CHAPTERX
THERECRUIT
InthegreathalloftheChateaudeCondillacsattheDowager，herson，andtheLordSeneschal，inconference。
ItwasearlyintheafternoonofthelastThursdayinOctober，exactlyaweeksinceMonsieurdeGarnacheallbutbroken-heartedatthefailureofhismission-haddepartedfromGrenoble。Theyhaddined，andthetablewasstillstrewnwithvesselsandthefragmentsoftheirmeal，fortheclothhadnotyetbeenraised。Butthethreeofthemhadlefttheboard-theSeneschalwithallthatreluctancewithwhichhewaswonttopartcompanywiththetable，nomatterhowperturbedinspirithemightto-andtheyhadcometogroupthemselvesaboutthegreatopenfireplace。
AshaftofpaleOctobersunshineenteringthroughthegulesofanescutcheononthemullionedwindowsstruckascarletlightintosilveraidglassupontheforsakenboard。
Madamewasspeaking。Shewasrepeatingwordsthatshehadutteredatleasttwentytimesadayduringthepastweek。
“Itwasamadnesstoletthatfellowgo。Hadwebutputhimandhisservantoutoftheway，weshouldbeablenowtosleeptranquilinourbeds。IknowtheirwaysatCourt。Theymighthavemarvelledalittleatfirstthatheshouldtarrysolonguponhiserrand，thatheshouldsendthemnowordofitsprogress；butpresently，seeinghimnomore，hewouldlittlebylittlehavebeenforgotten，andwithhimtheaffairinwhichtheQueenhasbeensocursedlyreadytomeddle。
“Asitis，thefellowwillgobackhotwiththeoutrageputuponhim；therewillbesomefinetalkofitinParis；itwillbespokenofastreason，asdefianceoftheKing”sMajesty，asrebellion。TheParliamentmaybemovedtomakeoutlawsofus，andtheendofitall-whoshallforesee？“
“ItisalongdistancefromCondillactoParis，madame，“saidherson，withashrug。
“Andyouwillfindthemnonesoreadytosendsoldiersallthisway，Marquise，“theSeneschalcomfortedher。
“Bah！Youmaketoosureofyoursecurity。Youmaketoosureofwhattheywilldo，whatleaveundone。Timewillshow，myfriends；and，mor-dieu！IammuchatfaultifyoucomenotbothtoechomyregretthatwedidnotdisposeofMonsieurdeGarnacheandhislackeywhenwehadtheninourpower。”
HereyefellwithsinisterpromiseuponTressan，whoshiveredslightlyandspreadhishandstotheblaze，asthoughhisshiverhadbeenofcold。ButMariusdidnotsoreadilygrowafraid。
“Madame，“hesaid，“attheworstwecanshutourgatesandflingdefianceatthem。Wearewell-manned，andFortunioisseekingfreshrecruits。”
“Seekingthem，yes，“shesneered。“Foraweekhasthefellowbeenspendingmoneylikewater，addlingthebrainsofhalfGrenoblewiththebestwineattheAubergedeFrance，yetnotasinglerecruithascomein，sofar。”
Mariuslaughed。“Yourpessimismleadsyouintorashconclusions，“
hecried。“Youarewrong。Onerecruithascomein。”
“One！“sheechoed。“Athousanddevils！Abravenumberthat！A
finereturnfortheriverofwinewithwhichwehavewashedthestomachsofGrenoble。”
“Still，itisabeginning，“venturedtheSeneschal。
“Aye，and，nodoubt，anending，“sheflashedbackathim。“Andwhatmanneroffoolmaythisonebe，whosefortunesweresodesperatethathecouldthrowtheminwithours？“
“HeisanItalian-aPiedmontesewhohastrampedacrossSavoyandwasonhiswaytoParistomakehisfortune，whenFortuniocaughthimandmadeitcleartohimthathisfortunewasmadeforhimatCondillac。Heisalusty，stalwartfellow，speakingnowordofFrench，whowasdrawntoFortuniobydiscoveringinhimafellow-countryman。”
MockeryflashedfromtheDowager”sbeautifuleyes。
“Inthatyouhavethereasonofhisenrollinghimself。HeknewnowordofFrench，poordevil，socouldnotlearnhowrashhisventurewas。Couldwefindmoresuchmenasthisoneitmightbewell。Butwhereshallwefindthem？Pish！mydearMarius，mattersarelittlemended，noreverwillbe，forthemistakewemadeinallowingGarnachetogohisways。”
“Madame；“againventuredTressan，“Ithinkthatyouwantforhopefulness。”
“Atleast，Idonotwantforcourage，MonsieurleComte，“sheansweredhim；“andIpromiseyouthatwhileIlive-tohandleaswordifneedbe-noParismenshallsetfootinCondillac。”
“Aye，“grumbledMarius，“youcancontemplate，that，anditisallyoudocontemplate。Youwillnotsee，madamethatourpositionisfarfromdesperate；that，afterall，theremaybenoneedtoresisttheKing。ItisthreemonthssincewehadnewsofFlorimond。Muchmayhappeninthreemonthswhenamaniswarring。Itmaywellbethatheisdead。”
“IwishIknewhewas-anddamned，“she，snapped，withatighteningofherscarletlips。
“Yes，“agreedMarius，withasigh，“thatwereanendtoallourtroubles。”
“I”mnonesosure。Thereisstillmademoiselle，withhernew-formedfriendsinParis-mayapestilenceblightthemall！TherearestillthelandsofLaVauvrayetolose。Theonlytrueendtoourtroublesastheystandatpresentliesinyourmarryingthisheadstrongbaggage。”
“Thatthestepshouldberenderedimpossible，youcanbutblameyourself，“Mariusremindedher。
“Howso？“shecried，turningsharplyuponhim。
“HadyoukeptfriendswiththeChurch，hadyoupaidtithesandsavedusfromthiscursedInterdict，weshouldhavenodifficultyingettinghitherapriest，andsettlingthematteroutofhand，beValeriewillingornot。”
Shelookedathim，scornkindlinginherglance。ThensheswungroundtoappealtoTressan。
“Youhearhim，Count，“saidshe。“Thereisaloverforyou！Hewouldwedhismistresswhethershelovehimornot-andhehassworntomethathelovesthegirl。”
“Howelseshouldthethingbedonesincesheopposesit？“askedMarius，sulkily。
“Howelse？Doyouaskmehowelse？God！WereIaman，andhadIyourshapeandface，thereisnowomanintheworldshouldwithstandmeifIsetmyheartonher。Itisaddressyoulack。
Youareclumsyasaloutwhereawomanisconcerned。WereIinyourplace，Ihadtakenherbystormthreemonthsago，whenfirstshecametous。IhadcarriedheroutofCondillac，outofFrance，overtheborderintoSavoy，wheretherearenoInterdictstoplagueyou，andthereIwouldhavemarriedher。”
Mariusfrowneddarkly，butbeforehecouldspeak，TressanwasinsinuatingacomplimenttotheMarquise。
“True，Marius，“hesaid，withpursedlips。“Naturehasbeenverygoodtoyouinthatshehasmadeyoutheverycounterpartofyourladymother。YouareascomelyagentlemanasistobefoundinFrance-oroutofit。”
“Pish！“snappedMarius，tooangeredbythereflectioncastuponhisaddress，tobeflatteredbytheirpraisesofhisbeauty。“Itisaneasythingtotalk；aneasythingtosetupargumentswhenweconsiderbutthehalfofaquestion。Youforget，madame，thatValerieisbetrothedtoFlorimondandthatsheclingsfaithfullytoherbetrothal。”
“Vertudieu！“sworetheMarquise，“andwhatisthisbetrothal，whatthisfaithfulness？Shehasnotseenherbetrothedforthreeyears。
Shewasachildatthetimeoftheirfiancailles。Thinkyouherfaithfulnesstohimistheconstancyofawomantoherlover？Goyourways，youfoolishboy。Itisbuttheconstancytoaword，tothewishesofherfather。Thinkyouconstancythathasnootherbasethanthatwouldstandbetweenherandanymanwho-asyoumightdo，hadyoutheaddress-couldmakeherlovehim？“
“Idosayso，“answeredMariusfirmly。
Shesmiledthepityingsmileofoneequippedwithsuperiorknowledgewhenconfrontedwithanobstinate，uninformedmind。
“Thereisadrollarroganceaboutyou，Marius，“shetoldhim，quietly。“You，afledgling，wouldteachme，awoman，thewaysofawoman”sheart！Itisathingyoumaylivetoregret。”
“Ashow？“heasked。
“Oncealreadyhasmademoisellecontrivedtocorruptoneofourmen，andsendhimtoPariswithaletter。Outofthathassprungourpresenttrouble。Anothertimeshemaydobetter。Whensheshallhavebribedanothertoassisthertoescape；whenshe，herself，shallhavemadeofftotheshelteroftheQueen-mother，perhapsyouwillregretthatmycounselshouldhavefallenuponbarrenground。”
