CONTENTS
　　PARTI
　　THEOLDRULE
　　ThesearetheyWhorideonthecourtgale，controlitstides；
　　***
　　Whosefrownabasesandwhosesmileexalts。
　　Theyshinelikeanyrainbow—and，perchance，Theircoloursareastransient。
　　OldPlayCHAPTERI
　　MONSIEURTHESECRETARY
　　ItwasspringatBellecour—thespringof1789，ashortthreemonthsbeforethefalloftheBastillecametogivethenoblespause，andmakethemrealisethatthesenewphilosophies，whichsolongtheyhavederided，werebynomeanstheidlevapourstheyhaddeemedthem。
　　Bythebrook，plashingitsglitteringcoursethroughtheparkofBellecour，wanderedLaBoulaye，hislong，lean，figurecladwithasombrenessthatwasoutofharmonyinthatsunlit，vernallandscape。
　　Butthesad—huedcoatbeliedthatmorningaheartthatsangwithinhisbreastasjoyouslyasanylinnetofthewoodsthroughwhichhestrayed。Thathewasgarbedinblackwasbuttheoutwardindicationofhisclerklyoffice，forhewassecretarytothemostnobletheMarquisdeFresnoydeBellecour，andsoclothedintheliveryoftheinkbywhichhelived。Hisfacewaspaleandleanandthoughtful，butwithinhisgreat，intelligenteyesthereshonealightofnew—bornhappiness。UnderhisarmhecarriedavolumeofthenewphilosophieswhichRousseauhadlatelygiventotheworld，andwhichwascontributingsovastlytothemightychangethatwasimpending。
　　ButwithinhissoultheredweltinthathournosuchmustysubjectasthemetaphysicaldreamsofoldRousseau。Hismoodinclinedlittletothe"DiscoursesupontheOriginofInequality"whichhiselbowhuggedtohisside。Ratherwasitamoodofsongandjoyandthingsoflight，andhismindwasrunningonastringofrhymeswhichmentallyheoffereduptohisdivinity。Ahigh—bornladywasshe，daughtertohislordlyemployer，themostnobleMarquisofBellecour。Andheasecretary，aclerk！Aye，butaclerkwithagreatsoul，asecretarywithagreatbeliefinthethingstocome，whichinthatmustytomebeneathhisarmweredimlyprophesied。
　　Andasheroamedbesidethebrook，hisfeettreadingtheelastic，velvetyturf，andcrushingheedlesslylateprimroseandstrayviolet，hisbloodquickenedbythesoftspringbreeze，fragrantwithhawthornandthesmellofthemoistbrownearth，LaBoulaye’shappinessgatheredstrengthfromthejoythatonthatdayofspringseemedtoinvestallNature。Anold—worldsongstolefromhisfirmlips—atfirsttimidly，likeathingabashedinnewsurroundings，theninboldertonesthatechoedfaintlythroughthetrees"Sileroim’avaitdonneParis，sagrandeville，Etqui’ilmefallutquitterL’amourdemamie，JediraisauroiLouisReprenezvotreParis。
　　J’aimemieuxmamie，Ogai！
　　J’aimemieuxmamie！"
　　Howmercurialathingisalover’sheart！Herewasonewhosehabitswereofsolemnityandgloomythoughtturned，sojoyousthathecouldsingaloud，aloneinthemidstofsunnyNature，fornobetterreasonthanthatSuzannedeBellecourhadyesternightsmiledas—forsometwominutesbytheclock—shehadstoodspeakingwithhim。
　　"PresumptuousthatIam，"saidhetotherivulet，tocontradicthimselfthenextmoment。"Butno；thetimesarechanging。Soonweshallbeequalsall，asthegoodGodmadeus，and—"
　　Hepaused，andsmiledpensively。Andasagainthememoryofheryesternight’skindnessrosebeforehim，hissmilebroadened；itbecamealaughthatwentringingdowntheglade，scaringanoisythrushintosilenceandsendingitflyinginaffrightacrossthescintillantwatersofthebrook。Thenthatheartylaughbrokesharplyoff，as，behindhim，thesweetestvoiceinalltheworlddemandedthereasonofthismad—soundingmirth。
　　LaBoulaye’sbreathseemedinthatinstanttoforsakehimandhegrewpalerthanNatureandthewriter’sdeskhadfashionedhim。
　　Awkwardlyheturnedandmadeheradeepbow。
　　"Mademoiselle！You—youseethatyousurprisedme！"hefaltered，likeafool。Forhowshouldhe，whoseonlycomradeshadbeenbooks，havelearnttobearhimselfinthecompanyofawoman，particularlywhenshebelongedtotheranksofthosewhom—despiteRousseauandhisotherdearphilosophers—hehadbeenforyearsinthehabitofaccountinghisbetters？
　　"Why，then，Iamglad，Monsieur，thatIsurprisedyouinsogayahumour—for，myfaith，itisarareenoughthing。"
　　"True，lady，"saidhefoolishly，yetpolitelyagreeingwithher，"itisararething。"Andhesighed—"Helas！"
　　Atthatthelaughterleaptfromheryounglips，andturnedhimhotandcoldasbestoodawkwardlybeforeher。
　　"Iseethatweshallhaveyousadatthethoughtofhowrareishappiness，youthatbutamomentbackwere—orsoitseemed—sojoyous。Orisitthatmycominghasovercasttheskyofyourgoodhumour？"shedemandedarchly。
　　Heblushedlikeaschool—girl，andstrenuouslyprotestedthatitwasnotso。Inhishastehefellheadlongintothesinofhastiness—
　　aswasbutnatural—andsaidperhapstoomuch。
　　"Yourcoming，Mademoiselle？"heechoed。"NaybutevenhadIbeensad，yourcomingmusthavedispelledmymelancholyasthecomingofthesundispelsthemistuponthemountains。"
　　"Apoet？"Shemockedhimplayfully，withatossofblackcurlsandadistractingglanceofeyesblueastheheavensabovethem。"A
　　poet，Monsieur，andIneversuspectedit，forallthatIheldyouagreatscholar。Myfathersaysyouare。"
　　"Arewenotallpoetsatsomeseasonofourlives？"quothhe，forgrowingaccustomedtoherpresence—ravishedbyit，indeed—hiscouragewasreturningfastandurginghimbeyondthelimitsofdiscretion。
　　"Andinwhatseasonmaythisrhymingfancytouchus？"sheasked。
　　"Enlightenme，Monsieur。"
　　Hesmiled，responsivetohermerrymood，andhiscourageeverswellingunderthesuasionofit，heansweredherinafearless，daringfashionthatwasoddlyunlikehiswont。Butthen，hewasthatdayamantransformed。
　　"Itcomes，Mademoiselle，uponsomespringmorningsuchasthis—
　　forisnotspringthematingseason，andhavenotpoetssungofit，inspiredandconqueredbyit？ItcomesintheApriloflife，wheninourheartswebearthefirstfragrantbudofwhatshallanonblossomintoaglorioussummerbloomredasisLove’sliveryandperfumedbeyondallelsethatGodhassetonearthforman’sdelightandthankfulness。"
　　Theintensitywithwhichhespoke，andtheessenceofthespeechitself，leftheramomentdumbwithwonderandwithanincomprehensibleconsternation，bornofsomeintuitionnotyetunderstood。
　　"Andso，Monsieur，theSecretary，"saidsheatlast，anervouslaughquiveringinherfirstwords，"fromallthiswondrousverbiageIamtotakeitthatyoulove？"
