LikemostcountrymenIwasreadytobelieveinanyexaggerationofthecity’slatehours，themoreasshemadenoremark。I
　　supposed——shakingoffthemomentaryimpression——thatwhatIsawwasinnocentandnormal。Besides，IwasthinkingwhatIshouldsaytoPavanneswhenIsawhim———inwhattermsIshouldwarnhimofhisperil，andcasthisperfidyinhisteeth。Wehadhurriedalonginthisway——andinabsolutesilence，savewhensomeobstacleorpitfalldrewfromusanexclamation——foraboutaquarterofamile，whenmycompanion，turningintoaslightlywiderstreet，slackenedherspeed，andindicatedbyagesturethatwehadarrived。Alamphungovertheporch，towhichshepointed，andshowedthesmallsidegatehalfopen。Wewereclosebehindtheotherthreenow。IsawCroisettestooptoenterandasquicklyfallbackapace。Why？
　　InamomentitflashedacrossmymindthatweweretoolatethattheVidamehadbeenbeforeus。
　　Andyethowquietitallwas。
　　ThenIbreathedfreelyagain。IsawthatCroisettehadonlysteppedbacktoavoidsomeonewhowascomingout——theCoadjutorinfact。Themomenttheentrancewasclear，theladshotin，andtheothersafterhim，thepriesttakingnonoticeofthem，northeyofhim。
　　Iwasforgoingintoo，whenIfeltMadamed’O’shandtightensuddenlyonmyarm，andthenfallfromit。Apprisedofsomethingbythis，Iglancedatthepriest’sface，catchingsightofitbychancejustashiseyesmethers。Hisfacewaswhite——nayitwasuglywithdisappointmentandrage，bittersnarlingrage，thatwashardlyhuman。Hegraspedherbythearmroughlyandtwistedherroundwithoutceremony，soastodrawherafewpacesaside;yetnotsofarthatIcouldnothearwhattheysaid。
　　"Heisnothere！"hehissed。"Doyouunderstand？HecrossedtherivertotheFaubourgSt。Germainatnightfall——searchingforher。Andhehasnotcomeback！Heisontheothersideofthewater，andmidnighthasstruckthishourpast！"
　　Shestoodsilentforamomentasifshehadreceivedablow——
　　silentanddismayed。Somethingserioushadhappened。Icouldseethat。
　　"Hecannotrecrosstherivernow？"shesaidafteratime。"Thegates——"
　　"Shut！"herepliedbriefly。"ThekeysareattheLouvre。"
　　"Andtheboatsareonthisside？"
　　"Everyboat！"heanswered，strikinghisonehandontheotherwithviolence。"Everyboat！Noonemaycrossuntilitisover。"
　　"AndtheFaubourgSt。Germain？"shesaidinalowervoice。
　　"Therewillbenothingdonethere。Nothing！"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　AYOUNGKNIGHT—ERRANT。
　　Iwouldgladlyhaveleftthetwotogether，andgonestraightintothehouse。IwaseagernowtodischargetheerrandonwhichI
　　hadcomesofar;andapartfromthisIhadnolikingforthepriestorwishtooverhearhistalk。Hisanger，however，wassopatent，andtherudenesswithwhichhetreatedMadamed’OsopronouncedthatIfeltIcouldnotleaveherwithhimunlesssheshoulddismissme。SoIstoodpatientlyenough——andawkwardlyenoughtoo，Idaresay——bythedoorwhiletheytalkedoninsubduedtones。Nevertheless，Ifeltheartilygladwhenatlength，thediscussionendingMadamecamebacktome。Iofferedhermyarmtohelpheroverthewoodenfootofthesidegate。
　　Shelaidherhandonit，butshestoodstill。
　　"M。deCaylus，"shesaid;andatthatstopped。NaturallyI
　　lookedather，andoureyesmet。Hersbrownandbeautiful，shininginthelightofthelampoverheadlookedintomine。Herlipswerehalfparted，andonefairtressofhairhadescapedfromherhood。"M。deCaylus，willyoudomeafavour，"sheresumed，softly，"afavourforwhichIshallalwaysbegrateful？"
　　Isighed。"Madame，"Isaidearnestly，forIfeltthesolemnityoftheoccasion，"Iswearthatintenminutes，ifthetaskInowhaveinhandbefinishedIwilldevotemylifetoyourservice。
　　Forthepresent——"
　　"Well，forthepresent？ButitisthepresentIwant，MasterDiscretion。"
　　"ImustseeM。dePavannes！Iampledgedtoit，"Iejaculated。
　　"ToseeM。dePavannes？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Iwasconsciousthatshewaslookingatmewitheyesofdoubt，almostofsuspicion。
　　"Why？Why？"sheaskedwithevidentsurprise。"Youhaverestored——andnearlyfrightenedmetodeathindoingit——hiswifetoherhome;whatmoredoyouwantwithhim，mostvaliantknight—
　　errant？"
　　"Imustseehim，"Isaidfirmly。Iwouldhavetoldherallandbeenthankful，butthepriestwaswithinhearing——orbarelyoutofit;andIhadseentoomuchpassbetweenhimandBezerstobewillingtosayanythingbeforehim。
　　"YoumustseeM。dePavannes？"sherepeated，gazingatme。
　　"Imust，"Irepliedwithdecision。
　　"Thenyoushall。ThatisexactlywhatIamgoingtohelpyoutodo，"sheexclaimed。"Heisnothere。Thatiswhatisthematter。Hewentoutatnightfallseekingnewsofhiswife，andcrossedtheriver，theCoadjutorsays，totheFaubourgSt。
　　Germain。Nowitisoftheutmostimportancethatheshouldreturnbeforemorning——returnhere。"
　　"Butishenothere？"Isaid，findingallmycalculationsatfault。"Youaresureofit，Madame？"
　　"Quitesure，"sheansweredrapidly。"Yourbrotherswillhavebythistimediscoveredthefact。Now，M。deCaylus，Pavannesmustbebroughtherebeforemorning，notonlyforhiswife’ssake——
　　thoughshewillbewildwithanxiety——butalso——"
　　"Iknow，"Isaid，eagerlyinterruptingher，"forhisowntoo！
　　Thereisadangerthreateninghim。"
　　Sheturnedswiftly，asifstartled，andIturned，andwelookedatthepriest。Ithoughtweunderstoodoneanother。"Thereis，"