“Itistopreventanysuchattemptthatwehaveplacedherunderguard，“saidhe。“Youareforgettingthat。”
“Forgettingit？NotI。Butwhatassurancehaveyouthatshewillnotbribeherguard？“
Mariuslaughed，rose，andpushedbackhischair。
“Madame，“saidhe，“youarebackatyourcontemplationoftheworstsideofthisaffair；youarepersistinginccnsideringonlyhowwemaybethwarted。Butsetyourmindatrest。Gillesishersentinel。
Everynighthesleepsinheranteroom。HeisFortunio”smosttrustedman。Shewillnotcorrupthim。”
TheDowagersmiledpensively，hereyesuponthefire。Suddenlysheraisedthemtohisface。“Berthaudwasnonethelesstrusted。Yet，withnomorethanapromiseofrewardatsomefuturetimeshouldshesucceedinescapingfromus，didshebribehimtocarryherlettertotheQueen。WhathappenedtoBerthaudthatmaynothappentoGilles？“
“Youmightchangehersentrynightly，“putintheSeneschal。
“Yes，ifweknewwhomwecouldtrust；whowouldbeabovecorruption。
Asitis“-sheshruggedhershoulders“thatwouldbebuttoaffordheropportunitiestobribethemonebyoneuntiltheywereallreadytoactinconcert。”
“Whyneedsheanysentinelatall？“askedTressan，withsomeshowofsense。
“Towardoffpossibletraitors，“shetoldhim，andMariussmiledandwaggedhishead。
“Madameisneverdoneforeseeingtheworst，monsieur。”
“Whichshowsmywisdom。Themeninourgarrisonaremercenaries，allattachedtousonlybecausewepaythem。Theyallknowwhosheisandwhatherwealth。”
“Pityyouhavenotamanwhoisdeafanddumb，“saidTressan，halfinjest。ButMariuslookedupsuddenly，hiseyesserious。
“Wehaveasgood，“saidhe。“ThereistheItalianknaveFortunioenrolledyesterday，asIhavetoldyou。Heknowsneitherherwealthnorheridentity；norifhedidcouldheenterintotrafficwithher，forheknowsnoFrench，andshenoItalian。”
TheDowagerclappedherhands。“Theveryman！“shecried。
ButMarius，eitherfromsheerperverseness，orbecausehedidnotshareherenthusiasm，madeanswer：“IhavefaithinGilles。”
“Yes，“shemockedhim，“andyouhadfaithinBerthaud。Oh，ifyouhavefaithinGilles，lethimremain；letnomorebesaid。”
Theobstinateboytookheradvice，andshiftedthesubject，speakingtoTressanofsometrivialbusinessconnectedwiththeSeneschalship。
Butmadame，woman-like，returnedtothematterwhoseabandoningshehadherselfsuggested。Marius，forallhisaffecteddisdainofit，vieweditwithacertainrespect。Andsointheendtheysentfortherecruit。
Fortunio-whowasnootherthanthemanGarnachehadknownas“Sanguinetti“-broughthim，stillcladintheclothesinwhichhehadcome。Hewasatall，limberfellow，withaveryswarthyskinandblack，oily-lookinghairthatfellinshortringletsabouthisearsandneck，andablack，droopingmustachewhichgavehimaratherhang-doglook。Therewasathickstubbleofbeardofseveraldays”
growthabouthischinandface；hiseyeswerefurtiveintheirglances，butofadeepbluethatcontrastedoddlywithhisblacknesswhenhemomentarilyraisedthem。
Heworeatatteredjerkin，andhislegs，indefaultofstockings，wereswathedinsoiledbandagesandcross-garteredfromankletoknee。
Hestoodinapairofwoodenshoes，fromoneofwhichpeepedforthsomewispsofstraw，introduced，nodoubt，tomakethefootgearfit。
Heslouchedandshuffledinhiswalk，andhewasunspeakablydirty。
Nevertheless，hewasgirtwithaswordinaraggedscabbardhangingfromafrayedandshabbybeltofleather。
Madamescannedhimwithinterest。ThefastidiousMariuseyedhimwithdisgust。TheSeneschalpeeredathimcuriouslythroughshortsightedeyes。
“IdonotthinkIhaveeverseenadirtierruffian，“saidhe。
“Ilikehisnose，“saidmadamequietly。“Itisthenoseofanintrepidman。”
“ItremindsmeofGarnache”s，“laughedtheSeneschal。
“YouflattertheParisian，“commentedMarius。
Themercenary，meanwhile，stoodblandlysmilingattheparty，showingatleastafinearrayofteeth，andwearingthepatient，attentiveairofonewhorealizeshimselftobeunderdiscussion，yetdoesnotunderstandwhatisbeingsaid。
“Acountrymanofyours，Fortunio？“sneeredMarius。
Thecaptain，whoseopen，ingenuouscountenancedissembledasvillainousaheartaseverbeatinthebreastofanyman，disownedthecompatriotismwithasmile。
“Hardly，monsieur，“saidhe。“”Battista”isaPiedmontese。”
FortuniohimselfwasaVenetian。
“Ishetobereliedupon，thinkyou？“askedmadame。Fortunioshruggedhisshouldersandspreadhishands。Itwasnothishabittotrustanymaninordinately。
“Heisanoldsoldier，“saidhe。“HehastrailedapikeintheNeapolitanwars。Ihavecross-questionedhim，andfoundhisanswersboreoutthetruthofwhathesaid。”
“AndwhatbringshimtoFrance？“askedTressan。Thecaptainsmiledagain，andtherecameagainthatexpressiveshrugofhis。“Alittleover-readywiththesteel，“saidhe。
TheytoldFortuniothattheyproposedtoplacehimsentryovermademoiselleinsteadofGilles，astheItalian”sabsolutelackofFrenchwouldensureagainstcorruption。Thecaptainreadilyagreedwiththem。Itwouldbeawisestep。TheItalianfingeredhistatteredhat，hiseyesontheground。
Suddenlymadamespoketohim。Sheaskedhimforsomeaccountofhimselfandwhencehecame，usingtheItaliantongue，ofwhichshehadapassingknowledge。Hefollowedherquestionsveryattentively，attimeswithapparentdifficulty，hiseyesonherface，hisheadcranedalittleforward。
NowandthenFortuniohadtointervene，tomakeplainertothisignorantPiedmontesemindtheMarquise”squestions。Hisanswerscameinadeep，hoarsevoice，slurredbytheaccentofPiedmont，andmadame-herknowledgeofItalianbeingimperfect-hadfrequentlytohaverecoursetoFortuniotodiscoverthemeaningofwhathesaid。
Atlastshedismissedthepairofthem，biddingthecaptainseethathewaswashedandmorefittinglyclothed。
Anhourlater，aftertheSeneschalhadtakenhisdeparturetoridehometoGrenoble，itwasmadameherself，accompaniedbyMariusandFortunio，whoconductedBattista-suchwasthenametheItalianhadgiven-totheapartmentsabove，wheremademoisellewasnowconfinedpracticallyaprisoner。
CHAPTERXI
VALERIE”SGAOLER
Mychild，saidtheDowager，andhereyesdweltonValeriewithalookofstudiedgentleness，“whywillyounotbereasonable？“
TheconstantreflectionthatGarnachewasatlarge，makinghiswaybacktoParistostirupvengeancefortheoutrageputuponhim，wasnotwithoutacertainchasteningeffectupontheDowager。ShehadawayofsayingthatshehadasgoodastomachforafightasanymaninFrance，andafightthereshouldbeifitcametoitandGarnacheshouldreturntoassailCondillac。Yetacertainponderingoftheconsequences，acertaincountingofthecost-ordinarilyunusualtohernatureledhertohaverecoursetopersuasionandtoagentlenessnolessunusual。
Valerie”seyeswereraisedtoherswithalookthatheldmorescornthanwonder。TheywerestandingintheantechamberofValerie”sroom。Yonderathispostloungedtherecruit“Battista，“lookingatriflecleanerthanwhenfirsthehadbeenpresentedtotheMarquise，butstillnotcleanenoughforalady”santechamber。Hewasleaningstolidlyagainstthesillofthewindow，hiseyesonthedistantwatersoftheIsere，whichshoneadullcoppercolourintheafterglowoftheOctobersunset。Hisfacewasvacant，hiseyespensive，ashestoodthereundisturbedbytheflowofalanguagehedidnotunderstand。
FortunioandMariushaddeparted，andtheMarquise-playeduponbyherunusualtremors-hadremainedbehindforalastwordwiththeobstinategirl。
“Inwhat，madame，“askedValerie，“doesmyconductfallshortofreasonableness？“
