第1章

THEWAGER

SpeakoftheDevil。”whisperedLaFosseinmyear，and，movedbythewordsandbythesignificanceofhisglance，Iturnedinmychair。

Thedoorhadopened，andunderthelintelstoodthethick-setfigureoftheComtedeChatellerault。Beforehimalacqueyinmyescutcheonedliveryofred-and-goldwasreceiving，withbackobsequiouslybent，hishatandcloak。

Asuddenhushfellupontheassemblywhereamomentagothisverymanhadbeenthesubjectofourtalk，andsilencedwerethewitsthatbutaninstantsincehadbeenmakingfreewithhisnameandturningtheLanguedoccourtship-fromwhichhewasnewlyreturnedwiththeshameofdefeat-intoasubjectforheartlessmockeryandjest。SurprisewasintheairforwehadheardthatChatelleraultwascrushedbyhisill-fortuneinthelistsofCupid，andwehadnotlookedtoseehimjoiningsosoonaboardatwhich-orsoatleastIboasted-mirthpresided。

AndsoforalittlespacetheCountstoodpausingonmythreshold，whilstwecranedourneckstocontemplatehimasthoughhehadbeenanobjectforinquisitiveinspection。ThenasmotheredlaughfromthebrainlessLaFosseseemedtobreakthespell。Ifrowned。ItwasaclimaxofdiscourtesywhoseimpressionImustatallcostsefface。

Ileapttomyfeet，withasuddennessthatsentmychairglidingafullhalf-yardalongtheglimmeringparquetofthefloor，andintwostridesIhadreachedtheCountandputforthmyhandtobidhimwelcome。Hetookitwithaleisurelinessthatarguedsorrow。Headvancedintothefullblazeofthecandlelight，andfetchedadismalsighfromthedepthsofhisportlybulk。

“Youaresurprisedtoseeme，MonsieurleMarquis。”saidhe，andhistoneseemedtoconveyanapologyforhiscoming-forhisveryexistencealmost。

NowNaturehadmademyLordofChatelleraultasproudandarrogantasLucifer-someresemblancetowhichillustriouspersonagehisdowntroddenretainersweresaidtodetectinthelineamentsofhisswarthyface。EnvironmenthadaddedtothatstoreofinsolencewherewithNaturehadequippedhim，andtheKing’sfavour-inwhichhewasmyrival-hadgoneyetfurthertomouldthepeacockattributesofhisvainsoul。Sothatthiswondroushumbletoneofhisgavemepause;fortomeitseemedthatnotevenacourtshipgoneawrycouldaccountforitinsuchaman。

“Ihadnotthoughttofindsomanyhere。”saidhe。Andhisnextwordscontainedthecauseofhisdejectedair。“TheKing，MonsieurdeBardelys，hasrefusedtoseeme;andwhenthesunisgone，welesserbodiesofthecourtlyfirmamentmustneedsturnforlightandcomforttothemoon。”Andhemademeasweepingbow。

“MeaningthatIrulethenight？”quothI，andlaughed。“Thefigureismoreplayfulthanexact，forwhilstthemooniscoldandcheerless，meyoushallfindeverwarmandcordial。Icouldhavewished，MonsieurdeChatellerault，thatyourgracingmyboardwereduetoacircumstancelessuntowardthanHisMajesty’sdispleasure。”

“ItisnotfornothingthattheycallyoutheMagnificent。”heanswered，withafreshbow，insensibletothestinginthetailofmyhoneyedwords。

Ilaughed，and，settingcomplimentstorestwiththat，Iledhimtothetable。

“Ganymede，aplacehereforMonsieurleComte。Gilles，Antoine，seetoMonsieurdeChatellerault。Basile，wineforMonsieurleComte。Bestirthere！“

Inamomenthewasbecomethecentreofaveryturmoilofattention。

Mylacqueysflittedabouthimbuzzingandinsistentasbeesaboutarose。WouldMonsieurtasteofthiscaponalacasserole，orofthistruffledpeacock？Wouldasliceofthisjuicyhamal’anglaisetemptMonsieurleComte，orwouldhegivehimselfthepainoftryingthisturkeyauxolives？HerewasasaladwhosesecretMonsieurleMarquis’scookhadlearntinItaly，andhereavol-au-ventthatwasinventedbyQuelonhimself。

Basileurgedhiswinesuponhim，accompaniedbyapagewhoboreasilvertrayladenwithbeakersandWagons。WouldMonsieurleComtetakewhiteArmagnacorredAnjou？ThiswasaBurgundyofwhichMonsieurleMarquisthoughthighly，andthisadelicateLombardywinethatHisMajestyhadoftcommended。OrperhapsMonsieurdeChatelleraultwouldprefertotastethelastvintageofBardelys？

Andsotheyplaguedhimandbewilderedhimuntilhischoicewasmade;andeventhenacoupleofthemheldthemselvesinreadinessbehindhischairtoforestallhisslightestwant。Indeed，hadhebeentheveryKinghimself，nogreaterhonourcouldwehaveshownhimattheHoteldeBardelys。

Buttherestraintthathiscominghadbroughtwithithungstilluponthecompany，forChatelleraultwaslittleloved，andhispresencetherewasmuchasthatoftheskullatanEgyptianbanquet。

Forofallthesefair-weatherfriendsthatsataboutmytable-

amongstwhomtherewerefewthathadnotfelthispower——Ifearedtheremightbescarcelyonewouldhavethegracetodissemblehiscontemptofthefallenfavourite。Thathewasfallen，asmuchhiswordsaswhatalreadywehadknown，hadtoldus。

YetinmyhouseIwouldstrivethatheshouldhavenoforetasteofthatcoldnessthatto-morrowallPariswouldbeshowinghim，andtothisendIplayedthehostwithallthegraciousnessthatrolemaybear，andoverwhelmedhimwithmycordiality，whilsttothawallicinessfromthebearingofmyotherguests，Isetthewinestoflowmorefreelystill。Mydignitywouldpermitnolessofme，elsewouldithaveseemedthatIrejoicedinarival’sdownfallandtooksatisfactionfromthecircumstancethathisdisfavourwiththeKingwasliketoresultinmyownfurtherexaltation。

Myeffortswerenotwasted。Slowlythemellowinginfluenceofthegrapepronounceditself。TothisinfluenceIaddedthatofsuchwitasHeavenhasgracedmewith，andbyawordhereandanotherthereIsetmyselftolashtheirmoodbackintothejovialityoutofwhichhiscominghadforthemomentdrivenit。

