INTRODUCTION。
ThefollowingisamodernEnglishversionofacuriousFrenchmemoir，orfragmentofautobiography，apparentlywrittenabouttheyear1620byAnne，VicomtedeCaylus，andbroughttothiscountry——if，infact，theoriginaleverexistedinEngland——byoneofhisdescendantsaftertheRevocationoftheEdictofNantes。ThisAnne，welearnfromothersources，wasaprincipalfigureattheCourtofHenryIV。，and，therefore，inAugust，1572，whentheadventureshererelatedtookplace，heandhistwoyoungerbrothers，MarieandCroisette，whosharedwithhimthehonourandthedanger，musthavebeenlittlemorethanboys。
Fromthetoneofhisnarrative，itappearsthat，inrevivingoldrecollections，theveteranrenewedhisyouthalso，andthoughhisstorythrowsnofreshlightuponthehistoryofthetime，itseemstopossesssomehumaninterest。
THEHOUSEOFTHEWOLF。
CHAPTERI。
WAREWOLF！
Ihadafterwardssuchgoodreasontolookbackuponandremembertheeventsofthatafternoon，thatCatherine’svoiceseemstoringinmybrainevennow。Icanshutmyeyesandseeagain，afteralltheseyears，whatIsawthen——justthebluesummersky，andonegreyangleofthekeep，fromwhichafleecycloudwastrailinglikethesmokefromachimney。IcouldseenomorebecauseIwaslyingonmyback，myheadrestingonmyhands。
MarieandCroisette，mybrothers，werelyingbymeinexactlythesameposture，andafewyardsawayontheterrace，CatherinewassittingonastoolGilhadbroughtoutforher。ItwasthesecondThursdayinAugust，andhot。Eventhejackdawsweresilent。Ihadalmostfallenasleep，watchingmycloudgrowlongerandlonger，andthinnerandthinner，whenCroisette，whocaredforheatnomorethanalizard，spokeupsharply，"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，"whyareyouwatchingtheCahorsroad？"
Ihadnotnoticedthatshewasdoingso。ButsomethinginthekeennessofCroisette’stone，takenperhapswiththefactthatCatherinedidnotatonceanswerhim，arousedme;andIturnedtoher。Andlo！shewasblushinginthemostheavenlyway，andhereyeswerefulloftears，andshelookedatusadorably。Andweallthreesatuponourelbows，likethreepuppydogs，andlookedather。Andtherewasalongsilence。Andthenshesaidquitesimplytous，"Boys，IamgoingtobemarriedtoM。dePavannes。"
Ifellflatonmybackandspreadoutmyarms。"Oh，Mademoiselle！"Icriedreproachfully。
"Oh，Mademoiselle！"criedMarie。Andhefellflatonhisback，andspreadouthisarmsandmoaned。Hewasagoodbrother，wasMarie，andobedient。
AndCroisettecried，"Oh，mademoiselle！"too。Buthewasalwaysridiculousinhisways。Hefellflatonhisback，andfloppedhisarmsandsquealedlikeapig。
Yethewassharp。Itwashewhofirstrememberedourduty，andwenttoCatherine，capinhand，whereshesathalfangryandhalfconfused，andsaidwithafinerednessinhischeeks，"MademoiselledeCaylus，ourcousin，wegiveyoujoy，andwishyoulonglife;andareyourservants，andthegoodfriendsandaidersofM。dePavannesinallquarrels，as——"
ButIcouldnotstandthat。"Notsofast，St。CroixdeCaylus"I
said，pushinghimaside——hewasevergettingbeforemeinthosedays——andtakinghisplace。ThenwithmybestbowIbegan，"Mademoiselle，wegiveyoujoyandlonglife，andareyourservantsandthegoodfriendsandaidersofM。dePavannesinallquarrels，as——as——"
"Asbecomesthecadetsofyourhouse，"suggestedCroisette，softly。
"Asbecomesthecadetsofyourhouse，"Irepeated。AndthenCatherinestoodupandmademealowbowandweallkissedherhandinturn，beginningwithmeandendingwithCroisette，aswasbecoming。AfterwardsCatherinethrewherhandkerchiefoverherface——shewascrying——andwethreesatdown，Turkishfashion，justwherewewere，andsaid"Oh，Kit！"verysoftly。
ButpresentlyCroisettehadsomethingtoadd。"WhatwilltheWolfsay？"hewhisperedtome。
"Ah！Tobesure！"Iexclaimedaloud。Ihadbeenthinkingofmyselfbefore;butthisopenedquiteanotherwindow。"WhatwilltheVidamesay，Kit？"
Shedroppedherkerchieffromherface，andturnedsopalethatI
wassorryIhadspoken——apartfromthekickCroisettegaveme。
"IsM。deBezersathishouse？"sheaskedanxiously。
"Yes"Croisetteanswered。"HecameinlastnightfromSt。
Antonin，withverysmallattendance。"
"ThenewsseemedtosetherfearsatrestinsteadofaugmentingthemasIshouldhaveexpected。IsupposetheywereratherforLouisdePavannes，thanforherself。Notunnaturally，too，foreventheWolfcouldscarcelyhavefounditinhishearttohurtourcousin。Herslightwillowyfigure，herpaleovalfaceandgentlebrowneyes，herpleasantvoice，herkindness，seemedtousboysandinthosedays，tosumupallthatwaswomanly。Wecouldnotremember，notevenCroisettetheyoungestofus——whowasseventeen，ayearjuniortoMarieandmyself——weweretwins——thetimewhenwehadnotbeeninlovewithher。
Butletmeexplainhowwefour，whoseunitedagesscarceexceededseventyyears，cametobeloungingontheterraceintheholidaystillnessofthatafternoon。Itwasthesummerof1572。Thegreatpeace，itwillberemembered，betweentheCatholicsandtheHuguenotshadnotlongbeendeclared;thepeacewhichinadayortwowastobesolemnized，and，asmostFrenchmenhoped，tobecementedbythemarriageofHenryofNavarrewithMargaretofValois，theKing’ssister。TheVicomtedeCaylus，Catherine’sfatherandourguardian，wasoneofthegovernorsappointedtoseethepeaceenforced;therespectinwhichhewasheldbybothparties——hewasaCatholic，butnobigot，Godresthissoul！——
recommendinghimforthisemployment。HehadthereforegoneaweekortwobeforetoBayonne，hisprovince。MostofourneighboursinQuercywerelikewisefromhome，havinggonetoParistobewitnessesononesideortheotheroftheroyalwedding。Andconsequentlyweyoungpeople，notgreatlycheckedbythepresenceofgood—natured，sleepyMadameClaude，Catherine’sduenna，weredisposedtomakethemostofourliberty;andtocelebratethepeaceinourownfashion。