TheDowagermadeamovementofimpatience。Ifateverystepsheweretobeconfrontedbythesequestions，whichhadinthemasavourofchallenge，shewaswastingtimeinremaining。
“Youareunreasonable，inthisfoolishclingingtoapromisegivenforyou。”
“Givenbyme，madame，“thegirlamended，knowingwelltowhatpromisetheDowagerreferred。
“Givenbyyou，then；butgivenatanagewhenyoucouldnotunderstandthenatureofit。Theyhadnorighttobindyouso。”
“Ifitisforanytoquestionthatright，itisforme，“Valeriemadeanswer，hereyesevermeetingtheDowager”sunflinchingly。
“AndIamcontenttoleavethatrightunquestioned。Iamcontenttofillthepromisegiven。InhonourIcouldnotdoless。”
“Ah！Inhonour！“TheDowagersighed。Thenshecameastepnearer，andherfacegrewsweetlywistful。“Butyourheart，child；whatofyourheart？“
“Myheartconcernsmyself。IamthebetrothedofFlorimond-thatisallthatconcernstheworldandyou。Irespectandadmirehimmorethananylivingman，andIshallbeproudtobecomehiswifewhenhereturns，ashiswifeIshallbecomeinspiteofallthatyouandyoursonmaydo。”
TheDowagerlaughedsoftly，asiftoherself。
“AndifItellyouthatFlorimondisdead？“
“Whenyougivemeproofofthat，Ishallbelieveit，“thegirlreplied。TheMarquiselookedather，herfacemanifestingnooffenceatthealmostinsultingwords。
“AndifIweretolaythatproofbeforeyou？“sheinquired，sadlyalmost。
Valerie”seyesopenedatriflewider，asifinapprehension。Butheranswerwaspromptandhervoicesteady。“Itstillcouldhavenoeffectuponmyattitudetowardsyourson。”
“Thisisfoolishness，Valerie-“
“Inyouitis，madame，“thegirlbrokein；“afoolishnesstothinkyoucanconstrainagirl，compelheraffections，commandherlove，bysuchmeansasyouhaveemployedtowardsme。Youthinkthatitpredisposesmetobewooed，thatitopensmyhearttoyourson，toseemyselfgaoledthathemaypaymehiscourt。”
“Gaoled，child？Whogaolsyou？“theDowagercried，asifthemostsurprisingutterancehadfallentomValerie”slips。
Mademoisellesmiledinsorrowandsomescorn。
“AmInotgaoled，then？“sheasked。“Whatcallyouthis？Whatdoesthatfellowthere？Heistolieoutsidemydooratnightstoseethatnoneholdscommunicationwithme。Heistogowithmeeachmorningtothegarden，when，byyourgraciouscharityItaketheair。SleepingandwakingthemaniseverwithinhearingofanywordthatImayutter-“
“ButifhehasnoFrench！“theDowagerprotested。
“Toensure，nodoubt，againstanyattemptofminetowinhimtomyside，toinducehimtoaidmeescapefromthisprison。Oh，madame，Itellyouyoudobutwastetime，andyoupunishmeandharassyourselftolittlepurpose。HadMariusbeensuchamanasImighthavefeltitinmynaturetolovewhichHeavenforbid！-thesemeansbywhichyouhavesoughttobringthatthingaboutcouldbuthaveresultedinmakingmehatehimasIdo。”
TheDowager”sfearswerebanishedfromhermindatthat，andwiththemwentallthoughtofconciliatingValerie。Angergleamedinhereyes；thesetofherlipsgrewsuddenlysneeringandcruel，sothatthebeautyofherfacebutservedtorenderithatefulthemore。
“Sothatyouhatehim，mamie？“arippleofmockeryonthecurrentofhervoice，“andheamansuchasanygirlinFrancemightbeproudtowed。Well，well，youarenottobeconstrained，yousay。”
AndtheMarquise”slaughwasmenacingandunpleasant。“Benotsosure，mademoiselle。Benotsosureofthat。Itmaywellbetidethatyoushallcometobeguponyourkneesforthisalliancewithamanwhomyoutellmethatyouhate。Benotsosureyoucannotbeconstrained。”
Theireyesmet；bothwomenwerewhitetothelips，butitwascurbedpassionintheone，anddeadlyfearintheother；forwhattheDowager”swordsleftunsaidhereyesmosteloquentlyconveyed。
Thegirlshrankback，herhandsclenched，herlipcaughtinherteeth。
“ThereisaGodinheaven，madame，“sheremindedtheMarquise。
“Aye-inheaven，“laughedtheMarquise，turningtodepart。Shepausedbythedoor，whichtheItalianhadsprungforwardtoopenforher。
“Mariusshalltaketheairwithyouinthemorningifitisfine。
PondermeanwhilewhatIhavesaid。”
“Doesthismanremainhere，madame？“inquiredthegirl，vainlyseekingtorenderhervoicesteady。
“Intheouteranteroomishisplace：butasthekeyofthisroomisonhissideofthedoor，hemayenterherewhenhesopleases，orwhenhethinksthathehasreasonto。Ifthesightofhimdispleasesyou，youmaylockyourselffromitinyourownchamberyonder。”
ThesameshesaidinItaliantotheman，whobowedimpassively，andfollowedtheDowagerintotheouterroom，closingthedooruponmademoiselle。Itwasachamberalmostbareoffurniture，saveforatableandchairwhichhadbeenplacedthere，sothatthegaolermighttakehismeals。
ThemanfollowedtheMarquiseacrossthebarefloor，theirstepsresoundingastheywent，andheheldtheouterdoorforher。
Withoutanotherwordshelefthim，andwherehestoodhecouldhearherstepsasshetrippeddownthewindingstaircaseofstone。Atlastthedoorofthecourtyardclosedwithabang，andthegratingofakeyannouncedtothemercenarythatheandhischargewerebothimprisonedinthattoweroftheChateaudeCondillac。
Leftaloneintheanteroom，mademoisellecrossedtothewindowanddroppedlimplyintoachair。Herfacewasstillverywhite，herheartbeatingtumultuously，forthehorridthreatthathadbeenconveyedintheDowager”swordshadbroughtherherfirstthrillofrealfearsincethebeginningofthiswooing-by-forcethreemonthsago，awooingwhichhadbecomemoreinsistentandlesslikeawooingdaybyday，untilithadculminatedinherpresenthelplessposition。
Shewasastrong-souled，high-spiritedgirl，buttonighthopeseemedextinguishedinherbreast。Florimond，too，seemedtohaveabandonedher。Eitherhehadforgottenher，orhewasdead，astheDowagersaid。Whichmightbethetruestateofthingsshedidnotgreatlycare。TherealizationofhowutterlyshewasinthepowerofMadamedeCondillacandherson，andthesuddenchancediscoveryofhowunscrupulouslythatpowermightbewielded，filledhermindtotheexclusionofallelse。
Bythewindowshesat，watching，withoutheedingthem，thefadingcoloursinthesky。Shewasabandonedtothesemonsters，anditseemedtheywoulddevourher。Shecouldhopefornohelpfromoutsidesincetheyhadasshebelieved-slainMonsieurdeGarnache。
Herminddweltforamomentonthatglimpseofrescuethathadbeenhersaweekago，uponthefewhoursoflibertywhichshehadenjoyed，butwhichonlyseemednowtoincreasethedarkhopelessnessofherimprisonment。
Againwiththeeyesofhermindshebeheldthatgrim，stalwartfigure，sawhisgreatnose，hisgreyinghair，hisfiercemustachiosandhisstern，quickeyes。Againsheheardtheraspofhismetallicvoicewithitsbriskderision。Shesawhiminthehallbelow，hisfootupontheneckofthatpopinjayofCondillacdaringthemalltodrawabreath，shouldheforbidit；againinfancysherodeonthewithersofhishorseatthegalloptowardsGrenoble。Asighescapedher。Surelythatwasthefirstmanwhowasindeedamanshehadeverseteyesonsinceherfatherdied。HadGarnachebeenspared，shewouldhavefeltcourageandshewouldhavehoped，fortherewassomethingabouthimthatsuggestedenergyandresourcesuchasitisgoodtoleanuponintimesofstress。Againsheheardthatbrisk，metallicvoice：“Areyoucontent，madame？Haveyouhadfinedeedsenoughforoneday？“
Andthen，breakinginuponhermusingscametheveryvoiceofherday-dream，sosuddenly，soundingsonaturalandlifelikethatshealmostscreamed，sostartledwasshe。
“Mademoiselle，“itsaid，“Ibegthatyou”llnotutterlyloseheart。
IhavecomebacktothethingHerMajestybademedo，andI”lldoit，inspiteofthattigressandhercub。”