　　sheansweredsoftly，"andIwouldsavehimfromthatdanger;buthewillonlybesafe，asIhappentoknow，here！Here，youunderstand！Hemustbebroughtherebeforedaybreak，M。deCaylus。Hemust！Hemust！"sheexclaimed，herbeautifulfeatureshardeningwiththeearnestnessofherfeelings。"AndtheCoadjutorcannotgo。Icannotgo。Thereisonlyonemanwhocansavehim，andthatisyourself。Thereis，aboveall，notamomenttobelost。"
　　Mythoughtswereinawhirl。Evenasshespokeshebegantowalkbackthewaywehadcome，herhandonmyarm;andI，doubtful，andinaconfusedwayunwilling，wentwithher。Ididnotclearlyunderstandtheposition。IwouldhavewishedtogoinandconferwithMarieandCroisette;butthejuncturehadoccurredsoquickly，anditmightbethattimewasasvaluableasshesaid，and——well，itwashardforme，alad，torefuseheranythingwhenshelookedatmewithappealinhereyes。Ididmanagetostammer，"ButIdonotknowParis。Icouldnotfindmyway，Iamafraid，anditisnight，Madame。"
　　Shereleasedmyarmandstopped。"Night！"shecried，withascornfulringinhervoice。"Night！Ithoughtyouwereaman，notaboy！Youareafraid！"
　　"Afraid，"Isaidhotly;"weCaylusesareneverafraid。"
　　"ThenIcantellyoutheway，ifthatbeyouronlydifficulty。
　　Weturnhere。Now，comeinwithmeamoment，"shecontinued，"andIwillgiveyousomethingyouwillneed——andyourdirections。"
　　Shehadstoppedatthedoorofatall，narrowhouse，standingbetweenlargeronesinastreetwhichappearedtometobemoreairyandimportantthananyIhadyetseen。Asshespoke，sherangthebellonce，twice，thrice。Thesilverytinklehadscarcelydiedawaythethirdtimebeforethedooropenedsilently;Isawnoone，butshedrewmeintoanarrowhallorpassage。Ataperinanembossedholderwasburningonachest。
　　Shetookitup，andtellingmetofollowherledthewaylightlyupthestairs，andintoaroom，half—parlour，half—bedroom—sucharoomasI，hadneverseenbefore。Itwasrichlyhungfromceilingtofloorwithbluesilk，andlightedbythesoftraysoflampsshadedbyVenetianglobesofdelicatehues。Thescentofcedarwoodwasintheair，andonthehearthinavelvettrayweresometinypuppies。Adaintydisorderreignedeverywhere。
　　Ononetableajewel—casestoodopen，onanotherlaysomelacegarments，twoorthreemasksandafan。Agemmedriding—whipandasilver—hiltedponiardhungonthesamepeg。And，strangestofall，huddledawaybehindthedoor，Iespiedaplain，black—
　　sheathedsword，andaman’sgauntlets。
　　Shedidnotwaitamoment，butwentatoncetothejewel—case。
　　Shetookfromitagoldring——aheavysealring。Sheheldthisouttomeinthemostmatter—of—factway——scarcelyturning，infact。"Putitonyourfinger，"shesaidhurriedly。"Ifyouarestoppedbysoldiers，oriftheywillnotgiveyouaboattocrosstheriver，sayboldlythatyouareontheking’sservice。Callfortheofficerandshowthatring。Playtheman。Bidhimstopyouathisperil！"
　　Ihastilymutteredmythanks，andsheashastilytooksomethingfromadrawer，andtoreitintostrips。BeforeIknewwhatshewasdoingshewasonherkneesbyme，fasteningawhitebandoflinenroundmyleftsleeve。Thenshetookmycap，andwiththesameprecipitationfixedafragmentofthestuffinit，intheformofaroughcross。
　　"There，"shesaid。"Now，listen，M。deCaylus。Thereismoreafootto—nightthanyouknowof。ThosebadgeswillhelpyouacrosstoSt。Germain，butthemomentyoulandtearthemoff：
　　Tearthemoff，remember。Theywillhelpyounolonger。Youwillcomebackbythesameboat，andwillnotneedthem。Ifyouareseentowearthemasyoureturn，theywillcommandnorespect，butonthecontrarywillbringyou——andperhapsmeintotrouble。"
　　"Iunderstand，"Isaid，"but——"
　　"Youmustasknoquestions，"sheretorted，wavingonesnowyfingerbeforemyeyes。"Myknight—errantmusthavefaithinme，asIhaveinhim;orhewouldnotbehereatthistimeofnight，andalonewithme。Butrememberthisalso。WhenyoumeetPavannesdonotsayyoucomefromme。Keepthatinyourmind;I
　　willexplainthereasonafterwards。Saymerelythathiswifeisfound，andiswildwithanxietyabouthim。Ifyousayanythingastohisdangerhemayrefusetocome。Menareobstinate。"
　　Inoddedasmilingassent，thinkingIunderstood。AtthesametimeIpermittedmyselfinmyownmindalittlediscretion。
　　Pavanneswasnotafool，andthenameoftheVidame——but，however，Ishouldsee。Ihadmoretosaytohimthansheknewof。MeanwhilesheexplainedverycarefullythethreeturningsI
　　hadtotaketoreachtheriver，andthewharfwhereboatsmostcommonlylay，andthenameofthehouseinwhichIshouldfindM。
　　dePavannes。
　　"HeisattheHoteldeBailli，"shesaid。"Andthere，Ithinkthatisall。"
　　"No，notall，"Isaidhardily。"ThereisonethingIhavenotgot。Andthatisasword！"
　　Shefollowedthedirectionofmyeyes，started，andlaughed——alittleoddly。Butshefetchedtheweapon。"Takeit，anddonot，"sheurged，"donotlosetime。DonotmentionmetoPavannes。Donotletthewhitebadgesbeseenasyoureturn。
　　Thatisreallyall。Andnowgoodluck！"Shegavemeherhandtokiss。"Goodluck，myknight—errant，goodluck——andcomebacktomesoon！"
　　Shesmileddivinely，asitseemedtome，asshesaidtheselastwords，andthesamesmilefollowedmedownstairs：forsheleanedoverthestair—headwithoneofthelampsinherhand，anddirectedmehowtodrawthebolts。ItookonebackwardglanceasIdidsoatthefairstoopingfigureaboveme，theshiningeyes，andtinyoutstretchedhand，andthendartingintothegloomI
