ByFortunio”sordersitwasopened，andamancoveredwithdust，astrideaweary，foam-fleckedhorse，rodeunderthearchwayofthekeepintothefirstcourtyardofthechateau。
Garnacheeyedhiminsurpriseandinquiry，andhereadintheman”sappearancethathewasacourier。Thehorsemanhadhaltedwithinafewpacesofthespotwhere“Battista“andhiscompanionstood，andseeinginthevilelycladGarnacheamemberoftheCondillachousehold，heflunghimhisreins，thengotdownstifflyfromhishorse。
Fortunio，bristlingwithimportance，hislefthandonthehiltofhisrapier，thefingersofhisrighttwirlingathislongfairmustachios，atonceconfrontedhimandcravedhisbusiness。
“IamthebeareroflettersforMadametheDowagerMarquisedeCondillac，“wasthereply；whereupon，withanarrogantnod，Fortuniobadethefellowgowithhim，andissuedanorderthathishorseshouldbecaredfor。
ArseniowasspeakinginGarnache”sear。Theman”snaturewasinquisitive，andhewasindulgingidleconjecturesastowhatmightbethenewsthiscourierbrought。Garnache”smind，actuatedbyverydifferentmotives，wasengageduponthesametask，somuchsothatnotawordheardheofwhathissupposedcompatriotwaswhispering。Whencecamethiscourier？WhyhadnotthatfoolFortunioaskedhim，sothatGarnachemighthaveoverheardhisanswer？
WashefromParisandtheQueen，orwashe，perchance，fromItalyandFlorimond？Thesewerequestionstowhichitimportedhimtohavetheanswers。Hemustknowwhatlettersthefellowbrought。
Theknowledgemightguidehimnow；mightevencausehimtoaltertheplanshehadformed。
Hestoodinthoughtwhilst，unheededbyhim，Arsenioprattledathiselbow。Hebethoughthimoftheoldminstrel”sgalleryattheendofthehallinwhichtheCondillacswerediningandwhitherthecourierwouldbeconducted。Heknewthewaytothatgallery，forhehadmadeaveryclosestudyofthechateauagainstthetimewhenhemightfindhimselfinneedoftheknowledge。
WithahurriedexcusetoArseniohemovedaway，and，lookingroundtoseethathewasunobserved，hewasonthepointofmakinghiswaytothegallerywhensuddenlyhecheckedhimself。Whatwenthetheretodo？Toplaythespy？Tobecomefellowtothelackeywholistensatkeyholes？Ah，no！Thatwassomethingnoservicecoulddemandofhim。HemightoweadutytotheQueen，buttherewasalsoadutythatheowedhimself，andthisdutyforbadehimfromgoingtosuchextremes。ThusspakehisPride，andhemistookitsvoiceforthatofHonour。Betidewhatmight，itwasnotforGarnachetoplaytheeavesdropper。Notthat，Pardieu！
Andsoheturnedaway，hisdesiresinconflictwiththatprideofhis，andgloomilyhepacedthecourtyard，Arseniomarvellingwhatmighthavecometohim。Andwellwasitforhimthatprideshouldhavedetainedhim；wellwoulditseemasifhisluckwereindeedintheascendantandhadpromptedhispridetosavehimfromadeadlyperil。Forsuddenlysomeonecalled“Battista！“
Heheard，butforthemoment，absorbedashewasinhisownmusings，heoverlookedthefactthatitwasthenametowhichheansweredatCondillac。
Notuntilitwasrepeatedmoreloudly，andimperatively，didheturntoseeFortuniobeckoninghim。Withasuddendreadanxiety，hesteppedtothecaptain”sside。Washediscovered？ButFortunio”swordssethisdoubtstorestatonce。
“Youaretore-conductMademoiselledeLaVauvrayetoherapartmentsatonce。”
Garnachebowedandfollowedthecaptainupthestepsandintothechateauthathemightcarryouttheorder；andashewentheshrewdlyguessedthatitwasthearrivalofthatcourierhadoccasionedthesuddenremovalofmademoiselle。
Whentheywerealonetogether-heandshe-inheranteroomintheNorthernTower，sheturnedtohimbeforehehadtimetoquestionherashewasintending。
“Acourierhasarrived，“saidshe。
“Iknow；Isawhiminthecourtyard。Whenceishe？Didyoulearnit？“
“FromFlorimond。”Shewaswhitewithagitation。
“FromtheMarquisdeCondillac？“hecried，andheknewnotwhethertohopeorfear。“FromItaly？“
“No，monsieur。IdonotthinkfromItaly。FromwhatwassaidI
gatheredthatFlorimondisalreadyonhiswaytoCondillac。Oh，itmadeafinestir。Itleftthemnomoreappetitefordinner，andtheyseemtohavethoughtitcouldhaveleftmenoneformine，fortheyorderedmyinstantreturntomyapartments。”
“Thenyouknownothing-savethatthecourierisfromtheMarquis？“
“Nothing；noramIlikelyto，“sheanswered，andherarmsdroppedlimplytohersides，hereyeslookedentreatinglyupintohisgloomyface。
ButGarnachecoulddonomorethanrapoutanoath。Thenhestoodstillamoment，hiseyesonthewindow，hischininhishand，brooding。Hisprideandhisdesiretoknowmoreofthatcourier”smessagewerefightingitoutagaininhismind，justastheyfoughtitoutinthecourtyardbelow。Suddenlyhisglancefellonher，standingthere，sosweet，sofrail，andsodisconsolate。Forhersakehemustdothething，repulsivethoughitmightbe。
“Imustknowmore，“heexclaimed。“ImustlearnFlorimond”swhereabouts，ifonlythatwemaygotomeethimwhenweleaveCondillacto-night。”
“Youhavearrangeddefinitelyforthat？“sheasked，herfacelighting。
“Allisinreadiness，“heassuredher。Then，loweringhisvoicewithoutapparentreason，andspeakingquicklyandintently，“I
mustgofindoutwhatIcan，“hesaid。“Theremaybearisk，butitisasnothingtotheriskwerunofblunderingmattersthroughignoranceofwhatmaybeafoot。Shouldanyonecome-whichisunlikely，forallthoseinterestedwillbeinthehalluntilthecourierisdealtwith-andshouldtheyinquireintomyabsence，youaretoknownothingofitsinceyouhavenoItalianandInoFrench。AllthatyouwillknowwillbethatyoubelieveIwentbutamomentsincetofetchwater。Youunderstand？“
Shenodded。
“ThenlockyourselfinyourchambertillIreturn。”
Hecaughtupalargeearthenwarevesselinwhichwaterwaskeptforhisownandmademoiselle”suse，emptieditthroughtheguard-roomwindowintothemoatbelow，thenlefttheroomandmadehiswaydownthestepstothecourtyard。
Hepeeredout。Notasoulwasinsight。Thisinnercourtyardwaslittletenantedatthattimeofday，andthesentryatthedoorofthetowerwasonlyplacedthereatnightfall。Alongsidethistherestoodanotherdoor，openingintoapassagefromwhichaccessmightbegainedtoanypartofthechateau。Thrustingbehindthatdoortheearthenwarevesselthathecarried，Garnachespedswiftlydownthecorridoronhiseavesdroppingerrand。Stillhismindwasinconflict。Attimeshecursedhisslowness，attimeshishasteandreadinesstoundertakesodirtyabusiness，wishingallwomenatthedevilsincebytheworkofwomenwasheputtosuchashiftasthis。
CHAPTERXIV
FLORIMOND”SLETTER
InthegreathallofCondillac，wheretheMarquise，herson，andMademoiselledeLaVauvrayehadbeenatdinner，asuddenconfusionhadbeenspreadbythearrivalofthatcouriersosoonasitwasknownthatheborelettersfromFlorimond，MarquisdeCondillac。
Madamehadrisenhastily，fearanddefianceblendinginherface，andshehadatoncecommandedmademoiselle”swithdrawal。Valeriehadwonderedmighttherenotbeletters-or，leastways，messages-forherselffromherbetrothed。Butherpridehadsuppressedtheeagerquestionthatwelleduptoherlips。Shewould，too，havequestionedthecourierconcerningFlorimond”shealth；shewouldhaveaskedhimhowtheMarquislooked，andwherethemessengerhadlefthim。Butofallthisthatshecravedtoknow，nothingcouldshebringherselftoaskbeforetheMarquise。
SheroseinsilenceuponhearingtheDowagerorderFortuniotosummonBattistathathemightre-conductmademoiselletoherapartments，andshemovedafewpacesdownthehall，towardsthedoor，inproud，submissivereadinesstodepart。Yetshecouldnotkeephereyesfromthedust-stainedcourier，who，havingflunghishatandwhipuponthefloor，wasnowopeninghiswallet，theDowagerstandingbeforehimtoreceivehispapers。
Marius，affectinganinsouciancehedidnotfeel，remainedattable，hispagebehindhischair，hishoundstretchedathisfeet；andhenowsippedhiswine，nowheldittothelightthathemightobservethebeautyofitsdeepredcolour。
