Afterthatheturnedroundtome，andaskedveryanxiouslyifIhadanyobjectiontopartingwiththatsketch。
　　Itwastheleastinterestingdrawingofthecollection——merelyaviewinoneofthestreetsrunningbythebacksofthehousesinthePalaisRoyal。Somefourorfiveofthesehouseswerecomprisedintheview，whichwasofnoparticularusetomeinanyway，andwhichwastoovalueless，asaworkofart，formetothinkofsellingit。Ibeggedhisacceptanceofitatonce。Hethankedmequitewarmly;andthen，seeingthatIlookedalittlesurprisedattheoddselectionhehadmadefrommysketches，laughinglyaskedmeifIcouldguesswhyhehadbeensoanxioustobecomepossessedoftheviewwhichIhadgivenhim。
　　"Probably，"Ianswered，"thereissomeremarkablehistoricalassociationconnectedwiththatstreetatthebackofthePalaisRoyal，ofwhichIamignorant。"
　　"No，"saidMr。Faulkner;"atleastnonethat/I/knowof。Theonlyassociationconnectedwiththeplacein/my/mindisapurelypersonalassociation。Lookatthishouseinyourdrawing——thehousewiththewater-piperunningdownitfromtoptobottom。Ioncepassedanightthere——anightIshallneverforgettothedayofmydeath。Ihavehadsomeawkwardtravellingadventuresinmytime;but/that/adventure！
　　Well，nevermind，supposewebeginthesitting。Imakebutabadreturnforyourkindnessingivingmethesketchbythuswastingyourtimeinmeretalk。"
　　"Come！come！"thoughtI，ashewentbacktothesitter’schair，"I
　　shallseeyournaturalexpressiononyourfaceifIcanonlygetyoutotalkaboutthatadventure。"Itwaseasyenoughtoleadhimintherightdirection。Atthefirsthintfromme，hereturnedtothesubjectofthehouseinthebackstreet。Without，Ihope，showinganyunduecuriosity，IcontrivedtolethimseethatIfeltadeepinterestineverythinghenowsaid。Aftertwoorthreepreliminaryhesitations，heatlast，tomygreatjoy，fairlystartedonthenarrativeofhisadventure。Intheinterestofhissubjecthesooncompletelyforgotthathewassittingforhisportrait，——theveryexpressionthatIwantedcameoverhisface，——andmydrawingproceededtowardcompletion，intherightdirection，andtothebestpurpose。AteveryfreshtouchIfeltmoreandmorecertainthatIwasnowgettingthebetterofmygranddifficulty;andIenjoyedtheadditionalgratificationofhavingmyworklightenedbytherecitalofatruestory，whichpossessed，inmyestimation，alltheexcitementofthemostexcitingromance。
　　This，asIrecollectit，ishowMr。Faulknertoldmehisadventure。
　　THETRAVELLER’SSTORYOFA
　　TERRIBLYSTRANGEBED
　　Shortlyaftermyeducationatcollegewasfinished，IhappenedtobestayingatPariswithanEnglishfriend。Wewerebothyoungmenthen，andlived，Iamafraid，ratherawildlife，inthedelightfulcityofoursojourn。OnenightwewereidlingabouttheneighbourhoodofthePalaisRoyal，doubtfultowhatamusementweshouldnextbetakeourselves。MyfriendproposedavisittoFrascati’s;buthissuggestionwasnottomytaste。IknewFrascati’s，astheFrenchsayingis，byheart;hadlostandwonplentyoffive-francpiecesthere，merelyforamusement’ssake，untilitwasamusementnolonger，andwasthoroughlytired，infact，ofalltheghastlyrespectabilitiesofsuchasocialanomalyasarespectablegambling-house。"ForHeaven’ssake，"saidItomyfriend，"letusgosomewherewherewecanseealittlegenuine，blackguard，poverty-strickengamingwithnofalsegingerbreadglitterthrownoveritall。LetusgetawayfromfashionableFrascati’s，toahousewheretheydon’tmindlettinginamanwitharaggedcoat，oramanwithnocoat，raggedorotherwise。""Verywell，"saidmyfriend，"weneedn’tgooutofthePalaisRoyaltofindthesortofcompanyyouwant。Here’stheplacejustbeforeus;asblackguardaplace，byallreport，asyoucouldpossiblywishtosee。"Inanotherminutewearrivedatthedoorandenteredthehouse，thebackofwhichyouhavedrawninyoursketch。
　　Whenwegotupstairs，andhadleftourhatsandstickswiththedoorkeeper，wewereadmittedintothechiefgambling-room。Wedidnotfindmanypeopleassembledthere。But，fewasthemenwerewholookedupatusonourentrance，theywerealltypes——lamentablytruetypes——
　　oftheirrespectiveclasses。
　　Wehadcometoseeblackguards;butthesemenweresomethingworse。
　　Thereisacomicside，moreorlessappreciable，inallblackguardism——
　　heretherewasnothingbuttragedy——mute，weirdtragedy。Thequietintheroomwashorrible。Thethin，haggard，long-hairedyoungman，whosesunkeneyesfiercelywatchedtheturningupofthecards，neverspoke;
　　theflabby，fat-faced，pimplyplayer，whoprickedhispieceofpasteboardperseveringly，toregisterhowoftenblackwon，andhowoftenred——neverspoke;thedirty，wrinkledoldman，withthevultureeyesandthedarnedgreat-coat，whohadlosthislastsou，andstilllookedondesperately，afterhecouldplaynolonger——neverspoke。Eventhevoiceofthecroupiersoundedasifitwerestrangelydulledandthickenedintheatmosphereoftheroom。Ihadenteredtheplacetolaugh，butthespectaclebeforemewassomethingtoweepover。Isoonfounditnecessarytotakerefugeinexcitementfromthedepressionofspiritswhichwasfaststealingonme。UnfortunatelyIsoughtthenearestexcitement，bygoingtothetableandbeginningtoplay。Stillmoreunfortunately，astheeventwillshow，Iwon——wonprodigiously;
　　wonincredibly;wonatsucharatethattheregularplayersatthetablecrowdedroundme;andstaringatmystakeswithhungry，superstitiouseyes，whisperedtooneanotherthattheEnglishstrangerwasgoingtobreakthebank。
　　ThegamewasRougeetNoir。IhadplayedatitineverycityinEurope，without，however，thecareorthewishtostudytheTheoryofChances——
　　thatphilosopher’sstoneofallgamblers！Andagambler，inthestrictsenseoftheword，Ihadneverbeen。Iwasheart-wholefromthecorrodingpassionforplay。Mygamingwasamereidleamusement。I
　　neverresortedtoitbynecessity，becauseIneverknewwhatitwastowantmoney。IneverpractiseditsoincessantlyastolosemorethanI
　　couldafford，ortogainmorethanIcouldcoollypocketwithoutbeingthrownoffmybalancebymygoodluck。Inshort，Ihadhithertofrequentedgambling-tables——justasIfrequentedball-roomsandopera-
　　houses——becausetheyamusedme，andbecauseIhadnothingbettertodowithmyleisurehours。
　　Butonthisoccasionitwasverydifferent——now，forthefirsttimeinmylife，Ifeltwhatthepassionforplayreallywas。Mysuccessfirstbewildered，andthen，inthemostliteralmeaningoftheword，intoxicatedme。Incredibleasitmayappear，itisneverthelesstrue，thatIonlylostwhenIattemptedtoestimatechances，andplayedaccordingtopreviouscalculation。IfIlefteverythingtoluck，andstakedwithoutanycareorconsideration，Iwassuretowin——towininthefaceofeveryrecognizedprobabilityinfavourofthebank。Atfirstsomeofthemenpresentventuredtheirmoneysafelyenoughonmycolour;butIspeedilyincreasedmystakestosumswhichtheydarednotrisk。Oneafteranothertheyleftoffplaying，andbreathlesslylookedonatmygame。
　　Still，timeaftertime，Istakedhigherandhigher，andstillwon。Theexcitementintheroomrosetofeverpitch。Thesilencewasinterruptedbyadeep-mutteredchorusofoathsandexclamationsindifferentlanguages，everytimethegoldwasshovelledacrosstomysideofthetable——eventheimperturbablecroupierdashedhisrakeonthefloorina（French）furyofastonishmentatmysuccess。Butonemanpresentpreservedhisself-possession，andthatmanwasmyfriend。Hecametomyside，andwhisperinginEnglish，beggedmetoleavetheplace，satisfiedwithwhatIhadalreadygained。Imustdohimthejusticetosaythatherepeatedhiswarningsandentreatiesseveraltimes，andonlyleftmeandwentawayafterIhadrejectedhisadvice（Iwastoallintentsandpurposesgamblingdrunk）intermswhichrendereditimpossibleforhimtoaddressmeagainthatnight。