　　hurriedonmyway。
　　Iwasinastrangemood。AfewminutesbeforeIhadbeenatPavannes’door，attheendofourjourney;onthevergeofsuccess。Ihadbeenwithinanace，asIsupposedatleast，ofexecutingmyerrand。Ihadheldthecupofsuccessinmyhand。
　　Andithadslipped。Nowtheconflicthadtobefoughtoveragain;thedangertobefaced。ItwouldhavebeennomorethannaturalifIhadfeltthedisappointmentkeenly：ifIhadalmostdespaired。
　　Butitwasotherwise——farotherwise。NeverhadmyheartbeathigherormoreproudlythanasInowhurriedthroughthestreets，avoidingsuchgroupsaswereabroadinthem，andintentonlyonobservingtheproperturnings。Neverinanymomentoftriumphinafterdays，inloveorwar，didanythingliketheexhilaration，theenergy，thespirit，ofthoseminutescomebacktome。Ihadawoman’sbadgeinmycap——forthefirsttime——themusicofhervoiceinmyears。Ihadamagicringonmyfinger：atalismanonmyarm。Myswordwasatmysideagain。Allroundmelayamistycityofadventures，ofdangerandromance，fulloftherichestandmostbeautifulpossibilities;acityofrealwitchery，suchasIhadreadofinstories，throughwhichthosefairygiftsandmyrighthandshouldguidemesafely。Ididnotevenregretmybrothers，orourseparation。Iwastheeldest。
　　Itwasfittingthatthecreamoftheenterpriseshouldbereservedforme，AnnedeCaylus。Andtowhatmightitnotlead？
　　InfancyIsawmyselfalreadyadukeandpeerofFrance——alreadyIheldthebaton。
　　YetwhileIexultedboyishly，IdidnotforgetwhatIwasabout。
　　Ikeptmyeyesopen，andsoonremarkedthatthenumberofpeoplepassingtoandfrointhedarkstreetshadmuchincreasedwithinthelasthalfhour。Thesilenceinwhichingroupsorsinglythesefiguresstolebymewasverystriking。Iheardnobrawling，fightingorsinging;yetifitweretoolateforthesethings，whyweresomanypeopleupandabout？Ibegantocountpresently，andfoundthatatleasthalfofthoseImetworebadgesintheirhatsandontheirarms，similartomine，andthattheyallmovedwithabusinesslikeair，asifboundforsomerendezvous。
　　Iwasnotafool，thoughIwasyoung，andinsomematterslessquickthanCroisette。Thehintswhichhadbeendroppedbysomanyhadnotbeenlostonme。"Thereismoreafootto—nightthanyouknowof！"Madamed’Ohadsaid。AndhavingeyesaswellasearsIfullybelievedit。Somethingwasafoot。SomethingwasgoingtohappeninParisbeforemorning。Butwhat，Iwondered。
　　Coulditbethatarebellionwasabouttobreakout？IfsoIwasontheking’sservice，andallwaswell。Imightevenbegoing——
　　andonlyeighteen——tomakehistory！Orwasitonlyabrawlonagreatscalebetweentwopartiesofnobles？IhadheardofsuchthingshappeninginParis。Then——wellIdidnotseehowIcouldactinthatcase。Imustbeguidedbyevents。
　　Ididnotimagineanythingelsewhichitcouldbe。Thatisthetruth，thoughitmayneedexplanation。Iwasaccustomedonlytothemilderreligiousdifferences，themoreevenlybalancedpartiesofQuercy，wherethepeacebetweentheCatholicsandHuguenotshadbeenwelcometoallsaveaveryfew。IcouldnotgaugethereforethefanaticismoftheParisianpopulace，andlostcountofthefactor，whichmadepossiblethatwhichwasgoingtohappen——wasgoingtohappeninParisbeforedaylightassurelyasthesunwasgoingtorise！IknewthattheHuguenotnobleswerepresentinthecityingreatnumbers，butitdidnotoccurtomethattheycouldasabodybeindanger。Theyweremanyandpowerful，andaswassaid，infavourwiththeking。TheywereundertheprotectionoftheKingofNavarre——France’sbrother—
　　in—lawofaweek，andthePrinceofConde;andthoughtheseprinceswereyoung，Colignythesagaciousadmiralwasold，andnotmuchtheworseIhadlearnedforhiswound。Heatleastwashighinroyalfavour，atrustedcounsellor。Hadnotthekingvisitedhimonhissick—bedandsatbyhimforanhourtogether？
　　Surely，Ithought，ifthereweredanger，thesemenwouldknowofit。AndthentheHuguenots’mainenemy，HenrileBalafre，thesplendidDukeofGuise，"ourgreatman，"and"Lorraine，"asthecrowdcalledhim——he，itwasrumoured，wasindisgraceatcourt。
　　Inawordthesethings，tosaynothingofthepeacefulandjoyousoccasionwhichhadbroughttheHuguenotstoParis，andwhichseemedtoputtreacheryoutofthequestion，weremorethanenoughtopreventmeforecastingtheevent。
　　Ifforamoment，indeed，asIhurriedalongtowardstheriver，anythinglikethetruthoccurredtome，Iputitfromme。IsaywithprideIputitfrommeasathingimpossible。ForGodforbid——onemayspeakoutthetruththesefortyyearsback——Godforbid，sayI，thatallFrenchmenshouldbearthebloodguiltinesswhichcameofotherthanFrenchbrains，thoughFrenchwerethehandsthatdidthework。
　　Iwasnotgreatlytroubledbymyforebodingstherefore：andthestateofexaltationtowhichMadamed’O’sconfidencehadraisedmyspiritslasteduntiloneofthenarrowstreetsbytheLouvrebroughtmesuddenlywithinsightoftheriver。Herefaintmoonlightburstingmomentarilythroughthecloudswasshiningontheplacidsurfaceofthewater。Thefreshairplayedupon，andcooledmytemples。Andthiswiththequietscenesoabruptlypresentedtome，gavechecktomythoughts，andsomewhatsoberedme。
