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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heart of Denise and Other Tales, by 
+S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Heart of Denise and Other Tales
+
+Author: S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+Release Date: December 12, 2011 [EBook #38284]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEART OF DENISE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://books.google.com/books?id=BO4wAAAAYAAJ
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE HEART OF DENISE
+
+                           AND OTHER TALES
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "DE CLERMONT GAVE MADAME AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE
+DEFENCE OF AMBAZAC MADE BY HER HUSBAND AGAINST THE PRINCE OF CONDÉ"
+Page 39]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         The Heart of Denise
+
+                           and Other Tales
+
+
+
+
+
+                                  BY
+                           S. LEVETT-YEATS
+
+                 _Author of "The Chevalier d'Auriac_,"
+                   "_The Honour of Savelli," etc_.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               NEW YORK
+                       LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
+                          LONDON AND BOMBAY
+                                 1899
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         Copyright, 1898, by
+                           S. LEVETT YEATS.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                        _All rights reserved_.
+
+
+
+
+
+                 ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CONTENTS.
+
+
+THE HEART OF DENISE.
+
+       I. M. de Lorgnac's Price.
+
+      II. The Oratory.
+
+     III. The Spur of Les Eschelles.
+
+      IV. At Ambazac.
+
+       V. M. Le Marquis Leads His Highest Trump.
+
+      VI. At the Sign of the Golden Frog.
+
+     VII. Unmasked.
+
+    VIII. Blaise de Lorgnac.
+
+      IX. La Coquille's Message.
+
+       X. Monsieur le Chevalier is Paid in Full.
+
+
+THE CAPTAIN MORATTI'S LAST AFFAIR.
+
+
+       I. "Arcades Ambo."
+
+      II. At "The Devil on Two Sticks."
+
+     III. Felicità.
+
+      IV. Conclusion--The Torre Dolorosa.
+
+
+THE TREASURE OF SHAGUL.
+
+
+THE FOOT OF GAUTAMA.
+
+
+THE DEVIL'S MANUSCRIPT.
+
+
+       I. The Black Packet.
+
+      II. The Red Trident.
+
+     III. "The Mark of the Beast."
+
+
+UNDER THE ACHILLES.
+
+
+THE MADNESS OF SHERE BAHADUR.
+
+
+REGINE'S APE.
+
+
+A SHADOW OF THE PAST.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE HEART OF DENISE
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                        M. DE LORGNAC'S PRICE.
+
+
+One afternoon I sat alone in the little anteroom before the Queen
+Mother's cabinet. In front of me was an open door. The curtains of
+violet velvet, spangled with golden lilies, were half drawn, and
+beyond extended a long, narrow, and gloomy corridor, leading into the
+main salon of the Hôtel de Soissons, from which the sound of music and
+occasional laughter came to me. My sister maids of honour were there,
+doubtless making merry as was their wont with the cavaliers of the
+court, and I longed to be with them, instead of watching away the
+hours in the little prison, I can call it no less, that led to the
+Queen's closet.
+
+In the corridor were two sentries standing as motionless as statues.
+They were in shadow, except where here and there a straggling gleam of
+light caught their armour with dazzling effect, and M. de Lorgnac, the
+lieutenant of the guard, paced slowly up and down the full length of
+the passage, twisting his dark moustache, and turning abruptly when he
+came within a few feet of the entrance to the anteroom.
+
+I was so dull and wearied that it would have been something even to
+talk to M. de Lorgnac, bear though he was, but he took no more notice
+of me than if I were a stick or a stone, and yet there were, I do not
+know how many, who would have given their ears for a _tête-à-tête_
+with Denise de Mieux.
+
+I ought not to have been surprised, for the lieutenant showed no more
+favour to any one else than he did to me, and during the year or more
+I had been here, enjoying for the first time in my life the gaieties
+of the Court, after my days in apron-strings at Lespaille, my uncle de
+Tavannes' seat, I had not, nor had a soul as far as I knew, seen M. de
+Lorgnac exchange more than a formal bow and a half-dozen words with
+any woman. He was poor as a homeless cat, his patrimony, as we heard,
+being but a sword and a ruined tower somewhere in the Corrèze. So, as
+he had nothing to recommend him except a tall, straight figure, and a
+reputation for bravery--qualities that were shared by a hundred others
+with more agreeable manners, we left Monsieur L'Ours, as we nicknamed
+him, to himself, and, to say the truth, he did not seem much
+discomposed by our neglect.
+
+As for me I hardly noticed his existence, sometimes barely returning
+his bow; but often have I caught him observing me gravely with a
+troubled look in his grey eyes, and as ill-luck would have it, this
+was ever when I was engaged in some foolish diversion, and I used to
+feel furious, as I thought he was playing the spy on me, and press on
+to other folly, over which, in the solitude of my room, I would stamp
+my foot with vexation, and sometimes shed tears of anger.
+
+This afternoon, when I thought of the long hours I had to spend
+waiting the Queen's pleasure, of the mellow sunlight which I could see
+through the glazing of the dormer window that lit the room, of the
+gaiety and brightness outside, I felt dull and wearied beyond
+description. I had foolishly neglected to bring a book or my
+embroidery, so that even my fingers had to be still, and in my utter
+boredom I believe I should have actually welcomed the company of
+Catherine's hideous dwarf, Majosky.
+
+It had come to me that perhaps M. de Lorgnac, who had, no doubt, a
+weary enough watch in the corridor, might feel disposed to beguile a
+little of his tedium, and to amuse me for a few minutes, and I had
+purposely drawn the curtains and opened the door of the anteroom so
+that he might see I was there, and alone, and that the door of the
+Queen Mother's cabinet was shut. I then, I confess it, put myself in
+the most becoming attitude I could think of, but, as I have said
+before, he took not the slightest notice of me, and walked up and
+down, _tramp_, _tramp_, backwards and forwards as if he were a piece
+of clockwork--like that which Messer Cosmo, the Italian, made for
+Monsieur, the King's brother.
+
+I began to feel furious at the slight--it was no less I
+considered--that he was putting on me, and wished I had the tongue and
+the spirit of Mademoiselle de Chateauneuf, so that I could make my
+gentleman smart as she did M. de Luxembourg. For a moment or so I
+pulled at the silken fringe of my _tourette-de-nez_, and then made up
+my mind to show M. de Lorgnac that the very sight of him was
+unpleasant to me. So I waited until in his march he came to a yard or
+so from the spot where he regularly turned on his heel, and then,
+springing up, attempted to draw the curtains across the door. Somehow
+or other they would not move, and de Lorgnac stepped forward quietly
+and pulled them together. As he did this our eyes met, and there was
+the twinkle of a smile in his glance, as if he had seen through my
+artifices and was laughing at them. I felt my face grow warm, and was
+grateful that the light was behind me; but I thanked him icily, and
+with his usual stiff bow he turned off without a word.
+
+I came back to my seat, my face crimson, my eyes swimming with tears,
+and feeling if there was a man on earth that I hated it was the
+lieutenant of the guard.
+
+It had a good two hours or so to run before my time of waiting would
+be over, and I may take the plunge now, and confess that the
+lengthened period of attendance to which I was subjected, was in a
+measure a punishment, for my having ridden out alone with M. de
+Clermont, and, owing to an accident that befell my horse, had not been
+able to return until very late. The ill-chance which followed all my
+girlish escapades was not wanting on this occasion, with the result,
+that whereas ten others might have escaped, I was observed in what was
+after all but a harmless frolic, and my conduct reported on--and
+Madame, who had a weak enough eye for follies, and sometimes
+sins, that were committed by rule--she loved to direct our
+ill-doings--rated me soundly and imposed this penance, and perhaps the
+worse punishment that was to follow, on me.
+
+In the anteroom there was but a cushioned stool for the lady in
+waiting, and this was placed close to the door, so that one could hear
+Queen Catherine calling, for she never rang for us, as did the
+Lorrainer for even such ladies as the Duchesse de Nemours, the mother
+of Guise.
+
+I pushed the seat closer towards the door and, hardly thinking what I
+was doing, leaned my head against the woodwork and dropped off into a
+sort of troubled doze. How long I slept in this manner I cannot say;
+but I was suddenly aroused by the distinct mention of my name,
+followed by a laugh from within the cabinet. I looked up in affright,
+for the laugh was the King's, and for the moment I wondered how he had
+passed in, then recollecting the private passage I knew that he must
+have come in thence. I would have withdrawn, but the mention of my
+name coupled with the King's laughter aroused my curiosity, and I
+remained in my position, making, however, a bargain with my conscience
+by removing my head from the carved oak of the door. It was my duty to
+be where I was, and although I would make no effort to listen, yet if
+those within were talking of me, and loud enough for me to hear, I
+thought it no harm to stay, especially as it was Henri who was
+speaking, for I knew enough to be aware that no one was safe from his
+scandalous tongue. I may have been wrong in acting as I did, but I do
+not think there is one woman in a thousand who would have done
+otherwise, supposing her to be as I was--but one-and-twenty years of
+age.
+
+So thick, however, was the door, that, my head once removed, I could
+hear but snatches of the converse within.
+
+"It is his price, Madame," I heard the King say, "and, after all, it
+is a cheap one, considering her escapade with de Clermont. _Morbleu!_
+But he is a sad dog!"
+
+And then came another surprise, for the gruff voice of my uncle, the
+Marshal de Tavannes, added:
+
+"Cheap or dear! I for one am willing that it should be paid, and at
+once. She has brought disgrace enough on our house already. As for the
+man; if poor he is noble and as brave as his sword. He is well able to
+look after her."
+
+"If he keeps his head," put in the King, whilst my ears burned at the
+uncomplimentary speech of my guardian, and my heart began to sink.
+Then came something I did not catch from Catherine, and after that a
+murmur of indistinct voices. At last the King's high-pitched tones
+rose again. It was a voice that seemed to drill its way through the
+door.
+
+"Enough! It is agreed that we pay in advance--eh, Tavannes? Send for
+the little baggage, if she is, as you say, here, and we will tell her
+at once. The matter does not admit of any delay. St. Blaise! I should
+say that after thirty a man must be mad to peril his neck for any
+woman!"
+
+I rose from my seat trembling all over with anger and apprehension,
+and as I did so the Queen Mother's voice rang out sharply:
+
+"Mademoiselle de Mieux!"
+
+The next moment the door opened, and the dwarf Majosky put out his
+leering face.
+
+"Enter, mademoiselle!" he said, with a grotesque bow, adding in a
+rapid, malignant whisper as I passed him, "You are going to be
+married--to me."
+
+At any other time I would have spared no pains to get him punished for
+his insolence; but now, so taken aback was I at what I had heard, that
+I scarcely noticed him, and entered the room as if in a dream. Indeed,
+it was only with an effort that I recollected myself sufficiently to
+make my reverence to the King. He called out as I did so, "_Mordieu!_
+I retract, Tavannes! I retract! Faith! I almost feel as if I could
+take the adventure on myself!"
+
+A slight exclamation of annoyance escaped the Queen, and Tavannes said
+coldly:
+
+"Perhaps your Majesty had better inform my niece of your good
+pleasure," adding grimly, "and I guarantee mademoiselle's obedience."
+
+There was a minute or so of silence, during which the King was, as it
+were, picking his words, whilst I stood before him. Majosky shuffled
+down at Catherine's feet, and watched me with his wicked, blinking
+eyes. I do not remember to have looked around me, and yet every little
+detail of that scene will remain stamped on my memory until the day I
+die.
+
+Madame, the Queen Mother, was at her secretary, her fingers toying
+with a jewelled paper-knife, and her white face and glittering eyes
+fixed steadily on me, eyes with that pitiless look in them which we
+all knew so well, and which made the most daring of us tremble. A
+little to my right stood de Tavannes, one hand on the back of a chair,
+and stroking his grizzled beard with the other. Before me, on a
+coffer, whereon he had negligently thrown himself, was the King, and
+he surveyed me without speaking, with a half-approving, half-sarcastic
+look that made my blood tingle, and almost gave me back my courage.
+
+In sharp contrast to the solemn black of Catherine's robes and the
+stern soldierly marshal was the figure of the King. Henri was dressed
+in his favourite colours, orange, green, and tan, with a short cloak
+of the same three hues hanging from his left shoulder. His pourpoint
+was open at the throat, around which was clasped a necklet of pearls,
+and he wore three ruffs, one such as we women wear, of lace that fell
+over the shoulders, and two smaller ones as stiff as starch could make
+them. He wore earrings, there were rings on his embroidered gloves,
+and all over his person, from his sleeves to the aigrette he wore on
+the little turban over his peruke, a multitude of gems glittered. On
+his left side, near his sword hilt, was a bunch of medallions of
+ladies who had smiled on him, and this was balanced on the other hand
+by an equally large cluster of charms and relics. As he sat there he
+kept tapping the end of one of his shoes with a little cane, whilst he
+surveyed me with an almost insulting glance in the mocking eyes that
+looked out from his painted cheeks.
+
+The silence was like to have become embarrassing had not Catherine,
+impatient of delay, put in with that even voice of hers:
+
+"Perhaps I had better explain your Majesty's commands;" and then
+without waiting for an answer she went on, looking me straight in the
+face--
+
+"Mademoiselle. In his thought for your welfare--a kindness you have
+not deserved--the King has been pleased to decide on your marriage.
+Circumstances necessitate the ceremony being performed at once, and I
+have to tell you that it will take place three hours hence. His
+Majesty will do you the honour of being himself present on the
+occasion."
+
+This was beyond my worst fears. I was speechless, and glanced from one
+to the other in supplication; but I saw no ray of pity in their faces.
+Alas! These were the three iron hearts that had sat and planned the
+Massacre.
+
+The Queen's face was as stone. The King half closed his eyes, and his
+lips curled into a smile as if he enjoyed the situation; but my uncle,
+within whose bluff exterior was a subtle, cruel heart, spoke out
+harshly:
+
+"You hear, mademoiselle! Thank the King, and get you gone to make
+ready. I am sick of your endless flirtations, and there must be an end
+to them--there must be no more talk of your frivolities."
+
+Anger brought back my courage, and half turning away from Tavannes, I
+said to the Queen:
+
+"I thank the King, madame, for his kindness. Perhaps you will add to
+it by telling me the name of the gentleman who intends to honour me by
+making me his wife."
+
+"_Arnidieu!_ She makes a point," laughed the King.
+
+"She shall marry a stick if I will it," said de Tavannes; but Madame
+the Queen Mother lifted her hand in deprecation.
+
+"It is M. de Lorgnac," she said.
+
+"De Lorgnac! De Lorgnac!" I gasped, hardly believing my ears. "Oh,
+madame! It is impossible. I hate him. What have I done to be forced
+into this? Your Majesty," and I turned to the King, "I will not marry
+that man."
+
+"Well, would you prefer de Clermont?" he asked, with a little laugh;
+but de Tavannes burst out:
+
+"Sire! This matter admits of no delay. She shall marry de Lorgnac, if
+I have to drag her to the altar."
+
+"Thank you, monsieur," I said with a courtesy; "it is kindness itself
+that you, the Count de Tavannes, peer and marshal of France, show to
+your sister's child."
+
+He winced at my words; but Catherine again interposed.
+
+"Mademoiselle! you do not understand; and if I hurt you now it is your
+own fault. Let me tell you that for a tithe of your follies
+Mademoiselle de Torigny was banished from court to a nunnery. You may
+not be aware of it, but the whole world, at least our world, and that
+is enough for us, is talking of your affair with de Clermont, who, as
+you well know, is an affianced man. It is for the sake of your house,
+for your own good name, and because you will do the King a great
+service by obeying, that this has been decided on, and you must--do
+you hear?--must do as we bid you."
+
+She dropped her words out one by one, cool, passionless, and brutal in
+their clearness. My face was hot with shame and anger, and yet I knew
+that the ribald tongues that spared not the King's sister would not
+spare me. I, the heiress of Mieux, to be a by-word in the court! I to
+be married out of hand like a laundress of the _coulisse!_ It was too
+much! It was unbearable! And to be bound to de Lorgnac above all
+others! Was ever woman wooed and wed as I?
+
+I burst into a passion of angry tears. I went so far as to humble
+myself on my knees; but Henri only laughed and slipped out by the
+secret door, and de Tavannes followed him with a rough oath.
+
+"Say this is a jest, madame!" I sobbed out to the Queen. "I am
+punished enough. Say it is a jest. It must be so. You do not mean it.
+It is too cruel!"
+
+"No more is happening to you than what the daughters of France have to
+bear sometimes."
+
+"That should make you the more pitiful, madame, for such as I. Let me
+go, madame, to a nunnery--even to that of Our Lady of Lespaille--but
+spare me this!"
+
+"It is impossible," she said sharply. "See, here is Madame de Martigny
+come, and she will conduct you to your room. Tush! It is nothing after
+all, girl. And it will be better than a convent and a lost name. Do
+not make a scene."
+
+I rose to my feet stunned and bewildered, and Madame de Martigny put
+her arm through mine, and dried my eyes with her kerchief.
+
+"Come, mademoiselle," she said, "we have to pass through the corridor
+to gain your apartment. Keep up your heart!"
+
+"I offer my escort," mocked the dwarf, "and will go so far as to
+take M. de Lorgnac's place, if your royal pleasure will allow--ah!
+ah!"--and he broke into a shriek, for Catherine had swiftly and
+silently raised a dog-whip, and brought it across his shoulders as he
+sat crouching at her feet.
+
+"Begone!" she said. "Another speech like that and I break you on the
+wheel!" Then she turned to Madame de Martigny.
+
+"Take her away by the private door. She is not fit to see or be seen
+now. Tell Pare to give her a cordial if she needs it, and see that she
+is ready in time. Go, mademoiselle, and be a brave girl!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+
+                             THE ORATORY
+
+
+You who read this will please remember that I was but a girl, and that
+my powers of resistance were limited. Some of you, perhaps, may have
+gone through the same ordeal, not in the rough-and-ready way that I
+had to make the passage, but through a slower if not less certain
+mill. The result being the same in both cases, to wit, that you have
+stood, as I did, at the altar with vows on your lips that you felt in
+your heart were false.
+
+A thought had struck me when I was led back to my room, and that was
+to throw myself on the mercy of de Lorgnac. But means of communication
+with him were denied to me by the foresight of my persecutors. Even my
+maid, Mousette, was not allowed to see me, and Madame de Martigny,
+though kindness itself in every other way, absolutely refused to lend
+herself to my suggestion that she should aid me, if only to the extent
+of bearing a note from me to my future husband, in which I meant to
+implore him, as a man of honour and a gentleman, not to force this
+marriage upon me. I then tried Pare, who, by the Queen's command, had
+been sent to me. He brought me a cordial with his own hands, and to
+him I made my request, notwithstanding all Madame de Martigny's
+protests, to carry my note to de Lorgnac. He listened with that acute
+attention peculiar to him, and answered:
+
+"Mademoiselle! I have not yet discovered the balsam that will heal a
+severed neck--you must excuse me."
+
+When he left, Madame de Martigny tried to comfort me in her kindly
+way.
+
+"My dear," she said, "after all it is not so very terrible. I myself
+never saw M. de Martigny more than twice before we were married, and
+yet I have learned to love him, and we are very happy. Believe me!
+Love before marriage does not always mean happiness. In five years it
+will become a friendship--that is all. It is best to start as I did,
+so that there will be no awakenings. As for de Lorgnac--rest you
+assured that monsieur is well aware of the state of your mind towards
+him, else he would never have taken the course he has adopted. Be
+certain, therefore, that all appeal to him will be in vain!"
+
+I felt the force of the last words and was silent, and then de
+Clermont's face came before me, very clear and distinct, and with a
+sob I broke down once again and gave way to tears.
+
+I will pass over the rest of the time until I found myself ready for
+the ceremony, noting only with surprise, that I was to be married in a
+riding-habit, as if the wedding was to be instantly followed by a
+journey. Unhinged though I was, I asked the reason for this, but
+Madame de Martigny could only say it was the Queen's order, and I
+honestly believe she had no further explanation to offer.
+
+At the door of the oratory the marshal met me, and led me into the
+chapel, which was but dimly lighted, and where my husband that was to
+be, was already standing booted and spurred, ready, like myself, to
+take to horse. There were a dozen or so of people grouped around,
+and one seated figure which I felt was that of the King. I made a
+half-glance towards him, but dared not look again, for behind Henri's
+chair was de Clermont, gay and brilliant, in marked contrast to the
+sombre, if stately, figure of de Lorgnac.
+
+At last the time came when I placed a hand as cold as stone in that of
+my husband, and the words were spoken which made us man and wife. When
+it was all over, and we had turned to bow to the King, de Clermont
+stepped forward and clasped a jewelled collar round my neck, saying in
+a loud voice, "In the King's name," and then, aided by the dim light,
+and with unexampled daring, he swiftly snatched away one of my gloves,
+which I held in my hand, with a whisper of "This for me."
+
+Henri spoke a few jesting words, and then rising, left the chapel
+abruptly, followed by de Clermont; but those who remained, came round
+us with congratulations that sounded idle and hollow to me. It was
+then that I noticed for the first time that Catherine was not present,
+although I saw Queen Margot, and Madame de Canillac there. The
+marshal, however, cut the buzz of voices short.
+
+"The horses are ready, de Lorgnac, and, as arranged, you start
+to-night. And now, my good niece, adieu, and good fortune be with you
+and your husband."
+
+With that he bent, and touching my forehead with his stiff moustache,
+stepped back a pace to let us pass.
+
+As I walked by my husband's side, dazed and giddy, with a humming in
+my ears, there came back to me with a swift and insistent force, the
+words of the vows, which, if I had not spoken, I had given a tacit
+assent to. They were none the less binding on this account. Two of
+them I could not keep. One cannot control one's soul, and I felt that
+in this respect my life would be henceforth a living lie; but one I
+thought I might observe, and that was the oath to obey; yet even in
+the short passage leading from the oratory to the entrance to the
+chapel, my heart flamed up in rebellion, and, with a sudden movement,
+I withdrew my hand from my husband's arm, and biting my lips till the
+blood came, forced myself to keep by his side. He made no effort to
+restrain me, spoke never a word, until we came to the door where the
+horses were waiting, with half-a-dozen armed and mounted men. Here de
+Lorgnac turned to me, saying, almost in a whisper, "May I help you to
+mount?"
+
+I made a movement of my hand in the negative, and he stepped back; but
+the animal was restive, and at last I was forced to accept his aid. As
+we passed out of the gateway, riding side by side, I spoke for the
+first time.
+
+"May I ask where you are going to take me, Monsieur de Lorgnac?"
+
+He answered, speaking as before, in low tones, "I thought you
+knew--you should have been told. We go first to the house of Madame de
+Termes."
+
+Like lightning it came to me that the man was afraid of me. I cannot
+say how I knew it. I felt it, and made up my mind to use my advantage,
+with a vengeful joy at being able to make my bear dance to my tune. I
+therefore broke in upon his speech.
+
+"Enough, monsieur! I should not have asked the question. It is a
+wife's duty to obey without inquiry."
+
+I looked him full in the face as I said this coldly, and he touched
+his horse with the spur and rode a yard or two in front of me,
+muttering something indistinctly. But my heart was leaping at the
+discovery, and I inwardly thanked God that it was to Madame de Termes
+we were to go, for apart from the fact that both she and her husband,
+whose lands of Termes marched with mine, had been life-long friends of
+our house, she was one whom I knew to be the noblest and best of
+women. I was not aware that she was known to de Lorgnac; but I hid my
+curiosity and asked no questions, and there was no further speech
+between my husband and myself until we came to our destination. As we
+entered the courtyard of the Hôtel de Termes all appeared to be bustle
+and confusion within, and the flare of torches fell on moving figures
+hurrying to and fro, on saddled horses and packed mules, and on the
+flash and gleam of arms. My surprise overcame my resolve of silence,
+and I asked aloud, "Surely Madame de Termes is not leaving Paris?"
+
+"News has come that the Vicomte is grievously ill in his government of
+Périgueux, and Madame is hastening there."
+
+"And we travel with her? There! It is impossible, monsieur, that I can
+face so long a journey without some preparation. It is cruel to expect
+this of me."
+
+"It is the King's order that we leave Paris to-night, and I have done
+my best."
+
+"Say your worst, monsieur; it will be more correct," and then we came
+to the door. We appeared to be expected, for we were at once ushered
+up the stairway into a large reception room, where Madame stood almost
+ready to start, for her cloak was lying on a chair, and she held her
+mask in her hand. She came forward to meet us, but as the light fell
+on my face, she started back with a little cry:
+
+"You, Denise--you! My dear, I did not know it was you who were to
+travel with me. You are thrice welcome," and she took me in her arms
+and kissed my cold cheek. "I was but told," she went on, "that a lady
+travelling to Guyenne would join my party, which would be escorted by
+M. de Lorgnac. But what is the matter, child? You are white as a
+sheet, and shiver all over. You are not fit for a long journey."
+
+"M. de Lorgnac thinks otherwise, madame."
+
+"Blaise de Lorgnac! What has he to do with it?" and the spirited old
+lady, one arm round my waist, turned and faced my husband, who stood a
+little way off, fumbling with the hat he held in his hand.
+
+"It is a wife's duty to obey, madame, not to question."
+
+I felt her arm tighten round my waist, and I too turned and faced de
+Lorgnac, who looked like a great dog caught in some fault.
+
+"A wife's duty to obey!" exclaimed Madame; "but that does not concern
+you. Stay! What do you mean, child?"
+
+"I mean, madame, that I was married to M. de Lorgnac scarce an hour
+ago."
+
+Her hand dropped from my side, and she looked from one to the other of
+us in amazement.
+
+"I cannot understand," she said.
+
+"It is for my husband to explain," I said bitterly. "It is for the
+gentleman, to whom we are to trust our lives on this journey, to say
+in how knightly a manner he can treat a woman."
+
+And there de Lorgnac stood, both of us looking at him, his forehead
+burning and his eyes cast down. Even then a little pang of pity went
+through me to see him thus humbled, so strangely does God fashion the
+hearts of us women. But I hardened myself. I was determined to spare
+him nothing, and to measure out in full to him a cup of bitterness for
+the draught he had made me drink.
+
+"Speak, man," exclaimed Madame. "Have you no voice?"
+
+"He works in silence, madame," I burst in with an uncontrollable gust
+of anger; "he lies in silence. Shall I tell you what has happened?
+I, Denise de Mieux, am neither more nor less than M. de Lorgnac's
+price--the hire he has received for a business he has to perform for
+the King. What it is I know not--perhaps something that no other
+gentleman would undertake. All that I know is that I, and my estates
+of Mieux, have become the property of this man, who stands before us,
+and is, God help me, my husband. Madame, five hours ago, I had not
+spoken ten words to him in my life, and now I am here, as much his
+property, as the valise his lackey bears behind his saddle."
+
+"Hush, dear--be still--you forget yourself," and Madame drew me once
+more to her side and turned to my husband.
+
+"Is this true, Blaise de Lorgnac? Or is the child ill and raving?
+Answer, man!"
+
+"It is," he answered hoarsely, "every word."
+
+In the silence that ensued I might have heard my glove fall, and then
+Madame, with a stiff little bow to my husband, said, "Pray excuse me
+for a moment," and stepped out of the room. He would have held the
+door for her, but she waved him aside, and he moved back and faced me,
+and for the first time we were alone together.
+
+In the meanwhile I had made up my mind. I had repeated parrot-like the
+words that it was my duty to obey. I had vowed to follow my husband
+whithersoever he went; but vow or no vow I felt it was impossible, and
+I spoke out.
+
+"Monsieur, you stand self-convicted. You have pleaded guilty to every
+charge I have made. Now hear me before Madame comes back, for I wish
+to spare you as much as possible. I have been forced into this
+marriage; but I am as dead to you as though we had never met. I
+decline to accept the position you have prepared for me, and our paths
+separate now. Would to God they had never crossed! I shall throw
+myself on the protection of Madame de Termes, and at the first
+opportunity shall seek the refuge of a convent. You will have to do
+your work without your hire, M. de Lorgnac."
+
+He made a step forward, and laid his hand on my cloak.
+
+"Denise--hear me--I love you."
+
+"You mean my château and lands of Mieux. Why add a lie to what you
+have already done? It is hardly necessary," and I moved out of his
+reach.
+
+His hand dropped to his side as he turned from me, and at the same
+time Madame re-entered the room.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "I fear the honour of your escort is too great
+for such as I, and I have arranged to travel with such protection as
+my own people can give me. As for this poor girl here, if she is
+willing to go with me, I will take the risk of the King's anger--and
+yours. She shall go with us, I say, and if there is a spark of honour
+left in you, you will leave her alone."
+
+"She is free as air," he answered.
+
+"Then, monsieur, you will excuse me; but time is pressing."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                      THE SPUR OF LES ESCHELLES.
+
+
+De Lorgnac was gone. Through the open window overlooking the
+courtyard, that let in the warm summer evening, we heard him give an
+order to his men in a quick, resolute voice, far different from the
+low tones in which he had spoken before, and then he and his troop
+rode off at a rapid trot in the direction, as it seemed, of the Porte
+St. Honoré. I could hardly realize that I was free and that de Lorgnac
+had resigned me without a struggle. All that I could think of was that
+he was gone, and with a quick gasp of relief I turned to my friend.
+
+"Oh, madame! How can I thank you? What shall I say?"
+
+"Say nothing to me, my child, but rather thank the good God that there
+was a little of honour left in that man. And now, before we start, you
+must have some refreshment."
+
+"I cannot--indeed, no. I am ready to go at once. I want to put leagues
+between me and Paris."
+
+"You must be guided by me now, Denise," and as she spoke a servant
+brought in some soup and a flask of wine. Despite my protests I was
+forced to swallow something, though I felt that I was choking; yet the
+little Frontignac I drank, I not being used to wine, seemed to steady
+my shaking limbs and restore my scattered faculties.
+
+As we put on our cloaks and demi-masks preparatory to starting, Madame
+de Termes kept saying to herself, "I cannot understand--Blaise de
+Lorgnac to lend himself to a thing like this! I would have staked my
+life on him. There is something behind this, child," and she put a
+hand on each of my shoulders and looked me full in the eyes. "Have you
+told me all--have you withheld nothing?"
+
+"Has he not himself admitted what I said, madame? If that is not
+enough I will add every word of what I know;" and as we stood there I
+detailed what I have already told, forcing myself to go on with the
+story once or twice when I felt myself being unnerved, and finishing
+with a quick, "And, madame, I was taken by storm. Indeed, I hardly
+know even if this is not some frightful dream."
+
+"Would it were so," she said, and added, "Denise, I believe every word
+you say; and yet there is something behind de Lorgnac's action. I know
+him well. He would never lend himself to be the tool of others. Once,
+however, at Périgueux you will be safe with the Vicomte and myself,
+and it will be a long arm that would drag you thence--nothing short of
+that of the Medicis. But Catherine owes much to de Termes; and now let
+us start."
+
+What was my surprise when we reached the courtyard, to hear my maid
+Mousette's voice, and I saw her perched on a little nag, already
+engaged in a flirtation with one of the men. When I spoke to her she
+pressed her horse forward and began hurriedly:
+
+"I was sent here with Madame's things," she said. "I am afraid the
+valises are but hastily packed, and much has had to be left behind;
+but Madame will excuse me, I know; it was all so quick, and I had so
+little time."
+
+"Thank you, Mousette," and I turned to my horse, her address of Madame
+ringing strangely in my ears.
+
+We were, including Madame de Termes' servants, who were well armed, a
+party of about twelve, small enough to face the danger of the road in
+those unsettled days, but no thought of this struck me, and as for
+Madame de Termes, she would, I do believe, have braved the journey
+alone, so anxious was she to be by the Vicomte's side, for between
+herself and the stout old soldier, who held the lieutenancy of
+Périgord, there existed the deepest affection.
+
+As we rode down the Bourdonnais, I could not help thinking to myself
+how noble a spirit it was that animated my friend. Not for one moment
+had she allowed her own trouble to stand in the way of her helping me.
+Her husband, whom, as I have said, she dearly loved, was ill, perhaps
+dying, and yet in her sympathy and pity for me, she had let no word
+drop about him, except the cheery assurance of his protection.
+Nevertheless, as we rode on, she ever kept turning towards Lalande,
+her equerry, and bade him urge the lagging baggage animals on. Passing
+the Grand Chatelet, we crossed the arms of the river by the Pont au
+Change, and the Pont St. Michel, and kept steadily down the Rue de la
+Harpe towards the Porte St. Martin. We gained this not a moment too
+soon, for as the last of the baggage animals passed it, we heard the
+officer give the word to lower the drawbridge and close the gates. The
+clanking of the chains, and the creaking of the huge doors came to me
+with something of relief in them, for it seemed to me that I was safe
+from further tyranny from the Hôtel de Soissons, at any rate for this
+night.
+
+As we passed the huge silhouette of the Hôtel de Luxembourg, we heard
+the bells of St. Sulpice sounding Compline, and then, from behind us,
+the solemn notes rang out from the spires of the city churches.
+Yielding to an impulse I could not resist, I turned in my saddle and
+looked back, letting my eyes run over the vast, dim outlines of the
+city, so softened by the moonlight that it was as if some opaque,
+fantastic cloud was resting on the earth. Above curved the profound
+blue of the night, with here and there a star struggling to force its
+way past the splendour of the moon. All was quiet and still, and the
+church bells ringing out were as a message from His creatures to the
+Most High. I let my heart go after the voices of the bells as they
+travelled heavenward, and had it not been for Mousette's shrill tones,
+that cut through the quiet night and recalled me to myself, I might
+have let the party go onwards, I do not know how far. As it was, I had
+to bustle my little horse to gain the side of Madame de Termes once
+more. It was not, of course, our intention to travel all night. That
+would have been impossible, for it would have entailed weary horses,
+and a long halt the next day; but it was proposed that we should make
+for a small château belonging to Monsieur de Bouchage, the brother of
+the Duc de Joyeuse, which he had placed at Madame de Termes' disposal,
+and there rest for the remainder of the night, making a start early
+the next morning, and then pressing on daily, as fast as our strength
+would allow. Lalande had sent a courier on in advance to announce our
+sudden coming. We did not expect to reach de Bouchage's house until
+about midnight, and the equerry was fussing up and down the line of
+march, urging a packhorse on here, checking a restive animal there,
+and ever and again warning the lackeys to keep their arms in
+readiness, for the times were such that no man's teeth were safe in
+his head, unless he wore a good blade by his side.
+
+We were, in short, on the eve of that tremendous struggle which,
+beginning with the Day of the Barricades, went on to the murder of the
+Princes of Lorraine on that terrible Christmastide at Blois, and
+culminated with the dagger of Clement and the death of the miscreant
+whom God in His anger had given to us for a king.
+
+Already the Huguenots were arming again, and it was afloat that the
+Palatine had sent twenty thousand men, under Dhona, to emulate the
+march of the Duc de Deux Ponts from the Rhine to Guyenne. It was said
+that the Montpensier had gone so far as to attempt to seize the person
+of the King, swearing that once in her hands, he would never see the
+outside of four walls again, and rumours were flitting here and there,
+crediting the Bearnnois with the same, if not deeper, resolves.
+
+Things being so, the land was as full of angry murmurs as a nest of
+disturbed bees; the result being that the writ of the King was almost
+as waste paper, and bands of cut-throat soldiery committed every
+excess, now under the white, then under the red scarf, as it suited
+their convenience.
+
+It was for this reason that Lalande urged us on, and we were nothing
+loath ourselves to hasten, but our pace had to be regulated by that of
+the laden animals, and do what we would our progress was slow.
+
+Madame and I rode in the rear of the troop, a couple of armed men
+immediately behind us. Lalande was in front, and exercised the
+greatest caution whenever we came to a place that was at all likely to
+be used for an ambuscade.
+
+Nothing, however, happened, and finally we set down to a jogging
+motion, speaking no word, for we were wearied, and with no sound to
+break the silence of the night except the shuffling of our horses, the
+straining of their harness, and the clink of sword sheath and chain
+bit.
+
+Suddenly we were startled by the rapid beat of hoofs, and in a moment,
+a white horse and its rider emerged from the moonlit haze to our
+right, coming as it were straight upon us. Lalande gave a quick order
+to halt, and I saw the barrel of his pistol flashing in his hand; but
+the horseman, with a cry of "For the King! Way! Way!" dashed over the
+road at full gallop, and sped off like a sprite over the open plain to
+our left.
+
+"Did you hear the voice, Denise?" asked Madame.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It is stranger than ever," she said, and I could make no answer.
+
+There was no doubt about it. It was de Lorgnac; and instead of going
+to the Porte St. Honoré as I thought when he left us, he must have
+crossed by the Meunniers and come out by the St. Germains Gate. He had
+evidently, too, separated himself from his men.
+
+"I shall be glad when we reach de Bouchage's house," I said with a
+shiver, for the apparition of my husband had sent a chill through me.
+
+"It is not far now," replied Madame; and then we both became silent,
+absorbed in our own thoughts. She, no doubt, thinking of the Vicomte,
+and I with my mind full of forebodings as to what other evil fate had
+in store for me; and with this there came thoughts of de Clermont,
+whose presence I seemed absolutely to feel about me. I could not say I
+loved him, but it was as if he had a power over me that sapped my
+strength, and I felt that I was being dragged towards him. I cannot
+explain what it was, but others have told me the same, that when his
+clear blue eyes were fixed on them, they seemed to lose themselves,
+and that his glance had a power, the force of which no one could put
+into words, nor indeed, can I.
+
+It was only by an effort and a prayer that I succeeded in collecting
+myself; and it was with no little joy that I saw the grey outlines of
+the Château de Bouchage, and knew that for the remainder of the night
+there was rest.
+
+I will pass over our journey till we reached the Limousin. Going at
+our utmost strength, we found we could barely cover more than six
+leagues a day; and as day after day passed, and no news of the Vicomte
+came, Madame's face grew paler, and she became feverishly impatient
+for us to hurry onward; yet never for one moment did she lose the
+sweetness of her temper or falter in her kindness towards me. No
+mishap of any kind befell us; but at the ford of the Gartempe, there
+at last came good news that brought the glad tears to Madame's eyes,
+and the colour once more to her cheeks, for here a courier met us,
+riding with a red spur, to say that the Vicomte was out of danger, and
+striding hour by hour towards recovery. The courier further said, in
+answer to our questions, that the messenger whom Madame de Termes had
+sent on in advance, to announce her coming, had never arrived, and he
+himself was more than surprised at meeting us, believing Madame to be
+yet at Paris. No doubt the poor man who had been sent on in advance
+had met with ill, and we thanked God for the lucky chance that had put
+us in the way of the Vicomte's messenger, and also that it was not
+with us as with our man, for he had doubtless been killed, and indeed
+he was never seen again. Back we sent the courier with a spare horse
+to announce our speedy coming, and it was a gay and joyous party that
+splashed through the sparkling waters of the Gartempe. Even I, for the
+moment, forgot everything with the glad tidings that had come like the
+lark's song in the morning to cheer my friend's heart, and for a brief
+space I forgot de Lorgnac and my bonds, and was once more Denise de
+Mieux, as heedless and light-hearted as youth, high spirits, and
+health could make me. It was decided to push on to Ambazac at any cost
+by that evening. The news we had heard seemed to lighten even the
+loads of the pack animals, and we soon left the silver thread of the
+river behind us, and entered the outskirts of the Viennois. As for me,
+I do not know how it was, but I was, as I have said, in the wildest of
+spirits, and nothing could content me but the most rapid motion. At
+one time I urged my horse far in advance of the party, at another I
+circled round and round them, or lagged behind, till they were all but
+out of sight, and then caught them up at the full speed of my beast,
+and all this despite Lalande's grumbling that the horse would be worn
+out. He spoke truly enough, but I was in one of those moods that can
+brook no control, and went my own way. I was destined, however, to be
+brought back sharply to the past, from which for the moment I had
+escaped. As we reached the wooded hills of Les Eschelles, I had
+allowed the party to go well in advance of me, and, stopping for a
+moment, dismounted near a spring from which a little brook, hedged in
+on each side with ferns, babbled noisily off along the hillside. To
+me, who after all, loved the fresh sweet country, the scene was
+enchanting. The road wound half-way up the side of the spur, and the
+rough hillside with its beech forests, amongst the leaves of which
+twined the enchanter's nightshade, swept downwards in bold curves into
+a wild moorland, covered with purple heather and golden broom. The
+sheer rock above me was gay with pink mallow, and the crimson of the
+cranesbill flashed here and there, whilst the swish of the bracken in
+the breeze was pleasant to my ears. Overhead, between me and the
+absolute blue of the sky, was a yellow lacework of birch leaves, and a
+wild rose, thick with its snowy bloom, scrambled along the face of the
+rock just above the spring. It was to gather a bouquet of these
+flowers for Madame that I had halted and dismounted. The task was more
+difficult than I imagined, and whilst I was wrestling with it, I heard
+the full rich baritone of a man's voice singing out into the morning,
+and the next moment, the singer turned the corner of a bluff a few
+yards from me, and Raoul de Clermont was before me. He stopped short
+in his song with an exclamation, and, lifting his plumed hat, said in
+astonishment:
+
+"You, mademoiselle! Pardon--Madame de Lorgnac! Where in the world have
+you dropped from? Or, stay--are you the genius of this spot?" and his
+laughing eyes looked me full in the face.
+
+I stood with my flowers in my hands, inwardly trembling, but outwardly
+calm.
+
+"It is rather for me to ask where in the world you have sprung from,
+monsieur. It is not fair to startle people like this."
+
+"I ask your pardon once more. As it happens, I am travelling on
+business and pleasure combined. My estates of Clermont-Ferrand lie but
+a short way from here, as you perhaps know; but let me help you to add
+to those flowers you have gathered," and he sprang from his horse.
+
+"No, thank you, Monsieur de Clermont," I answered hastily. "I must
+hurry on lest Madame de Termes, with whom I am travelling, should
+think I am lost."
+
+"So it is Monsieur de Clermont now, is it? It will be a stiff Monsieur
+le Marquis soon," and my heart began to beat, though I said nothing,
+and he went on: "For old sake's sake let me gather that cluster yonder
+for you, and then Monsieur de Clermont will take you to Madame."
+
+With a touch of his poniard he cut the flowers, and handed them to me,
+breaking one as he did and fastening it into the flap of his
+pourpoint. So quiet and masterful was his manner that I did nothing to
+resist, and then, putting me on my horse, he mounted himself, saying
+with that joyous laugh of his:
+
+"Now, fair lady, let us hasten onward to Madame de Termes. I need
+protection, too--I fear my knaves have lagged far behind."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                             AT AMBAZAC.
+
+
+The road swept onward with gentle curves, at one time hanging to
+the edge of the hillside, at another walled in on either hand by
+rocks covered with fern and bracken, to whose jagged and broken
+surface--whereon purples, greens, and browns seemed to absorb
+themselves into each other--there clung the yellow agrimony, and
+climbing rose, with its sweet bloom full of restless, murmuring bees.
+
+Sometimes the path lost itself in some cool arcade of trees, where the
+sunlight fell in oblique golden shafts through the leaves that
+interlaced overhead, and then suddenly, without warning, we would come
+to a level stretch on which the marguerites lay thick as snowflakes,
+and across which the wind bustled riotously.
+
+As we cantered along side by side, my companion again broke forth
+into a joyous song, that sprang full-throated and clear, from a heart
+that never seemed to have known a moment of pain. His was a lithe,
+leopard-like strength, and as I looked at him, my thoughts ran back to
+the time when we first met, on his return from the Venetian Embassy,
+whither he had gone when M. de Bruslart made a mess of things. I do
+not know why it was, but he singled me out for his particular notice;
+and though it was openly known that he was betrothed to the second
+daughter of M. D'Ayen, I, like a fool, was flattered by the attentions
+of this gay and brilliant cavalier, and day by day we were thrown
+together more and more, and a sort of confidence was established
+between us that was almost more than friendship. There was, as I have
+said, that in his masterful way, that had the effect of leaving me
+powerless; and though he could put all its light in his eyes, and all
+its tones in his voice, I felt instinctively that he did not love me,
+but was merely playing with me to exercise his strength, and dragging
+me towards him with a resistless force. In short, the influence of de
+Clermont on me was never for my good, and our intercourse always left
+me with the conviction that I had sunk a little lower than before; and
+it was at times like these, when I met de Lorgnac's grave eyes, that I
+felt the unspoken reproach in their glance, and would struggle to rise
+again, and then, in the consciousness of my own folly, I felt I fairly
+hated him for seeing my weakness. What right had de Lorgnac even to
+think of me? What did it matter to him what I did or said? So I used
+to argue with myself; yet in my heart of hearts, I felt that my
+standard of right and wrong, was being measured by what I imagined a
+man, to whom I had hardly ever spoken, might think.
+
+When I make this confession, and say that the influence of de Clermont
+over me was never for my good, I do not mean to imply that I was
+guilty of anything more than foolishness; but the effect of it was to
+sap my high ideas, and I now know that this man, aided by his
+surroundings--and they were all to his advantage--took the pleasure
+of a devil in lowering my moral nature, and in moulding me to
+become "of the world," as he would put it. God be thanked that the
+world is not as he would have made it. At that time, however, I was
+dazzled--all but overpowered by him, and day by day my struggles were
+growing weaker, like those of some poor fly caught in a pitiless web.
+The knowledge of all this was to come to me later, when, by God's
+help, I escaped; but then I was blind, and foolish, and mad.
+
+My companion's song was interrupted by Lalande, who came galloping
+back in hot haste, and in no good temper, to say that the whole party
+had halted to wait for me; and quickening our pace we hurried onward,
+and found them about a mile further on. To say that Madame de Termes
+was surprised at seeing de Clermont is to say little, and I could see,
+too, that she was not very well pleased; but he spoke to her so fairly
+and gracefully that, in spite of herself, she thawed; and half an hour
+later he was riding at her bridle hand, bringing smiles that had long
+been absent to her face. He was overjoyed to hear of the Vicomte's
+recovery, and said many flattering things about him, for he knew him
+well, having served under him in the campaign of Languedoc, and then
+he went on to become more communicative about himself, saying that he
+was the bearer of a despatch to the King of Navarre, adding, with a
+laugh, "a duplicate, you know--the original being carried by M.
+Norreys, the English freelance. _Ma foi!_ But I should not be
+surprised if I reached the Bearnnois before the sluggish islander."
+
+"Hardly, if you loiter here, Monsieur le Marquis," I said.
+
+"You must bear the blame for that, Madame; but I will add that my
+orders are to pass through Périgueux as well, and so, Madame," and he
+turned to my friend, "if you will permit Raoul de Clermont to be your
+escort there, he will look upon it as the most sacred trust of his
+life."
+
+He bowed to his saddle-bow, and looked so winning and handsome that
+Madame replied most graciously in the affirmative. A little beyond La
+Jonchère something very like an adventure befell us--the first on this
+hitherto uneventful journey. At the cross road leading to Bourganeuf,
+we met with a party of six or eight men, who did not require a second
+glance to make us see that they were capable of any mischief. They had
+halted to bait their horses, and, flung about in picturesque
+attitudes, were resting under the trees--as ill-looking a set of
+fellows as the pleasant shade of the planes had ever fallen upon. Had
+they known beforehand that we were travelling this way, they would
+very probably have arranged an attack on us; but as it was we came
+upon them rather suddenly, and as our party--which had been added to
+by de Clermont's two lackeys--was somewhat too strong to assault
+openly, without the risk of broken heads and hard knocks--things which
+gentry of this kind do not much affect--they let us alone, contenting
+themselves with gathering into a group to watch us as we went by; and
+this we did slowly, our men with their arms ready. As we approached,
+however, and saw their truculent faces, I had doubts as to whether we
+should pass them without bloodshed, and begged de Clermont in a low
+voice to prevent any such thing. He had drawn a light rapier that he
+wore, but as I spoke he put it back with a snap, and holding out
+his hand, asked for the loan of my riding-whip--a little delicate,
+agate-handled thing.
+
+"It will be enough," he said as I gave it to him, and he began to
+swing it backwards and forwards, as if using it to flick off flies
+from his horse. To my joy they made no attempt to molest us, though at
+one time a quarrel hung on a cobweb. For as we passed, the leader of
+the troop, a big burly man, with a very long sword trailing at his
+side, and a face as red as the constant dipping of his nose into a
+wine cup could make it, advanced a step into the wood, and, wishing us
+the day, tried deliberately to get a better look at me, with an
+unspeakable expression in his eyes. I saw de Clermont's face grow cold
+and hard, he quietly put his horse between me and the man, and
+checking it slightly, stretched out the whip, and touched a not very
+clean white scarf the creature wore over his shoulder, saying:
+
+"You are a trifle too near Limoges to wear this, my man--take my
+advice and fling it away."
+
+"That is my affair," answered the man insolently.
+
+"Precisely, Captain la Coquille. I spoke but for your good. Ah! take
+care!" and de Clermont's horse, no doubt secretly touched by the spur,
+lashed out suddenly, causing the man to spring back with an oath and
+an exclamation of:
+
+"You know me! Who the devil are you?"
+
+To this, however, de Clermont made no answer, but as we passed on he
+returned my whip to me, saying, "I am glad I did not have to use it.
+It would have deprived you of a pretty toy had I done so."
+
+"Thank you. Who is that horrible man? You called him by name."
+
+"Yes, la Coquille. I know him by sight, though he does not know me. He
+was very near being crucified once, and escaped but by a fluke. He is
+robber, thief, and perhaps a murderer, and----"
+
+"And what!"
+
+De Clermont reached forward and brushed off an imaginary fly from his
+horse's ears.
+
+"And has something of a history. I believe he was a gentleman once,
+and then went under--found his way to the galleys. After that he was
+anything, and perhaps I ought not to tell you, but in time he became
+de Lorgnac's sergeant--his confidential man--and it was only his
+master's influence that saved him from a well-deserved death. It was
+foolish of de Lorgnac, for the man knew too many of his secrets, and
+was getting dangerous. I hope I have not pained you," he added gently.
+
+"Not in the least," I replied, and rode on looking straight before me.
+So this vile criminal was once my husband's confidential servant, was
+perhaps still connected with him in his dark designs. And then I said
+a bitter thing, "Like master, like man. Is not that the adage,
+monsieur?" But as the words escaped me, I felt a keen regret.
+
+"God help you, Denise," I heard de Clermont murmur as if to himself,
+and then he turned abruptly from me, and joined Madame de Termes,
+leaving me with a beating heart, for his words had come to me with a
+sense of undying, hopeless love in them, and he was so brave, he
+seemed so true, and looked so handsome, that my heart went out in pity
+for him. How the mind can move! In a moment there rose before me
+thoughts of a life far different from the one to which I was doomed,
+and with them came the grim spectres of the vows that bound me
+forever, and which I would have to keep. God help me! Yes, I needed
+help--de Clermont was right.
+
+We passed on, leaving the gang still under the plane-trees, and soon
+came in view of Ambazac, lying amidst its setting of waving
+cornfields. Here for a little time we suddenly missed de Clermont and
+one of his lackeys, and both Madame and I were much concerned, for the
+same thought struck us both, that he had lagged behind and then gone
+off hot-foot to punish la Coquille. We were about to turn after him
+when he came in sight, followed by his man, and caught us up, riding
+with a free rein. He perhaps saw the inquiry in my look, for he said
+softly to me, "I went back to pick up a souvenir I had dropped," and
+his eye fell on the lapel of his coat where my rose was, a little,
+however, the worse for wear. After that he did not speak to me, but
+kept by Madame and devoted himself to her with a delicacy for which I
+was grateful, for I felt I wanted all my thoughts for myself. At
+Ambazac, which we reached in a little, we found good accommodation at
+a large inn, although the town was full, it being the _fête_ of St.
+Etienne de Muret; and after taking some light refreshment Madame and I
+retired to our apartments, to rest until the supper hour, for we were
+wearied. We supped in the common hall, but at a small table a little
+apart from the others, and de Clermont, who sat next to me, gave
+Madame an interesting account of the defence of Ambazac, made by her
+husband against the Prince of Condé. It was whilst he was detailing
+the incidents of this adventure that, with a great clattering and much
+loud talking, la Coquille and his men entered the dining-room, and
+began to shout for food and drink. Most of the people in the inn being
+common country folk and unarmed, made way for the crew with haste, and
+even an expression of alarm appeared on Lalande's face, for our own
+servants were but six in number, including the baggage drivers, and
+Madame's maid and my own, who, of course, were useless, and two of our
+men-servants were at the moment attending to the horses; so that we
+were at a decided disadvantage, and la Coquille was not slow to
+perceive this.
+
+"_Dame_," he exclaimed, looking towards us, "here is my popinjay and
+his sugar-plum. Look you, my good fellow, join those boys there,
+whilst I bask in beauty's smiles."
+
+His men crowded round our servants with rough joking, and he, picking
+up a stool, placed it at our table, and held out an immense greasy paw
+to me.
+
+"Shake hands, _ma mignonne!_ Never mind the old lady and the silk
+mercer. There is no lover like a brave soldier."
+
+Madame was white with anger. I had sprung to my feet, meditating
+flight, and the villain's followers raised a hoarse shout, "Courage,
+captain! None but the brave deserve the fair."
+
+Then de Clermont's hand was on the man's neck, and with a swing of his
+arm he sent him staggering back almost across the room. He recovered
+himself on the instant, however, for he was a powerful man, and rushed
+forward; but stopped when he saw de Clermont's rapier in his hand, and
+began to tug at his fathom of a sword. His men, however, offered no
+assistance to him, contenting themselves with breaking into loud
+laughter. As for de Clermont, he was as cool and self-possessed as if
+he were at a Court function.
+
+"Out of this," he said. "Begone--else I shall have you flogged and you
+shall taste the _carcan_. Be off."
+
+"The _carcan!_ You silkworm, you cream-faced dancing-master!" yelled
+the man, who had now drawn his sword. "Who the devil are you to
+threaten _me_--la Coquille--with the _carcan?_ Blood of a Jew! Who are
+you?"
+
+"The Marquis de Clermont-Ferrand," was the answer, "and these ladies
+are of the household of M. de Termes, and now I will give you and your
+men two minutes to go. If not I shall have them stoned out of the
+place; and you--you know what to expect. If you are wise you will put
+a hundred leagues between yourself and Périgord after this; and now be
+off--fool."
+
+The man dropped his sword into its sheath and stammered out, "Your
+pardon, monseigneur! I did not know. Come, boys," he said with an
+affectation of unconcern, "these ladies complain that the place is too
+crowded; we will go elsewhere. At your service, mesdames," and making
+a bow that had a sort of faded grace about it, he swaggered off
+followed by his men, who took his lead with surprising alacrity. The
+people in the inn and our servants raised a cheer, and were for going
+after them, doubtless to administer the stoning; but de Clermont put a
+stop to this, saying in a peremptory tone, "Let them go; I will see
+that they are dealt with."
+
+As may be imagined we were in no mood for much supper after this. My
+knees felt very weak under me, and Madame de Termes was trembling all
+over; but she thanked de Clermont very gracefully, and he made some
+modest answer with his eyes fixed on me, and I--I could say nothing.
+We would have retired at once, but de Clermont pressed us to stay, and
+Madame, with a little smile, agreed, saying, "I am afraid even after
+all these years I am not quite a soldier's wife." So we lingered yet a
+little longer and found our nerves come back to us. After that we sat
+in the garden where the moonlight was full and bright, and the breeze
+brought us the scent of the roses. Then de Clermont bringing out his
+lute sang to us. He had a voice such as neither I, nor any one else I
+knew who had listened to it, had ever heard equalled. So, perhaps,
+sang his old troubadour ancestors, and the sweet notes had died with
+the days of chivalry to be born in Raoul de Clermont. The song he
+chose was one that was perchance written by one of his minstrel
+forbears, and described in that old tongue that we no longer use, a
+lover's agony at being separated forever from his mistress. The words
+were, perhaps, poor, but there was genuine feeling in them, and sung
+by de Clermont, it might have been the wail of an angel shut out from
+Paradise. Never did I hear the like--never would I care to hear the
+like again, and as the last of the glorious notes died away in a
+liquid stream of ineffable melody, I saw Madame's face buried in her
+hands, and there was a great sob behind me that came from the broad
+chest of Lalande, who had stolen up to hear, and was blubbering like a
+child. Then Madame de Termes rose, and hurried off followed by
+Lalande, and we were alone, I sitting still with my whole soul full of
+that wondrous song, and every nerve strung to its highest pitch,
+whilst de Clermont remained standing, his lute, slung by its silken
+sash, in the loop of his arm.
+
+"Denise!" he said, "you understand, dear?"
+
+"Yes." I could barely whisper the word; and then he bent down and
+kissed me softly on the forehead, and the touch of his lips seemed to
+burn into me like a red-hot seal. With a little cry I rose to my feet,
+and hardly knowing what I was doing, ran past him, never stopping
+until I reached my room. Here I remained as if lost in a dream, with a
+hundred mad thoughts dancing in my brain. I tried to pray, but my lips
+could only frame words, for there was nothing in my heart; and then I
+thought I would seek forgetfulness in sleep. But sleep would not come,
+and I lay awake watching the broad banner of moonlight that came in
+through the open window, and all the memories of the past awake within
+me. De Clermont's kiss still burned hotly on my face, and I shivered
+with the shame and the sin of it, for I was another's wife--and Heaven
+help me! I thought then that I loved de Clermont. Oh! the misery of
+those hours, when I tossed from side to side with dry, burning eyes
+and bitter shame in my heart. At last, as the moon was paling, I could
+endure it no longer, and, rising from my bed, began to pace the room.
+I felt that what I needed was motion, movement--I could not be still.
+If I could only pray! and as the thought came to me once more I heard
+a little _clink_, and stooping, picked up a small locket containing a
+miniature of my mother which I wore round my neck, the gold chain by
+which it was suspended having broken in my restless movements. I
+opened the locket, and standing near the window looked at the picture,
+and as I live it seemed to lighten so that I could see each feature,
+with the soft eyes bent on me in pity; and then a voice--it was her
+voice--said:
+
+"Denise, pray!"
+
+And then my eyes were blinded with tears, and flinging myself on my
+knees with my hands clasped on the mullions of the window I sobbed
+out, "God! Dear God! Have pity on me!"
+
+I could say no more, but my whole soul went out with these words and I
+knelt there, still and motionless, with the sense of a great peace
+falling upon me. Then it was as if the very heavens grew bright as
+day, and the light filled my room so that my eyes were dazzled and I
+could not see. And I covered my face with my hands to shield my eyes
+from the splendour.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+When I looked up again the glory was gone, but my soul was at rest. I
+stood at the window and let the cool breeze fan me, whilst I peered
+out into the darkness, for the moon had sunk and it was now the black
+hour that touches the dawn. As I watched I heard the bells of St.
+Etienne calling the Lauds across the grave of the night, and I knew
+that in two hours it would be daylight, and felt that the Unseen God
+had heard my prayer.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                M. LE MARQUIS LEADS HIS HIGHEST TRUMP.
+
+
+When I came down in the morning I found we were all ready to start.
+Madame was mounted, and de Clermont was standing to assist me to my
+horse. It all seemed so strange after the crisis of last night. I had
+not schooled myself. I had not had time to meet de Clermont with
+unconcern, and overcome by a sudden shyness I declined his aid, and he
+said in his cool, level voice:
+
+"You are very proud this morning."
+
+The touch of proprietorship in his tone, which he so often used
+towards me, and to which I had hitherto submitted, jarred on me now,
+and in a moment my courage had come back. I looked him full in the
+face and answered:
+
+"It is necessary to be proud sometimes, monsieur."
+
+Our eyes held each other for an instant, and for the first time I saw
+in his clear blue glance an expression of hesitation and surprise, and
+I felt that the compelling power of his look was gone, and then--he
+dropped his gaze, and stepping back lifted his hat without a word; but
+I saw the white line of his teeth close on his nether lip.
+
+Then we started, and de Clermont dropped away to the rear of the
+party, leaving Madame de Termes and myself alone. She was full of the
+strange song of last night.
+
+"I had heard of his voice before," she said, "but never thought it was
+anything like that. St. Siege!" and she gave a little shudder. "I am
+an old woman; but it was maddening. I forgot everything. I could think
+of nothing except that sorrow in that last verse--the poor man, the
+poor man!" And the dear old lady's eyes filled once more with tears at
+the recollection. "But it was not a good song," she went on in a
+moment, "it was a beautiful evil thing, and he shall sing it no more.
+I will speak to him. It is wrong. It is wicked to touch the heart as
+that song can. He is very silent and grave to-day. I wonder if it
+affected him as it did me?"
+
+But I made no answer, for my mind was full of other things, of the
+hopeless love in the heart that I thought so strong and brave, and of
+the wondrous power that had come over me and enabled me to be victor
+over myself, and I cast up an unspoken prayer that this strength
+should be continued to me, and then I found de Clermont once more by
+my side.
+
+Madame kept her word about the song, and he said gravely:
+
+"I promise. I will never sing it again. It hurts me, too," and,
+changing the subject, other matters were spoken about. In a little I
+found myself separated from Madame, and de Clermont, bending forward,
+said:
+
+"I have news I should have given before that will interest you,
+madame--something you ought to know--of M. de Lorgnac."
+
+"Is it really of importance?"
+
+"I think so. It will remain for you to decide."
+
+"Then what is it, monsieur?"
+
+"I cannot well tell you here. We will let them go onward, and ride
+slowly behind."
+
+I agreed silently, and we soon found ourselves at a little distance
+from the party. We were descending the wooded valley of the Briance,
+and a turn in the forest road left us alone. Then de Clermont, who had
+up to now remained silent, began abruptly:
+
+"Madame, it has been given to me to find out the business on which M.
+de Lorgnac is engaged, and over which you have been sacrificed. You
+are a brave woman--the bravest I have ever met--and I know you will
+bear with the bluntness of my speech, for this is no time to beat
+about the bush."
+
+"Monsieur, it does not concern me on what business M. de Lorgnac is
+engaged. I only ask and pray God to give me some refuge where I may
+never see him again."
+
+"Hear me a moment. I think it does concern you, and vitally too."
+
+"Then what is it?"
+
+"Now call to mind your race, and all that can give you strength.
+Denise de Mieux, your husband is nothing more than an assassin. He has
+been hired by the King and that she-devil the Queen Mother to murder
+Navarre. It is a political necessity for them, and they have found an
+instrument in Blaise de Lorgnac base enough for their purpose. His
+price was high, though--it was you, Denise, and de Tavannes, who is in
+the secret, has paid it. How he came to persuade himself to do so, I
+know not. He is your uncle, and I will not say anything against him."
+
+I felt as if I had received a blow. There was truth in every line of
+de Clermont's face, in every tone of his voice; but I struggled
+against it, and said faintly:
+
+"This does not concern me--I am but a wife in name. I shall never see
+de Lorgnac. He is dead to me."
+
+"Would to God he were dead indeed!" he burst out. "But there is more.
+Catherine is tyrant to her finger nails. She has heard that you have
+refused to remain with your husband, and at his request an order has
+been sent to de Termes to deliver you up to him at Périgueux. Norreys
+has taken that order, and it has already reached him. If you doubt me
+here is the duplicate. You may read it for yourself."
+
+He placed a letter in my hands. I knew the seal well. The red shield
+with the _palle_ of the Medici--Catherine's private signet. But I
+could not read it. My mind became a chaos. "Oh! what shall I do? What
+shall I do?" I exclaimed aloud in my despair.
+
+"Denise!" he said, "there is one way of escape and only one, for de
+Lorgnac has already made his claim at Périgueux, and you go straight
+into the lion's jaws."
+
+"What is it? Tell me."
+
+He laid his hand on my rein. "Denise--put your trust in me and come.
+My dear, I love you--I love you. This marriage is an infamy. Vows such
+as they made you swear are not binding. Come with me, my dear, and
+under the banner of the Emperor, with you by my side to help me, I
+will work out a new life, and the name of Clermont-Ferrand is already
+known. Denise! Last night I saw the love-light in your eyes. Let it
+burn there again for me. Come."
+
+He made as if to turn my horse's head, and it was only with an effort
+that I restrained him. God knows I was sorry for the man. I know, too,
+that it was in my heart to take the great love I thought he was giving
+me, and, forgetting everything, to follow him to the world's end. In
+the few seconds that passed, I went through a frightful struggle, and
+then the strength of last night came back to me.
+
+"De Clermont! It is impossible; and now go--go. If you say you love
+me, go in pity!"
+
+"Denise, you know not what you say! Think, dear! In two hours we will
+be safe. In two hours the world itself could not part us. I will not
+let you sacrifice yourself. You love me, dear, and you know it, and
+when love like ours exists there is no right and no wrong--only our
+love."
+
+"It cannot be--it cannot be. De Clermont, you are tempting the woman
+you say you love, to dishonour. Let me tell you plainly, I do not love
+you. For one moment I thought I did; but I am sure of myself now; and
+even did I love you, as I feel sure you deserve to be loved, I would
+never consent to--to what you propose."
+
+"_Mordieu!_" he exclaimed hoarsely, "you are not yourself. Come,
+Denise. I hear Lalande riding back, and in a moment it will be too
+late."
+
+"Let go my reins, monsieur, else I shall call out. I hear Lalande,
+too. Go, monsieur, whilst I can still think of you as I always have.
+Go and forget me."
+
+His hand dropped to his side, and taking the occasion I struck my
+horse smartly with the whip and he sprang forward. De Clermont made no
+attempt to follow, but at the bend of the road, as I glanced across my
+shoulder, I saw him turn his horse's head and plunge into the forest,
+and a moment later I met Lalande.
+
+I could only realize that I had escaped a great danger; beyond that my
+mind could not go; but I was conscious that, despite the terrible
+earnestness of his words, there was something that was not convincing
+in de Clermont. The narrow escape that I had drove all other things
+out of my mind, and it was only when I came in sight of our party
+again that I recollected de Clermont's warning that by going to
+Périgueux I was going straight into the lion's mouth, and an absolute
+despair fell upon me.
+
+When I rode up to Madame's side she glanced at me narrowly and asked
+for de Clermont.
+
+I answered truly enough that I did not know, and she looked at me
+again with her clear, searching eyes. "It is odd, Denise, but do you
+know that his lackeys have gone, too? They left us an hour ago--and
+now it seems he has gone, too, without a word of good-bye."
+
+"Monsieur made too sure of the success of his plans," I said bitterly,
+and Madame's answer was sharp and swift:
+
+"Denise, there is something wrong--what is it?"
+
+And as we rode close together, side by side, I told her every word,
+hiding nothing. My voice sounded hard and dry to my own ears, my eyes
+were burning, and when I had finished, she said, "Denise, I cannot
+believe M. de Clermont's story. I _feel_ it is untrue. Even if it were
+true de Termes would never carry out the order about you. He is
+incapable of such baseness."
+
+"There is always one way of escape, madame, and I am my father's
+daughter."
+
+"And there is a God above, girl. Your father's daughter should never
+talk like that."
+
+"Then why does He not hear my prayers?" I said, in impious
+forgetfulness. "Is heaven so far that our voices cannot reach there?"
+
+And my dear old friend sighed deeply in answer.
+
+We were to halt at Chalusset for the night, and here confirmation was
+received of the truth of de Clermont's story, for an equerry of the
+Vicomte's met us here with a letter to his wife in his own hand, in
+which he said that our message, the one we had sent from the Gartempe,
+had reached him, and that he was hastening forward himself to meet us.
+Then he went on to other matters, and his letter concluded with a
+postscript:
+
+
+"_M. Norreys is here with an order from the King, or, rather, from the
+Queen Mother. It is very unfortunate, but must be obeyed_."
+
+
+She first read the letter herself--we were sitting together in her
+apartment, in the one inn at Chalusset--and then she handed it to me
+with a request to read it aloud to her. I did so; but on coming to the
+postscript my voice faltered in spite of myself, and then she bent
+forward and kissed me.
+
+"Denise, it will never be. Are you strong enough to do a brave thing?"
+
+"I will try."
+
+"It is clear to me that de Termes' postscript is a warning for you not
+to go to Périgueux. I knew that he would be incapable of carrying out
+such orders as he has received--and I can read his meaning between the
+lines of his message. Denise, you must not be with me when my husband
+and I meet."
+
+"God Himself seems to have abandoned me. What can I do--where shall I
+hide?"
+
+"I will tell you. My sister Louise is Abbess of Our Lady of Meymac. I
+will send you to her. The convent has special rights of sanctuary that
+even Catherine herself would not dare to violate--but she will never
+know you are there. Yet it is a long journey, and you will have to
+cross the mountains. Will you risk it tonight?"
+
+"I am ready now, madame."
+
+"Very well," and, calling to her maid, she asked for Lalande, and when
+the equerry came she turned to him:
+
+"Lalande, how long is it that you have followed Monsieur le Vicomte?"
+
+"Thirty years, madame, from the days when Monsieur was a simple
+cavalier of the guard."
+
+"And you would do anything for Monsieur?"
+
+"Madame, I have been his man in lean times and in fat--in famine and
+in full harvest. He saved my life at Cerisolles, and it was I who got
+him out of the Bastille; I have been by his side from the time he was
+a simple gentleman to the present day, when Monsieur is a marshal and
+a peer of France. You ask if I would do anything for Monsieur. If
+Monsieur le Vicomte were to ask me to lay down my life to-morrow I
+would do so willingly."
+
+"I believe you, Lalande. Now listen. Madame de Lorgnac here is in
+great danger. It is Monsieur le Vicomte's wish that she should be
+conveyed to the Convent of Our Lady of Meymac, and we trust her to
+you. No one is to know where she is placed. You must protect her with
+your life--do you understand? And you must start now--and alone--for
+Madame's hiding-place is a secret."
+
+"We could start in a few minutes, madame, and I will do what you say."
+
+"Then be ready in half an hour."
+
+"Madame," and he was gone.
+
+"Do not let Mousette know whither you are bound, Denise. She is a
+chattering ape, and, though she loves you, can never keep a secret. As
+for de Termes, I will arrange to manage him--and, dear, keep a brave
+heart. I would go with you myself; but you know it is impossible."
+
+
+                          *   *   *    *   *
+
+
+The moon was just rising when, after taking an affectionate
+farewell of Madame de Termes, who had been to me as a mother, we
+started--Mousette, Lalande, and myself. Our horses had been brought to
+a little gate at the back of the straggling garden attached to the
+inn, by the equerry himself, so that we might get away unobserved.
+Hither Madame accompanied us, and after giving some further
+instructions in a low tone to Lalande, embraced me again and again,
+and I am afraid we both wept, whilst Mousette joined in to keep us
+company. Finally we started, and I turned once or twice to look back,
+and saw the slender grey-clad figure still at the gate, growing
+fainter and fainter in outline at each step we took, and seeming at
+last to slip away into the silver haze of the moonlight, until when I
+turned for the last time, I could see nothing but the winding road,
+the ghostly outline of the trees, and the pointed roof of the inn. I
+have often wondered if the girls of the present day would endure and
+act as we women had to do then. All women have to endure passively.
+This will be so for all time unless the world be made anew, but with
+us there were times and seasons when we had to act like men.
+
+Last year, when I was in Paris, where I had taken my daughter for her
+presentation, a great lady called on me, the wife and daughter of a
+soldier, and she reached our house almost in hysterics, because one of
+the wheels of her coach had come off, and she had to walk a hundred
+paces or so. She was in fear of her life at the accident. And when we
+had made much of her and she was gone, my husband's eyes met mine, and
+the same thought struck us both, for he came up and kissed me, saying:
+
+"_Mordieu!_ I thank God I am not thirty years younger!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                   AT THE SIGN OF THE GOLDEN FROG.
+
+
+At first we managed to get along at a fair pace, as the road was good
+and we were well able to see our way by the moonlight; but after
+crossing the Taurion by a frail wooden bridge, which creaked and
+groaned ominously as we passed over it, Lalande took a turn to the
+right and followed a narrow track whereon we had to ride nose to tail.
+Womanlike, I began to think he was taking the wrong road, and asked
+him whither he was leading us.
+
+"St. Priest-Taurion lies on the main road, madame, and it would be
+well to avoid it. Let not madame have any fear. I could make my way to
+Meymac blindfold."
+
+"And want to show off by picking the most horrible paths," shrilled
+out Mousette, whose temper, never of the best, had gone to ribbons,
+and little wonder, too, poor thing!
+
+"It would be well if we speak in lower tones--better still not to
+speak at all," said the equerry, and silencing Mousette with a
+reprimand, I asked Lalande to lead on.
+
+Whilst the motion was fast it was not possible to think, but now that
+we were going at something like a snail's pace, I unconsciously gave
+myself over to my reflections, though I had by this time reached a
+state of mind when it seemed impossible for me to distinguish between
+right and wrong, or to think coherently. The proof of the truth of de
+Clermont's story had accentuated the bitterness in my heart against my
+husband, and this was not lessened when I remembered the infamy of the
+enterprise which he had undertaken, and of which I was the price. I
+had it once or twice in my mind to try and prevent the crime he
+contemplated by attempting to warn the Bearnnois; but it was
+impossible to do so from here, and I should have to make the attempt
+from Meymac. Then that thought gave place to de Clermont, and with the
+memory of him regrets that I had not taken his offer, and by one
+desperate stroke freed myself forever from de Lorgnac, even at the
+cost of that good opinion of the world, we pretend to despise and yet
+value so much, even against what I felt to be the teachings of my
+conscience. After all I was merely holding to vows that I had never
+really made. The priest's benediction surely could not bind me forever
+to a hateful life. I had my dreams as all young women and young men
+have--of a life that I could share with one whom I could trust and
+honour and love. One whose joys would be my joys, whose sorrows would
+be my sorrows, whose ambitions and hopes would be my ambitions and
+hopes, and so to pass hand in hand with him until one or both of us
+were called away to fulfil the mystery of life by death. And de
+Clermont? Could he have been the one to have so travelled with me? Did
+I love him? For the life of me I could not tell at that moment. At one
+time I seemed dragged towards him, at another there was a positive
+repulsion, and through it all there was an ever-warning voice within
+me, like the tolling of a bell hung over a sunken rock to warn
+mariners of danger, telling me, "Beware! Beware!" I felt in my heart
+that he did not ring true metal--why, I could not tell--nor can I tell
+now. But I suppose that God, who has limited the capacity of us women
+to reason as compared with man, has given to us this faculty of
+intuition by which we can know. Would that it were followed more
+often; would that its warnings were ever heeded! Such were the
+thoughts that chased each other through my brain as the long hours
+passed, and then they seemed to twine themselves together into a
+network that left me powerless to follow them and unravel the tangle.
+Oh, it was a weary ride! Overhead hung the moon now light, then
+darkened by flitting clouds, with a few stars showing here and there
+in the sky. On all sides of us floated a dim silvery haze that made it
+appear as if we were going through Dreamland; dark shadows of trees,
+fantastic rocks that might have been thrown here and there by giants
+at play, and a road that turned and twisted like a serpent's track,
+full of stones and boulders, on which our horses continually stumbled,
+but, mercifully, did not come down and bring us with them. There was
+one advantage we derived from these boulders. They kept the horses and
+ourselves from sleeping, for after a stumble and a jerk, both beast
+and rider began to see the folly of nodding, and bravely strove to
+keep awake. At last we came to something that looked like level
+ground, and Lalande suggested that we should increase our pace to a
+canter, adding truly enough that it would rouse us all up. We followed
+his advice, nothing loath, and kept at this pace with occasional halts
+to rest the horses, for the best part of the night. At last, however,
+neither Mousette nor myself could endure going on longer, and indeed
+our horses were as much, if not more worn out than we were. In short,
+we were so fatigued that I had got into a frame of mind in which I did
+not care what happened to me, one way or the other, and Mousette, poor
+girl, was crying softly to herself, though she kept her way with the
+greatest courage. This being the case, I called to Lalande that we
+could not go on any further; but at his intercession we made yet
+another effort, and at last we halted near a clump of beeches, close
+to which a small brook purled by. I do not think I shall ever forget
+the kindness and attention of the honest fellow. He made us as
+comfortable a resting-place as he could contrive with the aid of
+saddles and rugs, and then, giving us some wine to drink, bade us
+sleep, whilst he retired a little distance--not to rest, but to attend
+to the horses and keep a watch. So utterly tired out were we that we
+must have fallen asleep at once, and the sun was already rising when
+Lalande aroused us.
+
+"If madame does not mind," he said, "it will be well if we move
+further up into that wood yonder and rest there, whilst I go to a
+village hard at hand, and procure some food, and take news of the
+state of the road."
+
+To this I assented readily, and after walking for about a quarter of a
+mile we found a spot which exactly suited our purpose, where both we
+and the horses could be concealed for the remainder of the day, if it
+was so necessary, without any fear of discovery. Lalande then started
+off for the village, and we waited his coming with a hungry
+impatience, taking, however, the opportunity of his absence to make a
+forest toilet. It was some time before the equerry came back, and we
+were just beginning to be alarmed at his absence when he appeared,
+bearing with him the things he went to procure, and whilst Mousette
+and I were eating, he told us what he had found out, adding:
+
+"I regret that madame will not be able to travel by daylight--that
+_croquemort_ la Coquille and his gang passed through St. Bathilde
+yesterday, and are in the neighbourhood, and not they alone, but one
+or two others of like kidney. We shall have to make our way as best we
+can by night."
+
+But this was too much--not for anything was I going to endure the
+misery of last night over again, and I argued and expostulated with
+Lalande, Mousette joining with me with shrill objurgations, and at
+last the poor fellow gave in, but I confess with a very bad grace,
+grumbling a good deal to himself and declaring he would be no longer
+responsible for our safety. I own now that we were wrong in persisting
+as we did, but I put it to any one if they would have endured what we
+had to endure without protest; and then we were women, and I am afraid
+possessed some of that contrariness of disposition which I have heard
+the opposite sex credit us with--though for pure, mulish obstinacy,
+give me a man who thinks he has made up his mind.
+
+Lalande was, however, determined upon one thing, and that was to avoid
+the main road, and as I had so far successfully opposed his plan of
+forcing a night journey, I did not feel justified in making further
+objections, and allowed him to follow the by-paths he chose without
+further protest, though indeed, it was as if there was some truth in
+Mousette's remark of last night, that he was choosing the most
+difficult tracks to show how well he knew the way. We now entered the
+mountains of the Limousin, and what would have been a mile elsewhere,
+became three here with the ups and downs, the turns and twists. For
+miles we passed never a human habitation, except now and again a few
+woodcutters' huts, and sometimes a small outlying farm, and I felt the
+justice of Lalande's remark, when he defended himself from a sharp
+attack by Mousette, by saying he had chosen this road because it was
+safe from gentlemen like la Coquille, who never found any bones worth
+the picking on it, and therefore left it and its difficulties severely
+alone--though, of course, there was the odd chance of our meeting
+them, and so again to the old argument of travelling by night. As we
+went on the scenery became wilder and more savage, and once a large
+grey wolf, with two cubs by her side, appeared on the track about
+fifty paces or so in front of us, and after giving our party a quiet
+survey, and showing us a line of great strong teeth as she snarled on
+us, trotted calmly off with her family down the hillside. Both
+Mousette and myself were not unnaturally alarmed; but Lalande, with a
+"Never fear, madame, there is no danger," kept quietly along, though I
+saw that he had pulled a pistol from his holster. As the day advanced
+we became aware that the sun was being obscured by clouds more often
+than it should be at this time of year, and every now and again gusts
+of wind would race down the ravines, and lose themselves with ominous
+warnings through the forest. Still, however, the horizon was clear,
+and high above all others we could make out the crest of Mount Odouze.
+I asked Lalande if he thought there was likely to be a storm.
+
+"It is hard to tell, madame; storms come on very suddenly in these
+hills, but if there is one it will not be very bad, for we can see the
+Cradle, as that dip between the two peaks of Mount Odouze is called,
+quite distinctly."
+
+But though he spoke thus reassuringly, I saw that he increased the
+pace, and that ever and again he would scan the horizon, and look up
+at the sky. Once when he thought I had caught him, he explained as he
+pointed upwards:
+
+"'Tis a red eagle, madame, that must have flown here from the
+Pyrenees--a long journey. See--there it is--that speck in the sky."
+
+I followed his glance, but could make out nothing. "You have sharp
+eyesight, Lalande," I said with a smile, and then the matter dropped.
+I could not, however, but think how good a heart was beneath that
+rough exterior, and not the finest gentleman I have ever met could
+have behaved to us with more chivalrous courtesy than did that simple
+under officer of horse. A little past midday we rested for an hour or
+so, more for the sake of the animals than ourselves, and then
+continued our journey.
+
+"We should make St. Yriarte by about three o'clock, madame," said
+Lalande, "and there is a small inn there kept by my sister and her
+husband, for we are of the Limousin. It is called 'The Golden Frog.'
+We will stay there for the night, and a long march to-morrow will
+bring us to Meymac by nightfall."
+
+"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Mousette, "for every bone in my body aches
+as if some one had beaten me."
+
+As the time passed, bringing with it no storm, I began to think we
+were safe from that annoyance, and at last from the crest of a hill
+over which we were riding we suddenly came in sight of St. Yriarte,
+lying below us in a little valley. As we did so Lalande called out,
+"We will be there in half an hour, madame--and save all chance of a
+wetting for to-night."
+
+It took us a little time to descend the slope of the hill, but after
+that we came to more or less level ground, and in a few moments
+reached the gates of the inn, which stood in a large garden some way
+apart from the hamlet, for St. Yriarte could be called by no other
+name.
+
+As we rode in a dog commenced to bark; Lalande called out "Jeanne!
+Jeanne!" and, on our halting near the entrance, gay with honeysuckle,
+in full bloom, Lalande's sister and her husband came out to meet us,
+and seeing him, fell to embracing him, and there was an animated
+converse carried on by all three at once, whilst Mousette and I were
+kept waiting. Whilst we did this patiently, I began to look around me,
+and for the first time became aware of the presence of a stranger. He
+had been sitting on a garden seat, half-hidden by the falling
+honeysuckle, but, as my eyes fell on him, he rose politely, and stood
+as if in doubt, whether he should offer to assist me to dismount, or
+not. He was a tall well-built man, with aquiline features, fair hair,
+and blue eyes, and wore a short pointed beard slightly tinged with
+grey. His dress was simple though rich, and it was easy to see that,
+whoever he was, he was a person of some consequence. The position was
+getting just a little absurd when Jeanne's voice rang out sharply:
+
+"Of course! Of course! Madame de Lorgnac shall have the best we can
+provide."
+
+I saw the stranger start perceptibly, and an odd, curious look came
+into his eyes. Then as if with an effort he stepped forward, and
+lifting his hat said with a foreign accent:
+
+"Will Madame de Lorgnac permit me to assist her to alight? I have the
+honour to be known to Monsieur le Chevalier de Lorgnac. My name is
+Norreys--Colonel Norreys, of whom, perhaps, you may have heard."
+
+I became almost sick with fear and apprehension, for this was the very
+man whom I least wished to meet. It was he who had borne the order
+concerning me to de Termes. He must therefore be aware that my
+presence there meant that I was in flight. He acknowledged himself to
+be a friend of my husband, and I felt that all was lost. Mustering up
+as much courage as I could I thanked him for his offer, and he helped
+me to dismount, saying as he did so:
+
+"Madame will find the inn more than comfortable. I have been here for
+two days awaiting a friend. If he comes this evening I shall have to
+leave to-morrow with the greatest regret. It has been so quiet and
+peaceful here."
+
+I glanced at him again. It was a strong, good face. The eyes looked at
+me honestly, and in their clear depths I could see no deceit. That
+woman's instinct of which I have spoken, told me at once that here was
+a man to be trusted, that he was incapable of treachery. But the same
+feeling used to come over me whenever I saw de Lorgnac, and yet--who
+was more base than he?
+
+Nevertheless, I was now moved by an impulse I could not resist.
+
+"Monsieur de Norreys, will you see me in an hour? I have a favour to
+ask of you."
+
+He looked a little surprised, but bowed. "If there is anything I can
+do for you, madame, command me." His tone was cold and formal, and
+chilled me. Then he stepped to one side to let me pass, and I entered
+the inn.
+
+I had made up my mind. I felt sure that he was here to prevent my
+going further. What else could have brought him to this out-of-the-way
+place? But he looked a gentleman and a man of honour, and I would
+follow the dictates of my heart, and throw myself on his mercy.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII.
+
+                              UNMASKED.
+
+
+Now do I reverently thank God that by His mercy I was strong enough to
+take the course I adopted. For had I not done so, I know not what had
+been my fate. On the surface, the impulse on which I had acted seemed
+foolish and ill-advised, yet when I think over all calmly now, and
+especially of the circumstances that led to my meeting with Monsieur
+de Norreys, and the events which followed, I am sure and confident
+that the Merciful Power which had so far watched over me had heard my
+prayers and answered them. At the moment, however, I did not know or
+think of this; my one idea was to try, if possible, to enlist the
+Englishman on my side, and if this was not to be, then I knew not what
+I should do, though the most desperate resolves were rioting in my
+brain. I was too excited to rest, but a bath, a change of toilet, and
+a little food, refreshed me and steadied my nerves, and then I sat for
+a space by the open window of my small room to try and collect myself
+for my interview with M. de Norreys. The clouds seemed to have passed
+away, though far behind over the mountains there was a grey bank that
+showed that the storm was hovering over us, and the wind still blew in
+fitful, uncertain gusts. Below me Lalande was attending to the horses,
+and a bow-shot or so beyond the garden of the inn, under some walnut
+trees I saw what I had not noticed before, and that was a small
+encampment of lances. This did not tend to reassure me, and if I had
+any doubts as to whom the troops belonged, they were set at rest by
+the sight of Norreys, mounted on a powerful black horse, riding slowly
+towards the inn, evidently with a view of keeping his appointment with
+me. I had tried to set out in my mind what I would say to him, but
+each effort seemed to be worse than the other, and at last I
+determined to simply throw myself on his chivalry, and stand the
+hazard of the result. At one time I thought that we might perhaps make
+a dash for it and escape; but even I could see that our wearied horses
+would not have a chance against fresh ones, and if it came to a
+struggle we had but one sword to depend upon--a brave one, it is
+true--but what could one poor man do against ten? No, there was no way
+but the one way, the idea of which had come so suddenly to me. Now I
+heard Norreys dismounting at the door of the inn, and after a moment's
+hesitation, I took my courage in both hands, and stepped down to meet
+him. He was standing in the little parlour, his back to the light, as
+I entered, so that I could not see the expression of his face, but he
+bowed, I thought stiffly, on my coming in, and handed me one of the
+rough chairs in the room, saying as he did so, "I trust I have not
+kept you waiting, madame; I was delayed a little longer than I
+expected with my men, as I have much to arrange for." The last words,
+measured out in his prim, formal speech, appeared to me to convey a
+hint to be quick with my business, and as a natural result all but
+took away from me the power of saying anything. Mustering up courage,
+however, I took the chair he offered, saying, as I did so, "Will you
+not be seated, monsieur?"
+
+"Thank you," came the answer in the same set tone, and then he fixed
+his eyes on me with a grave attention, in which, however, there was
+mingled, as I thought, much repressed curiosity.
+
+"Monsieur de Norreys," I began desperately, "you cannot but be aware
+that I fully understand why you are here."
+
+He started slightly, but recovered himself at once, though he said
+nothing.
+
+"And, monsieur," I went on, "I have come to throw myself on your
+mercy. Monsieur, you look a gentleman. What object can you gain by
+carrying out your orders against a poor weak woman, whose only end is
+to hide herself from the world? I have done no wrong, monsieur, and if
+you knew my story you would pity me--I ask you as a gentleman--as a
+man of honour."
+
+"Madame," he interrupted, genuine amaze in his voice, "I do not
+understand. As far as I am concerned you are as free as air. I know
+you to be the wife of my friend de Lorgnac, and my only regret is that
+I am unable to offer you my escort----"
+
+"Say that again, monsieur. Do you mean your business here has nothing
+to do with me?"
+
+"Absolutely nothing, madame. I am afraid you have alarmed yourself
+needlessly."
+
+"But M. de Clermont told me; he said you had gone to Périgueux to have
+me delivered over to my husband."
+
+"Madame, I know of no necessity for doing so, and if I was not certain
+that you must be mistaken I would say that M. de Clermont deceived
+you."
+
+"I tell you he did not. He showed me the despatch with the Queen's
+cipher on it--asked me to read it. Monsieur, listen; he did not lie,
+and I shall tell you why. It is you who deceive me and are playing
+with me. Wait, monsieur."
+
+A flicker of a smile passed over his face and shone in his eyes, but
+he answered simply:
+
+"I am attention; but, madame, think before you tell me things which
+perhaps I ought not to know."
+
+"Let me be the judge of that, and I will show you, monsieur, that it
+is useless, even in kindness, to hide your orders from me."
+
+Then I told him briefly of my marriage, and of the circumstances
+attending it, whilst he leaned back in his chair and listened without
+a word, and with so little sympathy in his look, that he might have
+been cut out of a block of wood. The result was that as I spoke I grew
+somewhat excited, and my tongue was bitter against de Lorgnac, whom,
+to my sorrow, I upbraided with the infamy of this enterprise; and then
+I spoke of de Clermont, of his bravery and kindness, forgetting other
+things that had happened, and how he had warned me of my danger, and
+especially about Norreys himself, finishing with a rapid "and,
+monsieur, surely you will let me go. I put myself on your chivalry."
+
+He stopped me with a movement of his hand, and, rising from his seat,
+faced me. "Madame de Lorgnac, I tell you again that you are utterly
+mistaken. I have nothing to do with your movements. Yet I am glad you
+have spoken, for de Lorgnac is my friend, and I now see what the other
+man is. It is not my habit to meddle with other people's affairs; but,
+because de Lorgnac is my friend, I will tell you something that will
+give you pain, but will open your eyes, and you must forgive the plain
+speech of my country, for we have no mincing turns of the tongue. On
+the authority of the Marquis de Clermont you have accused me of
+playing catchpole. This is not a matter that troubles me, my honour is
+in safe keeping; but you have also accused your husband and my friend,
+and believe Blaise de Lorgnac to be an assassin, and capable of
+forcing a marriage on you for the sake of your wealth. For your own
+sake, for the sake of de Lorgnac, you shall know the truth."
+
+"I listen, monsieur."
+
+"I'll tell you. At a supper party given by that _croquemitaine_ of a
+King of yours, a certain matter was discussed, there was no
+assassination in it; but the execution of it had to be dropped, as no
+one of those present who was offered the enterprise would accept it.
+Later on the wine passed, and a fool, after the fashion of your Court,
+began to boast openly of his conquests and spoke openly of your
+favour."
+
+"Monsieur, how dare you!"
+
+"Madame, it is the fashion amongst your fine gentlemen to lie like
+this. I will do de Clermont the justice to say that it was not he, for
+he was not there, and the man who spoke is dead, so let his name pass.
+But Tavannes was there, and had to be reckoned with. The King offered
+to have you married, and the marshal burst out that he would give you
+to the first man who asked."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"Blaise de Lorgnac was on guard at the door. He had heard every word,
+and now stepped forward and claimed your hand, offering at the same
+time to undertake the affair for which an agent could not be found.
+His offer was accepted, and in the early morning, madame, in the yard
+of la Boucherie, where I had the honour to be your husband's second,
+your traducer met with his death, and with his last breath confessed
+that he had lied. That was the very day, madame, that you foolishly
+rode out with de Clermont. Stay, there is yet a little more, and that
+concerns the despatch. My business at Périgueux was to give an order
+to de Termes to receive at St. Priest-Taurion a prisoner of state, who
+was to be handed over to him by myself and de Clermont. I am here to
+receive that prisoner, and it is Blaise de Lorgnac who is entrusted
+with the duty of taking him alive. The duplicate despatch, if there is
+such a one--and you say you have seen the cover--does not refer to
+you, and de Clermont has lied. I will settle with him for using my
+name; but, madame, you are as free as air, and may go where you like,
+and for Blaise de Lorgnac's sake I will help you all I can--and this
+is all."
+
+"Oh! I don't know what to think."
+
+"You are free to go, I say; and as de Clermont will be here soon, and
+not alone, I would advise an immediate departure. I will detach a
+brace of lances to act as further escort, and let me give the order
+now. I will be back in a moment."
+
+He did not wait for my reply, but turning on his heel stepped out of
+the room, and I sat with my brain burning, and my head between my
+hands. I could not doubt this story, and if ever woman passed through
+a furnace of shame and anger I did so in those few minutes. I now knew
+what de Lorgnac was. I now for the first time saw de Clermont in his
+true colours, with his mask off; and yet--and yet--perhaps Norreys was
+mistaken about him. I had proved myself to be so utterly wrong, to
+have jumped to conclusions so rashly, that I dared not sit in judgment
+any more on a soul, and whilst I floundered on in this way Norreys
+came back.
+
+"I have arranged everything, madame; the orders have been given to
+your people. They will be ready to start in a half hour. About
+midnight you should reach Millevranches, and I should halt there and
+go on with the morning."
+
+"Monsieur, how can I thank you? I have no words."
+
+"Let the matter rest, Madame de Lorgnac," and then his voice took a
+gentler tone. "I would not urge your going at once except that we are
+on de Clermont's own estates, and he has a hundred lances with him at
+his Château of Ferrand. It is shut out from view by the hills, but it
+lies yonder," He pointed to the west through the open window, and as
+he did so an exclamation of surprise burst from him, and he crossed
+himself.
+
+I followed his glance and saw, high in the heavens, hanging over the
+mountainous pile of reddening clouds that lay in the west, the grim
+outline of a vast fortress. The huge walls reflected back with a
+coppery lustre the red light of the sun, and it was as if we could see
+figures moving on the ramparts and the flash of arms from the
+battlements. From the flag-staff on the donjon a broad banner flaunted
+itself proudly, and so clear and distinct was the light that we made
+out with ease the blazon on the standard, and the straining leashed
+ounces of the house of Clermont-Ferrand. And then the clouds took a
+duskier red, and the solid mass of castle faded away into nothing. I
+stood still and speechless, and Norreys burst forth, "Sorcery, as I
+live. Madame, that was the Château de Ferrand."
+
+I had never seen the like before, never again did I see it, nor do I
+wish to, and it left me so chilled and faint, that Norreys noticed it
+at once and called for wine. As he did so, I fancied that I heard the
+beat of a horse's hoof, but paid no attention to it; and then the wine
+came and I drank, he standing over me. I was just setting down the
+glass when there was a grating at the entrance, a long shadow fell
+through the doorway, and de Clermont stepped in with a cheery
+"Good-day, Monsieur de Norreys. I see you have not been neglecting
+your time here. _Arnidieu!_ Denise! Is it you? You seem to be forever
+dropping from the clouds across my path," and he held out his hand;
+but I took no notice, though I rose from my chair, and Norreys merely
+bowed frigidly in return to his greeting. De Clermont seemed in nowise
+disconcerted, but there was an angry flash in his eyes, and for a
+second he stood tapping the end of his boot with his riding-whip, and
+looking from one to another of us with a half smile on his lips. Then
+putting his plumed hat on the table, and drawing off his gloves, he
+drawled out with a veiled insolence in every tone of his voice, "Upon
+my word, M. de Norreys, I congratulate you, and if it were not for our
+business I would leave you in peace, for madame seems to have learned
+the lesson that 'It is well to be off with the old love before you are
+on with the new.'"
+
+He had grasped the weakness of the situation at a glance, and took
+full advantage of it, but though outwardly cool and self-possessed
+there was death in his eyes. I could bear it no longer, and turned to
+leave the room. He rose from his seat, saying, "Pray do not leave us,
+madame--you look pale, though, and perhaps need rest. I trust,
+however, your indisposition has nothing to do with the sight I
+observed you watching from the window. Do you know what it means?" and
+he turned to Norreys.
+
+In spite of myself I stopped for an instant; but Norreys ignored him,
+and de Clermont went on:
+
+"It means, monsieur, that this apparition is always seen when a man
+dies by the hand of de Clermont-Ferrand."
+
+Norreys simply bowed, though I thought I heard the word "boaster"
+muttered between his teeth, and, turning to me, said, "Permit me,
+madame," and gave me his arm to take me from the room.
+
+Outside, in the narrow passage that led to my chamber, he stopped and
+held out his hand.
+
+"Let me say adieu, madame. I would accompany you if I could, but it is
+impossible. I would advise you to leave at once before any of M. le
+Marquis's men come up. I can see he is ripe for mischief."
+
+"Monsieur de Norreys, I am no fool--I can understand. For mercy's sake
+avoid a quarrel with de Clermont. He is a deadly swordsman, and if
+anything happens to you, I shall feel all my life that I was the cause
+of it. God knows I owe you much, for you have opened my eyes. Promise
+me, monsieur, promise me!"
+
+"Madame, the use of the sword is not confined to your country nor to
+de Clermont alone," and then he saw the tears that sprang to my eyes.
+"Ah! madame, not that; you will unman me! See, there is your equerry.
+Commend me to de Lorgnac when you meet, and adieu!"
+
+He dropped my hand and turned on his heel, but I could not let him go
+like that.
+
+"Monsieur, not that way. Promise me what I ask."
+
+"I promise to avoid a quarrel if possible; I can say no more." With
+that he went, erect and stately. Of what followed I never knew; but,
+alas! There is one sorrow that ever haunts me; and in the quiet
+churchyard of St. Yriarte is a tomb which I visit yearly with my
+husband, and it covers the heart of as brave and gallant a gentleman
+as ever lived--poor Norreys!
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                          BLAISE DE LORGNAC.
+
+
+We lost no time in setting forth from The Golden Frog, and as Lalande
+had apparently been warned by Norreys of the danger of our meeting any
+of de Clermont's following, we once more left, what by a stretch I
+might call the direct road, and again took to the hill tracks, where
+our wearied beasts, whom from my heart I pitied, stumbled slowly and
+painfully along.
+
+But if the beasts were wearied, how was it with myself and my maid? I
+was able to keep up, no doubt because of the mental excitement under
+which I laboured; but I have never understood how my faithful Mousette
+endured that journey; it was in truth a road of suffering.
+
+I simply went on mechanically, my mind a prey to a thousand
+conflicting emotions, and to thoughts that chased one another across
+it like dry and fallen leaves in a forest glade, blown hither and
+thither by an autumn wind. It had struck me, as there was nothing to
+be feared from de Termes, that I should order Lalande to turn and
+guide me back to Madame and Périgueux; but de Clermont barred the way,
+and it was better after all to push on to Meymac, and there with a
+cooler head than I now possessed, decide what to do. What had I not
+passed through within the last few hours? I had made trouble enough
+for myself by jumping womanlike to conclusions, and imagining that the
+postscript of de Termes' letter to his wife referred to me, whereas it
+clearly concerned some one else. That was perhaps a pardonable error
+considering the circumstances; but there were other things, and even
+now my face grows hot when I think of them.
+
+My nature is proud! That can never alter, though sorrow and many a
+bitter lesson has brought me good sense; but it cut like a knife to
+realize how I had been fooled by de Clermont, and how near I had been
+to fall a victim to a pitiless libertine. It is a bad and cruel lesson
+for any woman to learn that she has been the sport of a man, ten times
+bad and cruel if the woman be proud and high-spirited. And as for de
+Lorgnac I did not know what to think. My mind concerning him was a
+chaos. I had misjudged him, wronged him utterly; but it was gall to me
+to know that he had stood forth as my champion. It was bitterness
+untold to think that I must humble myself in my heart before him; I
+could never do so in words to his face, if ever we met, a daughter of
+Mieux could not do that. It was awful to think that his hands were red
+with blood for my sake, and I shuddered as I reflected that I had been
+as it were the immediate cause of a frightful death; de Lorgnac had no
+business to kill that man whoever he was; he had no right to make me
+feel almost a murderess; and withal there rose in my heart a kind
+of fierce pride in the man who could do this for my sake, and a
+joy I could not make out because he was other than I took him to
+be--because, in short, he was a gallant gentleman, and not--oh! I need
+say no more.
+
+When we had travelled for about the space of two hours the horse of
+one of the two troopers, whom M. Norreys in his kindness had lent to
+me, fell whilst crossing a water-cut, and on examination it was found
+to be so hurt that it was impossible for it to continue the journey to
+Millevranches. It was decided that the two men should be left behind
+to return to their camp--they had not far to go--and that we should
+press on as before. I gave the good fellows a brace of crowns apiece,
+and commending myself to M. de Norreys, we went on, the sheep track--I
+can call it by no better name--now passing through all the wildest
+scenery surrounding the Puy de Meymac.
+
+"If luck befriends us, madame, and the storm which has kept off so
+long does not come, we should reach Millevranches in a little over two
+hours," said Lalande to me as we rode down a narrow and steep descent.
+
+"Why should the storm come on now? There is no breath of air stirring,
+and the moon is clear."
+
+The equerry did not reply until reaching the more level ground at the
+foot of the incline down which we had ridden, and then, pointing
+behind me, said simply, "Look, madame!"
+
+Turning, I saw that half the arc of the heavens was obscured as it
+were by a thick curtain, that hung heavily and sullenly over it, and
+as we looked a chain of fire ran across the blackness, the distant
+roar of thunder came to us, and then a low, deep moaning vibrated
+through the air.
+
+"The storm is afoot, I fear, madame. We must press on and cross the
+Luxège, which though narrow enough to jump over now, may in an hour be
+impassable, and with the darkness it will be impossible to tell the
+way."
+
+At this speech Mousette gave a little cry of alarm, and then, her
+fears overcoming her, began to declare that she could go no further,
+and begged us to leave her there to die, to be killed by the storm or
+eaten up by the wolves, it did not matter which, either alternative
+was preferable to going on. I tried all I could to pacify the poor
+girl, but she was getting into a state of hysterical excitement, and
+absolutely refused to move, though every moment was precious, and the
+dead stillness formerly around us was now awake with the voice of the
+coming storm. At last I began to despair of moving her, when Lalande
+said grimly, "Leave her to me, madame. I am an old married man." Then
+bending forward he seized my bridle and with a cool "Adieu,
+mademoiselle! I hope you will not disagree with the wolves," to
+Mousette, began to urge our beasts forward, notwithstanding my
+protests. But the issue showed he was right, though I confess I was
+surprised to see the way in which my maid recovered her strength under
+this rough-and-ready treatment, for in two minutes she was bustling
+along at our heels. But the lost time never came to our hands again,
+and as we began to descend the wooded slope towards the Luxège, which
+we could hear humming angrily below us, the stream burst with a shriek
+of the winds, and an absolute darkness, that was rendered more intense
+and horrible by the vivid flashes of lightning, and the continuous
+roar of thunder. In a trice Lalande had dismounted and taken us from
+our horses, and the poor animals seemed so overcome by fear or
+fatigue, or both combined, that they stood perfectly still.
+
+"It is death, madame, attempting to ride now. We must get to the river
+on foot." Saying this, Lalande managed somehow to get the horses in
+front of us, and then, holding on to each other and guided by the
+incessant flashes of lightning, we began a slow and painful progress.
+I soon began to feel the fatigue and exhaustion so much that I, in my
+turn, begged Lalande to stop.
+
+"Courage, madame, 'tis but a few yards more to the river bank," he
+answered, "there we can stop and rest," and I took my heart up and
+strove onwards once again. At last, when within a few yards of the
+river, I sank down utterly exhausted and unable to move further, and
+Mousette alternately sobbed and prayed over me, whilst now and again I
+could see the tall figure of Lalande standing grim and motionless, and
+once I fancied I heard a deep oath.
+
+He gave us some cognac from a flask he carried, and then there was
+nothing for it but to wait and meet death, if it was so to be. Now
+there came a series of lightning flashes that lit up the terrific
+scene, and I almost gasped, for right before me on a butting crag I
+made out a small castle. Lalande saw it too, for he blew long and
+shrilly on his horn, and then we watched and waited for a time that
+seemed interminable, when all at once the flare of a huge beacon rose
+bright and red against the darkness, and an answering bugle reached
+our ears. Lalande blew again, and to our joy there was a reply.
+Strength came back to me with the prospect of safety, and rising to my
+feet I called to Lalande: "On! On!"
+
+He answered, "The river, madame----"
+
+I looked, and saw below me a white lashing flood that swung and
+swirled past with a savage roar. The lightning showed us the angry
+water, and the wicked dancing foam, that seemed to leap up in delight
+at the prospect of the black swirl below it dragging us down to death.
+Then again we heard the bugle notes, and saw the lights of torches,
+and heard the shouting of men from the opposite bank.
+
+"Let us go on to meet them--we are saved!" screamed Mousette, and
+holding on to each other we staggered forward past the horses, who
+stood all huddled together, only to be stopped here by the utter
+darkness, and Lalande.
+
+"For the love of heaven, madame, do not move," he cried, "rescue is
+coming."
+
+And it did come.
+
+All that I can remember was seeing the light of many sputtering
+torches around us. Some one lifted me in his arms like a child, and I
+heard a voice say, "Be careful with the horses over the bridge,
+Pierre," and then my strength gave way.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+I had been asleep, asleep for ages it seemed, and all the past was a
+dream, thank God! This was the thought that struck me as I opened my
+eyes; but as I looked around, I saw the room in which I lay was
+strange to me, and inch by inch everything came back--all except the
+events of the last moments by the river, where my recollection became
+confused. It was daylight, but still the remains of the storm of last
+night were in evidence, and I could hear the water dripping from the
+eaves, and through the half-open dormer window, the murmur of the
+Luxège, still angry and unappeased, reached my ears.
+
+Where was I? I looked about me, and found that I was in a large room,
+warm from the effects of a huge wood fire that danced cheerily in the
+fireplace. Leaning on one elbow, I glanced still further about me, and
+saw that the furniture was of the same old and heavily antique make
+that we had at Mieux. The curtains of the bed were, however, worn and
+faded, the tapestry on the walls was older and more faded still; and
+then my eyes were arrested by the coat-of-arms carved on the stonework
+of the fireplace--two wolves' heads, with a motto so chipped and
+defaced that I could not read it. Whose was the device? I lay back and
+thought, but could not make it out. Certainly not that of any of the
+great houses--no doubt my kind preserver belonged to the lesser
+nobility--but I could soon find out. Then I closed my eyes once more
+and would have slept, but was aroused by some one entering the room,
+and, looking up, saw Mousette.
+
+"Ah! madem--madame, I mean," she said eagerly, "thank God, you are
+looking none the worse for that terrible night. I little thought we
+would ever live to see daylight again."
+
+"Where are we, Mousette? And who are the kind people who saved us?"
+
+"I do not know, madame," she answered quickly, "but we are the only
+women here. But," she ran on, "it is mid-day and touching the dinner
+hour. Will madame rise or be served here?"
+
+"I will rise, of course, Mousette;" and during the course of my toilet
+I asked if the people of the house knew who we were.
+
+"I have not mentioned anything, madame," replied Mousette, with her
+face slightly turned away, "and Lalande is discreet."
+
+I felt that Mousette knew more than she cared to tell; but it is not
+my way to converse with servants; and finishing my dressing in
+silence, I asked her to show me the way to the salon, and as I spoke I
+heard a gong go.
+
+"Monsieur will be served at once," said Mousette. "This way, madame,"
+and opening the curtains of the door, she led me down a series of
+winding steps worn with the feet that had passed up and down there for
+perhaps a couple of centuries, and then, past a long passage hung with
+suits of rusty armour and musty trophies of the chase, to a large
+door. I gathered that Mousette had been making good use of her time
+whilst in the house, but kept silent. The door was open, and as I
+passed in Mousette left me. I found I was in a room that was
+apparently used as a dining-room and salon as well. There was trace of
+recent occupation, for a man's hat and a pair of leathern gloves
+somewhat soiled with use were lying on a table, and a great hound rose
+slowly from the rushes on the floor, and, after eyeing me a moment,
+came up in a most friendly manner to be patted and made much of. A
+small table near the fireplace was laid for one, and as I was looking
+towards it a grey-haired and sober servant brought in the dinner, and
+then, bowing gravely, announced that I was served.
+
+"Is not monsieur--monsieur--?" I stammered.
+
+"Monsieur le Chevalier has had to go out on urgent business. He has
+ordered me to present his compliments to madame----"
+
+"I see; monsieur does not dine here."
+
+The man bowed, and I sat down to a solitary meal with the big dog at
+my feet, and the silent, grave attendant to wait on me. I amused
+myself with the hound, and with taking note of the room. Like
+everything else I had seen, its furniture and fittings seemed a
+century old, and spoke of wealth that had passed away. There was a
+sadness about this, and a gloom that saddened me in spite of myself,
+so that it was with an effort I managed to eat, and then, when dinner
+was over, I told the servant to inform his master that I desired to
+thank him for the great kindness shown to me.
+
+"I will deliver madame's message," and with this reply he went.
+
+Left to myself, I went to the window and looked out through the
+glazing. The landscape was obscured by a rolling mist; but the sun was
+dissipating this bravely. It was a wild and desolate scene, and,
+despite the sunlight, oppressed me almost as much as my solitary meal,
+so I turned back into the room, and, seating myself in a great chair,
+stared into the fireplace, the hound stretching himself beside me. I
+was still wearied, and my thoughts ran slowly on until I caught myself
+wondering who my unknown host was, and getting a trifle impatient,
+too, because he did not come, for I was anxious to set forward to
+Meymac.
+
+Suddenly I heard a steady measured step in the passage, the hound
+leaped up with a bay of welcome, and as I rose from my seat the
+curtain was lifted, and I stood face to face with my husband.
+
+"You! De Lorgnac!" I gasped.
+
+"Even I," he said. "I thought you knew. Are you none the worse for
+your adventure of last night?"
+
+"I am quite well, thanks to God." "And thanks to you," I was about to
+add, but my lips could not frame the words, and I felt myself
+beginning to tremble. Monsieur noticed this.
+
+"I am afraid you underrate your strength; do sit down," he said
+kindly.
+
+"I prefer to stand, thank you, Monsieur le Chevalier," and then there
+was a silence, during which I know not what passed through de
+Lorgnac's mind; but I, I was fighting with myself to prevent my heart
+getting the better of me, for if so I would have to humble myself--I,
+a daughter of Mieux! Monsieur broke the silence himself.
+
+"Denise, I give you my word of honour that I would not have intruded
+on you, but that you asked to see me, and I thought you knew whom you
+wished to see. Besides, I felt that I owed a little to myself. You
+have accused me of being a dishonoured gentleman, of being little less
+than a common bravo, of wedding you to your misery for your estates."
+He came forward a step and looked me full in the face with his clear
+strong eyes. "As God is my witness," he went on, "you are utterly
+mistaken. I am going to-day on an affair the issue of which no one can
+foresee. Think! Would I go with a lie on my lips? Answer me--tell me.
+Whatever else you may think, you do not believe this."
+
+I was fumbling with one of his gloves, and could not meet his look.
+
+"You put me in a difficult position, monsieur--this is your own
+house."
+
+He looked about him with a bitter smile. "Yes--it is my house--hardly
+the house to which one would bring the heiress of Mieux--but is that
+your answer to me?"
+
+And still I was silent. I could not bring myself to say what he
+wanted. And now too it was not only pride that was holding me back. I
+felt that if I gave him the answer he wished, manlike he would begin
+to press his love on me, and I was not prepared for this. I did not
+know my own feelings towards him; but of one thing I was sure--I would
+not be bound by hollow vows that were forced upon me, and so I fenced.
+
+"This adventure of yours, monsieur--is it so very dangerous?"
+
+"It is not the danger I am thinking of. It is your faith in my honour.
+No man is blameless, and least of all I. I own I was wrong--that I
+sinned grievously in marrying you as I have. My excuse is that I love
+you--that is a thing I cannot control. But I will do all I can to make
+reparation. I will never see you again, and the times are such that
+you may soon be as free as air. All that I ask is this one thing."
+
+"But, monsieur, have you no proof--nothing to bring forward?"
+
+"I have nothing to offer but my word."
+
+"Your word--your word--is that all you can say?"
+
+He bowed slightly in reply, but his look was hungry for his answer.
+Still I could not give it, and played with time.
+
+"You say you love me. Does love resign its object as you do--without a
+struggle? If I believe one thing I must believe all, monsieur. I
+cannot believe a profession of love like yours"--how false I knew this
+to be--"and the rest must follow."
+
+He twisted at his moustache in the old way, and I saw his sunburnt
+face grow, as it were on a sudden, wan and haggard, and the pity that
+lies in all women's hearts rose within me.
+
+"Monsieur le Chevalier, if you were to get the answer that you wanted,
+would you still adhere to your promise and never see me again?"
+
+"I have said so," he said hoarsely.
+
+"Then, monsieur, let me tell you that I have found I was wrong, and
+that I do believe your word--nay, more, monsieur, I have found de
+Lorgnac to be a gallant gentleman--whom Denise de Mieux has to thank
+for her honour and her life----"
+
+"Denise!" There was a glad note in his voice, and in a moment he had
+stepped up to me, and I had yielded, but that I wanted this king
+amongst men to be king over himself.
+
+"A moment, monsieur. You have given me your word, be strong enough to
+keep it. I have learned to respect and honour you; but I do not love
+you. You must keep your word, de Lorgnac, and go--until I ask you to
+come back."
+
+"Without a word he turned on his heel and walked towards the door; but
+I could not let him go like that and I called to him. He stopped and
+turned towards me, but made no further advance, and then I went up to
+him with my hand outstretched.
+
+"Monsieur, there is one thing more. I have the honour to be the wife
+of de Lorgnac, and for the present I crave your permission to make
+Lorgnac my home. Will you not grant me this request? And will you not
+shake hands before you go?"
+
+I thought I had tried him too far, and that the man would break down;
+but no, the metal was true. Yet the haggard look in his face went out
+as he answered:
+
+"Denise, Lorgnac is yours to its smallest stone, and I thank you for
+this." Then he bent down and touched my fingers with his lips, and was
+gone.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                        LA COQUILLE'S MESSAGE.
+
+
+"Until I ask you to come back."
+
+These were my own words to de Lorgnac, and they rang in my ears as I
+listened to his footsteps dying away along the passage. Would I ever
+call him back? It was on my tongue to do so as he went; but I held
+myself in, and began restlessly to pace the room, the dog watching my
+movements with his grave eyes. I could not bear to have them fixed
+upon me--those eyes that seemed to have a soul imprisoned behind them,
+and that were so like, in their honest glance, to those of my husband.
+I bent down and stroked the great shaggy head.
+
+"If I but knew myself! If I but knew myself!" I called out aloud, and
+then moved aimlessly towards the window. Here I looked out, but saw
+nothing of the view, for I was looking into my own heart, and there
+all was mist and fog. The more I tried to think the more hopeless it
+all seemed, and it came to me to abandon my position, and, accepting
+my fate, make the best of circumstances as other women had done. I
+could give respect and trust; and as long as my husband knew this, and
+I looked after his comforts, he would never know that I did not love
+him. I had seen enough of the world to know how selfishly blind men
+are in this respect. But de Lorgnac was not as other men. I felt that
+his keen eye would take in the part I was playing, that his great love
+for me would penetrate and grasp all my devices, and that he would
+feel that he had only a wife--not a lover as well. What was this love
+that I was in doubt about? If it meant absolute sacrifice of myself,
+then I could give it to no man. If it meant respect, and honour, and a
+desire for a constant guiding presence about me, then I felt I could
+give that to Blaise de Lorgnac; but I felt, too, that more was due to
+him, and it was well to wait--to wait until my heart told me
+undeniably that I had found its king.
+
+The neigh of a horse, and the clatter of hoofs on stony ground,
+aroused me. Bending forward over the window, I looked out and saw de
+Lorgnac and a half dozen mounted men riding out of the courtyard. My
+husband rode a little in advance, square and erect, his plumeless
+helmet glittering in the sunlight; but he never gave one backward
+glance to the window. Even if he thought I was not there, he might
+have done so; he might have given me the chance. The men who rode
+behind him seemed stout, strong fellows, though their casques were
+battered and their cuirasses rusty; and as the last of them went out I
+recognised la Coquille. I know I had no right to pick and choose for
+de Lorgnac, but I would have given my right hand not to have seen that
+swashbuckler riding behind my husband. Such men as he were never
+employed on honest deeds! With a stamp of my foot I turned from the
+window and saw Pierre, the old servant, waiting patiently near the
+door, with a huge bunch of keys on a salver in his hand. As our eyes
+met he bowed to the ground.
+
+"I did not know it was Madame de Lorgnac who was here until an hour
+ago," he said. "Monsieur le Chevalier has directed that these should
+be given over to you, and the household is outside awaiting madame's
+orders."
+
+Half amused, half embarrassed, I took the keys. I felt sure de Lorgnac
+had given no such order, but that this was the spontaneous outcome of
+old Pierre's politeness. Fastening them in my girdle, I said, with as
+gracious, yet dignified an air as I could assume, "Call in the people,
+please."
+
+Pierre bowed once more to the ground and vanished to reappear in two
+minutes with a well-grown youth, and the two stood bolt upright before
+me. This was the household of de Lorgnac, then. The smile died away
+from my lips as I thought of the straits to which a gallant gentleman
+was reduced. "Pierre," I said, "you must add Mousette, my maid, to the
+household, and see that the good Lalande is well treated," and I
+placed a small purse containing a half dozen or so of gold crowns that
+I happened to have with me in the old man's hands. He held the little
+silken bag for a moment, and then his face began to flush.
+
+"There is no need, madame; we have enough."
+
+"You forget, Pierre, what I am giving you is Monsieur le Chevalier's,
+to whom God grant a safe return."
+
+He took the money, though I saw a suspicious swimming of his eyes, and
+I hastily asked:
+
+"And do those men who rode out with Monsieur belong to the household,
+too, Pierre?"
+
+"St. Blaise--no, madame! They came here but yesterday morning, and
+with their leader have drunk and sworn about the place ever since.
+They filled the lower hall with disorder; but they are stout fellows,
+and we had hardly been able to help you so well last night but for
+them; they follow Monsieur le Chevalier for a little time only."
+
+I well knew for what purpose, but kept silent on that point, saying,
+"And how far is Lorgnac from here?"
+
+"The town you mean, madame?"
+
+"Precisely."
+
+"At the foot of the hill to the right of the château; we cannot see it
+from here. Ah! it was a fine place until Monsieur de Ganache, and his
+bandits of Huguenots, came over from La Roche Canillac one fine day
+and put the place to fire and sword. Monsieur le Chevalier has vowed
+his death at the shrine of Our Lady of Lorgnac. Ah! he is a devil, is
+Monsieur de Ganache; he is with the Bearnnois now."
+
+"And is there any news of the Huguenots moving now?"
+
+"None, madame; but Antoine the peddler of Argentat says that a great
+lady from Paris is at the Château de Canillac, and that Monsieur de
+Turenne, and many a high lord from the south have been visiting her.
+They will be tired of dancing and singing soon, those hot bloods, and
+we may have to look to the castle walls."
+
+"This evening, then, you must take me to Lorgnac," I said with a view
+to end the conversation.
+
+"It is madame's order, but----" and he stopped short for a second, and
+then continued, "Antoine, the peddler's daughter, who married Gribot,
+the woodman of Lorgnac, has a cow and calf for sale, and there is none
+in the château."
+
+"Then buy it of her, Pierre," and with another low bow the old man
+withdrew with the "household," who had evidently been trained in a
+severe school by Pierre, for he had stood bolt upright like a soldier
+at attention, and never moved muscle during the whole of the
+interview.
+
+So my business as mistress of Lorgnac had begun; but there were one or
+two things that required immediate attention from me before I began my
+household duties. I called Mousette, and going over the money we had,
+found that it reached to about a hundred crowns. This was enough for
+all present requirements, though I would want much more soon, if all
+the designs that were flitting through my brain, in shadow as it were,
+were carried out; but that could be easily arranged hereafter. Then I
+saw Lalande, and informing him that my journey was over, asked if
+there would be any difficulty in his remaining at Lorgnac for at least
+a few days, as I wanted his help. He answered that he was at my
+service, and this being settled, I set about exploring the quaint old
+mansion, and as I did so all kinds of dreams of changing its cheerless
+aspect possessed me, and the time passed on wings.
+
+In the afternoon we visited the town. Alas! It had been for a century
+but a hamlet, and all traces of town, if ever there was any, had long
+gone. But small and poor and obscure as Lorgnac was, the hand of war
+had not spared it, and blackened rafter and fallen roof still bore
+witness to Monsieur de Ganache's pitiless visit. Privation and want
+had left their marks on the faces of the score or so of inhabitants of
+the village; but when they found out who I was, they came forward
+eagerly, and a small child, no doubt prompted by her elders, gave me a
+bouquet of wild flowers, and I went back, vowing in my heart that ere
+many weeks were over all this would be changed.
+
+That night as I sat before the huge log fire in the hall with Moro the
+hound--I found out his name from Pierre--for the first time for many
+days my mind was at rest, and I began to feel also, for the first
+time, the glow that comes to the heart when one is able to help one's
+fellow creatures. I knew I was young and inexperienced, that my life,
+especially within the last year in the poisonous air of the Court, had
+been made up of frivolities and follies that had brought their own
+sharp punishment with them, yet I had always in my mind the desire for
+a nobler life, where my wealth could be used to help the distressed,
+and as far as it could go to add to the happiness of others. So far so
+good; but there was my own happiness and that of de Lorgnac to think
+of. There was a great pity in my heart for him; but was it right to
+mistake pity for love, and give myself wholly to a man to make him
+happy, to my own sorrow? For the life of me I could not see this. I
+felt that a man who would accept such a sacrifice would be unworthy of
+it. But Blaise de Lorgnac was not of those who would do this. He
+was true metal. Was there another man who would have acted as he
+did--whose love was so generous and yet so strong? I doubt it. I well
+knew the profession of a man's love, that swore it was ready to die
+for its object; but was unable to abandon or to forego anything in its
+selfishness. But the love that was, as it were, in the hollow of my
+hand was not as this; and then I began to see the hidden secret of my
+own heart, and called out aloud, "Come back, de Lorgnac. Come back!"
+But the echo of the vaulted roof was my only answer. Yet that night I
+slept a happy woman, for I knew what it was now to love.
+
+The days passed, and notwithstanding that I threw myself heart and
+soul into my plans about Lorgnac, there was an ever-eating care in my
+heart, for no tidings came of my husband, and it was not pride now,
+but a shyness that I could not overcome, do what I would, that
+absolutely prevented me from making any inquiry, though no doubt
+inquiry would have been fruitless and vain. Listless and tired, I sat
+one day towards the afternoon at the window by the hall, my favourite
+seat, and looked down the winding road, that clung to the side of the
+steep rocks, hoping against hope that I should see the great white
+horse, when suddenly I spied a horseman riding towards the castle with
+a loose rein, and at times he swayed from side to side like a drunken
+man. In a moment I felt the worst tidings, and knew that the rider was
+bringing me sorrow. With an effort I roused myself, and with shaking
+limbs went down to the courtyard, and there, calling Lalande and
+Pierre, waited for his coming, who was bringing me the evil message I
+felt I already knew. We had not long to wait. With a thunder of hoofs,
+the horseman passed the lower drawbridge, and reining in sharply, slid
+rather than dismounted from his saddle. It was la Coquille, covered
+with blood and dust, and the red gone out of his cheeks.
+
+"Madame--Madame de Lorgnac!" he called out in a cracked voice.
+
+"I am here, monsieur."
+
+"I can stay but a moment. Fly! Fly! The bloodhounds are even now on my
+track, and they will be here in an hour."
+
+"Is that all?" How my heart beat, though my voice was cool!
+
+"All? No. But give me to drink, and I will speak. My throat is parched
+and I have lost much blood."
+
+Pierre handed him a flagon of wine, which he drained at a draught, and
+then went on.
+
+"It will not take long to tell. _Mordieu!_ It was the best plan ever
+laid, and to think it was spoiled by a traitor. Madame, if we had
+succeeded, France would have been at peace, and your husband a marshal
+and peer. We watched the Bearnnois for days, and then laid out to
+seize him, on the day of a hunting party. We got all details of
+movements from that double-dyed traitor, de Clermont; but he played
+the right hand for Navarre, and the left for us. We laid out as I
+said, and the King came: but not alone--our ambuscade was surprised,
+and five as good fellows as ever drew sword now swing to the branches
+of the beech trees of Canillac. I got off somehow, but alas! they have
+taken de Lorgnac, though not easily, for Monsieur de Ganache fell to
+his sword, and I think another too."
+
+"Taken de Lorgnac!"
+
+"Yes, madame--_Mordieu!_ It is the fortune of war! They are coming
+straight here, for what purpose I know not; but, _mille diables!_ I
+have wasted enough time already, and the skin of la Coquille is the
+skin of la Coquille. There is not a moment to spare. Fly if you value
+your lives!" And with this he put his foot in his stirrup, and made as
+if he would mount his panting horse again.
+
+"Save your skin, Monsieur la Coquille," I said. "As for me and mine,
+we stay here. Would to God my husband had true swords at his back!"
+
+He stopped and put down his foot.
+
+"You can say what you please, madame, but we did our best; but as God
+is my witness the Huguenots mean death, and I advise you to go. In a
+half-hour it will be too late."
+
+"Monsieur, I have asked you to save the skin of la Coquille."
+
+His broad face became dark and red with the blood that rushed to it.
+"I know I deserve nothing at your hands, madame," he said. "You think
+me a cur, and one I am. _Mordieu!_ For a bribe of twenty crowns--so
+fallen am I--I once played the craven for de Clermont before you. It
+was at Ambazac not so many days ago. Did I know you were de Lorgnac's
+wife, I had cut off my sword arm rather than do what I did then. Let
+me make some recompense. I implore you to go. Fools," and he turned to
+Lalande and Pierre, "do you wish to swing from the rafters here? Take
+her away, by force if necessary."
+
+"Enough, monsieur. You have said too much! I am sorry for you. I would
+help you if I could, but my place is here. Save yourself whilst there
+is yet time. As for me, I and mine will defend Lorgnac to the last
+stone."
+
+He flung the reins he held in his hand from him, and over the
+sin-marked features of the man there came somehow an expression of
+nobleness.
+
+"Then, by God, madame, I stay! And I thank you for teaching me how to
+die. Twenty-five years--twenty-five years ago I was a gentleman, and
+to-day I bridge over the past. I will stay, madame, and the sword of
+la Coquille will help to hold the castle for you. Hasten, men. Up with
+the drawbridge. _Ah! sacre nom d'un chien!_ We are too late!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+               MONSIEUR LE CHEVALIER IS PAID IN FULL.
+
+
+It was too late. Before I realized it, the courtyard was full of armed
+men. La Coquille, who had flung himself to the front with his sword
+drawn, was ridden down and secured ere he could strike a blow, whilst
+Lalande and Pierre, who bore no weapons but their poniards, and were
+utterly surprised, shared the like fate. So suddenly and quickly was
+this done that--for the courage had gone out of my finger-tips--I
+had no time to flee, and I stood like a stone, whilst a sea of
+savage faces surged around me. I gave myself for dead, and one, a
+trooper--more brute than man--raised his sword to slay me, but was
+struck from his horse in the act. Then some one seemed to come from
+nowhere to my side--a tall, straight figure, with a shining blade in
+his hand, and he called out, "Back! back! Or I run the first man
+through!"
+
+The men were called to order in a moment at that tone of command,
+though a voice I well knew and now hated called out:
+
+"Well done, de Rosny, my squire of dames. _Pardieu!_ We have the whole
+hive--Queen-Bee and all."
+
+"By God!" said another, "they will hang from the rafters in a
+half-hour, then--my poor Ganache!" And the speaker, whose rough, harsh
+voice was as pitiless as his speech, swore a bitter oath. "Gently,
+Tremblecourt," replied the one who had been called de Rosny; "our poor
+de Ganache's soul has not flown so far but that the others can
+overtake it in time." And then de Clermont came up to me, but as he
+passed la Coquille in so doing, the latter strained at his cords, and
+hissed rather than spoke out the word "Traitor!" as he spat at him.
+
+"You hang in a little time head downwards at de Lorgnac's feet for
+that," said de Clermont calmly, and then turning to me, "'Tis a sad
+business this, madame; but war is war, and after all things are going
+as you would have them, are they not?"
+
+I could not bear to meet that sneering, beautiful face, which, now
+that its mask was snatched away, cared not in how evil an aspect it
+showed itself. Words would not come to me, and as I stood there before
+de Clermont, quivering in every limb at the awful threat conveyed in
+his speech to la Coquille, de Tremblecourt's voice rang out again, mad
+and broken with rage:
+
+"Away with them! Sling them from the parapet--now!"
+
+The men around rushed with a yell at la Coquille and his
+fellow-prisoners--God pardon those who cause the horrors of war--but
+my defender, de Rosny, again interposed, and drove them back, despite
+de Tremblecourt's angry protests, whilst de Clermont stayed his rage
+with a quiet:
+
+"Be still, Tremblecourt. The King will be here in ten minutes with our
+other prisoner, and we will deal with Messieurs--in a bunch," and he
+glanced at me with a meaning in his eyes that I read as an open page.
+
+"Come, madame," said de Rosny, who saw my pallor, "let me take you out
+of this. I pledge the word of Bethune that no harm will touch you; but
+that is to happen, I fear, which is not fit for you to see." With
+these words he took my arm kindly and led me inside, unresisting and
+as in a dream. In the hall where we stopped I forced myself to regain
+some courage. It was no time for a faint heart.
+
+"Monsieur! What does this all mean? What is to happen to de Lorgnac?
+Tell me--I am his wife, monsieur."
+
+He bowed gravely yet sadly. "The King of Navarre is generous, madame.
+Henri will be here soon, and all may yet be well. In the meantime rest
+you here, and compose yourself--you are safe from harm."
+
+With this, he, who was in after years to be the first man in France,
+left me almost stunned and broken by what I had heard. Now that I was
+about to lose him--nay, had already lost him, for nothing, I felt
+sure, would move these pitiless hearts--I realized to the end what de
+Lorgnac was to me, and with this came the dreadful conviction that it
+was I, and I alone, who had brought this on my husband. I, a fool in
+my folly, who did not know my own heart, I who with a word might have
+stayed and kept him who was all in all to me, had driven him forth
+with my senseless pride to death. I could do nothing to save him. What
+could a woman do against these men? And then it was as if the whole
+horror that was to be pictured itself before my eyes, and a mocking
+fiend gibed in whispers in my ears, "You, you have done this!" Almost
+with a cry I sprang from my seat, my hand on my forehead and an
+unspoken prayer on my lips. I felt that my brain was giving way, and
+that I must do something to regain myself and think. This was no time
+for aught but action, and here I was giving way utterly. I might do
+something--surely my woman's wit could suggest some means of saving my
+husband? Then what happens to those who are face to face with an awful
+terror happened to me, and, as once before, I fell on my knees before
+God's Throne, and prayed in a mortal agony. "God help me in my
+distress!" I called out aloud, and a quiet voice answered:
+
+"Perhaps He has sent the help, Denise."
+
+I sprang up with a start, a wild hope rushing through my heart, and
+saw Raoul de Clermont before me, with the sneering hardness out of his
+face and all the old soft light in his eyes. If it was so--if he but
+bore me the glad tidings his words hinted at--I could forgive him all,
+and be his friend forever.
+
+"Say that again, monsieur," I gasped; "say it again and I will bless
+you to my last breath." And as I spoke the heavy folds of the curtain
+that covered the doorway moved as if stirred by a wind.
+
+"I said that perhaps God"--and he bowed reverently--ah! devil and
+traitor!--"that perhaps God has answered your prayer. You have asked
+for help, and it has come. I am here to offer it. I, and I alone, can
+save de Lorgnac, by force if necessary, for I have fifty lances at my
+heels, and it rests with you to say the word. I have been mad, Denise;
+then I came to my senses; and now I am mad again. I love you--do you
+hear? Love you as man never loved woman. You beautiful thing of ice!
+Come with me, and de Lorgnac is free. Come!"
+
+In his eagerness he put forth his hand towards me, but with a shudder
+I drew back and his face darkened. Then nerving myself, I made one
+last appeal.
+
+"Raoul de Clermont, I believed you once to be a man of honour. Let me
+think so again; give me the chance. Be merciful for once. Save my
+husband as you say you can. See, it is a wife who pleads. Man! There
+must be some spark of knighthood in you to fire your soul! You are
+brave, I know. Can you not be generous and pitiful? You have tried to
+kill my soul. Monsieur, I will forget that--I will forget the past,
+and thank you forever if you do this. Save him, for I love him!"
+
+"Love him!"
+
+"Yes, love him as he deserves to be loved, and by a better woman. De
+Clermont, be true to yourself."
+
+His breath came thick and fast, and then he spoke with an effort:
+
+"You ask too much, Denise. I have offered you my terms. I give you
+five minutes to say yes or no, and I will take your answer as final.
+God is answering your prayer in His own way," he went on, with the
+shadow of a sneer once more across his lips.
+
+"He mostly does," came the reply, as the curtain was lifted and de
+Rosny stepped in, calling out as he entered, "Madame, the King!"
+
+Then there was a tramp of spurred boots, the clashing of steel
+scabbards, the waving of plumes, and ere I knew it I was at the feet
+of the Bourbon, sobbing out my prayer for mercy.
+
+He raised me gently--there was no more knightly heart than his.
+"Madame! It is not enemies that Henri de Bourbon needs, but friends.
+It is not sorrow his presence would cause, but joy. There has been
+enough blood shed already in this miserable affair, and--I think it is
+my good de Rosny here who anticipated me--all our prisoners are free,
+but there is some one here who will tell you the rest himself better
+than the Bearnnois can." And, putting a kind hand on my shoulder, he
+faced me round to meet the eyes of de Lorgnac.
+
+"I have come back unasked, Denise," he said; but I could make no
+answer, and then he took me in his arms and kissed me before them all.
+
+"A wedding present to the happy pair!" and something struck me lightly
+on the shoulder and fell at my feet. It was the glove that de Clermont
+had snatched from me on the day of my marriage. "I return a present
+from madame, given to me on her wedding day. It is no longer of use to
+me--Monsieur le Chevalier, will you not take it?" and de Clermont was
+before us, the same awful look in his eyes that I had seen there when
+he played with death before de Norreys.
+
+De Lorgnac's arm dropped from my waist, and his bronzed face paled as
+he stood as if petrified, looking at the soft white glove at my feet.
+Then with a voice as hard and stern as his look he turned to me, and
+pointing to the glove, said:
+
+"Is this true, madame?"
+
+"It is my glove," was all I could say.