　　Shortlyafterhehadgone，ahoarsevoicebehindmecried："Permitme，mydearsir——permitmetorestoretotheirproperplacetwonapoleonswhichyouhavedropped。Wonderfulluck，sir！Ipledgeyoumywordofhonour，asanoldsoldier，inthecourseofmylongexperienceinthissortofthing，Ineversawsuchluckasyours——never！Goon，sir——
　　/Sacremillebombes！/Goonboldly，andbreakthebank！"
　　Iturnedroundandsaw，noddingandsmilingatmewithinveteratecivility，atallman，dressedinafroggedandbraidedsurtout。IfI
　　hadbeeninmysenses，Ishouldhaveconsideredhim，personally，asbeingratherasuspiciousspecimenofanoldsoldier。Hehadgogglingbloodshoteyes，mangymoustaches，andabrokennose。Hisvoicebetrayedabarrack-roomintonationoftheworstorder，andhehadthedirtiestpairofhandsIeversaw——eveninFrance。Theselittlepersonalpeculiaritiesexercised，however，norepellinginfluenceonme。Inthemadexcitement，therecklesstriumphofthatmoment，Iwasreadyto"fraternize"withanybodywhoencouragedmeinmygame。Iacceptedtheoldsoldier’sofferedpinchofsnuff;clappedhimontheback，andsworehewasthehonestestfellowintheworld——themostgloriousrelicoftheGrandArmythatIhadevermetwith。"Goon！"criedmymilitaryfriend，snappinghisfingersinecstasy——"Goon，andwin！Breakthebank——/Milletonnerres！/mygallantEnglishcomrade，breakthebank！"
　　AndI/did/goon——wentonatsucharate，thatinanotherquarterofanhourthecroupiercalledout，"Gentlemen，thebankhasdiscontinuedforto-night。"Allthenotes，andallthegoldinthat"bank"nowlayinaheapundermyhands;thewholefloatingcapitalofthegambling-
　　housewaswaitingtopourintomypockets！
　　"Tieupthemoneyinyourpocket-handkerchief，myworthysir，"saidtheoldsoldier，asIwildlyplungedmyhandsintomyheapofgold。"Tieitup，asweusedtotieupabitofdinnerintheGrandArmy;yourwinningsaretooheavyforanybreeches-pocketsthateverweresewed。
　　There！that’sit——shovelthemin，notesandall！/Credie！/whatluck！
　　Stop！anothernapoleononthefloor！Ah！/sacrepetitpolissondeNapoleon！/haveIfoundtheeatlast？Nowthen，sir——twotightdoubleknotseachwaywithyourhonourablepermission，andthemoney’ssafe。
　　Feelit！feelit，fortunatesir！hardandroundasacannon-ball——/Ah，bah！/iftheyhadonlyfiredsuchcannon-ballsatusatAusterlitz——
　　/nomd’unepipe！/iftheyonlyhad！Andnow，asanancientgrenadier，asanex-braveoftheFrencharmy，whatremainsformetodo？Iaskwhat？Simplythis：toentreatmyvaluedEnglishfriendtodrinkabottleofchampagnewithme，andtoastthegoddessFortuneinfoaminggobletsbeforewepart！"
　　"Excellentex-brave！Convivialancientgrenadier！Champagnebyallmeans！AnEnglishcheerforanoldsoldier！Hurrah！hurrah！AnotherEnglishcheerforthegoddessFortune！Hurrah！hurrah！hurrah！"
　　"Bravo！theEnglishman;theamiable，graciousEnglishman，inwhoseveinscirculatesthevivaciousbloodofFrance！Anotherglass？/Ah，bah！/——thebottleisempty！Nevermind！/Vivelevin！/I，theoldsoldier，orderanotherbottle，andhalfapoundofbonbonswithit！"
　　"No，no，ex-brave;never——ancientgrenadier！/Your/bottlelasttime;
　　mybottlethis。Beholdit！Toastaway！TheFrenchArmy！thegreatNapoleon！thepresentcompany！thecroupier！thehonestcroupier’swifeanddaughters——ifhehasany！theLadiesgenerally！everybodyintheworld！"
　　Bythetimethesecondbottleofchampagnewasemptied，IfeltasifI
　　hadbeendrinkingliquidfire——mybrainseemedallaflame。Noexcessinwinehadeverhadthiseffectonmebeforeinmylife。WasittheresultofastimulantactinguponmysystemwhenIwasinahighlyexcitedstate？Wasmystomachinaparticularlydisorderedcondition？
　　Orwasthechampagneamazinglystrong？
　　"Ex-braveoftheFrenchArmy！"criedI，inamadstateofexhilaration，"Iamonfire！howareyou？Youhavesetmeonfire。Doyouhear，myheroofAusterlitz？Letushaveathirdbottleofchampagnetoputtheflameout！"
　　Theoldsoldierwaggedhishead，rolledhisgoggle-eyes，untilI
　　expectedtoseethemslipoutoftheirsockets;placedhisdirtyforefingerbythesideofhisbrokennose;solemnlyejaculated"Coffee！"andimmediatelyranoffintoaninnerroom。
　　Thewordpronouncedbytheeccentricveteranseemedtohaveamagicaleffectontherestofthecompanypresent。Withoneaccordtheyallrosetodepart。Probablytheyhadexpectedtoprofitbymyintoxication;butfindingthatmynewfriendwasbenevolentlybentonpreventingmefromgettingdeaddrunk，hadnowabandonedallhopeofthrivingpleasantlyonmywinnings。Whatevertheirmotivemightbe，atanyratetheywentawayinabody。Whentheoldsoldierreturned，andsatdownagainoppositetomeatthetable，wehadtheroomtoourselves。Icouldseethecroupier，inasortofvestibulewhichopenedoutofit，eatinghissupperinsolitude。Thesilencewasnowdeeperthanever。
　　Asuddenchange，too，hadcomeoverthe"ex-brave"。Heassumedaportentouslysolemnlook;andwhenhespoketomeagain，hisspeechwasornamentedbynooaths，enforcedbynofinger-snapping，enlivenedbynoapostrophesorexclamations。
　　"Listen，mydearsir，"saidhe，inmysteriouslyconfidentialtones——
　　"listentoanoldsoldier’sadvice。Ihavebeentothemistressofthehouse（averycharmingwoman，withageniusforcookery！）toimpressonherthenecessityofmakingussomeparticularlystrongandgoodcoffee。Youmustdrinkthiscoffeeinordertogetridofyourlittleamiableexaltationofspiritsbeforeyouthinkofgoinghome——you/must/，mygoodandgraciousfriend！Withallthatmoneytotakehometo-night，itisasacreddutytoyourselftohaveyourwitsaboutyou。
　　Youareknowntobeawinnertoanenormousextentbyseveralgentlemenpresentto-night，who，inacertainpointofview，areveryworthyandexcellentfellows;buttheyaremortalmen，mydearsir，andtheyhavetheiramiableweaknesses。NeedIsaymore？Ah，no，no！youunderstandme！Now，thisiswhatyoumustdo——sendforacabrioletwhenyoufeelquitewellagain——drawupallthewindowswhenyougetintoit——andtellthedrivertotakeyouhomeonlythroughthelargeandwell-
　　lightedthoroughfares。Dothis;andyouandyourmoneywillbesafe。Dothis;andto-morrowyouwillthankanoldsoldierforgivingyouawordofhonestadvice。"
　　Justastheex-braveendedhisorationinverylachrymosetones，thecoffeecamein，readypouredoutintwocups。Myattentivefriendhandedmeoneofthecupswithabow。Iwasparchedwiththirst，anddrankitoffatadraught。Almostinstantlyafterwards，Iwasseizedwithafitofgiddiness，andfeltmorecompletelyintoxicatedthanever。Theroomwhirledroundandroundfuriously;theoldsoldierseemedtoberegularlybobbingupanddownbeforemelikethepistonofasteam-engine。Iwashalfdeafenedbyaviolentsinginginmyears;afeelingofutterbewilderment，helplessness，idiocy，overcameme。I
　　rosefrommychair，holdingonbythetabletokeepmybalance;andstammeredoutthatIfeltdreadfullyunwell——sounwellthatIdidnotknowhowIwastogethome。
　　"Mydearfriend，"answeredtheoldsoldier——andevenhisvoiceseemedtobebobbingupanddownashespoke——"mydearfriend，itwouldbemadnesstogohomein/your/state;youwouldbesuretoloseyourmoney;youmightberobbedandmurderedwiththegreatestease。/I/amgoingtosleephere;doyousleephere，too——theymakeupcapitalbedsinthishouse——takeone;sleepofftheeffectsofthewine，andgohomesafelywithyourwinningsto-morrow——to-morrow，inbroaddaylight。"