AtlastFortunioreturned，andmademoiselletookherdeparture，headintheairandoutwardlyseemingnowiseconcernedinwhatwastakingplace。WithherwentFortunio。AndtheMarquise，whonowheldthepackageshehadreceivedfromthecourier，badethe，pagedepartalso。
Whenthethreewereatlastalone，shepausedbeforeopeningtheletterandturnedagaintothemessenger。Shemadeabravefigureinthefloodofsunlightthatpouredthroughthegulesandazuresofthelongblazonedwindows，hertall，lissomefigurecladinaclose-fittingrobeofblackvelvet，herabundantglossyblackhairrolledbackunderitswhitecoif，herblackeyesandscarletlipsdetachingfromtheivoryofherface，inwhichnotraceofemotionshowed，foralltheanxietythatconsumedher。
“WhereleftyoutheMarquisdeCondillac？“sheaskedthefellow。
“AtLaRochette，madame，“thecourieranswered”andhisanswerbroughtMariustohisfeetwithanoath。
“Sonear？“hecriedout。ButtheDowager”sglanceremainedcalmanduntroubled。
“Howdoesithappenthathedidnothastenhimself，toCondillac？“
sheasked。
“Idonotknow，madame。IdidnotseeMonsieurleMarquis。Itwashisservantbroughtmethatletterwithorderstoridehither。”
Mariusapproachedhismother，hisbrowclouded。
“Letusseewhathesays，“hesuggestedanxiously。Buthismotherdidnotheedhim。Shestoodbalancingthepackageinherhand。
“Canyoutellus，then，nothingofMonsieurleMarquis？“
“NothingmorethanIhavetoldyou，madame。”
ShebadeMariuscallFortunio，andthendismissedthecourier，biddinghercaptainseetohisrefreshment。
Then，aloneatlastwithherson，shehastilytorethecoveringfromtheletter，unfoldeditandread。AndMarius，movedbyanxiety，cametostandbesideandjustbehindher，wherehetoomightread。Theletterran：
“MYVERYDEARMARQUISE，-IdonotdoubtbutthatitwillpleasureyoutohearthatIamonmywayhome，andthatbutforatouchoffeverthathasdetainedushereatLaRochette，IshouldbeatCondillacassoonasthemessengerwhoisthebearerofthesepresents。AcourierfromParisfoundmeafortnightsinceinMilan，withletterssettingforththatmyfatherhadbeendeadsixmonths，andthatitwasconsideredexpedientatCourtthatIshouldreturnhomeforthwithtoassumetheadministrationofCondillac。IamlostinwonderthatacommunicationofthisnatureshouldhavebeenaddressedtomefromParisinsteadoffromyou，assurelyitmusthavebeenyourdutytoadvisemeofmyfather”sdeceaseatthetimeofthatuntowardevent。Iamcastdownbygriefatthisevilnews，andthesummonsfromCourthasbroughtmeinallhastefromMilan。
ThelackofnewsfromCondillachasbeenformonthsamatterofsurprisetome。Myfather”sdeathmaybesomeexplanationofthis，butscarcelyexplanationenough。However，madame，IcountuponitthatyouwillbeabletodispelsuchdoubtsasIamfostering。I
counttoo，uponbeingatCondillacbytheendofweek，butIbegthatneitheryounormydearMariuswillallowthiscircumstancetomakeanydifferencetoyourselves，justas，althoughIamreturningtoassumethegovernmentofCondillacastheCourthassuggestedtome，Ihopethatyourselfandmydearbrotherwillcontinuetomakeityourhomeforaslongasitshallpleasureyou。
Solongshallitpleasureme。
“Iam，mydearmarquise，yourveryhumbleandveryaffectionateservantandstepson，“FLORIMOND“
Whenshehadreadtotheend，theDowagerturnedbackandreadaloudthepassage：“However，madame，IcountuponitthatyouwillbeabletodispelsuchdoubtsasIamfostering。”Shelookedatherson，whohadshiftedhisposition，sothathewasnowconfrontingher。
“Hehashissuspicionsthatallisnotasitshouldbe，“sneeredMarius。
“Yethistoneisamiablethroughout。ItcannotbethattheysaidtoomuchinthatletterfromParis。”Alittletrillofbitterlaughterescapedher。“Wearetocontinuetomakethisourhomeforaslongasitshallpleasureus。Solongshallitpleasurehim！“
Then，withasuddenseriousness，shefoldedtheletterand，puttingherhandsbehindher，lookedupintoherson”sface。
“Well？“sheasked。“Whatareyougoingtodo？“
“StrangethathemakesnomentionofValerie“saidMariuspensively。
“Pooh！ACondillacthinkslightlyofhiswomen。Whatareyougoingtodo？“
Hishandsomecountenance，somarvellouslylikeherown，wasovercast。
Helookedgloomilyathismotherforamoment；thenwithaslighttwitchoftheshouldersheturnedandmovedpastherslowlyinthedirectionofthehearth。Heleanedhiselbowontheovermantelandrestedhisbrowagainsthisclenchedrighthand，andstoodsoawhileinmoodythought。Shewatchedhim，afrownbetweenherarroganteyes。
“Aye，ponderit，“saidshe。“HeisatLaRochette，withinaday”sride，andonlydetainedtherebyatouchoffever。Inanycasehepromisestobeherebytheendoftheweek。BySaturday，then，Condillacwillhavepassedoutofourpower；itwillbelosttoyouirretrievably。WillyouloseLaVauvrayeaswell？“
Helethishandfalltohisside，andturned，fullytofaceher。
“WhatcanIdo？Whatcanwedo？“heasked，ashadeofpetulanceinhisquestion。
Shesteppedcloseuptohimandrestedherhandlightlyuponhisshoulder。
“Youhavehadthreemonthsinwhichtowoothatgirl，andyouhavetarriedsadlyoverit，Marius。Youhavenowatmostthreedaysinwhichtoaccomplishit。Whatwillyoudo？“
“Ihavebeenmaladroitperhaps，“hesaid，withbitterness。“Ihavebeenover-patientwithher。IhavecountedtoomuchuponthechanceofFlorimond”sbeingdead，asseemedfromtheutterlackofnewsofhim。YetwhatcouldIdo？Carryheroffbyforceandcompelatthedagger”spointsomepriesttomarryus？“
Shemovedherhandfromhisshoulderandsmiled，asifshederidedhimandhisheat。
“Youwantforinvention，Marius，“saidshe。“AndyetIbegthatyouwillexertyourmind，orSundaynextshallfinduswell-nighhomeless。I”lltakenocharityfromtheMarquisdeCondillac，nor，Ithink，willyou。”
“Ifallfails，“saidhe，“wehavestillyourhouseinTouraine。”
“Myhouse？“sheechoed，hervoiceshrillwithscorn。“Myhovel，youwouldsay。Couldyouabidethere-insuchasty？“
“Vertudieu！Ifallelsefailed，wemightbegladofit。”
“Gladofit？NotI，forone。Yetallelsewillfailunlessyoubestiryourselfinthenextthreedays。Condillacisasgoodaslosttoyoualready，sinceFlorimondisuponthethreshold。LaVauvrayemostcertainlywillbelosttoyouaswellunlessyoumakehastetosnatchitinthelittlemomentthatisleftyou。”
“CanIachievetheimpossible，madame？“hecried，andhisimpatiencewaxedbeneaththisunreasonableinsistenceofhismother”s。
“Whoasksitofyou？“
“Donotyou，madame？“
“I？Pish！AllthatIurgeisthatyoutakeValerieacrosstheborderintoSavoywhereyoucanfindapriesttomarryyou，andgetitdonethissideofSaturday。”
“Andisnotthattheimpossible？Shewillnotgowithme，asyouwellknow，madame。”
Therewasamoment”ssilence。TheDowagershothimaglance；thenhereyesfell。Herbosomstirredasifsomestrangeexcitementmovedher。Fearandshamewereheremotions；forawaysheknewbywhichmademoisellemightbeinducedtogowithhim-notonlywillingly，buteagerly，shethought-tothealtar。Butshewashismother，andevenherharshnatureshudderedbeforethetaskofinstructinghiminthisvilething。Whyhadthefoolnotwitenoughtoseeitforhimself？
ObservinghersilenceMariussmiledsardonically。
“Youmaywellponderit，“saidhe。“ItisaneasymattertotellmewhatIshoulddo。Tellme，rather，howitshouldbedone。”
Hisblindnessstirredheranger，andherangerwhelmedherhesitation。
“WereIinyourplace，Marius，Ishouldfindaway，“saidshe，inavoiceutterlyexpressionless，hereyesavertedeverfromhisown。
Hescannedhercuriously。Heragitationwasplaintohim，anditpuzzledhim，asdidthedowncastglanceofeyesusuallysoboldandinsolentintheirgaze。Thenheponderedhertone，soladenwithexpressionbyitsveryexpressionlessness，andsuddenlyafloodoflightbrokeuponhismind，revealingveryclearlyandhideouslyhermeaning。Hecaughthisbreathwithasuddengaspandblenchedalittle。Thenhislipstightenedsuddenly。
