OutsidehecalledRabecque，andtogethertheywentbelow。Butmindfulofherfears，hedispatchedoneofthetrooperstostandsentryoutsideherdoorwhilstheandhislackeysupped。Thatdone，hecalledthehost，andsethimselfattable，Rabecqueathiselbowinattendancetohandhimthedishesandpourhiswine。
　　Acrossthelow-ceilingedroomthefourtravellersstillsatintalk，andasGarnacheseatedhimself，oneofthemshoutedforthehostandaskedinanimpatienttonetoknowifhissupperwassoontocome。
　　“Inamoment，sir，“answeredthelandlordrespectfully，andheturnedagaintotheParisian。Hewentouttobringthelatter”smeal，andwhilsthewasgoneRabecqueheardfromhismasterthereasonoftheirremainingthatnightinGrenoble。Theinferencedrawnbytheastutelackey-andfreelyexpressedbyhim-fromthelackofhorsesorcarriagesinGrenoblethatnight，coincidedoddlywithValerie”s。HetoogaveitashisopinionthathismasterhadbeenforestalledbytheDowager”speople，andwithoutpresumingtoadviseGarnachetogowarily-apieceofadvicethatGarnachewouldhaveresented，totheextentperhapsofboxingthefellow”sears-hedetermined，thereandthen，tokeepaclosewatchuponhismaster，andundernocircumstances，ifpossible，permithimtoleavetheSuckingCalfthatnight。
　　Thehostreturned，bearingaplatteronwhichtheresteamedaragoutthatgaveoutanappetizingodour；hiswifefollowedwithotherdishesandabottleofArmagnacunderherarm。Rabecquebusiedhimselfatonce，andhishungrymasterdisposedhimselftosatisfythehealthiestappetiteinFrance，whensuddenlyashadowfellacrossthetable。Amanhadcometostandbesideit，hisbodyscreeningthelightofoneofthelampsthathungfromarafteroftheceiling。
　　“Atlast！“heexclaimed，andhisvoicewasharshwithill-humour。
　　Garnachelookedup，pausingintheveryactofhelpinghimselftothatragout。Rabecquelookedupfrombehindhismaster，andhislipstightened。Thehostlookedupfromtheactofdrawingthecorkoftheflagonhehadtakenfromhiswife，andhiseyesgrewbigasinhismindhepreparedajudiciousblendofapologyandremonstrancewherewithtosoothethisveryimpatientgentleman。Butbeforehecouldspeak，Garnache”svoicecutsharplyintothesilence。Aninterruptionatsuchamomentvexedhimsorely。
　　“Monsieursays？“quothhe。
　　“Toyou，sir-nothing，“answeredthefellowimpudently，andlookedhimstraightbetweentheeyes。
　　Withaflushmountingtohischeeks，andhisbrowsdrawntogetherinperplexity，Garnachesurveyedhim。Hewasthatsametravellerwhohadlatelyclamouredtoknowwhenhemightsup，amanofrathermorethanmiddleheight，litheandactiveofframe，yetwithabreadthofshoulderanddepthofchestthatarguedstrengthandenduranceaswell。Hehadfair，wavyhair，whichheworeratherlongerthanwasthemode，browneyes，andafacewhich，withoutbeinghandsome，wasyetmorethanordinarilyengagingbyvirtueofitsstrengthandfrankingenuousness。Hisdresswashisworstfeature。Itwasflamboyantandshowy；cheap，andtawdrilypretentious。Yetheborehimselfwiththeeasydignityofamanwhocountsmoreinferiorsthansuperiors。
　　Despitethearrogantmannerofhisaddress，Garnachefeltprepossessedinthenewcomer”sfavour。Butbeforehecouldanswerhim，thehostwasspeaking。
　　“Monsieurmistakes……”hebegan。
　　“Mistakes？“thunderedtheotherinanaccentslightlyforeign。“Itisyouwhomistakeifyouproposetotellmethatthisisnotmysupper。AmItowaitallnight，whileeveryjackanapeswhofollowsmeintoyourpigstyistobeservedbeforeme？“
　　“Jackanapes？“saidGarnachethoughtfully，andlookedthemaninthefaceagain。Behindthestrangerpressedhisthreecompanionsnow，whilstthetroopersacrosstheroomforgottheircard-playtowatchthealtercationthatseemedtoimpend。
　　Theforeigner-forsuch，indeed，hisFrenchproclaimedhim-turnedhalf-contemptuouslytothehost，ignoringGarnachewithanairthatwasstudiouslyoffensive。
　　“Jackanapes？“murmuredGarnacheagain，andhe，too，turnedtothehost。“Tellme，Monsieurl”Hote，“saidhe，“wheredothejackanapesburytheirdeadinGrenoble？Imayneedtheinformation。”
　　Beforethedistressedlandlordcouldutteraword，thestrangerhadwheeledaboutagaintofaceGarnache。“Whatshallthatmean？“heaskedsharply，agreatfiercenessinhisglance。
　　“ThatGrenoblemaybewitnessingthefuneralofaforeignbullybyto-morrow，Monsieurl”Etranger，“saidGarnache，showinghisteethinapleasantsmile。Hebecameconsciousinthatmomentofapressureonhisshoulderblade，butpaidnoheedtoit，intentonwatchingtheother”scountenance。Itexpressedsurpriseamoment，thengrewdarkwithanger。
　　“Doyoumeanthatforme，sir？“hegrowled。
　　Garnachespreadhishands。“Ifmonsieurfeelsthatthecapfitshim，Ishallnotstayhimintheactofdonningit。”
　　Thestrangersetonehanduponthetable，andleanedforwardtowardsGarnache。“MayIaskmonsieurtobealittlemoredefinite？“hebegged。
　　Garnachesatbackinhischairandsurveyedtheman，smiling。Quickthoughhistemperusuallymightbe，itwascheckedatpresentbyamusement。Hehadseeninhistimemanyquarrelsspringfromtheflimsiestofmotives，butsurelyneverhadheseenonequitesoself-begotten。Itwasalmostasifthefellowhadcomethereofsetpurposetopickitwithhim。
　　Asuspicionflashedacrosshismind。Herememberedthewarningmademoisellehadgivenhim。Andhewondered。Wasthisatricktolurehimtosomeguet-apens？Hesurveyedhismanmoreclosely；buttheinspectionlentnocolourtohissuspicions。Thestrangerlookedsofrankandhonest；thenagainhisaccentwasforeign。ItmightverywellbethathewassomeSavoyardlordlingunusedtobeingkeptwaiting，andthathishungermadehimirritableandimpatient。
　　Ifthatwereso，assuredlythefellowdeservedalessonthatshouldshowhimhewasnowinFrance，wheredifferentmannersobtainedtothosethathedisplayed；yet，lestheshouldbesomethingelse，Garnachedeterminedtopursueapolicyofconciliation。Itwouldbeamadnesstoembroilhimselfjustthen，whetherthisfellowwereofCondillacornot。
　　“Ihaveaskedyou，monsieur，“thestrangerinsisted，“tobealittlemoredefinite。”
　　Garnache”ssmilebroadenedandgrewmorefriendly。“Frankly，“saidhe，“Iexperiencedifficulty。Myremarkwasvague。Imeantitsotobe。”
　　“Butitoffendedme，monsieur，“theotheransweredsharply。
　　TheParisianraisedhiseyebrows，andpursedhislips。“ThenI
　　deploreit，“saidhe。Andnowhehadtoendurethehardesttrialofall。Thestranger”sexpressionchangedtooneofwonderingscorn。
　　“DoIunderstandthatmonsieurapologizes？“
　　Garnachefelthimselfcrimsoning；hisself-controlwasslippingfromhim；thepressureagainsthisshoulderbladewasrenewed，andintimehebecameawareofitandknewitforawarningfromRabecque。
　　“Icannotconceive，sir，thatIhaveoffended，“saidheatlength，keepingatighthanduponhiseveryinstinct-whichwastoknockthisimpertinentstrangerdown。“ButifIhave，IbegthatyouwillbelievethatIhavedonesounwittingly。Ihadnosuchintent。”
　　Thestrangerremovedhishandfromthetableanddrewhimselferect。
　　“Somuchforthat，then，“saidhe，provokinglycontemptuous。“IfyouwillbeasamiableinthematterofthesupperIshallbegladtoterminateanacquaintancewhichIcanseenohonourtomyselfinpursuing。”
　　This，Garnachefelt，wasmorethanhecouldendure。Aspasmofpassioncrossedhisface，anotherinstantanddespiteRabecque”sfranticproddingshemighthaveflungtheragoutinthegentleman”sface；whensuddenlycamethelandlordunexpectedlytotherescue。
　　“Monsieur，herecomesyoursuppernow，“heannounced，ashiswifereenteredfromthekitchenwithaladentray。
　　Foramomentthestrangerseemedoutofcountenance。ThenhelookedwithcoldinsolencefromthedishessetbeforeGarnachetothosewhichwerebeingsetforhimself。
