THESENESCHALOFDAUPHINY
　　MyLordofTressan，HisMajesty”sSeneschalofDauphiny，satathisease，hispurpledoubletallundone，toyieldgreaterfreedomtohisvastbulk，ayellowsilkenundergarmentvisiblethroughthegap，asisvisiblethefleshofsomefruitthat，swollenwithover-ripeness，hasburstitsskin。
　　Hiswig-imposeduponhimbynecessity，notfashionlayonthetableamidaconfusionofdustypapers，andonhislittlefatnose，roundandredasacherryatitsend，restedthebridgeofhishorn-rimmedspectacles。Hisbaldhead-sobaldandshiningthatitconveyedanunpleasantsenseofnakedness，suggestingthatitsuncoveringhadbeenanactofindelicacyontheowner”spart-
　　restedonthebackofhisgreatchair，andhidfromsightthegaudyescutcheonwroughtuponthecrimsonleather。Hiseyeswereclosed，hismouthopen，andwhetherfromthatmouthorfromhisnose-or，perhaps，conflictingforissuebetweenboth-therecameasnorting，rumblingsoundtoproclaimthatmyLordtheSeneschalwashardatworkupontheKing”sbusiness。
　　Yonder，atameanertable，inananglebetweentwowindows，apale-facedthread-baresecretarywasperformingforayearlypittancethedutiesforwhichmyLordtheSeneschalwasrewardedbyemolumentsdisproportionatelylarge。
　　TheairofthatvastapartmentwasdisturbedbythesoundsofMonsieurdeTressan”sslumbers，thescratchandsplutterofthesecretary”spen，andtheoccasionalhissandcrackleofthelogsthatburnedinthegreat，cavern-likefireplace。Suddenlytotheseanothersoundwasadded。Witharaspandrattletheheavycurtainsofbluevelvetfleckedwithsilverfleurs-de-lysweresweptfromthedoorway，andthemasterofMonsieurdeTressan”shousehold，inawellfilledsuitofblackrelievedbyhisheavychainofoffice，steppedpompouslyforward。
　　Thesecretarydroppedhispen，andshotafrightenedglanceathisslumberingmaster；thenraisedhishandsabovehishead，andshookthemwildlyattheheadlackey。
　　“Sh！“hewhisperedtragically。“Doucement，MonsieurAnselme。”
　　Anselmepaused。Heappreciatedthegravityofthesituation。Hisbearinglostsomeofitsdignity；hisfaceunderwentachange。Thenwitharecoveryofsomepartofhiserstwhileresolution：
　　“Nevertheless，hemustbeawakened，“heannounced，butinanundertone，asifafraidtodothethinghesaidmustneedsbedone。
　　Thehorrorinthesecretary”seyesincreased，butAnselme”sreflectednoneofit。Itwasagravething，heknewbyformerexperience，toarouseHisMajesty”sSeneschalofDauphinyfromhisafter-dinnernap；butitwasanalmostgraverthingtofailinobediencetothatblack-eyedwomanbelowwhowasdemandinganaudience。
　　Anselmerealizedthathewasbetweentheswordandthewall。Hewas，however，amanofadeliberatehabitthatwasbegottenofinherentindolenceandnurturedamongthegoodthingsthatfelltohisshareasmasteroftheTressanhousehold。Thoughtfullyhecaressedhistuftofredbeard，puffedouthischeeks，andraisedhiseyestotheceilinginappealordenunciationtotheheavenwhichhebelievedwassomewherebeyondit。
　　“Nevertheless，hemustbeawakened，“herepeated。
　　AndthenFatecametohisassistance。Somewhereinthehouseadoorbangedlikeacannon-shot。Perspirationbrokeuponthesecretary”sbrow。Hesanklimplybackinhischair，givinghimselfupforlost。
　　Anselmestartedandbittheknuckleofhisforefingerinamannersuggestinganinarticulateimprecation。
　　MyLordtheSeneschalmoved。Thenoiseofhisslumbersculminatedinasudden，chokinggrunt，andabruptlyceased。Hiseyelidsrolledslowlyback，likeanowl”s，revealingpaleblueeyes，whichfixedthemselvesfirstupontheceiling，thenuponAnselme。Instantlyhesatup，puffingandscowling，hishandsshufflinghispapers。
　　“Athousanddevils！Anselme，whyamIinterrupted？“hegrumbledquerulously，stillhalf-asleep。“Whattheplaguedoyouwant？HaveyounothoughtfortheKing”saffairs？Babylas“-thistohissecretary-“didInottellyouthatIhadmuchtodo；thatImustnotbedisturbed？“
　　Itwasthegreatvanityofthelifeofthisman，whodidnothing，toappearthebusiestfellowinallFrance，andnoaudience-noteventhatofhisownlackeys-wastoomeanforhimtotakethestagetointhatpredilectrole。
　　“MonsieurleComte，“saidAnselme，intonesofabjectself-effacement，“Ihadneverdaredintrudehadthematterbeenoflessurgency。ButMadametheDowagerofCondillacisbelow。ShebegstoseeYourExcellencyinstantly。”
　　Atoncetherewasachange。Tressanbecamewide-awakeupontheinstant。Hisfirstactwastopassonehandoverthewax-likesurfaceofhisbaldhead，whilsthisothersnatchedathiswig。
　　Thenheheavedhimselfponderouslyoutofhisgreatchair。Hedonnedhiswig，awryinhishaste，andlurchedforwardtowardsAnselme，hisfatfingersstrainingathisopendoubletanddrawingittogether。
　　“MadamelaDouairierehere？“hecried。“Makefastthesebuttons，rascal！Quick！AmItoreceivealadythus？AmI-？Babylas，“
　　hesnapped，interruptinghimselfandturningasideevenasAnselmeputforthhandstodohisbidding。“Amirror，frommycloset！
　　Dispatch！“
　　Thesecretarywasgoneinaflash，andinaflashreturned，evenasAnselmecompletedhismaster”stoilet。ButclearlyMonsieurdeTressanhadawakenedinapeevishhumour，fornosoonerwerethebuttonsofhisdoubletsecuredthanwithhisownfingershetorethemlooseagain，cursinghismajordomothewhilewithvigour。
　　“Youdog，Anselme，haveyounosenseoffitness，nodiscrimination？
　　AmItoappearinthisgarmentofthemodeofahalf-centuryagobeforeMadamelaMarquise？Takeitoff；takeitoff，man！GetmethecoatthatcamelastmonthfromParis-theyellowonewiththehangingsleevesandthegoldbuttons，andasash-thecrimsonsashIhadfromTaillemant。Canyoumovenoquicker，animal？Areyoustillhere？“
　　Anselme，thusenjoined，lentanunwontedalacritytohismovements，waddlinggrotesquelylikeahasteningwaterfowl。BetweenhimandthesecretarytheydressedmyLordtheSeneschal，anddeckedhimouttillhewasfittocomparewithabirdofparadiseforgorgeousnessofcolouringifnotforharmonyofhuesandeleganceofoutline。
　　Babylasheldthemirror，andAnselmeadjustedtheSeneschal”swig，whilstTressanhimselftwistedhisblackmustachios-howtheykepttheircolourwasamysterytohisacquaintance-andcombedthetuftofbeardthatsproutedfromoneofhisseveralchins。
　　Hetookalastlookathisreflection，rehearsedasmile，andbadeAnselmeintroducehisvisitor。Hedesiredhissecretarytogotothedevil，but，thinkingbetterofit，herecalledhimashereachedthedoor。Hischerishedvanitycravedexpression。
　　“Wait！“saidhe。“Thereisalettermustbewritten。TheKing”sbusinessmaynotsufferpostponement-notforallthedowagersinFrance。Sitdown。”
　　Babylasobeyedhim。Tressanstoodwithhisbacktotheopendoor。
　　Hisears，strainedtolisten，hadcaughttheswishofawoman”sgown。Heclearedhisthroat，and。begantodictate：
　　“ToHerMajestytheQueen-Regent-“Hepaused，andstoodwithknittedbrows，deepinthought。Thenheponderouslyrepeated-