Wewerecountry—folk。NotoneofushadbeentoPau，muchlesstoParis。TheVicomteheldstricterviewsthanwerecommonthen，uponyoungpeople’seducation;andthoughwehadlearnedtorideandshoot，touseourswordsandtossahawk，andtoreadandwrite，weknewlittlemorethanCatherineherselfoftheworld;
littlemoreofthepleasuresandsinsofcourtlife，andnotone—
tenthasmuchasshedidofitsgraces。Stillshehadtaughtustodanceandmakeabow。Herpresencehadsoftenedourmanners;
andoflatewehadgainedsomethingfromthefrankcompanionshipofLouisdePavannes，aHuguenotwhomtheVicomtehadtakenprisoneratMoncontourandheldtoransom。Wewerenot，I
think，mereclownishyokels。
Butwewereshy。Wedislikedandshunnedstrangers。AndwhenoldGilappearedsuddenly，whilewewerestillchewingthemelancholycudofKit’sannouncement，andcriedsepulchrally，"M。
leVidamedeBezerstopayhisrespectstoMademoiselle！"——Well，therewassomethinglikeapanic，Iconfess！
Wescrambledtoourfeet，muttering，"TheWolf！"TheentranceatCaylusisbyaramprisingfromthegatewaytotheleveloftheterrace。Thissunkenwayisfencedbylowwallssothatonemaynot——whenwalkingontheterrace——fallintoit。Gilhadspokenbeforehisheadhadwellrisentoview，andthisgaveusamoment，justamoment。Croisettemadearushforthedoorwayintothehouse;butfailedtogainit，anddrewhimselfupbehindabuttressofthetower，hisfingeronhislip。Iamslowsometimes，andMariewaitedforme，sothatwehadbarelygottoourlegs——looking，Idaresay，awkwardandungainlyenough——
beforetheVidame’sshadowfelldarklyonthegroundatCatherine’sfeet。
"Mademoiselle！"hesaid，advancingtoherthroughthesunshine，andbendingoverherslenderhandwithamagnificentgracethatwasbornofhissizeandmannercombined，"IrodeinlatelastnightfromToulouse;andIgoto—morrowtoParis。IhavebutrestedandwashedoffthestainsoftravelthatImaylaymy——
ah！"
Heseemedtoseeusforthefirsttimeandnegligentlybrokeoffinhiscompliment;raisinghimselfandsalutingus。"Ah，"hecontinuedindolently，"twoofthemaidensofCaylus，Isee。Withanoddpairofhandsapiece，unlessIammistaken，Whydoyounotsetthemspinning，Mademoiselle？"andheregardeduswiththatsmilewhich——withotherthingsasevil——hadmadehimfamous。
Croisettepulledhorriblefacesbehindhisback。Welookedhotlyathim;butcouldfindnothingtosay。
"Yougrowred！"hewenton，pleasantly——thewretch！——playingwithusasacatdoeswithmice。"Itoffendsyourdignity，perhaps，thatIbidMademoisellesetyouspinning？InowwouldspinatMademoiselle’sbidding，andthinkithappiness！"
"Wearenotgirls！"Iblurtedout，withtheflushandtremorofaboy’spassion。"Youhadnotcalledmygodfather，AnnedeMontmorenciagirl，M。leVidame！"Forthoughwecounteditajokeamongourselvesthatweallboregirls’names，wewereyoungenoughtobesensitiveaboutit。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。Andhowhedwarfedusallashestoodtheredominatingourterrace！"M。deMontmorenciwasaman，"hesaidscornfully。"M。AnnedeCaylusis——"
Andthevillaindeliberatelyturnedhisgreatbackuponus，takinghisseatonthelowwallnearCatherine’schair。Itwascleareventoourvanitythathedidnotthinkusworthanotherword——thatwehadpassedabsolutelyfromhismind。MadameClaudecamewaddlingoutatthesamemoment，Gilcarryingachairbehindher。Andwe——wellweslunkawayandsatontheothersideoftheterrace，whencewecouldstillglowerattheoffender。
Yetwhowerewetoglowerathim？TothisdayIshakeatthethoughtofhim。Itwasnotsomuchhisheightandbulk，thoughhewassobigthattheclippedpointedfashionofhisbeardafashionthennewatcourt——seemedonhimincongruousandeffeminate;norsomuchthesinisterglanceofhisgreyeyes——hehadaslightcastinthem;northegrimsuavityofhismanner，andtheharshthreateningvoicethatpermittedofnodisguise。
Itwasthesumofthesethings，thegreatbrutalpresenceoftheman——thatwasoverpowering——thatmadethegreatfalterandthepoorcrouch。Andthenhisreputation！Thoughweknewlittleoftheworld’swickedness，allwedidknowhadcometouslinkedwithhisname。Wehadheardofhimasaduellist，asabully，anemployerofbravos。AtJarnachehadbeenthelasttoturnfromtheshambles。Mencalledhimcruelandvengefulevenforthosedays——gonebynow，thankGod！——andwhisperedhisnamewhentheyspokeofassassinations;sayingcommonlyofhimthathewouldnotblenchbeforeaGuise，norblushbeforetheVirgin。
Suchwasourvisitorandneighbour，RaouldeMar，VidamedeBezers。Ashesatontheterrace，noweyeingusaskance，andnowpayingCatherineacompliment，Ilikenedhimtoagreatcatbeforewhichabutterflyhasallunwittinglyflirtedherprettiness。PoorCatherine！Nodoubtshehadherownreasonsforuneasiness;morereasonsIfancythanIthenguessed。Forsheseemedtohavelosthervoice。Shestammeredandmadebutpoorreplies;andMadameClaudebeingdeafandstupid，andweboystootimidaftertherebuffwehadexperiencedtofillthegap，theconversationlanguished。TheVidamewasnotforhispartthemantoputhimselfoutonahotday。
Itwasafteroneofthesepauses——notthefirstbutthelongest——
thatIstartedonfindinghiseyesfixedonmine。More，I
shivered。Itishardtodescribe，buttherewasalookintheVidame’seyesatthatmomentwhichIhadneverseenbefore。A
lookofpainalmost：ofdumbsavagealarmatanyrate。FrommetheypassedslowlytoMarieandmutelyinterrogatedhim。ThentheVidame’sglancetravelledbacktoCatherine，andsettledonher。
Onlyamomentbeforeshehadbeenbuttooconsciousofhispresence。Now，asitchancedbybadluck，orinthecourseofProvidence，somethinghaddrawnherattentionelsewhere。Shewasunconsciousofhisregard。Herowneyeswerefixedinafar—awaygaze。Hercolourwashigh，herlipswereparted，herbosomheavedgently。
TheshadowdeepenedontheVidame’sface。Slowlyhetookhiseyesfromhers，andlookednorthwardsalso。
CaylusCastlestandsonarockinthemiddleofthenarrowvalleyofthatname。ThetownclustersabouttheledgesoftherocksocloselythatwhenIwasaboyIcouldflingastoneclearofthehouses。Thehillsarescarcelyfivehundredyardsdistantoneitherside，risingintamercoloursfromthegreenfieldsaboutthebrook。Itispossiblefromtheterracetoseethewholevalley，andtheroadwhichpassesthroughitlengthwise。