　　“Ah，“saidhe，andhistonewasaninsultunsurpassable，“perhapsitistobepreferred。Thisragoutgrowscold，Ithink。”
　　Hesniffed，andturningonhisheel，withoutwordorsignofsalutationtoGarnache，hepassedtothenexttable，andsatdownwithhiscompanions。TheParisian”seyesfollowedhim，andtheyblazedwithsuppressedwrath。Neverinallhislifehadheexercisedsuchself-controlashewasexercisingthen-whichwasthereasonwhyhehadfailedtoachievegreatness-andhewasexercisingitforthesakeofthatchildabove-stairs，andbecausehekeptever-presentinhismindthethoughtthatshemustcometogrievousharmifillbefellhimself。Buthecontrolledhispassionatthecostofhisappetite。Hecouldnoteat，soenragedwashe。Andsohepushedtheplatterfromhim，androse。
　　HeturnedtoRabecque，andthesightofhisfacesentthelackeybackapaceortwoinveryfear。Hewavedhishandtothetable。
　　“Sup，Rabecque，“saidhe。“Thencometomeabove。”
　　Andfollowed，asbefore，bytheeyesofthestrangerandhiscompanions，Garnachestrodeoutoftheroom，andmountingthestairswenttofindsolaceintalkwithValerie。Buthoweverimpossiblehemightfindittodigesttheaffronthehadswallowed，nowordofthematterdidheuttertothegirl，lestitshouldcauseherfearstoreawaken。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEOPENINGOFTHETRAP
　　GarnachespentasleeplessnightatGrenoble，onguardthroughoutthegreaterpartofitsincenothingshortofthatwouldappeasethefearsofValerie。YetitpassedwithoutanybellicosemanifestationonthepartoftheCondillacssuchasValeriefearedandsuchasGarnachewassatisfiedwouldnot-couldnot，indeed-
　　takeplace。
　　BetimesnextmorninghedispatchedRabecquetotheAubergedeFranceforthepromisedcarriage，andbrokehisfastinthecommon-roomwhattimeheawaitedhisman”sreturn。Thechamberwasagainoccupiedbythestrangerofyesternight，whosatapart，however，andseemednolongerdisposedtointerferewiththeParisian。Garnachewonderedidly，mightthisbeduetothecircumstancethatthatsamestrangerwassupportednowbyonesinglecompanion，andwasthereforelessvalorousthanwhenhehadbeeninthecompanyofthree。
　　Atanothertableweretwogentlemen，sprungheknewnotwhence，quietindressandorderlyinmanner，towhomhepaidlittleheeduntiloneofthemaslender，swarthy，hawk-facedfellow-lookingupsuddenly，startedslightlyatsightoftheParisianandaddressedhiminstantlybyname。Garnachepausedintheactofrisingfromtable，half-turned，andsharplyscrutinizedtheswarthygentleman，butfailedtorecognizehim。Headvancedtowardshim。
　　“Ihavethehonourtobeknowntoyou，monsieur？“hehalf-stated，half-inquired。
　　“Parbleu，MonsieurdeGarnache！“exclaimedtheotherwithareadysmile，themorewinningsinceitlightedupafacethatatrestwasverysombre。“LivesthereaParisiantowhomyouarenotknown？I
　　haveseenyouoftenattheHoteldeBourgogne。”
　　Garnacheacknowledgedthecourtesybyaslightinclinationofthehead。
　　“Andonce，“continuedtheother，“IhadthehonourtobepresentedtoyoubyMonsieurleDuchimself。MynameisGaubert-FabreGaubert。”AndasheintroducedhimselfheroseoutofrespectforGarnache，whohadremainedstanding。Garnacheknewhimnotatall，yetneverdoubtedthathistalewastrue；thefellowhadaverycourtly，winningair；moreover，GarnachewasbeginningtofeellonelyinthewildsofDauphiny，sothatitrejoicedhimtocomeintothecompanyofonewhomhemightregardassomethingofafellow-creature。Heheldouthishand。
　　“Iamhonouredinthatyoushouldhavebornemeinyourmemory，monsieur，“saidhe。HewasabouttoaddthathewouldbeoverjoyedifitshouldhappenthatMonsieurGaubertwastravellingtoParis，sincehemightgivehimselfthepleasureofhiscompanyonthattediousjourney；buthecheckedhimselfbetimes。Hehadnoreasontosuspectthisgentleman；andyet，allthingsconsidered，hebethoughthimsuddenlythathewoulddowelltoobservethegreatestcircumspection。SowithapleasantbutmeaninglesscivilitytouchingMonsieurGaubert”spresenceinthoseparts，Garnachepassedonandgainedthedoor。Hepausedintheporch，abovewhichtherebus-likesignoftheSuckingCalfcreakedandgratedineachgustofthechillwindthatwasblowingfromtheAlps。Therainhadceased，buttheskywasdarkandheavywithgreatbanksofscuddingclouds。Inthestreetthemenofhisescortsattheirhorses，havingmountedathisbiddinginreadinessforthejourney。Awordortwoheexchangedwiththesergeant，andthenwithagreatrumbletheclumsycarriagefromtheAubergedeFranceheraldeditsapproach。Itrolledupthestreet，avastmachineofwoodandleather，drawnbythreehorses，anddrewupatthedooroftheinn。OutsprangRabecque，tobeimmediatelysentbyhismastertosummonmademoiselle。Theywouldsetoutupontheinstant。
　　Rabecqueturnedtoobey；butinthatsamemomenthewasthrustrudelyasidebyamanwiththeairofaservant，whoissuedfromheinncarryingavalise；afterhim，followingcloseuponhisheels，withheadheldhighandeyesthatlookedstraightbeforehimandtooknoheedofGarnache，cametheforeignerofyesternight。
　　Rabecque，hisshoulderstouchingthetimbersoftheporch，againstwhichhehadbeenthrust，remainedatgaze，followingwithresentfuleyethefellowwhohadsorudelyusedhim。Garnache，ontheotherside，watchedwithsomewondertheadventoftheingenuous-lookingstranger，butasyetwithnosuspicionofhisintent。
　　Notuntiltheservanthadthrownopenthedoorofthecoachanddepositedwithinthevalisehecarried，didGarnachestir。Not，indeed，untiltheforeigner”sfootwasonthesteppreparatorytomountingdidGarnachespeak。
　　“Hi！monsieur，“hecalledtohim，“whatisyourpleasurewithmycarriage？“
　　Thestrangerturned，andstaredatGarnachewithalookofwonderthatartfullychangedtooneofdisdainfulrecognition。
　　“Ah？“saidhe，andhiseyebrowswentup。“Theapologeticgentleman！
　　Yousaid？“
　　Garnacheapproachedhim，followedastepnotonlybyRabecque，butalsobyMonsieurGaubert，whohadsaunteredoutasecondearlier。
　　Behindthem，intheporch，loungednowtheforeigner”sfriend，andbehindhimagainwastobeseenthegreatfaceandstaring，somewhatstartledeyesofthelandlord。
　　“Iaskedyou，monsieur，“saidGarnache，alreadyatgripswiththatquicktemperofhis，“whatmightbeyourpleasurewithmycoach？“
　　“Withyourcoach？“echoedtheother，hissuperciliousnesswaxingmoreandmoreoffensive。“Voyons！on！myapologeticfriend，doallthingsinGrenoblebelongtoyou？“Heturnedtothepost-boy，wholookedonstolidly。“YouarefromtheAubergedeFrance，areyounot？“quothhe。
　　“Iam，monsieur，“repliedtheman。“ThiscarriagewasorderedlastnightbyagentlemanlodgingattheVeauquiTete？“
　　“Perfectly，“repliedthestranger，inatoneoffinality。“Itwasorderedbyme。”Andhewasabouttoturnaway，whenGarnacheapproachedhimbyyetanotherstep。
　　“Iwillaskyoutoobserve，monsieur，“saidheandforallthathistoneandwordswerecivil，thattheywereforcedlysowasobviousfromtheirquiver-“Iwillaskyoutoobservethatthecarriagewasfetchedbymyownmanthere，whorodehitherinit。”
　　Thestrangerlookedhimupanddownwithacurlinglip。
　　“Itseems，sir，“saidhe，withabroadsneer，“thatyouareoneofthoseimpertinentfellowswhowillbeforeverthrustingthemselvesupongentlemenwithaneyetosuchprofitastheycanmake。”Heproducedapurseandopenedit。“Lastnightitwasmysupperyouusurped。Isufferedthat。Nowyouwoulddothesamebymycoach，andthatIshallnotsuffer。Butthereisforyourpains，andtobequitofyourcompany。”AndhetossedasilvercoinattheParisian。
　　Therewasanexclamationofhorrorinthebackground，andMonsieurdeGaubertthrusthimselfforward。