Andso，presently，Good-Humourspreadhermantleoverusanew，andquipandjestandlaughterdeckedourspeech，untilthenoiseofourmerry-makingdriftingoutthroughtheopenwindowsmusthavebeenborneuponthebreezeofthatAugustnightdowntherueSaint-Dominique，acrosstheruedeI’Enfer，totheveryearsperhapsofthosewithintheLuxembourg，tellingthemthatBardelysandhisfriendskeptanotherofthoserevelswhichwerebecomeabywordinParis，andhadcontributednotalittletothesobriquetof“Magnificent“whichmengaveme。

But，later，asthetoastsgrewwildandwerepledgedlessforthesakeofthetoastedthanforthatofthewineitself，witsgrewmorebarbedandlessrestrainedbycaution;recklessnesshungamoment，likeabirdofprey，aboveus，thenswoopedabruptlydowninthewordsofthatfoolLaFosse。

“Messieurs。”helisped，withthatfatuousnessheaffected，andwithhiseyefixedcoldlyuponChatellerault，“Ihaveatoastforyou。”

Herosecarefullytohisfeet-hehadarrivedatthatconditioninwhichtomovewithcareisofthefirstimportance。HeshiftedhiseyefromtheCounttohisglass，whichstoodhalfempty。Hesignedtoalacqueytofillit。“Tothebrim，gentlemen。”hecommanded。

Then，inthesilencethatensued，heattemptedtostandwithonefootonthegroundandoneonhischair;butencounteringdifficultiesofbalance，heremainedupright-saferiflesspicturesque。

“Messieurs，Igiveyouthemostpeerless，themostbeautiful，themostdifficultandcoldladyinallFrance。Idrinktothoseherthousandgraces，ofwhichFamehastoldus，andtothatgreatestandmostvexingcharmofall-hercoldindifferencetoman。I

pledgeyou，too，theswainwhosegoodfortuneitmaybetoplayEndymiontothisDiana。

“Itwillneed。”pursuedLaFosse，whodealtmuchinmythologyandclassiclore-“itwillneedanAdonisinbeauty，aMarsinvalour，anApolloinsong，andaveryErosinlovetoaccomplishit。AndI

fearme。”hehiccoughed，“thatitwillgounaccomplished，sincetheonemaninallFranceonwhomwehasbasedourhopeshasfailed。

Gentlemen，toyourfeet！IgiveyouthematchlessRoxalannedeLavedan！“

SuchamusementasIfeltwastemperedbyapprehension。IshotaswiftglanceatChatelleraulttomarkhowhetookthispleasantryandthispledgingoftheladywhomtheKinghadsenthimtowoo，butwhomhehadfailedtowin。HehadrisenwiththeothersatLaFosse’sbidding，eitherunsuspiciousorelsedeemingsuspiciontooflimsyathingbywhichtosteerconduct。Yetatthementionofhernameascowldarkenedhisponderouscountenance。Hesetdownhisglasswithsuchsuddenforcethatitsslenderstemwassnappedandaredstreamofwinestreakedthewhitetableclothandspreadaroundasilverflowerbowl。Thesightofthatstainrecalledhimtohimselfandtothemannershehadallowedhimselfforamomenttoforget。

“Bardelys，athousandapologiesformyclumsiness。”hemuttered。

“Spiltwine。”Ilaughed，“isagoodomen。”

AndforonceIacceptedthatbelief，sincebutforthesheddingofthatwineanditssuddeneffectuponhim，itislikelywehadwitnessedasheddingofblood。Thus，wastheill-timedpleasantryofmyfeather-brainedLaFossetidedoverincomparativesafety。

Butthetopicbeingraisedwasnotsoeasilyabandoned。MademoiselledeLavedangrewtobeopenlydiscussed，andeventheCount’scourtshipofhercametobehintedat，atfirstvaguely，thenpointedly，withalackofdelicacyforwhichIcanbutblamethewinewithwhichthesegentlemenhadmadeasaladoftheirsenses。

IngrowingalarmIwatchedtheCount。Butheshowednofurthersignofirritation。Hesatandlistenedasthoughnojotconcerned。

Thereweremomentswhenheevensmiledatsomelivelysally，andatlasthewentsofarastojoininthatmerrycombatofwits，anddefendhimselffromtheirattacks，whichweremadewithagood-humourthatbutthinlyveiledthedislikehewasheldinandthesatisfactionthatwasculledfromhislatediscomfiture。

ForawhileIhungbackandtooknoshareinthebanterthatwastoward。Butintheend-luredperhapsbythespiritinwhichI

haveshownthatChatelleraultacceptedit，andlulledbythewinewhichincommonwithmyguestsImayhaveabused-Icametoutterwordsbutforwhichthisstoryneverhadbeenwritten。

“Chatellerault。”Ilaughed，“abandonthesedefensivesubterfuges;

confessthatyouarebututteringexcuses，andacknowledgethatyouhaveconductedthisaffairwithaclumsinessunpardonableinoneequippedwithyouradvantagesofcourtlyrearing。”

Aflushoverspreadhisface，thefirstsignofangersincehehadspilledhiswine。

“Yoursuccesses，Bardelys，renderyouvain，andofvanityispresumptionborn。”herepliedcontemptuously。

“See！“Icried，appealingtothecompany。“Observehowheseekstoevadereplying！Nay，butyoushallconfessyourclumsiness。”

“Aclumsiness。”murmuredLaFossedrowsily，“assignalasthatwhichattendedPan’swooingoftheQueenofLydia。”

“Ihavenoclumsinesstoconfess。”heansweredhotly，raisinghisvoice。“ItisafinethingtosithereinParis，amongthelanguid，dull，andnervelessbeautiesoftheCourt，whosefavoursareeasilywonbecausetheylookondallianceasthebestpastimeofferedthem，andareeagerforsuchopportunitiesofitasyoufleeringcoxcombswillaffordthem。ButthisMademoiselledeLavedanisofavastlydifferentmettle。Sheisawoman;notadoll。Sheisfleshandblood;notsawdust，powder，andvermilion。Shehasaheartandawill;notaspiritcorruptedbyvanityandlicence。”