Catherine’seyeswereonthenorthernextremityofthedefile，wherethehighwayfromCahorsdescendsfromtheuplands。Shehadbeensittingwithherfaceturnedthatwayalltheafternoon。
Ilookedthatwaytoo。Asolitaryhorsemanwasdescendingthesteeptrackfromthehills。
"Mademoiselle！"criedtheVidamesuddenly。Wealllookedup。
HistonewassuchthatthecolourfledfromKit’sface。Therewassomethinginhisvoiceshehadneverheardinanyvoicebefore——somethingthattoawomanwaslikeablow。
"Mademoiselle，"hesnarled，"isexpectingnewsfromCahors，fromherlover。IhavethehonourtocongratulateM。dePavannesonhisconquest。"
Ah！hehadguessedit！Asthewordsfellonthesleepysilence，aninsultinthemselves，Isprangtomyfeet，amazedandangry，yetastoundedbyhisquicknessofsightandwit。HemusthaverecognizedthePavannesbadgeatthatdistance。"M。leVidame，"
Isaidindignantly——Catherinewaswhiteandvoiceless——"M。leVidame——"butthereIstoppedandfalteredstammering。ForbehindhimIcouldseeCroisette;andCroisettegavemenosignofencouragementorsupport。
Sowestoodfacetofaceforamoment;theboyandthemanoftheworld，thestriplingandtheROUE。ThentheVidamebowedtomeinquiteanewfashion。"M。AnnedeCaylusdesirestoanswerforM。dePavannes？"heaskedsmoothly;withamockingsmoothness。
Iunderstoodwhathemeant。Butsomethingpromptedme——Croisettesaidafterwardsthatitwasahappythought，thoughnowIknowthecrisistohavebeenlessseriousthanhefanciedtoanswer，"Nay，notforM。dePavannes。Ratherformycousin。"AndI
bowed。"Ihavethehonouronherbehalftoacknowledgeyourcongratulations，M。leVidame。Itpleasesherthatournearestneighbourshouldalsobethefirstoutsidethefamilytowishherwell。YouhavedivinedtrulyinsupposingthatshewillshortlybeunitedtoM。dePavannes。"
Isuppose——forIsawthegiant’scolourchangeandhislipquiverasIspoke——thathispreviouswordshadbeenonlyaguess。Foramomentthedevilseemedtobeglaringthroughhiseyes;andhelookedatMarieandmeasawildanimalatitskeepers。Yethemaintainedhiscynicalpolitenessinpart。"Mademoiselledesiresmycongratulations？"hesaid，slowly，labouringwitheachworditseemed。"Sheshallhavethemonthehappyday。Sheshallcertainlyhavethemthen。Butthesearetroubloustimes。AndMademoiselle’sbetrothedisIthinkaHuguenot，andhasgonetoParis。Paris——well，theairofParisisnotgoodforHuguenots，Iamtold。"
IsawCatherineshiver;indeedshewasonthepointoffainting，Ibrokeinrudely，mypassiongettingthebetterofmyfears。
"M。dePavannescantakecareofhimself，believeme，"Isaidbrusquely。
"Perhapsso，"Bezersanswered，hisvoicelikethegratingofsteelonsteel。"ButatanyratethiswillbeamemorabledayforMademoiselle。Thedayonwhichshereceivesherfirstcongratulations——shewillrememberitaslongasshelives！Oh，yes，Iwillanswerforthat，M。Anne，"hesaidlookingbrightlyatoneandanotherofus，hiseyesmoreobliquethanever，"Mademoisellewillrememberit，Iamsure！"
Itwouldbeimpossibletodescribethedevilishglanceheflungatthepoorsinkinggirlashewithdrew，thehorridemphasishethrewintothoselastwords，thecovertdeadlythreattheyconveyedtothedullestears。Thathewentthen，wassmallmercy。Hehaddonealltheevilhecoulddoatpresent。Ifhisdesirehadbeentoleavefearbehindhim，hehadcertainlysucceeded。
Kitcryingsoftlywentintothehouse;herinnocentcoquetrymorethansufficientlypunishedalready。Andwethreelookedatoneanotherwithblankfaces，Itwasclearthatwehadmadeadangerousenemy，andanenemyatourowngates。AstheVidamehadsaid，theseweretroubloustimeswhenthingsweredonetomen——ay，andtowomenandchildren——whichwescarcedaretospeakofnow。"IwishtheVicomtewerehere，"Croisettesaiduneasilyafterwehaddiscussedseveralunpleasantcontingencies。
"OrevenMalinesthesteward，"Isuggested。
"Hewouldnotbemuchgood，"repliedCroisette。
"AndheisatSt。Antonin，andwillnotbebackthisweek。
FatherPierretooisatAlbi。"
"Youdonotthink，"saidMarie，"thathewillattackus？"
"Certainlynot！"Croisetteretortedwithcontempt。"EventheVidamewouldnotdaretodothatintimeofpeace。Besides，hehasnothalfascoreofmenhere，"continuedthelad，shrewdly，"andcountingoldGilandourselveswehaveasmany。AndPavannesalwayssaidthatthreemencouldholdthegateatthebottomoftherampagainstascore。Oh，hewillnottrythat！"
"Certainlynot！"Iagreed。AndsowecrushedMarie。"ButforLouisdePavannes——"
Catherineinterruptedme。Shecameoutquicklylookingadifferentperson;herfaceflushedwithanger，hertearsdried。
"Anne！"shecried，imperiously，"whatisthematterdownbelow——willyousee？"
Ihadnodifficultyindoingthat。Allthesoundsoftownlifecameuptousontheterrace。Loungingtherewecouldhearthechafferingoverthewheatmeasuresinthecloistersofthemarket—square，theyellofadog，thevoiceofascold，thechurchbell，thewatchman’scry。Ihadonlytosteptothewalltooverlookitall。Onthissummerafternoonthetownhadbeenforthemostpartveryquiet。Ifwehadnotbeenengagedinourownaffairsweshouldhavetakenthealarmbefore，remarkinginthesilencethefirstbeginningsofwhatwasnowaveryrespectabletumult。Itswelledlouderevenaswesteppedtothewall。
Wecouldsee——abendinthestreetlayingitopen——partoftheVidame’shouse;thegloomysquareholdwhichhadcometohimfromhismother。HisownchateauofBezerslayfarawayinFrancheComte，butoflatehehadshownapreference——Catherinecouldbestaccountforit，perhaps——forthismeanhouseinCaylus。Itwastheonlyhouseinthetownwhichdidnotbelongtous。ItwasknownastheHouseoftheWolf，andwasagrimstonebuildingsurroundingacourtyard。Rowsofwolves’headscarvedinstoneflankedthewindows，whencetheirbarefangsgrinneddayandnightatthechurchporchopposite。
