"MayourLadyofLorettorewardhim。"
ThetalemightbetrueforaughtIknew，horribleasitwas！I
hadheardsimilaronesattributingthingsalmostasfiendishtohim，timesandagain;fromthatpoorfellowlyingdeadonPavannes’doorstepforone，andfromothersbesides。AstheVidameinhispacingtoandfroturnedtowardsus，Igazedathimfascinatedbyhisgrimvisageandthatstory。Hiseyerestedonthecrowdaboutus，andItrembled，lestevenatthatdistanceheshouldrecogniseus。
Andhedid！Ihadforgottenhiskeennessofsight。Hisfaceflashedsuddenlyintoagrimsmile。Thetailofhiseyerestinguponus，andseemingtoforbidustomove，hegavesomeorders。
Thecolourfledfrommyface。Toescapeindeedwasimpossible，forwewerehemmedinbythepressandcouldscarcelystiralimb。YetIdidmakeoneeffort。
"Croisette！"Imutteredhewastherearmost——"stoopdown。Hemaynothaveseenyou。Stoopdown，lad！"
ButSt。Croixwasobstinateandwouldnotstoop。Nay，whenoneofthemountedmencame，androughlyorderedusintotheopen，itwasCroisettewhopushingpastussteppedoutfirstwithalordlyair。I，followinghim，sawthathislipswerefirmlycompressedandthattherewasaneagerlightinhiseyes。Asweemerged，thecrowdinourwakebroketheline，andtriedtopursueus;
eitherhostilelyorthrougheagernesstoseewhatitmeant。Butadozenblowsofthelongpikesdrovethemback，howlingandcursingtotheirplaces。
IexpectedtobetakentoBezers;andwhatwouldfollowIcouldnottell。Buthedidalwaysitseemedwhatweleastexpected，forheonlyscowledatusnow，agrimmockeryonhislip，andcried，"Seethattheydonotescapeagain！Butdothemnoharm，sirrah，untilIhavethebatchofthem！"
Heturnedoneway，andIanother，myheartswellingwithrage。
Wouldhedaretoharmus？WouldeventheVidamedaretomurderaCaylus’nephewopenlyandincoldblood？Ididnotthinkso。
Andyet——andyet——
Croisetteinterruptedthetrainofmythoughts。Ifoundthathewasnotfollowingme。Hehadsprungaway，andinadozenstridesreachedtheVidame’sstirrup，andwasclaspinghiskneewhenI
turned。IcouldnothearatthedistanceatwhichIstood，whathesaid，andthehorsemantowhomBezershadcommittedusspurredbetweenus。ButIheardtheVidame’sanswer。
"No！no！no！"hecriedwitharingofrestrainedfuryinhisvoice。"Letmyplansalone！Whatdoyouknowofthem？Andifyouspeaktomeagain，M。St。Croix——Ithinkthatisyourname，boy——Iwill——no，Iwillnotkillyou。Thatmightpleaseyou，youarestubborn，Icansee。ButIwillhaveyoustrippedandlashedlikethemeanestofmyscullions！Nowgo，andtakecare！"
Impatience，hateandwildpassionflamedinhisfaceforthemoment—transfiguringit。Croisettecamebacktousslowly，white—lippedandquiet。"Nevermind，"Isaidbitterly。"Thethirdtimemaybringluck。"
NotthatIfeltmuchindignationattheVidame’sinsult，oranyangerwiththeladforincurringit;asIhadfeltonthatotheroccasion。Lifeanddeathseemedtobeeverythingonthismorning。Wordshadceasedtopleaseandannoy，forwhatarewordstothesheepintheshambles？Oneman’slifeandonewoman’shappinessoutsideourselveswethoughtonlyofthesenow。
AndsomedayIreflectedCroisettemightrememberevenwithpleasurethathehad，asadrowningmanclutchingatstraws，stoopedtoalastprayerforthem。
Wewereplacedinthemiddleofaknotoftrooperswhoclosedthelinetotheright。AndpresentlyMarietouchedme。Hewasgazingintentlyatthesentryontheroofofthethirdhousefromus;thefarthestbutone。Theman’sbackwastotheparapet，andhewasgesticulatingwildly。
"Heseeshim！"Mariemuttered。
Inoddedalmostinapathy。Butthispassedaway，andIstartedinvoluntarilyandshuddered，asasavageroar，breakingthesilence，rangalongthefrontofthemoblikearollingvolleyoffirearms。Whatwasit？Amanpostedatawindowontheuppergalleryhaddroppedhispike’spoint，andwaslevellingitatsomeoneinside：wecouldseenomore。
Butthoseinfrontofthewindowcould;theysawtoomuchfortheVidame’sprecautions，asamomentshowed。Hehadnotlaidhisaccountwiththefrenzyofarabble，thepassionsofamobwhichhadtastedblood。Isawthelineatitsfartherendwaversuddenlyandtosstoandfro。Thenahundredhandswentup，andconfusedangrycriesrosewiththem。Thetroopersstruckaboutthem，givingbackslowlyastheydidso。Buttheireffortswereinvain。Withascreamoftriumphawildtorrentofpeoplebrokethroughbetweenthem，leavingthemstranded;andrushedinaheadlongcataracttowardsthesteps。Bezerswasclosetousatthetime。"S’death！"hecried，swearingoathswhichevenhissovereigncouldscarcehaveequalled。"Theywillsnatchhimfrommeyet，thehell—hounds！"
Hewhirledhishorseroundandspurredhiminadozenboundstothestairsatourendofthegallery。Thereheleapedfromhim，droppingthebridlerecklessly;andboundingupthreestepsatatime，heranalongthegallery。Half—a—dozenofthetroopersaboutusstayedonlytoflingtheirreinstooneoftheirnumber，andthenfollowed，theirgreatbootsclatteringontheplanks。
Mybreathcamefastandshort，forIfeltitwasacrisis。Itwasaracebetweenthetwoparties，orratherbetweentheVidameandtheleadersofthemob。Thelatterhadtheshorterwaytogo。Butonthenarrowstepstheywerecarriedofftheirfeetbythepressbehindthem，andfelloverandhamperedoneanotherandlosttime。TheVidame，freefromthisdrawback，wassomewayalongthegallerybeforetheyhadsetfootonit。
HowIprayed——amidasceneofthewildestuproarandexcitement——
thatthemobmightbefirst！LettherebeonlyashortconflictbetweenBezers’menandthepeople，andintheconfusionPavannesmightyetescape。Hopeawokeintheturmoil。Abovetheyellsofthecrowdascoreofdeepvoicesaboutmethundered"aWolf！aWolf！"AndItoo，lostmyhead，anddrewmysword，andscreamedatthetopofmyvoice，"aCaylus！aCaylus！"withthemaddest。
Thousandsofeyesbesidesminewerestrainedontheforemostfiguresoneitherside。Theymetasitchancedpreciselyatthedoorofthehouse。Themobleaderwasaslenderman，Isaw;apriestapparently，thoughnowhewasgirtwithunpriestlyweapons，hisskirtsweretuckedup，andhisheadwasbare。Somuchmyfirstglanceshowedme。ItwasatthesecondlookitwaswhenIsawthebloodforsakehispaleloweringfaceandleaveitwhiterthanever，whenhorrorsprangalongwithrecognitiontohiseyes，whenbornealongbythecrowdbehindhesawhispositionandwhowasbeforehim——itwasonlythenwhenhismeanfigureshrank，andhequailedandwouldhaveturnedbutcouldnot，thatIrecognizedtheCoadjutor。
Iwassilentnow，mymouthagape。Therearesecondswhichareminutes;ay，andmanyminutes。Amanmaydie，amanmaycomeintolifeinsuchasecond。Inoneofthese，itseemedtome，thosetwomenpaused，facetoface;thoughinfactapausewasforoneofthemimpossible。Hewasbetween——andIthinkheknewit——thedevilandthedeepsea。Yetheseemedtopause，whileall，eventhatyellingcrowdbelow，heldtheirbreath。Thenextmoment，glaringaskanceatoneanotherliketwodogsunevenlycoupled，heandBezersshotshouldertoshoulderintothedoorway，andinanotherjotoftimewouldhavebeenoutofsight。
Butthen，inthatinstant，Isawsomethinghappen。TheVidame’shandflashedupabovethepriest’shead，andthecross—hiltofhissheathedswordcrasheddownwithawfulforce，andstillmoreawfulpassion，ontheother’stonsure！Thewretchwentdownlikealog，withoutaword，withoutacry！Amidaroarofragefromathousandthroats，aroarthatmighthaveshakenthestoutestheart，andblanchedtheswarthiestcheek，Bezersdisappearedwithin！
ItwasthenIsawthepowerofdisciplineandcustom。Fewaswerethetrooperswhohadfollowedhim——amerehandful——theyfellwithouthesitationontheforemostofthecrowd，whowerealreadyinconfusion，stumblingandfallingovertheirleader’sbody;andhurledthembackpell—mellalongthegallery。Thethrongbelowhadnofirearms，andcouldgivenoaidatthemoment;thestagewasnarrow;intwominutestheVidame’speoplehadsweptitclearofthecrowdandwereinpossessionofit。Atallfellowtookupthepriest’sbody，deadoralive，Idonotknowwhich，andflungitasifithadbeenasackofcornovertherail。Itfellwithaheavythudontheground。Iheardapiercingscreamthatroseabovethatbabel——oneshrillscream！andthemobclosedroundandhidthething。