　　Ihadbuttwoideasleft：one，thatImustneverletgoholdofmyhandkerchieffullofmoney;theother，thatImustliedownsomewhereimmediately，andfalloffintoacomfortablesleep。SoIagreedtotheproposalaboutthebed，andtooktheofferedarmoftheoldsoldier，carryingmymoneywithmydisengagedhand。Precededbythecroupier，wepassedalongsomepassagesandupaflightofstairsintothebedroomwhichIwastooccupy。Theex-braveshookmewarmlybythehand，proposedthatweshouldbreakfasttogether，andthen，followedbythecroupier，leftmeforthenight。
　　Irantothewash-handstand;dranksomeofthewaterinmyjug;pouredtherestout，andplungedmyfaceintoit;thensatdowninachairandtriedtocomposemyself。Isoonfeltbetter。Thechangeformylungs，fromthefetidatmosphereofthegambling-roomtothecoolairoftheapartmentInowoccupied，thealmostequallyrefreshingchangeformyeyes，fromtheglaringgaslightsofthe"salon"tothedim，quietflickerofonebedroomcandle，aidedwonderfullytherestorativeeffectsofcoldwater。Thegiddinessleftme，andIbegantofeelalittlelikeareasonablebeingagain。Myfirstthoughtwasoftheriskofsleepingallnightinagambling-house;mysecond，ofthestillgreaterriskoftryingtogetoutafterthehousewasclosed，andofgoinghomealoneatnightthroughthestreetsofPariswithalargesumofmoneyaboutme。Ihadsleptinworseplacesthanthisonmytravels;
　　soIdeterminedtolock，bolt，andbarricademydoor，andtakemychancetillthenextmorning。
　　Accordingly，Isecuredmyselfagainstallintrusion;lookedunderthebed，andintothecupboard;triedthefasteningofthewindow;andthen，satisfiedthatIhadtakeneveryproperprecaution，pulledoffmyupperclothing，putmylight，whichwasadimone，onthehearthamongafeatherylitterofwood-ashes，andgotintobed，withthehandkerchieffullofmoneyundermypillow。
　　IsoonfeltnotonlythatIcouldnotgotosleep，butthatIcouldnotevenclosemyeyes。Iwaswideawake，andinahighfever。Everynerveinmybodytrembled——everyoneofmysensesseemedtobepreternaturallysharpened。Itossedandrolled，andtriedeverykindofposition，andperseveringlysoughtoutthecoldcornersofthebed，andalltonopurpose。NowIthrustmyarmsovertheclothes;nowIpokedthemundertheclothes;nowIviolentlyshotmylegsstraightoutdowntothebottomofthebed;nowIconvulsivelycoiledthemupasnearmychinastheywouldgo;nowIshookoutmycrumpledpillow，changedittothecoolside，patteditflat，andlaydownquietlyonmyback;nowIfiercelydoubleditintwo，setituponend，thrustitagainsttheboardofthebed，andtriedasittingposture。Everyeffortwasinvain;IgroanedwithvexationasIfeltthatIwasinforasleeplessnight。
　　WhatcouldIdo？Ihadnobooktoread。Andyet，unlessIfoundoutsomemethodofdivertingmymind，IfeltcertainthatIwasintheconditiontoimagineallsortsofhorrors;torackmybrainwithforebodingsofeverypossibleandimpossibledanger;inshort，topassthenightinsufferingallconceivablevarietiesofnervousterror。
　　Iraisedmyselfonmyelbow，andlookedabouttheroom——whichwasbrightenedbyalovelymoonlightpouringstraightthroughthewindow——
　　toseeifitcontainedanypicturesorornamentsthatIcouldatallclearlydistinguish。Whilemyeyeswanderedfromwalltowall，aremembranceofLeMaistre’sdelightfullittlebook，"VoyageautourdemaChambre，"occurredtome。IresolvedtoimitatetheFrenchauthor，andfindoccupationandamusementenoughtorelievethetediumofmywakefulness，bymakingamentalinventoryofeveryarticleoffurnitureIcouldsee，andbyfollowinguptotheirsourcesthemultitudeofassociationswhichevenachair，atable，orawash-handstandmaybemadetocallforth。
　　Inthenervousunsettledstateofmymindatthatmoment，Ifounditmucheasiertomakemyinventorythantomakemyreflections，andthereuponsoongaveupallhopeofthinkinginLeMaistre’sfancifultrack——or，indeed，ofthinkingatall。Ilookedabouttheroomatthedifferentarticlesoffurniture，anddidnothingmore。
　　Therewas，first，thebedIwaslyingin;afour-postbed，ofallthingsintheworldtomeetwithinParis——yes，athoroughlyclumsyBritishfour-poster，withtheregulartoplinedwithchintz——theregularfringedvalanceallround——theregularstifling，unwholesomecurtains，whichIrememberedhavingmechanicallydrawnbackagainstthepostswithoutparticularlynoticingthebedwhenIfirstgotintotheroom。Thentherewasthemarble-toppedwash-handstand，fromwhichthewaterIhadspilled，inmyhurrytopouritout，wasstilldripping，slowlyandmoreslowly，ontothebrickfloor。Thentwosmallchairs，withmycoat，waistcoat，andtrousersflungonthem。Thenalargeelbow-chaircoveredwithdirty-whitedimity，withmycravatandshirtcollarthrownovertheback。Thenachestofdrawerswithtwoofthebrasshandlesoff，andatawdry，brokenchinainkstandplacedonitbywayofornamentforthetop。Thenthedressing-table，adornedbyaverysmalllooking-glass，andaverylargepincushion。Thenthewindow——anunusuallylargewindow。Thenadarkoldpicture，whichthefeeblecandledimlyshowedme。ItwasapictureofafellowinahighSpanishhat，crownedwithaplumeoftoweringfeathers。Aswarthy，sinisterruffian，lookingupward，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，andlookingintentlyupward——itmightbeatsometallgallowsatwhichhewasgoingtobehanged。Atanyrate，hehadtheappearanceofthoroughlydeservingit。
　　Thispictureputakindofconstraintuponmetolookupwardtoo——atthetopofthebed。Itwasagloomyandnotaninterestingobject，andIlookedbackatthepicture。Icountedthefeathersintheman’shat——
　　theystoodoutinrelief——threewhite，twogreen。Iobservedthecrownofhishat，whichwasofconicalshape，accordingtothefashionsupposedtohavebeenfavouredbyGuidoFawkes。Iwonderedwhathewaslookingupat。Itcouldn’tbeatthestars;suchadesperadowasneitherastrologernorastronomer。Itmustbeatthehighgallows，andhewasgoingtobehangedpresently。Wouldtheexecutionercomeintopossessionofhisconicalcrownedhatandplumeoffeathers？Icountedthefeathersagain——threewhite，twogreen。
　　WhileIstilllingeredoverthisveryimprovingandintellectualemployment，mythoughtsinsensiblybegantowander。ThemoonlightshiningintotheroomremindedmeofacertainmoonlightnightinEngland——thenightafterapicnicpartyinaWelshvalley。Everyincidentofthedrivehomeward，throughlovelyscenery，whichthemoonlightmadelovelierthanever，camebacktomyremembrance，thoughIhadnevergiventhepicnicathoughtforyears;though，ifIhad/tried/torecollectit，Icouldcertainlyhaverecalledlittleornothingofthatscenelongpast。Ofallthewonderfulfacultiesthathelptotellusweareimmortal，whichspeaksthesublimetruthmoreeloquentlythanmemory？HerewasI，inastrangehouseofthemostsuspiciouscharacter，inasituationofuncertainty，andevenofperil，whichmightseemtomakethecoolexerciseofmyrecollectionalmostoutofthequestion;nevertheless，remembering，quiteinvoluntarily，places，people，conversations，minutecircumstancesofeverykind，whichIhadthoughtforgottenforever;whichIcouldnotpossiblyhaverecalledatwill，evenunderthemostfavourableauspices。Andwhatcausehadproducedinamomentthewholeofthisstrange，complicated，mysteriouseffect？Nothingbutsomeraysofmoonlightshininginatmybedroomwindow。
　　Iwasstillthinkingofthepicnic——ofourmerrimentonthedrivehome——ofthesentimentalyoungladywho/wouldquote/"ChildeHarold"
　　becauseitwasmoonlight。Iwasabsorbedbythesepastscenesandpastamusements，when，inaninstant，thethreadonwhichmymemorieshungsnappedasunder;myattentionimmediatelycamebacktopresentthingsmorevividlythanever，andIfoundmyself，Ineitherknewwhynorwherefore，lookinghardatthepictureagain。
　　Lookingforwhat？