“Inthatcase，madame，“hesaid，afterapause，andspeakingasifhewerestillwithoutrevelationofhermeaning，“Icanbutregretthatyouarenotinmyplace。For，asitis，IamthinkingweshallhavetomakethebestofthehovelinTouraine。”
Shebitherlipintheintensityofherchagrinandshame。Shewasnofool，nordidsheimaginefromhiswordsthathermeaninghadbeenlostuponhim。Sheknewthathehadunderstood，andthathechosetopretendthathehadnot。Shelookedupsuddenly，herdarkeyesblazing，asplashofcolourineithercheek。
“Fool！“shesnappedathim；“youlily-liveredfool！Areyouindeedmyson？Areyou-byGod！-thatyoutalksolightlyofyielding？“
Sheadvancedastepinhisdirection。“Throughyourcowardiceyoumaybecontenttospendyourdaysinbeggary；notsoamI；norshallIbe，solongasIhaveanarmandavoice。Youmaygohenceifyourcouragefailsyououtright；butI”llthrowupthebridgeandentrenchmyselfwithinthesewalls。FlorimonddeCondillacsetsnofootinherewhileIlive；andifheshouldcomewithinrangeofmusket-shot，itwillbetheworseforhim。”
“Ithinkyouaremad，madame-madsototalkofresistinghim，asyouaremadtocallmecoward。I”llleaveyoutillyouarecometoamoretranquilframeofmind。”Andturninguponhisheel，hisfaceonfirefromthelashofhercontempt，hestrodedownthehallandpassedout，leavingheralone。
Whiteagain，withheavingbosomandclenchedhands，shestoodamomentwherehehadlefther，thendroppedintoachair，andtakingherchininherhandsherestedherelbowonherknee。Thussheremained，thefirelighttintingherperfectprofile，onwhichlittlemightbereadofthestormthatwasraginginhersoul。Anotherwomaninherplacewouldhavesoughtreliefintears，buttearscamerarelytothebeautifuleyesoftheMarquisedeCondillac。
Shesatthereuntilthesunhadpassedfromthewindowsbehindherandthecornersoftheroomwerelostinthequickeningshadows。Atlastshewasdisturbedbytheentranceofalackey，whoannouncedthatMonsieurleComtedeTressan，LordSeneschalofDauphiny，wascometoCondillac。
Shebadethefellowcallhelptocleartheboard，wherestillwassettheirinterruptednoontidemeal，andthentoadmittheSeneschal。
Withherbacktothestirring，bustlingservantsshestood，pensivelyregardingtheflames，andasmilethatwasmockingratherthanaughtelsespreaduponherface。
Ifallelsefailedher，shetoldherself，therewouldbenoTourainehovelforher。ShecouldalwaysbeComtessedeTressan。LetMariusworkoutalonethepunishmentofhiscowardice。
AwayintheNorthernTower，wheremademoisellewaslodged，shesatineagertalkwithGarnache，whohadreturnedunobservedandsuccessfulfromhisjourneyofespionage。
HehadtoldherwhatfromtheconversationofMariusandhismotherhehadlearnedtouchingthecontentsofthatletter。FlorimondlayasnearasLaRochette，detainedtherebyatouchoffever，butpromisingtobeatCondillacbytheendoftheweek。Sincethatwasso，Valerieopinedtherewasnolongertheneedtoputthemselvestothetroubleoftheescapetheyhadplanned。LetthemwaituntilFlorimondcame。
ButGarnacheshookhishead。Hehadheardmore；andforallthatheaccountedheratpresentsafefromMarius，yethemadenofalseestimateofthatsupplegentleman”scharacter，wasnotdeludedbyhismomentaryshowofniceness。AsthetimeofFlorimond”sarrivalgrewnearer，hethoughtitverypossiblethatMariusmightberendereddesperate。Therewasgravedangerinremaining。Hesaidnaughtofthis，yetheconvincedmademoisellethatitwerebesttogo。
“ThoughtherewillnolongerbetheneedofatoilsomejourneyasfarasParis，“heconcluded。“Afourhours”ridetoLaRochette，andyoumayembraceyourbetrothed。”
“Didhespeakofmeinhisletter，knowyou，monsieur？“sheinquired。
“Iheardthemsaythathedidnot，“Garnachereplied。“Butitmaywellbethathehadgoodreason。Hemaysuspectmorethanhehaswritten。”
“Inthatcase，“sheasked-andtherewasawoundednoteinhervoice-“WhyshouldatouchoffeverkeephimatLaRochette？Wouldatouchoffeverkeepyoufromthewomanyouloved，monsieur，ifyouknew，orevensuspected，thatshewasindurance？“
“Idonotknow，mademoiselle。Iamanoldmanwhohasneverloved，andsoitwouldbeunfairofmetopassjudgmentuponlovers。Thattheythinknotasotherfolkisnotorious；theirmindsareforthetimedisordered。”
Neverthelesshelookedatherwhereshesatbythewindow，sogentle，solissome，sosweet，andsofrail，andhehadashrewdnotionthatwereheFlorimonddeCondillac，whetherhefearedherinduranceornot，notthefever，northeplagueitselfshouldkeephimforthebestpartofaweekatLaRochettewithineasyrideofher。
Shesmiledgentlyathiswords，andturnedtheconversationtothematterthatimportedmost。
“Tonightthen，itisdeterminedthatwearetogo？“
“Atmidnightoralittleafter。Beinreadiness，mademoiselle，anddonotkeepmewaitingwhenIrapuponyourdoor。Hastemaybeofimportance。”
“Youmaycountuponme，myfriend，“sheansweredhim，andstirredbyasuddenimpulsesheheldoutherhand。“Youhavebeenverygoodtome，MonsieurdeGarnache。Youhavemadelifeverydifferentformesinceyourcoming。Ihaditinmymindtoblameyouonceforyourrashnessinreturningalone。Iwasalittlefool。Youcanneverknowthepeacethathascometomefromhavingyouathand。Thefears，theterrorsthatpossessedmebeforeyoucamehaveallbeendispelledinthislastweekthatyouhavebeenmysentryintwosenses。”
Hetookthehandsheheldouttohim，andlookeddownatheroutofhisgrimy，disfiguredface，anoddtendernessstirringhim。Hefeltasmighthavefeltafathertowardshisdaughter-atleast，sothoughthethen。
“Child，“heansweredher，“youoverrateit。IhavedonenolessthanIcoulddo，nomorethananyotherwouldhavedone。”
“YetmorethanFlorimondhasdone-andhemybetrothed。AtouchoffeverwasexcuseenoughtokeephimatLaRochette，whilsttheperilofdeathdidnotsufficetodeteryoufromcominghither。”
“Youforget，mademoiselle，that，maybe，hedoesnotknowyourcircumstances。”
“Maybehedoesnot，“saidshe，withahalf-sigh。Thenshelookedupintohisfaceagain。“Iamsadatthethoughtofgoing，monsieur，“shesurprisedhimbysaying。
“Sad？“hecried。Thenhelaughed。“Butwhatcantherebetosaddenyou？“
“This，monsieur：thatafterto-nightitisoddsIshallneverseeyoumore。”Shesaiditwithouthesitationandwithoutcoquetry，forherupbringinghadbeensimpleandnaturalinanatmospheredifferentfarfromthatinwhichhadbeenrearedthecourtlywomenhehadknown。“YouwillreturntoParisandthegreatworld，andIshallliveoutmylifeinthis，littlecornerofDauphiny。Youwillforgetmeinthe，bustleofyourcareer，monsieur；butIshallalwaysholdyourmemoryverydearandverygratefully。YouaretheonlyfriendIhaveeverknownsincemyfatherdiedexceptingFlorimond，thoughitissolongsinceIhaveseenhim，andhenevercametomeintimesofstressasyouhavedone。”
“Mademoiselle，“heanswered，toucheddespitehimselfmoretouchedthanhecouldhavebelievedpossibletohiscallous，world-wornnature-“youmakemeveryproud；youmakemefeelalittlebetterthanIam，forifIhaveearnedyourregardandfriendship，theremustbesomegoodinoldGarnache。Believeme，mademoiselle，Itooshallnotforget。”
Andthereaftertheyremainedaspellinsilence，shesittingbythewindow，gazingoutintothebrightOctobersky，hestandingbyherchair，thoughtfullyconsideringherbrownheadsogracefullysetuponherlittleshoulders。Afeelingcametohimthatwasoddandunusual；hesoughttointerpretit，andhesupposedittomeanthathewishedthatatsometimeinthedimpasthemighthavemarriedsomewomanwhowouldhavebornehimfordaughtersuchaoneasthis。
CHAPTERXV
THECONFERENCE
ThematterthatbroughtMonsieurdeTressantoCondillac-andbroughthiminmostfearfulhaste-wasthematterofthecourierwhohadthatdayarrivedatthechateau。
