vayenne, by percy brebner
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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofVayenne,byPercyBrebner
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org/license
Title:Vayenne
Author:PercyBrebner
Illustrator:ErnestFuhr
ReleaseDate:May8,2012[EBook#39652]
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKVAYENNE***
ProducedbyBruceAlbrecht,MatthewWheatonandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net
[Illustration:_Christine._]
VAYENNE
BYPERCYBREBNER
_Authorof"PrincessMaritza"_
ILLUSTRATIONSBYE.FUHR
THEJOHNMcBRIDECO.
NEWYORK
COPYRIGHT,1907--1908
BY
THEJOHNMcBRIDECO.
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CONTENTS
I.THETRAVELLERARRIVES,II.THECROIXVERTELOSESITSGUEST,III.THEDWARFOFST.ETIENNE,IV.THEROADTOPASSEY,V.THESCHOLAR,VI.ATTHECLEARINGINTHEFOREST,VII.THEENDOFARACEFORLIFE,VIII.INTODEATH'SJAWSAGAIN,IX.COUNTFELIX,X.THESUPERSTITIONOFCOUNTFELIX,XI.THELAWOFTHELAND,XII.HOWJEANLOSTHISENEMIES,XIII.OBEDIENCEANDTRUST,XIV.THEDUKE'SFOOL,XV.THECOUNTLOSESHISSWORD,XVI.THEORDERSFORRELEASE,XVII.THEDUKEOFMONTVILLIERS,XVIII.THEPRICEOFSUCCESS,XIX.ACHANGEDMAN,
XX.FATHERBERTRANDJUSTIFIESHIMSELF,XXI.THEOLDHAG,XXII.THEDWARF'SAPPEAL,XXIII.THEGATESARESHUT,XXIV.THEFORDBYLARNE,XXV.THECRYPTOFST.ETIENNE,XXVI.THEVENGEANCEOFTHEMOB,XXVII.ONLYTHEFOOL,XXVIII.THESUBMISSIONOFMADEMOISELLEDELIANCOURT,XXIX.THEDUKE'SMESSENGER,XXX.THECROWNINGOFROGERHERRICK,XXXI.DUKEANDSUBJECTS,
ILLUSTRATIONS
Christine"TheSpy!"shesaidHerusheduponHerrickwildlyShesankintoachairHisstrongarmswereabouther
VAYENNE
CHAPTERI
THETRAVELLERARRIVES
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Along,straightroad,nohedgeorditchseparatingitfromthefieldsoneitherside,butatintervalsoffiftyyardsorsotreesinpairs;tall,thintrees,butheavy-headedandwithfoliagespreadoutfussilyneartheground,allbentforwardinonedirection,andlookingforalltheworldlikeancientdameswiththeirpetticoatsheldoutofthemudastheystruggledwearilyhomewardagainstastrongwind.Initsseasonthisroadcouldbemuddy,asmanyatravellerknew,thefiercestormswhichragedacrossthelowcountrymakingitalmostimpassablefordaystogetherinwinter-time.To-daytheancientdiligencewhichtraverseditataneven,jog-trotpaceonlyleftalongcloudofdustinitswake;andthedriver,anoldmanwhohaddrivenalongthisroadatregularintervalsformoreyearsthanhecouldcount,whopossiblyknewtheexactnumberoftreeswhichlinedit,sathuncheduponhisseatandhadnothingtodo.Perhapsheslept,forthehorsesknewthewaywellenoughtohaveperformedthejourneywithouthim.Earlierinthedaytherehadbeenhalfadozenpassengers,butoftheseonlyoneremained,andhehadfoundthedriversotaciturn,andhispatoissodifficulttounderstandwhenhedidspeak,thathehadgivenupallattemptatconversation.Hewaswearyofthelongjourney,anddozedwheneverthejoltingofthesomewhatcrazyvehiclewouldallowhimtodoso.
Fortwodayshehadwaitedinthelittlefrontiertown,forthediligenceonlyperformedthisjourneytwiceintheweek,andhehadbeentravellingsinceearlymorning.Atthelastmoment,indeed,hehadhesitatedwhetherheshouldtakethejourneyatall.ItwasanabsurdfancythathadbroughthimtothisDuchyofMontvilliers,awonderandspeculationwhichhadlainlatentinhimsincechildhood.Asaboyafewchancewords,andanelderlywoman'searnestlookingintohisface,hadstirredhisimagination.Sincethentheworkoflifehadcometofirehimwithotherambitions,somepartiallyrealized,perhaps,somefoundtobeunworthyofpursuit;andthen,suddenlyasitwere,almostasthoughsomecompellingvoicehadspokentohisinnerconsciousness,theoldwonderandspeculationhadsprungagainintolife,andatlasthewasnearingtheendofajourneywhich
asaladhehadpromisedhimselfonedaytotake.
Thesunwasfastsinkingwestwardwhenthejoltingofthevehicleagainwokethetraveller,andhesawthattheaspectofthelandhadchanged.Themonotonouspairsoftreeshadgone,andthediligenceWasascendingastiffinclinebetweentwoswellingdowns,partofalonglineofhillswhichhadrisenmistilyinthedistancebeforethemallday.Itwasalongclimbandthehorsesstoppedatintervalstorestwithoutanysuggestionfromthedriver;ontheirowninitiativetheywentonagain,andfinallypausedonthesummitbeforebeginningthelongdescentontheotherside.
"Vayenne?"askedthetraveller,suddenlyleaningtowardthedriverand
pointingdownintothevalley.Themanlookedathimwithsleepyeyesandnodded.Itseemedafoolishquestiontohim.WhatplacecoulditbebutVayenne?
Itlayinthegatheringtwilightlikethecityofadream,indefinite,unreal,mystical.Thehillsovershadowedit,keepingsilentwatch;andspannedbyastonebridge,ariver,dottedwithgreenislandslikeemeraldsuponitsbosom,sweptarounditssouthernandwesternsides,holdingitinitsarms.Overallwasthediaphanoushazeofeveningandsilence,saveforthethinmusicofbellandchimefrombelfryor
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clocktower,joyouslittlecadenceswhichroseandfellatshortintervals.Indistinctlytheeyecouldtracethedirectionofsomeofthewiderstreets,andtowardthenorthernside,dominatingthecityfromrisingground,fivegaunt,weather-beatentowers,withmassivewallsandbattlementsbetween,frownedoverallbelow.Therewasmenaceinthiscastle,power,andperchancecruelty.Itspokeofdespoticgovernment,ofmightasright,ofsternrepression,offeudallawsandthecrushingofallliberty;andyetclosetoit,thecrowninggloryofagloriouschurch,agreatspirepiercedupwardthroughthehaze,tellingofotherthingsandatimetocome.
Theywerecomplexthoughtswhichfilledthemindofthetravellerasthediligenceswungrapidlydowntowardthetown.Tohim,indeed,Vayennewasadreamcity,anunknowncity;yetsomehowithadalwaysseemedapartofhimself.Inanindefinitewayhehadalwaysknownthatsomedayhewouldcometoit,wouldhaveapartinitslife,beofit;andnow,aseverymomentbroughthimnearertoit,heforgotthathewasacasualtravellermerely,thatonlyafewhoursagohehadhesitatedwhetherheshouldcomeatall.Hewasobligedtocome.Hewasonlyfulfillinghisdestiny.
Lightsbegantoblinkinthehousesastheycrossedtheoldstonebridgeandpassedunderamassivegatewayonthecitysideofit.Lightsswungatstreetcornersasthelumberingvehiclepassedover
thecobblestoneswithmuchrattleandnoiseupwardtowardthecastle.Eventhedriverrousedalittlefromhislethargy,andcrackedhiswhip.Theyhadproceededsomedistancewhenhesuddenlydrewtothesideofthestreet,andthehorsescametoastandstill.Theywereevidentlyusedtosuchpauses;forinthesenarrowthoroughfarestrafficwasdifficult,andthediligencemadenopretenceofkeepingtime.Therewasthesoundofhorses'hoofsbehind,andinafewmomentsawoman,followedbyhalfadozenhorsemen,rodeby.Shecheckedherpaceasshepassed,andturnedtolookatthetraveller,whilethedriverslowlyraisedhiswhipinsalute.Thelightfromalampswingingfromabracketonthewallfelluponher,andthetravellersawthatshewasyoung,twoorthreeandtwenty,herfigureslightandsupple.Herdarkgrayhabitmayhavemadeherlooksmaller
thanshereallywas,andthemare,whichshesatlikeanaccomplishedhorsewoman,wasabigandpowerfulanimal,almosttoomuch,itseemed,forthoselittleglovedhandswhichheldthereinstomanage.Yettherewasstrengthinthoselittlehands.Therewasasuggestionofstrengthaboutheraltogether,strengthofwillandpurpose.Itshoneoutofapairofdarkgrayeyessetundergracefullycurvedbrowsandveiledwithlonglashes.Thefirmlittlemouthshowedit,andtherewasjustenoughsuspicionofsquarenessaboutthechintoemphasizeit.Shehadnut-brownhair,acurlofwhichfelluponherforeheadfromunderneathagrayastrakhancap,andthelittleheadwaspoisedproudlyonhershoulders.Noordinarywomanthis,notonetobeeasilyswayedbyloveoranyotherpassion,awomantoruleratherthanberuled.
"Whoisthat?"askedthetraveller,leaningtowardthedriverasthecavalcadepassedon.
"Abeautifulwoman,"wastheslowanswer.
"Buthername?"
Thedrivercrackedhiswhipandthediligencebegantorattleoverthecobblesagain.
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"SomedayshemaybeDuchess,"hesaid,asthoughhewasfollowinghisowntrainofthoughtratherthanansweringhiscompanion'squestion.
Therewasnotimetotempthimintobeingmoreexplicit,forthehorsesturnedacornersharply,andwithashakeoftheirharnessstoppedbeforealong,lowbuilding,onwhichthetravellercouldjustdecipherthewords,HteldelaCroixVerte.Itwasanoldhouse,redolentofthepast,thelightswithinshiningbutfaintlythroughthesmallwindows.Itsupperstoryprojectedoverthenarrowfootway,anditslowerwallsbulgedoutward,asthoughtheyhadgrowntiredoftheloadtheyhadhadtobearsolong.Itsageseemedtohaveinfecteditsinhabitants,too,forsomemomentselapsedbeforethedooropened,andamancameoutleisurelytoreceivetheparcelswhichthediligencehadbrought.Thatithadbroughtatravelleralsodidnotexcitehim,norwasheinanyhurrytowelcomehim.Perhapsthetravellerwashalfdreaming,forhealmoststartedwhenthemanturnedandspoketohim.
"Yes;it'salongjourney,"heanswered,"andIamreadytodojusticetothebestyouhave."
Hefollowedthelandlordalonganarrowpassageandupatwistingstaircase.
"Thebestroom,"saidthelandlordasheopenedadoorandlitacandle."There'snooneelsestayinginthehouse.StrangersdonotcomemuchtoVayenne."
"No?"saidthetravellerinterrogatively.
"No,"returnedthelandlord."It'snotaneasyjourney,and,besides,whatcanstrangerswantinVayenne?Byyouraccentyou'llbe----"
"Well,towhatextentdoesmyaccentbetrayme?"askedthetraveller,withasmile.
"EnglishorGerman,"wastheanswer.
"Englishman,"saidthetraveller--"RogerHerrickbyname,acasualvisitorwhomaybeinterestedenoughtostayinVayennesometime."
Thelandlordnodded,asthoughhewerenotsurprisedatanythinganEnglishmanmightdo,andwentoutpromisinganexcellentdinnerforthwith.
"SoIaminVayenneatlast!"Herrickexclaimedasheglancedaroundtheoldroom,pleasedwithitspanelledwallsandlow,beamedceiling."InVayenne!Ihardlythoughtwhenthetimecamethatthefactwouldimpressmesomuch."
Hewenttothewindow,openedit,andlookedout.Likeshadowsinthedarknesshecoulddimlydiscernthetowersofthecastleabovetheroofsopposite,andtheslenderspirewithitstoplostinthenight.Thechimesmadelittleburstsofecstaticmusiclikethevoicesandlaughterofspiritsintheair.Somewheretherewasthelowrumbleofacartoverthecobbles,butthestreetbelowhimwasempty.Thediligencehadgone;nopedestrianwasonthenarrowfootway.Italmostseemedasthoughheweredeserted,lefthereforalltime;that,howeveranxioushemightbetoleaveVayenne,hewouldnotbeableto
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doso.Thecityofhisdreamshadhimfast,andalreadythefirstofhersurpriseswaspreparingforhim.Couldhehavelookedbutforaninstantintothenearfuture,hemightpossiblyhavegonetodinnerwithlessappetitethanhedid.
Thelong,lowroomhaditswindowstowardthestreet,andwasbrokenupbypartitions.AwaiterpointedtooneoftheseseparateretreatsasHerrickentered,andhesawthathistablewaslaidthere.Ontheothersideofthepartitionfourmenweresitting,abottleofwineandglassesonthetablebetweenthem.Herrickcasuallynoticedthatonewasinuniformandthatanotherworethecassockofapriest,buttooknofurtherinterestinthem,andhehadcomeintotheroomsoquietlythattheydidnotlookupathisentrance,andwereperhapsunconsciousthatanyonewasdiningontheothersideofthepartition.
Thelandlordhadbeentruetohisword,andhadprovidedanexcellentdinner.Itwasgoodwine,too,thatwassetuponthetable,andHerrickbegantodiscoverhowhungryhereallywas.Foralongtimehisattentionwasconfinedtothebusinessinhand,andthenhesuddenlybecameconsciousoftheconversationontheothersideofthepartition.Itseemedtohavetakenamoreseriousturn,thevoicesweredroppedalittle,anditwasthisfact,nodoubt,whichmadeHerricklistenunconsciously.