　　GoodGod！themanhadpulledhishatdownonhisbrows！No！thehatitselfwasgone！Wherewastheconicalcrown？Wherethefeathers——threewhite，twogreen？Notthere！Inplaceofthehatandfeathers，whatduskyobjectwasitthatnowhidhisforehead，hiseyes，hisshadinghand？
　　Wasthebedmoving？
　　Iturnedonmybackandlookedup。WasImad？drunk？dreaming？giddyagain？orwasthetopofthebedreallymovingdown——sinkingslowly，regularly，silently，horribly，rightdownthroughoutthewholeofitslengthandbreadth——rightdownuponme，asIlayunderneath？
　　Mybloodseemedtostandstill。AdeadlyparalysingcoldnessstoleallovermeasIturnedmyheadroundonthepillowanddeterminedtotestwhetherthebedtopwasreallymovingornot，bykeepingmyeyeonthemaninthepicture。
　　Thenextlookinthatdirectionwasenough。Thedull，black，frowzyoutlineofthevalanceabovemewaswithinaninchofbeingparallelwithhiswaist。Istilllookedbreathlessly。Andsteadilyandslowly——
　　veryslowly——Isawthefigure，andthelineofframebelowthefigure，vanish，asthevalancemoveddownbeforeit。
　　Iam，constitutionally，anythingbuttimid。Ihavebeenonmorethanoneoccasioninperilofmylife，andhavenotlostmyself-possessionforaninstant;butwhentheconvictionfirstsettledonmymindthatthebed-topwasreallymoving，wassteadilyandcontinuouslysinkingdownuponme，Ilookedupshuddering，helpless，panic-stricken，beneaththehideousmachineryformurder，whichwasadvancingcloserandclosertosuffocatemewhereIlay。
　　Ilookedup，motionless，speechless，breathless。Thecandle，fullyspent，wentout;butthemoonlightstillbrightenedtheroom。Downanddown，withoutpausingandwithoutsounding，camethebedtop，andstillmypanicterrorseemedtobindmefasterandfastertothemattressonwhichIlay——downanddownitsank，tillthedustyodourfromtheliningofthecanopycamestealingintomynostrils。
　　Atthatfinalmomenttheinstinctofself-preservationstartledmeoutofmytrance，andImovedatlast。Therewasjustroomformetorollmyselfsidewaysoffthebed。AsIdroppednoiselesslytothefloor，theedgeofthemurderouscanopytouchedmeontheshoulder。
　　Withoutstoppingtodrawmybreath，withoutwipingthecoldsweatfrommyface，Iroseinstantlyonmykneestowatchthebedtop。Iwasliterallyspellboundbyit。IfIhadheardfootstepsbehindme，Icouldnothaveturnedround;ifameansofescapehadbeenmiraculouslyprovidedforme，Icouldnothavemovedtotakeadvantageofit。Thewholelifeinmewas，atthatmoment，concentratedinmyeyes。
　　Itdescended——thewholecanopy，withthefringeroundit，camedown——
　　down——closedown;soclosethattherewasnotroomnowtosqueezemyfingerbetweenthebedtopandthebed。Ifeltatthesides，anddiscoveredthatwhathadappearedtomefrombeneathtobetheordinarylightcanopyofafour-postbedwasinrealityathick，broadmattress，thesubstanceofwhichwasconcealedbythevalanceanditsfringe。I
　　lookedupandsawthefourpostsrisinghideouslybare。Inthemiddleofthebedtopwasahugewoodenscrewthathadevidentlyworkeditdownthroughaholeintheceiling，justasordinarypressesareworkeddownonthesubstanceselectedforcompression。Thefrightfulapparatusmovedwithoutmakingthefaintestnoise。Therehadbeennocreakingasitcamedown;therewasnownotthefaintestsoundfromtheroomabove。
　　AmidadeadandawfulsilenceIbeheldbeforeme——inthenineteenthcentury，andinthecivilizedcapitalofFrance——suchamachineforsecretmurderbysuffocationasmighthaveexistedintheworstdaysoftheInquisition，inthelonelyinnsamongtheHarzMountains，inthemysterioustribunalsofWestphalia！Still，asIlookedonit，Icouldnotmove，Icouldhardlybreathe，butIbegantorecoverthepowerofthinking，andinamomentIdiscoveredthemurderousconspiracyframedagainstmeinallitshorror。
　　Mycupofcoffeehadbeendrugged，anddruggedtoostrongly。Ihadbeensavedfrombeingsmotheredbyhavingtakenanoverdoseofsomenarcotic。HowIhadchafedandfrettedatthefever-fitwhichhadpreservedmylifebykeepingmeawake！HowrecklesslyIhadconfidedmyselftothetwowretcheswhohadledmeintothisroom，determined，forthesakeofmywinnings，tokillmeinmysleepbythesurestandmosthorriblecontrivanceforsecretlyaccomplishingmydestruction！
　　Howmanymen，winnerslikeme，hadslept，asIhadproposedtosleep，inthatbed，andhadneverbeenseenorheardofmore！Ishudderedatthebareideaofit。
　　But，erelong，allthoughtwasagainsuspendedbythesightofthemurderouscanopymovingoncemore。Afterithadremainedonthebed——asnearlyasIcouldguess——abouttenminutes，itbegantomoveupagain。
　　Thevillainswhoworkeditfromaboveevidentlybelievedthattheirpurposewasnowaccomplished。Slowlyandsilently，asithaddescended，thathorriblebedtoprosetowardsitsformerplace。Whenitreachedtheupperextremitiesofthefourposts，itreachedtheceiling，too。
　　Neitherholenorscrewcouldbeseen;thebedbecameinappearanceanordinarybedagain——thecanopyanordinarycanopy——eventothemostsuspiciouseyes。
　　Now，forthefirsttime，Iwasabletomove——torisefrommyknees——todressmyselfinmyupperclothing——andtoconsiderofhowIshouldescape。IfIbetrayedbythesmallestnoisethattheattempttosuffocatemehadfailed，Iwascertaintobemurdered。HadImadeanynoisealready？Ilistenedintently，lookingtowardsthedoor。
　　No！nofootstepsinthepassageoutside——nosoundofatread，lightorheavy，intheroomabove——absolutesilenceeverywhere。Besideslockingandboltingmydoor，Ihadmovedanoldwoodenchestagainstit，whichIhadfoundunderthebed。Toremovethischest（mybloodrancoldasI
　　thoughtofwhatitscontentsmightbe！）withoutmakingsomedisturbancewasimpossible;and，moreover，tothinkofescapingthroughthehouse，nowbarredupforthenight，wassheerinsanity。Onlyonechancewasleftme——thewindow。Istoletoitontiptoe。
　　Mybedroomwasonthefirstfloor，aboveanentresol，andlookedintoabackstreet。Iraisedmyhandtoopenthewindow，knowingthatonthatactionhung，bythemeresthairbreadth，mychanceofsafety。Theykeepvigilantwatchinahouseofmurder。Ifanypartoftheframecracked，ifthehingecreaked，Iwasalostman！Itmusthaveoccupiedmeatleastfiveminutes，reckoningbytime——five/hours/，reckoningbysuspense——toopenthatwindow。Isucceededindoingitsilently——indoingitwithallthedexterityofahouse-breaker——andthenlookeddownintothestreet。Toleapthedistancebeneathmewouldbealmostcertaindestruction！Next，Ilookedroundatthesidesofthehouse。
　　Downtheleftsideranathickwater-pipe——itpassedclosebytheouteredgeofthewindow。ThemomentIsawthepipeIknewIwassaved。MybreathcameandwentfreelyforthefirsttimesinceIhadseenthecanopyofthebedmovingdownuponme！
　　TosomementhemeansofescapewhichIhaddiscoveredmighthaveseemeddifficultanddangerousenough——to/me/theprospectofslippingdownthepipeintothestreetdidnotsuggestevenathoughtofperil。
　　Ihadalwaysbeenaccustomed，bythepracticeofgymnastics，tokeepupmyschool-boypowersasadaringandexpertclimber;andknewthatmyhead，hands，andfeetwouldservemefaithfullyinanyhazardsofascentordescent。Ihadalreadygotonelegoverthewindow-sill，whenIrememberedthehandkerchieffilledwithmoneyundermypillow。I
　　couldwellhaveaffordedtoleaveitbehindme，butIwasrevengefullydeterminedthatthemiscreantsofthegambling-houseshouldmisstheirplunderaswellastheirvictim。SoIwentbacktothebedandtiedtheheavyhandkerchiefatmybackbymycravat。
　　JustasIhadmadeittightandfixeditinacomfortableplace，I