NewsofithadreachedtheearsofmyLordSeneschal。Hismindhadbeenapreytouneasinessconcerningthisbusinessofrebellioninwhichhehadsorashlylentahand，andhewasanxioustoknowwhencecamethiscourierandwhatnewshebrought。Butforallhishastehehadpaused-rememberingitwastheMarquisehewenttovisit-todonthegorgeousyellowsuitwiththehangingsleeveswhichhehadhadfromParis，andthecrimsonsashhehadboughtatTaillemant”s，allintheverylatestmode。
Thusarrayed，hiswigwellcurledandaclumpofitcaughtinribbonofflame-colouredsilkontheleftside，hisswordhangingfrombeltandcarriagesrichlywroughtwithgold，andthegeneralcourtier-likeeffectrathermarredbytheheavyriding-bootswhichhewouldhavelikedtoleavebehindyetwasconstrainedtowear，hepresentedhimselfbeforetheDowager，hidinghisanxietyinameltingsmile，andthelatterintheprofoundestofbows。
Thegraciousnessofhisreceptionoverwhelmedhimalmost，forinhissupremevanityhelackedthewittoseethatthiscordialitymightbedictatedbynomorethantheneedtheyhadofhimatCondillac。
Alackeyplacedagreatchairforhimbythefirethathemightwarmhimselfafterhiseveningride，andtheDowager，havingorderedlights，sateherselfoppositehimwiththehearthbetweenthem。
Hesimperedawhileandtoyedwithtrivialitiesofspeechbeforehegaveutterancetothematterthatabsorbedhim。Then，atlast，whentheywerealone，heloosedthequestionthatwasbubblingonhislips。
“IhearacouriercametoCondillacto-day。”
Foranswershetoldhimwhathesoughttolearn，whencecamethatcourier，andwhatthemessagethathebrought。
“Andso，MonsieurdeTressan，“sheended，“mydaysatCondillacarenumbered。”
“Whyso？“heasked，“sinceyousaythatFlorimondhasadoptedtowardsyouafriendlytone。Surelyhewouldnotdrivehisfather”swidowhence？“
Shesmiledatthefireinadreamy，pensivemanner。
“No，“saidshe，“hewouldnotdrivemehence。HehasofferedmetheshelterofCondillacforaslongasitmaypleasuremetomakeitmyhome。”
“Excellent！“heexclaimed，rubbinghislittlefathandsandscrewingthelittlefeaturesofhishugeredfaceintothegrotesquesemblanceofasmile。“Whatneedtotalkofgoing，then？“
“Whatneed？“sheechoed，inavoicedullandconcentrated。“Doyouaskthat，Tressan？DoyouthinkIshouldelecttoliveuponthecharityofthisman？“
ForallthattheLordSeneschalmayhavebeendull-witted，yethehadwitenoughtopenetratetotheverymarrowofhermeaning。
“YoumusthateFlorimondverybitterly，“saidhe。Sheshruggedhershoulders。
“Ipossess，Ithink，thefacultyoffeelingstrongly。Icanlovewell，monsieur，andIcanhatewell。Itisoneortheotherwithme。AndascordiallyasIlovemyownsonMarius，ascordiallydoIdetestthiscoxcombFlorimond。”
Sheexpressednoreasonsforherhatredofherlatehusband”selderson。Herswerenotreasonsthatcouldeasilybeputintowords。
Theywerelittlereasons，trivialgrainsofoffencewhichthroughlongyearshadaccumulatedintoamountain。Theyhadtheirbeginninginthefoolishgrievancethathaditsbirthwithherownson，whenshehadrealizedthatbutforthatrosy-cheeked，well-grownboybornetotheMarquisbyhisfirstwife，MariuswouldhavebeenheirtoCondillac。Herloveofherownchildandherambitionsforhim，herkeendesiretoseehimfillanexaltedpositionintheworld，causedherathousandtimesadaytowishhishalf-brotherdead。YetFlorimondhadflourishedandgrown，andashegrewhemanifestedacharacterwhich，withallitsimperfections，wasmorelovablethanthenatureofherownoffspring。
AndtheircommonfatherhadneverseenaughtbutthefaultsofMariusandthevirtuesofFlorimond。Shehadresentedthis，andMariushadresentedit；andMarius，havinginheritedwithhismother”sbeautyhismother”sarrogant，dominantspirit，hadreturnedwithinsolencesuchadmonitionsasfromtimetotimehisfathergavehim，andthusthebreachhadgrown。Later，sincehecouldnotbeheirtoCondillac，theMarquise”seyes，greedyofadvancementforhim，hadfallencovetouslyuponthericherLaVauvraye，whoselordhadthennoson，whoseheiresswasalittlegirl。
Byanallianceeasytocompass，sincethelordsofCondillacandLaVauvrayewerelifelongfriends，Marius”sfortunesmighthandsomelyhavebeenmended。YetwhensheherselfborethesuggestionofittotheMarquis，hehadseizeduponit，approvedit，butadopteditforFlorimond”sbenefitinstead。
ThereafterwarhadragedfiercelyinthefamilyofCondillac-awarbetweentheMarquisandFlorimondontheoneside，andtheMarquiseandMariusontheother。AndsobitterlywasitwagedthatitwasbytheoldMarquis”ssuggestionthatatlastFlorimondhadgoneuponhistravelstoseetheworldandcarryarmsinforeignservice。
Herhopesthathewouldtakehisdeath，aswasacommonthingwhenwarring，rosehigh-sohighastobecomealmostassurance，athingtobereckonedwith。Florimondwouldreturnnomore，andhersonshouldfilltheplacetowhichhewasentitledbyhisbeautyofpersonandthehighmentalgiftshisdotingmothersawinhim。
Yetthemonthsgrewintoyears，andatlongintervalsfullofhopefortheMarquisenewscameofFlorimond，andthenewswaseverthathewaswellandthriving，gatheringhonoursanddrinkingdeepoflife。
Andnow，atlast，whenmattersseemedtohavebeentumbledintoherlapthatshemightdisposeofthemasshelisted；now，wheninheranxietytoseehersonsupplanthisstep-brotherinthepossessionofLaVauvraye-ifnot，perhaps，inthatofCondillacaswellshehaddonearashnesswhichmightendinmakingherandMariusoutlaws，newscamethatthishatedFlorimondwasatthedoor；
tardilyreturned，yetreturnedintimetooverthrowherschemesandtomakehersonthepauperthatherhusband”swillhadseemedtoaimatrenderinghim。
Hermindskimmedlightlyoverallthesematters，seekingsomewheresomewrongthatshouldstandoutstarkandglaring，uponwhichshemightseize，andofferittotheSeneschalasanexplanationofherhatred。Butnowherecouldshefindthethingshesought。Herhatredhadforfoundationamaterialtooimpalpabletobefashionedintowords。Tressan”svoicearousedherfromherthoughts。
“Haveyoulaidnoplans，madame？“heaskedher。“ItweresurelyamadnessnowtoattempttowithstandtheMarquis。”
“TheMarquis？Ahyes-Florimond。”Shesatforwardoutoftheshadowsinwhichhergreatchairenvelopedher，andletcandleandfirelightplayaboutthematchlessbeautyofherperfectface。
Therewasaflushuponit，theflushofbattle；andshewasabouttotelltheSeneschalthatnotwhileonestoneofCondillacshouldstanduponanother，notwhileagaspofbreathremainedinherfrailbody，wouldshesurrender。Butshecheckedherrashness。
Wellmightitbethatintheendsheshouldabandonsuchapurpose。
Tressanwasuglyasatoad，themostabsurd，ridiculousbridegroomthateverledwomantothealtar。Yetrumourranthathewasrich，andasalastresource，forthesakeofhispossessionsshemightbringherselftoendurehissignalshortcomings。
“Ihavetakennoresolveasyet，“saidshe，inawistfulvoice。
“IfoundedhopesuponMariuswhichMariusthreatenstofrustrate。
IthinkIhadbestresignmyselftothepovertyofmyTourainehome。”
AndthentheSeneschalrealizedthatthetimewasnow。Theopportunityhemighthavesoughtinvainwasalmostthrustuponhim。
InthespiritheblessedFlorimondforreturningsoopportunely；inthefleshherosefromthechairand，withoutmoreado，hecasthimselfuponhiskneesbeforetheDowager。Hecasthimselfdown，andtheDowagerexperiencedafaintstirringofsurprisethatsheheardnoflopsuchasmustattendtheviolentfallingofsofatabody。Butthenextinstant，realizingthepurposeofhisabsurdposture，sheshrankbackwithafaintgasp，andherfacewasmercifullyblurredtohissightoncemoreamidtheshadowsofherchair。Thuswashesparedthelookofutterloathing，ofunconquerable，irrepressibledisgustthatleaptintohercountenance。
Hisvoicequiveredwithridiculousemotion，hislittlefatredfingerstrembledasheoutheldtheminatheatricalgestureofsupplication。