　　“ToHerMajestytheQueenRegent-Haveyougotthat？“
　　“Yes，MonsieurleComte。”ToHerMajestytheQueenRegent。”“
　　Therewasastep，andathroat-clearingcoughbehindhim。
　　“MonsieurdeTressan，“saidawoman”svoice，arich，melodiousvoice，ifhaughtyandarrogantofintonation。
　　Ontheinstantheturned，advancedastep，andbowed。
　　“Yourhumblestservant，madame，“saidhe，hishanduponhisheart。
　　“Thisisanhonourwhich-“
　　“Whichnecessitythrustsuponyou，“shebrokeinimperiously。
　　“Dismissthatfellow。”
　　Thesecretary，paleandshy，hadrisen。Hiseyesdilatedatthewoman”sspeech。HelookedforacatastropheasthenaturalresultofhertakingsuchatonewiththismanwhowastheterrorofhishouseholdandofallGrenoble。Instead，theLordSeneschal”smeeknesslefthimbreathlesswithsurprise。
　　“Heismysecretary，madame。Wewereatworkasyoucame。IwasonthepointofinditingalettertoHerMajesty。TheofficeofSeneschalinaprovincesuchasDauphinyishelas！-nosinecure。”
　　Hesighedlikeonewhosebrainisweary。“Itleavesamanlittletimeeventoeatorsleep。”
　　“Youwillbeneedingaholiday，then，“saidshe，withcoolinsolence。“Takeoneforonce，andlettheKing”sbusinessgiveplaceforhalfanhourtomine。”
　　Thesecretary”shorrorgrewbyleapsandbounds。
　　Surelythestormwouldburstatlastaboutthisaudaciouswoman”shead。ButtheLordSeneschal-usuallysofieryandtempestuous-
　　didnomorethanmakeheranotherofhisabsurdbows。
　　“Youanticipate，madame，theverywordsIwasabouttoutter。
　　Babylas，vanish！“Andhewavedthescribblerdoorwardswithacontemptuoushand。“Takeyourpaperswithyou-intomyclosetthere。WewillresumethatlettertoHerMajestywhenmadameshallhaveleftme。”
　　Thesecretarygathereduphispapers，hisquills，andhisinkhorn，andwenthisway，accountingtheendoftheworldathand。
　　Whenthedoorhadcloseduponhim，theSeneschal，withanotherbowandasimper，placedachairathisvisitor”sdisposal。Shelookedatthechair，thenlookedatthemanmuchasshehadlookedatthechair，andturningherbackcontemptuouslyonboth，shesaunteredtowardsthefireplace。Shestoodbeforetheblaze，withherwhiptuckedunderherarm，drawingoffherstoutriding-gloves。Shewasatall，splendidlyproportionedwoman，ofasuperbbeautyofcountenance，forallthatshewaswellpastthespringoflife。
　　InthewaninglightofthatOctoberafternoonnonewouldhaveguessedheragetobesomuchasthirty，thoughinthesunlightyoumighthavesetitatalittlemore。Butinnolightatallwouldyouhaveguessedthetruth，thathernextwouldbeherforty-secondbirthday。Herfacewaspale，ofanivorypallorthatgleamedinsharpcontrastwiththeebonyofherlustroushair。
　　Underthelonglashesoflowlidsapairofeyesblackandinsolentsetoffthehaughtylinesofherscarletlips。Hernosewasthinandstraight，herneckanivorypillarsplendidlyuprightuponherhandsomeshoulders。
　　Shewasdressedforriding，inagownofsapphirevelvet，handsomelylacedingoldacrossthestomacher，andsurmountedattheneck，whereitwascutlowandsquare，bythestarchedbandoffinelinenwhichinFrancewasalreadyreplacingthemoreelaborateruff。Onherhead，overalinencoif，sheworeatall-crownedgreybeaver，swathedwithascarfofblueandgold。
　　Standingbythehearth，onefootonthestonekerb，oneelbowleaninglightlyontheovermantel，sheproceededleisurelytoremovehergloves。
　　TheSeneschalobservedherwitheyesthatheldanoddmixtureoffurtivenessandadmiration，hisfingers-plump，indolent-lookingstumps-pluckingathisbeard。
　　“Didyoubutknow，Marquise，withwhatjoy，withwhata-“
　　“Iwillimagineit，whateveritmaybe，“shebrokein，withthatbrusquearrogancethatmarkedherbearing。“Thetimeforflowersofrhetoricisnotnow。Thereistroublecoming，man；trouble，diretrouble。”
　　UpwenttheSeneschal”sbrows；hiseyesgrewwider。
　　“Trouble？“quothhe。And，havingopenedhismouthtogiveexittothatsingleword，openheleftit。
　　Shelaughedlazily，herlipcurling，herfacetwistingoddly，andmechanicallyshebegantodrawonagainthegloveshehaddrawnoff。
　　“ByyourfaceIseehowwellyouunderstandme，“shesneered。“ThetroubleconcernsMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。”
　　“FromParis-doesitcomefromCourt？“Hisvoicewassunk。
　　Shenodded。“Youareamiracleofintuitiontoday，Tressan。”
　　Hethrusthistinytuftofbeardbetweenhisteeth-atrickhehadwhenperplexedorthoughtful。“Ah！“heexclaimedatlast，anditsoundedlikeanindrawnbreathofapprehension。“Tellmemore。”
　　“Whatmoreistheretotell？Youhavetheepitomeofthestory。”
　　“Butwhatisthenatureofthetrouble？Whatformdoesittake，andbywhomareyouadvisedofit？“
　　“AfriendinParissentmeword，andhismessengerdidhisworkwell，elsehadMonsieurdeGarnachebeenherebeforehim，andI
　　hadnotsomuchashadthemercyofthisforewarning。”
　　“Garnache？“quoththeCount。“WhoisGarnache？“
　　“TheemissaryoftheQueen-Regent。HehasbeendispatchedhitherbyhertoseethatMademoiselledeLaVauvrayehasjusticeandenlargement。”
　　Tressanfellsuddenlytogroaningandwringinghishandsapatheticfigurehaditbeenlessabsurd。
　　“Iwarnedyou，madame！Iwarnedyouhowitwouldend，“hecried。
　　“Itoldyou-“
　　“Oh，Irememberthethingsyoutoldme，“shecutin，scorninhervoice。“Youmayspareyourselftheirrepetition。Whatisdoneisdone，andI”llnot-Iwouldnot-haveitundone。Queen-RegentornoQueen-Regent，IammistressatCondillac；mywordistheonlylawweknow，andIintendthatsoitshallcontinue。”
　　Tressanlookedatherinsurprise。Thisunreasoning，feminineobstinacysowroughtuponhimthathepermittedhimselfasmileandalapseintoironyandbanter。
　　“Parfaitement，“saidhe，spreadinghishands，andbowing。“Whyspeakoftrouble，then？“
　　Shebeatherwhipimpatientlyagainsthergown，hereyesstaringintothefire。“Because，myattitudebeingsuchasitis，troublewilltherebe。”
　　TheSeneschalshruggedhisshoulders，andmovedasteptowardsher。
　　HewascastdowntothinkthathemighthavesparedhimselfthetroubleofdonninghisbeautifulyellowdoubletfromParis。Shehadeyesfornofinerythatafternoon。Hewascastdown，too，tothinkhowthingsmightgowithhimwhenthistroublecame。ItenteredhisthoughtsthathehadlainlongonabedofrosesinthispleasantcornerofDauphiny，andhewassmittennowwithfearlestoftherosesheshouldfindnothingremainingbutthethorns。
　　“HowcametheQueen-Regenttohearof-ofmademoiselle”s-ah-
　　situation？“heinquired。
　　TheMarquiseswungrounduponhiminapassion。
　　“Thegirlfoundadogofatraitortobearaletterforher。Thatisenough。Ifeverchanceorfateshouldbringhimmyway，byGod！
　　heshallhangwithoutshrift。”
　　Thensheputherangerfromher；putfromher，too，theinsolenceandscornwithwhichsolavishlyshehadaddressedhimhitherto。