　　"Aye，thatIlove，dearlady，"hecried，hiseyessointentuponherthatherglancegrewtimidandfellbeforethem。Andthen，asecondlater，shecouldhavescreamedaloudinapprehension，forthebookofJeanJacquesRousseaulaytumbledinthegrasswherehehadflungit，evenasheflunghimselfuponhiskneesbeforeher。"YoumaytakeitindeedthatIlove—thatIloveyou，Mademoiselle。"
　　Theaudaciouswordsbeingspoken，hiscourageoozedawayandanti—climax，followed。Hepaledandtrembled，yethekneltonuntilsheshouldbidhimrise，andfurtivelyhewatchedherface。Hesawitdarken；hesawthebrowsknit；henotedthequickeningbreath，andinallthesesignshereadhisdoombeforesheutteredit。
　　"Monsieur，monsieur，"sheansweredhim，andsadwashertone，"towhatlengthsdoyouurgethisspringtimefolly？Haveyouforgottensoyourstation—yes，andmine—thatbecauseItalkwithyouandlaughwithyou，andamkindtoyou，youmustpresumetospeaktomeinthisfashion？WhatanswershallImakeyou，Monsieur—forIamnotsocruelthatIcanansweryouasyoudeserve。"
　　AnoddthingindeedwasLaBoulaye’scourage。Aninstantagohehadfeltaverycoward，andhadquivered，appalledbytheaudacityofhisownwords。Nowthatsheassailedhimthus，andtaxedhimwiththatsameaudacity，thebloodofangerrushedtohisface—angerofthequalitythathasitssourceinshame。Inasecondhewasonhisfeetbeforeher，toweringtothefullofhisleanheight。Thewordscamefromhiminahotstream，whichforrecklesspassionbyfaroutviedhiserstwhileamatoryaddress。
　　"Mystation？"hecried，throwingwidehisarms。"Whatfaultliesinmystation？Iamasecretary，ascholar，andso，byacademicright，agentleman。Nay，Mademoiselle，neverlaugh；donotmockmeyet。Inwhatdoyoufindmelessamanthananyofthevapidcaperersthatfillyourfather’ssalon？Isnotmyshapeasgood？
　　Arenotmyarmsasstrong，myhandsasdeft，mywitsaskeen，andmysoulastrue？Aye，"hepursuedwithanotherwildwaveofhislongarms，"myattributeshaveallthesevirtues，andyetyouscornme—youscornmebecauseofmystation，soyousay！"
　　Howshehadangeredhim！Allthepent—upgallofyearsagainstthesuperciliaoftheclassfromwhichshesprangsurgedinthatmomenttohislips。Hebethoughthimnowofthethousandhumiliationshisproudspirithadsufferedattheirhandswhenhenotedthedisdainwithwhichtheyaddressedhim，speakingtohim—becausehewascompelledtocarvehislivingwithaquill—asthoughhewerelessthanmire。Itwasnotsomuchagainstherscornofhimthathevoicedhisbittergrievance，butagainsttheentirenoblesseofFrance，whichdeniedhimtherighttocarryahighheadbecausehehadnotbeenbornofMadamelaDuchesse，MadamelaMarquise，orMadamelaComtesse。Allthegreatthoughtsofawondroustransformation，whichhadbeensowninhimbytherevolutionaryphilosophershehaddevouredwithsuchappreciation，welledupnow，andsuchscrapsofthatinfinityofthoughtascouldfindutterancehecastbeforethewomanwhohadscornedhimforhisstation。
　　Presumptuoushehadaccountedhimself—butonlyuntilshehadfoundhimso。Bythatthepresumption，itseemed，hadbeenliftedfromhim，andheheldthatwhathehadsaidtoheroftheloveheboreherwasnomorethanbyvirtueofhismanhoodhehadtherighttosay。
　　Shedrewbackbeforehim，andshrankinsomemeasureoffear，forhelookedveryfierce。Moreover，hehadsaidthingswhichprofessedhimarevolutionist，andtherevolutionists，whilstbeingaclasswhichshehadbeentaughttodespiseandscorn，dealt，sheknew，inaviolencewhichitmightbeilltoexcite。
　　"Monsieur，"shefaltered，andwithherhandsheclutchedatherriding—habitofgreenvelvet，asifpreparingtodepart，"youarenotyourself。Iambeyondmeasuredesolatedthatyoushouldhavesospokentome。Wehavebeengoodfriends，M。LaBoulaye。Letusforgetthisscene。Shallwe？"Hertonesgrewseductivelyconciliatory。
　　LaBoulayehalfturnedfromher，andhissmoulderingeyefellupon"TheDiscourses"lyingonthegrass。Hestoopedandpickedupthevolume。Theactmighthaveseemedsymbolical。Foramomenthehadcastasidehiscreedtowooawoman，andnowthatshehaddeniedhimhereturnedtoRousseau，andgatheredupthetomealmostinpenitenceathismomentarydefection。
　　"Iamquitemyself，Mademoiselle，"heansweredquietly。Hischeekswereflushed，butbeyondthat，hisexcitementseemedtohavewithered。
　　"Itisyouwhoyesternight，foronebriefmomentandagainto—day—
　　werenotyourself，andtothatyouoweitthatIhavespokentoyouasIhavedone。"
　　Betweenthesetwoitwouldseemasthehumouroftheonewaned，thatoftheotherwaxed。Herglancekindledanewathislastwords。
　　"I？"sheechoed。"Iwasnotmyself？Whatareyousaying，MonsieurtheSecretary？"
　　"Lastnight，andagainjustnow，youweresokind，you—yousmiledsosweetly—"
　　"MonDieu！"sheexclaimed，angrilyinterruptinghim。"Seewhatyouareforallyourhigh—soundingvauntsofyourselfandyourattributes！
　　Awomanmaynotsmileuponyou，maynotsayonekindwordtoyou，butyoumustimagineyouhavemadeaconquest。Mafoi，youandyoursdonotdeservetobetreatedasanythingbutvassals。Whenweshowyouakindness，seehowyouabuseit。Weextendtoyouourlittlefingerandyouinstantlylayclaimtothewholearm。BecauselastnightI
　　permittedmyselftoexchangeajestwithyou，becauseIchancetobekindtoyouagainto—day，yourepaymewithinsults！"
　　"Stop！"hecried，rousinghimselfoncemore。"Thatistoomuchtosay，Mademoiselle。Totellawomanthatyouloveherisnevertoinsulther。Tobelovedisnevertobeslighted。UponthemeanestofHiscreaturesitisenjoinedtolovethesameGodwhomtheKingloves，andthereisnoinsulttoGodinprofessingloveforHim。
　　Wouldyoumakeawomanmorethanthat？"
　　"Monsieur，youputquestionsIhavenomindtoanswer；yousuggestadiscussionIhavenoinclinationtopursue。ForyouandmeletitsufficethatIaccountmyselfaffrontedbyyourwords，yourtone，andyourmanner。Youdrivemetosaythesethings；byyourinsistenceyoucompelmetobeharsh。Wewillendthismatterhereandnow，Monsieur，andIwillaskyoutounderstandthatIneverwishitreopened，elseshallIbeforcedtoseekprotectionatthehandsofmyfatherormybrother。"
　　"Youmayseekitnow，Suzanne，"quothavoicefromthethicketatherback，avoicewhichcametostartlebothofthemthoughindifferentways。BeforetheyhadrecoveredfromtheirsurprisetheMarquisdeBellecourstoodbeforethem。Hewasatallmanofsomefiftyyearsofage，butsopowerfulofframeandsoscrupulousindressthathemighthaveconveyedanimpressionofmoreyouth。Hisface，thoughhandsomeinahigh—bredway，waspuffedandofanunhealthyyellow。Buttheeyeswereaskeenasthemouthwasvoluptuous，andinhiscarefullydressedblackhairtherewerefewstrandsofgrey。