“Nevercontemplatepoverty，madame，untilyouhavediscardedme，“
heimploredher。“Saybutthatyouwill，andyoushallbeladyofTressan。AllthatIhavewouldprovebutpooradornmenttoabeautysuchasyours，andIshouldshrinkfromofferingityou，wereitnotthat，withitall，IcanofferyouthefondestheartinFrance。Marquise-Clotilde，Icastmyselfhumblyatyourfeet。
Dowithmeasyouwill。Iloveyou。”
Byaneffortshecrusheddownherloathingofhim-aloathingthatgrewahundredfoldasshebeheldhimnowtransformedbyhisamorousnessintothesemblancealmostofasatyr-andlistenedtohisfoolishrantings。
AsMarquisedeCondillacithurtherpridetolistenandnothavehimwhippedforhisaudacity；asawomanitinsultedher。YettheMarquiseandthewomanshealikerepressed。Shewouldgivehimnoanswer-shecouldnot，sonearwasshetofaintingwithdisdainofhim-yetmustshegivehimhopeagainstthetimewhen，shouldallelsefail，shemighthavetoswallowthebitterdraughthewasnowholdingtoherlips。Soshetemporized。
Shecontrolledhervoiceintoatoneofgentlesadness；shesetamaskofsorrowuponherinsolentface。
“Monsieur，monsieur，“shesighed，andsofarovercamehernauseaasforaninstanttotouchhishandinalittlegestureofcaress，“youmustnotspeaksotoawidowofsixmonths，normustIlisten。”
Thequiveringgrewinhishandsandvoice；butnolongerdidtheyshakethroughfearofarebuff：theytremblednowintheeagerstrengthofthehopehegatheredfromherwords。Shewassobeautiful，sopeerless，sonoble，soproud-andhesoutterlyunworthy-thatnaughtbutherplighthadgivenhimcouragetoutterhisproposal。Andsheansweredhiminsuchterms！
“Yougivemehope，Marquise？IfIcomeagain-？“
Shesighed，andherface，whichwasoncemorewithinthelight，showedalookofsadinquiry。
“IfIthoughtthatwhatyouhavesaid，youhavesaidoutofpity，becauseyoufearlestmynecessitiesshouldhurtme，Icouldgiveyounohopeatall。Ihavemypride，monami。ButifwhatyouhavesaidyouwouldstillhavesaidthoughIhadcontinuedmistressofCondillac，then，Tressan，youmayrepeatittomehereafter，ataseasonwhenImaylisten。”
Hisjoywelledupandoverflowedinhimasoverflowsariverintimeofspate。
Hebentforward，caughtherhand，andboreittohislips。
“Clotilde！“hecried，inasmotheredvoice；thenthedooropened，andMariussteppedintothelongchamber。
AtthecreakingsoundoftheopeningdoortheSeneschalbestirredhimselftorise。Eventheveryyoungcarenotsotobesurprised，howmuchless，then，amanwellpasttheprimeoflife？Hecameuplaboriously-themorelaboriouslybyvirtueofhisveryeffortstoshowhimselfstillnimbleinhismistress”seyes。Upontheintruderheturnedacrimson，furiousface，perspirationgleaminglikevarnishonbrowandnose。AtsightofMarius，whostoodarrested，scowlingvillainouslyuponthepair，thefirediedsuddenlyfromhisglance。
“Ah，mydearMarius，“saidhe，withaflourishandanairofbeingmightilyathisease。Buttheyoungman”seyeswentoverandbeyondhimtorestinalookofscrutinyuponhismother。Shehadrisentoo，andhehadbeenintimetoseethestartledmannerofherrising。Inhercheekstherewasaguiltyflush，buthereyesboldlymetandthrewbackherson”sregard。
Mariuscameslowlydowntheroom，andnowordwasspoken。TheSeneschalclearedhisthroatwithnoisynervousness。Madamestoodhandonhip，theflushfadingslowly，herglanceresumingitshabituallazyinsolence。BythefireMariuspausedandkickedthelogsintoablaze，regardlessofthedelicatefabricofhisrosettedshoes。
“MonsieurleSeneschal，“saidmadamecalmly，cametoseeusinthematterofthecourier。”
“Ah！“saidMarius，withaninsolentliftingofhisbrowsandasidelonglookatTressan；andTressanregisteredinhisheartavowthatwhenheshouldhavecometowedthemother，hewouldnotforgettotakepaymentforthatglancefromherpertson。
“MonsieurleComtewillremainandsupwithusbeforeridingbacktoGrenoble，“sheadded。
“Ah！“saidheagain，inthesametone。Andthatforthemomentwasallhesaid。Heremainedbythefire，standingbetweenthemwherehehadplantedhimselfintheflesh，asiftosymbolizetheattitudeheintendedinthespirit。
Butonechancehehad，beforesupperwaslaid，ofawordalonewithhismother，inherowncloset。
“Madame，“hesaid，hissternnessminglingwithalarm，“areyoumadthatyouencouragethesuitofthishedgehogTressan？“
Shelookedhimupanddownwithadeliberateeye，herlipcurlingalittle。
“Surely，Marius，itismyownconcern。”
“Notso，“heansweredher，andhisgraspfastenedalmostviciouslyonherwrist。“Ithinkthatitismineaswell。Mother，bethinkyou，“andhistonechangedtoanimploringkey，“bethinkyouwhatyouwoulddo！Wouldyou-you-matewithsuchathingasthat？“
Hisemphasisofthepronounwasveryeloquent。NotinallthewordsoftheFrenchlanguagecouldhehavetoldherbetterhowhighheplacedherinhisthoughts，howutterlyshemustfall，howunutterablybesoiledbyanalliancewithTressan。
“Ihadhopedyouwouldhavesavedmefromit，Marius，“sheansweredhim，hereyesseemingtogazedownintothedepthsofhis。“AtLaVauvrayeIhadhopedtoliveoutmywidowhoodintranquildignity。
But-“Sheletherarmsfallsharplytohersides，andutteredalittlesneeringlaugh。
“But，mother，“hecried，“betweenthedignityofLaVauvrayeandtheindignityofTressan，surelythereissomemiddlecourse？“
“Aye，“sheansweredscornfully，“starvationonadunghillinTouraine-orsomethingnearakintoit，forwhichIhavenostomach。”
Hereleasedherwristandstoodwithbenthead，clenchingandunclenchinghislongwhitehands，andshewatchedhim，watchinginhimtheworkingofhisproudandstubbornspirit。
“Mother，“hecriedatlast，andthewordsoundedabsurdbetweenthem，bysolittledidheseemtheyoungerofthetwain，“mother，youshallnotdoityoumustnot！“
“Youleavemelittlealternative-alas！“sighedshe。“Hadyoubeenmoreadroityouhadbeenwedbynow，Marius，andthefuturewouldgiveusnoconcern。Asitis，Florimondcomeshome，andwe-“
Shespreadherhandsandthrustouthernetherlipinagrimacethatwasalmostugly。Then：“Come，“shesaidbriskly。“Supperislaid，andmyLordSeneschalwillbeawaitingus。”
Andbeforehecouldreplyshehadsweptpasthimandtakenherwaybelow。Hefollowedgloomily，andingloomsatheattable，neverheedingtherecklessgaietyoftheSeneschalandtheforcedmirthoftheMarquise。Hewellunderstoodthesortoftacitbargainthathismotherhadmadewithhim。ShehadseenheradvantageinhisloathingoftheproposedunionwithTressan，andshehadusedittothefull。EitherhemustcompelValerietowedhimthissideofSaturdayorresignhimselftoseehismother-hisbeautiful，peerlessmother-marriedtothisskinoflardthatcalleditselfaman。
Living，hehadneverentertainedforhisfatherason”srespect，nor，dead，didhenowreverencehismemoryasbecomesason。Butinthathour，ashesatattable，facingthisgrosswooerofhismother”s，hiseyeswereraisedtotheportraitoftheflorid-visagedhaughtyMarquisdeCondillac，whereitlookeddownuponthemfromthepanelledwall，andfromhissoulheoffereduptothatportraitofhisdeadsireanapologyforthesuccessorwhomhiswidowdestinedhim。
Heatelittle，butdrankgreatdraughts，asmenwillwhentheirmoodissullenanddejected，andtheheatofthewine，warminghisveinsandliftingfromhimsomeofthegloomthathadsettledoverhim，lenthimanonacertainrecklessnessverydifferentfromthemannerofhissobermoments。
Chancingsuddenlytoraisehiseyesfromthecupintowhichhehadbeengazing，absorbedasgazesaseerintohiscrystal，hecaughtontheSeneschal”slipsssoodiousasmile，intheman”seyessogreedy，hatefulaleerashebentthemontheMarquise，thathehadmuchadonottoaltertheexpressionofthatflabbyfacebyhurlingatitthecupheheld。