　　thoughtIheardasoundofbreathingoutsidethedoor。ThechillfeelingofhorrorranthroughmeagainasIlistened。No！deadsilencestillinthepassage——Ihadonlyheardthenightairblowingsoftlyintotheroom。ThenextmomentIwasonthewindow-sill，andthenextI
　　hadafirmgriponthewater-pipewithmyhandsandknees。
　　Isliddownintothestreeteasilyandquietly，asIthoughtIshould，andimmediatelysetoffatthetopofmyspeedtoabranch"prefecture"
　　ofPolice，whichIknewwassituatedintheimmediateneighbourhood。A
　　"subprefect，"andseveralpickedmenamonghissubordinates，happenedtobeup，maturing，Ibelieve，someschemefordiscoveringtheperpetratorofamysteriousmurderwhichallPariswastalkingofjustthen。WhenIbeganmystory，inabreathlesshurryandinverybadFrench，IcouldseethatthesubprefectsuspectedmeofbeingadrunkenEnglishmanwhohadrobbedsomebody;buthesoonalteredhisopinionasIwenton，andbeforeIhadanythinglikeconcluded，heshovedallthepapersbeforehimintoadrawer，putonhishat，suppliedmewithanother（forIwasbareheaded），orderedafileofsoldiers，desiredhisexpertfollowerstogetreadyallsortsoftoolsforbreakingopendoorsandrippingupbrickflooring，andtookmyarm，inthemostfriendlyandfamiliarmannerpossible，toleadmewithhimoutofthehouse。Iwillventuretosaythatwhenthesubprefectwasalittleboy，andwastakenforthefirsttimetotheplay，hewasnothalfasmuchpleasedashewasnowatthejobinprospectforhimatthegambling-
　　house！
　　Awaywewentthroughthestreets，thesubprefectcross-examiningandcongratulatingmeinthesamebreathaswemarchedattheheadofourformidablepossecomitatus。Sentinelswereplacedatthebackandfrontofthehousethemomentwegottoit;atremendousbatteryofknockswasdirectedagainstthedoor;alightappearedatawindow;Iwastoldtoconcealmyselfbehindthepolice;thencamemoreknocksandacryof"Openinthenameofthelaw！"Atthatterriblesummonsboltsandlocksgavewaybeforeaninvisiblehand，andthemomentafterthesubprefectwasinthepassage，confrontingawaiterhalfdressedandghastlypale。
　　Thiswastheshortdialoguewhichimmediatelytookplace：
　　"WewanttoseetheEnglishmanwhoissleepinginthishouse。"
　　"Hewentawayhoursago。"
　　"Hedidnosuchthing。Hisfriendwentaway;/he/remained。Showustohisbedroom！"
　　"Isweartoyou，MonsieurleSous-prefet，heisnothere！he——"
　　"Isweartoyou，MonsieurleGarcon，heis。Heslepthere;hedidn’tfindyourbedcomfortable;hecametoustocomplainofit;hereheisamongmymen;andhereamIreadytolookforafleaortwoinhisbedstead。Renaudin！"（callingtooneofthesubordinates，andpointingtothewaiter），"collarthatman，andtiehishandsbehindhim。Nowthen，gentlemen，letuswalkupstairs！"
　　Everymanandwomaninthehousewassecured——the"oldsoldier"thefirst。ThenIidentifiedthebedinwhichIhadslept，andthenwewentintotheroomabove。
　　Noobjectthatwasatallextraordinaryappearedinanypartofit。Thesubprefectlookedroundtheplace，commandedeverybodytobesilent，stampedtwiceonthefloor，calledforacandle，lookedattentivelyatthespothehadstampedon，andorderedtheflooringtheretobecarefullytakenup。Thiswasdoneinnotime。Lightswereproduced，andwesawadeeprafteredcavitybetweenthefloorofthisroomandtheceilingoftheroombeneath。Throughthiscavitythereranperpendicularlyasortofcaseofiron，thicklygreased;andinsidethecaseappearedthescrew，whichcommunicatedwiththebedtopbelow。
　　Extralengthsofscrew，freshlyoiled;leverscoveredwithfelt;allthecompleteupperworksofaheavypress——constructedwithinfernalingenuitysoastojointhefixturesbelow，andwhentakentopiecesagaintogointothesmallestpossiblecompass——werenextdiscoveredandpulledoutonthefloor。Aftersomelittledifficultythesubprefectsucceededinputtingthemachinerytogether，and，leavinghismentoworkit，descendedwithmetothebedroom。Thesmotheringcanopywasthenlowered，butnotsonoiselesslyasIhadseenitlowered。WhenImentionedthistothesubprefect，hisanswer，simpleasitwas，hadaterriblesignificance。"Mymen，"saidhe，"areworkingdownthebedtopforthefirsttime;themenwhosemoneyyouwonwereinbetterpractice。"
　　Weleftthehouseinthesolepossessionoftwopoliceagents，everyoneoftheinmatesbeingremovedtoprisononthespot。Thesubprefect，aftertakingdownmy/procesverbal/inhisoffice，returnedwithmetomyhoteltogetmypassport。"Doyouthink，"Iasked，asIgaveittohim，"thatanymenhavereallybeensmotheredinthatbed，astheytriedtosmother/me/？"
　　"Ihaveseendozensofdrownedmenlaidoutatthemorgue，"answeredthesubprefect，"inwhosepocket-bookswerefoundlettersstatingthattheyhadcommittedsuicideintheSeine，becausetheyhadlosteverythingatthegaming-table。DoIknowhowmanyofthosemenenteredthesamegambling-housethat/you/entered？wonas/you/won？tookthatbedas/you/tookit？sleptinit？weresmotheredinit？andwereprivatelythrownintotheriver，withaletterofexplanationwrittenbythemurderersandplacedintheirpocket-books？Nomancansayhowmanyorhowfewhavesufferedthefatefromwhichyouhaveescaped。Thepeopleofthegambling-housekepttheirbedsteadmachineryasecretfrom/us/——evenfromthepolice！Thedeadkepttherestofthesecretforthem。Good-night，orrathergood-morning，MonsieurFaulkner！Beatmyofficeagainatnineo’clock;inthemeantime，/aurevoir/！"
　　Therestofmystoryissoontold。Iwasexaminedandreexamined;thegambling-housewasstrictlysearchedallthroughfromtoptobottom;
　　theprisonerswereseparatelyinterrogated，andtwoofthelessguiltyamongthemmadeaconfession。Idiscoveredthattheoldsoldierwasmasterofthegambling-house——/justice/discoveredthathehadbeendrummedoutofthearmyasavagabondyearsago;thathehadbeenguiltyofallsortsofvillainiessince;thathewasinpossessionofstolenproperty，whichtheownersidentified;andthathe，thecroupier，anotheraccomplice，andthewomanwhohadmademycupofcoffeewereallinthesecretofthebedstead。Thereappearedsomereasontodoubtwhethertheinferiorpersonsattachedtothehouseknewanythingofthesuffocatingmachinery;andtheyreceivedthebenefitofthatdoubt，bybeingtreatedsimplyasthievesandvagabonds。Asfortheoldsoldierandhistwoheadmyrmidons，theywenttothegalleys;
　　thewomanwhohaddruggedmycoffeewasimprisonedforIforgethowmanyyears;theregularattendantsatthegambling-housewereconsidered"suspicious，"andplacedunder"surveillance";andIbecame，foronewholeweek（whichisalongtime），thehead"lion"inParisiansociety。Myadventurewasdramatisedbythreeillustriousplay-makers，butneversawtheatricaldaylight;forthecensorshipforbadetheintroductiononthestageofacorrectcopyofthegambling-housebedstead。
　　Onegoodresultwasproducedbymyadventure，whichanycensorshipmusthaveapproved：itcuredmeofeveragaintryingrouge-et-noirasanamusement。Thesightofagreencloth，withpacksofcardsandheapsofmoneyonit，willhenceforthbeforeverassociatedinmymindwiththesightofabedcanopydescendingtosuffocatemeinthesilenceanddarknessofthenight。
　　JustasMr。Faulknerpronouncedthesewordshestartedinhischair，andresumedhisstiff，dignifiedpositioninagreathurry。"Blessmysoul！"criedhe，withacomiclookofastonishmentandvexation，"whileIhavebeentellingyouwhatistherealsecretofmyinterestinthesketchyouhavesokindlygiventome，IhavealtogetherforgottenthatIcameheretositformyportrait。ForthelasthourormoreImusthavebeentheworstmodelyoueverhadtodrawfrom！"
　　"Onthecontrary，youhavebeenthebest，"saidI。"Ihavebeentryingtocatchyourlikeness;and，whiletellingyourstory，youhaveunconsciouslyshownmethenaturalexpressionIwantedtoinsuremysuccess。"