Iftherascalshadhadthewittomakeatoncefortheright—handstairs，wherewestoodwithtwoorthreeofBezers’menwhohadkepttheirsaddles，Ithinktheymighteasilyhavedisposedofus，encumberedaswewere，bythehorses;andthentheycouldhaveattackedthehandfulonthegalleryonbothflanks。Butthemobhadnoleaders，andnoplanofoperations。Theyseizedindeedtwoorthreeofthescatteredtroopers，andtearingthemfromtheirhorses，wreakedtheirpassionuponthemhorribly。ButmostoftheSwitzersescaped，thankstotheattentionthemobpaidtothehousesandwhatwasgoingforwardonthegalleries;
andthese，extricatingthemselvesjoinedusonebyone，sothatgraduallyalittleringofsternfacesgatheredaboutthestair—
foot。Amoment’shesitation，andseeingnohelpforit，werangedourselveswiththem;and，uncheckedasunbidden，sprangonthreeoftheledhorses。
AllthispassedmorequicklythanIcanrelateit：sothatbeforeourfeetwerewellinthestirrupsapartialsilence，thenamightierroarofangeratonceproclaimedandhailedthere—
appearanceoftheVidame。BigotedbeyondbeliefwerethemobofParisofthatday，cruel，vengeful，andalwaysathirstforblood;
andthismanhadkillednotonlytheirleaderbutapriest。Hehadcommittedsacrilege！Whatwouldtheydo？Icouldjust，bystoopingforward，commandasideviewofthegallery，andthescenepassingtherewassuchthatIforgotinitourownperil。
ForsurelyinallhisrecklesslifeBezershadneverbeensoemphaticallythemanforthesituation——hadnevershowntosuchadvantageasatthismomentwhenhestoodconfrontingtheseaoffaces，thesneeronhislip，asmileinhiseyes;andlookeddownunblenching，afigureofscorn，onthemenwhowereliterallyagapeforhislife。Thecalmdefianceofhissteadfastlookfascinatedevenme。Wonderandadmirationforthetimetooktheplaceofdislike。Icouldscarcelybelievethattherewasnotsomeatomofgoodinthismansofearless。AndnofacebutonenofaceIthinkintheworld，butone——couldhavedrawnmyeyesfromhim。Butthatonefacewasbesidehim。IclutchedMarie’sarm，andpointedtothebareheadedfigureatBezers’righthand。
ItwasLouishimself：ourLouisdePavannes，ButhewaschangedindeedfromthegaycavalierIremembered，andwhomIhadlastseenridingdownthestreetatCaylus，smilingbackatus，andwavinghisadieuxtohismistress！BesidetheVidamehehadtheairofbeingslight，evenshort。ThefacewhichIhadknownsobrightandwinning，wasnowwhiteandset。Hisfair，curlinghair——scarcedarkerthanCroisette’s——hungdank，bedabbledwithbloodwhichflowedfromawoundinhishead。Hisswordwasgone;
hisdresswastornanddisorderedandcoveredwithdust。Hislipsmoved。Buthehelduphishead，heborehimselfbravelywithitall;sobravely，thatIchoked，andmyheartseemedburstingasIlookedathimstandingthereforlornandnowunarmed。IknewthatKitseeinghimthuswouldgladlyhavediedwithhim;andIthankedGodshedidnotseehim。YettherewasaquietnessinhisfortitudewhichmadeagreatdifferencebetweenhisairandthatofBezers。Helacked，asbecameonelookingunarmedoncertaindeath，thesneerandsmileofthegiantbesidehim。
WhatwastheVidameabouttodo？IshudderedasIaskedmyself。
Notsurrenderhim，notflinghimbodilytothepeople？Nonotthat：Ifeltsurehewouldletnootherssharehisvengeancethathispridewouldnotsufferthat。AndevenwhileIwonderedthedoubtwassolved。IsawBezersraisehishandinapeculiarfashion。Simultaneouslyacryrangsharplyoutabovethetumult，anddowninheadlongchargetowardsthefartherstepscamethebandofhorsemen，whohadgotclearofthecrowdonthatside。
Theywerebuttenortwelve，butunderhiseyetheycharged，asiftheyhadbeenathousand。Therabbleshrankfromthecollision，andfledaside。Quickasthoughttheridersswerved;
andchangingtheircourse，gallopedthroughthelooserpartofthethrong，andinatricedrewreinsidebysidewithus，alaughandajeerontheirrecklesslips。
Itwasneatlydone：andwhileitwasbeingdonetheVidameandhisknotofmen，withthosewhohadbeensearchingthebuilding，hurrieddownthegallerytowardsus，theirrearclearedforthemomentbythetroopers’feint。Thedismountedmencamebundlingdownthesteps，theireyesaglowwiththewar—fire，andgothorsesastheycould。AmongthemIlostsightofLouis，butperceivedhimpresently，paleandbewildered，mountedbehindatrooper。Amansprangupbeforeeachofustoo，greetingourappearancemerelybyagruntofsurprise。Foritwasnotimetoaskoranswer。Themobwasrecoveringitself，andeachmomentbroughtitreinforcements，whileitsfurywasaugmentedbythetrickwehadplayedit，andtheprospectofourescape。
Wewereunderforty，alltold;andsomemenwereridingdouble。
Bezers’eyeglancedhastilyoverhisarray，andlitonusthree。
Heturnedandgavesomeordertohislieutenant。Thefellowspurredhishorse，asplendidgrey，aspowerfulashismaster’s，alongsideofCroisette，threwhisarmroundthelad，anddraggedhimdexterouslyontohisowncrupper。Ididnotunderstandtheaction，butIsawCroisettesettlehimselfbehindBlaiseBure——
forheitwas——andsupposednoharmwasintended。Thenextmomentwehadsurgedforward，andwereswayingtoandfrointhemidstofthecrowd。
WhatensuedIcannottell。Theoutlook，sofarasIwasconcerned，waslimitedtowildlyplunginghorses——wewereinthecentreofthebandandridersswayinginthesaddle——withaglimpsehereandthereofafringeofwhitescowlingfacesandtossingarms。Once，alaneopening，IsawtheVidame’scharger——hewasinthevan——stumbleandfallamongthecrowdandheardagreatshoutgoup。ButBezersbyamightyeffortliftedittoitslegsagain。Andoncetoo，aminutelater，thoseridingonmyright，swervedoutwards，andIsawsomethingIneverafterwardsforgot。
ItwasthebodyoftheCoadjutor，lyingfaceupwards，theeyesopenandtheteethbaredinalastspasm。Prostrateonitlayawoman，ayoungwoman，withhairlikeredgoldfallingaboutherneck，andskinlikemilk。Ididnotknowwhethershewasaliveordead;butInoticedthatonearmstuckoutstifflyandthecrowdflyingbeforethesuddenimpactofthehorsesmusthavepassedoverher，evenifshehadescapedtheironhoofswhichfollowed。StillinthefleetingglanceIhadofherasmyhorseboundedaside，Isawnowoundordisfigurement。Heronearmwascastaboutthepriest’sbreast;herfacewashiddenonit。Butforallthat，Iknewher——knewher，shudderingforthewomanwhosebadgesIwasevennowwearing，whosegiftIboreatmyside;andIrememberedthepriest’svauntofafewhoursbefore，madeinherpresence，"ThereisnomaninParisshallthwartmeto—night！"
Ithadbeenavainboastindeed！Nohandinallthathostofthousandswasmorefeeblethanhisnow：forgoodorill！Nobrainmoredull，novoicelessheeded。Arighteousretributionindeedhadovertakenhim。Hehaddiedbytheswordhehaddrawn——died，apriest，byviolence！Thecrosshehadrenouncedhadcrushedhim。Andallhisschemesandthoughts，andnodoubttheyhadbeenmany，hadperishedwithhim。Ithadcometothis，onlythis，thesumofthewholematter，thattherewasonewickedmanthelessinParis——onelumpofbreathlessclaythemore。
Forher——thewomanonhisbreast——whatmancanjudgeawoman，knowingher？Andnotknowingher，howmuchless？ForthepresentIputheroutofmymind，feelingforthemomentfaintandcold。
Wewereclearofthecrowd，andclatteringunmolesteddownapavedstreetbeforeIfullyrecoveredfromtheshockwhichthissighthadcausedme。Wonderwhitherweweregoingtookitsplace。ToBezers’house？Myheartsankattheprospectifthatwereso。BeforeIthoughtofanalternative，agatewayflankedbyhugeroundtowersappearedbeforeus，andwepulledupsuddenly，aconfusedjostlingmassinthenarrowway;whilesomewordspassedbetweentheVidameandtheCaptainoftheGuard。A