+
+"And permit me to restore it to you," cut in the King, and with a
+movement he lifted the glove and placed it in my husband's hand. "Give
+it to her back, man! Madame de Canillac was at your wedding, and my
+good Margot who writes me such clever letters, and they have both told
+me the story of your marriage, and the incident of the glove. They
+both saw it snatched from your wife's hand by M. le Marquis--Ventre
+St. Gris! For once I think a woman's gossip has done some good--and on
+the word of Navarre what I say is true. As for you, monsieur," and
+Henri turned to de Clermont, "Monsieur de Rosny here has my commands
+for you, and your further presence is excused."
+
+My husband's arm was round my waist once more; but de Clermont made no
+movement to go, standing quietly twisting his short blonde moustache.
+
+"Monsieur, you have heard his Majesty," put in de Rosny.
+
+"Yes--I thought, however, that Monsieur de Lorgnac might have a word
+to say ere I went."
+
+"That will be in another place, and over our crossed swords, Monsieur
+le Marquis," replied my husband, heedless of my entreating look and
+gesture, and in as cold and measured a voice as de Clermont's.
+
+"I am at your service, monsieur, when and wherever you please," and
+with this, and a formal bow to the King, he passed from the room--a
+man under God's right arm of justice.
+
+What happened I never was able to find out exactly; but as far as I
+could gather it was this. As already mentioned, la Coquille, Lalande,
+and Pierre had been released by Navarre on his coming, and the former
+being faint from his wounds was resting on a wooden bench in the
+courtyard. As de Clermont passed, the sight of la Coquille and the
+memory of the insult he had put on him roused the haughty noble,
+already in a white heat with rage, to madness, and he struck the
+freelance once, twice, across the face with a light cane he bore in
+his hand, and fell a moment after stabbed to the heart, his murderer
+being cut down by the men-at-arms.
+
+At once all was hurry and confusion. The dying man was borne in as
+gently as he could be, and placed on a settle. There was no leech in
+hand, and long before the priest of Lorgnac came it was all over. We
+did what we could, and in the horror of the fate that had overtaken
+this man in the pride of strength I forgot the past utterly. I could
+only see a terrible suffering for which there was no relief. We
+gathered, an awestruck group, around him, and he spoke no word at
+first, but suddenly called out, "Hold me up--I choke!"
+
+Some one--I afterwards found it was Tremblecourt--raised him slightly
+and he spoke again, "De Lorgnac! Say what you have to say now, I'm
+going."
+
+And Blaise de Lorgnac knelt by the couch, saying as he did so:
+
+"I have no message now--forget my words, de Clermont."
+
+"Would to God I had died by your hand," came the answer, "but to go
+like this--struck down like a dog. Your hand, de Lorgnac--yours,
+Denise--quick--I am going. Forgive."
+
+De Tremblecourt laid him softly back on the cushion, and my tears fell
+fast on the cold hand I held in mine. Who could remember wrongs at
+such a moment?
+
+The King bent over him and whispered in his ear. I thought I heard the
+word "pray," and a wan smile played on the lips of the dying man.
+
+"Too late--I cannot cringe now. Ah! Norreys! I will join you soon.
+Denise--pardon," and he was gone.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+Late that night when all had gone to rest I walked on the ramparts of
+Lorgnac, and leaning against the parapet, looked out into the
+moonlight. So lost was I in thought that it was not until his hand was
+on my shoulder that I knew my husband had joined me.
+
+"Denise," he said, "the King goes to-morrow, and--I--do I go or stay?"
+
+And Monsieur le Chevalier--he is Monsieur le Maréchal Duc now--got the
+answer he wanted.
+
+
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+                  THE CAPTAIN MORATTI'S LAST AFFAIR
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                           "ARCADES AMBO."
+
+
+"Halt!" The word, which seemed to come from nowhere, rang out into the
+crisp winter moonlight so sharply, so suddenly, so absolutely without
+warning, that the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo, who was ambling
+comfortably along, reined in his horse with a jerk; and with a start,
+looked into the night. He had not to fret his curiosity above a
+moment, for a figure gliding out from the black shadows of the pines,
+fencing in each side of the lonely road, stepped full into the white
+band of light, stretching between the darkness on either hand and
+stood in front of the horse. As the two faced each other, it was not
+the fact that there was a man in his path that made the rider keep a
+restraining hand on his bridle. It was the persuasive force, the
+voiceless command, in the round muzzle of an arquebuse pointed at his
+heart, and along the barrel of which di Lippo could see the glint of
+the moonlight, a thin bright streak ending in the wicked blinking star
+of the lighted fuse. The cavaliere took in the position at a glance,
+and being a man of resolution, hurriedly cast up his chances of escape
+by spurring his horse, and suddenly riding down the thief. In a flash
+the thought came and was dismissed. It was impossible; for the
+night-hawk had taken his stand at a distance of about six feet off,
+space enough to enable him to blow his quarry's heart out, well before
+the end of any sudden rush to disarm him. The mind moves like
+lightning in matters of this kind, and di Lippo surrendered without
+condition. Though his heart was burning within him, he was outwardly
+cool and collected. He had yielded to force he could not resist. Could
+he have seen ever so small a chance, the positions might have been
+reversed. As it was, Messer the bandit might still have to look to
+himself, and his voice was icy as the night as he said: "Well! I have
+halted. What more? It is chill, and I care not to be kept waiting."
+
+The robber was not without humour, and a line of teeth showed, for an
+instant, behind the burning match of the weapon he held steadily
+before him. He did not, however, waste words. "Throw down your purse."
+
+The cavaliere hesitated. Ducats were scarce with him, but the bandit
+had a short patience. "_Diavolo!_ Don't you hear, signore?"
+
+It was useless to resist. The fingers of the cavaliere fumbled under
+his cloak, and a fat purse fell squab into the snow, where it lay, a
+dark spot in the whiteness around, for all the world like a sleeping
+toad. The bandit chuckled as he heard the plump thud of the purse, and
+di Lippo's muttered curse was lost in the sharp order: "Get off the
+horse."
+
+"But----"
+
+"I am in a hurry, signore." The robber blew on the match of his
+arquebuse, and the match in its glow cast a momentary light on his
+face, showing the outlines of high aquiline features, and the black
+curve of a pair of long moustaches.
+
+"_Maledetto!_" and the disgusted cavaliere dismounted, the scabbard of
+his useless sword striking with a clink against the stirrup iron, and
+he unwillingly swung from the saddle and stood in the snow--a tall
+figure, lean and gaunt.
+
+As he did this, the bandit stepped back a pace, so as to give him the
+road. "Your excellency," he said mockingly, "is now free to pass--on
+foot. A walk will doubtless remove the chill your excellency finds so
+unpleasant."
+
+But di Lippo made no advance. In fact, as his feet touched the snow,
+he recovered the composure he had so nearly lost, and saw his way to
+gain some advantage from defeat. It struck him that here was the very
+man he wanted for an affair of the utmost importance. Indeed, it was
+for just such an instrument that he had been racking his brains, as he
+rode on that winter night through the Gonfolina defile, which
+separates the middle and the lower valleys of the Arno. And now--a
+hand turn--and he had found his man. True, an expensive find; but
+cheap if all turned out well--that is, well from di Lippo's point of
+view. This thing the cavaliere wanted done he could not take into his
+own hands. Not from fear--it was no question of that; but because it
+was not convenient; and Michele di Lippo never gave himself any
+inconvenience, although it was sometimes thrust upon him in an
+unpleasant manner by others. If he could but induce the man before him
+to undertake the task, what might not be? But the knight of the road
+was evidently very impatient.
+
+"Blood of a king!" he swore, "are you going, signore? Think you I am
+to stand here all night?"
+
+"Certainly not," answered di Lippo in his even voice, "nor am I. But
+to come to the point. I want a little business managed, and will pay
+for it. You appear to be a man of courage--will you undertake the
+matter?"
+
+"_Cospetto!_ But you are a cool hand! Who are you?"
+
+"Is it necessary to know? I offer a hundred crowns, fifty to be paid
+to you if you agree, and fifty on the completion of the affair."
+
+"A matter of the dagger?"
+
+"That is for you to decide."
+
+The bandit almost saw the snarl on di Lippo's lips as he dropped out
+slowly: "You are too cautious, my friend--you think to the skin. The
+rack will come whether you do my business or not." The words were not
+exactly calculated to soothe, and called up an unpleasant vision
+before the robber's eyes. A sudden access of wrath shook him. "Begone,
+signore!" he burst out, "lest my patience exhausts itself, and I give
+you a bed in the snow. Why I have spared your life, I know not.
+Begone; warm yourself with a walk----"
+
+"I will pay a hundred crowns," interrupted di Lippo.
+
+"A hundred devils--begone!"
+
+"As you please. Remember, it is a hundred crowns, and, on the faith of
+a noble, I say nothing about tonight. Where can I find you, in case
+you change your mind? A hundred crowns is a comfortable sum of money,
+mind you."
+
+There was no excitement about di Lippo. He spoke slowly and
+distinctly. His cool voice neither rose nor dropped, but he spoke in a
+steady, chill monotone. A hundred crowns _was_ a comfortable sum of
+money. It was a sum not to be despised. For a tithe of that--nay, for
+two pistoles--the Captain Guido Moratti would have risked his life
+twice over, things had come to such a pass with him. Highway robbery
+was not exactly his line, although sometimes, as on this occasion, he
+had been driven to it by the straits of the times. But suppose this
+offer was a blind? Suppose the man before him merely wanted to know
+where to get at him, to hand him over to the tender mercies of the
+thumbscrew and the rack? On the other hand, the man might be in
+earnest--and a hundred crowns! He hesitated.
+
+"A--hun--dred--crowns." The cavaliere repeated these words, and there
+was a silence. Finally the bandit spoke:
+
+"I frankly confess, signore, that stealing purses, even as I have done
+to-day, is not my way; but a man must live. If you mean what you say,
+there must be no half-confidences. Tell me who you are, and I will
+tell you where to find me."
+
+"I am the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo of Castel Lippo on the Greve."
+
+"Where is Castel Lippo?"
+
+"At the junction of the Arno and the Greve--on the left bank."
+
+"Very well. In a week you will hear from me again."
+
+"It is enough. You will allow me to ransom the horse. I will send you
+the sum. On my word of honour, I have nothing to pay it at once."
+
+"The signore's word of honour is doubtless very white. But a can in
+the hand is a can in the hand, and I need a horse--Good-night!"
+
+"Good-night! But a can in the hand is not always wine to the lips,
+though a hundred crowns is ever a hundred crowns;" and saying this, di
+Lippo drew his cloak over the lower part of his face, and turned
+sharply to the right into the darkness, without so much as giving a
+look behind him. His horse would have followed; but quick as thought,
+Moratti's hand was on the trailing reins, and holding them firmly, he
+stooped and picked up the purse, poising it at arm's-length in front
+of him.
+
+"Silver," he muttered, as his fingers felt the coins through the soft
+leather--"thirty crowns at the most, perhaps an odd gold piece or
+so--and now to be off. _Hola!_ Steady!" and mounting the horse, he
+turned his head round, still talking to himself: "I am in luck. Cheese
+falls on my macaroni--thirty broad pieces and a horse, and a hundred
+crowns more in prospect. Captain Guido Moratti, the devil smiles on
+you--you will end a Count. _Animo!_" He touched the horse with his
+heels, and went forward at a smart gallop; and as he galloped, he
+threw his head back and laughed loudly and mirthlessly into the night.
+
+In the meantime it was with a sore heart that the cavaliere made his
+way through the forest to the banks of the Arno, and then plodded
+along the river-side, through the wood, by a track scarcely
+discernible to any but one who had seen it many times. On his right
+hand the river hummed drearily; on his left, the trees sighed in the
+night-wind; and before him the narrow track wound, now up, then down,
+now twisting amongst the pines in darkness, then stretching in front,
+straight as a plumb-line. It was gall to di Lippo to think of the loss
+of the crowns and the good horse; it was bitterness to trudge it in
+the cold along the weary path that led to the ferry across the Arno,
+which he would have to cross before reaching his own home; and he
+swore deeply, under the muffling of his cloak, as he pressed on at his
+roundest pace. He soon covered the two miles that lay between him and
+the ferry; but it was past midnight ere he did this, and reaching the
+ferryman's hut, battered at the door with the hilt of his sword.
+Eventually he aroused the ferryman, who came forth grumbling. Had it
+been any one else, honest Giuseppe would have told him to go hang
+before he would have risen from his warm bed; but the Cavaliere
+Michele was a noble, and, although poor, had a lance or two, and
+Castel Lippo, which bore an ill name, was only a mangonel shot from
+the opposite bank. So Giuseppe punted his excellency across; and his
+excellency vented his spleen with a curse at everything in general,
+and the bandit in particular, as he stepped ashore and hurried to his
+dwelling. It was a steep climb that led up by a bridle-path to his
+half-ruined tower, and di Lippo stood at the postern, and whistled on
+his silver whistle, and knocked for many a time, before he heard the
+chains clanking, and the bar put back. At last the door opened, and a
+figure stood before him, a lantern in one hand.
+
+"St. John! But it is your worship! We did not expect you until
+sunrise. And the horse, excellency?"
+
+"Stand aside, fool. I have been robbed, that is all. Yes--let the
+matter drop; and light me up quick. Will you gape all night there?"
+
+The porter, shutting the gate hastily, turned, and walking before his
+master, led him across the courtyard. Even by the moonlight, it could
+be seen that the flagstones were old and worn with age. In many places
+they had come apart, and with the spring, sprouts of green grass and
+white serpyllum would shoot up from the cracks. At present, these
+fissures were choked with snow. Entering the tower by an arched door
+at the end of the courtyard, they ascended a winding stair, which led
+into a large but only partially furnished room. Here the man lit two
+candles, and di Lippo, dropping his cloak, sank down into a chair,
+saying: "Make up a fire, will you--and bring me some wine; after that,
+you may go."
+
+The man threw a log or two into the fireplace, where there was already
+the remains of a fire, and the pinewood soon blazed up cheerfully.
+Then he placed a flask of Orvieto and a glass at his master's elbow,
+and wishing him good-night, left him.
+
+Michele di Lippo poured himself out a full measure and drained it at a
+draught. Drawing his chair close to the blazing wood, he stretched out
+his feet, cased in long boots of Spanish leather, and stared into the
+flames. He sat thus for an hour or so without motion. The candles
+burned out, and the fire alone lit the room, casting strange shadows
+on the moth-eaten tapestry of the hangings, alternately lighting and
+leaving in darkness the corners of the room, and throwing its fitful
+glow on the pallid features of the brooding man, who sat as if cut out
+of stone. At last the cavaliere moved, but it was only to fling
+another log on the flames. Then he resumed his former attitude, and
+watched the fire. As he looked, he saw a picture. He saw wide lands,
+lands rich with olive and vine, that climbed the green hills between
+which the Aulella babbles. He saw the grey towers of the castle of
+Pieve. Above the donjon, a broad flag flapped lazily in the air,
+and the blazon on it--three wasps on a green field--was his own. He
+was no longer the ruined noble, confined to his few acres, living like
+a goat amongst the rocks of the Greve; but my lord count, ruffling it
+again in Rome, and calling the mains with Riario, as in the good old
+times ten years ago. Diavolo! But those were times when the Borgia
+was Pope! What nights those were in the Torre Borgia! He had one of
+Giulia Bella's gloves still, and there were dark stains on its
+whiteness--stains that were red once with the blood of Monreale, who
+wore it over his heart the day he ran him through on the Ripetta.
+_Basta!_ That was twelve years ago! Twelve years! Twelve hundred
+years it seemed. And he was forty now. Still young enough to run
+another man through, however. _Cospetto!_ If the bravo would only
+undertake the job, everything might be his! He would live again--or
+perhaps! And another picture came before the dreamer. It had much to
+do with death--a bell was tolling dismally, and a chained man was
+walking to his end, with a priest muttering prayers into his ears. In
+the background was a gallows, and a sea of heads, an endless swaying
+crowd of heads, with faces that looked on the man with hate, and
+tongues that jeered and shouted curses at him. And the voices of the
+crowd seemed to merge into one tremendous roar of hatred as the
+condemned wretch ascended the steps of the platform on which he was to
+find a disgraceful death.
+
+Michele di Lippo rose suddenly with a shiver and an oath:
+"_Maledetto!_ I must sleep. It touches the morning, and I have been
+dreaming too long."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                    AT "THE DEVIL ON TWO STICKS."
+
+
+It was mid-day, and the Captain Guido Moratti was at home in his
+lodging in "The Devil on Two Sticks." Not an attractive address; but
+then this particular hostel was not frequented by persons who were
+squeamish about names, or--any other thing. The house itself lay in
+the Santo Spirito ward of Florence, filling up the end of a
+_chiassolino_ or blind alley in a back street behind the church of
+Santa Felicità, and was well known to all who had "business" to
+transact. It had also drawn towards it the attention of the _Magnifici
+Signori_, and the long arm of the law would have reached it ere this
+but for the remark made by the Secretary Machiavelli, "One does not
+purify a city by stopping the sewers," he said; and added with a grim
+sarcasm, "and any one of us might have an urgent affair to-morrow, and
+need an agents--let the devil rest on his two sticks." And it was so.
+
+Occasionally, the talons of Messer the Gonfaloniere would close on
+some unfortunate gentleman who had at the time no "friends," and then
+he was never seen again. But arrests were never made in the house, and
+it was consequently looked upon as a secure place by its customers.
+The room occupied by Moratti was on the second floor, and was lighted
+by a small window which faced a high dead wall, affording no view
+beyond that of the blackened stonework. The captain, being a single
+man, could afford to live at his ease, and though it was mid-day, and
+past the dinner hour, had only just risen, and was fortifying himself
+with a measure of Chianti. He was seated in a solid-looking chair, his
+goblet in his hand, and his long legs clothed in black and white
+trunks, the Siena colours, resting on the table. The upper part of his
+dress consisted of a closely fitting pied surcoat, of the same hues as
+his trunks; and round his waist he wore a webbed chain belt, to which
+was attached a plain, but useful-looking poniard. The black hair on
+his head was allowed to grow long, and fell in natural curls to his
+broad shoulders. He had no beard; but under the severe arch of his
+nose was a pair of long dark moustaches that completely hid the mouth,
+and these he wore in a twist that almost reached his ears. On the
+table where his feet rested was his cap, from which a frayed feather
+stuck out stiffly; likewise his cloak, and a very long sword in a
+velvet and wood scabbard. The other articles on the table were a
+half-empty flask of wine, a few dice, a pack of cards, a mask, a wisp
+of lace, and a broken fan. The walls were bare of all ornament, except
+over the entrance door, whence a crucified Christ looked down in His
+agony over the musty room. A spare chair or two, a couple of valises
+and a saddle, together with a bed, hidden behind some old and shabby
+curtains, completed the furniture of the chamber; but such as it was,
+it was better accommodation than the captain had enjoyed for many a
+day. For be it known that "The Devil on Two Sticks" was meant for the
+aristocrats of the "profession." The charges were accordingly high,
+and there was no credit allowed. No! No! The _padrone_ knew better
+than to trust his longest-sworded clients for even so small a matter
+as a brown _paolo_. But at present Moratti was in funds, for thirty
+broad crowns in one's pocket, and a horse worth full thirty more, went
+a long way in those days, and besides, he had not a little luck at the
+cards last night. He thrust a sinewy hand into his pocket, and jingled
+the coins there, with a comfortable sense of proprietorship, and for
+the moment his face was actually pleasant to look upon. The face was
+an eminently handsome one. It was difficult to conceive that those
+clear, bold features were those of a thief. They were rather those of
+a soldier, brave, resolute, and hasty perhaps, though hardened, and
+marked by excess. There was that in them which seemed to point to a
+past very different from the present. And it had been so. But that
+story is a secret, and we must take the captain as we find him,
+nothing more or less than a bravo. Let it be remembered, however, that
+this hideous profession, although looked upon with fear by all, was
+not in those days deemed so dishonourable as to utterly cast a man out
+of the pale of his fellows. Troches, the bravo of Alexander VI., was
+very nearly made a cardinal; Don Michele, the strangler of Cesare
+Borgia, became commander-in-chief of the Florentine army, and had the
+honour of a conspiracy being formed against him--he was killed whilst
+leaving the house of Chaumont. Finally, there was that romantic
+scoundrel "Il Medighino," who advanced from valet to bravo, from bravo
+to be a pirate chief and the brother of a pontiff, ending his days as
+Marquis of Marignano and Viceroy of Bohemia. So that, roundly
+speaking, if the profession of the dagger did lead to the galleys or
+the scaffold, it as often led to wealth, and sometimes, as in the case
+of Giangiacomo Medici, to a coronet. Perhaps some such thoughts as
+these flitted in the captain's mind as he jingled his crowns and
+slowly sipped his wine. His fellow-men had made him a wolf, and a wolf
+he was now to the end of his spurs, as pitiless to his victims as they
+had been to him. He was no longer young; but a man between two ages,
+with all the strength and vitality of youth and the experience of
+five-and-thirty, so that with a stroke of luck he might any day do
+what the son of Bernardino had done. He had failed in everything up to
+now, although he had had his chances. His long sword had helped to
+stir the times when the Duke of Bari upset all Italy, and the people
+used to sing:
+
+
+               Cristo in cielo é il Moro in terra,
+               Solo sa il fine di questa guerra.
+
+
+He had fought at Fornovo and at Mertara; and in the breach at Santa
+Croce had even crossed swords with the Count di Savelli, the most
+redoubted knight, with the exception of Bayard, of the age. He had
+been run through the ribs for his temerity; but it was an honour he
+never forgot. Then other things had happened, and he had sunk, sunk to
+be what he was, as many a better man had done before him. A knock at
+the door disturbed his meditations. He set down his empty glass and
+called out, "Enter!"
+
+The door opened, and the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo entered the room.
+Moratti showed no surprise, although the visit was a little
+unexpected; but beyond pointing to a chair, gave di Lippo no other
+greeting, saying simply: "Take a seat, signore--and shut the door
+behind you. I did not expect you until to-morrow."
+
+"True, captain; But you see I was impatient. I got your letter
+yesterday, and, the matter being pressing, came here at once."
+
+"Well--what is the business?"
+
+The cavaliere's steel-grey eyes contracted like those of a cat when a
+sudden light is cast upon them, and he glanced cautiously around him.
+"This place is safe--no eavesdroppers?" he asked.
+
+"None," answered Moratti; and slowly putting his feet down from the
+table, pushed the wine towards di Lippo. "Help yourself, signore--No!
+Well, as you wish. And now, your business?"
+
+There was a silence in the room, and each man watched the other
+narrowly. Moratti looked at the cavaliere's long hatchet face, at the
+cruel close-set eyes, at the thin red hair showing under his velvet
+cap, and at the straight line of the mouth, partly hidden by a
+moustache, and short peaked beard of a slightly darker red than the
+hair on di Lippo's head. Michele di Lippo, in his turn, keenly scanned
+the seamed and haughty features of the bravo, and each man recognised
+in the other the qualities he respected, if such a word may be used.
+At last the cavaliere spoke: "As I mentioned, captain, my business is
+one of the highest importance, and----"
+
+"You are prepared to pay in proportion--eh?" and Moratti twirled his
+moustache between his fingers.
+
+"Exactly. I have made you my offer."
+
+"But have not told me what you want done."
+
+"I am coming to that. Permit me; I think I will change my mind;" and
+as Moratti nodded assent, di Lippo poured himself out a glass of wine
+and drained it slowly. When he had done this, he set the glass down
+with extreme care, and continued: "I am, as you see, captain, no
+longer a young man, and it is inconvenient to have to wait for an
+inheritance"--and he grinned horribly.
+
+"I see, cavalierei--you want me to anticipate matters a little--Well,
+I am willing to help you if I can."
+
+"It is a hundred crowns, captain, and the case lies thus. There is but
+one life between me and the County of Pieve in the Val di Magra, and
+you know how uncertain life is."
+
+He paused; but as Guido Moratti said nothing, continued with his even
+voice: "Should the old Count of Pieve die--and he is on the edge of
+the grave--the estate will pass to his daughter. In the event of her
+death----"
+
+"_Whew!_" Moratti emitted a low whistle, and sat bolt upright. "So it
+is the lady," he cried. "That is not my line, cavaliere. It is more a
+matter of the poison-cup, and I don't deal in such things. Carry your
+offer elsewhere."
+
+"It will be a new experience, captain--and a hundred crowns."
+
+"Blood of a king, man! do you think I hesitate over a paltry hundred
+crowns? Had it been a man, it would have been different--but a woman!
+No! No! It is not my way;" and he rose and paced the room.
+
+"Tush, man! It is but a touch of your dagger, and you have done much
+the same before."
+
+Moratti faced di Lippo. "As you say, I have executed commissions
+before, but never on a woman, and never on a man without giving him a
+chance."
+
+"You are too tender-hearted for your profession, captain. Have you
+never been wronged by a woman? They can be more pitiless than men, I
+assure you."
+
+The bronze on Moratti's cheek paled to ashes, and his face hardened
+with a sudden memory. He turned his back upon di Lippo, and stared out
+of the window at the dead wall which was the only view. It was a
+chance shot, but it had told. The cavaliere rose slowly and flung a
+purse on the table. "Better give him the whole at once," he muttered.
+"Come, captain," he added, raising his voice. "It will be over in a
+moment; and after all, neither you nor I will ever see heaven. We
+might as well burn for something; and if I mistake not, both you and I
+are like those Eastern tigers, who once having tasted blood must go on
+forever--see!" and he laid his lean hand on the bravo's shoulder, "why
+not revenge on the whole sex the wrong done you by one----"
+
+The captain swung round suddenly and shook off di Lippo's hand. "Don't
+touch me," he cried; "at times like this I am dangerous. What demon
+put into your mouth the words you have just used? They have served
+your purpose--and she shall die. Count me out the money, the full
+hundred--and go."
+
+"It is there;" and di Lippo pointed with his finger to the purse. "You
+will find the tale complete--a hundred crowns--count them at your
+leisure. _Addio!_ captain. I shall hear good news soon, I trust."
+Rubbing the palms of his hands together, he stepped softly from the
+room.
+
+Guido Moratti did not hear or answer him. His mind had gone back with
+a rush for ten years, when the work of a woman had made him sink lower
+than a beast. Such things happen to men sometimes. He had sunk like a
+stone thrown into a lake; he had been destroyed utterly, and it was
+sufficient to say that he lived now to prey on his fellow-creatures.
+But he had never thought of the revenge that di Lippo had suggested.
+Now that he did think of it, he remembered a story told in the old
+days round the camp fires, when they were hanging on the rear of
+Charles's retreating army, just before he turned and rent the League
+at Fornovo. Rodrigo Gonzaga, the Spaniard, had told it of a countryman
+of his, a native of Toledo, who for a wrong done to him by a girl had
+devoted himself to the doing to death of women. It was horrible; and
+at the time he had refused to believe it. Now he was face to face with
+the same horror--nay, he had even embraced it. He had lost his soul;
+but the price of it was not yet paid in revenge or gold, and, by
+Heaven! he would have it. He laughed out as loudly and cheerlessly as
+on that winter's night when he rode off through the snow; and laying
+hands on the purse, tore it open, and the contents rolled out upon the
+table. "The price of my soul!" he sneered as he held up a handful of
+the coins, and let them drop again with a clash on the heap on the
+table. "It is more than Judas got for his--ha! ha!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                              FELICITÀ.
+
+
+Some few days after his interview with di Lippo, the Captain Guido
+Moratti rode his horse across the old Roman bridge which at that time
+spanned the Aulella, and directed his way towards the castle of Pieve,
+whose outlines rose before him, cresting an eminence about a league
+from the bridge. The captain was travelling as a person of some
+quality, the better to carry out a plan he had formed for gaining
+admission to Pieve, and a lackey rode behind him holding his valise.
+He had hired horse and man in Florence, and the servant was an honest
+fellow enough, in complete ignorance of his master's character and
+profession. Both the captain and his man bore the appearance of long
+travel, and in truth they had journeyed with a free rein; and now that
+a stormy night was setting in, they were not a little anxious to reach
+their point. The snow was falling in soft flakes, and the landscape
+was grey with the driving mist, through which the outlines of the
+castle loomed large and shadowy, more like a fantastic creation in
+cloudland than the work of human hands. As the captain pulled down the
+lapels of his cap to ward off the drift which was coming straight in
+his face, the bright flare of a beacon fire shone from a tower of the
+castle, and the rays from it stretched in broad orange bands athwart
+the rolling mist, which threatened, together with the increasing
+darkness, to extinguish all the view that was left, and make the
+league to Pieve a road of suffering. With the flash of the fire a
+weird, sustained howl came to the travellers in an eerie cadence; and
+as the fearsome call died away, it was picked up by an answering cry
+from behind, then another and yet another. There could be no mistaking
+these signals; they meant pressing and immediate danger.
+
+"Wolves!" shouted Moratti; and turning to his knave: "Gallop,
+Tito!--else our bones will be picked clean by morning. Gallop!"
+
+They struck their spurs into the horses; and the jaded animals, as if
+realizing their peril, made a brave effort, and dashed off at their
+utmost speed. It was none too soon, for the wolves, hitherto following
+in silence, had given tongue at the sight of the fire; and as if
+knowing that the beacon meant safety for their prey, and that they
+were like to lose a dinner unless they hurried, laid themselves on the
+track of the flying horses with a hideous chorus of yells. They could
+not be seen for the mist; but they were not far behind. They were
+going at too great a pace to howl now; but an occasional angry "yap"
+reached the riders, and reached the horses too, whose instinct told
+them what it meant; and they needed no further spurring, to make them
+strain every muscle to put a distance between themselves and their
+pursuers. Moratti thoroughly grasped the situation. He had experienced
+a similar adventure in the Pennine Alps, when carrying despatches for
+Paolo Orsini, with this difference, that then he had a fresh horse,
+and could see where he was going; whereas now, although the distance
+to Pieve was short, and in ten minutes he might be safe and with a
+whole skin, yet a false step, a stumble, and nothing short of a
+miracle could prevent him becoming a living meal to the beasts behind.
+
+He carried, slung by a strap over his shoulder, a light bugle, which
+he had often found useful before, but never so useful as now.
+Thrusting his hand under his cloak, he drew it out, and blew a long
+clear blast; and, to his joy, there came an answer through the storm
+from the castle. Rescue was near at hand, and faster and faster they
+flew; but as surely the wolves gained on them, and they could hear the
+snarling of the leaders as they jostled against and snapped at each
+other in their haste. Moratti looked over his shoulder. He could see
+close behind a dark crescent moving towards them with fearful
+rapidity. He almost gave a groan. It was too horrible to die thus! And
+he dug his spurs again and again into the heaving flanks of his horse,
+with the vain hope of increasing its speed. They had now reached the
+ascent to Pieve. They could see the lights at the windows. In two
+hundred yards there was safety; when Moratti's horse staggered under
+him, and he had barely time to free his feet from the stirrups and
+lean well back in the saddle ere the animal came down with a plunge.
+Tito went by like a flash, as the captain picked himself up and faced
+the wolves, sword in hand. There was a steep bank on the side of the
+road. He made a dash to gain the summit of this; but had hardly
+reached half-way up when the foremost wolf was upon him, and had
+rolled down again with a yell, run through the heart. His fellows tore
+him to shreds, and in a moment began to worry at the struggling horse,
+whose fore-leg was broken. In a hand-turn the matter was ended, and
+the wretched beast was no longer visible, all that could be seen being
+a black swaying mass of bodies, as the pack hustled and fought over
+the dead animal.
+
+Nevertheless, there were three or four of the wolves who devoted their
+attention to Moratti, and he met them with the courage of despair. But
+the odds were too many, and he began to feel that he could not hold
+out much longer. One huge monster, his shaggy coat icy with the sleet,
+had pulled him to his knees, and it was only a lucky thrust of the
+dagger, he held in his left hand, that saved him. He regained his feet
+only to be dragged down again, and to rise yet once more. He was
+bleeding and weak, wounded in many places, and the end could not be
+far off. It was not thus that he had hoped to die; and he was dying
+like a worried lynx.
+
+The thought drove him to madness. He was of Siena, and somewhere in
+his veins, though he did not know it, ran the blood of the Senonian
+Gauls, and it came out now--he went Berserker, as the old northern
+pirates were wont to do. Sliding down the bank, he jumped full into
+the pack, striking at them in a dumb fury. He was hardly human himself
+now, and he plunged his sword again and again into the heaving mass
+around him, and felt no pain from the teeth of the wolves as they rent
+his flesh. A fierce mad joy came upon him. It was a glorious fight
+after all, and he was dying game. It was a glorious fight, and, when
+he felt a grisly head at his throat, and the weight of his assailant
+brought him down once more, he flung aside his sword, and grappling
+his enemy with his hands, tore asunder the huge jaws, and flung the
+body from him with a yell. Almost at that very instant there was the
+sharp report of firearms, the rush of hurrying feet, and the blaze of
+torches. Moratti, half on his knees, was suddenly pulled to his feet
+by a strong hand, and supported by it he stood, dizzy and faint,
+bleeding almost everywhere, but safe. The wolves had fled in silence,
+vanishing like phantoms across the snow; and shot after shot was fired
+in their direction by the rescue party.
+
+"_Per Bacco!_" said the man who was holding Moratti up; "but it was an
+affair between the skin and the flesh, signore--steady!" and his arm
+tightened round the captain. As he did this, a long defiant howl
+floated back to them through the night, and Guido Moratti knew no
+more. He seemed to have dropped suddenly, into an endless night. He
+seemed to be flying through space, past countless millions of stars,
+which, bright themselves, were unable to illumine the abysmal darkness
+around, and then--there was nothing.
+
+When Moratti came to himself again, he was lying in a bed, in a large
+room, dimly lighted by a shaded lamp, set on a tall Corinthian pillar
+of marble. After the first indistinct glance around him, he shut his
+eyes, and was lost in a dreamy stupor. In a little, he looked again,
+and saw that the chamber was luxuriously fitted, and that he was not
+alone, for, kneeling at a _prie-dieu_, under a large picture of a
+Madonna and Child, was the figure of a woman. Her face was from him;
+but ill as he was, Moratti saw that the tight-fitting dress showed a
+youthful and perfect figure, and that her head was covered with an
+abundance of red-gold hair. The man was still in the shadowland caused
+by utter weakness, and for a moment he thought that this was nothing
+but a vision of fancy; but he rallied half unconsciously, and looked
+again; and then, curiosity overcoming him, attempted to turn so as to
+obtain a better view, and was checked by a twinge of pain, which,
+coming suddenly, brought an exclamation to his lips. In an instant the
+lady rose, and moving towards him, bent over the bed. As she did this,
+their eyes met, and the fierce though dulled gaze of the bravo saw
+before him a face of ideal innocence, of such saintlike purity, that
+it might have been a dream of Raffaelle. She placed a cool hand on his
+hot forehead, and whispered softly: "Be still--and drink this--you
+will sleep." Turning to a side table, she lifted a silver goblet
+therefrom, and gave him to drink. The draught was cool and refreshing,
+and he gathered strength from it.
+
+"Where am I?" he asked; and then, with a sudden courtesy,
+"Madonna--pardon me--I thank you."
+
+"Hush!" she answered, lifting a small hand. "You are in Pieve, and you
+have been very ill. But I must not talk--sleep now, signore."
+
+"I remember now," he said dreamily--"the wolves; but it seems so long
+ago."
+
+She made no reply, but stepped softly out of the room, and was gone.
+Moratti would have called out after her; but a drowsiness came on him,
+and closing his eyes, he slept.
+
+It takes a strong man some time to recover from wounds inflicted by a
+wild animal; and when a man has, like Guido Moratti, lived at both
+ends, it takes longer still, and it was weeks before the captain was
+out of danger. He never saw his fair visitor again. Her place was
+taken by a staid and middle-aged nurse, and he was visited two or
+three times daily by a solemn-looking physician. But although he did
+not see her whom he longed to see, there was a message both morning
+and evening from the Count of Pieve and his daughter, hoping the
+invalid was better--the former regretting that his infirmities
+prevented his paying a personal visit, and the inquiries of the latter
+being always accompanied by a bouquet of winter flowers. But strange
+as it may seem, when he was under the influence of the opiate they
+gave him nightly, he was certain of the presence of the slight
+graceful figure of the lady of the _prie-dieu_, as he called her to
+himself. He saw again the golden-red hair and the sweet eyes, and felt
+again the touch of the cool hand. He began to think that this bright
+presence which lit his dreams was but a vision after all, and used to
+long for the night and the opiate.
+
+At last one fine morning Tito appeared, and began to set out and brush
+the captain's apparel as if nothing had ever happened. Moratti watched
+him for a space, and then rising up against his pillows, spoke:
+"Tito!"
+
+"Signore!"
+
+"How is it that you have not been here before?"
+
+"I was not allowed, Excellency, until to-day--your worship was too
+ill."
+
+"Then I am better."
+
+"Excellency!"
+
+There was a silence of some minutes, and the captain spoke again:
+"Tito!"
+
+"Signore!"
+
+"Have you seen the Count and his daughter?"
+
+"Excellency!"
+
+"What are they like?"
+
+"The Count old, and a cripple. Madonna Felicità, small, thin,
+red-haired like my wife Sancia."
+
+Moratti sank down again upon the bed, a satisfied smile upon his lips.
+So there was truth in his dreams. The vision of the night was a
+reality. He would see her soon, as soon as he could rise, and he was
+fast getting well, very fast. He had gone back many years in his
+illness. He had thoughts stirred within him that he had imagined dead
+long ago. He was the last man to day-dream, to build castles in the
+air; but as he lay idly watching Tito, who was evidently very busy
+cleaning something--for he was sitting on a low chair with his back
+towards the captain, and his elbow moving backwards and forwards
+rapidly--the bravo pictured himself Guido Moratti as he might have
+been, a man able to look all men in the face, making an honourable way
+for himself, and worthy the love of a good woman. The last thought
+brought before him a fair face and sweet eyes, and a dainty head
+crowned with red-gold hair, and the strong man let his fancy run on
+with an uprising of infinite tenderness in his heart. He was lost in a
+cloudland of dreams.
+
+"Signore!"
+
+Tito's harsh voice had pulled down the castle in Spain, and Tito
+himself was standing at the bedside holding a bright and glittering
+dagger in his hand. But he had done more than upset his master's
+dreams. He had, all unwittingly, brought him back in a flash to the
+hideous reality, for, as a consequence of his long illness, of the
+weeks of fever and delirium, Moratti had clean forgotten the dreadful
+object of his coming to Pieve. It all came back to him with a blinding
+suddenness, and he closed his eyes with a shudder of horror as Tito
+laid the poniard upon the bed, asking: "Will the signore see if the
+blade is keen enough? A touch of the finger will suffice."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                   CONCLUSION--THE TORRE DOLOROSA.
+
+
+Days were yet to pass before Guido Moratti was able to leave his
+chamber; but at last the leech who attended him said he might do so
+with safety; and later on, the steward of the household brought a
+courteous invitation from the Count of Pieve to dine with him. As
+already explained, Moratti had not as yet seen his host; and since he
+was well enough to sit up, there were no more dreamy visions of the
+personal presence of Felicità. He had made many resolutions whilst
+left to himself, and had determined that as soon as he was able to
+move he would leave the castle, quit Italy, and make a new name for
+himself, or die in the German wars. He was old enough to build no
+great hopes on the future; but fortune might smile on him, and
+then--many things might happen. At any rate, he would wipe the slate
+clean, and there should be no more ugly scores on it.
+
+Not that he was a reformed man; he was only groping his way back to
+light. Men do not cast off the past as a snake sheds his skin. He knew
+that well enough, but he knew, too, that he had seen a faint track
+back to honour; and difficult as it was, he had formed a determination
+to travel by it. He had been so vile, he had sunk so low, that there
+were moments when a despair came on him; but with a new country and
+new scenes, and the little flame of hope that was warming his dead
+soul back to life, there might yet be a chance. He knew perfectly that
+he was in love, and when a man of his age loves, it is for the
+remainder of his life. He was aware--none better--that his love was
+madness, all but an insult, and that it was worse than presumption to
+even entertain the thought that he had inspired any other feeling
+beyond that of pity in the heart of Felicità. It is enough to say that
+he did not dare to hope in this way; but he meant to so order his
+future life, as to feel that any such sentiment as love in his heart
+towards her would not be sacrilege.
+
+He sent back a civil answer to the invitation; and a little after
+eleven, descended the stairway which led from his chamber to the
+Count's apartments, looking very pale and worn, but very handsome. For
+he was, in truth, a man whose personal appearance took all eyes. The
+apartments of the Count were immediately below Moratti's own chamber,
+and on entering, he saw the old knight himself reclining in a large
+chair. He was alone, except for a hound which lay stretched out on the
+hearth, its muzzle between its forepaws, and a dining-table set for
+three was close to his elbow. Bernabo of Pieve received his guest with
+a stately courtesy, asking pardon for being unable to rise, as he was
+crippled. "They clipped my wings at Arx Sismundea, captain--before
+your time; but of a truth I am a glad man to see you strong again. It
+was a narrow affair."
+
+"I cannot thank you in words, Count; you and your house have placed a
+debt on me I can never repay."
+
+"Tush, man! There must be no talk of thanks. If there are to be any,
+they are due to the leech, and to Felicità, my daughter. She is all I
+have left, for my son was killed at Santa Croce."
+
+"I was there, Count."
+
+"And knew him?"
+
+"Alas, no. I was on the side of Spain."
+
+"With the besieged, and he with the League. He was killed on the
+breach--poor lad."
+
+At this moment a curtain at the side of the room was lifted, and
+Felicità entered. She greeted Moratti warmly, and with a faint flush
+on her cheeks, inquired after his health, hoping he was quite strong
+again.
+
+"So well, Madonna, that I must hurry on my journey to-morrow."
+
+"To-morrow!" Her large eyes opened wide in astonishment, and there was
+a pain in her look. "Why," she continued, "it will be a fortnight ere
+you can sit in the saddle again."
+
+"It might have been never, but for you," he answered gravely, and her
+eyes met his, and fell. At this moment the steward announced that the
+table was ready; and by the time the repast was ended, Moratti had
+forgotten his good resolutions for instant departure, and had promised
+to stay for at least a week, at the urgent intercession of both the
+Count and his daughter. He knew he was wrong in doing so, and that,
+whatever happened, it was his duty to go at once; but he hesitated
+with himself. He would give himself one week of happiness, for it was
+happiness to be near her, and then--he would go away forever. And she
+would never know, in her innocence and purity, that Guido Moratti,
+bravo--he shuddered at the infamous word--loved her better than all
+the world beside, and that for her sake he had become a new man.
+
+After dinner the Count slept, and, the day being bright, they stepped
+out into a large balcony and gazed at the view. The balcony, which
+stretched out from a low window of the dining chamber, terminated on
+the edge of a precipice which dropped down a clear two hundred feet;
+and leaning over the moss-grown battlements, they looked at the white
+winter landscape before them. Behind rose the tower they had just
+quitted, and Felicità, turning, pointed to it, saying: "We call this
+the Torre Dolorosa."
+
+"A sad name, Madonna. May I ask why?"
+
+"Because all of our house who die in their beds die here."
+
+"And yet you occupy this part of the castle."
+
+"Oh, I do not. My chamber is there--in Count Ligo's Tower;" and she
+pointed to the right, where another grey tower rose from the keep.
+"But my father likes to occupy the Torre Dolorosa himself. He says he
+is living with his ancestors--to whom he will soon go, as he always
+adds."
+
+"May the day be far distant."
+
+And she answered "Amen."
+
+After this, they went in, and the talk turned on other matters. The
+week passed and then another, but at last the day came for Moratti's
+departure. He had procured another horse. It was indeed a gift which
+the old Count pressed upon him, and he had accepted it with much
+reluctance, but much gratitude. In truth, the kindness of these people
+towards him was unceasing, and Moratti made great strides towards his
+new self in that week. He was to have started after the mid-day
+dinner; but with the afternoon he was not gone, and sunset found him
+on the balcony of the Torre Dolorosa with Felicità by his side.
+
+"You cannot possibly go to-night," she said.
+
+"I will go to-morrow, then," replied Moratti, and she looked away from
+him.
+
+It was a moment of temptation. Almost did a rush of words come to the
+captain's lips. He felt as if he must take her in his arms and tell
+her that he loved her as man never loved woman. It was an effort; but
+he was getting stronger in will daily, and he crushed down the
+feeling.
+
+"It is getting chill for you," he said; "we had better go in."
+
+"Tell me," she answered, not heeding his remark, "tell me exactly
+where you are going?"
+
+"I do not know--perhaps to join Piccolomini in Bohemia--perhaps to
+join Alva in the Low Countries--wherever a soldier's sword has work to
+do."
+
+"And you will come back?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"A great man, with a _condotta_ of a thousand lances--and forget
+Pieve."
+
+"As God is my witness--never--but it is chill, Madonna--come in."
+
+When they came in, Bernabo of Pieve was not alone, for standing close
+to the old man, his back to the fire, and rubbing his hands softly
+together, was the tall, gaunt figure of the Cavaliere Michele di
+Lippo.
+
+"A sudden visit, dear cousin," he said, greeting Felicità, and turning
+his steel-grey eyes, with a look of cold inquiry in them, on Moratti.
+
+"The Captain Guido Moratti--my cousin, the Cavaliere di Lippo."
+
+"Of Castel Lippo, on the Greve," put in di Lippo. "I am charmed to
+make the acquaintance of the Captain Moratti. Do you stay long in
+Pieve, captain?"
+
+"I leave to-morrow." Moratti spoke shortly. His blood was boiling, as
+he looked on the gloomy figure of the cavaliere, who watched him
+furtively from under his eyelids, the shadow of a sneer on his face.
+He was almost sick with shame when he thought how he was in di
+Lippo's hands, how a word from him could brand him with ignominy
+beyond repair. Some courage, however, came back to him with the
+thought that, after all, he held cards as well, as for his own sake,
+di Lippo would probably remain quiet.
+
+"So soon!" said di Lippo with a curious stress on the word soon, and
+then added, "That is bad news."
+
+"I have far to go, signore," replied Moratti coldly, and the
+conversation then changed. It was late when they retired; and as the
+captain bent over Felicità's hand, he held it for a moment in his own
+broad palm, and said: "It is good-bye, lady, for I go before the dawn
+to-morrow."
+
+She made no answer; but, with a sudden movement, detached a bunch of
+winter violets she wore at her neck, and thrusting them in Moratti's
+hand, turned and fled. The Count was half asleep, and did not notice
+the passage; but di Lippo said with his icy sneer: "Excellent--you
+work like an artist, Moratti."
+
+"I do not understand you;" and turning on his heel, the captain strode
+off to his room.
+
+An hour or so later, he was seated in a low chair, thinking. His
+valise lay packed, and all was ready for his early start. He still
+held the violets in his hand, but his face was dark with boding
+thoughts. He dreaded going and leaving Felicità to the designs of di
+Lippo. There would be other means found by di Lippo to carry out his
+design; and with a groan, the captain rose and began to pace the room.
+He was on the cross with anxiety. If he went without giving warning of
+di Lippo's plans, he would still be a sharer in the murder--and the
+murder of Felicità, for a hair of whose head he was prepared to risk
+his soul. If, on the other hand, he spoke, he would be lost forever in
+her eyes. Although it was winter, the room seemed to choke him, and he
+suddenly flung open the door and, descending the dim stairway, went
+out into the balcony. It was bright with moonlight, and the night was
+clear as crystal. He leaned over the battlements and racked his mind
+as to his course of action. At last he resolved. He would take the
+risk, and speak out, warn Bernabo of Pieve at all hazards, and would
+do so at once. He turned hastily, and then stopped, for before him in
+the moonlight stood the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo.
+
+"I sought you in your chamber, captain," he said in his biting voice,
+"and not finding you, came here----"
+
+"And how did you know I would be here?"
+
+"Lovers like the moonlight, and you can see the light from her window
+in Ligo's Tower," said di Lippo, and added sharply: "So you are
+playing false, Moratti."
+
+The captain made no answer; there was a singing in his ears, and a
+sudden and terrible thought was working. His hand was on the hilt of
+his dagger, a spring, a blow, and di Lippo would be gone. And no one
+would know. But the cavaliere went on, unheeding his silence.
+
+"You are playing false, Moratti. You are playing for your own hand
+with my hundred crowns. You think your ship has come home. Fool! Did
+you imagine I would allow this? But I still give you a chance. Either
+do my business to-night--the way is open--or to-morrow you are laid by
+the heels as a thief and a bravo. What will your Felicità----"
+
+"Dog--speak her name again, and you die!" Moratti struck him across
+the face with his open palm, and Michele di Lippo reeled back a pace,
+his face as white as snow. It was only a pace, however, for he
+recovered himself at once, and sprung at Moratti like a wild-cat. The
+two closed. They spoke no word, and nothing could be heard but their
+laboured breath as they gripped together. Their daggers were in their
+hands; but each man knew this, and had grasped the wrist of the other.
+Moratti was more powerful; but his illness had weakened him, and the
+long lean figure of Michele di Lippo was as strong as a wire rope.
+Under the quiet moon and the winter stars, they fought, until at last
+di Lippo was driven to the edge of the parapet, and in the moonlight
+he saw the meaning in Moratti's set face. With a superhuman effort, he
+wrenched his hand free, and the next moment his dagger had sunk to the
+hilt in the captain's side, and Moratti's grasp loosened, but only for
+an instant. He was mortally wounded, he knew. He was going to die; but
+it would not be alone. He pressed di Lippo to his breast. He lifted
+him from his feet, and forced him through an embrasure which yawned
+behind. Here, on its brink, the two figures swayed for an instant, and
+then the balcony was empty, and from the deep of the precipice two
+hundred feet below, there travelled upwards the sullen echo of a dull
+crash, and all was quiet again.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+When the stars were paling, the long howl of a wolf rang out into the
+stillness. It reached Felicità in Count Ligo's Tower, and filled her
+with a nameless terror. "Guard him, dear saints," she prayed; "shield
+him from peril, and hold him safe."
+
+
+
+
+
+                        THE TREASURE OF SHAGUL
+
+
+It was past two o'clock, and Aladin, the elephant-driver, had gathered
+together his usual audience under the shade of the mango tree near the
+elephant-shed. Aladin was a noted story-teller; he had a long memory,
+and an exhaustless fund of anecdote. It was ten years since he had
+come from Nepaul with Moula Piari, the big she-elephant, and for ten
+years he had delighted the inhabitants of the canal-settlement at
+Dadupur with his tales. It was his practice to tell one story daily,
+never more than one; and his time for this relaxation was an hour or
+so after the midday meal, when he would sit on a pile of _sal_ logs,
+under the mango tree, and his small audience, collecting round him in
+a semi-circle, would wait patiently until the oracle spoke. No one
+ever attempted to ask him to begin. Once Bullen, the water-carrier,
+the son of Bishen, after waiting in impatient expectation through ten
+long minutes of solemn silence, had suggested that it was time for
+Aladin to commence. At this the old man rose in wrath, and asking the
+water-carrier if he was his slave, smote him over the ear, and stalked
+off to the elephant-shed. For three days there was no story-telling,
+and Bullen, the son of Bishen, had a hard time of it with his fellows.
+Finally matters were adjusted; both Aladin and Bullen were persuaded
+by Gunga Din, the tall Burkundaz guard, to forget the past, and
+affairs went on in the old way. That was three years ago, but the
+lesson had not been forgotten. So although it happened on this
+April afternoon, that all the elephant-driver's old cronies were
+there,--Gunga Dino the Burkundaz, Dulaloo the white-haired Sikh
+messenger who had been orderly to Napier of Magdala, Piroo Ditta
+the telegraph-clerk, and Gobind Ram the canal-accountant, with a
+half-score others--yet not one of them ventured to disturb the silence
+of Aladin, as he sat, gravely stroking his beard, on the ant-eaten
+_sal_ logs which had mouldered there for so many years. They were the
+remains of a wrecked raft that had come down in a July flood, and
+having been rescued from the water, were stacked under the mango tree
+for the owner to claim. No owner ever came, but they had served as
+food for the white ants, and as a bench for Aladin, for many a year.
+The afternoon was delicious; a soft breeze was blowing, and the leaves
+of the trees tinkled overhead. Above the muffled roar of the canal,
+pouring through the open sluices, came the clear bell-like notes of a
+blackbird, who piped joyously to himself from a snag that stood up,
+jagged and sharp, out of the clear waters of the Some. To the north
+the Khyarda and Kalessar Duns extended in long lines of yellow, brown,
+and grey, and above them rose the airy outlines of the lower
+Himalayas, while higher still, in the absolute blue of the sky,
+towered the white peaks of the eternal snows. Beeroo, the Sansi, saw
+the group under the mango tree as he crossed the canal-bridge, and
+hastened towards it. Beeroo was a member of a criminal tribe, a tribe
+of nomads who lived by hunting and stealing, who are to be found in
+every Indian fair as acrobats, jugglers, and fortune-tellers, or
+tramping painfully through the peninsula with a tame bear or
+performing monkeys. In short the Sansis are very similar to gipsies,
+if they are not, indeed, the parent stock from which our own
+"Egyptians" spring. Beeroo came up to the sitters, but as he was of
+low caste, or rather of no caste, he took up his position a little
+apart, leaning on a long knotted bamboo staff, his coal-black eyes
+glancing keenly around him. "It is Beeroo," said Dulaloo the Sikh, and
+with this greeting lapsed into silence. Aladin ceased stroking his
+henna-stained beard, and looked at the new-comer. "Ai, Beeroo! What
+news?"
+
+"There is a tiger at Hathni Khoond, and I have marked him down. Is the
+Sahib here?"
+
+"The Sahib sleeps now," replied Aladin; "it is the time for his
+noontide rest. He will awaken at four o'clock."
+
+"I will see His Honour then," replied Beeroo, "and there will be a
+hunt to-morrow."
+
+"Is it a big tiger?" asked Bullen, the son of Bishen.
+
+"Aho!" and the Sansi, sliding his hands down the bamboo staff, sank to
+a sitting posture.
+
+"When was it the Sahib slew his last tiger?" asked Piroo Ditta, the
+telegraph-clerk.
+
+"Last May, at Mohonagh, near the temple," answered Aladin; "I remember
+well, for the elephant lost a toenail in fording the river-bed--poor
+beast!"
+
+"At Mohonagh! That is where the Shagul Tree is," said Gobind Ram.
+
+"True, brother. Hast heard the tale?"
+
+There was a chorus of "noes," that drowned Gobind Ram's "yes," and
+Aladin, taking a long pull at his water-pipe, began:
+
+"When Raja Sham Chand had ruled in Suket for six years, he fell into
+evil ways, and abandoning the shrine of Mohonagh, where his fathers
+had worshipped for generations, set up idols to a hundred and fifty
+gods. Prem Chand, the high priest of Mohonagh, cast himself at the
+Raja's feet, and expostulated with him in vain, for Sham Chand only
+laughed, saying Mohonagh was old and blind. Then he mocked the priest,
+and Prem Chand threw dust on his own head, and departed sore at heart.
+So Mohonagh was deserted, and the Raja wasted his substance among
+dancing-girls and the false priests who pandered to him. About this
+time Sham Chand, being a fool although a king, put his faith in the
+word of the emperor at Delhi, and came down from the hills to find
+himself a prisoner. In his despair the Raja called upon each one of
+his hundred and fifty gods to save him, promising half his kingdom if
+his prayers were answered; but there was no reply. At last the Raja
+bethought him of the neglected Mohonagh, and falling on his knees
+implored the aid of the god, making him the same promise of half his
+kingdom, and vowing that if he were but free, he would put aside his
+evil ways, return to the faith of his fathers, and destroy the temples
+of his false gods. As he prayed he heard a bee buzzing in his cell,
+and watching it, saw it creep into a hollow between two of the bricks
+in the wall, and then creep out again, and buzz around the room. Sham
+Chand put his hand to the bricks and found they were loose. He put
+them back carefully, and waited till night. Under cover of the dark he
+set to work once more, and removing brick after brick, found that he
+could make his passage through the wall. This he did and effected his
+escape. When he came back to Suket he kept his vow, and more than
+this. Within the walls of the _mandar_ of Mohonagh grows a _shagul_,
+or wild pear tree. On this tree the Raja nailed a hundred and fifty
+gold mohurs, a coin for each one of the false gods whose idols he
+destroyed, and decreed that every one in Suket who had a prayer
+answered, should affix a coin or a jewel to the tree. That was a
+hundred years ago, and now the stem of the Shagul Tree is covered with
+coins and jewels to the value of _lakhs_. I saw it with my own eyes.
+This is not all, for when at Mohonagh I heard that the god strikes
+blind any thief who attempts to steal but a leaf from the tree.
+_Bus!_--there is no more to tell."
+
+"_Wah_! _Wah!_" exclaimed the listeners, and Beeroo put in, "Lakhs of
+rupees didst thou say, Mahoutjee?"
+
+"I have said what I have said, O Sansi, and thou hast heard. Hast thou
+a mind to be struck blind?"
+
+Beeroo made no answer, and the group shortly afterwards broke up. But
+Gobind Ram, the canal-accountant, who knew the story of the Shagul
+Tree, went straight to his quarters. Here he wrote a brief note on a
+piece of soft yellow paper, and sealed it carefully. Then he drew
+forth a pigeon from a cage in a corner of the room, and fastening the
+letter to the bird, freed the pigeon with a toss into the air. The
+carrier circled slowly thrice above the _neem_ trees, and then
+spreading its strong slate-coloured wings, flew swiftly towards the
+hills. Gobind Ram watched the speck in the sky until it vanished
+from sight, then he went in, muttering to himself, "The high priest
+will know in an hour that Beeroo the Sansi has heard of the Shagul
+Tree--Ho, Aladin, thou hast too long a beard and too long a tongue,"
+and the subtle Brahmin squatted himself down to smoke.
+
+An hour afterwards, as Aladin was taking the she-elephant to water, he
+saw a figure going at a long slouching trot along the yellow sandbanks
+of the Some, making directly towards the north. The old man shaded his
+eyes with his hands and looked keenly at it; but his sight was not
+what it was, and he turned to Mahboob, the elephant-cooly, who would
+step into his shoes some day, when he died, and asked: "See'st thou
+that figure on the sandbank there, Mahboob?"
+
+"It is the Sansi," answered Mahboob. "Behold! He limps on the left
+foot, where the leopard clawed him at Kara Ho. Perchance the Sahib
+will not hear of the tiger to-day."
+
+"If ever, Mahboob," answered the Mahout; "would that mine eyes were
+young again. _Hai!_" and he tapped Moula Piari's bald head with his
+driving-hook, for her long trunk was reaching out to grasp a bundle of
+green grass from the head of a grass-cutter, who was bearing in fodder
+for the Sahib's pony.
+
+Mahboob was not mistaken; it was Beeroo. When the party broke up, he
+alone remained apparently absorbed in thought. After a time he took
+some tobacco from an embroidered pouch hanging at his waist, crushed
+it in the palm of his hand, and rolled a cone-shaped cigarette with
+the aid of a leaf, fastening the folds of the leaf together with a
+small dry stick which he stuck through the cigarette like a hair-pin.
+At this he sucked, his forehead contracted into a frown, and his
+bead-like eyes fixed steadily before him. Finally he rose quickly, as
+one who has made a sudden resolve.
+
+"The tiger can wait for the Sahib," he said to himself; "but _lakhs_
+of rupees--they wait also--for me. I will go and worship at Mohonagh.
+The idol will surely make the convert a gift."
+
+Laughing softly to himself, he stole off with long cat-like steps in
+the direction of the river. He forded the Some where it was crossed by
+the telegraph-line, and the water was but breast-deep. Once on the
+opposite bank, he shook himself like a dog, and breaking into a trot,
+headed straight for the hills. His way led up a narrow and steep
+track, hedged in with thorns over which the purple convolvulus twined
+in a confused network. On either hand were sparse fields of gram and
+corn, which ran in lozenge shapes up the low hillsides, ending in a
+tangle of underwood, beyond which rose the solid outlines of the
+forest. As the sun was setting he came to a long narrow ravine, over
+which the road crossed. Here he stopped, and instead of keeping to the
+road, turned abruptly to the right and trotted on. In the darkening
+woods above him he heard the cry of a panther, and the alarmed
+jabbering of the monkeys in the trees above their most dreaded enemy.
+Beeroo marked the spot with a glance as he went on: "I will buy
+a gun when I come back from Mohonagh," he muttered to himself, "a
+two-barrelled gun of English make. The Thanadar at Thakot has one for
+sale, a _birich-lodas_;[1] and then I will shoot that panther."
+_Hough_! _Hough!_ The cry of the animal rang through the forest again,
+as if in assent to his thoughts, and Beeroo continued his way. Just as
+the sun sank and darkness was setting in, he saw the wavering glimmer
+of a circle of camp-fires and the outlines of figures moving against
+the light. The flare of the burning wood discovered also a few low
+tents, shaped like casks cut in half lengthwise, and lit up with red
+the grey fur of a number of donkeys that were tethered within the
+radius of the fires. In a little time he heard the barking of dogs,
+and five minutes later was with the tents of his tribe.
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+Footnote 1: Breechloader.
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+One or two men exchanged brief greetings with him, and answering them,
+he stepped up to the centre fire, where a tall good-looking woman
+addressed him. "Aho, Beeroo, is it you? Is the hunt to be to-morrow?"
+
+"The Sahib was asleep," answered Beeroo; "give me to eat."
+
+The woman brought him food. It was a stew made of the flesh of a
+porcupine that had been kept warm in an earthenware dish, and Beeroo
+ate heartily of this, quenching his thirst with a draught of the fiery
+spirit made from the blossoms of the _mhowra_, after which he began to
+smoke once more, using a small clay pipe called a _chillum_. His wife,
+for so the woman was, made no attempt to converse with him, but left
+him to the company of his tobacco and his thoughts. Beeroo sat moodily
+puffing blue curls of smoke from his pipe, and with a black blanket
+drawn over his shoulders, stared steadily into the fire. So he sat for
+hours, no one disturbing him, sat until the camp had gone to rest, and
+the wind alone was awake and sighing through the forest. Sagoo, his
+big white hound, came close to him, and lay by his side, as if to hint
+that it was time to sleep. Beeroo stroked the lean, muscular flank of
+the dog, and looked around him. "In a little time," he said to
+himself, "I will be Beeroo Naik, with a village of my own and wide
+lands. Beeroo Naik," he repeated softly to himself, with a lingering
+pride on the title implied in the last word. Then he rolled himself up
+in his blanket; Sagoo snuggled beside him, and they slept.
+
+Beeroo awoke long before sunrise. He drank some milk, stole into his
+tent, and crept out again with a stout canvas haversack in his hands.
+Into this sack, which contained other things besides, he stuffed some
+broken meat and bread made of Indian corn, and slung is over his
+shoulders. Then grasping his staff, he gave a last look around him,
+and plunged into the jungle. Sagoo would have followed, but Beeroo
+ordered him back, and the hound with drooping tail and wistful eyes
+watched the figure of his master until it was lost in the gloom of the
+trees. Beeroo walked on tirelessly, and by midday was far in the
+hills. He could go from sunrise to sunset at that long trotting pace
+of his, rest a little, eat a little, and then keep on till the sun
+rose again. He was now high up in the hills. The _sal_ trees had given
+place to the screw-pine, silk-cotton and mango were replaced by
+holm-oak and walnut. In the tangle of the low bushes the dog-rose and
+wild jasmine bloomed, and the short green of the grass was spangled
+with the wood violet, the amaranth, and the pimpernel. Far below the
+Jumna hummed down to the plains in a white lashing flood, and the
+voice of the distant river reached him, soft and dreamy, through the
+murmur of the pines. As he glanced into the deep of the valleys, a
+blue pheasant rose with its whistling call, and with widespread wings
+sailed slowly down into the mist below. The sunlight caught the
+splendour of his plumage, and he dropped like a jewel into the pearl
+grey of the vapour that clung to the mountain-side. Beeroo looked at
+the bird for a moment, and then lifting his gaze, fixed it on a white
+spot on the summit of the forest-covered hill to his left. He made out
+a cone-like dome, surmounting a square building, built like an eagle's
+nest at the edge of the precipice which fell sheer for a thousand feet
+to the silver ribbon of the river. It was the _mandar_, or temple of
+Mohonagh, and so clear was the air, that it seemed as if Beeroo had
+only to stretch out his staff to touch the white spot before him. He
+knew better than that, however, and knew too that the sun must rise
+again before he could rest himself beneath the walls of the temple,
+and look on the treasure of the shagul.
+
+"_Ram_, _ram_, Mohonagh!" he cried, saluting the far-off shrine in
+mockery, and then continued his way. When he had gone thus for another
+hour or so, he came upon the traces of a recent encampment. There was
+a heap of stale fodder, one or two earthenware pots were lying about,
+and the remains of a fire still smouldered under the lee of a walnut
+tree. Hard by, on the opposite side of the track, a huge rock rose
+abruptly, and from its scarred side a bubbling spring plashed
+musically into a natural basin, and, overflowing this, ran across the
+path in a small stream, past the tree and over the precipice, where it
+lost itself in a spray in which a quivering rainbow hung. Here Beeroo
+halted, and having broken his fast and slaked his thirst, proceeded to
+totally alter his personal appearance. This he did by the simple
+process of removing his turban of Turkey red and his warm vest, the
+only covering he had for the upper portion of his body. After this he
+let down his long straight hair, which he wore coiled in a knot, to
+fall freely over his shoulders. Then he smeared himself all over, head
+and all, with ashes from the fire; and when this was done he stood up
+a grisly phantom in which no one would have recognised the Sansi
+tracker. He hid his sandals and the wearing apparel he had removed in
+a secure place in a cleft in the rocks, and marking the spot
+carefully, went on--no longer Beeroo the Sansi, a man of no caste, but
+a holy mendicant. In his left hand he held one of the earthen vessels
+he had found under the walnut, in his right, his bamboo staff, and the
+knapsack hung over his shoulders. When he had gone thus for about a
+mile he heard the melancholy "_Aosh_! _Aosh!_" of cattle-drivers in
+the hills and the tinkling of bells. Turning a bluff he came face to
+face with a small caravan of bullocks, returning from the interior,
+laden with walnuts, dried apricots, and wool. Each bullock had a
+bundle of merchandise slung on either side, and the frontlet of the
+leading animal was adorned with strings of blue beads and shells. The
+caravan-drivers walked, and as they urged their beasts along, repeated
+at intervals their call, which to European ears would sound more like
+a sigh of despair than a cry of encouragement. Beeroo stood by the
+side of the road, and, stretching out his ash-covered hands, held out
+the vessel for alms. Each man as he passed dropped a little into it
+for luck, one a brown copper, another some dried fruit, a third a
+handful of parched grain, and Beeroo received these offerings in a
+grave silence as became his holy calling. He stayed thus until the
+caravan was out of sight; then he collected the few coins and tossed
+the rest of the contents of the vessel on to the roadside. He was
+satisfied that his disguise was complete, and that he could face the
+priests of the temple at Mohonagh without fear of discovery, for the
+carriers were Bunjarees, members of a tribe allied to his own, whose
+lynx-eyes would have discovered a Sansi in a moment unless his
+disguise was perfect.
+
+"_Thoba!_" laughed Beeroo to himself as he pressed on. "Had the
+Bunjarees only known who I was, I had heard the whisper of their
+sticks through the air, and my back might have been sore; but the
+blessing of Mohonagh is upon me," he chuckled.
+
+Beeroo rested that evening in a cave. He rose at midnight, however,
+and travelling without a check was by morning ascending the winding
+road that led to the shrine. He was not alone here, for there were a
+number of pilgrims toiling up the ascent, halting now and again to
+take breath, as they wearily climbed the narrow track set in between
+the red and brown rocks, and overhung by wild apricot and holm-oak.
+Among the pilgrims were those who, in expiation of their sins,
+wriggled up the height on their faces like snakes, others who laid
+themselves flat at every third step, others again who crawled up
+painfully on their blistered hands and knees; there were women going
+to thank the god for the blessing of children, bearded Dogras of the
+hills, ash-covered and ochre-robed mendicants, and a fat _mahajun_, or
+money-lender, who had won a lawsuit and ruined a village. All these
+were hurrying towards the shrine, and their hands were full.
+
+Under the arch of the gateway stood Prem Sagar, the high priest of
+Mohonagh, and flung grain towards a countless number of pigeons that
+fluttered and cooed around him. "They are the eyes and ears of the
+temple," he said to himself as he gazed upon them; "they warn the
+shrine of danger, they bring the news of the world beyond the hills,
+they are surer than the telegraph of the Sahibs, for they tell no
+secrets. Perchance," and he looked down on the specks slowly nearing
+the gate, "amongst that crowd of fools is Beeroo the Sansi; if so the
+god will welcome him, and there will be another miracle. Purun Chand!"
+and he called out to a subordinate priest who approached him
+reverently, "Purun Chand, awaken the god."
+
+Purun Chand placed a conch-horn to his lips, and blew a long
+deep-toned call. Its dismal notes were caught up in the hills and
+echoed from valley to valley, until they died away, moaning in the
+deeps of the forest. As the call rang out dolefully, the pilgrims
+ascending the road fell on their knees, and with one voice cast up a
+wailing cry, "Ai, ai, Mohonagh!" And Beeroo the Sansi, the man of no
+caste, whose very presence so near the temple was an abomination,
+shouted the loudest of all.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+Half an hour later, Prem Sagar, the high priest, naked to the waist,
+with his brahminical cord hanging over his left shoulder and a red and
+white trident painted on his forehead, stood on the stone steps
+leading up to the shrine, and watched with keen eyes the pilgrims as
+they came within the temple walls. The devotees took no notice of him,
+except some of the women who prostrated themselves, while he bowed his
+head gravely in answer, but said nothing. His lips were muttering
+prayers in a sing-song tone, but his eyes were tirelessly watching the
+groups as they came up in files. At last Beeroo appeared, and on his
+coming to the steps, slightly dragging his left foot, a quick light
+shone in the high priest's eyes.
+
+"Soh! It is the holy man!" his thoughts ran on. "Gobind Ram did well
+to warn me of his limp. There too are the five marks of the leopard's
+claws, running down the inside of the calf." As Beeroo approached the
+priest, he imitated the action of a woman before him, and prostrated
+himself. Prem Sagar pretended not to see him; but raised his voice to
+a loud chant, and repeated the mystic words _Om, mane padme, om!_[2]
+There was a time when these words caused the heavens to thunder as at
+the sacred name of Jehovah; but now the limpid blue of the sky was
+undisturbed, as the priest called out to the jewel in the lotus, the
+symbol of the Universal God.
+
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+Footnote 2: "_Om_, the jewel in the lotus, _om!_" The _padma_, or
+lotus, is the flower from which Brahma sprang.
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+
+"_Om, mane padme, om!_" repeated Beeroo, and passed into the shrine.
+He found himself in a room about twenty feet square, the walls and
+floor blackened by age and by the smoke from the cressets which burned
+day and night in little niches in the walls. Overhead the vault of the
+dome was in inky darkness, and in front of him, three-headed and
+four-armed, painted a bright red, was the grinning idol of Mohonagh.
+At the feet of the god were the offerings of the pilgrims, and on each
+side of the idol stood an attendant priest holding a censer, which he
+swung to and fro, and the fumes from which, heavy with the odour of
+the wild jasmine and the champac, curled slowly up to the blackened
+dome. But it was not on the idol, nor on the priests, nor on the
+worshippers, that Beeroo's eyes were fixed. They were bent to the
+right of the idol, where the trunk of the Shagul Tree rose from the
+flooring of the temple like the body of a huge snake, and, escaping
+outside through a cutting in the wall, spread out into branches and
+leaves. In fact the temple was built around the tree, and even through
+the gloom, Beeroo could see that the part of the tree within the
+temple walls was covered with coins and gems. The coins, old and
+blackened with smoke, looked like scales on the snake-like trunk of
+the Shagul Tree: the gold and silver of the jewels were dimmed of
+their brightness; but through the murky scented atmosphere the Sansi
+saw the dusky burning red of the ruby, the green glow of the emerald,
+the orange flame within the opal, and the countless lights in the
+diamond; and all these came and went like stars twinkling through the
+veil of a dark night. The Sansi almost gasped, such riches as these
+were beyond his dreams; they truly meant _lakhs_ of rupees. A single
+one of the gems would buy him a village and lands; if he could get the
+whole! His brain almost reeled at the thought, and it was with an
+effort that he steadied himself, and laying his offering at the feet
+of the god, backed slowly out of the temple.
+
+Between the outer walls and the shrine was a space about a hundred
+feet square, shaded by a number of walnut trees. Hither the Sansi
+betook himself, and placing his earthen bowl on the ground, sat down
+behind it, staring stolidly before him as if trying to lose himself in
+that abstraction by which the devotee attains to nirvana. Some of the
+pilgrims piously dropped food into the vessel; but Beeroo took no heed
+of this, his eyes were fixed on vacancy, and his mind was revolving
+many things. So hour after hour passed, and Beeroo still sat
+motionless as a stone. Prem Sagar approached him once and spoke;
+but the holy man made no answer, judging it better to pretend to
+be under a vow of silence, than to betray anything by converse
+with the Brahmin. The high priest turned away smiling to himself.
+"Blue-throated Krishna," he murmured, "but the Sansi plays his part
+well! I had been deceived myself, had I not been warned by the--god,"
+and he walked to the temple gates, and gazed down into the valley
+beneath him.
+
+At last the strain of the position he had assumed began to tell upon
+Beeroo. Tough as he was, he had not had practice in those incredible
+feats of patient endurance to which the regular _Bairajis_, or holy
+men, have accustomed themselves. Beeroo would have followed the track
+of a wounded stag like a jackal for three days; he would lifted a cow
+at Jagadri at nightfall, and by morning been in the Mohun Pass; he
+would have danced his tame bear at Umritsur at noontide, and when the
+moon rose would have been resting at the Taksali Gate of Lahore; but
+to sit without motion for hour after hour, to sit until his limbs
+seemed paralyzed and his blood dead--this was unbearable. At all
+hazards this must be ended; and he suddenly rose, and began to move up
+and down, gesticulating wildly. The people who looked on thought he
+was mad, and therefore more holy than ever. They little knew of the
+method in the Sansi's madness, and that he was making the frozen blood
+circulate once again in his cramped limbs. When he had done this he
+came back, ate a little, and coiling himself up in the dust went to
+sleep, his sack under his head.
+
+By sunset most of the pilgrims had departed from the shrine, leaving
+only those who, having far to go, determined to camp within the
+inclosure of the temple walls for the night. They had brought
+provisions with them, and soon fires were sputtering merrily, and
+little groups sat around them, enjoying themselves in the subdued
+fashion of Indians. The holy man was not forgotten; his vessel was
+soon full of smoking hot cakes of Indian corn, and one kinder than the
+others placed a brass _lota_ of milk beside him. The holy one proved
+himself to be very willing to accept these gifts, and doubtless
+refreshed by his sleep, ate and drank with a very mundane appetite.
+While thus engaged, a little child came, and placing an offering of a
+string of flowers at his feet, shyly ran back to his parents. Prem
+Sagar saw this, and turning to the same priest who had aroused the
+idol in the morning, said: "Purun Chand, while standing at the temple
+gates this morning, mine eyes became dim, and there was a roaring in
+mine ears. Then I heard the voice of the idol of Mohonagh, and he said
+unto me: 'Five score years have passed to-day since the days of Sham
+Chand the king, since the days of the high priest Prem Chand, since I,
+Mohonagh, have spoken. Now to-night is the night of the new moon, and
+I, Mohonagh, will work a sign.' Then the darkness cleared away, and
+all was as before. Therefore I say to thee, Purun Chand, let not the
+idol be watched tonight: let the temple gates be kept open that
+Mohonagh may enter; and to-morrow at the dawning we shall behold his
+sign."
+
+Purun Chand bowed his obedience to the high priest; and then the
+darkness came, and with it the stars, and the thin scimitar of the
+young moon set slantwise in the sky. Beeroo was in no hurry; he had
+plenty of time to think out his plan of action, and had resolved to
+make his attempt in the small hours of the morning, for choice, in
+that still time between night and day, when all would be asleep, when
+even if it became necessary to remove an obstacle from his path, on
+one would hear the stroke of the knife or the groan of the victim. A
+little after midnight, then, Beeroo arose to his feet, and looked
+cautiously about him. Everything was very still; the camp-fires burned
+low and there was no sound except the rustle of the leaves overhead.
+The tree beneath which he rested was very near to the temple gates,
+and it struck him that they were open. He crept softly towards them,
+and found it was as he thought. "The blessing of Mohonagh is on me,"
+he laughed lowly to himself as he came back. He thrust his hand into
+his sack, and pulled out a light but strong claw-hammer, and a knife
+with a pointed blade keen as a razor. As he brought them forth they
+clicked against each other, and in the dead stillness the sharp,
+metallic sound seemed loud enough to be heard all over the inclosure.
+Something also disturbed the pigeons on the temple, and there was an
+uneasy fluttering of wings. The Sansi drew in his breath with a
+hissing sound. "This will cause a two hours' delay," he said to
+himself. "I will risk nothing if I can help it." Then he sat him down
+again and waited.
+
+At last! He rose once more softly, and crept with long cat-like steps
+towards the entrance of the shrine. The cressets burning within cast a
+faint pennon of light out of the pointed archway of the entrance, and
+as they wavered in the night wind, this banner of fire shook and
+trembled with an uncertain motion. Beeroo halted in the shadow. He was
+about to step forward again when he was startled by a strange, shrill
+chuckling cry that made his very flesh creep. He looked around him in
+fear, and the elvish laugh came again from amidst the leaves of the
+walnut trees. The man heaved a sigh of relief; "Pah!" he exclaimed in
+disgust at himself, "it is but a screech-owl." He had to wait a
+little, however, to steady himself; and then he boldly pressed forward
+and through the door of the shrine. There was not a soul within. The
+glimmering lights cast uncertain shadows around them, and the three
+heads of the idol faced the Sansi in a stony silence. There was but
+one eye in the centre of each forehead; but all three of these eyes
+seemed to lighten, and the thick lips on the three faces to widen in a
+grin of mockery at the thief. Like all natives of India, Beeroo was
+superstitious, and a fear he could hardly control fell on him. What
+if, after all, the stories of the idol's power were true? Aladin had
+not lied about the Shagul Tree; why should he lie about the power of
+the idol? Still Mohonagh was not the god of the Sansis. He would
+invoke his own gods, deities of forest and flood, against this
+three-headed monster. Then the Shagul Tree was there. He could all but
+touch it; he caught the flash of the winking gems, and the instincts
+of the robber, fighting with his fears, brought back his courage.
+
+"Aho, Mohonagh! Thy blessing is on me, the Sansi." He said this loudly
+in bravado, and was almost frightened again at the echoes of his own
+voice in the vault of the dome. He had spoken with the same feeling in
+his heart that makes a timid traveller whistle when passing a place he
+dreads. He had spoken to keep his heart up, and the very sound of his
+own voice terrified him. At last the echoes died away and there was
+silence in the shrine. Large beads of sweat stood on the man's
+forehead. Almost did he feel it in his heart to flee at once; but to
+leave that priceless treasure now! It could not be. In two strides he
+was beside the tree. A wrench of the claw-hammer and a jewelled
+bracelet was in his hand; another wrench and he had secured another
+blazing trophy.
+
+"Beeroo!"
+
+The man looked up in guilty amazement. To his horror he saw that the
+three heads of the idol, which were facing the door when he entered,
+had moved round, and were now facing him. The hammer fell from his
+hand with a crash, and he stood shivering, a grey figure with staring
+eyes and open gasping mouth.
+
+"_Ai_, Mohonagh!" he said in a choking voice.
+
+"The blessing of Mohonagh is on thee;" and something that seemed all
+on fire rose from behind the idol, and laid its hand on Beeroo's face.
+With a shriek of agony the Sansi rolled on the floor, and twisted and
+curled there like a snake with a broken back.
+
+When, roused by his cries, the people and the priests awoke and
+hurried to the temple, they shrank back in terror; and none dared
+enter, not even the priests, for from the mouths of the idol three
+long tongues of flame played, paling the glow of the cressets and
+throwing its light on the blind and writhing wretch at its feet.
+
+Suddenly a quiet voice spoke at the temple-door, and Prem Sagar the
+high-priest appeared. "O pilgrims," he said, "be not afraid! Mohonagh
+has but protected his treasure, and given us a sign. Said I not he
+would do this, Purun Chand? See," he added, as he stepped into the
+temple, and lifted up the gems from the floor, "this man would have
+robbed a god!" And the people, together with the priests, fell on
+their knees and touched the earth with their foreheads, crying "_Ai_,
+_ai_, Mohonagh!"
+
+Prem Sagar pointed to Beeroo. "Bear him outside the temple-gates and
+leave him there," he said; "he is blind and cannot see."
+
+Two or three men volunteered to do this, and they bore him out as
+Prem Sagar had ordered, and cast him on the roadside without the
+temple-gates; and he, to whom day and night were to be henceforth ever
+the same, lay there moaning in the dust.
+
+Late that morning certain pilgrims returning to their houses found him
+there, and, being pitiful, offered to guide him back. It is said that
+the first question he asked was, "When will it be daylight?" And a
+Dogra of the hills answered bluntly, "Fool, thou art blind"; whereat
+the Sansi lapsed into a stony silence, and was led away like a child.
+
+
+In the tribe of the Sansis, who wander from Tajawala to Jagadhri where
+the brass-workers are, and from Jagadhri to Karnal, is a blind madman
+who bears on his scarred face the impress of a hand. It is said that
+he can cure all diseases at will, for he is the only man living who
+has stood face to face with a god.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE FOOT OF GAUTAMA
+
+
+The _Gregory Gasper_, or, as the Lascars insisted on calling her, the
+_Gir Giri Gaspa_, bound from Calcutta to Rangoon and the Straits, had
+injured her machinery, and was now going, as it were, on one leg, and
+going very lamely, across the Bay of Bengal. We had got into a dead
+calm. The sea and the sky fused into each other in the horizon, and
+the water around us was as molten glass, parting sluggishly before the
+bows of the ship, instead of dancing back in a creamy foam.
+
+"By Jove!" said Sladen, as he leaned over the side and watched the
+lazy brown swell lounge backward from our course, "this is a dirty bit
+of water: that wave should have had a white head to it. I believe
+we've got into a sea of flat beer."
+
+"We've got to go to Rangoon for hospital, and this is the outwater of
+the Irawadi," said a passenger from his seat. "We can't be more than
+sixty miles from the coast, and an Irawadi flood shoots its slime out
+quite as far as that."
+
+"I prefer to think it's flat ale. It's too hot to go into physical
+geography, Burgess"; and Sladen, flinging the half-burnt stump of his
+cheroot overboard, joined us who sat in torpid silence. The heat was
+intense. We had tried every known way to kill time, and failed.
+
+The small excitement of the morning, caused by a shoal of turtles
+drifting by solemnly, had passed. They looked like so many inverted
+earthen pots in the water, and we had wasted about fifty of the ship's
+snider cartridges on them, until, finally, they floated out of range
+and sight, unhurt and safe. Then an Indian Marine vessel passed us in
+the offing, and there was a hot discussion between Sladen and myself
+whether it was the _Warren Hastings_ or the _Lord Clive_. We appealed
+to the captain, who, being a member of the Royal Naval Reserve, looked
+with profound scorn on the Indian Marine. He scarcely deigned to
+glance at the ship as he grunted out:
+
+"Oh, it's one of those damned cockroach navy boats: it's that old tub
+the _Lord Clive_," and he walked off to the bridge. Ten minutes
+afterwards we lost the grey sides of the old tub in the grey of the
+sea, and a dark line of smoke running from east to west was the only
+sign of the _Lord Clive_, as she steamed through the dead calm at
+fourteen knots an hour. Then we tried nap, we adventured at loo, and
+we bluffed at poker. There was no balm in them, and Sladen twice held
+a flush sequence of hearts. Therefore we sat moody and silent, some of
+us too sleepy even to smoke.
+
+It was at this moment that the skipper rejoined us, and behind him
+came his stout Madrassee butler, with a tray full of long glasses, in
+which the ice chinked pleasantly.
+
+"Drink, boys!" he said, settling himself in the special chair reserved
+for him. "It's the chief's watch, and I've brought you a particular
+brew, as you seem dull and lonesome, so to speak."
+
+It was a particular brew, and we sucked at it lovingly through the
+long amber straws.
+
+"Ha!" said the skipper, "I thought that would stiffen your backbones.
+Phew! it is hot!" and he mopped his face with a huge handkerchief.
+
+Sladen burst out: "We've got absolutely on the hump. Somebody do
+something to kill time. Can't some of you fellows tell a story? Any
+lie will do! Come, Captain!"
+
+"No, no!" said the skipper. "I'm the senior officer here, and speak
+last. Here's Mr. Burgess: he's been in all sorts of uncanny places,
+and should be able to tell us something. I put the call on him--so
+heave away."
+
+Burgess, the man who had spoken about the outwater of the Irawadi,
+leaned back for a moment in his chair, with half-closed eyes. He was a
+short, squarely built man, very sunburnt, with mouth and chin hidden
+by the growth of a large moustache and beard. There was nothing
+particular in his appearance; yet in following his calling--that of an
+orchid-hunter--he had been to strange places and seen strange things.
+Sladen, who knew him well, hinted darkly that he had traversed unknown
+tracts of country, had hobnobbed with cannibals, and held his life in
+his hands for the past thirty years.
+
+"You've hit on the very man, Captain," said Sladen. "Now, Burgess,
+tell us how you found the snake-orchid, and sold it to a duchess for a
+thousand pounds. You promised to tell me the story one day, you
+remember?"
+
+"That's too long. I'll tell you a story, however"; and Burgess lifted
+up his drink, took a pull at it, and, picking up the straw that leaned
+back in a helpless manner against the edge of the glass, began
+twisting it round his fingers as he spoke.
+
+"All this happened many years ago----"
+
+"When flowers and birds could talk," interrupted the Boy; and Burgess,
+turning on him, said slowly: "Flowers and birds can talk _now_. When
+you are older you will understand."
+
+The Boy looked down a little abashed, and Burgess continued: "I am
+afraid to say how many years ago I first went to Burma. I was as poor
+as a rat, and things had panned out badly for me. Rangoon then was not
+the Rangoon of to-day, and the old king Min-Doon Min, who succeeded to
+the throne after the war, was still almost all-powerful. He was not a
+bad fellow, and I once did a roaring trade with him at Mandalay:
+exchanged fifty packets of coloured candles for fifty pigeon's-blood
+rubies. They had a big illumination at the palace that night, and I
+only narrowly escaped being made a member of the cabinet. I, however,
+got the right of travelling through his majesty's dominions, wherever
+and whenever I pleased; but the chief queen made it a condition that I
+should supply no more coloured candles. She preferred the rubies; and
+I fancy old Min-Doon Min must have had a bad time of it, for the queen
+was as remarkable for her thrift as for her tongue. She was as close
+as that"--Burgess held up a square brown fist before us, and, as he
+did so, I noticed the white line of a scar running across it, below
+the knuckles, from thumb to little finger. He caught my eye resting on
+it, and laughingly said: "It's a seal of the kind friends I have in
+Kinnabalu. But to resume, as the story-books say. All this about
+Min-Doon is a 'divarsion,' and I'll go back to the point when I found
+myself first at Rangoon, with all my wardrobe on my back, and a
+two-dollar bill in my pocket. After drifting about for some time, I
+got employment in a rice-shipping firm, and set myself to work to
+learn the language. In about a year I could speak it well, and, having
+got promotion in the firm, felt myself on the high road to fortune. It
+was hard work: the boss knew the value of every penny he spent, and
+took every ounce he could out of his men."
+
+"Bosses are cut out of the same pattern even now," murmured the Boy.
+"The breed don't seem to improve."
+
+Burgess took no notice of the interruption, but went on: "I was
+finally placed in charge of some work at Syriam; and a little
+misfortune happened--my over-man died. It was rather a job to get
+another. Men were not easily picked up in those days. But at last I
+unearthed one, or rather he unearthed himself. He hailed from the
+States, and described himself as a Kentucky man--the real 'half-horse,
+half-alligator' breed. I asked no questions, but set him to work, and
+reported to the boss, who said 'All right.' The new man seemed to be a
+gem: he turned up regularly, stayed till all hours, and never spared
+himself. He was a great lanky fellow, with dark hair, and eyes so
+palely grey that they seemed almost white. They gave him an odd
+appearance; but, as good looks were not a qualification in our
+business, it did not matter much what he was like. He had been a
+miner, and had also been to sea, and knew how to obey an order at the
+double. One day he suddenly looked up from his table--we sat in the
+same room--and asked if I had heard of treasure ever being buried in
+or near old pagodas.
+
+"'Every one hears such stories,' I answered; 'but why do you ask?'
+
+"'Wal,' he went on, in his slow drawl, 'I've bin readin' ez haow a
+Portugee called Brito, or some sich name, did a little bit of piracy
+in these hyar parts, until his games were stopped by the local Jedge
+Lynch. They ran a stick through him, as the Burmese do now to a dried
+duck.'
+
+"'What's that got to do with buried treasure?'
+
+"'You air smart! This Brito, before his luck petered out, had a
+pow'ful soothin' time of it with the junks an' pagodas, and poongyies,
+as they call their clergy. Guess he didn't lay round hyar for nuthin',
+an' if all I've heard be true, vermilion isn't the name for the paint
+he put on the squint-eyes.
+
+"'But----'
+
+"He put up his hand. 'So long. I'm thinkin' that, ef I'd a smart
+pard--one who saveyed their lingo--we might strike a lead of luck.'
+
+"I was always a bit of a roving character, and fond of a little
+adventure, so that the conversation interested me; still, however, I
+objected, more with a desire to see how much Stevens, as he called
+himself, knew than anything else.
+
+"'See thar,' he said, pulling out a map from his drawer and unrolling
+it on the table. 'See thar! This is where Brito and his crowd were,'
+and he laid a long forefinger on the mouths of the Irawadi. 'When they
+bested him, the Burmese got little or nuthin' back. I want a pard--one
+who knows the lingo, an' is a white man. You set me up when I'd
+struck bed rock; an' I says to myself, Wal, this 'ere _is_ a white
+man. Ef ever Hake Stevens gets a pile, it's to be halves. The pile's
+thar--will you jine?'
+
+"He stood up, and put his hand on my shoulder. It really wasn't good
+enough. Stevens had simply got hold of a very ordinary legend after
+all, and I laughed back, 'You'll make more out of a rice-boom,
+Stevens, some day, than ever you will out of Brito's treasure.' He
+rolled up the map and put it back into his drawer.
+
+"'I've done the squar' thing by you, pard,' he said. 'No one can deny
+ez I haven't done the squar' by you.'
+
+"'Of course,' I answered, and turned to my duties. From that time,
+however, Stevens seemed to be able to think of nothing but his
+imaginary treasure. Some days afterwards he did not come to work, and
+the following day we got an ill-spelt letter, resigning his post, and
+asking that the money due to him should be sent to a certain address.
+We paid up, and got a Chinaman in his place."
+
+"In a short time the Chinaman will be doing everybody's work in
+Burma," said Sladen. "Hand over the baccy, please, Captain."
+
+The skipper flung Sladen a black rubber tobacco pouch, and Burgess, in
+this interlude, finished his glass.
+
+"I clean forgot all about Stevens, when one evening, as I was sitting
+in my rooms over a pipe, my servant told me some one wished to see me.
+I told the man to admit him, and Stevens came in. He seemed fairly
+well off; but was, if possible, a trifle thinner than when I last saw
+him. He shook me by the hand, disjointed himself like a fishing-rod,
+and sank into a chair.
+
+"'Wal, pard, will you jine?'
+
+"'Still at the old game, Stevens? No, I don't think I'll join on a
+fool's search like that.'
+
+"'Fool's search, you call it. Very wal, let it be naow; but I want you
+to come with me this evening to an entertainment. It's a sort of
+swarrey; but I guess ez we'll be the only guests.'
+
+"'Have a whiskey first?'
+
+"'I guess ez haow a wet won't hurt,' and he poured himself out a glass
+from the bottle--we weren't up to decanters in Burma then.
+
+"I thought I might as well go, and, having made up my mind, we were
+walking down the street in the next ten minutes. Rangoon was not laid
+out in squares as it is now, with each street numbered, so that losing
+your way is an impossibility. Well as I knew the place, I found that
+Hake Stevens was aware of short cuts and by-lanes which I had never
+seen before. We entered the Chinese quarter. It was a feast-day for
+John, and the street was alight with paper lanterns: dragons,
+serpents, globes, and tortoises swung to and fro in all manner of
+colours. Here a green dragon went openmouthed at a yellow serpent,
+there an amber tortoise swung in a circle of crimson-and-blue globes.
+We passed a joss house, where there was an illuminated inscription to
+the effect that enlightenment finds its way even amongst the outer
+barbarians, and, turning to the left, much where Twenty-Seven Street
+is now--a fire wiped out all that part of Rangoon years ago--went up a
+gully, and finally stopped before a small shop. Sitting in a cane
+chair in the doorway was a short man, so enormously stout that he was
+almost globular. 'Is he in?' asked Stevens, in English; and the man,
+with his teeth closed on the stem of the opium pipe he smoked,
+answered 'Yess,' or rather hissed the words between his lips. We
+passed by him with some little difficulty, for he made no effort to
+move, and, ascending a rickety staircase, entered a small room, dimly
+lighted by a cheap kerosene lamp. In one corner of the room an old man
+was seated. He rose as we entered, and saluted us.
+
+"'This is the host,' and Stevens waved his hand in introduction. 'But
+he knows only about six words of English, and I know nothing of his
+derned lip, so you see my new pard an' I cayn't very well exchange
+confidences.'
+
+"I confess to a feeling of utter disappointment when I saw what we had
+come to; but there was no use in saying anything. 'Who is he? How did
+you get to know him?' I asked Stevens. He closed an eyebrow over one
+of his white-grey eyes with a portentous wink.
+
+"'That, pard, is one of the secrets of the past. We hev the future
+before us.'
+
+"I never could quite make Stevens out. He spoke the most obtrusive
+Yankee; yet with turns of expression which at times induced me to
+think he was playing a part.
+
+"'Very well,' I laughed,' I don't want to look back; but may I ask
+what is the entertainment this gentleman has provided for us?'
+
+"'Wal,' replied Stevens, 'he's just one of their medicine-men: goes
+off to sleep, and then tells you all about everything. I'm goin' to
+lay round for him to tell us where Brito's pile is. Spirit-rappin'
+does strange things in my country, an' I don't see ez how this old
+cuss moutn't be of help.'
+
+"The old tack again!--I resigned myself to fate. There is no use in
+going into preliminaries. Stevens stated what he wanted, and I
+explained fully and clearly what was required. We then paid our fee,
+which the old gentleman wrapped up for security in a corner of the
+saffron sash he wore round his head, and told us to sit down before
+him. Then he stripped himself to the waist--there wasn't much to
+remove--and spread a square of white cloth on the floor; on this he
+placed a mirror, brought the light close to the mirror, and then
+settled himself cross-legged before his arrangement of mirror and
+light.
+
+"'Listen!' he said in Burmese. 'I have given my word, and will show
+you what you want; but you must not speak, and you must follow my
+directions implicitly.'
+
+"I translated to Stevens, who willingly agreed. "'Now shut your eyes.'
+
+"We did so, and I felt his hands passing over my face. Then something
+cold touched my forehead, leaving a sensation much like that caused by
+a menthol crystal. A moment later a subtle odour filled the room--an
+odour indescribably sweet and heavy, the effect of which on me was to
+make me feel giddy.
+
+"'Open your eyes!'
+
+"I almost started, for the words were spoken in the purest English. We
+obeyed, and found the room full of a pale blue vapour. The lamp had
+gone out; but the mirror was instinct with light, and threw a halo
+around it, showing the dim outline of the sorcerer crouched low down
+with his face between his hands. "'Look!'
+
+"The voice seemed to come from all parts of the room at once, and
+Stevens' hand clutched on to my shoulder, the fingers gripping in like
+a vice. We bent over the glass, and saw reflected in it, not our own
+faces, but a wide creek, overhung by forest on each side, and a row of
+six colossal images of Buddha, or Gautamas as they are called, lining
+one of the banks. Whilst we looked on this silent scene, a boat
+with a couple of native oarsmen came round the elbow of the creek. In
+the stern sat a man in an old-fashioned dress, with a cuirass on;
+and as the boat grounded lightly near the figure of the largest
+Gautama, he leaped actively to land, holding up from the ground a
+long, basket-hilted rapier. The two men followed, bearing with them an
+iron-bound chest, and laid it at the feet of the biggest Gautama; then
+returning to the boat, they brought picks therefrom, and began to dig,
+the man with the rapier standing over them, resting on the hilt of his
+sword. They dug away under the foot of the idol, and finally concluded
+they had gone far enough. The chief examined their work, and some
+words passed. We saw the lips moving, but heard nothing. The box was
+buried carefully, and the stones and earth put back, so as to remove
+all traces of the hiding-place of the treasure. Some further
+directions were given, and one of the two natives stooped as if to
+throw some brushwood over the spot. The next moment the rapier passed
+through his body. He twisted himself double, and rolled over dead. The
+other turned to flee, but there was a flash, a small curl of blue and
+grey smoke, and he fell forward on his face into the water and sank.
+The cavalier, still holding the pistol in his hand, went up to the
+first man. There was no doubt he was dead; so the Don put back his
+pistol, wiped his sword carefully with a handful of grass, and
+returned it to its scabbard; then he dragged the body to the creek and
+flung it in. After that he gave a last look at the foot of the
+Gautama, and, jumping into the boat, began to paddle himself away.
+
+"'Dead men tell no tales.' The words seemed to burst from Stevens.
+Instantly there was a blinding flash, and when we recovered ourselves
+the room was as before. The cloth and mirror had gone, and the old
+sorcerer was seated on his stool in the corner of the room, the lamp
+burning dimly beside him.
+
+"'You spoke,' he said. 'I can do no more.'
+
+"I looked at Stevens reproachfully, and he understood. His face was
+very pale, and his lips blue with excitement. After a little he
+recovered himself, and said, with a shake of eagerness in his voice:
+
+"'Cayn't this old cuss start fresh, an' give us another run?'
+
+"'I can do nothing,' replied the man to my inquiry. 'You must go now.'
+
+"We turned to depart, and when we got into the street Stevens said to
+me: 'I'll see you home. I'm afraid I busted the show.'
+
+"'I'm afraid you have; but it's no use crying over spilt milk.'
+
+"Stevens made no answer, and we walked back to my rooms without saying
+a word. At the door he left me abruptly, refusing all offers to come
+in. Once in my rooms, I tried to think out the matter, but gave it up
+and went to bed. Sleep wouldn't come, so I lay awake the whole night,
+picturing to myself over and over again the grim scene I had seen
+enacted in the mirror. Towards morning I dropped into a troubled
+sleep, and awoke rather late. I got out of bed thinking that the
+events of the past night were, after all, nothing more than a dream;
+but it all came back to me. When I went down to breakfast I found
+Stevens waiting for me, and he pressed me earnestly to join him in a
+search for the place we had seen in the looking-glass. I was in an
+irritable mood. 'Great Scott!' I said, 'can't you see that all this is
+only a conjurer's trick? How many thousand Gautamas are there in
+Burma? Are you going to dig them all up?'
+
+"'Some men don't know their luck, pard,' he said, as he left me; and,
+although I thought of him sometimes, I never heard anything more of
+him for a long time.
+
+"A run of bad luck came now, and the boss suspended payment--went
+bung, in fact--and I was thrown on my beam ends. I had something in
+the stocking, though; and it was about this time that my thoughts kept
+turning continually towards the orchid trade. It first struck me in
+this way: A friend of mine had written from home, pointing out that a
+demand had arisen for orchids; and the small supply I sent was sold on
+such favourable terms that I was seriously considering a larger
+venture. I thought the matter over, and one evening after dinner
+determined to give it a final consideration. So I lit my pipe, and
+strolled out towards the jetties--a favourite walk of mine. It was
+bright moonlight; and I walked up and down the planking, more and more
+resolved at every turn I took to decide upon the orchid business.
+
+"At one end of the jetty there was a crane that stretched out its arm
+in a how-de-do sort of manner to the river below it. I walked up to it
+with idle curiosity, and when I came close, saw the figure of a
+European, apparently fast asleep, near the carriage of the crane. A
+common 'drunk' or a loafer, I thought to myself--when the figure rose
+to a sitting posture, and, as the moonlight shone on its face, I could
+not make a mistake.
+
+"'Stevens!' I said.
+
+"'Wal, pard?' and Hake Stevens, without another word, rose up and
+stood before me.
+
+"I saw at a glance that he was in rags, and that about the third of
+one stockingless foot was protruding in an easy manner from his
+boot; the other boot seemed more or less wearable. Stevens had a habit
+of walking with a lurch to his left--heeling over to port, as it
+were--which accounted for the fact I observed.
+
+"'Why,' I said, putting my hand on his shoulder, 'how has it come to
+this? Why didn't you come to me?'
+
+"'Have you got a smoke?' he asked.
+
+"For answer I handed him my baccy pouch, and he loaded an old pipe.
+
+"'Light-o!'
+
+"I struck a vesta, and handed it to him. By the flare of it I could
+see him very white and starved.
+
+"'Now,' I added, 'you come straight home with me.'
+
+"'Guess ez haow I was making tracks thar, when I broke down, an' had
+to heave to. I hev found it this time. See hyar.'
+
+"'First come home with me, and then you can tell me all about it. I
+won't hear a word till you've had something to eat and a rest.'
+
+"It was only a few minutes' walk to my rooms; but I had to half carry
+Stevens there. Those were the days when cabs were unknown, remember.
+As soon as we arrived, I told my boy to raise supper; and in the
+meantime Stevens had a stiff whiskey, a bath, and changed into some of
+my things. He looked a figure of fun as he came out, with about a yard
+of lean leg and leaner arm sticking out of the things I'd given him.
+But, Lord! you should have seen him wolf the cold meat and pickles!
+When he'd done, I was for just marching him straight to bed. But, no:
+he was determined to tell me his story; so I let him run his course.
+
+"'Pard,' he said, 'when I busted the caboodle that night, an' left
+you, I said to myself: "Hake Stevens, you chowder-headed clam, you
+jest make this level; you've done an all-fired foolish thing, an' now
+you've got ter eat yer leek." The next mornin' I gave you another try,
+but you wouldn't rise to it; so I went off an' took a passage to
+Henzada. It was all in the low countries that Brito was, an' I
+determined to work the thing in square--work every inch of it, ef it
+took me a hundred years, until I found thet creek with the images. I
+got to Henzada in a rice boat; then I pulled out my map, marked my
+square, an' set to work. I bought a paddle canoe, an' blazed every
+creek I went up. I made up my mind ez I should work down'erds from
+Henzada, ez thet was the furthest point old Brito struck. I calc'lated
+thet ef he was hard pressed, an' the Burmee squint-eyes were gettin'
+the jamb on him, he would lay fur to hide his greenbacks ez far from
+his usual bars ez possible. Wal, I worked those creeks up an' down,
+night an' day, gettin' what I could out of the villagers on payment,
+an' when the dollars ran out, got it without payment. Snakes! How the
+squitters fed on me! An' I was a'most so starved thet, ef I could on'y
+hev managed it, I'd hev fed on them like a fish, an' got some of
+myself back agen. Wal, it woke snakes when they found I swooped down
+on their cokynut plantations, and one thing and another; but a
+freeborn American ain't goin' fur to starve when these hyar yeller
+Burmans gits their bellies full. The local sheriff and his posse
+turned out, an' thar was a vigilance committee behind every tree.
+Shootin' was not in my line, unless forced to; so I skedaddled, an'
+they after me. It was a tight race, an' I was so weak I felt I could
+hardly hold out; so I thought I'd better take to land. I shot the
+canoe under some branches, an', to my surprise, found they overhung
+an' concealed a small passage, hardly wide enough for two canoes
+abreast. Up this I went: it was easier goin' than walkin' through the
+thorns. After about four hours of shovin' through slime, it widened
+out; an' then, turnin' a great clump of bamboos, I swung round to my
+right--an' what do you think I saw?'
+
+"He stretched his hand out to me, and the grey of his eyes seemed
+absolutely to whiten. "'Ez I live, I saw the six big images all in a
+row, each one bigger than the other; an' they war smilin' across the
+creek, as they smiled when Brito buried his treasure thar, an' God
+knows how many years before. I ran the boat ashore, jumped off, an'
+patted the big idol's knee--couldn't reach further up; an' then I came
+back to find you. The gold lies thar, pard, an' we are made men: it's
+thar, I say. Come back with me; share an' share alike--hands on it.'
+
+"His voice cracked as he brought his story to this abrupt close; and I
+said nothing, but shook his outstretched hand.
+
+"'When can we start?' he asked.
+
+"'You must pull yourself together a bit, Stevens, before we do
+anything of the kind.'
+
+"Then I told him briefly how I was a free man, and able to go where I
+listed; and that, as I could combine my first essay in orchid-hunting
+with the search for Brito's treasure, I didn't care how soon I went.
+But it could not be until Stevens was better able to travel, as the
+rains were coming on, and further exposure might mean death to him.
+
+"'And now,' I said, 'you'd better turn in and have a snooze. I'm a bit
+sleepy myself.'
+
+"With that he got up and shambled off to bed. The next morning he was
+in a high fever, and it was some time before he was right again. At
+length he said he was once more fit 'to fight his weight in wild
+cats.' He wasn't by any means that: he was still weak, and not able to
+face any great hardship; but enforced idleness was sending the man
+mad, and I thought we'd better make a start. I did not mean to go in
+for any particular roughing it. It was only subsequently that I
+learned what sort of music an orchid-hunter has to face."
+
+Burgess stopped for a moment, and pointed his finger at the Boy, who
+lay flat on his back, sound asleep, with his lower jaw open.
+
+"If you're feeling like that, I'll reel up."
+
+"Go ahead," said the skipper: "if you've done nothing else you've
+quieted that young limb for the present, and we owe you a vote of
+thanks for that."
+
+"Go on, Burgess," said Sladen: "you've burnt your ships now, and can't
+go back."
+
+The man laughed--a pleasant, low laugh, that was good to hear.
+
+"Very well--I'll go on. I totted up my savings, and found I could
+fairly risk the venture. We made arrangements to go to Henzada first,
+and the passage was done in a big rice boat: there was no flotilla
+company in those days. We simply crawled to our destination, and I was
+pretty sick of the journey. It nearly drove Stevens mad, however; he
+fretted and fumed until I almost thought he'd be ill again. Whenever
+we could stop, we did; and I collected as many orchids as I could.
+Heavens! the rubbish I picked up in those days! Stevens did nothing
+but swear at the _serang_ and pore over the notes in his pocket-book.
+He got into a way of repeating the notes in his book aloud. 'Third
+turnin' to the right, first to the left, three big jack trees, and
+then the passage.' He was learning his notes by heart, he said, in
+case anything happened.
+
+"When we reached Henzada, a difficulty arose which we should have
+foreseen. Stevens was recognised, and his late visit only too well
+remembered. The result was trouble; but the Myook--there was only a
+Myook there in those days--was open to argument, backed up with palm
+oil, and Stevens was let off with a fine. Of course I paid, and was
+correspondingly sorry for myself; but we'd gone too far now to recede.
+We bought a boat--or rather I did--hired a couple of men to help, and
+started. Stevens had selected some good picks at Rangoon, and these
+formed a not unimportant item of our outfit. In three days we reached
+a big creek.
+
+"'It was hyar that I cut from those Injuns on the war-path,' said
+Stevens, 'and we cayn't be mor'n a mile from the gully--we should be
+there by nightfall.'
+
+"It was noonday, almost as hot as it is now, and I was snoozing
+comfortably, when I heard Stevens shout:
+
+"'Hyar we are, pard--wake up!'
+
+"The boat swung lightly round, and shot under the overhanging branches
+of a large jack tree as he spoke, and I had to stoop very low to save
+my head. Stevens was trembling with excitement.
+
+"'In thar,' he called out--'tell them to steer in thar, an' then right
+ahead.' He pointed to a small opening, about three feet wide, up which
+a long straight cut of water extended. We got the boat in with some
+little trouble, and then slipped along easily. The cut was as straight
+as a canal, overhung on each side with a heavy undergrowth. As we went
+deeper into the forest this undergrowth became less, and finally
+almost ceased. Every yard of our advance took us amongst trees which
+grew more gigantic as we went on. Some of the trees were splendid,
+going up fifty or sixty feet before throwing out a single branch; and
+the bamboos--I never saw such bamboos. As we continued our course it
+became darker and darker, until we entered the blackest bit of forest
+I ever saw. We could hear the drip of the dew from leaf to leaf. The
+few rays of sunlight that straggled in fell in level bars on the green
+of the leaves, shadowing the dim outlines of the long colonnades of
+tree trunks, and occasionally lighting up the splendour of some rare
+orchid in full bloom. A hundred times I wanted to stop and collect
+specimens, but Stevens would not hear of it.
+
+"'No, no, old pard! let's get on. We'll come back hyar in our steam
+yacht, an' you can then root away for etarnity. We're on the right
+trail, an' in ten hours--my God! I cayn't think ez how your mind can
+turn to roots now.'
+
+"I was a little surprised myself; but the love of these flowers was in
+me, and not all the gold in Asia could stop that. In this way we
+travelled for about four hours; and then towards evening a broad band
+of daylight spread suddenly before us, and, almost before I was aware
+of it, we were out of the long, snake-like cutting, and, turning a
+magnificent clump of bamboos, came upon a wide stretch of water.
+
+"'There they air!' said Stevens.
+
+"There they were--six huge statues--standing in a row on the edge of
+the inland lake, each colossal image larger than the other, all with
+their faces set towards the west. It was almost sunset, and the sky
+was aflame with colour, which was reflected back by the water, over
+which the Gautamas looked in serene peace. There was not a sound
+except the soft murmuring of the breeze amongst the tree tops. As I
+live, it was the place we had seen in the mirror, and for a moment
+that tragedy of the past came before me in all its clearness--and I
+was in dreamland.
+
+"'Wal, pard! Struck ile at last.'
+
+"The sound of Stevens' voice came to me as from a far distance. In the
+sunlit haze before me I saw the Don paddling his boat away, his long
+black moustaches lifted with the snarling laugh he had laughed, when
+he hid his treasure so that no man could tell.
+
+"The boat grounded softly, and Stevens shook me by the shoulder.
+
+"'Wake up, old hoss!--wake up!'
+
+"I pulled myself together and looked at my companion. His face was
+full of a strange excitement, and as for myself, I felt as if I could
+hardly speak. As a matter of fact, we wasted no time in words; but
+took off our coats and set to work. Our small crew lent a willing
+hand. It was under the left foot of the biggest Buddha we dug, and in
+about half an hour made a hole big enough for a man to stand in over
+his waist.
+
+"'Guess he must have burrowed down far,' said Stevens, 'or we've
+missed the spot.' Even as he spoke his pick struck with a sharp clang
+against something.
+
+"'Iron against iron,' yelled Stevens, as he swung his pick round like
+a madman. He worked so furiously that it was impossible to get near
+him; but finally he stopped, and said very calmly:
+
+"'Thar's the pile, pard.'
+
+"We shook hands, and then, with the aid of the men, lifted out the
+box. It was exceedingly heavy. When we got it out there was some
+difficulty in opening it, but a revolver cartridge and the pick solved
+the matter. As the lid went up, we saw before our eyes a pile of gold,
+jewellery and precious stones. Hake Stevens ran his fingers through
+them lovingly, and then lay down on the ground, laughing and crying.
+Then he got up again, and plunged his arms up to the elbows into the
+winking mass--and his eyes were as the eyes of a madman. I put my hand
+into the box and pulled out a fistful of gems. Stevens grasped me by
+the wrist, and then loosed his hold at once.
+
+"'Oh God! oh God!'
+
+"'Why, what is the matter, Stevens? Look at these beauties!' and I
+held out my hand to him. He looked back at me in a strange sort of
+way, and said, in a husky voice:
+
+"'Keep that lot, pard. Don't let them be mixed with the others. See! I
+will take what I can hold, too, and we will divide the rest.' He put
+his hand amongst the jewels and drew it back with a shudder. 'They're
+hot as hell,' he said.
+
+"I thought the best thing to do was not to notice his strange manner.
+
+"'Keep them to cool,' I said, flinging what I had with me into the
+box, and shutting the lid, 'and come and have some dinner. I'm
+famished.'
+
+"'Do you think these fellows are all right?' Stevens said, apparently
+trying to pull himself together, as he indicated the crew with a
+glance.
+
+"'We ought to be a match for twice the number; but we'll keep a look
+out.'
+
+"We went to dinner in the boat, carrying our box with us. Our crew lit
+a fire near one of the idols, and cooked their food, whilst we ate our
+very simple meal. The sun had gone down, and the moon was fighting
+with a heavy mass of clouds that had sprung up apparently from
+nowhere, and were gathering in mountainous piles overhead. The low
+rumbling of distant thunder came to our ears.
+
+"'Looks like rain. Jehoshaphat!--it is rain.'
+
+"A distant moaning sound that gradually increased in volume was
+audible, the tree tops bent and swayed, the placid surface of the
+lagoon was beaten into a white foam, and the storm came. We heard a
+yell from the boatmen on the bank. The next moment we were torn from
+our moorings, and went swinging down the creek in pitchy darkness.
+Overhead and around all hell was loose. The paddles were swept away,
+and we spun round in a roaring wind, in a din of the elements, and a
+darkness like unto what was before God said, 'Let there be light.' I
+shouted to Stevens, but could not hear my own voice. Suddenly there
+came a deafening crash, and a chain of fire hung round the heavens. I
+saw Stevens crouching in the boat, with his face resting on the box,
+and his arms clasped around it. 'By the Lord!' he was gibbering and
+mowing to himself--even above the storm I heard his shrill cry--'the
+idols, the idols! they're laffin' at us.' I turned my head as he
+spoke: the blackness was again lit up, and I saw by it the calm,
+smiling faces of the Buddhas. All their eyes were fixed on us, and in
+that strange and terrible light the stony smiles on their faces
+broadened in devilish mockery. The rain came down in sheets; and the
+continual and ceaseless flashes of lightning flared on the angry
+yellow water around us, and made the rain seem as if there were
+millions of strands of fine silver and gold wires hanging from the
+blackness above. It was all I could do to keep myself in the canoe. At
+each flash I looked at Stevens, and saw him in the same posture,
+crouching low, like a cat. Then he began to sing, in a shrill voice,
+that worked its way, as a bradawl through wood, past all the noise of
+the elements. And now the whole heavens were bright with a pale light
+that was given back by the hissing water around. The raindrops
+sparkled like gems, and hit almost with the force of hailstones.
+Stevens rose with a scream, and stood in the boat.
+
+"'Sit down, for God's sake!' I called out.
+
+"'I'm holding them with my life--the diamonds, the jewels!' he yelled
+with a horrid laugh, and shook his fist at something. I followed his
+movements; and there, riding in the storm, was a small canoe, paddled
+by a man in the dress of old days. He was smiling at Stevens as, with
+long easy sweeps of his paddle, he came closer and closer.
+
+"'Shoot him!' yelled Stevens, as he pulled out his revolver and fired
+once, twice, and then flung it with all his might at the vision. In
+the effort he overbalanced the boat, and all I can remember is that I
+was swimming for dear life, and being borne down with frightful
+rapidity through that awful light. I saw something, which might have
+been Hake Stevens, struggling for a moment on the water; but, Stevens
+or not, it sank again almost immediately, and some one laughed too as
+this happened.
+
+"And I think," said Burgess, "that's about all. I never saw Hake
+Stevens again, and I don't want ever to see Brito's jewels any more."
+
+"How did you get out?"
+
+"By absolute luck. I don't very well remember now; and By Jove! here
+comes the breeze."
+
+Even as he spoke, a cool puff of wind fanned us into life.
+
+
+
+
+
+                        THE DEVIL'S MANUSCRIPT
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                          THE BLACK PACKET.
+
+
+"M. De Bac? De Bac? I do not know the name."
+
+"Gentleman says he knows you, sir, and has called on urgent business."
+
+There was no answer, and John Brown, the ruined publisher, looked
+about him in a dazed manner. He knew he was ruined; to-morrow the
+world would know it also, and then--beggary stared him in the face,
+and infamy too. For this the world would not care. Brown was not a
+great man in "the trade," and his name in the _Gazette_ would not
+attract notice; but his name, as he stood in the felon's dock, and the
+ugly history a cross-examination might disclose would probably arouse
+a fleeting interest, and then the world would go on with a pitiless
+shrug of its shoulders. What does it matter to the moving wave of
+humanity if one little drop of spray from its crest is blown into
+nothing by the wind? Not a jot. But it was a terrible business for the
+drop of spray, otherwise John Brown, publisher. He was at his best not
+a good-looking man, rather mean-looking than otherwise, with a thin,
+angular face, eyes as shifty as a jackal's, and shoulders shaped like
+a champagne-bottle. As the shadow of coming ruin darkened over him, he
+seemed to shrink and look meaner than ever. He had almost forgotten
+the presence of his clerk. He could think of nothing but the morrow,
+when Simmonds' voice again broke the stillness.
+
+"Shall I say you will see him, sir?"
+
+The question cut sharply into the silence, and brought Brown to
+himself. He had half a mind to say "No." In the face of the coming
+to-morrow, business, urgent or otherwise, was nothing to him. Yet,
+after all, there could be no harm done in receiving the man. It would,
+at any rate, be a distraction, and, lifting his head, Brown answered:
+
+"Yes, I will see him, Simmonds."
+
+Simmonds went out, closing the green baize door behind him. There was
+a delay of a moment, and M. De Bac entered--a tall, thin figure,
+bearing an oblong parcel, packed in shiny, black paper, and sealed
+with flame-coloured wax.
+
+"Good-day, Mr. Brown;" and M. De Bac, who, for all his foreign name,
+spoke perfect English, extended his hand.
+
+Brown rose, put his own cold fingers into the warm grasp of his
+visitor, and offered him a seat.
+
+"With your permission, Mr. Brown, I will take this other chair. It is
+nearer the fire. I am accustomed to warm climates, as you doubtless
+perceive;" and De Bac, suiting his action to his words, placed his
+packet on the table, and began to slowly rub his long, lean fingers
+together. The publisher glanced at him with some curiosity. M. De Bac
+was as dark as an Italian, with clear, resolute features, and a
+moustache, curled at the ends, thick enough to hide the sarcastic
+curve of his thin lips. He was strongly if sparely built, and his
+fiery black eyes met Brown's gaze with a look that ran through him
+like a needle.
+
+"You do not appear to recognise me, Mr. Brown?"--De Bac's voice was
+very quiet and deep-toned.
+
+"I have not the honour----" began the publisher; but his visitor
+interrupted him.
+
+"You mistake. We are quite old friends; and in time will always be
+very near each other. I have a minute or two to spare"--he glanced at
+a repeater--"and will prove to you that I know you. You are John
+Brown, that very religious young man of Battersea, who, twelve years
+ago, behaved like a blackguard to a girl at Homerton, and sent her
+to----but no matter. You attracted my attention then; but,
+unfortunately, I had no time to devote to you. Subsequently, you
+effected a pretty little swindle--don't be angry, Mr. Brown--it _was_
+very clever. Then you started in business on your own account, and
+married. Things went well with you; you know the art of getting at a
+low price, and selling at a high one. You are a born 'sweater.' Pardon
+the word. You know how to keep men down like beasts, and go up
+yourself. In doing this, you did me yeoman's service, although you are
+even now not aware of this. You had one fault, you have it still, and
+had you not been a gambler you might have been a rich man. Speculation
+is a bad thing, Brown--I mean gambling speculation."
+
+Brown was an Englishman, and it goes without saying that he had
+courage. But there was something in De Bac's manner, some strange
+power in the steady stare of those black eyes, that held him to his
+seat as if pinned there.
+
+As De Bac stopped, however, Brown's anger gave him strength. Every
+word that was said was true, and stung like the lash of a whip. He
+rose white with anger.
+
+"Sir!" he began with quivering lips, and made a step forwards. Then he
+stopped. It was as if the sombre fire in De Bac's gaze withered his
+strength. An invisible hand seemed to drag him back into his seat and
+hold him there.
+
+"You are hasty, Mr. Brown;" and De Bac's even voice continued: "you
+are really very rash. I was about to tell you a little more of your
+history, to tell you you are ruined, and to-morrow every one in
+London--it is the world for you, Brown--will know you are a beggar,
+and many will know you are a cheat."
+
+The publisher swore bitterly under his breath.
+
+"You see, Mr. Brown," continued his strange visitor, "I know all about
+you, and you will be surprised, perhaps, to hear that you deserve help
+from me. You are too useful to let drift. I have therefore come to
+save you."
+
+"Save me?"
+
+"Yes. By means of this manuscript here," he pointed to the packet,
+"which you are going to publish."
+
+Brown now realized that he was dealing with a lunatic. He tried to
+stretch out his arm to touch the bell on the table; but found that he
+had no power to do so. He made an attempt to shout to Simmonds; but
+his tongue moved inaudibly in his mouth. He seemed only to have the
+faculty of following De Bac's words, and of answering them. He gasped
+out:
+
+"It is impossible!"
+
+"My friend"--and He Bac smiled mirthlessly--"you will publish that
+manuscript. I will pay. The profits will be yours. It will make your
+name, and you will be rich. You will even be able to build a church."
+
+"Rich!" Brown's voice was very bitter. "M. De Bac, you said rightly. I
+am a ruined man. Even if you were to pay for the publication of that
+manuscript I could not do it now. It is too late. There are other
+houses. Go to them."
+
+"But not other John Browns. You are peculiarly adapted for my purpose.
+Enough of this! I know what business is, and I have many things to
+attend to. You are a small man, Mr. Brown, and it will take little to
+remove your difficulties. See! Here are a thousand pounds. They will
+free you from your present troubles," and De Bac tossed a pocket-book
+on the table before Brown. "I do not want a receipt," he went on. "I
+will call to-morrow for your final answer, and to settle details. If
+you need it I will give you more money. This hour--twelve--will suit
+me. _Adieu!_" He was gone like a flash, and Brown looked around in
+blank amazement. He was as if suddenly aroused from a dream. He could
+hardly believe the evidence of his senses, although he could see the
+black packet, and the neat leather pocket-book with the initials "L.
+De B." let in in silver on the outside. He rang his bell violently,
+and Simmonds appeared.
+
+"Has M. De Bac gone?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. He didn't pass out through the door."
+
+"There is no other way. You must have been asleep."
+
+"Indeed I was not, sir."
+
+Brown felt a chill as of cold fingers running down his backbone, but
+pulled himself together with an effort. "It does not matter, Simmonds.
+You may go."
+
+Simmonds went out scratching his head. "How the demon did he get out?"
+he asked himself. "Must have been sleeping after all. The guv'nor
+seems a bit dotty to-day. It's the smash coming--sure."
+
+He wrote a letter or two, and then taking his hat, sallied forth to an
+aërated bread-shop for his cheap and wholesome lunch, for Simmonds was
+a saving young man, engaged to a young lady living out Camden Town
+way. Simmonds perfectly understood the state of affairs, and was not a
+little anxious about matters, for the mother of his _fiancée_, a widow
+who let lodgings, had only agreed to his engagement after much
+persuasion; and if he had to announce the fact that, instead of
+"thirty bob a week," as he put it, his income was nothing at all,
+there would be an end of everything.
+
+"M'ria's all right," he said to his friend Wilkes, in trustful
+confidence as they sat over their lunch; "but that old torpedo"--by
+which name he designated his mother-in-law-elect--"she'll raise Cain
+if there's a smash-up."
+
+In the meantime, John Brown tore open the pocketbook with shaking
+hands, and, with a crisp rustling, a number of new bank-notes fell
+out, and lay in a heap before him. He counted them one by one. They
+totalled to a thousand pounds exactly. He was a small man. M. De Bac
+had said so truly, if a little rudely, and the money was more than
+enough to stave off ruin. De Bac had said, too, that if needed he
+would give him more, and then Brown fell to trembling all over. He was
+like a man snatched from the very jaws of death. At Battersea he wore
+a blue ribbon; but now he went to a cabinet, filled a glass with raw
+brandy, and drained it at a gulp. In a minute or so the generous
+cordial warmed his chilled blood, and picking up the notes, he counted
+them again, and thrust them into his breast-pocket. After this he
+paced the room up and down in a feverish manner, longing for the
+morrow when he could settle up the most urgent demands against him.
+Then, on a sudden, a thought struck him. It was almost as if it had
+been whispered in his ear. Why trouble at all about matters? He had a
+clear thousand with him, and in an hour he could be out of the
+country! He hesitated, but prudence prevailed. Extradition laws
+stretched everywhere; and there was another thing--that extraordinary
+madman, De Bac, had promised more money on the morrow. After all, it
+was better to stay.
+
+As he made this resolve his eyes fell on the black packet on the
+table. The peculiar colour of the seals attracted his attention. He
+bent over them, and saw that the wax bore an impress of a V-shaped
+shield, within which was set a trident. He noticed also that the
+packet was tied with a silver thread. His curiosity was excited. He
+sat down, snipped the threads with a penknife, tore off the black
+paper covering, flung it into the fire, and saw before him a bulky
+manuscript exquisitely written on very fine paper. A closer
+examination showed that they were a number of short stories. Now Brown
+was in no mood to read; but the title of the first tale caught his
+eye, and the writing was so legible that he had glanced over half a
+dozen lines before he was aware of the fact. Those first half-dozen
+lines were sufficient to make him read the page, and when he had read
+the page the publisher felt he was before the work of a genius.
+
+He was unable to stop now; and, with his head resting between his
+hands, he read on tirelessly. Simmonds came in once or twice and left
+papers on the table, but his master took no notice of him. Brown
+forgot all about his lunch, and turning over page after page read as
+if spellbound. He was a business man, and was certain the book would
+sell in thousands. He read as one inspired to look into the author's
+thoughts and see his design. Short as the stories were, they were
+Titanic fragments, and every one of them taught a hideous lesson of
+corruption. Some of them cloaked in a religious garb, breathed a
+spirit of pitiless ferocity; others were rich with the sensuous odours
+of an Eastern garden; others, again, were as the tender green of moss
+hiding the treacherous deeps of a quicksand; and all of them bore the
+hall-mark of genius. They moved the man sitting there to tears, they
+shook him with laughter, they seemed to rock his very soul asleep;
+but through it all he saw, as the mariner views the beacon fire
+on a rocky coast, the deadly plan of the writer. There was money in
+them--thousands--and all was to be his. Brown's sluggish blood was
+running to flame, a strange strength glowed in his face, and an
+uncontrollable admiration for De Bac's evil power filled him. The
+book, when published, might corrupt generations yet unborn; but that
+was nothing to Brown. It meant thousands for him, and an eternal fame
+to De Bac. He did not grudge the writer the fame as long as he kept
+the thousands.
+
+"By Heaven!" and he brought his fist down on the table with a crash,
+"the man may be a lunatic; but he is the greatest genius the world
+ever saw--or he is the devil incarnate."
+
+And somebody laughed softly in the room.
+
+The publisher looked up with a start, and saw Simmonds standing before
+him.
+
+"Did you laugh, Simmonds?"
+
+"No, sir!" replied the clerk with a surprised look.
+
+"Who laughed then?"
+
+"There is no one here but ourselves, sir--and I didn't laugh."
+
+"Did you hear nothing?"
+
+"Nothing, sir."
+
+"Strange!" and Brown began to feel chill again.
+
+"What time is it?" he asked with an effort.
+
+"It is half-past six, sir."
+
+"So late as that? You may go, Simmonds. Leave me the keys. I will be
+here for some time. Good-evening."
+
+"Mad as a coot," muttered Simmonds to himself; "must break the news to
+M'ria to-night. Oh, Lor'!" and his eyes were very wet as he went out
+into the Strand, and got into a blue omnibus.
+
+When he was gone, Brown turned to the fire, poker in hand. To his
+surprise he saw that the black paper was still there, burning red hot,
+and the wax of the seals was still intact--the seals themselves
+shining like orange glow-lights. He beat at the paper with the poker;
+but instead of crumbling to ashes it yielded passively to the stroke,
+and came back to its original shape. Then a fury came on Brown. He
+raked at the fire, threw more coals over the paper, and blew at the
+flames with his bellows until they roared up the chimney; but still
+the coppery glare of the packet-cover never turned to the grey of
+ashes. Finally, he could endure it no longer, and, putting the
+manuscript into the safe, turned off the electric light, and stole out
+of his office like a thief.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                           THE RED TRIDENT.
+
+
+When Beggarman, Bowles & Co., of Providence Passage, Lombard Street,
+called at eleven o'clock on the morning following De Bac's visit,
+their representative was not a little surprised to find the firm's
+bills met in hard cash, and Simmonds paid him with a radiant face.
+When the affair was settled, the clerk leaned back in his chair,
+saying half-aloud to himself, "By George! I am glad after all M'ria
+did not keep our appointment in the Camden Road last night." Then his
+face began to darken. "Wonder where she could have been, though?" his
+thoughts ran on; "half sorry I introduced her to Wilkes last Sunday at
+Victoria Park. Wilkes ain't half the man I am though," and he tried
+to look at himself in the window-pane, "but he has two pound ten a
+week--Lord! There's the guv'nor ringing." He hurried into Brown's
+room, received a brief order, and was about to go back when the
+publisher spoke again.
+
+"Simmonds!"
+
+"Sir."
+
+"If M. De Bac calls, show him in at once."
+
+"Sir," and the clerk went out.
+
+Left to himself, Brown tried to go on with the manuscript; but was not
+able to do so. He was impatient for the coming of De Bac, and kept
+watching the hands of the clock as they slowly travelled towards
+twelve. When he came to the office in the morning Brown had looked
+with a nervous fear in the fireplace, half expecting to find the black
+paper still there; and it was a considerable relief to his mind to
+find it was not. He could do nothing, not even open the envelopes of
+the letters that lay on his table. He made an effort to find
+occupation in the morning's paper. It was full of some absurd
+correspondence on a trivial subject, and he wondered at the thousands
+of fools who could waste time in writing and in reading yards of print
+on the theme of "Whether women should wear neckties." The ticking of
+the clock irritated him. He flung the paper aside, just as the door
+opened and Simmonds came in. For a moment Brown thought he had come to
+announce De Bac's arrival; but no--Simmonds simply placed a square
+envelope on the table before Brown.
+
+"Pass-book from Bransom's, sir, just come in;" and he went out.
+
+Brown took it up mechanically, and opened the envelope. A type-written
+letter fell out with the passbook. He ran his eyes over it with
+astonishment. It was briefly to inform him that M. De Bac had paid
+into Brown's account yesterday afternoon the sum of five thousand
+pounds, and that, adjusting overdrafts, the balance at his credit was
+four thousand seven hundred and twenty pounds thirteen shillings and
+three pence. Brown rubbed his eyes. Then he hurriedly glanced at the
+pass-book. The figures tallied--there was no error, no mistake. He
+pricked himself with his penknife to see if he was awake, and finally
+shouted to Simmonds:
+
+"Read this letter aloud to me, Simmonds," he said.
+
+Simmonds' eyes opened, but he did as he was bidden, and there was no
+mistake about the account.
+
+"Anything else, sir?" asked Simmonds when he had finished.
+
+"No--nothing," and Brown was once more alone. He sat staring at the
+figures before him in silence, almost mesmerizing himself with the
+intentness of his gaze.
+
+"My God!" he burst out at last, in absolute wonder.
+
+"Who is your God, Brown?" answered a deep voice.
+
+"I--I--M. De Bac! How did you come?"
+
+"I did not drop down the chimney," said De Bac with a grin; "your
+clerk announced me in the ordinary way, but you were so absorbed you
+did not hear. So I took the liberty of sitting in this chair, and
+awaiting your return to earthly matters. You were dreaming, Brown--by
+the way, who is your God?" he repeated with a low laugh.
+
+"I--I do not understand, sir."
+
+"Possibly not, possibly not. I wouldn't bother about the matter. Ah! I
+see Bransom's have sent you your pass-book! Sit down, Brown. I hate to
+see a man fidgeting about--I paid in that amount yesterday on a second
+thought. It is enough--eh?"
+
+Brown's jackal eyes contracted. Perhaps he could get more out of De
+Bac? But a look at the strong impassive face before him frightened
+him.
+
+"More than enough, sir," he stammered; and then, with a rush, "I am
+grateful--anything I can do for you?"
+
+"Oh! I know, I know, Brown--by the way, you do not object to smoke?"
+
+"Certainly not. I do not smoke myself."
+
+"In Battersea, eh?" And De Bac pulling out a silver cheroot case held
+it out to Brown. But the publisher declined.
+
+"Money wouldn't buy a smoke like that in England," remarked De Bac,
+"but as you will. I wouldn't smoke if I were you. Such abstinence
+looks respectable and means nothing." He put a cigar between his
+lips, and pointed his forefinger at the end. To Brown's amazement an
+orange-flame licked out from under the fingernail, and vanished like a
+flash of lightning; but the cigar was alight, and its fragrant odour
+filled the room. It reached even Simmonds, who sniffed at it like a
+buck scenting the morning air. "By George!" he exclaimed in wonder,
+"what baccy!"
+
+M. De Bac settled himself comfortably in his chair, and spoke with the
+cigar between his teeth. "Now you have recovered a little from your
+surprise, Brown, I may as well tell you that I never carry matches.
+This little scientific discovery I have made is very convenient, is it
+not?"
+
+"I have never seen anything like it."
+
+"There are a good many things you have not seen, Brown--but to work.
+Take a pencil and paper and note down what I say. You can tell me when
+I have done if you agree or not."
+
+Brown did as he was told, and De Bac spoke slowly and carefully.
+
+"The money I have given you is absolutely your own on the following
+terms. You will publish the manuscript I left with you, enlarge your
+business, and work as you have hitherto worked--as a 'sweater.' You
+may speculate as much as you like. You will not lose. You need not
+avoid the publication of religious books, but you must never give in
+charity secretly. I do not object to a big cheque for a public object,
+and your name in all the papers. It will be well for you to hound down
+the vicious. Never give them a chance to recover themselves. You will
+be a legislator. Strongly uphold all those measures which, under a
+moral cloak, will do harm to mankind. I do not mention them. I do not
+seek to hamper you with detailed instructions. Work on these general
+lines, and you will do what I want. A word more. It will be advisable
+whenever you have a chance to call public attention to a great evil
+which is also a vice. Thousands who have never heard of it before will
+hear of it then--and human nature is very frail. You have noted all
+this down?"