Thenoisedrewoureyesinthisdirection;andtherelollinginawindowoverthedoor，lookingoutonthestreetwithalaughingeye，wasBezershimself。Thecauseofhismerriment——wehadnotfartolookforit——wasahorsemanwhowasridingupthestreetunderdifficulties。Hewasreininginhissteed——noeasytaskonthatsteepgreasypavement——soastopresentsomefronttoascoreorsoofraggedknaveswhowerefollowingcloseathisheels，hootingandthrowingmudandpebblesathim。Themanhaddrawnhissword，andhisoathscameuptous，mingledwithshrillcriesof"VIVELAMESSE！"andhalfdrownedbytheclatteringofthehorse’shoofs。Wesawastonestrikehimintheface，anddrawblood，andheardhimswearlouderthanbefore。
"Oh！"criedCatherine，claspingherhandswithasuddenshriekofindignation，"myletter！Theywillgetmyletter！"
"Death！"exclaimedCroisette，"Sheisright！ItisM。dePavannes’courier！Thismustbestopped！Wecannotstandthis，Anne！"
"Theyshallpaydearlyforit，byourLady！"Icriedswearingmyself。"Andinpeacetimetoo——thevillains！Gil！Francis！"I
shouted，"whereareyou？"
AndIlookedroundformyfowlingpiece，whileCroisettejumpedonthewall，andformingatrumpetwithhishands，shriekedatthetopofhisvoice，"Back！hebearsaletterfromtheVicomte！"
Butthedevicedidnotsucceed，andIcouldnotfindmygun。Foramomentwewerehelpless，andbeforeIcouldhavefetchedthegunfromthehouse，thehorsemanandthehootingrabbleathisheels，hadturnedacornerandwerehiddenbytheroofs。
Anotherturnhoweverwouldbringthemoutinfrontofthegateway，andseeingthiswehurrieddowntheramptomeetthem。
IstayedamomenttotellGiltocollecttheservants，and，thiskeepingme，Croisettereachedthenarrowstreetoutsidebeforeme。AsIfollowedhimIwasnearlyknockeddownbytherider，whosefacewascoveredwith，dirtandblood，whilefrighthadrenderedhishorseunmanageable。DartingasideIlethimpass——hewasblindedandcouldnotseeme——andthenfoundthatCroisette——bravelad！hadcollaredtheforemostoftheruffians，andwasbeatinghimwithhissheathedsword，whiletherestoftherabblestoodback，ashamed，yetsullen，andwithangerintheireyes。Adangerouscrew，Ithought;nottownsmen，mostofthem。
"DownwiththeHuguenots！"criedone，asIappeared，onebolderthantherest。
"DownwiththeCANAILLE！"Iretorted，sternlyeyeingtheill—
lookingring。"Willyousetyourselvesabovetheking’speace，dirtthatyouare？Gobacktoyourkennels！"
Thewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouth，beforeIsawthatthefellowwhomCroisettewaspunishinghadgotholdofadagger。I
shoutedawarning，butitcametoolate。Thebladefell，and——
thankstoGod——strikingthebuckleofthelad’sbelt，glancedoffharmless。Isawthesteelflashupagain——sawthespiteintheman’seyes：butthistimeIwasastepnearer，andbeforetheweaponfell，Ipassedmyswordcleanthroughthewretch’sbody。
Hewentdownlikealog，Croisettefallingwithhim，heldfastbyhisstiffeningfingers。
Ihadneverkilledamanbefore，norseenamandie;andifIhadstayedtothinkaboutit，Ishouldhavefallensickperhaps。Butitwasnotimeforthought;notimeforsickness。Thecrowdwerecloseuponus，alineofflushedthreateningfacesfromwalltowall。Asingleglancedownwardstoldmethatthemanwasdead，andIsetmyfootuponhisneck。"Hounds！Beasts！"Icried，notloudlythistime，forthoughIwaslikeonepossessedwithrage，itwasinwardrage，"gotoyourkennels！WillyoudaretoraiseahandagainstaCaylus？Go——orwhentheVicomtereturns，adozenofyoushallhanginthemarket—place！"
IsupposeIlookedfierceenough——IknowIfeltnofear，onlyastrangeexaltation——fortheyslunkaway。Unwillingly，butwithlittledelaythegroupmelted，Bezers’following——ofwhomIknewthedeadmanwasone——thelasttogo。WhileIstillglaredatthem，lo！thestreetwasempty;thelasthaddisappearedroundthebend。IturnedtofindGilandhalf—a—dozenservantsstandingwithpalefacesatmyback。Croisetteseizedmyhandwithasob。"Oh，mylord，"criedGil，quaveringly。ButIshookoneoff，Ifrownedattheother。
"Takeupthiscarrion！"Isaid，touchingitwithmyfoot，"Andhangitfromthejustice—elm。Andthenclosethegates！Seetoit，knaves，andlosenotime。"
CHAPTERII。
THEVIDAME’STHREAT。
Croisetteusedtotellastory，ofthefactsofwhichIhavenoremembrance，saveasabaddream。HewouldhaveitthatIleftmypalletthatnight——Ihadonetomyselfinthesummer，beingtheeldest，whileheandMariesleptonanotherinthesameroom——andcametohimandawokehim，sobbingandshakingandclutchinghim;andbegginghiminafitofterrornottoletmego。AndthatsoIsleptinhisarmsuntilmorning。ButasI
havesaid，Idonotrememberanythingofthis，onlythatIhadanuglydreamthatnight，andthatwhenIawokeIwaslyingwithhimandMarie;soIcannotsaywhetheritreallyhappened。
Atanyrate，ifIhadanyfeelingofthekinditdidnotlastlong;onthecontrary——itwouldbeidletodenyit——Iwasflatteredbythesuddenrespect，Gilandtheservantsshowedme。
WhatCatherinethoughtofthematterIcouldnottell。Shehadherletterandapparentlyfounditsatisfactory。Atanyratewesawnothingofher。MadameClaudewasbusyboilingsimples，andtendingthemessenger’shurts。AnditseemednaturalthatI
shouldtakecommand。
Therecouldbenodoubt——atanyratewehadnonethattheassaultonthecourierhadtakenplaceattheVidame’sinstance。Theonlywonderwasthathehadnotsimplycuthisthroatandtakentheletter。Butlookingbacknowitseemstomethatgrownmenmingledsomechildishnesswiththeircrueltyinthosedays——dayswhenthereligiouswarshadarousedourworstpassions。Itwasnotenoughtokillanenemy。Itpleasedpeopletomake——Ispeakliterally——afootballofhishead，tothrowhishearttothedogs。AndnodoubtithadfalleninwiththeVidame’sgrimhumourthatthebearerofPavannes’firstlovelettershouldenterhismistress’spresence，bleedingandplaisteredwithmud。
Andthattheriff—raffaboutourowngatesshouldhavepartintheinsult。