　　“Sir，sir，“heexclaimedinanagitatedvoice，“youcannotknowwhomyouareaddressing。ThisisMonsieurMartinMarieRigobertdeGarnache，Mestre-de-ChampinthearmyoftheKing。”
　　“OfallthosenamestheoneIshouldopinemightfithimbest，butforhisugliness，isthatofMarie，“answeredtheforeigner，leering，andwithacontemptuousshrugheturnedagaintomountthecarriage。
　　AtthatallGarnache”sself-controldesertedhim，andhedidathingdeplorable。Inoneofhisblindaccessesoffury，heedlessofthefaithfulandwatchfulRabecque”sarrestingtugathissleeve，hesteppedforward，andbroughtaheavyhanddownuponthesuperciliousgentleman”sshoulder。Hetookhimintheinstantinwhich，withonefootoffthegroundandtheotheronthestepofthecarriage，theforeignerwaseasilythrown”offhisbalance；hedraggedhimviolentlybackward，spanhimroundanddroppedhimflounderinginthemireofthestreet-kennel。
　　Thatdone，therefellapause-ahushthatwasominousofthingsimpending。Alittlecrowdofidlersthathadgatheredwasquicklyaugmentingnow，andfromsometherecameacryof“Shame！“atGarnache”sactofviolence。
　　Thisisnomomentatwhichtopausetomoralize。Andyet，howoftenisitnotso？Howoftendoesnotpublicsympathygoouttothemanwhohasbeenassaultedwithoutthoughtoftheextenttowhichthatmanmayhaveprovokedandgoadedhisassailant。
　　Thatcryof“Shame！“didnomorethanincreasetheangerthatwasmasteringGarnache。HismissioninGrenoblewasforgotten；
　　mademoiselleabove-stairswasforgotten；theneedforcautionandthefearoftheCondillacswereforgotten；everythingwasthrustfromhismindbutthesituationofthemoment。
　　Amidthehushthatfollowed，thestrangerpickedhimselfslowlyup，andsoughttowipethefilthfromhisfaceandgarments。Hisservantandhisfriendflewtohisaid，buthewavedthemaside，andadvancedtowardsGarnache，eyesblazing，lipssneering。
　　“Perhaps，“saidhe，inthatsoft，foreigntoneofhis，ladennowwithfiercemock-politeness，“perhapsmonsieurproposestoapologizeagain。”
　　“Sir，youaremad，“interposedGaubert。“Youareaforeigner，I
　　perceive，elseyouwould-“
　　ButGarnachethrusthimquietlyaside。“Youareverykind，MonsieurGaubert，“saidhe，andhismannernowwasoneoffrozencalm-amannerthatbetrayednoneofthefrenzyofseethingpassionunderneath。“Ithink，sir，“saidhetothestranger，adoptingsomethingofthatgentleman”ssardonicmanner，“thatitwillbeamorepeacefulworldwithoutyou。Itisthatconsiderationrestrainsmefromapologizing。Andyet，ifmonsieurwillexpressregretforhavingsought，andwithsuchlackofmanners，toappropriatemycarriage-“
　　“Enough！“brokeintheother。“Wearewastingtime，andIhavealongjourneybeforeme。Courthon，“saidhe，addressinghisfriend，“willyoubringmethelengthofthisgentleman”ssword？Myname，sir，“headdedtoGarnache，“isSanguinetti。”
　　“Faith，“saidGarnache，“itsortswellwithyourbloodyspirit。”
　　“Andwillsortwell，nodoubt，withhisconditionpresently，“putinhawk-facedGaubert。“MonsieurdeGarnache，ifyouhavenofriendathandtoactforyou，Ishallesteemmyselfhonoured。”Andhebowed。
　　“Why，thanks，sir。Youaremostopportunelymet。YoushouldbeagentlemansinceyoufrequenttheHoteldeBourgogne。Mythanks。”
　　GaubertwentasidetoconferwithMonsieurCourthon。Sanguinettistoodapart，hismannerhaughtyandimpressive，hiseyeroamingscornfullythroughtheranksofwhathadbynowbecomeacrowd。
　　Windowswereopeninginthestreet，andheadsappearing，andacrossthewayGarnachemighthavebeheldtheflabbyfaceofMonsieurdeTressanamongthespectatorsofthatlittlescene。
　　Rabecquedrewnearhismaster。
　　“Haveacare，monsieur，“heimploredhim。“Ifthisshouldbeatrap。”
　　Garnachestarted。Theremarksoberedhim，andbroughttohismindhisownsuspicionsofyesternight，whichhispresentangerhadforthemomentlulled。Still，heconceivedthathehadgonetoofartoextricatehimself。Buthecouldatleastseetoitthathewasnotdrawnawayfromtheplacethatshelteredmademoiselle。Andsohesteppedforward，joiningCourthonandGaubert，toinsistthatthecombatshouldtakeplaceintheinn-eitherinthecommonroomorintheyard。Butthelandlord，overhearingthis，protestedloudlythathecouldnotconsenttoit。Hehadhishousetothinkof。Hesworethattheyshouldnotfightonhispremises，andimploredtheminthesamebreathnottoattemptit。
　　AtthatGarnache，nowthoroughlyonhisguard！wasforputtingofftheencounter。
　　“MonsieurCourthon，“saidhe-andhefeltaflushofshamemountingtohisbrow，andrealizedthatitmayneedmorecouragetoavoidanencounterthantoengageinone-“thereissomethingthatintheheatofpassionIforgot；somethingthatrendersitdifficultformetomeetyourfriendatpresent。”
　　Courthonlookedathimashemightlookatanimpertinentlackey。
　　“Andwhatmaythatbe？“heinquired，mightilycontemptuous。Therewasasniggerfromsomeinthecrowdthatpressedaboutthem，andevenMonsieurGaubertlookedaskance。
　　“Surely，sir，“hebegan，“ifIdidnotknowyouforMonsieurdeGarnache-“
　　ButGarnachedidnotlethimfinish。
　　“Givemeair，“hecried，andcuffedouttorightandleftofhimatthegrinningspectators，whofellbackandgrinnedlessbroadly。
　　“Myreason，MonsieurdeCourthon，“saidhe，“isthatIdonotbelongtomyselfatpresent。IaminGrenobleonbusinessoftheState，astheemissaryoftheQueen-Regent，andsoitwouldhardlybecomemetoengageinprivatequarrels。”
　　Courthonraisedhisbrows。
　　“YoushouldhavethoughtofthatbeforeyourolledMonsieurSanguinettiinthemud，“heansweredcoldly。
　　“Iwilltenderhimmyapologiesforthat，“Garnachepromised，swallowinghard，“andifhestillinsistsuponameetingheshallhaveitin，say，amonth”stime。”
　　“Icannotpermit-“beganCourthon，veryfiercely。
　　“YouwillbesogoodastoinformyourfriendofwhatIhavesaid，“
　　Garnacheinsisted，interruptinghim。
　　Cowed，Courthonshruggedandwentaparttoconferwithhisfriend。
　　“Ah！“cameSanguinetti”ssoftvoice，yetloudenoughtobeheardbyallpresent。“Heshallhaveacaningthenforhisimpertinence。”
　　Andhecalledloudlytothepost-boyforhiswhip。ButatthatinsultGarnache”sbrainseemedtotakefire，andhiscautiousresolutionswerereducedtoashesbytheconflagration。Hesteppedforward，and，virulentoftoneandterrificofmien，heannouncedthatsinceMonsieurSanguinettitookthattonewithhim，hewouldcuthisthroatforhimatonceandwherevertheyshouldplease。
　　AtlastitwasarrangedthattheyshouldproceedthereandthentotheChampsauxCapuchins，ahalf-mileawaybehindtheFranciscanconvent。
　　Accordinglytheysetout，SanguinettiandCourthongoingfirst，andGarnachefollowingwithGaubert；therearbeingbroughtupbyaregimentofrabble，idlersandcitizens，thatmusthaverepresentedaveryconsiderableproportionofthepopulationofGrenoble。ThisaudienceheartenedGarnache，towhomsomemeasureofreflectionhadagainreturned。Beforesuchnumbersitwasunthinkablethatthesegentlemen-assumingthemtobeactingonbehalfofCondillac-
　　shoulddaretoattemptfoulmeasureswithhim。FortheresthehadtakentheprecautionofleavingRabecqueattheSuckingCalf，andhehadgiventhesergeantstrictinjunctionsthathewasnottoallowanyofhismentoleavetheirpostsduringhisabsence，andthatthetroopersweretoholdthemselvesentirelyattheordersofRabecque。
　　Comparativelyeasythereforeinhismind，andbutlittleexercisedbyanythoughtofthecomingencounter，Garnachewalkedbrisklyalong。
　　TheycameatlasttotheChampsauxCapuchins-apleasantstretchofverdurecoveringperhapshalfanacreandsetaboutbyabeltofbeech-trees。
　　Thecrowddisposeditselfonthefringeofthesward，andtheduellistswentforward，andsetaboutthepreparations。Principalsandsecondsthrewoffcloakanddoublet，andSanguinetti，Courthon，andGaubertremovedtheirheavyboots，whilstGarnachedidnomorethandetachthespursfromhis。