　　Insteadsheassumedasuppliantair，herbeautifuleyesmeltinglysetuponhisface。
　　“Tressan，“saidsheinheralteredvoice，“Iambesetbyenemies。
　　Butyouwillnotforsakeme？Youwillstandbymetotheend-willyounot，myfriend？Icancountuponyou，atleast？“
　　“Inallthings，madame，“heanswered，underthespellofhergaze。
　　“WhatforcedoesthismanGarnachebringwithhim？Haveyouascertained？“
　　“Hebringsnone，“sheanswered，triumphinherglance。
　　“None？“heechoed，horrorinhis。“None？Then-then-“
　　Hetossedhisarmstoheaven，andstoodalimpandshakenthing。
　　Sheleanedforward，andregardedhimstrickeninsurprise。
　　“Diable！Whatailsyou？“shesnapped。“CouldIhavegivenyoubetternews？“
　　“Ifyoucouldhavegivenmeworse，Icannotthinkwhatitmighthavebeen，“hegroaned。Then，asifsmittenbyasuddennotionthatflashedagleamofhopeintothisterrifyingdarknessthatwassettlingdownuponhim，hesuddenlylookedup。“Youmeantoresisthim？“heinquired。
　　Shestaredathimasecond，thenlaughed，athoughtunpleasantly。
　　“Pish！Butyouaremad，“shescornedhim。“DoyouneedaskifI
　　intendtoresist-I，withthestrongestcastleinDauphiny？ByGod！sir，ifyouneedtohearmesayit，hearmethensaythatI
　　shallresisthimandasmanyastheQueenmaysendafterhim，foraslongasonestoneofCondillacshallstanduponanother。”
　　TheSeneschalblewouthislips，andfelloncemoretothechewingofhisbeard。
　　“WhatdidyoumeanwhenyousaidIcouldhavegivenyounoworsenewsthanthatofhiscomingalone？“shequestionedsuddenly。
　　“Madame，“saidhe，“ifthismancomeswithoutforce，andyouresisttheordersofwhichheisthebearer，whatthinkyouwillbetide？“
　　“Hewillappealtoyouforthemenheneedsthathemaybatterdownmywalls，“sheansweredcalmly。
　　Helookedatherincredulously。“Yourealizeit？“heejaculated。
　　“Yourealizeit？“
　　“Whatisthereinitthatshouldpuzzleababe？“
　　Hercallousnesswaslikeagustofwinduponthelivingembersofhisfears。Itblewthemintoablazeofwrath，suddenandterrificasthatofsuchamanatbaycouldbe。Headvanceduponherwiththerollinggaitoftheobese，hischeekspurple，hisarmswavingwildly，hisdyedmustachiosbristling。
　　“Andwhatofme，madame？“hespluttered。“Whatofme？AmItoberuined，gaoled，andhanged，maybe，forrefusinghimmen？-forthatiswhatisinyourmind。AmItomakemyselfanoutlaw？AmI，whohavebeenLordSeneschalofDauphinythesefifteenyears，toendmydaysindegradationinthecauseofawoman”smatrimonialprojectsforasimperingschool-girl？SeigneurduCiel！“heroared，“Ithinkyouaregonemad-mad，mad！overthisaffair。Youwouldnotthinkittoomuchtosetthewholeprovinceinflamessothatyoucouldhaveyourwaywiththiswretchedchild。But，Ventregris！
　　toruinme-to-to-“
　　Hefellsilentforverywantofwords；justgapedandgasped，andthen，withhandsfoldeduponhispaunch，hesethimselftopacethechamber。
　　MadamedeCondillacstoodwatchinghim，herfacecomposed，herglancecold。Shewaslikesomestalwartoak，weatheringwithunshakenfrontahurricane。Whenhehaddone，shemovedawayfromthefireplace，and，beatinghersidegentlywithherwhip，shesteppedtothedoor。
　　“Aurevoir，MonsieurdeTressan，“saidshe，mightycool，herbacktowardshim。
　　Atthathehaltedinhisfeverishstride，stoodstillandthrewuphishead。Hisangerwentout，asacandleisextinguishedbyapuffofwind。Andinitsplaceanewfearcreptintohisheart。
　　“Madame，madame！“hecried。“Wait！Hearme。”
　　Shepaused，half-turned，andlookedathimoverhershoulder，scorninherglance，asneeronherscarletmouth，insolenceineverylineofher。
　　“Ithink，monsieur，thatIhaveheardalittlemorethanenough，“
　　saidshe。“Iamassured，atleast，thatinyouIhavebutafair-weatherfriend，apoorlipserver。”
　　“Ah，notthat，madame，“hecried，andhisvoicewasstricken。“Saynotthat。Iwouldserveyouaswouldnoneotherinallthisworld-youknowit，Marquise；youknowit。”
　　Shefacedabout，andconfrontedhim，hersmileatriflebroader，asifamusementwerenowblendingwithherscorn。
　　“Itiseasytoprotest。Easytosay，”Iwilldieforyou”solongastheneedforsuchasacrificeberemote。Butletmedonomorethanaskafavour，anditis，”Whatofmygoodname，madame？Whatofmyseneschalship？AmItobegaoledorhangedtopleasureyou？”
　　Faugh！“sheended，withatossofhersplendidhead。“Theworldispeopledwithyourkind，andI-alas！forawoman”sintuitions-
　　hadheldyoudifferentfromtherest。”
　　Herwordsweretohissoulasaswordoffiremighthavebeentohisflesh。Theyscorchedandshrivelledit。Hesawhimselfasshewouldhavehimseehimself-amean，contemptiblecraven；acowardwhomadebigtalkintimesofpeace，butfacedaboutandvanishedintohidingatthefirstsignofdanger。Hefelthimselfthemeanest，vilestthinga-crawluponthissinfulearth，andshe-dearGod！-hadthoughthimdifferentfromtheruck。Shehadheldhiminhighesteem，andbehold，howshorthadhenotfallenofallherexpectations！Shameandvanitycombinedtoworkasudden，sharprevulsioninhisfeelings。
　　“Marquise，“hecried，“yousaynomorethanwhatisjust。Butpunishmenofurther。ImeantnotwhatIsaid。Iwasbesidemyself。Letmeatone-letmyfutureactionsmakeamendsforthatodiousdeparturefrommytrueself。”
　　Therewasnoscornnowinhersmile；onlyanineffabletenderness，beholdingwhichhefeltitinhishearttohangifneedbethathemightcontinuehighinherregard。Hesprangforward，andtookthehandsheextendedtohim。
　　“Iknew，Tressan，“saidshe，“thatyouwerenotyourself，andthatwhenyoubethoughtyouofwhatyouhadsaid，myvaliant，faithfulfriendwouldnotdesertme。”
　　Hestoopedoverherhand，andslobberedkissesuponherunresponsiveglove。
　　“Madame，“saidhe，“youmaycountuponme。ThisfellowoutofParisshallhavenomenfromme，dependuponit。”
　　Shecaughthimbytheshoulders，andheldhimso，beforeher。Herfacewasradiant，alluring；andhereyesdweltonhiswithakindnesshehadneverseentheresaveinsomewilddaydreamofhis。
　　“Iwillnotrefuseaserviceyouoffermesogallantly，“saidshe。
　　“Itwereanillthingtowoundyoubysorefusingit。”
　　“Marquise，“hecried，“itisasnothingtowhatIwoulddodidtheoccasionserve。Butwhenthisthing”tisdone；whenyouhavehadyourwaywithMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，andthenuptialsshallhavebeencelebrated，then-dareIhope-？“
　　Hesaidnomoreinwords，buthislittleblueeyeshadaneloquencethatleftnothingtomerespeech。
　　Theirglancesmet，sheholdinghimalwaysatarm”slengthbythatgripuponhisshoulders，agripthatwasfirmandnervous。
　　IntheSeneschalofDauphiny，asshenowgazeduponhim，shebeheldaverytoadofaman，andthesoulofhershudderedatthesightofhimcombiningwiththethingthathesuggested。Butherglancewassteadyandherlipsmaintainedtheirsmile，justasifthatuglinessofhishadbeeninvestedwithsomeabstractbeautyexistingonlytohergaze；alittlecolourcreptintohercheeks，andredbeingthecolouroflove”slivery，Tressanmisreaditsmeaning。