Bezers’wrathwouldbelittleabatedbytheissueoftheaffair，orthejusticeIhaddoneononeofhismen。Sowelookedwelltobolts，andbars，andwindows，althoughthecastleiswell—nighimpregnable，thesmoothrockfallingtwentyfeetatleastoneverysidefromthebaseofthewalls。Thegatehouse，Pavanneshadshownus，mightbeblownupwithgunpowderindeed，butwepreparedtoclosetheirongratingwhichbarredthewayhalf—wayuptheramp。Thisdone，eveniftheenemyshouldsucceedinforcinganentrancehewouldonlyfindhimselfcaughtinatrap——
inasteep，narrowwayexposedtoafirefromthetopoftheflankingwalls，aswellasfromthefront。Wehadacoupleofculverins，whichtheVicomtehadgottwentyyearsbefore，atthetimeofthebattleofSt。Quentin。Wefixedoneoftheseattheheadoftheramp，andplacedtheotherontheterrace，wherebymovingitafewpacesforwardwecouldtrainitonBezers’house，whichthuslayatourmercy，Notthatwereallyexpectedanattack。Butwedidnotknowwhattoexpectorwhattofear。Wehadnottenservants，theVicomtehavingtakenascoreofthesturdiestlackeysandkeeperstoattendhimatBayonne。Andwefeltimmenselyresponsible。OurmainhopewasthattheVidamewouldatoncegoontoParis，andpostponehisvengeance。SoagainandagainwecastlongingglancesattheHouseoftheWolfhopingthateachsymptomofbustleheraldedhisdeparture。
Consequentlyitwasashocktome，andagreatdownfallofhopes，whenGilwithagravefacecametomeontheterraceandannouncedthatM。leVidamewasatthegate，askingtoseeMademoiselle。
"Itisoutofthequestionthatheshouldseeher，"theoldservantadded，scratchinghisheadingraveperplexity。
"Mostcertainly。Iwillseehiminstead，"Iansweredstoutly。
"DoyouleaveFrancisandanotheratthegate，Gil。Marie，keepwithinsight，lad。AndletCroisettestaywithme。"
Thesepreparationsmade——andtheytookupscarcelyamoment——I
mettheVidameattheheadoftheramp。"MademoiselledeCaylus，"Isaid，bowing，"is，Iregrettosay，indisposedto—day，Vidame。"
"Shewillnotseeme？"heasked，eyeingmeveryunpleasantly。
"Herindispositiondeprivesherofthepleasure，"Iansweredwithaneffort。Hewascertainlyawonderfulman，foratsightofhim，three—fourthsofmycourage，andallmyimportance，oozedoutattheheelsofmyboots。
"Shewillnotseeme。Verywell，"hereplied，asifIhadnotspoken。Andthesimplewordssoundedlikeasentenceofdeath。
"Then，M。Anne，Ihaveacrowtopickwithyou。Whatcompensationdoyouproposetomakeforthedeathofmyservant？
Adecent，quietfellow，whomyoukilledyesterday，poorman，becausehisenthusiasmforthetruefaithcarriedhimawayalittle。"
"WhomIkilledbecausehedrewadaggeronM。St。CroixdeCaylusattheVicomte’sgate，"Iansweredsteadily。Ihadthoughtaboutthisofcourseandwasreadyforit。"Youareaware，M。deBezers，"Icontinued，"thattheVicomtehasjurisdictionextendingtolifeanddeathoverallpersonswithinthevalley？"
"Myhouseholdexcepted，"herejoinedquietly。
"Precisely;whiletheyarewithinthecurtilageofyourhouse，"I
retorted。"Howeverasthepunishmentwassummary，andthemanhadnotimetoconfesshimself，Iamwillingto——"
"Well？"
"TopayFatherPierretosaytenmassesforhissoul。"
ThewaytheVidamereceivedthissurprisedme。Hebrokeintoboisterouslaughter。"ByourLady，myfriend，"hecriedwithroughmerriment，"butyouareajoker！Youareindeed。Masses？
WhythemanwasaProtestant！"
Andthatstartledmemorethananythingwhichhadgonebefore;
moreindeedthanIcanexplain。Foritseemedtoprovethatthisman，laughinghisunholylaughwasnotlikeothermen。Hedidnotpickandchoosehisservantsfortheirreligion。HewassurethattheHuguenotwouldstonehisfellowathisbidding;theCatholiccry"ViveColigny！"IwassocompletelytakenabackthatIfoundnowordstoanswerhim，anditwasCroisettewhosaidsmartly，"Thenhowabouthisenthusiasmforthetruefaith，M。leVidame？"
"Thetruefaith，"heanswered——"formyservantsismyfaith。"
Thenathoughtseemedtostrikehim。"Whatismore。"hecontinuedslowly，"thatitisthetrueandonlyfaithforall，thousandswilllearnbeforetheworldistendaysolder。Bearmywordsinmind，boy！Theywillcomebacktoyou。Andnowhearme，"hewentoninhisusualtone，"Iamanxioustoaccommodateaneighbour。ItgoeswithoutsayingthatIwouldnotthinkofputtingyou，M。Anne，toanytroubleforthesakeofthatrascalofmine。Butmypeoplewillexpectsomething。Lettheplaguyfellowwhocausedallthisdisturbancebegivenuptome，thatI
mayhanghim;andletuscryquits。"
"Thatisimpossible！"Iansweredcoolly。Ihadnoneedtoaskwhathemeant。GiveupPavannes’messengerindeed！Never！
Heregardedme——unmovedbymyrefusal——withasmileunderwhichI
chafed，whileIwasimpotenttoresentit。"Donotbuildtoomuchonasingleblow，younggentleman，"hesaid，shakinghisheadwaggishly。"IhadfoughtadozentimeswhenIwasyourage。
However，Iunderstandthatyourefusetogivemesatisfaction？"
"Inthemodeyoumention，certainly，"Ireplied。"But——"
"Bah！"heexclaimedwithasneer，"businessfirstandpleasureafterwards！Bezerswillobtainsatisfactioninhisownway，I
promiseyouthat！Andathisowntime。Anditwillnotbeonunfledgedbantlingslikeyou。Butwhatisthisfor？"Andherudelykickedtheculverinwhichapparentlyhehadnotnoticedbefore，"So！so！understand，"hecontinued，castingasharpglanceatoneandanotherofus。"Youlookedtobebesieged！
Whyyou，booby，thereistheshootofyourkitchenmidden，twentyfeetabovetheroofofoldFretis’store！Andopen，Iwillbesworn！DoyouthinkthatIshouldhavecomethiswaywhiletherewasaladderinCaylus！Didyoutakethewolfforasheep？"
Withthatheturnedonhisheel，swaggeringawayinthefullenjoymentofhistriumph。Foratriumphitwas。Westoodstunned;ashamedtolookoneanotherintheface。Ofcoursetheshootwasopen。Werememberednowthatitwas，andweweresosorelymortifiedbyhisknowledgeandourfolly，thatIfailedinmycourtesy，anddidnotseehimtothegate，asIshouldhavedone。Wepaidforthatlater。
"Heisthedevilinperson！"Iexclaimedangrily，shakingmyfistattheHouseoftheWolf，asIstrodeupanddownimpatiently。"Ihatehimworse！"