LaFosseburstintoalaugh。

“Hark！O，hark！“hecried，“totheapostleofthechaste！“

“SaintGris！“exclaimedanother。“ThisgoodChatelleraulthaslostbothheartandheadtoher。”

Chatelleraultglancedatthespeakerwithaneyeinwhichangersmouldered。

“Youhavesaidit。”Iagreed。“Hehasfallenhervictim，andsohisvanitytranslatesherintoacompoundofperfections。Doessuchawomanasyouhavedescribedexist，Comte？Bah！Inalover’smind，perhaps，orinthepagesofsomecrack-brainedpoet’sfancies;butnowhereelseinthisdullworldofours。”

Hemadeagestureofimpatience。

“Youhavebeenclumsy，Chatellerault。”Iinsisted。

“Youhavelackedaddress。Thewomandoesnotlivethatisnottobewonbyanymanwhosetshismindtodoit，ifonlyhebeofherstationandhavethemeanstomaintainherinitorraisehertoabetter。Awoman’slove，sir，isatreewhoserootisvanity。

Yourattentionsflatterher，andpredisposehertocapitulate。

Then，ifyoubutwiselychooseyourtimetodelivertheattack，anddosowiththenecessaryadroitness——norisovermuchdemanded-

thebattleiswonwithease，andshesurrenders。Believeme，Chatellerault，Iamayoungermanthanyoubyfullfiveyears，yetinexperienceIamagenerationolder，andItalkofwhatIknow。”

Hesneeredheavily。“Iftohavebegunyourcareerofdallianceattheageofeighteenwithanamourthatresultedinascandalbeyourtitletoexperience，Iagree。”saidhe。“Butfortherest，Bardelys，forallyourfinetalkofconqueringwomen，believemewhenItellyouthatinallyourlifeyouhavenevermetawomanforIdenytheclaimoftheseCourtcreaturestothattitle。Ifyouwouldknowawoman，gotoLavedan，MonsieurleMarquis。Ifyouwouldhaveyourarmyofamorouswilessufferadefeatatlast，goemployitagainstthecitadelofRoxalannedeLavedan’sheart。Ifyouwouldbehumbledinyourpride，betakeyourselftoLavedan。”

“Achallenge！“roaredadozenvoices。“Achallenge，Bardelys！“

“Maisvoyons。”Ideprecated，withalaugh，“wouldyouhavemejourneyintoLanguedocandplayatwooingthisembodimentofallthemarvelsofwomanhoodforthesakeofmakinggoodmyargument？

Ofyourcharity，gentlemen，insistnofurther。”

“Thenever-failingexcuseoftheboaster。”sneeredChatellerault，“whendesiredtomakegoodhisboast。”

“MonsieurconceivesthatIhavemadeaboast？”quothI，keepingmytemper。

“Yourwordssuggestedone-elseIdonotknowthemeaningofwords。

TheysuggestedthatwhereIhavefailedyoucouldsucceed，ifyouhadamindtotry。Ihavechallengedyou，Bardelys。Ichallengeyouagain。Goaboutthiswooingasyouwill;dazzletheladywithyourwealthandyourmagnificence，withyourservants，yourhorses，yourequipages;andallthesplendoursyoucancommand;yetImakeboldtosaythatnotayearofyourscentedattentionsandmostinsidiouswileswillbearyoufruit。Areyousufficientlychallenged？”

“Butthisisrankfrenzy！“Iprotested。“WhyshouldIundertakethisthing？”

“Toprovemewrong。”hetauntedme。“Toprovemeclumsy。Come，Bardelys，whatofyourspirit？”

“IconfessIwoulddomuchtoaffordyoutheproofyouask。Buttotakeawife！Pardi！Thatismuchindeed！“

“Bah！“hesneered。“YoudowelltodrawbackYouarewisetoavoiddiscomfiture。Thisladyisnotforyou。Whensheiswon，itwillbebysomeboldandgallantgentleman，andbynomincingsquireofdames，nocourtlycoxcomb，nofopoftheLuxembourg，behisexperiencesofdallianceneversovast。”

“Po’CapdeDieu！“growledCazalet，whowasaGasconcaptainintheGuards，andwhosworestrange，southernoaths。“Up，Bardelys！

Afoot！Proveyourboldnessandyourgallantry，orlieforevershamed;asquireofdames，acourtlycoxcomb，afopoftheLuxembourg！Mordemondiou！Ihavegivenamanabellyfulofsteelforthehalfofthosetitles！“

“Iheededhimlittle，andaslittletheothernoisybabblers，whonowontheirfeet-thosethatcouldstand-werespurringmeexcitedlytoacceptthechallenge，untilfrombeingoneofthebaitersitseemedthatofasuddenthetableswereturnedandI

wasbecomethebaited。Isatinthought，revolvingthebusinessinmymind，andfranklylikingitbutlittle。Doubtsoftheissue，wereItoundertakeit，Ihadnone。

MyviewsoftheothersexwereneithermorenorlessthanmywordstotheCounthadbeencalculatedtoconvey。Itmaybe-IknownowthatitwasthatthewomenIhadknownfittedChatellerault’sdescription，andwerenotover-difficulttowin。Hence，suchsuccessesasIhadhadwiththeminsuchcomediesofloveasIhadbeenengageduponhadgivenmeafalseimpression。Butsuchatleastwasnotmyopinionthatnight。IwassatisfiedthatChatelleraulttalkedwildly，andthatnosuchwomanlivedashedepicted。Cynicalandsouredyoumayaccountme。SuchIknowI

wasaccountedinParis;amansatiatedwithallthatwealthandyouthandtheKing’sfavourcouldgivehim;strippedofillusions，offaithandofzest，theverymagnificence-soenvied-ofmyexistenceaffordingmemoredisgustthansatisfaction。SincealreadyIhadgaugeditsshallows。

Isitstrange，therefore，thatinthischallengeflungatmewithsuchinsistence，abusinessthatatfirstIdislikedgrewpresentlytobeckonmewithitsnoveltyandits，promiseofnewsensations？

“Isyourspiritdead，MonsieurdeBardelys？”Chatelleraultwasgibing，whenmysilencehadenduredsomemoments。“Isthecockthatlatelycrowedsolustilynowdumb？Lookyou，MonsieurleMarquis，youareaccountedherearecklessgamester。Willawagerinduceyoutothisundertaking？”