"Suchmenasheisdiehard,"saidoneman."TheoldDukemayholddeathatarm'slengthforyearsyet."
"Notso,myson.Iknowsomethingofhisdisease,andnaughtbutamiraclecanhelphim.Afewweeksperhaps,andthen----"
Itwasevidentlythepriestwhospoke.Hisvoicewassoftandpersuasive,andHerrickthoughtthatsomesuggestivegesture,explainingwhatmustensue,hadprobablyfinishedthesentence.
Therewassilenceforafewmoments,andthentheringofaglassasitwasplacedonthetable.
"Whenthereinsfallfromastronghandthereisalwaystrouble,"saidanotherman.
"Andopportunity,don'tforgetthat,"saidthepriest."Youhaveyourambitions;havewenottalkedofthembeforethis?Theyarewithinafewshortweeksofrealization,ifyouwillbeguidedbyme."
"Ay,orIamwithinmeasurabledistanceoflosingmyhead,ifthingsgoawry,"wastheanswer."Therearealwaystwosidestosuchaschemeasthis."
"Ihadn'tthoughttofindacowardinGaspardLemasle,"saidthe
priest.
Therewasasuddenmovementandquickshuffleoffeet,thenalaugh,thelaughofastrongman,deep-chestedandresonant.
"Bah!Iforgot.Onecannotfightwithacassock.Seehere,FatherBertrand,grantedIhaveambitions,whereitnotbettertostandbythestrongerside?CountFelixisstrong,evenashisuncle.TheoldDukelooksuponhimashissuccessor.Stronghandsarereadytocatchthereinsastheyfall.InthefaceofsuchamanwillVayenneshout
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forapale-facedscholarithaslittleknowledgeof,thinkyou?"
"AndwhatrewardisGaspardLemasletowinfromCountFelix?"askedthepriest."IsGaspardLemasle'ssupportnecessarytohim?Rewardscomeonlytothosewhostruggleforthem.ForyoutheylieinthehandsofthatpalescholaratPassey.Therewillbemanytoshoutforhim,and,withadeterminedleadertofightforhim,IcanseeenthusiasticcrowdsinthestreetsofVayenne."
"FatherBertrandspeaksnothingbutthetruth,"saidanotherman,anditseemedcertainthatonlyLemasle'sconsentwaswantingtocompleteaschemewhichhadlongoccupiedthepriest'sattention.
"Maybe,"Lemaslereturned,"Icarenotovermuchwhichwayitgoes."
"AndyouhaveforgottenMademoiselledeLiancourt,"saidthepriest.
"Asecondtimeyourcassockprotectsyou,father,"laughedtheother."Itwereasin,indeed,toforgether.Passthebottle,andletushavebrimmingglassestodrinkherhealth.ChristinedeLiancourt,themostbeautifulwomaninMontvilliers."
"Intheworld,"correctedthepriestquietly."Sheisheartandsoulforthispalescholar,andshehasmentionedGaspardLemasletome."
"Bythefaith,youshalltellmewhatshesaid,"theothercried,strikingthetableuntiltheglassesrattled.
"Nay,nay,itwasfornoearsbutmine;yet,markyou,sheknowsabravemanwhensheseeshim,and----"
Theprieststoppedsuddenly.Thesilentstreethadsuddenlyawoke.Therewerehurryingfeetandmenshoutingtoeachotherastheyran,thenthesoundofagunwhichboomedindeepvibrationanddiedslowlyawayinthedistance.
Withinarticulateandfragmentaryexclamationsthefourmensprangup
andhurriedtothedoor.Herrickfollowedthemmoreleisurely.
"TheDukeisdead!"amancriedtothemastheystoodinthedoorway,andasheranheshoutedthenewstootherswhohadbeenbroughtfromtheirhousesbythesoundofthegun."TheDukeisdead!"
"Dead!"saidthepriestslowly,crossinghimself,morebyhabitthanintentionitseemed,forotherthoughtsthanofdeathwerereflectedinhisface.Helookedathiscompanionsoneaftertheother,deepmeaninginhislook,andlastofallhiseyesrestedonRogerHerrick,standingalittleintherear,hisfacelitupbythelightofalamphanginginthepassage.ForamomentthepriestdidnotappeartorealizethatHerrickwasastranger,andthenhiseyes
openedwiderandremainedfixeduponhim.
"Asuddendeath,"saidHerrick."Iheardyousayjustnowthathemightliveforweeks."
FatherBertrandglancedbackintotheroomtheyhadleft,totheplacewhereheandhiscompanionshadbeensitting.
"Verysudden,"heanswered,andthenafterapauseheadded,"Verystrange."
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CHAPTERII
THECROIXVERTELOSESITSGUEST
"Doesthedeathofamanpreventthelivingfromfinishingthebottle?It'sasintowastegoodwine,"saidLemasle,stridingbackintotheroom.
Hespokeratherasamanwhowasperplexedthanasonewhowascallous.WhateverschemeFatherBertrandwaspersuadinghimto,hadbeeninthefutureafewmomentsago;therewasplentyoftimetoweighitanddigestit,toplaywithitandcalculatethechances;thatcannonboomingoutintothenighthadmadeaquickdecisionimperative,andGaspardLemaslewastroubled.
"Leavehimtome,"saidthepriesttotheothertwomen,andthenasHerrickturnedandwentdownthepassagetowardthestairs,FatherBertranddrewhiscompanionsclosertohim,andtalkedeagerlytothemforafewmoments.
WhenHerrickdescendedthestairsafewminuteslaterthepassagewasempty,andonlyawaiterwasinthelongroom.Theconversationhehadchancedtooverhearhadmadelittleimpressionuponhim.Wasthereeverastateyetinwhicheverycitizenwascontentedwithhisrulers?HereinMontvillierstherewerecontentions,andthecomingdemiseoftheDukepromptedmentotalk.Howdangeroussuchtalkmightbe,Herrickhadnomeansofjudging.Hehadheardafewnameswhichhadlittlemeaningforhim--acount,abeautifulwoman,andascholar.EvidentlytheywereofimportintheDuchy,butofwhatinterestcouldtheybetohim?Norhadheparticularlynoticedthepriest'sclosescrutinyofhisface.FatherBertrandhadbeenastonishedtoseeastrangerthere,onewhohadcertainlyoverheardsomethingofwhat
hadbeensaid,and,beingapoliticianaswellasachurchman,moreloyalasthelatterpossiblythanastheformer,hehadnaturallysoughttounderstandwhatmannerofmanthisstrangermightbe.Thatwasall.
SoHerricksoughttodismisstheoccurrencefromhismindashepassedoutoftheinn,and,afterstandingonthenarrowfootwayforamomentlookingupanddownthestreet,turnedinthedirectionofthecastle,bentonashortwalkbeforebed.
Thereiseverasenseofmysteryinanunknowncitywhenitistraversedforthefirsttimeafternightfall.Seenovertheinterveningroofs,sometowerorbattlementededifice,risinggrayand
ghost-likeinthedimlightofthemoonasitdidto-night,seemsfullofmystery;thereisasecretineverystreetturningtorightandleft,leadingweknownotwhither;ineverynarrowalley,lookingdangerousbetwixtfrowningwalls;ineverydarkwindow,fromwhenceevilmightpeepoutunseen.InVayennethissenseofmysterywasintensifiedsinceforlongcenturieshistoryhadbeenbusywithit.Itsinterestlayinthefoldedmantleofthepastratherthanintheopenlapofthepresent.ItsfoundationswereinthedaysofCharlemagne,andinwarandpeaceithadplayedaforemostpartsincethen.Hateandambitionhadfoughtouttheirdeadlyfeudsaroundit
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andinitsstreets.Thriceithadcloseditsgatesagainsttheinvaderandstoodasiege.Chivalryhadheldswayinit,andincruelagesdeedsunspeakablehadbeenperpetratedwithinitswalls.Ithadhaditsperiodsofgreatgloryandofevengreaterneglect,ofvictoryanddefeat,yetitstoodto-dayasiteverhadstood,thecapitaloftheDuchyofMontvilliers,thecentreofanindependentstate,thedukesofwhichcouldstilllinkthemselveswiththoseFrankishpirateswhohadconqueredandmadetheirhomehere.
Butto-dayVayennehadfallenbehindinthemarchofmoderncivilization.Forthemostpartitsstreetswereoldandill-lighted.Menstillinhabitedhouseswhichhadstoodforcenturies,thecastlestillfrownedoverthecityasithaddoneintheMiddleAges,andtherulinghandhadstillanirongripinit.PerhapsnowhereinEuropehadthewaysoftheforeignermadelessprogress.TravellershadnotyetmarkedVayenneasaplacetovisit.Itwasnoteasyofaccess,andnoonehadwritteneulogiesconcerningit.Thatithadfallenbehindthetimesinthismannermayhavebeenapotentfactorinkeepingitinviolateandindependent.Whatwonderthenifitsrulers,anditspeople,too,weresatisfiedwiththingsastheywere?
Wellmightatravellerfeelstrangelyaloneandoutoftheworldinthiscity,whosemonumentsofchiselledstoneandsturdyoakhaddefiedtheravagesoftheconquerorandoftime.Yetnosuch
strangenesstookpossessionofRogerHerrick.Vayennehadbeentohimadreamcity.Hehadknownofitfromearliestchildhood,whyandhowhehardlyunderstood;asaboyhehadvowedonedaytoseeandknowitinreality;andto-nightthesuddenrushesofbellandchimemusic,theverycadencesofthecarillon,whichcamefromthebelfryofthegreatchurchwhosespirerosehightowardheaven,seemedfamiliar.Theywerenotnew,hehadonlyforgottenthemforawhile.Heseemedtohaveknownthesedarkstreetswiththeiroverhanginghousesinsomeotherlife,andinthispresentexistencethedeathoftheDuketo-nightseemedtoholdsomemeaningforhim.
Thissenseoffamiliaritywithhissurroundingswasparticularlystrongashestoppedatacornerwiththeintentionofturningand
retracinghisstepstotheinn.Somedistancedown,thestreetwasspannedbyadeeparchway,intheupperpartofwhichwasagreatclock.Bythelightofalampswingingatthecorner,HerricksawthatitwascalledtheRuedelaGrosseHorloge.Itsupperend,atleast,wasbetterlightedthanmostofthestreetshehadpassedthrough,andhewalkedtowardthearchway,whichwasoldandweather-worn,andmusthavebeenafamiliarobjectinVayennelongbeforeanyclockwasplacedthere.Thereweresmallshops,partofthestructureoneithersideoftheroad,andinthedeeparchitself,aboveandonthesides,wereboldreliefs,somepasthistoryofthecitycarvedintopermanenceinstone.Herrickpausedtolookupatthem,hisactionmarkinghimforaforeigner,forwhoamongstthosewhopasseddailythroughthatfamiliararchwaywouldgivethemathought?Twomen
walkingadozenyardsbehindhimstoppedtowatchhim,andwhenhewenton,theywenton,too,quickeningtheirpacealittleanddrawingclosertohim.Thestreetbeyondthearchwasdarker,mostoftheshopstherebeingclosedforthenight,andthefactremindedHerrickthatitwastimetoreturntotheCroixVerte.Heturnedsosuddenlythathealmostcollidedwiththetwomenwhofollowedhim,andhadwalkedsolightlythathewasquiteunconsciousoftheirpresence.Onesteppedasideandpassedon,theothersteppedbackandbeganavolubleapology.
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"Pardon,monsieur,Ididnotsee.Iwaswalkingwithmyeyesontheground.Itisabadhabit."
Raisinghishatandbowingevenastheotherdid,Herrickwasexplainingthatiftherewereanyfaultitwashis,andthatnoapologywasnecessary,whenanarmwasthrownsuddenlyacrosshisthroatfrombehind,andhewasdraggedviolentlybackward.Immediatelythemaninfrontclosedwithhim,endeavoringtopreventhisusinghishands;andtheattackwassounexpectedthatforsomemomentsitwasallHerrickcoulddotokeephisfeet.Hewas,however,astrongman,awrestlerandafighterofnomeanskill.Withthehandthathehadsucceededinkeepingfreehegrippedthearmabouthisthroat,andwithonegreatheaveofhisbodythrewthemanoverhisheadontotheroadway,wherehelaymotionless,asthoughalllifewerebeatenoutofhim.Inanothermomentitwouldhavegonehardwithhisotherassailanthadthemannotslippedtotheground,keepinghisarmstightlyclaspedroundHerrick'slegs,however.
"Aspy!Help!Aspy!"heshouted.Theeffectofthatcrywaswonderful.BeforeHerrickcouldkickhimselffree,ascoreofmenwereuponhim.Heattemptedtoshoutanexplanation,buttonopurpose.Thiswayandthatwashethrown,hisarmswereseizedandtwistedbehindhim,andthenanoosewasslippedoverhiswrists,renderinghimhelpless.
Hatlessandwithtornclotheshewashustleddownthestreet,thecrowdabouthimbecominglargereverymoment,thoseontheouterfringeofitloudlyquestioningwhohewasandwhathehaddone.
"Aspy!"someoneshouted.
"Aquickdeathtoallspies,"camethereadyanswer.