　　Sanguinetti，observingthis，drewtheattentionoftheotherstoit，andanaltercationarose。ItwasGaubertwhocametobegGarnachethatheshouldfollowtheexampletheyhadsethiminthatrespect。
　　ButGarnacheshookhishead。
　　“Theturfissodden。”
　　“Butitispreciselyonthataccount，sir，“protestedGaubertveryearnestly。“Inyourbootsyouwillbeunabletostandfirm；youwillruntheriskofslippingeverytimethatyoubreakground。”
　　“Iventuretothink，sir，thatthatismyaffair，“saidGarnachestiffly。
　　“Butitisnot，“theothercried。“Ifyoufightinyourboots，wemustalldothesame，andformyself-well，Ihavenotcomeheretocommitsuicide。”
　　“Lookyou，MonsieurGaubert，“saidGarnachequietly，“youropponentwillbeMonsieurCourthon，andsinceheisinhisstockingedfeet，thereisnoreasonwhyyouyourselfshouldnotremainsotoo。Asforme，Iretainmyboots，andMonsieurSanguinettimayhavealltheadvantagethatmaygivehim。SinceIamcontent，inHeaven”snameletthefightgoforward。Iaminhaste。”
　　Gaubertbowedinsubmission；butSanguinetti，whohadoverheard，turnedwithanoath。
　　“ByGod，no！“saidhe。“Ineednosuchadvantage，sir。Courthon，besogoodastohelpmeonwithmybootsagain。”Andtherewasafreshdelaywhilstheresumedthem。
　　Atlast，however，thefourmencametogether，andproceededtothemeasurementofswords。ItwasfoundthatSanguinetti”swastwoincheslongerthananyoftheotherthree。
　　“ItistheusuallengthinItaly，“saidSanguinettiwithashrug。
　　“IfmonsieurhadrealizedthathewasnolongerinItaly，wemightperhapshavebeensparedthisveryfoolishbusiness，“answeredGarnachetestily。
　　“Butwhatarewetodo？“criedtheperplexedGaubert。
　　“Fight，“saidGarnacheimpatiently。“Istherenevertobeanendtothesepreliminaries？“
　　“ButIcannotpermityoutoopposeyourselftoaswordtwoincheslongerthanyourown，“criedGaubert，almostinatemper。
　　“Whynot，ifIamsatisfied？“askedGarnache。“Mineisthelongerreach；thusmatterswillstandequal。”
　　“Equal？“roaredGaubert。“YourlongerreachisanadvantagethatyouhadfromGod，hislongerswordisonehehadfromanarmourer。
　　Isthatequality？“
　　“Hemayhavemysword，andI”lltakehis，“cutintheItalian，alsoshowingimpatience。“Itooaminhaste。”
　　“Inhastetodie，then，“snappedGaubert。
　　“Monsieur，thisisnotseemly，“Courthonreprovedhim。
　　“Youshallteachmemannerswhenweengage，“snappedthehawk-facedgentleman。
　　“Sirs，sirs，“Garnacheimploredthem，“arewetowastethedayinwords？MonsieurGaubert，thereareseveralgentlemenyonderwearingswords；Imakenodoubtthatyouwillfindonewhosebladeisofthesamelengthasyourown，sufficientlyobligingtolendittoMonsieurSanguinetti。”
　　“Thatisanofficethatmyfriendcandoforme，“interposedSanguinetti，andthereuponCourthondeparted，toreturnpresentlywithaborrowedweaponoftheproperlength。
　　Atlastitseemedthattheymightproceedwiththebusinessuponwhichtheywerecome；butGarnachewaswronginsosupposing。A
　　discussionnowarosebetweenGaubertandCourthonastothechoiceofspot。Theturfwasdrenchedandslippery，andforallthattheymovedfromplacetoplacetestingtheground，theirprincipalsfollowing，nowherecouldtheyfindtheconditionssufficientlyimprovedtodecideuponengaging。ToGarnachetheutilityofthiswasapparentfromthefirst。Ifthesegentlemenhadthoughttoavoidslipperyground，theyshouldhaveelectedtoappointthemeetingelsewhere。Buthavingchosenthe。ChampsauxCapuchins，itwasidletoexpectthatonestretchofturfwouldprovefirmerthananother。
　　Weariedatlastbythisdelay，hegaveexpressiontohisthoughts。
　　“Youarequiteright，monsieur，“saidCourthon。“Butyoursecondisover-fastidious。Itwouldsimplifymatterssomuchifyouwouldremoveyourboots。”
　　“Lookyou，sirs，“saidGarnache，takingafirmstand，“Iwillengageinmybootsandonthisveryspotornotatall。IhavetoldyouthatIaminhaste。Asfortheslipperinessoftheground，myopponentwillrunnogreaterrisksthanI。Iamnottheonlyimpatientone。Thespectatorsarebeginningtojeeratus。WeshallhaveeveryscullioninGrenoblepresentlysayingthatweareafraidofoneanother。Besideswhich，sirs，IthinkIamtakingcold。”
　　“Iamquiteofmonsieur”smind，myself，“drawledSanguinetti。
　　“Youhear，sir，“exclaimedCourthon，turningtoGaubert。“Youcanscarcepersistinfindingobjectionsnow。”
　　“Why，sinceallaresatisfied，sobeit，“saidGaubert，withashrug。“Isoughttodothebestformyprincipal。Asitis，I
　　washmyhandsofallresponsibility，andbyallmeansletusengage，sirs。”
　　Theydisposedthemselvesaccordingly，GaubertengagingCourthon，onGarnache”srighthand，andGarnachehimselffallingonguardtoreceivetheattackofSanguinetti。Thejeersandmurmursthathadbeenrisingfromtheever-growingcrowdthatswarmedabouttheoutskirtsoftheplacefellsilentastheclatterofmeetingswordsrangoutatlast。Andthen，scarceweretheyengagedwhenavoicearose，callingangrily：
　　“Hold，Sanguinetti！Wait！“
　　Abig，broad-shoulderedman，inasuitofhomespunandafeatherlesshat，thrusthiswayrudelytroughthecrowdandbrokeintothespacewithinthebeltoftrees。Thecombatantshadfallenapartatthiscommandingcry，andthenewcomernowdashedforward，flushedandoutofbreathasifwithrunning。
　　“Vertudieu！Sanguinetti，“heswore，andhismannerwashalf-angry，half-bantering；“doyoucallthisfriendship？“
　　“MydearFrancois“returnedtheforeigner，“youarrivemostinopportunely。”
　　“Andisthatallthegreetingyouhaveforme？“
　　Lookingmoreclosely，GarnachethoughtthatherecognizedinhimoneofSanguinetti”scompanionsofyesternight。
　　“ButdoyounotseethatIamengaged？“
　　“Ay；andthatismygrievancethatyoushouldbeengageduponsuchanaffair，andthatIshouldhavenoshareinit。Itistotreatmelikealackey，andhavetherighttofeeloffended。Enfin！ItseemsIannotcometoolate。”
　　Garnachecutin。Hesawthedriftofthefellow”sintentions，andhewasnotmindedtosubmittofreshdelays；alreadymorethanhalfanhourwasspedsincehehadlefttheSuckingCalf。Heputitplainlytothemthatmorethanenoughdelayhadtherebeenalreadyandhebeggedthenewcomertostandasideandallowthemtoterminatethebusinessonwhichtheyweremet。ButMonsieurFrancois-asSanguinettihadcalledhim-wouldnothearofit。Heproved，indeed，averytestyfellow，andhehad，moreover，thesupportoftheothers，includingevenMonsieurGaubert。
　　“Letmeimploreyounottospoilsport，sir，“thelatterbeggedGarnache。“IhaveafriendattheinnwhowouldneverforgivemeifIpermittedhimtomisssuchamorning”sdiversionasthisgentlemaniswillingtoaffordhim。Suffermetogoforhim。”
　　“Lookyou，sir，“answeredGarnachesharply，“howeveryoumayviewthismeeting，itisnotwithmeanaffairofjestorsport。Iaminaquarrelthathasbeenforceduponme，and-“
　　“Surelynot，sir，“Courthoninterruptedsweetly。“YouforgetthatyourolledMonsieurSanguinettiinthemud。Thatishardlytohaveaquarrelforceduponyou。”
　　Garnachebithisliptothebloodinhisvexation。
　　“Howeverthequarrelmayhaveoriginated，“saidFrancois，withagreatlaugh，“IswearthatitgoesnotforwarduntilIamaccommodated，too。”
　　“Youhadbetteraccede，monsieur，“murmuredGaubert。“Ishallnotbegonefiveminutes，anditwillsavetimeintheend。”
　　“Oh，verywell，“criedpoorGarnacheinhisdespair。“Anythingtosavetime；anything！InGod”snamefetchyourfriend，andIhopeyouandheandeverymanherewillgethisfilloffightingforonce。”