Ileapttomyfeetatthat。Hisderisioncutmelikeawhip。IfwhatIdidwastheactofabraggart，yetitalmostseemsIcoulddonolesstobolsterupmyformerboasting-orwhatintoboastingtheyhadtranslated。

“You’lllayawager，willyou，Chatellerault？”Icried，givinghimbackdefiancefordefiance。Abreathlesssilencefell。“Thenhaveitso。Listen，gentlemen，thatyoumaybewitnesses。IdoherepledgemycastleofBardelys，andmyestatesinPicardy，witheverystickandstoneandbladeofgrassthatstandsuponthem，thatI

shallwooandwinRoxalannedeLavedantobetheMarquiseofBardelys。Doesthestakesatisfyyou，MonsieurleComte？Youmaysetallyouhaveagainstit。”Iaddedcoarsely，“andyet，Iswear，theoddswillbeheavilyinyourfavour。”

IrememberitwasMironsacwhofirstfoundhistongue，andsoughtevenatthatlatehourtosetrestraintuponusandtobringjudgmenttoouraid。

“Messieurs，messieurs！“hebesoughtus。“InHeaven’sname，bethinkyouwhatyoudo。Bardelys，yourwagerisamadness。MonsieurdeChatellerault，you’llnotacceptit。You’ll-“

“Besilent。”Irebukedhim，withsomeasperity。“WhathasMonsieurdeChatelleraulttosay？”

HewasstaringatthetableclothandthestainofthewinethathehadspilledwhenfirstMademoiselledeLavedan’snamewasmentioned。

Hisheadhadbeenbentsothathislongblackhairhadtumbledforwardandpartlyveiledhisface。Atmyquestionhesuddenlylookedup。Theghostofasmilehungonhissensuouslips，forallthatexcitementhadpaledhiscountenancebeyonditshabit。

“MonsieurleMarquis。”saidherising，“Itakeyourwager，andI

pledgemylandsinNormandyagainstyoursofBardelys。Shouldyoulose，theywillnolongercallyoutheMagnificent;shouldIlose-Ishallbeabeggar。Itisamomentouswager，Bardelys，andspellsruinforoneofus。”

“Amadness！“groanedMironsac。

“Mordioux！“sworeCazalet。WhilstLaFosse，whohadbeentheoriginalcauseofallthistrouble，ventedhisexcitementinagibberofimbecilelaughter。

“Howlongdoyougiveme，Chatellerault？”Iasked，asquietlyasImight。

“Whattimeshallyourequire？”

“Ishouldpreferthatyounamethelimit。”Ianswered。

Heponderedamoment。Then“Willthreemonthssufficeyou？”heasked。

“Ifitisnotdoneinthreemonths，Iwillpay。”saidI。

AndthenChatelleraultdidwhatafterallwas，Isuppose，theonlythingthatagentlemanmightdounderthecircumstances。Herosetohisfeet，and，biddingthecompanychargetheirglasses，hegavethemapartingtoast。

“Messieurs，drinkwithmetoMonsieurleMarquisdeBardelys’ssafejourneyintoLanguedoc，andtotheprosperingofhisundertaking。”

Inanswer，agreatshoutwentupfromthroatsthatsuspensehadlatelyheldinleash。Menleaptontotheirchairs，and，holdingtheirglassesonhigh，theyacclaimedmeasthunderouslyasthoughIhadbeentheheroofsomenobleexploit，insteadofthemainfigureinasomewhatquestionablewager。

“Bardelys！“wastheshoutwithwhichthehousereechoed。“Bardelys！

BardelystheMagnificent！ViveBardelys！“

CHAPTERII

THEKING’SWISHES

Itwasdaybreakerethelastofthemhadleftme，foradozenorsohadlingeredtoplaylansquenetaftertheothershaddeparted。Withthosethatremainedmywagerhadsoonfadedintoinsignificance，astheirmindsbecameengrossedinthefluctuationsoftheirownfortunes。

Ididnotplaymyself;Iwasnotinthemood，andforonenight，atleast，ofsufficientweightalreadyIthoughtthegameuponwhichI

waslaunched。

Iwasoutonthebalconyasthefirstlinesofdawnwerescoringtheeast，andinamoody，thoughtfulconditionIhadrivetedmyeyesuponthepalaceoftheLuxembourg，whichloomedablackpileagainstthelighteningsky，，whenMironsaccameouttojoinme。Agentle，lovableladwasMironsac，nottwentyyearsofage，andwiththefaceandmannersofawoman。ThathewasattachedtomeIknew。

`MonsieurleMarquis。”saidhesoftly，“Iamdesolatedatthiswagerintowhichtheyhaveforcedyou。”

“Forcedme？”Iechoed。“No，no;theydidnotforceme。Andyet。”

Ireflected，withasigh，“perhapstheydid。”

“Ihavebeenthinking，monsieur，thatiftheKingweretohearofittheevilmightbemended。”

“ButtheKingmustnothearofit，Armand。”Iansweredquickly。

“Evenifhedid，matterswouldbenobetter-muchworse，possibly。”

“But，monsieur，thisthingdoneintheheatofwine-“

“Isnonethelessdone，Armand。”Iconcluded。“AndIforonedonotwishitundone。”

“Buthaveyounothoughtforthelady？”hecried。

Ilaughedathim。“WereIstilleighteen，boy，thethoughtmighttroubleme。HadImyillusions，ImightimaginethatmywifemustbesomewomanofwhomIshouldbeenamoured。Asitis，Ihavegrowntotheageoftwenty-eightunwed。Marriagebecomesdesirable。I

mustthinkofanheirtoallthewealthofBardelys。AndsoIgotoLanguedoc。IftheladybebuthalfthesaintthatfoolChatelleraulthaspaintedher，somuchthebetterformychildren;

ifnot，somuchtheworse。Thereisthedawn，Mironsac，anditistimewewereabed。Letusdrivetheseplaguygamestershome。”

Whenthelastofthemhadstaggereddownmysteps，andIhadbiddenadrowsylacqueyextinguishthecandles，IcalledGanymedetolightmetobedandaidmetoundress。HistruenamewasRodenard;butmyfriendLaFosse，ofmythologicalfancy，hadnamedhimGanymede，afterthecup-bearerofthegods，andthenamehadclungtohim。

Hewasamanofsomefortyyearsofage，bornintomyfather’sservice，andsincebecomemyintendant，factotum，majordomo，andgeneralissimoofmyregimentofservantsandmyestablishmentsbothinParisandatBardelys。