Hecurbedhimself；hesmiledsardonicallyuponthepair；andinthatmomenthesworethatbethecostwhatitmight，hewouldfrustratetheunionofthosetwo。HisthoughtsflewtoValerie，andtheroadtheytookwasfouledwiththemudofuglydeeds。Adespair，grimatfirst，thenmocking，tookpossessionofhim。HelovedValerietodistraction。Lovedherforherself，apartfromallworldlyadvantagesthatmustaccruetohimfromanalliancewithher。HismothersawinthatprojectedmarriagenomorethantheacquisitionofthelandsofLaVauvraye，andshemayevenhavethoughtthathehimselfsawnomore。Inthatshewaswrong；butbecauseofitshemayhavebeenjustifiedofherimpatiencewithhimatthetardiness，theveryclumsinesswithwhichheurgedhissuit。Howwasshetoknowthatitwasjustthesincerityofhispassionmadehimclumsy？
Forlikemanyanother，normallyglib，self-assured，andgraceful，Mariusgrewhalting，shy，andclumsyonlywhereheloved。
Butinthedespairthattookhimnowthequalityofhispassionseemedtochange。Partlyitwasthewine，partlythesightofthisotherlover-ofwhomtheremustbeanend-whoseveryglanceseemedtohimaninsulttohismother。Hisimaginationhadtakenfirethatnight，andithadripenedhimforanyvillainy。TheSeneschalandthewine，betweenthem，hadopenedthefloodgatesofallthatwasevilinhisnature，andthatevilthunderedoutinagreattorrentthatbidfairtosweepallbeforeit。
Andsuddenly，unexpectedlyfortheothers，whowerebynowresignedtohismoodysilence，theevilfoundexpression。TheMarquisehadspokenofsomething-somethingofslightimportance-thatmustbedonebeforeFlorimondreturned。AbruptlyMariusswungroundinhisseattofacehismother。“MustthisFlorimondreturn？“heasked，andforallthatheutterednomorewords，soampleintheirexpressionwerethosefourthathehadutteredandthetoneofthem，thathismeaningleftlittleworktotheimagination。
Madameturnedtostareathim，surpriseineffableinherglance-
notatthethingthathesuggested，butattheabruptnesswithwhichthesuggestioncame。Thecynical，sneeringtoneranginherearsafterthewordswerespoken，andshelookedinhisfaceforaconfirmationoftheirfullpurport。
Sheobservedthewine-flushonhischeek，thewine-glitterinhiseye，andsheremarkedtheslightsmileonhislipsandthecynicalassumptionofnonchalancewithwhichhefingeredthejewelinhisearashereturnedhergaze。Shebeheldnowinhersonamanmorepurposefulthanshehadeverknownbefore。
Atensesilencehadfollowedhiswords，andtheLordSeneschalgapedathim，someofthecolourfadingfromhisplethoriccountenance，suspectingashedidthetruedriftofMarius”ssuggestion。Atlastitwasmadamewhospoke-verysoftly，withanarrowingoftheeyes。
“CallFortunio，“wasallshesaid，butMariusunderstoodfullwellthepurposeforwhichshewouldhaveFortuniocalled。
Withahalf-smileherose，andgoingtothedoorhebadehispagewhowasidlingintheanteroomgosummonthecaptain。Thenhepacedslowlyback，nottotheplacehehadlatelyoccupiedattable，buttothehearth，wherehetookhisstandwithhisshoulderssquaredtotheovermantel。
Fortuniocame，fair-hairedandfresh-complexionedasababe，hissupple，notungracefulfiguretawdrilycladinshowyclothesofpoormaterialtheworseforhardusageandspiltwine。TheCountessbadehimsit，andwithherownhandsshepouredacupofAnjouforhim。
Insomewonder，and，，forallhisordinaryself-possession，withalittleawkwardness，thecaptaindidherbidding，andwithanapologeticairhetooktheseatsheofferedhim。
Hedrankthiswine，andherewasaspellofsilencetillMarius，grownimpatient，brutallyputthethingforwhichtheMarquisesoughtdelicatewords。
“Wehavesentforyou，Fortunio，“saidhe，inablusteringtone，“toinquireofyouwhatpriceyou”dasktocutthethroatofmybrother，theMarquisdeCondillac。”
TheSeneschalsankbackinhischairwithagasp。Thecaptain，afrownbetweenhisfrank-seeming，wide-seteyes，startedroundtolookattheboy。Thebusinesswasbynomeanstoostrongfortheruffler”sstomach，butthewordsinwhichitwasconveyedtohimmostemphaticallywere。
“MonsieurdeCondillac，“saidhe，withanoddassumptionofdignity，“Ithinkyouhavemistakenyourman。Iamasoldier，notacut-throat。”
“Butyes，“theMarquisesoothedhim，throwingherselfinstantlyintothebreach，andlayingalong，slenderhanduponthefrayedgreenvelvetofthecaptain”ssleeve。“Whatmysonmeansandwhathesaysarevastlydifferentthings。”
“Itwillsorelytaxyourwits，madame，“laughedMariusbrutally，“tomakeclearthatdifference。”
AndthentheSeneschalnervouslyclearedhisthroatandmutteringthatitwaxedlateandhemustberidinghome，madeshifttorise。
Him，too，theMarquiseatoncesubdued。Shewasnotmindedthatheshouldgojustyet。Itmightbeusefultoherhereaftertohavehadhimpresentatthisconference，intowhichshemeanttodrawhimuntilsheshouldhavemadehimonewiththem，apartytotheirguilt。
Forthetasksheneedednotovermanywords：justoneortwoandameltingglanceorso，andtherebellioninhisbosomwasquelledatonce。
Butwiththecaptainherwileswerenotsoreadilysuccessful。Hehadnohopesofwinninghertowife-haplynodesire，sincehewasnotamanofverygreatambitions。Ontheotherhand，hehadagainsthimtheveryworstrecordinFrance，andforallthathemightembarkuponthisbusinessundertheauspicesoftheLordSeneschalhimself，heknewnothowfartheLordSeneschalmightdaretogothereaftertosavehimfromahanging，shoulditcometothat。
Hesaidasmuchinwords。Inabusinessofthiskind，heknewfromexperience，themoredifficultiesheadvanced，thebetterabargainhedroveintheend；andifhewastobepersuadedtoriskhisneckinthis，heshouldwantgoodpayment。Butevenforgoodpaymentonthisoccasionhewasnonetoosureasyetthathewouldlethimselfbepersuaded。
“MonsieurFortunio，“theMarquisesaid，verysoftly，“heednotMonsieurMarius”swords。Attendtome。TheMarquisdeCondillac，asnodoubtyouwillhavelearnedforyourself，islyingatLaRochette。Nowithappensthatheisnoxioustous-letthereasonsbewhattheymay。Weneedafriendtoputhimoutofourway。Willyoubethatfriend？“
“Youwillobserve，“sneeredMarius，“howwideadifferencethereisbetweenwhattheMarquisesuggestsandmyownfrankquestionofwhatpriceyouwouldtaketocutmybrother”sthroat。”
“Iobservenodifference，whichiswhatyouwouldsay，“Fortunioansweredtruculently，hisheadwellback，hisbrowneyesresentfulofoffence-fornonecanbesoresentfulofimputedvillainyasyourvillainwhoisthorough-paced。“And，“heconcluded，“Ireturnyouthesameanswer，madame-thatIamnocut-throat。”
SherepressedherangeratMarius”ssneeringinterference，andmadealittlegestureofdismaywithhereloquentwhitehands。
“Butwedonotaskyoutocutathroat。”
“Ihaveheardamiss，then，“saidhe，hisinsolenceabatingnothing。
“Youhaveheardaright，butyouhaveunderstoodamiss。Thereareotherwaysofdoingthesethings。Ifitwerebutthecuttingofathroat，shouldwehavesentforyou？Thereareadozeninthegarrisonwouldhavesufficedforourpurpose。”
“Whatisit，then，youneed？“quothhe。
“Wewantanaffaircontrivedwithalldecency。TheMarquisisattheSanglierNoiratLaRochette。Youcanhavenodifficultyinfindinghim，andhavingfoundhim，lessdifficultystillingivingorprovokinginsult。”
“Excellent，“murmuredMariusfromthebackground。“Itissuchanenterpriseasshouldpleaseareadyswordsmanofyourcalibre，Fortunio。”
“Aduel？“quoththefellow，andhisinsolencewentoutofhim，thrustoutbysheerdismay；hismouthfellopen。Aduelwasanotheraffairaltogether。“But，Sangdieu！whatifheshouldslayme？Haveyouthoughtofthat？“
“Slayyou？“criedtheMarquise，hereyesrestingonhisfacewithanexpressionasofwonderatsuchaquestion。“Youjest，Fortunio。”
“Andhewiththefever，“putinMarius，sneering。
“Ah！“mutteredFortunio。“Hehasthefever？Thefeverissomething。
But-but-accidentswillhappen。”
“Florimondwaseveranindifferentswordsman，“murmuredMariusdreamily，asifcommuningwithhimself。