　　Gaubertdepartedonhiserrand，andtherewerefreshmurmursinthemobuntilthereasonofhisgoingwasunderstood。Fiveminutessped；tenminutes，andyethereturnednot。GroupedtogetherwereSanguinettiandhistwofriends，ineasy，whisperedtalk。Atalittledistancefromthem，Garnachepacedupanddowntokeephimselfwarm。Hehadthrownhiscloakoverhisshouldersagain，andwithswordtuckedunderarmandheadthrustforward，hestampedbackwardsandforwards，theverypictureofill-humour。Fifteenminutespassed；twelveo”clockboomedfromtheChurchofSaintFrancoisd”AssisiandstillMonsieurGaubertreturnednot。Garnachestoodstillamoment，inangrythought。Thismustnotgoon。Theremustbeanend，andatonce。Thetastesandinclinationsofbrawlerswerenoconcernofhis。HehadbusinessofState-howeverunworthy-todispatch。Heturned，intendingtodemandofMonsieurSanguinettithattheyshouldengageatonceandbedone，whensuddenlyafellowroughlydressed，withdirtyfaceandashockheadoffairhair，pushedhiswaythroughthethrongandadvancedtowardsMonsieurSanguinettiandhisfriends。Garnachecheckedinhismovementtolookatthefellow，forherecognizedinhimtheostleroftheAubergedeFrance：Hespokeatthatmoment，andGarnacheoverheardthewordsheuttered。
　　“MonsieurSanguinetti，“saidhe，addressingthatgentleman，“mymastersendstoinquireifyoushallwantthecarriageyouorderedforto-day。IthasbeenstandingforanhouratthedooroftheAubergedeFrance，awaitingyou，andifyoudon”twantit-“
　　“Standingwhere？“askedSanguinettiharshly。
　　“AtthedooroftheAubergedeFrance。”
　　“Peste，fool！“criedtheforeigner，“whyisitthere，whenIbadeitbesenttotheSuckingCalf？“
　　“Idon”tknow，sir。IknownomorethanMonsieurl”Hotetoldme。”
　　“Now，aplagueonMonsieurl”Hote，“sworeSanguinetti，andinthatmomenthiseyefelluponGarnache，standingthere，attentive。AtsightoftheParisianheseemedlostinconfusion。Hedroppedhisglanceandappearedonthepointofturningaside。Thentotheostler：“Ishallwantthecarriage，andIshallcomeforitanon。Carrythatmessagetoyourmaster。”AndwiththatheturnedandadvancedtoGarnache。Hiswhilomarrogancewasallfallenfromhim；heworeinsteadanairofextremecontrition。
　　“Monsieur，whatshallIsaytoyou？“heaskedinavoicethatwasrathersmall。“Itseemstherehasbeenanerror。Iamdeeplygrieved，believeme-“
　　“Saynomore，Ibeg，“criedGarnache，immenselyrelievedthatatlastthereshouldbeaconclusiontoanaffairwhichhadthreatenedtobeinterminable。“Letmebutexpressmyregretsforthetreatmentyoureceivedatmyhands。”
　　“Iacceptyourexpressions，andIadmiretheirgenerosity，“returnedtheotherascourteousnowassubservient，indeed，inhiscourtesy-ashehadbeenerstwhilefierceandintractable。“AsforthetreatmentIreceived，Iconfessthatmymistakeandmyopinionativenessdeserveditme。Ideploretodeprivethesegentlemenoftheentertainmenttowhichtheywerelookingforward，butunlessyoushouldproveofanexcessiveamiabilityIamafraidtheymustsufferwithmetheconsequencesofmyerror。”
　　Garnacheassuredhimverybriefly，andnonetoopolitelythathedidnotintendtoproveofanyexcessiveamiability。Hespokewhilststrugglingintohisdoublet。Hefeltthathecouldcheerfullyhavecanedthefellowfortheinconveniencehehadcausedhim，andyetherealizedthathehadothermorepressingmatterstoattendto。Hesheathedhissword，tookuphiscloakandhat，madethosegentlementhecomplimentsthatbecametheoccasion，intermsatriflemorebrief，perhaps，thanwereusual，and，stillwonderingwhyMonsieurdeGauberthadnotyetreturned，hestalkedbrisklyaway。Followedbythebooingsofthedisappointedcrowd，hesetoutfortheSuckingCalfatasharppace，takingtheshorterwaybehindtheChurchandacrossthegraveyardofSaintFrancois。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THECLOSINGOFTHETRAP
　　UponleavingtheChampsauxCapuchins，hawk-facedMonsieurGauberthadruneveryfootofthewaytotheSuckingCalf，andhehadarrivedtherewithinsomefiveminutes，outofbreathandwearingeveryappearanceofdistress-ofadistressrathergreaterthanhishastetofindhisfriendshouldwarrant。
　　Atthedooroftheinnhefoundthecarriagestillwaiting；thepost-boy，however，wasintheporch，leaningintalkwithoneofthedrawers。Thetrooperssattheirhorsesinstolidpatience，keepingguard，andawaiting，astheyhadbeenbidden，thereturnofMonsieurdeGarnache。Rabecque，verywatchful，loungedinthedoorway，betrayinginhisairnoneoftheanxietyandimpatiencewithwhichhelookedforhismaster。
　　AtsightofMonsieurGaubert，runningsobreathlessly，hestartedforward，wonderinganduneasy。Acrossthestreet，fromthePalaisSeneschal，cameatthatsamemomentMonsieurdeTressanwithrollinggait。HereachedthedooroftheinntogetherwithMonsieurGaubert。
　　Fullofevilforebodings，Rabecquehailedtherunner。
　　“Whathashappened？“hecried。“WhereisMonsieurdeGarnache？“
　　Gaubertcametoastaggeringhalt；hegroanedandwrunghishands。
　　“Killed！“hepanted，rockinghimselfinapassionofdistress。“Hehasbeenbutchered！Oh！itwashorrible！“。
　　Rabecquegrippedhimbytheshoulder，andsteadiedhimwithahandthathurt。“Whatdoyousay？“hegasped，hisfacewhitetothelips。
　　Tressanhalted，too，andturneduponGaubert，alookofincredulityinhisfatcountenance。“Whohasbeenkilled？“heasked。“NotMonsieurdeGarnache？“
　　“Helas！yes，“groanedtheother。“Itwasasnare，aguet-apenstowhichtheyledus。FourofthemsetuponusintheChampsauxCapuchins。Aslongashelived，Istoodbesidehim。Butseeinghimfallen，Icomeforhelp。”
　　“MyGod！“sobbedRabecque，andloosedhisgraspofMonsieurGaubert”sshoulder。
　　“Whodidit？“inquiredTressan，andhisvoicerumbledfiercely。
　　“Iknownotwhotheywere。ThemanwhopickedthequarrelwithMonsieurdeGarnachecalledhimselfSanguinetti。Thereisariotdownthereatpresent。Therewasacrowdtowitnessthecombat，andtheyhavefallentofightingamongthemselves。WouldtoHeaventheyhadstirredintimetosavethatpoorgentlemanfrombeingmurdered。”
　　“Ariot，didyousay？“criedTressan，theofficialseemingtoawakeninhim。
　　“Aye，“answeredtheotherindifferently；“theyarecuttingoneanother”sthroats。”
　　“But……But……Areyousurethatheisdead，monsieur？“
　　inquiredRabecque；andhistonewasonethatimploredcontradiction。
　　Gaubertlookedandpaused，seemingtogivethematterasecond”sthought。“Isawhimfall，“saidhe。“Itmaybethathewasnomorethanwounded。”
　　“Andyoulefthimthere？“roaredtheservant。“Youlefthimthere？“
　　Gaubertshruggedhisshoulders。“WhatcouldIdoagainstfour？
　　Besides，thecrowdwasinterferingalready，anditseemedbesttometocomeforhelp。Thesesoldiers，now-“
　　“Aye，“cutinTressan，andheturnedaboutandcalledthesergeant。
　　“Thisbecomesmyaffair。”AndheannouncedhisqualitytoMonsieurGaubert。“IamtheLordSeneschalofDauphiny。”
　　“Iamfortunateinfindingyou，“returnedGaubert，andbowed。“I
　　couldplacethematterinnobetterhand。”
　　ButTressan，withoutheedinghim，wasalreadyorderingthesergeanttoridehardwithhistroopersfortheChampsauxCapuchins。
　　Rabecque，however，thrusthimselfsuddenlyforward。
　　“Notso，MonsieurleSeneschal，“heinterposedinfreshalarm，andmindfulofhischarge。“ThesemenareheretoguardMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Letthemremain。IwillgotoMonsieurdeGarnache。”
　　TheSeneschalstaredathimwithcontemptuouslypoutingunderlip。
　　“Youwillgo？“saidhe。“Andwhatcanyoudoalone？Whoareyou？“
　　heasked。
　　“IamMonsieurdeGarnache”sservant。”
　　“Alackey？Ah！“AndTressanturnedasideandresumedhisordersasifRabecquedidnotexistorhadneverspoken。“TotheChampsauxCapuchins！“saidhe。“Atthegallop，Pommier！Iwillsendothersafteryou。”