+
+"I have. You are a strange man, M. De Bac."
+
+M. De Bac frowned, and Brown began to tremble.
+
+"I do not permit you to make observations about me, Mr. Brown."
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir."
+
+"Do not do so again. Will you agree to all this? I promise you
+unexampled prosperity for ten years. At the end of that time I shall
+want you elsewhere. And you must agree to take a journey with me."
+
+"A long one, sir?" Brown's voice was just a shade satirical.
+
+M. De Bac smiled oddly. "No--in your case I promise a quick passage.
+These are all the conditions I attach to my gift of six thousand
+pounds to you."
+
+Brown's amazement did not blind him to the fact of the advantage he
+had, as he thought, over his visitor. The six thousand pounds were
+already his, and he had given no promise. With a sudden boldness he
+spoke out.
+
+"And if I decline?"
+
+"You will return me my money, and my book, and I will go elsewhere."
+
+"The manuscript, yes--but if I refuse to give back the money?"
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" M. De Bac's mirthless laugh chilled Brown to the bone.
+"Very good, Brown--but you won't refuse. Sign that like a good
+fellow," and he flung a piece of paper towards Brown, who saw that it
+was a promissory note, drawn up in his name, agreeing to pay M. De Bac
+the sum of six thousand pounds on demand.
+
+"I shall do no such thing," said Brown stoutly.
+
+M. De Bac made no answer, but calmly touched the bell. In a
+half-minute Simmonds appeared.
+
+"Be good enough to witness Mr. Brown's signature to that document,"
+said De Bac to him, and then fixed his gaze on Brown. There was a
+moment of hesitation, and then--the publisher signed his name, and
+Simmonds did likewise as a witness. When the latter had gone, De Bac
+carefully put the paper by in a letter-case he drew from his vest
+pocket.
+
+"Your scientific people would call this an exhibition of odic force,
+Brown--eh?"
+
+Brown made no answer. He was shaking in every limb, and great pearls
+of sweat rolled down his forehead.
+
+"You see, Brown," continued De Bac, "after all you are a free agent.
+Either agree to my terms and keep the money, or say you will not, pay
+me back, receive your note-of-hand, and I go elsewhere with my book.
+Come--time is precious."
+
+"And from Brown's lips there hissed a low 'I agree.'
+
+"Then that is settled," and De Bac rose from his chair. "There is a
+little thing more--stretch out your arm like a good fellow--the right
+arm."
+
+Brown did so; and De Bac placed his forefinger on his wrist, just
+between what palmists call "the lines of life." The touch was as that
+of a red-hot iron, and with a quick cry Brown drew back his hand and
+looked at it. On his wrist was a small red trident, as cleanly marked
+as if it had been tattooed into the skin. The pain was but momentary;
+and, as he looked at the mark, he heard De Bac say, "Adieu once more,
+Brown. I will find my way out--don't trouble to rise." Brown heard him
+wish Simmonds an affable "Good-day," and he was gone.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                       "THE MARK OF THE BEAST."
+
+
+It was early in the spring that Brown published "The Yellow
+Dragon"--as the collection of tales left with him by De Bac was
+called--and the success of the book surpassed his wildest
+expectations. It became the rage. There were the strangest rumours
+afloat as to its authorship, for no one knew De Bac, and the name of
+the writer was supposed to be an assumed one. It was written by a
+clergyman; it was penned by a schoolgirl; it had employed the leisure
+of a distinguished statesman during his retirement; it was the work of
+an ex-crowned head. These, and such-like statements, were poured forth
+one day to be contradicted the next. Wherever the book was noticed it
+was either with the most extravagant praise or the bitterest rancour.
+But friend and foe were alike united on one thing--that of ascribing
+to its unknown author a princely genius. The greatest of the reviews,
+after pouring on "The Yellow Dragon" the vials of its wrath, concluded
+with these words of unwilling praise: "There is not a sentence of this
+book which should ever have been written, still less published; but we
+do not hesitate to say that, having been written and given to the
+world, there is hardly a line of this terrible work which will not
+become immortal--to the misery of mankind."
+
+Be this as it may, the book sold in tens of thousands, and Brown's
+fortune was assured. In ten years a man may do many things; but during
+the ten years that followed the publication of "The Yellow Dragon,"
+Brown did so many things that he astonished "the city," and it takes
+not a little to do that. It was not alone the marvellous growth of his
+business--although that advanced by leaps and bounds until it
+overshadowed all others--it was his wonderful luck on the Stock
+Exchange. Whatever he touched turned to gold. He was looked upon as
+the Napoleon of finance. His connection with "The Yellow Dragon" was
+forgotten when his connection with the yellow sovereign was
+remembered. He had a palace in Berkshire; another huge pile owned
+by him overlooked Hyde Park. He was a county member and a
+cabinet-minister. He had refused a peerage and built a church. Could
+ambition want more? He had clean forgotten De Bac. From him he had
+heard no word, received no sign, and he looked upon him as dead. At
+first, when his eyes fell on the red trident on his wrist, he was wont
+to shudder all over; but as years went on he became accustomed to the
+mark, and thought no more of it than if it had been a mole. In
+personal appearance he was but little changed, except that his hair
+was thin and grey, and there was a bald patch on the top of his head.
+His wife had died four years ago, and he was now contemplating another
+marriage--a marriage that would ally him with a family dating from the
+Confessor.
+
+Such was John Brown, when we meet him again ten years after De Bac's
+visit, seated at a large writing-table in his luxurious office. A
+clerk standing beside him was cutting open the envelopes of the
+morning's post, and placing the letters one by one before his master.
+It is our friend Simmonds--still a young man, but bent and old beyond
+his years, and still on "thirty bob" a week. And the history of
+Simmonds will show how Brown carried out De Bac's instructions.
+
+When "The Yellow Dragon" came out and business began to expand,
+Simmonds, having increased work, was ambitious enough to expect a rise
+in his salary, and addressed his chief on the subject. He was put off
+with a promise, and on the strength of that promise Simmonds, being no
+wiser than many of his fellows, married M'ria; and husband and wife
+managed to exist somehow with the help of the mother-in-law. Then the
+mother-in-law died, and there was only the bare thirty shillings a
+week on which to live, to dress, to pay Simmonds' way daily to the
+city and back, and to feed more than two mouths--for Simmonds was
+amongst the blessed who have their quivers full. Still the expected
+increase of pay did not come. Other men came into the business and
+passed over Simmonds. Brown said they had special qualifications. They
+had; and John Brown knew Simmonds better than he knew himself. The
+other men were paid for doing things Simmonds could not have done to
+save his life; but he was more than useful in his way. A hundred times
+it was in the mind of the wretched clerk to resign his post and seek
+to better himself elsewhere. But he had given hostages to fortune.
+There was M'ria and her children, and M'ria set her face resolutely
+against risk. They had no reserve upon which to fall back, and it was
+an option between partial and total starvation. So "Sim," as M'ria
+called him, held on and battled with the wolf at the door, the wolf
+gaining ground inch by inch. Then illness came, and debt, and
+then--temptation. "Sim" fell, as many a better man than he has fallen.
+
+Brown found it out, and saw his opportunity to behave generously, and
+make his generosity pay. He got a written confession of his guilt from
+Simmonds, and retained him in his service forever on thirty shillings
+a week. And Simmonds' life became such as made him envy the lot of a
+Russian serf, of a Siberian exile, of a negro in the old days of the
+sugar plantations. He became a slave, a living machine who ground out
+his daily hours of work; he became mean and sordid in soul, as one
+does become when hope is extinct. Such was Simmonds as he cut open the
+envelopes of Brown's letters, and the great man, reading them quickly,
+endorsed them with terse remarks in blue pencil, for subsequent
+disposal by his secretary. A sudden exclamation from the clerk, and
+Brown looked up.
+
+"What is it?" he asked sharply.
+
+"Only this, sir," and Simmonds held before Brown's eyes a jet black
+envelope; and as he gazed at it, his mind travelled back ten years, to
+that day when he stood on the brink of public infamy and ruin, and De
+Bac had saved him. For a moment everything faded before Brown's eyes,
+and he saw himself in a dingy room, with the gaunt figure of the
+author of "The Yellow Dragon," and the maker of his fortune, before
+him.
+
+"Shall I open it, sir?" Simmonds' voice reached him as from a far
+distance, and Brown roused himself with an effort.
+
+"No," he said, "give it to me, and go for the present."
+
+When the bent figure of the clerk had passed out of the room, Brown
+looked at the envelope carefully. It bore a penny stamp and the
+impress of the postmark was not legible. The superscription was in
+white ink, and it was addressed to Mr. John Brown. The "Mr." on the
+letter irritated Brown, for he was now The Right Hon'ble John Brown,
+and was punctilious on that score. He was so annoyed that at first he
+thought of casting the letter unopened into the waste-paper basket
+beside him, but changed his mind, and tore open the cover. A note-card
+discovered itself. The contents were brief and to the point:
+
+"_Get ready to start. I will call for you at the close of the day_. L.
+De B."
+
+For a moment Brown was puzzled, then the remembrance of his old
+compact with De Bac came to him. He fairly laughed. To think that he,
+The Right Hon'ble John Brown, the richest man in England, and one of
+the most powerful, should be written to like that! Ordered to go
+somewhere he did not even know! Addressed like a servant! The cool
+insolence of the note amused Brown first, and then he became enraged.
+He tore the note into fragments and cast it from him. "Curse the
+madman," he said aloud, "I'll give him in charge if he annoys me." A
+sudden twinge in his right wrist made him hurriedly look at the spot.
+There was a broad pink circle, as large as a florin, around the mark
+of the trident, and it smarted and burned as the sting of a wasp. He
+ran to a basin of water and dipped his arm in to the elbow; but the
+pain became intolerable, and, finally, ordering his carriage, he drove
+home. That evening there was a great civic banquet in the city, and
+amongst the guests was The Right Hon'ble John Brown.
+
+All through the afternoon he had been in agony with his wrist, but
+towards evening the pain ceased as suddenly as it had come on, and
+Brown attended the banquet, a little pale and shaken, but still
+himself. On Brown's right hand sat the Bishop of Browboro', on his
+left a most distinguished scientist, and amongst the crowd of waiters
+was Simmonds, who had hired himself out for the evening to earn an
+extra shilling or so to eke out his miserable subsistence. The man of
+science had just returned from Mount Atlas, whither he had gone to
+observe the transit of Mercury, and had come back full of stories of
+witchcraft. He led the conversation in that direction, and very soon
+the Bishop, Brown, and himself were engaged in the discussion of
+_diablerie_. The Bishop was a learned and a saintly man, and was a
+"believer"; the scientist was puzzled by what he had seen, and Brown
+openly scoffed.
+
+"Look here!" and pulling back his cuff, he showed the red mark on his
+wrist to his companions, "if I were to tell you how that came here,
+you would say the devil himself marked me."
+
+"I confess I am curious," said the scientist; and the Bishop fixed an
+inquiring gaze upon Brown. Simmonds was standing behind, and
+unconsciously drew near. Then the man, omitting many things, told the
+history of the mark on his wrist. He left out much, but he told enough
+to make the scientist edge his chair a little further from him, and a
+look of grave compassion, not untinged with scorn, to come into the
+eyes of the Bishop. As Brown came to the end of his story he became
+unnaturally excited, he raised his voice, and, with a sudden gesture,
+held his wrist close to the Bishop's face. "There!" he said, "I
+suppose you would say the devil did that?"
+
+And as the Bishop looked, a voice seemed to breathe in his ear: "_And
+he caused all ... to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their
+foreheads_." It was as if his soul was speaking to him and urging him
+to say the words aloud. He did not; but with a pale face gently put
+aside Brown's hand. "I do not know, Mr. Brown--but I think you are
+called upon for a speech."
+
+It was so; and, after a moment's hesitation, Brown rose. He was a
+fluent speaker, and the occasion was one with which he was peculiarly
+qualified to deal. He began well; but as he went on those who looked
+upon him saw that he was ghastly pale, and that the veins stood out on
+his high forehead in blue cords. As he spoke he made some allusion to
+those men who have risen to eminence from an obscure position. He
+spoke of himself as one of these, and then began to tell the story of
+"The Devil's Manuscript," as he called it, with a mocking look at the
+Bishop. As he went on he completely lost command over himself, and the
+story of the manuscript became the story of his life. He concealed
+nothing, he passed over nothing. He laid all his sordid past before
+his hearers with a vivid force. His listeners were astonished into
+silence; perhaps curiosity kept them still. But, as the long tale of
+infamy went on, some, in pity for the man, and believing him struck
+mad, tried to stop him, but in vain. He came at last to the incident
+of the letter, and told how De Bac was to call for him to-night. "The
+Bishop of Browboro'," he said with a jarring laugh, "thought De Bac
+was the fiend himself," but he (Brown) knew better; he--he stopped,
+and, with a half-inarticulate cry, began to back slowly from the
+table, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the room. And now a strange
+thing happened. There was not a man in the room who had the power to
+move or to speak; they were as if frozen to their seats; as if struck
+into stone. Some were able to follow Brown's glance, but could see
+nothing. All were able to see that in Brown's face was an awful fear,
+and that he was trying to escape from a horrible presence which was
+moving slowly towards him, and which was visible to himself alone.
+Inch by inch Brown gave way, until he at last reached the wall, and
+stood with his back to it, with his arms spread out, in the position
+of one crucified. His face was marble white, and a dreadful terror and
+a pitiful appeal shone in his eyes. His blue lips were parted as of
+one in the dolors of death.
+
+The silence was profound.
+
+There were strong men there; men who had faced and overcome dangers,
+who had held their lives in their hands, who had struggled against
+desperate odds and won; but there was not a man who did not now feel
+weak, powerless, helpless as a child before that invisible, advancing
+terror that Brown alone could see. They could move no hand to aid,
+lift no voice to pray. All they could do was to wait in that dreadful
+silence and to watch. Time itself seemed to stop. It was as if the
+stillness had lasted for hours.
+
+Suddenly Brown's face, so white before, flushed a crimson purple, and
+with a terrible cry he fell forwards on the polished woodwork of the
+floor.
+
+As he fell it seemed as if the weight which held all still was on the
+moment removed, and they were free. With scared faces they gathered
+around the fallen man and raised him. He was quite dead; but on his
+forehead, where there was no mark before, was the impress of a red
+trident.
+
+A man, evidently one of the waiters, who had forced his way into the
+group, laid his finger on the mark and looked up at the Bishop. There
+was an unholy exultation in his face as he met the priest's eyes, and
+said:
+
+"He's marked twice--_curse him!_"
+
+
+
+
+
+                          UNDER THE ACHILLES
+
+                        O Charity! thy mystery
+                        Doth cover many things.
+
+"Now, don't break hup the 'appy 'ome!"
+
+"Move those wite mice o' yourn hon, then, 'stead o' sittin' like a
+hitalian monkey hon a bloomin' barrel horgan."
+
+A hansom had hacked into a green Atlas in Piccadilly Circus, at the
+point where Regent Street and Piccadilly meet. From his height of
+vantage the omnibus driver threw a sarcasm at the cabman, and Jehu,
+instead of attending to business, lifted his head to fling back an
+answer. The sorrel in the hansom likewise lifted his head, stood on
+his hind legs, and then, plunging sideways on to the pavement, locked
+the wheels of the two conveyances together, completely stopping the
+roadway. It was not a good time for a thing of this kind to happen. It
+was Piccadilly Circus, just after the big furnaces of the theatres had
+let out their red-hot contents. The molten stream was hissing through
+the streets, boiling in the throbbing Circus. Such a crowd was there,
+too, as no city besides may show; but London need not plume itself on
+this. Here, in that hour, when the past of one day was becoming the
+present of another, assembled together the good and the bad. The
+honest father of a family, with a pure wife or daughter on his arm,
+jostled the soiled dove in her jewelled shame. Here were gathered the
+men whose lives by daylight were white, those who trod the primrose
+path, and the workers of the nation; gilded infamy, tawdry sin, joy
+and sorrow, shame and innocence, vice blacker than night, more hideous
+than despair. Above blazed the electric stars of the Monico and the
+Criterion. A stream of fire marked Coventry Street. To the right the
+lamp glare terminated abruptly in Waterloo Place, leaving the moon and
+the lonely Park together. From all the great arteries, through
+Shaftesbury Avenue, through Coventry Street, through the Haymarket,
+the toilers of the night beat up to the roaring Circus, and it was
+full. I, a derelict of humanity, was there. In the crowd that fought
+and elbowed its way for room--it was a crowd all elbows--I was the
+first to reach the hansom. There were two occupants: a man who lay
+back with a scared face, and a woman who laughed as she attempted to
+step out. It was as daylight, and the rush of an awful recollection
+came to me--God help me! It was my wife! My hand stretched out to aid
+fell to my side; but, as I staggered back, the brute in the hansom
+plunged yet more violently than before. There was an alarmed cry, a
+swaying motion, and the cab turned over slowly, like a foundering
+ship. I could not control myself. I sprang forward, and lifting the
+woman from the cab placed her on the pavement. There was a bit of a
+cheer, and before I knew it she thrust her purse into my hand.
+
+"Take this, man, and----"
+
+I waited to hear no more; a sudden frightened look came into her eyes,
+and I turned and fled up Piccadilly. Some fool cried "Stop thief!"
+Some other one took up the cry. In a moment every one was running. I
+ran with the crowd, my hand still clenched tightly on the purse, which
+seemed to burn into it. It was too well dressed a crowd to run far.
+Opposite Hatchett's it tired, and public attention was engaged by an
+altercation, which ended in a fight, between a bicyclist and a
+policeman. I had sense enough left to pull up and slacken my pace to a
+fast walk. I went straight on. It did not matter to me where I went.
+If I had the pluck I should have killed myself long ago. It takes a
+lot of pluck to kill one's self. Five years had gone since Mary passed
+out of my life. Five years! It was six years ago that I, Richard
+Manning of the Bengal Cavalry, had cut for hearts, and turned up--the
+deuce! What right had I to blame her? Whose fault was it? I asked this
+question aloud to myself, and a wretch selling matches answered:
+
+"Most your hown, guv'nor: buy a box o' matches to warm yer bones with
+a smoke--honly a penny!"
+
+I looked up with a start. I was opposite the Naval and Military. Once
+I belonged there. The very thought made me mad again, and I cursed
+aloud in the bitterness of my heart.
+
+"Drunk as a fly," remarked the match-seller to the public at large,
+indicating me with a handful of matchboxes.
+
+Opposite Apsley House I was alone. All the big crowd on the pavement
+had died away, only the street seemed full of flashing lights.
+
+Surely some one called Dick? I stopped, but for a second only. I must
+be getting out of my mind, I thought, as I hurried on again. A few
+steps brought me to Hyde Park Corner. A few more brought me close to
+the foot of the Achilles, and, without knowing what I was doing, I
+sank into a seat. One must rest somewhere, and I was dead beat. The
+long shadow of the statue fell over me, clothing me in darkness. It
+fell beyond too, on to the walk, and the huge black silhouette
+stretched even unto the trees. A portion of my seat was in moonlight,
+and the muffled rumble of carriage wheels reached my ears from the
+road in front. It might have been fancy; but I saw a dark figure
+glide past the moonlit road into the shadow behind me. Some poor
+wretch--some pariah of the streets as lost as I. I wonder if any of
+the three-volume novelists ever felt the sensation of being absolutely
+stone broke. Nothing but these words "stone broke" can describe it. I
+am not going to try and paint a picture of my condition. I was stone
+broke, and Mary--the very air was full of Marys!
+
+Mechanically I opened the purse I still held in my hand, and looked at
+its contents. I don't know why I did this. I remember once shooting a
+stag, and when I came up to it, I found the poor beast in its mortal
+agony trying to nibble the heather--it was nibbling the heather. And
+here I was, wounded to death, looking at the contents of a Russian
+leather purse with idle curiosity. It was heavy with gold--her
+gold--Mary's. Damn her! she ruined my life. I flung the purse from me,
+and it made a black arc in the moonlight, ere it fell with a little
+clash beyond. I saw the gold as it rolled on the gravel walk in red
+splashes of light. Ruined my life? Did Mary do this? The old, old
+story--"the woman gave me and I did eat." Of course Mary ruined my
+life. Had I anything to do with the wreck of hers? If so, I had
+committed worse than murder--I had killed a soul. I put my hot head
+between my hands and tried to think it out; I would think it all out
+to-night, and give my verdict for or against myself. If against me,
+then I knew how to die at last. It would not be as at that other time,
+when my courage failed me. The bitterness of death was already past. I
+would go over what had been, balance each little grain, measure forth
+each atom, and the end would be--the end.
+
+It needed no effort. The past came up of itself before me. Five years
+of soldiering in Afghanistan, the heights of Cherasiab, the march to
+Candahar, a medal, a clasp, a mention in dispatches. This was good.
+Then came that staff appointment at Simla, and the downward path.
+Life was so easy, so pleasant. I was always gregarious, fond of my
+fellow-creatures, easy-going; and as each day passed I slipped down
+lower and lower. There were other deeps to come, of which I then knew
+not. A lot of conscience was rubbed out of me by that time. Mrs.
+Cantilivre must answer for that. There again: the blame on the woman!
+But when a society belle makes up her mind to form a man, she takes a
+lot of the nap off the fine feelings. I tried to pull up once or
+twice, but the effort was beyond me. I drifted back again. Things that
+were formerly looked upon by me as luxuries became necessaries; I
+developed a taste for gambling, and got into debt. Pace of this kind
+could not last long. There came a day when I got ill, and then came
+furlough. A long spell of leave, with a load of debt on my shoulders;
+but my creditors were, to do them justice, very patient. The voyage
+gave me plenty of opportunity to reflect, and the folly of the past
+came before me vividly. I would bury the past, have done with Myra
+Cantilivre, and start afresh. England again! Words cannot describe the
+feelings that stirred me when I saw the Eddystone, with the big waves
+lashing about it. Arriving on Sunday, I had to spend the afternoon in
+Plymouth, and saw Drake looking out over the sea. All the old fire was
+warming back in my heart. There was time to mend all yet: when I got
+back I meant to win the cherry ribbon and bronze star--no more
+flirtation under the deodars for me--I would soldier again.
+
+A few months later I met Mary, and in a month she had promised to be
+my wife. I can see her yet as she stood before me with downcast head,
+and the pink flush on her cheek. She lifted her eyes to mine, and the
+look in them was my answer. A few months afterwards we were married,
+and almost immediately sailed for India. I give my word that I meant
+all that a man should mean for his wife. But one cannot live in the
+world and look on things in the same light as an innocent woman. I had
+buried all the past, as I thought, forever. Myra Cantilivre was dead
+to me, but she had done her work. It was an effort to me always to
+live in the pure air of Mary's thoughts, and one day I said something
+on board the steamer that jarred on my wife. It was a comedown from
+cloudland, and was the first little rift within the lute. I pulled
+myself up, however, and smoothed it over. Then the scheme which I
+worked out took its birth in my mind. If there was to be any happiness
+in our future life, Mary must either come down to my level or I must
+go up to hers. I had tried and failed. There was nothing for it but to
+bring her down. This fine sensitiveness of hers necessitated my having
+to play the hypocrite forever. Then again I did not like to unveil
+myself. Every man likes to be a hero to his wife. I suppose she finds
+him out, however, sooner or later. Perhaps it would be better to let
+Mary find out gradually. It would in effect be carrying out my
+programme in the best possible way. Now, I had hitherto concealed from
+Mary the fact that I was in debt; but something happened at Simla,
+soon after we reached there, that necessitated her knowing this. There
+was another little difference. It was not, Mary said, the matter of
+the debt, but the fact of my concealing it, that hurt her. She brought
+up in minute detail little plans of mine, sketched without
+consideration of the bonds of my creditors, and put them in such a
+manner that it appeared as if I had told untruths to her regarding
+myself. The confession has to be made: they were practically untruths;
+but a man during his courtship, and the first weeks of his married
+life, has often to say things which would not bear scrutiny. My wife
+showed she had a retentive memory, and, for a girl, a very clear and
+incisive way of putting things. The storm passed over at last, and
+then Mary set herself to put my disordered affairs to rights. Debts
+had to be paid, and rigid economy was the order of the day; but coming
+back to Simla meant coming back to the old things. I tried to second
+Mary's efforts to the best of my ability; but I felt I couldn't last
+long. I met Mrs. Cantilivre one evening at Viceregal Lodge. She
+received me like an old friend, and begged to be introduced to Mary.
+She made only one reference to what had been:
+
+"And so, Dick, the past is all forgotten?"
+
+"It is good to forget, Mrs. Cantilivre; and I am now hedged in with
+all kinds of fortifications."
+
+I looked towards Mary, where she stood talking to Redvers of the
+Sikhs--I always hated Redvers, and never saw what women admired in
+him.
+
+Myra laughed at my speech--it was an odd little laugh, and I did not
+like it.
+
+"Who makes her dresses?" she asked. "And now give me your arm and take
+me to your wife."
+
+I should not have done it, I know I should not, but my hand was
+forced. If I had had the moral courage I should have got out of it
+somehow. It was just that want of moral courage that broke me. This is
+something like a verdict against myself, but it is worth while setting
+forth the whole indictment. I began to tire of Mary's rigid rules of
+honesty and strict economy. She tied me down too much. I should have
+been allowed a run now and again. The short of it was that I began to
+break out of bounds, and in a few months was leading my old life once
+again. There was this difference, however--that formerly I had nothing
+to fear, whereas now it was necessary to conceal things. I flattered
+myself that I was still her idol. I should have known she had long ago
+perceived that the idol was of the earth, earthy. I had occasionally
+to resort to falsehood, and was almost as invariably discovered. I had
+not a sufficiently good memory to be a complete liar. The shame of it
+was knowing I was discovered; but Mary never threw it up to my face.
+She set herself to her duty loyally, though day by day I could see the
+despair eating its way through her. I had taken to gambling again, and
+as usual had bad luck and lost heavily. This necessitated my having to
+borrow some more money, which I arranged to pay back by instalments;
+and then I had to tell my wife that, owing to an alteration in the
+scales of pay, my income was so much the less. I upbraided the rules
+of the service, and on this occasion Mary believed me. I resolved to
+gamble no more. About this time my wife got ill, and when she
+recovered there was a small Mary in the house. During her illness
+things were so upset that I was compelled to frequent my club more
+than ever. To add to the worry to which I was subjected, the child got
+ill, and really seemed very ill indeed. All this involved expenditure
+which I did not know how to meet, and in despair one evening I turned
+to the cards again. It was the only thing to do. It was absurd to lose
+all I had lost, for the want of a little pluck to pull it back again.
+
+One evening I had just cut into a table when a note was put into my
+hands. It was from my wife, asking me to come home at once, as the
+child seemed very ill. It was rather hard luck being dragged home; and
+I could do nothing. So I dropped a note back to Mary to say she had
+better send for the doctor, and that I would come as soon as possible.
+I meant to go immediately after one rubber. I won. It would have been
+a sin to have turned on my luck, and I played on until the small hours
+of the morning, and for once was fortunate. I rode back in high
+spirits. Near my gate some one galloped past me; I thought I
+recognised Brasingham's (the doctor's) nag, but wasn't quite sure. At
+any rate, if it was, Mary had taken my advice. I rode in softly and
+entered the house. A dim light was burning in the sitting-room; beyond
+it was the baby's room. I lifted the curtain and entered. As I came in
+my wife's ayah rose and salaamed, then stole softly out. I cannot tell
+why, but I felt I was in the presence of death. Mary was kneeling by
+the little bed, and in it lay our child, very quiet and still. I
+stepped up to my wife and put my hand on her shoulder. She looked up
+at me with a silent reproach in her eyes. "Wife," I said, "give me one
+chance more"; and without a word she came to me and lay sobbing on my
+heart.
+
+We went away after that for about a month; and I think that month was
+a more restful one than any we had spent since the first weeks of our
+marriage. By the end of it, however, I was weary of the new life. I
+must have been mad, but I longed to get again to the old excitements.
+I told Mary that when we came back she should go out as much as
+possible--that the distraction of society would be good for her. She
+agreed passively. We went out a great deal after that; and somehow my
+wife discovered the falsehood I had told her about the reduction in my
+income. She did not upbraid me, but she let me understand she knew,
+with a quiet contempt that stung me to the quick. From this moment she
+changed. Whilst formerly I had to urge her to mix in society, she now
+appeared to seek it with an eagerness that a little surprised me.
+Redvers was always with her. At any rate this made things more
+comfortable for me in one way, for I could more openly go my own path.
+
+I renewed my acquaintance with Mrs. Cantilivre. She always said the
+right thing, and she understood men--at any rate she understood me. If
+Mrs. Cantilivre had been my wife I would have been a success in life.
+Bit by bit all my old feelings for her awoke again, and then the crash
+came. It was the night of the Cavalry Ball. I asked Myra Cantilivre
+for a dance; but she preferred to sit it out. I cannot tell how it
+happened, but ten minutes after I was at her feet, telling her I loved
+her more than my life--talking like a madman and a fool.
+
+She bent down and kissed my forehead. "Poor boy!" she said; and as I
+looked up I saw Mary on Redvers' arm not six feet from us. I rose, and
+Myra Cantilivre leaned back in her chair and put up the big plumes of
+her fan to her face. Mary turned away without a word, and walked down
+the passage with her companion.
+
+I followed, but dared not speak to her. Old Cramley, the Deputy
+Quartermaster General, buttonholed me. He was a senior officer, and I
+submitted. Half an hour later, when I escaped, my wife was gone. I
+reached home at last. Mary was there, in a dark grey walking dress, a
+small bag in her hand. I met her in the hall, and she stepped aside as
+if my touch would pollute her.
+
+"Mary," I said, "I can explain all."
+
+"I want no explanation: let me pass, please."
+
+She went out into the night.
+
+In two days all Simla knew of it, and in six months I was a ruined
+man.
+
+
+There is no help for it--the verdict is against me; and yet for five
+years I have been through the fire, and I am strong now--there would
+be no blacksliding if another chance were given to me. Regrets! There
+is no use regretting--ten times would I give my life to live over the
+past again. "Mary, my dear, I have killed you: may God forgive me!"
+
+Some one stepped out of the shadow into the moonlight as I raised my
+head with the bitter cry on my lips.
+
+"Dick!"
+
+"Mary!"
+
+And we had met once more.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE MADNESS OF SHERE
+                               BAHADUR
+
+
+The mahout's small son, engaged with an equally small friend in the
+pleasant occupation of stringing into garlands the thick yellow and
+white champac blossoms that strewed the ground under the broad-leaved
+tree near the lentena hedge, was startled by an angry trumpet, and
+looked in the direction of Shere Bahadur.
+
+"He is _must_," said one to the other, in an awe-struck whisper, and
+then, a sudden terror seizing them, they bounded silently and swiftly
+like little brown apes into a gap in the hedge and vanished.
+
+There were ten thousand evil desires hissing in Shere Bahadur's heart
+as he swayed to and fro under the huge peepul tree to which he was
+chained. Indignity upon indignity had been heaped upon him. It was a
+mere accident that Aladin, the mahout who had attended him for twenty
+years, was dead. How on earth was Shere Bahadur to know that his skull
+was so thin? He had merely tapped it with his trunk in a moment of
+petulance, and the head of Aladin had crackled in like the shell of an
+egg. Shere Bahadur was reduced to the ranks. For weeks he had to carry
+the fodder supply of the Maharaj's stables, like an ordinary beast of
+burden and a low-caste slave; a fool to boot had been put to attend on
+him. It was not to be borne. Shere Bahadur clanked his chains angrily,
+and ever and anon flung wisps of straw, twigs, and dust on his broad
+back and mottled forehead. He, a Kemeriah of Kemeriahs, to be treated
+thus! He was no longer the stately beast that bore the yellow and
+silver howdah of the Maharaj Adhiraj in solemn procession, who put
+aside with a gentle sweep of his trunk the children who crowded the
+narrow streets of Kalesar. No, it was different now. He was a felon
+and an outcast, bound like a thief. Something had given way in his
+brain, and Shere Bahadur was mad. The flies hovered on the sore part
+over his left ear, where the long peak of the driving-iron had
+burrowed in, and, with a trumpet of rage, the elephant blew a cloud of
+dust into the air and strained himself backwards.
+
+_Click_! _click!_ The cast-iron links of the big chain that bound
+him snapped, and Shere Bahadur was free. He cautiously moved his
+pillar-like legs backwards and forwards to satisfy himself of the
+fact, and then, with the broad fans of his ears spread out, stood for
+a moment still as a stone. High up amongst the leaves the green
+pigeons whistled softly to each other, and a grey squirrel was engaged
+in hot dispute with a blue jay over treasure-trove, found in a hollow
+of one of the long branches that, python-like, twined and twisted
+overhead. Far away, rose tier upon tier of purple hills, and beyond
+them a white line of snow-capped peaks stood out against the sapphire
+of the sky. Hathni Khund was there, the deep pool of the Jumna, where
+thirty years before Shere Bahadur had splashed and swam. It was
+there that he fought and defeated the hoary tusker of the herd, the
+one-tusked giant who had bullied and tyrannized over his tribe for
+time beyond Shere Bahadur's memory.
+
+Perhaps a thought of that big fight stirred him, perhaps the breeze
+brought him the sweet scent of the young grass in the glens. At any
+rate, with a quick, impatient flap of his ears, Shere Bahadur turned
+and faced the hills. As he did so his twinkling red eyes caught sight
+of the Kalesar state troops on their parade ground, barely a quarter
+of a mile from where he stood. The fat little Maharaj was there,
+standing near the saluting point. Close to him was the Vizier, with
+the court, and, last but not least, a knowing little fox-terrier dug
+up the earth with his forepaws, scattering it about regardless of the
+august presence.
+
+The Maharaj was proud of his troops. He had raised them himself in an
+outburst of loyalty, the day after a birthday gazette in which His
+Highness Sri Ranabir Pertab Sing, Maharaj Adhiraj of Kalesar, had been
+admitted a companion of an exalted order. The Star of India glittered
+on the podgy little prince. He was dreaming of a glorious day when he,
+he himself, would lead the victorious levy through the Khyber, first
+in the field against the Russ, when a murmur that swelled to a cry of
+fear rose from the ranks, and the troops melted away before their
+king. Rifles and accoutrements were flung aside; there was a wild
+stampede, and the gorgeously attired colonel, putting spurs to his
+horse, mingled with the dust and was lost to view. The Maharaj stormed
+in his native tongue, and then burst into English oaths. He had a very
+pretty vocabulary, for had he not been brought up under the tender
+care of the Sirkar? He turned in his fury towards the Vizier, but was
+only in time to see the snowy robes of that high functionary
+disappearing into a culvert, and the confused mob of his court running
+helter-skelter across the sward. But yet another object caught the
+prince's eye, and chilled him with horror. It was the vast bulk of
+Shere Bahadur moving rapidly and noiselessly towards him. Sri Ranabir
+was a Rajpoot of the bluest blood, and his heart was big: but this
+awful sight, this swift, silent advance of hideous death, paralyzed
+him with fear. Already the long shadow of the elephant had moved near
+his feet, already he seemed impaled on those cruel white tusks, when
+there was a snapping bark, and the fox-terrier flew at Shere Bahadur
+and danced round him in a tempest of rage. The elephant turned, and
+made a savage dash at the dog, who skipped nimbly between his legs and
+renewed the assault in the rear. But this moment of reprieve roused
+His Highness. The prince became a man, and the Maharaj turned and
+fled, darting like a star across the soft green. Shere Bahadur saw the
+flash of the jewelled aigrette, the sheen of the order, and, giving up
+the dog, curled his trunk and started in pursuit. It was a desperate
+race. The Maharaj was out of training, but the time he made was
+wonderful, and the diamond buckles on his shoes formed a streak of
+light as he fled. But, fast as he ran, the race would have ended in a
+few seconds if it were not for Bully, the little white fox-terrier.
+Bully thoroughly grasped the situation, and acted accordingly. He ran
+round the elephant, now skipping between his legs, the next moment
+snapping at him behind--and Bully had a remarkably fine set of teeth.
+The Maharaj sighted a small hut, the door of which stood invitingly
+open. It was a poor hut made of grass and sticks, but it seemed a
+royal palace to him.
+
+"Holy Gunputty!" he gasped. "If I could----"
+
+But it was no time to waste words. Already the snakelike trunk of his
+enemy was stretched out to fold round him, when with a desperate spurt
+he reached the door, and dashed in. But Shere Bahadur was not to be
+denied. He stood for a moment, and then, putting forward his forefoot,
+staved in the side of the frail shelter and brought down the house.
+Sri Ranabir hopped out like a rat, and it was well for him that in the
+cloud of dust and thatch flying about he was unobserved, for Shere
+Bahadur, now careless of Bully's assaults and certain of his man, was
+diligently searching the _débris_. But he found nothing save a brass
+vessel, which he savagely flung at the dog. Then he carefully stamped
+on the hut, and reduced everything to chaos. In the meantime Sri
+Ranabir, unconscious that the pursuit had ceased, ran on as if he was
+wound up like a clock, ran until his foot slipped, and the Maharaj
+Adhiraj rolled into the soft bed of a nullah, and lay there with his
+eyes closed, utterly beaten, and careless whether the death he had
+striven so hard to avoid came or not. Then there was a buzzing in his
+ears and everything became a blank.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+"Blessed be the prophet! He liveth." And the Vizier helped his fallen
+master to rise, aided by the Heir Apparent, in whose heart, however,
+there were thoughts far different from those which found expression on
+the lips of the Nawab Juggun Jung, prime minister of Kalesar. The
+sympathetic, if somewhat excited, court crowded round their king, and
+a little in the distance was the whole population of Kalesar, armed
+with every conceivable weapon, and keeping up their courage by beating
+on tom-toms, blowing horns, and shouting until the confusion of sound
+was indescribable.
+
+"Come back to the palace, my lord. They will drive the evil one out of
+him." And the Vizier waved his hand in the direction of the crowd, and
+pointed to where in the distance Shere Bahadur was making slowly and
+steadily for the hills. But the Maharaj Adhiraj would do no such
+thing. "Ryful lao!" he roared in his vernacular; "Gimme my gun!" he
+shrieked in English. There was no refusing; a double-barrelled gun was
+thrust in his hands, he scrambled on the back of the first horse he
+saw, and, followed by his cheering subjects and the whole court,
+dashed after the elephant.
+
+"Mirror of the Universe, destroy him not," advised the Vizier who rode
+at the prince's bridle-hand. "The beast is worth eight thousand
+rupees, and cannot be replaced. The treasury is almost empty, and we
+will want him when the Lat Saheb comes." The Maharaj was prudent if he
+was brave, and the empty treasury was a strong argument. Besides, they
+were getting rather close to Shere Bahadur and outpacing the faithful
+people. But he gave in slowly. "What is to be done?" he asked, taking
+a pull at the reins.
+
+"The people will drive him back," replied the Vizier, "and we will
+chain him up securely. He is but _must_, and in a month or so all will
+pass away."
+
+Shere Bahadur had now reached an open plain, where he stopped, and
+turning round, faced his pursuers.
+
+"Go on, brave men!" shouted the Vizier. "A thousand rupees to him who
+links the first chain on that Shaitan. Drive him back! Drive him
+back!"
+
+There is the courage of numbers, and this the people of India possess.
+They gradually formed a semi-circle round Shere Bahadur, cutting off
+his retreat to the hills, and attempted by shouts and the beating of
+tom-toms to drive him forwards. But they kept at a safe distance, and
+the elephant remained unmoved.
+
+"Prick him forwards," roared the Vizier. "Are none of ye men?
+Behold! the Light of the Universe watches your deeds! A _must_
+elephant--_pah!_ What is it but an animal?"
+
+"By your lordship's favour," answered a voice, "he is not _must_, only
+angry--there is no stream from his eye. Nevertheless, I will drive him
+to the lines, for I am but dust of the earth, and a thousand rupees
+will make me a king." Then a red-turbaned man stepped out of the
+throng. It was the low-caste cooly who had been put to attend to the
+elephant on Aladin's death. He was armed with a short spear, and he
+crept up to the beast on his hands and knees, and then, rising, dug
+the weapon into the elephant's haunch. Shere Bahadur rapped his trunk
+on the ground, gave a short quick trumpet, and, swinging round, made
+for the man. He did this in a slow, deliberate manner, and actually
+allowed him to gain the crowd. Then he flung up his head with a
+screech and dashed forward.
+
+_Crack_! _crack!_ went both barrels of Sri Ranabir's gun, and two
+bullets whistled harmlessly through the air. The panic-striken mob
+turned and fled, bearing the struggling prince in the press. The
+elephant was, however, too quick, and, to his horror, Sri Ranabir saw
+that he had charged home. Then Sri Ranabir also saw something that he
+never forgot. Not a soul did the elephant harm, but with a dogged
+persistence followed the red turban. Some bolder than the rest struck
+at him with their tulwars, some tried to stab him with their spears,
+and one or two matchlocks were fired at him, but to no purpose.
+Through the crowd he steered straight for his prey, and the crowd
+itself gave back before him in a sea of frightened faces. At last the
+man himself seemed to realize Shere Bahadur's object, and it dawned
+like an inspiration on the rest. They made a road for the elephant,
+and he separated his quarry from the crowd. At last! He ran him down
+on a ploughed field and stood over the wretch. The man lay partly on
+his side, looking up at his enemy, and he put up his hand weakly and
+rested it against the foreleg of the elephant, who stood motionless
+above him. So still was he that a wild thought of escape must have
+gone through the wretch's mind, and with the resource born of imminent
+peril he gathered himself together inch by inch, and made a rush for
+freedom. With an easy sweep of his trunk Shere Bahadur brought him
+back into his former position, and then--the devil came out, and a
+groan went up from the crowd, for Shere Bahadur had dropped on his
+knees, and a moment after rose and kicked something, a mangled,
+shapeless something, backwards and forwards between his feet.
+
+"Let him be," said the Vizier, laying a restraining hand on Sri
+Ranabir. "What has he killed but refuse? The Shaitan will go out of
+him now."
+
+When he had done the deed Shere Bahadur moved a few yards further and
+began to cast clods of earth over himself. Then it was seen that a
+small figure, with a driving-hook in its little brown hand, was making
+directly for the elephant.
+
+"Come back, you little fool!" shouted Sri Ranabir. But the boy made no
+answer, and running lightly forward, stood before Shere Bahadur. He
+placed the tinsel-covered cap he wore at the beast's feet, and held up
+his hands in supplication. The crowd stood breathless; they could hear
+nothing, but the child was evidently speaking. They saw Shere Bahadur
+glare viciously at the boy as his trunk drooped forward in a straight
+line. The lad again spoke, and the elephant snorted doubtfully. Then
+there was no mistaking the shrill treble "Lift!" Shere Bahadur held
+out his trunk in an unwilling manner. The boy seized hold of it as
+high as he could reach, placed his bare feet on the curl, and murmured
+something. A moment after he was seated on the elephant's neck, and
+lifting the driving-iron, waved it in the air.
+
+"Hai!" he screamed as he drove it on to the right spot, the sore part
+over the left ear. "Hai! Base-born thief, back to your lines!"
+
+And the huge bulk of Shere Bahadur turned slowly round and shambled
+off to the peepul tree like a lamb.
+
+"By the trunk of Gunputty! I will make that lad a havildar, and the
+thousand rupees shall be his," swore the Maharaj.
+
+"Pillar of the earth!" advised the Vizier, "let this unworthy one
+speak. It is Futteh Din, the dead Aladin's son. Give him five rupees,
+and _let him be mahout_."
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+When I last saw Shere Bahadur he was passing solemnly under the old
+archway of the "Gate of the Hundred Winds" at Kalesar. The Maharaj
+Adhiraj was seated in the howdah, with his excellency the Nawab Juggun
+Jung by his side. On the driving-seat was Futteh Din, gorgeous in
+cloth of gold, and they were on their way to the funeral-pyre of the
+Heir Apparent, who had died suddenly from a surfeit of cream.
+
+As they passed under the archway a sweetmeat-seller rose and bowed to
+the prince, and Shere Bahadur, stretching out his trunk, helped
+himself to a pound or so of Turkish Delight.
+
+"Such," said the sweetmeat-seller to himself ruefully, as he gazed
+after the retreating procession, "such are the ways of kings."
+
+
+
+
+
+                             REGINE'S APE
+
+
+It is a May morning in the north of India--such a morning as comes
+when the hot wind has been blowing for three weeks, and has shrivelled
+everything before it, like tea-leaves under the fan of a drying
+engine. The Grand Trunk Road, a long line of grey dotted in with
+dust-covered _kikur_ trees, stretches for three hundred miles to the
+frontier, and to the right and left of it, beginning at the village of
+the Well of Lehna Singh, which lies but a quoit-cast from the
+roadside, spreads a plain, dry, arid, and parched--agape with
+thirst--the seams running along its brown surface like open lips
+panting for rain, the cool rain which will not come yet, although, at
+times, the distant rumble of thunder is heard, and dark clouds pile up
+in the horizon, only to melt away into nothing. The tall _sirpat_
+grass has been cut, and its pruned stalks, stiff as the bristles on a
+hair-brush, extend in regular patches of yellow, spiky scrub, with
+bands of mottled brown and grey earth between them. Here and again it
+would seem there are scattered pools, for the eyes, running over the
+landscape, shrink back from a sudden flash, as of water reflecting the
+fierce light of the sun. It is not so, however, for, except what the
+groaning Persian wheels drag up from the deep wells, there is never a
+drop of water for man, for beast, or for field. Those gleaming
+stretches from which the pained eyes turn are nothing more than the
+bare earth, covered with a saline efflorescence, soft and silver
+white, as if it were dry and powdered foam. It is yet early, and the
+light is not so dazzling as to prevent the eye resting on the
+patchwork of the plain, studded here and there with clumps of trees,
+that mark a well and the hamlet that has grown up around it. To found
+a village here it is only necessary to dig a well, and behold! mud
+huts spring up like fungi, and a hamlet has come into being. Right
+across the plain is a dark line of _kikur_ and _seesum_ trees. That is
+where the dry bed of the Deg torrents lies. Only let it rain, and the
+Deg will come down, an angry yellow flood, alive with catfish, and
+bubble its way to the wide but not less yellow bosom of the Ravi.
+Beyond the dry bed of the torrent, and towards the east, are a number
+of sand dunes covered with the soda plant, and looking like anthills
+in the distance. In the east itself the sun looms through a red haze,
+and against this ruddy, semi-opaque mist, a dust-devil rises in a
+spiral column, and opening out at the top, like an expanding smoke
+wreath, spreads sullenly against the sky line. On a morning such as
+this, two men are beating for a boar in a large patch of _sirpat_
+grass. One man is at each end of the grass field, and between them are
+twenty or thirty _Sansis_, a criminal tribe, who make excellent
+beaters whatever their other faults may be. With the man to the right
+of the field we have little concern. It is with the man to the left
+that this story deals. As he sits his fretting Arab, and the sunlight
+falls on his features, it would need but a glance to tell he was a
+soldier. The careful observer might, however, discover in that glance
+that there was something wrong about the good-looking face. The eyes
+were too close together, the bow of the mouth both weak and cruel,
+although the chin below it was firm enough. If the grey helmet he wore
+were removed, it would have been seen that the head was small and
+somewhat conical in shape, the head of a Carib rather than that of an
+European. As he slowly advanced his horse along the edge of the field,
+keeping in line with the beaters, it was evident that he was in a high
+state of excitement, and the shaft of his spear was shivering in his
+hand.
+
+_Whirr_! _whirr!_ A couple of black partridge rise from the grass and
+sail away till they look like cockchafers in the distance. Then there
+is a scramble, a hare dashes out, and scurries madly across the plain,
+his long ears laid flat on his back, and his big eyes almost starting
+out of his head with fright. The beaters yell at this, and the Arab
+plunges forward; but the rider, who is growing pale with excitement,
+holds him in, and he dances along sideways in a white sweat--both
+horse and man all nerves. Two mangy jackals slink out of the grass,
+give a sly look around, and then lope along in the direction taken by
+the hare. It will be bad for puss if they come across him. As yet not
+a sign of the boar, and the Arab is almost pulling Sangster's arms
+off. He looks across at his friend, and sees him well to the right, on
+his solemn-looking black, and he catches sight of a pale blue curl of
+smoke from Wilkinson's pipe.
+
+"By George!" he muttered, "only think of smoking now! Steady----" He
+might as well have tried to stop an engine. There is a chorus of
+yells, shrieks, and howls from the beaters, a sudden waving of
+crackling grass, the plunge of a heavy body, and in a hand-turn an old
+boar breaks cover, and, with one savage look about him, heads at a
+tremendous pace for the Deg. The Arab has seen it, and lets himself
+out like a buck, and then all is forgotten except the fierce
+excitement of the chase. Sangster can hear the drumming of the black's
+hoofs behind him, and fast as he goes Wilkinson draws alongside, his
+teeth still clenched over the stem of his pipe. The boar is well to
+the front, a brown spot bobbing up and down, racing for his life, as
+he means to fight for it when the time comes. He is not afraid, his
+little red eyes are aflame with wrath, and as he goes he grinds his
+tusks till the yellow foam flies off them on to his brindled sides. He
+is not in the least afraid, and he fully intends, at the proper time,
+to adjust matters with one or both his pursuers. It is his way to run
+first and fight afterwards--that is, providing the enemy can run him
+to a standstill. If not--well, the fight must be deferred to another
+day, and in the meantime it is capital going, except over that
+ravine-scarred portion of the plain called the "Gridiron," where, at
+any rate, the advantage will lie with him.
+
+Side by side the two men race. Wilkinson knows perfectly well that
+when the time comes he can draw away from the Arab, which, with all
+its speed and pluck, is no match for a fifteen-hand Waler. He is
+calculating on gaining "first spear" with a sudden rush; but has
+missed out of this calculation the consequences of an accident. In the
+middle of the "Gridiron," the Waler makes a false step between two
+grass-crowned hummocks, and Sangster is left alone, with the boar,
+whilst Wilkinson, with a sore heart, crawls out of a water-cut, and,
+after many an ineffectual effort, succeeds in catching his horse and
+following the chase, now almost out of sight.
+
+In the meantime the boar has all but reached the Deg, and safety lies
+there. Could he only gain one of the hundred ravines that cobweb the
+plain, a quarter mile or so from the dry bed of the torrent, he would
+yet live to run, and maybe fight, on another day. He strains every
+nerve to effect this object, and Sangster, seeing this, calls on his
+horse, and the Arab, answering gallantly, brings him almost up to the
+boar with a rush. Sangster can see the foam on the boar's jowl, necked
+with bright spots of red; blood-marks from the hunted animal's lips,
+wounded by the sharp tushes as he ground them together in his wrath;
+already has he reached out his arm to deliver the spear, when, quick
+as lightning, the boar jinks to the right, and, dashing down a deep
+and narrow ravine, is lost to view. Sangster saw the bristles on his
+back as the beast vanished, and the speed of his horse bore him almost
+to the edge of the steep bank of the Deg before he could stop and turn
+him. When Sangster came back to the point where he had lost the boar
+he realized that it was useless to make any attempt to find the
+animal. In a hasty look round he had given when Wilkinson came to
+grief he had seen that the accident to his friend was not serious, and
+he now resolved to cross the Deg by an old bridge known as "Shah
+Doula's Pool," and make his way back to the beaters along the "soft"
+that bordered the metalling of the Grand Trunk Road. It would be shady
+there, and he was parched with thirst, and very much out of temper.
+Failure in anything made this nervous man extraordinarily irritable,
+and he was in a mood to pick a quarrel on the slightest provocation.
+
+Sangster reached the bridge in this frame of mind, and as he crossed
+it came upon a curious scene. Under the shade of a peepul, whose
+heart-shaped leaves sheltered him from the sun, sat a devotee staring
+fixedly into space with his lustreless eyes. Beyond a cloth around his
+waist he had no clothing, his body was smeared with ashes, and on his
+ash-covered forehead was drawn a trident in red ochre. His hair, which
+was of great length, and had been bleached by exposure from black to a
+russet brown, fell over his thin shoulders in a long matted mane.
+Sitting there, he was, up to this point, like any one of the hundred
+wandering mendicants a man might meet in a week's march in India; but
+here the resemblance ceased, for this man was of those who, in the
+fulfilment of a vow, was prepared to inflict upon himself and to
+endure any torture. He sat cross-legged, and what at first Sangster
+thought was the dry and blasted bough of a stunted _kikur_ tree behind
+the man he saw, at a second glance, was nothing less than the
+devotee's arm, which he had held out at a right angle to his body,
+until it had stiffened immovably in that position, and had shrunk
+until it seemed that the cracked skin alone covered the bone. How long
+the arm had been held to reach this condition no one can say. But it
+was long enough for the nails to have grown through the palm of the
+clenched hand, over which they curled and drooped like tendrils. The
+ascetic's gourd lay before him, into which some pious passer-by had
+dropped a handful of parched rice, and behind him gambolled a grey
+monkey, an entellus or _lungoor_, who gibbered and mowed at Sangster
+as he rode up, but made no attempt to retreat--evidently he was tame,
+and used to people.
+
+Although Sangster had nearly seven years of service, he knew nothing
+about the East; his knowledge of its peoples and their characters
+expressed itself in two words, brief and strong. He knew nothing and
+cared less for the complex laws, the mystic philosophy, the immemorial
+civilization of the great empire which he, in his small way, was
+helping to hold for England. He fortunately represented only a small
+class of the servants of the Queen, that class who hold the native to
+be a brute, a little, if at all, better than the grey ape who leered
+over the devotee's shoulder at the Arab and his rider. Sangster,
+however, knew something of the language, and some devil prompted him
+to rein in, and imperiously ask the sitting figure if the boar had
+gone that way. He might as well have asked the ape, for that figure,
+seated there in the dust, with its rigid arm stretched out, and dull
+look staring into vacancy, would have been oblivious if a hundred
+boars had passed before it, and was so lost in abstraction that it was
+even unconscious of the presence of the fiery champing horse and
+equally impatient man, who were right in front of its unwinking eyes.
+Of course there was no answer, and Sangster angrily repeated the
+question, lowering the point of his spear as he did so, and slightly
+pricking the man below him. What came into the little brain of the ape
+it is hard to say; but it was an instinct that told him his master was
+in danger, and with a dog-like fidelity he resolved to defend him.
+Springing forward the beast grasped the shaft of the lance, and, with
+chattering teeth, pushed it violently on one side. All the little
+temper Sangster had left went to shreds; with an oath he drew back his
+arm, the spear-head flashed, and the next moment passed clean through
+the shrieking animal, and was out again, no longer bright but dripping
+red. With a pitiful moan the poor brute almost flung itself into the
+devotee's lap, and died there, its arms clasped around the lean waist
+of its master. All this happened so suddenly, so quickly, that
+Sangster had barely time to think of what he had done; but, as he
+raised his red spear, a horror came on him, so human was the cry of
+the dying ape, so like a child did it lie in its death-agony. He would
+have turned away and ridden off, but a power he could not control kept
+him there, and for a space there was a silence, broken only by the
+drip from the spear-head, and the soft whistle of a _huryal_ or green
+pigeon from the shade of the leaves overhead.
+
+The ascetic gently put aside the dead ape, and rose, a grey phantom,
+to his feet. So large was his head, so small his body, and so long the
+withered bird-like legs that supported him, that he appeared to be
+some uncanny creature of another world. He was overcome with a
+terrible excitement, his breast heaved, his lips moved with a hissing
+sound, and he unconsciously tried to shake his rigid right arm at the
+destroyer. Then his voice came, shrill and fierce, with a note of
+unending pain in it, and he dropped out slowly, and with a deadly hate
+in each word: "_Cursed be the hand that wrought this deed! Cursed be
+thou above thy fellows! May Durga dog thee through life, and let thy
+life itself end in blood! Now go_!"
+
+Without a word Sangster turned to the left, and galloped along the
+banks of the Deg. At any other time he could have found it in his
+heart to laugh at the curse of the mad ascetic, for so he thought the
+man to be; but the limp body of the dead ape was before him, and its
+pitiful cry was ringing in his ears. As he rode on he caught a glimpse
+of his dull spear-point. It was only the blood of an animal after all;
+but he flung the lance away with a jerk of his arm, and it fell softly
+into the broad-leaved _dakh_ shrubs and lay there, long and yellow in
+the sunlight. He pressed on madly; the white line of the Grand Trunk
+Road was now close, and he could make out a gigantic figure on a
+gigantic horse. It was Wilkinson; but how huge he looked! Sangster's
+head seemed bursting, and there was a drumming in his ears. Somehow he
+managed to keep his seat, and at last heard Wilkinson's cool voice.
+
+"Got the pig, old man? Good God!----" For Sangster, with a flushed red
+face, slid from his saddle, and lay senseless in the white burning
+dust.
+
+In a moment Wilkinson had sprung to earth and was bending over his
+friend.
+
+"Sunstroke, by Jove! Must get him back at once."
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+One does not recover from sunstroke in a little, and in most cases it
+leaves a permanent mark behind it. Sangster was no exception to the
+rule. For weeks he lay between life and death. There were times when
+he tottered on the brink of that dark precipice, down which we must
+all go sooner or later; but he rallied at last. Finally he was well
+enough to travel, and the sick man came home. He had never mentioned
+to a soul what he had done at Shah Doula's Pool. If he had spoken of
+it during his illness, it was doubtless set down to the ravings of
+delirium. When at length he recovered his senses, he could only recall
+what had happened to him in a vague manner. But he was no longer his
+own cheery, somewhat noisy self. He was listless, moody, and
+apathetic. Over his mind there seemed to brood a shadow that would
+take to itself neither form nor substance, and against which he could
+not battle. The doctors said the long sea-voyage home would set him
+right in this respect. They were wrong, and day after day the man lay
+stretched on his cane deck-chair, or paced up and down in sullen
+silence, exchanging no word with his fellow-passengers. At last they
+reached Plymouth, and although it was seven years since he had left
+England, he never even glanced out of the windows as the train bore
+him to his Berkshire home. He arrived at last and was made much over.
+Kind hands tended him, and loving hearts were there to anticipate his
+slightest whim. It was impossible to resist this, and in a little time
+the clouds seemed to roll away from his mind, and he was once more gay
+and bright. One warm sunny day, as he was lying in a hammock under the
+shade of a sycamore, hardly conscious that he was awake, and yet
+knowing he was not asleep, his mind seemed to slip back of its own
+accord into the past. In an instant the soft turf, the mellow green
+trees, the restful English landscape faded away. A wind that was as
+hot as a furnace blast beat upon him. All around was a dreary waste,
+and above, the sky was a cloudless, burning blue. He was once again
+holding in his fiery Arab, and listening to the curse hissing out from
+the lips of the devotee. He almost heard the blood dropping from his
+spear on to the grey dust below his horse's hoofs, and from the
+heart-shaped _peepul_ leaves--it was no longer a sycamore he was
+beneath--the whistle of the green pigeon came to him soft and low. A
+strange terror seized him. He sprang out of the hammock. He had not
+been asleep. It was broad daylight, and yet he could have sworn that
+for the moment time had rolled backwards, and that he was eight
+thousand miles away from the square, red brick parsonage, in the
+firwoods of Berkshire. And then he began to understand.
+
+He went into the house his old brooding self, and in a week, finding
+life there insupportable, ran up to town. Here he took chambers close
+to his club, and plunged into dissipation. He was not naturally a man
+given that way, and he did not take to it kindly. But he held his
+course and broke the remains of his health, and wasted his substance
+in a vain effort to shake off the weight from his soul. But it was
+useless, and now a weariness of life fell upon him, and something
+seemed to be ever whispered in his ear to end all. The temptation came
+upon him one evening with an almost irresistible force. He was to dine
+out that evening, and had just finished dressing when his eye fell on
+a small plated Derringer that lay on the table before him. He took it
+up and held it in his hand. But a little touch on the trigger, and
+there would be an end of all things. It was so easy. Only a little
+touch! He placed the round muzzle to his temple, and stood thus for a
+second. He could hear the ticking of his watch, he could feel the
+pulse in his temple throbbing against the cold steel of the pistol, he
+could feel his very heart beating. His whole past rose up before him.
+He closed his eyes, set his teeth, his finger was on the trigger, when
+he heard a low laugh, a mocking laugh of triumph, that, soft as it
+was, seemed to vibrate through the room. Sangster's hand dropped to
+his side, and he looked round with a scared face. At the time this
+occurred he was standing at his dressing-table, and the only light was
+that from two candles, one on each side of the glass. The bedroom was
+separated from the sitting-room by a folding door, overhung by a heavy
+crimson curtain, and this part of the room was in semidarkness. As
+Sangster turned his white face to the curtain he saw nothing, although
+the laugh was still ringing in his ears; but, as he looked, a pale
+blue mist rose before the curtain; a mist that seemed instinct with
+light, and in it floated the body of the devotee, the rigid arm
+extended towards him and a smile of infernal malice on the withered
+lips. For a moment Sangster stood as if spell-bound--a cold sweat on
+his forehead. Then, for he was no coward, he nerved himself, and
+advanced towards the vision. As he stepped up, mist and figure faded
+into nothing, and he was alone. But he could bear to be so no longer,
+and thrusting the pistol into the breast pocket of his coat, hurried
+outside. Once in the street, he hailed a hansom and was driven to his
+destination.
+
+During his stay in town he had sought every class of society, and
+chance had thrown him in the way of Madame Régine. Who she was is not
+material to this story, but she was the one person he had met who
+could for the moment make Sangster forget his gloom.
+
+In her way, too, Régine was attracted by this man, so grave and
+silent, yet who was able to speak of things and scenes she had never
+heard of, and who looked so different from the other men she came
+across in her literary and artistic circle.
+
+Of late, with a perversity which cannot be accounted for, he had
+avoided seeing her, and she was more than glad he was coming that
+night; and as for him, he almost had it in his heart to thank God he
+was to see Régine that evening.
+
+Madame knew how to select her guests. There were but half a dozen
+people, and it was very gay. At first Sangster could not shake off his
+depression, but as the wine went round and the wit sparkled he pulled
+himself together, and in a half-hour had forgotten what had happened
+before he came to the house. They were late that evening; but the time
+came to go at last. Sangster, however, lingered--the latest of all to
+say good-bye.
+
+As he went up to her she put aside his hand with a smile.
+
+"I have not seen you for ages. You might stay for another ten minutes
+and talk to me."
+
+"I shall be delighted."
+
+"That is nice of you--and I will show you a present I have had from
+India. You can smoke if you like."
+
+"I suppose it is little things like this that you do that make you so
+charming a hostess."
+
+"Thank you," she laughed, a pink flush in her cheeks, "and now wait a
+moment and I will give you a surprise."
+
+And Sangster heard the same sneering laugh that he had heard in his
+rooms. It came from nowhere; but it chilled him to ice, and the answer
+in his lips died to nothing. He alone heard it, loud as it was, for
+Madame looked for a moment at him as she spoke and then there was a
+swish of trailing garments, and she was gone. A little time passed,
+and Sangster thought he would smoke. In an absent manner he put his
+hand in his breast pocket and pulled out--not his cigarette case, but
+the pistol. He smiled grimly to himself as he held it in his hand.
+
+"Might as well do it here as anywhere else," he muttered.
+
+On the instant he felt two soft furry arms round his neck, and
+something sprang lightly to his shoulders. He gave a quick cry and
+looked up to meet the grinning face of an entellus monkey leering into
+his eyes.
+
+"My God!" he gasped, and the sharp report of the Derringer cut into
+Régine's peal of laughter, and changed its note to a scream of horror.
+When the police came she was bending over the body of the madman,
+laughing in shrill hysterics, and the ape gibbered at them from his
+seat on the high back of a chair.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         A SHADOW OF THE PAST
+
+
+The sunbirds, hovering and twittering over the _neem_ trees, signalled
+to me the approach of the coming hot weather. The sky was a steel
+grey, and over the horizon of the wide plain before my bungalow, on
+which the short grass was already dry and crisp, hung a curtain of
+pale brown dust. Here and there on the expanse of faded green were
+small herds of lean kine, and, almost on the edge of the road
+bordering the plain, a line of water-buffaloes sluggishly headed for a
+shallow pool about a mile or so westward, where they would wallow till
+the sun went down, and then be driven home with unwilling steps to
+their byres. The herd bull came last of all, and on his back sat a
+little naked boy, a pellet bow in his hand, and a cotton bag full of
+mud pellets slung over his shoulder. He was singing in a high-pitched
+tuneless voice, and his song seemed to enrage the "brain-fever" bird
+in the mango tree, where he had hidden silent since the dawn. The bird
+objected in a shrill crescendo of ringing notes that brought the
+pellet bow into play, and then there was a whistle of grey-brown wings
+as he flew to a safer spot, and a silence broken only by the
+monotonous _tink_, _tink_, _tink_ of the little green barbet or
+coppersmith. There were times, when fever held me in its grip, that
+the maddening iteration of its cry was almost unbearable, and to this
+day I nurse a hatred to that little green-coated and red-throated
+plague--of a truth "the coppersmith hath done me much evil." I stood
+in my veranda watching the retreating figure of the Judge, as he drove
+away full of a project of spending a month in Burma--an enterprise he
+had been vainly tempting me to share; but I had other fish to fry: my
+way was westwards, not eastwards, and besides I had slaved for six
+long years in Burma, and knew it far too well. One glance at the Judge
+as he turned the elbow of the road, and was lost to view behind the
+siris trees, one look at the thirsty plain, and the shivering heat
+haze, through which glinted, now and again, the distant spear-heads of
+a squadron of Bengal Lancers trotting slowly back to their barracks,
+and I turned in to my study. I had determined to devote the day to the
+destruction of old papers, and set about my task in earnest. There was
+one drawer in particular that had not been touched for three years. I
+had forgotten what it contained, and opened it slowly, thinking it was
+possibly an Augean Stable; but nothing met my eyes except a small
+packet of papers. Yet with that one look came back to me the memory of
+a life's tragedy. The papers should have been destroyed long ago, and
+now--I hesitated no longer, but tore them up into the smallest
+fragments, glad to be rid, as I thought, of the miserable record of a
+man's folly, of his crime, and of his shame.
+
+But an awakened memory is not easily set at rest, and, in the
+stillness of that Indian day, the whole thing returned with an
+insistent force, dead voices spoke to me once more, and bitter regrets
+hummed of the past, the past that can never be retrodden--and then
+there arose out of the shadows in vivid distinctness the memory of
+that supreme moment when John Mazarion cast his soul to hell. It all
+came back like a picture: that lonely Himalayan mountain side, the
+black pines, the silent eternal snows, Mazarion with his pale white
+face, and Rani with her laughing eyes. An eagle screamed above us, I
+remember, and with a hissing of wings dropped over the abyss into the
+blue mists that clung to the mountain side.
+
+John Mazarion and I had been friends at school, and we met again as
+young men with a common interest in our lives, for we had both adopted
+an Indian career. Mazarion had gone into the Indian Marine, and I--I
+wanted in those days to build empires as did Clive and Hastings, and
+so I sought honour in another service, and got sent to Burma for my
+pains and--the empires have yet to be built. There was yet another
+interest between John and myself, and that was Nelly. Being young men
+we did as young men do, and both fell in love; but unfortunately we
+both fell in love with the same woman, and Nelly took Mazarion. It was
+a bitter thing for me then; but now that I have come to an age when I
+can argue with myself, I can see it was but natural. John was a big
+handsome man with fair hair and limpid blue eyes, and Nelly--well, a
+man does not care to write about the woman he loves; she was Nelly and
+that is enough. Though I never spoke of it, I fancy Nelly must have
+known I loved her, for in that tender womanly way which good women
+alone have she gave me strength to endure, and for her sake I wished
+Mazarion good luck, and sailed for the East. John followed in a few
+weeks, and I understood they were to be married in three years, when
+Mazarion got his step--a long engagement; but the purse of an Indian
+officer is mostly a lean one, and Nelly's people were not rich. Well,
+as I said before, I began my Eastern career in Burma, and Mazarion's
+duties led him to the Bay of Bengal and to the Burman waters. We never
+met for close on four years; but occasionally I came to Rangoon, the
+capital of Burma, and there I heard much of him, and always in
+connection with some story of stupid folly. The best of men would
+shrink from daylight being thrown on all their actions; but what would
+have been wrong in any man's case became doubly so, and doubly
+dishonourable, in the case of John Mazarion--at least I thought and
+think so, for Nelly's face used to rise before me with a look of
+patient waiting in the sweet eyes.
+
+At last we met in the club at Rangoon and lunched together. He
+incidentally let out that he had got his step in promotion nearly a
+year ago, and went on to answer the unspoken question in my look.
+
+"Nelly will have to wait a year or so more, I'm afraid--I'm deuced
+hard up. But I suppose you're in the same street. Come and have a
+smoke."
+
+I was not in the same street; but I went and had a smoke. We talked of
+many things, and when I left I knew that John had slipped down, but
+how far down I was yet to know. Before I left the club I accepted an
+invitation to supper with him in his rooms; he had received a port
+appointment, and was for the present stationed in Rangoon. I went to
+that supper. There were two or three others there, and a lady--God
+save the mark!--who did the honours of the house. I could have struck
+Mazarion where he sat brazening the whole thing out; but I held myself
+in somehow and saw it through. I was the first to go, and Mazarion
+followed me to the door--shame was not quite dead in him. "Look here,
+old man," he said, "you're off home, I know, and will see Nelly. You
+needn't--and--you know what I mean--" holding out his hand.
+
+I drew back. "Yes, I know what you mean, and I will keep silent. But I
+would to God I hadn't accepted your cursed hospitality!"
+
+And I turned and walked down the stairway, leaving him on the landing,
+white with rage. In a month from that day I was in England, and a week
+later I had seen Nelly. I well remember it was with a beating heart
+that I came to the door of the suburban villa with the May tree in
+bloom near the gate, and in a minute or so was in the little
+drawing-room I knew so well. In the place of honour was a large
+photograph of Mazarion in his naval uniform, and near it was a vase
+with a votive offering of fresh flowers. I felt who had placed them
+there, and swore bitterly under my breath. Then the door opened and
+Nelly came in with outstretched bands.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you, Mr. Thring, after all these years."
+
+"And it seems to me as if I had never been away. I shook off the East
+with the first grey sky I saw."
+
+Then we sat and talked, but I carefully avoided the subject of
+Mazarion, and now and again parried a leading question because I did
+not know what to say, and felt miserable when I saw the eager light in
+Nelly's eyes fade into a look of disappointment. Finally Mrs.
+Carstairs, Nelly's mother, came in, and it was a relief, for I had to
+go over my experiences again. But I struck on the rocks at last when
+Mrs. Carstairs said: "Well, I suppose you are lucky in getting back in
+four years--though that does seem such a long time."
+
+"Yes, I suppose I am, Mrs. Carstairs. There are men who have been away
+ten years and more, and whose prospects of seeing home again are still
+far."
+
+I thought I heard the faintest echo of a sigh, and grew hot all over.
+My hand shook so that I could hear the teacup I held rattle on the
+saucer. I was a tactless fool.
+
+"How hard!" said Mrs. Carstairs, "and there is poor John still out
+there, waiting for his step. I wonder when he will get it and be able
+to come home."
+
+I looked at Nelly. Her eyes were ablaze and her cheeks flushed, and
+the words "waiting for his step" rang in my ears. Mazarion had got his
+step a year ago--he had told me so himself. I could say nothing.
+
+"I suppose you have seen John," Mrs. Carstairs went on. "You and he
+used to be such friends. When did you last meet?"
+
+"About six weeks ago, in Rangoon; he was looking very well."
+
+"I am so glad. We--that is, Nelly has not heard for nearly two months,
+and when he last wrote he said he was very busy, and likely to go on a
+long cruise."
+
+Now I knew Mazarion had held that port appointment for nearly six
+months, and would hold it for a year or so to come without any
+likelihood of going on a cruise, and I of course knew that he was
+lying--lying to the dear heart that loved him so well. To this day I
+know not whether I did right or wrong in holding my tongue, in saying
+nothing, and when I left them I left them still in that fool's
+paradise of trust and love and hope. I saw them once again before I
+left. I could not go back without one more look at Nelly. As I said
+good-bye she timidly slipped a small packet into my hands, and I
+promised it would reach John Mazarion in safety.
+
+On the voyage back I thought of many things, and reproached myself for
+having parted with Mazarion as I had. For her sake I should have made
+some effort to pull him right, and as it were I had simply kicked him
+down a step lower, for I had made him feel his infamy, and that is not
+the way to help a man to recover his own self-respect. I had been
+hasty--for the moment my temper had got the better of me--with the
+usual result. And so I determined not to send him Nelly's gift, but,
+on reaching Rangoon, to deliver the packet with my own hands.
+
+I found him in his office on the river face, and, as I expected, there
+was a coldness and constraint in his manner. Our eyes met--his still
+with anger in them--and then he dropped his look.
+
+"I have brought this," I said, "from Miss Carstairs. I promised it
+should reach you safely."
+
+He took the packet from me in silence, but I saw his hands shake and
+the crow's-feet gather about his eyes. He fumbled with the seals, then
+let the packet drop on the table, and looked at me again as I blurted
+out: "I have said nothing--not a word."
+
+"I do not understand, sir."
+
+"John Mazarion," I cut in, "you are still to her what you have ever
+been. Man! you know not what you are throwing away. See here, John!
+You are my oldest friend, and I can't let you go like this. Pull up
+and turn round; give yourself a chance. If--if money is wanted--well,
+I've saved a bit----"
+
+He simply leaned back in his chair and laughed. And such a laugh!
+There was not a ring of mirth in it--a tuneless, mocking laugh such as
+might come from the throat of a devil. Then he stopped and looked at
+me, the hard lines still in the corners of his mouth and round his
+eyes.
+
+"Thring, you're a meddlesome fool! Take my advice and let each man
+stir his own porridge. I want no interference and none of your damned
+advice. I mean to live my own life."
+
+"It isn't of you alone I am thinking."
+
+He fairly shook with rage. "Go!" he burst out. "Go! I hate the sight
+of you, with your lips full of talk about duty and self-respect and
+honour. Go!"
+
+I left the man, but for all his violence I felt that his anger was
+really against himself, and that my words had gone home.
+
+A year, two years passed. Three times in this interval I had
+heard from Nelly, and on each occasion the letter was not so much
+for me as to obtain news of Mazarion. She was still watching and
+waiting--wasting the treasures of her heart as many another woman has
+done on men as worthless as Mazarion. And I--I was powerless to help
+her for whom I would have given my life. Twice I had answered to say
+that I had no news to give; but on the third occasion it was on the
+heels of her letter that news reached me. It came from the commander
+of a river steamer who dined with me in my lonely district house on
+the banks of the Irawadi.
+
+"The man has practically gone to the devil," said Jarman in his blunt
+outspoken way; "he got a touch of the sun about a year ago."
+
+"I never heard of that."
+
+"I'm not surprised at that; it's a wonder you hear anything in this
+doggone hole. Well, when Mazarion came round again the pace was faster
+than ever. I can't help thinking that his brain never really righted
+itself; but he acted like a fool, and a madman, and a blackguard
+combined--with the usual result."
+
+"You don't mean to say he's broken!"
+
+"About as good as broke. Government is long-suffering, but in common
+decency they couldn't overlook the things Mazarion did. They've given
+him a chance, however. He's had six months' sick leave to settle his
+affairs, and he's cleared off to some hill station or other in India."
+
+So it had come to this. And late that night I took the bull by the
+horns and wrote to Mrs. Carstairs, telling her exactly how things
+were, and in the morning my heart failed me and I tore up that letter
+and wrote another one to Nelly, in which all that I said of Mazarion
+was that he had gone on leave to the Indian hills; and this letter I
+posted.
+
+I little knew how near the time was when I should go myself. My tour
+of service in Burma was coming to an end, and that end was hastened by
+the rice-swamps of Henzada. A medical certificate did the rest, and
+within the month I was ordered to India, and, best of good luck, to a
+Himalayan station. In a fortnight I was out of Burma--in India--in the
+Himalayas.
+
+How I enjoyed that journey from the plains! How strength seemed to
+come back by leaps and bounds as we rushed through the belt of
+forest that girdled the mountains, past savannahs of waving yellow
+tiger-grass, through purple-blossomed ironwood and lilac jerrol,
+through stretches of bamboo jungle in every shade of colour, with
+their graceful tufts of culms a hundred feet and more from the ground,
+through giant sal and toon woods whose sombre foliage was lightened by
+the orange petals of the palas, and the blazing crimson bloom of the
+wax-like flowers of the silk cotton! Higher still, and the tropical
+forest is now but a hazy green sea that quivers uneasily below. Now
+the hedgerows are bright with dog-roses, and the shade is the shade of
+oak and birch and maple. In the long restful arcades of the forest, by
+the edges of the trickling mountain springs, the sward is gay with
+amaranth and marguerite, the pimpernel winks its blue eyes from
+beneath its shelter of tender green, and a hundred other nameless
+woodland flowers spangle the glades. Higher still and the whole wonder
+of the Himalayas is around me, one rolling mass of green, purple, and
+azure mountains, with a horizon of snow-clad peaks standing white and
+pure against the perfect blue of the sky.
+
+There was a window at the club which used to be my favourite seat, for
+it commanded a matchless view, and it was here that I used to sit and
+positively drink in strength with every puff of fresh, pure air that
+came in past the roses clustering on the trelliswork outside. A friend
+joined me--one who like myself had escaped to the hills after wrecking
+his health in a Burman swamp. He had known Mazarion, and somehow the
+conversation turned upon him, and Paget asked me to step with him into
+the hall. Once there he pointed to a small board which I had noticed
+before, but never had the curiosity to examine. On that board was
+posted the name of John Mazarion as a defaulter.
+
+"He has gone under utterly," said Paget as we regained our seats, "for
+this is not all that has happened."
+
+"Could anything be worse?"
+
+"Well, I rather think so. Do you know the man has flung away all shame
+and has gone to live like a beastly Bhootea--a hill man--a savage on
+the mountain side?"
+
+"What!"
+
+"Why, every one knows it here. It happened about three months
+ago--just after that affair," and he indicated the board in the hall
+with a turn of his hand.
+
+"The man must be mad."
+
+"Not he; only he hasn't pluck enough to blow his brains out. He's not
+alone either, but has taken a wife--a Bhootea woman. They're not far
+off from here--over there on that spur," and he pointed to a wooded
+arm of the mountains that stood out above a grey rolling mist.
+
+"My God!" and I put my head between my hands. "The cad! the worthless
+brute!" I burst out. "See here, Paget: perhaps you're wrong--perhaps
+this story isn't true?"
+
+Paget carefully dusted a speck from his coat-sleeve.
+
+"I know what you're thinking of, Thring. That girl at home. I heard
+something about the affair. I used to feel inclined to kick him when I
+saw her picture in his rooms at Rangoon beside that of the other
+one--you know whom I mean. Yes, it's all true, and you can go and see
+if you like. The Boothea girl is called Rani; she's devilish pretty.
+It's the 'squalid savage' business, you know; but the man is a moral
+hog--damn him!"
+
+Saying this, Paget, who was a good fellow after his kind, lit another
+cigar, and nodding his head in farewell went off to the billiard-room,
+and I sat still--thinking, thinking, with fury and shame in my heart.
+At last I could endure it no longer, and then suddenly rose and walked
+to my rooms--I lived in the club. I was hardly conscious of what I
+did, but I remember ordering my pony, and then my eyes fell on a case
+containing a small pair of dainty revolvers. I took them mechanically
+from their velvet-lined beds, loaded them carefully, and slipped them
+in a courier-bag. Then I mounted the pony and rode off to find
+Mazarion. The road was longer than I thought; but it seemed as if some
+instinct guided me--some power, I know not what, was over me, and led
+my steps straight to my goal.
+
+It is curious how in moments like this unimportant and trivial
+incidents impress themselves on the mind. I remember tying the pony to
+a white rhododendron, and that in so doing I dropped my cigar. It was
+the only one I had, and it lay smouldering before me, crosswise on the
+petals of one of the huge lemon-scented flowers that had fallen from
+the tree. I kicked it from me, and then went onwards on foot. In about
+half an hour I came to a little tableland of greensward, which hung
+over a grey abyss. Huge black pines rose stiffly on the rocks that
+beetled over the level turf, and to the edge of the rocks there clung,
+like a wasp's nest, a wretched hut, with a thin blue smoke rising from
+between the rafters of its moss-grown roof.
+
+It was touching sunset, and the west was a blaze of crimson and gold.
+The face of the pine-covered crag towering above me was in black
+shadow; but the mellow light was bright on the green turf at my feet.
+It cast a ruddy glow over the withered trunk of a huge fallen pine
+that lay athwart the open, and then fell in long rainbow-hued shafts
+on the uneasy mists that filled the valley, and stole up the mountain
+side in soft-rolling billows of purple, of grey, and of silver-white.
+The pine trunk was not ten paces from me, and walking up to it I took
+out the pistols from the courier-bag and placed them on the rough
+bark, and from their resting-place the polished barrels glinted
+brightly in the evening light. I knew I was near my man, and if ever
+there was an excuse for doing what I meant to do, I had that defence.
+As I stood there, one hand on the tree trunk and still as a stone, a
+red tragopan crept out from the yellow-berried bramble at the edge of
+the steep. For a moment we looked at one another, and then he dropped
+his blue-wattled head an was off like a flash, and at the same instant
+there was a scream and a rush of wings, as a homing eagle dropped like
+a falling stone over the pines, and whizzing past me was lost to view.
+I walked to the edge of the precipice over which he had flown to his
+eyrie on the face of the cliffs below; I could see nothing but that
+heaving swell of billows, and now some one laughed--a sweet, melodious
+laugh like the tinkling of a silver bell. I turned sharply, and Rani
+stood before me. It could be none other than she. Bhootea, savage,
+Mongol--whatever she was, she was of those whom God had dowered with
+beauty, and she stood before me a lithe, supple elf of the woods. The
+rounded outlines of her form were clear through the single garment she
+wore, clasped by an embroidered zone at the waist, and holding forth a
+pitcher with a shapely arm, she offered me some spring water to drink.
+I shook my head, and she laughed again like the song of a bird, and
+asked in English, speaking slowly:
+
+"You want--my--man?"
+
+Before I could answer, the door of the hut opened and Mazarion and I
+had met again.
+
+"You--you!" and he paled beneath his sunburnt cheeks.
+
+"Even I." And we stared at each other, my temples throbbing and my
+hands clenched. He was dressed as a native of the hills, in a long
+loose gabardine, with a cloth wound round his waist. His fair hair
+hung in an unkempt tangle to his neck, and he had a beard of many
+weeks' growth. All the beauty had gone from his face, and sin had set
+the mark of the beast on him; he had become a savage; he had gone back
+five thousand years, to the time when his cave-dwelling ancestors
+hunted the aurochs and the sabre-toothed tiger. There was that in our
+gaze which stilled the laughter in Rani's eyes, and she crept closer
+to him, standing as if to cover him. His head drooped slowly forwards,
+and the fingers of his hands opened and shut; he was fighting
+something within himself.
+
+"Send the woman away," I said. "You know why I have come," and I
+pointed to the pistols on the fallen tree trunk.
+
+Rani saw the gesture. Her glance shifted uneasily from one to the
+other of us, and then rested on the weapons, and now, trembling with
+an unknown fear, she clung to her man.
+
+"Send her away. You hear." My own voice came to me as from a far
+distance.
+
+He put her aside gently, where she stood shivering in every limb, and
+came forwards a step.
+
+"I cannot," he said thickly, and speaking with an effort; "I
+cannot--not with you----"
+
+"I will force you to." I spoke calmly enough, but there was a red mist
+before my eyes and a drumming in my ears. Fool that I was to think
+that God would give His vengeance to my hands! And then I struck him
+where he stood, struck him twice across the face, and with a cry like
+that of a mad beast he was on me.
+
+We were both strong men, and he was fighting for his life; but I--I
+had the strength of ten then; all the pent-up rage of years was
+roaring within me, and there was a pitiless hate in my heart. I would
+kill him like the unclean thing he was should be killed. With all my
+force I struck him again and again, and I felt as if something crashed
+under the blow. We fell together and rose again, and with a mighty
+effort I flung him from me. He staggered to his feet, his face white
+and bleeding, his blue lips hissing curses. He was then facing me, his
+back but a yard from the edge of the abyss, against which the mists
+were beating like a grey sea. He read the meaning in my look, and made
+one last straggle, one last rush for safety, but I hit him fair on the
+forehead, and he threw up his arms with a gasp, staggered back a pace,
+and was gone. Far below there sounded something like a dull thud and a
+cry, and then all was still. Nelly was avenged.
+
+It was all over. I could see nothing as I peered into the mist before
+me, and then I was brought to myself by the sound of sudden sobbing,
+and there was Rani stretched on the grass and plucking at the turf
+like a mad thing. She was a woman after all, and, poor, wild waif of
+the jungles, hers was no sin and no wrong. But her sobs and the agony
+on her face brought on a sudden revulsion and a horror at my deed. It
+was as sudden, as swift, as the tumult of passions which had driven me
+to kill the man, and now the blackness of night had settled on my
+soul. I made no attempt at speech with the woman, but silently took up
+the pistols, gave one last shivering glance at the deep and at the
+prostrate figure of Rani, and then fled through the forest, my one
+thought to put miles between me and my deed. By the time I had found
+the pony and mounted him I was able to reflect a little, and it was
+with a guilty start that I realized there was a witness, and--and--But
+the place was a lonely one. And Rani--would her word count against
+mine? Never! And then I laughed shrilly and galloped on.
+
+I reached the club just in time to dress for dinner. Strange! I could
+not bear the thought of being alone--I who had lived for a year at a
+time a solitary. I dressed in haste, and as I came out my servant
+handed me my letters--the English mail had just come in, he said. I
+would have flung them from me, but that the first letter in my hand
+was in Mrs. Carstairs' writing. With a vague presentiment of evil I
+opened and read. Nelly was ill, Nelly was dying. Some fool had told
+her of John Mazarion, and had killed her as surely as with the stroke
+of a knife. As I read, the lines blurred one into the other, and
+something seemed to give way in my brain. I rose and staggered as one
+drunken, and then--and then, strong man as I was, I fainted and
+remember no more.
+
+It was a long illness. I do not know what the doctors called it; but
+they pulled me through, as they thought. It was another thing,
+however, that cured me. I remember how, when my brain first righted
+itself, the awful memory of Mazarion's end came back again and sat
+over me like a dreadful vampire. Each whispered word of the nurses in
+attendance on me, each noise I heard, seemed to presage the
+announcement that my guilt was known. One day I asked the nurse
+whether I had been delirious, and what I had said.
+
+She flushed a little. She was a good woman, and an untruth was hateful
+to her. Then she fenced:
+
+"Oh, one always says strange things in delirium; but you're getting
+quite strong now, and Captain Paget is coming to see you to-day. It
+was he who found you insensible, and he has been as good as any ten of
+us----"
+
+"Paget--Paget found me?"
+
+She put her finger to her lips and a cool hand on my eyes, and I
+seemed to fall asleep.
+
+How long I slept I cannot quite say, but I became conscious of
+whispering voices in the room.
+
+"There's no doubt about it, and it's his only chance, I think. Just
+give him the news quietly when he awakes. Yes, he may have a glass of
+port before."
+
+I lay still, but trembling under my covers. It had come at last. Oh,
+the shame of it! the sin of it!--I a common murderer. It was too much,
+and I tried to start up, but fell back weakly, and saw Paget sitting
+by the bed, smiling kindly at me.
+
+"Not yet, old man--in a day or so. Take this port, will you?"
+
+I drank it with an effort; but it warmed me and gave me strength.
+
+"You're to be shipped home in a few days--lucky beggar! Wouldn't mind
+getting ill myself if I could get leave."
+
+I smiled in spite of myself.
+
+"That's right. Feeling better, I see. We had another interesting
+patient also, but he cleared out a week or so ago from hospital. It
+was that fellow Mazarion. Remember him?"
+
+"Mazarion!"
+
+"Yes. Fell over the edge of a precipice and on to a ledge of rock. Got
+his fall broken somehow by the branches of a tree, and the wild
+raspberry bushes, or he'd have been in Kingdom Come--eh? What?"
+
+"Thank God!" I felt a load lifted from my heart, the shadows had
+passed from my soul. I lay back, my eyes closed and a peace upon me.
+And then I prayed for the first time in many a long day, and whilst I
+prayed I fell once more asleep. There came to me in that sleep a dream
+of Nelly--of Nelly robed in white with a glory around her, and she
+smiled and beckoned me to come.
+
+Well, I was once more in England, and because she wished it I was
+allowed to see Nelly. She lay on her cushions very pale and white, but
+for the red spot on each cheek, and an unnatural brightness of the
+eyes. I knew it was a matter of time, and all that we could do was to
+wait and hope.
+
+It came at last, one dreary evening, when the lamps were burning dimly
+in the streets through the ceaseless, insistent drizzle. I cannot
+linger over this or my heart would break. We stood by her, sad and
+silent, waiting for the end. It was not long in coming. She had been
+as it were asleep, when suddenly she awoke and her voice was strong
+with the strength of death. She called to me:
+
+"Mr. Thring, you know that story about John. Is--is it true?"
+
+Oh, the chattering ape who had killed her! Her mother's eyes met mine;
+but I could see nothing but Nelly--Nelly looking at me with a wistful
+entreaty. I could not; right or wrong, I could not.
+
+"It is not true, dear. He will come back to you."
+
+"Say that again."
+
+"He will come back to you, Nelly."
+
+"He must follow," and she closed her eyes with a sweet smile on her
+lips.
+
+Then my dear's hand went out to clasp mine in thanks, and I held the
+chill fingers in my grasp.
+
+"Mother--kiss me. John--you will come," and she was gone.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+I had stolen out of the house, leaving them with their dead. As I
+closed the gate, and stepped on to the pavement a ragged figure came
+out of the mist and, standing beside the lamp-post, looked towards the
+house and the drawn blinds. The light fell on the wasted form and
+haggard features. I could not mistake; it was John Mazarion.
+
+I went up to him and touched him on the shoulder. He started back and
+stared at me vacuously.
+
+"She lies there dead," I said.
+
+"Dead!"
+
+"Ay, dead. She died with your name on her lips."
+
+He looked at me stupidly. Then something like a sob burst from him,
+and with bowed head and shambling steps he turned, and crossing the
+road went from my life.
+
+
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heart of Denise and Other Tales, by 
+S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEART OF DENISE ***
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heart of Denise and Other Tales, by 
+S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Heart of Denise and Other Tales
+
+Author: S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+Release Date: December 12, 2011 [EBook #38284]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEART OF DENISE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Note:<br>
+
+
+1. Page scan source:<br>
+http://books.google.com/books?id=BO4wAAAAYAAJ</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>THE HEART OF DENISE</h2>
+
+<h3>AND OTHER TALES</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="center" style="font-size:smaller"><img src="images/denise01.png" alt="De Clermont gave Madame an
+interesting account of the defence of Ambazac"><br>
+&quot;DE CLERMONT GAVE MADAME AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE<br>
+DEFENCE OF AMBAZAC MADE BY HER HUSBAND AGAINST THE PRINCE OF CONDÉ&quot;<br>
+Page 39</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>The Heart of Denise</h1>
+
+<h2>and Other Tales</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>BY</h5>
+<h3>S. LEVETT-YEATS</h3>
+
+<h5><i>Author of &quot;The Chevalier d'Auriac</i>,&quot;<br>
+&quot;<i>The Honour of Savelli,&quot; etc</i>.</h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3><span class="sc">NEW YORK</span><br>
+LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.<br>
+<span class="sc">LONDON AND BOMBAY</span><br>
+1899</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>Copyright, 1898, by</h5>
+<h4>S. LEVETT YEATS.</h4>
+
+<hr style="width:5%; color:black">
+
+<h5><i>All rights reserved</i>.</h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK.</h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+<table cellpadding="10" style="width:90%; margin-left:5%; font-weight:bold">
+<colgroup><col style="width:10%; text-align:right"><col style="width:90%"></colgroup>
+<tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><a name="div1Ref_heart" href="#div1_heart">THE HEART OF DENISE.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>I.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h1"  href="#div2_h1">M. de Lorgnac's Price.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>II.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h2"  href="#div2_h2">The Oratory.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>III.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h3"  href="#div2_h3">The Spur of Les Eschelles.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IV.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h4"  href="#div2_h4">At Ambazac.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>V.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h5"  href="#div2_h5">M. Le Marquis Leads His Highest Trump.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VI.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h6"  href="#div2_h6">At the Sign of the Golden Frog.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VII.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h7"  href="#div2_h7">Unmasked.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VIII.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h8"  href="#div2_h8">Blaise de Lorgnac.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IX.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h9"  href="#div2_h9">La Coquille's Message.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>X.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_h10"  href="#div2_h10">Monsieur le Chevalier is Paid in Full.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_captain" href="#div1_captain">THE CAPTAIN MORATTI'S LAST AFFAIR.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>I.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_c1"  href="#div2_c1">&quot;Arcades Ambo.&quot;</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>II.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_c2"  href="#div2_c2">At &quot;The Devil on Two Sticks.&quot;</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>III.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_c3"  href="#div2_c3">Felicità.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IV.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_c4"  href="#div2_c4">Conclusion--The Torre Dolorosa.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_treasure" href="#div1_treasure">THE TREASURE OF SHAGUL.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_foot" href="#div1_foot">THE FOOT OF GAUTAMA.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_devil" href="#div1_devil">THE DEVIL'S MANUSCRIPT.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>I.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_d1"  href="#div2_d1">The Black Packet.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>II.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_d2"  href="#div2_d2">The Red Trident.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>III.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_d3"  href="#div2_d3">&quot;The Mark of the Beast.&quot;</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_achilles" href="#div1_achilles">UNDER THE ACHILLES.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_madness" href="#div1_madness">THE MADNESS OF SHERE BAHADUR.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_ape" href="#div1_ape">REGINE'S APE.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2" style="text-align:left"><br><a name="div1Ref_shadow" href="#div1_shadow">A SHADOW OF THE PAST.</a></td>
+</tr></table>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_heart" href="#div1Ref_heart">THE HEART OF DENISE</a></h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h1" href="#div2Ref_h1">M. DE LORGNAC'S PRICE.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">One afternoon I sat alone in the little anteroom before the Queen
+Mother's cabinet. In front of me was an open door. The curtains of
+violet velvet, spangled with golden lilies, were half drawn, and
+beyond extended a long, narrow, and gloomy corridor, leading into the
+main salon of the Hôtel de Soissons, from which the sound of music and
+occasional laughter came to me. My sister maids of honour were there,
+doubtless making merry as was their wont with the cavaliers of the
+court, and I longed to be with them, instead of watching away the
+hours in the little prison, I can call it no less, that led to the
+Queen's closet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the corridor were two sentries standing as motionless as statues.
+They were in shadow, except where here and there a straggling gleam of
+light caught their armour with dazzling effect, and M. de Lorgnac, the
+lieutenant of the guard, paced slowly up and down the full length of
+the passage, twisting his dark moustache, and turning abruptly when he
+came within a few feet of the entrance to the anteroom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I was so dull and wearied that it would have been something even to
+talk to M. de Lorgnac, bear though he was, but he took no more notice
+of me than if I were a stick or a stone, and yet there were, I do not
+know how many, who would have given their ears for a <i>tête-à-tête</i>
+with Denise de Mieux.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I ought not to have been surprised, for the lieutenant showed no more
+favour to any one else than he did to me, and during the year or more
+I had been here, enjoying for the first time in my life the gaieties
+of the Court, after my days in apron-strings at Lespaille, my uncle de
+Tavannes' seat, I had not, nor had a soul as far as I knew, seen M. de
+Lorgnac exchange more than a formal bow and a half-dozen words with
+any woman. He was poor as a homeless cat, his patrimony, as we heard,
+being but a sword and a ruined tower somewhere in the Corrèze. So, as
+he had nothing to recommend him except a tall, straight figure, and a
+reputation for bravery--qualities that were shared by a hundred others
+with more agreeable manners, we left Monsieur L'Ours, as we nicknamed
+him, to himself, and, to say the truth, he did not seem much
+discomposed by our neglect.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As for me I hardly noticed his existence, sometimes barely returning
+his bow; but often have I caught him observing me gravely with a
+troubled look in his grey eyes, and as ill-luck would have it, this
+was ever when I was engaged in some foolish diversion, and I used to
+feel furious, as I thought he was playing the spy on me, and press on
+to other folly, over which, in the solitude of my room, I would stamp
+my foot with vexation, and sometimes shed tears of anger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This afternoon, when I thought of the long hours I had to spend
+waiting the Queen's pleasure, of the mellow sunlight which I could see
+through the glazing of the dormer window that lit the room, of the
+gaiety and brightness outside, I felt dull and wearied beyond
+description. I had foolishly neglected to bring a book or my
+embroidery, so that even my fingers had to be still, and in my utter
+boredom I believe I should have actually welcomed the company of
+Catherine's hideous dwarf, Majosky.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It had come to me that perhaps M. de Lorgnac, who had, no doubt, a
+weary enough watch in the corridor, might feel disposed to beguile a
+little of his tedium, and to amuse me for a few minutes, and I had
+purposely drawn the curtains and opened the door of the anteroom so
+that he might see I was there, and alone, and that the door of the
+Queen Mother's cabinet was shut. I then, I confess it, put myself in
+the most becoming attitude I could think of, but, as I have said
+before, he took not the slightest notice of me, and walked up and
+down, <i>tramp</i>, <i>tramp</i>, backwards and forwards as if he were a piece
+of clockwork--like that which Messer Cosmo, the Italian, made for
+Monsieur, the King's brother.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I began to feel furious at the slight--it was no less I
+considered--that he was putting on me, and wished I had the tongue and
+the spirit of Mademoiselle de Chateauneuf, so that I could make my
+gentleman smart as she did M. de Luxembourg. For a moment or so I
+pulled at the silken fringe of my <i>tourette-de-nez</i>, and then made up
+my mind to show M. de Lorgnac that the very sight of him was
+unpleasant to me. So I waited until in his march he came to a yard or
+so from the spot where he regularly turned on his heel, and then,
+springing up, attempted to draw the curtains across the door. Somehow
+or other they would not move, and de Lorgnac stepped forward quietly
+and pulled them together. As he did this our eyes met, and there was
+the twinkle of a smile in his glance, as if he had seen through my
+artifices and was laughing at them. I felt my face grow warm, and was
+grateful that the light was behind me; but I thanked him icily, and
+with his usual stiff bow he turned off without a word.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I came back to my seat, my face crimson, my eyes swimming with tears,
+and feeling if there was a man on earth that I hated it was the
+lieutenant of the guard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It had a good two hours or so to run before my time of waiting would
+be over, and I may take the plunge now, and confess that the
+lengthened period of attendance to which I was subjected, was in a
+measure a punishment, for my having ridden out alone with M. de
+Clermont, and, owing to an accident that befell my horse, had not been
+able to return until very late. The ill-chance which followed all my
+girlish escapades was not wanting on this occasion, with the result,
+that whereas ten others might have escaped, I was observed in what was
+after all but a harmless frolic, and my conduct reported on--and
+Madame, who had a weak enough eye for follies, and sometimes
+sins, that were committed by rule--she loved to direct our
+ill-doings--rated me soundly and imposed this penance, and perhaps the
+worse punishment that was to follow, on me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the anteroom there was but a cushioned stool for the lady in
+waiting, and this was placed close to the door, so that one could hear
+Queen Catherine calling, for she never rang for us, as did the
+Lorrainer for even such ladies as the Duchesse de Nemours, the mother
+of Guise.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I pushed the seat closer towards the door and, hardly thinking what I
+was doing, leaned my head against the woodwork and dropped off into a
+sort of troubled doze. How long I slept in this manner I cannot say;
+but I was suddenly aroused by the distinct mention of my name,
+followed by a laugh from within the cabinet. I looked up in affright,
+for the laugh was the King's, and for the moment I wondered how he had
+passed in, then recollecting the private passage I knew that he must
+have come in thence. I would have withdrawn, but the mention of my
+name coupled with the King's laughter aroused my curiosity, and I
+remained in my position, making, however, a bargain with my conscience
+by removing my head from the carved oak of the door. It was my duty to
+be where I was, and although I would make no effort to listen, yet if
+those within were talking of me, and loud enough for me to hear, I
+thought it no harm to stay, especially as it was Henri who was
+speaking, for I knew enough to be aware that no one was safe from his
+scandalous tongue. I may have been wrong in acting as I did, but I do
+not think there is one woman in a thousand who would have done
+otherwise, supposing her to be as I was--but one-and-twenty years of
+age.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So thick, however, was the door, that, my head once removed, I could
+hear but snatches of the converse within.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is his price, Madame,&quot; I heard the King say, &quot;and, after all, it
+is a cheap one, considering her escapade with de Clermont. <i>Morbleu!</i>
+But he is a sad dog!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And then came another surprise, for the gruff voice of my uncle, the
+Marshal de Tavannes, added:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cheap or dear! I for one am willing that it should be paid, and at
+once. She has brought disgrace enough on our house already. As for the
+man; if poor he is noble and as brave as his sword. He is well able to
+look after her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he keeps his head,&quot; put in the King, whilst my ears burned at the
+uncomplimentary speech of my guardian, and my heart began to sink.
+Then came something I did not catch from Catherine, and after that a
+murmur of indistinct voices. At last the King's high-pitched tones
+rose again. It was a voice that seemed to drill its way through the
+door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enough! It is agreed that we pay in advance--eh, Tavannes? Send for
+the little baggage, if she is, as you say, here, and we will tell her
+at once. The matter does not admit of any delay. St. Blaise! I should
+say that after thirty a man must be mad to peril his neck for any
+woman!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I rose from my seat trembling all over with anger and apprehension,
+and as I did so the Queen Mother's voice rang out sharply:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mademoiselle de Mieux!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The next moment the door opened, and the dwarf Majosky put out his
+leering face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enter, mademoiselle!&quot; he said, with a grotesque bow, adding in a
+rapid, malignant whisper as I passed him, &quot;You are going to be
+married--to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At any other time I would have spared no pains to get him punished for
+his insolence; but now, so taken aback was I at what I had heard, that
+I scarcely noticed him, and entered the room as if in a dream. Indeed,
+it was only with an effort that I recollected myself sufficiently to
+make my reverence to the King. He called out as I did so, &quot;<i>Mordieu!</i>
+I retract, Tavannes! I retract! Faith! I almost feel as if I could
+take the adventure on myself!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A slight exclamation of annoyance escaped the Queen, and Tavannes said
+coldly:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps your Majesty had better inform my niece of your good
+pleasure,&quot; adding grimly, &quot;and I guarantee mademoiselle's obedience.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a minute or so of silence, during which the King was, as it
+were, picking his words, whilst I stood before him. Majosky shuffled
+down at Catherine's feet, and watched me with his wicked, blinking
+eyes. I do not remember to have looked around me, and yet every little
+detail of that scene will remain stamped on my memory until the day I
+die.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame, the Queen Mother, was at her secretary, her fingers toying
+with a jewelled paper-knife, and her white face and glittering eyes
+fixed steadily on me, eyes with that pitiless look in them which we
+all knew so well, and which made the most daring of us tremble. A
+little to my right stood de Tavannes, one hand on the back of a chair,
+and stroking his grizzled beard with the other. Before me, on a
+coffer, whereon he had negligently thrown himself, was the King, and
+he surveyed me without speaking, with a half-approving, half-sarcastic
+look that made my blood tingle, and almost gave me back my courage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In sharp contrast to the solemn black of Catherine's robes and the
+stern soldierly marshal was the figure of the King. Henri was dressed
+in his favourite colours, orange, green, and tan, with a short cloak
+of the same three hues hanging from his left shoulder. His pourpoint
+was open at the throat, around which was clasped a necklet of pearls,
+and he wore three ruffs, one such as we women wear, of lace that fell
+over the shoulders, and two smaller ones as stiff as starch could make
+them. He wore earrings, there were rings on his embroidered gloves,
+and all over his person, from his sleeves to the aigrette he wore on
+the little turban over his peruke, a multitude of gems glittered. On
+his left side, near his sword hilt, was a bunch of medallions of
+ladies who had smiled on him, and this was balanced on the other hand
+by an equally large cluster of charms and relics. As he sat there he
+kept tapping the end of one of his shoes with a little cane, whilst he
+surveyed me with an almost insulting glance in the mocking eyes that
+looked out from his painted cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The silence was like to have become embarrassing had not Catherine,
+impatient of delay, put in with that even voice of hers:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps I had better explain your Majesty's commands;&quot; and then
+without waiting for an answer she went on, looking me straight in the
+face--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mademoiselle. In his thought for your welfare--a kindness you have
+not deserved--the King has been pleased to decide on your marriage.
+Circumstances necessitate the ceremony being performed at once, and I
+have to tell you that it will take place three hours hence. His
+Majesty will do you the honour of being himself present on the
+occasion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was beyond my worst fears. I was speechless, and glanced from one
+to the other in supplication; but I saw no ray of pity in their faces.
+Alas! These were the three iron hearts that had sat and planned the
+Massacre.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Queen's face was as stone. The King half closed his eyes, and his
+lips curled into a smile as if he enjoyed the situation; but my uncle,
+within whose bluff exterior was a subtle, cruel heart, spoke out
+harshly:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You hear, mademoiselle! Thank the King, and get you gone to make
+ready. I am sick of your endless flirtations, and there must be an end
+to them--there must be no more talk of your frivolities.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Anger brought back my courage, and half turning away from Tavannes, I
+said to the Queen:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank the King, madame, for his kindness. Perhaps you will add to
+it by telling me the name of the gentleman who intends to honour me by
+making me his wife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Arnidieu!</i> She makes a point,&quot; laughed the King.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She shall marry a stick if I will it,&quot; said de Tavannes; but Madame
+the Queen Mother lifted her hand in deprecation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is M. de Lorgnac,&quot; she said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;De Lorgnac! De Lorgnac!&quot; I gasped, hardly believing my ears. &quot;Oh,
+madame! It is impossible. I hate him. What have I done to be forced
+into this? Your Majesty,&quot; and I turned to the King, &quot;I will not marry
+that man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, would you prefer de Clermont?&quot; he asked, with a little laugh;
+but de Tavannes burst out:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sire! This matter admits of no delay. She shall marry de Lorgnac, if
+I have to drag her to the altar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you, monsieur,&quot; I said with a courtesy; &quot;it is kindness itself
+that you, the Count de Tavannes, peer and marshal of France, show to
+your sister's child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He winced at my words; but Catherine again interposed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mademoiselle! you do not understand; and if I hurt you now it is your
+own fault. Let me tell you that for a tithe of your follies
+Mademoiselle de Torigny was banished from court to a nunnery. You may
+not be aware of it, but the whole world, at least our world, and that
+is enough for us, is talking of your affair with de Clermont, who, as
+you well know, is an affianced man. It is for the sake of your house,
+for your own good name, and because you will do the King a great
+service by obeying, that this has been decided on, and you must--do
+you hear?--must do as we bid you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She dropped her words out one by one, cool, passionless, and brutal in
+their clearness. My face was hot with shame and anger, and yet I knew
+that the ribald tongues that spared not the King's sister would not
+spare me. I, the heiress of Mieux, to be a by-word in the court! I to
+be married out of hand like a laundress of the <i>coulisse!</i> It was too
+much! It was unbearable! And to be bound to de Lorgnac above all
+others! Was ever woman wooed and wed as I?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I burst into a passion of angry tears. I went so far as to humble
+myself on my knees; but Henri only laughed and slipped out by the
+secret door, and de Tavannes followed him with a rough oath.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say this is a jest, madame!&quot; I sobbed out to the Queen. &quot;I am
+punished enough. Say it is a jest. It must be so. You do not mean it.
+It is too cruel!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No more is happening to you than what the daughters of France have to
+bear sometimes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That should make you the more pitiful, madame, for such as I. Let me
+go, madame, to a nunnery--even to that of Our Lady of Lespaille--but
+spare me this!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is impossible,&quot; she said sharply. &quot;See, here is Madame de Martigny
+come, and she will conduct you to your room. Tush! It is nothing after
+all, girl. And it will be better than a convent and a lost name. Do
+not make a scene.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I rose to my feet stunned and bewildered, and Madame de Martigny put
+her arm through mine, and dried my eyes with her kerchief.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come, mademoiselle,&quot; she said, &quot;we have to pass through the corridor
+to gain your apartment. Keep up your heart!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I offer my escort,&quot; mocked the dwarf, &quot;and will go so far as to
+take M. de Lorgnac's place, if your royal pleasure will allow--ah!
+ah!&quot;--and he broke into a shriek, for Catherine had swiftly and
+silently raised a dog-whip, and brought it across his shoulders as he
+sat crouching at her feet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Begone!&quot; she said. &quot;Another speech like that and I break you on the
+wheel!&quot; Then she turned to Madame de Martigny.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take her away by the private door. She is not fit to see or be seen
+now. Tell Pare to give her a cordial if she needs it, and see that she
+is ready in time. Go, mademoiselle, and be a brave girl!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h2" href="#div2Ref_h2">THE ORATORY</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">You who read this will please remember that I was but a girl, and that
+my powers of resistance were limited. Some of you, perhaps, may have
+gone through the same ordeal, not in the rough-and-ready way that I
+had to make the passage, but through a slower if not less certain
+mill. The result being the same in both cases, to wit, that you have
+stood, as I did, at the altar with vows on your lips that you felt in
+your heart were false.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A thought had struck me when I was led back to my room, and that was
+to throw myself on the mercy of de Lorgnac. But means of communication
+with him were denied to me by the foresight of my persecutors. Even my
+maid, Mousette, was not allowed to see me, and Madame de Martigny,
+though kindness itself in every other way, absolutely refused to lend
+herself to my suggestion that she should aid me, if only to the extent
+of bearing a note from me to my future husband, in which I meant to
+implore him, as a man of honour and a gentleman, not to force this
+marriage upon me. I then tried Pare, who, by the Queen's command, had
+been sent to me. He brought me a cordial with his own hands, and to
+him I made my request, notwithstanding all Madame de Martigny's
+protests, to carry my note to de Lorgnac. He listened with that acute
+attention peculiar to him, and answered:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mademoiselle! I have not yet discovered the balsam that will heal a
+severed neck--you must excuse me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he left, Madame de Martigny tried to comfort me in her kindly
+way.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear,&quot; she said, &quot;after all it is not so very terrible. I myself
+never saw M. de Martigny more than twice before we were married, and
+yet I have learned to love him, and we are very happy. Believe me!
+Love before marriage does not always mean happiness. In five years it
+will become a friendship--that is all. It is best to start as I did,
+so that there will be no awakenings. As for de Lorgnac--rest you
+assured that monsieur is well aware of the state of your mind towards
+him, else he would never have taken the course he has adopted. Be
+certain, therefore, that all appeal to him will be in vain!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I felt the force of the last words and was silent, and then de
+Clermont's face came before me, very clear and distinct, and with a
+sob I broke down once again and gave way to tears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I will pass over the rest of the time until I found myself ready for
+the ceremony, noting only with surprise, that I was to be married in a
+riding-habit, as if the wedding was to be instantly followed by a
+journey. Unhinged though I was, I asked the reason for this, but
+Madame de Martigny could only say it was the Queen's order, and I
+honestly believe she had no further explanation to offer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the door of the oratory the marshal met me, and led me into the
+chapel, which was but dimly lighted, and where my husband that was to
+be, was already standing booted and spurred, ready, like myself, to
+take to horse. There were a dozen or so of people grouped around,
+and one seated figure which I felt was that of the King. I made a
+half-glance towards him, but dared not look again, for behind Henri's
+chair was de Clermont, gay and brilliant, in marked contrast to the
+sombre, if stately, figure of de Lorgnac.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last the time came when I placed a hand as cold as stone in that of
+my husband, and the words were spoken which made us man and wife. When
+it was all over, and we had turned to bow to the King, de Clermont
+stepped forward and clasped a jewelled collar round my neck, saying in
+a loud voice, &quot;In the King's name,&quot; and then, aided by the dim light,
+and with unexampled daring, he swiftly snatched away one of my gloves,
+which I held in my hand, with a whisper of &quot;This for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Henri spoke a few jesting words, and then rising, left the chapel
+abruptly, followed by de Clermont; but those who remained, came round
+us with congratulations that sounded idle and hollow to me. It was
+then that I noticed for the first time that Catherine was not present,
+although I saw Queen Margot, and Madame de Canillac there. The
+marshal, however, cut the buzz of voices short.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The horses are ready, de Lorgnac, and, as arranged, you start
+to-night. And now, my good niece, adieu, and good fortune be with you
+and your husband.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With that he bent, and touching my forehead with his stiff moustache,
+stepped back a pace to let us pass.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As I walked by my husband's side, dazed and giddy, with a humming in
+my ears, there came back to me with a swift and insistent force, the
+words of the vows, which, if I had not spoken, I had given a tacit
+assent to. They were none the less binding on this account. Two of
+them I could not keep. One cannot control one's soul, and I felt that
+in this respect my life would be henceforth a living lie; but one I
+thought I might observe, and that was the oath to obey; yet even in
+the short passage leading from the oratory to the entrance to the
+chapel, my heart flamed up in rebellion, and, with a sudden movement,
+I withdrew my hand from my husband's arm, and biting my lips till the
+blood came, forced myself to keep by his side. He made no effort to
+restrain me, spoke never a word, until we came to the door where the
+horses were waiting, with half-a-dozen armed and mounted men. Here de
+Lorgnac turned to me, saying, almost in a whisper, &quot;May I help you to
+mount?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I made a movement of my hand in the negative, and he stepped back; but
+the animal was restive, and at last I was forced to accept his aid. As
+we passed out of the gateway, riding side by side, I spoke for the
+first time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May I ask where you are going to take me, Monsieur de Lorgnac?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He answered, speaking as before, in low tones, &quot;I thought you
+knew--you should have been told. We go first to the house of Madame de
+Termes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Like lightning it came to me that the man was afraid of me. I cannot
+say how I knew it. I felt it, and made up my mind to use my advantage,
+with a vengeful joy at being able to make my bear dance to my tune. I
+therefore broke in upon his speech.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enough, monsieur! I should not have asked the question. It is a
+wife's duty to obey without inquiry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I looked him full in the face as I said this coldly, and he touched
+his horse with the spur and rode a yard or two in front of me,
+muttering something indistinctly. But my heart was leaping at the
+discovery, and I inwardly thanked God that it was to Madame de Termes
+we were to go, for apart from the fact that both she and her husband,
+whose lands of Termes marched with mine, had been life-long friends of
+our house, she was one whom I knew to be the noblest and best of
+women. I was not aware that she was known to de Lorgnac; but I hid my
+curiosity and asked no questions, and there was no further speech
+between my husband and myself until we came to our destination. As we
+entered the courtyard of the Hôtel de Termes all appeared to be bustle
+and confusion within, and the flare of torches fell on moving figures
+hurrying to and fro, on saddled horses and packed mules, and on the
+flash and gleam of arms. My surprise overcame my resolve of silence,
+and I asked aloud, &quot;Surely Madame de Termes is not leaving Paris?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;News has come that the Vicomte is grievously ill in his government of
+Périgueux, and Madame is hastening there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And we travel with her? There! It is impossible, monsieur, that I can
+face so long a journey without some preparation. It is cruel to expect
+this of me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is the King's order that we leave Paris to-night, and I have done
+my best.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say your worst, monsieur; it will be more correct,&quot; and then we came
+to the door. We appeared to be expected, for we were at once ushered
+up the stairway into a large reception room, where Madame stood almost
+ready to start, for her cloak was lying on a chair, and she held her
+mask in her hand. She came forward to meet us, but as the light fell
+on my face, she started back with a little cry:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You, Denise--you! My dear, I did not know it was you who were to
+travel with me. You are thrice welcome,&quot; and she took me in her arms
+and kissed my cold cheek. &quot;I was but told,&quot; she went on, &quot;that a lady
+travelling to Guyenne would join my party, which would be escorted by
+M. de Lorgnac. But what is the matter, child? You are white as a
+sheet, and shiver all over. You are not fit for a long journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;M. de Lorgnac thinks otherwise, madame.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blaise de Lorgnac! What has he to do with it?&quot; and the spirited old
+lady, one arm round my waist, turned and faced my husband, who stood a
+little way off, fumbling with the hat he held in his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is a wife's duty to obey, madame, not to question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I felt her arm tighten round my waist, and I too turned and faced de
+Lorgnac, who looked like a great dog caught in some fault.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A wife's duty to obey!&quot; exclaimed Madame; &quot;but that does not concern
+you. Stay! What do you mean, child?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I mean, madame, that I was married to M. de Lorgnac scarce an hour
+ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her hand dropped from my side, and she looked from one to the other of
+us in amazement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot understand,&quot; she said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is for my husband to explain,&quot; I said bitterly. &quot;It is for the
+gentleman, to whom we are to trust our lives on this journey, to say
+in how knightly a manner he can treat a woman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And there de Lorgnac stood, both of us looking at him, his forehead
+burning and his eyes cast down. Even then a little pang of pity went
+through me to see him thus humbled, so strangely does God fashion the
+hearts of us women. But I hardened myself. I was determined to spare
+him nothing, and to measure out in full to him a cup of bitterness for
+the draught he had made me drink.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Speak, man,&quot; exclaimed Madame. &quot;Have you no voice?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He works in silence, madame,&quot; I burst in with an uncontrollable gust
+of anger; &quot;he lies in silence. Shall I tell you what has happened?
+I, Denise de Mieux, am neither more nor less than M. de Lorgnac's
+price--the hire he has received for a business he has to perform for
+the King. What it is I know not--perhaps something that no other
+gentleman would undertake. All that I know is that I, and my estates
+of Mieux, have become the property of this man, who stands before us,
+and is, God help me, my husband. Madame, five hours ago, I had not
+spoken ten words to him in my life, and now I am here, as much his
+property, as the valise his lackey bears behind his saddle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, dear--be still--you forget yourself,&quot; and Madame drew me once
+more to her side and turned to my husband.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is this true, Blaise de Lorgnac? Or is the child ill and raving?
+Answer, man!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is,&quot; he answered hoarsely, &quot;every word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the silence that ensued I might have heard my glove fall, and then
+Madame, with a stiff little bow to my husband, said, &quot;Pray excuse me
+for a moment,&quot; and stepped out of the room. He would have held the
+door for her, but she waved him aside, and he moved back and faced me,
+and for the first time we were alone together.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the meanwhile I had made up my mind. I had repeated parrot-like the
+words that it was my duty to obey. I had vowed to follow my husband
+whithersoever he went; but vow or no vow I felt it was impossible, and
+I spoke out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, you stand self-convicted. You have pleaded guilty to every
+charge I have made. Now hear me before Madame comes back, for I wish
+to spare you as much as possible. I have been forced into this
+marriage; but I am as dead to you as though we had never met. I
+decline to accept the position you have prepared for me, and our paths
+separate now. Would to God they had never crossed! I shall throw
+myself on the protection of Madame de Termes, and at the first
+opportunity shall seek the refuge of a convent. You will have to do
+your work without your hire, M. de Lorgnac.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He made a step forward, and laid his hand on my cloak.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise--hear me--I love you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mean my château and lands of Mieux. Why add a lie to what you
+have already done? It is hardly necessary,&quot; and I moved out of his
+reach.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His hand dropped to his side as he turned from me, and at the same
+time Madame re-entered the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur,&quot; she said, &quot;I fear the honour of your escort is too great
+for such as I, and I have arranged to travel with such protection as
+my own people can give me. As for this poor girl here, if she is
+willing to go with me, I will take the risk of the King's anger--and
+yours. She shall go with us, I say, and if there is a spark of honour
+left in you, you will leave her alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She is free as air,&quot; he answered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, monsieur, you will excuse me; but time is pressing.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h3" href="#div2Ref_h3">THE SPUR OF LES ESCHELLES.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">De Lorgnac was gone. Through the open window overlooking the
+courtyard, that let in the warm summer evening, we heard him give an
+order to his men in a quick, resolute voice, far different from the
+low tones in which he had spoken before, and then he and his troop
+rode off at a rapid trot in the direction, as it seemed, of the Porte
+St. Honoré. I could hardly realize that I was free and that de Lorgnac
+had resigned me without a struggle. All that I could think of was that
+he was gone, and with a quick gasp of relief I turned to my friend.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, madame! How can I thank you? What shall I say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say nothing to me, my child, but rather thank the good God that there
+was a little of honour left in that man. And now, before we start, you
+must have some refreshment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot--indeed, no. I am ready to go at once. I want to put leagues
+between me and Paris.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must be guided by me now, Denise,&quot; and as she spoke a servant
+brought in some soup and a flask of wine. Despite my protests I was
+forced to swallow something, though I felt that I was choking; yet the
+little Frontignac I drank, I not being used to wine, seemed to steady
+my shaking limbs and restore my scattered faculties.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As we put on our cloaks and demi-masks preparatory to starting, Madame
+de Termes kept saying to herself, &quot;I cannot understand--Blaise de
+Lorgnac to lend himself to a thing like this! I would have staked my
+life on him. There is something behind this, child,&quot; and she put a
+hand on each of my shoulders and looked me full in the eyes. &quot;Have you
+told me all--have you withheld nothing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Has he not himself admitted what I said, madame? If that is not
+enough I will add every word of what I know;&quot; and as we stood there I
+detailed what I have already told, forcing myself to go on with the
+story once or twice when I felt myself being unnerved, and finishing
+with a quick, &quot;And, madame, I was taken by storm. Indeed, I hardly
+know even if this is not some frightful dream.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would it were so,&quot; she said, and added, &quot;Denise, I believe every word
+you say; and yet there is something behind de Lorgnac's action. I know
+him well. He would never lend himself to be the tool of others. Once,
+however, at Périgueux you will be safe with the Vicomte and myself,
+and it will be a long arm that would drag you thence--nothing short of
+that of the Medicis. But Catherine owes much to de Termes; and now let
+us start.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What was my surprise when we reached the courtyard, to hear my maid
+Mousette's voice, and I saw her perched on a little nag, already
+engaged in a flirtation with one of the men. When I spoke to her she
+pressed her horse forward and began hurriedly:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was sent here with Madame's things,&quot; she said. &quot;I am afraid the
+valises are but hastily packed, and much has had to be left behind;
+but Madame will excuse me, I know; it was all so quick, and I had so
+little time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you, Mousette,&quot; and I turned to my horse, her address of Madame
+ringing strangely in my ears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We were, including Madame de Termes' servants, who were well armed, a
+party of about twelve, small enough to face the danger of the road in
+those unsettled days, but no thought of this struck me, and as for
+Madame de Termes, she would, I do believe, have braved the journey
+alone, so anxious was she to be by the Vicomte's side, for between
+herself and the stout old soldier, who held the lieutenancy of
+Périgord, there existed the deepest affection.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As we rode down the Bourdonnais, I could not help thinking to myself
+how noble a spirit it was that animated my friend. Not for one moment
+had she allowed her own trouble to stand in the way of her helping me.
+Her husband, whom, as I have said, she dearly loved, was ill, perhaps
+dying, and yet in her sympathy and pity for me, she had let no word
+drop about him, except the cheery assurance of his protection.
+Nevertheless, as we rode on, she ever kept turning towards Lalande,
+her equerry, and bade him urge the lagging baggage animals on. Passing
+the Grand Chatelet, we crossed the arms of the river by the Pont au
+Change, and the Pont St. Michel, and kept steadily down the Rue de la
+Harpe towards the Porte St. Martin. We gained this not a moment too
+soon, for as the last of the baggage animals passed it, we heard the
+officer give the word to lower the drawbridge and close the gates. The
+clanking of the chains, and the creaking of the huge doors came to me
+with something of relief in them, for it seemed to me that I was safe
+from further tyranny from the Hôtel de Soissons, at any rate for this
+night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As we passed the huge silhouette of the Hôtel de Luxembourg, we heard
+the bells of St. Sulpice sounding Compline, and then, from behind us,
+the solemn notes rang out from the spires of the city churches.
+Yielding to an impulse I could not resist, I turned in my saddle and
+looked back, letting my eyes run over the vast, dim outlines of the
+city, so softened by the moonlight that it was as if some opaque,
+fantastic cloud was resting on the earth. Above curved the profound
+blue of the night, with here and there a star struggling to force its
+way past the splendour of the moon. All was quiet and still, and the
+church bells ringing out were as a message from His creatures to the
+Most High. I let my heart go after the voices of the bells as they
+travelled heavenward, and had it not been for Mousette's shrill tones,
+that cut through the quiet night and recalled me to myself, I might
+have let the party go onwards, I do not know how far. As it was, I had
+to bustle my little horse to gain the side of Madame de Termes once
+more. It was not, of course, our intention to travel all night. That
+would have been impossible, for it would have entailed weary horses,
+and a long halt the next day; but it was proposed that we should make
+for a small château belonging to Monsieur de Bouchage, the brother of
+the Duc de Joyeuse, which he had placed at Madame de Termes' disposal,
+and there rest for the remainder of the night, making a start early
+the next morning, and then pressing on daily, as fast as our strength
+would allow. Lalande had sent a courier on in advance to announce our
+sudden coming. We did not expect to reach de Bouchage's house until
+about midnight, and the equerry was fussing up and down the line of
+march, urging a packhorse on here, checking a restive animal there,
+and ever and again warning the lackeys to keep their arms in
+readiness, for the times were such that no man's teeth were safe in
+his head, unless he wore a good blade by his side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We were, in short, on the eve of that tremendous struggle which,
+beginning with the Day of the Barricades, went on to the murder of the
+Princes of Lorraine on that terrible Christmastide at Blois, and
+culminated with the dagger of Clement and the death of the miscreant
+whom God in His anger had given to us for a king.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Already the Huguenots were arming again, and it was afloat that the
+Palatine had sent twenty thousand men, under Dhona, to emulate the
+march of the Duc de Deux Ponts from the Rhine to Guyenne. It was said
+that the Montpensier had gone so far as to attempt to seize the person
+of the King, swearing that once in her hands, he would never see the
+outside of four walls again, and rumours were flitting here and there,
+crediting the Bearnnois with the same, if not deeper, resolves.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Things being so, the land was as full of angry murmurs as a nest of
+disturbed bees; the result being that the writ of the King was almost
+as waste paper, and bands of cut-throat soldiery committed every
+excess, now under the white, then under the red scarf, as it suited
+their convenience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was for this reason that Lalande urged us on, and we were nothing
+loath ourselves to hasten, but our pace had to be regulated by that of
+the laden animals, and do what we would our progress was slow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame and I rode in the rear of the troop, a couple of armed men
+immediately behind us. Lalande was in front, and exercised the
+greatest caution whenever we came to a place that was at all likely to
+be used for an ambuscade.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Nothing, however, happened, and finally we set down to a jogging
+motion, speaking no word, for we were wearied, and with no sound to
+break the silence of the night except the shuffling of our horses, the
+straining of their harness, and the clink of sword sheath and chain
+bit.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Suddenly we were startled by the rapid beat of hoofs, and in a moment,
+a white horse and its rider emerged from the moonlit haze to our
+right, coming as it were straight upon us. Lalande gave a quick order
+to halt, and I saw the barrel of his pistol flashing in his hand; but
+the horseman, with a cry of &quot;For the King! Way! Way!&quot; dashed over the
+road at full gallop, and sped off like a sprite over the open plain to
+our left.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you hear the voice, Denise?&quot; asked Madame.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is stranger than ever,&quot; she said, and I could make no answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was no doubt about it. It was de Lorgnac; and instead of going
+to the Porte St. Honoré as I thought when he left us, he must have
+crossed by the Meunniers and come out by the St. Germains Gate. He had
+evidently, too, separated himself from his men.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall be glad when we reach de Bouchage's house,&quot; I said with a
+shiver, for the apparition of my husband had sent a chill through me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not far now,&quot; replied Madame; and then we both became silent,
+absorbed in our own thoughts. She, no doubt, thinking of the Vicomte,
+and I with my mind full of forebodings as to what other evil fate had
+in store for me; and with this there came thoughts of de Clermont,
+whose presence I seemed absolutely to feel about me. I could not say I
+loved him, but it was as if he had a power over me that sapped my
+strength, and I felt that I was being dragged towards him. I cannot
+explain what it was, but others have told me the same, that when his
+clear blue eyes were fixed on them, they seemed to lose themselves,
+and that his glance had a power, the force of which no one could put
+into words, nor indeed, can I.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was only by an effort and a prayer that I succeeded in collecting
+myself; and it was with no little joy that I saw the grey outlines of
+the Château de Bouchage, and knew that for the remainder of the night
+there was rest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I will pass over our journey till we reached the Limousin. Going at
+our utmost strength, we found we could barely cover more than six
+leagues a day; and as day after day passed, and no news of the Vicomte
+came, Madame's face grew paler, and she became feverishly impatient
+for us to hurry onward; yet never for one moment did she lose the
+sweetness of her temper or falter in her kindness towards me. No
+mishap of any kind befell us; but at the ford of the Gartempe, there
+at last came good news that brought the glad tears to Madame's eyes,
+and the colour once more to her cheeks, for here a courier met us,
+riding with a red spur, to say that the Vicomte was out of danger, and
+striding hour by hour towards recovery. The courier further said, in
+answer to our questions, that the messenger whom Madame de Termes had
+sent on in advance, to announce her coming, had never arrived, and he
+himself was more than surprised at meeting us, believing Madame to be
+yet at Paris. No doubt the poor man who had been sent on in advance
+had met with ill, and we thanked God for the lucky chance that had put
+us in the way of the Vicomte's messenger, and also that it was not
+with us as with our man, for he had doubtless been killed, and indeed
+he was never seen again. Back we sent the courier with a spare horse
+to announce our speedy coming, and it was a gay and joyous party that
+splashed through the sparkling waters of the Gartempe. Even I, for the
+moment, forgot everything with the glad tidings that had come like the
+lark's song in the morning to cheer my friend's heart, and for a brief
+space I forgot de Lorgnac and my bonds, and was once more Denise de
+Mieux, as heedless and light-hearted as youth, high spirits, and
+health could make me. It was decided to push on to Ambazac at any cost
+by that evening. The news we had heard seemed to lighten even the
+loads of the pack animals, and we soon left the silver thread of the
+river behind us, and entered the outskirts of the Viennois. As for me,
+I do not know how it was, but I was, as I have said, in the wildest of
+spirits, and nothing could content me but the most rapid motion. At
+one time I urged my horse far in advance of the party, at another I
+circled round and round them, or lagged behind, till they were all but
+out of sight, and then caught them up at the full speed of my beast,
+and all this despite Lalande's grumbling that the horse would be worn
+out. He spoke truly enough, but I was in one of those moods that can
+brook no control, and went my own way. I was destined, however, to be
+brought back sharply to the past, from which for the moment I had
+escaped. As we reached the wooded hills of Les Eschelles, I had
+allowed the party to go well in advance of me, and, stopping for a
+moment, dismounted near a spring from which a little brook, hedged in
+on each side with ferns, babbled noisily off along the hillside. To
+me, who after all, loved the fresh sweet country, the scene was
+enchanting. The road wound half-way up the side of the spur, and the
+rough hillside with its beech forests, amongst the leaves of which
+twined the enchanter's nightshade, swept downwards in bold curves into
+a wild moorland, covered with purple heather and golden broom. The
+sheer rock above me was gay with pink mallow, and the crimson of the
+cranesbill flashed here and there, whilst the swish of the bracken in
+the breeze was pleasant to my ears. Overhead, between me and the
+absolute blue of the sky, was a yellow lacework of birch leaves, and a
+wild rose, thick with its snowy bloom, scrambled along the face of the
+rock just above the spring. It was to gather a bouquet of these
+flowers for Madame that I had halted and dismounted. The task was more
+difficult than I imagined, and whilst I was wrestling with it, I heard
+the full rich baritone of a man's voice singing out into the morning,
+and the next moment, the singer turned the corner of a bluff a few
+yards from me, and Raoul de Clermont was before me. He stopped short
+in his song with an exclamation, and, lifting his plumed hat, said in
+astonishment:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You, mademoiselle! Pardon--Madame de Lorgnac! Where in the world have
+you dropped from? Or, stay--are you the genius of this spot?&quot; and his
+laughing eyes looked me full in the face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I stood with my flowers in my hands, inwardly trembling, but outwardly
+calm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is rather for me to ask where in the world you have sprung from,
+monsieur. It is not fair to startle people like this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I ask your pardon once more. As it happens, I am travelling on
+business and pleasure combined. My estates of Clermont-Ferrand lie but
+a short way from here, as you perhaps know; but let me help you to add
+to those flowers you have gathered,&quot; and he sprang from his horse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, thank you, Monsieur de Clermont,&quot; I answered hastily. &quot;I must
+hurry on lest Madame de Termes, with whom I am travelling, should
+think I am lost.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So it is Monsieur de Clermont now, is it? It will be a stiff Monsieur
+le Marquis soon,&quot; and my heart began to beat, though I said nothing,
+and he went on: &quot;For old sake's sake let me gather that cluster yonder
+for you, and then Monsieur de Clermont will take you to Madame.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With a touch of his poniard he cut the flowers, and handed them to me,
+breaking one as he did and fastening it into the flap of his
+pourpoint. So quiet and masterful was his manner that I did nothing to
+resist, and then, putting me on my horse, he mounted himself, saying
+with that joyous laugh of his:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, fair lady, let us hasten onward to Madame de Termes. I need
+protection, too--I fear my knaves have lagged far behind.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h4" href="#div2Ref_h4">AT AMBAZAC.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The road swept onward with gentle curves, at one time hanging to
+the edge of the hillside, at another walled in on either hand by
+rocks covered with fern and bracken, to whose jagged and broken
+surface--whereon purples, greens, and browns seemed to absorb
+themselves into each other--there clung the yellow agrimony, and
+climbing rose, with its sweet bloom full of restless, murmuring bees.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Sometimes the path lost itself in some cool arcade of trees, where the
+sunlight fell in oblique golden shafts through the leaves that
+interlaced overhead, and then suddenly, without warning, we would come
+to a level stretch on which the marguerites lay thick as snowflakes,
+and across which the wind bustled riotously.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As we cantered along side by side, my companion again broke forth
+into a joyous song, that sprang full-throated and clear, from a heart
+that never seemed to have known a moment of pain. His was a lithe,
+leopard-like strength, and as I looked at him, my thoughts ran back to
+the time when we first met, on his return from the Venetian Embassy,
+whither he had gone when M. de Bruslart made a mess of things. I do
+not know why it was, but he singled me out for his particular notice;
+and though it was openly known that he was betrothed to the second
+daughter of M. D'Ayen, I, like a fool, was flattered by the attentions
+of this gay and brilliant cavalier, and day by day we were thrown
+together more and more, and a sort of confidence was established
+between us that was almost more than friendship. There was, as I have
+said, that in his masterful way, that had the effect of leaving me
+powerless; and though he could put all its light in his eyes, and all
+its tones in his voice, I felt instinctively that he did not love me,
+but was merely playing with me to exercise his strength, and dragging
+me towards him with a resistless force. In short, the influence of de
+Clermont on me was never for my good, and our intercourse always left
+me with the conviction that I had sunk a little lower than before; and
+it was at times like these, when I met de Lorgnac's grave eyes, that I
+felt the unspoken reproach in their glance, and would struggle to rise
+again, and then, in the consciousness of my own folly, I felt I fairly
+hated him for seeing my weakness. What right had de Lorgnac even to
+think of me? What did it matter to him what I did or said? So I used
+to argue with myself; yet in my heart of hearts, I felt that my
+standard of right and wrong, was being measured by what I imagined a
+man, to whom I had hardly ever spoken, might think.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When I make this confession, and say that the influence of de Clermont
+over me was never for my good, I do not mean to imply that I was
+guilty of anything more than foolishness; but the effect of it was to
+sap my high ideas, and I now know that this man, aided by his
+surroundings--and they were all to his advantage--took the pleasure
+of a devil in lowering my moral nature, and in moulding me to
+become &quot;of the world,&quot; as he would put it. God be thanked that the
+world is not as he would have made it. At that time, however, I was
+dazzled--all but overpowered by him, and day by day my struggles were
+growing weaker, like those of some poor fly caught in a pitiless web.
