavenotthesethings，itistrue。Butwehavethingsinthenorthyouhavenot。Wehavetensofthousandsofgoodhorses——notsuchponiesasyoubreedhere。AtthehorsefairatFecampmysorrelwouldbelostinthecrowd。Hereinthesouthyouwillnotmeethismatchinalongday\'sjourney。\'
\'Donotmaketoosureofthat，\'themanreplied，hiseyesbrightwithtriumphandthedram。\'WhatwouldyousayifIshowedyouabetter——inmyownstable？\'
Isawthathiswordssentakindofthrillthroughhisotherhearers，andthatsuchofthemasunderstoodfortwoorthreeofthemtalkedtheirPATOISonly——lookedathimangrily；andinatwinklingIbegantocomprehend。ButIaffecteddullness，andlaughedinscorn。
\'Seeingisbelieving，\'Isaid。\'Idoubtifyouknowsgoodhorsewhenyouseeone，myfriend。\'
\'Oh，don\'tI？\'hesaid，winking。\'Indeed！\'
\'Idoubtit，\'Iansweredstubbornly。
\'Thencomewithme，andIwillshowyouone，\'heretorted，discretiongivingwaytovain-glory。Hiswifeandtheothers，I
saw，lookedathimdumbfounded；but，withoutpayinganyheedtothem，herose，tookupalanthorn，and，assuminganairofpeculiarwisdom，openedthedoor。\'Comewithme，\'hecontinued。
\'Idon\'tknowagoodhorsewhenIseeone，don\'tI？Iknowabetterthanyours，atanyrate！\'
Ishouldnothavebeensurprisediftheothermenhadinterfered；
butIsupposehewasaleaderamongthem，theydidnot，andinamomentwewereoutside。Threepacesthroughthedarknesstookustothestable，anoffsetatthebackoftheinn。Mymantwirledthepin，and，leadingthewayin，raisedhislanthorn。Ahorsewhinniedsoftly，andturneditsbright，mildeyesonus——abaldfacedchestnut，withwhitehairsinitstailandonewhitestocking。
\'There！\'myguideexclaimed，wavingthelanthorntoandfroboastfully，thatImightseeitspoints。\'Whatdoyousaytothat？Isthatanundersizedpony？\'
\'No，\'Ianswered，purposelystintingmypraise。\'Itisprettyfair——forthiscountry。\'
\'Oranycountry，\'heansweredwrathfully。\'Oranycountry，I
say——Idon\'tcarewhereitis！AndIhavereasontoknow！Why，man，thathorseis——Butthere，thatisagoodhorse，ifeveryousawone！\'Andwiththatheended——abruptlyandlamely；loweredthelanthornwithasuddengesture，andturnedtothedoor。Hewasontheinstantinsuchhurrytoleavethathealmostshoulderedmeout。
ButIunderstood。Iknewthathehadneatlybetrayedall——thathehadbeenonthepointofblurtingoutthatthatwasM。deCocheforet\'shorse！M。Cocheforet\'sCOMPRENEZBIEN！AndwhileI
turnedawaymyfaceinthedarknessthathemightnotseemesmile，Iwasnotsurprisedtofindthemaninamomentchanged，andbecome，intheclosingofthedoor，assoberandsuspiciousasbefore，ashamedofhimselfandenragedwithme，andinamoodtocutmythroatforatrifle。
Itwasnotmycuetoquarrel，however。Imadetherefore，asifI
hadseennothing，andwhenwewerebackintheinnpraisedthehorsegrudgingly，andlikeamanbuthalfconvinced。TheuglylooksanduglyweaponsIsawroundmewerefineincentivestocaution；andnoItalian，Iflattermyself，couldhaveplayedhispartmorenicelythanIdid。ButIwasheartilygladwhenitwasover，andIfoundmyself，atlast，leftaloneforthenightinalittlegarret——amerefowl-house——upstairs，formedbytheroofandgablewalls，andhungwithstringsofapplesandchestnuts。
Itwasapoorsleeping-place——rough，chilly，andunclean。I
ascendedtoitbyaladder；mycloakandalittlefernformedmyonlybed。ButIwasgladtoacceptit，foritenabledmetohealoneandtothinkoutthepositionunwatched。