　　Thesergeantroseinhisstirrupsandgrowledanorder。Thetrooperswheeledabout；anotherorder，andtheywereoff，theircanteringhoofsthunderingdownthenarrowstreet。
　　RabecqueclutchedattheLordSeneschal”sarm。
　　“Stopthem，monsieur！“healmostscreamedinhisexcitement。“Stopthem！Thereissomesnare，sometrickinthis。”
　　“Stopthem？“quoththeSeneschal。“Areyoumad？“HeshookoffRabecque”sdetaininghand，andlefthim，tocrossthestreetagainwithponderousandsluggishhaste，nodoubttocarryouthispurposeofsendingmoretrooperstothesceneofthedisturbance。
　　Rabecquesworeangrilyandbitterly，andhisvexationhadtwoentirelyseparatesources。Ontheonehandhisanxietyandaffectionforhismasterurgedhimtorunatoncetohisassistance，whilstTressan”sremovalofthetroopersrendereditimpossibleforhimtoleaveMademoiselledeLaVauvrayeunguarded-thoughwhatheshoulddowithherifGarnachecamenotbackatall，hedidnotatthisstagepausetoconsider。Ontheotherhand，aninstinctiveandgrowingsuspicionofthisMonsieurGaubert-whowasnowenteringtheinn-inspiredhimwiththeopinionthatthefatSeneschalhadbeendupedbyawildtaletosendthetroopersfromthespotwheretheymightpresentlybecomeverynecessary。
　　Fulloffears，anxiety，andmistrust，itwasaverydispiritedRabecquethatnowslowlyfollowedMonsieurGaubertintotheinn。
　　Butashesethisfootacrossthethresholdofthecommon-room，asightmethiseyesthatbroughthimtoamomentarystandstill，andturnedtocertaintyallhisrisingsuspicions。Hefoundittenantedbyahalf-dozenfellowsofveryrudeaspect，allarmedandbearinganoddresemblanceinairandaccoutrementstothebraveshehadseenatCondillacthedaybefore。Astohowtheycamethere，hecouldonlysurmisethattheyhadenteredthroughthestable-yard，asotherwisehemusthaveobservedtheirapproach。
　　Theyweregroupednowattheotherendofthelong，lowchamber，bythedoorleadingtotheinterioroftheinn。Afewpacesdistantthelandlordwatchedthemwithuneasyeyes。
　　ButwhatdismayedGarnache”sservantmostofallwastoseethemanwhocalledhimselfGaubertstandingintalkwithaslender，handsomeyouth，magnificentlyarrayed，inwhomherecognizedMariusdeCondillac。
　　Rabecquecheckedinhisadvance，andcaughtinthatmomentfromMariusthewords：“LetherbetoldthatitisMonsieurdeGarnachewisheshertodescend。”
　　AtthatRabecquesteppedtowardsthem，verypurposefulofmien。
　　Gaubertturnedathisapproach，andsmiled。Mariuslookedupquickly；thenmadeasigntothemen。Instantlytwoofthemwentoutbythedoortheyguarded，andereitswungbackagainRabecquesawthattheyweremakingforthestairs。Theremainingfourrangedthemselvesshouldertoshoulderacrossthedoorway，plainlywithintenttobartheway。Gaubert，followedimmediatelybyMarius，steppedasideandapproachedthelandlordwitharmsakimboandatruculentsmileonhispalehawkface。WhatheandMariussaid，Rabecquecouldnotmakeout，buthedistinctlyheardthelandlord”sanswerdeliveredwitharespectfulbowtoMarius：
　　“Bien，MonsieurdeCondillac。Iwouldnotinterfereinyourconcerns-notfortheworld。Iwillbeblindanddeaf。”
　　Mariusacknowledgedtheservileprotestationbyasneer，andRabecque，stirringatlast，wentforwardboldlytowardsthedoorwayanditsugly，humanbarrier。
　　“Byyourleave，sirs，“saidhe-andhemadetothrustoneofthemaside。
　　“Youcannotpassthisway，sir，“hewasanswered，respectfullybutfirmly。
　　Rabecquestoodstill，clenchingandunclenchinghishandsandquiveringwithanger。ItwasinthatmomentthathemostferventlycursedTressanandhisstupidmeddling。Hadthetroopersstillbeenthere，theycouldhavemadeshortworkofthesetatter-demalions。
　　Asitwas，andwithMonsieurdeGarnachedead，oratleastabsent，everythingseemedatanend。Hemighthavecontendedthat，hismasterbeingslain，itwasnogreatmatterwhathedid，forintheendtheCondillacsmustsurelyhavetheirwaywithMademoiselledeLaVauvraye。Butheneverpausedtothinkofthatjustthen。Hissenseoftrustwasstrong；hisdutytohismasterplain。Hesteppedback，anddrewhissword。
　　“Letmepass！“heroared。Butatthesameinstanttherecamethesoftslitherofanotherweapondrawn，andRabecquewasforcedtoturntomeettheonslaughtofMonsieurGaubert。
　　“Youdirtytraitor，“criedtheangrylackey，andthatwasalltheylefthimbreathtosay。Strongarmsgrippedhimfrombehind。Theswordwaswrenchedfromhishand。Hewasflungdownheavily，andpinnedproneinacornerbyoneofthosebullieswhokneltonhisspine。Andthenthedooropenedagain，andpoorRabecquegroanedinimpotentanguishtobeholdMademoiselledeLaVauvrayepausewhite-facedandwide-eyedon，thethresholdatsightofMonsieurdeCondillacbowinglowbeforeher。
　　Shestoodthereamomentbetweenthetworuffianswhohadbeensenttofetchher，andhereyestravellingroundthatroomdiscoveredRabecqueinhisundignifiedandhalf；strangledcondition。
　　“Where……WhereisMonsieurdeGarnache？“shefaltered。
　　“HeiswhereallthosewhocrossthewillofCondillacmustsoonerorlaterfindthemselves，“saidMariusairily。“Heis……
　　disposedof。”
　　“Doyoumeanthatheisdead？“shecried。
　　“Ithinkitveryprobablebynow，“hesmiled。“Soyousee，mademoiselle，sincetheguardiantheQueenappointedyouhas……
　　desertedyou，youwoulddowelltoreturntomymother”sroof。Letmeassureyouthatweshallverygladlywelcomeyourreturn。WeblamenonebutGarnacheforyourdeparture，andhehaspaidforthebrutalityofhisabductionofyou。”
　　Sheturnedindespairfromthatmockinggentleman，andattemptedtomakeappealtothelandlord，asthoughhecouldhelpherwhocouldnothelphimself。
　　“Monsieurl”Hote-“shebegan，butMariuscutinsharply。
　　“Takeheroutthatway，“hesaid，andpointedbackdownthepassagebythestairs。“Tothecoach。Makehaste。”
　　Shesoughttoresistthemnow；buttheydraggedherback，andtherewasarushoftheothersfollowingthroughthedoorway，therearbeingbroughtupbyGaubert。
　　“Followpresently，“washispartingcommandtothemanwhostillkneltuponRabecque，andwiththathevanishedtoo。
　　Theirstepsdiedawayinthepassage；adoorbangedinthedistance。
　　Therefollowedasilence，disturbedonlybythesoundofRabecque”slabouredbreathing；thencameastiroutsidethedooroftheinn；
　　someoneshoutedanorder。Therewasamovementofhoofs，acreakandcrunchofwheels，andpresentlytherumbleofaheavycarriagebeingdrivenrapidlyaway。ButtoowelldidRabecquesurmisewhathadtakenplace。
　　Theruffianreleasedhimatlast，and，leapingtohisfeet，wasgonebeforeRabecquecouldrise。Onceup，however，thelackeydartedtothedoor。Inthedistancehesawhislateassailantrunninghard；
　　thecoachhaddisappeared。Heturned，andhissmoulderingeyefelluponthelandlord。
　　“Opig！“heapostrophizedhim，snarlingathimtoventsomeofhispent-uprage。“Ocowardlypig。”
　　“Whatwouldyou？“expostulatedthefrightenedtaverner。“TheyhadcutmythroatifIresistedthem。”
　　Rabecquepouredabuseuponhim，untilforverylackofwordshewasforcedtocease，then，withafinalbarkofcontempt，hewenttorecoverhissword，whichhadbeenflungintoacorneroftheroom。
　　Hewasstoopingintheact，whenaquicksteprangbehindhimonthethreshold，anangryvoiceharshandmetallicpronouncedhisname：
　　“Rebecque！“
　　TheswordclatteredfromRabecque”shandsuddenlygonenerveless-
　　nervelesswithsheerjoy，allelseforgottenintheperceptionthatthere，safeandsound，stoodhisbelovedmaster。
　　“Monsieur！“hecried，andthetearswelleduptotheroughservant”seyes。“Monsieur！“hecriedagain，andthenwiththetearsstreamingdownhischeeks，sallowandwrinkledasparchment，“Oh，thankGod！“
　　heblubbered。“ThankGod！“
　　“Forwhat？“askedGarnache，comingforward，ascowllikeathunder-clouduponhisbrow。“Whereisthecoach，wherethetroopers？