+The knowledge of all this was to come to me later, when, by God's
+help, I escaped; but then I was blind, and foolish, and mad.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">My companion's song was interrupted by Lalande, who came galloping
+back in hot haste, and in no good temper, to say that the whole party
+had halted to wait for me; and quickening our pace we hurried onward,
+and found them about a mile further on. To say that Madame de Termes
+was surprised at seeing de Clermont is to say little, and I could see,
+too, that she was not very well pleased; but he spoke to her so fairly
+and gracefully that, in spite of herself, she thawed; and half an hour
+later he was riding at her bridle hand, bringing smiles that had long
+been absent to her face. He was overjoyed to hear of the Vicomte's
+recovery, and said many flattering things about him, for he knew him
+well, having served under him in the campaign of Languedoc, and then
+he went on to become more communicative about himself, saying that he
+was the bearer of a despatch to the King of Navarre, adding, with a
+laugh, &quot;a duplicate, you know--the original being carried by M.
+Norreys, the English freelance. <i>Ma foi!</i> But I should not be
+surprised if I reached the Bearnnois before the sluggish islander.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hardly, if you loiter here, Monsieur le Marquis,&quot; I said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must bear the blame for that, Madame; but I will add that my
+orders are to pass through Périgueux as well, and so, Madame,&quot; and he
+turned to my friend, &quot;if you will permit Raoul de Clermont to be your
+escort there, he will look upon it as the most sacred trust of his
+life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He bowed to his saddle-bow, and looked so winning and handsome that
+Madame replied most graciously in the affirmative. A little beyond La
+Jonchère something very like an adventure befell us--the first on this
+hitherto uneventful journey. At the cross road leading to Bourganeuf,
+we met with a party of six or eight men, who did not require a second
+glance to make us see that they were capable of any mischief. They had
+halted to bait their horses, and, flung about in picturesque
+attitudes, were resting under the trees--as ill-looking a set of
+fellows as the pleasant shade of the planes had ever fallen upon. Had
+they known beforehand that we were travelling this way, they would
+very probably have arranged an attack on us; but as it was we came
+upon them rather suddenly, and as our party--which had been added to
+by de Clermont's two lackeys--was somewhat too strong to assault
+openly, without the risk of broken heads and hard knocks--things which
+gentry of this kind do not much affect--they let us alone, contenting
+themselves with gathering into a group to watch us as we went by; and
+this we did slowly, our men with their arms ready. As we approached,
+however, and saw their truculent faces, I had doubts as to whether we
+should pass them without bloodshed, and begged de Clermont in a low
+voice to prevent any such thing. He had drawn a light rapier that he
+wore, but as I spoke he put it back with a snap, and holding out
+his hand, asked for the loan of my riding-whip--a little delicate,
+agate-handled thing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It will be enough,&quot; he said as I gave it to him, and he began to
+swing it backwards and forwards, as if using it to flick off flies
+from his horse. To my joy they made no attempt to molest us, though at
+one time a quarrel hung on a cobweb. For as we passed, the leader of
+the troop, a big burly man, with a very long sword trailing at his
+side, and a face as red as the constant dipping of his nose into a
+wine cup could make it, advanced a step into the wood, and, wishing us
+the day, tried deliberately to get a better look at me, with an
+unspeakable expression in his eyes. I saw de Clermont's face grow cold
+and hard, he quietly put his horse between me and the man, and
+checking it slightly, stretched out the whip, and touched a not very
+clean white scarf the creature wore over his shoulder, saying:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are a trifle too near Limoges to wear this, my man--take my
+advice and fling it away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is my affair,&quot; answered the man insolently.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Precisely, Captain la Coquille. I spoke but for your good. Ah! take
+care!&quot; and de Clermont's horse, no doubt secretly touched by the spur,
+lashed out suddenly, causing the man to spring back with an oath and
+an exclamation of:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know me! Who the devil are you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To this, however, de Clermont made no answer, but as we passed on he
+returned my whip to me, saying, &quot;I am glad I did not have to use it.
+It would have deprived you of a pretty toy had I done so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you. Who is that horrible man? You called him by name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, la Coquille. I know him by sight, though he does not know me. He
+was very near being crucified once, and escaped but by a fluke. He is
+robber, thief, and perhaps a murderer, and----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And what!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">De Clermont reached forward and brushed off an imaginary fly from his
+horse's ears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And has something of a history. I believe he was a gentleman once,
+and then went under--found his way to the galleys. After that he was
+anything, and perhaps I ought not to tell you, but in time he became
+de Lorgnac's sergeant--his confidential man--and it was only his
+master's influence that saved him from a well-deserved death. It was
+foolish of de Lorgnac, for the man knew too many of his secrets, and
+was getting dangerous. I hope I have not pained you,&quot; he added gently.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not in the least,&quot; I replied, and rode on looking straight before me.
+So this vile criminal was once my husband's confidential servant, was
+perhaps still connected with him in his dark designs. And then I said
+a bitter thing, &quot;Like master, like man. Is not that the adage,
+monsieur?&quot; But as the words escaped me, I felt a keen regret.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God help you, Denise,&quot; I heard de Clermont murmur as if to himself,
+and then he turned abruptly from me, and joined Madame de Termes,
+leaving me with a beating heart, for his words had come to me with a
+sense of undying, hopeless love in them, and he was so brave, he
+seemed so true, and looked so handsome, that my heart went out in pity
+for him. How the mind can move! In a moment there rose before me
+thoughts of a life far different from the one to which I was doomed,
+and with them came the grim spectres of the vows that bound me
+forever, and which I would have to keep. God help me! Yes, I needed
+help--de Clermont was right.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We passed on, leaving the gang still under the plane-trees, and soon
+came in view of Ambazac, lying amidst its setting of waving
+cornfields. Here for a little time we suddenly missed de Clermont and
+one of his lackeys, and both Madame and I were much concerned, for the
+same thought struck us both, that he had lagged behind and then gone
+off hot-foot to punish la Coquille. We were about to turn after him
+when he came in sight, followed by his man, and caught us up, riding
+with a free rein. He perhaps saw the inquiry in my look, for he said
+softly to me, &quot;I went back to pick up a souvenir I had dropped,&quot; and
+his eye fell on the lapel of his coat where my rose was, a little,
+however, the worse for wear. After that he did not speak to me, but
+kept by Madame and devoted himself to her with a delicacy for which I
+was grateful, for I felt I wanted all my thoughts for myself. At
+Ambazac, which we reached in a little, we found good accommodation at
+a large inn, although the town was full, it being the <i>fête</i> of St.
+Etienne de Muret; and after taking some light refreshment Madame and I
+retired to our apartments, to rest until the supper hour, for we were
+wearied. We supped in the common hall, but at a small table a little
+apart from the others, and de Clermont, who sat next to me, gave
+Madame an interesting account of the defence of Ambazac, made by her
+husband against the Prince of Condé. It was whilst he was detailing
+the incidents of this adventure that, with a great clattering and much
+loud talking, la Coquille and his men entered the dining-room, and
+began to shout for food and drink. Most of the people in the inn being
+common country folk and unarmed, made way for the crew with haste, and
+even an expression of alarm appeared on Lalande's face, for our own
+servants were but six in number, including the baggage drivers, and
+Madame's maid and my own, who, of course, were useless, and two of our
+men-servants were at the moment attending to the horses; so that we
+were at a decided disadvantage, and la Coquille was not slow to
+perceive this.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Dame</i>,&quot; he exclaimed, looking towards us, &quot;here is my popinjay and
+his sugar-plum. Look you, my good fellow, join those boys there,
+whilst I bask in beauty's smiles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His men crowded round our servants with rough joking, and he, picking
+up a stool, placed it at our table, and held out an immense greasy paw
+to me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Shake hands, <i>ma mignonne!</i> Never mind the old lady and the silk
+mercer. There is no lover like a brave soldier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame was white with anger. I had sprung to my feet, meditating
+flight, and the villain's followers raised a hoarse shout, &quot;Courage,
+captain! None but the brave deserve the fair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then de Clermont's hand was on the man's neck, and with a swing of his
+arm he sent him staggering back almost across the room. He recovered
+himself on the instant, however, for he was a powerful man, and rushed
+forward; but stopped when he saw de Clermont's rapier in his hand, and
+began to tug at his fathom of a sword. His men, however, offered no
+assistance to him, contenting themselves with breaking into loud
+laughter. As for de Clermont, he was as cool and self-possessed as if
+he were at a Court function.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Out of this,&quot; he said. &quot;Begone--else I shall have you flogged and you
+shall taste the <i>carcan</i>. Be off.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The <i>carcan!</i> You silkworm, you cream-faced dancing-master!&quot; yelled
+the man, who had now drawn his sword. &quot;Who the devil are you to
+threaten <i>me</i>--la Coquille--with the <i>carcan?</i> Blood of a Jew! Who are
+you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Marquis de Clermont-Ferrand,&quot; was the answer, &quot;and these ladies
+are of the household of M. de Termes, and now I will give you and your
+men two minutes to go. If not I shall have them stoned out of the
+place; and you--you know what to expect. If you are wise you will put
+a hundred leagues between yourself and Périgord after this; and now be
+off--fool.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man dropped his sword into its sheath and stammered out, &quot;Your
+pardon, monseigneur! I did not know. Come, boys,&quot; he said with an
+affectation of unconcern, &quot;these ladies complain that the place is too
+crowded; we will go elsewhere. At your service, mesdames,&quot; and making
+a bow that had a sort of faded grace about it, he swaggered off
+followed by his men, who took his lead with surprising alacrity. The
+people in the inn and our servants raised a cheer, and were for going
+after them, doubtless to administer the stoning; but de Clermont put a
+stop to this, saying in a peremptory tone, &quot;Let them go; I will see
+that they are dealt with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As may be imagined we were in no mood for much supper after this. My
+knees felt very weak under me, and Madame de Termes was trembling all
+over; but she thanked de Clermont very gracefully, and he made some
+modest answer with his eyes fixed on me, and I--I could say nothing.
+We would have retired at once, but de Clermont pressed us to stay, and
+Madame, with a little smile, agreed, saying, &quot;I am afraid even after
+all these years I am not quite a soldier's wife.&quot; So we lingered yet a
+little longer and found our nerves come back to us. After that we sat
+in the garden where the moonlight was full and bright, and the breeze
+brought us the scent of the roses. Then de Clermont bringing out his
+lute sang to us. He had a voice such as neither I, nor any one else I
+knew who had listened to it, had ever heard equalled. So, perhaps,
+sang his old troubadour ancestors, and the sweet notes had died with
+the days of chivalry to be born in Raoul de Clermont. The song he
+chose was one that was perchance written by one of his minstrel
+forbears, and described in that old tongue that we no longer use, a
+lover's agony at being separated forever from his mistress. The words
+were, perhaps, poor, but there was genuine feeling in them, and sung
+by de Clermont, it might have been the wail of an angel shut out from
+Paradise. Never did I hear the like--never would I care to hear the
+like again, and as the last of the glorious notes died away in a
+liquid stream of ineffable melody, I saw Madame's face buried in her
+hands, and there was a great sob behind me that came from the broad
+chest of Lalande, who had stolen up to hear, and was blubbering like a
+child. Then Madame de Termes rose, and hurried off followed by
+Lalande, and we were alone, I sitting still with my whole soul full of
+that wondrous song, and every nerve strung to its highest pitch,
+whilst de Clermont remained standing, his lute, slung by its silken
+sash, in the loop of his arm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise!&quot; he said, &quot;you understand, dear?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes.&quot; I could barely whisper the word; and then he bent down and
+kissed me softly on the forehead, and the touch of his lips seemed to
+burn into me like a red-hot seal. With a little cry I rose to my feet,
+and hardly knowing what I was doing, ran past him, never stopping
+until I reached my room. Here I remained as if lost in a dream, with a
+hundred mad thoughts dancing in my brain. I tried to pray, but my lips
+could only frame words, for there was nothing in my heart; and then I
+thought I would seek forgetfulness in sleep. But sleep would not come,
+and I lay awake watching the broad banner of moonlight that came in
+through the open window, and all the memories of the past awake within
+me. De Clermont's kiss still burned hotly on my face, and I shivered
+with the shame and the sin of it, for I was another's wife--and Heaven
+help me! I thought then that I loved de Clermont. Oh! the misery of
+those hours, when I tossed from side to side with dry, burning eyes
+and bitter shame in my heart. At last, as the moon was paling, I could
+endure it no longer, and, rising from my bed, began to pace the room.
+I felt that what I needed was motion, movement--I could not be still.
+If I could only pray! and as the thought came to me once more I heard
+a little <i>clink</i>, and stooping, picked up a small locket containing a
+miniature of my mother which I wore round my neck, the gold chain by
+which it was suspended having broken in my restless movements. I
+opened the locket, and standing near the window looked at the picture,
+and as I live it seemed to lighten so that I could see each feature,
+with the soft eyes bent on me in pity; and then a voice--it was her
+voice--said:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise, pray!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And then my eyes were blinded with tears, and flinging myself on my
+knees with my hands clasped on the mullions of the window I sobbed
+out, &quot;God! Dear God! Have pity on me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I could say no more, but my whole soul went out with these words and I
+knelt there, still and motionless, with the sense of a great peace
+falling upon me. Then it was as if the very heavens grew bright as
+day, and the light filled my room so that my eyes were dazzled and I
+could not see. And I covered my face with my hands to shield my eyes
+from the splendour.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">When I looked up again the glory was gone, but my soul was at rest. I
+stood at the window and let the cool breeze fan me, whilst I peered
+out into the darkness, for the moon had sunk and it was now the black
+hour that touches the dawn. As I watched I heard the bells of St.
+Etienne calling the Lauds across the grave of the night, and I knew
+that in two hours it would be daylight, and felt that the Unseen God
+had heard my prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h5" href="#div2Ref_h5">M. LE MARQUIS LEADS HIS HIGHEST TRUMP.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">When I came down in the morning I found we were all ready to start.
+Madame was mounted, and de Clermont was standing to assist me to my
+horse. It all seemed so strange after the crisis of last night. I had
+not schooled myself. I had not had time to meet de Clermont with
+unconcern, and overcome by a sudden shyness I declined his aid, and he
+said in his cool, level voice:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are very proud this morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The touch of proprietorship in his tone, which he so often used
+towards me, and to which I had hitherto submitted, jarred on me now,
+and in a moment my courage had come back. I looked him full in the
+face and answered:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is necessary to be proud sometimes, monsieur.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Our eyes held each other for an instant, and for the first time I saw
+in his clear blue glance an expression of hesitation and surprise, and
+I felt that the compelling power of his look was gone, and then--he
+dropped his gaze, and stepping back lifted his hat without a word; but
+I saw the white line of his teeth close on his nether lip.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then we started, and de Clermont dropped away to the rear of the
+party, leaving Madame de Termes and myself alone. She was full of the
+strange song of last night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had heard of his voice before,&quot; she said, &quot;but never thought it was
+anything like that. St. Siege!&quot; and she gave a little shudder. &quot;I am
+an old woman; but it was maddening. I forgot everything. I could think
+of nothing except that sorrow in that last verse--the poor man, the
+poor man!&quot; And the dear old lady's eyes filled once more with tears at
+the recollection. &quot;But it was not a good song,&quot; she went on in a
+moment, &quot;it was a beautiful evil thing, and he shall sing it no more.
+I will speak to him. It is wrong. It is wicked to touch the heart as
+that song can. He is very silent and grave to-day. I wonder if it
+affected him as it did me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But I made no answer, for my mind was full of other things, of the
+hopeless love in the heart that I thought so strong and brave, and of
+the wondrous power that had come over me and enabled me to be victor
+over myself, and I cast up an unspoken prayer that this strength
+should be continued to me, and then I found de Clermont once more by
+my side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame kept her word about the song, and he said gravely:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I promise. I will never sing it again. It hurts me, too,&quot; and,
+changing the subject, other matters were spoken about. In a little I
+found myself separated from Madame, and de Clermont, bending forward,
+said:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have news I should have given before that will interest you,
+madame--something you ought to know--of M. de Lorgnac.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it really of importance?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think so. It will remain for you to decide.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then what is it, monsieur?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot well tell you here. We will let them go onward, and ride
+slowly behind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I agreed silently, and we soon found ourselves at a little distance
+from the party. We were descending the wooded valley of the Briance,
+and a turn in the forest road left us alone. Then de Clermont, who had
+up to now remained silent, began abruptly:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame, it has been given to me to find out the business on which M.
+de Lorgnac is engaged, and over which you have been sacrificed. You
+are a brave woman--the bravest I have ever met--and I know you will
+bear with the bluntness of my speech, for this is no time to beat
+about the bush.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, it does not concern me on what business M. de Lorgnac is
+engaged. I only ask and pray God to give me some refuge where I may
+never see him again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hear me a moment. I think it does concern you, and vitally too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then what is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now call to mind your race, and all that can give you strength.
+Denise de Mieux, your husband is nothing more than an assassin. He has
+been hired by the King and that she-devil the Queen Mother to murder
+Navarre. It is a political necessity for them, and they have found an
+instrument in Blaise de Lorgnac base enough for their purpose. His
+price was high, though--it was you, Denise, and de Tavannes, who is in
+the secret, has paid it. How he came to persuade himself to do so, I
+know not. He is your uncle, and I will not say anything against him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I felt as if I had received a blow. There was truth in every line of
+de Clermont's face, in every tone of his voice; but I struggled
+against it, and said faintly:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This does not concern me--I am but a wife in name. I shall never see
+de Lorgnac. He is dead to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would to God he were dead indeed!&quot; he burst out. &quot;But there is more.
+Catherine is tyrant to her finger nails. She has heard that you have
+refused to remain with your husband, and at his request an order has
+been sent to de Termes to deliver you up to him at Périgueux. Norreys
+has taken that order, and it has already reached him. If you doubt me
+here is the duplicate. You may read it for yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He placed a letter in my hands. I knew the seal well. The red shield
+with the <i>palle</i> of the Medici--Catherine's private signet. But I
+could not read it. My mind became a chaos. &quot;Oh! what shall I do? What
+shall I do?&quot; I exclaimed aloud in my despair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise!&quot; he said, &quot;there is one way of escape and only one, for de
+Lorgnac has already made his claim at Périgueux, and you go straight
+into the lion's jaws.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it? Tell me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He laid his hand on my rein. &quot;Denise--put your trust in me and come.
+My dear, I love you--I love you. This marriage is an infamy. Vows such
+as they made you swear are not binding. Come with me, my dear, and
+under the banner of the Emperor, with you by my side to help me, I
+will work out a new life, and the name of Clermont-Ferrand is already
+known. Denise! Last night I saw the love-light in your eyes. Let it
+burn there again for me. Come.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He made as if to turn my horse's head, and it was only with an effort
+that I restrained him. God knows I was sorry for the man. I know, too,
+that it was in my heart to take the great love I thought he was giving
+me, and, forgetting everything, to follow him to the world's end. In
+the few seconds that passed, I went through a frightful struggle, and
+then the strength of last night came back to me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;De Clermont! It is impossible; and now go--go. If you say you love
+me, go in pity!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise, you know not what you say! Think, dear! In two hours we will
+be safe. In two hours the world itself could not part us. I will not
+let you sacrifice yourself. You love me, dear, and you know it, and
+when love like ours exists there is no right and no wrong--only our
+love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It cannot be--it cannot be. De Clermont, you are tempting the woman
+you say you love, to dishonour. Let me tell you plainly, I do not love
+you. For one moment I thought I did; but I am sure of myself now; and
+even did I love you, as I feel sure you deserve to be loved, I would
+never consent to--to what you propose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Mordieu!</i>&quot; he exclaimed hoarsely, &quot;you are not yourself. Come,
+Denise. I hear Lalande riding back, and in a moment it will be too
+late.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let go my reins, monsieur, else I shall call out. I hear Lalande,
+too. Go, monsieur, whilst I can still think of you as I always have.
+Go and forget me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His hand dropped to his side, and taking the occasion I struck my
+horse smartly with the whip and he sprang forward. De Clermont made no
+attempt to follow, but at the bend of the road, as I glanced across my
+shoulder, I saw him turn his horse's head and plunge into the forest,
+and a moment later I met Lalande.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I could only realize that I had escaped a great danger; beyond that my
+mind could not go; but I was conscious that, despite the terrible
+earnestness of his words, there was something that was not convincing
+in de Clermont. The narrow escape that I had drove all other things
+out of my mind, and it was only when I came in sight of our party
+again that I recollected de Clermont's warning that by going to
+Périgueux I was going straight into the lion's mouth, and an absolute
+despair fell upon me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When I rode up to Madame's side she glanced at me narrowly and asked
+for de Clermont.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I answered truly enough that I did not know, and she looked at me
+again with her clear, searching eyes. &quot;It is odd, Denise, but do you
+know that his lackeys have gone, too? They left us an hour ago--and
+now it seems he has gone, too, without a word of good-bye.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur made too sure of the success of his plans,&quot; I said bitterly,
+and Madame's answer was sharp and swift:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise, there is something wrong--what is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And as we rode close together, side by side, I told her every word,
+hiding nothing. My voice sounded hard and dry to my own ears, my eyes
+were burning, and when I had finished, she said, &quot;Denise, I cannot
+believe M. de Clermont's story. I <i>feel</i> it is untrue. Even if it were
+true de Termes would never carry out the order about you. He is
+incapable of such baseness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is always one way of escape, madame, and I am my father's
+daughter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And there is a God above, girl. Your father's daughter should never
+talk like that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then why does He not hear my prayers?&quot; I said, in impious
+forgetfulness. &quot;Is heaven so far that our voices cannot reach there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And my dear old friend sighed deeply in answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We were to halt at Chalusset for the night, and here confirmation was
+received of the truth of de Clermont's story, for an equerry of the
+Vicomte's met us here with a letter to his wife in his own hand, in
+which he said that our message, the one we had sent from the Gartempe,
+had reached him, and that he was hastening forward himself to meet us.
+Then he went on to other matters, and his letter concluded with a
+postscript:</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>M. Norreys is here with an order from the King, or, rather, from the
+Queen Mother. It is very unfortunate, but must be obeyed</i>.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">She first read the letter herself--we were sitting together in her
+apartment, in the one inn at Chalusset--and then she handed it to me
+with a request to read it aloud to her. I did so; but on coming to the
+postscript my voice faltered in spite of myself, and then she bent
+forward and kissed me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise, it will never be. Are you strong enough to do a brave thing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will try.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is clear to me that de Termes' postscript is a warning for you not
+to go to Périgueux. I knew that he would be incapable of carrying out
+such orders as he has received--and I can read his meaning between the
+lines of his message. Denise, you must not be with me when my husband
+and I meet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God Himself seems to have abandoned me. What can I do--where shall I
+hide?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell you. My sister Louise is Abbess of Our Lady of Meymac. I
+will send you to her. The convent has special rights of sanctuary that
+even Catherine herself would not dare to violate--but she will never
+know you are there. Yet it is a long journey, and you will have to
+cross the mountains. Will you risk it tonight?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am ready now, madame.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well,&quot; and, calling to her maid, she asked for Lalande, and when
+the equerry came she turned to him:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lalande, how long is it that you have followed Monsieur le Vicomte?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thirty years, madame, from the days when Monsieur was a simple
+cavalier of the guard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you would do anything for Monsieur?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame, I have been his man in lean times and in fat--in famine and
+in full harvest. He saved my life at Cerisolles, and it was I who got
+him out of the Bastille; I have been by his side from the time he was
+a simple gentleman to the present day, when Monsieur is a marshal and
+a peer of France. You ask if I would do anything for Monsieur. If
+Monsieur le Vicomte were to ask me to lay down my life to-morrow I
+would do so willingly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe you, Lalande. Now listen. Madame de Lorgnac here is in
+great danger. It is Monsieur le Vicomte's wish that she should be
+conveyed to the Convent of Our Lady of Meymac, and we trust her to
+you. No one is to know where she is placed. You must protect her with
+your life--do you understand? And you must start now--and alone--for
+Madame's hiding-place is a secret.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We could start in a few minutes, madame, and I will do what you say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then be ready in half an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame,&quot; and he was gone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not let Mousette know whither you are bound, Denise. She is a
+chattering ape, and, though she loves you, can never keep a secret. As
+for de Termes, I will arrange to manage him--and, dear, keep a brave
+heart. I would go with you myself; but you know it is impossible.&quot;</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">The moon was just rising when, after taking an affectionate
+farewell of Madame de Termes, who had been to me as a mother, we
+started--Mousette, Lalande, and myself. Our horses had been brought to
+a little gate at the back of the straggling garden attached to the
+inn, by the equerry himself, so that we might get away unobserved.
+Hither Madame accompanied us, and after giving some further
+instructions in a low tone to Lalande, embraced me again and again,
+and I am afraid we both wept, whilst Mousette joined in to keep us
+company. Finally we started, and I turned once or twice to look back,
+and saw the slender grey-clad figure still at the gate, growing
+fainter and fainter in outline at each step we took, and seeming at
+last to slip away into the silver haze of the moonlight, until when I
+turned for the last time, I could see nothing but the winding road,
+the ghostly outline of the trees, and the pointed roof of the inn. I
+have often wondered if the girls of the present day would endure and
+act as we women had to do then. All women have to endure passively.
+This will be so for all time unless the world be made anew, but with
+us there were times and seasons when we had to act like men.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Last year, when I was in Paris, where I had taken my daughter for her
+presentation, a great lady called on me, the wife and daughter of a
+soldier, and she reached our house almost in hysterics, because one of
+the wheels of her coach had come off, and she had to walk a hundred
+paces or so. She was in fear of her life at the accident. And when we
+had made much of her and she was gone, my husband's eyes met mine, and
+the same thought struck us both, for he came up and kissed me, saying:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Mordieu!</i> I thank God I am not thirty years younger!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h6" href="#div2Ref_h6">AT THE SIGN OF THE GOLDEN FROG.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">At first we managed to get along at a fair pace, as the road was good
+and we were well able to see our way by the moonlight; but after
+crossing the Taurion by a frail wooden bridge, which creaked and
+groaned ominously as we passed over it, Lalande took a turn to the
+right and followed a narrow track whereon we had to ride nose to tail.
+Womanlike, I began to think he was taking the wrong road, and asked
+him whither he was leading us.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;St. Priest-Taurion lies on the main road, madame, and it would be
+well to avoid it. Let not madame have any fear. I could make my way to
+Meymac blindfold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And want to show off by picking the most horrible paths,&quot; shrilled
+out Mousette, whose temper, never of the best, had gone to ribbons,
+and little wonder, too, poor thing!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would be well if we speak in lower tones--better still not to
+speak at all,&quot; said the equerry, and silencing Mousette with a
+reprimand, I asked Lalande to lead on.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Whilst the motion was fast it was not possible to think, but now that
+we were going at something like a snail's pace, I unconsciously gave
+myself over to my reflections, though I had by this time reached a
+state of mind when it seemed impossible for me to distinguish between
+right and wrong, or to think coherently. The proof of the truth of de
+Clermont's story had accentuated the bitterness in my heart against my
+husband, and this was not lessened when I remembered the infamy of the
+enterprise which he had undertaken, and of which I was the price. I
+had it once or twice in my mind to try and prevent the crime he
+contemplated by attempting to warn the Bearnnois; but it was
+impossible to do so from here, and I should have to make the attempt
+from Meymac. Then that thought gave place to de Clermont, and with the
+memory of him regrets that I had not taken his offer, and by one
+desperate stroke freed myself forever from de Lorgnac, even at the
+cost of that good opinion of the world, we pretend to despise and yet
+value so much, even against what I felt to be the teachings of my
+conscience. After all I was merely holding to vows that I had never
+really made. The priest's benediction surely could not bind me forever
+to a hateful life. I had my dreams as all young women and young men
+have--of a life that I could share with one whom I could trust and
+honour and love. One whose joys would be my joys, whose sorrows would
+be my sorrows, whose ambitions and hopes would be my ambitions and
+hopes, and so to pass hand in hand with him until one or both of us
+were called away to fulfil the mystery of life by death. And de
+Clermont? Could he have been the one to have so travelled with me? Did
+I love him? For the life of me I could not tell at that moment. At one
+time I seemed dragged towards him, at another there was a positive
+repulsion, and through it all there was an ever-warning voice within
+me, like the tolling of a bell hung over a sunken rock to warn
+mariners of danger, telling me, &quot;Beware! Beware!&quot; I felt in my heart
+that he did not ring true metal--why, I could not tell--nor can I tell
+now. But I suppose that God, who has limited the capacity of us women
+to reason as compared with man, has given to us this faculty of
+intuition by which we can know. Would that it were followed more
+often; would that its warnings were ever heeded! Such were the
+thoughts that chased each other through my brain as the long hours
+passed, and then they seemed to twine themselves together into a
+network that left me powerless to follow them and unravel the tangle.
+Oh, it was a weary ride! Overhead hung the moon now light, then
+darkened by flitting clouds, with a few stars showing here and there
+in the sky. On all sides of us floated a dim silvery haze that made it
+appear as if we were going through Dreamland; dark shadows of trees,
+fantastic rocks that might have been thrown here and there by giants
+at play, and a road that turned and twisted like a serpent's track,
+full of stones and boulders, on which our horses continually stumbled,
+but, mercifully, did not come down and bring us with them. There was
+one advantage we derived from these boulders. They kept the horses and
+ourselves from sleeping, for after a stumble and a jerk, both beast
+and rider began to see the folly of nodding, and bravely strove to
+keep awake. At last we came to something that looked like level
+ground, and Lalande suggested that we should increase our pace to a
+canter, adding truly enough that it would rouse us all up. We followed
+his advice, nothing loath, and kept at this pace with occasional halts
+to rest the horses, for the best part of the night. At last, however,
+neither Mousette nor myself could endure going on longer, and indeed
+our horses were as much, if not more worn out than we were. In short,
+we were so fatigued that I had got into a frame of mind in which I did
+not care what happened to me, one way or the other, and Mousette, poor
+girl, was crying softly to herself, though she kept her way with the
+greatest courage. This being the case, I called to Lalande that we
+could not go on any further; but at his intercession we made yet
+another effort, and at last we halted near a clump of beeches, close
+to which a small brook purled by. I do not think I shall ever forget
+the kindness and attention of the honest fellow. He made us as
+comfortable a resting-place as he could contrive with the aid of
+saddles and rugs, and then, giving us some wine to drink, bade us
+sleep, whilst he retired a little distance--not to rest, but to attend
+to the horses and keep a watch. So utterly tired out were we that we
+must have fallen asleep at once, and the sun was already rising when
+Lalande aroused us.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If madame does not mind,&quot; he said, &quot;it will be well if we move
+further up into that wood yonder and rest there, whilst I go to a
+village hard at hand, and procure some food, and take news of the
+state of the road.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To this I assented readily, and after walking for about a quarter of a
+mile we found a spot which exactly suited our purpose, where both we
+and the horses could be concealed for the remainder of the day, if it
+was so necessary, without any fear of discovery. Lalande then started
+off for the village, and we waited his coming with a hungry
+impatience, taking, however, the opportunity of his absence to make a
+forest toilet. It was some time before the equerry came back, and we
+were just beginning to be alarmed at his absence when he appeared,
+bearing with him the things he went to procure, and whilst Mousette
+and I were eating, he told us what he had found out, adding:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I regret that madame will not be able to travel by daylight--that
+<i>croquemort</i> la Coquille and his gang passed through St. Bathilde
+yesterday, and are in the neighbourhood, and not they alone, but one
+or two others of like kidney. We shall have to make our way as best we
+can by night.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But this was too much--not for anything was I going to endure the
+misery of last night over again, and I argued and expostulated with
+Lalande, Mousette joining with me with shrill objurgations, and at
+last the poor fellow gave in, but I confess with a very bad grace,
+grumbling a good deal to himself and declaring he would be no longer
+responsible for our safety. I own now that we were wrong in persisting
+as we did, but I put it to any one if they would have endured what we
+had to endure without protest; and then we were women, and I am afraid
+possessed some of that contrariness of disposition which I have heard
+the opposite sex credit us with--though for pure, mulish obstinacy,
+give me a man who thinks he has made up his mind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lalande was, however, determined upon one thing, and that was to avoid
+the main road, and as I had so far successfully opposed his plan of
+forcing a night journey, I did not feel justified in making further
+objections, and allowed him to follow the by-paths he chose without
+further protest, though indeed, it was as if there was some truth in
+Mousette's remark of last night, that he was choosing the most
+difficult tracks to show how well he knew the way. We now entered the
+mountains of the Limousin, and what would have been a mile elsewhere,
+became three here with the ups and downs, the turns and twists. For
+miles we passed never a human habitation, except now and again a few
+woodcutters' huts, and sometimes a small outlying farm, and I felt the
+justice of Lalande's remark, when he defended himself from a sharp
+attack by Mousette, by saying he had chosen this road because it was
+safe from gentlemen like la Coquille, who never found any bones worth
+the picking on it, and therefore left it and its difficulties severely
+alone--though, of course, there was the odd chance of our meeting
+them, and so again to the old argument of travelling by night. As we
+went on the scenery became wilder and more savage, and once a large
+grey wolf, with two cubs by her side, appeared on the track about
+fifty paces or so in front of us, and after giving our party a quiet
+survey, and showing us a line of great strong teeth as she snarled on
+us, trotted calmly off with her family down the hillside. Both
+Mousette and myself were not unnaturally alarmed; but Lalande, with a
+&quot;Never fear, madame, there is no danger,&quot; kept quietly along, though I
+saw that he had pulled a pistol from his holster. As the day advanced
+we became aware that the sun was being obscured by clouds more often
+than it should be at this time of year, and every now and again gusts
+of wind would race down the ravines, and lose themselves with ominous
+warnings through the forest. Still, however, the horizon was clear,
+and high above all others we could make out the crest of Mount Odouze.
+I asked Lalande if he thought there was likely to be a storm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is hard to tell, madame; storms come on very suddenly in these
+hills, but if there is one it will not be very bad, for we can see the
+Cradle, as that dip between the two peaks of Mount Odouze is called,
+quite distinctly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But though he spoke thus reassuringly, I saw that he increased the
+pace, and that ever and again he would scan the horizon, and look up
+at the sky. Once when he thought I had caught him, he explained as he
+pointed upwards:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Tis a red eagle, madame, that must have flown here from the
+Pyrenees--a long journey. See--there it is--that speck in the sky.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I followed his glance, but could make out nothing. &quot;You have sharp
+eyesight, Lalande,&quot; I said with a smile, and then the matter dropped.
+I could not, however, but think how good a heart was beneath that
+rough exterior, and not the finest gentleman I have ever met could
+have behaved to us with more chivalrous courtesy than did that simple
+under officer of horse. A little past midday we rested for an hour or
+so, more for the sake of the animals than ourselves, and then
+continued our journey.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We should make St. Yriarte by about three o'clock, madame,&quot; said
+Lalande, &quot;and there is a small inn there kept by my sister and her
+husband, for we are of the Limousin. It is called 'The Golden Frog.'
+We will stay there for the night, and a long march to-morrow will
+bring us to Meymac by nightfall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank goodness!&quot; exclaimed Mousette, &quot;for every bone in my body aches
+as if some one had beaten me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As the time passed, bringing with it no storm, I began to think we
+were safe from that annoyance, and at last from the crest of a hill
+over which we were riding we suddenly came in sight of St. Yriarte,
+lying below us in a little valley. As we did so Lalande called out,
+&quot;We will be there in half an hour, madame--and save all chance of a
+wetting for to-night.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It took us a little time to descend the slope of the hill, but after
+that we came to more or less level ground, and in a few moments
+reached the gates of the inn, which stood in a large garden some way
+apart from the hamlet, for St. Yriarte could be called by no other
+name.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As we rode in a dog commenced to bark; Lalande called out &quot;Jeanne!
+Jeanne!&quot; and, on our halting near the entrance, gay with honeysuckle,
+in full bloom, Lalande's sister and her husband came out to meet us,
+and seeing him, fell to embracing him, and there was an animated
+converse carried on by all three at once, whilst Mousette and I were
+kept waiting. Whilst we did this patiently, I began to look around me,
+and for the first time became aware of the presence of a stranger. He
+had been sitting on a garden seat, half-hidden by the falling
+honeysuckle, but, as my eyes fell on him, he rose politely, and stood
+as if in doubt, whether he should offer to assist me to dismount, or
+not. He was a tall well-built man, with aquiline features, fair hair,
+and blue eyes, and wore a short pointed beard slightly tinged with
+grey. His dress was simple though rich, and it was easy to see that,
+whoever he was, he was a person of some consequence. The position was
+getting just a little absurd when Jeanne's voice rang out sharply:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course! Of course! Madame de Lorgnac shall have the best we can
+provide.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I saw the stranger start perceptibly, and an odd, curious look came
+into his eyes. Then as if with an effort he stepped forward, and
+lifting his hat said with a foreign accent:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will Madame de Lorgnac permit me to assist her to alight? I have the
+honour to be known to Monsieur le Chevalier de Lorgnac. My name is
+Norreys--Colonel Norreys, of whom, perhaps, you may have heard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I became almost sick with fear and apprehension, for this was the very
+man whom I least wished to meet. It was he who had borne the order
+concerning me to de Termes. He must therefore be aware that my
+presence there meant that I was in flight. He acknowledged himself to
+be a friend of my husband, and I felt that all was lost. Mustering up
+as much courage as I could I thanked him for his offer, and he helped
+me to dismount, saying as he did so:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame will find the inn more than comfortable. I have been here for
+two days awaiting a friend. If he comes this evening I shall have to
+leave to-morrow with the greatest regret. It has been so quiet and
+peaceful here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I glanced at him again. It was a strong, good face. The eyes looked at
+me honestly, and in their clear depths I could see no deceit. That
+woman's instinct of which I have spoken, told me at once that here was
+a man to be trusted, that he was incapable of treachery. But the same
+feeling used to come over me whenever I saw de Lorgnac, and yet--who
+was more base than he?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Nevertheless, I was now moved by an impulse I could not resist.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Norreys, will you see me in an hour? I have a favour to
+ask of you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He looked a little surprised, but bowed. &quot;If there is anything I can
+do for you, madame, command me.&quot; His tone was cold and formal, and
+chilled me. Then he stepped to one side to let me pass, and I entered
+the inn.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I had made up my mind. I felt sure that he was here to prevent my
+going further. What else could have brought him to this out-of-the-way
+place? But he looked a gentleman and a man of honour, and I would
+follow the dictates of my heart, and throw myself on his mercy.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h7" href="#div2Ref_h7">UNMASKED.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Now do I reverently thank God that by His mercy I was strong enough to
+take the course I adopted. For had I not done so, I know not what had
+been my fate. On the surface, the impulse on which I had acted seemed
+foolish and ill-advised, yet when I think over all calmly now, and
+especially of the circumstances that led to my meeting with Monsieur
+de Norreys, and the events which followed, I am sure and confident
+that the Merciful Power which had so far watched over me had heard my
+prayers and answered them. At the moment, however, I did not know or
+think of this; my one idea was to try, if possible, to enlist the
+Englishman on my side, and if this was not to be, then I knew not what
+I should do, though the most desperate resolves were rioting in my
+brain. I was too excited to rest, but a bath, a change of toilet, and
+a little food, refreshed me and steadied my nerves, and then I sat for
+a space by the open window of my small room to try and collect myself
+for my interview with M. de Norreys. The clouds seemed to have passed
+away, though far behind over the mountains there was a grey bank that
+showed that the storm was hovering over us, and the wind still blew in
+fitful, uncertain gusts. Below me Lalande was attending to the horses,
+and a bow-shot or so beyond the garden of the inn, under some walnut
+trees I saw what I had not noticed before, and that was a small
+encampment of lances. This did not tend to reassure me, and if I had
+any doubts as to whom the troops belonged, they were set at rest by
+the sight of Norreys, mounted on a powerful black horse, riding slowly
+towards the inn, evidently with a view of keeping his appointment with
+me. I had tried to set out in my mind what I would say to him, but
+each effort seemed to be worse than the other, and at last I
+determined to simply throw myself on his chivalry, and stand the
+hazard of the result. At one time I thought that we might perhaps make
+a dash for it and escape; but even I could see that our wearied horses
+would not have a chance against fresh ones, and if it came to a
+struggle we had but one sword to depend upon--a brave one, it is
+true--but what could one poor man do against ten? No, there was no way
+but the one way, the idea of which had come so suddenly to me. Now I
+heard Norreys dismounting at the door of the inn, and after a moment's
+hesitation, I took my courage in both hands, and stepped down to meet
+him. He was standing in the little parlour, his back to the light, as
+I entered, so that I could not see the expression of his face, but he
+bowed, I thought stiffly, on my coming in, and handed me one of the
+rough chairs in the room, saying as he did so, &quot;I trust I have not
+kept you waiting, madame; I was delayed a little longer than I
+expected with my men, as I have much to arrange for.&quot; The last words,
+measured out in his prim, formal speech, appeared to me to convey a
+hint to be quick with my business, and as a natural result all but
+took away from me the power of saying anything. Mustering up courage,
+however, I took the chair he offered, saying, as I did so, &quot;Will you
+not be seated, monsieur?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you,&quot; came the answer in the same set tone, and then he fixed
+his eyes on me with a grave attention, in which, however, there was
+mingled, as I thought, much repressed curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Norreys,&quot; I began desperately, &quot;you cannot but be aware
+that I fully understand why you are here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He started slightly, but recovered himself at once, though he said
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And, monsieur,&quot; I went on, &quot;I have come to throw myself on your
+mercy. Monsieur, you look a gentleman. What object can you gain by
+carrying out your orders against a poor weak woman, whose only end is
+to hide herself from the world? I have done no wrong, monsieur, and if
+you knew my story you would pity me--I ask you as a gentleman--as a
+man of honour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame,&quot; he interrupted, genuine amaze in his voice, &quot;I do not
+understand. As far as I am concerned you are as free as air. I know
+you to be the wife of my friend de Lorgnac, and my only regret is that
+I am unable to offer you my escort----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say that again, monsieur. Do you mean your business here has nothing
+to do with me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Absolutely nothing, madame. I am afraid you have alarmed yourself
+needlessly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But M. de Clermont told me; he said you had gone to Périgueux to have
+me delivered over to my husband.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame, I know of no necessity for doing so, and if I was not certain
+that you must be mistaken I would say that M. de Clermont deceived
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I tell you he did not. He showed me the despatch with the Queen's
+cipher on it--asked me to read it. Monsieur, listen; he did not lie,
+and I shall tell you why. It is you who deceive me and are playing
+with me. Wait, monsieur.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A flicker of a smile passed over his face and shone in his eyes, but
+he answered simply:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am attention; but, madame, think before you tell me things which
+perhaps I ought not to know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me be the judge of that, and I will show you, monsieur, that it
+is useless, even in kindness, to hide your orders from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then I told him briefly of my marriage, and of the circumstances
+attending it, whilst he leaned back in his chair and listened without
+a word, and with so little sympathy in his look, that he might have
+been cut out of a block of wood. The result was that as I spoke I grew
+somewhat excited, and my tongue was bitter against de Lorgnac, whom,
+to my sorrow, I upbraided with the infamy of this enterprise; and then
+I spoke of de Clermont, of his bravery and kindness, forgetting other
+things that had happened, and how he had warned me of my danger, and
+especially about Norreys himself, finishing with a rapid &quot;and,
+monsieur, surely you will let me go. I put myself on your chivalry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stopped me with a movement of his hand, and, rising from his seat,
+faced me. &quot;Madame de Lorgnac, I tell you again that you are utterly
+mistaken. I have nothing to do with your movements. Yet I am glad you
+have spoken, for de Lorgnac is my friend, and I now see what the other
+man is. It is not my habit to meddle with other people's affairs; but,
+because de Lorgnac is my friend, I will tell you something that will
+give you pain, but will open your eyes, and you must forgive the plain
+speech of my country, for we have no mincing turns of the tongue. On
+the authority of the Marquis de Clermont you have accused me of
+playing catchpole. This is not a matter that troubles me, my honour is
+in safe keeping; but you have also accused your husband and my friend,
+and believe Blaise de Lorgnac to be an assassin, and capable of
+forcing a marriage on you for the sake of your wealth. For your own
+sake, for the sake of de Lorgnac, you shall know the truth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I listen, monsieur.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I'll tell you. At a supper party given by that <i>croquemitaine</i> of a
+King of yours, a certain matter was discussed, there was no
+assassination in it; but the execution of it had to be dropped, as no
+one of those present who was offered the enterprise would accept it.
+Later on the wine passed, and a fool, after the fashion of your Court,
+began to boast openly of his conquests and spoke openly of your
+favour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, how dare you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame, it is the fashion amongst your fine gentlemen to lie like
+this. I will do de Clermont the justice to say that it was not he, for
+he was not there, and the man who spoke is dead, so let his name pass.
+But Tavannes was there, and had to be reckoned with. The King offered
+to have you married, and the marshal burst out that he would give you
+to the first man who asked.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blaise de Lorgnac was on guard at the door. He had heard every word,
+and now stepped forward and claimed your hand, offering at the same
+time to undertake the affair for which an agent could not be found.
+His offer was accepted, and in the early morning, madame, in the yard
+of la Boucherie, where I had the honour to be your husband's second,
+your traducer met with his death, and with his last breath confessed
+that he had lied. That was the very day, madame, that you foolishly
+rode out with de Clermont. Stay, there is yet a little more, and that
+concerns the despatch. My business at Périgueux was to give an order
+to de Termes to receive at St. Priest-Taurion a prisoner of state, who
+was to be handed over to him by myself and de Clermont. I am here to
+receive that prisoner, and it is Blaise de Lorgnac who is entrusted
+with the duty of taking him alive. The duplicate despatch, if there is
+such a one--and you say you have seen the cover--does not refer to
+you, and de Clermont has lied. I will settle with him for using my
+name; but, madame, you are as free as air, and may go where you like,
+and for Blaise de Lorgnac's sake I will help you all I can--and this
+is all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! I don't know what to think.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are free to go, I say; and as de Clermont will be here soon, and
+not alone, I would advise an immediate departure. I will detach a
+brace of lances to act as further escort, and let me give the order
+now. I will be back in a moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He did not wait for my reply, but turning on his heel stepped out of
+the room, and I sat with my brain burning, and my head between my
+hands. I could not doubt this story, and if ever woman passed through
+a furnace of shame and anger I did so in those few minutes. I now knew
+what de Lorgnac was. I now for the first time saw de Clermont in his
+true colours, with his mask off; and yet--and yet--perhaps Norreys was
+mistaken about him. I had proved myself to be so utterly wrong, to
+have jumped to conclusions so rashly, that I dared not sit in judgment
+any more on a soul, and whilst I floundered on in this way Norreys
+came back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have arranged everything, madame; the orders have been given to
+your people. They will be ready to start in a half hour. About
+midnight you should reach Millevranches, and I should halt there and
+go on with the morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, how can I thank you? I have no words.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let the matter rest, Madame de Lorgnac,&quot; and then his voice took a
+gentler tone. &quot;I would not urge your going at once except that we are
+on de Clermont's own estates, and he has a hundred lances with him at
+his Château of Ferrand. It is shut out from view by the hills, but it
+lies yonder,&quot; He pointed to the west through the open window, and as
+he did so an exclamation of surprise burst from him, and he crossed
+himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I followed his glance and saw, high in the heavens, hanging over the
+mountainous pile of reddening clouds that lay in the west, the grim
+outline of a vast fortress. The huge walls reflected back with a
+coppery lustre the red light of the sun, and it was as if we could see
+figures moving on the ramparts and the flash of arms from the
+battlements. From the flag-staff on the donjon a broad banner flaunted
+itself proudly, and so clear and distinct was the light that we made
+out with ease the blazon on the standard, and the straining leashed
+ounces of the house of Clermont-Ferrand. And then the clouds took a
+duskier red, and the solid mass of castle faded away into nothing. I
+stood still and speechless, and Norreys burst forth, &quot;Sorcery, as I
+live. Madame, that was the Château de Ferrand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I had never seen the like before, never again did I see it, nor do I
+wish to, and it left me so chilled and faint, that Norreys noticed it
+at once and called for wine. As he did so, I fancied that I heard the
+beat of a horse's hoof, but paid no attention to it; and then the wine
+came and I drank, he standing over me. I was just setting down the
+glass when there was a grating at the entrance, a long shadow fell
+through the doorway, and de Clermont stepped in with a cheery
+&quot;Good-day, Monsieur de Norreys. I see you have not been neglecting
+your time here. <i>Arnidieu!</i> Denise! Is it you? You seem to be forever
+dropping from the clouds across my path,&quot; and he held out his hand;
+but I took no notice, though I rose from my chair, and Norreys merely
+bowed frigidly in return to his greeting. De Clermont seemed in nowise
+disconcerted, but there was an angry flash in his eyes, and for a
+second he stood tapping the end of his boot with his riding-whip, and
+looking from one to another of us with a half smile on his lips. Then
+putting his plumed hat on the table, and drawing off his gloves, he
+drawled out with a veiled insolence in every tone of his voice, &quot;Upon
+my word, M. de Norreys, I congratulate you, and if it were not for our
+business I would leave you in peace, for madame seems to have learned
+the lesson that 'It is well to be off with the old love before you are
+on with the new.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had grasped the weakness of the situation at a glance, and took
+full advantage of it, but though outwardly cool and self-possessed
+there was death in his eyes. I could bear it no longer, and turned to
+leave the room. He rose from his seat, saying, &quot;Pray do not leave us,
+madame--you look pale, though, and perhaps need rest. I trust,
+however, your indisposition has nothing to do with the sight I
+observed you watching from the window. Do you know what it means?&quot; and
+he turned to Norreys.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In spite of myself I stopped for an instant; but Norreys ignored him,
+and de Clermont went on:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It means, monsieur, that this apparition is always seen when a man
+dies by the hand of de Clermont-Ferrand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Norreys simply bowed, though I thought I heard the word &quot;boaster&quot;
+muttered between his teeth, and, turning to me, said, &quot;Permit me,
+madame,&quot; and gave me his arm to take me from the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Outside, in the narrow passage that led to my chamber, he stopped and
+held out his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me say adieu, madame. I would accompany you if I could, but it is
+impossible. I would advise you to leave at once before any of M. le
+Marquis's men come up. I can see he is ripe for mischief.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Norreys, I am no fool--I can understand. For mercy's sake
+avoid a quarrel with de Clermont. He is a deadly swordsman, and if
+anything happens to you, I shall feel all my life that I was the cause
+of it. God knows I owe you much, for you have opened my eyes. Promise
+me, monsieur, promise me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame, the use of the sword is not confined to your country nor to
+de Clermont alone,&quot; and then he saw the tears that sprang to my eyes.
+&quot;Ah! madame, not that; you will unman me! See, there is your equerry.
+Commend me to de Lorgnac when you meet, and adieu!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He dropped my hand and turned on his heel, but I could not let him go
+like that.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, not that way. Promise me what I ask.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I promise to avoid a quarrel if possible; I can say no more.&quot; With
+that he went, erect and stately. Of what followed I never knew; but,
+alas! There is one sorrow that ever haunts me; and in the quiet
+churchyard of St. Yriarte is a tomb which I visit yearly with my
+husband, and it covers the heart of as brave and gallant a gentleman
+as ever lived--poor Norreys!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h8" href="#div2Ref_h8">BLAISE DE LORGNAC.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">We lost no time in setting forth from The Golden Frog, and as Lalande
+had apparently been warned by Norreys of the danger of our meeting any
+of de Clermont's following, we once more left, what by a stretch I
+might call the direct road, and again took to the hill tracks, where
+our wearied beasts, whom from my heart I pitied, stumbled slowly and
+painfully along.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But if the beasts were wearied, how was it with myself and my maid? I
+was able to keep up, no doubt because of the mental excitement under
+which I laboured; but I have never understood how my faithful Mousette
+endured that journey; it was in truth a road of suffering.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I simply went on mechanically, my mind a prey to a thousand
+conflicting emotions, and to thoughts that chased one another across
+it like dry and fallen leaves in a forest glade, blown hither and
+thither by an autumn wind. It had struck me, as there was nothing to
+be feared from de Termes, that I should order Lalande to turn and
+guide me back to Madame and Périgueux; but de Clermont barred the way,
+and it was better after all to push on to Meymac, and there with a
+cooler head than I now possessed, decide what to do. What had I not
+passed through within the last few hours? I had made trouble enough
+for myself by jumping womanlike to conclusions, and imagining that the
+postscript of de Termes' letter to his wife referred to me, whereas it
+clearly concerned some one else. That was perhaps a pardonable error
+considering the circumstances; but there were other things, and even
+now my face grows hot when I think of them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">My nature is proud! That can never alter, though sorrow and many a
+bitter lesson has brought me good sense; but it cut like a knife to
+realize how I had been fooled by de Clermont, and how near I had been
+to fall a victim to a pitiless libertine. It is a bad and cruel lesson
+for any woman to learn that she has been the sport of a man, ten times
+bad and cruel if the woman be proud and high-spirited. And as for de
+Lorgnac I did not know what to think. My mind concerning him was a
+chaos. I had misjudged him, wronged him utterly; but it was gall to me
+to know that he had stood forth as my champion. It was bitterness
+untold to think that I must humble myself in my heart before him; I
+could never do so in words to his face, if ever we met, a daughter of
+Mieux could not do that. It was awful to think that his hands were red
+with blood for my sake, and I shuddered as I reflected that I had been
+as it were the immediate cause of a frightful death; de Lorgnac had no
+business to kill that man whoever he was; he had no right to make me
+feel almost a murderess; and withal there rose in my heart a kind
+of fierce pride in the man who could do this for my sake, and a
+joy I could not make out because he was other than I took him to
+be--because, in short, he was a gallant gentleman, and not--oh! I need
+say no more.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When we had travelled for about the space of two hours the horse of
+one of the two troopers, whom M. Norreys in his kindness had lent to
+me, fell whilst crossing a water-cut, and on examination it was found
+to be so hurt that it was impossible for it to continue the journey to
+Millevranches. It was decided that the two men should be left behind
+to return to their camp--they had not far to go--and that we should
+press on as before. I gave the good fellows a brace of crowns apiece,
+and commending myself to M. de Norreys, we went on, the sheep track--I
+can call it by no better name--now passing through all the wildest
+scenery surrounding the Puy de Meymac.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If luck befriends us, madame, and the storm which has kept off so
+long does not come, we should reach Millevranches in a little over two
+hours,&quot; said Lalande to me as we rode down a narrow and steep descent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should the storm come on now? There is no breath of air stirring,
+and the moon is clear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The equerry did not reply until reaching the more level ground at the
+foot of the incline down which we had ridden, and then, pointing
+behind me, said simply, &quot;Look, madame!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Turning, I saw that half the arc of the heavens was obscured as it
+were by a thick curtain, that hung heavily and sullenly over it, and
+as we looked a chain of fire ran across the blackness, the distant
+roar of thunder came to us, and then a low, deep moaning vibrated
+through the air.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The storm is afoot, I fear, madame. We must press on and cross the
+Luxège, which though narrow enough to jump over now, may in an hour be
+impassable, and with the darkness it will be impossible to tell the
+way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this speech Mousette gave a little cry of alarm, and then, her
+fears overcoming her, began to declare that she could go no further,
+and begged us to leave her there to die, to be killed by the storm or
+eaten up by the wolves, it did not matter which, either alternative
+was preferable to going on. I tried all I could to pacify the poor
+girl, but she was getting into a state of hysterical excitement, and
+absolutely refused to move, though every moment was precious, and the
+dead stillness formerly around us was now awake with the voice of the
+coming storm. At last I began to despair of moving her, when Lalande
+said grimly, &quot;Leave her to me, madame. I am an old married man.&quot; Then
+bending forward he seized my bridle and with a cool &quot;Adieu,
+mademoiselle! I hope you will not disagree with the wolves,&quot; to
+Mousette, began to urge our beasts forward, notwithstanding my
+protests. But the issue showed he was right, though I confess I was
+surprised to see the way in which my maid recovered her strength under
+this rough-and-ready treatment, for in two minutes she was bustling
+along at our heels. But the lost time never came to our hands again,
+and as we began to descend the wooded slope towards the Luxège, which
+we could hear humming angrily below us, the stream burst with a shriek
+of the winds, and an absolute darkness, that was rendered more intense
+and horrible by the vivid flashes of lightning, and the continuous
+roar of thunder. In a trice Lalande had dismounted and taken us from
+our horses, and the poor animals seemed so overcome by fear or
+fatigue, or both combined, that they stood perfectly still.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is death, madame, attempting to ride now. We must get to the river
+on foot.&quot; Saying this, Lalande managed somehow to get the horses in
+front of us, and then, holding on to each other and guided by the
+incessant flashes of lightning, we began a slow and painful progress.
+I soon began to feel the fatigue and exhaustion so much that I, in my
+turn, begged Lalande to stop.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Courage, madame, 'tis but a few yards more to the river bank,&quot; he
+answered, &quot;there we can stop and rest,&quot; and I took my heart up and
+strove onwards once again. At last, when within a few yards of the
+river, I sank down utterly exhausted and unable to move further, and
+Mousette alternately sobbed and prayed over me, whilst now and again I
+could see the tall figure of Lalande standing grim and motionless, and
+once I fancied I heard a deep oath.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He gave us some cognac from a flask he carried, and then there was
+nothing for it but to wait and meet death, if it was so to be. Now
+there came a series of lightning flashes that lit up the terrific
+scene, and I almost gasped, for right before me on a butting crag I
+made out a small castle. Lalande saw it too, for he blew long and
+shrilly on his horn, and then we watched and waited for a time that
+seemed interminable, when all at once the flare of a huge beacon rose
+bright and red against the darkness, and an answering bugle reached
+our ears. Lalande blew again, and to our joy there was a reply.
+Strength came back to me with the prospect of safety, and rising to my
+feet I called to Lalande: &quot;On! On!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He answered, &quot;The river, madame----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I looked, and saw below me a white lashing flood that swung and
+swirled past with a savage roar. The lightning showed us the angry
+water, and the wicked dancing foam, that seemed to leap up in delight
+at the prospect of the black swirl below it dragging us down to death.
+Then again we heard the bugle notes, and saw the lights of torches,
+and heard the shouting of men from the opposite bank.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us go on to meet them--we are saved!&quot; screamed Mousette, and
+holding on to each other we staggered forward past the horses, who
+stood all huddled together, only to be stopped here by the utter
+darkness, and Lalande.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For the love of heaven, madame, do not move,&quot; he cried, &quot;rescue is
+coming.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And it did come.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All that I can remember was seeing the light of many sputtering
+torches around us. Some one lifted me in his arms like a child, and I
+heard a voice say, &quot;Be careful with the horses over the bridge,
+Pierre,&quot; and then my strength gave way.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">I had been asleep, asleep for ages it seemed, and all the past was a
+dream, thank God! This was the thought that struck me as I opened my
+eyes; but as I looked around, I saw the room in which I lay was
+strange to me, and inch by inch everything came back--all except the
+events of the last moments by the river, where my recollection became
+confused. It was daylight, but still the remains of the storm of last
+night were in evidence, and I could hear the water dripping from the
+eaves, and through the half-open dormer window, the murmur of the
+Luxège, still angry and unappeased, reached my ears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Where was I? I looked about me, and found that I was in a large room,
+warm from the effects of a huge wood fire that danced cheerily in the
+fireplace. Leaning on one elbow, I glanced still further about me, and
+saw that the furniture was of the same old and heavily antique make
+that we had at Mieux. The curtains of the bed were, however, worn and
+faded, the tapestry on the walls was older and more faded still; and
+then my eyes were arrested by the coat-of-arms carved on the stonework
+of the fireplace--two wolves' heads, with a motto so chipped and
+defaced that I could not read it. Whose was the device? I lay back and
+thought, but could not make it out. Certainly not that of any of the
+great houses--no doubt my kind preserver belonged to the lesser
+nobility--but I could soon find out. Then I closed my eyes once more
+and would have slept, but was aroused by some one entering the room,
+and, looking up, saw Mousette.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah! madem--madame, I mean,&quot; she said eagerly, &quot;thank God, you are
+looking none the worse for that terrible night. I little thought we
+would ever live to see daylight again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where are we, Mousette? And who are the kind people who saved us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know, madame,&quot; she answered quickly, &quot;but we are the only
+women here. But,&quot; she ran on, &quot;it is mid-day and touching the dinner
+hour. Will madame rise or be served here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will rise, of course, Mousette;&quot; and during the course of my toilet
+I asked if the people of the house knew who we were.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not mentioned anything, madame,&quot; replied Mousette, with her
+face slightly turned away, &quot;and Lalande is discreet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I felt that Mousette knew more than she cared to tell; but it is not
+my way to converse with servants; and finishing my dressing in
+silence, I asked her to show me the way to the salon, and as I spoke I
+heard a gong go.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur will be served at once,&quot; said Mousette. &quot;This way, madame,&quot;
+and opening the curtains of the door, she led me down a series of
+winding steps worn with the feet that had passed up and down there for
+perhaps a couple of centuries, and then, past a long passage hung with
+suits of rusty armour and musty trophies of the chase, to a large
+door. I gathered that Mousette had been making good use of her time
+whilst in the house, but kept silent. The door was open, and as I
+passed in Mousette left me. I found I was in a room that was
+apparently used as a dining-room and salon as well. There was trace of
+recent occupation, for a man's hat and a pair of leathern gloves
+somewhat soiled with use were lying on a table, and a great hound rose
+slowly from the rushes on the floor, and, after eyeing me a moment,
+came up in a most friendly manner to be patted and made much of. A
+small table near the fireplace was laid for one, and as I was looking
+towards it a grey-haired and sober servant brought in the dinner, and
+then, bowing gravely, announced that I was served.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is not monsieur--monsieur--?&quot; I stammered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur le Chevalier has had to go out on urgent business. He has
+ordered me to present his compliments to madame----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see; monsieur does not dine here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man bowed, and I sat down to a solitary meal with the big dog at
+my feet, and the silent, grave attendant to wait on me. I amused
+myself with the hound, and with taking note of the room. Like
+everything else I had seen, its furniture and fittings seemed a
+century old, and spoke of wealth that had passed away. There was a
+sadness about this, and a gloom that saddened me in spite of myself,
+so that it was with an effort I managed to eat, and then, when dinner
+was over, I told the servant to inform his master that I desired to
+thank him for the great kindness shown to me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will deliver madame's message,&quot; and with this reply he went.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Left to myself, I went to the window and looked out through the
+glazing. The landscape was obscured by a rolling mist; but the sun was
+dissipating this bravely. It was a wild and desolate scene, and,
+despite the sunlight, oppressed me almost as much as my solitary meal,
+so I turned back into the room, and, seating myself in a great chair,
+stared into the fireplace, the hound stretching himself beside me. I
+was still wearied, and my thoughts ran slowly on until I caught myself
+wondering who my unknown host was, and getting a trifle impatient,
+too, because he did not come, for I was anxious to set forward to
+Meymac.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Suddenly I heard a steady measured step in the passage, the hound
+leaped up with a bay of welcome, and as I rose from my seat the
+curtain was lifted, and I stood face to face with my husband.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You! De Lorgnac!&quot; I gasped.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even I,&quot; he said. &quot;I thought you knew. Are you none the worse for
+your adventure of last night?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am quite well, thanks to God.&quot; &quot;And thanks to you,&quot; I was about to
+add, but my lips could not frame the words, and I felt myself
+beginning to tremble. Monsieur noticed this.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am afraid you underrate your strength; do sit down,&quot; he said
+kindly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I prefer to stand, thank you, Monsieur le Chevalier,&quot; and then there
+was a silence, during which I know not what passed through de
+Lorgnac's mind; but I, I was fighting with myself to prevent my heart
+getting the better of me, for if so I would have to humble myself--I,
+a daughter of Mieux! Monsieur broke the silence himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise, I give you my word of honour that I would not have intruded
+on you, but that you asked to see me, and I thought you knew whom you
+wished to see. Besides, I felt that I owed a little to myself. You
+have accused me of being a dishonoured gentleman, of being little less
+than a common bravo, of wedding you to your misery for your estates.&quot;
+He came forward a step and looked me full in the face with his clear
+strong eyes. &quot;As God is my witness,&quot; he went on, &quot;you are utterly
+mistaken. I am going to-day on an affair the issue of which no one can
+foresee. Think! Would I go with a lie on my lips? Answer me--tell me.
+Whatever else you may think, you do not believe this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I was fumbling with one of his gloves, and could not meet his look.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You put me in a difficult position, monsieur--this is your own
+house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He looked about him with a bitter smile. &quot;Yes--it is my house--hardly
+the house to which one would bring the heiress of Mieux--but is that
+your answer to me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And still I was silent. I could not bring myself to say what he
+wanted. And now too it was not only pride that was holding me back. I
+felt that if I gave him the answer he wished, manlike he would begin
+to press his love on me, and I was not prepared for this. I did not
+know my own feelings towards him; but of one thing I was sure--I would
+not be bound by hollow vows that were forced upon me, and so I fenced.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This adventure of yours, monsieur--is it so very dangerous?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not the danger I am thinking of. It is your faith in my honour.
+No man is blameless, and least of all I. I own I was wrong--that I
+sinned grievously in marrying you as I have. My excuse is that I love
+you--that is a thing I cannot control. But I will do all I can to make
+reparation. I will never see you again, and the times are such that
+you may soon be as free as air. All that I ask is this one thing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, monsieur, have you no proof--nothing to bring forward?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have nothing to offer but my word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your word--your word--is that all you can say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He bowed slightly in reply, but his look was hungry for his answer.
+Still I could not give it, and played with time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You say you love me. Does love resign its object as you do--without a
+struggle? If I believe one thing I must believe all, monsieur. I
+cannot believe a profession of love like yours&quot;--how false I knew this
+to be--&quot;and the rest must follow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He twisted at his moustache in the old way, and I saw his sunburnt
+face grow, as it were on a sudden, wan and haggard, and the pity that
+lies in all women's hearts rose within me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur le Chevalier, if you were to get the answer that you wanted,
+would you still adhere to your promise and never see me again?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have said so,&quot; he said hoarsely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, monsieur, let me tell you that I have found I was wrong, and
+that I do believe your word--nay, more, monsieur, I have found de
+Lorgnac to be a gallant gentleman--whom Denise de Mieux has to thank
+for her honour and her life----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise!&quot; There was a glad note in his voice, and in a moment he had
+stepped up to me, and I had yielded, but that I wanted this king
+amongst men to be king over himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A moment, monsieur. You have given me your word, be strong enough to
+keep it. I have learned to respect and honour you; but I do not love
+you. You must keep your word, de Lorgnac, and go--until I ask you to
+come back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Without a word he turned on his heel and walked towards the door; but
+I could not let him go like that and I called to him. He stopped and
+turned towards me, but made no further advance, and then I went up to
+him with my hand outstretched.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, there is one thing more. I have the honour to be the wife
+of de Lorgnac, and for the present I crave your permission to make
+Lorgnac my home. Will you not grant me this request? And will you not
+shake hands before you go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I thought I had tried him too far, and that the man would break down;
+but no, the metal was true. Yet the haggard look in his face went out
+as he answered:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise, Lorgnac is yours to its smallest stone, and I thank you for
+this.&quot; Then he bent down and touched my fingers with his lips, and was
+gone.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h9" href="#div2Ref_h9">LA COQUILLE'S MESSAGE.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Until I ask you to come back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">These were my own words to de Lorgnac, and they rang in my ears as I
+listened to his footsteps dying away along the passage. Would I ever
+call him back? It was on my tongue to do so as he went; but I held
+myself in, and began restlessly to pace the room, the dog watching my
+movements with his grave eyes. I could not bear to have them fixed
+upon me--those eyes that seemed to have a soul imprisoned behind them,
+and that were so like, in their honest glance, to those of my husband.
+I bent down and stroked the great shaggy head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If I but knew myself! If I but knew myself!&quot; I called out aloud, and
+then moved aimlessly towards the window. Here I looked out, but saw
+nothing of the view, for I was looking into my own heart, and there
+all was mist and fog. The more I tried to think the more hopeless it
+all seemed, and it came to me to abandon my position, and, accepting
+my fate, make the best of circumstances as other women had done. I
+could give respect and trust; and as long as my husband knew this, and
+I looked after his comforts, he would never know that I did not love
+him. I had seen enough of the world to know how selfishly blind men
+are in this respect. But de Lorgnac was not as other men. I felt that
+his keen eye would take in the part I was playing, that his great love
+for me would penetrate and grasp all my devices, and that he would
+feel that he had only a wife--not a lover as well. What was this love
+that I was in doubt about? If it meant absolute sacrifice of myself,
+then I could give it to no man. If it meant respect, and honour, and a
+desire for a constant guiding presence about me, then I felt I could
+give that to Blaise de Lorgnac; but I felt, too, that more was due to
+him, and it was well to wait--to wait until my heart told me
+undeniably that I had found its king.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The neigh of a horse, and the clatter of hoofs on stony ground,
+aroused me. Bending forward over the window, I looked out and saw de
+Lorgnac and a half dozen mounted men riding out of the courtyard. My
+husband rode a little in advance, square and erect, his plumeless
+helmet glittering in the sunlight; but he never gave one backward
+glance to the window. Even if he thought I was not there, he might
+have done so; he might have given me the chance. The men who rode
+behind him seemed stout, strong fellows, though their casques were
+battered and their cuirasses rusty; and as the last of them went out I
+recognised la Coquille. I know I had no right to pick and choose for
+de Lorgnac, but I would have given my right hand not to have seen that
+swashbuckler riding behind my husband. Such men as he were never
+employed on honest deeds! With a stamp of my foot I turned from the
+window and saw Pierre, the old servant, waiting patiently near the
+door, with a huge bunch of keys on a salver in his hand. As our eyes
+met he bowed to the ground.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not know it was Madame de Lorgnac who was here until an hour
+ago,&quot; he said. &quot;Monsieur le Chevalier has directed that these should
+be given over to you, and the household is outside awaiting madame's
+orders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Half amused, half embarrassed, I took the keys. I felt sure de Lorgnac
+had given no such order, but that this was the spontaneous outcome of
+old Pierre's politeness. Fastening them in my girdle, I said, with as
+gracious, yet dignified an air as I could assume, &quot;Call in the people,
+please.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pierre bowed once more to the ground and vanished to reappear in two
+minutes with a well-grown youth, and the two stood bolt upright before
+me. This was the household of de Lorgnac, then. The smile died away
+from my lips as I thought of the straits to which a gallant gentleman
+was reduced. &quot;Pierre,&quot; I said, &quot;you must add Mousette, my maid, to the
+household, and see that the good Lalande is well treated,&quot; and I
+placed a small purse containing a half dozen or so of gold crowns that
+I happened to have with me in the old man's hands. He held the little
+silken bag for a moment, and then his face began to flush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no need, madame; we have enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You forget, Pierre, what I am giving you is Monsieur le Chevalier's,
+to whom God grant a safe return.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He took the money, though I saw a suspicious swimming of his eyes, and
+I hastily asked:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And do those men who rode out with Monsieur belong to the household,
+too, Pierre?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;St. Blaise--no, madame! They came here but yesterday morning, and
+with their leader have drunk and sworn about the place ever since.
+They filled the lower hall with disorder; but they are stout fellows,
+and we had hardly been able to help you so well last night but for
+them; they follow Monsieur le Chevalier for a little time only.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I well knew for what purpose, but kept silent on that point, saying,
+&quot;And how far is Lorgnac from here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The town you mean, madame?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Precisely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At the foot of the hill to the right of the château; we cannot see it
+from here. Ah! it was a fine place until Monsieur de Ganache, and his
+bandits of Huguenots, came over from La Roche Canillac one fine day
+and put the place to fire and sword. Monsieur le Chevalier has vowed
+his death at the shrine of Our Lady of Lorgnac. Ah! he is a devil, is
+Monsieur de Ganache; he is with the Bearnnois now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And is there any news of the Huguenots moving now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;None, madame; but Antoine the peddler of Argentat says that a great
+lady from Paris is at the Château de Canillac, and that Monsieur de
+Turenne, and many a high lord from the south have been visiting her.
+They will be tired of dancing and singing soon, those hot bloods, and
+we may have to look to the castle walls.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This evening, then, you must take me to Lorgnac,&quot; I said with a view
+to end the conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is madame's order, but----&quot; and he stopped short for a second, and
+then continued, &quot;Antoine, the peddler's daughter, who married Gribot,
+the woodman of Lorgnac, has a cow and calf for sale, and there is none
+in the château.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then buy it of her, Pierre,&quot; and with another low bow the old man
+withdrew with the &quot;household,&quot; who had evidently been trained in a
+severe school by Pierre, for he had stood bolt upright like a soldier
+at attention, and never moved muscle during the whole of the
+interview.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So my business as mistress of Lorgnac had begun; but there were one or
+two things that required immediate attention from me before I began my
+household duties. I called Mousette, and going over the money we had,
+found that it reached to about a hundred crowns. This was enough for
+all present requirements, though I would want much more soon, if all
+the designs that were flitting through my brain, in shadow as it were,
+were carried out; but that could be easily arranged hereafter. Then I
+saw Lalande, and informing him that my journey was over, asked if
+there would be any difficulty in his remaining at Lorgnac for at least
+a few days, as I wanted his help. He answered that he was at my
+service, and this being settled, I set about exploring the quaint old
+mansion, and as I did so all kinds of dreams of changing its cheerless
+aspect possessed me, and the time passed on wings.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the afternoon we visited the town. Alas! It had been for a century
+but a hamlet, and all traces of town, if ever there was any, had long
+gone. But small and poor and obscure as Lorgnac was, the hand of war
+had not spared it, and blackened rafter and fallen roof still bore
+witness to Monsieur de Ganache's pitiless visit. Privation and want
+had left their marks on the faces of the score or so of inhabitants of
+the village; but when they found out who I was, they came forward
+eagerly, and a small child, no doubt prompted by her elders, gave me a
+bouquet of wild flowers, and I went back, vowing in my heart that ere
+many weeks were over all this would be changed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That night as I sat before the huge log fire in the hall with Moro the
+hound--I found out his name from Pierre--for the first time for many
+days my mind was at rest, and I began to feel also, for the first
+time, the glow that comes to the heart when one is able to help one's
+fellow creatures. I knew I was young and inexperienced, that my life,
+especially within the last year in the poisonous air of the Court, had
+been made up of frivolities and follies that had brought their own
+sharp punishment with them, yet I had always in my mind the desire for
+a nobler life, where my wealth could be used to help the distressed,
+and as far as it could go to add to the happiness of others. So far so
+good; but there was my own happiness and that of de Lorgnac to think
+of. There was a great pity in my heart for him; but was it right to
+mistake pity for love, and give myself wholly to a man to make him
+happy, to my own sorrow? For the life of me I could not see this. I
+felt that a man who would accept such a sacrifice would be unworthy of
+it. But Blaise de Lorgnac was not of those who would do this. He
+was true metal. Was there another man who would have acted as he
+did--whose love was so generous and yet so strong? I doubt it. I well
+knew the profession of a man's love, that swore it was ready to die
+for its object; but was unable to abandon or to forego anything in its
+selfishness. But the love that was, as it were, in the hollow of my
+hand was not as this; and then I began to see the hidden secret of my
+own heart, and called out aloud, &quot;Come back, de Lorgnac. Come back!&quot;
+But the echo of the vaulted roof was my only answer. Yet that night I
+slept a happy woman, for I knew what it was now to love.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The days passed, and notwithstanding that I threw myself heart and
+soul into my plans about Lorgnac, there was an ever-eating care in my
+heart, for no tidings came of my husband, and it was not pride now,
+but a shyness that I could not overcome, do what I would, that
+absolutely prevented me from making any inquiry, though no doubt
+inquiry would have been fruitless and vain. Listless and tired, I sat
+one day towards the afternoon at the window by the hall, my favourite
+seat, and looked down the winding road, that clung to the side of the
+steep rocks, hoping against hope that I should see the great white
+horse, when suddenly I spied a horseman riding towards the castle with
+a loose rein, and at times he swayed from side to side like a drunken
+man. In a moment I felt the worst tidings, and knew that the rider was
+bringing me sorrow. With an effort I roused myself, and with shaking
+limbs went down to the courtyard, and there, calling Lalande and
+Pierre, waited for his coming, who was bringing me the evil message I
+felt I already knew. We had not long to wait. With a thunder of hoofs,
+the horseman passed the lower drawbridge, and reining in sharply, slid
+rather than dismounted from his saddle. It was la Coquille, covered
+with blood and dust, and the red gone out of his cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Madame--Madame de Lorgnac!&quot; he called out in a cracked voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am here, monsieur.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I can stay but a moment. Fly! Fly! The bloodhounds are even now on my
+track, and they will be here in an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that all?&quot; How my heart beat, though my voice was cool!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All? No. But give me to drink, and I will speak. My throat is parched
+and I have lost much blood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pierre handed him a flagon of wine, which he drained at a draught, and
+then went on.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It will not take long to tell. <i>Mordieu!</i> It was the best plan ever
+laid, and to think it was spoiled by a traitor. Madame, if we had
+succeeded, France would have been at peace, and your husband a marshal
+and peer. We watched the Bearnnois for days, and then laid out to
+seize him, on the day of a hunting party. We got all details of
+movements from that double-dyed traitor, de Clermont; but he played
+the right hand for Navarre, and the left for us. We laid out as I
+said, and the King came: but not alone--our ambuscade was surprised,
+and five as good fellows as ever drew sword now swing to the branches
+of the beech trees of Canillac. I got off somehow, but alas! they have
+taken de Lorgnac, though not easily, for Monsieur de Ganache fell to
+his sword, and I think another too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Taken de Lorgnac!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, madame--<i>Mordieu!</i> It is the fortune of war! They are coming
+straight here, for what purpose I know not; but, <i>mille diables!</i> I
+have wasted enough time already, and the skin of la Coquille is the
+skin of la Coquille. There is not a moment to spare. Fly if you value
+your lives!&quot; And with this he put his foot in his stirrup, and made as
+if he would mount his panting horse again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Save your skin, Monsieur la Coquille,&quot; I said. &quot;As for me and mine,
+we stay here. Would to God my husband had true swords at his back!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stopped and put down his foot.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You can say what you please, madame, but we did our best; but as God
+is my witness the Huguenots mean death, and I advise you to go. In a
+half-hour it will be too late.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, I have asked you to save the skin of la Coquille.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His broad face became dark and red with the blood that rushed to it.
+&quot;I know I deserve nothing at your hands, madame,&quot; he said. &quot;You think
+me a cur, and one I am. <i>Mordieu!</i> For a bribe of twenty crowns--so
+fallen am I--I once played the craven for de Clermont before you. It
+was at Ambazac not so many days ago. Did I know you were de Lorgnac's
+wife, I had cut off my sword arm rather than do what I did then. Let
+me make some recompense. I implore you to go. Fools,&quot; and he turned to
+Lalande and Pierre, &quot;do you wish to swing from the rafters here? Take
+her away, by force if necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enough, monsieur. You have said too much! I am sorry for you. I would
+help you if I could, but my place is here. Save yourself whilst there
+is yet time. As for me, I and mine will defend Lorgnac to the last
+stone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He flung the reins he held in his hand from him, and over the
+sin-marked features of the man there came somehow an expression of
+nobleness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, by God, madame, I stay! And I thank you for teaching me how to
+die. Twenty-five years--twenty-five years ago I was a gentleman, and
+to-day I bridge over the past. I will stay, madame, and the sword of
+la Coquille will help to hold the castle for you. Hasten, men. Up with
+the drawbridge. <i>Ah! sacre nom d'un chien!</i> We are too late!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_h10" href="#div2Ref_h10">MONSIEUR LE CHEVALIER IS PAID IN FULL.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">It was too late. Before I realized it, the courtyard was full of armed
+men. La Coquille, who had flung himself to the front with his sword
+drawn, was ridden down and secured ere he could strike a blow, whilst
+Lalande and Pierre, who bore no weapons but their poniards, and were
+utterly surprised, shared the like fate. So suddenly and quickly was
+this done that--for the courage had gone out of my finger-tips--I
+had no time to flee, and I stood like a stone, whilst a sea of
+savage faces surged around me. I gave myself for dead, and one, a
+trooper--more brute than man--raised his sword to slay me, but was
+struck from his horse in the act. Then some one seemed to come from
+nowhere to my side--a tall, straight figure, with a shining blade in
+his hand, and he called out, &quot;Back! back! Or I run the first man
+through!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The men were called to order in a moment at that tone of command,
+though a voice I well knew and now hated called out:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well done, de Rosny, my squire of dames. <i>Pardieu!</i> We have the whole
+hive--Queen-Bee and all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By God!&quot; said another, &quot;they will hang from the rafters in a
+half-hour, then--my poor Ganache!&quot; And the speaker, whose rough, harsh
+voice was as pitiless as his speech, swore a bitter oath. &quot;Gently,
+Tremblecourt,&quot; replied the one who had been called de Rosny; &quot;our poor
+de Ganache's soul has not flown so far but that the others can
+overtake it in time.&quot; And then de Clermont came up to me, but as he
+passed la Coquille in so doing, the latter strained at his cords, and
+hissed rather than spoke out the word &quot;Traitor!&quot; as he spat at him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You hang in a little time head downwards at de Lorgnac's feet for
+that,&quot; said de Clermont calmly, and then turning to me, &quot;'Tis a sad
+business this, madame; but war is war, and after all things are going
+as you would have them, are they not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I could not bear to meet that sneering, beautiful face, which, now
+that its mask was snatched away, cared not in how evil an aspect it
+showed itself. Words would not come to me, and as I stood there before
+de Clermont, quivering in every limb at the awful threat conveyed in
+his speech to la Coquille, de Tremblecourt's voice rang out again, mad
+and broken with rage:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Away with them! Sling them from the parapet--now!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The men around rushed with a yell at la Coquille and his
+fellow-prisoners--God pardon those who cause the horrors of war--but
+my defender, de Rosny, again interposed, and drove them back, despite
+de Tremblecourt's angry protests, whilst de Clermont stayed his rage
+with a quiet:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be still, Tremblecourt. The King will be here in ten minutes with our
+other prisoner, and we will deal with Messieurs--in a bunch,&quot; and he
+glanced at me with a meaning in his eyes that I read as an open page.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come, madame,&quot; said de Rosny, who saw my pallor, &quot;let me take you out
+of this. I pledge the word of Bethune that no harm will touch you; but
+that is to happen, I fear, which is not fit for you to see.&quot; With
+these words he took my arm kindly and led me inside, unresisting and
+as in a dream. In the hall where we stopped I forced myself to regain
+some courage. It was no time for a faint heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur! What does this all mean? What is to happen to de Lorgnac?
+Tell me--I am his wife, monsieur.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He bowed gravely yet sadly. &quot;The King of Navarre is generous, madame.
+Henri will be here soon, and all may yet be well. In the meantime rest
+you here, and compose yourself--you are safe from harm.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With this, he, who was in after years to be the first man in France,
+left me almost stunned and broken by what I had heard. Now that I was
+about to lose him--nay, had already lost him, for nothing, I felt
+sure, would move these pitiless hearts--I realized to the end what de
+Lorgnac was to me, and with this came the dreadful conviction that it
+was I, and I alone, who had brought this on my husband. I, a fool in
+my folly, who did not know my own heart, I who with a word might have
+stayed and kept him who was all in all to me, had driven him forth
+with my senseless pride to death. I could do nothing to save him. What
+could a woman do against these men? And then it was as if the whole
+horror that was to be pictured itself before my eyes, and a mocking
+fiend gibed in whispers in my ears, &quot;You, you have done this!&quot; Almost
+with a cry I sprang from my seat, my hand on my forehead and an
+unspoken prayer on my lips. I felt that my brain was giving way, and
+that I must do something to regain myself and think. This was no time
+for aught but action, and here I was giving way utterly. I might do
+something--surely my woman's wit could suggest some means of saving my
+husband? Then what happens to those who are face to face with an awful
+terror happened to me, and, as once before, I fell on my knees before
+God's Throne, and prayed in a mortal agony. &quot;God help me in my
+distress!&quot; I called out aloud, and a quiet voice answered:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps He has sent the help, Denise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I sprang up with a start, a wild hope rushing through my heart, and
+saw Raoul de Clermont before me, with the sneering hardness out of his
+face and all the old soft light in his eyes. If it was so--if he but
+bore me the glad tidings his words hinted at--I could forgive him all,
+and be his friend forever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say that again, monsieur,&quot; I gasped; &quot;say it again and I will bless
+you to my last breath.&quot; And as I spoke the heavy folds of the curtain
+that covered the doorway moved as if stirred by a wind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I said that perhaps God&quot;--and he bowed reverently--ah! devil and
+traitor!--&quot;that perhaps God has answered your prayer. You have asked
+for help, and it has come. I am here to offer it. I, and I alone, can
+save de Lorgnac, by force if necessary, for I have fifty lances at my
+heels, and it rests with you to say the word. I have been mad, Denise;
+then I came to my senses; and now I am mad again. I love you--do you
+hear? Love you as man never loved woman. You beautiful thing of ice!
+Come with me, and de Lorgnac is free. Come!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In his eagerness he put forth his hand towards me, but with a shudder
+I drew back and his face darkened. Then nerving myself, I made one
+last appeal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Raoul de Clermont, I believed you once to be a man of honour. Let me
+think so again; give me the chance. Be merciful for once. Save my
+husband as you say you can. See, it is a wife who pleads. Man! There
+must be some spark of knighthood in you to fire your soul! You are
+brave, I know. Can you not be generous and pitiful? You have tried to
+kill my soul. Monsieur, I will forget that--I will forget the past,
+and thank you forever if you do this. Save him, for I love him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Love him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, love him as he deserves to be loved, and by a better woman. De
+Clermont, be true to yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His breath came thick and fast, and then he spoke with an effort:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You ask too much, Denise. I have offered you my terms. I give you
+five minutes to say yes or no, and I will take your answer as final.
+God is answering your prayer in His own way,&quot; he went on, with the
+shadow of a sneer once more across his lips.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He mostly does,&quot; came the reply, as the curtain was lifted and de
+Rosny stepped in, calling out as he entered, &quot;Madame, the King!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then there was a tramp of spurred boots, the clashing of steel
+scabbards, the waving of plumes, and ere I knew it I was at the feet
+of the Bourbon, sobbing out my prayer for mercy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He raised me gently--there was no more knightly heart than his.
+&quot;Madame! It is not enemies that Henri de Bourbon needs, but friends.
+It is not sorrow his presence would cause, but joy. There has been
+enough blood shed already in this miserable affair, and--I think it is
+my good de Rosny here who anticipated me--all our prisoners are free,
+but there is some one here who will tell you the rest himself better
+than the Bearnnois can.&quot; And, putting a kind hand on my shoulder, he
+faced me round to meet the eyes of de Lorgnac.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have come back unasked, Denise,&quot; he said; but I could make no
+answer, and then he took me in his arms and kissed me before them all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A wedding present to the happy pair!&quot; and something struck me lightly
+on the shoulder and fell at my feet. It was the glove that de Clermont
+had snatched from me on the day of my marriage. &quot;I return a present
+from madame, given to me on her wedding day. It is no longer of use to
+me--Monsieur le Chevalier, will you not take it?&quot; and de Clermont was
+before us, the same awful look in his eyes that I had seen there when
+he played with death before de Norreys.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">De Lorgnac's arm dropped from my waist, and his bronzed face paled as
+he stood as if petrified, looking at the soft white glove at my feet.
+Then with a voice as hard and stern as his look he turned to me, and
+pointing to the glove, said:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is this true, madame?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is my glove,&quot; was all I could say.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And permit me to restore it to you,&quot; cut in the King, and with a
+movement he lifted the glove and placed it in my husband's hand. &quot;Give
+it to her back, man! Madame de Canillac was at your wedding, and my
+good Margot who writes me such clever letters, and they have both told
+me the story of your marriage, and the incident of the glove. They
+both saw it snatched from your wife's hand by M. le Marquis--Ventre
+St. Gris! For once I think a woman's gossip has done some good--and on
+the word of Navarre what I say is true. As for you, monsieur,&quot; and
+Henri turned to de Clermont, &quot;Monsieur de Rosny here has my commands
+for you, and your further presence is excused.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">My husband's arm was round my waist once more; but de Clermont made no
+movement to go, standing quietly twisting his short blonde moustache.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur, you have heard his Majesty,&quot; put in de Rosny.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes--I thought, however, that Monsieur de Lorgnac might have a word
+to say ere I went.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That will be in another place, and over our crossed swords, Monsieur
+le Marquis,&quot; replied my husband, heedless of my entreating look and
+gesture, and in as cold and measured a voice as de Clermont's.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am at your service, monsieur, when and wherever you please,&quot; and
+with this, and a formal bow to the King, he passed from the room--a
+man under God's right arm of justice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What happened I never was able to find out exactly; but as far as I
+could gather it was this. As already mentioned, la Coquille, Lalande,
+and Pierre had been released by Navarre on his coming, and the former
+being faint from his wounds was resting on a wooden bench in the
+courtyard. As de Clermont passed, the sight of la Coquille and the
+memory of the insult he had put on him roused the haughty noble,
+already in a white heat with rage, to madness, and he struck the
+freelance once, twice, across the face with a light cane he bore in
+his hand, and fell a moment after stabbed to the heart, his murderer
+being cut down by the men-at-arms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At once all was hurry and confusion. The dying man was borne in as
+gently as he could be, and placed on a settle. There was no leech in
+hand, and long before the priest of Lorgnac came it was all over. We
+did what we could, and in the horror of the fate that had overtaken
+this man in the pride of strength I forgot the past utterly. I could
+only see a terrible suffering for which there was no relief. We
+gathered, an awestruck group, around him, and he spoke no word at
+first, but suddenly called out, &quot;Hold me up--I choke!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Some one--I afterwards found it was Tremblecourt--raised him slightly
+and he spoke again, &quot;De Lorgnac! Say what you have to say now, I'm
+going.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And Blaise de Lorgnac knelt by the couch, saying as he did so:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have no message now--forget my words, de Clermont.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would to God I had died by your hand,&quot; came the answer, &quot;but to go
+like this--struck down like a dog. Your hand, de Lorgnac--yours,
+Denise--quick--I am going. Forgive.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">De Tremblecourt laid him softly back on the cushion, and my tears fell
+fast on the cold hand I held in mine. Who could remember wrongs at
+such a moment?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King bent over him and whispered in his ear. I thought I heard the
+word &quot;pray,&quot; and a wan smile played on the lips of the dying man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Too late--I cannot cringe now. Ah! Norreys! I will join you soon.
+Denise--pardon,&quot; and he was gone.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">Late that night when all had gone to rest I walked on the ramparts of
+Lorgnac, and leaning against the parapet, looked out into the
+moonlight. So lost was I in thought that it was not until his hand was
+on my shoulder that I knew my husband had joined me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Denise,&quot; he said, &quot;the King goes to-morrow, and--I--do I go or stay?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And Monsieur le Chevalier--he is Monsieur le Maréchal Duc now--got the
+answer he wanted.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_captain" href="#div1Ref_captain">THE CAPTAIN MORATTI'S LAST AFFAIR</a></h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_c1" href="#div2Ref_c1">&quot;ARCADES AMBO.&quot;</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Halt!&quot; The word, which seemed to come from nowhere, rang out into the
+crisp winter moonlight so sharply, so suddenly, so absolutely without
+warning, that the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo, who was ambling
+comfortably along, reined in his horse with a jerk; and with a start,
+looked into the night. He had not to fret his curiosity above a
+moment, for a figure gliding out from the black shadows of the pines,
+fencing in each side of the lonely road, stepped full into the white
+band of light, stretching between the darkness on either hand and
+stood in front of the horse. As the two faced each other, it was not
+the fact that there was a man in his path that made the rider keep a
+restraining hand on his bridle. It was the persuasive force, the
+voiceless command, in the round muzzle of an arquebuse pointed at his
+heart, and along the barrel of which di Lippo could see the glint of
+the moonlight, a thin bright streak ending in the wicked blinking star
+of the lighted fuse. The cavaliere took in the position at a glance,
+and being a man of resolution, hurriedly cast up his chances of escape
+by spurring his horse, and suddenly riding down the thief. In a flash
+the thought came and was dismissed. It was impossible; for the
+night-hawk had taken his stand at a distance of about six feet off,
+space enough to enable him to blow his quarry's heart out, well before
+the end of any sudden rush to disarm him. The mind moves like
+lightning in matters of this kind, and di Lippo surrendered without
+condition. Though his heart was burning within him, he was outwardly
+cool and collected. He had yielded to force he could not resist. Could
+he have seen ever so small a chance, the positions might have been
+reversed. As it was, Messer the bandit might still have to look to
+himself, and his voice was icy as the night as he said: &quot;Well! I have
+halted. What more? It is chill, and I care not to be kept waiting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The robber was not without humour, and a line of teeth showed, for an
+instant, behind the burning match of the weapon he held steadily
+before him. He did not, however, waste words. &quot;Throw down your purse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The cavaliere hesitated. Ducats were scarce with him, but the bandit
+had a short patience. &quot;<i>Diavolo!</i> Don't you hear, signore?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was useless to resist. The fingers of the cavaliere fumbled under
+his cloak, and a fat purse fell squab into the snow, where it lay, a
+dark spot in the whiteness around, for all the world like a sleeping
+toad. The bandit chuckled as he heard the plump thud of the purse, and
+di Lippo's muttered curse was lost in the sharp order: &quot;Get off the
+horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am in a hurry, signore.&quot; The robber blew on the match of his
+arquebuse, and the match in its glow cast a momentary light on his
+face, showing the outlines of high aquiline features, and the black
+curve of a pair of long moustaches.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Maledetto!</i>&quot; and the disgusted cavaliere dismounted, the scabbard of
+his useless sword striking with a clink against the stirrup iron, and
+he unwillingly swung from the saddle and stood in the snow--a tall
+figure, lean and gaunt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he did this, the bandit stepped back a pace, so as to give him the
+road. &quot;Your excellency,&quot; he said mockingly, &quot;is now free to pass--on
+foot. A walk will doubtless remove the chill your excellency finds so
+unpleasant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But di Lippo made no advance. In fact, as his feet touched the snow,
+he recovered the composure he had so nearly lost, and saw his way to
+gain some advantage from defeat. It struck him that here was the very
+man he wanted for an affair of the utmost importance. Indeed, it was
+for just such an instrument that he had been racking his brains, as he
+rode on that winter night through the Gonfolina defile, which
+separates the middle and the lower valleys of the Arno. And now--a
+hand turn--and he had found his man. True, an expensive find; but
+cheap if all turned out well--that is, well from di Lippo's point of
+view. This thing the cavaliere wanted done he could not take into his
+own hands. Not from fear--it was no question of that; but because it
+was not convenient; and Michele di Lippo never gave himself any
+inconvenience, although it was sometimes thrust upon him in an
+unpleasant manner by others. If he could but induce the man before him
+to undertake the task, what might not be? But the knight of the road
+was evidently very impatient.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blood of a king!&quot; he swore, &quot;are you going, signore? Think you I am
+to stand here all night?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly not,&quot; answered di Lippo in his even voice, &quot;nor am I. But
+to come to the point. I want a little business managed, and will pay
+for it. You appear to be a man of courage--will you undertake the
+matter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Cospetto!</i> But you are a cool hand! Who are you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it necessary to know? I offer a hundred crowns, fifty to be paid
+to you if you agree, and fifty on the completion of the affair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A matter of the dagger?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is for you to decide.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The bandit almost saw the snarl on di Lippo's lips as he dropped out
+slowly: &quot;You are too cautious, my friend--you think to the skin. The
+rack will come whether you do my business or not.&quot; The words were not
+exactly calculated to soothe, and called up an unpleasant vision
+before the robber's eyes. A sudden access of wrath shook him. &quot;Begone,
+signore!&quot; he burst out, &quot;lest my patience exhausts itself, and I give
+you a bed in the snow. Why I have spared your life, I know not.
+Begone; warm yourself with a walk----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will pay a hundred crowns,&quot; interrupted di Lippo.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A hundred devils--begone!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As you please. Remember, it is a hundred crowns, and, on the faith of
+a noble, I say nothing about tonight. Where can I find you, in case
+you change your mind? A hundred crowns is a comfortable sum of money,
+mind you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was no excitement about di Lippo. He spoke slowly and
+distinctly. His cool voice neither rose nor dropped, but he spoke in a
+steady, chill monotone. A hundred crowns <i>was</i> a comfortable sum of
+money. It was a sum not to be despised. For a tithe of that--nay, for
+two pistoles--the Captain Guido Moratti would have risked his life
+twice over, things had come to such a pass with him. Highway robbery
+was not exactly his line, although sometimes, as on this occasion, he
+had been driven to it by the straits of the times. But suppose this
+offer was a blind? Suppose the man before him merely wanted to know
+where to get at him, to hand him over to the tender mercies of the
+thumbscrew and the rack? On the other hand, the man might be in
+earnest--and a hundred crowns! He hesitated.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A--hun--dred--crowns.&quot; The cavaliere repeated these words, and there
+was a silence. Finally the bandit spoke:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I frankly confess, signore, that stealing purses, even as I have done
+to-day, is not my way; but a man must live. If you mean what you say,
+there must be no half-confidences. Tell me who you are, and I will
+tell you where to find me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo of Castel Lippo on the Greve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where is Castel Lippo?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At the junction of the Arno and the Greve--on the left bank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well. In a week you will hear from me again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is enough. You will allow me to ransom the horse. I will send you
+the sum. On my word of honour, I have nothing to pay it at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The signore's word of honour is doubtless very white. But a can in
+the hand is a can in the hand, and I need a horse--Good-night!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good-night! But a can in the hand is not always wine to the lips,
+though a hundred crowns is ever a hundred crowns;&quot; and saying this, di
+Lippo drew his cloak over the lower part of his face, and turned
+sharply to the right into the darkness, without so much as giving a
+look behind him. His horse would have followed; but quick as thought,
+Moratti's hand was on the trailing reins, and holding them firmly, he
+stooped and picked up the purse, poising it at arm's-length in front
+of him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Silver,&quot; he muttered, as his fingers felt the coins through the soft
+leather--&quot;thirty crowns at the most, perhaps an odd gold piece or
+so--and now to be off. <i>Hola!</i> Steady!&quot; and mounting the horse, he
+turned his head round, still talking to himself: &quot;I am in luck. Cheese
+falls on my macaroni--thirty broad pieces and a horse, and a hundred
+crowns more in prospect. Captain Guido Moratti, the devil smiles on
+you--you will end a Count. <i>Animo!</i>&quot; He touched the horse with his
+heels, and went forward at a smart gallop; and as he galloped, he
+threw his head back and laughed loudly and mirthlessly into the night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the meantime it was with a sore heart that the cavaliere made his
+way through the forest to the banks of the Arno, and then plodded
+along the river-side, through the wood, by a track scarcely
+discernible to any but one who had seen it many times. On his right
+hand the river hummed drearily; on his left, the trees sighed in the
+night-wind; and before him the narrow track wound, now up, then down,
+now twisting amongst the pines in darkness, then stretching in front,
+straight as a plumb-line. It was gall to di Lippo to think of the loss
+of the crowns and the good horse; it was bitterness to trudge it in
+the cold along the weary path that led to the ferry across the Arno,
+which he would have to cross before reaching his own home; and he
+swore deeply, under the muffling of his cloak, as he pressed on at his
+roundest pace. He soon covered the two miles that lay between him and
+the ferry; but it was past midnight ere he did this, and reaching the
+ferryman's hut, battered at the door with the hilt of his sword.
+Eventually he aroused the ferryman, who came forth grumbling. Had it
+been any one else, honest Giuseppe would have told him to go hang
+before he would have risen from his warm bed; but the Cavaliere
+Michele was a noble, and, although poor, had a lance or two, and
+Castel Lippo, which bore an ill name, was only a mangonel shot from
+the opposite bank. So Giuseppe punted his excellency across; and his
+excellency vented his spleen with a curse at everything in general,
+and the bandit in particular, as he stepped ashore and hurried to his
+dwelling. It was a steep climb that led up by a bridle-path to his
+half-ruined tower, and di Lippo stood at the postern, and whistled on
+his silver whistle, and knocked for many a time, before he heard the
+chains clanking, and the bar put back. At last the door opened, and a
+figure stood before him, a lantern in one hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;St. John! But it is your worship! We did not expect you until
+sunrise. And the horse, excellency?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stand aside, fool. I have been robbed, that is all. Yes--let the
+matter drop; and light me up quick. Will you gape all night there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The porter, shutting the gate hastily, turned, and walking before his
+master, led him across the courtyard. Even by the moonlight, it could
+be seen that the flagstones were old and worn with age. In many places
+they had come apart, and with the spring, sprouts of green grass and
+white serpyllum would shoot up from the cracks. At present, these
+fissures were choked with snow. Entering the tower by an arched door
+at the end of the courtyard, they ascended a winding stair, which led
+into a large but only partially furnished room. Here the man lit two
+candles, and di Lippo, dropping his cloak, sank down into a chair,
+saying: &quot;Make up a fire, will you--and bring me some wine; after that,
+you may go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man threw a log or two into the fireplace, where there was already
+the remains of a fire, and the pinewood soon blazed up cheerfully.
+Then he placed a flask of Orvieto and a glass at his master's elbow,
+and wishing him good-night, left him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Michele di Lippo poured himself out a full measure and drained it at a
+draught. Drawing his chair close to the blazing wood, he stretched out
+his feet, cased in long boots of Spanish leather, and stared into the
+flames. He sat thus for an hour or so without motion. The candles
+burned out, and the fire alone lit the room, casting strange shadows
+on the moth-eaten tapestry of the hangings, alternately lighting and
+leaving in darkness the corners of the room, and throwing its fitful
+glow on the pallid features of the brooding man, who sat as if cut out
+of stone. At last the cavaliere moved, but it was only to fling
+another log on the flames. Then he resumed his former attitude, and
+watched the fire. As he looked, he saw a picture. He saw wide lands,
+lands rich with olive and vine, that climbed the green hills between
+which the Aulella babbles. He saw the grey towers of the castle of
+Pieve. Above the donjon, a broad flag flapped lazily in the air,
+and the blazon on it--three wasps on a green field--was his own. He
+was no longer the ruined noble, confined to his few acres, living like
+a goat amongst the rocks of the Greve; but my lord count, ruffling it
+again in Rome, and calling the mains with Riario, as in the good old
+times ten years ago. Diavolo! But those were times when the Borgia
+was Pope! What nights those were in the Torre Borgia! He had one of
+Giulia Bella's gloves still, and there were dark stains on its
+whiteness--stains that were red once with the blood of Monreale, who
+wore it over his heart the day he ran him through on the Ripetta.
+<i>Basta!</i> That was twelve years ago! Twelve years! Twelve hundred
+years it seemed. And he was forty now. Still young enough to run
+another man through, however. <i>Cospetto!</i> If the bravo would only
+undertake the job, everything might be his! He would live again--or
+perhaps! And another picture came before the dreamer. It had much to
+do with death--a bell was tolling dismally, and a chained man was
+walking to his end, with a priest muttering prayers into his ears. In
+the background was a gallows, and a sea of heads, an endless swaying
+crowd of heads, with faces that looked on the man with hate, and
+tongues that jeered and shouted curses at him. And the voices of the
+crowd seemed to merge into one tremendous roar of hatred as the
+condemned wretch ascended the steps of the platform on which he was to
+find a disgraceful death.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Michele di Lippo rose suddenly with a shiver and an oath:
+&quot;<i>Maledetto!</i> I must sleep. It touches the morning, and I have been
+dreaming too long.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_c2" href="#div2Ref_c2">AT &quot;THE DEVIL ON TWO STICKS.&quot;</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">It was mid-day, and the Captain Guido Moratti was at home in his
+lodging in &quot;The Devil on Two Sticks.&quot; Not an attractive address; but
+then this particular hostel was not frequented by persons who were
+squeamish about names, or--any other thing. The house itself lay in
+the Santo Spirito ward of Florence, filling up the end of a
+<i>chiassolino</i> or blind alley in a back street behind the church of
+Santa Felicità, and was well known to all who had &quot;business&quot; to
+transact. It had also drawn towards it the attention of the <i>Magnifici
+Signori</i>, and the long arm of the law would have reached it ere this
+but for the remark made by the Secretary Machiavelli, &quot;One does not
+purify a city by stopping the sewers,&quot; he said; and added with a grim
+sarcasm, &quot;and any one of us might have an urgent affair to-morrow, and
+need an agents--let the devil rest on his two sticks.&quot; And it was so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Occasionally, the talons of Messer the Gonfaloniere would close on
+some unfortunate gentleman who had at the time no &quot;friends,&quot; and then
+he was never seen again. But arrests were never made in the house, and
+it was consequently looked upon as a secure place by its customers.
+The room occupied by Moratti was on the second floor, and was lighted
+by a small window which faced a high dead wall, affording no view
+beyond that of the blackened stonework. The captain, being a single
+man, could afford to live at his ease, and though it was mid-day, and
+past the dinner hour, had only just risen, and was fortifying himself
+with a measure of Chianti. He was seated in a solid-looking chair, his
+goblet in his hand, and his long legs clothed in black and white
+trunks, the Siena colours, resting on the table. The upper part of his
+dress consisted of a closely fitting pied surcoat, of the same hues as
+his trunks; and round his waist he wore a webbed chain belt, to which
+was attached a plain, but useful-looking poniard. The black hair on
+his head was allowed to grow long, and fell in natural curls to his
+broad shoulders. He had no beard; but under the severe arch of his
+nose was a pair of long dark moustaches that completely hid the mouth,
+and these he wore in a twist that almost reached his ears. On the
+table where his feet rested was his cap, from which a frayed feather
+stuck out stiffly; likewise his cloak, and a very long sword in a
+velvet and wood scabbard. The other articles on the table were a
+half-empty flask of wine, a few dice, a pack of cards, a mask, a wisp
+of lace, and a broken fan. The walls were bare of all ornament, except
+over the entrance door, whence a crucified Christ looked down in His
+agony over the musty room. A spare chair or two, a couple of valises
+and a saddle, together with a bed, hidden behind some old and shabby
+curtains, completed the furniture of the chamber; but such as it was,
+it was better accommodation than the captain had enjoyed for many a
+day. For be it known that &quot;The Devil on Two Sticks&quot; was meant for the
+aristocrats of the &quot;profession.&quot; The charges were accordingly high,
+and there was no credit allowed. No! No! The <i>padrone</i> knew better
+than to trust his longest-sworded clients for even so small a matter
+as a brown <i>paolo</i>. But at present Moratti was in funds, for thirty
+broad crowns in one's pocket, and a horse worth full thirty more, went
+a long way in those days, and besides, he had not a little luck at the
+cards last night. He thrust a sinewy hand into his pocket, and jingled
+the coins there, with a comfortable sense of proprietorship, and for
+the moment his face was actually pleasant to look upon. The face was
+an eminently handsome one. It was difficult to conceive that those
+clear, bold features were those of a thief. They were rather those of
+a soldier, brave, resolute, and hasty perhaps, though hardened, and
+marked by excess. There was that in them which seemed to point to a
+past very different from the present. And it had been so. But that
+story is a secret, and we must take the captain as we find him,
+nothing more or less than a bravo. Let it be remembered, however, that
+this hideous profession, although looked upon with fear by all, was
+not in those days deemed so dishonourable as to utterly cast a man out
+of the pale of his fellows. Troches, the bravo of Alexander VI., was
+very nearly made a cardinal; Don Michele, the strangler of Cesare
+Borgia, became commander-in-chief of the Florentine army, and had the
+honour of a conspiracy being formed against him--he was killed whilst
+leaving the house of Chaumont. Finally, there was that romantic
+scoundrel &quot;Il Medighino,&quot; who advanced from valet to bravo, from bravo
+to be a pirate chief and the brother of a pontiff, ending his days as
+Marquis of Marignano and Viceroy of Bohemia. So that, roundly
+speaking, if the profession of the dagger did lead to the galleys or
+the scaffold, it as often led to wealth, and sometimes, as in the case
+of Giangiacomo Medici, to a coronet. Perhaps some such thoughts as
+these flitted in the captain's mind as he jingled his crowns and
+slowly sipped his wine. His fellow-men had made him a wolf, and a wolf
+he was now to the end of his spurs, as pitiless to his victims as they
+had been to him. He was no longer young; but a man between two ages,
+with all the strength and vitality of youth and the experience of
+five-and-thirty, so that with a stroke of luck he might any day do
+what the son of Bernardino had done. He had failed in everything up to
+now, although he had had his chances. His long sword had helped to
+stir the times when the Duke of Bari upset all Italy, and the people
+used to sing:</p>
+<br>
+<div style="margin-left:25%">
+<p class="t0">Cristo in cielo é il Moro in terra,<br>
+Solo sa il fine di questa guerra.</p>
+</div>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">He had fought at Fornovo and at Mertara; and in the breach at Santa
+Croce had even crossed swords with the Count di Savelli, the most
+redoubted knight, with the exception of Bayard, of the age. He had
+been run through the ribs for his temerity; but it was an honour he
+never forgot. Then other things had happened, and he had sunk, sunk to
+be what he was, as many a better man had done before him. A knock at
+the door disturbed his meditations. He set down his empty glass and
+called out, &quot;Enter!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The door opened, and the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo entered the room.
+Moratti showed no surprise, although the visit was a little
+unexpected; but beyond pointing to a chair, gave di Lippo no other
+greeting, saying simply: &quot;Take a seat, signore--and shut the door
+behind you. I did not expect you until to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, captain; But you see I was impatient. I got your letter
+yesterday, and, the matter being pressing, came here at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well--what is the business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The cavaliere's steel-grey eyes contracted like those of a cat when a
+sudden light is cast upon them, and he glanced cautiously around him.
+&quot;This place is safe--no eavesdroppers?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;None,&quot; answered Moratti; and slowly putting his feet down from the
+table, pushed the wine towards di Lippo. &quot;Help yourself, signore--No!
+Well, as you wish. And now, your business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a silence in the room, and each man watched the other
+narrowly. Moratti looked at the cavaliere's long hatchet face, at the
+cruel close-set eyes, at the thin red hair showing under his velvet
+cap, and at the straight line of the mouth, partly hidden by a
+moustache, and short peaked beard of a slightly darker red than the
+hair on di Lippo's head. Michele di Lippo, in his turn, keenly scanned
+the seamed and haughty features of the bravo, and each man recognised
+in the other the qualities he respected, if such a word may be used.
+At last the cavaliere spoke: &quot;As I mentioned, captain, my business is
+one of the highest importance, and----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are prepared to pay in proportion--eh?&quot; and Moratti twirled his
+moustache between his fingers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Exactly. I have made you my offer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But have not told me what you want done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am coming to that. Permit me; I think I will change my mind;&quot; and
+as Moratti nodded assent, di Lippo poured himself out a glass of wine
+and drained it slowly. When he had done this, he set the glass down
+with extreme care, and continued: &quot;I am, as you see, captain, no
+longer a young man, and it is inconvenient to have to wait for an
+inheritance&quot;--and he grinned horribly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see, cavalierei--you want me to anticipate matters a little--Well,
+I am willing to help you if I can.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is a hundred crowns, captain, and the case lies thus. There is but
+one life between me and the County of Pieve in the Val di Magra, and
+you know how uncertain life is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused; but as Guido Moratti said nothing, continued with his even
+voice: &quot;Should the old Count of Pieve die--and he is on the edge of
+the grave--the estate will pass to his daughter. In the event of her
+death----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Whew!</i>&quot; Moratti emitted a low whistle, and sat bolt upright. &quot;So it
+is the lady,&quot; he cried. &quot;That is not my line, cavaliere. It is more a
+matter of the poison-cup, and I don't deal in such things. Carry your
+offer elsewhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It will be a new experience, captain--and a hundred crowns.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blood of a king, man! do you think I hesitate over a paltry hundred
+crowns? Had it been a man, it would have been different--but a woman!
+No! No! It is not my way;&quot; and he rose and paced the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tush, man! It is but a touch of your dagger, and you have done much
+the same before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Moratti faced di Lippo. &quot;As you say, I have executed commissions
+before, but never on a woman, and never on a man without giving him a
+chance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are too tender-hearted for your profession, captain. Have you
+never been wronged by a woman? They can be more pitiless than men, I
+assure you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The bronze on Moratti's cheek paled to ashes, and his face hardened
+with a sudden memory. He turned his back upon di Lippo, and stared out
+of the window at the dead wall which was the only view. It was a
+chance shot, but it had told. The cavaliere rose slowly and flung a
+purse on the table. &quot;Better give him the whole at once,&quot; he muttered.
+&quot;Come, captain,&quot; he added, raising his voice. &quot;It will be over in a
+moment; and after all, neither you nor I will ever see heaven. We
+might as well burn for something; and if I mistake not, both you and I
+are like those Eastern tigers, who once having tasted blood must go on
+forever--see!&quot; and he laid his lean hand on the bravo's shoulder, &quot;why
+not revenge on the whole sex the wrong done you by one----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The captain swung round suddenly and shook off di Lippo's hand. &quot;Don't
+touch me,&quot; he cried; &quot;at times like this I am dangerous. What demon
+put into your mouth the words you have just used? They have served
+your purpose--and she shall die. Count me out the money, the full
+hundred--and go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is there;&quot; and di Lippo pointed with his finger to the purse. &quot;You
+will find the tale complete--a hundred crowns--count them at your
+leisure. <i>Addio!</i> captain. I shall hear good news soon, I trust.&quot;
+Rubbing the palms of his hands together, he stepped softly from the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Guido Moratti did not hear or answer him. His mind had gone back with
+a rush for ten years, when the work of a woman had made him sink lower
+than a beast. Such things happen to men sometimes. He had sunk like a
+stone thrown into a lake; he had been destroyed utterly, and it was
+sufficient to say that he lived now to prey on his fellow-creatures.
+But he had never thought of the revenge that di Lippo had suggested.
+Now that he did think of it, he remembered a story told in the old
+days round the camp fires, when they were hanging on the rear of
+Charles's retreating army, just before he turned and rent the League
+at Fornovo. Rodrigo Gonzaga, the Spaniard, had told it of a countryman
+of his, a native of Toledo, who for a wrong done to him by a girl had
+devoted himself to the doing to death of women. It was horrible; and
+at the time he had refused to believe it. Now he was face to face with
+the same horror--nay, he had even embraced it. He had lost his soul;
+but the price of it was not yet paid in revenge or gold, and, by
+Heaven! he would have it. He laughed out as loudly and cheerlessly as
+on that winter's night when he rode off through the snow; and laying
+hands on the purse, tore it open, and the contents rolled out upon the
+table. &quot;The price of my soul!&quot; he sneered as he held up a handful of
+the coins, and let them drop again with a clash on the heap on the
+table. &quot;It is more than Judas got for his--ha! ha!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_c3" href="#div2Ref_c3">FELICITÀ.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Some few days after his interview with di Lippo, the Captain Guido
+Moratti rode his horse across the old Roman bridge which at that time
+spanned the Aulella, and directed his way towards the castle of Pieve,
+whose outlines rose before him, cresting an eminence about a league
+from the bridge. The captain was travelling as a person of some
+quality, the better to carry out a plan he had formed for gaining
+admission to Pieve, and a lackey rode behind him holding his valise.
+He had hired horse and man in Florence, and the servant was an honest
+fellow enough, in complete ignorance of his master's character and
+profession. Both the captain and his man bore the appearance of long
+travel, and in truth they had journeyed with a free rein; and now that
+a stormy night was setting in, they were not a little anxious to reach
+their point. The snow was falling in soft flakes, and the landscape
+was grey with the driving mist, through which the outlines of the
+castle loomed large and shadowy, more like a fantastic creation in
+cloudland than the work of human hands. As the captain pulled down the
+lapels of his cap to ward off the drift which was coming straight in
+his face, the bright flare of a beacon fire shone from a tower of the
+castle, and the rays from it stretched in broad orange bands athwart
+the rolling mist, which threatened, together with the increasing
+darkness, to extinguish all the view that was left, and make the
+league to Pieve a road of suffering. With the flash of the fire a
+weird, sustained howl came to the travellers in an eerie cadence; and
+as the fearsome call died away, it was picked up by an answering cry
+from behind, then another and yet another. There could be no mistaking
+these signals; they meant pressing and immediate danger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wolves!&quot; shouted Moratti; and turning to his knave: &quot;Gallop,
+Tito!--else our bones will be picked clean by morning. Gallop!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They struck their spurs into the horses; and the jaded animals, as if
+realizing their peril, made a brave effort, and dashed off at their
+utmost speed. It was none too soon, for the wolves, hitherto following
+in silence, had given tongue at the sight of the fire; and as if
+knowing that the beacon meant safety for their prey, and that they
+were like to lose a dinner unless they hurried, laid themselves on the
+track of the flying horses with a hideous chorus of yells. They could
+not be seen for the mist; but they were not far behind. They were
+going at too great a pace to howl now; but an occasional angry &quot;yap&quot;
+reached the riders, and reached the horses too, whose instinct told
+them what it meant; and they needed no further spurring, to make them
+strain every muscle to put a distance between themselves and their
+pursuers. Moratti thoroughly grasped the situation. He had experienced
+a similar adventure in the Pennine Alps, when carrying despatches for
+Paolo Orsini, with this difference, that then he had a fresh horse,
+and could see where he was going; whereas now, although the distance
+to Pieve was short, and in ten minutes he might be safe and with a
+whole skin, yet a false step, a stumble, and nothing short of a
+miracle could prevent him becoming a living meal to the beasts behind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He carried, slung by a strap over his shoulder, a light bugle, which
+he had often found useful before, but never so useful as now.
+Thrusting his hand under his cloak, he drew it out, and blew a long
+clear blast; and, to his joy, there came an answer through the storm
+from the castle. Rescue was near at hand, and faster and faster they
+flew; but as surely the wolves gained on them, and they could hear the
+snarling of the leaders as they jostled against and snapped at each
+other in their haste. Moratti looked over his shoulder. He could see
+close behind a dark crescent moving towards them with fearful
+rapidity. He almost gave a groan. It was too horrible to die thus! And
+he dug his spurs again and again into the heaving flanks of his horse,
+with the vain hope of increasing its speed. They had now reached the
+ascent to Pieve. They could see the lights at the windows. In two
+hundred yards there was safety; when Moratti's horse staggered under
+him, and he had barely time to free his feet from the stirrups and
+lean well back in the saddle ere the animal came down with a plunge.
+Tito went by like a flash, as the captain picked himself up and faced
+the wolves, sword in hand. There was a steep bank on the side of the
+road. He made a dash to gain the summit of this; but had hardly
+reached half-way up when the foremost wolf was upon him, and had
+rolled down again with a yell, run through the heart. His fellows tore
+him to shreds, and in a moment began to worry at the struggling horse,
+whose fore-leg was broken. In a hand-turn the matter was ended, and
+the wretched beast was no longer visible, all that could be seen being
+a black swaying mass of bodies, as the pack hustled and fought over
+the dead animal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Nevertheless, there were three or four of the wolves who devoted their
+attention to Moratti, and he met them with the courage of despair. But
+the odds were too many, and he began to feel that he could not hold
+out much longer. One huge monster, his shaggy coat icy with the sleet,
+had pulled him to his knees, and it was only a lucky thrust of the
+dagger, he held in his left hand, that saved him. He regained his feet
+only to be dragged down again, and to rise yet once more. He was
+bleeding and weak, wounded in many places, and the end could not be
+far off. It was not thus that he had hoped to die; and he was dying
+like a worried lynx.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The thought drove him to madness. He was of Siena, and somewhere in
+his veins, though he did not know it, ran the blood of the Senonian
+Gauls, and it came out now--he went Berserker, as the old northern
+pirates were wont to do. Sliding down the bank, he jumped full into
+the pack, striking at them in a dumb fury. He was hardly human himself
+now, and he plunged his sword again and again into the heaving mass
+around him, and felt no pain from the teeth of the wolves as they rent
+his flesh. A fierce mad joy came upon him. It was a glorious fight
+after all, and he was dying game. It was a glorious fight, and, when
+he felt a grisly head at his throat, and the weight of his assailant
+brought him down once more, he flung aside his sword, and grappling
+his enemy with his hands, tore asunder the huge jaws, and flung the
+body from him with a yell. Almost at that very instant there was the
+sharp report of firearms, the rush of hurrying feet, and the blaze of
+torches. Moratti, half on his knees, was suddenly pulled to his feet
+by a strong hand, and supported by it he stood, dizzy and faint,
+bleeding almost everywhere, but safe. The wolves had fled in silence,
+vanishing like phantoms across the snow; and shot after shot was fired
+in their direction by the rescue party.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Per Bacco!</i>&quot; said the man who was holding Moratti up; &quot;but it was an
+affair between the skin and the flesh, signore--steady!&quot; and his arm
+tightened round the captain. As he did this, a long defiant howl
+floated back to them through the night, and Guido Moratti knew no
+more. He seemed to have dropped suddenly, into an endless night. He
+seemed to be flying through space, past countless millions of stars,
+which, bright themselves, were unable to illumine the abysmal darkness
+around, and then--there was nothing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When Moratti came to himself again, he was lying in a bed, in a large
+room, dimly lighted by a shaded lamp, set on a tall Corinthian pillar
+of marble. After the first indistinct glance around him, he shut his
+eyes, and was lost in a dreamy stupor. In a little, he looked again,
+and saw that the chamber was luxuriously fitted, and that he was not
+alone, for, kneeling at a <i>prie-dieu</i>, under a large picture of a
+Madonna and Child, was the figure of a woman. Her face was from him;
+but ill as he was, Moratti saw that the tight-fitting dress showed a
+youthful and perfect figure, and that her head was covered with an
+abundance of red-gold hair. The man was still in the shadowland caused
+by utter weakness, and for a moment he thought that this was nothing
+but a vision of fancy; but he rallied half unconsciously, and looked
+again; and then, curiosity overcoming him, attempted to turn so as to
+obtain a better view, and was checked by a twinge of pain, which,
+coming suddenly, brought an exclamation to his lips. In an instant the
+lady rose, and moving towards him, bent over the bed. As she did this,
+their eyes met, and the fierce though dulled gaze of the bravo saw
+before him a face of ideal innocence, of such saintlike purity, that
+it might have been a dream of Raffaelle. She placed a cool hand on his
+hot forehead, and whispered softly: &quot;Be still--and drink this--you
+will sleep.&quot; Turning to a side table, she lifted a silver goblet
+therefrom, and gave him to drink. The draught was cool and refreshing,
+and he gathered strength from it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where am I?&quot; he asked; and then, with a sudden courtesy,
+&quot;Madonna--pardon me--I thank you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush!&quot; she answered, lifting a small hand. &quot;You are in Pieve, and you
+have been very ill. But I must not talk--sleep now, signore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I remember now,&quot; he said dreamily--&quot;the wolves; but it seems so long
+ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She made no reply, but stepped softly out of the room, and was gone.
+Moratti would have called out after her; but a drowsiness came on him,
+and closing his eyes, he slept.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It takes a strong man some time to recover from wounds inflicted by a
+wild animal; and when a man has, like Guido Moratti, lived at both
+ends, it takes longer still, and it was weeks before the captain was
+out of danger. He never saw his fair visitor again. Her place was
+taken by a staid and middle-aged nurse, and he was visited two or
+three times daily by a solemn-looking physician. But although he did
+not see her whom he longed to see, there was a message both morning
+and evening from the Count of Pieve and his daughter, hoping the
+invalid was better--the former regretting that his infirmities
+prevented his paying a personal visit, and the inquiries of the latter
+being always accompanied by a bouquet of winter flowers. But strange
+as it may seem, when he was under the influence of the opiate they
+gave him nightly, he was certain of the presence of the slight
+graceful figure of the lady of the <i>prie-dieu</i>, as he called her to
+himself. He saw again the golden-red hair and the sweet eyes, and felt
+again the touch of the cool hand. He began to think that this bright
+presence which lit his dreams was but a vision after all, and used to
+long for the night and the opiate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last one fine morning Tito appeared, and began to set out and brush
+the captain's apparel as if nothing had ever happened. Moratti watched
+him for a space, and then rising up against his pillows, spoke:
+&quot;Tito!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signore!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is it that you have not been here before?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was not allowed, Excellency, until to-day--your worship was too
+ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I am better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excellency!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a silence of some minutes, and the captain spoke again:
+&quot;Tito!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signore!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you seen the Count and his daughter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Excellency!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What are they like?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Count old, and a cripple. Madonna Felicità, small, thin,
+red-haired like my wife Sancia.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Moratti sank down again upon the bed, a satisfied smile upon his lips.
+So there was truth in his dreams. The vision of the night was a
+reality. He would see her soon, as soon as he could rise, and he was
+fast getting well, very fast. He had gone back many years in his
+illness. He had thoughts stirred within him that he had imagined dead
+long ago. He was the last man to day-dream, to build castles in the
+air; but as he lay idly watching Tito, who was evidently very busy
+cleaning something--for he was sitting on a low chair with his back
+towards the captain, and his elbow moving backwards and forwards
+rapidly--the bravo pictured himself Guido Moratti as he might have
+been, a man able to look all men in the face, making an honourable way
+for himself, and worthy the love of a good woman. The last thought
+brought before him a fair face and sweet eyes, and a dainty head
+crowned with red-gold hair, and the strong man let his fancy run on
+with an uprising of infinite tenderness in his heart. He was lost in a
+cloudland of dreams.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Signore!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tito's harsh voice had pulled down the castle in Spain, and Tito
+himself was standing at the bedside holding a bright and glittering
+dagger in his hand. But he had done more than upset his master's
+dreams. He had, all unwittingly, brought him back in a flash to the
+hideous reality, for, as a consequence of his long illness, of the
+weeks of fever and delirium, Moratti had clean forgotten the dreadful
+object of his coming to Pieve. It all came back to him with a blinding
+suddenness, and he closed his eyes with a shudder of horror as Tito
+laid the poniard upon the bed, asking: &quot;Will the signore see if the
+blade is keen enough? A touch of the finger will suffice.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_c4" href="#div2Ref_c4">CONCLUSION--THE TORRE DOLOROSA.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Days were yet to pass before Guido Moratti was able to leave his
+chamber; but at last the leech who attended him said he might do so
+with safety; and later on, the steward of the household brought a
+courteous invitation from the Count of Pieve to dine with him. As
+already explained, Moratti had not as yet seen his host; and since he
+was well enough to sit up, there were no more dreamy visions of the
+personal presence of Felicità. He had made many resolutions whilst
+left to himself, and had determined that as soon as he was able to
+move he would leave the castle, quit Italy, and make a new name for
+himself, or die in the German wars. He was old enough to build no
+great hopes on the future; but fortune might smile on him, and
+then--many things might happen. At any rate, he would wipe the slate
+clean, and there should be no more ugly scores on it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Not that he was a reformed man; he was only groping his way back to
+light. Men do not cast off the past as a snake sheds his skin. He knew
+that well enough, but he knew, too, that he had seen a faint track
+back to honour; and difficult as it was, he had formed a determination
+to travel by it. He had been so vile, he had sunk so low, that there
+were moments when a despair came on him; but with a new country and
+new scenes, and the little flame of hope that was warming his dead
+soul back to life, there might yet be a chance. He knew perfectly that
+he was in love, and when a man of his age loves, it is for the
+remainder of his life. He was aware--none better--that his love was
+madness, all but an insult, and that it was worse than presumption to
+even entertain the thought that he had inspired any other feeling
+beyond that of pity in the heart of Felicità. It is enough to say that
+he did not dare to hope in this way; but he meant to so order his
+future life, as to feel that any such sentiment as love in his heart
+towards her would not be sacrilege.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He sent back a civil answer to the invitation; and a little after
+eleven, descended the stairway which led from his chamber to the
+Count's apartments, looking very pale and worn, but very handsome. For
+he was, in truth, a man whose personal appearance took all eyes. The
+apartments of the Count were immediately below Moratti's own chamber,
+and on entering, he saw the old knight himself reclining in a large
+chair. He was alone, except for a hound which lay stretched out on the
+hearth, its muzzle between its forepaws, and a dining-table set for
+three was close to his elbow. Bernabo of Pieve received his guest with
+a stately courtesy, asking pardon for being unable to rise, as he was
+crippled. &quot;They clipped my wings at Arx Sismundea, captain--before
+your time; but of a truth I am a glad man to see you strong again. It
+was a narrow affair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot thank you in words, Count; you and your house have placed a
+debt on me I can never repay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tush, man! There must be no talk of thanks. If there are to be any,
+they are due to the leech, and to Felicità, my daughter. She is all I
+have left, for my son was killed at Santa Croce.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was there, Count.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And knew him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas, no. I was on the side of Spain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With the besieged, and he with the League. He was killed on the
+breach--poor lad.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this moment a curtain at the side of the room was lifted, and
+Felicità entered. She greeted Moratti warmly, and with a faint flush
+on her cheeks, inquired after his health, hoping he was quite strong
+again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So well, Madonna, that I must hurry on my journey to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To-morrow!&quot; Her large eyes opened wide in astonishment, and there was
+a pain in her look. &quot;Why,&quot; she continued, &quot;it will be a fortnight ere
+you can sit in the saddle again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It might have been never, but for you,&quot; he answered gravely, and her
+eyes met his, and fell. At this moment the steward announced that the
+table was ready; and by the time the repast was ended, Moratti had
+forgotten his good resolutions for instant departure, and had promised
+to stay for at least a week, at the urgent intercession of both the
+Count and his daughter. He knew he was wrong in doing so, and that,
+whatever happened, it was his duty to go at once; but he hesitated
+with himself. He would give himself one week of happiness, for it was
+happiness to be near her, and then--he would go away forever. And she
+would never know, in her innocence and purity, that Guido Moratti,
+bravo--he shuddered at the infamous word--loved her better than all
+the world beside, and that for her sake he had become a new man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After dinner the Count slept, and, the day being bright, they stepped
+out into a large balcony and gazed at the view. The balcony, which
+stretched out from a low window of the dining chamber, terminated on
+the edge of a precipice which dropped down a clear two hundred feet;
+and leaning over the moss-grown battlements, they looked at the white
+winter landscape before them. Behind rose the tower they had just
+quitted, and Felicità, turning, pointed to it, saying: &quot;We call this
+the Torre Dolorosa.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A sad name, Madonna. May I ask why?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because all of our house who die in their beds die here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And yet you occupy this part of the castle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, I do not. My chamber is there--in Count Ligo's Tower;&quot; and she
+pointed to the right, where another grey tower rose from the keep.
+&quot;But my father likes to occupy the Torre Dolorosa himself. He says he
+is living with his ancestors--to whom he will soon go, as he always
+adds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May the day be far distant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she answered &quot;Amen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After this, they went in, and the talk turned on other matters. The
+week passed and then another, but at last the day came for Moratti's
+departure. He had procured another horse. It was indeed a gift which
+the old Count pressed upon him, and he had accepted it with much
+reluctance, but much gratitude. In truth, the kindness of these people
+towards him was unceasing, and Moratti made great strides towards his
+new self in that week. He was to have started after the mid-day
+dinner; but with the afternoon he was not gone, and sunset found him
+on the balcony of the Torre Dolorosa with Felicità by his side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You cannot possibly go to-night,&quot; she said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will go to-morrow, then,&quot; replied Moratti, and she looked away from
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a moment of temptation. Almost did a rush of words come to the
+captain's lips. He felt as if he must take her in his arms and tell
+her that he loved her as man never loved woman. It was an effort; but
+he was getting stronger in will daily, and he crushed down the
+feeling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is getting chill for you,&quot; he said; &quot;we had better go in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell me,&quot; she answered, not heeding his remark, &quot;tell me exactly
+where you are going?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know--perhaps to join Piccolomini in Bohemia--perhaps to
+join Alva in the Low Countries--wherever a soldier's sword has work to
+do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you will come back?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A great man, with a <i>condotta</i> of a thousand lances--and forget
+Pieve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God is my witness--never--but it is chill, Madonna--come in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When they came in, Bernabo of Pieve was not alone, for standing close
+to the old man, his back to the fire, and rubbing his hands softly
+together, was the tall, gaunt figure of the Cavaliere Michele di
+Lippo.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A sudden visit, dear cousin,&quot; he said, greeting Felicità, and turning
+his steel-grey eyes, with a look of cold inquiry in them, on Moratti.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Captain Guido Moratti--my cousin, the Cavaliere di Lippo.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of Castel Lippo, on the Greve,&quot; put in di Lippo. &quot;I am charmed to
+make the acquaintance of the Captain Moratti. Do you stay long in
+Pieve, captain?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I leave to-morrow.&quot; Moratti spoke shortly. His blood was boiling, as
+he looked on the gloomy figure of the cavaliere, who watched him
+furtively from under his eyelids, the shadow of a sneer on his face.