　　NOTEBYMRS。KERBY
　　Icannotletthisstoryendwithoutmentioningwhatthechancesayingwaswhichcausedittobetoldatthefarmhousetheothernight。Ourfriendtheyoungsailor，amonghisotherquaintobjectionstosleepingonshore，declaredthatheparticularlyhatedfour-postbeds，becauseheneversleptinonewithoutdoubtingwhetherthetopmightnotcomedowninthenightandsuffocatehim。IthoughtthischancereferencetothedistinguishingfeatureofWilliam’snarrativecuriousenough，andmyhusbandagreedwithme。Buthesaysitisscarcelyworthwhiletomentionsuchatrifleinanythingsoimportantasabook。Icannotventure，afterthis，todomorethansliptheselinesinmodestlyattheendofthestory。Iftheprintershouldnoticemyfewlastwords，perhapshemaynotmindthetroubleofputtingthemintosomeout-of-
　　the-waycorner，inverysmalltype。
　　L。K。
　　MICHELLORIO’SCROSS
　　BY
　　HESBASTRETTON
　　InthesouthwestpointofNormandy，separatedfromBrittanyonlybyanarrowandstraightriver，liketheformalcanalsofHolland，standsthecuriousgraniterockwhichiscalledMontSt。Michel。Itisanisolatedpeak，risingabruptlyoutofavastplainofsandtotheheightofnearlyfourhundredfeet，andsoprecipitoustowardthewestthatscarcelyarootofgrassfindssoilenoughinitsweather-beatenclefts。Attheverysummitisbuiltthatwonderfulchurch，thericharchitectureandflyingbuttressesofwhichstriketheeyeleaguesandleaguesaway，eitherontheseaorthemainland。Belowthechurch，andsupportingitbyasolidmasonry，isavastpileformerlyafortress，castle，andprison;withcavernsanddungeonshewnoutofthelivingrock，andvaultedhallsandsolemncrypts;alldesolateandsolitarynow，exceptwhenapartyofpilgrimsortouristspassthroughthem，usheredbyaguide。Stilllowerdowntherock，alongitseasternandsouthernface，therewindsadarkandnarrowstreet，withodd，antiquehousesoneitherside。Theonlyconveyancethatcanpassalongitisthewater-cartwhichsuppliesthetownwithfreshwaterfromthemainland。Thewholeplaceisguardedbyastrongandhighrampart，withbastionsandbattlementedwalls;andtheonlyentranceisthroughthreegateways，oneimmediatelybehindtheother，withasmallcourtbetween。
　　Thesecondofthesestronggatewaysisprotectedbytwooldcannon，takenfromtheEnglishin1423，andstillpointedouttovisitorswithinextinguishablepridebythenativesofMont。St。Michel。
　　AgreatplainofsandstretchesaroundtheMontformileseveryway——ofsandorsea，forthewatercoversitatflood-tides，beatingupagainstthefootofthegraniterocksandthegranitewallsoftheramparts。
　　Butatneaptidesand/eauxmortes/，astheFrenchsay，thereisnothingbutadesertofbrown，baresand，withripple-markslyingacrossit，andwithshallow，ankle-deeppoolsofsaltwaterhereandthere。Afaroffonthewesternsky-lineasilverfringeoffoam，glisteninginthesunshine，marksthedistantboundarytowhichtheseahasretreated。Oneveryothersideofthehorizonrisesabeltoflowcliffs，bendingintoasemicircle，withsweepingoutlinesofcurvesmilesinlength，drawndistinctlyagainsttheclearsky。
　　TheonlywaytoapproachtheMontisacrossthesands。Eachtimethetiderecedesafreshtrackmustbemade，likethetrackalongsnowyroads;andeverytraveller，whetheronfootorincarriage，mustdirecthisstepsbythisscarcelybeatenpath。Nowandthenhepassesahigh，strongpost，placedwherethereisanydangerousspotupontheplain;
　　forthereareperilousquicksands，imperceptibletoanyeye，lurkinginsullenandpatienttreacheryforanyunwaryfootstep。Theriveritself，whichcreepssluggishlyinastraightblacklineacrossthebrowndesert，hasitsbanksmarkedoutbyrowsofthesehighstakes，withabushofleaflesstwigsatthetopofeach。Adreary，desolate，andbarrensceneitis，withnolifeinitexcepttheisolatedlifeupontheMont。
　　Thislittlefamilyofhumanbeings，separatedfromthegreattideoflifelikeoneoftheshallowpoolswhichtheebbingseahasleftuponitssands，numbersscarcelyahundredandahalf。Themenarefishers，forthereisnootheroccupationtobefollowedonthesterilerock。
　　Everydayalsothelevelsweepofsandsiswanderedoverbythewomenandchildren，whoseekforcocklesinthelittlepools;thebabbleofwhosevoicesechoesfarthroughthequietair，andwhoseshadowsfalllongandunbrokenonthebrownwilderness。Nowandthentheblack-robedfigureofapriest，orofoneofthebrothersdwellinginthemonumentonthetopoftherock，maybeseenslowlypacingalongthesamedeadlevel，andskirtingthequicksandswherethewarningpostsareerected。
　　Inthesummermonthsbandsofpilgrimsarealsotobeseenmarchinginalongfileliketravellersacrossthedesert;butinwinterthesevisitsceasealmostwholly，andtheinhabitantsoftheMontarelefttothemselves。
　　Havingsolittleintercoursewiththeouterworld，andlivingonarocksingledoutbysupernaturalvisitants，thepeopleremainmoresuperstitiousthaneventhesuperstitiousGermansandBretonswhoaretheirneighbours。Fewofthemcanreadorwrite。Thenewthoughts，opinions，andcreedsofthepresentcenturydonotreachthem。Theyarecontentedwiththeoldfaith，boundupfortheminthehistoryoftheirpatron，thearchangelSt。Michel，andwiththeminuteinteresttakenineverynativeoftherock。Eachpersonknowsthehistoryofeveryotherinhabitant，butknowslittleelse。
　　FromPontorsontotheMonttheroadliesalongtheoldBayofSt。
　　Michel，withlowhedge-rowsoffeatherytamarind-treesoneachsideasfarasthebeach。Itisnotatallasolitaryroad，forhundredsoflong，heavycarts，resemblingartillerywaggons，encumberit，loadedwithagrayshalydepositdugoutofthebay：abusysceneofmenandwomendiggingintheheavysand，whiletheshaggyhorsesstandby，hangingtheirheadspatientlyundertheblue-stainedsheepskinsabouttheirnecks。
　　Twoorthreepersonsareatworkateverycart;oneofthem，oftenawoman，standingontherisingpile，andbeatingitflatwithaspade，whileacheerfulclatterofvoicesisheardoneveryhand。
　　Butatonetimeamanmighthavebeenseenthereworkingalone，quitealone。Evenaspacewasleftabouthim，asifaninvisiblecircleweredrawn，withinwhichnopersonwouldventure。Ifawordwereflungathimacrossthisimaginarycordon，itwasnothingbutatauntoracurse，anditwasinvariablyspokenbyaman。Nowomansomuchasglancedathim。Hetoiledondoggedly，andinsilence，withaweary-
　　lookingface，untilhistaskwasended，andthewaggondrivenoffbytheowner，whohademployedhimatalowerratethanhiscomrades。Thenhewouldthrowhisblueblouseoverhisshoulders，andtrampawaywithheavytreadalongthefaintlymarkedtrailleadingacrossthebeachtoMontSt。Michel。
　　Neitherwasthereanyvoicetogreethimashegainedthegateway，wherethemenoftheMontcongregated，astheyalwayscongregateabouttheentrancetoawalledtown。Rather，thescornfulsilencewhichhadsurroundedhimathisworkwasheredeepenedintoapersonalhatred。
　　Withinthegatethewomen，whowerechatteringovertheirnetsofcockles，shrankawayfromhim，orbrokeintoacontemptuouslaugh。
　　Alongthenarrowstreetthechildrenfledatthesightofhim，andhidbehindtheirmothers，fromwhoseprotectiontheycouldshoutafterhim。
　　Ifthecuremethim，hewouldturnasideintothefirsthouseratherthancomeincontactwithhim。Hewasunderabanwhichnoonedaredtodefy。
　　Theonlyvoicethatspoketohimwasthefretful，querulousvoiceofanold，bedriddenwomanasheliftedthelatchandopenedthedoorofapoorhouseupontheramparts，whichhadnoentranceintothestreet;
　　andwherehelivedalonewithhismother，cutofffromallaccidentalintercoursewithhisneighbours。