Thecaptainwheeleduponhimoncemore。
“Why，then，MonsieurMarius，“saidhe，“sincethatissoandyouareskilled-asskilledasamI，ormore-andhehasafever，whereistheneedtohiremetothetask？“
“Where？“echoedMarius。“Whataffairmaythatbeofyours？Weaskyoutonameapriceonwhichyouwilldothisthing。Havedonewithcounter-questions。”
Mariuswasskilledwiththefoils，asFortuniosaid，buthecarednotforunbaitedsteel，andhewasconsciousofit，sothatthecaptain”shalf-sneerhadtouchedhimontheraw。Buthewasfoolishtotakethattoneinanswer。Therewasatruculent，Southernprideintherufflerwhichsprangimmediatelyintolifeandwhichnaughtthattheycouldsaythereafterwouldstampout。
“MustIsayagainthatyoumistakeyourman？“washisretort，andashespokeherose，asthoughtosignifythatthesubjectweariedhimandthathisremainingtopursueitmustbeidle。“Iamnotofthosetowhomyoucansay：`Ineedsuchanonekilled，namemethepriceatwhichyou”llbehisbutcher。””
TheMarquisewrungherhandsinprettymimicryofdespair，andpouredoutsoothingwords，asonemightpouroiluponstormywaters。TheSeneschalsatinstolidsilence，ahalf-scaredspectatorofthisoddscene，whattimetheMarquisetalkedandtalkeduntilshehadbroughtFortuniobacktosomemeasureofsubjection。
Suchreasoningasshemadeuseofsheclimaxedbyanofferofnolessasumthanahundredpistoles。Thecaptainlickedhislipsandpulledathismustachios。Forallhisvauntedscornofbeingabutcherataprice，nowthatheheardthepriceheseemednothalfsoscornful。
“Tellmeagainthethingthatyouneeddoingandthemannerofit，“
saidhe，asonewhowasmovedtoreconsider。Shetoldhim，andwhenshehaddonehemadeacompromise。
“IfIgouponthisbusiness，madame，Igonotalone。”
“Oh，asforthat，“saidMarius，“itshallbeasyouwill。Takewhatmenyouwantwithyou。”
“Andhangwiththemafterwards，maybe，“hesneered，hisinsolencereturning。“Thehundredpistoleswouldavailmelittlethen。Lookyou，MonsieurdeCondillac，andyou，madame，ifIgo，I”llneedtotakewithmeabetterhostagethanthewholegarrisonofthisplace。
I”llneedforshieldsomeonewhowillseetoitthatheisnothurthimself，justasIshallseetoitthatheishurtbeforeIam。”
“Whatdoyoumean？Speakout，Fortunio，“theMarquisebadehim。
“Imean，madame，thatIwillgo，nottodothisthing，buttostandbyandrenderhelpifhelpbeneeded。LetMonsieurdeCondillacgo，andIwillgowithhim，andIwillundertaketoseetoitthathereturnsunhurtandthatweleavetheotherstark。”
Bothstarted，andtheSeneschalleanedheavilyuponthetable。Hewasnot，withallhisfaults，amanofblood，andthistalkofbutcheryturnedhimsickandfaint。
VainlynowdidtheMarquiseseektoalterthecaptain”sresolution；
butinthisshereceivedasuddencheckfromMariushimself。Hecutinuponherargumentstoaskthecaptain：
“Howcanyoupromisesomuch？DoyoumeanthatyouandImustfalluponhim？Youforgetthathewillhavemenabouthim。Aduelisonething，arough-and-tumbleanother，andweshallfarenonesowellinthis，I”mthinking。”
Thecaptainclosedoneeye，andaleerofsubtlecunningoverspreadhisface。
“I”vethoughtofthat，“saidhe。“Neitheraduelnorarough-and-tumbledoIpropose，butsomethingbetweenthetwo；
somethingthatshallseemaduelyetbearough-and-tumble。”
“Explainyourself。”
“Whatfurtherexplanationdoesitask？WecomeuponMonsieurleMarquiswherehismenarenot。Wepenetrate，letussay，intohischamber。Iturnthekeyinthedoor。Wearealonewithhimandyouprovokehim。Heisangry，andmustfightyouthereandthen。Iamyourfriend；Imustfilltheofficeofsecondforbothsides。Youengage，andIstandasideandletyoufightitout。Yousayheisindifferentlyskilledwiththesword，and，inaddition，thathehasafever。Thusyoushouldcontrivetoputyoursteelthroughhim，andaduelitwillhavebeen。Butifbyluckorskillheshouldhaveyouindanger，Ishallbeathandtoflickinmyswordattherightmomentandmakeanopeningthroughwhichyoumaysendyourshome。”
“Believemeitwerebetter-“begantheDowager。ButMarius，whoofasuddenwasmuchtakenwiththenotion，againbrokein。
“Areyoutobedependedupontomakenomistake，Fortunio？“
“PerBacco！“sworetheruffler。“Amistakemustcostmeahundredpistoles。Ithinkyoumaydependuponmethere。IfIerratall，itwillbeonthesideofeagernesstoseeyoumakeshortworkofhim。Youhavemyanswernow，monsieur。Ifwetalkallnight，youshallnotmovemefurther。Butifmyproposalsuitsyou，Iamyourman。”
“AndIyours，Fortunio，“answeredMarius，andtherewasaringalmostofexultationinhisvoice。
TheDowagerlookedfromonetotheother，asifshewereweighingthemenandsatisfyingherselfthatMariusrannorisk。Sheputaquestionortwotoherson，anothertothecaptain；then，seemingsatisfiedwithwhathadbeenagreed，shenoddedherheadandtoldthemtheyhadbestbestirringwiththedawn。
“Youwillhavelightenoughbyhalf-pastsix。Donotdelaylaterintakingtheroad。Andseethatyouarebackherebynightfall；
Ishallbeanxioustillyouarereturned。”
Shepouredwineagainforthecaptain，andMariuscominguptothetablefilledhimselfaglass，whichhetossedoff。TheMarquisewasspeakingtoTressan。
“Willyounotdrinktothesuccessoftheventure？“sheaskedhim，inacoaxingtone，hereyesuponhisown。“Ithinkweareliketoseetheendofourtroublesnow，monsieur，andMariusshallbelordbothofCondillacandLaVauvraye。”
Andthegross，foolishSeneschal，underthespellofhermagnificenteyes，slowlyraisedhiscuptohislipsanddranktothesuccessofthatmurderousbusiness。Mariusstoodstill，afrownbetweenhiseyeshaledthitherbythementionofLaVauvraye。Hemightbewinningit，ashismothersaid，buthewouldhavepreferredtohavewonitdifferently。Thenthefrownwassmoothedaway；asardonicsmilereplacedit；anothercupofwinehepouredhimself。Then，withoutwordtoanythere，heturnedonhisheelandwentfromtheroom，atrifleunsteadyinhisgait，yetwithsuchlinesofpurposefulnessinthewayheborehimselfthatthethreeofthemstaredafterhimindullsurprise。
CHAPTERXVI
THEUNEXPECTED
InherapartmentsintheNorthernTowerValeriehadsupped，and-
tospareMonsieurdeGarnachethefullindignityofthatpartoftheofficeshewaschargedwith-shehadherselfremovedtheclothandsetthethingsintheguard-room，wheretheymightlietillmorning。Whenthatwasdone-anddespiteherprotests，GarnachehadinsisteduponlendingahandtheParisianremindedherthatitwasalreadyafternine，andurgedhertomakesuchpreparationsasincumbedherfortheirjourney。
“Mypreparationsaresoonmade，“sheassuredhimwithasmile。“I
needbutwhatImaycarryinacloak。”
Theyfelltotalkingoftheirimpendingflight，andtheylaughedtogetheratthediscomfiturethatwouldbetheDowager”sandherson”swhen，inthemorning，theycametodiscovertheemptycage。
>FromthattheypassedontotalkofValerieherself，ofherearlierlifeatLaVauvraye，andlatertheconversationshiftedtoGarnache，andshequestionedhimtouchingthewarringhehadseeninearlyyouth，andafterwardsaskedhimforparticularsofParis-thatwonderfulcitywhichtohermindwastheonlyearthlyparallelofParadise-andofthelifeatCourt。
Thusinintimatetalkdidtheywhileawaythetimeofwaiting，andinthehourthatspedtheycame，perhaps，toknowmoreofeachotherthantheyhaddonehitherto。Intimate，indeed，hadtheyunconsciouslybecomealready。Theirsingularposition，lockedtogetherinthattower-apositionutterlyimpossibleunderanybuttheconditionsthatattendedit-hadconducedtothatgood-fellowship，whilstthegirl”strustanddependenceupontheman，theman”sobservanceofthattrust，andhisdeterminationtoshowherthatithadnotbeenmisplaced，haddonetherest。
Butto-nighttheyseemedtohavedrawnnearerinspirittoeachother，andthat，maybe，itwasthatpromptedValerietosigh，andinhersweet，unthinkinginnocencetosayagain：