+He was almost sick with shame when he thought how he was in di
+Lippo's hands, how a word from him could brand him with ignominy
+beyond repair. Some courage, however, came back to him with the
+thought that, after all, he held cards as well, as for his own sake,
+di Lippo would probably remain quiet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So soon!&quot; said di Lippo with a curious stress on the word soon, and
+then added, &quot;That is bad news.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have far to go, signore,&quot; replied Moratti coldly, and the
+conversation then changed. It was late when they retired; and as the
+captain bent over Felicità's hand, he held it for a moment in his own
+broad palm, and said: &quot;It is good-bye, lady, for I go before the dawn
+to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She made no answer; but, with a sudden movement, detached a bunch of
+winter violets she wore at her neck, and thrusting them in Moratti's
+hand, turned and fled. The Count was half asleep, and did not notice
+the passage; but di Lippo said with his icy sneer: &quot;Excellent--you
+work like an artist, Moratti.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not understand you;&quot; and turning on his heel, the captain strode
+off to his room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">An hour or so later, he was seated in a low chair, thinking. His
+valise lay packed, and all was ready for his early start. He still
+held the violets in his hand, but his face was dark with boding
+thoughts. He dreaded going and leaving Felicità to the designs of di
+Lippo. There would be other means found by di Lippo to carry out his
+design; and with a groan, the captain rose and began to pace the room.
+He was on the cross with anxiety. If he went without giving warning of
+di Lippo's plans, he would still be a sharer in the murder--and the
+murder of Felicità, for a hair of whose head he was prepared to risk
+his soul. If, on the other hand, he spoke, he would be lost forever in
+her eyes. Although it was winter, the room seemed to choke him, and he
+suddenly flung open the door and, descending the dim stairway, went
+out into the balcony. It was bright with moonlight, and the night was
+clear as crystal. He leaned over the battlements and racked his mind
+as to his course of action. At last he resolved. He would take the
+risk, and speak out, warn Bernabo of Pieve at all hazards, and would
+do so at once. He turned hastily, and then stopped, for before him in
+the moonlight stood the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I sought you in your chamber, captain,&quot; he said in his biting voice,
+&quot;and not finding you, came here----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And how did you know I would be here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lovers like the moonlight, and you can see the light from her window
+in Ligo's Tower,&quot; said di Lippo, and added sharply: &quot;So you are
+playing false, Moratti.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The captain made no answer; there was a singing in his ears, and a
+sudden and terrible thought was working. His hand was on the hilt of
+his dagger, a spring, a blow, and di Lippo would be gone. And no one
+would know. But the cavaliere went on, unheeding his silence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are playing false, Moratti. You are playing for your own hand
+with my hundred crowns. You think your ship has come home. Fool! Did
+you imagine I would allow this? But I still give you a chance. Either
+do my business to-night--the way is open--or to-morrow you are laid by
+the heels as a thief and a bravo. What will your Felicità----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dog--speak her name again, and you die!&quot; Moratti struck him across
+the face with his open palm, and Michele di Lippo reeled back a pace,
+his face as white as snow. It was only a pace, however, for he
+recovered himself at once, and sprung at Moratti like a wild-cat. The
+two closed. They spoke no word, and nothing could be heard but their
+laboured breath as they gripped together. Their daggers were in their
+hands; but each man knew this, and had grasped the wrist of the other.
+Moratti was more powerful; but his illness had weakened him, and the
+long lean figure of Michele di Lippo was as strong as a wire rope.
+Under the quiet moon and the winter stars, they fought, until at last
+di Lippo was driven to the edge of the parapet, and in the moonlight
+he saw the meaning in Moratti's set face. With a superhuman effort, he
+wrenched his hand free, and the next moment his dagger had sunk to the
+hilt in the captain's side, and Moratti's grasp loosened, but only for
+an instant. He was mortally wounded, he knew. He was going to die; but
+it would not be alone. He pressed di Lippo to his breast. He lifted
+him from his feet, and forced him through an embrasure which yawned
+behind. Here, on its brink, the two figures swayed for an instant, and
+then the balcony was empty, and from the deep of the precipice two
+hundred feet below, there travelled upwards the sullen echo of a dull
+crash, and all was quiet again.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+
+<p class="normal">When the stars were paling, the long howl of a wolf rang out into the
+stillness. It reached Felicità in Count Ligo's Tower, and filled her
+with a nameless terror. &quot;Guard him, dear saints,&quot; she prayed; &quot;shield
+him from peril, and hold him safe.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_treasure" href="#div1Ref_treasure">THE TREASURE OF SHAGUL</a></h1>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">It was past two o'clock, and Aladin, the elephant-driver, had gathered
+together his usual audience under the shade of the mango tree near the
+elephant-shed. Aladin was a noted story-teller; he had a long memory,
+and an exhaustless fund of anecdote. It was ten years since he had
+come from Nepaul with Moula Piari, the big she-elephant, and for ten
+years he had delighted the inhabitants of the canal-settlement at
+Dadupur with his tales. It was his practice to tell one story daily,
+never more than one; and his time for this relaxation was an hour or
+so after the midday meal, when he would sit on a pile of <i>sal</i> logs,
+under the mango tree, and his small audience, collecting round him in
+a semi-circle, would wait patiently until the oracle spoke. No one
+ever attempted to ask him to begin. Once Bullen, the water-carrier,
+the son of Bishen, after waiting in impatient expectation through ten
+long minutes of solemn silence, had suggested that it was time for
+Aladin to commence. At this the old man rose in wrath, and asking the
+water-carrier if he was his slave, smote him over the ear, and stalked
+off to the elephant-shed. For three days there was no story-telling,
+and Bullen, the son of Bishen, had a hard time of it with his fellows.
+Finally matters were adjusted; both Aladin and Bullen were persuaded
+by Gunga Din, the tall Burkundaz guard, to forget the past, and
+affairs went on in the old way. That was three years ago, but the
+lesson had not been forgotten. So although it happened on this
+April afternoon, that all the elephant-driver's old cronies were
+there,--Gunga Dino the Burkundaz, Dulaloo the white-haired Sikh
+messenger who had been orderly to Napier of Magdala, Piroo Ditta
+the telegraph-clerk, and Gobind Ram the canal-accountant, with a
+half-score others--yet not one of them ventured to disturb the silence
+of Aladin, as he sat, gravely stroking his beard, on the ant-eaten
+<i>sal</i> logs which had mouldered there for so many years. They were the
+remains of a wrecked raft that had come down in a July flood, and
+having been rescued from the water, were stacked under the mango tree
+for the owner to claim. No owner ever came, but they had served as
+food for the white ants, and as a bench for Aladin, for many a year.
+The afternoon was delicious; a soft breeze was blowing, and the leaves
+of the trees tinkled overhead. Above the muffled roar of the canal,
+pouring through the open sluices, came the clear bell-like notes of a
+blackbird, who piped joyously to himself from a snag that stood up,
+jagged and sharp, out of the clear waters of the Some. To the north
+the Khyarda and Kalessar Duns extended in long lines of yellow, brown,
+and grey, and above them rose the airy outlines of the lower
+Himalayas, while higher still, in the absolute blue of the sky,
+towered the white peaks of the eternal snows. Beeroo, the Sansi, saw
+the group under the mango tree as he crossed the canal-bridge, and
+hastened towards it. Beeroo was a member of a criminal tribe, a tribe
+of nomads who lived by hunting and stealing, who are to be found in
+every Indian fair as acrobats, jugglers, and fortune-tellers, or
+tramping painfully through the peninsula with a tame bear or
+performing monkeys. In short the Sansis are very similar to gipsies,
+if they are not, indeed, the parent stock from which our own
+&quot;Egyptians&quot; spring. Beeroo came up to the sitters, but as he was of
+low caste, or rather of no caste, he took up his position a little
+apart, leaning on a long knotted bamboo staff, his coal-black eyes
+glancing keenly around him. &quot;It is Beeroo,&quot; said Dulaloo the Sikh, and
+with this greeting lapsed into silence. Aladin ceased stroking his
+henna-stained beard, and looked at the new-comer. &quot;Ai, Beeroo! What
+news?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is a tiger at Hathni Khoond, and I have marked him down. Is the
+Sahib here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Sahib sleeps now,&quot; replied Aladin; &quot;it is the time for his
+noontide rest. He will awaken at four o'clock.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will see His Honour then,&quot; replied Beeroo, &quot;and there will be a
+hunt to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it a big tiger?&quot; asked Bullen, the son of Bishen.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Aho!&quot; and the Sansi, sliding his hands down the bamboo staff, sank to
+a sitting posture.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When was it the Sahib slew his last tiger?&quot; asked Piroo Ditta, the
+telegraph-clerk.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Last May, at Mohonagh, near the temple,&quot; answered Aladin; &quot;I remember
+well, for the elephant lost a toenail in fording the river-bed--poor
+beast!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At Mohonagh! That is where the Shagul Tree is,&quot; said Gobind Ram.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, brother. Hast heard the tale?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a chorus of &quot;noes,&quot; that drowned Gobind Ram's &quot;yes,&quot; and
+Aladin, taking a long pull at his water-pipe, began:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When Raja Sham Chand had ruled in Suket for six years, he fell into
+evil ways, and abandoning the shrine of Mohonagh, where his fathers
+had worshipped for generations, set up idols to a hundred and fifty
+gods. Prem Chand, the high priest of Mohonagh, cast himself at the
+Raja's feet, and expostulated with him in vain, for Sham Chand only
+laughed, saying Mohonagh was old and blind. Then he mocked the priest,
+and Prem Chand threw dust on his own head, and departed sore at heart.
+So Mohonagh was deserted, and the Raja wasted his substance among
+dancing-girls and the false priests who pandered to him. About this
+time Sham Chand, being a fool although a king, put his faith in the
+word of the emperor at Delhi, and came down from the hills to find
+himself a prisoner. In his despair the Raja called upon each one of
+his hundred and fifty gods to save him, promising half his kingdom if
+his prayers were answered; but there was no reply. At last the Raja
+bethought him of the neglected Mohonagh, and falling on his knees
+implored the aid of the god, making him the same promise of half his
+kingdom, and vowing that if he were but free, he would put aside his
+evil ways, return to the faith of his fathers, and destroy the temples
+of his false gods. As he prayed he heard a bee buzzing in his cell,
+and watching it, saw it creep into a hollow between two of the bricks
+in the wall, and then creep out again, and buzz around the room. Sham
+Chand put his hand to the bricks and found they were loose. He put
+them back carefully, and waited till night. Under cover of the dark he
+set to work once more, and removing brick after brick, found that he
+could make his passage through the wall. This he did and effected his
+escape. When he came back to Suket he kept his vow, and more than
+this. Within the walls of the <i>mandar</i> of Mohonagh grows a <i>shagul</i>,
+or wild pear tree. On this tree the Raja nailed a hundred and fifty
+gold mohurs, a coin for each one of the false gods whose idols he
+destroyed, and decreed that every one in Suket who had a prayer
+answered, should affix a coin or a jewel to the tree. That was a
+hundred years ago, and now the stem of the Shagul Tree is covered with
+coins and jewels to the value of <i>lakhs</i>. I saw it with my own eyes.
+This is not all, for when at Mohonagh I heard that the god strikes
+blind any thief who attempts to steal but a leaf from the tree.
+<i>Bus!</i>--there is no more to tell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Wah</i>! <i>Wah!</i>&quot; exclaimed the listeners, and Beeroo put in, &quot;Lakhs of
+rupees didst thou say, Mahoutjee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have said what I have said, O Sansi, and thou hast heard. Hast thou
+a mind to be struck blind?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beeroo made no answer, and the group shortly afterwards broke up. But
+Gobind Ram, the canal-accountant, who knew the story of the Shagul
+Tree, went straight to his quarters. Here he wrote a brief note on a
+piece of soft yellow paper, and sealed it carefully. Then he drew
+forth a pigeon from a cage in a corner of the room, and fastening the
+letter to the bird, freed the pigeon with a toss into the air. The
+carrier circled slowly thrice above the <i>neem</i> trees, and then
+spreading its strong slate-coloured wings, flew swiftly towards the
+hills. Gobind Ram watched the speck in the sky until it vanished
+from sight, then he went in, muttering to himself, &quot;The high priest
+will know in an hour that Beeroo the Sansi has heard of the Shagul
+Tree--Ho, Aladin, thou hast too long a beard and too long a tongue,&quot;
+and the subtle Brahmin squatted himself down to smoke.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">An hour afterwards, as Aladin was taking the she-elephant to water, he
+saw a figure going at a long slouching trot along the yellow sandbanks
+of the Some, making directly towards the north. The old man shaded his
+eyes with his hands and looked keenly at it; but his sight was not
+what it was, and he turned to Mahboob, the elephant-cooly, who would
+step into his shoes some day, when he died, and asked: &quot;See'st thou
+that figure on the sandbank there, Mahboob?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is the Sansi,&quot; answered Mahboob. &quot;Behold! He limps on the left
+foot, where the leopard clawed him at Kara Ho. Perchance the Sahib
+will not hear of the tiger to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If ever, Mahboob,&quot; answered the Mahout; &quot;would that mine eyes were
+young again. <i>Hai!</i>&quot; and he tapped Moula Piari's bald head with his
+driving-hook, for her long trunk was reaching out to grasp a bundle of
+green grass from the head of a grass-cutter, who was bearing in fodder
+for the Sahib's pony.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mahboob was not mistaken; it was Beeroo. When the party broke up, he
+alone remained apparently absorbed in thought. After a time he took
+some tobacco from an embroidered pouch hanging at his waist, crushed
+it in the palm of his hand, and rolled a cone-shaped cigarette with
+the aid of a leaf, fastening the folds of the leaf together with a
+small dry stick which he stuck through the cigarette like a hair-pin.
+At this he sucked, his forehead contracted into a frown, and his
+bead-like eyes fixed steadily before him. Finally he rose quickly, as
+one who has made a sudden resolve.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The tiger can wait for the Sahib,&quot; he said to himself; &quot;but <i>lakhs</i>
+of rupees--they wait also--for me. I will go and worship at Mohonagh.
+The idol will surely make the convert a gift.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Laughing softly to himself, he stole off with long cat-like steps in
+the direction of the river. He forded the Some where it was crossed by
+the telegraph-line, and the water was but breast-deep. Once on the
+opposite bank, he shook himself like a dog, and breaking into a trot,
+headed straight for the hills. His way led up a narrow and steep
+track, hedged in with thorns over which the purple convolvulus twined
+in a confused network. On either hand were sparse fields of gram and
+corn, which ran in lozenge shapes up the low hillsides, ending in a
+tangle of underwood, beyond which rose the solid outlines of the
+forest. As the sun was setting he came to a long narrow ravine, over
+which the road crossed. Here he stopped, and instead of keeping to the
+road, turned abruptly to the right and trotted on. In the darkening
+woods above him he heard the cry of a panther, and the alarmed
+jabbering of the monkeys in the trees above their most dreaded enemy.
+Beeroo marked the spot with a glance as he went on: &quot;I will buy
+a gun when I come back from Mohonagh,&quot; he muttered to himself, &quot;a
+two-barrelled gun of English make. The Thanadar at Thakot has one for
+sale, a <i>birich-lodas</i>;<a name="div2Ref_01" href="#div2_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a> and then I will shoot that panther.&quot;
+<i>Hough</i>! <i>Hough!</i> The cry of the animal rang through the forest again,
+as if in assent to his thoughts, and Beeroo continued his way. Just as
+the sun sank and darkness was setting in, he saw the wavering glimmer
+of a circle of camp-fires and the outlines of figures moving against
+the light. The flare of the burning wood discovered also a few low
+tents, shaped like casks cut in half lengthwise, and lit up with red
+the grey fur of a number of donkeys that were tethered within the
+radius of the fires. In a little time he heard the barking of dogs,
+and five minutes later was with the tents of his tribe.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">One or two men exchanged brief greetings with him, and answering them,
+he stepped up to the centre fire, where a tall good-looking woman
+addressed him. &quot;Aho, Beeroo, is it you? Is the hunt to be to-morrow?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Sahib was asleep,&quot; answered Beeroo; &quot;give me to eat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The woman brought him food. It was a stew made of the flesh of a
+porcupine that had been kept warm in an earthenware dish, and Beeroo
+ate heartily of this, quenching his thirst with a draught of the fiery
+spirit made from the blossoms of the <i>mhowra</i>, after which he began to
+smoke once more, using a small clay pipe called a <i>chillum</i>. His wife,
+for so the woman was, made no attempt to converse with him, but left
+him to the company of his tobacco and his thoughts. Beeroo sat moodily
+puffing blue curls of smoke from his pipe, and with a black blanket
+drawn over his shoulders, stared steadily into the fire. So he sat for
+hours, no one disturbing him, sat until the camp had gone to rest, and
+the wind alone was awake and sighing through the forest. Sagoo, his
+big white hound, came close to him, and lay by his side, as if to hint
+that it was time to sleep. Beeroo stroked the lean, muscular flank of
+the dog, and looked around him. &quot;In a little time,&quot; he said to
+himself, &quot;I will be Beeroo Naik, with a village of my own and wide
+lands. Beeroo Naik,&quot; he repeated softly to himself, with a lingering
+pride on the title implied in the last word. Then he rolled himself up
+in his blanket; Sagoo snuggled beside him, and they slept.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beeroo awoke long before sunrise. He drank some milk, stole into his
+tent, and crept out again with a stout canvas haversack in his hands.
+Into this sack, which contained other things besides, he stuffed some
+broken meat and bread made of Indian corn, and slung is over his
+shoulders. Then grasping his staff, he gave a last look around him,
+and plunged into the jungle. Sagoo would have followed, but Beeroo
+ordered him back, and the hound with drooping tail and wistful eyes
+watched the figure of his master until it was lost in the gloom of the
+trees. Beeroo walked on tirelessly, and by midday was far in the
+hills. He could go from sunrise to sunset at that long trotting pace
+of his, rest a little, eat a little, and then keep on till the sun
+rose again. He was now high up in the hills. The <i>sal</i> trees had given
+place to the screw-pine, silk-cotton and mango were replaced by
+holm-oak and walnut. In the tangle of the low bushes the dog-rose and
+wild jasmine bloomed, and the short green of the grass was spangled
+with the wood violet, the amaranth, and the pimpernel. Far below the
+Jumna hummed down to the plains in a white lashing flood, and the
+voice of the distant river reached him, soft and dreamy, through the
+murmur of the pines. As he glanced into the deep of the valleys, a
+blue pheasant rose with its whistling call, and with widespread wings
+sailed slowly down into the mist below. The sunlight caught the
+splendour of his plumage, and he dropped like a jewel into the pearl
+grey of the vapour that clung to the mountain-side. Beeroo looked at
+the bird for a moment, and then lifting his gaze, fixed it on a white
+spot on the summit of the forest-covered hill to his left. He made out
+a cone-like dome, surmounting a square building, built like an eagle's
+nest at the edge of the precipice which fell sheer for a thousand feet
+to the silver ribbon of the river. It was the <i>mandar</i>, or temple of
+Mohonagh, and so clear was the air, that it seemed as if Beeroo had
+only to stretch out his staff to touch the white spot before him. He
+knew better than that, however, and knew too that the sun must rise
+again before he could rest himself beneath the walls of the temple,
+and look on the treasure of the shagul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Ram</i>, <i>ram</i>, Mohonagh!&quot; he cried, saluting the far-off shrine in
+mockery, and then continued his way. When he had gone thus for another
+hour or so, he came upon the traces of a recent encampment. There was
+a heap of stale fodder, one or two earthenware pots were lying about,
+and the remains of a fire still smouldered under the lee of a walnut
+tree. Hard by, on the opposite side of the track, a huge rock rose
+abruptly, and from its scarred side a bubbling spring plashed
+musically into a natural basin, and, overflowing this, ran across the
+path in a small stream, past the tree and over the precipice, where it
+lost itself in a spray in which a quivering rainbow hung. Here Beeroo
+halted, and having broken his fast and slaked his thirst, proceeded to
+totally alter his personal appearance. This he did by the simple
+process of removing his turban of Turkey red and his warm vest, the
+only covering he had for the upper portion of his body. After this he
+let down his long straight hair, which he wore coiled in a knot, to
+fall freely over his shoulders. Then he smeared himself all over, head
+and all, with ashes from the fire; and when this was done he stood up
+a grisly phantom in which no one would have recognised the Sansi
+tracker. He hid his sandals and the wearing apparel he had removed in
+a secure place in a cleft in the rocks, and marking the spot
+carefully, went on--no longer Beeroo the Sansi, a man of no caste, but
+a holy mendicant. In his left hand he held one of the earthen vessels
+he had found under the walnut, in his right, his bamboo staff, and the
+knapsack hung over his shoulders. When he had gone thus for about a
+mile he heard the melancholy &quot;<i>Aosh</i>! <i>Aosh!</i>&quot; of cattle-drivers in
+the hills and the tinkling of bells. Turning a bluff he came face to
+face with a small caravan of bullocks, returning from the interior,
+laden with walnuts, dried apricots, and wool. Each bullock had a
+bundle of merchandise slung on either side, and the frontlet of the
+leading animal was adorned with strings of blue beads and shells. The
+caravan-drivers walked, and as they urged their beasts along, repeated
+at intervals their call, which to European ears would sound more like
+a sigh of despair than a cry of encouragement. Beeroo stood by the
+side of the road, and, stretching out his ash-covered hands, held out
+the vessel for alms. Each man as he passed dropped a little into it
+for luck, one a brown copper, another some dried fruit, a third a
+handful of parched grain, and Beeroo received these offerings in a
+grave silence as became his holy calling. He stayed thus until the
+caravan was out of sight; then he collected the few coins and tossed
+the rest of the contents of the vessel on to the roadside. He was
+satisfied that his disguise was complete, and that he could face the
+priests of the temple at Mohonagh without fear of discovery, for the
+carriers were Bunjarees, members of a tribe allied to his own, whose
+lynx-eyes would have discovered a Sansi in a moment unless his
+disguise was perfect.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Thoba!</i>&quot; laughed Beeroo to himself as he pressed on. &quot;Had the
+Bunjarees only known who I was, I had heard the whisper of their
+sticks through the air, and my back might have been sore; but the
+blessing of Mohonagh is upon me,&quot; he chuckled.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beeroo rested that evening in a cave. He rose at midnight, however,
+and travelling without a check was by morning ascending the winding
+road that led to the shrine. He was not alone here, for there were a
+number of pilgrims toiling up the ascent, halting now and again to
+take breath, as they wearily climbed the narrow track set in between
+the red and brown rocks, and overhung by wild apricot and holm-oak.
+Among the pilgrims were those who, in expiation of their sins,
+wriggled up the height on their faces like snakes, others who laid
+themselves flat at every third step, others again who crawled up
+painfully on their blistered hands and knees; there were women going
+to thank the god for the blessing of children, bearded Dogras of the
+hills, ash-covered and ochre-robed mendicants, and a fat <i>mahajun</i>, or
+money-lender, who had won a lawsuit and ruined a village. All these
+were hurrying towards the shrine, and their hands were full.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Under the arch of the gateway stood Prem Sagar, the high priest of
+Mohonagh, and flung grain towards a countless number of pigeons that
+fluttered and cooed around him. &quot;They are the eyes and ears of the
+temple,&quot; he said to himself as he gazed upon them; &quot;they warn the
+shrine of danger, they bring the news of the world beyond the hills,
+they are surer than the telegraph of the Sahibs, for they tell no
+secrets. Perchance,&quot; and he looked down on the specks slowly nearing
+the gate, &quot;amongst that crowd of fools is Beeroo the Sansi; if so the
+god will welcome him, and there will be another miracle. Purun Chand!&quot;
+and he called out to a subordinate priest who approached him
+reverently, &quot;Purun Chand, awaken the god.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Purun Chand placed a conch-horn to his lips, and blew a long
+deep-toned call. Its dismal notes were caught up in the hills and
+echoed from valley to valley, until they died away, moaning in the
+deeps of the forest. As the call rang out dolefully, the pilgrims
+ascending the road fell on their knees, and with one voice cast up a
+wailing cry, &quot;Ai, ai, Mohonagh!&quot; And Beeroo the Sansi, the man of no
+caste, whose very presence so near the temple was an abomination,
+shouted the loudest of all.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">Half an hour later, Prem Sagar, the high priest, naked to the waist,
+with his brahminical cord hanging over his left shoulder and a red and
+white trident painted on his forehead, stood on the stone steps
+leading up to the shrine, and watched with keen eyes the pilgrims as
+they came within the temple walls. The devotees took no notice of him,
+except some of the women who prostrated themselves, while he bowed his
+head gravely in answer, but said nothing. His lips were muttering
+prayers in a sing-song tone, but his eyes were tirelessly watching the
+groups as they came up in files. At last Beeroo appeared, and on his
+coming to the steps, slightly dragging his left foot, a quick light
+shone in the high priest's eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Soh! It is the holy man!&quot; his thoughts ran on. &quot;Gobind Ram did well
+to warn me of his limp. There too are the five marks of the leopard's
+claws, running down the inside of the calf.&quot; As Beeroo approached the
+priest, he imitated the action of a woman before him, and prostrated
+himself. Prem Sagar pretended not to see him; but raised his voice to
+a loud chant, and repeated the mystic words <i>Om, mane padme, om!</i><a name="div2Ref_02" href="#div2_02"><sup>[2]</sup></a>
+There was a time when these words caused the heavens to thunder as at
+the sacred name of Jehovah; but now the limpid blue of the sky was
+undisturbed, as the priest called out to the jewel in the lotus, the
+symbol of the Universal God.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Om, mane padme, om!</i>&quot; repeated Beeroo, and passed into the shrine.
+He found himself in a room about twenty feet square, the walls and
+floor blackened by age and by the smoke from the cressets which burned
+day and night in little niches in the walls. Overhead the vault of the
+dome was in inky darkness, and in front of him, three-headed and
+four-armed, painted a bright red, was the grinning idol of Mohonagh.
+At the feet of the god were the offerings of the pilgrims, and on each
+side of the idol stood an attendant priest holding a censer, which he
+swung to and fro, and the fumes from which, heavy with the odour of
+the wild jasmine and the champac, curled slowly up to the blackened
+dome. But it was not on the idol, nor on the priests, nor on the
+worshippers, that Beeroo's eyes were fixed. They were bent to the
+right of the idol, where the trunk of the Shagul Tree rose from the
+flooring of the temple like the body of a huge snake, and, escaping
+outside through a cutting in the wall, spread out into branches and
+leaves. In fact the temple was built around the tree, and even through
+the gloom, Beeroo could see that the part of the tree within the
+temple walls was covered with coins and gems. The coins, old and
+blackened with smoke, looked like scales on the snake-like trunk of
+the Shagul Tree: the gold and silver of the jewels were dimmed of
+their brightness; but through the murky scented atmosphere the Sansi
+saw the dusky burning red of the ruby, the green glow of the emerald,
+the orange flame within the opal, and the countless lights in the
+diamond; and all these came and went like stars twinkling through the
+veil of a dark night. The Sansi almost gasped, such riches as these
+were beyond his dreams; they truly meant <i>lakhs</i> of rupees. A single
+one of the gems would buy him a village and lands; if he could get the
+whole! His brain almost reeled at the thought, and it was with an
+effort that he steadied himself, and laying his offering at the feet
+of the god, backed slowly out of the temple.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Between the outer walls and the shrine was a space about a hundred
+feet square, shaded by a number of walnut trees. Hither the Sansi
+betook himself, and placing his earthen bowl on the ground, sat down
+behind it, staring stolidly before him as if trying to lose himself in
+that abstraction by which the devotee attains to nirvana. Some of the
+pilgrims piously dropped food into the vessel; but Beeroo took no heed
+of this, his eyes were fixed on vacancy, and his mind was revolving
+many things. So hour after hour passed, and Beeroo still sat
+motionless as a stone. Prem Sagar approached him once and spoke;
+but the holy man made no answer, judging it better to pretend to
+be under a vow of silence, than to betray anything by converse
+with the Brahmin. The high priest turned away smiling to himself.
+&quot;Blue-throated Krishna,&quot; he murmured, &quot;but the Sansi plays his part
+well! I had been deceived myself, had I not been warned by the--god,&quot;
+and he walked to the temple gates, and gazed down into the valley
+beneath him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last the strain of the position he had assumed began to tell upon
+Beeroo. Tough as he was, he had not had practice in those incredible
+feats of patient endurance to which the regular <i>Bairajis</i>, or holy
+men, have accustomed themselves. Beeroo would have followed the track
+of a wounded stag like a jackal for three days; he would lifted a cow
+at Jagadri at nightfall, and by morning been in the Mohun Pass; he
+would have danced his tame bear at Umritsur at noontide, and when the
+moon rose would have been resting at the Taksali Gate of Lahore; but
+to sit without motion for hour after hour, to sit until his limbs
+seemed paralyzed and his blood dead--this was unbearable. At all
+hazards this must be ended; and he suddenly rose, and began to move up
+and down, gesticulating wildly. The people who looked on thought he
+was mad, and therefore more holy than ever. They little knew of the
+method in the Sansi's madness, and that he was making the frozen blood
+circulate once again in his cramped limbs. When he had done this he
+came back, ate a little, and coiling himself up in the dust went to
+sleep, his sack under his head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">By sunset most of the pilgrims had departed from the shrine, leaving
+only those who, having far to go, determined to camp within the
+inclosure of the temple walls for the night. They had brought
+provisions with them, and soon fires were sputtering merrily, and
+little groups sat around them, enjoying themselves in the subdued
+fashion of Indians. The holy man was not forgotten; his vessel was
+soon full of smoking hot cakes of Indian corn, and one kinder than the
+others placed a brass <i>lota</i> of milk beside him. The holy one proved
+himself to be very willing to accept these gifts, and doubtless
+refreshed by his sleep, ate and drank with a very mundane appetite.
+While thus engaged, a little child came, and placing an offering of a
+string of flowers at his feet, shyly ran back to his parents. Prem
+Sagar saw this, and turning to the same priest who had aroused the
+idol in the morning, said: &quot;Purun Chand, while standing at the temple
+gates this morning, mine eyes became dim, and there was a roaring in
+mine ears. Then I heard the voice of the idol of Mohonagh, and he said
+unto me: 'Five score years have passed to-day since the days of Sham
+Chand the king, since the days of the high priest Prem Chand, since I,
+Mohonagh, have spoken. Now to-night is the night of the new moon, and
+I, Mohonagh, will work a sign.' Then the darkness cleared away, and
+all was as before. Therefore I say to thee, Purun Chand, let not the
+idol be watched tonight: let the temple gates be kept open that
+Mohonagh may enter; and to-morrow at the dawning we shall behold his
+sign.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Purun Chand bowed his obedience to the high priest; and then the
+darkness came, and with it the stars, and the thin scimitar of the
+young moon set slantwise in the sky. Beeroo was in no hurry; he had
+plenty of time to think out his plan of action, and had resolved to
+make his attempt in the small hours of the morning, for choice, in
+that still time between night and day, when all would be asleep, when
+even if it became necessary to remove an obstacle from his path, on
+one would hear the stroke of the knife or the groan of the victim. A
+little after midnight, then, Beeroo arose to his feet, and looked
+cautiously about him. Everything was very still; the camp-fires burned
+low and there was no sound except the rustle of the leaves overhead.
+The tree beneath which he rested was very near to the temple gates,
+and it struck him that they were open. He crept softly towards them,
+and found it was as he thought. &quot;The blessing of Mohonagh is on me,&quot;
+he laughed lowly to himself as he came back. He thrust his hand into
+his sack, and pulled out a light but strong claw-hammer, and a knife
+with a pointed blade keen as a razor. As he brought them forth they
+clicked against each other, and in the dead stillness the sharp,
+metallic sound seemed loud enough to be heard all over the inclosure.
+Something also disturbed the pigeons on the temple, and there was an
+uneasy fluttering of wings. The Sansi drew in his breath with a
+hissing sound. &quot;This will cause a two hours' delay,&quot; he said to
+himself. &quot;I will risk nothing if I can help it.&quot; Then he sat him down
+again and waited.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last! He rose once more softly, and crept with long cat-like steps
+towards the entrance of the shrine. The cressets burning within cast a
+faint pennon of light out of the pointed archway of the entrance, and
+as they wavered in the night wind, this banner of fire shook and
+trembled with an uncertain motion. Beeroo halted in the shadow. He was
+about to step forward again when he was startled by a strange, shrill
+chuckling cry that made his very flesh creep. He looked around him in
+fear, and the elvish laugh came again from amidst the leaves of the
+walnut trees. The man heaved a sigh of relief; &quot;Pah!&quot; he exclaimed in
+disgust at himself, &quot;it is but a screech-owl.&quot; He had to wait a
+little, however, to steady himself; and then he boldly pressed forward
+and through the door of the shrine. There was not a soul within. The
+glimmering lights cast uncertain shadows around them, and the three
+heads of the idol faced the Sansi in a stony silence. There was but
+one eye in the centre of each forehead; but all three of these eyes
+seemed to lighten, and the thick lips on the three faces to widen in a
+grin of mockery at the thief. Like all natives of India, Beeroo was
+superstitious, and a fear he could hardly control fell on him. What
+if, after all, the stories of the idol's power were true? Aladin had
+not lied about the Shagul Tree; why should he lie about the power of
+the idol? Still Mohonagh was not the god of the Sansis. He would
+invoke his own gods, deities of forest and flood, against this
+three-headed monster. Then the Shagul Tree was there. He could all but
+touch it; he caught the flash of the winking gems, and the instincts
+of the robber, fighting with his fears, brought back his courage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Aho, Mohonagh! Thy blessing is on me, the Sansi.&quot; He said this loudly
+in bravado, and was almost frightened again at the echoes of his own
+voice in the vault of the dome. He had spoken with the same feeling in
+his heart that makes a timid traveller whistle when passing a place he
+dreads. He had spoken to keep his heart up, and the very sound of his
+own voice terrified him. At last the echoes died away and there was
+silence in the shrine. Large beads of sweat stood on the man's
+forehead. Almost did he feel it in his heart to flee at once; but to
+leave that priceless treasure now! It could not be. In two strides he
+was beside the tree. A wrench of the claw-hammer and a jewelled
+bracelet was in his hand; another wrench and he had secured another
+blazing trophy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Beeroo!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man looked up in guilty amazement. To his horror he saw that the
+three heads of the idol, which were facing the door when he entered,
+had moved round, and were now facing him. The hammer fell from his
+hand with a crash, and he stood shivering, a grey figure with staring
+eyes and open gasping mouth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Ai</i>, Mohonagh!&quot; he said in a choking voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The blessing of Mohonagh is on thee;&quot; and something that seemed all
+on fire rose from behind the idol, and laid its hand on Beeroo's face.
+With a shriek of agony the Sansi rolled on the floor, and twisted and
+curled there like a snake with a broken back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When, roused by his cries, the people and the priests awoke and
+hurried to the temple, they shrank back in terror; and none dared
+enter, not even the priests, for from the mouths of the idol three
+long tongues of flame played, paling the glow of the cressets and
+throwing its light on the blind and writhing wretch at its feet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Suddenly a quiet voice spoke at the temple-door, and Prem Sagar the
+high-priest appeared. &quot;O pilgrims,&quot; he said, &quot;be not afraid! Mohonagh
+has but protected his treasure, and given us a sign. Said I not he
+would do this, Purun Chand? See,&quot; he added, as he stepped into the
+temple, and lifted up the gems from the floor, &quot;this man would have
+robbed a god!&quot; And the people, together with the priests, fell on
+their knees and touched the earth with their foreheads, crying &quot;<i>Ai</i>,
+<i>ai</i>, Mohonagh!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Prem Sagar pointed to Beeroo. &quot;Bear him outside the temple-gates and
+leave him there,&quot; he said; &quot;he is blind and cannot see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Two or three men volunteered to do this, and they bore him out as
+Prem Sagar had ordered, and cast him on the roadside without the
+temple-gates; and he, to whom day and night were to be henceforth ever
+the same, lay there moaning in the dust.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Late that morning certain pilgrims returning to their houses found him
+there, and, being pitiful, offered to guide him back. It is said that
+the first question he asked was, &quot;When will it be daylight?&quot; And a
+Dogra of the hills answered bluntly, &quot;Fool, thou art blind&quot;; whereat
+the Sansi lapsed into a stony silence, and was led away like a child.</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">In the tribe of the Sansis, who wander from Tajawala to Jagadhri where
+the brass-workers are, and from Jagadhri to Karnal, is a blind madman
+who bears on his scarred face the impress of a hand. It is said that
+he can cure all diseases at will, for he is the only man living who
+has stood face to face with a god.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="W50">
+<h3>Footnotes to<br>
+The Treasure of Shagul.</h3>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_01" href="#div2Ref_01">Footnote 1</a>: Breechloader.</p>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_02" href="#div2Ref_02">Footnote 2</a>: &quot;<i>Om</i>, the jewel in the lotus, <i>om!</i>&quot; The <i>padma</i>, or
+lotus, is the flower from which Brahma sprang.</p>
+<hr class="W50">
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_foot" href="#div1Ref_foot">THE FOOT OF GAUTAMA</a></h1>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The <i>Gregory Gasper</i>, or, as the Lascars insisted on calling her, the
+<i>Gir Giri Gaspa</i>, bound from Calcutta to Rangoon and the Straits, had
+injured her machinery, and was now going, as it were, on one leg, and
+going very lamely, across the Bay of Bengal. We had got into a dead
+calm. The sea and the sky fused into each other in the horizon, and
+the water around us was as molten glass, parting sluggishly before the
+bows of the ship, instead of dancing back in a creamy foam.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By Jove!&quot; said Sladen, as he leaned over the side and watched the
+lazy brown swell lounge backward from our course, &quot;this is a dirty bit
+of water: that wave should have had a white head to it. I believe
+we've got into a sea of flat beer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We've got to go to Rangoon for hospital, and this is the outwater of
+the Irawadi,&quot; said a passenger from his seat. &quot;We can't be more than
+sixty miles from the coast, and an Irawadi flood shoots its slime out
+quite as far as that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I prefer to think it's flat ale. It's too hot to go into physical
+geography, Burgess&quot;; and Sladen, flinging the half-burnt stump of his
+cheroot overboard, joined us who sat in torpid silence. The heat was
+intense. We had tried every known way to kill time, and failed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The small excitement of the morning, caused by a shoal of turtles
+drifting by solemnly, had passed. They looked like so many inverted
+earthen pots in the water, and we had wasted about fifty of the ship's
+snider cartridges on them, until, finally, they floated out of range
+and sight, unhurt and safe. Then an Indian Marine vessel passed us in
+the offing, and there was a hot discussion between Sladen and myself
+whether it was the <i>Warren Hastings</i> or the <i>Lord Clive</i>. We appealed
+to the captain, who, being a member of the Royal Naval Reserve, looked
+with profound scorn on the Indian Marine. He scarcely deigned to
+glance at the ship as he grunted out:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, it's one of those damned cockroach navy boats: it's that old tub
+the <i>Lord Clive</i>,&quot; and he walked off to the bridge. Ten minutes
+afterwards we lost the grey sides of the old tub in the grey of the
+sea, and a dark line of smoke running from east to west was the only
+sign of the <i>Lord Clive</i>, as she steamed through the dead calm at
+fourteen knots an hour. Then we tried nap, we adventured at loo, and
+we bluffed at poker. There was no balm in them, and Sladen twice held
+a flush sequence of hearts. Therefore we sat moody and silent, some of
+us too sleepy even to smoke.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was at this moment that the skipper rejoined us, and behind him
+came his stout Madrassee butler, with a tray full of long glasses, in
+which the ice chinked pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Drink, boys!&quot; he said, settling himself in the special chair reserved
+for him. &quot;It's the chief's watch, and I've brought you a particular
+brew, as you seem dull and lonesome, so to speak.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a particular brew, and we sucked at it lovingly through the
+long amber straws.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha!&quot; said the skipper, &quot;I thought that would stiffen your backbones.
+Phew! it is hot!&quot; and he mopped his face with a huge handkerchief.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Sladen burst out: &quot;We've got absolutely on the hump. Somebody do
+something to kill time. Can't some of you fellows tell a story? Any
+lie will do! Come, Captain!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no!&quot; said the skipper. &quot;I'm the senior officer here, and speak
+last. Here's Mr. Burgess: he's been in all sorts of uncanny places,
+and should be able to tell us something. I put the call on him--so
+heave away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Burgess, the man who had spoken about the outwater of the Irawadi,
+leaned back for a moment in his chair, with half-closed eyes. He was a
+short, squarely built man, very sunburnt, with mouth and chin hidden
+by the growth of a large moustache and beard. There was nothing
+particular in his appearance; yet in following his calling--that of an
+orchid-hunter--he had been to strange places and seen strange things.
+Sladen, who knew him well, hinted darkly that he had traversed unknown
+tracts of country, had hobnobbed with cannibals, and held his life in
+his hands for the past thirty years.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You've hit on the very man, Captain,&quot; said Sladen. &quot;Now, Burgess,
+tell us how you found the snake-orchid, and sold it to a duchess for a
+thousand pounds. You promised to tell me the story one day, you
+remember?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That's too long. I'll tell you a story, however&quot;; and Burgess lifted
+up his drink, took a pull at it, and, picking up the straw that leaned
+back in a helpless manner against the edge of the glass, began
+twisting it round his fingers as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All this happened many years ago----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When flowers and birds could talk,&quot; interrupted the Boy; and Burgess,
+turning on him, said slowly: &quot;Flowers and birds can talk <i>now</i>. When
+you are older you will understand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Boy looked down a little abashed, and Burgess continued: &quot;I am
+afraid to say how many years ago I first went to Burma. I was as poor
+as a rat, and things had panned out badly for me. Rangoon then was not
+the Rangoon of to-day, and the old king Min-Doon Min, who succeeded to
+the throne after the war, was still almost all-powerful. He was not a
+bad fellow, and I once did a roaring trade with him at Mandalay:
+exchanged fifty packets of coloured candles for fifty pigeon's-blood
+rubies. They had a big illumination at the palace that night, and I
+only narrowly escaped being made a member of the cabinet. I, however,
+got the right of travelling through his majesty's dominions, wherever
+and whenever I pleased; but the chief queen made it a condition that I
+should supply no more coloured candles. She preferred the rubies; and
+I fancy old Min-Doon Min must have had a bad time of it, for the queen
+was as remarkable for her thrift as for her tongue. She was as close
+as that&quot;--Burgess held up a square brown fist before us, and, as he
+did so, I noticed the white line of a scar running across it, below
+the knuckles, from thumb to little finger. He caught my eye resting on
+it, and laughingly said: &quot;It's a seal of the kind friends I have in
+Kinnabalu. But to resume, as the story-books say. All this about
+Min-Doon is a 'divarsion,' and I'll go back to the point when I found
+myself first at Rangoon, with all my wardrobe on my back, and a
+two-dollar bill in my pocket. After drifting about for some time, I
+got employment in a rice-shipping firm, and set myself to work to
+learn the language. In about a year I could speak it well, and, having
+got promotion in the firm, felt myself on the high road to fortune. It
+was hard work: the boss knew the value of every penny he spent, and
+took every ounce he could out of his men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bosses are cut out of the same pattern even now,&quot; murmured the Boy.
+&quot;The breed don't seem to improve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Burgess took no notice of the interruption, but went on: &quot;I was
+finally placed in charge of some work at Syriam; and a little
+misfortune happened--my over-man died. It was rather a job to get
+another. Men were not easily picked up in those days. But at last I
+unearthed one, or rather he unearthed himself. He hailed from the
+States, and described himself as a Kentucky man--the real 'half-horse,
+half-alligator' breed. I asked no questions, but set him to work, and
+reported to the boss, who said 'All right.' The new man seemed to be a
+gem: he turned up regularly, stayed till all hours, and never spared
+himself. He was a great lanky fellow, with dark hair, and eyes so
+palely grey that they seemed almost white. They gave him an odd
+appearance; but, as good looks were not a qualification in our
+business, it did not matter much what he was like. He had been a
+miner, and had also been to sea, and knew how to obey an order at the
+double. One day he suddenly looked up from his table--we sat in the
+same room--and asked if I had heard of treasure ever being buried in
+or near old pagodas.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Every one hears such stories,' I answered; 'but why do you ask?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Wal,' he went on, in his slow drawl, 'I've bin readin' ez haow a
+Portugee called Brito, or some sich name, did a little bit of piracy
+in these hyar parts, until his games were stopped by the local Jedge
+Lynch. They ran a stick through him, as the Burmese do now to a dried
+duck.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'What's that got to do with buried treasure?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'You air smart! This Brito, before his luck petered out, had a
+pow'ful soothin' time of it with the junks an' pagodas, and poongyies,
+as they call their clergy. Guess he didn't lay round hyar for nuthin',
+an' if all I've heard be true, vermilion isn't the name for the paint
+he put on the squint-eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'But----'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He put up his hand. 'So long. I'm thinkin' that, ef I'd a smart
+pard--one who saveyed their lingo--we might strike a lead of luck.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was always a bit of a roving character, and fond of a little
+adventure, so that the conversation interested me; still, however, I
+objected, more with a desire to see how much Stevens, as he called
+himself, knew than anything else.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'See thar,' he said, pulling out a map from his drawer and unrolling
+it on the table. 'See thar! This is where Brito and his crowd were,'
+and he laid a long forefinger on the mouths of the Irawadi. 'When they
+bested him, the Burmese got little or nuthin' back. I want a pard--one
+who knows the lingo, an' is a white man. You set me up when I'd
+struck bed rock; an' I says to myself, Wal, this 'ere <i>is</i> a white
+man. Ef ever Hake Stevens gets a pile, it's to be halves. The pile's
+thar--will you jine?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He stood up, and put his hand on my shoulder. It really wasn't good
+enough. Stevens had simply got hold of a very ordinary legend after
+all, and I laughed back, 'You'll make more out of a rice-boom,
+Stevens, some day, than ever you will out of Brito's treasure.' He
+rolled up the map and put it back into his drawer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'I've done the squar' thing by you, pard,' he said. 'No one can deny
+ez I haven't done the squar' by you.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Of course,' I answered, and turned to my duties. From that time,
+however, Stevens seemed to be able to think of nothing but his
+imaginary treasure. Some days afterwards he did not come to work, and
+the following day we got an ill-spelt letter, resigning his post, and
+asking that the money due to him should be sent to a certain address.
+We paid up, and got a Chinaman in his place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In a short time the Chinaman will be doing everybody's work in
+Burma,&quot; said Sladen. &quot;Hand over the baccy, please, Captain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The skipper flung Sladen a black rubber tobacco pouch, and Burgess, in
+this interlude, finished his glass.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I clean forgot all about Stevens, when one evening, as I was sitting
+in my rooms over a pipe, my servant told me some one wished to see me.
+I told the man to admit him, and Stevens came in. He seemed fairly
+well off; but was, if possible, a trifle thinner than when I last saw
+him. He shook me by the hand, disjointed himself like a fishing-rod,
+and sank into a chair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Wal, pard, will you jine?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Still at the old game, Stevens? No, I don't think I'll join on a
+fool's search like that.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Fool's search, you call it. Very wal, let it be naow; but I want you
+to come with me this evening to an entertainment. It's a sort of
+swarrey; but I guess ez we'll be the only guests.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Have a whiskey first?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'I guess ez haow a wet won't hurt,' and he poured himself out a glass
+from the bottle--we weren't up to decanters in Burma then.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought I might as well go, and, having made up my mind, we were
+walking down the street in the next ten minutes. Rangoon was not laid
+out in squares as it is now, with each street numbered, so that losing
+your way is an impossibility. Well as I knew the place, I found that
+Hake Stevens was aware of short cuts and by-lanes which I had never
+seen before. We entered the Chinese quarter. It was a feast-day for
+John, and the street was alight with paper lanterns: dragons,
+serpents, globes, and tortoises swung to and fro in all manner of
+colours. Here a green dragon went openmouthed at a yellow serpent,
+there an amber tortoise swung in a circle of crimson-and-blue globes.
+We passed a joss house, where there was an illuminated inscription to
+the effect that enlightenment finds its way even amongst the outer
+barbarians, and, turning to the left, much where Twenty-Seven Street
+is now--a fire wiped out all that part of Rangoon years ago--went up a
+gully, and finally stopped before a small shop. Sitting in a cane
+chair in the doorway was a short man, so enormously stout that he was
+almost globular. 'Is he in?' asked Stevens, in English; and the man,
+with his teeth closed on the stem of the opium pipe he smoked,
+answered 'Yess,' or rather hissed the words between his lips. We
+passed by him with some little difficulty, for he made no effort to
+move, and, ascending a rickety staircase, entered a small room, dimly
+lighted by a cheap kerosene lamp. In one corner of the room an old man
+was seated. He rose as we entered, and saluted us.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'This is the host,' and Stevens waved his hand in introduction. 'But
+he knows only about six words of English, and I know nothing of his
+derned lip, so you see my new pard an' I cayn't very well exchange
+confidences.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I confess to a feeling of utter disappointment when I saw what we had
+come to; but there was no use in saying anything. 'Who is he? How did
+you get to know him?' I asked Stevens. He closed an eyebrow over one
+of his white-grey eyes with a portentous wink.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'That, pard, is one of the secrets of the past. We hev the future
+before us.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I never could quite make Stevens out. He spoke the most obtrusive
+Yankee; yet with turns of expression which at times induced me to
+think he was playing a part.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Very well,' I laughed,' I don't want to look back; but may I ask
+what is the entertainment this gentleman has provided for us?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Wal,' replied Stevens, 'he's just one of their medicine-men: goes
+off to sleep, and then tells you all about everything. I'm goin' to
+lay round for him to tell us where Brito's pile is. Spirit-rappin'
+does strange things in my country, an' I don't see ez how this old
+cuss moutn't be of help.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The old tack again!--I resigned myself to fate. There is no use in
+going into preliminaries. Stevens stated what he wanted, and I
+explained fully and clearly what was required. We then paid our fee,
+which the old gentleman wrapped up for security in a corner of the
+saffron sash he wore round his head, and told us to sit down before
+him. Then he stripped himself to the waist--there wasn't much to
+remove--and spread a square of white cloth on the floor; on this he
+placed a mirror, brought the light close to the mirror, and then
+settled himself cross-legged before his arrangement of mirror and
+light.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Listen!' he said in Burmese. 'I have given my word, and will show
+you what you want; but you must not speak, and you must follow my
+directions implicitly.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I translated to Stevens, who willingly agreed. &quot;'Now shut your eyes.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We did so, and I felt his hands passing over my face. Then something
+cold touched my forehead, leaving a sensation much like that caused by
+a menthol crystal. A moment later a subtle odour filled the room--an
+odour indescribably sweet and heavy, the effect of which on me was to
+make me feel giddy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Open your eyes!'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I almost started, for the words were spoken in the purest English. We
+obeyed, and found the room full of a pale blue vapour. The lamp had
+gone out; but the mirror was instinct with light, and threw a halo
+around it, showing the dim outline of the sorcerer crouched low down
+with his face between his hands. &quot;'Look!'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The voice seemed to come from all parts of the room at once, and
+Stevens' hand clutched on to my shoulder, the fingers gripping in like
+a vice. We bent over the glass, and saw reflected in it, not our own
+faces, but a wide creek, overhung by forest on each side, and a row of
+six colossal images of Buddha, or Gautamas as they are called, lining
+one of the banks. Whilst we looked on this silent scene, a boat
+with a couple of native oarsmen came round the elbow of the creek. In
+the stern sat a man in an old-fashioned dress, with a cuirass on;
+and as the boat grounded lightly near the figure of the largest
+Gautama, he leaped actively to land, holding up from the ground a
+long, basket-hilted rapier. The two men followed, bearing with them an
+iron-bound chest, and laid it at the feet of the biggest Gautama; then
+returning to the boat, they brought picks therefrom, and began to dig,
+the man with the rapier standing over them, resting on the hilt of his
+sword. They dug away under the foot of the idol, and finally concluded
+they had gone far enough. The chief examined their work, and some
+words passed. We saw the lips moving, but heard nothing. The box was
+buried carefully, and the stones and earth put back, so as to remove
+all traces of the hiding-place of the treasure. Some further
+directions were given, and one of the two natives stooped as if to
+throw some brushwood over the spot. The next moment the rapier passed
+through his body. He twisted himself double, and rolled over dead. The
+other turned to flee, but there was a flash, a small curl of blue and
+grey smoke, and he fell forward on his face into the water and sank.
+The cavalier, still holding the pistol in his hand, went up to the
+first man. There was no doubt he was dead; so the Don put back his
+pistol, wiped his sword carefully with a handful of grass, and
+returned it to its scabbard; then he dragged the body to the creek and
+flung it in. After that he gave a last look at the foot of the
+Gautama, and, jumping into the boat, began to paddle himself away.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Dead men tell no tales.' The words seemed to burst from Stevens.
+Instantly there was a blinding flash, and when we recovered ourselves
+the room was as before. The cloth and mirror had gone, and the old
+sorcerer was seated on his stool in the corner of the room, the lamp
+burning dimly beside him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'You spoke,' he said. 'I can do no more.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I looked at Stevens reproachfully, and he understood. His face was
+very pale, and his lips blue with excitement. After a little he
+recovered himself, and said, with a shake of eagerness in his voice:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Cayn't this old cuss start fresh, an' give us another run?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'I can do nothing,' replied the man to my inquiry. 'You must go now.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We turned to depart, and when we got into the street Stevens said to
+me: 'I'll see you home. I'm afraid I busted the show.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'I'm afraid you have; but it's no use crying over spilt milk.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stevens made no answer, and we walked back to my rooms without saying
+a word. At the door he left me abruptly, refusing all offers to come
+in. Once in my rooms, I tried to think out the matter, but gave it up
+and went to bed. Sleep wouldn't come, so I lay awake the whole night,
+picturing to myself over and over again the grim scene I had seen
+enacted in the mirror. Towards morning I dropped into a troubled
+sleep, and awoke rather late. I got out of bed thinking that the
+events of the past night were, after all, nothing more than a dream;
+but it all came back to me. When I went down to breakfast I found
+Stevens waiting for me, and he pressed me earnestly to join him in a
+search for the place we had seen in the looking-glass. I was in an
+irritable mood. 'Great Scott!' I said, 'can't you see that all this is
+only a conjurer's trick? How many thousand Gautamas are there in
+Burma? Are you going to dig them all up?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Some men don't know their luck, pard,' he said, as he left me; and,
+although I thought of him sometimes, I never heard anything more of
+him for a long time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A run of bad luck came now, and the boss suspended payment--went
+bung, in fact--and I was thrown on my beam ends. I had something in
+the stocking, though; and it was about this time that my thoughts kept
+turning continually towards the orchid trade. It first struck me in
+this way: A friend of mine had written from home, pointing out that a
+demand had arisen for orchids; and the small supply I sent was sold on
+such favourable terms that I was seriously considering a larger
+venture. I thought the matter over, and one evening after dinner
+determined to give it a final consideration. So I lit my pipe, and
+strolled out towards the jetties--a favourite walk of mine. It was
+bright moonlight; and I walked up and down the planking, more and more
+resolved at every turn I took to decide upon the orchid business.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At one end of the jetty there was a crane that stretched out its arm
+in a how-de-do sort of manner to the river below it. I walked up to it
+with idle curiosity, and when I came close, saw the figure of a
+European, apparently fast asleep, near the carriage of the crane. A
+common 'drunk' or a loafer, I thought to myself--when the figure rose
+to a sitting posture, and, as the moonlight shone on its face, I could
+not make a mistake.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Stevens!' I said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Wal, pard?' and Hake Stevens, without another word, rose up and
+stood before me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I saw at a glance that he was in rags, and that about the third of
+one stockingless foot was protruding in an easy manner from his
+boot; the other boot seemed more or less wearable. Stevens had a habit
+of walking with a lurch to his left--heeling over to port, as it
+were--which accounted for the fact I observed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Why,' I said, putting my hand on his shoulder, 'how has it come to
+this? Why didn't you come to me?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Have you got a smoke?' he asked.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For answer I handed him my baccy pouch, and he loaded an old pipe.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Light-o!'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I struck a vesta, and handed it to him. By the flare of it I could
+see him very white and starved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Now,' I added, 'you come straight home with me.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Guess ez haow I was making tracks thar, when I broke down, an' had
+to heave to. I hev found it this time. See hyar.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'First come home with me, and then you can tell me all about it. I
+won't hear a word till you've had something to eat and a rest.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was only a few minutes' walk to my rooms; but I had to half carry
+Stevens there. Those were the days when cabs were unknown, remember.
+As soon as we arrived, I told my boy to raise supper; and in the
+meantime Stevens had a stiff whiskey, a bath, and changed into some of
+my things. He looked a figure of fun as he came out, with about a yard
+of lean leg and leaner arm sticking out of the things I'd given him.
+But, Lord! you should have seen him wolf the cold meat and pickles!
+When he'd done, I was for just marching him straight to bed. But, no:
+he was determined to tell me his story; so I let him run his course.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Pard,' he said, 'when I busted the caboodle that night, an' left
+you, I said to myself: &quot;Hake Stevens, you chowder-headed clam, you
+jest make this level; you've done an all-fired foolish thing, an' now
+you've got ter eat yer leek.&quot; The next mornin' I gave you another try,
+but you wouldn't rise to it; so I went off an' took a passage to
+Henzada. It was all in the low countries that Brito was, an' I
+determined to work the thing in square--work every inch of it, ef it
+took me a hundred years, until I found thet creek with the images. I
+got to Henzada in a rice boat; then I pulled out my map, marked my
+square, an' set to work. I bought a paddle canoe, an' blazed every
+creek I went up. I made up my mind ez I should work down'erds from
+Henzada, ez thet was the furthest point old Brito struck. I calc'lated
+thet ef he was hard pressed, an' the Burmee squint-eyes were gettin'
+the jamb on him, he would lay fur to hide his greenbacks ez far from
+his usual bars ez possible. Wal, I worked those creeks up an' down,
+night an' day, gettin' what I could out of the villagers on payment,
+an' when the dollars ran out, got it without payment. Snakes! How the
+squitters fed on me! An' I was a'most so starved thet, ef I could on'y
+hev managed it, I'd hev fed on them like a fish, an' got some of
+myself back agen. Wal, it woke snakes when they found I swooped down
+on their cokynut plantations, and one thing and another; but a
+freeborn American ain't goin' fur to starve when these hyar yeller
+Burmans gits their bellies full. The local sheriff and his posse
+turned out, an' thar was a vigilance committee behind every tree.
+Shootin' was not in my line, unless forced to; so I skedaddled, an'
+they after me. It was a tight race, an' I was so weak I felt I could
+hardly hold out; so I thought I'd better take to land. I shot the
+canoe under some branches, an', to my surprise, found they overhung
+an' concealed a small passage, hardly wide enough for two canoes
+abreast. Up this I went: it was easier goin' than walkin' through the
+thorns. After about four hours of shovin' through slime, it widened
+out; an' then, turnin' a great clump of bamboos, I swung round to my
+right--an' what do you think I saw?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He stretched his hand out to me, and the grey of his eyes seemed
+absolutely to whiten. &quot;'Ez I live, I saw the six big images all in a
+row, each one bigger than the other; an' they war smilin' across the
+creek, as they smiled when Brito buried his treasure thar, an' God
+knows how many years before. I ran the boat ashore, jumped off, an'
+patted the big idol's knee--couldn't reach further up; an' then I came
+back to find you. The gold lies thar, pard, an' we are made men: it's
+thar, I say. Come back with me; share an' share alike--hands on it.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;His voice cracked as he brought his story to this abrupt close; and I
+said nothing, but shook his outstretched hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'When can we start?' he asked.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'You must pull yourself together a bit, Stevens, before we do
+anything of the kind.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I told him briefly how I was a free man, and able to go where I
+listed; and that, as I could combine my first essay in orchid-hunting
+with the search for Brito's treasure, I didn't care how soon I went.
+But it could not be until Stevens was better able to travel, as the
+rains were coming on, and further exposure might mean death to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'And now,' I said, 'you'd better turn in and have a snooze. I'm a bit
+sleepy myself.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With that he got up and shambled off to bed. The next morning he was
+in a high fever, and it was some time before he was right again. At
+length he said he was once more fit 'to fight his weight in wild
+cats.' He wasn't by any means that: he was still weak, and not able to
+face any great hardship; but enforced idleness was sending the man
+mad, and I thought we'd better make a start. I did not mean to go in
+for any particular roughing it. It was only subsequently that I
+learned what sort of music an orchid-hunter has to face.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Burgess stopped for a moment, and pointed his finger at the Boy, who
+lay flat on his back, sound asleep, with his lower jaw open.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you're feeling like that, I'll reel up.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go ahead,&quot; said the skipper: &quot;if you've done nothing else you've
+quieted that young limb for the present, and we owe you a vote of
+thanks for that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go on, Burgess,&quot; said Sladen: &quot;you've burnt your ships now, and can't
+go back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man laughed--a pleasant, low laugh, that was good to hear.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well--I'll go on. I totted up my savings, and found I could
+fairly risk the venture. We made arrangements to go to Henzada first,
+and the passage was done in a big rice boat: there was no flotilla
+company in those days. We simply crawled to our destination, and I was
+pretty sick of the journey. It nearly drove Stevens mad, however; he
+fretted and fumed until I almost thought he'd be ill again. Whenever
+we could stop, we did; and I collected as many orchids as I could.
+Heavens! the rubbish I picked up in those days! Stevens did nothing
+but swear at the <i>serang</i> and pore over the notes in his pocket-book.
+He got into a way of repeating the notes in his book aloud. 'Third
+turnin' to the right, first to the left, three big jack trees, and
+then the passage.' He was learning his notes by heart, he said, in
+case anything happened.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When we reached Henzada, a difficulty arose which we should have
+foreseen. Stevens was recognised, and his late visit only too well
+remembered. The result was trouble; but the Myook--there was only a
+Myook there in those days--was open to argument, backed up with palm
+oil, and Stevens was let off with a fine. Of course I paid, and was
+correspondingly sorry for myself; but we'd gone too far now to recede.
+We bought a boat--or rather I did--hired a couple of men to help, and
+started. Stevens had selected some good picks at Rangoon, and these
+formed a not unimportant item of our outfit. In three days we reached
+a big creek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'It was hyar that I cut from those Injuns on the war-path,' said
+Stevens, 'and we cayn't be mor'n a mile from the gully--we should be
+there by nightfall.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was noonday, almost as hot as it is now, and I was snoozing
+comfortably, when I heard Stevens shout:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Hyar we are, pard--wake up!'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The boat swung lightly round, and shot under the overhanging branches
+of a large jack tree as he spoke, and I had to stoop very low to save
+my head. Stevens was trembling with excitement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'In thar,' he called out--'tell them to steer in thar, an' then right
+ahead.' He pointed to a small opening, about three feet wide, up which
+a long straight cut of water extended. We got the boat in with some
+little trouble, and then slipped along easily. The cut was as straight
+as a canal, overhung on each side with a heavy undergrowth. As we went
+deeper into the forest this undergrowth became less, and finally
+almost ceased. Every yard of our advance took us amongst trees which
+grew more gigantic as we went on. Some of the trees were splendid,
+going up fifty or sixty feet before throwing out a single branch; and
+the bamboos--I never saw such bamboos. As we continued our course it
+became darker and darker, until we entered the blackest bit of forest
+I ever saw. We could hear the drip of the dew from leaf to leaf. The
+few rays of sunlight that straggled in fell in level bars on the green
+of the leaves, shadowing the dim outlines of the long colonnades of
+tree trunks, and occasionally lighting up the splendour of some rare
+orchid in full bloom. A hundred times I wanted to stop and collect
+specimens, but Stevens would not hear of it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'No, no, old pard! let's get on. We'll come back hyar in our steam
+yacht, an' you can then root away for etarnity. We're on the right
+trail, an' in ten hours--my God! I cayn't think ez how your mind can
+turn to roots now.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was a little surprised myself; but the love of these flowers was in
+me, and not all the gold in Asia could stop that. In this way we
+travelled for about four hours; and then towards evening a broad band
+of daylight spread suddenly before us, and, almost before I was aware
+of it, we were out of the long, snake-like cutting, and, turning a
+magnificent clump of bamboos, came upon a wide stretch of water.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'There they air!' said Stevens.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There they were--six huge statues--standing in a row on the edge of
+the inland lake, each colossal image larger than the other, all with
+their faces set towards the west. It was almost sunset, and the sky
+was aflame with colour, which was reflected back by the water, over
+which the Gautamas looked in serene peace. There was not a sound
+except the soft murmuring of the breeze amongst the tree tops. As I
+live, it was the place we had seen in the mirror, and for a moment
+that tragedy of the past came before me in all its clearness--and I
+was in dreamland.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Wal, pard! Struck ile at last.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The sound of Stevens' voice came to me as from a far distance. In the
+sunlit haze before me I saw the Don paddling his boat away, his long
+black moustaches lifted with the snarling laugh he had laughed, when
+he hid his treasure so that no man could tell.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The boat grounded softly, and Stevens shook me by the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Wake up, old hoss!--wake up!'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I pulled myself together and looked at my companion. His face was
+full of a strange excitement, and as for myself, I felt as if I could
+hardly speak. As a matter of fact, we wasted no time in words; but
+took off our coats and set to work. Our small crew lent a willing
+hand. It was under the left foot of the biggest Buddha we dug, and in
+about half an hour made a hole big enough for a man to stand in over
+his waist.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Guess he must have burrowed down far,' said Stevens, 'or we've
+missed the spot.' Even as he spoke his pick struck with a sharp clang
+against something.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Iron against iron,' yelled Stevens, as he swung his pick round like
+a madman. He worked so furiously that it was impossible to get near
+him; but finally he stopped, and said very calmly:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Thar's the pile, pard.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We shook hands, and then, with the aid of the men, lifted out the
+box. It was exceedingly heavy. When we got it out there was some
+difficulty in opening it, but a revolver cartridge and the pick solved
+the matter. As the lid went up, we saw before our eyes a pile of gold,
+jewellery and precious stones. Hake Stevens ran his fingers through
+them lovingly, and then lay down on the ground, laughing and crying.
+Then he got up again, and plunged his arms up to the elbows into the
+winking mass--and his eyes were as the eyes of a madman. I put my hand
+into the box and pulled out a fistful of gems. Stevens grasped me by
+the wrist, and then loosed his hold at once.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Oh God! oh God!'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Why, what is the matter, Stevens? Look at these beauties!' and I
+held out my hand to him. He looked back at me in a strange sort of
+way, and said, in a husky voice:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Keep that lot, pard. Don't let them be mixed with the others. See! I
+will take what I can hold, too, and we will divide the rest.' He put
+his hand amongst the jewels and drew it back with a shudder. 'They're
+hot as hell,' he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought the best thing to do was not to notice his strange manner.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Keep them to cool,' I said, flinging what I had with me into the
+box, and shutting the lid, 'and come and have some dinner. I'm
+famished.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Do you think these fellows are all right?' Stevens said, apparently
+trying to pull himself together, as he indicated the crew with a
+glance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'We ought to be a match for twice the number; but we'll keep a look
+out.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We went to dinner in the boat, carrying our box with us. Our crew lit
+a fire near one of the idols, and cooked their food, whilst we ate our
+very simple meal. The sun had gone down, and the moon was fighting
+with a heavy mass of clouds that had sprung up apparently from
+nowhere, and were gathering in mountainous piles overhead. The low
+rumbling of distant thunder came to our ears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Looks like rain. Jehoshaphat!--it is rain.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A distant moaning sound that gradually increased in volume was
+audible, the tree tops bent and swayed, the placid surface of the
+lagoon was beaten into a white foam, and the storm came. We heard a
+yell from the boatmen on the bank. The next moment we were torn from
+our moorings, and went swinging down the creek in pitchy darkness.
+Overhead and around all hell was loose. The paddles were swept away,
+and we spun round in a roaring wind, in a din of the elements, and a
+darkness like unto what was before God said, 'Let there be light.' I
+shouted to Stevens, but could not hear my own voice. Suddenly there
+came a deafening crash, and a chain of fire hung round the heavens. I
+saw Stevens crouching in the boat, with his face resting on the box,
+and his arms clasped around it. 'By the Lord!' he was gibbering and
+mowing to himself--even above the storm I heard his shrill cry--'the
+idols, the idols! they're laffin' at us.' I turned my head as he
+spoke: the blackness was again lit up, and I saw by it the calm,
+smiling faces of the Buddhas. All their eyes were fixed on us, and in
+that strange and terrible light the stony smiles on their faces
+broadened in devilish mockery. The rain came down in sheets; and the
+continual and ceaseless flashes of lightning flared on the angry
+yellow water around us, and made the rain seem as if there were
+millions of strands of fine silver and gold wires hanging from the
+blackness above. It was all I could do to keep myself in the canoe. At
+each flash I looked at Stevens, and saw him in the same posture,
+crouching low, like a cat. Then he began to sing, in a shrill voice,
+that worked its way, as a bradawl through wood, past all the noise of
+the elements. And now the whole heavens were bright with a pale light
+that was given back by the hissing water around. The raindrops
+sparkled like gems, and hit almost with the force of hailstones.
+Stevens rose with a scream, and stood in the boat.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Sit down, for God's sake!' I called out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'I'm holding them with my life--the diamonds, the jewels!' he yelled
+with a horrid laugh, and shook his fist at something. I followed his
+movements; and there, riding in the storm, was a small canoe, paddled
+by a man in the dress of old days. He was smiling at Stevens as, with
+long easy sweeps of his paddle, he came closer and closer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Shoot him!' yelled Stevens, as he pulled out his revolver and fired
+once, twice, and then flung it with all his might at the vision. In
+the effort he overbalanced the boat, and all I can remember is that I
+was swimming for dear life, and being borne down with frightful
+rapidity through that awful light. I saw something, which might have
+been Hake Stevens, struggling for a moment on the water; but, Stevens
+or not, it sank again almost immediately, and some one laughed too as
+this happened.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I think,&quot; said Burgess, &quot;that's about all. I never saw Hake
+Stevens again, and I don't want ever to see Brito's jewels any more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How did you get out?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By absolute luck. I don't very well remember now; and By Jove! here
+comes the breeze.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Even as he spoke, a cool puff of wind fanned us into life.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_devil" href="#div1Ref_devil">THE DEVIL'S MANUSCRIPT</a></h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_d1" href="#div2Ref_d1">THE BLACK PACKET.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;M. De Bac? De Bac? I do not know the name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gentleman says he knows you, sir, and has called on urgent business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was no answer, and John Brown, the ruined publisher, looked
+about him in a dazed manner. He knew he was ruined; to-morrow the
+world would know it also, and then--beggary stared him in the face,
+and infamy too. For this the world would not care. Brown was not a
+great man in &quot;the trade,&quot; and his name in the <i>Gazette</i> would not
+attract notice; but his name, as he stood in the felon's dock, and the
+ugly history a cross-examination might disclose would probably arouse
+a fleeting interest, and then the world would go on with a pitiless
+shrug of its shoulders. What does it matter to the moving wave of
+humanity if one little drop of spray from its crest is blown into
+nothing by the wind? Not a jot. But it was a terrible business for the
+drop of spray, otherwise John Brown, publisher. He was at his best not
+a good-looking man, rather mean-looking than otherwise, with a thin,
+angular face, eyes as shifty as a jackal's, and shoulders shaped like
+a champagne-bottle. As the shadow of coming ruin darkened over him, he
+seemed to shrink and look meaner than ever. He had almost forgotten
+the presence of his clerk. He could think of nothing but the morrow,
+when Simmonds' voice again broke the stillness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Shall I say you will see him, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The question cut sharply into the silence, and brought Brown to
+himself. He had half a mind to say &quot;No.&quot; In the face of the coming
+to-morrow, business, urgent or otherwise, was nothing to him. Yet,
+after all, there could be no harm done in receiving the man. It would,
+at any rate, be a distraction, and, lifting his head, Brown answered:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, I will see him, Simmonds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Simmonds went out, closing the green baize door behind him. There was
+a delay of a moment, and M. De Bac entered--a tall, thin figure,
+bearing an oblong parcel, packed in shiny, black paper, and sealed
+with flame-coloured wax.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good-day, Mr. Brown;&quot; and M. De Bac, who, for all his foreign name,
+spoke perfect English, extended his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown rose, put his own cold fingers into the warm grasp of his
+visitor, and offered him a seat.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With your permission, Mr. Brown, I will take this other chair. It is
+nearer the fire. I am accustomed to warm climates, as you doubtless
+perceive;&quot; and De Bac, suiting his action to his words, placed his
+packet on the table, and began to slowly rub his long, lean fingers
+together. The publisher glanced at him with some curiosity. M. De Bac
+was as dark as an Italian, with clear, resolute features, and a
+moustache, curled at the ends, thick enough to hide the sarcastic
+curve of his thin lips. He was strongly if sparely built, and his
+fiery black eyes met Brown's gaze with a look that ran through him
+like a needle.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You do not appear to recognise me, Mr. Brown?&quot;--De Bac's voice was
+very quiet and deep-toned.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not the honour----&quot; began the publisher; but his visitor
+interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mistake. We are quite old friends; and in time will always be
+very near each other. I have a minute or two to spare&quot;--he glanced at
+a repeater--&quot;and will prove to you that I know you. You are John
+Brown, that very religious young man of Battersea, who, twelve years
+ago, behaved like a blackguard to a girl at Homerton, and sent her
+to----but no matter. You attracted my attention then; but,
+unfortunately, I had no time to devote to you. Subsequently, you
+effected a pretty little swindle--don't be angry, Mr. Brown--it <i>was</i>
+very clever. Then you started in business on your own account, and
+married. Things went well with you; you know the art of getting at a
+low price, and selling at a high one. You are a born 'sweater.' Pardon
+the word. You know how to keep men down like beasts, and go up
+yourself. In doing this, you did me yeoman's service, although you are
+even now not aware of this. You had one fault, you have it still, and
+had you not been a gambler you might have been a rich man. Speculation
+is a bad thing, Brown--I mean gambling speculation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown was an Englishman, and it goes without saying that he had
+courage. But there was something in De Bac's manner, some strange
+power in the steady stare of those black eyes, that held him to his
+seat as if pinned there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As De Bac stopped, however, Brown's anger gave him strength. Every
+word that was said was true, and stung like the lash of a whip. He
+rose white with anger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir!&quot; he began with quivering lips, and made a step forwards. Then he
+stopped. It was as if the sombre fire in De Bac's gaze withered his
+strength. An invisible hand seemed to drag him back into his seat and
+hold him there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are hasty, Mr. Brown;&quot; and De Bac's even voice continued: &quot;you
+are really very rash. I was about to tell you a little more of your
+history, to tell you you are ruined, and to-morrow every one in
+London--it is the world for you, Brown--will know you are a beggar,
+and many will know you are a cheat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The publisher swore bitterly under his breath.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see, Mr. Brown,&quot; continued his strange visitor, &quot;I know all about
+you, and you will be surprised, perhaps, to hear that you deserve help
+from me. You are too useful to let drift. I have therefore come to
+save you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Save me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes. By means of this manuscript here,&quot; he pointed to the packet,
+&quot;which you are going to publish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown now realized that he was dealing with a lunatic. He tried to
+stretch out his arm to touch the bell on the table; but found that he
+had no power to do so. He made an attempt to shout to Simmonds; but
+his tongue moved inaudibly in his mouth. He seemed only to have the
+faculty of following De Bac's words, and of answering them. He gasped
+out:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is impossible!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My friend&quot;--and He Bac smiled mirthlessly--&quot;you will publish that
+manuscript. I will pay. The profits will be yours. It will make your
+name, and you will be rich. You will even be able to build a church.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Rich!&quot; Brown's voice was very bitter. &quot;M. De Bac, you said rightly. I
+am a ruined man. Even if you were to pay for the publication of that
+manuscript I could not do it now. It is too late. There are other
+houses. Go to them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But not other John Browns. You are peculiarly adapted for my purpose.
+Enough of this! I know what business is, and I have many things to
+attend to. You are a small man, Mr. Brown, and it will take little to
+remove your difficulties. See! Here are a thousand pounds. They will
+free you from your present troubles,&quot; and De Bac tossed a pocket-book
+on the table before Brown. &quot;I do not want a receipt,&quot; he went on. &quot;I
+will call to-morrow for your final answer, and to settle details. If
+you need it I will give you more money. This hour--twelve--will suit
+me. <i>Adieu!</i>&quot; He was gone like a flash, and Brown looked around in
+blank amazement. He was as if suddenly aroused from a dream. He could
+hardly believe the evidence of his senses, although he could see the
+black packet, and the neat leather pocket-book with the initials &quot;L.
+De B.&quot; let in in silver on the outside. He rang his bell violently,
+and Simmonds appeared.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Has M. De Bac gone?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I don't know, sir. He didn't pass out through the door.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no other way. You must have been asleep.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed I was not, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown felt a chill as of cold fingers running down his backbone, but
+pulled himself together with an effort. &quot;It does not matter, Simmonds.
+You may go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Simmonds went out scratching his head. &quot;How the demon did he get out?&quot;
+he asked himself. &quot;Must have been sleeping after all. The guv'nor
+seems a bit dotty to-day. It's the smash coming--sure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He wrote a letter or two, and then taking his hat, sallied forth to an
+aërated bread-shop for his cheap and wholesome lunch, for Simmonds was
+a saving young man, engaged to a young lady living out Camden Town
+way. Simmonds perfectly understood the state of affairs, and was not a
+little anxious about matters, for the mother of his <i>fiancée</i>, a widow
+who let lodgings, had only agreed to his engagement after much
+persuasion; and if he had to announce the fact that, instead of
+&quot;thirty bob a week,&quot; as he put it, his income was nothing at all,
+there would be an end of everything.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;M'ria's all right,&quot; he said to his friend Wilkes, in trustful
+confidence as they sat over their lunch; &quot;but that old torpedo&quot;--by
+which name he designated his mother-in-law-elect--&quot;she'll raise Cain
+if there's a smash-up.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the meantime, John Brown tore open the pocketbook with shaking
+hands, and, with a crisp rustling, a number of new bank-notes fell
+out, and lay in a heap before him. He counted them one by one. They
+totalled to a thousand pounds exactly. He was a small man. M. De Bac
+had said so truly, if a little rudely, and the money was more than
+enough to stave off ruin. De Bac had said, too, that if needed he
+would give him more, and then Brown fell to trembling all over. He was
+like a man snatched from the very jaws of death. At Battersea he wore
+a blue ribbon; but now he went to a cabinet, filled a glass with raw
+brandy, and drained it at a gulp. In a minute or so the generous
+cordial warmed his chilled blood, and picking up the notes, he counted
+them again, and thrust them into his breast-pocket. After this he
+paced the room up and down in a feverish manner, longing for the
+morrow when he could settle up the most urgent demands against him.
+Then, on a sudden, a thought struck him. It was almost as if it had
+been whispered in his ear. Why trouble at all about matters? He had a
+clear thousand with him, and in an hour he could be out of the
+country! He hesitated, but prudence prevailed. Extradition laws
+stretched everywhere; and there was another thing--that extraordinary
+madman, De Bac, had promised more money on the morrow. After all, it
+was better to stay.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he made this resolve his eyes fell on the black packet on the
+table. The peculiar colour of the seals attracted his attention. He
+bent over them, and saw that the wax bore an impress of a V-shaped
+shield, within which was set a trident. He noticed also that the
+packet was tied with a silver thread. His curiosity was excited. He
+sat down, snipped the threads with a penknife, tore off the black
+paper covering, flung it into the fire, and saw before him a bulky
+manuscript exquisitely written on very fine paper. A closer
+examination showed that they were a number of short stories. Now Brown
+was in no mood to read; but the title of the first tale caught his
+eye, and the writing was so legible that he had glanced over half a
+dozen lines before he was aware of the fact. Those first half-dozen
+lines were sufficient to make him read the page, and when he had read
+the page the publisher felt he was before the work of a genius.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was unable to stop now; and, with his head resting between his
+hands, he read on tirelessly. Simmonds came in once or twice and left
+papers on the table, but his master took no notice of him. Brown
+forgot all about his lunch, and turning over page after page read as
+if spellbound. He was a business man, and was certain the book would
+sell in thousands. He read as one inspired to look into the author's
+thoughts and see his design. Short as the stories were, they were
+Titanic fragments, and every one of them taught a hideous lesson of
+corruption. Some of them cloaked in a religious garb, breathed a
+spirit of pitiless ferocity; others were rich with the sensuous odours
+of an Eastern garden; others, again, were as the tender green of moss
+hiding the treacherous deeps of a quicksand; and all of them bore the
+hall-mark of genius. They moved the man sitting there to tears, they
+shook him with laughter, they seemed to rock his very soul asleep;
+but through it all he saw, as the mariner views the beacon fire
+on a rocky coast, the deadly plan of the writer. There was money in
+them--thousands--and all was to be his. Brown's sluggish blood was
+running to flame, a strange strength glowed in his face, and an
+uncontrollable admiration for De Bac's evil power filled him. The
+book, when published, might corrupt generations yet unborn; but that
+was nothing to Brown. It meant thousands for him, and an eternal fame
+to De Bac. He did not grudge the writer the fame as long as he kept
+the thousands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By Heaven!&quot; and he brought his fist down on the table with a crash,
+&quot;the man may be a lunatic; but he is the greatest genius the world
+ever saw--or he is the devil incarnate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And somebody laughed softly in the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The publisher looked up with a start, and saw Simmonds standing before
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you laugh, Simmonds?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, sir!&quot; replied the clerk with a surprised look.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who laughed then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no one here but ourselves, sir--and I didn't laugh.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you hear nothing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Strange!&quot; and Brown began to feel chill again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What time is it?&quot; he asked with an effort.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is half-past six, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So late as that? You may go, Simmonds. Leave me the keys. I will be
+here for some time. Good-evening.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mad as a coot,&quot; muttered Simmonds to himself; &quot;must break the news to
+M'ria to-night. Oh, Lor'!&quot; and his eyes were very wet as he went out
+into the Strand, and got into a blue omnibus.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he was gone, Brown turned to the fire, poker in hand. To his
+surprise he saw that the black paper was still there, burning red hot,
+and the wax of the seals was still intact--the seals themselves
+shining like orange glow-lights. He beat at the paper with the poker;
+but instead of crumbling to ashes it yielded passively to the stroke,
+and came back to its original shape. Then a fury came on Brown. He
+raked at the fire, threw more coals over the paper, and blew at the
+flames with his bellows until they roared up the chimney; but still
+the coppery glare of the packet-cover never turned to the grey of
+ashes. Finally, he could endure it no longer, and, putting the
+manuscript into the safe, turned off the electric light, and stole out
+of his office like a thief.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_d2" href="#div2Ref_d2">THE RED TRIDENT.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">When Beggarman, Bowles &amp; Co., of Providence Passage, Lombard Street,
+called at eleven o'clock on the morning following De Bac's visit,
+their representative was not a little surprised to find the firm's
+bills met in hard cash, and Simmonds paid him with a radiant face.
+When the affair was settled, the clerk leaned back in his chair,
+saying half-aloud to himself, &quot;By George! I am glad after all M'ria
+did not keep our appointment in the Camden Road last night.&quot; Then his
+face began to darken. &quot;Wonder where she could have been, though?&quot; his
+thoughts ran on; &quot;half sorry I introduced her to Wilkes last Sunday at
+Victoria Park. Wilkes ain't half the man I am though,&quot; and he tried
+to look at himself in the window-pane, &quot;but he has two pound ten a
+week--Lord! There's the guv'nor ringing.&quot; He hurried into Brown's
+room, received a brief order, and was about to go back when the
+publisher spoke again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Simmonds!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If M. De Bac calls, show him in at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir,&quot; and the clerk went out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Left to himself, Brown tried to go on with the manuscript; but was not
+able to do so. He was impatient for the coming of De Bac, and kept
+watching the hands of the clock as they slowly travelled towards
+twelve. When he came to the office in the morning Brown had looked
+with a nervous fear in the fireplace, half expecting to find the black
+paper still there; and it was a considerable relief to his mind to
+find it was not. He could do nothing, not even open the envelopes of
+the letters that lay on his table. He made an effort to find
+occupation in the morning's paper. It was full of some absurd
+correspondence on a trivial subject, and he wondered at the thousands
+of fools who could waste time in writing and in reading yards of print
+on the theme of &quot;Whether women should wear neckties.&quot; The ticking of
+the clock irritated him. He flung the paper aside, just as the door
+opened and Simmonds came in. For a moment Brown thought he had come to
+announce De Bac's arrival; but no--Simmonds simply placed a square
+envelope on the table before Brown.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pass-book from Bransom's, sir, just come in;&quot; and he went out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown took it up mechanically, and opened the envelope. A type-written
+letter fell out with the passbook. He ran his eyes over it with
+astonishment. It was briefly to inform him that M. De Bac had paid
+into Brown's account yesterday afternoon the sum of five thousand
+pounds, and that, adjusting overdrafts, the balance at his credit was
+four thousand seven hundred and twenty pounds thirteen shillings and
+three pence. Brown rubbed his eyes. Then he hurriedly glanced at the
+pass-book. The figures tallied--there was no error, no mistake. He
+pricked himself with his penknife to see if he was awake, and finally
+shouted to Simmonds:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Read this letter aloud to me, Simmonds,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Simmonds' eyes opened, but he did as he was bidden, and there was no
+mistake about the account.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Anything else, sir?&quot; asked Simmonds when he had finished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No--nothing,&quot; and Brown was once more alone. He sat staring at the
+figures before him in silence, almost mesmerizing himself with the
+intentness of his gaze.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My God!&quot; he burst out at last, in absolute wonder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who is your God, Brown?&quot; answered a deep voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I--I--M. De Bac! How did you come?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not drop down the chimney,&quot; said De Bac with a grin; &quot;your
+clerk announced me in the ordinary way, but you were so absorbed you
+did not hear. So I took the liberty of sitting in this chair, and
+awaiting your return to earthly matters. You were dreaming, Brown--by
+the way, who is your God?&quot; he repeated with a low laugh.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I--I do not understand, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Possibly not, possibly not. I wouldn't bother about the matter. Ah! I
+see Bransom's have sent you your pass-book! Sit down, Brown. I hate to
+see a man fidgeting about--I paid in that amount yesterday on a second
+thought. It is enough--eh?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown's jackal eyes contracted. Perhaps he could get more out of De
+Bac? But a look at the strong impassive face before him frightened
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;More than enough, sir,&quot; he stammered; and then, with a rush, &quot;I am
+grateful--anything I can do for you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! I know, I know, Brown--by the way, you do not object to smoke?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly not. I do not smoke myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In Battersea, eh?&quot; And De Bac pulling out a silver cheroot case held
+it out to Brown. But the publisher declined.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Money wouldn't buy a smoke like that in England,&quot; remarked De Bac,
+&quot;but as you will. I wouldn't smoke if I were you. Such abstinence
+looks respectable and means nothing.&quot; He put a cigar between his
+lips, and pointed his forefinger at the end. To Brown's amazement an
+orange-flame licked out from under the fingernail, and vanished like a
+flash of lightning; but the cigar was alight, and its fragrant odour
+filled the room. It reached even Simmonds, who sniffed at it like a
+buck scenting the morning air. &quot;By George!&quot; he exclaimed in wonder,
+&quot;what baccy!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">M. De Bac settled himself comfortably in his chair, and spoke with the
+cigar between his teeth. &quot;Now you have recovered a little from your
+surprise, Brown, I may as well tell you that I never carry matches.
+This little scientific discovery I have made is very convenient, is it
+not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have never seen anything like it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are a good many things you have not seen, Brown--but to work.
+Take a pencil and paper and note down what I say. You can tell me when
+I have done if you agree or not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown did as he was told, and De Bac spoke slowly and carefully.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The money I have given you is absolutely your own on the following
+terms. You will publish the manuscript I left with you, enlarge your
+business, and work as you have hitherto worked--as a 'sweater.' You
+may speculate as much as you like. You will not lose. You need not
+avoid the publication of religious books, but you must never give in
+charity secretly. I do not object to a big cheque for a public object,
+and your name in all the papers. It will be well for you to hound down
+the vicious. Never give them a chance to recover themselves. You will
+be a legislator. Strongly uphold all those measures which, under a
+moral cloak, will do harm to mankind. I do not mention them. I do not
+seek to hamper you with detailed instructions. Work on these general
+lines, and you will do what I want. A word more. It will be advisable
+whenever you have a chance to call public attention to a great evil
+which is also a vice. Thousands who have never heard of it before will
+hear of it then--and human nature is very frail. You have noted all
+this down?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have. You are a strange man, M. De Bac.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">M. De Bac frowned, and Brown began to tremble.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not permit you to make observations about me, Mr. Brown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not do so again. Will you agree to all this? I promise you
+unexampled prosperity for ten years. At the end of that time I shall
+want you elsewhere. And you must agree to take a journey with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A long one, sir?&quot; Brown's voice was just a shade satirical.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">M. De Bac smiled oddly. &quot;No--in your case I promise a quick passage.
+These are all the conditions I attach to my gift of six thousand
+pounds to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown's amazement did not blind him to the fact of the advantage he
+had, as he thought, over his visitor. The six thousand pounds were
+already his, and he had given no promise. With a sudden boldness he
+spoke out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And if I decline?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will return me my money, and my book, and I will go elsewhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The manuscript, yes--but if I refuse to give back the money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha! ha! ha!&quot; M. De Bac's mirthless laugh chilled Brown to the bone.
+&quot;Very good, Brown--but you won't refuse. Sign that like a good
+fellow,&quot; and he flung a piece of paper towards Brown, who saw that it
+was a promissory note, drawn up in his name, agreeing to pay M. De Bac
+the sum of six thousand pounds on demand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall do no such thing,&quot; said Brown stoutly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">M. De Bac made no answer, but calmly touched the bell. In a
+half-minute Simmonds appeared.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be good enough to witness Mr. Brown's signature to that document,&quot;
+said De Bac to him, and then fixed his gaze on Brown. There was a
+moment of hesitation, and then--the publisher signed his name, and
+Simmonds did likewise as a witness. When the latter had gone, De Bac
+carefully put the paper by in a letter-case he drew from his vest
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your scientific people would call this an exhibition of odic force,
+Brown--eh?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown made no answer. He was shaking in every limb, and great pearls
+of sweat rolled down his forehead.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see, Brown,&quot; continued De Bac, &quot;after all you are a free agent.
+Either agree to my terms and keep the money, or say you will not, pay
+me back, receive your note-of-hand, and I go elsewhere with my book.
+Come--time is precious.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And from Brown's lips there hissed a low 'I agree.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then that is settled,&quot; and De Bac rose from his chair. &quot;There is a
+little thing more--stretch out your arm like a good fellow--the right
+arm.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown did so; and De Bac placed his forefinger on his wrist, just
+between what palmists call &quot;the lines of life.&quot; The touch was as that
+of a red-hot iron, and with a quick cry Brown drew back his hand and
+looked at it. On his wrist was a small red trident, as cleanly marked
+as if it had been tattooed into the skin. The pain was but momentary;
+and, as he looked at the mark, he heard De Bac say, &quot;Adieu once more,
+Brown. I will find my way out--don't trouble to rise.&quot; Brown heard him
+wish Simmonds an affable &quot;Good-day,&quot; and he was gone.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_d3" href="#div2Ref_d3">&quot;THE MARK OF THE BEAST.&quot;</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">It was early in the spring that Brown published &quot;The Yellow
+Dragon&quot;--as the collection of tales left with him by De Bac was
+called--and the success of the book surpassed his wildest
+expectations. It became the rage. There were the strangest rumours
+afloat as to its authorship, for no one knew De Bac, and the name of
+the writer was supposed to be an assumed one. It was written by a
+clergyman; it was penned by a schoolgirl; it had employed the leisure
+of a distinguished statesman during his retirement; it was the work of
+an ex-crowned head. These, and such-like statements, were poured forth
+one day to be contradicted the next. Wherever the book was noticed it
+was either with the most extravagant praise or the bitterest rancour.
+But friend and foe were alike united on one thing--that of ascribing
+to its unknown author a princely genius. The greatest of the reviews,
+after pouring on &quot;The Yellow Dragon&quot; the vials of its wrath, concluded
+with these words of unwilling praise: &quot;There is not a sentence of this
+book which should ever have been written, still less published; but we
+do not hesitate to say that, having been written and given to the
+world, there is hardly a line of this terrible work which will not
+become immortal--to the misery of mankind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Be this as it may, the book sold in tens of thousands, and Brown's
+fortune was assured. In ten years a man may do many things; but during
+the ten years that followed the publication of &quot;The Yellow Dragon,&quot;
+Brown did so many things that he astonished &quot;the city,&quot; and it takes
+not a little to do that. It was not alone the marvellous growth of his
+business--although that advanced by leaps and bounds until it
+overshadowed all others--it was his wonderful luck on the Stock
+Exchange. Whatever he touched turned to gold. He was looked upon as
+the Napoleon of finance. His connection with &quot;The Yellow Dragon&quot; was
+forgotten when his connection with the yellow sovereign was
+remembered. He had a palace in Berkshire; another huge pile owned
+by him overlooked Hyde Park. He was a county member and a
+cabinet-minister. He had refused a peerage and built a church. Could
+ambition want more? He had clean forgotten De Bac. From him he had
+heard no word, received no sign, and he looked upon him as dead. At
+first, when his eyes fell on the red trident on his wrist, he was wont
+to shudder all over; but as years went on he became accustomed to the
+mark, and thought no more of it than if it had been a mole. In
+personal appearance he was but little changed, except that his hair
+was thin and grey, and there was a bald patch on the top of his head.
+His wife had died four years ago, and he was now contemplating another
+marriage--a marriage that would ally him with a family dating from the
+Confessor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such was John Brown, when we meet him again ten years after De Bac's
+visit, seated at a large writing-table in his luxurious office. A
+clerk standing beside him was cutting open the envelopes of the
+morning's post, and placing the letters one by one before his master.
+It is our friend Simmonds--still a young man, but bent and old beyond
+his years, and still on &quot;thirty bob&quot; a week. And the history of
+Simmonds will show how Brown carried out De Bac's instructions.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When &quot;The Yellow Dragon&quot; came out and business began to expand,
+Simmonds, having increased work, was ambitious enough to expect a rise
+in his salary, and addressed his chief on the subject. He was put off
+with a promise, and on the strength of that promise Simmonds, being no
+wiser than many of his fellows, married M'ria; and husband and wife
+managed to exist somehow with the help of the mother-in-law. Then the
+mother-in-law died, and there was only the bare thirty shillings a
+week on which to live, to dress, to pay Simmonds' way daily to the
+city and back, and to feed more than two mouths--for Simmonds was
+amongst the blessed who have their quivers full. Still the expected
+increase of pay did not come. Other men came into the business and
+passed over Simmonds. Brown said they had special qualifications. They
+had; and John Brown knew Simmonds better than he knew himself. The
+other men were paid for doing things Simmonds could not have done to
+save his life; but he was more than useful in his way. A hundred times
+it was in the mind of the wretched clerk to resign his post and seek
+to better himself elsewhere. But he had given hostages to fortune.
+There was M'ria and her children, and M'ria set her face resolutely
+against risk. They had no reserve upon which to fall back, and it was
+an option between partial and total starvation. So &quot;Sim,&quot; as M'ria
+called him, held on and battled with the wolf at the door, the wolf
+gaining ground inch by inch. Then illness came, and debt, and
+then--temptation. &quot;Sim&quot; fell, as many a better man than he has fallen.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Brown found it out, and saw his opportunity to behave generously, and
+make his generosity pay. He got a written confession of his guilt from
+Simmonds, and retained him in his service forever on thirty shillings
+a week. And Simmonds' life became such as made him envy the lot of a
+Russian serf, of a Siberian exile, of a negro in the old days of the
+sugar plantations. He became a slave, a living machine who ground out
+his daily hours of work; he became mean and sordid in soul, as one
+does become when hope is extinct. Such was Simmonds as he cut open the
+envelopes of Brown's letters, and the great man, reading them quickly,
+endorsed them with terse remarks in blue pencil, for subsequent
+disposal by his secretary. A sudden exclamation from the clerk, and
+Brown looked up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it?&quot; he asked sharply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only this, sir,&quot; and Simmonds held before Brown's eyes a jet black
+envelope; and as he gazed at it, his mind travelled back ten years, to
+that day when he stood on the brink of public infamy and ruin, and De
+Bac had saved him. For a moment everything faded before Brown's eyes,
+and he saw himself in a dingy room, with the gaunt figure of the
+author of &quot;The Yellow Dragon,&quot; and the maker of his fortune, before
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Shall I open it, sir?&quot; Simmonds' voice reached him as from a far
+distance, and Brown roused himself with an effort.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; he said, &quot;give it to me, and go for the present.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When the bent figure of the clerk had passed out of the room, Brown
+looked at the envelope carefully. It bore a penny stamp and the
+impress of the postmark was not legible. The superscription was in
+white ink, and it was addressed to Mr. John Brown. The &quot;Mr.&quot; on the
+letter irritated Brown, for he was now The Right Hon'ble John Brown,
+and was punctilious on that score. He was so annoyed that at first he
+thought of casting the letter unopened into the waste-paper basket
+beside him, but changed his mind, and tore open the cover. A note-card
+discovered itself. The contents were brief and to the point:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Get ready to start. I will call for you at the close of the day</i>. L.
+De B.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For a moment Brown was puzzled, then the remembrance of his old
+compact with De Bac came to him. He fairly laughed. To think that he,
+The Right Hon'ble John Brown, the richest man in England, and one of
+the most powerful, should be written to like that! Ordered to go
+somewhere he did not even know! Addressed like a servant! The cool
+insolence of the note amused Brown first, and then he became enraged.
+He tore the note into fragments and cast it from him. &quot;Curse the
+madman,&quot; he said aloud, &quot;I'll give him in charge if he annoys me.&quot; A
+sudden twinge in his right wrist made him hurriedly look at the spot.
+There was a broad pink circle, as large as a florin, around the mark
+of the trident, and it smarted and burned as the sting of a wasp. He
+ran to a basin of water and dipped his arm in to the elbow; but the
+pain became intolerable, and, finally, ordering his carriage, he drove
+home. That evening there was a great civic banquet in the city, and
+amongst the guests was The Right Hon'ble John Brown.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All through the afternoon he had been in agony with his wrist, but
+towards evening the pain ceased as suddenly as it had come on, and
+Brown attended the banquet, a little pale and shaken, but still
+himself. On Brown's right hand sat the Bishop of Browboro', on his
+left a most distinguished scientist, and amongst the crowd of waiters
+was Simmonds, who had hired himself out for the evening to earn an
+extra shilling or so to eke out his miserable subsistence. The man of
+science had just returned from Mount Atlas, whither he had gone to
+observe the transit of Mercury, and had come back full of stories of
+witchcraft. He led the conversation in that direction, and very soon
+the Bishop, Brown, and himself were engaged in the discussion of
+<i>diablerie</i>. The Bishop was a learned and a saintly man, and was a
+&quot;believer&quot;; the scientist was puzzled by what he had seen, and Brown
+openly scoffed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Look here!&quot; and pulling back his cuff, he showed the red mark on his
+wrist to his companions, &quot;if I were to tell you how that came here,
+you would say the devil himself marked me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I confess I am curious,&quot; said the scientist; and the Bishop fixed an
+inquiring gaze upon Brown. Simmonds was standing behind, and
+unconsciously drew near. Then the man, omitting many things, told the
+history of the mark on his wrist. He left out much, but he told enough
+to make the scientist edge his chair a little further from him, and a
+look of grave compassion, not untinged with scorn, to come into the
+eyes of the Bishop. As Brown came to the end of his story he became
+unnaturally excited, he raised his voice, and, with a sudden gesture,
+held his wrist close to the Bishop's face. &quot;There!&quot; he said, &quot;I
+suppose you would say the devil did that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And as the Bishop looked, a voice seemed to breathe in his ear: &quot;<i>And
+he caused all ... to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their
+foreheads</i>.&quot; It was as if his soul was speaking to him and urging him
+to say the words aloud. He did not; but with a pale face gently put
+aside Brown's hand. &quot;I do not know, Mr. Brown--but I think you are
+called upon for a speech.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was so; and, after a moment's hesitation, Brown rose. He was a
+fluent speaker, and the occasion was one with which he was peculiarly
+qualified to deal. He began well; but as he went on those who looked
+upon him saw that he was ghastly pale, and that the veins stood out on
+his high forehead in blue cords. As he spoke he made some allusion to
+those men who have risen to eminence from an obscure position. He
+spoke of himself as one of these, and then began to tell the story of
+&quot;The Devil's Manuscript,&quot; as he called it, with a mocking look at the
+Bishop. As he went on he completely lost command over himself, and the
+story of the manuscript became the story of his life. He concealed
+nothing, he passed over nothing. He laid all his sordid past before
+his hearers with a vivid force. His listeners were astonished into
+silence; perhaps curiosity kept them still. But, as the long tale of
+infamy went on, some, in pity for the man, and believing him struck
+mad, tried to stop him, but in vain. He came at last to the incident
+of the letter, and told how De Bac was to call for him to-night. &quot;The
+Bishop of Browboro',&quot; he said with a jarring laugh, &quot;thought De Bac
+was the fiend himself,&quot; but he (Brown) knew better; he--he stopped,
+and, with a half-inarticulate cry, began to back slowly from the
+table, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the room. And now a strange
+thing happened. There was not a man in the room who had the power to
+move or to speak; they were as if frozen to their seats; as if struck
+into stone. Some were able to follow Brown's glance, but could see
+nothing. All were able to see that in Brown's face was an awful fear,
+and that he was trying to escape from a horrible presence which was
+moving slowly towards him, and which was visible to himself alone.
+Inch by inch Brown gave way, until he at last reached the wall, and
+stood with his back to it, with his arms spread out, in the position
+of one crucified. His face was marble white, and a dreadful terror and
+a pitiful appeal shone in his eyes. His blue lips were parted as of
+one in the dolors of death.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The silence was profound.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There were strong men there; men who had faced and overcome dangers,
+who had held their lives in their hands, who had struggled against
+desperate odds and won; but there was not a man who did not now feel
+weak, powerless, helpless as a child before that invisible, advancing
+terror that Brown alone could see. They could move no hand to aid,
+lift no voice to pray. All they could do was to wait in that dreadful
+silence and to watch. Time itself seemed to stop. It was as if the
+stillness had lasted for hours.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Suddenly Brown's face, so white before, flushed a crimson purple, and
+with a terrible cry he fell forwards on the polished woodwork of the
+floor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he fell it seemed as if the weight which held all still was on the
+moment removed, and they were free. With scared faces they gathered
+around the fallen man and raised him. He was quite dead; but on his
+forehead, where there was no mark before, was the impress of a red
+trident.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A man, evidently one of the waiters, who had forced his way into the
+group, laid his finger on the mark and looked up at the Bishop. There
+was an unholy exultation in his face as he met the priest's eyes, and
+said:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He's marked twice--<i>curse him!</i>&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_achilles" href="#div1Ref_achilles">UNDER THE ACHILLES</a></h1>
+<hr style="width:5%; color:black; margin-bottom:24pt">
+<div style="margin-left:37%">
+<p class="t0">O Charity! thy mystery<br>
+Doth cover many things.</p>
+</div>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, don't break hup the 'appy 'ome!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Move those wite mice o' yourn hon, then, 'stead o' sittin' like a
+hitalian monkey hon a bloomin' barrel horgan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A hansom had hacked into a green Atlas in Piccadilly Circus, at the
+point where Regent Street and Piccadilly meet. From his height of
+vantage the omnibus driver threw a sarcasm at the cabman, and Jehu,
+instead of attending to business, lifted his head to fling back an
+answer. The sorrel in the hansom likewise lifted his head, stood on
+his hind legs, and then, plunging sideways on to the pavement, locked
+the wheels of the two conveyances together, completely stopping the
+roadway. It was not a good time for a thing of this kind to happen. It
+was Piccadilly Circus, just after the big furnaces of the theatres had
+let out their red-hot contents. The molten stream was hissing through
+the streets, boiling in the throbbing Circus. Such a crowd was there,
+too, as no city besides may show; but London need not plume itself on
+this. Here, in that hour, when the past of one day was becoming the
+present of another, assembled together the good and the bad. The
+honest father of a family, with a pure wife or daughter on his arm,
+jostled the soiled dove in her jewelled shame. Here were gathered the
+men whose lives by daylight were white, those who trod the primrose
+path, and the workers of the nation; gilded infamy, tawdry sin, joy
+and sorrow, shame and innocence, vice blacker than night, more hideous
+than despair. Above blazed the electric stars of the Monico and the
+Criterion. A stream of fire marked Coventry Street. To the right the
+lamp glare terminated abruptly in Waterloo Place, leaving the moon and
+the lonely Park together. From all the great arteries, through
+Shaftesbury Avenue, through Coventry Street, through the Haymarket,
+the toilers of the night beat up to the roaring Circus, and it was
+full. I, a derelict of humanity, was there. In the crowd that fought
+and elbowed its way for room--it was a crowd all elbows--I was the
+first to reach the hansom. There were two occupants: a man who lay
+back with a scared face, and a woman who laughed as she attempted to
+step out. It was as daylight, and the rush of an awful recollection
+came to me--God help me! It was my wife! My hand stretched out to aid
+fell to my side; but, as I staggered back, the brute in the hansom
+plunged yet more violently than before. There was an alarmed cry, a
+swaying motion, and the cab turned over slowly, like a foundering
+ship. I could not control myself. I sprang forward, and lifting the
+woman from the cab placed her on the pavement. There was a bit of a
+cheer, and before I knew it she thrust her purse into my hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take this, man, and----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I waited to hear no more; a sudden frightened look came into her eyes,
+and I turned and fled up Piccadilly. Some fool cried &quot;Stop thief!&quot;
+Some other one took up the cry. In a moment every one was running. I
+ran with the crowd, my hand still clenched tightly on the purse, which
+seemed to burn into it. It was too well dressed a crowd to run far.
+Opposite Hatchett's it tired, and public attention was engaged by an
+altercation, which ended in a fight, between a bicyclist and a
+policeman. I had sense enough left to pull up and slacken my pace to a
+fast walk. I went straight on. It did not matter to me where I went.
+If I had the pluck I should have killed myself long ago. It takes a
+lot of pluck to kill one's self. Five years had gone since Mary passed
+out of my life. Five years! It was six years ago that I, Richard
+Manning of the Bengal Cavalry, had cut for hearts, and turned up--the
+deuce! What right had I to blame her? Whose fault was it? I asked this
+question aloud to myself, and a wretch selling matches answered:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most your hown, guv'nor: buy a box o' matches to warm yer bones with
+a smoke--honly a penny!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I looked up with a start. I was opposite the Naval and Military. Once
+I belonged there. The very thought made me mad again, and I cursed
+aloud in the bitterness of my heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Drunk as a fly,&quot; remarked the match-seller to the public at large,
+indicating me with a handful of matchboxes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Opposite Apsley House I was alone. All the big crowd on the pavement
+had died away, only the street seemed full of flashing lights.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Surely some one called Dick? I stopped, but for a second only. I must
+be getting out of my mind, I thought, as I hurried on again. A few
+steps brought me to Hyde Park Corner. A few more brought me close to
+the foot of the Achilles, and, without knowing what I was doing, I
+sank into a seat. One must rest somewhere, and I was dead beat. The
+long shadow of the statue fell over me, clothing me in darkness. It
+fell beyond too, on to the walk, and the huge black silhouette
+stretched even unto the trees. A portion of my seat was in moonlight,
+and the muffled rumble of carriage wheels reached my ears from the
+road in front. It might have been fancy; but I saw a dark figure
+glide past the moonlit road into the shadow behind me. Some poor
+wretch--some pariah of the streets as lost as I. I wonder if any of
+the three-volume novelists ever felt the sensation of being absolutely
+stone broke. Nothing but these words &quot;stone broke&quot; can describe it. I
+am not going to try and paint a picture of my condition. I was stone
+broke, and Mary--the very air was full of Marys!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mechanically I opened the purse I still held in my hand, and looked at
+its contents. I don't know why I did this. I remember once shooting a
+stag, and when I came up to it, I found the poor beast in its mortal
+agony trying to nibble the heather--it was nibbling the heather. And
+here I was, wounded to death, looking at the contents of a Russian
+leather purse with idle curiosity. It was heavy with gold--her
+gold--Mary's. Damn her! she ruined my life. I flung the purse from me,
+and it made a black arc in the moonlight, ere it fell with a little
+clash beyond. I saw the gold as it rolled on the gravel walk in red
+splashes of light. Ruined my life? Did Mary do this? The old, old
+story--&quot;the woman gave me and I did eat.&quot; Of course Mary ruined my
+life. Had I anything to do with the wreck of hers? If so, I had
+committed worse than murder--I had killed a soul. I put my hot head
+between my hands and tried to think it out; I would think it all out
+to-night, and give my verdict for or against myself. If against me,
+then I knew how to die at last. It would not be as at that other time,
+when my courage failed me. The bitterness of death was already past. I
+would go over what had been, balance each little grain, measure forth
+each atom, and the end would be--the end.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It needed no effort. The past came up of itself before me. Five years
+of soldiering in Afghanistan, the heights of Cherasiab, the march to
+Candahar, a medal, a clasp, a mention in dispatches. This was good.
+Then came that staff appointment at Simla, and the downward path.
+Life was so easy, so pleasant. I was always gregarious, fond of my
+fellow-creatures, easy-going; and as each day passed I slipped down
+lower and lower. There were other deeps to come, of which I then knew
+not. A lot of conscience was rubbed out of me by that time. Mrs.
+Cantilivre must answer for that. There again: the blame on the woman!
+But when a society belle makes up her mind to form a man, she takes a
+lot of the nap off the fine feelings. I tried to pull up once or
+twice, but the effort was beyond me. I drifted back again. Things that
+were formerly looked upon by me as luxuries became necessaries; I
+developed a taste for gambling, and got into debt. Pace of this kind
+could not last long. There came a day when I got ill, and then came
+furlough. A long spell of leave, with a load of debt on my shoulders;
+but my creditors were, to do them justice, very patient. The voyage
+gave me plenty of opportunity to reflect, and the folly of the past
+came before me vividly. I would bury the past, have done with Myra
+Cantilivre, and start afresh. England again! Words cannot describe the
+feelings that stirred me when I saw the Eddystone, with the big waves
+lashing about it. Arriving on Sunday, I had to spend the afternoon in
+Plymouth, and saw Drake looking out over the sea. All the old fire was
+warming back in my heart. There was time to mend all yet: when I got
+back I meant to win the cherry ribbon and bronze star--no more
+flirtation under the deodars for me--I would soldier again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A few months later I met Mary, and in a month she had promised to be
+my wife. I can see her yet as she stood before me with downcast head,
+and the pink flush on her cheek. She lifted her eyes to mine, and the
+look in them was my answer. A few months afterwards we were married,
+and almost immediately sailed for India. I give my word that I meant
+all that a man should mean for his wife. But one cannot live in the
+world and look on things in the same light as an innocent woman. I had
+buried all the past, as I thought, forever. Myra Cantilivre was dead
+to me, but she had done her work. It was an effort to me always to
+live in the pure air of Mary's thoughts, and one day I said something
+on board the steamer that jarred on my wife. It was a comedown from
+cloudland, and was the first little rift within the lute. I pulled
+myself up, however, and smoothed it over. Then the scheme which I
+worked out took its birth in my mind. If there was to be any happiness
+in our future life, Mary must either come down to my level or I must
+go up to hers. I had tried and failed. There was nothing for it but to
+bring her down. This fine sensitiveness of hers necessitated my having
+to play the hypocrite forever. Then again I did not like to unveil
+myself. Every man likes to be a hero to his wife. I suppose she finds
+him out, however, sooner or later. Perhaps it would be better to let
+Mary find out gradually. It would in effect be carrying out my
+programme in the best possible way. Now, I had hitherto concealed from
+Mary the fact that I was in debt; but something happened at Simla,
+soon after we reached there, that necessitated her knowing this. There
+was another little difference. It was not, Mary said, the matter of
+the debt, but the fact of my concealing it, that hurt her. She brought
+up in minute detail little plans of mine, sketched without
+consideration of the bonds of my creditors, and put them in such a
+manner that it appeared as if I had told untruths to her regarding
+myself. The confession has to be made: they were practically untruths;
+but a man during his courtship, and the first weeks of his married
+life, has often to say things which would not bear scrutiny. My wife
+showed she had a retentive memory, and, for a girl, a very clear and
+incisive way of putting things. The storm passed over at last, and
+then Mary set herself to put my disordered affairs to rights. Debts
+had to be paid, and rigid economy was the order of the day; but coming
+back to Simla meant coming back to the old things. I tried to second
+Mary's efforts to the best of my ability; but I felt I couldn't last
+long. I met Mrs. Cantilivre one evening at Viceregal Lodge. She
+received me like an old friend, and begged to be introduced to Mary.
+She made only one reference to what had been:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And so, Dick, the past is all forgotten?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is good to forget, Mrs. Cantilivre; and I am now hedged in with
+all kinds of fortifications.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I looked towards Mary, where she stood talking to Redvers of the
+Sikhs--I always hated Redvers, and never saw what women admired in
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Myra laughed at my speech--it was an odd little laugh, and I did not
+like it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who makes her dresses?&quot; she asked. &quot;And now give me your arm and take
+me to your wife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I should not have done it, I know I should not, but my hand was
+forced. If I had had the moral courage I should have got out of it
+somehow. It was just that want of moral courage that broke me. This is
+something like a verdict against myself, but it is worth while setting
+forth the whole indictment. I began to tire of Mary's rigid rules of
+honesty and strict economy. She tied me down too much. I should have
+been allowed a run now and again. The short of it was that I began to
+break out of bounds, and in a few months was leading my old life once
+again. There was this difference, however--that formerly I had nothing
+to fear, whereas now it was necessary to conceal things. I flattered
+myself that I was still her idol. I should have known she had long ago
+perceived that the idol was of the earth, earthy. I had occasionally
+to resort to falsehood, and was almost as invariably discovered. I had
+not a sufficiently good memory to be a complete liar. The shame of it
+was knowing I was discovered; but Mary never threw it up to my face.
+She set herself to her duty loyally, though day by day I could see the
+despair eating its way through her. I had taken to gambling again, and
+as usual had bad luck and lost heavily. This necessitated my having to
+borrow some more money, which I arranged to pay back by instalments;
+and then I had to tell my wife that, owing to an alteration in the
+scales of pay, my income was so much the less. I upbraided the rules
+of the service, and on this occasion Mary believed me. I resolved to
+gamble no more. About this time my wife got ill, and when she
+recovered there was a small Mary in the house. During her illness
+things were so upset that I was compelled to frequent my club more
+than ever. To add to the worry to which I was subjected, the child got
+ill, and really seemed very ill indeed. All this involved expenditure
+which I did not know how to meet, and in despair one evening I turned
+to the cards again. It was the only thing to do. It was absurd to lose
+all I had lost, for the want of a little pluck to pull it back again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">One evening I had just cut into a table when a note was put into my
+hands. It was from my wife, asking me to come home at once, as the
+child seemed very ill. It was rather hard luck being dragged home; and
+I could do nothing. So I dropped a note back to Mary to say she had
+better send for the doctor, and that I would come as soon as possible.
+I meant to go immediately after one rubber. I won. It would have been
+a sin to have turned on my luck, and I played on until the small hours
+of the morning, and for once was fortunate. I rode back in high
+spirits. Near my gate some one galloped past me; I thought I
+recognised Brasingham's (the doctor's) nag, but wasn't quite sure. At
+any rate, if it was, Mary had taken my advice. I rode in softly and
+entered the house. A dim light was burning in the sitting-room; beyond
+it was the baby's room. I lifted the curtain and entered. As I came in
+my wife's ayah rose and salaamed, then stole softly out. I cannot tell
+why, but I felt I was in the presence of death. Mary was kneeling by
+the little bed, and in it lay our child, very quiet and still. I
+stepped up to my wife and put my hand on her shoulder. She looked up
+at me with a silent reproach in her eyes. &quot;Wife,&quot; I said, &quot;give me one
+chance more&quot;; and without a word she came to me and lay sobbing on my
+heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We went away after that for about a month; and I think that month was
+a more restful one than any we had spent since the first weeks of our
+marriage. By the end of it, however, I was weary of the new life. I
+must have been mad, but I longed to get again to the old excitements.
+I told Mary that when we came back she should go out as much as
+possible--that the distraction of society would be good for her. She
+agreed passively. We went out a great deal after that; and somehow my
+wife discovered the falsehood I had told her about the reduction in my
+income. She did not upbraid me, but she let me understand she knew,
+with a quiet contempt that stung me to the quick. From this moment she
+changed. Whilst formerly I had to urge her to mix in society, she now
+appeared to seek it with an eagerness that a little surprised me.
+Redvers was always with her. At any rate this made things more
+comfortable for me in one way, for I could more openly go my own path.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I renewed my acquaintance with Mrs. Cantilivre. She always said the
+right thing, and she understood men--at any rate she understood me. If
+Mrs. Cantilivre had been my wife I would have been a success in life.
+Bit by bit all my old feelings for her awoke again, and then the crash
+came. It was the night of the Cavalry Ball. I asked Myra Cantilivre
+for a dance; but she preferred to sit it out. I cannot tell how it
+happened, but ten minutes after I was at her feet, telling her I loved
+her more than my life--talking like a madman and a fool.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She bent down and kissed my forehead. &quot;Poor boy!&quot; she said; and as I
+looked up I saw Mary on Redvers' arm not six feet from us. I rose, and
+Myra Cantilivre leaned back in her chair and put up the big plumes of
+her fan to her face. Mary turned away without a word, and walked down
+the passage with her companion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I followed, but dared not speak to her. Old Cramley, the Deputy
+Quartermaster General, buttonholed me. He was a senior officer, and I
+submitted. Half an hour later, when I escaped, my wife was gone. I
+reached home at last. Mary was there, in a dark grey walking dress, a
+small bag in her hand. I met her in the hall, and she stepped aside as
+if my touch would pollute her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mary,&quot; I said, &quot;I can explain all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I want no explanation: let me pass, please.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She went out into the night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In two days all Simla knew of it, and in six months I was a ruined
+man.</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">There is no help for it--the verdict is against me; and yet for five
+years I have been through the fire, and I am strong now--there would
+be no blacksliding if another chance were given to me. Regrets! There
+is no use regretting--ten times would I give my life to live over the
+past again. &quot;Mary, my dear, I have killed you: may God forgive me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Some one stepped out of the shadow into the moonlight as I raised my
+head with the bitter cry on my lips.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dick!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mary!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And we had met once more.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_madness" href="#div1Ref_madness">THE MADNESS OF SHERE
+BAHADUR</a></h1>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The mahout's small son, engaged with an equally small friend in the
+pleasant occupation of stringing into garlands the thick yellow and
+white champac blossoms that strewed the ground under the broad-leaved
+tree near the lentena hedge, was startled by an angry trumpet, and
+looked in the direction of Shere Bahadur.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is <i>must</i>,&quot; said one to the other, in an awe-struck whisper, and
+then, a sudden terror seizing them, they bounded silently and swiftly
+like little brown apes into a gap in the hedge and vanished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There were ten thousand evil desires hissing in Shere Bahadur's heart
+as he swayed to and fro under the huge peepul tree to which he was
+chained. Indignity upon indignity had been heaped upon him. It was a
+mere accident that Aladin, the mahout who had attended him for twenty
+years, was dead. How on earth was Shere Bahadur to know that his skull
+was so thin? He had merely tapped it with his trunk in a moment of
+petulance, and the head of Aladin had crackled in like the shell of an
+egg. Shere Bahadur was reduced to the ranks. For weeks he had to carry
+the fodder supply of the Maharaj's stables, like an ordinary beast of
+burden and a low-caste slave; a fool to boot had been put to attend on
+him. It was not to be borne. Shere Bahadur clanked his chains angrily,
+and ever and anon flung wisps of straw, twigs, and dust on his broad
+back and mottled forehead. He, a Kemeriah of Kemeriahs, to be treated
+thus! He was no longer the stately beast that bore the yellow and
+silver howdah of the Maharaj Adhiraj in solemn procession, who put
+aside with a gentle sweep of his trunk the children who crowded the
+narrow streets of Kalesar. No, it was different now. He was a felon
+and an outcast, bound like a thief. Something had given way in his
+brain, and Shere Bahadur was mad. The flies hovered on the sore part
+over his left ear, where the long peak of the driving-iron had
+burrowed in, and, with a trumpet of rage, the elephant blew a cloud of
+dust into the air and strained himself backwards.</p>
+
+<p class="normal"><i>Click</i>! <i>click!</i> The cast-iron links of the big chain that bound
+him snapped, and Shere Bahadur was free. He cautiously moved his
+pillar-like legs backwards and forwards to satisfy himself of the
+fact, and then, with the broad fans of his ears spread out, stood for
+a moment still as a stone. High up amongst the leaves the green
+pigeons whistled softly to each other, and a grey squirrel was engaged
+in hot dispute with a blue jay over treasure-trove, found in a hollow
+of one of the long branches that, python-like, twined and twisted
+overhead. Far away, rose tier upon tier of purple hills, and beyond
+them a white line of snow-capped peaks stood out against the sapphire
+of the sky. Hathni Khund was there, the deep pool of the Jumna, where
+thirty years before Shere Bahadur had splashed and swam. It was
+there that he fought and defeated the hoary tusker of the herd, the
+one-tusked giant who had bullied and tyrannized over his tribe for
+time beyond Shere Bahadur's memory.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Perhaps a thought of that big fight stirred him, perhaps the breeze
+brought him the sweet scent of the young grass in the glens. At any
+rate, with a quick, impatient flap of his ears, Shere Bahadur turned
+and faced the hills. As he did so his twinkling red eyes caught sight
+of the Kalesar state troops on their parade ground, barely a quarter
+of a mile from where he stood. The fat little Maharaj was there,
+standing near the saluting point. Close to him was the Vizier, with
+the court, and, last but not least, a knowing little fox-terrier dug
+up the earth with his forepaws, scattering it about regardless of the
+august presence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Maharaj was proud of his troops. He had raised them himself in an
+outburst of loyalty, the day after a birthday gazette in which His
+Highness Sri Ranabir Pertab Sing, Maharaj Adhiraj of Kalesar, had been
+admitted a companion of an exalted order. The Star of India glittered
+on the podgy little prince. He was dreaming of a glorious day when he,
+he himself, would lead the victorious levy through the Khyber, first
+in the field against the Russ, when a murmur that swelled to a cry of
+fear rose from the ranks, and the troops melted away before their
+king. Rifles and accoutrements were flung aside; there was a wild
+stampede, and the gorgeously attired colonel, putting spurs to his
+horse, mingled with the dust and was lost to view. The Maharaj stormed
+in his native tongue, and then burst into English oaths. He had a very
+pretty vocabulary, for had he not been brought up under the tender
+care of the Sirkar? He turned in his fury towards the Vizier, but was
+only in time to see the snowy robes of that high functionary
+disappearing into a culvert, and the confused mob of his court running
+helter-skelter across the sward. But yet another object caught the
+prince's eye, and chilled him with horror. It was the vast bulk of
+Shere Bahadur moving rapidly and noiselessly towards him. Sri Ranabir
+was a Rajpoot of the bluest blood, and his heart was big: but this
+awful sight, this swift, silent advance of hideous death, paralyzed
+him with fear. Already the long shadow of the elephant had moved near
+his feet, already he seemed impaled on those cruel white tusks, when
+there was a snapping bark, and the fox-terrier flew at Shere Bahadur
+and danced round him in a tempest of rage. The elephant turned, and
+made a savage dash at the dog, who skipped nimbly between his legs and
+renewed the assault in the rear. But this moment of reprieve roused
+His Highness. The prince became a man, and the Maharaj turned and
+fled, darting like a star across the soft green. Shere Bahadur saw the
+flash of the jewelled aigrette, the sheen of the order, and, giving up
+the dog, curled his trunk and started in pursuit. It was a desperate
+race. The Maharaj was out of training, but the time he made was
+wonderful, and the diamond buckles on his shoes formed a streak of
+light as he fled. But, fast as he ran, the race would have ended in a
+few seconds if it were not for Bully, the little white fox-terrier.
+Bully thoroughly grasped the situation, and acted accordingly. He ran
+round the elephant, now skipping between his legs, the next moment
+snapping at him behind--and Bully had a remarkably fine set of teeth.
+The Maharaj sighted a small hut, the door of which stood invitingly
+open. It was a poor hut made of grass and sticks, but it seemed a
+royal palace to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Holy Gunputty!&quot; he gasped. &quot;If I could----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But it was no time to waste words. Already the snakelike trunk of his
+enemy was stretched out to fold round him, when with a desperate spurt
+he reached the door, and dashed in. But Shere Bahadur was not to be
+denied. He stood for a moment, and then, putting forward his forefoot,
+staved in the side of the frail shelter and brought down the house.
+Sri Ranabir hopped out like a rat, and it was well for him that in the
+cloud of dust and thatch flying about he was unobserved, for Shere
+Bahadur, now careless of Bully's assaults and certain of his man, was
+diligently searching the <i>débris</i>. But he found nothing save a brass
+vessel, which he savagely flung at the dog. Then he carefully stamped
+on the hut, and reduced everything to chaos. In the meantime Sri
+Ranabir, unconscious that the pursuit had ceased, ran on as if he was
+wound up like a clock, ran until his foot slipped, and the Maharaj
+Adhiraj rolled into the soft bed of a nullah, and lay there with his
+eyes closed, utterly beaten, and careless whether the death he had
+striven so hard to avoid came or not. Then there was a buzzing in his
+ears and everything became a blank.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blessed be the prophet! He liveth.&quot; And the Vizier helped his fallen
+master to rise, aided by the Heir Apparent, in whose heart, however,
+there were thoughts far different from those which found expression on
+the lips of the Nawab Juggun Jung, prime minister of Kalesar. The
+sympathetic, if somewhat excited, court crowded round their king, and
+a little in the distance was the whole population of Kalesar, armed
+with every conceivable weapon, and keeping up their courage by beating
+on tom-toms, blowing horns, and shouting until the confusion of sound
+was indescribable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come back to the palace, my lord. They will drive the evil one out of
+him.&quot; And the Vizier waved his hand in the direction of the crowd, and
+pointed to where in the distance Shere Bahadur was making slowly and
+steadily for the hills. But the Maharaj Adhiraj would do no such
+thing. &quot;Ryful lao!&quot; he roared in his vernacular; &quot;Gimme my gun!&quot; he
+shrieked in English. There was no refusing; a double-barrelled gun was
+thrust in his hands, he scrambled on the back of the first horse he
+saw, and, followed by his cheering subjects and the whole court,
+dashed after the elephant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mirror of the Universe, destroy him not,&quot; advised the Vizier who rode
+at the prince's bridle-hand. &quot;The beast is worth eight thousand
+rupees, and cannot be replaced. The treasury is almost empty, and we
+will want him when the Lat Saheb comes.&quot; The Maharaj was prudent if he
+was brave, and the empty treasury was a strong argument. Besides, they
+were getting rather close to Shere Bahadur and outpacing the faithful
+people. But he gave in slowly. &quot;What is to be done?&quot; he asked, taking
+a pull at the reins.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The people will drive him back,&quot; replied the Vizier, &quot;and we will
+chain him up securely. He is but <i>must</i>, and in a month or so all will
+pass away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Shere Bahadur had now reached an open plain, where he stopped, and
+turning round, faced his pursuers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go on, brave men!&quot; shouted the Vizier. &quot;A thousand rupees to him who
+links the first chain on that Shaitan. Drive him back! Drive him
+back!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There is the courage of numbers, and this the people of India possess.
+They gradually formed a semi-circle round Shere Bahadur, cutting off
+his retreat to the hills, and attempted by shouts and the beating of
+tom-toms to drive him forwards. But they kept at a safe distance, and
+the elephant remained unmoved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Prick him forwards,&quot; roared the Vizier. &quot;Are none of ye men?
+Behold! the Light of the Universe watches your deeds! A <i>must</i>
+elephant--<i>pah!</i> What is it but an animal?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By your lordship's favour,&quot; answered a voice, &quot;he is not <i>must</i>, only
+angry--there is no stream from his eye. Nevertheless, I will drive him
+to the lines, for I am but dust of the earth, and a thousand rupees
+will make me a king.&quot; Then a red-turbaned man stepped out of the
+throng. It was the low-caste cooly who had been put to attend to the
+elephant on Aladin's death. He was armed with a short spear, and he
+crept up to the beast on his hands and knees, and then, rising, dug
+the weapon into the elephant's haunch. Shere Bahadur rapped his trunk
+on the ground, gave a short quick trumpet, and, swinging round, made
+for the man. He did this in a slow, deliberate manner, and actually
+allowed him to gain the crowd. Then he flung up his head with a
+screech and dashed forward.</p>
+
+<p class="normal"><i>Crack</i>! <i>crack!</i> went both barrels of Sri Ranabir's gun, and two
+bullets whistled harmlessly through the air. The panic-striken mob
+turned and fled, bearing the struggling prince in the press. The
+elephant was, however, too quick, and, to his horror, Sri Ranabir saw
+that he had charged home. Then Sri Ranabir also saw something that he
+never forgot. Not a soul did the elephant harm, but with a dogged
+persistence followed the red turban. Some bolder than the rest struck
+at him with their tulwars, some tried to stab him with their spears,
+and one or two matchlocks were fired at him, but to no purpose.
+Through the crowd he steered straight for his prey, and the crowd
+itself gave back before him in a sea of frightened faces. At last the
+man himself seemed to realize Shere Bahadur's object, and it dawned
+like an inspiration on the rest. They made a road for the elephant,
+and he separated his quarry from the crowd. At last! He ran him down
+on a ploughed field and stood over the wretch. The man lay partly on
+his side, looking up at his enemy, and he put up his hand weakly and
+rested it against the foreleg of the elephant, who stood motionless
+above him. So still was he that a wild thought of escape must have
+gone through the wretch's mind, and with the resource born of imminent
+peril he gathered himself together inch by inch, and made a rush for
+freedom. With an easy sweep of his trunk Shere Bahadur brought him
+back into his former position, and then--the devil came out, and a
+groan went up from the crowd, for Shere Bahadur had dropped on his
+knees, and a moment after rose and kicked something, a mangled,
+shapeless something, backwards and forwards between his feet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let him be,&quot; said the Vizier, laying a restraining hand on Sri
+Ranabir. &quot;What has he killed but refuse? The Shaitan will go out of
+him now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he had done the deed Shere Bahadur moved a few yards further and
+began to cast clods of earth over himself. Then it was seen that a
+small figure, with a driving-hook in its little brown hand, was making
+directly for the elephant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come back, you little fool!&quot; shouted Sri Ranabir. But the boy made no
+answer, and running lightly forward, stood before Shere Bahadur. He
+placed the tinsel-covered cap he wore at the beast's feet, and held up
+his hands in supplication. The crowd stood breathless; they could hear
+nothing, but the child was evidently speaking. They saw Shere Bahadur
+glare viciously at the boy as his trunk drooped forward in a straight
+line. The lad again spoke, and the elephant snorted doubtfully. Then
+there was no mistaking the shrill treble &quot;Lift!&quot; Shere Bahadur held
+out his trunk in an unwilling manner. The boy seized hold of it as
+high as he could reach, placed his bare feet on the curl, and murmured
+something. A moment after he was seated on the elephant's neck, and
+lifting the driving-iron, waved it in the air.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hai!&quot; he screamed as he drove it on to the right spot, the sore part
+over the left ear. &quot;Hai! Base-born thief, back to your lines!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the huge bulk of Shere Bahadur turned slowly round and shambled
+off to the peepul tree like a lamb.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By the trunk of Gunputty! I will make that lad a havildar, and the
+thousand rupees shall be his,&quot; swore the Maharaj.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pillar of the earth!&quot; advised the Vizier, &quot;let this unworthy one
+speak. It is Futteh Din, the dead Aladin's son. Give him five rupees,
+and <i>let him be mahout</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">When I last saw Shere Bahadur he was passing solemnly under the old
+archway of the &quot;Gate of the Hundred Winds&quot; at Kalesar. The Maharaj
+Adhiraj was seated in the howdah, with his excellency the Nawab Juggun
+Jung by his side. On the driving-seat was Futteh Din, gorgeous in
+cloth of gold, and they were on their way to the funeral-pyre of the
+Heir Apparent, who had died suddenly from a surfeit of cream.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As they passed under the archway a sweetmeat-seller rose and bowed to
+the prince, and Shere Bahadur, stretching out his trunk, helped
+himself to a pound or so of Turkish Delight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such,&quot; said the sweetmeat-seller to himself ruefully, as he gazed
+after the retreating procession, &quot;such are the ways of kings.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_ape" href="#div1Ref_ape">REGINE'S APE</a></h1>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">It is a May morning in the north of India--such a morning as comes
+when the hot wind has been blowing for three weeks, and has shrivelled
+everything before it, like tea-leaves under the fan of a drying
+engine. The Grand Trunk Road, a long line of grey dotted in with
+dust-covered <i>kikur</i> trees, stretches for three hundred miles to the
+frontier, and to the right and left of it, beginning at the village of
+the Well of Lehna Singh, which lies but a quoit-cast from the
+roadside, spreads a plain, dry, arid, and parched--agape with
+thirst--the seams running along its brown surface like open lips
+panting for rain, the cool rain which will not come yet, although, at
+times, the distant rumble of thunder is heard, and dark clouds pile up
+in the horizon, only to melt away into nothing. The tall <i>sirpat</i>
+grass has been cut, and its pruned stalks, stiff as the bristles on a
+hair-brush, extend in regular patches of yellow, spiky scrub, with
+bands of mottled brown and grey earth between them. Here and again it
+would seem there are scattered pools, for the eyes, running over the
+landscape, shrink back from a sudden flash, as of water reflecting the
+fierce light of the sun. It is not so, however, for, except what the
+groaning Persian wheels drag up from the deep wells, there is never a
+drop of water for man, for beast, or for field. Those gleaming
+stretches from which the pained eyes turn are nothing more than the
+bare earth, covered with a saline efflorescence, soft and silver
+white, as if it were dry and powdered foam. It is yet early, and the
+light is not so dazzling as to prevent the eye resting on the
+patchwork of the plain, studded here and there with clumps of trees,
+that mark a well and the hamlet that has grown up around it. To found
+a village here it is only necessary to dig a well, and behold! mud
+huts spring up like fungi, and a hamlet has come into being. Right
+across the plain is a dark line of <i>kikur</i> and <i>seesum</i> trees. That is
+where the dry bed of the Deg torrents lies. Only let it rain, and the
+Deg will come down, an angry yellow flood, alive with catfish, and
+bubble its way to the wide but not less yellow bosom of the Ravi.