　　"Michel！Michel！howlatethouart！"sheexclaimed;"ifthouhadstbeenagoodsonthouwouldsthavereturnedbeforethehouritis。"
　　"Ireturnedassoonasmyworkwasfinished，"heanswered，inapatientvoice;"Ihavenotlostaminutebytheway。"
　　"Bah！becausenoonewillasktheetoturninwiththemanywhere！"shecontinued。"Ifthouwertlikeeverybodyelsethouwouldsthavemanyafriendtopassthytimewith。Itishardforme，thymother，tohavebroughttheeintotheworldthatalltheworldshoulddespiseandhatethee，astheydothisday。MonsieurleCuresaysthereisnohopefortheeifthouartsoobstinate;thoumustgotohell，thoughInamedtheeafterourgreatarchangelSt。Michel，andbroughttheeupasagoodChristian。/Quelmalheur！/Howharditisformetolieinbedallday，andthinkofmysonintheflamesofhell！"
　　Veryquietly，asifhehadheardsuchcomplainingshundredsoftimesbefore，didMichelsetaboutkindlingafewsticksupontheopenhearth。Thiswassocommonawelcomehomethathescarcelyheardit，andhadceasedtoheedit。Theroom，astheflickeringlightfelluponit，wasoneofthecheerlessandcomfortlesschamberstobeseeninanypeasant’shouse：apileofwoodinonecorner，asingletablewithachairortwo，ashelfwithafewpiecesofbrowncrockery，andthebedonwhichtheparalyticwomanwaslying，herhandscrossedoverherbreast，andherbrightblackeyesglisteninginthegloom。Michelbroughtherthesouphehadmade，andfedhercarefullyandtenderly，beforethinkingofsatisfyinghisownhunger。
　　"Itisofnogood，Michel，"shesaid，whenhelaidherdownagainuponthepillowhehadmadesmoothforher;"itisofnogood。Thoumayestaswellleavemetoperish;itwillnotweighforthee。MonsieurleCuresaysifthouhadstbeenbornahereticperhapsthegoodGodmighthavetakenitintoaccount。ButthouwertbornaChristian，asgoodaChristianasalltheworld，andthouhastsoldthybirthrighttothedevil。Leavemethen，andtakethypleasureinthislife，forthouwilthavenothingbutmiseryinthenext。"
　　"Iwillnotleavethee——never！"heanswered，briefly。"Ihavenofearofthenextworld。"
　　Hewasamanoffewwordsevidently。Perhapsthesilencemaintainedaroundhimhadpartlyfrozenhispowerofspeech。Eventohismotherhespokebutlittle，thoughhercomplainingwentonwithoutceasing，untilheextinguishedbothfireandlamp，andclimbedtherudeladderintotheloftoverhead，wherehervoiceneverfailedtorousehimfromhissleep，ifsheonlycalled"Michel！"Hecouldnotclearlyexplainhispositioneventohimself。HehadgonetoParismanyyearsbefore，wherehecameacrosssomeProtestants，whohadtaughthimtoreadtheTestament，andinstructedhimintheirreligion。Thenewfaithhadtakenholdofhim，andthrustdeeprootsintohissimpleandconstantnature;thoughhehadnowordsatcommandtoexpressthechangetoothers，andscarcelytohimself。SolongashehadbeeninParistherehadbeennoneedofthis。
　　Butnowhisfather’sdeathhadcompelledhimtoreturntohisnativeplace，andtothelittleknotofpeoplewhoknewhimasoldPierreLorio’sson，afishermanlikethemselves，withnomorerighttoreadorthinkthantheyhad。Thefiercenessofthepersecutionheencounteredfilledhimwithdismay，thoughithadnotshakenhisfidelitytohisnewfaith。Butoftenadumb，inarticulatelongingpossessedhimtomakeknowntohisoldneighboursthereasonofthechangeinhim，butspeechfailedhim。Hecouldonlystammerouthisconfession，"IamnolongeraCatholic，IamaProtestant，Icannotpraytothesaints，noteventothearchangelSt。MichelortheBlessedVirgin。IprayonlytoGod。"
　　Foranythingelse，forexplanation，andforallargument，hehadnomorelanguagethanthemute，wistfullanguageoneseesintheeyesofdumbcreatures，whentheygazefullyatus。
　　Perhapsthereisnothingmorepitifulthanthepainfulwantofwordstoexpressthatwhichliesdeepestwithinus;awantcommontousall，butgreatestinthosewhohavehadnotraininginthusshapingandexpressingtheirinmostthoughts。
　　Therewasnotmuchtofearfromamanlikethis。MichelLoriowasalivinglessonagainstapostasy。Ashewentupanddownthestreet，andinandoutofthegate，hislonelinessanddejectionspokemoreeloquentlyfortheoldfaiththananybanishmentcouldhavedone。
　　Michelwassufferedtoremainunderaban，notformalandceremonial，butatacitban，whichquiteaseffectivelysethimapart，andmadehislifemoresolitarythanifhehadbeendwellingaloneonadesertrockoutatsea。
　　Michelacceptedhislotwithoutcomplaintandwithoutbitterness。HeneverpassedMonsieurleCurewithoutasalutation。Whenhewentdailyforwatertothegreatcisternofthemonastery，hewasalwaysreadytocarrythebrimfulpailstooheavyforthearmsoftheoldwomenandchildren。Ifhehadleisurehemountedthelongflightsofgrass-grownstepsthreeorfourtimesforhisneighbours，depositinghisburdenattheirdoors，withoutawordofthanksforhishelpbeingvouchsafedtohim。Nowandthenheoverheardasneerathisusefulness;andhismothertauntedhimoftenforhispatienceandforbearance。Buthewentonhiswaysilentlywithdeeperyearningforhumanloveandsympathythanhecouldmakeknown。
　　Ifithadnotbeenthat，whenhewaskneelingattherudedormer-windowofhisloftandgazingdreamilyacrossthewidesweepofsand，withthemoonshiningacrossitandthesolemnstarslightingupthesky，hewasattimesvaguelyconsciousofaninfluence，almostapresence，asofahandthattouchedhimandavoicethatspoketohim，hemusthavesunkunderthisintenselongingforloveandfellowship。HadhebeenaCatholicstill，hewouldhavebelievedthatthearchangelSt。MichelwasnearandabouttomanifesthimselfasinformertimesinhissplendidshrineupontheMont。Thenewfaithhadnotcastoutalltheoldsuperstitiousnature;yetitwasthisvaguespiritualpresencewhichsupportedhimunderthecrushingandunnaturalconditionsofhissociallife。Heendured，asseeingonewhoisinvisible。
　　Yetatothertimeshecouldnotkeephisfeetawayfromthelittlestreetwhereallthelifetherewasmightbefound。Atnighthewouldcreepcautiouslyalongtherampartsanddescendbyaquietstaircaseintoanangleofthewalls，wherehecouldlookonunseenuponthegatheringoftownsfolkintheinnwherehehadoftengonewithhisfatherinearlierdays。Thelandlord，Nicolas，wasamostbitterenemynow。Therewasthefamiliarroomfilledwithbrightlightfromanoil-
　　lampandthebrighterflickerofawoodfirewherethelandlord’swifewascooking。Adeep，lowrecessinthecorner，withacrimsonvalancestretchedacrossit，heldabedwithsnow-whitepillows，upononeofwhichrestedachild’scurlyheadwitheyesfastsealedagainsttheglareofthelamp。AtatableclosebysatthelandlordandthreeorfourofthewealthiermenoftheMontbusilyandseriouslyeatingtheomeletsandfriedfishservedtothemfromthepanoverthefire。
　　Thecopperandbrasscookingutensilsglitteredinthelightfromthewallswheretheyhung。Itwasacheeryscene，andMichelwouldstandinhiscold，darkcorner，watchingituntilallwasoverandtheguestsreadytodepart。
　　"ThouartMichel/lediable/！"saidachildishvoicetohimoneevening，andhefeltasmall，warmhandlaidforaninstantuponhisown。ItwasDelphine，Nicolas’seldestgirl，adaringchild，fullofspiritandcourage;yetevensheshrankbackasteportwoaftertouchinghim，andstoodasifreadytotakeflight。
　　"IamMichelLorio，"heanswered，inaquiet，pleasantvoice，whichwonherbacktohisside。"WhydostthoucallmeMichel/lediable/？"
　　"Alltheworldcallstheethat，"answeredDelphine;"thouartaheretic。See，IamagoodChristian。Isaymyaveandpaternostereverynight;ifthouwiltdothesamething，noonewillcalltheeMichel/lediable/。"
　　"Thouartnotafraidofme？"heasked，forthechildputherhandagainonhis。