pauseofseveralminutesfollowed;andthenthegatesrolledslowlyopen，andtwobytwowepassedunderthearch。Thosegatesmighthavebelongedtoafortressoraprison，adungeonorapalace，forallIknew。
Theyled，however，tononeofthese，buttoanopenspace，dirtyandlitteredwithrubbish，markedbyahundredrutsandtracks，andfringedwithdisorderlycabinsandmake—shiftbooths。Andbeyondthis——oh，yegods！thejoyofit——beyondthis，whichwecrossedatarapidtrot，laytheopencountry！
ThetransitionandreliefweresowonderfulthatIshallneverforgetthem。Igazedonthewidelandscapebeforeme，lyingquietandpeacefulinthesunlight，andcouldscarcebelieveinmyhappiness。Idrewthefreshairintomylungs，Ithrewupmysheathedswordandcaughtitagaininafrenzyofdelight，whilethegloomymenaboutmesmiledatmyenthusiasm。Ifeltthehorsebeneathmemoveoncemorelikeathingoflife。Noenchanterwithhiswand，notMerlinnorVirgil，couldhavemadeagreaterchangeinmyworld，thanhadthecaptainofthegatewithhissimplekey！Orsoitseemedtomeinthefirstmomentsoffreedom，andescape——ofremovalfromthoseloathsomestreets。
IlookedbackatParis——atthecloudofsmokewhichhungoverthetowersandroofs;anditseemedtomethecanopyofhellitself。
Ifanciedthatmyheadstillrangwiththecriesandscreamsandcurses，thesoundsofdeath。Inveryfact，IcouldhearthedullreportsoffirearmsneartheLouvre，andthejangleofthebells。
Country—folkwerecongregatedatthecross—roads，andinthevillages，listeningandgazing;askingtimidquestionsofthemoregood—naturedamongus，andshowingthattherumourofthedreadfulworkdoinginthetownhadsomehowspreadabroad。AndthisthoughIlearnedafterwardsthatthekeysofthecityhadbeentakenthenightbeforetotheking，andthat，exceptapartywiththeDukeofGuise，whohadleftateightinpursuitofMontgomeryandsomeoftheProtestants——lodgers，happilyforthemselves，intheFaubourgSt。Germain——noonehadleftthetownbeforeourselves。
WhileIamspeakingofourdeparturefromParis，ImaysaywhatI
havetosayofthedreadfulexcessesofthosedays，ay，andofthefollowingdays;excessesofwhichFranceisnowashamed，andforwhichsheblushedevenbeforetheaccessionofhislateMajesty。Iamsometimesasked，asonewhowitnessedthem，whatI
think，andIanswerthatitwasnotourcountrywhichwastoblame。AsomethingbesidesQueenCatherinede’MedicihadbeenbroughtfromItalyfortyyearsbefore，asomethinginvisiblebutverypowerful;aspiritofcrueltyandtreachery。InItalyithaddonesmallharm。ButgraftedonFrenchdaringandrecklessness，andtherougherandmoresoldierlymannersofthenorth，thisspiritofintrigueprovedcapableofverydreadfulthings。Foratime，untilitworeitselfout，itwasthecurseofFrance。TwoDukesofGuise，FrancisandHenry，acardinalofGuise，thePrinceofConde，AdmiralColigny，KingHenrytheThirdallthesetheforemostmenoftheirday——diedbyassassinationwithinlittlemorethanaquarterofacentury，tosaynothingofthePrinceofOrange，andKingHenrytheGreatThenmark——amostcuriousthing——theextremeyouthofthosewhowereinthisbusiness。France，subjecttotheQueen—Mother，ofcourse，wasruledatthetimebyboysscarceoutoftheirtutors’
hands。Theyweremerelads，hot—blooded，recklessnobles，readyforanywildbrawl，withoutforethoughtorprudence。OfthefourFrenchmenwhoitisthoughttooktheleadingparts，one，theking，wastwenty—two;Monsieur，hisbrother，wasonlytwenty;theDukeofGuisewastwenty—one。OnlytheMarshaldeTavanneswasofmatureage。Fortheotherconspirators，fortheQueen—Mother，forheradvisersRetzandNeversandBirague，theywereItalians;
andItalymayanswerforthemifFlorence，MantuaandMilancaretoraisetheglove。
Toreturntoourjourney。Aleaguefromthetownwehaltedatalargeinn，andsomeofusdismounted。Horseswerebroughtouttofilltheplacesofthoselostorleftbehind，andBurehadfoodservedtous。Wewerefamishedandexhausted，andateitravenously，asifwecouldneverhaveenough。
TheVidamesathishorseapart，servedbyhispage，Istoleaglanceathim，anditstruckmethatevenonhisironnaturetheeventsofthenighthadmadesomeimpression。Iread，orthoughtIread，inhiscountenance，signsofemotionsnotquiteinaccordancewithwhatIknewofhim——emotionsstrangeandvaried。
Icouldalmosthaveswornthatashelookedatusaflickerofkindlinesslituphissternandcruelgloom;Icouldalmosthaveswornhesmiledwithacurioussadness。AsforLouis，ridingwithasquadwhostoodinadifferentpartoftheyard，hedidnotseeus;hadnotyetseenusatall。Hissideface，turnedtowardsme，waspaleandsad，hismannerpreoccupied，hismienrathersorrowfulthandowncast。Hewasthinking，Ijudged，asmuchofthemanybravemenwhohadyesterdaybeenhisfriends——
companionsatboardandplay—table——asofhisownfate。Whenwepresently，atasignalfromBure，tooktotheroadagain，Iaskednopermission，butthrustingmyhorseforward，rodetohissideashepassedthroughthegateway。
CHAPTERXI。
ANIGHTOFSORROW。
"Louis！Louis！"
Heturnedwithastartatthesoundofmyvoice，joyandbewilderment——andnowonder——inhiscountenance。Hehadnotsupposedustobewithinahundredleaguesofhim。Andlo！herewewere，kneetoknee，handmeetinghandinalonggrasp，whilehiseyes，towhichtearssprangunbidden，dweltonmyfaceasthoughtheycouldreadinitthefeaturesofhissweetheart。
Someonehadfurnishedhimwithahat，andenabledhimtoputhisdressinorder，andwashhiswound，whichwasveryslight，andthesechangeshadimprovedhisappearance;sothattheshadowofgriefanddespondencypassingforamomentfromhiminthejoyofseeingme，helookedoncemorehisformerself：ashehadlookedintheolddaysatCaylusonhisreturnfromhawking，orfromsomeboyishescapadeamongthehills。Only，alas！heworenosword。
"Andnowtellmeall，"hecried，afterhisfirstexclamationofwonderhadfoundvent。"Howonearthdoyoucomehere？Here，ofallplaces，andbymyside？IsallwellatCaylus？SurelyMademoiselleisnot——"
"Mademoiselleiswell！perfectlywell！Andthinkingofyou，I
swear！"Iansweredpassionately。"Forus，"Iwenton，eagerforthemomenttoescapethatsubject——howcouldItalkofitinthedaylightandunderstrangeeyes？——"MarieandCroisettearebehind，WeleftCayluseightdaysago。WereachedParisyesterdayevening。Wehavenotbeentobed！Wehavepassed，Louis，suchanightasInever——"
Hestoppedmewithagesture。"Hush！"hesaid，raisinghishand。"Don’tspeakofit，Anne！"andIsawthatthefateofhisfriendswasstilltoorecent，thehorrorofhisawakeningtothosedreadfulsightsandsoundswasstilltoovividforhimtobearreferencetothem。Yetafterridingforatimeinsilence——
thoughhislipsmoved——heaskedmeagainwhathadbroughtusup。
"Wecametowarnyou——ofhim，"Ianswered，pointingtothesolitary，moodyfigureoftheVidame，whowasridingaheadoftheparty。"He——hesaidthatKitshouldnevermarryyou，andboastedofwhathewoulddotoyou，andfrightenedher。So，learninghewasgoingtoParis，wefollowedhim——toputyouonyourguard，youknow。"AndIbrieflysketchedouradventures，andthestrangecircumstancesandmistakeswhichhaddelayedushourafterhour，throughallthatstrangenight，untilthetimehadgonebywhenwecoulddogood。
HiseyesglistenedandhiscolourroseasItoldthestory。Hewrungmyhandwarmly，andlookedbacktosmileatMarieandCroisette。"Itwaslikeyou！"heejaculatedwithemotion。"Itwaslikehercousins！Brave，bravelads！TheVicomtewilllivetobeproudofyou！Somedayyouwillalldogreatthings！I
sayit！"
"Butoh，Louis！"Iexclaimedsorrowfully，thoughmyheartwasboundingwithprideathiswords，"ifwehadonlybeenintime！
Ifwehadonlycometoyoutwohoursearlier！"