　　AtsomedistancetomyleftIcoulddistinguishinthemiddleoftheriverthepileofbuildingswhichcrowdtheIledelaCite，andcouldfollowthenearerarmofthestreamasitsweptlandwardsofthese，closelyhemmedinbyhouses，butunbrokenasyetbythearchesofthePontNeufwhichIhavelivedtoseebuilt。Notfarfrommeonmyright——indeedwithinastone’sthrow——thebulkymassoftheLouvrerosedarkandshapelessagainstthesky。Onlyanarrowopenspace——theforeshore——
　　separatedmefromthewater;beyondwhichIcouldseeanirregularlineofbuildings，thatnodoubtformedtheFaubourgSt。Germain。
　　IhadbeentoldthatIshouldfindstairsleadingdowntothewater，andboatsmooredatthefootofthem，atthispoint。
　　AccordinglyIwalkedquicklyacrosstheopenspacetoaspot，whereImadeoutacoupleofpostssetuponthebrink——
　　doubtlesstomarkthelandingplace。
　　Ihadnotgonetenpaces，however，outoftheshadow，beforeI
　　chancedtolookround，anddiscernedwithanunpleasanteeriefeelingthreefiguresdetachthemselvesfromit，andadvanceinarowbehindme，soasthebettertocutoffmyretreat。Iwasnottosucceedinmyenterprisetooeasilythen。Thatwasclear。
　　StillIthoughtitbettertoactasifIhadnotseenmyfollowers，andcollectingmyself，IwalkedasquicklyasIcoulddowntothesteps。Thethreewerebythattimecloseuponme——
　　withinstrikingdistancealmost。Iturnedabruptlyandconfrontedthem。
　　"Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouwant？"Isaid，eyeingthemwarily，myhandonmysword。
　　Theydidnotanswer，butseparatedmorewidelysoastoformahalf—circle：andoneofthemwhistled。Ontheinstantaknotofmenstartedoutofthelineofhouses，andcamequicklyacrossthestripoflighttowardsus。
　　Thepositionseemedserious。IfIcouldhaverunindeed——butI
　　glancedround，andfoundescapeinthatfashionimpossible。
　　Thereweremencrouchingonthestepsbehindme，betweenmeandtheriver。Ihadfallenintoatrap。Indeed，therewasnothingforitnowbuttodoasMadamehadbiddenme，andplaythemanboldly。Ihadthewordsstillringinginmyears。IhadenoughoftheexcitementIhadlatelyfeltstillboundinginmyveinstogivenerveanddaring。Ifoldedmyarmsanddrewmyselfup。
　　"Knaves！"Isaid，withasmuchquietcontemptasIcouldmuster，"youmistakeme。Youdonotknowwhomyouhavetodealwith。
　　Getmeaboat，andlettwoofyourowmeacross。Hinderme，andyournecksshallanswerforit——oryourbacks！"
　　Alaughandanoathofderisionformedtheonlyresponse，andbeforeIcouldaddmore，thelargergrouparrived，andjoinedthethree。
　　"Whoisit，Pierre？"askedoneoftheseinamatter—of—factway，whichshowedIhadnotfallenamongstmerethieves。
　　Thespeakerseemedtobetheleaderoftheband。Hehadafeatherinhisbonnet，andIsawasteelcorsletgleamunderhiscloak，whensomeoneheldupalanthorntoexaminemethebetter。
　　Histrunk—hosewerestripedwithblack，white，andgreen——theliveryasIlearnedafterwardsofMonsieurtheKing’sbrother，theDukeofAnjou，afterwardsHenrytheThird;thenaclosefriendoftheDukeofGuise，andlaterhismurderer。Thecaptainspokewithaforeignaccent，andhiscomplexionwasdarktoswarthiness。Hiseyessparkledandflashedlikeblackbeads。ItwaseasytoseethathewasanItalian。
　　"Agallantyoungcockenough，"thesoldierwhohadwhistledanswered;"andnotquiteofthebreedweexpected。"Heheldhislanthorntowardsmeandpointedtothewhitebadgeonmysleeve。
　　"Itstrikesmewehavecaughtacrowinsteadofapigeon！"
　　"Howcomesthis？"theItalianaskedharshly，addressingme。
　　"Whoareyou？Andwhydoyouwishtocrosstheriveratthistimeofnight，youngsir？"
　　Iactedontheinspirationofthemoment。"Playthemanboldly！"
　　Madamehadsaid。Iwould：andIdidwithavengeance。Isprangforwardandseizingthecaptainbytheclaspofhiscloak，shookhimviolently，andflunghimoffwithallmyforce，sothathereeled。"Dog！"Iexclaimed，advancing，asifIwouldseizehimagain。"Learnhowtospeaktoyourbetters！AmItobestoppedbysuchsweepingsasyou？Harkye，IamontheKing’sservice！"
　　Hefairlysplutteredwithrage。"Morelikethedevil’s！"heexclaimed，pronouncinghiswordsabominably，andfumblingvainlyforhisweapon。"King’sserviceornoserviceyoudonotinsultAndreaPallavicini！"
　　Icouldonlyvindicatemydaringbygreaterdaring，andIsawthisevenas，deathstaringmeintheface，myheartseemedtostop。ThemanhadhismouthopenandhishandraisedtogiveanorderwhichwouldcertainlyhavesentAnnedeCaylusfromtheworld，whenIcriedpassionately——itwasmylastchance，andI
　　neverwishedtolivemorestronglythanatthatmoment——Icriedpassionately，"AndreaPallavicini，ifsuchbeyourname，lookatthat！Lookatthat！"Irepeated，shakingmyopenhandwiththeringonitbeforehisface，"andthenhindermeifyoudare！To—
　　morrowifyouhavequarteringsenough，Iwillseetoyourquarrel！Nowsendmeonmyway，oryourfatebeonyourownhead！Disobey——ay，dobuthesitate——andIwillcallontheseverymenofyourstocutyoudown！"
　　Itwasaboldthrow，forIstakedallonatalismanofwhichI
　　didnotknowthevalue！Tomeitwastheturnofadie，forI
　　hadhadnoleisuretolookatthering，andknewnomorethanababewhoseitwas。Buttheventurewasashappyasdesperate。
　　AndreaPallavicini’sexpression——nopleasantoneatthebestoftimes——changedontheinstant。Hisfacefellasheseizedmyhand，andpeeredattheringlongandintently。Thenhecastaquickglanceofsuspicionathismen，ofhatredatme。ButI