WehadbeentothewarstogetherereIhadcutmywisdomteeth，andthushadhecometoloveme。Therewasnothingthisinvaluableservantcouldnotdo。Atbaitingorshoeingahorse，athealingawound，atroastingacapon，oratmendingadoublet，hewasalikeamaster，besidespossessingascoreofotheraccomplishmentsthatdonotnowoccurtome，whichinhiscampaigninghehadacquired。

OflatetheeasylifeinParishadmadehiminclinetocorpulency，andhisfacewasofapale，unhealthyfullness。

To-night，asheassistedmetoundress，itworeanexpressionofsupremewoe。

“MonseigneurisgoingintoLanguedoc？”heinquiredsorrowfully。

Healwayscalledmehis“seigneur。”asdidtheotherofmyservantsbornatBardelys。

“Knave，youhavebeenlistening。”saidI。

“But，monseigneur。”heexplained，“whenMonsieurleComtedeChatelleraultlaidhiswager-“

“AndhaveInottoldyou，Ganymede，thatwhenyouchancetobeamongmyfriendsyoushouldhearnothingbutthewordsaddressedtoyou，seenothingbuttheglassesthatneedreplenishing？But，there！WearegoingintoLanguedoc。Whatofit？”

“Theysaythatwarmaybreakoutatanymoment。”hegroaned;“thatMonsieurleDucdeMontmorencyisreceivingreenforcementsfromSpain，andthatheintendstoupholdthestandardofMonsieurandtherightsoftheprovinceagainsttheencroachmentsofHisEminencetheCardinal。”

“So！Wearebecomingpoliticians，eh，Ganymede？Andhowshallallthisconcernus？Hadyoulistenedmoreattentively，youhadlearntthatwegotoLanguedoctoseekawife，andnottoconcernourselveswithCardinalsandDukes。Nowletmesleeperethesunrises。”

OnthemorrowIattendedthelevee，andIappliedtoHisMajestyforleavetoabsentmyself。ButuponhearingthatitwasintoLanguedocIwent，hefrownedinquiry。Troubleenoughwashisbrotheralreadymakinginthatprovince。IexplainedthatIwenttoseekawife，anddeemingallsubterfugedangerous，sinceitmightonlyservetoprovokehimwhenlaterhecametolearnthelady’sname，Itoldhim-withholdingyetallmentionofthewager-thatIfosteredthehopeofmakingMademoiselledeLavedanmymarquise。

Deepercamethelinebetweenhisbrowsatthat，andblackergrewthescowl。HewasnotwonttobestowonmesuchlooksasInowmetinhiswearyeyes，forLouisXIIIhadmuchaffectionforme。

“Youknowthislady？”hedemandedsharply。

“Onlybyname，YourMajesty。”

Atthathisbrowswentupinastonishment。

“Onlybyname？Andyouwouldwedher？But，Marcel，myfriend，youarearichmanoneoftherichestinFrance。Youcannotbeafortunehunter。”

“Sire。”Ianswered，“Famesingsloudlythepraisesofthislady，herbeautyandhervirtue-praisesthatleadmetoopineshewouldmakemeanexcellentchatelaine。Iamcometoanagewhenitiswelltowed;indeed，YourMajestyhasoftentoldmeso。AnditseemstomethatallFrancedoesnotholdaladymoredesirable。

Heavensendshewillagreetomysuit！“

Inthattiredwayofhisthatwassopathetic:“Doyoulovemealittle，Marcel？”heasked。

“Sire。”Iexclaimed，wonderingwhitherallthiswasleadingus，“needIprotestit？”

“No。”heanswereddryly;“youcanproveit。ProveitbyabandoningthisLanguedocquest。Ihavemotives-soundmotives，motivesofpoliticalimport。IdesireanotherweddingforMademoiselledeLavedan。Iwishitso，Bardelys，andIlooktobeobeyed。”

Foramomenttemptationhadmebythethroat。Herewasanunlooked-forchancetoshakefrommeabusinesswhichreflectionwasalreadyrenderingodious。Ihadbuttocalltogethermyfriendsofyesternight，andwiththemtheComtedeChatellerault，andinformthemthatbytheKingwasIforbiddentogoawooingRoxalannedeLavedan。Soshouldmywagerbedissolved。AndtheninaflashIsawhowtheywouldsneeroneandall，andhowtheywouldthinkthatIhadcaughtavidlyatthisopportunityoffreeingmyselffromanundertakingintowhichaboastfulmoodhadluredme。Thefearofthatsweptasidemymomentaryhesitation。

“Sire。”Ianswered，bendingmyheadcontritely，“Iamdesolatedthatmyinclinationsshouldruncountertoyourwishes，buttoyourwontedkindnessandclemencyImustlookforforgivenessifthesesameinclinationsdrivemesorelentlesslythatImaynotnowturnback。”

Hecaughtme。viciouslybythearm，andlookedsharplyintomyface。

“Youdefyme，Bardelys？”heasked，inavoiceofanger。

“Godforbid，Sire！“Iansweredquickly。“Idobutpursuemydestiny。”

Hetookaturninsilence，likeamanwhoismasteringhimselfbeforehewillspeak。Manyaneye，Iknew，wasuponus，andnotafewmayhavebeenmarvellingwhetheralreadyBardelyswereabouttosharethefatethatyesterdayhadovertakenhisrivalChatellerault。Atlasthehaltedatmysideagain。

“Marcel。”saidhe，butthoughheusedthatnamehisvoicewasharsh，“gohomeandponderwhatIhavesaid。Ifyouvaluemyfavour，ifyoudesiremylove，youwillabandonthisjourneyandthesuityoucontemplate。If，ontheotherhand，youpersistingoing-youneednotreturn。TheCourtofFrancehasnoroomforgentlemenwhoarebutlip-servers，noplaceforcourtierswhodisobeytheirKing。”

Thatwashislastword。Hewaitedfornoreply，butswungroundonhisheel，andaninstantlaterIbeheldhimdeepinconversationwiththeDukeofSaint-Simon。Ofsuchaqualityistheloveofprinces-vain，capricious，andwilful。Indulgeiteverandatanycost，elseyouforfeitit。