Shesatstillasastatue，scarcebreathing，hereyesfixeduponthevioletsky。Thevoicehadceased，butstillshesaton。Thenitwasslowlyborneinuponherthatthatwasnodream-voice，notrickofheroverburdenedmind。Avoice，aliving，actualvoicehadutteredthosewordsinthisroom，hereatherelbow。
Sheturned，andagainshealmostscreamed；forthere，justbehindher，hisglitteringeyesfixeduponherwithsingularintentness，stoodtheswarthy，black-hairedItaliangaolertheyhadgivenherbecausehehadnoFrench。
Hehadcomeupsoquietlybehindherthatshehadnotheardhisapproach，andhewasleaningforwardnow，withanoddsuggestionofcrouchinginhisattitude，likeabeastabouttospring。Yethisgazerivetedhersaswithafascination。Andso，whileshelooked，hislipsmoved，andfromthem，inthatsamevoiceofherdreams，camefromthismanwhohadnoFrench，thewords：
“Benotafraid，mademoiselle。Iamthatblunderer，Garnache，thatunworthyfoolwhosetemperruinedwhatchanceofsavingyouhehadaweekago。”
Shestaredlikeonegoingmad。
“Garnache！“saidshe，mahuskywhisper。“YouGarnache？“
Yetthevoice，sheknew，wasGarnache”sandnoneother。Itwasavoicenoteasilymistaken。Andnow，asshelookedandlooked，shesawthattheman”snosewasGarnache”s，thoughoddlystained，andthosekeeneyes，theywereGarnache”stoo。Butthehairthathadbeenbrownandfleckedwithgreywasblack；thereddishmustachiosthathadbristledlikeamountaincat”swereblack，too，andtheyhunglimpandhidfromsightthefinelinesofhismouth。A
hideousstubbleofunshornbearddefacedhischinandface，andaltereditssharpoutline；andtheclear，healthyskinthatsherememberedwasnowadirtybrown。
Suddenlythefacesmiled，anditwasasmilethatreassuredheranddroveawaythelastdoubtthatshehad。Shewasonherfeetinaninstant。
“Monsieur，monsieur，“wasallthatshecouldsay；butherlongingwastoflingherarmsabouttheneckofthisman，asshemighthaveflungthemabouttheneckofabrotherorafather，andsoboutuponhisshoulderthesuddenreliefandrevulsionthathispresencebrought。
Garnachesawsomethingofheragitation，andtorelieveithesmiledandbegantotellherthecircumstancesofhisreturnandhispresentationtoMadameasaknavewhohadnoFrench。
“Fortunewasverygoodtome，mademoiselle，“saidhe。“Ihadlittlehopethatsuchafaceasminecouldbedisguised，butItakenoprideinwhatyousee。ItisthehandiworkofRabecque，themostingeniouslackeythateverservedafoolishmaster。IthelpedmethathavingbeentenyearsinItalywhenIwasyounger，IacquiredthelanguagesowellastobeabletoimposeevenuponFortunio。Inthatlayacircumstancewhichatoncedisarmedsuspicion，andifI
staynotsolongasitshalltakethedyetowearfrommyhairandbeardandthestainingfrommyface，Ishallhavelittletofear。”
“But，monsieur，“shecried，“youhaveeverythingtofear！“Andalarmgrewinhereyes。
Buthelaughedagainforanswer。“Ihavefaithinmyluck，mademoiselle，andIthinkIamonthetideofitatpresent。I
littlehopedwhenImademywayintoCondillacinthisarraythatIshouldend，byvirtueofmypretendedignoranceofFrench，inbeingappointedgaolertoyou。IhadsomeadotokeepthejoyfrommyeyeswhenIheardthemplanningit。Itisathingthathasmadeallelseeasy。”
“Butwhatcanyoudoalone，monsieur？“sheaskedhim；andtherewasanotealmostofpetulanceinhervoice。
Hemovedtothewindow，andleanedhiselbowonthesill。Thelightwasfastfading。“Iknownotyet。ButIamheretocontriveameans。Ishallthinkandwatch。”
“YouknowinwhathourlyperilIamplaced，“shecried，andsuddenlyrememberingthathemusthaveoverheardandunderstoodtheDowager”swords，asuddenheatcametohercheekstorecedeagainandleavethemmarble-pale。AndshethankedHeaventhatintheduskandintheshadowwhereshestoodhecouldbutillmakeoutherface。
“IfyouthinkthatIhavebeenrashinreturning-“
“No，no，notrash，monsieur；nobleandbraveaboveallpraise。I
wouldindeedIcouldtellyouhownobleandbraveIaccountyouraction。”
“ItisasnothingtothebraveryrequiredtoletRabecquedothishideousworkuponafaceforwhichIhaveeverentertainedsomemeasureofrespect。”
Hejested，soonerthanenlightenherthatitwashisegregiouspridehadfetchedhimbackwhenhewasbutafewhoursuponhisjourneyPariswards，hisinabilitytobrooktheridiculethatwouldbehiswhenheannouncedattheLuxembourgthatfailurehadattendedhim。
“Ah，butwhatcanyoudoalone？“sherepeated。
“Givemeatleastadayortwotodevisesomemeans；letmelookroundandtakethemeasureofthisgaol。Somewaytheremustbe。
Ihavenotcomesofarandsosuccessfullytobebeatennow。Still，“
hecontinued，“ifyouthinkthatIoverratemystrengthormyresource，ifyouwouldsoonerthatIsoughtmenandmadeanassaultuponCondillac，endeavouringtocarryitandtolettheQueen”swillprevailbyforceofarms，tellmeso，andIamgonetomorrow。”
“Whitherwouldyougo？“shecried，hervoicestrainedwithsuddenaffright。
“ImightseekhelpatLyonsorMoulins。ImightfindloyalsoldierswhowouldbewillingtofollowmebyvirtueofmywarranttolevysuchhelpasImayrequire，ifIbuttellthemthatthehelpwasrefusedmeinGrenoble。Iamnotsurethatitwouldbeso，for，unfortunately，mywarrantisfortheSeneschalofDauphinyonly。
Still，Imightmaketheattempt。”
“No，no，“sheimploredhim，andinhereagernesstohavehimputallthoughtofleavingherfromhismind，shecaughthimbythearmandraisedapleadingfacetohis。“Donotleavemehere，monsieur；
ofyourpitydonotleavemealoneamongstthem。Thinkmeacowardifyouwill，monsieur：Iamnoless。Theyhavemadeacowardofme。”
Heunderstoodthethingshedreaded，andagreatpitywelledupfromhisgenerousheartforthispoorunfriendedgirlatthemercyofthebeautifulwitchofCondillacandherbeautifulrascallyson。
Hepattedthehandthatclutchedhisarm。
“Ithink，myself，thatitwillbebestifIremain，nowthatI
havecomesofar，“hesaid。“Letmeponderthings。ItmaywellbethatIshalldevisesomeway。”
“MayHeaveninspireyou，monsieur。Ishallspendthenightinprayer，Ithink，imploringGodandHissaintstoshowyouthewayyouseek。”
“Heaven，Ithink，shouldhearyourprayers，mademoiselle，“heansweredmusingly，hisglanceuponthewhite，saintlyfacethatseemedtoshineinthedeepeninggloom。Then，suddenlyhestirredandbenttolisten。
“Sh！Someoneiscoming，“hewhispered。Andhespedquicklyfromhersideandintotheouterroom，wherehesanknoiselesslyontohischairasthestepsascendedthestonestaircaseandaglowofyellowlightgrewgraduallyinthedoorwaythatopenedontoit。
CHAPTERXII
AMATTEROFCONSCIENCE
ThathemightinspirethemoreconfidenceintheDowagerandhersonGarnacheorganizedandperformedalittlecomedyatCondillacacoupleofnightsafterhisappointmentasmademoiselle”sgaoler。
Hegaveanalarmatdeadmidnight，andwhenhalf-cladmen，followedpresentlybymadameandMarian，rushedintotheanteroomwherehestood，averypictureofthewildestexcitement，hedrewtheirattentiontotwotwistedsheets，tiedendtoend，hangingfromthewindowwhichoverlookedthemoat；andinanswertothemarquise”squestionsheinformedherthathehadbeendisturbedbysoundsofmovementsanduponenteringthechamberhehaddiscoveredmademoisellemakingthesepreparationsfordeparture。
Valerie，lockedintheinnerchamber，refusedtocomeforthastheMarquisebadeher，buthervoicereassuredMadamedeCondillacofherpresence，andso，sinceherattempthadfailed，madamewascontenttoletherbe。