　　Shenoddedtohimacrossthelittledistanceofheroutstretchedarms，thensmotheredalaughthatdrovehimcrazedwithhope，andbreakingfromhimshespedswiftly，shylyitalmostseemedtohim，tothedoor。
　　Thereshepausedamomentlookingbackathimwithacoynessthatmighthavebecomeagirlofhalfheryears，yetwhichhersplendidbeautysavedfrombeingunbecomingeveninher。
　　Oneadorablesmileshegavehim，andbeforehecouldadvancetoholdthedoorforher，shehadopeneditandpassedout。
　　CHAPTERII
　　MONSIEURDEGARNACHE
　　Topromiserashly，particularlywhereawomanisthesuppliant，andafterwards，ifnotpositivelytorepentthepromise，atleasttoregretthatonedidnothedgeitwithafewconditions，isaproceedingnotuncommontoyouth。Inamanofadvancedage，suchasMonsieurdeTressan，itnevershouldhaveplace；and，indeed，itseldomhas，unlessthatmanhascomeagainundertheswayoftheinfluencesbywhichyouth，forgoodorill，isgoverned。
　　Whilsttheflushofhisadorationwasuponhim，hotfromthecontactofherpresence，heknewnorepentance，foundroominhismindfornoregrets。Hecrossedtothewindow，andpressedhishugeroundfacetothepane，inafutileefforttowatchhermountandrideoutofthecourtyardwithherlittletroopofattendants。Findingthathemightnot-thewindowbeingplacedtoohigh-gratifyhiswishesinthatconnection，hedroppedintohischair，andsatinthefast-deepeninggloom，reviewing，fondlyhere，hurriedlythere，theinterviewthathadbutended。
　　Thusnightfell，anddarknesssettleddownabouthim，relievedonlybytheredglowofthelogssmoulderingonthehearth。Inthegloominspirationvisitedhim。HecalledforlightsandBabylas。Bothcame，andhedispatchedthelackeythatlightedthetaperstosummonMonsieurd”Aubran，thecommanderofthegarrisonofGrenoble。
　　Intheintervalbeforethesoldier”scomingheconferredwithBabylasconcerningwhathehadinmind，buthefoundhissecretarysingularlydullandunimaginative。Sothat，perforce，hemustfallbackuponhimself。Hesatglumandthoughtful，hismindinunproductivetravail，untilthecaptainwasannounced。
　　Stillwithoutanydefiniteplan，heblunderedheadlong，nevertheless，intothenecessaryfirststeptowardsthefulfilmentofhispurpose。
　　“Captain，“saidhe，lookingmightygrave，“IhavecausetobelievethatallisnotasitshouldbeinthehillsinthedistrictofMontelimar。”
　　“Istheretrouble，monsieur？“inquiredthecaptain，startled。
　　“Maybethereis，maybethereisnot，“returnedtheSeneschalmysteriously。“Youshallhaveyourfullordersinthemorning。
　　Meanwhile，makereadytorepairtotheneighbourhoodofMontelimarto-morrowwithacoupleofhundredmen。”
　　“Acoupleofhundred，monsieur！“exclaimedd”Aubran。“ButthatwillbetoemptyGrenobleofsoldiers。”
　　“Whatofit？Wearenotlikelytorequirethemhere。Letyourordersforpreparationgoroundtonight，sothatyourknavesmaybereadytosetoutbetimesto-morrow。Ifyouwillbesogoodastowaituponmeearlyyoushallhaveyourinstructions。”
　　Mystified，Monsieurd”Aubrandepartedonhiserrand，andmyLordSeneschalwentdowntosupperwellpleasedwiththecunningdevicebywhichhewastoleaveGrenoblewithoutagarrison。ItwasanastutewayofescapefromtheawkwardsituationintowhichhisattachmenttotheinterestsofthedowagerofCondillacwaslikelytoplacehim。
　　Butwhenthemorningcamehewaslesspleasedwiththeidea，chieflybecausehehadbeenunabletoinventanydetailsthatshouldlenditthenecessarycolour，andd”Aubran-worseluck-wasanintelligentofficerwhomightevinceapardonablebutembarrassingcuriosity。Aleaderofsoldiershasarighttoknowsomethingatleastoftheenterpriseuponwhichheleadsthem。Bymorning，too，Tressanfoundthattheinterveningspaceofthenight，sincehehadseenMadamedeCondillac，hadcooledhisardourveryconsiderably。
　　Hehadreachedtheincipientstagesofregretofhisrashpromise。
　　WhenCaptaind”Aubranwasannouncedtohim，hebadethemaskhimtocomeagaininanhour”stime。Frommereregretshewaspassingnow，throughdismay，intoutterrepentanceofhispromise。Hesatinhisstudy，athislitteredwriting-table，hisheadinhishands，aconfusionofthoughts，awild，frenziedstrivingafterinventioninhisbrain。
　　ThusAnselmefoundhimwhenhethrustasidetheportieretoannouncethataMonsieurdeGarnache，fromParis，wasbelow，demandingtoseetheLordSeneschalatonceuponanaffairofState。
　　Tressan”sfleshtrembledandhisheartfainted。Then，suddenly，desperately，hetookhiscourageinbothhands。HerememberedwhohewasandwhathewastheKing”sLordSeneschaloftheProvinceofDauphiny。Throughoutthatprovince，fromtheRhonetotheAlps，hiswordwaslaw，hisnameaterrortoevildoers-andtosomeothersbesides。WashetoblenchandtrembleatthementionofthenameofaCourtlackeyoutofParis，whobroughthimamessagefromtheQueen-Regent？BodyofGod！nothe。
　　Heheavedhimselftohisfeet，warmedandheartenedbythethought；
　　hiseyesparkled，andtherewasadeeperflushthanusualuponhischeek。
　　“AdmitthisMonsieurdeGarnache，“saidhewithafineloftiness，andinhisheartheponderedwhathewouldsayandhowheshouldsayit；howheshouldstand，howmove，andhowlook。Hisrovingeyecaughtsightofhissecretary。Herememberedsomething-thecherishedposeofbeingamanplungedfathoms-deepinbusiness。
　　Sharplyheutteredhissecretary”sname。
　　Babylasraisedhispaleface；heknewwhatwascoming；ithadcomesomanytimesbefore。Buttherewasnovestigeofasmileonhisdroopinglips，nogleamofamusementinhispatienteye。Hethrustasidethepapersonwhichhewasatwork，anddrewtowardshimafreshsheetonwhichtopentheletterwhich，heknewbyexperience，TressanwasabouttoinditetotheQueen-mother。ForthesepurposesHerMajestywasTressan”sonlycorrespondent。
　　Thenthedooropened，theportierewassweptaside，，andAnselmeannounced“MonsieurdeGarnache。”
　　Tressanturnedasthenewcomersteppedbrisklyintotheroom，andbowed，hatinhand，itslongcrimsonfeathersweepingtheground，thenstraightenedhimselfandpermittedtheSeneschaltotakehismeasure。
　　Tressanbeheldamanofagoodheight，broadtothewaistandsparethencetotheground，whoatfirstglanceappearedtobemainlycladinleather。Abuffjerkinfittedhisbody；belowittherewasaglimpseofwine-colouredtrunks，andhoseofaslightlydeeperhue，whichvanishedimmediatelyintoapairofhugethighbootsofuntannedleather。Aleatherswordbelt，gold-embroideredattheedges，carriedalongsteel-haltedrapierinaleatherscabbardchapedwithsteel。
　　Thesleevesofhisdoubletwhichprotrudedfromhisleathercasingwereofthesamecolourandmaterialashistrunks。Inonehandhecarriedhisbroadblackhatwithitscrimsonfeather，intheotheralittlerollofparchment；andwhenhemovedthecreakofleatherandjingleofhisspursmadepleasantmusicforamartialspirit。