Herrickhadbeenseverelyhandled,andforafewmomentswashardlyconsciousofwhatwashappeningabouthim.Thereiteratedcryof"Spy"servedtorousehim.Forthesepeoplethewordappearedtohaveaspecialinterpretation.Theyexpectedandfearedspies,andwere
inclinedtobemerciless.Revengewasintheirmindsratherthanjustice.Thatthetwomenwhohadattackedhimtookhimforaspy,Herrickdidnotbelieve;themanclaspinghislegshadonlyraisedthecrytosavehimself,knowingfullwellhowpromptlyassistancewouldcometosuchashout.Aquickdeathseemedlikelytofollowcapture,and,onemanashewasagainstamultitude,Herricknervedhimselfforalaststruggle.Thecordthatboundhiswristswasnotfastenedintooworkman-likeafashion,hecouldworkhishandsfree,anditshouldgohardwithsomebeforetheysucceededinstringinghimtosomelampatacorner,whichheimaginedwastheirintention.
Thecry,however,hadgonefartherthanthestreetofthegreatclock.TherewasaspiritofexcitementabroadinVayenneto-nightconsequent
onthedeathoftheDuke,andtheclosingoftheshopshadonlysentmoremenintothetavernsandstreetstotalkandperchancetoplot.Thecryof"Spy"hadleapedfromliptolipfarbeyondthemanwhohadbeenthecauseofit,andnowastheexcitedcrowdpouredoutofthestreetintoawide,opensquare,andHerrickwasabouttomakealaststruggleforhislife,therecameasharpwordofcommand,aringofsteeldrawnfromthescabbard,andthecrowdhaltedinconfusionbeforeabodyofsoldiers.
"Whathavewehere?"saidavoicewhichsoundedfamiliartoHerrick.
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"Aspy,captain,"shoutedadozenvoices.
"Youmayeasilycallamanthat,buttheproof?"
Therewassilence,eachmanexpectinghisneighbortospeak.
"Youmaywellaskfortheproof,sincethereisnone,"saidHerrick."Somescoundrels----"
"Ay,andtheaccusationisaseasilydenied,"interruptedthesoldier,turningtowardHerrick."Therewasneveraspyyetbuthadplentyofliesreadytohistongue."
"IamastrangerinVayenne--shallIseekjusticeinitinvain,CaptainLamasle?"ForHerrickrecognizedhimasthesoldierwhohadbeenwiththepriestattheCroixVertethatevening.
Anexpressionofastonishmentcrossedthecaptain'sfaceatbeingknownbythisstranger.ItwasevidentthathedidnotrecognizeHerrick,butperhapsherememberedwhatcompanyhehadbeeninnotlongsinceandwhathadbeensaidoverthewine.
"Beingsoreadywithmynameisnotmuchinyourfavor,"hesaid;
"you'llgetjustice,Iwarrant."Andtheninobediencetoaquickcommand,Herrickfoundhimselfaprisoneramongstsoldiersinsteadofinthemidstofacrowd.Itwouldbeuselessnowtoattempttoescape,andatthewordofcommandhemarchedforward.
UntilthismomentHerrickhadtakenlittlenoteofhissurroundings.Nowasuddenrushofmusicintheairabovemadehimlookaroundhim.Thesquarewasofgreatsize,mistyandghost-likeinthepale,uncertainmoonlight,but,infrontofhimthereloomedagreatgatewayflankedbytowers,andbehindandonhigherground,therewereothertowersandfrowningwalls.Itwasthecastle,andnearitrosethestatelypileofagreatchurch,itsspirepiercingfarintothenight.
Astheyapproachedthecastlethegreatgateswereflungopen,andHerricksawthatthecourt-yardwithinwasfullofmenhurryingtoandfro.Horses'hoofsimpatientlybeatthestones,whichwereroughanduneven.Therewasmuchjinglingofharnessandringofspurandsteel.Lightsshoneinnarrowdoorways,andtherewastheflameofatorchhereandthere.Allwashurryandexcitement;andinsomesilentchambernear,theDukelaydead.Herrickrememberedthis,foundhimselfspeculatinguponit,yetevenashepassedthroughthegatehehardlyfeltstrangeinplayingapartinthisdrama.
Theword"Spy"seemedtohaverunbeforehimevenhere.Thatgrimgatewayhadnotkeptitout.Menpausedamomenttolookathim:some
weresilent,someutteredasoundofhatredandcontempt,butallseemedconvincedthattheaccusationwasajustone.
Thesoldiershaltedbythewallsometwentyfeetinheight.Herrickconcludedthattherewasaterraceorgardenabove,becauseseveralpersons,womenandpagesamongthem,wereleaningoverthewalllookingintothecourt-yardbelow.Aflightofstonesteps,placedsidewaystothewall,leddownfromthisterrace,andatthefootofthesestepswasawomanmounteduponabeautifulbaymare,whichpawedtheground,impatienttobegone.Atalittledistanceagroupof
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horsemenwaitedforhersignal,whichshewasintheactofgivingwhenthesoldiers,withtheirprisonerintheirmidst,cametoahaltnotadozenyardsfromher.Thelightfromtwoorthreetorchesheldbyservantswhostoodonthelowerstepslitupherface,andHerricksawagainthewomanwhohadriddenpastthediligenceafewhoursago,thewomanwhowasdestinedtoplaysogreatapartinhislife.
CaptainLemaslesteppedtohersideandsaluted.
"Areyounottoridewithus?"sheasked."Wearewaiting."
"Pardon,mademoiselle.Ihavejustbeenrescuingaspy.Thecrowdhadcaughthim,anditwouldhavegonehardwithhimhadwenottakenhim."
"Ifheisaspy,wouldthathavemattered?"shesaid,loudenoughforHerricktohear.
"Thereisjusticeinprovingamanguiltybeforeheishanged,"Lemasleanswered.
"Sincewhenhaveyoubeensofastidious?IhaveheardotherthingsofGaspardLemasle.Letmelookatthisspy."
"IseembetterknownthanIimagined,"thesoldiermutteredashestoodaside.
SherodetowardHerrick,themenabouthimfallingback,untilshewascloseuponhim.
"Lookup,"shecommanded,"andletmeseethefaceofaspy."
"Notofaspy,mademoiselle,butofanhonestman,"heanswered,lookingherstraightintheeyes.
"Spy,spy,"shecontradictedsharply,"orwhatdoyouinVayenneatsuchatimeasthis?"
"Iamatraveller."
"Soaretheyall,"shecried."Thereisaguest-roomwithinthesewallsforyou.Vayenneknowshowtowelcomesuchtravellers.Ah!Icouldhonoranenemy,butaspy----"AndtherewassuchuttercontemptinherfacethatHerrickcouldfindnowordstoanswerher.
Asshetightenedherreins,herridingwhipslippedfromherfingersandfellathisfeet,andbeforeanyonecouldpreventhimhehadshakentheloosenedcordfromhiswrists,andhadstoopedandpickeditup.Inaninstanthalfadozensoldierssprangforwardtopreventhisattackingher.Shedidnotflinch,butwavingthemback,heldout
herhandforthewhip.
"Thankyou,mademoiselle,"saidHerrick."AtleastyouhavegenerosityenoughtoknowthatIamincapableofsuchathingasthat."
Shelookedathimforaninstantasshetookthewhip,anewinterestinhereyes,andaslightloweringofherproudheadthankedhim.Thensheturnedthemareroundsharply.
"CaptainLemasle,Iamready,"shesaid,andasthesoldiersclosed
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roundHerrickagain,sherodeoutthroughthegrimgateway,followedbythetroopofhorsemen.
CHAPTERIII
THEDWARFOFST.ETIENNE
Alongdarkstonepassages,throughmanyadoorway,andacrosstwoorthreeroughcourt-yards,halfadozensoldiersconductedHerricktohis"guest-room."Thewoman'spleasantryhadcaughttheirfancy,andtheylaughedboisterouslyastheywent,hoping,perhaps,toputfearintotheheartoftheirprisoner.
Theyhaltedbeforealowdoor,whichonemanunlockedwithagreatkey.Theimmensethicknessofthewallformedanarrowpassage,attheendofwhichsomestepsdescendedintoasemicircularcellofnogreatsize,butofconsiderableheight.
"There'sstrawforabed,"saidthejailer,pointingtoacorner,"thoughhowitcamehereIdon'tunderstand,andyou'vegotheaven's
lightitselfforacandle."Andhenoddedtowardapatchofmoonlight."Therearehonestsoldierswhoareworselodged,Iwarrant."
"Itillbecomesaguesttocomplainofhistreatment,"Herrickanswered.
"Ay;thatideaofaguest-roomwassmartlythoughtof,"themanreturned,"butmaybeyouhardlyseethefullhumorofit.ThisistheSouthTower,andit'susuallythelastlodgingamanneedsthissidethegrave."
"Isthatso?"AndHerrick'sattitudehadinterestinit,butlittlepersonalconcern.
"Yes;andit'sashortwalkfromheretothelastyardwecrossed.Itusuallyhappensthere."Andthejailermadeasuggestivedownwardsweepwithhisarm.
"Axeorsword?"askedHerrick.
"Sword.Unlesstheydecidetomakeanespecialexampleinyourcase,thenthey'relikelytohangyouoverthegreatgateway."
"AmIsufficientlyimportantforthat,thinkyou?"
"I'veknownadeadsparrowonastringscareawaymuchfinerbirds,"
thejaileranswered;"butatanyrateyou'renowhite-liveredman,andIshouldn'tgrievetoseeyoucheatbothswordandrope."
"Thanksforyourgoodwill,"saidHerrick."Whoknows,Imaylivetospeakacomfortingwordtoyou.Iwillbehonestwithyou,Ihadnotappreciatedthefullextentofthelady'shumor."
Withsomethinglikeasalute,deferencetotheprisoner'scourage,thejailerdeparted,andthekeygratedharshlyinthelockastheboltsshothome.
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Highupneartherooftherewasadeep-setwindowthroughwhichthemoonlightcame.Thetowercouldnotbeshutinbyhighwalls,therefore,andprobablywasoneoftheoutertowersofthecastle.Fromthatwindowpossiblyaprisonermightlookintoafreeworld,reachit,perhaps,ifagehadwornthebarslooseintheirstonesockets.AmomentlaterHerrickfeltcertainthatonlythissinglewallheldhimfromfreedom,forthemusicofthecarillonburstuponhisears.Hisfancymadethemoonbeamsthepathalongwhichthemusictravelled.Butthewindowwasunattainable.Theroundedwallswerealmostassmoothasifthesurfacehadbeenpolished,andthecellwasbareofeverythingbuttheheapofstrawinthecomer.
"MyfirstnightinVayenne,"hemuttered,andsomeofthebraverywithwhichhehadaddressedthejailerwaswanting.Themoonlightwasuponhisfaceashespoke,aseriousfacejustnow,althoughneitherhopelessnessnordespairwasinit.Itcouldhardlybecalledahandsomeface,yetitwasonetoremember.Theyweregood,steadyeyes,andifthenoseandmouthwerenotanartist'sidealsofbeauty,inthewholefacetheartistwouldhavefoundattraction.Itwasstrong,forceful,fashionedinanuncommonmould;itwasafaceapartratherthanoneofatype,astrongfamilypossessionwhichtostrangershadoftenmarkedhimforaHerrick.
"MyfirstnightinVayenne,"herepeatedashebegantopacehisnarrowcellslowly.Howlongagoitseemedsincehehadfirstseenthecityfromthebrowofthehills.Howmuchhadhappenedinthefewshorthourssincethen,andyetoneincidentstoodoutmoreclearlythanalltherest,thewomanleaningfromherhorsetolookintothefaceofaspy.Evennowhercontempthurthim.Itwashatefultoappearmeaninhereyes.Allelsethathadhappenedtohimseemedoflittleaccountbesidethis.Themomenthiseyeshadresteduponhertherehadsprungadesireinhissoultoserveher.Inthatservicehefelthimselfcapableofmuch,yetshedespisedhim.Alittletouchofsympathyhadshowninherfaceforamomentwhenhehandedherthewhip,butithadnopowertoobliteratethecontempt.Thatwashertruefeelingtowardhim,theotherwasbutthepassingpitywhicha
womanmayhaveevenforacoward.
Thecarillonhadsoundedseveraltimes,andthedirectionofthemoonrayhadchanged,leavingthefloorofthecellindarkness;butburiedinthoughtHerricktooknonoticeofthelittlerushesofmusic,norwasheconsciousofthedeepeninggloomaroundhimuntilasuddenshadowseemedtoflitthroughthechamber,andanewstealthysoundstartledhim.Instinctivelyhedrewbacktothewall,thatwhateverenemymightbenearshouldhavetofacehimandnotbeabletotakehimunawares.Onceto-nightalreadyhehadbeenseizedfrombehind.
Standingontheoutsideledgeofthewindow,holdingontothebarsandpeeringintothecell,wasafigurethatmightwellstartlethe
bravest.Theopeningcouldnotbemorethanfourfeetinheight,yetitwassufficienttoallowthisfiguretostandupright.Head,feet,andhandswereatleastnormalinsize,thoseofafull-grownandpowerfulman,thebodywasthatofachild,thoughitscuriouslytwistedformmighthaveabnormalstrengthinit.Hishairwaslong,andathick,stubblybeardandwhiskerscompletelysurroundedhisface.Hewasuglyintheextreme,andevenHerrickwaspleasedtothinkthatsolidbarswerebetweenthem.
Forfullfiveminutesthedwarfstoodthere,utteringnosound,but
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movinghisheadfromsidetoside,tryingtopiercethedarkness,andonceortwiceheleantbackwardatarm'slengthtolookdownontheoutsidebelowhim.Thenhetookholdofonebarwithbothhands,and,liftingitoutofitssocket,laiditcarefullyalongthewindow-ledge.Fromthebreastoftheloosesmock-likegarmentheworehetookalengthofrope,knottedoneendroundoneofthebars,andlettheotherendfallintothecell.Foramomenthewaitedandlistened;then,withtheagilityofagorilla,heswunghimselfdown,andstoodonthefloorofthecell,theropestillinhishand,asthoughhewerepreparedtospringupwardtosafetyagainatthefirstsignofdanger.
"Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouwant?"saidHerricksuddenly.
Thedwarfturnedquicklytowardhim.
"Hush!It'sonlyfriendJean."
"Ihavenosuchfriend."
"Youdonotknowit,butyes,fromthismomentyouhave.Seehere,myknife;watch,Iflingitacrossthefloor!Takeit,itisforyourprotection--toshowmygoodfaith.Ihavenootherweapon.Now,let'scomecloseandlookateachother."
Theknife,aformidableblade,cameskimmingacrossthestoneflagstoHerrick'sfeet.Hepickeditup,andwalkedintothecentreofthecelltomeethisstrangevisitor.
"Youmustbenddowntoletmebesurethatyouaretheman,"saidthedwarf.
"Youhaveseenmebefore,then?"
"To-nightwhensherodeacrossthecourt-yardtolookatyou.Ah,yes,youaretheman.YouweresoquietIthoughttheyhadputyouelsewhere.DidIfrightenyou?"
"Well,youstartledme,friendJean."
Thedwarflaughedalittle,lowchuckle,and,silentlyclappinghishands,stoodononefootandscratchedthecalfofhislegwiththeother.
"Ah!SoIstartledyou,friendSpy."
"Stop!Notthatword."
"Imustneedscallyoubysomename.Givemeanother."
"RogerHerrick."
"FriendRoger,good.Itcomestomytongueeasily.Let'ssit,andI'lltellyouwhoIam."Anddoublinghislegsunderhimhesankcross-leggedontothefloor.
"Iwillleanbythewall,Jean,Ifinditeasier,"saidHerrick.
"Ah,therearecompensations,afterall,foramanlikeme.ToknowVayenneistoknowme;youcan'thelpit.Theycallmeaninnocent;
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youknowwhatthatmeans?"
"Yes."
"Butnotallitmeans,Iwarrant,"chuckledthedwarf."Igetpity;Iamnotsupposedtodothingslikeothermen.WhocareswhereIgo?Inthecastle,inthechurch,inahousewherethere'sfeasting--anywhere--Idon'tcount.WhocaresifIlisten?It'sonlyJean;inatoneear,outattheother.Noonelookstomeforwork,they'dsoonerpaymeforplayingthefool,andIlet'em,Ilet'em."Andsomewhereinhisstrange,loosegarmentshemadethecoinsjingle."SoIgoinandoutasIwill.IfIcurleduptosleepontherugattheDuke'sdoorthey'dhardlytroubletodisturbme,Icountforsuchalittle.GenerallyIsleepinthechurch."
"Inthechurch?"
"Ay;intheporch.TheycallmethedwarfofSt.Etienne.Listen!there'sitsmusic."Andheremainedsilentwithupliftedfingeruntiltherippleofthecarillonhaddiedawayintothenight."I'malittlefellowtohavesolargeachurchtomyself,asIoftendoatnights;and,friendRoger,IseethingsinSt.Etiennewhenthemoonlightsendsfaint,coloredbeamsthroughthepaintedwindows.TherearelegendsandsuperstitionsaboutSt.Etienne,andpeopleare
superstitiousaboutme,too.TheybelieveIknowthings,andsoIdo,butnotofthesorttheyfancy."
Astrangelittlemadman,Herrickthought,yetonewithamethodsurely,astheunbarredwindowshowed.
"Aninnocent,that'swhattheycallme,"thedwarfwenton,asthoughheansweredhiscompanion'sthought,"andthoughIamnomoreonethanyouare,itsuitsmypurpose.Mywisdomwouldgetanyothermanintotrouble."
"Thatloosebar,forinstance,"saidHerrick,pointingtothewindow.
"Yes;butIneverthoughtoftheuseIshouldonedayputitto.Itiswelltohavemorethanoneholetocreepinto,andfewwouldexpecttofindamanlodgingintheSouthTowerofhisownfreewill."
"Ihearithasanevilreputation,"saidHerrick.
"Ay;thegrave'santeroom.SoIchoseitasahiding-place.TherearetimeswhenIliketosleephere,tobealoneandthinkofallIhearandsee.Iwasmanynightslooseningthatbar."
"Andwhyhaveyoucometo-night--tosleephere?"
"No;toplotwithfriendRoger,"thedwarfansweredpromptly."The
Dukediedto-night;youknowthat?Outofhisdeathwillcometroubleformany--forthewomanyousawinthecourt-yardalittlewhilesince.Ah!Thatmovesyou.Sheisbeautiful,friendRoger."
"Whoisshe?"
"MademoiselleChristinedeLiancourt,andmightberulerinMontvilliers,butthatthelawdeniesittoawoman.Therearemanywhowouldoverthrowthatlawifshewouldletthem,butshewillmakenosign.TheDukeisdead;hissonmustreigninhisstead.Thisson
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isapoorsortoffellow,aloverofbooksinsteadofamanofaffairs."
"ThepalescholarofPassey,"saidHerrick.
"Howlearntyouthatcatchphrase?"askedthedwarfsharply.
"Ioverhearditto-night."
"Yes;theycallhimthat,"Jeanwentonslowly,"andintruthhemaymakeusapoorDuke,butMademoiselledeLiancourtthinksotherwise.CountFelix--maybeyouoverheardhimmentionedto-night?"
"Idid.HewouldbeDuke,andtheoldDukewisheditso."
"YouhavegreatknowledgeforacasualtravellerinVayenne,friendRoger,"saidthedwarfwithsomesuspicion,"butyoushallexplainittomepresently.CountFelixwouldbeDuke;more,wouldwedwithChristinedeLiancourt,andshelovesnoteitheroftheseideas.To-nightsheridestoPasseytocarrynewsoftheDuke'sdeathtohisson,andtobringhimtoVayenne."
"Astrangeofficeforawomantoperform;strangerstillthatCountFelixshouldlethergoandjeopardizehisschemes,"Herricksaid.
"Shehasinfluencewiththescholar,whohasnodesiretobeaDuke,thatiswhyshewasdeterminedtogo.CountFelixthoughtitwisenottothwarther,sincehewouldstandwellinherfavor,buthehasarrangedthatanaccidentshallpreventthescholareverreachingVayenne.Theescortwillbeattacked,anditisarrangedshallbebeaten,andnoeffortwillsufficetosavethelifeofthescholar.Itiscleverlyconceived,eh,friendRoger?Amanwhocanplotsoprettilywillgofartowardsuccess."
"Butyoucouldhavewarnedher,"Herrickexclaimed."Whydidn'tyou?"
"Iamaninnocent.Whowouldbelieveme?"
Herrickglancedatthewindow.
"Ofwhatthinkyou,friendRoger?"
"ThatMademoisellesorelyneedsaswiftmessengerto-night."
Thedwarfsprangtohisfeet.
"Truly,bythewayonemangetsinanothermaywellleave.Butstay."AndheputhishandonHerrick'sarm."ItookyounotforaspywhenIsawyouinthecourt-yardto-night,buthowcameyoubyyourknowledgeofthescholarofPassey?"
"AsIdinedto-nightattheCroixVerteIheardapriesttalkofhim."
"Anarrow,hatchet-facedpriest,withneverasmile,andeyesthatlookintoyouwithoutblinking?"
"Thesame."
"Ah,FatherBertrandhashisplot,too.Whenhetalks,friendRoger,rememberhoweasyitisforamantolie.Come,youshallbetheswift
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messengerMademoiselleneeds.ThatiswhyIcameto-night.See,Ihavebroughtwhatshallpassyoueasilythroughthestreets."Andheproducedapriest'scassockandcloakwithahood,whichhehaddeftlyfastenedroundhimunderthefoldsofhissmock."IborrowedthemfromSt.Etienne."Andthen,asHerrickarrayedhimselfinthegarments,hesilentlyclappedhishands."YouaremorelikeapriestthanmostoftherealonesIknow,"hechuckled.
"IdonotknowhowIamtotraveltoPassey,but,atleast,Itrustyou,andthere'stheproofofit,"saidHerrick,handingthedwarfhisknife.
"Alittlewhileagoyoudidn'tknowthatthebarwaslooseinthatwindow,"saidJean,takingtheweapon,"andyoudidn'tknowme.To-morrowisasfaroffasnextyearforallamanknowsofit."
"That'strue."
"Therearethosewhowouldwedto-morrow,yetdieto-night,"thedwarfwenton."It'saworldofminutesforusall.YoucometounderstandthesethingswhenyouroamthroughSt.Etienneatnights.I'llsetyouonyourwaytoPasseywithinanhourunless'twixtnowandthentimeendsforme.Ifso,youmustneedsshiftforyourself."
Hecaughtholdoftheropeashespoke,andswunghimselftothewindow-ledgewiththeagilityofanape.Impededbyhisunaccustomedgarments,Herrickfounditamoredifficultmatter;buthewasstrongandathletic,andinafewmomentswascrouchingonhiskneesbesidethedwarf.
Thebarswereplacedmidwayinthethicknessofthewall,sothatoneithersidetherewasroomforthemboth.
"We'llshutourdoor,"whisperedthedwarfwhentheyhadcrawledthroughtheopening,andhereplacedthemovablebaranddrewuptherope.Thenextinstanthehadgrippedhiscompanion'sarmtocompelhimtosilenceandtokeephimmotionless.Belowwasthesoundofa
heavystep,whichcametoahaltimmediatelybeneaththem,andfromwithinthecellcameagratingnoise.Itwasthegreatkeybeingthrustintothelock.
CHAPTERIV
THEROADTOPASSEY
ThatintricatecalculationsoccupiedFatherBertrand'smindashe
slowlypacedhisroomfromendtoendwasapparentinhisface.Asceticinappearance,wonttopresentacalmexteriorunderthemosttryingcircumstances,thefactofhisrestlessnessprovedthathehadreachedsomecrisis,thatsomepartofhisschemewasonthepointofsettlement.FatherBertrandwasapowerinVayenne.Notgreatlybeloved,perhaps--hewastoosternandunbendingforthat--hispriestlyoffice,nevertheless,appealedstronglytoapeoplenaturallysuperstitious,whilehislearningandpoliticalacumenmadehimforcefulwiththosewhoruled.Heheldnooffice;buteventhelateDuke,strongashewas,hadsometimesbeenguidedbyhisopinion,and
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CountFelixrecognizedlongago,that,inhisclaimtotheDukedom,thesupportofFatherBertrandwouldbeofveryrealvalue.
Ifheisaweakmanwhocannotrefrainfromspeakinghisthoughts,thepriestwasaverystrongman,fortonoonehadhebetrayedhimself.CountFelixfeltconfidentofhissupport;MademoiselledeLiancourtbelievedthatheheartilysharedherideasofrightandjustice;while,asapriest,hespokewithauthoritytothegreatmassofthepeople,whobelievedhispolicybasedentirelyuponhisreligion.Afewwhofondlybelievedthemselvesinhisconfidence,butwereinrealitylittlemorethanhistools,knewatleastthatotherschemeswereworkinginhismind,andthat,asamemberofasecretorder,hisinformationwasinvariablycorrectandreachedhimlongbeforeitwasknowninthecastle.Inapeculiarsensehewasallthingstoallmen,yetreallyknownbynone.Suchamanmustneedswalkwarily,forhispathisbesetwithsnares.
FatherBertrand,moreover,wasamanofwealth.HischaritywasknowninVayenne,yethefaredsimplyhimself,itwaswhispered;andtherewerethosewhocouldtellofthemean,poorroomheoccupiedinhishouseintheRueSt.Romain,aroomlittleremovedasregardscomfortfromthatoftheordinarytoilerofthecity.ButtherewereotherroomsinthehouseintheRueSt.Romain,andtherewasnolackofluxuryinthelargechamberontheupperfloorwhichthepriestpaced
slowlyfromendtoendto-night.Itwasevidencenotonlyofwealth,butoftaste,too,andhadtheyknownofit,manyinVayennewouldprobablyhaveformedadifferentestimateofFatherBertrand'scharacter.
Absorbedashewasinhiscalculations,thepriestwaskeenlyalivetoeverynewsoundinthestreetorinthehouse.Severaltimeshepausedtolisten,andoncedrewasidetheheavywindowcurtainstolookdownintothestreetbelow.TheRueSt.RomainlayalongthenorthsideoftheChurchofSt.Etienne,andwaslittlefrequentedafternightfall.AnyexcitementresultingfromthedeathoftheDukewouldhardlypenetratehere.
Therewasaknockingatthedooratlast,andFatherBertrandimmediatelytookhisseatatalargewriting-table,and,drawingsomeofthepaperswithwhichitwascoveredtowardhim,begantostudythemcarefully.Nomatterhowagitatedhemightbeinthought,hisvisitorwouldonlyseehimcalmandself-possessed,anddoubtlessbemoreimpressedthaneverwiththepriest'sstrengthofcharacter.
Amanenteredandclosedthedoorbehindhim.
"Wehavefailed,father."
"Onlyaweakmanadmitsthat,MonsieurMercier.WhereisNicolasPigou?"
"Atdeath'sdoor.Heisstillunconscious,andthesurgeonIgottohimdeclaresthathalfofhisribsatleastmustbebroken."
Thepriestdidnotspeak,butbyagestureaskedthereasonofthiscatastrophe.