“Thelittlefool，“shesaid，peeringdownfromthewindowintothenight；“shewouldhavebeenkilledforcertain。Herropeofsheetsdoesnotreachmorethanathirdofthewaydown。Shewouldhavehadoverthirtyfeettofall，andifthathadnotbeenenoughtofinishher，shewouldofacertaintyhave，beendrownedinthemoat。”
Shesignifiedhersatisfactionwiththefaithful“Battista”s“
vigilancebyapresentofsomegoldpiecesinthemorning，andsincetheheightofthewindowandthemoatbeneathitdidnotappearsufficientobstaclestomademoiselle”sattemptsateffectingherescape，theDowagerhadthewindownaileddown。Thus，onlybybreakingitcouldegressbeobtained，andthebreakingofitcouldnotbeeffectedwithoutsuchanoiseasmustarouse“Battista。”
UnderGarnache”sinstructionsthecomedywascarriedalittlefurther。Mademoiselleaffectedforhergaoleramostunconquerableaversion，andthisshetookpainstoproclaim。
Onemorning，threedaysafterherattemptedescape，shewastakingtheairinthegardenofCondillac，“Battista，“everwatchful，afewpacesbehindher，whensuddenlyshewasjoinedbyMarius-asplendid，gracefulfigureinariding-suitofbrownvelvetandbiscuit-colouredhose，hispointstippedwithgold，hislongbootsofthefinestmarroquinleather，hisliver-colouredhoundathisheels。ItwasthelastdayofOctober，buttheweather，fromcoldandwetthatithadbeenforthepastfortnight，hadtakenonasuddenimprovement。Thesunshone，theairwasstillandwarm，andbutforthestrewnleavesandthefaintsmellofdecaywithwhichthebreathofautumniseverladen，onemighthavefancieditadayofearlyspring。
ItwasnotValerie”swonttopausewhenMariusapproached。Sinceshemightnotpreventhimfromwalkingwherehelisted，shehadlongsinceabandonedthefutilityofbiddinghimbegonewhenhecamenearher。But，atleast，shehadneverstoppedinherwalk，neveraltereditspace；shehadsufferedwhatshemightnotavoid，butshehadworntheoutwardairofsufferingitwithindifference。Thismorning，however，shemadeadeparturefromherlonghabit。Notonlydidshepauseuponobservinghisapproach，butshecalledtohimasifshewouldhavehimhastentoherside。Andhastenhedid，anewlightinhiseyesthatwasmostlyofsurprise，butalittle，also，ofhope。
Shewasgracioustohimforonce，andgavehimgoodmorninginamannerthatbordereduponthepleasant。Wondering，hefellintostepbesideher，andtheypacedtogethertheyew-borderedterrace，theever-vigilantbutdiscreet“Battista“followingthem，thoughkeepingnowafewpacesfartherintherear。
Foralittlewhiletheyappearedconstrained，andtheirtalkwasofthefallingleavesandthegratefulchangethathadsosuddenlycomeupontheweather。Suddenlyshestoppedandfacedhim。
“Willyoudomeafavour，Marius？“sheasked。Hehaltedtoo，andturnedtoher，studyinghergentleface，seekingtoguesshermindintheclearhazeleyessheraisedtohis。Hiseyebrowsliftedslightlywithsurprise。Nevertheless-
“Thereisinalltheworld，Valerie，nothingyoucouldaskmethatIwouldnotdo，“heprotested。
Shesmiledwistfully。“Howeasyitistoutterwords！“shesighed。
“Marryme，“heanswered，leaningtowardsher，hiseyesdevouringhernow，“andyoushallfindmywordsveryquicklyturnedtodeeds。”
“Ah，“saidshe，andhersmilebroadenedandtookonascornfultwist，“youmakeconditionsnow。IfIwillmarryyou，thereisnothingyouwillnotdoforme；sothat，conversely，ImaytakeitthatifIdonotmarryyou，thereisnothingyouwilldo。Butinthemeantime，Marius，untilIresolvemewhetherIwillmarryyouornot，wouldyounotdoalittlethingthatImightaskofyou？“
“Untilyouresolve？“hecried，andhisfaceflushedwiththesuddenhopehegatheredfromthosewords。Hithertotherehadbeennosuggestionofapossiblemodificationofattitudetowardshissuit。
Ithadbeenrepulsion，definiteanduncompromising。Againhestudiedherface。Wasshefoolinghim，thisgirlwiththeangel-innocenceofglance？Thethoughtofsuchapossibilitycooledhiminstantly。
“Whatisityouwantofme？“heasked，hisvoiceungracious。
“Onlyalittlething，Marius。”Herglancetravelledbackoverhershouldertothetall，limberfellowinleatherjerkinandwithcross-garteredlegswholoungedadozenstepsbehindthem。“Ridmeofthatruffian”scompany，“saidshe。
Mariuslookedbackat“Battista，“andfromhimtoValerie。Thenhesmiledandmadeaslightmovementwithhisshoulders。
“Buttowhatend？“heasked，asonewhopleadinglyopposesanargumentthatisunreasonable。“Anotherwouldreplacehim，andthereislittletochooseamongthementhatgarrisonCondillac。”
“Little，perhaps；butthatlittlematters。”Sureofherground，andgatheringfromhistoneandmannerthatthemoreardentlyshebeggedthisthingthelesslikelywoulditbethatsheshouldprevail，shepursuedherintercessionswithagreaterheat。“Oh，“shecried，inapretendedrage，“itistoinsultmetogivemethatuncleanknaveforperpetualcompany。Iloatheanddetesthim。Theverysightofhimistoomuchtoendure。”
“Youexaggerate，“saidhecoldly。
“Idonot；indeedIdonot，“sherejoined，lookingfrankly，pleadinglyintohisface。“Youdonotrealizewhatitistosuffertheinsolentvigilanceofsuchashe；tofeelthatyoureverystepisundersurveillance；tofeelhiseyeseveruponyouwhenyouarewithinhissight。Oh，itisinsufferable！“
Suddenlyhegrippedherarm，hisfacewithinahand”sbreadthofherown，hiswordsfallinghotandquicklyonherear。
“Itisyourstoenditwhenyouwill，Valerie，“hepassionatelyremindedher。“Giveyourselfintomykeeping。Letitbeminetowatchoveryouhenceforth。Letme-“
Abruptlyheceased。Shehaddrawnbackherhead，herfacewaswhitetothelips，andinhereyes，astheydweltonhisatsuchclosequarters，thereappearedalookofterror，ofloathingunutterable。
Hesawit，andreleasingherarmhefellbackasifshehadstruckhim。Thecolourlefthisfacetoo。
“Orisit，“hemutteredthickly，“thatIinspireyou，withmuchthesamefeelingasdoeshe？“
Shestoodbeforehimwithloweredeyelids，herbosomheavingstillfromtheagitationoffearhisclosenesshadarousedinher。Hestudiedherinsilenceamoment，withnarrowingeyesandtighteninglips。Thenangerstirredinhim，andquenchedthesorrowwithwhichatfirsthehadmarkedthesignsofherrepulsion。ButangerinMariusdeCondillacwasacoldanddeadlyemotionthatventeditselfinnorantings，utterednoloud-voicedthreatsordenunciations，promptednowavingofarmsorpluckingforthofweapons。
Hestoopedtowardsheragainfromhisstately，gracefulheight。Thecrueltyhiddeninthebeautifullinesofhismouthtookinstantprominenceinthesmilethatflickeredroundit。
“IthinkthatBattistamakesaveryexcellentwatchdog，“hesaid，andyouwouldhavethoughthimamused，asifatthefoolishsubterfugeofsomelittlechild。“Youmayberighttodislikehim。
HeknowsnoFrench，sothatitmaynotbeyourstopervertandbribehimwithpromisesofwhatyouwilldoifheassistsyoutoescape；
butyouwillseethatthisveryqualitywhichrendershimdetestabletoyourendershiminvaluabletous。”
Helaughedsoftly，asonewellpleasedwithhisownastuteness，doffedhishatwithapolitenessalmostexaggerated，andwhistlinghisdogheabruptlylefther。
ThuswereMariusandhismother-towhomheborethetaleofValerie”srequest-trickedfurtherintoreposingtheveryfullesttrustinthewatchful，incorruptible“Battista。”Realizingthatthiswouldbeso，Garnachenowappliedhimselfmoreunreservedlytoputtingintoeffecttheplanshehadbeenmaturing。Andhewentaboutitwithazestthatknewnoflagging，witharelishthatnothingcouldimpair。NotthatitwasotherthanusualforGarnachetoflinghimselfwhole-heartedlyintotheconductofanyenterprisehemighthaveuponhishands；buthehadcomeintothisaffairatCondillacagainsthiswill；stressofcircumstancesitwashaddrivenhimon，stepbystep，totakeapersonalhandintheactualdeliveranceofValerie。