　　Aboveall，thisman”shead，wellsetuponhisshoulders，claimedsomeattention。Hisnosewashookedandratherlarge，hiseyeswereblue，brightassteel，andsetatriflewide。Aboveathin-lapped，delicatemouthhisreddishmustachios，slightlystreakedwithgrey，stoodout，bristlinglikeacat”s。Hishairwasdarker-almostbrownsaveatthetemples，whereagehadfadedittoanashencolour。
　　Ingeneralhisaspectwasoneofruggedstrength。
　　TheSeneschal，measuringhimwithanadversary”seye，mislikedhislooks。Buthebowedurbanely，washinghishandsintheair，andmurmuring：
　　“Yourservant，Monsieurde-？“
　　“Garnache，“cametheother”scrisp，metallicvoice，andthenamehadasoundasofanoathonhislips。“MartinMarieRigobertdeGarnache。IcometoyouonanerrandofHerMajesty”s，asthismywarrantwillappriseyou。”Andheprofferedthepaperheheld，whichTressanacceptedfromhishand。
　　AchangewasvisibleinthewilySeneschal”sfatcountenance。Itsroundexpansehadexpressedinterrogationuntilnow；butattheParisian”sannouncementthathewasanemissaryoftheQueen”s，TressaninsinuatedintoitjustthatlookofsurpriseandofincreaseddeferencewhichwouldhavebeennaturalhadhenotalreadybeenforewarnedofMonsieurdeGarnache”smissionandidentity。
　　Heplacedachairathisvisitor”sdisposal，himselfresuminghisseatathiswriting-table，andunfoldingthepaperGarnachehadgivenhim。Thenewcomerseatedhimself，hitchedhissword-beltroundsothathecouldleanbothhandsuponthehilt，andsat，stiffandimmovable，awaitingtheLordSeneschal”spleasure。Fromhisdeskacrosstheroomthesecretary，idlychewingthefeatheredendofhisgoose-quill，tooksilentstockofthemanfromParis，andwondered。
　　Tressanfoldedthepapercarefully，andreturnedittoitsowner。
　　Itwasnomorethanaformalcredential，settingforththatGarnachewastravellingintoDauphinyonaStateaffair，andcommandingMonsieurdeTressantogivehimeveryassistancehemightrequireintheperformanceofhiserrand。
　　“Parfaitement，“purredtheLordSeneschal。“Andnow，monsieur，ifyouwillcommunicatetomethenatureofyouraffair，youshallfindmeentirelyatyourservice。”
　　“ItgoeswithoutsayingthatyouareacquaintedwiththeChateaudeCondillac？“beganGarnache，plungingstraightintobusiness。
　　“Perfectly。”TheSeneschalleanedback，andwasconcernedtofeelhispulsesthrobbingashadetooquickly。Buthecontrolledhisfeatures，andmaintainedaplacid，blandexpression。
　　“Youareperhapsacquaintedwithitsinhabitants？“
　　“Yes。”
　　“Intimatewiththem？“
　　TheSeneschalpursedhislips，archedhisbrows，andslowlywavedhispodgyhands，acombinationofgrimaceandgesturethatsaidmuchornothing。ButreflectingthatMonsieurdeTressanhadatongue，Garnacheapparentlydidnotopineitworthhiswhiletosetastrainuponhisownimagination，for-
　　“Intimatewiththem？“herepeated，andthistimetherewasasharpernoteinhisvoice。
　　Tressanleanedforwardandbroughthisfinger-tipstogether。Hisvoicewasasurbaneasitlaywithinitspowertobe。
　　“Iunderstoodthatmonsieurwasproposingtostatehisbusiness，nottoquestionmine。”
　　Garnachesatbackinhischair，andhiseyesnarrowed。Hescentedopposition，andthegreateststumbling-blockinGarnache”scareerhadbeenthathecouldneverlearntobrookoppositionfromanyman。
　　Thatcharacteristic，evincedearlyinlife，hadallbutbeentheruinofhim。Hewasamanofhighintellectualgifts，ofmilitaryskillandgreatresource；outofconsiderationforwhichhadhebeenchosenbyMariedeMedicistocomeuponthiserrand。ButhemarreditallbyatempersoungovernablethatinParistherewascurrentabyword，“ExplosiveasGarnache。”
　　LittledidTressandreamtowhatacaskofgunpowderhewasapplyingthematchofhissmugpertness。NordidGarnachelethimdreamitjustyet。Hecontrolledhimselfbetimes，bethinkinghimthat，afterall，theremightbesomereasoninwhatthisfatfellowsaid。
　　“Youmisapprehendmypurpose，sir，“saidhe，hisleanbrownhandstrokinghislongchin。“Ibutsoughttolearnhowfaralreadyyoumaybeinformedofwhatistakingplaceupthere，totheendthatImaysparemyselfthepainsofcitingfactswithwhichalreadyyouareacquainted。Still，monsieur，Iamwillingtoproceeduponthelineswhichwouldappeartobemoreagreeabletoyourself。
　　“This，then，isthesumoftheaffairthatbringsme：ThelateMarquisdeCondillaclefttwosons。Theelder，Florimond-whoisthepresentmarquis，andwhohasbeenandstillcontinuesabsent，warringinItaly，sincebeforehisfather”sdeath-isthestepsonofthepresentDowager，shebeingthemotheroftheyoungerson，MariusdeCondillac。
　　“Shouldyouobservemetobeanywhereaterror，Ibeg，monsieur，thatyouwillhavethecomplaisancetocorrectme。”
　　TheSeneschalbowedgravely，andMonsieurdeGarnachecontinued：
　　“Nowthisyoungerson-Ibelievethatheisinhistwenty-firstyearatpresent-hasbeensomethingofascapegrace。”
　　“Ascapegrace？BonDieu，no。Thatisaharshnametogivehim。
　　Alittleindiscreetattimes，alittlerash，asisthewayofyouth。”
　　Hewouldhavesaidmore，butthemanfromPariswasofnomindtowastetimeonquibbles。
　　“Verywell，“hesnapped，cuttingin。“Wewillsay，alittleindiscreet。MyerrandisnotconcernedwithMonsieurMarius”smoralsorwithhislackofthem。Theseindiscretionswhichyoubelittleappeartohavebeenenoughtohaveestrangedhimfromhisfather，acircumstancewhichbutservedthemoretoendearhimtohismother。Iamtoldthatsheisaveryhandsomewoman，andthattheboyfavourshersurprisingly。”
　　“Ah！“sighedtheSeneschalinarapture。“Abeautifulwoman-anoble，splendidwoman。”
　　“Hum！“Garnacheobservedtheecstaticsimperwithagrimeye。Thenheproceededwithhisstory。
　　“Thelatemarquispossessedinhisneighbour，thealsodeceasedMonsieurdeLaVauvraye，averydearandvaluedfriend。MonsieurdeLaVauvrayehadanonlychild，adaughter，toinherithisveryconsiderableestatesprobablythewealthiestinallDauphiny，soI
　　aminformed。Itwasthedearestwishofhishearttotransformwhathadbeenalifelongfriendshipinhisowngenerationintoacloserrelationshipinthenext-awishthatfoundaveryreadyechointheheartofMonsieurdeCondillac。FlorimonddeCondillacwassixteenyearsofageatthetime，andValeriedeLaVauvrayefourteen。Foralltheirtenderyears，theywerebetrothed，andtheygrewuptoloveeachotherandtolookforwardtotheconsummationoftheplanstheirfathershadlaidforthem。”
　　“Monsieur，monsieur，“theSeneschalprotested，“howcanyoupossiblyinfersomuch？Howcanyousaythattheylovedeachother？Whatauthoritycanyouhaveforpretendingtoknowwhatwasintheirinmosthearts？“
　　“TheauthorityofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，“wastheunanswerablerejoinder。“Iamtellingyou，moreorless，whatsheherselfwrotetotheQueen。”
　　“Ah！Well，well-proceed，monsieur。”