　　Hecameslowlyforward，andhisloweringglancewanderedfromhisdaughtertohissecretaryininquiry。Atlast—
　　"Well？"hedemanded。"Whatisthematter？"
　　"Itisnothing，Monsieur，"hisdaughteransweredhim。"Atriflingaffair’twixtM。laBoulayeandme，withwhichIwillnottroubleyou。"
　　"Itisnotnothing，mylord，"criedLaBoulaye，hisvoicevibratingoddly。"ItisthatIloveyourdaughterandthatIhavetoldherofit。"Hewasinaverydaringmoodthatmorning。
　　TheMarquisglancedathimindullamazement。Thenaflushcreptintohissallowcheeksandmountedtohisbrow。Aninarticulategruntcamefromhisthicklips。
　　"Canaille！"heexclaimed，throughsetteeth。"Canyouhavepresumedsofar？"
　　Hecarriedariding—switch，andheseemedtograspitnowinamannerpeculiarlymenacing。ButLaBoulayewasnothingdaunted。Losthealreadyaccountedhimself，andonthestrengthofthelogicthatifamanmusthang，asheepaswellasalambmaybethecauseofit，hetookwhatchancesthetimeaffordedhimtopileuphisdebt。
　　"ThereisneitherinsolencenorpresumptioninwhatIhavedone，"
　　heanswered，givingbacktheMarquislookforlookandscowlforscowl。"YoudeemitsobecauseIamthesecretarytotheMarquisdeBellecourandsheisthedaughterofthatsameMarquis。Butthesearenomorethanthefortuitouscircumstancesinwhichwechancetofindourselves。Thatsheisawomanmusttakerankbeforethefactthatsheisyourdaughter，andthatIamamanmusttakerankbeforethefactthatIamyoursecretary。Not，then，asyoursecretaryspeakingtoyourdaughterhaveItoldthisladythatI
　　loveher，butasamanspeakingtoawoman。Toutterthatshouldbe—nay，is—therightofeveryman；tohearitshouldbehonouringtoeverywomanworthyofthename。Inaprimitivecondition—"
　　"Athousanddevils！"blazedtheMarquis，unablelongertocontainhimself。"AmItohavemyearsoffendedbythisbraying？Miserablescum，youshallbetaughtwhatisduetoyourbetters。"
　　Hiswhipcrackedsuddenly，andthelashleaptserpentlikeintotheair，todescendandcoilitselfaboutLaBoulaye’sheadandface。
　　Acrybrokefromtheyoungman，asmuchofpainasofsurprise，andasthelashwasdrawnback，heclappedhishandstohissearedface。
　　Butagainhefeltit，cuttinghimnowacrossthehandwithwhichhehadmaskedhimself。Withamaddenedroarhespranguponhisaggressor。InheighthewastheequaloftheMarquis，butinweightheseemedtobescarcemorethanthehalfofhisopponent’s。Yetanervousstrengthdweltunsuspectedinthoseleanarmsandsteelywrists。
　　Mademoisellestoodbylookingon，withpartedlipsandeyesthatwereintentandanxious。Shesawthatfigure，spareandlitheasagreyhound，leapsuddenlyuponherfather，andthenextinstantthewhipwasinthesecretary’shands，andhesprangbackfromthenobleman，whostoodwhiteandquiveringwithrage，andperhaps，too，withsomedismay。
　　"ThatIdonotbreakitacrossyourback，M。leMarquis，saidtheyoungman，ashesnappedthewhiponhisknee，"youmaythankyouryears。"Withthatheflungthetwopieceswideintothesunlitwatersofthebrook。"ButIwillhavesatisfaction，Monsieur。I
　　willtakepaymentforthis。"Andhepointedtothewealthatdisfiguredhisface。
　　"Satisfaction？"roaredtheMarquis，hoarseinhispassion。"Wouldyoudemandsatisfactionofme，animal？"
　　"No，"answeredtheyoungman，withawrysmile。"Youryearsagainprotectyou。Butyouhaveason，andifbyto—morrowitshouldcometopassthatyouhaveasonnomore，youmayaccountyourself，throughthis"—andagainhepointedtotheweal—"hismurderer。"
　　"DoyoumeanthatyouwouldseektocrossswordswiththeVicomte？"
　　gaspedthenobleman，inanunbeliefsogreatthatitgainedtheascendencyoverhisanger。
　　"ThatiswhatImean，Monsieur。Inpracticehehasoftendoneso。
　　Heshalldosoforonceinactualearnest。"
　　"Fool！"wasthecontemptuousanswer，morecoldlydeliverednow，fortheMarquiswasgettinghimselfinhand。"IfyoucomenearBellecouragain，ifyouaresomuchasfoundwithinthegroundsofthepark，I’llhaveyoubeatentodeathbymygroomsforyourpresumption。
　　Keepyouthememoryofthatpromiseinmind，SirSecretary，andletitwarnyoutoavoidBellecour，asyouwouldaplague—house。Come，Suzanne，"hesaid，turningabruptlytohisdaughter，"Enoughofthisdelightfulmorninghavewealreadywastedonthiscanaille。"
　　Withthatheofferedherhiswrist，andso，withoutsomuchasanotherglanceatLaBoulaye，shetookherdeparture。
　　Thesecretaryremainedwheretheyhadlefthim，paleofface—
　　savingthefortuitouscrimsonmarkwhichthewhiphadcut—andverysickatheart。Theheatofthemomentbeingspent，hehadleisuretocontemplatehisplight。Ascornedlover，abeatenman，adismissedsecretary！Helookedsorrowfullyuponhisvolumeof"TheDiscourses，"andforthefirsttimeadoubtcrossedhismindtouchingthewisdomofoldJeanJacques。Wastherewouldthereeverbeanyremedyforsuchaconditionofthingsasnowprevailed？
　　AlreadythetreeshadhiddentheMarquisandhisdaughterfromLaBoulaye’ssight。Theyoungrevolutionistfeltwearyandlonely—
　　dearGod，howlonely！neitherkithnorkinhadhe，andoflatealltheinterestofhislife—savingalwaysthatabsorbedbyJeanJacques—hadlaininwatchingSuzannedeBellecour，andinlovinghersilentlyanddistantly。Nowthatlittlecrumbofcomfortwastobehisnomore，hewastogoawayfromBellecour，awayfromthesightofherforalltime。Andhelovedher，lovedher，lovedher！
　　HetossedhisarmstoHeavenwithagreatsighthatwasasobalmost，thenhepassedhishandsoverhisface，andastheycameincontactwiththeswollenridgethatscoredit，lovefadedfromhismind，andvindictivenesscametofillitsroom。
　　"Butforthis，"hecriedaloud。"Ishalltakepayment—aye，asthereisaGod！"
　　Thenturning，andwith"TheDiscourses"heldtightlytohisside，hemovedslowlyaway，followingthecourseofthegleamingwaters。
　　CHAPTERII
　　LORDSOFLIFEANDDEATH
　　OnefrienddidLaBoulayecountinthevillageofBellecour。ThiswasoldDuhamel，theschoolmaster，aneccentricpedantandafellow—worshipperoftheimmortalJeanJacques。ItwastohimthatLaBoulayenowrepairedintentuponseekingcounseltouchingafuturethatworethatmorningasingularlygloomyoutlook。