"Youwouldhavespokentolittlepurposethen，Ifear，"hereplied，shakinghishead。"Weweregivenoverasapreytotheenemy。Warnings？Wehadwarningsinplenty。DeRosnywarnedus，andwescoffedathim。Theking’seyewarnedus，andwetrustedhim。But——"andLouis’formdilatedandhishandroseashewenton，andIthoughtofhiscousin’sprediction——"itwillneverbesoagaininFrance，Anne！Never！Nomanwillafterthistrustanother！Therewillbenohonour，nofaith，noquarter，andnopeace！AndfortheValoiswhohasdonethis，theswordwillneverdepartfromhishouse！Ibelieveit！Idobelieveit！"
Howtrulyhespokeweknownow。Fortwo—and—twentyyearsafterthattwenty—fourthofAugust，1572，theswordwasscarcelylaidasideinFranceforasinglemonth。InthestreetsofParis，atArques，andCoutras，andIvry，bloodflowedlikewaterthatthebloodoftheSt。Bartholomewmightbeforgotten——thatbloodwhich，bythegraceofGod，Navarresawfallfromthediceboxontheeveofthemassacre。ThelastoftheValoispassedtothevaultsofSt。Denis：andagreaterking，thefirstofallFrenchmen，aliveordead，thebravest，gayest，wisestoftheland，succeededhim：yetevenhehadtofallbytheknife，inamomentmostunhappyforhiscountry，beforeFrance，horror—
stricken，putawaythetreacheryandevilfromher。
TalkingwithLouisaswerode，itwasnotunnatural——nay，itwasthenaturalresultofthesituation——thatIshouldavoidonesubject。Yetthatsubjectwastheuppermostinmythoughts。
WhatweretheVidame’sintentions？Whatwasthemeaningofthisstrangejourney？WhatwastobeLouis’fate？Ishrankwithgoodreasonfromaskinghimthesequestions。Therecouldbesolittleroomforhope，evenafterthatsmilewhichIhadseenBezerssmile，thatIdarednotdwelluponthem。Ishouldbuttorturehimandmyself。
Soitwashewhofirstspokeaboutit。Notatthattime，butaftersunset，whentheduskhadfallenuponus，andfoundusstillploddingsouthwardwithtiredhorses;alinkoutwardlylikeotherlinksinthelongchainofriders，toilingonwards。Thenhesaidsuddenly，"Doyouknowwhitherwearegoing，Anne？"
Istarted，andfoundmyselfstrugglingwithastrangeconfusionbeforeIcouldreply。"Home，"Isuggestedatrandom。
"Home？No。Andyetnearlyhome。ToCahors，"heansweredwithanoddquietude。"Yourhome，myboy，Ishallneverseeagain，NorKit！NormyownKit！"ItwasthefirsttimeIhadheardhimcallherbythefondnameweusedourselves。Andthepathosinhistoneasofthepast，notthepresent，asofpurememory——I
wasverythankfulthatIcouldnotintheduskseehisface——shookmyself—control。Iwept。"Nay，mylad，"hewenton，speakingsoftlyandleaningfromhissaddlesothathecouldlayhishandonmyshoulder"weareallmentogether。Wemustbebrave。Tearscannothelpus，soweshouldleavethemtothe——
women。"
Icriedmorepassionatelyatthat。Indeedhisownvoicequaveredoverthelastword。Butinamomenthewastalkingtomecoollyandquietly。IhadmutteredsomethingtotheeffectthattheVidamewouldnotdare——itwouldbetoopublic。
"Thereisnoquestionofdaringinit，"hereplied。"Andthemorepublicitis，thebetterhewilllikeit。Theyhavedaredtotakethousandsoflivessinceyesterday。Thereisnoonetocallhimtoaccountsincetheking——ourkingforsooth！——hasdeclaredeveryHuguenotanoutlaw，tobekilledwhereverhebemetwith。No，whenBezersdisarmedmeyonder，"hepointedashespoketohiswound，"Ilookedofcourseforinstantdeath。Anne！
Isawbloodinhiseyes！Buthedidnotstrike。"
"Whynot？"Iaskedinsuspense。
"Icanonlyguess，"Louisansweredwithasigh。"Hetoldmethatmylifewasinhishands，butthatheshouldtakeitathisowntime。FurtherthatifIwouldnotgivemywordtogowithhimwithouttryingtoescape，hewouldthrowmetothosehowlingdogsoutside。Igavemyword。Weareontheroadtogether。Andoh，Anne！yesterday，onlyyesterday，atthistimeIwasridinghomewithTelignyfromtheLouvre，wherewehadbeenplayingatpaumewiththeking！Andtheworld——theworldwasveryfair。"
"Isawyou，orratherCroisettedid，"Imutteredashissorrow——
notforhimself，buthisfriends——forcedhimtostop。"Yethow，Louis，doyouknowthatwearegoingtoCahors？"
"Hetoldme，aswepassedthroughthegates，thathewasappointedLieutenant—GovernorofQuercytocarryouttheedictagainstthereligion。Doyounotsee，Anne？"mycompanionaddedbitterly，"tokillmeatonceweretoosmallarevengeforhim！
Hemusttortureme——orratherhewouldifhecould——bythepainsofanticipation。
Besides，myexecutionwillsofinelyopenhisbedofjustice。
Bah！"andPavannesraisedhisheadproudly，"Ifearhimnot！I
fearhimnotajot！"
ForamomentheforgotKit，thelossofhisfriends，hisowndoom。Hesnappedhisfingersinderisionofhisfoe。
Butmyheartsankmiserably。TheVidame’srageIrememberedhadbeendirectedratheragainstmycousinthanherlover;andnowbythelightofhisthreatsIreadBezers’purposemoreclearlythanLouiscould。Hisaimwastopunishthewomanwhohadplayedwithhim。TodosohewasbringingherloverfromParisthathemightexecutehim——AFTERGIVINGHERNOTICE！Thatwasit：aftergivinghernotice，itmightbeinherverypresence！HewouldlurehertoCahors，andthen——
Ishuddered。Iwellmightfeelthataprecipicewasopeningatmyfeet。Therewassomethingintheplansodevilish，yetsoaccordantwiththosestoriesIhadheardoftheWolf，thatIfeltnodoubtofmyinsight。Ireadhisevilmind，andsawinamomentwhyhehadtroubledhimselfwithus。HehopedtodrawMademoiselletoCahorsbyourmeans。
OfcourseIsaidnothingofthistoLouis。IhidmyfeelingsaswellasIcould。ButIvowedagreatvowthatattheeleventhhourwewouldbaulktheVidame。Surelyifallelsefailedwecouldkillhim，and，thoughwediedourselves，spareKitthisordeal。Mytearsweredriedupasbyafire。Myheartburnedwithagreatandnoblerage：orsoitseemedtome！
Idonotthinkthattherewaseveranyjourneysostrangeasthisoneofours。WemetwiththesameincidentswhichhadpleasedusontheroadtoParis。Buttheirnoveltywasgone。Gonetoowerethecosychatswitholdroguesoflandlordsandgood—natureddames。Weweretravellingnowinsuchforcethatourcomingwasratheraterrortotheinnkeeperthanaboon。HowmuchtheLieutenant—GovernorofQuercy，goingdowntohisprovince，requisitionedintheking’sname;andforhowmuchhepaid，wecouldonlyjudgefromthegloomylookswhichfollowedusaswerodeawayeachmorning。SuchlookswerenotsolelydueIfeartothenewsfromParis，althoughforsometimewewerethefirstbearersofthetidings。
Presently，onthethirddayofourjourneyIthink，couriersfromtheCourtpassedus：andhenceforthforestalledus。Oneofthesemessengers——whoIlearnedfromthetalkaboutmewasboundforCahorswithlettersfortheLieutenant—GovernorandtheCount—Bishop——theVidameinterviewedandstopped。HowitwasmanagedIdonotknow，butIfeartheCount—Bishopnevergothisletters，whichIfancywouldhavegivenhimsomejointauthority。
Certainlyweleftthemessenger——aprudentfellowwithacareforhisskin——incomfortablequartersatLimoges，whenceIdonotdoubthepresentlyreturnedtoParisathisleisure。
Thestrangenessofthejourneyhoweverarosefromnoneofthesethings，butfromtherelationsofourpartytooneanother。
Afterthefirstdaywefourrodetogether，unmolested，solongaswekeptnearthecentreofthestragglingcavalcade。TheVidamealwaysrodealone，andinfront，broodingwithbentheadandsombrefaceoverhisrevenge，asIsupposed。Hewouldrideinthisfashion，speakingtonooneandgivingnoorders，foradaytogether。AttimesIcameneartopityinghim。HehadlovedKitinhismasterfulway，thewayofonenotwonttobethwarted，andhehadlosther——losther，whatevermighthappen。Hewouldgetnothingafterallbyhisrevenge。Nothingbutashesinthemouth。AndsoIsawinsoftermomentssomethinginexpressiblymelancholyinthatsolitarygiant—figurepacingalwaysalone。
Heseldomspoketous。MorerarelytoLouis。Whenhedid，theharshnessofhisvoiceandhiscrueleyesbetrayedthegloomyhatredinwhichheheldhim。Atmealsheateatoneendofthetable：wefourattheother，asthreeofushaddoneonthatfirsteveninginParis。Andsometimesthecovertlooks，thegrimsneerheshotathisrival——hisprisoner——mademeshivereveninthesunshine。Sometimes，ontheotherhand，whenItookhimunawares，IfoundanexpressiononhisfaceIcouldnotread。