OfcourseM。deCocheforetwasattheChateau。Hehadlefthishorsehere，andgoneuponfoot；probablythatwashisusualplan。Hewasthereforewithinmyreach，inonesense——Icouldnothavecomeatabettertime——butinanotherhewasasmuchbeyonditasifIwerestillinParis。ForsofarwasIfrombeingabletoseizehimthatIdarednotaskaquestion，orletfallarashword，orevenlookaboutmefreely。IsawIdarednot。Theslightesthintofmymission，thefaintestbreathofdistrust，wouldleadtothroat-cutting——andthethroatwouldbemine；whilethelongerIlayinthevillage，thegreatersuspicionIshouldincur，andthecloserwouldbethewatchkeptuponme。
Insuchapositionsomemenmighthavegivenuptheattemptindespair，andsavedthemselvesacrosstheborder。ButIhavealwaysvaluedmyselfonmyfidelity，andIdidnotshrink。Ifnotto-day，to-morrow；ifnotthistime，nexttime。Thedicedonotalwaysturnupaces。Bracingmyself，therefore，totheoccasion，Icrept，assoonasthehousewasquiet，tothewindow，asmall，square，openlattice，muchcobwebbed，andpartlystuffedwithhay。Ilookedout。Thevillageseemedtobeasleep。Thedarkbranchesoftreeshungafewfeetaway，andalmostobscuredagrey，cloudysky，throughwhichawetmoonsaileddrearily。
Lookingdownwards，Icouldatfirstseenothing；butasmyeyesgrewusedtothedarkness——Ihadonlyjustputoutmyrushlight——
Imadeoutthestabledoorandtheshadowyoutlinesofthelean-toroof。
Ihadhopedforthis，forIcouldnowkeepwatch，andlearnatleastwhetherCocheforetleftbeforemorning。Ifhedidnot，I
shouldknowhewasstillhere。Ifhedid，Ishouldbethebetterforseeinghisfeatures，andlearning，perhaps，otherthingsthatmightbeofusetomeinthefuture。
Makingupmymindtotheuncomfortable，Isatdownonthefloorbythelattice，andbeganavigilthatmightlast，Iknew，untilmorning。Itdidlastaboutanhour，attheendofwhichtimeI
heardwhisperingbelow，thenfootsteps；then，assomepersonsturnedacorner，avoicespeakingaloudandcarelessly。Icouldnotcatchthewordsormeaning，butthevoicewasagentleman\'s，anditsboldaccentsandmasterfultoneleftmeinnodoubtthatthespeakerwasM。deCocheforethimself。Hopingtolearnmore，Ipressedmyfacenearertotheopening，andhadjustmadeoutthroughthegloomtwofigures——onethatofatall，slightman，wearingacloak，theother，Ifancied，awoman\'s，inasheenywhitedress——whenathunderingraponthedoorofmygarretmademespringbackayardfromthelattice，andliedownhurriedlyonmycouch。Thesummonswasrepeated。
\'Well？\'Icried，risingonmyelbow，andcursingtheuntimelyinterruption。Iwasburningwithanxietytoseemore。\'Whatisit？Whatisthematter？\'
Thetrap-doorwasliftedafootormore。Thelandlordthrustuphishead。
\'Youcalled，didyounot？\'hesaid。
Hehelduparushlight，whichilluminedhalftheroomandlituphisgrinningface。
\'Called——atthishourofthenight，youfool？\'Iansweredangrily。\'No！Ididnotcall。Gotobed，man！\'
Butheremainedontheladder，gapingstupidly。\'Iheardyou，\'
hesaid。
\'Gotobed！Youaredrunk，\'Ianswered，sittingup。\'ItellyouIdidnotcall。\'
\'Oh，verywell，\'heansweredslowly。\'Andyoudonotwantanything？\'
\'Nothing——excepttobeleftalone，\'Irepliedsourly。
\'Umph！\'hesaid。\'Good-night！\'
\'Good-night！Good-night！\'IansweredwithwhatpatienceI
might。Thetrampofthehorse\'shoofsasitwasledoutofthestablewasinmyearsatthemoment。\'Good-night！\'Icontinuedfeverishly，hopingthathewouldstillretireintime，andIhaveachancetolookout。\'Iwanttosleep。\'
\'Good，\'hesaid，withabroadgrin。\'Butitisearlyyet，andyouhaveplentyoftime。\'
Andthen，atlast，heslowlyletdownthetrap-door，andIheardhimchuckleashewentdowntheladder。