　　HefoundDuhamel’sdooropen，andhesteppedacrossthethresholdintothechiefroomofthehouse。Buttherehepaused，andhesitated。Thechamberwascrowdedwithpeopleinholidayattire，andthecentreofattractionwasawell—set—uppeasantwithahappy，sun—tannedface，whosegoldenlockswerecoveredbyahugeroundhatdeckedwithascoreofgaily—colouredribbons。
　　AtsightofhimLaBoulayerememberedthatitwasCharlot’swedding—day。Popularamongstthewomenbyvirtueofhiscomeliness，andrespectedbythemenbyvirtueofhisstrength，CharlotTardivetwasageneralfavouriteofthecountryside，andhere，intheroomofoldDuhamel，theschoolmaster，washalfthevillagegatheredtodohimhonouruponhisweddingmorn。ItwaslikeDuhamel，who，infatherlinesstowardsthevillagers，wentnearout—rivallingM。leCure，tothrowopenhishousefortheassemblingofCharlot’sfriends，andLaBoulayewastouchedbythisfreshsignofkindlinessfromamanwhosegoodhearthehadnotlackedoccasiontoobserveandappreciate。Butitcametothesecretarythattherewasnoplaceforhiminthishappyassemblage。Hisadventwould，probably，butservetocastagloomuponthem，consideringtheconditionsunderwhichhecame，withthesignsofviolenceuponhisfacetoremindthemofthelordsoflifeanddeathwhodweltattheChateauupyonder。Andsucharemindermustfalluponthemasdoesthereminderofsomeoverhangingevilclutchsuddenlyatourheartsinhappymomentsofforgetfulness。Toletthembehappythatday，toleavetheirfeastsfreeofadeath’shead，LaBoulayewouldhavewithdrawnhadhenotalreadybeentoolate。Duhamelhadespiedhim，andthelittle，wizenedoldmancamehurryingforward，hishorn—rimmedspectaclesperchedontheveryendofhisnose，hiskeenlittleeyesbeamingwithdelightandwelcome。
　　"Ah，Caron，youareverychoicelycome，"hecried，holdingoutbothhandstoLaBoulaye。"YoushallembraceourhappyHerculesyonder，andwishhimjoyoftheweddedlifehehastheaudacitytoexploit。"
　　Then，asheespiedthecrimsonridgeacrossthesecretary’scountenance，"MonDieu！"heexclaimed，"whathaveyoudonetoyourself，Caron？"
　　"Pish！Itisnothing，"answeredLaBoulayehurriedly，andwouldhavehadthesubjectdismissed，butthatoneoftheonlookingpeasantssworebythememoryofsomelong—deadsaintthatitwasthecutofawhip。Duhamel’seyeskindledandhisparchment—likeskinwaspuckeredintoahundredevilwrinkles。
　　"Whodidit，Caron？"hedemanded。
　　"Sinceyouinsist，oldmaster，"answeredthesecretary，stillendeavouringtomakelightofit，"learnthatisthelordMarquis’ssignaturetohisorderofmydismissalfromhisservice。"
　　"Thedog！"ejaculatedtheschool—master。
　　"Sh！letitbe。PerhapsIbravedhimovermuch。Iwilltellyouofitwhenthesegoodfolkshavegone。Donotletuscastagloomovertheirhappiness，oldmaster。AndnowtoembracethisgoodCharlot。"
　　Thoughinwardlyburningwithcuriosityandboilingwithindignation，DuhamelpermittedhimselftobeguidedbyLaBoulaye，andforthemomentallowedthemattertorest。LaBoulayehimselflaughinglysetasidethemanyquestionswithwhichtheypressedhim。Hedrankthehealthofthebride—elect—whowasnotyetoftheparty—andhepledgedthehappinessofthepair。HeembracedCharlot，andevenwentsofarastourgeuponhim，outofhisownscantystore，alouisd’orwithwhichtobuyMarieatrinketinmemoryofhim。
　　ThenpresentlycameonewiththeannouncementthatM。leCurewaswaiting，andinanswertothatreminderthattherewasaceremonytobegonethrough，Charlotandhisfriendsflungoutofthehouseinjoyousconfusion，andwenttheirwaywithlaughterandjesttothelittlechurchofSt。Ildefonse。
　　"Wewillfollowpresently—M。laBoulayeandI—Charlot，"Duhamelhadsaid，asthesturdybridegroomwasdeparting。"WeshallbetheretoshakeMadamebythehandandwishherjoyofyou。"
　　Whenatlasttheywerealoneintheschoolmaster’sroom，theoldmanturnedtoLaBoulaye，theveryembodimentofanoteofinterrogation。Thesecretarytoldhimallthathadpassed。HereddenedslightlywhenitcametospeakingofhisloveforMlle。
　　deBellecour，butherealisedthatifhewouldhaveguidancehemustwithholdnothingfromhisfriend。
　　Duhamel’sfacegrewdarkastheyoungmanspoke，andhiseyesbecamesadandverythoughtful。
　　"Alas！"hesighed，whenLaBoulayehadended。"WhatshallIsaytoyou，myfriend？Thetimeisnotyetforsuchaswe—youandI—tospeakofloveforadaughteroftheSeigneurie。Itiscoming，Idoubtitnot。Allthingshavetheirclimax，andFranceistendingswiftlytotheclimaxofherserfdom。Verysoonweshallhavethecrisis，thisfirethatisalreadysmouldering，willleapintoagreatblaze，thatshalllicktheoldregimeascompletelyfromthefaceofhistoryasthoughithadneverbeen。Anewconditionofthingswillspringup，ofthatIamconvinced。Doesnothistoryaffordusmanyinstances？Andwhatishistorybuttherepetitionofeventsundersimilarcircumstanceswithdifferentpeoples。ItwillcomeinFrance，anditwillcomesoon，foritisverydirelyneeded。"
　　"Iknow，Iknow，oldmaster，"brokeinLaBoulaye；"buthowshallallthishelpme？ForallthatIhavethewelfareofFranceatheart，itweighslittlewithmeatthemomentbycomparisonwithmyownaffairs。
　　WhatamItodo，Duhamel？HowamItotakepaymentforthis？"Andhepressedhisfingertohissearedcheek。
　　"Wait，"saidtheoldmanimpressively。"ThatisthemoralyoumighthavedrawnfromwhatIhavesaid。Bepatient。Ipromiseyouyourpatienceshallnotbeovertaxed。To—daytheysaythatyoupresume；
　　thatyouarenotoneofthem—although，bymysoul，youhaveasgoodanairasanynoblemaninFrance。"Andheeyedtheleanheightofthesecretarywithaglanceofsuchprideasafathermighttakeinawell—grownson。
　　Elegantoffigure，LaBoulayewasnolesselegantindress，forallthat，fromheadtofoot—savingthesilverbucklesonhisshoesandtheunpretentiouslaceatthroatandwrists—hewasdressedintheblackthathisofficedemanded。Hiscountenance，too，thoughcastinamouldofthoughtfulnessthatborderedonthemelancholy，borealoftystampthatmighthavepassedforbirthandbreeding，andthiswasenhancedbythecarefuldressingofhisblackunpowderedhair，gatheredintoaclubbyabroadribbonofblacksilk。
　　"Butwhatshallwaitingavailme？"criedtheyoungman，withsomeimpatience。"WhatamItodointhemeantime？"
　　"GotoAmiens，"saidtheother。"Youhavelearning，youhaveeloquence，youhaveapresenceandanexcellentaddress。Forsuccessnobetterattributescouldbeyours。"Heapproachedthesecretary，andinstinctivelyloweredhisvoice。"Wehavealittleclubthere—asortofsuccursaltotheJacobins。Wearenumerous，butwehavenoveryshiningmemberyet。Comewithme，andIwillnominateyou。Beginningthus，IpromiseyouthatyoushallpresentlybecomeamanofprominenceinPicardy。AnonwemaysendyoutoParistorepresentusintheStates—General。Then，whenthechangecomes，whoshallsaytowhatheightsitmaynotbeyourstoleap？"