　　“ThismarriageshouldrenderFlorimonddeCondillacthewealthiestandmostpowerfulgentlemaninDauphiny-oneofthewealthiestinFrance；andtheideaofitpleasedtheoldmarquis，inasmuchasthedisparitytherewouldbebetweentheworldlypossessionsofhistwosonswouldservetomarkhisdisapprovaloftheyounger。Butbeforesettlingdown，Florimondsignifiedadesiretoseetheworld，aswasfitandproperandbecominginayoungmanwhowaslatertoassumesuchwideresponsibilities。Hisfather，realizingthewisdomofsuchastep，madebutslightobjection，andattheageoftwentyFlorimondsetoutfortheItalianwars。Twoyearsafterwards，alittleoversixmonthsago，hisfatherdied，andwasfollowedtothegravesomeweekslaterbyMonsieurdeLaVauvraye。Thelatter，withawantofforesightwhichhasgivenrisetothepresenttrouble，misjudgingthecharacteroftheDowagerofCondillac，entrustedtohercarehisdaughterValeriependingFlorimond”sreturn，whenthenuptialswouldnaturallybeimmediatelycelebrated。Iamprobablytellingyounomorethanyoualreadyknow。Butyouowetheinflictiontoyourownunwillingnesstoanswermyquestions。”
　　“No，no，monsieur；Iassureyouthatinwhatyousaythereismuchthatisentirelynewtome。”
　　“Irejoicetohearit，MonsieurdeTressan，“saidGarnacheveryseriously，“forhadyoubeeninpossessionofallthesefacts，HerMajestymighthavearighttolearnhowitchancedthatyouhadnowiseinterferedinwhatistowardatCondillac。
　　“Buttoproceed：MadamedeCondillacandherpreciousBenjamin-
　　thisMarius-findingthemselves，inFlorimond”sabsence，mastersofthesituation，havesetaboutturningittotheirownbestadvantage。MademoiselledeLaVauvraye，whilstbeingnominallyundertheirguardianship，findsherselfpracticallygaoledbythem，andodiousplansaresetbeforehertomarryMarius。CouldtheDowagerbutaccomplishthis，itwouldseemthatshewouldnotonlybeassuringafutureofeaseanddignityforherson，butalsobegivingventtoallherpent-uphatredofherstepson。
　　“Mademoiselle，however，withstandsthem，andinthissheisaidedbyafortuitouscircumstancewhichhasarisenoutoftheoverbearingarrogancethatappearstobemadame”schiefcharacteristic。
　　Condillacafterthemarquis”sdeathhadrefusedtopaytithestoMotherChurchandhasfloutedandinsultedtheBishop。Thisprelate，afterfindingremonstrancevain，hasretortedbyplacingCondillacunderanInterdict，deprivingallwithinitofthebenefitofclergy。
　　Thus，theyhavebeenunabletofindapriesttoventurethither，sothatevenhadtheywilledtomarrymademoisellebyforcetoMarius，theylackedtheactualmeansofdoingso。
　　“Florimondcontinuesabsent。Wehaveeveryreasontobelievethathehasbeenleftinignoranceofhisfather”sdeath。Letterscomingfromhimfromtimetotimeprovethathewasaliveandwellatleastuntilthreemonthsago。Amessengerhasbeendispatchedtofindhimandurgehimtoreturnhomeatonce。ButpendinghisarrivaltheQueenhasdeterminedtotakethenecessarystepstoensurethatMademoiselledeLaVauvrayeshallbereleasedfromhercaptivity，thatsheshallsuffernofurthermolestationatthehandsofMadamedeCondillacandherson-enfin，thatsheshallrunnofurtherrisks。
　　“Myerrand，monsieur，istoacquaintyouwiththesefacts，andtorequestyoutoproceedtoCondillacanddeliverthenceMademoiselledeLaVauvraye，whomIamsubsequentlytoescorttoParisandplaceunderHerMajesty”sprotectionuntilsuchtimeasthenewmarquisshallreturntoclaimher。”
　　Havingconcluded，MonsieurdeGarnachesatbackinhischair，andthrewonelegovertheother，fixinghiseyesupontheSeneschal”sfaceandawaitinghisreply。
　　Onthatgrosscountenancebeforehimhesawfalltheshadowofperplexity。Tressanwasmonstrousill-at-ease，andhisfacelostagooddealofitshabitualplethoraofcolour。Hesoughttotemporize。
　　“Doesitnotoccurtoyou，monsieur，thatperhapstoomuchimportancemayhavebeenattachedtothewordofthischild-thisMademoiselledeLaVauvraye？“
　　“Doesitoccurtoyouthatsuchhasbeenthecase，thatshehasoverstatedit？“counter-questionedMonsieurdeGarnache。
　　“No，no。Idonotsaythat。But-but-woulditnotbebetter-
　　more-ah-satisfactorytoallconcerned，ifyouyourselfweretogotoCondillac，anddeliveryourmessageinperson，demandingmademoiselle？“
　　ThemanfromParislookedathimamoment，thenstoodupsuddenly，andshiftedthecarriagesofhisswordbacktotheirnormalposition。Hisbrowscametogetherinafrown，fromwhichtheSeneschalarguedthathissuggestionwasnotwellreceived。
　　“Monsieur，“saidtheParisianverycoldly，likeamanwhocontainsarisinganger，“letmetellyouthatthisisthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhavebeenconcernedinanythingthathadtodowithwomenandIamcloseuponfortyyearsofage。Thetask，Icanassureyou，waslittletomytaste。Iembarkeduponitbecause，beingasoldierandhavingreceivedmyorders，Iwasintheunfortunatepositionofbeingunabletohelpmyself。ButIintend，monsieur，toadhererigidlytotheletterofthesecommands。AlreadyIhaveenduredmorethanenoughintheinterestsofthisdamsel。I
　　haveriddenfromParis，andthatmeanscloseuponaweekinthesaddle-nolittlethingtoamanwhohasacquiredcertainhabitsoflifeanddevelopedatasteforcertainminorcomfortswhichheisveryreluctanttoforgo。Ihavefedandsleptatinns，livingontheworstoffaresandsleepingonthehardest，andhardlythecleanest，ofbeds。Ventregris！FiguretoyourselfthatlastnightwelayatLuzan，intheonlyinntheplacecontained-ahovel，MonsieurleSeneschal，ahovelinwhichIwouldnotkenneladogIloved。”
　　Hisfaceflushed，andhisvoiceroseashedweltuponthethingshehadundergone。
　　“MyservantandIsleptinadormitory”-athousanddevils！monsieur，inadormitory！Doyourealizeit？Wehadforcompanyadrunkenvintner，apedlar，apilgrimonhiswaytoRome，andtwopeasantwomen；andtheysentustobedwithoutcandles，formodesty”ssake。
　　Iaskyoutoconceivemyfeelingsinsuchacaseasthat。Icouldtellyoumore；butthatasasampleofwhatIhaveundergonecouldscarcelybesurpassed。”
　　“Truly-trulyoutrageous，“sympathizedtheSeneschal；yethegrinned。
　　“Iaskyou-haveInotsufferedinconvenienceenoughalreadyintheserviceofMademoiselledeLaVauvrayethatyoucanblamemeifI
　　refusetogoasinglestepfurtherthanmyordersbidme？“
　　TheSeneschalstaredathimnowinincreasingdismay。Hadhisowninterestsbeenlessatissuehecouldhaveindulgedhismirthattheother”sfieryindignationattheinconveniencesherecited。Asitwas，hehadnothingtosay；nothoughtorfeelingotherthanwhatconcernedfindingawayofescapefromthenetthatseemedtobeclosinginabouthim-howtoseemtoservetheQueenwithoutturningagainsttheDowagerofCondillac；howtoseemtoservetheDowagerwithoutopposingthewishesoftheQueen。
　　“Aplagueonthegirl！“hegrowled，unconsciouslyutteringhisthoughtsaloud。“Thedeviltakeher！“
　　Garnachesmiledgrimly。“Thatisabondofsympathybetweenus，“