“Iamtrulysorry，MonsieurdeGarnache，thatoursojournhereiscomingtoanend。”
Hewasnocoxcomb，andhesetnofalsevalueonthewords。Helaughedforanswer，asherejoined：
“NotsoamI，mademoiselle。NorshallIknowpeaceofmindagainuntilthisill-omenedchateauisagoodthreeleaguesorsobehindus。Sh！Whatwasthat？“
Hecameinstantlytohisfeet，hisfaceintentandserious。Hehadbeensittingathiseaseinanarmchair，overthebackofwhichhehadtossedthebaldricfromwhichhissworddepended。Theclangoftheheavydoorbelow，strikingthewallasitwaspushedopen，hadreachedhisears。
“Canitbetimealready？“askedmademoiselle；yetapanictookher，andsheblenchedalittle。
Heshookhishead。
“Impossible，“saidhe；“itisnotmorethanteno”clock。UnlessthatfoolArseniohasblundered-“Hestopped。“Sh！“hewhispered。
“Someoneiscominghere。”
Andsuddenlyherealizedtheperilthatmightlieinbeingfoundthusinhercompany。Italarmedhimmorethandidthevisititself，sounusualatthishour。Hesawthathehadnottimetoreachtheguard-room；hewouldbecaughtintheactofcomingforth，andthatmightbeinterpretedbytheDowagerorherson-ifitshouldhappentobeoneortheotherofthem-asahurriedactofflightsuchasguiltmightprompt。Perhapsheexaggeratedtherisk；buttheirfortunesatCondillachadreachedapointwheretheymustnotbejeopardizedbyanychancehoweverslight。
“Toyourchamber，mademoiselle，“hewhisperedfearfully，andhepointedtothedooroftheinnerroom。“Lockyourselfin。Quick！
Sh！“Andhesignedfranticallytohertogosilently。
Swiftandquietlyasamousesheglidedfromtheroomandsoftlyclosedthedoorofherchamberandturnedthekeyinalock，whichGarnachehadhadtheforesighttokeepwelloiled。Hebreathedmorefreelywhenitwasdone。
Astepsoundedintheguard-room。Hesankwithoutarustleintothechairfromwhichhehadrisen，restedhisheadagainstthebackofit，closedhiseyes，openedhismouth，anddissembledsleep。
Thestepscameswiftlyacrosstheguard-roomfloor，soft，asofonelightlyshod；andGarnachewonderedwasitthemotherortheson，justashewonderedwhatthisill-comevisitormightbeseeking。
Thedooroftheantechamberwaspushedgentlyopenithadstoodajar-andunderthelintelappearedtheslenderfigureofMarius，stillinhisbrownvelvetsuitasGarnachelasthadseenhim。Hepausedamomenttopeerintothechamber。Thenhesteppedforward，frowningtobehold“Battista“socosilyensconced。
“Olathere！“hecried，andkickedthesentry”soutstretchedlegs，themorespeedilytowakehim。“Isthisthewatchyoukeep？“
Garnacheopenedhiseyesandstaredaseconddullyatthedisturberofhisfeignedslumbers。Then，asifbeingmorefullyawakenedherecognizedhismaster，heheavedhimselfsuddenlytohisfeetandbowed。
“Isthisthewatchyoukeep？“quothMariusagain，andGarnache，scanningtheyouth”sfacewithfoolishlysmilingeyes，notedtheflushonhischeek，theoddglitterinhishandsomeeyes，andevencaughtawhiffofwineuponhisbreath。AlarmgrewinGarnache”smind，buthisfacemaintaineditsfoolishvacancy，itsinanesmile。
Hebowedagainand，withawaveofthehandstowardstheinnerchamber，“Ladamigellaala，“saidhe。
ForallthatMariushadnoItalianheunderstoodthedriftofthewords，assistedastheywerebytheman”sexpressivegesture。Hesneeredcruelly。
“Itwouldbeanuglythingforyou，myuglyfriend，ifshewerenot，“heanswered。“Awaywithyou。IshallcallyouwhenIneedyou。”Andhepointedtothedoor。
Garnacheexperiencedsomedismay，somefeareven。Hepliedhiswits，andhedeterminedthathehadbestseemtoapprehendfromhisgesturesMarius”smeaning；butapprehenditinpartonly，andgonofurtherthantheothersideofthatdoor。
Hebowed，therefore，forthethirdtime，andwithanotherofhisfoolishgrinsheshuffledoutofthechamber，pullingthedoorafterhim，sothatMariusshouldnotseehownearathandhestayed。
Marius，withoutfurtherheedinghim，steppedtomademoiselle”sdoorandrappedonapanelwithbriskknuckles。
“Whoisthere？“sheinquiredfromwithin。
“ItisI-Marius。Open，IhavesomethingImustsaytoyou。”
“Willitnotkeeptillmorning？“
“Ishallbegonebythen，“heansweredimpatiently，“andmuchdependsuponmyseeingyouereIgo。Soopen。Come！“
Therefollowedapause，andGarnacheintheouterroomsethisteethandprayedshemightnotangerMarius。Hemustbehandledskillfully，lesttheirflightshouldbefrustratedatthelastmoment。Heprayed，too，thattheremightbenoneedforhisintervention。Thatwouldindeedbetheendofall-ashipwreckwithinsightofharbour。
Hepromisedhimselfthathewouldnotlightlyintervene。FortherestthisnewsofMarius”sintendeddeparturefilledhimwithadesiretoknowsomethingofthejourneyonwhichhewasbound：
Slowlymademoiselle”sdooropened。Whiteandtimidsheappeared。
“Whatdoyouwant，Marius？“
“Nowandalwaysandaboveallthingsthesightofyou，Valerie，“
saidhe，andtheflushedcheek，theglitteringeye，andwine-ladenbreathwereasplaintoherastheyhadbeentoGarnache，andtheyfilledherwithadeeperterror。Neverthelessshecameforthathisbidding。
“Iseethatyouwerenotyetabed，“saidhe。“Itisaswell。Wemusthaveatalk。”Hesetachairforherandbeggedhertobeseated；thenheperchedhimselfonthetable，hishandsgrippingtheedgesofitoneithersideofhim，andheturnedhiseyesuponher。
“Valerie，“hesaidslowly，“theMarquisdeCondillac，mybrother，isatLaRochette。”
“Heiscominghome！“shecried，claspingherhandsandfeigningsurpriseinwordandglance。
Mariusshookhisheadandsmiledgrimly。
“No，“saidhe。“Heisnotcominghome。Thatis-notunlessyouwishit。”
“NotunlessIwishit？ButnaturallyIwishit！“
“Then，Valerie，ifyouwouldhavewhatyouwish，somustI。IfFlorimondisevertocometoCondillacagain，youmustbemywife。”
Heleanedtowardshernow，supportedbyhiselbow，sothathisfacewasclosetohers，adeeperflushuponit，abrighterglitterinhisblackeyes，hisvinousbreathenvelopingandsuffocatingher。Sheshrankback，herhandslockingthemselvesoneintheothertilltheknucklesshowedwhite。
“What-whatisityoumean？“shefaltered。
“NomorethanIhavesaid；noless。Ifyoulovehimwellenoughtosacrificeyourself，“andhislipscurledsardonicallyattheword，“thenmarrymeandsavehimfromhisdoom。”
“Whatdoom？“Hervoicecamemechanically，herlipsseemingscarcetomove。
Heswungdownfromthetableandstoodbeforeher。
“Iwilltellyou，“hesaid，inavoiceveryfullofpromise。“I
loveyou，Valerie，aboveallelseonearthor，Ithink，inheaven；
andI”llnotyieldyoutohim。Say”No”tomenow，andatdaybreakIstartforLaRochettetowinyoufromhimatpointofsword。”
Despiteherfearsshecouldnotrepressalittlesmileofscorn。
“Isthatall？“saidshe。“Why，ifyouaresorash，itisyourself，assuredly，willbeslain。”
Hesmiledtranquillyatthatreflectionuponhiscourageandhisskill。
“SomightitbefallifIwentalone，“saidhe。Sheunderstood。
Hereyesdilatedwithhorror，withloathingofhim。Theangrywordsthatsprangtoherlipswerenottobedenied。
“Youcur，youcowardlyassassin！“sheblazedathim。“Imighthaveguessedthatinsomesuchcutthroatmannerwouldyourvauntofwinningmeatthesword-pointbeaccomplished。”
Shewatchedthecolourfadefromhischeeks，andtheugly，lividhuethatspreadinitsroomtohisverylips。Yetitdidnotdaunther。Shewasonherfeet，confrontinghimerehehadtimetospeakagain。Hereyesflashed，andherarmpointedquiveringtothedoor。
“Go！“shebadehim，hervoiceharshforonce。“Outofmysight！
Go！Doyourworst，sothatyouleaveme。I”llholdnotrafficwithyou。”
“Willyounot？“saidhe，throughsettingteeth，andsuddenlyhecaughtthewristofthatoutstretchedarm。Butshesawnothingofimmediatedanger。TheonlydangerthatsheknewwasthedangerthatthreatenedFlorimond，andlittledidthatmattersinceatmidnightshewastoleaveCondillactoreachLaRochetteintimetowarnherbetrothed。Theknowledgegaveherconfidenceandanaddedcourage。