Iturnedawaywithasigh，forinspiteofallhisweaknessesandmeannessesIlovedthiscardinal-riddenking，andwouldhavediedforhimhadtheneedoccurred，aswellheknew。Butinthismatter-well，Iaccountedmyhonourinvolved，andtherewasnownoturningbacksavebythepaymentofmywagerandtheacknowledgmentofdefeat。

CHAPTERIII

RENEDELESPERON

ThatverydayIsetout。ForsincetheKingwasopposedtotheaffair，andknowingthedrasticmeasuresbywhichhewaswonttoenforcewhathedesired，IrealizedthatdidIlingerhemightfindawaydefinitelytopreventmygoing。

Itravelledinacoach，attendedbytwolacqueysandascoreofmen-at-armsinmyownlivery，allcommandedbyGanymede。Myintendanthimselfcameinanothercoachwithmywardrobeandtravellingnecessaries。WewereafineandalmostregalcortegeaswepasseddowntheruedeI’EnferandquittedParisbytheOrleansgate，takingtheroadsouth。Sofineacortege，indeed，thatitenteredmymind。HisMajestywouldcometohearofit，and，knowingmydestination，sendaftermetobringmeback。Toevadesuchapossibility，Iorderedadivergencetobemade，andwestruckeastandintoTouraine。AtPont-le-Duc，nearTours，IhadacousinintheVicomted’Amaral，andathischateauI

arrivedonthethirddayafterquittingParis。

Sincethatwasthelastplacewheretheywouldseekme，iftoseekmetheywereinclined，Ielectedtoremainmycousin’sguestforfifteendays。AndwhilstIwastherewehadnewsoftroubleintheSouthandofarisinginLanguedocundertheDucdeMontmorency。

ThuswasitthatwhenIcametotakemyleaveofAmaral，he，knowingthatLanguedocwasmydestination，soughtardentlytokeepmewithhimuntilweshouldlearnthatpeaceandorderwererestoredintheprovince。ButIheldthetroublelightly，andinsistedupongoing。

Resolutely，then，ifbyslowstages，wepursuedourjourney，andcameatlasttoMontauban。TherewelayanightattheAubergedeNavarre，intendingtopushontoLavedanuponthemorrow。MyfatherhadbeenonmorethanfriendlytermswiththeVicomtedeLavedan，anduponthisIbuiltmyhopesofacordialwelcomeandaninvitationtodelayforafewdaysthejourneytoToulouse，uponwhichIshouldrepresentmyselfasbound。

Thus，then，stoodmyplans。AndtheyremainedunalteredforallthatuponthemorrowtherewerewildrumoursintheairofMontauban。

ThereweretellingsofabattlefoughtthedaybeforeatCastelnaudary，ofthedefeatofMonsieur’spartisans，oftheutterroutofGonzalodeCordova’sSpanishtatterdemalions，andofthecaptureofMontmorency，whowassorelywounded-somesaidwithtwentyandsomewiththirtywounds-andlittleliketolive。

SorrowanddiscontentstalkedabroadinLanguedocthatday，fortheybelievedthatitwasagainsttheCardinal，whosoughttostripthemofsomanyprivileges;，thatGastond’Orleanshadsetuphisstandard。

Thatthoserumoursofbattleanddefeatweretruewehadampleproofsomefewhourslater，whenacompanyofdragoonsinbuffandsteelrodeintothecourtyardoftheAubergedeNavarre，headedbyayoungsparkofanofficer，whoconfirmedtherumourandsetthenumberofMontmorency’swoundsatseventeen。Hewaslying，theofficertoldus，atCastelnaudary，andhisduchesswashasteningtohimfromBeziers。Poorwoman！ShewasdestinedtonursehimbacktolifeandvigouronlythathemighttakehistrialatToulouseandpaywithhisheadthepriceofhisrebellion。

Ganymedewho，throughtheluxurioushabitsofhismorerecentyearshad-forallhisfineswagger-developedamarkeddistasteforwarfareandexcitement，besoughtmetotakethoughtformysafetyandtoliequietlyatMontaubanuntiltheprovinceshouldbemoresettled。

“Theplaceisahotbedofrebellion。”heurged。“IftheseChouansbutlearnthatwearefromParisandoftheKing’sparty，weshallhaveourthroatsslit，asIlive。Thereisnotapeasantinallthiscountrysideindeed，scarceamanofanysortbutisared-hotOrlanist，anti-Cardinalist，andfriendoftheDevil。Bethinkyou，monseigneur！topushonatthepresentistocourtmurder。”

“Why，then，wewillcourtmurder。”saidIcoldly。“Givethewordtosaddle。”

IaskedhimatthemomentofsettingoutdidheknowtheroadtoLavedan，towhichthelyingpoltroonmadeanswerthathedid。Inhisyouthhemayhaveknownit，andthecountrysidemayhaveundergonesincethensuchchangesasbewilderedhim。Oritmaybethatfeardulledhiswits，andluredhimintotakingwhatmayhaveseemedthesaferratherthanthelikelierroad。ButthisIknow，thatasnightwasfallingmycarriagehaltedwithalurch，andasIputforthmyheadIwasconfrontedbymytremblingintendant，hisgreatfatfacegleamingwhitelyinthegloomabovethelawncollaronhisdoublet。

“Whydowehalt，Ganymede？”quothI。

“Monseigneur。”hefaltered，histremblingincreasingashespoke，andhiseyesmeetingmineinalookofpitifulcontrition，“Ifearwearelost。”

“Lost？”Iechoed。“Ofwhatdoyoutalk？AmItosleepinthecoach？”

“Alas，monseigneur，Ihavedonemybest-“

“Why，then，Godkeepusfromyourworst。”Isnapped。“Openmethisdoor。”

Isteppeddownandlookedaboutme，and，bymyfaith，amoredesolatespottoloseusinmyhenchmancouldnothavecontrivedhadhebeenatpainstodoso。Ableak，barrenlandscape-suchasIcouldhardlyhavecreditedwastobefoundinallthatfairprovince-

unfoldeditself，lookingnowmorebleak，perhaps，byvirtueofthedimeveningmistthathoveredoverit。Yonder，totheright，adullrussetpatchofskymarkedthewest，andtheninfrontofusImadeoutthehazyoutlineofthePyrenees。Atsightofthem，Iswungroundandgrippedmyhenchmanbytheshoulder。