"Ouropportunitycamewhenthestrangerhadpassedthroughthearchofthegreatclockintothedarkstreetbeyond,"saidMercier."Wehadapproachedclosebehindhimwhenhesuddenlyturned,cominginto
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collisionwithus.Wehadplannedtotakehimquickly,placehiminacarriagewhichhadfollowedus,andbringhimhere,buthisunexpectedactionthwartedthis.Pigoupassedon,andtogaintimeIbegantoapologize.ThenPigouseizedhimfrombehind,andIimmediatelyclosedwiththeman.Pigouisstrong,asyouareaware,buthewasababeinthehandsofthisstranger,who,withaheaveofhisbodythrewhimoverhisheadintotheroadway.IshouldhavefarednobetterhadInotslippedtothegroundand,holdinghislegs,shouted'Spy!'Thestreetwasaliveinaminute;butIhavebruisesaboutmewhichwilllastformanyadaytocome."
"Andthen?"saidthepriestquietly.
"Thecrowdhustledhimtotheendofthestreet,andwouldhavehangedhimthere,probably,butitseemstheyweremetbyacompanyofsoldiers,andthestrangerisnowaprisonerinthecastle."
"Yousawthesoldierstakehim?"
"No;Iheardthatlater,"Mercieranswered."Islippedfromthecrowd,andwenttolookafterpoorPigou.Theremighthavebeenawkwardquestionsaskedhadhebeenfoundinthestreet."
"IamsorryforNicolasPigou,"saidFatherBertrand,"butifabroken
ribortwoisallthepayment,ourenterpriseischeaplywon.Whydoyoutalkoffailure,MonsieurMercier?"
"Isitnotfailurethen?"
"Surelynot.Therearemorewaysofreachingaplacethanbythehighroad.Thisstrangerisnospy.IshallprovethattoCountFelix,andwegainourend.Indeed,circumstanceshavefavoredus.Thestrangerwilllookuponmeashisdeliverer,andwillbethemorereadytobeadvised.Idoubtnotweshallhavehiminthishousewithinafewhours.Wereyourecognizedbythecrowdto-night?"
"No.IamknowntofewinVayenne."
"Then,mydearMonsieurMercier,twodesperatevillainssetuponthispoorstrangerinthestreets;oneisliketodie,itissaid--theotherhassucceededinescaping.Thisismystory--agoodandplausibleone,eh?"saidFatherBertrand,withasmile;"andsincejusticedonequicklyhasthegreatermercyinit,Iwillgotothecastleatonce."
"AndGaspardLemasle?"saidMercierasthepriestrose.
"Hewilldancetoourpiping,butweshallkeephimalwaysonthechain.Untrammelledhemightbedangerous."
"Isthechainforgedthatwillholdhim?"
"Myson,IneverconfideinamanofwhomIamignorant.MyfriendsmayrestassuredthatItreasuresomeknowledgeofthem,someepisode,perhaps,whichtheyhaveforgotten,butwhichinanemergencywillcompelthemtoremainmyfriends."Andwhilehelaidonehandonhiscompanion'sarm,hetouchedhisownforeheadsignificantlywiththeother."Comewithmeintoanotherroom.Myservantshallsetbeforeyouwineofsuchavintagethatyoushallforgetyourbruises.Anddonotleave,MonsieurMercier,untilyouarerested.Indeed,ifIfind
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youasleepinyourchairwhenIreturn,Iwillnotquarrelwithyou."
Ashefollowedthepriest,Mercier'sestimateofhiscompanionpossiblytookawiderscopethanithaddonebefore,andhewonderedwhichofthemanyepisodesinhislifewhichhewasunlikelytotalkofthepriestknewmostabout.
ItwasconclusiveproofofFatherBertrand'spowerwiththelateDukeandCountFelixthathewasadmittedtothecastlewithoutquestionatsolateanhour;andthatthesoldiersbowedtohisauthoritywasapparentwhenhissuggestionthatheshouldseethespybeforehesawtheCountmetwithnoopposition.
"LodgedintheSouthTower?"hesaidashefollowedthejailer.
"Ay,father;it'sthesafestcagewehave."
"Toosafeforaninnocentbird,masterjailer."
"Well,Iknownaughtofhisinnocence,"saidthejailerashethrustthegreatkeyintothelock,"butI'mnotregrettingthatheshouldcheatdeath.There'snofearabouthim,andthere'snonetoomanybravemenintheworldthatweshouldwanttohurrythemoutofit."
Thejailerhadatorch,andheprecededthepriestdownthenarrowpassageinthethicknessofthewalls.
"Asleep,prisoner?"hecalledout."Here'sareverendfathertoseeyou,andhecomesasafriend."
Therewasnoanswer,andpriestandjailerlookedslowlyroundthecell,thenateachother,andthenatthebarredwindow.Norayofmoonlightcamethroughitnow,butthemoonlitskywasclearwithout,andtherewasnoonecrouchingontheledge!
Themeasuredtreadhaltingsuddenlybelow,andthesoundofthegratingkeywithin,hadhadaparalyzingeffectuponbothfugitiveand
guideforamoment.Althoughpreparedtomakeafightforit,thepositionappearedhopelesstoHerrick;butthedwarf,whohadperhapsforeseenthattheywouldhavethesentrytodealwith,wasquicktograspthesituationandseethewayoutofthedifficulty.Theterrace,whichwasconsiderablyabovethelevelofthefloorofthecell,wasonlysometwelveorfourteenfeetbelowthem.Itwascomparativelynarrowandboundedbyalow,battlementedwall.
"That'sourroad,"whisperedthedwarf,pointingtoacertainpointinthiswallalittletotheirright."Jump,andmakeforit."
Ashespokehewhippedouthisknife,andtuckinghislegsunderhimsuddenlylethimselfdropuponthesentry.Thethudofthefallanda
feeble,stifledgroanwereallHerrickheardashe,too,jumpedfromtheledge,and,trustingimplicitlytohiscompanion,rantothespothehadindicated.Ashelookedback,thedwarfroseandcamequicklyafterhim,butthesentrylayunderthewindowanddidnotmove.
"Youhavekilledhim!"Herrickexclaimed.
"Sharp,afterme,"thedwarfsaid,springingontothewall,andthen,asHerrickfollowedhim,hethrewhimselfonhisstomach,twistedhimselfround,andholdingontotheroughstoneworklethislegshang
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downontheoutsideofthewall."That'sit,dothesame.There'saropehere.Gosteady!I'llgofirst.Nowletmecatchholdofyourfeet,andgettheropebetweenthem.Thestonesareroughenoughtoloweryourselfbyuntilyougetagraspontheropewithyourhands."
Thiswastheouterwallofthecastle,andintheangleformedbyabuttressastoutropehadbeenfixed.
Herrickfounditnoeasymattertofollowthedwarf'sinstructions,andhadhepausedtoconsider,mighthavedeclinedtomaketheperilousdescentatall.ButwithJean'shelpfrombelowhemanagedtogettheropebetweenhisknees,andtherestwascomparativelyeasy.
Somedistancebelowwastheroofofahousewhichclungtothecastlewalllikeamusseltoarock.ThedwarfcaughtHerricktosteadyhimashelandedontheroof,foritslopedatasharpangle,andwasdilapidated.
"Sit,andputyourhandonmyshoulder,andshuffledownafterme,"hesaid."Nowcarefully.Catchholdofthisrafter.Letyourselfswing,anddroplightly.It'sbarelyfourfeetfallforyourlengthofbody."
Herrickdidashewastold,anddroppedintoadarkattic,followedbythedwarf.
"Youpleaseme,friendRoger,"saidJean,chucklingquietly."Myprivateroadisnotaneasyonetotravelinahurry,andthemanwhotakesitisnotlikelytowearascaredfaceandfeelhiskneestremblewhendangercomes."
"Ilikenotmurder,friendJean."
"You'dlikebeingmurderedless,Iwarrant,"wasthepromptanswer."Besidesitwasn'tmurder,fortworeasons.Killingamaninself-defenceisnotmurder,andyou'relikelytodoityourselfbeforemanyhourshavepassedifyouwouldserveMademoiselle;andsecondly,thesentryyonderisn'tdead.Ihadtolethisstrengthoutofan
artificialholelestitshouldcomethroughhismouthinashoutwhichwouldhavebetrayedus.Hewillbewellonhiswaytorecoverybeforeanewmoon,and,ifnot,thereareplentymoresentriesinthecastletotakehisplace.Come,youarenotoutofVayenneyet,andyoumustbeonyourwaytoPasseybeforethedawn."
Thedwarfledthewaydowntwoflightsofbrokenstairs,andthroughthedoorofthehouse,andpassedintoanarrow,desertedstreet.
"We'llgoquickly,"hewhispered."Noonewillsuspectyouinthosegarments.Weshallmeetfew,andtheywillthinkthatsomeonedyinghasneedofapriest,andthatIhavefetchedyou.Ihavedoneitoftenbefore."
Theypassedthroughaperfectlabyrinthofnarrowstreetsinsilence,andthetwoorthreenightwandererstheymettooknonoticeofthem.
Vayennewasasleepunderthepalemoon;thattemporarydeathcalledsleepwasineveryhabitation.ThedeadDukeinhischamberinthecastlewashardlylesssilentthanthesleepingthousandshehadruled.
Presentlythedwarfstoppedbeforethedoorofahouseattheendofa
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blindalley.
"Wegoinhere,friendRoger,"hesaid,"butbyawindow.Thedoorislocked,becausetheywhoowntheplacestillhopeforatenant,whichisaforlornhope.Thehousegrowsmorerotteneveryday,waterratsmakearetreatofit,andsomemischievouspersonhassaiditishauntedbyahorribleghost."
"Youarethatmischievousperson,Isuppose."
"Whythinksoillofme?"chuckledthedwarf."WhenIdon'twishtoleavethecitybythegates,thisisthewayIgo."
Heledthewaytoaroomatthetopofthehouse.
"Fromtheroofwescrambleontothecitywall,whichislowhere,andrough,fortheriverwashesitsbase.Sometimes,Ijustdropintothewater,andswim,butunderalowarchthereisanoldboat,whichwewilluseto-night.Haveyoumoneyinyourpurse,friendRoger?"
"Alittle."
"Youmaywantmore.Icameprovided.Hereisgold,"hesaid,takingasmallleathernbagfromthefoldsofhisblouse."Putitaway
carefully.Youcanrepaymeanothertime.Remainapriest,itmayserveyoutogetaudiencewithMademoisellemoreeasily,butalthoughpriestwithout,youmustbesoldierwithin."
Thedwarfwenttoacorneroftheroom,and,wrenchingupaboard,kneltdown,andthrusthislongarmintotheopening,fromwhichhedrewoutaswordandarevolver.
"Strapthisunderyourrobe,"hesaid,handingHerrickthesword,"andputtherevolverwhereyoumaycomeatiteasily.Andlisten,friendRoger.YoumustcomeatMademoiselledeLiancourtasyourwitsserveyou;tellherwhatIhavetoldyou.Shewillnoteasilybelievethetale,butyoumustconvinceher;andfortherest,circumstancesmust
guideyou."
"Doyounotcomewithmethen?"
"Alittlewaytoshowyoutheroad,thenIreturntoplotinthecity.WereIastraightmanasyouare,Imightnothavecomeforyouto-night.That'sadarksaying--Iwonderifyoucanreaditsmeaning?"
"Icannot,friendJean."
"Well,you'llwantallyourwitsforyourenterprise;it'sapitytowastethemonriddles.Butrememberthis,friendRoger:whenIwasmadeinthisqueershape,anordinaryheartwasputintome,and
therewasnostrangetwistgiventomyfeelings.Wearenotsoverydifferent,youandI,afterall.Come,wewasteprecioustime."
Therewasnogreatdifficultyinscramblingontothewallfromtheroofofthehouse,and,biddingHerrickwait,thedwarfclimbeddownthefaceofthewallalmostaseasilyastheroughstonesofithadbeensteps.Workinghiswayalonganarrowstonecourse,orledge,whichwasnearthebottom,hereachedanironringletintothewall,and,supportinghimselfbythis,managedtodragoutasmall,flat-bottomedboatfrombeneathanearlysubmergedarchway.
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Havingcarefullywatchedthedescentofhiscompanion,Herrickattemptedtomakeaslittleofthematterashehaddone.Thedescentendedinasuddenandratherunsteadyjump,whichalmostsankthericketyoldcraft,andHerrickwouldcertainlyhavefallensidewaysintothewaterhadnothiscompanioncaughthim.
Afairlystrongstreamwasrunning,andtheywerecarrieddownsometwohundredyardsintheprocessofcrossing.Abeltoftreesinathickundergrowthscreenedthelanding-place.
"Ihaveafriendhere,"saidthedwarf."Wewillnotwakehimto-night,butwewillborrowhishorse.Iwillexplainto-morrow."
Therewasasmallhousenestlingunderaclumpoftrees,andontheoppositesideofaroadwayashedatthecornerofafield.Tothisthedwarfwent,anditwasevidentthathekneweverycornerofitintimately,forinafewmomentshehadsaddledthehorsethereandleditout.
"Wedon'twanttowakethegoodman,sowe'llwalktheanimalalongthegrassforalittleway,"hesaid."Thereisagatehigherup.Youfollowthisroad,friendRoger;itrunswithoutinterruptionformanymiles.AtawaysideCalvaryitforks;taketheright-handroad.Five
mileswillbringyoutoadeepwood,andIhaveheardofthievesthere,soitwouldbewelltohaveyourrevolverready.Onceoutofthewoodkeepthelefthandroad,andtoyourleftyouwillpresentlyseetheChteauofPasseyonhighground.Perhapsitwouldbewelltoletyourhorsegofreethen,andenterthevillageonfoot.Amountedpriestmightcausewonder,andthehorsemayfindhiswayhome.Hereisthegate.Mount,friendRoger.Useyourhorsewell,andyouwillbeinPasseybeforenoon."
"ImayovertakeMademoiselleandherescort."