　　"No，no！thouartnottherealdevil！"shesaid，"and/maman/hasputmynameontheregisterofthemonument;sothegreatarchangelSt。
　　Michelwilldelivermefromallevil。Whatcanstthoudo？Canstthouturnchildrenintocats？orcanstthouwalkacrosstheseawithoutbeingdrowned？orcanstthoustandonthehighestpinnacleofthechurch，wherethegoldenimageofSt。Michelusedtobe，andcastthyselfdownwithoutkillingthyself？Iwillgobackwiththeetothyhouseandseewhatthoucanstdo。"
　　"Icandononeofthesethings，"answeredMichel，"notone;butthoushaltcomehomewithmeifthouwilt。"
　　"Carryme，"shesaid，"thatImayfeelhowstrongthouart。"
　　Heliftedhereasilyintohisarms，forhewasstrongandaccustomedtobearheavierburdens。Hisheartbeatfastasthechild’shandstoleroundhisneckandhersoftcheektouchedhisown。Delphinehadneverbeenupontherampartsbeforewhenthestarswereoutandthedistantcircleofthecliffshiddenbythenight，andseveraltimeshewascompelledtostopandanswerhereagerquestions;butshewouldnotgointothehousewhentheyreachedthedoor。
　　"Carrymebackagain，Michel，"shedemanded。"Idonotlikethymother。
　　Thoushaltbringmeagainalongtherampartsto-morrownight。Iwillalwayscometothee，alwayswhenIseetheestandinginthedarkcornerbyourhouse。Ilovetheemuch，Michel/lediable/。"
　　Itwasastrangefriendshipcarriedonstealthily。Michelcouldnotputawayfromhimselfthisonelittletieofhumanloveandfellowship。AsforDelphine，shewasassilentabouthernewfriendaschildrenoftenareofsuchthingswhichaffectthemdeeply。TherewasaminglingofsuperstitiousfeelinginheraffectionforMichel——ahalf-dreadthatgavetheirsecretmeetingsagreatercharmtothedaringspiritofthechild。Theeveningwasabusytimeattheinn，andifDelphinehadbeenmissed，butlittlewonderandnoanxietywouldhavebeenarousedatherabsence。Therampartsweredesertedafterdark，andnooneguessedthatthetwodarkfiguressaunteringtoandfrowereMichelandDelphine。
　　Whenthenightsweretoocoldtheytookrefugeinalittleoverhangingturretprojectingfromoneoftheanglesofthemassivewalls——adarksomenichewithnothingbuttheskytobeseenthroughanarrowembrasureintheshapeofacross。InthesehauntsMicheltalkedinhissimpleuntaughtwayofhisthoughtsandofhisnewfaith，pouringintothechild’searwhathecouldnevertelltoanyother。BydayDelphineneverseemedtoseehim;nevercastalooktowardhimashepassedbyamidtheundisguisedillwillofthetown。Sheceasedtospeakofhimeven，withtheunconsciousandnaturaldissimulationbywhichchildrenscreenthemselvesfromcriticismandcensure。
　　ThepeopleoftheMontSt。Michelareverypoor，andthewomenandchildrenarecompelledtoseeksomemeansofearningmoneyaswellasthemen。Aslongasthesummerlaststhecrowdsofpilgrimsandtourists，flockingtothewonderfulfortressandshrineuponthesummit，bringemploymentandgaintosomeportionofthem;butinthewinterthereislittletodoexceptwhentheweatherisfineenoughtosearchforshell-fishaboutthesands，andselltheminthevillagesofthemainland。Asthetidegoesdown，bandsofwomenandchildrenfollowitoutformiles，takingcaretoretracetheirstepsbeforethesearisesagain。FromMichel’scottageontherampartsthewholeplaintowardAvrancheswasvisible，andhecouldhearthebusyhumofvoicescomingtohisearfromafarthroughthequietair。ButonthewesternsideoftheMont，wheretheblacklineoftherivercrossesthesands，theyaremoredangerous;andinthisdirectiononlythemoreventuresomeseekersgo——boyswholoveanyrisk，andwidowswhoarethemoreanxioustofilltheirnetsbecausetheyhavenomantohelpthemingettingtheirdailybread。
　　TheearlypartofthewinterisnotcoldinNormandy，especiallybythesea。AslongasthewesterlywindssweepacrosstheAtlantic，theairissoftthoughdamp，withfinemistshanginginit，whichshinewithrainbowtintsinthesunlight。SometimesChristmasandtheNewYearfindtheairstillgenial，inspiteoftheshortdaysandthelongrainynights。Stronggalesmayblow，butsolongastheydonotcomefromthedryeastorfrostynorththereisnorealseverityofweather。
　　ItwassuchaChristmasweekthatyear。Notoneofthewomenorchildrenhadyetbeenforcedtostayawayfromthesandsonaccountofthecold。UponChristmasevetherewasagoodday，though，ashortone，beforethem，foritwaslowwateraboutnoon，andthehightidewouldnotbeinbeforesix。Allthedaylightwouldbetheirs。Itwasachancenottobemissed，forasthetidesgrewlaterinthedaytheirtimeforfishingwouldbecutshorter。Almosteverywomanandchildturnedoutthroughthegatewiththeirnetsintheirhands。Bymiddaytheplainwasdottedoverbythem，andthewintrysunshonepleasantlydown，andthequietrockcaughttheechooftheirvoices。Fartheraway，outofsightandhearing，themenalsowerebusy，Michelamongthem，castingnetsuponthesea。Asthelowsunwentdowninthesouthernsky，thescatteredgroupscamehomebytwosandthrees，anxioustobringintheirday’sfishingintimeforthementocarrythemacrosstothemainlandbeforetheMontshouldbeshutinbythetide。
　　Abusyscenewasthatinthegateway。
　　Allthetownwasthere;somecominginfromthesands，andthosewhohadbeenleftathomewithbabiesoroldfolksrunningdownfromtheirhouses。Therewaschaffingandbartering;exchangesagreedupon，andcommissionsinnumerabletobeintrustedtothemenabouttosetoutforPontorson，thenearesttown。MichelLoriowasgoingtosellhisownfish，forwhowouldcarryitforhim？Yetthoughhewasthefirstwhowasreadytostart，notasoulchargedhimwithasinglecommission。Helingeredwistfullyandloiteredjustoutsidethegateway;butneitherman，woman，norchildsaid，"Michel，bringmewhatIwantfromthetown。"
　　Hewastreadingslowlydowntheroughcausewayunderthewallsofthetown，whenawoman’sshrillvoicestartledhim。Itwasnotfarfromsunset，andthesunwassinkingroundandredbehindabankoffog。A
　　thingraymistwascreepingupfromthesea。Thelatestbandofstragglers，aclusterofmerechildren，wererunningacrossthesandtothegate。MichelturnedroundandsawNicolas’swife，adark，stern-
　　lookingwoman，beckoningvehementlytothesechildren。HepausedforamomenttolookathislittleDelphine。"Notthere！"hesaidtohimself，andwaspassingon，whentheshrillvoiceagaincaughthisattention。
　　"WhereisPhine？"calledthemother。
　　Whatwasitthechildrensaid？Whatanswerhadtheyshoutedback？
　　Michelstoodmotionless，asifallstrengthhadfailedhimsuddenly。
　　Thechildrenrushedpasthiminatroop。Helifteduphiseyes，lookingfearfullytowardtheseahiddenbehindthedeepeningfog。WasitpossiblethathehadheardthemsaythatDelphinewaslost？
　　"WhereisPhine？"askedthemother;butthoughhervoicewaslowernow，Michelheardeverysyllableloudly。Itseemedasifhecouldhaveheardawhisper，thoughthechatteringinthegatewaywasliketheclamourofafair。Theeldestgirlinthelittlebandspokeinahurriedandfrightenedtone。
　　"Phineissonaughty，madame，"shesaid，"wecouldnotkeephernearus。Shewouldgoonandontothesea。Wecouldnotwaitforher。Weheardhercalling，butitwassofar，wedarednotgoback。Butshecannotbefarbehindus，forweshoutedaswecamealong。Shewillbeheresoon，madame。"
　　"/MonDieu！/"criedthemother，sinkingdownononeofthegreatstones，eitherrolledupbythetide，orleftbythemasonswhobuilttheramparts。"Callherfathertome。"
　　ItwasMichelLoriowhofoundNicolas，hisgreatestenemy。Nicolashadanumberoferrandstobedoneinthetown，andhewasbusyimpressingthemonthememoryofhismessenger，who，likeeveryoneelse，couldneitherreadnorwrite。WhenMichelcaughthisarminasharp，fastgrip，heturnedroundwithascowl，andtried，butinvain，toshakeoffhisgrasp。