　　"Iwillthinkofit，"answeredLaBoulayecordially，"andnotadoubtofitbutthatIwillcome。Ididnotknowthatyouhadgonesofar—"
　　"Sh！Youknownow。Letthatsuffice。Itisnotgoodtotalkofthesethingsjustyet。"
　　"Butinthemeantime，"LaBoulayepersisted，"whatofthis？"Andagainhepointedtohischeek。
　　"Why，letitheal，boy。"
　　"IpromisedtheMarquisthatIwoulddemandsatisfactionofhisson，andIamtemptedtodosoandrisktheconsequences。"
　　"Iamafraidtheconsequenceswillbetheonlysatisfactionthatyouwillget。Infact，theywillbeanticipationsratherthanconsequences，forthey’llneverletyouneartheboy。"
　　"Iknownotthat，"heanswered。"Theladismoregenerousthanhissire，andifIweretosendhimwordthatIhavebeenaffronted，hemightconsenttomeetme。Fortherest，Icouldkillhimblindfolded，"headded，withashrug。
　　"Bloodthirstyanimal！"rejoinedDuhamel。"Unnaturaltutor！Doyouforgetthatyouweretheboy’spreceptor？"
　　WiththatDuhamelcarriedtheargumentintonewfields，andshowedLaBoulayethattoavengeupontheyoungVicomtetheinsultsreceivedatthehandsoftheoldMarquiswashardlyaworthymethodoftakingvengeance。Atlasthewonhimtohisway，anditwassettledthatonthemorrowLaBoulayeshouldjourneywithhimtoAmiens。
　　"But，Caron，weareforgettingourfriendCharlotandhisbride，"hebrokeoffsuddenly。"Come，boy；theceremonywillbeatanendbythis。"
　　HetookLaBoulayebythearm，andledhimoutanddownthestreettotheopenspaceoppositeSt。Ildefonse。Thewedding—partywasstreamingoutthroughthedoorofthelittlechurchintothewarmsunshineofthatAprilmorning。Inthechurchyardtheyformedintoaprocessionofhappybe—ribbonedandnosegayedmenandwomen—theyoungpreceding，theoldfollowing，thebridalcouple。Twobytwotheycame，andtheairrangwiththeirlaughterandjoyouschatter。
　　Thenanothersoundarose，andifthesecretaryandthepedagoguecouldhaveguessedofwhatthatbeatingofhoofswastobetheprelude，theyhadscarcesmiledsoeasilyastheywatchedtheapproachingcortege。
　　>Fromasidestreettherenowemergedagailyapparelledcavalcade。
　　AtitsheadrodetheMarquisdeBellecour，theVicomte，andahalf—dozenothergentlemen，followedby，perhaps，adozenlacqueys。
　　Itwasahuntingpartythatwasmakingitswayacrossthevillagetotheopencountrybeyond。Thebridalprocessioncrossingtheirpathcausedthemtodrawrein，andtowaituntilitshouldhavepassed—whicharguedaverycondescendinghumour，foritwouldnothavebeenoutofkeepingwiththeirhabitstohaveriddenheadlongthroughit。Theirpresencecastarestraintuponthepeasants。Thejestsweresilenced，thelaughterhushed，andlikeaflightofpigeonsundertheeyeofthehawk，theyscurriedpasttheSeigneurie，andsomeofthemprayedGodthattheymightbesufferedtopassindeed。
　　Bellecoureyedthemincolddisdain，untilpresentlyCharlotandhisbridewereabreastofhim。Thenhiseyeseemedtotakelifeandhissallowfacetokindleintoexpression。Heleantlightlyfromthesaddle。
　　"Stay！"hecommandedcoldly，andastheycametoahalt，daringnottodisobeyhim—"approach，girl，"headded。
　　Charlot’sbrowsgrewblack。HelookedupattheMarquis，butifhisglancewassullenandthreatening，itwasalsonotfreefromfear。
　　Marieobeyed，witheyesdowncastandaheightenedcolour。Ifsheconjecturedatallwhytheyhadbeenstopped，itwasbuttoconcludethatM。leMarquiswasabouttoofferhersomemarkofappreciation。
　　Uneasiness，inherdearinnocence，sheknewnone。
　　"Whatisyourname，child？"inquiredtheMarquismoregently。
　　"ItwasMarieMichelin，Monseigneur，"shemadeanswertimidly。"ButithasjustbeenchangedtoMarieTardivet。"
　　"Youhavejustbeenwed，eh？"
　　"Weareonourwayfromchurch，Monseigneur。"
　　"C’estca，"hemurmured，asiftohimself，andhiseyestakingsuchstockofherasmadeCharlotburntotearhimfromhishorse。Then，inakindly，fatherlyvoice，headded："Myfelicitations，Marie；mayyoubeahappywifeandahappiermother。"
　　"Merci，Monseigneur，"shemurmured，withcrimsoncheeks，whilstCharlotbreathedoncemore，andfromhisheartgavethankstoHeaven，believingtheinterviewatanend。Buthewenttoofast。
　　"Doyouknow，Marie，thatyouareaverycomelychild？"quoththeMarquis，intoneswhichmadethebridegroom’sbloodruncold。
　　Someinthatnoblecompanynudgedoneanother，andonetherewaswhoburstintoaloudguffaw。
　　"Charlothasoftentoldmeso，"shelaughed，allunsuspicious。
　　TheMarquismovedonhishorsethathemightbendlower。Withhisforefingerheuptiltedherchin，andnow，asshemethisglancethusatclosequarters，anunaccountablefeartookpossessionofher，andthecolourdiedoutofherplumpcheeks。
　　"Yes，"saidBellecour，withasmile。"thisTardivethasgoodtaste。
　　Mycongratulations，tohim。Wemustfindyouaweddinggift，littlewoman，"hecontinuedmorebriskly。"Itisanancientandhonouredcustomthatisfallingsomewhatintoneglect。GouptotheChateauwithBlaiseandJeanthere。ThisgoodTardivetmustcurbhisimpatienceuntilto—morrow。"
　　Heturnedinhissaddle，andbeckoningthetwoservantshehadnamed，hebadeMarietomountbehindBlaise。
　　Shedrewbacknow，hercheekswhiteasthoseofthedead。WithawildterrorinhereyessheturnedtoCharlot，whostoodtheverypictureofanguishandimpotentrage。Inthecortege，wherebutafewmomentsagoallhadbeenlaughter，asobortwosoundednowfromsomeofthewomen。
　　"Bymyfaith，"laughedBellecourcontemptuouslyeyeingtheirdejection，"youhavemoretheairofaburialthanabridalparty。"
　　"Mercymylord！"criedtheagonisedvoiceofCharlot，as，distraughtwithgrief，heflunghimselfbeforetheMarquis。
　　"Whoseekstoharmyou，fool？"wasBellecour’shalf—derisiverejoinder。
　　"Donottakeherfromme，mylord，"theyoungmanpleadedpiteously。
　　"Sheshallreturnto—morrow，booby，"answeredthenoble。"Outoftheway！"
　　ButCharlotwasobstinate。TheMarquismightbeclaimingnomorethanbyancientlawwasthedueoftheSeigneur，butCharlotwasbynomeansmindedtosubmitincravenacquiescencetothatbrutal，barbarouslaw。
　　"Mylord，"hecried，"youshallnottakeher。Sheismywife。Shebelongstome。Youshallnottakeher！"