BeforehereachedthebottomIwasatthewindow。Thewoman，whomIhadseen，stillstoodbelowinthesameplace，andbesideherwasamaninapeasant\'sdress，holdingalanthorn。Buttheman，themanIwantedtosee，wasnolongerthere。Hewasgone，anditwasevidentthattheothersnolongerfearedme；forwhileIgazedthelandlordcameouttothemwithanotherlanthornswinginginhishand，andsaidsomethingtothelady，andshelookedupatmywindowandlaughed。
Itwasawarmnight，andsheworenothingoverherwhitedress。
Icouldseehertall，shapelyfigureandshiningeyes，andthefirmcontourofherbeautifulface，which，ifanyfaultmightbefoundwithit，erredinbeingtooregular。Shelookedlikeawomanformedbynaturetomeetdangersanddifficulties，andtoplayagreatpart；evenhere，atmidnight，inthemidstofthesedesperatemen，shedidnotseemoutofplace。Icouldfancy——I
didnotfinditimpossibletofancy——thatunderherqueenlyexterior，andbehindthecontemptuouslaughwithwhichsheheardthelandlord\'sstory，therelurkedawoman\'ssoul，asoulcapableoffollyandtenderness。Butnooutwardsignbetrayeditspresence——asIsawherthen。
Iscannedherverycarefully；andsecretly，ifthetruthbetold，IwasgladtofindthatMadamedeCocheforetwassuchawoman。I
wasgladthatshehadlaughedasshehad——witharingofdisdainanddefiance；gladthatshewasnotalittle，tender，child-likewoman，tobecrushedbythefirstpinchoftrouble。ForifI
succeededinmytask，ifIcontrivedto——but，pish！Women，I
toldmyself，wereallalike。Shewouldfindconsolationquicklyenough。
Iwatcheduntilthegroupbrokeup，andMadame，withoneofthemen，wentherwayroundthecorneroftheinn，andoutofmysight。ThenIretiredtobedagain，feelingmorethaneverperplexedwhatcourseIshouldadopt。ItwasclearthattosucceedImustobtainadmissiontothehouse，whichwasgarrisoned，accordingtomyinstructions，bytwoorthreeoldmen-servantsonly，andasmanywomen；sinceMadame，todisguiseherhusband\'svisitsthemoreeasily，lived，andgaveoutthatshelived，ingreatretirement。Toseizeherhusbandathome，therefore，mightbenoimpossibletask；thoughhere，intheheartofthevillage，atroopofhorsemightmaketheattempt，andfail。
ButhowwasItogainadmissiontothehouse——ahouseguardedbyquick-wittedwomen，andfencedwithalltheprecautionslovecoulddevise？Thatwasthequestion；anddawnfoundmestilldebatingit，stillasfaraseverfromananswer。Anxiousandfeverish，Iwasgladwhenthelightcame，andIcouldgetup。I
thoughtthatthefreshairmightinspireme，andIwastiredofmystuffycloset。Icreptstealthilydowntheladder，andmanagedtopassunseenthroughthelowerroom，inwhichseveralpersonsweresnoringheavily。Theouterdoorwasnotfastened，andinahand-turnIwasinthestreet。
Itwasstillsoearlythatthetreesstoodupblackagainstthereddeningsky，buttheboughuponthepostbeforethedoorwasgrowinggreen，andinafewminutesthegreylightwouldbeeverywhere。Already，evenintheroadway，therewasaglimmeringofit；andasIstoodatthecornerofthehouse——whereIcouldcommandboththefrontandthesideonwhichthestableopened——sniffingthefreshair，andlookingforanytraceofthemidnightdeparture，myeyesdetectedsomethinglight-colouredlyingontheground。Itwasnotmorethantwoorthreepacesfromme，andIsteppedtoitandpickeditupcuriously，hopingthatitmightbeanote。Itwasnotanote，however，butatinyorange-colouredsachetsuchaswomencarryinthebosom。Itwasfullofsomefaintly-scentedpowder，andboreononesidetheinitial\'E，\'workedinwhitesilk；andwasaltogetheradaintylittletoy，suchaswomenlove。
DoubtlessMadamedeCocheforethaddroppeditinthenight。I
turneditoverandover；andthenIputitinmypouchwithasmile，thinkingthatitmightbeusefulsometime，andinsomeway。Ihadscarcelydonethis，andturnedwiththeintentionofexploringthestreet，whenthedoorbehindmecreakedonitsleatherhinges，andinamomentthehoststoodatmyelbow，andgavemeasurlygreeting。