“Afinetrustyservantthou！“Icried。“Boaster！Hadyoutoldusthatageandfatlivinghadsostunted，yourwitsastohaveextinguishedmemory，IhadtakenaguideatMontaubantoshowustheway。Yet，here，withthesunandthePyreneestoguideyou，evenhadyounootherknowledge，youloseyourself！“

“Monseigneur。”hewhimpered，“Iwaschoosingmywaybythesunandthemountains，anditwasthusthatIcametothisimpasse。Foryoumaysee，yourself，thattheroadendshereabruptly。”。

“Ganymede。”saidIslowly，“whenwereturntoParis-ifyoudonotdieoffright’twixtthisandthen-I’llfindaplaceforyouinthekitchens。Godsendyoumaymakeabetterscullionthanafollower！“Then，vaultingoverthewall，“Attendme，somehalf-dozenofyou。”Icommanded，andsteppedoutbrisklytowardsthebarn。

Astheweather-beatenolddoorcreakeduponitsrustyhinges，weweregreetedbyagroanfromwithin，andwithitthesoftrustleofstrawthatisbeingmoved。Surprised，Ihalted，andwaitedwhilstoneofmymenkindledalightinthelanthornthathecarried。

Byitsrayswebeheldapitiablesightinacornerofthatbuilding。

Aman，quiteyoungandofatallandvigorousframe，laystretcheduponthestraw。Hewasfullydressedeventohisgreatriding-boots，andfromtheloosemannerinwhichhisback-and-breasthungnowuponhim，itwouldseemasifhehadbeenmakingshifttodivesthimselfofhisarmour，buthadlackedthestrengthtocompletethetask。

Besidehimlayafeatheredheadpieceandaswordattachedtoarichlybroideredbaldrick。Allabouthimthestrawwasclottedwithbrown，viscouspatchesofblood。Thedoubletwhichhadbeenofsky-bluevelvetwasallsoddenandstained，andinspectionshowedusthathehadbeenwoundedintherightside，betweenthestrapsofhisbreastplate。

Aswestoodabouthimnow，asilent，pityinggroup，appearingfantastic，perhaps，bythedimlightofthatsinglelanthorn，heattemptedtoraisehishead，andthenwithagroanhedroppeditbackuponthestrawthatpillowedit。Fromoutofafacewhite，asindeath，anddrawnwithhaggardlinesofpain，apairofgreatlustrousblueeyeswereturneduponus，abjectandpitifulasthegazeofadumbbeastthatisstrickenmortally。

Itneedednoacutenesstoapprehendthatwehadbeforeusoneofyesterday’sdefeatedwarriors;onewhohadspenthislaststrengthincreepinghithertogethisdyingdoneinpeace。Lestourpresenceshouldaddfeartotheagonyalreadyuponhim，Ikneltbesidehimintheblood-smearedstraw，and，raisinghishead，I

pillowedituponmyarm。

“Havenofear。”saidIreassuringly。“Wearefriends。Doyouunderstand？”

Thefaintsmilethatplayedforasecondonhislipsandlightedhiscountenancewouldhavetoldmethathe;understood，evenhadI

notcaughthiswords，faintasasigh“Merci，monsieur。”Henestledhisheadintothecrookofmyarm。“Water-fortheloveofGod！“hegasped，toaddinagroan，“Jememeurs，monsieur。”

Assistedbyacoupleofknaves，Ganymedewentaboutattendingtotherebelatonce。Handlinghimascarefullyasmightbe，toavoidgivinghimunnecessarypaintheyremovedhisback-and-breast，whichwasflungwithaclatterintooneofthecornersofthebarn。Then，whilstoneofthemgentlydrewoffhisboots，Rodenard，withthelanthornclosebesidehim，cutawaythefellow’sdoublet，andlaidbaretheoozingsword-woundthatgapedinhismangledside。HewhisperedanordertoGilles，whowentswiftlyofftothecoachinquestofsomethingthathehadaskedfor;thenhesatonhisheelsandwaited，hishandupontheman’spulse，hiseyesonhisface。

Istoopeduntilmylipswereonalevelwithmyintendant’sear。

“Howis，itwithhim？”Iinquired。

“Dying。”whisperedRodenardinanswer。“Hehaslosttoomuchblood，andheisprobablybleedinginwardlyaswell。Thereisnohopeofhislife，buthemaylingerthussomelittlewhile，sinkinggradually，andwecanatleastmitigatethesufferingofhislastmoments。”

WhenpresentlythemenreturnedwiththethingsthatGanymedehadaskedfor，hemixedsomepungentliquidwithwater，and，whilstaservantheldthebowl，hecarefullyspongedtherebel’swound。Thisandacordialthathehadgivenhimtodrinkseemedtorevivehimandtoaffordhimease。Hisbreathingwasnolongermarkedbyanyraspingsound，andhiseyesseemedtoburnmoreintelligently。

“Iamdying-isitnotso？”heasked，andGanymedebowedhisheadinsilence。Thepoorfellowsighed。“Raiseme。”hebegged，andwhenthisservicehadbeendonehim，hiseyeswanderedrounduntiltheyfoundme。Then“Monsieur。”hesaid，“willyoudomealastfavour？”

“Assuredly，mypoorfriend。”Ianswered，goingdownonmykneesbesidehim。

“You-youwerenotfortheDuke？”heinquired，eyeingmemorekeenly。

“No，monsieur。Butdonotletthatdisturbyou;IhavenointerestinthisrisingandIhavetakennoside。IamfromParis，onajourneyof-ofpleasure。MynameisBardelys-MarceldeBardelys。”

“BardelystheMagnificent？”hequestioned，andIcouldnotrepressasmile。

“Iamthatoverratedman。”

“ButthenyouarefortheKing！“Andanoteofdisappointmentcreptintohisvoice。BeforeIcouldmakehimanyanswer，hehadresumed。

“Nomatter:MarceldeBardelysisagentleman，andpartysignifieslittlewhenamanisdying。IamRenedeLesperon，ofLesperoninGascony。”hepursued。“Willyousendwordtomysisterafterwards？”

Ibowedmyheadwithoutspeaking。

“SheistheonlyrelativeIhave，monsieur。But-andhistonegrewwistful-“thereisoneothertowhomIwouldhaveyoubearamessage。”Heraisedhishandbyapainfulefforttothelevelofhisbreast。Strengthfailedhim，andhesankback。“Icannot，monsieur。”hesaidinatoneofpatheticapology。“See;thereisachainaboutmyneckwithalocket。Takeitfromme。Takeitnow，monsieur。Therearesomepapersalso，monsieur。Takeall。Iwanttoseethemsafelyinyourkeeping。”