　　carednothingforhisglance，orhishatred。Isawalreadythathehadmadeuphismindtoobeythecharm：andthatformewaseverything。"Ifyouhadshownthattomealittleearlier，youngsir，itwould，maybe，havebeenbetterforbothofus，"hesaid，asurlymenaceinhisvoice。Andcursinghismenfortheirstupidityheorderedtwoofthemtounmooraboat。
　　Apparentlythecrafthadbeensecuredwithmorecarethanskill，fortoloosenitseemedtobeaworkoftime。MeanwhileIstoodwaitinginthemidstofthegroup，anxiousandyetexultant;anobjectofcuriosity，andyetcuriousmyself。Iheardtheguardswhispertogether，andcaughtsuchphrasesas"ItistheDucd’Aumale。"
　　"No，itisnotD’Aumale。Itisnothinglikehim。"
　　"Well，hehastheDuke’sring，fool！"
　　"TheDuke’s？"
　　"Ay。"
　　"Thenitisallright，Godblesshim！"Thislastwasutteredwithextremefervour。
　　Iwasconscioustooofbeingtheobjectofmanyrespectfulglances;andhadjustbiddenthemenonthestepsbelowmetobequick，whenIdiscoveredwithalarmthreefiguresmovingacrosstheopenspacetowardsus，andcomingapparentlyfromthesamepointfromwhichPallaviciniandhismenhademerged。
　　InamomentIforesawdanger。"Nowbequickthere！"Icriedagain。ButscarcelyhadIspokenbeforeIsawthatitwasimpossibletogetafloatbeforetheseotherscameup，andI
　　preparedtostandmygroundresolutely。
　　Thefirstwords，however，withwhichPallavicinisalutedthenew—
　　comersscatteredmyfears。"Well，whatthefoulfienddoyouwant？"heexclaimedrudely;andherappedouthalf—a—dozenCORPOSbeforetheycouldanswerhim。"Whathaveyoubroughthimherefor，whenIlefthimintheguard—house？Imbeciles！"
　　"CaptainPallavicini，"interposedthemidmostofthethree，speakingwithpatience——hewasamanofaboutthirty，dressedwithsomerichness，thoughhisclotheswerenowdisorderedasthoughbyastruggle——"Ihaveinducedthesegoodmentobringmedown——"
　　"Then，"criedthecaptain，brutallyinterruptinghim，"youhavelostyourlabour，Monsieur。"
　　"Youdonotknowme，"repliedtheprisonerwithsternness——aprisonerheseemedtobe。"YoudonotunderstandthatIamafriendofthePrinceofConde，andthat——"
　　Hewouldhavesaidmore，buttheItalianagaincuthimshort。"A
　　figforthePrinceofConde！"hecried;"Iunderstandmyduty。
　　Youmayaswelltakethingseasily。Youcannotcross，andyoucannotgohome，andyoucannothaveanyexplanation;exceptthatitistheKing’swill！Explanation？"hegrumbled，inalowertone，"youwillgetitsoonenough，Iwarrant！Beforeyouwantit！"
　　"Butthereisaboatgoingtocross，"saidtheother，controllinghistemperbyaneffortandspeakingwithdignity。"YoutoldmethatbytheKing’sordernoonecouldcross;andyouarrestedmebecause，havingurgentneedtovisitSt。Germain，Ipersisted。
　　Nowwhatdoesthismean，CaptainPallavicini？Othersarecrossing。Iaskwhatthismeans？"
　　"Whateveryouplease，M。dePavannes，"theItalianretortedcontemptuously。"Explainitforyourself！"
　　Istartedasthenamestruckmyear，andatoncecriedoutinsurprise，"M。dePavannes！"HadIheardaright？
　　ApparentlyIhad，fortheprisonerturnedtomewithabow。
　　"Yes，sir，"hesaidwithdignity，"IamM。dePavannes。Ihavenotthehonourofknowingyou，butyouseemtobeagentleman。"
　　Hecastawitheringglanceatthecaptainashesaidthis。
　　"Perhapsyouwillexplaintomewhythisviolencehasbeendonetome。Ifyoucan，Ishallconsideritafavour;ifnot，pardonme。"
　　Ididnotanswerhimatonce，foragoodreason——thateveryfacultyIhadwasbentonaclosescrutinyofthemanhimself。
　　Hewasfair，andofaruddycomplexion。Hisbeardwascutintheshortpointedfashionofthecourt;andintheserespectsheboreakindoflikeness，acuriouslikeness，toLouisdePavannes。
　　Buthisfigurewasshorterandstouter。Hewaslessmartialinbearing，withmoreoftheairofascholarthanasoldier。"YouarerelatedtoM。LouisdePavannes？"Isaid，myheartbeginningtobeatwithanoddexcitement。IthinkIforesawalreadywhatwascoming。
　　"IamLouisdePavannes，"herepliedwithimpatience。
　　Istaredathiminsilence：thinking——thinking——thinking。AndthenIsaidslowly，"Youhaveacousinofthesamename？"
　　"Ihave。"
　　"HefellprisonertotheVicomtedeCaylusatMoncontour？"
　　"Hedid，"heansweredcurtly。"Butwhatofthat，sir？"
　　AgainIdidnotanswer——atonce。Themurderwasout。I
　　remembered，inthedimfashioninwhichonerememberssuchthingsaftertheevent，thatIhadheardLouisdePavannes，whenwefirstbecameacquaintedwithhim，mentionthiscousinofthesamename;theheadofayoungerbranch。ButourLouislivinginProvenceandtheotherinNormandy，thedistancebetweentheirhomes，andthetroublesofthetimeshadloosenedatiewhichtheircommonreligionmighthavestrengthened。Theyhadscarcelyeverseenoneanother。AsLouishadspokenofhisnamesakebutonceduringhislongstaywithus，andIhadnotthenforeseentheconnectiontobeformedbetweenourfamilies，itwasnowonderthatinthecourseofmonthsthechancewordhadpassedoutofmyhead，andIhadcleanforgottenthesubjectofit。
　　Herehowever，hewasbeforemyeyes，andseeinghim;Isawtoowhatthediscoverymeant。Itmeantamostjoyfulthing！amostwonderfulthingwhichIlongedtotellCroisetteandMarie。ItmeantthatourLouisdePavannes——mycheekburnedformywantoffaithinhim——wasnovillainafterall，butsuchanoblegentlemanaswehadalwaystillthisdaythoughthim！Itmeantthathewasnocourtgallantbentonbreakingacountryheartforsport，butKit’sowntruelover！And——anditmeantmore——itmeantthathewasyetindanger，andstillignorantofthevowthatunchainedfiendBezershadtakentohavehislife！Inpursuinghisnamesakewehadbeenledastray，howsadlyIonlyknewnow！Andhadindeedlostmostprecioustime。