ItwasvanityandpridethathadturnedhimbackwhenalreadyhewasontheroadtoParis；notwithoutyetafurtherstrugglewouldheacceptdefeat。Tothisendhadhebeendriven，forthefirsttimeinhislife，totheindignityofhisfouldisguise；andhe，whosemethodshadeverbeendirect，hadbeenforcedtohaverecoursetothecommonestofsubterfuges。Itwaswithangerinhisheartthathehadproceededtoplaytheparthehadassumed。Hefeltittobeathingunworthyofhim，athingthatderogatedfromhisself-respect。Hadhebuthadthejustificationofsomehighpoliticalaim，hemighthaveendureditwithabetterresignation；themomentousendtobeservedmighthavesanctionedtheignoblemeansadopted。Butherewasataskinitselfalmostasunworthyofhimsthemethodsbywhichhenowsetaboutaccomplishingit。Hewastoblackhisfaceanddyehisbeardandhair，stainhisskinandgarbhimselfinfilthyrags，fornobetterendthanthathemightcompasstheenlargementofagirlfromthecaptivityintowhichshehadbeenforcedbyadesigningladyofDauphiny。Wasthatatasktosetasoldier，amanofhisyearsandbirthandname？Hehadrevoltedatit；yetthatstubbornprideofhisthatwouldnotbrookhisreturntoParistoconfesshimselfdefeatedbyawomanoverthiswoman”sbusiness，heldhimrelentlesslytohisdistastefulcourse。
Andgraduallythedistasteofithadmelted。Ithadbeguntofallawayfivenightsago，whenhehadheardwhatpassedbetweenMadamedeCondillacandValerie。Agreatpityforthisgirl，agreatindignationagainstthosewhowouldaccountnomeanstoobasetoachievetheirendswithher，aproperrealizationoftheindignitiesshewassuffering，causedhimtoshedsomeofhisreluctance，someofhissenseofinjurytohimself。
Hisinnatechivalry，thatfinespiritofhiswhichhadeverpromptedhimtodefendtheweakagainsttheoppressor，stirredhimnow，andstirredhimtosuchpurposethat，intheend，fromtakinguptheburdenofhistaskreluctantly，hecametobearitzestfullyandalmostgladly。Hewasrejoicedtodiscoverhimselfequippedwithhistrionicgiftsofwhichhehadhadnosuspicionhitherto，anditdelightedhimtosetthemintoactivity。
NowithappenedthatatCondillactherewasafellowcountrymanof“Battista”s，“amercenaryfromNorthernItaly，arascalnamedArsenio，whomFortuniohadenlistedwhenfirsthebegantoincreasethegarrisonamonthago。Uponthisfellow”shonestyGarnachehadformeddesigns。Hehadcloselyobservedhim，andinArsenio”scountenancehethoughthedetectedasufficiencyofvillainytoaugurwellfortheprosperityofanyschemeoftreacherythatmightbesuggestedtohimprovidedtherewardwereadequate。
Garnachewentaboutsoundingthemanwithawilinesspeculiarlyhisown。ArseniobeinghisonlycompatriotatCondillacitwasnotwonderfulthatinhisfewdailyhoursofrelieffromhisgaoler”sduty“Battista“shouldseekoutthefellowandsitintalkwithhim。
Thepairbecameintimate，andintercoursebetweenthemgrewmorefreeandunrestrained。Garnachewaited，wishingtorisknothingbyprecipitancy，andwatchedforhisopportunity。ItcameonthemorrowofAllSaints。OnthatDayoftheDead，Arsenio，whoserearinghadbeenthatofatruesonofMotherChurch，wasstirredbythememoryofhisearthlymother，whohaddiedsomethreeyearsbefore。Hewassilentandmoody，andshowedlittleresponsivenesstoGarnache”sjestinghumour。Garnache，wonderingwhatmightbetowardinthefellow”smind，watchedhimclosely。
Suddenlythelittleman-hewasashort，bowlegged，sinewyfellow-heavedagreatsighashepluckedidlyataweedthatgrewbetweentwostonesoftheinnercourtyard，wheretheywereseatedonthechapelsteps。
“Youareadullcomradeto-day，compatriot，“saidGarnache，clappinghimontheshoulder。
“ItistheDayoftheDead，“thefellowansweredhim，asthoughthatwereanampleexplanation。Garnachelaughed。
“Tothosethataredeaditnodoubtis；sowasyesterday，sowillto-morrowbe。Buttouswhosithereitisthedayoftheliving。”
“Youareascoffer，“theotherreproachedhim，andhisrascallyfacewasoddlygrave。“Youdon”tunderstand。”
“Enlightenme，then。Convertme。”
“Itisthedaywhenourthoughtsturnnaturallytothedead，andminearewithmymother，whohaslaininhergravethesethreeyears。IamthinkingofwhatsherearedmeandofwhatIam。”
Garnachemadeagrimacewhichtheotherdidnotobserve。Hestaredatthelittlecut-throat，andtherewassomedismayinhisglance。
Whatailedtherogue？Washeabouttorepenthimofhissins，andtohavedonewithvillainyandtreachery；washemindedtoslitnomoregulletsinthefuture，befaithfultothehandthatpaidhim，andleadagodlierlife？Peste！ThatwasathingthatwouldnowisesuitMonsieurdeGarnache”sendsjustthen。IfArseniohadamindtoreform，lethimpostponethatreformationuntilGarnacheshouldhavedonewithhim。Soheopenedhislipsandletoutadeepguffawofmockery。
“Weshallhaveyouturningmonk，“saidhe，“acandidateforcanonizationgoingbarefoot，withflagellatedbackandshavenhead。
Nomorewine，nomoredice，nomorewenches，nomore-“
“Peace！“snappedtheother。
“Say”Pax，“”suggestedGarnache，“”Paxtecum”or`vobiscum。”Itisthusyouwillbesayingitlater。”
“Ifmyconsciencepricksme，isitaughttoyou？Haveyounoconscienceofyourown？“
“None。Menwaxleanonitinthisvaleoftears。Itisathinginventedbythegreattoenablethemtopursuethegrindingandoppressionofthesmall。Ifyourmasterpaysyouillforthedirtyworkyoudoforhimandanothercomesalongtoofferyousomerichrewardforanomissioninthatsameservice，youarewarnedthatifyouletyourselfbetempted，yourconsciencewillplagueyouafterwards。Pish！Aclumsy，childishdevicethat，tokeepyoufaithful。”
Arseniolookedup。Wordsthatdefamedthegreatwereeverwelcometohim；argumentsthatshowedhimhewasoppressedandimposeduponsoundedevergratefullyinhisears。Henoddedhisapprovalof“Battista”s“dictum。
“BodyofBacchus！“heswore，“youarerightinthat，compatriot。
Butmycaseisdifferent。IamthinkingofthecursethatMotherChurchhasputuponthishouse。YesterdaywasAllSaints，andneveraMassheardI。To-dayisAllSouls，andneveraprayermayIofferupinthisplaceofsinfortherestofmymother”ssoul。”
“Howso？“quothGarnache，lookinginwonderatthisreligiouslymindedcut-throat。
“Howso？IsnottheHouseofCondillacunderexcommunication，andeverymanwhostaysinitofhisownfreewill？PrayersandSacramentsarealikeforbiddenhere。”
Garnachereceivedasuddeninspiration。Heleapttohisfeet，hisfaceconvulsedasifatthehorroroflearningofahithertoundreamt-ofstateofthings。Heneverpausedtogiveamoment”sconsiderationtothecut-throat”smind，sowonderfullyconstitutedastoenablehimtobreakwithimpunityeveryoneofthecommandmentseverydayoftheweekforthematterofalouisd”orortwo，andyetbeafflictedbyqualmsofconscienceatlivingunderaroofuponwhichtheChurchhadhurledhermalediction。
“Whatareyousaying，compatriot？Whatisitthatyoutellme？“
“Thetruth，“saidArsenio，withashrug。“AnymanwhowilfullyabidesintheservicesofCondillac“-andinstinctivelyheloweredhisvoicelesttheCaptainortheMarquiseshouldbewithinearshot-，“isexcommunicate。”
“BytheHost！“sworethefalsePiedmontese。“IamaChristianmanmyself，Arsenio，andIhavelivedinignoranceofthisthing？“
“Thatignorancemaybeyourexcuse。Butnowthatyouknow-“
Arsenioshruggedhisshoulders。
“NowthatIknow，I，hadbesthaveacareofmysoulandlookaboutmeforotheremployment。”
“Alas！“sighedArsenio；“itisnonesoeasytofind。”