+Beyond the dry bed of the torrent, and towards the east, are a number
+of sand dunes covered with the soda plant, and looking like anthills
+in the distance. In the east itself the sun looms through a red haze,
+and against this ruddy, semi-opaque mist, a dust-devil rises in a
+spiral column, and opening out at the top, like an expanding smoke
+wreath, spreads sullenly against the sky line. On a morning such as
+this, two men are beating for a boar in a large patch of <i>sirpat</i>
+grass. One man is at each end of the grass field, and between them are
+twenty or thirty <i>Sansis</i>, a criminal tribe, who make excellent
+beaters whatever their other faults may be. With the man to the right
+of the field we have little concern. It is with the man to the left
+that this story deals. As he sits his fretting Arab, and the sunlight
+falls on his features, it would need but a glance to tell he was a
+soldier. The careful observer might, however, discover in that glance
+that there was something wrong about the good-looking face. The eyes
+were too close together, the bow of the mouth both weak and cruel,
+although the chin below it was firm enough. If the grey helmet he wore
+were removed, it would have been seen that the head was small and
+somewhat conical in shape, the head of a Carib rather than that of an
+European. As he slowly advanced his horse along the edge of the field,
+keeping in line with the beaters, it was evident that he was in a high
+state of excitement, and the shaft of his spear was shivering in his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal"><i>Whirr</i>! <i>whirr!</i> A couple of black partridge rise from the grass and
+sail away till they look like cockchafers in the distance. Then there
+is a scramble, a hare dashes out, and scurries madly across the plain,
+his long ears laid flat on his back, and his big eyes almost starting
+out of his head with fright. The beaters yell at this, and the Arab
+plunges forward; but the rider, who is growing pale with excitement,
+holds him in, and he dances along sideways in a white sweat--both
+horse and man all nerves. Two mangy jackals slink out of the grass,
+give a sly look around, and then lope along in the direction taken by
+the hare. It will be bad for puss if they come across him. As yet not
+a sign of the boar, and the Arab is almost pulling Sangster's arms
+off. He looks across at his friend, and sees him well to the right, on
+his solemn-looking black, and he catches sight of a pale blue curl of
+smoke from Wilkinson's pipe.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By George!&quot; he muttered, &quot;only think of smoking now! Steady----&quot; He
+might as well have tried to stop an engine. There is a chorus of
+yells, shrieks, and howls from the beaters, a sudden waving of
+crackling grass, the plunge of a heavy body, and in a hand-turn an old
+boar breaks cover, and, with one savage look about him, heads at a
+tremendous pace for the Deg. The Arab has seen it, and lets himself
+out like a buck, and then all is forgotten except the fierce
+excitement of the chase. Sangster can hear the drumming of the black's
+hoofs behind him, and fast as he goes Wilkinson draws alongside, his
+teeth still clenched over the stem of his pipe. The boar is well to
+the front, a brown spot bobbing up and down, racing for his life, as
+he means to fight for it when the time comes. He is not afraid, his
+little red eyes are aflame with wrath, and as he goes he grinds his
+tusks till the yellow foam flies off them on to his brindled sides. He
+is not in the least afraid, and he fully intends, at the proper time,
+to adjust matters with one or both his pursuers. It is his way to run
+first and fight afterwards--that is, providing the enemy can run him
+to a standstill. If not--well, the fight must be deferred to another
+day, and in the meantime it is capital going, except over that
+ravine-scarred portion of the plain called the &quot;Gridiron,&quot; where, at
+any rate, the advantage will lie with him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Side by side the two men race. Wilkinson knows perfectly well that
+when the time comes he can draw away from the Arab, which, with all
+its speed and pluck, is no match for a fifteen-hand Waler. He is
+calculating on gaining &quot;first spear&quot; with a sudden rush; but has
+missed out of this calculation the consequences of an accident. In the
+middle of the &quot;Gridiron,&quot; the Waler makes a false step between two
+grass-crowned hummocks, and Sangster is left alone, with the boar,
+whilst Wilkinson, with a sore heart, crawls out of a water-cut, and,
+after many an ineffectual effort, succeeds in catching his horse and
+following the chase, now almost out of sight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the meantime the boar has all but reached the Deg, and safety lies
+there. Could he only gain one of the hundred ravines that cobweb the
+plain, a quarter mile or so from the dry bed of the torrent, he would
+yet live to run, and maybe fight, on another day. He strains every
+nerve to effect this object, and Sangster, seeing this, calls on his
+horse, and the Arab, answering gallantly, brings him almost up to the
+boar with a rush. Sangster can see the foam on the boar's jowl, necked
+with bright spots of red; blood-marks from the hunted animal's lips,
+wounded by the sharp tushes as he ground them together in his wrath;
+already has he reached out his arm to deliver the spear, when, quick
+as lightning, the boar jinks to the right, and, dashing down a deep
+and narrow ravine, is lost to view. Sangster saw the bristles on his
+back as the beast vanished, and the speed of his horse bore him almost
+to the edge of the steep bank of the Deg before he could stop and turn
+him. When Sangster came back to the point where he had lost the boar
+he realized that it was useless to make any attempt to find the
+animal. In a hasty look round he had given when Wilkinson came to
+grief he had seen that the accident to his friend was not serious, and
+he now resolved to cross the Deg by an old bridge known as &quot;Shah
+Doula's Pool,&quot; and make his way back to the beaters along the &quot;soft&quot;
+that bordered the metalling of the Grand Trunk Road. It would be shady
+there, and he was parched with thirst, and very much out of temper.
+Failure in anything made this nervous man extraordinarily irritable,
+and he was in a mood to pick a quarrel on the slightest provocation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Sangster reached the bridge in this frame of mind, and as he crossed
+it came upon a curious scene. Under the shade of a peepul, whose
+heart-shaped leaves sheltered him from the sun, sat a devotee staring
+fixedly into space with his lustreless eyes. Beyond a cloth around his
+waist he had no clothing, his body was smeared with ashes, and on his
+ash-covered forehead was drawn a trident in red ochre. His hair, which
+was of great length, and had been bleached by exposure from black to a
+russet brown, fell over his thin shoulders in a long matted mane.
+Sitting there, he was, up to this point, like any one of the hundred
+wandering mendicants a man might meet in a week's march in India; but
+here the resemblance ceased, for this man was of those who, in the
+fulfilment of a vow, was prepared to inflict upon himself and to
+endure any torture. He sat cross-legged, and what at first Sangster
+thought was the dry and blasted bough of a stunted <i>kikur</i> tree behind
+the man he saw, at a second glance, was nothing less than the
+devotee's arm, which he had held out at a right angle to his body,
+until it had stiffened immovably in that position, and had shrunk
+until it seemed that the cracked skin alone covered the bone. How long
+the arm had been held to reach this condition no one can say. But it
+was long enough for the nails to have grown through the palm of the
+clenched hand, over which they curled and drooped like tendrils. The
+ascetic's gourd lay before him, into which some pious passer-by had
+dropped a handful of parched rice, and behind him gambolled a grey
+monkey, an entellus or <i>lungoor</i>, who gibbered and mowed at Sangster
+as he rode up, but made no attempt to retreat--evidently he was tame,
+and used to people.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Although Sangster had nearly seven years of service, he knew nothing
+about the East; his knowledge of its peoples and their characters
+expressed itself in two words, brief and strong. He knew nothing and
+cared less for the complex laws, the mystic philosophy, the immemorial
+civilization of the great empire which he, in his small way, was
+helping to hold for England. He fortunately represented only a small
+class of the servants of the Queen, that class who hold the native to
+be a brute, a little, if at all, better than the grey ape who leered
+over the devotee's shoulder at the Arab and his rider. Sangster,
+however, knew something of the language, and some devil prompted him
+to rein in, and imperiously ask the sitting figure if the boar had
+gone that way. He might as well have asked the ape, for that figure,
+seated there in the dust, with its rigid arm stretched out, and dull
+look staring into vacancy, would have been oblivious if a hundred
+boars had passed before it, and was so lost in abstraction that it was
+even unconscious of the presence of the fiery champing horse and
+equally impatient man, who were right in front of its unwinking eyes.
+Of course there was no answer, and Sangster angrily repeated the
+question, lowering the point of his spear as he did so, and slightly
+pricking the man below him. What came into the little brain of the ape
+it is hard to say; but it was an instinct that told him his master was
+in danger, and with a dog-like fidelity he resolved to defend him.
+Springing forward the beast grasped the shaft of the lance, and, with
+chattering teeth, pushed it violently on one side. All the little
+temper Sangster had left went to shreds; with an oath he drew back his
+arm, the spear-head flashed, and the next moment passed clean through
+the shrieking animal, and was out again, no longer bright but dripping
+red. With a pitiful moan the poor brute almost flung itself into the
+devotee's lap, and died there, its arms clasped around the lean waist
+of its master. All this happened so suddenly, so quickly, that
+Sangster had barely time to think of what he had done; but, as he
+raised his red spear, a horror came on him, so human was the cry of
+the dying ape, so like a child did it lie in its death-agony. He would
+have turned away and ridden off, but a power he could not control kept
+him there, and for a space there was a silence, broken only by the
+drip from the spear-head, and the soft whistle of a <i>huryal</i> or green
+pigeon from the shade of the leaves overhead.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The ascetic gently put aside the dead ape, and rose, a grey phantom,
+to his feet. So large was his head, so small his body, and so long the
+withered bird-like legs that supported him, that he appeared to be
+some uncanny creature of another world. He was overcome with a
+terrible excitement, his breast heaved, his lips moved with a hissing
+sound, and he unconsciously tried to shake his rigid right arm at the
+destroyer. Then his voice came, shrill and fierce, with a note of
+unending pain in it, and he dropped out slowly, and with a deadly hate
+in each word: &quot;<i>Cursed be the hand that wrought this deed! Cursed be
+thou above thy fellows! May Durga dog thee through life, and let thy
+life itself end in blood! Now go</i>!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Without a word Sangster turned to the left, and galloped along the
+banks of the Deg. At any other time he could have found it in his
+heart to laugh at the curse of the mad ascetic, for so he thought the
+man to be; but the limp body of the dead ape was before him, and its
+pitiful cry was ringing in his ears. As he rode on he caught a glimpse
+of his dull spear-point. It was only the blood of an animal after all;
+but he flung the lance away with a jerk of his arm, and it fell softly
+into the broad-leaved <i>dakh</i> shrubs and lay there, long and yellow in
+the sunlight. He pressed on madly; the white line of the Grand Trunk
+Road was now close, and he could make out a gigantic figure on a
+gigantic horse. It was Wilkinson; but how huge he looked! Sangster's
+head seemed bursting, and there was a drumming in his ears. Somehow he
+managed to keep his seat, and at last heard Wilkinson's cool voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Got the pig, old man? Good God!----&quot; For Sangster, with a flushed red
+face, slid from his saddle, and lay senseless in the white burning
+dust.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In a moment Wilkinson had sprung to earth and was bending over his
+friend.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sunstroke, by Jove! Must get him back at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">One does not recover from sunstroke in a little, and in most cases it
+leaves a permanent mark behind it. Sangster was no exception to the
+rule. For weeks he lay between life and death. There were times when
+he tottered on the brink of that dark precipice, down which we must
+all go sooner or later; but he rallied at last. Finally he was well
+enough to travel, and the sick man came home. He had never mentioned
+to a soul what he had done at Shah Doula's Pool. If he had spoken of
+it during his illness, it was doubtless set down to the ravings of
+delirium. When at length he recovered his senses, he could only recall
+what had happened to him in a vague manner. But he was no longer his
+own cheery, somewhat noisy self. He was listless, moody, and
+apathetic. Over his mind there seemed to brood a shadow that would
+take to itself neither form nor substance, and against which he could
+not battle. The doctors said the long sea-voyage home would set him
+right in this respect. They were wrong, and day after day the man lay
+stretched on his cane deck-chair, or paced up and down in sullen
+silence, exchanging no word with his fellow-passengers. At last they
+reached Plymouth, and although it was seven years since he had left
+England, he never even glanced out of the windows as the train bore
+him to his Berkshire home. He arrived at last and was made much over.
+Kind hands tended him, and loving hearts were there to anticipate his
+slightest whim. It was impossible to resist this, and in a little time
+the clouds seemed to roll away from his mind, and he was once more gay
+and bright. One warm sunny day, as he was lying in a hammock under the
+shade of a sycamore, hardly conscious that he was awake, and yet
+knowing he was not asleep, his mind seemed to slip back of its own
+accord into the past. In an instant the soft turf, the mellow green
+trees, the restful English landscape faded away. A wind that was as
+hot as a furnace blast beat upon him. All around was a dreary waste,
+and above, the sky was a cloudless, burning blue. He was once again
+holding in his fiery Arab, and listening to the curse hissing out from
+the lips of the devotee. He almost heard the blood dropping from his
+spear on to the grey dust below his horse's hoofs, and from the
+heart-shaped <i>peepul</i> leaves--it was no longer a sycamore he was
+beneath--the whistle of the green pigeon came to him soft and low. A
+strange terror seized him. He sprang out of the hammock. He had not
+been asleep. It was broad daylight, and yet he could have sworn that
+for the moment time had rolled backwards, and that he was eight
+thousand miles away from the square, red brick parsonage, in the
+firwoods of Berkshire. And then he began to understand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He went into the house his old brooding self, and in a week, finding
+life there insupportable, ran up to town. Here he took chambers close
+to his club, and plunged into dissipation. He was not naturally a man
+given that way, and he did not take to it kindly. But he held his
+course and broke the remains of his health, and wasted his substance
+in a vain effort to shake off the weight from his soul. But it was
+useless, and now a weariness of life fell upon him, and something
+seemed to be ever whispered in his ear to end all. The temptation came
+upon him one evening with an almost irresistible force. He was to dine
+out that evening, and had just finished dressing when his eye fell on
+a small plated Derringer that lay on the table before him. He took it
+up and held it in his hand. But a little touch on the trigger, and
+there would be an end of all things. It was so easy. Only a little
+touch! He placed the round muzzle to his temple, and stood thus for a
+second. He could hear the ticking of his watch, he could feel the
+pulse in his temple throbbing against the cold steel of the pistol, he
+could feel his very heart beating. His whole past rose up before him.
+He closed his eyes, set his teeth, his finger was on the trigger, when
+he heard a low laugh, a mocking laugh of triumph, that, soft as it
+was, seemed to vibrate through the room. Sangster's hand dropped to
+his side, and he looked round with a scared face. At the time this
+occurred he was standing at his dressing-table, and the only light was
+that from two candles, one on each side of the glass. The bedroom was
+separated from the sitting-room by a folding door, overhung by a heavy
+crimson curtain, and this part of the room was in semidarkness. As
+Sangster turned his white face to the curtain he saw nothing, although
+the laugh was still ringing in his ears; but, as he looked, a pale
+blue mist rose before the curtain; a mist that seemed instinct with
+light, and in it floated the body of the devotee, the rigid arm
+extended towards him and a smile of infernal malice on the withered
+lips. For a moment Sangster stood as if spell-bound--a cold sweat on
+his forehead. Then, for he was no coward, he nerved himself, and
+advanced towards the vision. As he stepped up, mist and figure faded
+into nothing, and he was alone. But he could bear to be so no longer,
+and thrusting the pistol into the breast pocket of his coat, hurried
+outside. Once in the street, he hailed a hansom and was driven to his
+destination.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During his stay in town he had sought every class of society, and
+chance had thrown him in the way of Madame Régine. Who she was is not
+material to this story, but she was the one person he had met who
+could for the moment make Sangster forget his gloom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In her way, too, Régine was attracted by this man, so grave and
+silent, yet who was able to speak of things and scenes she had never
+heard of, and who looked so different from the other men she came
+across in her literary and artistic circle.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Of late, with a perversity which cannot be accounted for, he had
+avoided seeing her, and she was more than glad he was coming that
+night; and as for him, he almost had it in his heart to thank God he
+was to see Régine that evening.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame knew how to select her guests. There were but half a dozen
+people, and it was very gay. At first Sangster could not shake off his
+depression, but as the wine went round and the wit sparkled he pulled
+himself together, and in a half-hour had forgotten what had happened
+before he came to the house. They were late that evening; but the time
+came to go at last. Sangster, however, lingered--the latest of all to
+say good-bye.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he went up to her she put aside his hand with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not seen you for ages. You might stay for another ten minutes
+and talk to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall be delighted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is nice of you--and I will show you a present I have had from
+India. You can smoke if you like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I suppose it is little things like this that you do that make you so
+charming a hostess.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you,&quot; she laughed, a pink flush in her cheeks, &quot;and now wait a
+moment and I will give you a surprise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And Sangster heard the same sneering laugh that he had heard in his
+rooms. It came from nowhere; but it chilled him to ice, and the answer
+in his lips died to nothing. He alone heard it, loud as it was, for
+Madame looked for a moment at him as she spoke and then there was a
+swish of trailing garments, and she was gone. A little time passed,
+and Sangster thought he would smoke. In an absent manner he put his
+hand in his breast pocket and pulled out--not his cigarette case, but
+the pistol. He smiled grimly to himself as he held it in his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Might as well do it here as anywhere else,&quot; he muttered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the instant he felt two soft furry arms round his neck, and
+something sprang lightly to his shoulders. He gave a quick cry and
+looked up to meet the grinning face of an entellus monkey leering into
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My God!&quot; he gasped, and the sharp report of the Derringer cut into
+Régine's peal of laughter, and changed its note to a scream of horror.
+When the police came she was bending over the body of the madman,
+laughing in shrill hysterics, and the ape gibbered at them from his
+seat on the high back of a chair.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1><a name="div1_shadow" href="#div1Ref_shadow">A SHADOW OF THE PAST</a></h1>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The sunbirds, hovering and twittering over the <i>neem</i> trees, signalled
+to me the approach of the coming hot weather. The sky was a steel
+grey, and over the horizon of the wide plain before my bungalow, on
+which the short grass was already dry and crisp, hung a curtain of
+pale brown dust. Here and there on the expanse of faded green were
+small herds of lean kine, and, almost on the edge of the road
+bordering the plain, a line of water-buffaloes sluggishly headed for a
+shallow pool about a mile or so westward, where they would wallow till
+the sun went down, and then be driven home with unwilling steps to
+their byres. The herd bull came last of all, and on his back sat a
+little naked boy, a pellet bow in his hand, and a cotton bag full of
+mud pellets slung over his shoulder. He was singing in a high-pitched
+tuneless voice, and his song seemed to enrage the &quot;brain-fever&quot; bird
+in the mango tree, where he had hidden silent since the dawn. The bird
+objected in a shrill crescendo of ringing notes that brought the
+pellet bow into play, and then there was a whistle of grey-brown wings
+as he flew to a safer spot, and a silence broken only by the
+monotonous <i>tink</i>, <i>tink</i>, <i>tink</i> of the little green barbet or
+coppersmith. There were times, when fever held me in its grip, that
+the maddening iteration of its cry was almost unbearable, and to this
+day I nurse a hatred to that little green-coated and red-throated
+plague--of a truth &quot;the coppersmith hath done me much evil.&quot; I stood
+in my veranda watching the retreating figure of the Judge, as he drove
+away full of a project of spending a month in Burma--an enterprise he
+had been vainly tempting me to share; but I had other fish to fry: my
+way was westwards, not eastwards, and besides I had slaved for six
+long years in Burma, and knew it far too well. One glance at the Judge
+as he turned the elbow of the road, and was lost to view behind the
+siris trees, one look at the thirsty plain, and the shivering heat
+haze, through which glinted, now and again, the distant spear-heads of
+a squadron of Bengal Lancers trotting slowly back to their barracks,
+and I turned in to my study. I had determined to devote the day to the
+destruction of old papers, and set about my task in earnest. There was
+one drawer in particular that had not been touched for three years. I
+had forgotten what it contained, and opened it slowly, thinking it was
+possibly an Augean Stable; but nothing met my eyes except a small
+packet of papers. Yet with that one look came back to me the memory of
+a life's tragedy. The papers should have been destroyed long ago, and
+now--I hesitated no longer, but tore them up into the smallest
+fragments, glad to be rid, as I thought, of the miserable record of a
+man's folly, of his crime, and of his shame.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But an awakened memory is not easily set at rest, and, in the
+stillness of that Indian day, the whole thing returned with an
+insistent force, dead voices spoke to me once more, and bitter regrets
+hummed of the past, the past that can never be retrodden--and then
+there arose out of the shadows in vivid distinctness the memory of
+that supreme moment when John Mazarion cast his soul to hell. It all
+came back like a picture: that lonely Himalayan mountain side, the
+black pines, the silent eternal snows, Mazarion with his pale white
+face, and Rani with her laughing eyes. An eagle screamed above us, I
+remember, and with a hissing of wings dropped over the abyss into the
+blue mists that clung to the mountain side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">John Mazarion and I had been friends at school, and we met again as
+young men with a common interest in our lives, for we had both adopted
+an Indian career. Mazarion had gone into the Indian Marine, and I--I
+wanted in those days to build empires as did Clive and Hastings, and
+so I sought honour in another service, and got sent to Burma for my
+pains and--the empires have yet to be built. There was yet another
+interest between John and myself, and that was Nelly. Being young men
+we did as young men do, and both fell in love; but unfortunately we
+both fell in love with the same woman, and Nelly took Mazarion. It was
+a bitter thing for me then; but now that I have come to an age when I
+can argue with myself, I can see it was but natural. John was a big
+handsome man with fair hair and limpid blue eyes, and Nelly--well, a
+man does not care to write about the woman he loves; she was Nelly and
+that is enough. Though I never spoke of it, I fancy Nelly must have
+known I loved her, for in that tender womanly way which good women
+alone have she gave me strength to endure, and for her sake I wished
+Mazarion good luck, and sailed for the East. John followed in a few
+weeks, and I understood they were to be married in three years, when
+Mazarion got his step--a long engagement; but the purse of an Indian
+officer is mostly a lean one, and Nelly's people were not rich. Well,
+as I said before, I began my Eastern career in Burma, and Mazarion's
+duties led him to the Bay of Bengal and to the Burman waters. We never
+met for close on four years; but occasionally I came to Rangoon, the
+capital of Burma, and there I heard much of him, and always in
+connection with some story of stupid folly. The best of men would
+shrink from daylight being thrown on all their actions; but what would
+have been wrong in any man's case became doubly so, and doubly
+dishonourable, in the case of John Mazarion--at least I thought and
+think so, for Nelly's face used to rise before me with a look of
+patient waiting in the sweet eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last we met in the club at Rangoon and lunched together. He
+incidentally let out that he had got his step in promotion nearly a
+year ago, and went on to answer the unspoken question in my look.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nelly will have to wait a year or so more, I'm afraid--I'm deuced
+hard up. But I suppose you're in the same street. Come and have a
+smoke.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I was not in the same street; but I went and had a smoke. We talked of
+many things, and when I left I knew that John had slipped down, but
+how far down I was yet to know. Before I left the club I accepted an
+invitation to supper with him in his rooms; he had received a port
+appointment, and was for the present stationed in Rangoon. I went to
+that supper. There were two or three others there, and a lady--God
+save the mark!--who did the honours of the house. I could have struck
+Mazarion where he sat brazening the whole thing out; but I held myself
+in somehow and saw it through. I was the first to go, and Mazarion
+followed me to the door--shame was not quite dead in him. &quot;Look here,
+old man,&quot; he said, &quot;you're off home, I know, and will see Nelly. You
+needn't--and--you know what I mean--&quot; holding out his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I drew back. &quot;Yes, I know what you mean, and I will keep silent. But I
+would to God I hadn't accepted your cursed hospitality!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And I turned and walked down the stairway, leaving him on the landing,
+white with rage. In a month from that day I was in England, and a week
+later I had seen Nelly. I well remember it was with a beating heart
+that I came to the door of the suburban villa with the May tree in
+bloom near the gate, and in a minute or so was in the little
+drawing-room I knew so well. In the place of honour was a large
+photograph of Mazarion in his naval uniform, and near it was a vase
+with a votive offering of fresh flowers. I felt who had placed them
+there, and swore bitterly under my breath. Then the door opened and
+Nelly came in with outstretched bands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I'm so glad to see you, Mr. Thring, after all these years.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And it seems to me as if I had never been away. I shook off the East
+with the first grey sky I saw.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then we sat and talked, but I carefully avoided the subject of
+Mazarion, and now and again parried a leading question because I did
+not know what to say, and felt miserable when I saw the eager light in
+Nelly's eyes fade into a look of disappointment. Finally Mrs.
+Carstairs, Nelly's mother, came in, and it was a relief, for I had to
+go over my experiences again. But I struck on the rocks at last when
+Mrs. Carstairs said: &quot;Well, I suppose you are lucky in getting back in
+four years--though that does seem such a long time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, I suppose I am, Mrs. Carstairs. There are men who have been away
+ten years and more, and whose prospects of seeing home again are still
+far.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I thought I heard the faintest echo of a sigh, and grew hot all over.
+My hand shook so that I could hear the teacup I held rattle on the
+saucer. I was a tactless fool.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How hard!&quot; said Mrs. Carstairs, &quot;and there is poor John still out
+there, waiting for his step. I wonder when he will get it and be able
+to come home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I looked at Nelly. Her eyes were ablaze and her cheeks flushed, and
+the words &quot;waiting for his step&quot; rang in my ears. Mazarion had got his
+step a year ago--he had told me so himself. I could say nothing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I suppose you have seen John,&quot; Mrs. Carstairs went on. &quot;You and he
+used to be such friends. When did you last meet?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;About six weeks ago, in Rangoon; he was looking very well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am so glad. We--that is, Nelly has not heard for nearly two months,
+and when he last wrote he said he was very busy, and likely to go on a
+long cruise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now I knew Mazarion had held that port appointment for nearly six
+months, and would hold it for a year or so to come without any
+likelihood of going on a cruise, and I of course knew that he was
+lying--lying to the dear heart that loved him so well. To this day I
+know not whether I did right or wrong in holding my tongue, in saying
+nothing, and when I left them I left them still in that fool's
+paradise of trust and love and hope. I saw them once again before I
+left. I could not go back without one more look at Nelly. As I said
+good-bye she timidly slipped a small packet into my hands, and I
+promised it would reach John Mazarion in safety.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the voyage back I thought of many things, and reproached myself for
+having parted with Mazarion as I had. For her sake I should have made
+some effort to pull him right, and as it were I had simply kicked him
+down a step lower, for I had made him feel his infamy, and that is not
+the way to help a man to recover his own self-respect. I had been
+hasty--for the moment my temper had got the better of me--with the
+usual result. And so I determined not to send him Nelly's gift, but,
+on reaching Rangoon, to deliver the packet with my own hands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I found him in his office on the river face, and, as I expected, there
+was a coldness and constraint in his manner. Our eyes met--his still
+with anger in them--and then he dropped his look.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have brought this,&quot; I said, &quot;from Miss Carstairs. I promised it
+should reach you safely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He took the packet from me in silence, but I saw his hands shake and
+the crow's-feet gather about his eyes. He fumbled with the seals, then
+let the packet drop on the table, and looked at me again as I blurted
+out: &quot;I have said nothing--not a word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not understand, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;John Mazarion,&quot; I cut in, &quot;you are still to her what you have ever
+been. Man! you know not what you are throwing away. See here, John!
+You are my oldest friend, and I can't let you go like this. Pull up
+and turn round; give yourself a chance. If--if money is wanted--well,
+I've saved a bit----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He simply leaned back in his chair and laughed. And such a laugh!
+There was not a ring of mirth in it--a tuneless, mocking laugh such as
+might come from the throat of a devil. Then he stopped and looked at
+me, the hard lines still in the corners of his mouth and round his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thring, you're a meddlesome fool! Take my advice and let each man
+stir his own porridge. I want no interference and none of your damned
+advice. I mean to live my own life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It isn't of you alone I am thinking.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He fairly shook with rage. &quot;Go!&quot; he burst out. &quot;Go! I hate the sight
+of you, with your lips full of talk about duty and self-respect and
+honour. Go!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I left the man, but for all his violence I felt that his anger was
+really against himself, and that my words had gone home.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A year, two years passed. Three times in this interval I had
+heard from Nelly, and on each occasion the letter was not so much
+for me as to obtain news of Mazarion. She was still watching and
+waiting--wasting the treasures of her heart as many another woman has
+done on men as worthless as Mazarion. And I--I was powerless to help
+her for whom I would have given my life. Twice I had answered to say
+that I had no news to give; but on the third occasion it was on the
+heels of her letter that news reached me. It came from the commander
+of a river steamer who dined with me in my lonely district house on
+the banks of the Irawadi.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The man has practically gone to the devil,&quot; said Jarman in his blunt
+outspoken way; &quot;he got a touch of the sun about a year ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I never heard of that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I'm not surprised at that; it's a wonder you hear anything in this
+doggone hole. Well, when Mazarion came round again the pace was faster
+than ever. I can't help thinking that his brain never really righted
+itself; but he acted like a fool, and a madman, and a blackguard
+combined--with the usual result.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You don't mean to say he's broken!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;About as good as broke. Government is long-suffering, but in common
+decency they couldn't overlook the things Mazarion did. They've given
+him a chance, however. He's had six months' sick leave to settle his
+affairs, and he's cleared off to some hill station or other in India.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So it had come to this. And late that night I took the bull by the
+horns and wrote to Mrs. Carstairs, telling her exactly how things
+were, and in the morning my heart failed me and I tore up that letter
+and wrote another one to Nelly, in which all that I said of Mazarion
+was that he had gone on leave to the Indian hills; and this letter I
+posted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I little knew how near the time was when I should go myself. My tour
+of service in Burma was coming to an end, and that end was hastened by
+the rice-swamps of Henzada. A medical certificate did the rest, and
+within the month I was ordered to India, and, best of good luck, to a
+Himalayan station. In a fortnight I was out of Burma--in India--in the
+Himalayas.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">How I enjoyed that journey from the plains! How strength seemed to
+come back by leaps and bounds as we rushed through the belt of
+forest that girdled the mountains, past savannahs of waving yellow
+tiger-grass, through purple-blossomed ironwood and lilac jerrol,
+through stretches of bamboo jungle in every shade of colour, with
+their graceful tufts of culms a hundred feet and more from the ground,
+through giant sal and toon woods whose sombre foliage was lightened by
+the orange petals of the palas, and the blazing crimson bloom of the
+wax-like flowers of the silk cotton! Higher still, and the tropical
+forest is now but a hazy green sea that quivers uneasily below. Now
+the hedgerows are bright with dog-roses, and the shade is the shade of
+oak and birch and maple. In the long restful arcades of the forest, by
+the edges of the trickling mountain springs, the sward is gay with
+amaranth and marguerite, the pimpernel winks its blue eyes from
+beneath its shelter of tender green, and a hundred other nameless
+woodland flowers spangle the glades. Higher still and the whole wonder
+of the Himalayas is around me, one rolling mass of green, purple, and
+azure mountains, with a horizon of snow-clad peaks standing white and
+pure against the perfect blue of the sky.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a window at the club which used to be my favourite seat, for
+it commanded a matchless view, and it was here that I used to sit and
+positively drink in strength with every puff of fresh, pure air that
+came in past the roses clustering on the trelliswork outside. A friend
+joined me--one who like myself had escaped to the hills after wrecking
+his health in a Burman swamp. He had known Mazarion, and somehow the
+conversation turned upon him, and Paget asked me to step with him into
+the hall. Once there he pointed to a small board which I had noticed
+before, but never had the curiosity to examine. On that board was
+posted the name of John Mazarion as a defaulter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He has gone under utterly,&quot; said Paget as we regained our seats, &quot;for
+this is not all that has happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Could anything be worse?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, I rather think so. Do you know the man has flung away all shame
+and has gone to live like a beastly Bhootea--a hill man--a savage on
+the mountain side?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, every one knows it here. It happened about three months
+ago--just after that affair,&quot; and he indicated the board in the hall
+with a turn of his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The man must be mad.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not he; only he hasn't pluck enough to blow his brains out. He's not
+alone either, but has taken a wife--a Bhootea woman. They're not far
+off from here--over there on that spur,&quot; and he pointed to a wooded
+arm of the mountains that stood out above a grey rolling mist.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My God!&quot; and I put my head between my hands. &quot;The cad! the worthless
+brute!&quot; I burst out. &quot;See here, Paget: perhaps you're wrong--perhaps
+this story isn't true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Paget carefully dusted a speck from his coat-sleeve.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know what you're thinking of, Thring. That girl at home. I heard
+something about the affair. I used to feel inclined to kick him when I
+saw her picture in his rooms at Rangoon beside that of the other
+one--you know whom I mean. Yes, it's all true, and you can go and see
+if you like. The Boothea girl is called Rani; she's devilish pretty.
+It's the 'squalid savage' business, you know; but the man is a moral
+hog--damn him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Saying this, Paget, who was a good fellow after his kind, lit another
+cigar, and nodding his head in farewell went off to the billiard-room,
+and I sat still--thinking, thinking, with fury and shame in my heart.
+At last I could endure it no longer, and then suddenly rose and walked
+to my rooms--I lived in the club. I was hardly conscious of what I
+did, but I remember ordering my pony, and then my eyes fell on a case
+containing a small pair of dainty revolvers. I took them mechanically
+from their velvet-lined beds, loaded them carefully, and slipped them
+in a courier-bag. Then I mounted the pony and rode off to find
+Mazarion. The road was longer than I thought; but it seemed as if some
+instinct guided me--some power, I know not what, was over me, and led
+my steps straight to my goal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It is curious how in moments like this unimportant and trivial
+incidents impress themselves on the mind. I remember tying the pony to
+a white rhododendron, and that in so doing I dropped my cigar. It was
+the only one I had, and it lay smouldering before me, crosswise on the
+petals of one of the huge lemon-scented flowers that had fallen from
+the tree. I kicked it from me, and then went onwards on foot. In about
+half an hour I came to a little tableland of greensward, which hung
+over a grey abyss. Huge black pines rose stiffly on the rocks that
+beetled over the level turf, and to the edge of the rocks there clung,
+like a wasp's nest, a wretched hut, with a thin blue smoke rising from
+between the rafters of its moss-grown roof.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was touching sunset, and the west was a blaze of crimson and gold.
+The face of the pine-covered crag towering above me was in black
+shadow; but the mellow light was bright on the green turf at my feet.
+It cast a ruddy glow over the withered trunk of a huge fallen pine
+that lay athwart the open, and then fell in long rainbow-hued shafts
+on the uneasy mists that filled the valley, and stole up the mountain
+side in soft-rolling billows of purple, of grey, and of silver-white.
+The pine trunk was not ten paces from me, and walking up to it I took
+out the pistols from the courier-bag and placed them on the rough
+bark, and from their resting-place the polished barrels glinted
+brightly in the evening light. I knew I was near my man, and if ever
+there was an excuse for doing what I meant to do, I had that defence.
+As I stood there, one hand on the tree trunk and still as a stone, a
+red tragopan crept out from the yellow-berried bramble at the edge of
+the steep. For a moment we looked at one another, and then he dropped
+his blue-wattled head an was off like a flash, and at the same instant
+there was a scream and a rush of wings, as a homing eagle dropped like
+a falling stone over the pines, and whizzing past me was lost to view.
+I walked to the edge of the precipice over which he had flown to his
+eyrie on the face of the cliffs below; I could see nothing but that
+heaving swell of billows, and now some one laughed--a sweet, melodious
+laugh like the tinkling of a silver bell. I turned sharply, and Rani
+stood before me. It could be none other than she. Bhootea, savage,
+Mongol--whatever she was, she was of those whom God had dowered with
+beauty, and she stood before me a lithe, supple elf of the woods. The
+rounded outlines of her form were clear through the single garment she
+wore, clasped by an embroidered zone at the waist, and holding forth a
+pitcher with a shapely arm, she offered me some spring water to drink.
+I shook my head, and she laughed again like the song of a bird, and
+asked in English, speaking slowly:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You want--my--man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before I could answer, the door of the hut opened and Mazarion and I
+had met again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You--you!&quot; and he paled beneath his sunburnt cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even I.&quot; And we stared at each other, my temples throbbing and my
+hands clenched. He was dressed as a native of the hills, in a long
+loose gabardine, with a cloth wound round his waist. His fair hair
+hung in an unkempt tangle to his neck, and he had a beard of many
+weeks' growth. All the beauty had gone from his face, and sin had set
+the mark of the beast on him; he had become a savage; he had gone back
+five thousand years, to the time when his cave-dwelling ancestors
+hunted the aurochs and the sabre-toothed tiger. There was that in our
+gaze which stilled the laughter in Rani's eyes, and she crept closer
+to him, standing as if to cover him. His head drooped slowly forwards,
+and the fingers of his hands opened and shut; he was fighting
+something within himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Send the woman away,&quot; I said. &quot;You know why I have come,&quot; and I
+pointed to the pistols on the fallen tree trunk.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Rani saw the gesture. Her glance shifted uneasily from one to the
+other of us, and then rested on the weapons, and now, trembling with
+an unknown fear, she clung to her man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Send her away. You hear.&quot; My own voice came to me as from a far
+distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He put her aside gently, where she stood shivering in every limb, and
+came forwards a step.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot,&quot; he said thickly, and speaking with an effort; &quot;I
+cannot--not with you----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will force you to.&quot; I spoke calmly enough, but there was a red mist
+before my eyes and a drumming in my ears. Fool that I was to think
+that God would give His vengeance to my hands! And then I struck him
+where he stood, struck him twice across the face, and with a cry like
+that of a mad beast he was on me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We were both strong men, and he was fighting for his life; but I--I
+had the strength of ten then; all the pent-up rage of years was
+roaring within me, and there was a pitiless hate in my heart. I would
+kill him like the unclean thing he was should be killed. With all my
+force I struck him again and again, and I felt as if something crashed
+under the blow. We fell together and rose again, and with a mighty
+effort I flung him from me. He staggered to his feet, his face white
+and bleeding, his blue lips hissing curses. He was then facing me, his
+back but a yard from the edge of the abyss, against which the mists
+were beating like a grey sea. He read the meaning in my look, and made
+one last straggle, one last rush for safety, but I hit him fair on the
+forehead, and he threw up his arms with a gasp, staggered back a pace,
+and was gone. Far below there sounded something like a dull thud and a
+cry, and then all was still. Nelly was avenged.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was all over. I could see nothing as I peered into the mist before
+me, and then I was brought to myself by the sound of sudden sobbing,
+and there was Rani stretched on the grass and plucking at the turf
+like a mad thing. She was a woman after all, and, poor, wild waif of
+the jungles, hers was no sin and no wrong. But her sobs and the agony
+on her face brought on a sudden revulsion and a horror at my deed. It
+was as sudden, as swift, as the tumult of passions which had driven me
+to kill the man, and now the blackness of night had settled on my
+soul. I made no attempt at speech with the woman, but silently took up
+the pistols, gave one last shivering glance at the deep and at the
+prostrate figure of Rani, and then fled through the forest, my one
+thought to put miles between me and my deed. By the time I had found
+the pony and mounted him I was able to reflect a little, and it was
+with a guilty start that I realized there was a witness, and--and--But
+the place was a lonely one. And Rani--would her word count against
+mine? Never! And then I laughed shrilly and galloped on.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I reached the club just in time to dress for dinner. Strange! I could
+not bear the thought of being alone--I who had lived for a year at a
+time a solitary. I dressed in haste, and as I came out my servant
+handed me my letters--the English mail had just come in, he said. I
+would have flung them from me, but that the first letter in my hand
+was in Mrs. Carstairs' writing. With a vague presentiment of evil I
+opened and read. Nelly was ill, Nelly was dying. Some fool had told
+her of John Mazarion, and had killed her as surely as with the stroke
+of a knife. As I read, the lines blurred one into the other, and
+something seemed to give way in my brain. I rose and staggered as one
+drunken, and then--and then, strong man as I was, I fainted and
+remember no more.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a long illness. I do not know what the doctors called it; but
+they pulled me through, as they thought. It was another thing,
+however, that cured me. I remember how, when my brain first righted
+itself, the awful memory of Mazarion's end came back again and sat
+over me like a dreadful vampire. Each whispered word of the nurses in
+attendance on me, each noise I heard, seemed to presage the
+announcement that my guilt was known. One day I asked the nurse
+whether I had been delirious, and what I had said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She flushed a little. She was a good woman, and an untruth was hateful
+to her. Then she fenced:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, one always says strange things in delirium; but you're getting
+quite strong now, and Captain Paget is coming to see you to-day. It
+was he who found you insensible, and he has been as good as any ten of
+us----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Paget--Paget found me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She put her finger to her lips and a cool hand on my eyes, and I
+seemed to fall asleep.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">How long I slept I cannot quite say, but I became conscious of
+whispering voices in the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There's no doubt about it, and it's his only chance, I think. Just
+give him the news quietly when he awakes. Yes, he may have a glass of
+port before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I lay still, but trembling under my covers. It had come at last. Oh,
+the shame of it! the sin of it!--I a common murderer. It was too much,
+and I tried to start up, but fell back weakly, and saw Paget sitting
+by the bed, smiling kindly at me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not yet, old man--in a day or so. Take this port, will you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I drank it with an effort; but it warmed me and gave me strength.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You're to be shipped home in a few days--lucky beggar! Wouldn't mind
+getting ill myself if I could get leave.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I smiled in spite of myself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That's right. Feeling better, I see. We had another interesting
+patient also, but he cleared out a week or so ago from hospital. It
+was that fellow Mazarion. Remember him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mazarion!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes. Fell over the edge of a precipice and on to a ledge of rock. Got
+his fall broken somehow by the branches of a tree, and the wild
+raspberry bushes, or he'd have been in Kingdom Come--eh? What?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank God!&quot; I felt a load lifted from my heart, the shadows had
+passed from my soul. I lay back, my eyes closed and a peace upon me.
+And then I prayed for the first time in many a long day, and whilst I
+prayed I fell once more asleep. There came to me in that sleep a dream
+of Nelly--of Nelly robed in white with a glory around her, and she
+smiled and beckoned me to come.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Well, I was once more in England, and because she wished it I was
+allowed to see Nelly. She lay on her cushions very pale and white, but
+for the red spot on each cheek, and an unnatural brightness of the
+eyes. I knew it was a matter of time, and all that we could do was to
+wait and hope.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It came at last, one dreary evening, when the lamps were burning dimly
+in the streets through the ceaseless, insistent drizzle. I cannot
+linger over this or my heart would break. We stood by her, sad and
+silent, waiting for the end. It was not long in coming. She had been
+as it were asleep, when suddenly she awoke and her voice was strong
+with the strength of death. She called to me:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mr. Thring, you know that story about John. Is--is it true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Oh, the chattering ape who had killed her! Her mother's eyes met mine;
+but I could see nothing but Nelly--Nelly looking at me with a wistful
+entreaty. I could not; right or wrong, I could not.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not true, dear. He will come back to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say that again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will come back to you, Nelly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He must follow,&quot; and she closed her eyes with a sweet smile on her
+lips.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then my dear's hand went out to clasp mine in thanks, and I held the
+chill fingers in my grasp.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mother--kiss me. John--you will come,&quot; and she was gone.</p>
+
+<hr class="W20">
+
+<p class="normal">I had stolen out of the house, leaving them with their dead. As I
+closed the gate, and stepped on to the pavement a ragged figure came
+out of the mist and, standing beside the lamp-post, looked towards the
+house and the drawn blinds. The light fell on the wasted form and
+haggard features. I could not mistake; it was John Mazarion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I went up to him and touched him on the shoulder. He started back and
+stared at me vacuously.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She lies there dead,&quot; I said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dead!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, dead. She died with your name on her lips.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He looked at me stupidly. Then something like a sob burst from him,
+and with bowed head and shambling steps he turned, and crossing the
+road went from my life.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heart of Denise and Other Tales, by 
+S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEART OF DENISE ***
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+</body>
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+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heart of Denise and Other Tales, by
+S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Heart of Denise and Other Tales
+
+Author: S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
+Release Date: December 12, 2011 [EBook #38284]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEART OF DENISE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://books.google.com/books?id=BO4wAAAAYAAJ
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE HEART OF DENISE
+
+                           AND OTHER TALES
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "DE CLERMONT GAVE MADAME AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE
+DEFENCE OF AMBAZAC MADE BY HER HUSBAND AGAINST THE PRINCE OF CONDE"
+Page 39]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         The Heart of Denise
+
+                           and Other Tales
+
+
+
+
+
+                                  BY
+                           S. LEVETT-YEATS
+
+                 _Author of "The Chevalier d'Auriac_,"
+                   "_The Honour of Savelli," etc_.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               NEW YORK
+                       LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
+                          LONDON AND BOMBAY
+                                 1899
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         Copyright, 1898, by
+                           S. LEVETT YEATS.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                        _All rights reserved_.
+
+
+
+
+
+                 ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CONTENTS.
+
+
+THE HEART OF DENISE.
+
+       I. M. de Lorgnac's Price.
+
+      II. The Oratory.
+
+     III. The Spur of Les Eschelles.
+
+      IV. At Ambazac.
+
+       V. M. Le Marquis Leads His Highest Trump.
+
+      VI. At the Sign of the Golden Frog.
+
+     VII. Unmasked.
+
+    VIII. Blaise de Lorgnac.
+
+      IX. La Coquille's Message.
+
+       X. Monsieur le Chevalier is Paid in Full.
+
+
+THE CAPTAIN MORATTI'S LAST AFFAIR.
+
+
+       I. "Arcades Ambo."
+
+      II. At "The Devil on Two Sticks."
+
+     III. Felicita.
+
+      IV. Conclusion--The Torre Dolorosa.
+
+
+THE TREASURE OF SHAGUL.
+
+
+THE FOOT OF GAUTAMA.
+
+
+THE DEVIL'S MANUSCRIPT.
+
+
+       I. The Black Packet.
+
+      II. The Red Trident.
+
+     III. "The Mark of the Beast."
+
+
+UNDER THE ACHILLES.
+
+
+THE MADNESS OF SHERE BAHADUR.
+
+
+REGINE'S APE.
+
+
+A SHADOW OF THE PAST.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE HEART OF DENISE
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                        M. DE LORGNAC'S PRICE.
+
+
+One afternoon I sat alone in the little anteroom before the Queen
+Mother's cabinet. In front of me was an open door. The curtains of
+violet velvet, spangled with golden lilies, were half drawn, and
+beyond extended a long, narrow, and gloomy corridor, leading into the
+main salon of the Hotel de Soissons, from which the sound of music and
+occasional laughter came to me. My sister maids of honour were there,
+doubtless making merry as was their wont with the cavaliers of the
+court, and I longed to be with them, instead of watching away the
+hours in the little prison, I can call it no less, that led to the
+Queen's closet.
+
+In the corridor were two sentries standing as motionless as statues.
+They were in shadow, except where here and there a straggling gleam of
+light caught their armour with dazzling effect, and M. de Lorgnac, the
+lieutenant of the guard, paced slowly up and down the full length of
+the passage, twisting his dark moustache, and turning abruptly when he
+came within a few feet of the entrance to the anteroom.
+
+I was so dull and wearied that it would have been something even to
+talk to M. de Lorgnac, bear though he was, but he took no more notice
+of me than if I were a stick or a stone, and yet there were, I do not
+know how many, who would have given their ears for a _tete-a-tete_
+with Denise de Mieux.
+
+I ought not to have been surprised, for the lieutenant showed no more
+favour to any one else than he did to me, and during the year or more
+I had been here, enjoying for the first time in my life the gaieties
+of the Court, after my days in apron-strings at Lespaille, my uncle de
+Tavannes' seat, I had not, nor had a soul as far as I knew, seen M. de
+Lorgnac exchange more than a formal bow and a half-dozen words with
+any woman. He was poor as a homeless cat, his patrimony, as we heard,
+being but a sword and a ruined tower somewhere in the Correze. So, as
+he had nothing to recommend him except a tall, straight figure, and a
+reputation for bravery--qualities that were shared by a hundred others
+with more agreeable manners, we left Monsieur L'Ours, as we nicknamed
+him, to himself, and, to say the truth, he did not seem much
+discomposed by our neglect.
+
+As for me I hardly noticed his existence, sometimes barely returning
+his bow; but often have I caught him observing me gravely with a
+troubled look in his grey eyes, and as ill-luck would have it, this
+was ever when I was engaged in some foolish diversion, and I used to
+feel furious, as I thought he was playing the spy on me, and press on
+to other folly, over which, in the solitude of my room, I would stamp
+my foot with vexation, and sometimes shed tears of anger.
+
+This afternoon, when I thought of the long hours I had to spend
+waiting the Queen's pleasure, of the mellow sunlight which I could see
+through the glazing of the dormer window that lit the room, of the
+gaiety and brightness outside, I felt dull and wearied beyond
+description. I had foolishly neglected to bring a book or my
+embroidery, so that even my fingers had to be still, and in my utter
+boredom I believe I should have actually welcomed the company of
+Catherine's hideous dwarf, Majosky.
+
+It had come to me that perhaps M. de Lorgnac, who had, no doubt, a
+weary enough watch in the corridor, might feel disposed to beguile a
+little of his tedium, and to amuse me for a few minutes, and I had
+purposely drawn the curtains and opened the door of the anteroom so
+that he might see I was there, and alone, and that the door of the
+Queen Mother's cabinet was shut. I then, I confess it, put myself in
+the most becoming attitude I could think of, but, as I have said
+before, he took not the slightest notice of me, and walked up and
+down, _tramp_, _tramp_, backwards and forwards as if he were a piece
+of clockwork--like that which Messer Cosmo, the Italian, made for
+Monsieur, the King's brother.
+
+I began to feel furious at the slight--it was no less I
+considered--that he was putting on me, and wished I had the tongue and
+the spirit of Mademoiselle de Chateauneuf, so that I could make my
+gentleman smart as she did M. de Luxembourg. For a moment or so I
+pulled at the silken fringe of my _tourette-de-nez_, and then made up
+my mind to show M. de Lorgnac that the very sight of him was
+unpleasant to me. So I waited until in his march he came to a yard or
+so from the spot where he regularly turned on his heel, and then,
+springing up, attempted to draw the curtains across the door. Somehow
+or other they would not move, and de Lorgnac stepped forward quietly
+and pulled them together. As he did this our eyes met, and there was
+the twinkle of a smile in his glance, as if he had seen through my
+artifices and was laughing at them. I felt my face grow warm, and was
+grateful that the light was behind me; but I thanked him icily, and
+with his usual stiff bow he turned off without a word.
+
+I came back to my seat, my face crimson, my eyes swimming with tears,
+and feeling if there was a man on earth that I hated it was the
+lieutenant of the guard.
+
+It had a good two hours or so to run before my time of waiting would
+be over, and I may take the plunge now, and confess that the
+lengthened period of attendance to which I was subjected, was in a
+measure a punishment, for my having ridden out alone with M. de
+Clermont, and, owing to an accident that befell my horse, had not been
+able to return until very late. The ill-chance which followed all my
+girlish escapades was not wanting on this occasion, with the result,
+that whereas ten others might have escaped, I was observed in what was
+after all but a harmless frolic, and my conduct reported on--and
+Madame, who had a weak enough eye for follies, and sometimes
+sins, that were committed by rule--she loved to direct our
+ill-doings--rated me soundly and imposed this penance, and perhaps the
+worse punishment that was to follow, on me.
+
+In the anteroom there was but a cushioned stool for the lady in
+waiting, and this was placed close to the door, so that one could hear
+Queen Catherine calling, for she never rang for us, as did the
+Lorrainer for even such ladies as the Duchesse de Nemours, the mother
+of Guise.
+
+I pushed the seat closer towards the door and, hardly thinking what I
+was doing, leaned my head against the woodwork and dropped off into a
+sort of troubled doze. How long I slept in this manner I cannot say;
+but I was suddenly aroused by the distinct mention of my name,
+followed by a laugh from within the cabinet. I looked up in affright,
+for the laugh was the King's, and for the moment I wondered how he had
+passed in, then recollecting the private passage I knew that he must
+have come in thence. I would have withdrawn, but the mention of my
+name coupled with the King's laughter aroused my curiosity, and I
+remained in my position, making, however, a bargain with my conscience
+by removing my head from the carved oak of the door. It was my duty to
+be where I was, and although I would make no effort to listen, yet if
+those within were talking of me, and loud enough for me to hear, I
+thought it no harm to stay, especially as it was Henri who was
+speaking, for I knew enough to be aware that no one was safe from his
+scandalous tongue. I may have been wrong in acting as I did, but I do
+not think there is one woman in a thousand who would have done
+otherwise, supposing her to be as I was--but one-and-twenty years of
+age.
+
+So thick, however, was the door, that, my head once removed, I could
+hear but snatches of the converse within.
+
+"It is his price, Madame," I heard the King say, "and, after all, it
+is a cheap one, considering her escapade with de Clermont. _Morbleu!_
+But he is a sad dog!"
+
+And then came another surprise, for the gruff voice of my uncle, the
+Marshal de Tavannes, added:
+
+"Cheap or dear! I for one am willing that it should be paid, and at
+once. She has brought disgrace enough on our house already. As for the
+man; if poor he is noble and as brave as his sword. He is well able to
+look after her."
+
+"If he keeps his head," put in the King, whilst my ears burned at the
+uncomplimentary speech of my guardian, and my heart began to sink.
+Then came something I did not catch from Catherine, and after that a
+murmur of indistinct voices. At last the King's high-pitched tones
+rose again. It was a voice that seemed to drill its way through the
+door.
+
+"Enough! It is agreed that we pay in advance--eh, Tavannes? Send for
+the little baggage, if she is, as you say, here, and we will tell her
+at once. The matter does not admit of any delay. St. Blaise! I should
+say that after thirty a man must be mad to peril his neck for any
+woman!"
+
+I rose from my seat trembling all over with anger and apprehension,
+and as I did so the Queen Mother's voice rang out sharply:
+
+"Mademoiselle de Mieux!"
+
+The next moment the door opened, and the dwarf Majosky put out his
+leering face.
+
+"Enter, mademoiselle!" he said, with a grotesque bow, adding in a
+rapid, malignant whisper as I passed him, "You are going to be
+married--to me."
+
+At any other time I would have spared no pains to get him punished for
+his insolence; but now, so taken aback was I at what I had heard, that
+I scarcely noticed him, and entered the room as if in a dream. Indeed,
+it was only with an effort that I recollected myself sufficiently to
+make my reverence to the King. He called out as I did so, "_Mordieu!_
+I retract, Tavannes! I retract! Faith! I almost feel as if I could
+take the adventure on myself!"
+
+A slight exclamation of annoyance escaped the Queen, and Tavannes said
+coldly:
+
+"Perhaps your Majesty had better inform my niece of your good
+pleasure," adding grimly, "and I guarantee mademoiselle's obedience."
+
+There was a minute or so of silence, during which the King was, as it
+were, picking his words, whilst I stood before him. Majosky shuffled
+down at Catherine's feet, and watched me with his wicked, blinking
+eyes. I do not remember to have looked around me, and yet every little
+detail of that scene will remain stamped on my memory until the day I
+die.
+
+Madame, the Queen Mother, was at her secretary, her fingers toying
+with a jewelled paper-knife, and her white face and glittering eyes
+fixed steadily on me, eyes with that pitiless look in them which we
+all knew so well, and which made the most daring of us tremble. A
+little to my right stood de Tavannes, one hand on the back of a chair,
+and stroking his grizzled beard with the other. Before me, on a
+coffer, whereon he had negligently thrown himself, was the King, and
+he surveyed me without speaking, with a half-approving, half-sarcastic
+look that made my blood tingle, and almost gave me back my courage.
+
+In sharp contrast to the solemn black of Catherine's robes and the
+stern soldierly marshal was the figure of the King. Henri was dressed
+in his favourite colours, orange, green, and tan, with a short cloak
+of the same three hues hanging from his left shoulder. His pourpoint
+was open at the throat, around which was clasped a necklet of pearls,
+and he wore three ruffs, one such as we women wear, of lace that fell
+over the shoulders, and two smaller ones as stiff as starch could make
+them. He wore earrings, there were rings on his embroidered gloves,
+and all over his person, from his sleeves to the aigrette he wore on
+the little turban over his peruke, a multitude of gems glittered. On
+his left side, near his sword hilt, was a bunch of medallions of
+ladies who had smiled on him, and this was balanced on the other hand
+by an equally large cluster of charms and relics. As he sat there he
+kept tapping the end of one of his shoes with a little cane, whilst he
+surveyed me with an almost insulting glance in the mocking eyes that
+looked out from his painted cheeks.
+
+The silence was like to have become embarrassing had not Catherine,
+impatient of delay, put in with that even voice of hers:
+
+"Perhaps I had better explain your Majesty's commands;" and then
+without waiting for an answer she went on, looking me straight in the
+face--
+
+"Mademoiselle. In his thought for your welfare--a kindness you have
+not deserved--the King has been pleased to decide on your marriage.
+Circumstances necessitate the ceremony being performed at once, and I
+have to tell you that it will take place three hours hence. His
+Majesty will do you the honour of being himself present on the
+occasion."
+
+This was beyond my worst fears. I was speechless, and glanced from one
+to the other in supplication; but I saw no ray of pity in their faces.
+Alas! These were the three iron hearts that had sat and planned the
+Massacre.
+
+The Queen's face was as stone. The King half closed his eyes, and his
+lips curled into a smile as if he enjoyed the situation; but my uncle,
+within whose bluff exterior was a subtle, cruel heart, spoke out
+harshly:
+
+"You hear, mademoiselle! Thank the King, and get you gone to make
+ready. I am sick of your endless flirtations, and there must be an end
+to them--there must be no more talk of your frivolities."
+
+Anger brought back my courage, and half turning away from Tavannes, I
+said to the Queen:
+
+"I thank the King, madame, for his kindness. Perhaps you will add to
+it by telling me the name of the gentleman who intends to honour me by
+making me his wife."
+
+"_Arnidieu!_ She makes a point," laughed the King.
+
+"She shall marry a stick if I will it," said de Tavannes; but Madame
+the Queen Mother lifted her hand in deprecation.
+
+"It is M. de Lorgnac," she said.
+
+"De Lorgnac! De Lorgnac!" I gasped, hardly believing my ears. "Oh,
+madame! It is impossible. I hate him. What have I done to be forced
+into this? Your Majesty," and I turned to the King, "I will not marry
+that man."
+
+"Well, would you prefer de Clermont?" he asked, with a little laugh;
+but de Tavannes burst out:
+
+"Sire! This matter admits of no delay. She shall marry de Lorgnac, if
+I have to drag her to the altar."
+
+"Thank you, monsieur," I said with a courtesy; "it is kindness itself
+that you, the Count de Tavannes, peer and marshal of France, show to
+your sister's child."
+
+He winced at my words; but Catherine again interposed.
+
+"Mademoiselle! you do not understand; and if I hurt you now it is your
+own fault. Let me tell you that for a tithe of your follies
+Mademoiselle de Torigny was banished from court to a nunnery. You may
+not be aware of it, but the whole world, at least our world, and that
+is enough for us, is talking of your affair with de Clermont, who, as
+you well know, is an affianced man. It is for the sake of your house,
+for your own good name, and because you will do the King a great
+service by obeying, that this has been decided on, and you must--do
+you hear?--must do as we bid you."
+
+She dropped her words out one by one, cool, passionless, and brutal in
+their clearness. My face was hot with shame and anger, and yet I knew
+that the ribald tongues that spared not the King's sister would not
+spare me. I, the heiress of Mieux, to be a by-word in the court! I to
+be married out of hand like a laundress of the _coulisse!_ It was too
+much! It was unbearable! And to be bound to de Lorgnac above all
+others! Was ever woman wooed and wed as I?
+
+I burst into a passion of angry tears. I went so far as to humble
+myself on my knees; but Henri only laughed and slipped out by the
+secret door, and de Tavannes followed him with a rough oath.
+
+"Say this is a jest, madame!" I sobbed out to the Queen. "I am
+punished enough. Say it is a jest. It must be so. You do not mean it.
+It is too cruel!"
+
+"No more is happening to you than what the daughters of France have to
+bear sometimes."
+
+"That should make you the more pitiful, madame, for such as I. Let me
+go, madame, to a nunnery--even to that of Our Lady of Lespaille--but
+spare me this!"
+
+"It is impossible," she said sharply. "See, here is Madame de Martigny
+come, and she will conduct you to your room. Tush! It is nothing after
+all, girl. And it will be better than a convent and a lost name. Do
+not make a scene."
+
+I rose to my feet stunned and bewildered, and Madame de Martigny put
+her arm through mine, and dried my eyes with her kerchief.
+
+"Come, mademoiselle," she said, "we have to pass through the corridor
+to gain your apartment. Keep up your heart!"
+
+"I offer my escort," mocked the dwarf, "and will go so far as to
+take M. de Lorgnac's place, if your royal pleasure will allow--ah!
+ah!"--and he broke into a shriek, for Catherine had swiftly and
+silently raised a dog-whip, and brought it across his shoulders as he
+sat crouching at her feet.
+
+"Begone!" she said. "Another speech like that and I break you on the
+wheel!" Then she turned to Madame de Martigny.
+
+"Take her away by the private door. She is not fit to see or be seen
+now. Tell Pare to give her a cordial if she needs it, and see that she
+is ready in time. Go, mademoiselle, and be a brave girl!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+
+                             THE ORATORY
+
+
+You who read this will please remember that I was but a girl, and that
+my powers of resistance were limited. Some of you, perhaps, may have
+gone through the same ordeal, not in the rough-and-ready way that I
+had to make the passage, but through a slower if not less certain
+mill. The result being the same in both cases, to wit, that you have
+stood, as I did, at the altar with vows on your lips that you felt in
+your heart were false.
+
+A thought had struck me when I was led back to my room, and that was
+to throw myself on the mercy of de Lorgnac. But means of communication
+with him were denied to me by the foresight of my persecutors. Even my
+maid, Mousette, was not allowed to see me, and Madame de Martigny,
+though kindness itself in every other way, absolutely refused to lend
+herself to my suggestion that she should aid me, if only to the extent
+of bearing a note from me to my future husband, in which I meant to
+implore him, as a man of honour and a gentleman, not to force this
+marriage upon me. I then tried Pare, who, by the Queen's command, had
+been sent to me. He brought me a cordial with his own hands, and to
+him I made my request, notwithstanding all Madame de Martigny's
+protests, to carry my note to de Lorgnac. He listened with that acute
+attention peculiar to him, and answered:
+
+"Mademoiselle! I have not yet discovered the balsam that will heal a
+severed neck--you must excuse me."
+
+When he left, Madame de Martigny tried to comfort me in her kindly
+way.
+
+"My dear," she said, "after all it is not so very terrible. I myself
+never saw M. de Martigny more than twice before we were married, and
+yet I have learned to love him, and we are very happy. Believe me!
+Love before marriage does not always mean happiness. In five years it
+will become a friendship--that is all. It is best to start as I did,
+so that there will be no awakenings. As for de Lorgnac--rest you
+assured that monsieur is well aware of the state of your mind towards
+him, else he would never have taken the course he has adopted. Be
+certain, therefore, that all appeal to him will be in vain!"
+
+I felt the force of the last words and was silent, and then de
+Clermont's face came before me, very clear and distinct, and with a
+sob I broke down once again and gave way to tears.
+
+I will pass over the rest of the time until I found myself ready for
+the ceremony, noting only with surprise, that I was to be married in a
+riding-habit, as if the wedding was to be instantly followed by a
+journey. Unhinged though I was, I asked the reason for this, but
+Madame de Martigny could only say it was the Queen's order, and I
+honestly believe she had no further explanation to offer.
+
+At the door of the oratory the marshal met me, and led me into the
+chapel, which was but dimly lighted, and where my husband that was to
+be, was already standing booted and spurred, ready, like myself, to
+take to horse. There were a dozen or so of people grouped around,
+and one seated figure which I felt was that of the King. I made a
+half-glance towards him, but dared not look again, for behind Henri's
+chair was de Clermont, gay and brilliant, in marked contrast to the
+sombre, if stately, figure of de Lorgnac.
+
+At last the time came when I placed a hand as cold as stone in that of
+my husband, and the words were spoken which made us man and wife. When
+it was all over, and we had turned to bow to the King, de Clermont
+stepped forward and clasped a jewelled collar round my neck, saying in
+a loud voice, "In the King's name," and then, aided by the dim light,
+and with unexampled daring, he swiftly snatched away one of my gloves,
+which I held in my hand, with a whisper of "This for me."
+
+Henri spoke a few jesting words, and then rising, left the chapel
+abruptly, followed by de Clermont; but those who remained, came round
+us with congratulations that sounded idle and hollow to me. It was
+then that I noticed for the first time that Catherine was not present,
+although I saw Queen Margot, and Madame de Canillac there. The
+marshal, however, cut the buzz of voices short.
+
+"The horses are ready, de Lorgnac, and, as arranged, you start
+to-night. And now, my good niece, adieu, and good fortune be with you
+and your husband."
+
+With that he bent, and touching my forehead with his stiff moustache,
+stepped back a pace to let us pass.
+
+As I walked by my husband's side, dazed and giddy, with a humming in
+my ears, there came back to me with a swift and insistent force, the
+words of the vows, which, if I had not spoken, I had given a tacit
+assent to. They were none the less binding on this account. Two of
+them I could not keep. One cannot control one's soul, and I felt that
+in this respect my life would be henceforth a living lie; but one I
+thought I might observe, and that was the oath to obey; yet even in
+the short passage leading from the oratory to the entrance to the
+chapel, my heart flamed up in rebellion, and, with a sudden movement,
+I withdrew my hand from my husband's arm, and biting my lips till the
+blood came, forced myself to keep by his side. He made no effort to
+restrain me, spoke never a word, until we came to the door where the
+horses were waiting, with half-a-dozen armed and mounted men. Here de
+Lorgnac turned to me, saying, almost in a whisper, "May I help you to
+mount?"
+
+I made a movement of my hand in the negative, and he stepped back; but
+the animal was restive, and at last I was forced to accept his aid. As
+we passed out of the gateway, riding side by side, I spoke for the
+first time.
+
+"May I ask where you are going to take me, Monsieur de Lorgnac?"
+
+He answered, speaking as before, in low tones, "I thought you
+knew--you should have been told. We go first to the house of Madame de
+Termes."
+
+Like lightning it came to me that the man was afraid of me. I cannot
+say how I knew it. I felt it, and made up my mind to use my advantage,
+with a vengeful joy at being able to make my bear dance to my tune. I
+therefore broke in upon his speech.
+
+"Enough, monsieur! I should not have asked the question. It is a
+wife's duty to obey without inquiry."
+
+I looked him full in the face as I said this coldly, and he touched
+his horse with the spur and rode a yard or two in front of me,
+muttering something indistinctly. But my heart was leaping at the
+discovery, and I inwardly thanked God that it was to Madame de Termes
+we were to go, for apart from the fact that both she and her husband,
+whose lands of Termes marched with mine, had been life-long friends of
+our house, she was one whom I knew to be the noblest and best of
+women. I was not aware that she was known to de Lorgnac; but I hid my
+curiosity and asked no questions, and there was no further speech
+between my husband and myself until we came to our destination. As we
+entered the courtyard of the Hotel de Termes all appeared to be bustle
+and confusion within, and the flare of torches fell on moving figures
+hurrying to and fro, on saddled horses and packed mules, and on the
+flash and gleam of arms. My surprise overcame my resolve of silence,
+and I asked aloud, "Surely Madame de Termes is not leaving Paris?"
+
+"News has come that the Vicomte is grievously ill in his government of
+Perigueux, and Madame is hastening there."
+
+"And we travel with her? There! It is impossible, monsieur, that I can
+face so long a journey without some preparation. It is cruel to expect
+this of me."
+
+"It is the King's order that we leave Paris to-night, and I have done
+my best."
+
+"Say your worst, monsieur; it will be more correct," and then we came
+to the door. We appeared to be expected, for we were at once ushered
+up the stairway into a large reception room, where Madame stood almost
+ready to start, for her cloak was lying on a chair, and she held her
+mask in her hand. She came forward to meet us, but as the light fell
+on my face, she started back with a little cry:
+
+"You, Denise--you! My dear, I did not know it was you who were to
+travel with me. You are thrice welcome," and she took me in her arms
+and kissed my cold cheek. "I was but told," she went on, "that a lady
+travelling to Guyenne would join my party, which would be escorted by
+M. de Lorgnac. But what is the matter, child? You are white as a
+sheet, and shiver all over. You are not fit for a long journey."
+
+"M. de Lorgnac thinks otherwise, madame."
+
+"Blaise de Lorgnac! What has he to do with it?" and the spirited old
+lady, one arm round my waist, turned and faced my husband, who stood a
+little way off, fumbling with the hat he held in his hand.
+
+"It is a wife's duty to obey, madame, not to question."
+
+I felt her arm tighten round my waist, and I too turned and faced de
+Lorgnac, who looked like a great dog caught in some fault.
+
+"A wife's duty to obey!" exclaimed Madame; "but that does not concern
+you. Stay! What do you mean, child?"
+
+"I mean, madame, that I was married to M. de Lorgnac scarce an hour
+ago."
+
+Her hand dropped from my side, and she looked from one to the other of
+us in amazement.
+
+"I cannot understand," she said.
+
+"It is for my husband to explain," I said bitterly. "It is for the
+gentleman, to whom we are to trust our lives on this journey, to say
+in how knightly a manner he can treat a woman."
+
+And there de Lorgnac stood, both of us looking at him, his forehead
+burning and his eyes cast down. Even then a little pang of pity went
+through me to see him thus humbled, so strangely does God fashion the
+hearts of us women. But I hardened myself. I was determined to spare
+him nothing, and to measure out in full to him a cup of bitterness for
+the draught he had made me drink.
+
+"Speak, man," exclaimed Madame. "Have you no voice?"
+
+"He works in silence, madame," I burst in with an uncontrollable gust
+of anger; "he lies in silence. Shall I tell you what has happened?
+I, Denise de Mieux, am neither more nor less than M. de Lorgnac's
+price--the hire he has received for a business he has to perform for
+the King. What it is I know not--perhaps something that no other
+gentleman would undertake. All that I know is that I, and my estates
+of Mieux, have become the property of this man, who stands before us,
+and is, God help me, my husband. Madame, five hours ago, I had not
+spoken ten words to him in my life, and now I am here, as much his
+property, as the valise his lackey bears behind his saddle."
+
+"Hush, dear--be still--you forget yourself," and Madame drew me once
+more to her side and turned to my husband.
+
+"Is this true, Blaise de Lorgnac? Or is the child ill and raving?
+Answer, man!"
+
+"It is," he answered hoarsely, "every word."
+
+In the silence that ensued I might have heard my glove fall, and then
+Madame, with a stiff little bow to my husband, said, "Pray excuse me
+for a moment," and stepped out of the room. He would have held the
+door for her, but she waved him aside, and he moved back and faced me,
+and for the first time we were alone together.
+
+In the meanwhile I had made up my mind. I had repeated parrot-like the
+words that it was my duty to obey. I had vowed to follow my husband
+whithersoever he went; but vow or no vow I felt it was impossible, and
+I spoke out.
+
+"Monsieur, you stand self-convicted. You have pleaded guilty to every
+charge I have made. Now hear me before Madame comes back, for I wish
+to spare you as much as possible. I have been forced into this
+marriage; but I am as dead to you as though we had never met. I
+decline to accept the position you have prepared for me, and our paths
+separate now. Would to God they had never crossed! I shall throw
+myself on the protection of Madame de Termes, and at the first
+opportunity shall seek the refuge of a convent. You will have to do
+your work without your hire, M. de Lorgnac."
+
+He made a step forward, and laid his hand on my cloak.
+
+"Denise--hear me--I love you."
+
+"You mean my chateau and lands of Mieux. Why add a lie to what you
+have already done? It is hardly necessary," and I moved out of his
+reach.
+
+His hand dropped to his side as he turned from me, and at the same
+time Madame re-entered the room.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "I fear the honour of your escort is too great
+for such as I, and I have arranged to travel with such protection as
+my own people can give me. As for this poor girl here, if she is
+willing to go with me, I will take the risk of the King's anger--and
+yours. She shall go with us, I say, and if there is a spark of honour
+left in you, you will leave her alone."
+
+"She is free as air," he answered.
+
+"Then, monsieur, you will excuse me; but time is pressing."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                      THE SPUR OF LES ESCHELLES.
+
+
+De Lorgnac was gone. Through the open window overlooking the
+courtyard, that let in the warm summer evening, we heard him give an
+order to his men in a quick, resolute voice, far different from the
+low tones in which he had spoken before, and then he and his troop
+rode off at a rapid trot in the direction, as it seemed, of the Porte
+St. Honore. I could hardly realize that I was free and that de Lorgnac
+had resigned me without a struggle. All that I could think of was that
+he was gone, and with a quick gasp of relief I turned to my friend.
+
+"Oh, madame! How can I thank you? What shall I say?"
+
+"Say nothing to me, my child, but rather thank the good God that there
+was a little of honour left in that man. And now, before we start, you
+must have some refreshment."
+
+"I cannot--indeed, no. I am ready to go at once. I want to put leagues
+between me and Paris."
+
+"You must be guided by me now, Denise," and as she spoke a servant
+brought in some soup and a flask of wine. Despite my protests I was
+forced to swallow something, though I felt that I was choking; yet the
+little Frontignac I drank, I not being used to wine, seemed to steady
+my shaking limbs and restore my scattered faculties.
+
+As we put on our cloaks and demi-masks preparatory to starting, Madame
+de Termes kept saying to herself, "I cannot understand--Blaise de
+Lorgnac to lend himself to a thing like this! I would have staked my
+life on him. There is something behind this, child," and she put a
+hand on each of my shoulders and looked me full in the eyes. "Have you
+told me all--have you withheld nothing?"
+
+"Has he not himself admitted what I said, madame? If that is not
+enough I will add every word of what I know;" and as we stood there I
+detailed what I have already told, forcing myself to go on with the
+story once or twice when I felt myself being unnerved, and finishing
+with a quick, "And, madame, I was taken by storm. Indeed, I hardly
+know even if this is not some frightful dream."
+
+"Would it were so," she said, and added, "Denise, I believe every word
+you say; and yet there is something behind de Lorgnac's action. I know
+him well. He would never lend himself to be the tool of others. Once,
+however, at Perigueux you will be safe with the Vicomte and myself,
+and it will be a long arm that would drag you thence--nothing short of
+that of the Medicis. But Catherine owes much to de Termes; and now let
+us start."
+
+What was my surprise when we reached the courtyard, to hear my maid
+Mousette's voice, and I saw her perched on a little nag, already
+engaged in a flirtation with one of the men. When I spoke to her she
+pressed her horse forward and began hurriedly:
+
+"I was sent here with Madame's things," she said. "I am afraid the
+valises are but hastily packed, and much has had to be left behind;
+but Madame will excuse me, I know; it was all so quick, and I had so
+little time."
+
+"Thank you, Mousette," and I turned to my horse, her address of Madame
+ringing strangely in my ears.
+
+We were, including Madame de Termes' servants, who were well armed, a
+party of about twelve, small enough to face the danger of the road in
+those unsettled days, but no thought of this struck me, and as for
+Madame de Termes, she would, I do believe, have braved the journey
+alone, so anxious was she to be by the Vicomte's side, for between
+herself and the stout old soldier, who held the lieutenancy of
+Perigord, there existed the deepest affection.
+
+As we rode down the Bourdonnais, I could not help thinking to myself
+how noble a spirit it was that animated my friend. Not for one moment
+had she allowed her own trouble to stand in the way of her helping me.
+Her husband, whom, as I have said, she dearly loved, was ill, perhaps
+dying, and yet in her sympathy and pity for me, she had let no word
+drop about him, except the cheery assurance of his protection.
+Nevertheless, as we rode on, she ever kept turning towards Lalande,
+her equerry, and bade him urge the lagging baggage animals on. Passing
+the Grand Chatelet, we crossed the arms of the river by the Pont au
+Change, and the Pont St. Michel, and kept steadily down the Rue de la
+Harpe towards the Porte St. Martin. We gained this not a moment too
+soon, for as the last of the baggage animals passed it, we heard the
+officer give the word to lower the drawbridge and close the gates. The
+clanking of the chains, and the creaking of the huge doors came to me
+with something of relief in them, for it seemed to me that I was safe
+from further tyranny from the Hotel de Soissons, at any rate for this
+night.
+
+As we passed the huge silhouette of the Hotel de Luxembourg, we heard
+the bells of St. Sulpice sounding Compline, and then, from behind us,
+the solemn notes rang out from the spires of the city churches.
+Yielding to an impulse I could not resist, I turned in my saddle and
+looked back, letting my eyes run over the vast, dim outlines of the
+city, so softened by the moonlight that it was as if some opaque,
+fantastic cloud was resting on the earth. Above curved the profound
+blue of the night, with here and there a star struggling to force its
+way past the splendour of the moon. All was quiet and still, and the
+church bells ringing out were as a message from His creatures to the
+Most High. I let my heart go after the voices of the bells as they
+travelled heavenward, and had it not been for Mousette's shrill tones,
+that cut through the quiet night and recalled me to myself, I might
+have let the party go onwards, I do not know how far. As it was, I had
+to bustle my little horse to gain the side of Madame de Termes once
+more. It was not, of course, our intention to travel all night. That
+would have been impossible, for it would have entailed weary horses,
+and a long halt the next day; but it was proposed that we should make
+for a small chateau belonging to Monsieur de Bouchage, the brother of
+the Duc de Joyeuse, which he had placed at Madame de Termes' disposal,
+and there rest for the remainder of the night, making a start early
+the next morning, and then pressing on daily, as fast as our strength
+would allow. Lalande had sent a courier on in advance to announce our
+sudden coming. We did not expect to reach de Bouchage's house until
+about midnight, and the equerry was fussing up and down the line of
+march, urging a packhorse on here, checking a restive animal there,
+and ever and again warning the lackeys to keep their arms in
+readiness, for the times were such that no man's teeth were safe in
+his head, unless he wore a good blade by his side.
+
+We were, in short, on the eve of that tremendous struggle which,
+beginning with the Day of the Barricades, went on to the murder of the
+Princes of Lorraine on that terrible Christmastide at Blois, and
+culminated with the dagger of Clement and the death of the miscreant
+whom God in His anger had given to us for a king.
+
+Already the Huguenots were arming again, and it was afloat that the
+Palatine had sent twenty thousand men, under Dhona, to emulate the
+march of the Duc de Deux Ponts from the Rhine to Guyenne. It was said
+that the Montpensier had gone so far as to attempt to seize the person
+of the King, swearing that once in her hands, he would never see the
+outside of four walls again, and rumours were flitting here and there,
+crediting the Bearnnois with the same, if not deeper, resolves.
+
+Things being so, the land was as full of angry murmurs as a nest of
+disturbed bees; the result being that the writ of the King was almost
+as waste paper, and bands of cut-throat soldiery committed every
+excess, now under the white, then under the red scarf, as it suited
+their convenience.
+
+It was for this reason that Lalande urged us on, and we were nothing
+loath ourselves to hasten, but our pace had to be regulated by that of
+the laden animals, and do what we would our progress was slow.
+
+Madame and I rode in the rear of the troop, a couple of armed men
+immediately behind us. Lalande was in front, and exercised the
+greatest caution whenever we came to a place that was at all likely to
+be used for an ambuscade.
+
+Nothing, however, happened, and finally we set down to a jogging
+motion, speaking no word, for we were wearied, and with no sound to
+break the silence of the night except the shuffling of our horses, the
+straining of their harness, and the clink of sword sheath and chain
+bit.
+
+Suddenly we were startled by the rapid beat of hoofs, and in a moment,
+a white horse and its rider emerged from the moonlit haze to our
+right, coming as it were straight upon us. Lalande gave a quick order
+to halt, and I saw the barrel of his pistol flashing in his hand; but
+the horseman, with a cry of "For the King! Way! Way!" dashed over the
+road at full gallop, and sped off like a sprite over the open plain to
+our left.
+
+"Did you hear the voice, Denise?" asked Madame.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It is stranger than ever," she said, and I could make no answer.
+
+There was no doubt about it. It was de Lorgnac; and instead of going
+to the Porte St. Honore as I thought when he left us, he must have
+crossed by the Meunniers and come out by the St. Germains Gate. He had
+evidently, too, separated himself from his men.
+
+"I shall be glad when we reach de Bouchage's house," I said with a
+shiver, for the apparition of my husband had sent a chill through me.
+
+"It is not far now," replied Madame; and then we both became silent,
+absorbed in our own thoughts. She, no doubt, thinking of the Vicomte,
+and I with my mind full of forebodings as to what other evil fate had
+in store for me; and with this there came thoughts of de Clermont,
+whose presence I seemed absolutely to feel about me. I could not say I
+loved him, but it was as if he had a power over me that sapped my
+strength, and I felt that I was being dragged towards him. I cannot
+explain what it was, but others have told me the same, that when his
+clear blue eyes were fixed on them, they seemed to lose themselves,
+and that his glance had a power, the force of which no one could put
+into words, nor indeed, can I.
+
+It was only by an effort and a prayer that I succeeded in collecting
+myself; and it was with no little joy that I saw the grey outlines of
+the Chateau de Bouchage, and knew that for the remainder of the night
+there was rest.
+
+I will pass over our journey till we reached the Limousin. Going at
+our utmost strength, we found we could barely cover more than six
+leagues a day; and as day after day passed, and no news of the Vicomte
+came, Madame's face grew paler, and she became feverishly impatient
+for us to hurry onward; yet never for one moment did she lose the
+sweetness of her temper or falter in her kindness towards me. No
+mishap of any kind befell us; but at the ford of the Gartempe, there
+at last came good news that brought the glad tears to Madame's eyes,
+and the colour once more to her cheeks, for here a courier met us,
+riding with a red spur, to say that the Vicomte was out of danger, and
+striding hour by hour towards recovery. The courier further said, in
+answer to our questions, that the messenger whom Madame de Termes had
+sent on in advance, to announce her coming, had never arrived, and he
+himself was more than surprised at meeting us, believing Madame to be
+yet at Paris. No doubt the poor man who had been sent on in advance
+had met with ill, and we thanked God for the lucky chance that had put
+us in the way of the Vicomte's messenger, and also that it was not
+with us as with our man, for he had doubtless been killed, and indeed
+he was never seen again. Back we sent the courier with a spare horse
+to announce our speedy coming, and it was a gay and joyous party that
+splashed through the sparkling waters of the Gartempe. Even I, for the
+moment, forgot everything with the glad tidings that had come like the
+lark's song in the morning to cheer my friend's heart, and for a brief
+space I forgot de Lorgnac and my bonds, and was once more Denise de
+Mieux, as heedless and light-hearted as youth, high spirits, and
+health could make me. It was decided to push on to Ambazac at any cost
+by that evening. The news we had heard seemed to lighten even the
+loads of the pack animals, and we soon left the silver thread of the
+river behind us, and entered the outskirts of the Viennois. As for me,
+I do not know how it was, but I was, as I have said, in the wildest of
+spirits, and nothing could content me but the most rapid motion. At
+one time I urged my horse far in advance of the party, at another I
+circled round and round them, or lagged behind, till they were all but
+out of sight, and then caught them up at the full speed of my beast,
+and all this despite Lalande's grumbling that the horse would be worn
+out. He spoke truly enough, but I was in one of those moods that can
+brook no control, and went my own way. I was destined, however, to be
+brought back sharply to the past, from which for the moment I had
+escaped. As we reached the wooded hills of Les Eschelles, I had
+allowed the party to go well in advance of me, and, stopping for a
+moment, dismounted near a spring from which a little brook, hedged in
+on each side with ferns, babbled noisily off along the hillside. To
+me, who after all, loved the fresh sweet country, the scene was
+enchanting. The road wound half-way up the side of the spur, and the
+rough hillside with its beech forests, amongst the leaves of which
+twined the enchanter's nightshade, swept downwards in bold curves into
+a wild moorland, covered with purple heather and golden broom. The
+sheer rock above me was gay with pink mallow, and the crimson of the
+cranesbill flashed here and there, whilst the swish of the bracken in
+the breeze was pleasant to my ears. Overhead, between me and the
+absolute blue of the sky, was a yellow lacework of birch leaves, and a
+wild rose, thick with its snowy bloom, scrambled along the face of the
+rock just above the spring. It was to gather a bouquet of these
+flowers for Madame that I had halted and dismounted. The task was more
+difficult than I imagined, and whilst I was wrestling with it, I heard
+the full rich baritone of a man's voice singing out into the morning,
+and the next moment, the singer turned the corner of a bluff a few
+yards from me, and Raoul de Clermont was before me. He stopped short
+in his song with an exclamation, and, lifting his plumed hat, said in
+astonishment:
+
+"You, mademoiselle! Pardon--Madame de Lorgnac! Where in the world have
+you dropped from? Or, stay--are you the genius of this spot?" and his
+laughing eyes looked me full in the face.
+
+I stood with my flowers in my hands, inwardly trembling, but outwardly
+calm.
+
+"It is rather for me to ask where in the world you have sprung from,
+monsieur. It is not fair to startle people like this."
+
+"I ask your pardon once more. As it happens, I am travelling on
+business and pleasure combined. My estates of Clermont-Ferrand lie but
+a short way from here, as you perhaps know; but let me help you to add
+to those flowers you have gathered," and he sprang from his horse.
+
+"No, thank you, Monsieur de Clermont," I answered hastily. "I must
+hurry on lest Madame de Termes, with whom I am travelling, should
+think I am lost."
+
+"So it is Monsieur de Clermont now, is it? It will be a stiff Monsieur
+le Marquis soon," and my heart began to beat, though I said nothing,
+and he went on: "For old sake's sake let me gather that cluster yonder
+for you, and then Monsieur de Clermont will take you to Madame."
+
+With a touch of his poniard he cut the flowers, and handed them to me,
+breaking one as he did and fastening it into the flap of his
+pourpoint. So quiet and masterful was his manner that I did nothing to
+resist, and then, putting me on my horse, he mounted himself, saying
+with that joyous laugh of his:
+
+"Now, fair lady, let us hasten onward to Madame de Termes. I need
+protection, too--I fear my knaves have lagged far behind."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                             AT AMBAZAC.
+
+
+The road swept onward with gentle curves, at one time hanging to
+the edge of the hillside, at another walled in on either hand by
+rocks covered with fern and bracken, to whose jagged and broken
+surface--whereon purples, greens, and browns seemed to absorb
+themselves into each other--there clung the yellow agrimony, and
+climbing rose, with its sweet bloom full of restless, murmuring bees.
+
+Sometimes the path lost itself in some cool arcade of trees, where the
+sunlight fell in oblique golden shafts through the leaves that
+interlaced overhead, and then suddenly, without warning, we would come
+to a level stretch on which the marguerites lay thick as snowflakes,
+and across which the wind bustled riotously.
+
+As we cantered along side by side, my companion again broke forth
+into a joyous song, that sprang full-throated and clear, from a heart
+that never seemed to have known a moment of pain. His was a lithe,
+leopard-like strength, and as I looked at him, my thoughts ran back to
+the time when we first met, on his return from the Venetian Embassy,
+whither he had gone when M. de Bruslart made a mess of things. I do
+not know why it was, but he singled me out for his particular notice;
+and though it was openly known that he was betrothed to the second
+daughter of M. D'Ayen, I, like a fool, was flattered by the attentions
+of this gay and brilliant cavalier, and day by day we were thrown
+together more and more, and a sort of confidence was established
+between us that was almost more than friendship. There was, as I have
+said, that in his masterful way, that had the effect of leaving me
+powerless; and though he could put all its light in his eyes, and all
+its tones in his voice, I felt instinctively that he did not love me,
+but was merely playing with me to exercise his strength, and dragging
+me towards him with a resistless force. In short, the influence of de
+Clermont on me was never for my good, and our intercourse always left
+me with the conviction that I had sunk a little lower than before; and
+it was at times like these, when I met de Lorgnac's grave eyes, that I
+felt the unspoken reproach in their glance, and would struggle to rise
+again, and then, in the consciousness of my own folly, I felt I fairly
+hated him for seeing my weakness. What right had de Lorgnac even to
+think of me? What did it matter to him what I did or said? So I used
+to argue with myself; yet in my heart of hearts, I felt that my
+standard of right and wrong, was being measured by what I imagined a
+man, to whom I had hardly ever spoken, might think.
+
+When I make this confession, and say that the influence of de Clermont
+over me was never for my good, I do not mean to imply that I was
+guilty of anything more than foolishness; but the effect of it was to
+sap my high ideas, and I now know that this man, aided by his
+surroundings--and they were all to his advantage--took the pleasure
+of a devil in lowering my moral nature, and in moulding me to
+become "of the world," as he would put it. God be thanked that the
+world is not as he would have made it. At that time, however, I was
+dazzled--all but overpowered by him, and day by day my struggles were
+growing weaker, like those of some poor fly caught in a pitiless web.
+The knowledge of all this was to come to me later, when, by God's
+help, I escaped; but then I was blind, and foolish, and mad.
+
+My companion's song was interrupted by Lalande, who came galloping
+back in hot haste, and in no good temper, to say that the whole party
+had halted to wait for me; and quickening our pace we hurried onward,
+and found them about a mile further on. To say that Madame de Termes
+was surprised at seeing de Clermont is to say little, and I could see,
+too, that she was not very well pleased; but he spoke to her so fairly
+and gracefully that, in spite of herself, she thawed; and half an hour
+later he was riding at her bridle hand, bringing smiles that had long
+been absent to her face. He was overjoyed to hear of the Vicomte's
+recovery, and said many flattering things about him, for he knew him
+well, having served under him in the campaign of Languedoc, and then
+he went on to become more communicative about himself, saying that he
+was the bearer of a despatch to the King of Navarre, adding, with a
+laugh, "a duplicate, you know--the original being carried by M.
+Norreys, the English freelance. _Ma foi!_ But I should not be
+surprised if I reached the Bearnnois before the sluggish islander."
+
+"Hardly, if you loiter here, Monsieur le Marquis," I said.
+
+"You must bear the blame for that, Madame; but I will add that my
+orders are to pass through Perigueux as well, and so, Madame," and he
+turned to my friend, "if you will permit Raoul de Clermont to be your
+escort there, he will look upon it as the most sacred trust of his
+life."
+
+He bowed to his saddle-bow, and looked so winning and handsome that
+Madame replied most graciously in the affirmative. A little beyond La
+Jonchere something very like an adventure befell us--the first on this
+hitherto uneventful journey. At the cross road leading to Bourganeuf,
+we met with a party of six or eight men, who did not require a second
+glance to make us see that they were capable of any mischief. They had
+halted to bait their horses, and, flung about in picturesque
+attitudes, were resting under the trees--as ill-looking a set of
+fellows as the pleasant shade of the planes had ever fallen upon. Had
+they known beforehand that we were travelling this way, they would
+very probably have arranged an attack on us; but as it was we came
+upon them rather suddenly, and as our party--which had been added to
+by de Clermont's two lackeys--was somewhat too strong to assault
+openly, without the risk of broken heads and hard knocks--things which
+gentry of this kind do not much affect--they let us alone, contenting
+themselves with gathering into a group to watch us as we went by; and
+this we did slowly, our men with their arms ready. As we approached,
+however, and saw their truculent faces, I had doubts as to whether we
+should pass them without bloodshed, and begged de Clermont in a low
+voice to prevent any such thing. He had drawn a light rapier that he
+wore, but as I spoke he put it back with a snap, and holding out
+his hand, asked for the loan of my riding-whip--a little delicate,
+agate-handled thing.
+
+"It will be enough," he said as I gave it to him, and he began to
+swing it backwards and forwards, as if using it to flick off flies
+from his horse. To my joy they made no attempt to molest us, though at
+one time a quarrel hung on a cobweb. For as we passed, the leader of
+the troop, a big burly man, with a very long sword trailing at his
+side, and a face as red as the constant dipping of his nose into a
+wine cup could make it, advanced a step into the wood, and, wishing us
+the day, tried deliberately to get a better look at me, with an
+unspeakable expression in his eyes. I saw de Clermont's face grow cold
+and hard, he quietly put his horse between me and the man, and
+checking it slightly, stretched out the whip, and touched a not very
+clean white scarf the creature wore over his shoulder, saying:
+
+"You are a trifle too near Limoges to wear this, my man--take my
+advice and fling it away."
+
+"That is my affair," answered the man insolently.
+
+"Precisely, Captain la Coquille. I spoke but for your good. Ah! take
+care!" and de Clermont's horse, no doubt secretly touched by the spur,
+lashed out suddenly, causing the man to spring back with an oath and
+an exclamation of:
+
+"You know me! Who the devil are you?"
+
+To this, however, de Clermont made no answer, but as we passed on he
+returned my whip to me, saying, "I am glad I did not have to use it.
+It would have deprived you of a pretty toy had I done so."
+
+"Thank you. Who is that horrible man? You called him by name."
+
+"Yes, la Coquille. I know him by sight, though he does not know me. He
+was very near being crucified once, and escaped but by a fluke. He is
+robber, thief, and perhaps a murderer, and----"
+
+"And what!"
+
+De Clermont reached forward and brushed off an imaginary fly from his
+horse's ears.
+
+"And has something of a history. I believe he was a gentleman once,
+and then went under--found his way to the galleys. After that he was
+anything, and perhaps I ought not to tell you, but in time he became
+de Lorgnac's sergeant--his confidential man--and it was only his
+master's influence that saved him from a well-deserved death. It was
+foolish of de Lorgnac, for the man knew too many of his secrets, and
+was getting dangerous. I hope I have not pained you," he added gently.
+
+"Not in the least," I replied, and rode on looking straight before me.
+So this vile criminal was once my husband's confidential servant, was
+perhaps still connected with him in his dark designs. And then I said
+a bitter thing, "Like master, like man. Is not that the adage,
+monsieur?" But as the words escaped me, I felt a keen regret.
+
+"God help you, Denise," I heard de Clermont murmur as if to himself,
+and then he turned abruptly from me, and joined Madame de Termes,
+leaving me with a beating heart, for his words had come to me with a
+sense of undying, hopeless love in them, and he was so brave, he
+seemed so true, and looked so handsome, that my heart went out in pity
+for him. How the mind can move! In a moment there rose before me
+thoughts of a life far different from the one to which I was doomed,
+and with them came the grim spectres of the vows that bound me
+forever, and which I would have to keep. God help me! Yes, I needed
+help--de Clermont was right.
+
+We passed on, leaving the gang still under the plane-trees, and soon
+came in view of Ambazac, lying amidst its setting of waving
+cornfields. Here for a little time we suddenly missed de Clermont and
+one of his lackeys, and both Madame and I were much concerned, for the
+same thought struck us both, that he had lagged behind and then gone
+off hot-foot to punish la Coquille. We were about to turn after him
+when he came in sight, followed by his man, and caught us up, riding
+with a free rein. He perhaps saw the inquiry in my look, for he said
+softly to me, "I went back to pick up a souvenir I had dropped," and
+his eye fell on the lapel of his coat where my rose was, a little,
+however, the worse for wear. After that he did not speak to me, but
+kept by Madame and devoted himself to her with a delicacy for which I
+was grateful, for I felt I wanted all my thoughts for myself. At
+Ambazac, which we reached in a little, we found good accommodation at
+a large inn, although the town was full, it being the _fete_ of St.
+Etienne de Muret; and after taking some light refreshment Madame and I
+retired to our apartments, to rest until the supper hour, for we were
+wearied. We supped in the common hall, but at a small table a little
+apart from the others, and de Clermont, who sat next to me, gave
+Madame an interesting account of the defence of Ambazac, made by her
+husband against the Prince of Conde. It was whilst he was detailing
+the incidents of this adventure that, with a great clattering and much
+loud talking, la Coquille and his men entered the dining-room, and
+began to shout for food and drink. Most of the people in the inn being
+common country folk and unarmed, made way for the crew with haste, and
+even an expression of alarm appeared on Lalande's face, for our own
+servants were but six in number, including the baggage drivers, and
+Madame's maid and my own, who, of course, were useless, and two of our
+men-servants were at the moment attending to the horses; so that we
+were at a decided disadvantage, and la Coquille was not slow to
+perceive this.
+
+"_Dame_," he exclaimed, looking towards us, "here is my popinjay and
+his sugar-plum. Look you, my good fellow, join those boys there,
+whilst I bask in beauty's smiles."
+
+His men crowded round our servants with rough joking, and he, picking
+up a stool, placed it at our table, and held out an immense greasy paw
+to me.
+
+"Shake hands, _ma mignonne!_ Never mind the old lady and the silk
+mercer. There is no lover like a brave soldier."
+
+Madame was white with anger. I had sprung to my feet, meditating
+flight, and the villain's followers raised a hoarse shout, "Courage,
+captain! None but the brave deserve the fair."
+
+Then de Clermont's hand was on the man's neck, and with a swing of his
+arm he sent him staggering back almost across the room. He recovered
+himself on the instant, however, for he was a powerful man, and rushed
+forward; but stopped when he saw de Clermont's rapier in his hand, and
+began to tug at his fathom of a sword. His men, however, offered no
+assistance to him, contenting themselves with breaking into loud
+laughter. As for de Clermont, he was as cool and self-possessed as if
+he were at a Court function.
+
+"Out of this," he said. "Begone--else I shall have you flogged and you
+shall taste the _carcan_. Be off."
+
+"The _carcan!_ You silkworm, you cream-faced dancing-master!" yelled
+the man, who had now drawn his sword. "Who the devil are you to
+threaten _me_--la Coquille--with the _carcan?_ Blood of a Jew! Who are
+you?"
+
+"The Marquis de Clermont-Ferrand," was the answer, "and these ladies
+are of the household of M. de Termes, and now I will give you and your
+men two minutes to go. If not I shall have them stoned out of the
+place; and you--you know what to expect. If you are wise you will put
+a hundred leagues between yourself and Perigord after this; and now be
+off--fool."
+
+The man dropped his sword into its sheath and stammered out, "Your
+pardon, monseigneur! I did not know. Come, boys," he said with an
+affectation of unconcern, "these ladies complain that the place is too
+crowded; we will go elsewhere. At your service, mesdames," and making
+a bow that had a sort of faded grace about it, he swaggered off
+followed by his men, who took his lead with surprising alacrity. The
+people in the inn and our servants raised a cheer, and were for going
+after them, doubtless to administer the stoning; but de Clermont put a
+stop to this, saying in a peremptory tone, "Let them go; I will see
+that they are dealt with."
+
+As may be imagined we were in no mood for much supper after this. My
+knees felt very weak under me, and Madame de Termes was trembling all
+over; but she thanked de Clermont very gracefully, and he made some
+modest answer with his eyes fixed on me, and I--I could say nothing.
+We would have retired at once, but de Clermont pressed us to stay, and
+Madame, with a little smile, agreed, saying, "I am afraid even after
+all these years I am not quite a soldier's wife." So we lingered yet a
+little longer and found our nerves come back to us. After that we sat
+in the garden where the moonlight was full and bright, and the breeze
+brought us the scent of the roses. Then de Clermont bringing out his
+lute sang to us. He had a voice such as neither I, nor any one else I
+knew who had listened to it, had ever heard equalled. So, perhaps,
+sang his old troubadour ancestors, and the sweet notes had died with
+the days of chivalry to be born in Raoul de Clermont. The song he
+chose was one that was perchance written by one of his minstrel
+forbears, and described in that old tongue that we no longer use, a
+lover's agony at being separated forever from his mistress. The words
+were, perhaps, poor, but there was genuine feeling in them, and sung
+by de Clermont, it might have been the wail of an angel shut out from
+Paradise. Never did I hear the like--never would I care to hear the
+like again, and as the last of the glorious notes died away in a
+liquid stream of ineffable melody, I saw Madame's face buried in her
+hands, and there was a great sob behind me that came from the broad
+chest of Lalande, who had stolen up to hear, and was blubbering like a
+child. Then Madame de Termes rose, and hurried off followed by
+Lalande, and we were alone, I sitting still with my whole soul full of
+that wondrous song, and every nerve strung to its highest pitch,
+whilst de Clermont remained standing, his lute, slung by its silken
+sash, in the loop of his arm.
+
+"Denise!" he said, "you understand, dear?"
+
+"Yes." I could barely whisper the word; and then he bent down and
+kissed me softly on the forehead, and the touch of his lips seemed to
+burn into me like a red-hot seal. With a little cry I rose to my feet,
+and hardly knowing what I was doing, ran past him, never stopping
+until I reached my room. Here I remained as if lost in a dream, with a
+hundred mad thoughts dancing in my brain. I tried to pray, but my lips
+could only frame words, for there was nothing in my heart; and then I
+thought I would seek forgetfulness in sleep. But sleep would not come,
+and I lay awake watching the broad banner of moonlight that came in
+through the open window, and all the memories of the past awake within
+me. De Clermont's kiss still burned hotly on my face, and I shivered
+with the shame and the sin of it, for I was another's wife--and Heaven
+help me! I thought then that I loved de Clermont. Oh! the misery of
+those hours, when I tossed from side to side with dry, burning eyes
+and bitter shame in my heart. At last, as the moon was paling, I could
+endure it no longer, and, rising from my bed, began to pace the room.
+I felt that what I needed was motion, movement--I could not be still.
+If I could only pray! and as the thought came to me once more I heard
+a little _clink_, and stooping, picked up a small locket containing a
+miniature of my mother which I wore round my neck, the gold chain by
+which it was suspended having broken in my restless movements. I
+opened the locket, and standing near the window looked at the picture,
+and as I live it seemed to lighten so that I could see each feature,
+with the soft eyes bent on me in pity; and then a voice--it was her
+voice--said:
+
+"Denise, pray!"
+
+And then my eyes were blinded with tears, and flinging myself on my
+knees with my hands clasped on the mullions of the window I sobbed
+out, "God! Dear God! Have pity on me!"
+
+I could say no more, but my whole soul went out with these words and I
+knelt there, still and motionless, with the sense of a great peace
+falling upon me. Then it was as if the very heavens grew bright as
+day, and the light filled my room so that my eyes were dazzled and I
+could not see. And I covered my face with my hands to shield my eyes
+from the splendour.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+When I looked up again the glory was gone, but my soul was at rest. I
+stood at the window and let the cool breeze fan me, whilst I peered
+out into the darkness, for the moon had sunk and it was now the black
+hour that touches the dawn. As I watched I heard the bells of St.
+Etienne calling the Lauds across the grave of the night, and I knew
+that in two hours it would be daylight, and felt that the Unseen God
+had heard my prayer.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                M. LE MARQUIS LEADS HIS HIGHEST TRUMP.
+
+
+When I came down in the morning I found we were all ready to start.
+Madame was mounted, and de Clermont was standing to assist me to my
+horse. It all seemed so strange after the crisis of last night. I had
+not schooled myself. I had not had time to meet de Clermont with
+unconcern, and overcome by a sudden shyness I declined his aid, and he
+said in his cool, level voice:
+
+"You are very proud this morning."
+
+The touch of proprietorship in his tone, which he so often used
+towards me, and to which I had hitherto submitted, jarred on me now,
+and in a moment my courage had come back. I looked him full in the
+face and answered:
+
+"It is necessary to be proud sometimes, monsieur."
+
+Our eyes held each other for an instant, and for the first time I saw
+in his clear blue glance an expression of hesitation and surprise, and
+I felt that the compelling power of his look was gone, and then--he
+dropped his gaze, and stepping back lifted his hat without a word; but
+I saw the white line of his teeth close on his nether lip.
+
+Then we started, and de Clermont dropped away to the rear of the
+party, leaving Madame de Termes and myself alone. She was full of the
+strange song of last night.
+
+"I had heard of his voice before," she said, "but never thought it was
+anything like that. St. Siege!" and she gave a little shudder. "I am
+an old woman; but it was maddening. I forgot everything. I could think
+of nothing except that sorrow in that last verse--the poor man, the
+poor man!" And the dear old lady's eyes filled once more with tears at
+the recollection. "But it was not a good song," she went on in a
+moment, "it was a beautiful evil thing, and he shall sing it no more.
+I will speak to him. It is wrong. It is wicked to touch the heart as
+that song can. He is very silent and grave to-day. I wonder if it
+affected him as it did me?"
+
+But I made no answer, for my mind was full of other things, of the
+hopeless love in the heart that I thought so strong and brave, and of
+the wondrous power that had come over me and enabled me to be victor
+over myself, and I cast up an unspoken prayer that this strength
+should be continued to me, and then I found de Clermont once more by
+my side.
+
+Madame kept her word about the song, and he said gravely:
+
+"I promise. I will never sing it again. It hurts me, too," and,
+changing the subject, other matters were spoken about. In a little I
+found myself separated from Madame, and de Clermont, bending forward,
+said:
+
+"I have news I should have given before that will interest you,
+madame--something you ought to know--of M. de Lorgnac."
+
+"Is it really of importance?"
+
+"I think so. It will remain for you to decide."
+
+"Then what is it, monsieur?"
+
+"I cannot well tell you here. We will let them go onward, and ride
+slowly behind."
+
+I agreed silently, and we soon found ourselves at a little distance
+from the party. We were descending the wooded valley of the Briance,
+and a turn in the forest road left us alone. Then de Clermont, who had
+up to now remained silent, began abruptly:
+
+"Madame, it has been given to me to find out the business on which M.
+de Lorgnac is engaged, and over which you have been sacrificed. You
+are a brave woman--the bravest I have ever met--and I know you will
+bear with the bluntness of my speech, for this is no time to beat
+about the bush."
+
+"Monsieur, it does not concern me on what business M. de Lorgnac is
+engaged. I only ask and pray God to give me some refuge where I may
+never see him again."
+
+"Hear me a moment. I think it does concern you, and vitally too."
+
+"Then what is it?"
+
+"Now call to mind your race, and all that can give you strength.
+Denise de Mieux, your husband is nothing more than an assassin. He has
+been hired by the King and that she-devil the Queen Mother to murder
+Navarre. It is a political necessity for them, and they have found an
+instrument in Blaise de Lorgnac base enough for their purpose. His
+price was high, though--it was you, Denise, and de Tavannes, who is in
+the secret, has paid it. How he came to persuade himself to do so, I
+know not. He is your uncle, and I will not say anything against him."
+
+I felt as if I had received a blow. There was truth in every line of
+de Clermont's face, in every tone of his voice; but I struggled
+against it, and said faintly:
+
+"This does not concern me--I am but a wife in name. I shall never see
+de Lorgnac. He is dead to me."
+
+"Would to God he were dead indeed!" he burst out. "But there is more.
+Catherine is tyrant to her finger nails. She has heard that you have
+refused to remain with your husband, and at his request an order has
+been sent to de Termes to deliver you up to him at Perigueux. Norreys
+has taken that order, and it has already reached him. If you doubt me
+here is the duplicate. You may read it for yourself."
+
+He placed a letter in my hands. I knew the seal well. The red shield
+with the _palle_ of the Medici--Catherine's private signet. But I
+could not read it. My mind became a chaos. "Oh! what shall I do? What
+shall I do?" I exclaimed aloud in my despair.
+
+"Denise!" he said, "there is one way of escape and only one, for de
+Lorgnac has already made his claim at Perigueux, and you go straight
+into the lion's jaws."
+
+"What is it? Tell me."
+
+He laid his hand on my rein. "Denise--put your trust in me and come.
+My dear, I love you--I love you. This marriage is an infamy. Vows such
+as they made you swear are not binding. Come with me, my dear, and
+under the banner of the Emperor, with you by my side to help me, I
+will work out a new life, and the name of Clermont-Ferrand is already
+known. Denise! Last night I saw the love-light in your eyes. Let it
+burn there again for me. Come."
+
+He made as if to turn my horse's head, and it was only with an effort
+that I restrained him. God knows I was sorry for the man. I know, too,
+that it was in my heart to take the great love I thought he was giving
+me, and, forgetting everything, to follow him to the world's end. In
+the few seconds that passed, I went through a frightful struggle, and
+then the strength of last night came back to me.
+
+"De Clermont! It is impossible; and now go--go. If you say you love
+me, go in pity!"
+
+"Denise, you know not what you say! Think, dear! In two hours we will
+be safe. In two hours the world itself could not part us. I will not
+let you sacrifice yourself. You love me, dear, and you know it, and
+when love like ours exists there is no right and no wrong--only our
+love."
+
+"It cannot be--it cannot be. De Clermont, you are tempting the woman
+you say you love, to dishonour. Let me tell you plainly, I do not love
+you. For one moment I thought I did; but I am sure of myself now; and
+even did I love you, as I feel sure you deserve to be loved, I would
+never consent to--to what you propose."
+
+"_Mordieu!_" he exclaimed hoarsely, "you are not yourself. Come,
+Denise. I hear Lalande riding back, and in a moment it will be too
+late."
+
+"Let go my reins, monsieur, else I shall call out. I hear Lalande,
+too. Go, monsieur, whilst I can still think of you as I always have.
+Go and forget me."
+
+His hand dropped to his side, and taking the occasion I struck my
+horse smartly with the whip and he sprang forward. De Clermont made no
+attempt to follow, but at the bend of the road, as I glanced across my
+shoulder, I saw him turn his horse's head and plunge into the forest,
+and a moment later I met Lalande.
+
+I could only realize that I had escaped a great danger; beyond that my
+mind could not go; but I was conscious that, despite the terrible
+earnestness of his words, there was something that was not convincing
+in de Clermont. The narrow escape that I had drove all other things
+out of my mind, and it was only when I came in sight of our party
+again that I recollected de Clermont's warning that by going to
+Perigueux I was going straight into the lion's mouth, and an absolute
+despair fell upon me.
+
+When I rode up to Madame's side she glanced at me narrowly and asked
+for de Clermont.
+
+I answered truly enough that I did not know, and she looked at me
+again with her clear, searching eyes. "It is odd, Denise, but do you
+know that his lackeys have gone, too? They left us an hour ago--and
+now it seems he has gone, too, without a word of good-bye."
+
+"Monsieur made too sure of the success of his plans," I said bitterly,
+and Madame's answer was sharp and swift:
+
+"Denise, there is something wrong--what is it?"
+
+And as we rode close together, side by side, I told her every word,
+hiding nothing. My voice sounded hard and dry to my own ears, my eyes
+were burning, and when I had finished, she said, "Denise, I cannot
+believe M. de Clermont's story. I _feel_ it is untrue. Even if it were
+true de Termes would never carry out the order about you. He is
+incapable of such baseness."
+
+"There is always one way of escape, madame, and I am my father's
+daughter."
+
+"And there is a God above, girl. Your father's daughter should never
+talk like that."
+
+"Then why does He not hear my prayers?" I said, in impious
+forgetfulness. "Is heaven so far that our voices cannot reach there?"
+
+And my dear old friend sighed deeply in answer.
+
+We were to halt at Chalusset for the night, and here confirmation was
+received of the truth of de Clermont's story, for an equerry of the
+Vicomte's met us here with a letter to his wife in his own hand, in
+which he said that our message, the one we had sent from the Gartempe,
+had reached him, and that he was hastening forward himself to meet us.
+Then he went on to other matters, and his letter concluded with a
+postscript:
+
+
+"_M. Norreys is here with an order from the King, or, rather, from the
+Queen Mother. It is very unfortunate, but must be obeyed_."
+
+
+She first read the letter herself--we were sitting together in her
+apartment, in the one inn at Chalusset--and then she handed it to me
+with a request to read it aloud to her. I did so; but on coming to the
+postscript my voice faltered in spite of myself, and then she bent
+forward and kissed me.
+
+"Denise, it will never be. Are you strong enough to do a brave thing?"
+
+"I will try."
+
+"It is clear to me that de Termes' postscript is a warning for you not
+to go to Perigueux. I knew that he would be incapable of carrying out
+such orders as he has received--and I can read his meaning between the
+lines of his message. Denise, you must not be with me when my husband
+and I meet."
+
+"God Himself seems to have abandoned me. What can I do--where shall I
+hide?"
+
+"I will tell you. My sister Louise is Abbess of Our Lady of Meymac. I
+will send you to her. The convent has special rights of sanctuary that
+even Catherine herself would not dare to violate--but she will never
+know you are there. Yet it is a long journey, and you will have to
+cross the mountains. Will you risk it tonight?"
+
+"I am ready now, madame."
+
+"Very well," and, calling to her maid, she asked for Lalande, and when
+the equerry came she turned to him:
+
+"Lalande, how long is it that you have followed Monsieur le Vicomte?"
+
+"Thirty years, madame, from the days when Monsieur was a simple
+cavalier of the guard."
+
+"And you would do anything for Monsieur?"
+
+"Madame, I have been his man in lean times and in fat--in famine and
+in full harvest. He saved my life at Cerisolles, and it was I who got
+him out of the Bastille; I have been by his side from the time he was
+a simple gentleman to the present day, when Monsieur is a marshal and
+a peer of France. You ask if I would do anything for Monsieur. If
+Monsieur le Vicomte were to ask me to lay down my life to-morrow I
+would do so willingly."
+
+"I believe you, Lalande. Now listen. Madame de Lorgnac here is in
+great danger. It is Monsieur le Vicomte's wish that she should be
+conveyed to the Convent of Our Lady of Meymac, and we trust her to
+you. No one is to know where she is placed. You must protect her with
+your life--do you understand? And you must start now--and alone--for
+Madame's hiding-place is a secret."
+
+"We could start in a few minutes, madame, and I will do what you say."
+
+"Then be ready in half an hour."
+
+"Madame," and he was gone.
+
+"Do not let Mousette know whither you are bound, Denise. She is a
+chattering ape, and, though she loves you, can never keep a secret. As
+for de Termes, I will arrange to manage him--and, dear, keep a brave
+heart. I would go with you myself; but you know it is impossible."
+
+
+                          *   *   *    *   *
+
+
+The moon was just rising when, after taking an affectionate
+farewell of Madame de Termes, who had been to me as a mother, we
+started--Mousette, Lalande, and myself. Our horses had been brought to
+a little gate at the back of the straggling garden attached to the
+inn, by the equerry himself, so that we might get away unobserved.
+Hither Madame accompanied us, and after giving some further
+instructions in a low tone to Lalande, embraced me again and again,
+and I am afraid we both wept, whilst Mousette joined in to keep us
+company. Finally we started, and I turned once or twice to look back,
+and saw the slender grey-clad figure still at the gate, growing
+fainter and fainter in outline at each step we took, and seeming at
+last to slip away into the silver haze of the moonlight, until when I
+turned for the last time, I could see nothing but the winding road,
+the ghostly outline of the trees, and the pointed roof of the inn. I
+have often wondered if the girls of the present day would endure and
+act as we women had to do then. All women have to endure passively.
+This will be so for all time unless the world be made anew, but with
+us there were times and seasons when we had to act like men.
+
+Last year, when I was in Paris, where I had taken my daughter for her
+presentation, a great lady called on me, the wife and daughter of a
+soldier, and she reached our house almost in hysterics, because one of
+the wheels of her coach had come off, and she had to walk a hundred
+paces or so. She was in fear of her life at the accident. And when we
+had made much of her and she was gone, my husband's eyes met mine, and
+the same thought struck us both, for he came up and kissed me, saying:
+
+"_Mordieu!_ I thank God I am not thirty years younger!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                   AT THE SIGN OF THE GOLDEN FROG.
+
+
+At first we managed to get along at a fair pace, as the road was good
+and we were well able to see our way by the moonlight; but after
+crossing the Taurion by a frail wooden bridge, which creaked and
+groaned ominously as we passed over it, Lalande took a turn to the
+right and followed a narrow track whereon we had to ride nose to tail.
+Womanlike, I began to think he was taking the wrong road, and asked
+him whither he was leading us.
+
+"St. Priest-Taurion lies on the main road, madame, and it would be
+well to avoid it. Let not madame have any fear. I could make my way to
+Meymac blindfold."
+
+"And want to show off by picking the most horrible paths," shrilled
+out Mousette, whose temper, never of the best, had gone to ribbons,
+and little wonder, too, poor thing!
+
+"It would be well if we speak in lower tones--better still not to
+speak at all," said the equerry, and silencing Mousette with a
+reprimand, I asked Lalande to lead on.
+
+Whilst the motion was fast it was not possible to think, but now that
+we were going at something like a snail's pace, I unconsciously gave
+myself over to my reflections, though I had by this time reached a
+state of mind when it seemed impossible for me to distinguish between
+right and wrong, or to think coherently. The proof of the truth of de
+Clermont's story had accentuated the bitterness in my heart against my
+husband, and this was not lessened when I remembered the infamy of the
+enterprise which he had undertaken, and of which I was the price. I
+had it once or twice in my mind to try and prevent the crime he
+contemplated by attempting to warn the Bearnnois; but it was
+impossible to do so from here, and I should have to make the attempt
+from Meymac. Then that thought gave place to de Clermont, and with the
+memory of him regrets that I had not taken his offer, and by one
+desperate stroke freed myself forever from de Lorgnac, even at the
+cost of that good opinion of the world, we pretend to despise and yet
+value so much, even against what I felt to be the teachings of my
+conscience. After all I was merely holding to vows that I had never
+really made. The priest's benediction surely could not bind me forever
+to a hateful life. I had my dreams as all young women and young men
+have--of a life that I could share with one whom I could trust and
+honour and love. One whose joys would be my joys, whose sorrows would
+be my sorrows, whose ambitions and hopes would be my ambitions and
+hopes, and so to pass hand in hand with him until one or both of us
+were called away to fulfil the mystery of life by death. And de
+Clermont? Could he have been the one to have so travelled with me? Did
+I love him? For the life of me I could not tell at that moment. At one
+time I seemed dragged towards him, at another there was a positive
+repulsion, and through it all there was an ever-warning voice within
+me, like the tolling of a bell hung over a sunken rock to warn
+mariners of danger, telling me, "Beware! Beware!" I felt in my heart
+that he did not ring true metal--why, I could not tell--nor can I tell
+now. But I suppose that God, who has limited the capacity of us women
+to reason as compared with man, has given to us this faculty of
+intuition by which we can know. Would that it were followed more
+often; would that its warnings were ever heeded! Such were the
+thoughts that chased each other through my brain as the long hours
+passed, and then they seemed to twine themselves together into a
+network that left me powerless to follow them and unravel the tangle.
+Oh, it was a weary ride! Overhead hung the moon now light, then
+darkened by flitting clouds, with a few stars showing here and there
+in the sky. On all sides of us floated a dim silvery haze that made it
+appear as if we were going through Dreamland; dark shadows of trees,
+fantastic rocks that might have been thrown here and there by giants
+at play, and a road that turned and twisted like a serpent's track,
+full of stones and boulders, on which our horses continually stumbled,
+but, mercifully, did not come down and bring us with them. There was
+one advantage we derived from these boulders. They kept the horses and
+ourselves from sleeping, for after a stumble and a jerk, both beast
+and rider began to see the folly of nodding, and bravely strove to
+keep awake. At last we came to something that looked like level
+ground, and Lalande suggested that we should increase our pace to a
+canter, adding truly enough that it would rouse us all up. We followed
+his advice, nothing loath, and kept at this pace with occasional halts
+to rest the horses, for the best part of the night. At last, however,
+neither Mousette nor myself could endure going on longer, and indeed
+our horses were as much, if not more worn out than we were. In short,
+we were so fatigued that I had got into a frame of mind in which I did
+not care what happened to me, one way or the other, and Mousette, poor
+girl, was crying softly to herself, though she kept her way with the
+greatest courage. This being the case, I called to Lalande that we
+could not go on any further; but at his intercession we made yet
+another effort, and at last we halted near a clump of beeches, close
+to which a small brook purled by. I do not think I shall ever forget
+the kindness and attention of the honest fellow. He made us as
+comfortable a resting-place as he could contrive with the aid of
+saddles and rugs, and then, giving us some wine to drink, bade us
+sleep, whilst he retired a little distance--not to rest, but to attend
+to the horses and keep a watch. So utterly tired out were we that we
+must have fallen asleep at once, and the sun was already rising when
+Lalande aroused us.
+
+"If madame does not mind," he said, "it will be well if we move
+further up into that wood yonder and rest there, whilst I go to a
+village hard at hand, and procure some food, and take news of the
+state of the road."
+
+To this I assented readily, and after walking for about a quarter of a
+mile we found a spot which exactly suited our purpose, where both we
+and the horses could be concealed for the remainder of the day, if it
+was so necessary, without any fear of discovery. Lalande then started
+off for the village, and we waited his coming with a hungry
+impatience, taking, however, the opportunity of his absence to make a
+forest toilet. It was some time before the equerry came back, and we
+were just beginning to be alarmed at his absence when he appeared,
+bearing with him the things he went to procure, and whilst Mousette
+and I were eating, he told us what he had found out, adding:
+
+"I regret that madame will not be able to travel by daylight--that
+_croquemort_ la Coquille and his gang passed through St. Bathilde
+yesterday, and are in the neighbourhood, and not they alone, but one
+or two others of like kidney. We shall have to make our way as best we
+can by night."
+
+But this was too much--not for anything was I going to endure the
+misery of last night over again, and I argued and expostulated with
+Lalande, Mousette joining with me with shrill objurgations, and at
+last the poor fellow gave in, but I confess with a very bad grace,
+grumbling a good deal to himself and declaring he would be no longer
+responsible for our safety. I own now that we were wrong in persisting
+as we did, but I put it to any one if they would have endured what we
+had to endure without protest; and then we were women, and I am afraid
+possessed some of that contrariness of disposition which I have heard
+the opposite sex credit us with--though for pure, mulish obstinacy,
+give me a man who thinks he has made up his mind.
+
+Lalande was, however, determined upon one thing, and that was to avoid
+the main road, and as I had so far successfully opposed his plan of
+forcing a night journey, I did not feel justified in making further
+objections, and allowed him to follow the by-paths he chose without
+further protest, though indeed, it was as if there was some truth in
+Mousette's remark of last night, that he was choosing the most
+difficult tracks to show how well he knew the way. We now entered the
+mountains of the Limousin, and what would have been a mile elsewhere,
+became three here with the ups and downs, the turns and twists. For
+miles we passed never a human habitation, except now and again a few
+woodcutters' huts, and sometimes a small outlying farm, and I felt the
+justice of Lalande's remark, when he defended himself from a sharp
+attack by Mousette, by saying he had chosen this road because it was
+safe from gentlemen like la Coquille, who never found any bones worth
+the picking on it, and therefore left it and its difficulties severely
+alone--though, of course, there was the odd chance of our meeting
+them, and so again to the old argument of travelling by night. As we
+went on the scenery became wilder and more savage, and once a large
+grey wolf, with two cubs by her side, appeared on the track about
+fifty paces or so in front of us, and after giving our party a quiet
+survey, and showing us a line of great strong teeth as she snarled on
+us, trotted calmly off with her family down the hillside. Both
+Mousette and myself were not unnaturally alarmed; but Lalande, with a
+"Never fear, madame, there is no danger," kept quietly along, though I
+saw that he had pulled a pistol from his holster. As the day advanced
+we became aware that the sun was being obscured by clouds more often
+than it should be at this time of year, and every now and again gusts
+of wind would race down the ravines, and lose themselves with ominous
+warnings through the forest. Still, however, the horizon was clear,
+and high above all others we could make out the crest of Mount Odouze.
+I asked Lalande if he thought there was likely to be a storm.
+
+"It is hard to tell, madame; storms come on very suddenly in these
+hills, but if there is one it will not be very bad, for we can see the
+Cradle, as that dip between the two peaks of Mount Odouze is called,
+quite distinctly."
+
+But though he spoke thus reassuringly, I saw that he increased the
+pace, and that ever and again he would scan the horizon, and look up
+at the sky. Once when he thought I had caught him, he explained as he
+pointed upwards:
+
+"'Tis a red eagle, madame, that must have flown here from the
+Pyrenees--a long journey. See--there it is--that speck in the sky."
+
+I followed his glance, but could make out nothing. "You have sharp
+eyesight, Lalande," I said with a smile, and then the matter dropped.
+I could not, however, but think how good a heart was beneath that
+rough exterior, and not the finest gentleman I have ever met could
+have behaved to us with more chivalrous courtesy than did that simple
+under officer of horse. A little past midday we rested for an hour or
+so, more for the sake of the animals than ourselves, and then
+continued our journey.
+
+"We should make St. Yriarte by about three o'clock, madame," said
+Lalande, "and there is a small inn there kept by my sister and her
+husband, for we are of the Limousin. It is called 'The Golden Frog.'
+We will stay there for the night, and a long march to-morrow will
+bring us to Meymac by nightfall."
+
+"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Mousette, "for every bone in my body aches
+as if some one had beaten me."
+
+As the time passed, bringing with it no storm, I began to think we
+were safe from that annoyance, and at last from the crest of a hill
+over which we were riding we suddenly came in sight of St. Yriarte,
+lying below us in a little valley. As we did so Lalande called out,
+"We will be there in half an hour, madame--and save all chance of a
+wetting for to-night."
+
+It took us a little time to descend the slope of the hill, but after
+that we came to more or less level ground, and in a few moments
+reached the gates of the inn, which stood in a large garden some way
+apart from the hamlet, for St. Yriarte could be called by no other
+name.
+
+As we rode in a dog commenced to bark; Lalande called out "Jeanne!
+Jeanne!" and, on our halting near the entrance, gay with honeysuckle,
+in full bloom, Lalande's sister and her husband came out to meet us,
+and seeing him, fell to embracing him, and there was an animated
+converse carried on by all three at once, whilst Mousette and I were
+kept waiting. Whilst we did this patiently, I began to look around me,
+and for the first time became aware of the presence of a stranger. He
+had been sitting on a garden seat, half-hidden by the falling
+honeysuckle, but, as my eyes fell on him, he rose politely, and stood
+as if in doubt, whether he should offer to assist me to dismount, or
+not. He was a tall well-built man, with aquiline features, fair hair,
+and blue eyes, and wore a short pointed beard slightly tinged with
+grey. His dress was simple though rich, and it was easy to see that,
+whoever he was, he was a person of some consequence. The position was
+getting just a little absurd when Jeanne's voice rang out sharply:
+
+"Of course! Of course! Madame de Lorgnac shall have the best we can
+provide."
+
+I saw the stranger start perceptibly, and an odd, curious look came
+into his eyes. Then as if with an effort he stepped forward, and
+lifting his hat said with a foreign accent:
+
+"Will Madame de Lorgnac permit me to assist her to alight? I have the
+honour to be known to Monsieur le Chevalier de Lorgnac. My name is
+Norreys--Colonel Norreys, of whom, perhaps, you may have heard."
+
+I became almost sick with fear and apprehension, for this was the very
+man whom I least wished to meet. It was he who had borne the order
+concerning me to de Termes. He must therefore be aware that my
+presence there meant that I was in flight. He acknowledged himself to
+be a friend of my husband, and I felt that all was lost. Mustering up
+as much courage as I could I thanked him for his offer, and he helped
+me to dismount, saying as he did so:
+
+"Madame will find the inn more than comfortable. I have been here for
+two days awaiting a friend. If he comes this evening I shall have to
+leave to-morrow with the greatest regret. It has been so quiet and
+peaceful here."
+
+I glanced at him again. It was a strong, good face. The eyes looked at
+me honestly, and in their clear depths I could see no deceit. That
+woman's instinct of which I have spoken, told me at once that here was
+a man to be trusted, that he was incapable of treachery. But the same
+feeling used to come over me whenever I saw de Lorgnac, and yet--who
+was more base than he?
+
+Nevertheless, I was now moved by an impulse I could not resist.
+
+"Monsieur de Norreys, will you see me in an hour? I have a favour to
+ask of you."
+
+He looked a little surprised, but bowed. "If there is anything I can
+do for you, madame, command me." His tone was cold and formal, and
+chilled me. Then he stepped to one side to let me pass, and I entered
+the inn.
+
+I had made up my mind. I felt sure that he was here to prevent my
+going further. What else could have brought him to this out-of-the-way
+place? But he looked a gentleman and a man of honour, and I would
+follow the dictates of my heart, and throw myself on his mercy.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII.
+
+                              UNMASKED.
+
+
+Now do I reverently thank God that by His mercy I was strong enough to
+take the course I adopted. For had I not done so, I know not what had
+been my fate. On the surface, the impulse on which I had acted seemed
+foolish and ill-advised, yet when I think over all calmly now, and
+especially of the circumstances that led to my meeting with Monsieur
+de Norreys, and the events which followed, I am sure and confident
+that the Merciful Power which had so far watched over me had heard my
+prayers and answered them. At the moment, however, I did not know or
+think of this; my one idea was to try, if possible, to enlist the
+Englishman on my side, and if this was not to be, then I knew not what
+I should do, though the most desperate resolves were rioting in my
+brain. I was too excited to rest, but a bath, a change of toilet, and
+a little food, refreshed me and steadied my nerves, and then I sat for
+a space by the open window of my small room to try and collect myself
+for my interview with M. de Norreys. The clouds seemed to have passed
+away, though far behind over the mountains there was a grey bank that
+showed that the storm was hovering over us, and the wind still blew in
+fitful, uncertain gusts. Below me Lalande was attending to the horses,
+and a bow-shot or so beyond the garden of the inn, under some walnut
+trees I saw what I had not noticed before, and that was a small
+encampment of lances. This did not tend to reassure me, and if I had
+any doubts as to whom the troops belonged, they were set at rest by
+the sight of Norreys, mounted on a powerful black horse, riding slowly
+towards the inn, evidently with a view of keeping his appointment with
+me. I had tried to set out in my mind what I would say to him, but
+each effort seemed to be worse than the other, and at last I
+determined to simply throw myself on his chivalry, and stand the
+hazard of the result. At one time I thought that we might perhaps make
+a dash for it and escape; but even I could see that our wearied horses
+would not have a chance against fresh ones, and if it came to a
+struggle we had but one sword to depend upon--a brave one, it is
+true--but what could one poor man do against ten? No, there was no way
+but the one way, the idea of which had come so suddenly to me. Now I
+heard Norreys dismounting at the door of the inn, and after a moment's
+hesitation, I took my courage in both hands, and stepped down to meet
+him. He was standing in the little parlour, his back to the light, as
+I entered, so that I could not see the expression of his face, but he
+bowed, I thought stiffly, on my coming in, and handed me one of the
+rough chairs in the room, saying as he did so, "I trust I have not
+kept you waiting, madame; I was delayed a little longer than I
+expected with my men, as I have much to arrange for." The last words,
+measured out in his prim, formal speech, appeared to me to convey a
+hint to be quick with my business, and as a natural result all but
+took away from me the power of saying anything. Mustering up courage,
+however, I took the chair he offered, saying, as I did so, "Will you
+not be seated, monsieur?"
+
+"Thank you," came the answer in the same set tone, and then he fixed
+his eyes on me with a grave attention, in which, however, there was
+mingled, as I thought, much repressed curiosity.
+
+"Monsieur de Norreys," I began desperately, "you cannot but be aware
+that I fully understand why you are here."
+
+He started slightly, but recovered himself at once, though he said
+nothing.
+
+"And, monsieur," I went on, "I have come to throw myself on your
+mercy. Monsieur, you look a gentleman. What object can you gain by
+carrying out your orders against a poor weak woman, whose only end is
+to hide herself from the world? I have done no wrong, monsieur, and if
+you knew my story you would pity me--I ask you as a gentleman--as a
+man of honour."
+
+"Madame," he interrupted, genuine amaze in his voice, "I do not
+understand. As far as I am concerned you are as free as air. I know
+you to be the wife of my friend de Lorgnac, and my only regret is that
+I am unable to offer you my escort----"
+
+"Say that again, monsieur. Do you mean your business here has nothing
+to do with me?"
+
+"Absolutely nothing, madame. I am afraid you have alarmed yourself
+needlessly."
+
+"But M. de Clermont told me; he said you had gone to Perigueux to have
+me delivered over to my husband."
+
+"Madame, I know of no necessity for doing so, and if I was not certain
+that you must be mistaken I would say that M. de Clermont deceived
+you."
+
+"I tell you he did not. He showed me the despatch with the Queen's
+cipher on it--asked me to read it. Monsieur, listen; he did not lie,
+and I shall tell you why. It is you who deceive me and are playing
+with me. Wait, monsieur."
+
+A flicker of a smile passed over his face and shone in his eyes, but
+he answered simply:
+
+"I am attention; but, madame, think before you tell me things which
+perhaps I ought not to know."
+
+"Let me be the judge of that, and I will show you, monsieur, that it
+is useless, even in kindness, to hide your orders from me."
+
+Then I told him briefly of my marriage, and of the circumstances
+attending it, whilst he leaned back in his chair and listened without
+a word, and with so little sympathy in his look, that he might have
+been cut out of a block of wood. The result was that as I spoke I grew
+somewhat excited, and my tongue was bitter against de Lorgnac, whom,
+to my sorrow, I upbraided with the infamy of this enterprise; and then
+I spoke of de Clermont, of his bravery and kindness, forgetting other
+things that had happened, and how he had warned me of my danger, and
+especially about Norreys himself, finishing with a rapid "and,
+monsieur, surely you will let me go. I put myself on your chivalry."
+
+He stopped me with a movement of his hand, and, rising from his seat,
+faced me. "Madame de Lorgnac, I tell you again that you are utterly
+mistaken. I have nothing to do with your movements. Yet I am glad you
+have spoken, for de Lorgnac is my friend, and I now see what the other
+man is. It is not my habit to meddle with other people's affairs; but,
+because de Lorgnac is my friend, I will tell you something that will
+give you pain, but will open your eyes, and you must forgive the plain
+speech of my country, for we have no mincing turns of the tongue. On
+the authority of the Marquis de Clermont you have accused me of
+playing catchpole. This is not a matter that troubles me, my honour is
+in safe keeping; but you have also accused your husband and my friend,
+and believe Blaise de Lorgnac to be an assassin, and capable of
+forcing a marriage on you for the sake of your wealth. For your own
+sake, for the sake of de Lorgnac, you shall know the truth."
+
+"I listen, monsieur."
+
+"I'll tell you. At a supper party given by that _croquemitaine_ of a
+King of yours, a certain matter was discussed, there was no
+assassination in it; but the execution of it had to be dropped, as no
+one of those present who was offered the enterprise would accept it.
+Later on the wine passed, and a fool, after the fashion of your Court,
+began to boast openly of his conquests and spoke openly of your
+favour."
+
+"Monsieur, how dare you!"
+
+"Madame, it is the fashion amongst your fine gentlemen to lie like
+this. I will do de Clermont the justice to say that it was not he, for
+he was not there, and the man who spoke is dead, so let his name pass.