　　saidhe。“Ihavesaidthoseverywordsahundredtimes-athousandtimes，indeed-betweenParisandGrenoble。YetIscarcelyseethatyoucandamnherwithasmuchjusticeascanI。
　　“Butthere，monsieur；allthisisunprofitable。Youhavemymessage。
　　IshallspendthedayatGrenoble，andtakeawell-earnedrest。Bythistimeto-morrowIshallbereadytostartuponmyreturnjourney。
　　Ishallhavethenthehonourtowaituponyouagain，totheendthatImayreceivefromyouthechargeofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。I
　　shallcountuponyourhavingherhere，inreadinesstosetoutwithme，bynoonto-morrow。”
　　Hebowed，withaflourishofhisplumedhat，andwouldwiththathavetakenhisdeparturebutthattheSeneschalstayedhim。
　　“Monsieur，monsieur，“hecried，inpiteousaffright，“youdonotknowtheDowagerofCondillac。”
　　“Why，no。Whatofit？“
　　“Whatofit？Didyouknowher，youwouldunderstandthatsheisnotthewomantobedriven。ImayorderherintheQueen”snametodeliverupMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Butshewillwithstandme。”
　　“Withstandyou？“echoedGarnache，frowningintothefaceofthisfatman，whohadrisenalso，broughttohisfeetbyexcitement。
　　“Withstandyou-you，theLordSeneschalofDauphiny？Youareamusingyourselfatmyexpense。”
　　“ButItellyouthatshewill，“theotherinsistedinapassion。
　　“YoumaylookforthegirlinvaintomorrowunlessyougotoCondillacyourselfandtakeher。”
　　Garnachedrewhimselfupanddeliveredhisanswerinatonethatwasfinal。
　　“Youarethegovernoroftheprovince，monsieur，andinthismatteryouhaveinadditiontheQueen”sparticularauthority-nay，hercommandsareimposeduponyou。Thosecommands，asinterpretedbyme，youwillexecuteinthemannerIhaveindicated。”
　　TheSeneschalshruggedhisshoulders，andchewedasecondathisbeard。
　　“Itisaneasythingforyoutotellmewhattodo。Tellme，rather，howtodoit，howtoovercomeheropposition。”
　　“Youareverysureofopposition-strangelysure，monsieur，“saidGarnache，lookinghimbetweentheeyes。“Inanycase，youhavesoldiers。”
　　“Andsohasshe，andthestrongestcastleinsouthernFrance-tosaynothingofthemostcursedobstinacyintheworld。Whatshesays，shedoes。”
　　“AndwhattheQueensaysherloyalservantsdo，“wasGarnache”srejoinder，inawitheringtone。“Ithinkthereisnothingmoretobesaid，monsieur，“headded。“Bythistimeto-morrowIshallexpecttoreceivefromyou，here，thechargeofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Ademain，donc，MonsieurleSeneschal。”
　　AndwithanotherbowthemanfromParisdrewhimselferect，turnedonhisheel，andwentjinglingandcreakingfromtheroom。
　　TheLordSeneschalsankbackinhischair，andwonderedtohimselfwhethertodiemightnotproveaneasywayoutofthehorridsituationintowhichchanceandhisill-starredtendernessfortheDowagerofCondillachadthrusthim。
　　Athisdesksathissecretary，whohadbeenawitnessoftheinterview，lostinwonderalmostasgreatastheSeneschal”sown。
　　ForanhourTressanremainedwherehewas，deepinthoughtandgnawingathisbeard。Thenwithasuddenburstofpassion，expressedinaroundoathortwo，herose，andcalledforhishorsethathemightridetoCondillac。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEDOWAGER”SCOMPLIANCE
　　PromptlyatnoononthemorrowMonsieurdeGarnachepresentedhimselfoncemoreattheSeneschal”spalace，andwithhimwentRabecque，hisbody-servant，alean，swarthy，sharp-facedman，atrifleyoungerthanhismaster。
　　Anselme，theobesemasterofthehousehold，receivedthemwithprofoundrespect，andatonceconductedGarnachetoMonsieurdeTressan”spresence。
　　OnthestairstheymetCaptaind”Aubran，whowasdescending。Thecaptainwasnotinthebestofhumours。Forfour-and-twentyhourshehadkepttwohundredofhismenunderarms，readytomarchassoonasheshouldreceivehisordersfromtheLordSeneschal，yetthoseinstructionswerenotforthcoming。Hehadbeentoseekthemagainthatmorning，onlytobeagainputoff。
　　MonsieurdeGarnachehadconsiderabledoubt，bornofhisyesterday”sinterviewwiththeSeneschal，thatMademoiselledeLaVauvrayewouldbedeliveredintohischargeashehadstipulated。Hisreliefwas，therefore，considerable，uponbeingusheredintoTressan”spresence，tofindaladyincloakandhat，dressedasforajourney，seatedinachairbythegreatfireplace。
　　Tressanadvancedtomeethim，asmileofcordialwelcomeonhislips，andtheybowedtoeachotherinformalgreeting。
　　“Yousee，monsieur，“saidtheSeneschal，wavingaplumphandinthedirectionofthelady，“thatyouhavebeenobeyed。Hereisyourcharge。”
　　Thentothelady：“ThisisMonsieurdeGarnache，“heannounced，“ofwhomIhavealreadytoldyou，whoistoconductyoutoParisbyorderofHerMajesty。
　　“Andnow，mygoodfriends，howevergreatthepleasureIderivefromyourcompany，Icarenothowsoonyousetout，forIhavesomeprodigiousarrearsofworkuponmyhands。”
　　Garnachebowedtothelady，whoreturnedhisgreetingbyaninclinationofthehead，andhiskeeneyesplayedbrisklyoverher。
　　Shewasaplump-faced，insipidchild，withfairhairandpaleblueeyes，stolidandbovineintheirexpressionlessness。
　　“Iamquiteready，monsieur，“saidshe，risingasshespoke，andgatheringhercloakabouther；andGarnacheremarkedthathervoicehadthesoutherndrawl，herwordsthefaintestsuggestionofapatois。ItwasamazinghowaladybornandbredcoulddegenerateintherusticityofDauphiny。Pigsandcows，hemadenodoubt，hadbeenherchiefobjectives。Yet，evenso，hethoughthemighthaveexpectedthatshewouldhavehadmoretosaytohimthanjustthosefivewordsexpressingherreadinesstodepart。Hehadlookedforsomeacknowledgmentofsatisfactionathispresence，someutterancesofgratitudeeithertohimselfortotheQueen-Regentforthepromptnesswithwhichshehadbeensuccoured。Hewasdisappointed，butheshowednothingofit，aswithasimpleinclinationofthehead-
　　“Good！“saidhe。“SinceyouarereadyandMonsieurleSeneschalisanxioustoberidofus，letusbyallmeansbemoving。Youhavealongandtediousjourneybeforeyou，mademoiselle。”
　　“I-Iampreparedforthat，“shefaltered。
　　Hestoodaside，andbendingfromthewaisthemadeasweepinggesturetowardsthedoorwiththehandthatheldhishat。Totheinvitationtoprecedehimshereadilyresponded，and，withabowtotheSeneschal，shebegantowalkacrosstheapartment。
　　Garnache”seyes，narrowingslightly，followedher，likepointsofsteel。SuddenlyheshotadisturbingglanceatTressan”sface，andthecornerofhiswild-catmustachiostwitched。Hestooderect，andcalledherverysharply。
　　“Mademoiselle！“
　　Shestopped，andturnedtofacehim，anincredibleshynessseemingtocausehertoavoidhisgaze。
　　“Youhave，nodoubt，MonsieurleSeneschal”swordformyidentity。