"SodoI！"saidCroisette，mildly。"Butthathehatesusisamatterofmoreimportance。Atanyratewewillclosetheshoot。"
"Waitamoment！"Ireplied，asafteranothervolleyofcomplaintsdirectedatourvisitor，theladwasmovingofftoseetoit。Whatisgoingondownthere？"
"Uponmyword，Ibelieveheisleavingus！"Croisetterejoinedsharply。
Fortherewasanoiseofhoofsbelowus，clatteringonthepavement。Half—a—dozenhorsemenwereissuingfromtheHouseoftheWolf，theringoftheirbridlesandthesoundoftheircarelessvoicescominguptousthroughtheclearmorningairBezers’valet，whomweknewbysight，wasthelastofthem。Hehadapairofgreatsaddle—bagsbeforehim，andatsightoftheseweutteredagladexclamation。"Heisgoing！"Imurmured，hardlyabletobelievemyeyes。"Heisgoingafterall！"
"Wait！"Croisetteanswereddrily。
ButIwasright。Wehadnottowaitlong。HeWASgoing。Inanothermomenthecameouthimself，ridingastrongiron—greyhorse：andwecouldseethathehadholsterstohissaddle。Hisstewardwasrunningbesidehim，totakeIsupposehislastorders。Acripple，whomthebustlehadattractedfromhisusualhaunt，thechurchporch，helduphishandforalms。TheVidameashepassed，cuthimsavagelyacrossthefacewithhiswhip，andcursedhimaudibly。
"Maythedeviltakehim！"exclaimedCroisetteinjustrage。ButIsaidnothing，rememberingthatthecripplewasaparticularpetofCatherine’s。Ithoughtinsteadofanoccasion，notsoverylongago，whentheVicomtebeingathome，wehadhadagreathawkingparty。BezersandCatherinehadriddenupthestreettogether，andCatherinegivingthecrippleapieceofmoney，Bezershadflungtohimallhisshareofthegame。Andmyheartsank。
Onlyforamoment，however。Themanwasgone;orwasgoingatanyrate。Westoodsilentandmotionless，allwatching，until，afterwhatseemedalonginterval，thelittlepartyofsevenbecamevisibleonthewhiteroadfarbelowus——tothenorthward，andmovinginthatdirection。Stillwewatchedthem，mutteringawordtooneanother，nowandagain，untilpresentlytheridersslackenedtheirpace，andbegantoascendthewindingtrackthatledtothehillsandCahors;andtoParisalso，ifonewentfarenough。
Thenatlengthwithaloud"Whoop！"wedashedacrosstheterrace，Croisetteleading，andsothroughthecourtyardtotheparlour;wherewearrivedbreathless。"Heisoff！"Croisettecriedshrilly。"HehasstartedforParis！Andbadluckgowithhim！"Andweallflungupourcapsandshouted。
Butnoanswer，suchasweexpected，camefromthewomenfolk。
Whenwepickedupourcaps，andlookedatCatherine，feelingratherfoolish，shewasstaringatuswithawhitefaceandgreatscornfuleyes。"Fools！"shesaid。"Fools！"
Andthatwasall。Butitwasenoughtotakemeaback。Ihadlookedtoseeherfacelightenatournews;insteaditworeanexpressionIhadneverseenonitbefore。Catherine，sokindandgentle，callingusfools！Andwithoutcause！Ididnotunderstandit。IturnedconfusedlytoCroisette。Hewaslookingather，andIsawthathewasfrightened。AsforMadameClaude，shewascryinginthecorner。Apresentimentofevilmademyheartsinklikelead。Whathadhappened？
"Fools！"mycousinrepeatedwithexceedingbitterness，herfoottappingtheparquetunceasingly。"DoyouthinkhewouldhavestoopedtoavengehimselfonYOU？Onyou！Orthathecouldhurtmeonehundredthpartasmuchhereas——as——"Shebrokeoffstammering。Herscornfalteredforaninstant。"Bah！heisaman！Heknows！"sheexclaimedsuperbly，herchinintheair，"butyouareboys。Youdonotunderstand！"
Ilookedamazedlyatthisangrywoman。Ihadadifficultyinassociatingherwithmycousin。AsforCroisette，hesteppedforwardabruptly，andpickedupawhiteobjectwhichwaslyingatherfeet。
"Yes，readit！"shecried，"readit！Ah！"andsheclenchedherlittlehand，andinherpassionstrucktheoaktablebesideher，sothatastainofbloodsprangoutonherknuckles。Whydidyounotkillhim？Whydidyounotdoitwhenyouhadthechance？
Youwerethreetoone，"shehissed。"Youhadhiminyourpower！
Youcouldhavekilledhim，andyoudidnot！Nowhewillkillme！"
MadameClaudemutteredsomethingtearfully;somethingaboutPavannesandthesaints。IlookedoverCroisette’sshoulder，andreadtheletter。Itbeganabruptlywithoutanytermofaddress，andranthus，"IhaveamissioninParis，Mademoiselle，whichadmitsofnodelay，yourmission，aswellasmyown——toseePavannes。Youhavewonhisheart。Itisyours，andIwillbringityou，orhisrighthandintokenthathehasyieldeduphisclaimtoyours。AndtothisIpledgemyself。"
Thethingborenosignature。Itwaswritteninsomeredfluid——
bloodperhaps——ameanandsorrytrick！OntheoutsidewasscrawledadirectiontoMademoiselledeCaylus。AndthepacketwassealedwiththeVidame’screst，awolfshead。
"Thecoward！themiserablecoward！"Croisettecried。Hewasthefirsttoreadthemeaningofthething。Andhiseyeswerefulloftears——tearsofrage。
FormeIwasangryexceedingly。Myveinsseemedfulloffire，asIcomprehendedthemeancrueltywhichcouldthustortureagirl。
"Whodeliveredthis？"Ithundered。"WhogaveittoMademoiselle？Howdiditreachherhands？Speak，someone！"
Amaid，whimperinginthebackground，saidthatFrancishadgivenittohertohandtoMademoiselle。
Igroundmyteethtogether，whileMarie，unbidden，lefttheroomtoseekFrancis——andastirrupleather。TheVidamehadbroughtthenoteinhispocketnodoubt，rightlyexpectingthathewouldnotgetanaudienceofmycousin。Returningtothegatealonehehadseenhisopportunity，andgiventhenotetoFrancis，probablywithasmallfeetosecureitstransmission。
CroisetteandIlookedatoneanother，apprehendingallthis。
"HewillsleepatCahorsto—night，"Isaidsullenly。
Theladshookhisheadandansweredinalowvoice，"Iamafraidnot。Hishorsesarefresh。Ithinkhewillpushon。Healwaystravelsquickly。Andnowyouknow——"
Inodded，understandingonlytoowell。