　　"Yourwife，M。dePavannes"——Ibeganinhaste，seeingthenecessityofexplainingmatterswiththeutmostquickness。"Yourwifeis——"
　　"Ah，mywife！"hecriedinterruptingme，withanxietyinhistone。"Whatofher？Youhaveseenher！"
　　"Ihave。SheissafeatyourhouseintheRuedeSt。Merri。"
　　"ThankHeavenforthat！"herepliedfervently。BeforehecouldsaymoreCaptainAndreainterruptedus。Icouldseethathissuspicionswerearousedafresh。Hepushedrudelybetweenus，andaddressingmesaid，"Now，youngsir，yourboatisready。"
　　"Myboat？"Ianswered，whileIrapidlyconsideredthesituation。
　　OfcourseIdidnotwanttocrosstherivernow。NodoubtPavannes———thisPavannes——couldguidemetoLouis’address。"Myboat？"
　　"Yes，itiswaiting，"theItalianreplied，hisblackeyesrovingfromonetotheotherofus。
　　"Thenletitwait！"Iansweredhaughtily，speakingwithanassumptionofanger。"Plagueuponyouforinterruptingus！I
　　shallnotcrosstherivernow。ThisgentlemancangivemetheinformationIwant。Ishalltakehimbackwithme。"
　　"Towhom？"
　　"Towhom？Tothosewhosentme，sirrah！"
　　Ithundered。"YoudonotseemtobemuchintheDuke’sconfidence，captain，"Iwenton;"nowtakeawordofadvicefromme！Thereisnothing：soeasilycastoffasanover—officiousservant！Hegoestoofar——andhegoeslikeanoldglove！Anoldglove，"Irepeatedgrimly，sneeringinhisface，"whichsavesthehandandsuffersitself。Bewareoftoomuchzeal，CaptainPallavicini！Itisadangerousthing！"
　　Heturnedpalewithangeratbeingthustreatedbyabeardlessboy。Buthefalteredallthesame。WhatIsaidwasunpleasant，butthebravoknewitwastrue。
　　IsawtheimpressionIhadmade，andIturnedtothesoldiersstandinground。
　　"Bringhere，myfriends，"Isaid，"M。dePavannes’sword！"
　　Oneranuptotheguardhouseandbroughtitatonce。Theyweretownsfolk，burgherguardsorsuchlike，andforsomereasonbetrayedsoevidentarespectforme，thatIsoberlybelievetheywouldhaveturnedontheirtemporaryleaderatmybidding。
　　Pavannestookhissword，andplaceditunderhisarm。WebothbowedceremoniouslytoPallavicini，whoscowledinresponse;andslowly，forIwasafraidtoshowanysignsofhaste，wewalkedacrossthemoonlitspacetothebottomofthestreetbywhichI
　　hadcome。Therethegloomswallowedusupatonce。Pavannestouchedmysleeveandstoppedinthedarkness。
　　"Ibegtobeallowedtothankyouforyouraid，"hesaidwithemotion，turningandfacingme。"WhomhaveIthehonourofaddressing？"
　　"M。AnnedeCaylus，afriendofyourcousin，"Ireplied。
　　"Indeed？"hesaid"well，Ithankyoumostheartily，"andweembracedwithwarmth。
　　"ButIcouldhavedonelittle，"Iansweredmodestly，"onyourbehalf，ifithadnotbeenforthisring。"
　　"Andthevirtueoftheringliesin——"
　　"In——IamsureIcannotsayinwhat！"Iconfessed。Andthen，inthesympathywhichthescenehadnaturallycreatedbetweenus，I
　　forgotoneportionofmylady’scommandsandIaddedimpulsively，"AllIknowisthatMadamed’Ogaveitme;andthatithasdoneall，andmorethanallshesaiditwould。"
　　"Whogaveittoyou？"heasked，graspingmyarmsotightlyastohurtme。
　　"Madamed’O，"Irepeated。Itwastoolatetodrawbacknow。
　　"Thatwoman！"heejaculatedinastrangelowwhisper。"Isitpossible？Thatwomangaveityou？"
　　Iwanderedwhatonearthhemeant，surprise，scornanddislikeweresoblendedinhistone。Itevenseemedtomethathedrewofffrommesomewhat。"Yes，M。dePavannes，"Ireplied，offendedandindignant，"Itissofarpossiblethatitisthetruth;andmore，Ithinkyouwouldnotsospeakofthisladyifyouknewall;andthatitwasthroughheryourwifewasto—dayfreedfromthosewhoweredetainingher，andtakensafelyhome！"
　　"Ha！"hecriedeagerly。"Thenwherehasmywifebeen？"
　　"AtthehouseofMirepoix，theglover，"Iansweredcoldly，"intheRuePlatriere。Doyouknowhim？Youdo。Well，shewaskeptthereaprisoner，untilwehelpedhertoescapeanhourorsoago。"
　　Hedidnotseemtocomprehendeventhen。Icouldseelittleofhisface，buttherewasdoubtandwonderinhistonewhenhespoke。"Mirepoixtheglover，"hemurmured。"Heisanhonestmanenough，thoughaCatholic。Shewaskeptthere！Whokeptherthere？"
　　"TheAbbessoftheUrsulinesseemstohavebeenatthebottomofit，"Iexplained，frettingwithimpatience。Thiswonderwasmisplaced，Ithought;andtimewaspassing。"Madamed’Ofoundoutwhereshewas，"Icontinued，"andtookherhome，andthensentmetofetchyou，hearingyouhadcrossedtheriver。Thatisthestoryinbrief。"
　　"Thatwomansentyoutofetchme？"herepeatedagain。
　　"Yes，"Iansweredangrily。"Shedid，M。dePavannes。"
　　"Then，"hesaidslowly，andwithanairofsolemnconvictionwhichcouldnotbutimpressme，"thereisatraplaidforme！
　　Sheistheworst，themostwicked，thevilestofwomen！Ifshesentyou，thisisatrap！Andmywifehasfallenintoitalready！Heavenhelpher——andme——ifitbeso！"
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　THEPARISIANMATINS。