+But Tavannes was there, and had to be reckoned with. The King offered
+to have you married, and the marshal burst out that he would give you
+to the first man who asked."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"Blaise de Lorgnac was on guard at the door. He had heard every word,
+and now stepped forward and claimed your hand, offering at the same
+time to undertake the affair for which an agent could not be found.
+His offer was accepted, and in the early morning, madame, in the yard
+of la Boucherie, where I had the honour to be your husband's second,
+your traducer met with his death, and with his last breath confessed
+that he had lied. That was the very day, madame, that you foolishly
+rode out with de Clermont. Stay, there is yet a little more, and that
+concerns the despatch. My business at Perigueux was to give an order
+to de Termes to receive at St. Priest-Taurion a prisoner of state, who
+was to be handed over to him by myself and de Clermont. I am here to
+receive that prisoner, and it is Blaise de Lorgnac who is entrusted
+with the duty of taking him alive. The duplicate despatch, if there is
+such a one--and you say you have seen the cover--does not refer to
+you, and de Clermont has lied. I will settle with him for using my
+name; but, madame, you are as free as air, and may go where you like,
+and for Blaise de Lorgnac's sake I will help you all I can--and this
+is all."
+
+"Oh! I don't know what to think."
+
+"You are free to go, I say; and as de Clermont will be here soon, and
+not alone, I would advise an immediate departure. I will detach a
+brace of lances to act as further escort, and let me give the order
+now. I will be back in a moment."
+
+He did not wait for my reply, but turning on his heel stepped out of
+the room, and I sat with my brain burning, and my head between my
+hands. I could not doubt this story, and if ever woman passed through
+a furnace of shame and anger I did so in those few minutes. I now knew
+what de Lorgnac was. I now for the first time saw de Clermont in his
+true colours, with his mask off; and yet--and yet--perhaps Norreys was
+mistaken about him. I had proved myself to be so utterly wrong, to
+have jumped to conclusions so rashly, that I dared not sit in judgment
+any more on a soul, and whilst I floundered on in this way Norreys
+came back.
+
+"I have arranged everything, madame; the orders have been given to
+your people. They will be ready to start in a half hour. About
+midnight you should reach Millevranches, and I should halt there and
+go on with the morning."
+
+"Monsieur, how can I thank you? I have no words."
+
+"Let the matter rest, Madame de Lorgnac," and then his voice took a
+gentler tone. "I would not urge your going at once except that we are
+on de Clermont's own estates, and he has a hundred lances with him at
+his Chateau of Ferrand. It is shut out from view by the hills, but it
+lies yonder," He pointed to the west through the open window, and as
+he did so an exclamation of surprise burst from him, and he crossed
+himself.
+
+I followed his glance and saw, high in the heavens, hanging over the
+mountainous pile of reddening clouds that lay in the west, the grim
+outline of a vast fortress. The huge walls reflected back with a
+coppery lustre the red light of the sun, and it was as if we could see
+figures moving on the ramparts and the flash of arms from the
+battlements. From the flag-staff on the donjon a broad banner flaunted
+itself proudly, and so clear and distinct was the light that we made
+out with ease the blazon on the standard, and the straining leashed
+ounces of the house of Clermont-Ferrand. And then the clouds took a
+duskier red, and the solid mass of castle faded away into nothing. I
+stood still and speechless, and Norreys burst forth, "Sorcery, as I
+live. Madame, that was the Chateau de Ferrand."
+
+I had never seen the like before, never again did I see it, nor do I
+wish to, and it left me so chilled and faint, that Norreys noticed it
+at once and called for wine. As he did so, I fancied that I heard the
+beat of a horse's hoof, but paid no attention to it; and then the wine
+came and I drank, he standing over me. I was just setting down the
+glass when there was a grating at the entrance, a long shadow fell
+through the doorway, and de Clermont stepped in with a cheery
+"Good-day, Monsieur de Norreys. I see you have not been neglecting
+your time here. _Arnidieu!_ Denise! Is it you? You seem to be forever
+dropping from the clouds across my path," and he held out his hand;
+but I took no notice, though I rose from my chair, and Norreys merely
+bowed frigidly in return to his greeting. De Clermont seemed in nowise
+disconcerted, but there was an angry flash in his eyes, and for a
+second he stood tapping the end of his boot with his riding-whip, and
+looking from one to another of us with a half smile on his lips. Then
+putting his plumed hat on the table, and drawing off his gloves, he
+drawled out with a veiled insolence in every tone of his voice, "Upon
+my word, M. de Norreys, I congratulate you, and if it were not for our
+business I would leave you in peace, for madame seems to have learned
+the lesson that 'It is well to be off with the old love before you are
+on with the new.'"
+
+He had grasped the weakness of the situation at a glance, and took
+full advantage of it, but though outwardly cool and self-possessed
+there was death in his eyes. I could bear it no longer, and turned to
+leave the room. He rose from his seat, saying, "Pray do not leave us,
+madame--you look pale, though, and perhaps need rest. I trust,
+however, your indisposition has nothing to do with the sight I
+observed you watching from the window. Do you know what it means?" and
+he turned to Norreys.
+
+In spite of myself I stopped for an instant; but Norreys ignored him,
+and de Clermont went on:
+
+"It means, monsieur, that this apparition is always seen when a man
+dies by the hand of de Clermont-Ferrand."
+
+Norreys simply bowed, though I thought I heard the word "boaster"
+muttered between his teeth, and, turning to me, said, "Permit me,
+madame," and gave me his arm to take me from the room.
+
+Outside, in the narrow passage that led to my chamber, he stopped and
+held out his hand.
+
+"Let me say adieu, madame. I would accompany you if I could, but it is
+impossible. I would advise you to leave at once before any of M. le
+Marquis's men come up. I can see he is ripe for mischief."
+
+"Monsieur de Norreys, I am no fool--I can understand. For mercy's sake
+avoid a quarrel with de Clermont. He is a deadly swordsman, and if
+anything happens to you, I shall feel all my life that I was the cause
+of it. God knows I owe you much, for you have opened my eyes. Promise
+me, monsieur, promise me!"
+
+"Madame, the use of the sword is not confined to your country nor to
+de Clermont alone," and then he saw the tears that sprang to my eyes.
+"Ah! madame, not that; you will unman me! See, there is your equerry.
+Commend me to de Lorgnac when you meet, and adieu!"
+
+He dropped my hand and turned on his heel, but I could not let him go
+like that.
+
+"Monsieur, not that way. Promise me what I ask."
+
+"I promise to avoid a quarrel if possible; I can say no more." With
+that he went, erect and stately. Of what followed I never knew; but,
+alas! There is one sorrow that ever haunts me; and in the quiet
+churchyard of St. Yriarte is a tomb which I visit yearly with my
+husband, and it covers the heart of as brave and gallant a gentleman
+as ever lived--poor Norreys!
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                          BLAISE DE LORGNAC.
+
+
+We lost no time in setting forth from The Golden Frog, and as Lalande
+had apparently been warned by Norreys of the danger of our meeting any
+of de Clermont's following, we once more left, what by a stretch I
+might call the direct road, and again took to the hill tracks, where
+our wearied beasts, whom from my heart I pitied, stumbled slowly and
+painfully along.
+
+But if the beasts were wearied, how was it with myself and my maid? I
+was able to keep up, no doubt because of the mental excitement under
+which I laboured; but I have never understood how my faithful Mousette
+endured that journey; it was in truth a road of suffering.
+
+I simply went on mechanically, my mind a prey to a thousand
+conflicting emotions, and to thoughts that chased one another across
+it like dry and fallen leaves in a forest glade, blown hither and
+thither by an autumn wind. It had struck me, as there was nothing to
+be feared from de Termes, that I should order Lalande to turn and
+guide me back to Madame and Perigueux; but de Clermont barred the way,
+and it was better after all to push on to Meymac, and there with a
+cooler head than I now possessed, decide what to do. What had I not
+passed through within the last few hours? I had made trouble enough
+for myself by jumping womanlike to conclusions, and imagining that the
+postscript of de Termes' letter to his wife referred to me, whereas it
+clearly concerned some one else. That was perhaps a pardonable error
+considering the circumstances; but there were other things, and even
+now my face grows hot when I think of them.
+
+My nature is proud! That can never alter, though sorrow and many a
+bitter lesson has brought me good sense; but it cut like a knife to
+realize how I had been fooled by de Clermont, and how near I had been
+to fall a victim to a pitiless libertine. It is a bad and cruel lesson
+for any woman to learn that she has been the sport of a man, ten times
+bad and cruel if the woman be proud and high-spirited. And as for de
+Lorgnac I did not know what to think. My mind concerning him was a
+chaos. I had misjudged him, wronged him utterly; but it was gall to me
+to know that he had stood forth as my champion. It was bitterness
+untold to think that I must humble myself in my heart before him; I
+could never do so in words to his face, if ever we met, a daughter of
+Mieux could not do that. It was awful to think that his hands were red
+with blood for my sake, and I shuddered as I reflected that I had been
+as it were the immediate cause of a frightful death; de Lorgnac had no
+business to kill that man whoever he was; he had no right to make me
+feel almost a murderess; and withal there rose in my heart a kind
+of fierce pride in the man who could do this for my sake, and a
+joy I could not make out because he was other than I took him to
+be--because, in short, he was a gallant gentleman, and not--oh! I need
+say no more.
+
+When we had travelled for about the space of two hours the horse of
+one of the two troopers, whom M. Norreys in his kindness had lent to
+me, fell whilst crossing a water-cut, and on examination it was found
+to be so hurt that it was impossible for it to continue the journey to
+Millevranches. It was decided that the two men should be left behind
+to return to their camp--they had not far to go--and that we should
+press on as before. I gave the good fellows a brace of crowns apiece,
+and commending myself to M. de Norreys, we went on, the sheep track--I
+can call it by no better name--now passing through all the wildest
+scenery surrounding the Puy de Meymac.
+
+"If luck befriends us, madame, and the storm which has kept off so
+long does not come, we should reach Millevranches in a little over two
+hours," said Lalande to me as we rode down a narrow and steep descent.
+
+"Why should the storm come on now? There is no breath of air stirring,
+and the moon is clear."
+
+The equerry did not reply until reaching the more level ground at the
+foot of the incline down which we had ridden, and then, pointing
+behind me, said simply, "Look, madame!"
+
+Turning, I saw that half the arc of the heavens was obscured as it
+were by a thick curtain, that hung heavily and sullenly over it, and
+as we looked a chain of fire ran across the blackness, the distant
+roar of thunder came to us, and then a low, deep moaning vibrated
+through the air.
+
+"The storm is afoot, I fear, madame. We must press on and cross the
+Luxege, which though narrow enough to jump over now, may in an hour be
+impassable, and with the darkness it will be impossible to tell the
+way."
+
+At this speech Mousette gave a little cry of alarm, and then, her
+fears overcoming her, began to declare that she could go no further,
+and begged us to leave her there to die, to be killed by the storm or
+eaten up by the wolves, it did not matter which, either alternative
+was preferable to going on. I tried all I could to pacify the poor
+girl, but she was getting into a state of hysterical excitement, and
+absolutely refused to move, though every moment was precious, and the
+dead stillness formerly around us was now awake with the voice of the
+coming storm. At last I began to despair of moving her, when Lalande
+said grimly, "Leave her to me, madame. I am an old married man." Then
+bending forward he seized my bridle and with a cool "Adieu,
+mademoiselle! I hope you will not disagree with the wolves," to
+Mousette, began to urge our beasts forward, notwithstanding my
+protests. But the issue showed he was right, though I confess I was
+surprised to see the way in which my maid recovered her strength under
+this rough-and-ready treatment, for in two minutes she was bustling
+along at our heels. But the lost time never came to our hands again,
+and as we began to descend the wooded slope towards the Luxege, which
+we could hear humming angrily below us, the stream burst with a shriek
+of the winds, and an absolute darkness, that was rendered more intense
+and horrible by the vivid flashes of lightning, and the continuous
+roar of thunder. In a trice Lalande had dismounted and taken us from
+our horses, and the poor animals seemed so overcome by fear or
+fatigue, or both combined, that they stood perfectly still.
+
+"It is death, madame, attempting to ride now. We must get to the river
+on foot." Saying this, Lalande managed somehow to get the horses in
+front of us, and then, holding on to each other and guided by the
+incessant flashes of lightning, we began a slow and painful progress.
+I soon began to feel the fatigue and exhaustion so much that I, in my
+turn, begged Lalande to stop.
+
+"Courage, madame, 'tis but a few yards more to the river bank," he
+answered, "there we can stop and rest," and I took my heart up and
+strove onwards once again. At last, when within a few yards of the
+river, I sank down utterly exhausted and unable to move further, and
+Mousette alternately sobbed and prayed over me, whilst now and again I
+could see the tall figure of Lalande standing grim and motionless, and
+once I fancied I heard a deep oath.
+
+He gave us some cognac from a flask he carried, and then there was
+nothing for it but to wait and meet death, if it was so to be. Now
+there came a series of lightning flashes that lit up the terrific
+scene, and I almost gasped, for right before me on a butting crag I
+made out a small castle. Lalande saw it too, for he blew long and
+shrilly on his horn, and then we watched and waited for a time that
+seemed interminable, when all at once the flare of a huge beacon rose
+bright and red against the darkness, and an answering bugle reached
+our ears. Lalande blew again, and to our joy there was a reply.
+Strength came back to me with the prospect of safety, and rising to my
+feet I called to Lalande: "On! On!"
+
+He answered, "The river, madame----"
+
+I looked, and saw below me a white lashing flood that swung and
+swirled past with a savage roar. The lightning showed us the angry
+water, and the wicked dancing foam, that seemed to leap up in delight
+at the prospect of the black swirl below it dragging us down to death.
+Then again we heard the bugle notes, and saw the lights of torches,
+and heard the shouting of men from the opposite bank.
+
+"Let us go on to meet them--we are saved!" screamed Mousette, and
+holding on to each other we staggered forward past the horses, who
+stood all huddled together, only to be stopped here by the utter
+darkness, and Lalande.
+
+"For the love of heaven, madame, do not move," he cried, "rescue is
+coming."
+
+And it did come.
+
+All that I can remember was seeing the light of many sputtering
+torches around us. Some one lifted me in his arms like a child, and I
+heard a voice say, "Be careful with the horses over the bridge,
+Pierre," and then my strength gave way.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+I had been asleep, asleep for ages it seemed, and all the past was a
+dream, thank God! This was the thought that struck me as I opened my
+eyes; but as I looked around, I saw the room in which I lay was
+strange to me, and inch by inch everything came back--all except the
+events of the last moments by the river, where my recollection became
+confused. It was daylight, but still the remains of the storm of last
+night were in evidence, and I could hear the water dripping from the
+eaves, and through the half-open dormer window, the murmur of the
+Luxege, still angry and unappeased, reached my ears.
+
+Where was I? I looked about me, and found that I was in a large room,
+warm from the effects of a huge wood fire that danced cheerily in the
+fireplace. Leaning on one elbow, I glanced still further about me, and
+saw that the furniture was of the same old and heavily antique make
+that we had at Mieux. The curtains of the bed were, however, worn and
+faded, the tapestry on the walls was older and more faded still; and
+then my eyes were arrested by the coat-of-arms carved on the stonework
+of the fireplace--two wolves' heads, with a motto so chipped and
+defaced that I could not read it. Whose was the device? I lay back and
+thought, but could not make it out. Certainly not that of any of the
+great houses--no doubt my kind preserver belonged to the lesser
+nobility--but I could soon find out. Then I closed my eyes once more
+and would have slept, but was aroused by some one entering the room,
+and, looking up, saw Mousette.
+
+"Ah! madem--madame, I mean," she said eagerly, "thank God, you are
+looking none the worse for that terrible night. I little thought we
+would ever live to see daylight again."
+
+"Where are we, Mousette? And who are the kind people who saved us?"
+
+"I do not know, madame," she answered quickly, "but we are the only
+women here. But," she ran on, "it is mid-day and touching the dinner
+hour. Will madame rise or be served here?"
+
+"I will rise, of course, Mousette;" and during the course of my toilet
+I asked if the people of the house knew who we were.
+
+"I have not mentioned anything, madame," replied Mousette, with her
+face slightly turned away, "and Lalande is discreet."
+
+I felt that Mousette knew more than she cared to tell; but it is not
+my way to converse with servants; and finishing my dressing in
+silence, I asked her to show me the way to the salon, and as I spoke I
+heard a gong go.
+
+"Monsieur will be served at once," said Mousette. "This way, madame,"
+and opening the curtains of the door, she led me down a series of
+winding steps worn with the feet that had passed up and down there for
+perhaps a couple of centuries, and then, past a long passage hung with
+suits of rusty armour and musty trophies of the chase, to a large
+door. I gathered that Mousette had been making good use of her time
+whilst in the house, but kept silent. The door was open, and as I
+passed in Mousette left me. I found I was in a room that was
+apparently used as a dining-room and salon as well. There was trace of
+recent occupation, for a man's hat and a pair of leathern gloves
+somewhat soiled with use were lying on a table, and a great hound rose
+slowly from the rushes on the floor, and, after eyeing me a moment,
+came up in a most friendly manner to be patted and made much of. A
+small table near the fireplace was laid for one, and as I was looking
+towards it a grey-haired and sober servant brought in the dinner, and
+then, bowing gravely, announced that I was served.
+
+"Is not monsieur--monsieur--?" I stammered.
+
+"Monsieur le Chevalier has had to go out on urgent business. He has
+ordered me to present his compliments to madame----"
+
+"I see; monsieur does not dine here."
+
+The man bowed, and I sat down to a solitary meal with the big dog at
+my feet, and the silent, grave attendant to wait on me. I amused
+myself with the hound, and with taking note of the room. Like
+everything else I had seen, its furniture and fittings seemed a
+century old, and spoke of wealth that had passed away. There was a
+sadness about this, and a gloom that saddened me in spite of myself,
+so that it was with an effort I managed to eat, and then, when dinner
+was over, I told the servant to inform his master that I desired to
+thank him for the great kindness shown to me.
+
+"I will deliver madame's message," and with this reply he went.
+
+Left to myself, I went to the window and looked out through the
+glazing. The landscape was obscured by a rolling mist; but the sun was
+dissipating this bravely. It was a wild and desolate scene, and,
+despite the sunlight, oppressed me almost as much as my solitary meal,
+so I turned back into the room, and, seating myself in a great chair,
+stared into the fireplace, the hound stretching himself beside me. I
+was still wearied, and my thoughts ran slowly on until I caught myself
+wondering who my unknown host was, and getting a trifle impatient,
+too, because he did not come, for I was anxious to set forward to
+Meymac.
+
+Suddenly I heard a steady measured step in the passage, the hound
+leaped up with a bay of welcome, and as I rose from my seat the
+curtain was lifted, and I stood face to face with my husband.
+
+"You! De Lorgnac!" I gasped.
+
+"Even I," he said. "I thought you knew. Are you none the worse for
+your adventure of last night?"
+
+"I am quite well, thanks to God." "And thanks to you," I was about to
+add, but my lips could not frame the words, and I felt myself
+beginning to tremble. Monsieur noticed this.
+
+"I am afraid you underrate your strength; do sit down," he said
+kindly.
+
+"I prefer to stand, thank you, Monsieur le Chevalier," and then there
+was a silence, during which I know not what passed through de
+Lorgnac's mind; but I, I was fighting with myself to prevent my heart
+getting the better of me, for if so I would have to humble myself--I,
+a daughter of Mieux! Monsieur broke the silence himself.
+
+"Denise, I give you my word of honour that I would not have intruded
+on you, but that you asked to see me, and I thought you knew whom you
+wished to see. Besides, I felt that I owed a little to myself. You
+have accused me of being a dishonoured gentleman, of being little less
+than a common bravo, of wedding you to your misery for your estates."
+He came forward a step and looked me full in the face with his clear
+strong eyes. "As God is my witness," he went on, "you are utterly
+mistaken. I am going to-day on an affair the issue of which no one can
+foresee. Think! Would I go with a lie on my lips? Answer me--tell me.
+Whatever else you may think, you do not believe this."
+
+I was fumbling with one of his gloves, and could not meet his look.
+
+"You put me in a difficult position, monsieur--this is your own
+house."
+
+He looked about him with a bitter smile. "Yes--it is my house--hardly
+the house to which one would bring the heiress of Mieux--but is that
+your answer to me?"
+
+And still I was silent. I could not bring myself to say what he
+wanted. And now too it was not only pride that was holding me back. I
+felt that if I gave him the answer he wished, manlike he would begin
+to press his love on me, and I was not prepared for this. I did not
+know my own feelings towards him; but of one thing I was sure--I would
+not be bound by hollow vows that were forced upon me, and so I fenced.
+
+"This adventure of yours, monsieur--is it so very dangerous?"
+
+"It is not the danger I am thinking of. It is your faith in my honour.
+No man is blameless, and least of all I. I own I was wrong--that I
+sinned grievously in marrying you as I have. My excuse is that I love
+you--that is a thing I cannot control. But I will do all I can to make
+reparation. I will never see you again, and the times are such that
+you may soon be as free as air. All that I ask is this one thing."
+
+"But, monsieur, have you no proof--nothing to bring forward?"
+
+"I have nothing to offer but my word."
+
+"Your word--your word--is that all you can say?"
+
+He bowed slightly in reply, but his look was hungry for his answer.
+Still I could not give it, and played with time.
+
+"You say you love me. Does love resign its object as you do--without a
+struggle? If I believe one thing I must believe all, monsieur. I
+cannot believe a profession of love like yours"--how false I knew this
+to be--"and the rest must follow."
+
+He twisted at his moustache in the old way, and I saw his sunburnt
+face grow, as it were on a sudden, wan and haggard, and the pity that
+lies in all women's hearts rose within me.
+
+"Monsieur le Chevalier, if you were to get the answer that you wanted,
+would you still adhere to your promise and never see me again?"
+
+"I have said so," he said hoarsely.
+
+"Then, monsieur, let me tell you that I have found I was wrong, and
+that I do believe your word--nay, more, monsieur, I have found de
+Lorgnac to be a gallant gentleman--whom Denise de Mieux has to thank
+for her honour and her life----"
+
+"Denise!" There was a glad note in his voice, and in a moment he had
+stepped up to me, and I had yielded, but that I wanted this king
+amongst men to be king over himself.
+
+"A moment, monsieur. You have given me your word, be strong enough to
+keep it. I have learned to respect and honour you; but I do not love
+you. You must keep your word, de Lorgnac, and go--until I ask you to
+come back."
+
+"Without a word he turned on his heel and walked towards the door; but
+I could not let him go like that and I called to him. He stopped and
+turned towards me, but made no further advance, and then I went up to
+him with my hand outstretched.
+
+"Monsieur, there is one thing more. I have the honour to be the wife
+of de Lorgnac, and for the present I crave your permission to make
+Lorgnac my home. Will you not grant me this request? And will you not
+shake hands before you go?"
+
+I thought I had tried him too far, and that the man would break down;
+but no, the metal was true. Yet the haggard look in his face went out
+as he answered:
+
+"Denise, Lorgnac is yours to its smallest stone, and I thank you for
+this." Then he bent down and touched my fingers with his lips, and was
+gone.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                        LA COQUILLE'S MESSAGE.
+
+
+"Until I ask you to come back."
+
+These were my own words to de Lorgnac, and they rang in my ears as I
+listened to his footsteps dying away along the passage. Would I ever
+call him back? It was on my tongue to do so as he went; but I held
+myself in, and began restlessly to pace the room, the dog watching my
+movements with his grave eyes. I could not bear to have them fixed
+upon me--those eyes that seemed to have a soul imprisoned behind them,
+and that were so like, in their honest glance, to those of my husband.
+I bent down and stroked the great shaggy head.
+
+"If I but knew myself! If I but knew myself!" I called out aloud, and
+then moved aimlessly towards the window. Here I looked out, but saw
+nothing of the view, for I was looking into my own heart, and there
+all was mist and fog. The more I tried to think the more hopeless it
+all seemed, and it came to me to abandon my position, and, accepting
+my fate, make the best of circumstances as other women had done. I
+could give respect and trust; and as long as my husband knew this, and
+I looked after his comforts, he would never know that I did not love
+him. I had seen enough of the world to know how selfishly blind men
+are in this respect. But de Lorgnac was not as other men. I felt that
+his keen eye would take in the part I was playing, that his great love
+for me would penetrate and grasp all my devices, and that he would
+feel that he had only a wife--not a lover as well. What was this love
+that I was in doubt about? If it meant absolute sacrifice of myself,
+then I could give it to no man. If it meant respect, and honour, and a
+desire for a constant guiding presence about me, then I felt I could
+give that to Blaise de Lorgnac; but I felt, too, that more was due to
+him, and it was well to wait--to wait until my heart told me
+undeniably that I had found its king.
+
+The neigh of a horse, and the clatter of hoofs on stony ground,
+aroused me. Bending forward over the window, I looked out and saw de
+Lorgnac and a half dozen mounted men riding out of the courtyard. My
+husband rode a little in advance, square and erect, his plumeless
+helmet glittering in the sunlight; but he never gave one backward
+glance to the window. Even if he thought I was not there, he might
+have done so; he might have given me the chance. The men who rode
+behind him seemed stout, strong fellows, though their casques were
+battered and their cuirasses rusty; and as the last of them went out I
+recognised la Coquille. I know I had no right to pick and choose for
+de Lorgnac, but I would have given my right hand not to have seen that
+swashbuckler riding behind my husband. Such men as he were never
+employed on honest deeds! With a stamp of my foot I turned from the
+window and saw Pierre, the old servant, waiting patiently near the
+door, with a huge bunch of keys on a salver in his hand. As our eyes
+met he bowed to the ground.
+
+"I did not know it was Madame de Lorgnac who was here until an hour
+ago," he said. "Monsieur le Chevalier has directed that these should
+be given over to you, and the household is outside awaiting madame's
+orders."
+
+Half amused, half embarrassed, I took the keys. I felt sure de Lorgnac
+had given no such order, but that this was the spontaneous outcome of
+old Pierre's politeness. Fastening them in my girdle, I said, with as
+gracious, yet dignified an air as I could assume, "Call in the people,
+please."
+
+Pierre bowed once more to the ground and vanished to reappear in two
+minutes with a well-grown youth, and the two stood bolt upright before
+me. This was the household of de Lorgnac, then. The smile died away
+from my lips as I thought of the straits to which a gallant gentleman
+was reduced. "Pierre," I said, "you must add Mousette, my maid, to the
+household, and see that the good Lalande is well treated," and I
+placed a small purse containing a half dozen or so of gold crowns that
+I happened to have with me in the old man's hands. He held the little
+silken bag for a moment, and then his face began to flush.
+
+"There is no need, madame; we have enough."
+
+"You forget, Pierre, what I am giving you is Monsieur le Chevalier's,
+to whom God grant a safe return."
+
+He took the money, though I saw a suspicious swimming of his eyes, and
+I hastily asked:
+
+"And do those men who rode out with Monsieur belong to the household,
+too, Pierre?"
+
+"St. Blaise--no, madame! They came here but yesterday morning, and
+with their leader have drunk and sworn about the place ever since.
+They filled the lower hall with disorder; but they are stout fellows,
+and we had hardly been able to help you so well last night but for
+them; they follow Monsieur le Chevalier for a little time only."
+
+I well knew for what purpose, but kept silent on that point, saying,
+"And how far is Lorgnac from here?"
+
+"The town you mean, madame?"
+
+"Precisely."
+
+"At the foot of the hill to the right of the chateau; we cannot see it
+from here. Ah! it was a fine place until Monsieur de Ganache, and his
+bandits of Huguenots, came over from La Roche Canillac one fine day
+and put the place to fire and sword. Monsieur le Chevalier has vowed
+his death at the shrine of Our Lady of Lorgnac. Ah! he is a devil, is
+Monsieur de Ganache; he is with the Bearnnois now."
+
+"And is there any news of the Huguenots moving now?"
+
+"None, madame; but Antoine the peddler of Argentat says that a great
+lady from Paris is at the Chateau de Canillac, and that Monsieur de
+Turenne, and many a high lord from the south have been visiting her.
+They will be tired of dancing and singing soon, those hot bloods, and
+we may have to look to the castle walls."
+
+"This evening, then, you must take me to Lorgnac," I said with a view
+to end the conversation.
+
+"It is madame's order, but----" and he stopped short for a second, and
+then continued, "Antoine, the peddler's daughter, who married Gribot,
+the woodman of Lorgnac, has a cow and calf for sale, and there is none
+in the chateau."
+
+"Then buy it of her, Pierre," and with another low bow the old man
+withdrew with the "household," who had evidently been trained in a
+severe school by Pierre, for he had stood bolt upright like a soldier
+at attention, and never moved muscle during the whole of the
+interview.
+
+So my business as mistress of Lorgnac had begun; but there were one or
+two things that required immediate attention from me before I began my
+household duties. I called Mousette, and going over the money we had,
+found that it reached to about a hundred crowns. This was enough for
+all present requirements, though I would want much more soon, if all
+the designs that were flitting through my brain, in shadow as it were,
+were carried out; but that could be easily arranged hereafter. Then I
+saw Lalande, and informing him that my journey was over, asked if
+there would be any difficulty in his remaining at Lorgnac for at least
+a few days, as I wanted his help. He answered that he was at my
+service, and this being settled, I set about exploring the quaint old
+mansion, and as I did so all kinds of dreams of changing its cheerless
+aspect possessed me, and the time passed on wings.
+
+In the afternoon we visited the town. Alas! It had been for a century
+but a hamlet, and all traces of town, if ever there was any, had long
+gone. But small and poor and obscure as Lorgnac was, the hand of war
+had not spared it, and blackened rafter and fallen roof still bore
+witness to Monsieur de Ganache's pitiless visit. Privation and want
+had left their marks on the faces of the score or so of inhabitants of
+the village; but when they found out who I was, they came forward
+eagerly, and a small child, no doubt prompted by her elders, gave me a
+bouquet of wild flowers, and I went back, vowing in my heart that ere
+many weeks were over all this would be changed.
+
+That night as I sat before the huge log fire in the hall with Moro the
+hound--I found out his name from Pierre--for the first time for many
+days my mind was at rest, and I began to feel also, for the first
+time, the glow that comes to the heart when one is able to help one's
+fellow creatures. I knew I was young and inexperienced, that my life,
+especially within the last year in the poisonous air of the Court, had
+been made up of frivolities and follies that had brought their own
+sharp punishment with them, yet I had always in my mind the desire for
+a nobler life, where my wealth could be used to help the distressed,
+and as far as it could go to add to the happiness of others. So far so
+good; but there was my own happiness and that of de Lorgnac to think
+of. There was a great pity in my heart for him; but was it right to
+mistake pity for love, and give myself wholly to a man to make him
+happy, to my own sorrow? For the life of me I could not see this. I
+felt that a man who would accept such a sacrifice would be unworthy of
+it. But Blaise de Lorgnac was not of those who would do this. He
+was true metal. Was there another man who would have acted as he
+did--whose love was so generous and yet so strong? I doubt it. I well
+knew the profession of a man's love, that swore it was ready to die
+for its object; but was unable to abandon or to forego anything in its
+selfishness. But the love that was, as it were, in the hollow of my
+hand was not as this; and then I began to see the hidden secret of my
+own heart, and called out aloud, "Come back, de Lorgnac. Come back!"
+But the echo of the vaulted roof was my only answer. Yet that night I
+slept a happy woman, for I knew what it was now to love.
+
+The days passed, and notwithstanding that I threw myself heart and
+soul into my plans about Lorgnac, there was an ever-eating care in my
+heart, for no tidings came of my husband, and it was not pride now,
+but a shyness that I could not overcome, do what I would, that
+absolutely prevented me from making any inquiry, though no doubt
+inquiry would have been fruitless and vain. Listless and tired, I sat
+one day towards the afternoon at the window by the hall, my favourite
+seat, and looked down the winding road, that clung to the side of the
+steep rocks, hoping against hope that I should see the great white
+horse, when suddenly I spied a horseman riding towards the castle with
+a loose rein, and at times he swayed from side to side like a drunken
+man. In a moment I felt the worst tidings, and knew that the rider was
+bringing me sorrow. With an effort I roused myself, and with shaking
+limbs went down to the courtyard, and there, calling Lalande and
+Pierre, waited for his coming, who was bringing me the evil message I
+felt I already knew. We had not long to wait. With a thunder of hoofs,
+the horseman passed the lower drawbridge, and reining in sharply, slid
+rather than dismounted from his saddle. It was la Coquille, covered
+with blood and dust, and the red gone out of his cheeks.
+
+"Madame--Madame de Lorgnac!" he called out in a cracked voice.
+
+"I am here, monsieur."
+
+"I can stay but a moment. Fly! Fly! The bloodhounds are even now on my
+track, and they will be here in an hour."
+
+"Is that all?" How my heart beat, though my voice was cool!
+
+"All? No. But give me to drink, and I will speak. My throat is parched
+and I have lost much blood."
+
+Pierre handed him a flagon of wine, which he drained at a draught, and
+then went on.
+
+"It will not take long to tell. _Mordieu!_ It was the best plan ever
+laid, and to think it was spoiled by a traitor. Madame, if we had
+succeeded, France would have been at peace, and your husband a marshal
+and peer. We watched the Bearnnois for days, and then laid out to
+seize him, on the day of a hunting party. We got all details of
+movements from that double-dyed traitor, de Clermont; but he played
+the right hand for Navarre, and the left for us. We laid out as I
+said, and the King came: but not alone--our ambuscade was surprised,
+and five as good fellows as ever drew sword now swing to the branches
+of the beech trees of Canillac. I got off somehow, but alas! they have
+taken de Lorgnac, though not easily, for Monsieur de Ganache fell to
+his sword, and I think another too."
+
+"Taken de Lorgnac!"
+
+"Yes, madame--_Mordieu!_ It is the fortune of war! They are coming
+straight here, for what purpose I know not; but, _mille diables!_ I
+have wasted enough time already, and the skin of la Coquille is the
+skin of la Coquille. There is not a moment to spare. Fly if you value
+your lives!" And with this he put his foot in his stirrup, and made as
+if he would mount his panting horse again.
+
+"Save your skin, Monsieur la Coquille," I said. "As for me and mine,
+we stay here. Would to God my husband had true swords at his back!"
+
+He stopped and put down his foot.
+
+"You can say what you please, madame, but we did our best; but as God
+is my witness the Huguenots mean death, and I advise you to go. In a
+half-hour it will be too late."
+
+"Monsieur, I have asked you to save the skin of la Coquille."
+
+His broad face became dark and red with the blood that rushed to it.
+"I know I deserve nothing at your hands, madame," he said. "You think
+me a cur, and one I am. _Mordieu!_ For a bribe of twenty crowns--so
+fallen am I--I once played the craven for de Clermont before you. It
+was at Ambazac not so many days ago. Did I know you were de Lorgnac's
+wife, I had cut off my sword arm rather than do what I did then. Let
+me make some recompense. I implore you to go. Fools," and he turned to
+Lalande and Pierre, "do you wish to swing from the rafters here? Take
+her away, by force if necessary."
+
+"Enough, monsieur. You have said too much! I am sorry for you. I would
+help you if I could, but my place is here. Save yourself whilst there
+is yet time. As for me, I and mine will defend Lorgnac to the last
+stone."
+
+He flung the reins he held in his hand from him, and over the
+sin-marked features of the man there came somehow an expression of
+nobleness.
+
+"Then, by God, madame, I stay! And I thank you for teaching me how to
+die. Twenty-five years--twenty-five years ago I was a gentleman, and
+to-day I bridge over the past. I will stay, madame, and the sword of
+la Coquille will help to hold the castle for you. Hasten, men. Up with
+the drawbridge. _Ah! sacre nom d'un chien!_ We are too late!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+               MONSIEUR LE CHEVALIER IS PAID IN FULL.
+
+
+It was too late. Before I realized it, the courtyard was full of armed
+men. La Coquille, who had flung himself to the front with his sword
+drawn, was ridden down and secured ere he could strike a blow, whilst
+Lalande and Pierre, who bore no weapons but their poniards, and were
+utterly surprised, shared the like fate. So suddenly and quickly was
+this done that--for the courage had gone out of my finger-tips--I
+had no time to flee, and I stood like a stone, whilst a sea of
+savage faces surged around me. I gave myself for dead, and one, a
+trooper--more brute than man--raised his sword to slay me, but was
+struck from his horse in the act. Then some one seemed to come from
+nowhere to my side--a tall, straight figure, with a shining blade in
+his hand, and he called out, "Back! back! Or I run the first man
+through!"
+
+The men were called to order in a moment at that tone of command,
+though a voice I well knew and now hated called out:
+
+"Well done, de Rosny, my squire of dames. _Pardieu!_ We have the whole
+hive--Queen-Bee and all."
+
+"By God!" said another, "they will hang from the rafters in a
+half-hour, then--my poor Ganache!" And the speaker, whose rough, harsh
+voice was as pitiless as his speech, swore a bitter oath. "Gently,
+Tremblecourt," replied the one who had been called de Rosny; "our poor
+de Ganache's soul has not flown so far but that the others can
+overtake it in time." And then de Clermont came up to me, but as he
+passed la Coquille in so doing, the latter strained at his cords, and
+hissed rather than spoke out the word "Traitor!" as he spat at him.
+
+"You hang in a little time head downwards at de Lorgnac's feet for
+that," said de Clermont calmly, and then turning to me, "'Tis a sad
+business this, madame; but war is war, and after all things are going
+as you would have them, are they not?"
+
+I could not bear to meet that sneering, beautiful face, which, now
+that its mask was snatched away, cared not in how evil an aspect it
+showed itself. Words would not come to me, and as I stood there before
+de Clermont, quivering in every limb at the awful threat conveyed in
+his speech to la Coquille, de Tremblecourt's voice rang out again, mad
+and broken with rage:
+
+"Away with them! Sling them from the parapet--now!"
+
+The men around rushed with a yell at la Coquille and his
+fellow-prisoners--God pardon those who cause the horrors of war--but
+my defender, de Rosny, again interposed, and drove them back, despite
+de Tremblecourt's angry protests, whilst de Clermont stayed his rage
+with a quiet:
+
+"Be still, Tremblecourt. The King will be here in ten minutes with our
+other prisoner, and we will deal with Messieurs--in a bunch," and he
+glanced at me with a meaning in his eyes that I read as an open page.
+
+"Come, madame," said de Rosny, who saw my pallor, "let me take you out
+of this. I pledge the word of Bethune that no harm will touch you; but
+that is to happen, I fear, which is not fit for you to see." With
+these words he took my arm kindly and led me inside, unresisting and
+as in a dream. In the hall where we stopped I forced myself to regain
+some courage. It was no time for a faint heart.
+
+"Monsieur! What does this all mean? What is to happen to de Lorgnac?
+Tell me--I am his wife, monsieur."
+
+He bowed gravely yet sadly. "The King of Navarre is generous, madame.
+Henri will be here soon, and all may yet be well. In the meantime rest
+you here, and compose yourself--you are safe from harm."
+
+With this, he, who was in after years to be the first man in France,
+left me almost stunned and broken by what I had heard. Now that I was
+about to lose him--nay, had already lost him, for nothing, I felt
+sure, would move these pitiless hearts--I realized to the end what de
+Lorgnac was to me, and with this came the dreadful conviction that it
+was I, and I alone, who had brought this on my husband. I, a fool in
+my folly, who did not know my own heart, I who with a word might have
+stayed and kept him who was all in all to me, had driven him forth
+with my senseless pride to death. I could do nothing to save him. What
+could a woman do against these men? And then it was as if the whole
+horror that was to be pictured itself before my eyes, and a mocking
+fiend gibed in whispers in my ears, "You, you have done this!" Almost
+with a cry I sprang from my seat, my hand on my forehead and an
+unspoken prayer on my lips. I felt that my brain was giving way, and
+that I must do something to regain myself and think. This was no time
+for aught but action, and here I was giving way utterly. I might do
+something--surely my woman's wit could suggest some means of saving my
+husband? Then what happens to those who are face to face with an awful
+terror happened to me, and, as once before, I fell on my knees before
+God's Throne, and prayed in a mortal agony. "God help me in my
+distress!" I called out aloud, and a quiet voice answered:
+
+"Perhaps He has sent the help, Denise."
+
+I sprang up with a start, a wild hope rushing through my heart, and
+saw Raoul de Clermont before me, with the sneering hardness out of his
+face and all the old soft light in his eyes. If it was so--if he but
+bore me the glad tidings his words hinted at--I could forgive him all,
+and be his friend forever.
+
+"Say that again, monsieur," I gasped; "say it again and I will bless
+you to my last breath." And as I spoke the heavy folds of the curtain
+that covered the doorway moved as if stirred by a wind.
+
+"I said that perhaps God"--and he bowed reverently--ah! devil and
+traitor!--"that perhaps God has answered your prayer. You have asked
+for help, and it has come. I am here to offer it. I, and I alone, can
+save de Lorgnac, by force if necessary, for I have fifty lances at my
+heels, and it rests with you to say the word. I have been mad, Denise;
+then I came to my senses; and now I am mad again. I love you--do you
+hear? Love you as man never loved woman. You beautiful thing of ice!
+Come with me, and de Lorgnac is free. Come!"
+
+In his eagerness he put forth his hand towards me, but with a shudder
+I drew back and his face darkened. Then nerving myself, I made one
+last appeal.
+
+"Raoul de Clermont, I believed you once to be a man of honour. Let me
+think so again; give me the chance. Be merciful for once. Save my
+husband as you say you can. See, it is a wife who pleads. Man! There
+must be some spark of knighthood in you to fire your soul! You are
+brave, I know. Can you not be generous and pitiful? You have tried to
+kill my soul. Monsieur, I will forget that--I will forget the past,
+and thank you forever if you do this. Save him, for I love him!"
+
+"Love him!"
+
+"Yes, love him as he deserves to be loved, and by a better woman. De
+Clermont, be true to yourself."
+
+His breath came thick and fast, and then he spoke with an effort:
+
+"You ask too much, Denise. I have offered you my terms. I give you
+five minutes to say yes or no, and I will take your answer as final.
+God is answering your prayer in His own way," he went on, with the
+shadow of a sneer once more across his lips.
+
+"He mostly does," came the reply, as the curtain was lifted and de
+Rosny stepped in, calling out as he entered, "Madame, the King!"
+
+Then there was a tramp of spurred boots, the clashing of steel
+scabbards, the waving of plumes, and ere I knew it I was at the feet
+of the Bourbon, sobbing out my prayer for mercy.
+
+He raised me gently--there was no more knightly heart than his.
+"Madame! It is not enemies that Henri de Bourbon needs, but friends.
+It is not sorrow his presence would cause, but joy. There has been
+enough blood shed already in this miserable affair, and--I think it is
+my good de Rosny here who anticipated me--all our prisoners are free,
+but there is some one here who will tell you the rest himself better
+than the Bearnnois can." And, putting a kind hand on my shoulder, he
+faced me round to meet the eyes of de Lorgnac.
+
+"I have come back unasked, Denise," he said; but I could make no
+answer, and then he took me in his arms and kissed me before them all.
+
+"A wedding present to the happy pair!" and something struck me lightly
+on the shoulder and fell at my feet. It was the glove that de Clermont
+had snatched from me on the day of my marriage. "I return a present
+from madame, given to me on her wedding day. It is no longer of use to
+me--Monsieur le Chevalier, will you not take it?" and de Clermont was
+before us, the same awful look in his eyes that I had seen there when
+he played with death before de Norreys.
+
+De Lorgnac's arm dropped from my waist, and his bronzed face paled as
+he stood as if petrified, looking at the soft white glove at my feet.
+Then with a voice as hard and stern as his look he turned to me, and
+pointing to the glove, said:
+
+"Is this true, madame?"
+
+"It is my glove," was all I could say.
+
+"And permit me to restore it to you," cut in the King, and with a
+movement he lifted the glove and placed it in my husband's hand. "Give
+it to her back, man! Madame de Canillac was at your wedding, and my
+good Margot who writes me such clever letters, and they have both told
+me the story of your marriage, and the incident of the glove. They
+both saw it snatched from your wife's hand by M. le Marquis--Ventre
+St. Gris! For once I think a woman's gossip has done some good--and on
+the word of Navarre what I say is true. As for you, monsieur," and
+Henri turned to de Clermont, "Monsieur de Rosny here has my commands
+for you, and your further presence is excused."
+
+My husband's arm was round my waist once more; but de Clermont made no
+movement to go, standing quietly twisting his short blonde moustache.
+
+"Monsieur, you have heard his Majesty," put in de Rosny.
+
+"Yes--I thought, however, that Monsieur de Lorgnac might have a word
+to say ere I went."
+
+"That will be in another place, and over our crossed swords, Monsieur
+le Marquis," replied my husband, heedless of my entreating look and
+gesture, and in as cold and measured a voice as de Clermont's.
+
+"I am at your service, monsieur, when and wherever you please," and
+with this, and a formal bow to the King, he passed from the room--a
+man under God's right arm of justice.
+
+What happened I never was able to find out exactly; but as far as I
+could gather it was this. As already mentioned, la Coquille, Lalande,
+and Pierre had been released by Navarre on his coming, and the former
+being faint from his wounds was resting on a wooden bench in the
+courtyard. As de Clermont passed, the sight of la Coquille and the
+memory of the insult he had put on him roused the haughty noble,
+already in a white heat with rage, to madness, and he struck the
+freelance once, twice, across the face with a light cane he bore in
+his hand, and fell a moment after stabbed to the heart, his murderer
+being cut down by the men-at-arms.
+
+At once all was hurry and confusion. The dying man was borne in as
+gently as he could be, and placed on a settle. There was no leech in
+hand, and long before the priest of Lorgnac came it was all over. We
+did what we could, and in the horror of the fate that had overtaken
+this man in the pride of strength I forgot the past utterly. I could
+only see a terrible suffering for which there was no relief. We
+gathered, an awestruck group, around him, and he spoke no word at
+first, but suddenly called out, "Hold me up--I choke!"
+
+Some one--I afterwards found it was Tremblecourt--raised him slightly
+and he spoke again, "De Lorgnac! Say what you have to say now, I'm
+going."
+
+And Blaise de Lorgnac knelt by the couch, saying as he did so:
+
+"I have no message now--forget my words, de Clermont."
+
+"Would to God I had died by your hand," came the answer, "but to go
+like this--struck down like a dog. Your hand, de Lorgnac--yours,
+Denise--quick--I am going. Forgive."
+
+De Tremblecourt laid him softly back on the cushion, and my tears fell
+fast on the cold hand I held in mine. Who could remember wrongs at
+such a moment?
+
+The King bent over him and whispered in his ear. I thought I heard the
+word "pray," and a wan smile played on the lips of the dying man.
+
+"Too late--I cannot cringe now. Ah! Norreys! I will join you soon.
+Denise--pardon," and he was gone.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+Late that night when all had gone to rest I walked on the ramparts of
+Lorgnac, and leaning against the parapet, looked out into the
+moonlight. So lost was I in thought that it was not until his hand was
+on my shoulder that I knew my husband had joined me.
+
+"Denise," he said, "the King goes to-morrow, and--I--do I go or stay?"
+
+And Monsieur le Chevalier--he is Monsieur le Marechal Duc now--got the
+answer he wanted.
+
+
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+                  THE CAPTAIN MORATTI'S LAST AFFAIR
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                           "ARCADES AMBO."
+
+
+"Halt!" The word, which seemed to come from nowhere, rang out into the
+crisp winter moonlight so sharply, so suddenly, so absolutely without
+warning, that the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo, who was ambling
+comfortably along, reined in his horse with a jerk; and with a start,
+looked into the night. He had not to fret his curiosity above a
+moment, for a figure gliding out from the black shadows of the pines,
+fencing in each side of the lonely road, stepped full into the white
+band of light, stretching between the darkness on either hand and
+stood in front of the horse. As the two faced each other, it was not
+the fact that there was a man in his path that made the rider keep a
+restraining hand on his bridle. It was the persuasive force, the
+voiceless command, in the round muzzle of an arquebuse pointed at his
+heart, and along the barrel of which di Lippo could see the glint of
+the moonlight, a thin bright streak ending in the wicked blinking star
+of the lighted fuse. The cavaliere took in the position at a glance,
+and being a man of resolution, hurriedly cast up his chances of escape
+by spurring his horse, and suddenly riding down the thief. In a flash
+the thought came and was dismissed. It was impossible; for the
+night-hawk had taken his stand at a distance of about six feet off,
+space enough to enable him to blow his quarry's heart out, well before
+the end of any sudden rush to disarm him. The mind moves like
+lightning in matters of this kind, and di Lippo surrendered without
+condition. Though his heart was burning within him, he was outwardly
+cool and collected. He had yielded to force he could not resist. Could
+he have seen ever so small a chance, the positions might have been
+reversed. As it was, Messer the bandit might still have to look to
+himself, and his voice was icy as the night as he said: "Well! I have
+halted. What more? It is chill, and I care not to be kept waiting."
+
+The robber was not without humour, and a line of teeth showed, for an
+instant, behind the burning match of the weapon he held steadily
+before him. He did not, however, waste words. "Throw down your purse."
+
+The cavaliere hesitated. Ducats were scarce with him, but the bandit
+had a short patience. "_Diavolo!_ Don't you hear, signore?"
+
+It was useless to resist. The fingers of the cavaliere fumbled under
+his cloak, and a fat purse fell squab into the snow, where it lay, a
+dark spot in the whiteness around, for all the world like a sleeping
+toad. The bandit chuckled as he heard the plump thud of the purse, and
+di Lippo's muttered curse was lost in the sharp order: "Get off the
+horse."
+
+"But----"
+
+"I am in a hurry, signore." The robber blew on the match of his
+arquebuse, and the match in its glow cast a momentary light on his
+face, showing the outlines of high aquiline features, and the black
+curve of a pair of long moustaches.
+
+"_Maledetto!_" and the disgusted cavaliere dismounted, the scabbard of
+his useless sword striking with a clink against the stirrup iron, and
+he unwillingly swung from the saddle and stood in the snow--a tall
+figure, lean and gaunt.
+
+As he did this, the bandit stepped back a pace, so as to give him the
+road. "Your excellency," he said mockingly, "is now free to pass--on
+foot. A walk will doubtless remove the chill your excellency finds so
+unpleasant."
+
+But di Lippo made no advance. In fact, as his feet touched the snow,
+he recovered the composure he had so nearly lost, and saw his way to
+gain some advantage from defeat. It struck him that here was the very
+man he wanted for an affair of the utmost importance. Indeed, it was
+for just such an instrument that he had been racking his brains, as he
+rode on that winter night through the Gonfolina defile, which
+separates the middle and the lower valleys of the Arno. And now--a
+hand turn--and he had found his man. True, an expensive find; but
+cheap if all turned out well--that is, well from di Lippo's point of
+view. This thing the cavaliere wanted done he could not take into his
+own hands. Not from fear--it was no question of that; but because it
+was not convenient; and Michele di Lippo never gave himself any
+inconvenience, although it was sometimes thrust upon him in an
+unpleasant manner by others. If he could but induce the man before him
+to undertake the task, what might not be? But the knight of the road
+was evidently very impatient.
+
+"Blood of a king!" he swore, "are you going, signore? Think you I am
+to stand here all night?"
+
+"Certainly not," answered di Lippo in his even voice, "nor am I. But
+to come to the point. I want a little business managed, and will pay
+for it. You appear to be a man of courage--will you undertake the
+matter?"
+
+"_Cospetto!_ But you are a cool hand! Who are you?"
+
+"Is it necessary to know? I offer a hundred crowns, fifty to be paid
+to you if you agree, and fifty on the completion of the affair."
+
+"A matter of the dagger?"
+
+"That is for you to decide."
+
+The bandit almost saw the snarl on di Lippo's lips as he dropped out
+slowly: "You are too cautious, my friend--you think to the skin. The
+rack will come whether you do my business or not." The words were not
+exactly calculated to soothe, and called up an unpleasant vision
+before the robber's eyes. A sudden access of wrath shook him. "Begone,
+signore!" he burst out, "lest my patience exhausts itself, and I give
+you a bed in the snow. Why I have spared your life, I know not.
+Begone; warm yourself with a walk----"
+
+"I will pay a hundred crowns," interrupted di Lippo.
+
+"A hundred devils--begone!"
+
+"As you please. Remember, it is a hundred crowns, and, on the faith of
+a noble, I say nothing about tonight. Where can I find you, in case
+you change your mind? A hundred crowns is a comfortable sum of money,
+mind you."
+
+There was no excitement about di Lippo. He spoke slowly and
+distinctly. His cool voice neither rose nor dropped, but he spoke in a
+steady, chill monotone. A hundred crowns _was_ a comfortable sum of
+money. It was a sum not to be despised. For a tithe of that--nay, for
+two pistoles--the Captain Guido Moratti would have risked his life
+twice over, things had come to such a pass with him. Highway robbery
+was not exactly his line, although sometimes, as on this occasion, he
+had been driven to it by the straits of the times. But suppose this
+offer was a blind? Suppose the man before him merely wanted to know
+where to get at him, to hand him over to the tender mercies of the
+thumbscrew and the rack? On the other hand, the man might be in
+earnest--and a hundred crowns! He hesitated.
+
+"A--hun--dred--crowns." The cavaliere repeated these words, and there
+was a silence. Finally the bandit spoke:
+
+"I frankly confess, signore, that stealing purses, even as I have done
+to-day, is not my way; but a man must live. If you mean what you say,
+there must be no half-confidences. Tell me who you are, and I will
+tell you where to find me."
+
+"I am the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo of Castel Lippo on the Greve."
+
+"Where is Castel Lippo?"
+
+"At the junction of the Arno and the Greve--on the left bank."
+
+"Very well. In a week you will hear from me again."
+
+"It is enough. You will allow me to ransom the horse. I will send you
+the sum. On my word of honour, I have nothing to pay it at once."
+
+"The signore's word of honour is doubtless very white. But a can in
+the hand is a can in the hand, and I need a horse--Good-night!"
+
+"Good-night! But a can in the hand is not always wine to the lips,
+though a hundred crowns is ever a hundred crowns;" and saying this, di
+Lippo drew his cloak over the lower part of his face, and turned
+sharply to the right into the darkness, without so much as giving a
+look behind him. His horse would have followed; but quick as thought,
+Moratti's hand was on the trailing reins, and holding them firmly, he
+stooped and picked up the purse, poising it at arm's-length in front
+of him.
+
+"Silver," he muttered, as his fingers felt the coins through the soft
+leather--"thirty crowns at the most, perhaps an odd gold piece or
+so--and now to be off. _Hola!_ Steady!" and mounting the horse, he
+turned his head round, still talking to himself: "I am in luck. Cheese
+falls on my macaroni--thirty broad pieces and a horse, and a hundred
+crowns more in prospect. Captain Guido Moratti, the devil smiles on
+you--you will end a Count. _Animo!_" He touched the horse with his
+heels, and went forward at a smart gallop; and as he galloped, he
+threw his head back and laughed loudly and mirthlessly into the night.
+
+In the meantime it was with a sore heart that the cavaliere made his
+way through the forest to the banks of the Arno, and then plodded
+along the river-side, through the wood, by a track scarcely
+discernible to any but one who had seen it many times. On his right
+hand the river hummed drearily; on his left, the trees sighed in the
+night-wind; and before him the narrow track wound, now up, then down,
+now twisting amongst the pines in darkness, then stretching in front,
+straight as a plumb-line. It was gall to di Lippo to think of the loss
+of the crowns and the good horse; it was bitterness to trudge it in
+the cold along the weary path that led to the ferry across the Arno,
+which he would have to cross before reaching his own home; and he
+swore deeply, under the muffling of his cloak, as he pressed on at his
+roundest pace. He soon covered the two miles that lay between him and
+the ferry; but it was past midnight ere he did this, and reaching the
+ferryman's hut, battered at the door with the hilt of his sword.
+Eventually he aroused the ferryman, who came forth grumbling. Had it
+been any one else, honest Giuseppe would have told him to go hang
+before he would have risen from his warm bed; but the Cavaliere
+Michele was a noble, and, although poor, had a lance or two, and
+Castel Lippo, which bore an ill name, was only a mangonel shot from
+the opposite bank. So Giuseppe punted his excellency across; and his
+excellency vented his spleen with a curse at everything in general,
+and the bandit in particular, as he stepped ashore and hurried to his
+dwelling. It was a steep climb that led up by a bridle-path to his
+half-ruined tower, and di Lippo stood at the postern, and whistled on
+his silver whistle, and knocked for many a time, before he heard the
+chains clanking, and the bar put back. At last the door opened, and a
+figure stood before him, a lantern in one hand.
+
+"St. John! But it is your worship! We did not expect you until
+sunrise. And the horse, excellency?"
+
+"Stand aside, fool. I have been robbed, that is all. Yes--let the
+matter drop; and light me up quick. Will you gape all night there?"
+
+The porter, shutting the gate hastily, turned, and walking before his
+master, led him across the courtyard. Even by the moonlight, it could
+be seen that the flagstones were old and worn with age. In many places
+they had come apart, and with the spring, sprouts of green grass and
+white serpyllum would shoot up from the cracks. At present, these
+fissures were choked with snow. Entering the tower by an arched door
+at the end of the courtyard, they ascended a winding stair, which led
+into a large but only partially furnished room. Here the man lit two
+candles, and di Lippo, dropping his cloak, sank down into a chair,
+saying: "Make up a fire, will you--and bring me some wine; after that,
+you may go."
+
+The man threw a log or two into the fireplace, where there was already
+the remains of a fire, and the pinewood soon blazed up cheerfully.
+Then he placed a flask of Orvieto and a glass at his master's elbow,
+and wishing him good-night, left him.
+
+Michele di Lippo poured himself out a full measure and drained it at a
+draught. Drawing his chair close to the blazing wood, he stretched out
+his feet, cased in long boots of Spanish leather, and stared into the
+flames. He sat thus for an hour or so without motion. The candles
+burned out, and the fire alone lit the room, casting strange shadows
+on the moth-eaten tapestry of the hangings, alternately lighting and
+leaving in darkness the corners of the room, and throwing its fitful
+glow on the pallid features of the brooding man, who sat as if cut out
+of stone. At last the cavaliere moved, but it was only to fling
+another log on the flames. Then he resumed his former attitude, and
+watched the fire. As he looked, he saw a picture. He saw wide lands,
+lands rich with olive and vine, that climbed the green hills between
+which the Aulella babbles. He saw the grey towers of the castle of
+Pieve. Above the donjon, a broad flag flapped lazily in the air,
+and the blazon on it--three wasps on a green field--was his own. He
+was no longer the ruined noble, confined to his few acres, living like
+a goat amongst the rocks of the Greve; but my lord count, ruffling it
+again in Rome, and calling the mains with Riario, as in the good old
+times ten years ago. Diavolo! But those were times when the Borgia
+was Pope! What nights those were in the Torre Borgia! He had one of
+Giulia Bella's gloves still, and there were dark stains on its
+whiteness--stains that were red once with the blood of Monreale, who
+wore it over his heart the day he ran him through on the Ripetta.
+_Basta!_ That was twelve years ago! Twelve years! Twelve hundred
+years it seemed. And he was forty now. Still young enough to run
+another man through, however. _Cospetto!_ If the bravo would only
+undertake the job, everything might be his! He would live again--or
+perhaps! And another picture came before the dreamer. It had much to
+do with death--a bell was tolling dismally, and a chained man was
+walking to his end, with a priest muttering prayers into his ears. In
+the background was a gallows, and a sea of heads, an endless swaying
+crowd of heads, with faces that looked on the man with hate, and
+tongues that jeered and shouted curses at him. And the voices of the
+crowd seemed to merge into one tremendous roar of hatred as the
+condemned wretch ascended the steps of the platform on which he was to
+find a disgraceful death.
+
+Michele di Lippo rose suddenly with a shiver and an oath:
+"_Maledetto!_ I must sleep. It touches the morning, and I have been
+dreaming too long."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                    AT "THE DEVIL ON TWO STICKS."
+
+
+It was mid-day, and the Captain Guido Moratti was at home in his
+lodging in "The Devil on Two Sticks." Not an attractive address; but
+then this particular hostel was not frequented by persons who were
+squeamish about names, or--any other thing. The house itself lay in
+the Santo Spirito ward of Florence, filling up the end of a
+_chiassolino_ or blind alley in a back street behind the church of
+Santa Felicita, and was well known to all who had "business" to
+transact. It had also drawn towards it the attention of the _Magnifici
+Signori_, and the long arm of the law would have reached it ere this
+but for the remark made by the Secretary Machiavelli, "One does not
+purify a city by stopping the sewers," he said; and added with a grim
+sarcasm, "and any one of us might have an urgent affair to-morrow, and
+need an agents--let the devil rest on his two sticks." And it was so.
+
+Occasionally, the talons of Messer the Gonfaloniere would close on
+some unfortunate gentleman who had at the time no "friends," and then
+he was never seen again. But arrests were never made in the house, and
+it was consequently looked upon as a secure place by its customers.
+The room occupied by Moratti was on the second floor, and was lighted
+by a small window which faced a high dead wall, affording no view
+beyond that of the blackened stonework. The captain, being a single
+man, could afford to live at his ease, and though it was mid-day, and
+past the dinner hour, had only just risen, and was fortifying himself
+with a measure of Chianti. He was seated in a solid-looking chair, his
+goblet in his hand, and his long legs clothed in black and white
+trunks, the Siena colours, resting on the table. The upper part of his
+dress consisted of a closely fitting pied surcoat, of the same hues as
+his trunks; and round his waist he wore a webbed chain belt, to which
+was attached a plain, but useful-looking poniard. The black hair on
+his head was allowed to grow long, and fell in natural curls to his
+broad shoulders. He had no beard; but under the severe arch of his
+nose was a pair of long dark moustaches that completely hid the mouth,
+and these he wore in a twist that almost reached his ears. On the
+table where his feet rested was his cap, from which a frayed feather
+stuck out stiffly; likewise his cloak, and a very long sword in a
+velvet and wood scabbard. The other articles on the table were a
+half-empty flask of wine, a few dice, a pack of cards, a mask, a wisp
+of lace, and a broken fan. The walls were bare of all ornament, except
+over the entrance door, whence a crucified Christ looked down in His
+agony over the musty room. A spare chair or two, a couple of valises
+and a saddle, together with a bed, hidden behind some old and shabby
+curtains, completed the furniture of the chamber; but such as it was,
+it was better accommodation than the captain had enjoyed for many a
+day. For be it known that "The Devil on Two Sticks" was meant for the
+aristocrats of the "profession." The charges were accordingly high,
+and there was no credit allowed. No! No! The _padrone_ knew better
+than to trust his longest-sworded clients for even so small a matter
+as a brown _paolo_. But at present Moratti was in funds, for thirty
+broad crowns in one's pocket, and a horse worth full thirty more, went
+a long way in those days, and besides, he had not a little luck at the
+cards last night. He thrust a sinewy hand into his pocket, and jingled
+the coins there, with a comfortable sense of proprietorship, and for
+the moment his face was actually pleasant to look upon. The face was
+an eminently handsome one. It was difficult to conceive that those
+clear, bold features were those of a thief. They were rather those of
+a soldier, brave, resolute, and hasty perhaps, though hardened, and
+marked by excess. There was that in them which seemed to point to a
+past very different from the present. And it had been so. But that
+story is a secret, and we must take the captain as we find him,
+nothing more or less than a bravo. Let it be remembered, however, that
+this hideous profession, although looked upon with fear by all, was
+not in those days deemed so dishonourable as to utterly cast a man out
+of the pale of his fellows. Troches, the bravo of Alexander VI., was
+very nearly made a cardinal; Don Michele, the strangler of Cesare
+Borgia, became commander-in-chief of the Florentine army, and had the
+honour of a conspiracy being formed against him--he was killed whilst
+leaving the house of Chaumont. Finally, there was that romantic
+scoundrel "Il Medighino," who advanced from valet to bravo, from bravo
+to be a pirate chief and the brother of a pontiff, ending his days as
+Marquis of Marignano and Viceroy of Bohemia. So that, roundly
+speaking, if the profession of the dagger did lead to the galleys or
+the scaffold, it as often led to wealth, and sometimes, as in the case
+of Giangiacomo Medici, to a coronet. Perhaps some such thoughts as
+these flitted in the captain's mind as he jingled his crowns and
+slowly sipped his wine. His fellow-men had made him a wolf, and a wolf
+he was now to the end of his spurs, as pitiless to his victims as they
+had been to him. He was no longer young; but a man between two ages,
+with all the strength and vitality of youth and the experience of
+five-and-thirty, so that with a stroke of luck he might any day do
+what the son of Bernardino had done. He had failed in everything up to
+now, although he had had his chances. His long sword had helped to
+stir the times when the Duke of Bari upset all Italy, and the people
+used to sing:
+
+
+               Cristo in cielo e il Moro in terra,
+               Solo sa il fine di questa guerra.
+
+
+He had fought at Fornovo and at Mertara; and in the breach at Santa
+Croce had even crossed swords with the Count di Savelli, the most
+redoubted knight, with the exception of Bayard, of the age. He had
+been run through the ribs for his temerity; but it was an honour he
+never forgot. Then other things had happened, and he had sunk, sunk to
+be what he was, as many a better man had done before him. A knock at
+the door disturbed his meditations. He set down his empty glass and
+called out, "Enter!"
+
+The door opened, and the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo entered the room.
+Moratti showed no surprise, although the visit was a little
+unexpected; but beyond pointing to a chair, gave di Lippo no other
+greeting, saying simply: "Take a seat, signore--and shut the door
+behind you. I did not expect you until to-morrow."
+
+"True, captain; But you see I was impatient. I got your letter
+yesterday, and, the matter being pressing, came here at once."
+
+"Well--what is the business?"
+
+The cavaliere's steel-grey eyes contracted like those of a cat when a
+sudden light is cast upon them, and he glanced cautiously around him.
+"This place is safe--no eavesdroppers?" he asked.
+
+"None," answered Moratti; and slowly putting his feet down from the
+table, pushed the wine towards di Lippo. "Help yourself, signore--No!
+Well, as you wish. And now, your business?"
+
+There was a silence in the room, and each man watched the other
+narrowly. Moratti looked at the cavaliere's long hatchet face, at the
+cruel close-set eyes, at the thin red hair showing under his velvet
+cap, and at the straight line of the mouth, partly hidden by a
+moustache, and short peaked beard of a slightly darker red than the
+hair on di Lippo's head. Michele di Lippo, in his turn, keenly scanned
+the seamed and haughty features of the bravo, and each man recognised
+in the other the qualities he respected, if such a word may be used.
+At last the cavaliere spoke: "As I mentioned, captain, my business is
+one of the highest importance, and----"
+
+"You are prepared to pay in proportion--eh?" and Moratti twirled his
+moustache between his fingers.
+
+"Exactly. I have made you my offer."
+
+"But have not told me what you want done."
+
+"I am coming to that. Permit me; I think I will change my mind;" and
+as Moratti nodded assent, di Lippo poured himself out a glass of wine
+and drained it slowly. When he had done this, he set the glass down
+with extreme care, and continued: "I am, as you see, captain, no
+longer a young man, and it is inconvenient to have to wait for an
+inheritance"--and he grinned horribly.
+
+"I see, cavalierei--you want me to anticipate matters a little--Well,
+I am willing to help you if I can."
+
+"It is a hundred crowns, captain, and the case lies thus. There is but
+one life between me and the County of Pieve in the Val di Magra, and
+you know how uncertain life is."
+
+He paused; but as Guido Moratti said nothing, continued with his even
+voice: "Should the old Count of Pieve die--and he is on the edge of
+the grave--the estate will pass to his daughter. In the event of her
+death----"
+
+"_Whew!_" Moratti emitted a low whistle, and sat bolt upright. "So it
+is the lady," he cried. "That is not my line, cavaliere. It is more a
+matter of the poison-cup, and I don't deal in such things. Carry your
+offer elsewhere."
+
+"It will be a new experience, captain--and a hundred crowns."
+
+"Blood of a king, man! do you think I hesitate over a paltry hundred
+crowns? Had it been a man, it would have been different--but a woman!
+No! No! It is not my way;" and he rose and paced the room.
+
+"Tush, man! It is but a touch of your dagger, and you have done much
+the same before."
+
+Moratti faced di Lippo. "As you say, I have executed commissions
+before, but never on a woman, and never on a man without giving him a
+chance."
+
+"You are too tender-hearted for your profession, captain. Have you
+never been wronged by a woman? They can be more pitiless than men, I
+assure you."
+
+The bronze on Moratti's cheek paled to ashes, and his face hardened
+with a sudden memory. He turned his back upon di Lippo, and stared out
+of the window at the dead wall which was the only view. It was a
+chance shot, but it had told. The cavaliere rose slowly and flung a
+purse on the table. "Better give him the whole at once," he muttered.
+"Come, captain," he added, raising his voice. "It will be over in a
+moment; and after all, neither you nor I will ever see heaven. We
+might as well burn for something; and if I mistake not, both you and I
+are like those Eastern tigers, who once having tasted blood must go on
+forever--see!" and he laid his lean hand on the bravo's shoulder, "why
+not revenge on the whole sex the wrong done you by one----"
+
+The captain swung round suddenly and shook off di Lippo's hand. "Don't
+touch me," he cried; "at times like this I am dangerous. What demon
+put into your mouth the words you have just used? They have served
+your purpose--and she shall die. Count me out the money, the full
+hundred--and go."
+
+"It is there;" and di Lippo pointed with his finger to the purse. "You
+will find the tale complete--a hundred crowns--count them at your
+leisure. _Addio!_ captain. I shall hear good news soon, I trust."
+Rubbing the palms of his hands together, he stepped softly from the
+room.
+
+Guido Moratti did not hear or answer him. His mind had gone back with
+a rush for ten years, when the work of a woman had made him sink lower
+than a beast. Such things happen to men sometimes. He had sunk like a
+stone thrown into a lake; he had been destroyed utterly, and it was
+sufficient to say that he lived now to prey on his fellow-creatures.
+But he had never thought of the revenge that di Lippo had suggested.
+Now that he did think of it, he remembered a story told in the old
+days round the camp fires, when they were hanging on the rear of
+Charles's retreating army, just before he turned and rent the League
+at Fornovo. Rodrigo Gonzaga, the Spaniard, had told it of a countryman
+of his, a native of Toledo, who for a wrong done to him by a girl had
+devoted himself to the doing to death of women. It was horrible; and
+at the time he had refused to believe it. Now he was face to face with
+the same horror--nay, he had even embraced it. He had lost his soul;
+but the price of it was not yet paid in revenge or gold, and, by
+Heaven! he would have it. He laughed out as loudly and cheerlessly as
+on that winter's night when he rode off through the snow; and laying
+hands on the purse, tore it open, and the contents rolled out upon the
+table. "The price of my soul!" he sneered as he held up a handful of
+the coins, and let them drop again with a clash on the heap on the
+table. "It is more than Judas got for his--ha! ha!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                              FELICITA.
+
+
+Some few days after his interview with di Lippo, the Captain Guido
+Moratti rode his horse across the old Roman bridge which at that time
+spanned the Aulella, and directed his way towards the castle of Pieve,
+whose outlines rose before him, cresting an eminence about a league
+from the bridge. The captain was travelling as a person of some
+quality, the better to carry out a plan he had formed for gaining
+admission to Pieve, and a lackey rode behind him holding his valise.
+He had hired horse and man in Florence, and the servant was an honest
+fellow enough, in complete ignorance of his master's character and
+profession. Both the captain and his man bore the appearance of long
+travel, and in truth they had journeyed with a free rein; and now that
+a stormy night was setting in, they were not a little anxious to reach
+their point. The snow was falling in soft flakes, and the landscape
+was grey with the driving mist, through which the outlines of the
+castle loomed large and shadowy, more like a fantastic creation in
+cloudland than the work of human hands. As the captain pulled down the
+lapels of his cap to ward off the drift which was coming straight in
+his face, the bright flare of a beacon fire shone from a tower of the
+castle, and the rays from it stretched in broad orange bands athwart
+the rolling mist, which threatened, together with the increasing
+darkness, to extinguish all the view that was left, and make the
+league to Pieve a road of suffering. With the flash of the fire a
+weird, sustained howl came to the travellers in an eerie cadence; and
+as the fearsome call died away, it was picked up by an answering cry
+from behind, then another and yet another. There could be no mistaking
+these signals; they meant pressing and immediate danger.
+
+"Wolves!" shouted Moratti; and turning to his knave: "Gallop,
+Tito!--else our bones will be picked clean by morning. Gallop!"
+
+They struck their spurs into the horses; and the jaded animals, as if
+realizing their peril, made a brave effort, and dashed off at their
+utmost speed. It was none too soon, for the wolves, hitherto following
+in silence, had given tongue at the sight of the fire; and as if
+knowing that the beacon meant safety for their prey, and that they
+were like to lose a dinner unless they hurried, laid themselves on the
+track of the flying horses with a hideous chorus of yells. They could
+not be seen for the mist; but they were not far behind. They were
+going at too great a pace to howl now; but an occasional angry "yap"
+reached the riders, and reached the horses too, whose instinct told
+them what it meant; and they needed no further spurring, to make them
+strain every muscle to put a distance between themselves and their
+pursuers. Moratti thoroughly grasped the situation. He had experienced
+a similar adventure in the Pennine Alps, when carrying despatches for
+Paolo Orsini, with this difference, that then he had a fresh horse,
+and could see where he was going; whereas now, although the distance
+to Pieve was short, and in ten minutes he might be safe and with a
+whole skin, yet a false step, a stumble, and nothing short of a
+miracle could prevent him becoming a living meal to the beasts behind.
+
+He carried, slung by a strap over his shoulder, a light bugle, which
+he had often found useful before, but never so useful as now.
+Thrusting his hand under his cloak, he drew it out, and blew a long
+clear blast; and, to his joy, there came an answer through the storm
+from the castle. Rescue was near at hand, and faster and faster they
+flew; but as surely the wolves gained on them, and they could hear the
+snarling of the leaders as they jostled against and snapped at each
+other in their haste. Moratti looked over his shoulder. He could see
+close behind a dark crescent moving towards them with fearful
+rapidity. He almost gave a groan. It was too horrible to die thus! And
+he dug his spurs again and again into the heaving flanks of his horse,
+with the vain hope of increasing its speed. They had now reached the
+ascent to Pieve. They could see the lights at the windows. In two
+hundred yards there was safety; when Moratti's horse staggered under
+him, and he had barely time to free his feet from the stirrups and
+lean well back in the saddle ere the animal came down with a plunge.
+Tito went by like a flash, as the captain picked himself up and faced
+the wolves, sword in hand. There was a steep bank on the side of the
+road. He made a dash to gain the summit of this; but had hardly
+reached half-way up when the foremost wolf was upon him, and had
+rolled down again with a yell, run through the heart. His fellows tore
+him to shreds, and in a moment began to worry at the struggling horse,
+whose fore-leg was broken. In a hand-turn the matter was ended, and
+the wretched beast was no longer visible, all that could be seen being
+a black swaying mass of bodies, as the pack hustled and fought over
+the dead animal.
+
+Nevertheless, there were three or four of the wolves who devoted their
+attention to Moratti, and he met them with the courage of despair. But
+the odds were too many, and he began to feel that he could not hold
+out much longer. One huge monster, his shaggy coat icy with the sleet,
+had pulled him to his knees, and it was only a lucky thrust of the
+dagger, he held in his left hand, that saved him. He regained his feet
+only to be dragged down again, and to rise yet once more. He was
+bleeding and weak, wounded in many places, and the end could not be
+far off. It was not thus that he had hoped to die; and he was dying
+like a worried lynx.
+
+The thought drove him to madness. He was of Siena, and somewhere in
+his veins, though he did not know it, ran the blood of the Senonian
+Gauls, and it came out now--he went Berserker, as the old northern
+pirates were wont to do. Sliding down the bank, he jumped full into
+the pack, striking at them in a dumb fury. He was hardly human himself
+now, and he plunged his sword again and again into the heaving mass
+around him, and felt no pain from the teeth of the wolves as they rent
+his flesh. A fierce mad joy came upon him. It was a glorious fight
+after all, and he was dying game. It was a glorious fight, and, when
+he felt a grisly head at his throat, and the weight of his assailant
+brought him down once more, he flung aside his sword, and grappling
+his enemy with his hands, tore asunder the huge jaws, and flung the
+body from him with a yell. Almost at that very instant there was the
+sharp report of firearms, the rush of hurrying feet, and the blaze of
+torches. Moratti, half on his knees, was suddenly pulled to his feet
+by a strong hand, and supported by it he stood, dizzy and faint,
+bleeding almost everywhere, but safe. The wolves had fled in silence,
+vanishing like phantoms across the snow; and shot after shot was fired
+in their direction by the rescue party.
+
+"_Per Bacco!_" said the man who was holding Moratti up; "but it was an
+affair between the skin and the flesh, signore--steady!" and his arm
+tightened round the captain. As he did this, a long defiant howl
+floated back to them through the night, and Guido Moratti knew no
+more. He seemed to have dropped suddenly, into an endless night. He
+seemed to be flying through space, past countless millions of stars,
+which, bright themselves, were unable to illumine the abysmal darkness
+around, and then--there was nothing.
+
+When Moratti came to himself again, he was lying in a bed, in a large
+room, dimly lighted by a shaded lamp, set on a tall Corinthian pillar
+of marble. After the first indistinct glance around him, he shut his
+eyes, and was lost in a dreamy stupor. In a little, he looked again,
+and saw that the chamber was luxuriously fitted, and that he was not
+alone, for, kneeling at a _prie-dieu_, under a large picture of a
+Madonna and Child, was the figure of a woman. Her face was from him;
+but ill as he was, Moratti saw that the tight-fitting dress showed a
+youthful and perfect figure, and that her head was covered with an
+abundance of red-gold hair. The man was still in the shadowland caused
+by utter weakness, and for a moment he thought that this was nothing
+but a vision of fancy; but he rallied half unconsciously, and looked
+again; and then, curiosity overcoming him, attempted to turn so as to
+obtain a better view, and was checked by a twinge of pain, which,
+coming suddenly, brought an exclamation to his lips. In an instant the
+lady rose, and moving towards him, bent over the bed. As she did this,
+their eyes met, and the fierce though dulled gaze of the bravo saw
+before him a face of ideal innocence, of such saintlike purity, that
+it might have been a dream of Raffaelle. She placed a cool hand on his
+hot forehead, and whispered softly: "Be still--and drink this--you
+will sleep." Turning to a side table, she lifted a silver goblet
+therefrom, and gave him to drink. The draught was cool and refreshing,
+and he gathered strength from it.
+
+"Where am I?" he asked; and then, with a sudden courtesy,
+"Madonna--pardon me--I thank you."
+
+"Hush!" she answered, lifting a small hand. "You are in Pieve, and you
+have been very ill. But I must not talk--sleep now, signore."
+
+"I remember now," he said dreamily--"the wolves; but it seems so long
+ago."
+
+She made no reply, but stepped softly out of the room, and was gone.
+Moratti would have called out after her; but a drowsiness came on him,
+and closing his eyes, he slept.
+
+It takes a strong man some time to recover from wounds inflicted by a
+wild animal; and when a man has, like Guido Moratti, lived at both
+ends, it takes longer still, and it was weeks before the captain was
+out of danger. He never saw his fair visitor again. Her place was
+taken by a staid and middle-aged nurse, and he was visited two or
+three times daily by a solemn-looking physician. But although he did
+not see her whom he longed to see, there was a message both morning
+and evening from the Count of Pieve and his daughter, hoping the
+invalid was better--the former regretting that his infirmities
+prevented his paying a personal visit, and the inquiries of the latter
+being always accompanied by a bouquet of winter flowers. But strange
+as it may seem, when he was under the influence of the opiate they
+gave him nightly, he was certain of the presence of the slight
+graceful figure of the lady of the _prie-dieu_, as he called her to
+himself. He saw again the golden-red hair and the sweet eyes, and felt
+again the touch of the cool hand. He began to think that this bright
+presence which lit his dreams was but a vision after all, and used to
+long for the night and the opiate.
+
+At last one fine morning Tito appeared, and began to set out and brush
+the captain's apparel as if nothing had ever happened. Moratti watched
+him for a space, and then rising up against his pillows, spoke:
+"Tito!"
+
+"Signore!"
+
+"How is it that you have not been here before?"
+
+"I was not allowed, Excellency, until to-day--your worship was too
+ill."
+
+"Then I am better."
+
+"Excellency!"
+
+There was a silence of some minutes, and the captain spoke again:
+"Tito!"
+
+"Signore!"
+
+"Have you seen the Count and his daughter?"
+
+"Excellency!"
+
+"What are they like?"
+
+"The Count old, and a cripple. Madonna Felicita, small, thin,
+red-haired like my wife Sancia."
+
+Moratti sank down again upon the bed, a satisfied smile upon his lips.
+So there was truth in his dreams. The vision of the night was a
+reality. He would see her soon, as soon as he could rise, and he was
+fast getting well, very fast. He had gone back many years in his
+illness. He had thoughts stirred within him that he had imagined dead
+long ago. He was the last man to day-dream, to build castles in the
+air; but as he lay idly watching Tito, who was evidently very busy
+cleaning something--for he was sitting on a low chair with his back
+towards the captain, and his elbow moving backwards and forwards
+rapidly--the bravo pictured himself Guido Moratti as he might have
+been, a man able to look all men in the face, making an honourable way
+for himself, and worthy the love of a good woman. The last thought
+brought before him a fair face and sweet eyes, and a dainty head
+crowned with red-gold hair, and the strong man let his fancy run on
+with an uprising of infinite tenderness in his heart. He was lost in a
+cloudland of dreams.
+
+"Signore!"
+
+Tito's harsh voice had pulled down the castle in Spain, and Tito
+himself was standing at the bedside holding a bright and glittering
+dagger in his hand. But he had done more than upset his master's
+dreams. He had, all unwittingly, brought him back in a flash to the
+hideous reality, for, as a consequence of his long illness, of the
+weeks of fever and delirium, Moratti had clean forgotten the dreadful
+object of his coming to Pieve. It all came back to him with a blinding
+suddenness, and he closed his eyes with a shudder of horror as Tito
+laid the poniard upon the bed, asking: "Will the signore see if the
+blade is keen enough? A touch of the finger will suffice."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                   CONCLUSION--THE TORRE DOLOROSA.
+
+
+Days were yet to pass before Guido Moratti was able to leave his
+chamber; but at last the leech who attended him said he might do so
+with safety; and later on, the steward of the household brought a
+courteous invitation from the Count of Pieve to dine with him. As
+already explained, Moratti had not as yet seen his host; and since he
+was well enough to sit up, there were no more dreamy visions of the
+personal presence of Felicita. He had made many resolutions whilst
+left to himself, and had determined that as soon as he was able to
+move he would leave the castle, quit Italy, and make a new name for
+himself, or die in the German wars. He was old enough to build no
+great hopes on the future; but fortune might smile on him, and
+then--many things might happen. At any rate, he would wipe the slate
+clean, and there should be no more ugly scores on it.
+
+Not that he was a reformed man; he was only groping his way back to
+light. Men do not cast off the past as a snake sheds his skin. He knew
+that well enough, but he knew, too, that he had seen a faint track
+back to honour; and difficult as it was, he had formed a determination
+to travel by it. He had been so vile, he had sunk so low, that there
+were moments when a despair came on him; but with a new country and
+new scenes, and the little flame of hope that was warming his dead
+soul back to life, there might yet be a chance. He knew perfectly that
+he was in love, and when a man of his age loves, it is for the
+remainder of his life. He was aware--none better--that his love was
+madness, all but an insult, and that it was worse than presumption to
+even entertain the thought that he had inspired any other feeling
+beyond that of pity in the heart of Felicita. It is enough to say that
+he did not dare to hope in this way; but he meant to so order his
+future life, as to feel that any such sentiment as love in his heart
+towards her would not be sacrilege.
+
+He sent back a civil answer to the invitation; and a little after
+eleven, descended the stairway which led from his chamber to the
+Count's apartments, looking very pale and worn, but very handsome. For
+he was, in truth, a man whose personal appearance took all eyes. The
+apartments of the Count were immediately below Moratti's own chamber,
+and on entering, he saw the old knight himself reclining in a large
+chair. He was alone, except for a hound which lay stretched out on the
+hearth, its muzzle between its forepaws, and a dining-table set for
+three was close to his elbow. Bernabo of Pieve received his guest with
+a stately courtesy, asking pardon for being unable to rise, as he was
+crippled. "They clipped my wings at Arx Sismundea, captain--before
+your time; but of a truth I am a glad man to see you strong again. It
+was a narrow affair."
+
+"I cannot thank you in words, Count; you and your house have placed a
+debt on me I can never repay."
+
+"Tush, man! There must be no talk of thanks. If there are to be any,
+they are due to the leech, and to Felicita, my daughter. She is all I
+have left, for my son was killed at Santa Croce."
+
+"I was there, Count."
+
+"And knew him?"
+
+"Alas, no. I was on the side of Spain."
+
+"With the besieged, and he with the League. He was killed on the
+breach--poor lad."
+
+At this moment a curtain at the side of the room was lifted, and
+Felicita entered. She greeted Moratti warmly, and with a faint flush
+on her cheeks, inquired after his health, hoping he was quite strong
+again.
+
+"So well, Madonna, that I must hurry on my journey to-morrow."
+
+"To-morrow!" Her large eyes opened wide in astonishment, and there was
+a pain in her look. "Why," she continued, "it will be a fortnight ere
+you can sit in the saddle again."
+
+"It might have been never, but for you," he answered gravely, and her
+eyes met his, and fell. At this moment the steward announced that the
+table was ready; and by the time the repast was ended, Moratti had
+forgotten his good resolutions for instant departure, and had promised
+to stay for at least a week, at the urgent intercession of both the
+Count and his daughter. He knew he was wrong in doing so, and that,
+whatever happened, it was his duty to go at once; but he hesitated
+with himself. He would give himself one week of happiness, for it was
+happiness to be near her, and then--he would go away forever. And she
+would never know, in her innocence and purity, that Guido Moratti,
+bravo--he shuddered at the infamous word--loved her better than all
+the world beside, and that for her sake he had become a new man.
+
+After dinner the Count slept, and, the day being bright, they stepped
+out into a large balcony and gazed at the view. The balcony, which
+stretched out from a low window of the dining chamber, terminated on
+the edge of a precipice which dropped down a clear two hundred feet;
+and leaning over the moss-grown battlements, they looked at the white
+winter landscape before them. Behind rose the tower they had just
+quitted, and Felicita, turning, pointed to it, saying: "We call this
+the Torre Dolorosa."
+
+"A sad name, Madonna. May I ask why?"
+
+"Because all of our house who die in their beds die here."
+
+"And yet you occupy this part of the castle."
+
+"Oh, I do not. My chamber is there--in Count Ligo's Tower;" and she
+pointed to the right, where another grey tower rose from the keep.
+"But my father likes to occupy the Torre Dolorosa himself. He says he
+is living with his ancestors--to whom he will soon go, as he always
+adds."
+
+"May the day be far distant."
+
+And she answered "Amen."
+
+After this, they went in, and the talk turned on other matters. The
+week passed and then another, but at last the day came for Moratti's
+departure. He had procured another horse. It was indeed a gift which
+the old Count pressed upon him, and he had accepted it with much
+reluctance, but much gratitude. In truth, the kindness of these people
+towards him was unceasing, and Moratti made great strides towards his
+new self in that week. He was to have started after the mid-day
+dinner; but with the afternoon he was not gone, and sunset found him
+on the balcony of the Torre Dolorosa with Felicita by his side.
+
+"You cannot possibly go to-night," she said.
+
+"I will go to-morrow, then," replied Moratti, and she looked away from
+him.
+
+It was a moment of temptation. Almost did a rush of words come to the
+captain's lips. He felt as if he must take her in his arms and tell
+her that he loved her as man never loved woman. It was an effort; but
+he was getting stronger in will daily, and he crushed down the
+feeling.
+
+"It is getting chill for you," he said; "we had better go in."
+
+"Tell me," she answered, not heeding his remark, "tell me exactly
+where you are going?"
+
+"I do not know--perhaps to join Piccolomini in Bohemia--perhaps to
+join Alva in the Low Countries--wherever a soldier's sword has work to
+do."
+
+"And you will come back?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"A great man, with a _condotta_ of a thousand lances--and forget
+Pieve."
+
+"As God is my witness--never--but it is chill, Madonna--come in."
+
+When they came in, Bernabo of Pieve was not alone, for standing close
+to the old man, his back to the fire, and rubbing his hands softly
+together, was the tall, gaunt figure of the Cavaliere Michele di
+Lippo.
+
+"A sudden visit, dear cousin," he said, greeting Felicita, and turning
+his steel-grey eyes, with a look of cold inquiry in them, on Moratti.
+
+"The Captain Guido Moratti--my cousin, the Cavaliere di Lippo."
+
+"Of Castel Lippo, on the Greve," put in di Lippo. "I am charmed to
+make the acquaintance of the Captain Moratti. Do you stay long in
+Pieve, captain?"
+
+"I leave to-morrow." Moratti spoke shortly. His blood was boiling, as
+he looked on the gloomy figure of the cavaliere, who watched him
+furtively from under his eyelids, the shadow of a sneer on his face.
+He was almost sick with shame when he thought how he was in di
+Lippo's hands, how a word from him could brand him with ignominy
+beyond repair. Some courage, however, came back to him with the
+thought that, after all, he held cards as well, as for his own sake,
+di Lippo would probably remain quiet.
+
+"So soon!" said di Lippo with a curious stress on the word soon, and
+then added, "That is bad news."
+
+"I have far to go, signore," replied Moratti coldly, and the
+conversation then changed. It was late when they retired; and as the
+captain bent over Felicita's hand, he held it for a moment in his own
+broad palm, and said: "It is good-bye, lady, for I go before the dawn
+to-morrow."
+
+She made no answer; but, with a sudden movement, detached a bunch of
+winter violets she wore at her neck, and thrusting them in Moratti's
+hand, turned and fled. The Count was half asleep, and did not notice
+the passage; but di Lippo said with his icy sneer: "Excellent--you
+work like an artist, Moratti."
+
+"I do not understand you;" and turning on his heel, the captain strode
+off to his room.
+
+An hour or so later, he was seated in a low chair, thinking. His
+valise lay packed, and all was ready for his early start. He still
+held the violets in his hand, but his face was dark with boding
+thoughts. He dreaded going and leaving Felicita to the designs of di
+Lippo. There would be other means found by di Lippo to carry out his
+design; and with a groan, the captain rose and began to pace the room.
+He was on the cross with anxiety. If he went without giving warning of
+di Lippo's plans, he would still be a sharer in the murder--and the
+murder of Felicita, for a hair of whose head he was prepared to risk
+his soul. If, on the other hand, he spoke, he would be lost forever in
+her eyes. Although it was winter, the room seemed to choke him, and he
+suddenly flung open the door and, descending the dim stairway, went
+out into the balcony. It was bright with moonlight, and the night was
+clear as crystal. He leaned over the battlements and racked his mind
+as to his course of action. At last he resolved. He would take the
+risk, and speak out, warn Bernabo of Pieve at all hazards, and would
+do so at once. He turned hastily, and then stopped, for before him in
+the moonlight stood the Cavaliere Michele di Lippo.
+
+"I sought you in your chamber, captain," he said in his biting voice,
+"and not finding you, came here----"
+
+"And how did you know I would be here?"
+
+"Lovers like the moonlight, and you can see the light from her window
+in Ligo's Tower," said di Lippo, and added sharply: "So you are
+playing false, Moratti."
+
+The captain made no answer; there was a singing in his ears, and a
+sudden and terrible thought was working. His hand was on the hilt of
+his dagger, a spring, a blow, and di Lippo would be gone. And no one
+would know. But the cavaliere went on, unheeding his silence.
+
+"You are playing false, Moratti. You are playing for your own hand
+with my hundred crowns. You think your ship has come home. Fool! Did
+you imagine I would allow this? But I still give you a chance. Either
+do my business to-night--the way is open--or to-morrow you are laid by
+the heels as a thief and a bravo. What will your Felicita----"
+
+"Dog--speak her name again, and you die!" Moratti struck him across
+the face with his open palm, and Michele di Lippo reeled back a pace,
+his face as white as snow. It was only a pace, however, for he
+recovered himself at once, and sprung at Moratti like a wild-cat. The
+two closed. They spoke no word, and nothing could be heard but their
+laboured breath as they gripped together. Their daggers were in their
+hands; but each man knew this, and had grasped the wrist of the other.
+Moratti was more powerful; but his illness had weakened him, and the
+long lean figure of Michele di Lippo was as strong as a wire rope.
+Under the quiet moon and the winter stars, they fought, until at last
+di Lippo was driven to the edge of the parapet, and in the moonlight
+he saw the meaning in Moratti's set face. With a superhuman effort, he
+wrenched his hand free, and the next moment his dagger had sunk to the
+hilt in the captain's side, and Moratti's grasp loosened, but only for
+an instant. He was mortally wounded, he knew. He was going to die; but
+it would not be alone. He pressed di Lippo to his breast. He lifted
+him from his feet, and forced him through an embrasure which yawned
+behind. Here, on its brink, the two figures swayed for an instant, and
+then the balcony was empty, and from the deep of the precipice two
+hundred feet below, there travelled upwards the sullen echo of a dull
+crash, and all was quiet again.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+When the stars were paling, the long howl of a wolf rang out into the
+stillness. It reached Felicita in Count Ligo's Tower, and filled her
+with a nameless terror. "Guard him, dear saints," she prayed; "shield
+him from peril, and hold him safe."
+
+
+
+
+
+                        THE TREASURE OF SHAGUL
+
+
+It was past two o'clock, and Aladin, the elephant-driver, had gathered
+together his usual audience under the shade of the mango tree near the
+elephant-shed. Aladin was a noted story-teller; he had a long memory,
+and an exhaustless fund of anecdote. It was ten years since he had
+come from Nepaul with Moula Piari, the big she-elephant, and for ten
+years he had delighted the inhabitants of the canal-settlement at
+Dadupur with his tales. It was his practice to tell one story daily,
+never more than one; and his time for this relaxation was an hour or
+so after the midday meal, when he would sit on a pile of _sal_ logs,
+under the mango tree, and his small audience, collecting round him in
+a semi-circle, would wait patiently until the oracle spoke. No one
+ever attempted to ask him to begin. Once Bullen, the water-carrier,
+the son of Bishen, after waiting in impatient expectation through ten
+long minutes of solemn silence, had suggested that it was time for
+Aladin to commence. At this the old man rose in wrath, and asking the
+water-carrier if he was his slave, smote him over the ear, and stalked
+off to the elephant-shed. For three days there was no story-telling,
+and Bullen, the son of Bishen, had a hard time of it with his fellows.
+Finally matters were adjusted; both Aladin and Bullen were persuaded
+by Gunga Din, the tall Burkundaz guard, to forget the past, and
+affairs went on in the old way. That was three years ago, but the
+lesson had not been forgotten. So although it happened on this
+April afternoon, that all the elephant-driver's old cronies were
+there,--Gunga Dino the Burkundaz, Dulaloo the white-haired Sikh
+messenger who had been orderly to Napier of Magdala, Piroo Ditta
+the telegraph-clerk, and Gobind Ram the canal-accountant, with a
+half-score others--yet not one of them ventured to disturb the silence
+of Aladin, as he sat, gravely stroking his beard, on the ant-eaten
+_sal_ logs which had mouldered there for so many years. They were the
+remains of a wrecked raft that had come down in a July flood, and
+having been rescued from the water, were stacked under the mango tree
+for the owner to claim. No owner ever came, but they had served as
+food for the white ants, and as a bench for Aladin, for many a year.
+The afternoon was delicious; a soft breeze was blowing, and the leaves
+of the trees tinkled overhead. Above the muffled roar of the canal,
+pouring through the open sluices, came the clear bell-like notes of a
+blackbird, who piped joyously to himself from a snag that stood up,
+jagged and sharp, out of the clear waters of the Some. To the north
+the Khyarda and Kalessar Duns extended in long lines of yellow, brown,
+and grey, and above them rose the airy outlines of the lower
+Himalayas, while higher still, in the absolute blue of the sky,
+towered the white peaks of the eternal snows. Beeroo, the Sansi, saw
+the group under the mango tree as he crossed the canal-bridge, and
+hastened towards it. Beeroo was a member of a criminal tribe, a tribe
+of nomads who lived by hunting and stealing, who are to be found in
+every Indian fair as acrobats, jugglers, and fortune-tellers, or
+tramping painfully through the peninsula with a tame bear or
+performing monkeys. In short the Sansis are very similar to gipsies,
+if they are not, indeed, the parent stock from which our own
+"Egyptians" spring. Beeroo came up to the sitters, but as he was of
+low caste, or rather of no caste, he took up his position a little
+apart, leaning on a long knotted bamboo staff, his coal-black eyes
+glancing keenly around him. "It is Beeroo," said Dulaloo the Sikh, and
+with this greeting lapsed into silence. Aladin ceased stroking his
+henna-stained beard, and looked at the new-comer. "Ai, Beeroo! What
+news?"
+
+"There is a tiger at Hathni Khoond, and I have marked him down. Is the
+Sahib here?"
+
+"The Sahib sleeps now," replied Aladin; "it is the time for his
+noontide rest. He will awaken at four o'clock."
+
+"I will see His Honour then," replied Beeroo, "and there will be a
+hunt to-morrow."
+
+"Is it a big tiger?" asked Bullen, the son of Bishen.
+
+"Aho!" and the Sansi, sliding his hands down the bamboo staff, sank to
+a sitting posture.
+
+"When was it the Sahib slew his last tiger?" asked Piroo Ditta, the
+telegraph-clerk.
+
+"Last May, at Mohonagh, near the temple," answered Aladin; "I remember
+well, for the elephant lost a toenail in fording the river-bed--poor
+beast!"
+
+"At Mohonagh! That is where the Shagul Tree is," said Gobind Ram.
+
+"True, brother. Hast heard the tale?"
+
+There was a chorus of "noes," that drowned Gobind Ram's "yes," and
+Aladin, taking a long pull at his water-pipe, began:
+
+"When Raja Sham Chand had ruled in Suket for six years, he fell into
+evil ways, and abandoning the shrine of Mohonagh, where his fathers
+had worshipped for generations, set up idols to a hundred and fifty
+gods. Prem Chand, the high priest of Mohonagh, cast himself at the
+Raja's feet, and expostulated with him in vain, for Sham Chand only
+laughed, saying Mohonagh was old and blind. Then he mocked the priest,
+and Prem Chand threw dust on his own head, and departed sore at heart.
+So Mohonagh was deserted, and the Raja wasted his substance among
+dancing-girls and the false priests who pandered to him. About this
+time Sham Chand, being a fool although a king, put his faith in the
+word of the emperor at Delhi, and came down from the hills to find
+himself a prisoner. In his despair the Raja called upon each one of
+his hundred and fifty gods to save him, promising half his kingdom if
+his prayers were answered; but there was no reply. At last the Raja
+bethought him of the neglected Mohonagh, and falling on his knees
+implored the aid of the god, making him the same promise of half his
+kingdom, and vowing that if he were but free, he would put aside his
+evil ways, return to the faith of his fathers, and destroy the temples
+of his false gods. As he prayed he heard a bee buzzing in his cell,
+and watching it, saw it creep into a hollow between two of the bricks
+in the wall, and then creep out again, and buzz around the room. Sham
+Chand put his hand to the bricks and found they were loose. He put
+them back carefully, and waited till night. Under cover of the dark he
+set to work once more, and removing brick after brick, found that he
+could make his passage through the wall. This he did and effected his
+escape. When he came back to Suket he kept his vow, and more than
+this. Within the walls of the _mandar_ of Mohonagh grows a _shagul_,
+or wild pear tree. On this tree the Raja nailed a hundred and fifty
+gold mohurs, a coin for each one of the false gods whose idols he
+destroyed, and decreed that every one in Suket who had a prayer
+answered, should affix a coin or a jewel to the tree. That was a
+hundred years ago, and now the stem of the Shagul Tree is covered with
+coins and jewels to the value of _lakhs_. I saw it with my own eyes.
+This is not all, for when at Mohonagh I heard that the god strikes
+blind any thief who attempts to steal but a leaf from the tree.
+_Bus!_--there is no more to tell."
+
+"_Wah_! _Wah!_" exclaimed the listeners, and Beeroo put in, "Lakhs of
+rupees didst thou say, Mahoutjee?"
+
+"I have said what I have said, O Sansi, and thou hast heard. Hast thou
+a mind to be struck blind?"
+
+Beeroo made no answer, and the group shortly afterwards broke up. But
+Gobind Ram, the canal-accountant, who knew the story of the Shagul
+Tree, went straight to his quarters. Here he wrote a brief note on a
+piece of soft yellow paper, and sealed it carefully. Then he drew
+forth a pigeon from a cage in a corner of the room, and fastening the
+letter to the bird, freed the pigeon with a toss into the air. The
+carrier circled slowly thrice above the _neem_ trees, and then
+spreading its strong slate-coloured wings, flew swiftly towards the
+hills. Gobind Ram watched the speck in the sky until it vanished
+from sight, then he went in, muttering to himself, "The high priest
+will know in an hour that Beeroo the Sansi has heard of the Shagul
+Tree--Ho, Aladin, thou hast too long a beard and too long a tongue,"
+and the subtle Brahmin squatted himself down to smoke.
+
+An hour afterwards, as Aladin was taking the she-elephant to water, he
+saw a figure going at a long slouching trot along the yellow sandbanks
+of the Some, making directly towards the north. The old man shaded his
+eyes with his hands and looked keenly at it; but his sight was not
+what it was, and he turned to Mahboob, the elephant-cooly, who would
+step into his shoes some day, when he died, and asked: "See'st thou
+that figure on the sandbank there, Mahboob?"
+
+"It is the Sansi," answered Mahboob. "Behold! He limps on the left
+foot, where the leopard clawed him at Kara Ho. Perchance the Sahib
+will not hear of the tiger to-day."
+
+"If ever, Mahboob," answered the Mahout; "would that mine eyes were
+young again. _Hai!_" and he tapped Moula Piari's bald head with his
+driving-hook, for her long trunk was reaching out to grasp a bundle of
+green grass from the head of a grass-cutter, who was bearing in fodder
+for the Sahib's pony.
+
+Mahboob was not mistaken; it was Beeroo. When the party broke up, he
+alone remained apparently absorbed in thought. After a time he took
+some tobacco from an embroidered pouch hanging at his waist, crushed
+it in the palm of his hand, and rolled a cone-shaped cigarette with
+the aid of a leaf, fastening the folds of the leaf together with a
+small dry stick which he stuck through the cigarette like a hair-pin.
+At this he sucked, his forehead contracted into a frown, and his
+bead-like eyes fixed steadily before him. Finally he rose quickly, as
+one who has made a sudden resolve.
+
+"The tiger can wait for the Sahib," he said to himself; "but _lakhs_
+of rupees--they wait also--for me. I will go and worship at Mohonagh.
+The idol will surely make the convert a gift."
+
+Laughing softly to himself, he stole off with long cat-like steps in
+the direction of the river. He forded the Some where it was crossed by
+the telegraph-line, and the water was but breast-deep. Once on the
+opposite bank, he shook himself like a dog, and breaking into a trot,
+headed straight for the hills. His way led up a narrow and steep
+track, hedged in with thorns over which the purple convolvulus twined
+in a confused network. On either hand were sparse fields of gram and
+corn, which ran in lozenge shapes up the low hillsides, ending in a
+tangle of underwood, beyond which rose the solid outlines of the
+forest. As the sun was setting he came to a long narrow ravine, over
+which the road crossed. Here he stopped, and instead of keeping to the
+road, turned abruptly to the right and trotted on. In the darkening
+woods above him he heard the cry of a panther, and the alarmed
+jabbering of the monkeys in the trees above their most dreaded enemy.
+Beeroo marked the spot with a glance as he went on: "I will buy
+a gun when I come back from Mohonagh," he muttered to himself, "a
+two-barrelled gun of English make. The Thanadar at Thakot has one for
+sale, a _birich-lodas_;[1] and then I will shoot that panther."
+_Hough_! _Hough!_ The cry of the animal rang through the forest again,
+as if in assent to his thoughts, and Beeroo continued his way. Just as
+the sun sank and darkness was setting in, he saw the wavering glimmer
+of a circle of camp-fires and the outlines of figures moving against
+the light. The flare of the burning wood discovered also a few low
+tents, shaped like casks cut in half lengthwise, and lit up with red
+the grey fur of a number of donkeys that were tethered within the
+radius of the fires. In a little time he heard the barking of dogs,
+and five minutes later was with the tents of his tribe.
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+Footnote 1: Breechloader.
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+One or two men exchanged brief greetings with him, and answering them,
+he stepped up to the centre fire, where a tall good-looking woman
+addressed him. "Aho, Beeroo, is it you? Is the hunt to be to-morrow?"
+
+"The Sahib was asleep," answered Beeroo; "give me to eat."
+
+The woman brought him food. It was a stew made of the flesh of a
+porcupine that had been kept warm in an earthenware dish, and Beeroo
+ate heartily of this, quenching his thirst with a draught of the fiery
+spirit made from the blossoms of the _mhowra_, after which he began to
+smoke once more, using a small clay pipe called a _chillum_. His wife,
+for so the woman was, made no attempt to converse with him, but left
+him to the company of his tobacco and his thoughts. Beeroo sat moodily
+puffing blue curls of smoke from his pipe, and with a black blanket
+drawn over his shoulders, stared steadily into the fire. So he sat for
+hours, no one disturbing him, sat until the camp had gone to rest, and
+the wind alone was awake and sighing through the forest. Sagoo, his
+big white hound, came close to him, and lay by his side, as if to hint
+that it was time to sleep. Beeroo stroked the lean, muscular flank of
+the dog, and looked around him. "In a little time," he said to
+himself, "I will be Beeroo Naik, with a village of my own and wide
+lands. Beeroo Naik," he repeated softly to himself, with a lingering
+pride on the title implied in the last word. Then he rolled himself up
+in his blanket; Sagoo snuggled beside him, and they slept.
+
+Beeroo awoke long before sunrise. He drank some milk, stole into his
+tent, and crept out again with a stout canvas haversack in his hands.
+Into this sack, which contained other things besides, he stuffed some
+broken meat and bread made of Indian corn, and slung is over his
+shoulders. Then grasping his staff, he gave a last look around him,
+and plunged into the jungle. Sagoo would have followed, but Beeroo
+ordered him back, and the hound with drooping tail and wistful eyes
+watched the figure of his master until it was lost in the gloom of the
+trees. Beeroo walked on tirelessly, and by midday was far in the
+hills. He could go from sunrise to sunset at that long trotting pace
+of his, rest a little, eat a little, and then keep on till the sun
+rose again. He was now high up in the hills. The _sal_ trees had given
+place to the screw-pine, silk-cotton and mango were replaced by
+holm-oak and walnut. In the tangle of the low bushes the dog-rose and
+wild jasmine bloomed, and the short green of the grass was spangled
+with the wood violet, the amaranth, and the pimpernel. Far below the
+Jumna hummed down to the plains in a white lashing flood, and the
+voice of the distant river reached him, soft and dreamy, through the
+murmur of the pines. As he glanced into the deep of the valleys, a
+blue pheasant rose with its whistling call, and with widespread wings
+sailed slowly down into the mist below. The sunlight caught the
+splendour of his plumage, and he dropped like a jewel into the pearl
+grey of the vapour that clung to the mountain-side. Beeroo looked at
+the bird for a moment, and then lifting his gaze, fixed it on a white
+spot on the summit of the forest-covered hill to his left. He made out
+a cone-like dome, surmounting a square building, built like an eagle's
+nest at the edge of the precipice which fell sheer for a thousand feet
+to the silver ribbon of the river. It was the _mandar_, or temple of
+Mohonagh, and so clear was the air, that it seemed as if Beeroo had
+only to stretch out his staff to touch the white spot before him. He
+knew better than that, however, and knew too that the sun must rise
+again before he could rest himself beneath the walls of the temple,
+and look on the treasure of the shagul.
+
+"_Ram_, _ram_, Mohonagh!" he cried, saluting the far-off shrine in
+mockery, and then continued his way. When he had gone thus for another
+hour or so, he came upon the traces of a recent encampment. There was
+a heap of stale fodder, one or two earthenware pots were lying about,
+and the remains of a fire still smouldered under the lee of a walnut
+tree. Hard by, on the opposite side of the track, a huge rock rose
+abruptly, and from its scarred side a bubbling spring plashed
+musically into a natural basin, and, overflowing this, ran across the
+path in a small stream, past the tree and over the precipice, where it
+lost itself in a spray in which a quivering rainbow hung. Here Beeroo
+halted, and having broken his fast and slaked his thirst, proceeded to
+totally alter his personal appearance. This he did by the simple
+process of removing his turban of Turkey red and his warm vest, the
+only covering he had for the upper portion of his body. After this he
+let down his long straight hair, which he wore coiled in a knot, to
+fall freely over his shoulders. Then he smeared himself all over, head
+and all, with ashes from the fire; and when this was done he stood up
+a grisly phantom in which no one would have recognised the Sansi
+tracker. He hid his sandals and the wearing apparel he had removed in
+a secure place in a cleft in the rocks, and marking the spot
+carefully, went on--no longer Beeroo the Sansi, a man of no caste, but
+a holy mendicant. In his left hand he held one of the earthen vessels
+he had found under the walnut, in his right, his bamboo staff, and the
+knapsack hung over his shoulders. When he had gone thus for about a
+mile he heard the melancholy "_Aosh_! _Aosh!_" of cattle-drivers in
+the hills and the tinkling of bells. Turning a bluff he came face to
+face with a small caravan of bullocks, returning from the interior,
+laden with walnuts, dried apricots, and wool. Each bullock had a
+bundle of merchandise slung on either side, and the frontlet of the
+leading animal was adorned with strings of blue beads and shells. The
+caravan-drivers walked, and as they urged their beasts along, repeated
+at intervals their call, which to European ears would sound more like
+a sigh of despair than a cry of encouragement. Beeroo stood by the
+side of the road, and, stretching out his ash-covered hands, held out
+the vessel for alms. Each man as he passed dropped a little into it
+for luck, one a brown copper, another some dried fruit, a third a
+handful of parched grain, and Beeroo received these offerings in a
+grave silence as became his holy calling. He stayed thus until the
+caravan was out of sight; then he collected the few coins and tossed
+the rest of the contents of the vessel on to the roadside. He was
+satisfied that his disguise was complete, and that he could face the
+priests of the temple at Mohonagh without fear of discovery, for the
+carriers were Bunjarees, members of a tribe allied to his own, whose
+lynx-eyes would have discovered a Sansi in a moment unless his
+disguise was perfect.
+
+"_Thoba!_" laughed Beeroo to himself as he pressed on. "Had the
+Bunjarees only known who I was, I had heard the whisper of their
+sticks through the air, and my back might have been sore; but the
+blessing of Mohonagh is upon me," he chuckled.
+
+Beeroo rested that evening in a cave. He rose at midnight, however,
+and travelling without a check was by morning ascending the winding
+road that led to the shrine. He was not alone here, for there were a
+number of pilgrims toiling up the ascent, halting now and again to
+take breath, as they wearily climbed the narrow track set in between
+the red and brown rocks, and overhung by wild apricot and holm-oak.
+Among the pilgrims were those who, in expiation of their sins,
+wriggled up the height on their faces like snakes, others who laid
+themselves flat at every third step, others again who crawled up
+painfully on their blistered hands and knees; there were women going
+to thank the god for the blessing of children, bearded Dogras of the
+hills, ash-covered and ochre-robed mendicants, and a fat _mahajun_, or
+money-lender, who had won a lawsuit and ruined a village. All these
+were hurrying towards the shrine, and their hands were full.
+
+Under the arch of the gateway stood Prem Sagar, the high priest of
+Mohonagh, and flung grain towards a countless number of pigeons that
+fluttered and cooed around him. "They are the eyes and ears of the
+temple," he said to himself as he gazed upon them; "they warn the
+shrine of danger, they bring the news of the world beyond the hills,
+they are surer than the telegraph of the Sahibs, for they tell no
+secrets. Perchance," and he looked down on the specks slowly nearing
+the gate, "amongst that crowd of fools is Beeroo the Sansi; if so the
+god will welcome him, and there will be another miracle. Purun Chand!"
+and he called out to a subordinate priest who approached him
+reverently, "Purun Chand, awaken the god."
+
+Purun Chand placed a conch-horn to his lips, and blew a long
+deep-toned call. Its dismal notes were caught up in the hills and
+echoed from valley to valley, until they died away, moaning in the
+deeps of the forest. As the call rang out dolefully, the pilgrims
+ascending the road fell on their knees, and with one voice cast up a
+wailing cry, "Ai, ai, Mohonagh!" And Beeroo the Sansi, the man of no
+caste, whose very presence so near the temple was an abomination,
+shouted the loudest of all.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+Half an hour later, Prem Sagar, the high priest, naked to the waist,
+with his brahminical cord hanging over his left shoulder and a red and
+white trident painted on his forehead, stood on the stone steps
+leading up to the shrine, and watched with keen eyes the pilgrims as
+they came within the temple walls. The devotees took no notice of him,
+except some of the women who prostrated themselves, while he bowed his
+head gravely in answer, but said nothing. His lips were muttering
+prayers in a sing-song tone, but his eyes were tirelessly watching the
+groups as they came up in files. At last Beeroo appeared, and on his
+coming to the steps, slightly dragging his left foot, a quick light
+shone in the high priest's eyes.
+
+"Soh! It is the holy man!" his thoughts ran on. "Gobind Ram did well
+to warn me of his limp. There too are the five marks of the leopard's
+claws, running down the inside of the calf." As Beeroo approached the
+priest, he imitated the action of a woman before him, and prostrated
+himself. Prem Sagar pretended not to see him; but raised his voice to
+a loud chant, and repeated the mystic words _Om, mane padme, om!_[2]
+There was a time when these words caused the heavens to thunder as at
+the sacred name of Jehovah; but now the limpid blue of the sky was
+undisturbed, as the priest called out to the jewel in the lotus, the
+symbol of the Universal God.
+
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+Footnote 2: "_Om_, the jewel in the lotus, _om!_" The _padma_, or
+lotus, is the flower from which Brahma sprang.
+
+-----------------------------------
+
+
+"_Om, mane padme, om!_" repeated Beeroo, and passed into the shrine.
+He found himself in a room about twenty feet square, the walls and
+floor blackened by age and by the smoke from the cressets which burned
+day and night in little niches in the walls. Overhead the vault of the
+dome was in inky darkness, and in front of him, three-headed and
+four-armed, painted a bright red, was the grinning idol of Mohonagh.
+At the feet of the god were the offerings of the pilgrims, and on each
+side of the idol stood an attendant priest holding a censer, which he
+swung to and fro, and the fumes from which, heavy with the odour of
+the wild jasmine and the champac, curled slowly up to the blackened
+dome. But it was not on the idol, nor on the priests, nor on the
+worshippers, that Beeroo's eyes were fixed. They were bent to the
+right of the idol, where the trunk of the Shagul Tree rose from the
+flooring of the temple like the body of a huge snake, and, escaping
+outside through a cutting in the wall, spread out into branches and
+leaves. In fact the temple was built around the tree, and even through
+the gloom, Beeroo could see that the part of the tree within the
+temple walls was covered with coins and gems. The coins, old and
+blackened with smoke, looked like scales on the snake-like trunk of
+the Shagul Tree: the gold and silver of the jewels were dimmed of
+their brightness; but through the murky scented atmosphere the Sansi
+saw the dusky burning red of the ruby, the green glow of the emerald,
+the orange flame within the opal, and the countless lights in the
+diamond; and all these came and went like stars twinkling through the
+veil of a dark night. The Sansi almost gasped, such riches as these
+were beyond his dreams; they truly meant _lakhs_ of rupees. A single
+one of the gems would buy him a village and lands; if he could get the
+whole! His brain almost reeled at the thought, and it was with an
+effort that he steadied himself, and laying his offering at the feet
+of the god, backed slowly out of the temple.
+
+Between the outer walls and the shrine was a space about a hundred
+feet square, shaded by a number of walnut trees. Hither the Sansi
+betook himself, and placing his earthen bowl on the ground, sat down
+behind it, staring stolidly before him as if trying to lose himself in
+that abstraction by which the devotee attains to nirvana. Some of the
+pilgrims piously dropped food into the vessel; but Beeroo took no heed
+of this, his eyes were fixed on vacancy, and his mind was revolving
+many things. So hour after hour passed, and Beeroo still sat
+motionless as a stone. Prem Sagar approached him once and spoke;
+but the holy man made no answer, judging it better to pretend to
+be under a vow of silence, than to betray anything by converse
+with the Brahmin. The high priest turned away smiling to himself.
+"Blue-throated Krishna," he murmured, "but the Sansi plays his part
+well! I had been deceived myself, had I not been warned by the--god,"
+and he walked to the temple gates, and gazed down into the valley
+beneath him.
+
+At last the strain of the position he had assumed began to tell upon
+Beeroo. Tough as he was, he had not had practice in those incredible
+feats of patient endurance to which the regular _Bairajis_, or holy
+men, have accustomed themselves. Beeroo would have followed the track
+of a wounded stag like a jackal for three days; he would lifted a cow
+at Jagadri at nightfall, and by morning been in the Mohun Pass; he
+would have danced his tame bear at Umritsur at noontide, and when the
+moon rose would have been resting at the Taksali Gate of Lahore; but
+to sit without motion for hour after hour, to sit until his limbs
+seemed paralyzed and his blood dead--this was unbearable. At all
+hazards this must be ended; and he suddenly rose, and began to move up
+and down, gesticulating wildly. The people who looked on thought he
+was mad, and therefore more holy than ever. They little knew of the
+method in the Sansi's madness, and that he was making the frozen blood
+circulate once again in his cramped limbs. When he had done this he
+came back, ate a little, and coiling himself up in the dust went to
+sleep, his sack under his head.
+
+By sunset most of the pilgrims had departed from the shrine, leaving
+only those who, having far to go, determined to camp within the
+inclosure of the temple walls for the night. They had brought
+provisions with them, and soon fires were sputtering merrily, and
+little groups sat around them, enjoying themselves in the subdued
+fashion of Indians. The holy man was not forgotten; his vessel was
+soon full of smoking hot cakes of Indian corn, and one kinder than the
+others placed a brass _lota_ of milk beside him. The holy one proved
+himself to be very willing to accept these gifts, and doubtless
+refreshed by his sleep, ate and drank with a very mundane appetite.
+While thus engaged, a little child came, and placing an offering of a
+string of flowers at his feet, shyly ran back to his parents. Prem
+Sagar saw this, and turning to the same priest who had aroused the
+idol in the morning, said: "Purun Chand, while standing at the temple
+gates this morning, mine eyes became dim, and there was a roaring in
+mine ears. Then I heard the voice of the idol of Mohonagh, and he said
+unto me: 'Five score years have passed to-day since the days of Sham
+Chand the king, since the days of the high priest Prem Chand, since I,
+Mohonagh, have spoken. Now to-night is the night of the new moon, and
+I, Mohonagh, will work a sign.' Then the darkness cleared away, and
+all was as before. Therefore I say to thee, Purun Chand, let not the
+idol be watched tonight: let the temple gates be kept open that
+Mohonagh may enter; and to-morrow at the dawning we shall behold his
+sign."
+
+Purun Chand bowed his obedience to the high priest; and then the
+darkness came, and with it the stars, and the thin scimitar of the
+young moon set slantwise in the sky. Beeroo was in no hurry; he had
+plenty of time to think out his plan of action, and had resolved to
+make his attempt in the small hours of the morning, for choice, in
+that still time between night and day, when all would be asleep, when
+even if it became necessary to remove an obstacle from his path, on
+one would hear the stroke of the knife or the groan of the victim. A
+little after midnight, then, Beeroo arose to his feet, and looked
+cautiously about him. Everything was very still; the camp-fires burned
+low and there was no sound except the rustle of the leaves overhead.
+The tree beneath which he rested was very near to the temple gates,
+and it struck him that they were open. He crept softly towards them,
+and found it was as he thought. "The blessing of Mohonagh is on me,"
+he laughed lowly to himself as he came back. He thrust his hand into
+his sack, and pulled out a light but strong claw-hammer, and a knife
+with a pointed blade keen as a razor. As he brought them forth they
+clicked against each other, and in the dead stillness the sharp,
+metallic sound seemed loud enough to be heard all over the inclosure.
+Something also disturbed the pigeons on the temple, and there was an
+uneasy fluttering of wings. The Sansi drew in his breath with a
+hissing sound. "This will cause a two hours' delay," he said to
+himself. "I will risk nothing if I can help it." Then he sat him down
+again and waited.
+
+At last! He rose once more softly, and crept with long cat-like steps
+towards the entrance of the shrine. The cressets burning within cast a
+faint pennon of light out of the pointed archway of the entrance, and
+as they wavered in the night wind, this banner of fire shook and
+trembled with an uncertain motion. Beeroo halted in the shadow. He was
+about to step forward again when he was startled by a strange, shrill
+chuckling cry that made his very flesh creep. He looked around him in
+fear, and the elvish laugh came again from amidst the leaves of the
+walnut trees. The man heaved a sigh of relief; "Pah!" he exclaimed in
+disgust at himself, "it is but a screech-owl." He had to wait a
+little, however, to steady himself; and then he boldly pressed forward
+and through the door of the shrine. There was not a soul within. The
+glimmering lights cast uncertain shadows around them, and the three
+heads of the idol faced the Sansi in a stony silence. There was but
+one eye in the centre of each forehead; but all three of these eyes
+seemed to lighten, and the thick lips on the three faces to widen in a
+grin of mockery at the thief. Like all natives of India, Beeroo was
+superstitious, and a fear he could hardly control fell on him. What
+if, after all, the stories of the idol's power were true? Aladin had
+not lied about the Shagul Tree; why should he lie about the power of
+the idol? Still Mohonagh was not the god of the Sansis. He would
+invoke his own gods, deities of forest and flood, against this
+three-headed monster. Then the Shagul Tree was there. He could all but
+touch it; he caught the flash of the winking gems, and the instincts
+of the robber, fighting with his fears, brought back his courage.
+
+"Aho, Mohonagh! Thy blessing is on me, the Sansi." He said this loudly
+in bravado, and was almost frightened again at the echoes of his own
+voice in the vault of the dome. He had spoken with the same feeling in
+his heart that makes a timid traveller whistle when passing a place he
+dreads. He had spoken to keep his heart up, and the very sound of his
+own voice terrified him. At last the echoes died away and there was
+silence in the shrine. Large beads of sweat stood on the man's
+forehead. Almost did he feel it in his heart to flee at once; but to
+leave that priceless treasure now! It could not be. In two strides he
+was beside the tree. A wrench of the claw-hammer and a jewelled
+bracelet was in his hand; another wrench and he had secured another
+blazing trophy.
+
+"Beeroo!"
+
+The man looked up in guilty amazement. To his horror he saw that the
+three heads of the idol, which were facing the door when he entered,
+had moved round, and were now facing him. The hammer fell from his
+hand with a crash, and he stood shivering, a grey figure with staring
+eyes and open gasping mouth.
+
+"_Ai_, Mohonagh!" he said in a choking voice.
+
+"The blessing of Mohonagh is on thee;" and something that seemed all
+on fire rose from behind the idol, and laid its hand on Beeroo's face.
+With a shriek of agony the Sansi rolled on the floor, and twisted and
+curled there like a snake with a broken back.
+
+When, roused by his cries, the people and the priests awoke and
+hurried to the temple, they shrank back in terror; and none dared
+enter, not even the priests, for from the mouths of the idol three
+long tongues of flame played, paling the glow of the cressets and
+throwing its light on the blind and writhing wretch at its feet.
+
+Suddenly a quiet voice spoke at the temple-door, and Prem Sagar the
+high-priest appeared. "O pilgrims," he said, "be not afraid! Mohonagh
+has but protected his treasure, and given us a sign. Said I not he
+would do this, Purun Chand? See," he added, as he stepped into the
+temple, and lifted up the gems from the floor, "this man would have
+robbed a god!" And the people, together with the priests, fell on
+their knees and touched the earth with their foreheads, crying "_Ai_,
+_ai_, Mohonagh!"
+
+Prem Sagar pointed to Beeroo. "Bear him outside the temple-gates and
+leave him there," he said; "he is blind and cannot see."
+
+Two or three men volunteered to do this, and they bore him out as
+Prem Sagar had ordered, and cast him on the roadside without the
+temple-gates; and he, to whom day and night were to be henceforth ever
+the same, lay there moaning in the dust.
+
+Late that morning certain pilgrims returning to their houses found him
+there, and, being pitiful, offered to guide him back. It is said that
+the first question he asked was, "When will it be daylight?" And a
+Dogra of the hills answered bluntly, "Fool, thou art blind"; whereat
+the Sansi lapsed into a stony silence, and was led away like a child.
+
+
+In the tribe of the Sansis, who wander from Tajawala to Jagadhri where
+the brass-workers are, and from Jagadhri to Karnal, is a blind madman
+who bears on his scarred face the impress of a hand. It is said that
+he can cure all diseases at will, for he is the only man living who
+has stood face to face with a god.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE FOOT OF GAUTAMA
+
+
+The _Gregory Gasper_, or, as the Lascars insisted on calling her, the
+_Gir Giri Gaspa_, bound from Calcutta to Rangoon and the Straits, had
+injured her machinery, and was now going, as it were, on one leg, and
+going very lamely, across the Bay of Bengal. We had got into a dead
+calm. The sea and the sky fused into each other in the horizon, and
+the water around us was as molten glass, parting sluggishly before the
+bows of the ship, instead of dancing back in a creamy foam.
+
+"By Jove!" said Sladen, as he leaned over the side and watched the
+lazy brown swell lounge backward from our course, "this is a dirty bit
+of water: that wave should have had a white head to it. I believe
+we've got into a sea of flat beer."
+
+"We've got to go to Rangoon for hospital, and this is the outwater of
+the Irawadi," said a passenger from his seat. "We can't be more than
+sixty miles from the coast, and an Irawadi flood shoots its slime out
+quite as far as that."
+
+"I prefer to think it's flat ale. It's too hot to go into physical
+geography, Burgess"; and Sladen, flinging the half-burnt stump of his
+cheroot overboard, joined us who sat in torpid silence. The heat was
+intense. We had tried every known way to kill time, and failed.
+
+The small excitement of the morning, caused by a shoal of turtles
+drifting by solemnly, had passed. They looked like so many inverted
+earthen pots in the water, and we had wasted about fifty of the ship's
+snider cartridges on them, until, finally, they floated out of range
+and sight, unhurt and safe. Then an Indian Marine vessel passed us in
+the offing, and there was a hot discussion between Sladen and myself
+whether it was the _Warren Hastings_ or the _Lord Clive_. We appealed
+to the captain, who, being a member of the Royal Naval Reserve, looked
+with profound scorn on the Indian Marine. He scarcely deigned to
+glance at the ship as he grunted out:
+
+"Oh, it's one of those damned cockroach navy boats: it's that old tub
+the _Lord Clive_," and he walked off to the bridge. Ten minutes
+afterwards we lost the grey sides of the old tub in the grey of the
+sea, and a dark line of smoke running from east to west was the only
+sign of the _Lord Clive_, as she steamed through the dead calm at
+fourteen knots an hour. Then we tried nap, we adventured at loo, and
+we bluffed at poker. There was no balm in them, and Sladen twice held
+a flush sequence of hearts. Therefore we sat moody and silent, some of
+us too sleepy even to smoke.
+
+It was at this moment that the skipper rejoined us, and behind him
+came his stout Madrassee butler, with a tray full of long glasses, in
+which the ice chinked pleasantly.
+
+"Drink, boys!" he said, settling himself in the special chair reserved
+for him. "It's the chief's watch, and I've brought you a particular
+brew, as you seem dull and lonesome, so to speak."
+
+It was a particular brew, and we sucked at it lovingly through the
+long amber straws.
+
+"Ha!" said the skipper, "I thought that would stiffen your backbones.
+Phew! it is hot!" and he mopped his face with a huge handkerchief.
+
+Sladen burst out: "We've got absolutely on the hump. Somebody do
+something to kill time. Can't some of you fellows tell a story? Any
+lie will do! Come, Captain!"
+
+"No, no!" said the skipper. "I'm the senior officer here, and speak
+last. Here's Mr. Burgess: he's been in all sorts of uncanny places,
+and should be able to tell us something. I put the call on him--so
+heave away."
+
+Burgess, the man who had spoken about the outwater of the Irawadi,
+leaned back for a moment in his chair, with half-closed eyes. He was a
+short, squarely built man, very sunburnt, with mouth and chin hidden
+by the growth of a large moustache and beard. There was nothing
+particular in his appearance; yet in following his calling--that of an
+orchid-hunter--he had been to strange places and seen strange things.
+Sladen, who knew him well, hinted darkly that he had traversed unknown
+tracts of country, had hobnobbed with cannibals, and held his life in
+his hands for the past thirty years.
+
+"You've hit on the very man, Captain," said Sladen. "Now, Burgess,
+tell us how you found the snake-orchid, and sold it to a duchess for a
+thousand pounds. You promised to tell me the story one day, you
+remember?"
+
+"That's too long. I'll tell you a story, however"; and Burgess lifted
+up his drink, took a pull at it, and, picking up the straw that leaned
+back in a helpless manner against the edge of the glass, began
+twisting it round his fingers as he spoke.
+
+"All this happened many years ago----"
+
+"When flowers and birds could talk," interrupted the Boy; and Burgess,
+turning on him, said slowly: "Flowers and birds can talk _now_. When
+you are older you will understand."
+
+The Boy looked down a little abashed, and Burgess continued: "I am
+afraid to say how many years ago I first went to Burma. I was as poor
+as a rat, and things had panned out badly for me. Rangoon then was not
+the Rangoon of to-day, and the old king Min-Doon Min, who succeeded to
+the throne after the war, was still almost all-powerful. He was not a
+bad fellow, and I once did a roaring trade with him at Mandalay:
+exchanged fifty packets of coloured candles for fifty pigeon's-blood
+rubies. They had a big illumination at the palace that night, and I
+only narrowly escaped being made a member of the cabinet. I, however,
+got the right of travelling through his majesty's dominions, wherever
+and whenever I pleased; but the chief queen made it a condition that I
+should supply no more coloured candles. She preferred the rubies; and
+I fancy old Min-Doon Min must have had a bad time of it, for the queen
+was as remarkable for her thrift as for her tongue. She was as close
+as that"--Burgess held up a square brown fist before us, and, as he
+did so, I noticed the white line of a scar running across it, below
+the knuckles, from thumb to little finger. He caught my eye resting on
+it, and laughingly said: "It's a seal of the kind friends I have in
+Kinnabalu. But to resume, as the story-books say. All this about
+Min-Doon is a 'divarsion,' and I'll go back to the point when I found
+myself first at Rangoon, with all my wardrobe on my back, and a
+two-dollar bill in my pocket. After drifting about for some time, I
+got employment in a rice-shipping firm, and set myself to work to
+learn the language. In about a year I could speak it well, and, having
+got promotion in the firm, felt myself on the high road to fortune. It
+was hard work: the boss knew the value of every penny he spent, and
+took every ounce he could out of his men."
+
+"Bosses are cut out of the same pattern even now," murmured the Boy.
+"The breed don't seem to improve."
+
+Burgess took no notice of the interruption, but went on: "I was
+finally placed in charge of some work at Syriam; and a little
+misfortune happened--my over-man died. It was rather a job to get
+another. Men were not easily picked up in those days. But at last I
+unearthed one, or rather he unearthed himself. He hailed from the
+States, and described himself as a Kentucky man--the real 'half-horse,
+half-alligator' breed. I asked no questions, but set him to work, and
+reported to the boss, who said 'All right.' The new man seemed to be a
+gem: he turned up regularly, stayed till all hours, and never spared
+himself. He was a great lanky fellow, with dark hair, and eyes so
+palely grey that they seemed almost white. They gave him an odd
+appearance; but, as good looks were not a qualification in our
+business, it did not matter much what he was like. He had been a
+miner, and had also been to sea, and knew how to obey an order at the
+double. One day he suddenly looked up from his table--we sat in the
+same room--and asked if I had heard of treasure ever being buried in
+or near old pagodas.
+
+"'Every one hears such stories,' I answered; 'but why do you ask?'
+
+"'Wal,' he went on, in his slow drawl, 'I've bin readin' ez haow a
+Portugee called Brito, or some sich name, did a little bit of piracy
+in these hyar parts, until his games were stopped by the local Jedge
+Lynch. They ran a stick through him, as the Burmese do now to a dried
+duck.'
+
+"'What's that got to do with buried treasure?'
+
+"'You air smart! This Brito, before his luck petered out, had a
+pow'ful soothin' time of it with the junks an' pagodas, and poongyies,
+as they call their clergy. Guess he didn't lay round hyar for nuthin',
+an' if all I've heard be true, vermilion isn't the name for the paint
+he put on the squint-eyes.
+
+"'But----'
+
+"He put up his hand. 'So long. I'm thinkin' that, ef I'd a smart
+pard--one who saveyed their lingo--we might strike a lead of luck.'
+
+"I was always a bit of a roving character, and fond of a little
+adventure, so that the conversation interested me; still, however, I
+objected, more with a desire to see how much Stevens, as he called
+himself, knew than anything else.
+
+"'See thar,' he said, pulling out a map from his drawer and unrolling
+it on the table. 'See thar! This is where Brito and his crowd were,'
+and he laid a long forefinger on the mouths of the Irawadi. 'When they
+bested him, the Burmese got little or nuthin' back. I want a pard--one
+who knows the lingo, an' is a white man. You set me up when I'd
+struck bed rock; an' I says to myself, Wal, this 'ere _is_ a white
+man. Ef ever Hake Stevens gets a pile, it's to be halves. The pile's
+thar--will you jine?'
+
+"He stood up, and put his hand on my shoulder. It really wasn't good
+enough. Stevens had simply got hold of a very ordinary legend after
+all, and I laughed back, 'You'll make more out of a rice-boom,
+Stevens, some day, than ever you will out of Brito's treasure.' He
+rolled up the map and put it back into his drawer.
+
+"'I've done the squar' thing by you, pard,' he said. 'No one can deny
+ez I haven't done the squar' by you.'