　　Whereismademoiselle？Answerme！“
　　HecaughtRabecque”swristinagripthatthreatenedtosnapit。
　　Hisfacewaslivid，hiseyesaflame。
　　“They-they-“stammeredRabecque。Hehadnotthecouragetotellthethingthathadhappened。HefearedGarnachewouldstrikehimdead。
　　Andthenoutofhisterrorhegatheredanodddaring。HespoketoGarnacheasneverhehaddreamttospeaktohim，anditmaywellbethatbyhistoneandbywhathesaidhesavedhislifejustthen。
　　“Youfool，“hecriedtohim。“Itoldyoutobeonyourguard。I
　　warnedyoutogowarily。Butyouwouldnotheedme。YouknowbetterthanRabecque。Youwouldhaveyourway。Youmustgoa-brawling。Andtheydupedyou，theyfooledyoutotheverytopoftheirbent，monsieur。”
　　Garnachedroppedtheservant”shandandstoodbackapace。Thatcounter-blastofpassionandthatplainspeakingfromaquartersounexpectedserved，inpartatleast，tosoberhim。Heunderstoodthethingthathadhappened，thethingthatalreadyhesuspectedmusthavehappened；butheunderstoodtoothathealonewastoblameforit-heandhiscursedtemper。
　　“Who-whofooledme？“hestammered。
　　“Gaubert-thefellowthatcallshimselfGaubert。Heandhisfriends。Theyfooledyouaway。ThenGaubertreturnedwithatalethatyouhadbeenkilledandthattherewasadisturbanceintheChampsauxCapuchins。MonsieurdeTressanwashere，asill-luckwouldhaveit，andGaubertimploredhimtosendsoldiersthithertoquelltheriot。Hedispatchedtheescort。Isoughtinvaintostaythem。Hewouldnotlistentome。Thetrooperswent，andthenMonsieurGaubertenteredtheinn，tojoinMonsieurdeCondillacandsixofhisbraveswhowerewaitingthere。Theyoverpoweredme，andcarriedmademoiselleoffinthecoach。IdidwhatIcould，but-“
　　“Howlonghavetheybeengone？“Garnacheinterruptedhimtoinquire。
　　“Butfewminutesbeforeyoucame。”
　　“Itwouldbe，then，thecoachthatpassedmenearthePortedeSavoie。Wemustgoafterthem，Rabecque。ImadeashortcutacrossthegraveyardofSaintFrancis，orImusthavemettheescort。Oh，perdition！“hecried，smitinghisclenchedrighthandintohisopenleft。“Tohavesomuchgoodworkundonebyamoment”sunguardedness。”
　　Thenabruptlyheturnedonhisheels。“IamgoingtoMonsieurdeTressan，“saidheoverhisshoulder，andwentout。
　　Ashereachedthethresholdoftheporch，theescortrodeupthestreet，returnedatlast。Atsightofhimthesergeantbrokeintoacryofsurprise。
　　“Atleastyouaresafe，monsieur，“hesaid。“Wehadheardthatyouweredead，andIfeareditmustbeso，forallthattherestofthestorythatwastolduswasclearlypartofaveryfoolishjest。”
　　“Jest？Itwasnojest，Vertudieu！“saidGarnachegrimly。“YouhadbestreturntothePalaisSeneschal。Ihavenofurtherneedofanescort，“headdedbitterly。“Ishallrequirealargerforce。”
　　Andhesteppedoutintotherain，whichhadbegunagainafewminutesearlier，andwasnowfallingmasteadydownpour。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THESENESCHAL”SADVICE
　　StraightacrossthePalaisSeneschalwentGarnache。Andsorelythoughhistempermightalreadyhavebeentriedthatday，tempestuouslythoughithadbeenvented，therewerefreshtrialsinstoreforhim，freshstormsforTressan。
　　“MayIask，MonsieurleSeneschal，“hedemandedarrogantly，“towhatenditwasthatyoupermittedyourselftoorderfromitsposttheescortyouhadplacedundermycommand？“
　　“Towhatend？“returnedtheSeneschal，betweensorrowandindignation。“Why，totheendthatitmightsuccouryouifstillintime。Ihadheardthatifnotdeadalready，youwereindangerofyourlife。”
　　TheanswerwasonethatdisarmedGarnache，inspiteofhismistrustofTressan，andfollowedasitnowwasbytheSeneschal”sprofuseexpressionsofjoyatseeingGarnachesafeandwell，itlefthimclearlyunabletopursuethesubjectofhisgrievanceinthisparticularconnection。Instead，hepassedontoentertainTressanwiththerecitalofthethingthathadbeendone；andinrecitingithisangerrevivedagain，nordidtheoutwardsignsofsympatheticperturbationwhichtheSeneschalthoughtitjudicioustodisplaydoaughttomollifyhisfeelings。
　　“Andnow，monsieur，“heconcluded，“thereremainsbutonecoursetobepursued-toreturninforce，andcompelthematthesword-pointtosurrendermemademoiselle。Thataccomplished，IshallarresttheDowagerandhersonandeveryjackanapeswithinthatcastle。HermencanlieinGrenoblegaoltobedealtwithbyyourselfforsupportingherinanattempttoresisttheQueen”sauthority。MadameandhersonshallgowithmetoParistoanswertherefortheiroffence。”
　　TheSeneschallookedgrave。Hethoughtfullycombedhisbeardwithhisforefinger，andhislittleeyespeeredashadefearfullyatGarnachethroughhishorn-rimmedspectacles-Garnachehadfoundhimathisnever-failingpretenceofwork。
　　“Why，yes，“heagreed，speakingslowly，“thatwayliesyourduty。”
　　“Irejoice，monsieur，tohearyousayso。ForIshallneedyouraid。”
　　“Myaid？“TheSeneschal”sfaceassumedastartledlook。
　　“Ishallrequireofyouthenecessaryforcetoreducethatgarrison。”
　　TheSeneschalblewouthischeeksalmosttoburstingpoint，thenwaggedhisheadandsmiledwistfully。
　　“Andwhere，“heasked，“amItofindsuchaforce？“
　　“YouhaveupwardsoftenscoremeninquartersatGrenoble。”
　　“IfIhadthosemen-whichIhavenot-what，thinkyou，couldtheydoagainstafortresssuchasCondillac？Monsieurdeludeshimself。Iftheyresist，you”llneedtentimesthatnumbertobringthemtotheirsenses。Theyarewellvictualled；theyhaveanexcellentwater-supply。Myfriend，theywouldjustdrawupthebridge，andlaughatyouandyoursoldiersfromtheramparts。”
　　Garnachelookedathimfromunderloweringbrows。Butforallhismistrustoftheman-amistrustmostexcellentlyfounded-hewasforcedtoconfessthattherewaswisdominwhatTressansaid。
　　“I”llsitdownandbesiegethemifneedbe，“heannounced。
　　AgaintheSeneschalwaggedhishead。“Youwouldhavetobepreparedtospendyourwinterthereinthatcase，anditcanbecoldinthevalleyofIsere。Theirgarrisonissmall-sometwentymenatmost；
　　butitissufficientfortheirdefence，andnottoomanymouthstofeed。No，no，monsieur，ifyouwouldwinyourwaybyforceyoumustcountuponmorethantenscoremen。”
　　AndnowaflashofinspirationhelpedTressan。Itwashisaim，asweknow，torunwiththehareandhuntwiththehounds。BreakwithMadamedeCondillachisfoolishhopefulheartwouldnotpermithim。
　　Breakwiththisman，whopersonifiedauthorityandtheKing，hedarednot。Hehadsought-andithadgivenhimmuchtodo-tosteeramiddlecourse，servingtheDowagerandappearingnottowithstandtheParisian。Nowitalmostseemedtohimasifhewerecometoanimpassebeyondwhichhecouldnolongerpursuethatcourse，butmusthaltanddeclarehisside。Butthenotionthatnowoccurredtohimhelpedhimtowinthroughthisdifficulty。ForMadamedeCondillac”sschemeshecarednotajot；whethertheycamesafetoharbourorsufferedshipwreckonthewaywasallonetohim；
　　whetherValeriedeLaVauvrayemarriedMariusdeCondillacorthemeanestcobblerinGrenoblewas，similarly，amatterthatneverdisturbedhismind。Hewouldnotevenbeconcernedifhe，himself，weretohelptheDowager”sschemestofrustration，solongassheweretoremaininignoranceofhisdefection，solongasoutwardlyheweretoappearfaithfultoherinterests。
　　“Monsieur，“saidhegravely，“theonlycoursethatpromisesyousuccessistoreturntoParis，and，raisingsufficientmen，withgunsandothermodernsiegeappliancessuchaswepossessnothere，comebackandbatterdownthewallsofCondillac。”