　　HecaughtholdoftheMarquis’sbridlewithsuchastrengthandangrywillthatthehorsewasforcedtobackbeforehim。
　　"Insolentclod！"exclaimedBellecour，withanangrylaughandasharp，downwardblowofthebuttofhiswhipuponthepeasant’shead。
　　Charlot’shandgrewnervelessandreleasedthebridleashesankstunnedtotheground。Bellecourtouchedhishorsewiththespurandrodeovertheprostratefellowwithnomoreconcernthanhadhebeenadog’scarcase。"Blaise，seetothegirl，"hecalledoverhisshoulder，addingtohiscompany："Come，messieurs，wehavewastedtimeenough。"
　　Notahandwasraisedtostayhim，notawordofprotestuttered，asthenoblesrodeby，laughing，andchattingamongthemselves，withtheutmostunconcernofthetragedythatwasbeingenacted。
　　Likeaflockoffrightenedsheepthepeasantsstoodhuddledtogetherandwatchedthemgo。Inthesameinaction—forallthatnotalittlegriefwasblentwiththeterrorontheircountenances—theystoodbyandallowedBlaisetoliftthehalf—swooninggirltothewithersofhishorse。Noreplyhadtheytothecoarsejestwithwhichheandhisfellow—servantrodeoff。ButLaBoulaye，who，fromthepointwhereheandDuhamelhadhalted，hadobservedthewholescenefromitsinception，turnednowalividfaceuponhiscompanion。
　　"Shallsuchthingsbe？"hecriedpassionately。"MercifulGod！Arewemen，Duhamel，anddowepermitsuchthingstotakeplace？"
　　Theoldpedagogueshruggedhisshouldersindespair。Hisfacewasheavilyscoredbysorrow。
　　"Helas！"hesighed。"Aretheynotmastersofallthattheymaytake？
　　TheMarquisgoesnofurtherthanisbyancientlawallowedhisclass。
　　Itisthelawneedsaltering，myfriend，andthenthemenwillalter。
　　Meanwhile，beholdthem—lordsoflifeanddeath。"
　　"Lordsofhellarethey！"blazedtheyoungrevolutionist。"Thatiswheretheybelong，whencetheyarecome，andwhithertheyshallreturn。Poltroons！"hecried，shakinghisfistatthegroupofcowedpeasantsthatsurroundedtheprostrateCharlot"Sheep！Worthlessclods！Thenoblesdowelltodespiseyou，for，bymyfaith，youinvitenothingbutcontempt，youthatwillsufferrapeandmurdertobedoneunderyoureyes，andneverdomorethanlookscaredencouragementuponyourravishers！"
　　"Blamenotthesepoorwretches，Caron，"sighedtheoldman。"Theydarenotraiseahand。"
　　"Then，pardieu！here，atleast，isonewhodoesdare，"hecriedfuriously，asfromthebreastpocketofhiscoathedrewapistol。
　　Blaise，withthegirlacrossthewithersofhishorse，wasapproachingthem，followedbyJean。
　　"Whatwouldyoudo？"criedtheoldmanfearfully，settingarestraininghanduponLaBoulaye’ssleeve。ButCaronshookhimselffree。
　　"This，"wasallheanswered，andsimultaneously，helevelledhispistolandfiredatBlaise。
　　Shotthroughthehead，theservantcollapsedforward；then，asthehorserearedandstartedoffatagallop，hetoppledsidewaysandfell。Thegirlwentdownwithhimandlayintheroadwhilsthewasdraggedalong，hisheadbumpinghorriblyonthestonesasfasterandfasterwentthefrightenedhorse。
　　WithashoutthatmayhavebeeneitherangerordismayJeanreinedinhishorse，andsatforasecondhesitatingwhethertobeginbyrecoveringthegirl，oravenginghiscomrade。ButhisdoubtsweresolvedforhimbyLaBoulaye，whotookadeliberateaimathim。
　　"Begone！"criedthesecretary，"unlessyouprefertogobytheroadI’vesentyourfellow。"Andbeingadiscreetyouth，JeanmadeoffinsilencebythestreetdownwhichpoorBlaisehadbeendragged。
　　"Carom"criedDuhamel，inafrenzyofapprehension。"Itrembleforyou，myson。FlyfromBellecouratonce—now，thisveryinstant。
　　GotomyfriendsatAmiens；theywill—"
　　ButCaronhadalreadylefthissidetorepairtothespotwhereMariewaslying。Thepeasantryfollowedhim，thoughleisurely，intheirtimidhesitation。Theywereaskingthemselveswhether，evensoremotelyasbytendingthegirl，theydaredparticipateintheviolenceLaBoulayehadcommitted。ThataswiftvengeancewouldbetheSeigneur’sanswertheywerewellassured，andagreatfearpossessedthemthatinthatvengeancethoseoftheChateaumightlackdiscrimination。Charlotwasamongstthem，andonhisfeet，butstilltoodazedtohaveaclearknowledgeofthecircumstances。
　　Presently，however，hisfacultiesawakeningandtakinginthesituation，hestaggeredforward，andcamelurchingtowardsLaBoulaye，whowasassistingthefrightenedMarietorise。Withagreatsobthegirlflungherselfintoherhusband’sarms。
　　"Charlot，monCharlot！"shecried，andaddedamomentlater："Itwashe—thisbravegentleman—whorescuedme。"
　　"Monsieur，"saidCharlot，"Ishallrememberittomydyingday。"
　　Hewouldhavesaidmore，butthepeasants，stirredbyfear，nowrousedthemselvesandpluckedathiscoat。
　　"Getyougone，Charlot，Getyougonequickly，"theyadvisedhim。
　　"AndifyouarewiseyouwillleaveBellecourwithoutdelay。Itisnotsafeforyouhere。"
　　"Itisnotsafeforanyofus，"exclaimedone。"IhavenomindtobecaughtwhentheSeigneurreturns。Therewillbeavengeance。AhDieu！whatavengeance！"
　　Thewarningactedmagically。Therewerehurriedleave—takings，andthen，likeaparcelofscuttlingrabbits，theymadefortheirburrowstohidefromthehuntsmanthatwouldnotbelongincoming。Anderethelastofthemwasoutofsighttherearoseastampingofhoofsandachorusofangryvoices。DowntinestreetthunderedtheMarquis’scavalcade，broughtbackbytheservantwhohadescapedandwhohadriddenafterthem。Someangertherewas—particularlyintheheartoftheLordofBellecour—butgreaterthantheirangerwastheirexcitementattheprospectofaman—hunt，withwhichthechaseonwhichtheyhadbeenoriginallybentmadebutapoorcomparison。
　　"Thereheis，Monseigneur"criedJean，ashepointedtoLaBoulaye。
　　"Andyonderarethegirlandherhusband。"
　　"Ah！Thesecretaryagain，eh？"laughedthenobleman，grimly，ashecamenearer。"Mafoi，lifemusthavegrownwearisometohim。Securethewoman，Jean。"
　　Caronstoodbeforehim，paleinhisimpotentrage，whichwasdirectedasmuchagainstthepeasantswhohadfledasagainstthenobleswhoapproached。Hadtheseclodsbutstoodthere，anddefendedthemselvesandtheirmanhoodwithsticksandstonesandsuchweaponsascametotheirhands，theymighthavetakenprideinbeingtrampledbeneaththehoofsoftheSeigneurie。Thus，atleast，mighttheyhaveprovedthemselvesmen。Buttoflythus—somefiftyofthemfromtheapproachoflessthanascore—wastoconfessunworthinessofabetterfatethanthatofwhichtheirseigneursrenderedthemselvestheinstruments。