Garnachelookedathim。Garnachebegantohaveinhisluckastillgreaterfaiththanhitherto。Heglancedstealthilyaround；thenhesatdownagain，sothathismouthwasclosetoArsenio”sear。
“Thepayisbeggarlyhere，yetIhaverefusedafortuneofferedmebyanotherthatImightremainloyaltomymastersatCondillac。
Butthisthingthatyoutellmealterseverything。BytheHost！
yes。”
“Afortune？“sneeredArsenio。
“Aye，afortune-atleast，fiftypistoles。Thatisafortunetosomeofus。”
Arseniowhistled。“Tellmemore，“saidhe。
Garnacherosewiththeairofoneabouttodepart。
“Imustthinkofit，“saidhe，andhemadeshifttogo。Buttheother”shandfellwithaclenchinggripuponhisarm。
“Ofwhatmustyouthink，fool？“saidhe。“Tellmethisserviceyouhavebeenoffered。Ihaveaconsciencethatupbraidsme。Ifyourefusethesefiftypistoles，whyshouldnotIprofitbyyourfolly？“
“Therewouldnotbetheneed。TwomenarerequiredforthethingI
speakof，andtherearefiftypistolesforeach。IfIdecidetoundertakethetask，I”llspeakofyouasalikelysecond。”
Henoddedgloomilytohiscompanion，andshakingoffhisholdhesetouttocrosstheyard。ButArseniowasafterhimandhadfastenedagainuponhisarm，detaininghim。
“Youfool！“saidhe；“you”dnotrefusethisfortune？“
“Itwouldmeantreachery，“whisperedGarnache。
“Thatisbad，“theotheragreed，andhisfacefell。ButrememberingwhatGarnachehadsaid，hewasquicktobrightenagain。“IsittothesefolkhereatCondillac？“heasked。Garnachenodded。“Andtheywouldpay-thesepeoplethatseekourservicewouldpayyoufiftypistoles？“
“Theyseekmyserviceonly，asyet。TheymightseekyourswereI
tospeakforyou。”
“Andyouwill，compatriot。Youwill，willyounot？Wearecomrades，wearefriends，andwearefellow-countrymeninastrangeland。ThereisnothingIwouldnotdoforyou，Battista。Look，Iwoulddieforyouifthereshouldcometheneed！BodyofBacchus！Iwould。IamlikethatwhenIloveaman。”
Garnachepattedhisshoulder。“Youareagoodfellow，Arsenio。”
“Andyouwillspeakforme？“
“Butyoudonotknowthenatureoftheservice，“saidGarnache。
“Youmayrefuseitwhenitisdefinitelyofferedyou。”
“Refusefiftypistoles？IshoulddeservetobethepauperthatI
amifsuchhadbeenmyhabits。Betheservicewhatitmay，myconsciencepricksmeforservingCondillac。Tellmehowthefiftypistolesaretobeearned，andyoumaycountuponmetoputmyhandtoanything。”
Garnachewassatisfied。ButhetoldArsenionomorethatday，beyondassuringhimhewouldspeakforhimandlethimknowuponthemorrow。Noronthemorrow，whentheyreturnedtothesubjectatArsenio”seagerdemand，didGarnachetellhimall，oreventhattheservicewasmademoiselle”s。InsteadhepretendedthatitwassomeoneinGrenoblewhoneededtwosuchmenasthey。
“Wordhasbeenbroughtme，“hesaidmysteriously。“Youmustnotaskmehow。”
“ButhowthedevilarewetoreachGrenoble？TheCaptainwillneverletusgo，“saidArsenio，inanill-humour。
“Onthenightthatyouareofthewatch，Arsenio，wewilldeparttogetherwithoutaskingtheCaptain”sleave。YoushallopentheposternwhenIcometojoinyouhereinthecourtyard。”
“Butwhatofthemanatthedooryonder？“Andhejerkedhisthumbtowardsthetowerwheremademoisellewasacaptive，andwhereatnight“Battista“waslockedinwithher。Atthedoorleadingtothecourtyardasentrywasalwayspostedforgreatersecurity。ThatdoorandthatsentrywereobstacleswhichGarnachesawthefutilityofattemptingtoovercomewithoutaid。ThatwaswhyhehadbeenforcedtoenlistArsenio”sassistance。
“Youmustaccountforhim，Arsenio，“saidhe。
“Thus？“inquiredArseniocoolly，andhepassedtheedgeofhishandsignificantlyacrosshisthroat。Garnacheshookhishead。
“No，“saidhe；“therewillbenoneedforthat。Ablowovertheheadwillsuffice。Besides，itmaybequieter。Youwillfindthekeyofthetowerinhisbelt。Whenyouhatefelledhim，getitandunlockthedoor；thenwhistleforme。Therestwillbeeasy。”
“Youaresurehehasthekey？“
“Ihaveitfrommadameherself。Theywereforcedtoleaveitwithhimtoprovideforemergencies。Mademoiselle”sattemptedescapebythewindowshowedthemthenecessityforit。”Hedidnotaddthatitwastheimplicitconfidencetheyreposedin“Battista“himselfthathadovercometheirreluctancetoleavethekeywiththesentry。
Tosealthebargain，andinearnestofallthegoldtocome，GarnachegaveArsenioacoupleofgoldlouisasaloantoberepaidhimwhentheirnamelessemployershouldpayhimhisfiftypistolesinGrenoble。
ThesightandtouchofthegoldconvincedArseniothatthethingwasnodream。HetoldGarnachethathebelievedhewouldbeonguard-dutyonthenightofthefollowingWednesday-thiswasFriday-andsoforWednesdaynexttheylefttheexecutionoftheirplansunless，meantime，achangeshouldbeeffectedinthedispositionofthesentries。
CHAPTERXIII
THECOURIER
MonsieurdeGarnachewaspleasedwiththeissueofhislittleaffairwithArsenio。
“Mademoiselle，“hetoldValeriethatevening，“Iwasrighttohavefaithinmyluck，righttobelievethatthetideofitisflowing。
Allweneednowisalittlepatience；everythinghasbecomeeasy。”
Itwasthehourofsupper。Valeriewasattableinheranteroom，and“Battista“wasinattendance。Itwasanaddeddutytheyhadimposeduponhim，for，sinceherattempttoescape，mademoiselle”simprisonmenthadbeenrenderedmorerigorousthanever。Noservantofthechateauwasallowedpastthedooroftheouteranteroom，nowcommonlyspokenofastheguardroomofthetower。ValeriedineddailyinthesalonwithMadamedeCondillacandMarius，butherothermealswereservedherinherownapartments。Theservantswhobroughtthemealsfromthekitchendeliveredthemto“Battista“
intheguardroom，andheitwaswholaidtheclothandwaiteduponmademoiselle。Atfirstthisaddeddutyhadirritatedhimmorethanallthathehadsofarendured。HadheMartinMarieRigobertdeGarnachelivedtodischargethedutiesofalackey，tobeardishestoalady”stableandtoremainathandtoserveher？Theverythoughthadallbutsethiminarage。Butpresentlyhegrewreconciledtoit。Itaffordedhimparticularopportunitiesofbeinginmademoiselle”spresenceandofconferringwithher；andforthesakeofsuchanadvantagehemightwellbelittletheunsavourypartoftheaffair。
Ahalf-dozencandlesburnedintwogleamingsilversconcesonthetable；inhertall-backedleatherchairmademoisellesat，andateanddrankbutlittle，whileGarnachetoldherofthepreparationshehadmade。
“IfmyluckbutholdsuntilWednesdaynext，“heconcluded，“youmaycountuponbeingwelloutofCondillac。Arseniodoesnotdreamthatyoucomewithus，sothatevenshouldhechangehismind，atleastwehavenocausetofearabetrayal。Buthewillnotchangehismind。Theprospectoffiftypistoleshasrendereditimmutable。”
Shelookedupathimwitheyesbrightenedbyhopeandbytheencouragementtocountuponsuccesswhichshegatheredfromhisoptimism。
“Youhavecontriveditmarvellouslywell，“shepraisedhim。“Ifwesucceed-“
“Saywhenwesucceed，mademoiselle，“helaughinglycorrectedher。
“Verywell，then-whenweshallhavesucceededinleavingCondillac，whitheramItogo？“
“Why，withme，toParis，aswasdetermined。MymanawaitsmeatVoironwithmoneyandhorses。NofurtherobstacleshallrisetohamperusonceourbacksareturnedupontheuglywallsofCondillac。
TheQueenshallmakeyouwelcomeandkeepyousafeuntilMonsieurFlorimondcomestoclaimhisbride。”
