第1章

CONTENTS

PARTI

THEOLDRULE

ThesearetheyWhorideonthecourtgale，controlitstides；

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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。\"