　　TheretheSeneschalspokegoodsense。Garnacherealizedit，somuchsothathealmostbegantodoubtwhetherhehadnotdonethemananinjusticeinbelievinghimalliedtotheotherparty。But，howeverfullyhemightperceivethewisdomoftheadvice，suchastepwasonethatmustwoundhispride，mustbeanacknowledgmentthathisownresources，uponwhichtheQueenhadreliedwhenshesenthimsingle-handedtodealwiththissituation，hadprovedinsufficient。
　　Hetookaturnintheapartmentwithoutanswering，tuggingathismustachiosandponderingthesituationwhattimetheSeneschalfurtivelywatchedhiminthecandle-light。AtlasthecameabruptlytoastandstillbytheSeneschal”swriting-table，immediatelyoppositeTressan。Hishandfelltohisside，hiseyestookonalookofdetermination。
　　“Asalastresourceyourgoodadvicemayguideme，MonsieurleSeneschal，“saidhe。“ButfirstI”llseewhatcanbedonewithsuchmenasyouhavehere。”
　　“ButIhavenomen，“answeredTressan，dismayedtoseethefailureofhiseffort。
　　Garnachestaredathiminanunbeliefthatwasfastgrowingtosuspicion。“Nomen？“heechoeddully。“Nomen？“
　　“Imightmusterascore-nomorethanthat。”
　　“But，monsieur，itiswithinmyknowledgethatyouhaveatleasttwohundred。Isawatleastsomefiftydrawnupinthecourtyardbelowhereyesterdaymorning。”
　　“Ihadthem，monsieur，“theSeneschalmadehastetocry，hishandsupheld，hisbodyleaningforwardoverhistable。“Ihadthem。But，unfortunately，certaindisturbancesintheneighbourhoodofMontelimarhaveforcedmetopartwiththem。Theywereonthepointofsettingoutwhenyousawthem。”
　　Garnachelookedathimamomentwithoutspeaking。Then，sharply：
　　“Theymustberecalled，monsieur，“saidhe。
　　AndnowtheSeneschaltookrefugeinafinepretenceofindignation。
　　“Recalled？“hecried，andbesidesindignationtherewassomehorrorinhisvoice。“Recalled？Andforwhat？Thattheymayassistyouinobtainingchargeofawretchedgirlwhoissoheadstrongastowishtomarryotherthanherguardianshavedetermined。Aprettyaffairthat，asGod”smylife！Andfortheadjustmentofsuchafamilydisputeasthis，awholeprovinceistogotoruin，aconflagrationofrebellionistospreadunquenched？Onmysoul，sir，Ibegintothinkthatthismissionofyourshasservedtoturnyourhead。Youbegintoseeitoutofallproportiontoitssize。”
　　“Monsieur，itmayhaveturnedmyhead，oritmaynot；butIshallnotbeamazedifintheenditbethemeansoflosingyouyours。
　　Tellmenow：WhatisthedisturbanceyouspeakofinMontelimar？“
　　ThatwasaquestionallTressan”singenuitycouldnotanswer。
　　“Whataffairisitofyours？“hedemanded。“AreyouSeneschalofDauphiny，oramI？IfItellyouthatthereisadisturbance，letthatsuffice。InquellingitIdobutattendtomyownbusiness。
　　Doyouattendtoyours-whichseemstobethatofmeddlinginwomen”smatters。”
　　Thiswastoomuch。TherewassuchodioustruthinitthattheironsankdeepintoGarnache”ssoul。Theveryreflectionthatsuchabusinessshouldindeedbehis，wasofitselfenoughtoputhiminarage，withouthavingitcastinhisteethasTressanhadnonetoodelicatelydone。
　　Hestormedandraged；hewavedhisarmsandthumpedthetable，andtalkedofcuttingmentoribbons-amongwhichmennodoubthecountedmyLordtheSeneschalofDauphiny。Butfromthestormoffierceinvective，ofthreatsandpromiseswithwhichhefilledtheair，theSeneschalgatheredwithsatisfactiontheoneclearstatementthathewouldtakehisadvice。
　　“I”lldoasyousay，“Garnachehadended。“I”llgetmebacktoParisasfastashorsecancarryme。WhenIreturnwoebetideCondillac！AndIshallsendmyemissariesintothedistrictofMontelimartoinquireintothesedisturbancesyoutellof。Woebetideyouiftheyfindthecountryquiet。YoushallpayaheavypriceforhavingdispatchedyoursoldiersthithertotheendthattheymightnotbeheretofurthertheQueen”sbusiness。”
　　Withthathecaughtuphisrain-soddenhat，flungitonhishead，andstalkedoutoftheroom，and，so，outofthePalace。
　　HeleftGrenoblenextmorning，anditwasaverytameandcrestfallenGarnachewhoquittedtheAubergeduVeauquiTeteandrodeoutofthetowntotaketheroadtoParis。HowtheywouldlaughathimattheLuxembourg！Notevenanaffairofthiskindwashefittocarrythrough；notevenasameddlerinwomen”smattersasTressanhadcalledhim-couldheachievesuccess。
　　Rabecque，reflectinghismaster”smood-asbecomesagoodlackey-rodesilentandgloomyapaceortwointherear。
　　BynoontheyhadreachedVoiron，andhere，ataquiethostelry，theydescendedtopauseawhileforrestandrefreshment。Itwasachill，blusteringday，andalthoughtherainheldoff，theheavenswereblackwiththepromiseofmoretocome。Therewasafireburninginthegeneral-roomofthehostelry，andGarnachewenttowarmhimatitscheerfulblaze。Moodilyhestoodthere，onehandonthehighmantelshelf，onefootuponanandiron，hiseyesupontheflames。
　　Hewasdisconsolatelyconsideringhisposition；consideringhowutterly，howirrevocablyhehadfailed；ponderingthegibeshewouldhavetostomachonhisreturntoParis，theridiculeitwouldincumbhimtolivedown。IthadbeenafinethingtobreathefireandbloodandvengeancetoTressanyesterday，totellhimofthegreatdeedshewouldperformonhisreturn。Itwasoddsheneverwouldreturn。Theywouldsendanotherinhisplace，ifindeedtheysentatall。For，afterall，beforehecouldreachParisandtheforcerequiredbeinDauphiny，afortnightmustelapse，letthemtravelneversoquickly。BythattimetheymustbesingularlysluggishatCondillaciftheydidnotsocontrivethatnoaidthatcameshouldcomeintimeformademoiselle，nowthattheywerewarnedthattheQueenwasstirringinthematter。
　　Oh！hehadblundereditallmostcursedly。HadhebutkepthistemperyesterdayatGrenoble；hadhebuthadthewittothwarttheirplans，bypreservinganunruffledfronttoinsult，hemighthavewonthroughandcarriedmademoiselleoutoftheirhands。Asitwas-！
　　helethisarmsfalltohissidesinhismiserabledespair。
　　“Yourwine，monsieur，“saidRabecqueathiselbow。Heturned，andtookthecupofmulleddrinkfromhisservant。Thebeveragewarmedhiminbody；butitwouldneedabuttofittothawthemiseryfromhissoul。
　　“Rabecque，“hesaidwithapatheticgrimness，“IthinkIamthemostcursedblundererthateverwasentrustedwithanerrand。”
　　Thethingsoobsessedhismindthathemustspeakofit，ifitbeonlytohislackey。Rabecque”ssharpfaceassumedachastenedlook。
　　Hesighedmostdutifully。Hesoughtforwordsofconsolation。Atlast：
　　“Atleast，monsieurhasmadethemfearhimupthereatCondillac，“
　　saidhe。
　　“Fearme？“laughedGarnache。“Pish！Derideme，youwouldsay。”
　　“Fearyou，Irepeat，monsieur。Elsewhyaretheyatsuchpainstostrengthenthegarrison？“
　　“Eh？“hequestioned。Buthistonewasnotgreatlyinterested。“Aretheydoingthat？Aretheystrengtheningit？Howknowyou？“
　　“IhaditfromtheostlerattheVeauquiTetethatacertainCaptainFortunio-anItaliansoldieroffortunewhocommandsthemenatCondillac-wasattheAubergedeFrancelastnight，offeringwinetowhomsoeverwoulddrinkwithhim，andpayingforitoutofMadamelaMarquise”spurse。Tosuchasacceptedhishospitalityhetalkedofthegloryofamilitarycareer，particularlyafree-lance”s；
　　andtothosewhoshowedinterestinwhathesaidheofferedapikeinhiscompany。”
　　“Enrolledhemany，didyoulearn？“
　　“Notone，monsieur，theostlertoldme；anditseemshespenttheeveningwatchinghimweavehisspider”sweb。Buttheflieswereover-wary。Theyknewwhencehecame；theyknewthebusinessforwhichhedesiredtoenrolthem-forarumourhadgoneroundthatCondillacwasinrebellionagainsttheQueen”scommands-andtherewerenonesodesperateattheAubergedeFranceastorisktheirnecksbyenlisting，nomatterwhatthewageheoffered。”
　　Garnacheshruggedhisshoulders。“Nomatter，“saidhe。“Getmeanothercupofwine。”ButasRabecqueturnedawaytoobeyhimtherecameasuddengleamintotheeyeofMonsieurdeGarnachewhichlightenedthedepressionofhiscountenance。