Shesippedherwine，thensetdowntheglassandleanedherelbowonthetable，takingherchininherfinewhitehand。“Madametellsmethatheisdead，“saidshe，andGarnachewasshockedatthecomparativecalmnesswithwhichshesaidit。Helookedathersharplyfromunderhissootedbrows。Wasshe，afterall，hewondered，nodifferentfromotherwomen？Wasshecoldandcalculating，andhadsheaslittleheartashehadcometobelievewasusualwithhersex，thatshecouldcontemplatesocalmlythepossibilityofherloverbeingdead？Hehadthoughtherbetter，morenatural，morelarge-heartedandmorepure。Thathadencouragedhimtostandbyherinthesestraitsofhers，nomatteratwhatlossofdignitytohimself。Itbegantoseemthathisconclusionshadbeenwrong。
Hissilencecausedhertolookup，andinhisfaceshereadsomethingofwhatwaspassinginhisthoughts。Shesmiledratherwanly。
“Youarethinkingmeheartless，MonsieurdeGarnache？“
“Iamthinkingyou-womanly。”
“Thesamething，then，toyourmind。Tellme，monsieur，doyouknowmuchofwomen？“
“Godforbid！Ihavefoundtroubleenoughinanylife。”
“Andyoupassjudgmentthusuponasexwithwhichyouhavenoacquaintance？“
“Notbyacquaintanceonlyisitthatwecometoknowledge。Therearewaysoflearningotherthanbytheroadofexperience。Onemaylearnofdangersbywatchingothersperish。Itisthefoolwhowillbesatisfiedalonewiththeknowledgethatcomestohimfromwhatheundergoeshimself。”
“Youareverywise，monsieur，“saidshedemurely，sodemurelythathesuspectedheroflaughingathim。“Youwereneverwed？“
“Never，mademoiselle，“heansweredstiffly，“noreverinanydangerofit。”
“Mustyou，indeed，accountitadanger？“
“Adeadlyperil，mademoiselle，“saidhe；whereupontheybothlaughed。
Shepushedbackherchairandroseslowly。Slowlyshepassedfromthetableandsteppedtowardsthewindow。Turningshesetherbacktoit，andfacedhim。
“MonsieurdeGarnache，“saidshe，“youareagoodman，atrueandnoblegentleman。Iwouldthatyouthoughtalittlebetterofus。
Allwomenarenotcontemptible，believeme。IwillpraythatyoumayyetmatewithonewhowillprovetoyouthetruthofwhatIsay。”
Hesmiledgently，andshookhishead。
“Mychild，“saidhe，“Iamnothalfthenoblefellowyouaccountme。
Ihaveastubbornpridethatstandsmeattimesinthesteadofvirtue。Itwaspridebroughtmebackhere，forinstance。IcouldnotbrookthelaughterthatwouldgreetmeinParisdidIconfessthatIwasbeatenbytheDowagerofCondillac。Itellyouthistotheendthat，thinkinglesswellofme，youmaysparemeprayerswhichIshoulddreadtoseefulfilled。Ihavetoldyoubefore，mademoiselle，Heavenislikelytoanswertheprayersofsuchaheartasyours。”
“Yetbutamomentbackyoudeemedmeheartless，“sheremindedhim。
“YouseemedsoindifferenttothefateofFlorimonddeCondillac。”
“Imusthaveseemed，then，whatIamnot，“shetoldhim，“forIamfarfromindifferenttoFlorimond”sfate。Thetruthis，monsieur，IdonotbelieveMadamedeCondillac。Knowingmetobeunderapromisethatnaughtcanprevailuponmetobreak，shewouldhavemebelievethatnaturehasdissolvedtheobligationforme。ShethinksthatwereIpersuadedofFlorimond”sdeath，ImightturnaneartothewooingofMarius。Butsheismistaken，utterlymistaken；andsoIsoughttoconvinceher。MyfatherwilledthatIshouldwedFlorimond。Florimond”sfatherhadbeenhisdearestfriend。I
promisedhimthatIwoulddohiswill，andbythatpromiseIambound。ButwereFlorimondindeeddead，andwereIfreetochoose，IshouldnotchooseMariuswerehetheonlymaninalltheworld。”
Garnachemovednearertoher。
“Youspeak，“saidhe，“asifyouwereindifferentinthematterofweddingFlorimond，whilstIunderstandthatyourlettertotheQueenprofessedyoueagerforthealliance。Imaybeimpertinent，but，frankly，yourattitudepuzzlesme。”
“Iamnotindifferent，“sheansweredhim，butcalmly，withoutenthusiasm。“FlorimondandIwereplaymates，andasalittlechildIlovedhimandadmiredhimasImighthavelovedandadmiredabrotherperhaps。Heiscomely，honourable，andtrue。Ibelievehewouldbethekindesthusbandeverwomanhad，andsoIamcontenttogivemylifeintohiskeeping。Whatmorecanbeneeded？“
“Neveraskme，mademoiselle；Iambynomeansanauthority，“saidhe。“Butyouappeartohavebeenwellschooledinamostexcellentphilosophy。”Andhelaughedoutright。Shereddenedunderhisamusement。
“Itwasthusmyfathertaughtme，“saidshe，inquietertones；“andhewasthewisestmanIeverknew，justashewasthenoblestandthebravest。”
Garnachebowedhishead。“Godresthissoul！“saidhewithrespectfulfervour。
“Amen，“thegirlreplied，andtheyfellsilent。
Presentlyshereturnedtothesubjectofherbetrothed。
“IfFlorimondisliving，thisprolongedabsence，thislackofnewsisverystrange。Itisthreemonthssincelastweheardofhim-
fourmonths，indeed。Yethemusthavebeenapprisedofhisfather”sdeath，andthatshouldhaveoccasionedhisreturn。”
“Washeindeedapprisedofit？“inquiredGarnache。“Didyou，yourself，communicatethenewstohim？“
“I？“shecried。“Butno，monsieur。Wedonotcorrespond。”
“Thatisapity，“saidGarnache，“forIbelievethattheknowledgeoftheMarquis”sdeathwaskeptfromhimbyhisstepmother。”
“MonDieu！“sheexclaimed，inhorror。“Doyoumeanthathemaystillbeinignoranceofit？“
“Notthat。AmonthagoacourierwasdispatchedtohimbytheQueen-Mother。Thelastnewsofhimsomefourmonthsold，asyouhavesaid-reportedhimatMilanintheserviceofSpain。ThitherwasthecouriersenttofindhimandtodeliverhimletterssettingforthwhatwastowardatCondillac。”
“Amonthago？“shesaid。“Andstillwehavenoword。Iamfulloffearsforhim，monsieur。”
“AndI，“saidGarnache，“amfullofhopethatweshallhavenewsofhimatanymoment。”
Thathewaswelljustifiedofhishopewastobeprovenbeforetheyweremanydaysolder。MeanwhileGarnachecontinuedtoplayhispartofgaolertotheentiresatisfactionandincreasedconfidenceoftheCondillacs，whattimehewaitedpatientlyfortheappointednightwhenitshouldbehisfriendArsenio”sturntotaketheguard。
OnthatfatefulWednesday“Battista“soughtout-ashadnowbecomehisinvariablecustom-hiscompatriotassoonasthetimeofhisnoontiderestwascome，thehouratwhichtheydinedatCondillac。
HefoundArseniosunninghimselfintheoutercourtyard，foritseemedthatyearthatasthewinterapproachedthewarmthincreased。
NevercouldmanremembersuchaSaintMartin”sSummeraswasthis。
Insofarasthematteroftheirimpendingflightwasconcerned，“Battista“wasasbriefashecouldbe。
“Isallwell？“heasked。“Shallyoubeonguardto-night？“
“Yes。Itismywatchfromsunsettilldawn。Atwhathourshallwebestirring？“
Garnacheponderedamoment，strokingthatfirmchinofhis，onwhichtheerstwhilestubblehadnowgrownintoastraggling，unkemptbeard-anditplaguedhimnotalittle，foracloseobservermighthavediscoveredthatitwasofalightercolourattheroots。Hishair，too，wasbeginningtoloseitsglossyblackness。Itwasturningdull，andpresently，nodoubt，itwouldbegintopale，sothatitwashightimehespreadhiswingsandtookflightfromCondillac。
“Wehadbestwaituntilmidnight。Itwillgivethemtimetobesoundlyintheirslumbers。Though，shouldtherebesignsofanyonestirringeventhen，youhadbetterwaittilllater。Itwerefoolishtoriskhavingourgoingpreventedforthesakeofleavingahalf-hourearlier。”
“Dependuponme，“Arsenioansweredhim。“WhenIopenthedoorofyourtowerIshallwhistletoyou。Thekeyoftheposternhangsontheguardroomwall。IshallpossessmyselfofthatbeforeIcome。”
“Good，“saidGarnache，“weunderstandeachother。”
Andonthattheymighthavepartedthereandthen，butthattherehappenedinthatmomentacommotionatthegate。Menhurriedfromtheguardhouse，andFortunio”svoicesoundedloudincommand。A
horsemanhadgallopeduptoCondillac，walkedhishorseacrossthebridge-whichwasraisedonlyatnight-andwasknockingwiththebuttofhiswhipanimperativesummonsuponthetimbersofthegate。