ItoldCroisette，butwarily，mysuspicionsofhispurpose。Heheardme，lessastoundedtoallappearancethanIhadexpected。
PresentlyIlearnedthereason。Hehadhisownview。"Doyounotthinkitpossible，Anne？"hesuggestedtimidly——wewereofcoursealoneatthetime——"thathethinkstomakeLouisresignMademoiselle？"
"Resignher！"Iexclaimedobtusely。"How？"
"Bygivinghimachoice——youunderstand？"
IdidunderstandIsawitinamoment。Ihadbeendullnottoseeitbefore。Bezersmightputitinthisway：letM。dePavannesresignhismistressandlive，ordieandloseher。
"Isee，"Ianswered。"ButLouiswouldnotgiveherup。Nottohim！"
"Hewouldlosehereitherway，"Croisetteansweredinalowtone。
"Thatisnothowevertheworstofit。Louisisinhispower。
SupposehethinkstomakeKitthearbiter，Anne，andputsLouisuptoransom，settingKitfortheprice？Andgiveshertheoptionofacceptinghimself，andsavingLouis’life;orrefusing，andleavingLouistodie？"
"St。Croix！"Iexclaimedfiercely。"Hewouldnotbesobase！"
AndyetwasnoteventhisbetterthantheblindvengeanceIhadmyselfattributedtohim？
"Perhapsnot，"Croisetteanswered，whilehegazedonwardsthroughthetwilight。WewereatthetimetheforemostofthepartysavetheVidame;andtherewasnothingtointerruptourviewofhisgiganticfigureashemovedonalonebeforeuswithbowedshoulders。"Perhapsnot，"Croisetterepeatedthoughtfully。
"SometimesIthinkwedonotunderstandhim;andthatafteralltheremaybeworsepeopleintheworldthanBezers。"
Ilookedhardatthelad，forthatwasnotwhatIhadmeant。
"Worse？"Isaid。"Idonotthinkso。Hardly！"
"Yes，worse，"hereplied，shakinghishead。"Doyourememberlyingunderthecurtaininthebox—bedatMirepoix’s？"
"OfcourseIdo！DoyouthinkIshalleverforgetit？"
"AndMadamed’Ocomingin？"
"WiththeCoadjutor？"Isaidwithashudder。"Yes。"
"No，thesecondtime，"heanswered，"whenshecamebackalone。
Itwasprettydark，youremember，andMadamedePavanneswasatthewindow，andhersisterdidnotseeher？"
"Well，well，Iremember，"Isaidimpatiently。IknewfromthetoneofhisvoicethathehadsomethingtotellmeaboutMadamed’O，andIwasnotanxioustohearit。Ishrank，asawoundedmanshrinksfromthecautery，fromhearinganythingaboutthatwoman;herselfsobeautiful，yetmovinginanatmosphereofsuspicionandhorror。Wasitshame，orfear，orsomechivalrousfeelinghavingitsorigininthatmomentwhenIhadfanciedmyselfherknight？Iamnotsure，forIhadnotmadeupmymindevennowwhetherIoughttopityordetesther;whethershehadmadeatoolofme，orIhadbeenfalsetoher。
"Shecameuptothebed，youremember，Anne？"Croisettewenton。
"Youwerenexttoher。Shesawyouindistinctly，andtookyouforhersister。AndthenIsprangfromthebed。"
"Iknowyoudid！"Iexclaimedsharply。AllthistimeIhadforgottenthatgrievance。"Younearlyfrightenedheroutofherwits，St。Croix。Icannotthinkwhatpossessedyou——whyyoudidit？"
"Tosaveyourlife，Anne"heansweredsolemnly，"andherfromacrime！anunutterable，anunnaturalcrime。ShehadcomebacktoIcanhardlytellityou——tomurderhersister。Youstart。Youdonotbelieveme。Itsoundstoohorrible。ButIcouldseebetterthanyoucould。Shewasexactlybetweenyouandthelight。Isawthekniferaised。Isawherwickedface！IfIhadnotstartledherasIdid，shewouldhavestabbedyou。Shedroppedtheknifeonthefloor，andIpickeditupandhaveit。
See！"
Ilookedfurtively，andturnedawayagain，shivering。"Why，"I
muttered，"whydidshedoit？"
"ShehadfailedyouknowtogethersisterbacktoPavannes’
house，whereshewouldhavefallenaneasyvictim。Bezers，whoknewMadamed’O，preventedthat。Thenthatfiendslippedbackwithherknife;thinkingthatinthecommonbutcherythecrimewouldbeoverlooked，andneverinvestigated，andthatMirepoixwouldbesilent！"
Isaidnothing。Iwasstunned。YetIbelievedthestory。WhenIwentoverthefactsinmymindIfoundthatadozenthings，overlookedatthetimeandalmostforgotteninthehurryofevents，spranguptoconfirmit。M。dePavannes’——theotherM。
dePavannes’——suspicionshadbeenwellfounded。WorsethanBezerswasshe？Ay！worseahundredtimes。Asmuchworseastreacheryeveristhanviolence;asthepitilessfraudoftheserpentisbaserthantherageofthewolf。
"Ithought，"Croisetteaddedsoftly，notlookingatme，"whenI
discoveredthatyouhadgoneoffwithher，thatIshouldneverseeyouagain，Anne。Igaveyouupforlost。ThehappiestmomentofmylifeIthinkwaswhenIsawyoucomeback。"
"Croisette，"Iwhisperedpiteously，mycheeksburning，"letusneverspeakofheragain。"
Andweneverdid——foryears。Buthowstrangeislife。Sheandthewickedmanwithwhomherfateseemedbounduphadjustcrossedourliveswhentheirownwereatthedarkest。Theyclashedwithus，and，strangersandboysaswewere，weruinedthem。IhaveoftenaskedmyselfwhatwouldhavehappenedtomehadImetheratsomeearlierandlessstormyperiod——inthebrillianceofherbeauty。AndIfindbutoneanswer。Ishouldbitterlyhaveruedtheday。Providencewasgoodtome。Suchmenandsuchwomen，wemaybelievehaveceasedtoexistnow。Theyflourishedinthosemiserabledaysofwaranddivisions，andpassedawaywiththemlikethefoulnight—birdsofthebattle—
field。
Toreturntoourjourney。Inthemorningsunshineonecouldnotbutbecheerful，andthinkgoodthingspossible。TheworsttrialIhadcamewitheachsunset。Forthen——wegenerallyrodelateintotheevening——Louissoughtmysidetotalktomeofhissweetheart。Andhowhewouldtalkofher！Howmanythousandmessageshegavemeforher！Howoftenherecalledolddaysamongthehills，witheachlaughandjestandincident，whenwefivehadbeenaschildren！UntilIwouldwonderpassionately，thetearsrunningdownmyfaceinthedarkness，howhecould——howhecouldtalkofherinthatquietvoicewhichbetrayednorebellionagainstfate，nocursingofProvidence！Howhecouldplanforherandthinkofherwhensheshouldbealone！
NowIunderstandit。Hewasstilllabouringundertheshockofhisfriends’murder。Hewasstillpartiallystunned。Deathseemednaturalandfamiliartohim，astoonewhohadseenhisalliesandcompanionsperishwithoutwarningorpreparation。
Deathhadcometobenormaltohim，lifetheexception;asIhaveknownitseemtoachildbroughtfacetofacewithacorpseforthefirsttime。
Oneafternoonastrangethinghappened。WecouldseetheAuvergnehillsatnogreatdistanceonourleft——thePuydeDomeabovethem——andwefourwereridingtogether。Wehadfallen——anunusualthing——totherearoftheparty。Ourroadatthemomentwasameretrackrunningacrossmoorland，sprinkledhereandtherewithgorseandbrushwood。Themaincompanyhadstraggledonoutofsight。Therewerebuthalfadozenriderstobeseenaneighthofaleaguebeforeus，acouplealmostasfarbehind。
Ilookedeverywaywithasuddensurgingoftheheart。Forthefirsttimethepossibilityofflightoccurredtome。TheroughAuvergnehillswerewithinreach。Supposingwecouldgetaleadofaquarterofaleague，wecouldhardlybecaughtbeforedarknesscameandcoveredus。Whyshouldwenotputspurstoourhorsesandrideoff？
"Impossible！"saidPavannesquietly，whenIspoke。
"Why？"Iaskedwithwarmth。
"Firstly，"hereplied，"becauseIhavegivenmywordtogowiththeVidametoCahors。"
Myfaceflushedhotly。ButIcried，"Whatofthat？Youweretakenbytreachery！Yoursafeconductwasdisregarded。Whyshouldyoubescrupulous？Yourenemiesarenot。Thisisfolly？"
"Ithinknot。Nay，"Louisanswered，shakinghishead，"youwouldnotdoityourselfinmyplace。"
"IthinkIshould，"Istammeredawkwardly。
"No，youwouldnot，lad，"hesaidsmiling。"Iknowyoutoowell。
ButifIwoulddoit，itisimpossible。"Heturnedinthesaddleand，shadinghiseyeswithhishandfromthelevelraysofthesun，lookedbackintently。"ItisasIthought，"hecontinued。