+
+"'Of course,' I answered, and turned to my duties. From that time,
+however, Stevens seemed to be able to think of nothing but his
+imaginary treasure. Some days afterwards he did not come to work, and
+the following day we got an ill-spelt letter, resigning his post, and
+asking that the money due to him should be sent to a certain address.
+We paid up, and got a Chinaman in his place."
+
+"In a short time the Chinaman will be doing everybody's work in
+Burma," said Sladen. "Hand over the baccy, please, Captain."
+
+The skipper flung Sladen a black rubber tobacco pouch, and Burgess, in
+this interlude, finished his glass.
+
+"I clean forgot all about Stevens, when one evening, as I was sitting
+in my rooms over a pipe, my servant told me some one wished to see me.
+I told the man to admit him, and Stevens came in. He seemed fairly
+well off; but was, if possible, a trifle thinner than when I last saw
+him. He shook me by the hand, disjointed himself like a fishing-rod,
+and sank into a chair.
+
+"'Wal, pard, will you jine?'
+
+"'Still at the old game, Stevens? No, I don't think I'll join on a
+fool's search like that.'
+
+"'Fool's search, you call it. Very wal, let it be naow; but I want you
+to come with me this evening to an entertainment. It's a sort of
+swarrey; but I guess ez we'll be the only guests.'
+
+"'Have a whiskey first?'
+
+"'I guess ez haow a wet won't hurt,' and he poured himself out a glass
+from the bottle--we weren't up to decanters in Burma then.
+
+"I thought I might as well go, and, having made up my mind, we were
+walking down the street in the next ten minutes. Rangoon was not laid
+out in squares as it is now, with each street numbered, so that losing
+your way is an impossibility. Well as I knew the place, I found that
+Hake Stevens was aware of short cuts and by-lanes which I had never
+seen before. We entered the Chinese quarter. It was a feast-day for
+John, and the street was alight with paper lanterns: dragons,
+serpents, globes, and tortoises swung to and fro in all manner of
+colours. Here a green dragon went openmouthed at a yellow serpent,
+there an amber tortoise swung in a circle of crimson-and-blue globes.
+We passed a joss house, where there was an illuminated inscription to
+the effect that enlightenment finds its way even amongst the outer
+barbarians, and, turning to the left, much where Twenty-Seven Street
+is now--a fire wiped out all that part of Rangoon years ago--went up a
+gully, and finally stopped before a small shop. Sitting in a cane
+chair in the doorway was a short man, so enormously stout that he was
+almost globular. 'Is he in?' asked Stevens, in English; and the man,
+with his teeth closed on the stem of the opium pipe he smoked,
+answered 'Yess,' or rather hissed the words between his lips. We
+passed by him with some little difficulty, for he made no effort to
+move, and, ascending a rickety staircase, entered a small room, dimly
+lighted by a cheap kerosene lamp. In one corner of the room an old man
+was seated. He rose as we entered, and saluted us.
+
+"'This is the host,' and Stevens waved his hand in introduction. 'But
+he knows only about six words of English, and I know nothing of his
+derned lip, so you see my new pard an' I cayn't very well exchange
+confidences.'
+
+"I confess to a feeling of utter disappointment when I saw what we had
+come to; but there was no use in saying anything. 'Who is he? How did
+you get to know him?' I asked Stevens. He closed an eyebrow over one
+of his white-grey eyes with a portentous wink.
+
+"'That, pard, is one of the secrets of the past. We hev the future
+before us.'
+
+"I never could quite make Stevens out. He spoke the most obtrusive
+Yankee; yet with turns of expression which at times induced me to
+think he was playing a part.
+
+"'Very well,' I laughed,' I don't want to look back; but may I ask
+what is the entertainment this gentleman has provided for us?'
+
+"'Wal,' replied Stevens, 'he's just one of their medicine-men: goes
+off to sleep, and then tells you all about everything. I'm goin' to
+lay round for him to tell us where Brito's pile is. Spirit-rappin'
+does strange things in my country, an' I don't see ez how this old
+cuss moutn't be of help.'
+
+"The old tack again!--I resigned myself to fate. There is no use in
+going into preliminaries. Stevens stated what he wanted, and I
+explained fully and clearly what was required. We then paid our fee,
+which the old gentleman wrapped up for security in a corner of the
+saffron sash he wore round his head, and told us to sit down before
+him. Then he stripped himself to the waist--there wasn't much to
+remove--and spread a square of white cloth on the floor; on this he
+placed a mirror, brought the light close to the mirror, and then
+settled himself cross-legged before his arrangement of mirror and
+light.
+
+"'Listen!' he said in Burmese. 'I have given my word, and will show
+you what you want; but you must not speak, and you must follow my
+directions implicitly.'
+
+"I translated to Stevens, who willingly agreed. "'Now shut your eyes.'
+
+"We did so, and I felt his hands passing over my face. Then something
+cold touched my forehead, leaving a sensation much like that caused by
+a menthol crystal. A moment later a subtle odour filled the room--an
+odour indescribably sweet and heavy, the effect of which on me was to
+make me feel giddy.
+
+"'Open your eyes!'
+
+"I almost started, for the words were spoken in the purest English. We
+obeyed, and found the room full of a pale blue vapour. The lamp had
+gone out; but the mirror was instinct with light, and threw a halo
+around it, showing the dim outline of the sorcerer crouched low down
+with his face between his hands. "'Look!'
+
+"The voice seemed to come from all parts of the room at once, and
+Stevens' hand clutched on to my shoulder, the fingers gripping in like
+a vice. We bent over the glass, and saw reflected in it, not our own
+faces, but a wide creek, overhung by forest on each side, and a row of
+six colossal images of Buddha, or Gautamas as they are called, lining
+one of the banks. Whilst we looked on this silent scene, a boat
+with a couple of native oarsmen came round the elbow of the creek. In
+the stern sat a man in an old-fashioned dress, with a cuirass on;
+and as the boat grounded lightly near the figure of the largest
+Gautama, he leaped actively to land, holding up from the ground a
+long, basket-hilted rapier. The two men followed, bearing with them an
+iron-bound chest, and laid it at the feet of the biggest Gautama; then
+returning to the boat, they brought picks therefrom, and began to dig,
+the man with the rapier standing over them, resting on the hilt of his
+sword. They dug away under the foot of the idol, and finally concluded
+they had gone far enough. The chief examined their work, and some
+words passed. We saw the lips moving, but heard nothing. The box was
+buried carefully, and the stones and earth put back, so as to remove
+all traces of the hiding-place of the treasure. Some further
+directions were given, and one of the two natives stooped as if to
+throw some brushwood over the spot. The next moment the rapier passed
+through his body. He twisted himself double, and rolled over dead. The
+other turned to flee, but there was a flash, a small curl of blue and
+grey smoke, and he fell forward on his face into the water and sank.
+The cavalier, still holding the pistol in his hand, went up to the
+first man. There was no doubt he was dead; so the Don put back his
+pistol, wiped his sword carefully with a handful of grass, and
+returned it to its scabbard; then he dragged the body to the creek and
+flung it in. After that he gave a last look at the foot of the
+Gautama, and, jumping into the boat, began to paddle himself away.
+
+"'Dead men tell no tales.' The words seemed to burst from Stevens.
+Instantly there was a blinding flash, and when we recovered ourselves
+the room was as before. The cloth and mirror had gone, and the old
+sorcerer was seated on his stool in the corner of the room, the lamp
+burning dimly beside him.
+
+"'You spoke,' he said. 'I can do no more.'
+
+"I looked at Stevens reproachfully, and he understood. His face was
+very pale, and his lips blue with excitement. After a little he
+recovered himself, and said, with a shake of eagerness in his voice:
+
+"'Cayn't this old cuss start fresh, an' give us another run?'
+
+"'I can do nothing,' replied the man to my inquiry. 'You must go now.'
+
+"We turned to depart, and when we got into the street Stevens said to
+me: 'I'll see you home. I'm afraid I busted the show.'
+
+"'I'm afraid you have; but it's no use crying over spilt milk.'
+
+"Stevens made no answer, and we walked back to my rooms without saying
+a word. At the door he left me abruptly, refusing all offers to come
+in. Once in my rooms, I tried to think out the matter, but gave it up
+and went to bed. Sleep wouldn't come, so I lay awake the whole night,
+picturing to myself over and over again the grim scene I had seen
+enacted in the mirror. Towards morning I dropped into a troubled
+sleep, and awoke rather late. I got out of bed thinking that the
+events of the past night were, after all, nothing more than a dream;
+but it all came back to me. When I went down to breakfast I found
+Stevens waiting for me, and he pressed me earnestly to join him in a
+search for the place we had seen in the looking-glass. I was in an
+irritable mood. 'Great Scott!' I said, 'can't you see that all this is
+only a conjurer's trick? How many thousand Gautamas are there in
+Burma? Are you going to dig them all up?'
+
+"'Some men don't know their luck, pard,' he said, as he left me; and,
+although I thought of him sometimes, I never heard anything more of
+him for a long time.
+
+"A run of bad luck came now, and the boss suspended payment--went
+bung, in fact--and I was thrown on my beam ends. I had something in
+the stocking, though; and it was about this time that my thoughts kept
+turning continually towards the orchid trade. It first struck me in
+this way: A friend of mine had written from home, pointing out that a
+demand had arisen for orchids; and the small supply I sent was sold on
+such favourable terms that I was seriously considering a larger
+venture. I thought the matter over, and one evening after dinner
+determined to give it a final consideration. So I lit my pipe, and
+strolled out towards the jetties--a favourite walk of mine. It was
+bright moonlight; and I walked up and down the planking, more and more
+resolved at every turn I took to decide upon the orchid business.
+
+"At one end of the jetty there was a crane that stretched out its arm
+in a how-de-do sort of manner to the river below it. I walked up to it
+with idle curiosity, and when I came close, saw the figure of a
+European, apparently fast asleep, near the carriage of the crane. A
+common 'drunk' or a loafer, I thought to myself--when the figure rose
+to a sitting posture, and, as the moonlight shone on its face, I could
+not make a mistake.
+
+"'Stevens!' I said.
+
+"'Wal, pard?' and Hake Stevens, without another word, rose up and
+stood before me.
+
+"I saw at a glance that he was in rags, and that about the third of
+one stockingless foot was protruding in an easy manner from his
+boot; the other boot seemed more or less wearable. Stevens had a habit
+of walking with a lurch to his left--heeling over to port, as it
+were--which accounted for the fact I observed.
+
+"'Why,' I said, putting my hand on his shoulder, 'how has it come to
+this? Why didn't you come to me?'
+
+"'Have you got a smoke?' he asked.
+
+"For answer I handed him my baccy pouch, and he loaded an old pipe.
+
+"'Light-o!'
+
+"I struck a vesta, and handed it to him. By the flare of it I could
+see him very white and starved.
+
+"'Now,' I added, 'you come straight home with me.'
+
+"'Guess ez haow I was making tracks thar, when I broke down, an' had
+to heave to. I hev found it this time. See hyar.'
+
+"'First come home with me, and then you can tell me all about it. I
+won't hear a word till you've had something to eat and a rest.'
+
+"It was only a few minutes' walk to my rooms; but I had to half carry
+Stevens there. Those were the days when cabs were unknown, remember.
+As soon as we arrived, I told my boy to raise supper; and in the
+meantime Stevens had a stiff whiskey, a bath, and changed into some of
+my things. He looked a figure of fun as he came out, with about a yard
+of lean leg and leaner arm sticking out of the things I'd given him.
+But, Lord! you should have seen him wolf the cold meat and pickles!
+When he'd done, I was for just marching him straight to bed. But, no:
+he was determined to tell me his story; so I let him run his course.
+
+"'Pard,' he said, 'when I busted the caboodle that night, an' left
+you, I said to myself: "Hake Stevens, you chowder-headed clam, you
+jest make this level; you've done an all-fired foolish thing, an' now
+you've got ter eat yer leek." The next mornin' I gave you another try,
+but you wouldn't rise to it; so I went off an' took a passage to
+Henzada. It was all in the low countries that Brito was, an' I
+determined to work the thing in square--work every inch of it, ef it
+took me a hundred years, until I found thet creek with the images. I
+got to Henzada in a rice boat; then I pulled out my map, marked my
+square, an' set to work. I bought a paddle canoe, an' blazed every
+creek I went up. I made up my mind ez I should work down'erds from
+Henzada, ez thet was the furthest point old Brito struck. I calc'lated
+thet ef he was hard pressed, an' the Burmee squint-eyes were gettin'
+the jamb on him, he would lay fur to hide his greenbacks ez far from
+his usual bars ez possible. Wal, I worked those creeks up an' down,
+night an' day, gettin' what I could out of the villagers on payment,
+an' when the dollars ran out, got it without payment. Snakes! How the
+squitters fed on me! An' I was a'most so starved thet, ef I could on'y
+hev managed it, I'd hev fed on them like a fish, an' got some of
+myself back agen. Wal, it woke snakes when they found I swooped down
+on their cokynut plantations, and one thing and another; but a
+freeborn American ain't goin' fur to starve when these hyar yeller
+Burmans gits their bellies full. The local sheriff and his posse
+turned out, an' thar was a vigilance committee behind every tree.
+Shootin' was not in my line, unless forced to; so I skedaddled, an'
+they after me. It was a tight race, an' I was so weak I felt I could
+hardly hold out; so I thought I'd better take to land. I shot the
+canoe under some branches, an', to my surprise, found they overhung
+an' concealed a small passage, hardly wide enough for two canoes
+abreast. Up this I went: it was easier goin' than walkin' through the
+thorns. After about four hours of shovin' through slime, it widened
+out; an' then, turnin' a great clump of bamboos, I swung round to my
+right--an' what do you think I saw?'
+
+"He stretched his hand out to me, and the grey of his eyes seemed
+absolutely to whiten. "'Ez I live, I saw the six big images all in a
+row, each one bigger than the other; an' they war smilin' across the
+creek, as they smiled when Brito buried his treasure thar, an' God
+knows how many years before. I ran the boat ashore, jumped off, an'
+patted the big idol's knee--couldn't reach further up; an' then I came
+back to find you. The gold lies thar, pard, an' we are made men: it's
+thar, I say. Come back with me; share an' share alike--hands on it.'
+
+"His voice cracked as he brought his story to this abrupt close; and I
+said nothing, but shook his outstretched hand.
+
+"'When can we start?' he asked.
+
+"'You must pull yourself together a bit, Stevens, before we do
+anything of the kind.'
+
+"Then I told him briefly how I was a free man, and able to go where I
+listed; and that, as I could combine my first essay in orchid-hunting
+with the search for Brito's treasure, I didn't care how soon I went.
+But it could not be until Stevens was better able to travel, as the
+rains were coming on, and further exposure might mean death to him.
+
+"'And now,' I said, 'you'd better turn in and have a snooze. I'm a bit
+sleepy myself.'
+
+"With that he got up and shambled off to bed. The next morning he was
+in a high fever, and it was some time before he was right again. At
+length he said he was once more fit 'to fight his weight in wild
+cats.' He wasn't by any means that: he was still weak, and not able to
+face any great hardship; but enforced idleness was sending the man
+mad, and I thought we'd better make a start. I did not mean to go in
+for any particular roughing it. It was only subsequently that I
+learned what sort of music an orchid-hunter has to face."
+
+Burgess stopped for a moment, and pointed his finger at the Boy, who
+lay flat on his back, sound asleep, with his lower jaw open.
+
+"If you're feeling like that, I'll reel up."
+
+"Go ahead," said the skipper: "if you've done nothing else you've
+quieted that young limb for the present, and we owe you a vote of
+thanks for that."
+
+"Go on, Burgess," said Sladen: "you've burnt your ships now, and can't
+go back."
+
+The man laughed--a pleasant, low laugh, that was good to hear.
+
+"Very well--I'll go on. I totted up my savings, and found I could
+fairly risk the venture. We made arrangements to go to Henzada first,
+and the passage was done in a big rice boat: there was no flotilla
+company in those days. We simply crawled to our destination, and I was
+pretty sick of the journey. It nearly drove Stevens mad, however; he
+fretted and fumed until I almost thought he'd be ill again. Whenever
+we could stop, we did; and I collected as many orchids as I could.
+Heavens! the rubbish I picked up in those days! Stevens did nothing
+but swear at the _serang_ and pore over the notes in his pocket-book.
+He got into a way of repeating the notes in his book aloud. 'Third
+turnin' to the right, first to the left, three big jack trees, and
+then the passage.' He was learning his notes by heart, he said, in
+case anything happened.
+
+"When we reached Henzada, a difficulty arose which we should have
+foreseen. Stevens was recognised, and his late visit only too well
+remembered. The result was trouble; but the Myook--there was only a
+Myook there in those days--was open to argument, backed up with palm
+oil, and Stevens was let off with a fine. Of course I paid, and was
+correspondingly sorry for myself; but we'd gone too far now to recede.
+We bought a boat--or rather I did--hired a couple of men to help, and
+started. Stevens had selected some good picks at Rangoon, and these
+formed a not unimportant item of our outfit. In three days we reached
+a big creek.
+
+"'It was hyar that I cut from those Injuns on the war-path,' said
+Stevens, 'and we cayn't be mor'n a mile from the gully--we should be
+there by nightfall.'
+
+"It was noonday, almost as hot as it is now, and I was snoozing
+comfortably, when I heard Stevens shout:
+
+"'Hyar we are, pard--wake up!'
+
+"The boat swung lightly round, and shot under the overhanging branches
+of a large jack tree as he spoke, and I had to stoop very low to save
+my head. Stevens was trembling with excitement.
+
+"'In thar,' he called out--'tell them to steer in thar, an' then right
+ahead.' He pointed to a small opening, about three feet wide, up which
+a long straight cut of water extended. We got the boat in with some
+little trouble, and then slipped along easily. The cut was as straight
+as a canal, overhung on each side with a heavy undergrowth. As we went
+deeper into the forest this undergrowth became less, and finally
+almost ceased. Every yard of our advance took us amongst trees which
+grew more gigantic as we went on. Some of the trees were splendid,
+going up fifty or sixty feet before throwing out a single branch; and
+the bamboos--I never saw such bamboos. As we continued our course it
+became darker and darker, until we entered the blackest bit of forest
+I ever saw. We could hear the drip of the dew from leaf to leaf. The
+few rays of sunlight that straggled in fell in level bars on the green
+of the leaves, shadowing the dim outlines of the long colonnades of
+tree trunks, and occasionally lighting up the splendour of some rare
+orchid in full bloom. A hundred times I wanted to stop and collect
+specimens, but Stevens would not hear of it.
+
+"'No, no, old pard! let's get on. We'll come back hyar in our steam
+yacht, an' you can then root away for etarnity. We're on the right
+trail, an' in ten hours--my God! I cayn't think ez how your mind can
+turn to roots now.'
+
+"I was a little surprised myself; but the love of these flowers was in
+me, and not all the gold in Asia could stop that. In this way we
+travelled for about four hours; and then towards evening a broad band
+of daylight spread suddenly before us, and, almost before I was aware
+of it, we were out of the long, snake-like cutting, and, turning a
+magnificent clump of bamboos, came upon a wide stretch of water.
+
+"'There they air!' said Stevens.
+
+"There they were--six huge statues--standing in a row on the edge of
+the inland lake, each colossal image larger than the other, all with
+their faces set towards the west. It was almost sunset, and the sky
+was aflame with colour, which was reflected back by the water, over
+which the Gautamas looked in serene peace. There was not a sound
+except the soft murmuring of the breeze amongst the tree tops. As I
+live, it was the place we had seen in the mirror, and for a moment
+that tragedy of the past came before me in all its clearness--and I
+was in dreamland.
+
+"'Wal, pard! Struck ile at last.'
+
+"The sound of Stevens' voice came to me as from a far distance. In the
+sunlit haze before me I saw the Don paddling his boat away, his long
+black moustaches lifted with the snarling laugh he had laughed, when
+he hid his treasure so that no man could tell.
+
+"The boat grounded softly, and Stevens shook me by the shoulder.
+
+"'Wake up, old hoss!--wake up!'
+
+"I pulled myself together and looked at my companion. His face was
+full of a strange excitement, and as for myself, I felt as if I could
+hardly speak. As a matter of fact, we wasted no time in words; but
+took off our coats and set to work. Our small crew lent a willing
+hand. It was under the left foot of the biggest Buddha we dug, and in
+about half an hour made a hole big enough for a man to stand in over
+his waist.
+
+"'Guess he must have burrowed down far,' said Stevens, 'or we've
+missed the spot.' Even as he spoke his pick struck with a sharp clang
+against something.
+
+"'Iron against iron,' yelled Stevens, as he swung his pick round like
+a madman. He worked so furiously that it was impossible to get near
+him; but finally he stopped, and said very calmly:
+
+"'Thar's the pile, pard.'
+
+"We shook hands, and then, with the aid of the men, lifted out the
+box. It was exceedingly heavy. When we got it out there was some
+difficulty in opening it, but a revolver cartridge and the pick solved
+the matter. As the lid went up, we saw before our eyes a pile of gold,
+jewellery and precious stones. Hake Stevens ran his fingers through
+them lovingly, and then lay down on the ground, laughing and crying.
+Then he got up again, and plunged his arms up to the elbows into the
+winking mass--and his eyes were as the eyes of a madman. I put my hand
+into the box and pulled out a fistful of gems. Stevens grasped me by
+the wrist, and then loosed his hold at once.
+
+"'Oh God! oh God!'
+
+"'Why, what is the matter, Stevens? Look at these beauties!' and I
+held out my hand to him. He looked back at me in a strange sort of
+way, and said, in a husky voice:
+
+"'Keep that lot, pard. Don't let them be mixed with the others. See! I
+will take what I can hold, too, and we will divide the rest.' He put
+his hand amongst the jewels and drew it back with a shudder. 'They're
+hot as hell,' he said.
+
+"I thought the best thing to do was not to notice his strange manner.
+
+"'Keep them to cool,' I said, flinging what I had with me into the
+box, and shutting the lid, 'and come and have some dinner. I'm
+famished.'
+
+"'Do you think these fellows are all right?' Stevens said, apparently
+trying to pull himself together, as he indicated the crew with a
+glance.
+
+"'We ought to be a match for twice the number; but we'll keep a look
+out.'
+
+"We went to dinner in the boat, carrying our box with us. Our crew lit
+a fire near one of the idols, and cooked their food, whilst we ate our
+very simple meal. The sun had gone down, and the moon was fighting
+with a heavy mass of clouds that had sprung up apparently from
+nowhere, and were gathering in mountainous piles overhead. The low
+rumbling of distant thunder came to our ears.
+
+"'Looks like rain. Jehoshaphat!--it is rain.'
+
+"A distant moaning sound that gradually increased in volume was
+audible, the tree tops bent and swayed, the placid surface of the
+lagoon was beaten into a white foam, and the storm came. We heard a
+yell from the boatmen on the bank. The next moment we were torn from
+our moorings, and went swinging down the creek in pitchy darkness.
+Overhead and around all hell was loose. The paddles were swept away,
+and we spun round in a roaring wind, in a din of the elements, and a
+darkness like unto what was before God said, 'Let there be light.' I
+shouted to Stevens, but could not hear my own voice. Suddenly there
+came a deafening crash, and a chain of fire hung round the heavens. I
+saw Stevens crouching in the boat, with his face resting on the box,
+and his arms clasped around it. 'By the Lord!' he was gibbering and
+mowing to himself--even above the storm I heard his shrill cry--'the
+idols, the idols! they're laffin' at us.' I turned my head as he
+spoke: the blackness was again lit up, and I saw by it the calm,
+smiling faces of the Buddhas. All their eyes were fixed on us, and in
+that strange and terrible light the stony smiles on their faces
+broadened in devilish mockery. The rain came down in sheets; and the
+continual and ceaseless flashes of lightning flared on the angry
+yellow water around us, and made the rain seem as if there were
+millions of strands of fine silver and gold wires hanging from the
+blackness above. It was all I could do to keep myself in the canoe. At
+each flash I looked at Stevens, and saw him in the same posture,
+crouching low, like a cat. Then he began to sing, in a shrill voice,
+that worked its way, as a bradawl through wood, past all the noise of
+the elements. And now the whole heavens were bright with a pale light
+that was given back by the hissing water around. The raindrops
+sparkled like gems, and hit almost with the force of hailstones.
+Stevens rose with a scream, and stood in the boat.
+
+"'Sit down, for God's sake!' I called out.
+
+"'I'm holding them with my life--the diamonds, the jewels!' he yelled
+with a horrid laugh, and shook his fist at something. I followed his
+movements; and there, riding in the storm, was a small canoe, paddled
+by a man in the dress of old days. He was smiling at Stevens as, with
+long easy sweeps of his paddle, he came closer and closer.
+
+"'Shoot him!' yelled Stevens, as he pulled out his revolver and fired
+once, twice, and then flung it with all his might at the vision. In
+the effort he overbalanced the boat, and all I can remember is that I
+was swimming for dear life, and being borne down with frightful
+rapidity through that awful light. I saw something, which might have
+been Hake Stevens, struggling for a moment on the water; but, Stevens
+or not, it sank again almost immediately, and some one laughed too as
+this happened.
+
+"And I think," said Burgess, "that's about all. I never saw Hake
+Stevens again, and I don't want ever to see Brito's jewels any more."
+
+"How did you get out?"
+
+"By absolute luck. I don't very well remember now; and By Jove! here
+comes the breeze."
+
+Even as he spoke, a cool puff of wind fanned us into life.
+
+
+
+
+
+                        THE DEVIL'S MANUSCRIPT
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                          THE BLACK PACKET.
+
+
+"M. De Bac? De Bac? I do not know the name."
+
+"Gentleman says he knows you, sir, and has called on urgent business."
+
+There was no answer, and John Brown, the ruined publisher, looked
+about him in a dazed manner. He knew he was ruined; to-morrow the
+world would know it also, and then--beggary stared him in the face,
+and infamy too. For this the world would not care. Brown was not a
+great man in "the trade," and his name in the _Gazette_ would not
+attract notice; but his name, as he stood in the felon's dock, and the
+ugly history a cross-examination might disclose would probably arouse
+a fleeting interest, and then the world would go on with a pitiless
+shrug of its shoulders. What does it matter to the moving wave of
+humanity if one little drop of spray from its crest is blown into
+nothing by the wind? Not a jot. But it was a terrible business for the
+drop of spray, otherwise John Brown, publisher. He was at his best not
+a good-looking man, rather mean-looking than otherwise, with a thin,
+angular face, eyes as shifty as a jackal's, and shoulders shaped like
+a champagne-bottle. As the shadow of coming ruin darkened over him, he
+seemed to shrink and look meaner than ever. He had almost forgotten
+the presence of his clerk. He could think of nothing but the morrow,
+when Simmonds' voice again broke the stillness.
+
+"Shall I say you will see him, sir?"
+
+The question cut sharply into the silence, and brought Brown to
+himself. He had half a mind to say "No." In the face of the coming
+to-morrow, business, urgent or otherwise, was nothing to him. Yet,
+after all, there could be no harm done in receiving the man. It would,
+at any rate, be a distraction, and, lifting his head, Brown answered:
+
+"Yes, I will see him, Simmonds."
+
+Simmonds went out, closing the green baize door behind him. There was
+a delay of a moment, and M. De Bac entered--a tall, thin figure,
+bearing an oblong parcel, packed in shiny, black paper, and sealed
+with flame-coloured wax.
+
+"Good-day, Mr. Brown;" and M. De Bac, who, for all his foreign name,
+spoke perfect English, extended his hand.
+
+Brown rose, put his own cold fingers into the warm grasp of his
+visitor, and offered him a seat.
+
+"With your permission, Mr. Brown, I will take this other chair. It is
+nearer the fire. I am accustomed to warm climates, as you doubtless
+perceive;" and De Bac, suiting his action to his words, placed his
+packet on the table, and began to slowly rub his long, lean fingers
+together. The publisher glanced at him with some curiosity. M. De Bac
+was as dark as an Italian, with clear, resolute features, and a
+moustache, curled at the ends, thick enough to hide the sarcastic
+curve of his thin lips. He was strongly if sparely built, and his
+fiery black eyes met Brown's gaze with a look that ran through him
+like a needle.
+
+"You do not appear to recognise me, Mr. Brown?"--De Bac's voice was
+very quiet and deep-toned.
+
+"I have not the honour----" began the publisher; but his visitor
+interrupted him.
+
+"You mistake. We are quite old friends; and in time will always be
+very near each other. I have a minute or two to spare"--he glanced at
+a repeater--"and will prove to you that I know you. You are John
+Brown, that very religious young man of Battersea, who, twelve years
+ago, behaved like a blackguard to a girl at Homerton, and sent her
+to----but no matter. You attracted my attention then; but,
+unfortunately, I had no time to devote to you. Subsequently, you
+effected a pretty little swindle--don't be angry, Mr. Brown--it _was_
+very clever. Then you started in business on your own account, and
+married. Things went well with you; you know the art of getting at a
+low price, and selling at a high one. You are a born 'sweater.' Pardon
+the word. You know how to keep men down like beasts, and go up
+yourself. In doing this, you did me yeoman's service, although you are
+even now not aware of this. You had one fault, you have it still, and
+had you not been a gambler you might have been a rich man. Speculation
+is a bad thing, Brown--I mean gambling speculation."
+
+Brown was an Englishman, and it goes without saying that he had
+courage. But there was something in De Bac's manner, some strange
+power in the steady stare of those black eyes, that held him to his
+seat as if pinned there.
+
+As De Bac stopped, however, Brown's anger gave him strength. Every
+word that was said was true, and stung like the lash of a whip. He
+rose white with anger.
+
+"Sir!" he began with quivering lips, and made a step forwards. Then he
+stopped. It was as if the sombre fire in De Bac's gaze withered his
+strength. An invisible hand seemed to drag him back into his seat and
+hold him there.
+
+"You are hasty, Mr. Brown;" and De Bac's even voice continued: "you
+are really very rash. I was about to tell you a little more of your
+history, to tell you you are ruined, and to-morrow every one in
+London--it is the world for you, Brown--will know you are a beggar,
+and many will know you are a cheat."
+
+The publisher swore bitterly under his breath.
+
+"You see, Mr. Brown," continued his strange visitor, "I know all about
+you, and you will be surprised, perhaps, to hear that you deserve help
+from me. You are too useful to let drift. I have therefore come to
+save you."
+
+"Save me?"
+
+"Yes. By means of this manuscript here," he pointed to the packet,
+"which you are going to publish."
+
+Brown now realized that he was dealing with a lunatic. He tried to
+stretch out his arm to touch the bell on the table; but found that he
+had no power to do so. He made an attempt to shout to Simmonds; but
+his tongue moved inaudibly in his mouth. He seemed only to have the
+faculty of following De Bac's words, and of answering them. He gasped
+out:
+
+"It is impossible!"
+
+"My friend"--and He Bac smiled mirthlessly--"you will publish that
+manuscript. I will pay. The profits will be yours. It will make your
+name, and you will be rich. You will even be able to build a church."
+
+"Rich!" Brown's voice was very bitter. "M. De Bac, you said rightly. I
+am a ruined man. Even if you were to pay for the publication of that
+manuscript I could not do it now. It is too late. There are other
+houses. Go to them."
+
+"But not other John Browns. You are peculiarly adapted for my purpose.
+Enough of this! I know what business is, and I have many things to
+attend to. You are a small man, Mr. Brown, and it will take little to
+remove your difficulties. See! Here are a thousand pounds. They will
+free you from your present troubles," and De Bac tossed a pocket-book
+on the table before Brown. "I do not want a receipt," he went on. "I
+will call to-morrow for your final answer, and to settle details. If
+you need it I will give you more money. This hour--twelve--will suit
+me. _Adieu!_" He was gone like a flash, and Brown looked around in
+blank amazement. He was as if suddenly aroused from a dream. He could
+hardly believe the evidence of his senses, although he could see the
+black packet, and the neat leather pocket-book with the initials "L.
+De B." let in in silver on the outside. He rang his bell violently,
+and Simmonds appeared.
+
+"Has M. De Bac gone?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. He didn't pass out through the door."
+
+"There is no other way. You must have been asleep."
+
+"Indeed I was not, sir."
+
+Brown felt a chill as of cold fingers running down his backbone, but
+pulled himself together with an effort. "It does not matter, Simmonds.
+You may go."
+
+Simmonds went out scratching his head. "How the demon did he get out?"
+he asked himself. "Must have been sleeping after all. The guv'nor
+seems a bit dotty to-day. It's the smash coming--sure."
+
+He wrote a letter or two, and then taking his hat, sallied forth to an
+aerated bread-shop for his cheap and wholesome lunch, for Simmonds was
+a saving young man, engaged to a young lady living out Camden Town
+way. Simmonds perfectly understood the state of affairs, and was not a
+little anxious about matters, for the mother of his _fiancee_, a widow
+who let lodgings, had only agreed to his engagement after much
+persuasion; and if he had to announce the fact that, instead of
+"thirty bob a week," as he put it, his income was nothing at all,
+there would be an end of everything.
+
+"M'ria's all right," he said to his friend Wilkes, in trustful
+confidence as they sat over their lunch; "but that old torpedo"--by
+which name he designated his mother-in-law-elect--"she'll raise Cain
+if there's a smash-up."
+
+In the meantime, John Brown tore open the pocketbook with shaking
+hands, and, with a crisp rustling, a number of new bank-notes fell
+out, and lay in a heap before him. He counted them one by one. They
+totalled to a thousand pounds exactly. He was a small man. M. De Bac
+had said so truly, if a little rudely, and the money was more than
+enough to stave off ruin. De Bac had said, too, that if needed he
+would give him more, and then Brown fell to trembling all over. He was
+like a man snatched from the very jaws of death. At Battersea he wore
+a blue ribbon; but now he went to a cabinet, filled a glass with raw
+brandy, and drained it at a gulp. In a minute or so the generous
+cordial warmed his chilled blood, and picking up the notes, he counted
+them again, and thrust them into his breast-pocket. After this he
+paced the room up and down in a feverish manner, longing for the
+morrow when he could settle up the most urgent demands against him.
+Then, on a sudden, a thought struck him. It was almost as if it had
+been whispered in his ear. Why trouble at all about matters? He had a
+clear thousand with him, and in an hour he could be out of the
+country! He hesitated, but prudence prevailed. Extradition laws
+stretched everywhere; and there was another thing--that extraordinary
+madman, De Bac, had promised more money on the morrow. After all, it
+was better to stay.
+
+As he made this resolve his eyes fell on the black packet on the
+table. The peculiar colour of the seals attracted his attention. He
+bent over them, and saw that the wax bore an impress of a V-shaped
+shield, within which was set a trident. He noticed also that the
+packet was tied with a silver thread. His curiosity was excited. He
+sat down, snipped the threads with a penknife, tore off the black
+paper covering, flung it into the fire, and saw before him a bulky
+manuscript exquisitely written on very fine paper. A closer
+examination showed that they were a number of short stories. Now Brown
+was in no mood to read; but the title of the first tale caught his
+eye, and the writing was so legible that he had glanced over half a
+dozen lines before he was aware of the fact. Those first half-dozen
+lines were sufficient to make him read the page, and when he had read
+the page the publisher felt he was before the work of a genius.
+
+He was unable to stop now; and, with his head resting between his
+hands, he read on tirelessly. Simmonds came in once or twice and left
+papers on the table, but his master took no notice of him. Brown
+forgot all about his lunch, and turning over page after page read as
+if spellbound. He was a business man, and was certain the book would
+sell in thousands. He read as one inspired to look into the author's
+thoughts and see his design. Short as the stories were, they were
+Titanic fragments, and every one of them taught a hideous lesson of
+corruption. Some of them cloaked in a religious garb, breathed a
+spirit of pitiless ferocity; others were rich with the sensuous odours
+of an Eastern garden; others, again, were as the tender green of moss
+hiding the treacherous deeps of a quicksand; and all of them bore the
+hall-mark of genius. They moved the man sitting there to tears, they
+shook him with laughter, they seemed to rock his very soul asleep;
+but through it all he saw, as the mariner views the beacon fire
+on a rocky coast, the deadly plan of the writer. There was money in
+them--thousands--and all was to be his. Brown's sluggish blood was
+running to flame, a strange strength glowed in his face, and an
+uncontrollable admiration for De Bac's evil power filled him. The
+book, when published, might corrupt generations yet unborn; but that
+was nothing to Brown. It meant thousands for him, and an eternal fame
+to De Bac. He did not grudge the writer the fame as long as he kept
+the thousands.
+
+"By Heaven!" and he brought his fist down on the table with a crash,
+"the man may be a lunatic; but he is the greatest genius the world
+ever saw--or he is the devil incarnate."
+
+And somebody laughed softly in the room.
+
+The publisher looked up with a start, and saw Simmonds standing before
+him.
+
+"Did you laugh, Simmonds?"
+
+"No, sir!" replied the clerk with a surprised look.
+
+"Who laughed then?"
+
+"There is no one here but ourselves, sir--and I didn't laugh."
+
+"Did you hear nothing?"
+
+"Nothing, sir."
+
+"Strange!" and Brown began to feel chill again.
+
+"What time is it?" he asked with an effort.
+
+"It is half-past six, sir."
+
+"So late as that? You may go, Simmonds. Leave me the keys. I will be
+here for some time. Good-evening."
+
+"Mad as a coot," muttered Simmonds to himself; "must break the news to
+M'ria to-night. Oh, Lor'!" and his eyes were very wet as he went out
+into the Strand, and got into a blue omnibus.
+
+When he was gone, Brown turned to the fire, poker in hand. To his
+surprise he saw that the black paper was still there, burning red hot,
+and the wax of the seals was still intact--the seals themselves
+shining like orange glow-lights. He beat at the paper with the poker;
+but instead of crumbling to ashes it yielded passively to the stroke,
+and came back to its original shape. Then a fury came on Brown. He
+raked at the fire, threw more coals over the paper, and blew at the
+flames with his bellows until they roared up the chimney; but still
+the coppery glare of the packet-cover never turned to the grey of
+ashes. Finally, he could endure it no longer, and, putting the
+manuscript into the safe, turned off the electric light, and stole out
+of his office like a thief.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                           THE RED TRIDENT.
+
+
+When Beggarman, Bowles & Co., of Providence Passage, Lombard Street,
+called at eleven o'clock on the morning following De Bac's visit,
+their representative was not a little surprised to find the firm's
+bills met in hard cash, and Simmonds paid him with a radiant face.
+When the affair was settled, the clerk leaned back in his chair,
+saying half-aloud to himself, "By George! I am glad after all M'ria
+did not keep our appointment in the Camden Road last night." Then his
+face began to darken. "Wonder where she could have been, though?" his
+thoughts ran on; "half sorry I introduced her to Wilkes last Sunday at
+Victoria Park. Wilkes ain't half the man I am though," and he tried
+to look at himself in the window-pane, "but he has two pound ten a
+week--Lord! There's the guv'nor ringing." He hurried into Brown's
+room, received a brief order, and was about to go back when the
+publisher spoke again.
+
+"Simmonds!"
+
+"Sir."
+
+"If M. De Bac calls, show him in at once."
+
+"Sir," and the clerk went out.
+
+Left to himself, Brown tried to go on with the manuscript; but was not
+able to do so. He was impatient for the coming of De Bac, and kept
+watching the hands of the clock as they slowly travelled towards
+twelve. When he came to the office in the morning Brown had looked
+with a nervous fear in the fireplace, half expecting to find the black
+paper still there; and it was a considerable relief to his mind to
+find it was not. He could do nothing, not even open the envelopes of
+the letters that lay on his table. He made an effort to find
+occupation in the morning's paper. It was full of some absurd
+correspondence on a trivial subject, and he wondered at the thousands
+of fools who could waste time in writing and in reading yards of print
+on the theme of "Whether women should wear neckties." The ticking of
+the clock irritated him. He flung the paper aside, just as the door
+opened and Simmonds came in. For a moment Brown thought he had come to
+announce De Bac's arrival; but no--Simmonds simply placed a square
+envelope on the table before Brown.
+
+"Pass-book from Bransom's, sir, just come in;" and he went out.
+
+Brown took it up mechanically, and opened the envelope. A type-written
+letter fell out with the passbook. He ran his eyes over it with
+astonishment. It was briefly to inform him that M. De Bac had paid
+into Brown's account yesterday afternoon the sum of five thousand
+pounds, and that, adjusting overdrafts, the balance at his credit was
+four thousand seven hundred and twenty pounds thirteen shillings and
+three pence. Brown rubbed his eyes. Then he hurriedly glanced at the
+pass-book. The figures tallied--there was no error, no mistake. He
+pricked himself with his penknife to see if he was awake, and finally
+shouted to Simmonds:
+
+"Read this letter aloud to me, Simmonds," he said.
+
+Simmonds' eyes opened, but he did as he was bidden, and there was no
+mistake about the account.
+
+"Anything else, sir?" asked Simmonds when he had finished.
+
+"No--nothing," and Brown was once more alone. He sat staring at the
+figures before him in silence, almost mesmerizing himself with the
+intentness of his gaze.
+
+"My God!" he burst out at last, in absolute wonder.
+
+"Who is your God, Brown?" answered a deep voice.
+
+"I--I--M. De Bac! How did you come?"
+
+"I did not drop down the chimney," said De Bac with a grin; "your
+clerk announced me in the ordinary way, but you were so absorbed you
+did not hear. So I took the liberty of sitting in this chair, and
+awaiting your return to earthly matters. You were dreaming, Brown--by
+the way, who is your God?" he repeated with a low laugh.
+
+"I--I do not understand, sir."
+
+"Possibly not, possibly not. I wouldn't bother about the matter. Ah! I
+see Bransom's have sent you your pass-book! Sit down, Brown. I hate to
+see a man fidgeting about--I paid in that amount yesterday on a second
+thought. It is enough--eh?"
+
+Brown's jackal eyes contracted. Perhaps he could get more out of De
+Bac? But a look at the strong impassive face before him frightened
+him.
+
+"More than enough, sir," he stammered; and then, with a rush, "I am
+grateful--anything I can do for you?"
+
+"Oh! I know, I know, Brown--by the way, you do not object to smoke?"
+
+"Certainly not. I do not smoke myself."
+
+"In Battersea, eh?" And De Bac pulling out a silver cheroot case held
+it out to Brown. But the publisher declined.
+
+"Money wouldn't buy a smoke like that in England," remarked De Bac,
+"but as you will. I wouldn't smoke if I were you. Such abstinence
+looks respectable and means nothing." He put a cigar between his
+lips, and pointed his forefinger at the end. To Brown's amazement an
+orange-flame licked out from under the fingernail, and vanished like a
+flash of lightning; but the cigar was alight, and its fragrant odour
+filled the room. It reached even Simmonds, who sniffed at it like a
+buck scenting the morning air. "By George!" he exclaimed in wonder,
+"what baccy!"
+
+M. De Bac settled himself comfortably in his chair, and spoke with the
+cigar between his teeth. "Now you have recovered a little from your
+surprise, Brown, I may as well tell you that I never carry matches.
+This little scientific discovery I have made is very convenient, is it
+not?"
+
+"I have never seen anything like it."
+
+"There are a good many things you have not seen, Brown--but to work.
+Take a pencil and paper and note down what I say. You can tell me when
+I have done if you agree or not."
+
+Brown did as he was told, and De Bac spoke slowly and carefully.
+
+"The money I have given you is absolutely your own on the following
+terms. You will publish the manuscript I left with you, enlarge your
+business, and work as you have hitherto worked--as a 'sweater.' You
+may speculate as much as you like. You will not lose. You need not
+avoid the publication of religious books, but you must never give in
+charity secretly. I do not object to a big cheque for a public object,
+and your name in all the papers. It will be well for you to hound down
+the vicious. Never give them a chance to recover themselves. You will
+be a legislator. Strongly uphold all those measures which, under a
+moral cloak, will do harm to mankind. I do not mention them. I do not
+seek to hamper you with detailed instructions. Work on these general
+lines, and you will do what I want. A word more. It will be advisable
+whenever you have a chance to call public attention to a great evil
+which is also a vice. Thousands who have never heard of it before will
+hear of it then--and human nature is very frail. You have noted all
+this down?"
+
+"I have. You are a strange man, M. De Bac."
+
+M. De Bac frowned, and Brown began to tremble.
+
+"I do not permit you to make observations about me, Mr. Brown."
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir."
+
+"Do not do so again. Will you agree to all this? I promise you
+unexampled prosperity for ten years. At the end of that time I shall
+want you elsewhere. And you must agree to take a journey with me."
+
+"A long one, sir?" Brown's voice was just a shade satirical.
+
+M. De Bac smiled oddly. "No--in your case I promise a quick passage.
+These are all the conditions I attach to my gift of six thousand
+pounds to you."
+
+Brown's amazement did not blind him to the fact of the advantage he
+had, as he thought, over his visitor. The six thousand pounds were
+already his, and he had given no promise. With a sudden boldness he
+spoke out.
+
+"And if I decline?"
+
+"You will return me my money, and my book, and I will go elsewhere."
+
+"The manuscript, yes--but if I refuse to give back the money?"
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" M. De Bac's mirthless laugh chilled Brown to the bone.
+"Very good, Brown--but you won't refuse. Sign that like a good
+fellow," and he flung a piece of paper towards Brown, who saw that it
+was a promissory note, drawn up in his name, agreeing to pay M. De Bac
+the sum of six thousand pounds on demand.
+
+"I shall do no such thing," said Brown stoutly.
+
+M. De Bac made no answer, but calmly touched the bell. In a
+half-minute Simmonds appeared.
+
+"Be good enough to witness Mr. Brown's signature to that document,"
+said De Bac to him, and then fixed his gaze on Brown. There was a
+moment of hesitation, and then--the publisher signed his name, and
+Simmonds did likewise as a witness. When the latter had gone, De Bac
+carefully put the paper by in a letter-case he drew from his vest
+pocket.
+
+"Your scientific people would call this an exhibition of odic force,
+Brown--eh?"
+
+Brown made no answer. He was shaking in every limb, and great pearls
+of sweat rolled down his forehead.
+
+"You see, Brown," continued De Bac, "after all you are a free agent.
+Either agree to my terms and keep the money, or say you will not, pay
+me back, receive your note-of-hand, and I go elsewhere with my book.
+Come--time is precious."
+
+"And from Brown's lips there hissed a low 'I agree.'
+
+"Then that is settled," and De Bac rose from his chair. "There is a
+little thing more--stretch out your arm like a good fellow--the right
+arm."
+
+Brown did so; and De Bac placed his forefinger on his wrist, just
+between what palmists call "the lines of life." The touch was as that
+of a red-hot iron, and with a quick cry Brown drew back his hand and
+looked at it. On his wrist was a small red trident, as cleanly marked
+as if it had been tattooed into the skin. The pain was but momentary;
+and, as he looked at the mark, he heard De Bac say, "Adieu once more,
+Brown. I will find my way out--don't trouble to rise." Brown heard him
+wish Simmonds an affable "Good-day," and he was gone.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                       "THE MARK OF THE BEAST."
+
+
+It was early in the spring that Brown published "The Yellow
+Dragon"--as the collection of tales left with him by De Bac was
+called--and the success of the book surpassed his wildest
+expectations. It became the rage. There were the strangest rumours
+afloat as to its authorship, for no one knew De Bac, and the name of
+the writer was supposed to be an assumed one. It was written by a
+clergyman; it was penned by a schoolgirl; it had employed the leisure
+of a distinguished statesman during his retirement; it was the work of
+an ex-crowned head. These, and such-like statements, were poured forth
+one day to be contradicted the next. Wherever the book was noticed it
+was either with the most extravagant praise or the bitterest rancour.
+But friend and foe were alike united on one thing--that of ascribing
+to its unknown author a princely genius. The greatest of the reviews,
+after pouring on "The Yellow Dragon" the vials of its wrath, concluded
+with these words of unwilling praise: "There is not a sentence of this
+book which should ever have been written, still less published; but we
+do not hesitate to say that, having been written and given to the
+world, there is hardly a line of this terrible work which will not
+become immortal--to the misery of mankind."
+
+Be this as it may, the book sold in tens of thousands, and Brown's
+fortune was assured. In ten years a man may do many things; but during
+the ten years that followed the publication of "The Yellow Dragon,"
+Brown did so many things that he astonished "the city," and it takes
+not a little to do that. It was not alone the marvellous growth of his
+business--although that advanced by leaps and bounds until it
+overshadowed all others--it was his wonderful luck on the Stock
+Exchange. Whatever he touched turned to gold. He was looked upon as
+the Napoleon of finance. His connection with "The Yellow Dragon" was
+forgotten when his connection with the yellow sovereign was
+remembered. He had a palace in Berkshire; another huge pile owned
+by him overlooked Hyde Park. He was a county member and a
+cabinet-minister. He had refused a peerage and built a church. Could
+ambition want more? He had clean forgotten De Bac. From him he had
+heard no word, received no sign, and he looked upon him as dead. At
+first, when his eyes fell on the red trident on his wrist, he was wont
+to shudder all over; but as years went on he became accustomed to the
+mark, and thought no more of it than if it had been a mole. In
+personal appearance he was but little changed, except that his hair
+was thin and grey, and there was a bald patch on the top of his head.
+His wife had died four years ago, and he was now contemplating another
+marriage--a marriage that would ally him with a family dating from the
+Confessor.
+
+Such was John Brown, when we meet him again ten years after De Bac's
+visit, seated at a large writing-table in his luxurious office. A
+clerk standing beside him was cutting open the envelopes of the
+morning's post, and placing the letters one by one before his master.
+It is our friend Simmonds--still a young man, but bent and old beyond
+his years, and still on "thirty bob" a week. And the history of
+Simmonds will show how Brown carried out De Bac's instructions.
+
+When "The Yellow Dragon" came out and business began to expand,
+Simmonds, having increased work, was ambitious enough to expect a rise
+in his salary, and addressed his chief on the subject. He was put off
+with a promise, and on the strength of that promise Simmonds, being no
+wiser than many of his fellows, married M'ria; and husband and wife
+managed to exist somehow with the help of the mother-in-law. Then the
+mother-in-law died, and there was only the bare thirty shillings a
+week on which to live, to dress, to pay Simmonds' way daily to the
+city and back, and to feed more than two mouths--for Simmonds was
+amongst the blessed who have their quivers full. Still the expected
+increase of pay did not come. Other men came into the business and
+passed over Simmonds. Brown said they had special qualifications. They
+had; and John Brown knew Simmonds better than he knew himself. The
+other men were paid for doing things Simmonds could not have done to
+save his life; but he was more than useful in his way. A hundred times
+it was in the mind of the wretched clerk to resign his post and seek
+to better himself elsewhere. But he had given hostages to fortune.
+There was M'ria and her children, and M'ria set her face resolutely
+against risk. They had no reserve upon which to fall back, and it was
+an option between partial and total starvation. So "Sim," as M'ria
+called him, held on and battled with the wolf at the door, the wolf
+gaining ground inch by inch. Then illness came, and debt, and
+then--temptation. "Sim" fell, as many a better man than he has fallen.
+
+Brown found it out, and saw his opportunity to behave generously, and
+make his generosity pay. He got a written confession of his guilt from
+Simmonds, and retained him in his service forever on thirty shillings
+a week. And Simmonds' life became such as made him envy the lot of a
+Russian serf, of a Siberian exile, of a negro in the old days of the
+sugar plantations. He became a slave, a living machine who ground out
+his daily hours of work; he became mean and sordid in soul, as one
+does become when hope is extinct. Such was Simmonds as he cut open the
+envelopes of Brown's letters, and the great man, reading them quickly,
+endorsed them with terse remarks in blue pencil, for subsequent
+disposal by his secretary. A sudden exclamation from the clerk, and
+Brown looked up.
+
+"What is it?" he asked sharply.
+
+"Only this, sir," and Simmonds held before Brown's eyes a jet black
+envelope; and as he gazed at it, his mind travelled back ten years, to
+that day when he stood on the brink of public infamy and ruin, and De
+Bac had saved him. For a moment everything faded before Brown's eyes,
+and he saw himself in a dingy room, with the gaunt figure of the
+author of "The Yellow Dragon," and the maker of his fortune, before
+him.
+
+"Shall I open it, sir?" Simmonds' voice reached him as from a far
+distance, and Brown roused himself with an effort.
+
+"No," he said, "give it to me, and go for the present."
+
+When the bent figure of the clerk had passed out of the room, Brown
+looked at the envelope carefully. It bore a penny stamp and the
+impress of the postmark was not legible. The superscription was in
+white ink, and it was addressed to Mr. John Brown. The "Mr." on the
+letter irritated Brown, for he was now The Right Hon'ble John Brown,
+and was punctilious on that score. He was so annoyed that at first he
+thought of casting the letter unopened into the waste-paper basket
+beside him, but changed his mind, and tore open the cover. A note-card
+discovered itself. The contents were brief and to the point:
+
+"_Get ready to start. I will call for you at the close of the day_. L.
+De B."
+
+For a moment Brown was puzzled, then the remembrance of his old
+compact with De Bac came to him. He fairly laughed. To think that he,
+The Right Hon'ble John Brown, the richest man in England, and one of
+the most powerful, should be written to like that! Ordered to go
+somewhere he did not even know! Addressed like a servant! The cool
+insolence of the note amused Brown first, and then he became enraged.
+He tore the note into fragments and cast it from him. "Curse the
+madman," he said aloud, "I'll give him in charge if he annoys me." A
+sudden twinge in his right wrist made him hurriedly look at the spot.
+There was a broad pink circle, as large as a florin, around the mark
+of the trident, and it smarted and burned as the sting of a wasp. He
+ran to a basin of water and dipped his arm in to the elbow; but the
+pain became intolerable, and, finally, ordering his carriage, he drove
+home. That evening there was a great civic banquet in the city, and
+amongst the guests was The Right Hon'ble John Brown.
+
+All through the afternoon he had been in agony with his wrist, but
+towards evening the pain ceased as suddenly as it had come on, and
+Brown attended the banquet, a little pale and shaken, but still
+himself. On Brown's right hand sat the Bishop of Browboro', on his
+left a most distinguished scientist, and amongst the crowd of waiters
+was Simmonds, who had hired himself out for the evening to earn an
+extra shilling or so to eke out his miserable subsistence. The man of
+science had just returned from Mount Atlas, whither he had gone to
+observe the transit of Mercury, and had come back full of stories of
+witchcraft. He led the conversation in that direction, and very soon
+the Bishop, Brown, and himself were engaged in the discussion of
+_diablerie_. The Bishop was a learned and a saintly man, and was a
+"believer"; the scientist was puzzled by what he had seen, and Brown
+openly scoffed.
+
+"Look here!" and pulling back his cuff, he showed the red mark on his
+wrist to his companions, "if I were to tell you how that came here,
+you would say the devil himself marked me."
+
+"I confess I am curious," said the scientist; and the Bishop fixed an
+inquiring gaze upon Brown. Simmonds was standing behind, and
+unconsciously drew near. Then the man, omitting many things, told the
+history of the mark on his wrist. He left out much, but he told enough
+to make the scientist edge his chair a little further from him, and a
+look of grave compassion, not untinged with scorn, to come into the
+eyes of the Bishop. As Brown came to the end of his story he became
+unnaturally excited, he raised his voice, and, with a sudden gesture,
+held his wrist close to the Bishop's face. "There!" he said, "I
+suppose you would say the devil did that?"
+
+And as the Bishop looked, a voice seemed to breathe in his ear: "_And
+he caused all ... to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their
+foreheads_." It was as if his soul was speaking to him and urging him
+to say the words aloud. He did not; but with a pale face gently put
+aside Brown's hand. "I do not know, Mr. Brown--but I think you are
+called upon for a speech."
+
+It was so; and, after a moment's hesitation, Brown rose. He was a
+fluent speaker, and the occasion was one with which he was peculiarly
+qualified to deal. He began well; but as he went on those who looked
+upon him saw that he was ghastly pale, and that the veins stood out on
+his high forehead in blue cords. As he spoke he made some allusion to
+those men who have risen to eminence from an obscure position. He
+spoke of himself as one of these, and then began to tell the story of
+"The Devil's Manuscript," as he called it, with a mocking look at the
+Bishop. As he went on he completely lost command over himself, and the
+story of the manuscript became the story of his life. He concealed
+nothing, he passed over nothing. He laid all his sordid past before
+his hearers with a vivid force. His listeners were astonished into
+silence; perhaps curiosity kept them still. But, as the long tale of
+infamy went on, some, in pity for the man, and believing him struck
+mad, tried to stop him, but in vain. He came at last to the incident
+of the letter, and told how De Bac was to call for him to-night. "The
+Bishop of Browboro'," he said with a jarring laugh, "thought De Bac
+was the fiend himself," but he (Brown) knew better; he--he stopped,
+and, with a half-inarticulate cry, began to back slowly from the
+table, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the room. And now a strange
+thing happened. There was not a man in the room who had the power to
+move or to speak; they were as if frozen to their seats; as if struck
+into stone. Some were able to follow Brown's glance, but could see
+nothing. All were able to see that in Brown's face was an awful fear,
+and that he was trying to escape from a horrible presence which was
+moving slowly towards him, and which was visible to himself alone.
+Inch by inch Brown gave way, until he at last reached the wall, and
+stood with his back to it, with his arms spread out, in the position
+of one crucified. His face was marble white, and a dreadful terror and
+a pitiful appeal shone in his eyes. His blue lips were parted as of
+one in the dolors of death.
+
+The silence was profound.
+
+There were strong men there; men who had faced and overcome dangers,
+who had held their lives in their hands, who had struggled against
+desperate odds and won; but there was not a man who did not now feel
+weak, powerless, helpless as a child before that invisible, advancing
+terror that Brown alone could see. They could move no hand to aid,
+lift no voice to pray. All they could do was to wait in that dreadful
+silence and to watch. Time itself seemed to stop. It was as if the
+stillness had lasted for hours.
+
+Suddenly Brown's face, so white before, flushed a crimson purple, and
+with a terrible cry he fell forwards on the polished woodwork of the
+floor.
+
+As he fell it seemed as if the weight which held all still was on the
+moment removed, and they were free. With scared faces they gathered
+around the fallen man and raised him. He was quite dead; but on his
+forehead, where there was no mark before, was the impress of a red
+trident.
+
+A man, evidently one of the waiters, who had forced his way into the
+group, laid his finger on the mark and looked up at the Bishop. There
+was an unholy exultation in his face as he met the priest's eyes, and
+said:
+
+"He's marked twice--_curse him!_"
+
+
+
+
+
+                          UNDER THE ACHILLES
+
+                        O Charity! thy mystery
+                        Doth cover many things.
+
+"Now, don't break hup the 'appy 'ome!"
+
+"Move those wite mice o' yourn hon, then, 'stead o' sittin' like a
+hitalian monkey hon a bloomin' barrel horgan."
+
+A hansom had hacked into a green Atlas in Piccadilly Circus, at the
+point where Regent Street and Piccadilly meet. From his height of
+vantage the omnibus driver threw a sarcasm at the cabman, and Jehu,
+instead of attending to business, lifted his head to fling back an
+answer. The sorrel in the hansom likewise lifted his head, stood on
+his hind legs, and then, plunging sideways on to the pavement, locked
+the wheels of the two conveyances together, completely stopping the
+roadway. It was not a good time for a thing of this kind to happen. It
+was Piccadilly Circus, just after the big furnaces of the theatres had
+let out their red-hot contents. The molten stream was hissing through
+the streets, boiling in the throbbing Circus. Such a crowd was there,
+too, as no city besides may show; but London need not plume itself on
+this. Here, in that hour, when the past of one day was becoming the
+present of another, assembled together the good and the bad. The
+honest father of a family, with a pure wife or daughter on his arm,
+jostled the soiled dove in her jewelled shame. Here were gathered the
+men whose lives by daylight were white, those who trod the primrose
+path, and the workers of the nation; gilded infamy, tawdry sin, joy
+and sorrow, shame and innocence, vice blacker than night, more hideous
+than despair. Above blazed the electric stars of the Monico and the
+Criterion. A stream of fire marked Coventry Street. To the right the
+lamp glare terminated abruptly in Waterloo Place, leaving the moon and
+the lonely Park together. From all the great arteries, through
+Shaftesbury Avenue, through Coventry Street, through the Haymarket,
+the toilers of the night beat up to the roaring Circus, and it was
+full. I, a derelict of humanity, was there. In the crowd that fought
+and elbowed its way for room--it was a crowd all elbows--I was the
+first to reach the hansom. There were two occupants: a man who lay
+back with a scared face, and a woman who laughed as she attempted to
+step out. It was as daylight, and the rush of an awful recollection
+came to me--God help me! It was my wife! My hand stretched out to aid
+fell to my side; but, as I staggered back, the brute in the hansom
+plunged yet more violently than before. There was an alarmed cry, a
+swaying motion, and the cab turned over slowly, like a foundering
+ship. I could not control myself. I sprang forward, and lifting the
+woman from the cab placed her on the pavement. There was a bit of a
+cheer, and before I knew it she thrust her purse into my hand.
+
+"Take this, man, and----"
+
+I waited to hear no more; a sudden frightened look came into her eyes,
+and I turned and fled up Piccadilly. Some fool cried "Stop thief!"
+Some other one took up the cry. In a moment every one was running. I
+ran with the crowd, my hand still clenched tightly on the purse, which
+seemed to burn into it. It was too well dressed a crowd to run far.
+Opposite Hatchett's it tired, and public attention was engaged by an
+altercation, which ended in a fight, between a bicyclist and a
+policeman. I had sense enough left to pull up and slacken my pace to a
+fast walk. I went straight on. It did not matter to me where I went.
+If I had the pluck I should have killed myself long ago. It takes a
+lot of pluck to kill one's self. Five years had gone since Mary passed
+out of my life. Five years! It was six years ago that I, Richard
+Manning of the Bengal Cavalry, had cut for hearts, and turned up--the
+deuce! What right had I to blame her? Whose fault was it? I asked this
+question aloud to myself, and a wretch selling matches answered:
+
+"Most your hown, guv'nor: buy a box o' matches to warm yer bones with
+a smoke--honly a penny!"
+
+I looked up with a start. I was opposite the Naval and Military. Once
+I belonged there. The very thought made me mad again, and I cursed
+aloud in the bitterness of my heart.
+
+"Drunk as a fly," remarked the match-seller to the public at large,
+indicating me with a handful of matchboxes.
+
+Opposite Apsley House I was alone. All the big crowd on the pavement
+had died away, only the street seemed full of flashing lights.
+
+Surely some one called Dick? I stopped, but for a second only. I must
+be getting out of my mind, I thought, as I hurried on again. A few
+steps brought me to Hyde Park Corner. A few more brought me close to
+the foot of the Achilles, and, without knowing what I was doing, I
+sank into a seat. One must rest somewhere, and I was dead beat. The
+long shadow of the statue fell over me, clothing me in darkness. It
+fell beyond too, on to the walk, and the huge black silhouette
+stretched even unto the trees. A portion of my seat was in moonlight,
+and the muffled rumble of carriage wheels reached my ears from the
+road in front. It might have been fancy; but I saw a dark figure
+glide past the moonlit road into the shadow behind me. Some poor
+wretch--some pariah of the streets as lost as I. I wonder if any of
+the three-volume novelists ever felt the sensation of being absolutely
+stone broke. Nothing but these words "stone broke" can describe it. I
+am not going to try and paint a picture of my condition. I was stone
+broke, and Mary--the very air was full of Marys!
+
+Mechanically I opened the purse I still held in my hand, and looked at
+its contents. I don't know why I did this. I remember once shooting a
+stag, and when I came up to it, I found the poor beast in its mortal
+agony trying to nibble the heather--it was nibbling the heather. And
+here I was, wounded to death, looking at the contents of a Russian
+leather purse with idle curiosity. It was heavy with gold--her
+gold--Mary's. Damn her! she ruined my life. I flung the purse from me,
+and it made a black arc in the moonlight, ere it fell with a little
+clash beyond. I saw the gold as it rolled on the gravel walk in red
+splashes of light. Ruined my life? Did Mary do this? The old, old
+story--"the woman gave me and I did eat." Of course Mary ruined my
+life. Had I anything to do with the wreck of hers? If so, I had
+committed worse than murder--I had killed a soul. I put my hot head
+between my hands and tried to think it out; I would think it all out
+to-night, and give my verdict for or against myself. If against me,
+then I knew how to die at last. It would not be as at that other time,
+when my courage failed me. The bitterness of death was already past. I
+would go over what had been, balance each little grain, measure forth
+each atom, and the end would be--the end.
+
+It needed no effort. The past came up of itself before me. Five years
+of soldiering in Afghanistan, the heights of Cherasiab, the march to
+Candahar, a medal, a clasp, a mention in dispatches. This was good.
+Then came that staff appointment at Simla, and the downward path.
+Life was so easy, so pleasant. I was always gregarious, fond of my
+fellow-creatures, easy-going; and as each day passed I slipped down
+lower and lower. There were other deeps to come, of which I then knew
+not. A lot of conscience was rubbed out of me by that time. Mrs.
+Cantilivre must answer for that. There again: the blame on the woman!
+But when a society belle makes up her mind to form a man, she takes a
+lot of the nap off the fine feelings. I tried to pull up once or
+twice, but the effort was beyond me. I drifted back again. Things that
+were formerly looked upon by me as luxuries became necessaries; I
+developed a taste for gambling, and got into debt. Pace of this kind
+could not last long. There came a day when I got ill, and then came
+furlough. A long spell of leave, with a load of debt on my shoulders;
+but my creditors were, to do them justice, very patient. The voyage
+gave me plenty of opportunity to reflect, and the folly of the past
+came before me vividly. I would bury the past, have done with Myra
+Cantilivre, and start afresh. England again! Words cannot describe the
+feelings that stirred me when I saw the Eddystone, with the big waves
+lashing about it. Arriving on Sunday, I had to spend the afternoon in
+Plymouth, and saw Drake looking out over the sea. All the old fire was
+warming back in my heart. There was time to mend all yet: when I got
+back I meant to win the cherry ribbon and bronze star--no more
+flirtation under the deodars for me--I would soldier again.
+
+A few months later I met Mary, and in a month she had promised to be
+my wife. I can see her yet as she stood before me with downcast head,
+and the pink flush on her cheek. She lifted her eyes to mine, and the
+look in them was my answer. A few months afterwards we were married,
+and almost immediately sailed for India. I give my word that I meant
+all that a man should mean for his wife. But one cannot live in the
+world and look on things in the same light as an innocent woman. I had
+buried all the past, as I thought, forever. Myra Cantilivre was dead
+to me, but she had done her work. It was an effort to me always to
+live in the pure air of Mary's thoughts, and one day I said something
+on board the steamer that jarred on my wife. It was a comedown from
+cloudland, and was the first little rift within the lute. I pulled
+myself up, however, and smoothed it over. Then the scheme which I
+worked out took its birth in my mind. If there was to be any happiness
+in our future life, Mary must either come down to my level or I must
+go up to hers. I had tried and failed. There was nothing for it but to
+bring her down. This fine sensitiveness of hers necessitated my having
+to play the hypocrite forever. Then again I did not like to unveil
+myself. Every man likes to be a hero to his wife. I suppose she finds
+him out, however, sooner or later. Perhaps it would be better to let
+Mary find out gradually. It would in effect be carrying out my
+programme in the best possible way. Now, I had hitherto concealed from
+Mary the fact that I was in debt; but something happened at Simla,
+soon after we reached there, that necessitated her knowing this. There
+was another little difference. It was not, Mary said, the matter of
+the debt, but the fact of my concealing it, that hurt her. She brought
+up in minute detail little plans of mine, sketched without
+consideration of the bonds of my creditors, and put them in such a
+manner that it appeared as if I had told untruths to her regarding
+myself. The confession has to be made: they were practically untruths;
+but a man during his courtship, and the first weeks of his married
+life, has often to say things which would not bear scrutiny. My wife
+showed she had a retentive memory, and, for a girl, a very clear and
+incisive way of putting things. The storm passed over at last, and
+then Mary set herself to put my disordered affairs to rights. Debts
+had to be paid, and rigid economy was the order of the day; but coming
+back to Simla meant coming back to the old things. I tried to second
+Mary's efforts to the best of my ability; but I felt I couldn't last
+long. I met Mrs. Cantilivre one evening at Viceregal Lodge. She
+received me like an old friend, and begged to be introduced to Mary.
+She made only one reference to what had been:
+
+"And so, Dick, the past is all forgotten?"
+
+"It is good to forget, Mrs. Cantilivre; and I am now hedged in with
+all kinds of fortifications."
+
+I looked towards Mary, where she stood talking to Redvers of the
+Sikhs--I always hated Redvers, and never saw what women admired in
+him.
+
+Myra laughed at my speech--it was an odd little laugh, and I did not
+like it.
+
+"Who makes her dresses?" she asked. "And now give me your arm and take
+me to your wife."
+
+I should not have done it, I know I should not, but my hand was
+forced. If I had had the moral courage I should have got out of it
+somehow. It was just that want of moral courage that broke me. This is
+something like a verdict against myself, but it is worth while setting
+forth the whole indictment. I began to tire of Mary's rigid rules of
+honesty and strict economy. She tied me down too much. I should have
+been allowed a run now and again. The short of it was that I began to
+break out of bounds, and in a few months was leading my old life once
+again. There was this difference, however--that formerly I had nothing
+to fear, whereas now it was necessary to conceal things. I flattered
+myself that I was still her idol. I should have known she had long ago
+perceived that the idol was of the earth, earthy. I had occasionally
+to resort to falsehood, and was almost as invariably discovered. I had
+not a sufficiently good memory to be a complete liar. The shame of it
+was knowing I was discovered; but Mary never threw it up to my face.
+She set herself to her duty loyally, though day by day I could see the
+despair eating its way through her. I had taken to gambling again, and
+as usual had bad luck and lost heavily. This necessitated my having to
+borrow some more money, which I arranged to pay back by instalments;
+and then I had to tell my wife that, owing to an alteration in the
+scales of pay, my income was so much the less. I upbraided the rules
+of the service, and on this occasion Mary believed me. I resolved to
+gamble no more. About this time my wife got ill, and when she
+recovered there was a small Mary in the house. During her illness
+things were so upset that I was compelled to frequent my club more
+than ever. To add to the worry to which I was subjected, the child got
+ill, and really seemed very ill indeed. All this involved expenditure
+which I did not know how to meet, and in despair one evening I turned
+to the cards again. It was the only thing to do. It was absurd to lose
+all I had lost, for the want of a little pluck to pull it back again.
+
+One evening I had just cut into a table when a note was put into my
+hands. It was from my wife, asking me to come home at once, as the
+child seemed very ill. It was rather hard luck being dragged home; and
+I could do nothing. So I dropped a note back to Mary to say she had
+better send for the doctor, and that I would come as soon as possible.
+I meant to go immediately after one rubber. I won. It would have been
+a sin to have turned on my luck, and I played on until the small hours
+of the morning, and for once was fortunate. I rode back in high
+spirits. Near my gate some one galloped past me; I thought I
+recognised Brasingham's (the doctor's) nag, but wasn't quite sure. At
+any rate, if it was, Mary had taken my advice. I rode in softly and
+entered the house. A dim light was burning in the sitting-room; beyond
+it was the baby's room. I lifted the curtain and entered. As I came in
+my wife's ayah rose and salaamed, then stole softly out. I cannot tell
+why, but I felt I was in the presence of death. Mary was kneeling by
+the little bed, and in it lay our child, very quiet and still. I
+stepped up to my wife and put my hand on her shoulder. She looked up
+at me with a silent reproach in her eyes. "Wife," I said, "give me one
+chance more"; and without a word she came to me and lay sobbing on my
+heart.
+
+We went away after that for about a month; and I think that month was
+a more restful one than any we had spent since the first weeks of our
+marriage. By the end of it, however, I was weary of the new life. I
+must have been mad, but I longed to get again to the old excitements.
+I told Mary that when we came back she should go out as much as
+possible--that the distraction of society would be good for her. She
+agreed passively. We went out a great deal after that; and somehow my
+wife discovered the falsehood I had told her about the reduction in my
+income. She did not upbraid me, but she let me understand she knew,
+with a quiet contempt that stung me to the quick. From this moment she
+changed. Whilst formerly I had to urge her to mix in society, she now
+appeared to seek it with an eagerness that a little surprised me.
+Redvers was always with her. At any rate this made things more
+comfortable for me in one way, for I could more openly go my own path.
+
+I renewed my acquaintance with Mrs. Cantilivre. She always said the
+right thing, and she understood men--at any rate she understood me. If
+Mrs. Cantilivre had been my wife I would have been a success in life.
+Bit by bit all my old feelings for her awoke again, and then the crash
+came. It was the night of the Cavalry Ball. I asked Myra Cantilivre
+for a dance; but she preferred to sit it out. I cannot tell how it
+happened, but ten minutes after I was at her feet, telling her I loved
+her more than my life--talking like a madman and a fool.
+
+She bent down and kissed my forehead. "Poor boy!" she said; and as I
+looked up I saw Mary on Redvers' arm not six feet from us. I rose, and
+Myra Cantilivre leaned back in her chair and put up the big plumes of
+her fan to her face. Mary turned away without a word, and walked down
+the passage with her companion.
+
+I followed, but dared not speak to her. Old Cramley, the Deputy
+Quartermaster General, buttonholed me. He was a senior officer, and I
+submitted. Half an hour later, when I escaped, my wife was gone. I
+reached home at last. Mary was there, in a dark grey walking dress, a
+small bag in her hand. I met her in the hall, and she stepped aside as
+if my touch would pollute her.
+
+"Mary," I said, "I can explain all."
+
+"I want no explanation: let me pass, please."
+
+She went out into the night.
+
+In two days all Simla knew of it, and in six months I was a ruined
+man.
+
+
+There is no help for it--the verdict is against me; and yet for five
+years I have been through the fire, and I am strong now--there would
+be no blacksliding if another chance were given to me. Regrets! There
+is no use regretting--ten times would I give my life to live over the
+past again. "Mary, my dear, I have killed you: may God forgive me!"
+
+Some one stepped out of the shadow into the moonlight as I raised my
+head with the bitter cry on my lips.
+
+"Dick!"
+
+"Mary!"
+
+And we had met once more.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE MADNESS OF SHERE
+                               BAHADUR
+
+
+The mahout's small son, engaged with an equally small friend in the
+pleasant occupation of stringing into garlands the thick yellow and
+white champac blossoms that strewed the ground under the broad-leaved
+tree near the lentena hedge, was startled by an angry trumpet, and
+looked in the direction of Shere Bahadur.
+
+"He is _must_," said one to the other, in an awe-struck whisper, and
+then, a sudden terror seizing them, they bounded silently and swiftly
+like little brown apes into a gap in the hedge and vanished.
+
+There were ten thousand evil desires hissing in Shere Bahadur's heart
+as he swayed to and fro under the huge peepul tree to which he was
+chained. Indignity upon indignity had been heaped upon him. It was a
+mere accident that Aladin, the mahout who had attended him for twenty
+years, was dead. How on earth was Shere Bahadur to know that his skull
+was so thin? He had merely tapped it with his trunk in a moment of
+petulance, and the head of Aladin had crackled in like the shell of an
+egg. Shere Bahadur was reduced to the ranks. For weeks he had to carry
+the fodder supply of the Maharaj's stables, like an ordinary beast of
+burden and a low-caste slave; a fool to boot had been put to attend on
+him. It was not to be borne. Shere Bahadur clanked his chains angrily,
+and ever and anon flung wisps of straw, twigs, and dust on his broad
+back and mottled forehead. He, a Kemeriah of Kemeriahs, to be treated
+thus! He was no longer the stately beast that bore the yellow and
+silver howdah of the Maharaj Adhiraj in solemn procession, who put
+aside with a gentle sweep of his trunk the children who crowded the
+narrow streets of Kalesar. No, it was different now. He was a felon
+and an outcast, bound like a thief. Something had given way in his
+brain, and Shere Bahadur was mad. The flies hovered on the sore part
+over his left ear, where the long peak of the driving-iron had
+burrowed in, and, with a trumpet of rage, the elephant blew a cloud of
+dust into the air and strained himself backwards.
+
+_Click_! _click!_ The cast-iron links of the big chain that bound
+him snapped, and Shere Bahadur was free. He cautiously moved his
+pillar-like legs backwards and forwards to satisfy himself of the
+fact, and then, with the broad fans of his ears spread out, stood for
+a moment still as a stone. High up amongst the leaves the green
+pigeons whistled softly to each other, and a grey squirrel was engaged
+in hot dispute with a blue jay over treasure-trove, found in a hollow
+of one of the long branches that, python-like, twined and twisted
+overhead. Far away, rose tier upon tier of purple hills, and beyond
+them a white line of snow-capped peaks stood out against the sapphire
+of the sky. Hathni Khund was there, the deep pool of the Jumna, where
+thirty years before Shere Bahadur had splashed and swam. It was
+there that he fought and defeated the hoary tusker of the herd, the
+one-tusked giant who had bullied and tyrannized over his tribe for
+time beyond Shere Bahadur's memory.
+
+Perhaps a thought of that big fight stirred him, perhaps the breeze
+brought him the sweet scent of the young grass in the glens. At any
+rate, with a quick, impatient flap of his ears, Shere Bahadur turned
+and faced the hills. As he did so his twinkling red eyes caught sight
+of the Kalesar state troops on their parade ground, barely a quarter
+of a mile from where he stood. The fat little Maharaj was there,
+standing near the saluting point. Close to him was the Vizier, with
+the court, and, last but not least, a knowing little fox-terrier dug
+up the earth with his forepaws, scattering it about regardless of the
+august presence.
+
+The Maharaj was proud of his troops. He had raised them himself in an
+outburst of loyalty, the day after a birthday gazette in which His
+Highness Sri Ranabir Pertab Sing, Maharaj Adhiraj of Kalesar, had been
+admitted a companion of an exalted order. The Star of India glittered
+on the podgy little prince. He was dreaming of a glorious day when he,
+he himself, would lead the victorious levy through the Khyber, first
+in the field against the Russ, when a murmur that swelled to a cry of
+fear rose from the ranks, and the troops melted away before their
+king. Rifles and accoutrements were flung aside; there was a wild
+stampede, and the gorgeously attired colonel, putting spurs to his
+horse, mingled with the dust and was lost to view. The Maharaj stormed
+in his native tongue, and then burst into English oaths. He had a very
+pretty vocabulary, for had he not been brought up under the tender
+care of the Sirkar? He turned in his fury towards the Vizier, but was
+only in time to see the snowy robes of that high functionary
+disappearing into a culvert, and the confused mob of his court running
+helter-skelter across the sward. But yet another object caught the
+prince's eye, and chilled him with horror. It was the vast bulk of
+Shere Bahadur moving rapidly and noiselessly towards him. Sri Ranabir
+was a Rajpoot of the bluest blood, and his heart was big: but this
+awful sight, this swift, silent advance of hideous death, paralyzed
+him with fear. Already the long shadow of the elephant had moved near
+his feet, already he seemed impaled on those cruel white tusks, when
+there was a snapping bark, and the fox-terrier flew at Shere Bahadur
+and danced round him in a tempest of rage. The elephant turned, and
+made a savage dash at the dog, who skipped nimbly between his legs and
+renewed the assault in the rear. But this moment of reprieve roused
+His Highness. The prince became a man, and the Maharaj turned and
+fled, darting like a star across the soft green. Shere Bahadur saw the
+flash of the jewelled aigrette, the sheen of the order, and, giving up
+the dog, curled his trunk and started in pursuit. It was a desperate
+race. The Maharaj was out of training, but the time he made was
+wonderful, and the diamond buckles on his shoes formed a streak of
+light as he fled. But, fast as he ran, the race would have ended in a
+few seconds if it were not for Bully, the little white fox-terrier.
+Bully thoroughly grasped the situation, and acted accordingly. He ran
+round the elephant, now skipping between his legs, the next moment
+snapping at him behind--and Bully had a remarkably fine set of teeth.
+The Maharaj sighted a small hut, the door of which stood invitingly
+open. It was a poor hut made of grass and sticks, but it seemed a
+royal palace to him.
+
+"Holy Gunputty!" he gasped. "If I could----"
+
+But it was no time to waste words. Already the snakelike trunk of his
+enemy was stretched out to fold round him, when with a desperate spurt
+he reached the door, and dashed in. But Shere Bahadur was not to be
+denied. He stood for a moment, and then, putting forward his forefoot,
+staved in the side of the frail shelter and brought down the house.
+Sri Ranabir hopped out like a rat, and it was well for him that in the
+cloud of dust and thatch flying about he was unobserved, for Shere
+Bahadur, now careless of Bully's assaults and certain of his man, was
+diligently searching the _debris_. But he found nothing save a brass
+vessel, which he savagely flung at the dog. Then he carefully stamped
+on the hut, and reduced everything to chaos. In the meantime Sri
+Ranabir, unconscious that the pursuit had ceased, ran on as if he was
+wound up like a clock, ran until his foot slipped, and the Maharaj
+Adhiraj rolled into the soft bed of a nullah, and lay there with his
+eyes closed, utterly beaten, and careless whether the death he had
+striven so hard to avoid came or not. Then there was a buzzing in his
+ears and everything became a blank.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+"Blessed be the prophet! He liveth." And the Vizier helped his fallen
+master to rise, aided by the Heir Apparent, in whose heart, however,
+there were thoughts far different from those which found expression on
+the lips of the Nawab Juggun Jung, prime minister of Kalesar. The
+sympathetic, if somewhat excited, court crowded round their king, and
+a little in the distance was the whole population of Kalesar, armed
+with every conceivable weapon, and keeping up their courage by beating
+on tom-toms, blowing horns, and shouting until the confusion of sound
+was indescribable.
+
+"Come back to the palace, my lord. They will drive the evil one out of
+him." And the Vizier waved his hand in the direction of the crowd, and
+pointed to where in the distance Shere Bahadur was making slowly and
+steadily for the hills. But the Maharaj Adhiraj would do no such
+thing. "Ryful lao!" he roared in his vernacular; "Gimme my gun!" he
+shrieked in English. There was no refusing; a double-barrelled gun was
+thrust in his hands, he scrambled on the back of the first horse he
+saw, and, followed by his cheering subjects and the whole court,
+dashed after the elephant.
+
+"Mirror of the Universe, destroy him not," advised the Vizier who rode
+at the prince's bridle-hand. "The beast is worth eight thousand
+rupees, and cannot be replaced. The treasury is almost empty, and we
+will want him when the Lat Saheb comes." The Maharaj was prudent if he
+was brave, and the empty treasury was a strong argument. Besides, they
+were getting rather close to Shere Bahadur and outpacing the faithful
+people. But he gave in slowly. "What is to be done?" he asked, taking
+a pull at the reins.
+
+"The people will drive him back," replied the Vizier, "and we will
+chain him up securely. He is but _must_, and in a month or so all will
+pass away."
+
+Shere Bahadur had now reached an open plain, where he stopped, and
+turning round, faced his pursuers.
+
+"Go on, brave men!" shouted the Vizier. "A thousand rupees to him who
+links the first chain on that Shaitan. Drive him back! Drive him
+back!"
+
+There is the courage of numbers, and this the people of India possess.
+They gradually formed a semi-circle round Shere Bahadur, cutting off
+his retreat to the hills, and attempted by shouts and the beating of
+tom-toms to drive him forwards. But they kept at a safe distance, and
+the elephant remained unmoved.
+
+"Prick him forwards," roared the Vizier. "Are none of ye men?
+Behold! the Light of the Universe watches your deeds! A _must_
+elephant--_pah!_ What is it but an animal?"
+
+"By your lordship's favour," answered a voice, "he is not _must_, only
+angry--there is no stream from his eye. Nevertheless, I will drive him
+to the lines, for I am but dust of the earth, and a thousand rupees
+will make me a king." Then a red-turbaned man stepped out of the
+throng. It was the low-caste cooly who had been put to attend to the
+elephant on Aladin's death. He was armed with a short spear, and he
+crept up to the beast on his hands and knees, and then, rising, dug
+the weapon into the elephant's haunch. Shere Bahadur rapped his trunk
+on the ground, gave a short quick trumpet, and, swinging round, made
+for the man. He did this in a slow, deliberate manner, and actually
+allowed him to gain the crowd. Then he flung up his head with a
+screech and dashed forward.
+
+_Crack_! _crack!_ went both barrels of Sri Ranabir's gun, and two
+bullets whistled harmlessly through the air. The panic-striken mob
+turned and fled, bearing the struggling prince in the press. The
+elephant was, however, too quick, and, to his horror, Sri Ranabir saw
+that he had charged home. Then Sri Ranabir also saw something that he
+never forgot. Not a soul did the elephant harm, but with a dogged
+persistence followed the red turban. Some bolder than the rest struck
+at him with their tulwars, some tried to stab him with their spears,
+and one or two matchlocks were fired at him, but to no purpose.
+Through the crowd he steered straight for his prey, and the crowd
+itself gave back before him in a sea of frightened faces. At last the
+man himself seemed to realize Shere Bahadur's object, and it dawned
+like an inspiration on the rest. They made a road for the elephant,
+and he separated his quarry from the crowd. At last! He ran him down
+on a ploughed field and stood over the wretch. The man lay partly on
+his side, looking up at his enemy, and he put up his hand weakly and
+rested it against the foreleg of the elephant, who stood motionless
+above him. So still was he that a wild thought of escape must have
+gone through the wretch's mind, and with the resource born of imminent
+peril he gathered himself together inch by inch, and made a rush for
+freedom. With an easy sweep of his trunk Shere Bahadur brought him
+back into his former position, and then--the devil came out, and a
+groan went up from the crowd, for Shere Bahadur had dropped on his
+knees, and a moment after rose and kicked something, a mangled,
+shapeless something, backwards and forwards between his feet.
+
+"Let him be," said the Vizier, laying a restraining hand on Sri
+Ranabir. "What has he killed but refuse? The Shaitan will go out of
+him now."
+
+When he had done the deed Shere Bahadur moved a few yards further and
+began to cast clods of earth over himself. Then it was seen that a
+small figure, with a driving-hook in its little brown hand, was making
+directly for the elephant.
+
+"Come back, you little fool!" shouted Sri Ranabir. But the boy made no
+answer, and running lightly forward, stood before Shere Bahadur. He
+placed the tinsel-covered cap he wore at the beast's feet, and held up
+his hands in supplication. The crowd stood breathless; they could hear
+nothing, but the child was evidently speaking. They saw Shere Bahadur
+glare viciously at the boy as his trunk drooped forward in a straight
+line. The lad again spoke, and the elephant snorted doubtfully. Then
+there was no mistaking the shrill treble "Lift!" Shere Bahadur held
+out his trunk in an unwilling manner. The boy seized hold of it as
+high as he could reach, placed his bare feet on the curl, and murmured
+something. A moment after he was seated on the elephant's neck, and
+lifting the driving-iron, waved it in the air.
+
+"Hai!" he screamed as he drove it on to the right spot, the sore part
+over the left ear. "Hai! Base-born thief, back to your lines!"
+
+And the huge bulk of Shere Bahadur turned slowly round and shambled
+off to the peepul tree like a lamb.
+
+"By the trunk of Gunputty! I will make that lad a havildar, and the
+thousand rupees shall be his," swore the Maharaj.
+
+"Pillar of the earth!" advised the Vizier, "let this unworthy one
+speak. It is Futteh Din, the dead Aladin's son. Give him five rupees,
+and _let him be mahout_."
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+When I last saw Shere Bahadur he was passing solemnly under the old
+archway of the "Gate of the Hundred Winds" at Kalesar. The Maharaj
+Adhiraj was seated in the howdah, with his excellency the Nawab Juggun
+Jung by his side. On the driving-seat was Futteh Din, gorgeous in
+cloth of gold, and they were on their way to the funeral-pyre of the
+Heir Apparent, who had died suddenly from a surfeit of cream.
+
+As they passed under the archway a sweetmeat-seller rose and bowed to
+the prince, and Shere Bahadur, stretching out his trunk, helped
+himself to a pound or so of Turkish Delight.
+
+"Such," said the sweetmeat-seller to himself ruefully, as he gazed
+after the retreating procession, "such are the ways of kings."
+
+
+
+
+
+                             REGINE'S APE
+
+
+It is a May morning in the north of India--such a morning as comes
+when the hot wind has been blowing for three weeks, and has shrivelled
+everything before it, like tea-leaves under the fan of a drying
+engine. The Grand Trunk Road, a long line of grey dotted in with
+dust-covered _kikur_ trees, stretches for three hundred miles to the
+frontier, and to the right and left of it, beginning at the village of
+the Well of Lehna Singh, which lies but a quoit-cast from the
+roadside, spreads a plain, dry, arid, and parched--agape with
+thirst--the seams running along its brown surface like open lips
+panting for rain, the cool rain which will not come yet, although, at
+times, the distant rumble of thunder is heard, and dark clouds pile up
+in the horizon, only to melt away into nothing. The tall _sirpat_
+grass has been cut, and its pruned stalks, stiff as the bristles on a
+hair-brush, extend in regular patches of yellow, spiky scrub, with
+bands of mottled brown and grey earth between them. Here and again it
+would seem there are scattered pools, for the eyes, running over the
+landscape, shrink back from a sudden flash, as of water reflecting the
+fierce light of the sun. It is not so, however, for, except what the
+groaning Persian wheels drag up from the deep wells, there is never a
+drop of water for man, for beast, or for field. Those gleaming
+stretches from which the pained eyes turn are nothing more than the
+bare earth, covered with a saline efflorescence, soft and silver
+white, as if it were dry and powdered foam. It is yet early, and the
+light is not so dazzling as to prevent the eye resting on the
+patchwork of the plain, studded here and there with clumps of trees,
+that mark a well and the hamlet that has grown up around it. To found
+a village here it is only necessary to dig a well, and behold! mud
+huts spring up like fungi, and a hamlet has come into being. Right
+across the plain is a dark line of _kikur_ and _seesum_ trees. That is
+where the dry bed of the Deg torrents lies. Only let it rain, and the
+Deg will come down, an angry yellow flood, alive with catfish, and
+bubble its way to the wide but not less yellow bosom of the Ravi.
+Beyond the dry bed of the torrent, and towards the east, are a number
+of sand dunes covered with the soda plant, and looking like anthills
+in the distance. In the east itself the sun looms through a red haze,
+and against this ruddy, semi-opaque mist, a dust-devil rises in a
+spiral column, and opening out at the top, like an expanding smoke
+wreath, spreads sullenly against the sky line. On a morning such as
+this, two men are beating for a boar in a large patch of _sirpat_
+grass. One man is at each end of the grass field, and between them are
+twenty or thirty _Sansis_, a criminal tribe, who make excellent
+beaters whatever their other faults may be. With the man to the right
+of the field we have little concern. It is with the man to the left
+that this story deals. As he sits his fretting Arab, and the sunlight
+falls on his features, it would need but a glance to tell he was a
+soldier. The careful observer might, however, discover in that glance
+that there was something wrong about the good-looking face. The eyes
+were too close together, the bow of the mouth both weak and cruel,
+although the chin below it was firm enough. If the grey helmet he wore
+were removed, it would have been seen that the head was small and
+somewhat conical in shape, the head of a Carib rather than that of an
+European. As he slowly advanced his horse along the edge of the field,
+keeping in line with the beaters, it was evident that he was in a high
+state of excitement, and the shaft of his spear was shivering in his
+hand.
+
+_Whirr_! _whirr!_ A couple of black partridge rise from the grass and
+sail away till they look like cockchafers in the distance. Then there
+is a scramble, a hare dashes out, and scurries madly across the plain,
+his long ears laid flat on his back, and his big eyes almost starting
+out of his head with fright. The beaters yell at this, and the Arab
+plunges forward; but the rider, who is growing pale with excitement,
+holds him in, and he dances along sideways in a white sweat--both
+horse and man all nerves. Two mangy jackals slink out of the grass,
+give a sly look around, and then lope along in the direction taken by
+the hare. It will be bad for puss if they come across him. As yet not
+a sign of the boar, and the Arab is almost pulling Sangster's arms
+off. He looks across at his friend, and sees him well to the right, on
+his solemn-looking black, and he catches sight of a pale blue curl of
+smoke from Wilkinson's pipe.
+
+"By George!" he muttered, "only think of smoking now! Steady----" He
+might as well have tried to stop an engine. There is a chorus of
+yells, shrieks, and howls from the beaters, a sudden waving of
+crackling grass, the plunge of a heavy body, and in a hand-turn an old
+boar breaks cover, and, with one savage look about him, heads at a
+tremendous pace for the Deg. The Arab has seen it, and lets himself
+out like a buck, and then all is forgotten except the fierce
+excitement of the chase. Sangster can hear the drumming of the black's
+hoofs behind him, and fast as he goes Wilkinson draws alongside, his
+teeth still clenched over the stem of his pipe. The boar is well to
+the front, a brown spot bobbing up and down, racing for his life, as
+he means to fight for it when the time comes. He is not afraid, his
+little red eyes are aflame with wrath, and as he goes he grinds his
+tusks till the yellow foam flies off them on to his brindled sides. He
+is not in the least afraid, and he fully intends, at the proper time,
+to adjust matters with one or both his pursuers. It is his way to run
+first and fight afterwards--that is, providing the enemy can run him
+to a standstill. If not--well, the fight must be deferred to another
+day, and in the meantime it is capital going, except over that
+ravine-scarred portion of the plain called the "Gridiron," where, at
+any rate, the advantage will lie with him.
+
+Side by side the two men race. Wilkinson knows perfectly well that
+when the time comes he can draw away from the Arab, which, with all
+its speed and pluck, is no match for a fifteen-hand Waler. He is
+calculating on gaining "first spear" with a sudden rush; but has
+missed out of this calculation the consequences of an accident. In the
+middle of the "Gridiron," the Waler makes a false step between two
+grass-crowned hummocks, and Sangster is left alone, with the boar,
+whilst Wilkinson, with a sore heart, crawls out of a water-cut, and,
+after many an ineffectual effort, succeeds in catching his horse and
+following the chase, now almost out of sight.
+
+In the meantime the boar has all but reached the Deg, and safety lies
+there. Could he only gain one of the hundred ravines that cobweb the
+plain, a quarter mile or so from the dry bed of the torrent, he would
+yet live to run, and maybe fight, on another day. He strains every
+nerve to effect this object, and Sangster, seeing this, calls on his
+horse, and the Arab, answering gallantly, brings him almost up to the
+boar with a rush. Sangster can see the foam on the boar's jowl, necked
+with bright spots of red; blood-marks from the hunted animal's lips,
+wounded by the sharp tushes as he ground them together in his wrath;
+already has he reached out his arm to deliver the spear, when, quick
+as lightning, the boar jinks to the right, and, dashing down a deep
+and narrow ravine, is lost to view. Sangster saw the bristles on his
+back as the beast vanished, and the speed of his horse bore him almost
+to the edge of the steep bank of the Deg before he could stop and turn
+him. When Sangster came back to the point where he had lost the boar
+he realized that it was useless to make any attempt to find the
+animal. In a hasty look round he had given when Wilkinson came to
+grief he had seen that the accident to his friend was not serious, and
+he now resolved to cross the Deg by an old bridge known as "Shah
+Doula's Pool," and make his way back to the beaters along the "soft"
+that bordered the metalling of the Grand Trunk Road. It would be shady
+there, and he was parched with thirst, and very much out of temper.
+Failure in anything made this nervous man extraordinarily irritable,
+and he was in a mood to pick a quarrel on the slightest provocation.
+
+Sangster reached the bridge in this frame of mind, and as he crossed
+it came upon a curious scene. Under the shade of a peepul, whose
+heart-shaped leaves sheltered him from the sun, sat a devotee staring
+fixedly into space with his lustreless eyes. Beyond a cloth around his
+waist he had no clothing, his body was smeared with ashes, and on his
+ash-covered forehead was drawn a trident in red ochre. His hair, which
+was of great length, and had been bleached by exposure from black to a
+russet brown, fell over his thin shoulders in a long matted mane.
+Sitting there, he was, up to this point, like any one of the hundred
+wandering mendicants a man might meet in a week's march in India; but
+here the resemblance ceased, for this man was of those who, in the
+fulfilment of a vow, was prepared to inflict upon himself and to
+endure any torture. He sat cross-legged, and what at first Sangster
+thought was the dry and blasted bough of a stunted _kikur_ tree behind
+the man he saw, at a second glance, was nothing less than the
+devotee's arm, which he had held out at a right angle to his body,
+until it had stiffened immovably in that position, and had shrunk
+until it seemed that the cracked skin alone covered the bone. How long
+the arm had been held to reach this condition no one can say. But it
+was long enough for the nails to have grown through the palm of the
+clenched hand, over which they curled and drooped like tendrils. The
+ascetic's gourd lay before him, into which some pious passer-by had
+dropped a handful of parched rice, and behind him gambolled a grey
+monkey, an entellus or _lungoor_, who gibbered and mowed at Sangster
+as he rode up, but made no attempt to retreat--evidently he was tame,
+and used to people.
+
+Although Sangster had nearly seven years of service, he knew nothing
+about the East; his knowledge of its peoples and their characters
+expressed itself in two words, brief and strong. He knew nothing and
+cared less for the complex laws, the mystic philosophy, the immemorial
+civilization of the great empire which he, in his small way, was
+helping to hold for England. He fortunately represented only a small
+class of the servants of the Queen, that class who hold the native to
+be a brute, a little, if at all, better than the grey ape who leered
+over the devotee's shoulder at the Arab and his rider. Sangster,
+however, knew something of the language, and some devil prompted him
+to rein in, and imperiously ask the sitting figure if the boar had
+gone that way. He might as well have asked the ape, for that figure,
+seated there in the dust, with its rigid arm stretched out, and dull
+look staring into vacancy, would have been oblivious if a hundred
+boars had passed before it, and was so lost in abstraction that it was
+even unconscious of the presence of the fiery champing horse and
+equally impatient man, who were right in front of its unwinking eyes.
+Of course there was no answer, and Sangster angrily repeated the
+question, lowering the point of his spear as he did so, and slightly
+pricking the man below him. What came into the little brain of the ape
+it is hard to say; but it was an instinct that told him his master was
+in danger, and with a dog-like fidelity he resolved to defend him.
+Springing forward the beast grasped the shaft of the lance, and, with
+chattering teeth, pushed it violently on one side. All the little
+temper Sangster had left went to shreds; with an oath he drew back his
+arm, the spear-head flashed, and the next moment passed clean through
+the shrieking animal, and was out again, no longer bright but dripping
+red. With a pitiful moan the poor brute almost flung itself into the
+devotee's lap, and died there, its arms clasped around the lean waist
+of its master. All this happened so suddenly, so quickly, that
+Sangster had barely time to think of what he had done; but, as he
+raised his red spear, a horror came on him, so human was the cry of
+the dying ape, so like a child did it lie in its death-agony. He would
+have turned away and ridden off, but a power he could not control kept
+him there, and for a space there was a silence, broken only by the
+drip from the spear-head, and the soft whistle of a _huryal_ or green
+pigeon from the shade of the leaves overhead.
+
+The ascetic gently put aside the dead ape, and rose, a grey phantom,
+to his feet. So large was his head, so small his body, and so long the
+withered bird-like legs that supported him, that he appeared to be
+some uncanny creature of another world. He was overcome with a
+terrible excitement, his breast heaved, his lips moved with a hissing
+sound, and he unconsciously tried to shake his rigid right arm at the
+destroyer. Then his voice came, shrill and fierce, with a note of
+unending pain in it, and he dropped out slowly, and with a deadly hate
+in each word: "_Cursed be the hand that wrought this deed! Cursed be
+thou above thy fellows! May Durga dog thee through life, and let thy
+life itself end in blood! Now go_!"
+
+Without a word Sangster turned to the left, and galloped along the
+banks of the Deg. At any other time he could have found it in his
+heart to laugh at the curse of the mad ascetic, for so he thought the
+man to be; but the limp body of the dead ape was before him, and its
+pitiful cry was ringing in his ears. As he rode on he caught a glimpse
+of his dull spear-point. It was only the blood of an animal after all;
+but he flung the lance away with a jerk of his arm, and it fell softly
+into the broad-leaved _dakh_ shrubs and lay there, long and yellow in
+the sunlight. He pressed on madly; the white line of the Grand Trunk
+Road was now close, and he could make out a gigantic figure on a
+gigantic horse. It was Wilkinson; but how huge he looked! Sangster's
+head seemed bursting, and there was a drumming in his ears. Somehow he
+managed to keep his seat, and at last heard Wilkinson's cool voice.
+
+"Got the pig, old man? Good God!----" For Sangster, with a flushed red
+face, slid from his saddle, and lay senseless in the white burning
+dust.
+
+In a moment Wilkinson had sprung to earth and was bending over his
+friend.
+
+"Sunstroke, by Jove! Must get him back at once."
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+One does not recover from sunstroke in a little, and in most cases it
+leaves a permanent mark behind it. Sangster was no exception to the
+rule. For weeks he lay between life and death. There were times when
+he tottered on the brink of that dark precipice, down which we must
+all go sooner or later; but he rallied at last. Finally he was well
+enough to travel, and the sick man came home. He had never mentioned
+to a soul what he had done at Shah Doula's Pool. If he had spoken of
+it during his illness, it was doubtless set down to the ravings of
+delirium. When at length he recovered his senses, he could only recall
+what had happened to him in a vague manner. But he was no longer his
+own cheery, somewhat noisy self. He was listless, moody, and
+apathetic. Over his mind there seemed to brood a shadow that would
+take to itself neither form nor substance, and against which he could
+not battle. The doctors said the long sea-voyage home would set him
+right in this respect. They were wrong, and day after day the man lay
+stretched on his cane deck-chair, or paced up and down in sullen
+silence, exchanging no word with his fellow-passengers. At last they
+reached Plymouth, and although it was seven years since he had left
+England, he never even glanced out of the windows as the train bore
+him to his Berkshire home. He arrived at last and was made much over.
+Kind hands tended him, and loving hearts were there to anticipate his
+slightest whim. It was impossible to resist this, and in a little time
+the clouds seemed to roll away from his mind, and he was once more gay
+and bright. One warm sunny day, as he was lying in a hammock under the
+shade of a sycamore, hardly conscious that he was awake, and yet
+knowing he was not asleep, his mind seemed to slip back of its own
+accord into the past. In an instant the soft turf, the mellow green
+trees, the restful English landscape faded away. A wind that was as
+hot as a furnace blast beat upon him. All around was a dreary waste,
+and above, the sky was a cloudless, burning blue. He was once again
+holding in his fiery Arab, and listening to the curse hissing out from
+the lips of the devotee. He almost heard the blood dropping from his
+spear on to the grey dust below his horse's hoofs, and from the
+heart-shaped _peepul_ leaves--it was no longer a sycamore he was
+beneath--the whistle of the green pigeon came to him soft and low. A
+strange terror seized him. He sprang out of the hammock. He had not
+been asleep. It was broad daylight, and yet he could have sworn that
+for the moment time had rolled backwards, and that he was eight
+thousand miles away from the square, red brick parsonage, in the
+firwoods of Berkshire. And then he began to understand.
+
+He went into the house his old brooding self, and in a week, finding
+life there insupportable, ran up to town. Here he took chambers close
+to his club, and plunged into dissipation. He was not naturally a man
+given that way, and he did not take to it kindly. But he held his
+course and broke the remains of his health, and wasted his substance
+in a vain effort to shake off the weight from his soul. But it was
+useless, and now a weariness of life fell upon him, and something
+seemed to be ever whispered in his ear to end all. The temptation came
+upon him one evening with an almost irresistible force. He was to dine
+out that evening, and had just finished dressing when his eye fell on
+a small plated Derringer that lay on the table before him. He took it
+up and held it in his hand. But a little touch on the trigger, and
+there would be an end of all things. It was so easy. Only a little
+touch! He placed the round muzzle to his temple, and stood thus for a
+second. He could hear the ticking of his watch, he could feel the
+pulse in his temple throbbing against the cold steel of the pistol, he
+could feel his very heart beating. His whole past rose up before him.
+He closed his eyes, set his teeth, his finger was on the trigger, when
+he heard a low laugh, a mocking laugh of triumph, that, soft as it
+was, seemed to vibrate through the room. Sangster's hand dropped to
+his side, and he looked round with a scared face. At the time this
+occurred he was standing at his dressing-table, and the only light was
+that from two candles, one on each side of the glass. The bedroom was
+separated from the sitting-room by a folding door, overhung by a heavy
+crimson curtain, and this part of the room was in semidarkness. As
+Sangster turned his white face to the curtain he saw nothing, although
+the laugh was still ringing in his ears; but, as he looked, a pale
+blue mist rose before the curtain; a mist that seemed instinct with
+light, and in it floated the body of the devotee, the rigid arm
+extended towards him and a smile of infernal malice on the withered
+lips. For a moment Sangster stood as if spell-bound--a cold sweat on
+his forehead. Then, for he was no coward, he nerved himself, and
+advanced towards the vision. As he stepped up, mist and figure faded
+into nothing, and he was alone. But he could bear to be so no longer,
+and thrusting the pistol into the breast pocket of his coat, hurried
+outside. Once in the street, he hailed a hansom and was driven to his
+destination.
+
+During his stay in town he had sought every class of society, and
+chance had thrown him in the way of Madame Regine. Who she was is not
+material to this story, but she was the one person he had met who
+could for the moment make Sangster forget his gloom.
+
+In her way, too, Regine was attracted by this man, so grave and
+silent, yet who was able to speak of things and scenes she had never
+heard of, and who looked so different from the other men she came
+across in her literary and artistic circle.
+
+Of late, with a perversity which cannot be accounted for, he had
+avoided seeing her, and she was more than glad he was coming that
+night; and as for him, he almost had it in his heart to thank God he
+was to see Regine that evening.
+
+Madame knew how to select her guests. There were but half a dozen
+people, and it was very gay. At first Sangster could not shake off his
+depression, but as the wine went round and the wit sparkled he pulled
+himself together, and in a half-hour had forgotten what had happened
+before he came to the house. They were late that evening; but the time
+came to go at last. Sangster, however, lingered--the latest of all to
+say good-bye.
+
+As he went up to her she put aside his hand with a smile.
+
+"I have not seen you for ages. You might stay for another ten minutes
+and talk to me."
+
+"I shall be delighted."
+
+"That is nice of you--and I will show you a present I have had from
+India. You can smoke if you like."
+
+"I suppose it is little things like this that you do that make you so
+charming a hostess."
+
+"Thank you," she laughed, a pink flush in her cheeks, "and now wait a
+moment and I will give you a surprise."
+
+And Sangster heard the same sneering laugh that he had heard in his
+rooms. It came from nowhere; but it chilled him to ice, and the answer
+in his lips died to nothing. He alone heard it, loud as it was, for
+Madame looked for a moment at him as she spoke and then there was a
+swish of trailing garments, and she was gone. A little time passed,
+and Sangster thought he would smoke. In an absent manner he put his
+hand in his breast pocket and pulled out--not his cigarette case, but
+the pistol. He smiled grimly to himself as he held it in his hand.
+
+"Might as well do it here as anywhere else," he muttered.
+
+On the instant he felt two soft furry arms round his neck, and
+something sprang lightly to his shoulders. He gave a quick cry and
+looked up to meet the grinning face of an entellus monkey leering into
+his eyes.
+
+"My God!" he gasped, and the sharp report of the Derringer cut into
+Regine's peal of laughter, and changed its note to a scream of horror.
+When the police came she was bending over the body of the madman,
+laughing in shrill hysterics, and the ape gibbered at them from his
+seat on the high back of a chair.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         A SHADOW OF THE PAST
+
+
+The sunbirds, hovering and twittering over the _neem_ trees, signalled
+to me the approach of the coming hot weather. The sky was a steel
+grey, and over the horizon of the wide plain before my bungalow, on
+which the short grass was already dry and crisp, hung a curtain of
+pale brown dust. Here and there on the expanse of faded green were
+small herds of lean kine, and, almost on the edge of the road
+bordering the plain, a line of water-buffaloes sluggishly headed for a
+shallow pool about a mile or so westward, where they would wallow till
+the sun went down, and then be driven home with unwilling steps to
+their byres. The herd bull came last of all, and on his back sat a
+little naked boy, a pellet bow in his hand, and a cotton bag full of
+mud pellets slung over his shoulder. He was singing in a high-pitched
+tuneless voice, and his song seemed to enrage the "brain-fever" bird
+in the mango tree, where he had hidden silent since the dawn. The bird
+objected in a shrill crescendo of ringing notes that brought the
+pellet bow into play, and then there was a whistle of grey-brown wings
+as he flew to a safer spot, and a silence broken only by the
+monotonous _tink_, _tink_, _tink_ of the little green barbet or
+coppersmith. There were times, when fever held me in its grip, that
+the maddening iteration of its cry was almost unbearable, and to this
+day I nurse a hatred to that little green-coated and red-throated
+plague--of a truth "the coppersmith hath done me much evil." I stood
+in my veranda watching the retreating figure of the Judge, as he drove
+away full of a project of spending a month in Burma--an enterprise he
+had been vainly tempting me to share; but I had other fish to fry: my
+way was westwards, not eastwards, and besides I had slaved for six
+long years in Burma, and knew it far too well. One glance at the Judge
+as he turned the elbow of the road, and was lost to view behind the
+siris trees, one look at the thirsty plain, and the shivering heat
+haze, through which glinted, now and again, the distant spear-heads of
+a squadron of Bengal Lancers trotting slowly back to their barracks,
+and I turned in to my study. I had determined to devote the day to the
+destruction of old papers, and set about my task in earnest. There was
+one drawer in particular that had not been touched for three years. I
+had forgotten what it contained, and opened it slowly, thinking it was
+possibly an Augean Stable; but nothing met my eyes except a small
+packet of papers. Yet with that one look came back to me the memory of
+a life's tragedy. The papers should have been destroyed long ago, and
+now--I hesitated no longer, but tore them up into the smallest
+fragments, glad to be rid, as I thought, of the miserable record of a
+man's folly, of his crime, and of his shame.
+
+But an awakened memory is not easily set at rest, and, in the
+stillness of that Indian day, the whole thing returned with an
+insistent force, dead voices spoke to me once more, and bitter regrets
+hummed of the past, the past that can never be retrodden--and then
+there arose out of the shadows in vivid distinctness the memory of
+that supreme moment when John Mazarion cast his soul to hell. It all
+came back like a picture: that lonely Himalayan mountain side, the
+black pines, the silent eternal snows, Mazarion with his pale white
+face, and Rani with her laughing eyes. An eagle screamed above us, I
+remember, and with a hissing of wings dropped over the abyss into the
+blue mists that clung to the mountain side.
+
+John Mazarion and I had been friends at school, and we met again as
+young men with a common interest in our lives, for we had both adopted
+an Indian career. Mazarion had gone into the Indian Marine, and I--I
+wanted in those days to build empires as did Clive and Hastings, and
+so I sought honour in another service, and got sent to Burma for my
+pains and--the empires have yet to be built. There was yet another
+interest between John and myself, and that was Nelly. Being young men
+we did as young men do, and both fell in love; but unfortunately we
+both fell in love with the same woman, and Nelly took Mazarion. It was
+a bitter thing for me then; but now that I have come to an age when I
+can argue with myself, I can see it was but natural. John was a big
+handsome man with fair hair and limpid blue eyes, and Nelly--well, a
+man does not care to write about the woman he loves; she was Nelly and
+that is enough. Though I never spoke of it, I fancy Nelly must have
+known I loved her, for in that tender womanly way which good women
+alone have she gave me strength to endure, and for her sake I wished
+Mazarion good luck, and sailed for the East. John followed in a few
+weeks, and I understood they were to be married in three years, when
+Mazarion got his step--a long engagement; but the purse of an Indian
+officer is mostly a lean one, and Nelly's people were not rich. Well,
+as I said before, I began my Eastern career in Burma, and Mazarion's
+duties led him to the Bay of Bengal and to the Burman waters. We never
+met for close on four years; but occasionally I came to Rangoon, the
+capital of Burma, and there I heard much of him, and always in
+connection with some story of stupid folly. The best of men would
+shrink from daylight being thrown on all their actions; but what would
+have been wrong in any man's case became doubly so, and doubly
+dishonourable, in the case of John Mazarion--at least I thought and
+think so, for Nelly's face used to rise before me with a look of
+patient waiting in the sweet eyes.
+
+At last we met in the club at Rangoon and lunched together. He
+incidentally let out that he had got his step in promotion nearly a
+year ago, and went on to answer the unspoken question in my look.
+
+"Nelly will have to wait a year or so more, I'm afraid--I'm deuced
+hard up. But I suppose you're in the same street. Come and have a
+smoke."
+
+I was not in the same street; but I went and had a smoke. We talked of
+many things, and when I left I knew that John had slipped down, but
+how far down I was yet to know. Before I left the club I accepted an
+invitation to supper with him in his rooms; he had received a port
+appointment, and was for the present stationed in Rangoon. I went to
+that supper. There were two or three others there, and a lady--God
+save the mark!--who did the honours of the house. I could have struck
+Mazarion where he sat brazening the whole thing out; but I held myself
+in somehow and saw it through. I was the first to go, and Mazarion
+followed me to the door--shame was not quite dead in him. "Look here,
+old man," he said, "you're off home, I know, and will see Nelly. You
+needn't--and--you know what I mean--" holding out his hand.
+
+I drew back. "Yes, I know what you mean, and I will keep silent. But I
+would to God I hadn't accepted your cursed hospitality!"
+
+And I turned and walked down the stairway, leaving him on the landing,
+white with rage. In a month from that day I was in England, and a week
+later I had seen Nelly. I well remember it was with a beating heart
+that I came to the door of the suburban villa with the May tree in
+bloom near the gate, and in a minute or so was in the little
+drawing-room I knew so well. In the place of honour was a large
+photograph of Mazarion in his naval uniform, and near it was a vase
+with a votive offering of fresh flowers. I felt who had placed them
+there, and swore bitterly under my breath. Then the door opened and
+Nelly came in with outstretched bands.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you, Mr. Thring, after all these years."
+
+"And it seems to me as if I had never been away. I shook off the East
+with the first grey sky I saw."
+
+Then we sat and talked, but I carefully avoided the subject of
+Mazarion, and now and again parried a leading question because I did
+not know what to say, and felt miserable when I saw the eager light in
+Nelly's eyes fade into a look of disappointment. Finally Mrs.
+Carstairs, Nelly's mother, came in, and it was a relief, for I had to
+go over my experiences again. But I struck on the rocks at last when
+Mrs. Carstairs said: "Well, I suppose you are lucky in getting back in
+four years--though that does seem such a long time."
+
+"Yes, I suppose I am, Mrs. Carstairs. There are men who have been away
+ten years and more, and whose prospects of seeing home again are still
+far."
+
+I thought I heard the faintest echo of a sigh, and grew hot all over.
+My hand shook so that I could hear the teacup I held rattle on the
+saucer. I was a tactless fool.
+
+"How hard!" said Mrs. Carstairs, "and there is poor John still out
+there, waiting for his step. I wonder when he will get it and be able
+to come home."
+
+I looked at Nelly. Her eyes were ablaze and her cheeks flushed, and
+the words "waiting for his step" rang in my ears. Mazarion had got his
+step a year ago--he had told me so himself. I could say nothing.
+
+"I suppose you have seen John," Mrs. Carstairs went on. "You and he
+used to be such friends. When did you last meet?"
+
+"About six weeks ago, in Rangoon; he was looking very well."
+
+"I am so glad. We--that is, Nelly has not heard for nearly two months,
+and when he last wrote he said he was very busy, and likely to go on a
+long cruise."
+
+Now I knew Mazarion had held that port appointment for nearly six
+months, and would hold it for a year or so to come without any
+likelihood of going on a cruise, and I of course knew that he was
+lying--lying to the dear heart that loved him so well. To this day I
+know not whether I did right or wrong in holding my tongue, in saying
+nothing, and when I left them I left them still in that fool's
+paradise of trust and love and hope. I saw them once again before I
+left. I could not go back without one more look at Nelly. As I said
+good-bye she timidly slipped a small packet into my hands, and I
+promised it would reach John Mazarion in safety.
+
+On the voyage back I thought of many things, and reproached myself for
+having parted with Mazarion as I had. For her sake I should have made
+some effort to pull him right, and as it were I had simply kicked him
+down a step lower, for I had made him feel his infamy, and that is not
+the way to help a man to recover his own self-respect. I had been
+hasty--for the moment my temper had got the better of me--with the
+usual result. And so I determined not to send him Nelly's gift, but,
+on reaching Rangoon, to deliver the packet with my own hands.
+
+I found him in his office on the river face, and, as I expected, there
+was a coldness and constraint in his manner. Our eyes met--his still
+with anger in them--and then he dropped his look.
+
+"I have brought this," I said, "from Miss Carstairs. I promised it
+should reach you safely."
+
+He took the packet from me in silence, but I saw his hands shake and
+the crow's-feet gather about his eyes. He fumbled with the seals, then
+let the packet drop on the table, and looked at me again as I blurted
+out: "I have said nothing--not a word."
+
+"I do not understand, sir."
+
+"John Mazarion," I cut in, "you are still to her what you have ever
+been. Man! you know not what you are throwing away. See here, John!
+You are my oldest friend, and I can't let you go like this. Pull up
+and turn round; give yourself a chance. If--if money is wanted--well,
+I've saved a bit----"
+
+He simply leaned back in his chair and laughed. And such a laugh!
+There was not a ring of mirth in it--a tuneless, mocking laugh such as
+might come from the throat of a devil. Then he stopped and looked at
+me, the hard lines still in the corners of his mouth and round his
+eyes.
+
+"Thring, you're a meddlesome fool! Take my advice and let each man
+stir his own porridge. I want no interference and none of your damned
+advice. I mean to live my own life."
+
+"It isn't of you alone I am thinking."
+
+He fairly shook with rage. "Go!" he burst out. "Go! I hate the sight
+of you, with your lips full of talk about duty and self-respect and
+honour. Go!"
+
+I left the man, but for all his violence I felt that his anger was
+really against himself, and that my words had gone home.
+
+A year, two years passed. Three times in this interval I had
+heard from Nelly, and on each occasion the letter was not so much
+for me as to obtain news of Mazarion. She was still watching and
+waiting--wasting the treasures of her heart as many another woman has
+done on men as worthless as Mazarion. And I--I was powerless to help
+her for whom I would have given my life. Twice I had answered to say
+that I had no news to give; but on the third occasion it was on the
+heels of her letter that news reached me. It came from the commander
+of a river steamer who dined with me in my lonely district house on
+the banks of the Irawadi.
+
+"The man has practically gone to the devil," said Jarman in his blunt
+outspoken way; "he got a touch of the sun about a year ago."
+
+"I never heard of that."
+
+"I'm not surprised at that; it's a wonder you hear anything in this
+doggone hole. Well, when Mazarion came round again the pace was faster
+than ever. I can't help thinking that his brain never really righted
+itself; but he acted like a fool, and a madman, and a blackguard
+combined--with the usual result."
+
+"You don't mean to say he's broken!"
+
+"About as good as broke. Government is long-suffering, but in common
+decency they couldn't overlook the things Mazarion did. They've given
+him a chance, however. He's had six months' sick leave to settle his
+affairs, and he's cleared off to some hill station or other in India."
+
+So it had come to this. And late that night I took the bull by the
+horns and wrote to Mrs. Carstairs, telling her exactly how things
+were, and in the morning my heart failed me and I tore up that letter
+and wrote another one to Nelly, in which all that I said of Mazarion
+was that he had gone on leave to the Indian hills; and this letter I
+posted.
+
+I little knew how near the time was when I should go myself. My tour
+of service in Burma was coming to an end, and that end was hastened by
+the rice-swamps of Henzada. A medical certificate did the rest, and
+within the month I was ordered to India, and, best of good luck, to a
+Himalayan station. In a fortnight I was out of Burma--in India--in the
+Himalayas.
+
+How I enjoyed that journey from the plains! How strength seemed to
+come back by leaps and bounds as we rushed through the belt of
+forest that girdled the mountains, past savannahs of waving yellow
+tiger-grass, through purple-blossomed ironwood and lilac jerrol,
+through stretches of bamboo jungle in every shade of colour, with
+their graceful tufts of culms a hundred feet and more from the ground,
+through giant sal and toon woods whose sombre foliage was lightened by
+the orange petals of the palas, and the blazing crimson bloom of the
+wax-like flowers of the silk cotton! Higher still, and the tropical
+forest is now but a hazy green sea that quivers uneasily below. Now
+the hedgerows are bright with dog-roses, and the shade is the shade of
+oak and birch and maple. In the long restful arcades of the forest, by
+the edges of the trickling mountain springs, the sward is gay with
+amaranth and marguerite, the pimpernel winks its blue eyes from
+beneath its shelter of tender green, and a hundred other nameless
+woodland flowers spangle the glades. Higher still and the whole wonder
+of the Himalayas is around me, one rolling mass of green, purple, and
+azure mountains, with a horizon of snow-clad peaks standing white and
+pure against the perfect blue of the sky.
+
+There was a window at the club which used to be my favourite seat, for
+it commanded a matchless view, and it was here that I used to sit and
+positively drink in strength with every puff of fresh, pure air that
+came in past the roses clustering on the trelliswork outside. A friend
+joined me--one who like myself had escaped to the hills after wrecking
+his health in a Burman swamp. He had known Mazarion, and somehow the
+conversation turned upon him, and Paget asked me to step with him into
+the hall. Once there he pointed to a small board which I had noticed
+before, but never had the curiosity to examine. On that board was
+posted the name of John Mazarion as a defaulter.
+
+"He has gone under utterly," said Paget as we regained our seats, "for
+this is not all that has happened."
+
+"Could anything be worse?"
+
+"Well, I rather think so. Do you know the man has flung away all shame
+and has gone to live like a beastly Bhootea--a hill man--a savage on
+the mountain side?"
+
+"What!"
+
+"Why, every one knows it here. It happened about three months
+ago--just after that affair," and he indicated the board in the hall
+with a turn of his hand.
+
+"The man must be mad."
+
+"Not he; only he hasn't pluck enough to blow his brains out. He's not
+alone either, but has taken a wife--a Bhootea woman. They're not far
+off from here--over there on that spur," and he pointed to a wooded
+arm of the mountains that stood out above a grey rolling mist.
+
+"My God!" and I put my head between my hands. "The cad! the worthless
+brute!" I burst out. "See here, Paget: perhaps you're wrong--perhaps
+this story isn't true?"
+
+Paget carefully dusted a speck from his coat-sleeve.
+
+"I know what you're thinking of, Thring. That girl at home. I heard
+something about the affair. I used to feel inclined to kick him when I
+saw her picture in his rooms at Rangoon beside that of the other
+one--you know whom I mean. Yes, it's all true, and you can go and see
+if you like. The Boothea girl is called Rani; she's devilish pretty.
+It's the 'squalid savage' business, you know; but the man is a moral
+hog--damn him!"
+
+Saying this, Paget, who was a good fellow after his kind, lit another
+cigar, and nodding his head in farewell went off to the billiard-room,
+and I sat still--thinking, thinking, with fury and shame in my heart.
+At last I could endure it no longer, and then suddenly rose and walked
+to my rooms--I lived in the club. I was hardly conscious of what I
+did, but I remember ordering my pony, and then my eyes fell on a case
+containing a small pair of dainty revolvers. I took them mechanically
+from their velvet-lined beds, loaded them carefully, and slipped them
+in a courier-bag. Then I mounted the pony and rode off to find
+Mazarion. The road was longer than I thought; but it seemed as if some
+instinct guided me--some power, I know not what, was over me, and led
+my steps straight to my goal.
+
+It is curious how in moments like this unimportant and trivial
+incidents impress themselves on the mind. I remember tying the pony to
+a white rhododendron, and that in so doing I dropped my cigar. It was
+the only one I had, and it lay smouldering before me, crosswise on the
+petals of one of the huge lemon-scented flowers that had fallen from
+the tree. I kicked it from me, and then went onwards on foot. In about
+half an hour I came to a little tableland of greensward, which hung
+over a grey abyss. Huge black pines rose stiffly on the rocks that
+beetled over the level turf, and to the edge of the rocks there clung,
+like a wasp's nest, a wretched hut, with a thin blue smoke rising from
+between the rafters of its moss-grown roof.
+
+It was touching sunset, and the west was a blaze of crimson and gold.
+The face of the pine-covered crag towering above me was in black
+shadow; but the mellow light was bright on the green turf at my feet.
+It cast a ruddy glow over the withered trunk of a huge fallen pine
+that lay athwart the open, and then fell in long rainbow-hued shafts
+on the uneasy mists that filled the valley, and stole up the mountain
+side in soft-rolling billows of purple, of grey, and of silver-white.
+The pine trunk was not ten paces from me, and walking up to it I took
+out the pistols from the courier-bag and placed them on the rough
+bark, and from their resting-place the polished barrels glinted
+brightly in the evening light. I knew I was near my man, and if ever
+there was an excuse for doing what I meant to do, I had that defence.
+As I stood there, one hand on the tree trunk and still as a stone, a
+red tragopan crept out from the yellow-berried bramble at the edge of
+the steep. For a moment we looked at one another, and then he dropped
+his blue-wattled head an was off like a flash, and at the same instant
+there was a scream and a rush of wings, as a homing eagle dropped like
+a falling stone over the pines, and whizzing past me was lost to view.
+I walked to the edge of the precipice over which he had flown to his
+eyrie on the face of the cliffs below; I could see nothing but that
+heaving swell of billows, and now some one laughed--a sweet, melodious
+laugh like the tinkling of a silver bell. I turned sharply, and Rani
+stood before me. It could be none other than she. Bhootea, savage,
+Mongol--whatever she was, she was of those whom God had dowered with
+beauty, and she stood before me a lithe, supple elf of the woods. The
+rounded outlines of her form were clear through the single garment she
+wore, clasped by an embroidered zone at the waist, and holding forth a
+pitcher with a shapely arm, she offered me some spring water to drink.
+I shook my head, and she laughed again like the song of a bird, and
+asked in English, speaking slowly:
+
+"You want--my--man?"
+
+Before I could answer, the door of the hut opened and Mazarion and I
+had met again.
+
+"You--you!" and he paled beneath his sunburnt cheeks.
+
+"Even I." And we stared at each other, my temples throbbing and my
+hands clenched. He was dressed as a native of the hills, in a long
+loose gabardine, with a cloth wound round his waist. His fair hair
+hung in an unkempt tangle to his neck, and he had a beard of many
+weeks' growth. All the beauty had gone from his face, and sin had set
+the mark of the beast on him; he had become a savage; he had gone back
+five thousand years, to the time when his cave-dwelling ancestors
+hunted the aurochs and the sabre-toothed tiger. There was that in our
+gaze which stilled the laughter in Rani's eyes, and she crept closer
+to him, standing as if to cover him. His head drooped slowly forwards,
+and the fingers of his hands opened and shut; he was fighting
+something within himself.
+
+"Send the woman away," I said. "You know why I have come," and I
+pointed to the pistols on the fallen tree trunk.
+
+Rani saw the gesture. Her glance shifted uneasily from one to the
+other of us, and then rested on the weapons, and now, trembling with
+an unknown fear, she clung to her man.
+
+"Send her away. You hear." My own voice came to me as from a far
+distance.
+
+He put her aside gently, where she stood shivering in every limb, and
+came forwards a step.
+
+"I cannot," he said thickly, and speaking with an effort; "I
+cannot--not with you----"
+
+"I will force you to." I spoke calmly enough, but there was a red mist
+before my eyes and a drumming in my ears. Fool that I was to think
+that God would give His vengeance to my hands! And then I struck him
+where he stood, struck him twice across the face, and with a cry like
+that of a mad beast he was on me.
+
+We were both strong men, and he was fighting for his life; but I--I
+had the strength of ten then; all the pent-up rage of years was
+roaring within me, and there was a pitiless hate in my heart. I would
+kill him like the unclean thing he was should be killed. With all my
+force I struck him again and again, and I felt as if something crashed
+under the blow. We fell together and rose again, and with a mighty
+effort I flung him from me. He staggered to his feet, his face white
+and bleeding, his blue lips hissing curses. He was then facing me, his
+back but a yard from the edge of the abyss, against which the mists
+were beating like a grey sea. He read the meaning in my look, and made
+one last straggle, one last rush for safety, but I hit him fair on the
+forehead, and he threw up his arms with a gasp, staggered back a pace,
+and was gone. Far below there sounded something like a dull thud and a
+cry, and then all was still. Nelly was avenged.
+
+It was all over. I could see nothing as I peered into the mist before
+me, and then I was brought to myself by the sound of sudden sobbing,
+and there was Rani stretched on the grass and plucking at the turf
+like a mad thing. She was a woman after all, and, poor, wild waif of
+the jungles, hers was no sin and no wrong. But her sobs and the agony
+on her face brought on a sudden revulsion and a horror at my deed. It
+was as sudden, as swift, as the tumult of passions which had driven me
+to kill the man, and now the blackness of night had settled on my
+soul. I made no attempt at speech with the woman, but silently took up
+the pistols, gave one last shivering glance at the deep and at the
+prostrate figure of Rani, and then fled through the forest, my one
+thought to put miles between me and my deed. By the time I had found
+the pony and mounted him I was able to reflect a little, and it was
+with a guilty start that I realized there was a witness, and--and--But
+the place was a lonely one. And Rani--would her word count against
+mine? Never! And then I laughed shrilly and galloped on.
+
+I reached the club just in time to dress for dinner. Strange! I could
+not bear the thought of being alone--I who had lived for a year at a
+time a solitary. I dressed in haste, and as I came out my servant
+handed me my letters--the English mail had just come in, he said. I
+would have flung them from me, but that the first letter in my hand
+was in Mrs. Carstairs' writing. With a vague presentiment of evil I
+opened and read. Nelly was ill, Nelly was dying. Some fool had told
+her of John Mazarion, and had killed her as surely as with the stroke
+of a knife. As I read, the lines blurred one into the other, and
+something seemed to give way in my brain. I rose and staggered as one
+drunken, and then--and then, strong man as I was, I fainted and
+remember no more.
+
+It was a long illness. I do not know what the doctors called it; but
+they pulled me through, as they thought. It was another thing,
+however, that cured me. I remember how, when my brain first righted
+itself, the awful memory of Mazarion's end came back again and sat
+over me like a dreadful vampire. Each whispered word of the nurses in
+attendance on me, each noise I heard, seemed to presage the
+announcement that my guilt was known. One day I asked the nurse
+whether I had been delirious, and what I had said.
+
+She flushed a little. She was a good woman, and an untruth was hateful
+to her. Then she fenced:
+
+"Oh, one always says strange things in delirium; but you're getting
+quite strong now, and Captain Paget is coming to see you to-day. It
+was he who found you insensible, and he has been as good as any ten of
+us----"
+
+"Paget--Paget found me?"
+
+She put her finger to her lips and a cool hand on my eyes, and I
+seemed to fall asleep.
+
+How long I slept I cannot quite say, but I became conscious of
+whispering voices in the room.
+
+"There's no doubt about it, and it's his only chance, I think. Just
+give him the news quietly when he awakes. Yes, he may have a glass of
+port before."
+
+I lay still, but trembling under my covers. It had come at last. Oh,
+the shame of it! the sin of it!--I a common murderer. It was too much,
+and I tried to start up, but fell back weakly, and saw Paget sitting
+by the bed, smiling kindly at me.
+
+"Not yet, old man--in a day or so. Take this port, will you?"
+
+I drank it with an effort; but it warmed me and gave me strength.
+
+"You're to be shipped home in a few days--lucky beggar! Wouldn't mind
+getting ill myself if I could get leave."
+
+I smiled in spite of myself.
+
+"That's right. Feeling better, I see. We had another interesting
+patient also, but he cleared out a week or so ago from hospital. It
+was that fellow Mazarion. Remember him?"
+
+"Mazarion!"
+
+"Yes. Fell over the edge of a precipice and on to a ledge of rock. Got
+his fall broken somehow by the branches of a tree, and the wild
+raspberry bushes, or he'd have been in Kingdom Come--eh? What?"
+
+"Thank God!" I felt a load lifted from my heart, the shadows had
+passed from my soul. I lay back, my eyes closed and a peace upon me.
+And then I prayed for the first time in many a long day, and whilst I
+prayed I fell once more asleep. There came to me in that sleep a dream
+of Nelly--of Nelly robed in white with a glory around her, and she
+smiled and beckoned me to come.
+
+Well, I was once more in England, and because she wished it I was
+allowed to see Nelly. She lay on her cushions very pale and white, but
+for the red spot on each cheek, and an unnatural brightness of the
+eyes. I knew it was a matter of time, and all that we could do was to
+wait and hope.
+
+It came at last, one dreary evening, when the lamps were burning dimly
+in the streets through the ceaseless, insistent drizzle. I cannot
+linger over this or my heart would break. We stood by her, sad and
+silent, waiting for the end. It was not long in coming. She had been
+as it were asleep, when suddenly she awoke and her voice was strong
+with the strength of death. She called to me:
+
+"Mr. Thring, you know that story about John. Is--is it true?"
+
+Oh, the chattering ape who had killed her! Her mother's eyes met mine;
+but I could see nothing but Nelly--Nelly looking at me with a wistful
+entreaty. I could not; right or wrong, I could not.
+
+"It is not true, dear. He will come back to you."
+
+"Say that again."
+
+"He will come back to you, Nelly."
+
+"He must follow," and she closed her eyes with a sweet smile on her
+lips.
+
+Then my dear's hand went out to clasp mine in thanks, and I held the
+chill fingers in my grasp.
+
+"Mother--kiss me. John--you will come," and she was gone.
+
+
+                          *   *   *   *   *
+
+
+I had stolen out of the house, leaving them with their dead. As I
+closed the gate, and stepped on to the pavement a ragged figure came
+out of the mist and, standing beside the lamp-post, looked towards the
+house and the drawn blinds. The light fell on the wasted form and
+haggard features. I could not mistake; it was John Mazarion.
+
+I went up to him and touched him on the shoulder. He started back and
+stared at me vacuously.
+
+"She lies there dead," I said.
+
+"Dead!"
+
+"Ay, dead. She died with your name on her lips."
+
+He looked at me stupidly. Then something like a sob burst from him,
+and with bowed head and shambling steps he turned, and crossing the
+road went from my life.
+
+
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heart of Denise and Other Tales, by
+S. (Sidney) Levett-Yeats
+
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author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:09:57 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:09:57 -0700
commit	da1035a756694d846a64fc1bf92112d15f635ac1 (patch)
tree	2cee50cfeddba95e71fa014211ed99f38c59a5ea