Evidentlyhissuspicionswereagainaroused，forfromthistimehemanagedtobewithme，ononepretenceoranotheruntilnoon。
Moreover，hismannergreweachmomentmorechurlish，hishintsplainer；untilIcouldscarcelyavoidnoticingtheoneortheother。Aboutmid-day，havingfollowedmeforthetwentiethtimeintothestreet，hecametothepointbyaskingmerudelyifI
didnotneedmyhorse。
\'No，\'Isaid。\'Whydoyouask？\'
\'Because，\'heanswered，withanuglysmile，\'thisisnotaveryhealthyplaceforstrangers。\'
\'Ah！\'Iretorted。\'Buttheborderairsuitsme，yousee，\'
Itwasaluckyanswer，for，takenwithmytalkthenightbefore，itpuzzledhim，bysuggestingthatIwasonthelosingside，andhadmyreasonsforlyingnearSpain。Beforehehaddonescratchinghisheadoverit，theclatterofhoofsbrokethesleepyquietofthevillagestreet，andtheladyIhadseenthenightbeforerodequicklyroundthecorner，anddrewherhorseontoitshaunches。Withoutlookingatme，shecalledtotheinnkeepertocometoherstirrup。
Hewent。Themomenthisbackwasturned，Islippedaway，andinatwinklingwashiddenbyahouse。Twoorthreeglum-lookingfellowsstaredatmeasIpasseddownthestreet，butnoonemoved；andintwominutesIwasclearofthevillage，andinahalf-worntrackwhichranthroughthewood，andled——ifmyideaswereright——totheChateau。Todiscoverthehouseandlearnallthatwastobelearnedaboutitssituationweremymostpressingneeds；andthese，evenattheriskofaknifethrust，Iwasdeterminedtosatisfy。
Ihadnotgonetwohundredpacesalongthepath，however，beforeIheardthetreadofahorsebehindme，andIhadjusttimetohidemyselfbeforeMadamecameupandrodebyme，sittingherhorsegracefully，andwithallthecourageofanorthernwoman。
Iwatchedherpass，andthen，assuredbyherpresencethatIwasintherightroad，Ihurriedafterher。Twominuteswalkingatspeedbroughtmetoalightwoodenbridgespanningastream。I
crossedthis，and，asthewoodopened，sawbeforemefirstawide，pleasantmeadow，andbeyondthisaterrace。Ontheterrace，pressedupononthreesidesbythickwoods，stoodagreymansion，withthecornertourelles，steep，highroofs，androundbalconies，thatmenlovedandbuiltinthedaysofthefirstFrancis。
Itwasofgoodsize，butworeagloomyaspect。Agreatyewhedge，whichseemedtoencloseawalkorbowling-green，hidthegroundflooroftheeastwingfromview，whileaformalrosegarden，stiffeveninneglect，layinfrontofthemainbuilding。
Thewestwing，ofwhichthelowerroofsfellgraduallyawaytothewoods，probablycontainedthestablesandgranaries。
Istoodamomentonly，butImarkedall，andnotedhowtheroadreachedthehouse，andwhichwindowswereopentoattack；thenI
turnedandhastenedback。Fortunately，Imetnoonebetweenthehouseandthevillage，andwasabletoentermyhost\'swithanairofthemostcompleteinnocence。
Shortashadbeenmyabsence，however，Ifoundthingsalteredthere。Roundthedoorloungedthreestrangers——stout，well-armedfellows，whosebearing，astheyloiteredandchattered，suggestedacuriousmixtureofsmugnessandindependence。Halfadozenpack-horsesstoodtetheredtothepostinfrontofthehouse；andthelandlord\'smanner，frombeingrudeandchurlishonly，hadgrownperplexedandalmosttimid。Oneofthestrangers，Isoonfound，suppliedhimwithwine；theothersweretravellingmerchants，whorodeinthefirstone\'scompanyforthesakeofsafety。AllweresubstantialmenfromTarbes——solidburgesses；
andIwasnotlonginguessingthatmyhost，fearingwhatmightleakoutbeforethem，and，particularly，thatImightrefertothepreviousnight\'sdisturbance，wasontenter-hookswhiletheyremained。