"OneofthosemenisridinggreyMargot，whichBuresaidyesterdaywasthefastestmareinthetroop。Andthemanonherisalightweight。TheotherfellowhasthatNormanbayhorsewewerelookingatthismorning。ItisatraplaidbyBezers，Anne。
Ifweturnedasideadozenyards，thosetwowouldbeafteruslikethewind。"
"Doyoumean，"Icried，"thatBezershasdrawnhismenforwardonpurpose？"
"Precisely;wasLouis’sanswer。"Thatisthefact。Nothingwouldpleasehimbetterthantotakemyhonourfirst，andmylifeafterwards。But，thankGod，onlytheoneisinhispower。"
AndwhenIcametolookatthehorsemen，immediatelybeforeus，theyconfirmedLouis’sview。Theywerethebestmountedoftheparty：allmenoflightweighttoo。Oneorotherofthemwasconstantlylookingback。Asnightfelltheyclosedinuponuswiththeirusualcare。WhenBurejoinedustherewasagleamofintelligenceinhisboldeyes，aflashofconscioustrickery。Heknewthatwehadfoundhimout，andcarednothingforit。
Andtheotherscarednothing。ButthethoughtthatiflefttomyselfIshouldhavefallenintotheVidame’scunningtrapfilledmewithnewhatredtowardshim;suchhatredandsuchfear——fortherewashumiliationmingledwiththem——asIhadscarcelyfeltbefore。Ibroodedoverthis，barelynoticingwhatpassedinourcompanyforhours——nay，notuntilthenextdaywhen，towardsevening，thecryaroseroundmethatwewerewithinsightofCahors。Yes，thereitlaybelowus，initsshallowbasin，surroundedbygentlehills。Thedomesofthecathedral，thetowersoftheVallandreBridge，thebendoftheLot，whereitsstreamembracesthetown——Iknewthemall。Ourlongjourneywasover。
AndIhadbutoneidea。IhadsometimebeforecommunicatedtoCroisettethedesperatedesignIhadformed——tofalluponBezersandkillhiminthemidstofhismeninthelastresort。Nowthetimehadcomeifthethingwasevertobedone：ifwehadnotleftittoolongalready。AndIlookedaboutme。Therewassomeconfusionandjostlingaswehaltedonthebrowofthehill，whiletwomenweredespatchedaheadtoannouncethegovernor’sarrival，andBure，withhalfadozenspears，rodeoutasanadvancedguard。
Theroadwherewestoodwasnarrow，ashallowcuttingwindingdownthedeclivityofthehills。Thehorsesweretired，Itwasabadtimeandplaceformydesign，andonlythecomingnightwasinmyfavour。ButIwasdesperate。
YetbeforeImovedorgaveasignalwhichnothingcouldrecall，I
scannedthelandscapeeagerly，scrutinizinginturnthesmall，richplainbelowus，warmedbythelastraysofthesun，thebarehillshereglowing，theredark，thescatteredwood—clumpsandspinneysthatfilledtheanglesoftheriver，eventheduskylineofhelm—oaksthatcrownedtheridgebeyond——Caylusway。Sonearourowncountrytheremightbehelp！IfthemessengerwhomwehaddespatchedtotheVicomtebeforeleavinghomehadreachedhim，ourunclemighthavereturned，andevenbeinCahorstomeetus。
Butnopartyappearedinsight：andIsawnoplacewhereanambushcouldbelying。IrememberedthatnotidingsofourpresentplightorofwhathadhappenedcouldhavereachedtheVicomte。Thehopefadedoutoflifeassoonasdespairhadgivenitbirth。WemustfendforourselvesandforKit。
Thatwasmyjustification。IleanedfrommysaddletowardsCroisette——Iwasridingbyhisside——andmuttered，asIfeltmyhorse’sheadandsettledmyselffirmlyinthestirrups，"YourememberwhatIsaid？Areyouready？"
Helookedatmeinastartledway，withafaceshowingwhiteintheshadow：andfrommetotheonesolitaryfigureseatedlikeapillarascoreofpacesinfrontwithnoonebetweenusandit。
"Thereneedbebuttwoofus，"Imuttered，looseningmysword。
"ShallitbeyouorMarie？Theothersmustleaptheirhorsesoutoftheroadintheconfusion，crosstheriverattheArembalFordiftheyarenotovertaken，andmakeforCaylus。"
Hehesitated。IdonotknowwhetherithadanythingtodowithhishesitationthatatthatmomentthecathedralbellinthetownbelowusbegantoringslowlyforVespers。Yes，hehesitated。
He——aCaylus。Turningtohimagain，Irepeatedmyquestionimpatiently。"Whichshallitbe？Amoment，andweshallbemovingon，anditwillbetoolate。"
Helaidhishandhurriedlyonmybridle，andbeganaramblinganswer。RamblingasitwasIgatheredhismeaning。Itwasenoughforme！Icuthimshortwithonewordoffieryindignation，andturnedtoMarieandspokequickly。"Willyou，then？"Isaid。
ButMarieshookhisheadinperplexity，andansweringlittle，saidthesame。Soithappenedasecondtime。
Strange！Yetstrangeasitseemed，Iwasnotgreatlysurprised。
UnderothercircumstancesIshouldhavebeenbesidemyselfwithangeratthedefection。NowIfeltasifIhadhalfexpectedit，andwithoutfurtherwordsofreproachIdroppedmyheadandgaveitup。Ipassedagainintothestuporofendurance。TheVidamewastoostrongforme。Itwasuselesstofightagainsthim。Wewereunderthespell。Whenthetroopmovedforward，Iwentwiththem，silentandapathetic。
WepassedthroughthegateofCahors，andnodoubtthescenewasworthyofnote;butIhadonlyalistlesseyeforit——muchsuchaneyeasamanabouttobebrokenonthewheelmusthaveforthatcuriousinstrument，supposinghimnevertohaveseenitbefore。Thewholepopulationhadcomeouttolinethestreetsthroughwhichwerode，andstoodgazing，withscarcelyveiledlooksofapprehension，attheprocessionoftroopersandthesternfaceofthenewgovernor。
Wedismountedpassivelyinthecourtyardofthecastle，andwereforgoingintogether，whenBureintervened。"M。dePavannes，"
hesaid，pushingratherrudelybetweenus，"willsupaloneto—
night。Foryou，gentlemen，thisway，ifyouplease。"
Iwentwithoutremonstrance。Whatwastheuse？IwasconsciousthattheVidamefromthetopofthestairsleadingtothegrandentrancewaswatchinguswithawolfishglareinhiseyes。I
wentquietly。ButIheardCroisetteurgingsomethingwithpassionateenergy。
Wewereledthroughalowdoorwaytoaroomonthegroundfloor;
aplaceverylikeacell。Werewetookourmealinsilence。
WhenitwasoverIflungmyselfononeofthebedspreparedforus，shrinkingfrommycompanionsratherinmiserythaninresentment。
Noexplanationhadpassedbetweenus。StillIknewthattheothertwofromtimetotimeeyedmedoubtfully。Ifeignedthereforetobeasleep，butIheardBureentertobidusgood—
night——andseethatwehadnotescaped。AndIwasconscioustooofthequestionCroisetteputtohim，"DoesM。dePavannesliealoneto—night，Bure？"
"Notentirely，"thecaptainansweredwithgloomymeaning。Indeedheseemedinbadspiritshimself，ortired。"TheVidameisanxiousforhissoul’swelfare，andsendsapriesttohim。"
Theysprangtotheirfeetatthat。Butthelightanditsbearer，whosofarrecoveredhimselfastochuckleathismaster’spiousthought，haddisappeared。Theywerelefttopacetheroom，andreproachthemselvesandcursetheVidameinanagonyoflaterepentance。NotevenMariecouldfindaloop—holeofescapefromhere。Thedoorwasdouble—locked;thewindowssobarredthatacatcouldscarcelypassthroughthem;thewallswereofsolidmasonry。
MeanwhileIlayandfeignedtosleep，andlayfeigningthroughlong，longhours;thoughmyheartliketheirsthrobbedinresponsetothedullhammeringthatpresentlybeganwithout，andnotfarfromus，andlasteduntildaybreak。Fromourwindows，setlowandfacingawall，wecouldseenothing。Butwecouldguesswhatthenoisemeant，thedull，earthythudswhenpostsweresetintheground，thebrisk，woodenclatteringwhenoneplankwaslaidtoanother。Wecouldnotseetheprogressofthework，orhearthevoicesoftheworkmen，orcatchtheglareoftheirlights。Butweknewwhattheyweredoing。Theywereraisingthescaffold。
CHAPTERXII。
JOYINTHEMORNING。
Iwastoowearywithridingtogoentirelywithoutsleep。Andmoreoveritisanxietyandthetremorofexcitementwhichmakethepillowsleepless，not，heavenbethanked，sorrow。Godmademantolieawakeandhope：butnevertolieawakeandgrieve。
AnhourortwobeforedaybreakIfellasleep，utterlywornout。