　　Himselfhecoulddonomorethanthesingleshotinhispistolwouldallow。Thatmuch，however，hewoulddo，andlikehimwhoseresourcesarereduced，andyetwhodesirestospendthelittlethathehastobestadvantage，helevelledtheweaponboldlyattheadvancingMarquis，andpulledthetrigger。ButBellecourwasanoldcampaigner，andbyanoldcampaigner’strickhesavedhimselfatthelastmoment。
　　Atsightofthatlevelledbarrelhepulledhishorsesuddenlyontoitshaunches，andreceivedthechargeintheanimal’sbelly。Withashriekofpainthehorsesoughttorecoveritsfeet，thentumbledforwardhurlingtheMarquisfromthesaddle。LaBoulayehadaninspirationtoflinghimselfupontheoldroueandseekwithhishandstokillhimbeforetheymadeanendofhimself。Buterehecouldmovetoexecutehisdesignahorsemanwasalmostontopofhim。
　　Hereceivedastunningblowonthehead。Thedaylightfadedinhiseyes，hefeltasensationofsinking，andareverberatingdarknessengulfedhim。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEWORDOFBELLECOUR
　　WhenLaBoulayerecoveredconsciousnesshewaslyingonhisbackinthemiddleofthecourtyardoftheChateaudeBellecour。Fromagreatstonebalconyabove，alittlegroup，ofwhichMademoiselledeBellecourwasthecentre，observedthesceneaboutthecaptive，whowasbeingresuscitatedthathemightfittinglyexperiencetheSeigneur’svengeance。
　　Shehadreturnedfromthemorning’saffairintheparkwithaconsciencenotaltogethereasy。TohavestoodbywhilstherfatherhadstruckCaron，andmoreover，tohavedonesowithoutanysenseofhorror，orevenofregret，wasamatterinwhichsheaskedherselfwhethershehaddonewell。CertainlyLaBoulayehadpresumedunpardonablyinspeakingtoherashehadspoken，andforhispresumptionitwasfittingthatheshouldbepunished。Hadsheinterferedshemusthaveseemedtosympathise，andthusthelessonmighthavesufferedinsalutariness。AndyetCaronLaBoulayewasamanofmostexcellentexterior，and，whenpassionhadrousedhimoutofhisrestraintandawkwardness，ofmostardentandeloquentaddress。Theverysombrenessthat—beitfromhismournfulgarmentsorfromamindofthoughtfulhabit—seemedtoenvelophimwasbutanadditionalnoteofpoetryinapersonalitywhichstruckhernowaseminentlypoetical。Intheseclusionofherownchamber，assherecalledtheburningwordsandthefallofherfather’swhipupontheyoungman’spaleface，sheevenpermittedherselftosigh。Hadhebutbeenofherownstation，hehadbeensuchamanasshewouldhavetakenprideinbeingwooedby。Asitwas—shehaltedthereandlaugheddisdainfully，yetwithneversofaintanoteofregret。
　　Itwasabsurd！ShewasMademoiselledeBellecour，andheherfather’ssecretary；educated，ifyouwill—aye，andbeyondhisstation—butavassalwithal，andveryhumblyborn。Yes，itwasabsurd，shetoldherselfagain：theeaglemaynotmatewiththesparrow。
　　Andwhenpresentlyshehadcomefromherchamber，shehadbeengreetedwiththestoryofarebellioninthevillage，andanattemptedassassinationofherfather。Theringleader，shewastold，hadbeenbroughttotheChateau，andhewaseventheninthecourtyardandabouttobehangedbytheMarquis。Curioustobeholdthisunfortunate，shehadsteppedoutontothebalconywherealreadyanidlegrouphadformed。Inexpressiblehadbeenhershockuponseeinghimthatlaybelow，hiswhitefaceupturnedtotheheavens，hiseyesclosed。
　　"Ishedead？"sheasked，whenpresentlyshehadovercomeherfeelings。
　　"NotyetMademoiselle，"answeredthegracefulChevalierdeJacquelin，toyingwithhissolitaire。"Yourfatherisbringinghimtolifethathemaysendhimbacktodeath。"
　　Andthensheheardherfather’svoicebehindher。TheMarquishadsteppedoutontothebalconytoascertainwhetherLaBoulayehadyetregainedconsciousness。
　　"Heseemstobeevennowrecovering，"saidsomeone。
　　"Ah，youarethere，Suzanne，"criedBellecour。"Youseeyourfriendthesecretarythere。Hehaschosentopresenthimselfinanewroleto—day。Frombeingmyservant，itseemsthathewouldconstitutehimselfmymurderer。"
　　Howeverunfilialitmightbe，shecouldnotstifleacertainsympathyforthisyoungman。Sheimaginedthathisrebellion，whatevershapeithadassumed，hadbeenprovokedbythatwealuponhisface；anditseemedtoherthenthathehadbeenlessthanamanhadhenotattemptedtoexactsomereparationforthehurtthewhiphadinflictedatonceuponhisbodyandhissoul。
　　"Butwhatisitthathehasdone，Monsieur？"sheasked，seekingmorethanthescantinformationwhichsofarshehadreceived。
　　"Enough，atleast，tojustifymyhanginghim，"answeredBellecourgrimly。"Hesoughttowithstandmyauthority；heincitedthepeasantsofBellecourtowithstandit；hehaskilledBlaise，andhewouldhavekilledmebutthatIpreferredtolethimkillmyhorse。"
　　"Inwhatwaydidheseektowithstandyourauthority！"shepersisted。
　　Hestaredather，halfsurprised，halfangry。
　　"Whatdoersthemannerofitsignify？"heaskedimpatiently。"Isnotthefactenough？IsitnotenoughthatBlaiseisdead，andthatIhavehadanarrowescape，athishands？"
　　"Insolenthoundthatheis！"putinMadamelaMarquise—afleshlyladymonstrouslycoiffed。"IfweallowsuchmenasthustoliveinFranceourdaysarenumbered。"
　　"Theysaythatyouaregoingtohanghim，"saidSuzanne，heedlessofhermother’swords，andtherewasthefaintestnoteofhorrorinhervoice。
　　"Theyaremistaken。Iamnot。"
　　"Youaremot？"criedtheMarquise。"Butwhat，then，doyouintendtodo？"
　　"Tokeepmyword，madame，"heansweredher。"IpromisedthatcanaillethatifheevercamewithinthegroundsofBellecourI
　　wouldhavehimfloggedtodeath。ThatiswhatIpropose。"
　　"Father，"gaspedSuzanne，inhorror，ahorrorthatwasechoedbytheotherthreeorfourladiespresent。ButtheMarquiseonlylaughed。
　　"Hewillbe；richlyserved，"sheapproved，withasagenodofherpumpkin—likehead—dress—"mostrichlyserved。"
　　AgreatpityarosenowintheheartofMademoiselle，asherfatherwentbelowthathemightcarryouthisbarbarousdesign。ShewasdeaftothedaintytrifleswhichthemostelegantChevalierdeJacquelinwasmurmuringintoheirear。Shestood，atall，queenlyfigure，atthebalcony’sparapetandwatchedthepreparationsthatwerebeingmade。