　　Therearesomestatementsforwhichitisimpossibletobeprepared;statementssostrongandsostartlingthatitisimpossibletoanswerthemexceptbyaction——byablow。AndthisofM。dePavanneswasoneofthese。Iftherehadbeenanyonepresent，IthinkIshouldhavegivenhimthelieanddrawnuponhim。ButalonewithhimatmidnightintheshadownearthebottomoftheRuedesFosses，withnowitnesses，witheveryreasontofeelfriendlytowardshim，whatwasItodo？
　　Asafact，Ididnothing。Istood，silentandstupefied，waitingtohearmore。Hedidnotkeepmelong。
　　"Sheismywife’ssister，"hecontinuedgrimly。"ButIhavenoreasontoshieldheronthataccount！Shieldher？HadyoulivedatcourtonlyamonthImightshieldherallIcould，M。deCaylus，itwouldavailnothing。NotMadamedeSauvesisbetterknown。AndIwouldnotifIcould！Iknowwell，thoughmywifewillnotbelieveit，thatthereisnothingsonearMadamed’O’sheartastogetridofhersisterandme——ofbothofus——thatshemaysucceedtoMadeleine’sinheritance！Oh，yes，Ihadgoodgroundsforbeingnervousyesterday，whenmywifedidnotreturn，"headdedexcitedly。
　　"ButthereatleastyouwrongMadamed’O！"Icried，shockedandhorrifiedbyanaccusation，whichseemedsomuchmoredreadfulinthesilenceandgloom——andwithalsomuchlesspreposterousthanitmighthaveseemedinthedaylight。"Thereyoucertainlywrongher！Forshame！M。dePavannes。"
　　Hecameastepnearer，andlayingahandonmysleevepeeredintomyface。"Didyouseeapriestwithher？"heaskedslowly。"A
　　mancalledtheCoadjutor——adown—lookingdog？"
　　Isaid——withashiverofdread，asuddenrevulsionoffeeling，bornofhismanner——thatIhad。AndIexplainedthepartthepriesthadtaken。
　　"Then，"Pavannesrejoined，"IamrightThereISatraplaidforme。TheAbbessoftheUrsulines！Sheabductmywife？Why，sheisherdearestfriend，believeme。Itisimpossible。Shewouldbemorelikelytosaveherfromdangerthanto——umph！waitaminute。"Idid：Iwaited，dreadingwhathemightdiscover，untilhemuttered，checkinghimself——"Canthatbeit？CanitbethattheAbbessdidknowofsomedangerthreateningus，andwouldhaveputMadeleineinasaferetreat？Iwonder！"
　　AndIwondered;andthen——well，thoughtsarelikegunpowder。Theleastsparkwillfireatrain。Hiswordswerefew，buttheyformedsparkenoughtoraisesuchaflareinmybrainasforamomentblindedme，andshookmesothatItrembled。Theshockover，IwasleftfacetofacewithapossibilityofwickednesssuchasIcouldneverhavesuspectedofmyself。IrememberedMirepoix’sdistressandthepriest’seagerness。Ire—calledthegruffwarningBezers——evenBezers，andtherewassomethingveryoddinBezersgivingawarning！——hadgivenMadamedePavanneswhenhetoldherthatshewouldbebetterwhereshewas。I
　　thoughtofthewakefulnesswhichIhadmarkedinthestreets，thesilenthurryingtoandfro，thesignsofcomingstrife，andcontrastedthesewiththequietudeandseemingsafetyofMirepoix’shouse;andIhastilyaskedPavannesatwhattimehehadbeenarrested。
　　"Aboutanhourbeforemidnight，"heanswered。
　　"Thenyouknownothingofwhatishappening？"Irepliedquickly。
　　"Why，evenwhileweareloiteringhere——butlisten！"
　　Andwithallspeed，stammeringindeedinmyhasteandanxiety，I
　　toldhimwhatIhadnoticedinthestreets，andthehintsIhadheard，andIshowedhimthebadgeswithwhichMadamehadfurnishedme。
　　Hismannerwhenhehadheardmeoutfrightenedmestillmore。Hedrewmeoninakindoffurytoahouseinthewindowsofwhichsomelightedcandleshadappearednotaminutebefore。
　　"Thering！"hecried，"letmeseethering！Whoseisit？"
　　Heheldupmyhandtothischancelightandwelookedatthering。Itwasaheavygoldsignet，withonecuriouscharacteristic：ithadtwofacets。Ononeofthesewasengravedtheletter"H，"andaboveitacrown。Ontheotherwasaneaglewithoutstretchedwings。
　　Pavannesletmyhanddropandleanedagainstthewallinsuddendespair。"ItistheDukeofGuise’s，"hemuttered。"ItistheeagleofLorraine。"
　　"Ha！"saidIsoftly，seeinglight。TheDukewastheidolthen，aslater，oftheParisianpopulace，andIunderstoodnowwhythecitizensoldiershadshownmesuchrespect。TheyhadtakenmefortheDuke’senvoyandconfidant。
　　ButIsawnofarther。Pavannesdid，andmurmuredbitterly，"Wemaysayourprayers，weHuguenots。Thatisourdeath—warrant。
　　To—morrownighttherewillnotbeoneleftinParis，lad。Guisehashisfather’sdeathtoavenge，andthesecursedParisianswilldohisbiddinglikethewolvestheyare！TheBarondeRosnywarnedusofthis，wordforword。IwouldtoHeavenwehadtakenhisadvice！"
　　"Stay！"Icried——hewasgoingtoofastforme——"stay！"Hismonstrousconception，thoughitmarchedsomewaywithmyownsuspicions，outranthemfar！Isawnosufficientgroundsforit。
　　"TheKing——thekingwouldnotpermitsuchathing，M。dePavannes，"Iargued。
　　"Boy，youareblind！"herejoinedimpatiently，fornowhesawallandInothing。"YonderwastheDukeofAnjou’scaptain——
　　Monsieur’sofficer，thefollowerofFrance’sbrother，markyou！
　　AndHE——heobeyedtheDuke’sring！TheDukehasafreehandto—
　　night，andhehatesus。Andtheriver。Whyarewenottocrosstheriver？TheKingindeed！TheKinghasundoneus。HehassoldustohisbrotherandtheGuises。VACHASSERL’IDOLE"forthesecondtimeIheardthequaintphrase，whichIlearnedafterwardswasananagramoftheKing’sname，CharlesdeValois，usedbytheProtestantsasapassword——"VACHASSERL’IDOLEhasbetrayedus！IremembertheverywordsheusedtotheAdmiral，’Nowwehavegotyouhereweshallnotletyougosoeasily！’
　　Oh，thetraitor！Thewretchedtraitor！"