　　ButIthinkitisaswellthatyoushouldsatisfyyourself。Beforeplacingyourselfentirelyinmycare，asyouareabouttodo，youwouldbewelladvisedtoassureyourself，thatIamindeedHerMajesty”semissary。Willyoubegoodenoughtoglanceatthis？“
　　Hedrewforthashespoketheletterinthequeen”sownhand，turneditupsidedown，andsopresentedittoher。TheSeneschallookedonstolidly，afewpacesdistant。
　　“Butcertainly，mademoiselle，assureyourselfthatthisgentlemanisnootherthanIhavetoldyou。”
　　Thusenjoined，shetooktheletter；forasecondhereyesmetGarnache”sglitteringgaze，andsheshivered。Thenshebentherglancetothewriting，andstudieditamoment，whattimethemanfromPariswatchedherclosely。
　　Presentlyshehandeditbacktohim。
　　“Thankyou，monsieur，“wasallshesaid。
　　“Youaresatisfiedthatitisinorder，mademoiselle？“heinquired，andanoteofmockerytoosubtleforherortheSeneschalranthroughhisquestion。
　　“Iamquitesatisfied。”
　　GarnacheturnedtoTressan。Hiseyesweresmiling，butunpleasantly，andinhisvoicewhenhespoketherewassomethingakintothedistantrumblethatheraldsanapproachingstorm。
　　“Mademoiselle，“saidhe，“hasreceivedaneccentriceducation。”
　　“Eh？“quothTressan，perplexed。
　　“Ihaveheardtell，monsieur，ofapeoplesomewhereintheEastwhoreadandwritefromrighttoleft；butneveryethaveIheardtellofany-particularlyinFrance-sooddlyschooledastodotheirreadingupsidedown。”
　　Tressancaughtthedriftoftheother”smeaning。Hepaledalittle，andsuckedhislip，hiseyeswanderingtothegirl，whostoodinstolidinapprehensionofwhatwasbeingsaid。
　　“Didshedothat？“saidhe，andhescarcelyknewwhathewassaying；
　　allthatherealizedwasthatiturgedhimtoexplainthisthing。
　　“Mademoiselle”seducationhasbeenneglected-abynomeansuncommonhappeningintheseparts。Sheissensitiveofit；sheseekstohidethefact。”
　　Thenthestormbrokeabouttheirheads。Anditcrashedandthunderedawfullyinthenextfewminutes。
　　“Oliar！Odamned，audaciousliar，“roaredGarnacheuncompromisingly，advancingastepupontheSeneschal，andshakingtheparchmentthreateninglyinhisveryface，asthoughitwerebecomeaweaponofoffence。“WasittohidethefactthatshehadnotbeentaughttowritethatshesenttheQueenaletterpages-long？Whoisthiswoman？“Andthefingerhepointedatthegirlquiveredwiththeragethatfilledhimatthistricktheyhadthoughttoputuponhim。
　　Tressansoughtrefugeinoffendeddignity。Hedrewhimselfup，threwbackhishead，andlookedtheParisianfiercelyintheeye。
　　“Sinceyoutakethistonewithme，monsieur-“
　　“Itakewithyou-aswithanyman-thetonethattomeseemsbest。
　　Youmiserablefool！Assureasyou”rearoguethisaffairshallcostyouyourposition。Youhavewaxedfatandsleekinyourseneschalship；thiseasylifeinDauphinyappearstohavebeenwellsuitedtoyourhealth。Butasyourpaunchhasgrown，so，ofatruth，haveyourbrainsdwindled，elsehadyouneverthoughttocheatmequitesoeasily。
　　“AmIsomeloutwhohasspenthisdaysherdingswine，thinkyou，thatyoucouldtrickmeintobelievingthiscreaturetobeMademoiselledeLaVauvraye-thiscreaturewiththemienofapeasant，withabreathreekingofgarliclikeathird-rateeating-house，andthewalkofawomanwhohasneverknownfootgearuntilthismoment？Tellme，sir，forwhatmanneroffooldidyoutakeme？“
　　TheSeneschalstoodwithblanchedfaceandgapingmouth，hisfireallturnedtoashesbeforethepassionofthisgauntman。
　　Garnachepaidnoheedtohim。Hesteppedtothegirl，androughlyraisedherchinwithhishandsothatshewasforcedtolookhimintheface。
　　“Whatisyourname，wench？“heaskedher。
　　“Margot，“sheblubbered，burstingintotears。
　　Hedroppedherchin，andturnedawaywithagestureofdisgust。
　　“Getyougone，“hebadeherharshly。“Getyoubacktothekitchenortheonion-fieldfromwhichtheytookyou。”
　　Andthegirl，scarcebelievinghergoodfortune，departedwithaspeedthatborderedontheludicrous。Tressanhadnaughttosay，nowordtostayherwith；pretence，herealized，wasvain。
　　“Now，myLordSeneschal，“quothGarnache，armsakimbo，feetplantedwide，andeyesuponthewretchedman”scountenance，“whatmayyouhavetosaytome？“
　　Tressanshiftedhisposition；heavoidedtheother”sglance；hewasvisiblytrembling，andwhenpresentlyhespokeitwasinfalteringaccents。
　　“It-it-seems，monsieur，that-ah-thatIhavebeenthevictimofsomeimposture。”
　　“Ithadratherseemedtomethatthevictimchosenwasmyself。”
　　“Clearlywewerebothvictims，“theSeneschalrejoined。Thenheproceededtoexplain。“IwenttoCondillacyesterdayasyoudesiredme，andafterastormyinterviewwiththeMarquiseIobtainedfromher-asIbelieved-thepersonofMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。
　　YouseeIwasnotmyselfacquaintedwiththelady。”
　　Garnachelookedathim。Hedidnotbelievehim。Heregrettedalmostthathehadnotfurtherquestionedthegirl。But，afterall，perhapsitmightbeeasierandmoreexpedientifheweretoappeartoaccepttheSeneschal”sstatement。Buthemustprovideagainstfurtherfraud。
　　“MonsieurleSeneschal，“saidheincalmertones，puttinghisangerfromhim，“atthebestyouareablundererandanass，attheworstatraitor。Iwillinquirenofurtheratpresent；I”llnotseektodiscriminatetoofinely。”
　　“Monsieur，theseinsults-“begantheSeneschal，summoningdignitytohisaid。ButGarnachebrokein：
　　“La，la！IspeakintheQueen”sname。IfyouhavethoughttoaidtheDowagerofCondillacinthisresistanceofHerMajesty”smandate，letmeenjoinyou，asyouvalueyourseneschalship-asyouvalueyourveryneck-toharbourthatthoughtnolonger。
　　“Itseemsthat，afterall，Imustdealmyselfwiththesituation。
　　ImustgomyselftoCondillac。Iftheyshouldresistme，Ishalllooktoyouforthenecessarymeanstoovercomethatresistance。
　　“Andbearyouthisinmind：IhavechosentoleaveitanopenquestionwhetheryouwereapartytothetrickithasbeensoughttoputupontheQueen，throughme，herrepresentative。ButitisaquestionthatIhaveitinmypowertoresolveatanymoment-toresolveasIchoose。Unless，monsieur，Ifindyouhereafter-asItrust-actuatedbythemostunswervingloyalty，Ishallresolvethatquestionbyproclaimingyouatraitor；andasatraitorIshallarrestyouandcarryyoutoParis。MonsieurleSeneschal，Ihavethehonourtogiveyougood-day！“
　　Whenhewasgone，MonsieurdeTressanflungoffhiswig，andmoppedtheperspirationfromhisbrow。Hewentwhiteassnowandredasfirebyturns，ashepacedtheapartmentinafrenzy。Neverinthefifteenyearsthatwerespedsincehehadbeenraisedtothegovernorshipoftheprovincehadanymantakensuchatonewithhimandharanguedhiminsuchterms。
　　Aliarandatraitorhadhebeencalledthatmorning，aknaveandafool；hehadbeenbrowbeatenandthreatened；andhehadswalloweditall，andalmostturnedtolickthehandthatadministeredthedose。Dame！Whatmannerofcurwashebecome？Andthemanwhohaddoneallthis-avulgarupstartoutofParis，reekingofleatherandthebarrack-roomstilllived！