　　Sheheardherfather’sharshly—voicedcommands。Shesawthemliterallyteartheclothesfromtheunfortunatesecretary’sback，andlashhim—nakedtothewaist—tothepumpthatstoodbythehorse—troughatthefarendoftheyard。Hisbodywasnowhiddenfromhersight，buthisheadappearedsurmountingthepillarofthepump，hischinseemingtorestuponitssummit，andhisfacewastowardsher。Athissidestoodapowerfulknavearmedwithastout，leather—thongedwhip。
　　"Howmanystrokes，Monseigneur？"sheheardthemaninquire。
　　"Howmany？"echoedtheMarquise。"DoIknowhowmanyitwilltaketomakeanendofhim？Beathimtodeath，man。Allons！
　　Setaboutit。"
　　Shesawthemanuncoilhislashandstepforward。InthatinstantCaron’seyeswereraised，andtheymethersacrosstheinterveningspace。Hesmiledavaledictorysmilethatseemedtomakeherheartstandstill。Sheandhermotherwerenowtheonlywomenonthebalcony。TheothershadmadehastetowithdrawassoonasLaBoulayehadbeenpilloried。TheMarquiseremainedbecausesheseemedtofindentertainmentinthespectacle。Suzanneremainedbecausehorrorrootedhertothespot—horrorandagreatpityforthisunfortunatewhohadlookedsostrongandbravethatmorning，whenhehadhadtheaudacitytotellherthathelovedher。
　　Thelashsangthroughtheair，quivered，hummed，andcutwithasickeningcrackleintotheyoungman’sflesh。
　　ThehideoussoundrousedherSheshudderedfromheadtofoot，andturningsheputherhandstoherfaceandrushedwithin，followedbytheMarquise’sderisivelaughter。
　　"MonDieu！Itishorrible！Horrible！"shecriedasshesankintothenearestchair，andclappedherhandstoherears。Butshecouldnotshutitout。Stillsheheardthehummingofthewhipandthecruelsoundofthefallingblows。Mechanicallyshecountedthem，unconsciouslyalmost，andattwentysheheardthemcease。
　　Wasitover？Washedead，thispoorunfortunate？Movedbyacuriositythatwasgreaterthanherloathing，sheroseandwenttothethresholdofthebalcony。
　　"Isitended？"sheasked。
　　"Ended？"echoedMonsieurdeJacquelin，withashrug。"Itisscarcebegun，itseems。Theexecutionerispausingforbreath，thatisall。Thefellowhasnotutteredasound。Heisasobstinateasamule。"
　　"AsenduringasaSpartan，"moregenerouslyputintheVicomte，herbrother。"Lookathim，Suzanne。"
　　Almostinvoluntarilysheobeyed，andmovedforwardastepthatshemightbeholdhim。Aface，deathlypale，shesaw，whichinthesunshineglistenedwiththesweatofagonythatbedewedit；butthelipsweretightlyclosedandthecountenancegrimlyexpressionless。
　　Evenasshelookedsheheardherfathercommandthemantolayonanew。Then，asbefore，hiseyesmethers；butthistimenosmiledidsheseeinvestingthem。
　　Againthewhipcrackedandfell。Shedrewback，buthisglanceseemedtohauntherevenwhenshenolongersawhisface。Asuddenresolutionmovedher，andinafrenzyofangerandcompassionsheflungoutoftheroom。Amomentlatersheburstlikeabeautifulviragointothecourtyard。
　　"Stop！"shecommandedshrilly，causingbothherfatherandtheexecutionertoturn，andthelatterpausinginhishideouswork。
　　ButaglancefromtheMarquisbadehimresume，andresumehedid，asthoughtherehadbeennointerruption。
　　"Whatisthis？"demandedBellecour，halfamused，halfvexed，whilstasuddennewlightleapttotheeyesofLaBoulaye，whichbutamomentbackhadbeensofullofagony。
　　ButMademoiselleneverpausedtoanswerherfather。Seeingtheexecutionerproceeding，despitehercalltocease，shespranguponhim，caughthimbythearmsandwrestedthewhipfromhandsthatdarednotresisther。
　　"DidInotbidyoustop？"sheblazed，herfacewhite，hereyesonfire；andraisingthewhipshebroughtitdownuponhisheadandshoulders，notoncebuthalf—a—dozentimesinquicksuccession，untilhefled，howling，totheothersideofthehorsetroughforshelter。"Itstingsyou，doesit"shecried，whilsttheMarquis，fromangeredthatatfirsthehadbeen，nowburstintoalaughatherfuryandatthisturningoftablesupontheexecutioner。Shemadeshifttopursuethefellowtohisplaceofrefuge，butcomingofasuddenupontheghastlysightpresentedbyLaBoulaye’slaceratedback，shedrewbackinhorror。Then，masteringherself—forgirlthoughshewas，hercouragewasofahighorder—sheturnedtoherfather。
　　"Givethismantome，Monsieur，"shebegged。
　　"Toyou！"heexclaimed。"Whatwillyoudowithhim？"
　　"Iwillseethatyouareridofhim，"shepromised。"Whatmorecanyoudesire？Youhavetorturedhimenough。"
　　"Maybe。ButamItoblamethathediessohard？"
　　Sheansweredhimwithrenewedinsistence，andunexpectedlyshereceivedanallyinM。desCadoux—anelderlygentlemanwhohadbeenobservingthefloggingwithdisapproval，andwhohadfollowedherintothecourtyard。
　　"Heistoobraveamantodielikethis，Bellecour，"putinthenewcomer。"Idoubtifhecansurvivethepunishmenthehasalreadyreceived。YetIwouldaskyou，inthenameofcourage，togivehimtheslenderchancehemayhave。"
　　"Ipromisedhimheshouldbefloggedtodeath—"begantheMarquis，whenDesCadouxandMademoisellejointlyinterruptedhimtorenewtheirintercessions。
　　"But，sangdieu，"theMarquisprotested"youseemtoforgetthathehaskilledoneofmyservants。"
　　"Why，then，youshouldhavehangedhimoutofhand，nottorturedhimthus，"answeredDesCadouxshortly。
　　Foramomentitalmostseemedasifthepairofthemwouldhavefallena—quarrelling。Theirwordsgrewmoreheated，andthen，whiletheywerestillwrangling，theexecutionercameforwardtosolvematterswiththenewsthatthesecretaryhadexpired。ToBellecourthisprovedaverywelcomeconclusion。
　　"Mostopportunely！"helaughed"HadtherascallivedanotherminuteIthinkwehadquarrelled，Cadoux。"Heturnedtotheservant，"Youarecertainthatitisso？"heasked。
　　"Look，Monsieur，"saidthefellow，ashepointedwithhiswhiptothepilloriedfigureofLaBoulaye。TheMarquislooked，andsawthatthesecretaryhadcollapsed，andhunglimpinhisbonds，hisheadfallenbackuponhisshouldersandhiseyesclosed。
　　WithashrugandashortlaughBellecourturnedtohisdaughter。
　　"Youmaytakethecarrion，ifyouwantto。ButIthinkyoucandonomorethanorderittobeflungintoaditchandburiedthere。"
　　Butshehadnomindtobeadvisedbyhim。Shehadtheyoungman’sbodycutdownfromthepump，andshebadeacoupleofservantsconveyittothehouseofMasterDuhamel，sheforrememberedthatLaBoulayeandtheoldpedagoguewerefriends。
　　"Anoddthingisawoman’sheart，"grumbledtheMarquis，whobegrudgedLaBoulayeevenhislastactofmercy。"Shemaycareneverafigforaman，andyet，ifhehasbuttoldherthathelovesher，beheneversomeanandsheneversoexalted，heseemstherebytoestablishsomemeasureofclaimtoher。"