"Youwillbecleverifyoudo,sincetheyhavegonebyadifferentandashorterroad,onewhichmightnotbesafeforyoutotravel.They
willbeinPasseybydawn."
"AndhowshallIletyouknowhowIfareandwherefortunemaytakeme?"
"Successorfailure,Ishallhearsoonenough,"thedwarfanswered."RememberonlythatyouserveMademoiselledeLiancourt,andthatallprisonwindowshavenotbarswhichmaybeliftedout.Farewell!"Andwithoutanotherword,heturned,andhurriedbacktotheriver-bank,wherehisboatlay.
SoithappenedthatasFatherBertrandwentbacktotheRueSt.Romain,andthealarmgivenbythejailerpresentlyresultedinthe
findingofthewoundedsentry,RogerHerrickwasgallopingthroughthenighttowardPasseyandthewomanhewasdestinedtoserve.
CHAPTERV
THESCHOLAR
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ThevillageofPassey,nestlingintheshadowofitschteau,lookedsecure,hadindeedbeenwellprotectedinpasttimes,butto-daylittlerealresistancecouldhavebeenofferedtoadeterminedenemy.Theouterwallofthechteauhadcrumbledandfalleninpieces,novigilanteyeskeptwardandwatchfromitsbattlements,andtheserving-meninitsoldguard-roomsandcourtswerenotofthekindoutofwhichstoutsoldiersaremade.IthadbeeninthehandsoftheDuprsforthreecenturiesormore,givenoriginallytoanancestorinreturnforgoodservice,forthefamilyhadbredmanyagallantwarriorinthepast;butinrecentyearsmisfortuneandpovertyhadcome,andtheDuprsweretooproudtomakepetitionsintheCastleofVayenne.Nothingiseasiertoforgetthanpastserviceifthereisnopresentneedoffavors,andtheDukesofMontvilliershadpracticallyforgottentheironcepowerfulsubjectofPassey.Moreandmorethefamilyhadlivedaretiredlife,andthelasttwoheadsofithadbeenconfirmedinvalids.Thepresentownerwasamanofweakphysiquealso,barredfromalifeintheopenandallmanlysports.Throwninuponhimselfhehadfoundconsolationinbooksandinstudy,andhadlittlecarehowtheworldwentsoitlefthiminpeace.ThelateDuke,amanofwarlikecharacterandironwill,hadthoroughlydespisedtheoldmanatPassey,andwhenhissonevincedalovefordreamingoverbooks,hisfathersenthimtoViscountDupr.Thechteauwouldserveasaconvenientplaceofisolation,theDukeargued,andtheoldfool
mightwellbemadeusefulasajailertotheyoungone.
"Iholdyouresponsibleforhim,"theDukehadsaidtoDupr."TeachhimtohatethebooksyouloveandIwillfindmeanstothankyou;lethimbecomesuchaoneasyourself,andrestassuredthereinsofgovernmentwillneverfallintohishandswhentheydropfrommine.ThegoodofMontvilliersisfarmoretomethananyson."
TheDukerodeaway,hopingperhapsthatbanishmentfromVayennewouldcurehisson,buttheladhadbeenatPasseyeversince.HowfartheoldViscountattemptedtoturntheboyfromhisstudies,whocansay?Thefactremainedthathedidnotsucceed,andMauricedeBroux--nowayouthofeighteen--hadfoundpeaceandcontentmentinthecrumbling
oldchteauandwasaslittleconcernedabouttheworldasoldDuprhimself.
To-daythequietlifehadsuddenlybeenbrokeninupon.Withearlydawnacompanyofhorsemen,awomanridingintheirmidst,hadclatteredthroughthevillagestreetandinatthechteaugates."TheDukeisdead,"oneserving-manpresentlytoldanother,andthenewsspreadrapidlythroughthevillage,andoutintothefieldsbeyond,wherebent-backedmenandwomenhoed.Oneoldmantherelookedtowardthechteau,andpullingoffaraggedcapcriedfeebly,"LonglivetheDuke!"
Inaroominthechteau,aroomofbooksandstudents'comforts,such
aroomascouldnothavebeenfoundinthelengthandbreadthoftheCastleofVayenne,MauriceandMademoiselledeLiancourthadbeenclosetedforhours.TherewasnomoreimportantpersoninMontvilliersthatdaythanthepalescholarofPassey,yettherewasnoexcitementinhisface.Thatheshouldmournforafatherwhohadbeenlittlemorethanastrangertohimwashardlytobeexpected.Fromtimetotimehemovedrestlesslyabouttheroom,lettinghiscompaniontalk,andnowandagainherwordsbroughtaflushtohischeek.Tonoonewouldhehavelistenedasquietlyashedidtoher,for,scholarthoughhewasbynature,hehadyetsomethingofhisfatherinhim,a
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temperthatmightburstintofurywereitpressedtoofar.NooneknewthisbetterthanChristinedeLiancourt,andifanywordsofherswouldstinghimintoactionshewouldcertainlyspeakthem.ForthisverypurposehadshecomeinhastetoPassey.InolddaysshehadoftenstoodbetweenMauriceandhisfather'swrath.ShehadprophesiedthatwhenthehourcameMauricewouldrisetotheoccasionandmakeawiseruler.Hewas,besides,theheir,nothingcouldalterthat,andjustice,coupledwithherhalf-formedfearofCountFelix,drovehertoespousetheyoungDuke'scausewithallthestrengththatwasinher.
"MydearChristine,youeasilygetangrywithme,"hesaidpresently."Tryandseethewholematterthroughmyeyes.Iameighteen,andIhaveneverdoneasinglethingtofitmyselfforrulingMontvilliers;moreshametome,youmaysay,butwearenotallbornwithadesiretorule.EversinceIcametoPasseyIhavepracticallybeenaprisoner--ahappyprisoner.IhaveeasilyforgottenhownearIstoodtoadukedom,and,Iwarrant,havebeenaseasilyforgotten.WhyremembermenowwhenIonlydesiretobeleftinpeace?Believeme,asadukeIshouldbeanutterfailure,abreederofdissensionandrevolution,noblessingtotheland,butacurse.Letthepowerfallasmyfatherwishedit.CousinFelixwillmakeamuchbetterdukethanI."
"Haveyounosenseofduty?"sheasked.
"TrulyIthinkmydutytoMontvilliersistoletsomeoneelseruleit,"hesaid,withasmile.
"Dutyisnotacloakamancanputoffandonashewills,"Christineanswered;"itispartofthemanhimself.Heiscalledtofulfilcertainconditionsofhislife,ofhisbirth,andhecannotthrowdutyasidebysayingheisunfittedtoperformit.Areyouacoward,Maurice,aswellasascholar?"
"No;IdonotthinkIamacoward."
"ItisonlyacowardwhowouldnotridetoVayenneandclaimhisbirthright."
"Ifwecometosuchcloseargumentasthat,thissamebirthrightmaybefoundtohavelittlejusticeinit,"hesaidquickly."DidmyfatherbecomeDukebyrightofbirth?Youknowhedidn't.Hewasastrongman,whilethosewhoshouldhaveruledwereweak.Montvillierswantedastronghandtoguideher,andabloodlessrevolutionraisedmyfathertopower."
"HasFelixanygreaterrightthanyou?"sheasked.
"Bybirth,no;bycapacity,yes.LethimbeDuke.Iwillbethefirst
toshoutforhim."
"Coward!"shesaid.
"Christine,thereareboundswhichevenyoumustnotpass,"hesaid,turningasternfacetoher.
Sheclappedherhandsathissuddenanger,andsteppedquicklytohisside.
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"TherespokeaworthyDuke.Ihaveseenthesameangerrushblood-redintoyourfather'sface,andhavetrembledforhisenemies.Youcannothideyourrealself;youcannotdenyyourrealpersonality,eventhoughyouwould."
"Itliesinpeaceamongthesebooksofmine,"heanswered."Wehavetalkedofthisenough."
"Notyet.Listen,Maurice.Felixishatedbymany,andifheseizesthecrown,therewillbebloodshedinthestreetsofVayenne."
"Hewillbestrongenoughtosuppressrebellion,"wastheanswer.
"AndwiseenoughperchancetoshedbloodinthispeacefulChteauofPassey,"shewentonquickly.
"Whyhere?Passeydoesnottroubleitselfwithpolitics.TheharvestofthefieldsisPassey'sconcern,anditisofsmallconsequencewhorulesinVayenne."
Christinelaidherhandonhisarm."Thinkyouthegoldencircleofsovereigntywillresteasilyonyourcousin'sbrowwhileyoulive?Denyyourbirthright,Maurice,andthen,likeacoward,fleeyourcountryforsafety,forIwarrantyouwilldieaviolentdeathifyou
stayinit."
"Icannotthinkso--somuchevilofFelix,"heanswered.
"Iknowhimfarbetterthanyoupossiblycando,"shesaid."HeletmecometoyouonlybecauseheisconvincedthatyouwillnotcometoVayenne.Hedespisesyou,Maurice.Hewilluseyourrefusalforhisownpurposes,andinhisownmanner.Hewilleasilyconvincemanythatyouareadangertothestateandthatthereisrighteousnessinjudicialmurder."
"Willnotakingdomsatisfyhim,buthemusthavemypoorlifeaswell?"Mauricemuttered.
"Hasiteversatisfied,inanyage,inanyhistory?Felixwillseektomakehimselfsecureineverypossibleway.Sincetherearemanywholoveme,hewishestowedme."
"Perhapshelovesyou?"
"Itmaybe,"sheanswered,"butnotasheloveshimself."
"Andyouwouldmarryhim?"
"ForthegoodofMontvilliersImightbepersuaded."
Shewatchedhimashewalkedslowlyacrosstheroom.Perhapstherewasavague,half-formeddesireinhisheartthatsheshouldnotmarryhiscousin.ShewouldbelesshisfriendifshewereFelix'swife.
"PerhapssuchamarriagemightbegoodforMontvilliers,"hesaidafterapause.
"Ishallservemycountrymoredirectlybypersuadingyoutodoyourduty,Maurice,"sheanswered."Itisnotonlyinternalstrifewhichistobefeared,butdangerfromwithout.InthepastMontvilliershas
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foughtfor,andmaintained,herindependence,butourneighborshavenotceasedtolongforthepossessionofourfruitfulsoil,andourdissensionsaretheiropportunity.Onlylastnightaspywascaughtinthestreetsandbroughttothecastle."
Mauricewenttothewindow,andforsometimestoodlookingdownatthepeacefulvillagehehadlovedsowell.Herehehadfoundhappinessandthelifehelongedfor.Butbeyondwerethefruitfulfieldsandgreenpasturesofhisnativeland,dearertohimthananyotherland,thoughhehadnodesiretoruleit.Diditnotrestwithhimtosavethislandfromtheenemieswhohadsolongsoughttolayaconqueringhanduponit?Immediatelybelowhim,lounginginthecourtyard,weresomeofthesoldiersofChristinedeLiancourt'sescort,proofthatthereweremenarmedandreadytofightfortheirfreedomastheirfathershaddone.DutyseemedtopresentitselfwithanewmeaningtoMaurice,and,asthoughHeavenitselfwouldsendhimamessengerinthiscrisisofhislife,justthenacassockedandhoodedpriestcameslowlyinatthegates.
"Atleastwewillseewhatplotsexist,"hesaidpresently,turningtoChristine,"andalsoproveyourcousinFelix.To-morrowIwillridewithyoutoVayenne.Leavemealoneuntilthen.Amandoesnotbreakwithsopeacefulalifeasminehasbeenwithoutsorrow."
Inaninstanthermannerchanged.Steppingbackshemadealowcurtsey."LonglivetheDuke,"shesaidquietly,andthenlefttheroomquickly.
Shehadconquered.HehadpromisedtocometoVayenne.Shecouldnottellwhichparticularargumenthadforcedhimtothisdecision,sheonlyknewthatithadbeenfarmoredifficulttopersuadehimthanevenshehadexpected.WhatwouldhisanswerhavebeenhadshetoldhimthatthefactofgoingtoVayennewasonlyonesteptowardsuccess,andonlyasmallone--ifshehadexplainedthathespokenomorethanthetruthwhenhehadsaidthathehadbeenforgotten?Vayennewasnotgoingtoopenherarmsandshoutawelcometohimuntilhehadprovedhimselfaman.Shewasthrustinguponhimagreat
task,wouldhebeabletoperformit?Shecouldhavewishedhimdifferenttowhathewas,butatleastrightwashis,andoppositionmightstirhimtogreatthings.Ofherselfshethoughtlittle.ForFelixshehadlittlelove,yet,wereitforthegoodofhercountry,shewouldmarryhim.Shewasreadytomakeanysacrificeforthelandsheloved.
Atthefootofthestairsasoldiersaluted,andsaidthatapriestcravedanaudiencewithher.
"Whatshouldhewantwithme?"
"Hewouldsaynomorethanthathehadamessageofimportance.Heis
notofPassey,andcarriesthedustofalongjourneyuponhim."
"Iwillseehim.Bringhimtothesmallroomyonder,andseethatwearenotdisturbed."
Christineturnedfromthewindowasthepriestentered.Muchdustwasuponhiscassockandcloak,andthehood,whichhedidnotremove,partiallyconcealedhisface.
"Youhavetravelledfar,"shesaid.
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"FromVayenne,"heanswered.
"FromFatherBertrand?"
"No,mademoiselle;fromonefarhumblerthanFatherBertrand,yetonewhoiswiser,perhaps,inyourinterests."
"Hechoosesastrangemessenger."
"NostrangersurelythanthemessengerchosentoridetoPasseyandbidtheyoungDuketoVayenne.Besides,apriestmayenterwhereasoldierwouldberefused.Theseareperiloustimes,mademoiselle,andIcometotellyouso."