Catherinehadflungherselfintoachair。Herarmslaynervelessonthetable。Herfacewashiddeninthem。Butnow，overhearingus，orstungbysomefreshthought，shesprangtoherfeetinanguish。Herfacetwitched，herformseemedtostiffenasshedrewherselfuplikeoneinphysicalpain。"Oh，Icannotbearit！"shecriedtousindreadfultones。"Oh，willnoonedoanything？Iwillgotohim！IwilltellhimIwillgivehimup！
Iwilldowhateverhewishesifhewillonlysparehim！"
Croisettewentfromtheroomcrying。Itwasadreadfulsightforus——thisgirlinagony。Anditwasimpossibletoreassureher！
Notoneofusdoubtedthehorriblemeaningofthenote，itscovertthreat。Civilwarsandreligioushatred，andIfancyItalianmodesofthought，hadforthetimechangedourcountrymentobeasts。FarmoredreadfulthingsweredonethenthanthiswhichBezersthreatened——evenifhemeantitliterally——farmoredreadfulthingsweresuffered。Butinthefiendishingenuityofhisvengeanceonher，thehelpless，lovingwoman，IthoughtRaouldeBezersstoodalone。Alas！itfaresillwiththebutterflywhenthecathasstruckitdown。Illindeed！
MadameClauderoseandputherarmsroundthegirl，dismissingmebyagesture。Iwentout，passingthroughtwoorthreescaredservants，andmadeatoncefortheterrace。IfeltasifIcouldonlybreathethere。IfoundMarieandSt。Croixtogether，silent，themarksoftearsontheirfaces。Oureyesmetandtheytoldonetale。
Weallspokeatthesametime。"When？"wesaid。Buttheotherslookedtomeforananswer。
Iwassomewhatsoberedbythat，andpausedtoconsiderbeforeI
replied。"Atdaybreakto—morrow，"Idecidedpresently。"Itisanhourafternoonalready。Wewantmoney，andthehorsesareout。Itwilltakeanhourtobringthemin。AfterthatwemightstillreachCahorsto—night，perhaps;butmorehastelessspeedyouknowNo。Atdaybreakto—morrowwewillstart"
Theynoddedassent。
Itwasagreatthingwemeditated。NolessthantogotoParis——
theunknowncitysofarbeyondthehills——andseekoutM。dePavannes，andwarnhim。ItwouldbearacebetweentheVidameandourselves;araceforthelifeofKit’ssuitor。CouldwereachParisfirst，orevenwithintwenty—fourhoursofBezers’
arrival，weshouldinallprobabilitybeintime，andbeabletoputPavannesonhisguard。Ithadbeenthefirstthoughtofallofus，totakesuchmenaswecouldgettogetherandfalluponBezerswhereverwefoundhim，makingitoursimpleobjecttokillhim。ButthelackeysM。leVicomtehadleftwithus，thetimesbeingpeacefulandtheneighboursfriendly，werepoor—spiritedfellows。Bezers’handful，onthecontrary，wererecklessSwissriders——likemaster，likemen。WedecidedthatitwouldbewisersimplytowarnPavannes，andthenstandbyhimifnecessary。
Wemighthavedespatchedamessenger。Butourservants——Gilexcepted，andhewastoooldtobearthejourney——wereignorantofParis。Norcouldanyoneofthembetrustedwithamissionsodelicate。WethoughtofPavannes’courierindeed。ButhewasaRochellois，andastrangertothecapital。Therewasnothingforitbuttogoourselves。
Yetwedidnotdetermineonthisadventurewithlighthearts，I
remember。Parisloomedbigandawesomeintheeyesofallofus。
Theglamourofthecourtratherfrightenedthanalluredus。Wefeltthatshrinkingfromcontactwiththeworldwhichacountrylifeengenders，aswellasthatdreadofseemingunlikeotherpeoplewhichispeculiartoyouth。Itwasagreatplunge，andadangerouswhichwemeditated。Andwetrembled。Ifwehadknownmore——especiallyofthefuture——weshouldhavetrembledmore。
Butwewereyoung，andwithourfearsmingledadeliciousexcitement。Weweregoingonanadventureofknighterrantryinwhichwemightwinourspurs。Weweregoingtoseetheworldandplaymen’spartsinit！tosaveafriendandmakeourmistresshappy！
Wegaveourorders。ButwesaidnothingtoCatherineorMadameClaude;merelybiddingGiltellthemafterourdeparture。WearrangedfortheimmediatedespatchofamessagetotheVicomteatBayonne，andchargedGiluntilheshouldhearfromhimtokeepthegatesclosed，andlookwelltotheshootofthekitchenmidden。Then，whenallwasready，wewenttoourpallets，butitwaswithheartsthrobbingwithexcitementandwakefuleyes。
"Anne！Anne！"saidCroisette，risingonhiselbowandspeakingtomesomethreehourslater，"whatdoyouthinktheVidamemeantthismorningwhenhesaidthataboutthetendays？"
"Whataboutthetendays？"Iaskedpeevishly。HehadrousedmejustwhenIwasatlastfallingasleep。
"Abouttheworldseeingthathiswasthetruefaith——intendays？"
"IamsureIdonotknow。Forgoodness’sakeletusgotosleep，"Ireplied。ForIhadnopatiencewithCroisette，talkingsuchnonsense，whenwehadourownbusinesstothinkabout。
CHAPTERIII。
THEROADTOPARIS。
Thesunhadnotyetrisenabovethehillswhenwethreewithasingleservantbehindusdrewreinattheendofthevalley;andeasingourhorsesontheascent，turnedinthesaddletotakealastlookatCaylus——atthehuddledgreytown，andthetowersaboveit。Alittlethoughtfulweallwere，Ithink。Thetimeswereroughandourerrandwasserious。Butyouthandearlymorningarefinedispellersofcare;andonceontheuplandswetrottedgailyforward，nowpassingthroughwidegladesinthesparseoakforest，wherethetreesallleanedoneway，nowoverbare，wind—sweptdowns;oronceandagaindescendingintoachalkybottom，wherethestreambubbledthroughdeepbedsoffern，andalonelyfarmhousenestledamidorchards。
Fourhours’riding，andwesawbelowusCahors，fillingthebendoftheriver。WecanteredovertheVallandreBridge，whichtherecrossestheLot，andsotomyuncle’shouseofcallinthesquare。Hereweorderedbreakfast，andannouncedwithpridethatweweregoingtoParis。
Ourhostraisedhishands。"Nowthere！"heexclaimed，regretinhisvoice。"AndifyouhadarrivedyesterdayyoucouldhavetravelledupwiththeVidamedeBezers！Andyouasmallparty——
savingyourlordships’presence——andtheroadsbutso—so！"
"ButtheVidamewasridingwithonlyhalf—a—dozenattendantsalso！"Ianswered，flickingmybootinacarelessway。
Thelandlordshookhishead。"Ah，M。leVidameknowstheworld！"