WhenIawoke，thesunwashigh，andshiningslantwiseonourwindow。Theroomwasgaywiththemorningrays，andsoftwiththemorningfreshness，andIlayawhile，mycheekonmyhand，drinkinginthecheerfulinfluenceasIhaddonemanyandmanyadayinourroomatCaylus。ItwasthetouchofMarie’shand，laidtimidlyonmyarm，whichrousedmewithashocktoconsciousness。Thetruthbrokeuponme。Irememberedwherewewere，andwhatwasbeforeus。"Willyougetup，Anne？"
Croisettesaid。"TheVidamehassentforus。"
Igottomyfeet，andbuckledonmysword。Croisettewasleaningagainstthewall，paleanddowncast。Burefilledtheopendoorway，hisfeatheredcapinhishand，aqueersmileonhisface。"Youareagoodsleeper，younggentleman，"hesaid。"Youshouldhaveagoodconscience。"
"Betterthanyours，nodoubt！"Iretorted，"oryourmaster’s。"
Heshruggedhisshoulders，and，biddingusbyasigntofollowhim，ledthewaythroughseveralgloomypassages。Attheendofthese，aflightofstonestepsleadingupwardsseemedtopromisesomethingbetter;andtrueenough，thedooratthetopbeingopened，themurmurofacrowdreachedourears，withaburstofsunlightandwarmth。Wewereinaloftyroom，withwallsinsomeplacespainted，andelsewherehungwithtapestry;welllightedbythreeoldpointedwindowsreachingtotherush—coveredfloor。
Theroomwaslarge，sethereandtherewithstandsofarms，andhadadaiswitharaisedcarvedchairatoneend。Theceilingwasofblue，withgoldstarssetaboutit。Seeingthis，I
rememberedtheplace。Ihadbeeninitonce，yearsago，whenI
hadattendedtheVicomteonastatevisittothegovernor。Ah！
thattheVicomtewereherenow！
Iadvancedtothemiddlewindow，whichwasopen。ThenIstartedback，foroutsidewasthescaffoldbuiltlevelwiththefloor，andrush—coveredlikeit！Twoorthreepeoplewereloungingonit。MyeyessoughtLouisamongthegroup，butinvain。Hewasnotthere：andwhileIlookedforhim，Iheardanoisebehindme，andhecamein，guardedbyfoursoldierswithpikes。
Hisfacewaspaleandgrave，butperfectlycomposed。Therewasawistfullookinhiseyesindeed，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingorsomeonefaraway——Kit’sfaceonthesunnyhillsofQuercywherehehadriddenwithher，perhaps;alookwhichseemedtosaythatthedoingsherewerenothingtohim，andthepartingwasyonderwhereshewas。Buthisbearingwascalmandcollected，hisstepfirmandfearless。Whenhesawus，indeedhisfacelightenedamomentandhegreeteduscheerfully，evenacknowledgingBure’ssalutationwithdignityandgoodtemper。
Croisettesprangtowardshimimpulsively，andcriedhisname——
Croisetteeverthefirsttospeak。ButbeforeLouiscouldgrasphishand，thedooratthebottomofthehallwasswungopen，andtheVidamecamehurriedlyin。
Hewasalone。Heglancedround，hisforbiddingface，whichwassomewhatflushedasifbyhaste，wearingascowl。Thenhesawus，and，noddinghaughtily，strodeupthefloor，hisspursclankingheavilyontheboards。Wegaveusnogreeting，butbyashortworddismissedBureandthesoldierstothelowerendoftheroom。Andthenhestoodandlookedatusfour，butprincipallyathisrival;andlooked，andlookedwitheyesofsmoulderinghate。Andtherewasasilence，alongsilence，whilethemurmurofthecrowdcamealmostcheerfullythroughthewindow，andthesparrowsundertheeaveschirpedandtwittered，andtheheartthatthrobbedleastpainfullywas，Idobelieve，LouisdePavannes’！
AtlastBezersbrokethesilence。
"M。dePavannes！"hebegan，speakinghoarsely，yetconcealingallpassionunderacynicalsmileandamockpoliteness，"M。dePavannes，Iholdtheking’scommissiontoputtodeathalltheHuguenotswithinmyprovinceofQuercy。Haveyouanythingtosay，Ibeg，whyIshouldnotbeginwithyou？OrdoyouwishtoreturntotheChurch？"
Louisshruggedhisshouldersasincontempt，andheldhispeace，Isawhiscaptor’sgreathandstwitchconvulsivelyatthis，butstilltheVidamemasteredhimself，andwhenhespokeagainhespokeslowly。"Verywell，"hecontinued，takingnoheedofus，thesilentwitnessesofthisstrangestrugglebetweenthetwomen，buteyeingLouisonly。"Youhavewrongedmemorethananymanalive。Aliveordead！ordead！Youhavethwartedme，M。dePavannes，andtakenfrommethewomanIloved。SixdaysagoI
mighthavekilledyou。Ihaditinmypower。Ihadbuttoleaveyoutotherabble，remember，andyouwouldhavebeenrottingatMontfauconto—day，M。dePavannes。"
"Thatistrue，"saidLouisquietly。"Whysomanywords？"
ButtheVidamewentonasifhehadnotheard。"Ididnotleaveyoutothem，"heresumed，"andyetIhateyou——morethanIeverhatedanymanyet，andIamnotapttoforgive。Butnowthetimehascome，sir，formyrevenge！TheoathIsworetoyourmistressafortnightagoIwillkeeptotheletter。I——Silence，babe！"
hethundered，turningsuddenly，"orIwillkeepmywordwithyoutoo！"
Croisettehadmutteredsomething，andthishaddrawnonhimtheglareofBezers’eyes。Butthethreatwaseffectual。Croisettewassilent。Thetwowerelefthenceforthtooneanother。
YettheVidameseemedtobeputoutbytheinterruption。
Mutteringastringofoathshestrodefromustothewindowandbackagain。Thecoolcynicism，withwhichhewaswonttoveilhisangerandimposeonothermen，whileitheightenedtheeffectofhisruthlessdeeds，inpartfellfromhim。Heshowedhimselfashewas——masterful，andviolent，hating，withallthestrengthofaturbulentnaturewhichhadneverknownacheck。Iquailedbeforehimmyself。Iconfessit。
"Listen！"hecontinuedharshly，comingbackandtakinghisplaceinfrontofusatlast，hismannermoreviolentthanbeforetheinterruption。"Imighthaveleftyoutodieinthathellyonder！
AndIdidnotleaveyou。Ihadbuttoholdmyhandandyouwouldhavebeentorntopieces！Thewolf，however，doesnothuntwiththerats，andaBezerswantsnohelpinhisvengeancefromkingorCANAILLE！WhenIhuntmyenemydownIwillhunthimalone，doyouhear？Andasthereisaheavenaboveme"——hepausedamoment——"ifIevermeetyoufacetofaceagain，M。dePavannes，I
willkillyouwhereyoustand！"
Hepaused，andthemurmurofthecrowdwithoutcametomyears;
butmingledwithandheightenedbysomeconfusioninmythoughts。
Istruggledfeeblywiththis，seeingarushofcolourtoCroisette’sface，alighteninginhiseyesasifaveilhadbeenraisedfrombeforethem。Someconfusion——forIthoughtIgraspedtheVidame’smeaning;yettherehewasstillgloweringonhisvictimwiththesamegrimvisage，stillspeakinginthesameroughtone。"Listen，M。dePavannes，"hecontinued，risingtohisfullheightandwavinghishandwithacertainmajestytowardsthewindow——noonehadspoken。"Thedoorsareopen！YourmistressisatCaylus。Theroadisclear，gotoher;gotoher，andtellherthatIhavesavedyourlife，andthatIgiveittoyounotoutoflove，butoutofhate！IfyouhadflinchedI
wouldhavekilledyou，forsoyouwouldhavesufferedmost，M。dePavannes。Asitis，takeyourlife——agift！andsufferasI
shouldifIweresavedandsparedbymyenemy！"
Slowlythefullsenseofhiswordscamehometome。Slowly;notinitsfullcompletenessindeeduntilIheardLouisinbrokenphrases，phraseshalfproudandhalfhumble，thankinghimforhisgenerosity。EventhenIalmostlostthetrueandwondrousmeaningofthethingwhenIheardhisanswer。ForhecutPavannesshortwithbittercausticgibes，spurnedhisprofferedgratitudewithinsults，andrepliedtohisacknowledgmentswiththreats。
"Go！go！"hecontinuedtocryviolently。"HaveIbroughtyousofarsafelythatyouwillcheatmeofmyvengeanceatthelast，andprovokemetokillyou？Away！andtaketheseblindpuppieswithyou！Reckonmeasmuchyourenemynowasever！AndifI
meetyou，besureyouwillmeetafoe！Begone，M。dePavannes，begone！"
"But，M。deBezers，"Louispersisted，"hearme。Ittakestwoto——"
"Begone！begone！beforewedooneanotheramischief！"criedtheVidamefuriously。"Everywordyousayinthatstrainisaninjurytome。Itrobsmeofmyvengeance。Go！inGod’sname！"