"InthismatteryoucantellmelittleIdonotknow,"sheanswered.
"ThenyoudonotridetoVayenneto-morrow?"
"Yes--withtheDuke."Andshewatchedthepriestcloselytoseeifhewereastonishedatthisinformation.
"WiththesameescortascamewithyoutoPassey?"
"IthinkIhavesufficientlyansweredyou,"shesaid.
"Mademoiselle,Ihavetravelledallnighttoserveyou.YoumustnotridetoVayenneto-morrow.Ithasbeenarrangedthatyourpartyistobeattackedbyastronglyarmedpartyofrobbers,anddefeated.Yoursoldierswillmakeashowoffight,butforthemostparttheyareboughtmen.Youwillescape,thereisnodesiretohurtyou,buttheDukewillbeslain."
"Youshalltellthistothecaptainofourescort."
"Onemoment,mademoiselle,"hesaidasshemovedtothedoor.
"Ah!youareafraidtoletthecaptainandhismenhearyourstory,"shesaidcontemptuously.
"Theywouldprobablykillme,andthatwouldhardlyhelpyou,"answeredthepriestquietly."CountFelixhasdeterminedthattheyoungDukeshallnotenterVayenne.Ihadthestoryfromonewhoiswellknowntoyou,mademoiselle--fromJean,thedwarfofSt.Etienne."
"Afittingstoryfromsuchamadman,"shelaughed."Howcamehetopersuadeapriesttobehisambassador?"
"Iamnotapriest."AndHerrickthrewbackthehoodfromhishead.
Christinetookonesteptowardhim,andgazedintohisface.
"Thespy!"shesaid.
"Mademoiselle,doIlooklikeaspy?DoIactlikeone?LastnightIwaslockedintheSouthTower,aplaceofillomen,asyouknow.Tobehismessengerthedwarfreleasedmebyawayknowntohimalone.Ihaveriddenhardallnighttobringthiswarningtoyou.Allroadswereopentome;IneednothavetakenthattoPasseywereInotdesirousofservingyou."
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"Youshalltellthisstorytothecaptain,"sheanswered."Itisforhimtoweighitsmerit."
"Asyouwill,mademoiselle.Heavengrantheisanhonestman."
Shewenttothedoor,and,callingaservant,bidhimfetchthecaptainoftheescort;nordidshespeaktoHerrickuntilthecaptainenteredtheroom.
"Doyouknowthisman,CaptainLemasle?"sheasked.
[Illustration:_"TheSpy!"shesaid._]
GaspardLemaslewasnotaveryobservantman,andthepriest'sdressdeceivedhim.
"No,mademoiselle,"heanswered.
"HecomestoPasseywithastrangestory."
"Ihavenogreatloveforpriests,"returnedthecaptain,"andsavingyourpresence,mademoiselle,haveoftenknownthemtotellstrangestories."
Inasfewwordsaspossible,Herrickrepeatedhistale.
"DoyousaythatIandthemenIcommandaretraitors?"LemasleburstoutangrilywhenHerrickhadfinished.
"IsaynothingagainstCaptainLemasle,"saidHerrick."NotmanyhourssincehetoastedMademoiselledeLiancourtwithsuchenthusiasmattheCroixVerte,Icouldnotbelievehimanythingbutanhonestman."
"Youarenopriest,andthereissomethinginyourvoicethatIremember."
"No,Iamnotapriest;youtookmeforaspylastnight."
"IthoughtyousafelycagedintheSouthTower."
"Iwas,captain.IamheretotryandsavetheDuke."
"Buthowcouldyouescape?"saidLemasleinastonishment.
"ThatIcantellyouatanothertime."
Lemaslewassilentforafewmoments.
"Itisindeedastrangestory,mademoiselle,"hesaidpresently,"and
truthtotelltherearesomeinourcompanywhowouldnotbeinithadIhadthechoosing."
"Ifthereisanyworthinthestory,youmustjudge,"Christinesaid."Formyself,Idonotbelievesuchtaleseasily,andatallhazardsweridetoVayenneto-morrow.Itmightbewelltotakethismanwithus.Unlesshecanprovehishonesty,thecastlecansurelyholdhimthoughhehasescapedonce."
"AndfromtheSouthTower,"mutteredLemasle.
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"Iasknothingbetterthantostrikeablowinyourdefence,mademoiselle,"saidHerrick.
Shelookedathimcuriouslyforamoment,asevenshehadlookedathimlastnightwhenhehadpickedupthefallenwhip.
"Ihavenomercyforspiesandtraitors,"shesaidslowly,"butproveyourselfhonest,andImayfindawaytorewardyou."
Herrickdidnotanswer,butstoodwithbowedheadasshepassedoutoftheroom.
CHAPTERVI
ATTHECLEARINGINTHEFOREST
Assoonastheywerealone,GaspardLemasleshruggedhisgreatshouldersandlookedathiscompanion.
"I'vealwayssaidthatuglylittledwarfwasnothalfsuchafoolasfolkthoughthim,"heremarked."You'rethefirstmanI'veeverknowntogetoutoftheSouthTower.Howdidyoumanageit?"
"Youwouldnothavemebetraythedwarf?"
"Faith,I'matalosstoknowwhatIwouldhaveyoudo,andforthematterofthatwhattodowithyou.Youdon'tseemtohavemademuchimpressiononMademoiselle,andit'snotoftenonefindsanhonestmanmasqueradingasapriest.Howdoyoucallyourself?"
"RogerHerrick."
"Well,MonsieurHerrick,forthelifeofmeIknownotwhethertotreatyouasfriendorfoe."
"Givemethebenefitofthedoubtandthinkmeafriend.Atleastbefriendenoughtogivemefoodanddrink,forIhavetouchedneithersinceIdinedattheCroixVertelastnight."
"Comewithme,"Lemasleanswered."Iwouldn'tstarvemyworstenemy."
LifewithoutitsdangerswouldhaveseemedapoorexistencetoGaspardLemasle,andamanwhocouldmakelightofdangerwasamanhewasinclinedtotaketohisheart.Herrickappealedtohim.SomehowhehadgotoutoftheSouthTower,andherespectedhimforthat.Lastnight
hehadcarriedhimselfwell,andshownnosignoffear,evenwhenaninfuriatedmobwasbentonhanginghimtothefirstconvenientlampbracket.NowhehadvoluntarilycometoPasseytoaccuseabodyofmenofbeingtraitors,knowingthatherantheriskofbeingdelivereduptotheirtendermercies,whichmightreasonablyresultinaharderdeaththanhangingwouldbe.Hewasnocommonmanthis,andGaspardLemaslewatchedhiscompanionanxiouslyasheateanddrank.
"Youwillnottellmehowyouescapedfromthecastle,willyoutellmewhatyouweredoingattheCroixVertelastnight?"
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"Ididnothingbutdine,butIintendedtosleepthere,tostaythere,apeacefultraveller,forsomedays.GoingforashortwalkafterdinnerIwasattackedinthestreet,forthepurposeofrobberyIsuppose,butfindingthetaskbeyondthem,onevillainshoutedout,'Spy!'andIwassooninthehandsofaninfuriatedcrowd.IbelieveIoweyoumylife,captain,forhadyounotbeenattheendofthestreetIdoubtwhetherIshouldhaveescapedhanging."
"Whatwerethemenlikewhoattemptedtorobyou?"
Herricktriedtogivesomeideaoftheirappearance,andsucceededinmakingLemaslethoughtfulforatime.
"AndyouheardmegettalkativeoverthewineintheCroixVerte,"hesaidpresently.
"Therewasonlyapartitionbetweenus,andFatherBertrand'svoice,evenwhenhespeakslow,ispenetrating.SolongasIoverheardtheconversationhispersuasiondidnotseemtoappealtoyou,CaptainLemasle."
"Youleftbeforetheendthen?"
"IdidnotreturntotheroomafterweallwentintothepassagetolearnthattheDukewasdead."
"Younoticedthepriestandme,didyoutakenonoteoftheothermen?"
"No.IjudgedthatinFatherBertrand'seyesyouwereofmostimportance,andtrulyIthoughtlittleofwhatIhadchancedtooverhearuntilafterward.BeingsuddenlylockedintheSouthTowerinsteadofsleepingincomfortattheCroixVerteisapttosetonethinking."
"Andyourconclusion,MonsieurHerrick?"
"Weseemfriends--needIdeceiveyou?"Herrickanswered."IthoughtthatCaptainLemasle'sdutyheldhimtoCountFelix,butthatinhishearthewasdesirousofservingthescholarofPasseybecauseofMademoiselledeLiancourt.HisfinaldecisionIdidnothear,nordoIknowitnow,yetMademoiselleseemstotrusthim."
"Andwithreason,"Lemasleanswered."IcarenotmuchwhetherwehaveDukeMauriceorDukeFelix,neitheronenortheothercanreallyfilltheoldDuke'splace,butIwouldgivemylifeinthedefenceofChristinedeLiancourt."
"Thenwearecomrades,captain.I,too,amwillingtodieinher
defence."
"Inthenameofallthegods,whyshouldyoube?"Lemasleexclaimed."Youhaveseenhertwice,andshehasscornedyoutwice.Domensacrificethemselvesforwomenwhotreatthemso?"
"Somemen,captain;someforlove,somebecauseitisintheirblood.Formyself,circumstancehasforcedmeintothisservice.Longago,perchance,myfatherswereknights-errant,andtheirspiritlivesinme."
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"I'minclinedtothinkyouafriend,"saidLemasleslowly.
"Thentreatmesomewhatasaprisonerto-morrow,andforgreatercarekeepmenearyouandMademoiselle.Youspokeofhavingmeninyourcompanywhomyouwouldnothavechosen.Youshallfindmenolaggardwhenthetimeforactioncomes."
"Verywell,andIwillarmyouforthatpurpose;butmarkyou,ifIfindmyselfmistaken,ifyouareatraitor,Ishallhavenohesitationinrunningyouthroughtheback."
"HadIfoundCaptainLemasleatraitor,Ishouldhavehadaslittlecompunction.Igoarmed,yousee."AndHerrickdrewasidehiscassocktoshowhisweapons.
Lemaslelookedathim,measuringhimwithhiseyefromheadtofootandfromshouldertoshoulder.
"Therewouldbeasatisfactioninmeetingyoufacetofaceandtryingstrengthwithyou,"hesaid."ForaughtIknowyoumaylackmyskill,butIdonotdoubtyourcourage;andifyourstorybetruewe'llseewhatwecanaccomplishsidebysideto-morrow.Youshallseemlikeaprisoneruntilthen."
SothatnightthekeywasagainturneduponRogerHerrick.
"Forform'ssake,"Lemaslesaidbywayofapology;"tothemanwhocanescapefromtheSouthTowerinVayennethereisnochamberintheChteauofPasseythatcanreallybeaprison."
Didevermanfindhimselfinstrangercircumstances,Herrickwondered,assilencefelluponthechteau.Afewhourssincehehadbeenfreetodirecthisstepswhitherhewould,evento-dayhemighthaveriddentowardsafety,andyethewashereaprisoner,pledgedifneedbetodrawswordto-morrowindefenceofayouthhehadneverseen,andagirlwhohadtreatedhimwithcontempt.Thathe,amanofpeace,who
hadpractisedswordplaymerelyasahealthypastime,shoulddrawinearnest,stakinghisownlifeagainstanother's,wasstrangeenough,yetthisaspectofthecasehehardlythoughtof;thereasonfortheactionwasuppermostinhismind,nottheactionitself.Wouldhehaveentereduponthisperilousenterpriseforanypalescholarintheworld?WhatwasittohimwhoruledinVayenne?Heknewitwasbecauseofthewomanthathiswholeheartandsoulwereinthisventure.Shehadlookedintohiseyes,andinthatmomenthadenteredintohislifeasnootherwomanhadeverdone.Itwasmorethanthespiritoftheknight-errantwhichpromptedhim,andheknewit,evenwhenhethusansweredGaspardLemasle.AtsometurninginLife'sroad,Fatewaitsforeveryman.Herrickhadreachedthatturning,andhadfoundhisfateinabeautifulwomanwhodespisedhim.Ashelaydowntosleep
herfaceseemedtowatchhimoutofthedarkness,andinhisdreamssheseemedtosmile.
Thewomanstoodlongatherwindowthatnight,lookingacrossthesilent,moonlitlandwhichlaybelowandstretchedpeacefullyawaytothedimhazinessofthehorizon.She,too,hadherdreams.Deepinherheart,dominatingalltheotherimpulsesofherlife,wastheloveofthisfairlandwhichlayatherfeet.Ithadsufferedinvasion,bloodhadwatereditsfields,thewailofmiseryhadbeenheardinit,butithadneverbeenwhollyconquered.Ifforatimetheinvaderhad
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triumphed,somestrongherohadrisenandbroughtsalvation.Itsdukesto-daywereindependentrulers.Whatdiditmatterifincertainwaysthatrulewasharsh?Whatdiditmatterifsomethingwerelackingintheircivilizationandmannerswhencomparedwithothercountriesandcourtsshehadvisited?Wasitnottheverylackofcertainluxurythatfosteredawarlikespiritinthepeople?To-daythecountrywasindangerofcivilstrife,andthatwouldbetheopportunityitsenemieswaitedfor.Christinebelievedthatonlyinthesuccessionoftherightfuldukewasrealtroubletobeaverted.InsomewaysMauricewasweak,shedidnotattempttohidethefactfromherself,buttheloveofhiscountrywasinhim;whiletoCountFelix,loveofcountryseemedsecondtohisloveofpower.Hewascruel,andhadmanyenemies,notleastamongthemtheChurch,anditwaseasytobelievethatsucharuleashiswouldbemightdrivethepeopletorebellionandtoapetitionforhelpfromoneorotherofthosestateswhich,throughthecenturies,hadlookeduponMontvillierswithgreedyeyes.Topreventthis,shouldFelixbecomeDuke,shewaspreparedtomarryhimsothatthepeople'slovemightbestrengthened.Ofherselfshethoughtnotatall,andlittleoftheprisonerwhosedreamsshefilled.Hadhecomehonestlytowarnher,orwashebutaunitinsomegreatschemeagainstherhopesandambitions?Ifhewereanhonestman,hewasabraveone,butwashehonest?Thisdoubtwasherlastthoughtbeforesheslept.