heansweredshrewdly。"Heisnottobetakenoffhisguard，nothe！OneofhismenwhisperedmethattwentystaunchfellowswouldjoinhimatChateauroux。Theysaythewarsareover，but"
——andthegoodman，shrugginghisshoulders，castanexpressiveglanceatsomefineflitchesofbaconwhichwerehanginginhischimney。"However，yourlordshipsknowbetterthanIdo，"headdedbriskly。"Iamapoorman。Ionlywishtoliveatpeacewithmyneighbours，whethertheygotomassorsermon。"
Thiswasasentimentsocommoninthosedaysandsoheartilyechoedbymostmenofsubstancebothintownandcountry，thatwedidnotstaytoassenttoit;buthavingreceivedfromtheworthyfellowatokenwhichwouldinsureourobtainingfreshcattleatLimoges，wetooktotheroadagain，refreshedinbody，andwithsomefoodforthought。
Five—and—twentyattendantsweremorethanevensuchamanasBezers，whohadmanyenemies，travelledwithinthosedays;
unlessaccompaniedbyladies。ThattheVidamehadprovidedsuchareinforcementseemedtopointtoawiderschemethantheonewithwhichwehadcreditedhim。Butwecouldnotguesswhathisplanswere;sincehemusthaveorderedhispeoplebeforeheheardofCatherine’sengagement。Eitherhisjealousythereforehadputhimonthealertearlier，orhisthreatenedattackonPavanneswasonlypartofalargerplot。Ineithercaseourerrandseemedmoreurgent，butscarcelymorehopeful。
Thevariedsightsandsoundshoweveroftheroad——manyofthemnewtous——keptusfromdwellingovermuchonthis。Oureyeswereyoung，andwhetheritwasaprettygirllingeringbehindatroopofgipsies，orapairofstrollersfromValencia——JONGLEURStheystillcalledthemselves——singingintheolddialectofProvence，oraNormanhorse—dealerwithhisstringofcattletiedheadandtail，orthePuydeDometotheeastwardovertheAuvergnehills，oratatteredoldsoldierwoundedinthewars——fightingforeitherside，accordingastheirlordshipsinclined——wewerepleasedwithall。
Yetweneverforgotourerrand。WeneverIthinkroseinthemorning——toooftenstiffandsore——withoutthinking"To—dayorto—morroworthenextday——"asthecasemightbe——"weshallmakeallrightforKit！"ForKit！Perhapsitwasthepurestenthusiasmwewereevertofeel，theleastselfishaimwewereevertopursue。ForKit！
Meanwhilewemetfewtravellersofrankontheroad。HalfthenobilityofFrancewerestillinParisenjoyingthefestivitieswhichwerebeingheldtomarktheroyalmarriage。Weobtainedhorseswhereweneededthemwithoutdifficulty。Andthoughwehadheardmuchofthedangersoftheway，infestedasitwassaidtobebydisbandedtroopers，wewerenotoncestoppedorannoyed。
Butitisnotmyintentiontochroniclealltheeventsofthismyfirstjourney，thoughIdwellonthemwithpleasure;ortosaywhatIthoughtofthetowns，allnewandstrangetome，throughwhichwepassed。EnoughthatwewentbywayofLimoges，ChateaurouxandOrleans，andthatatChateaurouxwelearnedthefailureofonehopewehadformed。WehadthoughtthatBezerswhenjoinedtherebyhistrooperswouldnotbeabletogetrelays;andthatonthisaccountwemightbytravellingpostovertakehim;andpossiblyslipbyhimbetweenthatplaceandParis。ButwelearnedatChateaurouxthathistroophadreceivedfreshorderstogotoOrleansandawaithimthere;theresultbeingthathewasabletopushforwardwithrelayssofar。Hewasevidentlyinhothaste。ForleavingtherewithhishorsesfreshhepassedthroughAngerville，fortymilesshortofParis，atnoon，whereaswereacheditontheeveningofthesameday——
thesixthafterleavingCaylus。
Werodeintotheyardoftheinn——alargeplace，seeminglargerinthedusk——sotiredthatwecouldscarcelyslipfromoursaddles。Jean，ourservant，tookthefourhorses，andledthemacrosstothestables，thepoorbeastshangingtheirheads，andfollowingmeekly。Westoodamomentstampingourfeet，andstretchingourlegs。Theplaceseemedinabustle，theclatterofpansanddishesproceedingfromthewindowsovertheentrance，withaglowoflightandthesoundoffeethurryinginthepassages。Therewerementoo，half—a—dozenorsostandingatthedoorsofthestables，whileothersleanedfromthewindows。Oneortwolanthornsjustkindledglimmeredhereandthereinthesemi—darkness;andinacornertwosmithswereshoeingahorse。
Wewereturningfromallthistogoin，whenweheardJean’svoiceraisedinaltercation，andthinkingourrusticservanthadfallenintotrouble，wewalkedacrosstothestablesnearwhichheandthehorseswerestilllingering。"Well，whatisit？"I
saidsharply。
"Theysaythatthereisnoroomforthehorses，"Jeanansweredquerulously，scratchinghishead;halfsullen，halfcowed，acountryservantallover。
"Andthereisnot！"criedtheforemostofthegangaboutthedoor，hasteningtoconfrontusinturn。Histonewasinsolent，anditneededbuthalfaneyetoseethathisfellowswereinclinedtobackhimup。Hestuckhisarmsakimboandfaceduswithanimpudentsmile。Alanthornonthegroundbesidehimthrowinganuncertainlightonthegroup，Isawthattheyallworethesamebadge。
"Come，"Isaidsternly，"thestablesarelarge，andyourhorsescannotfillthem。Someroommustbefoundformine。"
"Tobesure！Makewayfortheking！"heretorted。Whileonejeered"VIVELEROI！"andtherestlaughed。Notgood—
humouredly，butwithatouchofspitefulness。
Quarrelsbetweengentlemen’sservantswereascommonthenastheyareto—day。Butthemastersseldomcondescendedtointerfere。
"Letthefellowsfightitout，"wasthegeneralsentiment。Here，however，poorJeanwasover—matched，andwehadnochoicebuttoseetoitourselves。
"Come，men，haveacarethatyoudonotgetintotrouble，"I
urged，restrainingCroisettebyatouch，forIbynomeanswishedtohavearepetitionofthecatastrophewhichhadhappenedatCaylus。"ThesehorsesbelongtotheVicomtedeCaylus。Ifyourmasterbeafriendofhis，asmayveryprobablybethecase，youwillruntheriskofgettingintotrouble。"
IthoughtIheard，asIstoppedspeaking，asubduedmuttering，andfanciedIcaughtthewords，"PAPEGOT！DownwiththeGuises！"
Butthespokesman’sonlyansweraloudwas"Cock—a—doodle—doo！"
"Cock—a—doodle—doo！"herepeated，flappinghisarmsindefiance。