Ididhisbidding，andfromthebreastofhisdoubletIdrewsomelooselettersandalocketwhichheldtheminiatureofawoman’sface。

“Iwantyoutodeliveralltoher，monsieur。”

“Itshallbedone。”Ianswered，deeplymoved。

“Holdit-holditup。”hebegged，hisvoiceweakening。“Letmebeholdtheface。”

LonghiseyesrestedonthelikenessIheldbeforehim。Atlast，asoneinadream-

“Well-beloved。”hesighed。“Bienaimee！“Anddownhisgrey，haggardcheeksthetearscameslowly。“Forgivethisweakness，monsieur。”hewhisperedbrokenly。“Weweretohavebeenwedinamonth，hadIlived。”Heendedwithasob，andwhennexthespokeitwasmorelabouredly，asthoughthatsobhadrobbedhimofthehalfofwhatvitalityremained。“Telher，monsieur，thatmydyingthoughtswereofher。Tell-tellher-I-“

“Heyname？”Icried，fearinghewouldsinkbeforeIlearnedit。

“Tellmehername。”

Helookedatmewitheyesthatweregrowingglassyandvacant。Thenheseemedtobracehimselfandtorallyforasecond。

“Hername？”hemused，inafar-offmanner。“Sheis-Ma-de-moisellede-“

Hisheadrolledonthesuddenlyrelaxedneck。HecollapsedintoRodenard’sarms。

“Ishedead？”Iasked。

Rodenardnoddedinsilence。

CHAPTERIV

AMAIDINTHEMOONLIGHT

IdonotknowwhetheritwastheinfluenceofthatthinglyinginacornerofthebarnunderthecloakthatRodenardhadflungoverit，orwhetherotherinfluencesofdestinywereatworktoimpelmetoriseattheendofahalf-hourandannouncemydeterminationtosetoutonhorsebackandfindmyselfquartersmorecongenial。

“To-morrow。”IinstructedGanymede，asIstoodreadytomount，“youwillretraceyourstepswiththeothers，and，findingtheroadtoLavedan，youwillfollowmetothechateau。”

“Butyoucannothopetoreachitto-night，monseigneur，throughacountrythatisunknowntoyou。”heprotested。

“Idonothopetoreachitto-night。IwillridesouthuntilIcomeuponsomehamletthatwillaffordmeshelterand，inthemorning，direction。”

Ilefthimwiththat，andsetoutatabrisktrot。Nighthadnowfallen，buttheskywasclear，andacrescentmooncameopportunelyiffeeblytodispelthegloom。

Iquittedthefield，andwentbackuntilIgainedacrossroad，where，turningtotheright，IsetmyfacetothePyrenees，androdebrisklyamain。ThatIhadchosenwiselywasprovedwhensometwentyminuteslaterIclatteredintothehamletofMirepoix，anddrewupbeforeaninnflauntingthesignofapeacock-asifinironyofitshumbleness，foritwasnobetterthanawaysidetavern。Neitherstable-boynorostlerwashere，andtheunclean，overgrownurchintowhomIentrustedmyhorsecouldnotsaywhether，indeedPereAbdonthelandlord，wouldbeabletofindmearoomtosleepin。I

thirsted，however;andsoIdeterminedtoalight，ifitwereonlytodrinkacanofwineandobtaininformationofmywhereabouts。

AsIwasenteringthehostelrytherewasaclatterofhoofsinthestreet，andfourdragoonsheadedbyasergeantrodeupandhaltedatthedoorofthePaon。Theyseemedtohaveriddenhardandsomedistance，fortheirhorseswerejadedalmosttothelastpointofendurance。

Within，Icalledthehost，andhavingobtainedaflagonofthebestvintage-Heavenfortifythosethatmustbecontentwithhisworst！-

IpassedontomakeinquiriestouchingmywhereaboutsandthewaytoLavedan。ThisIlearntwasbutsomethreeorfourmilesdistant。

Abouttheothertable-therewerebuttwowithintheroom——stoodthedragoonsinawhisperedconsultation，ofwhichithadbeenwellhadItakenheed，foritconcernedmemorecloselythanIcouldhavedreamt。

“Heanswersthedescription。”saidthesergeant，andthoughIheardthewordsItooknothoughtthatitwasofmetheyspoke。

“Padrieu。”sworeoneofhiscompanions，“I’llwageritisourman。”

Andthen，justasIwasnoticingthatMasterAbdon，whohadalsooverheardtheconversation，waseyeingmecuriously，thesergeantsteppeduptome，and-

“Whatisyourname，monsieur？”quothherIvouchsafedhimastareofsurprisebeforeaskinginmyturn“Howmaythatconcernyou？”

“Yourpardon，mymaster，butweareontheKing’sbusiness。”

IrememberedthenthathehadsaidIansweredsomedescription。

WiththatitflashedthroughmymindthattheyhadbeensentaftermebyHisMajestytoenforcemyobediencetohiswishesandtohindermefromreachingLavedan。AtoncecamethedominantdesiretoconcealmyidentitythatImightgounhindered。ThefirstnamethatoccurredtomewasthatofthepoorwretchIhadleftinthebarnhalfanhourago，andso-

“Iam。”saidI，“MonsieurdeLesperon，atyourservice。”

ToolateIsawthemistakethatIhadmade。Iownitwasablunderthatnomanofordinaryintelligenceshouldhavepermittedhimselftohavecommitted。Rememberingtheunrestoftheprovince，I

shouldratherhaveconcludedthattheirbusinesswasmoreliketobeinthatconnection。

“Heisbold，atleast。”criedoneofthetroopers，withaburstoflaughter。Thencamethesergeant’svoice，coldandformal“IntheKing’sname，MonsieurdeLesperon，Iarrestyou。”

Hehadwhippedouthissword，andthepointwaswithinaninchofmybreast。Buthisarm，Iobserved，wasstretchedtoitsfullestextent，whichforbadehismakingasuddenthrust。Tohamperhiminthelungetherewasthetablebetweenus。

So，mymindworkingquicklyinthisdesperatesituation，andrealizinghowdireandurgenttheneedtoattemptanescape，I

leaptsuddenlybacktofindmyselfinthearmsofhisfollowers。