　　Heleanedagainstthewallovercomebythehorroroftheconvictionwhichhadburstuponhim，andunnervedbytheimminenceoftheperil。Atalltimeshewasanunreadyman，I
　　fancy，morefit，courageapart，forthecollegethanthefield;
　　andnowhegavewaytodespair。Perhapsthethoughtofhiswifeunmannedhim。Perhapstheexcitementthroughwhichhehadalreadygonetendedtostupefyhim，orthesuddennessofthediscovery。
　　Atanyrate，Iwasthefirsttogathermywitstogether，andmyearliestimpulsewastotearintotwopartsawhitehandkerchiefIhadinmypouch，andfastenonetohissleeve，theotherinhishat，inroughimitationofthebadgesIworemyself。
　　ItwillappearfromthisthatInolongertrustedMadamed’O。I
　　wasnotconvinced，itistrue，ofherconsciousguilt，stillI
　　didnottrustherentirely。"Donotwearthemonyourreturn，"
　　shehadsaidandthatwasodd;althoughIcouldnotyetbelievethatshewassuchasirenasFatherPierrehadwarnedusof，tellingtalesfromoldpoets。YetIdoubted，shudderingasIdidso。Hercompanionshipwiththatvilepriest，herstrangeeagernesstosecurePavannes’return，hermysteriousdirectionstome，heranxietytotakehersisterhome——home，whereshewouldbeexposedtodanger，asbeinginaknownHuguenot’shouse——
　　thesethingspointedtobutoneconclusion;stillthatonewassohorriblethatIwouldnot，evenwhileIdoubtedanddistrustedher，Iwouldnot，Icouldnotacceptit。Iputitfromme，andrefusedtobelieveit，althoughduringtherestofthatnightitkeptcomingbacktomeandknockingforadmissionatmybrain。
　　AllthisflashedthroughmymindwhileIwasfixingonPavannes’
　　badges。NotthatIlosttimeaboutit，forfromthemomentI
　　graspedthepositionasheconceivedit，everyminutewehadwastedonexplanationsseemedtomeanhour。Ireproachedmyselfforhavingforgottenevenforaninstantthatwhichhadbroughtustotown——therescueofKit’slover。Wehadsmallchancenowofreachinghimintime，misledaswehadbeenbythismiserablemistakeinidentity。Ifmycompanion’sfearswerewellfounded，LouiswouldfallinthegeneralmassacreoftheHuguenots，probablybeforewecouldreachhim。Ifill—founded，stillwehadsmallreasontohope。Bezers’vengeancewouldnotwait。Iknewhimtoowelltothinkit。AGuisemightsparehisfoe，buttheVidame——theVidamenever！WehadwarnedMadamedePavannesitwastrue;butthatabnormalexerciseofbenevolencecouldonly，I
　　cynicallythought，havethemoreexasperatedthedevilwithinhim，whichnowwouldberaveninglikeadogdisappointedofitsvictuals。
　　Iglancedupatthelineofskyvisiblebetweenthetallhouses，andlo！thedawnwascoming。Itwantedscarcelyhalf—an—hourofdaylight，thoughdowninthedarkstreetsaboutusthenightstillreigned。Yes，themorningwascoming，brightandhopeful，andthecitywasquiet。Therewerenosigns，nosoundsofriotordisorder。Surely，Ithought，surelyPavannesmustbemistaken。Eithertheplothadneverexisted，thatwasmostlikely，orithadbeenabandoned，orperhaps——Crack！
　　Apistolshot！Short，sharp，ominousitrangoutontheinstant，asolitarysoundinthenight！Itwassomewherenearus，andI
　　stopped。Ihadbeenspeakingtomycompanionatthemoment。
　　"Wherewasit？"Icried，lookingbehindme。
　　"Closetous。NeartheLouvre，"heanswered，listeningintently。
　　"See！See！Ah，heavens！"hecontinuedinavoiceofdespair，"itwasasignal！"
　　Itwas。One，two，three！BeforeIcouldcountsofar，lightssprangintobrightnessinthewindowsofnineoutoftenhousesintheshortstreetwherewestood，asiflightedbyasinglehand。BeforetooIcouldcountasmanymore，oraskhimwhatthismeant，beforeindeed，wecouldspeakorstirfromthespot，orthinkwhatweshoulddo，withahurriedclangandclash，asifbroughtintomotionbyfuriousfrenziedhands，agreatbelljustaboveourheadsbegantoboomandwhirr！Ithurleditsnotesintospace，itsuddenlyfilledallthesilence。Itdasheditsharshsoundsdownuponthetremblingcity，tilltheairheaved，andthehousesaboutusrocked。Itmadeinaninstantapandemoniumofthequietnight。
　　Weturnedandhurriedinstinctivelyfromtheplace，crouchingandamazed，lookingupwardswithbentshouldersandscaredfaces。
　　"Whatisit？Whatisit？"Icried，halfinresentment;halfinterror。Itdeafenedme。
　　"ThebellofSt。Germainl’Auxerrois！"heshoutedinanswer。
　　"TheChurchoftheLouvre。ItisasIsaid。Wearedoomed！"
　　"Doomed？No！"Irepliedfiercely，formycourageseemedtoriseagainonthewaveofsoundandexcitementasifreboundingfromthemomentaryshock。"Never！Wewearthedevil’slivery，andhewilllookafterhisown。Draw，man，andlethimthatstopsuslooktohimself。Youknowtheway。Leadon！"Icriedsavagely。
　　Hecaughttheinfectionanddrewhissword。Sowestartedboldly，andtheresultjustifiedmyconfidence。Welooked，nodoubt，aslikemurderersasanywhowereabroadthatnight。
　　Movinginthisdesperateguisewehastenedupthatstreetandintoanother——stillpursuedbythedinandclangourofthebell——andthenashortdistancealongathird。Wewerenotstoppedoraddressedbyanyone，thoughnumbers，increasingeachmomentasdoorafterdooropened，andwedrewnearertotheheartofthecommotion，werehurryinginthesamedirection，sidebysidewithus;andthoughinfront，wherenowandagainlightsgleamedonamassofweapons，oronwhiteeagerfaces，fillingsomealleyfromwalltowall，weheardtheroarofvoicesrisingandfallinglikethemurmurofanangrysea。