MorningcamewithathinmisthangingoverPasseyandthelowcountryaroundit,whichthesunwouldscatterpresently.Therehadbeennoiseandclatterinthecourt-yardfromanearlyhour,forCaptainLemaslehaddecidedtostartsoonerthanhehadatfirstintended.Butitwasamorningofmishaps,firstonemanandthenanotherfindingsomethingwrongwithhishorseoritsharness,nowashoeloosewhichthesmithmustneedsseeto,orasaddle-girthwhichhadworntobreaking-pointandmustberepairedbeforeastartwasmade.AtfirstGaspardLemaslecursedtheseillchancesashecursedsomesuchsmallmattereveryday,butpresentlyhebecamesuspicious,sopiecemealwerethedifficultiessprunguponhim,nordidtheyceaseuntilcloseuponthehouroriginallyarrangedforthestart.Thiswassurelymorethanmerecoincidence,andLemasledeterminednottobringHerrickintotheir
companyuntilthelastmoment.WhenChristinedeLiancourtcamefromthechteaureadyforthejourneyLemaslemadeanopportunitytospeaktoherapartforamoment.
"Ifear,mademoiselle,thatourfriendbroughtusnewswhichisonlytootrue,"hesaid.
"Ourfriend!"
"Indeed,Ibelievehehasearnedthename,"Lemasleanswered."AsItoldyoulastnight,Ihadintendedtomakeanearlierstart."
"True,andhavekeptuswaiting,captain."
"Somanylittlemisfortuneshavehappenedtodelayus,thatIcannotthinktheyhavechancedhonestly,"heanswered."Themendidnotintendtomoveuntilthetimefirstnamed.HaveyoutoldtheDukeofMonsieurHerrick'scomingandhismessage?"
"Herrick,isthathisname?Yes;Ihavetoldhim,and,ifpossible,heismoreincredulousthanIam,"sheanswered."Thismasqueradergoeswithus--whereishe?"
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"Ihavethoughtitbestnottolethimjoinusuntilthelastmoment,"saidLemasle."SomeofthesefellowswillgrumbleathavingapriestinthecompanyunlessImistakenot.Ipray,mademoiselle,thatyouwillletmesettheorderofthismarchinmyownway,andthatyouwillpretendaregardforthissamepriestevenifyoudonotfeelit.Iwouldhavehimbesidemeiftheworstcomes,asIfearitwill."
"Sobeit,CaptainLemasle;youareresponsibleforoursafety.IwilltelltheDuke."
"IshalldomybesttobringyoutoVayenneinsafety,"hesaid,salutingher.
Thewordtomountwasgiven,andthenLemaslewaitedwithhisarmthroughhishorse'sbridleuntiltheDukeandChristinewereintheirsaddles,waiteduntiltheyhadbidfarewelltooldViscountDupr,whostoodbareheadeduponthestepsbythemaindoor,andthenheturnedsharply.
"Whereisthislaggardpriest?"heshouted.
"Whatpriest?"saidoneman.
"Wewantnoneinourcompany,"saidanother.
"That'strue,comrades,"Lemaslereturned,withapretenceofgrumblingwiththem,butspeakingloudenoughforChristinetohear."MademoisellemustneedscarryapriestwithustoVayennesincewehavenotenoughtherealready."
ThesuddenappearanceofHerrickfromaninnercourt-yard,mountedonastronghorse,preventedfurtherwords.Hishoodwasdrawncloseoverhishead,andjustraisingonehandinabenediction,toemphasizehisoffice,herodetothesideofMademoiselledeLiancourt.
AtasignfromLemasle,Christinerodeforward,theDukeandHerrickoneithersideofher,thenvaultingtohissaddleheplacedhimself
attheheadofthecavalcade,andfollowedthemthroughthegates.
TheoldViscountcriedfeebly"LonglivetheDuke!"andthecrywastakenupbythefewserving-menwhowereinthecourt-yard.
"LonglivetheDuke!"criedLemasleinstentoriantones,andthecompanyofhorsemanshoutedinsogenuineafashionthatChristineglancedatHerricktoseeifthisburstofloyaltyhadanyeffectuponhim.Hedidnotmeetherglanceandwasapparentlyunconsciousofit.
Mostofthevillagers,menandwomen,hadalreadygonetotheirdailyworkinthefields,butthefewwhowereinthestreetsalsocried
longlifetotheDuke,andbowedbeforehimashepassed.
"ItisafaintpromiseofwhatshallsoonthunderoutthroughthestreetsofVayenne,"Christinesaid,turningtohim.
"Itmaybe,yetmyimaginationdoesnotseemtocatchthesoundofit,"heanswered."InPasseytheyhavelearnedtoloveme,thatiswhytheyshout,notbecauseIamaDuke."
Oncefreeofthevillagethepacewasquickened,butthesameorder
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wasmaintained.ChristinerodebetweentheDukeandRogerHerrick,somelittledistancebehindthemrodeLemaslealone,thebodyofhorsemenridingasmanypacesintherear.Howevergravehissuspicionsmightbe,heshowednothingofittohismen.
"Iride'twixtChurchandState,comrades--aperilousposition,"hesaidtothem,andhelaughedasamanwilllaughinatavernwhenthewineflowsfreelyandribaldryisinthejests.Hefeignedacarelessattitudethatnonemightthinkhimover-cautious.
ItwasChristinewhoreallysetthepace,andsomemileshadbeentraversedbeforethesunfinallydispersedthemist.Theywentbythehighroad,notbythewayHerrickhadtravelled,butneitherhorsemannorpedestrianhadbeenmet.TherewerefewwhohadbusinesswithPassey,andtheroadwaseveralonelyone.Atfirstitranastraightanddirectcourseacrosslow,flatcountry,wheretherewasnoplaceforalurkingenemytohide;thenitwoundroundthefootoflowhillstoavoidsteepascents,andherewerescatteredtrees,andundergrowthswhichdescendedtotheroadway.HereitwasthatLemaslelessenedthedistancebetweenhimselfandthethreeleaders;andhiseyesglancedsharplyfromsidetoside,whilehisearsweresharpsettocatchanysoundabovethejingleoftheharnessofthosewhorodewithhim.Hadhetrustedasinglemanofhiscompany,hewouldhavesenthiminfront,buttherewasnonehedaredtosend,norcouldhe
gohimself,sincehealonewasbetweentheDukeandhiscompanionsandthosewhomHerrickhaddeclaredweretraitors.IfintruththedeathoftheDukehadbeendeterminedupon,itmightmosteasilycomefromoneofthetraitorswhorodebehindhim.Lemasle,indeed,fearedhisownmenmorethantherobberswhoweretoattackthem.
Fromunderneathhishood,RogerHerrick'seyeskeptsharpwatch,too.Theroaddippedgentlyforhalfamileorso,andthenrandarklyintoadeepforestwhichstretchedawayoneitherhand.HerrickglancedbackatLemasle,andnotedthatherodeasonereadyforemergency.Itwasevidentthathewaspreparedtofinddangerlurkingintheforest,andHerrickmadesurethattherevolverwasreadytohishandandhisswordlooseinitsscabbard.
Christinesawthatbackwardglance,andnotedeverymovementofhercompanion.
"Isthiswhereyouwouldhaveusbelievedangerlies?"sheasked,turningtoHerrick.
"Iknownot,butitisalikelyplace,"heanswered."Itiswelltobeprepared."
Itwastwilightintheforest,socloselywerethebrancheslacedoverhead.Hereandtherearayofsunlightstruckdownwardintothegloomyaislescarpetedwiththesuccessiveleavesofmanywinters,
butitonlyservedtomakedarkerthedistancebeyond.Silencereigned,too,saveforthejinglingharness;eventhesoundofthehorses'hoofswasdeadenedalmosttonothingnessattimes,sodeepwastheroadinleavesinmanyplaces.
Christinepulledinherhorsetoawalkingpace.ShehadputherquestiontoHerrickinacontemptuoustone.Shemeanthimtounderstandthatshedidnottrusthisstory,andyethersuddenactionseemedtoindicatethatshewasnotsoincredulousassheappearedtobe.
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Forsometimetheywentforwardinsilence,andthen,asthoughitwereattheendofalongtunnel,therewasapatchofsunlightbeforethem--nottheendoftheforest,butawideclearinginitsmidst.Whentheywerewithinadozenyardsoftheopening,Herricksuddenlymadehishorseboundforwardthathemightbethefirsttocomeoutintothatopenspace.Hecouldnothaveexplainedwhyhedidso.Hesawnomoreindicationofdangerherethanhehadseenatanyotherpointofthejourney,butanovermasteringimpulseseemedtocompelhisaction,evenwhilehewasconsciousthatitmightbemisconstruedbythosehehadpromisedtoserve.Hehadjusttimetonotethatseveralroadsmetatthisclearing,whenabulletsangpasthisear,cuttingapieceofclothfromhishood.InaninstantChristineturnedherhorsesharplyasideasthoughtothrowherselfbeforetheDuke,whileLemaslewithagreatshouttohismenchargedintotheopen.
"Forward!"hecried,fortheclearingwasnowalivewithmen,someonhorseandsomeonfoot;andthenasthetroopersthunderedafterhim,hespurredhishorsedexterouslytoonesideandletthemrushpasthim.ThenextmomentheandHerrickwerebesidetheDukeandChristine,whiletherobbersandtheescortmetinthecentreoftheclearing.
"Beready!"Lemaslewhisperedamomentlater."Youwereright,
Herrick.Thesescoundrelsonlymakeapretenceoffighting,andthesearenorobbers.Thisisranktreachery,and,byHeaven,someofthemshallpaythepriceinfull."
Noshotswerefired;insucha_mle_thatwouldhavebeendangerousamongmenwhohadnodesiretoharmoneanother,andneverablowwasstruckuntilhewhowasstruckatwasreadytoparryit.Lemaslecursedunderneathhisbreath,andHerrickwaited,hisnakedswordinhishand.
"ItistheDuke'slifeyoudefend,"whisperedavoicebehindhim.
"Iknow,mademoiselle,"heanswered,withoutturninghishead.
"Ready!"shoutedLemasle.
Thetrooperswerebeatendown,somesorelyhurttoallseeming,whileothersfledintothewoods.TherobberssprangforwardtowardtheDukeandhiscompanions,yetstilltheydidnotfire.
"Back,Christine--behindus!"theDukecried."Wethreemayyetteachthesescoundrelsalesson."Andhestruckthefirstearnestblowthathadbeendealtthatday,andtheforemostmanwhorusheduponthemfellwithscarceagroan.
"Howlonghaveyouturnedathiefonthehighway?"shoutedLemasleas
ahorsemancameathim."YoulookedmorehonestwhenIlastsawyouinyoursoldiers'dressintheCastleofVayennethaninthisdisguise,and,faith!Ididn'tloveyoueventhen."
ThejoyoffightingwasuponGaspardLemasle,andhelaughedashefuriouslystruckthismanfromhissaddle.
ForoneinstantHerrickhesitatedastherushcame.Thefirstmanwhojumpedathimtodraghimfromhishorse,hestruckatwithhisswordhilt,evenasthoughhishandheldnosword--struck,asanEnglishman
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willstrike,withhisfist.Foramomenttherewasareluctancetoshedblood,butonlyforamoment.Notfarbelowthesurfaceliesthefightinginstinctineveryman,thegreedylustforit,oncethebloodisup.Thisfirstadversaryfellbackstunned,butwouldriseagain;thenextfellwithhisheadnearlyseveredfromhisbody.Howlonghestruck,nowtoright,nowtoleft,hearingLemasle'spantinglaughashegotbreathlesswithhiswork,andansweringwithlaughterjustassavage,hedidnotknow;butsuddenlytherewasacrybehindhim--acry,ashot,andanoathcutshortinitsutterance.
Someoftheirenemieshadcreptroundtotakethemintherear.Onemanhadfallenonhisknee,takingdeliberateaimattheDuke,andevenashisfingermovedtopullthetrigger,Christinesawhim,andfiredathim.Thesmokingrevolverinherhandtoldthestory.
"Adashforitandwemayyetwinthrough,"saidLemasleinahoarsewhisper."It'souronechance,"andseizingChristine'sbridlehespurredtowardtheroadwhichlayoppositehim.
TheDukeandRogerHerrickspurredforwardtoo,butamomentlater,andinthatmomenttherobbersmanagedtocutthemoff.
"Theroadtotheright,"Herrickwhispered,wheelinghishorseroundsharply.
Theman[oe]uvrewasunexpectedbytherobbers,andHerrickandtheDukefoundtheroadclearbeforethem,anddashedalongit.Thenashotrangout,andtheDuke'sswordfellfromhishand.
"Areyouhit,sir?"Herricksaid.
"Yes.It'snothing,"butevenashespokeheswayedinhissaddle.
Herrickhadcaughthisarmtoholdhimsteady,whentherewasasecondshotandtheDuke'shorsestumbled.
"Goon,an
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