Andwewent;fortherewasnochange，nopromiseofsofteninginhismalignantaspectashespoke;noranyashestoodandwatchedusdrawoffslowlyfromhim。Wewentonebyone，eachlingeringaftertheother，striving，outofanaturaldesiretothankhim，tobreakthroughthatsternreserve。Butgrimandunrelenting，apictureofscorntothelast，hesawusgo。
Mylatestmemoryofthatstrangeman——stillfreshafteralapseoftwoandfiftyyears——isofahugeformtoweringinthegloombelowthestatecanopy，thesunlightwhichpouredinthroughthewindowsandfloodedus，fallingshortofhim;ofapairoffiercecrosseyes，thatseemedtoglowastheycoveredus;ofalipthatcurledasintheenjoymentofsomecrueljest。AndsoI——andI
thinkeachofusfoursawthelastofRaouldeMar，VidamedeBezers，inthislife。
Hewasamanwhomwecannotjudgebyto—day’sstandard;forhewassuchanoneinhisvicesandhisvirtuesasthepresentdaydoesnotknow;onewhoinhistimedidimmenseevil——andifhisfriendsbebelieved，littlegood。Buttheevilisforgotten;thegoodlives。Andifallthatgoodsaveoneactwereburiedwithhim，thisoneactalone，theactofaFrenchgentleman，wouldbetoldofhim——ay！andwillbetold——aslongasthekingdomofFrance，andthegraciousmemoryofthelateking，shallendure。
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Iseeagainbythesimpleprocessofshuttingmyeyes，thelittlepartyoffive——forJean，ourservant，hadrejoinedus——whoonthatsummerdayrodeoverthehillstoCaylus，threadingthemazesoftheholm—oaks，andgallopingdowntherides，andhallooingtheharefromherform，butneverpursuingher;
arousingthenestlingfarmhousesfromtheirsleepystillnessbyjoyousshoutandlaugh，andsniffing，asweclimbedthehill—sideagain，thescentofthefernsthatdiedcrushedunderourhorses’
hoofs——diedonlythattheymightaddonelittlepleasuremoretothehappinessGodhadgivenus。Rareandsweetindeedarethosefewdaysinlife，whenitseemsthatallcreationlivesonlythatwemayhavepleasureinit，andthankGodforit。Itiswellthatweshouldmakethemostofthem，aswesurelydidofthatday。
Itwasnightfallwhenwereachedtheedgeoftheuplands，andlookeddownonCaylus。Thelastraysofthesunlingeredwithus，butthevalleybelowwasdark;sodarkthateventherockaboutwhichourhomesclusteredwouldhavebeeninvisiblesaveforthehalf—dozenlightsthatwerebeginningtotwinkleintobeingonitssummit。Asilencefelluponusasweslowlywendedourwaydownthewell—knownpath。
Alldaylongwehadriddeningreatjoy;ifthoughtless，yetinnocent;ifselfish，yetthankful;andalwaysblithely，withagreatexultationandreliefatheart，agreatrejoicingforourownsakesandforKit’s。
Nowwiththenightfallandthedarkness，nowwhenwewerenearourhome，andontheeveofgivingjoytoanother，wegrewsilent。Therearoseotherthoughts——thoughtsofallthathadhappenedsincewehadlastascendedthattrack;andsoourmindsturnednaturallybacktohimtowhomweowedourhappiness——tothegiantleftbehindinhisprideandpowerandhisloneliness。
Theotherscouldthinkofhimwithfullhearts，yetwithoutshame。ButIreddened，reflectinghowitwouldhavebeenwithusifIhadhadmyway;ifIhadresortedinmyshortsightednesstoonelastviolent，cowardlydeed，andkilledhim，asIhadtwicewishedtodo。
Pavanneswouldthenhavebeenlostalmostcertainly。OnlytheVidamewithhispowerfultroop——weneverknewwhetherhehadgatheredthemforthatpurposeormerelywithaneyetohisgovernment——couldhavesavedhim。Andfewmenhoweverpowerful——
perhapsBezersonlyofallmeninPariswouldhavedaredtosnatchhimfromthemobwhenonceithadsightedhim。Idwellonthisnowthatmygrandchildrenmaytakewarningbyit，thoughneverwilltheyseesuchdaysasIhaveseen。
AndsoweclatteredupthesteepstreetofCayluswithapleasantmelancholyuponus，andpassed，notwithoutamoreseriousthought，thegloomy，frowningportals，allbarredandshuttered，oftheHouseoftheWolf，andundertheverywindow，sombreandvacant，fromwhichBezershadincitedtherabbleintheirattackonPavannes’courier。Wehadgonebyday，andwecamebackbynight。Butwehadgonetrembling，andwecamebackinjoy。
Wedidnotneedtoringthegreatbell。Jean’scry，"Ho！Gatethere！Openformylords！"hadscarcelypassedhislipsbeforewewereadmitted。Anderewecouldmounttheramp，onepersonoutranthosewhocameforthtoseewhatthematterwas;oneoutranMadameClaude，outranoldGil，outranthehurryingservants，andthewelcomeofthehouse。Isawaslenderfigureallinwhitebreakawayfromthelittlecrowdanddarttowardsus，disclosingasitreachedmeafacethatseemedstillwhiterthanitsrobes，andyetafacethatseemedalleyes——eyesthataskedthequestionthelipscouldnotframe。
Istoodasidewithalowbow，myhatinmyhand;andsaidsimply——itwasthegreateffectofmylife——"VOILAMonsieur！"
AndthenIsawthesunriseinawoman’sface。
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TheVidamedeBezersdiedashehadlived。HewasstillGovernorofCahorswhenHenrytheGreatattackeditonthenightofthe17thofJune，1580。Takenbysurpriseandwoundedinthefirstconfusionoftheassault，hestilldefendedhimselfandhischargewithdesperatecourage，fightingfromstreettostreet，andhousetohouseforfivenightsandasmanydays。WhilehelivedHenry’sdestinyandthefateofFrancetrembledinthebalance。Buthefellatlength，hisbrainpiercedbytheballofanarquebuse，anddiedanhourbeforesunsetonthe22ndofJune。
Thegarrisonimmediatelysurrendered。
MarieandIwerepresentinthisactiononthesideoftheKingofNavarre，andattherequestofthatprincehastenedtopaysuchhonourstothebodyoftheVidameaswereduetohisrenownandmightservetoevinceourgratitude。AyearlaterhisremainswereremovedfromCahors，andlaidwheretheynowrestinhisownAbbeyChurchofBezers，underamonumentwhichverybrieflytellsofhisstormylifeandhisvalour。Nomatter。Hehassmallneedofamonumentwhosenamelivesinthehistoryofhiscountry，andwhoseepitaphiswritteninthelivesofmen。
NOTE。——THECHARACTERANDCONDUCTOFVIDAMEDEBEZERS，ASTHEY
APPEARINTHEABOVEMEMOIRFINDAPARALLELINANACCOUNTGIVENBY
DETHOUOFONEOFTHEMOSTREMARKABLEINCIDENTSINTHEMASSACRE
OFST。BARTHOLOMEW："AMIDSUCHEXAMPLES，"HEWRITES，"OFTHE
FEROCITYOFTHECITY，ATHINGHAPPENEDWORTHYTOBERELATED，AND
WHICHMAYPERHAPSINSOMEDEGREEWEIGHAGAINSTTHESEATROCITIES。
THEREWASADEADLYHATRED，WHICHUPTOTHISTIMETHEINTERVENTION
OFTHEIRFRIENDSANDNEIGHBOURSHADFAILEDTOAPPEASE，BETWEEN
TWOMEN——VEZINS，THELIEUTENANTOFHONORATUSOFSAVOY，MARSHAL
VILLARS，AMANNOTABLEAMONGTHENOBILITYOFTHEPROVINCEFORHIS
VALOUR，BUTOBNOXIOUSTOMANYOWINGTOHISBRUTALDISPOSITION
（ferinanatura），ANDREGNIER，AYOUNGMANOFLIKERANKAND
VIGOUR，BUTOFMILDERCHARACTER。WHENREGNIERTHEN，INTHE
MIDDLEOFTHATGREATUPROAR，DEATHMEETINGHISEYEEVERYWHERE，WASMAKINGUPHISMINDTOTHEWORST，HISDOORWASSUDDENLYBURST
OPEN，ANDVEZINS，WITHTWOOTHERMEN，STOODBEFOREHIMSWORDIN
HAND。UPONTHISREGNIER，ASSUREDOFDEATH，KNELTDOWNANDASKED
MERCYOFHEAVEN：BUTVEZINSINAHARSHVOICEBIDHIMRISEFROM
HISPRAYERSANDMOUNTAPALFREYALREADYSTANDINGREADYINTHE
STREETFORHIM。SOHELEDREGNIER——UNCERTAINFORTHETIME
WHITHERHEWASBEINGTAKEN——OUTOFTHECITY，ANDPUTHIMONHIS
HONOURTOGOWITHHIMWITHOUTTRYINGTOESCAPE。ANDTOGETHER，WITHOUTPAUSINGINTHEIRJOURNEY，THETWOTRAVELLEDALLTHEWAY
TOGUIENNE。DURINGTHISTIMEVEZINSHONOUREDREGNIERWITHVERY
LITTLECONVERSATION;BUTSOFARCAREDFORHIMTHATFOODWAS
PREPAREDFORHIMATTHEINNSBYHISSERVANTS：ANDSOTHEYCAME
TOQUERCYANDTHECASTLEOFREGNIER。THEREVEZINSTURNEDTOHIM
ANDSAID，"YOUKNOWHOWIHAVEFORALONGTIMEBACKSOUGHTTO
AVENGEMYSELFONYOU，ANDHOWEASILYIMIGHTNOWHAVEDONEITTO
THEFULL，HADIBEENWILLINGTOUSETHISOPPORTUNITY。BUTSHAME
WOULDNOTSUFFERIT;ANDBESIDES，YOURCOURAGESEEMEDWORTHYTO
BESETAGAINSTMINEONEVENTERMS。TAKETHEREFORETHELIFEWHICH
YOUOWETOMYKINDNESS。"WITHMUCHMOREWHICHTHECURIOUSWILL
FINDINTHE2ND（FOLIO）VOLUMEOFDETHOU。